Yu-Gi-Oh! Equus

Chapters

Chapter 2: Questioning
Chapter 3: Claude
Chapter 4: Monsoon
Chapter 5: Support
Chapter 6: Inclusion
Chapter 7: Team
Arc 2: Riverwalk Competition - Chapter 8: Morning
Chapter 9: Speed
Chapter 10: Luster
Chapter 11: Bountiful
Chapter 12: Hero
Chapter 14: Rival
Chapter 15: Gift
Chapter 16: Test
Arc 3: Riverwalk Tournament - Chapter 17: Warning
Chapter 18: Stalling
Chapter 20: Warrior
Chapter 22: Twilight
Chapter 23: Brothers
Chapter 24: Closer
Chapter 25: Power
Chapter 26: Passion
Arc 4: Equus War - Chapter 27: Graduation
Chapter 28: Legion
Chapter 29: Present
Chapter 30: Ride
Chapter 31: Break
Chapter 32: Ally
Chapter 33: Traitor
Chapter 34: Flight
Chapter 35: Exam
Chapter 36: Bully
Chapter 38: Gauntlet
Chapter 39: Imposter
Chapter 40: Devotion
Chapter 41: Rescue
Chapter 42: Escape
Chapter 43: Secret
Chapter 44: Abduction
Chapter 45: Army
Chapter 46: Prelude
Chapter 47: Trixie
Chapter 48: Gilda
Chapter 49: Chrysalis
Chapter 50: Kyle
Chapter 51: Luna
Chapter 52: Grant
Chapter 54: Armageddon
Chapter 55: Life
Series 2: Elements of Vice - Arc 5: Equestrian Odyssey - Chapter 56: Assassins
Chapter 57: Registration
Chapter 58: Scheme
Chapter 59: Envy
Series 1: Stones of Equus - Arc 1: Another Earth - Chapter 1: Challenger
Chapter 13: Surprise
Chapter 19: Beatdown
Chapter 21: Rematch
Chapter 37: Help
Chapter 53: Rae
New Story

Chapter 2: Questioning

Alex woke up in a hospital bed with Tom, Sarah, and Mrs. Emmitt on his bedside. The TV had only one thing on its mind: the planet that appeared over Earth. Upon seeing the fluttering of his eyes, Mrs. Emmitt rushed to Alex and hugged him tightly, accidently pressing on his bruises.

“Uhh…” moaned Alex painfully.

“Sorry, dear,” apologized Mrs. Emmitt.

“What happened?”

“Nothing much,” said Tom. “You and Reese disappeared in a ball of light and reappeared ten minutes later covered in cuts and bruises. Oh yeah, and there’s another planet hovering above ours right now. Same old, same old.”

“Thomas,” scolded Mrs. Emmitt.

“It’s okay, Mrs. Emmitt,” reassured Alex. “What happened to Reese?”

“Him?” answered Tom. “In a hospital bed like you. Don’t know if he’s up yet though.”

The thought of Reese being injured because of the duel was never something that he wanted to happen. It was just supposed to be a regular duel.

“By the way,” said Mrs. Emmitt, “some men wanted to talk with you.”

Some men? thought Alex.

A news camera crew and a few military officers came into the room. The presence of the military always made Alex nervous, but he figured since he was one of two people who knew more than anyone what happened, he figured it was fair that he gave them some answers.

“Hello, Alexander,” said a bald, muscular African-American in formal army garb. “Do you mind if I call you that?”

“Alex is fine, sir.”

“Alright, Alex. My name is Sergeant Luke. I’d like to ask you a few questions.”

“I’m sure you would, but can you promise me something.”

“Yes?”

“I don’t want you or any other military group going and raising hell on that planet. The creatures on that planet were very scared of us when we got there.”

“You were on that planet?”

“I would believe so sir.”

“Please tell me everything you remember.” Sergeant Luke listened intently.

“Me and a classmate of mine, Reese Miller, were dueling at our school. In the middle of the duel, we were whisked away by this ball of light. The next thing I knew, I was in this town full of what looked like… tiny horses. The strange thing was that all the horses were all different colors. And I don’t mean like chestnut, black, like normal horse colors. I mean some were yellow, some were blue, you know, pastel colors.”

Sergeant Luke was very fascinated.

“When the horses saw Reese and I, they broke and ran for cover except for one. It was a purple unicorn. She was-”

“Wait,” interrupted Sergeant Luke. “Did you say unicorn?”

“I did. She had a horn right on her head.” Sergeant Luke had heard something that he’d never expected, so he took a while to contemplate it.

“Can you tell us what she looked like? Give me as many details as you can.”

“Her coat was… light purple. She had a darker purple mane and tail. Another thing was that she had a pink and a light purple streak running through both her tail and mane. Lastly, there looked to be what looked like a star tattooed on her… rump.”

“Thank you,” said Luke. “Please continue.”

Alex told them about the duel, from the real damage that they took, to the new card that appeared in their extra decks, which Luke asked them to see. Tom had taken Alex’s D-Pad off of him when they arrived at the hospital. He handed his friend his deck box. Alex searched for the card until he finally came across it. Jade Wyvern.

“May I see it?” requested Luke.

Alex handed the card. Despite his growing trust for this man, Alex still didn't feel safe letting this card out of his grasp for much longer.

“What is this?” asked Luke.

“I don’t know, sir. I just found this card on me during the duel while I was on that planet. May I please have it back?

“Okay,” said Luke, giving Alex his card. “Let’s get back to the story then.”

Alex explained that he won the duel, and just before he was sent back to earth, the unicorn tried to help him, even saying, “Wait,” as he left.

“So what you’re telling me is that this planet is inhabited by sentient, talking ponies?”

“That sounds like the long and short of it.” The sergeant stood, his other crew members joining him.

“Thank you, Mr. Yuwell. You have been most helpful.” Sergeant Luke then pulled a business card from his pocket and handed it to Alex. “If you need anything, stay in touch.”

They left without another word.

“Was all of what you said true,” asked Mrs. Emmitt, who could hardly believe a word of what Alex just said.

“Every word. Plus, I’m too scared of the military to lie to them like that.” Soon a swarm of news cameras surrounded Alex as reporters and journalists questioned Alex about the details.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

It was close to nighttime when the last of the interviewers left and Alex was told he could go home since his injuries weren’t severe enough to keep him there. As Alex and his family walked down the halls to the elevator, they happened to see Reese in the hallway with a bottle of water.

“Hey,” called Reese, stopping them. “I need to give Alex something… as promised.”

Alex was given a piece of paper from Reese’s pocket. Upon unfolding it, Alex found that it was the tournament voucher.

“I didn’t trust Rich to give you the voucher had you won, so I took it, planning to keep it if I had won or give it to you if you did. But I am a man of my word. Good game, Alex.”

He began walking back to his room.

“Hey,” called back Alex. “Let’s duel again sometime.”

Reese simply responded with a wave. Tom looked stunned.

“You… beat Reese?” asked Tom. Alex nodded. Tom slammed Alex’s back with his hand with a, “You are awesome!” Alex winced and hissed as the hand hit one of his bruises. “Oops. Sorry.”
_________________________________________________________________________________________

When Alex, Tom, Sarah, and Mrs. Emmitt came back to the house, all Alex wanted to do was sleep. He had reviews in the morning for final tests during the next week. It didn’t matter if there was another planet orbiting around the earth with a populace of talking ponies, his normal teenager life and duties would resume as normal. As Alex wearily climbed up the stairs, he opened his door hoping to see his comfy bed. Instead, he was greeted by six of the equine aliens that he saw on the other planet.

“Howdy,” said an orange one with a cowboy hat who, unsurprisingly, spoke in a deep southern accent. “I reckon this is your house?” Alex fainted.

“Alex?” called Mrs. Emmitt.

She ran up the stairs to see if her, for lack of a better term, son was okay. Before she could get to him, the same orange pony ran to Alex's side from his room to see if he was alright. Mrs. Emmitt screamed at the sight of this alien and tried to push her away from him, but something was blocking her: a forcefield being generated by a purple unicorn’s horn, the same unicorn that Alex saw during his duel with Reese. A white unicorn with a curled purple mane and tail used her horn’s magic to lift Alex from the floor and to his bedroom.

“No!” cried Mrs. Emmitt. “Please don’t hurt him!”

“Simmer down, Miss,” said the orange pony. “We ain’t gonna hurt your son. We promise.”

“What are you doing to him?” asked Tom, having ran up to see the commotion with Sarah.

“Don’t worry. He just got an awful fright after he saw us, so we’re putting him to bed.”

“Wait,” called a pink pony with a frizzled pink mane and tail. “He’s waking up!”

“Are we all good?” asked the cowgirl pony to the woman.

“Yes, please let me see him!” she begged.

Twilight stopped the forcefield, letting Mrs. Emmitt and her children pass. The ponies left a spot for the three humans to watch as Alex woke up. He opened his eyes to find himself on his bed, the six ponies crowded around him. Alex was about to scream for help when his mother tried comforting him.

“It’s okay, Alex. They’re not going to harm you.”

Mrs. Emmitt’s hands on Alex’s body soothed him significantly. Alex then noticed the purple unicorn from his duel with Reese.

“Hey,” he whispered, “you’re that one from my duel.”

She chuckled innocently, bringing Alex into fuller ease.

“I’m glad you remember me,” she said, “but I don’t know what this ‘duel’ you speak of is. In fact, before we get anywhere, let’s introduce ourselves to you. My name is Twilight Sparkle.”

The pink pony was next.

“I’m Pinkie Pie.”

Then the cowgirl pony.

“Applejack.”

She was followed by the white unicorn.

“Rarity.”

Next, a blue pegasus.

“I’m Rainbow Dash.”

Lastly, a pegasus with a yellow coat and long pink mane sounded off.

“I’m Fluttershy.” Her voice was quieter than the others, obviously a little nervous around these new creatures.

“Yes,” said Mrs. Emmitt, “My name is Carolyn, and these are my two children Tom and Sarah.”

Tom and Sarah gave nervous waves.

“It’s nice to meet you all,” said Twilight. “And you’re Alex I presume?”

“Yes,” he confirmed.

“Aren’t you Carolyn’s son as well?”

“Not exactly. You see, my parents died a while ago, so my friend Tom convinced my mom to let me live with him in his family.”

“I’m… so sorry to hear that. At least you have the support of such great friends.”

“I’d like to ask you something now,” said Alex. “Why are you here? I mean, how did your planet come near ours like that?”

“Your guess is as good as mine, Alex. Our lives were going on as normal, just as yours presumably was, and you just appeared out of the blue, and then we find that we’re orbiting another planet.”

“What about this? Tom, my deck.”

Tom ran downstairs and grabbed Alex’s deck case, bringing it back up and giving it to him.

“This card appeared in my deck when I dueled Reese.”

He showed Twilight the Jade Wyvern card.

“Oh dear,” she gasped, drooping her ears.

“What is it?” asked Carolyn.

“It’s just like I thought. Alex, right now, you hold the physical embodiment of one of the Stones of Equus.”

“Stones of Equus?”

“Let me explain. One of the greatest wizards of all time in our world, Starswirl the Bearded, has done many great things in his life. One of them was the creation of the Stones of Equus. He devised an army comprised of different monsters and creatures and sealed them away in stone deep inside the Equus Caverns, so that when needed in times of peril, they would awaken and assist the ponies of Equestria, our country.”

Alex's head was swimming with questions. Wizards? Monsters? Equus Caverns? Equestria? As much as he wanted answers, he wanted to focus on the dilemma at hand.

“So why did they come to me? And Reese for that matter?”

“When our world appeared near yours, and you and that Reese fellow appeared in our home world, the Stones must have sensed danger and came to assist you both.”

“Are there more of these stones?”

“Yes. Most of them have mysteriously vanished, but some still remain. They haven’t found owners yet, but they will in time. Our leader, Princess Celestia, sent us down here to find you. We have to try and find these owners when they appear so we can stop whoever or whatever brought us here.”

“Wait a second. Who’s this 'we' stuff?”

“It seems that the Stones are taking the form of these cards which can only be summoned through the use of that game you were playing. If we hope to stand any chance in finding these other Stones, we need your assistance in finding them.”

“You know, I could always teach you the game.”

“You’d… do that for us?”

“Well, like you said, ‘We have to find these owners,’ the key word being ‘we.’"

“Really? So you’ll do it?”

“Do I even have any choice in the matter?”

"I'm afraid not."

"Then I guess I'm in for one crazy summer."

Alex was then surprised by a group hug by all of the ponies, happy that they had assistance with them.

“Excuse me,” said Tom, tapping Twilight on the shoulder after the hug was finished.

“What is it, Tom?”

“Would you be opposed to me joining you guys? Alex is my friend after all and I want to be with him every step of the way.”

“You really are a great friend, aren’t you? The answer is yes. We’d love for you to assist us.”

"Welcome to the club,” called Rainbow Dash to Tom. She then held her wing out to him. Tom was unsure of what to do

“Smack it, dude” she explained.

Tom opened his palm and gave the pegasus a high five.

“That’s what I’m talking about!”

Carolyn was stunned to see how peaceful these creatures really were. In just five minutes, they became friends with Alex and her own son.

“I’m sorry, Ms. Sparkle,” said Carolyn “my children have school tomorrow, and they need their rest.”

“But of course,” gasped Twilight, “what was I thinking? Yes, let’s get to bed. There’s nothing more important than being prepared for your studies.”

“Wait,” said Rarity. “Where are we supposed to sleep?”

“You could sleep with us,” suggested Alex. “There’s enough room on everyone’s beds to accommodate a couple of you per bed.”

“That sounds great!” said Pinkie Pie. “It will be like a slumber party!”

“Awesome!” called Rainbow Dash. “I call bunking with Tom.”

She quickly sped to Tom’s side.

“I reckon I’ll go with Tom too,” said Applejack.

Sarah seemed to enjoy Pinkie’s abundant happiness and Fluttershy’s cuteness, so she asked them both if they would like to sleep in her bed, to which they happily agreed. Twilight and Rarity slept with Alex. Despite being the size of an large dog, they fit nicely on the beds, a human getting half of the bed while two ponies shared quarters of the bed.

“Um…” stammered Carolyn, trying to make it sound as normal as she could to a group of extra-terrestrial ponies, “good night.”

All at once, the ponies said, “Good night,” to her. The lights turned off, and the ponies snuggled in their new beds. Alex turned on his stomach and laid his head on the pillow. The only thing he watched was Twilight as she snoozed before Alex dozed off as well.

Chapter 3: Claude

Friday, May 11, 2012

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Alex woke up to see Twilight and Rarity sleeping soundly in his bed. He looked at his bedside clock.

6:13 AM.

Mrs. Emmitt’s going to scream us down for breakfast in about ten minutes, thought Alex. It’s best they be woken up gently than be woken by her.

Alex took a fast shower before returning to the bedroom fully dressed so he wouldn’t have to change in front of his guests.

It’s almost time.

Alex nudged the two ponies.

“Hey,” he whispered. “It’s time to get up.” The two ponies gently awoke with a yawn and a stretch.

“What time is it?” groaned Twilight, still groggy.

“It’s about time that Mrs. Emmitt calls us down for breakfast.”

“Just five more minutes,” moaned Rarity. “I was sleeping so well and-”

“Breakfast!” called Carolyn loudly. Rarity groaned as she reluctantly hopped out of bed.

Alex walked down the stairs to find a bald African-American gentleman in a suit and tie sitting at the kitchen table eating a stack of pancakes with butter and syrup.

“Alex,” chirped Carolyn, “you’re up.”

“Mrs. Emmitt,” asked Alex, “who’s eating at our table?”

The man turned around, allowing Alex to remember the face.

“Oh,” fumbled Alex, caught completely unaware. “Hello Sergeant Luke.”

“Please,” responded Luke, “that’s only my name while I’m on duty. Call me Claude.”

“Claude? So your name is Claude Luke?”

“Exactly.”

“So why are you hear anyways?”

“I have an appointment with a ‘Ms. Sparkle.’”

No point playing dumb now, thought Alex.

“How do you know about Twilight?”

“Last night when we left your hospital room, we got a contact from a ‘Princess Celestia of Equestria.’ You did hear the broadcast, didn’t you?”

“…No.”

“Not a news person are we?”

“I’m not a T.V. or radio person in general.”

“Oh… well. Anyways, this Princess Celestia claimed that she and her kind are peaceful creatures and we shouldn’t fear them. She said she would send down six of her kind led by a ‘Twilight Sparkle’ to an undisclosed residence in the same area where you disappeared, including a private message to me telling me to meet them there. Seeing as you and that Reese kid were the only ones physically involved with the events of yesterday, my chances of finding them were pretty good.”

“What do you want with them?”

“Celestia told me that they’re here to help you and so am I. If you’re worried about me hurting them, then you have my word that I won’t do anything to them.” Alex still looked unsure. “Can you trust me?” After some hesitation, Alex made his decision.

“Everyone downstairs,” he said. “That includes the ponies.” It took a while but Tom, Sarah, and the six ponies came downstairs to be greeted by Claude.

“Good morning, Mr. Luke,” greeted Twilight.

“Claude will be fine,” he responded, shaking Twilight’s hoof. “Now, did you tell Alex here about the Stones?”

“Everything, sir.”

“Good.” The conversation got sidetracked when Applejack smelled the scent of pancakes wafting in the air.

“Smells mighty fine, Carolyn,” said Applejack. “What’cha cookin’?”

“Pancakes. I’ll have your pancakes out soon, but right now, I have to feed the children so they can be off to school.”

“Please, darling,” said Rarity, “take all the time you need. If ponies have places to be, who are we to delay them?”

Mrs. Emmitt put three plates on the counter, each with a single large pancake on it for her children. Alex felt uncomfortable eating with all that was going on around him, but he needed the strength to carry through the day, especially with his bruises making him feel weak and tired, so he ate his pancake in silence. When breakfast was over, Alex put his dishes in the dishwasher and packed his bag for school. He remembered he left his keys and headphones in his blazer, so he put it on and walked downstairs to the front door.

“What are you going to do with the ponies today?” Alex asked Claude.

“Seeing as these ponies don’t know the first thing about dueling, I was going to give them their decks and duel disks today and teach them how to duel.”

“Mr. Luke,” said Twilight, “with all due respect, I would like Alex to teach us how to duel. After all, he does control a Stone.”

“But he has to go to school,” replied Claude. “I’m free all day to help you girls out.”

“I’ve got an idea,” spoke up Rainbow Dash, “why don’t you settle this in one of these duels?”

“A duel?”

“Yeah,” responded Tom. “The winner of the duel will clearly be the best teacher for them. Let skill decide.”

“What about class?”

“We have bikes,” said Alex. “It will cut our normal travel time significantly, so we can have plenty of time. You game, Claude.”

“I suppose there’s no convincing you,” relented Claude. “Fine. I’ll accept your wager. Winner earns the right to teach these girls the game of Duel Monsters.”

Alex and Claude stood across the street from one another with Alex standing on the sidewalk on behind his house while Claude stood on the other side of the street on the sidewalk. Alex’s family and friends observed in the front yard.

“I have to warn you,” said Claude, “that I’ve been dueling before you were even born. I’m also the best duelist of my unit.”

“Yesterday, I dueled and beat my school’s champion. I think I can handle a challenge.”

“Have it your way,” said Claude. Claude put his wrist dealer on his left arm, attached his D-Pad tablet to the top and unsheathed it.

Alex responded by doing the same.

“Duel detected,” said an intercom's voice.

Hologram projectors turned on from the street lamps, putting the duel in the proper standards needed to play. Claude and Alex drew five cards from their decks.

“Go Alex!” called Tom. Alex gave him a thumbs up and turned to face Claude.

“DUEL!” they both yelled.

Claude vs. Alex

Claude’s Turn: Claude summons Heroic Challenger – Extra Sword (ATK: 1000 DEF: 1000).

Claude ends his turn.

Status: Hand-5 Life-4000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

“Huh?” queried Rainbow Dash. “Why doesn’t he attack him?”

“Because,” answered Tom, “no player can conduct their battle phase until both players have conducted a draw phase.”

“Phases? What in the hay are those?”

“Continue to watch, and you’ll learn.”

“Let’s go,” cried Alex.

***************************************************
Alex’s Turn: Alex summons Dragunity Corsesca (ATK: 800 DEF: 700). When Dragunity Corsesca is normal summoned, Alex can send a level 3 or lower Dragon-type monster from his deck to his graveyard. Then, Alex tributes Dragunity Corsesca to special summon Dragunity Arma Mystletainn (ATK: 2100 DEF: 1500).

Alex attacks Heroic Challenger Extra Sword with Dragunity Arma Mystletainn, but Claude activates the effect of Heroic Challenger – Swordshield from his hand, discarding it to take no battle damage this turn and preventing the destruction of all Heroic monsters on the field from battle.

Alex places two cards face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-4000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

The appearance of Alex’s dragon caused Fluttershy to hide behind Sarah in fear, to which she responded by kneeling to her hand rubbing her back to comfort her.

“Gosh!” cried Rainbow Dash. “This game is really confusing. I don’t know what anypony is doing. They could be cheating for all I know.”

“Calm down, Rainbow Dash,” said Tom. “This will help you soon enough.”

“Don’t think for a second that I’m going to let up on you,” said Claude, “because it’s going to become extremely painful for you right now.”

***************************************************
Claude’s Turn: Claude activates his spell The Warrior Returning Alive, sending a Warrior-type monster from his graveyard to his hand, choosing Heroic Challenger Sword Shield. Claude summons Heroic Challenger Swordshield (ATK: 0 DEF: 2000). Claude overlays Heroic Challenger Swordshield and Heroic Challenger Extra Sword to xyz summon Heroic Champion – Excalibur (ATK: 2000 DEF: 2000). When Heroic Challenger Extra Sword is used as xyz material for an xyz monster, that xyz monster gains 1000 ATK (ATK: 2000 -> 3000). Claude activates Heroic Champion – Excalibur’s effect. By detaching two xyz materials from it, Heroic Champion – Excalibur’s ATK becomes double its original ATK until his opponent’s end phase (ATK: 3000 -> 4000).

Claude attacks Dragunity Arma Mystletainn with Heroic Champion – Excalibur, but Alex activates Hallowed Life Barrier, discarding one card to reduce all damage he takes this turn to 0. Alex then activates his trap Card of Last Will, drawing five cards when a monster of his is destroyed in battle.

Claude places two cards face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-4000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

“5000 ATK?” commented Twilight. “They make cards that powerful?”

“Indeed,” said Tom.

“Then how in the hay is someone supposed to beat that thing?” asked Applejack.

“I’m sure Alex will find a way…”

“Come on!” called Claude. “Call on your new monster. I know its coming.” Alex began to give into his desire to win.

“You bet it is,” whispered Alex.

***************************************************
Alex’s Turn: Alex summons Dragunity Legionnaire (ATK: 1200 DEF: 800). When Dragunity Legionnaire is normal summoned, Alex can equip a level 3 or lower Dragon-type Dragunity monster from his graveyard onto Dragunity Legionnaire, choosing Dragunity Aklys. Alex then activates Dragunity Legionnaire’s effect. By sending one card equipped to it to the graveyard, Alex can destroy one monster on the field, choosing Heroic Champion – Excalibur.

When Dragunity Aklys is sent to the graveyard while equipped to a monster, Alex can destroy one card on the field, choosing one of Claude’s face down cards. Alex then activates Monster Reborn, special summoning Dragunity Arma Mystletainn from his graveyard. Next, Alex special summons another Dragunity Arma Mystletainn from his hand by sending Dragunity Legionnaire from his field to the graveyard. When Dragunity Arma Mystletainn is special summoned from the hand, Alex can equip a Dragon-type Dragunity monster from his graveyard to it, choosing Dragunity Aklys.

Alex overlays both Dragunity Arma Mystletainns to xyz summon Jade Wyvern (ATK: 2500 DEF: 2100). Alex repeats Dragunity Aklys’ effect, destroying Claude’s other face down card. Alex then activates the continuous spell Dragon Mastery, allowing him to equip a Dragon-type Dragunity monster to a monster he controls from his hand, equipping Jade Wyvern with Dragunity Brandistock. With Dragon Mastery’s effect, all monsters equipped with Dragunity cards gain 500 ATK (ATK: 2500 -> 3000). With Dragunity Brandistock’s effect, when it’s equipped to a monster, the equipped monster can attack twice in the battle phase.

Alex attacks Claude directly with Jade Wyvern.

Claude’s Life Points: 4000 -> 1000

Alex attacks Claude directly again with Jade Wyvern.

Claude’s Life Points: 1000 -> 0

Alex wins.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

“Wait,” called Rainbow Dash. “What just happened?”

“I won is what just happened,” said Alex as he went up to his friends.

“That was incredible,” said Claude approaching Alex. “You beat me without taking an ounce of damage.”

“I guess I shouldn’t have used my Stone card then,” Alex responded sheepishly. Claude giggled a little knowing that his summoning of his new ace was partially his idea.

“Next time,” said Claude, “let’s just fight on equal terms.”

“You got it.”

“Alright, now get to school.” Alex shook Claude’s hand before opening the garage door and running his bicycle out. Alex rode away to school without a second glance.

“He didn’t even say goodbye,” said Twilight, hurt.

“Don’t worry about it,” said Tom. “He can get sidetracked sometimes. Speaking of sidetracking, my sister and I need to get to school too.

“I’ll see you later,” said Rainbow Dash, giving him a quick friendly hug.

Tom was said goodbye to by the rest of the ponies, including Claude and his mother. Tom could run fast and had great stamina, so he grabbed his backpack and ran to school.

Sarah said goodbye to Fluttershy and her mom before she grabbed her own bike from the garage and rode off with it.

“How long will they be gone?” asked Pinkie Pie.

“They won’t be home until around 3:30 at the earliest,” answered Claude. “Now, how’s about we get you each a new deck?”

Chapter 4: Monsoon

Today for Alex, school was going to be interesting. Minus the planet hovering over Earth, Alex was going to face whatever praise or hatred he was going to receive for beating Reese. He walked into the school, and was immediately swamped with people asking him about the “abduction” as they eloquently put it. Alex ignored all questions, as doing so would eventually lead him to possibly revealing the existence of Twilight and her friends. He made it to class just fine, but felt like he wasn’t going to get through the day without having to fight through a sea of people in between every class period.

During his lunch period, he went outside in solitude to make a phone call. He used the number on the card he received yesterday. In a couple of rings, the person picked up.

“Agent Luke answering.”

“Claude, it’s me, Alex.”

“Alex? What are you doing calling me? You can get into serious trouble by using a phone during school hours.”

“I’m already in trouble.”

“…What did you do?”

“Nothing. People are swamping me with questions about my ‘abduction’ yesterday.”

“You’re not telling them anything are you?”

“Not a word.”

“Good. But I don’t know what you think I can do.”

“That depends. During that broadcast yesterday, did that Princess Celestia show any images of the ponies on the TV?”

“Yes, actually. She also said that they were to be treated with the utmost respect while on Earth or we as a species would suffer… dire consequences.”

“Yikes. It’s just that if they tried cracking answers out of me, I didn’t want the safety of the ponies to be jeopardized in any way.”

“Good for you.”

“Also, how is deck hunting for them?”

“They’re looking up decks right now. They should be equipped with one plus their own duel disk by the time you get back.”

“Great. Anyways, that’s all I needed. Will you be there when I get home?”

“No, I’ll be gone by that time. I’ll see you around sometime.”

“Okay. Bye.”

*click*

A shadow suddenly loomed over Alex.

“You know that phones aren’t allowed during school hours, Alex. What class are you supposed to be in?”

It was the principal, Mr. Whit. Alex liked him, but he knew that even as a friend, Mr. Whit couldn’t allow students breaking the rules like that.

“I’m sorry Mr. Whit, but I’m finding it rather difficult to go about my day with people swarming around me about the incident that happened yesterday.”

“Well, it isn’t every day that people vanish in a ball of light like that. It’s normal for people to wonder what happened to you, but that’s no excuse for you to break the school rules.”

“Well, I’d hope that my lack of any answers would be a hint for them to leave me alone. If you’re really concerned, I was actually calling my mom saying that if I get hounded out like this some more, I’m going home early.”

“Well, we certainly don’t want you to do that.”

“Then tell them all to leave me alone.”

“I don't have the power do that.”

“Then I’ll see you on Monday.” Alex walked away.

“Wait!” called Mr. Whit, “what about your other classes?”

“All I have left is English and Gym. We’re reviewing The Great Gatsby for a test. I think I can manage that one on my own.” Alex continued to walk.

“How about this? What if I wrote you a pass to leave for your next class early?” Alex thought a bit about it. Alex turned on his heel and walked back towards the school.

“I’ve never asked for anything much,” said Alex, “but in light of the events that have happened in the past twenty-four hours and the attention I’ve garnered because of it, please understand my feelings.”

“That’s why I’m offering you this pass, Alex. Come meet me in the office and I’ll write it up for you.”

“Thank you, sir.”

Alex followed Mr. Whit to his office, where he was given a slip of paper excusing him five minutes early before passing period. Alex shook his hand and wished him a good summer if they were to not converse like that before graduation.

Alex left for his English class early. He stood outside the door waiting for the class to begin when someone walked up to him.

“Alex,” he said.

“Reese?” Alex answered. “What are you doing here?” Reese showed him a slip of paper similar to Alex’s.

“Same as you probably.”

“People were hounding you too huh?”

“Sure, I had people crowded around me when I was the school’s top duelist, but this kind of attention is too much for me. Hopefully by next week’s beginning, this will all blow over.”

“Sorry about that.”

“Don’t be. This was beyond anyone’s control.”

“What if I told you it wasn’t?”

“What do you mean?”

“If I tell you this, you not only have to believe me, but this has to be a secret of ours, got it?”

“You can go ahead and tell me. With all that’s going on, I’m ready to believe anything.”

“Did you watch the news last night? Did you catch the report?”

“Yeah?”

“You know those aliens that they sent out yesterday?”

“What about them?”

“They’re currently living in my house.” Reese’s eyes widened as a result of this news.

“What?”

“Do you still have that one card from yesterday on you by chance?” Reese pulled out his deck and took out his Obsidian Imp card.

“What about this card? Tell me.”

Alex explained the whole story of the Stones of Equus to him, along with the theory that someone, or something, was the cause of the planet appearing.

“Normally, I’d say you were nuts,” responded Reese, “but like I said, in the light of all of this, I’m willing to believe in anything.”

“You don’t have to believe me,” said Alex. “Come to my house this weekend. You can meet them yourself.” Reese turned around.

“Thanks, but I’ll pass.” Reese began walking away.

“Wait! Reese! Don’t walk away from this. We need you!”

“But I don’t need you. We’ll see each other again, Alex Yuwell.”

From that point, Reese was too far away to not shout to him. Alex tried to run after him, but the seventh period bell rung, forcing Alex to get to class before he could be bombarded with eager peers.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

During Gym, Alex’s class was finishing up their dueling unit. It was the only class he shared with Tom, which he thought was a great way to end the day. Today, the class was finishing a fun tournament of sorts between the students. Alex and another one of his classmates, Emma Miller, who was also Reese’s sister, were the finalists.

Emma was a pretty woman. She was sleek, slender, and very fit. She, like her brother, had black hair, while hers was longer and put into a braided ponytail. The one other trait that she and her brother shared most of all, was their passion and skill with dueling.

“So,” said Emma, “you’re the one who beat my brother. At least that’s what he told me.”

“No, I beat him,” responded Alex.

“From what I saw, you disappeared in the middle of the duel and then reappear after it was all over. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you cheated him.”

“Wrong! It was a fair fight. It may seem hard for you to believe that I beat your brother, but I certainly didn’t cheat.”

“Then prove it to me!” Emma activated and unsheathed her deep blue duel disk, Alex doing the same. Both Emma and Alex drew 5 cards from their decks.

I’m making a promise to myself, thought Alex. I’m not going to use Jade Wyvern at all in this duel. I want to win with my own strength.

“DUEL!” the two both yelled.

Alex vs. Emma

Alex’s Turn: Alex summons Dragunity Partisan (ATK: 1200 DEF: 800). When Dragunity Partisan is normal summoned, Alex can special summon a Winged Beast-type Dragunity monster from his hand and equip it with Dragunity Partisan, choosing Dragunity Angusticlavii (ATK: 2100 DEF: 1000).

Alex places two cards face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-4000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

If what he says is true, thought Emma, and he really beat my brother, then I must show no mercy.

***************************************************
Emma’s Turn: Emma summons Gishki Vision (ATK: 700 DEF: 500). Emma activates Gishki Aquamirror, using Gishki Vision as the tribute in a ritual summon. With Gishki Vision’s effect, it can be used as the entire tribute for the ritual summoning of a WATER attribute monster. Emma tributes Gishki Vision to ritual summon Evigishki Zealgigas (ATK: 3200 DEF: 0). Emma activates Evigishki Zealgigas’ effect. By paying 1000 life points, Emma can draw one card and reveal it.

Emma’s Life Points: 4000 -> 3000

If it’s a Gishki monster, Emma can shuffle one card from the field to the deck. She draws Gishki Chain, allowing her to shuffle one of Alex’s face down cards into his deck.

Emma attacks Dragunity Angusticlavii with Evigishki Zealgigas, but Alex activates Battle Simulation, halving both monsters ATK until the end phase and preventing both monsters from being destroyed by battle (ATK: 3200 -> 1600) (ATK: 2100 -> 1050). Battle damage is still applied.

Alex’s Life Points: 4000 -> 3450

During the end phase, Evigishki Zealgigas’ and Dragunity Angusticlavii’s ATK return to normal (ATK: 1600 -> 3200) (ATK: 1050 -> 2100).

Emma places one card face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-4 Life-3000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

I don’t need Jade Wyvern to beat her, thought Alex. As long as I have faith in myself and my deck, I cannot lose.

***************************************************
Alex’s Turn: Alex summons Dragunity Militum (ATK: 1700 DEF: 1200). Alex activates Dragunity Militum’s effect. Once per turn, Alex can special summon a Dragunity monster from the spell and trap zone, choosing Draginity Partisan. Alex tunes Dragunity Militum and Dragunity Partisan to synchro summon Dragunity Knight – Gae Bulg (ATK: 2000 DEF: 1100).

Alex attacks Evigishki Zealgigas with Dragunity Knight – Gae Bulg, with Alex activating Dragunity Knight – Gae Bulg’s effect. By banishing a Winged Beast-type monster from his graveyard (Dragunity Militum), he can increase the ATK of Dragunity Knight – Gae Bulg by the ATK of the banished monster (ATK: 2000 -> 3700).

Emma’s Life Points: 3000 -> 2500

Alex attacks Emma directly with Dragunity Angusticlavii.

Emma’s Life Points: 2500 -> 400

Alex places two cards face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-3450 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

“Impossible,” mumbled Emma. “This strength…”

“Yes,” finished Alex. “My strength was enough to beat your brother. Can’t you just admit that?”

No, thought Emma. I can’t accept it. I won’t accept it. Suddenly, she noticed her extra deck case glowing brightly. The light coming off the box alerted everyone in the area, stopping any other duels that were happening in the class.

“Woah,” exclaimed Tom. “What’s going on?”

“Something big,” was all Alex managed to get out as he gulped in shock. Emma just smiled.

***************************************************
Emma’s Turn: Emma activates Gishki Aqumirror’s effect from her graveyard, shuffling it into the deck to send a Gishki ritual monster from her deck to her hand. Next, she activates Card Destruction, having both players discard their hands and draw the same number of cards that they discarded. Emma special summons Mermail – Megaloabyss by discarding two WATER monsters from her hand (ATK: 2400 DEF: 1900).

When Mermail – Megaloabyss is special summoned this way, Emma can add an Abyss spell/trap card from her deck to her hand. Next, Emma activates the effect of Mermail – Abyssgunde from her graveyard. If it was sent from the hand to the graveyard, she can special summon a Mermail monster from her graveyard, choosing Mermail – Abyssturge (ATK: 1700 DEF: 1100).

Emma normal summons Gishki Beast (ATK: 1500 DEF: 1300). Emma activates Gishki Beast’s effect. When it’s normal summoned, Emma can special summon a level 4 or lower Gishki monster from her graveyard in defense position, choosing Gishki Chain (ATK: 1800 DEF: 1000). Emma overlays Mermail – Abyssturge, Gishki Beast, and Gishki Chain to xyz summon Sapphire Serpent (ATK: 2800 DEF: 2200).

Emma attacks Dragunity Knight – Gae Bulg with Mermail – Megaloabyss, but Alex activates Shift, switching the attack target to Dragunity Angusticlavii.

Alex’s Life Points: 3450 -> 3150

Alex activates Card of Last Will, drawing five cards when a monster of his is destroyed by battle. Emma then attacks Dragunity Knight – Gae Bulg with Sapphire Serpent, but Alex activates Dragunity Knight – Gae Bulg’s effect, banishing a Winged Beast-type monster from his graveyard (Dragunity Angusticlavii) to increase the ATK of Dragunity Knight – Gae Bulg by the ATK of the banished monster (ATK: 2000 -> 4100).

Emma activates the trap Bye Bye Damage, preventing Sapphire Serpent from destruction and inflicting twice the battle damage that she will receive onto her opponent. Then, Emma activates Sapphire Serpent’s effect. If Emma would take battle damage involving Sapphire Serpent, she can detach one xyz material from it to gain life points that she would have lost.

Emma’s Life Points: 400 -> 1700

Alex’s Life Points: 3150 -> 550

Emma places two cards face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-1700 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

What? thought Tom. Why does she have a Stone of Equus card?

Alex looked as Emma gained a very confident smile on her face.

It looks like kid’s gloves are coming off, thought Alex.

***************************************************
Alex’s Turn: Alex activates Dragon Hatchling, special summoning itself as a Dragon-type monster with the same level as a Dragon-type monster that he controls (6). Alex overlays Dragunity Knight – Gae Bulg and Dragon Hatchling to xyz summon Jade Wyvern (ATK: 2500 DEF: 2100). Alex activates Dragon Mastery, allowing him to equip a Dragon-type Dragunity monster onto a monster he controls from his hand, equipping him with Dragunity Corsesca. All of Alex’s monsters gain 500 when a Dragunity monster is equipped to them (ATK: 2500 -> 3000).

Alex attacks Sapphire Serpent with Jade Wyvern. Emma activates Sapphire Serpent’s effect, detaching an xyz material from it to gain life points in place of battle damage from battles involving Sapphire Serpent.

Emma’s Life Points: 1700 -> 1900

When a monster equipped with Dragunity Corsesca destroys a monster by battle, Alex can add a level 4 or lower monster with the same type and attribute as the equipped monster from his deck to his hand.

Alex sets one monster face down.

Alex places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-3 Life-550 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

The students were shocked at the appearance of a card similar to Emma’s.

“What are those things?” asked a student.

“I’ve never seen anything like them!” said another.

“Could those be from that planet?”

“I don’t believe it.”

So much for the lack of attention, thought Alex.

Suddenly, Alex got a text from his phone, so he pulled it out as the teacher wasn’t looking and saw the message. It was from Carolyn.

Alex, I heard you were having trouble at school. Claude says he’s going to pick you up after school. Give Tom the keys to your bike so he can ride it home.

“At least I have an exit strategy,” Alex said to himself.

“There is no way you could have beaten my brother,” yelled Emma. “You will not even be able to defeat me.”

***************************************************
Emma’s Turn: Emma summons Star Boy (ATK: 550 DEF: 500). As long as Star Boy remains face up on the field, all WATER monsters gain 500 ATK (ATK: 550 -> 1050) (ATK: 2400 -> 2900). Next, Emma activates her face down Xyz Reborn, special summoning Sapphire Serpent from her graveyard and attaching Xyz Reborn as xyz material to it (ATK: 2800 -> 3300).

Emma then activates her face down Abyssphere, allowing her to special summon a Mermail monster from her deck, choosing another Mermail – Megaloabyss (ATK: 2400 -> 2900). Emma overlays both of her Mermail – Megaloabyss to xyz summon Mermail – Gaioabyss (ATK: 2800 DEF: 1600) (ATK: 2800 -> 3300).

Emma activates Mermail – Gaioabyss’ effect. By detaching one xyz material from it, all monsters that Alex controls with less ATK than Mermail – Gaioabyss have their effects negated until the end phase.

Emma attacks Jade Wyvern with Sapphire Serpent.

Alex’s Life Points: 550 -> 250

Emma then attacks Alex’s face down monster with Mermail – Gaioabyss, which was a Dragunity Phalanx (ATK: 500 DEF: 1100). Finally, Emma attacks Alex directly with Star Boy, but Alex activates Immortal Dragon, special summoning Jade Wyvern from his graveyard. Emma halts her attack.

Emma ends her turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-1900 Monsters-3 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

Alex was confident. He just had to use one card in his hand and the duel would be over. Emma knew this much as well and awaited the final attack.

***************************************************
Alex’s Turn: Alex activates the effect of Dragon Mastery, equipping Jade Wyvern with Dragunity Darkspear (ATK: 2500 -> 3000).

Alex attacks Star Boy with Jade Wyvern.

Emma’s Life Points: 1900 -> 0

Alex wins.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Emma lied on the floor. She couldn’t believe what happened. Minus the fact that she lost, she had just acquired a new monster that she, or for that matter, no one else has seen before. A large group of people began to swarm around Emma, causing her to recoil in fright. Alex hurried and picked her up before the onslaught of people could overtake her.

“Tom!” Alex called, tossing his keys to his friend. “Ride the bike back home!”

“What about you?” he replied.

“I got a ride!”

Alex pulled Emma by her arms and took her to a pile of colorful backpacks.

“Which one is yours?” he asked quickly.

Emma pointed to a blue one with an ocean waves design on it. The final bell rang. She grabbed her backpack while Alex grabbed his as the two made their way from the gym to the north parking lot being chased all the while.

“Where are you taking me?” asked Emma.

“Somewhere safe. Trust me.”

Alex and Emma waited outside when Alex noticed a car up front that he saw earlier today: a black Dodge Challenger sedan. It was parked on the street just outside Alex’s home. Seeing the increasing flock of people, Alex knew he had no choice but to rely on his instinct. He ran towards the car with Emma in tow, and to his relief, he saw Claude opening the back doors and yelling at them to get in.

Alex let Emma run ahead as she leapt into the back seat and scooted to the other side so Alex could sit in on the side of the open door. Alex got in and slammed the door shut. In the heat of the moment, Alex yelled at Claude to go.

“Punch it!” he cried. Claude left the parking lot as quickly as legally possible, leaving the once approaching students behind.

“That was a close one,” commented Claude.

“I’m sorry,” said Emma, “who are you?”

“Emma, Claude,” Alex introduced, “Claude, Emma.”

“No. I mean who are you?”

“First,” Claude said in an annoyed voice, “you need to tell me who you are.” His rough attitude was beginning to scare Emma.

“Claude, its okay,” Alex told him. “She holds a Stone of Equus card.”

“A Stone of what?” questioned Emma.

“We have a lot to talk about when we get home.”

Chapter 5: Support

Alex and Emma were just a couple of minutes from Alex’s house as Emma was making a phone call to her brother to tell her where she was going. Her brother eventually picked up.

“Hello?”

“Reese. It’s me, Emma.”

“What is it? What’s wrong?”

“Something really weird happened to me today, and I’m going to get it figured out.”

“Something weird? What do you mean?”

“You wouldn’t believe me.”

“Try me.”

“I was dueling Alex Yuwell in Gym today, and as I dueled, this new xyz monster just… appeared in my deck.”

“…”

“Reese?”

“Where are you right now?”

“I’m with Alex. He says he has an answer for this, so one of his friends is driving us to his house.”

“…Emma, you get out of that car immediately.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Don’t trust that man, Emma. He doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”

Claude could hear Reese’s voice through her phone, so he snatched it from her hand and talked to Reese.

“No,” Claude answered, “I don’t think you know what you’re talking about. Right now we have a possibly world threatening situation that your sister is now a part of. She deserves some answers.”

“I swear to God, man, you let my sister go or I will end you. You got it? What’s the address to his house?”

“You know, I don’t think that’s such a good idea with you so riled up as you are.”

“LET GO OF MY SISTER RIGHT NOW!”

“And we’re done here.” Claude closed the phone and handed it back to Emma.

“Are you insane?” asked Emma. “You have no idea what lengths he’ll go to find me.”

“Don’t worry,” answered Claude. “He’ll have a lot of fun trying to get through me.”

“Emma,” said Alex. “I’m so sorry I got you involved in all of this.”

“I’m not the person you’re going to need to say ‘sorry’ to.”

“You ain’t saying ‘sorry’ to no one,” stated Claude. “We’re here.”

Claude pulled up to the driveway of Alex’s house.

“Crap,” hissed Alex.

“What’s wrong now?” asked Emma.

“Emma, when we go into that house, I want you to promise me that you won’t freak out.”

“Why? What’s in there?”

“It would be best if I just showed you.” Alex helped Emma to his front door. Mrs. Emmitt stayed at home while her husband was away on business, so the door was open. Upon opening the door, Alex and Emma walked in to see Twilight Sparkle and her friends talking amongst each other happily. They each had their own D-Pad and deck in the wrist dealer slot.

“Alex?” stammered Emma. “Are… are those…”
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Reese sat on the bench outside the main entrance to the school, his face cupped in his hands. It was then that Reese heard a familiar voice. It was Tom walking out with his sister Sarah. Reese watched as Tom and Sarah went to the bike rack to get their bikes and leave for home. Reese ran to his car.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

“Alex!” called Twilight. She ran over and gave him a hug with her magenta duel disk still on her arm. It felt strange to Alex that someone he’s know for less than a day would be so receptive of him after a return home from school, but her soft fur and genuine happiness for his return was comforting.

“How’s your new deck?” he asked.

“You tell me,” she responded. Alex looked at her deck. It was filled with Spellcaster-type monsters suited for xyz summoning, including the newer Prophecy archetype.

“Yeah,” commented Alex, “these look great.”

“Are those the aliens from the TV?” stuttered Emma.

“…Yes,” answered Alex, “but they like to be called ponies. Don’t be scared. They’re actually very friendly.”

“Who is this?” asked Twilght.

“This is Emma Miller. She is the brother of the duelist I faced in your world, and she too has a Stone of Equus.”

“I still don’t know what that means,” stated Emma.

“I can explain a little later,” Twilight responded, “but first let’s introduce ourselves. My name is Twilight Sparkle.”

“Twilight Sparkle?” questioned Emma at the odd name. Seeing that she meant no harm, Emma mustered the courage to shake Twilight’s hoof.

“These are my friends: Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash.”

All the ponies said something along the lines of, “Hello.”

“Are you an actual unicorn?” asked Emma.

“I sure am,” answered Twilight. “Watch.”

Emma looked as Twilight used magic from her horn to levitate an apple from the kitchen to Emma. Emma just stared at the floating apple, stunned.

“Go ahead,” said Twilight, “take it.” Emma took the apple and held onto it.

“That was amazing,” she finally said. “You can do magic?”

“Yep. Magic is a common element where we come from. And to answer that question, our home is the country of Equestria.” Twilight noticed Emma’s duel disk. “So you’re a duelist too. What kind of deck do you own?”

“I use a Gishki/Mermail deck. Here.” She took her deck and handed it to Twilight, who instead “grabbed” it with her magic. She flipped through the deck, looking at all the fish-like monsters that resided in her deck, until she finally came across her Stone of Equus card.

“This is your stone of Equus card?” asked Twilight.

“Yes. I just got it while dueling Alex. And please tell me, what are the stones of Equus?”

As Twilight was explaining the story, the other ponies were showing off the decks they chose to Alex.

Applejack showed up with an orange colored D-Pad and let Alex skim through the deck.

“These cards look mighty powerful,” she said. “And look, they represent the earth, just like me.” Alex was looking at the contents of an X-Saber deck, which indeed had some powerful and efficient monsters. Rarity came up to Alex next with a purple D-Pad.

“Aren’t these cards just fabulous?” Alex saw Rarity’s deck: a Gem-Knight deck.

It definitely suits the tattoo on her rear, thought Alex.

“Pick me! Pick me!” cheered Pinkie Pie. Her D-Pad was a light blue.

“Okay, Pinkie,” replied Alex, “let’s see what you got.” Alex looked and saw that Pinkie Pie’s deck was a Worm deck.

“You see,” started Pinkie Pie, talking very fast, “Claude was telling us about the different card types, and he was talking about these monsters which have things like flip effects, and I’m like, ‘Ooh, what are those?’ and he’s like ‘They’re monsters that activate their effects when set face down and then flipped face up,’ so I’m all like, ‘So they’re like a surprise?’ and he’s all, ‘Yep,’ and I’m all ‘*gasp* Give me lots of those,” so he gave me this deck and I was all ‘**gasp** Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

“Are you sure?” questioned Alex, winded himself by Pinkie’s explanation. “These cards look kind of scary.”

“Oh Alex, don’t you see?” She then began to sing. “When I was a little fil-”

“Thank you,” interrupted Alex, handing her back her deck. Fluttershy showed Alex her deck. She had a pink D-Pad.

Naturia, he thought. Great deck for someone like her.

“I hope you like it,” whispered Fluttershy.

“It’s your deck,” answered Alex. “As long as it makes you happy, that’s all that matters.”

Just then, Tom and Sarah walked into the house.

“Hey, Tom!” called Rainbow Dash, flying over to him. Her D-Pad was a bright red. “Check out my sweet new deck!” Tom flipped through the deck and observed its contents.

“Tech Genus. Nice,” he commented.

“I know, right? And you’re going to be my new deck’s first victim.”

“Victim? As in, you think I’m going to lose?”

“Well duh.”

“Interesting. Challenge accepted.”

“Wait, I still haven’t learned how to play yet.”

“Right. I’ll wait for Alex-” There was a knock at the door.

“I’ll get it,” answered Claude. Claude opened the door. It was Reese, and he looked furious.

“How dare you take my sister from me,” he seethed, approaching Alex. He wound his arm to punch him, but was stopped as Claude grabbed his forearm and threw him to the ground, pinning him.

“Let him go!” shouted Emma. Claude released his grip, and let Reese stand. Claude stared at him the entire time, which told Reese not to move an inch.

“Alex,” hissed Reese, “are you really willing to go this far to induct me into this cult of yours.”

“What?” gasped Twilight. “We are not a cult! We are trying to-”

“SHUT UP! You took my sister from me; I will never forgive you.”

“Don’t tell me to shut up you swine!” shouted Twilight.

“I don’t think you understand the situation,” scoffed Reese. “Alex has wronged me, and for doing so, he will suffer the consequences.”

“If you want a piece of Alex,” said Tom, “you’ll have to go through me.”

This little runt, thought Reese, challenging me? Fun.

“Fine,” said Reese. “In fact, I’ll duel you. If I win, I’m taking my sister from here and you will never see me or her again.”

“If I win,” said Tom. “You ally yourself with us. No questions asked.”

“Sounds fair, seeing as I’m not going to lose.”

Tom and Reese stood out in the front yard of the Emmitts’ house.

“You know that Alex was barely able to beat me, right?” taunted Reese. “Held onto all but 100 life points. I can’t wait to see how badly I’m going to beat you.”

“You take that back!” yelled Rainbow Dash.

“And what, now you’re going to have your horsie friend fight your battles?” Rainbow Dash was itching to kick him hard in the face, but was only held back by Applejack holding her tail with her teeth.

“You really are a first class ass,” said Tom. “I have a special place for people like you: under the sole of my foot!” Tom put his mahogany colored graveyard/wrist dealer on his wrist and put his mahogany D-Pad tablet on top. Reese constructed his D-Pad as well. When both were ready, Tom and Reese unsheathed the zones from the duel disk.

“Go Tom!” cheered Rainbow Dash. “Kick his butt!” Reese just giggled sarcastically.

“Duel detected.” Hologram projectors emitted an aura around the area from the streetlamps. The two duelists drew five cards from their decks.

“DUEL!” they both yelled.

Tom vs. Reese

Tom’s Turn: Tom sets one monster.

Tom places two cards face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-3 Life-4000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2

***************************************************

Reese’s Turn: Reese activates Graceful Charity, drawing three cards and discarding two. Reese activates the effect of Skull Conductor from his hand. By discarding it, he can special summon two Zombie-type monsters from his hand whose combined ATK equals 2000, special summoning Temple of Skulls (ATK: 900 DEF: 1300) and Goblin Zombie (ATK: 1100 DEF: 1050).

Reese tributes both Temple of Skulls and Goblin Zombie to normal summon Despair from the Dark (ATK: 2800 DEF: 3000). When Reese tribute summons a monster, he can special summon Illusion Snatch from his hand (ATK: 2400 DEF: 1000). When Illusion Snatch is special summoned this way, its attribute, type and level become the same as the tribute summoned monster (Lvl.: 7 -> 8). Reese overlays Despair from the Dark and Illusion Snatch to xyz summon Obsidian Imp (ATK: 2800 DEF: 2500).

Reese attacks Tom’s face down monster with Obsidian Imp, which was a Gladiator Beast Hoplomus (ATK: 700 DEF: 2100).

Reese places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-4000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“Alex was the only one ever at that school to beat me,” said Reese. “What hope do you have to defeat me?”

“Don’t give up!” yelled the whole of Tom’s family and friends.

“I have hope from my friends,” grunted Tom, “something you’d never understand.” All of the sudden, Tom’s extra deck began glowing. Tom smiled at knowing what this meant.

“You have GOT to be kidding me,” stated Reese.

***************************************************
Tom’s Turn: Tom activates Gladiator Beast’s Respite, sending two Gladiator Beast cards from his hand to the graveyard to draw three cards from his deck. Next, he summons Gladiator Beast Samnite (ATK: 1600 DEF: 1200). When he controls a Gladiator Beast monster, Tom can special summon Test Tiger from his hand (ATK: 600 DEF: 300).

Tom activates Test Tiger’s effect. By tributing it, Tom can shuffle a Gladiator Beast monster that he controls to the deck and special summon a Gladiator Beast monster from his deck. This is treated as being special summoned by a Gladiator Beast monster. With Test Tiger’s effect, Tom special summons Gladiator Beast Darius (ATK: 1700 DEF: 300).

When special summoned by the effect of a Gladiator Beast monster, Tom can activate its effect. Tom can target a Gladiator Beast monster in his graveyard and special summon it, choosing Gladiator Beast Hoplomus. Tom overlays Gladiator Beast Hoplomus and Gladiator Beast Darius to xyz summon Amber Minotaur (ATK: 2400 DEF: 1900).

Tom activates Amber Minotaur’s effect. Once per turn, Tom can detach one xyz material from it to normal summon twice this turn and without a tribute, summoning Gladiator Beast Alexander (ATK: 2400 DEF: 600). Tom then activates Indomitable Gladiator Beast, increasing Gladiator Beast Alexander’s ATK by 500 (ATK: 2400 -> 2900).

Tom attacks Obsidian Imp with Gladiator Beast Alexander, but Reese activates Attack Invulnrability, keeping his monster from being destroyed in battle. Battle damage is applied normally.

Reese’s Life Points: 4000 -> 3900

During the end of the battle phase, Tom can shuffle Gladiator Beast Alexander into the deck and special summon another Gladiator Beast monster from his deck with Gladiator Beast Alexander’s effect. Tom shuffles Gladiator Beast Alexander into the deck to special summon Gladiator Beast Murmillo (ATK: 800 DEF: 400). When Gladiator Beast Murmillo is special summoned by a Gladiator Beast monster, Tom can destroy one face up monster on the field, choosing Obsidian Imp.

Tom ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-4000 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-2

***************************************************

Reese’s Turn: Reese sets one monster.

Reese ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-3900 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

This guy isn’t so tough, thought Tom. In just a couple of turns, this duel will be mine.

***************************************************
Tom’s Turn: Tom summons Gladiator Beast Retiari (ATK: 1200 DEF: 800). Tom overlays Gladiator Beast Retiari and Gladiator Beast Murmillo to xyz summon Black Ray Lancer (ATK: 2100 DEF: 600).

Tom attacks Reese’s face down monster with Amber Minotaur, which is a Morphing Jar (ATK: 700 DEF: 600). When Morphing Jar is flip summoned, all players discard their entire hands and draw five cards from their decks. Tom then attacks Reese directly with Black Ray Lancer, but Reese activates The High Priestess’ Staff from his hand, negating the attack, ending the battle phase, and inflicting 500 points of damage to Tom.

Tom’s Life Points: 4000 -> 3500

Tom activates Amber Minotaur’s effect, detaching an xyz material to normal summon a second time without a tribute, summoning Gladiator Beast Octavius (ATK: 2500 DEF: 1200).

Tom ends his turn.

Status: Hand-4 Life-3500 Monsters-3 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

“Now that my hand is replenished,” said Reese, “your luck will run dry.”

***************************************************
Reese’s Turn: Reese activates Heavy Storm, destroying all spell and trap cards on the field. Next, he activates Temple of the Kings, allowing Reese to activate trap cards the same turn they were set. Reese sets and activates Xyz Reborn, special summoning Obsidian Imp from his graveyard and attaching Xyz Reborn to it as xyz material.

Reese attacks Gladiator Beast Octavius with Obsidian Imp.

Tom’s Life Points: 3500 -> 3200

Reese sets one monster face down.

Reese ends his turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-3900 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

“You seem to forget that my hand is replenished as well,” called Tom. “With what I have in here, your chances of winning are slim to none.”

Just you wait, thought Reese, smiling.

***************************************************
Tom’s Turn: Tom activates his quick-play spell Dxyz, returning Black Ray Lancer to the extra deck and special summoning the xyz materials that were attached to that monster, special summoning Gladiator Beast Retiari and Gladiator Beast Murmillo. Tom normal summons Gladiator Beast Laquari (ATK: 1800 DEF: 400).

Tom sends Gladiator Beast Laquari, Gladiator Beast Murmillo, and Gladiator Beast Retiari to the deck to fusion summon Gladiator Beast Heraklinos (ATK: 3000 DEF: 2800). Tom activates Overlay Regenerate, attaching itself to Amber Minotaur as xyz material. Tom activates Amber Minotaur’s effect, detaching an xyz material to normal summon a second time without tribute, summoning Gladiator Beast Spartacus (ATK: 2200 DEF: 1600).

Tom attacks Obsidian Imp with Gladiator Beast Heraklinos. Reese attempts to activate Negate Attack, but Tom activates Gladiator Beast Heraklinos’ effect. By discarding a card from his hand, Tom can negate the activation of a spell or trap card and destroy it. The attack goes through.

Reese’s Life Points: 3900 -> 3700

Tom attacks Reese’s face down monster with Gladiator Beast Spartacus, which is a Pyramid Turtle (ATK: 1200 DEF: 1400). When Pyramid Turtle is destroyed by battle and sent to the graveyard, Reese can special summon a Zombie-type monster from his deck with 2000 or less DEF from his deck, choosing Skull Flame (ATK: 2600 DEF: 2000).

Tom ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-3200 Monsters-3 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

“Now you’re finished,” said Reese upon his draw. “Here’s a lesson to you for defending a dirtbag like Alex.”

***************************************************
Reese’s Turn: Reese activates Monster Reborn, special summoning Obsidian Imp from his graveyard. Reese attacks Gladiator Beast Heraklinos with Skull Flame. Gladiator Beast Heraklinos’ ATK is higher than Skull Flame’s ATK, so Skull Flame is destroyed.

Reese’s Life Points: 3700 -> 3300

Reese then activates his quick-play spell A Deal with Dark Ruler, special summoning Berserk Dragon from his deck when a level 8 or higher monster was sent to the graveyard (ATK: 3500 DEF: 0). Berserk Dragon can attack all monsters on the opponent’ side of the field once each. Reese attacks Gladiator Beast Spartacus with Berserk Dragon.

Tom’s Life Points: 3200 -> 1900

Reese attacks Gladiator Beast Heraklinos with Berserk Dragon.

Tom’s Life Points: 1900 -> 1400

Reese attacks Amber Minotaur with Berserk Dragon.

Tom’s Life Points: 1400 -> 300

Reese finally attacks Tom directly with Obsidian Imp.

Tom’s Life Points: 300 -> 0

Reese wins.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Sarah and Rainbow Dash ran to their fallen brother/friend’s side. Reese was going over to chastise Tom for his “poor” dueling but suddenly, a memory from five years ago caught him by surprise.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
................................................................................................................................................................
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Cont. from Reese vs. Opponent

Cont. from Opponent’s Turn: Opponent attacks Reese directly with Ultimate Baseball Kid (ATK: 2500 DEF: 1000).

Reese’s Life Points: 1200 -> 0

Opponent wins.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

The opponent laughed as Reese cried on the ground, not only because of his loss, but the punishment he’d have to endure. The only comfort Reese had was his sister as she rubbed his back in consolement.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
................................................................................................................................................................
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Reese stopped in his tracks and fell to his knees. He bowed down and sobbed into his forearms.

“Reese!” called Alex, rushing to his side. He was quickly pushed away before he could get closer.

“Go away,” wept Reese. The ponies were stunned. The duelist who ruthlessly beat Tom a minute ago was now bawling like a baby on their friend’s front lawn.

“Let me help,” said Emma. She knelt to his side and rubbed his back, which calmed him down a little.

“I want to go inside,” he cried.

“Okay,” cooed Emma. Mrs. Emmitt opened the door for them as the brother and sister walked into Alex’s house together.

Reese, thought Alex, just what happened to you?

Chapter 6: Inclusion

Everyone came back into the house after Reese’s breakdown. No one except Reese (and possibly Emma) knew what was happening and why Reese, who was so full of fury and anger just minutes ago was reduced to tears just now.

“What in tarnation just happened?” asked Applejack.

“How come he just turned into a huge crybaby?” questioned Rainbow Dash.

“Rainbow!” scolded Twilight. She walked up to Reese. “Reese, what happened to you to make you so protective of your sister? I have a brother myself, and he would never treat anyone the way you just did, even if it was in a protective gesture.”

“Until you’ve walked a mile in my shoes,” choked Reese. “You cannot judge me.”

“You shouldn’t have treated Tom or talked to Alex that way. They were only trying to help her.”

“That’s what I thought with Kyle.”

“Kyle? Who’s Kyle?”

Reese had said too much. He bolted off of the couch and into a random room in the house. Thankfully, he found the bathroom.

“Reese! Come back!” called Twilight.

“Don’t bother,” said Emma. “He won’t talk now. But seeing as you have been very helpful in explaining everything to me, it’s fair for me to tell you what happened to him.”

Reese came back out of the bathroom and walked over to Emma.

“Emma, you will not tell them what happened. I’m warning you Emma…”

“They deserve to know, Reese. They were the ones trying to help me, and you were the one who attacked them.”

“Enough. Emma, let’s go.”

“No.” Reese spun on his heel.

“What?”

“I’m not going with you like this. Reese, I know your life has been filled with lies and mistrust-”

“Emma…”

“-and I know that you’ve found it hard to make close friends-”

“Emma!”

“-but these people and these creatures really want to help us.”

“Emma, please stop…”

“Just let them in, Reese. Stop running.” Reese fell to his knees again, but he did not cry this time.

“Fine,” he silently relented. “I’ll tell you everything you want to know.” Everyone listened in.

“When me and Emma were young teenagers, we were sent to a private dueling academy in the city. I remember it solely because they were some of the best days of my life. But it was also the setting for the worst day of my life.”

“But why?” asked Fluttershy.

“One day, a new student by the name of Kyle Penn arrived at the school. He suddenly built a reputation for being one of the best students in the school. He passed every exam with flying colors, he won every duel that he was faced with. He was in essence the perfect pupil in the eyes of students and teachers alike.

“Being the most popular and talented duelist in the school until Kyle’s arrival, I felt betrayed when the people that I considered my friends flocked to Kyle like flies to rotten meat. I really had only one person who stuck by me through the thick and the thin of it all.”

“Your sister,” answered Rarity. Reese nodded.

“I eventually warmed up to him too. We even became dueling partners at one point in the school year. We were unbeatable, and the teamwork and friendship that we shared made them some of the best days of my life.”

“What happened then?” asked Sarah.

“My sister was still loyal to me and not Kyle. This angered Kyle heavily. One night, he convinced my sister he could give her some private dueling lessons, so she met him in the park a few blocks from the school. There were never any lessons. The only thing he was giving her was a merciless duel. He mercilessly beat her again, and again, and again. I was taking a stroll down the street when I heard Kyle’s voice, so I rushed right there. Upon coming to the fields, I saw him finishing her off for the fifth time.”

“Dear Lord,” commented Carolyn.

“I asked him what the meaning of this was, and he told me that he was putting the “dog” in its rightful place. After telling him that he had no right treating my sister that way, I asked him why he would do this to me, his friend. Kyle just laughed.

“He told me that he let me join him so he could remain stronger in the eyes of his peers. He said I meant less than nothing to him and that he was easily the greatest duelist in the school. I challenged him right then and there to prove him wrong. I couldn’t. He mercilessly beat me like he beat my sister.

“I was ashamed that I couldn’t protect her, so I wept. Kyle took my deck from my wrist dealer with minimal struggle. He then doused it in a liquid and set a match to it. He said that amateur duelists such as myself shouldn’t deserve to duel with any deck. He walked away laughing as I watched my own deck burn. The man whom I considered my friend used me, beat me and my sister, laughed in my face and destroyed my own deck."

Twilight and her friends were getting teary eyed from the story while the humans started feeling a lot more sympathetic for him, including Tom.

“I tried reporting this to the school’s administrators, but it seemed that Kyle was nowhere to be found. I couldn’t help but seethe at his cowardice. I couldn’t stand to be with anyone anymore and consider them my friend. The only one I could trust was Emma, who stood by me despite everything. We soon escaped the academy and enrolled at North, where I obviously met you. But from that one day, I promised myself that Emma would never be put in harm's way again.

“When she told me that you were bringing her to your house, I assumed the worst. The last time Emma was approached by a stranger, he beat the two of us and left us broken and battered. I wasn’t going to let that happen to her again, so I attacked you and your family, and for that… I’m sorry.”

Alex and Tom almost recoiled at Reese’s words of remorse. Tom especially could totally feel with him. If his sister was treated like that, he’d be wary around anyone that approached her either. He was the first to speak.

“It’s okay, Reese. I forgive you.”

Reese was equally surprised at Tom’s forgiveness.

“Even…” he began, “even though I attacked you and your friends, you still stand by my side?”

“Of course,” said Twilight, putting his hoof on Reese’s shoulder. “Your friends may have abandoned you and tossed you aside, but I say with a solemn promise that my friends and I will never do that to you.”

Twilight wrapped her arms around Reese’s back and rested her head on his shoulder. Reese couldn’t believe what he was feeling. Not even when he had friends back at the academy would they hug him like that. Soon, the other ponies joined in the hug.

“I’ll always be your friend,” squealed Pinkie Pie. “Pinkie promise.” She hugged Reese.

“That’s a Pinkie promise from me too, handsome,” cooed Applejack, hugging him. Rainbow Dash joined in wordlessly.

“We’ll be there for you,” said Rarity, hugging Reese.

“Um…” whispered Fluttershy timidly. “Never mind.” She flew up to Reese and hugged him. Reese could only shed a single tear as he was feeling real support from real friends.

After the breaking of the hug, Tom held his hand out to Reese.

“We hold the Stones of Equus,” Tom stated, pulling him up. “We stick together through good and bad.”

“Yeah,” agreed Reese with a genuine smile. “By the way, you actually dueled very well against me.”

“It’s just that luck was in your favor, right?” questioned Tom.

“Sure.”

“Say, while you’re here, why don’t you and your sister have dinner with us?” Pinkie began gasping. Clearly she was about to say something.

“That sounds great!” she yelled. “It will be like the first official meeting of the Stone of Equus holders. We’ll be like superheroes! Fighting crime and saving the world! It’s going to be awesome!” Pinkie’s enthusiasm got the best of Reese.

“Alright, we can stay,” he relented.

“Let me just call Mom,” Emma replied. She dialed her cell phone and waited for an answer. Alex could tell by their conversation that the person on the other line was delighted that Reese would be spending time with other people. Emma hung up.

“So I take it you’re available?” asked Tom.

“Yes,” responded Emma. “Mom is more than happy with us staying.”

“Excellent,” said Twilight. “What are we having?”
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Twilight, Applejack, and Fluttershy stood with Sarah who was cooking filets of mahi-mahi on the grill with some spices rubbed on them. Upon hearing the inclusion of Reese, and Emma to the dinner table, Carolyn went to the store to get a couple of more filets (plus some peppers for the ponies) while Sarah started the coals.

“If you don’t mind my asking,” said Applejack, “what are y’all cookin’?”

“Fish tacos,” said Sarah. “Mom figured that you don’t eat meat, so she got me some peppers to grill up for you guys instead, plus some more. I suppose you don’t know that human’s are omnivores, right?”

“Actually,” Twilight replied, “Claude explained a lot of that stuff to us, but don’t worry. As long as you don’t have a hankering for pony, we’ll be quite alright with you eating meat.”

“I mean,” included Fluttershy, “many of the animals I tend to at my cottage require meat in their diet, so I’m more than comfortable with that.”

“That’s good,” Sarah responded.

“What ever yer makin’,” continued Applejack, “it sure smells tasty.”

“Thanks. In fact, I never really considered myself too much of a duelist, but I’ve always found joys in cooking. When I grow up in fact, I wish to open my own restaurant.”

“That sounds great.”

“My dad especially loves my cooking. When he comes back from his business trip in Seoul this Monday, I’m going to bake him a big cake for his return.”

“I’m sure Pinkie Pie can help you out there. She runs a bakery with her two parental figures Mr. and Mrs. Cake in Ponyville where we live.”

“That sounds great. The more the merrier.”
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Soon, dinner was served and everyone was constructing their tacos, complete with cheese, sour cream, lettuce, the who nine yards. Reese was the last to construct his tacos, as he seemed very particular about the placement of each ingredient. Eventually, he took a bite. He savored it emotionlessly.

“And?” asked Sarah. Reese swallowed.

“It’s good,” he smiled.

“These peppers are the bee’s knees,” said Applejack. “I’m surprised you don’t run a restaurant already with your cooking skills.” Sarah blushed.

“Oh my,” spoke Alex mid-chew, swallowing before looking any more rude than he was. “I amost forgot. I still need to teach Twilight and the others how to duel. Would you be interested in helping them Reese?”

“I suppose I could try. I did go to the top dueling academy in Illino-”

His sentence was cut off by a shattering of glass from the dining room window. Everyone rushed out of the way of the broken shards before they saw the object that struck the window. It was a red delicious apple with a flag inside. On it read: Come outside.

Alex and his friends and family did just that. When they came outside, they found two equine figures standing on the sidewalk in front of their house. They were nearly identical to one another in clothes, which consisted of white shirts, blue and white-striped vests, black ties, and straw skimmer hats with blue bands. They also had the same size (larger than the other ponies), color (a light yellow), and mane and tail style (red and white streaks). The only thing that separated them was that one of the ponies had a red moustache and the mark on his flank was an apple with a slice missing while the other pony’s mark was the missing slice. They also each had a bright green D-Pad on their arms.

“Oh brother,” stammered Applejack.

“Who are they?” asked Carolyn.

“They’re the Flim Flam brothers. Those two good-for-nothings tried running my family barn out of business with their fourth rate apple cider.”

“You remember us well,” said Flam, the mustached one. “Of course, that’s all water under the bridge-”

“Cut the crap,” called Alex. “You come to our home and vandalize it? That certainly doesn’t sound like someone who doesn’t harbor a grudge.”

“We are far past that little incident,” said Flim, the “shaven” one. “Right now, we have bigger fish to fry. Or should I say, apples to pick.”

“What are you on about?” Reese yelled. “Why are you doing this?”

“Isn’t it obvious? You hold something that our… employer greatly desires.”

“What employer?”

“That is irrelevant,” spoke up Flam. “The only thing that you should be concerned about is getting your Stone of Equus taken away from you.”

“How do you know about the Stones of Equus?” asked Alex. “And how do you think you’re going to take them away from us?” Flim and Flam smiled.

They shot out two red beam like spells from their horns, one was aimed at Alex, the other was aimed at Applejack. The beam coming towards Alex made its target, the beam wrapping itself around Alex’s wrist like a rope. Applejack tried shielding herself with her arms, but she didn’t feel the beam hit her. She looked out to see Reese with a red beam around his wrist.

“Reese,” said Applejack, “you… saved me.”

“Like Tom said,” answered Reese, “we holders of the Stones of Equus stick together. Now run inside and grab our D-Pad’s.”

Applejack, her morale heightened by Reese’s bravery, ran back inside to do what Reese asked.

“You bastards,” grunted Alex. “She doesn’t even know how to duel yet.”

“Well fiddlesticks,” moaned Flam sarcastically. “That would have made things so much easier.” Flim and Flim laughed.

“Alex! Reese!” called Applejack. She tossed Alex and Reese their already constructed silver and black D-Pads (respectively). Alex and Reese caught them and fastened them to their arms.

“Now you’ve got yourself a fair fight!” cried Alex. “Let’s duel!”

Alex, Reese, Flim, and Flam unsheathed their duel disks.

“So,” asked Rainbow Dash to Tom, “they’re doing two on two? They can do that?”

“Yes to both questions,” answered Tom. “Just watch.”

“Duel detected,” called the intercom’s voice, followed by the holographic aura. All four duelists drew five cards from their decks.

“DUEL!” they all yelled.

Chapter 7: Team

Before the duel could start, Alex told Sarah and Carolyn something.

“Sarah, Mrs. Emmitt, call Claude and tell him to get over here.”

Carolyn was the one to go.

“Now, where were we?”

Alex and Reese vs. Flim and Flam

Alex’s Turn: Alex summons Dragunity Pilum (ATK: 1400 DEF: 1000). When Dragunity Pilum is normal summoned, Alex can special summon a Winged Beast-type Dragunity monster from his hand and equip it with Dragunity Pilum, choosing Dragunity Tribus (ATK: 2200 DEF: 1600). When Dragunity Tribus is summoned, Alex can send a level 3 or lower Dragon-type monster from his deck to the graveyard. Alex then banishes Dragunity Tribus equipped with Dragunity Pilum to special summon Dragunity Arma Leyvaten from his hand with its effect (ATK: 2600 DEF: 1200). When Dragunity Arma Leyvaten is special summoned, Alex can equip a Dragon-type monster to it from his graveyard, choosing Dragunity Aklys.

Alex places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-8000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“Well brother,” called Flam, “do you have any monsters to spare?”

“I think I can manage something,” replied Flim.

***************************************************
Flim’s Turn: Flim activates the field spell Forest. Next, he summons Cactus Fighter (ATK: 1900 DEF: 400). With Forest’s effect, all Plant-type monsters gain 200 ATK and DEF (ATK: 1900 -> 2100, DEF: 400 -> 600).

Flim places two cards face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-8000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

“You think I’m going to let you carry on with your strategy?” asked Reese. “You must be high as a kite.”

***************************************************
Reese’s Turn: Reese summons Master Kyonshee (ATK: 1750 DEF: 1000). Next, Reese activates Level Doubler, discarding one card to double the level of one monster he controls, choosing Master Kyonshee (Lvl.: 4 -> 8). Reese overlays Dragunity Arma Leyvaten and Master Kyonshee to xyz summon Obsidian Imp (ATK: 2800 DEF: 2500). When Dragunity Aklys is sent to the graveyard while equipped to a monster, Alex can destroy one card on the field, choosing Cactus Fighter.

Reese ends his turn.

Status: Hand-3 Life-8000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

“Thanks for the monster,” said Reese to Alex.

“Don’t mention it,” responded Alex.

“You think that little ploy will put the two of us in a pickle?” questioned Flam. “It must be you who’s high as a kite.”

***************************************************
Flam’s Turn: Flam summons Vampire Orchis (ATK: 1700 DEF: 1000) (ATK: 1700 -> 1900, DEF: 1000 -> 1200). When Vampire Orchis is normal summoned successfully, Flam can special summon Des Dendle from his hand (ATK: 300 DEF: 2000) (ATK: 300 -> 500, DEF: 2000 -> 2200). Next, Flam activates Monster Reborn, special summoning Cactus Fighter from Flim’s graveyard (ATK: 1900 -> 2100, DEF: 400 -> 600). Flam overlays Vampire Orchis, Cactus Figher, and Des Dendle to xyz summon Dionaea Dragon (ATK: 500 DEF: 2800) (ATK: 500 -> 700, DEF: 2800 -> 3000).

Flam activates Dionaea Dragon’s effect. By detaching one xyz material, Flam can equip an opponent’s monster to Dionaea Dragon and have Dionaea Dragon gain ATK equal to the equip card’s ATK, choosing Obsidian Imp (ATK: 700 -> 3500). Any xyz materials that the equip card had prior to equipping are attached to Dionaea Dragon as xyz material.

Flam attacks Alex and Reese directly with Dionaea Dragon, but Alex activates Card Defense, discarding one card to negate the attack and draw a card afterwards.

Flam places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-8000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“Where did you get a monster like that?” asked Alex nervously.

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” replied Flim.

I see how it is, thought Alex. They think they’re going to beat us with their fancy, gimmicky cards. Reese and I will just have to show them that we can handle- no, we can defeat such monsters.

***************************************************
Alex’s Turn: Alex summons Dragunity Dux (ATK: 1500 DEF: 1000). When Dragunity Dux is normal summoned, Alex can equip a level 3 or lower Dragunity Dragon-type monster from his graveyard onto it, choosing Dragunity Phalanx. When Dragunity Phalanx is equipped to a monster by a card effect, Alex can special summon it onto the field (ATK: 500 DEF: 1100).

Alex tunes Dragunity Dux with Dragunity Phalanx to synchro summon Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana (ATK: 1900 DEF: 1200). When Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana is synchro summoned, Alex can equip a Dragon-type Dragunity monster from his graveyard onto it, choosing Dragunity Aklys. Alex activates Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana’s effect. By sending a card equipped to it to the graveyard, Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana’s ATK doubles until the end phase (ATK: 1900 -> 3800).

When When Dragunity Aklys is sent to the graveyard while equipped to a monster, Alex can destroy one card on the field, choosing Dionaea Dragon, but Flim activates Safe Zone, protecting his monster from being destroyed by battle or card effects.

Alex attacks Dionaea Dragon with Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana. Although Dionaea Dragon isn’t destroyed by battle, battle damage is still applied.

Flim and Flam’s Life Points: 8000 -> 7700

Alex activates Dragon Hatchling, special summoning itself as a Dragon-type monster with the same level as a Dragon-type monster he controls (6). Alex overlays Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana and the Dragon Hatchling to xyz summon Jade Wyvern (ATK: 2500 DEF: 2100).

Alex places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-8000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“You can try to beat our dragon,” remarked Flim, “but as long as I have an apple as my cutie mark, you will not survive this duel.”

***************************************************
Flim’s Turn: Flim activates Field Barrier, preventing Forest’s removal and destruction. Flim then summons Oyacorn (ATK: 1200 DEF: 800) (ATK: 1200 -> 1400, DEF: 800 -> 1000). If there’s a field spell in play, Oyacorn gains 1000 ATK (ATK: 1400 -> 2400). Next, Flim activates Miracle Fertilizer, special summoning a Plant-type monster from his graveyard, choosing Cactus Fighter (ATK: 1900 -> 2100, DEF: 400 -> 600). Flim overlays Oyacorn and Cactus Fighter to xyz summon Fairy King Albverdich (ATK: 2300 DEF: 1400) (ATK: 2300 -> 2500, DEF: 1400 -> 1600). Flim activates Fairy King Albverdich’s effect. By detaching one xyz material from it, all non-EARTH attribute monsters lose 500 ATK and DEF (ATK: 2500 -> 2000 DEF: 2100 -> 1600).

Flim attacks Jade Wyvern with Fairy King Albverdich, but Alex activates Jade Wyvern’s effect. By detaching one xyz material from it, Alex can target one monster on the field and prevent it from being destroyed by battle, choosing Jade Wyvern. Battle damage is still applied.

Alex and Reese’s Life Points: 8000 -> 7500

Flim ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-7700 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“You see?” questioned Flim. “Even with your Stones of Equus cards, your monsters can’t compete with the likes of us.”

“Safe Zone, huh?” commented Reese.

“Beg pardon?” asked Flam.

“You activate that card by targeting a face up attack position monster, and it can’t be destroyed by battle or card effects.”

“Right. And?”

“If the either the monster or the trap is removed from the field, the other is destroyed. And judging by the look of worry on your face now, I think you know exactly what I’m about to do.”

***************************************************
Reese’s Turn: Reese activates Heavy Storm, destroying all spell and trap cards on the field. With Field Barrier’s effect (despite it being destroyed), Forest is still active. Because Safe Zone was destroyed, with its effect, Dionaea Dragon is destroyed as well. Reese then activates his Monster Reborn, special summoning Obsidian Imp from his graveyard. Next, he activates Overlay Regenerate, attaching itself to Obsidian Imp as xyz material.

Reese attacks Fairy King Albverdich with Obsidian Imp. Flim tries to activate Fairy King Albverdich’s effect to detach an xyz material from it to decrease all non-EARTH attribute monsters ATK and DEF by 500, but Reese activates Obsidian Imp’s effect. By detaching one xyz material from it when he attacks a monster, Reese can negate the activation of a monster’s effect and decrease its ATK by 800 (ATK: 2500 -> 1700). The attack goes through.

Flim and Flam’s Life Points: 7700 -> 6600

Reese sets one monster.

Reese ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-7500 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-0

***************************************************

Flam’s Turn: Flam activates Reload, adding his hand to his deck, shuffling it, and drawing cards from his deck equal to the amount he added to his deck.

Flam places two cards face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-6600 Monsters-0 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

I suppose the best I can do now is set my brother for his next turn, thought Flam.

***************************************************
Alex’s Turn: Alex attacks Flim and Flam directly with Jade Wyvern, but Flam activates Gimmick Box, negating the battle damage and special summoning itself as a level 8 monster with the same ATK as the damage he would have received (ATK: 2000 DEF: 0).

Alex places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-7500 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1

***************************************************

Flim’s Turn: Flim activates Pot of Greed, drawing two cards. Next, he summons Phoenixian Seed (ATK: 800 DEF: 0) (ATK: 800 -> 1000, DEF: 0 -> 200). Flim then tributes Phoenixian Seed to special summon Phoenixian Cluster Amaryllis from his hand with its effect (ATK: 2200 DEF: 0) (ATK: 2200 -> 2400, DEF: 0 -> 200). Flim overlays Flam’s Gimmick Box with Phoenixian Cluster Amaryllis to xyz summon Amethyst Chimera (ATK: 3200 DEF: 500) (ATK: 3200 -> 3400, DEF: 500 -> 700). Flim activates Amethyst Chimera’s effect. By detaching one xyz material from it, Flim can have one monster he controls attack the opponent directly.

Flim attacks Alex and Reese directly with Amethyst Chimera.

Alex and Reese’s Life Points: 7500 -> 4100

Flim ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-6600 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

“Where did you get a Stone of Equus card?” questioned Alex.

“It belongs to our employer,” said Flim. “She was humble enough to put its awesome powers into our hooves.”

“We’re about to teach you how stupid of a decision that was for her,” explained Reese.

***************************************************
Reese’s Turn: Reese flip summons his Morphing Jar (ATK: 700 DEF: 600). When Morphing Jar is flip summoned, all players discard their hands and draw five cards from their decks. Reese activates Gift of the Martyr, sending Morphing Jar to the graveyard to have Obsidian Imp gain ATK equal to the sent monster’s ATK (ATK: 2800 -> 3500).

Reese attacks Amethyst Chimera with Obsidian Imp, but Flam activates Attack Invulnerability, preventing Amethyst Chimera’s destruction by battle. Battle damage is still applied normally.

Flim and Flam’s Life Points: 6600 -> 6500

Reese sets one monster.

Reese places two cards face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-4100 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

“Now you two shall be in a whirlwind of pain,” said Flam.

***************************************************
Flam’s Turn: Flam summons Gigantic Cephalotus (ATK: 1850 DEF: 700) (ATK: 1850 -> 2050, DEF: 700 -> 900). Next, he activates his own Miracle Fertilizer, special summoning Dinonaea Dragon from his graveyard (ATK: 500 -> 700, DEF: 2800 -> 3000). Flam then activates Creature Swap, having all players switch control of a monster they control with another player. Flam switches control of his Gigantic Cephalotus with Flim’s Amethyst Chimera, while Alex switches control of his Jade Wyvern with Reese’s Obsidian Imp. Flam then activates his own Overlay Regenerate, attaching itself as xyz material to Dionaea Dragon.

Flam activates Dionaea Dragon’s effect, equipping a monster from the opponent’s side of the field onto it and gaining ATK equal to the equip card’s ATK. Flam targets Obsidian Imp, but Reese activates Super Sacrifice, changing the target of an attack or card effect to a monster he controls, choosing Jade Wyvern (ATK: 700 -> 2700). Flam activates Amethyst Chimera’s effect, detaching an xyz material from it to allow a monster to attack the opponent directly.

Flam attacks Alex and Reese directly with Dionaea Dragon.

Alex and Reese’s Life Points: 4100 -> 1400

Flam then attacks Obsidian Imp with Amethyst Chimera, but Reese activates Trap Reborn, paying half of his and Alex’s life points to activate a trap card from his opponent’s graveyard, choosing Attack Invulnerability, preventing Obsidian Imp’s destruction by battle.

Alex and Reese’s Life Points: 1400 -> 700

Battle damage is still calculated.

Alex and Reese’s Life Points: 700 -> 100

Flam ends his turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-6500 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

“That was a brilliant move, Reese,” complimented Alex. “Thanks for leaving the window open for me there.”

“Window?” scoffed Flam. “There is no window. Your victory is as good as sealed.”

“No it ain’t,” shouted back Applejack. “We beat you two bozos once and we can sure as sugar do it again.”

“Come on, guys!” called Tom. “You can do it!”

“How cute,” commented Flim to Flam.

“I assure you,” said Alex, “there will be nothing cute about the hell I’m about to put you through right now.”

***************************************************
Alex’s Turn: Alex activates Graceful Charity, drawing three cards and discarding two. Alex activates Mystical Space Typhoon, destroying Miracle Fertilizer. Because Miracle Fertilizer is destroyed, with its effect, so is Dionaea Dragon. Whenever a Plant-type monster is sent to the graveyard, Gigantic Cephalotus gains 200 ATK (ATK: 2050 -> 2250).

Alex activates his face down Xyz Reborn, special summoning Jade Wyvern from his graveyard and attaching Xyz Reborn to it as xyz material. Next, Alex equips Jade Wyvern with Xyz Unit, increasing its ATK by 200 times its rank (6 x 200 = 1200, ATK: 2500 -> 3700). Next, Alex activates his own Gift of the Martyr, sending Obsidian Imp to the graveyard to have Jade Wyvern gain ATK equal to the sent monster’s ATK (ATK: 3700 -> 6500).

Alex activates the continuous spell Dragon Mastery, allowing him to equip a Dragon-type Dragunity monster to a monster he controls from his hand, equipping Jade Wyvern with Dragunity Brandistock. With Dragon Mastery’s effect, all monsters equipped with Dragunity cards gain 500 ATK (ATK: 6500 -> 7000). With Dragunity Brandistock’s effect, when it’s equipped to a monster, the equipped monster can attack twice in the battle phase.

Alex attacks Gigantic Cephalotus with Jade Wyvern.

Flim and Flam’s Life Points: 6500 -> 1750

Alex then attacks Amethyst Chimera with Jade Wyvern.

Flim and Flam’s Life Points: 1750 -> 0

Alex and Reese win.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Everyone crowded around Alex and Reese and congratulated them.

“Where did you get those other cards?” asked Tom to Alex. “Those xyz support cards.”

“I bought them at the school store. If I have an xyz monster in my deck, I sure better start supporting it, right?”

Flim and Flam weakly got up.

“Don’t think you’ve seen the last of us,” said Flim.

“We are just a couple of many,” added Flam. In a flash of bright green light, they disappeared.

“Are you alright, man?” asked Alex to Reese.

“Fine. You did gre-”

“We, dude. We did great.”

Reese smiled.

“What about my broken window?” asked Carolyn.

“I can help with that,” said Twilight. With a glow of her horn, all of the broken glass seemed to animate in reverse from when it broke until it formed a solid pane again.

“My window!” cried Carolyn in jubilation, running into the house.

Everyone else came in to see the dining room was as clean as they had left it.

“Is it safe to eat?” asked Sarah.

“Only one way to find out,” said Tom, picking up his fish taco and biting it. He immediately winced in pain.

“Honey!” called Carolyn. “Are you alright?”

“Whole…” he moaned, “pod of coriander in that bite.”

Sarah punched him in the arm, eliciting laughs from everyone. Their food was still acceptably warm, so they all resumed their meal together.

Soon later though, Claude finally arrived.

“Is everything alright?” he asked, walking in.

Alex and Reese explained the incident with the Flim Flam brothers.

“I see. But you’re alright, right?”

“Seems to be,” answered Reese.

“And now our enemy has a Stone of Equus card as well.”

“And we’ll be ready for them,” replied Tom.

“So was that all?”

“Yes,” said Alex. “Thank you, Claude.”

“You all have a good night.” Claude left shortly after.

“If you don’t mind,” said Reese to Alex and the ponies, “Emma and I were planning on leaving too. Thanks for dinner… and, well, everything else.”

“No problem,” said Alex, shaking both Reese and Emma’s hand.

“So, I’ll see you tomorrow possibly?” asked Emma.

“Yeah, possibly.” With a wave Emma and Reese entered their car and drove back home.

“What did you mean by tomorrow?” asked Twilight.

“They’re having a large dueling competition tomorrow at the park.”

“Oh,” sulked Twilight, her ears drooping.

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s just we never got to you teaching us how to duel yet.”

“If only magic could do that for you,” Alex shrugged.

“Wait! That’s a great idea! Alex, kneel down for me.” Alex did what he was told, but was apprehensive.

“What for?”

“I can copy your knowledge of dueling through my magic and implant it in my friend’s minds.”

“Does it hurt?”

“Not from what I’m told. Just stay still and relax.” Alex closed his eyes as he felt Twilight’s horn on his head. A bright light then emanated from Twilight’s horn.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

In an unknown location, two people, two ponies, and a griffon were sitting at a table in a large windowless boardroom. One of the humans was a female, as told by the curves of her body. She wore a bright red woman’s suit and had a mask that closely resembled the face of Hexadecimal from the cartoon ReBoot. The only other defining feature of hers was her black bobbed hair.

The other human was a young man in his late teens to very early twenties. He was slender with a handsome face. He had fiery red hair styled in a faux-hawk that perfectly contrasted with his blue trenchcoat, along with black slacks and black boots. His eyes were green like emeralds.

One of the ponies was a unicorn mare who had an azure coat of fur with an icy blue tail with a streak of light blue in the center. She wore a purple cape with star designs on them with a matching wizard’s hat on the table.

The other pony looked more creature than pony. She was hairless, black, and extremely skinny. She had holey insect-like wings, a jagged horn on her head, large lime green eyes, vampiric teeth, a cerulean colored kelp-like mane and tale, and a strange blue and green plating on her back that fastened around her waist. Her hooves were also filled with holes.

The griffon had a light-brown lioness’ body, brown eagle wings, yellow talons, and a white eagle’s head with two large purple markings around her amber eyes with 3 large feathers over her forehead with purple tips.

Flim and Flam appeared in the room after being defeated.

“So,” said the masked woman, “how did it go?”

“We… lost,” admitted Flam.

“Of course you did,” said the azure unicorn. She began referring to herself in 3rd person. “If she had just sent Trixie to take them on, none of this would have happened.”

“Silence,” demanded the masked woman. “That’s not entirely important. Did you at least get some information about them?”

“We did,” chirped Flim. “One of them is Alexander Yuwell. He uses a Dragunity deck, and his Equus card is the Jade Wyvern. The other is Reese Miller.” The male human perked up. “He uses a-”

“-Zombie deck,” interrupted the man. He suddenly stood up and made his way towards the door.

“Kyle,” asked the masked woman, “just where do you think you’re going?”

“I have to catch the next train to Chicago.”

With that, he was gone.

“What was that all about?” asked the griffon.

“It seems that young man has a bone to pick with an old friend,” said the black creature.

“Let’s just see how this all pans out,” said the masked woman.

Arc 2: Riverwalk Competition - Chapter 8: Morning

Saturday, May 12, 2012

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Alex woke up with Twilight Sparkle cuddled next to him on his bed. Alex shook the unicorn awake.

“Huh? What’s going on?” asked Twilight.

“It’s Saturday,” Alex answered. “The competition is today.” Suddenly, Twilight perked up.

“Oh my, that’s right! When do we need to be there?”

“It’s seven o’clock now and the competition starts at 9:00, but we’ll need to get there early if we want to beat the crowds.”

“Beat the crowds?”

“You don’t think that no one’s going to show up to this thing, do you?”

“No, but-”

“Then let’s go!”

Alex picked up Twilight and carried her downstairs. Carolyn was already up making breakfast.

“Go ahead and eat something,” said Alex. “I’m going to take a shower.”

“Tom is already in there,” responded Carolyn.

Alex went to the bathroom and banged on the door.

“Who is it?” asked Tom.

“Guess,” said Alex.

“Give us a moment,” said a familiar voice.

“Rainbow Dash?” yelled Alex. “Why are you in the shower with Tom?”

“Relax” Tome told Alex, “I have a bathing suit on.”

Alex took a sigh of relief. He grabbed his clothes and placed them on the bed so he could get in the shower once Tom was done. He didn’t know how much longer he would take, so Alex just decided to join Twilight for breakfast. Carolyn made French toast, also making some sausage for the humans. Once Alex heard Tom and Rainbow Dash leave the shower and come down for breakfast, Alex practically swallowed his entire French toast to get upstairs and take a shower.

“Alex seems really eager for today,” commented Twilight.

“Twilight,” chirped Carolyn, “your French toast is ready.”

“That’s okay. Tom can have mine. I’m going to shower with Alex.”

Alex must have heard it, because he stood still at the top of the stairs and turned around.

“No Twilight,” he said. “Showers are supposed to be a private time for humans.”

“We all need to bathe before we can leave,” she reasoned. “Plus, you can put a bathing suit on too if you’re so worried about ‘exposing’ yourself.”

If Twilight and her friends needed to shower as well, it sounded like Alex would need to let Twilight in with him. Maybe she needed help with bathing, even if she was a unicorn. Alex quickly changed out of his pajamas and into his red swimsuit.

“Alright,” said Alex. “Let’s go.”

Alex and Twilight stepped into the shower stall together. Alex turned the water on, which was still warm from Tom’s shower. Alex then grabbed a bottle of shampoo and began lathering Twilight with its suds.

“What are you doing?” asked Twilight.

“I figured since you’re in here with me, I’d help you wash up.”

“Thank you, but I’m perfectly capable of washing myself. I’m a unicorn after all.”

“Right.”

Alex put soap all over his body as he watched Twilight clumsily moved the shampoo over her back with her magic.

Even with magic, they have trouble getting that spot, thought Alex.

“You look like you’re having some trouble back there,” he remarked. “Do you want me to help?”

Twilight pretended to ignore him as she rubbed the suds across her back, leaving bare spots all over. After realizing that she wasn’t getting anywhere with this, she decided to let Alex have at it.

Alex applied just a touch more shampoo on his hand and began gently massaging Twilight’s back, getting the bare spots that she missed. Twilight felt more at ease as Alex’s fingers rubbed her back. Twilight’s eyes were closed in bliss as her massage continued. She suddenly felt the jet of hot water wash over her body, startling her.

“What was that all about?” she demanded.

“What? I’m rinsing you off now.”

Twilight huffed; she really enjoyed that. Alex washed the suds off of her flank, revealing her magenta star tattoo.

“I like that tattoo of yours,” commented Alex.

“Tattoo? Oh, you must be talking about my cutie mark.”

“Cutie mark? Is that what you call tattoos in your world?”

“No, a cutie mark is a symbol that magically appears on a pony’s flank when he or she discovers their special talent.”

“And... just what is your special talent?”

Twilight explained the story of how she passed an entrance test which led her to become Princess Celestia’s personal protégé and got her cutie mark.

“Is that why you chose a Spellcaster deck?” asked Alex.

“That’s right.” Alex stopped the water, prompting Twilight to get out. “Alex, you wouldn’t mind helping my other friends washing up either, would you? I’d imagine that it would be more difficult for an earth or pegasus pony to take a shower without some assistance.”

Alex considered this. He would be able to get to know a little more about the ponies that were currently living with him and thus get them to trust him a little more.

“No problem,” Alex said with a smile.

Twilight happily strolled to her friends’ rooms to get them in the shower. The only pony Alex would not assist was Fluttershy, who said she would get helped by Sarah when her turn to wash came. Alex enjoyed the time he spent with Applejack, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie, asking them each about the story around their cutie marks. Rarity even compared Alex’s washing to being in a spa, which Alex blushed a little at.

Alex finally got to get dressed and joined his friends and family for breakfast. Tom and Rainbow Dash were already finished, and Tom was on a Skype chat with his dad, Thomas Emmitt Sr.

Alex didn’t get to see his reaction to the alien ponies living in their house, but he was sure that Thomas was surprised. Time seemed to pass and Thomas was a little more comfortable to the idea that the ponies were now living with them. Alex got in at a different point in the conversation though.

“Hey Dad, I was just wondering, can I borrow your duel runner today? The Riverwalk Summer competition is today and I want to have something for the riding duels.”

“Promise not to wreck it?” Tom's dad had a baritone southern accent.

“Of course, Dad,” he moaned.

“Alright son, you can use it today.”

“Awesome! Thank you so much.”

“No problem. I’ll see you Monday at the airport.”

“Bye Dad.”

“Bye.”

Tom closed his Macbook Pro and went upstairs to grab his motorcycle helmet from his room.

“Tom?” asked Rainbow Dash, “What’s a riding duel?”

Tom was told in the shower about Rainbow Dash’s story of her cutie mark, namely the sonic rainboom that she performed to get it. Tom was certain she would love this.

“Riding duels are where people get on motorcycles and play Duel Monsters while on them. Seeing as you have wings, you can probably just fly alongside a duelist and be just fine.”

“So… you’re playing a card game… on a motorcycle?”

“Think of it like this. You’re playing a card game going 60+ mph.”

Rainbow Dash’s eyes widened and her mouth opened at the sound of being able to duel at such speeds.

“Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh!” she squealed. “That sounds awesome! We totally have to do that.”

“We were planning on leaving in five minutes to get to the park early. Hopefully, the people running the competition will let us use the track early.”

“The hay with that,” said Rainbow Dash, pushing Tom out the door, “let’s go now. Bye Mrs. Em!”

“Looks like we’re ready to leave,” giggled Alex.

Tom took his father’s black duel runner, which had the body of a 2010 Victory Cross Country, from his garage and rode it to the Riverwalk Park with Rainbow Dash flying next to him. Alex grabbed his bicycle from the garage with an extra seat in the hand opposite to the arm with his D-Pad on it. Alex took his time and screwed the seat in place.

“What’s with the other seat?” asked Twilight, walking outside to him with her own duel disk on her arm.

“If Tom, Sarah, and I want to ride into town together, since we only have 2 bikes, one of us puts the extra seat in for her.”

“So, is she coming with you?”

“Sarah has a bike to spare. I wanted to know if you would like to ride with me?”

“You… want me to come with you?”

“Why not? We’re friends, right? Grab a helmet and let’s go.”

“What about my other friends?”

“Carolyn will drive them to the park. Are you ready now?”

Twilight grabbed a helmet from the garage and placed it on her head as best as she could given her horn. Once Alex hopped on, Twilight took the seat behind him and held on to him with her arms.

“Hold on,” he warned.

Alex sped off the driveway and down the street. The street they were on was a nice stretch of hill that went down, making a comfortably fast coast. Alex turned at the T-intersection, which looked like a dead end, but Alex rode on the grass further down the hill and onto an asphalt path that had been constructed that year. Alex and Twilight rode the path down to the end until they turned onto the street where a large bridge crossing a river was.

Alex and Twilight rode up the bridge until he turned onto the red brick path that rode through a forest and alongside the river, known to the locals as the Riverwalk, coasting down the hill there. Being relatively early, there weren’t many people out except for some joggers and people walking their dogs. There were only a couple of duelists already making their way to the park, but Alex was able to avoid and weave through all people obstructing his path.

Alex traveled through the different intersections of pathway until they came up at a long parking area, with more trees on the left and stretch of green grass on the right. Alex continued down the stretch of road until he made his way to the entrance of Naperville’s Centennial Beach, a quarry that was converted to a large swimming pool years and years ago. This was where Alex could park and lock his bike.

“That was fun!” shouted Twilight. “We should do that again.”

“I’m glad you liked it,” said a familiar voice.

Twilight and Alex turned around to see Reese and Emma being escorted by Claude.

“Guys,” greeted Alex. “What are you all doing here?”

“I decided to bring Reese and Emma here early,” Claude answered. “I was going to get you guys too, but it seems like you beat me to it. Where’s you brother and sister?”

“You mean Tom and Sarah? Tom rode down here with Rainbow Dash and Sarah will be riding down momentarily.”

“What about the other ponies?”

“Mrs. Emmitt’s dropping them off. We’re all just arriving early to avoid the rush, as I assume you did too?”

“Sharp kid.”

“Plus, I was going to give Twilight her very first duel just now.”

“Oh, then by all means, go have fun. I’ll catch you around.”

“Good luck today,” said Reese, giving him a thumbs up and walking away with Emma close by.

“Are you ready Twilight?”

“I’ve been ready since I cast that spell last night. Let’s go!”

Alex and Twilight made their way down into the sandy volleyball courts in the middle of a small depression in the ground, where the nets were taken down to make room for the duelists.

Twilight had a hint of sullenness on her face, seeing as she had none of her friends to cheer her on yet. Tom and Rainbow Dash soon came up at the edge of the depressed ground.

“I thought you were supposed to be dueling Rainbow Dash,” called Alex.

“They’re not ready with the track yet,” answered Tom, “but they said we can be the first ones to test it when it’s ready, so make your duel snappy.”

“Yeah, what he said!” yelled Rainbow Dash.

Sarah rode up on a bike next to a silver Chevy Suburban, out of which came Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie and Applejack.

“I’ll pick you up when its over,” said Carolyn.

“Thank ya kindly Mrs. Em,” bid Applejack. The van drove away with the ponies and humans waving goodbye before giving all attention to the duel that was about to happen.

Reese, Emma, and Claude weren’t too far away.

“Oh hell,” relented Reese. “Let’s see what she can do.” The three of them stopped to watch from the side of the depression opposite everyone else.

“Looks like we have an audience,” said Alex.

“Great,” sighed Twilight. “Now with the support of my friends, I cannot lose.”

“I’ll see about that,” said Alex.

Alex and Twilight activated and unsheathed their duel disks.

“Duel detected,” called an intercom. “Initiating widespread area holographic image projection sequence.” All of the hologram projectors in the area spread out over the entire park and even farther away than that. All preparations for the dueling today were set. Alex and Twilight drew five cards from their decks.

“DUEL!” they both yelled.

Twilight Sparkle vs. Alex

Twilight’s Turn: Twilight activates Ancient Rules, allowing her to special summon a level 5 or higher normal monster from her hand, choosing Dark Magician (ATK: 2500 DEF: 2100). Next, Twilight normal summons Gagaga Magician (ATK: 1500 DEF: 1000). Twilight activates Gagaga Magician’s effect, making its level anything between 1 and 8, choosing 7 (Lvl.: 4 -> 7). Twilight overlays Dark Magician and Gagaga Magician to xyz summon Hierophant of Prophecy (ATK: 2800 DEF: 2600).

Twilight places one card face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-4000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“An xyz summon on the first turn,” said Alex. “You really are a smart pony, aren’t you?”

“If you think buttering me up is going to help you win,” chided Twilight, “then you’re dead wrong. Make your move.”

***************************************************
Alex’s Turn: Alex summons Dragunity Partisan (ATK: 1200 DEF: 800). When Dragunity Partisan is normal summoned, Alex can special summon a Winged Beast-type Dragunity monster from his hand and equip it with Dragunity Partisan, choosing Dragunity Militum (ATK: 1700 DEF: 1200). Alex activates Dragunity Militum’s effect. Once per turn, he can special summon a Dragunity card from the spell and trap card zone, choosing Dragunity Partisan. Alex tunes Dragunity Militum with Dragunity Partisan to synchro summon Dragunity Knight – Gae Bulg (ATK: 2000 DEF: 1100).

Alex places two cards face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-4000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

I can’t attack just yet, thought Alex. I’ve got only one Winged-Beast type monster to use Gae Bulg’s effect. If that trap card of hers is going to stop my attack, my monster is completely vulnerable. What I need is field presence. At least my trap cards can hold me off if all else fails.

“Ready Twi?” Alex called.

“I just hope you are,” responded Twilight.

***************************************************
Twilight’s Turn: Twilight activates Spellbook of Power, increasing Hierophant of Prophecy’s by 1000 until the end phase (ATK: 2800 -> 3800). Twilight then summons Temperance of Prophecy (ATK: 1000 DEF: 1000). Twilight activates Temperance of Prophecy’s effect. During the main phase, Twilight can tribute Temperance of Prophecy and special summon a level 5 or higher LIGHT of DARK Spellcaster-type monster from her deck, choosing Sorciere de Fleur (ATK: 2900 DEF: 0).

When Sorciere de Fleur is summoned, Twilight can special summon a monster from her opponent’s graveyard onto her side of the field, choosing Dragunity Militum. Twilight then activates the effect of Hierophant of Prophecy. By detaching one xyz material from it, Twilight can destroy a number of spell and trap cards on the field equal to the number of Spellbook cards in Twilight’s graveyard (1), choosing one of Alex’s face down cards.

Twilight attacks Dragunity Knight – Gae Bulg with Hierophant of Prophecy, but Alex activates Attack Invulnerability, preventing his monster’s destruction by battle for this battle phase. Damage is still calculated.

Alex’s Life Points: 4000 -> 2200

Twilight attacks Dragunity Knight – Gae Bulg with Sorciere de Fleur.

Alex’s Life Points: 2200 -> 1300

During the end phase of the turn in which the monster special summoned by Sorciere de Fleur’s effect was summoned, that monster is destroyed. Also, Hierophant of Prophecy’s ATK returns to normal (ATK: 3800 -> 2800).

Twilight ends her turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-4000 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

Alex really wanted to compliment Twilight on destroying his strategy like that, but he knew that she would see it as another attempt to make her more cocky and likely to slip up. Twilight was not an ordinary duelist. She was the protégé of the ruler of her home nation, so it was her job to be this smart and strategic. Alex would just have to be smarter.

***************************************************
Alex’s Turn: Alex summons Dragunity Legionnaire (ATK: 1200 DEF: 800). When Dragunity Legionnaire is normal summoned, Alex can equip a level 3 or lower Dragon-type Dragunity monster from his graveyard onto Dragunity Legionnaire, choosing Dragunity Partisan. Alex then activates Dragunity Legionnaire’s effect. By sending one card equipped to it to the graveyard, Alex can destroy one monster on the field, choosing Sorciere de Fleur. Alex then sends Dragunity Legionnaire to the graveyard to special summon Dragunity Arma Mystletainn from his hand (ATK: 2100 DEF: 1500).

Alex attacks Hierophant of Prophecy with Dragunity Knight – Gae Bulg. Alex activates Dragunity Knight – Gae Bulg’s effect. When it attacks or is attacked, Alex can banish a Winged Beast-type monster in his graveyard and have Dragunity Knight – Gae Bulg gain ATK equal to the banished monster’s ATK during the damage step, choosing Dragunity Militum (ATK: 2000 -> 3700). Twilight activates Damage Diet, halving all damage she receives this turn.

Twilight’s Life Points: 4000 -> 3550

Alex attacks Twilight directly with Dragunity Arma Mystletainn.

Twilight’s Life Points: 3550 -> 2500

Alex overlays Dragunity Knight – Gae Bulg and Dragunity Arma Mystletainn to xyz summon Jade Wyvern (ATK: 2500 DEF: 2100).

Alex places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-1300 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“Having a bit of a pickle are we?” Alex taunted playfully.

“Not yet I’m not,” whispered Twilight, smiling.

***************************************************
Twilight’s Turn: Twilight sets one monster.

Twilight places one card face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-2500 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1

***************************************************

Alex’s Turn: Alex summons Dragunity Pilum (ATK: 1400 DEF: 1000).

Alex attacks Twilight’s face down monster, which was a Spellbook Magician of Prophecy (ATK: 500 DEF: 400). When Spellbook Magician of Prophecy is flipped face up, Twilight can add a Spellbook card from her deck to her hand. Twilight activates Card of Last Will, drawing five cards when a monster of hers is destroyed. Alex then attacks Twilight directly with Dragunity Pilum.

Twilight’s Life Points: 2500 -> 1100

Alex ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-1300 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“Ready for this one?” asked Twilight.

***************************************************
Twilight’s Turn: Twilight activates Temple of the Kings, allowing her to activate trap cards the same turn they are set. Twilight activates Chain Burst, having any player take 1000 points of damage each time they activate a trap card. Twilight then activates Spellbook of Life, banishing a Spellcaster-type monster in her graveyard and revealing a Spellbook card in her hand to special summon a Spellcaster-type monster in her graveyard, choosing Temperance of Prophecy. Twilight activates Temperance of Prophecy’s effect, tributing it to special summon a level 5 or higher LIGHT of DARK Spellcaster-type monster from her deck, choosing Emperor of Prophecy (ATK: 2300 DEF: 2000).

Twilight then normal summons Amores of Prophecy (ATK: 600 DEF: 2000). Twilight activates Amores of Prophecy’s effect. By revealing a Spellbook card in her hand, she can special summon a level 4 or lower Spellcaster-type monster from her hand, choosing another Gagaga Magician. Twilight activates Emperor of Prophecy’s effect. By banishing both a Spellbook card in her graveyard and a Spellcaster-type monster she controls (Amores of Prophecy), she can take control of an opponent’s monster until the end phase, choosing Jade Wyvern. Next, Twilight activates Gagaga Magician’s effect, making its level any number between 1 and 8, choosing 5 (Lvl.: 4 -> 5).

Twilight overlays Emperor of Prophecy and Gagaga Magician to xyz summon Empress of Prophecy (ATK: 2000 DEF: 1700). Empress of Prophecy gains 300 ATK for each xyz material attached to monsters that Twilight controls (2 x 300 = 600, ATK: 2000 -> 2600). Twilight activates Empress of Prophecy’s effect. By detaching one xyz material from it (ATK: 2600 -> 2300), Twilight can shuffle her deck and then reveal the top 5 cards of her deck. Twilight can destroy monsters on the field up to the number of Spellbook cards revealed by this effect. There are two Spellbook cards. Twilight destroys Dragunity Phalanx and Jade Wyvern. Twilight returns these cards to the deck in any order she chooses.

Twilight attacks Alex directly with Empress of Prophecy, but Alex activates Defense Draw, reducing any battle damage that he would receive this turn to 0 and draw one card from his deck. Chain Burst’s effect activates.

Alex’s Life Points: 1300 -> 300

Twilight places one card face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-1100 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

Everyone on the sideline cheered loudly at Twilight’s move. Alex couldn’t hold it back anymore.

“Twilight, that was brilliant.”

“Please,” scoffed Twilight. “I’m not falling for that one.”

“Twi, I’m being serious. This is only your first duel and you just made a move that most professional duelists would be jealous of.”

“Yeah,” agreed Pinkie Pie. “The writer almost used an entire page on Microsoft Word for that move.”

“Writer?” asked Tom. “What are you talking about?”

Pinkie darted her gaze to the left and right nervously.

“Nothing,” she quickly responded.

“You not only summoned a strong monster, but you managed to clear my entire field. I mean this when I say, Twilight, you’re unlike any duelist I’ve ever met.”

Twilight’s couldn’t help but smile at her opponent’s genuine compliments.

“That doesn’t mean you should be set on winning either,” finished Alex.

***************************************************
Alex’s Turn: Alex activates Cards of Consonance, discarding a Dragon-type tuner monster with 1000 or less ATK and drawing two cards. Alex summons Dragunity Dux (ATK: 1500 DEF: 1000). Alex activates Dragunity Dux’s effect, targeting a level 3 or lower Dragon-type Dragunity monster in his graveyard and equipping it onto Dragunity Dux, choosing Dragunity Phalanx. Alex then activates Dragunity Phalanx’s effect, special summoning itself from the spell/trap card zone when equipped to a monster by an effect.

Alex tunes Dragunity Dux with Dragunity Phalanx to synchro summon Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana (ATK: 1900 DEF: 1200). Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana is synchro summoned, Alex can equip a level 3 or lower Dragon-type Dragunity monster from his graveyard onto it, choosing Dragunity Phalanx. Alex activates Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana’s effect, sending a card equipped to it to the graveyard and doubling its ATK (ATK: 1900 -> 3800).

Alex attacks Empress of Prophecy, but Twilight activates her Attack Invulnerability, choosing the second effect of taking no battle damage this turn. Chain Burst’s effect activates.

Twilight’s Life Points: 1100 -> 100

Alex activates Dragon’s Gunfire, choosing its first effect of inflicting 800 points of damage towards Twilight.

Twilight’s Life Points: 100 -> 0

Alex wins.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Twilight fell onto the sand. Alex was worried that Twilight’s pride might have been hurt by losing like that when she was so close to winning.

“Twi, are you okay?” asked Alex, going to her side along with her friends. Reese, Emma, and Claude stood still where they were.

Alex was relieved to find Twilight happily laughing.

“That was fun!” she said.

“That's great,” Alex answered. “Twilight, you have a knack for dueling, and I think that with your prowess, you have a chance to be one hell of a duelist.” Twilight leapt into Alex and wrapped her arms around his torso. Alex gently patted her back, appreciating her soft fur and silky mane.

Suddenly, Tom’s pocket glowed red, a vibrating sound coming from it.

“What in Celestia’s name is that?” asked Rarity.

“We’re ready,” answered Tom to Rainbow Dash. Rainbow Dash and Tom made no wait in getting to the riding dueling track as fast as possible. Alex, along with Tom, Sarah, and the other five ponies made their way over too. Reese, Emma, and Claude walked over as well.

Chapter 9: Speed

Tom jogged to his parked duel runner and walked it to the dueling track. There were four dueling tracks that were close to the city of Naperville. There was one that ran through the McDowell Prairie Path and through the neighboring town of Warrenville, one that ran through the Spring Brook Creek along the border of Naperville and Bolingbrook, one that was built around Danada Square and Leask Nature Trail in Wheaton, and lastly, there was the one Tom and Rainbow Dash were about to ride that rode through the city of Naperville itself.

Wherever the location, Rainbow Dash was just stoked to have her first riding duel.

“I still can’t believe I’m within feet of one of those aliens from that planet up there,” said a track manager.

“Who are you calling an alien?” asked Rainbow Dash, slightly offended.

“Calm yourself, Rainbow,” said Tom, approaching her. “We’re ready when you are.”

“Does she even have speed spells?” asked an attendant.

“Speed spells?” questioned Rainbow Dash. “What are those?”

“You can’t activate normal spell cards during a riding duel,” explained Tom. “You need to activate speed spells, which can only be activated depending on the number of speed counters you have, which can be given through Speed World 2’s effect and/or by other speed spells.”

“Where can I get these speed spells anyways?”

“They’re thirty dollars for a set of thirty,” responded an attendant. Tom handed him a twenty and ten.

“Go ahead and pick the ones you like the best,” encouraged Tom.

Rainbow Dash took her time in finding the best ones for her. From the spell that Twilight did the night before that helped her learn the game, she also learned that strategy, not power, was key.

She eventually picked out her thirty, placing and shuffling the very best ones she picked into her deck after replacing her normal spell cards. Rainbow Dash was officially ready.

Tom stood next to his motorcycle and Rainbow Dash on a metal platform that raised itself into the track, the platform becoming another part of the floor. The track itself was a Plexiglas halfpipe with light fixtures rising along the track’s edge every twenty feet that was elevated about thirty feet above the ground. The floors themselves were metal like the platform.

“Ready?” asked Tom.

“I was born ready,” answered Rainbow Dash.

Tom pushed a button on the right handlebar of the duel runner, causing the electronic dials in the dashboard to disappear, revealing a field spell card and then a dueling field with his name and life point count on top. Rainbow Dash tapped the icons on her duel disk screen until she got the same display as Tom. Once both duelists registered on each others machines, Rainbow Dash’s zones unsheathed from their duel disk, but they didn’t fold up 90° like they normally would.

“That’s to make the duel disk more aerodynamic for your flying,” yelled Claude from the sidelines. “Do you like it?”

Rainbow Dash gave a nod to him and looked out to the straight track ahead of her.

Tom made the finishing adjustments to his wrist dealer. His father’s duel runner didn’t require a D-Pad. It instead had two slots at the top and bottom where the top of the gas tank would be, the top being for monsters and the bottom being for spells and traps.

Tom detached the deck holster from the side of his wrist dealer and attached it to the top of his graveyard slot, the end of the deck facing the same way as the slot to the graveyard. With a 90° clockwise turn, Tom’s deck and graveyard slot were pointing right and perpendicularly from Tom’s arm. Tom put his helmet on his head and closed the visor. Both duelists were now ready to actually duel.

The entire city was covered in the holographic aura already, the upcoming 10 second countdown be the only thing keeping them from starting. Rainbow Dash’s friends cheered for both her and Tom before the duel began. The countdown started.

9. 8. 7. 6. Tom gripped the handlebars of the motorcycle, as Rainbow Dash gave a quick stretch of her wings and limbs. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1. BEEP! Tom twisted the handlebars, causing his machine to rocket away from the starting line at high speeds. Rainbow Dash pushed off the ground and sped up to catch up with Tom.

Tom’s duel runner was bulkier and wasn’t built for such speed, unlike Rainbow Dash. The cyan mare easily surpassed her friend and opponent, giving her the first turn of the duel.

Tom zoomed throughout the track as Rainbow Dash flew alongside it. People in the city watched as the duel literally passed them by.

“Now how in tarnation are we supposed to watch them?” asked Applejack back at the parking lot. Alex showed Applejack how to work her D-Pad to watch the riding duels from her tablet. “Thanks,” she sheepishly said.

Tom and Rainbow Dash drew five cards from their decks. Tom had a place on his deck holster to hold his hand for him, while Rainbow Had to hold her cards in her hooves.

“Alright,” called Tom. “Let’s have some fun.”

“DUEL!” the two duelists cried.

Rainbow Dash vs. Tom

Rainbow Dash’s Turn: RD:1 T:0 – Rainbow Dash summons T.G. Catapult Dragon (ATK: 900 DEF: 1300). Rainbow Dash activates T.G. Catapult Dragon’s effect, special summoning a level 3 or lower T.G. tuner from her hand, choosing T.G. Jet Falcon (ATK: 1400 DEF: 1200). Rainbow Dash tunes T.G. Catapult Dragon with T.G. Jet Falcon to synchro summon T.G. Hyper Librarian (ATK: 2400 DEF: 1800). When T.G. Jet Falcon is sent to the graveyard as synchro material, Tom takes 500 points of damage.

Tom’s Life Points: 4000 -> 3500

Rainbow Dash places two cards face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-4000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

Damage on the first turn, thought Tom. Nice. Let’s see what kind of moves she makes here.

***************************************************
Tom’s Turn: RD:1 T:1 – Tom activates the speed spell Overboost, increasing his speed counters by four (SpC.: 1 -> 5). Tom summons Gladiator Beast Andal (ATK: 1900 DEF: 1500). Tom then special summons Test Tiger, as he controls a Gladiator Beast monster (ATK: 600 DEF: 300).

Tom activates Tom activates Test Tiger’s effect. By tributing it, Tom can shuffle a Gladiator Beast monster that he controls to the deck and special summon a Gladiator Beast monster from his deck. This is treated as being special summoned by a Gladiator Beast monster. With Test Tiger’s effect, Tom special summons Gladiator Beast Secutor (ATK: 400 DEF: 300). Tom then activates the speed spell Synchro Defuse, taking control of an opponent’s synchro monster until the end phase if he has two or more speed counters, choosing T.G. Hyper Librarian.

Tom attacks Rainbow Dash directly with Gladiator Beast Secutor.

Rainbow Dash’s Life Points: 4000 -> 3600

Tom then attacks Rainbow Dash directly with T.G. Hyper Librarian, but Rainbow Dash activates Battle Stun Sonic, negating the attack and special summoning a level 4 or lower tuner monster from her hand, choosing T.G. Cyber Magician (ATK: 0 DEF: 0).

When Gladiator Beast Secutor is special summoned by the effect of a Gladiator Beast monster, when Gladiator Beast Secutor attacks or was attacked, Tom can special summon two Gladiator Beast monsters from his deck, choosing Gladiator Beast Octavius (ATK: 2500 DEF: 1200), and Gladiator Beast Andal. Tom overlays Gladiator Beast Andal and Gladiator Beast Secutor to xyz summon Amber Minotaur (ATK: 2400 DEF: 1900). Tom activates Amber Minotaur’s effect. By detaching one xyz material from it, Tom can normal summon again this turn without a tribute, choosing Gladiator Beast Spartacus (ATK: 2200 DEF: 1600).

During the end phase, T.G. Hyper Librarian is returned to Rainbow Dash. Also, with Overboost’s effect, Tom’s speed counters are reduced to 1 (SpC.: 5 -> 1).

Tom places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-3500 Monsters-3 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“You may not think it,” commented Alex to his pony friends, “but Tom is actually a great duelist.”

“I never doubted that,” said Twilight, “but I’m just interested with what Rainbow Dash is going to do.”

Back at the track, Tom was riding up closer to Rainbow.

“Ready for complete and utter awesomeness?” asked Rainbow.

***************************************************
Rainbow Dash: RD:2 T:2 – Rainbow Dash activates the speed spell Angel Baton, drawing two cards and discarding one when she has two or more speed counters. Rainbow Dash activates the effect of T.G. Cyber Magician. If she uses T.G. Cyber Magician for the synchro summon of a T.G. monster, she can use T.G. monsters in her hand as the non-tuner synchro material. Rainbow Dash tunes the T.G. Rush Rhino in her hand with T.G. Cyber Magician to synchro summon T.G. Wonder Magician (ATK: 1900 DEF: 0). When T.G. Wonder Magician is synchro summoned, Rainbow Dash can destroy one spell or trap card on the field, choosing Tom’s face down card. Also, with T.G. Hyper Librarian’s effect, Rainbow Dash draws one card each time someone synchro summons.

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

Rainbow Dash then pulled up and flew towards the sky, her two monsters flying along side with her.

“Just what does she think she’s doing?” asked Tom to himself.

Once Rainbow was high enough in the sky, she did a backwards loop and flew back towards the ground.

“I tune my level 5 Tech Genus Hyper Librarian with my level 5 Tech Genus Wonder Magician,” yelled Rainbow Dash.

A trailing cone then appeared in front of Rainbow Dash, her two monsters followed her closely from behind. The cone grew brighter and brighter.

“Accel synchro summon!”

Rainbow Dash flew through the cone, creating an array of white beams that shot in every direction.

“What on earth was that?” asked Emma back at the parking lot.

“She calls that her Buccaneer Blaze!” cheered Pinkie Pie, hopping up and down.

Tom was stunned at Rainbow’s act, along with nearly the entire town who saw everything in the sky. Tom then looked as Rainbow Dash flew past him, but she didn’t have her two monsters behind her anymore. She instead had one.

“Go,” she shouted, “Tech Genus Blade Blaster!”

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

Rainbow Dash tunes T.G. Hyper Librarian with T.G. Wonder Magician to accel synchro summon T.G. Blade Blaster (ATK: 3300 DEF: 2200). Rainbow Dash attacks Gladiator Beast Spartacus with T.G. Blade Blaster.

Tom’s Life Points: 3500 -> 2400

Rainbow Dash activates her face down TG-SX1, special summoning a T.G. synchro monster in her graveyard when a T.G. monster she controls destroys a monster by battle, choosing T.G. Hyper Librarian. Rainbow Dash attacks Amber Minotaur with T.G. Hyper Librarian. Since both monsters have equal ATKs, they are both destroyed.

Rainbow Dash sets one monster.

Rainbow Dash ends her turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-3600 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

Tom found himself in quite a predicament. He had only one monster left to protect him, and with the speed and power of her deck, it wouldn’t take long before his only defense was gone. His survival was dependent on his next draw.

***************************************************
Tom’s Turn: RD:3 T:3 – Tom summons Gladiator Beast Bestiari (ATK: 1500 DEF: 800). Tom sends Gladiator Beast Bestiari and Gladiator Beast Octavius to the deck to fusion summon Gladiator Beast Gyzarus (ATK: 2400 DEF: 1500). When Gladiator Beast Gyzarus is special summoned, Tom can destroy up to two cards on the field, choosing T.G. Blade Blaster and Rainbow Dash’s face down monster.

Rainbow Dash activates T.G. Blade Blaster’s effect. By removing a T.G. monster in her graveyard from play, Rainbow Dash can banish T.G. Blade Blaster on her field and special summon it during her next standby phase. Rainbow Dash’s face down monster is still destroyed. Tom attacks Rainbow Dash directly with Gladiator Beast Gyzarus.

Rainbow Dash’s Life Points: 3600 -> 1200

At the end of the battle phase, if Gladiator Beast Gyzarus attacked or was attacked, Tom can return Gladiator Beast Gyzarus to the extra deck to special summon two Gladiator Beast monsters from her deck except Gladiator Beast Bestiari. He chooses Gladiator Beast Laquari (ATK: 1800 DEF: 400) and Gladiator Beast Darius (ATK: 1700 DEF: 300).

When Gladiator Beast Darius is special summoned by the effect of a Gladiator Beast monster, Tom can special summon a Gladiator Beast monster from his graveyard, although its effect is negated, choosing Gladiator Beast Andal. Tom sends Gladiator Beast Andal, Gladiator Beast Laquari, and Gladiator Beast Darius to the deck to fusion summon Gladiator Beast Heraklinos (ATK: 3000 DEF: 2800).

Tom ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-2400 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

“Not bad,” commented Rainbow Dash proudly. “Not bad.” She sprung back into action, hoping to finish the duel off once and for all.

***************************************************
Rainbow Dash’s Turn: RD:4 T:4 – T.G. Blade Blaster is special summoned from the banished zone with its effect. Rainbow Dash activates the speed spell Half Seize, halving the ATK of one monster on the field and gaining life points equal to the amount halved when she has three or more speed counters, choosing Gladiator Beast Heraklinos (ATK: 3000 -> 1500).

Rainbow Dash’s Life Points: 1200 -> 2700

Rainbow Dash then summons T.G. Gear Zombie (ATK: 600 DEF: 0). Rainbow Dash attacks Gladiator Beast Heraklinos with T.G. Blade Blaster.

Tom’s Life Points: 2400 -> 600

Rainbow Dash then attacks Tom directly with T.G. Gear Zombie.

Tom’s Life Points: 600 -> 0

Rainbow Dash wins.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Two hatches opened up from the side of Tom’s motorcycle, releasing a blast of cool, harmless exhaust as Tom continued riding it to the platform. Upon getting there, he put up the kickstand and dismounted the duel runner. As soon as he took his helmet off, Rainbow Dash surprised him from behind with a hug.

“That was so awesome!” squealed Rainbow Dash. “We have to do that again.”

“Maybe later,” said Tom. “The competition is going to start soon and we need to give other people a chance.” Rainbow Dash huffed in disappointment. “If you want to go at it again, you can sign your name in and duel someone during the competition. Rainbow Dash made a beeline for the registry table and signed herself up as the first duelist to go.

The duel also attracted a lot of attention, bringing in duelists from all over the city, eager to join in the competition.

“Looks like we’re ready to begin,” said Alex.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

A half hour or so later, the 9:37 Metra train from Chicago arrived right on time at the 5th Ave. Station in Naperville. One of the first people to step off the train was Kyle with nothing more than a briefcase. He found a flyer on a pillar inside a waiting booth for the Riverwalk Dueling Competition. Kyle found a limousine waiting for him and he got in, putting the briefcase next to him.

“Where to, sir?” said the driver. “The Holiday Inn, I presume?”

“Not yet,” said Kyle. “Take me to that Riverwalk Competition.”

“Very good, sir.”

The limousine drove south to its destination.

Chapter 10: Luster

The Riverwalk Competition was in full swing. The entire park was littered with duelists. Even some of the normally closed off things such as the baseball field and the Centennial Beach were fully open for duelists. Some people dueled in the sandy beach area, many dueled on the grassy hills where swimmers would normally lay their towels or bags to lounge, or, if they had connections, they could get a lifeguard to kayak them to the two floating platforms out in the deep end of the pool where they could get a more scenic duel.

“Emma, where are you taking me?” asked Rarity as they walked along the ledge of the shallowest part of the pool’s water.

“I wanted to show you something,” responded Emma.

“Are we going to duel here?”

“Not quite yet.”

As they approached the diving boards, they came across a shirtless man in a red bathing suit and red baseball cap sitting from the lifeguard’s watchtower.

“Yo, Peter!” yelled Emma at the man.

“Emma, what’s up?” he responded, climbing down the ladder to meet his friend. “Woah, is that one of those ponies from the news?”

“Sure is. Peter, this is my friend Rarity.”

“Hi, Rarity. How’s it going?” He shook his hoof.

“Charmed,” said the pony with a slightly forced smile. She didn’t care for the brashness of the human’s voice, but he still seemed like a nice fellow, especially if he was friends with Emma.

“So, what can I do for you?” Peter asked Emma. “If it’s about me working your shift on Memorial Day, count me out.”

“No, Pete, I was just going to ask if I can borrow a kayak. Me and my friend would like to duel on the floating platforms.”

“Oh, then by all means, be my guest.”

“Thank you.” They both began to walk towards the main building just northwest of the pool.

“How on earth did you do that?” asked Rarity, surprised. “I can’t just believe they would let you just waltz in and grab their boats.”

“It’s cool,” responded Emma. “I’m a lifeguard here too, so I have access to the gear here.”

They came to what looked like a garage on the lower level of the large bathhouse. Emma’s point was proven when she took a key from her pocket and unlocked the lock keeping the door closed. Emma even threw her arms out as if she was saying, “Tada!”

Rarity picked up the kayak with her magic while Emma got a paddle.

“You know,” said Emma, “I can carry both if you want.”

“Nonsense,” scoffed Rarity. “I won’t allow you to treat me to such a duel and not be of some assistance in some way.” Emma couldn’t help but smile at her generosity.

Rarity gently set the boat in the water closest to the bathhouse. Rarity held the kayak in place for Emma to get in, with Rarity hopping into her lap once she was settled. Emma gently pushed off and paddled towards the deep end.

“My goodness,” exclaimed Rarity. “This is marvelous. It’s like riding one of the Canterlot gondolas.”

“Next time, I’ll just get Reese to wear one of those striped shirts and silly hats and he can drive it.”

The thought of Reese in a gondola driver’s uniform made both Emma and Rarity giggle.

Emma parked the kayak on the easternmost platform, allowing Rarity to get off. Rarity was pleasantly surprised at how sturdy the platform was. Emma parked and tied the kayak next to the ladder on the westernmost platform, using the ladder to hold herself and get onto the platform.

“How’s this for a scenic duel?” asked Emma.

“I must say,” answered Rarity, “it’s exceptionally prettier than where Alex and Twilight dueled. Certainly a lot more interesting too.”

People inside the Centennial Beach grounds stood around to watch. People walking on the Riverwalk on the south also stopped to watch.

“It seems we’ve attracted quite a crowd,” commented Rarity.

“Yeah well, I’m known as Queen Beach around these parts.”

“The queen you say? Oh, it. Is. On!”

Rarity unsheathed her purple D-Pad while Emma unsheathed hers. The duel holograms were all set for today. Rarity and Emma drew five cards from their decks.

“DUEL!” they both yelled.

Rarity vs. Emma

Rarity’s Turn: Rarity plays Gem-Knight Fusion, sending Gem-Knight Crystal and Gem-Knight Garnet from her hand to the graveyard to fusion summon Gem-Knight Citrine (ATK: 2200 DEF: 1950). Next, she activates De-Fusion, sending Gem-Knight Citrine to the extra deck to special summon Gem-Knight Crystal (ATK: 2450 DEF: 1950) and Gem-Knight Garnet (ATK: 1900 DEF: 0) from the graveyard. Next, she normal summons Gem Armadillo (ATK: 1700 DEF: 500). When Gem Armadillo has been successfully normal summoned, Rarity can add one Gem-Knight monster to her hand from her deck. Rarity overlays Gem-Knight Garnet and Gem Armadillo to xyz summon Gem-Knight Pearl (ATK: 2600 DEF: 1900).

Rarity places one card face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-4000 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

I can summon my Equus card here, thought Emma, but I can’t do it without her summoning a bunch more Gem-Knight Crystals. What to do, what to do.

That’s when she noticed the equip spell in her hand.

Bingo.

***************************************************
Emma’s Turn: Emma activates the continuous spell Water Hazard, allowing her to special summon a level 4 or lower WATER attribute monster from her hand, choosing Mermail – Abysslang in defense position (ATK: 1200 DEF: 1800). Next, she activates her quick-play spell Inferno Reckless Summon, special summoning as many copies of a monster with 1500 or less ATK that she controls that was special summoned from her hand, deck, or graveyard when her opponent controls a monster, special summoning two more Mermail – Abysslangs in defense position.

Furthermore, Rarity can choose one monster she controls and special summon as many copies of it from her hand, deck, or graveyard, special summoning two more Gem-Knight Crystals. Emma normal summons Gishki Ariel (ATK: 1000 DEF: 1800). Emma overlays two of her Mermail – Abysslangs and Gishki Ariel to xyz summon Sapphire Serpent (ATK: 2800 DEF: 2200). With Mermail – Abysslang’s effect, all WATER monsters except for Mermail – Abysslang gain 300 ATK (ATK: 2800 -> 3100).

Emma attacks one of Rarity’s Gem-Knight Crystals with Sapphire Serpent.

Rarity’s Life Points: 4000 -> 3650

Emma equips Sapphire Serpent with Mist Body, preventing its destruction in battle.

Emma ends her turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-4000 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

The crowd had never seen Emma’s new monster before, and they were excited that they would be watching a much more interesting duel, including the fact that a pony was dueling her.

“So,” observed Rarity, “you summoned your Equus card. Fine then. Let me show you my ace!”

***************************************************
Rarity’s Turn: Rarity summons Gem-Knight Tourmaline (ATK: 1600 DEF: 1800). Rarity activates her face down Pryoxene Fusion, sending Gem-Knight Tourmaline and one of her Gem-Knight Crystals to the graveyard to fusion summon Gem-Knight Topaz (ATK: 1800 DEF: 1800). Next, Rarity activates Particle Fusion, sending Gem-Knight Topaz, Gem-Knight Crystal, and Gem-Knight Pearl to the graveyard to fusion summon Gem-Knight Master Dia (ATK: 2900 DEF: 2500).

Gem-Knight Master Dia gains 100 ATK for each Gem-Knight monster in Rarity’s graveyard (7 x 100 = 700, ATK: 2900 -> 3600). With Particle Fusion’s effect, Rarity can banish Particle Fusion in her graveyard to have Gem-Knight Master Dia gain ATK equal to the ATK of one of the fusion material monsters until the end phase, choosing Gem-Knight Pearl (ATK: 3600 -> 6200). Next, Rarity activates Gem-Knight Master Dia’s effect. By banishing a level 7 or lower Gem fusion monster in her graveyard, Gem-Knight Master Dia is treated as the same name of the banished monster and given its effects until the end phase, choosing Gem-Knight Topaz (ATK: 6200 -> 6100).

With Gem-Knight Topaz’s effect, Gem-Knight Master Dia can attack twice during the battle phase. With Mermail – Abysslang’s effect, Rarity can attack no other monsters than it.

Rarity attacks Mermail – Abysslang with Gem-Knight Master Dia. Since Mermail – Abysslang is no longer on the field, Sapphire Serpent’s ATK is decreased (ATK: 3100 -> 2800). With Gem-Knight Topaz’s effect, when Gem-Knight Master Dia destroys a monster by battle and sends it to the graveyard, damage is inflicted to the opponent equal to the destroyed monster’s ATK.

Emma’s Life Points: 4000 -> 2800

Rarity then attacks Sapphire Serpent with Gem-Knight Master Dia, but Emma activates Sapphire Serpent’s effect. If Emma would take battle damage involving Sapphire Serpent, she can detach one xyz material from it to gain life points that she would have lost. Because of Mist Body’s effect, Sapphire Serpent is not destroyed by battle.

Emma’s Life Points: 2800 -> 6100

During the end phase, Gem-Knight Master Dia’s ATK returns to normal and its effect returns to normal (ATK: 6100 -> 3500).

Rarity ends her turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-3650 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

The crowd ooed and ahhed at the spike in Emma’s life points. Clearly this small horse was in way over her head dueling someone like Emma Miller.

Emma wasn’t entirely relieved though. She had little in her hand, and she’d either need another defensive strategy or to replenish her hand to do so.

***************************************************
Emma’s Turn: Emma activates Salvage, adding two WATER monsters with 1500 or less ATK from her graveyard to her hand, choosing Gishki Ariel and Mermail – Abysslang.

Emma attacks Gem-Knight Master Dia with Sapphire Serpent. Emma activates Sapphire Serpent’s effect again, detaching an xyz material from it to gain life points that she would have lost in battle damage involving Sapphire Serpent.

Emma’s Life Points: 6100 -> 6800

Emma sets one monster.

Emma places one card face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-6800 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

Rarity began to see something. Despite Emma continuing to gain life points from attacks, she would eventually run out of xyz materials to use on it. If she would draw the right cards here, she would put Emma in a corner that she couldn’t get out of.

***************************************************
Rarity’s Turn: Rarity activates Painful Choice, selecting five cards from her deck and having Emma pick one of them. She chooses Morphing Jar. Rarity sends the other cards to the graveyard. All four sent cards were Gem-Knight monsters (ATK: 3500 -> 3900).

Rarity attacks Sapphire Serpent with Gem-Knight Master Dia, but Emma activates Sapphire Serpent’s effect once again, detaching its last xyz material from it to gain life points that she would have lost in battle damage involving Sapphire Serpent.

Emma’s Life Points: 6800 -> 7900

Rarity sets one monster.

Rarity ends her turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-3650 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

And so it begins, thought Rarity.

***************************************************
Emma’s Turn: Emma activates Stop Defense, switching Rarity’s face down monster into face up attack position, which is a Morphing Jar (ATK: 700 DEF: 600). When Morphing Jar is flip summoned, all players discard their hands and draw five cards from their deck.

Emma attacks Morphing Jar with Sapphire Serpent.

Rarity’s Life Points: 3650 -> 1550

Emma places two cards face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-3 Life-7900 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-3
***************************************************

Despite Rarity’s heavy loss in life points, and the cheers of the crowd against her, Rarity wore a heavy smile on her face.

“I could only wonder what’s going on in your head right now to make you beam so brightly,” said Emma.

“Oh nothing, darling. It’s merely the move that will put your life points to 0.” Emma smirked.

What could she do with 1550 life points against my 7600?

Emma would find out all too soon.

***************************************************
Rarity’s Turn: Rarity activates Pot of Greed, drawing two cards. Next, she activates another Gem-Knight Fusion, sending Gem-Knight Sapphire and Gem-Knight Alexandrite from her hand to her graveyard to fusion summon Gem-Knight Zirconia (ATK: 2900 DEF: 2500) (ATK: 3900 -> 4100). Next, Rarity activates the spell Burial from a Different Dimension, adding Gem-Knight Topaz from Rarity’s banished zone to the graveyard (ATK: 4100 -> 4200). Rarity activates Gem-Knight Master Dia’s effect again, banishing a level 7 or lower Gem fusion monster and gaining its name and effects (ATK: 4200 -> 4100). Rarity equips Gem-Knight Master Dia with Megamorph, doubling its original ATK when her life points are lower than her opponent’s (ATK: 4100 -> 7000).

Rarity attacks Emma's face down monster with Gem-Knight Zirconia, which is a Mermail – Abysslang. Emma activates Card of Last Will, drawing five cards when a monster of hers is destroyed by battle. With Gem-Knight Topaz’s effect, Gem-Knight Master Dia can attack twice during the battle phase. Rarity attacks Sapphire Serpent with Gem-Knight Master Dia. Mist Body’s effect still prevents its destruction by battle. Damage is still calculated.

Emma’s Life Points: 7900 -> 3700

Rarity attacks Sapphire Serpent with Gem-Knight Master Dia again, but Emma activates her face down Emergency Provisions, sending Water Hazard to the graveyard to gain 1000 life points before the attack hits.

Emma’s Life Points: 3700 -> 4700

Emma’s Life Points: 4700 -> 500

Since Rarity’s Life Points are higher than Emma’s, Gem-Knight Master Dia’s original ATK is halved due to Megamorph’s effect (ATK: 4100 -> 2650).

Rarity places two cards face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-1250 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

“Phew,” sighed Emma. “Now that was a close one.”

Rarity was none too happy about Emma surviving her onslaught like that, but the crowd started doing something that Rarity hadn’t heard all day: they began applauding her. Her move, while not final as she had wished, was still highly impressive. This brought Rarity’s disappointed frown to a gentle and accepting smile.

“Ready to finish this?” asked Emma.

“Bring it!” exclaimed Rarity happily.

***************************************************
Emma’s Turn: Rarity activates her trap Disarmament, destroying all equip spell cards on the field, including her Megamorph (ATK: 2650 -> 4100), and Emma’s Mist Body. Emma activates the field spell Forgotten Capital Lemuria, which is treated as Umi. Emma then activates her face down Abysstrom, sending an “Umi” she controls to the graveyard to send all spell and trap cards on the field to the graveyard. Emma then activates Riryoku, halving the ATK of one monster on the field and increasing another monster’s ATK by the amount halved, halving Gem-Knight Master Dia’s ATK to increase Sapphire Serpent’s ATK (ATK: 4100 -> 2050) (ATK: 2800 -> 4850).

Emma attacks Gem-Knight Master Dia with Sapphire Serpent.

Rarity’s Life Points: 1550 -> 0

Emma wins.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

The force from the attack sent Rarity flying back and off of the platform.

“Rarity!” called Emma, but she was too far away to do anything.

Before Rarity, her D-Pad and her cards could be drenched in the pool's water, a pair of arms caught her.

“I got ya’,” said Peter, holding the unicorn in his arms.

“Peter. What are you doing here?”

“When I saw you take that first attack,” explained Peter, “Me and another friend went to the bathhouse and grabbed a kayak for ourselves and sat behind the both of you in case you got knocked off.”

“Mmm, my hero,” moaned Rarity, sweetly pawing at Peter’s pectorals. Nonetheless, Peter couldn’t help but blush.

“Hey Peter,” called Emma. “It looks like you finally got some tail.” The crowd laughed.

Peter really wanted nothing more than to throw the mare into the water and save himself the embarrassment, but she had her D-Pad and cards on her, he had people, including his friend Emma watching, and plus, that’s no way to treat a lady. Nonetheless, Peter made as quick of an attempt as possible to paddle her to shore.

“Thank you so much, young col- I mean man.”

Peter gave a tip of his hat.

“Emma,” called Rarity, “aren’t you coming?”

“Nah,” replied Emma. She then addressed the crowd. “Who wants to go next?”

The crowd cheered loudly to be picked by Queen Beach for a chance to duel her. She picked a skinny young man with a maroon colored duel disk in simple jeans, a black t-shirt, a white shirt jacket, and light brown hair. Once she made her decision, the crowd quieted down.

“I’ll see you later,” Emma yelled to Rarity with a wave. Rarity waved back and walked away to find another duel.

Chapter 11: Bountiful

Sarah and Fluttershy walked around the park observing the many duels that were going around. Sarah was not the dueling type, but her friends certainly were, and they seemed like they would suffice for a first duel for Fluttershy. Unfortunately, Fluttershy clung her body to Sarah’s leg as they walked. Sarah felt bad that Fluttershy was as timid as she was and that she could really only trust her, but she figured that her friends would be the baby steps needed to get Fluttershy to open herself up.

“Um, Sarah?” asked Fluttershy. “Where are you taking me?”

“Just going to have you meet some of my friends. Don’t worry, they’re nice people.”

“If you say so.”

A biker suddenly zoomed by the two, causing Fluttershy to squeak and hop onto Sarah’s chest and grip her neck with her arms. Sarah could feel the poor pony shivering in fear and anxiety.

“It's okay. We're almost there.”

Fluttershy made a quick nod. They walked across a wooden bridge that brought them to the south side of the river. Here, they were right near the Carillon, a large bell tower at the bottom of a large grassy hill entitled Rotary Hill, named after the Naperville branch of the international Rotary Club. This was an ideal spot for duelists as it presented some of the most room for playing. The two continued down the path that ran north of the bottom of the hill. Sarah was then stopped by a couple of familiar voices approaching her.

One girl had long brown hair held back by a clip. She wore fancy blue jeans, an orange tank top, brown sandals, and a plethora of bracelets on her right arm. Her left arm held a blue D-Pad similar in color to Emma’s. The other girl had natural red hair in a ponytail. She wore a knee-length white skirt, a pink t-shirt with a light-blue waist high jeans jacket, and cream-colored sandals. Her right hand held a large Jamba Juice smoothie while an olive green purse hung over her shoulder. She also had a duel disk on her left arm, but hers had an opal finish on it.

“Sarah!” they both called.

Upon mentioning her name, Fluttershy squeaked again and hid behind Sarah. There were too many strangers for her to feel comfortable around. The sight of the yellow pony hiding behind Fluttershy made them stop in their tracks.

“Sarah, what is that thi-” said the brown haired one before she and her other friend gasped. “Is that one of those ponies from that planet? Oh my god, I’m so jealous. Can I see it?”

Sarah blushed. She knew introductions, especially with a pony as nervous as Fluttershy, would be next to impossible. Sarah held a finger up, signaling her friends to hang on for a moment. Sarah turned and knelt to the pegasus, who had her hooves over her head.

“Fluttershy,” whispered Sarah, “these are my friends. I promise they will not hurt you. You can trust them.” Fluttershy was silent for a few seconds and then gave her answer.

“Could they come over here?” Her eyes began to well with frightened tears. “I’m still too scared to move.” Sarah could hardly stand the sight of her friend crying like that, so she motioned her friends over to her.

The red haired girl pulled a tissue from her purse, and while Fluttershy’s eyes were closed, she gently wiped them dry. Fluttershy sniffled as she looked up into the smiling face of the girl who dried her tears. The girl further eased Fluttershy by rubbing her behind her ears. This gave the two girls Fluttershy’s first smile.

“Friends,” introduced Sarah, “this is Fluttershy.”

“Hi Fluttershy,” greeted the brown haired girl. “I’m Lisa.”

“Hi Lisa,” said Fluttershy with much more confidence.

“I’m Jennifer,” said the red haired girl. “You can call me Jenny. It’s just… I’m sorry, you look so adorable. Would you mind if I gave you a hug?”

“Um, I guess not-” Fluttershy was interrupted by a pair of arms wrapping themselves around her.

Whatever stress Fluttershy was in due to the abundance of strangers around her was now melted away with Jenny’s hug.

“I can’t believe it,” Jenny exclaimed. “This is so cool.” She finally let go of the pegasus. She then noticed Fluttershy’s duel disk. “You’re a duelist?””

“Actually, it is only my first time…” she began to hush, feeling a tad embarrassed.

“I know Sarah isn’t one for dueling, but I sure am. Heck, Lisa and I both are. Would you like me to be your very first competitor?”

Fluttershy looked at Sarah and Lisa, who were egging her on. She figured she had to duel someone at some point, so why not with this friendly human?

“Alright Jenny,” responded Fluttershy with full confidence. “I’m game.”

Jenny was ecstatic. Not only did she befriend, but she would be dueling, a real life pegasus. The two competitors made their way to the edge of the large grassy area south of the red bricked path of the Riverwalk.

“I just want to let you know, I don’t take my opponent’s lightly,” exclaimed Jenny.

“I imagine you wouldn’t,” responded Fluttershy with an innocent smile. “Neither will I.”

That’s odd, thought Jenny. Wasn’t this the same pony that was a curled ball of tears upon seeing us? Was that all a façade? Does she trust me that fully now? Only one way to find out.

Both Fluttershy and Jenny unsheathed their D-Pads. They then drew 5 cards from their decks. Sarah and Lisa didn’t know who to root for, so they clapped indifferently.

“DUEL!” they both yelled.

Fluttershy vs. Jenny

Fluttershy’s Turn: Fluttershy sets one monster.

Fluttershy places one card face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-4 Life-4000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

I don’t know what kind of deck she’s using, thought Jenny, but unless I can get some serious strength, my attack will most likely just bounce off of her monster’s DEF.

***************************************************
Jenny’s Turn: Jenny summons Vylon Hapt (ATK: 1800 DEF: 800). Jenny equips Vylon Hapt with Vylon Material, increasing its ATK by 600 (ATK: 1800 -> 2400). Jenny attacks Fluttershy’s face down monster which is Naturia Beans (ATK: 100 DEF: 1200). With Naturia Beans’ effect, it cannot be destroyed in battle once per turn, and if it is attacked, 500 points of damage are inflicted to the opponent.

Jenny’s Life Points: 4000 -> 3500

Jenny places two cards face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-3500 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

“Alright,” shouted Jenny. “Now that I know what deck you have, no more sucker punches.” She then began shadow boxing along with her metaphor.

“How’s about this then?” asked Fluttershy.

***************************************************
Fluttershy’s Turn: Fluttershy summons Naturia Pumpkin (ATK: 1400 DEF: 800). When Naturia Pumpkin is normal summoned, if her opponent controls a monster, Fluttershy can special summon a Naturia monster from her hand, choosing Naturia Stag Beetle (ATK: 2200 DEF: 1500). Fluttershy equips Naturia Pumpkin with Megamorph. Since Fluttershy’s life points are higher than Jenny’s, Naturia Pumpkin’s ATK is halved (ATK: 1400 -> 700).

Next, Fluttershy activates Tannhäuser Gate, choosing two monsters with 1000 or less ATK and the have the same type and making their levels equal to the sum of their levels, choosing Naturia Beans and Naturia Pumpkin (4 + 2 = 6) (Lvl.: 2 -> 6) (Lvl.: 4 -> 6). Fluttershy overlays Naturia Beans, Naturia Pumpkin, and Naturia Stag Beetle to xyz summon Queen Nereia the Silvercrown (ATK: 2500 DEF: 2400).

Fluttershy attacks Vylon Hapt with Queen Nereia the Silvercrown.

Jenny’s Life Points: 3500 -> 3400

When Vylon Material is sent from the field to the graveyard, Jenny can add a Vylon spell card from her deck to her hand.

Fluttershy places one card face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-4000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

“Ok,” sighed Jenny with a wide smile. “I see how it is.” She was obviously playing with Fluttershy, but the look on Jenny’s face was somewhat frightening for the mare.

***************************************************
Jenny’s Turn: Jenny activates the continuous spell Valhalla, Hall of the Fallen, allowing herself to special summon a Fairy-type monster from her hand when she controls no monsters, special summoning Vylon Tesseract (ATK: 800 DEF: 600). Jenny then normal summons Vylon Prism (ATK: 1500 DEF: 1500). Jenny tunes Vylon Tesseract with Vylon Prism to synchro summon Vylon Epsilon (ATK: 2800 DEF: 1200). When Vylon Prism is sent from the monster zones to the graveyard, Jenny can pay 500 life points to equip it to a monster from the graveyard, choosing Vylon Epsilon.

Jenny’s Life Points: 3400 -> 2900

Jenny then equips Vylon Epsilon with Vylon Segment. Jenny activates Vylon Epsilon’s effect. By sending one equip card equipped to it to the graveyard, choosing Vylon Segment, Jenny can destroy one monster on the field, choosing Queen Nereia the Silvercrown, but Fluttershy activates Utopian Aura. By detaching one xyz material from a monster she controls, all xyz monsters that she controls can’t be destroyed by card effects until the end phase.

Jenny attacks Queen Nereia the Silvercrown with Vylon Epsilon. When Vylon Prism is equipped to a monster, the equipped monster gains 1000 ATK until the end of the damage step (ATK: 2800 -> 3800).

Fluttershy’s Life Points: 4000 -> 2700

Fluttershy activates Card of Last Will, drawing five cards when a monster she controls is destroyed by battle. Vylon Epsilon’s attack goes back to normal (ATK: 3800 -> 2800).

Jenny ends her turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-2900 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

“Ha!” exclaimed Jenny, moving her arms and legs like a wannabe gangster. “Beat that.” Fluttershy could see that Jenny was a very animated woman. She reminded her of Pinkie Pie, which made Fluttershy giggle, which went unnoticed by Jenny.

“I hope you’re having fun,” said Fluttershy.

“You know it.”

“Because it’s not nearly going to be as much fun as I’m going to have right now.”

***************************************************
Fluttershy’s Turn: Fluttershy places two cards face down. Next, she summons Naturia Cherries (ATK: 200 DEF: 200). Fluttershy activates Miracle Fertilizer, special summoning Naturia Pumpkin from her graveyard. Fluttershy tunes Naturia Pumpkin with Naturia Cherries to synchro summon Naturia Beast (ATK: 2200 DEF: 1700). Fluttershy then equips Vylon Epsilon with Unstable Evolution. When Jenna’s life points are higher than her opponent’s, her monster’s ATK becomes 1000 (ATK: 2800 -> 1000).

Fluttershy attacks Vylon Epsilon with Naturia Beast. Vylon Prism’s effect activates, increasing Vylon Epsilon’s ATK by 1000 before the attack hits. Also Jenny attempts to activate her face down Rush Recklessly, but Fluttershy activates Naturia Beast’s effect. By sending the top two cards on her deck to the graveyard, she can negate the activation of a spell card and destroy it. The attack goes through.

Jenny’s Life Points: 2900 -> 2700

Jenny activates her own Card of Last Will, drawing five cards when a monster she controls is destroyed by battle. Fluttershy activates the effect of Naturia Hydrangea in her hand, special summoning it when a Naturia monster she controls used its effect (ATK: 1900 DEF: 2000). Fluttershy then attacks Jenny directly with Naturia Hydrangea.

Jenna’s Life Points: 2700 -> 800

Fluttershy ends her turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-2700 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

“Wow,” said Jenny, genuinely surprised. “That was a wonderful move.” Fluttershy merely closed her eyes and cocked her head with a smile. “Let’s hope mine is just as good.”

***************************************************
Jenny’s Turn: Jenny places three cards face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-3 Life-800 Monsters-0 Face Down Cards-3

***************************************************

Fluttershy’s Turn: Fluttershy attacks Jenny directly with Naturia Beast, but Jenny activates Negate Attack, negating the attack and ending the battle phase.

Fluttershy ends her turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-2700 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

Now fully armed and loaded with traps, Jenny felt extremely satisfied as she decided to address Fluttershy in the form of a movie quote.

“Now you’re all in big, big trouble.”

***************************************************
Jenny’s Turn: Jenny activates Valhalla, Hall of the Fallen’s effect, but Fluttershy attempts to activate Naturia Beast’s effect to negate and destroy it. Jenny activates her trap Braveheart, halving her life points to negate the activation of a monster's effect this turn.

Jenny’s Life Points: 800 -> 400

The effect of Valhalla, Hall of the Fallen resolves, letting Jenny special summon a Fairy-type monster from her hand when she controls no monsters, choosing Vylon Sphere (ATK: 400 DEF: 400). Next, Jenny normal summons another Vylon Sphere. Jenny then activates her trap Call of the Haunted, special summoning Vylon Epsilon from her graveyard. Jenny tunes Vylon Epsilon with both Vylon Spheres to synchro summon Vylon Omega (ATK: 3200 DEF: 1900). Once per turn, Jenny can equip a Vylon monster to Vylon Omega from her graveyard with its effect, choosing Vylon Prism.

Jenny attacks Naturia Hydrangea with Vylon Omega, whose ATK increases by 1000 with Vylon Prism’s effect (ATK: 3200 -> 4200).

Fluttershy’s Life Points: 2700 -> 400

Fluttershy activates Trap Reborn, halving her life points to activate a trap card from her opponent’s graveyard, choosing Card of Last Will, drawing five cards from her deck when a monster she controls is destroyed by battle.

Fluttershy’s Life Points: 400 -> 200

Jenny places one card face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-750 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

Jenny knew Fluttershy would survive the turn, but she had a powerhouse monster on her side now, capable of eliminating her monsters if their effects tried to destroy her spells/traps again. The only thing that kept Jenny from an early celebration was the fact that Fluttershy once again had a fully replenished hand. Only luck would tell what it meant for her.

***************************************************
Fluttershy’s Turn: Fluttershy activates her face down Graceful Revival, special summoning a level 2 or lower monster from her graveyard, choosing Naturia Tulip (ATK: 600 DEF: 1500). Fluttershy normal summons Naturia Horneedle (ATK: 1800 DEF: 100). Fluttershy tunes Naturia Horneedle with Naturia Tulip to synchro summon Naturia Barkion (ATK: 2500 DEF: 1800).

Fluttershy then activates Polymerization, sending Naturia Beast and Naturia Barkion to the graveyard to fusion summon Naturia Exterio (ATK: 2800 DEF: 2400). Fluttershy activates Tailor of the Fickle, switching an equip spell card on the field to another monster on the field, equipping her Naturia Exterio with Jenny's Vylon Prism. Fluttershy then activates Monster Reborn, special summoning Naturia Barkion from her graveyard.

Fluttershy attacks Vylon Omega with Naturia Exterio. Jenny attempts to activate Magic Cylinder, but Fluttershy activates Naturia Exterio’s effect. By banishing a card in her graveyard and sending the top card on her deck to the graveyard, she can negate Magic Cylinder’s effect and destroy it. The attack goes through. Because Naturia Exterio is equipped with Vylon Prism, it gains 1000 ATK during the battle (ATK: 2800 -> 3800).

Jenny’s Life Points: 400 -> 0

Fluttershy wins.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

As Jenny fell to the ground from the last attack, Fluttershy was immediately concerned that she had hurt her new friend. As the yellow pegasus ran to check on her, she saw Jenny smiling as she slowly panted, having had the wind knocked out of her.

“That…” she began, “was… great!”

“Um, what?” questioned Fluttershy.

“Girl, that was great, I mean, YOU were great. Put her there,” she responded putting her open palm up. Fluttershy recognized this as a pegasus high-wing clap, leaving Fluttershy to happily unfurl her right wing and slap Jenny’s palm. “Yeah, that’s what I’m talking about. And you said that was your first duel?”

“Let’s just say I had a really good teacher.”

“I’ll say,” said Lisa from the back. “Heck, I think I want to duel you now.”

“I suppose that we have time,” thought Fluttershy aloud.

“Alright, let’s go.” As Lisa unsheathed her duel disk, Fluttershy took all of the cards in her graveyard and hand and added them back to her deck, all ready to go. They both drew five cards.

“DUEL!” they both yelled. Sarah smiled, happy that Fluttershy just made two new friends.

Chapter 12: Hero

Cont. from Applejack vs. Opponent

Applejacks Turn: Applejack attacks the opponent directly with X-Saber Souza (ATK: 2500 DEF: 1600).

Opponent’s Life Points: 1300 -> 0

Applejack wins.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Applejack got a round of applause from the people watching, and even did her trademark cross-legged pose as a bow of sorts.

“Jesus,” grunted the opponent. “I can’t believe I just got beat by a friggin’ horse.” Applejack couldn’t believe the rudeness of this person.

“That’s a pony to you, sir,” said Applejack, trying to be as nice as possible.

“Pony. Horse. You’re still a stupid animal.”

“Why you little-” Applejack trotted over to the man with an angry scowl on her face, which seemed to amuse him, but someone stepped in front of Applejack, blocking her path. Applejack looked up and saw from the look he gave her that it was Claude.

“Excuse me,” said Claude to the opponent, “is there a problem here?”

“No problem,” said the man, “except this stupid horse cheated me.”

“Why I’d never,” protested Applejack, trying to get past Claude but to no avail.

“You know that talking to her like that can get you in serious trouble right?” asked Claude.

“Oh right,” scoffed the man, “and what are you going to do about it?”

“How about you just leave right now before I kick your ass? And not with my cards.”

“Oh ok-” said the man before he lunged at him with a punch. Claude grabbed him by the wrist with his left hand and made a powerful punch square in his face with his right.

“Oh my stars,” quietly exclaimed Applejack over the unconscious bully.

“Come on,” said Claude, motioning Applejack to him. From the look on everyone’s face, it was clear that they weren’t even thinking of messing with her.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Applejack and Claude stopped by the baseball field in the park to take a breather after what had transpired.

“Thank you kindly for the save, Claude. That guy was a real jerk.”

“Yeah well,” began Claude, “not all humans are the nicest people.”

“Well, we have our share of nasty ponies back home too. From what I heard, somepony tried charging one of my friends twenty bits for a single cherry and then immediately sold it to some random mare for two bits.”

“Really? What a dick.” Applejack giggled.

“Yeah, he sure wasn’t too kind. Shame too, ‘cause I buy fruit from that shop all the time. Well, I should say ‘used’ to buy.”

“I heard that. Anyways, you should probably get back to dueling. You won’t have to worry about that guy again.”

“Wait a sec, why don’t I duel you?”

“Duel me?”

“Why not? You’re eligible to play, you’re right here, and we have this fancy-shmancy baseball field to duel on. Come on, Claude, it will be a hoot!”

“Mmm, alright. I guess one duel wouldn’t hurt.” Clade picked up the pony and hopped the fence, putting her back down on the other side.. Applejack galloped to home plate while Claude stood on second.

“Excuse me sir,” said an administrator, walking up to the gate, “you’re not allowed to be on the baseball field.”

“Hm,” exclaimed Claude with a smile. “So you’re telling me that we have all these duelists here and you’re going to restrict them of this space. There’s enough room here for at least four duels here.”

“…I’m sorry, but we can’t let anyone else see this, otherwise we’d have to let others in here.”

“Too late,” called a voice. Everyone looked to see Alex, followed by Twilight, Tom, and Rainbow Dash.

“Howdy y’all,” addressed Applejack. “You come to watch us duel?”

“In honesty, we were going to try and use the baseball as an arena too, but it seems you’ve beaten us to it.”

“No, no,” responded the admin. “They’re going to leave. We can’t let anyone duel here.”

“Alright then,” said Tom. “Have fun telling it to those guys. Tom waved his finger around the area of people who were gathered to watch the duel between Claude and Applejack.

“People, there’s nothing to see here. Go back to whatever you were doing!” It was evident that no one intended on moving a muscle. The admin tried to hop the fence to address them directly, but kept mysteriously tripping on his way down. “What’s going on?” he muttered.

Unbeknownst to him, Twilight’s horn was glowing around the admin's shirt, and she and Alex giggled at his failed attempts to stop them.

“Now that that’s settled,” said Claude, “let’s go!” Claude unsheathed his D-Pad, followed by Applejack. The two duelists drew five cards from their decks.

“DUEL!” they both yelled.

Claude vs. Applejack

Claude’s Turn: Claude summons Heroic Challenger – Double Lance (ATK: 1700 DEF: 900). When Heroic Challenger Double Lance is normal summoned, Claude can special summon another Heroic Challenger – Double Lance from his hand in defense position. Claude overlays both Heroic Challenger – Double Lances to xyz summon Heroic Champion – Gandiva (ATK: 2100 DEF: 1800).

Claude places two cards face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-4000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

I know your deck, Applejack, thought Claude. If you think you’re going to pull any punches on me, you’ve got another thing coming. Now come at me, Applejack. Come at me with all of your strength.

***************************************************
Applejack’s Turn: Applejack activates Pot of Greed, drawing two cards. Next, Applejack summons XX-Saber Boggart Knight (ATK: 1900 DEF: 1000). When Boggart Knight is normal summoned, Applejack can special summon a level 4 or lower X-Saber monster from her hand, choosing X-Saber Airbellum, but Claude activates Heroic Champion – Gandiva’s effect. By detaching one xyz material from it when his opponent special summons a level 4 or lower monster to their side of the field, Claude can destroy that monster.

Applejack activates the field spell Saber Vault, having all Saber monsters gain 100 ATK times their level and lose 100 DEF times their level (ATK: 1900 -> 2300, DEF: 1000 -> 600).

Applejack attacks Heroic Champion – Gandiva with XX-Saber Boggart Knight.

Claude’s Life Points: 4000 -> 3800

Applejack places two cards face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-4000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

“Yeehaw,” cheered Applejack whilst standing on her hind legs and spinning her arms forward. “How do you like them apples, Claude?”

“Not nearly as much as you’ll like these.”

***************************************************
Claude’s Turn: Claude activates his face down Xyz Reborn, special summoning Heroic Champion – Gandiva from his graveyard and attaching Xyz Reborn as xyz material to it. Claude then activates The Warrior Returning Alive, adding a Warrior-type monster to his hand from the graveyard, choosing Heroic Challenger – Double Lance. Claude summons Heroic Challenger – Double Lance.

Claude activates Heroic Challenger – Double Lance’s effect again, special summoning another Heroic Challenger Double Lance from his graveyard in defense position. Claude overlays both Heroic Challenger – Double Lances to xyz summon Heroic Champion – Excalibur (ATK: 2000 DEF: 2000). Claude activates Heroic Champion – Excalibur’s effect. By detaching two xyz materials from it, Heroic Champion – Excalibur’s ATK becomes double its original ATK until his opponent’s end phase (ATK: 2000 -> 4000).

Claude attacks XX-Boggart Knight with Heroic Champion – Excalibur.

Applejack’s Life Points: 4000 -> 2300

Claude attacks Applejack directly with Heroic Champion – Gandiva.

Applejack’s Life Points: 2300 -> 200

Claude activates his face down Heroic Gift. When his opponent’s life points are 2000 or less, his opponent’s life points become 8000 and Claude can draw two cards.

Applejack’s Life Points: 200 -> 8000

Claude equips Heroic Champion – Excalibur with Xyz Jeweled Crown, making its rank its level (Rnk.: 4 -> Lvl.: 4).

Claude places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-3800 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“What in Celestia’s name do you think you’re doing?” asked Applejack, annoyed.

“What?” Claude responded. “I needed some more cards.”

“Don’t try and sandbag me by giving me more life points. I ain’t no pushover.”

“I believe it. But I needed some cards, and plus, at this rate you aren’t going to survive much longer anyways. I’d like this duel to see some more turns.”

“I’ll show you who ain’t gonna survive much longer.”

***************************************************
Applejack’s Turn: Applejack activates Graceful Charity, drawing three cards and discarding two. Next, she activates Space Cyclone, detaching an xyz material from Heroic Champion – Gandiva. Applejack summons XX-Saber Fulhelmknight (ATK: 1300 DEF: 1000). Applejack then activates her face down Gottoms’ Emergency Call, special summoning two X-Saber monsters from her graveyard when she controls an X-Saber monster, choosing X-Saber Airbellum (ATK: 1600 DEF: 200) and XX-Saber Boggart Knight.

When Applejack controls two or more X-Saber monsters, Applejack can special summon XX-Saber Faultroll from her hand (ATK: 2400 DEF: 1800). Once per turn, Applejack can special summon a level 4 or lower X-Saber monster from her graveyard, choosing another X-Saber Airbellum. Applejack tunes XX-Saber Faultroll with X-Saber Airbellum to synchro summon XX-Saber Gottoms (ATK: 3100 DEF: 2600).

Applejack tunes XX-Saber Boggart Knight with X-Saber Airbellum to synchro summon X-Saber Souza (ATK: 2500 DEF: 1600). Saber Vault's effect increases her monsters’ ATKs and decreases their DEFs (ATK: 3100 -> 4000, DEF: 2600 -> 1700) (ATK: 2500 -> 3200, DEF: 1600 -> 900) (ATK: 1300 -> 1600, DEF: 1000 -> 700).

Applejack attacks Heroic Champion – Gandiva with X-Saber Souza, but Claude activates Heroic Advance. When a Heroic monster he controls is targeted for attack, he can switch the attack to a level 4 or lower Heroic monster he controls and double the Heroic monster’s ATK until the end phase, choosing Heroic Champion – Excalibur (ATK: 4000 -> 8000). No monsters are destroyed by battle with this effect.

Applejack’s Life Points: 8000 -> 3200

During her end phase, Heroic Champion – Excalibur’s ATK is reduced to normal by both Heroic Advance’s effect and its own effect (ATK: 8000 -> 2000).

Applejack ends her turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-3200 Monsters-3 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

Applejack scowled at the heavy loss in her life points, leading Claude to merely shrug as if saying, “I told you so.” There was no denying it. Claude using Heroic Gift made perfect sense. He set up a fantastic combo for himself that could wipe away the vast number of life points given by the card’s effect.

“You really are an incredible duelist,” calmly complimented Applejack. “To think you would make such a tricky move to not only protect your monster, but deal a bunch of damage to me too.”

“Of course,” flatly responded Claude. “I protect my monsters because they’re my allies, just like you and your friends are. It’s my obligation to protect them, just like I have an obligation to protect you. It’s the Heroic way.”

“Heroic way?”

“What is he talking about?” said Tom out loud. Claude then turned to face Tom, acknowledging that he heard him.

“You know that I was hired by the government to watch over Twilight, her friends, and the holders of the Stones of Equus, right?”

Not many people watching knew what he was talking about when he mentioned the latter of the three things, but they still listened to Claude anyways.

“I never consider the protection of the innocent a labor or a job. I regard it as a purpose.”

“A purpose?” Applejack asked.

“I’ve spent most of my adolescent life watching as thugs and bullies would have their way with the weak and helpless. Once I finally reached the end of my patience, I saw to it that I would see the end to pain and suffering around me. I would duel in the school playgrounds for the protection of kids whom would be normally picked on; I would become their hero. I gained a lot of respect from both my peers and elders for my bravery, and it was that bravery that got me assigned here after I joined the military after school.

“Right now, I have a beautiful wife who’s eight months pregnant. I intend to be my child’s hero too, and I intend to make this a brighter world for my child to grow up in.”

“Claude…” sighed Alex, touched by Claude’s story. Applejack’s eyes were even a bit misty.

“Claude,” she said. “With your Heroic ways, I think you’d be a great dad. And for what it’s worth, I consider you my hero too.”

Claude smiled and nodded at Applejack’s words.

“Oh, and sugar, its your move.” Claude shook his head, as if he was waking from a trance.

“Right.”

***************************************************
Claude’s Turn: Claude activates Xyz Jeweled Crown’s effect, having a monster equipped with it be treated as two materials for an xyz summon. Claude overlays Heroic Champion – Excalibur to xyz summon another Heroic Champion – Excalibur. Claude then activates Overlay Regenerate, attaching itself as an xyz material to Heroic Champion – Excalibur. Claude activates Heroic Champion – Excalibur’s effect, detaching two xyz materials from it to have Heroic Champion – Excalibur’s ATK becomes double its original ATK until his opponent’s end phase (ATK: 2000 -> 4000).

Claude attacks XX-Saber Fulhelmknight with Heroic Champion – Gandiva, but Applejack activates XX-Saber Fulhelmknight’s effect, negating the attack. Claude then attacks X-Saber Souza with Heroic Champion – Excalibur.

Applejack’s Life Points: 3200 -> 2400

Claude sets one monster.

Claude places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-3800 Monsters-3 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“You may be my friend,” said Applejack, “but that ain’t gonna stop me from taking a chunk out of your life points.”

***************************************************
Applejack’s Turn: Applejack activates her face down Burning Strike, giving a monster of hers the effect of piercing damage, choosing XX-Saber Fulhelmknight. Applejack attacks Claude’s face down monster with XX-Saber Fulhelmknight, which was a Morping Jar (ATK: 700 DEF: 600).

Claude's Life Points: 3800 -> 2800

When Morphing Jar is flip summoned, all players discard their hands and draw five cards from their decks. When XX-Saber Fulhelmknight destroys a defense position monster by battle, Applejack can special summon a level 4 or lower X-Saber monster from her graveyard, choosing XX-Saber Darksoul (ATK: 100 DEF: 100). Applejack attacks Heroic Champion – Gandiva with XX-Saber Gottoms, but Claude activates Invincible Hero, preventing his monster’s destruction by battle. Damage is still calculated.

Claude’s Life Points: 2800 -> 900

Applejack normal summons XX-Saber Emmersblade (ATK: 1300 DEF: 800). Applejack tunes XX-Saber Darksoul and XX-Saber Emmersblade with XX-Saber Fulhelmknight to synchro summon another XX-Saber Gottoms, its ATK increasing and DEF decreasing due to Saber Vault (ATK: 3100 -> 4000, DEF: 2600 -> 1700).

During Applejack’s end phase, Heroic Champion – Excalibur’s ATK goes back to normal due to its effect (ATK: 4000 -> 2000).

Applejack places one card face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-3 Life-2400 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

Applejack’s friends cheered at her sudden comeback. But that didn’t seem to keep Claude from smiling too.

“In order for anyone to be a hero,” Claude said, “they have to be strong or cunning enough to take down whatever enemy is in their way. Are you ready to see the unbridled strength and cunning of my deck?”

“Do your worst,” cheered Applejack.

“With pleasure.”

***************************************************
Claude’s Turn: Claude activates Pot of Greed, drawing two cards. Claude places one card face down. Claude then activates Heroic Call, special summoning a Heroic Challenger monster from his hand, choosing Heroic Challenger – War Hammer (ATK: 2100 DEF: 1300). Next, Claude activates Hidden Armory, adding an equip spell card from his graveyard to his hand, choosing Xyz Jeweled Crown. Claude equips Heroic Champion – Gandiva with Xyz Jeweled Crown, making its rank its level (Rnk.: 4 -> Lvl.: 4).

Claude then activates Gift of the Martyr, sending a monster that he controls to the graveyard to have another monster he controls gain the attack of the sent monster until the end phase, sending Heroic Champion – Excalibur to the graveyard to have Heroic Champion – Gandiva gain its ATK (ATK: 2100 -> 4100). Lastly, Claude activates Double Attack, discarding a monster card from his hand and having a monster with a lower level that he controls attack twice this turn, discarding another Heroic Challenger – War Hammer to have Heroic Champion – Gandiva attack twice this turn.

Claude attacks one of Applejack’s XX-Saber Gottoms with Heroic Champion – Gandiva.

Applejack’s Life Points: 2400 -> 2300

Claude attacks the other XX-Saber Gottoms with Heroic Champion – Gandiva.

Applejack’s Life Points: 2300 -> 2200

Claude attacks Applejack directly with Heroic Challenger – War Hammer.

Applejack’s Life Points: 2200 -> 100

During the end phase, Heroic Champion – Gandiva’s ATK returns to normal (ATK: 4100 -> 2100).

Claude ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-900 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

Alright, thought Claude. It’s obvious that her trap card has nothing to do with battles. If I can keep my advantage on the field right now, this duel is as good as won for me.

***************************************************
Applejack’s Turn: Applejack activates Monster Reborn, special summoning XX-Saber Gottoms from her graveyard (ATK: 3100 -> 4000, DEF: 2600 -> 1700).

Applejack attacks Heroic Champion – Gandiva with XX-Saber Gottoms. Claude tries to activate Battle Break, but Applejack activates Trap Jammer, negating and destroying Battle Break. The attack goes through.

Claude’s Life Points: 900 -> 0

Applejack wins.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Claude, being the strong person that he was, quickly sat up to see Applejack standing right in front of him.

“You alright, partner?” asked Applejack.

“Never better,” answered Claude. Applejack gave Claude a hearty, warm hug, which Claude gently returned.

“Hey,” called the admin. “You had your duel, now get out of here before I disqualify you from the competition altogether.”

“Alright fine,” sighed Claude, getting up. He and Applejack hopped the fence to the outside of the fenced area. “Just have fun telling it to those guys.”

Claude pointed at the multiple duelists hopping the fences to the inside of the ball park to duel each other.

The admin tried to tell people to get away, but there were too many for him to do anything about it. Applejack and Claude walked up next to Alex, Tom, Twilight, and Rainbow Dash. All six friends laughed as the admin's miserably failed to keep the duelists off the baseball field.

Chapter 14: Rival

Upon Reese mentioning Kyle’s name, Alex and his human friends along with all of the ponies walked towards Reese to face the one named Kyle.

“Kyle,” growled Reese. “What are you doing here?”

“Oh,” chortled Kyle, “I just figure we’d have a nice little reunion-”

“Cut the crap. Why are you here?”

“Well, from what I hear there’s something here that’s very valuable to me and my employer.”

“Employer,” whispered Alex. Then he remembered Flim and Flam and how they referred to their superior the same way. He then addressed Kyle in a louder tone. “You want our Stones of Equus, don’t you?”

The crowd was visibly confused at the meaning of “Stones of Equus.”

“Hmph,” exclaimed Kyle. “So much for all the explanations. Yes, I seek your Stones of Equus, the mystical bastion of Equestria.” Twilight couldn’t contain her shock.

“How do you know about the story of the Stones?” asked Twilight. “That’s a legend only known by the princesses and the bearers along with my friends and I.”

“It would seem that my employer knows more about your homeland than you give them credit for.”

“What does that mean?” asked Twilight, audibly nervous. Could there really be someone who knows about Equestria that well?

“Never mind,” called Kyle. “I must attend to the task at hand.”

Suddenly, Kyle’s left forearm went ablaze, frightening many people, including Alex and his friends, human and pony alike. The fire on his arm formed into an oddly shaped red D-Pad. The tablet body was hexagonal in shape, but the top and bottom lines curved inwards, and the there was another edge that protruded along the lower left part of the tablet. The spell and trap zone appeared to be on the bottom side of the shape while the graveyard zone was on the lower right side. The blade on which the zones sat was very large and resembled the shape of a flaming comet.

“What the hell?” commented Tom.

“Oh, so it’s a duel you want?” asked Reese. “Fine then. Duel me, Kyle. Let me take my revenge on what you did to me and my sister.”

“No.”

“What? Fight me, you coward!”

“I watched you get defeated by that silly pink pony. Do you think I’d stoop so low as to waste my time dueling someone like you?”

“But I have a Stone of Equus! You have to duel me!”

“Maybe later. Right now, I have my sights set on someone else.” He pointed at Alex. “You.”

“Me?” he responded.

“Yes. From what I heard on the street, you usurped Reese as the best duelist at your school. If that’s the case, you must be the strongest duelist amongst the Stone bearers of your group.”

“Alright.” Alex then addressed his friends. “Everyone, get away. If he’s the duelist that Reese claims him to be, we can’t let him find the rest of us that easily.” Each human and pony, save Claude and Twilight, did as they were told and ran for safety. Tom even looked back, feeling guilty about leaving his friend out there like that. Alex just gave a nod, leaving Tom to run back to his fleeing friends. Kyle leapt from the top of the stone steps of the amphitheater and faced him from the east side.

“Let’s go then,” shouted Kyle. “Show me how well the chosen holders of the Stones of Equus fight.”

“A lot better than you,” responded Alex. He unsheathed his duel disk while both duelists drew five cards from their deck.

“DUEL!” they both yelled.

Kyle vs. Alex

Kyle’s Turn: Kyle summons Neo Flamvell Shaman (ATK: 1700 DEF: 200).

Kyle places two cards face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-3 Life-4000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

Flamvells? thought Alex. I’ve heard of their swarming abilities. I should be very careful around them.

***************************************************
Alex’s Turn: Alex activates the field spell Dragon Ravine. Alex activates Dragon Ravine’s effect, discarding one card from his hand to add a level 4 or lower Dragunity monster from his deck to his hand. Alex summons Dragunity Phalanx (ATK: 500 DEF: 1100). Alex then special summons Dragunity Arma Mystletainn by tributing Dragunity Phalanx (ATK: 2100 DEF: 1500).

Alex attacks Flamvell Firedog with Dragunity Arma Mystletainn, but Kyle activates Negate Attack.

Alex places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-4000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“Did you really think that I would leave such a weak monster out in the open like that for you to destroy?” asked Kyle. “It’s as if you think I’m a novice or something; or more specifically, you.”

“I never thought that at all, Kyle. From what I heard from Reese, you are a very good duelist.”

“Please, tell me something I don’t know.”

“Oh. I was going to call you a dick, but I suppose you already know that too.”

The crowd around Alex made “ooo” sounds, which irked Kyle.

“Come on,” said Alex. “Just try and defeat a so called novice like me.”

***************************************************
Kyle’s Turn: Kyle summons Flamvell Magician (ATK: 1400 DEF: 200). Kyle tunes Neo Flamvell Shaman with Flamvell Magician to synchro summon Ancient Flamvell Deity (ATK: 2500 DEF: 200). When Ancient Flamvell Deity is synchro summoned, Kyle can make Alex banish cards in his graveyard up to the number of cards in his hand (2). For each card banished by this effect, Ancient Flamvell Deity gains 200 ATK (ATK: 2500 -> 2900).

Kyle then activates Rekindling, special summoning as many FIRE attribute monsters with 200 DEF from his hand as possible, choosing Flamvell Magician and Neo Flamvell Shaman. Kyle tunes Kyle tunes Neo Flamvell Shaman with Flamvell Magician to synchro summon Laval Stennon (ATK: 2700 DEF: 1800). When Laval Stennon is synchro summoned, Kyle must discard one card.

Kyle attacks Dragunity Arma Mystletainn with Ancient Flamvell Deity, but Alex activates Draining Shield, negating the attack and gaining life points equal to the attacking monster’s ATK.

Alex’s Life Points: 4000 -> 6900

Kyle then attacks Dragunity Arma Mystletainn with Laval Stennon.

Alex’s Life Points: 6900 -> 6300

Kyle places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-4000 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

“Quit stalling and bring out your Stone of Equus!” called Kyle.

“I’ll do whatever suits me best, thank you,” remarked Alex. Alex could hear Twilight and Claude cheering him, giving Alex an extra boost of morale to fight.

***************************************************
Alex’s Turn: Alex activates Pot of Greed, drawing two cards. Alex activates Dragon Ravine, discarding one card to add a level 4 or lower Dragunity monster from his deck to his hand. Alex summons Dragunity Dux (ATK: 1500 DEF: 1000). When Alex normal summons Dragunity Dux, Alex can equip a level 3 or lower Dragon-type Dragunity monster to it from his graveyard, choosing Dragunity Phalanx. When Dragunity Phalanx is equipped to a monster by a card effect, Alex can special summon to his field. Alex tunes Dragunity Dux with Dragunity Phalanx to synchro summon Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana (ATK: 1900 DEF: 1200).

When Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana is synchro summoned, Alex can equip a level 3 Dragon-type Dragunity monster from his graveyard onto it, choosing Dragunity Phalanx. Alex activates Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana’s effect. By sending a card equipped to it to the graveyard, Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana’s ATK doubles (ATK: 1900 -> 3800).

Alex attacks Laval Stennon with Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana, but Kyle activates Shift, switching the attack target to Ancient Flamvell Deity.

Kyle’s Life Points: 4000 -> 3100

Alex activates Monster Reborn, special summoning Dragunity Arma Mystletainn from his graveyard. Alex overlays Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana and Dragunity Arma Mystletainn to xyz summon Jade Wyvern (ATK: 2500 DEF: 2100).

Alex places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-6300 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

The last attack seemed to weaken Kyle somewhat, as he limped slightly trying to get himself back up.

“What the…” muttered Kyle to himself. “What was that damage that I felt? No matter. Alex has summoned his Stone of Equus monster. Time to show him mine.”

***************************************************
Kyle’s Turn: Kyle activates his own Pot of Greed, drawing two cards. Kyle activates Xyz Plant, special summoning itself as a monster with the same level as a monster he controls (7). Kyle overlays Laval Stennon and Xyz Plant to xyz summon Olivine Dragon (ATK: 3000 DEF: 2500).

Kyle attacks Jade Wyvern with Olivine Dragon, but Alex activates Jade Wyvern’s effect. By detaching one xyz material, Alex can target a monster on the field and prevent its destruction by battle until the end phase, choosing Jade Wyvern. Kyle then actvates Olivine Dragon’s effect. By detaching one xyz material from it when an xyz monster that the opponent controls activates its effect, Kyle inflicts damage equal to the monster’s rank x 200 (6 x 200 = 1200).

Alex’s Life Points: 6300 -> 5100

The attack goes through.

Alex’s Life Points: 5100 -> 4600

Kyle places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-3100 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

Alex also looked weakened by the onslaught brought on by Kyle’s Stone of Equus monster, clenching his gut as he stood before Kyle with a small amount of soot on his face. The crowd looked a bit frightened by the damage that the monster caused him.

“This damage,” said Alex to himself. “It’s just like when I fought Reese on that planet. What is going on?”

“You now know the sheer prowess of my monster,” called Kyle. “Why don’t you give up now while you still have life to cling to?”

“Because I’ll never give up, especially to self-righteous pricks like you. I’m going to do everything in my power to protect the Stones of Equus, which includes beating you!”

***************************************************
Alex’s Turn: Alex activates Dragon Ravine’s effect, discarding one card to add a level 4 or lower Dragon-type monster from his deck to his hand. Alex activates the continuous spell Dragon Mastery, allowing him to equip a Dragon-type Dragunity monster to a monster he controls from his hand, equipping Jade Wyvern with Dragunity Brandistock. With Dragunity Mastery’s effect, all monsters equipped with Dragunity monsters gain 500 ATK (ATK: 2500 -> 3000).

Alex activates the effect of Jade Wyvern, detaching an xyz material from it to prevent a monster's destruction by battle until the end phase, choosing Jade Wyvern. Kyle activates Olivine Dragon’s effect, detaching an xyz material from it to inflict damage equal to an opponent’s xyz monster’s rank x 200 when it activates its effect.

Alex’s Life Points: 4600 -> 3400

Alex attacks Olivine Dragon with Jade Wyvern. Both monsters have equal ATKs, but Jade Wyvern can’t be destroyed by battle this turn, so only Olivine Dragon is destroyed. Reese activates Card of Last Will, drawing five cards when a monster he controls is destroyed by battle. When a monster is equipped with Dragunity Brandistock, the equipped monster can attack twice during the battle phase. Alex attacks Kyle directly with Jade Wyvern.

Kyle’s Life Points: 3100 -> 100

Alex ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-3400 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

Alex felt another small singeing feeling on his skin when Olivine Dragon activates its effect, but his clothes strangely were still intact. However, it looked as if Kyle fared off much worse. Having taken literally three quarters of his life points, Kyle stood before Alex very weakly, bruised and scratched.

“You…” growled Kyle. “You bastard.”

“Now do you see why I’m not someone you want to mess with?”

“SHUT UP!” Kyle's outburst scared many people, especially Twilight. “I won’t lose to the likes of you! I won’t allow it!”

***************************************************
Kyle’s Turn: Kyle activates his face down Xyz Reborn, special summoning Olivine Dragon from his graveyard and attaching Xyz Reborn to it as xyz material. Kyle then summons Laval Warrior (ATK: 1800 DEF: 500). Kyle activates Double Summon, summoning Flamvell Guard (ATK: 100 DEF: 2000). Kyle tunes Laval Warrior with Flamvell Guard to synchro summon Lavalval Dragon (ATK: 2000 DEF: 1100).

Kyle then activates Lavalval Dragon’s effect. By shuffling two Laval monsters from his graveyard to his deck (Laval Warrior and Laval Stennon), Kyle can return a card that his opponent controls back to the hand, choosing Jade Wyvern.

Kyle attacks Alex directly with Olivine Dragon.

Alex’s Life Points: 3400 -> 400

Kyle then attacks Alex directly with Lavalval Dragon, but Alex activates Immortal Dragon, special summoning Dragunity Arma Mystletainn from his graveyard. Kyle halts the attack.

Kyle equips Lavalval Dragon with Burning Spear, increasing its ATK by 400 while decreasing its DEF by 200 (ATK: 2000 -> 2400, DEF: 1100 -> 900).

Kyle places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-100 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

Alex was saved, but he took the same amount of damage that Kyle previously took from the last attack, causing Alex to suffer from the same injuries that befell Kyle. Despite them, Alex smiled. He knew that whatever card he drew now, he could swap for a Dragon-type Dragunity monster and equip it to Dragunity Arma Mystletainn with Dragon Mastery’s effect, giving him enough strength to take down Lavalval Dragon. Alex put his plan into action.

***************************************************
Alex’s Turn: Alex activates Dragon Ravine’s effect, discarding a card to add a level 4 or lower Dragunity monster to his hand from his deck. Alex uses the effect of Dragon Mastery to equip Dragunity Corsesca to Dragunity Arma Mystletainn and increase its ATK by 500 (ATK: 2100 -> 2600).

Alex attacks Lavalval Dragon with Dragunity Arma Mystletainn, but Kyle activates Dimension Trap, removing a monster that he controls from play (Lavalval Dragon) to activate a trap from his graveyard, choosing Negate Attack.

Alex ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-400 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

The crowd was shocked, but not more than Claude, Twilight, and Alex. Alex had nothing to protect himself with and he knew it. All he could do now was wait for Kyle’s inevitable final attack. Kyle laughed at Alex’s misfortune.

“So this is the strength of the bearers of the Stones of Equus? Pathetic.”

***************************************************
Kyle’s Turn: Kyle attacks Dragunity Arma Mystletainn with Olivine Dragon.

Alex’s Life Points: 400 -> 0

Kyle wins.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Alex couldn’t believe himself. He, being easily the strongest of his circle of friends with Equus cards, just lost to their enemy, an enemy who was stronger than he was. Alex knelt to the floor, not so much because of the exhaustion from the attack, but his shame had put its hold over him.

“Alex!” yelled Twilight, running to his side, prompting Claude to do the same.

“Now,” grunted Kyle, still weak from the duel, reaching his open palm towards Alex, “your Stone of Equus is mine.”

Kyle’s hand glowed slightly, causing Alex’s extra deck to glow. Before Kyle could continue stealing Alex’s card, the glowing stopped after Kyle made a pain-riddled face and falling to his knees.

“Im-” stuttered Kyle. “Impossible. Why am I so weak like this? There must be something special about this duelist. I… I need more time.” Kyle stood up again. “Don’t think this is the last you’ve seen of me, Alex Yuwell. We will meet again… I will defeat you again… and next time… your Stone of Equus will be mine.” Kyle then pulled a small green orb from his pocket and threw it on the ground, covering Kyle in a whirlwind of flames. Once they disappeared, so did Kyle. The crowd quietly dispersed, the show having been over.

“What are we going to do now?” asked Twilight, helping Alex stand up.

“I need to find my friends.” Alex pulled his phone out and called Tom.

“Alex? What happened?”

“Where are you guys now?”

“We decided to hang low at Mongolian. Can you come meet us there?"

“Yeah.”

“Is something wong?”

Alex thought about this. He was still healthy and his Stone of Equus was still safely on his person. The only thing that seemed to be a problem was their new threat: Kyle.

“I not sure yet.”

“What does that mean?”

“I’ll tell you about it. I’ll see you over there.”

“‘K man. Bye.”

*beep*

Claude approached the two, having stepped aside.

“I’ve called some of my friends. They’re out looking for Kyle, so hopefully he won’t bother us again.”

“Thanks Claude,” answered Alex.

With a few cautionary steps, Alex walked east alongside Twilight and Claude to the restaurant. From the southernmost part of the Riverwalk, stood a young man with a maroon colored duel disk in simple jeans, a black t-shirt, a white shirt jacket, and light brown hair. After watching Alex and his two friends walk together, the man decided to follow them.

Chapter 15: Gift

Alex could easily spot his friends inside the Mongolian Barbecue on Washington. Frankly, it would have been hard to miss several pastel colored ponies. Alex had been feeling slightly better after losing the duel, but it was merely because he hadn’t actually lost his Stone of Equus. He knew that Kyle would return, and next time, he wouldn’t be so lucky. Neither would any of his friends for that matter.

“Alex!” called Tom, putting him at an open chair. “What happened?”

“First off,” said Alex. “I want to say that my Stone of Equus card is safe and I am alright, despite the cuts on my face.” There was a sigh of relief from everyone.

“So you won?”

“…No.”

Everyone’s relief had turned to unpleasant surprise.

“How did he not get your Stone of Equus then?” asked Fluttershy.

“As we dueled, we inflicted damage onto each other, not just in terms of life points, but physically too. Reese should know about this more than anyone; it was exactly like the first time that we dueled. The point is, that Kyle tried taking my card after the duel but he was apparently too weak to do so because of the duel.”

“What do you suppose it means?” asked Rarity.

“I’m not sure,” said Alex. “The only thing that I’m concerned about right now is making sure he doesn’t beat me again. I suggest that after we eat, we should get some cards so we can better prepare ourselves.”

“I think I can be of some help with that,” said a young man approaching from behind. It was the skinny young man that was following Alex.

“Hey,” said Alex. “I know you. You’re-”

“John Terrence,” he said waving at everyone else as his introduction. He then went to shake Alex’s hand.

“Who the hay is that?” asked Rainbow Dash, confused and annoyed.

“He’s one of Naperville Central’s, our rival school’s, top duelists. I’ve never dueled him at all, but he’s fittingly one of Reese’s biggest rivals.” Despite that revalation, John and Reese clasped hands, greeting each other warmly. “His parents also own the local card shop, the Terrence Dueling Terrace.”

“Speaking of,” said John, “would you like to come to the shop after lunch?”

“Why?” asked Emma from the side.

“I heard you needed some help. I watched your duel with Kyle. Needless to say, you were ill-equipped.”

“Hey,” Alex defended. “I did the best as I could with my deck.”

“And yet it still wasn’t enough. You had your ace field spell, your ace continuous spell, and your new ace monster, and still he still beat you.”

“…What do you want?”

“Come to the shop in no more than an hour. That should give you plenty of time for lunch.” Without awaiting an answer, John left the restaurant.

“So what’s with that guy?” asked Tom.

“I don’t know,” Alex responded, “but I feel like I can trust him. If he was alluding to helping us, and that’s going to help us defeat Kyle, then it’s a risk I’m gladly willing to take.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Alex and his friends arrived at the shop on time as instructed. The shop was small enough that the store would be considered crowded with all of Alex’s friends inside it, but it didn’t require a whole lot of room to sell playing cards anyways. On the window read in bright window paint, “We have Numbers!”

Behind the counter was a middle aged man. He was balding with a crown of black hair and a black goatee. Stocking the shelves was a woman the same age as the man behind the counter and she had curly brown hair. Upon seeing us, the man called for John.

“John, they’re here.”

“Yeah, I’ll be down in a minute.”

For the time being, Alex decided to introduce himself to these people.

“You must be the John’s parents.”

“Yes sir,” said the man, shaking Alex’s hand. “John Terrence Sr.” The woman followed suit.

“Trish Terrence,” she said. She then directed her gaze at the ponies, clearly interested in them. “And you must be Twilight Sparkle and her friends.”

“That’s correct, ma’am,” Twilight answered.

“It’s an honor to have you in our store. In fact as a present to the ponies and the bearers of the Stones of Equus, I’m allowing you to take out some free cards in the store, whichever ones you like.”

“That’s very nice of you, but- Wait, how did you know that they had the Stones of Equus?”

“I think I can answer that,” said John, coming from downstairs.

“John,” asked Reese, “how is it that your parents know about the Stones of Equus?”

“Because… I have one too.”

“What?”

“I’ll explain on the terrace. Follow me.”

Alex and his friends followed John up the spiral staircase that led them to the titular rooftop terrace of the building, the dueling field in the center being surrounded by lawn chairs and circular glass tables on the corners for people to lounge and watch duels as the occurred.

“I’ve actually never been up here,” commented Alex. “You get a great view of the city.”

“Yes,” said John, “but you and I both know that we’re not here to sightsee.”

“Yes,” agreed Alex. “What connection do you have to the Stones of Equus that your parents know of us?”

“Well, for starters,” said John, pulling an xyz monster card from his deck case, “I have one.”

Everyone stared at his card. Lapis Lazuli Roc. On the card’s artwork featured a brilliant blue eagle-like creature. Unlike Emma’s Sapphire Serpent, the stones that embroidered the bird were more rocklike in appearance than the serpent, which were very gem-like in appearance.

“Where did you get a card like that?” asked Rainbow Dash.

“I’ll tell you,” began John. “Last night, as my family was closing shop, I noticed a bright light from my room, out home being comprised of the next two floors. Upon going inside, there were these two large horse-like creatures that stood before me. They called themselves Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. I assume you know what they look like?”

Twilight and her friends nodded her head. Alex and the other humans did not know what they looked like, but they let John continue.

“After introducing ourselves, she told me she had a task for me. In my awe of her, I just said ‘Shoot.’ She then glowed her horn brightly, forcing me to shield my eyes. By the time the brightness subsided, both of my parents were behind me. Also, floating in front of me was an xyz monster I had never seen before. Lapis Lazuli Roc.

“After telling me the tale behind these monsters, which I’m sure you were told I hope, she told me that she observed as her student, named Twilight Sparkle, along with her friends and the other Stone of Equus bearers were attacked at one of their homes. Despite winning, Celestia was worried that their enemy had Stones of Equus too, so she made me an offer. She told me that I could keep the Stone of Equus card if I agreed to help you and your friends to defeat this menace. That’s when I asked her, ‘Why me?’

“She answered that she can sense a powerful spirit from me all the way up in her home world, much like the spirits that led the Stones of Equus to choose you. Also, she said that with being in an abundance of cards by owning a card shop, I could offer ample support for you when I gathered you hear. She even compensated my parents for any money they’d lose doing this. Then, I asked her how I could help.

“She told me the names of all the people who had received Equus cards so far in my general vicinity. In fact, I was quite happy to hear that Reese had gotten one.” Reese smirked. “She told me that they would more than likely be at the competition today and they would eventually gather. When they did, I was to find you and bring you here. I have done my job… partially.”

“What?” Alex asked. John tossed Alex a small stack of cards. “What are these?”

“My other job was to give you more support for your decks. In your hand, Alex, is the Hieratic archetype. It will help speed up your xyz summoning to get your Stone of Equus on the field faster. However, I can’t just give these to you. You’ll have to earn them.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’ll allow you fifteen minutes to sort and add whatever cards are in that pack into your deck. You will duel me with them in your deck. If you win, the cards are yours. If you lose, you get nothing. If you can’t even beat me with new cards in your deck like that, you won’t stand a chance in front of Kyle when you face him again.”

“Don’t even consider that,” stated Tom, “because Alex is going to cream you.”

“Yeah,” agreed Rainbow Dash. “Kick his butt, Alex!”

Alex went to a table and quickly ran through his new line of cards. After choosing his new additions, he stood in front of John on the dueling field.

“Alright,” said Alex. “I’ve got a lot riding on this duel. There’s no way I’m going to lose to you.”

“We’ll see,” said John. Both duelists unsheathed their duel disks and drew five cards from their deck.

“DUEL!” they both yelled.

Alex vs. John

Alex’s Turn: Alex places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-5 Life-4000 Monsters-0 Face Down Cards-1

***************************************************

John’s Turn: John sets one monster.

John places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-4 Life-4000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

Well that’s not going to help me, thought Alex. Alrighty. Let’s see what my new comrades can do.

***************************************************
Alex’s Turn: Alex special summons Hieratic Dragon of Tefnuit, as his opponent controls a monster while he doesn’t (ATK: 2100 DEF: 1400). Next, Alex normal summons Dragunity Corsesca (ATK: 800 DEF: 700). Alex then special summons Dragunity Arma Mystletainn by tributing Dragunity Corsesca (ATK: 2100 DEF: 1500). Alex overlays Dragunity Arma Mystletainn and Hieratic Dragon of Tefnuit to xyz summon Jade Wyvern (ATK: 2500 DEF: 2100).

Alex attacks John’s face down monster, but John activates Card Defense, discarding one card to negate the attack, and drawing one card. John activates the effect of Blackwing – Breeze the Zephyr, special summoning from his hand when it was added to his hand by a card effect (ATK: 1100 DEF: 300).

Alex ends his turn.

Status: Hand-3 Life-4000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“I bet those new cards of yours are coming in handy, aren’t they?” asked John.

“Yes,” Alex answered, “they are. Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me just yet, because in the blink of an eye, I can easily take them away from you.”

***************************************************
John’s Turn: John activates Graceful Charity, drawing three cards and discarding two. John flip summons Blackwing – Kalut the Moon Shadow (ATK: 1400 DEF: 1000). Next, John normal summons Blackwing – Ghibli the Searing Wind (ATK: 0 DEF: 1600). John activates the trap Delta Crow – Anti Reverse from his hand, as he controls exactly three Blackwing monsters, destroying all face down spell and trap cards Alex controls. John overlays Blackwing – Kalut the Moon Shadow, Blackwing – Ghibli the Searing Wind, and Blackwing – Breeze the Zephyr to xyz summon Lapis Lazuli Roc (ATK: 2200 DEF: 1300).

John activates Lapis Lazuli Roc’s effect. By detaching one xyz material, John can send the top card on his deck to the graveyard, which is Wulf, Lightsworn Beast. With Lapis Lazuli Roc’s effect, if the card sent from the deck to the graveyard was a monster card, John can special summon a monster from his graveyard with a level equal to or lower than the monster sent to the graveyard, choosing Blackwing – Breeze the Zephyr. When Wulf Lightsworn Beast is sent from the deck to the graveyard, John can special summon it (ATK: 2100 DEF: 300). John tunes Wulf, Lightsworn Beast with Blackwing – Breeze the Zephyr to synchro summon Blackwing Armor Master (ATK: 2500 DEF: 1500).

John attacks Jade Wyvern with Blackwing Armor Master, but Alex activates Jade Wyvern’s effect. By detaching one xyz material from it, Alex can prevent one of his monsters from being destroyed by battle until the end phase, choosing Jade Wyvern. Both monsters have equal ATKs, so no battle damage is calculated, but with Blackwing Armor Master’s effect, it cannot be destroyed by battle. Also, when Blackwing Armor Master attacks a monster, a Wedge counter is placed on that monster. John removes that Wedge counter to reduce the ATK and DEF of Jade Wyvern to 0 (ATK: 2500 -> 0, DEF: 2100 -> 0). John attacks Jade Wyvern with Lapis Lazuli Roc.

Alex’s Life Points: 4000 -> 1800

During the end phase, Jade Wyvern’s ATK and DEF returns to normal (ATK: 0 -> 2500 DEF: 0 -> 2100).

John places two cards face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-4000 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

“Blackwings and Lightsworns?” questioned Alex. “I've never heard of such a combination.”

“This is my new deck,” said John. “Those Hieratics I gave you were actually my original cards, but after meeting the princesses, I realized fate had different plans for me.”

“What do you mean?”

“Princess Celestia told me about you and the deck you apparently used, I figured that the best way to help you was to give you my old deck, seeing as how it would wonderfully compliment your Dragunities.”

“But why would you give me your own deck?”

“I was so marveled by the mere presence of both Celestia and Luna, that I decided to make a new deck that represented my loyalty to both the light and dark rulers of Equestria. My Lightsworns representing Celestia’s light, and my Blackwings representing Luna’s darkness. With my new power, I will be able stand against Kyle and whatever allies he has. Hopefully, your new power can do the same.”

“Believe me, it will.”

***************************************************
Alex’s Turn: Alex activates his own Graceful Charity, drawing three cards and discarding two. Alex summons Dragunity Legionnaire (ATK: 1200 DEF: 800). When Dragunity Legionnaire is summoned, Alex can target one level 3 or lower Dragon-type Dragunity monster in his graveyard and equip it to Dragunity Legionnaire, choosing Dragunity Aklys. Alex activates Dragunity Legionnaire’s effect, sending an Dragunity monster in the Spell/Trap card zone to the graveyard to destroy one face up monster on the field, choosing Blackwing Armor Master. When Dragunity Aklys is sent to the graveyard while equipped to a monster, Alex can destroy one card on the field, choosing one of John’s face down cards.

Alex attacks Lapis Lazuli Rock with Jade Wyvern.

John’s Life Points: 4000 -> 3700

Alex attacks John directly with Dragunity Legionnaire.

John’s Life Points: 3700 -> 2500

Alex ends his turn.

Status: Hand-3 Life-1800 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

“Are you kidding?” asked John. “I give you a new set of cards and you won’t even use them?”

“I’m not going to use them recklessly,” Alex snapped. “The point of this is to beat you with my deck, not yours. I’m thankful for your help, but you should understand that I will win with my smarts and my power, not just yours.”

“I like the way you think, but it still won’t make your deck stronger than mine.”

“What?”

***************************************************
John’s Turn: John activates Pot of Greed, drawing one cards. John activates his face down Xyz Reborn, special summoning Lapis Lazuli Roc from his graveyard and attaching Xyz Reborn as xyz material. John activates Lapis Lazuli Roc’s effect, detaching its last xyz material from it to send the top card on his deck to the graveyard, which is Mirror Force. If the card sent to the graveyard by Lapis Lazuli Roc’s effect was a trap card, John can set a trap card from his graveyard onto his field. John equips Lapis Lazuli Roc with Elf’s Light, increasing its ATK by 400 and decreasing its DEF by 200 (ATK: 2200 -> 2600, DEF: 1300 -> 1100).

John attacks Dragunity Legionnaire with Lapis Lazuli Roc, but Alex activates Jade Wyvern’s effect, preventing a monster he controls from being destroyed by battle, choosing Dragunity Legionnaire. Battle damage is still applied.

Alex’s Life Points: 1800 -> 400

John sets one monster.

John ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-2500 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“Alex!” called Alex’s friends from the sidelines. Alex was far from giving up. He had a perfect shutdown set-up in his hand, but he needed to draw the right card. Alex drew.

“Are you ready to see what your help has done for me?” asked Alex. John smiled in anticipation.

***************************************************
Alex’s Turn: Alex activates Hieratic Seal of Supremacy, special summoning a Hieratic monster from his hand, choosing Hieratic Seal of the Sun Dragon Overlord (ATK: 0 DEF: 0). Alex then activates Monster Reborn, special summoning another Hieratic Seal of the Sun Dragon Overlord from his graveyard. Next, Alex normal summons Dragunity Darkspear (ATK: 1000 DEF: 1000). Alex overlays both Hieratic Seal of the Sun Dragon Overlords to xyz summon Hieratic Sun Dragon Overlord of Heliopolis (ATK: 3000 DEF: 2400).

Alex activates Hieratic Sun Dragon Overlord of Heliopolis’ effect. By detaching one xyz material from it, Alex can tribute any number of monsters from his hand and/or field to destroy that many cards on the field, tributing Dragunity Darkspear and Dragunity Legionnaire to destroy Lapis Lazuli Roc and John’s face down card.

Alex attacks John’s face down monster with Hieratic Sun Dragon Overlord of Heliopolis, which was a Jenis, Lightsworn Mender (ATK: 300 DEF: 2100). Alex then attacks John directly with Jade Wyvern.

John’s Life Points: 2500 -> 0

Alex wins.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Alex stood triumphantly still as Alex’s friends stood around him to congratulate him. John walked up to Alex.

“Alex Yuwell, you have proven yourself worthy of using my deck. I hope that it serves you well in the future.”

John put his hand out, which Alex grasped as a gesture of friendship.

“Thank you for everything John. For what its worth, we’d like you to join us in our circle of friends: the bearers of the Stones of Equus.”

“I’d be more than happy to join you,” said John. “Now come on. Your friends still have to pick out their cards.”

Alex and his friends made their way downstairs. The ponies eyed the cards on display like kids in a candy store while the humans looked more mature as they browsed. Alex didn’t need new cards. He had some.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

In the forest near the northern end of the Riverwalk, at least a dozen suited men lied unconscious on the ground. The incapacitated agents all surrounded a weak and panting Kyle, duel disk on wrist, but a satisfied smile on his face.

Chapter 16: Test

Alex’s friends continued to browse through the cards on display. Applejack looked at the sign on the window that read “We have Numbers!”

“Now what in tarnation is a Number?” she asked.

“I know you’re new here,” responded Trish, “but there are these new cards that have been released just about a week ago. They’re very popular, but they’re quite expensive. If you want one, I can let you have one as your free card.”

“That’s very kind of you, but I don’t seem to see anything that would work for my deck. I’ll holler when I find something.”

“Okay dear. Take your time.”

Rainbow Dash looked around the store at the various cards on display. She then happened upon a picture hung up on the wall of a woman. She had pale white skin and straight, medium length red hair. She wore a collared white shirt with vertical red stripes and a pair of blue jeans. She was sitting in an office chair and was leaned over at her desk, her elbow on the desk with her fingers supporting her smiling face. She looked quite young for her age. The picture had a signature on it that simply read "L. Faust."

“Who is this?” asked Rainbow Dash to no one in particular. John happened to be nearby when the question was asked.

“That’s Lauren Faust. She’s the CEO of Faustian Industries, the leading card producing company in the world. She actually even designs many of the cards that their company releases. So as you can tell, she’s a very good artist.”

“Wow. She must be really busy.”

“Less than you’d know,” said John. “She spends a lot of her time at conventions and large tournaments around the world. She attended a con in Chicago once, where I got her to sign this picture for our shop as a blessing of sorts. She even wished me the best of luck with our endeavors.”

“Wow. She sounds really cool. I’d love to meet her.”

“Well, she’s doing a meet and greet in Chicago for the big tournament this summer.”

“What tournament?”

“The Chicago World Dueling Championship. It’s a massive competition held where the best duelists in the world compete against each other.”

“And guess what?” chimed in Tom, “Alex is in it.”

“No way!” said Rainbow Dash. “Really?”

“Yeah. That duel that Alex and Reese had where they were transported to your world? It was a duel to see who’d represent our school’s dueling club in that tournament.”

“That’s great,” said John. “Anyways, how’s your search holding up?”
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Within the hour, no one left the store empty-handed. Each person and pony had new cards which they were itching to try out.

“There you are!” called a voice.

Sarah was the one to turn around, as it was her friends, Jenny and Lisa, that were calling her. Sarah was relieved that they were alright. When Alex’s friends left as he dueled Kyle, Sarah and her friends had parted ways in the scuffle.

“Are you alright?” asked Lisa.

“Fine,” responded Sarah.

“So,” Jenny asked Alex, “how did your duel with that creep go?”

“I lost.”

“Crap, I’m sorry. What did he even want?”

“Could we possibly talk about this more in private?”

“Why?”

“Because I don’t think this is the best story to share in public”

Alex and his friends along with Jenny and Lisa moved to the top of a parking deck where there were few people around that wouldn’t even be able to hear their conversation anyways. Upon pulling out his Jade Wyvern card, Alex told them all about the Stone of Equus cards; their origins, their appearances, and Kyle.

“You mean, you’re all the chosen ones or something?” asked Lisa, still trying to take everything in.

“In a word,” confirmed Twilight, “yes. Right now, they are being hunted by this Kyle person and John gave us cards to assist us.”

“Wow,” Lisa sighed. “I’d say you’re nuts, but it certainly helps that the existence of unicorns and pegasi coming from a planet that’s literally orbiting around Earth right now can vouch for your story.”

“So that’s the situation. If you feel the need to protect yourselves by avoiding us in case Kyle or anyone else attacks you, we’d understand.”

“Are you kidding?” asked Jenny. “Tom and Sarah are almost like siblings to me. Like hell I’m just going to stick my head in the sand while my friends get hammered on.”

Twilight couldn’t be happier that the world they had ended up on was full of such friendly creatures willing to stand up for each other.

“I can’t even thank you enough for all the support you’re willing to give us, but it can’t be that simple.”

“How so?”

“I want to see how well you two can handle yourselves, so I propose we duel you.”

“Duel? I almost beat Fluttershy, isn’t that good enough?”

“I’m sorry, um…”

“Jenny. And my other friend is Lisa.”

“Thanks. I’m sorry Jenny and Lisa, Fluttershy doesn’t have an Equus card. If you want to test yourselves, test one of the humans.”

“How about we double duel it? It’ll save us some time.”

“I don’t see how that wouldn’t work.”

“Alright!” cheered Jenny. The two young women did a secret handshake, making Twilight smile a little with nostalgia over when she used to be with her foalsitter. The two girls then did synchronized movements with their bodies as they both unsheathed their duel disks in tandem.

“How about you and me Twilight?” asked Alex.

“What?” protested Lisa. “You just said she doesn’t have a Stone of Equus card.”

“Lisa, Jenny, Twilight is an exceptional duelist, even without the card she just received. If there’s one duelist among us who can hold her own in a battle, I can safely say that it’s Twilight.” Twilight was enamored by Alex’s kind words. “So what do you say?”

“Alex, I’d be honored to duel by your side,” she answered.

Alex and Twilight stood next to each other as they faced their two test subjects.

“Depending on how well you duel,” said Alex, “we’ll let you know if you’re strong enough.”

“Sounds good to me,” said Jenny with a cheesy smile and an outstretched thumbs up. Pinkie Pie couldn’t help but laugh at her enthusiasm.

Alex and Twilight unsheathed their duel disks. All 4 duelists drew 5 cards from their deck.

“DUEL!” they all yelled.

Alex and Twilight Sparkle vs. Lisa and Jenny

Alex’s Turn: Alex summons Dragunity Pilum (ATK: 1400 DEF: 1000). When Dragunity Pilum is normal summoned, Alex can special summon a Winged Beast-type Dragunity monster from his hand and equip it with Dragunity Pilum, choosing Dragunity Militum (ATK: 1700 DEF: 1200). Alex activates Dragunity Militum’s effect, special summoning a Dragunity monster from his spell and trap card zone, choosing Dragunity Pilum. Alex tunes Dragunity Militum with Dragunity Pilum to synchro summon Dragunity Knight – Trident (ATK: 2400 DEF: 1700).

Alex places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-3 Life-8000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“Strong monster on the first turn?” commented Lisa. “Your ambitions don’t scare me. Just try and keep up with us.”

***************************************************
Lisa’s Turn: Lisa activates Graceful Charity, drawing three cards and discarding two. Next, she special summons two Cloudian – Storm Dragons from her hand by banishing two Cloudian monsters in her graveyard (ATK: 1000 DEF: 0). Lisa then activates the two Cloudian – Storm Dragons’ effects. Lisa places a Fog counter on a monster on the field twice, placing them both on Dragunity Knight – Trident (FoC.: 0 -> 2). Next, she activates Lucky Cloud.

Lisa places one card face down. During the end phase, with Lucky Cloud’s effect, if Lisa summoned two or more Cloudian monsters with the same name, she draws two cards.

Lisa ends her turn.

Status: Hand-4 Life-8000 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

Are they setting up for an xyz summon? thought Twilight. Must be. If Lisa has two monsters of the same level like that yet doesn’t xyz summon, they must be trying to get something strong. With Alex’s help though, we should be able to summon something stronger.

***************************************************
Twilight’s Turn: Twilight summons Gagaga Magician (ATK: 1500 DEF: 1000). Twilight activates Gagaga Magician’s effect, making its level anything between 1 and 8, choosing 7 (Lvl.: 4 -> 7). Twilight activates Xyz Plant, special summoning it as a monster with the same level as a monster she controls (7). Twilight overlays Alex’s Dragunity Knight – Trident, Gagaga Magician, and Xyz Plant to xyz summon Number 7: Lucky Straight (ATK: 700 DEF: 700).

Twilight activates Number 7: Lucky Straight’s effect. By detaching one xyz material from it, she can roll a die twice. The highest result will become its ATK times 700. She rolls a 5 and a 3 (5 x 700 = 3500, ATK: 700 -> 3500). Twilight activates her effect once more. She rolls a 1 and a 4 (4 x 700 = 2800, ATK: 3500 -> 2800). Twilight detaches Number 7: Lucky Straight’s last xyz material to activate its effect once more. The result is a 6 and a 1 (6 x 700 = 4200, ATK: 2800 -> 4200). Twilight activates Number 7: Lucky Straight’s second effect, special summoning a monster from her hand, choosing Endymion, the Master Magician (ATK: 2700 DEF: 1700).

Twilight places two cards face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-8000 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

“Alright,” said Jenny, shadowboxing as a warm-up, “let’s get this party started.”

“Party?” chirped Pinkie Pie loudly. “If I'd known there would be a party, I would have brought some cake and punch. Or maybe since you were boxing, some punching bags.”

Lisa couldn’t help but laugh at the pink pony’s response.

“Well, that was fun,” Jenny muttered to herself.

***************************************************
Jenny’s Turn: Jenny summons Vylon Charger (ATK: 1000 DEF: 1000). Jenny overlays Vylon Charger and Lisa’s two Cloudian – Storm Dragons to xyz summon Vylon Disigma (ATK: 2500 DEF: 2100). Jenny then activates Photon Lead, special summoning a level 4 or lower LIGHT monster from her hand, choosing Vylon Soldier (ATK: 1700 DEF: 1000). Jenny equips Vylon Soldier with Vylon Material, increasing its ATK by 600 (ATK: 1700 -> 2300). Jenny then activates Vylon Disigma’s effect. By detaching one xyz material from it, she can target an attack position effect monster her opponent controls and equip it to Vylon Disigma, choosing Number 7: Lucky Straight.

Jenny attacks Endymion, the Master Magician with Vylon Soldier. When Vylon Soldier declares an attack, she can change the battle positions of her opponent’s monsters up to the number of cards equipped to it, choosing Endymion, the Master Magician. Alex activates Waboku, preventing Endymion, the Master Magician’s destruction by battle and negating the battle damage.

Jenny ends her turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-8000 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

“Woohoo!” cheered Jenny, jumping up and down. “I just OWNED your monster! I OWNED it!” she yelled, pointing to Twilight at the word “owned.” Pinkie continued to laugh at Jenny’s high energy.

“Early celebrations,” said Alex. “My favorite thing to see before I defeat an opponent.”

***************************************************
Alex’s Turn: Alex special summons Hieratic Dragon of Tefnuit from his hand, as he controls no monsters while his opponent controls one (ATK: 2100 DEF: 1400). Alex then activates the Star Changer, reducing the level of Endymion, the Master Magician by one (Lvl.: 7 -> 6). Alex overlays Twilight’s Endymion, the Master Magician and Hieratic Dragon of Tefnuit to xyz summon Jade Wyvern (ATK: 2500 DEF: 2100). Alex activates Jade Wyvern’s effect. By detaching one xyz material from it, Alex can choose one monster on the field and it cannot be destroyed by battle until the end of this turn, choosing Jade Wyvern.

Alex attacks Vylon Disigma with Jade Wyvern, but Lisa activates Attack Invulnerability, preventing Vylon Disigma from being destroyed in battle. Since they both have equal ATKs, no battle damage is inflicted.

Alex sets one monster.

Alex ends his turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-8000 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

“Now to bring the thunder!” rasped Lisa, fingers wiggling, followed by a crash sound effect from Jenny. “Literally.”

“Doubt that,” commented Rainbow Dash.

***************************************************
Lisa’s Turn: Lisa activates Pot of Greed, drawing two cards. Next, she activates Summon Cloud, allowing her to special summon a Cloudian monster from her hand, choosing Cloudian – Cirrostratus (ATK: 900 DEF: 0). Lisa normal summons Cloudian – Turbulence (ATK: 800 DEF: 0). When Cloudian – Turbulence is normal summoned, a Fog counter is placed on it for each Cloudian monster on the field (2) (FoC.: 0 -> 2). Lisa activates Cloudian – Turbulence’s effect. By removing one Fog counter from it, she can special summon a Cloudian – Smoke Ball from her deck or graveyard (FoC.: 2 -> 1) (ATK: 200 DEF: 600).

Lisa then activates Fog Control, tributing Cloudian – Smoke Ball to place three Fog counters on a face up monster, choosing Cloudian – Turbulence (FoC.: 1 -> 4). Lisa activates the effect of Cloudian – Turbulence again, this time removing three Fog counters to summon two Cloudian – Smoke Balls from her deck and one from her graveyard.

Lisa overlays Cloudian – Turbulence, Cloudian – Cirrostratus, and Jenny’s Vylon Soldier to xyz summon Number 16: Shock Master (AT: 2300 DEF: 1700). Lisa then overlays her three Cloudian – Smoke Balls to xyz summon Mira the Giant Star in defense position (ATK: 1100 DEF: 1000). Lisa activates Number 16: Shock Master’s effect. By detaching one xyz material, she can choose one type of card, and she chooses monster. Until her opponent’s next end phase, monster effects cannot be activated. Lisa then equips Number 16: Shock Master with Malevolent Nuzzler, increasing its ATK by 700 (ATK: 2300 -> 3000).

Lisa attacks Jade Wyvern with Number 16: Shock Master.

Alex and Twilight’s Life Points: 8000 -> 7500

Lisa places one card face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-8000 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Alex was stunned at their level of technique with their monsters. It was clear to him. Just as Twilight was about to make her draw, Jenny shouted in glee.

“He surrendered! He surrendered!”

Twilight looked to Alex, who confirmed her statement by having his hand clasped over the deck slot of his wrist dealer.

“Alex, what in Celestia’s name are you doing?”

“The point of this was to test them. Not only were they able to hold their own without taking a single point of damage, but they destroyed my Equus card like it was any other monster. If that doesn’t qualify them to be our allies, I don’t know what is.”

Twilight sighed.

“I understand, Alex. They dueled admirably. I can safely say that they will be valuable allies with us and even better friends.”

Pinkie pulled her party cannon seemingly out of thin air and blew a blast of confetti in the air. Lisa and Jenny did a celebratory dance, which Pinkie Pie joined in to the delight of their new friends.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Cont. from Kyle vs. Opponent

Cont. from Kyle’s Turn: Kyle attacks Shining Elf (ATK: 1600 DEF: 1000) with Olivine Dragon (ATK: 3000 DEF: 2500).

Opponent’s Life Points: 1000 -> 0

Kyle wins.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

The opponent stood up near immediately.

“Great duel, man!” complimented the opponent, approaching him for a handshake.

“Novice,” he said, turning on his heel and walking away.

It was late in the afternoon now, and the competition was drawing to a close. Not much later, a bell went off from the Carillon bell tower. Alex and his friends along with hundreds of other duelists walked to the Rotary Hill where a stage was set up at the bottom. The news was then revealed to John Newton Howard’s score to The Hunger Games for added drama.

“Everyone,” called a voice from an intercom, “that bell signals then end of the Riverwalk Dueling Competition. We shall now announce the eight quarter-finalists for the big tournament tomorrow, whom had the best win-to-loss ratios amongst everyone who dueled. Our first contestant to advance has a whopping no losses on his record. Please welcome to the stage, Kyle Penn!”

Alex and everyone else stared daggers as the blue-coated man walked the stage to be awarded his entry card for the tournament.

Kyle walked offstage and away from the ceremonies and continued to walk down the Riverwalk, calling the limousine to drive him back to the hotel.

“Our next quarter-finalist is… well, one of the ponies who hails from the land of Equestria! Please welcome, Twilight Sparkle!”
Alex and his friends cheered as the unicorn graciously accepted her entry card on the stage. She instead stood onstage to join the other six competitors when their names were called.

“Moving on, we’ll just announce the names of the other ponies who were skilled enough to have their names called, the first of which is Applejack of Equestria!”

Applejack took her card with a nod of her cowboy hat and joined Twilight on stage.

“The last pony to make it to the stage is Rainbow Dash!”

“Aw yeah!” she exclaimed. She quickly flew up onstage and took her card doing a dance in the air as well.

“What a showoff,” mouthed Applejack to Twilight.

“Now, we have 4 other humans that will join us for tomorrow’s event. The first of which is Naperville North’s very own Reese Miller!”

Reese walked up, took his card, and blew a kiss to the audience, making them scream in excitement.

“Sheesh,” whispered Rainbow Dash, “and you thought I was bad.”

“You still are, sally,” said Applejack.

“The next person to continue onwards is Naperville Central’s John Terrence!”

John, not the showboat, took his card, shook the announcer’s hand, and joined the Reese and the ponies.

“Next, we have Thomas Emmitt of North!”

Sarah cheered the loudest for her brother as he ran onstage and to the announcer. He handed him his card, shook Tom’s hand, and watched as he joined his friends.

“Last, but certainly not least, we have yet another who hails from North. And that is… Alexander Yuwell!”

The music went from the Cm to Gm upon mentioning Alex’s name. Alex’s remaining friends around him cheered loudly as he made his way to the stage. Upon being given his entry card, he quickly grabbed the mike from the announcer and shouted into it.

“Kyle!” he yelled.

Kyle could hear his voice clearly as Alex called him out as the music changed keys again.

“You hear me? We will fight again, and next time, I will destroy you!”

The crowd cheered at his enthusiasm as Alex handed back the mike and stood with his friends on the stage. They all waved to the crowd, pumping them up until the music finally ended.

“Good luck,” said Kyle aloud as he continued walking to the limo, the driver opening the car door for him.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Kyle got to the Holiday Inn on Naper and Diehl as the sky had a creamy orange tint to the sky. After setting his briefcase on the bed inside his comfortable-enough looking room, he decided to make a video call from his laptop. The receiver of the call answered almost immediately. It was the masked woman from the night before.

“Rae,” he began.

“Kyle,” Rae responded, “well if it isn’t my trusty hunter. I assume your hunting went without a hitch?”

“I must be honest and say that it, in fact, did not go as planned.”

“What?!? What happened?”

“That Alex kid that the Flim Flam brothers dueled last night, there’s something… strange about him.”

“Just man up and say that you lost, would you?”

“That’s just it!” Kyle cleared his throat and spoke softer. “I won, but throughout the duel, the damage I felt from the battle was real. I was so weakened by the outcome that I didn’t have the strength to extract his Stone of Equus card. I wouldn’t even have the strength to face the others that were there.”

“I am… disappointed,” sighed Rae. “I thought you of all my hunters would be able to have the strength to resist such… minor injuries.”

“It felt like a train hit me, Rae! I-”

“I will not tolerate your raising your voice to me. Hang tight. I’ll be with you momentarily.”

Kyle then observed his face in his camera. He saw the camera pick up a masked person behind him. Upon turning around, Kyle found Rae right in front of him. She reached at him, placing her palms on the side of his head and her thumbs over his eyes. Kyle seemed strangely passive as his superior grabbed him.

“If you can’t fight on your own strength,” said Rae, “then perhaps I need to lend you some of mine.”

The area around her thumbs began to turn green, and she pushed them into Kyle’s eyes. He let out a blood-curdling scream as Rae transferred a bright yellow aura into him. Upon finishing, she laid the unconscious Kyle on his bed. There was then a knock on the door.

“Is everything alright?” called a random male voice. “I heard a scream coming from your room.”

“Everything’s fine,” answered Rae, impersonating Kyle’s voice perfectly. “I just stubbed my toe… very badly.”

“Need a doctor?”

“Sorry. I just have a very low tolerance to pain.”

“Whatever man.” With that, the male left.

Rae turned off Kyle’s computer and closed it. She then began to slowly fade away.

“Sweet dreams,” she said with a sinister tint in her normal voice. Not much longer after her farewell, she completely disappeared.

Arc 3: Riverwalk Tournament - Chapter 17: Warning

Sunday, May 13, 2012

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Alex woke up that Sunday morning to a bright sunrise. His stirring in his bed caused Twilight to wake up.

“What is it?” asked Twilight.

“The sun,” responded Alex. “It’s really bright.”

“You should see the sunrises that Princess Celestia used to do before, well, you know.” There was a hint of sadness to her voice.

“I’m sorry things turned out this way,” replied Alex, comfortably petting her. “Don’t worry though. I’ll make sure Kyle doesn’t win this time. We’ll find a way to bring your world back to normal. I promise.”

Twilight eased a reassuring smile.

Now,” he whispered to himself, “what time is it?”

“7:13. You think we should get up now?”

“I don’t know. The tournament doesn’t start until 10:00, so we have some time. Plus, if Kyle’s going to be there, he’ll probably want to finish us off before the tournament actually starts. I want to fight him as little as possible, so it would be best if we arrived on time or perhaps slightly earlier.”

“Sounds like a good plan.”

“Still, we should take a shower before everyone else does.”

“Sounds like a good plan.”

Alex and Twilight hopped into the shower. Alex forgot his swimsuit, but he had grown comfortable enough around Twilight that he wouldn’t mind her seeing him naked and trust that she wouldn’t judge him.

Alex and Twilight soon got out of the shower to be met by Tom and Rainbow Dash.

“You get to wash the other ones this time,” said Alex, “k’, thanks, bye.” Tom groaned as he walked into the shower with the cyan pegasus. Alex decided to make himself and Twilight breakfast: a big bowl of oatmeal with sliced bananas and whole blueberries.

By time they were both almost done, Carolyn walked downstairs in her pajamas to see them there.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” said Carolyn, “I would have made you some eggs if you had waited.”

“No need, Ms. Emmitt,” said Alex. “Plus, you’re almost out of eggs.” Carolyn checked the fridge to find there were only three left in the carton.

“Oh. Alex, when you’re done with your breakfast, could you be a dear and pick up some more eggs?”

Alex took a large final spoonful as he muffled, “Sure thing,” through his mouthful. Alex then ran to the garage with keys in hand and borrowed Carolyn’s van.

The Dominick’s wasn’t very far away, so he opted to go there for his errand. He wanted to get in and out as quickly as possible, lest he might have a confrontation with Kyle, not knowing where he was currently residing. Upon finding the eggs, he picked up three dozen-sized cartons. As Alex walked away from the aisle, he found himself feeling unnaturally dizzy. Upon recognizing that this feeling wouldn’t subside, he knelt to the ground and placed the cartons on the floor. A couple of early shoppers watched as Alex finally passed out on the floor.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

“Where… where am I?” asked Alex to the black void that he suddenly found himself in.

“You are in a safe place,” said a soothing motherly voice.

A bright light overtook the void, causing Alex to shield his eyes. Once the light became tolerable, Alex looked to see a white, jewled alicorn and a dark blue alicorn floating before him.

“No,” muttered Alex. “You’re…”

“Princess Celestia and Princess Luna,” greeted the white alicorn, “me being the former, of course.”

“Why… why are you here.”

“We have been watching you fight for the Stone of Equus cards, and thus, for Equestria. For that I am most thankful.”
“Is that it?” asked Alex incredulously.

“DOST THOU TAKE US FOR FOALS?” boomed Luna, forcing Alex to cover his ears. “OF COURSE THAT IS NOT-”

“Thank you Luna,” interrupted Celestia. “No, that is not it. I’ve been watching you fight, more specifically, your fight with Kyle.”

“About that, Princess, I-”

Celestia put her hoof up as a gesture of silence. “I understand that you were not strong enough to defeat Kyle, but I assume that John has helped you well?”

“He has, Princess.”

“Please, call me Celestia.”

“Celestia. Alright, so anyways what do you want with me?”

“I want to let you know that it is imperative that you and your friends not let Kyle win that tournament. If he does, he will more than likely gain more Stones of Equus, and then there will be nothing that can stop the evil force that threaten both of our worlds' safety.”

“What? What evil force?”

“I’m not fully sure. Kyle is merely a pawn to his master’s, or as he likes to put it, his employer’s plan.”

“What plan is this? Please don’t leave me in the dark here!”

“I’m sorry,” apologized Luna. “We wish we could tell you more, but our knowledge is hazy at best. All we can tell you is that there is more at stake to today’s tournament than you might have previously thought.”

"At least explain to me why exactly these people are hunting down the Stones of Equus! What makes them so special above the other cards that exist on my planet already?"

"The Stones of Equus have very strong magic in each one of them," Celestia explained, "having been created by Starswirl the Bearded himself. The magic that was used to seal each creature into their respective stones was sealed in the stones as well. With enough of this magic, one could accomplish anything. If the Stones were to fall in the wrong hands, which I'm afraid some already have, there's no telling what they would use it for."

"What about Twilight, or the others? Why didn't you tell them any of this?"

"I did, Alex. The magic contained inside the Stones of Equus was too powerful to disclose to a species which I have only heard about mere days ago."

"But you can trust me."

"I know now. You and your friends are the only ones who are capable of making sure that the Stones stay safe."

“I appreciate your warning, Celestia, but that doesn’t exactly boost my confidence.”

“We shall support you,” said Celestia, floating towards Alex and nuzzling his cheek with her face. Alex couldn’t help but feel a sense of ease and comfort wash over him as her soft fur rubbed his face. He leaned into her cheek and stroked her neck on both sides with his hands. “Know that you aren’t alone. I have great faith in you Alex Yuwell, and so do your friends.”

“Sister, we have little time,” beckoned Luna. “We have to prepare all of the towns.”

“You’re right. I’m sorry.” Celestia pulled away from Alex, but continued to be close to him. “Right now, because this concerns both my world and yours, we are broadcasting the tournament live from all of the towns of and cities of Equestria. I’m sorry I have to cut you off like this, but you must prepare as well.”

“I understand, Celestia.”

“Good luck, Alex Yuwell. Know that all of Equestria has faith in you and your friends. Farewell.” Celestia touched her horn to Alex’s head. From it shot a brilliant white light, which engulfed Alex.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

When the light subsided, Alex could see the supermarket's overhead lights above him him and people looking over to see if he was alright. Alex merely shook his head, and walked to the cashier with the eggs, feeling no embarrassment for his position.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Meanwhile in Equestria, thousands of pegasi worked as they brought massive mirrors to large venues in each of the towns in Equestria for their entire population to see, from the rural settings of Ponyville to the bigger and more urban cities of Canterlot. Ponyville and the rural towns had their mirror placed in their respective town squares. Canterlot and the other cities, including Cloudsdale, the pegasus city, had their mirrors placed in massive arenas for their ponies to see. Millions of ponies, spanning all of Equestria, were beckoned by the pegasi carrying the mirrors as they made their way to see the fate of their world lay before them that day.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Alex returned home later with the eggs. Everyone was downstairs at the table waiting. They didn’t look too happy about his absence. It was already 8:30.

How much did time pass back there? thought Alex.

“Hello,” said Carolyn angrily. “Where have you been? I’ve been worried sick.”

Alex told them all about his meeting with Celestia, the true power of the Stones of Equus, and the warning she gave him. Not a single human mouth was shut.

“Dude,” quietly said Tom, “are you serious?”

“Yeah Tom,” Alex answered sarcastically, “because I purposefully stood around Dominick’s ignoring your phone calls and let you worry just so I could tell a cock and bull story when I finally got home.”

“Come on there, sugar,” cooed Applejack, “it’s gonna be alright.”

“No, it’s NOT going to be alright. I have the weight of both worlds on my shoulders, and I feel so scared.”

“Alex,” peeped Twilight, “I’m not going to lie, I’m scared too, but I’m not going to let that keep me from saving my world.”

“And mine,” said Tom.

“The only thing you can do at this point is your best. For better or worse, we’re still friends, and we will be there until the very end.”

Now it was Alex’s turn to be moved by Twilight’s encouragement. He shed a single tear as it rolled down his cheek and to the floor.

“I will not be able to handle losing any one of you again.”

“Then fight for us,” called Rainbow Dash bluntly. “If you want to fight for our lives, do so. Don’t be a little crybaby over it.” Alex was stunned by her choice of words.

“Rainbow!” gasped Rarity, astounded by her apparent rudeness.

“No,” said Alex, sounding much more composed. “She’s right. I can’t let my feelings kill me like that. I’m going to save my- no, our words, or I’m going to die trying!”

Alex received a bunch of hugs from his pony friends. Tom and Sarah joined in too. Carolyn watched with tears in her eyes. Alex appreciated this support, but he looked deadly serious as he was continued to be embraced.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Upon the completion of the set up in Equestria, Princess Celestia’s head appeared on the mirrors placed all around Equestria.

“My little ponies,” she began, “there is something that I have been keeping a secret for hundreds and hundreds of years.” She proceeded to tell the whole of Equestria the tale of the Stone of Equus cards, leaving many ponies surprised by this unknown legend. “Now, these creatures, called humans from the planet Earth, wield the Stones of Equus in an attempt to stop an evil that threatens to destroy both worlds, pony and human alike.” Ponies gasped and shivered in fear of this news.

“I know this frightens you all,” she continued, “but we must not spend these moments in fear, but instead, we must continue to hope. Hope that these humans and their pony companions will save us from doom. If we continue to reach our prayers to these brave creatures, then we will live to see tomorrow!”

The ponies cheered as the princess faded out, signaling the end of her speech. The scene on the mirrors changed to the Carillon Hill, which was covered in people in lawn chairs looking out over the bottom of the hill where a large platform was set for the duelists to battle on with a giant screen behind it to documents the action for the viewers at the top of the hill.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Carolyn rode all of the ponies plus Sarah in her van while Tom rode Alex to Rotary Hill on his dad’s motorcycle. They arrived at around 9:45 from the Centennial Beach parking lot, fifteen minutes before the tournament would begin. Carolyn and Sarah had brought their own lawn-chairs while Rarity, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie had blankets to lay or sit on. They finally arrived to the hill after crossing the wooden arched bridge.

“Hey, Alex,” called a familiar voice. It was Reese, who was next to Emma and John. “It’s about time you two got here. Have you seen the crowd for this place?”

“Reese,” said Alex, “as much as I’d love to talk about your love for attention, we have bigger problems right now.”

“What do you mean?” asked Emma. Alex told them what Celestia and Luna had told him just as he did earlier with his family, resulting in similar responses from the three.

“So either one of us beats Kyle,” said Reese, “or we're doomed.”

“Don’t talk like that!” chirped Pinkie Pie, forcing a smile on Reese's face. “We're going to win, so keep your frowny upside downy!” Pinkie Pie sure did have a way in helping others see the positiveness in the bleakest of situations.

“Well, we have ten minutes before we start this thing, so we might as well head on over and hope for the best.”

Alex and his other finalist friends made their way to the front of the audience, where there was a set of eight chairs set up specifically for them. Before she could part ways with Alex and Tom, Carolyn hugged Alex tightly, Sarah joining in too.

“I know you’ll both duel splendidly, but I just want you to know that I love you two very much, my sons,” she sobbed. Alex returned her embrace along with Tom.

“Thanks Mom,” Alex mustered.

Carolyn finally let go of Alex and Tom to let them continue on with the tournament. She, along with Sarah, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy sat as close as they could behind the finalists, despite still being about a hundred feet away. Alex looked to see him and his other six friends sitting in their seats. Kyle’s chair was empty.

Where could he be? thought Alex.

Chapter 18: Stalling

Kyle had realized that he had overslept. The clock read 9:02. All he remembered from the night before was calling Rae on Skype and falling asleep afterwards. He also noted that he felt extremely well rested, like he had new life. He called his limo driver.

“Yes, please arrive at the Holiday Inn at quarter to nine. And fetch me breakfast while you’re out.”

“…”

“McDonalds steak bagel. Bye”

Kyle jumped into the shower quickly and put his shirt, pants, and blue trench coat on. By 9:14, he exited the lobby and found his limo with the driver holding the door with one hand and a McDonald’s bag in the other.

Kyle ate his breakfast along the drive. By the time he was done, he observed his deck, making sure all of his cards were in place for his hunting today. He’d face at least one Stone of Equus bearer today, but he wouldn’t need that many anyways to complete his task.

Because of the heavy traffic for the tournament, it wasn’t until 9:50 that he arrived at beach parking lot, where traffic was the least congested. He left the limo without a word and made his way to the wooden arched bridge. Before he could make his way, a person stood before him his face hidden by the shade of the trees.

“Listen,” barked Kyle, “I have someplace I need to be and-”

“Oh I’m sure of it,” said Claude, revealing himself fully.

“You,” remembered Kyle. “You were observing Alex and I’s duel yesterday. Either way, I have no time for you, so move.”

“But you see, I have plenty of time for you.” Claude took out his D-Pad tablet and graveyard/wrist dealer and constructed his duel disk, putting the finished product on his wrist. Kyle reached into his pockets for another orb to teleport him away from Claude, but found out that in his rush to leave the hotel, he forgot to grab some.

“Lose something?” asked Claude with a smile. Kyle disregarded him with a scowl.

“So you want to duel me?” questioned Kyle.

“The tournament match up is determined by lottery. If the declared duelist for the match isn’t on stage in one minute after being called up, they are immediately disqualified.”

“I have a three to one chance of being picked as the first match,” said Kyle. “Do you think that those odds are against my favor?”

“As long as there’s a chance of stopping you and whatever ambitions that you may have for stealing the Stone of Equus cards, then it’s a chance I’ll gladly take.” Claude unsheathed his duel disk.

“We’ll see,” said Kyle.

Kyle’s forearm lit itself on fire again, the blaze turning into his duel disk.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

From Equestria, the focus on the upcoming tournament was switched to Claude and Kyle’s location. Upon seeing Claude stand up to his foe, the ponies cheered on his hopeful success.

“Just what does he think he’s doing?” asked Princess Celestia to herself, watching from her personal chamber.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

I need to run this duel out as long as possible, thought Claude. If I’m going to keep Kyle from being eligible to compete, I need to stall.

From the south side of the river, Lisa and Jenny, who were sitting with Sarah at the hill, ran north over the bridge to the parking lot.

“I can’t believe you forgot your pillow in the car,” said Lisa, “the tournament is going to start any minute. Do you even know where you parked it?”

“Calm yourself,” said Jenny. “It will only take a minute.” Jenny and Lisa eventually stopped when they saw Kyle and Claude standing amongst each other in the grassy area northwest of the bridge. Jenny recognized Kyle and Claude immediately.

“Oh crap,” Jenny muttered. Both she and Lisa ran back to warn their friends.

Completely oblivious to the two girls, Claude and Kyle drew five cards from their decks.

“DUEL!” they both cried.

Kyle vs. Claude

Kyle’s Turn: Kyle activates Painful Choice, choosing five cards from his deck and having Claude choose one of them. Claude chooses Neo Flamvell Sabre. Kyle adds the other cards to the graveyard. Kyle activates Rekindling, special summoning as many FIRE attribute monsters with 200 DEF as possible, special summoning Flamvell Archer (ATK: 1000 DEF: 200), Laval Lancelord (ATK: 2200 DEF: 200), and Laval Volcano Handmaiden (ATK: 100 DEF: 200). Kyle tunes Laval Lancelord with Laval Volcano Handmaiden to synchro summon Laval Stennon (ATK: 2700 DEF: 1800).

When Laval Stennon is synchro summoned, Kyle must discard one card. When Laval Volcano Handmaiden is sent to the graveyard when a Laval monster with a different name is in the graveyard, Kyle can add one Laval monster from his deck to his graveyard. Kyle then normal summons Neo Flamvell Sabre (ATK: 1500 DEF: 200). Kyle tunes Neo Flamvell Sabre with Flamvell Archer to synchro summon Ancient Flamvell Deity (ATK: 2500 DEF: 200). Kyle overlays Ancient Flamvell Deity and Laval Stennon to xyz summon Olivine Dragon (ATK: 3000 DEF: 2500).

Kyle places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-4000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

Lisa ran to the finalists while Jenny ran to Sarah and the other ponies in the crowd.

“What is it, Jenny?” asked Fluttershy.

“That black dude,” Jenny panted. “He’s fighting that guy in the blue coat.”

“Claude? Kyle?!?” gasped Fluttershy. She crawled into a fetal position on mention of the latter’s name. Jenny saw as Alex and the other finalists were led by Lisa to the place where Claude was dueling. Jenny and Sarah picked up Fluttershy.

“Let’s go!” Jenny called to her other friends. They all took Jenny’s lead and followed her.

***************************************************
Claude’s Turn: Claude summons Heroic Challenger – Night Watchman (ATK: 1200 DEF: 300). Claude then activates Double Summon, summoning Heroic Challenger – Spartan (ATK: 1600 DEF: 1000). Claude overlays Heroic Challenger – Night Watchman and Heroic Challenger – Spartas to xyz summon Heroic Champion – Excalibur (ATK: 2000 DEF: 2000).

Claude activates Heroic Champion – Excalibur’s effect. By detaching two xyz materials from it, Heroic Champion – Excalibur’s ATK becomes double its original ATK until his opponent’s end phase (ATK: 2000 -> 4000). Kyle activates Olivine Dragon’s effect. By detaching two xyz material from it when an xyz monster that his opponent controls activates its effect, Kyle can inflict damage to his opponent equal to the rank of the xyz monster x 200 (4 x 200 = 800).

Claude’s Life Points: 4000 -> 3200

Claude attacks Olivine Dragon with Heroic Champion – Excalibur, but Kyle activates Attack Invulnerability, preventing his monster’s destruction by battle. Battle damage is applied normally.

Kyle’s Life Points: 4000 -> 3000

Claude places three cards face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-3200 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-3
***************************************************

Everyone arrived at the area. Alex took another glimpse of Kyle, causing him to clench his teeth at him, which only led Kyle to smirk.

“Guys?” called Claude upon seeing the bearers and the ponies. “What are you doing here?”

“I could ask you the same thing,” responded Rainbow Dash.

“I’m buying some time,” said Claude, “so if they call Kyle’s name in the next five or so minutes, he’ll be too busy dueling me. Just go back in case they call up one of you.”

“No way, now how,” protested Applejack. “We’re going to be by your side ‘till the very end.”

“So stubborn,” growled Claude.

***************************************************
Kyle’s Turn: Claude activates his trap Battle Mania, forcing all of Kyle’s monsters to attack this turn if able. Kyle equips Olivine Dragon with Mist Body, preventing it from being destroyed by battle.

Kyle attacks Heroic Champion – Excalibur with Olivine Dragon. Heroic Champion – Excalibur’s ATK is higher than Olivine Dragon’s.

Kyle’s Life Points: 3000 -> 2000

Claude activates his trap Heroic Gift, increasing Kyle’s life points to 8000 when his life points are 2000 or less, and then Claude draws two cards.

Kyle’s Life Points: 2000 -> 8000

During Kyle’s end phase, Heroic Champion – Excalibur’s ATK returns to normal (ATK: 4000 -> 2000).

Kyle ends his turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-8000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

“What good was that for?” mocked Kyle. “Do you think you’re going to beat me now when I have 8000 life points? Only a novice such as yourself would think like that.”

“It doesn’t matter whether I win or lose,” said Claude. “All that matters is that if you’re stuck dueling me if they call your name, you will lose, which means I will have won. Don’t kid yourself Kyle Penn, until there are zero life points on me, I will not even think of letting you pass.”

Suddenly, a light erupted from Claude’s deck case. Everyone gasped at realizing what this meant. Claude took the glowing card from his case and observed it. He then put it against his forehead and closed his eyes.

“Thank you, Princess Celestia,” he whispered, “wherever you are.”

“This just got interesting,” commented Kyle.

Claude opened his eyes, which were now brimming with fury.

***************************************************
Claude’s Turn: Claude equips Heroic Champion – Excalibur with Xyz Jeweled Crown, turning its rank into a level (Rnk.: 4 -> Lvl.: 4). Also, the monster equipped with Xyz Jeweled Crown can be treated as two monsters for xyz summons. Claude summons Heroic Challenger – Extra Sword (ATK: 1000 DEF: 1000). Claude overlays Heroic Champion – Excalibur and Heroic Challenger – Extra Sword to xyz summon Ruby Phoenix (ATK: 2600 DEF: 1800). With Heroic Challenger – Extra Sword’s effect, when it is used in the xyz summoning of a monster, it gains 1000 ATK (ATK: 2600 -> 3600).

Claude attacks Olivine Dragon with Ruby Phoenix. Mist Body prevents Olivine Dragon from being destroyed, but battle damage is still applied.

Kyle’s Life Points: 8000 -> 7400

Claude places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-3200 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

In Equestria, the ponies cheered at Claude’s new monster coming out to defend him. Celestia merely smiled at the turning tide of the battle.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Kyle now looked weakened by the attacks, much like he was in his battle with Alex. However, this time the injuries didn’t seem to phase him at all.

“Is that all?” asked Kyle insultingly. “I would have expected more from the bearers of the Stones of Equus.”

***************************************************
Kyle’s Turn: Kyle activates Graceful Charity, drawing three cards and discarding two. Kyle special summons Laval Burner from his hand, as he has three different Laval monsters in his graveyard (ATK: 2100 DEF: 1000). Kyle activates Gift of the Martyr, sending Laval Burner to the graveyard to increase the ATK of a monster he controls by the ATK of Laval Burner, choosing Olivine Dragon (ATK: 3000 -> 5100).

Kyle attacks Ruby Phoenix with Olivine Dragon, but Claude activates Ruby Phoenix’s effect. By detaching one xyz material from it when it would be destroyed by battle or a card effect, it’s destruction is negated. Kyle activates Olivine Dragon’s effect, detaching one xyz material from it to inflict damage to his opponent equal to an opponent’s xyz monster’s rank times 200 (4 x 200 = 800).

Claude’s Life Points: 3200 -> 2400

Olivine Dragon’s attack hits Ruby Phoenix.

Claude’s Life Points: 2400 -> 900

Claude activates Damage Vaccine Ω MAX, gaining life points equal to damage that he took.

Claude’s Life Points: 900 -> 2400

Kyle sets one monster.

Kyle ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-7400 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

“Lucky,” growled Kyle.

“Luck ain’t got nothing to do with it,” responded Claude. “Only pure skill.”

***************************************************
Claude’s Turn: Claude summons Heroic Challenger – Double Lance (ATK: 1700 DEF: 900).

Claude attacks Kyle’s face down monster with Heroic Challenger – Double Lance, which was a Morphing Jar (ATK: 700 DEF: 600). When Morphing Jar is flip summoned, all players discard their hands and draw five cards from their decks. Claude attacks Olivine Dragon with Ruby Phoenix.

Kyle’s Life Points: 7400 -> 6800

Claude activates Meteor of Destruction, inflicting 1000 points of damage to Kyle.

Kyle’s Life Points: 6800 -> 5800

Claude places two cards face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-2400 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-3
***************************************************

“It’s 9:59!” said Alex. “You’ve got one more minute Kyle, and you’re possibly through.”

“No,” remarked Kyle. “Quite the opposite.”

***************************************************
Kyle’s Turn: Claude activates Dimension Trap, banishing a monster he controls (Heroic Challenger – Double Lance) to activate a trap card from his graveyard, choosing Battle Mania, forcing all of Kyle’s monsters to attack if able. Kyle activates Space Cyclone, detaching an xyz material from Ruby Phoenix. When Ruby Phoenix has no xyz materials attached to it, it’s destroyed.

Kyle attacks Claude directly with Olivine Dragon, but Claude activates Draining Shield, negating the attack and gaining life points equal to the attacking monster’s ATK.

Claude’s Life Points: 2400 -> 5400

Kyle sets one monster.

Kyle places two cards face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-5800 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

“Ladies and gentlemen!” called the announcer, making Kyle show his first signs of nervousness. “Welcome to the annual Riverwalk Competition Tournament. What’s this? None of the finalists are here? Well then, they have one minute after I call their names to get up here or they're finished. Let’s see here, our first matchup will be…”

Everyone listened intently.

“…Alexander Yuwell and Rainbow Dash!”

“What?” cried Claude. “No!”

Kyle let out a loud laugh.

“Look’s like you put in all of that effort for nothing.” He only continued to laugh.

“Dammit,” commented Alex. “Come on Rainbow Dash, let’s go.”

“What? What about Claude?”

“I’ve tried my hardest,” said Claude, “and I’ve failed. You have to carry my feelings with you now! Go you two. Win!”

Alex took a final look at Claude before Alex sprinted towards the dueling stage while Rainbow Dash flew close behind.

“Now,” said Claude, “I’m going to flat out crush you!”

***************************************************
Claude’s Turn: During Claude’s standby phase, when Ruby Phoenix was destroyed by its own effect, it can special summon itself from the graveyard, and when it does, he can reveal the top five cards of his deck. If any of the five cards are monster cards, he can attach them to Ruby Phoenix as xyz material and destroy any number of cards on the field equal to the amount of monsters attached. Of the five cards Claude looked at, two of them are monsters. Claude destroys Olivine Dragon and Kyle’s face down monster. Claude places the other cards that he saw to the top of his deck in any order.

Claude then activates Reinforcement of the Army, adding a level 4 or lower Warrior-type monster from his deck to his hand, choosing another Heroic Challenger Double Lance. Claude summons Heroic Challenger Double Lance. When Heroic Challenger Double Lance is normal summoned, Claude can special summon another Heroic Challenger Double Lance from his hand. Claude overlays both Heroic Challenger Double Lances to xyz summon another Heroic Champion – Excalibur. Claude activates Heroic Champion – Excalibur’s effect, detaching two xyz materials to have Heroic Champion – Excalibur’s ATK becomes double its original ATK until his opponent’s end phase (ATK: 2000 -> 4000).

Claude attacks Kyle directly with Heroic Champion – Excalibur.

Kyle’s Life Points: 5800 -> 1800

Claude then attacks Kyle directly with Ruby Phoenix, but Kyle activates his face down Poison of the Old Man, increasing his life points by 1200 before the attack hits.

Kyle’s Life Points: 1800 -> 3000

Kyle’s Life Points: 3000 -> 400

Claude places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-5400 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

Alright, thought Claude, I've got Shift and Heroic Revenge Sword on me. If Kyle tries to attack my Stone of Equus monster with something weak, I'll activate Shift to bring it to my vastly stronger Heroic Champion – Excalibur. If he somehow gets a monster with higher ATK than Heroic Champion – Excalibur's, I'll activate Heroic Revenge Sword and inflict some damage onto him. My plan is foolproof!

Kyle knew he had his only his face down to rely on now. Strangely, a feeling arose in him that made him know the outcome of the duel. That’s when he remembered Rae’s appearance to him last night, and vaguely what she did to him. A large smile suddenly appeared on Kyle’s face.

“This is your end,” he said sinisterly.

***************************************************
Kyle’s Turn: Kyle activates his face down Sixth Sense. A die is rolled. Kyle calls two numbers (5 and 6). If the result of the die roll is any of the declared numbers, Kyle draws cards in his hand equal to the amount rolled. The result is a 6. Kyle draws six cards. Kyle activates Forced Release, detaching all xyz materials from Ruby Phoenix. Ruby Phoenix is destroyed by its own effect.

Kyle then activates Final Destiny, discarding five cards to destroy all other cards on the field. Next, Kyle activates Monster Reborn, special summoning Olivine Dragon from his graveyard. Finally, Kyle equips Olivine Dragon with Megamorph, doubling its ATK when his life points are lower than his opponent’s (ATK: 3000 -> 6000).

Kyle attacks Claude directly with Olivine Dragon.

Claude’s Life Points: 5400 -> 0

Kyle wins.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Kyle’s attack was massive enough to knock the strong Claude out completely. Despite losing nearly 10000 life points this duel, he looked much stronger than he did after his duel with Alex. Kyle reached out his hand, which began to glow. Then, Claude’s deck case began to glow. Seconds later, Claude’s Ruby Phoenix materialized in Kyle’s hand. Everyone watching was stunned.

Kyle whipped his left arm to the side, causing his duel disk to disappear in a puff of flames. Kyle merely slipped the stolen card into his deck case and walked towards the bridge.

“I’ll see the rest of you later,” he calmly said to the group.

“Go to Hell!” yelled Twilight, shocking everyone with the use of that new word. “Did I say that right?” asked Twilight coyly.

“Yeah,” responded Reese. Kyle merely smirked.

“I’ll meet you all there,” he answered. He walked down the path and up the bridge.

Seeing the inevitability in facing Kyle now, Alex’s friends walked back to the hill to watch what happened between Alex and Rainbow Dash and await their own duel while Jenny stayed behind to call an ambulance.

Chapter 20: Warrior

“The second match of the quarter finals is about to begin,” called the announcer. “And the two competitors are Tom Emmitt of Naperville North High School and Applejack of Equestria! Who will move on to face Alex in the semi-finals? Let’s see...”

“Hmph,” chortled Tom, onstage with Applejack, “I never thought in my life I’d be dueling on stage in front of such a huge crowd.”

“Don’t let it get the best of ya’, Tommy,” said Applejack. “I compete in rodeos in front of clouds twice this big and rowdier too.”

“Not that it really matters. I don’t let the crowds affect me. The only thing I focus on is my opponent, and winning, of course.”

“I admire your spirit and all, Tommy, but if you think I’m going to stand around let you beat my rump into next year, you’ve got another thing coming.”

“Then prove it, Applejack. Prove it to me that you can beat me.”

“Alrighty then, let’s get ‘er done!”

Applejack constructed her D-Pad on her arm, Tom following suit. Once both tablets were fastened onto the tops of the graveyard slots, both D-Pad’s unsheathed their zones out. Tom and Applejack finished by drawing five cards from their respective decks.

“DUEL!” they both yelled.

Tom vs. Applejack

Tom’s Turn: Tom summons Gladiator Beast Laquari (ATK: 1800 DEF: 400).

Tom places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-4 Life-4000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

I know of the X-Saber deck, thought Tom. Applejack should have a monster in her extra deck that can wipe out a bunch of spell and trap cards. I still have one set if that isn’t the case. Let’s just see how this pans out.

***************************************************
Applejack’s Turn: Applejack activates Graceful Charity, drawing three cards and discarding two. Applejack then special summons XX-Saber Gardestrike, as she has two X-Saber monsters in her graveyard and controls no monsters (ATK: 2100 DEF: 1400). Applejack then normal summons X-Saber Palomuro (ATK: 200 DEF: 300). Applejack tunes XX-Saber Gardestrike and X-Saber Palomuro to synchro summon XX-Saber Hyunlei (ATK: 2300 DEF: 1300). When XX-Saber Hyunlei is synchro summoned, Applejack can destroy up to three spell or trap cards on the field, choosing Tom’s face down card.

Applejack attacks Gladiator Beast Laquari with XX-Saber Hyunlei.

Tom’s Life Points: 4000 -> 3500

Applejack places two cards face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-4000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

“Just as I thought,” exclaimed Tom.

“What did you think?” asked Applejack.

“You were going to summon that synchro monster to wipe out any of the spells and traps that protect my Gladiator Beasts from destruction.”

“Well, that worked, didn’t it?”

Tom merely smirked as a response.

***************************************************
Tom’s Turn: Tom activates Heavy Storm, destroying all spell and trap cards on the field. Tom activates Gladiator Beast’s Respite, returning two Gladiator Beast cards to his deck to draw three cards. Tom summons Gladiator Beast Dimacari (ATK: 1600 DEF: 1200). Tom then special summons Test Tiger from his hand, as he controls a Gladiator Beast monster (ATK: 600 DEF: 300).

Tom places two cards face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-3500 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

Tom’s monsters can’t do that fancy summoning mumbo jumbo until they’re attacked, thought Applejack. But I’ve got a lil’ somethin’ extra in my deck that’ll surely surprise him.

“Hey Tom!” called Applejack, “you didn’t happen to see what new card I got from John’s yesterday, did ya’?”

“No,” Tom responded. “Why?”

“I’d just reckon now’s a good time to introduce y'all to it!”

***************************************************
Applejack’s Turn: Applejack activates Pot of Greed, drawing two cards. Applejack summons X-Saber Anu Piranha (ATK: 1800 DEF: 1100). Applejack then special summons XX-Saber Faultroll, as she controls two X-Saber monsters (ATK: 2400 DEF: 1800). Applejack activates XX-Saber Faultroll’s effect, special summoning a level 4 or lower X-Saber monster from her graveyard, choosing XX-Saber Emmersblade in defense position (ATK: 1300 DEF: 800).

Applejack overlays XX-Saber Faultroll and XX-Saber Hyunlei to xyz summon Sword Breaker (ATK: 2700 DEF: 1000). Applejack activates Sword Breaker’s effect. By detaching one xyz material from it, she can declare one type. She chooses Reptile. If Sword Breaker battles a Reptile-type monster, it’s destroyed immediately.

Applejack attacks Gladiator Beast Secutor with Sword Breaker, but Tom activates Attack Invulnerability, preventing his monster’s destruction from battle and card effects during the battle phase. Battle damage is still applied.

Tom’s Life Points: 3500 -> 1200

Applejack then attacks Gladiator Beast Secutor with X-Saber Anu Piranha, but Tom activates Draining Shield, negating the attack and gaining life points equal to the attacking monster’s ATK.

Tom’s Life Points: 1200 -> 3000

At the end of the battle phase, if Gladiator Beast Secutor was attacked or attacked after it was special summoned by the effect of a Gladiator Beast monster, Tom can special summon two Gladiator Beast monsters from his deck, choosing Gladiator Beast Darius (ATK: 1700 DEF: 300) and Gladiator Beast Hoplomus (ATK: 700 DEF: 2100).

When Gladiator Beast Darius is special summoned by the effect of a Gladiator Beast monster, Tom can special summon a Gladiator Beast from his graveyard, though its effect is negated, choosing Gladiator Beast Laquari.

Applejack places one card face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-4000 Monsters-3 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“Woah!” called the announcer. “Tom just managed to save himself from defeat, and now he has a massive battalion of monsters to stand up to Applejack’s army. What will he do from here? Let’s see.”

“You didn’t think I was going into this tournament without introducing my new monster, did you?” Tom asked Applejack.

“Well,” called Applejack, “quit yer lollygagging and bring it out!”

“With pleasure.”

***************************************************
Tom’s Turn: Tom summons Gladiator Beast Lanista (ATK: 1800 DEF: 1200). Tom overlays Gladiator Beast Lanista and Gladiator Beast Hoplomus to xyz summon Amber Minotaur (ATK: 2400 DEF: 1900). Tom overlays Gladiator Beast Darius, Gladiator Beast Secutor, and Gladiator Beast Laquari to xyz summon Number 32: Shark Drake (ATK: 2800 DEF: 2100).

Tom attacks Sword Breaker with Number 32: Shark Drake, but Applejack activates Damage Diet, halving the damage she receives this turn.

Applejack’s Life Points: 4000 -> 3950

Tom activates Number 32: Shark Drake’s effect. By detaching one xyz material when it attacks and destroys a monster, Tom can special summon that monster in attack position, have it lose 1000 ATK (ATK: 2700 -> 1700), and Number 32: Shark Drake can attack again this battle phase. Tom attacks Sword Breaker again with Number 32: Shark Drake.

Applejack’s Life Points: 3950 -> 3400

Tom attacks X-Saber Anu Piranha with Amber Minotaur.

Applejack’s Life Points: 3400 -> 3100

Tom ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-3000 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

“Woo-wee!” exclaimed Applejack. “That was a close one!”

“Close one,” mocked Tom playfully, “I just knocked out two of your strongest monsters right now and you’re barely ahead of me. How on earth would you call that a ‘close one?’”

“Because I still have plenty of life points, sugar.”

***************************************************
Applejack’s Turn: Applejack sets 1 monster.

Applejack ends her turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-3100 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

“Hmm,” pondered Tom to himself. “We’re both low on cards. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say that face down monster of hers is Morphing Jar. It’s a nice splashable card capable of giving both users a lot of cards in their hands. But who does she think she is that I’m not going to have fun with her while I’m at it?”

***************************************************
Tom’s Turn: Tom summons Gladiator Beast Equiste (ATK: 1600 DEF: 1200).

Tom attacks Applejack’s face down monster with Number 32: Shark Drake, which was a Morphing Jar (ATK: 700 DEF: 600). When Morphing Jar is flip summoned, all players discard their hands and draw five cards from their decks. Tom activates Number 32: Shark Drake’s effect, detaching one xyz material from it to special summon the monster it destroyed in attack position, have it lose 1000 ATK (ATK: 700 -> 0), and have Number 32: Shark Drake attack again this battle phase. Tom attacks Morping Jar with Gladiator Beast Equiste.

Applejack’s Life Points: 3100 -> 1500

Tom attacks XX-Saber Emmersblade with Amber Minotaur. When XX-Saber Emmersblade is destroyed by battle, Applejack can special summon a level 4 or lower X-Saber monster from her deck, choosing XX-Saber Fulhelmknight (ATK: 1300 DEF: 1000). Tom attacks XX-Saber Fulhelmknight with Number 32: Shark Drake, but Applejack activates XX-Saber Fulhelmknight’s effect, negating the attack.

At the end of the battle phase, if Gladiator Beast Equiste attacked, Tom can shuffle it into the deck and special summon a Gladiator Beast monster from his deck, choosing Gladiator Beast Bestiari (ATK: 1500 DEF: 800).

Tom activates Amber Minotaur’s effect. Once per turn, Tom can detach an xyz material from it to normal summon twice this turn and without a tribute, summoning Gladiator Beast Alexander (ATK: 2400 DEF: 600). Tom sends Gladiator Beast Bestiari and Gladiator Beast Alexander to the deck to fusion summon Gladiator Beast Gyzarus (ATK: 2400 DEF: 1500). When Gladiator Beast Gyzarus is special summoned, Tom can destroy up to two cards on the field, choosing XX-Saber Fulhelmknight.

Tom places two cards face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-3000 Monsters-3 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

“Oh for Pete’s sake!” exclaimed Applejack at being deprived of all cards on her side of the field.

Well, shoot, thought Applejack. I’m in a bit of a pickle aren’t I? With my new hand I should do something, but it all comes down to which monster I can attack. I should attack his Gladiator Beast, but one of those trap cards could-

Applejack noticed a strange facial tick on Tom’s face similar to that of someone telling a lie that seemed to tell her everything she needed to know.

It won’t.

“Well,” said Tom, “looks like you got a clean slate to work with now, don’t ya’ partner?”

“Sure don’t mean you should take me lightly there, Tommy.”

“Never planned on it.”

“The only thing that’s going to be light is your head after I whap you a good one on this here turn!”

***************************************************
Applejack’s Turn: Applejack summons XX-Saber Boggart Knight (ATK: 1900 DEF: 1000). When XX-Saber Boggart Knight is normal summoned, Applejack can special summon an X-Saber monster from her hand, choosing X-Saber Galahad (ATK: 1800 DEF: 800). Applejack then activates Monster Reborn, special summoning X-Saber Palomuro. Applejack tunes X-Saber Galahad and XX-Saber Boggart Knight with X-Saber Palomuro to synchro summon XX-Saber Gottoms (ATK: 3100 DEF: 2600).

Applejack activates Riryoku, halving the ATK of one monster on the field to increase the ATK of one other monster on the field by the same amount until the end phase, halving Gladiator Beast Gyzarus’ ATK to increase XX-Saber Gottoms’ ATK by the same amount (ATK: 2400 -> 1200) (ATK: 3100 -> 4300).

Applejack attacks Gladiator Beast Gyzarus with XX-Saber Gottoms, but Tom activates Heraldry Protection, having XX-Saber Gottoms lose 800 ATK, but it cannot be destroyed by battle (ATK: 4300 -> 3500).

Tom’s Life Points: 3000 -> 700

Applejack activates Hinotama, inflicting 500 points of damage to Tom.

Tom’s Life Points: 700 -> 200

During the end phase, XX-Saber Gottoms loses the ATK that it gained through Riryoku’s effect (ATK: 3500 -> 2300).

Applejack places one card face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-1500 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“Look at this!” cheered the announcer. “Applejack just inflicted a whopping 2800 points of damage to Tom, who still manages to hang by his fingernails. Will he overcome this undeniably strong pony? Will he have what it takes to win.”

“Let’s see,” answered Tom, seemingly finishing the announcer’s usual answer to his own question.

***************************************************
Tom’s Turn: Tom activates Reload, adding his hand to his deck, shuffling it, and drawing cards from his deck equal to the cards that he sent to his deck. Tom summons Gladiator Beast Andal (ATK: 1900 DEF: 1500). Tom then activates his trap Call of the Haunted, special summoning Test Tiger from his graveyard.

Tom activates Test Tiger’s effect, tributing it to return a Gladiator Beast monster that he controls to the deck and special summon another Gladiator Beast monster from his deck and treat the special summoning as if it were special summoned by a Gladiator Beast monster, choosing Gladiator Beast Bestiari.

When Gladiator Beast Bestiari is special summoned by the effect of a Gladiator Beast monster, Tom can destroy one spell or trap card on the field, choosing Applejack’s face down card. Tom activates Gift of the Martyr, sending a monster that he controls to the graveyard to increase the ATK of another monster that he controls by the ATK of the sent monster, sending Gladiator Beast Bestiari to the graveyard to increase Amber Minotaur’s ATK by its ATK (ATK: 2400 -> 3900).

Tom attacks XX-Saber Gottoms with Amber Minotaur.

Applejack’s Life Points: 1500 -> 0

Tom wins.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Carolyn, Sarah, and Rainbow Dash were the first, and probably the loudest in the crowd to cheer. Tom made a small wave to the audience. He certainly wasn’t used to winning like this, especially in front of an entire audience.

“And it looks like Thomas Emmitt of Naperville North High School will face fellow Huskie* Alexander Yuwell in the semi-finals,” the announcer cheered. “It’s sure to be a fantastic duel. Before we continue that, we must see to the next 4 competitors in the last two matches of the quarter finals. Who will reign? Who will carry the ultimate title? Let’s see.”

Alex met Tom and Applejack at the end of one of the ramped exits to the stage.

“So,” said Alex to Tom.

“So,” responded Alex.

“I can’t remember the last time we’ve dueled each other. Had to have been my 16th birthday.”

Twilight, who was still sitting from her seat, eavesdropped on their conversation, and noticed that Alex gripped his jade ankh necklace upon saying the word “parents.”

“If I remember correctly,” said Tom, “I really whooped you good.”

“Cut me some slack! It was the first time I used my dad’s deck.”

Dad’s deck? thought Twilight.

“Well, you’ve certainly grown since then,” said Tom. “I can’t wait to see how our long awaited rematch is going to turn out.”

“Me too,” responded Alex.

They both clasped hands in a gesture of friendship before they sat down to watch the latter half of the quarter finals.

“Now,” cheered the announcer, “let’s not wait any longer. The next two duelists to kick off the second half of the quarter finals are…”
_________________________________________________________________________________________

* - School Mascot for Naperville North High School

Chapter 22: Twilight

As Reese was driven to the hospital, the doctors did everything they could to try and keep Reese alive, but by their frantic conversations, it was apparent that Reese’s chances of survival were unlikely.

“There’s too much blood entering his brain,” said one of the doctors.

“Well, keep trying,” said another.

“At this rate, he’ll be dead before we can get him to the ER.”

Unbeknownst to them, Reese’s chest began glowing. The doctor’s only noticed when Reese's chest quickly brightened the inside of the vehicle.

“What’s happening to him?” asked a doctor.

Reese’s whole body began to light up until he faded away completely in a small wave of shiny golden dust.

“What… just happened?”
_________________________________________________________________________________________

"Well," called the announcer, "we hope the best for Reese, but as of now, let's get this competition going! Our final match is between the last two available duelists, Twilight Sparkle of Equestria, and John Terrence of Naperville Central!"

Twilight and John reluctantly entered the stage. They knew that they couldn't duel well knowing that one of their friends could have died, but they couldn't surrender or they'd allow Kyle into the finals. They were in between a rock and a hard place, neither option looking more enticing than the other.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Reese was floating in a black void. He regained consciousness but he felt an agonizingly throbbing pain in the back of his head. That’s when he remembered his duel with Kyle. The pain caused Reese to crawl into a fetal position. He whimpered with each second that passed. He figured that he had died and he was in some sort of limbo. He felt the back of his head to feel a sharper pain, but on top of that it felt weak, like a broken watermelon.

His eyes were clamped shut with tears until he felt a softness wrap itself around him. He looked to his left and his right to find two white wings wrap around him like blankets. He then felt something prod into the back of his head, but it didn’t feel painful. It actually felt warm and comfortable. This feeling went on for about a minute when he felt the probe exit his head and the wings unfurl from his body. He felt where the probe had been, and found out that his head was perfectly unscathed.

But that’s impossible, he thought. I just cracked my skull.

“Do not worry, Reese Miller,” said a calm motherly voice. Reese turned around to see the bright silhouette of an alicorn before him.

“Wha-” he stammered. “What are you? Who are you?”

“I will take you to a safe place, where nothing can harm you now.”

“So wait? I’m dead? Are you an angel?”

The alicorn giggled. “Of all my years of life, I’ve never been called an angel like that. I must say, I’m flattered.”

“Please, answer my question!”

“Well, which one?”

“Any of them… wait, you’re Princess Celestia, aren’t you?”

“That knocks one of them down. And to answer the other question. No, you are not dead, but I’m afraid whatever technology exists on Earth couldn’t save you from the injury you sustained.”

“So… you saved me?”

“Indeed I did. No thanks necessary. It’s the least I can do for you bravely standing up to Kyle.”

“So where do I go now?”

“Like I said,” said Celestia, her silhouette becoming a sheet of white that fully enveloped Reese, “a safe place.”
_________________________________________________________________________________________

As Reese adjusted to the light, he saw dozens of ponies similar to Twilight and her friends looking down on him. He got up off his back to see a large crowd of ponies gathered around him. Upon seeing the thatch roofed buildings and colorful ponies when he slowly sat up, he instantly recognized it as the town that he and Alex had arrived in on their first duel. The realization of where he was caused him to stand up. This quick, unexpected action made the ponies step back a bit.

“No, please,” he quietly begged. “I’m not dangerous.”

“They know that,” said a familiar voice.

Reese turned around to see the physical Princess Celestia standing at what must have been the town hall, as it was the biggest and most ornate building in a large plaza.

“Where am I?” asked Reese.

“You are in the town of Ponyville,” Celestia responded. “The ponies here are a lot more… hospitable than the ones in my home of Canterlot, so I thought sending you two here would be in your best intentions.”

“Wait, two?”

Another person walked up from behind Celestia, and Reese was delighted that it was Claude. Reese ran over and gave him a hug, but Claude stopped him before he could get further.

“Woah,” said Reese, “what happened to you.”

“That last attack Kyle did on me broke my rib,” said Claude. “Then, it punctured my lung. Celestia healed me, but I’m still a tad weak.”

“Damn,” said Reese. “I’m guessing you came up the same way I did too?”

“That’s right,” said Celestia. “You would have both died had I not intervened. I hope that you are well-”

Reese silenced her by giving her a hug around her neck. “Thank you for that, I’m very grateful.”

“You’re very welcome,” she answered while nuzzling his back with her chin.

“If only there was a way to tell them we’re alright.”

“I think I can be of some assistance,” called a boy’s voice.

Reese looked down behind him to see a tiny purple bipedal reptile-like creature there. It had green mohawk-style scales, a lighter green underbelly and what appeared to be some form of ears.

“Who is that?” asked Reese, sightly unnerved by the foreign creature before him.

“I’m Spike,” the creature answered, prompting Reese to kneel and shake its hand. “I’m a baby dragon and Twilight’s #1 assistant. I know you lost that fight and all…”

Reese’s face drooped a bit.

“…but you really look strong. Good job out there. Maybe you could teach me that game too.”

“Perhaps later,” Reese responded. “You said you can help us?”

“Hay yeah, I can! I just need Celestia to write a letter letting Twilight know that you two are okay.”

“Done,” confirmed Celestia, having already rolled and stamped the scroll.

“Now what?” asked Claude.

“I’m going to send Spike to Naperville where Twilight is so he can give the letter to her.”

“Wait,” interrupted Reese. “Why can’t you just send Claude and I back?”

“Your injuries are still too fragile to send you back in your state. It might be several hours before you can return.”

Reese rubbed the back of his head, only to find that it was ungodly sore.

“Okay, what about the letter? Can’t you just send it and not Spike?”

“Letters sent by magic must have a receiver to transfer to.”

“And I’m that receiver,” said Spike. “Watch.”

Celestia’s horn grew brightly, causing the letter to disappear. Seconds later, Spike belched a puff of green dragon fire, shocking Reese and Claude for seeing it for the first time. The dragon fire turned into the letter in its unscathed form.

“Pretty nifty, huh?” asked Spike

“Yeah,” agreed Reese, still dumbfounded.

“We’d better hurry though,” said Celestia, observing the viewing mirror in the outside of the town square. “They look to be getting restless.”

Reese watched the screen, amazed by its magical abilities, and unnerved by the reactions to people following Reese’s loss.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

“No,” protested Twilight on stage. “I refuse to duel until I know what happened to Reese.”

“Come on,” begged the announcer, “the duel has to start sometime or I have to disqualify you.”

“Then that makes two of us,” said John, onstage with Twilight as well. “Along with Reese’s wellbeing, I won’t accept a victory by default.”

“Well, this means that Kyle will go onto the finals.”

John began to start feeling pangs of guilt. He knew that if he surrendered, he’d make Kyle face either Alex or Tom. That wouldn’t have been fair to them, but all he could do was freeze up as the announcer declared their surrenders.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” he called, “it is my displeasure to announce that because of the duelists Twilight Sparkle and John Terrence’s adamancy to not duel each other in this quarter finals match, I declare their dis-”

“WAIT!” called a voice that made Twilight’s ears perk up. She saw to the east as a familiar purple dragon ran to the stage to deliver Celestia’s letter.

“Spike!” she cried in jubilation.

“Wha-” stammered the announcer, “What is that?”

“He’s my friend,” said Twilight. “Don’t worry.”

Spike ran onstage next to Twilight and made another belch accompanied by a letter, much like he showed Reese. The crowd was slightly repulsed to heavily amazed.

“What did he just do?” asked the announcer.

“It’s a letter from the princess,” answered Twilight.

“That’s how you get your mail?”

“From the princess, yeah.”

“And now,” said the announcer on the microphone, ignoring the strangeness of the situation, “we have a letter written to us directly from Princess Celestia!” He held the microphone for Twilight as she dictated the letter.

“Dear residents of Naperville,

"You might be wondering about the safety and well being of Reese Miller, the duelist who suffered a serious blow to his head following his defeat.”

Emma, along with the other Stone of Equus bearers hand their hands cupped to their mouth while the ponies leaned inwards, awaiting the news. If it was being told by the princess herself, then it couldn’t have been good.

“I am pleased to inform you that Reese is alive and in good health.”

There was a huge sigh of relief amongst the crowd, especially from Emma.

“Had he not been rescued by me, however, he would have succumbed to his injuries. He is currently in Equestria resting, where he will be sent back to Earth in hopefully a couple of hours. I hope this news can allow the tournament to be resumed as planned. And a note for the Stone of Equus bearers, Claude is with me too, and he is also fine.

“From,
Princess Celestia.”

There was applause after the letter from the crowd, cheering on Reese’s well-being.

“So,” questioned the announcer, “are you two ready to duel now?”

“Mmhmm,” answered Twilight.

“More than ready,” replied John.

“Alright!” cheered the announcer finally. “With that settled, we can finally cap off the quarter-finals with the duel between Equestria’s Twilight Sparkle and Naperville Central’s John Terrence. Who will be the duelist to face Kyle in the semi-finals, lets see…”

Twilight and John wasted no time in unsheathing their D-Pads and drawing five cards from their decks.

“I’m going to beat you,” said John, “and then I’m going to beat Kyle for all of us.”

“Not if I beat you first,” responded Twilight.

“DUEL!” they both yelled.

John vs. Twilight Sparkle

John’s Turn: John activates Graceful Charity, drawing three cards and discarding two. John special summons Blackwing – Breeze the Zephyr from his hand, as it was added from his deck to his hand by a card’s effect (ATK: 1100 DEF: 300). John then normal summons Lumina, Lightsworn Summoner (ATK: 1000 DEF: 1000). John activates Lumina, Lightsworn Summoner’s effect. By discarding one card, he can special summon a level 4 or lower Lightsworn monster from his graveyard, choosing Aurkus, Lightsworn Druid (ATK: 1200 DEF: 1800).

John overlays Blackwing – Breeze the Zephyr, Lumina, Lightsworn Summoner, and Aurkus, Lightsworn Druid to xyz summon Lapis Lazuli Roc (ATK: 2200 DEF: 1300). John activates Lapis Lazuli Roc’s effect. By detaching one xyz material from it, John can send the top card of his deck to the graveyard, which is the trap Vanquishing Light. When a trap card is sent to the graveyard by this effect, John can set a trap card from his graveyard to his field.

John ends his turn.

Status: Hand-3 Life-4000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

Reese looked on from the viewing mirror and smiled at John’s ability to summon his Stone of Equus card so quickly. He then felt a tug at his pant leg.

“Wow,” said a small yellow filly with a red mane and tail and a large pink bow, “you’re that guy we just saw on the mirror.”

“You mean the guy who lost?” asked an orange pegasus filly with purple mane and tail.

“Quiet, Scootaloo,” hushed the yellow filly.

“I’m sorry about what happened to you,” spoke a white filly with a purple and pink mane. “Maybe if you sat by us, you could feel better.” Reese smiled at the fillies’ hospitality. He turned to face Claude and motioned him over to join them.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

“So,” said Twilight. “Stone of Equus card on your first turn?”

“That’s right,” answered John. “My deck is chocked full of great cards to suit my Stone of Equus card. And to stop anyone who gets in my way.”

“Hmph,” exclaimed Twilight, “if Alex’s deck can break it apart, then so can mine!”

***************************************************
Twilight’s Turn: Twilight special summons High Priestess of Prophecy by revealing three Spellbook cards in her hand (ATK: 2500 DEF: 2100). Next, Twilight activates Double Spell, discarding a spell card in her hand to activate a spell card in her opponent’s graveyard, choosing Graceful Charity, drawing three cards and discarding two.

Twilight attacks Lapis Lazuli Roc with High Priestess of Prophecy, but John activates Scrap-Iron Scarecrow, negating the attack and setting Scrap-Iron Scarecrow back onto the field.

Twilight places two cards face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-4000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

“You don’t expect that trap to save you forever, do you?” asked Twilight.

“Just as long as I get some more monsters out,” said John. And with my deck, "that’s going to be all but certain.”

***************************************************
John’s Turn: John activates Lapis Lazuli Roc’s effect, detaching an xyz material from it to send the top card of his deck to the graveyard, which is a Wulf, Lightsworn Beast. With Lapis Lazuli Roc’s effect, if the card sent from the deck to the graveyard was a monster card, John can special summon a monster from his graveyard with a level equal to or lower than the monster sent to the graveyard, choosing Blackwing – Breeze the Zephyr.

When Wulf Lightsworn Beast is sent from the deck to the graveyard, John can special summon it (ATK: 2100 DEF: 300). John then normal summons Blackwing – Jetstream the Blue Sky (ATK: 100 DEF: 800). John tunes Lightsworn Beast and Blackwing – Jetstream the Blue Sky with Blackwing – Breeze the Zephyr to synchro summon Black Winged Dragon (ATK: 2800 DEF: 1600). John then special summons Black Luster Soldier – Envoy of the Beginning by banishing a LIGHT (Wulf, Lightsworn Beast) and DARK (Blackwing – Jetstream the Blue Sky) attribute monster in his graveyard (ATK: 3000 DEF: 2500).

John attacks High Priestess of Prophecy with Black Luster Soldier – Envoy of the Beginning.

Twilight’s Life Points: 4000 -> 3500

Twilight activates Card of Last Will, drawing five cards when a monster she controls was destroyed by battle. With Black Luster Soldier – Envoy of the Beginning’s effect, it can attack once more if it destroyed a monster by battle. John attacks Twilight directly with Black Luster Soldier – Envoy of the Beginning, but Twilight activates The High Priestess’ Staff from her hand, negating the attack, ending the battle phase, and inflicting 500 points of damage on John.

John’s Life Points: 4000 -> 3500

Twilight activates Miracle’s Wake, special summoning a monster that was destroyed by battle this turn, choosing High Priestess of Prophecy.

John places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-3500 Monsters-3 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

“Holy cow,” said the yellow filly, whom introduced herself to Reese and Claude as Apple Bloom, “this game looks really difficult. I don’t know how you manage it.”

“It takes some time to fully learn,” said Reese, “but it’s cake once you get used to it.”

“I could really use some cake right now,” thought Scootaloo aloud.

“You just ate,” said the white filly, who was named Sweetie Belle.

“Shh,” hushed Scootaloo, “Twilight’s turn is starting.”

Scootaloo nestled into Reese’s lap and Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle snuggled into Claude’s, all five of who intently watched the duel.

***************************************************
Twilight’s Turn: Twilight activates Swing of Memories, special summoning a normal monster from her graveyard, choosing Dark Magician (ATK: 2500 DEF: 2100). Twilight overlays High Priestess of Prophecy and Dark Magician to xyz summon Hierophant of Prophecy (ATK: 2800 DEF: 2600).

Twilight activates Hierophant of Prophecy’s effect. By detaching one xyz material from it, Twilight can destroy spell and trap cards that the opponent controls up to the number of Spellbook cards in her graveyard (2), destroying John’s two face down cards. With Lapis Lazuli Roc’s effect, if a trap card set by its effect was removed from the field, it is removed from play. Twilight then activates Spellbook of Power, increasing Hierophant of Prophecy’s ATK by 1000 until the end phase (ATK: 2800 -> 3800).

Twilight attacks Black Luster Soldier – Envoy of the Beginning with Hierophant of Prophecy.

John’s Life Points: 3500 -> 2700

When a monster affected with Spellbook of Power destroys a monster by battle, Twilight can add a Spellbook card from her deck to her hand.

During the end phase, Hierophant of Prophecy’s ATK returns to normal (ATK: 3800 -> 2800).

Twilight places two cards face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-5 Life-3500 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

“Tricky,” commented John playfully.

“Not tricky,” corrected Twilight, “just skillful.”

“I’ll admit Twilight, you certainly have some skill behind you, and it’s true what they say about seeing the true prowess in a duelist only when you’ve actually dueled them. How’s about another taste of my prowess?”

***************************************************
John’s Turn: John activates Lapis Lazuli Roc’s effect, detaching its last xyz material to send the top card on his deck to the graveyard, which is a Delta Crow – Anti Reverse. Since Delta Crow – Anti Reverse is a trap card, John sets a trap card from his graveyard to his field. John equips Black-Winged Dragon with Big Bang Shot, increasing its ATK by 400 and giving it the effect of piercing damage (ATK: 2800 -> 3200). John then activates Mystical Space Typhoon, destroying one of Twilight’s face down cards.

John attacks Hierophant of Prophecy with Black-Winged Dragon, but Twilight activates Magical Cylinder, negating the attack and inflicting damage equal to Black-Winged Dragon’s effect, but John activates Black-Winged Dragon’s effect. Whenever John would take damage from a card effect, he can place a Black Feather counter on it (BFC: 0 -> 1). Black-Winged Dragon loses 700 ATK for each Black Feather counter on it (ATK: 2800 -> 2100).

John activates Black-Winged Dragon’s other effect, removing all Black Feather counters from Black-Winged Dragon and having a monster his opponent controls lose 700 ATK for each counter removed and inflicting damage equal to the ATK lost by this effect, choosing (1) (ATK: 2800 -> 2100).

Twilight’s Life Points: 3500 -> 2800

John attacks Hierophant of Prophecy with Lapis Lazuli Roc.

Twilight’s Life Points: 2800 -> 2700

John ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-2700 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

Twilight was getting a little worried. John certainly had the upper hand now. Despite her large hand, she had nothing in it that could aid her. She needed a good card and fast.

***************************************************
Twilight’s Turn: Twilight activates Reload, adding her hand to her deck, shuffling it, and drawing cards equal to the amount of cards she sent to the deck. Twilight activates Monster Reborn, special summoning Hierophant of Prophecy. Next, Twilight equips Hierophant of Prophecy with Xyz Jeweled Crown, making its rank its level (Rnk.: 7 -> Lvl.:7). A monster equipped with Xyz Jeweled Crown can be treated as two xyz materials for an xyz summon. Twilight then activates Spell Shattering Arrow, destroying all face up spell cards that her opponent controls and inflicting 500 points of damage for each spell destroyed.

John’s Life Points: 2700 -> 2200

When Big Bang Shot leaves the field, the monster it was equipped to is removed from play. Twilight normal summons Gagaga Magician (ATK: 1500 DEF: 1000). Twilight activates Gagaga Magician’s effect, making its level anything between 1 and 8, making it 7 (Lvl.: 4 -> 7). Twilight overlays Hierophant of Prophecy and Gagaga Magician to xyz summon Number 7: Lucky Straight (ATK: 700 DEF: 700).

Twilight activates Number 7: Lucky Straight’s effect. By detaching one xyz material from it, she can roll a die twice. The highest result will become its ATK times 700. She rolls a 2 and a 3 (3 x 700 = 2100, ATK: 700 -> 2100). Twilight detaches Number 7: Lucky Straight’s last xyz material to activate its effect once more. The result is a 2 and a 6 (6 x 700 = 4200, ATK: 2800 -> 4200).

Twilight attacks Lapis Lazuli Roc with Number 7: Lucky Straight.

John’s Life Points: 2200 -> 200

John activates Trap Reborn, paying half of his life points to activate a trap card from his opponent’s graveyard, choosing Card of Last Will, drawing five cards when a monster he controls was destroyed by battle this turn.

John’s Life Points: 200 -> 100

Twilight places one card face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-2700 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

John looked at his hand. His smile told Twilight everything.

“I guess you’ll see me in the semi-finals,” he quipped.

***************************************************
John’s Turn: John activates Magical Stone Excavation, discarding two cards to add a spell card in his graveyard to his hand, choosing Graceful Charity. John activates Graceful Charity, drawing three cards and discarding two. John then activates Dian Keto the Cure Master, increasing his life points by 1000.

John’s Life Points: 100 -> 1100

John then special summons Judgment Dragon, as he has at least four different Lightsworn monsters (Lumina, Lightsworn Summoner, Aurkus, Lightsworn Druid, a discarded Rinyan, Lightsworn Rogue, and a discarded Shire, Lightsworn Spirit) in his graveyard (ATK: 3000 DEF: 2600). John activates Judgment Dragon’s effect. By paying 1000 life points, John can destroy all other cards on the field.

John’s Life Points: 1100 -> 100

John attacks Twilight directly with Judgment Dragon.

Twilight’s Life Points: 2700 -> 0

John wins.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

“And it’s decided!” cried the announcer in jubilation. “Naperville Central’s John Terrence will face Kyle Penn in the semi-final match. That concludes the quarter-final set. Before we continue on to the semi final matches, let’s take a short intermission. Who will be the two duelists to face each other in the final match? We’ll see…”

Twilight was incredibly frustrated with herself. She came all that way just to lose to John like that. John approached her, knelt down, and comfortingly stroked her mane.

“Twilight,” cooed John, “you have no reason to feel ashamed. You dueled wonderfully.”

“But,” she sobbed, “I don’t want to see any of you get hurt anymore. I wanted to be the one to go against Kyle.”

“I’m sorry, Twilight. But this is how things turned out. If it’s any consolation, I will not let Kyle past the semi-finals. I promise you that.”

“Okay.”

Twilight ran to John and hugged him. Spike, who stayed to observe, ran to Twilight on stage and hugged her from behind. Alex observed from his seat, feeling comfortable that John was going up against Kyle instead of her. She was a good duelist, no doubt, but she wasn’t nearly on the level Kyle was, not yet at least.

Then he looked at Tom, his next competitor. He still couldn’t believe that he would be dueling the one he thought of as “brother” after all these years.

Chapter 23: Brothers

“Welcome back, ladies and gentlemen!” cried the announcer. “We are just about to start the semi-final matches of the Riverwalk Competition Tournament. Our first two competitors are two fellow Huskies, Alexander Yuwell and Thomas Emmitt. Both have shown brilliant dueling prowess on their way to this point, and now its time to see whose journey will continue, and whose will end. Will it be Alex with his stunning Dragunity/Hieratic combo, or will it be Tom with his Gladiator Beasts armed with a Number? Let’s see…”
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Reese, Claude, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo watched the viewing mirror as Alex and Tom made their way onto the stage.

“I bet that Alex is going to make it to the top,” speculated Scootaloo. “If he can beat Rainbow Dash, he can beat anyone!”

“Yeah,” agreed Reese, “there’s no doubt about it. Alex is one heck of a duelist.”

“I just can’t believe that Tom guy beat my sister,” said Apple Bloom. “I wouldn’t count him out either.”

“They’re both strong duelists,” said Claude. “I’m just wondering how this duel will pan out since they’re practically brothers.”
“Brothers?” asked all three fillies in unison.

“Wait,” said Sweetie Belle, “what do you mean ‘practically?’”

“Alex’s parents were killed when he was a child. Tom’s family adopted him, and Alex has lived with them ever since. In a sense, Alex and Tom are brothers only separated by their blood.”

“Wow,” marveled Scootaloo, “this is going to be intense.

“Yes,” agreed Reese. “Yes it will.”
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Alex and Tom stood apart from each other for the first time since they first met. Alex had been staring at Tom blankly for a few moments.

“What’s the hold up?” asked Tom.

Alex smirked and said, “I was just remembering the last time I dueled you on my 16th birthday.”

“Oh yeah, and I beat you too.”

“You didn’t need to remind me.”
_________________________________________________________________________________________
................................................................................................................................................................
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Carolyn had surprised Alex with the brand new silver D-Pad system, complete with the tablet, graveyard/wrist dealer, deck case, and matching D-Gazer.

“Wow,” said Alex genuinely surprised, “thanks Ms. Emmitt.”

“You’re welcome,” said Carolyn. “Happy birthday, Alex.”

After spending the next hour or so configuring it, Tom jumped up and down behind Alex.

“Come on,” whined Tom, “Let’s try it out already.”

“Okay,” said Alex. “Don’t get your undies in a bunch.”

Alex and Tom ran out to the front yard, Alex wearing his new D-Pad while Tom still owned a standard duel disk.

“How’s it feel to know that I’m going to beat you on your birthday?” asked Tom playfully.

“Who says I’m going to lose?” asked Alex.

Alex slipped in his deck for the first time and faced Tom to duel him. Alex constructed and unsheathed his D-Pad while Tom merely unsheathed his duel disk. Since Tom’s duel disk was capable of holographic projections, Alex didn’t need his D-Gazer. After drawing five cards, Alex and Tom were ready to duel.

“DUEL!” they both yelled.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Cont. from Alex vs. Tom

Cont. from Tom’s Turn: Tom activates Big Burn, banishing all monsters in both players’ graveyards when his opponent activates an effect that targets a monster in their graveyard.

Tom attacks Alex’s Dragunity Knight – Gae Bulg (ATK: 2000 DEF: 1100) with Gladiator Beast Heraklinos (ATK: 3000 DEF: 2800).

Alex’s Life Points: 700 -> 0

Tom wins.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

“Yeah,” said Tom, “I won!”

“Tom,” scolded Carolyn, “you should know better than to beat Alex on his own birthday.”

“Don’t worry about it,” said Alex, getting himself up. “One day, I’m going to get much better at dueling, and then I’m going to beat Tom myself.”

Alex suddenly felt Tom reach up and grab him by the neck with his arm, giving him a noogie.

“Maybe that can be your super special birthday wish,” Tom joked.

Alex and Tom laughed all the while.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
................................................................................................................................................................
_________________________________________________________________________________________

“Right," remembered Tom. "Let’s just see how this goes. Maybe that birthday wish did come true after all.”

Alex giggled. “Good times,” he reminisced. “Good times.”

“Alex, you’ve been my best friend for nearly thirteen years, and in those thirteen years, you’ve definitely grown into a strong duelist. And to think, it’s been almost three years since we last dueled.”

“Why wait any longer, am I right?”

“You betcha’!”

Alex and Tom constructed and unsheathed their duel disks.

“Duel detected,” said the intercom. “Initializing holographic imaging sequence.”

The area was enveloped in the holographic aura. Alex and Tom drew five cards from their decks.

“Go Alex!” called Twilight with Spike beside her.

“Beat him, Tom!” called Rainbow Dash.

“Whoever wins here,” said Tom, “may have to go and face Kyle.”

“Are you ready for him?” asked Alex.

“Always.

“DUEL!” they finally both yelled.

Alex vs. Tom

Alex’s Turn: Alex activates Cards of Consonance, discarding a Dragon-type tuner with 1000 or less ATK and drawing two cards. Alex summons Dragunity Darkspear (ATK: 1000 DEF: 1000). Alex then activates Final Gesture, special summoning a monster in his graveyard with the same name as a level 3 monster he controls, choosing Dragunity Darkspear.

Alex activates Tannhäuser Gate , targeting two monsters he controls with 1000 or less ATK and have the same type and making their levels the sum of their levels (3 + 3 = 6) (Lvl.: 3 -> 6) (Lvl.: 3 -> 6). Alex overlays both Dragunity Darkspears to xyz summon Jade Wyvern (ATK: 2500 DEF: 2100).

Alex places two cards face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-4000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

"And as usual, Alex Yuwell doesn't cease to amaze!" called the announcer. "He has gotten his ace monster on the field on his first turn. Will Tom have the same success? Let's see..."

“Hmph,” huffed Tom. “You and your dragons. You’ve had a thing for dragons since before we even met.”

“I remember that day,” said Alex. “The day I found an friend whom I could never replace.”
_________________________________________________________________________________________
................................................................................................................................................................
_________________________________________________________________________________________

On the first day of kindergarten at Naper Elementary in 1999. Alex brought his favorite dragon action figure to play with. Alex had fun knocking down blocks that he set up in the play area with the action figure, pretending it was just like a monster movie.

“Oh no,” called a voice. Alex looked over to see a young boy with blonde hair carry an old Lion-O action figure over to the toppled blocks. “That dragon is destroying the castle! This looks like a job for Lion-O!”

The young boy started shoving his action figure onto Alex’s. Alex understood what was happening and laid the dragon on his back.

“You have been slain!” said the boy. “I am victorious!”

“No,” groaned Alex weakly, pretending to be the dragon. “I have to…”

“I see, you wish to have your last words. Very well, speak up!”

“My… hatchlings. They’ve taken my hatchlings.”

The boy then ran to the pile of blocks and took two blocks from the pile.

“Are these your eggs?” asked the boy as Lion-O.

“Yes, thank you,” responded Alex as the dragon.

“If you take these eggs and leave, I shall spare your life. Deal?”

“Deal.”

“Who would want to take your eggs anyways?”

Alex and the boy looked over to see pair of girls playing with their Barbie dolls. They two boys smiled at each other.

Tom held Alex’s dragon figure in one hand while his Lion-O figure was sitting on the dragon as Tom swooped down on they girls, who ran screaming with their dolls in hand.

“This is what you get for trying to destroy my family!” yelled Alex as the dragon. The girls screams were still audible, causing Alex and the boy to roll around on the floor laughing.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

At lunch, the two sat across from each other.

Alex emptied his paper bag to reveal a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with plain Ruffles potato chips, red grapes and a Capri Sun pouch. The boy took out his lunch box and had a bologna on white, Jay's barbecue potato chips, a red delicious apple and a water bottle.

“No fair,” said the boy to Alex. “I’ll trade you my water for your Capri Sun.”

“Okay,” said Alex. “I never liked juice pouches with PB and J anyway.”

Alex and the boy traded their drinks without argument.

“By the way,” said the boy, “my name’s Tom.”

“Tom,” confirmed Alex. “Cool. I’m…”
_________________________________________________________________________________________
................................................................................................................................................................
_________________________________________________________________________________________

“Alex,” spoke Tom. “I still recall that as one of the best days of my life. I couldn’t be more fortunate to have a friend like you.” Alex smiled. “But if you think that because you’re my friend, I’m going to go easy on you, you’re sadly mistaken.”

***************************************************
Tom’s Turn: Tom activates the field spell Colosseum – Cage of the Gladiator Beasts. Tom sets one monster.

Tom places three cards face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-4000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-3
***************************************************

"Oooh," exclaimed the announcer. "Tom Emmitt decides to build a wall for his opponent Alex to try and break down. Let's see how this pans out."

Why on Earth would he play defensively like that? thought Alex. Is there something in the works? No matter. As long as my hand remains strong, I’ll win.

***************************************************
Alex’s Turn: Alex activates Pot of Greed, drawing two cards. Alex summons Hieratic Dragon of Gebeb (ATK: 1800 DEF: 400). Alex the tributes Hieratic Dragon of Gebeb to special summon Hieratic Dragon of Su from his hand (ATK: 2200 DEF: 1000). When Hieratic Dragon of Gebeb is tributed, Alex can special summon a Dragon-type normal monster from his deck, although its ATK and DEF will be 0, choosing Hieratic Seal of the Sun Dragon Overlord (ATK: 0 DEF: 0). When a monster is special summoned from either player’s deck, a counter is placed on Colosseum – Cage of the Gladiator Beasts (Co.: 0 -> 1).

Alex activates his trap Level Returner, reducing Hieratic Seal of the Sun Dragon Overlord’s level by two (Lvl.: 8 -> 6). Alex overlays Hieratic Seal of the Sun Dragon Overlord with Hieratic Dragon of Su to xyz summon Hieratic Dragon King of Atum (ATK: 2400 DEF: 2100). Alex activates Hieratic Dragon King of Atum’s effect. By detaching one xyz material from it, Alex can special summon a Dragon-type monster from his deck and make its ATK and DEF 0, choosing another Hieratic Seal of the Sun Dragon Overlord (Co.: 1 -> 2).

Alex activates Dxyz, sending an xyz monster that he controls to the extra deck and special summoning any xyz materials that are attached to it, sending Hieratic Dragon King of Atum to the extra deck to special summon Hieratic Seal of the Sun Dragon Overlord. Alex overlays both Hieratic Seal of the Sun Dragon Overlords to xyz summon Hieratic Sun Dragon Overlord of Heliopolis (ATK: 3000 DEF: 2400).

Alex attacks John’s face down monster with Jade Wyvern, which is a Gladiator Beast Hoplomus (ATK: 700 DEF: 2100). Tom activates Card of Last Will, drawing five cards when a monster he controls was destroyed by battle. Alex then attacks Tom directly with Hieratic Sun Dragon Overlord of Heliopolis, but Tom activates Negate Attack.

Alex ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-4000 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“Alright,” hissed Tom. “You're not the only one who can xyz summon multple times. Now it’s time to raise the heat."

***************************************************
Tom’s Turn: Tom summons Gladiator Beast Bestiari (ATK: 1500 DEF: 800). Tom activates his trap Ultimate Offering, allowing him to normal summon or set a monster again by paying 500 life points. Tom normal summons Gladiator Beast Tygerius (ATK: 1800 DEF: 800).

Tom’s Life Points: 4000 -> 3500

Tom normal summons Gladiator Beast Secutor (ATK: 400 DEF: 300).

Tom’s Life Points: 4000 -> 3000

Tom overlays Gladiator Beast Bestiari, Gladiator Beast Tygerius, and Gladiator Beast Secutor to xyz summon Number 32: Shark Drake (ATK: 2800 DEF: 2100). Tom activates Gladiator Beast’s Respite, adding two Gladiator Beast cards from his hand to his deck to draw three cards. Tom normal summons Gladiator Beast Torax (ATK: 1400 DEF: 400).

Tom’s Life Points: 3000 -> 2500

Tom normal summons Gladiator Beast Murmillo (ATK: 800 DEF: 400).

Tom’s Life Points: 2500 -> 2000

Tom overlays Gladiator Beast Torax and Gladiator Beast Murmillo to xyz summon Black Ray Lancer (ATK: 2100 DEF: 600). Tom activates Black Ray Lancer’s effect. By detaching one xyz material from it, Tom can negate the effect of one monster on the field until the end phase, choosing Jade Wyvern.

Tom attacks Jade Wyvern with Number 32: Shark Drake.

Alex’s Life Points: 4000 -> 3700

Tom activates Number 32: Shark Drake’s effect. By detaching one xyz material when it attacks and destroys a monster, Tom can special summon that monster in attack position, have it lose 1000 ATK (ATK: 2500 -> 1500), and Number 32: Shark Drake can attack again this battle phase. Tom attacks Jade Wyvern again with Number 32: Shark Drake.

Alex’s Life Points: 3700 -> 2400

Tom sets one monster.

Tom’s Life Points: 2000 -> 1500

Tom places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-1500 Monsters-3 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

"Whoa," cheered the announcer. "Tom Emmitt has strengthened himself further, building a blockade of terrifyingly strong monsters, but all at the cost of his life points. Let's see if this bizarre strategy works in his favor."

What does Tom think he’s doing? thought Alex. I’ve never seen him duel this recklessly. If this is the way he wants to come at me, I’ll show him how big of a mistake he’s making.

***************************************************
Alex’s Turn: Alex summons Dragunity Legionnaire (ATK: 1200 DEF: 800). When Dragunity Legionnaire is normal summoned, Alex can equip a level 3 or lower Dragunity Dragon-type monster from his graveyard onto it, choosing Dragunity Darkspear. Alex activates Dragunity Legionnaire’s effect. By sending a Dragunity card from the spell/trap card zone to the graveyard, Alex can destroy a face up monster on the field, choosing Number 32: Shark Drake.

Alex then activates the effect of Hieratic Sun Dragon Overlord of Heliopolis. By detaching one xyz material, Alex can tribute any number of monsters that he controls to destroy that many number of cards on the field, tributing Dragunity Legionnaire to destroy Black Ray Lancer. Alex then activates his trap Immortal Dragon, special summoning Jade Wyvern from his graveyard.

Alex attacks Tom’s face down monster with Hieratic Sun Dragon Overlord of Heliopolis, which turns out to be a Morphing Jar (ATK: 700 DEF: 600). When Morphing Jar is flip summoned, all players discard their hands and draw five cards from their decks. Alex attacks Tom directly with Jade Wyvern, but Tom activates Draining Shield, negating the attack and gaining life points equal to the attacking monster’s ATK.

Tom’s Life Points: 1500 -> 4000

Alex places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-4 Life-2400 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

"Fantastic!" cheered the announcer. "Tom Emmitt has regained himself. Not only has he replenished his hand, but he has worked his way back to the default amount of 4000 life points. Not only that, but it's also Tom's turn, meaning it's only going to get uglier from here."

“Tom,” called Alex. “What are you doing?”

“I’m playing the game,” answered Tom.

“This isn’t how you normally play though.”

“I don’t care. I’m going to do whatever it takes to beat you and face Kyle, even if it means burning through my deck and paying some life points.

“You’ve literally paid more than half of your life points and gone through almost a quarter of your deck. If you duel like this for Kyle, you’re going to end up like Reese. Do you want Kyle to win because of your reckless playing?”

“Shut up! I’ll show just how reckless I can be!”

***************************************************
Tom’s Turn: Tom summons Gladiator Beast Lanista (ATK: 1800 DEF: 1200). Tom then activates Monster Reborn, special summoning Gladiator Beast Hoplomus. Tom overlays Gladiator Beast Lanista and Gladiator Beast Hoplomus to xyz summon Amber Minotaur (ATK: 2400 DEF: 1900). Tom activates Xyz Treasure, drawing cards from his deck equal to the number of xyz monsters on the field (3).

Tom activates Amber Minotaur’s effect. By detaching one xyz material from it, Tom can normal summon again from his hand without a tribute, summoning Gladiator Beast Octavius (ATK: 2500 DEF: 1200). With Colosseum – Cage of the Gladiator Beasts’ effect, all Gladiator Beast monsters gain 100 ATK and DEF for each counter on it (2 x 100 = 200, ATK: 2500 -> 2700, DEF: 1200 -> 1400).

Tom then activates Wild Nature’s Release, having a Beast or Beast Warrior-type or monster gain ATK equal to its DEF, choosing Amber Minotaur (ATK: 2400 -> 4300). Next, Tom equips Gladiator Beast Octavius with Axe of Despair increasing its ATK by 1000 (ATK: 2700 -> 3700).

Tom attacks Hieratic Sun Dragon Overlord of Heliopolis with Amber Minotaur.

Alex’s Life Points: 2400 -> 1100

Tom attacks Jade Wyvern with Gladiator Beast Octavius, but Alex activates Half Unbreak, preventing his monster’s destruction and only taking half of the battle damage.

Alex’s Life Points: 1100 -> 500

After the battle phase in which Gladiator Beast Octavius battled, Tom must either shuffle Gladiator Beast Octavius into his deck or discard one card. Tom discards one card.

During the end phase of the turn in which Wild Nature’s Release was activated, the monster affected by it is destroyed.

Tom places two cards face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-4000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

"Unbelievable!" cried the announcer. "Alex Yuwell has survived Tom's attacks, and left his opponent quite vulnerable. Will Alex be able to defeat his fellow Huskie, or will his luck run dry here? Let's see..."

Tom had not managed to defeat Alex, and he just got his Stone of Equus card destroyed because of his bloodlust. He was very unhappy with himself.

“DAMMIT!” he shouted, knees on the ground and pounding the stage. “Why, man? Why can’t you let me have this?”

“Because I won’t let you!” replied Alex. “Tom, you’ve done so much for me in the course of my life. You became my friend. You’ve always been by my side and supported me, even when I lost my parents…”
_________________________________________________________________________________________
................................................................................................................................................................
_________________________________________________________________________________________

It was 2005, the summer between Alex and Tom’s transition between elementary and Jr. high. Alex sat silently in the backseat. The death of his parents was still quite recent and he didn’t know how he’d adjust to living in a new home with new mother and father, or even a brother and sister, as he was an only child with his biological parents. As the drive continued, Alex clutched a green ankh necklace that hung around his neck.

Tom’s mother, who called herself Carolyn, pulled her car into the garage.

“We’re home,” she said.

The word “home” hit Alex like a train. He knew his real home was with his own parents. She only tried to help, but Alex wordlessly grabbed some of his belongings and entered the house.

“Hey,” tried cheering up Tom. “There’s my best bud!”

Alex smiled at Tom. Much of the anxiety of coming to a new house like this was washed away from Alex upon seeing his best friend.

“I’m really sorry about your folks,” he said, “but hey, we’re best friends living together. We’ll be like brothers!”

“And sister,” said a girls voice. It was Sarah, whom Alex got to know further on throughout elementary school. She walked up to Alex and gave him a hug. Alex placed his arm around Sarah’s back. Carolyn then wrapped her arms around Alex, followed by Tom.

“Welcome home,” said Carolyn.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
................................................................................................................................................................
_________________________________________________________________________________________

“I felt like I lost everything when they died,” continued Alex, choking up. “Then I remembered that I still had you.” Tom’s eyes were welling with tears. “If you beat me, and God forbid John loses, and Kyle does to you with what he did to Reese, I will never forgive myself!”

“Alex…” sighed Twilight from her seat.

“Tom…” whispered Rainbow Dash. Both their hearts went to these two friends.

“I’ve lost family once,” resumed Alex, “and I’m sure as hell not going to lose it again!”

“F- Family?” asked Tom.

“Yes. In the eyes of most people, we’re seen as two great friends. But for me, you have been, and always will be my brother!”

Tom’s shock was apparent. He had suggested the idea years ago when Alex first moved in, but he meant it lightheartedly to ease Alex’s pain. He never would have thought Alex would take it so seriously.

There wasn’t a dry eye among the ponies, Emma, Sarah, or Carolyn. The audience wasn’t quite moved to tears, but they were still touched by Alex’s words.

Tom finally mustered the strength to stand on his feat and face Alex.

“Okay,” Tom whispered. “Do what you must. I’ll support you fully.”

“You take care of me,” said Alex. “You’ve always taken care of me.” Alex placed his index and middle fingers on his deck. “My turn.”

***************************************************
Alex’s Turn: Alex activates Foolish Burial, sending a monster card from his deck to his graveyard, choosing a Hieratic Seal of the Sun Dragon Overlord. Alex then special summon Hieratic Dragon of Sutekh from his hand by banishing three Dragon-type normal monsters in his graveyard (three Hieratic Seal of the Sun Dragon Overlords) (ATK: 2800 DEF: 2000). Alex then activates Dragon Mastery, allowing him to equip a Dragon-type Dragunity monster to a monster he controls, equipping Dragunity Aklys to Jade Wyvern.

Alex activates Double Cyclone, destroying a spell or trap card he controls and destroying a spell or trap that his opponent controls, choosing Tom’s face down card. When Dragunity Aklys is sent to the graveyard while equipped to a monster, Alex can destroy one card on the field, choosing Tom’s other face down card. Alex then activates the effect of Hieratic Dragon of Sutekh. By banishing a Dragon-type monster in his graveyard, Alex can destroy one card on the field, choosing Gladiator Beast Octavius.

Alex attacks Tom directly with Hieratic Dragon of Sutekh.

Tom’s Life Points: 4000 -> 1200

Alex attacks Tom directly with Jade Wyvern.

Tom’s Life Points: 1200 -> 0

Alex wins.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

There wasn’t a sound of cheering to be heard from the crowd. They just watched in reverence as Alex ran to his brother who was lying backside down on the stage from the last attack.

“And…” stammered the announcer. “And the winner and 1st finalist is Alex Yuwell.”

“Tom,” called Alex, who knelt by Tom’s side. Rainbow Dash, Twilight Sparkle, and Sarah joined them onstage. Tom was happy to open his eyes to see two of his friends and two of his family surrounding him.

“Alex,” moaned Tom. “You truly are the better duelist among us. If there’s anyone that can win this whole thing, it’s you.”

“Thanks, man.”

“And Alex?”

“Yes?”

“If you do face Kyle, kick his ass twice as hard for the both of us.”

“No problem.”

Alex and Tom hugged, which was the audience’s cue to start cheering. Rainbow Dash and Sarah helped Tom onto his feet, even escorting him down the stairs. Alex and Twilight looked at each other, the former scratching the latter’s ears to her content. Alex then looked at Kyle, who was standing at the left stage entrance, clapping as well with a devilish smile on his face. Alex and Twilight walked to Kyle before stopping right next to him.

“Whatever it takes to utterly destroy you,” threatened Alex quietly, “I will find a way.”

“You keep telling yourself that, sweetheart,” said Kyle.

Alex watched him as he took the stage to battle John, his next opponent.

Chapter 24: Closer

John walked up the stairs to his side of the stage to finally confront Kyle. Twilight nervously watched as he was going up to face his fate. All anyone of the Stone of Equus bearers and the ponies could do now was hope for the best.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Reese watched with Claude, Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle on the mirror as they showed Kyle standing patiently, awaiting what looked to him like his next easy kill.

“Come on, John!” yelled Scootaloo, “take that guy down!” Her enthusiasm got the other ponies in the crowd cheering.

Reese didn’t say anything. He just watched and silently seethed at his mortal enemy threw down the gauntlet with John.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

“So,” said Kyle, “you’re the boy who tried to help Alex and his friends out by giving him new cards.”

“I didn’t try, Kyle,” responded John. “I did help them. And with the support that I gave to them, they will definitely defeat you.
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, shall we?”

“You’re right. That’s because I’m going to defeat you first.”

“And what gives you that idea?”

“I have the whole of Equestria on my side. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna themselves entrusted me personally with a Stone of Equus card, and I have built a deck that honors their element and mirrors their spirit. And with that spirit, I will crush you with my two hands!”

“Very inspiring, John, but the element and spirit of Equestria means less than nothing to me. As far as I’m concerned, Equestria and all that it stands for can rot in Hell.”

The crowds on the hill and on Equestria gasped at Kyle’s massive disrespect.

“You will pay for that,” growled John, clenching his fist. “In the name of Celestia, you will pay!”

John assembled his duel disk onto his arm while Kyle’s duel disk appeared on his arm in its usual dramatic fashion. After John’s duel disk unsheathed, Kyle and John drew five cards from their decks.

“DUEL!” they both yelled.

Kyle vs. John

Kyle’s Turn: Kyle activates Card Destruction, having both players send their hands to their graveyards and drawing the same amount of cards discarded. Next, he activates Monster Reborn, special summoning Laval Judgment Lord (ATK: 2700 DEF: 1800). Kyle activates Laval Judgment Lord’s effect. By banishing a Laval monster in his graveyard, he can inflict 1000 points of damage to his opponent.

John’s Life Points: 4000 -> 3000

Kyle then normal summons Laval Cannon (ATK: 1600 DEF: 900). When Laval Cannon is normal summoned, Kyle can special summon a banished Laval monster, special summoning Laval Lakeside Lady (ATK: 200 DEF: 200). Kyle tunes Laval Cannon with Laval Lakeside Lady to synchro summon Laval Stennon (ATK: 2700 DEF: 1800). When Laval Stennon is synchro summoned, Kyle must discard one card. Kyle overlays Laval Judgment Lord and Laval Stennon to xyz summon Olivine Dragon (ATK: 3000 DEF: 2500).

Kyle places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-4000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“And Kyle inflicts damage on his first turn!” called the announcer. “John looks to be in a tight spot.”

The crowd cheered. Despite it being Kyle’s trap that nearly killed Reese, no one would ever figure that out. To them, it was just an unfortunate accident caused by a massive decrease in life points. In their eyes, Kyle was just a duelist with a very powerful deck.

Alex and his friends seethed at the audience paying Kyle the respect that they were giving him.

“Come on, John,” whispered Alex. “Take this guy down.”

***************************************************
John’s Turn: John activates Painful Choice, choosing five cards in his deck and allowing Kyle to add one to his hand. Kyle picks Celestia, Lightsworn Angel. John sends the other four cards to the graveyard. John activates Pot of Greed, drawing two cards. John then activates Graceful Charity, drawing three cards and discarding two. John then special summons Judgment Dragon, as he has at least four different Lightsworn monsters in his graveyard (ATK: 3000 DEF: 2600). John activates Judgment Dragon’s effect. By paying 1000 life points, John can destroy all other cards on the field.

John’s Life Points: 3000 -> 2000

Kyle activates Utopian Aura. By detaching an xyz material from an xyz monster he controls, all xyz monsters he controls cannot be destroyed by card effects until the end phase. John normal summons Blackwing – Gale the Whirlwind (ATK: 1300 DEF: 400). Next, John special summons Blackwing – Bora the Spear, as he controls another Blackwing monster (ATK: 1700 DEF: 800). John tunes Blackwing – Bora the Spear with Blackwing – Breeze the Zephyr to synchro summon Blackwing Armor Master (ATK: 2500 DEF: 1500).

John attacks Olivine Dragon with Judgment Dragon. Since they both have equal ATKs, they’re both destroyed. John then attacks Kyle directly with Blackwing Armor Master. John activates the effect of Blackwing – Kalut the Moon Shadow from his hand. By discarding it when a Blackwing monster he controls attacks or is attacked, he can raise the ATK of that monster by 1400 (ATK: 2500 -> 3900).

Kyle’s Life Points: 4000 -> 100

John places three cards face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-2000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-3
***************************************************

“Oh my!” cheered the announcer. “Despite having the effect of his Judgment Dragon blocked, John still manages to take out Kyle’s ace monster and deal a substantial amount of damage that leaves Kyle with only a sliver of life points! Will Kyle step up, or is this duel pretty much over? Let’s see…”

Alex and his friends were more comfortable cheering with the crowd, but Alex stopped before everyone.

As long as Kyle’s life points aren't zero, this duel is far from over, thought Alex.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

The ponies in Equestria were very happy with John’s move.

“Alright!” cheered Apple Bloom. “100 more of them life points and this duel is over.”

“It won’t be that simple though,” said Reese.

“Huh? Why not?”

“Kyle is an exceptionally strong duelist. He won’t let a mere 100 life points hold him back. If anything, this is only going to fuel his rage and power.”

“Hey,” responded Sweetie Belle, “who’s side are you on?”

“I’m all for Kyle’s loss, but don’t be naïve to think that this duel will be over soon.”
_________________________________________________________________________________________

John had dealt impressive damage, and knowing the physical effects of battling like this, Kyle should have been heavily weakened. Kyle got up, his clothes battered and slightly torn. Upon turning around to face John however, Kyle’s face had a malicious smile upon it.

“Im–” stammered John. “Impossible.”

“Like I said,” responded Kyle, “I have the powers of Rae Sulfa Tun on my side. You have no chance of weakening me.”

***************************************************
Kyle’s Turn: Kyle activates the effect of Laval Lakeside Lady in his graveyard. If he has three different Laval monsters in his graveyard, he can banish Laval Lakeside Lady and another Laval monster in his graveyard (Laval Cannon) to destroy one set card John controls, choosing one of his face down cards. Kyle activates Temple of the Kings, allowing him to activate trap cards the same turn they were set. Kyle sets and activates Sixth Sense. A die is rolled and Kyle declares two numbers (5 and 6). If the result is any of those numbers, Kyle can draw that many cards from his deck. The result is a six. Kyle draws six cards from his deck.

Kyle then special summons Laval Burner from his hand, as he has at least three different Laval monsters in his graveyard (ATK: 2100 DEF: 1000). Kyle activates Rekindling, special summoning as many FIRE attribute monsters with 200 DEF from his graveyard, summoning Neo Flamvell Sabre (ATK: 1400 DEF: 200), Laval Forest Sprite (ATK: 300 DEF: 200), and Flamvell Archer (ATK: 1000 DEF: 200). Kyle tunes Laval Burner with Laval Forest sprite to synchro summon Ancient Flamvell Deity (ATK: 2500 DEF: 200). Kyle tunes Neo Flamvell Sabre with Flamvell Archer to synchro summon another Ancient Flamvell Deity.

Kyle places two cards face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-100 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

“I can’t attack that monster of yours with its pesky effect,” said Kyle, “but you should know that I won’t give you much time to keep it on the field, so you should make good use of it.”

“You bet,” responded John. “I’m going to make good use of this turn.”

“How? You have no cards in your hand.”

“Not yet. I’m going for broke right now.”

Little does he know, thought Kyle, that with Rae’s powers, I have the ability to predict my die rolls. I couldn’t see John being so lucky.

***************************************************
John’s Turn: John summons Lyla, Lightsworn Sorceress (ATK: 1700 DEF: 200). John activates Lyla, Lightsworn Sorceress’ effect. By switching Lyla, Lightsworn Sorceress from attack position to defense position, John can destroy one spell/trap that Kyle controls, choosing one of his face down cards. Next, John activates his face down Dimension Trap, banishing a monster he controls to activate a trap from his graveyard, choosing Trap Reborn, paying half of his life points to activate a trap from his opponent’s graveyard, choosing Sixth Sense.

John’s Life Points: 2000 -> 1000

A die is rolled. John declares five or six. It’s a five, so John draws five cards from his deck. John special summons Blackwing – Gladius the Midnight Sun, as the only monster he controls is a Blackwing monster (ATK: 800 DEF: 1500). Next, John special summons Blackwing – Gale the Whirlwind from his hand, as he controls a Blackwing monster (ATK: 1300 DEF: 400). John then activates Final Gesture, special summoning a level 3 monster from his graveyard with the same name as a monster he controls, choosing Blackwing – Gale the Whirlwind. John overlays both Blackwing – Gale the Whirlwinds and Blackwing – Gladius the Midnight Sun to xyz summon Lapis Lazuli Roc (ATK: 2200 DEF: 1300).

John activates Lapis Lazuli Roc’s effect. By detaching an xyz material from it, John can send the top card of his deck to the graveyard, which is a Rinyan, Lightsworn Rogue. When a monster is sent to the graveyard by this effect, John can special summon another monster from his graveyard with a level equal or less to the sent monster, choosing Blackwing – Jin the Rain Shadow (ATK: 600 DEF: 500). John tunes Blackwing Armor Master with Blackwing – Jin the Rain Shadow to synchro summon Black-Winged Dragon (ATK: 2800 DEF: 1600).

John attacks Ancient Flamvell Deity with Black-Winged Dragon, but Kyle activates Xyz Soul, targeting an xyz monster in his graveyard and having all monsters he controls gain ATK equal to the xyz monster’s rank times 200 until the end phase, choosing Olivine Dragon (200 x 7 = 1400) (ATK: 2500 -> 3900) (ATK: 2500 -> 3900). John activates Waboku, preventing Black-Winged Dragon's destruction and taking no battle damage this turn.

During the end phase, all monsters’ ATKs return to normal (ATK: 3900 -> 2500) (ATK: 3900 -> 2500). Also, with Xyz Soul’s effect, the xyz monster targeted by its effect is returned to the extra deck.

John places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-1000 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“Using my card like that in an all out gamble,” said Kyle. “You are just an incredibly lucky novice.”

“I may be lucky, but I’m certainly not a novice. How else can you explain the fact that I took most of your life points down in one turn?”

“And yet you haven’t touched them since. And you won’t, because I will defeat you in Rae Sulfa Tun’s honor!”

***************************************************
Kyle’s Turn: Kyle activates Pot of Greed, drawing two cards. Next, Kyle activates Reload, adding his hand to his deck, shuffling it, and drawing cards equal to the amount of cards that he sent to his deck. Kyle overlays both Ancient Flamvell Deities to xyz summon Olivine Dragon. Kyle places two cards face down. Kyle sets one monster.

Kyle attacks Lapis Lazuli Roc with Olivine Dragon but John activates the effect of Honest from his hand. By discarding it, John can increase the ATK of a LIGHT monster that battles this turn by the ATK of the monster that battles it during the damage step (ATK: 2200 -> 5200). Kyle activates his face down Spirit Barrier, having all battle damage he takes if he controls a monster to 0. Kyle then activates his face down Card of Last Will, drawing five cards when a monster he controls is destroyed by battle.

Kyle activates Magical Stone Excavation, discarding two cards to add a spell card from his graveyard to his hand, choosing Monster Reborn. Kyle activates Monster Reborn to special summon Olivine Dragon from his graveyard.

Kyle places two cards face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-100 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

“John, John, John,” chanted Alex. His chanting was soon joined by Rainbow Dash, then Twilight, then Tom. The chanting then grew throughout the audience on the hill as they chanted John’s name.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

The cheering was caught on the mirrors broadcasted over Equestria, and it led the other ponies into cheering too.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

“You see this?” shouted John to Kyle. “This is the hope that they have for me. You can call me a novice all you like, but in the end, hope wins.”

***************************************************
John’s Turn: John activates Lapis Lazuli Roc’s effect, detaching an xyz material from it to send the top card of his deck to the graveyard, which is a Cards for Black Feathers. Since Cards for Black Feathers is a spell card, John can set a spell card from his graveyard to his field. John activates his own face down Monster Reborn, special summoning Blackwing Armor Master.

John attacks Olivine Dragon with Blackwing Armor Master. With Blackwing Armor Master’s effect, it can’t be destroyed in battle, and John takes no battle damage from battles involving it. Also, John places a Wedge counter on Olivine Dragon with Blackwing Armor Master’s effect. John attacks Kyle's set monster with Lapis Lazuli Roc, which is a Flamvell Guard (ATK: 100 DEF: 2000). John then removes Olivine Dragon’s Wedge counter, making its ATK and DEF 0 until the end phase (ATK: 3000 -> 0, DEF: 2500 -> 0). John attacks Olivine Dragon with Black-Winged Dragon, but Kyle activates Attack Invulnerability, having him take no battle damage.

Kyle activates Miracle’s Wake, special summoning Olivine Dragon from his graveyard, as it was destroyed this turn.

John sets one monster.

John ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-1000 Monsters-4 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“Just look at this!” called the announcer. “Despite being at a mere 100 life points, Kyle still manages to fight strong. Will he finally redeem himself in the next round? Let’s see…”

With Shift on my field, thought John, I can just redirect another attack to any of my monsters to Blackwing Armor Master. It can’t be destroyed by battle, I take no damage for it, and I can just use another Wedge counter. This duel is as good as won.

“I can already see your plan,” said Kyle. John perked his interest.

“You think that your Blackwing card is going to protect you from my attacks, and that trap card will assist you.” John’s face tensed with worry.

“Thought so.”

***************************************************
Kyle’s Turn: Kyle activates Xyz Treasure, drawing cards equal to the number of xyz monsters on the field (2). Kyle activates Double Cyclone, destroying one spell or trap card he controls (Spirit Barrier) to destroy a spell or trap card that John controls, choosing John’s face down card. Kyle then equips Olivine Dragon with Dragon’s Treasure, increasing Olivine Dragon’s ATK and DEF by 300 (ATK: 3000 -> 3300, DEF: 2500 -> 2800).

Kyle attacks Lapis Lazuli Roc with Olivine Dragon.

John’s Life Points: 1000 -> 0

Kyle wins.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Though not as devastating as the attack made on Reese, the attack still took its toll on John. John was knocked straight onto his back. He groaned in pain as Kyle walked over and stood over him.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

The crowds in Equestria were horrified over John’s loss. Alex was now the only person that stood between Kyle and what would appear to be the end of both worlds.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

“Do you see why it’s so futile to stand to me?” he taunted. “It’s because I am the better duelist, and the rest of your Stones of Equus shall be mine.”

“You’re wrong,” grunted John with a smile on his face. “You’re not the best duelist. Your next opponent is.”

“That’s enough.” Kyle held his glowing hand out, causing John’s deck case to glow. Lapis Lazuli Roc materialized in Kyle’s hand, completing the ritual.

“Novice,” said Kyle.

Kyle picked John up by the collar of his white shirt jacket and roughly tossed him off the stage. John fell to the ground with a thud, hurting him further. The crowd was shocked at this malicious act, so they started to boo.

“That was uncalled for!” yelled the announcer. “Kyle Penn, for that act, you are disqua–”

The announcer’s words were stopped by an invisible force choking him. Kyle’s arm was held out, his hand forming like he was choking something. The audience was horrified.

“I’m sorry,” mocked Kyle, “I’m what?” Kyle began to laugh as the announcer gasped for air.

“Let him go!” yelled a voice. Kyle looked and saw Alex standing where John had been minutes before, a constructed D-Pad on his wrist.

“Well, well, well. Just the man I’m looking for.” Kyle released his hold on the announcer.

"You can attack us all you like,” shouted Alex, “but I will not let you hurt innocent civilians.”

“I’m getting the police,” said the announcer, getting out his cell phone.

Kyle raised his arm into the air and slammed it down on the stage ground, causing a green ring to envelop the area. People who also tried to go and call the police started observing their phones. They were all turned off, disabled by Kyle’s magic. The crowd began to nervously murmur what was happening.

“You didn’t think I would allow the cops to ruin my hunt, would you?” asked Kyle.

“Kyle,” growled Alex. “Just how many Stone of Equus cards do you need before you’re through?”

“In all honesty, yours is the last one I need. Once I finally take your Stone of Equus card, Rae Sulfa Tun’s plan plan can finally come into fruition.”

“And what is this plan?”

“The complete and utter destruction of Equestria, and in due time, this world as well.”

Crowds from both Naperville and Equestria gasped in horror.

“What are you talking about?”

“You see, Rae has a, how do you say, grudge against Equestria. Once we obtain the Stones of Equus and the vast powers they contain, she can enact her revenge. And since your world is so close by, we’ll take the time to destroy yours as well.”

“Do you think I’ll let you?”

“I never did. But if you truly think that you can save both worlds, then face me, Alex Yuwell.”

“I shall!”

Alex unsheathed his duel disk. Kyle’s duel disk was already on his arm, so he reshuffled his deck and was ready to go.

“Well,” said the announcer, “this is the final match of the Riverwalk Competition Tournament between Alexander Yuwell and Kyle Penn Will Alex be able to defeat him, or will Kyle triumph? Let’s see…”
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Back in Equestria, Reese and Claude had their hands clasped as if they were in prayer.

“Come on, Alex,” sighed Reese.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Alex and Kyle drew five cards from their decks.

“DUEL!” they both cried.

Chapter 25: Power

All eyes on Rotary Hill and Equestria were now on these two duelists, and whether the rest of Earth knew it or not, the fate of both their world and Equestria rested on Alex’s shoulders now.

“Good luck, Alex,” sighed Sarah, her hands clasped in prayer.

Alex vs. Kyle

Alex’s Turn: Alex sets one monster and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-5 Life-4000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

Rae Sulfa Tun watched the duel from her boardroom along with Flim, Flam, Trixie, the griffon, and the black insectoid alicorn from a projector screen. It seemed to be viewed as if seen from Kyle’s vantage point.

“Go on, my sweet,” she giggled, both of her mask's eye holes slightly glowing. “Show that young man how we treat those who stand in our way.”

***************************************************
Kyle’s Turn: Kyle summons Flamvell Firedog (ATK: 1900 DEF: 200).

Kyle attacks Alex’s face down monster with Flamvell Firedog, which is a Dragunity Phalanx (ATK: 500 DEF: 1100). When Kyle destroys a monster by battle with Flamvell Firedog, Kyle can special summon a FIRE type monster with 200 or less DEF from his deck, choosing Flamvell Archer (ATK: 1000 DEF: 200). Kyle attacks Alex directly with Flamvell Archer.

Alex’s Life Points: 4000 -> 3000

Kyle tunes Flamvell Firedog with Flamvell Archer to synchro summon Laval Stennon (ATK: 2700 DEF: 1800). When Laval Stennon is synchro summoned, Kyle must discard one card.

Kyle places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-3 Life-4000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

Pinkie Pie sat intently next to Jenny and Lisa as they watched Kyle whittle a quarter of Alex’s life points on his first turn.

“Oh no,” Jenny squealed, trying to look away. Suddenly, Pinkie’s whole body began to tremor violently.

“Huh?” wondered Lisa, “what was that?”

“My Pinkie Sense is telling me that there’s going to be a doozy!” she replied.

“Pinkie Sense? Doozy?”

“Whenever my body shakes, I can tell there’s going to be a doozy. But this doozy isn’t any normal doozy. This might be the dooziest doozy I’ve every doozied.”

“Do you know what this doozy is?” asked Jenny.

“No one knows,” answered Fluttershy. “All we can hope for is that the doozy works out for us.”

***************************************************
Alex’s Turn: Alex activates Pot of Greed, drawing two cards. Next, he special summons Hieratic Dragon of Tefnuit, as his opponent controls a monster while he doesn’t (ATK: 2100 DEF: 1400). Alex then normal summons Dragunity Dux (ATK: 1500 DEF: 1000). When Dragunity Dux is normal summoned, Alex can equip a level 3 or lower Dragon-type Dragunity monster from his graveyard to Dragunity Dux, choosing Dragunity Phalanx. When Dragunity Phalanx is equipped to a monster by a card effect, Alex can special summon it to the field.

Alex tunes Dragunity Dux with Dragunity Phalanx to synchro summon Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana (ATK: 1900 DEF: 1200). When Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana is synchro summoned, Alex can equip a level 3 or lower Dragon-type Dragunity monster and equip it to Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana, choosing Dragunity Phalanx. Alex activates Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana’s effect. By sending a card equipped to it to the graveyard, Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana’s ATK is doubled until the end phase (ATK: 1900 -> 3800).

Alex attacks Laval Stennon with Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana, but Kyle activates Rainbow Life, discarding one card to gain life points that he would have lost for the remainder of this turn.

Kyle’s Life Points: 4000 -> 5100

Alex overlays Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana and Hieratic Dragon of Tefnuit to xyz summon Jade Wyvern (ATK: 2500 DEF: 2100). Alex then activates Overlay Regenerate, attaching it as xyz material onto Jade Wyvern.

Alex places two cards face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-3000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

Kyle laughed.

“Is this how the duel will turn out?” taunted Kyle. “I’m going to continue to gain life points while you lose yours? And I thought John was supposed to help you!”

“You haven’t come to realize the full extent of what my deck can do, Kyle,” responded Alex flatly.

“I think I can see quite clearly. You’ve attached more overlay units to your monster even though you know full well that my monster will slowly eat at you each time you activate your monster’s effect.”

“Then why don’t you just come and try me then?”

“With pleasure.”

***************************************************
Kyle’s Turn: Kyle activates Rekindling, special summoning as many FIRE monsters with 200 DEF in his graveyard as possible, choosing Flamvell Firedog, Flamvell Archer, Neo Flamvell Sabre (ATK: 1500 DEF: 200), and Laval Lakeside Lady (ATK: 200 DEF: 200). Kyle tunes Flamvell Firedog with Flamvell Archer to synchro summon another Laval Stennon. When Laval Stennon is synchro summoned, Kyle must discard one card. Kyle tunes Neo Flamvell Sabre and Laval Lakeside Lady to synchro summon Ancient Flamvell Deity (ATK: 2500 DEF: 200).

When Ancient Flamvell Deity is synchro summoned, Kyle can banish a number of cards in Alex’s graveyard equal to the amount of cards in Alex’s hand (2). Ancient Flamvell Deity gains 200 ATK for each monster banished this way (200 x 2 = 400, ATK: 2500 -> 2900). Kyle overlays Ancient Flamvell Deity and Laval Stennon to xyz summon Olivine Dragon (ATK: 3000 DEF: 2500).

Kyle attacks Jade Wyvern with Olivine Dragon, but Alex activates Jade Wyvern’s effect. By detaching one xyz material from it, Alex can prevent a monster’s destruction by battle until the end phase, choosing Jade Wyvern. Kyle activates Olivine Dragon’s effect. By detaching one xyz material from it when an xyz monster that his opponent controls activates its effect, Kyle can inflict damage to his opponent equal to the rank of the xyz monster times 200 (6 x 200 = 1200). Alex activates Barrel Behind the Door, inflicting the effect damage on Kyle instead.

Kyle’s Life Points: 5100 -> 3900

The attack still goes through.

Alex’s Life Points: 3000 -> 2500

Kyle places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-3900 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

Kyle continued to laugh, despite being set back some.

“Just keep them coming down,” chortled Kyle, “and you’ll be finished, just like Claude, Reese, and John.”

“Don’t even think for a second that you’re going to win this duel,” seethed Alex. “You may have defeated me once before, but never again. With the support I have from my friends, and the bonds that connect us, you will not win. I told you yesterday that I would destroy you, and I intend to keep that promise!”

***************************************************
Alex’s Turn: Alex activates Dxyz, sending Jade Wyvern to the extra deck and special summoning any monsters attached to it as xyz material, special summoning Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana and Hieratic Dragon of Tefnuit. Alex overlays Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana and Hieratic Dragon of Tefnuit to xyz summon Hieratic Dragon King of Atum (ATK: 2400 DEF: 2100).

Alex activates Hieratic Dragon King of Atum’s effect. By detaching one xyz material from it, Alex can special summon a Dragon-type monster from his deck and make it’s ATK and DEF 0, choosing Dragunity Arma Leyvaten (ATK: 2600 DEF: 1200) (ATK: 2600 -> 0, DEF: 1200 -> 0). Kyle activates Olivine Dragon’s effect, detaching its last xyz material from it to inflict damage to his opponent equal to the rank of an opponent’s xyz monster that activated its effect times 200 (6 x 200 = 1200).

Alex’s Life Points: 2500 -> 1300

Alex then activates Hieratic Seal of Supremacy, special summoning a Hieratic monster from his hand, choosing Hieratic Seal of the Sun Dragon Overlord (ATK: 0 DEF: 0). Alex overlays Hieratic Seal of the Sun Dragon Overlord and Dragunity Arma Leyvaten to xyz summon Hieratic Sun Dragon Overlord of Heliopolis (ATK: 3000 DEF: 2400). Alex activates Hieratic Sun Dragon Overlord of Heliopolis’ effect. By detaching one xyz material from it, Alex can tribute monsters on his field and destroy cards on the field equal to the number of cards tributed, tributing Hieratic Dragon King of Atum to destroy Kyle’s face down card.

Alex attacks Olivine Dragon with Hieratic Sun Dragon Overlord of Heliopolis. Since both of their ATKs are equal, they’re both destroyed. Alex activates Card of Last Will, drawing five cards when a monster he controls was destroyed by battle.

Alex activates Monster Reborn, special summoning Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana from his graveyard. Next, Alex activates Dragon Hatchling, special summoning itself as a Dragon-type monster with the same level as a Dragon-type monster that he controls (6). Alex overlays Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana and Dragon Hatchling to xyz summon Jade Wyvern.

Alex places two cards face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-1300 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

Despite losing another quarter of his life points, Alex had cleared Kyle’s field and kept his Stone of Equus monster safe. Both the crowds on Rotary Hill and Equestria cheered.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

“Go, Alex!” cheered Reese and Claude.

“Beat his rump, Alex!” called Apple Bloom.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

“You can do it!” yelled Rainbow Dash.

“We believe in you!” cheered Twilight.

Alex stood indignantly, awaiting Kyle’s next move. Kyle, in his usual twisted fashion, laughed giddily as he stood before Alex again.

“I admit,” said Kyle, “that with our current decks in a fair fight, you would beat me…”

Alex continued to stare Kyle down.

“…but that’s not how we do things here.”

Kyle’s pupils then contracted almost to the size of a pinprick. Kyle then clenched his fists tightly and threw his arms out to the side while tilting his head all the way up, letting out a thunderous yell.

Suddenly, Kyle’s blue trench coat began to catch fire as a green blaze covered every inch of the coat. The fire did not seem to damage the coat or harm Kyle in any way. Even his duel disk and cards were impervious to the heat. Soon, Kyle’s coat was nothing but a blanket of green fire.

Kyle leaned his head back down with his eyes closed and his face lacking emotions. Kyle’s pupil-contracted eyes opened back up and his mouth contorted into an eerily wide smile, shocking Alex and the crowds on both worlds greatly.

A cacophony of people asking things along the line of, “What’s going on?” or “Why is he on fire?” only added to the tension.
Not a single person or pony was able to move out of the fear that had been placed in them now. Kyle only worsened things when he responded with an evil laugh unlike anything anyone had heard before.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

“Well done, my pet,” cheered Rae from her boardroom, her eyes shining brightly now through her mask. “Now, end him!”
_________________________________________________________________________________________

“As you wish, Master,” whispered Kyle in response. “Alex!” he called to his rival. “Are you ready to meet your demise? Me too.”

***************************************************
Kyle’s Turn: Kyle activates his own Pot of Greed, drawing two cards. Kyle activates Temple of the Kings, allowing him to activate trap cards the same turn they are set. Kyle sets and activates Sixth Sense. A die is rolled. Kyle calls two numbers (4 and 5). If the result of the die roll is any of the declared numbers, Kyle draws cards in his hand equal to the amount rolled. The result is a 5. Kyle draws five cards.

Kyle activates his Monster Reborn, special summoning Olivine Dragon from his graveyard. Kyle then activates Magical Stone Excavation, discarding two cards to add a spell card from his hand to his graveyard, choosing Rekindling. Kyle activates Rekindling again, special summoning Ancient Flamvell Deity, Neo Flamvell Sabre, Laval Lakeside Lady, and Flamvell Firedog.

Kyle tunes Neo Flamvell Sabre and Laval Lakeside Lady to synchro summon another Ancient Flamvell Deity (ATK: 2500 DEF: 200). When Ancient Flamvell Deity is synchro summoned, Kyle can banish a number of cards in Alex’s graveyard equal to the amount of cards in Alex’s hand (1). Ancient Flamvell Deity gains 200 ATK for each monster banished this way (200 x 1 = 100, ATK: 2500 -> 2700).

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

Kyle clenched his right hand, causing a red, flaming whip to appear in his grasp. With a powerful motion, Kyle thrashed the rope through his three monsters, causing them to erupt in a blast of yellow flames that engulfed the entire stage. Alex got caught in the blaze, screaming as he felt a burning sensation under the fire’s heat.

“I construct an overlay network with Olivine Dragon and my two Ancient Flamvell Deity’s to xyz summon the very essence of my soul!” yelled Kyle.

Every bit of fire then collected in front of Kyle in a large towering pillar of flames until it formed into what appeared to be the shape of a three headed, winged dragon.

Alex, still weakened from the blaze, observed in fear and amazement as Kyle’s monster turned from fire to a detailed three-headed dragon staring him down.

“Come forth, Ultra Olivine Tri-Dragon!”

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

Kyle overlays Olivine Dragon and his two Anicent Flamvell Deities to xyz summon Ultra Olivine Tri-Dragon (ATK: 4500 DEF: 3800). Kyle activates Ultra Olivine Tri-Dragon’s effect. By detaching one xyz material from it, Kyle can destroy an attack position xyz monster that his opponent controls and inflict damage equal to the difference between Ultra Olivine Tri-Dragon's ATK and the destroyed monster’s ATK, choosing Jade Wyvern, but Alex activates his face down Poison of the Old Man, increasing his life points by 1200 before the damage hits.

Alex’s Life Points: 1300 -> 2500

Alex’s Life Points: 2500 -> 500

Kyle attacks Alex directly with Flamvell Firedog, but Alex activates Xyz Reborn, special summoning Jade Wyvern from his graveyard and attaching Xyz Reborn to it as xyz material. Kyle halts the attack. Kyle then attacks Jade Wyvern with Ultra Olivine Tri-Dragon, but Alex activates Jade Wyvern’s effect, preventing a monster’s destruction by battle, choosing Jade Wyvern. Because Ultra Olivine Tri-Dragon activated its effect this turn, Alex takes no battle damage from the battle.

During the end phase that Rekindling was activated, all monsters special summoned by its effect are banished, banishing Flamvell Firedog.

Kyle places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-3900 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

Alex panted heavily. He had barely survived an attack from a supercharged version of Kyle’s ace monster. Much like before, the damage done to him handn’t caused any physical damage to his body or clothes, but his body felt like it was thrown into a scorching oven.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Princess Celestia, who continued to watch from Ponyville, stood wide eyed and terrified over Kyle’s new monster. The ponies were equally, if not, more, frightened by Ultra Olivine Tri-Dragon’s appearance. Kyle already looked like a difficult person to beat, but this new monster only made any hopes of a comeback seem fruitless.

Despite Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo weeping by Claude, who tried to console them, Reese continued to look at the Alex onscreen expectantly.

“You won’t give up here,” he whispered. “For God’s sake, you will not give up here.”
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Kyle laughed again.

“It’s over,” he told Alex. “You couldn’t even beat me when I only had Olivine Dragon, how do you think you’ll stand against it’s superior?”

“I’ll find a way,” grunted Alex. “As long as blood still runs in my veins and my life points don’t hit zero, I will find a way.”

***************************************************
Alex’s Turn: Alex activates Cards of Consonance, discarding a Dragon-type tuner with 1000 or less ATK and drawing two cards. Alex summons Dragunity Legionnaire (ATK: 1200 DEF: 800). When Dragunity Legionnaire is normal summoned, Alex can equip a level 3 or lower Dragon-type Dragunity monster from his graveyard to Dragunity Legionnaire, choosing Dragunity Partisan.

Alex activates Dragunity Legionnaire’s effect, sending a Dragunity card equipped to it to the graveyard to destroy one face up monster on the field, choosing Ultra Olivine Tri-Dragon, but Kyle activates Utopian Aura, detaching an xyz material from Ultra Olivine Tri-Dragon to prevent the destruction of all xyz monsters that he controls by card effects until the end phase. Alex switches Jade Wyvern into defense position.

Alex places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-500 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“Look at how well that worked out!” laughed Kyle. “Do you think I’d let you defeat my greatest monster with such puny cards, you novice?”

“Just try and see if you can defeat me,” challenged Alex.

“Defiant to the end,” said Kyle. “If you had just surrendered to me before, I would have made your death quick and painless, but now that you’ve really pissed me off, I’m going to finish you nice and slow.”

“And then you and Mary Jane are going to have a hell of a time, yada yada yada,” responded Alex sarcastically, getting a chuckle from Tom.

“I’m going to end you now.”

***************************************************
Kyle’s Turn: Kyle attacks Dragunity Legionnaire with Ultra Olivine Tri-Dragon, but Alex activates Iron Resolve, halving his life points to take no battle damage this turn.

Alex’s Life Points: 500 -> 250

Kyle activates Dian Keto the Cure Master, increasing his life points by 1000.

Kyle’s Life Points: 3900 -> 4900

Kyle ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-4900 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

Despite being shielded from the attack, the strength of the attack itself was too great to fully protect Alex, knocking him onto his back. Alex panted and wheezed as he felt weaker and weaker.

“Just stop,” goaded Kyle, to Alex, who continued to writhe. “You have a sliver of life left while I have plenty to spare. Even when you were so close to defeating me yesterday, you couldn’t clench victory. What makes you think you have any chance now? You and your novice little friends are going to roast alive while Rae destroys your world.”

Alex soon felt an uncontrollable rage sweep over him, subsiding all of his pain and giving him the strength to get up.

“I can make my last move painless for you,” continued Kyle. “All you must do is declare your turn over right now.”

“How about you shut up right now?!?” demanded Alex, taking Kyle aback. “Nothing you say, nothing you throw at me is going to keep me from protecting my family and friends. I promised you yesterday that I would destroy you. I don’t break promises.”

Kyle continued to laugh at Alex’s threats.

“You come here, and you insult, hurt, and even almost kill my friends. You can do whatever you like to me, but when you hold my friends lives over my head like you are, there are no lengths I won't go to defeat someone as lowly as you. I hope you’re ready, Kyle, because HERE I COME!”

Just as Alex placed his fingers over his deck to draw, a bright light came forth from Alex’s chest. Kyle’s smile was quickly replaced by an expression of confusion and slight fear. The audiences of both worlds were certainly shocked. The light caused all of Alex’s clothes to turn a solid, brilliant white.

“What’s happening?” asked Twilight. Strangely, as if on impulse, Twilight looked to the sky and saw her home planet. Six flashes of light came from where Canterlot would geographically be.

“Girls,” she called to her friends, “look!” Rainbow Dash flew to Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Rarity to alert them of what was going on from above.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Princess Celestia looked out at the city of Canterlot in a similarly instinctive fashion to see six different colored streams of light fly into the sky, out towards space, and heading to Earth.

“It’s time,” she finally muttered.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

The six streams of light, colored magenta, cyan, pink, red, purple, and orange swiftly flew all the way down to Rotary Hill, which startled the audience even more. Once they arrived, all six streams of light began to meld into Alex’s ankh necklace, causing the green gem and the rope that it was tied on to glow.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

“No,” gasped Rae, as she observed what was happening, “this cannot be!”
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Alex’s necklace began to morph into a gold choker. In the center, there was a green ankh shaped gem studded there. Once the necklace fully formed, the six streams of light flew from the necklace, a different stream aiming at each of the ponies.

“This is the doozy!” cheered Pinkie Pie. “This is the doozy!”

Suddenly, a blue beam of light flew at Pinkie’s neck, causing her to vanish instantly. The other five beams did the same thing to the other ponies. However, the ponies began to appear one by one onto the stage at Alex’s side, most sporting a similar necklace to Alex’s, albeit with different gems. Rainbow Dash’s gem was a red lightning bolt, Pinkie Pie’s was a blue balloon, Rarity’s was a purple diamond, Applejack’s was an orange apple, and Fluttershy’s was a pinkie butterfly. Twilight instead had a tiara with a six-pronged magenta star, much like her cutie mark.

“What is this thing?” asked Alex. “What are these things?”

“They’re the Elements of Harmony,” answered Twilight. “I don’t know why you have one, but that’s not important right now.”

“Right. Right now, we need to beat Kyle!” The top card of Alex’s deck then began to glow.

“Just…” stuttered Kyle, “what is this?”

Alex smiled. “This is where I destroy you! My turn!” he shouted, drawing the shining card. “DRAW!!”

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

When Alex activated the card, a rainbow-colored beam of energy shot out of each of the Elements of Harmony, which formed into a rainbow. The rainbow beam hit Kyle’s monster, causing it to become weakened.

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

Next, Alex can apply one of three other effects, choosing the first, special summoning an xyz monster from his graveyard and attaching Elements of Harmony to that monster as xyz material, choosing Hieratic Dragon King of Atum, although it cannot attack.

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

Both Hieratic Dragon King of Atum and Jade Wyvern formed into a white and a green ball of wispy energy that flew towards Alex. Alex held his right fist out, allowing the energy to meld into his hand. Alex then shot his arm into the air and unclenched his hand causing a singular white orb to fly into the sky.

“I construct an overlay network with Jade Wyvern and Hieratic Dragon King of Atum. Xyz summon!”

Once it got high enough, it formed a portal, out of which came a white dragon with a back of green hair.

“Show yourself, Shining Platinum Dragon!”

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

With his life points below 500, Alex overlays Jade Wyvern with Hieratic Dragon King of Atum to xyz summon Shining Platinum Dragon (ATK: 3500 DEF: 2500). Alex activates Shining Platinum Dragon’s effect, detaching all xyz materials from it to reveal a number of cards on the top of his deck equal to the number of xyz materials detached (3). Shining Platinum Dragon gains 500 ATK for each Dragon-type monster revealed by this effect. The cards revealed are Hieratic Dragon of Nuit, Dragunity Aklys, and Hieratic Dragon of Sutekh (3 x 500 = 1500, ATK: 3500 -> 5000).

Alex attacks Ultra Olivine Tri-Dragon with Shining Platinum Dragon.

Kyle’s Life Points: 4900 -> 0

Alex wins.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

The attack sent Kyle airborne and extinguished the flames on his coat. As Kyle screamed, he felt a force unclamp itself from his heart. Kyle’s eyes then dilated, as if he had woken up from sleep. Before he could react, he felt his back hit the stage, knocking the wind out of him.

Alex outstretched his hand, causing three cards to fly from Kyle’s deck case and into Alex’s hand. All three of his friends’ Stone of Equus cards were now accounted for. The holographic imaging began to fade away, causing Alex’s newly whitened clothes to revert to their normal colors. Once he felt the adrenaline fade away, he began to hear the crowd.

“And it’s decided!” cheered the announcer, who kept hidden most of the time. “With a brilliant display of spirit and some otherworldly assistance, Alexander Yuwell becomes the champion of the Riverwalk Dueling Competition!”
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Rae was fuming over Kyle’s loss.

“You’ll regret this dearly, Alexander Yuwell,” she hissed.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Alex was met with a barrage of cheers from the audience. The six ponies, plus Spike, rushed Alex and dog-piled him, laughing and congratulating him on his success. Tom arrived on stage and pulled Alex back onto his feet when the ponies subsided. Alex found not only Tom, but John standing there also, holding an icepack on his head.

“Forgive me if I don’t feel like cheering,” said John, mentioning the ice pack.

“You were awesome!” said Tom, hugging Alex.

Carolyn, Sarah, Jenny, and Lisa applauded and whistled from their spot.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Having been saved, the ponies cheered and hugged each other in jubilation. Reese and Claude even embraced from the result as they cheered.

“He did it!” shouted Apple Bloom, “He really did it!”

“Alex saved us!” yelled Scootaloo.

Celestia smiled, happy for the welfare of her land and inhabitants.

“I think it’s time I paid them a visit…” she said, walking towards Reese and Claude.

“Reese. Claude,” she spoke to them as they celebrated. “It’s time for us to go.”
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Kyle finally was able to get up. However, he was in pain and could not tell his surroundings at first.

“Where…” he groaned. “Where am I?”

“Someplace a lot nicer than where you’re eventually going to go,” answered Alex, who Kyle saw was standing in front of him along with Tom, John, Spike, and the six ponies.

“But, I was about to duel Claude…” This answer confused Alex. “I don’t understand–” suddenly a black portal opened behind Kyle. Before Alex could confront Kyle any further, Kyle began to wither away into green embers that were pulled into the portal.

“They’ll be coming for you now,” he managed to say before he was fully pulled away, causing the portal to close. The audience began to clamor again at Kyle’s disappearance.

“What do you suppose he meant by ‘they?’” asked Applejack.

“I don’t know,” said Alex. “But ‘they’ve’ got another thing coming if they think they’re going to mess with us.”

Chapter 26: Passion

Alex, along with Tom, John, Spike, Twilight, and her friends, stood onstage as they observed the crowd as they continued to cheer.

“What do you know?” said Tom to Alex. “Looks like you’re a star now.”

“Yeah,” responded Alex, “but that duel really wiped me out. I’d very much not like to handle the inevitable news and paper interviews right now.”

As if on cue, Spike burped up another letter.

“Do you think it’s Princess Celestia congratulating you on your win?” asked Rainbow Dash.

“I think Celestia would send a letter over something less trivial,” spoke Twilight. Spike began to read the letter aloud.

“My Dearest Twilight,

I realize that you are confused as to why Alex is wearing one of the Elements of Harmony. I would like you all to return to Alex’s home as quickly as possible so I can explain. This is something that I believe should be discussed with everyone. Make haste, for I would imagine the paparazzi is getting closer.

Signed,
Princess Celestia

P.S.: Alex, your duel was splendid. Wonderful job.”

Rainbow Dash shot a small smirk at Twilight, but it didn’t phase Twilight in the slightest.

“You heard the Princess,” shouted Twilight. “Let’s go!”

Alex, Spike, Twilight, and the other five ponies, Elements still in tow, ran from the stage and towards the parking lot.

“Wait!” called the announcer to Alex. “Don’t you want your prize for winning?”

“Just mail it to him or something!” shouted Tom.

Tom whistled loudly from the stage, getting the interest of Carolyn, Sarah, Emma, Jenny, and Lisa. Tom followed this with a wave of his arm, telling his family and friends in the crowd to follow Alex back to the parking lot. Tom and John followed close behind.

Once the three masses of people and ponies reconvened, they got seated in their respective vehicles. Alex and Tom would ride on the motorcycle, Carolyn would drive the ponies plus Spike, Emma would drive Reese’s car with a spare key, and Jenny and Lisa gave John a ride.

Their vehicles were parked in a lot southwest of the baseball field where Claude and Applejack dueled and the only exit was north of them. Carolyn, Lisa, and Emma drove north to the exit, but Tom was going west.

“Tom!” shouted Alex. “What are you doing?”

“It’s going to be you that the media wants. So I’m going to create a diversion.”

“What?”

Tom ignored Alex’s questioning and continued speeding towards an entrance to the Riverwalk. While Alex may have bent the rules yesterday for riding a bike on the Riverwalk with Twilight (only walking or jogging is allowed), it would certainly be illegal to take a large motorcycle onto it. Tom didn’t care, and he was going to do whatever it took for his friend to avoid the media circus.

Tom shouted for people still on the path to get out of the way. He wasn’t going too fast as to not give people enough warning or not straying too far away from his other family and friends still on their way, but he still needed to move or else a cop might notice him, and that would certainly break Tom’s “diversion” apart.

Thankfully, upon reaching the end of the Riverwalk and getting back onto the street, there wasn’t a cop in sight. Even better, Tom had just pulled up in front of Carolyn’s car, which was followed by Lisa’s and Emma’s. The group had evaded the press, and it was smooth sailing until they returned home.

Tom and Carolyn parked their vehicles into the garage while Lisa and Emma parked on the driveway. Carolyn was not happy as she approached her son.

“Tom, are you crazy?” she scolded. “You can’t go onto the Riverwalk like that. Do you have any idea what could have happened if there was a police officer?”

“Yeah,” lazily answered Tom. “Good thing there wasn’t though, right?”

“Please,” said Twilight, “stop fighting. We’re all here, so let’s just see what’s going on.”

Carolyn got her keys and then unlocked and opened the front door for everyone. Upon opening the door, Carolyn was frozen in her sight.

“Mrs. Emmitt?” asked Alex, jogging up to see what was the matter.

Getting a better view, Alex could see clearly what Carolyn was seeing. In the living room was Princess Celestia.

That must be what startled her, thought Alex.

There were four others standing there too. Alex easily recognized the two humans as Reese and Claude, who looked very glad to see them. The other two were ponies, one of them being a white unicorn stallion with a blue mane and tail. The other was a pink alicorn mare with a long cream, pink, and purple mane and tail.

“Alex,” sighed Reese happily.

“Reese,” Alex responded similarly. They both walked up to each other and shook hands.

“Is everything okay?” asked Twilight from outside the house. Soon, everyone else entered. Each of the humans were very shocked to see Princess Celestia for the first time, while the ponies, plus Spike, were happy to see their princess and friends standing there.

Emma was the first to break her stare from Celestia, refocusing towards Reese. Overwhelmed with happiness that her brother was safe, she ran into his open arms, which wrapped around her. In Reese’s familiar embrace again, Emma silently wept in jubilation.

As each of the other humans sought to meet Celestia, Twilight was getting a warm embrace from the white unicorn by Celestia’s side.

“I’ve missed you, Twily,” he said in a tenor raspy voice. “Are you alright?”

“More than alright, big brother,” she responded. “If it weren’t for them, we’d be in a lot more trouble right now. In fact, that reminds me…”

Twilight led the white unicorn and the pink alicorn to Alex, who was giving Claude his Stone of Equus card back.

“Sorry if I’m interrupting,” butted in Twilight, “but there are two ponies that I’d like you to meet. Alex this is my brother, Shining Armor.”

“It’s an honor to meet you,” said Shining Armor, allowing Alex to shake his hoof. “You fought very well, even though, admittedly, I didn’t know what you were doing half the time.”

“That’s understandable,” responded Alex.

“And this,” said Twilight, mentioning the alicorn, “is my sister-in-law, Princess Cadance.”

“Excellent.” Alex also shook her hoof. “To what do I owe the pleasure of your acquaintance?”

“Princess Celestia says she’ll explain everything,” said Cadance.

“Indeed I shall,” said Princess Celestia from the side. With a surprisingly loud clearing of her throat, she then garnered everyone’s attention.

“I’m glad you were all here to make it. There some things that I should tell you considering what happened this morning.”

“Yes,” agreed Alex, “like what is this golden necklace that appeared on me?”

"And where can I get one," joked Jenny.

“I supposed this is where we can start this discussion. My little ponies are more than acquainted with this tail, but you humans aren’t quite savvy with the Elements of Harmony.”

Each of the humans listened in.

“Long ago, there was a time in which discord, literally and figuratively, ruled the land. In an effort to stop this era of disharmony, my sister, Princess Luna, and I founded the Elements of Harmony, the most powerful form of magic known to ponykind, and vanquished the evil from our land.

“Each Element represents a facet of friendship and harmony: Loyalty, Laughter, Generosity, Honesty, Kindness, and Magic. In the many years that I’ve ruled over Equestria, my sister and I were the sole bearers of the Elements and were the only ones with access to their power.

“However, an unfortunate incident involving my sister’s transformation into Nightmare Moon, the jealous and spiteful ego of my sister, and her subsequent banishment, led me to became the sole wielder of the Elements. Eventually, even my power over them began to fade with time, leaving me to find six other ponies whose combined spirits could inherit their power and wield them in my stead in times of peril: in other words, Twilight and her friends.”

“What does this have to do with me, though?” asked Alex. “If there are only six Elements, why has another one appeared to me?”

“I’m glad you asked this, because this is going to cause a shock to everyone in this room. Alexander Yuwell represents the spirit of the Element of Passion.”

“What?” asked everyone in unison.

“Element of Passion?” asked Twilight vehemently. “What is this? How come I’ve never heard of it? This doesn’t make sense! I–”

“It’s alright, my faithful student,” interrupted Celestia. “I didn’t expect this to come easily for you, but I’ll do my best to explain. Now, Twilight, what are the colors of each Element, minus the Element of Passion?”

“That’s easy,” spoke Twilight. “The Element of Loyalty is red, the Element of Laughter is blue, the Element of Kindness is pink, the Element of Honesty is orange, the Element of Generosity is purple, and the Element of Magic is magenta.”

“Are you sure,” asked Princess with a sly smile, “because I don’t think I remember pink being one of the Element’s colors.” Celestia silenced Twilight’s rebuttal by giving her a book that was on a sofa. Twilight recognized it immediately.

“I…” Twilight began, “I read this book just before I was sent away to live in Ponyville on the Summer Sun Celebration that Nightmare Moon returned. It’s a collection of old pony’s tales, one of which is the story of Nightmare Moon.”

“I’d suggest flipping to the page with the Elements of Harmony.”

Twilight skimmed the book until she found a page with the Elements. There were six gems in the center of a yellow sun shaped disk. Five of them were placed like points on a star, while the sixth was placed in the center.

“Now,” resumed Celestia, “what colors do you see here?”

“Let’s see,” mumbled Twilight, deep in thought, “Red, blue, orange, green, pur– Green?” She then looked back at Alex’s necklace, whose gem was green like the gem in the illustration. “Bu… but how?”

“It’s simple. When Nightmare Moon was being banished, she tried to stop me by attacking the Elements head-on. It didn’t stop her banishment, but it caused the Element of Kindness, which was once the green gem, to become damaged. I had the original Element of Kindness deactivated and stored deep within the castle. I then replaced it with the pink gem, which now rests in Fluttershy’s possession.”

“Well, how did the other element fix itself? How did it suddenly become the Element of Passion? Why did it go to a human instead of a pony? I’m still so confused!”

“Patience, Twilight. All will be revealed.” Celestia then turned her attention to Alex. “Alex, what were you doing the moment our world appeared near yours. Better yet, what were you doing when you and Reese appeared in our world?”

“I was dueling with Reese,” answered Alex. “Why?”

“Do you remember anything specific happening right before you were sent?” Reese had decided to answer this question instead.

“I had dealt a heavy blow to Alex, and then I insulted him and his friends. That’s when he made an impassioned…”

“Go on,” said Celestia.

“…He told me that I would pay for disrespecting his friends. And then we were sent up the second he drew his card.”

“Exactly. It was Alex’s impassioned support of his friends through his dueling that fully restored the Element’s power and gave it its new name.”

“But how is that possible?” asked Twilight. “Our worlds had to have been too far away for a non-magical alien creature to connect to the broken element like that.”

“Who says it was Alex who connected our planets together?” asked Celestia.

“What?”

“At that very same moment those two were dueling, a very powerful force connected itself to our world, the same force that attempted to steal away the Stones of Equus.

“Rae Sulfa Tun.”

“It would seem so. Rae has undeniably stolen many of the Stones of Equus, but when Alex stood up for his friends that day, the spirit of his passionate heart must have been channeled through Rae’s magic and restored the Element's power, thus, making him the bearer of it.”

“Upon the reactivation of the Element, it awoke the powers of the other Elements as well. This new Element was restored with the six original Elements, causing a massive surge of unstable magic that not only caused Alex and Reese to be sent to Equestria, but it disrupted Rae’s own magic, and even pulled our world to yours.”

“But that still doesn’t explain why a non-pony would be able to wield the Elements' power,” responded Twilight.

“There’s no need for explanation,” reasoned Celestia. “You and your friends became the wielders of the Elements of Harmony because your traits matched the virtue that each Element represented. Whether it be a pony, dragon, griffon, or even a creature from another world, anyone can possess the spirit to wield the Elements of Harmony.”

Twilight and the other ponies (including Spike) were stunned. While the humans found it more interesting that Alex was now an asset to an ancient otherworldly power, this whole revalation shook the ponies to their core. Everything they knew had changed.

“But,” stuttered Twilight. “I...”

“Please, don’t be upset,” cooed Celestia to her flustered student. “I realize how much things have changed now, but please, do not be upset. Rae and her allies still lurk about, and they need to be stopped. Being upset will not accomplish that.” Twilight took a second to think.

“You’re right. I shouldn’t let my negative feelings keep me from trying to save our homes. And if I know my friends, they’ll back me up 100%, so I should have even less to worry about. Hey, that would make a great letter. Spike?”

“No need. I think I can remember that one.”

“I also wanted to ask,” said Alex. “You brought these other two ponies here. Why?”

“Simple. I was going to allow Twilight and her friends to spend some time with their families back in Equestria for a while, so while they’re gone, I was going to leave Shining Armor and Cadance to guard you in their place.”

“That’s all well and good, but our adversaries are attacking us through Duel Monsters, so they’d first and foremost need to learn the game and get a deck.”

“No problem,” jumped in John. “I’ll let them come to my shop tomorrow and we can get something arranged.”

“In the meantime,” said Tom, “how about we get some pizza up in here? We still need to celebrate Alex’s win. Plus, I haven’t eaten since breakfast.”

“What time is it?” asked Carolyn. The small clock on the living room table said 2:30. “Oh…”

“Yeah,” agreed Reese, “I’m feeling a little, how do you say, peckish?”

“What’s pizza?” asked Rainbow Dash.

“Only the best thing a human has ever created since sliced bread,” answered Tom.

“I’ll call them up. How does six large cheeses and two sausages sound?”

“Fine,” said Tom. “I’m going to go upstairs and study.”

“Study?” asked Twilight. “For what?”

“Oh, crap!” exclaimed Alex. “I forgot that I have a Calculus test tomorrow!” Even though Alex was a savior of both his and Twilight’s world now, he still had earthly responsibilities to attend to. Twilight, however, beamed with anticipation over hearing that Alex needed to study.

Alex was already in his room looking through all of his notes, study guide, and his textbook on his bed when Twilight arrived. His Element was placed neatly on his dresser.

“I heard you were studying for a math test,” she stated. “Want some help?”

“That would be… great. Thank you.”

Twilight took off her golden tiara Element and hopped onto the bed, looking through his study guide with him. Only half of the answers were filled out already, and Twilight’s drooped ears and confused face unnerved Alex.

“How did I do so far?” he asked sheepishly.

“I have to say,” said Twilight, “not too good. These answers are mostly wrong.”

“Yeah, well, Calculus has never been my strongest suit.”

“Pfft. Some Element of Passion you turned out to be,” she said jokingly.

“Hey now, can’t a guy have his weaknesses? I may be one of the Elements of Harmony, but I’m certainly not perfect.”

“Relax, I was just teasing.” Twilight took another look at the ankh shaped gem in Alex’s Element. “I was wondering, the gems in our Elements like our cutie marks, so what does your gem mean?”

“This?” asked Alex, pointing to the gem. “This is called an ankh. Ancient Egyptians considered this a symbol of life.”

“Wait. What are Egyptians?”

“They were an ancient civilization that lived in a northeastern African country called Egypt, which is another land in our world. My dad had a deep passion for something that had its roots in ancient Egypt: astronomy.” The last word perked Twilight’s interest.

“Astronomy, huh? What did your father do in that field?”

“He helped develop a space telescope that they hoped to rival Hubble. Here, let me show you.”

Alex pulled out his black HP Pavilion dv6 laptop and opened up Google, typing “hubble telescope” into the search bar. He showed her many of the images of stars and nebulas that the telescope had captured, which simply amazed Twilight.

“This is incredible,” sighed Twilight. “Equestrian astronomers would kill to see what I’m seeing.”

“Yeah? Just wait until you see these.” Alex then replaced “hubble” on the search bar with “orion.” More images of stars and nebulas came onto the computer screen, these being just as unique and awesome as the ones before.

“So these are the images taken by your dad’s telescope?”

“They are,” said Alex, looking at his computer screen. He looked at one nebula in particular that made Alex reminisce.
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“Wow,” said a young nine-year old Alex. “It’s so bright!” Alex looked at a white, wispy nebula through a large monitor in Alex’s dad’s lab.

“It’s amazing isn’t it?” asked his dad, putting his hands on his son’s shoulders. “In fact, how would you like to take a picture of it?”

“Really? I can do that?”

“Sure thing. See that screen there?”

His dad pointed to a touch screen on the control panel that read: “CAPTURE IMAGE” and two boxes below it with the word “YES” in one box and “NO” in the other. Alex was bright enough for his age to know that he was supposed to push the “yes” box, which he did. The screen then froze onto the image, immortalized in all of its glory.

“Very good,” Alex’s dad said. “You just helped capture history.”

Alex beamed as he continued to look at the nebula he just captured.
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Alex beamed as he continued to remember his time with his dad. So much so, that he was completely ignoring Twilight, who was trying to get his attention.”

“ALEX!” she finally shouted, waking Alex out of his daydream.

“Oh,” moaned Alex, a little offput by Twilight’s shrill voice, “sorry.”

“What were you even thinking about?”

Alex went back to the picture of the nebula and pointed at it.

“You see that nebula?”

“Yeah? And?”

“My dad let me into his lab once when I was a younger. That picture there, I took it.”

“Really? That must have been fun.”

“It really was. He was a great dad, and I’m sure you would have really liked him if you had the chance to meet him.”

“I’m sure I would. He had to have been great to raise a son like you.” Alex shed a warm smile and brushed Twilight’s mane with his fingers.

“Thanks, Twilight.”

Alex moved his hand from her mane to behind her ears, scratching them gently. Twilight felt wonderful as he moved his fingers up and down, causing her tail to sway to the side. Twilight’s tail brushed a couple of Alex’s calculus notes and his study guide, the resounding noise of the papers rustling as they hit the floor bringing them to Alex and Twilight’s attention.

“Oh yeah,” said Alex, gathering his now discarded papers. “That.”

“Let’s get back to studying.”

“Can you help me with what I’m doing wrong?”

“Sure. Let’s see here…”

Twilight and Alex looked over the notes and study guide, with Twilight giving Alex help and hints on how to solve each equation.
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About an hour passed when Alex was writing the last few numbers of the last equation that he had to solve. With Twilight’s help, he felt more knowledgeable with the subject than he ever thought possible.

“Well,” stated Twilight. “That takes care of that. I must say, you really got a lot better near the en–”

Twilight felt her words being cut off by Alex as he wrapped his arms around her.

“Thank you so much for everything, Twilight. I’m so sorry that all of this happened to you. If I could fix it–”

“Shh,” interrupted Twilight softly, patting Alex’s back. “I don’t blame you for anything. We’re friends. We’ll get through it.”

Alex and Twilight continued to embrace until they heard the sound of a doorbell.

“Pizza!” happily called Alex and Twilight simultaneously, running downstairs to get fed.

Their swift movements off the bed knocked the study guide back onto the floor. However, it was fully filled out and corrected, all with the help from Alex’s new friend.

Author's Note

Hello, everyone. MovieMaster here. For anyone who's interested (don't lie, you totally are), feel free to look at all of the cards that I created for Yu-Gi-Oh! Equus on YugiCo. New cards will be added by the time each new chapter featuring said cards is published.

Arc 4: Equus War - Chapter 27: Graduation

Monday, May 14, 2012

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“You’re watching Chicago’s very own WGN news. With Larry Potash, Robin Baumgarten, Paul Konrad with weather, Pat Tomasulo with sports, Erin McElroy with traffic, and Dean Richards with entertainment. This is WGN Morning News at 7:00.”

“Good morning,” said Larry. “Our top story today takes place in the Chicagoland suburban town of Naperville, where what was supposed to be an ordinary local dueling tournament turned into something quite extraordinary.”

Handheld footage of the duel between Alex and Kyle was shown, specifically of Alex’s obtaining of his Element of Harmony. The camera work and the audio quality was quite shoddy, but as long as the audience could get the gist of it, it would do.

“This video,” continued Larry, “was taken from a Flip camera yesterday during the Riverwalk Competition tournament. It seemed that during the duel, one of the duelists, having been identified as Alexander Yuwell, had a strange power from the world of Equestria come to him to literally assist him in winning the duel.”

Robin continued from there.

“The young man and his friends, including what appears to be several of the ponies from the land of Equestria, evaded the press shortly after. However we have received information from Equestria’s leader herself, Princess Celestia, about what happened.”

The studio turned on the broadcast made by Celestia, with captions transcribing her words.

“The artifact that appeared around Alex’s neck was one of seven of the Elements of Harmony, which is the most powerful form of magic known to ponykind. The magic stored by these relics can only be used when all bearers of each element are present during a very dire situation. Now, you might be wondering how a simple duel could warrant the use of such a power. The answer, I hope, is simple—”

Carolyn turned off the TV, already knowing what the rest of the story entailed: Celestia also explained about Rae Sulfa Tun, her relationship with Kyle, the Stones of Equus, and a warning to the media to not hound out Alex or any of his friends for any further information.

Alex, Tom, and Sarah came downstairs with backpacks on, ready for another day of school. Sarah had wanted to play hooky so she could bake a cake for her dad, who was coming home from a business trip in Seoul. Pinkie Pie said she would bake one for her instead and have it delivered to the house before he got home.

Alex came outside to see Princess Celestia, along with Twilight, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Spike, Shining Armor, and Cadance standing on the front lawn. Tom and Sarah followed after. With things as dire as they’ve become, Celestia wanted to allow the ponies to return to Equestria for a short while to be with their families. Rainbow Dash, however, opted to stay on Earth, claiming that she didn’t have any close family that would warrant such a short return.

Rainbow Dash, Spike, Shining Armor, and Cadance would stay at the house, where upon Alex’s return from school, the latter three would head to John’s card shop and get new decks.

“So, I guess this is goodbye?” asked Alex to Twilight.

“Only for today,” she assured him. Alex knelt down and gave his friend a hug. “Have a good day at school, and good luck on your test.”

“Please. With your help, I never needed luck.”

Once the three teens bid farewell to their other pony friends, Celestia grouped them all together, minus Rainbow Dash. With a blinding flash of light from her long, white horn, Princess Celestia disappeared, the five other ponies having gone with her.
Once Tom said goodbye to Rainbow Dash, the three teens made their way to school.

“Wait!” cried Carolyn. “What about lunch?”

“We’re buying!” called back Alex. “It’s our last hot lunch in high school! Woo!”
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Alex was very pleased about how the school day turned out. Alex wasn’t approached by too many people about what happened yesterday. He could hear in on some of the murmurs of his fellow students, and many believed that he had cheated in that final duel. While it bothered him that they would think that, an occasional high-five from other students would restore his morale again.

Alex’s second class was Calculus, and with Twilight’s help still fresh in his mind, he whizzed through his final test with little difficulty. His teacher was even surprised by how quickly he finished it, as Alex was usually the last in the class to finish any Calculus test with how badly he struggled. Once Alex sat back in his seat after handing in his test, Alex thought about the absence of Twilight and her friends.

If Rae, Kyle, or anyone else who works for her attacks me before Twilight and her friends return, thought Alex, I could be in big trouble. With any luck, Rae is reworking her battle strategies, so she’ll be too busy to attack me, if she knows I’m this vulnerable, of course.

Alex put the thought into the back of his mind and just waited until Calculus was over.

For lunch, Alex and Tom got what they both considered to be the best lunch at school: chicken fingers with curly fries, and a side of honey mustard for the chicken.

“Here’s to a great end of our high school experience,” said Tom, holding his bottle of Vitamin Water to Alex like a toast.

“And how,” agreed Alex, taking his Snapple bottle and colliding it with Tom’s bottle. With that, they started their last chicken finger meal in their high school.
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Alex, Tom, and Sarah returned home with a warm welcome from Spike. Shining Armor, Cadance, and Rainbow Dash, the latter of whom was very happy to see Tom.

“Come on,” called Carolyn. “We’re going to be late!”

Tom and Sarah followed Carolyn into her car, while Alex stood by and watched them.

“Going to pick up their dad?” asked Shining Armor.

“Mmhm,” answered Alex.

“That reminds me,” spoke Cadance with interest, “what does their dad do that requires him to be away from home?”

“He goes and advertises his company’s D-Wheels over in different countries and cities. It just so happens that he was going to South Korea this time.”

Tom was the last one to close the doors before Carolyn started the car and left for the airport. Rainbow Dash was even allowed to come with, mainly so Tom’s dad could ease into the idea of these ponies living in their home.

“Come on,” said Alex to Shining Armor, Cadance, and Spike. “Let’s get you your decks and disks.”

Cont. from Spike and Alex vs. Shining Armor and Cadance

Cont. from Shining Armor’s Turn: Shining Armor overlays Heraldic Beast Aberconway, Heraldic Beast Bernard’s Falcon, and Cadance’s Crystal Beast Cobalt Eagle to xyz summon Number 69: Heraldry God – Coat of Arms (ATK: 2600 DEF: 1400). When Number 69: Heraldry God – Coat of Arms is xyz summoned, the effects of all xyz monsters on the field are negated, negating the effects of Alex’s Jade Wyvern (ATK: 2500 DEF: 2100) and Spike’s Evolzar Laggia (ATK: 2400 DEF: 2000). Shining Armor activates Number 69: Heraldry God – Coat of Arms’ effect. During his main phase, he can target another xyz monster on the field and gain its effect, choosing Evolzar Laggia.

Shining Armor attacks Jade Wyvern with Number 69: Heraldry God – Coat of Arms. Spike tries to activate Mirror Force, but Shining Armor activates Evolzar Laggia’s effect through Number 69: Heraldry God – Coat of Arms. By detaching two xyz materials from it when a spell/trap card is activated, Shining Armor can negate the activation of that card and destroy it. Alex activates his face down Dxyz, returning Jade Wyvern to the extra deck and special summoning any xyz materials attached to it, special summoning Hieratic Dragon of Tefnuit (ATK: 2100 DEF: 1400) and Dragunity Arma Mystletainn (ATK: 2100 DEF: 1500). Shining Armor attacks Hieratic Dragon of Tefnuit with Number 69: Heraldry God – Coat of Arms.

Alex and Spike’s Life Points: 700 -> 200

Shining Armor places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-1300 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1

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Alex’s Turn: Alex summons Dragunity Tribus (ATK: 500 DEF: 300). Spike activates Call from the Haunted, special summoning Jurrac Tyrannus from his graveyard (ATK: 2500 DEF: 1400). Alex activates Star Changer, increasing Jurrac Tyrannus’ level by one (Lvl.: 7 -> 8). Alex then activates Monster Reborn, special summoning Dragunity Arma Leyvaten from his graveyard. Alex overlays Dragunity Arma Leyvaten and Jurrac Tyrannus to xyz summon Hieratic Sun Dragon Overlord of Heliopolis (ATK: 3000 DEF: 2400).

Alex activates Hieratic Sun Dragon Overlord of Heliopolis’ effect. By detaching one xyz material, Alex can tribute any number of monsters on his side of the field (Hieratic Dragon of Tefnuit, Dragunity Tribus, and Evolzar Laggia) to destroy that many number of cards on the field, choosing Number 69: Heraldry God – Coat of Arms, Shining Armor’s face down card, and Cadance’s face down card.

Alex attacks Shining Armor and Cadance directly with Hieratic Sun Dragon Overlord of Heliopolis.

Shining Armor and Cadance’s Life Points: 1300 -> 0

Spike and Alex win.
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“And that’s game,” said Alex.

As Shining Armor got up, Alex congratulated Spike on his camaraderie with a fist bump.

“Think we have time for one more?” asked Shining Armor.

“Well,” wondered Alex aloud, “we’ve got about a half hour before Tom gets back, so sure.”

Just as everyone was putting their cards back in their decks, a light appeared before them.

“What the hell?” exclaimed Alex.
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Carolyn’s van pulled into the garage. Along with Tom, Sarah, Rainbow Dash, and Carolyn, an older man came from the vehicle. He was bald, but he had a blonde goatee with a soul patch. He had horn-rimmed glasses positioned close to his face. He was a tad overweight, but he still looked stylish in the black suit he was wearing.

Sarah and Tom helped him with his luggage as Carolyn opened the door for her husband. Thomas Emmitt walked into the darkened room as he inhaled from his nose, taking in the familiar scent of home.

“What smells like frosting?” he asked.

Suddenly the lights shot up. The house was adorned in balloons and streamers. In the kitchen, stood Alex, Shining Armor, Cadance, Spike, Twilight, and the rest of her friends. There was a banner hung on the ceiling with the words, “WELCOME HOME, DAD!” written in large, red letters. There was also a heavily decorated cake on the table where Alex and the ponies were standing around.

“SURPRISE!” they all yelled.

Since the incident at the Riverwalk tournament gained international attention, Thomas learned about the ponies and their acquaintance with Alex and Tom (even more so on the ride back). Despite his knowledge of them though, he was quite startled by their appearance via surprise party. He then looked at all of the decorations laid out for his homecoming.

“That was certainly…” he began, trying to be polite, “…unexpected.” He spoke in slightly southern baritone voice, which threw Applejack for a loop.

“Thanks,” squeaked Pinkie Pie, bounding towards him. “I’m Pinkie Pie, and we threw this party just for you. Would you like some cake?”

“It certainly looks good, but how about dinner first? Frankly, I’ve been craving a Chicago-style dog for a while.”

Alex, Tom, and Sarah laughed as they sat their father at the table, allowing him to relax in his house once again.
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Friday, May 18, 2012

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“10, 9, 8, 7, 6,” counted Alex and Tom aloud, reading the clock in the small cafeteria.

In six seconds, the bell for the end of fourth period would ring. For freshmen, sophomores, and juniors, it would just mark the transition from fourth to fifth period. For seniors, on the other hand, it would be the last six seconds of high school before they were released.

“5, 4, 3, 2, 1!”

*BEEP*

Tom immediately pressed play on his iPod which was connected to an amp that he brought into school with Alex’s help (and the principal’s permission (so long as they didn’t play any “naughty” music)). The amp began to blare the Sex Pistols cover of Frank Sinatra’s My Way.

While Alex and Tom danced with the other seniors that began to gather in the cafeteria, specifically Reese, Emma, Jenny, and Lisa when they arrived. Some of the other seniors threw papers and books into the air, creating fireworks of sorts in the large room.

Once the song was over, Tom and Alex carried the amp back to the north parking lot where Carolyn would be picking them up and taking them to Centennial Beach, which was closed off for the day to accommodate the senior class. Alex and Tom loaded the amp into the back before the two of them got into the van themselves.

“I’m so proud of you,” said Carolyn, pulling away from the school.
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Monday, May 21, 2012

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As a plethora of caps filled the night sky with Fun’s We Are Young playing over the North football stadium’s sound system, Alex joined his other seniors in jumping up and down in a celebratory fashion, their high school experience having officially come to an end.

Despite taking a while to reunite with Tom, they were able to quickly reconvene with their family and pony friends (minus Shining Armor and Cadance, who stayed to guard the house), who came to watch the humans’ rite of passage.

“I can’t even begin to tell you how proud I am of you two!” she choked through tears, hugging both Alex and Tom.

“Yes,” agreed Thomas. “You’ve done the Emmitt family very proud.” Twilight and Rainbow Dash then rushed over and gave congratulatory hugs to Alex and Tom, respectively. Alex and Tom alike couldn’t help but giggle at the prospect of being in the warm, fuzzy embrace of his friends.

As Sarah was hugging Tom, Reese and Emma began to approach them. They were both stopped as Pinkie Pie jumped down out of nowhere to give them both a hug.

“Congratulations!” she cheered. “I sure hope you’re all coming to the big graduation party I’m throwing for you!”

“Wouldn’t miss it for the world, Pinkie,” assured Reese.

“Great,” spoke Emma. “We just need to find Jenny and Lisa, and we’re golden.”

“I’ll go find them!” quipped Pinkie, and she zoomed off to find them. Alex took a small break from the joyous chaos and looked up at the sky.

“I did it, Mom,” he whispered. “I did it, Dad.”

“Come on,” said Carolyn. Alex redirected his attention towards his family to see Tom taking a picture with his grandmother. “Get in the picture with your brother.”

Smiling, Alex went to Tom’s side, wrapping his arm over his shoulder while Thomas took a snapshot of the two.
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Twilight, Spike, and Rainbow Dash rode with the Emmitts in their van while Pinkie Pie and Rarity rode with Reese and Emma. Fluttershy and Applejack hitched with Jenny and Lisa. Knowing how congested traffic would be, Carolyn led everyone to their house through the residential backroads south of the school.

Alex himself couldn’t believe that he was through with high school. He couldn’t wait for college, but as he looked out of the car window, he felt emptier than he thought he should have. As much as he wanted his parents to be alive to see him graduate, he felt like they were already watching him. He suddenly felt a hoof on his shoulder. Alex turned to see that it belonged to Twilight.

“I’m certain that they would be very proud of you,” she said.

Alex responded with a slight nod as he placed his hand on Twilight’s hoof.

As Carolyn continued to drive, it started to become foggy out. Carolyn stopped the car to see what was happening.

“Where did all that fog come from?” asked Spike.

“Fog wouldn’t just roll in that quickly,” mused Thomas.

“Unless…” thought Twilight aloud.

“Unless what?” asked Rainbow Dash.

Reese and Jenny’s car were stopped on the street as a result.

“What’s going on?” wondered Reese.

Suddenly, Carolyn’s van began to move on its own. What scared Emma and, to an extent, Reese was that the car sped away faster than what was considered safe in a residential area during a fog this thick.

“Alex!” yelled Reese, slamming his foot on the gas and tried to follow the car.

“What just happened?” yelled Lisa, in the passenger seat of Jenny’s car.

“I dunno,” said Applejack, “but follow ‘em!”

Jenny sped off to try and follow Reese.

Carolyn watched in fear as the van continued to drive itself. Upon taking a right turn, Alex looked out the window and saw that the area, once filled with homes, was now a forest of trees.

“It’s taking us into Burlington Park!” said Tom.

The van continued down the now gravel path until it abruptly stopped at a circular parking area. Alex immediately hopped out of the car and ran to the back. Alex had brought his D-Pad with him in case anyone wanted to duel him before they were ushered to the football stadium for the graduation ceremony to begin.

After he disrobed himself of his gown, revealing a red dress shirt with a black tie and a pair of black dress pants, Alex quickly constructed his D-Pad and ran out into the grassy park. The darkness and the fog made seeing nearly impossible, but Alex knew this area like the back of his hand, so he was able to rely on his memory and other senses. There was nothing intrusive except for a canopy and a large fire pit.

“Where are you!” yelled Alex. “Show yourself!”

A laugh, evil but elegant, rang through the air.

“As you wish,” said a female voice.

Alex soon felt a strong gust blow into him. It wasn’t strong enough to knock Alex over, but it was able to blow the fog away. Even if the fog was cleared, it was too dark to make out what answered Alex’s call. However, now the Emmitts, along with Twilight, Rainbow Dash, and Spike, could see the park’s entrance much clearly.

However, the trees that bordered the park soon went alight, a bright white orb materializing in about seven feet up from the ground around the bark. This provided more than enough illumination to reveal who had presumably brought them out here.

It was a blue unicorn mare with a bushed mane and tail that had two stripes of light blue and two stripes of an even lighter blue. She also wore a purple cape studded with blue and yellow stars held together by a light blue gem-shaped pin, along with a purple magician’s hat with a similar star design.

Twilight, Rainbow Dash, and Spike gasped upon sight, knowing exactly who she was.

“You,” grunted Twilight.

“The great and powerful Trixie is glad to see you too,” spoke Trixie in 3rd person.

“Wait,” pondered Tom aloud. “Who?”

“That’s Trixie,” explained Rainbow Dash. “She’s this total showoff who thinks she’s better than everyone else. However, Twilight showed her up when she saved Ponyville from an Ursa Minor.”

“It seems that the great and powerful Trixie hasn’t left a positive impression on your small little dump you call a town,” insulted Trixie.

“I don’t think you’re even capable of leaving any good impressions with the way you treat everypony.”

“Au contraire, Twilight. Trixie is about to leave a ¬very good impression on you all.”

Trixie then shot a red beam from her horn, similar to the ones Flim and Flam used to get Alex and Reese to duel them. However, this one was aimed directly at Alex, and it made its target, wrapping around Alex’s right wrist.

“Let me guess,” hissed Alex. “You’re working for Rae Sulfa Tun to steal the Stones of Equus.”

“As if you hairless apes needed a hint,” giggled Trixie. “Now, if you wish to leave this forest in one piece, you will be a good little human and hand Trixie your Stone of Equus right now.”

“Fat chance, you bitch.”

“Hmph. Wrong answer.”

Trixie’s cutie mark, a magic wand with a star-shaped end in front of a blue, crescent-shaped aura began to glow. A white, five-pointed star and white crescent, both made of light, shot from the left side of her rump and into the air. The star spun until the points shifted until the star was now the shape of a diamond. Trixie stood up and outstretched her left forearm. The diamond flew onto Trixie’s left wrist, where it turned into a solid, white body with a graveyard slot, a spell/trap card slot, and a wrist dealer with a deck inside it.

The crescent then collided into the left side of the diamond D-Pad body, which became a large, white, crescent-shaped blade that curved upwards. There were five blue zones with red arrows on top of a purple shape that was fixed in the center. On the opposite side, there was a purple, downward triangle in the center with a turquoise-colored gem in the center of that. On both sides of the purple triangle, there were two, long, red, diamond-shaped designs, which looked like a pair of eyes from an opponent’s vantage point. There was also a turquoise gem on the left side of the crescent.

“Now,” said Trixie, setting back down on all fours, “you’re going to learn firsthand why you should have never tried to best the great and powerful Trixie.”

“I’ll be the judge of that,” answered Alex.

Alex unsheathed his duel disk. When everything was ready, Alex and Trixie drew five cards from their decks.

“DUEL!” they both cried.

Chapter 28: Legion

Reese and Jenny’s cars were still stranded in the fog. Ever since the Riverwalk Competition, Reese and Emma had exchanged their contacts with Alex and Tom so they could stay in touch. Despite this, there was strangely no service to allow either of them to call Alex or Tom.

“Dammit!” exclaimed Reese in frustration.

“Calm down,” cooed Emma. “We’ll find them.”

“How? The fog’s thicker than all hell, and I don’t have any way to contact them.”

“Let’s think,” said Emma. “Whatever dragged them away couldn’t have been far.”

“But where do you think they could have gone? They’d have to go to someplace secluded…” Reese finally got it. He slammed the brakes, causing Jenny’s car to stop behind them. Reese put the car in park and ran to Jenny’s car.

“Jenny,” said Reese as Jenny rolled the window down.

“What?” she answered.

“I think I know where Alex and Tom are. Follow me.”

Reese got back into his car and led Jenny to where he thought their friends were.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Trixie vs. Alex

Trixie’s Turn: Trixie activates Photon Lead, special summoning a level 4 or lower LIGHT attribute monster, choosing Arcana Force IV – The Emperor (ATK: 1400 DEF: 1400). A coin is tossed. It comes out tails. With Arcana Force IV – The Emperor’s tails effect, all Arcana Force monsters lose 500 ATK (ATK: 1400 -> 900). Trixie tributes Arcana Force IV – The Emperor to normal summon Darklord Desire with its effect (ATK: 3000 DEF: 2800).

Trixie places one card face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-4000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“Crap,” commented Tom. “A 3000 ATK point monster?”

“Does this frighten you?” asked Trixie. “This is only a fraction of the skill Trixie possesses. You have a lot more to fear than this.”

I should build up some defense, thought Alex. She may be boastful of her skill at this game, but if she’s really an agent of Rae Sulfa Tun, then I should have every reason to be cautious.

***************************************************
Alex’s Turn: Alex activates Graceful Charity, drawing three cards and discarding two. Alex special summons Hieratic Dragon of Asar by banishing a LIGHT attribute Dragon-type monster and a normal Dragon-type monster in his graveyard from play (ATK: 2600 DEF: 700). Alex normal summons Dragunity Dux (ATK: 1500 DEF: 1000). Alex then special summons Dragunity Arma Mystletainn from his hand by sending Dragunity Dux to the graveyard (ATK: 2100 DEF: 1500).

Alex places 2 cards face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-4000 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

Two cars came speeding into the parking circle of Burlington Park. Each person and pony in each car got out as quickly as possible and ran to where the Emmitts were.

“Alex!” called Reese.

“Guys!” responded Alex.

“Oh, how wonderful,” mocked Trixie. “Your friends have decided to come and see the show.”

“Can it, you charlatan,” snapped Applejack. “Don’t forget how Twilight wiped the floor with you after your visit to Ponyville.”

“You don’t need to remind Trixie, Applejack. Trixie knows full well of what happened that day, and she made a promise to herself.”

“And what’s that?” asked Alex.

“That it would never happen again.”

***************************************************
Trixie’s Turn: Trixie activates her face down Lucky Chance, allowing her to draw one card if she calls the coin toss from a monster’s effect correctly. Trixie activates Monster Reborn, special summoning Arcana Force IV – The Emperor from her graveyard. A coin is tossed. Trixie calls heads. The coin lands on heads (ATK: 1400 -> 1900). With Lucky Chance’s effect, Trixie draws one card.

Trixie then activates her spell Inferno Reckless Summon, special summoning as many monsters with 1500 or less ATK from her hand, deck, or graveyard that share the same name of a special summoned monster, special summoning two more Arcana Force IV – The Emperors from her deck (ATK: 1400 -> 1900) (ATK: 1400 -> 1900). Two coins are tossed. Trixie calls heads for the first one and calls tails for the last one. The first coin lands on heads while the last one lands on tails (ATK: 1900 -> 2400) (ATK: 1900 -> 2400) (ATK: 1900 -> 2400) (ATK: 2400 -> 1900) (ATK: 2400 -> 1900) (ATK: 2400 -> 1900). Trixie draws two cards through Lucky Chance’s effect. With Inferno Reckless Summon’s effect, Alex can choose one monster he controls and special summon as many monsters with the same name from his deck, hand, or graveyard, special summoning two Hieratic Dragon of Asars.

Trixie tributes her three Arcana Force IV – The Emperors to special summon Arcana Force EX – The Dark Ruler (ATK: 4000 DEF: 4000). A coin is tossed. Trixie calls tails. The coin lands on tails. With Lucky Chance’s effect, Trixie draws one card. Trixie activates Darklord Desire’s effect. By reducing its ATK by 1000 (ATK: 3000 -> 2000), she can send one of her opponent’s monsters to the graveyard, choosing one of Alex’s Hieratic Dragon of Asars. Trixie overlays Darklord Desire and Arcana Force EX – The Dark Ruler to xyz summon Cobalt Ursa Minor (ATK: 3000 DEF: 3000).

Trixie activates Cobalt Ursa Minor’s effect. By detaching one xyz material from it, she can choose one of two effects. She chooses the first. Trixie draws one card. She draws Arcana Force IV – The Lovers. Since the drawn card was a monster, Cobalt Ursa Minor can attack a number of times equal to the level of the drawn monster (4).

Trixie attacks Dragunity Arma Leyvaten with Cobalt Ursa Minor.

Alex’s Life Points: 4000 -> 3100

Alex activates Card of Last Will, drawing five cards when a monster he controls is destroyed by battle. Trixie attacks one of Alex’s Hieratic Dragon of Asars with Cobalt Ursa Minor.

Alex’s Life Points: 3100 -> 2700

Trixie attacks the last Hieratic Dragon of Asar with Cobalt Ursa Minor.

Alex’s Life Points: 2700 -> 2300

Trixie attacks Alex directly with Cobalt Ursa Minor, but Alex activates Card Defense, discarding one card to negate the attack. Then, he draws one card.

Trixie activates Second Coin Toss. Trixie sets one monster.

Trixie places two cards face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-4000 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

“I don’t believe it,” gasped Twilight, mouth agape.

“She’s controlling an Ursa Minor!” gasped Rainbow Dash.

“I told you not to underestimate the talents of the great and powerful Trixie," the cyan unicorn bellowed.

“You’re right,” said Alex. His response had a surprised gasp from the ponies, including Trixie.

“What did you say?” she asked, almost confused.

“It takes a lot of skill to do what you just did. Why are you using that skill for evil? Why don’t you use your given talents to do good?”

“You foal! There is no longer any good! The damage Twilight and her friends have inflicted onto Trixie and her status as Equestria’s greatest magician is done. All that’s left is my revenge!”

“Trixie, I–”

“It’s your turn.”

“Hmph. Suit yourself.”

***************************************************
Alex’s Turn: Alex summons Hieratic Dragon of Gebeb (ATK: 1800 DEF: 400). Next, he tributes Hieratic Dragon of Gebeb to special summon Hieratic Dragon of Su (ATK: 2200 DEF: 1000). When Hieratic Dragon of Gebeb is tributed, Alex can special summon a Hieratic normal monster from his hand, deck, or graveyard, special summoning Hieratic Seal of the Dragon King from his graveyard (ATK: 0 DEF: 0). Alex overlays Hieratic Dragon of Gebeb and Hieratic Seal of the Dragon King to xyz summon Jade Wyvern (ATK: 2500 DEF: 2100).

Alex activates Dragon Mastery, allowing him to equip a monster he controls with Dragon-type Dragunity monster from his hand, equipping Jade Wyvern with Dragunity Brandistock. With Dragon Mastery’s effect, all monsters equipped with Dragunity monsters gain 500 ATK (ATK: 2500 -> 3000). With Dragunity Brandistock’s effect, a monster equipped with it can attack twice during the battle phase.

Alex attacks Trixie's face down monster with Jade Wyvern, which turns out to be a Arcana Force VI – The Lovers (ATK: 1600 DEF: 1600). A coin is tossed. The coin lands on tails. Trixie activates Second Coin Toss’ effect, negating Arcana Force VI – The Lovers’ effect and re-doing the coin toss. A coin is tossed. Trixie calls heads. The coin lands on heads. With Lucky Chance’s effect, Trixie draws one card. Trixie draws one card with Lucky Chance’s effect. With Arcana Force VI – The Lovers’ heads effect, it can be treated as two tributes for an Arcana Force monster.

The attack continues, but Trixie activates Attack Invulnerability, preventing her monster’s destruction by battle. Alex activates Jade Wyvern’s effect. By detaching one xyz material from it, Alex can choose one monster on the field and have it not be destroyed by battle this turn, choosing Jade Wyvern. Alex attacks Cobalt Ursa Minor with Jade Wyvern, but Trixie activates Invincible Hero, preventing her monster’s destruction by battle. Since both monsters have equal ATKs, no damage is inflicted.

Alex places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-2300 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“Like Trixie said before. You have no chance of winning. It can all be over if you just hand over that monster of yours now.”

“You can take my Stone of Equus when you pry it from my cold, dead hands!" remarked Alex.

“That can be arranged.”

***************************************************
Trixie’s Turn: Trixie tributes Arcana Force VI – The Lovers to summon Arcana Force XVIII – The Moon (ATK: 2800 DEF: 2800). A coin is tossed. Trixie calls tails. It lands on tails. With Lucky Chance’s effect, Trixie draws one card. Trixie activates Reversal of Fate, having its tails effect become its heads effect. Trixie activates the field spell Luminous Spark, having all LIGHT attribute monsters gain 500 ATK and lose 400 DEF (ATK: 3000 -> 3500, DEF: 3000 -> 2600) (ATK: 2800 -> 3300, DEF: 2800 -> 2400).

Trixie activates Cobalt Ursa Minor’s effect, detaching an xyz material from it activate its first effect. Trixie draws one card from her deck. She draws Darklord Asmodeus. With Cobalt Ursa Minor’s first effect, it can attack a number of times equal to the level of the drawn monster (8).

Trixie attacks Jade Wyvern with Cobalt Ursa Minor, but Alex activates Jade Wyvern’s effect, detaching an xyz material from it to prevent a monster’s destruction in battle, choosing Jade Wyvern. Also, Alex activates Damage Diet, halving all of the damage that he takes this turn.

Alex’s Life Points: 2300 -> 2050

Trixie attacks Jade Wyvern with Cobalt Ursa Minor for a second time.

Alex’s Life Points: 2050 -> 1800

Trixie attacks Jade Wyvern with Cobalt Ursa Minor for a third time.

Alex’s Life Points: 1800 -> 1550

Trixie attacks Jade Wyvern with Cobalt Ursa Minor for a fourth time.

Alex’s Life Points: 1550 -> 1300

Trixie attacks Jade Wyvern with Cobalt Ursa Minor for a fifth time.

Alex’s Life Points: 1300 -> 1050

Trixie attacks Jade Wyvern with Cobalt Ursa Minor for a sixth time.

Alex’s Life Points: 1050 -> 800

Trixie attacks Jade Wyvern with Cobalt Ursa Minor for a seventh time.

Alex’s Life Points: 800 -> 550

Trixie attacks Jade Wyvern with Cobalt Ursa Minor for an eighth time.

Alex’s Life Points: 550 -> 300

Trixie attacks Trixie attacks Jade Wyvern with Arcana Force XVIII – The Moon.

Alex’s Life Points: 300 -> 150

Trixie activates Overlay Regenerate, attaching it as xyz material onto Cobalt Ursa Minor.

Trixie places 1 card face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-4000 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

The barrage of attacks left Alex battered and lying on the ground. It was beginning to scare his friends and family that he wasn’t even moving.

“Alex!” yelled Twilight. “Get up!”

“Get up, man!” yelled Reese.

“Dude, kick that bitch’s ass!” ordered Tom.

With the encouragement of his friends, Alex found enough strength to wake up and get back on his feet. Everyone, minus Trixie, was relieved to see Alex get up to carry on the fight.

“Trixie still doesn’t understand why you continue to kill yourself like this. You have less than 5% of your life points left while I have all of mine to spare. I have two strong monsters on my side while you have one with no xyz materials on it. What hope do you have to defeat me?”

“Enough,” was all Alex responded.

***************************************************
Alex’s Turn: Alex activates Giant Trunade, sending all spell and trap cards on the field back to the owners’ hands, including Luminous Spark (ATK: 3500 -> 3000, DEF: 2600 -> 3000) (ATK: 3300 -> 2800, DEF: 2400 -> 2800), Dragon Mastery, and Dragunity Brandistock (ATK: 3000 -> 2500). Alex summons Dragunity Militum (ATK: 1700 DEF: 1200). Alex activates Orichalcum Chain, allowing him to xyz summon a monster with one less xyz material than required. With his life points below 500, Alex overlays Jade Wyvern to xyz summon Shining Platinum Dragon (ATK: 3500 DEF: 2500).

Alex activates Dragon Mastery again, equipping Shining Platinum Dragon with Dragunity Brandistock (ATK: 3500 -> 4000). Alex activates Shining Platinum Dragon’s effect, detaching all xyz materials from it to reveal a number of cards on the top of his deck equal to the number of xyz materials detached (1). Shining Platinum Dragon gains 500 ATK for each Dragon-type monster revealed by this effect. The card revealed is Dragunity Corsesca (ATK: 4000 -> 4500).

Alex attacks Arcana Force XVIII – The Moon with Shining Platinum Dragon.

Trixie’s Life Points: 4000 -> 2300

Alex attacks Cobalt Ursa Minor with Shining Platnum Dragon using Dragunity Brandistock’s effect.

Trixie’s Life Points: 2300 -> 800

Alex attacks Trixie directly with Dragunity Militum.

Trixie’s Life Points: 800 -> 0

Alex wins.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

“Impossible,” moaned Trixie. “How could you beat the great and powerful Trixie?”

“Not great and powerful anymore,” retorted Alex, walking towards her.

“Alex!” called Twilight. “Careful!”

Before Alex could respond to Twilight, the fog from earlier began to roll in from behind Trixie, who merely scowled at him.

“Wait!” yelled Alex. “I’m not done with you!”

Alex was inches from Trixie’s face when the fog covered her. Instead of hitting her, he merely hit the clouded air. Realizing that under this cover, she could strike back at any time, Alex backed away about a yard from the fog.

“Where did she go?” thought Alex aloud.

“Perhaps I can be of some kind of assistance,” called a feminine voice from Alex’s right.

Alex, along with his group of friends turned towards the direction of the source of the voice. Standing behind the wall of fog was a woman in a red woman’s suit, knee high black socks, red slippers, black, bobbed hair, and white mask.

“Are… you Rae Sulfa Tun?” asked Alex.

“I am.”

“Who in the hay do you think you are?” shouted Rainbow Dash. “I’m going to teach you a thing or two about messing with my friends.”

Rainbow Dash flew at high speed towards Rae, but upon colliding with her, Rae dissolved into a puff of fog.

“Hmhmhmhmhm,” giggled Rae, now appearing further left. “You’ll have to try harder than that.”

Rainbow Dash, thickheaded as ever, made another lunge, which only garnered the same results. This time however, Rae quickly reappeared behind Rainbow Dash and grabbed hold of the pegasus’ wing. Using inhuman strength, she tossed Rainbow into a tree, shattering the bark and leaving Rainbow Dash defeated and sprawled on the grass.

“Rainbow Dash!” yelled Tom.

Everyone rushed to her aid to see if she was alright. Rainbow had collided her shoulder into the tree, and judging from the speed at which she collided, it was most definite that it was broken.

“How dare you?” seethed Jenny at Rae.

“How dare I?” mocked Rae. “She was the one who attacked me.”

“And you sent your goons to attack us.”

“Rae!” interrupted Alex. “Who are you, how do you know so much of Equestria, and why do you want to destroy it?”

“Perhaps this will make a better answer,” said Rae.

Rae snapped her fingers, bringing out four creatures as they entered from the thick haze, one being Trixie, and another one of them being a human. Alex and everyone else easily recognized the human as Kyle. His face was strangely blanker than usual. But upon seeing the other two creatures, the ponies plus Spike gasped in shock.

One creature was a griffon, whom Rainbow Dash recognized by the three long, white feathers with purple tips that hung from her head. However, each of the ponies gasped at the sight of the other creature, which resembled a black, insectoid alicorn.

“Missed us?” asked the griffon.

“Gilda?” gasped Rainbow Dash, still weak from her broken shoulder as she stood on her three functioning legs. “What are you doing with Rae?”

“It’s good to see you too, Lame-bow Dash.”

“Lame-bow Dash?” snickered Tom. “Seriously?”

“Shut up,” spat Gilda. “Element of Loyalty, my hide.”

“Wha–” stammered Alex. “Who are you?”

Twilight stepped in to explain.

“These are our enemies. That griffon there is Gilda. She used to be one of Rainbow Dash’s friends until she treated Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy terribly. Let me tell you more about Trixie. She was a traveling showpony whose act was nothing more than boastful insults to her audience along with her tall tales to boost her massive ego. When we exposed her for the fraud that she was, she left in a huff.”

“Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten about me,” said the black alicorn.

“I’d never forget someone like you, Queen Chrysalis.”

“Who?” asked Reese.

“Queen Chrysalis is a creature known as a changeling, a parasite that feeds off of the love of another pony by disguising as their mate. She, in particular, disguised herself as my old foalsitter, Cadance, and tried to feed off the love of my brother, Shining Armor.”

“Such fond memories, aren’t they?” asked Chrysalis.

“What about Kyle?” asked Alex. “What reason would he have to attack a world so foreign to him?”

Rae teleported behind Kyle.

“Let’s just say his service to me transcends simple revenge,” she said, stroking his hair.

“Simple?” yelled Twilight. “You’re talking about the bringing the deaths of millions of innocents.”

Alex then directed his attention to Trixie, Gilda, and Chrysalis.

“What would you even hope to gain from destroying your home world like that?” he asked.

“The construction of a better world,” answered Rae.

“Better for whom? You?”

“Now you’re getting it.”

“Well, we won’t let you!” yelled Twilight.

“As long as we stick together…” began Tom.

“…wherever you and your minions may be…” continued Reese.

“…we’ll be there to stop you,” finished Alex.

“You don’t seem to understand the gravity of the situation, do you?” asked Rae. “If you thought Kyle was a powerful duelist, you haven’t seen anything yet. Prepare yourselves, bearers of the Stones of Equus. We will have our revenge. Anyone who stands in our way will stand no more.”

Without moving their bodies, Rae, Kyle, Gilda, Trixie, and Chrysalis shifted backwards into the mist. Once they were invisible, just as quickly as it came, the fog vanished, making the night as clear as night could be. With Rae gone, everyone put their attention back to the still injured Rainbow Dash.

“Pinkie, I hate to say this,” said Alex, “but the party’s canceled. Right now, we need to get Rainbow Dash to a hospital.”

Chapter 29: Present

Tuesday, May 22, 2012 - Thursday, 24, 2012

_________________________________________________________________________________________

A couple days had passed since Trixie’s ambush. Rainbow Dash was sent to the hospital in Ponyville via Celestia, where the doctors there would have an easier time dealing with a pegasus than a human would have.

Once Rainbow Dash was treated, she was transferred to the Edwards Hospital in Naperville, where all of her friends could more easily visit her without having to travel to Equestria and back for a mere visit. Despite her injuries, Rainbow Dash enjoyed her time in the hospital, where she got to meet some of the children who became fans of her when they watched her in the Riverwalk Tournament. When Rainbow Dash wasn't tending to her fans and her friends weren't tending to her, she stayed in bed to read the latest Daring Do book.

For whatever reason, it seemed ponies healed much faster than humans, and Rainbow Dash was happy to be discharged from the hospital and brought back to the Emmitts Thursday morning. She was advised, however, to keep as much weight off of her shoulder and make as little arm movement as possible to speed up the healing process. Since Rainbow’s right arm was the injured limb, that would make dueling an impossibility for a while.

Despite this, she was very supportive of her friends as they began training to take on Rae and her minions each day at the Naperville North soccer fields. Although loyal to her pony friends, she was considerably supportive towards Tom and Alex. She would always be the most supportive of Tom, seeing as how she considered him her best human friend, and she felt supportive of Alex, seeing as he was easily one of the strongest duelists among their group.

John, who was still working with his own final days of school before summer break, made an effort to train hard as well, knowing that his well being was in jeopardy along with everyone else. Claude was always absent, but he claimed it was so he could spend as much time at his home with his pregnant wife and be there for her if Rae or her minions attacked them.
With school over for the seniors, training was easiest for them, as their only focus was on getting stronger for Rae’s army. Jenny and Lisa often came as well wanting to fight this out every step of the way.

Thomas and Carolyn would sometimes come to watch as their two boys would duke it out.

“Perhaps I should give them their graduation present early,” said Thomas as he continued to watch.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Friday, May 25, 2012

_________________________________________________________________________________________

“You did what?” asked Alex excitedly.

“Shut up!” yelled Tom.

Alex and Tom looked out on the driveway to see two new duel runners parked there. There was a solid black one for Tom and a sharp red one for Alex. Both vehicles shared a resemblance to the motorcycle that Kaneda rode in the film Akira.

“These are our first completed, state-of-the art models of the new line of duel runners,” mentioned Thomas, “and I thought it would be a fitting graduation present to a pair of great duelists, students, and sons such as yourself.”

“That’s awesome!” exclaimed Tom. “Thanks, dad!”

Alex had called Thomas “Mr. Emmitt” ever since he first met Tom in kindergarten. Even though Thomas was as much of a fatherly figure as he could receive, Alex could never bring himself to call Thomas “dad.” However, this was too kind of a gesture to do that to Thomas.

“Yes,” agreed Alex. “Thank you very much, dad.”

“You’re most welcome,” said Thomas.

“Wait,” said Rainbow Dash. “I heard you need a license to ride one of these things. Does Alex even have a license yet?”

“No,” answered Alex, “but I do have a permit. I've tested a few in the past for fun, but I just never felt comfortable riding Mr. Emmitt’s duel runner. All I need to do now, though, is take my riding test.”

“When can you do that?”

“Tomorrow, if I want.”

“Really? That quickly?”

“Sure. I just have to get to the DMV nice and early.”

“Whatever. Hey, Tom. Wanna try yours out?”

“Do I?!?” yelped Tom in a cartoonishly over-the-top manner.

Rainbow Dash and Tom were quick to speed away to the nearest riding duel track so Tom could test his new present.

“Don’t worry,” said Alex to his quickly furthering friends. “I’ll join you soon enough.”
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Much later that night, Alex was in outside on his driveway going over his deck and new duel runner, making sure he’d be prepared for his duel tomorrow. He was sure to leave out all of his normal spells so he could easily add in speed spells when he got them. He also examined the bells and whistles of his new vehicle so it wouldn’t be difficult to ride it the next morning.

There were two slots on the silver bar at the top of a black, shield-shaped plate where the gas tank would be, which he deduced were his monster and spell/trap card slots judging by how Thomas’ duel runner worked. There were four buttons aligned in a square on the left side of the right handlebar and two buttons on the right side of the left handlebar. The four buttons were put in this order from top to bottom on the left side of the square to the top to bottom on the right side: P, N, R, D.

Must be the transmission, thought Alex. And it’s automatic too. Nice.

He thought about giving it a test run, but he knew that riding such an exquisite model of duel runner would garner some attention, and if he was caught riding it without an actual license, he would get in very big trouble. But he figured that riding around the block a couple of times just to be sure wouldn’t hurt.

Taking his key from his pocket, he placed it in the ignition and turned it, bringing his motorbike to life. He was incredibly surprised by how quiet it was. He supposed that because all duel runners ran on 100% electricity now, it was to be expected. On the top screen just above the center of the handlebars, he looked at the gauges. The engine temperature and energy level gauges were represented by green and red bars at the top of the screen, while the speedometer was just a number below the bars that would tell him how fast he was going.

Alex the looked at the top button on the left handlebar, which had the Speed World 2 logo on it. Alex pushed it for grins. Alex the noticed that the screen on the black, shield-shaped plate had changed. It was just a red banner across the screen that said, “No duelist in immediate vicinity.”

Alex then pressed the button below the Speed World button, which had a picture of the screen. The bottom screen changed again to show a choice of 4 screens that were labeled with: Duel Mode, Rear-View, Duel Viewer, and Radio/MP3. Alex touched the Radio Screen. Alex was dismayed to get a loud burst of static that could have woken the entire neighborhood. Alex fidgeted quickly through the controls to turn the volume off.

I’ll have to try these out another time, he thought.

Alex proceeded to shut the vehicle off, put the keys back in his pocket, and sneak back upstairs to his room so no one would know he was gone. Unfortunately, he was stopped by a familiar voice.

“Hey!” Rainbow Dash called loudly from Tom’s bedroom window. He then saw the rainbow blur try to tackle him. He ducked as she tried to dip into him.

“Rainbow!” hissed Alex, trying to be loud enough to make himself heard but soft enough to prevent waking everyone. “It’s me, Alex!”

“Alex,” whispered Rainbow Dash, landing on the ground in front of Alex. “What in the hay do you think you’re doing?”

“I was just going over my bike so I can be ready for tomorrow.”

“Dude, you need to relax. You’re going to do just fine. I mean, it’s not like you’ve never ridden one of these things before.”
“I know, it’s just that with a brand new model like this, I couldn’t be too sure.”

“I can see that. There is one thing I’m sure of, though.”

“Yeah? What’s that?”

“If you don’t go to bed and get some sleep, you aren’t going to be ready regardless.”

“Hehe,” giggled Alex. “You’re right. I’ll see you in the AM, Dash.” Alex walked to the front door and entered as quietly as possible.

“I know you’ll do well,” whispered Rainbow Dash as she flew back into Tom’s bedroom.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Saturday, May 26, 2012

_________________________________________________________________________________________

After a hearty pancake and sausage breakfast, Alex went to his room to grab a heavy jacket for his riding duel test. Upon opening his closet door, he found a brand new jacket that he hadn’t seen before. It was a sleek, black, leather jacket. When Alex picked it up from the hanger, it felt light in weight, but it’s material was durable.

“Do you like it?” asked the voice of Thomas from his doorway.

“What even is this?”

“It’s the second third of your graduation present: a perfectly good duel runner jacket.”

“Wow, thanks. And you just said second third. That’s the last third?”

Thomas smirked.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Alex walked out of the house and to his duel runner with his new jacket on and a motorcycle helmet: a candy red Bell Mag-9. Alex also wore a pair of black gloves with special ends on the fingertips that allowed for the use of touchscreens. His wrist dealer with his deck in it was also firmly fastened to his left wrist. Tom followed him out with a similar jacket and helmet on him, although Tom’s jacket was brown and his helmet was black.

Thomas rode out of the garage on his own duel runner with his helmet on, ready to escort Alex to the DMV where Tom would follow and support Alex.

“Ready?” asked Thomas.

“Ready,” answered Alex as he put his helmet on and flipped the visor down over his eyes.

Thomas, Alex, and Tom rode away, with Alex ready to finally get his license.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

As the three of them arrived at the DMV, Alex was relieved that he’d be one of the first people in line. It was still just going to be a couple of moments until the doors opened, but Tom walked up to Alex to check something.

“You should probably go ahead and switch your wrist dealer to riding duel mode.”

“Huh?”

“Here, like this.”

Tom took him through the motions, detaching the deck holster and attaching it to the top of the graveyard slot, and then turning it so the deck was facing in a 3 o’clock position relative to Alex’s hand.

“Thanks, dude.”

“Sure.”

An older woman inside the DMV unlocked the doors, allowing the people inside. Alex was third in line, and thankfully for him, he was the only one so far getting his duel runner’s license. When it finally came time for him to go, a young woman at the counter took care of him.

“How may I help you today?” asked the woman.

“I’d like to get my duel runner’s license,” said Alex.

"Excellent. Do you need some speed spells?"

"Very much so."

"It's thirty dollars for thirty cards."

Alex gave the woman his debit card while he picked the ones he liked. Alex's purchase was approved, and the woman gave him his receipt.

“Alright, now I just need you to fill this out.” She handed him a small piece of paper asking for his name, birth date, address, email, phone number, etc. After Alex filled it out, he handed it back to the woman.

“Alexander Yuwell?” she asked in a more surprised tone.

“Yes, I know about what happened two weeks ago,” said Alex, annoyed that that was probably going to be brought up, “but I’d like–”

“No, it’s not that,” she reasoned. “I just… never mind. Please sit down and wait for your instructor to call you.”

“Uh… thanks,” said Alex flatly, slightly embarrassed that he might have demeaned this innocent woman.

He sat in the waiting room with Tom and Thomas, hoping that this wouldn’t take much longer. The DMV had a reputation of being a hellhole, and it was certainly upholding that reputation.

“What was all that about?” asked Tom. “Could you be any ruder to her?”

“You know,” argued Alex. “I was hoping that when Celestia told people not to mention what happened at the tournament, that they wouldn’t do that.”

“First off,” said Tom, “it was just one person. Second, you can’t seriously believe that everyone would stop mentioning that incident cold-turkey just because Celestia said so. I mean, what you did was incredible. You should be proud of something like that.”

“I just hate having all that kind of attention,” said Alex, “especially since that whole thing was out of my control.”

“She just said your name.”

“It was the way she said it. Like I was something to be revered or something.”

“Well, you are the Element of Passion,” mentioned Tom with a nudge. “It’s kind of hard not to gain some fame after that.”

“I don’t mind being famous,” said Alex. “I just don’t want to be a constant center of attention. I’ve heard from Twilight that despite defeating two evil entities named Nightmare Moon and Discord with the Elements of Harmony in the past, they don’t have to deal with all that crap; life resumes for them as normal. That’s all that I want.”

“Whatever, man,” Tom ended.

“Alexander Yuwell, please meet your instructor outside.”

“And for the record,” said Tom, “she wasn’t freaking out because of your name. She was ready to assign you to a specific duel instructor.”

“Specific? What's that supposed to mean?”

Alex, Tom, and Thomas walked outside to see who their instructor was. Upon opening the door and seeing him, Alex couldn’t help but gasp. Before him was a familiar African-American male on a gleaming, silver Triumph Trophy SE motorcycle while clutching a black helmet in his right arm. It was Claude.

Chapter 30: Ride

“Claude!” exclaimed Alex happily. “What are you doing here?”

“I’m certified to be a riding duel instructor. Plus, I work here when I’m off duty.”

“How did you even know that I would be here?”

“When I came over to your house that one time, I told a little bit about myself to Carolyn, including my job as an instructor. When you got your motorcycle yesterday, she called up the DMV and specifically asked for me to test you. So, how about it? You ready to show me what you can do?”

“Yes, sir,” responded Alex with a nod.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Tom and Thomas watched as Alex flawlessly weaved and slalomed through the traffic cones. Once Alex was finished with his obstacle course, he did an impressive drifting stop alongside Claude’s duel runner.

“I sure hope you weren’t doing that on your permit,” said Claude.

“Tom taught me how to do it,” responded Alex.

“Sure, blame me,” yelled Tom from the sidelines.

“Alright,” said Claude. “Let’s drive to the track.”
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Now would be Alex’s final test to ensure a duel runner’s license: his first riding duel. Thankfully, the closest track was located a couple of miles from the DMV, the entrance to which was at the northeast corner of the intersection of Book Rd. and 87th St.

The track looked very much like the one in Naperville that Rainbow Dash and Tom rode on: Plexiglas halfpipes that were elevated about thirty feet above ground. However, instead of the track running through the city like it did in Naperville, this one rode through a large area of grassland. Along the entrance to the track, there were bleachers with small TVs equipped to them for any bystanders to watch.

Once Alex, Claude, Tom, and Thomas finally arrived, however, Carolyn’s van was in the parking lot.

“Don’t tell me…” said Alex.

Alex looked out to the stands to see Carolyn, Sarah, Twilight, and her other pony friends sitting and watching the current duel that was concluding between an instructor and a hopeful recipient of a duel runner’s license.

Cont. from Instructor vs. Opponent

Cont. from Intructor’s Turn: I:4 O:1 – The instructor activates Speed World 2’s effect. By removing four speed counter (SpC.: 4 -> 0), he can inflict 800 points of damage to his opponent for each speed spell in his hand. He has two.

Opponent’s Life Points: 1100 -> 0

Instructor wins.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

“Wow, that was fun,” said Rainbow Dash with sarcastic excitement. The instructor had lost only a sliver of his life points, and the opponent’s deck was feeble to say the least. Not only that, but upon stopping at the track lift, the opponent chucked his helmet at the ground in a fit of rage.

“Pick that up!” ordered the instructor, braking at the platform.

“Yeah, yeah,” muttered the opponent, doing as he was told.

“What a poor sport,” commented Applejack.

Upon getting a look at his uncovered face, she could see it was the man who insulted her during the Riverwalk Competition two weeks prior.

“That explains a lot,” she concluded.

Once the platform lowered back down, the opponent left in a huff.

“I should report you for making your instructors too hard,” he complained.

“Or maybe you just suck,” responded Claude.

Upon seeing the muscular black man in front of him, the opponent froze up.

“How’s that nose?” asked Claude slyly.

The man ran to his car scared and sped away.

“Wait,” said Rainbow Dash, “didn’t he forget his duel runner?”

“Those are rentals from the DMV,” answered Claude.

His answer got everyone turning in his direction.

“Hey, Claude!” loudly greeted Applejack.

“Morning, Applejack,” answered Claude.

“I hope you liked your surprise!” called Carolyn to Alex.

“Very much so,” replied Alex. “Thank you!”

“Good luck!”

“Again, thank you!”

Alex and Claude rode their duel runners to the platform where the previous instructor was. With a dismissive high five, the previous instructor rode off the platform and stayed to watch. The platform lifted Alex and Claude to the track. The two then rode up to the starting line. Through the glass halfpipe, Alex saw Twilight and Rainbow Dash waving at him. Alex responded with a vertical-handed, two-fingered salute and point. Alex watched as Tom and Thomas joined the rest of their family and friends, eager to watch the action.

Claude then turned to Alex and addressed him, breaking his attention from his friends.

“Remember when you beat me last time that I said we would fight on equal terms?”

“Sure do,” said Alex.

Claude took out his Ruby Phoenix card and revealed it to Alex, giving a smug smirk as well. Alex responded with a quaint smile and the revelation of his Jade Wyvern.

“Alright,” said Claude, “enough small talk. We’re wasting valuable time here.”

“Couldn’t agree more,” said Alex.

Both duelists had their helmets on already with their visors down, their wrist dealers were set, and the holographic imaging was still set from the last duel. There was only one thing left to do.

“Care to do the honors?” asked Claude.

“Hell yeah!” answered Alex. Alex pressed the Speed World button on his left handlebar. “Speed World 2. Set on!”

A virtual copy of Speed World 2 appeared on both duelists’ duel runners’ screens. Another wave of aura shot from Alex’s vehicle, the field finally being set. Alex and Claude’s screes were now set on a basic dueling field with two sets of five monster zones and five spell/trap card zones. Once the virtual countdown appeared in front of the duelists. They both began to rev their engines.

9. 8. 7. 6. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1. *BEEP*

Alex and Claude launched forward from the starting line. As Claude gave as much juice as his bike could muster, he saw as Alex’s duel runner effortlessly began to surpass him.

“Tricky bastard,” giggled Claude.

“Oh,” responded Alex, having heard him. “If you wanted the first turn, all you had to do was ask.”

Alex slowed down his bike enough to give Claude the lead. Alex allowed Claude to maintain this lead until he took the first turn, giving Claude the first turn.

“What?” yelled Rainbow Dash from the stands. “How come Alex gave up the first turn?”

“He didn’t,” said Tom. “He knows exactly what he’s doing.”

As the two duelists continued to ride, Claude and Alex drew five cards from their decks and slipped placed them onto their wrist dealers to hold them.

“Ready for your final test, man?” asked Claude.

“You bet,” said Alex.

“DUEL!” they both yelled.

Claude vs. Alex

Claude’s Turn: C:1 A:0 – Claude summons Heroic Challenger – Spartan (ATK: 1600 DEF: 1000).

Claude places two cards face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-3 Life-4000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2

***************************************************

Alex’s Turn: C:1 A:1 – Alex special summons Hieratic Dragon of Tefnuit, as he controls no monsters while his opponent controls one (ATK: 2100 DEF: 1400). Alex sets one monster.

Alex attacks Heroic Challenger – Spartan with Hieratic Dragon of Tefnuit, but Claude activates Depth Amulet, discarding a card from his hand to negate the attack.

Alex places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-3 Life-4000 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“Oh,” realized Rainbow Dash. “Now I see why he let Claude take the first turn.”

“Right,” said Tom. “Alex’s deck works better when his opponent has some field presence. However, knowing Alex, he’s not going to allow that to happen.”

Knowing his strategies, thought Alex, who continued to trail behind Claude on the track, the card he discarded was Heroic Challenger – Double Lance. If he has another copy of that monster in his hand, which I’m certain he does, he’ll use summon both monsters and use them plus his other Heroic Challenger monster to summon his Stone of Equus card.

“Alex,” called Claude. “I think you know what’s coming.”

“I certainly do,” said Alex. “Come at me!”

“If that’s what you wish…”

***************************************************
Claude’s Turn: C:2 A:2 – Claude summons Heroic Challenger – Double Lance (ATK: 1700 DEF: 900). When Heroic Challenger – Double Lance is normal summoned, Claude can special summon another Heroic Challenger – Double Lance from his graveyard. Claude overlays both Heroic Challenger – Double Lances and Heroic Challenger – Spartan to xyz summon Ruby Phoenix (ATK: 2600 DEF: 1800).

Claude attacks Hieratic Dragon of Tefnuit with Ruby Phoenix, but Alex activate Shift, redirecting the attack towards his face down monster, which is a Dragunity Phalanx (ATK: 500 DEF: 1100). Claude then activates Burning Strike, giving Ruby Phoenix the effect of piercing damage. The attack goes through.

Alex’s Life Points: 4000 -> 2500

Claude ends his turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-4000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

Crap, thought Alex. Now I can’t defend myself. It seems no matter what, his monster will deal damage to me. But with the cards in my hand, I don’t need to defend myself.

***************************************************
Alex’s Turn: C:3 A:3 – Alex summons Dragunity Dux (ATK: 1500 DEF: 1000). Alex activates Dragunity Dux’s effect, targeting a level 3 or lower Dragon-type Dragunity monster in his graveyard and equipping it onto Dragunity Dux, choosing Dragunity Phalanx. Alex then activates Dragunity Phalanx’s effect, special summoning itself from the spell/trap card zone when equipped to a monster by an effect. Alex tunes Dragunity Dux with Dragunity Phalanx to synchro summon Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana (ATK: 1900 DEF: 1200).

Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana is synchro summoned, Alex can equip a level 3 or lower Dragon-type Dragunity monster from his graveyard onto it, choosing Dragunity Phalanx. Alex activates Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana’s effect, sending a card equipped to it to the graveyard and doubling its ATK (ATK: 1900 -> 3800). Alex then activates the speed spell Speed Energy, increasing the ATK of a monster he controls by the number of speed spells Alex has times 200 when he has two or more speed counters, choosing Hieratic Dragon of Tefnuit (200 x 3 = 600, ATK: 2100 -> 2700).

Alex attacks Ruby Phoenix with Hieratic Dragon of Tefnuit, but Claude activates Ruby Phoenix’s effect. By detaching one xyz material from it, it can prevent its destruction by battle or card effect. Battle damage is applied normally.

Claude’s Life Points: 4000 -> 3900

Alex then attacks Ruby Phoenix with Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana, but Claude activates Ruby Phoenix’s effect, detaching an xyz material to negate its destruction. Battle damage is still applied.

Claude’s Life Points: 3900 -> 2700

Alex overlays Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana and Hieratic Dragon of Tefnuit to xyz summon Jade Wyvern (ATK: 2500 DEF: 2100).

Alex places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-2500 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

Claude and Alex were rounding the curve towards the end of their first lap. Alex sped by the stands to see Twilight, Spike, Tom, and Rainbow Dash cheering him on. Right before he would be too far, he gave a quick nod to them in acknowledgement. The chances that his friends and family themselves would have noticed it was very slim, but it was satisfactory enough that Alex made some kind of gesture. Alex rode up closer to his opponent, so now they were neck and neck.

“I’m surprised you still decided to attack me despite knowing that I still had Depth Amulet in play,” said Claude.

“Why?” answered Alex. “I know you wouldn’t have used it.”

“And what makes you say that?”

“Knowing you, you’d need every card in your hand to be able to set up your future strategies. In fact, the only reason you activated Depth Amulet in the first place was so you could protect Heroic Challenger – Spartan and discard Heroic Challenger – Double Lance to activate its effect later. Since you’ve done that, the card served its purpose.

“Secondly, with two attacks like that, you’d be able to detach two xyz materials from Ruby Phoenix to prevent its destruction, leaving only one more before it activates its much more devastating effect. There’s no way you’d pass up an opportunity like that.”

“Amazing, Alex!” cheered Twilight from the stands, clearly impressed with Alex’s ability to use his opponent’s strategy to his advantage.

“You know,” said Claude in a congratulatory tone, “it’s those kind of decisions that make people the best riding duelists in the world.”

“Thanks, man,” responded Alex.

“However, it still won’t do you any good!”

“What?”

Claude increased his acceleration, surpassing Alex yet again.

“This will be the final turn!”

***************************************************
Claude’s Turn: C:4 A:4 – Claude activates the speed spell Summon Speeder, special summoning Heroic Challenger – Extra Sword from his hand when he has four or more speed counters (ATK: 1000 DEF: 1000). Next, Claude normal summons Heroic Challenger – Swordshield (ATK: 0 DEF: 2000). Claude overlays Heroic Challenger – Swordshield and Heroic Challenger – Extra Sword to xyz summon Heroic Champion – Excalibur (ATK: 2000 DEF: 2000). When a monster is xyz summoned with Heroic Challenger – Extra Sword, that xyz monster gains 1000 ATK (ATK: 2000 -> 3000).

Claude attacks Jade Wyvern with Heroic Champion – Excalibur, but Alex activates Jade Wyvern's effect. By detaching one xyz material from it, Alex can prevent a monster that he controls from being destroyed by battle this turn, choosing Jade Wyvern. Battle damage is still applied.

Alex’s Life Points: 2500 -> 2000

Claude attacks Jade Wyvern with Ruby Phoenix.

Alex’s Life Points: 2000 -> 1900

Claude ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-2700 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

Twilight and Tom both took a sigh, relieved that Alex had survived Claude’s onslaught. However, Alex was far from safe. His life points were rapidly depleting and Claude’s were still, for the most part, intact. Alex was also outnumbered and outstrengthed. Alex would need a strong strategy to win this duel.

***************************************************
Alex’s Turn: C:5 A:5 – Alex activates the speed spell Xyz Treasure, drawing cards up to the number of xyz monsters on the field when he has four or more speed counters (3). Alex then activates the speed spell Count Up, discarding any number of cards in his hand to increase his speed counters by two for each card discarded when he has two or more speed counters (1) (2 x 1 = 2, SpC.: 5 -> 7).

Alex ends his turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-1900 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

Everyone in the stands couldn’t help but feel their jaws drop. It had seemed at first that Alex had a brilliant play set up, but it looked like he all but squandered it.

“So this is the kind of play I get from you on our rematch?” asked Claude flatly.

Alex’s face didn’t dare move. He only stared out at Claude, awaiting his real final move.

“So be it,” muttered Claude.

***************************************************
Claude’s Turn: C:6 A:8 – Claude activates Heroic Champion – Excalibur’s effect. By detaching two xyz materials from it, Heroic Champion – Excalibur’s ATK becomes double its original ATK until his opponent’s end phase (ATK: 3000 -> 4000).

Claude then activates Speed World 2’s effect. By removing four speed counters (SpC.: 6 -> 2), he can inflict 800 points of damage to his opponent for each speed spell in his hand. He has one. Alex activates the effect of Damage Diet in his graveyard, removing it from play to halve any effect damage he would take this turn.

Alex’s Life Points: 1900 -> 1500

Claude then activates the speed spell Silver Contrails, having a monster that he controls gain 1000 ATK until the end phase by removing two speed counters (SpC.: 2 -> 0), choosing Heroic Champion – Excalibur (ATK: 4000 -> 5000).

Claude attacks Jade Wyvern with Ruby Phoenix, but Alex activates Half Unbreak, preventing the destruction of a monster that he controls by battle and halving the battle damage.

Alex’s Life Points: 1500 -> 1450

Claude attacks Jade Wyvern with Heroic Champion – Excalibur.

Alex’s Life Points: 1450 -> 200

Claude ends his turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-2700 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

The melancholy that was felt by all who were watching the duel quickly changed to feelings of joy and excitement. Perhaps Alex hadn’t given up at all, and was instead just holding off for something even bigger.

“Quite an interesting strategy,” complimented Claude. "I wonder why you didn’t set Damage Diet instead of sending it to the graveyard.”

“Isn’t it obvious?” asked Alex.

“Is what obvious?” asked Applejack, still confused over Alex’s strategy.

“I don’t understand,” finally answered Claude.

“If I had set Damage Diet and used its effect to halve my effect AND battle damage, I would have also had to use my last xyz material for Jade Wyvern's effect if I wanted to protect it. With Half Unbreak, I can protect my monster all the same."

Twilight smiled wider and wider as she began to realize Alex’s strategy as he told it.

“Now that my monster still has an xyz material attached to it, my chances for beating you with my newest monster's effect has increased. And knowing that you watched mine and Kyle’s duel, I think you know which monster I'm referring to.”

Claude’s face betrayed a hint of fear, as he realized what would come. However, he resumed his confident smirk.

“Well, you’ve got one turn to do it,” said Claude, “‘cause come next turn, I’ll just attack without any interruptions and wipe you out next time.”

“Hmph,” chortled Alex. “There won’t be a next turn.”

***************************************************
Alex’s Turn: C:3 A:9 – Alex activates the Speed World 2’s effect, removing seven speed counters (SpC.: 9 -> 2) to draw one card. Alex summons Hieratic Dragon of Gebeb (ATK: 1800 DEF: 400). Alex then special summons Hieratic Dragon of Su by tributing Hieratic Dragon of Gebeb. When Hieratic Dragon of Gebeb is tributed, Alex can special summon a normal Dragon-type monster from his graveyard, choosing Hieratic Seal of the Dragon King (ATK: 0 DEF: 0). Alex overlays Hieratic Dragon of Su and Hieratic Seal of the Dragon King to xyz summon Hieratic Dragon King of Atum (ATK: 2400 DEF: 2100).

With his life points below 500, Alex overlays Jade Wyvern and Hieratic Dragon King of Atum to xyz summon Shining Platinum Dragon (ATK: 3500 DEF: 2500). Alex activates the speed spell Silver Contrails, removing two speed counters (SpC.: 2 -> 0) to increase the ATK of a monster he controls by 1000, choosing Shining Platinum Dragon (ATK: 3500 -> 4500).

Alex then activates Shining Platinum Dragon’s effect. By detaching all xyz materials from it, Alex can reveal a number of cards on the top of his deck equal to the number of xyz materials detached (5). Shining Platinum Dragon gains 500 ATK for each Dragon-type monster revealed by this effect. The cards revealed are Negate Attack, Dragunity Legionnaire, Dragunity Arma Mystletainn, Overboost, and Hieratic Seal of the Sun Dragon Overlord (2 x 500 = 1000, ATK: 4500 -> 5500).

Alex attacks Ruby Phoenix with Shining Platinum Dragon.

Claude’s Life Points: 2700 -> 0

Alex wins.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Claude’s gas tank opened up and showered him with cool exhaust. Once Alex rode past him, Alex performed an impressive sliding stop considering the speed he was going. Alex could hear his friends’ and family’s cheers from the stands, despite them being very far from the starting line. Claude dismounted his bike and put his helmet on the seat. Alex did the same as the two both approached each other in the middle between both bikes.

“Well,” admitted Claude. “This kind of sucks.”

“Why?” giggled Alex. “Because I won?”

“Not so much that, but the fact that I’m never going to have a riding duel that fun again.”

“Yeah,” agreed Alex wholeheartedly. “After that, I felt like it would be a great disservice to duel anyone other than you.”

“I’m glad you think so,” said Claude, reaching his hand for a handshake. Alex happily, but respectfully clasped his hand onto Claude’s.

“I can really see you becoming a damn fine riding duelist,” said Claude.

“Me too,” responded Alex.

“Come on. I’m sure your friends and family would like to celebrate with you now.”

Alex and Claude made their way back to their bikes and rode to the lift that would bring them back down.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

*Chink*

The camera flash was bright as Alex smiled for his license photo. After getting up and walking to the woman at the counter, she handed him his official license with his mug officially printed on it.

“Congratulations, Mr. Yuwell, you are all set. Have a good day.”

“You too,” said Alex kindly, trying to fix the indiscretion he made earlier.

Alex held his card in the air while his family and friends applauded him.

“So,” said Tom. “What do you want to do now?”

“Would you care to be my first official non-test duel?” asked Alex in a similar manner to asking someone to a school dance.

“Oh, it is on!”

Alex and Tom rushed to their duel runners and took off for the Naperville riding duel track, ready to finally ride alongside each other for the first time.

Chapter 31: Break

Cont. from Opponent vs. Alex

Cont. from Opponent’s Turn: Opponent activates Forced Release, detaching all xyz materials from Jade Wyvern (ATK: 2500 DEF: 2100).

Opponent attacks Jade Wyvern with Onyx Cerberus (ATK: 3300 DEF: 2900).

Alex’s Life Points: 500 -> 0

Opponent wins.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

“Game over,” called an electronic computerized voice. “The user wins.”

The opponent stood still inside the white, tile room as the holograms of the monsters and his defeated opponent disappeared in a wave of green binary.

The person dueling the virtual Alex was a tall, young man in his late teens/early twenties. He had medium length, spiky brown hair. He wore a pair of square-framed, gunmetal glasses over his hazel eyes. He was merely wearing a tight, black t-shirt that revealed his chiseled physique, along with a pair of black sweatpants and black socks.

He also wore a very peculiar D-Pad. His entire left forearm (and partially his hand) was in a gold gauntlet with a round wrist dealer on the side of it. On top of the gauntlet’s wrist was a gold and red duel blade. The main body of the blade was very jagged and had five blue zones with red diamond shapes in the center, and there looked to be a scythe-like blade protruding from the top of it. On the end of the blade closest to the hand, there were two slots, the top one being for spells and traps, the bottom acting as the graveyard.

The man disposed of his duel disk by allowing a white halo “scan” the D-Pad from the elbow. As the halo passed over the duel disk, it would fade away, revealing a barren arm and hand. As the man, rubbed his now naked limb, a door opened from behind him. It was Rae.

“Hello, Rae,” said the man.

“Good evening, Grant,” she replied with more enthusiasm. “How is your training going?”

“Fine,” he answered. “My training is going fine. I just beat Alex three times now.”

“Fantastic! I think you’re ready!”

“Ready for what?”

“To go out and hunt for my Stones of Equus.”

“Any specific target?”

“These two.” Rae directed her attention to the back wall of the room, pointing a remote at it. On the wall appeared the pictures of Shining Armor and Cadance by the use of the holograms. “Shining Armor, and Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, aka Cadance. These are the two ponies tasked with keeping the Stone of Equus bearers safe.”

“Interesting,” commented Grant, observing the two equines. “What decks do they use?”

“We are not entirely sure yet. That’s partially where you come in.”

“Partially? What am I primarily doing there then?”

“Two Stones of Equus bearers live in the house that Shining Armor and Cadance are guarding, and it could benefit us greatly if we can find any personal information on them. Of course, any of my hunters might not fare well against either of the two guards. I sure you can, though.”

Grant made his way from the room.

“I can take them both.”

Despite being behind a mask, Rae seemed surprised, if her sudden turn towards her minion wasn’t enough of an indicator. Grant continued to walk.

“I’ll need to leave after breakfast. Tomorrow’s Sunday, and there’s a chance that the family will be gone to attend mass. That’s when I shall strike.”

Grant was now outside the room.

“Very good,” said Rae, impressed by Grant’s thoughtfulness. “You really are sharp.”

As the sliding door began to close behind him outside the room, he turned his head so she could only see half of his face.

“That’s why you picked me,” he responded flatly. The door closed behind him.

“Hmhmhm,” giggled Rae. “Both you say? I’ll be sure not to miss it.”
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Sunday, May 27, 2012

_________________________________________________________________________________________

“Come on,” called Carolyn, wearing a nice blue dress, “we’re going to be late for church!”

“Calm down,” assured Tom, sporting a white shirt with a black tie and black pants. “St. Peter and Paul is only five minutes away.”

“Not with all that traffic!”

Sarah and Alex came down the stairs wearing similar clothes to Carolyn and Tom, respectfully. Alex stopped in the middle of the stairwell as Twilight was about to follow him down.

“Now, Twilight,” asked Alex. “Are you sure you want to come to mass with us?”

“Of course,” said Twilight with a smile. “I’d love nothing more than to partake in and learn Earthly cultures.”

“Alright,” said Alex. “But be careful. If you hear something that you… disagree with, just keep your mouth shut.”

“I’ll do my very best to be respectful.”

Alex continued back downstairs with Twilight.

To save room in the van, Alex and Tom would ride their new duel runners to the church while Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy flew close behind. Everyone else would get into Carolyn’s van. Alex was the last one out of the house, followed by Shining Armor and Cadance, who each stood at a side of the front door.

“Alright,” called Alex, as he made his way towards the garage. “Have a good time!”

“You yourself!” responded Cadance.

After a minute, the van and the two bikes left the driveway and made their way to their destination.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Grant had been teleported to the Wood Park, just about a mile or so from the Emmitt’s house. Thankfully, it had been deserted, so there were no people around to ponder the sudden appearance of a man from out of nowhere.

Having read a map for the neighborhood that he was in, he made his way to the house. He didn’t want to look entirely suspicious at first glance, so he opted to wear a black polo with stonewashed jeans and black sneakers.

“Now,” he said to himself, “where are you?”

He walked down the asphalt bike path that led to the Emmitt’s house.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Shining Armor and Cadance were about a half hour into their post when they saw Grant, whom they were unfamiliar with, walk down the sidewalk. They figured that he was just a random pedestrian and paid him no mind. That was when he stopped and made his way towards the house, looking very elated.

“No way!” Grant shouted in amazement as he continued to walk towards the house.

“Halt!” ordered Shining Armor, pointing his horn at the young man.

“Easy squeezy lemon peezy!” exclaimed Grant, holding his hands up. “I’m not dangerous.”

“Who are you, sir?” called Cadance.

“My name is Grant Wensell. Do you know if Alex Yuwell is home?”

“He and his family went to mass, or something,” answered Shining Armor, still slightly unsure of Earth's customs. “Why do you ask?”

“Day late, dollar short, I suppose,” said Grant, still smiling slightly. “Story of my life. Anyways, I heard about what Alex did two weeks ago at that tournament and I wanted to duel him.”

“So you took the time to come to him personally?”

“Frankly, I’m confused as to why more people aren’t clamoring to get a piece of him. I’m just using that opportunity to be able to have a one on one with him.”

“Well, I’m sorry,” said Cadance. “Alex is not here. Feel free to come back in about a half hour when mass is over.”

“Alright,” said Grant, sounding like he was giving in. “Hey. You duel too right?”

“Um… yes?”

“Excellent. While I wait, how about we duel here?”

“What?” asked Shining Armor. “We can’t do that. We’re busy guarding the house after–”

“Right,” finished Grant. “That. I saw the duel on TV. Of course, you can never be to careful, can you? Tell you what? We’ll have a nice little quickie, and if something goes wrong, I’ll stop the duel to allow you to take care of it. Deal?”

Shining Armor and Cadance didn’t know what to do. This man seemed nice enough, and he only wanted a duel. It wasn’t like he was asking much.

“Alright,” said Shining Armor. “One quick duel and then you must leave until Alex and his family return.”

“Excellent. Thank you so much.”

“Now,” questioned Cadance, “which one of us would you like to duel?”

“If it isn’t too much trouble, I’d like to duel you both at the same time.”

“What? There’s no way you could possibly do that! How would that even work?”

“Simple. We’ll each have our own 4000 life points. First,” he explained pointing to Cadance and then Shining Armor, “you will go, and then you, and then I. You two can also work like a tag team normally would.”

“Do you really think you’re that strong?” asked Shining Armor.

“I do.”

“Then let’s waste no time!”

Shining Armor and Cadance took out their D-Pads, constructed them and placed them upon their left wrists, allowing the zones to unsheathe from them. Grant’s innocent smile suddenly faded as he held out his left arm, the white halo forming at his elbow.

“Wha–” wondered Shining Armor and Cadance.

The halo scanned Grant's arm. The area that the halo went over began to reveal his gauntlet style D-Pad. Grant then made a pose with his right arm stretched out to the side while his right forearm ran perpendicularly with his torso.

“What is this?” asked Shining Armor. “Are… are you working for Rae Sulfa Tun?”

“I guess that would explain the D-Pad magically appearing on my arm, wouldn’t it?” said Grant, his face now somewhat sullen.

“Whatever you bring, we won't let you get the Stones of Equus!”

“I guess you’ll just have to try and stop me.”

Shining Armor, Cadance, and Grant drew five cards from their decks.

“DUEL!” they all yelled.

Cadance and Shining Armor vs. Grant

Cadance’s Turn: Cadance summons one monster face down.

Cadance places one card face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-4 Life-4000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1

***************************************************

Shining Armor’s Turn: Shining Armor activates Graceful Charity, drawing three cards and discarding two. Shining Armor then activates Advanced Heraldry Art, special summoning two Heraldic Beast monsters in his graveyard (Heraldic Beast Basilisk (ATK: 1000 DEF: 1400) and Heraldic Beast Leo (ATK: 2000 DEF: 1000)) and xyz summon a monster using exactly those monsters as xyz material. Shining Armor overlays Heraldic Beast Leo and Heraldic Beast Basilisk to xyz summon Number 8: Heraldic King Genom-Heritage (ATK: 2400 DEF: 1800). Shining Armor sets one monster.

Shining Armor places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-3 Life-4000 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“Impressive,” commented Grant, his voice still devoid of any feeling. “But I’m afraid it will take much more than that to defeat me.”
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Rae watched the duel inside her boardroom from a projector. The duel was seen from Grant’s eyes, much like it was for Rae during the duel between Alex and Kyle. Kyle was even in the room watching with Rae.

“Kyle,” Rae told him, “watch and learn. You might learn something from this one.”

Kyle frowned slightly at her light insult.

***************************************************
Grant’s Turn: Grant activates Heavy Storm, destroying all spell and trap cards on the field. Next, he summons Fabled Raven (ATK: 1300 DEF: 1000). Grant activates Fabled Raven’s effect, discarding any number of cards in his hand to raise Fabled Raven’s level by one and raise its ATK by 400 for each card discarded. Grant discards Sillva, Warlord of the Dark World, Goldd, Wu-Lord of the Dark World, and Broww, Huntsman of the Dark World. (Lvl.: 2 -> 5, 3 x 400 = 1200, ATK: 1300 -> 2500).

Grant activates the effect of Sillva, Warlord of the Dark World and Goldd, Wu-Lord of the Dark World, respectively. When they have been discarded to the graveyard by a card effect, they are both special summoned onto the field (ATK: 2300 DEF: 1400) (ATK: 2300 DEF: 1400). Grant also activates the effect of Broww, Huntsman of the Dark World, drawing one card when it was discarded to the graveyard.

Grant attacks Cadance’s face down monster with Goldd, Wu-Lord of the Dark World, which was a Crystal Beast Emerald Tortoise (ATK: 600 DEF: 2000). Grant attacks Shining Armor’s face down monster with Sillva, Warlord of the Dark World, which was a Heraldic Beast Twin-Head Eagle (ATK: 1200 DEF: 1400). Grant then attacks Number 8: Heraldic King Genom-Heritage with Fabled Raven.

Shining Armor’s Life Points: 4000 -> 3900

Grant overlays Fabled Raven, Sillva, Warlord of the Dark World, and Goldd, Wu-Lord of the Dark World to xyz summon Onyx Cerberus (ATK: 3300 DEF: 2900).

Grant places two cards face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-4000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

“Wonderful!” cheered Rae with a small amount of applause. “As expected of you, Grant! I knew I made the right decision in recruiting you!”

As Rae continued to watch and laugh, Kyle watched her with growing scorn.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Though the attack that Shining Armor took was minimal, it felt more physical than he could have imagined. Shining Armor feeling a shot of pain, knelt on his front forelegs, gritting his teeth.

“Honey!” called Cadance, trying to support her husband.

“No!” he called. “I’ll be fine. Whatever it is, he’s incredibly powerful. If 100 life points can do just that, I’d hate to go through another attack from him.”

“And you don’t have to,” said Grant, who actually sounded like he was emoting a hint of sympathy.

“What?” asked Cadance.

“You heard me. If you surrender this duel and let me pass, you will not have to go through anymore. You can tell your friends who I am and they can try to find me, but you will not have to suffer.”

“Don’t kid with me!” barked Shining Armor through his teeth. “Do you think I would compromise my courage to quit to the likes of you?”

“You’re not quitting!” explained Grant, “you’re merely–”

“Forget it,” called Cadance. “Whatever you try to throw at us, our love will carry us through!”

***************************************************
Cadance’s Turn: Cadance activates her own Graceful Charity, drawing three cards and discarding two. Cadance then activates Crystal Blessing, targeting two Crystal Beast monsters in her graveyard and placing them face up in the spell/trap card zone as continuous spell cards, choosing Crystal Beast Sapphire Pegasus and Crystal Beast Topaz Tiger.

Cadance summons Crystal Beast Amber Mammoth (ATK: 1700 DEF: 1600). Next, Cadance activates Photon Lead, allowing her to special summon a level four or lower LIGHT monster from her hand, choosing Crystal Beast Ruby Carbuncle (ATK: 300 DEF: 300).

When Crystal Beast Ruby Carbuncle is special summoned, Cadance can special summon as many Crystal Beast monsters from her spell/trap card zone as possible, choosing Crystal Beast Sapphire Pegasus (ATK: 1800 DEF: 1200) and Crystal Beast Topaz Tiger (ATK: 1600 DEF: 1000). Cadance overlays Crystal Beast Sapphire Pegasus and Crystal Beast Topaz Tiger to xyz summon Number 39: Utopia (ATK: 2500 DEF: 2000).

Cadance places one card face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-4000 Monsters-3 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“Now, show him!” ordered Cadance to her husband.

“You got it!” responded the steadfast unicorn.

***************************************************
Shining Armor’s Turn: Shining Armor summons Heraldic Beast Aberconway (ATK: 1800 DEF: 900). Shining Armor then activates Star Changer, raising the level of Crystal Beast Ruby Carbuncle by one (Lvl.: 3 -> 4). Shining Armor overlays Crystal Beast Ruby Carbuncle, Heraldic Beast Aberconway, and Crystal Beast Amber Mammoth to xyz summon Number 69: Heraldry God – Coat of Arms (ATK: 2600 DEF: 1400).

When Number 69: Heraldry God – Coat of Arms is special summoned, the effects of all other xyz monsters on the field are negated. Shining Armor activates Number 69: God Medallion – Coat of Arms’ effect, choosing one xyz monster on the field and gaining its name and effects, choosing Number 39: Utopia.

Shining Armor attacks Onyx Cerberus with Number 69: Heraldry God – Coat of Arms, but Grant activates his face down Dxyz, sending Onyx Cerberus to the extra deck and special summoning the xyz materials attached to it (Fabled Raven (ATK: 1300), Sillva, Warlord of the Dark World, and Goldd, Wu-Lord of the Dark World).

Shining Armor redirects his attack to Fabled Raven, but Shining Armor activates Number 39: Utopia’s effect through Number 69: Heraldry God – Coat of Arms. By detaching one xyz material from it, he can negate the attack. Next, Shining Armor activates Double or Nothing! from his hand, targeting a monster whose attack was negated, doubling its ATK (ATK: 2600 -> 5200) for the damage step, and allowing it to attack again. Shining Armor attacks Fabled Raven with Number 69: Heraldry God – Coat of Arms.

Grant’s Life Points: 4000 -> 100

Grant activates Card of Last Will, drawing five cards if a monster he controls was destroyed by battle.

Number 69: God Medallion – Coat of Arms’ ATK returns to normal (ATK: 5200 -> 2600).

Shining Armor places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-3900 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“So,” said Grant, bowing his head, “this is the path you truly wish to take?”

Shining Armor and Cadance continued to stare him down angrily. Grant lifted his head up, his face restored to its stoic demeanor, and he said two words that caught both ponies off guard.

“I’m sorry.”

Before Shining Armor and Cadance could respond to such an unusual statement, Grant had begun his final turn.

***************************************************
Grant’s Turn: Grant activates Card Destruction, having each player discard their hands and draw cards equal to the amount of cards discarded. Grant activates the effect of Gren, Tactician of the Dark World’s effect. When it’s discarded by a card effect, he can destroy one spell or trap card on the field, choosing Shining Armor’s face down card. Grant then activates the effect of Beiige, Vanguard of the Dark World, special summoning it when it was discarded by a card effect (ATK: 1600 DEF: 1300). Grant then special summons another Sillva, Warlord of the Dark World with its effect. Grant overlays both Sillva, Warlord of the Dark Worlds and Goldd, Wu-Lord of the Dark World to xyz summon Onyx Cerburus.

Grant then activates Dark World Dealings, having each player draw one card and then discard one. Grant activates the effect of Grapha, Dragon Lord of Dark World. When it’s discarded by a card effect, Grant can destroy one card on the field, choosing Number 39: Utopia. Cadance attempts to activate Xyz Reborn, but Grant activates Onyx Cerberus’ effect. By detaching one xyz material from it, he can negate the special summoning of a monster from the graveyard and remove it from play.

Grant activates the effect of Grapha, Dragon Lord of Dark World from his graveyard, special summoning it by sending a Dark World monster he controls to his hand (ATK: 2700 DEF: 1800). Grant normal summons Beiige, Vanguard of the Dark World. Then, Grant activates Monster Reborn, special summoning Number 8: Heraldic King Genom-Heritage from Shining Armor’s graveyard.

Grant activates Number 8: Heraldic King Genome Heriter’Genom-Heritage's effect, targeting one xyz monster the opponent controls and negating its effects and making its ATK 0 until the end phase, choosing Number 69: Heraldry God – Coat of Arms (ATK: 2600 -> 0). Also, Number 8: Heraldic King Genom-Heritage gains the target’s ATK, name, and effects until the end phase (ATK: 2400 -> 2600).

Grant attacks Number 69: Heraldry God – Coat of Arms with Onyx Cerberus.

Shining Armor’s Life Points: 3900 -> 600

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

Shining Armor was blasted onto the side of the house, destroying the kitchen window and leaving him sprawling on the ground in agony.

“Next,” yelled Grant, “I attack Shining Armor directly with Grap–”

“No!” yelled Cadance, leaping in front of Shining Armor, tears streaming down her face. Grant stopped his statement and looked at Cadance expectantly. “If you’re going to attack anypony next, it’s going to be me.”

Grant stood at her, and gave her a respectful nod.

“So be it,” he finally said.

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

Grant attacks Cadance directly with Grapha, Dragon Lord of Dark World.

Cadance’s Life Points: 4000 -> 1300

Grant attacks Shining Armor directly with Beiige, Vanguard of the Dark World.

Shining Armor’s Life Points: 600 -> 0

Grant attacks Cadance directly with Number 8: Heraldic King Genom-Heritage.

Cadance’s Life Points: 1300 -> 0

Grant wins.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

“That was great!” cheered Rae as she laughed.

Kyle couldn’t take it anymore. He left the room in a huff.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Grant’s onslaught of attacks left both ponies battered and unconscious, but still breathing, on the ground. After giving them a short, regretful stare, Grant hopped through the now-open kitchen window, sure to complete the mission at hand. With the ruckus he had caused, there would be no way that a nearby neighbor wouldn’t have noticed the broken window and exterior of the house caused by Grant’s duel.

Grant quickly made his way upstairs and went into Alex’s bedroom. He spotted his computer and turned it on. After waiting a few seconds for it to boot, he was dismayed to see that it was locked with a SimplePass fingerprint security system.

Had Grant been a skilled hacker or had the tools necessary to do something like that, he would have, but with the little he was given, he began looking through his room for various things that would be useful for Rae. Unfortunately, Alex’s room seemed to be comprised primarily of dueling textbooks, DVD cases, and movie ticket stubs.

Nothing there.

Grant then went on a whim and checked Tom’s sister, Sarah’s, bedroom for some clues. Upon opening her Macbook, he was appalled to see her password taped to the upper right hand corner of the monitor. After typing it in, he was allowed access to Sarah’s computer.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

After getting what he considered a sufficient amount of information in a short amount of time, he called up Rae on his iPhone.

“Hello?”

“Rae. I’m ready.”

“That fast?”

“Well, police should be arriving any minute, so I really had no choice.”

“Understood. You've done well, Grant. Hold on.”

Grant slipped the phone back in his pocket, as he saw his body glow brighter and brighter. He took one last look at the ponies he had defeated before he was teleported away.

“Please, forgive me,” he whispered.

With that he was gone. Police and paramedics had arrived at the house within a few minutes.

Chapter 32: Ally

Alex and his family were about fifty minutes into their mass when Alex felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. Alex would have known better than to answer during mass, but he always looked to see who was calling him, just in case the call was important enough to answer it right away. Sure enough, Claude’s number appeared on the caller ID. Alex went outside of the church, trying to avoid interrupting the service. Alex hit the green button that connected him to Claude.

“Alex!” practically yelled Claude.

“What? Oh my God,” responded Alex, caught off guard by Claude’s loud voice.

“Something bad happened. Shining Armor and Cadance got beat up real bad and the kitchen window was broken. If I didn’t know better, I’d say one of Rae’s goons came and broke in. They’re being sent to the hospital now for further analysis.”

“…”

“Alex?”

Alex couldn’t believe what he heard. Two of his friends (one of them being the brother of one of his best friends, no less) were injured and he wasn’t around to help. His friends needed them now.

“I’ll call you back.”

*click*

Alex ran back into the church and towards the pew where his family was.

“Alex,” scolded Carolyn, “what on Earth has gotten into you.”

“Shining Armor and Cadance are in the hospital. They–”

“What?” blurted Twilight. She wordlessly exited her pew and galloped towards the exit.

“Twilight!” called Applejack, giving chase. This prompted the rest of Twilight’s friends (including Spike), to follow.

“Come on,” relented Carolyn, “into the car.”
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Alex, the Emmitt’s, and the ponies were at Edwards Hospital within minutes of Alex receiving the call. After being directed through the maze-like hallways, Alex and Twilight burst into the room where their two incapacitated guardians were, both lying in bed.

“Twily,” groaned Shining Armor. “Why aren’t you at mass?”

“Don’t you even think that I wouldn’t tend to my B.B.B.F.F. if he was in trouble. Are you okay? Well, minus the pain?”

“From what I could gather, I’ve got two broken ribs, a fractured right forearm, and a mild concussion. Cadance has a broken wing and a broken leg.”

By now, everyone else was in the hospital room, seeing the damage that had been done. Twilight was almost in tears seeing her two family members in this state.

“What happened?” asked Alex. He sounded more concerned of the identity of the perpetrator than the well-being of his friends right now.

“There…” began Cadance. “There was this man…”

“Kyle?”

“No. He… his name was Grant. He came looking for you, and when we told him where you were, he insisted that we pass the time by dueling. He… he was so powerful.” Cadance began to well with tears at the memory of her husband being brought down the way he was.

“What did he look like? What deck did he use? What kind of Stone of Equus card did he have?” Alex launched question after question at a mile a minute.

“He…” resumed Shining Armor, trying to fight the pain, “he had a spikey brown mane, steel glasses, a black shirt. He used a Dark World deck with his Stone of Equus card, the Onyx Cerberus. His duel disk…”

“Wait. Did you say Dark World?”

“Yeah. Why?”

Alex took a second to process this information.

Grant, thought Alex. What happened?
_________________________________________________________________________________________
................................................................................................................................................................
_________________________________________________________________________________________

It was only seven months ago on Halloween when Grant Wensell dueled Alex. Grant wore a simple black polo with black pants with a standard black D-Pad, while Alex wore an Alex DeLarge costume.

Cont. from Grant vs. Alex

Cont. from Grant’s Turn: Grant attacks Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana (ATK: 2000 DEF: 1200) with Grapha, Dragon Lord of Dark World (ATK: 2700 DEF: 1800).

Alex’s Life Points: 500 -> 0

Grant wins.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Alex, having been blasted onto his stomach, crouched up to see Grant’s helping hand reached out to him. Alex took the hand as his opponent helped him up.

“Better luck next time, right?” questioned Grant sympathetically.

“Don’t you worry,” promised Alex. “I’m going to duel you again someday, and then, I’m going to win!”

“Let’s hope so.”
_________________________________________________________________________________________
................................................................................................................................................................
_________________________________________________________________________________________

“I don’t understand,” said Twilight. “Who is this Grant person?”

“He was known around the country as a ‘dueling bard,’” explained Sarah.

“A what?”

“He spent his days literally roaming the country, stopping in various towns to duel as many people as he could. Many people were inspired by his love of dueling, so they would sometimes donate money to him, offer him a meal and a bed for a night. Either way, not only was he kind and passionate, he was also a force to be reckoned with.

“Last Halloween, Grant stopped by our town, and Alex was lucky enough to have his duel disk on his person when Grant rolled by.”

“Did he win?” asked Rainbow Dash.

“If by ‘he,’ you mean Alex, no.” Rainbow Dash grimaced. “Grant was a very gracious duelist though. I can’t even imagine what would cause him to become so vicious, yet alone join someone like Rae Sulfa Tun.”

“Don’t worry,” said Rainbow Dash. “I’m sure I could take him.”

“No,” said Alex. “This guy was a great duelist, even before his allegiance to Rae Sulfa Tun. This guy must now be all kinds of powerful. I won’t let anymore of you get hurt because of me. If it’s me he wants…” Alex slipped his helmet on his head, “then it’s me he’s going to get.”

Alex ran out of the room and to the parking deck where he put his duel runner.

“Alex, wait!” called Twilight, but he was beyond reasoning.

Alex finally got to his duel runner and sat down to ride off and look for Grant.

“Alex!” called Tom, who had followed him with his helmet on his head.

“Tom,” observed Alex aloud. “What are you doing here? Didn’t you hear what I sa–”

“Yeah, yeah, I heard what you said. But if this guy really is as powerful as you say he is, I don’t want to take any chances that you’ll be able to take him alone. So if he wants to duel you, he’s going to have to duel me too.”

Alex was about to object, but Tom adamantly sat in his own duel runner and started it up.

“Alright, fine,” relented Alex. “Let’s go.”

Alex and Tom rode from the parking deck and out onto the street and towards the city of Naperville. Unbeknownst to him, a shadowed, winged figure was watching them high in the sky.

“They’re heading out,” said the griffon into a small headset, her voice raspy. “Do you want me to follow them?”

“Very much so. Remember, that’s one who can control the Elements of Harmony, so be careful with him.”

“Puh-lease. He’s just like any lame-o out there. And just as weak when I have him in the clutch of my talons.”

“Excellent. I hope to hear from you soon.”

*click*

The winged creature glided over her targets, sure to keep a watchful eye without being seen.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

It was already mid-afternoon, and the Alex and Tom still couldn’t find anything. They were sure to be neck and neck with each other the whole time as they searched for Grant. This proved to be problematic for Gilda. Gilda was sure she could take one of them, but wasn’t confident about going against both of them. She would need a way to separate them if she wanted to strike.

Following the river, she used her swift speed to swoop down and under a bridge. There, she saw a rather large fish swimming in the water. Using her natural hunting instincts, she reached into the water with her talons and plucked the fish out of the water, ascending back towards the sky.

Many people were looking around where she flew, but being unable to make out the shape of the creature due to Gilda’s speed, they all assumed it was another pegasus flying around. Gilda’s fish continued to squirm in her hands, and in one swift motion, broke it’s neck, leaving it limp and lifeless.

“And you’re next,” muttered Gilda, watching over Alex.

Alex and Tom were still riding through the town when they came to the stop sign at Main and Jackson. Alex was first to go, and Tom would come afterwards. However, Gilda had other plans. As Alex turned left, Tom stopped at the sign.

“I hope you like it!” said Gilda. “It’s fresh!” She chucked the fish at Tom.

Tom was about to accelerate when the fish hit him square in the head, causing him to fall off of his bike and tumble to the ground. Alex heard the crash and stopped, turning around to see what happened. Upon doing so, Gilda sped just over his head, flying west on Jackson. Alex turned back to Tom.

“Just go!” yelled Tom. “GO!”

Alex didn’t hesitate, as he sped through Naperville to catch Gilda, while Tom had to get his senses straight and catch up.
Alex found Gilda flying at the entrance to the Riverwalk Park near the westernmost point of Jackson. As he continued to ride closer and closer, Gilda was prepared.

“Speed World 2, set on!” yelled Gilda.

A white halo formed around Gilda’s elbow, much like it did for Grant. As the halo scanned her arm, her duel disk appeared, revealing a similar gauntlet-style D-Pad. However, Gilda’s was a much lighter shade of gold and was tailored perfectly to suit her talons. Also the blade on Gilda’s gauntlet was different.

It was a very narrow, gold and black diamond-shaped blade, the obtuse angles being replaced by inward curves. There were two slots on the right side of the diamond, most likely a graveyard and spell/trap card zone. On the left side of the front face of the blade, which was the longest side, there were three light blue spaces with red downward triangles in the center. On the right side, there were 2 similar zones on them. The face of the blade on which the zones were was a deep blue, with a black and gold outer border. The back face had ornate markings on them, the most recognizable one being an infinity sign.

“Come and get me,” Gilda giggled as she flew south past the VFW building and towards the park.

“I shall,” Alex grunted, quickly setting up his wrist dealer and following her down the road.

The bottom screen on Alex’s duel runner showed the Speed World 2 card and a dueling field. An aura shot out of both Alex and Gilda’s machines as they went. Alex and Gilda turned left again flying towards the main parking lot and the entrance to the Naperville riding duel track.

Along with the lift that brought people to the track, there was also a ramp in the parking lot that linked right into the track, which is what Alex and Gilda were taking. As they got on the ramp, the glass wall path of the track that blocked the ramp’s slid sideways, allowing Alex to enter, while Gilda merely flew over it.

“Now,” said Gilda. “I’m going to prove my worth to Rae and defeat you and your little lame-o friends.”

“Just try it,” taunted Alex.

Alex and Gilda drew five cards from their hand. Gilda held onto her hand while Alex inserted them in the holster.

*whoosh*

“What the?” thought Alex aloud at the shadow that had passed over him and Gilda.

“You,” grunted Gilda with a grimace.

Now flying behind the two duelists was a large, winged machine with a woman standing on it. The machine looked like a miniature Harrier jet, minus the nose, the cockpit, the artillery of weapons, and the entire fuselage and back.

The woman standing on it looked to be in her very late teens. The only protection she was wearing was a pair of black aviator goggles, allowing anyone to see her long, reddish-brown hair that was held with a ponytail, which was kept together by being wrapped in a white sock-like cloth. She was also wearing a white Henley long-sleeved shirt, decorated with green feathers drawn all over it. She also had a pair of thick blue jeans and a forest green-colored vest. On her feet were, a pair of black motorcycle boots.

The other peculiar thing about her was the D-Pad on her left arm. It was a gauntlet, similar to Gilda’s, except it was silver. Extending from the gauntlet’s wrist was an arced silver arm with a slot on it. The arm held a oval-shaped silver pod with an orange center, another slot on the top in between the silver and the orange. Lastly, the zones that flared out to the left resembled white feathers with seafoam-green tips and orange dots in the center on the white/green borders. The mysterious woman held five of her own cards in her left hand.

“Gilda,” said the woman, smiling slightly, “long time, no see.”

“Who the hell are you?” asked Alex, utterly confused as to what was going on.

“My name is Zelda Buchanan. I’m here to help put an end to Rae’s madness once and for all.”

“Get lost, lame-o,” yelled Gilda. “He’s mine!”

“Get bent, bitch! You’re going to have to fight both of us to get to him.”

Gilda grunted and sped ahead of the two.

“Fine” she shouted, “but you’re going to be sorry you that you went AWOL.”

“We’ll just see about that,” she then turned to Alex. “Ready?”

Alex wasn’t sure what to think here. Right now, he was next to a girl whom, from what he could gather, was, or even is, one of Rae’s minions, her D-Pad definitely vouching that hypothesis. However, he had no choice if he was going to ensure his safety, he’d have to ally himself with her.

“Ready,” he said reluctantly.

“DUEL!” the three of them yelled.

Zelda and Alex vs. Gilda

Zelda’s Turn: Z:1 A:0 G:0 – Zelda activates the speed spell Overboost, gaining four speed counters (SpC.: 1 -> 5). Zelda then activates the speed spell Angel Baton, drawing two cards and discarding one when she has two or more speed counters. Zelda activates the effect of Gusto Griffin. When it was sent from the hand to the graveyard, she can special summon a Gusto monster from her deck, choosing Windaar, Sage of Gusto (ATK: 2000 DEF: 1000). Zelda sets one monster.

During the end phase, due to Overboost’s effect, Zelda’s speed counters return to one (SpC.: 5 -> 1).

Zelda places one card face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-4000 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“You think you can do something with that?” asked Zelda sternly.

“Uh, yeah,” confirmed Alex. He was still suspicious of this woman, but as long as she was helping him out, he would have to just go with it for now.

***************************************************
Alex’s Turn: Z:1 A:1 G:0 – Alex summons Dragunity Partisan (ATK: 1200 DEF: 800). When Dragunity Partisan is normal summoned, Alex can special summon a Winged Beast-type Dragunity monster and special summon it, and then equip Dragunity Partisan onto it, choosing Dragunity Militum (ATK: 1700 DEF: 1200).

Alex activates Dragunity Militum’s effect, special summoning a Dragunity monster from his spell/trap card zone, choosing Dragunity Partisan. Alex tunes Dragunity Militum with Dragunity Partisan to synchro summon Dragunity Knight – Gae Bulg (ATK: 2000 DEF: 1200). Alex overlays Windaar, Sage of Gusto and Dragunity Knight – Gae Bulg to xyz summon Jade Wyvern (ATK: 2500 DEF: 2100).

Alex places two cards face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-4000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

“So,” observed Gilda aloud, “this is your ace monster. Let’s just see how easily I can take it down.”

***************************************************
Gilda’s Turn: Z:1 A:1 G:1 – Gilda activates her own Overboost, gaining four speed counters (SpC.: 1 -> 5). Next, she activates her speed spell Dxyz, returning one xyz monster to the extra deck and special summoning the xyz materials to the field if she has four or more speed counters, returning Jade Wyvern to the extra deck and special summoning Dragunity Knight – Gae Bulg and Windaar, Sage of Gusto.

Gilda summons Ally Salvo (ATK: 400 DEF: 300). Next, Gilda activates the speed spell High Speed Crash, destroying one card she controls to destroy one card on the field when she has two or more speed counters, destroying Ally Salvo and one of Alex’s face down cards. When a monster Gilda controls is destroyed by a card effect, she can special summon Meklord Emperor Wisel from her hand (ATK: 2500 DEF: 2500).

Gilda activates Meklord Emperor Wisel’s effect, equipping a Synchro monster that the opponent controls to it and gaining ATK equal to the equip card’s ATK, choosing Dragunity Knight – Gae Bulg (ATK: 2500 -> 4500).

Gilda attacks Windaar, Sage of Gusto with Meklord Emperor Wisel.

Alex’s Life Points: 4000 -> 1500

Gilda places one card face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-4000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

Damn, thought Alex. And I thought this two-on-one would be a cakewalk. Then again, so did Cadance and Shining Armor.

Soon, Alex spotted something in his side mirrors. A duel runner coming from behind him. Alex immediately noticed it as Tom’s, who quickly rode up to the three duelists.

“Didn’t I tell you to wait up for me?” asked Tom with a smirk on his face.

“Now’s not the time to be a smartass!” yelled Alex. “I’m already in a load of trouble as it is.”

“Who the hell is that?” asked Tom, cocking his head to Zelda and her flying machine.

“I’m not entirely sure myself. All I know is that she’s helping me, and that’s all that matters.”

Gilda began to get irate.

“Are you still talking?” asked Gilda. “Hurry up and make your move!”

“Alright,” said Zelda, back in full concentration. “Here goes.”

***************************************************
Zelda’s Turn: Z:2 A:2 G:2 – Zelda flip summons Gusto Squirro (ATK: 0 DEF: 1800). Zelda normal summons Musto, Oracle of Gusto (ATK: 1800 DEF: 900). Zelda activates Musto, Oracle of Gusto’s effect. By shuffling a Gusto monster in her graveyard to the deck, she can target one monster on the field and negate that monster’s effect until the end phase choosing Meklord Emperor Wisel (ATK: 4500 -> 2500).

Zelda tunes Musto, Oracle of Gusto with Gusto Squirro to synchro summon Daigusto Sphreez (ATK: 2000 DEF: 1300). Zelda then activates her speed spell Silver Contrails, removing two speed counters (SpC.: 2 -> 0) to have one monster that she controls gain 1000 ATK until the end phase, choosing Daigusto Sphreez (ATK: 2000 -> 3000).

Zelda attacks Meklord Emperor Wisel with Daigusto Sphreez.

Gilda’s Life Points: 4000 -> 3500

Gilda activates Card of Last Will, drawing five cards when a monster she controls was destroyed by battle.

During the end phase, the ATK of Daigusto Sphreez is reduced (ATK: 3000 -> 2000).

Zelda ends her turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-4000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“Mind if I borrow your monster again?” asked Alex to Zelda.

“By all means!” she answered happily.

***************************************************
Alex’s Turn: Z:1 A:3 G:3 – Alex activates his own Angel Baton, drawing two cards and discarding one when he has two or more speed counters. Next, he activates his face down Immortal Dragon, special summoning Hieratic Seal of the Dragon King from his graveyard (ATK: 0 DEF: 0). Alex overlays Hieratic Seal of the Dragon King and Daigusto Sphreez to xyz summon Jade Wyvern.

Alex activates the speed spell Speed Energy, having one monster he controls gain 200 ATK equal to the number of speed counters he has when he has two or more speed counters (3 x 200 = 600, ATK: 2500 -> 3100).

Alex attacks Gilda directly with Jade Wyvern

Gilda’s Life Points: 3500 -> 400

During the end phase, the ATK of Jade Wyvern is brought back to normal (ATK: 3100 -> 2500).

Alex places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-1500 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“Awesome!” yelled Tom. “You two kick ass together!”

Alex and Zelda took a look at each other and gave their other a respectful nod.

Gilda responded to Tom with, “The only asses getting kicked here are yours! Time to show you what my deck is really made of.”

***************************************************
Gilda’s Turn: Z:2 A:4 G:4 – Gilda activates the speed spell Summon Speeder, special summoning a level 4 or lower monster when she has four or more speed counters, special summoning Ally of Justice Cycle Reader (ATK: 1000 DEF: 1000). Gilda then normal summons Ally of Justice Unlimiter (ATK: 600 DEF: 200). Gilda tunes Ally of Justice Unlimiter with Ally of Justice Cycle Reader to synchro summon Ally of Justice Catastor (ATK: 2200 DEF: 1200).

Gilda attacks Jade Wyvern with Ally of Justice Catastor. Gilda activates Ally of Justice Catastor’s effect. When Ally of Justice Catastor battles with a non-DARK monster, that monster is destroyed immediately at the start of the damage step (without damage calculation).

Gilda activates Speed World 2’s effect. By removing four speed counters (SpC.: 4 -> 0), she can inflict 800 points of damage for each speed spell in her hand. She has one.

Alex’s Life Points: 1500 -> 700

Gilda places one card face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-400 Monsters-1 Face Down Card-1
***************************************************

“Holy damn!” commented Tom. “That’s one hell of a monster!”

“Is your friend usually that vulgar?” asked Zelda to Alex.

“Only when his or his friends’ lives are on the line,” he answered.

“Hey!” yelled Gilda. “Are you still chewing the fat? I’m about to beat you here?”

“You really think so?” asked Alex.

“I know so,” said Gilda.

For what they don’t know, she thought, is that if they even think about trying to destroy Catastor, I’ll just rebound with my face down Safe Zone. Then once my turn comes back up, I’ll be at three speed counters again, and I’ll just activate my speed spell Speed Storm, which will wipe out all of Alex’s life points for good, and his Stone of Equus card will be all mine! There’s no way I can lose this.

“Ready?” asked Zelda to her teammate.

“As I’ll ever be.”

***************************************************
Zelda’s Turn: Z:3 A:5 G:1 – Zelda activates her face down Blessings for Gusto, targeting two Gusto monsters in her graveyard (Gusto Squirro and Gusto Griffin), shuffling those monsters into the deck, and choosing a third Gusto monster in her graveyard and special summoning it, choosing Daigusto Sphreez. Zelda normal summons Gusto Egul (ATK: 200 DEF: 400). Zelda tunes Daigusto Sphreez with Gusto Egul to synchro summon Daigusto Eguls (ATK: 2600 DEF: 1800).

Zelda activates Daigusto Eguls' effect. During the end phase, Zelda can banish one WIND monster from her graveyard (Gusto Egul) to destroy one face down card that her opponent controls, choosing Gilda’s face down card.

Zelda ends her turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-4000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

“Whatever,” scoffed Gilda. “You destroyed my trap, but you still have Catastor to deal with.”

I have to draw the right card here, thought Alex. I know there’s no way she’s going to let me survive another turn.

“My turn!” he yelled. “Draw!”

Alex’s smile grew when he looked at the card he drew.

“Your monster won’t be a problem anymore,” said Alex.

Gilda was shocked.

"What?" she asked.

***************************************************
Alex’s Turn: Z:4 A:6 G:2 – Alex activates the speed spell Count Up, allowing him to discard any number of cards from his hand and raise his speed counters by two for each card (2) (2 x 2 = 4, SpC.: 6 -> 10). Alex activates Speed World 2’s effect. By removing 10 speed counters (SpC.: 10 -> 0), Alex can destroy one card on the field, choosing Ally of Justice Catastor. Alex then activates his face down Xyz Reborn, special summoning Jade Wyvern from his graveyard and attaching Xyz Reborn as xyz material.

Alex attacks Gilda directly with Jade Wyvern.

Gilda’s Life Points: 400 -> 0

Alex and Zelda win.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Alex’s attack sent Gilda tumbling onto the floor of the track. Alex and Tom parked their duel runners near Gilda’s body while Zelda’s glider floated down gently, hopping off of it. Alex, Tom, and Zelda walked up to their enemy, expecting to corner her.

“Hehe,” giggled Gilda hoarsely, “better luck next time I suppose.”

Her body grew a bright white, where she disintegrated into golden sparkles that flew away with the wind.

With Gilda now gone, Alex could now focus on the next problem. Both he and Tom turned to Zelda and stared daggers into her.

“What?” asked Zelda defensively. “I help you out, and this is the thanks I get?”

“How does Gilda know you? Why do you two have similar duel disks? Are you a grifter?”

Zelda was surprisingly calm at Alex’s barrage of questions. She answered them with a simple statement.

“This is something we need to discuss with your fellow friends. Please get them over as soon as possible. I shall arrive at your house in one hour.”

Zelda ran back to her machine and hopped aboard.

“Wait!” yelled Alex, reaching outwards.

“Make haste, Alexander Yuwell,” she called, ascending on the glider. “My time is just as precious as yours.” With that she flew high in the sky.

Tom ran to his bike, as if giving chase would solve anything. However, Alex just stood in the same spot, staring at the sky where Zelda flew off.

“Dude!” yelled Tom. “Aren’t we going to try and catch her?”

“No,” was all Alex could answer.

“What? Why not?”

“I don’t know,” said Alex. “There’s just this… nagging feeling telling me… I can trust her.”

Chapter 33: Traitor

Alex and Tom rode back home to see Carolyn’s van parked in the garage, meaning that everyone was safe at home, or at least, Shining Armor and Cadance were tended to. Alex and Tom walked into the front door and saw Twilight, her friends, Carolyn, Sarah, and Thomas in the house.

“What happened?” asked Twilight, coming to greet Alex and Tom, but her face was mostly blank.

“Hold on,” quietly ordered Alex. “Sarah, I need you to call Lisa and Jenny. We’re going to have a visitor.”

“A visitor?” asked Pinkie Pie, perking up. “Goody! I’ll have to throw a welcoming party for them!”

“Pinkie Pie, hold off on that. This is much more serious.”

“That’s okay! I’ll just write ‘This is serious,’ right on the cake! It’ll be perfect.”

“…Never mind. Tom is going to call Reese and Emma while I go up to call John and Claude.”

“Why?” asked Twilight. “What’s going on?”

“There’s someone coming over. Her name is Zelda. She helped me out in a duel against Gilda. Then she–”

“Gilda?” barked Rainbow Dash. “That coward goes and picks a fight with you and not me? I’ll be sure to give her a piece of my mind next time I see her.”

“Anyways, she seems to be related to Rae in some way and–”

“And you’re letting her into the house?” asked Twilight, clearly frightened. “Alex, what are you thinking? She could be working for her as some kind of spy!”

“Ooh!” quipped Pinkie. “So is this a super serious secret spy party?”

“PINKIE!” yelled Alex and Twilight in tandem. Pinkie was unbelievably at a loss for words.

“I’m… just going to go over here.” With that she ran upstairs, sure to not ruin the conversation further.

“Alex, how could you do this?” questioned Twilight, now sounding hurt, “I thought you were concerned for our safety!”

“I am. And that’s precisely why I’m bringing her here. She’ll be here in about forty-five minutes, please be ready.”

“Oh, I’ll be ready for her,” seethed Twilight, her horn glowing.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Reese and Emma were the first ones to come by. Alex met them at the front door as they got out of Reese’s car that was parked on the street walking on the grass to get there.

“So,” said Reese, “you really trust this person? ‘Cause from what Tom was going at, it sounds like we should do anything but.”

“Ignore him. I have a real good hunch about this one.”

“Alright, but if he harms Emma in any way, you’ll be the one taking the blows.”

“Reese!” scolded Emma. “Let’s just get inside.”

“Did we interrupt anything?” asked Alex.

“Please. We’re high school graduates on summer vacation. What’s to interrupt?”

Good answer, thought Alex.

Lisa and Jenny were next. They both arrived in Jenny’s car and parked behind it. Alex, like with Reese and Emma, greeted the two at the front door.

“I’m sorry if I interrupted anything important,” said Alex.

“Don’t be,” answered Jenny. “If this person is who you say she is, then I want to be in on it too.”

“Besides,” quipped Lisa. “We’re a team.”

“Yeah,” said Alex. “Get in. She’ll be here in a half hour. Feel free to help yourself to a drink.”

Alex allowed the two girls into the house to let them wait.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Alex was getting nervous. John and Claude had not shown up yet, and Zelda would arrive in five minutes. Thankfully, Alex saw Claude’s car pull up and park onto the street. Relieving Alex even more was when John came from the passenger’s side door.

“It’s about time you showed up,” remarked Alex.

John retorted, “I know you have little else going on this summer besides the Chicago World Dueling Championship and saving the world, but I was busy getting some things straightened up at the game shop. I would have come either way. You didn’t need to worry.”

“So,” spoke Claude, “is she coming soon?”

“Very,” replied Alex. “In fact, I need you to stay out here while I get everyone else. Please hold on.”

Alex walked inside the house, leaving his two guests to wait. But they didn’t have to wait long. Not soon after Alex entered the house, Claude and John noticed lights in the sky that were descending down above them.

“Alex,” yelled Claude, “you might want to hurry up! I think she’s here!”

Alex was way ahead of him, as he, Tom, Reese, and Rainbow Dash were already outside, the rest of them pouring out of the house. Zelda’s aircraft floated down towards the street, where it landed. It was still relatively light out, so every was able to get a good look of the woman riding the machine. Of everyone in the group, Rainbow Dash was the most impressed, and partially a little jealous.

A human who can fly? thought Rainbow Dash. I bet she’s not as good as me!

Zelda hopped off of it and walked towards the group. Twilight rushed in front of the crowd, standing defensively, teeth bared and horn glowing.

“Explain yourself, Zelda!” she demanded. “Who are you? Why have you come here? What do you want from us?”

Twilight wanted to continue to ask questions, but found herself pulled back into the group by her tail. Applejack walked out front from where Twilight was pulled, and attempted to apologize.

“Sorry about her,” said Applejack. “I’ll try and be a bit more polite, but I think it would do us all some good if you done answer those questions my friend asked of you.”

“My name is Zelda Buchanan,” she explained simply. “I’ve come to explain myself to you. What I want is for you to help me, and vice versa.”

“And why should we do that?” asked Twilight, still angry.

“Because I truly wish to help you. Especially after all that Rae has done.”

“What do you mean by that?” asked Alex.

As Zelda explained her story, Applejack listened in, making sure she wasn’t telling some sort of tall tale.

“I was a mechanic living in Boston. Being an only child, my father wanted someone to carry over his legacy of being a mechanic, even if it was his daughter. I worked countless hours working alongside him. I had even gotten to the point by age ten where I could even disassemble and reassemble cars all by myself.

“One day, my father took me to ride in an old biplane for my thirteenth birthday. The experience changed my life forever. Seeing how much technology could accomplish, specifically enabling human flight, right alongside the birds in the sky, I knew what my purpose in life was.

“Not long after, I soon got bored of doing cars, though, and I wanted to make something extraordinary. Something that would allow me to fly too. I used spare parts from my dad’s shop, along with broken duel runners that were donated to me to make a machine I could call my very own. My very own flying machine

“The press hounded me throughout the years and months I spend perfecting my vision, heavily anticipating the one day I would test it. I can still remember that day. October 20th, 2011: My first and only test run.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
................................................................................................................................................................
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Zelda was in the Public Garden, just west of its famous pond and just east of the statue of George Washington, standing on her flying machine. It looked like a long, metallic, wheel-less skateboard with many wires running on it, several of which ran up Zelda’s back and into two mechanical gloves. Zelda closed her eyes to concentrate, but found it difficult, given the flash of many cameras pelting her vision.

“Here we go, here we go, here we go,” nervously whispered Zelda to herself.

Zelda pinched the thumb and middle finger on both hands together. She snapped them, causing the board to come to life with an electric whir. More camera flashes.

“No turning back now.”

Zelda pinched her thumb into the knuckle of her index finger, causing the board to hover about two inches off the ground. Along with more camera flashes, the crowd murmured excitedly. Zelda smiled, knowing that her invention seemed to be working, so she continued to pinch her fingers together, raising her machine higher and higher into the air, all to the awe and wonder of the crowd.

When Zelda was high enough where her board was higher than the trees, she began to put her machine to work. Gently balling her right hand into a fist, the board moved forwards, going faster the tighter she squeezed. She soon found herself over the easternmost edge of the park and flying towards downtown.

Shifting her weight on her left foot, her machine responded by turning left, allowing her to encircle the park in a counter clockwise motion. Many mystified onlookers kept their gaze on her as she flew. Getting in a more comfortable rhythm, she squeezed almost as tight as she could, allowing her to zip around the park in a circuit at almost eighty miles per hour.
The crowd that now formed below was now brought to cheering. Zelda smiled, a tear being wiped from her eye by her extraordinary speeds. She had achieved her dream.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
................................................................................................................................................................
_________________________________________________________________________________________

“Oh yeah!” spoke Lisa. “I remember that on the news!”

“Yeah!” said Jenny. "That was freaking awesome!”

Twilight’s apprehensions began to lift after hearing her story being well-received in terms of legitimacy by everyone else.

“I remember that too, actually,” said Thomas. “After knowing about that, I tried getting my company to contact you about a position in the mechanics field. However, they said you were–”

“Taken,” finished Zelda. “Yes, not even a day after that test, I was contacted by an “R,” who invited me to her company building in in New York. I had not heard of this person before, but if they were offering me work, it would be really dumb for me to decline without seeing what they could do for me.

“That’s when I met Rae. She initially frightened me with her insistence on wearing that creepy mask, however, she claimed that she was willing to pay me top dollar to extend the possibilities of my glider. When she brought me down to her basement workshop, I knew I was being given an offer that I couldn’t refuse. She had all the state of the art tools, equipment, and even blueprints of machines I didn’t know she had access to, such as the Harrier jet which I based my current glider off of.

“On top of that, she offered me a luxury penthouse suite, complete with maid service, a private chef, a pool, and even top-of-the-line health insurance that would make most European countries jealous. Before I could accept, however, I was made to be promised that I couldn’t work outside of her, lest I share her secrets with another employer. I accepted on one condition. A seven-figure check for my father and a formal goodbye. She accepted. On Saturday, the 22nd of October, I packed my bags and said goodbye to my father.”

“What happened then?” asked Reese, becoming interested. “Did you ever work with Kyle?”

“Yes, I did. Strangely, the only times we ever conversed was when we dueled. Seeing my love for flying, Rae had taken my old Scrap deck and replaced it with a Gusto deck. There were even a couple of cards within it that never existed, made solely for me. Rae’s affluence never continued to surprise me. Never…

“One day, about a month or so before Equestria’s appearance on Earth. I was tasked with something… odd from Rae. She had told me about finding these new designs for D-Pads that she wanted me to develop. I told her that because of their design, they would be hardly, if not, completely unfunctional and/or impractical. All she told me after that was that ‘she would take care of it.’”

“What do you suppose that meant?” asked John.

“I found out soon enough. Having been much more familiar with the tools that Rae let me use, I was able to finish the entire set of duel disks that she wanted from me while having enough time to work more on my glider. However, on the eve of the day of Equestria’s appearance near Earth, everything changed.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
................................................................................................................................................................
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Zelda walked into the center a large, dimly lit, circular room. There were no windows to see out of. Just wall.

“What do you need, Rae?” asked Zelda.

“Just be a good girl and stand there,” she said thorough an intercom.

“What?”

The wall, floor and ceiling lit up, turning the room a bright white. Zelda’s hair began to stand on end until she was levitating in the center of the room, frightening her.

“What is this?” asked Zelda.

“You have been a very good asset to me,” explained Rae. “However, now is where I need your full service to me.”

Two bright halos appeared from nowhere inside the room, one appearing near the tip of her left hand, the other wrapping around her head. The halo near her hand began to slowly scan her hand, a silver gauntlet appearing over the area where the halo had been. Zelda’s arm felt like it was being torn to shreds and then re-grafted onto her from the hand up. Zelda screamed in agony.

“Please!” she screamed. “Make it stop!”

“Not yet.”

The halo around Zelda’s head then began to glow black. Zelda now felt a second pain in her, like a spear was being driven into her brain. Zelda continued to scream for mercy, all to no avail. As Zelda’s gauntlet D-Pad finally finished forming on her arm, the halo around her head had transformed into a pair of black aviator goggles. Her process finally complete, the room grew dark again, and she floated back onto the ground, paralyzed in pain. The back wall disappeared, revealing Rae, along with several other figures, all of which frightened Zelda to tears.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
................................................................................................................................................................
_________________________________________________________________________________________

“That’s when I met Gilda, Trixie, Chrysalis, Flim, Flam, Grant, and to a greater extent, Kyle,” continued Zelda. “Rae came to me and told me about them, her powers, and her plans for her minions and I to destroy a land which I haven’t heard of before. All I could as was, ‘Why?’ She only answered, ‘Revenge.’ I then asked, ‘Why me?’ To which she said, “You were the best.” My seeds of treachery had been planted that day by her own hand. It was only a matter of time before I would rebel.

“She further explained to me the goggles she had created that day would be able to control my glider through my willpower alone. Things especially got better for me when her spell to summon the Stone of Equus cards backfired, allowing me more time to Using my newfound technology, I practiced using my glider and tuned it up every day, going from the early hours of the day to the wee hours of the night preparing for my escape. The only thing that continued to haunt me was Rae’s power, and what she could do if she caught me. However, it was Alex’s use of the Elements of Harmony that inspired me to carry through with the plan.

“The next night, I opened the garage for my glider and flew for it, my only things I took with me were my glider, the duel-disk that was magically grafted onto my arm, and the clothes on my back. I made one last stop before I continued my escape: my dad’s shop. All I could tell him was to lay low, and that one day, I would come back for him. I haven’t seen or heard him since then.

“I continued to travel onwards stopping in random towns and cities in the northeast and southeast states, all in an attempt to get Rae and her minions, who were undoubtedly after me, off my trail. Not until yesterday did I make it here, so I can help you defeat Rae and gain my life back.”

Twilight was still unsure about Zelda’s story, but she officially changed her mind upon seeing Applejack’s watery eyes. Only a true story such as that would bring Applejack to such emotions. Twilight now felt like she could trust Zelda.

“Whatever comes at you,” said Alex, “you can certainly count on us to be there for you.”

“Yeah!” agreed Rainbow Dash. “With your knowledge of Rae and her goons, you’ll be a really valuable member of the team.”

Zelda bowed her head and smiled.

“Thank you,” she said. “Thank you so much.”

“Now,” said Carolyn. “Let’s get inside. I’ll prepare some tea and coffee.”

Chapter 34: Flight

Carolyn was preparing a large pot of coffee along with a kettle of hot water for tea for everyone. As Zelda told Carolyn her preference (black coffee with sugar), Twilight scooted closer to her on the living room couch.

“Yeah?” asked Zelda.

“Zelda,” asked Twilight, slightly curious. “May I see your D-Pad?”

“Sure thing,” said Zelda, almost as if she had completely forgotten Twilight’s hostile nature a few moments ago.

A halo formed around Zelda’s hand, which quickly scanned her arm, causing her D-Pad to appear. Zelda’s story about how painful the application of her D-Pad was urged squirms from Twilight, disturbed by the thought. Everyone else took notice, amazed at Zelda’s capabilities.

“Doesn’t that still hurt anymore?” asked Twilight.

“Nah,” she said. “It’s kind of like getting a tattoo. It hurts like hell putting it on, but then it just becomes a part of you.”

“I see. Why is your D-Pad a gauntlet?”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“You see, when Alex and Tom left the hospital, Shining Armor explained Grant in better detail. He also had a gauntlet styled D-Pad like you.”

“Not to mention,” interrupted Alex, “that Gilda also wore a similar gauntlet on her person. Both Kyle and Trixie had such different duel disks, so why are yours similar to Grant’s and Gilda’s?”

Zelda’s melancholy frown returned, having to revisit more painful memories.

“When I was with Rae, she assigned Grant, Gilda, and I to the “Gauntlet Class.”

“Gauntlet Class?” asked Twilight.

“This was reserved for the best of the best duelists within Rae’s circle; the ones she expected to raise the most hell when it came time to strike against Equestria. It wasn’t just the negative feelings in me that caused me to run away, it was Kyle and Grant too.”

Reese perked up upon hearing Zelda giving the least amount of sympathy towards his sworn enemy. Twilight was about to ask Zelda a question, but Reese was quick to put his two cents in.

“How could you talk about that bastard like that?” he demanded. “I should tell you what he did to me and my sister.”

“I have no knowledge of what wrongs he’s caused in the past, but of all of Rae’s members that weren’t given the honor as I was, he seemed the most upset. From what little I’ve seen of Rae and Kyle, she treated him almost like a son. To give some newbie like me that honor, he must have felt very betrayed.”

“Whatever. I couldn’t care less about what honors that bastard has or hasn’t accomplished, any good thrown his way is too much for him.”

“Anyways, then I saw one of my fellow Gauntlets: Grant. Unlike Gilda, who seemed rather grateful, if not, boastful, about her Gauntlet status, Grant seemed rather unhappy about it. I tried asking him about it, but he preferred being left alone, saying nothing except an occasional ‘hello.’ It was these feelings animosity that helped push me away for good. Not to mention, Rae’s plan…”

“That reminds me!” spoke Twilight. “What was Rae’s plan? I figured since you were a member of their sect, you’d have some knowledge of their ideas.”

“Indeed, I do. Rae originally intended to obtain all Stones of Equus cards through her magic. Once she obtained them, she would use the Stones’ magic to bring her and the rest of her minions to Equestria, where we would lay waste to its towns and its populace, using our magically enhanced D-Pad’s to summon the Stones, among other duel monsters. With Equestria in ruins, they would create their own nation as they saw fit: a blackened utopia if you will.

“Their plan nearly succeeded, but there was one thing that stopped her.” She turned her head towards Alex. “And that was you.”

Alex was again reminded of his activation of his Element of Harmony and how it brought Equestria to Earth. He also imagined how powerful Rae was, and how angry she must have been that he essentially, though inadvertently, stopped her.

“After being defeated, filled with rage and unbridled spite, Rae upped the ante. She would not only destroy Equestria, but Earth too, but not before promising Grant, Kyle, and I to be key-leaders in her new nation. It was then that I couldn’t stand to be by Rae’s side any longer. Along with destroying the Earth, my dad would obviously be killed in the process. I wouldn’t let her get away with that.”

“Your coffee,” chirped Carolyn, handing Zelda a mug.

“Thanks,” she said delicately to her host.

Carolyn went on to deliver more drinks.

“At least you have a dad,” said Alex sullenly, but still trying to keep a straight face to not look too saddened. Thomas looked at Alex with unhappy eyes. “My parents both died in a nasty car accident when I was younger. I’ve been living with my best friend Tom ever since.”

“At least you have good friends,” consoled Zelda.

“Hey. Now you do too.”

Zelda gave Alex a gracious nod.

“Hey,” spoke Rainbow Dash, flying up close to Zelda, “you seem to like flying, huh?”

“Yeah?”

“How’s about I race you on your clunky little machine of yours?”

“Clunky?!?”

Hook, line, and sinker, thought Rainbow Dash.

“It took me years to get that machine in that shape. I assure you, it’s state of the art.”

“Prove it.”

“How’s about a duel?”

“Sounds like a plan!”

“Ladies!” interrupted Twilight. “You shouldn’t be dueling. I mean, Alex was just attacked and they’re out looking for you. You should lay low.”

“No, no, no,” reasoned Zelda, “Rainbow Dash is a big girl… filly… mare… anyways, she knows what she said. Let’s see if she can back up her words.”

“Plus,” said Alex. “If Zelda claims to have unheard of cards in her deck, I’d like to be able to see them.”

“What?” Twilight questioned vehemently, “this is no time to marvel at her deck.”

“That’s not what I meant. When I dueled with Zelda, we had great camaraderie together. If I’m, or any of us for that matter, is expected to work with her, we should watch her to get a better understanding of her deck and how she uses it.”

“…Okay,” Twilight calmly relented, “but in case someone attacks, we need someone to distract them.”

“Great. I’m in.”

“Alex, seriously? I’m trying to keep you out of harm’s way.”

“If you wanted me out of harm’s way, you should have taken away my Stone of Equus card the first day you met me.”

Before Twilight could respond, she realized that he was absolutely right. Alex took her silence as a victory in the argument, and proceeded outside with Rainbow Dash and Zelda, the latter of whom downed her coffee before making her way outside.

“Damn,” said Tom, impressed by Zelda’s drinking ability.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Rainbow Dash and Zelda had gone to the track where Alex had gotten his license. Everyone was sitting in the stands except for Zelda, Rainbow Dash, and Alex. Rainbow Dash and Zelda, who was on her glider, were at the starting line while Alex was right behind the two, ready to strike if any danger came about. It was even getting very late, as the sun was beginning to set, the sky was a deep orange, and the traffic began to decrease as more and more people returned to their homes to retire.

“Ready?” asked Rainbow Dash.

“Been ready for almost 8 months,” spoke Zelda. Her magical aviator goggles were already over her eyes. Then, she extended her arm, allowing the halo on her arm to summon her D-Pad. Rainbow Dash couldn’t help but take another gander.

“I know that your D-Pad may be a painful reminder for you, but that still looks so cool.”

Zelda gave Rainbow Dash a friendly smirk, and stood ready to go.

“Speed World 2, set on!” shouted Rainbow Dash, pressing the Speed World 2 icon on her D-Pad screen. The area was lit in a holographic aura.

Alex slipped on his helmet and got ready to follow. The electronic countdown began.

9. 8. 7. 6. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1. *BEEP*

Rainbow Dash zoomed off while Zelda’s machine lifted about fifteen feet and then began to get moving, giving Rainbow Dash a considerable lead. Alex was close behind, making sure none of them got too far off, but considering he was tailing Rainbow Dash, that might have proven to be a near impossibility.

Rainbow Dash confidently soared, expecting to keep the lead. However, Zelda’s glider started to approach and fast. Rainbow Dash saw this and did her best to keep her lead.

“No you don’t,” grunted Zelda.

Suddenly, two jets from the behind of her machine propelled her even faster with blue, flaming, light. Rainbow Dash couldn’t believe what she was seeing.

Is there someone that’s really faster than me? she thought.

Sure enough, Zelda easily sped past her and took the first corner over the track.

Crap, thought Alex, she’s going to be even harder to catch.

Alex revved his handlebar harder to get himself to their speed.

“Let’s see you try that without your little contraption!” shouted Rainbow Dash from behind.

“Let’s see if you can even beat me!” Zelda retorted, drawing five cards from her deck.

“You know I will!” Rainbow Dash also drew five cards.

Let’s see this, thought Alex. This is going to be really interesting.

“DUEL!” the two duelists shouted.

Zelda vs. Rainbow Dash

Zelda’s Turn: Z:1 RD:0 – Zelda sets one monster.

Zelda places one card face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-4 Life-4000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“HA!” shouted Rainbow Dash. “You wasted your first move for that? Please, let me show you how its done.”

***************************************************
Rainbow Dash’s Turn: Z:1 RD:1 – Rainbow Dash special summons T.G. Striker, as she controls no monsters while her opponent controls one (ATK: 800 DEF: 0). Rainbow Dash then special summons T.G. Warwolf from her hand, as a monster was special summoned (ATK: 1200 DEF: 0). Rainbow Dash tunes T.G. Warwolf with T.G. Striker to synchro summon T.G. Power Gladiator (ATK: 2300 DEF: 1000). Rainbow Dash then normal summons T.G. Rush Rhino (ATK: 1600 DEF: 800).

Rainbow Dash attacks Zelda’s face down monster, which is a Gusto Egul (ATK: 200 DEF: 400). When T.G. Power Gladiator attacks a defense position monster, it inflicts piercing damage. Zelda activates Rainbow Life, discarding a card to gain life points that she would have lost this turn.

Zelda’s Life Points: 4000 -> 5900

Zelda then activates the effect of her Gusto Egul. When it’s destroyed by battle, she can special summon a level 4 or lower Gusto monster from her deck, choosing Gusto Codor (ATK: 1000 DEF: 400). Furthermore, Zelda activates the effect of the Gusto Griffin that she discarded, allowing her to special summon a Gusto monster from her deck, choosing Gusto Gulldo (ATK: 500 DEF: 500).

Rainbow Dash places two cards face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-4000 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

Such amazing swarming abilities, thought Alex, who was still close behind. Perhaps Rainbow’s in for a real challenge.

“You know,” called Zelda, “I saw your little accel synchro summoning trick at the tournament two weeks ago. Pretty impressive.”

“Thanks,” said Rainbow Dash. Remembering who she was talking to, Rainbow Dash tried to act cool about it. “I mean, of course you would.”

“It really reminded me of my dad.”

“Your dad?”

“He used to own a T.G. deck just like you, and his accel synchro summoning was always a blast to watch. So when I talked to Rae about it, she combined my deck with new cards that would allow me to experience the same thing.”

“Same thing. Bu– You don’t mean…”

Zelda smirked.

***************************************************
Zelda’s Turn: Z:2 RD:2 – Zelda tunes Gusto Codor with Gusto Gulldo to synchro summon Daigusto Sphreez (ATK: 2000 DEF: 1300). When Daigusto Sphreeze is synchro summoned, Zelda can add one Gusto monster from her graveyard to her hand, choosing Gusto Griffin. Zelda activates the effect of Gusto Gulldo. When it was sent from the field to the graveyard, she can special summon a level 2 or lower Gusto monster from her deck, choosing Gusto Falco (ATK: 600 DEF: 1400) Zelda normal summons Musto, Oracle of Gusto (ATK: 1800 DEF: 900).

Zelda tunes Musto, Oracle of Gusto with Gusto Falco to synchro summon Daigusto Griffins (ATK: 2100 DEF: 1300). When Gusto Falco is sent to the graveyard while face-up on the field, Zelda can special summon one Gusto monster in face down defense position.

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

Zelda began to speed up, leaving Rainbow Dash behind. The cyan pegasus was determined to be close by.

“You really want to see it?” asked Zelda. “Fine here it is. My very own accel synchro!”

Alex, along with his friends and family at the stands, watched in awe and amazement at what they began to witness.

“I tune my level 6 Daigusto Sphreez with my level 6 Daigusto Griffins!” yelled Zelda.

Daigusto Sphreez had become a bright green aura which assimilated itself with Zelda’s glider, causing it to glow green. Daigusto Griffins flew high into the sky, turning into six green rings, which formed together to form a large golden ring. Zelda ascended vertically into the sky towards the ring, the jets on her glider propelling her faster and faster. The aura around her glider also got brighter the faster she went.

“Accel synchro!” yelled Zelda.

Zelda flew into the ring, which caused it to explode in a massive fireball which began to take the form of a large red, green, and blue bird. Zelda looped backwards and flew back towards the track next to Rainbow Dash, the new monster following just behind her. Alex and the other onlookers were nothing short of awestruck.

“Be born,” yelled Zelda, “Gusto Flaming Pheenix!”

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

Zelda tunes Daigusto Sphreez with Daigusto Griffins to accel synchro summon Gusto Flaming Pheenix (ATK: 3300 DEF: 2500).

Zelda attacks T.G. Rush Rhino with Gusto Flaming Pheenix.

Rainbow Dash’s Life Points: 4000 -> 2300

When T.G. Rush Rhino is destroyed and sent to the graveyard, Rainbow Dash can add a T.G. monster from her deck to her hand.

Zelda ends her turn.

Status: Hand-4 Life-5900 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

“Pfft,” exclaimed Rainbow Dash. “It’s not so tough.”

“Not so tough, you say?” asked Zelda, genuinely impressed that she could say such a thing to her monster. “Let’s see you try to beat it then!”

“Easy peasy!”

***************************************************
Rainbow Dash’s Turn: Z:3 RD:3 - Rainbow Dash summons T.G. Catapult Dragon (ATK: 900 DEF: 1300). Rainbow Dash activates T.G. Catapult Dragon’s effect, allowing her to special summon a level 3 or lower tuner monster from her hand, choosing T.G. Jet Falcon (ATK: 1400 DEF: 1200). Rainbow Dash tunes T.G. Catapult Dragon with T.G. Jet Falcon to synchro summon T.G. Wonder Magician (ATK: 1900 DEF: 0). When T.G. Jet Falcon is sent to the graveyard as synchro material, she can inflict 500 points of damage to the opponent.

Zelda’s Life Points: 5900 -> 5400

Rainbow Dash tunes T.G. Power Gladiator with T.G. Wonder Magician to accel synchro summon T.G. Blade Blaster (ATK: 3300 DEF: 2200). Rainbow Dash activates the speed spell Half Seize, halving the ATK of one of her opponent’s monsters and gaining life points equal to the amount halved when she has three or more speed counters, choosing Gusto Flaming Pheenix (ATK: 3300 -> 1650).

Rainbow Dash’s Life Points: 2300 -> 3950

Rainbow Dash attacks Gusto Flaming Pheenix with T.G. Blade Blaster.

Zelda’s Life Points: 5400 -> 3750

Rainbow Dash then activates her trap TG-SX1, special summoning a T.G. synchro monster from her graveyard when a T.G. monster she controls destroys an opponent’s monster by battle, choosing T.G. Power Gladiator. Rainbow Dash attacks Zelda’s face down monster with T.G. Power Gladiator, which is another Gusto Gulldo. T.G. Power Gladiator’s effect causes piercing damage.

Zelda’s Life Points: 3750 -> 1950

Zelda activates Gusto Gulldo’s effect again, special summoning a level 2 or lower Gusto monster from her deck, choosing another Gusto Falco.

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

“Whatever!” yelled Rainbow Dash, still happy that she brought down Zelda’s ace. “It’s not like your monster’s coming ba–”

Before Rainbow Dash could finish her statement, a fiery explosion appeared in front of her, Gusto Flaming Pheenix reappearing where it occurred.

“What?” exclaimed Rainbow Dash.

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

During the end phase, if Gusto Flaming Pheenix was destroyed and sent to the graveyard this turn, Zelda can special summon it by banishing a Gusto synchro monster in her graveyard (Daigusto Griffins). Also, damage is inflicted to the opponent equal to half of the banished monster’s ATK.

Rainbow Dash’s Life Points: 3950 -> 2900

Rainbow Dash ends her turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-2900 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“Holy cow!” exclaimed Alex. “Her monster really is powerful.”

“Awesome,” muttered Tom.

“I don’t believe it!” shouted Rainbow Dash. “Your monster’s practically invincible!”

“Yes,” agreed Zelda. “It makes the perfect weapon for hunting Stones of Equus. Be thankful that it’s your ally! Well, not now, at least.”

***************************************************
Zelda’s Turn: Z:4 RD:4 – Zelda activates the speed spell Angel Baton, drawing two cards and discarding one when she has two or more speed counters. Next, she activates the speed spell Count Up, discarding a number of cards to raise her speed counters by two for each card discarded, discarding one (2 x 1 = 2, SpC.: 4 -> 6). Zelda reuses the effect of Gusto Griffin, special summoning a Gusto monster from her deck, choosing Reeze, Whirwind of Gusto (ATK: 1900 DEF: 1400).

Zelda activates her speed spell Synchro Return, special summoning one of her banished synchro monsters when she has five or more speed counters, choosing Daigusto Griffins. Zelda activates the effect of Reeze, Whirlwind of Gusto, sending one card from her hand to the bottom of her deck to switch control of a monster her opponent controls with a Gusto monster she controls, choosing Daigusto Griffins with T.G. Power Gladiator. Zelda then tunes Reeze, Whirlwind of Gusto with Gusto Falco to synchro summon Daigusto Eguls (ATK: 2600 DEF: 1800). Zelda reactivates the effect of Gusto Falco, special summoning a Gusto monster face down when it’s sent face up from the field to the graveyard.

Zelda attacks T.G. Blade Blaster with Gusto Flaming Pheenix. Since both of their ATK’s are equal, they are both destroyed. Zelda attacks Daigusto Griffins with T.G. Power Gladiator.

Rainbow Dash’s Life Points: 2900 -> 2700

Zelda attacks Rainbow Dash directly with Daigusto Eguls, but Rainbow Dash activates Miracle’s Wake, special summoning T.G. Blade Blaster from her graveyard. Zelda halts her attack.

During the end phase, Gusto Flaming Pheenix is special summoned via its effect, banishing Daigusto Sphreez in her graveyard to do so (ATK: 2000).

Rainbow Dash’s Life Points: 2700 -> 1700

Zelda places one card face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-1950 Monsters-4 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“Four monsters!” exclaimed Alex. “That’s crazy!”

It was certainly a pickle for Rainbow Dash. She had one monster against Zelda’s four, which would only result in a defeat on her part if she didn’t do something this turn.

“I’m not giving up yet!” yelled Rainbow Dash. “I will defeat if it’s the last thing I do!”

***************************************************
Rainbow Dash’s Turn: Z:7 RD:5 – Rainbow Dash activates the speed spell Synchro Defuse, taking control of an opponent’s synchro monster until the end phase when she has two or more speed counters, choosing Gusto Flaming Pheenix.

Rainbow Dash attacks T.G. Power Gladiator with Gusto Flaming Pheenix, but Zelda activates Damage Diet, halving all damage she takes this turn.

Zelda’s Life Points: 1950 -> 1450

When T.G. Power Gladiator is destroyed, Rainbow Dash draws one card. Rainbow Dash attacks Daigusto Eguls with T.G. Blade Blaster.

Zelda’s Life Points: 1450 -> 1100

Rainbow Dash activates the speed spell Speed Storm, inflicting 1000 points of damage when she has three or more speed counters.

Zelda’s Life Points: 1100 -> 600

During the end phase, Zelda gains control over Gusto Flaming Pheenix.

Rainbow Dash ends her turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-1700 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

Alright, thought Rainbow Dash. The field is now good. As long as she doesn’t summon a monster with 1700 or more ATK, I’m golden. Come next turn, all I need to do is activate Speed Storm’s effect to add it from my hand to my graveyard by removing 3 speed counters and then activate it again. I think things are looking up for Rainbow Dash.

***************************************************
Zelda’s Turn: Z:8 RD:6 – Zelda flip summons Windaar, Sage of Gusto (ATK: 2000 DEF: 1000).

Zelda attacks T.G. Blade Blaster with Gusto Flaming Pheenix. Their ATKs are equal, so they are both destroyed. Zelda attacks Rainbow Dash directly with Windaar, Sage of Gusto.

Rainbow Dash’s Life Points: 1700 -> 0

Zelda wins.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Rainbow Dash crashed into the ground. Zelda and Alex both stopped quickly to make sure their companion was alright. Alex pulled to a stop while Zelda quickly and effortlessly landed on the track, hopping off and running to Rainbow Dash.

“Rainbow Dash!” she yelled. “Are you alright.”

“No,” she whined. “I’m not alright. I lost!”

Zelda and Alex were thankful that her only pain was mental rather than physical.

“Rainbow, what are you talking about?” continued Zelda. “You were fantastic!”

Rainbow Dash rolled over on her back and continued to sprawl as if she was having a light tantrum.

“Fantastic? How could I possibly be fantastic if I lost?”

Zelda knelt down and put her hand on Rainbow Dash’s chest.

“The point is that most duelists would not be able to recover from an onslaught like that, especially without having any knowledge of my ace monster. The fact that you brought me down to 600 life points in those conditions is a testament to how good of a duelist you actually are. Now keep your chin up, your friends are watching you.”

Rainbow Dash quickly flew up, looking a lot more chipper.

“What? You saying I’m crying? That’s for babies! Come on, Alex. Let’s go home!”

Rainbow Dash flew in a beeline towards Tom and her other friends.

“How rude,” commented Zelda.

“Don’t worry,” said Alex. “Her pride is the most sensitive part of her. Once she gets over it, she’ll warm up to you. Come on, let’s get back home.”

Alex rode around the track to get back to the exit while Zelda watched.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Back at Alex’s home, there was one last issue that needed to take place.

“Is there a chance that I can bum a bed for the night?” asked Zelda.

“Of course,” said Alex, “but I’m afraid it can’t be here.”

“What? Why?”

“We can leave your glider in the backyard, but if you stay here, our enemies will just be able to use that to track you to our house. If you stay somewhere else, they’ll have to go through me or Tom first if they see your glider here. Plus, I have six ponies and a baby dragon to house too.”

“Good point.”

“We’d be more than welcoming,” said Reese, “but our house really isn’t spacious enough for guests.”

“Me neither,” said John. “A card shop really never a really spacious kind of a home."

“I’ll do it!” said Jenny.

“Really? You’ll do it?” asked Zelda.

“Sure. Lisa comes over to my house all the time, so our family always expects an extra mouth to feed. You’ll be totally welcome in our home.”

“Thank you very much,” said Zelda. “Just let me take care of my glider.”
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Alex escorted Zelda from the backyard through the side gate that led to the front of the house. Jenny and Lisa were already in their car, with the front passenger’s side door opened. Before Zelda could get in, she ran towards Alex and gave him a hug.

“Thank you,” she whispered in his ear.

She then let go and hopped into the car, which sped away to Jenny’s house.

Alex and Tom gave Reese and Emma a farewell wave before they drove off as well.

“See ya’, Alex!” called John, before stepping into Claude’s car. “You’re coming to my dueling final Tuesday, right?”

“Wouldn’t miss it.”

"Cool. Have a good memorial day."

John stepped in as Claude drove him home. Alex and Tom were now the only ones outside.

“So that’s the supposed Gauntlet Class, huh?” asked Tom. “I’d hate to see what the others are like.”

“They’re powerful, no doubt,” answered Alex, “but we have one as our ally now, so if they want to try and attack us again, they’re really going to need to bring their A-game, because we sure as hell are going to bring ours.”

Chapter 35: Exam

Monday, May 28, 2012

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Alex woke up around 6:00 AM with Twilight still sleeping soundly in his bed. Alex frowned, still somewhat upset over the injuries that befell her brother and sister-in-law the previous day. He felt even guiltier that he didn’t even ask Twilight more about them when he got back from dueling Gilda or the night before when he went to bed. He instinctively pet Twilight’s coat in a calming, supportive gesture. However, this act woke Twilight, letting out a large yawn and opening her violet eyes.

“Ungh,” moaned Twilight. “You have to get to school or something?” That’s when it clicked, bringing her back to her senses. “Wait,” she yelled. “It's a holiday today! You don't have to go to school! Why did you wake me?”

“I’m sorry, Twilight,” apologized Alex, his voice filled with sorrow and regret. “I shouldn’t have abandoned you and your brother like that. They needed my support and I left them.”

Twilight’s irritated face turned to one of sympathy.

“Hey,” she said, putting her arm to his shoulder, “you did what you thought was best for us. Yes, you can be a bit reckless, but I’m sure Shining Armor would understand and respect your decision.”

“Speaking of,” said Alex. “How are they? Well, besides, you know.”

“Princess Celestia transported them both back to Royal Canterlot General Hospital, where they’d stay until they’ve healed.”
“That’s another thing. When Rae broke Rainbow Dash’s shoulder, she healed extraordinarily quickly.”

“Well, yeah. It doesn’t take long for a pony to heal. Isn’t that the case with you and humans?”

“No. Such injuries, if sustained by a human, would take weeks, maybe even months to fully heal.”

“Ouch.” Twilight was kind of offset by this new bout of information, as told by the drooping of her ears.

“How about Shining and Cadance? Do they, by chance, have faster healing periods than say an earth pony or a pegasus?”

“As a matter of fact they do. With the amount of magic stored in a unicorn’s body, their bones can mend themselves very quickly. Unicorns with strong reserves of magic have even been known to heal large cuts and gashes instantaneously.”

“Is your brother or sister-in-law that strong?”

“No, that’s more along the lines of the princesses. But they’re still strong. That’s why they should be fully healed by tomorrow afternoon at the latest.”

“Alright, then. What’s on your agenda today?”

“I was actually going to Canterlot with my friends to visit them for today and tomorrow. I’d love to invite you, but you're celebrating the holiday today with your family. Plus, you have engagements with John tomorrow."

“Do you think Shining Armor would mind?”

“Alex, please, he knows it wasn’t your fault. And if it makes you feel any better, I’ll pass your condolences to him for you.”

“Thanks, Twi.”

“Yeah. No problem.”

Alex then shuffled out of bed to take a shower, with Twilight following him.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

The rest of the day was spent at the Centennial Beach, where Thomas and Sarah would grill hot dogs for lunch and have juicy steaks for dinner. A little fun at the beach with his family would have been nice for Alex, but his enjoyment wasn't nearly as full without Twilight or her friends. As Alex looked up at the Equestrian planet, he felt a frisbee hit him in the head.

"Come on!" called Tom, wearing nothing but bright yellow swimtrunks. "That's when you're supposed to catch it."

Alex looked at Tom, picked the frisbee back up, and tossed it back.

"Listen," said Tom as they continued to toss the plastic disk, "if it means anything, I miss Rainbow Dash too. But she said she'd be back tomorrow. Right now, just have some fun with the friends you have."

"I know."

As Alex and Tom played some more, Alex caught the sight of Emma in a lifeguard outfit in a kayak in the deep end of the pool.

"Hey," said Alex, pointing out, "it's Emma."

"I see," answered Tom. He then grew a smirk. "Wanna splash her a little?"

"I'm sure Reese wouldn't mind. Plus, it's all in good fun."

Alex and Tom decided to head on over to the deep end.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Alex woke up to his alarm, and was somewhat dismayed to not have Twilight there next to him. He then smiled knowing that her brother would probably be happier by his side. Alex got out of bed regardless, knowing he had other things to worry about, namely his attendance of John's dueling final.

As Alex made his way to the kitchen for a light breakfast, he went by Tom's door and gave it a knock.

"Yeah, yeah," yelled John. "I'm up!"

The final would begin at 7:45 sharp, and John volunteered to go first in his class. After which, his only final left was his homeroom period (which the instructor said that his students could skip). Alex, Tom, and John would then head to the nearby Egg Harbor Café for a late celebratory breakfast for John’s summer vacation. However, there was one last bit of business to attend to.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Tom and Alex rode up to the Naperville North entrance, Sarah riding in the backseat in Tom’s motorcycle. Sarah, like John, was a junior, so she also had one last day of exams before her summer vacation could officially kick off. Coincidentally, Sarah only had to take a chemistry exam before she was done for the day. Afterwards, Jenny, Lisa, and Zelda would pick her up and meet the three boys at Egg Harbor Café, where they would spend the rest of the day and subsequent evening downtown.

“Bye, Sarah!” called Tom as Sarah walked towards the entrance. “Good luck on your test!”

“See you at breakfast!” called Alex.

Sarah just gave a wave as she ran back towards the school, leaving Alex and Tom to get to Central.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Alex and Tom stopped at the theater lot on the western part of the school. It was 7:37, just enough time to make a message. Alex pressed the texting function on the bottom screen of his duel runner. Alex scrolled through his phonebook and found John’s contact. A keyboard appeared on the screen, leaving Alex to type in his message: “Where are you dueling?”

Not even thrity seconds later, Alex received a reply: “Tennis courts. They should be just south of you.”

“Wait. How do you know where we are?” replied Alex.

“Look left.”

Alex and Tom were facing south, so Alex looked along the side of the building to see John standing there with a phone in his hand. Alex made a smile as he heard the ping of another message notification on his duel runner.

“Mind giving me a ride?”
_________________________________________________________________________________________

John rode in Alex’s backseat while Tom followed. It was only a short walk to the tennis courts, but it was only made faster by Alex’s lift. The nets were all taken down and there were several duels happening on most of the courts. The teacher had not yet arrived, but it wouldn’t be long, as there were just a couple more minutes before the period would begin.

Alex and Tom parked their duel runners on the eastbound side of W. Hillside Rd. as close to the tennis courts as they could. Alex and Tom came back to the courts, where other students from John’s class were watching. Alex and Tom took one open spot that would fit both of them. Despite being from rival schools, Alex saw no reason that they all couldn’t be civil.

“Who are you?” asked a female student.

“We’re friends of John,” answered Alex.

“Really? You go here?”

“No, we’re from North.”

“Oh, interesting.”

Soon, a man in a sharp outfit came into the courts. He was handsome for being as middle aged as he was, having combed brown hair and an attractive stubble. He wore a black blazer with a black shirt and kakhi pants.

“Alright,” he said, “who’s my first victim?”

“Hey,” Tom spoke to the female student, “who’s that? He sounds familiar.”

“That’s Vincent Jakobi. He was a national champion back in his day.”

“You mean the Vincent Jakobi?” asked Alex. “Holy crap, I should have gone to Central.”

The female student giggled.

“Come on,” he said in a playful tone, “we can’t hold this back forever.”

“Yeah!” called John. “I’m just running through my deck again, that’s all.”

“Do it on your own time then. We duel now!”

John followed Vincent to the center court where everyone could get the best view possible. John and Vincent stood on opposite sides of the court on the back of the back court.

“State your name and deck for me,” called Vincent.

“My name is John Terrence,” he said, “and my deck is a Twilight combination of Lightsworns and Blackwings.”

“Very good. As you know, I’m Vincent Jakobi, and I use a Rock-type deck. Here are the rules to your final. One duel. One shot at your grade. If you lose while I have 4000 or more life points, you will fail this test.”

John gulped a little.

“If you lose while my life points are 3950 to 3000, that’s a D. 2950 to 2000, C. 1950 to 1000, B. 950 to 50, A. However, if you manage to beat me… let’s see.” Vincent pulled a card from his pocket. “You get an A, AND you get this $25 gift certificate to Chipotle.”

“Now I really wish I was at Central,” joked Alex.

“Alright,” said John, “ready to be out on $25 worth of burritos and guacamole, Mr. Jakobi?”

“I’ve always liked your vigor, John, and you’ve shown a lot of promise. If there’s any duelist in this court right now that can beat me, I expect it to be you.”

“Then let’s get it on.”

John constructed his D-Pad and unsheathed it. Vincent did the same too. His D-Pad had a cool granite finish on it. Vincent and his student drew five cards from their decks.

“DUEL!” they both yelled.

Vincent vs. John

Vincent’s Turn: Vincent activates the field spell Catapult Zone. Vincent then sets one monster.

Vincent places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-3 Life-4000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“Of course he starts off with Catapult Zone,” muttered Alex.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” asked a nearby African-American student.

“Nothing. I know that Vincent is a ardent Rock-type user, so I could definitely see that in his deck. Let’s see how John can bypass it.”

***************************************************
John’s Turn: John summons Blackwing – Kochi the Daybreak (ATK: 700 DEF: 1500). Next, John special summons Blackwing – Bora the Spear, as he controls a Blackwing monster (ATK: 1700 DEF: 800). John tunes Blackwing – Bora the Spear with Blackwing – Kochi the Daybreak to synchro summon Black-Winged Dragon (ATK: 2800 DEF: 1600).

John attacks Vincent's face down monster with Black-Winged Dragon, which turns out to be a Giant Soldier of Stone (ATK: 1300 DEF: 2000), but Vincent activates the effect of Catapult Zone, sending one Rock-type monster from his deck to the graveyard to negate his monster’s destruction by battle.

John places two cards face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-4000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

Sure, his field spell might be intimidating, thought John, but Rock-type monsters are usually good only for a strong defense, while my deck has plenty of ATK power. If he wants to break into me, he’s going to need to step it up.

***************************************************
Vincent’s Turn: Vincent summons Mine Golem (ATK: 1000 DEF: 1900). Vincent overlays Giant Soldier of Stone and Mine Golem to xyz summon Soul of Silvermountain (ATK: 1800 DEF: 2200). Vincent activates Soul of Silvermountain’s effect. By detaching one xyz material from it, he can target one of John’s face down spell/trap cards and make John unable to activate it as long as Soul of Silvermountain stays on the field. Vincent activates Riryoku, halving the ATK of one monster on the field and increasing the ATK of a monster that he controls by the same amount, targeting Black-Winged Dragon and Soul of Silvermountain, respectively (ATK: 2800 -> 1400) (ATK: 1800 -> 3200).

Vincent attacks Black-Winged Dragon with Soul of Silvermountain, but John activates his face down Attack Invulnerability, choosing the effect to take no battle damage from the battle. When Soul of Silvermountain destroys a monster while it has xyz material, Vincent can target an EARTH monster in his graveyard and special summon it in defense position, choosing Giant Soldier of Stone.

During the end phase, Soul of Silvermountain’s ATK returns to normal (ATK: 3200 -> 1800).

Vincent ends his turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-4000 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“Come on, John!” yelled Tom. “You wouldn’t duel like this if Twilight was here, would you?”

“Perhaps you should just let me work my own duel, thank you,” said John quietly.

“By the way,” called Alex, “she wishes you luck!”

John then smirked a little.

“Then I won’t disappoint.”

***************************************************
John’s Turn: John activates Pot of Greed, drawing two cards. John activates Photon Lead, special summoning a level 4 or lower LIGHT monster from his hand, choosing Aurkus, Lightsworn Druid (ATK: 1200 DEF: 1800). John then activates Inferno Reckless Summon, special summoning as many monsters with 1500 or less ATK from his hand, deck, or graveyard that share the same name of a special summoned monster, special summoning two more Aurkus, Lightsworn Druids. With Inferno Reckless Summon’s effect, Vincent can choose one monster he controls and special summon as many monsters with the same name from his deck, hand, or graveyard, special summoning two Giant Soldiers of Stone in defense position.

John overlays his three Aurkus, Lightsworn Druids to xyz summon Lapis Lazuli Roc (ATK: 2200 DEF: 1300). John activates Lapis Lazuli Roc’s effect. By detaching one xyz material from it, he can send the top card of his deck to the graveyard, which is a Vanquishing Light. Because Vanquishing Light is a trap card, John can set a trap card from his graveyard to his field.

John attacks Soul of Silvermountain with Lapis Lazuli Roc, but Vincent activates Catapult Zone, sending a Rock-type monster from his deck to the graveyard to negate its destruction. Battle damage is still applied.

Vincent’s Life Points: 4000 -> 3600

John places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-4000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-3
***************************************************

“Alright!” yelled Alex, clapping alongside Tom. “Now we’re talking!”

Alex’s energy got others to begin clapping as well.

“Interesting,” spoke Vincent quietly, who remained on the ground after the attack, “who knew it would be my student to draw the first blood. But…”

Vincent hopped up and stood back on his feet.

“…it’s going to take more than chiseling away at me to finish me off. Ready yourself for this one.”

***************************************************
Vincent’s Turn: Vincent activates Field Barrier, preventing the destruction or replacement of Catapult Zone. Vincent sets one monster. Vincent overlays two of his Giant Soldier of Stones to xyz summon Number 30: Acid Golem of Destruction (ATK: 3000 DEF: 3000). Vincent activates Soul of Silvermountain’s effect, detaching its last xyz material to prevent the activation of one face down spell/trap that John controls, choosing another one of his face down cards.

Vincent attacks Lapis Lazuli Roc with Number 30: Acid Golem of Destruction, but John activates Mirror Force, destroying all attack position monsters that Vincent controls. Vincent activates his face down Forbidden Dress, having one monster lose 600 ATK, but it can’t be destroyed by card effects, choosing Soul of Silvermountain (ATK: 1800 -> 1200). Only Number 30: Acid Golem of Destruction is destroyed.

During the end phase, Soul of Silvermaountain’s ATK returns to normal (ATK: 1200 -> 1800).

Vincent ends his turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-3600 Monsters-3 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

“You still continue to amaze me, John,” said Vincent.

“Well, I’m not done yet,” answered John.

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

Oh, thought John with a huge smile on his face, he is in trouble now.

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

When a monster card is sent to the graveyard by Lapis Lazuli Roc’s effect, John can special summon a monster in his graveyard with a level equal to or lower than the sent monster, choosing Black-Winged Dragon. Next, John activates Monster Reborn, special summoning Number 30: Acid Golem of Destruction from Vincent’s graveyard.

John attacks Soul of Silvermountain with Number 30: Acid Golem of Destruction.

Vincent’s Life Points: 3600 -> 2400

John attacks Vincent’s face down monster with Black-Winged Dragon, which was a Morphing Jar (ATK: 700 DEF: 600), but Vincent activates Catapult Zone, sending a Rock-type monster from his deck to his graveyard to prevent its destruction. When Morphing Jar is flip summoned, all players discard their hands and draw five cards from their decks. John attacks Giant Soldier of Stone with Lapis Lazuli Roc, but Vincent activates Catapult Zone’s effect again.

John places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-4 Life-4000 Monsters-3 Face Down Cards-3
***************************************************

“Huh?” asked the black student. “How come he let Soul of Silvermountain be destroyed? Now John’s trap cards can be activated.”

“Isn’t it obvious?” asked John, having overheard his peer’s comment. “If he had continued to use Catapult Zone to protect his monster, he would have been attacked by my other monsters to the point where he would have been brought down to a mere 1000 life points. It was a risky decision, but it was his nonetheless.”

“That’s right,” agreed Vincent. “And you know I’m not one to just give grades away.”

***************************************************
Vincent’s Turn: Vincent activates Giant Trunade, sending all spell and trap cards from the field to the hand. Since Attack Invulnerability was set by Lapis Lazuli Roc's effect, it's removed from play when it leaves the field. Vincent then activates Catapult Zone and Field Barrier from his hand.

Vincent tributes Morphing Jar and Giant Soldier of Stone to summon Stone Dragon (ATK: 2000 DEF: 2300). Vincent then banishes two Rock-type monsters in his graveyard to special summon Gaia Plate the Earth Giant (ATK: 2800 DEF: 1000). Vincent then equips Stone Dragon with Malevolent Nuzzler, increasing its ATK by 700 (ATK: 2000 -> 2700).

Vincent attacks Lapis Lazuli Roc with Stone Dragon.

John’s Life Points: 4000 -> 3500

Vincent then attacks Black-Winged Dragon with Gaia Plate the Earth Giant. With Gaia Plate the Earth Giant’s effect, any monster it battles has its ATK halved (ATK: 2800 -> 1400).

John’s Life Points: 3500 -> 2100

Vincent places two cards face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-2400 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

“Oh, crap,” thought Tom aloud. “This is going to hurt.”

“Indeed it is,” replied Vincent. “Without Black-Winged Dragon’s effect to bounce the effect damage off, he’s going to take the destructive curse of Acid Golem head on.”

Alright, thought John. I have to make something of this turn. I’m going to take 2000 points of damage here right off the bat. I’ll live, but I’m not leaving this place with just a C. I hope my next card does it!

***************************************************
John’s Turn: During John’s standby phase, he must detach one xyz material from Number 30: Acid Golem of Destruction or take 2000 points of damage. Number 30: Acid Golem of Destruction has no xyz materials attached to it.

John’s Life Points: 2100 -> 100

John activates Heavy Storm, destroying all spell and trap cards on the field (minus Catapult Zone, as it was protected by Field Barrier first). This also includes Malevolent Nuzzler (ATK: 2700 -> 2000).

John attacks Stone Dragon with Number 30: Acid Golem of Destruction, but Vincent activates the effect of Catapult Zone, sending a Rock-type monster from his deck to his graveyard to negate Stone Dragon's destruction. Battle damage is still calculated.

Vincent’s Life Points: 2400 -> 1400

John then activates Creature Swap, switching control of a monster he controls with a monster the opponent controls. John gives control of Number 30: Acid Golem of Destruction while Vincent gives control of Stone Dragon to John.

John ends his turn.

Status: Hand-5 Life-100 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

The crowd was ooing, especially Alex and Tom. Vincent couldn’t even believe it. Now he was in control of Acid Golem, and he would be taking its devastating effect. Unlike John, however, who had life to spare, Vincent didn’t have enough to survive. It was obvious: John had won this duel.

“Well,” said Vincent, mildly disappointed, “I was kind of hoping to use that gift card at lunch today.”

“Sorry,” said John, “you’ll just have to pay out of pocket.”

Vincent laughed.

“I can’t wait to see what kind of duelist you become in the future. I know you’ll knock them dead, just like me.”

“I can only hope.”

Vincent, being the honorable duelist, put his fingers on his deck and prepared for the inevitable.

***************************************************
Vincent’s Turn: During Vincent’s standby phase, he must detach one xyz material from Number 30: Acid Golem of Destruction or take 2000 points of damage. Number 30: Acid Golem of Destruction has no xyz materials attached to it.

Vincent’s Life Points: 1400 -> 0

John wins.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Alex and Tom were the first ones to cheer, followed by everyone else. Alex rushed over and helped pick Vincent up from off the ground, John walking over there as well.

“Hey,” Vincent remarked, “you’re that North kid who won that tournament a while ago.”

“That’s me,” said Alex, trying to sound a humble as humanly possible.

“I’d love to have some time to duel with you, just for the fun of it.”

“Me too,” said Alex backing up towards Tom, “but you’ve got a whole class of students you need to duel. Plus, we have breakfast plans.”

After John shook Vincent’s hand and thanked him for a good semester, John slipped the Chipotle card in his pocket before walking out with Alex and Tom to go get a nice, hearty breakfast.

Chapter 36: Bully

With another ride from Alex, the three friends arrived at the Egg Harbor Café within minutes. However, there was a very long line that was already extending out the door. Seeing that it was mostly teenagers, Alex understood why.

“Looks like everyone is celebrating the end of school,” commented Alex.

“So, what?” asked Tom. “You wanna stay here, or do you want to find someplace different?”

“I think we can wait. Plus, that will give Sarah and her friends some time to meet us so we can all eat together.”

“Alright,” said Tom, “you reserve us some seats. I’m running to Starbucks and getting an iced coffee.”

Since Alex, Tom, and John arrived at a small parking lot on the corner of Jackson and Main, it was about a two minute walk to the Starbucks on Main and Jefferson. Tom only wanted it to be brief just in case, by some miracle, that there would be many open seats within the next couple of minutes. He briskly walked towards the place and got in. Strangely, the line wasn’t nearly as long as the one at Egg Harbor, but Tom was very thankful for that.

After a couple of customers later, Tom ordered his drink like it was a routine.

“Grande ice coffee with skim milk, sweetened.”

The cashier rung him up and told him to wait by the counter until his drink was finished. Tom stood patiently when he noticed a familiar face walking towards the entrance: Reese. However, he was joined by another familiar face. He was very tall, very thin, and had combed red hair. Despite it being late spring, he was wearing a wool coat and black jeans, along with expensive black shoes. It was Rich, Reese’s friend from school and its Dueling Club.

The sight of Rich made Tom cringe. And soon enough, he’d have to confront him too. Rich and Reese walked in and almost immediately noticed Tom as he waited for his drink.

“Tom,” said Rich in a faux friendly tone, clearly indicating that he was going to enjoy tormenting them. “So, where are your other friends? Did they decide to dump you after they figured out what a worthless human being you are?”

Reese, had he never been a Stone of Equus bearer and subsequently met Tom, he would have not thought anything about Tom being bullied, in fact, he would more than likely chuckle along with Rich. However, Reese was nearly disgusted at hearing his new friend being taunted like that. He wanted to protest but a nagging feeling stopped him.

“I’m getting an iced coffee while we wait for our reservations at Egg Harbor,” Tom answered flatly.

Tom didn’t feel like cracking jokes with Rich now. If he could just tell him what was what, then hopefully it would suffice for Rich. Unfortunately, it wasn’t.

“Who’s we? Like you and your mommy? How cute.”

“Rich…” quietly spoke Reese, but he wasn’t heard.

“Are you going to get a huge glass of milk and spill it all over your big boy bib?”

“I was eight when I did that…” mumbled Tom.

“Rich,” spoke Reese, even louder. Still nothing. Rich moved his hand towards Tom’s cheek. Tom could have easily overpowered him physically, but instead, Tom did nothing, accepting his humiliation with angry eyes.

“And then mommy will wipe it off for you,” continued Rich, “and then she’ll pinch your cheekies and say–”

Before Rich could pinch his cheeks, a hand stopped him. Rich looked over and was shocked to find that the hand belonged to Reese.

“I don’t appreciate you treating my friend like that.”

The anguish that Tom had felt immediately turned upside down into pure joy, especially seeing the look on Rich’s face when Reese acknowledged Tom as a friend.

“What?” asked Rich. “Him? Your friend? He’s a scrawny little pipsqueak!”

“He’s more of a friend than you’ve ever been.”

“What are you talking about? Do you know what I’ve done for you? I made you great again after you dropped out of that private school downtown. Without me, you would have been as lowly as Tom.”

Reese chuckled.

“You really think that I wouldn’t have been as good as I am now without your ‘help?’ The reason I was even inducted into that private school was because I was a good enough duelist on my own, and I certainly didn’t need the help of a skinny-ass hipster such as yourself.”

Rich couldn’t believe what he was hearing. No one ever called him out like that before. Tom wanted to say something in return, but the sound of a girl’s voice called him.

“Grande iced coffee, skim, sweetened?”

“That’s me, guys,” said Tom, grabbing his drink and making his way towards the exit. “Bye, Reese!”

“Wait!” called Rich. “I’m not done with you.”

“But I’m done with you.” Tom casually walked back down Main and towards the restaurant.

“But…” stammered Rich, now at a loss for words.

“And another thing,” said Reese to Rich. “Lose the coat during the summer. You look like a moron.” Reese also began to walk towards the exit, but stopped, as if he had thought of something. “In that case, keep the coat. It suits you.”

Reese left Starbucks with Rich frozen in place. He followed the path to where Tom was heading, hoping to catch him. Thankfully, he hadn’t gotten far, getting to the Main and Jackson intersection on the Northeast side. Reese briskly walked until he was alongside him.

“Sorry about that,” said Reese to Tom, who took notice to Reese with nonchalance, still enjoying his frothy beverage. “I guess I just began to realize how much of an ass that guy was.”

“Why did you ever hang out with him in the first place?” he responded.

“After I dropped out after the Kyle incident, I began going to public school. I guess when Rich found out I was a hotshot at the private school, he invited me to attend their dueling club. He was always trying to act like my buddy, especially when he saw how good I was. I didn’t have too many friends then, but Rich’s admiration towards me just made me feel too good to not let him alongside me. In hindsight, I’m sure he only did it to look better than he really was.”

“Rough,” was all that Tom could say, and Reese partially couldn’t blame him.

“What about you?”

“Huh?”

“When he mentioned something about spilling milk, you said that you only did it when you were 8. What’s that mean?”

“You really want to know?”

“Yeah.”

“This is it. I was drinking from a carton of milk during lunch, it slipped from my hands, I tried catching it, but it spilled all over my shirt. The end.”

“Really? That’s it?

“Yep.”

Both Reese and Tom took a pause before busting out into laughter. After they calmed down, Tom continued to talk.

“Yeah, he always found the littlest things to tease me about. Mostly, he would taunt me because of my height, and being as tall as he was, it was easy for him to get a sense of empowerment over me, so it made it a lot easier for him. Of course, he would never bully me when Alex was around.”

From the outside of Egg Harbor where Alex and John were waiting, he saw both Tom and Reese at the intersection.

“Is that Reese?” asked Alex to himself while looking out.

“Well,” replied Reese, “hopefully you won’t have to deal with him again.”

Not even a second after that statement, about two cups worth of milk splashed onto Tom’s shirt. Reese and Tom angrily looked to see Rich with a now empty Starbucks cup in his hand.

“Just like old times, huh Tom?” Rich taunted.

Reese was about to take Rich on, but Tom surprised Rich by running up and hugging him, getting his milk-soaked clothes all over Rich’s coat. Rich violently pushed him off, leaving him falling to the ground on his back. Alex and John caught sight of this and ran towards the commotion. Reese grabbed Rich by the lapels of his coat as Rich flailed and squealed, trying to break free.

“Stop!” yelled Tom, putting his hand up.

Reese calmly set Rich back onto his feet while Tom got back on his.

“If he wants to come at me, he certainly can… in a duel.”

“What?” asked Rich, his voice back to its taunting voice. “Are you for real? Do you know who you’re talking to?”

“A beanpole poser who apparently squeals like a pig when he’s backed into a corner like a scared child?”

Rich’s face read something along the lines of, “Did he seriously just talk to me like that?”

“Dude,” spoke Rich, his voice loosing control, “do you want to get your ass kicked?”

“You couldn’t even hit water if you fell out of a boat.”

It was clear that Tom was beyond being intimidated by Rich’s verbal insults. There was one last thing to settle this.

“Fine,” said Rich. “I accept your challenge. Where shall we go?”

Tom peeked behind him to see Alex and John standing there.

“Yo, John,” called Tom, “mind if we borrow the Terrace?”
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Alex, John, and Reese stood on the sidelines while Tom and Rich stood in position to duel.

“You know,” said Rich, “they didn’t appoint me the head of the Dueling Club for nothing.”

“What,” said Tom, “did they draw your name from a hat? That seems to be the most sensible reason.”

“It’s because I’m better than you, and I always will be.”

“Really? Just me? Because from the way Reese told me how you loved to lick his boots on a constant basis, he would have seemed a more likely candidate.”

“Shut up! The point is, I’m going to beat you and that’s final!”

“Dream on.”

Tom and Rich constructed their duel disks, unsheathed them , and drew five cards from their decks.

“DUEL!” they yelled.

Rich vs. Tom

Rich’s Turn: Rich activates the field spell Forest, having all Insect, Pant, Beast, and Beast-Warrior types to gain 200 ATK and DEF. Rich sets one monster face down.

Rich ends his turn.

Status: Hand-4 Life-4000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

“I’m not sure what you thought that might do you,” said Tom, “but you do know that I have a Beast and Beast-Warrior deck, right?”

“I’m more than aware,” said Rich. “I’m not dumb like you.”

“Alright. Let’s see what a ‘dumb’ person can do.”

***************************************************
Tom’s Turn: Tom activates Graceful Charity, drawing three cards and discarding two. Next, Tom summons Gladiator Beast Laquari (ATK: 1800 DEF: 400) (ATK: 1800 -> 2000, DEF: 400 -> 600).

Tom attacks Rich’s face down monster with Gladiator Beast Laquari, which was a Pinch Hopper (ATK: 1000 DEF: 1200). When Pinch Hopper is sent from the field to the graveyard, Rich can special summon an Insect-type monster from his hand, choosing Earthbound Immortal Uru (ATK: 3000 DEF: 3000) (ATK: 3000 -> 3200, DEF: 3000 -> 3200).

When Gladiator Beast Laquari attacked, Tom can shuffle Gladiator Beast Laquari back into the deck and special summon another Gladiator Beast monster from his deck, choosing Gladiator Beast Darius (ATK: 1700 DEF: 300). When Gladiator Beast Darius is special summoned by the effect of a Gladiator Beast monster, Tom can special summon a Gladiator Beast monster from his graveyard, although its effects are negated, choosing Gladiator Beast Dimacari (ATK: 1600 DEF: 1200).

Tom overlays Gladiator Beast Darius and Gladiator Beast Dimacari to xyz summon Amber Minotaur (ATK: 2400 DEF: 1900) (ATK: 2400 -> 2600, DEF: 1900 -> 2100). Tom activates Amber Minotaur’s effect. By detaching one xyz material from it, Tom can normal summon again from his hand without a tribute, summoning Gladiator Beast Alexander (ATK: 2400 DEF: 600) (ATK: 2400 -> 2600, DEF: 600 -> 800).

Tom places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-3 Life-4000 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

Interesting, thought Reese. Rich’s ace usually brings out a great deal of dread within most duelists, but Tom still brings his own ace out along with another monster. Could he really be beyond Rich’s control?

“You think your itsy bitsy spider scares me?” asked Tom, smiling confidently.

“Itsy bitsy spider?” asked Rich. “So you really are a baby?”

“Baby? So you like Justin Bieber?”

“Wha- no…”

It was visible in Tom’s smile and Rich’s face, which was draining of hope, that Tom was beating him. Alex and Reese couldn’t help but snicker.

“Screw you, Tom! You won’t beat me! How’s about I take that Equus card of yours off your hands? It doesn’t belong to a worthless duelist like you anyways.”

***************************************************
Rich’s Turn: Rich summons Chainsaw Insect (ATK: 2400 DEF: 0). Rich then activates Earthbound Immortal Uru’s effect. By tributing one monster he controls, (Chainsaw Insect), he can take control of one monster his opponent controls until the end phase, choosing Amber Minotaur.

Rich activates Amber Minotaur’s effect, detaching an xyz material from it to normal summons again without a tribute, summoning Brain Crusher (ATK: 2400 DEF: 1500) (ATK: 2400 -> 2600, DEF: 1500 -> 1700). Then, Rich equips Earthbound Immortal Uru with Insect Armor with Laser Cannon, having it gain 700 ATK (ATK: 3200 -> 3900).

With Earthbound Immortal Uru’s effect, it can attack the opponent directly. Rich attacks Tom directly with Earthbound Immortal Uru.

Tom’s Life Points: 4000 -> 100

Rich then attacks Gladiator Beast Alexander with Brain Crusher, but Tom activates Attack Invulnerability, preventing Gladiator Beast Alexander’s destruction by battle this turn. Since Brain Crusher's ATK is equal to Gladiator Beast Alexander's, Brain Crusher is destroyed. Rich then attacks Gladiator Beast Alexander with Amber Minotaur. Since both monster's have equal attacks, Amber Minotaur is destroyed.

At the end of the battle phase, if Gladiator Beast Alexander attacked or was attacked, Tom can return it to his deck to special summon a Gladiator Beast monster from his deck, choosing Gladiator Beast Bestiari (ATK: 1500 DEF: 800).

Tom activates Gladiator Beast Bestiari’s effect, destroying one spell or trap card on the field when it's special summoned by the effect of a Gladiator Beast monster, choosing Forest (ATK 2600 -> 2400, DEF: 800 -> 600) (ATK: 1800 -> 1600, DEF: 1400 -> 1200) (ATK: 2600 -> 2400, DEF: 2100 -> 1900) (ATK: 3900 -> 3700, DEF: 3200 -> 3000). With Earthbound Immortal Uru’s effect, if there is no field spell on the field, it is destroyed.

Rich places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-4000 Monsters-0 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

Rich grunted, having lost control of Amber Minotaur. Despite taking a heavy hit, Tom stood back up, proud and tall.

“Come on!” cheered Alex. “Beat that clown!”

“You shut up!” yelled Rich to Alex. “He’s a loser, and he always will be! He’s got 100 life points while I’m still full. He’s finished!”

“That’s where you’re wrong,” said Tom. “I’ve got a little combo in my hand that can take you down. All I need is the right card.”

“No way you’re drawing it.”

“Only one way to find out.”

***************************************************
Tom’s Turn: Tom summons Gladiator Beast Samnite (ATK: 1600 DEF: 1200) (ATK: 1600 -> 1800, DEF: 1200 -> 1400). Tom shuffles Gladiator Beast Bestiari and Gladiator Beast Samnite into the deck to fusion summon Gladiator Beast Gyzarus (ATK: 2400 DEF: 1500).

Tom activates Gladiator Beast Gyzarus' effect, destroying up to two cards on the field when it's special summoned, choosing Rich's face down card. Tom then activates Monster Reborn special summoning a monster from the graveyard, choosing Amber Minotaur.

Tom attacks Rich directly with Gladiator Beast Gyzarus.

Rich’s Life Points: 4000 -> 1600

Tom then attacks Rich directly with Amber Minotaur.

Rich’s Life Points: 1600 -> 0

Tom wins.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

“Alright, Tom!” cheered Reese.

“Impossible,” mumbled Rich, lying weakly on the ground.

“That was fun,” said Tom, walking to Alex, John and Reese. “So, how long do we have to wait for a table? I'm starved.”

Rich could hardly believe it. Tom had just beaten his enemy, and he seemed more concerned about breakfast.

Am I really that little of a threat to him now?

“About a half hour,” answered Alex.

“Screw that,” bellowed Tom. “Let’s just go to Grandma Sally’s. They’ve always got tables.”

“Sounds good to me!” answered John.

“Let me call Emma,” said Reese. “I’ll see if she wants to come with.”

“Alright,” replied Alex. “I’ll find us a good table.”

As Alex, John, and Tom walked downstairs to the shop floor, Tom picked up his phone to call Jenny about the change in plans.

Reese followed by, completely leaving his humiliated former friend behind.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

After breakfast, Alex, Tom, John, Reese, Emma, Sarah, Zelda, Jenny, and Lisa returned to downtown Naperville, where they spent the rest of the day shopping and occasionally dining. The nine of them had just exited the local Red Mango around late afternoon. They were planning on hitting a few more shops and then calling it a day. As the group continued to walk around, Tom began to lag behind. This was the perfect opportunity for someone to pull a fast one on him. Tom then felt two fuzzy hooves be pulled over his eyes.

“Guess who?” questioned the voice of Rainbow Dash.

Tom immediately turned around and gave her a friendly hug. Rainbow Dash’s voice caused the others to turn, allowing them to see Twilight and her other friends, having returned from Equestria.

“Twilight!” shouted Alex. “You’re back.”

“Of course,” responded Twilight. “We were only visiting after all. So, what have you all been up to?”

“Just shopping and walking around,” said Tom. “Care to join us?”

“Sure. I’d love nothing more than to spend the afternoon with my friends.”

Alex and his friends continued to walk while Twilight and her friends tagged along. Twilight, however, went straight to Alex's side. Happy to see her again, he stroked her mane as they walked.

Chapter 38: Gauntlet

Earlier that morning, Alex decided to sleep in for the first time in long time. He hardly stirred, and Twilight sleeping by his side again only made it more peaceful. However, their period of rest would be coming to an end.

A knock was heard at the door, which Twilight, with her sensitive pony hearing, could hear distinctively. Upon picking her head up, she stretched her limbs, accidently nudging Alex, awakening him as well.

“What is it, Twilight?” he asked.

“Sounds like someone’s at the door.”

Alex began to make his way out of his bedroom.

“Who would come here at a time like this?” he asked to himself.

Alex got to the top of the stairs to see Carolyn talking to someone. The visitor had a woman’s voice.

“…If that’s okay?” finished the woman. Alex seemed to have only caught the end of the discussion.

“Well,” said Carolyn, unsure of herself, “My kids and the ponies are sleeping upstairs, so unless you can be quiet, I’d suggest that you didn’t.”

“Didn’t what?” asked Alex, making his presence known.

Upon getting further downstairs, he saw that the woman was Zelda. She carried a small duffle bag.

“Oh,” spoke Zelda. “Hey. I’m sorry if I woke you.”

“It’s fine,” he said. “I’m usually up way before then anyway. What are you doing here?”

“I was just going to tune up my glider. And to answer your question, Carolyn, I only plan on seeing what I can do with a wrench. If I need a drill or something, I’ll just wait until everyone’s up.”

“Oh,” exclaimed Carolyn, “in that case, go right ahead. Everyone is usually up in about an hour or so anyways, so you should be good until then.”

“Excellent. I’ll be as quiet as possible.”

“Follow me,” said Alex. “ I’ll lead you to the back entrance.”

Alex led Zelda into the house, passing by the kitchen and the dining room, then into the living room, where there was a large glass door. Alex flicked a switch on the door, unlocking it. He then pushed it open, revealing the backyard with her glider there, safe and sound.

“Thanks, bedhead,” she said.

Alex felt the top of his hair, and felt that it was going off in all directions. Thankfully, his sweatpants and red shirt were a bit more presentable for his guest. He followed her to the back where the glider was kept.

“I would have gladly taken a shower,” said Alex, “but you’re the one who woke me up.”

“Well,” spoke Zelda in a faux-condescending tone, “sorry.”

“Whatever, go ahead and work on your machine. I’m going to try and look a little more presentable for my guest.”

“Go right ahead. I won’t leave.”

Alex re-entered the house through the back, leaving Zelda to work in solitude.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Upon returning from the shower, putting on some clean clothes, and styling his hair, Alex noticed that the ponies were awake, probably having heard Zelda’s knocking. Whether Tom or Sarah was up was not something he wanted to test, so he went out to the back to Zelda again.

“Hey,” said Alex, “I’m going to get a drink. Need anything?”

“Do you have any milk?” she asked.

Alex responded by heading back into the house and into the kitchen. He grabbed two glasses from the cupboard and grabbed a half-empty gallon of milk and a brand new container of orange juice. After finding that the milk was still good according to its expiration date, he poured one glass with milk and the other with orange juice.

Zelda was only fifteen minutes into her work and she was already covered in dark patches of grease. Suddenly, she felt a cold feeling on her shoulder, causing her to turn around to see Alex, each hand holding a drink. His left hand was carrying hers.

“Thanks,” she said, taking her glass and placing it on a small table next to her.

“By the way,” said Alex, backing up back towards the house, “your entrance woke the rest of the ponies up. I’m not sure if Tom and Sarah are up though.”

“I’ll apologize when I wash up.”

“Alright, then.”

Alex set his drink on the table and walked back into the house.

“What?” asked Zelda, acting insulted, “You aren’t going to keep me company?”

“What? I, uh, I was just going to…”

Zelda laughed at Alex’s expense.

“Relax, dude. I’ll be fine. You go on and do what you need to do.”

“Actually, I was just going to run up to my room and grab my deck and sort it. I can do that here.”

Zelda actually seemed surprised by his answer.

“R- Really? You want to be with me?”

“Well, I figured if any of Rae’s minions comes back to attack us, they’ll have two people to fight. Makes sense, right?”

“Yeah. Thanks.”

Alex ran back into the house and up the stairs, almost running into Tom on the way up, who was still in his pajamas.

“Slow down there, bud,” said Tom. “Who’s even here?”

“Did Rainbow Dash wake you?”

“Yeah. She heard a knock at the door and fell out of bed. Something about being used to flying down from her bed, whatever that means. Anyways, who’s here.”

“Zelda. She’s over to work on her glider for a while.”

“Wait!” yelled Rainbow Dash, popping her head out of Tom’s room. “Zelda’s here? Awesome! I’m going to ask for a rematch.”

Rainbow Dash popped back into Tom’s room, the only other thing being heard by Tom and Alex was the bedroom window opening up and the a faint whoosh.

“Anyways, I was going to grab my deck and go back down so I can keep her company.”

“I don’t think you’re going to need to worry about keeping her company.”

“I meant keep her company as in ‘not pester her into dueling me.’”

“Whatever, man. I don’t know about you, but I need an Eggo in the worst way.”

Tom and Alex went their separate ways.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

“Come on,” pleaded Rainbow Dash, “just one!”

“No,” answered Zelda, who was more preoccupied with tightening a nut in the glider.

“I’m not going to get better if I don’t!”

“Not now.”

“Does that mean you’ll do it eventually?”

“Maybe!”

“Come on! Give me an answer!”

“Rainbow Dash,” called Alex’s voice. Rainbow Dash turned around to see Alex standing at the back entrance. “Leave her alone. She’s busy.”

“No, it’s fine,” said Zelda. “She can stay, as long as she’s quiet.”

“Pfft,” hissed Rainbow Dash. “The hay with this.” She then flew into the house, leaving Alex and Zelda alone.

“Let me just pull up a deck chair and a table,” said Alex, “and then I can get started.”
_________________________________________________________________________________________

For about three hours, Zelda toiled on her glider while Alex continued to sort and manage the cards in his deck. By now, Zelda was covered head to toe in grease and sweat, and her clothes didn’t fare much better. With one final twist of her wrench, Zelda wiped her brow with a dirty rag.

“Whew,” she exclaimed. “Finished.”

She threw her wrench on the ground and walked to the back with her duffle bag in hand.

“Do you know where the shower is?” she asked Alex as he walked past him.

“Up the stairs, first door on your left.”

“Thanks.”

Once Zelda went inside, Alex began to gather his cards together and reform his finished deck.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

In fifteen minutes, Zelda walked back outside with a completely different outfit. She was wearing her usual black boots, but instead of her jeans, she wore loose khaki pants with an ornate green t-shirt with a brown cowgirl-styled vest. Her ponytail even looked a bit messy, as opposed to its straightened and managed look. Alex looked stunned.

“Wow,” he managed to get out.

“You like it?” she asked, while spinning, showing her wardrobe. “I got them all yesterday when I went shopping with Jenny and Lisa.”

“They look very nice on you.”

“Gee, thanks.”

“By the way,” said Alex, can I talk to you in private?”

“…What for?”

Alex wagged his finger back and forth, bringing Zelda closer to her.

“I want to duel you,” he whispered.

“What?” whispered Zelda. “Why do you have to ask me in private?”

Alex cocked his head to his house, reminding her of Rainbow Dash.

“Oh,” she continued to whisper, “right.”

“I may have defeated a Gauntlet class duelist, but I only did it with your help. If I’m going to have any chance of standing against Gilda or Grant, or even Rae for that matter, I need to get a taste of how hard they duel. I figured you’d be very helpful in those regards.”

“Sure. I can do that. How do you think you’re going to do it though?”

“I have an idea. Just go with it.”
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Alex put his helmet on an adjusted his wrist dealer to its riding duel setting. He then began his journey to the downtown riding track all alone. As expected, he wasn’t being followed by Rainbow Dash. For all she knew, this was just a normal outing for him. His journey continued without a hitch until he reached the ramp that led to the track.

“Zelda,” he said on the Bluetooth connected to his helmet, “I’m here. You ready?”

“Always,” she said back at his house. There was a green ring around the right frame of her goggles which shut off upon the ending of their conversation. She was already on her glider, ready to go. She quickly lifted into the air and made a beeline for downtown Naperville.

Upon hearing the glider leave the house, Rainbow Dash perked up from napping on Tom’s bed.

“Finally,” she exclaimed. “I thought she’d NEVER be done!”

As quick as lightning, she opened the window and set off for her. Almost a couple of minutes after they had left, Shining Armor and Cadance appeared at the Emmitt’s house.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Alex looked towards the general direction of his house, and saw the glider coming in hot.

“Speed World 2, set on!” yelled Alex, pushing the button on his duel runner.

Zelda’s gauntlet D-Pad, having been aware of Speed World’s activation, appeared on her arm with its deck in the dealer. Alex revved his engine and accelerated up the ramp, through the gate, and onto the track. Zelda approached from behind, taking the lead in the process.

“Rainbow Dash chasing you?” asked Alex with a grin.

“Probably,” answered Zelda, “but that’s not why I’m going fast. If you want to duel a Gauntlet Class duelist, then she’s going to duel like one. Don’t expect anything less than my very best, plus some extra.”

“I’m ready for anything you can dish out, Zelda. Bring it on!”

Zelda looked behind to see a cyan dot in the distance.

“Hurry!” shouted Zelda. “She’s gaining on us! Draw your hand!”

Alex and Zelda quickly drew their hands.

“DUEL!” they both shouted, just in time.

Rainbow Dash was just a couple of yards from the group upon the declaration of their duel.

“NO!” yelled Rainbow Dash. “I said I was going to take her on!”

“Rainbow Dash,” yelled Zelda, “this is something I need to do. If it makes you feel any better, I’ll take you on next.”

Rainbow Dash’s response amounted to little more than a disgruntled mumbling.

“Alright,” called Alex, “everything’s set. Now, Zelda, show me what you’re made of!”

Zelda vs. Alex

Zelda’s Turn: Z:1 A:0 – Zelda sets a monster.

Zelda places one card face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-4 Life-4000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“Show her your stuff, Alex!” cheered Rainbow Dash.

I can’t be too reckless, thought Alex. The main reason Rainbow Dash lost to Zelda was because her traps did her in. If I can get rid of those, her deck will be easy pickings.

“Alright,” shouted Alex, “let’s see if I can beat a Gauntlet class duelist on my own.”

***************************************************
Alex’s Turn: Z:1 A:1 – Alex special summons Hieratic Dragon of Tefnuit, as he controls no monsters while his opponent controls one (ATK: 2100 DEF: 1400). Next, he normal summons Dragunity Aklys (ATK: 1000 DEF: 800). When Dragunity Aklys is normal summoned, Alex can special summon a Dragunity type monster from his hand and equip it with Dragunity Aklys, choosing Dragunity Militum (ATK: 1700 DEF: 1200). Alex activates Dragunity Militum’s effect, allowing him to special summon a Dragunity monster from the spell/trap card zone, choosing Dragunity Aklys. Alex tunes Dragunity Militum and Dragunity Aklys to synchro summon Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana (ATK: 1900 DEF: 1200).

When Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana is synchro summoned, Alex can equip one level 3 or lower Dragon-type Dragunity monster from his graveyard onto it, choosing Dragunity Aklys. Alex then activates Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana’s effect. By sending one card equipped to it to the graveyard, he can double its ATK until the end phase (ATK: 1900 -> 3800). When Dragunity Aklys is sent to the graveyard while equipped to a monster, Alex can destroy one card on the field, choosing Zelda’s face down card.

Alex attacks Zelda's face down monster with Hieratic Dragon of Tefnuit, which is a Gusto Guldo (ATK: 500 DEF: 500). When Gusto Gulldo is sent from the field to the graveyard, Zelda can special summon a level 2 or lower Gusto monster from her deck, choosing Winda, Priestess of Gusto in defense position. Alex attacks Winda, Priestess of Gusto with Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana. When Winda, Priestess of Gusto is destroyed by battle by an opponent’s attacking monster, Zelda can special summon a Gusto tuner monster from her deck, choosing Gusto Squirro (ATK: 0 DEF: 1800).

Alex overlays Hieratic Dragon of Tefnuit and Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana to xyz summon Jade Wyvern (ATK: 2500 DEF: 2100).

Alex places two cards face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-4000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

“Impressive,” stated Zelda, “but it’s going to take a LOT more than that to defeat me.”

“Your deck is very fast,” said Alex. “And if I’m not mistaken, you’re probably going to summon your ace on me, aren’t you?”

“Just you wait and see.”

***************************************************
Zelda’s Turn: Z:2 A:2 – Zelda activates the speed spell Count Up, discarding a number of cards to increase her speed counters by two for each card discarded when she has at least two speed counters (2) (2 x 2 = 4, SpC.: 2 -> 6). Gilda activates the effect of the Gusto Griffin that she discarded, special summoning a Gusto monster from her deck, choosing Windaar, Sage of Gusto (ATK: 2000 DEF: 1000).

Next, Zelda activates Overboost, increasing her speed counters by four (SpC.: 6 -> 10). Zelda normal summons Gusto Thunbolt (ATK: 1500 DEF: 1200). Zelda tunes Gusto Thunbolt with Gusto Squirro to synchro summon Daigusto Griffins (ATK: 2100 DEF: 1300).

Zelda activates Daigusto Griffins' effect. By removing eight speed counters (SpC.: 10 -> 2), she can special summon a level 7 or lower synchro monster from her extra deck by removing one tuner and one non-tuner monster in her graveyard from play whose levels equal the targeted synchro monster, banishing Gusto Thunbolt and Gusto Squirro to summon Daigusto Sphreez (ATK: 2000 DEF: 1300). This special summon is treated as a synchro summon.

When Daigusto Sphreez is summoned, Zelda can add one Gusto monster from her graveyard to her hand, choosing Gusto Griffin. Zelda tunes Daigusto Sphreez with Daigusto Griffins to accel synchro summon Gusto Flaming Pheenix (ATK: 3300 DEF: 2500).

Zelda attacks Jade Wyvern with Gusto Flaming Pheenix, but Alex activates Jade Wyvern’s effect. By detaching one xyz material, Alex can prevent the destruction of one monster on the field by battle until the end phase, choosing Jade Wyvern. Battle Damage is still applied.

Alex’s Life Points: 4000 -> 3200

During the end phase, Overboost’s effect reduce’s Zelda’s speed counters to one (SpC.: 2 -> 1).

Zelda places one card face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-4000 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“Watch out,” called Rainbow Dash to Alex. “If you’re not careful, she’s going to dominate the field.”

“Thanks, Rainbow!” responded Alex sarcastically.

I’m very well aware of her deck abilities, he thought. Another thing I’m going to have to watch out for is Pheenix’s effect. No matter how I destroy it, it will just come back and hurt me in the process. If I can keep that from happening, all while maintaining some strong monsters, I should be golden.

***************************************************
Alex’s Turn: Z:2 A:3 – Alex activates the speed spell Angel Baton, drawing two cards and discarding one when he has at least two speed counters. Next, he activates his trap Immortal Dragon, special summoning a Dragon-type monster from his graveyard, choosing Hieratic Seal of the Sun Dragon Overlord (ATK: 0 DEF: 0). Alex then normal summons Hieratic Dragon of Eset without tributes, making its ATK 1000 (ATK: 1900 DEF: 1200) (ATK: 1900 -> 1000).

Alex activates Hieratic Dragon of Eset’s effect, making the levels of all Hieratic monsters on the field the same as a Dragon-type normal monster that he controls, choosing Hieratic Seal of the Sun Dragon Overlord (Lvl.: 5 -> 8). Alex overlays Hieratic Seal of the Sun Dragon Overlord and Hieratic Dragon of Eset to xyz summon Hieratic Sun Dragon Overlord of Heliopolis (ATK: 3000 DEF: 2400).

Alex activates Hieratic Sun Dragon Overlord of Heliopolis’ effect. By detaching one xyz material from it, Alex can tribute any number of monsters on the field or hand to destroy that many cards on the field, tributing Jade Wyvern to destroy Zelda’s face down card.

Alex attacks Windaar, Sage of Gusto with Hieratic Sun Dragon Overlord of Heliopolis.

Zelda’s Life Points: 4000 -> 3000

Alex activates his face down Xyz Reborn, special summoning an xyz monster in his graveyard and attaching Xyz Reborn to it as xyz material, choosing Jade Wyvern.

Alex places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-3200 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“Hmph,” exclaimed Zelda. “I’m surprised you didn’t go after my Pheenix.”

“Why would you be?” said Alex. “If I destroyed your ace, you would have been able to bring it right back. Then when I would try to attack, your trap would probably set me back even further.”

Zelda smirked. His intuition and natural dueling instincts was more than impressing her. However, she sped up, leading Alex to try and catch her.

“Your strategies are serving you well,” she said, “but you’re going to need to do more than just whittle away at my life points to get me worried about losing.”

***************************************************
Zelda’s Turn: Z:3 A:4 – Zelda activates her own Angel Baton, drawing two cards and discarding one when she has at least two speed counters. Zelda reuses the effect of Gusto Griffin, special summoning a Gusto monster from her deck when its been discarded, special summoning Musto, Oracle of Gusto (ATK: 1800 DEF: 900). Zelda activates Musto, Oracle of Gusto’s effect. By shuffling one Gusto monster from her graveyard to her deck, she can target one monster on the field and negate its effects until the end phase, choosing Jade Wyvern.

Zelda attacks Hieratic Sun Dragon Overlord of Heliopolis with Gusto Flaming Pheenix.

Alex’s Life Points: 3200 -> 2900

Alex activates Card of Last Will, drawing five cards when a monster he controls is destroyed by battle.

Zelda places two card face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-3000 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

No doubt one of those traps is there to protect Musto, thought Alex. However, if I want to see any progress in this duel, I need to gamble over finding out which trap, if any or both, is going to harm me.

“Let’s do it!” yelled Alex.

***************************************************
Alex’s Turn: Z:4 A:5 – Alex summons Dragunity Dux (ATK: 1500 DEF: 1000). When Dragunity Dux is normal summoned, Alex can equip one level 3 or lower Dragon-type Dragunity monster from his graveyard onto it, choosing Dragunity Aklys.

Alex then activates High Speed Crash, destroying one card he controls to destroy another card on the field when he has two or more speed counters, choosing his Dragunity Aklys and Zelda’s face down card. Alex reuses the effect of Dragunity Aklys, destroying one card on the field when it’s sent to the graveyard while equipped to a monster, choosing Gusto Flaming Feenix.

Alex attacks Musto, Oracle of Gusto with Jade Wyvern.

Zelda’s Life Points: 3000 -> 2300

During the end phase, Zelda can banish one Gusto synchro monster in her graveyard to special summon Gusto Flaming Pheenix from her graveyard and inflict damage equal half of the banished monster’s ATK, choosing Daigusto Griffins (ATK: 2100).

Alex’s Life Points: 2900 -> 1850

Alex places two cards face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-1850 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

“You sure are lucky,” said Zelda. “If you destroyed my other trap, you would have been screwed!”

“Sometimes,” said Alex, “luck is the only way to play the game, and it just so happens that I just got dealt a good card, no pun intended.”

“I wonder why you decided to make me use Pheenix’s effect that time. Unless…”

Zelda then remembered back to Alex’s second duel with Kyle, specifically the end of it. Zelda then grit her teeth into an angry scowl.

“Like hell I’ll let you do that!”

Zelda continued to accelerate, making Alex go even faster. While Zelda and Rainbow Dash were easily able to maneuver over the track, Alex had a very difficult time maintaining the numerous curves and hills in the track on his duel runner.

Now that he’s preoccupied with not crashing, thought Zelda, this next turn should hopefully be a breeze.

***************************************************
Zelda’s Turn: Z:5 A:6 – Zelda activates her face down Blessings for Gusto, shuffling two Gusto monsters from her graveyard to her deck to special summon a Gusto monster from her graveyard, choosing Daigusto Sphreez. Zelda then activates the speed spell Speed Energy, having one of her monsters gain 200 ATK times the number of speed counters she has when she has two or more speed counters, choosing Gusto Flaming Pheenix (5 x 200 = 1000, ATK: 3300 -> 4300).

Zelda attacks Jade Wyvern with Daigusto Sphreez. With Daigusto Sphreez’s effect, it cannot be destroyed by battle. Also, any battle damage that she would take with a battle involving a Gusto monster is inflicted onto the opponent instead. However, Alex activates his trap Scrap-Iron Scarecrow, negating the attack, and setting it back face down. Zelda attacks Jade Wyvern with Gusto Flaming Pheenix, but Alex activates Jade Wyvern's effect, detaching its last xyz material to prevent Jade Wyvern's destruction by battle.

Alex’s Life Points: 1850 -> 50

During the end phase, Gusto Flaming Pheenix's ATK returns to normal (ATK: 4300 -> 3300).

Zelda ends her turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-2300 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

Zelda continued to scowl, angered with not defeating her opponent. However, upon looking at Alex’s face, she calmed down upon realizing he was laughing.

“What’s so funny?” she asked, slightly irritated.

“I can’t remember the last time I was pushed this far into a corner!” replied Alex through his giggles. “If I win this duel now, how cool would that be, huh?”

“I’d like to see that. You’ve got one monster and no others to help you summon your other strong monster.”

“To tell you the truth, I just need one good card.”

Rainbow Dash looked intently, excited to see how this duel would pan out. Alex put his fingers on his deck.

“My turn!” he shouted. “DRAW!”

Rainbow Dash smiled upon seeing Alex’s enormous grin.

***************************************************
Alex’s Turn: Z:6 A:7 – Alex activates Speed World 2’s effect. By removing four speed counters (SpC.: 7 -> 3), Alex can inflict 800 points of damage for each speed spell in his hand. He has two.

Zelda’s Life Points: 2300 -> 700

Alex activates the speed spell Synchro Defuse, taking control of an opponent’s synchro monster until the end phase when he has two or more speed counters, choosing Daigusto Sphreez. Alex tributes Daigusto Sphreez to summon Hieratic Dragon of Su (ATK: 2200 DEF: 1000). Alex activates his face down Call of the Haunted, allowing him to special summon a monster from his graveyard in attack position, choosing Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana.

Alex overlays Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana and Hieratic Dragon of Su to xyz summon Hieratic Dragon King of Atum (ATK: 2400 DEF: 2100). As his life points are below 500, Alex overlays Jade Wyvern and Hieratic Dragon King of Atum to xyz summon Shining Platinum Dragon (ATK: 3500 DEF: 2500).

Alex activates Shining Platinum Dragon’s effect. By detaching all xyz materials from it, Alex can reveal the top cards of his deck equal to the number of xyz materials detached, and Shining Platinum Dragon gains 500 ATK for each Dragon-type monster revealed by this effect (4). The cards revealed are Dragunity Primus Pilus, Hieratic Seal from the Ashes, the speed spell Ancient Rules, and Hieratic Dragon of Asar (ATK: 3500 -> 4000).

Alex attacks Gusto Flaming Pheenix with Shining Platinum Dragon.

Zelda’s Life Points: 700 -> 0

Alex wins.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

The jets on Zelda’s glider began to blast out exhaust, causing it to slow down and descend. Alex and Rainbow Dash followed her to where she eventually stopped on the track, which just happened to be the track’s entrance.

As soon as Zelda’s glider was parked, she sat down and slid off her glider, sitting back down and leaning against her machine, panting. A halo formed at Zelda’s elbow and scanned all the way down to her fingertips, causing her D-Pad to disappear.

“Zelda,” said Alex, “you alright?”

“Never better,” said Zelda with a smile. “You did wonderful out there.”

“Thanks. I feel a lot more confident now.”

“Hey,” interrupted Rainbow Dash, “I hate to break up this sappy moment, but I think I deserve a rematch now.”

“Can you give it a rest, Rainbow Dash?” groaned Zelda. “I’m beat.”

“What? But you said you’d take me on next!”

“I never said right after him.”

As Rainbow Dash and Zelda continued to argue, Alex checked his watch. It was around 11:30.

“I don’t know about you all,” said Alex, getting the other two to stop their squabbling, “but I could go for some lunch.”

“Come to think of it,” said Zelda after a brief lapse in thought, “I too feel a bit peckish.”

“How does Noodles and Company sound?”

“Great. And, uh, Rainbow Dash,” she said, getting the mare’s attention, “once I get some food in me, I should be right as rain again to take you on.”

“Awesome!” she cheered. “Last one there’s a rotten egg!”

Rainbow Dash zoomed off towards the town. After looking at each other for a while, Alex and Zelda laughed over Rainbow Dash’s folly over the fact that she had no idea where the restaurant was.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Zelda came back out of the front door with her duffle bag in hand, having parked her glider in Alex’s backyard again. The sun was beginning to set. Jenny and Lisa were already parked on the side of the street, ready to take their guest back to Jenny’s house.

“So,” said Alex, seeing her out in the front yard, “this is farewell?”

“For now,” she said. She then went up to Alex and gave him a hug.

“Thank you so much for today,” she whispered into his ear.

Alex was surprised by the hug, but nonetheless, returned it.

“Yeah,” he said. “No problem.”

“Come on!” called Jenny. “Mom’s got dinner waiting!”

“Well,” finished Zelda, “bye!”

Zelda ran off to the car and got into the rear passenger’s side door. Alex watched the car pull away until it was out of sight.

“So,” said the voice of Twilight, causing Alex to jump in shock, “did you enjoy your time with her?”

“Yes,” replied Alex. “Yes, I did.”

“You know, they way you two were hugging each other, I wouldn’t be surprised if you turned out to be her very special somepony.”

“Very special some… What?!? Me and her? But we just met! Plus, she’s just an ally of ours; I don’t have ‘those’ feelings about her... well, not yet, I mean…”

Twilight giggled.

“It’s okay, Alex. I’m just teasing.”

“Right! Of course you were…”

“ALEX!” called Carolyn’s voice from inside. “TWILIGHT! DINNER!”

Alex led the way, opening the door for Twilight before entering the house himself.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Later that night, Rae Sulfa Tun examined the captures that Grant made in his break-in just days before. She looked at one image in particular from a capture on Sarah’s Facebook wall.

“Hanging with Jenny and Lisa in Naperville this Thursday. So excited!”

“Yes,” chuckled Rae. “Aren’t we all?”

Chapter 39: Imposter

Thursday, May 31st, 2012

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Sarah was brushing her hair in the bathroom and getting ready. Jenny and Lisa would arrive at her house in any minute to pick her up and take her downtown. As she began to apply some mascara to her eyes, she felt a gentle tug at her hair. Upon peering into the mirror, she saw as two robins began to braid her hair. Sarah could hardly comprehend what was happening to her, so she stood still and merely watched as the birds styled and tied up her hair. When they flew away, Sarah held her ponytail in her hands and examined it, gasping at the craftsmanship.

“Do you like it?” asked Fluttershy at the bathroom entrance. “I just thought you should look your best when you go out.”
“Yes,” said Sarah. “I love it.”

Sarah walked up to the yellow pegasus, knelt down, and gave her a hug.

“I hope you have fun today,” said Fluttershy, letting go of the hug. “Oh, that reminds me. Rarity picked out your outfit as well.”

“I’ll have to check it out,” said Sarah, going to her room.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Sarah came downstairs with a simple, summery, icy-blue dress that Rarity found in her closet. Tom, who was in the kitchen, couldn’t help but turn his head.

“You look nice,” he complimented.

“Fluttershy and Rarity helped me,” she chirped. “I can’t wait to see how Jenny and Lisa react.”

“I bet they’ll be blown away.”

“Aw, thanks big brother,” she said, giving him a hug. “Anyways, now just have to play the waiting game.”

Sarah went in the living room and sat on the couch, awaiting the honk of Jenny’s car horn.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Jenny and Lisa were both walking out of Jenny’s house and into the garage where Jenny’s car was kept. The early afternoon sun shining through the sky made the feelings of joy and excitement even higher for the two women.

“Have fun girls!” called Zelda from the front.

“You know we will!” shouted Lisa.

Jenny got into the driver’s seat while Lisa hopped into the passengers seat. Jenny put the key in the ignition and twisted it, bringing it to life. Within seconds, Jenny and Lisa were on their way to the Emmitt house to get Sarah. Unbeknownst to them, a car with the same make, model, year, color and license plate number was parked on the same street as Jenny’s house.

“So they’ve left?” said Rae through a headset worn by the driver, who looked identical to Jenny. There was a woman in the passengers seat who looked exactly like Lisa.

“Yes,” said JENNY, “they just did. I’ve got the address in the GPS, and they should hopefully be none the wiser. They won’t know what hit him.”

“Good. Hopefully, this will go without a hitch.”

“I’ll be back when I’ve completed the mission. Over and out.”

JENNY and LISA drove off, putting their plan into motion.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Jenny and Lisa were now one street away from the Emmitt’s house. They were currently going south and needed to make a left turn going several more houses down before they would get to their destination. As they were coming up to their turn, a pony like creature was hiding behind a tree, concealing itself.

It was black with a dark blue plating on it. It had torn, translucent teal wings, razor-sharp fangs, and beady, cyan eyes. Its mane resembled torn webbing, and it had a curved horn on its forehead. Its legs were also filled with holes.

Just as Jenny’s car passed the tree, the creature quickly flew at the rear tire and stuck its long fangs into it, tearing it to shreds as the wheel continued to roll. The torn tire forced Jenny to a stop while the creature hid in the bushes of a house across the street.

“What the hell?” commented Jenny in frustration as she got out of the car to examine the damage. “I just got these tires a week ago! I smell a lawsuit.”

However, upon looking at the tire, she was shocked to see the tire torn up like paper.

“How in the…”

Before she could finish her thoughts, JENNY’s car began to drive past them. As Jenny looked on, surprised by the similarities between her car and the car driving by, she began to get nervous upon seeing two women who looked like Jenny and Lisa inside. What freaked Jenny out more was that its license plate number was the same.

Jenny pounded her car, prompting Lisa to get out.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

“Alright,” said Jenny, “my tires have just been slashed, and there was a car just like ours with two girls that looked just like us with a license plate number just like ours.”

“What? Are you okay?”

“I know what I saw, okay?” Jenny pulled her phone out of her purse. “I’m going to call Sarah and-”

*FHWAP*

Jenny was clocked by an unknown force that caused her to fall to the ground and dropping her phone.

“Jenny!” yelled Lisa running to her side. As soon as she got there, the black pony creature from before pressed its hoof into the phone, crushing it.

Jenny and Lisa looked in shock and terror at this strange creature as it grinned at them. Suddenly, a dozen more began to encircle the two from various areas, approaching closer and closer.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

JENNY and LISA arrived at the Emmitts. JENNY blared the horn continuously until she saw Sarah exit her house.

“Okay!” laughed Sarah, entering the back of the car, “I’m here! I’m here!”

“It’s about time,” scoffed JENNY.

“Is something wrong?” asked Sarah, concerned for her “friend’s” rude behavior.

“The phone isn’t working very well right now. Can I see yours?”

“Um, sure.”

Sarah handed her the phone. JENNY placed her hand on her lap, concealing the phone. Green sparks enveloped the phone. JENNY tossed the phone towards Sarah.

“Thanks,” said JENNY uncaringly.

The doppelganger continued traveling west.

“Where are you going?” asked Sarah, “Naperville’s east of here.”

“There’s a bad accident back there,” stated JENNY. “This way’s faster."

JENNY’s car continued on, Sarah now officially her hostage.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Jenny’s fist collided into the face of one of the creatures. Lisa kicked another in the ribs. Jenny chopped one in the neck with the side of her hand. Lisa chokeslamed one into the pavement.

When all was said and done, Jenny and Lisa had left all of their attackers squirming and writing in pain on the ground.

“Lisa,” panted Jenny, still somewhat tuckered from her attack, “you still have your phone?”

“Yeah,” answered Lisa.

“Good. Call Sarah. I’ll get some other help.”

Jenny sprinted as fast as she could down the street to the Emmitt’s house to tell them of their predicament. Thankfully, their house was a few doors down from the end of the street, leaving Jenny to finally get there. Jenny pounded on the door screaming for someone until the door opened up, courtesy of Twilight.

“Oh,” she exclaimed, “hello, Jenny, I thought yo-”

“Get me the keys to Carolyn’s van,” she panted, her voice pent with rage.

“What happened?”

“These black creature things slashed our tires and then attacked us, and then-”

“Wait. Black creature things? What did they look like?”

“They had torn up wings, they had these holes in their legs, their eyes were like little blue beads…”

“Changelings!” shouted Twilight.

“What’s that? What even is that?”

“They’re creatures that can take the form of any other creature. In fact, not too long ago, one of them tried to make a coup on Canterlot.”

“Take the form of any creature? Oh God, Sarah must be with them!”

“You mean…”

“When my tires got slashed, another car rolled by and there were people inside it that looked like Lisa and I.”

“Oh no,” moaned Twilight, “what should we do?”

“Give me Carolyn’s keys! Tell her I’m borrowing it!”

Twilight quickly levitated a set of car keys from the kitchen counter to Jenny’s hand.

“Thank you!” she shouted before running off.

Jenny backed the car out of the garage as soon as she turned it on, almost hitting the mailbox as she turned out and zoomed towards where Lisa was. As expected Lisa was waiting on the side of the road, looking very frustrated.

“Jenny!” called Lisa upon Jenny’s stop. “I can’t call Sarah! Something’s wrong!”

“You think?” Jenny yelled. “Hop in!”
_________________________________________________________________________________________

JENNY managed to park in a parking lot between the Egg Harbor Café and the Red Mango. Both got out of the car and walked north and then east, taking them to a narrow alley that would take them to Main St.

“Where are we going?” asked Sarah.

“We’re taking a shortcut,” answered JENNY. “Just go with the flow, okay?”

Sarah was becoming increasingly nervous at her friend’s unusual behavior.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Jenny and Lisa sped down Jackson, as it was a faster alternative than the busier Jefferson.

“Where do you think we’ll even find them?” asked Lisa.

“Just look for ‘our’ car,” answered Jenny.

Jenny continued through Jackson until she found a car that looked like hers, quickly turning in. Upon looking at the license plate, she found it. Finding another parking space would be difficult, and she couldn’t leave another person’s car in the middle of the lot to get a ticket, so she continued to drive.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

JENNY, LISA, and Sarah, having crossed Main, continued down a large back alley that would take them to Washington St.

“Why are we going this way?” asked Sarah, getting nervous. “You know I hate going down this alley!”

“Tough!” barked JENNY. “Keep walking!”

Sarah, fed up, grabbed JENNY by the shoulder and turned her around to face her.

“What the hell is your problem?” asked Sarah.

“To hay with this,” sighed JENNY.

Her eyes began to glow a bright green, frightening Sarah into dropping to the ground. JENNY smiled as her hand reached out to grab her. However, a horn honking distracted JENNY, as she and Sarah looked out to see Carolyn’s van speeding through the first alley and across Main St. towards JENNY and Sarah.

Sarah used this confusion to her advantage, pulling her leg in and kicking JENNY in the face and quickly getting up and running to the side. As JENNY got up, LISA also ran to safety. The van continued into the next alley until it sped into JENNY, her body colliding with the van's grill.

JENNY’s body flew hard backwards until it tumbled like a ragdoll. Upon hearing the impact, Jenny broke hard until the van came to a complete stop.

“My queen!” shouted LISA.

Sarah ran to the parked van to see who her savior was. Upon seeing Jenny and Sarah getting out of the car, she was initially confused. Jenny made her way towards JENNY, while Lisa went to check on Sarah.

“Are you okay?” she asked.

“Wait,” squealed Sarah, scared and unsure, “are you real?”

“You’re name is Sarah Emmitt. Your favorite food is lasagna. Your favorite movie is Ratatouille. And for your ninth birthday, you, Jenny, and I went to Olive Garden for dinner. You had pepperoni and mushroom pizza.”

Sarah hugged Lisa, now sure she was the real Lisa.

Jenny stood over JENNY, who was trying to get up despite her disorientation from the hit.

“How dare you!” growled JENNY.

JENNY quickly shot up, a green ring of fire surrounding her, which soon turned to a pillar of green flames that shot Jenny back. Sarah and Lisa ran near Jenny, seeing what was happening. JENNY’s body transformed into a larger, lankier, and more mature looking changeling, finishing her original form of Queen Chrysalis.

“You’re Queen Chrysalis!” shouted Jenny. “You appeared to us after Alex beat Trixie!”

“Such a good memory,” she stated.

The changeling’s horn started glowing, pulling a scared and screaming Sarah towards her with her magic, and then giving her to LISA, who herself transformed into a changeling, however looking more like the ones that Jenny and Lisa fought earlier. It grabbed hold of Sarah, restricting her movement. Jenny ran towards her.

“Ah ah ah,” scolded Chrysalis. Jenny looked and saw as the changeling holding Sarah placed his fangs on Sarah’s neck. “You wouldn’t want to hurt your friend now, would you?”

“Alright,” grunted Jenny, “if you want her, you’ll have to go through us!”

“It’s the least I can do for you ramming me with your vehicle,” said Chrysalis. “However…”

The changeling queen launched a glowing green strand from her horn, ensnaring Jenny.

“…it’s the driver I want!” she cackled.

“No!” shouted Lisa. “I’m taking you on too.”

“You’ll be important soon enough. Now, be a good girl and get Jenny her D-Pad.”

“In my purse,” Jenny told Lisa.

Lisa ran to the van and grabbed Jenny’s opal D-Pad tablet and graveyard/wrist dealer tossing both to Jenny, who constructed it and put it on her wrist. She and Lisa then backed up, giving her and her opponent some space.

A black smog then appeared on Chrysalis’ left wrist, which formed into a spiky black graveyard/wrist dealer that perfectly matched her arms. Then, two pairs of insect-like wings sprouted from Chrysalis’ back, each pair looking intact, unlike her regular wings. The top set of wings had three zones on the left wing and two on the right wing. The bottom was similar, but there were three zones on the right this time and two zones on the left wing.

“I’ll teach your for messing with me and my friends!” yelled Jenny.

After Jenny unsheathed her D-Pad, Chrysalis drew five cards from her deck using her magic, levitating them in front of her face. Jenny followed suit, drawing five cards from her deck. Jenny took a look at the terrified Sarah, who still laid in the changeling’s grasp.

Don’t worry, Sarah, thought Jenny. I’ll save you.

“DUEL!” Jenny and Chrysalis yelled.

Jenny vs. Queen Chrysalis

Jenny’s Turn: Jenny activates the field spell Sanctuary in the Sky, having any battle damage inflicted to the controller of a Fairy-type monster be reduced to 0.

Jenny summons Vylon Soldier (ATK: 1700 DEF: 1000).

Jenny places three cards face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-4000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-3
***************************************************

“Quite a defense you’ve got there,” stated Chrysalis. “Tell me? Are you really that scared of me?”

“Just make your move, bitch!” growled Jenny.

“With pleasure.”

***************************************************
Chrysalis’ Turn: Chrysalis summons Evilswarm Zahak (ATK: 1850 DEF: 850). Next, Chrysalis activates Double Summon, summoning Evilswarm O’lantern (ATK: 1650 DEF: 1250).

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

Jenny watched with amazement as she placed her monster cards on the top set of wings and the spells and traps on the bottom set, each summoning and activating cards like they would on a regular duel disk.

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

Chrysalis attacks Vylon Soldier with Evilswarm Zahak, but Jenny activates Battle Stun Sonic, negating the attack and special summoning a level 4 or lower tuner monster from her hand, choosing Vylon Prism (ATK: 1500 DEF: 1500). Chrysalis attacks Vylon Prism with Evilswarm O’lantern. With Sanctuary in the Sky’s effect, Jenny takes no battle damage from a battle involving one of her Fairy-type monsters. Also, Jenny activates Card of Last Will, drawing five cards when one of her monsters is destroyed in battle.

When Vylon Prism is sent from the field to the graveyard, Jenny can pay 500 life points to equip Vylon Prism onto a monster she controls, choosing Vylon Soldier.

Jenny’s Life Points: 4000 -> 3500

Chrysalis activates Evilswarm O’lantern’s effect, tributing it to destroy one monster her opponent controls, choosing Vylon Soldier, but Jenny activates Metal Coat, preventing her monster from being destroyed by card effects.

Chrysalis places one card face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-4000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“So, you’ve managed to evade my strategies,” said Chrysalis, amused, “…for now.”

“Don’t worry,” grunted Jenny, “I’ll do more than evade!”

“This coming from a duelist who doesn’t even control a Stone of Equus card.”

“I don’t need an Equus card to defeat the likes of you. I was even able to defeat Alex’s Equus monster without one. I can do the same to you!”

“Really? Did you win?”

Jenny was now caught. Alex had surrendered the duel before an outcome could be decided, so she was forced to give the truth.

“No.”

Chrysalis cackled.

“That’s what I thought. Unless you can beat a duelist in possession of a Stone of Equus card, you will never beat them, yet alone me.”

“Shut up! I will defeat you, and I will save Sarah! Just you wait!”

***************************************************
Jenny’s Turn: Jenny summons Vylon Hept (ATK: 1800 DEF: 800). Jenny activates Vylon Hept’s effect, special summoning one Vylon monster equipped to a monster to her side of the field in defense position. Jenny overlays Vylon Hept, Vylon Prism, and Vylon Soldier to xyz summon Vylon Disigma (ATK: 2500 DEF 2100).

Jenny activates Vylon Disigma’s effect. By detaching one xyz material from it, she can equip an attack position effect monster that the opponent controls onto it, choosing Evilswarm Zahak.

Jenny attacks Chrysalis directly with Vylon Disigma.

Chrysalis’ Life Points: 4000 -> 1500

Jenny places two cards face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-4 Life-3500 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

“Impressive,” stated Chrysalis. “You managed to evade the effect of my Evilswarm Zahak. Now, I’m hardly left with anything.”

“Like I said,” yelled Jenny, clenching her fist at Chrysalis, “don’t underestimate my power! If I believe hard enough, I will take you down!”

“So naïve.”

“What?”

“I have yet to summon my Stone of Equus yet, and with what I have on the field and in my hand, all I need is the right card to summon it. Then, you will be completely helpless!”

“Just try it.”

“Persistent to the end. I love when my prey does that!”

***************************************************
Chrysalis’ Turn: Chrysalis activates Brain Control, paying 800 life points to gain control of an opponent’s monster this turn, choosing Vylon Disigma.

Chrysalis’ Life Points: 1500 -> 700

Chrysalis activates Dyxz, returning a monster that she controls to the extra deck and special summoning any xyz materials detached to it, special summoning Vylon Hept and Vylon Soldier. Chrysalis activates Call of the Haunted, special summoning a monster from her graveyard in attack position, choosing Evilswarm Zahak. Next, Chrysalis normal summons Evilswarm Salamandra (ATK: 1850 DEF: 950). Chrysalis overlays Evilswarm Zahak, Vylon Hept, and Vylon Soldier to xyz summon Turquoise Windigo (ATK: 1600 DEF: 1600).

Chrysalis activates Evilswarm Salamandra’s effect, banishing one monster from her graveyard to have Evilswarm Salamandra’s ATK increase by 300 (ATK: 1850 -> 2150). Then Chrysalis activates Turquoise Windigo’s effect. By detaching one xyz material from it, her opponent cannot activate spell or trap cards or use their effects until the end phase.

Chrysalis attacks Jenny directly with Turquoise Windigo.

Jenny’s Life Points: 3500 -> 1900

Chrysalis attacks Jenny directly with Evilswarm Salamandra.

Jenny’s Life Points: 1900 -> 0

Chrysalis wins.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

“JENNY!” yelled Lisa.

Jenny crumpled to the floor, rendered unconscious by Chrysalis’ merciless onslaught. Sarah was openly weeping over Jenny’s motionless body. Chrysalis’ zone-wings receded back into her body while her wrist dealer vanished from her wrist.

“How satisfying,” Chrysalis said to herself.

The changeling queen pulled Jenny in with her magic.

“No!” shouted Lisa, running at Chrysalis to save her friend.

Chrysalis was fully prepared, using a beam of green magic to blast Lisa onto the ground. Lisa tried to get up, but found that her body was completely numb, restricting her movement.

“Don’t worry,” mocked Chrysalis, Jenny’s body now lain across Chrysalis’ back, “you’ll be able to move again once we leave. If you and your friends want to save them, come to the west side of Herrick Lake. We’ll be waiting. Minion,” she said to the changeling holding Sarah, “come!”

The changeling hissed in response, bringing Sarah closer to Chrysalis. Chrysalis’ horn glowed a bright green, enveloping the four of them.

“Ta,” Chrysalis finally said before she, her minion, and her two captors vanished.

Lisa shot up as if she though she could capture them, but to no avail. Lisa sunk to her knees and crouched into the ground her hand supporting her body. Suddenly, the sound of a duel runner came from behind. Lisa was too grief-stricken to care who it was. As the bike came to a stop, she heard the familiar voice of Tom approaching.

“Lisa!” he shouted. He came to Lisa and knelt to her level on one knee. “Lisa, Twilight told me that Chrysalis kidnapped Sarah. Where is she?”

“She’s gone,” sobbed Lisa. “Chrysalis came and took Sarah away. Jenny too.”

“What? Jenny… Sarah?”

Tom clenched his jaw and shut his eyes, fury and anger overtaking him. Tom slammed the ground with his fist several times, bloodying his hand. Tom, seething, exhaled and inhaled with desperate wheezes, one of his best friends and his own sister taken away from him.

“JENNY!” he shouted at the top of his lungs at the sky. “SARAH!”

Chapter 40: Devotion

Jenny eventually began to wake up, feeling sore and exhausted. Her weakness only made it harder to fully awaken and realize her surroundings. The room that she was in was shrouded in absolute darkness, blinding her. She tried moving, but found she was spread out and cuffed at her wrists and ankles on a cold, metallic slab suspended vertically in the air, completely immobilizing her. Jenny began to break into hysterics, her claustrophobia kicking in.

“Jenny?” asked a voice that calmed Jenny down significantly. She too sounded frightened. “Jenny, is that you?”

“Sarah?” asked Jenny. “Thank God, it’s you! Where are you?”

“All I know is that you’re left of me.”

“Are you chained up like me?”

“Unfortunately.”

“God, this SUCKS!”

“Yes,” answered a sinister voice. “It’s going to really suck.”

The lights shot up, and all Jenny and Sarah could figure out was that they were in some sort of barn, as told by the wooden walls and hay-padded ground. Jenny could now see that she and Sarah were suspended about five feet in the air. Suddenly a large ball of green flames appeared and disappeared just as quickly, out of it coming Rae, Kyle, Grant, and Gilda. The latter three stood where they were while Rae approached the two, giggling in the process.

“Rae!” shouted Sarah. “Let us go, now!”

“You two make a great couple,” said Rae. “Too bad I couldn’t throw your other friend into the mix. I mean, I needed someone to tell you where you are.”

“What are you talking about?” asked Jenny, filled with anger. “You kidnapped us just for us to be rescued?”

“Not exactly. You see, when Chrysalis captured you two, I left your other friend behind so she can tell Alex or any of the other Stones of Equus card holders to come here and rescue you.”

“What a stupid plan! Alex and the others will certainly save us, just you see!”

“So insolent.”

Rae outstretched her hand at the slab holding Jenny, which began to glow. Green electrical bolts began to form around Jenny’s body, the shocks causing Jenny to shriek in pain. Grant turned his head away in shame while Kyle looked on with anger in his eyes.

“JENNY!” cried Sarah.

“Yes,” giggled Rae, stopping her magic, “scream all you want. I’ve magically soundproofed the walls so not even a passerby would be able to hear you. Even if they found you…”

Gilda flew over to Sarah’s slab and sharpened her talons on an open space of metal.

“…my guards will quickly dispose of them. And about Alex rescuing you…”

Rae snapped her fingers causing her to disappear and then reappear sitting on the top of Jenny’s slab.

“What I told Chrysalis to tell your friend was that you would be kept at the west side of Herrick Lake. I’m not sure if you know the location well, but there is no such barn there like where you are now.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” asked Sarah.

“It means that where I’m sending them is a ruse,” answered Rae hopping down from Jenny’s slab to address them both. “Right now, I have Trixie and Chrysalis manning that area. Alex and whomever he brings will go there, expecting to find you, but instead, there will only be them.”

“And once they beat them, they’ll find us!” yelled Jenny.

“I don’t think so. I mean, who’s to say that they’ll tell you where you really are?” Jenny began to squirm, knowing what Rae was getting at. “If anything, I’ll just send them to another dummy location where they’ll have to duel another one of my minions. We’ll just continue this until they get too tired to carry on, where they’ll then become easy pickings for any of my hunters.”

“NO!” yelled Jenny.

“YES!” replied Rae in a similar manner. She then turned to Kyle.

“I assume you’ll be ready when needed?” she asked him.

“Of course,” answered Kyle flatly.

“Good.”

Rae exited the barn accompanied by Kyle, which from the outside, was set just southeast of the famous Danada House and horse stables which was strangely bereft of life or any kind of activity. Upon leaving, Flim and Flam were standing outside the barn entrance. It was getting to be later in the afternoon.

“You can handle it, I presume?” asked Rae to her other guards.

“You can count on us, boss!” answered Flim.

“Right.”

She then vanished in another puff of green flames.

“So, Kyle, my-boy,” said Flam, “where will you head off to?”

“That’s business only between Rae and I,” he said.

Kyle walked to the parking lot where he had a motorcycle, modeled as a black Harley H-D1 with a silver gas tank. Upon mounting it, he clenched his fist and pressed it onto his gas tank.

“Rae…” he whispered, a tear rolling down his face. “I’ll save you…”
_________________________________________________________________________________________

“And then Tom showed up and took me back here,” sobbed Lisa.

Alex, Tom, Reese, Emma, John, Zelda, and the ponies were all gathered around Lisa in the living room as she recounted what happened to her friends. Among those weeping were Fluttershy, Carolyn, and Thomas the latter two sitting on another couch.

Alex was seething with rage. Not only did Sarah have nothing to do with this, but he considered her his sister as well. Tom shared his exact sentiments. Tom, having had enough, ran to his room. Upon entering, he went into his closest, tore his jacket off of his hanger, put it on, and grabbed his helmet and D-Pad. He went back downstairs and marched towards the front door.

“Tom!” called Alex. “What do you think you’re doing?”

“Right now,” grunted Tom, “my sister and friend are both scared and alone, and I’ll be damned if I’m going to sit here and have them wait for someone to help them.”

“Don’t you see? This is exactly what they want us to do! If we go in there fuming and angry, they’ll use our cloud of judgment to their advantage.”

“I don’t think I need to remind you: your sister just got kidnapped! I would think you’d care enough to act on that!”

“I am, but I’m not going to do it at the cost of both of our well-being. What do you think would be better for her? Seeing you lose at the hands of your enemy a half hour from now, or going in more calmly hours from now where you’ll be more rational in your decisions, and more than likely save her?”

“I may not have a horse in this race, pardon the pun,” spoke in Reese, “as I’m guilty of what Tom is feeling as well, but Alex is right. If we go in hot and bothered, we’ll dismantle our own strategies even before the enemies can. I say use this time to prepare for what could be the hardest battle of any one of your lives.”

Tom stood at the door, his hand on the knob, trying to decide whether to ignore Alex and Reese and head out, or let go and concur with Reese. Before he could react, there was a knock at the door. Tom turned the knob and flew the door open, shocking Kyle, who stood on the other side. The quickly swung door caused Kyle to stagger back a few feet.

“Oh wow,” said Tom, his voice a mix of anger and relief.

Tom cracked his fists as he began to approach Kyle.

“Wait!” yelled Kyle. “I’m not that Kyle anymore! This is all a big misunderstanding!”

“What’s going on?” asked Reese, stepping outside.

Upon seeing Kyle, Reese had mentally transformed into a bull with its sight on a red curtain. Reese lunged after Kyle, who did his best to evade Reese’s attacks.

“Reese!” yelled Kyle. “Please, listen to me!”

“The only thing I want to hear out of your mouth is you gargling your own blood!”

Kyle finally managed to tackled Kyle to the ground and pin his body with his legs. Kyle put his forearms at his face, trying with all his might to block Reese’s punches, but to no avail. Twilight and her friends watched in horror as Reese wailed on Kyle’s head.

“Reese!” yelled Kyle. “Hear me out!”

“Let’s see how you like your skull smashed.” Reese then began to launch a heavy punch towards Kyle’s forehead.”

“IT’S A TRAP!” yelled Kyle, the randomness of which brought his attacker’s hand to a halt. Kyle used this confusion to roll him and Reese over. Now, Reese was being pinned by Kyle.

“I’m not here to hurt you! I need to tell you something very important.”

“Like I’ll listen to the likes of you,” grunted Reese.

“I’m serious! Chrysalis lied to you. Jenny and Sarah aren’t–”

Kyle felt a force kick him in the ribs, knocking him off of Reese, who turned to see that it was Emma. Reese both got up and stood in offensive stances while Kyle managed to stand back up.

“Hold it!” yelled the voice of Twilight.

Twilight walked in between Reese and Emma, her constructed duel disk on her left wrist.

“If you’re going to try and get to my friends, you’re going to have to go through me first.”

“Listen Twilight Sparkle,” said Kyle, “I have no intention, nor did I have any intentions of hurting your friends.”

“Likely story.”

“I know what I did at the Riverwalk Tournament, but that wasn’t me!”

“What are you talking about? Do you take me for an idiot? Oh, that’s right, everyone’s a ‘novice’ in your eyes.”

“Twilight, let me explain–”

“Shut up! You have no right to be here.”

Kyle couldn’t take it. If he was going to get through to anyone, he had no choice.

“Fine,” yelled Kyle. “If you won’t listen, I’ll make you listen.”

Kyle’s arm went alight in flames, his D-Pad appearing from it. Twilight unsheathed her duel disk. Both Twilight and Kyle drew five cards from their decks.

“DUEL!” they yelled.

Kyle vs. Twilight

Kyle’s Turn: Kyle activates Card Destruction, having both him and his opponent discard their hands and draw cards from their decks equal to the amount that they discarded. Kyle sets one monster.

Kyle places two cards face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-4000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

There’s no doubt that he discarded a bunch of monsters that he can easily be summoned through Rekindling, thought Twilight. If I dismantle his strategy, he’s sunk.

“Everyone,” said Kyle, “you don’t understand. Rae is leading you right into a trap.”

“And why should I believe you, you monster?” yelled Twilight.

“Why shouldn’t you believe me? I’m telling you that your enemy, Rae, is setting a ruse under the guise that you’ll be saving Sarah and her friend. Why would I disagree with someone you say is supposedly my ally? I thought you’d be smart enough to figure that out.”

Alex and Reese angrily stared daggers at Kyle.

“If you were smart enough,” seethed Twilight, “you’d have never come here!”

***************************************************
Twilight’s Turn: Twilight summons Amores of Prophecy (ATK: 600 DEF: 2000). Twilight activates Amores of Prophecy’s effect. By revealing a Spellbook card in her hand, she can special summon a level 4 or lower Spellcaster-type monster from her hand, choosing Temperance of Prophecy (ATK: 1000 DEF: 1000). Twilight activates Tannhäuser Gate, making two monsters with 1000 or less ATK and the same type that she controls have their levels become equal to their combined levels, choosing Amores of Prophecy and Temperance of Prophecy (3 + 3 = 6) (Lvl.: 3 -> 6) (Lvl.: 3 -> 6).

Twilight overlays Amores of Prophecy and Temperance of Prophecy to xyz summon Magi Magi Magician Gal (ATK: 2400 DEF: 2000). Twilight activates Magi Magi Magician Gal’s effect. By detaching one xyz material from it and banishing a card in her hand, she can activate one of two effects. She chooses the latter, allowing her to special summon a monster from her opponent’s graveyard, choosing Kyle’s Laval Lancelord (ATK: 2100 DEF: 200).

Twilight attacks Kyle’s face down monster with Laval Lancelord, which is a Flamvell Baby (ATK: 800 DEF: 200). Twilight then attacks Kyle directly with Magi Magi Magician Gal, but Kyle activates Firewall, banishing a Pyro-type monster in his graveyard to negate the direct attack.

Twilight places one card face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-4000 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“How about that?” asked Twilight, an enraged smile on her face, “Smart enough for you?”

“If you’ll continue fighting,” said Reese, “than so shall I! I will not stop until my voice is heard.”

***************************************************
Kyle’s Turn: During Kyle’s standby phase, Kyle must pay 500 life points to keep Firewall on the field or destroy it. Kyle destroys Firewall. Kyle activates Graceful Charity, drawing three cards and discarding two. Next, he activates Monster Reborn, special summoning Laval Judgment Lord (ATK: 2700 DEF: 1800). Kyle activates Laval Judgment Lord’s effect. By banishing a Laval monster in his graveyard, he can inflict 1000 points of damage to his opponent.

Twilight’s Life Points: 4000 -> 3000

Kyle then activates Xyz Plant, which becomes a monster with the same level as a monster he controls (Lvl.: 7). Kyle overlays Laval Judgment Lord and Xyz Plant to xyz summon Olivine Dragon (ATK: 3000 DEF: 2500).

Kyle attacks Magi Magi Magician Gal with Olivine Dragon, but Twilight activates Waboku, preventing Magi Magi Magician Gal’s destruction by battle and reducing the battle damage to 0.

Kyle ends his turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-4000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“I’m not letting you get the better of me!” yelled Twilight. “My friends and I will beat you, Rae, and anyone else that dares to attack us.”

***************************************************
Twilight’s Turn: Twilight activates Magi Magi Magician Gal’s effect, detaching its last xyz material and banishing a card in her hand to activate its first effect to take control of an opponent’s monster until the end phase, choosing Olivine Dragon.

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

"Twilight!" yelled Kyle, "No!"

It was too late. As soon as Olivine Dragon came to Twilight's side, she was covered in green sparks that sent painful shocks through her body.

"Twilight!" yelled Alex.

"I'll be fine," Twilight grunted through the pain. "I'll beat him."

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

Twilight attacks Kyle directly with Olivine Dragon, but Kyle activates Defense Draw, reducing the battle damage to 0 and allowing him to draw one card.

Twilight attacks Kyle directly with Magi Magi Magician Girl.

Kyle's Life Points: 4000 -> 1600

During the end phase Olivine Dragon returns to Kyle’s side of the field.

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

The sparks left Twilight, giving her a moment to breathe.

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

Twilight places one card face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-3000 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“Dammit, Twilight,” grunted Kyle. “I want to help you. You don’t even know why I did all of this in the first place!”

“I can think of a few good reasons,” spoke Tom.

“I’m sorry!” cried Kyle. “I never wanted any of this. I just want to save Rae.”

“You…” wondered Twilight angrily, “want to save that evil woman?”

“You don’t understand,” yelled Kyle. “Rae was never like that. She saved me from my personal hell, and I need to return the favor.”

“What does that mean? Are you saying you know her?”

“Yes!”

“How so?”

“She’s my mother!!”

Twilight and everyone else gasped at this revelation.

“Your… mother?” asked Twilight.

“More specifically, my foster mother. But I love her like any child loves their mother!”

Twilight glanced at Applejack, trying to determine whether Kyle was lying or not. Applejack only shrugged with a nervous and confused look on her face.

“In fact, I never knew my real parents. My entire childhood was spent going from foster parent to foster parent,” explained Kyle. “Every time I thought I would find a home where I’d be loved, but would soon find myself back for adoption. My last foster family even sent me to the private academy where Reese and Emma went to after one of their biological children framed me for a broken china plate.”

Kyle pulled back the collar of his shirt and showed him a scar along the left side of his neck. Everyone, including Twilight and Kyle, were shocked at the sight of it.

“You see that? That’s where my ‘father’ choked me with his belt as punishment.”

Twilight, for as much as she hated Kyle for what he had done, couldn’t deny that maiming a child like that was unforgivable.

“Despite being sent away again, I thought I had found the affection that I had dreamed of at the academy. I still fondly remember the times Reese and I spent as tag-team partners.”

“Don’t give me that!” scolded Reese angrily. “You told me yourself that you used me to look better.”

“I was angry! Your sister–”

“Don’t bring her into this! She didn’t do anything wrong!”

“No…” admitted Emma, causing everyone to turn heads. “I did do something. I mean, all, I did was take some of his cards as a prank that day! It was harmless, really.”

Reese couldn’t believe this. He just learned two things about his supposed nemesis that completely changed his view of him.

“I realize that now,” replied Kyle, “but seeing how much you preferred Reese over me, I thought it was an attack, just like my foster-brother did to me that literally scarred me for life. In my rage-induced madness, I attacked Emma, and I forsook my friendship with Reese, even going as far as burning up his deck as a way of ‘getting even’ with the both of you.

“Now that I stand before you, as I am, I just want to say from the bottom of my heart that I’m sorry for the pain I’ve caused you.”

Reese didn’t know what to say. Before today, he assumed that Kyle was merely an evil and manipulative child as opposed to the tortured soul that just bared his soul for him.

"What does this story have to do with Rae?” asked Alex.

“After my final confrontation with Reese and Emma, word got out over what I had done, and as a result, I wasn’t allowed back into another orphanage. I wandered all over the country, making my earnings dueling bikers in roadside bars, unwitting kids in city streets. Needless to say, it was Hell all over again. However, that’s when I met her.

“Rae, as you may have figured from Zelda’s story, was a woman of affluence and power. Many people knew her, so it was a shock to the public to see such an important woman such as her come to duel someone as lowly as I.”
_________________________________________________________________________________________
................................................................................................................................................................
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Cont. from Rae vs. Kyle

Cont. from Rae’s Turn: Rae attacks Kyle directly with Blue Eyes Toon Dragon (ATK: 3000 DEF: 2500).

Kyle’s Life Points: 1600 -> 0

Rae wins.

_________________________________________________________________________________________
................................................................................................................................................................
_________________________________________________________________________________________

“Despite losing, she did something to me that shocked me to the core: she offered me a home. Her only reason that she told me was that ‘she saw a lot of potential in me.’

“Upon being taken in, she began to rigorously train me in the art of dueling.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
................................................................................................................................................................
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Rae declared her final attack on Kyle in a large, circular, white room. Kyle fell back headfirst from the direct attack from Rae’s monsters that depleted all of his life points yet again. Kyle rolled onto his back to see Rae kneeling above him, offering her helping hand. Kyle took it, allowing Rae to pull him onto his feet. She then pulled him into her bosom, laying her arms across her back. Kyle wrapped his own arms around her, putting his hands on her lower back, smiling happily like a young child being cradled by their mother.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
................................................................................................................................................................
_________________________________________________________________________________________

“Not only that, she was the sweetest and most compassionate woman I had ever met. It was through her training and her unconditional love for me that eventually won me over. With her around, I felt stronger than I ever felt like I could.

“Years later, earlier last fall, Rae came home from a jog on the beach. She began to exhibit strange behavior. Her cheerful and kind behavior became more sinister and erratic. On top of that, she began using powers that were completely unnatural to a human. One day, I confronted her about it. All that she told me was that she “acquired them” when she went jogging. I continued to question here. Where was she jogging? What happened?

“Apparently, she didn’t like it. She appeared right before me and placed her hand over my face. I then felt this horrible feeling pulse though my body. It felt like I was back at the academy, filled with that rage once again, only this time, it never left. When she was finished, she asked me if I would still be with her. I told her that I would.

“As the months grew on I learned more and more of her plan and prepared for it: Equestria, the Stone of Equus, everything, going along with it as she told me. And then I met Gilda, Trixie, and the others who Rae claimed had 'issues' with their world. Soon after, Rae’s first extraction of the Stones of Equus hadn’t gone as planned, only stealing some of the cards while the rest fell into your hands. Even in my rage-induced state, it pained me inside to see her so angry.

“When she sent me out during the competition, I had failed to capture Alex’s Jade Wyvern. In order to assure that I didn’t fail next time, she had transferred even more of her powers into me, making me even more angry and powerful, enough to summon Ultra Olivine Tri-Dragon the next day. However, the Elements of Harmony had defeated me, not only defeating the darkness in my heart from the night before, but when she first did it months ago.

“After my failure, Rae started to ignore me more and more. Finally realizing that she had become a monster, I broke away from her to assist you, which is where I stand now.”

Everyone was stunned, their mouths either slightly or completely open in shock.

“Whatever you saw in me those couple of days,” told Kyle, “and whatever I had done in the past, I want to say I’m sorry. I truly am. If only you could find it in your heart to forgive me and help me save my mother. It would mean the world to me if you did.”

Kyle’s face looked genuinely longing for redemption. Pinkie Pie, as peppy as ever, gave Kyle a smile and nodded at him, followed by Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Twilight, Rarity, and Fluttershy. Reese however was the one to break the silence.

“I forgive you,” he sighed, slightly breaking a smile.

Kyle then did something that no one had seen from him; he gave an honestly happy smile, lowering his left arm at his side.

“I guess I don’t see the point in continuing this duel,” Kyle stated, about to put his hand over his deck.

“Hold on!” yelled Twilight. “There’s no way I’m letting a duel of mine go unfinished this time. Make your move, Kyle! I want to see the end of this.”

Kyle moved his left arm back up, placing his fingers on his deck.

“If you want,” said Kyle.

***************************************************
Kyle’s Turn: Kyle activates Lightning Vortex, discarding one card to destroy all face up monsters that Twilight controls. Next, he activates Mystical Space Typhoon, destroying Twilight’s face down card.

Kyle attacks Twilight directly with Olivine Dragon.

Twilight’s Life Points: 3000 -> 0

Kyle wins.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Twilight expected a very painful hit from the attack, but found that it was more of an uncomfortably warm wind than anything. The physical blast of the attack was still enough to knock Twilight down on her stomach. Twilight stared at the ground, upset with her loss. A shadow loomed over her. Upon looking, up she saw Kyle kneeling slightly down, offering a helping hand.

Twilight placed her hoof with full confidence in Kyle’s hand, allowing him to pull her up. Kyle didn’t stop there, pulling her up onto her hind legs and giving her a hug.

“Thanks for hearing me out,” Kyle whispered in her ear.

Twilight, savored the moment, putting her own arms around Kyle as well.

“Hey,” interrupted Tom, somewhat irate. “I hate to break up the happy huggy time, but my sister and friend are still locked up and need help.”

Chapter 41: Rescue

“Alright,” explained Kyle to everyone in the living room of the Emmitt’s house, “Chrysalis had told you guys to meet up at the west side of Herrick Lake. Sarah and Jenny aren’t there; they’re just going to duel you with the sole intent of taking your Stones of Equus. If you want to save Sarah and Jenny, they are being kept in a barn south of the Danada House.”

“Oh,” exclaimed Reese, “I know where that is. Me parents had their wedding reception there.”

“Anyways,” said Kyle, “the barn is being guarded by Flim and Flam, while Grant and Gilda are inside with the two of them.”

“Both of them are Gauntlet Class,” commented Zelda.

“Right, which means that we need to send our best duelists in there. Seeing who won the Riverwalk championship, I obviously nominate Alex.”

“Of course I’m going,” spoke Alex. “No way I’m going to leave my family in there with them.”

“In that case,” said Tom, “I’m going in too.”

“What?” questioned Kyle. “Tom, Grant was able to take down two opponents by himself, and now he’s got another ally who can also take two enemies at a time. If we’re going to duel them, we need firepower, quite literally. That’s why I’m going.”

“Screw that! You may be the next best duelist among us, but that’s my sister in in there. If you want to hold me back from saving my own family, you can certainly try, but that’s a fight I know you won’t win.”

Kyle was surprisingly stunned at Tom’s fervor. From the little he remembered from watching Tom and Alex’s duel that one day, he certainly saw Tom as a strong opponent, albeit a bit reckless.

“Sorry,” said Kyle. “I saw your dueling that day. You aren’t going to beat Gilda or Grant by paying your life points to summon a bunch of monsters; they’re much smarter than that.”

Tom grit his teeth, seething over Kyle’s supposed superiority.

“I don’t care!” yelled Tom. “You want to fight for your family, and we’re letting you. Let me fight for mine.”

“Tom, I only want to make sure the rescue of your sister and her friend to be successful.”

“And I don’t? Kyle, my sister means the world to me. There’s no way I’d lose trying to save her. Rae herself could challenge me and I’d beat her if it meant saving my family.”

Kyle began to realize that he was fighting a losing battle. With a scoff, he addressed Tom again.

“Fine. You can go. But be warned. Gilda and Grant have cards that can easily defeat two duelists if they fought by themselves. If you want any chance of saving your family, you have to duel with the intensity of two duelists.”

“I’ll duel with the intensity of a hundred!”

“Very good. Prepare your decks and be ready. We leave tonight.”
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Alex, Tom, and Kyle rode down the street in their duel runners, the street being kept illuminated by the lights that lined the side of the road.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

“Alright,” said Tom, back at his house in Alex’s bedroom, “what’s the plan?”

“First,” said Kyle to Alex and Tom, “we enter the Danada House parking lot through the nature trail that passes under Naperville Rd.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

The three of them turned left at the entrance to the Forest Preserve building, turning off their lights so they wouldn’t be seen by the preserve authorities. They continued east until the asphalt turned to gravel, allowing them to enter the nature trail.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

“Next,” said Kyle, “you and Tom will hide under the bridge for the time being while I make sure the coast is clear.”
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Alex and Tom stopped their duel runners underneath Naperville Rd. while Kyle continued on. He rode his bike through the Danada House parking lot and continued through the path that would lead him to the barn, which were still guarded by the Flim-Flam brothers.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

“What about those Flim-Flams?” asked Tom.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Kyle dismounted his bike and walked towards the barn, earning the attention of the two ponies.

“Why hello, Kyle,” said Flam, “lovely evening, isn’t it?”

Kyle stood in between both ponies.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

“Don’t worry,” said Kyle. “I’ll take care of them.”
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Kyle made a hard punch to Flim’s jaw, disorienting him. Flam was too shocked to comprehend what was happening, leaving Kyle enough time to clock Flam as well. Kyle then made another punch at Flim, knocking him out cold. Kyle then kicked Flam in the face, rendering him unconscious as well. Kyle then pulled a phone from his pocket.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

“I’ll tell you when the coast is clear,” said Kyle.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

“The coast is clear,” said Kyle on the phone.

“Thanks,” said Alex, hanging up. Alex and Tom rode their motorcycles up.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

“What about you?” said Alex. “What will you do from there?”

“I’ll stick around in case Chrysalis or Trixie comes around when they learn about you finding Sarah and Lisa,” Kyle answered.

“No,” said Tom, “you’re going to come back here.”

“What? That’s ridiculous. Even if you manage to beat Gilda and Grant, you’ll only have Chrysalis and Trixie to deal with. This needs to be a ‘get in, get out’ mission.”

“And it will,” said Tom, “but if God forbid you lose to both Trixie and Chrysalis, you’ll be going back to Rae as a traitor. And seeing how you were her confidant and earliest comrade, she’ll probably do worse to you than she ever could to, let’s say, Zelda.”

“So all I’m doing is opening the door for you and then I leave?”

“Kyle. We need to keep you safe. If you want to save Rae, it certainly won’t help you if you’re dead after she lynches you.”

Kyle still looked uneasy.

“Kyle, you shouldn’t worry about me or Alex for that matter. We’re going to save them, no matter what.”
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Alex and Tom began to ride over to the barn, now putting their headlights on. They were both about fifty feet from the entrance. Kyle put his helmet back on and rode his duel runner away from the Danada House. Alex and Tom looked at each other before gripping their handlebars.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

“Alright,” said Kyle. “And thank you for considering me.”

“Hey,” said Tom, “what are friends for?”

“Right.”

“Alright!” cheered Alex. “Let’s do this!”

Alex, Tom, and Kyle bumped fists.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Alex and Tom twisted the right handlebar, accelerating the two forward at the barn.

Gilda and Grant saw bright lights shine through the cracks in the wooden door, accompanied by loud engine noises that grew louder as the lights grew brighter.

“What’s that noise?” asked Gilda.

She didn’t have to figure for long, as when the lights met their maximum brightness and the engines reached their maximum volume, Alex and Tom crashed through the doors, both shattering open as the bikes they rode on drifted to a halt.

“What the…” wondered Grant.

“Alright,” yelled Tom, taking off his helmet along with Alex, “whose ass do I have to kick for kidnapping my sister?”

“TOM!” yelled Sarah, who still hung from her bonds.

“It’s okay, Sarah! I’m here!”

“How did you find us?” yelled Gilda.

“Shot in the dark,” said Alex.

“No matter. It was a real dumb move on your part! Now we’re going to tear you apart limb by limb.”

“Screw you, you inbred bird!” yelled Jenny.

“Don’t worry,” said Gilda, turning to Jenny, “you’re not getting away scott-free here.”

Gilda snapped her talons, causing the two slabs Jenny and Sarah were bound to glow purple. Several rings then flew from them and towards Alex and Tom. The rings began to shrink and enter Tom and Alex through where their heart would be.

“What did you do?” asked Tom.

“Raising the stakes,” said Gilda. “Now, whenever you take damage, you two and your friends will feel the effects. In other words, I’d suggest taking as little damage as possible, unless of course you’d like to see your sister in pain.” Gilda giggled.

“You bitch,” grunted Tom.

“And don’t try leaving,” said Grant, his voice devoid of emotion. “If you try leaving here without there being an outcome to this duel, those rings that went into your body will stop your heart faster than Jason Statham in Crank.”

“You make it sound as if we would run away,” spoke Alex. “We aren’t leaving here without Sarah and Jenny!”

“That’s a shame,” said Gilda, “because we’re going to make sure you lame-o’s don’t leave here alive!”

A halo formed on both Gilda and Grant’s arm, each of them scanning their arms and bringing out their D-Pads. Alex and Tom assembled and equipped themselves with their own D-Pads, their zones sliding out from the tablet. All four players drew five cards from their decks.

Tom, thought Sarah, Alex. I know you can do it.

“DUEL!” all four duelists yelled.

Alex and Tom vs. Grant and Gilda

Alex’s Turn: Alex activates Foolish Burial, sending one monster card from his deck to his graveyard, choosing Dragunity Phalanx. Alex summons Dragunity Dux (ATK: 1500 DEF: 1000). When Dragunity Dux is normal summoned, Alex can equip a level 3 or lower Dragon-type Dragunity monster from his graveyard onto it, choosing Dragunity Phalanx. When Dragunity Phalanx is equipped to a monster from the graveyard, Alex can special summon Dragunity Phalanx from the spell/trap zone in defense position (ATK: 500 DEF: 1100).

Alex places two cards face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-8000 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

“What?” asked Gilda angrily. “Why didn’t you synchro summon?”

“I’m not going to synchro summon just so you can nab my monsters with your Meklords' effects. I mean, I’m not that smart.”

“Why you little–”

“Calm yourself, Gilda,” said Grant. “We’ll take care of them in due time.”

***************************************************
Grant’s Turn: Grant summons Fabled Raven (ATK: 1300 DEF: 1000).

Grant places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-4 Life-8000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“Grant!” yelled Alex. “What happened to you?”

Grant looked blankly at Alex.

“Why are you on Rae’s side? What happened?”

“I was…” began to answer Grant, “…coerced.”

“No, really?” spoke Tom sarcastically.

“Not like that! I was forced to.”

“Enough talk!” yelled Gilda. “Your friends are looking very uncomfortable on those chains, and I’m sure they’d like to be saved sometime this week.”

Undaunted, Tom began his first move.

***************************************************
Tom’s Turn: Tom summons Gladiator Beast Equeste (ATK: 1600 DEF: 1200). Tom overlays Alex’s Dragunity Dux and Gladiator Beast Equeste to xyz summon Amber Minotaur (ATK: 2400 DEF: 1900). Tom activates Amber Minotaur’s effect. By detaching one xyz material from it, Tom can normal summon a monster again but without tributes, choosing Gladiator Beast Spartacus (ATK: 2200 DEF: 1600).

Tom places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-3 Life-8000 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“Pfft,” exclaimed Gilda, “that’s nothing. Watch this!”

***************************************************
Gilda’s Turn: Gilda summons Ally of Justice Reverse Break (ATK: 1200 DEF: 1200). Since a LIGHT monster exists on the field (Fabled Raven), Ally of Justice Reverse Break is destroyed. Gilda then activates the effect of Meklord Emperor Granel from her hand, special summoning it from her hand when a monster she controls is destroyed by a card effect (ATK: 0 DEF: 0). Meklord Emperor Granel’s ATK and DEF are equal to half of Gilda’s life points (ATK: 0 -> 4000, DEF: 0 -> 4000).

Gilda attacks Gladiator Beast Spartacus with Meklord Emperor Granel. Alex attempts to activate Waboku, but Grant activates his Trap Jammer, negating and destroying Waboku.

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

Tom didn’t know what to do. His duelist instincts were telling him to activate his trap and protect his monster, but he didn’t want to risk hurting Sarah or Jenny.

“Tom!” yelled Sarah, surprising her brother. “Just do it!”

With a heavy heart, Tom activated his trap.

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

The attack tries to go through, but Tom activates Attack Invulnerability, choosing its effect to prevent Gladiator Beast Spartacus’ destruction by battle. Damage is still applied.

Alex and Tom’s Life Points: 8000 -> 6200

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

Alex and Tom suddenly felt something squeeze at their heart, registering pain throughout their entire bodies. Alex and Tom knelt to the ground, succumbing to the pain.

“What is this?” asked Alex. “Is that what their rings were about?”

“Oh, wait!” butted in Gilda. “It gets better!”

Purple bolts of energy enveloped Sarah and Jenny, coating them in painful electrical shocks that left them screaming.

“SARAH!” screamed Tom, standing up along with Alex.

Eventually, the voltage stopped, giving Jenny and Sarah some time to breath. Tom looked back at them, the latter giving him an understanding nod.

“But the joke's on you!” yelled Tom.

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

At the end of the battle phase, when Gladiator Beast Spartacus was attacked, Tom can send Gladiator Beast Spartacus to the deck to special summon one Gladiator Beast monster from his deck, choosing Gladiator Beast Murmillo in defense position (ATK: 800 DEF: 400). When Gladiator Beast Murmillo is special summoned by the effect of a Gladiator Beast monster, Tom can destroy one face up monster on the field, choosing Meklord Emperor Granel.

Gilda activates the effect of Meklord Emperor Skiel from her hand, special summoning it when a monster she controls was destroyed by a card effect (ATK: 2200 DEF: 2200).

Gilda places two cards face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-8000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

Tom and Alex had not felt such a feeling like that before. Tom looked at the still-hanging Sarah, who was panting in pain from the effects of Gilda’s attack.

“You’re going to pay for that one!” grunted Tom.

“Ooh, big man!” taunted Gilda. “Get it? Because he’s a small fry!”

Gilda proceeded to laugh while Grant observed her with a lack of sympathy in his eyes.

“Tom!” yelled Sarah. “We can take the damage for you! Just duel like you normally would! We believe in you!”

“You shut your mouth!” remarked Gilda to her prisoners.

Tom looked about ready to walk to Gilda and punch her lights out, but was stopped upon seeing Alex’s had reach out.

“Don’t worry,” said Alex, “we’ll get them.”

Tom made a nod towards Alex, giving him the go-ahead.

***************************************************
Alex’s Turn: Alex summons Dragunity Militum (ATK: 1700 DEF: 1200). Alex then activates Hieratic Seal of Supremacy, allowing him to special summon a Hieratic Monster from his hand, choosing Hieratic Seal of the Dragon King (ATK: 0 DEF: 0). Alex tunes Dragunity Militum with Dragunity Phalanx to synchro summon Dragunity Knight – Gae Bulg (ATK: 2000 DEF: 1100). Alex overlays Dragunity Knight – Gae Bulg and Hieratic Seal of the Dragon King to xyz summon Jade Wyvern (ATK: 2500 DEF: 2100).

Alex attacks Fabled Raven with Jade Wyvern, but Gilda activates Shift, switching the attack target to Meklord Emperor Skiel. Gilda then activates her own Attack Invulnerability, preventing her monster’s destruction by battle. Damage is still applied.

Grant and Gilda’s Life Points: 8000 -> 7700

Alex ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-6200 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

Grant emotionlessly continued his next turn without a hitch.

***************************************************
Grant’s Turn: Grant activates Fabled Raven’s effect, discarding a number of cards from his hand (3) and having Fabled Raven’s level increase by one and its ATK to increase by 400 for each card discarded (3 x 1 = 3, 3 x 400 = 1200) (Lvl.: 2 -> 3) (ATK: 1300 -> 2500).

Grant attacks Gladiator Beast Murmillo with Fabled Raven, but Alex activates Jade Wyvern’s effect. By detaching one xyz material, Alex can prevent the destruction of one monster on the field by battle until the end phase, choosing Gladiator Beast Murmillo. Battle damage is still applied.

Alex and Tom’s Life Points: 6200 -> 4500

Grant attacks Gladiator Beast Murmillo with Sillva, Warlord of the Dark World.

Alex and Tom’s Life Points: 4500 ->3000

Grant attacks Gladiator Beast Murmillo with Goldd, Wu-Lord of the Dark World.

Alex and Tom’s Life Points: 3000 -> 1500

At the end of the battle phase, when Gladiator Beast Murmillo was attacked, Tom can send it to the deck to special summon one Gladiator Beast monster from his deck, choosing Gladiator Beast Darius (ATK: 1700 DEF: 300). When Gladiator Beast Darius is special summoned by the effect of a Gladiator Beast monster, Tom can special summon a Gladiator Beast monster in his graveyard, though its effects are negated, choosing Gladiator Beast Equeste.

Grant overlays Fabled Raven, Sillva, Warlord of the Dark World, and Goldd, Wu-Lord of the Dark World to xyz summon Onyx Cerberus (ATK: 3300 DEF: 2900). Grant sets one monster.

Grant places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-7700 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

Sarah was weeping from the pain she was in while Jenny hyperventilated from the shock. Alex and Tom didn’t fare much better, both of them grasping their hearts as they continued to beat slower.

“That sure was a good hit,” said Gilda to Grant while looking at Tom. “I don’t think your poor old sister is going to last much longer at this rate!”

“Don’t kid with me!” yelled Tom. “My sister is more valuable to me than anything you could ever fight for! As long as she has hope in me, I’ll win this duel!”

“You tell her!” yelled Jenny laboriously through her pain. “Kick her ass.”

“One ass-kicking coming up!”

***************************************************
Tom’s Turn: Alex activates Trap Stun, negating the effects of all traps on the field this turn. Tom summons Gladiator Beast Laquari (ATK: 1800 DEF: 400). Tom then activates Amber Minotaur’s effect, detaching its last xyz material to normal summon again this turn without tributes, summoning Gladiator Beast Alexander (ATK: 2400 DEF: 600).

Tom overlays Gladiator Beast Laquari, Gladiator Beast Equeste, and Gladiator Beast Darius to xyz summon Number 32: Shark Drake (ATK: 2800 DEF: 2100). Tom then equips Amber Minotaur with Axe of Despair, increasing its ATK by 1000 (ATK: 2400 -> 3400).

Tom attacks Onyx Cerberus with Amber Minotaur.

Grant and Gilda’s Life Points: 7700 -> 7600

Tom attacks Meklord Emperor Skiel with Gladiator Beast Alexander.

Grant and Gilda’s Life Points: 7600 -> 7400

Tom then attacks Grant’s face down monster with Number 32: Shark Drake, which is a Morphing Jar (ATK: 700 DEF: 600). When Morphing Jar is flip summoned, each player discards their hands and draws five cards from their deck.

Tom activates Number 32: Shark Drake’s effect. By detaching one xyz material when it attacks and destroys a monster, Tom can special summon that monster in attack position, have it lose 1000 ATK (ATK: 700 -> 0), and Number 32: Shark Drake can attack again this battle phase. Tom attacks Morphing Jar with Number 32: Shark Drake.

Grant and Gilda’s Life Points: 7400 -> 4600

Tom places two cards face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-3 Life-1500 Monsters-3 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

“You see?” yelled Tom. “Unlike you, I have something to fight and win for. What do you have? Your stupid little Stones? You’re nothing but a shallow, ruthless, freak of nature that could never be loved by someone!”

Strangely, that statement seemed to ring into Gilda’s head.

“Rainbow…” she whispered.

She suddenly bared her teeth harder than Tom or Alex could think possible.

“Now I’m making it my personal mission that you don’t leave here alive!”

***************************************************
Gilda’s Turn: Grant activates Xyz Reborn, special summoning Onyx Cerberus from his graveyard and attaching Xyz Reborn to it as xyz material. Gilda places one card face down. Gilda activates Dxyz, sending an xyz monster from the field to the extra deck and special summoning its xyz materials, sending Jade Wyvern to the extra deck to and special summoning Hieratic Dragon of Su. Gilda activates Ancient Rules, special summoning a level five or higher normal monster from her hand, choosing Ally of Justice Clausolas (ATK: 2300 DEF: 1200).

Gilda then activates Iron Call, special summoning a level 4 or lower Machine-type monster from her graveyard when she controls a Machine-type monster, although its effects are negated and its destroyed during the end phase, choosing Ally of Justice Tractor (ATK: 0 DEF: 0). Gilda then normal summons Ally of Justice Cyclone Creator (ATK: 1400 DEF: 1200).

Gilda tunes Ally of Justice Tractor and Ally of Justice Clausolas with Ally of Justice Cyclone Creator to synchro summon Ally of Justice Decisive Armor (ATK: 3300 DEF: 3300). Gilda activates Ally of Justice Decisive Armor’s third effect. When her opponent controls a LIGHT monster, Gilda can discard her entire hand to look at her opponent’s hand and discard all LIGHT monsters from it and inflicting damage equal to the ATK of all discarded monsters. Alex discards one Hieratic Seal of the Sun Dragon Overlord. Since its ATK is 0, Alex takes no damage.

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

“Hmph,” said Alex. “Loser.”

Gilda was now staring right at Alex, her eyes red with anger.

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

Gilda attacks Hieratic Dragon of Su with Ally of Justice Decisive Armor.

Alex and Tom’s Life Points: 1500 -> 400

Gilda ends her turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-4600 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“You idiot!” scolded Grant. “Now his life points are below 500.”

“Big deal,” scoffed Gilda. “It’s not like he can summon his monster with his field as empty as it is.”

“And what makes you so sure about that?” asked Alex. “My hand just got replenished, and since you know that I have an Xyz Treasure in my hand, I’d say that be really bad for you.”

“Like you’d make something of it!” she yelled back.

“Let’s just see.”

Grant, thought Alex, please let this save you.

***************************************************
Alex’s Turn: Alex special summons Hieratic Dragon of Tefnuit as he controls no monsters while his opponent controls one (ATK: 2100 DEF: 1400). Next, Alex overlays Hieratic Dragon of Tefnuit and Gladiator Beast Alexander to xyz summon Jade Wyvern. Alex then activates Xyz Treasure, drawing cards from his deck equal to the number of xyz monsters on the field (4).

Alex activates Reload, adding his hand to his deck, shuffling it, and drawing cards equal to the number of cards he added to his deck. Alex activates Monster Reborn, special summoning a monster from a player’s graveyard, choosing Hieratic Dragon of Su. Grant activates Onyx Cerberus’ effect. By detaching its last xyz material from it, Grant can negate an opponent’s special summoning of a monster from the graveyard and remove that monster from play.

Alex activates Magical Stone Excavation, discarding two cards from his hand to add a spell card from his graveyard to his hand, choosing Monster Reborn. Alex activates Monster Reborn, special summoning Hieratic Seal of the Dragon King from his graveyard. Next, Alex normal summons Hieratic Dragon of Eset without tributes, making its ATK 1000 (ATK: 1900 DEF: 1200) (ATK: 1900 -> 1000).

Alex activates Hieratic Dragon of Eset’s effect, making the levels of all Hieratic monsters on the field the same as a Dragon-type normal monster that he controls, choosing Hieratic Seal of the Dragon King (Lvl.: 5 -> 6). Alex overlays Dragon of Eset and Hieratic Seal of the Dragon King to xyz summon Hieratic Dragon King of Atum (ATK: 2400 DEF: 2100). As his life points are below 500, Alex overlays Jade Wyvern and Hieratic Dragon King of Atum to xyz summon Shining Platinum Dragon (ATK: 3500 DEF: 2500).

Alex activates Shining Platinum Dragon’s effect. By detaching all xyz materials from it, Alex can reveal the top cards of his deck equal to the number of xyz materials detached, and Shining Platinum Dragon gains 500 ATK for each Dragon-type monster revealed by this effect (6). The cards revealed are Hieratic Dragon of Sutekh, Dragunity Pilum, Dragon Ravine, Hieratic Seal of the Sun Dragon Overlord, Dragunity Arma Mystletainn, and Dragunity Partisan (5 x 500 = 2500, ATK: 3500 -> 6000).

Alex attacks Onyx Cerberus with Shining Platinum Dragon. Gilda attempts to activate Magical Arm Shield, but Tom activates Trap Reborn, paying half of his life points to activate a trap card from his opponent’s graveyard, choosing Trap Jammer, negating and destroying Magical Arm Shield.

Alex and Tom’s Life Points: 400 -> 200

The attack goes through.

Grant and Gilda’s Life Points: 4600 -> 1900

During the end phase, Shining Platinum Dragon’s ATK returns to normal (ATK: 6000 -> 3500).

Alex places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-400 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

Shining Platinum Dragon’s effect forced Grant onto his back on the ground, seemingly in a daze.

“Grant!” yelled Gilda running to his side. “Grant, what’s wrong?”

Grant then felt a prick in his heart, along with it an even more painful memory.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
................................................................................................................................................................
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Cont. from Gilda vs. Grant

Cont. from Gilda’s Turn: Gilda activates Creature Swap, switching control of her Onyx Cerberus (ATK: 3300 DEF: 2900) with Grant’s Grapha, Dragon Lord of Dark World (ATK: 2700 DEF: 1800).
_________________________________________________________________________________________

With control of Onyx Cerberus his, Grant felt darkness completely override him, and it felt like his heart and his head were on fire. Grant writhed and squirmed on the ground, praying for it to end.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
................................................................................................................................................................
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Grant’s body blasted a dark purple aura which knocked Gilda away from him. Grant screamed as a dark force took over his body, weakly getting up to face his opponents, his head hung low.

“Grant!” yelled Alex. “What’s wrong?”

Grant’s screaming stopped, but he replaced it with an evil snicker.

“I’m fine,” he gleefully responded. He then then tilted his head up, revealing his smiling, maniacally contorted face. “I can’t say the same about you, though!”

“Oh my god!” muttered Alex.

“Now,” shouted Grant, “I want your dragon!”

***************************************************
Grant’s Turn: Grant activates Dark World Dealings, having each player draw one card and then discard one. When Grapha, Dragon Lord of Dark World is discarded to the graveyard by a card effect, he can destroy one card on the field, choosing Number 32: Shark Drake. Grant then summons Ceruli, Guru of Dark World (ATK: 100 DEF: 300).

Grant special summons Grapha, Dragon Lord of Dark World by returning a Dark World monster that he controls to the hand, choosing Ceruli, Guru of Dark World (ATK: 2700 DEF: 1800). Grant activates Gift of the Martyr, sending a monster on his side of the field to the graveyard to increase the ATK of another monster that by the ATK of the sent monster, sending Ally of Justice Decisive Armor to the graveyard to increase Grapha, Dragon Lord of Dark World’s ATK by its ATK (ATK: 2700 -> 6000).

Grant attacks Shining Platinum Dragon with Grapha, Dragon Lord of Dark World, but Alex activates Iron Resolve, paying half of his life points to negate the battle damage.

Alex and Tom’s Life Points: 200 -> 100

Grant equips Amber Minotaur with Cursed Chains of Malice, reducing its ATK to 0 (ATK: 2400 -> 0) and negating its effects. Also, Tom cannot declare an attack while that card is equipped to Amber Minotaur. Lastly, Tom will take 500 points of damage during each of his end phases.

Grapha, Dragon Lord of Dark World’s ATK returns to normal with Gift of the Martyr’s effect (ATK: 6000 -> 2700).

Grant places two cards face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-1900 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

Grant laughed at his opponent’s predicament. Sarah tried to squirm free, but to no avail. There was no way she was going to keep from watching her two brothers be killed by this madman. Gilda even seemed frightened by Grant’s presence.

“What’s up?” asked Grant with an inhumanly wide smile. “Let’s see you fight your way out of this one!”

What can I do? thought Tom, staring back at his weakened comrade. Alex’s monster is destroyed and I can’t fight back. What the hell I supposed to do now?

Tom’s tears fell to the ground, feeling the desperate possibility that his sister wouldn’t be saved.

“SARAH!” he yelled at the top of his lungs!

Suddenly, a blinding glow came from Tom’s extra deck. Both Gilda and Grant were stunned by what they were seeing.

“No,” muttered Grant. “Impossible!”

Tom felt like he knew what was coming; he felt a similar feeling whenever Alex summoned Shining Platinum Dragon. Tom then looked at his Amber Minotaur, who surprised him by turning to him, smiling, and winking. Tom was now certain of what was to come, as told by the confident smile on his face.

***************************************************
Tom’s Turn: Tom activates his own Trap Stun, negating the effects of trap cards until the end phase. Tom activates his own Monster Reborn, special summoning Number 32: Shark Drake from his graveyard. Tom then activates Overlay Regenerate, attaching it as xyz material onto Amber Minotaur.

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

Amber Minotaur transformed into a bright, orange, and whispy aura while Number 32: Shark Drake turned into a blue aura. Both of them flew into Tom’s right fist, which was now swirling with orange and blue. Tom raised his fist into the air.

“I construct an overlay network with Amber Minotaur and Number 32: Shark Drake! Xyz summon!”

Tom threw the ball of light into the ground, where it morphed into a larger minotaur with golden armor and a golden axe.

“Come forth! Shining Golden Minotaur!”

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

Since Tom’s life points are below 500, Tom overlays Amber Minotaur and Number 32: Shark Drake to xyz summon Shining Golden Minotaur (ATK: 3400 DEF: 2400).

Tom activates Shining Golden Minotaur’s effect. By detaching all xyz materials from it (3), Tom can inflict 400 points of damage for each xyz material detached from it when it inflicts battle damage to the opponent.

Tom attacks Grapha, Dragon Lord of Dark World with Shining Golden Minotaur.

Grant and Gilda’s Life Points: 1900 -> 1200

With Shining Golden Minotaur’s effect, 400 points are inflicted for each xyz material detached (3 x 4 = 1200).

Grant and Gilda’s Life Points: 1200 -> 0

Alex and Tom win.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Gilda and Grant were blasted in a barrage of sparks caused by Shining Golden Minotaur’s final effect. Gilda and Grant laid motionless on the ground, fully weakened by the duel’s end.

The sparks that erupted from Shining Golden Minotaur’s effect showered the opposing side. Upon the sparks touching the cuffs that held Sarah and Jenny in place, they disappeared, causing Sarah and Jenny to fall to the floor. Tom and Alex were prepared though, and they caught them before they could hit the ground. Sarah looked at Tom, and then over his shoulder at his new monster. She then began to weep once again and threw her arms around Tom’s back. Tom rubbed hers affectionately.

“It’s okay,” he cooed. “You’re safe now.”

Jenny was still strong enough to walk to Tom and hug him and Sarah as well. Alex looked over at the three of them happily as the monster faded from the area, the duel being over. Alex and Tom then heard something from Gilda, causing everyone to turn their heads.

“Yeah,” she grunted through a headset. “They’re here. Come quickly.”

Gilda then looked at the four humans and laughed at them. Unbeknownst to Alex and his friends, a changeling whizzed by the broken door outside of the barn.

“You’re finished now,” she giggled.

Alex, Tom, Sarah, and Jenny turned around to see dozens, and then about a hundred changelings begin to encircle the barn outside, trapping them once more.

Chapter 42: Escape

The changelings formed a swirling wall outside the barn, preventing them from leaving. Alex, Tom, Sarah, and Jenny stood still, watching the chaos outside. Gilda began to laugh more, knowing that their chances of leaving were slim to none. The changelings continued to fly, awaiting for the arrival of their queen.

However, a bright collection of electrical volts rained from the sky, showering all of the changelings and zapping them. One by one, the changelings fell out of the sky like dead birds. They were still alive, but most were paralyzed. Alex, Tom, Sarah, and Jenny walked out to see all of the changelings scattered across the ground. Suddenly, a spotlight shone from the sky. Alex and the others looked up to see Zelda in her glider.

“Hey!” called Alex. “Did you do that?”

“Yes, I did!” she called. “Now hurry up, Chrysalis and Trixie will be here any–”

Gilda rammed into Zelda’s glider, having flown from the barn’s back door and blindsided her. Zelda was quick enough to flip her glider in the air enough times to throw Gilda off.

“GO!” she screamed just before she took another hit from Gilda.

Alex and Tom wasted no time in getting to their duel runners, which were still parked inside the barn. Alex put Jenny in the backseat while Tom put Sarah in his. Alex and Tom both gave Jenny and Sarah their own helmets.

“Don’t you need this?” asked Jenny to Alex.

“You need it more than I do!” he responded.

Tom and Alex started their engines and quickly rode away from the barn.

“Let’s split up!” said Tom. “If they want to duel us, they can take us one on one, but I don’t think I can handle another doubles.”

Alex wanted to protest, but in this case, Tom may have had a point. Now that they were on the road, any mistake could have caused any of them to crash their bikes into each other.

“Alright,” said Alex, “see you at home!”

Tom decided to cheat the law and take the nature trail all the way to Herrick Rd. where they’d try and hit as many backroads as possible to evade recognition. Alex and Sarah would try and hit as many of the busier streets south of them, where they’d hopefully not be targeted for attack to prevent civilian casualties. Both judgments would be wrong.

Tom continued down the gravel path as fast as his bike or the ever winding path would allow him. Thankfully, Tom and his father used to ride bikes there when he was a kid, leaving Tom’s memory of where they were going to be their biggest advantage. As Tom continued on, above them, Chrysalis flew with Trixie on her back. Trixie took notice at the headlight provided by Tom’s duel runner as it rode on. Trixie hopped off of Chrysalis, falling towards the ground. Using her magic, she made a silver disk appear from under her hooves and stuck to them. Trixie’s disk then pulled up, flying just above the ground. Trixie found Tom and made chase.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Chrysalis looked in the distance from the sky to see Alex and Jenny riding south on Naperville Rd. towards the Warrenville Rd. intersection. Chrysalis wasted no time to catch her prey.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Tom was at the last four way intersection of the path before he would come to the parking lot of the Herrick Lake parking lot. Taking a look in his rearview mirror, he found Trixie flying up right behind him.

“What the hell?” he blurted.

“Trixie won’t let you escape this time!” she exclaimed.

Tom had one cover to help him in his escape: the forest. The path between the intersection and the parking lot was laden in trees and flora. If Trixie was going to catch him, she would have to tail him through an area completely unknown to her. Tom grimaced, as it was his only shot.

Tom expertly stayed on the path, despite the gravel under his wheel forcing him to slide around during sharp turns. Trixie had harder luck. Being a stranger to the forest in the Herrick Nature Preserve, she grazed the trees that lined the edge of the path. However, Tom and Trixie came to a straight point in the path. Trixie felt comfortable to aim a spell at her target to immobilize him.

“I’ve got you now!” said Trixie to herself.

Tom turned right, continuing on the path. However, Trixie was so preoccupied with her spell, that she didn’t see the tree right in front of her. Trixie pulled away too late, and her silver disk clipped the trunk, causing her to fly off and onto the ground. Trixie knew better than to put her pain before her mission, so she conjured up another disk and flew back along the path.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Alex and Jenny were caught at the red light at Naperville/Warrenville. Alex was mildly hopping up and down on his seat, eager for the light to turn green. Jenny looked behind her to see the cars coming up from behind them. She saw a black shape in the sky that caused her a lot of dread.

“Alex!” she yelled at him, pointing to the shape.

Alex looked behind him to see Chrysalis darting towards the two of them. The light showed no signs of changing, and Chrysalis looked like she was out for blood. There was only one solution.

“Hold on!” yelled Alex.

He revved his duel runner up and accelerated across the intersection, doing his best to dodge the traffic darting from the left and right, while also going fast enough to try and keep Chrysalis from catching them. Alex and Jenny were fortunate enough to make it to the other side of the street and try and continue on.

Alex passed under the Ronald Reagan Memorial Highway and continued down Naperville. Just as he was about to pass the ramp to go to eastbound on the tollway, he saw that his handlebars had a green glow to them. They then began turning by themselves, directing the bike towards the highway ramp.

“You didn’t think you’d run away from me that easily, did you?” asked Chrysalis.

Alex grunted, having been pulled into her trap.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Tom exited the gravel path and found himself on the firm asphalt. With the space given to him by Trixie’s blunder, he had a bit more of a lead. As Tom zoomed through the parking lot, he couldn’t help but notice Carolyn’s van parked in one of the spaces. Tom disregarded this and continued going. Tom was shocked to see the van turn its lights on and speed off behind Tom. Tom turned onto the street with the van behind him. Trixie took notice of this.

“No!” she shouted. “They’re mine!”

Trixie followed the van that was following Tom. Trixie charged up magic in her horn to knock the van out of the way. As she shot it, the magic bolt aiming for its target, the back doors of the van opened up, revealing Twilight and Rainbow Dash.

Twilight countered Trixie’s spell with a magical barrier, neutralizing the bolt. Twilight then launched a blue spell with red swirls in it. Trixie attempted to block the attack with her disk, but found that it had shattered upon the spell’s collision, knocking Trixie to the side of the road. The red swirls then enveloped Trixie, stunning her movement and preventing the use of her magic. With Trixie finished, the blue unicorn was pulled into a portal, seething as she disappeared.

Rainbow Dash flew from the back of the van and up next to Tom and Sarah.

“Don’t worry about them,” she assured her friends, “she won’t be bothering you anymore.”

“Rainbow!” yelled Tom, delighted at her presence. “So that WAS Carolyn’s van. Wait, who’s driving?”

Tom looked behind her to see Claude in the drivers seat, giving him a salute upon his recognition.

“Where did he come from?”

“You see,” explained Rainbow, “when you guys left, Carolyn called Claude for him to help you guys, and here we are.”

“Anyone else?”

“Twilight took care of Trixie, so you should be all good!”

“Not quite.”

“What? What else?”

“Zelda’s fighting Gilda about three miles east of here. She needs your help.”

“You got it!”

Rainbow Dash departed and whooshed off to help Zelda. Tom and Sarah continued to ride safely with Claude and Twilight behind him as they all drove back to Tom’s house.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Grant continued to lie motionlessly inside the barn. It was as if he was bereft of life, if not, losing it quickly. Rae walked up to him, appearing seemingly out of nowhere. She knelt down and put his hand over his heart.

“Oh my,” she said, “he’s losing it quickly. No matter.”

Rae picked up Grant and hung his arms over her shoulder.

“I guess I’ll just have to fix you up again.”

Rae and Grant then disappeared in another portal that appeared behind them.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Alex and Jenny rode down the highway avoiding any traffic that got in their way. Chrysalis continued to chase them, cackling as she went on.

“What are you going to do?” asked Jenny.

“My last resort!” answered Alex, pushing the button on his duel runner. “Speed World 2, set on!”

“Duel detected,” called an electronic voice.

As the holographic auras surrounded the area, Alex moved into the two empty, far right lanes which were reserved for riding duels.

“Interesting,” stated Chrysalis. “Alright, I accept your challenge!”

Chrysalis’ wrist dealer and “zone-wings” appeared on her. Alex formed his own wrist dealer into its riding duel mode.

“Watch out,” said Jenny, “she’s very powerful.”

“I know,” said Alex.

“You won’t escape!” shouted Chrysalis.

“I can sure try!”

Alex and Chrysalis drew five cards from their decks. Chrysalis levitated her hand in front of her face while Alex slipped his onto his wrist dealer.

“DUEL!” they both yelled.

Alex vs. Queen Chrysalis

Alex’s Turn: A:1 C:0 – Alex places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-5 Life-4000 Monsters-0 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

Gilda continued to fight Zelda above the Danada House grounds. Zelda dodged Gilda’s numerous attacks as best as she could, but even she knew that it would be a matter of time before Gilda actually landed one. Sure enough, Gilda caught Zelda’s glider and began to pull it down towards the ground.

“I’ve got you now little birdie!” chirped Gilda.

As Zelda struggled to break free, Gilda felt a force drive into her, knocking her away from Zelda. She was shocked to see a familiar rainbow mane attached to the body pushing her off.

“Rainbow!” yelled Gilda.

Rainbow Dash turned around and bucked Gilda even farther away.

“Zelda!” called Rainbow. “Go find Alex! I’m sure he needs your help!”

Rainbow Dash was tackled by Gilda, leaving them to wrestle in the air. Zelda wanted nothing more than to help, but with her array of weapons that would harm both Gilda and Rainbow Dash in their brawl along with her bulky machine, she knew she was of no use for those two.

“Find me Alex’s bike!” said Zelda in the open air.

The lenses of her goggles showed a map pinpointing Alex’s current location on the highway. Wasting no time, she sped away to support her friend.

***************************************************
Chrysalis’ Turn: A:1 C:1 – Chrysalis summons Evilswarm Castor (ATK: 1750 DEF: 550). When Evilswarm Castor is normal summoned, Chrysalis can normal summon once more this turn, summoning Evilswarm Ketos (ATK: 1750 DEF: 1050). Chrysalis activates Evilswarm Ketos’ effect, tributing it to destroy one spell or trap card on the field, choosing Alex’s face down card.

Chrysalis attacks Alex directly with Evilswarm Castor.

Alex’s Life Points: 4000 -> 2250

Chrysalis places two cards face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-4000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

Gilda and Rainbow Dash continued to fight, exchanging blow after blow in the air. Rainbow’s strong legs and arms provided heavy kicks and punches to Gilda’s body. Gilda’s talons and claws scratched and cut at Rainbow’s skin. They were easily in a stalemate at this point.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Alex and Jenny were still recuperating from Chrysalis’ direct attack. They didn’t know how long the duel would last but they had hoped that they’d go no farther than Lombard. Alex knew that Chrysalis was strong; she did beat Jenny after all. However, he resolved that he had to remain stronger.

Alex then saw Zelda’s glider appear from the North and headed towards them.

“Zelda!” called Alex.

“How are you doing?” asked Zelda.

“Very poorly, traitor,” answered Chrysalis.

“Tis only a scratch,” grunted Alex. “Now, let me show you a flesh wound!”

***************************************************
Alex’s Turn: A:2 C:2 – Alex activates the speed spell Angel Baton, drawing two cards and discarding one when he has two or more speed counters. Alex special summons Hieratic Dragon of Tefnuit from his hand, as he controls no monsters while his opponent controls one (ATK: 2100 DEF: 1400). Alex then normal summons Dragunity Partisan (ATK: 800 DEF: 1200). When Dragunity Partisan is normal summoned, Alex can special summon a Winged Beast-type Dragunity monster and equip it with Dragunity Partisan, choosing Dragunity Militum (ATK: 1700 DEF: 1200).

Alex activates Dragunity Militum’s effect, special summoning a Dragunity monster from his spell/trap zone, choosing Dragunity Partisan. Alex tunes Dragunity Militum with Dragunity Partisan to synchro summon Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana (ATK: 1900 DEF: 1200). When Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana is synchro summoned, Alex can equip one level 3 or lower Dragon-type Dragunity monster to it from his graveyard, choosing Dragunity Aklys. Alex activates Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana’s effect, sending a card equipped to it to the graveyard to double its ATK until the end phase (ATK: 1900 -> 3800). When Dragunity Aklys is sent to the graveyard while equipped to a monster, Alex can destroy one card on the field, choosing one of Chrysalis’ face down cards.

Alex attacks Evilswarm Castor with Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana, but Chrysalis activates Half Unbreak, preventing Evilswarm Castor’s destruction and halving the battle damage this turn.

Chrysalis’ Life Points: 4000 -> 2975

Alex attacks Evilswarm Castor with Hieratic Dragon of Tefnuit.

Chrysalis’ Life Points: 2975 -> 2800

Alex overlays Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana and Hieratic Dragon of Tefnuit to xyz summon Jade Wyvern (ATK: 2500 DEF: 2100).

Alex places two cards face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-2250 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

“Gilda!” yelled Rainbow Dash to Gilda as the fought. “What happened to you?”

“You should know!” growled Gilda. “You were my friend after all!”

“I know! We were friends! What happened?”

“You tossed me aside for those other lame-o ponies.”

“From the looks of it, those you treated those lame-o’s very badly!”

“They deserved it! And they deserve the fate that’s coming to them when we claim the Stones of Equus!”

“Then you definitely deserve this!”

Rainbow Dash flew fast enough to produce a cone around her right hoof, which was held out in front of her body. Gilda attempted to deflect the attack, but upon contact with her stomach, bolts of white light came from Rainbow Dash’s hoof, stunning Gilda as she fell into the ground. Before she could even hit the ground, a portal came and made her disappear. Rainbow Dash, panting over the effects of her battle, went to fly back to the Emmitt’s house before the adrenaline wore off.

***************************************************
Chrysalis’ Turn: A:3 C:3 – Chrysalis summons Evilswarm Hraesvelg (ATK: 1150 DEF: 1850). Chrysalis overlays Evilswarm Hraesvelg and Evilswarm Castor to xyz summon Evilswarm Bahamut (ATK: 2350 DEF: 1350). Chrysalis activates Evilswarm Bahamut’s effect. By detaching one xyz material from it and discarding an Lswarm monster, she can take control of one monster her opponent controls, choosing Jade Wyvern.

Chrysalis attacks Alex directly with Jade Wyvern, but Alex activates Call of the Haunted, special summoning a monster from his graveyard in attack position, choosing Dragunity Militum. Chrysalis attacks Dragunity Militum with Jade Wyvern.

Alex’s Life Points: 2250 -> 1450

Alex activates Card of Last Will, drawing five cards when a monster he controls is destroyed by battle. Chrysalis attacks Alex directly with Evilswarm Bahamut, but Alex activates The High Priestess’ Staff from his hand, negating the attack, ending the battle phase, and inflicting 500 points of damage to Chrysalis.

Chrysalis’ Life Points: 2800 -> 2300

Chrysalis ends her turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-2300 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

“Hang in there, Alex!” called Zelda.

“You assume that I’m in trouble!” joked Alex.

“Quit kidding around!” yelled Chrysalis. “Your life points are rapidly depleting while mine stay mostly intact. Plus, I have control of your Stone of Equus. You’re in no position to make jokes!”

“I think I am when I can potentially wipe out your field!”

“What?”

***************************************************
Alex’s Turn: A:4 C:4 – Alex activates the speed spell Xyz Treasure, drawing cards equal to the number of xyz monsters on the field when he has four or more speed counters (2). Alex then activates the speed spell Dyxz, returning one xyz monster to the extra deck and special summoning the xyz materials attached to it when he has four or more speed counters, special summoning Hieratic Dragon of Tefnuit and Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana to Chrysalis’ side of the field.

Next, he activates the speed spell Synchro Defuse, taking control of one synchro monster that the opponent controls until the end phase, choosing Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana. Alex then sends Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana to the graveyard to special summon Dragunity Arma Mystletainn (ATK: 2100 DEF: 1500). When Dragunity Arma Mystletainn is special summoned from the hand, Alex can equip a Dragon-type Dragunity monster from his graveyard onto it, choosing Dragunity Aklys.

Alex normal summons Hieratic Dragon of Gebeb (ATK: 1800 DEF: 400). Alex then activates the speed spell Lightning Rod, destroying one card he controls, choosing Dragunity Aklys. Since Dragunity Aklys was sent to the graveyard while equipped to a monster, Alex can destroy one card on the field, choosing Evilswarm Bahamut.

Alex attacks Hieratic Dragon of Tefnuit with Dragunity Arma Mystletainn. Since both monsters have equal ATKs, they are both destroyed. Alex attacks Chrysalis directly with Hieratic Dragon of Gebeb.

Chrysalis' Life Points: 2300 -> 500

Alex places two cards face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-1450 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

“Clever,” spoke Chrysalis.

***************************************************
Chrysalis’ Turn: A:5 C:5 – Chrysalis special summons Evilswarm Mandragora, as her opponent controls more monsters than she does (ATK: 1550 DEF: 1450). Chrysalis tributes Evilswarm Mandragora to normal summon Evilswarm Coppélial (ATK: 2450 DEF: 2050).

Chrysalis attacks Hieratic Dragon of Gebeb with Evilswarm Coppélial, but Alex activates Defense Draw, reducing the battle damage to 0 and drawing one card.

Chrysalis ends her turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-500 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

Alex’s Turn: A:6 C: 6 – Alex activates the speed spell Shift Down, removing six speed counters (SpC.: 6 -> 0) to draw two cards. Alex special summons another Hieratic Dragon of Tefnuit with its effect. Next, Alex activates his face down Immortal Dragon, special summoning Dragunity Arma Mystletainn from his graveyard. Alex overlays Dragunity Arma Mystletainn and Hieratic Dragon of Tefnuit to xyz summon Jade Wyvern.

Alex attacks Evilswarm Coppélial with Jade Wyvern.

Chrysalis’ Life Points: 500 -> 450

When Evilswarm Coppélial is sent to the graveyard by battle with an opponent’s monster, Chrysalis can take control of one monster that Alex controls until her next end phase, choosing Jade Wyvern.

Alex places two cards face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-1450 Monsters-0 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

“Alex!” yelled Jennny, “Why did you do that? Now she has control of Jade Wyvern again!”

“I know,” said Alex. “She has one turn to take me down. I’ll bet that she won’t.”

“We’ll see about that, human!” spoke Chrysalis.

***************************************************
Chrysalis’ Turn: A:1 C:7 – Chrysalis attacks Alex directly with Jade Wyvern, but Alex activates Damage Diet, halving the damage he takes this turn.

Alex’s Life Points: 1450 -> 200

Chrysalis activates Speed World 2’s effect. By removing four speed counters (SpC.: 7 -> 3), she can inflict 800 points of damage for each speed spell in her hand. She has one. Alex, however, activates Trap of Board Eraser, negating the effect damage and having her discard one card from her hand.

During her end phase, Alex regains control of Jade Wyvern.

Chrysalis ends her turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-450 Monsters-0 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

“NO!” shrieked the changeling queen. “IMPOSSIBLE!”

***************************************************
Alex’s Turn: A:2 C:4 – Alex attacks Chrysalis directly with Jade Wyvern.

Chrysalis’ Life Points: 450 -> 0

Alex wins.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Chrysalis was blasted from the highway and into a dirty slope that lined the road. As her body writhed in pain, a portal came to take her away.

Alex, Jenny, and Zelda continued to ride into the Highland Ave. exit, where they would take the highway back home going westbound. Once they got on, Alex dialed a number into the touchscreen of his duel runner.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Tom, Sarah, Twilight, Rainbow Dash, and Claude had made it back to the Emmitts’ safely. Thomas and Carolyn were crying as they hugged their daughter. Twilight and the other ponies sat next to Tom, comforting him on the long day he and his friends went through. Lisa, despite being happy for Sarah’s return, was still nervous about Jenny. Kyle stood in the corner of the living room, patiently waiting. Suddenly, he saw from his laptop that Alex was calling him via Skype on his duel runner. Tom rushed to his computer see whatever news there was, answering the call.

“Hello,” Tom answered.

“Tom,” spoke Alex. “I defeated Chrysalis. She’s done. Jenny, Zelda, and I are safe, and we’re coming home.”

Alex looked happy as he watched everyone inside the house cheer for the happy news. Kyle was a bit more nonchalant, but his smile was enough for Alex.

“Hey,” spoke Sarah, putting her face in front of the camera, “I haven’t had dinner yet. Come to think of it, I don’t think any of us have. You mind picking us up some food on the way home? I’m sure Mom will pay you back.”

“You got it. Bye.”

“See you when you get home!”

Alex hung up the phone. Alex, Jenny, and Zelda continued to ride on through the highway until they made it to their next appropriate exit.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Gilda woke up on her bed sore and aching. In the dark room, she saw others in their beds sound asleep: Chrysalis, Grant, Flim, Flam, and Trixie, a faint white aura outlining their bodies. Kyle’s bed was empty.

“You shouldn’t wake up so early,” spoke Rae, emerging from the darkness of the room. “You need to be completely unconscious for the healing to work.”

“I’m sorry,” said Gilda. “It’s just about Grant. How is he?”

“Him? Yes, the curse almost killed him this time. However, I was able to save him.”

“That’s good.”

“Also, I notice that Kyle hasn’t returned yet. Do you know what happened?”

“I can’t say I do. The last time I saw him was… wait.”
_________________________________________________________________________________________
................................................................................................................................................................
_________________________________________________________________________________________

“How did you find us?” yelled Gilda.

“Shot in the dark,” said Alex.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
................................................................................................................................................................
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Gilda, began to piece the puzzle together, until her eyes grew narrow in realization.

“No…” she muttered.

“What’s, "No."”

“There was no way that Alex or Tom could have found us so easily like that AND bypass Trixie and Chrysalis. Someone had to have led them there.”

“Are you suggesting that Kyle has abandoned me?”

“I don’t see any other sensible situation.”

Rae contemplated this in her head as well. She finally came to terms that Gilda was right, as told by the limp falling of her arms to her sides.

“Thank you, Gilda. You may rest now.”

“Thank you ma’am.”

As Gilda laid into her bed to go to sleep, Rae walked to the exit doors, which remained closed. With a forceful push, Gilda cleared both doors from their hinges, walking through the gap that she created to her office. Not a single creature stirred from their beds inside the room.

“Looks like we’ll be VERY busy tomorrow night,” she seethed.

Chapter 43: Secret

Friday, June 1st, 2012

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Alex didn’t want to wake up. His body was sore from last night’s events and getting up would prove to be painful. Of course, with Twilight sleeping soundly next to him, he felt he had enough energy to gently pet her mane, being careful not to wake her up. Then, for the strangest reason, he began to remember Spike, Twilight’s dragon companion. He had come with Shining Armor and Cadance and then left when they were sent back to Canterlot, almost as if he had vanished.

Upon looking in the place where Spike had slept (a basket in the middle of the floor), he set his eyes for the clock. It said 8:30. With as late in the morning as it was, Alex felt compelled to get up, despite his tired bones telling him otherwise. Alex was sure to make sure that Twilight was still asleep and that he wouldn’t wake her. However, his stirring was too much, and he saw as her eyes fluttered awake. Alex couldn’t help but be taken in over how cute that was.

“Ah,” she yawned, “good morning, Alex. Do you know what time it is?”

“8:30.”

“8:30? Oh, dear! That’s far too late! I have to get breakfast, and…”

Twilight was already rushing down the stairs to the kitchen, prompting Alex to follow her.

“You know,” said Alex, “we don’t have anything to do today. You don’t have to rush!”

“But Alex, I eat my breakfast at promptly 7:45! Do you know what that could do to my metabolism?”

Alex then saw a stirring from the living room couch. Kyle sat up and looked at both Alex and Twilight.

“Is this how you normally do wake ups in this house?” asked Kyle, irritated.

“I’m sorry, Kyle,” said Alex. “I forgot you were here.”

“Hmph,” said Kyle. “No biggie, then.”

“Good morning, Kyle,” greeted Twilight.

“Hello, Twilight,” responded Kyle. “What’s on the menu for breakfast?”

“We have some eggs,” answered Alex. “Will eggs work?”

“Eggs will be fine.”

Twilight began to heat up a frying pan and set the eggs next to her. As Twilight was adding butter to the pan, Alex heard a knock at the door.

“Huh?” he exclaimed. “Who would be knocking at this time of day.

Alex went to open the door, and upon finding out who it was, he almost stumbled backwards onto his rump. Princess Celestia and Princess Luna were standing right there at his doorstep.

“Princess Celestia,” spoke Alex as humbly as he could given his shock, “such an honor!”

“Princess Celestia?” asked Twilight, rushing to the door. Sure enough, to Twilight’s surprise, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna were right there. “Princess Celestia!”

Twilight ran to her mentor, nuzzling her head into her chest while Celestia nuzzled her body with the bottom of her chin.
“Twilight!” exclaimed Celestia. “It’s so good to see you.”

“Hey,” called a familiar voice, “don’t forget me!”

Twilight looked to find Spike standing there in between both alicorns.

“Spike!” chirped Twilight, getting a hug from her baby dragon.

“Doesn’t anypony care about others sleep?” yelled Rainbow Dash, poking her head out of Tom’s bedroom door. Upon hearing her voice, the other ponies got up and left their respective bedrooms, to see who was there. They were just as surprised to see that both princesses arrived. They all quickly made their way downstairs and bowed to their ruler.

“What’s happening?” asked Tom, weary from the previous night. Thomas, Carolyn, and Sarah also came out to see who it was. As soon as they saw both princesses, everyone else became as awake as anyone should be.

Tom rushed into the shower while Thomas and Carolyn went to formally greet their guests.

“It’s an honor for you to be here,” spoke Carolyn. “Would you like me to make you something to eat?”

“That’s quite alright, Mrs. Emmitt. I have had breakfast before I arrived.”

“How about some tea?”

“If you insist.” Princess Celestia sniffed the air. “What smells like something is burning?”

“Oh, the butter!” yelled Twilight.

She rushed to the pan with the blackened butter burning inside of it and threw it in the sink and dousing it with water, all to the laughter of everyone except for Carolyn.

“Oh, my good pan!” she cried.

She rushed to the pan to find that the butter did not scorch the pan too badly.

“What were you even trying to do?” asked Carolyn.

“I was making some eggs for Alex and Kyle.”

“Kyle?” wondered Spike. He then glanced at the living room to see Kyle standing there, waving at him. “AH! Kyle! Don’t let him hurt me!” Spike ran to Twilight and hugged her leg.

“Kyle?” stammered a frightened Pinkie Pie. She then screamed and hid in the cupboard.

“What is the meaning of this?” asked Luna aggressively.

“Spike, Celestia, Luna,” spoke Twilight, “Kyle has defected from Rae’s side; he’s on ours now.”

“Do you believe that?” asked Celestia.

“He told a pretty convincing story,” said Applejack. “There didn’t seem to be any fibbing in it if I saw it.”

“In that case, I formally apologize, Kyle.”

“Not a problem. I’m still getting used to the changes myself.”

Kyle’s stomach began to groan.

“I’ll get breakfast going,” said Carolyn, cleaning the pan Twilight used.

Celestia walked over to Alex to address him.

“Alexander,” she spoke, “I don’t suppose you could bring your other friends with you? I need to make an announcement.”

“No problem,” he answered. He then rushed upstairs to get his phone.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Alex opened the door to allow John in.

“Thanks for coming,” said Alex.

“Are you joking?” asked John. “I wouldn’t miss attending a meeting with the princesses of Equestria for the world.”

“Excellent. Take a seat on the couch.”

John did what he was told. Claude, Reese, Emma, Jenny, Lisa, and Zelda were also over, and with John’s arrival, everyone was there. Alex made his way to the living room where everyone was waiting to hear Celestia’s announcement. Once Celestia and Luna accounted for everyone, they both stepped up to allow everyone to give them their undivided attention.

“Thank you everypony for attending,” Celestia began, taking sips of her cup of tea periodically. “If you need a reason as to why I’m here on Earth, you only need to look into the past. Kyle, in his past alliance to Rae, had injured three of you, two of those injuries almost being fatal.”

Kyle looked away and sighed in deep shame.

“Next, Grant had come to your house, defeated and injured my niece and nephew-in-law, and broke into your house. Then, just yesterday, Queen Chrysalis had kidnapped both Sarah and Jenny, leaving Alex and Tom to risk their lives twice to save them.”

“I still don’t understand,” said Twilight. “What does this have to do with you?”

“I’m glad you asked, my faithful student. With the stakes as high as they’ve become, I’m certain that Rae and her army will only raise them higher, and could only fathom what that entails for all of you. That is why, as of this very moment, Luna and I will initiate a personal guardianship of you all, with us being your guardians.”

“What?” yelled the ponies in unison.

“But, what about Canterlot?” asked Rarity.

“Or Equestria?” butted in Rainbow Dash.

“Who shall rule it in your stead?”

“As far as we’ve known, no attacks have been made to any Equestrian over the month that we’ve entered your lives, so I held my complete faith in Shining Armor and Princess Cadance as temporary rulers of Equestria.”

“What about the sun or the moon? Who’s gonna’ raise them?” asked Applejack.

“I daresay that that has been one of the more troubling aspects of arriving here. Ever since we came here, it seems that the sun and the moon function by themselves. This unnatural occurrence has disturbed my sister and I greatly.”

“I see,” said Twilight. “I guess the only problem that remains is, knowing the game of Duel Monsters.”

“You don’t need to concern yourself with that, Twilight. I have watched many of you and your friends duels over the course of our time here. Plus, Shining Armor and Cadance have also been great teachers.”

Reese couldn’t help but smile over that statement, feeling somewhat responsible for their prowess.

“All that we need is a deck. Jonathan, I’m more than certain you can be of assistance.”

“You can count on me, your majesty!” chirped John. “I’ll go right away!”

“That’s great to hear.”

With that, John left to go to his shop, eager to get a deck for each of the princesses. Celestia magically lifted her cup to her lips, only to find the cup empty.

“Do you need more tea, dear?” asked Carolyn.

“That would be splendid. Thank you.”
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Within a half an hour, John had constructed a deck for each of the princesses and returned to the Emmitt house, eager to show Celestia and Luna their new arsenal.

“Very good, young colt,” spoke Luna, “let us see what cards you have chosen for my sister and I!”

“Alright,” explained John, fanning through one of the decks. “For Celestia, I got her a Constellar deck, which is great for xyz summoning and swarming.”

“Hmm,” observed Celestia, “I very much admire the sun design on the xyz monsters. Very fitting. I think you’ve picked a fine deck for me, Jonathan.”

“Thank you, your majesty,” answered John with a bow.

“And I?” asked Luna.

“You,” said John, going through her deck. “Your deck can be a bit tricky, but something in me tells you you’re a natural at games. This is an Infernity deck. These monsters’ effects activate when you have no cards in your hand, and they’re pretty devastating to say the least.”

“Yes!” shouted Luna in glee. “These creatures shall be an admirable asset to me! This deck pleases me, Jonathan!”

“I aim to please, your majesty.”

“Please,” giggled Celestia, “just call us by our names. It feels very unbecoming.”

“Of course, yo… Celestia.”

Princess Celestia couldn’t help but giggle some more at John’s devoted attitude towards her and her sister.

“Now,” said John, “let’s see if you’re any good with them.”

Celestia smirked at the thought of a challenge.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Celestia stood before John, ready to duel. Everyone else watched, sitting around them like a campfire. Carolyn and Thomas however, watched from inside the house through the dining room window.

“Being that you technically introduced me formally to Duel Monsters,” said Celestia, “I’d think it would be fitting if you would be the one to be my first duelist.”

“It would be an honor, Celestia,” spoke John. “Enough talk. Let’s get going!”

John constructed his D-Pad onto his arm, allowing the zones to unsheathe from the tablet. Celestia’s horn glowed white, causing a silvery aura to rush from her horn, forming into a wide sheet in front of her. Then, fourteen gold, rectangular spaces magically appeared on the aura. Celestia placed her deck on the lower right hand space while setting some cards face down in the lower left hand space.

“Interesting,” spoke Alex. “She’s old-fashioned.”

John and Celestia drew five cards from their decks.

“DUEL!” they yelled.

As everyone watched the duel, Emma couldn’t help but take her eyes off of Kyle. Despite what she saw of him for the past month, she saw him in a different light now. And to her, it all felt very familiar…

Emma crawled over to Kyle, trying her best not to be an intrusion to the other onlookers.

“Hey,” said Emma to Kyle.

“Hey,” he said back. “What are you doing here? Wouldn’t you rather sit with Reese?”

“Listen, about that. You know that’s all water under the bridge, right?”

“Yes, under the bridge.”

Emma watched the duel for a little bit. It was Celestia’s first turn and she already summoned an xyz monster.

“John really picked a good deck, didn’t she?” asked Emma.

“Yes,” answered Kyle. “He did.”

“Who do you think is going to win?”

“The Constellars are a powerful archetype, but John handles his deck very well. It could be anyone’s duel.”

“Really? You think even the novice can win?”

“Look!” shouted Kyle. “I thought that was all under the bridge!”

“Relax!” assured Emma. “I’m just kidding around.”

“You know, kidding around with me is partially why your brother hated me as much as he did.”

Emma then turned to face Kyle.

“On a serious note, it was your inability to control your temper that caused my brother to hate you. I just pulled a prank on you, nothing more.”

“Speaking of,” said Kyle, “what did you do that to me for anyways?”

Emma was now unsure of how to answer that.

“Well… you see… I…”

Kyle, who tried to read Emma’s eyes then looked at her cheeks, which were blushing red. It gave Kyle all he needed to know.

“No… You? Me?”

“Yes,” admitted Emma her voice with as much shame in her voice as there was redness in her face. “I had a crush on you when we were younger. Are you happy now?”

Kyle didn’t know how to respond. With his troubled life, he never had the opportunity to have a girl talk to him like that.

“I don’t understand. I thought you cared for your brother more than me.”

“What? Ew, you’re sick!”

“Hehehe,” sarcastically laughed Kyle. “Not like that. I mean, you never seemed to care for me either way. Whenever you watched us duel, I always saw you looking at Reese.”

“Well, A: he’s my brother; I'll always support him. And B: I could always catch you before you looked at me, so I turned back towards Reese. I certainly couldn’t let my friends know that I had a crush on the popular kid in school, mainly because they were all ogling you too.”

Kyle couldn’t help but giggle at that.

“In fact, the whole prank was a way to egg you on so that I’d be the one girl you’d notice.”

“Turns out that you got noticed in a way you never intended.”

“Now who’s talking about ‘under the bridge!’”

“Alright, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have brought it up.”

Emma looked sullen for a bit, then snickered a bit. Kyle joined her in the laugh, trying his best to keep up with her sense of humor.

“Next,” called John his duel continuing, “I construct the overlay network with Blackwing – Gale the Whirlwind, Blackwing – Gladius the Midnight Sun, and Shire, Lightsworn Spirit! Xyz summon! Be born, Lapis Lazuli Roc!”

As John’s ace monster appeared, Emma and Kyle refocused their attention on the duel. As they continued to watch, Kyle slipped his hand over Emma’s. At first, she was shocked that he would doo such a thing, but realizing that it was Kyle’s hand touching her, she felt warm and happier. With Kyle’s hand upon Emma’s, the two kept on watching the duel between John and Celestia.

Cont. from Celestia vs. John

Cont. from John’s Turn: John attacks Celestia’s Constellar Hyades (ATK: 1900 DEF: 1100) with his Lapis Lazuli Roc, but Celestia activates Attack Invulnerability, preventing her monster’s destruction. Battle damage is still calculated.

Celestia’s Life Points: 400 -> 100

John places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-1100 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1

***************************************************

Celestia’s Turn: Celestia overlays Constellar Hyades to xyz summon Constellar Ptolemys Messier 7 (ATK: 2700 DEF: 2000). Celestia activates the effect of her Constellar Star Chart, drawing a card when a Constellar xyz monster is special summoned onto her field. Celestia then activates Mystical Space Typhoon, destroying John’s face down card.

Celestia attacks Lapis Lazuli Roc with Constellar Ptolemys Messier 7.

John’s Life Points: 1100 -> 600

Celestia then activates the quick-play spell Dxyz, returning an xyz monster to the extra deck and special summoning the xyz materials attached to it, returning Constellar Ptolemys Messier 7 and special summoning Constellar Hyades. Celestia attacks John directly with Constellar Hyades.

John’s Life Points: 600 -> 0

Celestia wins.
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John quickly got up. Being that the duel was mostly fun and light-hearted in nature, Celestia’s attacks didn’t phase John too badly.

“I’d say you’re ready,” complimented John.

“I certainly feel ready,” said Celestia as she left her spot.

“Rest dear sister!” called Luna from the sideline, taking her sister’s place. “It is now my time to honor our Equestrian legacy with a duel from one of these expert duelists! Anyone who dares challenge me, step forward now!”

Kyle immediately got up and walked where Luna was standing.

“What are you doing?” asked Emma.

“If she wants to duel anyone for the sake of our safety,” answered Kyle, “why not duel someone who formally fought for the sake of your defeat.”

Emma smiled, knowing that she was about to witness a wonderful duel.

“Good luck,” said John, patting Kyle on the shoulder as he went to take a seat in the empty spot Kyle left.

Luna and Kyle stood apart from one another. Kyle’s D-Pad appeared in its normal plume of flame while Luna’s playing field appeared in a similar manner to Celestia’s, although her aura was a dark blue with lavender colored zones. After Luna placed her deck on her lower right zone, both players drew five cards from their decks.

"DUEL!" they cried.

Chapter 44: Abduction

Grant woke up in his bed. Upon looking around him, he found that the beds next to them were empty as well. Grant then put his hand over his heart, remembering the terrible pain from the night before. As he looked down at his hand, a voice broke the silence.

“How are you feeling?” asked Rae.

Grant looked up to see Rae standing there in front of his bed.

“You bitch!” yelled Grant.

Grant leapt out of bed and put his hands around Rae’s neck. Rae didn’t even flinch or move as Grant lifted her off the ground while he choked her. It was almost as if her smiling mask was taunting him even more.

“How much?!?” he demanded. “How much more pain do I have to go through until you’re satisfied?!?”

“If all goes well, we’ll only need tonight,” said Rae in a completely normal voice, despite the fact that Rae’s throat should have been crushed by Grant’s forceful grip.

“What?” exclaimed Grant, putting Rae back down.

“I just discovered from Gilda, who did a flyby of the Emmitt’s house, that the princesses of Equestria, Celestia and Luna, have arrived on Earth. Gilda supposedly watched Luna duel with Kyle. If I’m correct, and I have no reason to doubt myself, it seems that the princesses have come to join the fight as well.”

“What does that mean?”

“Before Equestria came to Earth, Celestia and Luna raised the sun and the moon, respectively, for its inhabitants, bringing light and darkness.”

Grant had never heard of this before, and he could already tell what Rae was getting at.

“Do you have any idea how powerful that kind of magic is?” continued Rae. “If we can capture one of the princesses, the other will come for the other’s rescue. If we can absorb their magic, we can combine that with the magic of the Stone of Equus cards that we do have and have enough energy to destroy Equestria.”

Grant remained still. He didn’t know whether to be elated or terrified.

“And then,” said Rae, putting the palms of her hands on Grant’s cheeks, “you’ll be free of Onyx Cerberus’ curse.”

With that statement, Grant felt like he could take a sigh of relief, but it was short lived.

“How do you expect me to capture one of the princesses? If I try to go for one, the other will come to protect her. Plus, I’m sure Alex or Tom will try to go for me as well. I don’t think I need to go over what Tom was able to do last night.”

“No,” answered Rae, “you don’t. It’s okay though; I have this whole thing planned.”

“Alright. Lay it on me.”
_________________________________________________________________________________________

It was beginning to be close to sunset at the Emmitt house. Celestia dutifully watched as much of the neighborhood as she could from the front of the house. Celestia however smiled, knowing that she could finally relax and let her sister take over her post for the night like she would do back in Equestria. Sure enough, Luna walked outside from the front door, her presence making herself known to her sister.

“Anything, dear sister?” asked Luna.

“Nothing that I could see,” answered Celestia.

“Let’s hope the night fares just as well.”

“Yes, let’s. Thank you, Luna.”

“Please, rest sister. You’ve had a busy day today.”

Celestia began to walk inside when she stopped halfway into the house.

“Luna,” she said, “do you think you can handle this?”

“Of course! I was able to beat Kyle pretty easily. How much harder can it get from there?”

Celestia smiled at Luna’s confidence.

“Very well. Good night, Luna.”

“Good night, ‘Tia.”

Luna watched as her sister fully walked inside the house and closed the door behind her. Luna then resumed what Celestia had done before her: observe the neighborhood with watchful eyes.

Celestia headed towards the living room, walking past Twilight, who was standing at the stairs.

“Where you will sleep, Celestia?” she asked.

“If it’s not too much trouble, I’ll take the couch. Thank you for your concern.”

“But of course. I couldn’t imagine what would happen if something happened to you.”

“You don’t need to concern yourself, my faithful student. I’m certain Luna will protect us just like she did back in Equestria.”
“Yes. What was I thinking? Have a pleasant sleep, Princess Celestia.”

“Good night, Twilight.”

Twilight headed back upstairs while Celestia climbed onto the couch, ready to take a peaceful night’s slumber. As Twilight reached the top of the stairs, she caught Kyle as he walked down with a comforter in his hand.

Kyle watched Celestia as she nuzzled herself onto the couch, trying to be as comfortable as possible. Once she rested her head upon one of the couch pillows, she felt a soft cloth be pulled over her body. She immediately looked up to see Kyle with the covers in his hand.

“Well, aren’t you sweet?” spoke Celestia.

“I only wish to make you comfortable,” said Kyle.

“Thank you very much. Might I ask where you’ll be sleeping tonight?”

“Tom said there was a couch downstairs. I’ll be taking that.”

“I see. In any case, good night, and thanks for the blankets.”

“No problem.”

Kyle quietly jogged up the stairs while Celestia nuzzled herself in one last time before she dozed off.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

“This whole thing scares me,” said Carolyn to Thomas, who was in bed in his pajamas reading a Stieg Larsson novel. “I mean, it’s gotten to the point where even the rulers of an alien nation have to protect us. What do you think is going to happen to them? Or even worse, our own children if they fail?”

“If you want my opinion,” said Thomas, placing his book over his stomach, “I think Princess Celestia and Luna will do just fine. If Rae and her friends are from Celestia’s world, then surely they should know how to deal with them. I mean, they seem to live pretty peaceful lives, so those two must be doing something right.”

“I just don’t want our daughter being taken from us like that again.”

“Me neither, but if Celestia and Luna can’t protect us, no one could.”

“Don’t talk like that!”

“Listen, what I’m trying to say is that I fully entrust the princesses with our lives, and so should you. Now come to bed.”

Carolyn walked to her side of the bed, flipped the switch of her lamp on the bedside table, and gently went onto her bed. Thomas continued to read where he left off while Carolyn laid on her side, hoping to get some sleep despite her apprehensions.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

“What do you think about this?” asked Sarah to Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy.

“Um…” wondered Fluttershy aloud in a fear-stricken voice, “I trust the princesses fully, but the fact that this has come as far as it has makes me scared…”

Sarah could see Fluttershy’s eyes begin to water up and seep past her closed eyelids. Sarah wished that she could do something.

“Aw, don’t worry Fluttershy,” chirped Pinkie Pie, putting her arm around her friend. “Princess Celestia and Luna will do a dandy-rific job helping us. I mean, when have they EVER let us down?”

“Um… there was that one time…” spoke Fluttershy with a volume that was as humanly close to mute as one could get.

“Exactly! So you’ve got nothing to worry about!” Pinkie Pie then yawned. “I don’t know about you guys, but I’m going to hit the hay, or in this case, the floor!”

Pinkie Pie laughed incesently before falling asleep and snoring at the drop of a hat. Fluttershy’s morale was boosted somewhat by Pinkie Pie, leaving the yellow pegasus flutter up to Sarah’s bed and fall asleep next to her. Sarah gave a couple of gentle pets to Fluttershy, before lowering her body down on the bed and her head on her pillow.

“Yeah,” she whispered to herself, “we’ll be just fine.”
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Kyle was setting up his makeshift bed in the basement. From what he could tell, he would like it down here. There was a TV for whenever he would wake up and needed something to entertain himself, there was a mini fridge with some water and other drinks inside, and there was a large electric centerpiece fireplace in the middle of the room, which was surrounded on three sides by a couches. Upon setting his pillow and blanket there, he heard pattering coming down from the stairs. He then saw Rarity with a pillow and comforter in her teeth.

“So sorry, Kyle,” she apologized quietly. “I usually like to sleep down here as well. There’s much more space and the fireplace is lovely. Speaking of.”

Rarity used her horn’s magic to turn a knob on the fireplace, bringing it to life and filling the room with warmth.

“Ah,” she exclaimed. “Much better. Wouldn’t you agree?”

“Yes. It’s nice.”

“Right then. Let’s get some much deserved sleep.”

Rarity neatly tucked her blanket into the couch cushions, allowing her to slip into them and rest her head on the pillow.
“Good night darling,”

“Yeah,” answered Kyle. “Good night.”

Kyle plopped himself onto the other couch and tried to get some rest.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

In Tom’s room, Applejack was placing her hat on Tom’s dresser while Rainbow Dash was curling herself up on Tom’s bed. Applejack went into Tom’s closet and pulled up a sleeping bag, which she unrolled and unzipped for herself.

“Something about this whole thing feels fishy,” stated Rainbow Dash.

“What do you mean?” asked Applejack. “Don’t be such a Debbie Downer, Rainbow. If there’s anyone who can protect us, it’s the princesses.”

“I don’t know. Grant was able to beat both Shining Armor and Princess Cadance so easily. Who knows what he can do against either one of them?”

“All I know is that you should have a little bit more faith in the princesses.”

Tom walked into his bedroom, his pajamas already on.

“What are you girls talking about?” he asked.

“Tom,” spoke Rainbow Dash, “do you think the princesses can help us?”

“From what I’ve heard from Twilight, they seem to be very strong and reliable. I say that we can trust them.”

“But… what if–”

“Listen,” said Applejack, “you got nothing to worry about. Just get some sleep. I’m sure everything will be much better by tomorrow morning.”

Rainbow Dash thought for a bit about it.

“I guess you’re right.”

“I know I am,” finished Applejack. “Well, good night.”

Tom walked up to and crawled into his bed, Rainbow Dash shifting herself to let Tom under the covers.

“Goodnight, Tom,” said Rainbow Dash.

“Good night, Rainbow,” yawned Tom, stroking Rainbow Dash’s mane.

With one final stroke, Tom fell back onto his pillow, letting the softness of his pillow and the warmth of Rainbow Dash’s body against his leg drift him into slumber.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Twilight was just finished putting Spike into his bed (a basket with a cushion inside it). Alex watched her as she did so, sitting at the side of his bed.

“Alright,” said Twilight. “That should do it.”

Taking a yawn, she tiredly hopped onto the bed. Before she could get herself comfortable and lay down, Alex reached over and gave Twilight a hug.

“Alex,” she exclaimed, “what’s this about?”

“I just want to tell you how much I appreciate you as a friend.”

Twilight, moved by Alex’s statement, put her own arms around Alex’s back.

“I really like you too, Alex.”

“It’s just that I feel something terrible is going to happen to the princesses that’s going to screw the lot of us over.”

Twilight broke free from the hug.

“Would you relax? The princesses are perfectly capable of handling any crises. Now, let’s get some sle…”

“Twilight fell sideways onto the bed, being out like a light before her body even landed. Alex watched her with a smile. All he knew was that he never wanted his time with Twilight to end.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Later that night, the suburban streets were practically desolate, minus the occasional biker or person walking their dog. Grant was at the same intersection where Jenny and Lisa were ambushed the day before, riding a duel runner modeled after an Indian Chief Dark Horse. Along with his black polo, he wore dark pants, motorcycle boots, and a long red coat.

After assessing the plan in his head, he turned onto the Emmitts’ street and accelerated as fast as he could.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Meanwhile, Alex went downstairs to ask Luna if she needed anything to eat or drink. That’s when he heard the motorcycle noise. With its engine as loud as it was, Alex didn’t want to take any chances. He rushed to the door and flung it open.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Grant was just a house or two away from the Emmitt house. With his speed as fast as it was, Grant skidded to a halt which didn’t stop until he was directly in front of the house. Luna bared her teeth and stood offensively at him. At that moment, Alex swung the door open behind her, causing Luna to cock her head slightly towards him. With the sound of the door slamming against the wall, Celestia shot out of bed.

Grant used Luna’s distraction to his advantage. He pulled a gun from a holster at his side, aimed it at Luna, and fired. The gun shot a laser which blasted Luna back, knocking her into Alex. As Alex stumbled backwards, Grant then clutched his free left hand. Causing a white light to flash the entire area. As Luna got back up to face Grant, she noticed that the area around her was quiet. Too quiet.

The ambience that the night provided: crickets chirping, wind blowing, owls hooting, were all muted. Luna then looked behind her to see Alex frozen in a stance: he was falling backwards onto the floor inside the house. The door was still wide open, and she could see Celestia wide awake from Alex’s arrival.

“CELESTIA! ALEX!” she yelled.

Not a response from anyone. Luna turned back to face Grant.

“What have you done?” asked Luna.

“Time has become frozen,” explained Grant, twirling his gun on the trigger. “It’s a new power that Rae has given me. Now, the only things allowed to move in this space is you, me, and everything on our person.”

Luna watched as Grant walked to a firefly, in mid-glow, and twacked it with his fingers. As Grant explained, it didn’t budge.

“I see,” said Luna. “You can’t just simply abduct Stones of Equus or their bearers like that; they couldn’t move in this space.”

“Precisely. The only thing I’m here to do, however, is duel you!”

Luna bared her teeth once again.

“Once I defeat you,” he said, “we’ll be able to extract your magic from you, and Rae’s plan will finally bloom into fruition!”

“Like I’d let you!” yelled Luna.

She casted her playing field-aura from her horn and placed her deck on the lower-right hand zone. Grant’s D-Pad formed from the halo that appeared around his elbow and scanned his arm.

With this victory, yelled Grant, I'll be one step closer to being free of this curse.

Luna and Grant drew five cards from their decks.

“DUEL!” they yelled.

Luna vs. Grant

Luna’s Turn: Luna activates the continuous spell card Wave-Motion Inferno. Next, Luna sets one monster. Luna then places two cards face down. Luna activates Wave-Motion Inferno’s effect, sending it to the graveyard to send all cards from her hand to the graveyard.

Luna ends her turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-4000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

“Infernities,” thought Grant aloud. “Gilda told me to watch out for them.”

***************************************************
Grant’s Turn: Grant activates the field spell The Gates of the Dark World, having all Fiend-type monsters gain 300 ATK and DEF. Next, Grant activates Dark World Dealings, having each player draw one card and then discard one.

Grant special summons Goldd, Wu-Lord of the Dark World, as it was discarded by a card effect (ATK: 2300 DEF: 1400) (ATK: 2300 -> 2600, DEF: 1400 -> 1700). Grant then equips Goldd, Wu-Lord of the Dark World with Big Bang Shot, increasing its ATK by 400 and giving it the ability of piercing damage (ATK: 2600 -> 3000).

Grant attacks Luna's face down monster with Goldd, Wu-Lord of the Dark World, which is an Infernity Guardian (ATK: 1200 DEF: 1700) (ATK: 1200 -> 1500, DEF: 1700 -> 2000). With Infernity Guardian’s effect, it can’t be destroyed by battle or card effects while Luna has no cards in her hand. Battle damage is still applied.

Luna’s Life Points: 4000 -> 3000

Grant sets one monster.

Grant places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-4000 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“Your tricks are no stranger to me, Grant,” spoke Luna. “My deck has been made specifically to combat the likes of you!”

“Need I remind you what happened to your niece and nephew-in-law?” asked Grant, causing Luna to stare daggers into him. “However, they were given a choice of whether to surrender or not. I can’t offer you the same courtesy.”

“As if I’d accept it.”

***************************************************
Luna’s Turn: Luna activates Graceful Charity, drawing three cards and discarding two. Luna summons Infernity Necromancer (ATK: 0 DEF: 2000). When Infernity Necromancer is normal summoned, it's switched to defense position. Luna activates Infernity Necromancer’s effect. When she has no cards in her hand, she can special summon an Infernity monster from her hand, choosing Infernity Avenger (ATK: 0 DEF: 0). Luna tunes Infernity Guardian and Infernity Necromancer with Infernity Avenger to synchro summon Infernity Doom Dragon (ATK: 3000 DEF: 2400).

Grant’s Life Points: 4000 -> 2500

Because of Big Bang Shot’s effect, Goldd, Wu-Lord of the Dark World is removed from play.

Luna ends her turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-3000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

“I admit that the Infernity deck is a tricky deck,” said Grant, “and you play it well…”

“Don’t butter me up, cretin!” yelled Luna. “I won’t rest until you and your sick army is devastated!”

“Then you’ll have to fight even harder.”

***************************************************
Grant’s Turn: Grant places one card face down. Next, he flip summons Morphing Jar, having all players discard their hands and draw five cards from their deck. Grant activates the effect of Snoww, Unlight of the Dark World, adding a Dark World card from his deck to his hand when it was discarded. Grant activates D.D.R. – Different Dimension Reincarnation, discarding one card to special summon a monster from his removed from play zone, choosing Goldd, Wu-Lord of the Dark World.

Grant activates the effect of his Sillva, Warlord of the Dark World, special summoning it when it was discarded from his hand (ATK: 2300 DEF: 1400). Grant then normal summons another Goldd, Wu-Lord of the Dark World by tributing Morphing Jar. Grant overlays both Goldd, Wu-Lord of the Dark Worlds and Sillva, Warlord of the Dark World to xyz summon Onyx Cerberus (ATK: 3300 DEF: 2900) (ATK: 3300 -> 3600, DEF: 2900 -> 3200).

Grant attacks Infernity Doom Dragon with Onyx Cerberus, but Luna activates Phantom Hand, banishing all cards in her hand when she controls an Infernity monster. Next, she activates Infernity Force, destroying Onyx Cerberus and allowing her to special summon an Infernity monster from her graveyard, choosing Infernity Necromancer.

Grant activates his face down Miracle’s Wake, special summoning Onyx Cerberus from his graveyard (ATK: 3300 -> 3600, DEF: 2900 -> 3200).

Grant places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-2500 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

“Bet you weren’t expecting that, were you?” mocked Luna.

“Frankly,” said Grant. “I don’t care. Whatever moves you play on me will be all for naught when I’ve defeated you.”

“If you defeat me,” corrected Luna.

“No,” spoke Grant, “I will defeat you. My future depends on it.”

“What future is there when everything you love will be wiped out?”

“A future where the dark force controlling me will be relinquished from me. Knowing you, I’d think you can sympathize.”

“Shut your mouth! I will never pity you! You are scum, and I will teach you where scum belongs!”

***************************************************
Luna’s Turn: Luna’s hand returns to her hand during her standby phase. Luna places two cards face down. Next, she activates Magical Stone Excavation, discarding two cards to add a spell card from her graveyard to her hand, choosing Wave-Motion Inferno. Luna activates Wave-Motion Inferno. Next, she summons Infernity Archfiend (ATK: 1800 DEF: 1200) (ATK 1800 -> 2100, DEF: 1200 -> 1500). While Luna has no cards in her hand, Wave-Motion Inferno has all Infernity monsters gain 400 ATK and DEF (ATK: 3000 -> 3400 DEF: 2400 -> 2800) (ATK: 300 -> 700, DEF: 2300 -> 2700) (ATK: 2100 -> 2500, DEF: 1500 -> 1900).

Luna activates the effect of Infernity Necromancer again, special summoning an Infernity Monster from her graveyard when she has no cards in her hand, choosing Infernity Avenger. Luna tunes Infernity Archfiend and Infernity Necromancer with Infernity Avenger to synchro summon Void Ogre Dragon (ATK: 3000 DEF: 3000).

Luna activates Infernity Doom Dragon’s effect, destroying one monster the opponent controls when she has no cards in her hand, but Grant activates Divine Wrath, negating the activation of a monster’s effect and destroying it by discarding one card. Luna attempts to activate Void Ogre Dragon’s effect to negate and destroy a spell/trap card when she has no cards in her hand, but Grant activates Dark Scheme, having both players discard two cards and then draw two cards.

Because Luna has cards in her hand, Void Ogre Dragon and Infernity Doom Dragon’s effects don’t activate, so Divine Wrath’s effect doesn’t activate. Also, Wave-Motion Inferno’s ATK and DEF boosting effect is negated (ATK: 3400 -> 3000, DEF: 2800 -> 2400).

Grant activates the effect of Broww, Huntsman of the Dark World, drawing one card it when he discards it. Grant then activates the effect of Kahkki, Guerilla of the Dark World, destroying one monster on the field when it’s discarded, choosing Void Ogre Dragon.

Luna places one card face down. Next, Luna activates Wave-Motion Inferno’s effect again, sending it to the graveyard to send all cards from her hand to the graveyard. Luna activates Infernity Doom Dragon’s effect this time, destroying one monster the opponent controls and inflicting damage equal to half of the monster’s ATK, choosing Onyx Cerberus.

Grant’s Life Points: 2500 -> 700

Luna ends her turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-3000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-3
***************************************************

“No,” grunted Grant, beginning to lose his composure, “I will not lose. You hear me, Luna? You will lose, and Rae will be victorious!”

***************************************************
Grant’s Turn: Grant activates The Gates of Dark World’s effect. By banishing a Fiend-type monster in his graveyard, he can discard a Fiend-type monster in his hand and then draw one card. Grant special summons Beiige, Vanguard of the Dark World, as it was discarded by a card effect (ATK: 1600 DEF: 1300). Grant then normal summons Fabled Raven (ATK: 1300 DEF: 1000).

Grant activates Fabled Raven’s effect, discarding any number of cards to increase Fabled Raven’s ATK by 400 and its level by one for each card discarded (1) (ATK: 1300 -> 1700) (Lvl.: 2 -> 3). Grant activates the effect of Gren, Tactician of the Dark World, destroying one spell or trap card when its discarded by a card effect, choosing one of Luna’s face down cards. Grant tunes Beiige, Vanguard of the Dark World with Fabled Raven to synchro summon Chaos King Archfiend (ATK: 2600 DEF: 2600) (ATK: 2600 -> 2900, DEF: 2600 -> 2900).

Grant attacks Infernity Doom Dragon with Chaos King Archfiend. When Chaos King Archfiend declares an attack, the ATK and DEF of all monsters Luna controls are switched (ATK: 3000 -> 2400, DEF: 2400 -> 3000). Luna activates Attack Invulnerability, choosing the effect to prevent Infernity Doom Dragon’s destruction by battle. Battle damage is still applied.

Luna’s Life Points: 3000 -> 2500

Infernity Doom Dragon’s ATK is returned to normal (ATK: 2400 -> 3000, DEF: 3000 -> 2400).

Grant places two cards face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-800 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

“I don’t know how much longer you think you can keep your dragon alive for,” taunted Grant, his evil smile returned to his face, “but it will soon become just like everyone else who stands up to Rae: under the sole of a boot.”

“No!” screamed Luna. “You and your army will be under the weight of my hoof!”

***************************************************
Luna’s Turn: Luna attempts to activate her face down Call of the Haunted, but Grant activates his face down Dark Bribe, negating and destroying Call of the Haunted and having Luna draw one card. Luna activates the field spell Mystic Plasma Zone, having all DARK attribute monsters gain 500 ATK and lose 400 ATK (ATK: 3000 -> 3500, DEF: 2400 -> 2000) (ATK: 2900 -> 3100, DEF: 2900 -> 2200). Luna summons Infernity Randomizer (ATK: 900 DEF: 0) (ATK: 900 -> 1400).

Luna activates Infernity Doom Dragon’s effect, destroying one monster her opponent controls and inflicting damage equal to half of its ATK when she has no cards in her hand, choosing Chaos King Archfiend, but Grant activates Energy-Absorbing Monolith, negating the damage and gaining life points equal to the damage he would have taken.

Grant’s Life Points: 800 -> 2350

Luna attacks Grant directly with Infernity Randomizer.

Grant’s Life Points: 2350 -> 950

Luna activates Infernity Randomizer’s effect, allowing her to draw one card and reveal it if she has no cards in her hand. If the card drawn is a monster, Grant takes damage equal to the monster’ level times 200. She draws an Infernity Guardian (Lvl.: 4) (4 x 200 = 800).

Grant’s Life Points: 950 -> 150

Luna ends her turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-2500 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

Luna grunted that she couldn’t finish Grant off, but she knew his chances of winning were minimal. His hand and field were completely empty. It would take a miracle to win this duel. However, it was Grant’s ever confident smile that erased any hope that Luna still had.

***************************************************
Grant’s Turn: Grant activates his Graceful Charity, drawing three cards and discarding two. Grant activates the effect of both Grapha, Dragon Lord of Dark Worlds that he discarded, destroying one card on the field when they’re discarded by a card effect, choosing Infernity Randomizer and Infernity Doom Dragon. Grant activates Monster Reborn, special summoning Onyx Cerberus from his graveyard (ATK: 3300 -> 3800, DEF: 2900 -> 2500).

Grant attacks Luna directly with Onyx Cerberus.

Luna’s Life Points: 2500 -> 0

Grant wins.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Luna’s attack blasted her into the side of the house. With time frozen as it was, the impact didn’t leave an ounce of damage as Luna merely rebounded off the wall and onto the ground, left unconscious by Grant’s massive attack.

With the duel over, Grant’s composure returned, his face brought back to its stoic demeanor. Grant walked over to Luna and hoisted the winged unicorn over his shoulders. He then carried her to his parked motorcycle and sat her on the back seat. Mounting on his seat, he pulled two large pairs of handcuffs from his coat pockets. After positioning Luna’s legs around his waist, he locked the first set on her rear hoofs. Then, after wrapping her forearms around his torso just below his armpits, he buckled the next set in, securing her in place. Grant then took one last look at the Emmitt house in its frozen state before he left off.

“Whether it be by our hand or yours,” he said, “this ends tonight.”

Grant then sped away east down the street, and then north on the busier street at the end of the road. As he swerved past cars frozen in the road, he began to hear a siren come from his time gun. Grant ignored it and sped away faster with Luna in tow.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Meanwhile, time suddenly resumed. Alex fell over after getting hit by Luna. Upon getting up, he realized that both Luna and her assailant weren’t there. Alex ran outside to see if anyone was there, only to find a barren street.

“LUNA!” yelled Alex. “LUNA!”

Chapter 45: Army

Claude was sleeping in his bed with his very-pregnant wife when he received a phone call. The phone blared throughout the room, waking both Claude and his wife up. Claude clumsily reached for the phone from his bedside table, picking it up and putting it to the side of his head.

“Do you have any idea what time it is?” he groaned.

“Luna’s been kidnapped,” said Alex.

Claude immediately shot up in his bed.

“What did you say?”

“You heard me. Luna was taken by a person that I think was Grant.”

“What do you mean think was Grant?”

“Before I could get a good look at him, he shot Luna with something, causing her to crash into me and then when I got back up they were gone. Listen, I don’t know what happened, but Luna’s in trouble and I need your help.”

“I’ll be right there.”

Claude hung up his phone and went to his dresser.

“Baby?” asked his wife, tiredly, “what’s going on?”

“Something big.”

“Something big that involves leaving me alone in the night?”

“Yes. Something so big, that the fate of the world is riding on it.”

“You know, you always say that…”

“I mean it this time,” said Claude, walking up and kneeling to his wife’s side. “If my friends and I can’t stop this thing, there’s no future for us or our son.” Claude rubbed his wife’s engorged belly.

“If that’s the case,” she said. “I won’t stop you. But don’t come home until you’ve won.”

Claude giggled.

“If I don’t stop this, there won’t be any home to come to.”

Claude then gave his wife a passionate kiss. If this would be the last moments he’d spend with his wife, he’d make them count.

“I love you, baby,” Claude said.

“I love you too, honey.”

Claude then went towards his dresser to change.

“Claude…” she whispered.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Reese and Emma burst into the Emmitt’s house.

“We came as fast as we could,” said Reese.

Alex, Tom, Sarah, Carolyn, Thomas, Kyle, the ponies (plus Spike) and Princess Celestia were all in the living room. Celestia was openly crying on the couch, mourning over her loss. Twilight and Fluttershy were doing their best to console her.
“What do you suppose we do now?” asked Tom.

“Are you kidding?” asked Rainbow Dash, angered by her friend’s question, “we’re going to go save her!”

“I know that! But we can’t just waltz in and ask them to hand her over! We need to plan this out.”

“There’s no time! Luna could be getting tortured as we speak.”

“Rainbow Dash!” scolded Twilight, letting Celestia’s sobbing do the talking for her.

“Well what do you expect me to say? ‘That they’re having a tea party and having a grand old time playing Pin-the-Tail-on-the-Pony?’”

“No, but I need you to consider the princess. She’s just lost her sister and I don’t think she wants to hear that she’s in pain.”

“As much as I respect you and the princesses’ wishes,” spoke Reese, “but Rainbow Dash is right. If we’re going to keep Luna from undergoing any more suffering, then we should head out and take her down.”

“There you go!” spoke Rainbow, relieved to have some support.

“Rainbow Dash,” said Twilight, “we don’t need anymore casualties to add to the list. If we want to all survive this, then we need to keep our heads on straight and not run around like chickens with our heads cut off.”

“The only head that’s getting cut off is your egg head if we go with your plan.”

“Rainbow! This is not the time to be slinging insults.”

“Twilight!”

“Rainbow!”

“Enough!” broke a voice.

Rainbow Dash and Twilight turned to see that Kyle was the source of the voice.

“Kyle…” spoke Twilight.

“If anyone’s going to fight them, it’s going to be me.”

“WHAT?!?” yelled everyone in unison.

“I’ve spent a little over half a year watching as my mother turned into a monster hell-bent on world destruction. It was just yesterday that I freed myself from that. I’m tired of running. I’m tired of watching as the world burns around me. I’m going to go over to Fermilab and take Rae and her army down.”

“Wait, Fermilab?” asked Alex. “Isn’t that the site of the particle accelerator?”

“I forgot to mention. Fermilab is the site of Rae’s final stage of her plan. After we discovered that Zelda had arrived in Naperville, we took Fermilab over as our final base of operations.”

“Took over? I’m interested to know how she took over a government laboratory.”

“Simple. Rae used her affluence to gain access. From there, she magically brainwashed every single employee into working for her. That way, the rest of us could access the building and make residence there, while all of the employees would continue working as normal, and no one would suspect a thing.

“Once we obtained most of the Stones of Equus, we would have combined it with energy made from the particle accelerator to create a beam of energy powerful enough to blow Equestria to bits. However, I think they’re going to replace the Stones with Luna.”

“Then we must absolutely go now!” spoke Celestia, putting her head up so she could be heard. “If they take her powers, they might have enough to destroy Equestria.”

“Right,” said Kyle. “That’s why I’m going alone.”

“What?” asked Emma. “Why?”

“Twilight is right. You need to mobilize. While you and your other friends come here and prepare yourselves, I will do what I can to stall the process.”

“You’re nuts!” yelled Twilight. “You were beaten by Luna this morning, and then she was just beaten! If you go, you’ll be defeated twice as bad!”

“No,” said Kyle. “They won’t defeat me. As a good friend has taught me,” he spoke, turning to Tom, “Rae herself could challenge me and I’d beat her if it meant saving my family.”

Tom smiled, despite knowing he was in a moral checkmate.

“Plus,” said Kyle, holding out his now glowing right hand, “how many of you can snatch an Equus card without the Elements of Harmony?”

Twilight then understood. With a nod, she gave Kyle her answer.

“I think you’re right, Kyle. If you think this will help us, then I won’t stop you.”

Kyle then looked to everyone else, only to see the same look of trust and determination on their faces. Kyle gave a slight nod.

“Thank you,” he said. “I won’t forget any of you.”

He then walked to the front door, opened it, and shut it behind him, not once looking back. Emma suddenly rushed out of the house to follow Kyle, leaving Reese to follow her. As Kyle walked to the driveway to get onto his duel runner, he turned around upon hearing the door open. He was soon greeted by Emma throwing her arms around him. Reese’s eyes bulged and his mouth drooped upon sighting them.

“Good luck,” she spoke in a sob-like tone.

“Yeah,” was all Kyle could say. “Thanks.”

Despite the coldness of his reply, Emma still smiled, knowing he had to take on the whole of their enemies by himself. Kyle relinquished himself from the grip, heading back to his bike.

“What was that all about?” asked Reese, slightly angry.

“What?” questioned Emma coyly, “I think I’ve grown a soft spot for him.”

Emma turned back to the driveway to see Kyle riding away. Emma smiled again, her faith going to him.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Luna woke up in a large, darkened room supported by marble pillars on marble floors. Upon shifting her body, she heard the sound of rattling chains. Upon hearing them, she fully awoke, seeing that all four of her limbs were bound by shackles. She began to whimper as she attempted to pull the chains off of her.

“I hope you’re nice and cozy,” spoke Rae from behind her.

Luna turned around to see Rae. The alicorn attempted to shoot a spell from her horn at her enemy, but upon making her horn glow, a ring at the base of her horn glowed brightly too, delivering shocks that ran through her entire body. Once the shocks stopped, Luna crumpled to the floor in exhaustion.

“I forgot to mention,” giggled Rae, “that that ring on your horn prevents the use of your magic. I mean, we wouldn’t want things to go… awry now, would we?”

Upon saying “would we,” Chrysalis, Grant, Trixie, Flim, and Flam, stepped from the shadows, revealing themselves to Luna. Upon seeing Grant, Luna angrily rushed at him, only for her chains to hold her back.

“I’ll kill you!” she shouted at him. “You hear me? You’re dead!”

“I don’t think you’re in any position to kill anyone,” said Grant. “So just sit tight and just wait.”

“Wait for what?”

“The end,” said Rae. “We’re going to drain you of your powers and use them, along with the Stones of Equus to destroy your planet.”

Luna began to pull at her chains some more in a desperate attempt to break free. Rae only laughed at her struggle while everyone looked on at Luna.

“Guys!” yelled Gilda, who was looking at a large window at the end of the room. “I see someone!”

“Someone?” asked Rae for clarification. “There aren’t others?”

“No. It’s… Kyle!”

“Kyle? Coming alone? Such a brave boy…” Rae then pinched the lapel of her coat, putting her lips up to it.

“This is Rae speaking. Once Kyle arrives, let him in.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Rae let go of her lapel.

“This oughta be interesting…”
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Kyle rode up to the parking lot of the Fermilab’s Wilson Hall, a tall, beaker shaped building. Upon parking his bike, he briskly walked to the building, staring at the window where he knew Rae would be. Upon entering inside the, he was greeted by a man in a lab coat.

“Kyle,” he said, “Rae is expecting you.”

“Was there ever any doubt?” he answered sarcastically.

Kyle headed walked through the atrium of the building, he went to a the center elevator that was left open, seemingly as if it was meant for him to enter. Upon entering inside, the doors immediately closed, producing not a reaction from Kyle. He waited patiently as the elevator rocketed to the top level where Rae would see him. Kyle then felt the sudden pull downwards from the elevator, signaling its stop. Kyle took a deep breath, and then walked into the room as soon as the doors opened.

“KYLE!” screamed Luna, already in tears.

“Ahh,” greeted Rae, “if it isn’t my loyal hunter, Kyle. I hoped you’d bring the others.”

“They’ll come soon enough,” said Kyle. “But right now, this is business that’s mine and mine alone.”

Rae couldn’t help but laugh at Kyle.

“And what, pray tell, do you expect to do? It’s six of us versus one of you.”

“That may be true in our numbers,” said Kyle with a small smile, “but right now, I have a fury burning inside of me that’s making me seven times as strong.”

Rae smirked at Kyle’s overwhelming confidence as he continued speaking.

“And right now, you’ll be feeling the brunt of it!”

Rae laughed again.

“Alright, Kyle. I guess its time I showed a dog its rightful place.”

As she began to step up to face Kyle, Trixie stepped in front of her, blocking her path.

“Trixie,” she said. “What is the meaning of this?”

“Stand back, Rae. You need to rest until its time. Let Trixie duel in your stead. Besides, it’s been far too long since I’ve gotten a chance to duel.”

Rae stood still staring her companion in the eye. She then backed up.

“Fine,” said Rae. “You have my permission to defeat him.”

“As if you’re going to defeat me.”

Kyle’s duel disk appeared on his arm from the blaze that formed on his arm. A bright star and crescent flew from Trixie’s cutie mark, where it landed on Trixie’s left wrist and formed into her duel disk. Kyle and Trixie drew five cards from their decks.

“DUEL!” they yelled.

Kyle vs. Trixie

Kyle’s Turn: Kyle sets one monster and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-5 Life-4000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

“Ah,” sighed Trixie, “so desperate. No matter. Trixie shall dispose of him quickly.”

***************************************************
Trixie’s Turn: Trixie places two cards face down. Next, she activates Photon Lead, special summoning a level 4 or lower LIGHT monster from her hand, choosing Arcana Force VII – The Chariot (ATK: 1700 DEF: 1700). A coin is tossed. It lands on heads.

Trixie attacks Kyle’s face down monster, which is a Morphing Jar (ATK: 700 DEF: 600). When Morphing Jar is flip summoned, both players discard their hands and draw five cards from their decks. With Arcana Force VII – The Chariot’s heads effect, when it destroys a monster by battle, she can special summon the monster to her side of the field, special summoning Morphing Jar. Trixie attacks Kyle directly with Morphing Jar.

Kyle’s Life Points: 4000 -> 3300

Trixie then tributes Morphing Jar and Arcana Force VII – The Chariot to normal summon Arcana Force XXI – The World (ATK: 3100 DEF: 3100). A coin is flipped. It lands on tails.

Trixie places one card face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-4 Life-4000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-3
***************************************************

“Such a foolish and totally predictable move,” said Trixie. “Tell Trixie, does it really take you that short of a time for you to underestimate us?”

“Shut up!” shouted Kyle. “You are just one of several stepping stones I will tread across to defeat Rae. With my fury, you are nothing but an ant underneath my boot!”

***************************************************
Kyle’s Turn: During Kyle’s draw phase, he adds the top card of his graveyard to his hand. Kyle activates the field spell Molten Destruction, having all FIRE type monsters on the field gain 500 ATK and lose 400 DEF. Kyle summons Neo Flamvell Sabre (ATK: 1500 DEF: 200). Next, Kyle activates Double Summon, summoning Laval Lakeside Lady (ATK: 200 DEF: 200). Kyle tunes Neo Flamvell Sabre with Laval Lakeside Lady to synchro summon Ancient Flamvell Deity (ATK: 2500 DEF: 200).

When Ancient Flamvell Deity is synchro summoned, Kyle can banish cards in Trixie’s graveyard up to the number of cards in his hand (3). Ancient Flamvell Deity’s ATK raises by 200 for each card banished (3 x 200 = 600) (ATK: 2500 -> 3100). Kyle then activates Battle Waltz, special summoning a Waltz token with the same Type, Attribute, Level, ATK, and DEF as a synchro monster he controls to the field. Kyle overlays Ancient Flamvell Deity and the Waltz token to xyz summon Olivine Dragon (ATK: 3000 DEF: 2500) (ATK: 3000 -> 3500, DEF: 2500 -> 2100).

Kyle attacks Arcana Force XXI – The World with Olivine Dragon, but Trixie activates Attack Invulnerability, preventing her monster’s destruction by battle. Damage is still applied.

Trixie’s Life Points: 4000 -> 3600

Kyle places two cards face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-3300 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

“So, you managed to bring your ace monster,” observed Trixie aloud. “No matter. The Great and Powerful Trixie will show you how weak your monsters are under my command of my Arcana Force!”

***************************************************
Trixie’s Turn: Trixie activates the quick-play spell Beam Splitter, banishing one level 8 or higher LIGHT monster she controls. Trixie can then special summon three monsters from her deck whose combined levels equal the level of the banished monster, choosing two Arcana Force 0 – The Fools (ATK: 0 DEF: 0) and an Arcana Force XII – The Hanged Man (ATK: 2200 DEF: 2200). With Beam Splitter’s effect, their ATK becomes 0 (ATK: 2200 -> 0), and their effects are negated.

Trixie then activates her face down Inferno Reckless Summon, special summoning as many monsters with 1500 or less ATK from her hand, deck, or graveyard that share the same name of a special summoned monster, special summoning another Arcana Force 0 – The Fool from her deck. A coin is tossed. It lands on heads. Since Kyle has only one copy of Olivine Dragon (along with it originating from his extra deck), Kyle cannot special summon monsters with Inferno Reckless Summon’s effect.

Trixie tributes all three Arcana Force 0 – The Fools to special summon Arcana Force EX – The Dark Ruler (ATK: 4000 DEF: 4000). A coin is tossed. It lands on tails. Trixie tributes Arcana Force XII – The Hanged Man to normal summon Darklord Desire with its effect (ATK: 3000 DEF: 2800). Trixie activates Darklord Desire’s effect, decreasing its ATK by 1000 (ATK: 3000 -> 2000) to destroy a monster that Kyle controls, choosing Olivine Dragon, but Kyle activates Utopian Aura, preventing the destruction of an xyz monster he controls by a card effect by detaching an xyz material from a monster he controls.

Trixie overlays Arcana Force EX – The Dark Ruler and Darklord Desire to xyz summon Cobalt Ursa Minor (ATK: 3000 DEF: 3000). Trixie activates Cobalt Ursa Minor’s effect. By detaching one xyz material from it, she can activate one of two effect. She chooses the second. Trixie draws one card. If the drawn card is a monster card, Cobalt Ursa Minor’s ATK is increased by the level of the drawn monster times 200. She draws a Darklord Superbia (Lvl.: 8) (8 x 200 = 1600, ATK: 3000 -> 4600).

Kyle activates Olivine Dragon’s effect. By detaching one xyz material from it when an xyz monster his opponent controls activates its effect, Kyle can inflict damage equal to the monster’s rank times 200, but Trixie activates Barrel Behind the Door, inflicting the damage onto Kyle instead (Rnk.: 10) (10 x 200 = 2000).

Kyle’s Life Points: 3300 -> 1300

Trixie attacks Olivine Dragon with Cobalt Ursa Minor.

Kyle’s Life Points: 1300 -> 200

Kyle activates Card of Last Will, drawing five cards when a monster he controls has been destroyed by battle.

During the end phase, Cobalt Ursa Minor’s ATK returns to normal (ATK: 4600 -> 3000).

Trixie places two cards face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-3600 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

Trixie laughed as Kyle struggled to get up.

“I’m far from done yet,” spoke Kyle.

***************************************************
Kyle’s Turn: Kyle sets one monster.

Kyle places two cards face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-3 Life-200 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

“Hmph,” exclaimed Trixie, “let’s just get this over with.”

***************************************************
Trixie’s Turn: Trixie activates Graceful Revival, special summoning Arcana Force 0 – The Fool from her graveyard. A coin is tossed. It lands on heads. Next, Trixie tributes Arcana Force 0 – The Fool to summon Arcana Force XIV – Temperance (ATK: 2400 DEF: 2400). A coin is tossed. It lands on tails. Trixie activates Reversal of Fate, switching Arcana Force XIV – Temperance’s effect to its heads effect.

Trixie attacks Kyle’s face down monster, which is a Flamvell Guard (ATK: 100 DEF: 2100) (ATK: 100 -> 600, DEF: 2100 -> 1700). Trixie then attacks Kyle directly with Cobalt Ursa Minor, but Kyle activates Call of the Haunted, special summoning Olivine Dragon from his graveyard (ATK: 3000 -> 3500, DEF: 2500 -> 2100). Trixie halts her attack.

Trixie activates Cobalt Ursa Minor’s effect, detaching an xyz material from it to activate its second effect. Trixie draws one card. The card drawn is a Graceful Charity. Trixie activates Graceful Charity, drawing three cards and discarding two.
Trixie places two cards face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-3600 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

“Face it,” taunted Trixie. “You are nothing without Rae. She gave you everything. A purpose, a home when you were cast aside–”

“No,” interrupted Kyle. “I refuse to believe that the woman who saved me from my personal hell could be the one I stand before.”

“Whatever you believe in, it doesn’t matter. Rae gave you power beyond your wildest dreams, and you’ve squandered it. Without it, you’re just as weak as the ones that you used to fight!”

“I wouldn’t be so sure,” said Kyle, a confident smirk growing on his face, causing Trixie to grimace. “How could someone as weak as Tom defeat Gilda and Grant? How could someone like Alex be weak if they defeated, me, Chrysalis, or even you? The answer is simple. Their friends believed in them and they used their bonds to carry their spirit forward! My bonds will do the same, and I will use them to defeat you!”

Kyle let out a loud yell as he held his arms out to the sides. Kyle’s trench coat became covered in a green blaze. Trixie, Rae, and everyone in the room was terrified, knowing what this meant.

“Impossible!” yelled Rae. “That monster was manifested from my powers! How are you able to wield it?”

“Because I don’t need your powers,” yelled Kyle. “I have a new one. It’s called friendship!”

***************************************************
Kyle’s Turn: Kyle activates Rekindling, special summoning as many FIRE monsters with 200 DEF from his graveyard as possible, special summoning Ancient Flamvell Deity, Neo Flamvell Sabre, Laval Lakeside Lady, and Laval Lancelord (ATK: 2200 DEF: 200). Kyle tunes Neo Flamvell Sabre and Laval Lakeside Lady to synchro summon another Ancient Flamvell Deity. Kyle overlays Olivine Dragon and both of his Ancient Flamvell Deities to xyz summon Ultra Olivine Tri-Dragon (ATK: 4500 DEF: 3800) (ATK: 4500 -> 5000, DEF: 3800 -> 3400).

Kyle activates Ultra Olivine Tri-Dragon’s effect. By detaching one xyz material from it, Kyle can destroy one attack position xyz monster that Trixie controls and inflict damage equal to the difference between Ultra Olivine Tri-Dragon’s ATK and the destroyed monsters ATK, choosing Cobalt Ursa Minor.

Trixie’s Life Points: 3600 -> 1600

Kyle then activates his face down Molten Blowback, inflicting 2000 points of damage to Trixie when he destroyed her monster with a FIRE monster he controls, but Trixie activates Gift of the Mystical Elf, increasing her life points by 300 for each monster on the field before the damage hits (3 x 300 = 900).

Trixie’s Life Points: 1600 -> 2500

Trixie’s Life Points: 2500 -> 500

Kyle attacks Arcana Force XIV – Temperance with Ultra Olivine Tri-Dragon. With Ultra Olivine Tri-Dragon’s effect, Trixie takes no battle damage from that battle. Trixie then activates Trap Reborn, paying half of her life points to activate a trap card from her opponent’s graveyard, choosing Card of Last Will, drawing five cards when a monster she controls is destroyed by battle.

Trixie’s Life Points: 500 -> 250

Kyle then attacks Trixie directly with Laval Lancelord, but Trixie activates The High Priestess’ Staff from her hand, negating the direct attack, ending the battle phase, and inflicting 500 points of damage to Kyle. With Molten Blowback’s effect, Kyle takes no effect damage until the end of the turn in which he activated that card.

During the end phase, because of Rekindling’s effect, Laval Lancelord is removed from play.

Kyle places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-200 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“So,” said Kyle, his coat still ablaze, “you managed to survive too.”

“But of course,” spoke Trixie, who, despite trying to keep her cool, sounded weak from the barrage of damage she took. “You wouldn’t think that a duelist as talented as Trixie would lose to a treacherous simpleton like you, now would she?”

“You still think you can win this?”

“Trixie knows she can.”

Trixie’s cloak began to pick up in a gust from an unknown source. Rae knew what was coming.

“Kyle,” said Trixie. “Do you know the lie Trixie tells every pony in her traveling show? She told them that Trixie was able to defeat an Ursa Major. Of course, Trixie was never even able to defeat a Minor. But who needs to tame an Ursa Major when one exists in your deck?”

“What?” exclaimed Kyle.

***************************************************
Trixie’s Turn: Trixie activates Pot of Greed drawing two cards. Next, she activates Monster Reborn, special summoning Darklord Superbia from her graveyard (ATK: 2900 DEF: 2400). When Darklord Superbia is special summoned from her graveyard, Trixie can special summon a Fairy-type monster from her graveyard, choosing Arcana Force 0 – The Fool.

Trixie tributes Arcana Force 0 – The Fool to normal summon another Darklord Desire. Trixie then activates her Double Summon, tributing Darklord Superbia to summon another Darklord Desire. Trixie activates Xyz Plant, which becomes a monster with the same level as a monster she controls. Trixie then equips Ultra Olivine Tri-Dragon with Unstable Evolution, making its ATK 2400 when her opponent’s life points are lower than hers (ATK: 5000 -> 2400 -> 2900).

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

Trixie’s three monsters turned into whispy aura like beams that traveled outside, going through the window.

“I construct the overlay network with both Darklord Desires and Xyz Plant! Xyz Summon! Appear! Garnet Ursa Major!”

Despite Trixie’s booming voice, the monster was nowhere to be seen. Kyle even looked around to find nothing. However, the building began to shake. Trixie smiled, anticipating the official reveal of her strongest monster. Everyone but Trixie and Rae were shocked and horrified to see a giant, translucent, purple bear with stars printed on its body rip the roof off of the building, exposing it to the night.

From the outside, the monstrously huge bear stood on its hind legs to be able to reach the top level of the building where Trixie and Kyle dueled. Kyle could only stare in fear as he stared eye to eye with this creature.

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

Trixie overlays both Darklord Desires and Xyz Plant to xyz summon Garnet Ursa Major (ATK: 4000 DEF: 4000). Trixie activates Garnet Ursa Major’s effect. By detaching one xyz material from it, when it destroys a monster by battle, Trixie can inflict damage equal to the destroyed monster’s ATK. Also, Kyle cannot activate trap cards until the end of the battle phase when it attacks.

Trixie attacks Ultra Olivine Tri-Dragon with Garnet Ursa Major.

Kyle’s Life Points: 200 -> 0

Trixie wins.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Kyle’s body flew in the air until he crashed into the elevator doors, warping them on impact. With the duel ended, the holographic imagery was suppressed, including all monsters, spells, and the damage that Garnet Ursa Major left to the room.. Trixie’s duel disk lit up, where it traveled into her cutie mark via a beam similar to her monsters when they were xyz summoned. Rae walked up behind Trixie and pet her mane.

“Well done, Trixie,” she said.

Rae walked back up to Kyle, who was still unconscious from hitting the elevator doors. She knelt over her fallen former confidante.

“Welcome back, Kyle,” she said before she reached at him.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Jenny, Lisa, and Zelda ran through the front door around five minutes to midnight. Claude was sitting in the kitchen drinking a glass of water, while John was sitting on the couch in the living room, stroking Celestia’s side in an attempt to help her feel better. Each of the ponies (plus Alex) had their respective Element of Harmony wrapped around their neck, minus Twilight who wore hers on her head. Everyone, however, minus Carolyn, Thomas, or Sarah, had a duel disk on their wrist. Even Lisa and Jenny wore theirs upon entering.

“Lisa, Zelda, and Jenny, reporting for duty!” yelled Jenny.

“Thank you for coming,” said Alex. “I do hope you know what you’re signing up for by joining us.”

“Please,” scoffed Jenny. “I nearly committed vehicular manslaughter yesterday. I’m not afraid of anything.”

“Alrighty, then.”

Alex then walked to the middle of the stairway to address everyone.

“Everyone!” he called, getting every head turning towards him. “I’d just like to thank you for coming to lend your support. As you very well know, for the past few weeks, Rae Sulfa Tun and her legion of hunters has been trying to steal the Stones of Equus to destroy Equestria and then this world. Along the way, we’ve gained some allies, some being former compadres of Rae herself. I can’t find any more reason to be faithful for our victory tonight. Not only do we have them, but we are in possession of the most powerful magic known to Equestria. It will certainly be a challenge for them, but it won’t be a cakewalk for us either.

“As a couple of you have shown,” he said, looking at Claude and Reese, “you were more than willing to put your lives on the line and almost died for our cause. I ask you, each and every one of you, to lend me that same devotion right now. As we speak, Luna is Rae’s prisoner, and Kyle is assumedly fighting her and her minions all alone. Are we going to let their sacrifice be in vein?”

While the humans remained silent as they listened to Alex’s speech, the ponies (plus Spike) responded with a hearty, “No!”
“Are we going to let Rae be victorious?”

“No!”

“Or are we going to fight back and let Rae know that she can never trample on any of us?”

“Yeah!”

“Then as of now, we ride!”

Everyone in the room cheered as Alex briskly walked down the stairs and out the front door, each and every person following him, except for Zelda, who went to the backyard for her glider. Celestia however, stayed on the couch, still overcome with grief over her sisters taking. Spike even tried to follow on, but Twilight stood in front of him.

“Twilight!” exclaimed Spike. “What are you doing?”

“Spike,” said Twilight, “this mission is far too dangerous for you to come along. Now please, get to bed, and I’ll see you in the morning.”

“But what if none of you come back?”

Spike then leapt onto Twilight and gave her a hug. Twilight’s tears began to stream down her face. Celestia looked on at this, her sorrowful expression being replaced by determination. Knowing that she couldn’t leave one of her oldest friends behind at a time like this, she finally relented.

“Do you think you have what it takes to help stop Rae?”

Spike nodded confidently.

“Alright,” she said. “Then you cancome too.”

Spike gave Twilight another hug before they both ran off to join the others. Celestia even felt compelled to get up and follow them.

As everyone loaded into a respective car, a bright beam of light zapped down from the sky and onto the Emmitt’s front lawn. From the beam appeared Shining Armor and Cadance, each wearing their D-Pads.

“Shining Armor!” called Twilight. “Cadance! What are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be watching over Canterlot?”

“As of right now,” spoke Shining Armor, “we have every single guard on our payroll guarding the city. We won’t let so much as a fly enter or leave the city without answering to us.”

“Do you think I’d allow you to make such a call?” asked Princess Celestia, walking outside the house. Everyone looked elated to see their princess standing there like that.

“With all due respect, I may have been appointed as temporary ruler of Canterlot, but as the captain of the Royal Guard, it is my responsibility to keep every pony safe. If that means coming down here to join your battle, then so be it.”

Celestia couldn’t help but feel pride in him for that statement.

“Very well," she stated. "We shall be leaving now.”

“Excellent. What’s the plan?”

“Here’s what we’re doing,” said Alex. “Anyone with wings or can fly will fly. Everyone else will load up into the car. I want anyone who’s flying to guard at least one vehicle. Got it?”

“Sounds good.”

“Then enough fooling around! Let’s go!”

Carolyn, Thomas, Sarah, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, and Spike loaded into Carolyn’s van. Alex and Tom threw their helmets on and mounted their duel runners. Twilight hopped into Alex’s backseat. Reese, Emma, and Rarity entered Reese’s car. Claude, John, and Shining Armor got into Claude’s car. Jenny and Lisa entered Jenny’s newly repaired car. Zelda flew from the backyard and onto the front lawn. Celestia, Cadance, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy stretched their wings.

With one last look over the area to see if everyone was there, Alex accelerated out of the driveway, with each vehicle following him and his five flyers just overhead. Alex looked at the clock on his duel runner’s digital dashboard. In a mere few seconds, it changed from 11:59 to 12:00.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Saturday, June 2nd, 2012

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Chapter 46: Prelude

Kyle woke up in the room where he dueled Trixie. However, the first thing he noticed upon waking was a chill around his wrists and ankles. There, he noticed that he was bound by shackles, restricting most of his movements.

“Kyle,” spoke a familiar voice.

Kyle turned to see that it was Luna, also bound like he saw her when he first entered.

“Luna,” he said. “Are you alright?”

“Of course not!” she bellowed. “I’m weak, tired, and I’m held captive against my will!”

“Looks like I’m in the same boat as you.”

“Why didn’t you bring the others?” asked Luna.

“I was buying them time.”

“Time? Time for what? They’re about to do something awful to me and you’re biding your time?”

“If Alex and his friends aren’t prepared, then they’ll end up like us. I felt that I’d be strong enough to take on most, if not all of them. Unfortunately, Trixie pulled a joker from her sleeve. I’m sorry that I couldn’t stop it.”

Luna suddenly began to feel guilty. Despite failing, he put on an impressive attempt to save her, which is something she couldn’t deny.

“I apologize as well. I shouldn’t have gone off on you like that. I’m still amazed that you were able to pull off summoning that other monster of yours.”

Kyle chuckled, amused himself that he was able to summon it.

“Yeah, well, like I said, I guess it’s because I’m in good company.”

A voice echoed from the room.

“You couldn’t be farther from the truth.”

Rae stepped up from the shadows, revealing herself to Kyle and Luna.

“Rae,” growled Kyle.

“It’s so good to see you too, dear,” she spoke. “So, where are the others? We’re they smart enough to realize that facing us is a losing battle?”

“On the contrary. In fact, I’d be surprised if they weren’t on their way as we speak. Are your forces ready?”

“As a matter of fact they are.”

“And once Alex and his friends take your minions down and rescue us, it’s curtains for you.”

“Aw, how cute. You really think that Alex and his friends will find you?”

“Damn straight.”

“Well, how do you think that they’re going to save you when they’re busy fighting you?”

“What?”

Rae held out her hand over the space Kyle and Luna, causing the chains holding the two of them to glow a dark purple. Kyle and Luna began to glow as well, suddenly feeling a surge of pain run through their bodies. Kyle and Luna screamed.

“What’s happening,” Kyle weakly groaned.

“It feels like my energy is being pumped from me!” grunted Luna, trying to fight it.

“Yes,” spoke Rae, “and once your magic is taken from you, my plan will be near completion!”

“Joke’s on you! How much use are we supposed to be fighting our friends if we’re dead?”

“Hmhmhmm. It’s as if you thought I didn’t plan that out in advance.”

The chains then began to “glow” black, which mixed into the purple glow of the chains. The pain in Kyle and Luna seemed to intensify, as told by the increase of volume from their screams. Kyle looked at Luna, whose coat began to turn black as her eyes turned more into an icy shade of blue, and becoming more catlike.

Kyle suddenly began to remember things he had previously forgotten. Dueling Claude at the Riverwalk tournament, defeating and nearly murdering Reese, throwing John off the stage, dueling Alex and summoning Ultra Olivine Tri-Dragon for the first time.

“No!” yelled Kyle. “Not again!”

Kyle fought as hard as he could. Rae smiled as she watched her former hunter’s pointless struggle. Kyle’s clenched teeth brought on by pain and fear slowly turned into a malicious smile. As Kyle’s smile grew wider and wider, he began to laugh louder and louder, slowly reverting back into Rae’s perfect hunter once again.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Alex, his friends, and family continued to travel on to Fermilab, going east on Ferry underneath the Illinois Prairie Path bridge. Rainbow Dash decided to fly next to Alex and Tom, who led the pack, giving them each a salute with her hoof.

“To think,” said Alex to Tom with a slight smile, “this could be the last time we ride together.”

“What’s wrong?” asked Tom. “Are you upset that you only got to use your duel runner for a week?”

“No. I’m upset I only got a week to ride with you.”

“Hey man, we pretty much “rode” together for nearly thirteen years. I’d say that’s a pretty long time.”

“And I just thought I’d let you know, just in case you didn’t hear me the first eight times: they were the best thirteen years I’ve ever spent.”

“Me too man. Me too.”

Alex and Tom rode close enough from the sides to fist-bump each other. Rainbow Dash, feeling dejected from their tender moment, flew up to Tom and punched his still balled up hand with her hoof before he could pull it away.

“Of course,” said Tom in a playfully sarcastic, “how could I forget my good friend Rainbow Dash?”

Tom held out his fist and allowed Rainbow Dash to give him a proper bump. Twilight, who still sat behind Alex in the backseat, hugged him tight to get his attention. Alex reached behind and gently pat the purple unicorn on the stomach.

Zelda continued to fly over the group, looking out over the area. From the distance, she could see Flim and Flam, both sitting in a large, red, wooden automobile-like contraption with a cowcatcher, which was parked in a parking lot next to a power station on N. Eola Rd.

“Guys,” called Zelda through her goggles, contacting every vehicle through the radio. “We got company up ahead. What should we do?”

Jenny and Lisa, who were the rear car in the group, looked at each other.

“Like hell we’re going to let these guys have all the fun,” said Jenny.

“You read my mind, girlfriend,” responded Lisa.

Being literally the middle of the night, there were little to no cars out. Jenny swerved her car into the opposing lane and accelerated, passing up each car ahead of them. Sarah looked through her window, watching as Jenny’s car passed the van.

“Jenny!” she yelled.

Soon, they got up next to Alex. Lisa then rolled down her window to talk to Alex if need be.

“Jenny!” yelled Alex. “Lisa! What the hell are you doing?”

“We’re leaving the door open for you!” yelled Lisa. “Whatever happens, continue onward, and don’t look back!”

Before Alex could retort, Lisa rolled up her windows before Jenny accelerated. Now at the front, Jenny went into the proper lane.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

From the parking lot where Flim and Flam were waiting, they saw the lights from Alex’s fleet coming their way. They already had their D-Pad’s on their wrists, expecting a battle.

“Lookie here!” spoke Flim. “It seems the cavalry has finally arrived!”

“Let’s slow them down some, shall we?” asked Flam.

They pulled their large machine out of the parking space and onto the street, blocking traffic from both ways.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Upon turning onto N. Eola, everyone could see Flim and Flam in the way.

“Crap,” exclaimed Alex, already beginning to decelerate.

Jenny and Lisa took one last look at each other before Jenny floored the accelerator on her car. Alex was shocked as he watched Jenny’s car fly through the streets, seemingly ignoring the fact that there was a vehicle in their path.

“Lisa! Jenny! NO!” screamed Lisa, watching the impending carnage.

“What the…” said Flim and Flam in unison.

With one final joyous yell, Jenny and Lisa aimed the car straight at the large wooden wheels on the vehicle blocking them.

"Ramming speed!" squealed Jenny.

The only thing Flim and Flam could think of doing in that time was to clear the vehicle, getting out from the left side and running southeast.

With the vehicle made of wood, Jenny’s car shattered the Flim-Flam brothers’ machine. However, with the pieces of debris that they were running over, Jenny’s car spun out towards the west side of the street. As it hit the curb, it began to roll several times in the open grassy field before it finally stopped right side up on its wheels.

“JENNY!” yelled Tom.

However, with their car in proper position, albeit broken, the two girls unbuckled their seatbelts and walked out dizzily. Their clothes were torn a bit and both were bleeding a tad, but it was minor enough to wait before going to a hospital.

“Let’s go again!” chanted Jenny jokingly. “Let’s go again!”

Seeing that the girls were alright, Alex and Tom took a sigh of relief.

“Zelda,” contacted Alex through his helmet, “tell everyone to keep moving. We’ll take a shortcut through the prairie path.”

“Roger that!” said Zelda.

Overriding the radios once more, she addressed everyone.

“Alex said to keep moving. Jenny and Lisa are fine.”

The line of cars and bikes were able to pass through the ruined car and the wreckage that Jenny and Lisa created.

Flim and Flam, having dove and taken cover prior to the crash, finally got up to take a look at the damage.

“Hey!” yelled Jenny.

Flim and Flam turned slightly to the left to see Jenny and Lisa approaching them in the parking lot.

“You’ll pay for that!” yelled Flim.

“You’ll pay for hurting my friends!” yelled Lisa back.

“Yes, I know all about you two,” said Flam. “Well, honestly, not so much you,” he said to Lisa. He then pointed his hoof at Jenny, saying, “But you. I heard how you lost to Chrysalis on Thursday. You probably wouldn’t fare very well against us.”

“Well,” spoke Jenny, “I heard that Alex defeated you before he had his Hieratics or his Shining Platinum Dragon. So, no, I’m sure I’ll kick the ever-loving crap out of you!”

“Either way,” said Flim, “someone is paying for the damage to our Super Speedy Cider Squeezy.”

“Jesus, you dummies really named your car that?”

“Shut up!” barked Flam. “I will not sit here and let you sully our once-proud invention. Now, it’s time for payback.”

Flim and Flam’s duel disks unsheathed in tandem. Jenny and Lisa unsheathed their duel disks as well.

“Duel detected,” called an intercom voice from a headlight in the parking lot, encasing the vicinity in a holographic aura.

Jenny, Lisa, Flim, and Flam drew five cards from their decks.

“DUEL!” they all yelled.

Lisa and Jenny vs. Flim and Flam

Lisa’s Turn: Lisa summons Cloudian – Ghost Fog (ATK: 900 DEF: 0). Next, she activates Double Summon, summoning Cloudian – Cirrostratus (ATK: 0 DEF: 0). When Cloudian – Cirrostratus is normal summoned, Lisa can place a Fog Counter on it for each Cloudian monster on the field (2).

Lisa places two cards face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-8000 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

“Cloudians, hm?” spoke Flim. “And a tricky combo you’ve prepared with them it seems. No matter. My brother and I will surpass your strategies.”

***************************************************
Flim’s Turn: Flim activates the continuous spell card The World Tree. Next, Flim sets one monster.

Flim places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-3 Life-8000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“Really?” asked Jenny. “That’s all? I really wished I’d see some kind of challenge.”

“Continue to tread on,” spoke Flam, “and you’ll see how far your words will carry you.”

“You know,” said Lisa. “If you’re going to insult my friend like that, could you keep from sounding like a complete prude?”

Flam looked at Lisa with a dissatisfied frown.

“So be it,” sighed Jenny.

***************************************************
Jenny’s Turn: Jenny activates Celestial Transformation, allowing her to special summon a Fairy-type monster from her hand, although its ATK is halved, special summoning Vylon Charger from her hand (ATK: 1000 DEF: 1000). Jenny places one card face down. Next, Jenny activates Card Destruction, having all players discard all of the cards in their hand and draw cards equal to the amount they had in their hand.

Jenny normal summons Vylon Prism (ATK: 1500 DEF: 1500). Jenny activates Star Changer, increasing Vylon Charger’s level by one (Lvl.: 4 -> 5). Jenny tunes Vylon Charger with Vylon Prism to synchro summon Vylon Alpha (ATK: 2200 DEF: 1100). Jenny activates Vylon Alpha’s effect, allowing her to equip an equip spell card from her graveyard onto it, choosing Vylon Segment.

Also, Jenny activates Vylon Prism’s effect, paying 500 life points to equip it to a monster she controls, choosing Vylon Alpha.

Lisa and Jenny’s Life Points: 8000 -> 7500

Jenny ends her turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-7500 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

Jenny and Lisa looked very confident with each other over their moves. However, their smiles were replaced by confused stares upon Flam laughing at them.

“I really have to thank you!” he said in between chuckles. “With your activation of Card Destruction, you’ve just sealed your own doom!”

“What are you going on about?” asked Jenny, crossing her arms.

“You’ll find out all too soon…”

***************************************************
Flam’s Turn: Flam activates Harpie’s Feather Duster, destroying all spells and trap cards on the opponent’s field. Next he activates his spell Weed Overgrowth, banishing a number of Plant-type monsters in his graveyard equal to the number of face up monsters on the field (3). He then special summons that many copies of Dino Weeds to his side of the field from his deck (ATK: 100 DEF: 1500). Flam overlays his three Dino Weeds to xyz summon Dionaea Dragon (ATK: 500 DEF: 2800).

Flam activates Dionaea Dragon’s effect. By detaching one xyz material from it, Flam can equip one monster that the opponent controls to it and have Dionaea Dragon gain ATK equal to the equipped monster’s ATK, choosing Cloudian – Cirrostratus (ATK: 500 -> 1400). Flam then normal summons Botanical Lion (ATK: 1600 DEF: 2000). With Botanical Lion’s effect, it gains 300 ATK for each Plant-type monster that Flam controls (2 x 300 = 600, ATK: 1600 -> 2200). Next, Flam activates Shield and Sword, switching the ATK and DEF of all monsters on the field (ATK: 0 DEF: 0) (ATK: 2200 -> 1100, DEF: 1100 -> 2200) (ATK: 1400 -> 2800 -> 4200 DEF: 2800 -> 1400 -> 500) (ATK: 2200 -> 2000 -> 2600 DEF: 2000 -> 2200 -> 1600).

Flam attacks Vylon Alpha with Botanical Lion.

Lisa and Jenny’s Life Points: 7500 -> 6000

Flam attacks Cloudian – Ghost Fog with Dionaea Dragon. With Cloudian – Ghost Fog’s effect, Lisa and Jenny take no battle damage. However, because Dionaea Dragon doesn’t have a level, Cloudian – Ghost Fog’s effect doesn’t apply.

During the end phase, all monsters’ ATKs and DEFs return to normal with Shield and Sword’s effect (ATK: 4200 -> 500 -> 1400. DEF: 500 -> 2800) (ATK: 2600 -> 1600 -> 2200, DEF: 1600 -> 2000).

Flam places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-8000 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

With the powerful attack of Botanical Lion knocking them down to the ground, Jenny and Lisa stood back up weakly, their wounds from the car crash only being worsened by the damage.

“I think it’s a shame that you fillies underestimated us,” spoke Flam.

“Because now,” butted in Flim, “you’re taking the unicorn by the horns!”

“Why?” asked Lisa, her voice trembling due to her low stamina. “Why are you even doing this? Joining the ranks of someone who wants to destroy your home?”

“You mean a home where we’re driven out of every town because they spit our high quality cider right in our faces?”

“Cider?” asked Jenny, flabbergasted.

“Yes,” exclaimed Flim. “That Applejack one was especially troublesome. After we almost drove her out of town, the town turned on us after they refused to buy our cider!”

“No, seriously. Cider? Really? You’re really going up in arms to destroy the world over apple cider?”

“That cider is our livelihood! Without it, we’re penniless.”

“And blowing your world up is going to make it better?”

“It doesn’t matter,” spoke Flam. “Once both worlds are destroyed, we’ll make a new one from the ashes, where our cider will reign supreme!”

“You’re not doing jack!” yelled Lisa. “We may be down now, but we’re not out!”

***************************************************
Lisa’s Turn: Lisa sets one monster.

Lisa places one card face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-6000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“You won’t escape!” yelled Flim.

***************************************************
Flim’s Turn: Flim activates Thunder Crash, destroying all monsters on his side of the field, including his face down Mystic Tomato. For each monster destroyed by this effect, 300 points of damage are inflicted onto the opponent (3 x 300 = 900).

Lisa and Jenny’s Life Points: 6000 -> 5100

With The World Tree’s effect, whenever a Plant-type monster is destroyed, a Flower Counter is placed on it (FlC.: 0 -> 3). Flim activates The World Tree’s effect, destroying one card on the field by removing two Flower Counters (FlC.: 3 -> 1), choosing Lisa’s face down card.

Flim activates Call of the Haunted, special summoning Mystic Tomato from his graveyard (ATK: 1400 DEF: 1100). Next, he normal summons Cactus Fighter (ATK: 1900 DEF: 1400). Flim activates another effect of The World Tree, removing a Flower Counter (FlC.: 1 -> 0) to increase the ATK of a Plant-Type monster he controls by 400, choosing Cactus Fighter (ATK: 1900 -> 2300).

Flam attacks Lisa’s face down monster with Mystic Tomato, which was a Cloudian – Smoke Ball (ATK: 200 DEF: 600).

Flam then attacks Lisa and Jenny directly with Cactus Fighter.

Lisa and Jenny’s Life Points: 5100 -> 2800

During the end phase, Cactus Fighter’s ATK returns to normal with The World Tree’s effect (ATK: 2300 -> 1900).

Flim ends his turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-8000 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-0

***************************************************

Jenny’s Turn: Jenny activates Pot of Greed, drawing two cards. Jenny activates Dark Hole, destroying all monsters on the field (FlC.: 0 -> 2).

Jenny places one card face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-2800 Monsters-0 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“You really seem to be giving up!” said Flam. “I’m sorry it had to come to this.”

“Sorry my ass,” spoke Jenny, kneeling. “Don’t lie to me.”

“Fine. Guilty as charged. Your defeat, and a perfect one at that, will be a fitting metaphor for those who stand in Rae Sulfa Tun’s way.”

***************************************************
Flam’s Turn: Flam activates Xyz Reborn, special summoning Dionaea Dragon from his graveyard and attaching Xyz Reborn to it as xyz material. Flam then normal summons Lord Poison (ATK: 1500 DEF: 1000).

Flam attacks Lisa and Jenny directly with Lord Poison.

Lisa and Jenny’s Life Points: 2800 -> 1300

Flam then attacks Lisa and Jenny directly with Dionaea Dragon.

Lisa and Jenny’s Life Points: 1300 -> 800

Jenny activates Self-Destruct Button, having all players’ life points become 0 when her life points are lower than her opponent’s with a 7000 point difference.

Lisa and Jenny’s Life Points: 800 -> 0

Flim and Flam’s Life Points: 8000 -> 0

The duel ends in a draw.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

The effects of Self-Destruct Button blew every duelist away in a large ball of fire and energy, knocking them back at least thirty feet. Flim and Flam, who took the heaviest damage, were unconscious before their bodies hit the ground. However, Jenny and Lisa, having only taken 800 points of damage, got up rather quickly, trying their best to ignore the pain shooting through their body.

“Well,” exclaimed Lisa. “That was quite a trollish move.”

“And option B was a better alternative?”

“Touché. Anyways, what now?”

Jenny and Lisa looked at Flim and Flam, who were sprawled out over the ground.

“Meh,” said Lisa, “let’s pick them up.”

“What? Are you crazy?”

“For once, I don’t think so. These guys don’t seem harmful enough to pose some kind of threat. They just seem like the kind of ponies who will side with whichever team is winning.”

“How can you tell?”

“Just this nagging feeling…”
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Lisa and Jenny successfully dragged Flim and Flam to their car, albeit trying to manage some space in their back seats.

“Seriously,” warned Lisa. “If these guys up and kill us…”

“Ten bucks says they don’t.”

“You’re on. Wait...”

"Too late!"

Jenny and Lisa entered the car, the former putting the key into the ignition and turning. Although it started normally, the car, being as damaged as it was, clunkily moved forward, off the path, and onto the street, trying their best to catch up to Alex and the rest of his friends.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Alex and his friends parked in the Fermilab parking lot outside Wilson Hall. Everyone either dismounted, exited, or landed, now being all together.

“This is it,” said Alex. “Our final stand. We either save the world or die trying.”

“Jeez, man,” spoke Tom, slapping his hand on Alex’s shoulder, “don’t be such a Debbie Downer. I’m sure we’ll do just fine. Plus, I’d hate to have Luna see you hot and bothered trying to save her.”

“Speaking of which,” butted in Celestia. “There isn’t much time. Let’s go!”

The mass of people and ponies (and dragon) ran straight for Wilson Hall. Alex saw two men in labcoats walk outside. Before Alex could assume them to be blocking their progress, Alex was shocked to see the men holding the doors open for them, letting them pass.

Upon walking inside the atrium, there were two lines of people in either work or lab attire, making a path to another door on the other side of the room. Alex and the others ignored them as they continued on. Upon opening the door, Alex saw a stairwell.

“Going up!” yelled Alex.

Everyone followed suit, winding and twisting their way up the stairs. Upon finally reaching the top floor, Alex and everyone found themselves in the room where Kyle and Luna were held captive. However, the room they were in was now completely barren.

“Rae!” yelled Alex. “Come out right now! It’s time to end this!”

“Don’t play games!” yelled back Claude at the open air. “We are heavily armed, and we will not take a fight lightly.”

Soon, a poisonous chuckle rang through the room. Alex and the others looked around the room as the laughter bounced off in different directions.”

“If you’re not fond of playing games, then please tell me why you’re wearing your D-Pads?” spoke Rae’s voice.

“You know what we meant!” shouted Tom. “Now come here and the ass kicking won’t hurt nearly as bad.”

“Such intimidating threats. However, you will not be facing me… yet. My minions still have enough time and enough strength for one more go. Why don’t you give them some company?”

Soon, a purple spark emitted from the center of the room. The sparks began growing bigger and bigger until they were full-fledged bolts. Fluttershy hid behind Princess Celestia, while Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Tom, and Claude stood offensively.

Alex suddenly felt a breeze blow towards the sparks, which began to converse. The space then started swirling, forming a black portal. Alex noticed that the gusts were getting stronger and stronger, almost to the point where his shoes couldn't provide friction to anchor him to the ground.

Thomas held onto Carolyn and Sarah with both arms, trying to keep them safe. However, the gusts were too strong. Alex and Tom were pulled forward into the portal, being sucked in until the blackness inside rendered them invisible.

“Come on, girls,” said Twilight. “Now or never.”

Twilight and her other five pony friends jumped slightly into the air, letting the portal's suction pull them in. Shining Armor and Cadance followed suit. Reese and Emma ran towards it and leaped inside. John, Claude, Zelda, and Spike ran in simultaneously as well. Sarah then let go of Thomas, letting the portal take her too.

“Sarah!” yelled Carolyn.

“Carolyn!” called Celestia to the two remaining humans. “Thomas! Hold on to me. I’ll help you find your children.”

Carolyn and Thomas did as they were told, both hugging the white alicorn at the waist. With a final nod, Celestia galloped at the portal, bringing Carolyn and Thomas with her. With everyone taken, the portal shrunk and shut, bringing the room back to normal.

Chapter 47: Trixie

Fluttershy, Claude, and Spike were flung from another portal formed at the just above the ground, crashing and rolling on it upon impact. Claude was the first to get up. Upon seeing Fluttershy and Spike still lying on the ground, he ran over to the both of them and helped them on their feet.

“Are you okay?” he asked them.

“Yes,” sighed Fluttershy. “Thank you.”

“Yeah,” confirmed Spike. “I’m good.”

After taking a better look at their surroundings, they found that they were in a forested area, surrounded by trees with enough space for a duel.

“Don’t tell me…” spoke Claude.

“Trixie shall!” called a voice.

Claude, Spike, and Fluttershy turned around to see Trixie walking up from behind the bark of a tree on the outskirts of the open area. She smirked confidently as she stepped forward.

“Trixie,” shouted Claude. “Where are our friends?”

“Away,” she simply stated. “Not only do they have to face the rest of us, but now your friends can’t be here to support you.”

“Trixie,” yelled Spike. “You never learn, do you?”

“The only thing that shall be learned is for you to grovel at Trixie’s hooves when she defeats you and takes your Stone of Equus card.”

“Like hell that’s going to happen!” yelled Claude.

The increase of volume from Claude’s voice caused Fluttershy to couch down onto the ground and tremble.

“So confident,” mused Trixie aloud. “Yet, you’re totally helpless.”

“What are you talking about? There’s three of us versus one of you. It seems to me like you’re the helpless one here.”

“It’s simple,” said Trixie. “You three shall face me. One of you shall start the duel, and then I shall take my turn. Then, another shall go, and then to me again. We continue this until each of us have had a turn, and then we start over with the duelist who began. Surely with me versus all of you, it’s only fair.”

“And life points?”

“Each side will share 12000. Also, you each have your own five monster and spell/trap zones while I have my own set.”

“Alright then,” yelled Claude, unsheathing his duel disk, “I accept. There’s no way I’m letting you take this world away from me.”

“Let’s go!” yelled Spike, unsheathing his own duel disk. “I’ll teach you for insulting Twilight and her friends!”

“Um,” muttered Fluttershy, “okay.” Fluttershy’s duel disk unsheathed.

Trixie’s own duel disk propelled itself from her cutie mark, which formed upon Trixie’s wrist.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

From an island in the center of the Fermilab particle accelerator ring, Rae stood patiently.

“Let the games begin,” she shouted, pointing her palm into the air.

A bright ball of light shot out from her and into the sky. Upon getting high enough, the ball of light exploded, a white, translucent aura covering the entire ring in a large dome. Once the base of the dome formed on the manmade channel of water that formed the boundary of the ring, it disappeared.

Jenny and Lisa drove down the road, catching the entire spectacle.

“Can’t this thing go faster?” asked Lisa.

“Yeah, when it isn’t being rolled like Casino Royale!” yelled Jenny.

They continued to drive chunkily down the road.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

“What was that?” asked Claude.

“That dome will bring our duel to life,” answered Trixie. “The loser of this duel will relinquish any Stones of Equus that they own to the dome. Once the Stone goes to the dome, its energy will be transferred to the particle accelerator, giving it the juice it needs to destroy Equestria. Unfortunately, this also applies to Trixie as well. However, Trixie will not let this happen.”

“I certainly will!”

With each duelist drawing five cards from their decks, they prepared for their final battle.

“DUEL!” they all yelled

Claude, Spike, and Fluttershy vs. Trixie

Claude’s Turn: Claude activates Reinforcement of the Army, adding a level four or lower Warrior-type monster from his deck to his hand, choosing Heroic Challenger – Double Lance. Claude summons Heroic Challenger – Double Lance (ATK: 1700 DEF: 900). When Heroic Challenger – Double Lance is normal summoned, Claude can special summon Heroic Challenger – Double Lance from his hand in defense position.

Claude overlays both Heroic Challenger – Double Lances to xyz summon Heroic Champion – Excalibur (ATK: 2000 DEF: 2000). Claude activates Heroic Champion – Excalibur’s effect. By detaching two xyz materials from it, Heroic Champion – Excalibur’s ATK becomes double its original ATK until the opponent’s end phase (ATK: 2000 -> 4000).

Claude places three cards face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-12000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-3
***************************************************

“Hmm,” groaned Trixie. “Tricky. Pah! No matter. Trixie will undermine your so call strategy.”

***************************************************
Trixie’s Turn: Trixie activates the continuous spell card Valhalla, Hall of the Fallen, allowing her to special summon a Fairy-type monster from her hand when she controls no monsters, choosing Arcana Force XVIII – The Moon (ATK: 2800 DEF: 2800). Trixie then activates Inferno Reckless Summon, special summoning as many Arcana Force XVIII – The Moons from her deck as possible. Because Claude’s Heroic Champion – Excalibur exists from the extra deck, he can’t use Inferno Reckless Summon’s effect.

Trixie tributes all three Arcana Force XVIII – The Moons to special summon Arcana Force EX – The Light Ruler (ATK: 4000 DEF: 4000). A coin is tossed. It lands on heads.

During Trixie’s end phase, Heroic Champion – Excalibur’s ATK returns to normal (ATK: 4000 -> 2000).

Trixie places one card face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-12000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“Now your monster is weak again!” laughed Trixie. “There’s no doubt. Trixie will prove to you that she is a greater duelist than any of you ever will be!”

“Whatever,” scoffed Spike, earning a shocked gasp and growl from Trixie. “If your dueling is anything like how you handled the Ursa Minor, then you’ll be real easy to beat!”

“I’d watch your words, you puny lizard. Otherwise, Trixie is going to deliver some very harsh punishment to the naughty colt.”

“You’re right.”

This answer seemed to surprise Trixie. She couldn’t believe someone was following her demands.

“After all,” continued Spike, “you know what they say, ‘Actions speak louder than words.’”

Trixie was more surprised at this double take.

***************************************************
Spike’s Turn: Spike activates Graceful Charity, drawing three cards and discarding two. Spike then activates Monster Reborn, special summoning Evolsaur Vulcano from his graveyard (ATK: 1200 DEF: 1000). Spike then activates Big Evolution Pill, tributing Evolsaur Vulcano to be able to normal summon Dinosaur-type monsters without tributing.

Spike normal summons Jurrac Titano (ATK: 3000 DEF: 2800). Spike activates Jurrac Titano’s effect. By banishing a Jurrac monster in his graveyard with 1700 or less ATK, he can raise Jurrac Titino’s ATK by 1000 until the end phase (ATK: 3000 -> 4000). Next, Spike equips Jurrac Titano with Raise Body Heat, increasing its ATK and DEF: by 300 (ATK: 4000 -> 4300, DEF: 2800 -> 3100).

Spike attacks Arcana Force EX – The Light Ruler with Jurrac Titano, but Trixie activates Invincible Hero, preventing Arcana Force EX – The Light Ruler’s destruction by battle. Battle damage is still calculated.

Trixie’s Life Points: 1200 -> 11700

During the end phase, Jurrac Titano’s ATK returns to normal (ATK: 4300 -> 3300).

Spike places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-12000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“Uh,” snorted Trixie, “you’ll pay for that one.”

***************************************************
Trixie’s Turn: Trixie attacks Jurrac Titano with Arcana Force EX – The Light Ruler, but Claude activates Shift, redirecting the attack to Heroic Champion – Excalibur. Next, he activates Attack Invulnerability, preventing his monster’s destruction by battle. Then, he activates Heroic Retribution Sword, equipping it to Heroic Champion – Excalibur and having Trixie take the battle damage that’s inflicted onto Claude, Spike, and Fluttershy.

Claude, Spike, and Fluttershy’s Life Points: 12000 -> 10000

Trixie’s Life Points: 11700 -> 9700

Also, after damage calculation, the monster that attacked Heroic Champion – Excalibur is destroyed, destroying Arcana Force EX – The Light Ruler.

Trixie activates the effect of Valhalla, Hall of the Fallen, special summoning Arcana Force VI – The Lovers in defense position (ATK: 1600 DEF: 1600). Spike activates his face down Hunting Instinct, allowing him to special summon a Dinosaur-type monster from his hand, choosing Black Tyranno (ATK: 2600 DEF: 1800). A coin is flipped. It lands on tails.

Trixie sets one monster. Fluttershy activates the effect of Naturia Cosmobeet from her hand, special summoning it when her opponent normal summons or sets a monster (ATK: 1000 DEF: 700).

Trixie ends her turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-9700 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

Claude found it somewhat amusing that Trixie was getting so angry at this turn of events.

“What’s the matter Trixie?” taunted Claude. “Are you afraid we’re going to wipe the floor with your arrogant ass?”

“You shut up, dark man!” shouted Trixie. “I will not be spoken to that way!”

Claude’s eyes widened. Instead of referring to herself in third person, she had referred to herself as “I.”

“I mean,” stammered Trixie, having caught herself as well, “Trixie will not be spoken to like… that way. Bow before me- I mean Trixie!”

“Trixie,” spoke Claude, “quit the charade. We know that’s not really you.”

“Just make your next move! Trixie grows tired of waiting.”

Fluttershy, having remained mostly silent throughout the duel, felt a fire burn in her. Trixie’s appearance, along with her strong monsters, were quite intimidating, but she was becoming more irate with Trixie’s attitude towards her friends, as told by the grimace plastered on her face.

“Nopony walks all over my friends like that! Nopony!”

***************************************************
Fluttershy’s Turn: Fluttershy summons Naturia Horneedle (ATK: 1800 DEF: 100). Fluttershy then activates Leodrake’s Mane, making the ATK of one of her Naturia monsters 3000 until the end phase while negating its effects, choosing Naturia Cosmobeet (ATK: 1000 -> 3000).

Fluttershy attacks Arcana Force VI – The Lovers with Naturia Horneedle. Next, Fluttershy attacks Trixie’s face down monster, which is a Morphing Jar (ATK: 700 DEF: 600). When Morphing Jar is flip summoned, all players discard their hands and draw five cards from their decks.

Fluttershy tunes Naturia Horneedle with Naturia Cosmobeet to synchro summon Naturia Barkion (ATK: 2500 DEF: 1800).
Fluttershy places three cards face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-1000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-3
***************************************************

“Now your field is completely wiped out,” shouted Spike. “What are you going to do now?”

“Let’s see what Trixie’s replenished hand has to say about that.”

***************************************************
Trixie’s Turn: Trixie activates Heavy Storm, destroying all spell and trap cards on the field (including Heroic Redemption Sword and Raise Body Heat) (ATK: 3300 -> 3000, DEF: 3100 -> 2800). Next, she activates the spell Direct Overlay, allowing her to xyz summon a monster using the proper materials from her hand. Trixie overlays Darklord Desire and Arcana Force EX – The Dark Ruler from her hand to xyz summon Cobalt Ursa Minor (ATK: 3000 DEF: 3000).

Trixie activates the effect of Cobalt Ursa Minor. By detaching one xyz material from it, she can draw one card. If the drawn card is a monster, Cobalt Ursa Minor can attack a number of times equal to the level of the drawn monster. She draws Arcana Force VIII – Strength (Lvl.: 5). Next, she equips Cobalt Ursa with Elf’s Light, increasing its ATK by 400 and decreases its DEF by 200 (ATK: 3000 -> 3400, DEF: 3000 -> 2600).

Trixie attacks Naturia Barkion with Cobalt Ursa Minor.

Claude, Spike, and Fluttershy’s Life Points: 1000 -> 9100

Trixie attacks Jurrac Titano with Cobalt Ursa Minor.

Claude, Spike, and Fluttershy’s Life Points: 9100 -> 8700

Trixie attacks Black Tyrano with Cobalt Ursa Minor.

Claude, Spike, and Fluttershy’s Life Points: 8700 -> 7900

Trixie attacks Heroic Champion – Excalibur with Cobalt Ursa Minor.

Claude, Spike, and Fluttershy’s Life Points: 7900 -> 6500

Trixie attacks Claude, Spike, and Fluttershy directly with Cobalt Ursa Minor.

Claude, Spike, and Fluttershy’s Life Points: 6500 -> 3100

Trixie then activates her Graceful Charity, drawing three cards and discarding two.

Trixie places two cards face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-9700 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

Trixie laughed as Claude, Spike, and Fluttershy writhed in pain, each of their monsters taken out along with a direct blow to all of them.

“You see why it’s fruitless to stand up to Trixie?” she taunted. “Your monsters are a mere worms to my bird of a monster, and I shall snatch them up when they attempt to emerge!”

Trixie continued to laugh.

“Birds? Worms? Seriously?” asked Claude.

Trixie looked to Claude, who stood tall amongst his teammates, who were still lying down and weakened by Trixie’s stone of Equus.

“You’re about as phony as they come,” he continued.

Trixie tried to protest, but he kept talking, restricting her from even the slightest rebuttal.

“You think that because you prose your words with pretty analogies and that you refer to yourself in the third person makes you a better duelist- no, person than me?”

Trixie wanted nothing more than to answer him, but her face was contorted with anger and a hint of despair.

“Right now, my wife is pregnant with our son whom I hope to live to see. But what do you have to fight for? The only one you care for is yourself, and because of that, you will never rise above me! And with the bonds that I share with my friends and comrades, we’ll soar to heights that you’ve never dreamed of! Just watch!”

***************************************************
Claude’s Turn: Claude activates The Warrior Returning Alive, adding a level 4 or lower Warrior-type monster from his graveyard to his hand, choosing Heroic Challenger – Double Lance. Next, Claude summons Heroic Challenger – Double Lance. Claude activates Heroic Challenger – Double Lance’s effect, special summoning another Heroic Challenger – Double Lance from his graveyard. Claude activates Double Summon, summoning Heroic Challenger – Extra Sword from his hand (ATK: 1000 DEF: 1000).

Claude overlays both Heroic Challenger – Double Lance and Heroic Challenger – Extra Sword to xyz summon Ruby Phoenix (ATK: 2600 DEF: 1800). When Heroic Challenger – Extra Sword is used as xyz material in the xyz summoning of a monster, that xyz monster gains 1000 ATK (ATK: 2600 -> 3600).

Claude attacks Cobalt Ursa Minor with Ruby Phoenix, but Trixie activates her Attack Invulnerability, preventing her monster’s destruction by battle. Battle damage is still applied.

Trixie’s Life Points: 9700 -> 9500

Claude then activates Space Cyclone, detaching an xyz material from Cobalt Ursa Minor.

Claude places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-3100 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

No, thought Trixie. Not only is my monster weaker than his, but his Stone’s effect can withstand my true ace. I’m I… really done for? Am I really… a loser?”

Trixie crouched her legs, giving the impression that she was sitting. She then leaned forward and supported herself with her forearms, her head hanging low. Trixie’s tears began to roll down her face, down her snout, and onto the ground. Despite her behavior towards them, Claude and Fluttershy were confused towards her sudden sad behavior.

“Aw look,” teased Spike, pointing at Trixie, “looks like we finally hurt her little feelings!”

Trixie then began to have an awful memory of when she was a filly in magic school.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
................................................................................................................................................................
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Trixie attempted to carry a couple of books with her magic. Being very new, however, she quickly fatigued and dropped them, the tomes clattering open upon impact with the ground. As she quickly tried to rake the books in with her hooves to cover up her blunder, she had a chorus of laughter taunt her as she blushed profusely.

“Look at that!” yelled a male unicorn student. “I’ve seen earth ponies that can use magic better than she can.”

“What a loser!” a unicorn filly exclaimed.

“She doesn’t deserve to have a horn!”

“Is there a grade lower than Magical Kindergarten?”

Students continued to tease and laugh. Trixie put her hooves over her head, trying to shield herself from their torment. Upon peering through a hole she made, she watched a filly Twilight Sparkle happily prance alongside her teacher Princess Celestia.

The students’ laughter along with Twilight’s beaming face awakened something in Trixie that would change her for the rest of her life. As Trixie watched Celestia court the purple filly, Trixie began to scowl.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
................................................................................................................................................................
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Trixie’s head shot up, revealing her enraged eyes and seething face. She quickly stood back up, putting all hooves onto the ground.

“NO!” yelled Trixie. “Trixie is the best duelist there ever was! And now, you will taste the wrath of the monster that defeated your new friend Kyle.”

“Kyle?” yelled Claude.

“Yes, and Trixie will send you where she sent him just minutes ago!”

***************************************************
Trixie’s Turn: Trixie activates her face down Jar of Greed, drawing one card. Trixie equips Cobalt Ursa Minor with Xyz Jeweled Crown, making its rank its level (Rnk.: 10 -> Lvl.: 10). Also, when its used in the xyz summoning of a monster, it can be treated as two xyz materials. Trixie activates her Xyz Plant, which becomes a monster with the same level as a monster Trixie controls. Trixie overlays Cobalt Ursa Minor and Xyz Plant to xyz summon Garnet Ursa Major (ATK: 4000 DEF: 4000).

Trixie activates Garnet Ursa Major’s effect. By detaching one xyz material from it, when it destroys a monster by battle, Trixie can inflict damage equal to the destroyed monster’s ATK. Also, neither Claude, Spike, or Fluttershy can activate trap cards until the end of the damage step when it attacks.

Trixie attacks Ruby Phoenix with Garnet Ursa Major, but Claude activates Ruby Phoenix’s effect. By detaching an xyz material from it when it would be destroyed by battle or a card effect, it’s destruction is negated. Battle damage still applies.

Claude, Spike, and Fluttershy’s Life Points: 3100 -> 2700

Trixie ends her turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-9500 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

“It’s over!” yelled Claude. “I have the high ground. With my monster’s effect, you’ll only manage to chip away at our life points before its real effect activates.”

“Don’t be so cocky!” yelled Trixie. “I’m still going to beat you and teach all of those who ever laughed at me a lesson they won’t ever forget!”

“Wait,” yelled Spike, “laughed? Who laughed at you?”

Trixie realized she was spilling more information than she would have cared for.

“Never mind!” she nervously demanded. “Make your next move.”

“Alright,” shouted Spike. “My tu–”

“Spike,” interrupted Claude. “Don’t summon any monsters. This is between me and Ruby Phoenix.”

“Okay,” confirmed Spike.

***************************************************
Spike’s Turn: Spike activates Meteor of Destruction, inflicting 1000 points of damage to Trixie when her life points are higher than 3000.

Trixie’s Life Points: 9500 -> 8500

Spike places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-5 Life-2700 Monsters-0 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

Trixie still looked very angry after Spike’s damage.

“I’m not falling for your trap!” yelled Trixie. “Your monster may be powerful, but if you even think of summoning a monster, you’ll feel the wrath of my Ursa Major’s paw. And with an xyz material still on me, you won’t want to either.”

“I wouldn’t think so if I were you,” quipped Spike.

“What?”

“Take your next move and see.”

***************************************************
Trixie’s Turn: Spike activates Battle Mania, forcing all monsters that Trixie controls to battle this turn. Trixie activates Garnet Ursa Major’s effect again, detaching its last xyz material from it keep Claude, Spike, and Fluttershy from activating spell or trap cards during the damage step.

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

Trixie’s face contorted with anger.

“No more games!” she screamed. “Garnet Ursa Major! Show no mercy!”

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

Trixie attacks Ruby Phoenix with Garnet Ursa Major, but Claude activates Ruby Phoenix’s effect, detaching an xyz material from it to prevent its destruction. Battle damage is still applied.

Claude, Spike, and Fluttershy’s Life Points: 2700 -> 2300

Trixie activates Overlay Regenerate, attaching itself as xyz material to Garnet Ursa Major.

Trixie ends her turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-8500 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

It seemed that Trixie’s last hit proved to be much more taxing to Claude, as even he began to have trouble getting up.

“Claude!” cried Fluttershy. “No!”

“Just think,” said Trixie. “This can all be over if you just quit! Your friends will no longer have to suffer. Just say the words: ‘I quit.’”

Fluttershy looked at her fallen comrade with sympathy, and then glared daggers into Trixie.

“No!” she exclaimed. “You may think you can intimidate me, but I feel invincible with my friends around!”

“Oh really?” mocked Trixie. “Do you wonder why we separated you like this? It’s because we knew that with the Elements of Harmony all here, these duels would be a lot tougher for us. Without them, you’re nothing! You hear me? Nothing!”

Fluttershy continued to stare Trixie down, all until she noticed a glowing from the top card of her deck. Suddenly, the same glow came from her Element necklace.

“What?” questioned Trixie.

“Could it be?” whispered Fluttershy.

Without thinking too heavily, she put her hoof on her deck.

“My turn!” she yelled, drawing her card. “Draw!”

Upon seeing it, she turned to Claude, who just managed to kneel on one knee.

“Claude,” she said, “do you trust me?”

“Of course I do!” he answered. “Now go for it!”

***************************************************
Fluttershy’s Turn: Fluttershy equips Garnet Ursa Major with Element of Harmony – Kindness, increasing its ATK by 2000 (ATK: 4000 -> 6000).

Fluttershy ends her turn.

Status: Hand-5 Life-2300 Monsters-0 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

Everyone but Fluttershy was surprised by that move. To them, she had just given her enemy the victory with her new card.

“HAHAHAHAHA!!” cackled Trixie. “So that’s what the Elements of Harmony are only capable of when separated? HA! What a joke!”

“Fluttershy,” groaned Claude. “What have you done?”

“Did I not ask you to trust me?” she asked confidently.

Claude tried to make sense of what was happening, but he felt something inside him to take Fluttershy’s word for it.

“Now you’re sunk!” shouted Trixie.

***************************************************
Trixie’s Turn: Trixie activates Garnet Ursa Major’s effect again, detaching its last xyz material from it keep Claude, Spike, and Fluttershy from activating spell or trap cards during the damage step.

Trixie attacks Ruby Phoenix with Garnet Ursa Major, but with Element of Harmony – Kindness’ effect, when Garnet Ursa Major attacks a monster while equipped with it, the monster it attacks gains 100 ATK for each monster on the field (2 x 100 = 200, ATK: 3600 ->3800). Claude activates Ruby Phoenix’s effect, detaching its last xyz material to prevent its destruction. Battle damage is still applied.

Claude, Spike, and Fluttershy’s Life Points: 2300 ->100

When Ruby Phoenix has no xyz materials attached to it, it’s destroyed by its own effect.

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

“Impossible!” yelled Trixie, her voice starting to crack under the stress.

Whatever, thought Trixie. I’ll have more than enough life points to fend off Claude’s next attack and-

Before Trixie could finish her thought, Garnet Ursa Major took a large step over to Fluttershy’s side of the field, utterly confusing Trixie.

“What?” she stuttered. “What’s going on?”

“During your end phase,” explained Fluttershy as Trixie’s monster card materialized itself onto her duel disk, “a monster equipped with Element of Harmony – Kindess switches control to me.”

“That’s good,” smiled Trixie. “Now take its curse!”

Fluttershy saw as the sparks began to envelop her new card. However, instead of spreading to her body like they did for Reese or Twilight, they instead zapped themselves onto Fluttershy’s necklace, where they disappeared.

“No…” whispered Trixie.

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

During the end phase, with Element of Harmony – Kindness’ effect, the monster equipped to it has its control switched to Fluttershy.

Trixie ends her turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-4000 Monsters-0 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

“Leaving your field open won’t save you!” yelled Claude at an already trembling Trixie. “This duel is already won!”

***************************************************
Claude’s Turn: During Claude’s standby phase, when Ruby Phoenix was destroyed by its own effect, it can special summon itself from the graveyard, and when it does, he can look at the top five cards of his deck. If any of the five cards are monster cards, he can attach them to Ruby Phoenix as xyz material and destroy any number of cards on the field up to the amount of monsters attached. Of the five cards Claude looked at, three of them are monsters. Claude places the other cards that he saw to the top of his deck in any order.

Claude then activates Gift of the Martyr, sending a monster on his side of the field to the graveyard and having a monster that he controls gain ATK equal to the sent monster’s ATK, sending Garnet Ursa Major to the graveyard to have Ruby Phoenix gain its ATK (ATK: 2600 -> 8600).

Claude attacks Trixie directly with Ruby Phoenix.

Trixie’s Life Points: 8500 -> 0

Claude, Spike, and Fluttershy win.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

As Trixie fell back from the massive damage, both the Cobalt Ursa Minor and Garnet Ursa Major cards flew from Trixie’s graveyard and towards sky. Before they could escape though, they collided with the dome, revealing it around the area where the cards touched it. Once contact was made, the cards assimilated into the dome like drops of water in a swimming pool. Trixie had no time to see this as she continued to fly back, the ground finally breaking her fall and stopping her.

“Yeah!” cheered Spike. “We did it!”

Claude was then rushed and hugged by Spike and Fluttershy, congratulating him over his victory. Claude did his best to appease his friends, but then noticed Trixie lying stomach and face down on the ground, sobbing. Claude broke free of his friend’s group hug and walked over to Trixie, kneeling down to be closer to her level. Fluttershy and Spike followed.

“I’m worthless,” she bawled, her voice muffled by the earth. “I’m a worthless mare and I’ll never amount to anything.”

“You certainly don’t duel like a worthless person,” said Claude.

Trixie shot her head up, seeing Claude kneeling there.

“Wh- what?”

“You heard me. I think you dueled pretty damned good out there.”

“But… but I lost.”

“So?” said Spike. “You managed to knock out almost all of our life points against three people. That’s impressive.”

“He’s right,” answered Claude. “You may not have beaten us, but you certainly gave us a run for our money, and I couldn’t ask for more in a duelist.”

“Why?” sniffled Trixie, finally mustering the strength to sit up and talk to her three foes. “Why are you being so nice to me? Even after all that I’ve done?”

“Come on,” said Spike. “It doesn’t take a genius to know that you’ve got issues.”

Claude quickly shoved Spike by his face onto the ground.

“What he means is,” Claude spoke, “that you seem to use your theatrics as a façade. Why? You don’t need to be abrasive to make something of yourself.”

“It’s the only thing that carried me through.”

“Huh?”

“When I was a filly, I wanted nothing more than to attend Princess Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns. Unfortunately, I wasn’t very skilled with magic at that time. However, I was so desperate to succeed, that I had a more talented look-alike take the entrance exam for me. Needless to say, I stuck out like a sore thumb there.

"I failed most of my tests, I struggled with homework, and worst of all, my lack of skill in magic was a great weapon for ponies to pick on me with. One day, I saw a unicorn walking the halls with Princess Celestia herself. Seeing her so happy changed me. I knew that I wasn’t going to go anywhere with anyone’s help.

“I began to study fervently, getting little to no sleep by reading books about basic spells I should have learned up in that point, getting more advanced as the nights went on. By midterms, I was already getting to the top of my class, using my newly learned spells and mixing them to create the show-stopping magic that I would later use in my acts. With my newfound abilities, I finally proved all naysayers wrong.

“However, my newly attained dream came at a price. Despite being magically talented, I was a nightmare to collaborate with. Ponies referred to me as a cold, abrasive mare. Being that these were the same ponies tormented me, I took their insults with a grain of salt.

“When I graduated, I went alone to take my show on the road. Some towns were more than receptive of my act, while others proved to be more… hostile. Ponyville was one of them. After the Ursa Minor incident that claimed my wagon and home, I had to find other means of work, namely a rock farm just outside of Fillydelphia. It was during my break one day when I saw a newspaper article with Twilight and her friends, the same ponies who embarrassed me in Ponyville, celebrating their defeat of Discord.

“It was then that I had given up on my life, wandering from town to town, doing more odd jobs to get by. It was soon after that I was contacted by Rae in my dreams. How this happened, I don’t know.”
_________________________________________________________________________________________
................................................................................................................................................................
_________________________________________________________________________________________

“Huh?” thought Trixie as she woke up in a black void. “Where am I?”

“You are at the point of no return,” said Rae’s voice.

Rae then materialized from the void in front of Trixie.

“What? What are you?”

“My name is Rae Sulfa Tun. You, like me, seem to have been dealt a rough hand in this life. Would you like to start over?” she asked, reaching her hand out.

“I don’t understand.”

“Your entire life has been nothing but torment and despair. I’m offering you a choice. You can float away, wake up in your bed, and return to your crummy life. Or, you can take my hand, and I’ll allow you to take revenge on the world that forsook you.”

Trixie was certain she was in a dream still, and she figured that a vengeful fantasy would be quite soothing to her. Upon, letting Rae take her outstretched hoof, they were both covered by a bright light.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
................................................................................................................................................................
_________________________________________________________________________________________

“When I woke up,” explained Trixie, “I didn’t find myself in my run-down flat anymore. I was in a brand new world. There, I met, Gilda, Grant, Chrysalis, Kyle, and Zelda. I learned more about the human world through books and the invention known as television. It was then that I realized that my vengeful wishes could become a reality. Now that I’ve failed Rae, I don’t know what’s in store for me…”

Trixie continued to cry, tears bleeding from her eyes. She then felt a hoof dry them off for her. Fluttershy flicked her wrist dry.

“Come with us,” she suggested.

“What?”

“Yeah,” agreed Claude. “We won’t let you be punished by Rae, especially not after what you’ve gone through. Plus, we could always use another good duelist on our team.”

“You... really mean that?”

Claude nodded. With a bright smile, Trixie leapt up and hugged Claude, nuzzling her head into his chest. Spike and Fluttershy looked upon the two, their smiles radiating with sympathy and forgiveness.

“Wait!” shouted Trixie. “We should leave!”

“What, why?” asked Spike.

“We should find your friends. Then, we should find Rae. She’ll be tough to beat, even in our numbers.”

“Let’s not waste any time then,” said Claude.

Trixie trotted to the center of the ring, Claude, Spike, and Fluttershy following forward.

Chapter 48: Gilda

Zelda and Rainbow Dash were shot from the portal. Just as Zelda was about to collide with the ground, Rainbow Dash flew down and carried her to her feet. Zelda had to take a moment to breath. Unlike the site of the duel with Trixie, this area was much more open with grass, and right behind them on the other side of the ring of water was the Wilson Hall.

“Thanks for the save,” she panted.

“No problem,” responded Rainbow Dash. “I never leave my friends hanging.”

“Ain’t that the truth,” growled a familiar voice from above.

Zelda and Rainbow Dash looked up to see Gilda dive towards the ground and landed right on her fours, her wings spread out for dramatic effect.

“So,” she continued, irritated. “This is who I’m going to have to deal with?”

“What’s wrong with us?”

“Nothing, really. I was just hoping to get some Stone of Equus bearers in here. However, this is fine.”

“What’s fine.”

“I’ll be able to take out two of my greatest enemies: the traitor, and my former best friend.”

“Gilda,” whispered Rainbow Dash, “what happened to you?”

“Oh, so NOW you care,” shouted Gilda having picked up Rainbow Dash’s words.

“Gilda! What you did to my friends was unforgivable. I could never keep someone a friend who treats my other friends like that.”

“Friends you only knew for a few weeks at the most? As opposed to your first childhood friend?”

“You changed Gilda. I don’t know what happened, but you’re not the griffon I knew and befriended.”

“No, I’m not. I’m now more powerful alone than I could ever be with any of your lame-o friends.”

Zelda, watching the two squabble, thought.

Come on, she thought, her aviator goggles glowing slightly, come to me.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

From the Wilson Hall parking lot, Zelda’s glider flew from its spot and towards Zelda’s location.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

“Gilda,” continued Rainbow Dash, “you’ve had this coming for a long time!”

Rainbow Dash flew to Gilda and tackled her to the ground. As Rainbow Dash and Gilda wrestled on the ground, Zelda’s glider flew down and allowed her to mount it.

“Come on!” yelled Zelda. “We’re not getting anywhere like this!”

Zelda then lifted herself up in the air, prompting Rainbow Dash to fly up too. Gilda remained on the ground, watching as Rainbow Dash and Zelda hovered around fifty feet above her.

“Let’s settle this,” spoke Gilda. “Once and for all!”

She then darted to the north and away from the ring, leaving Zelda and Rainbow Dash to give chase. The area north to east of Fermilab was very grassy with little to no residencies, providing an excellent place to have an aerial riding duel. Zelda’s D-Pad appeared upon her arm while Rainbow Dash unsheathed hers. Gilda’s D-Pad appeared on her arm as well.

“Speed World 2,” shouted Zelda. “Set on!”

Rainbow Dash saw on her tablet’s screen that Speed World was activating. A holographic aura shot from Zelda’s gilder, covering the vast area around them.

“Woah,” exclaimed Rainbow Dash, “your glider can do that?”

“You never know when it would come in handy,” explained Zelda.

“Are we done yet?” yelled Gilda. “This is total Snoresville.”

“No,” growled Rainbow Dash. “We’re not done. Not by a long shot.”

Zelda, Rainbow Dash, and Gilda drew five cards from their decks.

“DUEL!” they all yelled.

Zelda and Rainbow Dash vs. Gilda

Zelda’s Turn: Z:1 RD:0 G:0 – Zelda activates the speed spell Overboost, increasing her speed counters by four (SpC.: 1 -> 5). Next, she activates Summons Speeder, allowing her to special summon a level 4 or lower monster from her hand when she has four or more speed counters, choosing Gusto Codor (ATK: 1000 DEF: 400). Zelda then normal summons Gusto Falco (ATK: 600 DEF: 1400).

Zelda tunes Gusto Codor with Gusto Falco to synchro summon Daigusto Gulldos (ATK: 2200 DEF: 800). When Gusto Falco is sent to the graveyard (except by battle), Zelda can special summon a Gusto monster from her deck in face down defense position.

During the end phase, with Overboost’s effect, her speed counters return to 1 (SpC.: 5 -> 1).

Zelda places two cards face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-8000 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

“Can you do something with that, Rainbow?” asked Zelda.

“You bet!” she answered.

***************************************************
Rainbow Dash’s Turn: Z:1 RD:1 G:0 – Rainbow Dash summons T.G. Cyber Magician (ATK: 0 DEF: 0). Rainbow Dash activates T.G. Cyber Magician’s effect, allowing her to synchro summon monsters using T.G. monsters in her hand as the synchro material. Rainbow Dash tunes T.G. Warwolf and T.G. Drill Fish in her hand with T.G. Cyber Magician to synchro summon T.G. Wonder Magician (ATK: 1900 DEF: 0).

Rainbow Dash tunes Zelda's Daigusto Gulldos with T.G. Wonder Magician to accel synchro summon T.G. Blade Blaster (ATK: 3300 DEF: 2200).

Rainbow Dash places one card face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-8000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

Gilda exhaled through her teeth, upset that her opponent already summoned such a powerful monster.

“Whatever…” muttered Gilda.

***************************************************
Gilda’s Turn: Z:1 RD:1 G:1 – Gilda sets one monster.

Gilda places three cards face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-8000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-3
***************************************************

“Watch out,” warned Rainbow Dash to Zelda. “I’m pretty sure that’s not just for defense.”

“You be quiet!” yelled Gilda.

“Don’t you treat my friend like that,” snapped Zelda.

“Friends… What good are they?”

“Here, let me show you.”

***************************************************
Zelda’s Turn: Z:2 RD:2 G:2 – Zelda flip summons Kamui, Hope of Gusto (ATK: 200 DEF: 1000). When Kamui, Hope of Gusto is flip summoned, she can special summon a Gusto tuner monster from her deck, choosing Gusto Gulldo (ATK: 500 DEF: 500). Zelda then normal summons another Gusto Codor. Zelda tunes Gusto Codor with Gusto Gulldo to synchro summon Daigusto Sphreez (ATK: 2000 DEF: 1300).

Zelda activates the effect of Gusto Gulldo. When it’s sent to the graveyard, Zelda can special summon a level 2 or lower Gusto monster from her deck, choosing another Gusto Falco. Also, when Daigusto Sphreez is synchro summoned, she can add a Gusto monster from her graveyard to her hand, choosing the Gusto Falco in her graveyard.

Zelda tunes Kamui, Hope of Gusto with Gusto Falco to synchro summon Daigusto Falcos (ATK: 1400 DEF: 1200). When Daigusto Falcos is synchro summoned, all Gusto monsters on the field gain 600 ATK (ATK: 2000 -> 2600) (ATK: 1400 -> 2000). When Gusto Falco is sent to the graveyard (except by battle), Zelda can special summon a Gusto monster from her deck in face down defense position.

Zelda attacks Gilda’s face down monster with Daigusto Sphreeze, but Gilda activates Mirror Force, destroying all attack position monsters the opponent controls. Rainbow Dash attempts to activate Trap Jammer, but Gilda activates Curse of Royal, negating and destroying a spell or trap that would destroy another spell or trap card, choosing Trap Jammer. Mirror Force resolves.

Rainbow Dash activates T.G. Blade Blaster’s effect, banishing a T.G. monster in her graveyard (T.G. Warwolf) to banish T.G. Blade Blaster until the next standby phase. Zelda then activates Miracle’s Wake, special summoning a monster of hers that was destroyed this turn, choosing Daigusto Sphreez.

Zelda ends her turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-8000 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

She’s really protecting that monster, thought Rainbow Dash. I’ll just have to knock it down a few notches.

***************************************************
Rainbow Dash’s Turn: Z:3 RD:3 G:3 – Rainbow Dash attacks Gilda’s face down monster with T.G. Blade Blaster, which is a Meklord Army of Skiel (ATK: 1200 DEF: 1000). Gilda activates Card of Last Will, drawing five cards when a monster of hers is destroyed in battle. Also, when Meklord Army of Skiel is destroyed by battle, Gilda can special summon a Meklord Army monster from her deck, choosing Meklord Army of Granel (ATK: 1600 DEF: 1200).

Rainbow Dash places one card face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-8000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“Now,” spoke Gilda. “I can finally avenge myself for what you’ve done to me!”

“What are you talking about?” asked Rainbow Dash. “You’re the one who attacked my friends.”

“I thought I was your friend.”

“If you think that friends treat others the way you did with my other friends, then you’re the farthest from a friend in my book.”

“That’s why I’m going to crush you.”

***************************************************
Gilda’s Turn: Z:4 RD:4 G:4 – Gilda activates the speed spell High Speed Crash, destroying one card she controls to destroy one card on the field when she has at least two speed counters, choosing her Meklord Army of Granel and Zelda’s face down card. Gilda then activates the effect of Meklord Emperor Skiel from her hand, special summoning it from her hand when a monster she controls is destroyed by a card effect (ATK: 2200 DEF: 2200).

Gilda activates Meklord Emperor Skiel’s effect, equipping a Synchro monster that the opponent controls to it and gaining ATK equal to the equip card’s ATK, choosing Daigusto Sphreeze, but Rainbow Dash activates Super Sacrifice, switching the target of the effect to T.G. Blade Blaster (ATK: 2200 -> 5500). Gilda activates Meklord Emperor Skiel’s other effect, sending a monster equipped to it to the graveyard to be able to attack the opponent directly this turn (ATK: 5500 -> 2200).

Gilda attacks Zelda and Rainbow Dash directly with Meklord Emperor Skiel.

Zelda and Rainbow Dash’s Life Points: 8000 -> 5800

Gilda normal summons Ally of Justice Thousand Hands (ATK: 1700 DEF: 0).

Gilda places two cards face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-3 Life-8000 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

“How does it feel?” yelled Gilda. “Just consider it a fraction of how I felt after you left me!”

“I already told you!” shouted Rainbow Dash. “That was your fault!”

“Is it my fault that I was born a griffon? Was it my fault that I was born a freak?”

Rainbow Dash seemed confused by these questions.

“You what?” she asked.

“When we went to flight camp together, you were my only reason for existing.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Don’t play dumb with me. You saw how the other pegasi treated me. It’s because I wasn’t graced with hooves and was cursed with talons and a beak instead.”

“Gilda…”

“No. You’ve chosen your retched pony brethren over me, now go. Fight me!”

“With pleasure,” butted in Zelda.

“Wait!” yelled Rainbow Dash.

***************************************************
Zelda’s Turn: Z:5 RD:5 Z:5 – Zelda flip summons Gusto Thunbolt (ATK: 1500 DEF: 1200). Next, she normal summons the Gusto Falco from her hand. Zelda tunes Gusto Thunbolt and Gusto Falco to synchro summon Daigusto Griffin (ATK: 2100 DEF: 1300). When Gusto Falco is sent to the graveyard (except by battle), Zelda can special summon a Gusto monster from her deck in face down defense position. Zelda tunes Daigusto Sphreez with Daigusto Griffin to accel synchro summon Gusto Flaming Pheenix (ATK: 3300 DEF: 2500).

Zelda attacks Meklord Emperor Skiel with Gusto Flaming Pheenix, but Gilda activates Shift, switching the target to Ally of Justice Thousand Hands. When Ally of Justice Thousand Hands battles a non-LIGHT monster, it’s destroyed before damage calculation. Gilda then activates the effect of Meklord Emperor Wisel from her hand, special summoning it from her hand when a monster she controls is destroyed by a card effect (ATK: 2500 DEF: 2500).

Zelda places one card face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-5800 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“Gilda, I–”

“Shut up!” snapped Gilda. “Make your move!”

Rainbow grimaced, unable to reach her.

***************************************************
Rainbow Dash’s Turn: Z:6 RD:6 G:6 – Rainbow Dash sets one monster.

Rainbow Dash places one card face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-5800 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“If you thought my last attacks were rough,” spoke Gilda, “wait until you get a load of this!”

***************************************************
Gilda’s Turn: Z:7 RD:7 G:7 – Gilda activates Speed World 2’s effect, removing seven speed counters (SpC.: 7 -> 0), she can draw one card. Gilda summons Meklord Army of Wisel (ATK: 1800 DEF: 0). Gilda then special summons Meklord Astro Dragon Asterisk, as she controls three Meklord monsters (ATK: 0 DEF: 0).

When Meklord Astro Dragon Asterisk is summoned, she can send any number of Meklord monsters that she controls to the graveyard to have Meklord Astro Dragon Asterisk gain ATK equal to the original ATK of the sent monsters, sending Meklord Emperor Skiel, Meklord Emperor Wisel, Meklord Army of Wisel to the graveyard (2200 + 2500 + 1800 = 6500, ATK: 0 -> 6500).

Gilda attacks Gusto Flaming Pheenix with Meklord Astro Dragon Asterisk.

Zelda and Rainbow Dash’s Life Points: 5800 -> 2600

Zelda activates her Card of Last Will, drawing five cards when a monster she controls has been destroyed in battle.

Gilda’s Life Points: 8000 -> 7000

With Meklord Astro Dragon Asterisk’s effect, when a synchro monster has been special summoned, Gilda can inflict 1000 points of damage to the opponent.

Zelda and Gilda’s Life Points: 2600 -> 1600

Gilda places one card face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-6900 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

“Gilda!” yelled Rainbow Dash. “Enough beating around the bush!”

“I don’t want to hear it!” yelled Gilda.

“But I do!”

This response seemed to shock Gilda.

“Please Gilda. If you’re hurting, hey, if you were ever hurting, why didn’t you tell me?”

“It doesn’t matter anymore,” softly spoke Gilda. “All that I have left is to end our forsaken world."

Rainbow Dash was still upset that she wasn’t able to break through to Gilda. Rainbow knew she was holding something from her, and all she wanted to do was help. Rainbow Dash clamped her eyes shut, trying to hold back her tears. It wasn’t until a bright light emanated from where her chest was that she opened her eyes.

Upon looking at her chest, she could see her element necklace glowing.

“What?” questioned Gilda.

Now’s my chance, thought Zelda.

***************************************************
Zelda’s Turn: Z:8 RD:8 G:1 – Zelda activates the speed spell Count Up, allowing her to discard cards from her hand and gain two speed counters for each card discarded when she has two or more speed counters, discarding one (SpC.: 8 -> 10). Zelda activates the effect of her Gusto Griffin, special summoning a Gusto monster from her deck when it’s sent from the hand to the graveyard, choosing Gusto Egul (ATK: 200 DEF: 400).

Next, she activates the speed spell Monster Reborn, removing ten speed counters (SpC.: 10 -> 0) to special summon a monster from her graveyard, choosing Daigusto Gulldos. Gilda activates Meklord Astro Dragon Asterisk’s effect, inflicting 1000 points of damage to her opponent when they special summon a synchro monster.

Zelda and Rainbow Dash’s Life Points: 1600 -> 600

Zelda activates Daigusto Gullos’ effect. By shuffling two Gusto monsters from her graveyard to her deck, she can destroy one monster the opponent controls, choosing Meklord Astro Dragon Asterisk, but Gilda activates Safe Zone, keeping it from being destroyed by battle or card effects.

Zelda places two cards face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-600 Monsters-4 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

“Rainbow!” yelled Zelda. “The rest is up to you. I know you can do it!”

“Go on,” yelled Gilda, almost in a mocking tone. “You can do it!”

“Gilda!” yelled Rainbow Dash. “You’re not being you. Heck, you were never you! You’re not the same griffon I knew from flight camp! You were a much nicer, much better creature than I could have cared to know.”

Gilda wanted to talk, but found her words choked by her furious tears.

“That’s why my element must be responding! It wants to help me save you! Please let me do that!”

“You can certainly try,” she managed to get out.

The top card on Rainbow Dash’s deck began to glow.

“Gilda! I’m going to save you!”

***************************************************
Rainbow Dash’s Turn: Z:1 RD:9 G:2 – Rainbow Dash flip summons her T.G. Rush Rhino (ATK: 1600 DEF: 800). Next, she special summons T.G. Gear Zombie from her hand, as she controls a T.G. monster (ATK: 600 DEF: 0). Ranbow Dash then activates her face down Graceful Revivial, special summoning T.G. Drill Fish from her graveyard (ATK: 100 DEF: 800).

Rainbow Dash tunes T.G. Rush Rhino with T.G. Gear Zombie to synchro summon another T.G. Wonder Magician. Gilda attempts to activate Meklord Astro Dragon Asterisk’s effect to inflict 1000 points of damage for special summoning a synchro monster, but Zelda activates Damage Diet, halving the damage.

Zelda and Rainbow Dash's Life Points: 600 -> 100

When T.G. Wonder Magician is synchro summoned, Rainbow Dash can destroy one spell or trap card on the field, choosing Safe Zone. With Safe Zone’s effect, Meklord Astro Dragon Asterisk is destroyed as well. Rainbow Dash then tunes T.G. Drill Fish with Zelda's Gusto Egul to synchro summon T.G. Recipro Dragonfly (ATK: 300 DEF: 300).

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

Rainbow Dash flew downwards towards the ground, her monsters following close by.

“I’m tuning my level two Tech Genus Recipro Dragonfly and Zelda’s Daigusto Gulldos with my Tech Genus Wonder Magician!”

Rainbow Dash’s cone appeared in front of her, however, it shone much brighter than it did for her accel synchros. Rainbow Dash then pulled up hard and ascended towards the sky, her cone only getting brighter the faster she moved.

“Go! Delta accel synchro!”

Rainbow Dash and her monsters broke through the sound barrier, a rainbow colored ring spreading out from the site. Zelda and Gilda were almost blinded by the multicolored light that shone from it. Rainbow now had a rainbow colored contrail following her. Also, the three monsters had vanished, being replaced by a large black and orange android. Upon the light being dim enough for Zelda and Gilda to see, they watched as Rainbow Dash approached with her new monster.

“Wow…” muttered Zelda.

“Let’s go! Tech Genus Halberd Cannon!”

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

Rainbow Dash tunes Zelda's Daigusto Gulldos and T.G. Recipro Dragonfly with T.G. Wonder Magician to delta accel synchro summon T.G. Halberd Cannon (ATK: 4000 DEF: 4000). Rainbow Dash activates the speed spell Element of Harmony – Loyalty, having her monster gain ATK equal to the ATK of the monster on her side of the field with the highest ATK other than the equipped monster when she has eight or more speed counters (ATK: 4000 -> 7300).

Rainbow Dash attacks Gilda directly with T.G. Halberd Cannon. Gilda attempts to activate Magic Cylinder, but Zelda activates her own Trap Jammer, negating and destroying Magic Cylinder. The attack goes through.

Gilda’s Life Points: 7000 -> 0

Zelda and Rainbow Dash win.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Gilda fell through the sky, completely decimated by her loss. Rainbow Dash, still using her newfound speed from her legendary sonic rainboom, caught Gilda and flew her safely to the ground. Zelda also swooped down with her glider, hopping off as soon as the glider landed. She walked over to Rainbow Dash, who still had Gilda cradled in her arms.

“Gilda,” asked Rainbow Dash desperately, “are you okay?”

Gilda then pushed Rainbow Dash off of her before sitting on her rump and slouching.

“Alright,” she relented. “I’ll tell you. I heard you were expelled from flight camp all those years ago. Without you, everyone was free to pick on me. Unable to live without my friend, I ran away back to the griffon kingdom, my original home. I wasn’t welcome there either. Apparently, they don’t take kindly to those who ally themselves with ponies.

“I spent the next several years working as a courier in Manehattan. Despite the decent pay, I was still not free from the torment that ponies gave to me. However, I heard your name around the city after you and your friends had defeated Nightmare Moon. I decided to take a visit to Ponyville, elated that I finally discovered where my friend was.

“However, upon getting back with you, that’s when I met Pinkie Pie. Her constant laughter all but reminded me of the ponies’ taunts and teases that followed me in life. I’m also sure you heard about Fluttershy. Being a pegasus, she was especially more infuriating. The nail in my coffin was Pinkie Pie’s party. After she had tried to accommodate me, I snapped at her. When you left me, I spent the next couple years alone in complete solitude, forsaken by both the ponies and the griffons.

“That’s when Rae came to me. She told me I could take revenge for all the laughter that fell upon me. Relieved with finding someone who would come to me for support, I couldn’t refuse.”

“You were right to kick me out of your life, Rainbow. I let my anger and my vengeful attitude get the better of me. In hindsight, I can’t help but feel regret for every decision I’ve made until now. You were truly the only light in a dark world and I threw it away. You have no right to pity me after what I’ve done.”

Gilda then felt Rainbow Dash’s arms wrap around herself.

“Don’t say that,” she whispered. “If I had known more about that, I would have tried to help you. You were– no, are my friend. And I can promise you something. If we make it out of here tonight, I’ll make sure you’re welcomed back with open arms if it’s the last thing I do.”

“You,” sniffled Gilda, “you mean that?”

“Of course. And I’m sure my friends will be more than forgiving if you’re truly sorry.”

Gilda, growing a playful smirk on her face, tackled her friend to the ground. Zelda stood in an offensive stance, assuming that they were fighting. Upon closer inspection, she found that the two were just playing, reunited in heart. Zelda then looked out to the direction where Fermilab was. If they were going to stop Rae, they’d have to leave quickly.

Chapter 49: Chrysalis

Tom, Cadance, and Twilight, fell from their portal towards the ground. As Tom continued to fall, Cadance glided down with her wings. Twilight caught herself and Tom with her magic, just inches above the ground. Twilight then levitated both herself and Tom upright so they could stand up.

“Thanks, Twi,” said Tom.

“Don’t mention it,” she responded.

They took a look around them, seeing a grassy area with a road running in front of them. Due west behind them was Wilson Hall.

“At least we didn’t go too far,” spoke Tom.

Despite the three of them making it through the portal, it remained open. Sarah was suddenly launched from the portal, her screaming making herself known to Tom, Twilight, and Cadance. Twilight reacted quickly, using her magic to levitate Sarah onto her feet.

“Thanks,” she said.

“Don’t mention it,” responded Twilight.

Princess Celestia then flew from the portal, Carolyn and Thomas hanging on for dear life. She quickly swooped down and landed on the ground next to everyone, letting Thomas and Carolyn go.

“Mom! Dad!” yelled Tom and Sarah simultaneously.

They both ran to their parents and hugged them, relieved that they were alright.

“Princess Celestia!” called Twilight, who went to her mentor and hugged her.

“Twilight,” cooed Celestia, returning the hug, “it’s good to see you too.”

“Hey!” called a familiar voice.

Everyone turned to see who it was. On the other side of the road was Alex, waving to them.

“Alex!” cheered Tom and Twilight, running across the road to their friend.

Tom shook Alex’s hand while Twilight stood on her hind legs, hugging Alex’s midsection.

“It’s great to see you,” said Alex. He then looked over to see Carolyn and Thomas there too. “Sweet, and Mom and Dad are here too!”

“Yeah,” agreed Tom. “We’re… wait. You never call my mom and dad Mom and Dad. You… no…”

Alex then grew a wicked smile and grabbed Tom by the shoulders. While pulling him in, Alex thrust his forehead into Tom’s, sending him onto the ground.

“Tom!” yelled Sarah.

Alex then pushed Twilight off of him and kicked her in the stomach, forcing her behind the road. Tom quickly got up and backed up to where Twilight was, who weakly got up despite the pain in her gut. Alex began to laugh, but his tone started to dualize. Alex then quickly transformed into his true form, Queen Chrysalis, in her hideous, black self.

“And I see you’ve brought the princess,” she said in her normal voice. “How about it, Celestia? Want to have another go?”

Celestia growled at Chrysalis.

“Forget it,” yelled Tom, standing offensively with Twilight and Cadance. “Celestia, stay back. We got this.”

“How chivalrous,” taunted Chrysalis. “You’re going to let your subjects fight in your stead? Typical Celestia.”

“You’re wrong,” spoke Celestia. “Now that you’re busy with them, I’m going to find your master and put an end to this madness.”

With that Celestia galloped off.

“Wait!” called Twilight.

But it was too late. Celestia adamantly galloped into the night.

“Well,” scoffed Chrysalis, “that was unexpected.”

“You know,” spoke Cadance, “I already repaid you for nearly ruining my wedding, but now you threaten my home and the lives of the ponies who live there. I will certainly repay you for that!”

Cadance held out her arm, unsheathing her duel disk.

“That goes double for me!” yelled Twilight, unsheathing her duel disk.

“Me three!” shouted Tom, the zones of his D-Pad coming out.

Chrysalis’ wrist dealer and graveyard appeared upon her wrist while her two pairs of wing zones sprouted from her back. Tom, Twilight, and Cadance drew five cards from their deck while five hovered in front of Chrysalis.

“DUEL!” they all yelled.

Tom, Twilight Sparkle, and Cadance vs. Queen Chrysalis

Tom’s Turn: Tom activates Graceful Charity, drawing three cards and discarding two. Next, he summons Gladiator Beast Secutor (ATK: 400 DEF: 300). Tom then special summons Test Tiger from his hand, as he controls a Gladiator Beast monster (ATK: 600 DEF: 300). Tom activates Test Tigers effect. By tributing it, he can return one Gladiator Beast monster that he controls to the deck and special summon another Gladiator Beast monster from his deck, and it’s treated as being summoned by the effect of a Gladiator Beast monster, choosing Gladiator Beast Darius (ATK: 1700 DEF: 300).

When Gladiator Beast Darius is special summoned by the effect of a Gladiator Beast monster, Tom can special summon a Gladiator Beast monster from his graveyard, although its effects are negated, choosing Gladiator Beast Andal (ATK: 1900 DEF: 1600). Tom overlays Gladiator Beast Darius and Gladiator Beast Secutor to xyz summon Amber Minotaur (ATK: 2400 DEF: 1900). Tom activates Amber Minotaur’s effect. By detaching one xyz material from it, Tom can normal summon again this turn without tributes, choosing Gladiator Beast Octavius (ATK: 2500 DEF: 1200).

Tom places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-12000 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“Great move, Tom!” yelled Sarah.

“Tom, I’m so proud of you!” yelled Carolyn.

“You summoned your Stone of Equus card so quickly,” complimented Chrysalis. “Well done. Now, let’s see how fast I can take it away.”

***************************************************
Chrysalis’ Turn: Chrysalis special summons Evilswarm Mandragora, as her opponent controls more monsters than she does (ATK: 1550 DEF: 1450). Next, she normal summons Steelswarm Caller (ATK: 1700 DEF: 0). Chrysalis overlays Evilswarm Mandragora and Steelswarm Caller to xyz summon Evilswarm Bahamut (ATK: 2350 DEF: 1350).

Chrysalis activates Evilswarm Bahamut’s effect. By detaching one xyz material from it, she can target a monster the opponent controls and take control of it by discarding an Lswarm monster (Evilswarm Heliotrope), choosing Amber Minotaur. Chryasalis activates Amber Minotaur’s effect, detaching its last xyz material from it to normal summon again this turn without tributes, summoning Steelswarm Longhorn (ATK: 3000 DEF: 0).

Chrysalis attacks Gladiator Beast Octavius with Steelswarm Longhorn, but Tom activates Negate Attack, ending the battle phase.

Chrysalis places two cards face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-12000 Monsters-3 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

Chrysalis hissed slightly at not inflicting damage to her opponent, but she soon smiled afterwards, seeing the fullness of her field. Tom in particular was seething that Chrysalis had taken Amber Minotaur from him.

“Hey,” called Twilight to Tom, “do you mind if I borrow your Amber Minotaur and Gladiator Beast?”

“If you can do something,” answered Tom.

“There’s nothing you can do!” mocked Chrysalis. “I’m in control of it now, so you can’t do anything!”

Twilight smirked.

***************************************************
Twilight’s Turn: Twilight activates Brain Control, taking control of one monster her opponent controls by paying 800 life points, choosing Amber Minotaur.

Tom, Twilight, and Cadance’s Life Points: 12000 -> 11200

Twilight then activates Overlay Regenerate, attaching itself as xyz material to Amber Minotaur. Twilight then summons Gagaga Magician (ATK: 1500 DEF: 1000). Twilight activates Amber Minotaur’s effect, detaching its last xyz material from it to normal summon again this turn without tributes, summoning High Priestess of Prophecy (ATK: 2500 DEF: 2100).

Twilight activates Gagaga Magician’s effect, making its level anything between 1 and 8, choosing 7 (Lvl.: 4 -> 7). Twilight overlays Tom’s Gladiator Beast Octavius, Gagaga Magician, and High Priestess of Prophecy to xyz summon Number 7: Lucky Straight (ATK: 700 DEF: 700).

Twilight activates Number 7: Lucky Straight’s effect. By detaching one xyz material from it, she can roll a die twice. The highest result will become its ATK times 700. She rolls a 6 and a 1 (6 x 700 = 4200). As the cumulative rolls equal seven, she can activate one of three effects. She chooses the first, sending all other cards on the field to the graveyard.

Twilight attacks Chrysalis directly with Number 7: Lucky Straight.

Chrysalis’ Life Points: 12000 -> 7800

Twilight activates Number 7: Lucky Straight’s effect again, detaching an xyz material from it to roll a die twice. The results are a 5 and 4 (5 x 700 = 3500, ATK: 4200 -> 3500). Twilight activates Number 7: Lucky Straight’s effect again, detaching its last xyz material to roll a die twice. The results are 2 and 5. Because the die rolls equal 7, she can activate one of three effects, choosing the second, special summoning a monster from either player’s graveyard, choosing High Priestess of Prophecy.

Twilight places one card face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-11200 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“Alright!” cheered Tom. “Awesome move!”

Twilight stood and smiled proudly at her endeavors.

“Impudent little mare,” spoke Chrysalis with a frown.

With her hand and field empty, she’d need a miracle to turn this duel around.

***************************************************
Chrysalis’ Turn: Chrysalis sets one monster and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-7800 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

Chrysalis took a sigh of relief after setting her monster, hoping it would be enough.

***************************************************
Cadance’s Turn: Cadance summons Crystal Beast Sapphire Pegasus (ATK: 1800 DEF: 1200). When Crystal Beast Sapphire Pegasus is summoned, Cadance can place a Crystal Beast monster from her deck to the spell and trap zone as a continuous spell card, choosing Crystal Beast Topaz Tiger.

Cadance activates Crystal Promise, special summoning a Crystal Beast monster from her spell and trap zone, choosing Crystal Beast Topaz Tiger (ATK: 1600 DEF: 1000). Cadance overlays Crystal Beast Sapphire Pegasus and Crystal Beast Topaz Tiger to xyz summon Number 39: Utopia (ATK: 2500 DEF: 2000).

Cadance attacks Chrysalis’ face down monster with Number 39: Utopia, which is a Morphing Jar (ATK: 700 DEF: 600). When Morphing Jar is flip summoned, each player discards their hands and draws five cards from their deck.

Cadance places two cards face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-3 Life-11200 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

“Now that my hand is fully replenished,” spoke Chrysalis, “there’s no telling how much trouble you’re all in.”

***************************************************
Chrysalis’ Turn: Chrysalis summons Evilswarm Cercyon (ATK: 1600 DEF: 1550). Next, she activates Evilswarm Cercyon’s effect, banishing an Evilswarm monster in her graveyard (Evilswarm Heliotrope) to add an Evilswarm monster from her graveyard to her hand, choosing Evilswarm Mandragora. Chrysalis special summons Evilswarm Mandragora from her hand, as her opponent controls more monsters than she does. Also, with Evilswarm Cercyon’s effect, she can normal summon an Lswarm twice this turn, summoning Steelswarm Gatekeeper (ATK: 1500 DEF: 1900). Chrysalis overlays Evilswarm Cercyon, Evilswarm Mandragora, and Steelswarm Gatekeeper to xyz summon Turquoise Windigo (ATK: 1600 DEF: 1600).

Chrysalis equips Turquoise Windigo with Megamorph, doubling its ATK (ATK: 1600 -> 3200). Chrysalis activates Turquoise Windigo’s effect. By detaching one xyz material from it, her opponents cannot activate spell or trap cards until the end phase. Next, Chrysalis activates Xyz Energy, detaching an xyz material from a monster she controls to destroy one monster on the field, choosing Number 39: Utopia.

Chrysalis attacks High Priestess of Prophecy with Turquoise Windigo.

Tom, Twilight, and Cadance’s Life Points: 11200 -> 10500

Chrysalis places two cards face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-7800 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

“Damn you,” grunted Tom, getting up from the attack.

“Damn me?” questioned Chrysalis. “Damn your shallow race of ponies, and damn the princess who protects them.”

Twilight looked ready to charge Chrysalis, but Tom stepped forward.

“Look, Twilight,” he said, getting her to stop, “I know you’re really eager to kick some ass here, but right now, I have to get her back for taking my sister.”

***************************************************
Tom’s Turn: Tom activates Temple of the Kings, allowing him to activate trap cards the same turn they’re set. Tom sets and activates Xyz Reborn, special summoning Amber Minotaur and attaching Xyz Reborn to it as xyz material. Tom summons Gladiator Beast Murmillo (ATK: 800 DEF: 400). Tom activates Amber Minotaur’s effect, detaching its last xyz material to normal summon again this turn, summoning Gladiator Beast Torax (ATK: 1400 DEF: 400). Tom overlays Gladiator Beast Murmillo and Gladiator Beast Torax to xyz summon Black Ray Lancer (ATK: 2100 DEF: 600).

Tom equips Turquoise Windigo with Cursed Armaments, decreasing its ATK by 600 for each monster that Tom controls (2 x 600 = 1200, ATK: 3200 -> 2000). Tom then activates Black Ray Lancer’s effect. By detaching one xyz material from it, Tom can negate the effect of one monster on the field this turn, choosing Turquoise Windigo.

Tom attacks Turquoise Windigo with Black Ray Lancer.

Chrysalis’ Life Points: 7800 -> 7700

Chrysalis activates Card of Last Will, drawing five cards when a monster she controls was destroyed by battle. Tom then attacks Chrysalis directly with Amber Minotaur, but Chrysalis activates her continuous trap Ultimate Offering, paying 500 life points to normal summon or set a monster from her hand, setting Evilswarm Azathoth (ATK: 750 DEF: 1950).

Chrysalis’ Life Points: 7700 -> 7200

When Evilswarm Azathoth is flip summoned, Chrysalis can target one special summoned monster and return it to the deck, choosing Number 7: Lucky Straight, but Cadance activates her face down Forbidden Chalice, increasing its ATK by 400 (ATK: 750 -> 1150) and negating its effects. Number 7: Lucky Straight remains on the field.

Tom ends his turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-10500 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

“Awesome!” yelled Sarah from the sidelines.

“That’s my boy,” Thomas muttered to himself.

Chrysalis got up, weakened from the hit, giggling slightly.

“I don’t see how you can be laughing, you vile creature,” growled Twilight.

“Vile. Hideous. Wretched. Ugly. All words used by you ‘perfect’ ponies towards us.”

“Don’t try and become a victim!” shouted Cadance. “You are a changeling, a creature who sustains herself by disguising herself and feeding off of the love for others.”

“Because your race shows so much love towards ‘vile creatures’ such as us.”

“What are you getting at?” yelled Tom.

“Did you ever think for one second that if you showed the same love towards us as you did your own kind, that we’d have to resort to such lowly measures?”

“Huh?” Twilight exclaimed.

“Could you imagine for even a second how much different your life would be if you were born with such abnormalities as I have? Could you imagine how much differently you’d be treated?”

“Chrysalis…” whispered Cadance.

“I knew full well of how wonderful you ponies were when I first came in contact with them.”
_________________________________________________________________________________________
................................................................................................................................................................
_________________________________________________________________________________________

A unicorn filly with a pink coat and poofy ice-blue mane and tail with a heart shaped cutie mark walked down the streets of Canterlot. She smiled at the way the ponies melded with each other. Some were having pleasantries as they walked, and others were at cafes drinking and/or eating together. However, what caught the filly’s attention were a group of other fillies playing catch with a rubber ball. She ran over to join them.

“Watch this,” said a unicorn colt with a gray coat, gray mane and tail with glasses on his eyes.

Using his magic, he took the ball from the colt closest to him and launched it at the pink filly, hitting her in the head.

Disoriented by this hit, she began to change. First, her coat changed from pink to red, then her mane and tail from blue to green, and her cutie mark transformed from a heart to a ball, much like the one thrown at her.

Everypony around the area watched as this filly transformed. Then, her coat became pitch black, her fur replaced by bare, black skin, her hooves had holes in them. Her mane and tail began to resemble cerulean seaweed, and holey wings sprouted from her body from a green and blue plating on her back.

“Ah!” screamed a pegsus filly from the other group of fillies, “a monster!”

“That’s no monster,” yelled an earth pony stallion, “that’s a changeling!”

“I don’t see a difference!” yelled a unicorn mare.

The filly changeling’s eyes began to water, hurt by the words of the ponies who hated her. She ran for the city exit, never once looking back.

“Monster!”

“So ugly!”

“Hideous!”

“Wretched creature!”
_________________________________________________________________________________________

“Mommy!” sobbed the filly changeling inside a cave. The cave was lined with green cocoons with changelings inside them. “They all yelled at me. They said I was ugly and hideous!”

A larger changeling appeared from the cave. She resembled the present day Chrysalis, but was bulkier in appearance.

“Now you see why we do what we do?” asked the older changeling in a dualized female voice. “Those ponies have no compassion for anyone who differs from them in appearance. That is why we must disguise ourselves and take their love through trickery. They won’t give it any other way.”

“Yes,” sniffled the filly changeling. “I hate them. I hate them all!”
_________________________________________________________________________________________
................................................................................................................................................................
_________________________________________________________________________________________

“From then on,” continued the present Chrysalis, “I trained under my mother’s guidance to gather love and feed it to the changelings until I eventually ascended to the throne as queen. I eventually gathered the strength to carry out with the plan that almost destroyed your wedding. And you know what?” she yelled, tears beginning to fall from her eyes. “I don’t regret it! In fact, I’d do it again! Any pain I caused that day is only a fraction of what your kind deserve! If you want to talk to me about vile, all you must do is look in a mirror.”

Cadance, Twilight, Sarah, Carolyn, and Thomas were stunned by her story, but not nearly as stunned as Tom was, however.

“Chrysalis…” muttered Tom, still overcome by the power in her story.

“And to answer your question, Twilight,” shouted Chrysalis, “I laughed over how much pain I’m going to inflict to you!”

***************************************************
Chrysalis’ Turn: Chrysalis summons Steelswarm Genome (ATK: 1000 DEF: 0). Chrysalis then activates the effect of Ultimate Offering, paying 500 life points to normal summon again, tributing Steelswarm Genome (which can be treated as two tributes for the tribute summon of a to summon Steelswarm Caucastag (ATK: 2800 DEF: 0).

Chrysalis’ Life Points: 7200 -> 6700

When Steelswarm Caucastag is tribute summoned, Chrysalis can destroy all other monsters on the field. Next, Chrysalis activates Heavy Storm, destroying all spell and trap cards on the field.

Chrysalis attacks Tom, Twilight, and Cadance directly with Steelswarm Caucastag.

Tom, Twilight, and Cadance’s Life Points: 10500 -> 7700

Chrysalis activates Xyz Plant, which becomes a monster with the same level as a monster she controls. Chrysalis overlays Steelswarm Caucastag and Xyz Plant to xyz summon Pearl Parasprite (ATK: 0 DEF: 0).

During the end phase, Chrysalis activates Pearl Parasprite’s effect. By detaching one xyz material from it, she can special summon as many Parasprite tokens in defense position on her side of the field as possible, who are treated with having the same name as the xyz material detached from Pearl Parasprite (Steelswarm Caucastag).

Chrysalis ends her turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-6700 Monsters-5 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

“Chrysalis,” groaned Twilight, “I’m sorry for what happened to you, but ending ponykind isn’t going to solve anything. If you kill everyone, whose love will you feed from then?”

“Rae has provided plenty of love,” said Chrysalis, “more than you ever could have given!”

“Chrysalis–”

“Make your move!”

Twilight frowned.

***************************************************
Twilight’s Turn: Twilight activates Monster Reborn, special summoning Gagaga Magician from her graveyard. Next, she normal summons Gagaga Girl (ATK: 1000 DEF: 800). Twilight activates Gagaga Magician’s effect, making its level anything between 1 and 8, choosing 7 (Lvl.: 4 -> 7). Twilight activates Gagaga Girl’s effect, making its level the same as Gagaga Magician’s (Lvl.: 3 -> 7). Twilight overlays Gagaga Magician and Gagaga Girl to xyz summon Hierophant of Prophecy (ATK: 2800 DEF: 2600).

Twilight attacks Pearl Parasprite with Hierophant of Prophecy, but Chrysalis takes no battle damage with battles involving it.

Twilight places one card face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-3 Life-7800 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

Chrysalis began laughing hysterically.

“Now you’re really in for it!” she yelled.

***************************************************
Chrysalis’ Turn: Chrysalis tributes three of her Parasprite tokens (which are still treated as Steelswarm Caucastag) to summon Steelswarm Hercules (ATK: 3200 DEF: 0). Chrysalis activates Steelswarm Hercules’ effect. By paying half of her life points, Chrysalis can destroy all other cards on the field.

Chrysalis’ Life Points: 6700 -> 3350

Chrysalis attacks Tom, Twilight, and Cadance directly with Steelswarm Hercules.

Tom, Twilight, and Cadance’s Life Points: 7700 -> 4500

Chrysalis ends her turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-3350 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

"Guys," shouted Cadance to her teammates, "you're going to have to trust me on this one."

***************************************************
Cadance’s Turn: Cadance activates Supremacy Berry, taking 1000 points of damage when her life points are higher than her opponent’s.

Tom, Twilight, and Cadance’s Life Points: 4500 -> 3500

Cadance sets one monster.

Cadance places two cards face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-3500 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

“What?” asked Chrysalis. “Why would you damage yourself like that?”

“Attack me and find out,” goaded Cadance.

Chrysalis’ teeth clenched in anger.

***************************************************
Chrysalis’ Turn: Chrysalis activates Steelswarm Hercules’ effect, halving her life points to destroy all other cards on the field.

Chrysalis’ Life Points: 3350 -> 1675

Chrysalis attacks Tom, Twilight, and Cadance directly with Steelswarm Hercules.

Tom, Twilight, and Cadance’s Life Points: 3500 -> 300

Chrysalis places one card face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-1675 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“I see what you’ve done,” said Chrysalis. “You lowered your life points to get yourselves below 500. Not that it matters. Your field is completely empty, and my monster is too powerful to surpass.”

“I’ll show you that I can’t surpass it,” growled Tom.

***************************************************
Tom’s Turn: Tom activates Pot of Greed, drawing two cards. Tom summons Gladiator Beast Equeste (ATK: 1600 DEF: 1200). Tom then special summons another Test Tiger from his hand, as he controls a Gladiator Beast monster (ATK: 600 DEF: 300). Tom activates Test Tigers effect, tributing it to return one Gladiator Beast monster that he controls to the deck and special summon another Gladiator Beast monster from his deck with it being treated as being summoned by the effect of a Gladiator Beast monster, choosing another Gladiator Beast Darius.

When Gladiator Beast Darius is special summoned by the effect of a Gladiator Beast monster, Tom can special summon a Gladiator Beast monster from his graveyard, although its effects are negated, choosing Gladiator Beast Andal (ATK: 1900 DEF: 1600). Tom overlays Gladiator Beast Darius and Gladiator Beast Andal to xyz summon Brotherhood of the Fire Fist – Tiger King (ATK: 2200 DEF: 1800). Tom then activates the equip spell card Xyz Revival, special summoning an xyz monster in his graveyard and equipping Xyz Revival to it, choosing Amber Minotaur.

Since’s Tom’s life points are below 500, Tom overlays Amber Minotaur and Brotherhood of the Fire Fist – Tiger King to xyz summon Shining Golden Minotaur (ATK: 3400 DEF: 2400). Tom activates Shining Golden Minotaur’s effect. By detaching all xyz materials from it (4), Tom can inflict 400 points of damage for each xyz material detached from it when it inflicts battle damage to the opponent.

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

“Awesome!” exclaimed Sarah. “With this, they’ll win. Go Tom!”

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

Tom attacks Steelswarm Hercules with Shining Golden Minotaur, but Chrysalis activates Rainbow Life, discarding one card to gain life points she would have lost this turn.

Chrysalis’ Life Points: 1675 -> 1875

With Shining Golden Minotaur’s effect, 400 points are inflicted for each xyz material detached (4 x 4 = 1600).

Chrysalis’ Life Points: 1875 -> 3475

Tom ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-400 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

“I’m not done fighting yet!” yelled Chrysalis. “As long as your race lives, I will not stop fighting!”

***************************************************
Chrysalis’ Turn: Chrysalis activates her Monster Reborn, special summoning Steelswarm Longhorn from her graveyard.

Chrysalis ends her turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-3475 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

Twilight was panting, heavily in thought over how she could prevent her enemy from finishing her and her friends off. Suddenly, her tiara element began to glow.

“What is this?” asked Chrysalis. “Impossible! The Elements of Harmony have been separated! There’s no way they can be working.”

“It seems that love has found a way!” yelled Twilight.

“Love?”

“Yes,” shouted Twilight, the top card of her deck glowing. “My love for you!”

Chrysalis gasped. Could her enemy have really said that she loved her?

***************************************************
Twilight’s Turn: Twilight activates her Graceful Charity, drawing two cards and discarding two. Twilight activates Spellbook of Life, banishing a Spellcaster-type monster in her graveyard (Gagaga Magician) and revealing a Spellbook card in her hand (Spellbook of Power) to special summon a Spellcaster-type monster from her graveyard and equip it with Spellbook of Life, choosing Hierophant of Prophecy.

Twilight then equips Hierophant of Prophecy with Element of Harmony – Magic, doubling its ATK (ATK: 2800 -> 5600). Lastly, Twilight activates Spellbook of Power, having Hierophant of Prophecy gain 1000 ATK (ATK: 5600 -> 6600).

Twilight attacks Steelswarm Longhorn with Hierophant of Prophecy.

Chrysalis’ Life Points: 3475 -> 0

Tom, Twilight, and Cadance win.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Chrysalis was sprawled on the ground as Turquoise Windigo and Pearl Parasprite flew from her graveyard and into the dome, where they both fused with it. As Twilight and Cadance hugged, Thomas, Carolyn, and Sarah walked up to Tom to congratulate him. However, he surprised them by walking across the road and over to Chrysalis, who was rolling over and on her knees. Before she could get up, she felt Tom’s hand on her shoulder as he knelt besides her.

“What…” she muttered. “What are you doing here?”

“Chrysalis,” said Tom. “I know what it’s like to be teased and taunted for your appearance. It’s a terrible feeling, knowing that you can’t control it. I’m so sorry that life had turned out for you the way it did. Unlike me, who had friends who cared for me like people should, you had no shoulder to cry on when you needed it the most.”

Tom then wrapped his arms around Chrysalis’ back and rested his chin upon her shoulder.

“Let me be that shoulder,” he said.

Chrysalis could feel the warmth emanating through Tom, and it was unlike anything she had felt before. She had begun to imagine her filly self crying in the cave, only for Tom to walk out where her mother once did, kneeling down and opening his arms up wide. The filly Chrysalis then smiled, running towards Tom and leaping onto him, only for Tom to catch her and pull her close to his chest.

Chrysalis then wrapped her arms around Tom’s back, returning the embrace. Upon placing her head on Tom’s shoulder, she let all of her tears stream down her face, soaking Tom’s neck and shirt in the process. Cadance and Twilight watched with equally teary eyes while Carolyn, Thomas, and Sarah observed respectfully.

Unable to take it anymore, Cadance and Twilight ran up to Chrysalis and gave her hugs as well, their tears falling on Chrysalis’ body. Suddenly, Chrysalis felt hotter warmth radiating from the three of them together.

“May I?” asked Chrysalis.

“Of course,” responded Cadance.

A pink aura surrounded Tom, Twilight, and Cadance. The aura then unwrapped itself from the three of them and was absorbed into Chrysalis’ horn. Chrysalis took a heavy exhale and deep sigh, immersed in the rich taste of their untainted, unconditional love.

“Thank you,” she whispered happily, her tears starting to run dry.

“If anyone has a problem with you,” spoke Tom, getting back up along with Twilight and Cadance, “they’re going to have to answer to me!”

“And me,” spoke Cadance.

“Me too!” responded Twilight.

“What? What is this?”

“Come on,” said Tom, “you don’t think we’re going to love you and leave you, right? We’re comrades, so now we stick together.”

Tom outstretched his hand to Chrysalis, who was still kneeling. She happily accepted the hand and let Tom pull her to her hooves.

“Yes,” agreed Chrysalis, “we’re comrades.”

Chrysalis then peered over to see Sarah, who gave her a nod with a smile.

“Alright,” said Tom. “Where can we find Rae?”

“Follow me,” spoke Chrysalis. “I have a good idea of where she is.”

Chrysalis led Tom, Twilight and Cadance towards the ring’s center, Thomas, Carolyn, and Sarah tagging close behind as well.

Chapter 50: Kyle

Jenny and Lisa had finally made it to Fermilab and parked next to Carolyn’s van, which proved to be difficult, given the fact that Jenny’s headlights were broken following the crashing into the Flim-Flam’s vehicle.

“Where do you think they are?” asked Lisa.

“Hopefully, inside,” said Jenny, pointing at Wilson Hall. “Let’s go find them, shall we?”

“Yes,” called a gruff voice from the backseat, “let’s.”

Lisa and Jenny then felt two horns poking them in the back of the necks. Flim and Flam both stuck their horns through the space between the backrest and the headrest at their enemies. Knowing that any sudden movement could spell death for them, Jenny and Lisa put their hands up, surrendering to the two unicorns.

“That’s a good filly,” said Flim. “Now get out of the car.”

Jenny and Lisa did exactly as they were told. They slowly and obediently stepped out of the car. Flim and Flam both leapt from the back seats to prevent Jenny or Lisa from slamming the doors on them and potentially rendering them unconscious again, their horns still aimed perfectly at Jenny and Lisa’s heads.

“Forward,” ordered Flam. “Now!”

Jenny and Lisa walked through the parking lot, the Flim-Flam brothers’ horns still guiding them.

“Be sure to get your wallet ready when we get there,” said Lisa with a slight, but unsure smile.

Jenny rolled her eyes.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Emma, Applejack, and Shining Armor were thrown from their portal towards the ground. Shining Armor landed on his feet and used his magic to levitate Emma and Applejack before they could hit. Finally, Shining Armor floated them back down to the ground on their feet.

“Thank ya kindly, Shining,” said Applejack.

“Yes,” agreed Emma, “thanks.”

“Where is everyone?” asked Shining Armor.

“It seems that they separated us,” said Emma.

“Now why in the wide, wide, world of Equestria would they do that?” asked Applejack.

A giggle suddenly rang through the air.

“Please don’t tell me you’re that dense,” spoke a voice that Emma was all too familiar with.

Shining Armor, Applejack, and Emma looked forward to see Kyle standing there. Emma was at first somewhat relieved to see him, but her smile was soon held back upon seeing Kyle’s evil smile.

“Kyle?” she asked, concerned.

“Emma?” he said, mimicking her voice.

As Kyle laughed at his mockery, Emma, Applejack, and Shining Armor were horrified, knowing that this wasn’t the Kyle from yesterday; it was Kyle from the Riverwalk Tournament.

“Kyle!” yelled Applejack. “What’s gotten into you? Did Rae do this to you?”

“For your information,” shouted Kyle theatrically, “I’ve never felt better. In fact, being bad is the only thing that gives me joy.”

“Kyle!” scolded Emma. “I know that’s not true. You told me yourself.”

“Well, sweetums, you just broke the first rule with me; never believe what I say.”

Emma’s teeth began to grind as Kyle laughed.

“Now,” continued Kyle. “I’ve come to collect your Stone of Equus monster, and I haven’t got all night, so let’s make this quick.”

“My thought’s exactly!” yelled Emma as she unsheathed her D-Pad.

Applejack and Shining Armor did the same with theirs. Kyle’s arm went alight, his D-Pad appearing on his arm from the blaze. Emma, Shining Armor, Applejack and Kyle drew five cards from their decks.

“DUEL!” they all yelled.

Emma, Shining Armor, and Applejack vs. Kyle

Emma’s Turn: Emma activates Graceful Charity, drawing three cards and discarding two. Next, she activates the effect of Gishki Shadow in her hand, discarding it to add a Gishki ritual spell card from her deck to her hand, choosing Gishki Aquamirror. Emma then activates Salvage, adding two WATER monsters with 1500 or less ATK from her graveyard to her hand, choosing Gishki Shadow and Mermail Abyssnose.

Emma summons Gishki Shadow (ATK: 1200 DEF: 1000). Emma activates Gishki Aquamirror, tributing Gishki Shadow, which can be treated as all tributes for a ritual summon, to ritual summon Evigishki Zealgigas (ATK: 3200 DEF: 0). Emma activates Evigishki Zealgigas’ effect, paying 1000 life points to draw one card.

Emma, Shining Armor, and Applejack’s Life Points: 12000 -> 11000

Emma places two cards face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-3 Life-11000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

“A strong monster,” accounted Kyle aloud, “a decent number of face down cards, and a strong hand. Pfft. As if those things would phase a master class duelist such as myself.”

***************************************************
Kyle’s Turn: Kyle activates Temple of the Kings, allowing him to activate trap cards the same turn they’re set. Kyle sets and activates Sixth Sense, calling two numbers (5 and 6). A die is rolled. If the result is any of the two called numbers, Kyle draws cards equal to that amount. The die lands on 6. Kyle draws six cards.

Kyle activates Card Destruction, having all players send their hands to the graveyard and draw cards equal to the amount sent. Shining Armor activates the effect of Heraldic Beast Leo, adding a Heraldic Beast monster from his deck to his hand when it’s sent to the graveyard.

Kyle activates Rekindling, special summoning as many FIRE monsters with 200 DEF from his graveyard as possible, choosing Flamvell Grunika (ATK: 1700 DEF: 200), Laval Forest Sprite (ATK: 300 DEF: 200), and Flamvell Archer (ATK: 1000 DEF: 200), and Laval Magma Cannoneer (ATK: 1700 DEF: 200). Kyle tributes Laval Magma Cannoneer to summon Laval Burner (ATK: 2100 DEF: 1000).

Kyle tunes Laval Burner with Laval Forest Sprite to synchro summon Ancient Flamvell Diety (ATK: 2500 DEF: 200). When Ancient Flamvell Diety is synchro summoned, Kyle can remove a number of cards from his opponent’s graveyard up to the number of cards in their hand and have Ancient Flamvell Deity gain 200 ATK for each card sent, choosing Shining Armor (5 x 200 = 1000, ATK: 2500 -> 3500).

Kyle tunes Laval Magma Cannoneer with Flamvell Archer to synchro summon Laval Stennon (ATK: 2700 DEF: 1800). When Laval Stennon is synchro summoned, Kyle must discard one card. With Laval Forest Sprite’s effect, when it’s sent from the field to the graveyard, all Laval monsters gain 200 ATK for each Laval monster in the graveyard (5 x 200 = 1000, ATK: 2700 -> 3700). Kyle sets one card.

Kyle attacks Evigishki Zealgigas with Ancient Flamvell Deity. Emma tries to activate Mirror Force, but Kyle activates his face down Dark Bribe, negating and destroying Mirror Force and letting Emma draw one card. The attack goes through.

Emma, Shining Armor, and Applejack’s Life Points: 11000 -> 10700

Kyle attacks Emma, Shining Armor, and Applejack directly with Laval Stennon.

Emma, Shining Armor, and Applejack’s Life Points: 10700 -> 7000

During the end phase, Laval Stennon’s ATK returns to normal (ATK: 3800 -> 2800).

Kyle places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-4 Life-12000 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“Kyle,” groaned Emma, kneeling on one knee, trying to get up, “don’t you remember anything?”

“I certainly remember almost killing your brother,” giggled Kyle. “Oh, I see. You were wondering if I ever had feelings for you. The only feeling I ever had was an aching stomach from when I laughed after beating you and your brother so many times when we were younger.”

Emma’s furious tears began to form in her eyes as Kyle laughed at her expense. However, two white, hooved arms walked up to Emma’s left side. Shining Armor then lowered his head down and picked Emma up by her jacket collar with his teeth, allowing her to stand back up.

“You know,” said Shining Armor, “I don’t appreciate you treating little sisters that way in front of me.”

“Ooh,” mocked Kyle in a feigned intimidated voice, “and what are you going to do about it?”

Shining Armor smiled.

***************************************************
Shining Armor’s Turn: Shining Armor activates the spell Burial from a Different Dimension, targeting up to three banished monsters and returning them to his graveyard. Next, he activates the quick-play spell Forced Xyz, having his opponent xyz summon a monster if the appropriate xyz materials are on the field. Kyle overlays Laval Stennon and Ancient Flamvell Deity to xyz summon Olivine Dragon (ATK: 3000 DEF: 2500).

Shining Armor then activates Advanced Heraldry Art, allowing him to special summon two Heraldic Beast monsters from his graveyard and then xyz summon a monster using exactly those cards as xyz material, choosing Heraldic Beast Leo (ATK: 2000 DEF: 1000) and Heraldic Beast Berners Falcon (ATK: 1000 DEF: 1600). Shining Armor overlays Heraldic Beast Leo and Heraldic Beast Berners Falcon to xyz summon Number 8: Heraldic King Genom-Heritage (ATK: 2400 DEF: 1800).

Shining Armor activates Number 8: Heraldic King Genom-Heritage’s effect, targeting one xyz monster the opponent controls and gaining the target’s ATK, name, and effects until the end phase, choosing Olivine Dragon (ATK: 2400 -> 3000). Also, the target’s effects are negated and its ATK becomes 0 until the end phase (ATK: 3000 -> 0).

Shining Armor normal summons Heraldic Beast Aberconway (ATK: 1800 DEF: 900). Next, he special summons Heraldic Beast Eale from his hand, as he controls at least two Heraldic monsters (ATK: 1000 DEF: 1800).

Shining Armor attacks Olivine Dragon with Number 8: Heraldic King Genom-Heritage. Kyle attempts to activate Magic Cylinder, but Emma activates her own Trap Jammer, negating and destroying Magic Cylinder. The attack goes through.

Kyle’s Life Points: 12000 -> 9000

Shining Armor attacks Kyle directly with Heraldic Beast Eale.

Kyle’s Life Points: 9000 -> 8000

Shining Armor attacks Kyle directly with Heraldic Beast Aberconway.

Kyle’s Life Points: 8000 -> 6200

During the end phase, Number 8: Heraldic King Genom-Heritage’s ATK returns to normal (ATK: 3000 -> 2400).

Shining Armor places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-7000 Monsters-3 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“Son of a bitch,” grunted Kyle, surprised and angered by Shining Armor’s massive onslaught of damage.

“Hurts, doesn’t it?” asked Shining Armor with contempt in his voice. “I only learned from the best,” he said, tilting his head towards Emma. Emma, upon noticing his gesture, smiled.

“Then please,” spoke Kyle, “allow me to teach you a lesson you soon won’t forget.”

***************************************************
Kyle’s Turn: Kyle uses Temple of the Kings’ effect, setting and activating Xyz Reborn, special summoning Olivine Dragon from his graveyard and attaching Xyz Reborn to it as xyz material. Kyle then activates Monster Reborn, special summoning Laval Stennon from his graveyard. Next, he activates Battle Waltz, special summoning a Waltz token with the same Type, Attribute, Level, ATK, and DEF as a synchro monster he controls to the field.

Kyle overlays Olivine Dragon, Laval Stennon, and the Waltz token to xyz summon Ultra Olivine Tri-Dragon (ATK: 4500 DEF: 3800). Kyle activates Ultra Olivine Tri-Dragon’s effect. By detaching one xyz material from it, Kyle can destroy an attack position xyz monster that his opponent controls and inflict damage equal to the difference between Ultra Olivine Tri-Dragon's ATK and the destroyed monster’s ATK, choosing Number 8: Heraldic King Genom-Heritage.

Emma, Shining Armor, and Applejack’s Life Points: 7000 -> 4900

Kyle then attacks Heraldic Beast Aberconway with Ultra Olivine Tri-Dragon, but Shining Armor activates Heraldry Change, special summoning one Heraldic Beast monster from his hand and ending the battle phase, choosing Heraldic Beast Basilisk (ATK: 1000 DEF: 1400).

Kyle ends his turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-6200 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

Well, shoot! thought Applejack. I certainly can’t beat his dragon, but I gotta’ hand it to ya’ Shining Armor, you sure know how to help out.

“Yo, Shining!” yelled Applejack. “Mind if I borrow one of yer’ monsters?”

“Of course!” he responded.

“Thanks a bunch!”

***************************************************
Applejack’s Turn: Applejack summons XX-Saber Boggart Knight (ATK: 1900 DEF: 1000). When XX-Saber Boggart Knight is normal summoned, Applejack can special summon an X-Saber monster from her hand, choosing X-Saber Palomuro (ATK: 200 DEF: 300). Applejack tunes XX-Saber Boggart Knight and Heraldic Beast Basilisk with X-Saber Palomuro to synchro summon XX-Saber Gottoms (ATK: 3100 DEF: 2600). Applejack then activates the field spell Saber Vault, having all X-Saber monsters gain 100 ATK and lose 100 DEF times their level (9 x 100 = 900, ATK: 3100 -> 4000, DEF: 2600 -> 1700).

Applejack places two cards face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-4900 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

Kyle couldn’t help but laugh.

“That’s it?” he howled. “That’s all you can do? Well, this was easy.”

***************************************************
Kyle’s Turn: Kyle attacks Heraldic Beast Eale, but Applejack activates Scrap-Iron Scarecrow, negating the attack and setting her trap back on the field.

Kyle places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-6200 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

Kyle was now fuming. Shining Armor had all Emma needed to summon her Stone of Equus monster except for a level 4 monster. Kyle could tell that the odds were for Emma.

***************************************************
Emma’s Turn: Emma summons Mermail Abyssmander (ATK: 100 DEF: 2000). Emma overlays Mermail Abyssmander, Heraldic Beast Aberconway, and Heraldic Beast Eale to xyz summon Sapphire Serpent (ATK: 2800 DEF: 2200). Emma equips Sapphire Serpent with Mist Body, preventing its destruction in battle.

Emma attacks Ultra Olivine Tri-Dragon with Sapphire Serpent, but Kyle activates Negate Attack, ending the battle phase.

Emma places one card face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-4900 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“HAHAHA!” laughed Kyle. “I guess I should thank you, Shining Armor! After all, without your monsters, Emma wouldn’t have been able to summon new prey for my dragon.”

“Just you try,” grunted Emma, her voice choking with teary eyes.

“What’s the matter, sweety? You look so upset.” Kyle then “got” it. “Wait, you mean you actually have feelings for me?”

Emma knew what Kyle’s response would be, but she couldn’t bear to hear it. As predicted, Kyle cackled causing more tears to stream down Emma’s face as she sunk to her knees.

“You should’ve learned to keep away from me five years ago, you silly woman.”

***************************************************
Kyle’s Turn: Kyle activates the effect of Ultra Olivine Tri-Dragon, detaching one xyz material to destroy an attack position xyz monster and inflict damage equal to the difference in their ATKs, but Applejack activates Braveheart, paying half of her life points to negate the effect.

Emma, Shining Armor, and Applejack’s Life Points: 4900 -> 2500

Kyle places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-6200 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“And what was the point of that?” asked Kyle. “You would have received a lot less damage had you let me destroy your monster.”

“Of course that would work out well for you,” spoke Shining Armor, “but the point of that was that it’s going to help me destroy your monster.”

“Say what?”

***************************************************
Shining Armor’s Turn: Shining Armor activates the effect of Heraldic Beast Unicorn in his graveyard, banishing it to special summon a Psychic-type xyz monster in his graveyard, although its effects are negated, choosing Number 8: Heraldic King Genom-Heritage. Next, Shining Armor activates Xyz Tresure, drawing a number of cards equal to the number of xyz monsters on the field (3). Shining Armor equips Sapphire Serpent with Xyz Jeweled Crown, making its rank its level (Rnk.: 4 -> Lvl.: 4). Also, the monster equipped with Xyz Jeweled Crown can be treated as two xyz materials.

Shining Armor then summons Heraldic Beast Twin-Head Eagle (ATK: 1200 DEF: 1400). Shining Armor overlays Sapphire Serpent and Heraldic Beast Unicorn to xyz summon Number 69: Heraldry God – Coat of Arms (ATK: 2600 DEF: 1400). When Number 69: Heraldry God – Coat of Arms is special summoned, the effects of all other xyz monsters are negated. Shining Armor activates Number 69: Heraldry God – Coat of Arms’ effect, allowing him to gain the name and effects of another xyz monster on the field, choosing Number 8: Heraldic King Genom-Heritage.

Shining Armor activates Number 8: Heraldic King Genom-Heritage’s effect through Number 69: Heraldry God – Coat of Arms, targeting one xyz monster the opponent controls and gaining the target’s ATK, name, and effects until the end phase, choosing Ultra Olivine Tri-Dragon (ATK: 2600 -> 4500). Also, the target’s effects are negated and its ATK becomes 0 until the end phase (ATK: 4500 -> 0).

Shining Armor activates Ultra Olivine Tri-Dragon’s effect through Number 8: Heraldic King Genom-Heritage’s effect through Number 69: Heraldry God – Coat of Arms’ effect, detaching one xyz material to destroy an attack position xyz monster and inflict damage equal to the difference in their ATKs, choosing Ultra Olivine Tri-Dragon.

Kyle’s Life Points: 6200 -> 1700

Shining Armor then attacks Kyle directly with Number 8: Heraldic King Genom-Heritage, but Kyle activates Firewall, banishing a Pyro-type monster in his graveyard (Laval Burner) to negate the direct attack.

During the end phase, Number 69: Heraldry God – Coat of Arms’ ATK returns to normal (ATK: 4500 -> 2600).

Shining Armor ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-2400 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

Shining Armor panted, the energy he exerted in performing his move tuckering him out. He then looked to Emma, who gave him an assuring smile. The silence was then broken by Kyle, laughing once more.

“So you think that that’s the end of my dragon?” he asked. “Me and Olivine have got a lot more tread in our tires.”

***************************************************
Kyle’s Turn: During Kyle’s standby phases, he must pay 500 life points or destroy Firewall. Kyle destroys Firewall. Kyle activates Graceful Charity, drawing three cards and discarding two. Kyle summons Flamvell Baby (ATK: 800 DEF: 200). Kyle then uses Temple of the Kings’ effect to set and activate Dimension Trap, banishing a monster he controls and a trap card in his graveyard to make Dimension Trap’s effect the same as the banished trap, choosing Xyz Reborn, special summoning Ultra Olivine Tri-Dragon from his graveyard and attaching Xyz Reborn to it as xyz material.

Kyle activates the effect of Ultra Olivine Tri-Dragon, detaching one xyz material to destroy an attack position xyz monster and inflict damage equal to the difference in their ATKs, choosing Number 8: Heraldic King Genom-Heritage.

Emma, Shining Armor, and Applejack’s Life Points: 2500 -> 400

Kyle attacks XX-Saber Gottoms’ with Ultra Olivine Tri-Dragon, but Applejack activates Scrap-Iron Scarecrow, negating the attack and setting her trap back down.

Kyle ends his turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-1700 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

Applejack couldn’t help but cower in the faces of Kyle’s supercharged ace.

What in sweet Celestia’s name am I going to do now? she thought.

Suddenly, her element necklace began to glow, inciting shock from Emma, Shining Armor, and Kyle.

“What? Impossible!” Kyle spat. “How could your element be working without the other six?”

“Apparently,” answered Applejack, “fate needs it to work. And just who am I to tempt it?”

The top card on Applejack’s deck began to glow.

***************************************************
Applejack’s Turn: Applejack equips XX-Saber Gottoms with Element of Harmony – Honesty, playing with her hand revealed. She has an X-Saber Axel.

Applejack attacks Ultra Olivine Tri-Dragon with XX-Saber Gottoms. With Element of Harmony – Honesty’s effect, the monster equipped to it cannot be destroyed in battle. Also, when the equipped monster attacks an opponent’s monster, that monster is destroyed immediately and without damage calculation.

Applejack ends her turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-400 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“Im…” stammered Kyle, literally frightened out of his wits, “Im– Impossible! My dragon cannot be defeated!”

“Well it seems I just did,” confidently stated Applejack.

Emma couldn’t help but feel a massive surge of confidence rain over her upon the disappearance of Kyle’s dragon.

“No,” Kyle continued to stutter, “I’ll just bide some time. I show you novices what for!”

***************************************************
Kyle’s Turn: Kyle sets one monster and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-1700 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

“Kyle!” yelled Emma. “You’re through! You have been controlled by a dark and terrible force for far too long now. Let me bring you back into the light!”

***************************************************
Emma’s Turn: Emma activates her own Monster Reborn, special summoning Evigishki Zealgigas from her graveyard. Next, she activates her face down Xyz Reborn, special summoning Sapphire Serpent from her graveyard and attaching Xyz Reborn to it as xyz material.

Emma attacks Kyle’s face down monster with Evigishki Zealgigas, which was a Flamvell Guard (ATK: 100 DEF: 2000). Emma then attacks Kyle directly with Sapphire Serpent.

Kyle’s Life Points: 1700 -> 0

Emma, Shining Armor, and Applejack win.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

As the force from Emma’s hit, threw Kyle to the ground, Emma ran to him. As Emma got closer, both Olivine Dragon and Ultra Olivine Tri-Dragon were plucked from Kyle’s graveyard and were absorbed into the dome. Emma slid to her knees and cradled Kyle’s torso in her arms. Applejack and Shining Armor ran towards them as well. Strangely, despite the duel being over, Sapphire Serpent remained on the field.

“Kyle!” she sobbed, shaking Kyle to get him to awaken. “Please, wake up!”

Kyle’s answer came in the form of a cough. Emma, while somewhat relieved to see Kyle alive and conscious, was hesitant, unsure of which Kyle she was holding.

“Emma,” he wheezed.

His voice, while damaged, was devoid of the brazen and cold tone Emma, Shining Armor, and Applejack had to suffer through. Emma pulled Kyle in and hugged him. With Kyle’s head hung over Emma’s shoulder, he saw Applejack and Shining Armor standing there.

“You’re here!” he exclaimed. “Where are the others?”

“It’s just us for now, Kyle,” said Applejack.

“Now we just need to find them,” added Shining Armor.

“Come on!” shouted Emma, trying to pull Kyle to his feet, but to no avail; he was too heavy. “We have to find them.”

“Sorry,” sighed Kyle. “I can’t come with.”

“What? Why not.”

“Before Rae transformed me back into a monster, she stole mine and Luna’s lifeforce. The only thing keeping me alive was Rae’s ambition.”

“No…” Jenny began to sob again. “No, you’re not dying here. I won’t let you.”

Kyle grabbed the sleeve of Emma’s jacket.

“Emma, please. I’ve tried my best and I failed. You and everyone else must carry the torch for me.”

Applejack and Shining Armor’s eyes began to fill with tears as well.

“By the way, Shining Armor,” said Kyle, looking to the white unicorn. “Awesome job. Twilight and Cadance would be really proud.”

Shining Armor laughed uncomfortably, knowing that it would be one of the last condolences he would receive from one of his allies.

“Emma,” he continued, his voice only growing weaker, “thank you for being there. I’m sorry for everything that ever happened to your and your brother. I… I… li… lo….”

Kyle’s eyes closed and his arms fell limp. Emma couldn’t take it. She pulled Kyle close to her chest, her tears falling on the back of his trenchcoat.

“I know,” she silently cried. “I love you too.”

Emma, in a final gesture of kindness, began to kiss Kyle on the mouth and put her hand on the back of his head, feeling the warmth of his lips and the softness of his hair for the first and final time. Applejack and Shining Armor were now openly weeping, mourning the loss of their friend.

Suddenly, a roar rang from behind them, shocking Applejack and Shining Armor, but not phasing Emma. The two ponies looked up to see Sapphire Serpent fly over them and Emma, its xyz material still attached to it. Then, the xyz material flew into its forehead, causing a bright flash to emit from it. Suddenly, gold sparkles began to shower over Emma and Kyle as she continued kissing him. Shining Armor and Applejack were still shocked over what they were seeing.

When the final sparkles fell over the two lovers, Emma pulled herself away from Kyle, still upset over his death. Almost immediately, Kyle jolted awake and gasped for air, scaring Emma. Kyle looked at his hands, unsure of his own consciousness.

“Emma!” he exclaimed, sounding much healthier than before. “I’m alive.”

Emma, overcome with joy, hugged Kyle once more, with Kyle having enough strength to return the embrace. Applejack and Shining Armor stood on their hind legs and kicked their forearms into the air, happy over Kyle’s wellbeing.

Emma and Kyle continued to hug each other, they heard the roar of a monster above them. Upon looking up, they both saw Sapphire Serpent hovering above them. The blue serpent then looked at Emma and Kyle and gave them a nod before becoming a beam of light which zapped itself into Emma’s Sapphire Serpent card which was still on Emma’s D-Pad. Emma and Kyle stood up while Emma placed her monsters back in her deck.

“Welcome back,” said Shining Armor, gently pushing Kyle’s chest with the back of his hoof.

“Kyle,” spoke Applejack, “when you mentioned that you and Luna were having your lifeforce taken, you also said that Rae turned you back into a monster. Did you see what happened to Luna by chance?”

“All I can remember was Luna turning black and her eyes becoming like a cat’s,” he answered.

“Black? Cat’s eyes? …Oh dear!”

“What?” asked Emma. “What is it?”

“No time! We have to find Luna!”

Applejack ran towards the center of the ring, Emma, Shining Armor, and Kyle trying to keep up.

Chapter 51: Luna

Reese and Rarity fell through a portal over the ground. With Rarity caught off guard by her sudden appearance, she and Reese both fell to the ground with a thump. Once Rarity, got up, still a bit tipsy from the fall, she saw Reese on the ground, she picked him up with her magic and tried to “brush” him off as best as she could.

“So sorry, Reese,” she profusely apologized. “I had no idea where I was, and ‘poof,’ here I am!”

“It’s okay,” replied Reese, dusting himself off. “Thank you though.”

Now that Reese and Rarity were acquainted, they could finally observe their surroundings. They were on a small island along the eastern edge of the ring that was surrounded by water.

“Oh dear!” exclaimed Rarity. “How are we ever going to get out of here?”

Rarity and Reese suddenly heard deep feminine laughter in the air. Rarity couldn’t quite put her hoof on it, but she was certain that she heard this laugh before.

“Hopefully,” the voice responded, “when all is said and done, you won’t.”

A purple aura began to rise from the water in front of them, seeping onto the shore, causing Reese and Rarity to back away. The aura rose to a height about seven feet, then spreading apart like curtains revealing a black alicorn standing there.

“No…” gasped Rarity, instantly recognizing her.

The top and the back of her head was covered in a light purple helmet, along with a broach of the same color with a white crescent moon on it. Her cutie mark was a dark purple splotch that covered her entire rump with a crescent moon, similar to the one on her broach. Her mane and tail seemed to be made out of a purple aura. She stared at Reese and Rarity with her hungry, ice-blue, cat-like eyes along with her slight smile.

“Nightmare Moon!” shrieked Rarity.

“Who?” asked Reese.

“Nightmare Moon. She tried to plunge Equestria in eternal darkness over a thousand years ago. She tried to do it again not too long ago, and then–”

“You stopped me,” interrupted Nightmare Moon. “Well, without your precious Elements of Harmony, I’ll see to it that you won’t stop me again!”

“Why have you returned?” demanded Rarity. “Hay, how have you returned.”

“Let’s just say, a friend assisted me.”

“Rae,” grunted Reese, baring his teeth.

“Quite the intuitive little creature, aren’t you? To answer your question, yes, I have returned thanks to the kind assistance of Rae Sulfa Tun. And she promised that with the destruction of Equestria and Earth, she’ll plunge the new world into eternal darkness for me!”

“Like hell she will!” shouted Reese, activating his duel disk and unsheathing the zones.

Rarity also finished setting up her duel disk. Using her magic, a portion Nightmare Moon’s mane split off of her, forming a field with fourteen zones in front of her, seven on top, seven on the bottom. Nightmare Moon placed her deck upon the lower-right hand zone.

“What the…” muttered Reese. Then he remembered.

“Luna!” he shouted at Nightmare Moon.

The alicorn was shocked upon being called that, but resumed her confident smile.

“Rarity, that’s Luna in there!”

“I know!” she shouted.

“What? You knew?”

“Well, of course, darling. If you knew you were fighting your friend, you might have let your guard down.”

“Don’t worry,” said Reese. “I won’t let my guard down. Even if I’m dueling a ‘friend.’ Right now, my sister, my friends, my world, my home are about to be destroyed. I’m not going to let my feelings stand in the way of saving all of that.”

“I’m sorry to disappoint,” spoke Nightmare Moon, “but your home is as good as doomed. Now, Reese, Rarity, come and see if you have what it takes to stand up to the night!”

Reese, Rarity, and Nightmare Moon drew five cards from their decks.

“DUEL!” they all yelled.

Rarity and Reese vs. Nightmare Moon

Rarity’s Turn: Rarity activates Ancient Rules, special summoning a level five or higher normal monster from her hand, choosing Gem-Knight Crystal (ATK: 2450 DEF: 1950). Rarity sets one monster.

Rarity places two cards face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-8000 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

“Reese!” called Rarity, “can you make something out of that?”

“I certainly can.”

***************************************************
Reese’s Turn: Reese equips Gem-Knight Crystal with Synchro Boost, increasing its ATK by 500 and its level by one (ATK: 2450 -> 2950, Lvl.: 7 -> 8). Reese then summons Gernia (ATK: 1300 DEF: 1200). Rees then activates Level Doubler, discarding one card from his hand to double the level of a level 4 or lower monster he controls, choosing Gernia (Lvl.: 4 -> 8). Reese overlays Gernia and Gem-Knight Crystal to xyz summon Obsidian Imp (ATK: 2800 DEF: 2500).

Reese places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-8000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“So foolish,” mused Nightmare Moon aloud.

***************************************************
Nightmare Moon’s Turn: Nightmare Moon sets one monster. Next, she plays the spell Infernity Launcher.

Luna places 2 cards face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-8000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

Let’s see how she handles this, thought Rarity.

***************************************************
Rarity’s Turn: Rarity flip summons Gem-Knight Sapphire (ATK: 0 DEF: 2100). Rarity then summons Gem-Knight Emerald (ATK: 1800 DEF: 800). Rarity activates her face down Pyroxene Fusion, sending Gem-Knight Sapphire and Gem-Knight Emerald to the graveyard to fusion summon Gem-Knight Aquamarine (ATK: 1400 DEF: 2600). Rarity equips Gem-Knight Aquamarine with Fusion Weapon, increasing its ATK and DEF by 1500 (ATK: 1400 -> 2900, DEF: 2600 -> 4100). Reese then activates his face down Enemy Controller, changing Luna's face down monster from face-down defense position into attack position, which turns out to be an Infernity Guardian (ATK: 1200 DEF: 1700).

Rarity attacks Infernity Guardian with Gem-Knight Aquamarine, but Nightmare Moon activates Infernity Inferno, discarding two cards to send two Infernity cards from her deck to the graveyard. With Infernity Guardian’s effect, it cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects if Nightmare Moon has no cards in her hand. Battle damage is still applied.

Nightmare Moon’s Life Points: 8000 -> 6300

At the end of the battle phase when Gem-Knight Aquamarine attacked, it is switched to defense position.

Rarity ends her turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-8000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“Nice move, Rarity,” said Reese.

“To be fair,” said Rarity, slightly bashful, “it was your card that helped.”

“Then here, let me be of further assistance.”

***************************************************
Reese’s Turn: Reese activates Mystical Space Typhoon, destroying Nightmare Moon’s face down card, which was an Infernity Force.

Reese attacks Infernity Guardian with Obsidian Imp. With Infernity Guardian’s effect, it cannot be destroyed in battle when Nightmare Moon’s hand is at 0. Battle damage is still calculated.

Nightmare Moon’s Life Points: 6300 -> 4700

Reese places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-8000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“Yes!” shouted Rarity in glee. “We’re doing it!”

“Alright!” cheered Reese. “We’re almost halfway there.”

Despite their advantage, Reese and were caught off guard by Nightmare Moon, who began giggling.

“You have no idea what’s in store for you now, do you?” she asked.

***************************************************
Nightmare Moon’s Turn: Nightmare Moon activates Pot of Greed, drawing two cards. Next, she summons Infernity Dwarf (ATK: 800 DEF: 500). Nightmare Moon activates Night Beam, destroying one set spell or trap card on the field, choosing Rarity’s face down card. She then activates the effect of her Infernity Launcher, sending it to the graveyard to special summon two Infernity monsters from her graveyard when she has no cards in her hand, summoning Infernity Beetle (ATK: 1200 DEF: 0) and Infernity Destroyer (ATK: 2300 DEF: 1000).

Nightmare Moon activates the effect of Infernity Beetle. When she has no cards in her hand, she can tribute Infernity Beetle to special summon two Infernity Beetles from her deck. Nightmare Moon tunes Infernity Destroyer with Infernity Beetle to synchro summon Hundred Eyes Dragon (ATK: 3000 DEF: 2500). Next, Nightmare Moon tunes Infernity Guardian and Infernity Dwarf with Infernity Beetle to synchro summon Infernity Doom Dragon (ATK: 3000 DEF: 2400).

Nightmare Moon activates Infernity Doom Dragon’s effect. When she has no cards in her hand, she can destroy one monster the opponent controls and inflict damage equal to half of the monster’s ATK, choosing Obsidian Imp, but Reese activates Utopian Aura, detaching one xyz material to negate the destruction of his xyz monsters by card effects this turn.

Nightmare Moon then activates Hundred Eyes Dragon’s effect. By banishing a level 6 or lower DARK monster in her graveyard, Hundred Eyes Dragon gains the effect of the banished monster until the end phase, choosing Infernity Archer. Using Infernity Archer’s effect, when Nightmare Moon has no cards in her hand, Hundred Eyes Dragon can attack the opponent directly.

Nightmare Moon attacks Rarity and Reese directly with Hundred Eyes Dragon.

Rarity and Reese’s Life Points: 8000 -> 5000

Nightmare Moon ends her turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-4700 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

Reese and Rarity groaned, heavily weakened by Nightmare Moon’s dragon. Nightmare Moon continued to laugh.

“Now that both my dragons have taken the field,” spoke Nightmare Moon, “you’re now powerless to stop me.”

Reese grit his teeth, knowing that she was right. Sooner or later, one of her monsters would destroy Obsidian Imp, or even Rarity’s monster. That’s when he remembered Gem-Knight Aquamarine’s effect.

“Rarity!” called Reese. “I know what I’m going to say will sound crazy, but I need you to attack one of Nightmare Moon’s dragons for me.”

“What?” shrieked Rarity. “You’re crazy.”

Reese shot a blank look at Rarity.

“Seriously. Trust me.”

Rarity bit her lip, unsure of whether she should go along with Reese’s suicidal plan.

“Go on,” giggled Nightmare Moon. “Go along with your friend’s ridiculous strategy.”

Nightmare Moon’s words did little to encourage her, but upon glancing at her monster, she knew what she needed to do.

***************************************************
Rarity’s Turn: Rarity switches Gem-Knight Aquamarine to attack position.

Rarity attacks Infernity Doom Dragon with Gem-Knight Aquamarine. Since Gem-Knight Aquamarine’s ATK is lower than Infernity Doom Dragon’s, Gem-Knight Aquamarine is destroyed.

Rarity and Reese’s Life Points: 5000 -> 4900

When Gem-Knight Aquamarine is sent from the field to the graveyard, Rarity can send one card on the field back to the owner’s hand, choosing Infernity Doom Dragon.

Rarity sets one monster.

Rarity ends her turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-4900 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

“There we go!” shouted Reese.

“I see,” grunted Nightmare Moon. “You were able to send my dragon back while sustaining minimal damage.”

“Let’s see if we can keep this hole open a little longer.”

***************************************************
Reese’s Turn: Reese activates his own Pot of Greed, drawing two cards.

Reese places two cards face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-4900 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

“Foolish creatures,” spoke Nightmare Moon. “You have only delayed the inevitable.”

“What are you talking about?” asked Reese. “You have no cards in your hand, and the only monster that you control is Hundred Eyes Dragon. You have no hope of a turnaround.”

“We’ll just see what Hundred Eyes has to say about that.”

***************************************************
Nightmare Moon’s Turn: Nightmare Moon activates Graceful Charity, drawing three cards and discarding two. Nightmare Moon places one card face down. Next, she activates Hundred Eyes Dragon’s effect, banishing a level 6 or lower DARK monster in her graveyard in order to have Hundred Eyes Dragon gain its effect when she has no cards in her hand, choosing Infernity Necromancer. Using Infernity Necromancers effect, Hundred Eyes Dragon can special summon an Infernity monster from her graveyard when she has no cards in her hand, choosing Infernity Destroyer (ATK: 2300 DEF: 1000).

Nightmare Moon attacks Obsidian Imp with Hundred Eyes Dragon.

Rarity and Reese’s Life Points: 4900 -> 4700

Nightmare Moon attacks Rarity’s face down monster with Infernity Destroyer, which was a Gem-Knight Obsidian (ATK: 1500 DEF: 1200). With Infernity Destroyer’s effect, if Nightmare Moon has no cards in her hand, she can inflict 1600 points of damage if it destroys an opponent’s monster by battle.

Rarity and Reese’s Life Points: 4700 -> 3100

Reese activates Miracle’s Wake, special summoning Obsidian Imp from his graveyard when it was destroyed this turn. Nightmare Moon activates ZERO-MAX, special summoning an Infernity monster from her graveyard, choosing Infernity Beetle. Nightmare Moon tunes Infernity Destroyer with Infernity Beetle to synchro summon Infernity Doom Dragon. Nightmare Moon activates Infernity Doom Dragon’s effect, destroying one monster the opponent controls and inflict damage equal to half of the monster’s ATK when she has no cards in her hand, choosing Obsidian Imp.

Rarity and Reese’s Life Points: 3100 -> 1700

Nightmare Moon ends her turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-4700 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

“Reese,” groaned Rarity. “Why did you summon Obsidian Imp from your graveyard, especially if you knew she was going to summon Infernity Doom Dragon?”

“I didn’t,” Reese said, shocking both Rarity and Nightmare Moon. “I was kind of thinking you were going to summon Void Ogre Dragon and prevent us from using our spells and traps. But thankfully, my trap served as nothing more but red herring to summon your other monster back. Now, our window has been opened again.”

“I have to say, Reese, that was a very impressive move. But we’re on our last 2000 life points and our field is nearly empty.”

“Don’t worry,” said Reese, “as long as we can draw the right cards here, we’ll be fine.”

“You think we can?”

“I know we can.”

Rarity, smiled, amused by his faith in the both of them. Then, Rarity’s element necklace began to glow, the top card of her deck glowing as well.”

“What is this?” asked Nightmare Moon.

“The card that’s going to save you, Luna!” shouted Rarity.

Nightmare Moon gasped at being called such a name.

***************************************************
Rarity’s Turn: Reese activates Call of the Haunted, special summoning Obsidian Imp from his graveyard. Rarity equips Obsidian Imp with Element of Harmony – Generosity, increasing its ATK by 300 times its rank (300 x 8 = 2400, ATK: 2800 -> 5200).

Rarity ends her turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-1700 Monsters-0 Face Down Cards-0

***************************************************

Reese’s Turn: Reese attacks Infernity Doom Dragon with Obsidian Imp.

Nightmare Moon’s Life Points: 4700 -> 2500

Reese places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-1700 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“Your tricks won’t serve you any good,” shouted Nightmare Moon. “My life points are still higher than yours and my cards will still reign over yours!”

“You can certainly try,” tempted Reese.

***************************************************
Nightmare Moon’s Turn: With Element of Harmony – Generosity, Nightmare Moon must draw two extra cards during her draw phase. Nightmare Moon activates Burial from a Different Dimension, adding two of her banished cards to her graveyard. Nightmare Moon sets one monster. Next, she places one card face down.

Nightmare Moon activates Hundred Eyes Dragon’s effect, banishing a level 6 or lower DARK monster in her graveyard in order to have Hundred Eyes Dragon gain its effect when she has no cards in her hand, choosing Infernity Archer, allowing it to attack directly if Nightmare Moon has no cards in her hand.

Nightmare Moon attacks Rarity and Reese directly with Hundred Eyes Dragon, but Reese activates Damage Diet, halving the damage he takes this turn.

Rarity and Reese’s Life Points: 1700 -> 200

Nightmare Moon ends her turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-2500 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“That was a close one,” sighed Reese.

“Too close,” spoke Rarity.

I have to find a way to get rid of that trap, thought Rarity. I won’t let Reese try and finish her off with that possible threat looming over him. Think Rarity. What to do, what to do…

***************************************************
Rarity’s Turn: Rarity activates her own Pot of Greed, drawing two cards. Rarity summons Gem-Knight Alexandrite (ATK: 1800 DEF: 1200). Next, she activates its effect, tributing it to special summon a normal Gem-Knight monster from her deck, choosing another Gem-Knight Crystal.

Rarity attacks Nightmare Moon’s face down monster, which was an Infernity Avenger (ATK: 0 DEF: 0). Nightmare Moon activates Infernity Reflector, discarding all of the cards in her hand when an Infernity monster is destroyed in battle. Then, she can special summon the destroyed monster from her graveyard and inflict 1000 points of damage to her opponent, but Rarity activates her quick-play spell Poison of the Old Man, gaining 1200 life points before the damage hits.

Rarity and Reese’s Life Points: 200 -> 1400

Rarity and Reese’s Life Points: 1400 -> 400

Rarity ends her turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-400 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

“Door’s wide open, Reese!” called Rarity.

“Thanks,” he responded.

Nightmare Moon shuddered with fear.

***************************************************
Reese’s Turn: Reese equips Obsidian Imp with Sword of Dark Rites, increasing its ATK by 400 (ATK: 5200 -> 5600).
Reese attacks Hundred Eyes Dragon with Obsidian Imp.

Nightmare Moon’s Life Points: 2500 -> 0

Rarity and Reese win.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Nightmare Moon was clouded in a purple aura as she fell backwards towards the ground. Before she finally collided, her body transformed back into Luna. Upon seeing the mare that they knew and loved, Reese and Rarity, ran to her. Unfortunately, she wasn’t getting up on her own, so Reese tried to pick her back up, but her body was completely limp.

“I’m sorry,” sighed Luna, sounding weak to the point of fainting.

“Don’t say that!” said Rarity. “You’re going to be just fine. Hang in there.”

“You don’t understand. Trixie defeated Kyle.”

“What?” asked Reese and Rarity simultaneously.

“After she beat him, Rae locked both Kyle and I up, and then drained us of our life force.”

“What?” asked Reese, still confused.

“For a human like Kyle, he had little to him. I, on the other hand, have plenty of magic stored in me that Rae is using to destroy Equestria. Before she could drain me and Kyle clean, she transferred her own magic into us, tainting us, forcing us to become darker versions of ourselves.”

“That’s why–”

“Yes. However, upon my defeat, that magic would be taken from me. I was doomed no matter who won.”

“Nonsense!” shouted Rarity. “We’re going to fix you up and then you’ll be right as rain.”

Luna smirked and scoffed.

“I’m afraid there’s nothing left for me. Go Reese, Rarity. Please save your friends. Save Equestria. I have… my full faith… in… you.”

With those final words, Luna slumped into Reese’s arms, motionless and her breathing slowing.

“Luna?” asked Rarity, tears forming in her eyes.

“Oh, God!” he exclaimed, moving Luna around so he could piggyback her. “We need to get to the other side of this lake!”

“But we don’t even know how deep the water is!” shouted Rarity, nervous for her princess’ safety.

“We have to try and save her!”

Suddenly, a spotlight appeared over the three of them on the island. Reese and Rarity turned around, looked up, and saw Zelda, Rainbow Dash, and Gilda. The light seemed to be coming from Zelda’s glider.

“Guys?” shouted Reese. “What’s going on here?”

“Gilda’s with us now,” shouted Rainbow Dash. “I’ll explain later. What’s wrong with Luna?”

“I’ll explain later. We need your help, pronto!”
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Alex, John, and Pinkie Pie fell from a portal and to the ground. Not letting the fall get the best of them, they both hopped up off the ground, ready to face whatever threat would come their way. They found that they were at the southernmost point of the ring, Wilson Hall being just southwest of them. Upon looking around some more, Alex couldn’t find anyone else.

“Alright,” said Alex. “It seems like our enemy is hiding.”

“Hiding?” squealed Pinkie Pie. “Are we playing hide and seek? I love hide and seek!”

“There’s no hide and seek,” called a voice, causing Pinkie Pie to jump.

Alex, John, and Pinkie Pie turned to the source of the voice, finding Grant standing there, his red coat blowing in the slight wind.

“Ooh,” exclaimed Pinkie Pie. “He’s good.”

“Grant!” yelled John. “I’m going to make you pay for what you did to Luna!”

“I’m sorry to say,” said Grant, his voice emanating a lack of sympathy, “that your princess is no more.”

“What are you talking about?”

Grant outstretched his hand, producing a holographic screen. On it, Luna was screaming as she had her life drained from her while she was slowly becoming Nightmare Moon. Alex, John, and Pinkie Pie gasped in utter shock.

“Luna!” shouted John. “You bastard! I’ll kill you.”

“Again, I’m sorry,” said Grant, closing the screen, “but Luna has only one future left. Either she resumes her life as the entity who almost brought eternal darkness to Equestria, or she relinquishes the one power keeping her alive and perishes.”

“Bastard,” growled John. “I’ll never forgive you!”

“It seems that you wish to fight me. Very well. I accept your challenge. Now, come at me bearers of the Stones of Equus.”

“You bet,” shouted John, unsheathing his D-Pad.

Alex and Pinkie Pie’s D-Pads activated as well, their zones unsheathing from the tablet. Grant’s own D-Pad appeared on his arm.

With this victory, thought Grant, the dark forces holding me will finally be relinquished.

With this victory, thought Alex, I can finally save you from the dark force controlling you.

Alex, John, Pinkie Pie, and Grant drew five cards from their decks.

“DUEL!” they all yelled.

Chapter 52: Grant

Alex, Pinkie Pie, and John vs. Grant

Alex’s Turn: Alex summons Dragunity Pilum (ATK: 800 DEF: 700). Alex then sends Dragunity Pilum to the graveyard to special summon Dragunity Arma Mystletainn (ATK: 2100 DEF: 1500). Alex activates Dragon Hatchling, special summoning itself as a Dragon-type monster with the same level as a Dragon-type monster that he controls (6). Alex overlays Dragunity Arma Mystletainn and Dragon Hatchling to xyz summon Jade Wyvern (ATK: 2500 DEF: 2100).

Alex places two cards face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-12000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

“Summoning your Stone of Equus on your first turn?” mused Grant aloud. “I really shouldn’t have expected anything less of you, Alex.”

“Don’t try and butter me up just yet. I know how powerful you are. Hell, I’ve already dueled you to know that.”

“Then let’s cut to the chase.”

***************************************************
Grant’s Turn: Grant activates Graceful Charity, drawing three cards and discarding two. Grant activates the effects of his two Goldd, Wu-Lord of the Dark Worlds in his graveyard, special summoning them when they’re discarded to the graveyard (ATK: 2300 DEF: 1400).

Grant then normal summons Renge, Gatekeeper of the Dark World (ATK: 100 DEF: 2100). Grant then activates Star Changer, increasing Renge, Gatekeeper of the Dark World’s level by 1 (ATK: 4 ->5). Grant overlays Renge, Gatekeeper of the Dark World and two Goldd, Wu-Lord of the Dark Worlds to xyz summon Onyx Cerberus (ATK: 3300 DEF: 2900).

Grant attacks Jade Wyvern with Onyx Cerberus, but Alex activates Jade Wyvern’s effect, detaching one xyz material from it to prevent the destruction of one monster by battle, choosing Jade Wyvern. Battle damage is applied normally.

Alex, Pinkie Pie, and John’s Life Points: 12000 -> 11200

Grant places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-3 Life-12000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“Don’t fight it,” spoke Grant. “It only makes the pain harder.”

“Shut up!” yelled Alex. “I’ve come way too far to just end it all right here. I’m going to save you, Grant, and that’s final.”

“Saved? What makes you think you can save me?”

“I saw what happened after Shining Platinum Dragon destroyed your Onyx Cerberus. You were consumed with sadism and rage. It was almost like when Kyle was possessed by Rae. Something is wrong with that card, Grant, something that’s turning you into something that you even know you’re not.”

“If you want to know what truly happened, Rae cursed that card to anchor itself into my soul.”

“What?”

“She sent Gilda after me and gave the card to me via a Creature Swap during a duel. Upon being given it, I felt a crushing pain wash over my body. Before I thought I couldn’t take it, Rae transferred a bit of her powers into me. Then, she offered me an ultimatum. Either I serve her with Onyx Cerberus by my side with the card’s curse repressed, or she would remove her powers from me and let me suffer Onyx Cerberus’ curse.”

“Grant…”

“No, forget it! My hands are tied! I will either live in the new world or die by this curse. Make your choice, bearers of the Stones of Equus, fight or die.”

“No one’s going to die, Debbie Downer!” shouted Pinkie Pie.

***************************************************
Pinkie Pie’s Turn: Pinkie Pie activates Worm Call, special summoning a Worm-monster in face down defense position when she controls no monsters. Pinkie Pie sets one monster.

Pinkie Pie places two cards face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-11200 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

“You still seem adamant on thinking that you have a chance to rescue me,” said Grant. “Don’t. I may not like what Rae has done to me, but there’s no way I’m dying in this agony!”

***************************************************
Grant’s Turn: Grant activates Dark World Dealings, having each player draw one card and discard one. John activates the effect of Blackwing – Breeze the Zephyr, special summoning it from his hand when it was added to his hand from his deck by a card effect (ATK: 1100 DEF: 300).

Grant activates the effect of Kahkki, Guerilla of the Dark World, destroying one monster on the field when it was discarded by a card effect, choosing Jade Wyvern, but Pinkie Pie activates Super Sacrifice, switching the target of the effect towards one of her monsters, destroying Worm Cartaros. Grant summons Zure, Knight of the Dark World (ATK: 1800 DEF: 1500). Next, Grant activates Riryoku, halving the ATK of one monster to have another monster gain ATK equal to the amount halved, halving Jade Wyvern’s ATK to increase Onyx Cerberus by the same amount (ATK: 2500 -> 1250) (ATK: 3300 -> 4550).

Grant attacks Jade Wyvern with Zure, Knight of the Dark World, but Alex activates Waboku, preventing the destruction of his monsters and reducing the battle damage to 0. Grant attacks Blackwing – Breeze the Zephyr with Onyx Cerberus, but Alex activates Jade Wyvern’s effect, detaching its last xyz material to prevent the destruction of one monster by battle, choosing Blackwing – Breeze the Zephyr.

Alex, Pinkie Pie, and John’s Life Points: 11200 -> 7750

Grant ends his turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-12000 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“Grant,” wheezed John, weakened by Grant’s monster’s blow, “I may feel some sympathy for what you has happened to you, but I will not forgive what you have done to Luna, and now, I’m going to avenge her!”

***************************************************
John’s Turn: Alex activates Call of the Haunted, special summoning Dragunity Pilum from his graveyard. Grant activates the effect of Onyx Cerberus. By detaching one xyz material from it, he can negate the special summoning of an opponent’s monster from the graveyard and remove the monster from play, choosing Dragunity Pilum.

John special summons Blackwing – Gladius the Midnight Sun, as the only monster he controls is a Blackwing monster (ATK: 800 DEF: 1500). John then normal summons Lumina, Lightsworn Summoner (ATK: 1000 DEF: 1000). John activates the effect of Lumina, Lightsworn Summoner, discarding one card (Gragonith, Lightsworn Dragon) to special summon a level 4 or lower Lightsworn monster from his graveyard, choosing Garoth, Lightsworn Warrior (ATK: 1850 DEF: 1300). John overlays Blackwing – Breeze the Zephyr, Blackwing – Gladius the Midnight Sun, and Lumina, Lightsworn Summoner to xyz summon Lapis Lazuli Roc (ATK: 2200 DEF: 1300).

John activates Lapis Lazuli Roc’s effect. By detaching one xyz material from it, John can send the top card of his deck to the graveyard. It is an Aurkus, Lightsworn Druid. With Lapis Lazuli Roc’s effect, John can special summon a monster from his graveyard with a level equal to or lower than the sent monster, choosing Blackwing – Breeze the Zephyr. John tunes Garoth, Lightsworn Warrior with Blackwing – Breeze the Zephyr to synchro summon Blackwing Armor Master (ATK: 2500 DEF: 1500).

John attacks Zure, Knight of the Dark World with Lapis Lazuli Roc, but Grant activates Attack Invulnerability, preventing Zure, Knight of the Dark World’s destruction by battle. Damage is applied normally.

Grant’s Life Points: 12000 -> 11600

John then attacks Onyx Cerberus with Blackwing Armor Master. With Blackwing Armor Master’s effect, it cannot be destroyed in battle and John takes no battle damage with monsters involving it. Also a Wedge counter is placed on the monster it attacks.

John activates Overlay Regenerate, attaching it as xyz material to an xyz monster on the field, choosing Jade Wyvern.

John places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-7750 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“Ffff,” exhaled Grant. “Mere child’s play. If this is the fight you’re going to show to save your princess, then ending you all will be a breeze!”

***************************************************
Grant’s Turn: Grant summons Fabled Raven (ATK: 1300 DEF: 1000). Grant activates Fabled Raven’s effect, discarding a number of cards from his hand to increase the level of Fabled Raven by 1 and its ATK by 400 for each card discarded, discarding one (ATK: 1300 -> 1700, Lvl.: 2 -> 3). Grant then activates the effect of Broww, Huntsman of the Dark World, drawing one card when it’s been discarded to the graveyard. Grant tunes Zure, Knight of the Dark World with Fabled Raven to synchro summon Chaos King Archfiend (ATK: 2600 DEF: 2600).

Grant attacks Lapis Lazuli Roc with Chaos King Archfiend, but John activates Shift, redirecting the attack towards Blackwing Armor Master. With Chaos King Archfiend’s effect, all monsters the opponent controls have their ATK and DEF switched until the end of the battle phase (ATK: 2500 -> 1500, DEF: 1500 -> 2500) (ATK: 2200 -> 1300, DEF: 1300 -> 2200) (ATK: 2500 -> 2100, DEF: 2100 -> 2500). Blackwing Armor Master is not destroyed and John takes no battle damage with its effect.

Grant then attacks Lapis Lazuli Roc with Onyx Cerberus, but Alex activates Jade Wyvern’s effect, detaching its last xyz material to prevent the destruction of one monster on the field this turn by battle, choosing Lapis Lazuli Roc. Battle damage is still applied.

Alex, Pinkie Pie, and John’s Life Points: 7750 -> 5750

During the end of the battle phase, the ATK and DEF of all monsters return to normal (ATK: 1500 -> 2500, DEF: 2500 -> 1500) (ATK: 1300 -> 2200, DEF: 2200 -> 1300) (ATK: 2100 -> 2500, DEF: 2500 -> 2100).

Grant places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-11600 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“Grant,” grunted Alex.

He looked at John, who laid writhing on the ground, overcome with the pain of the two attacks inflicted to him over the course of the duel. Alex wanted nothing more than to save Grant, but he felt like there was only one way to do it, but he knew the power wasn’t with him. As Alex winced, trying to come up with a suitable strategy, the top card of his deck, along with his Element of Harmony began to glow.

“What?” asked Grant in shock.

“Ooh,” exclaimed Pinkie Pie, immersed in the light of Alex’s Element.

Suddenly realizing what was going on, Grant reached his hand out.

“Wait!” cried Grant. “Don’t do it!”

“What? What are you talking about?”

“Shining Platinum Dragon. That card brims with Equestrian magic, very similar to that of the Elements of Harmony. When you first destroyed my Onyx Cerberus with it, its magic began to try and pull Onyx Cerberus from my soul. Much like a botfly when bluntly out of the body, Onyx Cerberus’ curse began to infect me, turning me into something darker. If you use the Elements of Harmony against me, I will be consumed with darkness once again.”

“I see. In that case, I will wield the Elements of Harmony and tear that card out of you!”

The top card of Alex’s deck began to glow even brighter.

“My turn!” yelled Alex, putting his fingers on his deck. “Draw! John, now!”

“Got it!” yelled John.

***************************************************
Alex’s Turn: John activates the effect of Blackwing Armor Master, removing all Wedge counters from his opponent’s monsters and reducing the ATK and DEF of each monster who had a Wedge counter to 0, including Onyx Cerberus (ATK: 3300 -> 0, DEF: 2900 -> 0). Alex then activates Brain Control, paying 800 life points to take control of an opponent’s monster until the end phase, choosing Chaos King Archfiend.

Alex, Pinkie Pie, and John’s Life Points: 5750 -> 4950

Alex then equips Jade Wyvern with Element of Harmony – Passion, having it gain 1500 ATK (ATK: 2500 -> 4000).

Alex attacks Onyx Cerberus with Jade Wyvern.

Grant’s Life Points: 11600 -> 7600

Grant activates Card of Last Will, drawing five cards when a monster he controls has been destroyed by battle. With Element of Harmony – Passion’s effect, Alex can draw one card for every 1000 points of damage inflicted through battle with the equipped monster (4000/1000 = 4). Alex then attacks Grant directly with Chaos King Archfiend.

Grant’s Life Points: 7600 -> 5000

During the end phase, Chaos King Archfiend is returned to Grant.

Alex places two cards face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-4950 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

Grant weakly got up, groaning loudly, as if he was fighting something inside him. Alex, Pinkie Pie, and John stood offensively.

“Here it comes…” said Alex.

Grant threw his arms out, tilted his head up, and yelled, the purple aura covering his body. He then shifted his head back down, staring at his opponents with crazy eyes and an evil smile.

“You should have heeded my warning,” Grant grunted, overcome with insanity. “Now, you’re going to feel a torrent of pain the likes of which you haven’t or will never experience again!”

***************************************************
Grant’s Turn: Grant activates Foolish Burial, sending a monster from his deck to the graveyard. Next, he summons Snoww, Unlight of the Dark World (ATK: 1700 DEF: 0). Grant then special summons Grapha, Dragon Lord of Dark World by returning Snoww, Unlight of the Dark World to the hand (ATK: 2700 DEF: 1800). Grant then activates Heavy Storm, destroying all spell and trap cards on the field, including Element of Harmony – Passion.

Grant attacks Jade Wyvern with Chaos King Archfiend. Chaos King Archfiend’s effect activates (ATK: 2500 -> 2100, DEF: 2100 ->2500) (ATK: 2200 -> 1300, DEF: 1300 -> 2200) (ATK: 2500 -> 1500, DEF: 1500 -> 2500).

Alex, Pinkie Pie, and John’s Life Points: 4950 -> 4450

Grant then attacks Lapis Lazuli Roc with Grapha, Dragon Lord of Dark World.

Alex, Pinkie Pie, and John’s Life Points: 4450 -> 3050

Grant activates Dian Keto the Cure Master, gaining 1000 life points.

Grant’s Life Points: 5000 -> 6000

Grant places two cards face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-5000 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

“John! Alex!” shouted Pinkie Pie, watching as they both crumpled to the ground.

Alex was able to get up, but John’s movements were much more labored. He was hardly able to lift his own body to his knees. Pinkie Pie’s eyes began to well up with tears, unable to cope with the pain her friends were going through. Her mane and tail began to fall straight one hair at a time as she whimpered.

“Do you see why fighting me is futile?” asked Grant. “You can try and fight it all you want, but the darkness within me is here to stay!”

Pinkie Pie’s eyes remained closed, until a bright light coming from her chest caused them to open. Upon seeing that both her element and the top of her deck was glowing, her sad frown slowly grew to a beaming smile, her mane returning to its curly state.

“Are you serious?” shouted Grant.

“Alright!” Pinkie Pie gleefully shouted, bouncing on her back hooves. “Now it’s a party!”

***************************************************
Pinkie Pie’s Turn: Pinkie Pie flip summons Worm King (ATK: 2700 DEF: 1100). Next, she equips Worm King with Element of Harmony – Laughter. Pinkie Pie activates Element of Harmony – Laughter’s effect, allowing her to special summon monsters in face-down defense position from her deck equal to the number of monsters her opponent controls (2).

Pinkie Pie then flip summons both of her Worm Apocalypses (ATK: 300 DEF: 200). With their effects, Pinkie Pie can destroy one spell or trap card each, choosing both of Grant’s face down cards. Next, Pinkie Pie activates Worm King’s effect twice, tributing a Worm monster to destroy one card on the field, tributing both of her Worm Apocalypses to destroy both Chaos King Archfiend and Grapha, Dragon Lord of Dark World.

Pinkie Pie attacks Grant directly with Worm King.

Grant’s Life Points: 6000 -> 3300

Pinkie Pie places one card face down ends her turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-3050 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

Grant began convulsing on the ground. Alex, John, and Pinkie Pie gasped, unsure of what was happening to him. Grant then screamed louder than before, a black aura shooting high into the sky. Grant began to levitate off the ground until his body tilted until it was upright, allowing him to stand. Grant’s head and arms were hung low.

“G– Grant?” asked Pinkie Pie, her voice filled with worry.

Grant quickly tilted his head up, revealing that his eyes have become two black beads, like two little orbs of obsidian. His mouth was initially expressionless, until it cracked into a smile impossibly wide for a human.

“Grant isn’t here, Mrs. Torrence,” spoke Grant, a darker, demonic voice sharing Grant’s normal voice.

Alex and John were speechless over Grant’s transformation. Pinkie Pie was even at a loss for words.

“You shouldn’t have pried,” Grant said in his dual-tone voice. “Now, Grant is nothing more than a shell for me to reside in.”

Upon blinking, Grant’s eyes returned to their normal shade of brown.

“Alex!” yelled Grant, his voice now completely normal. “Help!”

Grant forced his eyes closed, and grimaced, all to the terror of all three of his opponents.

“Looks like someone can’t handle the heat anymore,” spoke the possessed Grant, chuckling. “If you had just left well enough alone, he wouldn’t have to suffer. Now, his body is all mine, thanks to you and your Elements of Harmony!”

“Not if I have anything to say about it, dolly eyes!” stated Pinkie Pie.

“Let’s see…”

***************************************************
Grant’s Turn: Pinkie Pie activates Disappear, banishing a card from Grant’s graveyard, choosing Grapha, Dragon Lord of Dark World.

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

“No!” shouted Grant, distraught over his ruined strategy. He then began to scowl and grit his teeth so hard that Alex, John, and Pinkie Pie could hear the rubbing all the way from where they stood.

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

Grant activates Dark Hole, destroying all monsters on the field. Grant then summons Snoww, Unlight of the Dark World.

Grant attacks Alex, John, and Pinkie Pie directly with Snoww, Unlight of the Dark World.

Alex, Pinkie Pie, and John’s Life Points: 3050 -> 1350

Grant ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-3300 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

Despite being a lighter hit than the other times, the stress of his numerous hits began to take his toll on John. He lied motionless on his back, save for the breathing in his chest.

“It’s okay,” giggled Grant. “You tried so hard to save your princess. But in the end, you failed. And now, unless you think you can carry on and continue fighting, you and your friends will perish under the completion of Rae’s plan!”

“No,” grunted John, rolling to his stomach. “Alex is right.” John forced himself with all his might to a kneel. “I’ve come way too far for this thing to end like this.” With a heave, he was finally back on his feet. “The only time I’ll perish is when my life points hit 0. Until then, this duel is far from over.”

Grant smirked, impressed by this young man’s strength.

***************************************************
John’s Turn: John special summons Judgment Dragon from his hand, as he has four or more different Lightsworn monsters in his graveyard (Lumina, Lightsworn Summoner, Garoth, Lightsworn Warrior, Aurkus, Lightsworn Druid, and the discarded Gragonith, Lightsworn Dragon) (ATK: 3000 DEF: 2600). John activates Judgment Dragon’s effect. By paying 1000 life points, John can destroy all other cards on the field.

Alex, Pinkie Pie, and John’s Life Points: 1350 -> 350

John attacks Grant directly with Judgment Dragon.

Grant’s Life Points: 3300 -> 300

During John’s end phases, because of Judgment Dragon’s effect, he must send the top four cards of his deck to the graveyard.

John ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-350 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

“Bastard…” grunted Grant, getting up. “Now I’m making it a promise that you won’t leave here alive!”

***************************************************
Grant’s Turn: Grant activates Monster Reborn, special summoning Onyx Cerberus from his graveyard.

Grant attacks Judgment Dragon with Onyx Cerberus.

Alex, Pinkie Pie, and John’s Life Points: 350 -> 50

Grant ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-300 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

“John!” shouted Alex.

John was completely still. He wheezed loudly, fighting with all his might to fill his lungs with vital air.

“That’s it,” grunted Alex, his own voice filled with increasing range. “This ends now!”

“HAHAHAHA!” laughed Grant. “You still think you have a shot in saving me?”

“I don’t know anymore,” said Alex, “but damn it all if I’m still not going to try.”

***************************************************
Alex’s Turn: Alex summons Hieratic Dragon of Gebeb (ATK: 1800 DEF: 400). Next, Alex tributes Hieratic Dragon of Gebeb to special summon Hieratic Dragon of Su (ATK: 2200 DEF: 1000). Alex activates Hieratic Dragon of Gebeb’s effect. When it’s tributed, Alex can special summon a normal Hieratic monster from his graveyard, choosing Hieratic Seal of the Dragon King (ATK: 0 DEF: 0). Alex overlays Hieratic Seal of the Dragon King and Hieratic Dragon of Su to xyz summon Hieratic Dragon King of Atum (ATK: 2400 DEF: 2100).

Alex then activates his own Monster Reborn, special summoning Jade Wyvern from his graveyard. As his life points are below 500, Alex overlays Jade Wyvern and Hieratic Dragon King of Atum to xyz summon Shining Platinum Dragon (ATK: 3500 DEF: 2500).

Alex activates Shining Platinum Dragon’s effect. By detaching all xyz materials from it, Alex can reveal the top cards of his deck equal to the number of xyz materials detached, and Shining Platinum Dragon gains 500 ATK for each Dragon-type monster revealed by this effect (4). The cards revealed are Dragon Ravine, Dragunity Militum, Immortal Dragon, and Dragunity Arma Leyvaten (ATK: 3500 -> 4000).

Alex attacks Onyx Cerberus with Shining Platinum Dragon.

Grant’s Life Points: 300 -> 0

Alex, Pinkie Pie, and John win.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Grant fell on his back to the ground. His chest suddenly shot up, arching his back almost to the point of snapping his spine. Grant yelled to the top of his lungs as a black card began to poke out of his chest and through his shirt.

“Look!” yelled John, who managed to sit himself upright.

As the card continued to inch out of him little by little, tiny purple sparks enveloped Grant’s chest, shocking him.

“Grant!” screamed Alex, rushing to him.

Grant shut his eyes as hard as he could, only to open them, back to their original brown color. Grant weakly reached towards his chest with his right hand and gripped the card with his fingers, the sparks covering the hand too.

“Get… out… of my… BODY!!!” shouted Grant.

With a forceful pull, Grant yanked the card from his chest, which flew into the sky before being absorbed by the dome. Grant, exhausted from the duel’s events, finally lied down on the ground, shutting his eyes. Alex slid to his knees and began shaking Grant. Pinkie Pie galloped to Grant’s side as well.

“Grant!” shouted Alex. “Grant! Answer me!”

Grant continued to be still until he coughed. Upon opening his eyes, he looked to see Alex and Pinkie Pie staring down at him. Pinkie Pie then gently tapped on his forehead with her hoof.

“Hello!” she called. “Wakey wakey vanilla shakey!”

“Alright!” exclaimed Grant, swatting Pinkie Pie’s hoof away, “I’m up! Jesus.”

“Grant!” shouted Alex, relieved at his well being.

“Alex,” Grant moaned lethargically. “You… you saved me!”

“We,” said Alex. “We saved you.”

“Hey, do you mind, uh… helping me up?”

“Sure thing.”

Alex pulled Grant to his feet and wrapped Grant’s arm around his shoulder, supporting him.

“Pinkie Pie,” spoke Alex, “go get John. I can’t carry two people at once.”

“Okie dokie lokie,” responded Pinkie Pie.

Chapter 54: Armageddon

With the green, magic beam easily visible in the sky, several helicopters began flying around the beam, trying to get a clearer picture of what was happening. Unfortunately, the wall of the beam was too visibly thick that no one could see beyond the other side.

“What’s going on here?” asked one of the pilots.

“Something big, that’s for sure,” replied another pilot.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

“You have no idea what’s coming, do you?” asked Rae. “I’ll go first!”

Lauren vs. Alex, Tom, and Kyle

Lauren’s Turn: Lauren activates Temple of the Kings, allowing her to activate trap cards the same turn she sets them. Lauren then sets and activates Astral Barrier. Next, Lauren activates the field spell Clear World.

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

“Now,” shouted Lauren, “I construct the overlay network!”

“What?” yelled Tom.

“But she has no monsters!” yelled Alex.

“What could she be summoning?” asked Kyle.

“I overlay Temple of the Kings, Astral Barrier, and Clear World!”

Lauren then began to glow a bright yellow and hover in the air, all to everyone’s shock. Lauren only continued to glow brighter until the auras of all three xyz materials flew into Lauren’s body, causing a massive burst of light. When the light cleared, Lauren fell to the ground, completely unconscious as her body crumpled like a rag doll.

Replacing her spot in the air was a creature that the mere sight of made everyone of Equestrian origin gasp with fear. It had a horse-like head with an antler on the right side of his head, a blue misshapen horn on the left side, a long white beard, white bushy eyebrows, and an elongated right fang. He also had what looked like the body and left arm of an eagle, the left arm of a lion, the right leg of a dragon, the left leg of an antelope, the right wing of a bat, the left wing of a pegasus, and a dragon-like tail.

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

Lauren overlays Temple of the Kings, Astral Barrier, and Clear World to xyz summon Discord with its effect (ATK: 4000 DEF: 4000).

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

Discord laughed as he stretched his arms out, Rae’s D-Pad suddenly appearing on Discord’s left arm.

“Oh, it’s good to be back!” he said.

“Discord?” yelled Twilight. “But how? We defeated you?”

Discord turned to Twilight with a disgusted look.

“Of all the ponies I had to lay my eyes on first,” he muttered aloud.

“Woah,” exclaimed Tom, “why does he sound like Q from Star Trek?”

“Discord,” shouted Twilight. “Answer me!”

“Fine,” began Discord. “I guess I should start by saying that I haven’t been entirely honest with you. Before you had completely imprisoned me with the Elements of Harmony, I completed a spell that detached my soul from my body. However, the spell… wasn’t too successful. After the Elements restored the world from the one which I made and slaved over, by the way, the intense magic shot my soul into space.

“Lost and alone, I wandered the universe to look for a place with life so I could claim a host. After searching for nearly two fortnights, I finally found a planet similar to this one. Upon finding it, I rushed to the nearest landmass that I could find, which I assumed to be this country. However, the first person I laid my eyes on was a lone woman running on the beaches of New York City at night.

“Lauren,” muttered Kyle.

“Seizing my opportunity, I possessed her. Of course, her will was far too weak to expel a master of magic and chaos such as mois, so she was mine to command. It was only made better by the fact that that I possessed one of the most powerful women in the world already, complete luck, mind you.

“I toyed with her memories so I could function exactly like she would in real life, completely avoiding suspicion by even her closest friends."

“But you didn’t fool me,” yelled Kyle.

“That’s why I had to brainwash you,” continued Discord. “I couldn’t possibly be under the same roof as a person who could try and kill me in the night. Call me paranoid, but my plan wasn’t going to be screwed up!

“While living inside Lauren, I’d need to find a way to return to Equestria if I was going to enact my ultimate revenge. That’s where the Orion satellite came in handy.”

Alex seethed over the mention of his father’s satellite.

“Using my newfound, stargazing abilities that I learned in space, I figured that it would take me weeks or even months to find Equestria. Wouldn’t you know it? The coordinates for the galaxy Equestria resides in was plotted right into the satellite.”

This mention made Alex’s eyes widen in shock.

“How?” asked Alex. “How could Equestria be programmed into my dad’s satellite?”

“Beats me,” said Discord, shrugging his shoulders. “Perhaps your father thought it was just some random nebula or something. I guess you’d have to ask him. Wait, I guess you can’t!”

Discord laughed again, bringing Alex’s anger to a fever pitch.

“Shut up and make your move!” yelled Alex.

Discord was shocked over Alex’s demand.

“Fine then.”

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

With Discord’s effect, it gains the effects of all xyz materials attached to it.

Discord places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-12000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“And I know what you’re thinking,” discussed Discord. “I haven’t summoned a single monster yet. You know why? My deck is filled with nothing but spell and trap cards. I’m already an extremely powerful monster now, so why need the extra support?”

Alex suddenly smirked, causing a look of confusion in Discord.

“Nothing but spells and traps, you say?” said Alex. “In that case…”

***************************************************
Alex’s Turn: Alex activates Hieratic Seal of Supremacy, special summoning a Hieratic Monster from his hand, choosing Hieratic Seal of the Dragon King (ATK: 0 DEF: 0). With Discord’s effect, he can activate the effect of Clear World, having Alex reveal his hand at all times when he controls a LIGHT monster. His hand shows Dragunity Phalanx, Inferno Reckless Summon, Shift, and Riryoku.

Alex activates Inferno Reckless Summon, special summoning as many copies of a special summoned monster with 1500 or less ATK that he controls from his deck when his opponent controls a monster, choosing another Hieratic Seal of the Dragon King. Alex overlays both Hieratic Seal of the Dragon Kings to xyz summon Jade Wyvern (ATK: 2500 DEF: 2100). Since Alex doesn’t have a LIGHT monster on his field anymore, Alex’s hand isn’t revealed.

Alex activates Riryoku, halving the ATK of one monster on the field to increase the ATK of one other monster on the field by the same amount until the end phase, halving Discord’s ATK to increase Jade Wyvern’s ATK by the same amount (ATK: 4000 -> 2000) (ATK: 2500 -> 4500). With Clear World’s effect, because he controls a WIND monster, Alex must pay 500 life points to activate the spell card.

Alex, Tom, and Kyle’s Life Points: 12000 -> 11500

Alex attacks Discord with Jade Wyvern. With Discord’s effect, it cannot be removed from the field. Battle damage is applied normally.

Discord’s Life Points: 12000 -> 9500

Discord activates Damage Vaccine Ω MAX, increasing his life points by the amount of damage that he took from that battle.

Discord’s Life Points: 9500 -> 12000

Alex sets one monster.

During the end phase, the ATK of both monsters return to normal (ATK: 2000 -> 4000) (ATK: 4500 -> 2000).

Alex places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-11500 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“Hmhmhm,” giggled Discord. “Not only will you have to change your strategy around because of my effects, but Clear World will prove to be quite bothersome too.”

***************************************************
Discord’s Turn: Discord activates Graceful Charity, drawing three cards and discarding two. Discord activates his effect. By detaching one xyz material from it, Discord can attach one continuous spell card, one continuous trap card, or one field spell card to it from his hand, detaching Astral Barrier to attach Doppelganger. Discord then activates Mystical Space Typhoon, destroying one spell or trap card on the field, choosing Alex’s face down Shift.

Discord attacks Jade Wyvern, but Alex activates Jade Wyvern’s effect. By detaching one xyz material from it, Alex can prevent the destruction of one monster by battle this turn, choosing Jade Wyvern.

Alex, Tom, and Kyle’s Life Points: 11500 -> 10000

Discord places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-12000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“Hmph,” scoffed Tom, “it’s not so tough.”

Discord was appalled at Tom’s statement.

“And what makes you say that, human?” Discord asked.

“Your monster seems to be pretty impenetrable from a glance, but take away its effect, and it’s just as weak as any other monster.”

“And how will you do that?”

Tom smirked.

***************************************************
Tom’s Turn: Tom summons Gladiator Beast Dimacari (ATK: 1600 DEF: 1200). Next, Tom activates Double Summon, summoning Gladiator Beast Darius (ATK: 1700 DEF: 300). Tom overlays Gladiator Beast Dimacari and Gladiator Beast Darius to xyz summon Brotherhood of the Fire Fist – Tiger King (ATK: 2200 DEF: 1800). Tom activates the effect of Brotherhood of the Fire Fist – Tiger King. By detaching one xyz material from it, he can negate the effects of all non Beast Warrior-type monsters on the field until the end of the opponent’s next turn.

Tom then activates Xyz Treasure, drawing a number of cards from his deck equal to the number of xyz monsters on the field (3). Tom then equips Brotherhood of the Fire Fist – Tiger King with Xyz Jeweled Crown, making its rank its level (Rnk.: 4 -> Lvl.: 4). Also, it can be treated as two xyz materials for an xyz summoning. Tom overlays Brotherhood of the Fire Fist – Tiger King to xyz summon Amber Minotaur (ATK: 2400 DEF: 1900).

Tom activates Space Cyclone, detaching one xyz material from Discord, choosing Clear World. Tom then activates Amber Minotaur’s effect. By detaching one xyz material from it, Tom can normal summon again this turn without tributes, summoning Gladiator Beast Octavius (ATK: 2500 DEF: 1200).

Tom places two cards face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-10000 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

Discord started to get angry over Tom’s detachment of Clear World from him.

“You’ll pay for that one,” he growled.

***************************************************
Discord’s Turn: Discord attacks Jade Wyvern, but Tom activates Negate Attack, ending the battle phase.

Discord ends his turn. Discord’s effect returns.

Status: Hand-1 Life-12000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“Discord!” called Kyle. “You have nearly ruined my life. You have taken my mother from me, and I will see to it that I reclaim her back. With the power and support of my friends, I’m sure not to lose.”

***************************************************
Kyle’s Turn: Kyle activates his Graceful Charity, drawing three cards and discarding two. Kyle activates Monster Reborn, special summoning Laval Judgment Lord from his graveyard (ATK: 2700 DEF: 1800). Kyle activates Laval Judgment Lord’s effect. By banishing a Laval monster in his graveyard, Kyle can inflict 1000 points of damage to the opponent.

Discord’s Life Points: 12000 -> 11000

Discord activates his effect through Doppelganger, inflicting the same amount of damage from an effect monster’s effect to his opponent.

Alex, Tom, and Kyle’s Life Points: 10000 -> 9000

Kyle overlays Tom’s Gladiator Beast Octavius and Laval Judgement Lord to xyz summon Olivine Dragon (ATK: 3000 DEF: 2500).

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

Everyone was in shock.

“No way!” yelled Applejack.

“That’s...” sputtered Emma.

“Impossible!” yelled Discord. “That card was absorbed into the dome when you lost!”

“Just a little parting gift from Princess Celestia.”

Discord’s nervous frown soon turned into a sly smile.

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

Kyle equips Olivine Dragon with Xyz Unit, increasing its ATK by its rank times 200 (7 x 200 = 1400, ATK: 3000 -> 4400).

Kyle attacks Discord with Olivine Dragon.

Discord’s Life Points: 11000 -> 10600

Kyle sets one monster.

Kyle places two cards face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-9000 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

I know that it will only further support Discord, thought Kyle, staring at his set monster, but I need to support my friends.

“I’m not sure how Celestia got you that card,” said Discord, “but it matters little. With my Doppelganger card, your monster’s effect is useless on me.”

“We’ll just see about that!” muttered Kyle to himself.

***************************************************
Discord’s Turn: Discord places two cards face down. Next, he activates his face down Burning Strike, giving himself the effect of piercing damage.

Discord attacks Kyle’s face down monster, which is a Morphing Jar (ATK: 700 DEF: 600).

Alex, Tom, and Kyle’s Life Points: 9000 -> 5600

When Morphing Jar is flip summoned, each player discards their hand and draws five cards from their decks.

Discord activates Overlay Regenerate, attaching it to himself as xyz material. Discord then activates his face down Magical Stone Excavation, discarding two cards to add a spell card from his deck to his hand, choosing Clear World.

Discord activates his effect, detaching an xyz material to attach one continuous spell card, one continuous trap card, or one field spell card to it from his hand, detaching Overlay Regenerate to attach Clear World.

Kyle activates Olivine Dragon’s effect. By detaching an xyz material when his opponent activates an xyz monster’s effect, Kyle can inflict damage equal to that monster’s rank times 200 (11 x 200 = 2200).

Discord’s Life Points: 10600 -> 8400

Discord then activates Doppelganger through his effect, inflicting damage equal to the amount he took from an opponent’s effect monster’s effect. Kyle attempts to activate Barrel Behind the Door, but Discord activates Temple of the Kings through his effect, allowing him to activate a trap card that he set that turn, activating Dark Bribe, negating and destroying Barrel Behind the Door and having Kyle draw one card.

Alex, Tom, and Kyle’s Life Points: 5600 -> 3400

Kyle activates Olivine Dragon’s effect again, sending Xyz Unit, which can be treated as an xyz material, to the graveyard (ATK: 4400 -> 3000) to inflict damage to his opponent equal to the rank of an opponent’s xyz monster that activated its effect times 200.

Discord’s Life Points: 8400 -> 6200

Discord activates Doppelganger’s effect, inflicting damage to his opponent equal to the damage he took.

Alex, Tom, and Kyle’s Life Points: 3400 -> 1200

Discord places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-6200 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“Kyle!” yelled Emma.

“Alex!” yelled Twilight and Zelda.

“Tom!” yelled the Emmitts and Rainbow Dash.

“I’m not sure why you did that,” spoke Discord, “but it seems it’s only furthering to dig your grave.”

Discord began to laugh while the ponies cowered in fear. Everyone else just looked at Discord with spite in their eyes. Alex suddenly broke Discord’s laughter with his own, causing the lord of chaos to stop.

“Clear World,” spoke Alex. “If I control a WIND attribute monster, I must pay 500 life points to activate a spell card. I’d only need two.”

“Two? Two for wha–”

Alex smiled upon seeing Discord’s face recognizing the strategy.

“No…” muttered Discord.

***************************************************
Alex’s Turn: Alex places two cards face down. Alex activates Foolish Burial, sending a monster from his deck to the graveyard. As Alex controls a WIND monster, Alex must pay 500 life points to activate a spell card with Discord’s Clear World effect.

Alex, Tom, and Kyle’s Life Points: 1200 -> 700

Alex then summons Dragunity Militum (ATK: 1700 DEF: 1200). Alex flip summons Dragunity Phalanx (ATK: 500 DEF: 1100). Alex tunes Dragunity Militum with Dragunity Phalanx to synchro summon Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana (ATK: 1900 DEF: 1200). When Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana is synchro summoned, Alex can equip a level 3 or lower Dragon-type Dragunity monster from his graveyard onto it, choosing Dragunity Aklys.

Alex activates Dragon Hatchling, special summoning itself as a Dragon-type monster with the same level as a Dragon-type monster that he controls (6). Alex pays another 500 life points because of Discord’s Clear World effect.

Alex, Tom, and Kyle’s Life Points: 700 -> 200

Alex activates Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana's effect. By sending an equip card equipped to it to the graveyard, he can double Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana's ATK (ATK: 1900 -> 3800). With Dragunity Aklys’ effect, when its sent to the graveyard while equipped with a monster, Alex can destroy one card on the field, choosing Discord’s face down card. Alex overlays Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana and Dragon Hatchling to xyz summon Hieratic Dragon King of Atum (ATK: 2400 DEF: 2100).

With Discord’s Clear World effect, Alex must play with his hand revealed when he controls a LIGHT monster. His hand contains Hieratic Seal of the Sun Dragon Overlord. Since his life points are below 500, Alex overlays Jade Wyvern and Hieratic Dragon King of Atum to xyz summon Shining Platinum Dragon (ATK: 3500 DEF: 2500).

Alex activates Shining Platinum Dragon’s effect, detaching all xyz materials from it to reveal a number of cards on the top of his deck equal to the number of xyz materials detached (5). Shining Platinum Dragon gains 500 ATK for each Dragon-type monster revealed by this effect. The cards revealed are Hieratic Dragon of Su, Dragunity Partisan, Hieratic Dragon of Nebthet, Hieratic Dragon of Asar, and Dragunity Arma Mystletainn (5 x 500 = 2500, ATK: 3500 -> 6000).

Alex attacks Discord with Shining Platinum Dragon.

Discord’s Life Points: 6200 -> 4200

During the end phase, Shining Platinum Dragon’s ATK returns to normal (ATK: 6000 -> 3500).

Alex ends his turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-200 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

“Alright!” cheered Rainbow Dash. “Keep it coming!”

“Easy, Rainbow Dash,” spoke Twilight. “Alex and his friends have only 200 life points left. They need to be extra careful if they want to win this duel.”

“It’s too bad that they won’t,” chuckled Discord.

***************************************************
Discord’s Turn: Discord attacks Amber Minotaur, but Tom activates Card Defense, discarding a card to negate the attack and then draw one card.

Discord places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-4200 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“Alright,” shouted Rainbow Dash. “That’s what I’m talking about. Go Tom! You can do it!”

Tom smiled at his friend’s confidence in him. He then looked up at Alex’s dragon.

“My turn now,” Tom quietly said.

***************************************************
Tom’s Turn: Tom activates Xyz Revival, special summoning an xyz monster from his graveyard and equipping Xyz Revival to it, choosing Brotherhood of the Fire Fist – Tiger King. Tom then activates his Overlay Regenerate, attaching itself as xyz material to Brotherhood of the Fire Fist – Tiger King. Tom activates the effect of Brotherhood of the Fire Fist – Tiger King, detaching an xyz material from it to negate the effects of all non Beast Warrior-type monsters on the field until the end of the opponent’s next turn.

Because Tom’s life points are below 500, Tom overlays Amber Minotaur and Brotherhood of the Fire Fist – Tiger King to xyz summon Shining Golden Minotaur (ATK: 3400 DEF: 2400). Tom equips Shining Golden Minotaur with Axe of Despair, increasing its ATK by 1000 (ATK: 3400 -> 4400).

Tom attacks Discord with Shining Golden Minotaur, but Discord activates Mirror Force, destroying all face up attack position monsters that his opponent controls, but Kyle activates Utopian Aura, detaching an xyz material from Olivine Dragon to prevent the destruction of all xyz monsters he controls by card effects.

Tom places two cards face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-200 Monsters-0 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

“Oh no!” cried Fluttershy, covering her eyes with her hoofs. “I can’t watch.”

“But you’ll miss the best part:” responded Discord, “your friends’ defeat and failure!”

***************************************************
Discord’s Turn: Discord attacks Olivine Dragon, but Alex activates his own Negate Attack, ending the battle phase.

Discord ends his turn. Discord’s effect returns.

Status: Hand-2 Life-4200 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

Discord growled in anger over his attacks not reaching his opponents.

“Discord,” said Kyle. “I will not allow you to carry onwards. Your ambitions end here, tonight!”

Kyle’s coat turned alight with green flames, shocking the crowd while Emma stood there, mystified.

“God, I love you,” she sighed in his direction.

***************************************************
Kyle’s Turn: Kyle activates Pot of Greed, drawing two cards. Next, he activates his own Magical Stone Excavation, discarding two cards to add a spell card from his graveyard to his hand, choosing Monster Reborn. Kyle activates Monster Reborn, special summoning Laval Judgment Lord from his graveyard. Next, he activates Rekindling, special summoning as many FIRE attribute monsters with 200 DEF from his graveyard as possible, summoning Flamvell Magician (ATK: 1400 DEF: 200).

Kyle then normal summons Laval Miller (ATK: 300 DEF: 400). Kyle tunes Laval Miller with Flamvell Magician to synchro summon Ancient Flamvell Deity (ATK: 2500 DEF: 200). Kyle overlays Olivine Dragon, Ancient Flamvell Deity, and Laval Judgment Lord to xyz summon Ultra-Olivine Tri-Dragon (ATK: 4500 DEF: 3800).

Kyle attacks Discord with Ultra-Olivine Tri-Dragon.

Discord’s Life Points: 4200 -> 3700

During the end phase, with Discord’s Clear World effect, because Kyle controls a FIRE monster, 1000 points of damage are inflicted him, but Tom activates his face down Emergency Provisions, sending a number of spell/trap cards that he controls to the graveyard to increase his life points by 1000 for each card before the attack hits, choosing his other face down card.

Alex, Tom, and Kyle’s Life Points: 200 -> 1200

Alex, Tom, and Kyle’s Life Points: 1200 -> 200

Kyle places two cards face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-200 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

“Phew,” exclaimed Emma. “That was a close one.”

“Too close if you ask me,” said Applejack.

Discord looked at his hand nervously. He hadn’t been able to draw many decent cards to help his effect, and it looked like his opponents were doing well despite Clear World. Nonetheless, Discord remained steadfast, determined to win.

***************************************************
Discord’s Turn: Discord places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-3700 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

His monster is too strong, thought Alex. I need a miracle in order to turn this around.

Alex’s Element of Harmony began to glow brightly, along with Twilight’s, Applejack’s, Rarity’s, Pinkie Pie’s, Fluttershy’s, and Rainbow Dash’s. Alex’s shirt, blazer, and pants then turned white.

“No,” gasped Discord. “Not again!”

“Yes, again!” yelled Alex. “You couldn’t escape the power of the Elements of Harmony once, and you won’t do it again!”

Alex’s top card on his deck glowed a bright white.

***************************************************
Alex’s Turn: Alex activates Elements of Harmony, targeting one monster the opponent controls, negating its effect and reducing its ATK and DEF to 0 until the end phase, choosing Discord (ATK: 4000 -> 0, DEF: 4000 -> 0). Next, Alex can apply one of three other effects, choosing the first, special summoning an xyz monster from his graveyard and attaching Elements of Harmony to that monster as xyz material, choosing Shining Platinum Dragon. With Shining Platinum Dragon’s effect, it can still attack this turn despite being summoned by Elements of Harmony.

Alex activates Shining Platinum Dragon’s effect, detaching all xyz materials from it to reveal a number of cards on the top of his deck equal to the number of xyz materials detached (1). Shining Platinum Dragon gains 500 ATK for each Dragon-type monster revealed by this effect. The card revealed is Dragunity Arma Leyvaten (ATK: 3500 -> 4000).

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

“Go!” yelled Alex. “Shining Platinum Dragon! Attack Discord! Luster Ray!”

Shining Platinum Dragon expelled a massive white energy from its mouth towards Discord.

“NO!” shouted Discord as the blast hit him, causing a massive explosion.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

From the outside of the beam, the helicopter pilots could partially see the explosion from outside.

“Holy smokes!” shouted one of the pilots.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Alex took a breather as his whitened clothes turned to black.

“We did it,” he sighed triumphantly.

“Hmhmhmhmhmhmhmhmhm.”

Alex was shocked to hear Discord’s voice, yet alone hear him laugh.

When the dust finally cleared, Discord stood there, smiling and giggling. Next to him appeared his life point counter: 1700. In front of the creature was an activated Half Unbreak.

“No…” whimpered Twilight fearfully, distraught over the Elements failing to defeat Discord.

“You’d think that after being defeated with those trinkets the first two times,” said Discord, “that I’d learn from my mistakes. How funny is it that the simplest of cards can counter something as powerful as the Elements of Harmony. Tough break, guys.”

Every single creature, minus Discord, stood frozen in shock and fear as Discord laughed at their expense.

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

Alex attacks Discord with Shining Platinum Dragon, but Discord activates Half Unbreak, preventing his monster’s destruction by battle and halving the damage he takes this turn.

Discords Life Points: 3700 -> 1700

During the end phase, Shining Platinum Dragon and Discord’s ATK return to normal (ATK: 4000 -> 3500) (ATK: 0 -> 4000, DEF: 0 -> 4000).

Alex ends his turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-200 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“Now,” said Discord, “let’s put you out of your misery.”

***************************************************
Discord’s Turn: Discord activates Pot of Greed, drawing two cards. Next, he equips himself with his own Xyz Unit, increasing its ATK by 200 times its rank (11 x 200 = 2200, ATK: 4000 -> 6200).

Discord attacks Ultra Olivine Tri-Dragon, but Kyle activates his own Negate Attack, ending the battle phase.

Discord activates his effect, detaching an xyz material to attach one continuous spell card, one continuous trap card, or one field spell card to it from his hand, detaching Doppelganger to attach Stolen Dawn. Discord activates Stolen Dawn through his effect, discarding one card from his hand and skipping his next draw phase to skip his opponent’s turn.

Discord ends his turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-1700 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

“Guys!” yelled Tom, unable to help his friends.

“Yes,” said Discord with a smile, “it will be over soon.”

***************************************************
Discord’s Turn: Discord attacks Ultra Olivine Tri-Dragon, but Kyle activates Iron Resolve, halving his life points to prevent the battle damage.

Alex, Tom, and Kyle’s Life Points: 200 -> 100

Discord activates Stolen Dawn through his effect, discarding one card from his hand and skipping his next draw phase to skip his opponent’s turn.

Discord ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-1700 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

Kyle lied limp on the ground.

“NO!” shrieked Emma, trying to run to him, but being held back by Reese.

“Your turn,” said Discord to Alex.

***************************************************
Discord’s Turn: Discord attacks Shining Platinum Dragon, but Alex activates Mirror Shade, halving his life points to reduce the battle damage to 0.

Alex, Tom, and Kyle’s Life Points: 100 -> 50

Discord ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-1700 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

Alex, blasted away from the damage, lied motionless on his back. He thought he could hear the calls of his friends trying to help him, but they sounded like nothing but an echo. He could hardly even make out the blonde haired man trying to pick Alex up onto his feet to no avail. A single tear rolled off of Alex’s face.

Guys, he thought. I’m so sorry. I’ve failed you all.

Unbeknownst to him, his Element, along with the Elements of the other ponies, began to glow brightly, engulfing them in bright, white light.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Alex found himself in the same black void that he found himself in when he was brought by Princess Celestia and Luna on the day of the Riverwalk Tournament.

“What? I’m here again?” he asked.

Upon looking around, he found Twilight, Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash with him.

“What…” moaned Twilight in confusion.

“What’s going on?”

“You’re in a safe place,” said a familiar voice.

Suddenly a bright white light and a bright blue light, both in the shape on an alicorn, conjured themselves in front of the seven bearers of the Elements of Harmony.

“Pri…” stuttered Twilight, “Princess Celestia?”

“Yes, Twilight. It is I.”

Twilight couldn’t control her tears. They floated in the abyss as they rolled off her face.

“How are you even here?” asked Twilight. “I thought you–”

“Died? Not exactly. When a pony’s body perishes, their spirit continues to live on. That is how I can communicate with you now.”

“What do you want, your highness?” asked Rarity.

“Hmhmhm. I’m technically not your leader anymore, and you still refer to me royally.”

“Of course,” said Applejack. “In our hearts, you’ll always be our leader.”

“Thank you,” said Luna’s aura, “but we have little time left.”

“Right,” confirmed Celestia. “Twilight, what powers the Elements of Harmony?”

“Friendship. That’s easy! But Princess Celestia, the Elements of Harmony still couldn’t defeat Discord. We’re hopeless now.”

“I wouldn’t be too sure about that.”

“What?”

“You and your friends have fought valiantly. But, if I seem to recall, you never needed the Elements of Harmony to win all of your duels. If not the Elements, what helped to achieve your victories?”

“Luck?” answered Applejack.

“Skill?” answered Rainbow Dash.

“A complete and balanced breakfast?” asked Pinkie Pie.

“Yes,” said Celestia, “those are all very important, but there’s one thing that you have forgotten, that without it, nothing can be won.”

“It’s…” spoke Alex. “It’s our bonds! It’s my bonds with Tom that gave me the power that inadvertently send Equestria here. It’s my bonds with my pony friends that helped me summon Shining Platinum Dragon, defeat Kyle, win the Riverwalk Tournament, and become an Element of Harmony. It’s my bond with Grant that saved him from Onyx Cerberus’ curse. And now…”

“And your bonds will continue to pull you through. As long as your bonds continue to exist, there is always hope.”

“Yes. I see.”

“Good.”

Suddenly Celestia and Luna’s auras began to fade.

“Wait!” cried Twilight.

“Alex, Twilight, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash. I have my full faith in you. I know you will have the power to stop Discord. Just believe, and you shall prevail. Goodbye, my faithful subjects.”

Before, Celestia and Luna faded, a bright light enveloped them all.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Alex woke up back on the ground to be greeted by Tom screaming in his face.

“-up, Alex! Wake up!”

Alex jolted awake, scaring Tom. Alex looked to his left, being able to see his family and friends watching him, along with Kyle, who was standing up. Alex caught a glance of Twilight, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash looking at him expectantly, smiling.

“So,” said Discord. “Will you finally surrender to me?”

“I’ll tell you something,” said Alex. “Twilight once told me about your second rise to power. You had defeated the spirits of the Elements of Harmony by taking away the one thing that gave the Elements power: their bonds with each other.”

Discord giggled at his speech, unsure of where it was leading to.

“Upon rediscovering their bonds,” Alex continued, “they were able to defeat you. And that’s what we’re going to do.”

“How?” questioned Discord. “Your Elements of Harmony have already failed you. Your victory is as good as sealed!”

“That’s where you’re wrong, Discord! We defeated your minions countless times without the Elements’ assistance, and we certainly don’t need it here!”

Discord began to noticed as Alex’s now balled up hand began to glow red.

“What’s this?” he asked to himself.

Alex then held out his hand next to his face, the back facing Discord. Alex’s hand suddenly went alight in flames, shocking everyone, including and especially Discord.

“These are our bonds!” answered Alex, having heard Discord. “Now, get ready to taste the full, unbridled, power of the bonds with my friends in their rawest form!”

Alex placed his hand on his deck.

“My turn! DRAW!”

The card Alex drew went in flames. Upon whipping his arm out and stopping its motion, both Alex’s hand and the card were extinguished. Upon looking at the card he drew, Alex smiled at the frightened Discord.

“This is where it ends,” said Alex. “And this is where you lose.”

Chapter 55: Life

Cont. from Discord vs. Alex, Tom, and Kyle

Alex’s Turn: Alex activates Harmonious Bonds of Friendship, special summoning a monster from his graveyard when his life points are lower than 100, choosing Jade Wyvern. Next, he targets one monster in each of his partners’ graveyards and has Jade Wyvern gain ATK equal to their combined ATK, targeting Tom’s Amber Minotaur and Kyle’s Olivine Dragon (2400 + 3000 = 5400, ATK: 2500 -> 7900).

Alex attacks Discord (ATK: 6200 DEF: 4000) with Jade Wyvern.

Discord’s Life Points: 1700 -> 0

Alex, Tom, and Kyle win.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Alex’s final attack blasted Discord into the ground, leaving a massive crater. Alex continued to pant, still weak from his duel. With the green beam still up, Alex couldn’t help but feel weary about Discord’s well-being; unsure if he was still alive or dead.

Suddenly, a lion paw viciously reached out of the crater. However, it was grey and looked like it was made of stone. Discord slowly crawled out of the hole, revealing that pieces of his body were turned to stone too, the grey spots spreading over his body slowly.

“No,” growled Discord, rising into the air with his magic. “I will not be stopped here. I’ll continue to possess whomever I can to achieve my goal. And I think I’ll start with you!”

Discord made a beeline straight for Alex, who shielded himself from the inevitable. Just as Discord got close, he felt a force wrap itself around his neck and hold him in midair. Everyone could see a yellow, hand-shaped aura gripping Discord's throat as he struggled to break free and get air. Kyle then looked down to see Lauren, awake and well, on her knees and supporting her upper body with her left hand while her right hand was reaching up in the air, her fingers curled as if she was grabbing something.

Discord looked in shock as Lauren held him. As Lauren gripped harder with her hand, the aura squeezed Discord’s neck even tighter, causing the stone patches on his body to spread over him even faster.

“Lauren…” wheezed Discord.

“No,” Lauren spoke, squeezing with enough force for his entire body to be encased in stone. “I will never allow you to hurt anyone ever again!”

Lauren squeezed her hand as hard as she could, the aura-hand gripping with enough tightness to crack Discord’s petrified body. With a final squeeze, Lauren was able to squeeze her hand into a fist. The aura crushed Discord in two pieces, leaving nothing but Discord’s head and torso separated from each other. With the final squeeze, Lauren fainted on the ground again, making the aura disappear and Discord’s dismembered statue fall to the ground.

“Mom!” yelled Kyle, running to Lauren’s side.

Alex, Tom, Spike, Twilight, and the rest of her friends also rushed to assist Lauren.

“Mom!” shouted Kyle, picking her up and cradling her in his arms.

“Kyle,” sighed Lauren. “What did I tell you about raising your voice to me?”

Her voice sounded sincere and kind, making Kyle giggle. She fluttered her eyes, looking at the small group above her. Upon realizing who it was she cowered in fear.

“Please,” she whimpered, “don’t hurt me!”

“No one’s gonna hurt no one, ma’am,” assured Applejack bluntly.

“We know that you were possessed by Discord,” said Spike, “so no hard feelings.”

“Heh,” exhaled Lauren. “Well, that’s a relief.”

Alex then looked at the green beam with unease.

“Lauren,” said Alex. “How do we turn off the beam?”

“The beam?” asked Lauren. “I’m afraid its no use. We might have saved Equestria from Discord, but without him to actually fire the beam, the whole thing is going to backfire.”

“Backfire?”

“The beam will absorb energy from the particle accelerator once the proton collision stage happens. If that energy doesn’t have anywhere to go, it will just backfire, kind of like in a cartoon when a character sticks their finger in the barrel of a gun. That kind of energy could wipe out this entire planet.”

“What?” asked Tom. “Is there no way to stop it?”

“There might be a way, but I know Kyle won’t like it.”

“What is it?” asked Kyle.

“…I’m going to have to shut it down myself.”

“What? What does that mean?”

“I can absorb the energy from the beam into me with the powers Discord inadvertently gave to me. However, I’m concerned that all the energy that I absorb will kill me as well.”

“What? No. Lauren, please don’t do this. I’ve gone so far to try and save you, and now I have. Please, Mom, don’t do this.”

“Kyle,” sighed Lauren, putting her palm on his cheek. “The job of any mother is to leave their world a better place for their children to live in. I certainly won’t be selfish enough to sacrifice everyone so you can have one person.”

Kyle couldn’t control his sobbing now.

“Mom…”

“Kyle, could you be a good son and help your mother up?”

Kyle obediently did as he was told, standing to his feet while holding onto Lauren’s hand, which he then pulled up to bring Lauren to her feet. She then put her arms around Kyle in one final embrace.

“Goodbye, Kyle. I love you so very much.”

“I love you too, Mom.”

There wasn’t a dry eye in on the island. Everyone tearfully watched as Lauren finally let go of Kyle.

“You’re going to want to step back,” warned Lauren, standing herself in the middle of the teardrop shaped space made by the path.

Alex and his friends ran to the side to join the others as Lauren went on to save the world. Lauren threw her arms out to the side, each of her hands beginning to glow yellow. Alex and his friends then saw around them as the green beam began to waver, being interfered with by Lauren’s magic.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

From the outside, the helicopters, along with a plethora of police cars that had gathered at Wilson Hall parking lot, watched the sight with awe, confusion, and wonder.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Lauren strained to absorb the energy, but she resiliently continued, grunting and moaning all of the way.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Ponies from the nearby town of Appleloosa watched the beam as it began to rise of the ground and recede towards Earth, quicker and quicker with each passing second. As the end of the beam reentered into Earth’s atmosphere, the top began to close on itself, forming a dome-like shape.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Alex and his friends watched as the beam lowered itself down and reformed the dome from earlier. Alex, continuing to look up, seeing as the dome began to depress from the inside, the tip of the depression heading for Lauren.

As the dome collapsed, the depression tip tightened as it began to be sucked into Lauren’s chest. Lauren suddenly jolted awake, now being filled with enough energy to continue onward. The edge of the dome began to rise from the Fermilab ring, going to be sucked up with the rest of the dome. Lauren continued to go on, until she felt a feeling inside her.

She was filling up with energy, and she was soon feeling like she was going to burst. As she began to feel full, the dome stopped. Everyone on the island gasped, unsure if Lauren could make it or not. Lauren shed a tear. The aspect of death was certainly frightening, but she knew that if not for her, the Earth would perish. Upon looking at Kyle and his friends, she then peeked upon Princess Celestia and Princess Luna on the ground. At that moment, Lauren seemed to know what to do, as told by her eyes and mouth open wide with the feeling of discovery.

Lauren strived onwards, absorbing the dome and continuing to make it recede. She then began pulsating white rays of light from her, much like the radar on a submarine.

“What’s going on?” asked Twilght.

As Lauren continued, cards began to appear out of thin air and fall to the ground, revealing themselves to be the Stones of Equus once absorbed by the dome. No eye was focused on this, however; only on whether Lauren would finally succeed. The dome was nothing more than a tornado shaped cone that only continued to shrink into Rae’s body, the pulses continuing to emit from her as cards began to fall from the air.

With one last bout of energy, Lauren absorbed the rest of the dome in one quick action, causing an even bigger pulse to emanate from her and shine over the entire area of the ring. Lauren then fell to her knees. Kyle watched with intensity, waiting to see the fate of his mother. As Lauren fell over, she suddenly put her arms up, catching herself and supporting her body on the ground on all fours.

Kyle, weeping and smiling, ran to Lauren, ecstatic that she was still alive. Kyle helped her up again and hugged her tightly, which was just as enthusiastically returned by Lauren. Alex and the rest of the group watched happily at their reunion, not only glad that their so-called Equus War was finally over, but that Kyle had his happily ever after.

Twilight then heard the ground rustle next to her. Upon looking to her left, she was filled with shock and awe to see the bodies of Princess Celestia and Luna begin to stir. Princess Celestia opened her eyes, surprised over her location. She then looked at her hooves, unsure if she was dreaming.

“I’m… I’m alive?” she asked.

“Princess Celestia!” shouted Twilight, running up and practically tackling her.

The rest of the ponies were alerted to Twilight’s commotion, only to see the princesses alive and well with their own eyes. Just as relived as Twilight was they all dog-piled Celestia and Luna, smothering them with hugs and affection. Princess Luna was then surprised to see John run up to her, slide to the ground next to her, and hug her as well.

“How?” asked Twilight, tears in her eyes. “How is this possible?”

“We continued to watch over the duel,” explained Celestia. “However, when Lauren began to emit the dome’s energy from her body, it seemed like it was beckoning our souls back into our bodies. It was like we were returning home.”

Twilight continued to look at her princess with elation. Emma then ran from the crowd, grabbed Kyle from his hug with Lauren and gave him a kiss, wrapping her arms around him. Kyle returned the embrace.

“Ahem.”

Kyle and Emma turned to see Reese standing there, looking at them with slight disdain.

“Don’t look at me like that,” said Emma. “So what if I’m seeing your ex-worst enemy, he’s not an enemy anymore.”

Reese shrugged his shoulders and walked up to Alex to congratulate him. Emma continued to hug Reese, but soon she, and everyone else for that matter, began to hear the sounds of police sirens and helicopter propellers closing in on the area.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Sunday, June 3rd, 2012

_________________________________________________________________________________________

The doors opened up, revealing a large crowd of ponies as they stood inside the royal chambers of the Canterlot palace throne room. Alex, Tom, Reese, Emma, Kyle, Lauren, John, Claude, Jenny, Lisa, Zelda, Twilight, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Spike, Shining Armor, Cadance walked forward down the center.

Princess Celestia and Princess Luna were standing there as well, waiting for them all. As they all gathered towards Celestia, they formed a horizontal line in front of them, their numbers being so great that they easily spanned from wall to wall of the chamber.

Alex looked behind him to see Grant, Gilda, Trixie, and Chrysalis sitting standing in the front row. Despite the ponies being indifferent to their appearance, three royal guards encircled them, preventing anyone from doing them any harm. Grant gave Alex a thumbs up before the latter turned back to face the princesses. Once Celestia was certain that everyone was there, she began.

“We are gathered here today to celebrate the end of the Equus War and the third and final defeat of Discord, all thanks to these brave humans and ponies whose bonds of friendship have carried them through thick and thin and saved both Equestria and Earth from destruction.”

The entire crowd cheered. Princess Celestia then motioned her head towards a curtained window towards the heroes in front of her. She then pulled the curtains back with her horn, revealing an ornate stained glass window.

On it was the broken statue of Discord. Under it stood Alex, Tom, and Kyle, holding their arms up with a black card in their right hand with their D-Pad’s on their left wrists. In the center of the three stood Lauren, who had her arm straight up, shooting a yellow spell at the Discord statue. Next to the four humans stood Twilight, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash shooting beams from their heads at Discord as well. Bordering the rest of the icon was the rest of the humans and ponies who assisted in the battle at Fermilab. Reese couldn’t help but take his eyes off of his painted face on the window. Tom took a picture with his phone.

“However,” stated Celestia, bringing all attention back to her, “there is one last thing to address.”

The guards guarding the former villains were escorted them up in front of the line where Alex and his friends stood. Celestia continued.

“Our nation was founded under the principles of friendship and love. Unfortunately, life may not have been too kind to everypony. These four creatures that stand before you want nothing more than to be loved like everyone else. Despite the pain they may have caused others in the past, they have shown themselves ready to revoke their lives of vice if it would mean our acceptance of them, and I see no reason as to why I should deny them that.”

Chrysalis, Gilda, and Trixie expected boos or uncomfortable silence with winced faces, but were surprised to find most of the ponies cheering them on. Grant, Chrysalis, Gilda, and Trixie turned to the crowd to see everyone applauding and cheering. Alex then looked at Grant and gave him a thumbs up. Upon noticing him, Grant returned the compliment with another thumbs up.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Once the ceremony was over later that afternoon, Alex and his friends walked outside the palace with Grant, Chrysalis, Gilda, and Trixie.

"I wonder where the Flim-Flam brothers went," asked Jenny.

"From what I heard," said Gilda, "Celestia just let them go. Something about not being that much of a threat."

“So,” said Alex to the former villains as they continued to walk, “what happens now?”

“Celestia asked Tri– I mean, me to be a personal advisor!” squealed Trixie in excitement. “I start tomorrow.”

“It seems that Canterlot doesn’t really function by dragon-mail,” spoke Gilda, “so Celestia asked me if I want to be Canterlot's mail courier.”

“Sounds like fun,” said Tom. “Chrysalis?”

“Twilight, do you know the caverns that I hid you and Cadance away in after… well, you know?”

“Yes?”

“Celestia is having me move our colony in there. However, we are free to roam the streets without fear of persecution or being outcast.”

“That’s great to hear,” said Tom.

“And it’s thanks to you. We are eternally grateful for all that you’ve done.”

“I’m glad to hear it,”

“Well,” said Gilda. “I hope to see all of you around sometime.”

“Likewise,” answered Alex.

“Bye.”

With that Trixie re-entered the palace, Gilda flew off into the clouds above Canterlot, and Chrysalis flew off to the direction of her colony.

“Hey, Grant,” said Alex, “you never told me where you’re going.”

“You know,” said Grant, looking at the sky, “I don’t think I’ve ever told a soul why I roamed the country like I did. But I think I can disclose that to you now.”

“And?” asked Rainbow Dash, flying in close to him.

“I never really had a family, like, what a true family was supposed to be. My parents wanted little to do with me. My father drank, my mother smoked, and I didn’t have any siblings to relate to other than the friends that I would make at school. I wanted to make more connections with as many people as possible, so one day, I packed my deck, my duel disk, a bag of clothes, and my life savings and I decided to travel the country.

“The bonds that I shared with every one in every town I went to was more genuine than anything I could experience at home. And, of course, I played you, Alex. I can honestly say now, that it was the most important duel of my life. Without it, I don’t think I would have had someone who would have cared to save me when I became cursed by Onyx Cerberus. For that, I thank you.”

“Speaking of,” said Alex, reaching into his pocket.

From it, he pulled out Onyx Cerberus and handed it to Grant. Grant looked at the card uneasily.

“What is this?” he asked.

“It’s your card, man,” said Alex. "Lauren gave everyone of her former minions their Stones of Equus back. She even gave one of hers to Tom, Kyle, and I."

Alex held up a card, revealing it to be Tourmaline Griffon, while Tom held up a Citrine Manticore.

“I can’t accept this," spoke Grant uneasily. "Too many painful memories.”

“Well, look at it this way. It’s not a painful reminder of your past; that’s behind you now. Think of it as a trophy for overcoming your curse.”

Grant continued to look at the card. He finally smirked and placed the card in his pocket.

“Well,” said Grant. “I hope we can meet again someday,” said Grant, walking away.

“Where are you going?” asked Twilight.

“Wherever the road takes me. I think I might like it here.”

Grant continued to walk, getting smaller and smaller as he got farther away. Alex then heard the palace doors open, Princess Celestia, Trixie, Kyle, and Lauren walking out and towards Alex and his friends.

“So,” said Alex to Kyle and Lauren, “what plans does your future hold?”

“Are you joking?” asked Lauren, “I have a company to run.”

“You mean after all that happened to you and what people think you did? People are going to hate you.”

“Just an average day in the life of a CEO,” joked Lauren, causing Alex and the other humans to laugh. “Plus, if I ever get into any trouble, I know who to call,” she said looking a Celestia, who gave her a wink.

“Alright,” said Alex. “I wish the best of luck to you.”

“Alex,” called Kyle quietly.

Alex looked at Kyle, whose arm and hand were formed similarly to the start of an arm wrestling match. Alex understood the gesture and clasped hands with him.

“Best of luck to you,” said Alex.

“You too,” said Kyle.

The two friends let go of each others hands, allowing Kyle to step backwards next to Lauren.

“Come on, Kyle,” said Lauren. “Let’s go home.”

Lauren covered herself and Kyle in a bright flash of light, both disappearing upon the light fading out.

“Hey,” called Zelda, “don’t forget about me.”

“Of course,” said Alex. “What are your plans?”

“I’m heading back to Boston. I gotta’ make sure my dad is alright, you know?”

“Of course,” replied Alex, offering a hand.

“Well,” said Zelda, “I guess this is goodbye.”

“For now.”

“Yes,” she giggled, “for now.”

Princess Celestia then came in.

“Are you all ready to be sent home?” she asked.

“All?" asked Alex. "As in the ponies too? But we’ve defeated Discord. They have no reason to continue living with us; they have their own homes and families to return to.”

“And we don’t know that?” asked Rainbow Dash. “I want to have some more fun with my friends before I go home. You know, without the threat of death or destruction.”

“Then who are we to argue?” answered Tom, wrapping his arm around Rainbow Dash’s neck playfully. “Beam us home!”

“Very well,” said Celestia.

As Celestia charged her horn to send Alex and his friends back to Earth, Twilight stood next to Alex and looked up to him. As she thought of all the new friends that she had made, a friendship report had come into her mind.

Dear Princess Celestia,

There are some creatures in this world who have not been fortunate in making friends. Because of that, they turn to a darker side of themselves as their only comfort, causing them to hurt anyone who gets close. However, I learned over the past month that those ponies and people are just as deserving of friendship as anyone else, and that through love and forgiveness, one can add warmth to even the coldest of hearts.

Your faithful student,
Twilight Sparkle

Celestia’s horn then emitted a bright blast, covering everyone with it.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Friday, June 8th, 2012

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Early in the afternoon, Alex, Tom, Twilight, and Rainbow Dash were having a late lunch at the Portillo’s on Jefferson and Rt. 59, finishing up their chopped salads. The inside looked western-themed, compete with wagon wheels, cowboy art, the works. They were laughing, as if someone had just finished a funny anecdote.

“Yes,” said Alex, “good times.”

“So,” said Twilight, “what plans do we have for our big last night together?”

“We got front row tickets to Roger Water’s The Wall at Wrigley!” spoke Tom. “Isn’t being the savior of the world grand?”

“You mean…”

“Yeah, Claude used some connections or something to get us six free tickets for saving the world and stuff!”

“Six? Who’s the fifth and sixth?”

“Dad. He went and saw them at Soldier Field for Animals and he’s been dying to see them ever since. We also got one for Spike.”

“Sounds cool,” replied Rainbow Dash.

“Well,” said Alex, “from what I hear, it’s a spectacular show.”

“And I can’t wait for it,” answered Twilight enthusiastically.

Tom’s phone suddenly began to ring. Tom reached into his pocket and answered the phone.

“Hello?”

“... …”

“We’ll be right there.”

*click*

“What is it?” asked Rainbow Dash.

“It’s Claude’s wife. She just had her baby.”

Twilight, Rainbow Dash, and Alex sat there with their mouths agape for a second before darting off their seats and rushing out of the restaurant.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Alex and Tom arrived at Edwards Hospital about ten minutes later. Twilight rode in the back of Alex’s duel runner while Rainbow Dash flew alongside Tom’s. Alex and Tom quickly parked their bikes in between Carolyn’s van and Thomas’ duel runner as Rainbow Dash landed on the ground. Alex, Twilight, and Tom dismounted and ran inside.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Upon making it to the nursery, Alex found Spike, Applejack, Fluttershy, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie with Sarah and Thomas looking through the nursery window. Pinkie Pie turned around to find her other four friends having made it.

“Guys!” she screamed. “The baby’s here! I want to see it! I’ve never seen a baby human before! Which one is it!!”

A door opened up from the side next to Alex and his friends. Claude pushed his wife, who held onto her baby boy, into the hallway towards Alex and her friends. The baby had a round head, a patch of black hair on his dark-skinned head, wrapped in a blanket and sleeping in his mother’s arms.

“Aww,” exclaimed everyone upon seeing the infant.

“Isn’t he beautiful?” asked Claude. “We’re naming him Arthur.”

“Arthur, huh?” asked Alex. “I’m going to take a wild guess and say that your Heroic deck will belong to him one day.”

“I was planning on it. How’d you know?”

“Dude. Excalibur? Arthur?”

“Haha, right.”

“What are you planning on doing with Ruby Phoenix?”

“I think I’ll pass that on to him as well. Start a family heirloom. As for my deck, I’m packing it away for now. I need to focus on raising my son before I go about saving the world again.”

“I understand,”said Alex. “I’m sorry, I don’t believe I’ve ever met your wife.”

“Yes,” said Claude, “this is my wife, Lottie.”

Alex didn’t feel like making her reach over and shake his hand with a baby in her arms, so he opted to wave.

“Hi,” said Alex.

“Pleasure to meet you,” said Lottie. “Claude has told me a lot about you.”

“Has he?”

“He tells me you’re quite the duelist.”

“I’m flattered.”

“And Applejack”

Applejack turned to her and walked up.

“Yes, ma’am?”

“I heard you said some things about my husband.”

“About how good of a father he’s gonna be?”

“Yes. How dd you know what I was going to say?”

“I’d keep my word over something like that, Mrs. Luke. Your husband may possibly be one of the bravest creatures I’ve met. He really will be the perfect dad for your child.”

“Oh, bless you.”

"Yer very welcome."

“So,” said Claude to Tom, “you excited for your concert tonight?”

“You bet,” he answered. “Tonight’s going to be the best night ever!”

“Oh dear,” muttered Rarity. “Hopefully they aren’t speaking too soon.”

“Well, I’d suggest you’d get going,” said Claude. “Traffic into Chicago is going to be bumper-to-bumper.”

“Thanks,” said Alex, shaking Claude’s hand. “Congratulations, Claude. I wish you the best in your endeavors.”

“You too, man.”

Alex walked over to Spike as Tom and Thomas went to shake Claude’s hand and congratulate him.

“Ready for tonight?” asked Alex.

“110 percent!” declared Spike.

Spike then jumped onto Twilight’s back as she and Rainbow Dash went to give their thanks and best wishes to Claude.

“Thank you, Claude, for all that you’ve done,” said Twilight, letting Claude shake her hoof.

Rainbow Dash held her wing out, having Claude force his palm onto it.

“Alright,” exclaimed Rainbow Dash, flying back towards Tom. “Later, dude!”

Spike then stood on Twilight’s back and shook Claude’s hand.

“It was really fun dueling with you and all,” said Spike. “Best of luck for your family."

“‘Preciate it, man,” answered Claude.

With that, Alex, Tom, Thomas, Twilight, Rainbow Dash, and Spike walked down the hallway to the exit.

“Enjoy yourselves, darlings!” called Rarity.

“Thanks!” called Twilight, Rainbow Dash, and Spike in tandem.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Thomas led Tom and Alex onto the highway to Chicago. Alex followed from behind with Twilight in the backseat of his duel runner. Tom was last, Spike riding in his backseat with Rainbow Dash flying close behind. Alex looked up into the sky, looking at the Equestrian planet as it was safely floating in the blue, cloudless sky.

Everything is good, thought Alex. And as long as I’m around, that’s the way it’s going to stay.

Alex pressed the Bluetooth function on his duel runner’s touch screen.

“Hey, Tom!” spoke Alex through Tom’s helmet, which got Rainbow Dash and Spike’s attention.

“Yeah?” he asked.

“Duel? To kill some time?”

“Hehe. You know it.”

Tom looked up to Rainbow Dash, who smiled with anticipation.

Tom, Alex, and Rainbow Dash then sped up ahead of Thomas, surprising him. Upon realizing their intentions, he smiled.

Go get ‘em, he thought.

“Speed World 2,” yelled Alex. “Set on!”

“Duel detected,” called an electronic voice.

Holographic auras emanated from the streetlights as Alex and Tom swerved into the empty two riding-duel lanes.

“Ready, Twilight?” asked Alex, reaching his right hand behind him.

“Whenever you are,” responded Twilight, smacking his palm with her hoof.

“Kick his rear, Tom!” cheered Rainbow Dash.

“Anything for you,” said Tom.

Alex looked at Tom. Without Tom looking, Spike took his hand off of Tom and gave him a supportive thumbs up. Alex then rode up right alongside Tom.

“Doesn’t it feel good to have a duel and not worry about dying?” Alex asked him.

“Doesn’t it feel good to have a duel and not worry about losing?” responded Tom. “I sure do.”

Tom sped up, losing Alex.

“I’m gonna make you eat those words, buddy,” muttered Alex confidently.

Alex sped up so he was just behind Tom. With a final mutual glance at one another, Alex and Tom drew five cards from their decks and placed them on their wrist dealers.

“DUEL!” they both yelled.

Series 2: Elements of Vice - Arc 5: Equestrian Odyssey - Chapter 56: Assassins

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Friday, June 29th, Canterlot, Equestria, Night

_________________________________________________________________________________________

The night was quiet and still in the streets of Canterlot. Many ponies were nestled inside their homes, sleeping and awaiting the sun to bring them the next morning. The only lights that shone in the city were the street lights that lined the edge of the sidewalks, and the magnificent Canterlot castle where Princess Celestia and Princess Luna made their home.

Inside the castle walls, the royal guard, consisting of white stallions with blue manes and tails while wearing gold armor, maintained the hallways, keeping an expert eye on any intruders or creatures that had ill intent upon the castle or its inhabitants. Despite the peacefulness of the night and the unlikely possibility that something wrong would happen, the guards still kept watch over the palace as if they were expecting it to come at any second.

Two guards in particular, both unicorns, stood at the entrance to Princess Celestia's throne room, talking amongst one another.

“Where did the princess say she was going?” asked one of the stallions.

He was quite young and sounded inexperienced. The older, more experienced stallion answered him gruffly.

“I told you,” he said, “that Celestia is taking a secret trip to Manehattan. She'll be back earlier tomorrow morning.”

“Alright! Jeez.”

The guards stood back in attention, but their commotion roused the presence of another pony: Trixie, Celestia's advisor.

“How art thou doing this evening?” asked Trixie.

“Very good, ma'am,” spoke the older stallion. “It's just that this stallion,” he said pointing his hoof to his partner, “is scared without Princess Celestia to protect him.”

“Hey!” the younger stallion retorted.

“That's enough!” demanded Trixie. “Your shift is over and you may retire for the night. Two more guards shall replace you. That is all!”

“Yes, ma'am!” responded the two guards, giving Trixie a salute.

The two guards began walking down the hall as Trixie stood post until the next round of guards arrived. However, with the night as quiet as it was, she slipped into the doorway into the large, spacious room. Trixie, using her magic, set fire inside the torches that lined the ivory pillars, putting the room in a warm, orange glow. As Trixie walked down to the throne at the back of the room, she was completely unaware of the presence that lurked in the shadows of the corner of the room.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Ponyville, Equestria

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Twilight Sparkle, by the light of a single candle, wrote a report for her teacher on a scroll. On a stand to the right of the table, was her trusted pet owl, Owlowiscious. The brown bird glanced down at Twilight's paper, recording every word that it wrote with its eyes. In the bedroom on the other side of the treehouse/library where she lived, Spike was quietly sleeping in his basket, his daytime servitude to Twilight finished.

As Twilight continued to write, a sudden chilly breeze blew into the room. With a shivering hoot from Owlowiscious, the bird shuddered as it hugged its wings to itself in an attempt to keep warm.

“Owlowiscious!” exclaimed Twilight. “Are you alright?”

Twilight then looked at the side door that lead to her balcony. The door was open, the wind blowing it open and closed, only for the metal hook-lock on the door to keep it open.

“Ugh,” she groaned. “Not again.”

Putting her quill down, Twilight walked over to the door and used her magic to close the door and place the latch into the hole, locking the door shut.

“There,” she cooed, “is that better?”

“Hoo,” hooted the owl contently.

Twilight got back to her desk to resume writing her report. With the light as minimal as it was, the shadows of the room perfectly hid the cloaked figure that stood in the back of Twilight's bedroom.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Manehattan, Equestria

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Zelda Buchanan was applying the last few turns of a wrench inside one of the turbines of her gilder. As one working in her profession would normally experience, her plain t-shirt and jeans were covered in oil and grime. Feeling content with her work, she scooted from under her machine and stood up, stretching her stiff arms and legs.

She was inside of a small hanger that contained a couple of aircraft: a decently-sized, red, propellered plane and her glider. The walls were also lined with various automotive equipment, such as engines, motors, wheels, and such. Off to one wall however, there were several toolboxes, drawers, and various other heavy-duty tools.

As Zelda walked over to the nearest toolbox where she left a clean towel, a large, slender pegasus hopped out of the seat of the plane and followed her. She had a cream-colored coat, lime-green eyes, and an straight orange mane and tail that swooped up at the ends. Her mane was styled so that two extensions draped in front of her ears. The most noticeable feature about her was that her left wing was missing, instead being replaced by a large, gaping scar that went from the side of her mid back to over the shoulder, just reaching the chest.

“Hanging it up for the night, Zelda?” asked the pegasus.

“You bet, Spirit,” she responded as she wiped her dirty face and arms with her towel. “In fact, I'm going to take a fun little night-flight before I hit the hay. Want to join?”

“I'd love to, but I'm really just looking forward to a nice warm bed right now.”

“I heard that. Well, good-night, Spirit.”

“Night, pal.”

Zelda threw the towel back onto the toolbox and walked towards her glider. On a table next to it, where she kept her goggles safe and sound, she picked them up and placed them over her eyes. In two big hops, Zelda climbed aboard her glider, stepping on two pads in the center that lit up as soon as her boots firmly stood upon them, causing the engine to come to life.

With merely a thought, soft, green lights around the goggles' lenses lit up and the glider began to levitate off the ground. The garage door nearest her began to open up. Zelda looked to her left to see Spirit pushing the red button on a box nailed to the wall, giving her the wink that answered who opened the door for her friend and co-worker.

Zelda gave Spirit a farewell nod that allowed her to fly out of the garage and into the sky, going forwards towards her home. As Zelda climbed higher and higher into the clouds, a pegasus, shrouded by the darkness of night, flew close enough behind Zelda to track her, but far enough to keep her from noticing him.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Caverns, Canterlot, Equestria

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Queen Chrysalis sat on her throne, tending to and observing her changeling legion as they worked about the cave. With the ponies' acceptance of them at last, their disposition could not be better. Years of thievery and trickery were finally at an end. The changelings finally had an untainted supply of love with which they could feed from.

As she looked over her creatures, a flash of light became visible at the end of the cavern. The flashes became brighter and the luminance spread out more with each new flash. Queen Chrysalis couldn't quite make it out, but she thought she could see the carapaces of changelings flying in the air as a new flash formed.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

About One Mile from Canterlot, Equestria

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Gilda, having had an eventful day as the Canterlot mail-courier, was returning from Cloudsdale to make a special delivery that Celestia wanted filled by that night. With it all taken care of, Gilda could not wait to crash onto her bed and catch some much needed Z's.

“Jeez,” yawned Gilda, “I'm so tired, I could just fall asleep mid-flight.”

With her creeping sleepiness clouding her attention, a pegasus mare began to fly close behind her, squinting as she found her target.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Appleloosa, Equestria

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Grant had trouble sleeping in his bed. While even the most run down motels and bed-and-breakfasts in the United States on Earth had tolerable beds, the mattress he slept on was stiff and felt like it was lined with a thick, solid sheet of styrofoam. No matter which way he tossed or turned, it seemed that sleep was going to be impossible for Grant under his conditions.

Giving up trying, he stood out of bed and looked out to his window to see a building with its lights still on. Grant looked at the building, not surprised that the building was none other than The Salt Lick, the local saloon. Grant began to muse to himself how helpful a pint of hard cider could be for his insomnia when he heard a forceful kick at the door, forcing him to turn around.

“Who's there?” he barked back.

There was no answer. Only more hard kicks to the door came one after the other, the hinges close to flying off. Grant was given no choice and little time to react to this sudden assault. Grant unlocked and slid the door of the window up as far as he could, allowing him enough room to escape. Grant rolled around on the roof of the inn before he fell off and to the ground. From upstairs, Grant could hear the door finally give way to whatever was striking it.

Grant fled to the western side of town as fast as he could, not once looking back. Before his assailant could find him running down the street, he turned left into a nearby alley and hid behind the wall of a building. Keeping his exhausted breathing quieted to prevent it from betraying his position, he peered his head around the building to see how close his attacker was, if at all.

Grant shot his head back to the wall upon seeing a cloaked equine figure briskly walking down the street, no doubt looking for him. As he tried to sneak away from the alley to find a better hiding spot, his first footstep disturbed a mouse who had been standing nearby, causing it to squeak loudly and run away.

Grant began to feel an icy chill down his spine as he heard the hoofsteps come closer in quicker succession. He ignored his feeling and tried to make it to the end of the alley where he could hang a turn and escape. Before he could realize his freedom, he felt a sharp pain hit him in the back of the knee, causing his body to buckle mid-stride and crumple to the ground.

Grant, knowing that further running was futile, picked up the weapon from the ground next to him that was used to trip him: a copy of a Superdreadnought Rail Cannon Gustav Max card.

“My card back, sir,” spoke the male voice of a tenor southern accent.

Grant, realizing his situation would inevitably resort in a duel, stood up and faced his attacker: the cloaked pony that he saw on the streets. His features were hidden inside the cloak and hood, but from what Grant could tell, he was neither a unicorn or a pegasus, having neither a horn holding his hood up or wings either poking from or blanketed under the cloak. With an exaggerated flick of his wrist, Grant tossed the card back.

A light-gold hoof raised from the ground, blocking the card's path as it landed onto the hoof. Examining his card, the pony inserted the card into the wrist dealer of a golden pod that was fixed upon his left forearm.

“You know,” spoke Grant, “if you wanted to duel me, you could have waited until tomorrow. I'm free all da–”

“Quiet, you!” bellowed the stallion. “What I intend to do with you can not be seen by pony eyes... yet.”

“I'll just scream,” said Grant, beginning to take an inhale.

The pony, with the likeness of a quick-drawer, stood on his hind legs, revealing the underside of of his gold-colored coat and aiming his golden brace at Grant, which began to glow a slight black.

“I'll just kill you,” he said.

Although his face was hidden by the hood, Grant could tell from the tone of his voice that he was smiling; he wasn't bluffing. Grant exhaled, forced into complying to a duel with this pony. The pony put his right hoof down on the ground while keeping his brace aimed at Grant.

“You allied yourself with Rae Sulfa Tun,” called out Braeburn, “you're among the first who needs to be taught our lessons.”

“Lessons?” queried Grant, “Rae Sulfa Tun no longer exists. Not to mention, I was forced into joining her.”

“Whatever the reason, you and your kind shall pay!”

The pony held his brace like a duel disk, ready to fight.

“You aren't going to do a thing!” shouted Grant.

Grant held out his left arm as a halo formed around his elbow. The halo scanned down his arm, revealing his red-and-gold gauntlet D-Pad with his deck already in it. The pony then held his D-Pad up, which now began to glow white.

“What is this?” asked Grant.

An aura then shot out of the D-Pad, covering the area to both ends of the alley.

“I see,” spoke Grant. “Magic holograms or something. Let's waste no further time. I'm ready!”

The two drew five cards from their decks.

“DUEL!” they shouted.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

About One Mile from Canterlot, Equestria

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Gilda could just faintly see the lights of Canterlot in the distance, putting her mind in further ease. Just as she was about to imagine her warm bed and possibly a cold, stiff drink, she felt someone collide into her back, eliciting a shrill eagle's cry from her.

“Watch it, dummy!” she spoke.

The griffon looked behind her to see the cloaked pegasus behind her. Its hooves and wings were a greyish-blue and its hood was equipped with a mask to prevent the hood from flying off the head in the wind.

“You know,” said the slightly-nasally, treble voice, “it isn't polite to call somepony names.”

“Wait,” spoke Gilda.

Using her keen eyesight, she began to observe the eyes that poked through the holes in the mask. Both were aiming in opposite directions. Gilda gasped at the realization.

“You're the mailpony of Ponyville!” she exclaimed. “What are you doing at Canterlot?”

“That's not important,” spoke the pegasus. “What's important is that you pay for what you almost did to us ponies!”

The pegasus landed another blow at Gilda, causing another scream along with her flight wavering again. Gilda could see a D-Pad similar to the stallion's in Appleloosa upon the pegasus' left wrist.

“You want to mess with me, kid?” she asked angrily. “Fine then! I'll come right at you!”

A halo appeared around Gilda's left elbow as the light scanned her arm, producing her blue-and-gold gauntlet D-Pad. The pegasus' D-Pad shot out a similar aura to the one from the stallion in Appleloosa, covering a large portion of the area. Gilda was too determined to avenge herself to care about the aura, leading the both of them to draw five cards from their decks.

“DUEL!” they both yelled.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Caverns, Canterlot, Equestria

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Whoever was attacking Chrysalis' changelings was moving closer. Without any further hesitation, she leaped off her throne and made her way further up.

“Stand aside!” she bellowed, causing her fellow changelings to part and make a path. “There!” she cried to the intruder. “Now face me and leave my changelings alone.”

At first nothing happened, but the sound of echoed clopping broke the newly formed silence. As the clopping got louder, the intruder showed itself as a cocoa-coated stallion, whose squarer muzzle was visible in the shadows of his cloak. He too was an Earth pony.

“What do you think you're doing coming into my lair and harming my subjects?” seethed Chrysalis.

“You mean the same subjects that nearly destroyed Canterlot?” he rebutted with a slight English accent.

“We have made our amends! We have changed now.”

“Change? Hmph. The only change you're capable of is your appearance! Now, you must pay for the crimes you've committed to ponykind.”

The pony held his left arm in front of him, revealing his golden D-Pad.

“You think you can stand up to the likes of me?” chuckled Chrysalis. “I may no longer be the vicious tyrant of days past, but if you dare threaten my subjects, I will sure fight like days of past.”

“And you'll lose all the same,” muttered the pony under his breath.

Chrysalis made her wrist dealer/graveyard appear on her wrist as two pairs of wings sprouted out of her back. The pony's D-Pad glowed brightly before it shot out an aura around the area of the cave. The changelings watching backed as far as they could to the wall, knowing that the fight would become very dirty. The brown stallion and Chrysalis drew five cards from their decks.

“DUEL!” they yelled.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Manehattan, Equestria

_________________________________________________________________________________________

As Zelda reached the clouds, she brushed her fingers alongside them, feeling their moist softness pass in between them. As she peacefully continued on with her journey home, a ping was coming from her glasses. Upon looking through the radar built into them, she noticed a light dot incoming towards her glider.

Using as much swiftness as she could allow, she rotated the glider 180° to see a cloaked pony approaching. With her having noticed it, the pony stopped and stared her down. Zelda could barely tell the features of the pegasus in the moonlight, but she could tell that it was a stallion with a light cornflower-blue coat.

“Who are you?” questioned Zelda. “Why are you following me?”

“My voice will probably give it away,” he said in a raspy tenor voice.

“Wait, aren't you So–”

“And second of all, you should know exactly why I'm following you.”

“I didn't know that they had an aerial division in the fuzz, but I assure you I was going the speed limit.”

“Yes, very funny Zelda Buchanan. But it is who you allied yourself with in your past that has dug your grave!”

'Allied in the past? What are you–”

“Enough talk!” shouted the stallion. “We're on a tight schedule and our master does not like any screw-ups in his plan.”

The pegasus then lunged towards Zelda, only for her to lower the altitude of her glider, forcing him to fly above her. With him going in the opposite direction now, she boosted her glider to high speeds to evade her assailant. The pony, undaunted, performed a downwards half loop and continued to chase Zelda using the momentum he had in him, getting on her tail easily.

Zelda then noticed the brace-like D-Pad on his left wrist.

“You want to play then?” she said, her silver, feathered D-Pad appearing on her arm. “Alright. Let's play! Holo-imager sequence! Activate!”

Multicolored lights shined below the wings of the glider, shooting out an aura that covered their area. They both drew five cards from their decks.

“DUEL!” they shouted.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Ponyville, Equestria

_________________________________________________________________________________________

As Twilight continued writing, the cloaked figure crept closer to the lavender unicorn. It crept past Spike's bed, careful not to disturb his sleep. By the time she was just at the point where Twilight's candlelight became shadows that she could still hide behind, she began charging her horn.

Owlowiscious noticed the green aura around the horn and began hooting madly, alerting Twilight. As she turned around, she saw a spell launched straight at her. With great speed and reflexes, she casted a shielding spell that bounced the spell away from her and towards the wall. The noise awoke Spike, but before he could scream at the appearance of the intruder, Owlowiscious turned to Spike and put its wing to its beak, as if saying, “Shhh.”

The owl then flew towards Spike and lifted the baby dragon by his shoulders with his talons off the ground and to the balcony exit, flipping the lock and flying Spike and himself out, all without the attacker or Twilight noticing. Twilight stared the cloaked pony down, awaiting another strike. Twilight could see the mint-green hooves and horn protruding through the cloak.

“What are you doing in my home?” Twilight asked, boiling with anger.

“You pose a great threat to our plan,” the mare answered in a higher alto voice, “and as such, you must be eliminated, Twilight Sparkle.”

“Threat? What are you talking about?”

“That won't matter to you anymore. Because you'll be dead after I'm through with you.”

“Like that will ever happen!”

Twilight launched a spell at the unicorn, only for the mare to hold her gold D-Pad up to her face, the spell merely disappearing upon contact.

“I think you now know where this is going,” the cloaked pony said. “Your magic cannot penetrate my D-Pad, and my magic is too weak against somepony like you.”

“If you're looking for a duel,” responded Twilight, pulling out her own D-Pad, “you still won't stand a chance!”

Twilight placed her wrist dealer/graveyard upon her left wrist and put the tablet on top, causing the zones to unsheathe out of it. With the blasting of a white aura from her D-Pad, the assailant was ready to go. She and Twilight drew five cards from their decks.

“DUEL!” they both cried.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Canterlot, Equestria

_________________________________________________________________________________________

As Trixie walked into the back of Celestia's throne room, the cloaked figure swooped down from the corner of the ceiling using her wings, catching Trixie unaware as she was tackled and knocked unconcious. The pegasus pony quickly produced an iron bar from within her cloak and slipped it inside the door handles, preventing access from the outside.

As the pegasus noticed Trixie stirring and awakening, she bounded towards the unicorn and pinned her to the ground. A mustard-yellow hoof muffled her mouth.

“Don't say anything until I ask you,” the pegasus-mare warned in a raspy voice, “or I'll make sure you never say anything ever again, got it?”

Trixie tearfully nodded, signaling her compliance.

“Now,” she continued, “where is the journal?”

“What journal?” Trixie answered. “I have no idea what you're talking about.”

As much as the pegasus wanted to believe that the pony was lying, her fright and her words were too genuine to be feigned.

“Darn it,” she hissed. “It's probably gone by now.”

Trixie was unsure of what her attacker was talking about, but she did not let up as she continued to press her hoof into Trixie's face.

“Get up,” the pegasus ordered, relinquishing her vice. “And don't scream; my promise still stands.”

“What do you even want?” asked Trixie. “What is this journal?”

“Never mind. However, I still have you to take care of.”

“Me? What do I have to do in all this?”

“You know what you've done in the past, and I'm going to correct it.”

“Correct it? I threw away that life; I'm through with that Trixie now.”

“I'll be the judge of that!” she spoke, holding her golden D-Pad up.

Trixie, angry at her accusations, stood offensively.

“Very well,” Trixie declared, “I'll have to find some way to stall before the guards come here.”

“You won't last long enough.”

“We'll see about that!”

Trixie's cutie mark began to glow, causing a star and crescent to fly from it, growing about triple its size as they both flew for Trixie's left wrist. Upon colliding, her white, curved-bladed D-Pad appeared on her arm. The pegasus' D-Pad shot out an aura that covered the entire room. With everything in place, Trixie and the pegasus drew five cards from their decks.

“DUEL!” they both shouted.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Appleloosa, Equestria

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Grant fearfully stood and looked up at a large monster that literally looked like a train from hell, bearing a striking resemblance to the train on the artwork of the Am I Evil CD from Diamond Head. The assailant he faced felt no remorse as he made his final attack.

“GO!” he declared. “Proud Locomotive! Thundering Plow!”

With a fiery eruption from its smokestack, the train sped towards Grant.

Cont. from Grant vs. Unknown

Cont. from Unknown's Turn: Unknown attacks Onyx Cerberus (ATK: 3300 DEF: 2900) with Element of Vice – Proud Locomotive.

Grant's Life Points: 200 -> 0

Unknown wins.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Grant was launched backwards into the deserted streets, rendered unconscious before he hit the ground. Several cards from his D-Pad, including his Onyx Cerberus card, flew to the ground. The cloaked pony stepped out onto the street with diligence, scanning the ground for the card that he was looking for. He soon found Onyx Cerberus, picking it up in his hooves.

“Let's hope the others are having as good of luck as I am,” he spoke, putting the card in his cloak.

Before any pony could catch wind of the act that he accomplished, he headed back into the alley to hide himself in the shadows.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

About One Mile from Canterlot, Equestria

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Gilda was severely weakened as she tried to fly away from her attacker, who controlled a red, serpintine dragon with two pairs of purple wings and two bladed appendages on its waist.

“Just...” stammered Gilda in fear, “...just what are you?”

“Somepony who'll save my world from the evil of another,” she explained. “Now go, Lust Dragon! Attack Meklord Emperor Wisel with Gales of Desire!”

The dragon emitted a purple burst of air from its mouth towards Gilda's monster.

Cont. from Gilda vs. Unknown

Cont. from Unknown's Turn: Unknown attacks Meklord Emperor Wisel (ATK: 2500 DEF: 2500) with Element of Vice – Lust Dragon.

Gilda's Life Points: 100 -> 0

Unknown wins.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

The cloaked pegasus watched as Gilda plummeted towards the Earth, completely unconcious from the blow of the attack. Lust Dragon then disappeared, the duel having ended.

“Too bad she had no Stones of Equus on her,” she mused.

With Canterlot in view, she then looked to the tower of the Canterlot palace where the mustard-yellow pegasus was taking care of Trixie.

“I'm sure my other friends are having better luck.”

She flew into the opposite direction of Canterlot, hoping to avoid any and all suspicion before they found Gilda's body.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Caverns, Canterlot, Equestria

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Queen Chrysalis was on her back, desperately crawling away from a demonic looking fox-like creature with black, oily fur, a gaping, fanged smile, and one large, purple eye. With one last attack she would be finished, and her fright was enough of an indicator that she wasn't ready.

“No!” she wailed, backing up into the bottom of the stairs that led to her throne. “Stop! Please! I beg you!”

“You can beg to the devil once I send you and your kind to Hell!” responded the cloaked pony. “Attack, Fox of Sloth! Devour Turquoise Windigo with Jaws of Acedia!”

The black creature opened its mouth wide and bit down upon Chrysalis' monster, causing it to burst into golden sparks.

Cont. from Queen Chrysalis vs. Unknown

Cont. from Unknown's Turn: Unknown attacks Turquoise Windigo (ATK: 1600 DEF: 1600) with Element of Vice – Fox of Sloth.

Chrysalis' Life Points: 600 -> 0

Unknown wins.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

The changelings around her squealed and squeaked with fright and worry for the well being of their queen as the damage inflicted to her left her lying still on the ground, her eyes shut. Fox of Sloth did not disappear, however. Instead, it looked among all of the changelings inside the cavern while licking his lips with its long tongue.

“Fox of Sloth,” spoke the cloaked pony with pride, “dinnertime.”

Upon the uttering of the last word, the changelings shrieked and scattered about the cave, their queen unable to do anything as they were killed or eaten one by one by the creature that her attacker controlled.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Manehattan, Equestria

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Zelda knew she did not have much longer. With the vicious, bat-like worm chasing her, still able to attack, along with her field being completely empty, she made one last action before her attacker could finish her off.

“Auto-pilot to my house!” she yelled.

“Auto-pilot on,” declared a robotic voice from her glider. “Destination: Zelda's house.”

“There's no use running!” declared the pegasus. “Now finish her off Gluttonous Worm! Attack Zelda directly with Hungry Bile!”

The monster vomited a stream of brown liquid aimed straight at Zelda.

Cont. from Zelda vs. Unknown

Cont. from Unknown's Turn: Unknown attacks Zelda directly with Element of Vice – Gluttonous Worm.

Zelda' Life Points: 1100 -> 0

Unknown wins.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Zelda fought the pain as hard as she could as the bile from the pegasus' monster covered her. Once it was done, she sunk to her knees and gripped on to the front of her glider for dear life. The glider began to sink into the clouds, but with her finished off as she was, she was no longer chased by her attacker. The glider began to fall further down until it reached a modest house on the top of a small hill surrounded by many trees.

The glider began to hover above the ground before it gently landed and shut off. Zelda finally let go of her glider, sliding off and falling limply to the ground. Zelda began to hyperventilate and hug herself for warmth, scared not only from the monster that nearly killed her, but the fact that her past life had come back to haunt her.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Canterlot, Equestria

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Trixie was horrified. The monster she faced was too strong for her, allowing its owner to destroy every counter strategy that Trixie could have accomplished. Her fear was only intensified as she heard the guards outside trying to break into the barred door.

The monster that stood before here looked like a giant, symmetrical, golden monument of what looked to be the carapace of some insect.

“It's no use,” spoke the attacker, “by the time the guards break the door down, I'll be gone, and so shall you. Now, Relic of Greed, attack Cobalt Ursa Minor with Avarice Rays!”

The golden monster glowed before it concentrated its light on the hole in its combined torso/abdomen, shooting a bright beam from it at Trixie's monster.

Cont. from Trixie vs. Unknown

Cont. from Unknown's Turn: Unknown attacks Cobalt Ursa Minor (ATK: 3000 DEF: 3000). with Element of Vice – Relic of Greed.

Trixie's Life Points: 100 -> 0

Unknown wins.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Trixie was blasted backwards into the barred door behind her, the force being enough to push the calvalry of guards trying to break in backwards from the other side. The golden monster disappeared upon the duel ending. Using the confusion she caused to her advantage, the cloaked pegasus scanned the floor of Trixie's cards that were scattered from her duel disk upon the final attack.

“There you are,” she exclaimed, picking up both Trixie's Cobalt Ursa Minor and Garnet Ursa Major cards.

The doors began banging again, leaving her to place the cards into her cloak, and then turn and run. However, she looked back to see that Trixie would be in the way of the door's path. Before she could leave, she rushed back to push Trixie to the left of the door so that it wouldn't fly into her already damaged body when it would eventually gave way.

The wood of the door, which had held up until now, began to break, forcing the pegasus to gallop to the back of the room and leap out of the stained glass window, flying away as fast as her wings could carry her. She gave one last glance at the Canterlot castle before she continued to fly further away.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Ponyville, Equestria

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Cont. from Twilight Sparkle vs. Unknown

Cont. from Unknown's Turn: Unknown attacks Magi Magi Magician Girl (ATK: 2400 DEF: 2000) with Thought Ruler Archfiend (ATK: 2700 DEF: 2300).

Twilight's Life Points: 500 -> 200
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Twilight was thrown to the floor as the attacker's Thought Ruler Archfiend destroyed her monster. However, another monster that the assailant controlled was still waiting to attack. It appeared to be a white-and-red demon that somewhat resembled the other archfiend monster that she controlled. Twilight shielded her head with her arms as the attacker was about to end her.

Before the cloaked pony could declare her attack, the six voices of Twilight's friends rung out, coming closer to the treehouse. The attacker recognized the voices instantly: Applejack, Fluttershy, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, and Spike. The attacker grunted in anger.

“This isn't over Twilight Sparkle,” she exclaimed. “Not by a long shot.”

The door to the library flung open just as a bright flash where the attacker had stood appeared, vanishing along with the pony. Without missing a beat, all of Twilight's friends ran up the stairs to see Twilight huddled alone on the floor.

“What happened?” asked Rainbow Dash. “Who was that?”

“Settle down, Rainbow,” called Applejack, crouching down and petting Twilight's side. “One thing at a time. Now, Twilight, what just happened?”

Twilight could only elicit frightened whimpers, still too overcome with shock after being just inches from death.

“She really doesn't look too good,” spoke Fluttershy.

“Whoever did this to her,” spoke Spike, “must have really did a number on her.”

Twilight continued to whimper and whine as her friends did all that they could to comfort and console the hysterical mare.

Chapter 57: Registration

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Saturday, June 30th, Chicago, Illinois, Morning

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Tom Emmitt whooped with glee as he floated upon a large black hovercraft that resembled his duel runner. However the front wheel's side was turned and pointed towards the ground and the side of his back wheel was aimed out behind him. Another feature was a small, but powerful propeller system at the center of the vehicle that glowed a bright blue.

The room inside Faustian Tom was in was similar to the Duel Room where Alex and Kite had a duel almost two weeks prior. However, the room was grayer in color and didn't have nearly the sheen that the Duel Room had; it looked like a larger room. From a window near the top of the room, Alex Yuwell, Kyle Penn, Lauren Faust, and Emma Miller watched as Tom had the time of his life.

While Alex was dressed in his usual black pants, red t-shirt, and black blazer, Kyle wore black pants and his blue trench coat with a red turtleneck underneath. Lauren was in a black business suit with a white shirt and black, shin length skirt. Emma wore black jeans, a purple shirt and a blue-jeans jacket. Her hair was in a loose ponytail

.“And this is what happens when you give a child a new toy to play with,” joked Emma.

“Let him have his fun,” said Alex. “It's not everyday you get to have your duel runner turned into an aircraft.”

“You weren't nearly as excited as he was,” said Kyle with a hint of disappointment in his voice. “I thought you'd go ape over this.”

As Alex was about to search for his rebuttal, Tom sped past the window, being just inches from the glass as he spiraled around the room. Everyone backed up about a foot or two in response.

“You see,” Alex responded, “if I got that excited, I guarantee you that I'd crash into that wall.”

“Don't forget,” spoke Lauren, “Tom had his duel runners license much longer than you have, so he's much more experienced.”

“Exactly. I don't want to crash and burn only a month after getting my license.”

“That's understandable.”

“Hey,” called a gruff voice from down the hall. “Are we just about done?”

Everyone turned to see Reese Miller and John Terrence walking towards them. Reese was dressed in all black: t-shirt, pants, vest, along with his black hair drooped over his right eye. John followed, wearing his grey t-shirt, blue jeans, and white shirt jacket.

“Tom should just be finishing up and we should be ready to leave,” spoke Kyle.

“Ah,” sighed John, “it's good that we're going to be able to see all of our old friends again.”

“Where is all our stuff?” asked Reese.

“It's outside the exit to the room,” Kyle answered. “Once Tom is finishing his joy-ride, we'll help lug everything in so we can do this thing.”

“Oh!” exclaimed Lauren. “Speak of the devil.”

She watched from the window as Tom lowered the duel runner towards the ground next to a red duel runner that looked like his, the back end lowering down towards the ground first. The back wheel then rotated to the right, setting itself back as the wheel to a duel runner. Once the back wheel touched the ground, the front wheel spun on its side to reposition itself like a duel runner wheel. Once the front wheel set itself upon the ground, Tom turned the bike off and dismounted.

“Alright!” called Tom. “Let's get a move on!”

“About time,” was all Reese said.

With that said, Alex, Kyle, Emma, Reese, and John made their way to the stairs further down the hall that would take them to the room Tom was in. Climbing down a single flight of stairs, they found themselves at another hallway where there were many bags of luggage, a tall, black, plastic case, and a large, blue-and-yellow machine that appeared to be an industrial-sized printer. From the door in the hallway, Tom emerged from it to greet Alex and his friends and help with the luggage.

“Let me help with that,” spoke Tom, his voice still windy from the adrenaline rush he experienced just minutes ago.

“Gee, thanks,” said Reese with slight sarcasm.

As Reese and John took more luggage from the pile and followed Tom inside the room, Emma couldn't restrain her curiosity over the blue-and-yellow machine.

“Hey, Ky,” she said to Kyle, “what's that thing?”

“That's one of the printers we use for printing cards,” he answered. “If the ponies are going to register for the Chicago World Dueling Championship, they're going to need a deck to play with.”

“I still think this is a lost cause,” spoke Reese, coming out of the room with John to grab more bags. “If these ponies want to duel so badly, then I say they wait two years for the next World Championship.”

“Oh, Reese,” bantered Emma, “don't be such a racist, or speciesist. The ponies have as much of a reason to duel as the rest of us.”

Reese stood still for a second or two before walking back into the room with two more bags in tow.

“Whatever,” Reese responded. “Just help get this stuff in.”

As Kyle went to pick up some luggage, Emma stood still, crossed her arms, and pouted at Reese. Reese stood into the doorway, noticing her lack of compliance.

“Emma,” spoke Reese. “I said–”

“Ky,” she said, ignoring him, “you can go on ahead. I need to talk to my brother.”

Kyle did as he was told, picking up bags and entering the room, leaving Emma and Reese alone.

“Why are you so uptight?” she asked.

“It's just...” pondered Reese aloud, trying to find the right words.

“Yes?”

“I just don't feel comfortable with you around Kyle like you are.”

Emma couldn't hold back a chuckle.

“Are you serious?” she responded. “It's already been a whole month since the Equus War thing. Kyle has been a very good boy in that time, which is more than I can say for SOME people I know.”

As she spoke the final part of her statement, she walked past him towards the luggage as she brushed her finger under Reese's chin.

“That has nothing to do with it! I know it's cliché as all hell, but I'm nervous about you. I can't let anything bad happen to you again.”

“You worry too much,” she giggled, picking up a bag from the dwindling pile. “Besides, Kyle can protect me just fine. After all, he beat you in a duel.”

Reese was genuinely shocked by these words, his lips sinking into a defeated frown. Emma, realizing that her joking went a bit too far, walked back up to him before giving him a warm smile.

“Hey,” she told him, “don't be like that. You've been a very good brother to me, and Kyle can never replace that part for you in my heart.”

Reese gave a small, but bashful smile at Emma's reassuring words.

“However, I may reconsider if you don't continue helping us with these bags,” she finished before walking back into the room.

“But you...” Reese tried to retort, but saw that it was pointless.

He picked up the remaining few bags in his hand and walked them into the room. Kyle and John exited soon after, walking up to the last thing they needed to bring in: the printer.

“On three?” asked John.

“Sure,” Kyle responded.

Both men crouched down and put their hands underneath a corner of the machine.

“One,” they both started, “two, three!”

With a heave and huff from both of them, the machine was off the ground. Kyle began walking backwards towards the doorway while John moved forwards. Both of their faces were mildly strained from the weight of the printer, but with careful maneuvering, they got the machine to fit through the doorway. As they moved the machine towards the center of the room where Alex and Tom's duel runners were, Alex and Reese began shifting luggage out of the way to make room for it. Kyle and John gently placed the heavy machine onto the ground in the space that was left.

“Damn, that was heavy,” grunted John, stretching his fingers.

“Are we done now?” asked Reese.

“Wait!” called Lauren's voice from the intercom.

Reese sighed in exhaustion, having to wait even longer before he and his friends would be sent to Equestria. After about half a minute, Lauren entered the room while carrying an small, card-sized envelope, which she promptly handed to Alex.

“What's this?” asked Alex.

“Twilight and Rainbow Dash asked me to provide them with some more cards for their decks,” she replied. “I assume you still have the ones I gave to you and your friends earlier?”

Alex gave Lauren a nod and patted his deck case on his belt with his free hand. Alex looked to his other friends to see if they also had the new cards given to them by Lauren, and they all nodded in confirmation.

“In that case,” Lauren finished, “let's not waste any more time. Next stop, Equestria!”

Emma turned to Reese, expecting him to make a crack, but saw that his only reaction was a blown exhale. With that, Lauren left the room and closed the door behind her. Tom turned to Alex, who in turn glanced to him.

“Ready to return to the land of magic ponies?” he asked.

“Always,” responded Alex.

A couple of seconds passed again before Lauren's voice came upon the intercom.

“Alright, lady and gentlemen,” she addressed. “In about one minute, you will be sent off to Ponyville to register ponies for the CWDC. After that, you shall take a train to Canterlot where you will register any ponies willing to represent their city. I provided Kyle with a map that will give out the remaining destinations. Celestia will also help you whenever.”

“Sounds great, Lauren,” said Kyle. “We're ready when you are.”

“Then it's off to Equestria. Good luck!”

The room's lights suddenly began getting brighter. Reese emitted a small groan, seemingly nervous with the prospect of being shunted to Equestria. Alex merely smirked and rolled his eyes, him in particular finding the experience not nearly as traumatizing as Reese was making it out to be. The lights became bright enough that Alex and the others had to close their eyes to keep from going blind. All Alex and the others could see through their eyelids was an endless horizon of white.

Soon, the light began to fade until the darkness from the humans' eyelids signaled a safeness to open them once again. As they opened their eyes, Alex, Tom, Emma, and John, who had never seen Ponyville in person, took a sigh of wonder at the quaint little town with which they now appeared in. They were just outside the town hall, a carousel-shaped building that was surrounded by buildings with straw-thatched roofs and Bavarian-styled architecture.

The ponies, while initially shocked by the sudden appearance of the humans, soon ignored them and went on their merry way after discovering it was only Alex and his friends. Along with the humans, all of their luggage and the printer was right by them.

“So this is where you ended up after you lost to Kyle?” asked Emma.

Kyle couldn't help but scoff, sickened by the memory.

“Yes,” answered Reese, feeling a tad dizzy as his voice and body wavered slightly. “But I can't seem to remember the trip being this jarring.”

“Now,” said Alex to no one in particular, “where do we set up shop?”

“You'll be right inside,” said a mature female voice from behind them.

The humans turned to see a light-brown mare with a wavy, grey mane and tail. She wore a pair of gold-framed glasses over her blue eyes and a white collar and green handkerchief around her neck. Her cutie mark was a scroll tied with blue ribbon.

“Ah,” said Kyle, “you must be the mayor.”

“Please,” she giggled as she had Kyle shake her hoof, “call me Ms. Mare.”

“Yeah,” whispered Tom to Alex, “that one won't confuse us.”

Alex gave a small chuckle.

“We'll hope to get this done quickly,” said Kyle to Mare, unaware of Tom's remarks. “We have a train to Canterlot that we hope to catch today.”

“But of course,” responded Mare. “In that case, I'll leave you to it. Just holler when you're ready to start bringing them in.”

The mayor then walked away while keeping a safe distance from the town hall.

“Well,” said Reese, “let's get to it.”

As Alex and the others began grabbing their belongings, a familiar orange pony with a cowboy hat galloped towards the humans. She looked both exhausted from her run and nervous with the news she must have had.

“Alex,” she panted as she stopped in front of them, “Tom, guys. Boy, am I glad to see you.”

“What is it?” asked Emma.

“It's Twilight. She's–”

“Twilight!” shouted Alex. “What happened?”

“Come! She's at her home.”

Applejack galloped north towards Twilight's house, leaving the humans to go and follow her. Alex was not expecting such an unpleasant ordeal upon arriving to Equestria, but whatever the case, he knew that he had to be there for one of his better friends. Upon reaching the large tree that was the Ponyville library, Alex and the others had no time to marvel over the building's unusual architecture, instead continuing to follow Applejack as she rushed to the door, opened it, and allowed her human friends passage inside.

Alex and Tom were the first to enter. They saw as Twilight sullenly sat on the floor with both Spike and Fluttershy stroking her back. Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie were also there, standing by for whatever Twilight would need. Upon seeing Alex run into the room, she bounded from her seated position and galloped into Alex's arms, sobbing madly.

“Twilight,” Alex cooed as he rubbed her back. “What happened?”

“Somepony tried killing her last night!” explained Rainbow Dash as everyone else began coming in.

“What!? How's that?”

“Apparently,” vouched Spike, “she said that some cloaked pony broke into her house and tried dueling her. She said the damage felt real whenever she took damage. Not only that, but the person controlled this new card that she had never seen before.”

“I still don't understand. Why would someone want to kill her?”

“She didn't explain,” answered Twilight through her sobs. “She just said that I interfered with her plans and needed to be eliminated.”

She resumed sobbing, producing fear and guilt in all of the humans now present. Alex hugged Twilight closer to him and continued stroking her back.

“It's okay,” he sighed, “I'm here now.”

“What did she look like?” asked Tom, crossing his arms.

“She said she was cloaked!” spat Alex.

“No,” spoke Twilight, “she... she had light green hooves, and was a unicorn.”

“Hmm,” pondered Rarity. “That does sound awfully familiar to one pony I know. What was her name...”

“You're thinking of Lyra,” spoke Spike, “but there's no way she could be it. She's too much of a ditz to pull off something like that, yet alone beat Twilight to a duel.”

“In all honesty,” said Reese, “that would be a good cover.”

“Reese,” snapped Alex, “you're not helping.”

“Listen,” spoke Twilight, rubbing her eyes and suppressing her tears, “I'm sorry about all of this. I understand that you need to help the ponies register for that tournament. I'll be fine, I promise. Just go.”

“No,” responded Alex. “There's someone out there that wants you dead, and I won't allow that to happen. You're one of my best friends, Twilight, and I couldn't bear to see anything bad happen to you, especially after the Crystal Empire.”

“And I don't want to watch you try and die for me again!” she shouted. “After King Sombra almost killed you, I was in a fit. I can't see something like that again.”

“Twilight,” cooed Alex. “I'll be fine. I always have been.”

“Until you're not,” was all Twilight said.

Alex couldn't deny his close brushes with death and how unsure he was if one of those encounters would actually end him. Both Twilight and Alex were at a stalemate that only added tension to the room, only for Kyle to make a suggestion.

“If it makes everyone feel better,” he spoke, “Twilight, everyone. Follow us to the town hall. You can stay in there while we take care of registrations. I highly doubt someone will attack you in a public venue, especially with how crowded it's going to get.”

“You know,” said Rainbow Dash, “that doesn't sound like a half-bad plan.”

“Then it's settled,” spoke Tom, “Twilight, you're coming with us.”

“Not only that,” said Emma, “we can get you all registered too, so why don't you tag along as well?”

“That sounds real smart of ya, Emma,” spoke Applejack. “Let's not waste anytime. We gotta get all this gloom outta the room.”

Alex set Twilight back down as Kyle began to lead the way. Before Alex and Twilight could walk outside towards town hall, John walked up next to her.

“Don't worry,” he assured her, “you're in good hands.”

Twilight gave a faint smile to John.

“I know,” she said.

With that, Alex, Twilight, and Tom left the house after Tom and Rainbow Dash.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

As they got the town hall, both Alex and Tom's duel runners were parked just outside. Walking in, they were surprised to see that along with their luggage set off in the back, and from side to side down the center of the room, were six, long tables set up. There was a chair placed behind the center of each table for the humans to sit. About five feet behind the line of tables was the printer.

“Well,” said Alex, “looks like we're all set.”

“Not quite,” said Kyle. “Here.”

Kyle walked to the back where the luggage was, finding the black case. Unhooking the latches and opening it up, Kyle took out one of six Macbook Pros from the case, walked back to one of the center tables, and placed it onto it. Upon opening it up, he logged into it and opened up a program on the taskbar called Faustian Cardprint. After logging on further, a whirring noise came from the printer, signifying that whatever Kyle did turned on the printer.

“Everyone,” he said, “grab a computer and log on to the Faustian Cardprint app. The password for the computer is Koitsu, and the password for Cardprint is Aitsu. I'll walk you through the rest of the way.”

Alex, Tom, Emma, Reese, and John did as they were told, going to the case near their luggage and grabbing a laptop for themselves. From room left to room right, Tom, Alex, John, Kyle, Emma, and Reese, sat at their tables while they (minus Kyle) logged in to set themselves up. Once everyone had logged into Cardprint, Kyle led them through the following steps.

“Alright,” he instructed, with everyone following him to a tee. “On the upper left-hand side, there should be a 'Connect to Printer' window. Click it. Next, where it says Faustian Card Printer 11.3, click that. Now that you're actually in the program, go to the button in the upper taskbar that says 'Settings' and click on 'Print by Deck.' Once you do that, you'll be able to construct a deck to the ponies' likings, and once they're done, they'll be sent to the printing queue where a set of 40 to 75 cards will be printed out, depending, of course if they want both a full main deck and extra deck. As you know, siding is not allowed in this tournament. Is anyone lost?”

A shaking of everyone's heads, signaled that they were on the same page.

“Next,” said Kyle. “Go to Finder, and in the Documents folder, go to the folder marked CWDC Application and open the file. This is what you shall use to sign everyone in. Next, in the same folder, create another folder for all the finished applications which you will email to Lauren before we pack up, got it?”

Like clockwork, Ms. Mare popped her head in to see everyone nearing being ready.

“Oh!” she exclaimed over their progress. “You look just about done. Are you ready for them?”

“Just about,” said Kyle. “Feel free to allow them in right at nine.”

“That's in five minutes. Do you need more time?”

“No, that will be perfect. Thank you, Ms. Mare.”

The mayor left with a content smile.

“Now that that's done,” said Kyle, directing his attention to Twilight and the ponies (and Spike). “Let's get all of you signed up.”

Each of the ponies that stood by as Kyle set everyone up were now excited to finally do something. Each of them lined up to a table to get themselves registered, with Twilight and Spike signing up at Alex's table. The applications were very straightforward. Name, Address, City, Age, Deck, etc, were all on there, so it didn't take horribly long. Alex himself was pleased that with his current job, both he and Twilight's mind were cleared of the stress that had been inflicted to them that morning.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

As Twilight and her friends lounged and hung out by the luggage, Alex and the other humans were busy with the ponies that lined up to their tables, eager to become a part of the tournament. Despite the cheery air in the town hall as ponies got themselves registered, Alex couldn't help but keep his eyes scanned for Lyra. Even though he was assured that she was harmless, he wouldn't forgive himself if she wasn't and hurt Twilight. As those thoughts swam through his head, he finished the registration of a fuchsia coated mare with three smiling flowers of a cutie mark.

“And what color would you like your D-Pad?” he asked her.

“Oh,” she said in a pleasant tone, “I think one that matches my coat will be just fine.”

“Excellent. Now, once you pay for registration, I'll give you my deck and submit your application. You should expect both your D-Pad and confirmation letter in the mail a couple of days. That will be ten bits.”

“Of course!”

She took out a small purse from the cyan saddle back she was wearing and plopped it onto the table. Alex opened the purse and counted the coins inside like poker chips. Seeing that there were ten coins there, Alex clicked the print button on the deck that the mare had made and walked over to the printer. It seemed that there were about five decks ahead of the mare's in the queue. A set of cards came shooting out of a slot and into a deck-sized holster until the printing stopped. Kyle got up from his seat and peered at a screen just above the slot. On it it said, “'MINUETTE' DECK COMPLETE. PLEASE REMOVE FOR NEXT BATCH.”

Kyle took the deck from the holster, allowing a new deck to begin printing in its place. Kyle took his deck over to a blue unicorn with an hourglass cutie mark, handing it to her.

“Thank you,” she told him.

“See you in Chicago!” he told her as she turned to leave the building.

Alex turned to the fuchsia pony.

“This might take a few moments,” he told her, causing the pony to giggle.

“It's quite alright,” she said. “I've got time.”

Meanwhile, Tom was finishing the registration of a black pegasus with an ice-blue mohawk when four fillies appeared at the table. Reese, who was picking up a deck from the printer, recognized three of them instantly. The yellow one with the red mane and tail with the pink bow was Apple Bloom, The white unicorn with the purple mane was Sweetie Belle, and the orange pegasus with the purple mane was Scootaloo. However, Reese couldn't identify the brownish-orange filly with the red mane. What was odd about her appearance was that her tail was cropped short and her chopped mane was brushed to one side of her neck, giving her an appearance of a colt. Like the other three fillies, she had no cutie mark on her flank.

Applejack and Rarity noticed the fillies gather at Tom's table, prompting them to excuse themselves from Twilight's social circle and talk to them.

“Apple Bloom,” spoke Applejack, “gals. What are all y'all doing here?”

“What do you think?” asked Sweetie Belle. “We're going to try and get our cutie marks in dueling!”

“Girls,” spoke Rarity, “as much as I admire your spirit, don't you think you should get your dueling cutie marks in ways other than signing up for a world championship?”

“Well, we can't get any better by just beating the scrubs,” spoke Scootaloo.

“Besides,” spoke Apple Bloom, wrapping her arm around the brown-orange filly's neck, “what better way to bond with my cousin than getting our very own decks?”

Applejack and Rarity were no stranger to the harebrained misadventures that these girls would go to to earn their cutie marks. Seeing this as just another harmless fad that they'd attempt once and then most likely drop when it failed, the two just smiled and shook their heads.

“Uh, girls,” spoke Tom, “you do know the registration price is ten bits, right?”

Each of the fillies pulled out small bags of coins and plopped them on the table.

“Where in tarnation did all y'all get those bits from?” asked Applejack incredulously.

“I've been savin' with my allowance!” defended Apple Bloom. “There's nothing wrong with that!”

“And I sold some of the gems from my craft bin,” explained Sweetie Belle.

“And you know that new scooter I've been saving up for?” asked Scootaloo with slight sheepishness in her voice. “Well, I dipped into my savings for that.”

“And what about you, Babs?” asked Applejack to the orange earth filly. “How'd you get into some money like that?”

“I asked my sister!” she replied in an oddly boyish Bronx accent. “She knew how hard it is for me to try and get my cutie mark...”

On the last two words, Babs flicked her tail over her flank, as if trying to conceal its barrenness. Tom couldn't help but feel a little hurt for her.

“...but after I watched Alex and Tom dueling and beating Kyle that one day, I... I just... I knew I wanted to be just like that!”

In that moment, Tom was touched that a filly could be that inspired by him and his friend, leaving a content smile on his face.”

“My sister wanted to support me, so before I came to Ponyville, she lent me the money to register, so here I am. Sign me up!”

Tom watched as Babs' purse was placed upon the table, its owner expectant to start the process.

“Alrighty,” said Tom, opening up a new document, “please state your name.”

“My name is Babs Seed,” she spoke. “I'm from Manehattan, I was born on the fifth day of the tenth month on 993 L.B., and my home is in Manehattan.”

“Sorry,” whispered Tom to Applejack, “I keep hearing this abbreviation. What's L.B.?”

“That stands for Luna's Banishment,” she answered. “It's 1001 L.B. right now.”

“Alright,” answered Tom, turning back to Babs, “sorry about that. Now, do you have an idea for a deck you want to use?”

Babs looked sullenly at the ground.

“No...” she muttered.

“Good,” retorted Tom, “because I might have a deck for you.”

Tom turned the screen out to face Babs, and on it she saw a series of cards of different types and attributes, but there was one word on most of them in one way or another: Gemini.

“Before I used my Gladiators,” explained Tom as Babs half listened and half looked at the screen, “this was my deck of choice. I always had a lot of fun with it, but now, I can see a new meaning behind it.”

“What's that?” Babs asked.

“From the stories Applejack told me about her sister and her friends, they all seem to be focused on finding their potential, and then, through great patience and endurance, they'll achieve their destiny. These cards are just like that.

“They may start off as normal monsters, but if you can keep them there, they'll become strong enough to challenge even the harder monsters. I've never gotten a cutie mark, and I more than likely never will, but I can tell you that if this isn't the deck version of attaining your cutie mark, I don't know what is.”

Babs was genuinely uplifted by Tom's speech, as were Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo.

“You know,” Babs spoke, a smile appearing on her face, “that sounds alright with me. I'll take the Gemini deck.”

“Geminis,” mumbled Tom as he typed the deck into the application. “Need any help with that?”

Babs smiled even wider.

“Yeah, that sounds cool!”

As Tom worked with Babs on her deck, Applejack began to talk to the other fillies.

“So,” she said, “y'all got your own decks figured out?”

“Sure ah do!” exclaimed Apple Bloom. “Those Six Samurais looked really cool.”

“And I liked the Ice Barriers!” Sweetie Belle.

“And me and the Genex deck are going to go together like bread and butter.”

“Well,” said Applejack, “looks like you've got it all figured out. Good luck, girls.”

“I'll see you when I come home,” bid Rarity. “See you in a while.”

“Bye, Rarity!” called Sweetie Belle. “Bye Applejack!”

Tom continued to register Babs as Applejack and Rarity rejoined Twilight and the others in conversations.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

The afternoon was starting to creep in, the hot yellow of the sun beaming into the windows of the town hall were now a warm orange. As with the intensity of light, the remaining ponies needing to register had also diminished. The last person in Alex's line was a cream-coated mare with a mane that was colored blue-and-pink, who had just given Alex her coins and took her deck with her.

With the last ponies at the other tables registered as well, Ponyville was officially registered for the tournament. After a short trip to their emails and sending in the applications to Lauren, Alex and Tom gave a quick stretch of their limbs over the hard work they had put in that day. Kyle and Reese, just wanting to get to the train into Canterlot, shut down their laptops and went to the case to put them away. John and Emma walked over and gave each other a casual high five over the success of the day.

Alex and Tom finished their stretching to put away their things. Alex walked closer to Twilight as he got closer to the case, talking to her as he put it away.

“You okay?” he asked.

“No harm done, obviously,” she responded, standing back up.

“You think you're still safe?”

“Alex, about that. I heard that you and your friends are going to Canterlot tonight to register the ponies there. Do you mind if I stick with you? I just don't feel safe with all that's happened.”

Alex didn't have to ponder long.

“Of course you can come,” he responded. “If this pony wants you dead, then they'll have to go through me.”

Alex's assuring words brought a smile to Twilight's face.

“And me,” spoke Tom, having finished packing his laptop.

“And me,” spoke Rainbow Dash.

Soon, the entire room was filled with a “and me” from the humans and ponies, giving them their allegiance to protect her.

“And m–” spoke Spike as he belched fire that turned into a letter.

Everyone's attention was soon diverted from Twilight and to the letter. Only Celestia sent mail through Spike, meaning that the contents inside were very important. The letter that formed in the air was caught by Twilight's magic as she began to read aloud.

“My Dearest Twilight,

It is with a heavy heart that I inform you that your friends, Gilda the griffon, Trixie, and Chrysalis have been badly injured last night while I was returning from Manehattan. They are currently at Canterlot General Hospital. And yes, I got your letter about being attacked last night yourself. I request that you come to Canterlot as soon as you possibly can.

Your Tutor,
Princess Celestia.”

Twilight's ears were drooped along with the other ponies, who were now fearful for the well-being of their friends. Tom, who had grown a friendship with Chrysalis, was also quite nervous about her. After a few seconds of complete silence, Twilight made a decision.

“Alright, everypony,” she said, “get back to your homes. Pack whatever you need to bring with you and meet Alex and the others at the train station in no less than a half an hour. Do I make myself clear?”

“Mmhm,” responded everyone.

“Good. Alex, Kyle, how long can you get the rest of your stuff packed and onto the train?”

“Half hour tops,” spoke Kyle.

“Alright. We'll meet you there.”

Twilight and her friends ran out of the building without a word. Without wasting time, Alex and the other humans grabbed as many bags as they could to bring to the train station.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

John and Kyle were busy loading the printer into the back luggage car, it being the last thing they needed to load. Tom and Alex's bikes, like when they had traveled to the Crystal Empire, were stored in a boxcar at the front of the train. While Reese and Emma were inside the train, Alex and Tom kept lookout for their pony friends.

“Any sign of them?” asked Kyle, walking out of the luggage car with John and getting to the passenger car.

Alex scanned the town once again, seeing six familiar ponies and a dragon on one of their backs that were galloping towards the station. Each one had a saddlebag affixed to their backs.

“They're here!” he cried.

The conductor, seeing them arrive, allowed them in. Alex and Tom began to walk back into the car as the last of them got inside

“They'll pay for their tickets inside,” said Alex.

With a nod, the conductor made a final call.

“All aboard!” he shouted.

“Wait!” called a voice.

Running up to the station, a mint-green unicorn mare ran onto the station. Panting, she gave the conductor her ticket with her magic, granting her access inside. The conductor then walked inside himself and closed the door.

The green unicorn looked about the car, to find a place to sit. Upon sighting Alex, Twilight, and their friends, she beamed and made a beeline to them.

“Hey,” she called, “you're Alex Yuwell, aren't you?”

Alex turned to face her, along with the ponies giving her confused glances.

“I am. And you are?”

“Lyra. Lyra Heartstrings. A pleasure to meet you.”

She offered Alex her hoof which he graciously shook.

Is this the pony that we were suspecting of assassinating Twilight? thought Alex. She looks like she couldn't hurt a fly, yet alone another pony.

“I wanted to register for that tournament on Earth,” explained Lyra, “but I got tied up at work today and couldn't make it. Are you registering ponies in Canterlot next?”

“As a matter of fact,” spoke Kyle, “we are. Feel free to visit us tomorrow.”

“Great! That's just what I'm going to do!”

The train lurched forwards, with Lyra losing her footing due to the shift.

“Well,” she said, “it looks like this car's booked. “I'm going to try my luck at a car further up.”

“See ya,” called Tom, prompting Twilight to leave.

As Lyra walked down the aisle, she turned her head to cast her gaze at Twilight with cold, determined eyes. Before either the humans or the ponies could see her, she turned her head back to the front and went into the next car.

Chapter 58: Scheme

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Sunday, June 31st, Canterlot, Equestria, Morning

_________________________________________________________________________________________

The train pulled up to the station. Alex, Twilight, and their friends were already prepared to get off the train and head straight away to Princess Celestia. She had even assured them that some ponies that she sent would escort the printer and the case of laptops to the Canterlot Earth Stadium where registration would take place. The luggage car and the boxcar containing Tom and Alex's duel runners would also be kept intact for their train to Fillydelphia, their next destination after Canterlot.

As the train finally slowed down to a halt, the doors opened up, leaving the humans, the ponies, and the dragon to spill out of it and head right to the Canterlot Castle. As the group left the station, Lyra came out of the car two cars up from theirs. She watched the humans and ponies all run off, keeping her eyes specfically on Twilight.

I assume the train has arrived? asked a raspy female's voice in Lyra's mind.

Yes, answered Lyra to the voice in her head, but we should not attack quite yet. The day is when Celestia is most guarded. We shall attack both her and Twilight at night after the humans finish registering the ponies here. Did you acquire the amulet yet?

Negative. The curio shop that possesses it does not open for another hour. I will have Turner get it, as my appearance would... raise some questions. Remember, we aren't here to hurt anypony, just the humans, Twilight, and anyone else who stands in our way.

Copy that. Lyra, over and out.

Lyra then walked off the station and wandered into the streets, acting like a happy tourist as she marveled at the sights and grandeur of Canterlot.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Princess Celestia impatiently awaited the arrival of Twilight and her friends. Upon hearing her chamber doors behind her open, she turned to see them walking in one by one, much to her relief. The guards guarding her room promptly closed the door to prevent any outsider from entering. Twilight was equally as relieved as Celestia to see her, but her attention went to the broken window at the side of the room where Trixie's attacker had escaped from.

“Thank you for coming,” addressed Celestia, her face now sporting a serious look. “I am very glad to see that you have arrived in one piece.”

“Princess Celestia,” yelled Alex, “what is happening here? Why are Twilight and our friends being attacked? Why–”

Celestia put her hoof up, silencing him.

“I will do my best to explain,” she said, clearing her throat. “As you know, Trixie, Chrysalis, and Gilda were attacked and injured late last night. At first, I was to assume that it was their previous allegiance to Rae Sulfa Tun was the connection, but then, my own student, whom played no part in Rae's evil plans, was attacked last night as well. Twilight,” she said, directing her gaze at Twilight, “when your attacker was dueling you, was there a card that she used that you didn't recognize?”

“Yes!” answered Twilight. “It was called an Element of Vice, something to do with envy.”

“Thank you, that's all I needed.”

Alex was confused about what was going on, prompting him to listen further to Celestia's information.

“You see, Trixie, Chrysalis, and Gilda were attacked by similar monsters, but they had different titles to them. Trixie defines the Element of Vice that she faced as 'Greed,' Chrysalis, identifies hers as 'Sloth,' and Gilda remembers one known as 'Lust.'”

“Envy,” listed Tom aloud, “greed, sloth, lust. All that's left are pride, gluttony, and wrath. I guarantee you that these cards are based on the seven deadly sins in the Bible.”

Celestia was quite impressed at Tom's foresight, especially for his knowledge of the other names.

“I see, but if what Tom says is true, and I should have no reason to doubt him, that means that there are still three others out there that wish ill will to Twilight.”

“And if Trixie, Gilda, and Chrysalis were attacked,” spoke Alex, “that means that Grant, and maybe even Zelda are still at risk.”

“Perhaps,” said Celestia, “but right now, this is about Twilight, and why I think that she was attacked here as well.”

Everyone leaned in, eager to hear the hypothesis.

“After you and your friends helped save the Crystal Empire,” she began, “I stated that Twilight was set to move on to the next level of her studies. However, this next level included the shaping of her destiny.”

“My destiny?” asked Twilight.

“Yes, something that only a select few know about. I had originally planned to give you this mission when the proper time came. However, I feel like these forces seem to know of your destiny as well and wish for you not fulfill it, so the time has now come.”

“What is it, Celestia? I'll do anything!”

“Unfortunetely,” Celestia spoke with slight melancholy, “I cannot tell you immediately.”

“What?” shouted Rainbow Dash, leaping and hovering in the air. “So what are we even doing here if–”

She was silenced by Applejack pulling her back to the ground by her tail and giving her an angry look.

“Thank you, Applejack. I'm afraid that the information that I hold, if put in the wrong hooves, would completely destroy Twilight's destiny. Even now, I cannot help but feel that there is somepony who is listening on our conversation as we speak. That is why I request your return here tonight after your registration business is over. This way, my sister will maintain the night and we can go to discuss this more privately. Then I will tell you all that I should.”

“So,” spoke Kyle, “is this it for us?”

“Yes. And forgive me for harboring this information from you, but for the sake of Equestria, and possibly Earth as well, I cannot be too careful.”

Twilight herself was very disappointed, bowing her head and grimacing, but she knew that Princess Celestia had her best intentions here, especially if it was to be about something as life changing as she had promised.

“I understand, Princess Celestia,” answered Twilight.

“That is all I ask of you,” said Celestia. “You may go now. I shall send somepony out later today to deliver a rendezvous point where we shall meet tonight. Either one of you could receive it, so be on your guard.”

“Thank you, Princess. We won't let you down!”

“Very good. You are now dismissed.”

As Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Reese turned around to leave, Kyle, Emma, Spike, John, Tom, Alex, and Twilight stood still for a moment and looked at Celestia before they turned back, lest they overstay their welcome.

Walking out of the chambers, Applejack and the rest of Alex and Twilight's friends remained to let them catch up. With all that was going around her, Twilight's stress was at an all time high, something that was plastered all over her face.

“Twilight,” cooed Alex, “everything will be okay. I promise.”

“Alex,” spoke Twilight, “I want to visit Trixie and the others.”

“If it's not too much trouble,” whispered Fluttershy, “I want to come too.”

“And Gilda needs her old pal Rainbow Dash to help her out,” spoke Rainbow Dash in 3rd person.

“I also need to speak to Chrysalis,” Tom said to both Alex and Kyle.

“Tom,” spoke Reese, “we need your help registering these ponies. We'll be here all night if we don't get it taken care of.”

“It's okay,” spoke Kyle, causing the humans to turn their heads, “you can go. We'll manage.”

“Thanks, man,” Tom said with a slight bow.

“Hurry though. I do agree with Reese that we can't be here all night.”

“We'll try.”

With that, Twilight (with Spike riding her back), Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and Tom quickened their pace to the exit to the castle while Alex and the others remained behind.

From the perimeter of the palace exit, Lyra continued to observe discretely looking at both Twilight's party and Alex's.

Turner, thought Lyra, have you acquired the amulet yet?

Affirmative, thought Turner. The shop owner seemed to require a bigger bribe than I had anticipated, but the deed is done. Will that be all?

Negative. I just spotted Twilight break off from the rest of the group.

Is she alone?

Negative. She's with Fluttershy and Tom Emmitt. Should I proceed to attack them?

Negative, Lyra. Not only would it be unwise to attack her during daylight, but Tom and Fluttershy would no doubt come to her aid. We can't compromise the safety of our operatives, even if we feel like we have a more open window. You still need to register for the CWDC, correct?

Affirmative. And you?

I took care of it in Ponyville, along with agent Derpy. Braeburn and Daring Do shall register in Appleloosa and Soarin will register in Cloudsdale. If this plan fails, and I have no reason to believe it will, we will need another way of dealing with these duelists.

I understand, Turner. I shall follow Alex's group to register immediately. Lastly, what of Stargazer?

Right now, he's using the changeling cave that I... vacated last night. You needn't worry. The royal guards have already combed the place; there should be no chance of him being spotted.

That's good to hear. Lyra, over and out.

Lyra, keeping her eyes on Alex and the rest of his friends, began to follow the group from a safe distance.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Tom, Twilight, Spike, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy followed a nurse down the jade green hallways of Canterlot General Hospital until they were led to a room at the end. The room itself was quite large, being able to bed the three creatures that Twilight and her friends came to see. Trixie, Gilda, and Chrysalis were both underneath their covers with several bandages wrapped around their heads, upon hearing the door open all three of them weakly lifted their heads to see who it was. They were elated, even in through their pain, to see their friends coming to visit them.

“Fluttershy,” groaned Trixie, “Spike. You came.”

“Rainbow!” spoke Gilda with much more gusto as she sat up, “'Bout time you–”

Gilda's words were cut off by her wincing, arching her back, and lying back down on the bed in agony.

“Careful, Gilda,” said Rainbow Dash as she flew to the griffon's bedside. “You don't want to break something else.”

Gilda couldn't help but giggle at Rainbow's words and her own foolishness.

“Tom,” sighed Chrysalis, “Twilight. It's so good to see you both.”

Tom walked over to the changeling's right side and put his hand on her left cheek while gently nuzzling his right cheek against her left, putting her in a greater sense of ease. Twilight greeted her with a similar hug.

“So,” cooed Fluttershy to Trixie, “are you feeling better?”

“If by feeling better,” interrupted Gilda with sarcasm and slight malice, “you mean physically and emotionally scarred, then yes, we're just peachy.”

“Gilda,” scolded Trixie, “she was just asking a question, and to answer it, Fluttershy, it's difficult to say. Sure, we're being treated and the pain slowly goes away with each passing hour, but that still can't ease the horrors we witnessed that night.”

“I understand,” spoke Twilight. “I was attacked by an Element of Vice as well.”

The statement brought upon confused murmuring to the three patients. Twilight's face remained still, knowing that they were unsure of this deviation in the connection as well.

“But...” spoke Chrysalis. “But Trixie, Gilda, and I were all a part of Rae's group, which is why we assume we were attacked. But why did they attack you, Twilight.”

“I'm not entirely sure myself,” spoke Twilight, “but according to Princess Celestia, I am supposed to fulfill some 'destiny' that these ponies don't want me to fulfill. She has asked to speak to us tonight in private so we can get more information. Until then, we're in the dark about this as well.”

“Hmph,” grunted Gilda, “figures.”

“I can understand Princess Celestia's caution,” spoke Spike. “I mean, Trixie was attacked inside Canterlot Castle with the Royal Guard inside of it. I think its safe to say that privacy is needed this time around.”

“It makes sense,” agreed Chrysalis, “but Tom, Rainbow Dash, Spike, Fluttershy, these Elements of Vice are not normal monsters. They're imbibed with a powerful, dark magic the likes of which I've never felt before. I know that Twilight is being hunted by these ponies, and so will you if you choose to protect her.”

Fluttershy couldn't help but shudder in fear at Chrysalis' warning.

“With all due respect, Chrysalis,” spoke Tom, putting his hand on Twilight's upper back, an act that mildly surprised her, “of course we're going to protect her. We don't leave our friends in the crosshairs, we stand in front of them ourselves.”

Chrysalis chuckled.

“Tom, Tom, Tom,” she sighed as she shook her head with each repetition of his name, “your loyalty and devotion to your friends is admirable, but it still won't change the fact that what you're dealing with is unlike the Equus war that you fought a month ago. These monsters are much more deadly, and if you aren't careful, they might take your life.”

Tom smirked nonetheless.

“Then I'll just have to be careful then, won't I?”

Chrysalis gave Tom a sympathetic, but unsure smile.

“So,” spoke Gilda, changing the topic, “what else are you guys gonna do while you're in Canterlot?”

“Other than serving as guards for Twilight? We were registering ponies to enter the CWDC on Earth.”

“Nice. Too bad we can't come register.”

Fluttershy looked at all of her friends sullenly, disheartened that their conditions forbid them from joining in the tournament's actions. Then an idea came to her mind, producing a slight smile.

“Tom,” said Fluttershy, “do you remember all the information that goes into the applications for registry?”

“After doing it almost a hundred times yesterday,” he answered, “pretty much.”

“Why don't you just get all of their information and register them when you rejoin with Alex and the others?”

“Good thinking, Fluttershy,” stated Spike, making the yellow pegasus blush and smile.

“Thank you,” spoke Trixie. “We owe you all one.”

“It shouldn't be a problem,” said Twilight. “Spike. Do you have a paper and quill at the ready?”

“As always,” the purple dragon spoke proudly.

“Then let's start with you, Trixie,” spoke Tom. “Forgive my formalities, but state your name.”

“Trixie,” she replied and Spike transcribed it.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Alex, Kyle, Reese, Emma, and John were already busy with the registrations of the citizens of Canterlot. Despite being a bigger city, the amount of ponies having come to register were about equal to Ponyville. Being that Canterlot was home to the elite in the social strata of Equestrian culture, many ponies considered Duel Monsters an “uncouth” game. However, there were still those who found the game entertaining and wanted to represent their city, giving the humans plenty to do while.

Applejack and the others kept watch for any suspicious ponies that might do harm to them and their friends. However, it seemed as if nothing was wrong, and things were going along smoothly. Her tension was eased even more when Twilight, Rainbow Dash, Tom, Spike, and Fluttershy returned safe and sound from the hospital. Tom found that his computer was already set up on his vacant table and went down to sit. Twilight and her other Equestrian friends went over to Applejack to lie down.

“Everyone okay?” asked Applejack to anyone.

“They're a bit banged up,” spoke Rainbow Dash, “but our being there really lifted their spirits.”

“In fact,” said Twilight, “I'm surprised that you didn't come with, Pinkie Pie. Celestia knows that they could have used your brand of cheering-up in there.”

“Wait,” said Pinkie Pie, “they sell cheering up? I sell cheering up? How has no one told me?”

Rainbow Dash groaned, “Yeah, I think they would have just preferred some R&R.”

“Perhaps you're right,” responded Twilight. “In fact, we all could use some R&R while Alex and his friends take care of these guys.

Twilight and her friends all sat down and chatted. Twilight didn't even notice as Lyra walked up to Alex's table, being next to register. Alex looked up to the beaming face of the green unicorn.

“Oh,” said Alex in surprise, “it's you.”

“Yes,” she spoke, “finally. I waited for so long. Since yesterday, in fact. Didn't I tell you?”

“You did. You had to miss out because of work if I remember.”

“You remember well.”

“Thanks.”

“Now, what do I have to do?”

“First, state your name.”

As Alex worked out with Lyra, Tom had just finished with a golden stallion with three horseshoes for a cutie mark. Just arriving at his table was a well-built white unicorn stallion. He had a medium-length wavy blue mane and a brushed tail along with a small mustache on the end of his snout. He wore a white shirt with gold buttons, a blue vest, a black tuxedo jacket, and a monocle upon his left eye. His cutie mark consisted of three gold crowns arranged in a triangle formation.

“I say,” said the stallion in an English accent reminiscent of John Cleese, “you wouldn't happen to be Thomas Emmitt, would you?”

“Why yes, I am,” said Tom, “but please, call me Tom. Thomas is my father's name.”

“Yes, yes,” he chuckled, “very good. I can't imagine that a human such as yourself could know me, so allow me to introduce myself. My name is–”

“Fancypants!” cried Rarity, rushing over to Tom's table and supporting her head with her elbows on the table, clearly smitten. “Fancy seeing you here.”

“My sentiments exactly, Miss Rarity” said Fancypants. “However, I was quite interested in your friend here. You see, when I watched him fight at that one tournament in his hometown, I couldn't help but feel a roaring passion burning inside of me. And when I heard that ponies from all over Equestria had a chance to partake in this new sport, I knew I had to be a part of it too and represent my home and country in this tournament of men and pony. And so, here I am.”

“Such a poet,” sighed Rarity.

“I'm glad to be such an influence,” spoke Tom, also winded by the zest of Fancypants' explanation. “Now, let's get started. Please state your... Fancypants. And I assume Canterlot is your hometown, correct?”

“Hmhmhm, yes I do. Wonderful place, isn't it?”

“I'll say. If only the ponies were as good as the architecture.”

“Oh dear, they haven't been too bothersome, have they?”

“A bit. I suppose that comes with being a middle-class suburban human inside the upper class section of Equestria, but I'm glad I get to register one of the more polite ponies in this town.”

“Oh, how nice of you to say such a thing. You see, I can certainly empathize with the lower classes unlike my peers, but it wasn't until I met Rarity here that true sophistication can come from the most unlikely places.”

“Oh, go on,” sighed Rarity. “But seriously, do go on.”

This earned both an earnest giggle from both Tom and Fancypants.

“Alright, but back to business,” said Tom, facing the stallion again. “And which deck would you like?”

As Fancypants continued going back and forth with Tom and occasionally Rarity, Alex was just finishing printing off a Spell Counter Spellcaster deck for Lyra. After packing the cards evenly, Alex placed them upon the table in front of Lyra.

“That will be ten bits, please,” he said.

“Right,” said Lyra, fishing a brown, leather purse from her saddlebags with her teeth. Picking the purse up by the plump side, she spilled out several golden coins from it and onto the table. Alex counted out each coin individually and was surprised that there were exactly 10 coins in total.

“Well,” spoke Alex, raking the coins in an placing them in a larger bag, “thank you.”

“No,” replied Lyra with a kind smile, “thank you.”

“You have a good day, now.”

“Oh, I will.”

Lyra grabbed both her purse and her deck with her teeth and placed them in her saddlebags, turning around and leaving in the process. As she exited the mass of ponies still needing to register, she found a wastebasket about fifteen feet from her. Trotting over to it, she grabbed her deck from her bag, and after looking both ways, she tossed the deck into the trash and trotted away.

“Can't say the same for your friend, though.”
_________________________________________________________________________________________

It was already nighttime by the time the last pony registered for the tournament. As Alex, Kyle, Reese, Emma, and John were putting away their equipment, Tom was busy putting in the information of Trixie, Gilda, and Chrysalis for them. Kyle couldn't help but interest himself in Tom's actions.

“What are you doing?” asked Kyle. “We need to go see Princess Celestia after this. This is no time to be on Facebook.”

“I'm not,” answered Tom with slight irateness. “Gilda, Trixie, and Chrysalis were unable to register due to their injuries, so I gathered their information at the hospital and I just got the time to register them now. Is that alright? To do favors for a friend?”

Kyle could see that irritating Tom further would lead to a nasty argument, and he now knew that Tom had good intentions and was doing nothing wrong, so he looked down in slight embarrassment and walked away. Tom made a triumphant huff in response as he finished his work.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

With the case packed, the group of humans and Equestrians left the Earth Stadium and went on to Canterlot Castle where Celestia would be waiting. The guard ponies were already moving all luggage and the two vehicles from the building and to the train station where they would go to their next town: Baltimare.

"Did someone tell you where Celestia would be?" asked Twilight to Alex.

"Some talked to me," said John. "She told us to meet her in the basement library. I assume you know where that is, Twilight?"

"Of course I do! I spent a great amount of time there during my studies when I was much older."

"Then let's not waste any time," said Alex.

The streets around Canterlot were very busy at night, with many ponies just now having dinner or socializing at parties throughout the town. This put Twilight at a greater sense of ease, knowing that only a complete idiot would attack them in the open like this.

As they too another right turn to get to the palace, Alex could see a familiar green unicorn walk out from behind a building. She then turned her head towards the group and excitedly ran to them, recognizing them just as quickly.

“Hey!” Lyra called. “Fancy seeing you here this late at night. When's your train to the next town again?”

“It's in about one hour,” answered Reese. “But we're–”

“Great! That gives me plenty of time!”

“Um, plenty of time for what?” asked Emma.

“Twilight, I heard you're quite the duelist in the Ponyville social circle. I mean, you did help defeat Rae Sulfa Tun last month, didn't you?”

“Well,” said Twilight, frowning slightly at the intense memory, “I helped beat Chrysalis, so...”

“So you are good, right?”

“I don't like to toot my own horn, but–”

“Then why don't you duel me?”

“D– Duel you?”

“You use Spellcasters, don't you? So do I. I want to see how well our decks compare. So how about it?”

“Well, you see...”

“I'm sorry, Lyra,” answered Kyle, “but we have pressing business with Princess Celestia now. We need to get going.”

“Come on, just one quick duel? I promise it won't last long!”

“Even if I did have the time,” answered Twilight, “I'm really not in the mood. I was just attacked two nights ago and I'm still reeling from it. Perhaps another time.”

“Aw,” moaned Lyra with puppy-dog eyes, “I'm so sorry to hear that. I know that a duel will help you feel better. Honest!”

“Lyra!” began to bark Kyle. “Just drop it alrea–”

“You know,” said Alex stepping up, “I've beaten Twilight's deck before. If you can beat me, you'll be doubly as good as her.”

Alex gave a joking glare at Twilight at the last statement, causing the latter to roll her eyes.

“Kyle,” Alex said to him, “we do have one hour before our train. Not to mention, I don't think Lyra's going to let up without a duel. So let me just give her a quickie and we'll be on our merry way. Is that alright, Lyra?”

Drat! thought Lyra. I knew that the attack that night was going to be too much for her. However, I now have a chance at dueling one of the bearers of the Stones of Equus, and if I'm not mistaken, one of, if not, the best among them. Stargazer will go head over hooves if he knows I beat the Alex Yuwell with my Element of Vice. Here goes nothing.

“Alright,” answered Lyra happily, “you got a deal. But hows about we duel somewhere less... crowded.”

Alex looked to his friends and shrugged his shoulders, confirming his acceptance of these settings.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Lyra led Alex and his friends to the middle of a wide alley. It really set up the specifications for a quiet duel: sparsely populated with enough space for monsters to battle. Alex stood still in the very center with his friends right behind him for support. Lyra walked on further to separate themselves from the duelist.

“Well, here we are,” said Lyra, standing on her back legs and putting her arms out to show the area. “I don't want to keep you all waiting, so let's get to it.”

“Lyra,” said Alex, “you seem like a sweet mare, but I need to set some rules now.”

“Huh? What's that?”

“This duel can last no longer than ten minutes. If we expect to see Celestia tonight and catch our train, we need to cut this as short as possible. I'm already pulling strings to do this for you.”

“And I thank you.”

“Yes, well, ten minutes, Lyra. No more, no less.”

“Hmph,” huffed Lyra with a confident smirk and a suddenly vicious tone of voice. “I don't even think you'll last ten minutes.”

Lyra's violent change in her tone of voice unnerved Alex and the rest of his friends, minus Twilight, who was absolutely terrified over recognizing her voice.

Lyra then held out her left arm, allowing a purple halo to form around her elbow and scan down the arm to the bottom of the hoof. As the halo scanned over, the golden pod D-Pad appeared on her forearm. Everyone, minus John, Reese, and Emma, recognized the duel disk, causing them to gasp in fright..

“No...” Tom muttered, “no way! That's the same D-Pad that Ahuizotl used when he attacked the Crystal Empire. Don't tell me...”

“Yes,” answered Lyra, “I work for the same pony that he did.”

“Guys!” shouted Alex, turning behind him and fanning his outstretched arms forwards, “run!”

As the group turned to leave, Lyra smirked at their attempts of escape, lifting her left hoof up and stomping it back down. Before Alex and his friends could leave the alley, a brick wall shot up in front of them and behind Lyra's exit, trapping them in.

“Help!” shouted Tom as he pounded his fist to the wall. “Someone help!”

“It's no use,” spoke Lyra. “Those walls are invisible to everypony but us, and no one can see or hear us beyond them. For all intents and purposes, we don't exist.”

Twilight, using as much strength as she could muster, charged her horn and cast a teleportation spell, causing her to disappear in the burst of a purple bubble of energy. However, as the magical plasma began to fall away, it suddenly receded back as if the spell was now working in reverse. Sure enough, as the bubble reformed, Twilight appeared, although woozy and disoriented.

"Teleportation is useless here," said Lyra. "And just try and fly away Rainbow Dash. I dare you."

Rainbow Dash tried it, flying up to rise above the wall. However, the wall only continued to rise above her by about five feet.

"What the..." Rainbow Dash muttered.

"She then tried flying above the buildings only for an invisible force to block her ascent as she crashed her head into it. Rainbow Dash, seeing that they were blocked from all possible angles, flew back down to the ground, defeated as she rubbed her forehead.

"There's no escaping here," explained Lyra.

Twilight's knees were buckling, Lyra noticing this.

“And it's a shame that your friends had to interfere that night, Twilight, then I would have finished you. And now you're too weak to even gaze at me. Even if you were to know your destiny, you'd never be prepared for it.

“But for right now, I have Alex to beat, and like your Princess, Stargazer does not like to be kept waiting.”

“Stargazer?” asked Alex.

“Enough talk!” she shouted, getting into position. “Now, face me, Alex Yuwell. I'll take your Stone of Equus and your life!”

“We'll see about that!” shouted Alex, pulling out his own silver D-Pad.

Alex placed his wrist dealer/graveyard upon his wrist and fastened it in. Next, he placed his tablet upon his wrist, causing the zones from within them to unsheathe out. Next, he pulled his Duel Rezzer from his inside jacket pocket and pressed the button in the center, turning it on.

“Duel Rezzer,” he shouted. “Activate!”

Alex tossed the machine in between him and Lyra, causing holographic auras to spread out from it and cover the area.

“Alex,” shouted Twilight, “be careful! This is the same pony who dueled me that night!”

“Careful or not,” spoke Lyra, “you'll still be crushed by me.”

“Dream on, Lyra!” snapped Alex. “Let's go now!”

As Alex and Lyra drew five cards from their decks, Twilight looked upon her human friend with fear and uncertainty on her face.

“DUEL!” the two shouted.

Chapter 59: Envy

In the center of the basement library of the Canterlot Castle, Celestia paced back and forth inside it, clearly distressed. Twilight and her friends were supposed to arrive two minutes ago on the dot, and there was no word from any of them.

“Where are they?” she asked herself. “I sure hope they didn't run into trouble.”

“I can guarantee you they did,” shot the echoed male voice from an unknown direction.

Princess Celestia became alert at the sound of the unknown voice, standing in an offensive stance in different directions each second.

“Who's there!” she shouted. “Show yourself!”

A magical sound like a teleportation spell erupted from fifteen feet behind her, leaving her to turn around and find out who or what appeared from it. She could immediately make out the shape of a pony from in between two bookcases, but the shadows hid all of its intelligible features.

However, the pony slowly walked out and revealed itself in the light. The first things that Celestia could make out were its khaki colored coat, its square, masculine muzzle, deep, blue eyes, and a long horn. Walking out further, his long, brown mane which was pulled back and styled to look like blades. Celestia could see a pair of wings on his sides, revealing himself as an alicorn. Lastly it's lower body was revealed, a cutie mark of a satellite with solar panels on his flank and a medium-length wavy tail.

With his appearance now fully visible to Celestia, she couldn't help but gasp, but soon retained a face of seriousness and steadfastness. The alicorn couldn't help but smirk at her reaction.

“Hello, Celestia,” he said.

“Stargazer,” she referred to him, her words venomous and hateful.

Lyra vs. Alex

Lyra's Turn: Lyra activates Emergency Teleport, special summoning a level 3 or lower Psychic-type monster from her hand or deck, choosing Doctor Cranium from her deck (ATK: 100 DEF: 100). Lyra tributes Doctor Cranium to normal summon Overdrive Teleporter (ATK: 2100 DEF: 1200). Lyra activates Overdrive Teleporter's effect, paying 2000 life points to special summon two level 3 or lower Psychic-type monsters from her deck, choosing two Mind Protectors (ATK: 0 DEF: 2200) (ATK: 0 DEF: 2200).

Lyra's Life Points: 4000 -> 2000

Lyra then activates Tannhauser Gate, targeting two monsters that she controls with 1000 or less ATK and the same type and making their levels equal to their combined levels, choosing both of her Mind Protectors (3 + 3 = 6, Lvl.: 3 -> 6) (Lvl.: 3 -> 6). Lyra overlays both of her Mind Protectors to xyz summon Photon Strike Bounzer (ATK: 2700 DEF: 2000).

Lyra places one card face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-2000 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“I don't know what you're doing here,” spat Celestia, “and what you think you're doing, but I will not have you hurt anypony or anyone.”

Stargazer slowly bowed his neck, his chin level with the ground and his eyes trained right at Celestia.

“So,” he said, his voice devoid of emotion, “you've made up your mind. You side with the humans.”

“The humans?” questioned Celestia, taken aback by his statement. “What do the humans have to do with this?”

“Those creatures have poisoned their planet Earth, and now it won't be long before they poison Equestria with their vices. They must be rid of in order to ensure the survival of both worlds.”

Celestia stood still at his statement, her eyes wide and bottom jaw quivering.

***************************************************
Alex's Turn: Alex activates Hieratic Seal of Convocation, adding a Hieratic monster from his deck to his hand, choosing Hieratic Dragon of Tefnuit. Alex special summons Hieratic Dragon of Tefnuit from his hand, as his opponent controls a monster while he controls none. Next, he tributes Hieratic Dragon of Tefnuit to special summon Hieratic Dragon of Su (ATK: 2200 DEF: 1000).

When Hieratic Dragon of Tefunuit is tributed, Alex can special summon a Dragon-type normal monster from his hand, deck, or graveyard and make its ATK and DEF 0, choosing Luster Dragon 2 from his deck (ATK: 2400 DEF: 1400) (ATK: 2400 -> 0, DEF: 1400 -> 0). Alex overlays Hieratic Dragon of Su and Luster Dragon 2 to xyz summon Jade Wyvern (ATK: 2500 DEF: 2100).

Alex attacks Overdrive Teleporter with Jade Wyvern, but Lyra activates Draining Shield, negating the attack and gaining life points equal to the attacking monster's ATK.

Lyra's Life Points: 2000 -> 4500

Alex sets one monster

Alex places two cards face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-4000 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

I can't activate my Wyvern's effect because of her Strike Bounzer, thought Alex. But with my set Mirror Force and Card of Last Will, I'll be fine no matter what she tries to accomplish.

Alex looked at Lyra, who still displayed a stoic and determined face.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

“You mean,” muttered Celestia, “commit mass genocide?”

“The humans have forced their hands, Celestia,” responded Stargazer. “They've been given so many chances to change just to turn them down. Humans are evil, and they must be eradicated.”

“Don't you speak ill of the human race, Stargazer! Don't forget that–”

“Enough talk. It's clear which side you're on, and it's not mine. If you side with the humans, you shall also suffer with them.”

Stargazer crouched, ready to charge forwards. Celestia widened her stance, preparing to intercept Stargazer's attack. With a sudden crouch, Stargazer burst forwards at Celestia, his horn glowing a bright green. Shooting a beam from it, Celestia launched her own. Both spells hit each other in between the two alicorns, producing a bright flash and loud bang.

***************************************************
Lyra's Turn: Lyra summons Mental Seeker (ATK: 800 DEF: 600). Lyra activates Level Doubler, discarding one card from her hand to double the level of one level 4 or lower monster that she controls, choosing Mental Seeker (Lvl.: 3 -> 6).

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

With her three monsters on the field, Lyra gave a devious smile to Alex, her golden D-Pad glowing a bright green.

“Now,” she declared, standing on her hind legs and throwing her right arm into the air, “I overlay my rank 6 Photon Strike Bounzer and my level 6 Overdrive Teleporter and Mental Seeker!”

“What?” shouted Alex. “What kind of summoning is this?”

Knowing all too well what was coming, Twilight shuddered in wide-eyed fear as Lyra's three monsters became three dark green wisps that flew and spiraled the air. However, the ground in between Alex and Lyra opened up into a pit lit by a fiery red and orange.

“Just...” stammered Tom. “Just what's going on!”

“With these three monsters,” continued Lyra, “I construct the overlay network.”

All three monsters flew into the pit, causing a large eruption of flames to burst forth from it.

“Xyz summon!”

The flames receded back into the pit as the earth closed back up. However, a bright yellow orb with bits of molten rock and metal still dripping from it was left floating above the ground. Inside of it was the silhouette of some kind of demon huddle in a fetal position.

“The epitome of jealousy and coveting,” chanted Lyra. “Come and give me what is truly mine to own!”

The bright yellow eyes of the demon opened up as it pushed at the orb's shell with all of its limbs. Twilight looked away, unable to face the beast that nearly killed her two nights ago. With a final push, the orb shattered away, revealing Lyra's white-and-red monster to Alex and all of his friends. As the monster floated down with its feet on the ground, it roared loudly at Alex and Jade Wyvern, clearly hungry for destruction.

“Come forth!” concluded Lyra. “Element of Vice – Envious Archfiend!”

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

Lyra overlays Photon Strike Bounzer, Overdrive Teleporter, and Mental Seeker to xyz summon Element of Vice – Envious Archfiend (ATK: 3200 DEF: 3000).

Lyra activates Element of Vice – Envious Archfiend's effect. By detaching one xyz material from it when she controls no spell or trap cards and her opponent controls one, she can set a spell or trap card that her opponent controls to her side of the field, choosing one of Alex's face down cards.

Lyra attacks Jade Wyvern with Element of Vice – Envious Archfiend, but Alex activates Jade Wyvern's effect. By detaching one xyz material from it, he can prevent the destruction of a monster on the field by battle until the end phase, choosing Jade Wyvern. Battle damage is applied normally.

Alex's Life Points: 4000 -> 3300

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

Alex was forced to the ground as he tumbled just inches from Twilight's hooves. Alex's face was contorted with agony and his eyes were closed from the intense pain.

“Alex!” shouted Twilight.

“I'm okay,” grunted Alex as he opened his eyes.

“Please,” said Lyra, her voice prompting Alex to turn and face her on his knees, “that was a mere 700 life points I just dealt to you. My monster is capable of much more than your body can handle.”

“We'll see about that,” said Alex, finally managing the strength to stand.

Lyra frowned, clearly irked by his resiliance.

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

Lyra ends her turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-4500 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“Alex,” shouted Twilight. “Please be careful. That monster is really dangerous.”

“Don't worry,” exclaimed Alex. “I'm always careful.”

As Alex placed his hand on his deck, he assessed his situation

She took my Mirror Force with her monster's effect, he thought. If I can at least find an alternative way of getting rid of it...

***************************************************
Alex's Turn: Alex activates Graceful Charity, drawing three cards and discarding two. Alex then equips Jade Wyvern with Malevolent Nuzzler, increasing its ATK by 700 (ATK: 2500 -> 3200).

Alex places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-3300 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

“Now our monsters' ATKs are equal,” stated Lyra with a flat face.

“Great strategy,” spoke Kyle to his friends. “Now Lyra can't attack his monster unless she wants hers destroyed, and with one more xyz material attached to Jade Wyvern, it will escape destruction once again.”

“Way to go, Alex!” shouted Tom.

“Kick her sorry flank!” callled Rainbow Dash.

Lyra's smug smile returned.

“Naive,” she said.

***************************************************
Lyra's Turn: Lyra attacks Jade Wyvern with Element of Vice – Envious Archfiend, but Alex activates Jade Wyvern's effect, detaching its last xyz material to prevent a monster's destruction by battle, choosing Jade Wyvern.

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

“If only it were that easy,” called Lyra, “now I activate Envious Archfiend's effect.”

One of Lyra's monster's xyz materials flew into her monsters hand as it lunged for Jade Wyvern.

“By detaching one xyz material from it when I battle an opponent's xyz monster,” she stated. “I can pay life points equal to the difference between our monsters' ATKs to have neither player take battle damage or have any of their monsters be destroyed by this battle. And then, I take control of your monster until the end phase.”

“What?” shouted Alex, surprised over the might of Envious Archfiend.

“But since our monsters' ATKs are equal, I don't have to pay a thing.”

Envious Archfiend, using its glowing hand, grabbed Jade Wyvern by the neck and pulled it to Lyra's side of the field. Once Envious Archfiend let go of Alex's monster, a green, glowing ring appeared around Jade Wyvern's neck, causing Alex to grimace.

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

Lyra then activates Element of Vice – Envious Archfiend's effect. By detaching an xyz material when it attacks an opponent's xyz monster, she can pay life points equal to the difference between her monster's ATK and the opponent's monster's ATK to have both monsters not be destroyed by battle and have the opponent not take any battle damage. Since both monster's ATKs are equal, no life points are paid. Then Lyra takes control of the monster that her monster battled until her end phase, taking control of Jade Wyvern.

Lyra attacks Alex's face down monster with Jade Wyvern, which was a Dragunity Aklys (ATK: 1000 DEF: 800). Alex then activates his face down Card of Last Will, drawing five cards when a monster of his is destroyed by battle.

Lyra activates Overlay Regenerate, attaching itself as an xyz material to a face up xyz monster on the field, choosing Jade Wyvern. Lyra activates Element of Vice – Envious Archfiend's effect. By detaching an xyz material from it and from an xyz monster that she controls that her opponent owns, she can target one spell or trap card in her opponent's graveyard and add it to her hand, choosing Card of Last Will.

During the end phase, control of Jade Wyvern switches back to Alex.

Lyra places one card face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-4500 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

What a monster, thought Alex. It uses an opponent's xyz monster's xyz materials for its effect. And now she has my Card of Last Will.

Alex then noticed the green ring that was around his monster's neck after Lyra used her monster's effect.

I'm not sure what the green ring is about, but it isn't bound to be good for it. All I can do now is try and bypass that card.

Looking at his replenished hand, Alex smirked.

And this looks like just the combo to do it.

***************************************************
Alex's Turn: Alex activates Mystical Space Typhoon, destroying one of Lyra's face down cards. Next, Alex activates the continuous spell card Dragon Mastery, allowing him to equip a Dragon-type Dragunity monster from his hand to a monster he controls, equipping Dragunity Pilum onto Jade Wyvern. A monster equipped with a Dragunity monster gains 500 ATK with Dragon Mastery's effect (ATK: 3200 -> 3700). Alex activates the effect of Dragunity Pilum equipped to Jade Wyvern, allowing it to attack the opponent directly while halving the battle damage.

Alex attacks Lyra directly with Jade Wyvern.

Lyra's Life Points: 4500 -> 2650

Alex sets one monster.

Alex ends his turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-3300 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

Lyra, having taken a massive amount of damage, had been flung into the air and landed about a foot away from the wall blocking the other end of the ally. With the large drop in life points, Alex's friends cheered him to victory.

“Way to go, Alex!” cheered Twilight.

“You can do it!” shouted Tom.

“Nice one, Alex!” called John.

Lyra struggled to get up as she crawled back to her original spot.

“You...” she growled. “You'll pay for that.”

“Lyra!” shouted Alex. “My monster is stronger than yours. It will attack you directly next turn as well. I don't see how I'm going to have to pay for anything. However, I will make sure that you pay for attacking Twilight. I promise you that.”

Twilight smiled at knowing Alex always had her back. However, despite Alex's threatening rebuttals, Lyra finally stood on her hooves and began to giggle.

“You really think so?” she laughed. “You still haven't seen all of my monster's abilities yet, and then you will see the why you and your kind should fear us!”

Alex stood back in a defensive stance, ready to see how Lyra would back her words.

“You won't get away with this, Lyra,” spoke Applejack.

“Ha!” Lyra exclaimed. “Not only will I get away with it, but neither will you or your friend Twilight.”

***************************************************
Lyra's Turn: Lyra summons Silent Psychic Wizard (ATK: 1900 DEF: 0). When Silent Psychic Wizard is normal summoned, Lyra can banish a Psychic-type monster in her graveyard, choosing Mind Protector.

Lyra attacks Jade Wyvern with Silent Psychic Wizard. Since Silent Psychic Wizard's ATK is less than Jade Wyvern's, it's destroyed and Lyra takes battle damage.

Lyra's Life Points: 2650 -> 850

Lyra activates her face down Card of Last Will, drawing five cards when a monster that she controls is destroyed by battle. Lyra also activates Silent Psychic Wizard's effect, special summoning the monster banished by its effect when it is removed from the field. Lyra then activates her Mystical Space Typhoon, destroying one spell or trap card on the field, choosing Alex's Dragon Mastery. Without its effect, Jade Wyvern's ATK is decreased (ATK: 3700 -> 3200).

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

“And now,” shouted Lyra, “I attack Jade Wyvern with Envious Archfiend!”

“What did you say?” asked Alex, his voice raised by the seeming insanity of her statement.

“But their ATKS are equal!” said Rarity. “They'll both be destroyed!”

“Under normal circumstances, yes,” Lyra replied, “but because I activated that effect of Envious Archfiend's last turn, my monster cannot be destroyed in battles involving Jade Wyvern. The only card that will be destroyed is yours, Alex!”

“No!” Alex screamed.

Envious Archfiend held out its hand as if it was holding an invisible umbrella. The monster then began gripping the space in its palm, causing the ring on Jade Wyvern's neck to glow bright as the dragon roared in sheer pain.

“Jade Wyvern...” muttered Alex.

Alex and his friends could only watch as Jade Wyvern was tortured by Lyra's monster until it eventually broke apart and shattered into countless golden sparks. Alex stood demoralized as his ace was destroyed in such a manner.

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

Lyra attacks Jade Wyvern with Element of Vice – Envious Archfiend. Since Element of Vice – Envious Archfiend and Jade Wyvern's ATKs are equal, they'd both be destroyed, but with Element of Vice – Envious Archfiend's effect, when it activates its first effect, it cannot be destroyed by battles involving the monster that it targeted when it activated its effect. Only Jade Wyvern is destroyed by battle.

Lyra activates Mystik Wok, tributing one monster she controls and gaining life points equal to either the monster's ATK or DEF, tributing Mind Protector and gaining life points equal to its DEF.

Lyra's Life Points: 850 -> 3050

Lyra places one card face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-3050 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

There's just no stopping her, Alex thought. At this rate, my life points are going to hit 0. And that means Twilight will...

He glanced back at his terrified friends, especially the purple unicorn whose life was in as much danger as his was.

“No,” he whispered, facing Lyra again. “NO! I will not lose to you. For the sake of my friends, I will defeat you.”

“Hmhmhm,” chuckled Lyra. “I'd love to see you try.”

“I guess that's all I can do at this point, right?”

***************************************************
Alex's Turn: Alex activates Reload, adding his hand to his deck, shuffling it, and drawing cards equal to the amount of cards that he added to his deck (2).

Alex places two cards face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-3300 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

No doubt she'll use her Archfiend's effect again, thought Alex. But one of these is a decoy that will protect my other card. I just pray to God that she doesn't pick the other one.

“It looks like Alex is relying on luck now,” spoke Reese.

“Huh?” asked Fluttershy, who happened to be standing next to him.

“Lyra will probably activate her face down card next turn to activate Envious Archfiend's effect. If she takes a card from Alex that could decide the duel in his favor, then he's as good as gone.”

Fluttershy whimpered, frightened by the prospect of his friend's loss.

“Hmph,” huffed Lyra. “He's already as good as gone.”

***************************************************
Lyra's Turn: Lyra activates her face down Trap Stun, negating the activation and effects of trap cards until the end of the turn. Lyra summons Pandaborg (ATK: 1700 DEF: 1400). Lyra then activates Element of Vice – Envious Archfiend's effect, detaching one xyz material from it when she controls no spell or trap cards and her opponent controls one and setting a spell or trap that her opponent controls to her side of the field.

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

“And let's see which card I took,” giggled Lyra.

Upon examining it, her pupils shrunk in horror over what she now had.

“St– Star Changer. Why would you...”

She then looked to Alex, who gave her a smug smile. He had taken the dummy as he had hoped. Lyra's face was contorted in anger. Now she was out for blood.

“Attack, Pandaborg!” she screamed. “Take down his face down monster!”

As the android panda ran to and tore apart the holographic set monster card, a small, invisible angel minus its feet, gloved hands, rope belt, wings, crown, and gold bow and arrow appeared and then broke apart into bright sparks.

“Skelengel?” shouted Lyra. “What's that doing in a Dragon deck?”

“A little gift from Lauren,” he answered as he drew a card from his deck. “When Skelengel is flipped face up, I can draw one card.”

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

Lyra attacks Alex's face down monster with Pandaborg, which is a Skelengal (ATK: 900 DEF: 400). When Skelengal is flipped face up, Alex draws one card.

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

“Hehehe,” giggled Lyra. “HAHAHAHAHA! Now take the full strength of Envious Archfiend!”

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

Lyra attacks Alex directly with Element of Vice – Envious Archfiend.

Alex's Life Points: 3300 -> 100

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

Alex was hurled back and towards the wall, shouting in pain from the raw attack of the Element of Vice monster.

“NO!” shrieked Twilight, charging her horn.

Just as Alex's body could collide with the wall, his body was suspended in the air while having a purple aura covering it. She then lifted the battered Alex back to the playing field to finish the duel. Despite crumpling down as his knees hit the ground, his steady breathing indicated his well-being.

“Nice going, Twi'” complimented Applejack.

Twilight gave a confident smile, assuring her friends that she would help in any way.

“Annoying little foal...” seethed Lyra. “But it doesn't matter.”

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

Lyra activates Gold Sarcophagus, banishing a card face-up from her deck, choosing Ookazi. During her second standby phase after activation, Ookazi will be added to Lyra's hand.

Lyra places one card face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-3050 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

Alex got up slowly to his feet, his friends ready to help him up if he buckled. Alex seemed to manage, standing with connected thighs and spread calves to steady his stance.

“Not good,” he spoke. “I have two turns to win this duel. Otherwise, her Ookazi is going to roast me alive. But now that my trap is safe, there might be a chance yet.”

“Don't kid yourself, Alex,” scolded Lyra. “There is no chance for you.”

“There's ALWAYS a chance! And if it means saving my friends from you and this Stargazer, then I will win!”

***************************************************
Alex's Turn: Alex activates his face down Xyz Reborn, special summoning an xyz monster in his graveyard and attaching Xyz Reborn to it as an xyz material, choosing Jade Wyvern. Alex then activates Xyz Treasure, drawing a card for each xyz monster on the field (2). Alex then activates Heavy Storm, destroying all spell and trap cards on the field.

Alex attacks Pandaborg with Jade Wyvern.

Lyra's Life Points: 3050 -> 2250

Lyra activates Pandaborg's effect. By paying 800 life points when it's destroyed by battle, she can special summon a level 4 or lower Psychic-type monster from her deck, special summoning Telekinetic Shocker in defense position (ATK: 1700 DEF: 700).

Lyra's Life Points: 2250 -> 1450

Alex sets one monster.

Alex places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-100 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“My field's empty again,” stated Lyra. “You didn't forget, did you?”

“I say it would be hard to forget after you activated it twice already,” teased Alex.

“You're on your last hundred life points and yet you continue to talk with confidence. I'll make you think twice about that.”

***************************************************
Lyra's Turn: Alex activates Threatening Roar, preventing Lyra from declaring an attack this turn. Lyra activates her own Xyz Treasure, drawing cards equal to the number of xyz monsters on the field (2). Lyra switches Element of Vice – Envious Archfiend into defense position.

Lyra places two cards face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-1450 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

Lyra began laughing again, disheartening Alex, Twilight, and their friends even more.

“Now my monsters are safe from damage!” said Lyra. “And with Envious Archfiend's effect, your Jade Wyvern still can't destroy my monster. And come next turn, Ookazi will come to my hand thanks to Gold Sarcophagus. Face it, Alex. You're through!”

“No...” muttered Emma. “No way.”

“I don't believe it,” said Fluttershy.

“Alex lost!” exclaimed Spike with worry in his voice.

Alex's reserve was still strong and his drive to protect Twilight still there.

“I'm not through yet,” spoke Alex. “I have one turn left to save myself, and as long as my life points are above 0, my fight will not end. And as long as my friends remain in danger, my protection will also never cease. As long as I stand before you, I'll never be through.”

Just then, the chests of Alex and the ponies began to glow. A light appeared above Twilight's head.

“Huh?” Lyra gasped. “That glowing. But that can only mean...”

Then, the lights wrapped around the necks of the ponies and Alex (along with Twilight's brow), the lights soon dying down to reveal the Elements of Harmony. Along with the appearance of his necklace, Alex's black blazer and pants turned a pearly white. Finally, the top card of Alex's deck began to glow.

“The Elements of Harmony,” sneered Lyra.

“About that chance that I didn't have,” spoke Alex. “Here it is, and it's going to destroy your monster, Lyra.”

Alex placed his fingers upon his deck.

“My turn!” he shouted, drawing his final card. “DRAW!”

“Not so fast!” exclaimed Lyra.

***************************************************
Alex's Turn: Lyra activates the continuous trap Xyz Veil, making all xyz monsters with xyz materials attached to them unable to be targeted by card effects. Alex activates Elements of Harmony, negating the effects of a monster that the opponent controls and reducing its ATK and DEF to 0, choosing Telekinetic Shocker (ATK: 1700 -> 0, DEF: 700 -> 0). Lyra then activates the continuous trap Tyrant's Temper by tributing one monster that she controls, choosing Telekinetic Shocker, preventing her monsters from being affected by other trap cards.

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

“Now you have no choice but to go after Envious Archfiend!” called Lyra. “And with its effect still forbidding Jade Wyvern from destroying it, it can't do anything!”

“Jade Wyvern may not be able to do something,” explained Alex, “but I still have the effect of Elements of Harmony. After I activate it, I can activate one of three other effects, choosing the second, allowing me to draw two cards.”

“Whatever,” mumbled Lyra. “Still your funeral.”

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

Alex activates the effect of Elements of Harmony, allowing him to activate one of three effects, choosing the second, drawing two cards. Alex flip summons Hieratic Dragon of Gebeb (ATK: 1800 DEF: 400). Alex tributes Hieratic Dragon of Gebeb to summon Dragunity Arma Mystletainn (ATK: 2100 DEF: 1500).

When Hieratic Dragon of Gebeb is tributed, Alex can special summon a Dragon-type normal monster from his hand, deck, or graveyard and make its ATK and DEF 0, choosing Luster Dragon 2 from his graveyard (ATK: 2400 -> 0, DEF: 1400 -> 0). Alex overlays Hieratic Dragon of Gebeb and Luster Dragon 2 to xyz summon Tourmaline Griffon (ATK: 2300 DEF: 2200).

Since his life points are below 500, Alex overlays Jade Wyvern and Tourmaline Griffon to xyz summon Shining Platinum Dragon (ATK: 3500 DEF: 2500). Alex activates Shining Platinum Dragon’s effect, detaching all xyz materials from it to reveal a number of cards on the top of his deck equal to the number of xyz materials detached (5). Shining Platinum Dragon gains 500 ATK for each Dragon-type monster revealed by this effect. The cards revealed are Hieratic Dragon of Asar, Dragunity Angusticlavii, Hieratic Dragon of Nebthet, Dragon Gunfire, and Dragunity Arma Mystletainn (3 x 500 = 2500, ATK: 3500 -> 5000).

Alex smiled.

“You're finished now, Lyra.”

“How's that?” she questioned. “Sure, now its ATK is much higher, but as long as its in defense position, I take no damage.”

“Is that so? And what if your monster came out of defense position?”

“What?”

“Now,” shouted Alex, “I activate Stop Defense, bringing your monster out of defense position and into attack position.”

“You can't do that! My Xyz Veil protects xyz monsters with xyz materials attached to them from being targeted by card effects!”

“Under normal circumstances, yes. But because of your Tyrant's Temper that you activated to rid the field of Telekinetic Shocker, your monster is no longer affected by Xyz Veil's effects.”

“Tyrant's Tem–” she began to ask before she suddenly realized it. “Oh no!”

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

Alex activates Stop Defense, switching a defense position monster on the field into attack position, choosing Element of Vice – Envious Archfiend.

Alex attacks Element of Vice – Envious Archfiend with Shining Platinum Dragon.

Lyra's Life Points: 1450 -> 0

Alex wins.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Lyra was blasted to the ground, lying motionless and still when her body slid to a stop on the ground. The holographic aura from Alex's Duel Rezzer began to fade, having Alex's monsters, Lyra's trap cards, and the white in his clothes disappear. As well, the Elements of Harmony faded from Alex, Twilight, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Rarity in a bright light.

Alex didn't wait for his friends to praise him for his win, instead running straight at Lyra. Before she could get up, Alex picked her up under her arms and shook her with each demand he made at her.

“Who's Stargazer?” he shouted. “Who else is working for you?”

Lyra weakly giggled as she slowly opened her eyes to Alex's face.

“There will be another time and place for that, Alex,” she whispered, still tired from the duel. “I think the better question now is, 'With you and your friends having had to deal with me, who was there to protect your princess?'”

Alex gasped unsure of the meaning of Lyra's statement. Using the confusion to her advantage, she charged her horn and cast a blinding light that covered the entire alley. When the light faded, Alex unshielded his eyes with his arms and looked behind him to see if everyone was alright.

“Alex,” called Emma, “look!”

Alex looked forwards and saw that Lyra had disappeared, as did the wall behind her. Alex looked behind him again to see that the other wall was now gone as well. After mulling over Lyra's last words before she disappeared, Alex finally realized what she meant. Alex darted out towards his friends direction, passing them and continuing to run into the streets of Canterlot and towards the palace.

“Alex,” called Twilight, “where are you–”

“Celestia's in trouble!” yelled Alex. “We have to hurry!”

With the words “Celestia” and “trouble” being enough of a reason, the rest of the humans and the ponies ran from the alley and to the castle.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Celestia and Stargazer continued to exchange magical blows at one another, each one being deflected by the other. Celestia then began to gallop around the room as Stargazer tried to hit her with two spells, each one missing their marks. With a hard brake, Celestia leaped into the air and cast a much more powerful ray of magic at Stargazer. Stargazer cast a deflection spell to shield him from the attack, but Celestia, steadfast as ever, wouldn't let up.

Using another burst of energy from his horn, Stargazer extended the area of his barrier and bowed it forwards, the edges aimed straight at Celestia. One final flash from his horn caused the barrier to shoot out like a large hollow beam right at Celestia. Celestia whose concentration was fully set on her own spell had little time to react. With wide eyes and an agape mouth, Stargazer's spell hit her, sending Celestia flying into a pillar where her back made contact.

Celestia fell limply to the floor, immobilized by the pain she felt. She tried scrambling back to her feet to resume fighting Stargazer, but her tired muscles could hardly respond. Her terror only increased as Stargazer's hoofsteps came closer and louder. By the time he finally stopped, she turned her head to see him standing directly above her. There was no strength left to fight. She was defeated.

“I'm so sorry you had to force me to do this,” Stargazer told her with no sarcasm as his horn's aura appeared, now a violent red as opposed to his normal green, “but the humans must pay for their crimes to their Earth, and in time, this one.”

Celestia winced and turned her head away as she saw Stargazer's head lower down to her neck, powerless to stop him.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Alex, Twilight, and the rest of her friends charged into the castle. The guards, while initially alerted by their sudden entrance, realized who they were and let pass. Alex and the others ignored them and just continued through the labyrinthine hallways, led by Twilight, to get to the library.

Upon coming inside, they saw Princess Celestia sitting in the center of the room, her head bowed in shame and regret. She looked at them with somber eyes and mouth.

“My little ponies,” she said, “I'm so sorry that–”

Her voice was cut off by red sparks covering and shocking her body. Her neck shot up in convulsive pain as she grunted, revealing a necklace around her neck. It looked similar to the Elements of Harmony necklaces, but it was made of silver and graphite, and the base was a silver downward-pointing triangle with a red diamond piercing through the top. On the very top, there was a graphite unicorn's head with red eyes along with grey wings with red bases.

“Princess Celestia!” shouted Twilight.

Immediately, everyone rushed to her aid, wondering what the matter was.

“Princess Celestia!” spoke John. “What happened to you?”

“What's that necklace?” asked Pinkie Pie. “And where can I get one?”

“Everone...” she muttered. “This artifact is known as the Alicorn Amulet. Its bearer gains immense powers, but the more they use it, darkness creeps into their hearts and minds.”

Another shock caused more groans from Celestia.

“However,” she resumed, “the pony that attacked me enfused it with an even darker magic that's slowly eating away at me.”

“Then let's take it off!” exclaimed Rainbow Dash, already rushing to Celestia's neck.

“It's no use, Rainbow Dash. Only the one who puts the necklace on can take it off, and I'm afraid he's gone.”

“He,” spoke Alex. “Who is he? Is it Stargazer?”

“How... how did you–”

“Lyra Heartstrings. She's working for him. She attacked Twilight and I and mentioned his name. It's why we couldn't make it. I'm...” he began choking up, “I'm so sorry.”

“Don't blame yourself, Alex,” Celestia cooed, stroking Alex's cheek. “You did your best to get here, and the fact that you and Twilight are okay means that you both fought valiantly to save each other.”

“Who is Stargazer?” asked Tom. “How do you know him?”

Another shock emanated through Celestia's body, restricting her answer.

“There's not much time,” she said. “I need to tell Twilight now before its too late.”

“Tell me what?” asked Twilight.

“I'm afraid I cannot tell you physically. He might still be watching. Here, let me see your horn.”

Twilight, unsure of what was happening, did as she was told tilted her head towards Celestia's. Celestia then leaned her head towards Twilight so that her horn was touching. Immediately, Twilight's vision became a bright white until it quickly faded into an ethereal, space-like realm.

Twilight found herself floating inside of it, when several words seemed to race through her head. Closing her eyes, she concentrated hard on them, hearing the words as they entered her mind, focusing on the most important ones.

Manehattan...

Museum...

Lock...

Elevator...

Basement...

Storage...

Journal...

Destiny...

Save...

Equestria....

The last word echoed inside Twilight's mind as her vision returned her to the basement library. Scanning her head, she saw as her friends all looked at her as if she had been in some strange trance.

“What was that, Twilight?” asked Fluttershy.

A much more violent barrage of shocks covered Celestia, causing her to scream in agony. Everyone gasped over this, their terror increasing as Celestia's body shuddered from her weakening body.

“I'm afraid I cannot allow you to be here any longer,” grunted Celestia. “It's no longer safe.”

“Celestia...” muttered Twilight.

“I SAID LEAVE!!” barked Celestia with sheer anger.

Everyone took a step back except for Twilight, who stared at Celestia with horrified and sad tears bleeding from her eyes. Celestia sighed, regretting her action.

“Forgive me, Twilight,” she spoke. “The Amulet is corrupting me. You must leave before it fully takes hold.”

“Celestia,” sobbed Twilight.

The other ponies, including and especially Spike were crying now as well as Celestia continued to bid them her final farewell. Sparks continued to cover Celestia, but she fought through the pain as she knew her time was coming sooner rather than later.

“You can never contact me, and I can never contact you. As long as I don't know where you are, you and your friends are safe. For all intents and purposes, this is the last time I will see any of you. But before you go, I just want to tell you all that I am so proud of each and every one of you. I know you can save Equestria from Stargzer. I just know...”

Twilight couldn't contain herself, she slowly approached Celestia again.

“I love you, Celestia,” she wailed, wrapping her arms around Celestia's neck.

Celestia tearfully returned the embrace.

“I love you too, Twilight, my faithful student. I know you'll discover your destiny.”

“Thank you.”

“Now go. There isn't a moment to lose.”

Twilight left Celestia and galloped out of the library. With long, meaningful glances back, the humans and the rest of the ponies filed out of the room, running and galloping to the train station to make it to the next city.

Celestia, now alone, walked out of the room and down the halls. Princess Luna was galloping in the opposite direction towards Celestia, having seen her pop out of the library.

“Sister!” she exclaimed. “I heard you screaming from upstairs, is something the matter?”

Upon seeing the Amulet around her sisters neck, Luna gasped. The sparks were covering Celestia, whose knees began to wobble with exhaustion.

“That amulet! How did it–”

Celestia placed both hooves on her sister's shoulders and addressed her with urgency and a serious tone of voice.

“Right now, I need you to declare an evacuation of the city. I must do something.”

“Sister? Whatever do you mean?”

“Don't question me!” shouted Celestia, causing Luna to shrink back slightly in fear. “I need you to do this for me. I must keep my citizens safe.”

Celestia galloped away before her sister could retort.

“Celly...” she whimpered.

Wanting to honor her, galloped to the outdoors and flew to the balcony where she could address her ponies. Meanwhile, Celestia had flown from the palace to the Canterlot Sculpture Garden. As she took a moment to breathe, she heard the strong booming voice of her sister ring out amongst all of Canterlot.

“Ponies of Canterlot!” she yelled, which came off as soft echoes to Celestia. “It is my duty to inform you that Canterlot is under a state of quarantine! An evacuation of Canterlot is effective immediately! I repeat! An evacuation of Canterlot is effective immediately! May Celestia be with you!”

Celestia looked up at the palace and smiled.

“Excellent work, Luna.”

Another burst of sparks covered Celestia, being much more painful than the ones before.

“No,” she muttered. “I must fight it.”

She wearily walked through the various statues surrounding the large hedge maze. After wandering for minutes, she came across two statues. One was of Discord. His body was arched backwards, his arms were pushed outwards, and his face displayed one of terror, the last pose he made before the Elements of Harmony finished him off for the second time.

The next statue was also of Discord, but the area around his neck was cracked, having been defeated by Lauren on the final battle of the Equus War. Celestia, her body and mind weakening more, stood in position and began to cast a spell.

“Please,” she whimpered, her eyes tearing and her body wavering, “just a little more...”

Celestia then shot a spell from her horn that wrapped around both Discord statues, causing both of them to turn to dust and their fragments to swirl with the spell. Celestia looked as the pieces began to form again at the feet, slowly transforming into Discord in the flesh. Before she could see his head take form, Celestia closed her eyes and collapsed to the ground.

Series 1: Stones of Equus - Arc 1: Another Earth - Chapter 1: Challenger

Thursday, May 10, 2012

_________________________________________________________________________________________

The dream was the same every night. A male human around 18 would walk around a desolate city, looking for someone. Anyone. Upon giving up, he felt a massive rumbling in the earth. He then looked up to find a large planet heading straight for Earth. As he observed the planet as it sped closer and closer to Armageddon, he saw what looked like a cozy little town on its surface. When the planet was close enough, he could see the populace for a split second before the planet collided. They were equines of various kinds and colors, huddled with friends and family or running in fear. He could always remember one of them specifically. It was a unicorn mare (at least he thought). She had a purple coat with a darker purple mane. She looked up at the planet they were speeding towards. She was looking at him. Right before the other earth could crush him and end all life on both planets-
_________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________

He woke up, drenched in sweat.

It was only a dream, he thought. Then why did it feel so real?

“Alex!” called a voice from downstairs. “Alex Yuwell! Get your lazy butt out of bed or you’ll be late for school!”

Alex got out of bed and took a quick shower before going into his room and changing. Alex was a pretty fit young man for his age. He wasn’t “hot” as he would label other people with great pecs and abs, but he looked healthy, and that’s all that mattered to him.

He dried his brown hair as best as he could with his towel that was still damp from drying the rest of his body. He slipped on a pair of underwear and black socks and then put on some black pants and a red Ed Hardy t-shirt with his favorite jade ankh necklace. Today was a special day and he wanted to be prepared for it.

Alex ran downstairs to meet his best friend, Tom Emmitt’s, mom and Tom sitting at the kitchen counter eating a breakfast of scrambled eggs and toast. Tom’s sister Sarah was also joining them.

Tom Emmitt was a smaller person for his age, being the same age as Alex. He had short, curly blonde hair and bright blue eyes. What Tom lacked in size though, he made up in speed and strength. Sarah was about the same height as Tom, but she was a year younger than he was. She, like her brother and mother, had blonde hair, but hers flowed straight down behind her head. For her age, she looked very mature.

“So,” said Mrs. Emmitt, “does anyone have something special planned for today?”

“Yeah,” answered Tom, “Alex is going to duel the school champion today after class.”

“Ooh. Well, I wish you the best of luck Alex.”

“Thanks a lot,” said Alex with a smile.

After breakfast, Alex ran back upstairs and packed his backpack with books, pencils, notebooks, and his silver colored D-Pad duel disk tablet. He put his wallet and phone in his front pockets. Then, he put his iPod Nano attached on a wrist-band on his right arm. He slipped a black blazer over his shirt and put his headphones and keys in those pockets. Once he was done dressing up. He went to the bathroom to brush his teeth and spike his hair. Lastly, he hooked his D-Pad’s graveyard/wrist dealer and deck box onto his belt. Grabbing his backpack, he walked downstairs to meet Tom and Sarah to walk to school.

“Have a good day!” called Mrs. Emmitt.

“See ya!” replied Alex.

The three teens walked down the sunny suburbs of Naperville, Illinois to get to their school, Naperville North. It was a short walk for them; only twenty minutes.

“So,” mocked Tom, “how does it feel to know that you’re going to get creamed by Reese Miller?”

“Tom,” scolded Sarah, punching Tom on the arm. “Don’t worry. You’ll do just fine.”

Will I? thought Alex. He remembered what happened yesterday in Dueling Club...
_________________________________________________________________________________________
................................................................................................................................................................
_________________________________________________________________________________________

“Okay,” called Rich, the club president, “we are about to cast the vote to see which one of us is going to represent our club in the Chicago World Dueling Championship this Summer.” Rich held a paper voucher for an entry to the CWDC in his hand for the whole class to see.

Alex loathed this club sometimes. Many decisions made usually involved voting, in which the most popular, as opposed to the right person for the job, won. This was his senior year of high school and he had one last week before graduation. He’d be damned if he was going to stand by idly this time and let Reese Miller, the most popular and most skilled duelist in the school win a ticket for the CWDC because people merely liked him, not because he truly was the best duelist.

“With all due respect,” said Alex standing up, “I believe a duel should settle who gets to represent our club.” Alex seethed a bit as Reese Miller dismissively scoffed in front of him. “True duelists don’t have their entries handed to them on a silver platter. They earn them. If Reese gets to go to that tournament because of a popularity contest, then frankly, he shouldn’t be fit to be called a duelist.” Reese was now irked, just like Alex planned.

“Listen buddy,” said Reese, finally facing Alex. “I could beat you to a pulp right now if I wanted to.”

“Is that a challenge?” asked Alex, smirking.

“What are you suggesting?”

“Football field. Tomorrow. After school. Whoever wins gets to go to the tournament and represent our club.” Alex outstretched his hand for a handshake. “Deal?”

“You got yourself a duel,” answered Reese, clamping Alex’s hand-
_________________________________________________________________________________________
................................................................................................................................................................
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Alex felt a tug on his backpack as Tom pulled him back before he could walk across the busy street and get hit by a Toyota Camry.

“Careful guy,” said Tom. “I know you’re excited, but I don’t think Reese would appreciate it if you got killed before he dueled you. I’m sure he’d want to be the one to do it.” Alex laughed, but it didn’t stop Sarah from scolding him. Alex considered himself a decent duelist and was certain he’d put up a good fight.

Can I actually win though? he thought.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Class was class as usual. Chemistry, Calculus, Study Hall, Senior Foods, Lunch, English, and Gym. They all passed by Alex as he was preparing to duel Reese. His challenge had even gotten him a lot attention from his peers, though more negative than positive. During lunch with Tom (Sarah had a different lunch schedule), a male student dropped a piece of paper on Alex’s plate of chicken fingers. Upon opening it, he saw a person hanging by his neck from the gallows, an arrow pointing to the body between the body and the word “you.”

“I think your odds are looking up,” said Tom. Alex responded by crumpling the paper lightly and flicking it at Tom’s head, smiling.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

At 3:10, the final bell rung. Alex already had his backpack packed up and made a beeline for the school football field. Alex stood on the visitor’s forty yard line, awaiting Reese. Alex wasn’t the first one there however. People were packing in the bleachers, ready to see the show. Alex’s nerves were starting to get on him. He didn’t expect any sort of crowd, yet alone one this big, but he guessed it was to be expected when he was challenging the school’s top duelist.

“Hey!” called a familiar voice. Alex turned around to find Tom and Sarah in the bleachers cheering him on. Suddenly more people started cheering. Alex turned around to see Reese with his black D-Pad constructed and placed on his wrist with his deck in the slot on the side of the wrist.

Reese was a tall, skinny man. He dressed the same every day: black t-shirt, open black vest, black jeans, and black Converse shoes. His ebony black hair drooped over his left eye on his pale face. The one eye that wasn’t covered had an unnatural red color to it.

“You actually showed up,” called Alex. “Congrats.”

“And what did you think I was going to do?”

“Honestly, I figured you would leave me standing here all day, take the voucher for yourself, and then come back the next day with people making fun of me for 'running away' from the challenge.” Reese smirked.

“Some people may be willing to do that to get ahead, but I wouldn’t. As the school’s #1 duelist, I have a reputation to uphold. Plus,” he began to shout, “how could I deny my fans a fantastic duel?” The crowd cheered. “Now, Alex Yuwell, are you ready to duel?”

“You know it, Reese!” Alex fastened his graveyard/wrist dealer onto his left wrist. Next, he took his D-Pad tablet from his backpack and attached it to the top of the graveyard slot. Both duelists’ constructed D-Pads unsheathed, the first two zones coming from the left side of the tablets, the next two zones unsheathing out of the left side of the other two zones, and the final zone unsheathing from the right side. The zones folded up, forming a 90° angle with the D-Pad tablet, with the left two zones folding inward.

“Duel detected,” called a voice from an intercom. The stadium spot lights began emitting an aura and encased the area in a holographic environment, putting the duelists in the environment needed to play. Reese and Alex drew five cards from their decks with the crowd cheering behind them, as they knew this was the final step before the duel could start.

“DUEL!” shouted Alex and Reese.

Alex vs. Reese

Alex’s Turn: Alex sets one monster.

Alex places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-4 Life-4000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“Is that it?” asked Reese. “For someone so eager to challenge me, you seem to be playing rather defensively. Perhaps I should break your protective shell.”

***************************************************
Reese’s Turn: Reese summons Double Coston (ATK: 1700 DEF: 1650). Next, Reese activates Double Summon, tributing Double Coston to tribute summon Despair from the Dark with Double Coston acting as two tributes with its effect (ATK: 2800 DEF: 3000).

Reese attacks Alex’s face down monster with Despair of the Dark, which was a Dragunity Phalanx (ATK: 500 DEF: 1100).

Reese places two cards face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-4000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

“Thanks a bundle for that,” said Alex.

***************************************************
Alex’s Turn: Alex activates Cards of Consonance, discarding a Dragon-type tuner with 1000 or less ATK from his hand to draw two cards. Next, Alex summons Dragunity Dux (ATK: 1500 DEF: 1000). Alex activates Dragunity Dux’s effect, targeting a level 3 or lower Dragon-type Dragunity monster in his graveyard and equipping it onto Dragunity Dux, choosing Dragunity Phalanx. Alex then activates Dragunity Phalanx’s effect, special summoning itself from the spell/trap card zone when equipped to a monster by an effect.

Alex tunes Dragunity Dux with Dragunity Phalanx to synchro summon Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana (ATK: 1900 DEF: 1200). When Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana is synchro summoned, Alex can equip a level 3 or lower Dragon-type Dragunity monster from his graveyard onto it, choosing Dragunity Aklys. Alex activates Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana’s effect, sending a card equipped to it to the graveyard and doubling its ATK (ATK: 1900 -> 3800).

When Dragunity Aklys is sent to the graveyard while equipped to a monster, Alex can destroy one card on the field, choosing Reese’s Despair from the Dark. Reese activates A Deal with Dark Ruler, special summoning Berserk Dragon from his deck when a level 8 or higher monster is sent from the field to the graveyard (ATK: 3500 DEF: 0).

Alex attacks Berserk Dragon with Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana, but Reese activates Attack Invulnerability, choosing the first effect to prevent a monster’s destruction by battle, choosing Berserk Dragon. Battle damage is still applied.

Reese’s Life Points: 4000 -> 3700

During the end phase, Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana’s ATK returns to normal (ATK: 3800 -> 1900).

Alex places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-3 Life-4000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

“You are a skilled duelist, I’ll humbly admit,” said Reese, “but only the most skilled between us is going to that tournament. And I’m making sure it’s going to be me!”

***************************************************
Reese’s Turn: Reese activates Cup of Ace. A coin is flipped. It lands up heads, so Reese draws two cards. Reese activates his spell Card of Distrain, targeting one set spell or trap card his opponent controls and preventing its activation until the end phase if his opponent has two or more set spell/trap cards. If Alex activates a set spell/trap card this turn, he’ll take 800 points of damage.

Reese attacks Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana with Berserk Dragon.

Alex’s Life Points: 4000 -> 2400

During the each of Reese’s end phases, Berserk Dragon’s ATK is reduced by 500 (ATK: 3500 -> 3000).

Reese places two cards face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-3700 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

The crowd cheered at Reese’s use of his ace monster. They were certainly not expecting much of a fight from Alex anymore.

“Your defeat is as good as sealed,” taunted Reese. “Don’t you see how pointless it is to fight me? You can go and wallow with your loser friends while I climb to the top in the CWDC.”

Alex began to seethe.

“How dare you?” he mumbled. “How dare you?” he finally shouted. “I know your tendency to get cocky when you’re ahead Reese, and that’s fine. You can take it out on me, but you do not, and I repeat, you do not disrespect my friends like that!” Alex felt a fire burning inside of him that he had never felt before in his life. “If it’s blood you want, it’s blood you’re going to get!” Alex put his fingers on his deck. “My turn! Draw!”

Suddenly, the card Alex drew began to glow bright white, confusing both himself, Reese, and the onlookers in the crowd. A dome of light enveloped around Alex and Reese from the card Alex drew. The dome then converted to a beam and shot itself into the sky and into space, not to be seen.

“Alex!” called Tom.

The crowd began to panic.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

The light carried Alex and Reese to another planet, as evidenced by their unfamiliar surroundings when the light disappeared. Alex and Reese looked around in shock, especially Alex. The town they had appeared in was the one that he saw from his dreams, except this was all real.

The equine inhabitants looked upon Alex and Reese with fright and confusion, slowly backing away. One equine stood out to Alex though. It was a purple unicorn with a darker purple mane, the same one from his dream. She, along with the other frightened equines, were backing away.

“What are you waiting for?” asked Reese. “The holograms are obviously just messed up right now, so make your move!”

Alex didn’t know where he was or why he was there. There was no way Reese would accept a surrender on either side now and there was going to be no way to reason to him that this was real. If finishing the duel could free him from the world on which he now stood, then so be it.

Alex attacks Berserk Dragon with Dragunity Knight – Gae Bulg. Alex activates Dragunity Knight – Gae Bulg’s effect. By removing a Winged Beast-type monster in his graveyard from play when it attacks or is attacked, he can increase Dragunity Knight – Gae Bulg’s ATK by the ATK of the removed monster during the battle phase, choosing Dragunity Militum (ATK: 2000 -> 3700).

Reese’s Life Points: 3700 -> 3000

The battle phase ends, so Dragunity Knight – Gae Bulg’s ATK returns to normal (ATK: 3700 -> 2000).

Alex ends his turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-2400 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

The equines were scared at the supposed violence that occurred and began running for shelter. All except one: the purple unicorn. Seeing as how no one of her kind was being hurt, she waited to observe what was happening.

Alex observed as Reese got up after the last attack knocked him onto his back. Alex was unnerved to see that real scratches and bruises covered Reese’s body. Now, he looked upset.

“What,” he stammered, “what have you done to me?!”

“Reese, I have no idea what’s going on. I’m sorry.”

“Not as sorry as you’re going to be!” The extra deck box attached on Reese’s belt began glowing.

***************************************************
Reese’s Turn: Reese activates his face down Call of the Haunted, special summoning Despair from the Dark from his graveyard. Next, he activates Xyz Plant, which becomes a monster card with the same level as a monster he controls (8). Reese overlays Despair from the Dark and Xyz Plant to xyz summon Obsidian Imp (ATK: 2800 DEF: 2500).

Reese attacks Dragunity Knight – Gae Bulg with Obsidian Imp. Alex attempts to activate Dragunity Knight – Gae Bulg’s effect, but Reese activates Obsidian Imp’s effect. By detaching one xyz material from it when he attacks a monster, Reese can negate the activation of a monster’s effect and decrease its ATK by 800 (ATK: 2000 -> 1200). The attack goes through, but Alex activates Invincible Hero, preventing Dragunity Knight – Gae Bulg’s destruction by battle. Damage is still applied.

Alex’s Life Points: 2400 -> 800

Reese ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-3000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

Alex was also in great pain. What ever damage he felt was real. He also had numerous scratches and bruises on his body. Reese laughed in his moment of triumph.

“It seems that fate favors me so well,” Reese stated, “that it even gave me a new monster to beat you with. Not that I really needed it.”

Suddenly, Alex noticed that his extra deck box began to glow as well.

Time for a turnaround, he thought.

***************************************************
Alex’s Turn: Alex activates his trap Immortal Dragon, special summoning Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana from his graveyard. Alex overlays Dragunity Knight – Gae Bulg and Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana to xyz summon Jade Wyvern (ATK: 2500 DEF: 2100). Alex then activates Riryoku, halving the ATK of one monster and increasing another monster’s ATK by the amount halved, halving Obsidian Imp’s ATK and increasing Jade Wyvern’s ATK (ATK: 2800 -> 1400) (ATK: 2500 -> 3900).

Alex attacks Obsidian Imp with Jade Wyvern.

Reese’s Life Points: 3000 -> 500

Alex ends his turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-800 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

“Hmhm,” Alex chuckled. “It seems fate isn’t so biased after all, is it Reese?”

“Shut up! I can still beat you!”

***************************************************
Reese’s Turn: Reese activates his face down Jar of Greed, drawing one card. Reese activates Monster Reborn, special summoning Obsidian Imp from his graveyard. Next, he equips Obsidian Imp with Sword of Dark Rites, increasing its ATK by 400 (ATK: 2800 -> 3200).

Reese attacks Jade Wyvern with Obsidian Imp, but Alex activates Jade Wyvern’s effect. By detaching one xyz material from it, Alex can target one monster on the field and prevent it from being destroyed by battle, choosing Jade Wyvern. Battle damage is still applied.

Alex’s Life Points: 800 -> 100

Reese ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-500 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

“Ha!” cackled Reese. “Just one more of those and you’re finished, with or without your monster’s effect.”

“Then I guess I have to start getting luckier now, aren’t I?”

***************************************************
Alex’s Turn: Alex activates Reload, sending his hand to the deck, shuffling it, and adding the same number of cards that he added to his deck to his hand. Alex activates Dragon Mastery, allowing him to equip a Dragon-type Dragunity monster to a monster he controls from his hand, equipping Jade Wyvern with Dragunity Pilum. With Dragon Mastery’s effect, all monsters equipped with Dragunity cards gain 500 ATK (ATK: 2500 -> 3000). With Dragunity Pilum’s effect, when it’s equipped to a monster, the equipped monster can attack the opponent directly, although the damage is halved.

Alex attacks Reese directly with Jade Wyvern.

Reese’s Life Points: 500 -> 0

Alex wins.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Alex watched as the last attack blasted Reese to the ground and rendered him unconscious. Alex wanted to help, but his legs buckled from the exhaustion, forcing him into a kneel. He then saw the bottom of his body begin to fade away along with the rest of his body.

“Wait!” called the purple unicorn, rushing to Alex’s aid.

They can talk too? thought Alex. He was too tired to care. Before the unicorn could reach him, Alex and Reese both faded from the otherworldly town.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Alex and Reese reappeared at the football stadium. Alex looked around as the people noticed their reappearance and ran to help them, especially Tom and Sarah. Alex then looked up to see something that brought him over the edge. He saw a moon in the sky, except the moon looked like a planet similar to Earth. The only difference was that the other planet had one landmass. Alex gave into his exhaustion, and fainted on the ground before Tom and Sarah could come to his aid.

Chapter 13: Surprise

Reese had been dueling at the small amphitheater across the street from the city’s Nichols Library. Reese was not just a popular duelist on school grounds; he was a popular duelist in the city period. Despite the word of him losing to Alex, people still itched for a piece of him.

Not only did the amphitheater provide Reese with a decent sized audience for them to sit and watch the duels, but Reese enjoyed the atmosphere it had. The crowd on his left, the rolling river on his right, it was a perfect combination of exciting and peaceful for him.

Emma and Rarity had met Reese at the amphitheater after a while, where they would meet up with the rest of their friends to go to the Mongolian Barbecue for lunch. While passing the time for the others to arrive Reese was dueling Rarity.

Cont. from Reese vs. Rarity

Cont. from Reese’s Turn: Reese attacks Rarity’s Gem-Knight Pearl (ATK: 2600 DEF: 1900) with Berserk Dragon (ATK: 3500 DEF: 0).

Rarity’s Life Points: 700 -> 0

Reese wins.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

As soon as Reese won, there was a loud boom from right behind him followed by a cloud of confetti being blasted from behind him. The explosion caused Reese to freeze in shock and fear. He was partially relieved to hear the familiar childlike laughter of Pinkie Pie. He slowly turned around to see Pinkie Pie rolling on the ground with laughter next to a light blue cannon with magenta and purple wheels with yellow flowers on them.

“What the hell is that?” asked Reese.

“It’s my party cannon!” said Pinkie Pie through her giggles. “I never leave home without it.”

“Why do you even have it?”

“Well, I saw you and Rarity, so I’d thought I’d say, ‘Hi’ or ‘Howdy do!’ but that wouldn’t be nearly fun enough. So I had the greatest idea. Well actually, I had two, but they both mixed together to form a perfect storm of hilarious fun! I pulled out my party cannon just as you were about to win the duel and when you did, I blasted it. Not only did I scare you silly, but I get to celebrate your fantabulous win! That’s two times the fun, and two times the laughter!” Pinkie Pie fell over laughing again.

Under normal circumstances, Reese would have scoffed off this childish behavior if it had been done by a human, but with Pinkie Pie, there wasn’t an air of cynicism in her prank; she was about as innocent as they came. Reese couldn’t help but smile at her.

“Thanks,” Reese genuinely said, “I appreciate it.”

“Gee, thanks Reese. You don’t look like the kind of pony- I mean human- I mean pony human man person to enjoy pranks.”

“Things change,” he said a little more flatly. “By the way, how have you been doing in the competition?”

“I’ve been doing great! I’m having so much fun!”

“Really? How many duels have you won?”

“I haven’t!” Pinkie merely beamed.

“You… haven’t won a single duel… and you’re happy?”

“Oh silly, I don’t need to win to have fun!” All of the sudden, a sound of peppy music comprised with acoustic guitar, tambourine, and other instruments, began to make itself heard over the area.

“Where is that music coming from?” asked Emma.

“It’s best not to ask,” said Rarity. Pinkie then began to sing.

Verse

Yesterday, I learned a great new game.
It’s quite a hoot, it’s anything but lame.
However, I’m not sure if it’s just fate.
But my winning record stands at 0-8.
I haven’t won, but I have fun,
Making brand new friends.

Chorus

Every duel’s an opportunity.
To meet a pal that’s right for you and me.
Though I lose, I know I’ll be just fine.
‘Cause when I meet a friend, victory is mine.

Pinkie’s impromptu song and dance got a small thing of applause from the children watching, while most people were just confused over what they heard and saw.

Is she for real? thought Reese. Is she some kind of cartoon character or something? Despite Reese’s confusion over Pinkie’s song, he easily got the message.

“Okay,” said Reese. “I got what you’re saying.” Suddenly, he realized the crowd that Pinkie inadvertently garnered. Idea, he thought. “Pinkie Pie, why don’t you duel me?”

“Huh? Duel you? But you’re already my friend.”

“I realize. And who better to duel than one of your own friends. It will be fun, I promise.”

“You Pinkie Pie promise?”

“Pinkie Pie promise?”

She then enacted the motions along with the poem.

“Now you try,” she said.

Reese loved to duel with an audience, and he hadn’t had such an audience since he first dueled Alex, an audience that he hadn’t had in years. Plus, he had a really strong desire to face her. Despite her staggering number of losses, there was a feeling that he had about her that kept him from thinking her a novice. Reese reluctantly did the Pinkie Pie promise to the laughs of his peers, children, and adults. To think that the great Reese Miller would be at the whim of a peppy pink pony.

“Alright,” said Reese, “are you ready now?”

“Okie dokie lokie!” confirmed Pinkie Pie. With that, Pinkie Pie and Reese unsheathed their duel disks.

From the south, Fluttershy, Sarah, Lisa, and Jenny walked north on the eastern side of Eagle St. to find Reese and Pinkie Pie dueling. From the west, Alex, Tom, Claude, Twilight, Rainbow Dash, and Applejack walked east down Jackson to see the large group of people. Rainbow Dash flew up to see who it was.

“It’s Reese and Pinkie Pie,” she called. Everyone ran to the amphitheater to gather around their duel. Upon finding Rarity and Emma, they stood alongside them.

“Woohoo!” cheered Pinkie Pie. “Now the gang’s all here!” She pointed at Fluttershy, Sarah, and her friends who watched from the other side which was far less crowded.

“And then after this, we get lunch?” asked Reese.

“Sound’s like a plan, Stan!” said Pinkie Pie.

Pinkie Pie uses a flip effect reliant deck, thought Reese with a sly calculated smile. With Obsidian Imp’s effect, I can lock-down any of her monsters’ effects, so it would be imperative that I summon Obsidian Imp as fast as possible.

Reese and Pinkie Pie drew five cards from their decks.

And this just might do it.

“DUEL!” they both shouted.

Reese vs. Pinkie Pie

Reese’s Turn: Reese activates Graceful Charity, drawing three cards and discarding two. Reese then special summons Supersonic Skull Flame by removing a Skull Flame in his graveyard from play (ATK: 2600 DEF: 2000). Once per turn, Reese can inflict 400 points of damage for each Burning Skull Head in his graveyard. He has one.

Pinkie Pie’s Life Points: 4000 -> 3600

Reese normal summons a Burning Skull Head (ATK: 1000 DEF: 800). With Burning Skull Head’s effect, Reese can banish it on his field to add Skull Flame from the banished zone to the graveyard.

Reese places two cards face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-4000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

Despite a setback on her first turn, Pinkie Pie rolled on the ground laughing hysterically.

“Oh Reese,” he continued to giggle. “I can’t believe you inflicted damage on me on the first turn. You’re so awesome!”

Reese’s face continued to be stoic.

***************************************************
Pinkie Pie’s Turn: Pinkie Pie activates Worm Call, allowing her to special summon a Reptile-type Worm monster from her hand in face down defense position when her opponent controls a monster. Pinkie Pie sets one monster.

Pinkie Pie places one card face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-3600 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

That’s it, thought Reese, that’s what I want.

***************************************************
Reese’s Turn: Reese summons Goblin Zombie (ATK: 1100 DEF: 1050). Reese then activates the effect of Supersonic Skull Flame, inflicting 400 points of damage for each Burning Skull Head in his graveyard (1).

Pinkie Pie’s Life Points: 3600 -> 3200

Next, he activates Thunder Crashes destroying all monsters he controls and inflicting 300 points of damage for each monster destroyed that way (2 x 300 = 600).

Pinkie Pie’s Life Points: 3200 -> 2600

When Goblin Zombie is sent from the field to the graveyard, Reese can add a Zombie-type monster with 1200 or less DEF from his deck to his hand. When Supersonic Skull Flame is sent from the field to the graveyard, Reese can special summon Skull Flame from his graveyard (ATK: 2600 DEF: 2000). Reese then activates his face down A Deal with Dark Ruler, special summoning Berserk Dragon from his deck when a level 8 or higher monster of his was sent from the field to the graveyard (ATK: 3500 DEF: 0). Reese overlays Berserk Dragon and Skull Flame to xyz summon Obsidian Imp (ATK: 2800 DEF: 2500).

Reese attacks one of Pinkie Pie’s face down monsters with Obsidian Imp, which is a Worm Noble (ATK: 1500 DEF: 2400). Pinkie Pie tries to activate its flip effect, but Reese activates Obsidian Imp’s effect. By detaching one xyz material from it when he attacks a monster, he can negate its effect and reduce its ATK by 800 (ATK: 1500 -> 700). The attack goes through.

Reese places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-4000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

Pinkie continued to lose more life points, but it didn’t stop the giddy mare from laughing.

***************************************************
Pinkie Pie’s Turn: Pinkie Pie activates Monster Reborn, special summoning Burning Skull Head from Reese’s graveyard. Next, Pinkie Pie flip summons Worm Jetelikpse (ATK: 1200 DEF: 0). Pinkie Pie overlays Burning Skull Head and Worm Jetelikpse to xyz summon Temptempo the Percussion Dijinn (ATK: 1700 DEF: 1000).

Pinkie Pie activates Temptempo the Percussion Dijinn’s effect. By detaching one xyz material from it, she can detach an xyz material from an xyz monster that the opponent controls and increase the ATK of all Dijinn xyz monsters by 500 (ATK: 1700 -> 2200). Pinkie Pie then equips Temptempo the Percussion Dijinn with Horn of the Unicorn, increasing its ATK and DEF by 700 (ATK: 2200 -> 2900, DEF: 1000 -> 1700).

Pinkie Pie attacks Obsidian Imp with Temptempo the Percussion Dijinn.

Reese’s Life Points: 4000 -> 3900

Pinkie Pie sets one monster.

Pinkie Pie ends her turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-2600 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“You think that’s all its going to take to defeat my monster?” asked Reese. “Perhaps you need another lesson on my strength.”

***************************************************
Reese’s Turn: Reese activates Xyz Reborn, special summoning Obsidian Imp from his graveyard and attaching Xyz Reborn as xyz material to it. Reese summons Skull Conductor (ATK: 2000 DEF: 0). Reese then equips Obsidian Imp with Sword of Dark Rights, increasing its ATK by 400 (ATK: 2800 -> 3200).

Reese attacks Temptempo the Percussion Dijinn with Obsidian Imp, but Pinkie Pie activates Shift, switching the target to her face down monster, which is a Morphing Jar (ATK: 700 DEF: 600). When Morphing Jar is flip summoned, both players discard their hand and draw five cards. At the end of the battle phase, if Skull Conductor is face up, it is destroyed.

Reese places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-4 Life-3900 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2

***************************************************

Pinkie Pie’s Turn: Pinkie Pie activates Temptempo the Percussion Dijinn’s effect, detaching an xyz material to detach an xyz material from an opponent’s xyz monster and have all Dijinn xyz monsters gain 500 ATK (ATK: 2900 -> 3400).
Pinkie Pie attacks Obsidian Imp, but Reese activates Battle Break, destroying the attacking monster and ending the battle phase.

Pinkie Pie activates Worm Call’s effect, special summoning a Reptile-type Worm monster from her hand in face down defense position. Pinkie Pie then sets a monster.

Pinkie Pie places two cards face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-2600 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

“Now I’ve got you,” said Reese.

“Nope,” quipped Pinkie Pie. “Now, I got YOU.”

***************************************************
Reese’s Turn: Pinkie Pie activates W Nebula Meteorite, flipping all face down monsters into face up defense position, flipping up Worm Victory (ATK: 0 DEF: 2500) and Worm Apocalypse (ATK: 300 DEF: 200). When Worm Victory is flip summoned, all monsters except Reptile-type Worm monsters are destroyed. When Worm Apocalypse is flip summoned, Pinkie Pie can destroy one spell or trap on the field choosing Reese’s face down card. Worm Victory gains 500 ATK for each Worm monster in the graveyard (2 x 500 = 1000, ATK: 0 -> 1000).

Reese activates Reload, adding his hand to his deck, shuffling it, and drawing cards equal to the number of cards he added to his hand. Reese then activates Pot of Greed, drawing two cards. Reese activates Mystical Space Typhoon, destroying one spell or trap card on the field, choosing Pinkie Pie’s face down card. Next, he summons Pyramid Turtle (ATK: 1200 DEF: 1400).

Reese attacks Worm Apocalypse with Pyramid Turtle (ATK: 1000 -> 1500).

During the end phase of the turn when Pinkie Pie activated W Nebula Meteor, Pinkie Pie flips each LIGHT Reptile-type monster that she controls face down, draws a card for each monster flipped face down, and special summon a level 7 or higher LIGHT Reptile monster from her deck, choosing Worm King (ATK: 2700 DEF: 1100).

Reese places two cards face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-3900 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

What just happened? thought Reese. One moment I’m controlling the duel, and in the blink of an eye and she’s wiping my field away. No. I have to stay strong. If this setup of mine goes without a hitch, I can make a comeback.

“Ready for my double surprise?” asked Pinkie Pie.

Oh, what now?

***************************************************
Pinkie Pie’s Turn: Pinkie Pie summons Worm Tentacles (ATK: 1700 DEF: 700). Pinkie Pie flip summons Worm Victory, destroying all monsters except Worm monsters. Pinkie Pie then activates Worm King’s effect. By tributing a Reptile-type Worm monster, choosing Worm Victory, Pinkie Pie can destroy one card that Reese controls, choosing one of his face down cards. Pinkie Pie also activates Worm Tentacles’ effect, banishing a Worm monster from her graveyard to have Worm Tentacles attack twice.

Pinkie Pie attacks Reese directly with Worm Tentacles.

Reese’s Life Points: 3900 -> 2200

Pinkie Pie attacks Reese directly again with Worm Tentacles.

Reese’s Life Points: 2200 -> 500

Pinkie Pie attacks Reese directly with Worm King, but Reese activates Card Defense, discarding one card in his hand to negate the attack, and then he draws one card.

Pinkie Pie ends her turn.

Status: Hand-3 Life-2600 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

Pinkie laughed even harder at the prospect that she was not only winning, but she was beating one of the top duelists in the city.

Now, thought Reese, I just need the right card to take out her king, and then it will be checkmate, figuratively and literally.

***************************************************
Reese’s Turn: Reese activates his Monster Reborn, special summoning Obsidian Imp from his graveyard. Reese attacks Worm King with Obsidian Imp.

Pinkie Pie’s Life Points: 2600 -> 2500

Reese places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-500 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“Come at me Pinkie,” whispered Reese.

***************************************************
Pinkie Pie’s Turn: Pinkie Pie activates Double Spell, discarding a spell card in her hand to activate a spell card from her opponent’s graveyard, choosing Reload. Pinkie adds her hand to her deck, shuffles it, and draws cards equal to the amount added to her deck. Pinkie Pie then activates Riryoku, halving the ATK of one monster on the field and increasing another monster’s ATK by the amount halved, halving Obsidian Imp’s ATK to increase Worm Tentacles’ ATK (ATK: 2800 -> 1400) (ATK: 1700 -> 3100).

Pinkie Pie attacks Obsidian Imp with Worm Tentacles, but Reese activates Bye Bye Damage, preventing Obsidian Imp from destruction and inflicting twice the battle damage that he will receive onto his opponent.

Reese’s Life Points: 500 -> 0

Pinkie Pie’s Life Points: 2500 -> 0

The duel ends in a draw.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

People were shocked by what happened. Reese Miller just drew to a pink pony with a frizzled pink mane. Reese was initially upset by the “loss,” but then she saw Pinkie laughing as usual. Having gotten used to it at this point he finally started to grasp the message in Pinkie’s song. He also laid on his back and began laughing. For once in his life, he felt joy in the duel itself and not just the outcome. Despite the tension that he had, it was all released upon Pinkie’s characteristic laugh.

“You’re right Pinkie,” he admitted. “That was fun.”

“Such big talk for a loser such as yourself,” called a voice from the north.

Everyone, including and especially Reese, turned around to see the source of the insult. Standing there was a slender young man in his late teens early twenties. He wore an open blue trench coat with a black collared shirt, black pants, and black boots. His hair was in a red faux-hawk. Reese could tell by his familiarly sinister smile who this was, causing him to bare his teeth.

“Kyle.”

“Reese.”

Chapter 19: Beatdown

“They’ve got thirty seconds!” called the announcer. The announcer didn’t need to worry, seeing as Alex and Rainbow Dash would easily make it in time. The two ran on the stage on time.

“Well,” the announcer continued, “the two duelists looked to have made it. Now we can begin this. Alex, Rainbow Dash, take it away!”

Alex couldn’t help but feel shaken up about Claude’s failure to stop Kyle, but he knew that to continue one would not only be what Claude wanted, but it was in his and everyone’s best intentions to continue. Alex and the others could have easily forfeited the tournament, but such an act of cowardice would only fuel Kyle’s rage and have him attack each of the stone bearers (and perhaps the ponies or even his family) individually. There was no hiding; a duel with Kyle was all but inevitable.

“Alex,” said Rainbow Dash, “one of us is probably going to meet Kyle up at the top. Who do you think it’s going to be?”

“If you really want to know, I believe it shall be me.”

“What makes you say that?”

“Kyle and I have dueled before. I know his deck. I feel like the experience that I’ve had dueling him more than qualifies me to face him again.”

“Baloney! I watched Kyle’s duel with Claude. I know his deck too.”

“Not like I do Rainbow."

“What?”

“There are things in this world, Rainbow, that cannot be learned through observations. Dueling is one of those things. It’s one thing to watch as your friend gets attacked by a monster, but it’s an entirely different feeling to be attacked by the same monster. You experience different things that you wouldn’t feel otherwise: fear, anxiety, and in some cases, like when I lost to Kyle the first time, hopelessness.”

“Woah…” said Rainbow, taken aback by Alex’s explanation. She shook her head as if trying to keep from being swayed by Alex’s words. “Listen you, I’m just as capable of defeating Kyle as you are. If not…” she smiled at the following word, “…more.”

“Challenge accepted,” Alex simply responded. Alex constructed his D-Pad onto his arm, leading Rainbow Dash to do the same. Both of their duel disks unsheathed.

“Duel detected,” said a voice over the intercom. “Initializing holographic imaging sequence.” A transparent aura enveloped the entire area. Alex and Rainbow Dash drew five cards from their decks.

“DUEL!” they both yelled.

Alex vs. Rainbow Dash

Alex’s Turn: Alex normal summons Hieratic Dragon of Eset with no tributes (ATK: 1900 DEF: 1200). Because Alex normal summoned Hieratic Dragon of Eset with no tributes, its original ATK become 1000 (ATK: 1900 -> 1000). Alex then tributes Hieratic Dragon of Eset to special summon Hieratic Dragon of Su (ATK: 2200 DEF: 1000). When Hieratic Dragon of Eset is tributed, Alex can special summon a Dragon-type normal monster from his deck and make its ATK and DEF 0, choosing Hieratic Seal of the Sun Dragon Overlord (ATK: 0 DEF: 0). Next, Alex activates Monster Reborn, special summoning Hieratic Dragon of Eset from his graveyard.

Alex activates Hieratic Dragon of Eset’s effect. Once per turn, Alex can make the levels of all Hieratic monsters currently on the field the same level as a Dragon-type normal monster on the field, choosing Hieratic Seal of the Sun Dragon Overlord (Lvl.: 5 -> 8) (Lvl.: 6 -> 8). Alex overlays Hieratic Dragon of Eset and Hieratic Seal of the Sun Dragon Overlord to xyz summon Hieratic Sun Dragon Overlord of Heliopolis (ATK: 3000 DEF: 2400).

During the end phase, the levels of all monsters on the field return to normal (Lvl.: 8 -> 6).

Alex places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-4000 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

"Wowzers!" cried the announcer. "Alexander Yuwell has just summoned an impressive array of monsters for Rainbow Dash to try and combat. Will she be able to hold her own against this threat? Let's see..."

***************************************************
Rainbow Dash’s Turn: Rainbow Dash summons T.G. Rush Rhino (ATK: 1600 DEF: 800). When she controls a T.G. monster, Rainbow Dash can special summon T.G. Gear Zombie from her hand (ATK: 600 DEF: 0). Rainbow Dash tunes T.G. Rush Rhino with T.G. Gear Zombie to synchro summon T.G. Power Gladiator (ATK: 2300 DEF: 1000).

Rainbow Dash attacks Hieratic Dragon of Su with T.G. Power Gladiator.

Alex’s Life Points: 4000 -> 3900

Rainbow Dash places two cards face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-4000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

Alex, from his angle, could perfectly see Kyle walk from the west to one of the eight seats for the finalists. Kyle gave Alex and Rainbow Dash his trademark smirk, and revealed Ruby Phoenix for him to see, giggling as he did so.

“Who knew such a brute like Claude could be so generous?” said Kyle.

Alex and Rainbow Dash were seething with rage.

“YOU BASTARD!” yelled Alex, shocking some of the crowd.

***************************************************
Alex’s Turn: Alex activates Hieratic Sun Dragon Overlord of Heliopolis’ effect. By detaching one xyz material from it, Alex can tribute monster cards from his hand and destroy that many cards on the field. Alex tributes a monster in his hand to destroy one of Rainbow Dash’s face down cards. Alex then special summons Hieratic Dragon of Asar by removing a LIGHT attribute Dragon-type monster and a Dragon-type normal monster in his graveyard from play (ATK: 2600 DEF: 700).

Next, Alex activates his trap Immortal Dragon, special summoning Dragunity Arma Mystletainn from his graveyard (ATK: 2100 DEF: 1500). Alex then activates Star Changer, reducing the level of Hieratic Dragon of Asar by one (Lvl.: 7 -> 6). Alex overlays Hieratic Dragon of Asar and Dragunity Arma Mystletainn to xyz summon Jade Wyvern (ATK: 2500 DEF: 2100).

Alex attacks T.G. Power Gladiator with Hieratic Sun Dragon Overlord of Heliopolis, but Rainbow Dash activates Defense Draw, reducing the battle damage to 0 and drawing one card. Also, when T.G. Power Gladiator is destroyed, Rainbow Dash draws one card.

Alex attacks Rainbow Dash directly with Jade Wyvern.

Rainbow Dash's Life Points: 4000 -> 1500

Alex ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-3900 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

Rainbow Dash was still seething when she heard her friends call arrive.

“Rainbow!” called Applejack.

“Guys!” she responded. “How’s Claude?”

“Alive, but we had to get him an ambulance.”

Kyle couldn’t help but giggle at Applejack’s final word. This only brought Rainbow’s rage to boiling point.

***************************************************
Rainbow Dash’s Turn: Rainbow Dash special summons T.G. Striker, as her opponent controls a monster while she has none (ATK: 800 DEF: 0). Next, Rainbow Dash special summons T.G. Warwolf, as she special summoned a level 4 or lower monster (ATK: 1200 DEF: 0). Rainbow Dash then activates her own Monster Reborn, special summoning T.G. Power Gladiator from her graveyard. Rainbow Dash tunes T.G. Warwolf with T.G. Striker to synchro summon T.G. Wonder Magician (ATK: 1900 DEF: 0).

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

Rainbow Dash flew up towards the sky and nosedived again, her monsters close behind.

“I tune my level 5 Tech Genus Power Gladiator with my level 5 Tech Genus T.G. Wonder Magician.”

Her trailing cone appeared before her.

“Accel synchro!”

She burst through the cone, doing a Buccaneer Blaze, resulting in her ace monster appearing close behind. The crowd on the hill cheered at this, along with the ponies in Equestria.

“Go! Tech Genus Blade Blaster!”

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

Rainbow Dash tunes T.G. Power Gladiator with T.G. Wonder Magician to accel synchro summon T.G. Blade Blaster (ATK: 3300 DEF: 2200). Rainbow Dash attacks Jade Wyvern with T.G. Blade Blaster, but Alex activates its effect. By detaching an xyz material from it, Alex can prevent the destruction of one of his monsters by battle, choosing Jade Wyvern. Battle damage is applied normally.

Alex’s Life Points: 3900 -> 3100

Rainbow Dash sets one monster.

Rainbow Dash places one card face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-1500 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“You see this, Kyle?!?” she screamed at him. “With this card, I will destroy you.”

“We’ll see,” said Kyle to himself.

***************************************************
Alex’s Turn: Alex attacks Rainbow Dash’s face down monster with Hieratic Sun Dragon Overlord of Heliopolis, which turns out to be a T.G. Drill Fish (ATK: 100 DEF: 800). Rainbow Dash activates Card of Last Will, drawing five cards when a monster she controls is destroyed by battle.

Alex places one card face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-3100 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

Kyle’s smile was replaced with one of genuine interest.

Is this pegasus really about to corner my biggest threat right now? Not that it matters. As long as she doesn’t control a Stone of Equus, she’s nothing more than an ant under my boot.

***************************************************
Rainbow Dash’s Turn: Rainbow Dash summons T.G. Catapult Dragon (ATK: 900 DEF: 1300). Rainbow Dash activates T.G. Catapult Dragon’s effect, special summoning a level 3 or lower T.G. tuner monster from her hand, choosing T.G. Jet Falcon (ATK: 1400 DEF: 1200). Rainbow Dash special summons another T.G. Warwolf from her hand with its effect. Rainbow Dash tunes T.G. Catapult Dragon and T.G. Jet Falcon to synchro summon T.G. Hyper Librarian. When T.G. Jet Falcon is sent to the graveyard for a synchro summon, she can inflict 500 points of damage to Alex.

Alex's Life Points: 3100 -> 2600

Rainbow Dash then equips T.G. Blade Blaster with 7 Completed, increasing its ATK by 700 (ATK: 3300 -> 4000).

Rainbow Dash attacks Jade Wyvern with T.G. Blade Blaster, but Alex activates Jade Wyvern’s effect, detaching an xyz material from it to prevent a monster’s destruction by battle, choosing Jade Wyvern. Battle damage is still applied.

Alex’s Life Points: 2600 -> 1100

Rainbow Dash ends her turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-4000 Monsters-3 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

Alex only looked to Kyle, who smiled at him mockingly, as if to make fun of the fact that he was being devastated by a pegasus who suddenly began to dominate him.

I’ll show him, thought Alex.

***************************************************
Alex’s Turn: Alex activates Pot of Greed, drawing two cards. Alex summons Dragunity Tribus (ATK: 500 DEF: 300). Alex then activates Hieratic Sun Dragon Overlord of Heliopolis’ effect, detaching an xyz material from it to tribute monsters on his field and then destroy and equal amount of cards on the field, tributing Dragunity Tribus to destroy T.G. Blade Blaster, but Rainbow Dash activates T.G. Blade Blaster's effect, banishing a T.G. monster in her graveyard to banish T.G. Blade Blaster until the end phase.

Alex attacks T.G. Hyper Librarian with Hieratic Sun Dragon Overlord of Heliopolis.

Rainbow Dash's Life Points: 1500 -> 900

Alex attacks T.G. Warwolf with Jade Wyvern.

Alex places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-1600 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

“Could there really be some fight left in him after all?" questioned Kite. "Good. I know Rae loves a good show."

***************************************************
Rainbow Dash’s Turn: During Rainbow Dash's standby phase, T.G. Blade Blaster is special summoned from the banished zone.

Rainbow Dash attacks Jade Wyvern with T.G. Blade Blaster, but Alex activates Shift, switching the target to Hieratic Sun Dragon Overlord of Heliopolis.

Alex’s Life Points: 1100 -> 800

Alex then activates Trap Reborn, halving his life points to activate a trap card from his opponent’s graveyard, choosing Rainbow Dash’s Card of Last Will, drawing five cards when a monster he controls is destroyed by battle.

Alex’s Life Points: 800 -> 400

Rainbow Dash sets one monster.

Rainbow Dash places one card face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-4000 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

"Oh my goodness," called the announcer. "Alex and Rainbow Dash are just hanging on by their fingernails, or hooves. Alex's only monster is 800 ATK lower than Rainbow Dash's. Is this it for Alex, or is there something to Alex's strategy that can save himself yet? Let's see."

All eyes were on Alex now. Could he issue a comeback?

***************************************************
Alex’s Turn: Alex activates Lightning Vortex, discarding one card to destroy all face up monsters Rainbow Dash controls. Before it’s destroyed, Rainbow Dash activates T.G. Blade Blaster’s effect. By banishing a T.G. monster in her graveyard, she can remove T.G. Blade Blaster from play. Alex then summons Hieratic Dragon of Gebeb (ATK: 1800 DEF: 400).

Alex activates Mystical Space Typhoon, destroying one spell or trap card on the field, choosing Rainbow Dash’s face down card.

Alex attacks Rainbow Dash’s face down monster with Hieratic Dragon of Gebeb, which was a T.G. Metal Skeleton (ATK: 1100 DEF: 0). Alex attacks Rainbow Dash directly with Jade Wyvern.

Rainbow Dash’s Life Points: 900 -> 0

Alex wins.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

“And we have a winner!” cheered the announcer. “Alex Yuwell shall advance to the semi-finals. Who will be his next opponent? Let’s see…”

Alex couldn’t help but pant in shock and awe. He was one step closer to not only becoming the best duelist in town, but he'd be another step closer to having his rematch with Kyle. Kyle was also impressed, his sneers at Alex replaced by a blank, unfeeling face. The crowd on the hill was very excited with the win, but the same couldn’t be said in Equestria.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Ponies were torn with whether they wanted to either boo Alex for defeating the legendary Rainbow Dash, or cheer the Stone of Equus bearer into the semi-finals. Princess Celestia was much warmer about the issue.

“You’ve dueled well, my little pony, but his journey cannot cease here. The fate of the world depends on it.”
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Alex walked over to Rainbow Dash, who pounded her hooves on the stage in contempt of her defeat. Before Alex could do anything about it, the announcer called the next two names.

“The next duelists are… Thomas Emmitt and Applejack!”

Both duelists began to take the stage from the west entrance, but they both stopped by Rainbow Dash and gave her a hug.

“Rainbow,” said Applejack, “that was some fine dueling y’all did up there.”

“Yeah,” said Tom. “I never thought you would give Alex a run for his money like that.”

“You…” sniffled Rainbow Dash, “…you really mean that?”

“Every word,” responded Applejack. Tom and Applejack hugged Rainbow Dash once more, Alex joining in this time.

“Thanks,” said Rainbow Dash. “And guys?”

“Yes, sugar?”

“Go and kick some ass.”

“Done and done.”

Applejack and Tom walked to their places on the platform stage while Alex and Rainbow Dash sat back to watch the rest of the duels.

Chapter 21: Rematch

“…Kyle Penn and Reese Miller!”

Reese gasped at the news, but his surprise turned into a pleasant smile. He’d finally get to face his arch-nemesis and avenge what he did to him and his sister. He eagerly walked up the stage, but was stopped by Alex.

“Reese,” he shouted.

“You need to make this quick,” Reese responded. “The sixty second rule still applies here.”

“I know that, but you need to be careful. I know that you have a Stone of Equus monster with you now, and I don’t know how powerful he was when you last saw him, but you need to be careful around Kyle. Something tells me he’s not nearly the same duelist that you knew from years ago.”

“I second that,” said Reese. He made his way to the stage at last.

“Good luck,” whispered Alex.

“And both competitors are on the stage!” cried the announcer. “How will this duel pan out? Let’s see…”

Kyle was already awaiting Reese when the latter stepped onto the stage.

“Long time no see Reese,” greeted Kyle coldly. “It’s been, what? Five years now?”

“Too long in my opinion,” seethed Reese.

“Likewise.”

“You may have beaten me those long years ago and then ran away with your tail between your legs, but I’m not the same duelist that you last knew.”

“You’re right. Now you’re getting defeated by fluffy pink ponies.”

“SHUT UP!” barked Reese. “You know damned well what I could do to you now!”

“Once again Reese, you hit the nail on the head. Which is why I have a Stone of Equus monster: to defeat yours and take it from you, like I did Claude’s.”

“Bastard…” Reese growled.

“Calm down, Reese. I remember our days at the academy well, and it seems your dueling faltered the most when you lost your temper.”

“Stop! I’ve heard enough of your nonsense. If you still think you have what it takes to defeat me, then do it with your dueling, not your mouth.”

“Fine then.”

Reese already had constructed his D-Pad prior to coming onstage, so all he had to do was unsheathe his D-Pad. Kyle’s forearm lit on fire, the blaze turning into his duel disk shortly after. Emma was with her other friends, praying silently for Reese’s safety. Both duelists drew five cards from their decks.

“DUEL!” they yelled.

Reese vs. Kyle

Reese’s Turn: Reese activates the field spell Zombie World, making all monsters on the field and in the graveyard Zombie-type monsters. He then activates Field Barrier, preventing Zombie World from being removed or destroyed. Reese sets one monster.

Reese places two cards face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-4000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

“Zombie World,” commented Kyle. “This is a new one, I’ll admit.”

“Just a little help from my friends,” said Reese, looking at John in the crowd.

“Not even your friends will be able to protect you from me.”

***************************************************
Kyle’s Turn: Kyle normal summons Laval Lancelord without tributes (ATK: 2200 DEF: 200).

Kyle attacks Reese’s face down monster, which is a Morphing Jar (ATK: 700 DEF: 600). When Morphing Jar is flipped face up, all players discard their hands and draw five cards from their decks.

Kyle activates Rekindling, special summoning as many FIRE attribute monsters with 200 DEF from his graveyard as possible, choosing Flamvell Grunika (ATK: 1700 DEF: 200), Flamvell Baby (ATK: 800 DEF: 200), and Laval Lakeside Lady (ATK: 200 DEF: 200). Kyle tunes Laval Lancelord with Flamvell Baby to synchro summon Laval Stennon (ATK: 2700 DEF: 1800). When Laval Stennon is synchro summoned, Kyle must discard one card. Kyle tunes Flamvell Grunika with Laval Lakeside Lady to synchro summon another Laval Stennon. Kyle discards another card.

Kyle overlays both Laval Stennons to xyz summon Olivine Dragon (ATK: 3000 DEF: 2500). Kyle activates the effect of Laval Lakeside Lady from his graveyard. When he has three Laval monsters with different names in his graveyard, he can banish Laval Lakeside Lady and another Laval monster in his graveyard (Laval Blaster) to destroy one set card that his opponent controls, choosing one of Reese’s face down cards.

Kyle places two cards face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-4000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

Kyle, thought Reese, I’ll never forgive you for what you’ve done to me. Now that you’re here though, I can finally have my revenge.

***************************************************
Reese’s Turn: Reese activates his face down Graceful Revival, special summoning Morphing Jar from his graveyard. Reese then normal summons Bone Crusher (ATK: 1600 DEF: 200). Reese special summons Kasha from his hand, as he controls at least two Zombie-type monsters (ATK: ? DEF: 1000). When Kasha is special summoned, all other monsters on the field are shuffled into their owner’s decks. Kasha gains 1000 ATK for each Zombie-type monster shuffled into the deck this way (3 x 1000 = 3000, ATK: ? -> 3000). Reese then equips Kasha with Axe of Despair, increasing its ATK by 1000 (ATK: 3000 -> 4000).

Reese attacks Kyle directly with Kasha, but Kyle activates Soul Resurrection, special summoning a normal monster from his graveyard in defense position, choosing Flamvell Guard (ATK: 100 DEF: 2000). Next, Kyle activates Card of Last Will, drawing five cards when a monster he controls is destroyed by battle.

Reese places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-4000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“If you think you’re going to counter my monster that easily,” mocked Kyle, “then you’re no different than that crying little boy that I beat all those years ago.”

***************************************************
Kyle’s Turn: Kyle activates Monster Reborn, special summoning Laval Stennon from his graveyard. Kyle then activates Xyz Plant, special summoning it as a monster with the same level as a monster he controls (7). Kyle overlays Laval Stennon and Xyz Plant to xyz summon Olivine Dragon. Next, Kyle activates Tailor of the Fickle, equipping Axe of Despair from Kasha onto Olivine Dragon (ATK: 4000 -> 3000) (ATK: 3000 -> 4000).

Kyle attacks Kasha with Olivine Dragon.

Reese’s Life Points: 4000 -> 3000

Reese activates his face down A Deal with Dark Ruler, special summoning Berserk Dragon from his deck when a level 8 or lower monster he controls is sent from the to the graveyard (ATK: 3500 DEF: 0).

Kyle sets one monster.

Kyle places two cards face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-4000 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

Just like it had with his first duel with Alex, Reese felt real damage from the attack, and was slightly bruised and cut as a result.

“I didn’t want to rely on it,” said Reese, getting up from the attack, “but I guess it can’t be helped.”

***************************************************
Reese’s Turn: Reese activates Graceful Charity, drawing three cards and discarding two. Reese activates the effect of Mezuki from his graveyard. By banishing it, Reese can special summon a Zombie-type monster from his graveyard, choosing Bone Crusher. When Bone Crusher is special summoned by the effect of a Zombie-type monster, Reese can destroy one spell or trap card on the field, choosing one of Kyle’s face down cards. Reese then normal summons Plaguespreader Zombie (ATK: 400 DEF: 200). Reese tunes Bone Crusher with Plaguespreader Zombie to synchro summon Doomkaiser Dragon (ATK: 2400 DEF: 1500).

When Doomkaiser Dragon is special summoned, Reese can special summon a Zombie-type monster from his opponent’s graveyard, choosing Kyle's other Laval Stennon. Reese activates Star Changer, increasing the level of Laval Stennon by one (Lvl.: 7 -> 8). Reese overlays Laval Stennon and Berserk Dragon to xyz summon Obsidian Imp (ATK: 2800 DEF: 2500). Reese equips Obsidian Imp with Xyz Unit, increasing its ATK by 200 times the monster’s rank (8 x 200 = 1600, ATK: 2800 -> 4400).

Reese attacks Olivine Dragon with Obsidian Imp.

Kyle’s Life Points: 4000 -> 3600

Reese then attacks Kyle’s face down card with Doomkaiser Dragon, which was Kyle’s own Morphing Jar, having Kyle and Reese discard their hand and draw five cards when it’s flip summoned.

Kyle activates Miracle’s Wake, special summoning Olivine Dragon from his graveyard, as it was destroyed this turn.

Reese places two cards face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-3 Life-3000 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

Kyle felt slightly battered from Reese’s attack, but with such minimal damage, it was easy to shrug off. That’s when Kyle looked at his newly replenished hand.

“This is going to be fun,” chortled Kyle.

***************************************************
Kyle’s Turn: Kyle summons Laval Cannon (ATK: 1600 DEF: 900). When Laval Cannon is normal summoned, Reese can special summon a Laval monster from his banished zone, choosing Laval Blaster (ATK: 1200 DEF: 800). Kyle activates Double Summon, summoning Flamvell Firedog (ATK: 1900 DEF: 200). Kyle overlays Laval Cannon, Laval Blaster, and Flamvell Firedog to xyz summon Ruby Phoenix (ATK: 2600 DEF: 1800). Kyle activates Xyz Gift. When Kyle controls two or more xyz monsters, Kyle can detach two xyz materials from an xyz monster (Ruby Phoenix) he controls to draw two cards.

Kyle attacks Doomkaiser Dragon with Olivine Dragon, but Reese activates Defense Draw, negating the battle damage and drawing one card.

Kyle activates Plate Salvage, negating the effects of field spell cards for the next two turns.

Kyle places two cards face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-3600 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-3
***************************************************

“Bastard,” growled Reese, “how dare you use Claude’s card against me.”

“Claude’s card?” asked Kyle. “If I’m not mistaken, I won this card fair and square.”

“SHUT UP! Let’s see how you like having your monster taken away from you!”

That’s it, thought Kyle. Mosey right into my trap, you little novice.

***************************************************
Reese’s Turn: Reese summons Goblin Zombie (ATK: 1100 DEF: 1050). Next, Reese equips Obsidian Imp with Xyz Jeweled Crown, making its rank its level (Rnk.: 8 -> Lvl.: 8). Reese then activates Double Attack, discarding one monster card to allow a monster he controls with a lower level than the discarded monster to attack twice this turn, discarding Supersonic Skull Flame.

Reese attacks Ruby Phoenix with Obsidian Imp, but Kyle activates Ruby Phoenix’s effect. By detaching one xyz material from it when it would be destroyed by battle or a card effect, its destruction is negated. Battle damage is still applied.

Kyle’s Life Points: 3600 -> 1800

When Ruby Phoenix has no xyz materials attached to it, it is destroyed. Reese attacks Olivine Dragon with Obsidian Imp.

Kyle’s Life Points: 1800 -> 400

Reese then attacks Kyle directly with Goblin Zombie, but Kyle activates Firewall, negating a direct attack by banishing a Pyro-type monster in his graveyard (Laval Stennon).

Reese activates his face down Disappear, banishing Ruby Phoenix in Kyle’s graveyard. Next, he activates Monster Reborn, special summoning Olivine Dragon from Kyle’s graveyard.

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

Green electrical sparks began erupting from the Olvine Dragon card that now appeared on Reese’s duel disk.

“What?” he wondered.

The sparks then enveloped Reese’s entire body in bolts, sending painful shocks all over him. Both the crowds observing from Rotary Hill and Equestria were horrified.

“What…” moaned Reese, being brought to his knees by the pain, “what is going on?”

“My Number of Equus card is meant to be with me and me alone,” answered Kyle. He looked beaten from Reese’s assault, but he sounded perfectly fine. “This is one of the powers given to me by Rae Sulfa Tun .” (Pronounced: Reh Soul-fah Toon)

“Rae Sulfa Tun?” questioned Alex. “I see, so that must be his ‘employer.’”

“Nothing less from Alex Yuwell,” said Kyle, impressed by his intuition. “Once she obtains your Stone of Equus cards, our mission will finally be complete.”

People clamored about this “mission” unsure what he meant. Reese just bared his teeth at Kyle.

“Don’t count on it, Kyle!” Reese yelled back, his voice lacking in control from the agony he was enduring. “I hold all the cards here, including yours. You can’t win this duel.”

“I disagree.”

“Huh?”

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

Kyle activates Heraldry Catastrophe, targeting a monster that his opponent controls that he owns. All monsters that his opponent controls with ATK equal to or lower than that monster are destroyed and damage is inflicted equal to the combined ATK of the monsters, destroying Olivine Dragon and Goblin Zombie.

Reese’s Life Points: 3000 -> 0

Kyle wins.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

The blow from the damage was catastrophic. Despite being freed from the curse that Olivine Dragon afflicted onto Reese, he would face 3000 points of damage. Heraldry Catastrophe’s damage came in the form of a large explosion, which knocked Reese to the ground. Reese only had to feel a fraction of a second of pain from the resulting shockwave. With Reese still on his knees from Olivine Dragon’s curse, the shockwave forced Reese’s upper body straight down, causing the back of his head to smash itself onto the stage floor, rendering him unconscious instantly.

Reese’s body flailed like a ragdoll as it was swept off the stage from the remaining explosion. The audience screamed as a result, having quite possibly witnessed a death.

“REESE!” cried Emma from the back, running full sprint to check on the status of her brother. Alex and the others ran to his side as well.

“And the winner is Kyle Penn,” quickly said the announcer, fearing the situation at hand. “Oh, God, someone call an ambulance!”

There was a large crack in the stage where Kyle hit his head. Kyle merely walked away and disappeared shortly after, both his own Olivine Dragon and Reese’s Obsidian Imp in hand.

Emma and the others tried to resuscitate Reese, but it was obvious that he was unconscious and possibly losing life, his blood trickling down the back of his head.

Paramedics came quickly, the local hospital only being a few blocks away. They carried Reese on a stretcher where they moved him up to the top Rotary Hill's parking lot where the ambulance was parked.

Emma was sobbing all the while as she watched the ambulance carry off her brother into an uncertain fate. Pinkie Pie tapped Emma’s lower back, leaving her to turn around and see Pinkie Pie with tears in her own eyes. They two then hugged each other as they cried over Reese.

“Kyle,” growled Alex, seething furiously. “You will pay for all that you’ve done to Reese. I swear it.”

Chapter 37: Help

Shining Armor and Cadance, having been released from the hospital, were being escorted to their home in Canterlot by a royal chariot. Cadance, still tired and a little stiff, rested on Shining Armor’s shoulder. Shining Armor smiled, feeling good to have his love by his side. Something was still nipping at him though.

It’s nice that Twilight and her friends showed up, he thought. I sure hope they’ll be okay without my protection. Well, considering how hard Grant beat us, I can hardly say that it matters. Right now, all I need is some sleep on anything other than a hospital bed.

Shining Armor and Cadance’s carriage continued along the way until they got to their home. Upon stopping, Shining Armor weakly got out and carried his now sleeping wife inside the house. The familiar scent of home was proving to be intoxicating as he brought Cadance into their bedroom, already feeling like he would faint at any moment. Once she laid her down on the soft mattress and pulled the covers over her body, he went to his side and laid down, falling asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.

Later that night, Shining Armor and Cadance continued to sleep very soundly. Shining Armor suddenly began to tremor slightly, and his slight smile turned to one of fear and pain. He tossed and he turned, but it was no use for him.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
................................................................................................................................................................
_________________________________________________________________________________________

“Go, Onyx Cerberus!” yelled Grant. “Attack Heraldry God – Coat of Arms! Tri-Head Howling!”

The dark blue beams from Grant’s mosnter’s attack enveloped Shining Armor’s monster before encasing him in its rough, hot blast.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
................................................................................................................................................................
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Shining Armor gasped and shot up panting, the sudden motions making his stiff muscles ache even more, much to his discomfort. The waking from Shining Armor’s nightmare caused him to wake his wife. Upon seeing her eyes reluctantly flutter open, Shining Armor hung his head, ashamed for waking her.

“Honey?” asked Cadance, scooting closer as much as her sore muscles would allow. “What’s wrong?”

“I had a nightmare, that’s all.”

“What happened?”

“I… I was back at the Emmitt’s. I was dueling Grant again. And I lost to him.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry. Do you need me to get you some water?”

“No, I’m fine… What happened afterwards?”

“Pardon?”

“I don’t remember anything after his first attack. How did he attack? Did he attack you next?”

“You know, now that you mention it, he planned on finishing you off with his next strongest monster. Then he was going to finish me off with his two weakest monsters. However, I took the next attack instead. What happened afterwards is a blur to me as well.”

“What do you suppose it means?”

“With the way he apologized before his final turn, the way he wanted to make me take the smallest of the hits; call me crazy, but I don’t think Grant really is a bad person.”

“What? He’s working for Rae. How can he be anything but bad?”

“Maybe he was coerced. You heard Alex’s story, right? How else could someone supposedly as nice as him become like that?”

“I have no idea. All I know is that as of right now, Grant is a threat, and he could come at anytime and…”

Upon remembering his sister, her friends, and their possible endangerment, he fell into his pillow, mulling over a multitude of negative circumstances.

“Shining Armor,” said Cadance, trying her best to soothe him.

“Forget it,” he stated. “We have to do something.”

“What can we do? We’ve already proven that even both of us can’t take on one of him.”

“That’s why we need to get better. And I know just who to go to.”
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Wednesday, May 30th, 2012

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Reese was pulling a Lean Cuisine pizza from the microwave of his kitchen for lunch. He placed the pizza from the box it cooked upon on a plate and threw the box in the garbage. Emma was in the living room of their house, laying on the couch reading Jules Verne. As Reese was cutting his pizza, he heard a knock on the door. Expecting it to be one of his fellow Stone of Equus bearers, he went straight for the door. Upon opening it, he was surprised to see Shining Armor and Cadance standing there.

“Shining Armor,” spoke Reese in surprise. “Cadance. What are you doing here?”

“We need your help,” answered Cadance. “May we come in?”

“By all means.”

Upon hearing the two ponies coming into the house, Emma quickly saved her spot in the book to welcome them inside.

“Hey there,” she said. “Would you like something to eat or drink?”

“Just some water would be fine,” answered Shining Armor.

Emma went to the cupboard to get two large glasses as Reese sat them on the couch that Emma was reading on.

“So,” said Reese, sitting in a chair front of them, “what brings you here?”

“We need someone to help us with our dueling,” answered Cadance.

“Really? That’s it? If you really wanted to talk to someone, Alex would have–”

“We tried him,” interrupted Shining Armor, “but he was apparently working with Zelda on something.”

“I see. I find it flattering that you come to me next.”

“Here we go,” chimed Emma, holding two glasses of water. Shining Armor and Cadance graciously took the cups from her hand with their magic. Emma sat down on another chair next to Reese’s to join in.

“That’s the thing,” said Shining Armor. “From the stories I’ve heard from our friends, you are a very good tag-team duelist. How does someone like you do it?”

“You want to know?” asked Reese.

“Of course!”

“May I see one of your D-Pad tablets?”

Cadance handed over hers. Reese tapped on the screen until he brought up the duel history. Having found their duel with Grant among them, he took a look through it step by step.

“Alright,” said Reese upon finishing.

“And?” asked Cadance.

“You guys dueled as best as you possibly could. There’s really nothing much I can say.”

“But you said you knew!”

“Can I see that?” asked Emma, prompting Reese to hand Emma Cadance’s duel disk.

“To be honest,” continued Reese. “I expected to see some misplays in there, but as far as I can tell, you dueled pretty well. However, it’s just that your opponent had better cards than you did.”

“Come on!” demanded Shining Armor. “There must be something!”

“Let’s see,” said Emma. “Did any of you underestimate Grant in any way?”

“No!” responded Shining Armor. “If he was going to prove that he was a strong duelist by taking on both of us, I wanted to be as prepared as possible! That’s why I summoned Genom-Heritage right away.”

“That might have been your problem,” said Emma.

Shining Armor and Cadance leaned in, hopefully finally getting an answer.

“Genom-Heritage’s effect only works well when up against another xyz monster. Since there was none yet, Grant was easily able to destroy it before it could pose a threat. Not to mention, the reason you lost so bad was because Grant special summoned Genom-Heritage and used its effects against you. Your overzealousness was your downfall.”

Emma’s ability to find a flaw that he had overlooked impressed Reese to no end. He certainly looked proud to call her his sister.

“I see,” said Shining Armor.

“What about me?” asked Cadance.

“You,” answered Emma, “were just fine. You defended yourself and waited for the opponent to set himself up so you could know what you were up against. Once you saw the monster, you and Shining Armor worked wonderfully together to bring Grant all the way down to 100 life points. But like I said, his undoing was Genom-Heritage.”

Shining Armor and Cadance looked stunned. Not only were they better educated, but it was all because of the intelligence of Emma that did it for them.

“Thank you so much,” said Shining Armor. “However, I think there is one more thing you can do for us.”

“Oh? And what’s that?”

“Test us! In a duel, of course.”

Reese having had his eyes closed as he continued to think about Emma, opened them in surprise.

“Duel?” he asked.

“Of course! Not that I doubt your sister, but I want to make sure that I understand this better by learning firsthand.”

“You want us to tag?”

“If that’s okay with you.”

“Fine, I accept your challenge. There is a large park northeast of here. Let’s go.”
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Reese and Emma lived much further north than Alex and Tom, but they were close to Arrowhead Park, a large grassy area with a playground, tennis and basketball courts, a baseball diamond, and a large hill further north that provided an excellent sledding area in the winter.

Reese wanted to duel as close as he could to the playground, and for his own good reasons. Among the children who often played there, he was considered a hero and they loved to watch him duel. And with school out as it was, there would be dozens of children there. Sure enough, as soon as they saw Reese with Emma, Shining Armor, and Cadance walking towards them with constructed D-Pads on them, the group of kids stopped whatever activities they were doing to say hi to their idol.

Not one children’s voice could be heard or distinguished from another as they professed their excitement. Many of the children also went to take a look at the two magical ponies before them. A couple of them tried to climb onto them.

“Now, now,” spoke Reese, getting the instantaneous attention of the children, “these ponies are my friends, and they have come to duel me and Emma. Doesn’t that sound like fun?”

The children all cheered. Cadance was surprised. She never expected someone like Reese to be good with children like that.

“Now,” he continued, “once we’re done, then I’ll let you play with them. Is that okay, guys?”

The children continued to cheer. Shining Armor and Cadance felt a little strange being dragged into being a playmate for dozens of kids, but knowing how good they were with children themselves, they smiled contently.

“Now,” said Reese, “please give us some room!”

As if it was ritual, the kids formed a large rectangle around the four duelists, any parents or babysitters filling in any gaps.

“Alright,” said Emma, “let’s see how much you’ve learned.”

“Looking forward to it,” said Shining Armor.

The four duelists unsheathed their duel disks.

“Duel detected,” called an intercom voice, causing the area to be encased in a holographic aura from the street lights.
As the four of them drew five cards from their decks, the kids chanted, “Duel!” until they would hear it from the duelists’ mouths themselves.

“You really know how to turn a crowd,” said Cadance.

“What can I say?” stated Reese with a smug smile. “Who doesn’t love a good duel?”

Feeling that the tension was killing the kids, they began.

“DUEL!” they all cried.

Cadance and Shining Armor vs. Reese and Emma

Cadance’s Turn: Cadance activates Painful Choice, choosing five cards in her deck (Crystal Beast Ruby Carbuncle, Crystal Beast Cobalt Eagle, Crystal Beast Amber Mammoth, Crystal Beast Amethyst Cat, and Crystal Beast Emerald Tortoise). Her opponent picks one of them (Crystal Beast Amethyst Cat). Then, she sends the other four cards to the graveyard. Cadance summons Crystal Beast Topaz Tiger (ATK: 1600 DEF: 1000).

Cadance places two cards face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-3 Life-8000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

The children began to rile up once again with the start of Reese’s turn. He responded with a comfortable smile, knowing he wouldn’t let his audience down.

***************************************************
Reese’s Turn: Reese activates the effect of Skull Conductor from his hand, sending it to the graveyard to special summon two Zombie-type monsters whose combined ATK is 2000, special summoning Reborn Zombie (ATK: 1000 DEF: 1600) and Decayed Commander (ATK: 1000 DEF: 1500). Reese sets one monster.

Reese places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-8000 Monsters-3 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

Looks like he’s setting up for his sister, thought Shining Armor. I know this next move of mine will do us some good.

***************************************************
Shining Armor’s Turn: Shining Armor summons Heraldic Beast Basilisk (ATK: 1000 DEF: 1400).

Shining Armor places three cards face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-8000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-3
***************************************************

“Looks like you’re playing a bit more patiently,” responded Emma.

“I know!” said Shining Armor excitedly. “I think we might actually beat you guys!”

“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, shall we?”

***************************************************
Emma’s Turn: Emma summons Mermail – Abysspike (ATK: 1600 DEF: 800). When Mermail – Abysspike is normal summoned, Emma can discard one WATER monster to add a level 3 or lower WATER monster from her deck to her hand. Emma then activates Surface, special summoning a level 3 or lower Fish, Sea Serpent, or Aqua-type monster from her graveyard in face up defense position, choosing Gishki Vision (ATK: 700 DEF: 500). Emma overlays Mermail – Abysspike, Reborn Zombie, and Decayed Commander to xyz summon Sapphire Serpent (ATK: 2800 DEF: 2200).

Next, Emma activates Gishki Aquamirror, using Gishki Vision as the tribute in a ritual summon. With Gishki Vision’s effect, it can be used as the entire tribute for the ritual summoning of a WATER attribute monster. Emma tributes Gishki Vision to ritual summon Evigishki Soul Ogre (ATK: 2800 DEF: 2800). Emma activates Evigishki Soul Ogre’s effect. By discarding one Gishki monster (Gishki Diviner), she can shuffle an opponent’s monster from the field into the deck, choosing Shining Armor’s Heraldic Beast Basilisk.

Emma attacks Crystal Beast Topaz Tiger with Sapphire Serpent, but Shining Armor activates Depth Amulet, discarding one card to negate the attack. Emma then attacks Cadance and Shining Armor directly with Evigishki Soul Ogre, but Shining Armor activates Depth Amulet once again, discarding a card to negate the attack.

Emma places one card face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-8000 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“Alright,” said Emma, moderately impressed with Shining Armor’s protective abilities, “you have no more cards in your hand. What now?”

“Now I have enough monsters,” Cadance confidently quipped.

“Okay. Let’s see then.”

***************************************************
Cadance’s Turn: Cadance summons Crystal Beast Sapphire Pegasus (ATK: 1800 DEF: 1200). Cadance overlays Crystal Beast Topaz Tiger and Crystal Beast Sapphire Pegasus to xyz summon Number 39: Utopia (ATK: 2500 DEF: 2000). Cadance then activates her face down Blast with Chain, equipping it to Number 39: Utopia and having it gain 500 ATK (ATK: 2500 -> 3000).

Cadance attacks Evigishki Soul Ogre with Number 39: Utopia, but Reese activates Shift, switching the target to his face down monster, which is a Morphing Jar (ATK: 700 DEF: 600). When Morphing Jar is flip summoned, all players discard their hands and draw five cards from their decks.

Cadance ends her turn.

Status: Hand-5 Life-8000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

With Reese’s turn coming up, the kids were back into cheering for their #1 duelist.

These kids are going to get quite the show today, thought Reese.

Reese had never dueled for the kids since he obtained Obsidian Imp. He was brimming with excitement to reveal it to them for the first time.

***************************************************
Reese’s Turn: Reese activates Monster Reborn, special summoning Despair from the Dark from his graveyard (ATK: 2800 DEF: 3000). Reese overlays Evigishki Soul Ogre and Despair from the Dark to xyz summon Obsidian Imp (ATK: 2800 DEF: 2500). Reese equips Obsidian Imp with Sword of Dark Rites, increasing its ATK by 400 (ATK: 2800 -> 3200).

Reese attacks Number 39: Utopia with Obsidian Imp. Cadance attempts to activate Number 39: Utopia’s effect, detaching one xyz material to negate the attack, but Reese activates the effect of Obsidian Imp. By detaching one xyz material from it when a monster that it’s attacking activates its effect, Reese can detach one xyz material from it to negate its effect and reduce its ATK by 800 for the damage step (ATK: 3000 -> 2200). However, Shining Armor activates Depth Amulet again, discarding one card to negate the attack. At the end of the damage step, Number 39: Utopia’s ATK returns to normal (ATK: 2200 -> 3000).

Reese places two cards face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-8000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

The kids marveled at Reese’s new monster.

“Look at it!” called one kid.

“It’s so cool!”

“I want one!”

“So,” said Shining Armor to Reese, “these kids really look up to you.”

Reese nodded.

“It’s a shame I’m about to embarrass you in front of all of them right now.”

“What?”

***************************************************
Shining Armor’s Turn: Shining Armor summons Heraldic Beast Aberconway (ATK: 1800 DEF: 900). Next, Shining Armor activates Advanced Heraldry Art, allowing him to special summon two Heraldic Beast monsters from his graveyard and then xyz summon a monster using exactly those cards as xyz material, choosing Heraldic Beast Basilisk and Heraldic Beast Unicorn (ATK: 1100 DEF: 1600). Shining Armor overlays Heraldic Beast Basilisk and Heraldic Beast Unicorn to xyz summon Number 8: Heraldic Beast Genom-Heritage (ATK: 2400 DEF: 1800). Shining Armor then special summons Heraldic Beast Eale, as he controls at least two Heraldic monsters (ATK: 1000 DEF: 1600).

Shining Armor then activates Number 8: Heraldic King Genom-Heritage’s effect, targeting one xyz monster the opponent controls and gaining the target’s ATK, name, and effects until the end phase, choosing Obsidian Imp (ATK: 2400 -> 3200). Also, the target’s effects are negated and its ATK becomes 0 until the end phase (ATK: 3200 -> 0). Next, Shining Armor activates his face down Heraldry Protection, having one monster on the field lose 800 ATK, but preventing its destruction in battle, choosing Obsidian Imp.

Shining Armor attacks Obsidian Imp with Heraldic Beast Aberconway. Reese attempts to activates Negate Attack, but Cadance activates her face down Trap Jammer, negating and destroying Negate Attack. The attack goes through. Obsidian Imp isn’t destroyed in battle. Damage is applied normally.

Reese and Emma’s Life Points: 8000 -> 4800

Shining Armor attacks Obsidian Imp with Heraldic Beast Aberconway

Reese and Emma’s Life Points: 4800 -> 3000

Shining Armor attacks Obsidian Imp with Heraldic Beast Eale, but then he activates Heraldry Burst, sending all spell and trap cards the opponent controls to the owners’ hands and ending the battle phase.

During the end phase of the turn Heraldry Burst was activated, 500 points of damage are inflicted for each card returned (3).

Reese and Emma’s Life Points: 3000 -> 1500

Also, Obsidian Imp’s ATK returns to normal (minus the amount it loses from Heraldry Protection's effect) (ATK: 0 -> 2000).

Shining Armor places one card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-8000 Monsters-3 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

As Reese and Emma got up from the barrage of damage inflicted onto them, Reese could hear the sound of the children booing Shining Armor, who looked rather nervous at being turned on like this.

“Hey!” yelled Reese, putting his hands up, getting the children to quiet down. “Is that how you treat a talented duelist? He just made a brilliant move, and you should treat him as such.”

Trying to appease their idol, the kids began to cheer for Shining Armor. The white unicorn gave Reese a gracious nod before getting ready for Emma’s turn.

“You don’t think you’re going to go through this duel without taking a few hits, do you?” she asked.

“Bring it on!” called Shining Armor. “I’m ready.”

***************************************************
Emma’s Turn: Emma activates Reload, sending her hand to her deck, shuffling it, and drawing cards equal to the amount of cards added to her deck. Emma activates Heavy Storm, destroying all spell and trap cards on the field, including Heraldry Protection (ATK: 2000 -> 2800) and Blast with Chain (ATK: 3000 -> 2500). Emma then activates Space Cyclone, detaching one xyz material from a monster, choosing Number 39: Utopia.

Emma attacks Heraldic Beast Eale with Sapphire Serpent.

Cadance and Shining Armor’s Life Points: 8000 -> 6200

Emma places two cards face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-2300 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

“Mere child’s play,” giggled Cadance, “it’s time to end this.”

***************************************************
Cadance’s Turn: Cadance special summons Rainbow Dragon from her hand, as she has seven different Crystal Beast monsters in her graveyard (ATK: 4000 DEF: 0). Cadance then summons another Crystal Beast Sapphire Pegasus. Cadance activates Rainbow Dragon’s effect. By sending all Crystal Beast monsters she controls to the graveyard, Rainbow Dragon gains 1000 ATK (ATK: 4000 -> 5000).

Cadance attacks Obsidian Imp with Rainbow Dragon, but Emma activates Damage Diet, halving the damage.

Reese and Emma’s Life Points: 1500 -> 400

Cadance places one card face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-3 Life-6200 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

The kids weren’t even making noise anymore. They were too hyped in anticipation for Reese’s next turn.

“You know what these kids love more than me winning?” asked Reese, standing back up from Cadance’s attack. “It’s when I win from an intense, difficult duel like this one. You two really are one of the strongest tag-teams I’ve ever faced, and you haven’t just earned the respect of these young ones, but you’ve definitely earned mine as well.”

“And mine,” interjected Emma.

Shining Armor and Cadance looked graciously at their opponent.

“However,” he finished, “all good things must come to an end, one way or another.”

***************************************************
Reese’s Turn: Reese activates Xyz Treasure, drawing cards equal to the amount of xyz monsters on the field (3). Reese activates Graceful Charity, drawing three cards and discarding two. Reese activates Monster Reborn, special summoning Obsidian Imp from his graveyard. Reese activates Goblin's Secret Remedy, increasing his life points by 600.

Reese and Emma's Life Points: 400 -> 1000

Reese then activates Brain Control, paying 800 life points to take control of an opponent’s monster until the end phase, choosing Number 8: Heraldic Beast Genom-Heritage.

Reese and Emma’s Life Points: 1000 -> 200

Finally, Reese activates Gift of the Martyr, sending one monster on his side of the field to the graveyard and increasing the ATK of one monster he controls by the ATK of the sent monster, sending Sapphire Serpent to the graveyard to increase Obsidian Imp’s ATK (ATK: 2800 -> 5600).

Reese then activates Number 8: Heraldic Beast Genom-Heritage’s effect, targeting one xyz monster the opponent controls and negating its effects and making its ATK 0 while gaining the monster’s ATK, name, and effects, choosing Number 39: Utopia (ATK: 2400 -> 2500) (ATK: 2500 -> 0). Emma then activates Trap Stun, negating the effects of trap cards until the end phase.

Reese attacks Number 39: Utopia with Number 8: Heraldic Beast Genom-Heritage.

Cadance and Shining Armor’s Life Points: 6200 -> 3700

Reese attacks Heraldic Beast Aberconway with Obsidian Imp.

Cadance and Shining Armor’s Life Points: 3700 -> 0

Reese and Emma win.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

The kids were silent only for a second or two before they stormed the playing field towards Reese and Emma crowding around him to profess their affection, Reese loving every moment of it. However, he needed to do something first.

“Kids!” he called. “Break it up! Break it up!”

The kids let him pass through as both he and Emma made their way to Shining Armor and Cadance, who were just brushing themselves after being knocked down by the final two attacks.

“You two are just… amazing. I really think you did well this time.”

Cadance smirked.

“What about you, Emma? What’s your opinion?”

Emma pondered for a bit.

“I’ve… got nothing. I think you really did your best this time around.”

“That’s great to hear,” said Shining Armor. “Of course, we’re still technically supposed to be in bed to rest; doctor’s orders.”

“Oh, that’s a shame,” answered Reese, “because I’m sure that these children would all love to play with you.”

Shining Armor and Cadance looked in all of the children, expectant for a positive answer. Despite what the doctor told him, they both felt too invigorated to go back to bed.

“I suppose a little play wouldn’t hurt,” finally spoke Shining Armor.

Before he could think, several children tackled Shining Armor and Cadance to the ground and having their merry way with them. Reese and Emma decided to join in the fun as well, playing with the children and the ponies alike until later in the afternoon.

Chapter 53: Rae

Celestia rushed through the east side of a section of trees until she came up near the center of the Fermilab ring. She then found herself at a small lake with a smaller island in the very center with strip of land with a road connecting it to the mainland. Celestia unfurled her wings, leap towards the island and glided over. Upon landing on the ground, she began to encircle the island on the teardrop-shaped, gravel path that was connected to the road.

“Where are you,” muttered Celestia, hoping that her target would hear her.

Once Celestia was at the southeastern section of the island, Celestia heard the magical ignition of energy being shot at her, much like how it would sound coming from a unicorn’s horn. Celestia was quick and deflected the spell directed at her, using a shield spell that caused the magical projectile to fly into the water.

Celestia then looked towards the west where the spell was shot, only to see a hand glowing with red heat and steam rising from it, the body it was attached to being hidden by the shadows of the trees behind it.

“Show yourself, Rae,” demanded Celestia. “I know you’re there!”

“Hmhmhm,” giggled Rae, finally stepping out into the moonlight and revealing her red suit, black hair, and mask. “It’s been far too long, Celestia.”

“Far too long? What business do you have with me?”

“Nothing like that,” responded Rae, walking out towards the path on the northwest side. “It’s just I’m surprised that with all of the chaos that’s happened over the past month, that you would have been more responsible to it.”

“Why should I risk leaving my ponies without a leader if not directly confronted?”

“I don’t know. Maybe it’s because if you cared about ‘your ponies,’ you’d act on saving them sooner.”

“You’re one to talk. You spent these months letting your hunters do your work while you watched as they failed time and time again. And you have the gall to call me irresponsible?”

Rae was finally at the center of the other side of the teardrop, standing directly in front of Celestia.

“Touché,” said Rae, impressed with her remark.

“That’s beside the point. The point is I’m here now. You have kidnapped and tortured innocent lives to fulfill your sick and twisted plans.”

“Hey,” chided Rae, “don’t put words in my mouth. After all it was you who said that my hunters did the work.”

Rae’s giggling brought Celestia to scowling.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Meanwhile, from the north edge of the lake, Claude, Spike, Trixie, and Fluttershy ran along the shore of the lake until they could see the island. Upon reaching the closest spot to where the distance between, the mainland and the island was the least, they saw Twilight, Chrysalis, Tom, Cadance, Carolyn, Thomas, and Sarah running to the same spot.

“Trixie,” grunted Twilight upon recognizing her nemesis.

“Chrysalis!” shrieked Fluttershy, hiding behind Claude.

“It’s okay,” explained Claude to the opposite group. “Trixie’s cool now.”

“Fluttershy,” said Twilight. “There’s been a misunderstanding. Chrysalis is good now.”

“Twilight,” said Trixie walking up to Twilight. “I would like to make a formal apology for making you and your friends’ lives miserable. Could you ever forgive me?”

“Really?” asked Twilight, surprised by her sincerity. “You’re really good now?”

“Yeah,” vouched Spike, scratching Trixie’s neck. “Trixie really isn’t bad, she just wanted some friends. It’s a long story, but I’m being honest. She’s changed, Twilight.”

Twilight was quite impressed that Spike of all creatures would take a liking to Trixie.

“Well,” spoke Twilight, “I guess, if Spike has forgiven you, then I forgive you too.”

Trixie made an earnest smile at Twilight’s acceptance of her.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Pinkie Pie was trotting with John sitting on her back while Alex piggybacked Grant to get to the southern edge of the lake. Their progress was minimal.

“C’mon, slowpoke,” called Pinkie Pie.

“Easy for you to say,” grunted Alex, struggling to carry Grant.

Alex then saw a spotlight scan their area causing Alex and Pinkie Pie to freeze in their tracks. The spot light grew wider, revealing all four of them. Alex looked up at the source of the light to see Gilda carrying Luna, Reese riding on Zelda’s gilder with her in front of Reese, and Rainbow Dash.

“Luna!” yelled John at Gilda. “What have you done with her?”

“Relax,” yelled Rainbow Dash. “Gilda’s on our side now. Trust me; I’m the element of loyalty.”

“Need a lift?” asked Zelda.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Grant was hoisted by a pair of metallic arms that hung from the bottom of Zelda’s glider while Rainbow Dash carried the exhausted John. With their loads literally lifted from their shoulders, Alex and Pinkie Pie sprinted north to the center lake alongside Rarity, anyone else who could fly following close behind. Upon reaching the southern edge of the lake, Emma, Shining Armor, Kyle, and Applejack were already waiting there.

“Guys!” yelled Alex.

“Guys!” responded everyone upon seeing their friends.

Upon seeing Gilda though, Shining Armor stood defensively.

“Shining Armor!” yelled Rainbow Dash. “It’s okay. Gilda’s a good guy now.”

“How can we be sure?”

“Duh? Element of Loyalty?”

“…You got me there.”
_________________________________________________________________________________________

Rae looked around her, noticing that everyone had gathered.

“Look’s like the gang’s all here,” she said, snapping her fingers, causing all parties around the lake to disappear in a flash of white.

Upon snapping her fingers again, Rae made everyone appear in a single group west of the path, causing everyone to browse their new surroundings. Everyone who was separated finally reunited and caught up on their successes: Twilight and her pony friends, Alex and the Stones of Equus bearers, and the ex-cronies.

“So,” spoke Chrysalis to Gilda. “You turned around too?”

“Yeah,” she said with a shrug. “I guess they’re not all bad after all.”

Rae glanced back at all of the people and creatures she conjured.

“I think it’s a fitting audience for your final act,” said Rae to Celestia. “Don’t you think?”

Twilight then turned towards the open area of the island where Celestia and Rae stood.

“Princess Celestia!” called Twilight, running to her mentor.

“Twilight!” exclaimed Celestia, relieved that she was alright.

Twilight was about twenty feet from Celestia when she crashed into an invisible force, causing her to stumble backwards. The loud bang the crash induced caused everyone to turn towards Celestia and Rae.

“What is this?” Twilight asked, confused by the forcefield.

“To make sure that you don’t interfere with my penultimate step,” said Rae.

“Twilight,” reassured Celestia. “It’s alright. I’ve got this.”

“Celestia!” cried Twilight, upset over Celestia’s situation.

“Twilight. Go and join your friends. I will be alright. I promise.”

Twilight reluctantly ran to her friends and stood to observe.

“Rae,” addressed Celestia. “You have threatened my ponies with extermination. You have issued a war with me and the bearers of the Stones of Equus. I will not allow you to defeat me.”

“How funny, I was going to say that last part to you as well.”

“If this is to be our final battle, at least have the courtesy to show your face.”

“Interesting. Fine. I suppose you all won’t live long enough for it to matter…”

Rae reached towards her face and placed her fingers and hand over the mask. When she held a good grip of it, she pulled the mask off of her face and hung her arm at her side. Celestia and everyone else leaned in to get a good look at her face. It was a slender face with a slightly long nose. Her eyes were outlined with thick, black eyeliner and heavy black mascara on her lashes. Pinkie Pie gasped loudly.

“Pinkie!” exclaimed Twilight. “You know who that is?”

Pinkie Pie inhaled.

“Nope,” she simply responded. “Never seen her before.”

“Perhaps this will help you,” said Rae, her mouth movements being seen for the very first time.

She turned towards the large group, and held her hand out. In white, smoky letters came the words:

RAE SULFA TUN

Rae flicked her wrist down, making several of the letters shift downwards.

R E L A UN
A SU F T

Alex's eyes began to widen, having a good idea what this anagram meant. Rae “squeezed” the top letters together, forming the first name.

LAUREN
A SU F T

"No..." gasped Alex, sure of it now.

“It can’t be,” said John.

Rae twirled her finger underneath the S and the U, switching their placement.

LAUREN
A US F T

Finally, Rae squeezed the last letters together, forming a full name, and presumably her real identity. As she did this her hair began to grow longer and change itself to red, making her identity even more conclusive.

LAUREN
FAUST

Everyone gasped, save for Kyle, who turned his head away in shame.

“Oh, come on,” spoke Lauren. “You couldn’t be that surprised.”

“How?” asked Tom. “How can you be the mastermind in all of this?”

“It’s simple. I mean, where do you think I was able to come up with the cards that my hunters used? Out of thin air? No. I personally made them. Being the CEO of one of the largest card producers has its perks, you know. But I honestly can say that I have to thank Alex for all of this, well I mean, his dad.”

Alex gasped upon the mention of his father.

“What does my dad have to do with you?” he shouted angrily.

“Nothing directly,” answered Lauren. “You see, when I acquired my powers, I decided to take full advantage of both them and my massive wealth. I bought your father’s Orion satellite, allowing me to use it to its fullest potential. Infusing it with my powers, I was able to see things with it that wouldn’t be possible. Not just new planets or new galaxies, but new worlds and alternate universes altogether. After all, how else was I supposed to find Equestria in the first place?

“Not to mention, the other universe I found. They also play duel monsters there, and they’ve provided some great finds for me, namely the Numbers cards, which have proven to be extremely popular with duelists the world over. Also, I didn’t even come up with the designs for my hunters’ duel disks on my own. They make some very interesting designs on that world, let me tell you.”

“I still don’t understand,” said Celestia. “Why do you wish to destroy our world? What quarrel do we have with you?”

“Just as Loki said in The Avengers, ‘An ant has no quarrel with a boot.’”

“Enough with your sick ambitions!” yelled Celestia. “I’m going to see to it that they end here!”

Celestia’s aura field came out of her horn and formed itself in front of her. Celestia placed her deck on the rear right spot.

Lauren shot her left arm to the side, causing a fan shaped D-Pad to appear on her arm. The body was gold with a white outline. On the back face, there were four, silver, spearhead-like points, two of them on each side of the fan while the other two were split by the center of the fan. On the front face, there were five long blue, pentagonal shapes with long, red, diamond shapes in the center, undeniably the monster card zones. Below them on the base, there were two slots, presumably a graveyard and a spell/trap slot. The ody of the D-Pad was held by a silver and gold brace, being a bit thicker on the left side of the wrist where Lauren’s deck fit.

“Celestia,” sighed Twilight. “Good luck.”

Celestia and Lauren drew five cards from their decks.

“DUEL” they both yelled.

Celestia vs. Lauren

Celestia’s Turn: Celestia activates the continuous spell card Constellar Star Chart. Celestia then summons Constellar Algiedi (ATK: 1600 DEF: 1400). When Constellar Algiedi is normal summoned, Celestia can special summon a level 4 Constellar from her hand, choosing Constellar Sombre (ATK: 1550 DEF: 1600). Celestia overlays Constellar Algiedi and Constellar Sombre to xyz summon Constellar Omega (ATK: 2400 DEF: 500). With Constellar Star Chart’s effect, Celestia draws one card when a Constellar xyz monster is special summoned to her side of the field.

Celestia then overlays Constellar Omega to xyz summon Constellar Ptolemys Messier 7 with its effect (ATK: 2700 DEF: 2000). Xyz materials attacked to Constellar Omega are attached to Constellar Ptolemys Messier 7 as xyz material. Celestia activates Dxyz, returning an xyz monster to the extra deck and special summoning the xyz materials attached to it, returning Constellar Ptolemys Messier 7 and special summoning Constellar Omega, Constellar Algiedi, and Constellar Sombres.

Celestia overlays Constellar Algiedi and Constellar Sombres to xyz summon Constellar Beehive (ATK: 2400 DEF: 800). Next, Celestia overlays Constellar Omega to xyz summon Constellar Ptolemys Messier 7 again.

Celestia places one card face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-4000 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“Quite impressive,” said Lauren. “However, it’s a mere trifle compared to the powers that reside in my deck.”

Lauren then glanced over to the western mainland on the other side of the lake.

“Hm, it seems that some others wish to join the party.”

Lauren snapped her fingers, causing Flim, Flam, Jenny, and Lisa to appear with the group.

“Guys!” shouted Sarah upon seeing them.

“Where are we?” asked Jenny.

She then looked over to see Lauren standing there.

“Holy crap, is that Lauren Faust?”

“That’s a long story,” said Tom.

Upon turning to face Tom, she saw Chrysalis standing there.

“What is she doing here?” she asked angrily.

“She’s an ally now,” said Tom. "That's an even longer story."

“What?” asked Flim and Flam in tandem.

“Yes,” confirmed Chrysalis. “Trixie, Gilda, Grant, and I are allies now. Is that a problem?”

“No!” nervously stated Flim. “We’re good now too, right brother?”

“You bet,” agreed Flam.

Jenny smiled, looked at Lisa, and rubbed her index finger with her thumb. Lisa pulled a ten dollar bill from her wallet unhappily and slapped it on Jenny’s open hand.

“Enough with this foolishness,” said Lauren. “It’s my turn.”

***************************************************
Lauren’s Turn: Lauren activates Valhalla, Hall of the Fallen, allowing her to special summon a Fairy-type monster from her hand when she controls no monsters, choosing Aitsu (ATK: 100 DEF: 100). Lauren then normal summons Doitsu (ATK: 100 DEF: 200). Lauren activates Tannhäuser Gate, targeting two monsters she controls with 1000 or less ATK and have the same type and making their levels the sum of their levels (4 + 5 = 9) (Lvl.: 5 -> 9) (Lvl.: 4 -> 9). Lauren overlays Aitsu and Doitsu to xyz summon Emerald Hydra (ATK: 3500 DEF: 3500).

Lauren attacks Constellar Beehive with Emerald Hydra, but Celestia activates Constellar Beehive’s effect. By detaching one xyz material when a Constellar monster that she controls battles, she can have the Constellar monster gain 1000 ATK during the damage step, choosing Constellar Beehive (ATK: 2400 -> 3400).

Celestia’s Life Points: 4000 -> 3900

Lauren places two cards face down. Next, she activates Emerald Hydra’s effect. By detaching one xyz material from it when she has no cards in her hand, she can draw five cards.

Lauren ends her turn.

Status: Hand-5 Life-4000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

Despite taking minimal damage from the attack, Celestia was hit hard enough to be knocked down to the ground.

“Celestia!” called Twilight.

“It’s okay,” said Celestia, getting up, “I’ll be fine.”

“You know,” said Lauren. “It’s not polite to tell lies to your faithful student.”

Faithful student? thought Twilight. How did she know that that’s how she refers to me?

Celestia paid no mind, being more angry about Lauren’s threats than anything.

***************************************************
Celestia’s Turn: Celestia activates her face down Xyz Reborn, special summoning Constellar Beehive from her graveyard. With Constellar Star Chart’s effect, Celestia draws one card. Celestia activates Constellar Ptolemys Messier 7’s effect. By detaching one (its last) xyz material from it, Celestia can return one monster on the field to the owners hand, choosing Emerald Hydra.

Celestia attacks Lauren directly with Constellar Ptolemys Messier 7, but Lauren activates the continuous trap Depth Amulet, discarding one card to negate the attack. Celestia then attacks Lauren directly with Constellar Beehive, but Lauren activates Depth Amulet, discarding one card to negate the attack.

Celestia activates Constellar Super Rebirth, adding two Constellar monsters to her hand from her graveyard, choosing Constellar Algiedi and Constellar Sombres. Celestia summons Constellar Algiedi. Celestia then special summons Constellar Sombres with Constellar Algiedi’s effect. Celestia overlays Constellar Algiedi and Constellar Sombre to xyz summon Constellar Omega.

Celestia places one card face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-3900 Monsters-3 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“Your deck is fast,” spoke Lauren, “I’ll give you that, but there’s no positive outcome for this duel for you. Your fate is as good as sealed.”

***************************************************
Lauren’s Turn: Lauren normal summons Majestic Mech – Ohka without tributes with its effect (ATK: 2400 DEF: 1400). Lauren then activates Monster Reborn, special summoning The Agent of Judgment – Saturn from her graveyard (ATK: 2400 DEF: 0). Lauren overlays Majestic Mech – Ohka and The Agent of Judgment – Saturn to xyz summon Tourmaline Griffon (ATK: 2300 DEF: 2200).

Lauren activates Tourmaline Griffon’s effect. By detaching one xyz material from it, she can special summon a monster from her extra deck that has already been special summoned during the duel, choosing Emerald Hydra. Also, Tourmaline Griffon’s remaining xyz material is detached from it and attached to the monster it summoned via its effect, choosing Emerald Hydra. Lauren equips Tourmaline Griffon with Malevolent Nuzzler, increasing its ATK by 700 (ATK: 2300 -> 3000).

Lauren attacks Constellar Beehive with Emerald Hydra, but Celestia activates Constellar Beehive’s effect, detaching its last xyz material to increase the ATK of a Constellar monster by 1000 when it battles, choosing Constellar Beehive (ATK: 2400 -> 3400).

Celestia’s Life Points: 3900 -> 3800

Lauren then attacks Constellar Ptolemys Messier 7 with Tourmaline Griffon.

Celestia’s Life Points: 3800 -> 3500

Lauren places one card face down. Lauren then activates Emerald Hydra’s effect, detaching its last xyz material from it to draw five cards when she has no cards in her hand.

Lauren ends her turn.

Status: Hand-5 Life-4000 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“You continue to lose life points,” spoke Lauren, “while mine remain untouched. At this rate, you will lose, and you will die, just like your sister.”

“My sister?” asked Celestia. “Where is my sister, you monster?”

Reese and Rarity carried out Luna’s lifeless body and laid her on the ground for Celestia to see.

“Luna…” whimpered Celestia, tears beginning to form in her eyes. “Luna, no… No, it can’t be!” Celestia’s sobs bled through her speech, making her sound shaken. “Luna!”

“Don’t cry,” said Lauren. “You’ll get to join her very soon. I promise to not make you wait.”

Lauren laughed, causing Celestia’s sorrow to be replaced by rage.

“How dare you?” she seethed. “If you seriously think I’ll let you laugh over my sister’s corpse like you are, I will make sure there is nothing left of you!”

***************************************************
Celestia’s Turn: Celestia activates Xyz Treasure, drawing a card for each xyz monster on the field (3). Celestia tributes Constellar Omega to summon Constellar Virgo (ATK: 2300 DEF: 1600). When Constellar Virgo is normal summoned, Celestia can special summon a level 5 Constellar monster from her hand, choosing Constellar Zubeneschamali (ATK: 2100 DEF: 1400).

When Contellar Zubeneschamali is summoned, Celestia can add a Constellar monster from her deck to her hand. Celestia overlays Zubeneschamali and Constellar Virgo to xyz summon Constellar Pleiades (ATK: 2500 DEF: 1500). With Constellar Star Chart’s effect, Celestia draws one card.

Celestia activates Constellar Pleiades’ effect. By detaching one xyz material from it, she can return one card on the field and add it to the owner’s hand, choosing Depth Amulet. Celestia then activates Lightning Vortex, discarding one card to destroy all monsters Lauren controls.

Celestia attacks Lauren directly with Constellar Pleiades.

Lauren’s Turn: 4000 -> 1500

Celestia places one card face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-3500 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************

“Admirable,” said Lauren, getting up from the attack, “but it makes little difference. My deck is made to destroy weak opponents like you, which is exactly what you are compared to me: weak.”

***************************************************
Lauren’s Turn: Lauren special summons Agido from her hand with Valhalla, Hall of the Fallen's effect, as she controls no monsters (ATK: 1500 DEF: 1300). Lauren then activates Inferno Reckless Summon, special summoning as many monsters with 1500 or less ATK from her hand, deck, or graveyard that share the same name of a special summoned monster, special summoning two more Agidos from her deck. Since Celestia's Constellar Pleiades exists in the extra deck, Celestia cannot summon monsters with Inferno Reckless Summon's effect. Lauren overlays her three Agidos to xyz summon Citrine Manticore (ATK: 2800 DEF: 2000).

Lauren attacks Constellar Pleiades with Citrine Manticore. Celestia tries to activate Magic Cylinder, but Lauren activates Trap Jammer, negating and destroying Magic Cylinder. The attack goes through.

Celestia’s Life Points: 3500 -> 3200

Lauren activates Citrine Manticore’s effect. By detaching one xyz material when it destroys a monster by battle, Lauren can inflict damage equal to the destroyed monster’s DEF.

Celestia’s Life Points: 3200 -> 1700

Lauren places two cards face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-4 Life-1500 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************

“You’re powerless against me, Celestia,” addressed Lauren. “If I were you, I’d just stop. It’d be far less painful.”

“That’s what separates you and I, Rae– no, Lauren,” said Celestia. “If you’d quit over the first signs of weakness, then that shows how much stronger than I am than you. And I’m only going to prove it here!”

***************************************************
Celestia’s Turn: Celestia activates her Monster Reborn, special summoning Constellar Ptolemys Messier 7 from her graveyard. With Constellar Star Chart’s effect, Celestia draws one card. Celestia then summons Constellar Aldebaran (ATK: 1300 DEF: 800). With Constellar Aldebaran’s effect, Celestia can special summon a level 3 Constellar monster from her hand, choosing Constellar Leonis (ATK: 1000 DEF: 1800). Celestia overlays Constellar Aldebaran and Constellar Leonis to xyz summon Constellar Hyades (ATK: 1900 DEF: 1100).

Celestia then activates Gift of the Martyr, sending one monster she controls to the graveyard to have another monster she controls gain ATK equal to the sent monster’s ATK, sending Constellar Hyades to the graveyard to increase Constellar Ptolemys Messier 7’s ATK (ATK: 2700 -> 4600).

Celestia attacks Citrine Manticore with Constellar Ptolemys Messier 7, but Lauren activates Attack Invulnerability, preventing Citrine Manticore’s destruction by battle. Next, Lauren activates Gift of the Mystical Elf, increasing her life points by 300 for each monster on the field before the attack hits (2 x 300 = 600).

Lauren’s Life Points: 1500 -> 2100

Lauren’s Life Points: 2100 -> 300

During the end phase, Constellar Ptolemys Messier 7’s ATK returns to normal (ATK: 4600 -> 2700).

Celestia ends her turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-1700 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

“Shame it had to end this way,” said Lauren.

“What?” asked Celestia with fear.

***************************************************
Lauren’s Turn: Lauren activates Magical Stone Excavation, discarding two cards to add a spell card from her graveyard to her hand, choosing Monster Reborn. Lauren activates Monster Reborn, special summoning Emerald Hydra from her graveyard.

Lauren attacks Constellar Ptolemys Messier 7 with Citrine Manticore.

Celestia’s Life Points: 1700 -> 1600

Lauren attacks Celestia directly with Emerald Hydra.

Celestia’s Life Points: 1600 -> 0

Lauren wins.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

“NO!” screamed Twilight, running to Celestia as she fell backwards onto her side.

John, Alex, and the rest of the ponies gathered around too. Lauren grinned widely, her plan soon coming to fruition.

“Twilight,” wheezed Celestia, “I’m so sorry.”

“Don’t be,” sobbed Twilight, hardly able to control her tears. “You were fantastic right there.”

Celestia couldn’t help but chuckle, despite her growing weakness.

“Thank you, Twilight. I’ve always considered you a fantastic student as well. I'm so proud of you. I'm so proud of you all. But, there’s one last thing I must do.”

Celestia’s horn glowed, causing a bright spot to appear at the top of the dome, unbeknownst to Lauren. From it fell a single card, straight down towards Kyle. Kyle, upon noticing it, grabbed the card and was surprised to see that it was Olivine Dragon.

“Could she really…” said Kyle to himself.

“Listen to me,” wheezed Celestia, beginning to succumb, “Alex, Twilight, my little ponies, everyone, please don’t let this be the end. I know you can still defeat Lauren. There’s still time.”

Every single creature, minus Lauren and Kyle, were crying now.

“I will,” confirmed Twilight tearfully.

“Thank you, my… faithful student.”

Princess Celestia finally rested her head down on the ground and shut her eyes slowly, soon becoming motionless and still.

“Celestia…” whimpered Twilight. “PRINCESS CELESTIA!”

“Well, first things first,” spoke Lauren, pointing her hand out at Celestia.

Celestia’s body became covered in a yellow aura which was soon sucked away into Lauren’s hand, shocking everyone.

“Such power…” she muttered.

Lauren then shot her hand upwards, causing the aura to fly towards the sky. Once it collided with the dome, the dome’s aura began to turn green. Once it did, the dome’s roof began to rise high into the sky, turning into a two mile-wide cylinder that was shooting towards the Equestrian planet directly above them. Everyone looked at it with terror and amazement.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

In Equestria, throughout the country, ponies looked with shock and awe as the large beam made contact with the earth from Earth. The beam itself struck a barren desert area, burning the ground the perimeter landed on while keeping the area within intact.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

“Yes,” spoke Lauren. “Just one more thing.”

She put her hand to her ear, calling someone from an earpiece.

“Activate the particle accelerator now,” she said.

“Yes, ma’am,” said a male voice on the other line.

A whirring could be heard from far away.

“Yes,” chuckled Lauren. “I’ve done it! My plan has succeeded!”

“Not yet it hasn’t,” spoke a voice.

Lauren turned to the crowd to see Kyle standing out in front.

“I may have been your obedient lapdog for the majority of this plan, but I’m not leaving here without my mom, even if it means defeating you.”

“Mom?” laughed Lauren. “You still refer to me as your mom? You insolent little brat, you don’t deserve to be a son to me.”

“That’s not you talking!” shouted Kyle. “I know it isn’t! Princess Celestia entrusted us to stop you, and dammit, that’s what I’m going to do!”

Alex stood up off the ground, facing Lauren as Princess Celestia did. Kyle walked up and joined his side. Just as Kyle stood to face Lauren, Tom ran in and stood next to Alex too.

“You can count me in too,” said Alex.

“Me three!” shouted Tom.

“Alex, no!” demanded Twilight. “I’m going to avenge my teacher and leader. Please, let me have this.”

“I’m sorry, Twilight,” addressed Alex. “I’m afraid I can’t let you do that.”

“What? Why not?”

“You’re too valuable a friend for me to lose you like that.”

“No!” she continued to shout, almost completely inconsolable. “I refuse to sit by and let you take out the one who killed Princess Celestia.”

“Twilight! Don’t you see? This is what Lauren wants. She wants you to be pent up with rage and anger, just like she is. Don’t let her turn you into her.”

Lauren laughed from behind him.

“And what are you fighting for, if not rage and anger?”

“I’m fighting for something more powerful than that,” addressed Alex, turning to her. “I’m fighting to save the ones I love: my family and friends. Tom and Kyle are fighting for the same reasons. That’s why we will defeat you, Lauren. You will fall because of the power of our bonds.”

Lauren took the time to consider this.

“Interesting. Very well, I accept your challenge. The accelerator will take quite some time before the energy can transfer into the larger ring and gain the energy needed to power my cannon.”

“Twilight,” spoke Alex. “Take Celestia and Luna to the sidelines. Something tells me this is going to be messy.”

Twilight took a long, sorrowful look at Alex.

“Go!” he demanded.

Twilight got Celestia and Luna away with the help of her friends. Kyle looked at the lifeless Celestia as she was pulled away. He then looked at the Olivine Dragon card in his hand.

Thank you, Celestia, he thought before putting the card in his deck case.

“However,” said Lauren, the deck in her D-Pad’s cuff becoming covered in a light purple aura, “I don’t think I shall fight you with the same deck that I fought Celestia with.”

The aura disappeared, another deck seemingly taking its place.

“Now,” said Lauren, “I’m ready. Come at me for our final battle, bearers of the Stones of Equus!”

“Damn straight,” shouted Tom, unsheathing his D-Pad.

Kyle’s arm went alight as the flames formed Kyle’s D-Pad. As he observed his D-Pad, he took a glance at the crowd to see Emma. She gave him a hopeful nod. He returned it with a nod of his own before redirecting his attention towards Lauren. Alex unsheathed his D-Pad, looking out at his family and friends before focusing on the duel.

Good luck, thought Emma, looking at Kyle.

Good luck, thought Carolyn, looking at Tom.

Good luck, thought Twilight, looking at Alex.

Alex, Tom, Kyle, and Lauren drew five cards from their decks.

“DUEL!” they all yelled.

New Story

For fans of Yu-Gi-Oh! Equus, the story continues...