Yu-Gi-Oh! Friendship is Dueling 7: The Malefic Menace

Chapters

Prologue
Duel 1: A New Day
Duel 2: Introductions
Duel 3: Date Night, Duel Night
Duel 5: Alone Together
Duel 6: Bonding
Duel 7: Planning
Duel 8: Starlight Strikes
Duel 9: The Menace Unmasked
Duel 10: The Malefic's Worst Nightmare
Duel 12: Starlight's Decision
Duel 13: Dragons of Legend United/Paradox's Plan
Due 14: Gateway to Paradox
Duel 15: Burst's Trial
Duel 16: Ice's Trial
Duel 17: Inferno's Trial
Duel 18: Gold's Trial
Duel 19: Rainbow Dash's Trial
Duel 20: Nightmare's Trial
Duel 21: Ace's Trial
Duel 22: Shadow's Trial
Duel 23: Dragons Unleashed
Epilogue
Duel 4: Dragons of Legend Enslaved
Duel 11: Breaking the News

Prologue

Starlight sighed as she went inside her house. It had been a good day, but she was still upset that she had lost with her very first deck. But on the plus side, she had met a nice guy. And he even offered to help her with her deck. "I guess today was pretty good after all." Starlight sat down on her bed and took a careful look at her deck. "If only there was a way I could integrate all of you into my deck no problem."

"I can help with that.", a voice said. Starlight looked around, and saw a swirl of sickly green, unstable energy form in front of her. "There is a way to seamlessly integrate all of your monsters. That is, IF you're willing to accept my offer."

"How can you get all of my cards to work together?", Starlight asked with a dubious expression on her face.

"Let's just say my power has a....connection to the legendary dragons.", the entity said.

"So how do I get this power you're talking about?" A mask materialized out of the entity's form.

"Simply dawn this mask, and the power will flow through you and your deck. With this power, you will also be able to sense the power of legendary dragons. And you'll also be able to do so much more." Starlight was hesitant as she reached out toward the mask, but the allure of mastering legendary dragons proved too great. Starlight took the mask, and put it on. A surge of sickly green energy pulsed through her whole body and her deck! When the energy faded, Starlight took a moment to adjust.

"This energy...I've never felt strength like this!" Starlight then snapped her attention to somewhere else. "Looks like that voice wasn't wrong. I can sense two legendary dragons nearby! Time to see what else this new power can do....."

CHS that night....

Two glowing cards, one red and one blue hovered at the entrance of CHS. In a flash of red and blue light, the cards transformed into Hermos and Critias respectively. "So this is where we sensed Timaeus.", Hermos mused. "From the feel of his energy, he's found quite the worthy partner."

"Indeed.", Critias said with a nod. "And it also looks like he's grown stronger. He seems to have gotten a new form." Critias then tensed as he felt a familiar presence! "Hermos?"

"Yes. I feel it too. But what is his power doing here? We and the other legendary dragons banished him long ago! And where's it coming from?!" The two legendary dragons soon got their answer as chains of sickly green energy bound them! Both dragons struggled to break free of their bonds, but the chains made them return to their cards! Trapping them until the one who captured them released them in a duel! Starlight was in awe of what her new power had just accomplished.

"Looks like there's going to be a new master of dragons in town.", Starlight said with a smile. "And I can sense there's plenty of dragons for me to tame...." Starlight returned home with a peaceful smile on her face. Eagerly anticipating her future victories in duels.

Duel 1: A New Day

"Burst.....", a voice called out sweetly. Burst stirred out of his slumber and let out a yawn as he stretched. He felt a familiar presence in front of him. "Morning handsome.", Nightmare said with a smile.

"Morning Moon. Today's Friday. You know what that means."

"So what're our plans for tonight? A duel date, or the movies?"

"I was thinking we could hit the movies first and then see where the night takes us.", Burst said with a smile. "Anything you wanted to do in specific?"

"You DID say you'd take me to Discord's card shop to see if there were any cards that could help upgrade my deck. Especially since I ditched Yubel's upgraded forms. Plus, I've got yet to show off Queen Nyx to you."

"Then I guess we know where we're off to first thing after school. You go ahead and get ready. I won't be long." Nightmare headed to her room, and got her clothes ready while Burst got dressed in his bathroom. Both soon got dressed, and headed to the kitchen for breakfast. As they ate, Burst decided to share some news with Nightmare. "Oh. I almost forgot to mention. Shadow met a girl yesterday."

"He's a bachelor no more.", Nightmare said with a giggle. "So are they an up-and-coming item?"

"Shadow keeps denying it, but I think it's more obvious than he'll ever admit.", Burst said with a shrug. "Plus, we've got yet to see what this girl even looks like. But she must've been pretty cute for Shadow to get so flustered when we pressed him for details." The two soon finished eating, and grabbed their things for school. Once they were out the door, Burst summoned his dragon wings.

"Oh. Travelling in style today are we?"

"Is there any other way? Just hold on tight Moon."

"I don't think that'll be a problem.", Nightmare said with a flirty smile as she wrapped her arms around Burst as he took off for CHS. They soon landed. When they landed they noticed Shadow waiting by the entrance with an expectant smile on his face. "So are you waiting for the one who's captured your heart?" Shadow blushed at Nightmare's question!

"N-No! Starlight's just a friend of mine!", Shadow protested.

"So THAT'S the name of the girl you met!", Burst said with a smile. "So how'd your little date go yesterday?"

"It wasn't a date!"

"Yes it was!", Dragluon said with a smirk as he materialized. "They stopped by Sugar Cube Corner afterwards."

"Nice!", Burst said as he fist-bumped Shadow's monster partner. "Well, hope things pan-out for ya!" Shadow let out a heavy sigh as Burst and Nightmare headed inside. It was then that Starlight showed up.

"Having a rough morning?", Starlight asked.

"My friends keep making the joke that we're dating. But we're not! Geez! I can't think of a good way to get back at them!"

"Maybe the solution's to do what they THINK we're doing.", Starlight said with a mischievous smile.

".....Go on."

"At lunch, we'll walk up to them together, engage in some couples' banter, and kiss in front of them! It's perfect!"

"Starlight? You're a genius.", Shadow said with a grin. "C'mon! Let's get this day started!" Shadow and Starlight headed inside, and eagerly awaited lunch period to put their plan into effect.

Duel 2: Introductions

The day went by quick, and lunch period soon arrived. Shadow and Starlight met each other in the hallway. "Ready to do this Starlight?"

"I can't wait to see the looks on their faces!", Starlight said with a smile. The two headed to the tables the guys and girls usually sat at. They noticed Shadow and Starlight, and Shadow introduced Starlight to the group.

"Hey everyone! This is Starlight! She's the girl I met yesterday.", Shadow announced proudly.

"Nice to meet you all!", Starlight said pleasantly. "We met when Shadow was helping me pick up the cards. After he bumped into me though."

"You're not gonna let me live that down. Are you?"

"What? It's memorable!"

"So's this..." Shadow pulled Starlight into a kiss, and all of his friends' jaws dropped. "How about you get to know all the girls?" As Shadow was talking to Starlight, Pinkie was writing in her relationship notebook.

"Shadow....X....Starlight!", Pinkie chirped silently. Starlight then sat down with the girls.

"So.....any of you duel?", Starlight asked.

"You bet!", Rainbow Dash said with a grin! "I've got a Crystal Beast deck! And my partner's Rainbow Dragon!"

"Oh! You're into legendary dragons too!" Starlight pulled out her deck and showed Rainbow Dash her own copy of Rainbow Dragon. "I've got at least three copies of Rainbow Dragon!"

"So does that mean you've got a Crystal Beast deck too?!", Rainbow Dash asked hopefully.

"Nope. But I do have other legendary dragons I use." Starlight then pulled out Blue-Eyes White Dragon and Red-Eyes Black Dragon.

"Huh.", Sunset said as she looked at the cards. "You've got Blue-Eyes and Red-Eyes too. You ever take on Burst or Inferno? Those two have decks solely dedicated to those dragons. Burst uses Blue-Eyes and Inferno uses Red-Eyes. They're the best duelists out of all of us."

"You don't say...." Starlight then subtly sensed the power Burst and Inferno's dragons, and was shocked! They had power that exceeded any current legendary dragon! "I'm sure their monsters are quite powerful."

"You don't know the half of it.", Nightmare said with a smile. "Burst's won Duelist Kingdom AND Battle City."

"Impressive. Well, it's been lovely meeting you all. But I'd better get going.", Starlight said with a smile. "Hope to see you all later!" As Starlight left, her thoughts shifted to the presences Burst and Inferno gave off. 'If I could beat either of them and harness their legendary dragon's power, I'd have a nearly unstoppable deck! I just need the perfect chance....' The day soon ended, and Starlight searched around for Burst and Inferno. She didn't have to search for long. "Excuse me! You're Burst and Inferno right?"

"Oh. Hi Starlight. Is there something you needed?"

"Actually, yes! I've got a new deck I've been building and I'd like to see how it'll stack up against the deck of a champion. So are you interested?"

"I'm always down for a duel! Let's hit the duel park!" The three headed to the duel park, and activated their duel disks once they arrived!

"LET'S DUEL!"

Starlight: 8000
Burst: 8000

"Hope you don't mind Starlight, but I'm taking the first move!"

"Go ahead.", Starlight said with a smile. 'Time to see what kind of power my new deck has! I have all the legendary dragons in my deck! And with their new forms, I can easily summon them! I can easily take down any monster he summons onto his field!

"Alright! I reveal Blue-Eyes White Dragon to special summon Blue-Eyes Alternative White Dragon! Next I'll summon White Stone of Ancients! I'll tune Blue-Eyes Alternative with White Stone! I synchro summon Azure-Eyes Silver Dragon in defense mode! Then I'll play Trade-In to discard Blue-Eyes from my hand to draw two new cards! Then I'll end my turn with a face-down! Now White Stone's effect activates! I can special summon a 'Blue-Eyes' monster from my deck to the field! I'll bring out Blue-Eyes White Dragon!" 'Shadow said her deck was made entirely of legendary dragons. But they don't have any synergy. So how can she say she's got a working deck?'

"I draw!" Starlight took a look at the cards in her hand. "I play the field spell Malefic World!" Suddenly, the whole area around them was altered!

"Whoa! Far-out field!", Burst said as he took in Malefic World's appearance. 'This is weird. I've never seen this field spell before! And there's no data for it on my duel disk. And...there's something else. I'm picking up on a powerful energy. A powerful EVIL energy. Starlight...what did you do to your deck?!'

"Glad you like it! Because this is what I need for my monsters to survive! I activate Malefic World's effect! This lets me choose three 'Malefic' monsters from my deck! Then you select one and I can add it too my hand! The rest are shuffled back into the deck."

"I guess I'll pick the one on the left." 'I can sense her dragons are in pain in this weird field. Just what is this place doing to them?

"Excellent choice." 'Now I can unleash the might of my new Malefic deck!' Starlight added the card Burst picked to her hand, and shuffled the rest into her deck. "Now! I summon Thunder King Rai-Oh! Then I'll special summon a monster! I banish Rainbow Dragon!" Rainbow Dragon drifted out of Starlight's deck, and soon turned the same color scheme as Malefic World! "Now I can special summon his counterpart!" Rainbow Dragon began to re-form, but it looked like he was in great pain! Burst and Inferno were shocked at the whole process! When it finished, Rainbow Dragon stood with strange black and white armor on his wings and a black and white mask on its face! "Behold! Malefic Rainbow Dragon! Attack Blue-Eyes White Dragon! Malefic Spectrum Surge!" Malefic Rainbow Dragon fired a pale verison of his signature attack! Wiping out Blue-Eyes White Dragon! "I end my turn."

Starlight: 8000
Burst: 7000

'That dragon was in pain when it turned into that weird form! That mask on its face and that weird armor on its wings seemed to harm it! Did she do this with EVERY dragon in her deck?! Can't she hear their cries? Unless....she has no bonds with them!' "My turn! As long as Rai-Oh is on your field, my draw power is pretty limited. But since it's my standby phase, Azure-Eyes revives a normal monster in my graveyard!"

"I don't think so! I'll send Rai-Oh to the graveyard since you're about to special summon exactly one monster! By doing this, I negate the summon and destroy that card!" Rai-Oh self-destructed to send itself and Blue-Eyes back to the graveyard!

"The turn's only just begun! I'll switch Azure-Eyes into attack mode and use Alternative's effect to destroy Malefic Rainbow Dragon!" Malefic Rainbow Dragon was destroyed by a bolt of lightning Alternative summoned from the sky! "Attack her directly Azure-Eyes! Silver Burst!" Azure-Eyes fired a stream of silver energy from her mouth! Striking Starlight directly! "I end my turn with another face-down!" 'I guess her Malefic monsters aren't all that durable! They're sitting ducks when it comes to effects! All they serve as are beat sticks! I guess that's the price she paid for making them so easy to summon. And they've also lost the effects they had in their original forms! Another side-effect of that corruption. It's like they're shells of their former selves!'

Starlight: 5500
Burst: 7000

"I activate Malefic World's effect again!" Starlight pulled out three Malefic cards and Burst selected one at random. "Time for a little reunion. I banish Blue-Eyes White Dragon! Now I special summon Malefic Blue-Eyes White Dragon!" A Blue-Eyes with black bits of armor on him let out a pained roar as he took the field! "Then I'll summon Malefic Parallel Gear! I'll tune Malefic Blue-Eyes with Parallel Gear! I synchro summon Malefic Paradox Dragon! Then I'll attack Azure-Eyes Silver Dragon! Malefic Paradox Stream!" Paradox Dragon fired a crackling green stream of energy! Destroying Azure-Eyes Silver Dragon! "I end my turn with a face-down." 'It looks like my Malefics aren't as powerful as I thought. Blast! I thought for sure this field would protect them from effects! I guess I overestimated their limitations. No matter. All I gotta do is keep Malefic Paradox Dragon on my field!'

Starlight: 5500
Burst: 5500

"My turn! I draw! I'll use Alternative's effect to destroy Malefic Paradox Dragon!"

"Not so fast! I activate my trap! Malefic Claw Stream! I can target one 'Malefic' monster I control and destroy one monster you control!" Both dragons were destroyed by blasts of energy and lightning! "Now I can bring out my strongest monster! Since a 'Malefic' monster was destroyed, I can special summon Malefic Truth Dragon from my hand or graveyard by paying half my life points!" A large golden dragon boasting 5000 attack points appeared on Starlight's field.

"I end my turn." 'Oh man! That thing's stronger than any monster in my deck! But it looks like there's also a pretty big cost to summon it. But if its anything like her other Malefics, it's not safe from card effects!

Starlight: 2750
Burst: 5500

"I draw!" Starlight smiled as she looked at Burst's field. "Those face-downs could prove to be troublesome. Only one way to find out! Malefic Truth Dragon! Attack him directly!"

"I activate my face-down! Silver's Cry! This revives a normal dragon-type monster in my graveyard! I'll bring back Blue-Eyes in defense mode!" Blue-Eyes took the full force of Malefic Truth's attack, but Burst's life points remained the same!

"I guess your monster took the hit for you. But now Truth's effect activates! I can destroy all face-up monsters you control since I destroyed a monster you control!" Malefic Truth Dragon unleashed a wave of crackling black energy! Wiping out all of Burst's monsters! "I end my turn."

"Blue-Eyes' sacrifice won't be in vain! I activate my trap! Curse of Anubis! This switches all effect monsters on the field into face-up defense mode and makes their defense zero! Now it's time to show-off MY best card! I play the spell card Harmony Absolute! I'll banish Blue-Eyes White Dragon from my graveyard! I summon Blue-Eyes Absolute Dragon from my hand!" Blue-Eyes Absolute descended from a column of light! "Now! Attack her monster! Absolute White Lightning!" Blue-Eyes Absolute fired a stream of white lightning from his mouth! Destroying Malefic Truth Dragon! "And when Absolute destroys a defense mode monster by battle, he inflicts piercing damage!" Starlight cringed as her life points dropped to zero! Starlight tried to capture Blue-Eyes Absolute with her power, but it just bounced off of him! And it didn't go unnoticed by Blue-Eyes Absolute. Starlight quickly hid her hand to avoid suspicion. Burst then walked up to Starlight. "You did pretty well Starlight. Your monsters are easy to summon, but they've got no protection from card effects." 'AND they've been stripped of all their abilities. Plus, there can only be one of them on the field at a time. What's the point of having so many high-levels that can be easily summoned if there can only be one at a time?'

"Yeah. That's true. Shadow mentioned a card shop that could help me fine-tune my deck."

"Huh. Maybe that can be your two's next date!", Inferno said with a smile. "Well, gotta go! Burst and I are gonna break-in the new Duel Monsters fighting game! Dibs on Red-Eyes!" Burst and Inferno hurried to Burst's house while Sunset looked on.

"It seems like Burst's dragons are immune to the malefic power." Starlight then smiled. "But maybe the same can't be said for Inferno...."

Duel 3: Date Night, Duel Night

Inferno let out a happy sigh as he looked at the time. Today was Friday. That meant it was date night. And he had no plans of keeping Rarity waiting. And she was just about to get off of work. "Well, I gotta go Burst!"

"See you Inferno! Hope you and Rarity have fun! So is tonight the night?"

"Yup! I'm finally going to sing for Rarity!" Inferno left Burst's house and summoned his dragon wings! He flew off to where he sensed Rarity's energy. "There she is!" Inferno landed at Carousel Boutique, and went inside. "Hey there gorgeous." Rarity smiled when she saw Inferno come in. "You ready for tonight?"

"I've been waiting all day long darling.", Rarity said with a loving smile. "We'll be able to leave in a few minutes. I look forward to you serenading me."

"Need any help with closing up?"

"That would be wonderful Inferno." Inferno helped Rarity close up the shop, and summoned Red-Eyes as they exited. "You really know how to go the extra mile."

"Would you accept any less?", Inferno asked with a smile. "Admit it. This is something out of your romance novels."

"HOW DID YOU KNOW THAT?!"

"Sweetie Belle."

"I'm going to have a talk with her about that.", Rarity said with a sigh. "But that's later. We've got better things to do at the moment." Inferno helped Rarity onto Red-Eyes and climbed up after she was secure.

"Let's fly Red-Eyes!", Inferno called out. Rarity wrapped her arms around Inferno's waist as they flew off to Canterlot's karaoke place.

"So what'll you be performing this time darling?", Rarity asked. "I was swooning over your voice when you, Burst, Ace, and Gold sang I want it that way."

"Well, it's something I never tried singing before. It's an anime intro I learned in English."

"Well, I'll cheer for you regardless. Because your pour your heart into every word."

"Thanks Rarity.", Inferno said with a smile as he pulled up the song he wanted to sing, and prepared to give it all he got.

Ask if you, can hear the sound
of my voice through the cold hard ground
I lost it while, searching for you. I screamed into the dark!
If the world we're living in, has a single soul that you love
If it holds a shred of meaning, well then it's worth every fight!
And when all we know comes to push and shove, then we will pierce the heavens!
The colors we see are new to you and me when we see the skyyy
As we begin to run, so that we can finally feel the sun
Finally you and I feel so alive, I feel your beating heart!
If you believe in me, we'll find where we were meant to be!
Now who cares about tomorrow if today we are free
My answer's always yes
That I will always stay, with you

The whole crowd cheered for Inferno's performance! Rarity covered her mouth as she heard him sing! "Inferno....that was so beautiful! I've never heard any song that captures your feelings for me as well as that!"

"I'm glad you enjoyed it.", Inferno said with a grin. "Shall we be off?"

"I'm eager to see what you have planned next darling."

"I thought you might like to grab something as sweet as you. Sugar Cube Corner?"

"Sounds lovely." The couple went outside, and Inferno summoned his dragon wings. "Giving Red-Eyes the night off are we?"

"I'd rather this trip be more intimate.", Inferno said with a grin. "You'll have not trouble holding on right?"

"Darling. I'm never letting go. Though... would you mind carrying me bridal style as we fly?"

"If it keeps you happy..." Inferno scooped Rarity into his arms and the two took off. However, they didn't get far when a distortion trapped them. "What?" Inferno then looked at the distorted area he and Rarity were trapped in. "Wait...this looks like the Malefic World!"

"Indeed it is....", a cloaked figure wearing an odd mask said as she stepped towards Inferno and Rarity. "You have something I want. Your legendary dragon's power!" The figure then summoned a duel disk! Inferno got his own out of his backpack and activated it!

"You're gonna have to get past me to get at Red-Eyes!" 'I'm picking up on a LOT of legendary dragons in her deck. But they all feel so lifeless! What did she do to them?'

Inferno: 8000
????: 8000

"I have the first move!", the girl said. "I already activated my field spell! Now I'll use its effect! I'll take three 'Malefic' cards! Now you can select one! I add that target to my hand, and the rest are shuffled into the deck!"

"I choose the one in the middle!"

"Now the other two are shuffled back into my deck. I'll banish a dragon I just captured! Stardust Dragon!" Stardust appeared on the field, and faded so that he blended in with the Malefic World, and then reformed covered in bits of black and white armor on his face, knees, and wings. "I summon Malefic Stardust Dragon! Then I'll set two cards and end my turn."

'I'm willing to bet that this crazy field has something to do with her monsters! Maybe if I take it down, her monsters will go with it! Time to see if I'm right!' "My move! I draw!" Inferno took a careful look at the cards in his hand. "I play Twin Twisters to destroy your field spell and your face-down!"

"I don't think so! Malefic Stardust protects my field spell!" the girl's face-down was destroyed, but Malefic World was still in effect!

"I summon Black Stone of Legend! Now I'll tribute him to special summon Meteor Dragon Red-Eyes Impact from my deck in defense mode! Then I'll set two cards and end my turn." 'Looks like her deck's not totally without protection. If I wanna get rid of her field, I'll need to take down her Malefic Stardust!'

"I draw! I'll attack your monster now!"

"I activate my trap! Red-Eyes Burn! You've destroyed Red-Eyes Impact by battle, so now we both take his attack points as damage!" Flames crashed into both of their life points! "I might get a little cooked, but at least you life points take a hit too!" 'Looks like this duel's going to be a stalemate! That is, until I heat things up with a Red-Eyes Fusion! Then I'll be rocking the dragon!'

"You're fortunate only one Malefic monster can be on the field at a time. I end my turn."

Inferno: 6200
????: 6200

"My turn then! I draw! I return Black Stone of Legend to my hand and shuffle Meteor Dragon Red-Eyes Impact back into my deck! Now I'll tribute Black Stone again to special summon Red-Eyes Black Dragon from my deck! Now I'll play Red-Eyes Fusion! I'll fuse Red-Eyes from my field and Meteor Dragon Red-Eyes Impact from my deck to fusion summon Meteor Black Comet Dragon!" Meteor Black Comet Dragon descended from the sky with blazing wings! "Thanks to Red-Eyes Fusion, his name now counts as Red-Eyes Black Dragon! And since he was fusion summoned, I can send a 'Red-Eyes' monster from my deck to my graveyard and inflict half its attack points as damage! I'll send another copy of Meteor Dragon Red-Eyes Impact! That means you take 900 damage!" The girl winced as she took damage from a shard of meteor that hit her life points! "And I'm not done yet! I'll activate my trap! Return of the Red-Eyes! Since I have a 'Red-Eyes' monster on my field, I can special summon a normal monster in my graveyard! Welcome back Red-Eyes Impact! Meteor Black Comet, take down Malefic Stardust! Impact, attack her directly!" Malefic Stardust was incinerated with a gigantic blast of flame from Meteor Black Comet Dragon while Red-Eyes Impact rammed into the masked girl's life points! "I end my turn by playing One for One. I discard a monster from my hand to special summon a level one monster from my deck! I'll special summon Black Metal Dragon and equip him to Meteor Black Comet! This boosts him by 600 points!" 'That oughta burn up most of her life points. But I got the feeling she's just starting to fight back!'

Inferno: 6200
????: 2500

"We'll see how you fare against one of my stronger monsters! I draw! First I'll play Dragon Shrine to send a dragon from my deck to the graveyard! Then I'll banish Cyber End Dragon from my graveyard! Then I'll lay Limiter Removal to double his attack points and attack your Meteor Black Comet Dragon! Malefic Super Strident Blaze!" A powerful laser wiped out Meteor Black Comet Dragon! Wiping out a huge chunk of Inferno's life points! Inferno looked himself over, and was stunned to see the damage done was real! Rarity was looking at him with concern. "Now Malefic Cyber End is destroyed due to Limiter Removal's effect. But now that he's been destroyed, I can pay half my life points to special summon Malefic Truth Dragon to my field! I end my turn."

Inferno: 2300
????: 1250

'Oh man! That thing's gonna be hard to take down, but it's not impossible! As long as I can draw a card...there's hope!', Inferno thought.

'Well said Inferno.', a voice said.

'Who said that?' The number 39 glowed in front of Inferno.

'Hello Inferno. I've come to help you beat back this menace that has invaded your world. I am Number 39: Utopia Beyond.'

'Great! How do I get you?'

'I've already made it to your deck. You now have the chance to summon me!' Inferno noticed the number 39 glowing in his extra deck.

"Alright! I draw! Yes! I activate Return of the Red-Eyes effect! I revive Summoned Skull from my graveyard! Now I'll overlay Red-Eyes Impact with Summoned Skull!" A swirling galaxy appeared on the ground, and Red-Eyes Impact and Summoned Skull became purple lights that flew into the galaxy! "I xyz summon Number 39: Utopia Beyond!" A warrior that looked like he came from the stars materialized! "Now his effect activates! Since he was xyz summoned, the attack of all your monsters drops to zero!"

"NO!"

"Let's end this Utopia Beyond! Solar Slash!" Utopia Beyond charged at Malefic Truth Dragon! Destroying it in one slash! The girls's dropped to zero, and the Malefic World disappeared! The girl then opened a portal and retreated. Once she was gone, Rarity ran over to Inferno and hugged him tightly. 'If this doesn't mean she cares about me, I don't know what will...'

"Inferno!"

"Good. You're safe...."

"But..how're you hurt?! I know its not that bad, but how did that duel cause actual damage?"

"Must've been that weird field spell that duelist was using. We GOTTA text Gold about this. Whoever this duelist is, they're hunting legendary dragons. That makes him a target too." Inferno then looked at his new card. "And it looks like we've got a new friend to fight by our side." Utopia Beyond and Red-Eyes Absolute materialized.

"Welcome to the deck Utopia.", Red-Eyes said with a smile.

"Glad to be in the deck. But I didn't come alone." Another card appeared out of a portal and flew over to Inferno. "You make the trip alright?" The number 24 glowed, and a new monster appeared.

"Sorry if I was late!", Number 24: Dragulas the Vampiric Dragon replied. "The portal was a bit slow today. I'm Number 24: Dragulas the Vampiric Dragon. But call me Dragulas, please."

"Uh...I'm not gonna have to steal from a blood bank just to feed you am I?", Inferno asked. Dragulas face-palmed.

"Why does everyone say that when they hear my full name? I only got the name because of how I look!" Inferno, Utopia Beyond, and Red-Eyes Absolute all shared a laugh.

"I think his name's wonderful.", Rarity said with a small smile.

Inferno and his monsters stopped laughing. "Okay. Joking aside, I'd better text Gold and the others. We need as much info on these cards as we can get. And if Pegasus made them, he should know how to take them down." Inferno finished sending the text to Gold. "I think we'd better head home. Besides, you're expecting Moon tomorrow. Goodnight Rarity."

"Goodnight Inferno." The two shared a good night kiss as Inferno flew Rarity home, and flew home himself. "Didn't see tonight going this way, but at least we know there's a threat out there." Red-Eyes then materialized. "Red-Eyes? What's up?"

"Those monsters we faced today. They were in pain. Terrible pain. As if their new forms pained them. There's an old story through the bloodlines of the legendary dragons. But so far, that's all I know about it. That it's a story."

"Well whatever this new bad-guy is planning, we're gonna put a stop to it! G'night Red-Eyes."

"Night, Inferno." Red-Eyes then looked at the sky before letting sleep take him. 'Whoever is hunting legendary dragons is making sure they suffer....'

Duel 5: Alone Together

Starlight was mad. She'd tried to obtain Burst and Inferno's legendary dragon power, but it had all blown up in her face! Each time ended in a colossal failure! 'Power. I need more power!', her mind fumed as she walked to her locker. Once she opened it up, she spied the mask she had donned. 'Maybe this requires further integration....' Starlight was about to reach out for the mask when she remembered something. 'Wait....Shadow's taking me to that card shop today. Maybe I can find something there that can boost my monsters...' Starlight grabbed her backpack, and headed to the duel park to meet Shadow. "Hi Shadow!"

"Hey Star! Thought I'd take you to the card shop I mentioned a few days back. You ready to go?"

"Uh-huh! I guess you could say even after I've altered my deck, I've still got a long way to go. Pretty aggravating, right?"

"Yeah. Took me forever to get my dragon deck just right. Well, let's get going.." Shadow pulled out Dragluon and summoned him! Starlight's jaw dropped! "What? You can't summon monsters you have a bond with?"

"I don't know. I've never tried...." Starlight pulled out one of her Malefic cards, and tried to summon it. But as it tried to materialize, it faded away. "Okay. Maybe this one..." Starlight pulled out Cyber End Dragon, and tried to summon it. But it refused to hear her call! Starlight fumed at her failure to bring out her monsters! "Agh! Why can't I summon them?!"

"Maybe this isn't the right deck for you?", Shadow asked. Starlight glared at him, and Shadow nearly stumbled off of Dragluon. "Okay...just forget I said anything." Starlight let out a sigh.

"Sorry. I just REALLY want my deck to be good! But every time I use it, even with the modifications I've made, I still lose!"

"Well....that's the whole reason we're heading to the card shop today. Maybe it can help you."

"I guess." Starlight then got on Dragluon with Shadow. But as she boarded, Dragluon gave her a suspicious stare. "What? Is there something on my face?"

"No. Nothing.", Dragluon replied as he took off. 'Although...the presence in your deck would suggest otherwise....' Dragluon soon landed at Discord's card shop and waited outside while Shadow and Starlight headed inside. 'Shadow ought to be careful around her...'

"Hi Discord!", Shadow greeted.

"Ah! Shadow! I was wondering when you'd stop by." Discord then noticed Starlight. "So who's your girl friend?" Starlight and Shadow blushed.

"We're not an item!" both of them protested! Discord let out a chuckle.

"Just messing with you. So what brings you in today?"

"Starlight here is looking to improve her deck. Think you can help her out with that?"

"Of course! But I'll need to take a look at her cards." Starlight was hesitant, but handed over her deck. Discord looked over each of her cards with a contemplative expression on his face. "Hmmmm. Your monsters seem to depend upon this field spell."

"They do.", Starlight replied. "In fact, it's the only way they can take the field."

"Then it looks like you're going to need field spell searching and protection cards. Fortunately, I have just the cards for that! But I find it odd that these 'Malefic' versions of iconic monsters you have are stripped of their counterparts' effects. They're easier to summon, but they lose their best effects." Starlight frowned at Discord's observation. "But it's not my place to question a duelist's deck choice."

"Thank you. Any other cards you can recommend?"

"Well, you've got a lot of DARK attribute monsters, so I can Allure of Darkness for extra draw power, and Trade-In because of the decent amount of level eight monsters you have. Also because you have a lot of DARK monsters with more than 1500 attack, you could also use Deck Devastation Virus and Eradicator Epidemic Virus. These cards can REALLY do some damage to your opponent's deck. Also, the Skill Drain card is good for negating the effects of monsters on the field. Would you like to purchase the cards I've recommended?"

"I would."

"Excellent! I'll fetch the cards right now." Discord left to get Starlight's cards, and soon returned with them. "That'll be twenty-three ten please." Starlight got out her wallet, and handed the money over to Discord. "Pleasure doing business with you! Have a nice day!" Shadow and Starlight then left the shop.

"So do you think your friends are buying that we're dating?", Starlight asked with a smile.

"I'd say so. Though out of all of them, I was the only one left single. You really picked-up my mood on Valentine's Day, and I never got to say thank you."

"Well, I never got to thank you for taking me to a card shop that actually gives you advice."

"Then how about we make it even? I'll buy your sweet at Sugar Cube Corner, and you buy me mine. Sound good?"

"I can't think of anything better. Why not?" The two headed to Sugar Cube Corner, and paid for each other's treats. "Sure is a nice day."

"Yeah. A good day to be alone together.", Shadow said with a smile.

"Careful. You almost got me thinking we're dating.", Starlight said with a giggle. The two let out a small laugh.

"True. Bit it is nice being with you Starlight."

"You too Shadow.", Starlight said with a small smile. "You're the first friend I've made here."

"Glad I could make your life less lonely." The two then left Sugar Cube Corner and went their separate ways.

"Hey Shadow?"

"Yeah-?" Shadow was surprised as Starlight gave him a tight hug.

"Thanks for a good Saturday."

"...No problem.", Shadow said with a slight blush. "See you around!" Shadow headed home. His thoughts a blur. 'She's cute AND she just gave me a long hug? Okay Shadow. Calm down. You don't have to ask her out. At least, not yet...' Shadow had a fond smile as he headed home. Contemplating a possible relationship. That is, IF Starlight was interested.

Duel 6: Bonding

Burst sat at Carousel Boutique while Rarity helped Nightmare pick out some new outfits for her wardrobe. "Rarity, are you sure about doing this for me?", Nightmare asked.

"Think nothing of it darling!", Rarity said with a smile. "It'd be a crime to leave any friend of mine with only one outfit!"

"Coming from the girl who usually wears the same outfit everyday.", Inferno joked.

"Aren't we all ones to talk?", Burst remarked.

"Got me there!", Inferno said with a chuckle. As Rarity was helping out Nightmare, the CMC were fooling around. And due to their lack of attention, they accidentally bumped Nightmare!

"Sweetie Belle! I thought I told you and your friends not to fool around in here!" Rarity then helped Nightmare up. "I apologize for my little sister and her friends Moon. They can be quite the energetic lot sometimes." Nightmare then looked at the CMC. The three girls were a little bit intimidated by Nightmare's eyes, but were surprised at her smile.

"Weren't you the same way at one point Rarity?", Nightmare asked. Nightmare then looked at the cards the CMC had dropped. "Here. I think these belong to you."

"You're pretty nice.", Sweetie Belle said with a small smile.

"Hey, aren't you that girl that nearly kicked Burst's butt?", Scootaloo asked. "Bolt Dash told me it was a pretty close duel!"

"Can ya show us the cards ya used?", Applebloom asked.

"I think I've got a better idea. How about you see them in action? The three of you against me! But we play with half our life points. We don't want to keep any of the shop's customers waiting." Nightmare borrowed Burst's duel disk while the CMC grabbed their own. "I'll let you have the first move."

Nightmare: 12000
CMC: 12000

"Let's see...." Sweetie Belle looked at her cards. "I play Aquarium Lighting! Then I'll summon Aquaactress Guppy! Her effect lets me special summon another 'Aquaactress from my hand! I'll bring out Aquaactress Tetra! Now that she's on the field I can add an 'Aquarium' spell from my deck to my hand!" Sweetie Belle searched through her deck, and picked out a card before shuffling her deck. "Now I'll play the spell card I added! Aquarium Set! All WATER monsters I control can't be destroyed by battle with a non-WATER monster! Also, all 'Aquaactress monsters' I control are unaffected by my opponent's monster effects! I can't attack on my first turn, so I end my turn with a face-down."

'Hmmm. Her decks seems to be focused on using those spells to boost her monsters. I guess that's only proper considering the type of monsters she has and the names of the spells.' "An impressive setup.", Nightmare said with a nod. "You're ready to put on quite the show with your monsters. Now it's time for my performance! I draw! Since you have more monsters than me, I can normal summon this card without tributing! Arisen Gaia the Fierce Knight! But I'm not done yet! I'll set a card and then I'll play the spell card Terraforming! This lets me add a field spell from my deck to my hand! Now I'll activate the field spell I added! Lunar Surface!" When Nightmare activated the card, the whole dueling area switched to a surface similar to the moon. "Now its effect activates! All LIGHT and DARK monsters on my field gain 400 attack points! Now I'll have Arisen Gaia attack Aquaactress Tetra! Spiral Spear Strike!" Arisen Gaia charged at Tetra!

"Aquarium Lighting doubles my monster's attack and defense during damage calculation! Plus, Set gives Tetra and extra 600 attack points since she's a WATER monster and an 'Aquaactress!" Sweetie Belle winced as she took damage!

"Impressive strategy for keeping your monsters on the field.", Nightmare said with a smile. "I end my turn." 'So much for her deck being a fish out of water. Those aquarium spells work well for her monsters.'

CMC: 10900
Nightmare: 12000

"My turn now!", Scootaloo said. "I draw! Nice! First I'll play The Kaiju Files! Then I'll tribute your monster to special summon Gameciel, the Sea Turtle Kaiju to your field! And since a kaiju was special summoned, I can place a Kaiju Counter on The Kaiju Files! And since you've got a kaiju on your field, I can special summon a kaiju from my hand! Jizukiru, the Star Destroying Kaiju! Now I can put another Kaiju Counter on The Kaiju Files! Then I'll attack Gameciel!" Jizukiru fired a laser from his head! Obliterating Gameciel! "Now Gameciel goes to my graveyard! I end my turn!"

CMC: 10900
Nightmare: 10900

'Looks like her deck is like those monster movies Burst was talking about. It focuses on having two powerful monsters duke-it-out. Can't lie, that's kinda cool. Plus, it can get rid of a bothersome monster on the opponent's field. Pretty sneaky!' "Quite the monster you've got. I draw! I play Allure of Darkness! I can draw two cards so long as I banish a DARK monster from my hand! Now I play Level Conversion Lab I set earlier! I reveal a monster in my hand and reveal a monster in my hand! Then I roll a die, and if the result is between 2 and 6, the monster becomes that level!" Nightmare rolled a die, and the result was a five! "Excellent! Now I play Card Advance! This lets me conduct an extra tribute summon this turn! I summon Hardened Armed Dragon! Now I tribute him to bring out Yubel! Then I end my turn." '

"Ah draw!" Applebloom looked at the cards in her hand! "Ah summon Kozmo Farmgirl and banish her to special summon Kozmoll Dark Lady! Then Ah'll attack yer monster!"

"Sorry. But Yubel can't be destroyed by battle! And thanks to her effect, you take your monster's attack points as damage since you attacked! 'Let's see if the force is strong with her monsters.'

"Not fer long! Since you activated Yubel's effect, Ah can pay 1000 life points to negate the effect and destroy that card! But Ah can't destroy her effect, so all that's left is to take Yubel out by battle!" Yubel was shot-down by a blast of dark energy! "Ah end mah turn!"

CMC: 9900
Nightmare: 9100

"Not bad.", Nightmare said with a smile. "You managed to take down one of my best monsters. But you've yet to see my ace! I draw! Now it's time for you to meet her! I banish Yubel from my graveyard!" A beam of moonlight appeared on Nightmare's field. "I summon Queen Nyx!" A female monster materialized onto Nightmare's field! She was wearing azure gauntlets and a black dress, and had dark purple hair as well as teal eyes like Nightmare's. "Now that she's on the field, she gains 300 attack for each monster in my graveyard! Also, all monsters on your field are switched to defense mode! Did I mention Nyx inflicts piercing damage if I destroy a defense mode monster? Also, Nyx gains more attack points thanks to my field! Destroy Kozmoll Dark Lady! Night Blast!"

"Hope you're not scared of the dark!", Nyx joked as she fired a blast of magic! Destroying Kozmoll Dark Lady!

"I end my turn with two face-downs." 'These cards should give Nyx some extra protection. And considering the power boost Sweetie's spells give her monsters, I'll be needing them.'

CMC: 8000
Nightmare: 9100

"My turn!" Sweetie Belle drew her next card. "I'll switch all my monsters back into attack mode! Then I activate Guppy's effect! I special summon Aquaactress Arowana! Now I'll attack Queen Nyx!"

"I don't think so! I activate Mirror Force! This destroys all attack mode monsters you control!" A barrier formed around Nyx, and reflected the stream of bubbles back into Sweetie's monsters! Wiping them all out! "Now I activate my other face-down! Mystical Space Typhoon to destroy Aquarium Lighting!" A typhoon blew away Sweetie's Aquarium Lighting spell!"

"Since you destroyed Aquarium Lighting, I can special summon an aqua-type monster in my graveyard! I'll bring back Tetra! Then I'll use her effect to add an 'Aquarium' spell from my deck to my hand! I'll play the spell I added! Aquarium Lighting! Then I'll activate my trap! Aqua Story-Urashima! I can target one monster on the field and negate its effects and make its attack and defense become 100!" A storm of bubbles flew at Nyx, but they just bounced off her!

"Nyx can't be targeted or destroyed by card effects. Sorry to burst your bubble."

"Darn! I guess I end my turn."

"I draw! Now I'll equip Nyx with Lunar Scepter! This boosts her attack by 500! Destroy Jizukiru!" Nyx fired a concentrated blast of magic at Jizukiru! Melting the star destroying kaiju to scrap! "I end my turn."

CMC: 6400
Nightmare: 9100

"My move!" Scootaloo drew her next card. "Aw, man! I got nothing! I end my turn."

"My turn." Nightmare drew her next card. "I'll attack you directly with Nyx!" Scootaloo cringed as Nyx fired a blast of magic right into her life points! "I end my turn with another face-down."

CMC: 2200
Nightmare: 9100

"Ah draw!", Applebloom said. "Ah summon Kozmo Tincan and end mah turn!"

"I draw! I'll attack Tincan!"

"Ah banish Tincan to special summon a level two or higher 'Kozmo' monster from my hand! Ah special summon Kozmo Sliprider! Now Ah can destroy a spell or trap card on the field! Ah destroy Lunar Surface!" Nightmare's field was destroyed, but Sliprider was still shot-down! "That's all fer me."

CMC: 500
Nightmare: 9100

'They're having fun despite my lead in life points. That's the way people should be when they duel.' "You all put up a good duel.", Nightmare said with a kind smile. "But now I have an important question for all of you. Did you have a fun duel?" The CMC gradually smiled.

"Yeah!", the CMC answered.

"Good. That's how you should try to approach every duel. Now to bring this duel to a close." Nyx fired a ray of lunar magic at the last of the CMC's life points. Once the duel ended, the CMC ran up to Nightmare.

"Your ace monster is so cool!", Scootaloo cheered.

"Ya really gave us a challenge!", Applebloom said with a big smile.

"Sooo, are you Burst's girlfriend?"

"Thanks all of you. And to answer your question Sweetie Belle, yes. I am Burst's girlfriend. We're even living in the same house."

"Sorry to interrupt darling, but are you finished picking out clothes?", Rarity asked. Nightmare nodded.

"I am. Come on Burst. Let's head home." Nightmare picked up the clothes she had picked out, and she and Burst left.

"You're pretty good with kids.", Burst said with a smile.

"Well it's easier for them to like you when there's no myths that you eat them if they misbehave.", Nightmare said with a giggle. "Contrary to the Nightmare Night myths, I'm actually quite fond of children. I can sort of relate to them in a lot of ways. Even if I didn't have a childhood." Nightmare was then surprised when Burst hugged her tightly.

"We're fixing that tonight! I'm gonna share with you all the things that I grew up with."

"Would one of them happen to be Power Rangers?"

"How did you know?!"

"I heard you singing the theme song in the shower."

"Heh. Then I guess that's where we're starting." Burst's smile then faded. "Did you hear about Inferno's run-in yesterday?"

"I did. I'll admit, I'm worried for you Burst. This rogue duelist is targeting legendary dragon users."

"I know. And I've got an idea as to who this duelist is." Burst then let out a sigh. "I just hope I'm wrong...."

Author's Note

Queen Nyx Card Stats

Name: Queen Nyx
Attribute: DARK
Level: 8
Type: Spellcaster/Effect
ATK: 3000/DEF:2500
Effect: You can special summon this card by banishing one DARK monster from your hand or graveyard. When this card is summoned, switch all of your opponent's monsters into defense mode. This card cannot be targeted or destroyed by card effects. This card gains 300 attack for each DARK monster in your graveyard. When this card destroys a defense mode monster, inflict piercing damage.

Duel 7: Planning

The next day...

Starlight's room...

Starlight was looking over the new cards she had purchased. 'It looks like these cards should help me cripple my prospective opponents', she thought. Starlight then turned her thoughts to the other legendary dragons she'd sensed. 'Another one of the legendary dragon users is close to Shadow. He has a card similar to the two dragons I first captured. He'll be my next target. I can sense that the dragon he holds resonates with those two dragons in specific. Then there's that other duelist who holds a powerful dragon. He seems close to Ace and Shadow. Something tells me they won't be easy to defeat. However, there was three other powerful dragon presences. They were young, but them and their duelists should prove to be easier targets.' Starlight then smiled as she thought of her future victory. 'Maybe after all this, I'll have Shadow join me. That dragon he's partnered to seems to carry great influence over other dragons.' Starlight then took a moment to remember the time she'd spent with Shadow. 'And I wouldn't mind having some company. Especially someone who's been such a good friend to me....' Starlight put her cards away and drifted off to sleep.

Pegasus's House....

"Okay. So we know why we've been targeted.", Burst began. "And we know the type of deck this duelist uses."

"And that they're incredibly determined.", Inferno added. "That girl was stopping at nothing to try and get at Red-Eyes!"

"And if they targeted you two, that means whoever this rogue duelist is goes to our school.", Gold noted.

"Geez! This chick must be crazy if she's going to these lengths to go after your dragons.", Steel said.

"Let's not forget. Pegasus said he sensed the cries of legendary dragons. Right Gold?", Ace asked.

Gold nodded. "He said that he saw the dragons caught in chains of sickly green energy. And that this energy seemed to cause pain to the dragons. Whoever this is, they've got the ability to enslave and corrupt their spirits. That explains that weird armor you've seen on them when they're summoned."

"So this punk's dragon hunting. That puts me in their cross-hairs too.", Ice said.

"Let me at that witch!", Rainbow Dash boasted. "I'll show her what a real Rainbow Dragon deck can do!"

"Easy there Rainbow. We don't really know what else this duelist's deck is capable of.", Sunset cautioned.

"Poor dragons....", Fluttershy said with a slight sniffle. "How could anyone be that cruel?"

"Maybe they're not aware how much the dragons are hurting.", Burst said.

"What makes you say that Burst?", Rarity asked. "If they're putting their cards through such pain, why would you say that?"

"Because I have a good guess as to who's using this malefic deck." Burst sighed. "But I'm really hoping that I'm wrong. We'll know for sure once we're at school tomorrow. And Ace? You'd better warn Shadow about this rogue duelist too."

"Will do."

"Be careful everyone. We don't know how far this duelist is willing to go.", Nightmare added. "See you all on Monday." The group of friends left. Trying to figure out the motives, and the threat level of the rogue duelist.

Duel 8: Starlight Strikes

Monday arrived, and Burst and his friends were all on edge after the unsettling events that had occurred only a few days ago. Shadow noticed their shift in mood, and wondered what was going on. 'This is weird. Why're Ace and his friends acting this way?' Wanting to know what was causing his friends' unease, Shadow decided to ask Ace and Ice. "Guys? Why're you and the others on-edge all of a sudden?" Ace and Ice took a deep breath before looking Shadow in the eye.

"Shadow. Inferno was attacked last Friday after school.", Ace began.

"What?! By who?", Shadow asked.

"By a duelist using a weird deck. She was after his partner Red-Eyes. The most notable thing was the weird field spell she used. It seemed to distort the real world."

Shadow shivered. "Creepy."

"The worst part is that the duelist uses distorted versions of legendary dragons. And that distortion corrupts the dragons and causes them pain."

Shadow couldn't believe there was a duelist that cruel! "That's awful!"

"It gets worse.", Ace chimed in. "We believe this rogue duelist goes to this school. And considering the fact we're partnered with legendary dragons, that makes us possible targets. And that includes you too Shadow."

"So THAT'S why everybody's on edge."

"Watch your back bro.", Ice cautioned. "You've got a legendary dragon too. That means you're in danger too."

"Got it! I'll be sure to keep my guard up! I'd better warn Starlight too! She's got a TON of legendary dragons in her deck!" Shadow went off to find Starlight. He didn't have to look far.

"Oh. Shadow. What's up? I was just looking for you..."

"Starlight, I've got something important to tell you. There's a duelist going around who's hunting legendary dragons! Inferno was attacked last Friday. And since you've got a whole lot of legendary dragons, that means you're a target too! Just...be careful." Starlight but on a worried expression, but her mind was another story.

'So it looks like my activities haven't gone unnoticed. No point in trying to remain covert now. I'll have to make my move at lunch period.' "Thanks for the heads-up. I'll be sure to watch my back." Starlight was surprised as Shadow pulled her into a hug.

"Stay safe Star.", Shadow said quietly. Starlight then slowly returned the hug.

"You too Shadow." The two went their separate ways, and the day went on as usual. That is, until lunch period hit. It all started when Timaeus materialized out of Ace's deck!

"Timaeus?! What's wrong?", Ace asked.

"I hear them!", Timaeus replied. "I can hear the calls of my imprisoned comrades! Hermos! Critias! Where are you?!" Soon, the sky darkened and clouds gathered. Timaeus's eyes narrowed as he sniffed the air. "I sense a strong evil presence. I can SMELL the reek of its ill intent. It's close. Outside the school!" Ace grabbed his duel disk out of his backpack, and strapped it on.

"Looks like the duelist that attacked Inferno is making their move. Let's go!" Ace and Timaeus bolted for the main entrance doors and threw them open! Outside there was a figure waiting for them wearing an odd mask and a cloak. "So you're the one who's been enslaving dragons."

"I see you and your dragon came when he heard his friends calling.", Starlight replied. "Don't worry. They'll be reunited when I capture him too!" Starlight and Ace activated their duel disks!

"You'll have to beat me to get at my friend!"

Starlight: 8000
Ace: 8000

"I got the first turn!" Ace looked carefully at his cards. "I summon Chocolate Magician Girl in attack mode and discard a spellcaster to draw a card! Then I'll end my turn with a face-down!" 'From what Inferno said about this duelist, her monsters aren't too big on effects. But, they all have high attack points. Good thing my magicians can remedy that!'

'Looks like Timaeus is the only monster he has that has any decent attack power. Defeating him should prove to be an easy task.' "I draw! Perfect! I play Terraforming to add the field spell Malefic World! Now I'll activate it!" Once Malefic World was activated, the world distorted! "Now I set a card and banish Red-Eyes Black Dragon to special summon Malefic Red-Eyes Black Dragon! Attack Chocolate Magician Girl!"

"You've set-off her effect! When Chocolate Magician Girl is targeted for an effect or an attack, I can special summon a spellcaster from my graveyard! I'll bring back Berry Magician Girl! Also, your monster's attack is halved and it's new target is the monster that was special summoned! Now Berry Magician Girl's effect activates! I can change her battle position and special summon a 'Magician Girl' monster from my deck!" Berry Magician Girl was destroyed, but Dark Magician Girl took the field!

"I end my turn with two face-downs." 'So much for my Malefics retaining their high attack points. This deck is poison for them! If I attack, his magicians can halve their strength! AGH! This is so frustrating! It looks like I can't even make us of my monsters' attack points!'

'Good. Looks like I've managed to limit her actions. If she decides to pick-off one of my Magician Girls, I can halve that monster's attack! Plus, only one of her monsters can take the field at a time! That means she can't swarm me!' "My turn!" Ace drew his next card! "I'll attack your monster with Dark Magician Girl!"

"I think not! I activate my trap! Malefic Claw Stream! This destroys one monster on your field!" A stream of crackling green energy struck Dark Magician Girl! Destroying her!

"In that case, I'll attack your monster with Chocolate Magician Girl!" Chocolate Magician Girl fired a blast of magic! Destroying Malefic Red-Eyes! "I end my turn." 'I guess she's still got some form of protection for her monsters. Just gotta keep a cool head, and I should be able to handle things.'

Starlight: 7800
Ace: 8000

"I activate Malefic World's effect! I select three 'Malefic' cards! Now you pick one and I can add it to my hand! The rest are shuffled back into my deck."

"I pick the one in the middle."

"Excellent choice." Starlight added the card to her hand, and shuffled the other two back into her deck. "Now I banish Rainbow Dragon to special summon Malefic Rainbow Dragon! Then I activate my trap! Deck Devastation Virus! I'll tribute Malefic Rainbow! Now I can check your hand! All monsters with 1500 or less attack in your hand and field are destroyed! Also, all monsters with 1500 or less attack you draw are destroyed up until the end of your third turn after this card's activation!" Ace showed Starlight his hand, and sent all monsters with 1500 or less attack to the graveyard. "Now I'll set another card and end my turn by banishing Blue-Eyes White Dragon to special summon Malefic Blue-Eyes!"

"I draw!" Ace discarded a card due to Deck Devastation Virus's effect. "I set a card and end my turn." 'Man. That virus card crippled a good portion of my deck! Especially since most of the Magician Girls have less than 1500 attack! Well, at least Chocolate Magician Girl can revive spellcasters from my graveyard. So, no major loss.'

"My turn." Starlight drew her next card. "I tribute Malefic Blue-Eyes to activate my trap! Eradicator Epidemic Virus! I can declare one card type! Spell, or trap! Then I can destroy all cards of that type on your field and in your hand! Then until your third turn of this card's activation you have to destroy all cards of the declared type that you draw! I declare spell!" Ace frowned as he sent all the spell cards in his hand to the graveyard. "Now I'll end my turn."

'Okay. So she's trying to get rid off my monsters, and she's trying to cripple my spells and traps. She's trying to lock-down my deck! But the cost of the virus cards is pretty high. Meaning now I've got a clear shot at her life points!' "My move! I draw!" Ace had to send Dark Magic Veil to the graveyard due to Eradicator Epidemic's effect! "I'll attack you directly with Chocolate Magician Girl!" Starlight winced as she took damage from Chocolate Magician Girl's spell blast! "I end my turn with a face-down."

Starlight: 6200
Ace: 8000

"I activate Malefic World's effect! You know how it works." Starlight selected three Malefic cards, and Ace selected the one at the far left. "Now I'll banish Cyber End Dragon to bring out Malefic Cyber End Dragon!"

'Just what I needed! Time to bring out my ace!' "I activate my trap! Dark Renewal! I'll send your Malefic Cyber End and Chocolate Magician Girl to special summon a DARK spellcaster from my deck or graveyard! I'll bring back Dark Magician Girl!"

"Hmph. I suppose you've foiled my strategy for the moment."

"My turn!" Ace drew The Eye of Timaeus, but had to discard it due to Eradicator Epidemic's effect. "I'll attack you directly with Dark Magician Girl! Dark Burning Attack!" Starlight cringed as her life points took a hit! "I end my turn."

Starlight: 4200
Ace: 8000

"It's too bad you got rid of that last Magician Girl. You could've used her ability for what I'm about to unleash! I draw! I banish Stardust Dragon from my extra deck to special summon Malefic Stardust Dragon! Then I'll summon Malefic Parallel Gear and tune Malefic Stardust with him! I synchro summon Malefic Paradox Dragon! Destroy Dark Magician Girl!" Malefic Paradox fired a crackling stream of black energy! Wiping out Dark Magician Girl! "I end my turn with a face-down."

Starlight: 4200
Ace: 6000

"My turn!" Ace looked at his hand as he drew his card. 'I could use this monster, but the virus is still in effect. "Darn. Gotta send her to the graveyard. I guess I'll end my turn."

"Then I'll draw! Attack him directly Malefic Paradox!" Ace cringed as Malefic Paradox Dragon fired a stream of crackling black energy! The damage became real in this field as he fell to one knee! "I believe I've punished you enough for this turn."

Starlight: 4200
Ace: 2000

"I draw! I'll set a card and end my turn!"

"I'll not risk triggering your face-down.", Starlight said as she drew her next card. "So I'll end my turn."

"In that case, it's my move!" Ace smiled as he saw the next card he drew! "I play the spell card Knight of Harmony! I'll banish The Eye of Timaeus to special summon Timaeus the Dragon Knight of Harmony! Now I'll activate his effect! I'll target and destroy Malefic World!" Timaeus fired a bolt of magic from his blade! Destroying Malefic World! As Malefic World faded, Paradox Dragon self-destructed! "Looks like your monsters depend on that field spell! Now your field's wide-open! Attack her directly Timaeus! Dragon Knight Strike!" Timaeus charged his sword with magic, and slashed at Starlight's life points! "I end my turn." 'I can sense Critias and Hermos breaking free of their bonds!'

Starlight: 700
Ace: 2000

"I draw!" Starlight frowned under her mask as she looked at her cards. "I end my turn."

"I draw! Let's end this Timaeus!" Timaeus slashed away the last of Starlight's life points! Timaeus then raised his sword to the sky!

"Critias! Hermos! Hear me! With my power...I free you from your imprisonment!", Timaeus cried out to the heavens! Starlight noticed a flash of red and blue going off in her deck! The cards of Critias and Hermos shot out of her deck and flew into Ace's hands! "At last my comrades are freed from your grasp!"

"This isn't over!" Starlight opened a portal back to the school, and changed back into her regular clothes. 'So much for the "great power" of the Malefics.' Meanwhile, Ace had met back up with his friends. Proudly displaying the legendary dragons he'd freed.

"Maybe these two can shed some light on this malefic menace."

Duel 9: The Menace Unmasked

Ace had met with most of his friends to discuss his encounter ant victory over the rogue duelist who had been hunting legendary dragons. "And she would've gotten me if she wasn't cautious about my face-down! It was a good thing her virus cards didn't cripple me too much! Otherwise I'd have been in BIG trouble!"

"And it looks like you scored more than one victory.", Gold noted. "You and Timaeus managed to liberate two of the legendary dragons that were captured."

"Speaking of that, what's your connection to those two Timaeus?"

Timaeus had a proud smile as he introduced the dragons he and Ace had freed. "Ace and friends. It is my honor to introduce you to my comrades in arms. Critias, the greatest strategist I've ever known, and Hermos. The most skilled blacksmith I've ever met." Critias and Hermos bowed their heads as Timaeus introduced them. "I was wondering when you'd stop by Ace's world."

"We were searching for you when that duelist captured us.", Critias said.

"She trapped us in card form, but she couldn't conjure up malefic versions of us!", Hermos boasted! "It takes more than that to defeat a dragon knight!"

"Speaking of said duelist, can you give us any information on who we're up against?", Inferno asked.

"Yeah! Tell us what we need to know so we can clobber her!", Rainbow Dash chimed in.

"I like this girl.", Hermos said with a grin. "She's got a fire in her hotter than the one in my forge!"

"Joking aside...", Critias added. "We can tell you everything you need to know about the duelist who attacked today and imprisoned us. She thought we were blind in our card forms. But the cards also allow us a window into your world. And we heard and saw all we needed to. The duelist's name is Starlight Glimmer." Burst let out a sigh, and the group turned to face him.

"Burst? What is it?", Nightmare asked.

"I knew it. And I was hoping that I'd be wrong. Starlight dueled against me a few days back to show-off her deck. The monsters and field she used are completely identical to the cards Inferno encountered last Friday."

"So....what do we do now?", Twilight asked.

"Well we can't just up-and-confront her.", Night said as he tried to think of a strategy. "That'd put too many people at risk."

"Great. A girl comes into Shadow's life and she turns out to be the next big threat.", Ice grumbled.

"Yeah, but....should we tell him?", Ace asked. "Shadow would be crushed if he found out."

"But she could be trying to get at him and Dragluon!", Ice argued. "C'mon Ace! We've gotta think about the safety of the world AND our family! I don't know about you, but I'd rather not leave it to chance." In the meantime, Nightmare noticed Sunset's troubled expression.

"Something on your mind?", Nightmare asked.

"Starlight's not like any of the villains we've faced before. You may have caused Burst's first break-up by accident, but at least you never tried to destroy us. Starlight straight-up attacked Inferno to get at his dragon."

"Very true.", Rarity added. "But we're still behind on one crucial piece of information. WHY is she doing this?"

"Rarity's got a point. Ah can't get a read as to why Starlight'd hunt legendary dragons.", Applejack said.

"Or why she'd hurt them....", Fluttershy stated.

"She doesn't SEEM like a total meanie...", Pinkie chimed in.

"Maybe she's not aware of her actions.", Nightmare said. "Burst said that maybe Starlight didn't know she was hurting the dragons so much. Or maybe these aren't her own desires being carried out. Take it from me. I can tell when there's another entity present that shares the desires of the person its inhabiting. I've picked up on something from Starlight, but whatever it is, it's really good at masking its presence."

"I guess the only thing that makes this whole situation worse is that Shadow and Starlight are a developing couple.", Sunset added. "No matter how they tried to hide it."

"Maybe Starlight'll come around?", Rainbow Dash asked.

"Indeed darling. Sunset, The Dazzlings, and Moon changed.", Rarity added. "Is it that out of the question that Starlight could change too?"

"I honestly hope she does.", Nightmare said with a sigh. "Let's just move on with the rest of our day." The group departed, and went their separate ways. Each of them contemplating how to deal with Starlight.

Duel 10: The Malefic's Worst Nightmare

The school day soon came to a close, and Nightmare was packing up her things from her locker. She was about to head home with Burst until the CMC showed up around her. "Oh. Hi you three. Is there something you need?"

"We were hoping to see how you'd do show your deck to us and Shining and his friends.", Scootaloo beamed.

"If yer not to busy Ms. Moon.", Applebloom added.

Nightmare smiled. "I'd love to. I just need to text Burst I'll be getting home late. Don't wait up for me."

"Cool! See ya at the duel park Moon!", Sweetie Belle said as she and her friends headed off to the duel park. Nightmare finished texting Burst and made her way to the duel park. In the meantime, the CMC and CMCB were waiting around at the duel park.

"So it looks like Moon's got a powerful monster partner.", Shining Spoon noted.

"Monster partner?", Applebloom asked.

"Y'know. The monster you got a bond with. Like me and Clear Wing!", Bolt said proudly as he showed off Clear Wing Synchro Dragon.

"Huh. Kinda like me and Dogoran!", Scootaloo said with a smile.

"Guppy's my favorite.", Sweetie Belle beamed. "Kinda like you three have your dragons."

"Yup.", Bright Star said proudly. "No monsters we'd rather have by our side!"

"How sweet." The group froze when they saw a figure step out of a portal. "You care so much for your dragons. You're young, so I'll make this an easy choice...." Starlight snapped her fingers, and the CMC were trapped in a cage of energy! "Hand over your dragons, and I'll release them. I'd rather not make this difficult."

"What do we do? The girls are in trouble!", Bright Star whispered.

"I say we duel the pants off her!", Bolt hissed. "Teach her a lesson about messing with our friends!"

"We don't know if we can take her!", Shining protested. "Plus, we've got no idea how strong her monsters are!"

"Well? I'm waiting.", Starlight said sternly.

"We're not handing over our dragons!", Bolt Dash spat!

"Then it looks like we're going to do this the hard way." Starlight summoned her duel disk.

"YOU WON'T LAY A FINGER ON THEM!", Nightmare shouted. Starlight turned to see Nightmare's eyes burning with fury. "If you're going to duel someone, duel me!" Nightmare activated her duel disk.

"Heh. I guess I'll indulge you." Starlight activated her duel disk in response.

Nightmare: 8000
Starlight: 8000

"I got the first move!" Nightmare took a careful look at her cards. "I play Ancient Rules to special summon Dragon Core Hexer in defense mode! Then I'll set two cards face-down and end my turn!" 'I can't take her monsters lightly. They might not have decent effects, but their attack points are pretty high!

"Pretty impressive start.", Starlight said with a smirk under her mask. "I draw! I'll set a card and end my turn."

"In that case, I'll start my turn!" Nightmare drew her next card. "I'll switch Hexer into attack mode! Then I'll play Trade-In to discard a level eight monster from my hand to draw two new cards! I'll attack you directly with Hexer! Dragon Core Slash!"

"This one's for the noble dragons you've imprisoned!", Hexer cried as she slashed at Starlight's life points!

"I'll end my turn."

Nightmare: 8000
Starlight: 5700

"That was your one free hit! I draw!" Starlight smiled under her mask as she saw the cards in her hand. "I activate the field spell Malefic World! Now I'll banish Blue-Eyes White Dragon from my deck and summon Malefic Blue-Eyes! Then I'll summon Malefic Parallel Gear! Now I'll tune Gear with Blue-Eyes! I synchro summon Malefic Paradox Dragon! Then I'll activate my trap! Malefic Claw Stream! I can target a 'Malefic' monster I control to destroy one monster you control!" A stream of sickly green energy vaporized Dragon Core Hexer! "Now attack her directly!" Nightmare cringed as a stream of crackling black energy was fired from Malefic Paradox Dragon's mouth! Striking her lifepoints directly! But she had also prepared!

"I special summon Gorz the Emissary of Darkness since I took damage! Now I activate his effect! I can special summon an Emissary Token with attack equal to the damage I took!" 'It was risky, but getting a monster that can match her dragon's strength was worth it!'

"Looks like you're still in this duel. I end my turn with a face-down."

Nightmare: 4000
Starlight: 5700

'Not good!', Nightmare thought. 'I'm already down to half my life points with one attack! I've got Nyx in my hand, but her attack won't be enough to take down Malefic Paradox Dragon! And even if I have my token attack, there's still that face-down!' Suddenly, Nightmare noticed a rainbow-colored flash going off on top of her deck! "What?" Nightmare drew the card, and gasped when she saw it. Nightmare's pained expression of defeat changed into a confident smile! "Time to turn this duel around! I play Harmony's Light! I'll send Queen Nyx from my hand to the graveyard! Now I special summon Nyx the Night Paladin from my deck!" Nyx appeared on the field, and was bathed in a ray of moonlight! When the light died down, Nyx had transformed! Instead of wearing a dress and gauntlets, she was wearing a brilliant azure armor! Her hair also seemed to have stars swirling in it, and had turned dark blue. But most notable was the pair of black wings Nyx had grown! Nightmare also underwent a transformation. She had grown pony ears, a tail, and a pair of large black wings! "Now I'll activate her effect! I'll switch your monster into defense mode!" Nyx fired a blast of magic that forced Malefic Paradox Dragon into defense mode! "Now Nyx's other effect activates! Since your monster's in defense mode, Nyx can attack you directly! Crescent Slash!" Nyx charged her sword with magic and flew over Malefic Paradox Dragon! Nyx landed in front of Starlight!

"Lights out!", Nyx said as she slashed at Starlight's life points! Nyx then flew back to Nightmare's field.

"That's all for my turn. And you can drop the disguise Starlight."

Nightmare: 4000
Starlight: 1200

Starlight removed her mask. "So. I take it the dragons that were freed told you about me." Starlight then scowled when she saw a silver glow coming from her deck! "NO! Not again!" A card from Starlight's extra deck was trying to break free! The card soon shot into Nightmare's hand! "Why?! Why aren't the dragons obeying me?!"

"Because you've been hurting them Starlight!", Nightmare cried out. "Starlight, is this power you've been given worth it?! Is it worth scaring them?" Nightmare pointed to the CMC and the CMCB. "There's a better way than this!" Starlight's mind was still fuzzy as Nightmare went on. "What would Shadow think of you if he knew?!" 'Burst changed me. Maybe Shadow can do the same for her. At least, I hope he can. Come on Starlight. You know there's a better path than this.'

"I....I draw! I'll switch Paradox Dragon back into attack mode! And I'll use him to take-out your token!" Nightmare's token and Malefic Paradox Dragon destroyed each other! "Now I can pay half my life points to special summon Malefic Truth Dragon!"

"I don't think so! I activate my trap! Black Horn of Heaven! This lets me negate the special summon of a monster and destroy it!" Malefic Truth Dragon exploded the second it tried to take the field! "Now I can special summon Van'Dalgyon the Dark Dragon from my graveyard since I used a counter trap to negate the summon of a monster or a spell or trap! Now I can activate one of his effects! I can special summon a monster from my graveyard! Unfortuantely, I've got nothing to revive."

"I...end my turn...", Starlight said as she clutched her head.

"I draw!" Nightmare took careful note of the type of monster she had freed. "I summon D.D. Sprite! Now I'll tune him with Gorz! I synchro summon..." D.D. Sprite turned into a green ring and hovered over Gorz! "Stardust Dragon!" A column of light shot from the ring, and a dragon with silvery-white scales and stardust trailing from his wings. He looked like he was made of the stars themselves! "Stardust! Nyx! Attack her directly! Lunar Stardust Flare!" Stardust and Nyx fired a combined attack! The silvery-blue blast of energy wiped out the last of Starlight's life points! Starlight retreated through a portal, causing the energy cage she had summoned to fade away. Nightmare went over to the CMC and CMCB to see if they were alright. "Any of you hurt?"

"We are now!", Scootaloo said with a grin. "You kicked that girl's butt! No wonder you're Burst's girlfriend!"

"Thanks for the save!", Shining Spoon said with a sigh of relief.

"I'm glad you're all safe. You'd all better hurry home."

"Right!" The group headed home, and Nightmare and Nyx turned to face Stardust. "Seems like I've got a new friend. Nice to meet you."

"You too. Thanks for freeing me. I've been looking for you Nightmare.", Stardust said with a kind smile.

"Call me Moon please."

"I'm Stardust Dragon. I was meant to bond with you, but Starlight captured me before I could find you."

"Welcome to the deck.", Nightmare said with a smile. Stardust returned to the monster world, and Nightmare added his card to the extra deck. "Time to see what happens if I call on my bond with Stardust..." Nightmare focused and found that stardust was falling from her wings. "Now's as good a time as ever to break in these new wings!" Nightmare took off! Leaving a trail of stardust as she flew! "This is amazing! Just wait until I show this to Burst!" Nightmare soon landed at Burst's house. Burst opened the door, and held her tightly. "You really missed me didn't you?"

"Moon, where were you?! What happened?!"

"Easy Burst. I'm alright. I had a run-in with Starlight, but I beat her and managed to free a legendary dragon from her."

"I'm just glad you're safe.", Burst said with a sigh of relief, then noticed Nightmare's transformation. "And it looks like you've truly unlocked the magic inside you. And I guess that dragon you freed upgraded your wings Moon."

"You like them?", Nightmare asked with a smile before wrapping her arms and wings around Burst. "Listen Burst. I think Starlight's actions might be influenced by another presence. I finally got a good sense of it when we were dueling after she unmasked herself. And it's going to take a lot to free her."

"I guess this all rests on Shadow's shoulders now."

"Why's that?"

"I changed you Moon. Shadow could do the same for Starlight. But his brothers are going to have to break the news to him. But first, we'd better head inside before I text Ace." Burst and Nightmare headed inside. "I know you can take care of yourself, but that doesn't stop me from worrying about you."

"And that doesn't stop me from loving you.", Nightmare said as she kissed Burst. "Let's hope Shadow's love can save Starlight."

Author's Note

Nyx the Night Paladin Card Stats

Name: Nyx the Night Paladin
Attribute: Light
Level: 10
Type: Fairy/Effect
ATK: 4500/DEF: 4000
Effect: This card can only be special summoned by the effect of "Harmony's Light". This card is unaffected by card effects. Once per turn, you can target one monster your opponent controls into defense mode. If all your opponent's monsters are in defense mode, you can attack your opponent directly. This card gains 300 attack for each LIGHT and DARK monster in your graveyard.

Duel 12: Starlight's Decision

Starlight couldn't sleep that night. Nightmare's words were still swirling in her head. About what she'd done, and how the dragons in her deck were hurting. Starlight woke up in a cold sweat as she caught her breath. "What's happening to me? ", she thought out loud. "Why am I so obsessed with capturing legendary dragons?" Starlight clutched her head. "AGH! Just thinking about all of this hurts my head! Like there's something gnawing at my mind!" Starlight's mind was racing, but it always came to one focal point. Shadow. "I need to get this off my mind! I need to talk to someone, so it might as well be him!" Starlight settled back into her bed. Unaware that the mask she'd been using began to pulse with energy.

The next day....

Shadow felt like his whole body had been turned inside out. He'd only met Starlight a few days ago, and just yesterday he'd found out that she was the duelist who'd been hunting down legendary dragons. The same one who attacked Inferno last Friday. 'Isn't that just my luck? I meet a girl, and she turns out to be the next big threat my friends gotta face.' Shadow then noticed Starlight waiting by the school entrance. 'Looks like she's expecting me...' "Hi Starlight." Starlight let out a sigh as Shadow came into view.

"Shadow. We need to talk.", Starlight said with a pained look on her face.

"It's about you hunting and capturing legendary dragons. Isn't it?"

Starlight was shocked! "How...how did you know?!"

"My brothers told me. After you dueled Moon yesterday. But all I've gotta ask you is....WHY? What in the world possessed you to hunt the legendary dragons?"

"You don't understand! I NEED their power!"

"Do you?! How far would you have gone Starlight? Would you have dueled me to get Dragluon?"

"Shadow...no! I'd never do that to you! You're my friend!"

"The others thought you were THEIR friend. And what did you do? You tried to steal Red-Eyes from Inferno. How can you explain that?"

"Because Burst and Inferno's dragons have power beyond any Blue-Eyes or Red-Eyes I've sensed thanks to the abilities the malefic cards gave me! If I captured them, I'd be unstoppable!"

"Why do you WANT to be unstoppable?"

"I....I don't know! Ever since I picked up the Malefics, it's been the sole thought pounding in my head! And it won't stop! It hasn't stopped!"

"Maybe I can help it stop! Just leave the Malefics behind! I can help you find a new way, and I can't stand to see you hurting!"

"Why not?!"

"Because....BECAUSE I LOVE YOU!", Shadow screamed at the top of his lungs! "I feel for you when I first saw you. I never had someone to love like all my friends....but you changed that when I met you! And I don't want to let you go! Not when you're hurting!" Starlight was tearing up as Shadow poured his heart out. "Starlight...PLEASE. Let me help you."

"Shadow....did you mean all of that?"

"Would I really embarrass myself by proclaiming my love at the top of my lungs otherwise?", Shadow asked. Starlight slowly inched towards Shadow.

"I...." Starlight's mask shattered in her backpack, and a mass of unstable energy was released! The energy then condensed into a form.

"I believe I've made good use of you Starlight.", the figure said as grabbed her!

"You...you were the one that gave me the malefic cards! You were the voice going off in my head telling me to hunt the legendary dragons!"

The figure laughed. "So now you see you were my puppet. I suppose you should know who was pulling your strings. I am called Paradox Truth. And during your duels, I've been regaining my power! Enough to forge the TRUE Malefic deck! But I think I'll hold onto you for a bit longer!" Paradox bound Starlight with energy restraints! "Now...the fun really begins!"

"Let her go!", Shadow cried as he charged at Paradox! But Paradox grabbed Shadow by the throat!

"You want the girl back? Fine. I'll give you a chance to reclaim her. Meet me when I raise my lair." Paradox threw Shadow to the ground! "Until then we meet again fool. Feel free to bring as many others who are foolish enough to face me!" Paradox vanished through a portal, and Shadow slowly rose to his feet.

"Starlight....", Shadow wheezed. "I AM going to get you back." Shadow then pulled out his phone. "But I can't do it alone...."

Duel 13: Dragons of Legend United/Paradox's Plan

Shadow had gathered the others, and told them what had happened. "The guy who took Starlight called himself Paradox Truth. He said he'd raise his lair and that he'd be waiting for us to face him."

"So it seems that legend was true after all.", Blue-Eyes said with a steeled gaze.

"Legend?", Burst asked. "What legend Blue-Eyes?"

"Long, long ago, a human sorceror found his way to our realm.", Blue-Eyes answered. "He drew inspiration from our ancestors and used his magic to create two powerful dragons to serve him. He used the dragons he created to establish himself as a master of dragons and gained great fame through our realm. But it wasn't enough for him. He wanted himself and his dragons to be recognized as our ancestors were. In arrogance, he approached the council of legendary dragons with the dragons he had created. Insolently demanding the his dragons be recognized as legendary dragons, and that he be named master of the legendary dragons. But the council refused because of the darkness in his heart. In a rage, he unleashed his dragons upon the council! But out ancestors banded together, and their combined strength defeated the dragons he had created! As punishment for his arrogance, they had the Dark Sage open a hole to a dimensional prison. One that suited him and his corrupted dragons. As an extra measure, Dark Sage cursed him so that he and his dragons would be forever bound to the prison. For should the prison be destroyed, they would be destroyed as well. The sorcerer swore he'd have his revenge on the legendary dragons! If not on the ones who imprisoned him, then he would unleash his vengeance upon their descendants. The sorcerer's name was Paradox Truth. And now he's come to settle that score with our ancestors from that day long past."

"Wait...how'd he break out?", Inferno asked. "I thought he needed to stay in that prison dimension to stay in one piece."

"You forget, it's been a long time since his exile.", Red-Eyes answered. "He's had PLENTY of time to find ways to project himself out of his prison. He was cut-off from our world, but yours was fair game. But he still needed to bide his time to regain his strength, so he must have searched for a duelist who had cards of the legendary dragons, but no link to them. And guess who he found?"

"Starlight.", Shadow answered with a glare. "He used her as a puppet to do his dirty work while he got his plan together!" Shadow slammed his fist on the table. "That scum!"

"Easy Shadow!", Ace cautioned. "Charging in with a hot temper like that, you'd get OTK'd in a heart beat!"

"But we can't ignore the fact that this guy's a Grade-A creep for using Starlight!", Ice added.

"There was one more thing. Paradox said he was biding his time while he forged the TRUE malefic deck.", Shadow noted. "I've got no idea what he meant by that, but it can't be good."

"Then I guess the only question is what's the plan now?", Gold stated.

"Easy! We storm that creep's lair, duel the pants off him, and get Starlight back!", Rainbow Dash boasted.

"Rainbow Dash is right.", Rarity chimed in. "This 'Paradox' ruffian won't stand a chance with all of us against him."

"Gold? Is that card your dad made ready?", Sunset asked. "Something tells me we'll need it for this duel."

"He just finished it today. Gave it to me this morning." Gold pulled out the card for all to see. "Burst, it's all yours." Gold tossed the card to Burst who caught it. Burst looked at the card and walked over to Shadow. He then handed the card to Shadow.

"What? Burst, not to sound rude, but why're you giving me the card?", Shadow asked.

"Because this is your story Shadow.", Burst said as he put a hand on Shadow's shoulder. "Make sure that you're the one to give it a happy ending!"

"Starlight's your girl. It'd be weird if all of us saved her when you just proclaimed your love for her.", Nightmare said with a kind smile.

"All of you...thank you! But promise me one thing."

"Name it.", Burst said.

"When we do charge into Paradox's lair, I get to take him on myself.", Shadow said with a determined gaze.

"You changed Starlight's mind Shadow. You should be the one to defeat the one who was pulling her strings."

"Then its settled.", Ace said with a nod. "When Paradox raises his lair, we'll all take him on together!"

Meanwhile in Paradox's Prison...

Starlight struggled in her restraints! But it was no use. The chains of energy held her firm. Paradox then walked up to her. "I must thank you for being an excellent pawn. But you've served your purpose."

"If that's the case, then let me go!"

"Oh no my dear. I still have use for you. That boy who's fond of you seemed quite determined to get you back. Oh how noble of him! Storming the villain's lair! A pity it will end badly for him.", Paradox said with a malicious smile. "Once he and his friends arrive, my revenge will be complete! The legendary dragons' descendants in one place, and all of them will fall by my hand! All I need do now is raise my lair, and they're sure to come running." As Paradox prepared to raise his fortress in the human world, Starlight's thoughts drifted to Shadow and the others.

'Shadow....everyone....I'm so sorry....'

Due 14: Gateway to Paradox

Burst and his friends prepared for the coming against Paradox. Each one checking over their decks at the school entrance. Suddenly, Hermos and Critias materialized from Ace's deck. "Hey you two! Here to give us some extra help in storming Paradox's lair?", Ace asked.

"We can't materialize in our physical forms in there with you, but we can give you some tools should any of his minions.", Critias said with a small smile.

"Paradox has minions?", Steel asked.

"Don't all the good villains?", Gold replied.

"I made these in anticipation for the coming battle.", Hermos said with a proud smile as he opened up a large chest. "Would you, Ice, Shadow, Burst, Inferno, Rainbow, and Moon please come here? I made some for each of you."

"What about the rest of us?", Twilight asked.

"I've some in the works for you and the others, but these are the only ones I had completed.", Hermos replied. "But I WILL have them ready soon enough." The group Hermos called for stepped up to the chest and found weapons waiting for them. Each one modeled after their monster partners. "I call them the Duelist Arms series." Ace pulled out a sword modeled after Timaeus, a shield modeled after Hermos, and a scarf with a design similar to Critias. "I hope they're to your liking." Ice pulled out a gigantic two-handled sword designed after Red Dragon Archfiend, and grinned.

"Niiiiice!", Ice said as he admired the weapon.

"I'll take that as a yes. You'll be happy to know these weapons are so light because of your bond to your monster partners." Shadow pulled out a spear that was modeled after Dragluon. Burst pulled out a sword modeled after Blue-Eyes, and smiled at what else was waiting for him. Twin blasters that shared the same Blue-Eyes design. Inferno pulled out a sword and a twin-barreled blaster modeled after Red-Eyes, while Moon got a sword modeled after Stardust Dragon and Golf found a plasma blaster and crystal saber modeled after Crimson Dragon. Rainbow Dash was puzzled at her duelist arm. It looked like just an armored gauntlet modeled after Rainbow Dragon.

"Hey! What gives?!", Rainbow demanded.

"Try focusing energy and aiming.", Hermos answered. Rainbow did so with an annoyed groan, and shot a beam of rainbow-colored energy from the glove! "Happy? I had trouble finding a proper construct to channel the energy through."

"AWESOME!", Rainbow squealed. "Can't wait to stick it to Paradox with this thing!"

"I think you'll get your chance sooner than you think.", Burst said as he noticed a rippling going on in the space around CHS. Soon there was an explosion of energy, and an odd castle materialized. It seemed to be constructed of the same substance that made up the Malefic World! "So that's how Paradox planned on entering our world. Well, let's not keep him waiting." The group headed inside the castle, but something blocked a few of them from getting in! The only ones that made it in were Shadow, Ace, Ice, Rainbow Dash, Inferno, Burst, and Moon! "It looks like Paradox wants to keep this thing to just him and the legendary dragons."

"Then let's give him what he wants.", Shadow said with a determined nod. The group entered, and found a large door with eight chains around it. There were also eight separate doors on the main floor. "Looks like we've got some chains to break."

"Looks like Paradox is fond of the divide and conquer strategy.", Gold noted. "He's hoping that by splitting us up, he can pick us off easier."

"Then let's show him how wrong he is!", Ice boasted as he ran off to a door. Ace sighed.

"Sometimes I wonder why our parents even named him Ice considering he's so hot-blooded." Ace walked over to another door, and the rest of the group did the same. Each wondering what trials awaited them.

Duel 15: Burst's Trial

When Burst went through the door, he found himself in an old-school castle. "Paradox certainly has varied tastes..." Burst looked around and saw Celestia waiting for him. "Celestia?! What're you doing here?"

"How could you choose that girl over me?", Celestia asked coldly.

"What're you talking about?! I choose Moon because I loved her. But that doesn't mean I don't miss you."

"And what about me? Didn't you love me once too?"

"I did! But..."

"Enough. I'm through with your words. Time to do what I should have done when you first asked me out." Celestia activated a duel disk that was composed of the same material that was on the corrupted dragons. "Slay your dragon deck."

"If that's how its going to be...." Burst activated his own duel disk. 'Something's off. This isn't like the Celestia I know...'

Burst: 8000
Celestia(?): 8000

"My turn.", Celestia said. "I summon Buster Whelp of the Destruction Swordsman! Now I can add one 'Destruction Sword' card from my deck to my hand! Now I play Cards on Consonance to discard a dragon-type tuner monster to draw two new cards! I play Destruction Swordsman Fusion! I fusion summon the ultimate dragon slayer! Buster Blader, the Dragon Destroyer Swordsman! Then I'll end my turn with and end my turn."

"I draw! I summon White Stone of Ancients and target him with Sage with Eyes of Blue! Then I'll send both to the graveyard to special summon Dragon Spirit of White from my deck! Now that he's been summoned, I can banish one spell or trap card you control!" Celestia's face-down vanished in a flash of light! "Now I'll tribute Dragon Spirit to special summon Blue-Eyes White Dragon!" Blue-Eyes materialized in a flash of light as Dragon Spirit vanished! But when he hit the field, he was switched into defense mode! "What?!"

"Buster's effect switches all dragons into defense mode."

"I guess I end my turn. Now I can special summon a 'Blue-Eyes' monster from my deck thanks to White Stone's effect! I'll special summon a Blue-Eyes monster from my deck! I'll bring out another Blue-Eyes White Dragon!" 'It's like this monster was made in specific to be poison to dragon decks! And the more dragons I get on the field or in my grave, the stronger he gets! And he forces my dragons into defense mode! How could this monster get any more troublesome?'

"I draw!" Celestia had a cold smile on her face as she looked at her cards. "I'll attack your Blue-Eyes! I forgot to mention. Dragon Destroyer gains 1000 attack points for every dragon on your field and in your graveyard! And he inflicts piercing damage! They say we only hurt the ones we love, so let me show you how much you mean to me!" Burst cringed as Buster Blader, the Dragon Destroyer cut Blue-Eyes to ribbons, and he fell to one knee! "I end my turn. A pity he can't attack you directly."

Burst: 3700
Celestia(?): 8000

"I....I draw!" Burst took a careful look at his cards. "I'll banish White Stone from my graveyard to add a 'Blue-Eyes' monster from my graveyard to my hand! Then I'll set a card and end my turn." 'Looks like I should worry about her hurting me as opposed to me hurting her!'

"Impressive. You'v cut-down some of Buster's strength. But not enough! Slay his Blue-Eyes!"

"I don't think so! I activate my trap! Mirror Force! This destroys all attack mode monsters you control!" A barrier went up around Blue-Eyes, and reflected Buster Blader's attack right back at him! Destroying the fearsome dragon slayer! 'At least I can still take down her boss monster with spells and traps! But it feels weird dueling her. Especially after our break-up. I guess her trashing most of my life points is payback. Wait...no! There's no way Celestia would ever be vengeful like this!'

"I end my turn with two face-downs.", Celestia said with a frown as she approached Burst. "Why not abandon all that optimism? If you surrender now, I'll spare you. And then WE can be together here forever." Celestia stroked Burst's cheek with her hand. As she spoke, Burst's mind was fuzzy.

'Maybe she's right.....', Burst thought. 'She's got me in a corner....I'm down to less than half my life points....and chances are she's got plenty of ways to revive her dragon slayer....'

'Are you really going to give up that easily?', a voice asked.

'What...?' Burst in his mind was blinded when the number 107 glowed brightly in front of him.

'It's true. things are dire now. But if you give up now, how will you ever be able to look at your cards with respect again? Would you be able to face the woman you love with dignity?! Stand up Burst! Show her the true spirit of a dragon!' Back in the real world, Burst swatted away Celestia's hand, and rose to his feet!

"There's no way I'm giving up! Not when...." Burst's mind flashed back to Nightmare. "NOT WHEN I'VE GOT SOMEONE WAITING FOR ME!" Burst's power surged! Knocking Celestia's hand back! "Maybe you didn't notice, but it's my turn now! I draw! I play Return of the Dragon Lords! I revive Dragon Spirit of White! Since he was summoned, I can banish one spell or trap card you control!" Celestia's face-down vanished in a flash of light! "Now I overlay him and Blue-Eyes White Dragon!" A swirling galaxy appeared on the floor of the field! Blue-Eyes and Dragon Spirit turned into twin yellow lights, and entered the galaxy! An explosion of light came from the galaxy, and dragon that looked mechanical rose from the galaxy! "Rise! Number 107: Galaxy-Eyes Tachyon Dragon!" Tachyon let out a mighty roar! "Attack her directly! But first, I'll detach an overlay unit to activate his effect!"

"I activate my trap! Mirror Force!"

"I banish Return of the Dragon Lords to protect Tachyon! Now his other effect activates! He gains 1000 attack! Tachyon Stream of Oblivion!" Tachyon fired a stream of tachyon energy that broke through Mirror Force! Striking Celestia dead-on! "But its not over yet! Tachyon gets to attack again!" Tachyon unleashed a final blast of energy! Wiping out the last of Celestia's life points! But when her life points dropped to zero, Celestia laughed.

"I guess using a face you knew didn't pay off after all.", the false Celestia said with a wicked smile. In a flash of crackling green energy, the false Celestia transformed! She was wearing Malefic armor! "I am the Malefic Knight! You are a threat to master, so I can't allow you to pass!" The figure then summoned bolt after bolt of crackling energy! Burst dodged by rolling out of the way, and dashing at just the right moment! Seeing where this was going, Burst drew his blasters and fired a barrage of shots at the Malefic Knight! "It seems you're far from defenseless." Malefic Knight summoned a sword! "Let's see if you can handle me now!" Malefic Knight charged at Burst, but Burst holstered his blasters and countered with his own sword! "So it seems you've came prepared."

"More than you know! Here's where playing Devil May Cry 3 pays off!" Burst spun his sword as he pushed forward! Knocking Malefic Knight's sword away! Burst then executed a series of powerful slashes while she was disarmed! Then he fired off a powerful charge shot from one of his blasters! As she fell to the floor, Burst caught her.

"Heh. Still got feelings for the woman who has this face?" Malefic Knight began to charge a blast of energy while Burst held her. But Burst fired a blast through her core!

"No. I just wanted to blast you up-close for trying to use my ex's face against me.", Burst answered. Malefic Knight then disintegrated, and a warp appeared. "I won't lie, I do think about the time I had with her. But I've moved on. And I know there's no way she'd ever be as selfish as how you made her to be." Burst walked over to the warp and found himself back in the main hall. One of the chains on the large door had broken. "Seven more to go."

Duel 16: Ice's Trial

"Man, this places just screams creepy.", Ice said as he looked around the area around him. It was pure darkness. "Kinda reminds me of..."

"Of when we I used you as a puppet.", a voice said. Ice turned around to see a pitch-black version of himself with the number 96 emblazoned on his chest. "Hello Ice. So good to see you again."

"You're responsible for my troubles, so its only fit I run into you! Let's duel!"

"Oh we'll duel alright. But not with cards...." Dark Mist summoned a scythe modeled after himself. "Only one of us is walking away in one piece!" Dark Mist came out swinging against Ice! Ice drew his sword, and blocked the incoming slash! "Is that all you have?"

"SHUT UP!", Ice screamed as he charged at Dark Mist! Swinging his sword with wild fury! "You can't be here! Ace destroyed you!" Ice kept on swinging as Dark Mist kept blocking! "Because of you, my life was horrible for two long years!" Dark Mist chuckled.

"Oh what a fool you are. I'm a part of you Ice. In fact, its you who are nothing without me!" Dark Mist and Ice locked weapons! "I gave you power. The ability to bring your opponents to their knees!"

"You're also why I lost my family for two years!", Ice shouted as his blade kept striking against Mist's scythe! "I stole Ace's card, and Shadow was sent away because of you!"

"True. And who let me in?", Mist asked with a sinister grin. "Can't you see? All that you blame me for is YOUR fault! YOU let me into your deck!" Dark Mist unleashed a furious series of slashes! Ice, in his rage struggled to block each of them! "But it's no wonder. That hot-blooded personality betrays your name, and you'll rush in without thinking! And today....THAT SPELLS YOUR END!" Dark Mist charged up his scythe with darkness! Unleashing a devastating strike! Destroying Ice's sword and knocking him to the ground! "So rash. If you had kept a cool head like the last half of your name, you'd have seen I was baiting you. Maybe after I finish you, I'll pay that girlfriend of yours a visit. I can't wait to meet her!" Ice's eyes snapped open , and caught the blade of Dark Mist's scythe! Dark Mist sneered "I see you still have some fight in you." Suddenly, a flaming aura exploded around Ice! "WHAT?!"

"RRRRRRAAAAAGGGGHH!", Ice screamed as he threw Dark Mist as far as he could throw him! Ice reached out with his hand! Ice's sword flew into his hand! Ice closed his eyes, and focused. The flames around him died down, and the blade of his sword began to spark embers. Soon, the whole blade was wrapped in flames! "You're right. It was my fault that I let you in. My fault that for two years I was separated from my family. But you know what? I walked out of it stronger. The more you try to hurt me, the brighter my fighting spirit burns!" Ice summoned his dragon wings! The flames around his sword only seemed to grow! "And now I have my family again! So say all the things you want!" Ice then leaped into the air. "KNOW THAT YOU HAVE NO POWER OVER ME ANYMORE!" Ice charged down in a spiral! "POWERFORCE SPIRAL!" Ice ripped through the phantom of Dark Mist! Leaving a gaping in the shade's form! The phantom of Dark Mist howled in pain as he began to fade away! "All you are....is a dark memory." Dark Mist exploded! Leaving a warp in his place. "Now to move towards a bright future..." Ice stepped onto the warp, and found himself back in the main hall. When he arrived, he saw Burst and that another chain on the door had been broken. "Guess we're waiting for the others now."

Duel 17: Inferno's Trial

"Well, this place is definitely what I expected.", Inferno said as he looked at the area his door had led him. It looked like a stage. "Too bad there's no show going on here."

"Oh, there will be! And you're gonna be a member of my captive audience!", a voice said. Inferno snapped his attention to the source, and found the Musician King! "Welcome to my stage!" Inferno then saw the crowd of duel monsters trapped in the stadium seats! "All who come here must stay and hear my sweet shredding play for all eternity!"

"We'll see about that!" Inferno then noticed a red glow coming from his Red-Eyes Black Dragon Sword! Once he grabbed it, it transformed into a guitar! "THIS is the weapon for a battle like this!"

"Then let our rock war begin!" Musician King began to furiously strum his guitar! Sending out waves of sound that pushed Inferno from the stage's center, and gradually towards the edge! The whole crowd booed his performance! He may have been playing a lot of chords, but they had no order! "YEAH! How's that for a rockin' solo?!" It was taking everything Inferno had not to rant at Musician King. Inferno's dad used to be a rockstar, and Inferno had inherited his love of rock and roll from him. His father had taught him ever since Inferno first picked up an electric guitar. The songs his father had were some of the greatest hits of rock! And this jerk, who was just strumming his guitar about, making little more than just random noise, DARED to call himself a musician?! This would not stand!

'This guy thinks he knows how to rock? Well then. Time to show him how to rock the dragon!', Inferno thought. Inferno got his guitar ready and took a deep breath. "That the best you got? Let me show you how to really fire-up a performance!" Inferno then began playing the theme of one of his favorite video game characters!

Song Inferno is playing:

Fire began to dance along the strings of Inferno's guitar as he summoned his dragon wings and gave a floor slide to finish the song off! The force of Inferno's performance pushed Musician King far from the center of the stage! "THAT'S what I call rockin'!" The whole crowd cheered Inferno's performance! Musician King scowled as he got to his feet.

"You've heard the sound....now feel the fury!" Musician King began playing like crazy! The sound coming from his guitar was all over the place! All that was present was a hurricane of noise that made the crowd cover their ears! The sheer cacophony was that unpleasant! "No one upstages me!" Musician King then picked up the pace of his playing! Strumming faster and faster! But as he did so, the strings of his guitar snapped! Musician King's jaw droppped in horror as he saw the grin on Inferno's face.

"If you really were a musician, you'd know when your instrument's had enough! Time to rock the dragon!" Inferno began to play the perfect song to dethrone Musician King! 'This is what it means to really rock!'

Final Performance:

As Inferno finished the song, an energy projection of Red-Eyes shot out from his guitar! Knocking Musician King off the stage! "THANK YOU ALL!" Inferno screamed as the crowd cheered! "Looks like I don't need to worry about lugging an amp around anymore." Inferno then saw a warp appear on the stage. Before he left, Inferno bowed to the crowd. "I hope you all enjoyed the show." Inferno then stepped onto the warp and found himself back in the main hall. Only five chains remained on the main door. "We're almost half-way there."

Duel 18: Gold's Trial

"Why does this feel so familiar?", Gold said as he observed where the door had led to. It was pure darkness save for a small white window. "Well, at least there's something to interact with here. Might as well see what it does." Gold walked up to the window, and an image started to materialized. "What...?" Gold was caught off-guard, but his eyes adjusted. But once he could see, Gold was looking at a sight he thought he'd never see again. It was his family. His family back in Equestria. Gold had a small smile as he watched the earlier years of his life. Those were some of the happiest days of his life. Back when he still had a place to call home in Equestria, and people who he could call his family. But Gold's smile soon faded as the window into his life moved on. To the darkest part of his life. When the happy world he once knew came crashing down around him. "This is a moment I never wanted to see again. Not this." The window showed the day Gold had lost his parents. "That was the worst day of my life.", Gold said with a frown. In the window, Gold's past self was weeping. "I swore from that day I'd never cry. But remembering this still tears at my heart..." Suddenly, the floor beneath Gold began to ripple. And Gold slowly descended. The window then moved on to another scene of Gold's life. It was when he was looking around for a place to call home. "Because I was different, no one chose to accept me. No matter how nice I was." The rippling darkness below Gold seemed to suck him in deeper. "From then on...I swore I'd never let anyone see me hurt that much. No one would see how much being alone crushed my spirit. So I just hid it away." Gold was now down to his knees in the darkness that was sucking him in.

"I've been able to hide my insecurity of being alone so well, no one's been able to see it." Gold then thought of Pegasus and Sunset. "Not even the people who gave me a new life. It's only now that all the pressure's really hitting me." Gold then looked down from the window, and saw that his body was being swallowed up! The floor seemed to be slowly dragging him down! Gold panicked and tried to get loose! But the more he struggled, the more the floor dragged him down! His struggling only seemed to make it worse! The floor kept slowly dragging him down! Gold then came to a realization. "So that's why I saw all those moments in that window. It was meant so that despair could drag me down.", Gold said as his head drooped and he closed his eyes. "That window purposefully showed me the worst moments of my life..." Gold's eyes then shot open! "But despite all that, I found what I was looking for!" Gold's eyes turned dragonic as crystals began to slowly form on his back! "Maybe I had some dark moments....but that's when the light shone the brightest! I fell so I could rise to the occasion!" Gold tore his arms free of the darkness that was dragging him down! "I woke up someplace new, and I found a new family! But most important...." Gold's mind flashed to Sunset. "I found someone to love!" Gold then sprouted crimson crystal wings! "I'M NOT ALONE ANYMORE!" Gold broke free with a strong flap of his wings, and flew towards the window! Gold smashed his way through the window! And when he broke through, Gold found himself sitting in a pure white area with a warp at the center of the room. "Maybe once all this is over, I can tell Sunset about all that hidden sadness. Because if I'm truly not alone, then I shouldn't be afraid to tell her that I'm scared." Gold stepped onto the warp with a small smile as he closed his eyes, and opened them to find himself back in the main hall. "We're halfway there."

Duel 19: Rainbow Dash's Trial

"Whoa. Didn't expect to wind-up in a place like this!", Rainbow Dash said as she took in the area the door had lead her to. It looked like she had just stepped into a Colosseum. "Never pegged Paradox as a sports fan...."

"So it appears a new champion graces these walls.", a figure said. Rainbow turned around and saw a duel monster waiting at the center of the arena! "I am the Grand Jupiter! I have heard of your skill, and have seen fit to admit you into the Colosseum! Here, your glory shall be eternal!"

"Sweet! Just let me grab my friends and..."

"NO! It is you and you alone who shall be remembered. Such is the price of glory.", Grand Jupiter said flatly.

"In that case, forget this place! No fame's worth the price of having no one close to enjoy it with! I'd never ditch my friends! I'm outta here!"

"Fine then fool." Grand Jupiter snapped his fingers, and the Colosseum gates slammed shut! "There is but one way to leave! Best me in a duel! But none have beaten me before, and I have yet to believe YOU have stand even the slightest chance!"

Rainbow Dash activated her duel disk! "You don't know who you're dealing with! Let's duel!"

Rainbow Dash: 8000
Grand Jupiter: 8000

"This is my domain, so I shall take the first move!", Grand Jupiter boasted. "I summon Absolute Crusader in attack mode and equip him with Lightning Blade! I end my turn."

"I draw!" Rainbow Dash took a careful look at her cards. 'His monster's got some pretty high attack points with that boost! But I got a way to even the odds!' "I summon Crystal Beast Sapphire Pegasus and equip him with Crystal Release! This boosts him by 800 points! Now Sapphire Pegasus's effect activates! I can place a Crystal Beast face-up in my spell and trap zone! Now I'll attack your monster!" Sapphire Pegasus and Absolute Crusader charged at each other! Both destroyed each other! "I'll choose to put Sapphire Pegasus in my spell and trap zone! Now that Crystal Release is in my graveyard, I can place another Crystal Beast in spell and trap zone! Then I'll set a card and end my turn!" 'This guy looks far from stupid! No way he'll risk triggering my trap! This guy said he's taken down TONS of opponents! I can't screw up now! Or else I'm done for! Plus....' Rainbow Dash thought of Steel. 'I hate to admit, but I can't picture myself without that jerk. He's always so cool-headed. Makes me wonder why he's dating me sometimes. Heh! The other girls thought I'd never get a guy to like me!' "Well? I'm waiting!"

"My turn." Grand Jupiter drew his next card. "It would appear you've prepared for my coming assault. But I did not become a champion by taking foolish risks. I summon Tactical Espionage Expert! When he's been summoned, no trap cards can be activated! Attack her directly!" Tactical Espionage Expert fired a shot from his stun blaster! Striking Rainbow Dash directly! "It seems first blood is mine. I end my turn."

Rainbow Dash: 6700
Grand Jupiter: 8000

'I guess this guy really DOES know what he's doing!', Rainbow thought as she drew a card. 'Just means I gotta take him down hard!' "Yeah, well the duel's not over until the last card's drawn! If there's anything my friends taught me, its not to get too far ahead of myself! Maybe winning so much hasn't been a good thing for you! I summon a monster in defense mode! Too bad your monster's effect can only be used on the turn he's summoned!"

"Hmph." Jupiter scoffed as he drew his next card. "It makes little difference. Another wall to tear down. Tactical!" Tactical Espionage Expert shot a stun blast at Rainbow's monster, but it bounced off and put him to sleep!

"There's more to a duel that just attacking!", Rainbow said with a confident smirk. "If you just charge forward, you're gonna fall on your face! Something I learned by losing a few times!"

"Cease your prattle! I end my turn."

Rainbow Dash: 6700
Grand Jupiter: 7300

'Geez. I'd hate to see what this guy would do when I beat him. IF I beat him!' "I draw! I summon Topaz Tiger! Then I'll attack your monster! And since he's attacking, Tiger gains 400 attack points!" Topaz Tiger pounced on Tactical Espionage Expert! Destroying him with force of the impact! "I end my turn!"

Rainbow Dash: 6700
Grand Jupiter: 6700

'This little wretch has actually damaged my pride! I shall make her pay dearly for that!', Grand Jupiter thought as he drew a card. "I'll not let your insults go unpunished! I play Feast of the Wild LV5! This lets me special summon two level-five monsters from my hand! Now I special summon two warriors! Now I tribute them to summon Battleguard King!" A gigantic red ogre wielding a large club showed up on Grand Jupiter's field! "Crush her Tiger! Battleguard Crush!" Battleguard King brought down his club on Topaz Tiger!

'Just what I was waiting for!', Rainbow thought with a smile! "I activate my trap! Rainbow Path! Since you declared an attack, I'll send a Crystal Beast from my spell and trap zone to negate your attack and add Rainbow Dragon to my hand!"

"Cursed little witch! I end my turn!"

"My move!" Rainbow Dash drew her next card! "I'll play Rare Value! Since I've got more than two Crystal Beasts in my spell and trap zone, you can choose one and send it to the graveyard! Then I can draw two new cards!"

"Fine! I choose the one on the far left!"

"Sweet! Now I summon the last Crystal Beast! Cobalt Falcoln! Now that I've got all I need! I summon Rainbow Dragon!" A rainbow of light shone down on Rainbow's field! "Welcome to the show buddy! Always good to have a friend on my field!"

"Happy to be here Dash!", Rainbow Dragon said with a grin. "So whose butt are we gonna kick?"

"The butt-ugly battleguard! You know what to do! Spectrum Surge!"

"Taste the rainbow ugly!", Rainbow Dragon cried before firing a blast of rainbow energy from his mouth!

"Fool!", Grand Jupiter smirked. "I activate my trap! Battleguard Rage! This boost my Battleguard King by 1000 points!"

'Good thing I set this earlier!', Rainbow thought with a confident smirk! "I activate my trap! Crystal Raigeki! I'll send a Crystal Beast from my spell and trap zone to destroy a monster on your field!"

"NO!" Grand Jupiter cringed as a bolt of crystallized lightning destroyed his monster, and he took the full force of Rainbow Dragon's attack!

"That's all for me! I'll set a card and end my turn!" 'Just gotta wait for the right time to bring out Rainbow Dragon's twin!'

Rainbow Dash: 6700
Grand Jupiter: 2700

"I believe I've let you advance far enough!", Grand Jupiter. "I shall dispose of you myself! I play Fires of Doomsday to special summon two Doomsday tokens! Now I tribute them to summon myself!" Grand Jupiter stepped onto the field! "Now for my effect! I'll discard two cards to equip your monster to myself! Now I gain his attack points!"

"Rainbow Dragon!" Rainbow Dash was shocked to see Rainbow Dragon be chained to Grand Jupiter! 'He might've taken Rainbow Dragon, but I got a little surprise for him if he thinks my monsters are sitting ducks!'

"Now to destroy your Cobalt Eagle!"

"Sorry! Not gonna happen! Mirror Force!"

"NOOO!", Grand Jupiter howled as the barrier repelled his attack and sent him off the field!

'I might've had to take down Rainbow Dragon, but its better than this creep using him as an attack boost.', Rainbow thought.

"Cursed wench! I end my turn.", Grand Jupiter scowled.

"My move!" Rainbow drew her next card! 'Sweet! Time to end this!' "I activate my trap! Rainbow Gravity! This revives Rainbow Dragon from my graveyard ignoring his summoning conditions! Let's end this Rainbow Dragon! Spectrum Surge!" Rainbow Dragon revived in a flash of light, and fired his signature attack! Wiping out the last of Grand Jupiter's life points!

"Not...possible!", Grand Jupiter hissed as he disintegrated! Once he was destroyed, a warp appeared in the center of the Colosseum.

"Aw yeah! Who's awesome? Me and Rainbow Dragon! That's who!" Rainbow Dash stepped on the warp, and found herself back in the main hall. Only three chains were remaining on the door. "Awesome! Now we just gotta wait for Moon, Ace, and Shadow!"

Duel 20: Nightmare's Trial

Nightmare's door had led her to the ruins of a castle. "Why does this place feel so familiar?", Nightmare said as she took in her surroundings. "Reminds me of the old castle ruins back in Equestria...." Nightmare then noticed an unconscious form in the throne room. A figure she knew quite well. "Burst!" Nightmare ran over to Burst! He was beat-up pretty bad. "Burst...who did this to you?" Nightmare held Burst close. "Well, its over. I'm here now." Nightmare than heard familiar laughter.

"HA HA HA HA HA! So this is the pathetic being I've become?" Nightmare was horrified to see what could only be described as her old self. Resembling her current human form, but clad in the fearsome armor she had worn back in Equestria. And in place of regular alicorn wings, hers were bat-like. "Oh how the mighty have fallen. I can't believe I'd ever become so weak as to fawn over anyone."

"Who are you?! There's no way you're me!"

"AHAHAHAHAHAHA! Oh, what a foal you are! Don't you understand? I am your true self! The one who strikes fear into all those foolish enough to cross her! The one who desires eternal night! Why deny who you are?" Nightmare's phantom pointed at Burst. "For something so foolish such as the likes of him? You cannot deny that you commanded great power when you were like me. I am all there is to you, and all there ever will be! Someone like you doesn't deserve a soul like him!" Nightmare slowly rose, and glared at her past self.

"You're wrong. You're not who I am. All you are is a shadow of who I was! So say all that you want. Maybe I made a big mistake that defined almost my whole life. One that left a lot of people hurt. And you know what? I'm glad it happened. Because whether I knew it or not, I helped Luna become as beloved as Celestia! Maybe it wasn't the road she wanted, but it led her to the same destination! And if I hadn't made my mistake, I'd never find the world I live in now. And I'd have never found Burst. It's time for my to end MY nightmare!" Nightmare activated her duel disk!

"No. I SHALL END YOU!"

Nightmare: 8000
Past Nightmare: 8000

"I'll start!!" Nightmare took a look at the cards in her hand. 'Good. I've got a decent hand! Now to put it into action!' "I play Trade-In to discard a level eight monster from my hand to draw two new cards! I summon Summoner Monk! Now I'll use his effect! I'll discard a spell card to special summon a level four monster from my deck! I special summon Rose, Warrior of Revenge! Now I'll tune my monk with Rose!" Rose turned into four green rings and lined up over Summoner Monk! A beam of light shot through the rings! "I synchro summon Stardust Dragon! Then I'll set a card and end my turn." 'Let's see what you can do Stardust!'

"Your nightmare is just beginning! I draw! I play Double Summon and bring out Double Coston and tribute him to summon Yubel! Now I'll play Exile of the Wicked to destroy her and bring out Terror Incarnate!" Yubel dissolved and Terror Incarnate emerged from her shadow! "Now I'll end my turn to activate Terror Incarnate's effect! I can destroy all other cards on the field!"

"I don't think so!", Stardust cried as he charged his body, and burst into a cloud of stardust! Terror Incarnate's explosion was neutralized, and Terror Incarnate exploded as the stardust fell on her!

"Stardust...sacrificed himself to save my field...", Nightmare said in awe. 'Your resolve to protect others reflects how I've changed. Your sacrifice won't be in vain.' Nightmare was then shocked to see Stardust's card pop out of her graveyard! On the field, the cloud of stardust seemed to gather and condense into a familiar form! "Stardust!"

"I'm not that easy to get rid of Moon!", Stardust said with a smile. "At the end of the danger, I'll rise again to protect my friends!"

"And since she ended her turn, let's give her a taste of our star power! Cosmic Flare!" Stardust fired a silvery flame from his mouth! Wiping out a good portion of Past Nightmare's life points! "Then I'll summon Breaker the Magical Warrior! And since I summoned him, I can place a spell counter on him! I end my turn." 'Stardust. Something tells me you're going to be a great partner.'

Nightmare: 8000
Past Nightmare: 5500

"I believe I've let you get in enough hits.", Past Nightmare said with a scowl. "Now I special summon Yubel-The Ultimate Nightmare since Terror Incarnate was destroyed! Now...I tribute her!" A pillar of darkness engulfed Ultimate Nightmare! "Rise! Terror Queen !" A female monster wearing pitch black armor and hair that seemed to be made of pure darkness stepped out of the pillar! "Now her effect activates! When she's summoned, all your monsters are banished until the end of your turn!" A curtain of darkness swept Stardust and Breaker off the field! "Now I can attack you directly! Dread Blast!" Terror Queen fired a beam of pure darkness at Nightmare! "I end my turn. Also, she can't be targeted by card effects."

Nightmare: 5000
Past Nightmare: 5500

'That monster's like a twisted version of Nyx! It's attack points are also pretty formidable! Let's see if there's any weakness to her!' "I draw! I banish the DARK monster in my graveyard to summon Queen Nyx! Then I'll activate my trap! Assault Mode Activate! Now I tribute Stardust Dragon to bring out Stardust Dragon/Assault Mode!" 'Last time I used Stardust's effect to get rid of a card that destroyed a card! But what do I need to do to activate Assault Mode's effect? I guess I'll find out now!' "I'll attack your Terror Queen with Nyx! Night Sky Strike!" Nyx fired a blast of pure night at Terror Queen, but was forced into defense mode after the damage was done! "What?!"

"AHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Do you like it? Any card that attacks Terror Queen is forced into defense mode!"

"Not if Stardust Assault Mode's effect has anything to say about it! I tribute him!" Stardust Assault exploded into a cloud of stardust, and rained down on the field! Destroying Terror Queen! "You effect is negated and your monster's destroyed! You thought yourself invincible in battle, but there's more than one way to take down a monster! Then I'll set a card and end my turn. Now Stardust Assault Mode's effect activates! He comes back to my field!"

"My turn." Past Nightmare scowled. "I draw! I play the spell card Eclipse! I can target and destroy one defense mode monster you control and inflict its defense points as damage!"

"I don't think so! I activate my trap! Dark Illusion! Since you used an effect that targets a DARK monster I control, I can negate that card's effect and destroy it!" A hazy barrier formed around Nyx that reflected the eclipse's rays back at it! Destroying it!

"I end my turn.", Past Nightmare said with a sneer. "All this time, and you still hide in the dark." Past Nightmare expected her counterpart to lash out at her, or cry out in defiance! But to her surprise, she did none of those things. Nightmare closed her eyes, and took a deep breath.

'She's baiting me. She's hoping to get me enraged to prove herself right.', Nightmare thought. 'If I was still anything like her, I'd have fallen for that bait due to foolish pride.' Nightmare then opened her eyes. "No. I'm just waiting for the right time to step into the light!" Nightmare drew her next card! "And the time is now! I play Harmony's Light! I tribute Queen Nyx to unleash her true form!" Nyx was bathed in moonlight, and transformed! She was now clad in azure armor, her hair had turned dark blue and ethereal, and she had a pair of large black wings! "Nyx the Night Paladin! Now that she's on the field, she gains 300 attack for each LIGHT and DARK monster in my graveyard! Now I'll attack you directly with both of my monsters! Stardust Crescent Slash!" Stardust and Nyx combined their attacks, and unleashed a silver crescent of energy that cut-down the last of Past Nightmare's in a blinding flash! When the light died down, Nightmare's past self was face-down on the floor. "Now my nightmares are really over." Nightmare began to leave, but her past self rose and summoned a sword with her magic.

"IT IS NOT OVER! THE NIGHT WILL LAST FOREVER!", Nightmare's past self screamed. Nightmare turned to face her, and gripped the handle of her sword as her past self charged at her.

"It will. For you." Nightmare executed a slash the naked eye could never see! Both she and her past self were still until Nightmare began to sheath her sword modeled after Stardust Dragon. As she almost fully sheathed, Nightmare uttered two words. "Sweet Dreams." Nightmare's past self exploded in a flash of light! A warp appeared as Nightmare's past faded away. "Now to move on.", Nightmare said with a smile as she stepped onto the warp. She then found herself back in the main hall, and saw that only two chains remained on the door. "Something tells me Ace and Shadow's trials will be the toughest."

Duel 21: Ace's Trial

"Okayyyy.....why am I in my room?" The door Ace went through had led him back to what looked like his room back home. "This is weird."

"Ace?" Ace turned to find Sonata looking through a box he thought he had destroyed. "What's in here?"

"SONATA!", Ace screamed while blushing. "DON'T YOU DARE OPEN THAT! YOUR EYES SHOULDN'T LOOK AT ITS CONTENTS!" 'I thought I threw that stuff out last year!'

"Awww~! What's in here? A bunch of your old toys?", Sonata asked with a playful smile.

"Sonata, please give me that box!", Ace pleaded.

"Sorry. Now I NEED to see what's in here if its got you blushing this much!"

"Sonata don't!" But Ace's plea was in vain as Sonata eagerly opened up the box. But her smile soon faded.

"Aw! I was hoping it was something like a rare card.", Sonata said with a pout. Inside were a bunch of things Ace was embarrassed to ever admit he liked in front of the other guys. "Still. This stuff's SO cute!" It was at this moment Ace face-palmed. "What are all of these anyway?" Inside the box was a collection of figures of girls in Japanese school uniforms. And beneath the figures were DVD boxes of anime with cute girls on the cover. The early teen years of Ace's life were laid bare. And it was his girlfriend who had unearthed them. It was time for Ace to come clean.

"That was from a different time. I had different tastes back then."

"Wanna talk about it?", Sonata asked as she gave Ace puppy dog eyes. Ace sighed.

"I was pretty shy in my middle school years. And I was pretty jealous of how outgoing Ice was, even if he rushed into things without thinking. Anime like this was an escape during puberty from my inability to talk to girls by seeing cute anime girls do cute things. I was absorbed into it until I was a Sophomore. That was before Ice...you know. After that I forced myself to be more outgoing so I could make friends who could help me stand up to Dark Mist, and that was the greatest decision I made in my life." Sonata giggled. "See, this is why I didn't want to show this embarrassing part of my past with anyone. Most of all you."

"No....I’m laughing because it now makes sense why you chose to bond with Dark Magician Girl, you were inherently drawn to her cute artwork.” Sonata fell into a fit of laughter.

"No… I was drawn to her because she chose to bond with me, she came to me so I dedicated my playstyle to her! I even got Timaeus through her.” Dark Magician Girl was in her card using a spell to listen in on this conversation and began to laugh at Ace's cover story. Sonata soon stopped laughing.

"So are these anime like the ones Burst and Inferno watch?"

"No. Not in the least."

"Ever get nostalgic about this stuff?"

"Why would I miss cute girls when I'm dating someone cuter than any of them could ever be?" Ace felt a weight lift from his mind and smiled. A warp soon appeared. "WOW I feel better now. Maybe Sonata should watch some of my stuff for our next date." Ace stepped onto the warp and found himself back in the main hall. "I don't know about all of you, but I'm going to watch Lucky Star once this thing's over!"

"Sweet.", Burst and Inferno said. Ace was confused.

"Wait you're not mocking me for liking cutesy anime?"

"Dude, we figured you'd be into that stuff from the deck you use.", Inferno replied.

"Besides, all of us were exposed to anime cuteness at some point in our lives.", Burst added. "Plus, Moon has me watch Sailor Moon with her sometimes."

"And I make it a point to watch Dragon Ball Super with Burst.", Nightmare said with a smile.

"Huh. Guess that's one less thing to worry about." Ace then turned his attention to the door Shadow had went through. "Now I just gotta worry about Shadow..."

Duel 22: Shadow's Trial

"Didn't expect a pleasant place behind this door...", Shadow said as he took in his surroundings. The door Shadow had went through had led him to a lush field. It was full of flowers, and the sun was shining clearly in the sky. "Well, I guess I lucked out when I picked this door." Shadow took a moment to breathe in the fresh air, and collapsed on his back. "Just what I needed. A nice area to clear my head." Shadow smiled as he enjoyed the peace and quiet. Listening to the calm wind blow across the field. "Yup. A few moments to just think is good. I don't think there's anyway this moment could get better. Shadow closed his eyes as he let himself rest from all the craziness that had been going on. 'I meet a girl, and it turns out that she's being controlled by an evil sorcerer who's been hunting legendary dragons. But at least its not her fault. She wasn't in control of what she did. But I guess she won't see it that way. If only Starlight could be here...'

"Looks like someone's tired.", a voice said. Shadow snapped his eyes open! He couldn't believe what he was seeing! It was Starlight! "Sorry to keep you waiting.", Starlight said with a smile.

"Starlight!?! But...how...?" Starlight giggled.

"I escaped Paradox. The legendary dragons overloaded Paradox, and destroyed him. Now I'm free. And more importantly..." Starlight leaned down so she was almost an inch away from Shadow's face. "You're here too. I knew you'd come for me."

"Well.....I couldn't leave you." Shadow blushed at how close Starlight was to him. "I....I love you Starlight."

"I know Shadow. You came all this way to find me. Now you're here, and you found me."

"I guess we can head home now. C'mon!" Shadow got up to leave, but Starlight grabbed his arm! "Star?"

"No! I mean, can't we just enjoy a moment together? The two of us alone? Let's just stay here a bit longer..."

"Starlight...if this really is over, then there's no reason to stay here. You've got people waiting for you. Let's not keep them waiting."

Starlight's grip on Shadow tightened. "Forget them! I want to stay here! Here with YOU! That's all that matters!"

"You're acting awfully clingy. I just declared my love for you earlier today. This is weird. No way you'd act this way...."

"I..I just don't want to leave you Shadow! Come...let's stay here forever. Just you and me. Forever..." Starlight tried to pull Shadow into a kiss, but Shadow blocked her!

"What's gotten into you?! This isn't right! I can't leave my family! And why are you so willing to stay here?"

Starlight frowned. "You just HAD to make it difficult didn't you? You couldn't just take the easy way!" Starlight pushed Shadow back and transformed! "I would have made your existence a happy one here. All you had to do was just leave your life behind. A pity you must now be destroyed!" Starlight transformed, and was revealed to be another one of Paradox's minions! "You are a threat to my master! And you shall not advance any further!"

'I KNEW it was too good to believe she'd escaped.', Shadow thought with a frown. 'Just means that I gotta fight harder to get Starlight back!' "Just try and stop me!" Shadow readied his duel disk.

Malefic Mage: 8000
Shadow: 8000

"I have the first move!", the Malefic Mage said. "I summon Reflect Bounder in attack mode and end my turn!"

'That monster's like a living Magic Cylinder.', Shadow thought. 'I can't get careless! Even if I destroy it, I take damage equal to my own monster's attack! Wait! There IS a way around it!' Shadow drew his card, and smiled. 'Perfect!' "I summon Masked Dragon in attack mode! Then I'll banish him to bring out Red-Eyes Darkness Metal Dragon!" Masked Dragon faded away, and REDMD stood in its place! "Now I activate his effect! I special summon Gandora-X the Dragon of Demolition! Then I'll activate his effect! I can destroy as many monsters as possible on the field! Then I can inflict damage to you equal to the highest attack of the destroyed monsters! I choose REDMD!" Malefic Mage winced as her life points took a major hit! "Now Gandora-X gains attack equal to the damage dealt! Attack her directly! Demolition Blast!" Gandora-X fired a beam of crackling red energy! Striking Malefic Mage full force! "I'll end my turn with a face-down. Now comes the down-side. I have to pay half my life points." Shadow cringed as his life points were halved. 'Maybe that was a bit costly, but at least I still have the lead in life points for now! I'm not gonna let anything stand in my way of rescuing Starlight!'

Malefic Mage: 2400
Shadow: 4000

"Impressive. You managed to deplete half of my life points in just a single turn. And all it cost you was half of your life points. But now its my turn! I draw! Ah! Perfect! I summon a monster in defense mode and end my turn."

"My move!" Shadow drew his next card. 'Just what I needed! Now I've got a chance to neutralize her face-down!' "I summon Heliosphere Dragon! Since I control a level eight monster, I can make Heliosphere become level eight! I overlay my two monsters!" A swirling galaxy materialized on the ground! Shadow's monsters turned into purple and yellow lights and flew into the galaxy! "I xyz summon Number 46: Dragluon!" Dragluon flew out of the galaxy and stood proudly on the field! "Now I'll activate Dragluon's effect since he's the only monster on my field! I'll detach an overlay unit to special summon a dragon-type monster from my hand! I'll bring out Arkbrave Dragon!" Arkbrave Dragon let out a mighty roar as he took the field! "Attack her face-down!"

"No!", Malefic Mage screamed as her Wall of Ilusion was destroyed! Arkbrave was returned to Shadow's hand, but now she was wide open!

"You tried to trick me into giving up.", Shadow said with a scowl. "Now, you're gonna pay for trying to use Starlight's face against me! Dragluon! Attack her directly!" Dragluon fired a golden beam of energy directly at Malefic Mage! Wiping out the last of her life points and destroying her! "Starlight. Just hold of for a few more minutes!" A warp soon appeared after Malefic Mage was destroyed. "Time to end this." Shadow stepped onto the warp, and found himself back in the main hall. All the chains on the large door had disappeared. "Paradox. I'm coming for you!"

Duel 23: Dragons Unleashed

"Well Shadow, it's all on you from here.", Burst said. "But before you go...." Burst picked a card out of his deck. "Take Blue-Eyes with you. We promised you that you'd face Paradox on your own. But that doesn't mean we can't give you some support with our cards."

"Here's Red-Eyes.", Inferno said with a smile. "Make sure to get in a hit from me!"

"You already have the card my dad made.", Gold said as he handed Gold-Eyes Crimson Dragon to Shadow. "But Burst and Inferno have the right idea. Also, the card dad made has to do with the legendary dragons. So here's Gold-Eyes Crimson Dragon. It's also got a pretty good effect to boost its power."

"Stardust Dragon and Starlight Road are pretty useful. Especially against destruction effects.", Nightmare said with a smile. "They should be able to help you out."

"Here's Rainbow Dragon!", Rainbow Dash said proudly. "You might not be able to summon him, but at least he can watch as you kick Paradox's butt!"

"Same goes for Timaeus and Red Dragon Archfiend.", Ace said as he and Ice gave Shadow their legendary dragons.

"Show Paradox the power of dragons united!", Ice boasted.

"This is your story Shadow.", Burst said with a smile. "Make sure it has a happy ending for you and Starlight."

"Thanks everyone.", Shadow said as he turned to the main door. "This is it!" Shadow opened the door and was met with a blinding light! Shielding his eyes, he moved on and entered Paradox's chamber. Shadow's eyes adjust, and went wide at what he saw! "Starlight!" Shadow saw Starlight imprisoned with chains of crackling green energy, and suspended in the air. As Shadow ran towards her, Paradox stepped out of the shadows. "You!"

"I'll admit I'm greatly disappointed. I was expecting all those bonded with the legendary dragons to face me. But then again, I did steal the girl you declared your love for. But you hold copies of the legendary dragons. And like them, you shall fall before me." Paradox summoned a duel disk.

"The only one going down is you!" Shadow activated his duel disk, and Paradox sneered.

"So be it hero. Let our battle occur on a grander stage!" Paradox activated his duel disk in kind.

Paradox Truth: 8000
Shadow: 8000

"Since you so rudely intruded upon my dwelling, I'll take the first move!", Paradox said with a smug grin. "Malefic World was just a prototype compared to the true Malefic deck! I play the field spell Malefic Universe!" The minute Paradox activated the card, the whole lair altered to the substance that made-up the Malefic World! "Normally, only one Malefic monster can be on the field at a time. But thanks to Malefic Universe, that is no longer an issue! Now I'll set a card and banish Blue-Eyes White Dragon to bring out Malefic Blue-Eyes!" Malefic Blue-Eyes let out a fearsome roar as he took the field! "I end my turn."

'Great. He's not pulling punches.', Shadow thought. 'Even if I could summon Dragluon, he'd just get taken down! However, the Malefics could still be vulnerable to card effects! Let's see if I'm right!' "I draw! I summon a monster in defense mode and set a card! I end my turn."

"My turn." Paradox drew his next card. "I'll attack your monster with Malefic Blue-Eyes! Malefic White Lightning!"

'He took the bait!' "I activate my trap! Mirror Force! This destroys all attack mode monsters you control!"

"I don't think so!", Paradox said with a sneer. "Malefic Universe's effect prevents my Malefic monsters from being destroyed by card effects!"

"What?!" 'No way! His monsters have protection now?!'

"And I'm not done yet! I activate my trap! Malefic Rage! This trap allows all Malefic monsters I control to inflict piercing damage! So much for your defense!" Shadow cringed as his monster was destroyed! He could feel the attack break through his monster and strike him! "I end my turn. Did I mention that Malefic Rage is continuous?"

Paradox Truth: 8000
Shadow: 6900

"Since you destroyed Masked Dragon, I can special summon a dragon-type monster with less than 1500 attack! I'll bring out Mythic Tree Dragon! And since I have an EARTH monster on my field, I can special summon Mythic Water Dragon! Now I'll use Mythic Tree Dragon's effect! I'll make him the same level as Mythic Water Dragon! Now I overlay my two dragons!" A swirling galaxy appeared on the ground, and Shadow's monster turned into orange and blue beams of light that flew into the galaxy! "I xyz summon Dragluon in defense mode and end my turn!" 'At least my life points will be safe now! If his monster attacks, both will stay on the field! Maybe I can stall him until he runs out of cards!'

"If you think your wall of a monster can keep you safe, you're wrong!" Paradox sneered as he drew a card! "I told you that now I can have more than one Malefic monster on my field. Time for you to bear witness to the truth of that! I activate Malefic Universe's other effect! I can shuffle my whole hand into the deck, and add as many Malefic Cards as the cards I discarded!" Paradox shuffled his hand back into the deck, and selected three new cards. "Ah! These shall do quite nicely! I activate the continuous spell Malefic Dread! This prevents your monsters from changing their battle positions as long as I have a Malefic monster on my field! Meaning Dragluon is stuck in defense mode! Also, your monsters can't be destroyed by battle their dread is so great! Now I'll banish Cyber End Dragon from the extra deck to special summon Malefic Cyber End! Now! Attack Dragluon! Malefic Super Strident Blaze!" Shadow cringed as he felt Malefic Cyber End's attack pierce through Dragluon's defenses! "I end my turn."

Paradox Truth: 8000
Shadow: 5900

'Oh man! Not good! It was bad enough his Malefics had protection thanks to his new field spell! Now he can swarm the field with high-attack point monsters! Not to mention he can summon them so easily! There's gotta be some way around this!' Shadow drew his next card, and frowned. 'It's not much better, but at least it'll be able to take down Malefic Cyber End Dragon!' "I activate Dragluon's effect! I'll detach an overlay unit to special summon a dragon from my hand since Dragluon's the only monster I control! I summon Soul Drain Dragon in attack mode! Since my life points are lower than yours, Soul Drain Dragon gains attack equal to the difference! The only drawback to that is you won't take any further damage this turn. But at least I can take out your Malefic Cyber End Dragon! Soul Destruction Stream!" Soul Drain Dragon fired a beam of purple energy! Melting Malefic Cyber End Dragon into scrap! "'l end my turn."

"Impressive. You've summoned a monster that outclasses the strongest monster in my main deck. But then again, I've perfected my deck now! And I now have access to an extra deck! The time has come to come face-to-face with my ultimate beast! I draw! Yes....YES! AHAHAHAHHAHAHHA! Your story ends here! I play Malefic Fusion!" A swirling vortex of black and white appeared before Paradox! Sickly green energy crackled around it! "I can banish Malefic monsters from my hand, or graveyard in order to summon my ultimate dragon! I banish Malefic Blue-Eyes, Red-Eyes, Cyber End, Rainbow, and Stardust Dragon!" The five malefic dragons flew into the vortex, and once they were in the vortex began to ripple and bulge! "Yes! YES!" As the vortex settled, a massive dragon stepped out of the portal! Its entire body was composed of the black-and-white substance that covered Paradox's Malefic monsters! "BEHOLD! Malefic Apex Dragon! Now I activate her effect! I'll destroy my field spell!" Malefic Universe shattered! "Malefic Apex Dragon doesn't need a field spell to maintain her existence! And since I destroyed my field spell, all cards on your field return to your hand!" Shadow was shocked to see Dragluon return to the extra deck and Soul Drain returned to his hand! "Now I'll attack you directly! Apex Stream of Oblivion!" Malefic Apex Dragon began to gather crackling green-and-black energy, and unleashed it once it hit its peak! Shadow cringed as the energy struck him full force! Knocking him to the floor! "Magnificent isn't she?", Paradox said with an evil smile. "She can't be targeted or destroyed by card effects, and can also inflict piercing damage when she attacks a defense mode monster. And with her attack strength, it's almost impossible to destroy her!"

Paradox Truth: 8000
Shadow: 900

'That monster....no wonder its has Apex in its name.', Shadow thought while he was on his back. He lifted his head to look at his duel disk. 'He doesn't even have a scratch on him! And he's gotten rid of most of my life points! I'm on my last legs. But the worst part....' Shadow then looked to Starlight. 'She's not even awake to try and cheer me on...' Starlight stirred, and opened her eyes. Almost as if she had heard Shadow's thoughts! When Starlight saw Shadow, she was horrified!

"Shadow!"

'Huh. Scratch that last one. I guess she is awake. At least I'll get to see her looking at me before I lose...' "Nice of you to wake-up Star.", Shadow said with a weak smile.

"Shadow, get up!"

"Starlight. My life points are as good as gone."

"But you still have some! Are you really going to give up this easily when you came so close? Are you really going to disappoint me like that?" Shadow's eyes widened, and he leaped to his feet!

"Heck no!", Shadow shouted! He then noticed a rainbow-colored glow coming from his deck. "I draw! Nice! I play Trade-In! I'll discard a level eight monster in my hand and draw two new cards! I can special summon Schwarzschild Limit Dragon since you control a monster with more than 2000 attack! And since I've got a level eight monster, I can summon Parsec the Interstellar Dragon! Now I overlay them! I xyz summon Dragluon!" Dragluon once again took the field in a storm of feathers! "Now for something new! I activate Rank-Up-Magic Harmony's Force! This ranks up my monster into a chaos Xyz monster! Come on out! Number C46: Dragluon Absolute!" Dragluon descended in a column of light! Dragluon has lost his arms and legs, and his scales were now a light gold color! Majestic, silver, feathery wings and a silvery mane and beard now adorned its body! "But I'm not done yet! I play another card! Dragons United! This doubles the number of monster zones I have for one turn! Now I can special summon dragons from level eight to ten from my hand, deck, graveyard, or extra deck ignoring their summoning conditions! Come on out! Blue-Eyes! Red-Eyes! Stardust! Red Dragon Archfiend! Rainbow! Gold-Eyes! And Timaeus!" Each of the legendary dragons flew from Shadow's deck onto the field! "Now I activate Dragluon Absolute's effect! I can detach one overlay unit to banish all monsters you control!"

"NO!", Paradox howled as Malefic Apex Dragon faded from his field!

"Are you scared of your own shadow? All dragons! Attack him directly! Legendary Dragon Blast!" All the dragons combined their attacks, and unleashed a devastating blast of energy! Wiping out all of Paradox's life points! When the light faded, Paradox was still standing, but badly hurt!

"It...Isn't....OVER!" Paradox fired up his magic and began blasting at Shadow like crazy! Shadow then felt something click, and wings like Dragluon's sprouted on his back! Shadow took to the air, and dodged Paradox's blasts before dive-bombing Paradox! Delivering a swift strike with his spear to Paradox! Before Paradox could recover, Shadow kept striking Paradox! Unleashing a flurry of slashes with his spear! Paradox forced Shadow back with a wave of magic, and sent him flying with a stream of crackling green energy! "I've had enough of you!" Paradox began to gather energy as he prepared to wipe out Shadow! However, Shadow had other ideas! Shadow jumped out of the crater he left in the wall! Shadow began to gather golden energy into his spear, and once it was charged, Shadow threw his spear forward! Sending an energy projection of Dragluon flying right at Paradox! Paradox fired his final attack, but the projection of Dragluon pierced it! Paradox put his hands out in vain as the spear pierced the core of his being! Shadow then charged forth, and the spear flew back into his hand!

"Dragluon Seal Slash!" Shadow executed one final devastating slash! Paradox exploded! Causing the chains of energy that held Starlight in place to vanish! Shadow flew up to Starlight, and caught her just in time. "Hey there beautiful."

"I knew you'd come.", Starlight said with a smile. "Care to start again since it's all over?" Shadow was about to go in for a kiss until the lair started to rumble!

"Maybe once we're out of here. Let's go!" Shadow holstered his spear on his back, and made a bolt for the door with Starlight in tow. Shadow threw the doors open. "Something tells me once Paradox goes, this place goes with him!"

"Hope you can keep up love birds!", Burst joked as he, Ace, Ice, Inferno, and Gold summoned their dragon wings while Rainbow Dash and Nightmare ponied-up! The group flew as fast as they could as the entrance just gave way! Shadow and Starlight watched the rest of Paradox's lair crumble and shared a loving smile.

"Well?", Nightmare asked. "What're you two waiting for?" Shadow and Starlight kissed.

"Another happy ending!", Pinkie chirped!

"Not yet Pinkie.", Burst said with a smile. "I think we both know what comes after beating the bad-guy."

"I'll get Sugar Cube Corner ready for after school!", Pinkie cheered as she and the group headed back to school.

"So Shadow? Ready to give us a shot?", Starlight asked.

"Did you even need to ask?", Shadow said with a loving smile.

Author's Note

Dragluon Absolute's card stats

Name: Number C46: Dragluon Absolute
Attribute: LIGHT
Rank: 9
Type: Dragon/Xyz/Effect
ATK: 4500/DEF: 3800

Effect: This card cannot be targeted or destroyed by card effects. You can detach one overlay unit: Dragon-Type monsters you control are unaffected by card effects for this turn. If this card has "Number 46: Dragluon" as an Xyz material, it gains this effect: You can detach one overlay unit. Banish all monsters your opponent controls until the end phase.

Epilogue

School went by quickly, and Burst and his friends soon gathered at Sugar Cube Corner where Pinkie had a party set up for Paradox being defeated. "We SO deserve this.", Shadow said with a smile! "Let's party!" As their friends proceeded to have a good time, Burst gathered Inferno, Ace, and Gold.

"So guys? Did you get all the stuff prepared?", Burst asked.

"We dropped it off earlier today.", Inferno answered. "Pinkie even helped us get our equipment set up."

"You sure about this song Burst?", Ace asked.

"It's a classic of rock dude. Of course I'm sure. Besides. Shadow and Starlight need a good song to share a kiss to. Let's do it!" The group soon took the stage Pinkie had set for them and began to play. Once the beat was set, Burst began to sing.

Once upon a time not so long ago

Tommy used to work on the docks
Union's been on strike
He's down on his luck...
It's tough, so tough

Gina works the diner all day
Working for her man,
She brings home her pay
For love, for love

She says, "We've gotta hold on to what we've got.
It doesn't make a difference if we make it or not.
We've got each other and that's a lot.
For love we'll give it a shot."

Whoa, we're half way there
Whoa, livin' on a prayer
Take my hand and we'll make it - I swear
Whoa, livin' on a prayer

Tommy's got his six string in hock
Now he's holding in
What he used to make it talk
So tough, it's tough

Gina dreams of running away
When she cries in the night
Tommy whispers,
"Baby, it's okay, someday...

...We've gotta hold on to what we've got.
It doesn't make a difference if we make it or not.
We've got each other and that's a lot.
For love we'll give it a shot."

Whoa, we're half way there
Whoa, livin' on a prayer
Take my hand and we'll make it - I swear
Whoa, livin' on a prayer

Livin' on a prayer

We've gotta hold on ready or not
You live for the fight when it's all that you've got

Whoa, we're half way there
Whoa, livin' on a prayer
Take my hand and we'll make it - I swear
Whoa, livin' on a prayer

As Burst and his friends performed, Shadow wrapped his arms around Starlight as she faced him, and pulled her into a kiss. Once the guys had finished performing, each of them went to their respective girlfriend. Burst smiled as he saw his friends happy with the girls they loved. Nightmare was smiling too as she and Burst hugged each other. "I knew Shadow would save Starlight."

"Just like you changed me Burst.", Nightmare said with a loving smile.

"How do you figure that Moon?"

"Because Burst. You filled my dark soul with light." Nightmare and Burst shared a deep kiss before rejoining the party.

"I think that upcoming field trip is going to feel pretty good after all this craziness."

Duel 4: Dragons of Legend Enslaved

Gold and Sunset were hanging around Gold's house when Gold got a text from Inferno. "Huh. Maybe he wants to come up with another custom card." Gold opened up the text, and froze when he looked at it. "Sunset. I'm gonna have to cut this short."

"What? Why?"

"Inferno was attacked by a duelist using a deck we've never seen before. I'd better get Dad..." Gold knocked on Pegasus's door.

"Gold? What's the matter?"

"Dad. Inferno was just attacked by a duelist wielding a deck we've never seen before. Were there any prototype card archetypes that've gone missing currently?" Pegasus made his way over to a computer and pulled up the database for all current an in-progress cards.

"There's nothing missing.", Pegasus stated. "Perhaps you could tell me the names of some of the cards this rogue duelist used?"

"Inferno said there was a field spell called Malefic World. Try keying that in." Pegasus keyed in the card name, but there were no cards that matched the name!

"That....that's impossible! I've overseen ever card created! Something not showing up in the database should be impossible!" Pegasus then came to a realization. "Unless....."

"Dad? Unless what?"

"Unless the cards Inferno encountered aren't from our world."

"You're saying that these cards came from the monster world?", Sunset asked. Pegasus nodded.

"Such cases are very rare, but there was one incident where Yugi found a card in the monster world. Let me try and feel-out the monsters of this rogue's deck..." Pegasus focused, and saw many legendary dragons caught in chains of sickly green energy! Each of them were crying out in frustration! Crying out in pain! The shock of it all snapped Pegasus back into reality! Gold rushed to his adopted father's side!

"Dad! What did you see? What happened?!"

"I saw...dragons. All of them were legendary dragons. But they were bound by chains of energy. Each one of them crying out in anger and pain! Whoever this duelist is, they've somehow enslaved the spirits of legendary dragons. And I assume that this 'Malefic World' card has everything to do with it. You must be cautious Gold. You and all of your friends. A good number of you are bonded with legendary dragons. And that makes you prime targets. They've already tried going for Inferno, you could very well be next." Gold nodded.

"I'll text everyone right now. You should probably let the girls know too Sunset."

"Right." Sunset and Gold texted all their friends about the unsettling news. As those two alerted their friends, Pegasus's thoughts were troubled.

'What kind of power could be strong enough to enslave legendary dragons?' Pegasus then got to work on designing a new card. 'I'd better make preparations for the coming battle. I just hope this card will be ready in time....'

Duel 11: Breaking the News

Ace looked at his phone, and saw that he had a new text. Ace opened it up, and sighed. "Ice?"

"Yeah?"

"We gotta tell Shadow about Starlight. NOW."

"She took it too far didn't she?", Ice asked. "Maybe we should've seen this coming. Do you think he'll be able to take it well?"

"Ice. He just met Starlight a few days ago. I don't think he's going to believe us. Much less take it in a calm manner." Ace then sighed. "But there's no use in putting this off." Ace and Ice headed off to Shadow's room. "Shadow? We gotta talk about that duelist who's been hunting legendary dragons."

"What about them? Are we going to track them down and duel them?!"

"No Shadow. We now know who the duelist is.", Ace said with a frown.

"Really? Who is it?"

"Shadow....", Ice began. "It's Starlight." Shadow had a puzzled look on his face.

"What? C'mon! There's no way she'd do something like that!"

"Shadow, it's true.", Ace said. "We've freed legendary dragons she captured. They saw her hunt for legendary dragons, they know what she looks like! You've gotta face the facts!"

"You're lying!", Shadow protested.

"Shadow, just listen! What do you need to believe us? Starlight taking Dragluon from you and turning him into a malefic monster? Hearing his pained cries knowing you did nothing to try and save him?!", Ice argued. Shadow was silent, and Ice sighed. "Look bro. I KNOW you like her. No matter how hard you tried to hide it. Which brings us to the main reason we're here. You're going to have to face her about this. And when you do, it's all on your shoulders. If nothing else, TRY to convince her to stop. And whatever choice she makes, we'll deal with it as best we can."

"Why me?", Shadow asked. "Just when I find a girl it blows up in my face."

"Maybe not Shadow.", Ace said. "Not if you can convince Starlight. But you're gonna have to do this tomorrow. And it's gotta come from you, and you alone."

Shadow sighed. "Worst day of my life..." Shadow went to bed that night with a troubled mind. 'Why couldn't I have just told Starlight sooner? WHY?' Shadow closed his eyes. Hoping to sleep today off like a bad dream.