Heart of the Cards

Chapters

Episode 1 [Part 1] - Arrival of a Unlikely Hero
Episode 1 [Part 2] - Arrival of a Unlikely Hero
Episode 1 [Part 3] - Arrival of a Unlikely Hero
Episode 2 [Part 1] – Ties of Friendship
Episode 2 [Part 2] – Ties of Friendship
Episode 2 [Part 3] – Ties of Friendship
Episode 2 [Part 4] – Ties of Friendship
Episode 3 [Part 1] - Ticket Trouble
Episode 3 [Part 2] - Ticket Trouble
Episode 4 [Part 1] - Stubborn Apple
Episode 4 [Part 2] - Stubborn Apple
Episode 4 [Extra] - Twilight's Spellbooks
Episode 5 [Part 1] - Dueling Feathers
Episode 5 [Part 2] - Dueling Feathers
Episode 5 [Extra] - Reconciliation and Revolve
Episode 6 [Part 1] - Boastful Performance
Episode 6 [Part 2] - Boastful Performance
Episode 6 [Extra] - Light in the Night
Episode 7 [Part 1] - No Courage without Fear
Episode 7 [Part 2] - No Courage without Fear
Episode 7 [Extra] - Courageous Illumination
Episode 8 [Part 1] - Sleepover Mishaps
Episode 8 [Part 2] - Sleepover Mishaps
Episode 9 [Part 1] - Never Assume on Appearance Alone
Episode 9 [Part 2] - Never Assume on Appearance Alone
Episode 10 [Part 1] - Pest Control
Episode 10 [Part 2] - Pest Control
Episode 10 [Extra] - Repelling a Pesky Moth
Episode 11 [Part 1] - Winter Mischance
Episode 11 [Part 2] - Winter Mischance

Episode 1 [Part 1] - Arrival of a Unlikely Hero

It was a relatively quiet day in Canterlot as many of the royal guard were patrolling the streets. In the past few days, the inhabitants chose to spend their days mostly indoors and only go out if necessary.

It been like this after the previous incident, which the royal guard once again failed to stop the same pony from causing havoc in one the city’s districts.

Almost a week ago, there were sightings of cards of unusual design appearing across Equestra. Little is known about the cards except they seemed to be separated based on the coloring; the most common are brown, green and purple.

While the appearance and wording of the cards were different, they all share the same back design; a black and brown oval swirl at the center.

At first, the cards were seen as harmless and just another thing for collectors, but it was proven wrong rather quickly. There were reports of ponies picking up one of the cards ended being surrounding by a dark aura along with a drastic change to their personalities.

The case in Canterlot was a big concern for one of the royal guard pegasus named Grey Wing let his curiosity got the better of him and grabbed one of them.

Acting as he been possessed, Grey Wing was seen smashing windows, doors and any outdoor object he found, taunting ponies to stop him. He was also seen threatening ponies into giving him any of the strange cards they may have found since their arrival.

When other royal guards tried to apprehend him, they were pushed back by the aura around. Grey Wing claim that he was be beaten in a duel and present a deck that he made using the cards he either collected or stolen. Many however see it as him mocking any attempts to stop him the effects of his aura.

After causing havoc in a district, he usually disappears without a trace, only to reappear in another district the next day. It reached the point that the ruler of Equestria, Princess Celestia, chose to intervene. Much to the shock of everyone, even she couldn’t stop Grey Wing as her magic couldn’t even break through the protective aura.

Back at the royal palace, Celestia plan her next course of action.

Standing in the middle of an ornate chamber holding one of the many cards her royal guard collected, her horn glowed as she channeled a spell into it.

The spell in question was said to help one understand of the properties of an object and its purpose. She has mixed feelings for using the spell though since it was known to be very unpredictable when casted.

Nevertheless, it was worth the risk to Celestia as her horn glowed brighter as she channeled the spell into the card.

“I hope this works.” She muttered as she continues to channel the spell.

Nothing happened for a few minutes as she continued to channel her magic, but everything changed when the card in Celestia’s hoof begun to warp.

Soon, a small rift appeared before in front of Celestia and sucked the warped card from her hoof much to her surprise. It soon glowed brightly to which it blinded her for a few moments.

‘What happened?’

After regaining her sight, she saw that the rift in front of her was gone and instead was an earth pony stallion with a brown backpack. His eyes and coat were dark blue while his mane were black. The most noticeable aspect of the stallion that his flank has disturbingly a black and brown spiral which was similar to the one found on the back of those cards.

However, the stallion had a shocked expression on his face as he quickly scanned his surroundings and then to her. Celestia felt something wasn’t right when the stallion begun to shake as he gazes upon his front hooves with fearful eyes.

“Where am I?! Who are you?! What happened to me?!”

He shouted out in a panicked state as his breathing begun to rise rapidly.

“Calm down. You are in Canterlot.”

Celestia spoke in a kind voice, but it has little effect on the panicking stallion.

“Canterlot?! You mean I am not on Earth?!”

‘Earth?’ Celestia soon realized that the stallion was not from Equestia and was from another world… ‘And I was responsible.’

She then saw the stallion staring at her, retaining his fearful expression. “Who are you?! Are you the one who did this me?!”

“Please calm down. I assure you that it wasn’t my intention to let this happen to you.”

Upon hearing her kind but apologetic tone, the stallion managed to calm down slightly and ease his breathing. However, he remained cautious of the alicorn.

“I am Princess Celestia. And you are?”

The stallion remained quiet for a few moments for he answered. “My name is Dusk. I am a human or I used to be…” He once again gazes upon his front hooves. “My hands…”

“I know you have a lot of questions, but please hear me out.” Celestia then begun to explain to Dusk what was happening in Equestria; from the unknown cards that appeared across the land to her predicament in dealing with Grey Wing which resulted in casting the spell which unexpected brought him here.

Dusk was very quiet throughout the whole explanation, but was listening intently. As crazy as it was for him to learn he was in a world filled with ponies, he couldn’t deny the truth before him despite a part of him tells him it is just his imagination going haywire.

After finishing, Celestia was worried that her explanation would do little to ease him. She after all ended up taking him away from his world and currently has no way to return him back.

It was then he finally spoke as he struggled to get his backpack off. “That is a lot to take in… However, you were taking about those cards…”

Despite no longer having hands, he was surprised he could grab things with hooves as he managed to finally free himself of his backpack.

“What are doing?” Celestia asked as Dusk opened his backpack and was surprised what he was presenting her with.

The first object he presented was something that was something akin to a hoof blade; weapon which was rarely used by her royal guard. Dusk then put it back into his backpack and then taken out a card pouch.

When he opened the pouch and presented its contents, Celestia was shocked to her core for it contain cards which were like those that appeared in Equestria; the back design being a complete match.

“What? How?”

“As awkward as it seems, I guess I have to explain a bit of my life.” Dusk said as he explained everything to Celestia.

She learned that on Earth, a card game known as Duel Monsters which the inhabitants there duel each other; following a detailed set of rules which was respected by all. The game was wide-spread and very popular to the point there were tournaments and leagues. A duelist could gain both fame and fortune if he or she played her cards right.

Its popularity also lead to the rapid development of portable devices known as Duel Disk, which enhances the game by projecting lifelike images of both monsters and effects. Celestia realized that hoof blade-like object was Dusk’s duel disk.

Apparently, Dusk was preparing for a tournament and it packed along with a few pouches of his cards before a rift appeared in his room; the same one that Celestia was created.

After finishing his explanation, Dusk was now putting everything back into his backpack. Celestia was speechless for a minute as she was processing everything she learned in her head.

“Is that what Grey Wing meant by duel?”

“With what you told me, that appears to be the case. It appears in order to stop him, he has to be defeated in a game of Duel Monsters.”

“You are my best hope then.”

“What?”

Celestia took a deep breath before speaking. “I know you may not like it, but you may be the solution I been looking for.”

Dusk was bewildered what she said. “You are asking me, a complete stranger, to help you with your problem? You first took me from my world and now you...”

He was cut off by Celestia. “You are the only one who knows how to play this Duel Monsters. I understand that you are upset of me for taking you from your world, but my guards are powerless in stopping Grey Wing and there are no doubt ponies like him somewhere else in Equestria.”

She looked at Dusk with begging eyes. “Please help me and Equestria. I promise that I will try to find a way to return you back.”

Dusk had a complicated expression as he was thinking about what she said. As much he was upset with her taking him away from his world, a part of himself wanted to help Celestia with her predicament.

He was silent for a minute as he looked upon the ground in deep through.

“I…” Dusk tried to speak, but was interrupted by the chamber door opening up abruptly and saw an pony wearing golden armor rushing in.

“Your Majesty! We have a big problem!”

‘Is this one of the royal guards?’ Dusk thought as Celestia turned her head towards the pony.

“Is it Grey Wing?”

“Yes. He was found near one of the towers. I am afraid to also report that he is also holding your student hostile.”

Dusk notice that Celestia’s expression became on of fear upon hearing the guard’s report.

“Twilight…” She muttered in horrified tone. “Did you report it to Shining Armor?”

“Yes. The captain immediately left with a detachment, but I am not sure how we could deal with Grey Wing now.”

The guard soon caught sight of Dusk, much to latter’s surprise since the former didn’t note his presence.

“Who is this?”

Celestia turned her gaze to Dusk before she turned back to the guard with a small smile.

“The one who could deal the Grey Wing.”

The guard was speechless upon hearing Celestia’s reply; the unknown stallion beside her was the one who stop Grey Wing.

“Dusk…” Celestia looked at him with eyes appearing more begging than before.

“Celestia…” He spoke as he turned towards her. “While I am indeed upset for your action, I understand the predicament that you and your people are facing. I can’t stand people getting hurt, so…”

Dusk finally made a smile after all he been through in a short time. “If you keep your promise, I will help you.”

“Thank you...” Celestia was very happy hearing his words. At long last, there was hope…

At the tower in question, there was a lot of panic as a large crowd gathered around a sensitive situation. They gaze upon a band of royal guards surrounding Grey Wing as he was cornered at the exterior of the tower.

"He looks different now..." One of the royal guard muttered as he look upon Grey Wing. The last time they met, Grey Wing still retain his grey coat and blue mane as before. Now, both his coat and mane were darker than before; disturbingly a good match for his malicious expression.

Behind Grey Wing’s was Twilight Sparkle, Celestia beloved student, who was tied up and wasn’t able free herself with her magic due to the aura emitted by Grey Wing. Her mouth was covered so she couldn’t say a word.

Her tear-filled eyes were focused on her brother, Shining Armor, who was trying in vain to break through the aura with his magic. He been at this for a few minutes, but nothing worked as the magic on his horn begun to waver.

The previous plan for the royal guard was for a group to distract Grey Wing while another rescue Twilight. However, Grey Wing seems to notice and formed a sizeable dome using the aura, which prevented anypony from getting in.

Despite the strength of the aura, it was transparent enough for the ponies to get a good view of what is happening inside.

Shining Armor looked upon Grey Wing with a furious expression as he desperately banged the dome with his hooves.

“Let my sister go!”

“Like said many times before, you have to defeat me in a duel first...”

Grey Wing said as he begun to laugh darkly as he presented his deck of cards. Shining Armor refuse to give in and continue to batter the dome. He was fighting tears as it was always the same thing every time he and his guards tried to stop him.

Every attempt to breach Grey Wing’s aura failed and today, he was being crushed by the revelation he wouldn’t be able save his dear sister from him.

As everypony were muttering out of fear of Grey Wing’s being unstoppable, they were interrupted by a recognizable voice.

“Grey Wing!”

Upon hearing Celestia’s voice, the crowd of ponies spotted her alongside Dusk; an otherwise unknown stallion to their eyes.

The crowd quickly gave them as they approach the dome which Grey Wing was behind. The royal guards there tried to stop Dusk, but Celestia told them that he was with her and order them not to interfere.

Dusk finally caught sight of Grey Wing, who was looking upon him and Celestia darkly as he approached. Soon they were face-to-face; the dome being the only thing separating them.

“Your Majesty. He spoke in a mocking tone. “If you wish to see your beloved student again, then you must defeat me…”

“In Duel Monsters right?” Celestia interrupted him as everypony were confused of what she said.

“Duel Monsters?” Many in the crowd repeated what Celestia said and were questioning what she meant.

As for Grey Wing, he was surprised and intensified his gaze upon her. “Where did you learned that…?”

“From Dusk.” Celestia merely smiled as she gestured to Dusk, who was surprisingly calm despite what he was seeing now.

Soon, everypony were focused on him as he took off his backpack, taking out his duel disk and the pouch that holds his preferred deck.
Those near Dusk were in shock upon seeing his deck as he took it out and inserted into his duel disk.

‘My duel disk must have changed as well.’ Dusk thought as he noticed that the bracer that was meant to fit on a human wrist was now large enough to fit a pony’s hoof.

Everypony were more surprised as Dusk stood on his hind legs as he entered the usual duelist stance and attached the dusk disk to his left hoof.

As for Grey Wing, he was study Dusk extensively from his stance to his duel disk. A few moments later, he laughed as he also stood on his hind legs.

“What is so funny?” Dusk questioned.

“It seems that somepony finally assembled his own deck and have the guts to face me.” Grey Wing replied as something begun to form on his left hoof.

Much to everyponys’ surprise, a something similar to Dusk's duel disk appeared, but was dark grey in color and had jagged edges.

“I can tell from your eyes that you know the rules as well.”

“Don’t worry about me. Worry about yourself.”

“We will see about that.” Grey Wing merely got back on his hooves and walked to the opposite side of the dome, gesturing Dusk to follow.

Following suit, he towards the dome and to everypony’s surprise, Dusk was able to move through the dome without difficulty. The royal guard were flabbergast that the unknown stallion manage to pass through the aura.

Shining Armor tried to follow, but Celestia stopped him.

“Have faith in Dusk.”

Despite being skeptical of the unknown stallion, the captain chose to heed to his Majesty’s words as he watched the two in the dome stand on their hind legs.

Everyponys’ eyes were focused on the scene as Dusk’s and Grey Wing’s Duel Disks begun to emit a multi-colored glow from certain sections.

It was then they heard an unknown voice echo from within the dome.

“Solid Reality Vision Link established.”

Soon, a holographic screen appeared above Dusk and Grey Wing respectively; containing a picture of their faces and a counter; displaying the text, 8000 LP.

Soon, the two drew about five cards from their respective decks as they both shouted out the word that would start everything as everypony continue to watched what was about to come.

“DUEL!”

Episode 1 [Part 2] - Arrival of a Unlikely Hero

[Dusk’s Life Points: 8000]
[Grey Wing’s Life Points: 8000]

[Turn 1: Grey Wing]
[Dusk's Cards in Hoof: 5]
[Grey Wing's Cards in Hoof: 5]

“Allow me to be the first. I draw!” Grey Wing said he drew a card from his deck and scanned. through his hoof. “I summon Skull Knight #2 in Attack mode.”

Everypony watched as he took one of the cards and placed it onto one of the five open slots of his duel disk; the monster slots.

A portal appeared in front of Grey Wing and soon, a fearsome warrior rose from it. It wields a large sword and pointed it towards Dusk. A small screen appeared near it to display its stats for all to see.

[Skull Knight #2] [ATK: 1000] [DEF: 1200] [Level: 4]

“What is that?!”

“Did he summon a monster?!”

Many ponies watching the duel were both surprised and shocked of what they have just seen. Somehow in their eyes, Grey Wing summoned a creature they never seen before despite being a pegasus; having no magic whatsoever.

Twilight Sparkle, despite the situation she was in, couldn’t help but be in awe of what she was witnessing.

However, Grey Wing didn’t stop there. “Then I will activate the Spell, Double Summon.”

He placed the card into one of the five openings beneath the monster slots; the Spell and Trap slots. Soon, a large holographic image of the card appeared before Grey Wing for all to see.

“When this card is activated, I can conduct two Normal Summon this turn. Then I will release my Skull Knight #2…”

The monster in question burst into particles of light, but another portal opened beneath where it once stood.

“To Advance Summon Summoned Skull!”

Now, a demonic being rose to take the released monster’s place as it made a seething roar which scared the crowd.

[Summoned Skull] [ATK: 2500] [DEF: 1200] [Level: 6]

“Since I released Skull Knight #2 to Advance Summon a fiend-type monster, I can Special Summon another Skull Knight #2 from my deck, which I have to then shuffle.”

Everypony watched as the monster that vanished soon reappeared back on Grey Wing’s side of the field.

[Skull Knight #2] [ATK: 1000] [DEF: 1200] [Level: 4]

While many in the crowd muttered that Dusk may not stand a chance against a monster like Summoned Skull, Celestia have faith in him as she watches the duel.

“Since I can’t attack during the first turn, I will end my turn.” Grey Wing said with a dark smile.

[Turn 2: Dusk]
[Dusk's Cards in Hoof: 5]
[Grey Wing's Cards in Hoof: 3]

“Don’t think you have the advantage just yet. I draw!” Dusk shouted as he drew his card and looked through his hoof to make his own move. He hid his surprise that he was able to hold his cards despite having no fingers.

"First, I play Pot of Greed. It allows me to draw two cards from my deck."

After drawing the cards, he gazes upon them and smiled.

“Excellent. I play the Field Spell, Temple of the Six!”

A slot opened on the right side of the blade part of the duel disk as Dusk placed a card on it. After the slot closed, everypony watched as the environment around them changed. The buildings in the city vanished and in their place were hundred of dead trees and the afternoon sky quickly darkens.

As for the tower, it was replaced with a massive building with a design that was completely unknown to the ponies. To Dusk, it was a Japanese temple and its gate has a glowing symbol at its center.

“What happened to the city and the sky!?” The crowd panicked at the shocking change to their surroundings.

“Don’t worry! What you are all seeing is an illusion!” Dusk shouted to the crowd in hope of easing them after watching the changes done due to his Field Spell. He then turned his attention to Dusk Wing.

“Also, since you control a monster and I have none, I can Special Summon Elder of the Six Samurai, which I will put in Defense mode.”

Soon, a being within a box-like contraption appeared on Dusk’s side of the field; its mechanical legs crouching.

[Elder of the Six Samurai] [ATK: 400] [DEF: 0] [Level: 3]

“Next, I will summon Legendary Six Samurai – Kageki in Attack mode.”

To the right of the Elder of the Six Samurai, a warrior wearing brown armor appeared ready for battle. He was unique for he has four arms; one normal pair wielded dual katanas while the mechanical pair on his back wielded dual katana-like batons.

[Legendary Six Samurai – Kageki] [ATK: 200] [DEF: 2000] [Level: 3]

“When Legendary Six Samurai – Kageki is Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower "Six Samurai" monster from my hand, apparently now my hoof. Also, this card gains 1500 ATK whenever I control another “Six Samurai” monster with a different name.”

The warrior raised his weapons into the air as an electric aura surrounded him; indicating he was being powered up.

[Legendary Six Samurai – Kageki] [ATK: 200 (+)> 1700]

“With his effect, I then Special Summon Tuner monster, Kagemusha of the Six Samurai, in Defense mode.”

Now, a warrior wearing green armor and wielding a spear appeared as he kneeled into a defensive posture to the left of the Elder of the Six Samurai.

[Kagemusha of the Six Samurai] [ATK: 400] [DEF: 1800] [Level: 2]

“Tuner monster? You don’t mean…!”

“Looks like you know what I am planning to do. It seems you know more about Duel Monsters than I thought.”

Grey Wing looked upon Dusk in shock as the latter raise his right hoof into the air.

“I’m tuning my Level 2 Kagemusha of the Six Samurai to my Level 3 Elder of the Six Samurai!” Dusk shouted as the former jumped into the turned into two stars, which flew into the air as the latter jumped into the air.

In the air, the stars then lined up in a straight line and then changed into glowing green rings. The Elder then move into the two rings before stopping at the center. Soon, he turned into three stars as they lined up straight within the rings.

Everypony watched in awe of the sight as Dusk begun to chant something.

“Never yield against the unrelenting storm! Witness power born through unity!” Suddenly, a pillar of light shot through the rings, consuming the stars and then the rings themselves.

“Synchro Summon! Stand Strong! Legendary Six Samurai - Shi En!” From the pillar of light, a warrior-like monster appears wearing intimating crimson armor and had dragon-like wings on his back. As the monster landed on the ground, his katana drawn and ready for battle.

[Legendary Six Samurai - Shi En] [ATK: 2500] [DEF: 1400] [Level: 5]

“What was that!?”

“Look at that thing! He might have a chance after all!”

Many ponies looked upon Dusk’s powerful monster in awe and became relieved that he had a chance in defeating Grey Wing after all.

“Where did you find him your Majesty?” Shining Armor hastily ask Celestia regarding Dusk and his skill in Duel Monsters; an otherwise unknown card game. The rest of the royal guard also share the same thought.

“Not at the moment captain. When the duel is over, I promise will explain everything about Dusk to everypony.”

Celestia spoke as she remained focused on the duel and could tell that Dusk wasn’t done just yet since the symbol on the gate of Temple of the Six was glowing.

“Temple of the Six effect now activates. Each time a "Six Samurai" monster is Normal or Special Summoned, a Bushido Counter is place on this card. Since I summoned four “Six Samurai” monsters, the card gains four counters.”

Dusk pointed to the gate of the temple as four circles appeared on the gate’s four corners, symbolizing the Bushido Counters.

[Temple of the Six - Bushido Counters 0 (+)> 4]

“What is the point of…” Grey Wing stopped when he noticed that his monsters begun to be surrounding with a green aura. “What is happening to my monsters?!”

“Another effect of the Temple of the Six.” Dusk answered with a smile. “Your monsters lose 100 ATK for every Bushido Counter on this card.”

“What?!” Grey Wing yelled as he watched as Summoned Skull and Skull Knight #2 became weaker due to the Field Spell.

[Summoned Skull] [ATK: 2500 (-)> 2100]

[Skull Knight #2] [ATK: 1000 (-)> 600]

“Prepare yourself! Shi En! Attack Summoned Skull!”

Shi En boldly charged at the fiend as he prepared to strike the monster down.

“Blue Flame Strike!” Dusk shouted as Shi En cleaved his katana across Summoned Skull’s chest. The fiend roared as it glowed and shattered into countless particles.

Grey Wing roared as well for his Life Points was cut down as well.

[Grey Wing’s Life Points: 8000 (-)> 7600]

“I am not done yet! Kageki! Attack Skull Knight #2!”

Kageki’s mechanical arms on his back were rotating their own weapons rapidly as he looked at the fiend.

“Thunder Slash!” Soon, Kageki was propelled towards Skull Knight #2 and using his other pair of arms, cut down the fiend with his katanas.

Grey Wing’s Life Points drop further as he brace for impact.

[Grey Wing’s Life Points: 7600 (-)> 6500]

“I set three cards face-down and end my turn.” Dusk place his remaining cards into his duel disk, appearing on the field face down.

Dusk turned his head to the crowd as they cheered for him, seeing him take the lead in the duel.

“Incredible!”

“Come on Dusk! Bring Grey Wing down!”

Both Celestia and Shining Armor were smiling what he had accomplished. Despite her mouth being covered, Twilight was trying to make a smile of her own. Grey Wing in turn became angry of the setback of losing his monsters and Life Points.

[Turn 3: Grey Wing]
[Dusk's Cards in Hoof: 0]
[Grey Wing's Cards in Hoof: 3]

“Why you…! I draw!” Grey Wing yelled as he drew a card. “I play my own Pot of Greed, which allows me to draw two more cards.”

After two more cards, Grey Wing smiled darkly as he looked through his hoof.

“How is this? Next, I play Mystical Space Typhoon, which allows me to destroy 1 Spell or Trap card on the field!”

“Don’t tell me…” Dusk spoke as he knows what Grey Wing is targeting.

“Indeed! Say goodbye to your Field Spell!” Upon playing the Spell, the card appeared on Grey Wing’s field and from it, a cyclone appeared and struck the Temple of the Six.

Shattering it into pieces, the Field Spell slowly vanished as everypony watch the reappearance of their city and the tower while the sky returned to normal. While relieved that Dusk was telling the truth, they were concerned since he was losing his advantage.

"Now I play Cost Down! By discarding 1 card, the Levels of all monsters in my hoof goes down by 2.”

‘Does he mean to…’

“I summon Beast of Talwar in Attack mode.” A muscular fiend appeared on Grey Wing’s field, wielding a pair of large curved swords.

[Beast of Talwar] [ATK: 2400] [DEF: 2000] [Level: 6]

“Then I play Premature Burial. By paying 800 of my Life Points, I can Special Summon a monster from my Graveyard in Attack mode and equip this card to it.”

[Grey Wing’s Life Points: 6500 (-)> 5700]

“Return! Summoned Sku…!”

“No!” Dusk interrupted. “I active Shi En’s first effect! Once per turn, whenever my opponent activates a Spell or Trap Card, I can negate the activation and then destroy it!”

“What?!” Grey Wing shouted as Shi En raised his katana and it begun to glow. Soon, Premature Burial was negated and destroyed.

“You…! I'll then play Axe of Despair and equip it to Beast of Talwar!” A sinister looking axe soon appeared in front of the fiend, which it grabbed after sheathing one of its swords. “Now my monster gains an additional 1000 ATK!”

[Beast of Talwar] [ATK: 2400 (+)> 3400]

‘Not good…’ Dusk thought as the crowd were horrified of Grey Wing’s reversal.

“Time for you to pay! Beast of Talwar! Destroy Shi En!”

Beast of Talwar charged towards the warrior with one of its swords and the axe prepared to strike down the samurai.

“I activate Shi En’s second effect!” Dusk shouted “If this card would be destroyed, I can destroy another face-up "Six Samurai" monster I control instead! Kageki, protect your comrade!”

Just before the fiend could strike, Kageki quickly moved in front of Shi En. Looking back, Kageki nodded his head to Shi En before gazing upon the fiend with his weapons raised in a defensive maneuver.

However, the Beast of Talwar laid down a barrage of attacks, which broke through Kageki’s blades and destroying him in the process.

Dusk braced himself as he finally taken damage to his Life Points.

[Dusk’s Life Points: 8000 (-)> 7100]

“While I lost some Life Points, Shi En wasn’t destroyed.” Dusk said as Grey Wing growled in anger that his opponent retained his key monster.

“I end my turn.”

[Turn 4: Dusk]
[Dusk's Cards in Hoof: 0]
[Grey Wing's Cards in Hoof: 0]

“Now it is my turn. I draw.” After drawing his card, Dusk then pointed to one of his set cards to the right.”

“I activate my Trap, Sixth Sense.” The card flipped up and soon, a die appeared on Grey Wing’s field.

“What is this?” Grey Wing questioned.

“First, I declare 2 numbers from 1 to 6 and then you roll the die. If the result is one of the numbers I declared, I can draw that many cards. If the result is none of the declared numbers, then I have to send a number of cards from the top of my deck to the Graveyard equal to the result.”

“You are going to gamble then?”

“Apparently, I am. I choose number 5 and 6.” Dusk declared.

‘High numbers? Like that is going to help you.” Grey Wing then pointed his hoof at the die in front of him, which caused to roll towards the ground.

Everypony watched as the die rolled and finally stopped. However, they all groaned in disappointment as the result was the number 4.

“Ha! You gambled and you lost!” Grey Wing laughed.

Dusk was relatively calm of the outcome as he sends the top four cards of his deck to the Graveyard.

“I activate my next Trap, Six Style – Dual Wield.” Dusk pointed to the center set card. “If the only monster I control is a “Six Samurai” monster and it is in Attack mode, I can target 2 cards my opponent controls and return them back to the hoof.”

“But… I only got…” Grey Wing muttered as the only cards he controls was Beast of Talwar and its equip card, Axe of Despair.

“It is obvious what is going back to your hoof.” Dusk spoke as the effect of his trap soon caused Beast of Talwar and its Axe of Despair to vanish from the field. Soon, the cards reappeared in Grey Wing’s hoof.

“I active my final Trap, Double-Edged Sword Technique. I can Special Summon two “Six Samurai” monsters from my Graveyard.”

“But you only got one monster in your Graveyard and it is that samurai.” Grey Wing stated before he realizes that was no longer the cast. “Wait… Sixth Sense!”

Dusk merely smiled. “I got more than one samurai in my Graveyard, so I’ll summon these two!” Two portals soon appeared as a figure begun to rise up from each one.

“The Six Samurai - Zanji!” From one portal, appeared a warrior wearing dark orange armor and wielding a naginata.

[The Six Samurai - Zanji] [ATK: 1800] [DEF: 1300] [Level: 4]

“And The Six Samurai - Irou!” From the other portal, appeared a warrior wearing dark purple armor, wielding a nodachi and had something like a blindfold over his eyes.

[The Six Samurai - Irou] [ATK: 1700] [DEF: 1200] [Level: 4]

“This can’t be!” Grey Wing shouted as he saw that his opponent has three monsters while he has nothing. “I can’t afford to lose like this!”

Upon seeing that Dusk was about to win, the crowd of ponies were ecstatic as they cheered him on. Celestia and Shining Armor were also cheering while Twilight was rejoicing despite her words being muffled.

“It is over Grey Wing! Shi En! Zanji! Irou! Direct Attack!” Yelled Dusk as his three monsters charged at Grey Wing with their weapons ready. One by one, they struck at the Pegasus.

While leaving no wounds, Grey Wing screamed as he felt the strike from each of Dusk’s monsters, cutting his Life Points into nothing.

[Grey Wing’s Life Points: 5700 (-)> 3200 (-)> 1400 (-)> 0]

[Winner: Dusk]

As the pegasus fell to the ground, a large screen appeared above the center of the field, declaring Dusk the winner of the duel along with a picture for everypony to see. Soon, the holograms were being shut off as Dusk’s monster dissipated into nothing.

While the crowd was cheering loudly for Dusk’s victory against Grey Wing, he moved towards Grey Wing to check on his status.

Much to his shock, a dark aura manifested from Grey Wing’s body and formed into something akin to a wraith. He and the ponies heard it scream as its form slowly break down into nothing.

The duel disk on Grey Wing’s hoof also shared the same fate; vanishing and leaving only the cards he used behind.

After the wraith and duel disk were gone, the dome also vanished as well. Soon, the royal guard rushed in to apprehend Grey Wing while Shining Armor went to untie Twilight and both hugged each other in joy.

Dusk soon approached Celestia, who was overjoyed of the outcome of the duel.

“You both stopped Grey Wing and saved my student. For this, you have my deepest gratitude.”

Dusk merely lowered his head in respect. “I was doing what I believed was right.”

It was then the entire crowd of ponies quickly surrounded Dusk, becoming overwhelmed by the questions being thrown at him.

“Where did come from?”

“What do you know about these cards?”

“Could you teach me how to play?”

Celestia couldn’t help but giggle at the scene. Dusk could only sigh as he tried to answer their questions as best he could. Yet, he was also happy with the outcome of the duel.

Despite being Earth and was in a world that was like a kid show, it was always a good day for him when nobody got hurt or a life is saved.

Episode 1 [Part 3] - Arrival of a Unlikely Hero

“Easy now everyon… pony.” Dusk was trying to calm down the excited crowd around him after his duel with Grey Wing. They continue to ask him questions ranging from his origins to his knowledge of Duel Monsters.

“Dusk.” Upon hearing his name, Dusk turned to see two unicorns approaching him; Shining Armor and Twilight Sparkle.

“I am Shining Armor, captain of the royal guard.” He introduced himself as he put his hoof out for a shake, which Dusk returned the gesture.

“This is my sister Twilight.” Shining Armor then introduced her. “I am in your debt for saving her from Grey Wing.”

“I was doing what was right and I couldn’t stand by while someone’s life is in danger.”

“Someone?”

“Uh… somepony I mean.” Dusk quickly corrected himself, seeing he was no longer dealing with people, but ponies.

“Thank you for saving me.” Said Twilight, who was grateful as her brother towards Dusk. While her eyes were slightly red due crying after she was held hostage by Grey Wing, the spark of happiness returned after the duel.

It was then her full attention turned to his duel disk as she took hold of it. “How did it conjure those monsters? How is it work with those cards? Just what is your relationship with them.”

She was quick to bombard him with questions as she examined the duel disk thoroughly, which made Dusk rather uncomfortable.

“Easy on him Twilight. Dusk has yet to settle down in Canterlot.” Celestia spoke to her student as she approached, who immediately turned her attention to her.

“Princess Celestia!” Twilight shouted as she quickly gives her a hug, which Celestia returned. “You can’t imagine how scared I was when Grey Wing captured me!”

“I was scared as well, but everything is now fine alright thanks to Dusk.”

Dusk can’t help but smile at the scene. It was always a good feeling when helping those in need. It was then he noticed something small moving quickly down the spiral staircaise of the tower.

Much to his surprise, it was small dragon and was running towards Twilight with open arms for a hug, which she quickly returned.

“Twilight! You are alright!”

“Spike!”

“Who is this?” Dusk asked Celestia.

“That is Spike. He is Twilight’s friend and assistant.”

“I don’t recalled dragons being this small through.”

“That because he is a baby.”

Dusk couldn’t make a response as he was trying to process the fact that Spike is considered a baby here despite being able to talk properly and walk upright.

“I want to thank you once more for your help and saving my student.” Celestia said, which broke Dusk from his thoughts.”

“Well I did say I will help you Celestia. But…” Dusk then pointed to the crowd who were chatting about him and the duel. “I think I am going to need help this time. I am not good explaining about myself, especially to large crowds.

Celesita only giggled, she has something planned to make this occasion.

“We have gathered here to mark an important occasion.”

Back at the royal palace, Celestia was addressing a large crowd of ponies in the main hall; many were from the crowd that watched the duel between Dusk and Grey Wing.

A few hours have passed since the duel concluded. News of Dusk and the outcome of the duel has spread cross Canterlot; a unknown hero defeating an otherwise unstoppable villain.

Many were curious of the unknown stallion who played a strange card game, using the very cards that recently appeared across Equestria.

Others were more interested at looking into the strange object that was his duel disk, which could project life-like images of the cards that were played.

There wasn’t time to prepare a formal event, so her staff just spend out invites to everyone.

“We all have suffered from the havoc that Grey Wing caused during the past few days. In my attempts to find a solution to stopping Grey Wing, I have unexpectedly brought Dusk from another world. While he was upset of my action, he understands our plight and agreed to did me. Dusk told me about Duel Monsters, a game from his world and how the cards that appeared in Equestria were related. Not only that, he knew it was the only way to defeat Grey Wing.”

The crowd remain quiet yet were listening carefully as Celestia continues on.

“Today, most faithful student, Twilight Sparkle, was taken hostage by Grey Wing and we feared it would be same thing every time we tried to stop him. It was only due to the effort and courage of Dusk that Grey Wing was finally defeated at last. Fillies and gentlecolts, may I present the hero, Dusk!”

Immediately, the main hall’s doors opened and revealed Dusk with a pair of guards. He walked down the red carpet as the guards moved to their respective post.

Dusk nervously move towards Celestia and stood by her right side, looking upon the crowd before him. The crowd cheered for him, which Dusk was uncomfortable since it was the first time in his life to receive this much attention.

‘This is not helping Celesita.’

“Say something.” She whispered to Dusk, which made him more uncomfortable.

After a few moments, he mustered up his courage and spoke to crowd.

“Well… Like Celestia said, I am from another world known as Earth. Truth be told, I am a human, the primary race of my world. However, I’ve somehow transformed into a pony and I will admit… that I am still trying to adapt.”

Dusk dropped the bombshell of his origins as the ponies were shocked. Of all the things, they never thought that Dusk not from their world.

“While I was mad at Celestia at first for separating me from my home, I could tell that you were all dealing with something that you have no answer for. After my duel with Grey Wing, I realized that I may be needed more than ever. I may not know why Duel Monster cards are in your world or what that wraith was, but I promise to do what I can help everyone… I mean everypony.”

Upon finishing, the crowd once more cheered for Dusk relief a sigh of relief. Speeches isn’t his thing, but he found the event far from over.

Dusk was once again bombarded with questions, but it was about world and his people. After getting away, he then was eating the food that was served in the event; mostly consisting of sweets and cake.

As he was eating, he was then approached by Shining Armor and Twilight with their parents. The parents introduced themselves as Night Light and Twilight Velvet, who were quick to give the deepest thanks to Dusk for saving their daughter. Spike was there as well and gave his own thanks to him.

Dusk sighed with a smile from all the attention and praises he was receiving. Despite everything he has to deal with today and the fact he was indeed in a different world, Dusk nevertheless felt it was a good day.

“This is a lot to take in…” Dusk muttered to himself as he was lying down on the bed in one of the guest rooms in the royal palace. Hours have passed since the event and he was glad to be away from the attention of so many ponies.

It was nighttime and since he doesn’t have a place to stay, Celestia arranged the room he was in to be for his personal use until further notice.

He was at first reluctant to stay in the room since it was more like a suite to him, but the princess insisted and told him to think of it as a reward for his actions against Grey Wing.

The room was in one of the palace’s towers and it consist of a king-size bed, a large wardrobe cabinet, a desk and plenty of windows which gives him a good view of the city. It even includes a private bathroom much to his surprise.

It was the Dusk heard a few knocks from behind the door.

“I’m coming.” He said as he got up and approached the door. When he opened it, he saw it was Celestia.

“Hello Dusk. How are you making out?”

“Alright I supposed. I still don’t think staying in this room would be appropriate. I am just a normal per… pony.”

Celesita merely giggled.

“Don’t think yourself lightly. You are practically seen as a hero for defeating Grey Wing. You being modest is a good aspect though.”

Dusk however was silent for a few moments before asking Celestia a question that was bothering for a while.

“Celestia… Were there cases similar to Grey Wing in Canterlot?”

“No, Grey Wing was the first case. But there were similar cases in other parts of Equestria.” Said Celestia as her once happy expression turned sad.

“So, there are others like Grey Wing around?”

“Yes, but we haven’t heard anything from them.” Celestia answered Dusk. “Detachments of guards were sent to investigate, but they came back with nothing.”

“Is a specific card that does this or could it be any card?”

“I am not sure. I once thought the cards were harmless when they arrived, so I let my ponies collect them if they wanted. It was only a few days later that the incidents begun to arise.”

“I see... Don’t worry. If any similar incidents occur again, then I will do what I can to stop them.”

“Once more, I thank you for your assistance.” A smile returned to Celestia’s face. “Is it possible for you to teach my guards about Duel Monsters?”

“What?” Dusk was very surprised of her request.

“If my guards know how to play, then they would be able to finally handle those like Grey Wing.”

“I am not much of a teacher…” Dusk said shaking his head. “But I do have something that may be useful.”

Dusk walked towards his backpack and begun to search through it. It was then he took a booklet out and presented it to Celestia, which she used her magic to levitate them off his hoof.

“Duel Monster Official Rule Book?” Celestia read the title of the booklet.

“The title is self-explanatory. I already know the rules by heart, so you are free to use them and make copies if necessary.”

“Thank you. If any question arises about Duel Monsters, then I hope you don’t mind answering them.”
“That wouldn’t be a problem.”

With that, Dusk and Celestia decide to call it a night. After Celestia left, Dusk found it awkward at first tying to lie down on the bed as a pony. In the end, he manages and soon found himself having a good night sleep.

“Uh… Its morning already?”

Upon feeling sunlight upon his eyes, Dusk slowly rose from the bed as he stretch his limbs.

If there was any feeling within him that everything yesterday was all a dream, it was gone the moment he opened his eyes and saw he was still in the same room as before.

Just as he got off the bed, there was a knock at the door.

“I’m coming.” Dusk said in a tired tone as he walked towards the door, not yet fully awake.

When he opened the door, he saw it was Shining Armor and beside by a small chest.

“Shining Armor? What do you need? What is this?” Said Dusk as he pointed to the chest in question.

“I am here to bring you these.” After levitating the chest using his magic in front of Dusk, he opened it and revealed it was filled with Duel Monster cards.

“Duel Monster cards? Where did you get them?” Dusk spoke in surprise as he took hold of the box.

“When Grey Wing became corrupted, some ponies were fearful that the cards they collected could possess them. They ended up handing them over to her Majesty for safekeeping. Seeing that you are practically the only expert in this Duel Monster game, she decided to entrust the cards we have to you.” Shining Armor replied.

“What about Grey Wing’s deck?”

“We checked his cards and found there is no magic of any kind lingering in them. Seeing they were safe, we put them in the chest as well.”

“Thank you. While I have a few decks of my own, I can make use of these cards. Maybe I could make decks for you and your guards.”

“As much I want to admit how strange it is to defeat a villain in a card game, I will have little choice if another incident like yesterday occurs again.”

“I found it strange as well, but I will try to help you as best I can.”

“I appreciate your assistance. Especially what you did for my sister.”

Dusk and Shining Armor banter for a few moments before they parted. The latter left to continue his duties while former went to his desk and look through the cards he was given.

The cards in the chest were disorganized however, so Dusk send the time sorting them out based on card type.

Many of the cards Dusk looked through were those he seen back on Earth. While there were the Monster, Spell and Trap cards, he also found Ritual, Fusion, Synchro, Xyz and even Pendulum cards.

Dusk however found a few cards that he never seen before. Among them was a particular card which he felt an strange feeling when he held it in his hoof.

“Number 24: Dragulas the Vampiric Dragon?”

He said the name of the card, which was specifically a Xyz Monster card. But something told him it was more than just that.

‘I should keep eye out for any more of these Number cards.’ Dusk mentally noted as he continued to sort the cards.’

In an hour, Dusk manage to organize every single card from the chest into their respective types and carefully put them back. He then took out a pen from his backpack and started to write down the total cards found in each group.

Despite having no fingers, Dusk was amazed he could hold the pen properly.

“96 Monsters, 57 Spells, 45 Traps, 17 Rituals…”

Dusk was then interrupted once again by a few knocks on the door. When he went to the door and opened it, he saw it was Twilight.

“Twilight? What do you need?”

“I wanted to see if you are available to come to the library.” She said while smiling.

“For what?” Dusk questioned.

“For an interview of course! If what you said yesterday was true, then the both of us have much to learn about each other’s worlds!”

“I was getting the feeling that would happen someday.” Dusk sighed before he smiled. “I am free.”

“Great! Do you mind if you could bring your cards and this duel disk of yours as well?”

“As long they remain intact when you examine them, then that would be fine.”

With that, Dusk went back to his desk and grabbed his backpack on the side, containing his duel disk and decks. Since the chest of Duel Monster cards was small enough to fit, he also put into his backpack while telling Twilight what her brother provided him with.

Dusk soon accompanied Twilight out of his room, then out of the royal palace and finally onto the streets of Canterlot. Many ponies were gazing upon him as he walked alongside the unicorn towards the library.

‘The first of many I suppose…’ He thought as he knew he got the full attention of the city after yesterday. However, he felt that something else was coming…

And he would be needed.

Episode 2 [Part 1] – Ties of Friendship

It been a week since Dusk arrived in Equestria due to Celestia’s spell. While the ponies accepted him despite his origins, he found himself daunted from what he had to deal with for since is arrival.

First, he struggled to adapt to his new physiology as a pony, especially when it comes to food. It wasn’t easy for him to change his diet to full vegetarian and eating things that humans would never eat. However, the change must also change his taste buds because when took a bite of a daisy sandwich, it was surprisingly delicious.

Secondly, Twilight kept on bombarding him questions such as the physiology of humans and if there is magic back on Earth. He must admit he was amused of how surprise Twilight was when he explained that there no magic where he came from and humans had to use science, technology and their own hands to overcome difficulties. At the same time, Dusk learned much from the unicorn about Equestria. As disturbing as it is to believe that Celestia has the power to move the sun and moon, he was in no position to argue.

Finally, he had to deal with the full attention of the populace in Canterlot, especially those who became interested in Duel Monsters. Some ponies ask questions while tried to get a photo with him. There even ponies who kept their cards, tried to assemble their own decks and challenging him to a friendly duel.

The problem is that there was no equivalent to a duel disk in Equestria and no pony knew how Grey Wing could manifest his own duel disk.

Luckily for Dusk, he had a pair of old game mats which were used back on Earth prior to the development of the duel disk.

Currently, Dusk was dueling with a pony who was struggling despite explaining the rules and going easy on her. She been mostly staying defensive, but it doesn’t help when dealing Dusk’s tactics.

She was his fifth opponent today and he was pleased that she had a balanced deck. Much to his disappointment, his four pervious opponents had only Monsters in their decks.

The two were sitting at a table as a crowd look on as Dusk as usual display keen knowledge of the game and won the duel.

“Oh… This game is much harder than I thought.” His opponent was disappointed of her defeat.

“Duel Monsters isn’t easy at first, but everyone can get the hang of it with enough practice.” Dusk said.

“But it is hard for me to keep track with all these rules.” She then pulled out a booklet from her bag.

Dusk learned a few day ago that Celestia manage to get the Duel Monster rulebook he given her copied, which was spread to the public. As of now, the booklets have yet to spread out beyond Canterlot.

As he expected, many ponies were confused by the many rules and type of cards used in Duel Monsters. Even with his help, they had trouble trying to keep track with the rules.

“It wasn’t easy at first for me either, but I have managed in the end. I am sure that after reading the booklet many times, you would understand the heart.” Dusk replied to the pony as he got up. “I am sorry everypony, but I have other matters to attend.”

The crowd groan in disappoint that Dusk had to leave as he packed everything up and place them into his backpack.

He then left the scene as he made his way back to the library, where he is to meet Twilight like he promised yesterday.

When Dusk finally reached the tower, he remembered the duel with Grey Wing.

“I wonder how he is holding up?” He muttered as he climbed the stairs.

Many were surprised that when Grey Wing woke up, he initially didn’t remember anything. However, it must have caught up with him and he broke down crying, begging for forgiveness many times.

After getting him to calm down, the princess asked if he remembered what card he picked up previously. Disturbingly, it was Number 24: Dragulas the Vampiric Dragon, the card that even Dusk doesn’t have a clue about.

Celestia was quick to surmise that the wraith that appeared after Grey Wing’s defeat was the one possessing the card and at the same time, possessed the pegasus. She forgave Grey Wing’s past actions, but guilt still remained in his heart and he ultimately resigned from the royal guard.

After reaching the door at the top, Dusk knocked on the door. After a few moments, it opened and revealed with was Spike.

Dusk struck a friendship with the baby dragon a few days ago. Spike at first wasn’t sure what to think about the former human once he explained about his origins, but was ultimately grateful for saving Twilight from Grey Wing. In time, they became friends; his first since coming to Equestria.

Dusk thought that Twilight would be his first friend, but he found that she was also a difficult pony to befriend with since she always focuses on her studies and reading books.

“Ah Dusk. Come in.” Spike said as he gestured Dusk in.

“Spike. Is Twilight here?” Dusk asked as he entered. It was soon he heard something like the fumbling of books on the second story of the library.

“Yes, but she is busy with…”

“Spike!” Dusk heard Twilight yell out as the baby dragon quickly went back up.

Dusk followed and saw that Twilight was levitating many books and were checking each title.

“Uh Twilight?”

“Good that you are here Dusk. Could you help me find an old book called Predictions and Prophecies?” She turned to him briefly before returning back to her books.

“What?” Dusk spoke in confusion before he heard Spike saying he found it.

He looked up and saw the baby dragon on the top of the ladder at one of the sleeves with a book in his claws.

Twilight used her magic to pull the book to her, which caused Spike to lose his balance. Luckily Dusk managed to maneuver himself to catch him on his back as he fell.

“Twilight…” Dusk muttered in disappointment as the unicorn in question walked towards her desk to read the book.

Despite Spike telling him previously that Twilight was like this and he was tougher than he looked, Dusk didn’t like this sort of behavior. However, he couldn’t get the message to Twilight despite his efforts.

As Dusk helped Spike pick up the books on the floor, he heard Twilight mutter words such as “Elements of Harmony” and “Mare of the Moon”. The latter was spoken by Spike as just an old myth.

‘What are they talking about?’ Dusk thought as he was keeping the ladder stable for Spike as he was putting the books back on the shelves.

“Take a note please, to the Princess.” Twilight said to Spike just as he got down from the ladder, which he quickly obliged.

The baby dragon was writing on a sheet of paper with a quill as Twilight was speaking out her message.

‘Is she serious?’ Dusk thought in confusion as apparently, the message was meant to warn Celestia of this so-called Nightmare Moon; only spoken in myths.

Spike was unsure as he continue to write, but Twilight insist that it is a matter of great importance.

He wasn’t sure that the ruler of a nation need to know something this absurd. However, a part of him kept on telling him that where he was now, things may not be what they seem.

It was proven right when the note was done and rolled up into a scroll, Spike breathed green fire and burned it. Yet, there were sparkles as the scroll vanish into nothing.

“Did you just burn that…”

“Oh, I forgot to tell you that Spike that send messages to the Princess with his flames.”

“I don’t know what to say…” Dusk said in disbelief. He seems to learn something more absurd every day that passes. “Twilight… Are you sure Celestia need to learn something like this?”

“Of course, Dusk!” Twilight quickly replied. “The Summer Sun Celebration is at hoof and it would be when Nightmare Moon returns to bring Eternal Night!”

“You are sure Celestia will take the matter seriously?”

“The Princess trust me completely. She mentored me for many years and never doubted me once.”

“Well…” Dusk tried to speak, but was interrupted by Spike belching out green flame and a scroll came out in the process.

“You see Dusk? I knew she would want to take immediate action.” Twilight said as Dusk his mind going blank again upon seeing Spike could receive messages as well.

After clearing his throat, Spike spoke out the message. “My dearest, most faithful student Twilight. You know that I value your diligence and that I trust you completely.”

Twilight was pleased that Celestia was taking her message seriously.

“...but you simply must stop reading those dusty old books!” Spike continue to read out Celestia’s message.

Dusk only shook his head at Twilight as she gasped in shock.

“Hold yourself together now…” Dusk muttered as he, Twilight and Spike were in a golden chariot being moved by a pair of pegasus royal guard.

The thing is that they were high in the sky as they were being moved to their destination. Dusk been on planes before, but this was a whole new experience.

As he was keeping his nausea in check, Spike was reading out the rest of Celestia’s message spoken out by Spike. The first part focuses on Twilight.

“My dear Twilight, there is more to a young pony's life than studying, so I'm sending you to supervise the preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration in this year's location: Ponyville. And, I have an even more essential task for you to complete: make some friends!”

“Twilight isn’t enthusiastic though…” Dusk look at Twilight, who had her front hooves over the edge of the chariot and had a displeased look on her face. Twilight was to stay in the town’s library during her time in Ponyville and surprisingly, he was to be her roommate alongside Spike.

“Uh Spike, is there a reason why I am coming to this Ponyville as well?”

“Let see…” Spike said as he started to read out the rest of the message. “Dear Dusk, I feel it is time for you to see the rest of Equestria. There is much for you to learn by leaving Canterlot and see what lies beyond its walls. Since I am sending Twilight to Ponyville, I thought you would be a welcome addition. As a precaution, I want you to bring your cards and duel disk in case something there occurs and your expertise is needed. I also hope like Twilight, you could make some friends as well.”

“I see…” Dusk muttered as he patted his backpack on his back. He watched Spike try to ease Twilight, but she still insists that she is right about Nightmare Moon.

Dusk sighed at her saying that the fate of Equestria doesn’t involve her making friends.

“I hope nothing bad happens in Ponyville.” Despite being sent to a new town, Dusk welcomed being free from the attention back in Canterlot. For once, he wanted to be just be treated ordinarily again.

It was then the Dusk, Twilight and Spike caught sight of Ponyville, which was like a medieval town to Dusk’s eyes. Many ponies on the ground caught sight of them as the chariot finally landed.

After thanking the royal guards, they took to the sky once again. Dusk swore they made noise similar to the horses back on Earth for a few moments before they left.

“Maybe she could give us a tour of Ponyville?” Dusk pointed to an earth pink pony walking towards them. Her puffy mane was a different shade of pink and her flank had a trio of balloons with strings.

Dusk recalled what Twilight told him about the markings on ponies’ flanks, known as cutie marks. Apparently, ponies are not born with them and only reveal themselves when they learn a characteristic about themselves which makes them unique.

Dusk knew from his own cutie mark that his unique characteristic was his knowledge and talent for Duel Monsters.

“You should talk to her Twilight. Maybe she has something interesting to say.” Spike said to Twilight, who seemed to reluctantly agreed.

Upon saying hello however, the pink pony gasped as she jumped into the air and dashes out of sight.

“Well, that was interesting all right.” Twilight said as she walked away while Spike and Dusk could only sigh.

“Summer Sun Celebration official overseer's checklist. Number one, banquet preparations: Sweet Apple Acres.”

Spike said as he walked alongside Dusk and Twilight; looking through a checklist. They arrived at their destination. Dusk never seen a farm before and looked upon both farmland and apple trees in awe.

“Yeehaw!”

The three turned towards the origin of the noise and saw it was an orange earth pony with a blond mane. She was wearing a cowboy hat and her cutie mark was a trio of red apples.

She was running towards an apple tree and kicked it with her back hooves. Much to Dusk’s surprise, the apples on the tree dropped down and onto the baskets below.

Twilight only sighed as she approached the pony and introduced herself. However, the pony was much more enthusiastic than Twilight with her introduction.

“Well, howdy, Miss Twilight, a pleasure makin' your acquaintance. I'm Applejack. We here at Sweet Apple Acres sure do like making new friends!” She said as she grabbed Twilight’s hoof and shook it rapidly.

“Please go easy on her. It is her first time here.” Dusk said to get Applejack’s attention as she finally let go of Twilight’s hoof. Her hoof was still shaking though, but Spike helped her out.

“And who you might be?”

“My name is Dusk.”

It was then Applejack closely examined him as Dusk was startled by her action.

“I heard rumors from Canterlot about somepony who said to be from another world with the same name as you. One who could use the strange cards which appeared here and stopped a dangerous troublemaker.”

Dusk felt a bit nervous as Applejack continue to examine him until she stopped.

“You looked ordinary though, but I feel…” She was then interrupted by Twilight.

“Excuse me. I’m here to supervise preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration and I hear that you are in charge of the food.”

Applejack quickly turned her attention to Twilight. “Oh yes! Would you like to sample some of them?”

“As long it doesn’t take too long…” Twilight said.

Applejack smiled as she ran off and ringed an old triangle.

“Soup’s on everypony!”

After that, the three heard a stampede approach them and turned to see a horde of ponies running towards them. Taken to a table, they watched as Applejack introduce her entire family as they were given a large pile of apple-related food.

Dusk couldn’t help but drool at the sight of apple fritters, apple pies and even apple cake. Twilight however wanted to leave, but changed her mind when the Apple family groan in disappointment.

“Food's all taken care of. Next is weather.” Spike said as the three move to the center of the town after leaving Sweet Apple Acres.

“Slow down Spike.” Dusk called out, moving slowly due to his stomach being full of food. Twilight was the same as she groaned.

They both recovered in time though as they look upon the cloud-filled sky. Dusk took off his backpack to stretch his back.

“Hmm, there's supposed to be a Pegasus pony named Rainbow Dash clearing the clouds.” Spike said.

“Well, she's not doing a very good job, is she?” Twilight mused as Dusk notice something fast coming towards her.

“Look out!” Dusk yelled as he pushed Twilight away, resulting him getting struck by the projectile.

In a few moments, he was lying face first in a puddle of mud and felt something heavy on his back.

Dusk lifted his head and wiped the mud of his mouth. “Can you please get off of me?” He groaned.

It was then he felt the weight leave his back as he looked upon a blue pegasus with a rainbow-coloured mane, partially covered in mud. Her cutie mark was cloud with a rainbow-coloured lighting bolt descending down.

“Uh, 'scuse me?” She said sheepishly as he made a laugh. “Lemme help you.”

Much to Dusk’s shock, she flew off and brought back a raincloud. She then went on top of the cloud and jumped on it multiple times.

He was drenched in rainwater, but all the mud on him was washed away. He would complain, but his mind was once again blank. Once again, he seen something impossible.

“Oops, I guess I overdid it.” The pegasus laughed as she looked down. “Um, uh, how about this?”

‘Oh no.’ Dusk thought as she begun to fly around him at high speeds.

“My very own patented Rain-Blow Dry!” Dusk was all dry know, but felt dizzy from the experience.

He watched the pegasus and then Spike laugh at him. Dusk touched his mane and realized that the Rain-Blow Dry caused it to poof out.

Twilight only giggled before turning to the pegasus. “Let me guess. You're Rainbow Dash.”

“The one and only. Why, you heard of me?” The pegasus replied.

“Eh… Too obvious with her mane.” Dusk muttered.

“I heard you were supposed to be keeping the sky clear.” Twilight said as she made a sigh. “I'm Twilight Sparkle, and the Princess sent me to check on the weather.”

“Yeah, yeah, that'll be a snap. I'll do it in a jiffy.” Dash lazily said as he relaxes on a cloud; Dusk trying to keep his shock in check this time around.

He listened as Dash spoke of practicing to impress the Wonderbolts, which Twilight said was the best pegasus flyers in Equestria. Twilight insist that the group wouldn’t allow her to join them due to her laziness, but Dash claimed that she could clear the skies in ten seconds.

Dusk, Twilight and Spike watched as the pegasus flew toward each cloud at high speed. They felt like ten seconds did indeed pass.

“What'd I say? Ten. Seconds. Flat.” Dash said before she turned her attention to Dusk.

“Oh yeah. What is your name?”

“The names Dusk.” Dash then looked at him with questioning eyes.

“Oh, I heard crazy rumors from Canterlot of a pony being actually an alien from another world and had knowledge of the cards that appeared a few weeks ago.” She said before she made a light laugh. “A strange coincidence that you have the same name as an alien.”

Dusk only could make an awkward laugh. Dash then said she would like to hang out with him and Twilight before she flew away.

While Spike spoke of how amazing Dash was, Twilight made a sigh before thanking Dusk for pushing her out of Dash’s way moments prior.

Dusk laughed a bit as he scratched the back of his head as he put on his backpack again. Soon he, Twilight and Spike made they were to their next stop.

“Decorations. Beautiful...” Spike said as they entered the town hall, looking through the checklist. Dusk was looking over his shoulder, scanning the checklist as well.

“We are looking for somepony named Rarity.” Dusk said as he looked through the interior of the city hall.

He can agree that the decorations are beautiful and whoever did this really put much effort for the celebration. Twilight however thinks that everything here is in order and should be quick.

“Not the décor, her!” However, Spike wasn’t referring to the decorations and instead the white unicorn with the purple mane. Her cutie mark was a trio of diamond gems.

She was looking though a set of ribbons and trying to decide which one would be best.

Dusk could tell that Spike was smitten by the unicorn, seeing that the baby dragon was checking his own appearance.

“Good afternoon…” Twilight tried to talk to her, but the unicorn was still focused on finding the best ribbon; saying she was in the "zone".

When she was finally done, she turned towards her, but gasped loudly in shock. However, it wasn’t at Twilight, but at Dusk.

“Oh my stars! What happened to your mane?!”

“Nothing to be concerned about. My name is Dusk and this is Twilight Sparkle. We are here to check out the decorations. You must be Rarity.”

“That’s me. But what do you mean your mane is nothing to be concerned about?! It is a big concern to me!”

“Wait! There is no need to push!” Dusk spoke out as the unicorn pushed him while Twilight and Spike had to follow.

It was then they were taken to her boutique named Carousel Boutique. While Dusk had his mane fixed up, Rarity ended up dressing him in a variety of outfits.

“Would you mind to tell me where you and Twilight came from?” Rarity asked.

Dusk tried to answer, but Twilight beat him to it first. “We been sent from Canterlot to…”

She then interrupted by Rarity, who squealed in delight.

“Canterlot!” She then begun to speak of how great the city was and how she dreamed of living there. Dusk rolled his eyes before Rarity turned her attention to him.

“And you share the same name as that noble stallion I heard rumors about, claiming to be from a land outside of Equestria and bravely stood alone against a villain that terrorized Canterlot. Oh, I wish to meet him in face to face…”

Dusk could only gaze away as he felt sweat running down his neck. ‘I didn’t know my name spread out like this.’

As Rarity went to get something, Dusk carefully took off the outfit that Rarity put on him and move towards Twilight.

“I think we should leave.”

“Yes. That would best.”

The two move out of the boutique quickly, yet Spike stayed for a few moments before joining them.

“Wasn't she wonderful?” Spike happily muttered out as he sat on Twilight’s back. Rarity still have her effect on him.

“Stay focus Spike.” Dusk reminded the baby dragon. “There is one more on the list, right?”

“Ah yes. It’s music.”

It was then the three heard the chipping of birds. They investigated and saw a choir of birds singing on a small tree. It appears that a yellow pegasus with pink hair and her cutie mark was a trio of pink butterflies.

Twilight quickly introduced herself to the pegasus, but she was startled alongside with the bird; all of flying away in the process. She apologize for scaring her and the birds before introducing herself.

Dusk could tell she was the shy type and when Twilight ask for the pegasus’s name, she spoke so quietly that none of them could pick it up.

Twilight ask again, but the pegasus ended up answering much quieter then before. When the birds returned back to the tree, Twilight decided it was time to leave.

As Twilight turned back to Dusk and Spike, the pegasus then gasped when looked at the baby dragon.

“A baby dragon!” She dashed at Spike, but Twilight was in her path.

“Again…” Dusk muttered as he pushed Twilight to the side as he ended taking a hit for once again. The pegasus struck with him and once more hit the ground.

“Oh, I've never seen a baby dragon before. He's sooo cute!” The pegasus gushed as she looked at Spike’s face. As Spike took it all in, Dusk groaned as he struggled to get up on his hooves again. He took a quick look into his backpack and sigh in relief that nothing inside was damaged.

Spike was levitated by Twilight and was placed on her back; the unicorn being eager to get going. However, the pegasus introduced herself to Spike as Fluttershy and wanted to ask him about his life.

On the way towards the town’s library, Spike was telling Fluttershy his life story. It was then Dusk finally introduced himself to the pegasus.

“I am Dusk. A newcomer here.”

“Dusk… I heard rumors that there was a pony of the same name in Canterlot who claimed to be not from Equestria and could summon scary monsters with cards…” Fluttershy said nervously.

“Huh…” Dusk could only mutter as she felt that everypony in Ponyville must know about him. Luckily for him, none of them knew his appearance so he could avoid unwanted attention.

However, Dusk could see that Twilight was getting annoyed from the chatter.

When they reached the library, Dusk saw it was a large oak tree which looked like it was converted into a building.

Twilight however was quick to excuse herself by staying Spike need his sleep. Fluttershy insisted that she should help bring the baby dragon to bed, but the unicorn rebuffed her and closed the door much to Dusk’s displeasure.

It was almost pitch-black inside the library, but it didn’t stop Dusk and Spike from voicing their opinion for Twilight’s action.

“Don’t have to be that rude.” Dusk said.

“Indeed.” Spike agreed.

“Sorry, you two. But I have to convince the Princess that Nightmare Moon is coming, and we're running out of time!” Twilight exclaimed. “I just need to be alone so I can study without a bunch of crazy ponies trying to make friends all the time.”

Dusk was luckily it was dark in the library so she didn’t notice him roll his eyes.

“Now, where's the light?” As Twilight spoke those words, the interior quickly brightened up and revealed a large group of ponies with them.

“Surprise!” The ponies yelled out as confetti and balloons appeared.

Dusk and Spike were indeed surprise while Twilight could only groan.

“Surprise!” A pony once again yelled out which the three turned to see it was the same pink pony they met the moment they entered Ponyville.

“Hi, I'm Pinkie Pie!” The pony introduced herself as he begun to jump around as she begun to chatter rapidly.

“She is sure energetic… and a motormouth.” Dusk muttered as Pinkie continues talking to Twilight much to her annoyance.

When approached the table that had both drinks and cupcakes, he examined the bottles and notice one that shouldn’t be here; the red bottle.

“This is a poor prank…” He muttered as Twilight approached the table with Pinkie in tow, still running her mouth.

Twilight was about to grab the red bottle, but Dusk quickly took it. Before Twilight could complain, he showed what it was.

“Hot sauce?” She said in surprise.

“This is the third time I had to save you from harm…” Dusk sighed.

Pinkie however grabbed the hot sauce and poured it on one of the cupcakes. Before Dusk could say anything, the pink pony took that very cupcake and ate with little difficulty.

“What? Its good.” Pinkie said as he saw the stallion look at her in shock.

“Uh Pinkie. Hot sauce and sweets don’t mix in my eyes.” Dusk manage get the words into his mouth.

“Where is she going?” Pinkie pointed to his direction and Dusk saw that Twilight was going upstairs. Seeing how the unicorn wasn't in no mood after today, Dusk made an excuse.

“Don’t worry about Twilight. She has a long day and now too tired to party at the moment. My name is Dusk by the way.”

Pinkie then look at him in great interest. “From what I heard, there is a Dusk in Canterlot could summon illusions with cards and entertained many ponies! It was said he was from another world, so I should prepare a party for him if he comes here! Funny for the two of you to share the same name.”

‘It’s official… I am a celebrity…’ Dusk thought. ‘If a place like Ponyville heard about me, then so did everypony in Equestria…’

He is not sure if he could handle having the attention of an entire nation. But for now, it was time to enjoy the party and mingle with the locals. It was also an opportunity to also chat with Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity and Fluttershy; all participating in the party as well.

However, Dusk went upstairs to see if there was a room available for him to use and relief himself of his backpack. Luckily, he found a small room for his personal use and left it there before he returned back to the party.

The party continued to the night and Spike tried to invite Twilight to join in the fun. However, the unicorn as usual refused.

“Are you okay Twilight?” Dusk said as he opened the door to her room and saw unicorn lying on the bed.

“No. I thought I'd have time to learn about the Elements of Harmony, but this friendship-making nonsense kept me from it.” Twilight replied in an annoyed tone as she looked at the moon.

Dusk joined her and always felt it strange that the markings on the moon was eerily shaped as a unicorn’s head.

“You must still think Nightmare Moon is a mere myth.” Twilight asked.

“I… don’t know.” Dusk replied, much to her surprise. “I always had this strange sense that something bad may happen… and it been nagging me ever since you spoke about Nightmare Moon.”

“Well… I really hope that Princess is that it is just an old pony’s tale.”

It was then the door opened up and revealed Spike wearing what appears to be lampshade on his head. “So you were here Dusk. C’mon you two, its time to see the sunrise!”

Everypony has ready left the library and making their way to the town hall. However, Dusk felt his gut telling him something, so he told Twilight and Spike to take a head start while he get his backpack from his room.

‘As much I wanted to remain anonymous, I can’t be selfish when lives at stake.”

Dusk thought as he took one last check on its contents before he got outside and begun to walk towards the town hall for the Summer Sun Celebration.

Episode 2 [Part 2] – Ties of Friendship

Upon entering the town hall, Dusk saw it was packed with ponies; many were at the party in the library previously.

He made his way though the ponies before he met up with Twilight and Spike. Just as Dusk was about to say something, Pinkie Pie suddenly appeared near them.

“Isn't this exciting? Are you excited, 'cause I'm excited, I've never been so excited…” Pinkie once again running her mouth in excitement.

She quiet down when Fluttershy on one of the balconies begun to orchestrate the birds to sing to start the occasion.

It was then an amber pony with a grey mane and wearing glasses appeared on stage. She then started her speech to the crowd.

“Fillies and gentlecolts, as mayor of Ponyville, it is my great pleasure to announce the beginning of the Summer Sun Celebration!”

The crowd cheered loudly as the mayor soon continue through her speech.

Dusk was listening when he noticed that Twilight was looking at the moon again. When look upon it again, he was shocked what he witnessed. Four stars near the moon begun to cluster to it and suddenly, they vanished alongside with the marking of the unicorn’s head on the moon.

“I think believe you now Twilight.” Dusk whispered to Twilight with a worried expression, which was shared with the unicorn. “Something is going to happen.”

“Princess Celestia!”

The mayor then finished her speech and pointed to the top balcony. Rarity was on the top balcony and she pulled the rope which would pull the curtains and supposedly reveal the princess.

However, there was no one there as the spotlight shined upon an otherwise empty spot.

“This can't be good.” Twilight said in worry.

“I can agree with that.” Dusk replied.

“Remain calm, everypony, there must be a reasonable explanation!”

The mayor was trying to calm the crowd down while Pinkie believe that Celestia was playing a hiding game.

It was then everypony soon notice a purple aura begun to appear where Celestia was supposed to be, where a figure begun to appear within the growing aura.

Suddenly, the aura vanished and revealed an black-coated alicorn and her mane appeared to be like the night sky. She wore a purple chestplate with a matching helmet and her cutie mark was a purple patch with a crescent moon.

“Twilight… Is this…” Dusk whispered.

“Yes… Nightmare Moon.” She replied. However, Spike on her back fainted from the shock of the myth being a reality.

“Oh, my beloved subjects. It's been so long since I've seen your precious, little sun-loving faces.” Nightmare Moon spoke to the crowd darkly.

“What did you do with our Princess?!”

Rainbow Dash tried to charge at the dark alicorn, but Applejack held her back by biting her tail.

“Why, am I not royal enough for you? Don't you know who I am?” The alicorn spoke once again.

“Ooh, ooh, more guessing games! Um, Hokey Smokes! How about... Queen Meanie!...” Pinkie pie tried guess her name.

Dusk resisted the urge to hoofslap himself, but luckily Applejack stuffed a cupcake into her mouth to quiet her down.

“Does my crown no longer count now that I have been imprisoned for a thousand years?” Nightmare Moon spoke face-to-face with Fluttershy before moving onwards to Rarity. “Did you not recall the legend? Did you not see the signs?”

“I did.” Twilight said to the alicorn, gaining the attention of the crowd. “And I know who you are. You're the Mare in the Moon – Nightmare Moon!”

As the crowd gasped in shock, Nightmare Moon look somewhat impressed. “Well, somepony who remembers me. Then you also know why I'm here.”

Twilight tried to reply, but she couldn’t get the right words in her mouth. The dark alicorn only chuckled at the sight.

“Remember this day, little ponies, for it was your last. From this moment forth, the night will last forever!” Nightmare Moon then made an evil laugh as her mane grew large and spiraled above her, releasing bolts of lightning.

“Seize her!” The mayor ordered a trio of pegasus royal guards in the building. “Only she knows where the Princess is!”

The guards took to the air and charged at Nightmare Moon. “Back away, foals!” However, she quickly taken them out with bolts of black lightning.

The crowd scream in terror as the guards dropped to the ground unconscious. Many ponies rush to the door to escape, but they were pushed back by a black aura.

Twilight and Dusk stare at the aura in shock as they recognize the aura anywhere.

“Never knew these cards could have such power.” Nightmare Moon said with a dark smile on her face.

The ponies saw the alicorn had her hoof out and on it was a pair of cards, covered in a shadowy aura. Many were confused what she was holding, Dusk had a good clue what they were.

“Where did you get those cards?!” Dusk yelled out to Nightmare Moon.

“Just as I was being released from my prison, these cards appeared before me and when I grabbed them, I felt something trying to take a hold on me. I manage to bend them to my will and as distasteful for me to use mere cards, I have to admit they have their uses.”

She then turned her attention to the crowd.

“Rejoice my ponies. One of you will have the great honor of serving me.” Nightmare Moon then threw one of the cards and it flew towards one of the ponies.

The pony, an aquamarine unicorn with a cyan mane tried to get away from it, but the card flew quickly and soon touched her cutie mark, a lyre. Before everypony’s eyes, a dark aura surrounded her as the pony’s screams became sinister laughter.

“Lyra!” One of the ponies in crowd yelled to her.

As soon as the aura died down, the unicorn in question look physically fine. However, her expression was twisted as she turns her attention to Nightmare Moon.

“What is your will… Your Majesty.” Lyra bowed to the alicorn as he spoke in an obedient tone.

Nightmare Moon only smiled in glee as her new servant. “Keep these sun lovers in check. I have important matters to attend to.”

The dark alicorn soon turned into a purple mist as it moves towards the door. While the door opened up, the dark barrier still remains yet the mist pass through it easily.

After Nightmare Moon left, many of the ponies tried banging on the barrier while others begun to cry.

Rainbow Dash then flew towards the possessed Lyra in anger.

“Snap out of it and let us out!” However, a protective aura surrounded Lyra and Dash crashed into it. She tried hitting it, but it was as resilient as the barrier over the door.

The possessed pony laughed at Dash’s attempts. “If you want to be free, you must defeat me in a duel.” She then revealed the card that corrupted her as it glowed darkly.

Soon, many cards begun to manifest from it as they flew into the air. Soon, they all stacked together into a deck and landed upon Lyra’s hoof.

She then presented the deck to the crowd. “You must defeat me in a duel to win your freedom. But I will not fail her Majesty if you take my challenge.”

“What a minute…” Dash took a look at the cards and recognizes them. “It’s those cards! What did the rumors call them again? Oh yeah, Duel Monsters!”

The crowd soon erupted into chatter as they talked about the rumor of the pony named Dusk; the only one who know how to use the cards in a strange game that helped defeat a villain in Canterlot.

“We need to get this Dusk!”

“But how?! We are trapped here!”

“Oh where is a hero when we need him the most?!”

The panic within the crowd only grew as they have no way of getting help and are trapped at the hands of the possessed Lyra.

“So… Which one of you will take my challenge.” Lyra said as she jumped upon the stage as her aura formed a barrier and encircled it. “You need to have a deck of your own though.”

She laughed darkly as many ponies begun to feel disheartened; seeing that they have no hope to escape.

However, two ponies kept their cool for they endured being in the same situation.

“Twilight… Keep the crowd calm as best as you can. I will handle this.”

“Okay Dusk. Good luck.”

Leaving Twilight’s side, Dusk steady approached the stage. The ponies soon witnessed the stallion came face to face with the corrupted pony without flinching. “Lyra! I will take up your challenge and free you from Nightmare Moon’s control!”

She only laughed as she made her reply. “You? What made you think you have a chance before me?”

Dusk smiled as he took off his backpack and took out its contents. “I am the very hero that these ponies were crying out for!”

The crowd gasp in both surprise and shock as Dusk took out his duel disk and raised into the air. “I am the Dusk you speak of and I will risk everything to win your freedom!”

Putting it on his left hoof and inserting his deck, he push through the barrier like nothing as he took position at the left of the stage.

“I knew something was strange about him…” Applejack muttered out.”

“Huh?!” Rainbow Dash said flabbergasted.

“Oh my…” Rarity whispered in both in shock and awe.

“Really?” Fluttershy spoke quietly at the revelation.

“Wow!” Pinkie Pie yelled in excitement.

“So… you have your own deck…” Lyra frowned before she smiled darkly as she moves towards the opposite of the stage. “No matter. I will win in the end.” A sinister-looking black duel disk of her own materialized on her left hoof.

After inserting her deck, Lyra look at Dusk with cold eyes, but he remained calm as both duelist stood on their hind legs.

Soon, their duel disk begun to activate their holographic functions as a voice echoed across the building.

“Solid Reality Vision Link established.”

The crowd look in awe as screens appeared above Dusk and Lyra, displaying their respective faces and Life Point counters.

“DUEL!” Both duellist yelled out as they drew five cards from their decks.

[Dusk’s Life Points: 8000]
[Lyra’s Life Points: 8000]

[Turn 1: Lyra]
[Dusk’s Cards in Hoof: 5]
[Lyra’s Cards in Hoof: 5]

“I take the first turn. I draw!” Lyra said as she drew a card. Looking at it and the cards in her hoof, she made a dark chuckle.

“Since I control no cards, I can Special Summon Blackwing - Gust the Backblast and it will be in Attack mode.”

Everypony witness a portal appear before Lyra and a bird-like monster appeared with its claws ready.

[Blackwing - Gust the Backblast] [ATK: 900] [DEF: 1400] [Level: 2]

“A Blackwing deck?” Dusk thought.

As the crowd chatter among themselves of what they seen, Lyra continued her turn.

“Now that I control a “Blackwing” monster, I can Special Summon Blackwing - Bora the Spear and it will also be in Attack mode.”

A second bird-like monster manifested itself on Lyra’s field, but was wielding a large spiral lance in its claws.

[Blackwing - Bora the Spear] [ATK: 1700] [DEF: 800] [Level: 4]

‘Finally, I summon Blackwing - Fane the Steel Chain in Attack mode.”

A third bird-like creature dressed like a ninja appeared, prepared for battle.

[Blackwing - Fane the Steel Chain] [ATK: 500] [DEF: 800] [Level: 2]

“I set two cards face-down and end my turn.” Lyra spoke as she look upon her field with glee. “I have the field advantage now!”

[Turn 2: Dusk]
[Dusk’s Cards in Hoof: 5]
[Lyra’s Cards in Hoof: 1]

“Three monsters already… As I expected from the Blackwings.” Dusk thought as he look upon his hoof. “It’s now my turn. Draw!”

Upon looking at the card, he smiled as he played it. “I play the Spell card, Six Samurai United.”

The card soon appeared on his field upwards. “Every time a "Six Samurai" monster is Normal or Special Summoned, a Bushido Counter is added to this card.”

Dusk then continued his turn. “I summon The Six Samurai – Yaichi in Attack mode.”

A warrior wearing black armor with yellow outlines appeared on his field, wielding a large bow and had a quiver filled with arrows on his hip.

After the summon, the Spell card glowed to represent the counter.

[Six Samurai United - Bushido Counter 0 (+)> 1]

[The Six Samurai - Yaichi] [ATK: 1300] [DEF: 800] [Level: 3]

“Since I have now a “Six Samurai” monster on the field, I can Special Summon Legendary Six Samurai - Kizan. In Attack mode.”

Beside Yaichi stood now another warrior, wearing armor of similar design yet wielded a katana instead and was prepared for battle. Once more, the Spell Card glowed.

[Six Samurai United - Bushido Counter 1 (+)> 2]

[Legendary Six Samurai - Kizan] [ATK: 1800] [DEF: 500] [Level: 4]

“Then I will equip Kizan with Spirt of the Six Samurai.” A spirit wearing purple armor appeared and flew towards Kizan, the former taking position behind the latter as its spectral form begun to glow.

“The Spirt of the Six Samurai can only be equipped to a “Six Samurai” monster and the equipped monster gains 500 ATK and DEF.”

Kizan was surrounded by a blue aura as his strength grew.

[Legendary Six Samurai - Kizan] [ATK: 1800 (+)> 2300] [DEF: 500 (+)> 1000]

“Since I have a “Six Samurai” monster with a different name, I activate Yaichi’s special effect. Once per turn, I can target 1 Set Spell or Trap Card and destroy it!” Dusk said as he pointed to one of Lyra’s face-downs.

“What?” Lyra muttered as Yaichi prepare to fire an arrow at one of her face-downs.

Upon firing, the arrow struck its target and the face-down card was shattered into pieces.

Her eyes widened as she realizes what Dusk has destroyed. ‘My Negate Attack!’

“Yaichi cannot attack after using this effect, but I still have another samurai to use.” Dusk then pointed to Kizan.

“Now Kizan! Attack Fane the Steel Chain.” The samurai then charged at Blackwing with his katana ready.

“Gust the Backblast special effect activates! When my opponent’s monster attacks a Blackwing monster I control, it loses 300 ATK for the Damage Step!”

Lyra said as Gust unleashed a force of wind which weakened Kizen as he charged in.

[Legendary Six Samurai - Kizan] [ATK: 2300 (-)> 2000]

“However, it will not stop my attack! Crescent Moon Slash!” The attack cleanly cleaves through the bird-like ninja monster and its form broke into particles of light.

Lyra covered her eyes as the force of the attack struck her.

[Lyra Life Points: 8000 (-)> 6500]

Since the battle is over, Kizan regains his ATK.

[Legendary Six Samurai - Kizan] [ATK: 2000 (+)> 2300]

Dusk however was far from over. “Next I activate Spirit of the Six Samurai next effect. When the equipped monster destroys a monster, I draw one card.”

After drawing a card, he then pointed to his Spell card. I then send Six Samurai United to the Graveyard.” Soon, the Spell card vanished into nothing.

“With this, I can draw one card for each Bushido Counter that were on this card. Since I had two Bushido Counter on it, I can draw two more cards.”

With his hoof full again, Dusk took a quick scan before he took two cards. “I place two cards face-down, ending my turn.”

While they don’t know the rules of Duel Monsters, the crowd notice that Lyra’s LP counter dropped after the attack. They correctly surmise that one can win by dropping their opponent’s Life Points to zero.

As the crowd of ponies then cheered for Dusk as he took the lead, Twilight gazes at him with a smile.

“Nice. Dusk not only have a strong monster on the field, but he also added more cards into his hoof.”

“Alright Twilight!” She was soon startled when Dash, who hovering close to her face with a displeased expression. “Spill the beans!”

Twilight couldn’t say anything as the blue pegasus begun to bombard her with questions.

“How did you know about Nightmare Moon? And what do you know about Dusk? And what… Whoa!”

Dash was interrupted when her tail was being pulled by something. She turns to see it was Applejack pulling her back.

“Simmer down, Sally. She isn’t bad. But she sure knows a lot what is going on.” Applejack said as Rarity, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie approached as well. “Don't you, Twilight?”

Seeing their worried faces, Twilight gave in and explained to them what she knows about Nightmare Moon; from how she was defeated by the Elements of Harmony to the signs of her inevitable return.

The five ponies nodded their heads in understanding before they change the subject to the next big thing in their minds.

“Alright. But what is your ties with Dusk?” Dash said as she pointed to the stallion on the stage.

“Well…” Twilight started to explain; taking her attention from the duel.

Back to the duel, Lyra scowled at the drop of her Life Points.

[Turn 3: Lyra]
[Dusk’s Cards in Hoof: 3]
[Lyra’s Cards in Hoof: 1]

“Its my turn!” She looked at the card she drew before she then pointed to her last face-down. “Face-down activate! Call of the Haunted!”

As the card flip straight up, Blackwing - Fane the Steel Chain suddenly returned to the field in Attack mode.

[Blackwing - Fane the Steel Chain] [ATK: 500] [DEF: 800] [Level: 2]

“I target one monster in my Graveyard and Special Summon it to the field in Attack mode. If this card leaves the field, then the targeted monster is destroyed and vice versa.”

Dusk prepared himself for what was about to come as Lyra prepare to attack.

“Due to Fane the Steel Chain’s special effect, it can attack directly!”

The monster begun to swing its chains towards Dusk, where its kunai tips struck him in his chest.

“Agh!” He yelled from the pain of the attack.

[Dusk’s Life Points: 8000 (-)> 7500]

“With that, I activate Fane the Steel Chain’s other effect. When this card inflict damage through a direct attack, I can change one of my opponent’s monsters in Attack mode to Defense mode. I chose Legendary Six Samurai – Kizan!”

Dusk narrowed his eyes as Kizan dropped to his knees and entered a defensive stance.

“Bora the Spear! Destroy that samurai!” Lyra yelled as the monster prepared his spiral lance. It then charged at Kizan as its weapon spiralled with purple energy.

The ponies gasped as Boras struck the samurai, but soon notice that struck the Spirit of the Six Samurai instead.

“What?!” Lyra shouted as the spirit disappeared and its armor fell to the ground before vanishing as well.

“Spirit of the Six Samurai is a union monster. If the monster equipped with such a card is destroyed, then the union monster would take its place instead.” Dusk said as Kizan remained intact, but lost its ATK and DEF bonus.

[Legendary Six Samurai - Kizan] [ATK: 2300 (-)> 1800] [DEF: 1000 (-)> 500]

“However..” Lyra said. “Boras the Spear can inflict piercing damage. The difference between its ATK and Kizan’s DEF is cut from your Life Points!”

The spiral aura from Bora’s lance reached Dusk as he takes further damage.

[Dusk’s Life Points: 7500 (-)> 6800]

The crowd became worried as Lyra continue to regain lost ground and has one more monster to attack with.

“Gust the Backblast! Finish off that samurai then!” The monster prepared his claws as he flew towards Kizan. After swiping Kizan multiple times, the samurai was finally destroyed.

“It is not over Lyra.” Dusk said as he pointed to one of his own face-downs. “Trap card open! Miracle's Wake!”

Soon, a ray of light appeared on Dusk’s field as Kizan reappeared in his defensive stance.

[Legendary Six Samurai - Kizan] [ATK: 1800] [DEF: 500] [Level: 4]

“When a monster I control is destroyed in battle, I can Special Summon it back to my field.”

Lyra growled, but she strangely smiled when she looked at her cards again. “I will again place two cards face-down. I end my turn.”

Back with Twilight, she was finally done explaining to the five manes how she met Dusk and what he told her about himself.

“Let me get this straight.” Rarity said as she was trying to picture what the unicorn said in her head. “A possessed royal guard took you hostage and Dusk rescued you through this game we are seeing now.”

“Yes.” Twilight replied.

“And Dusk was previous belonged to a race known as humans from a world known as Earth, where is no magic of any kind whatsoever.”

“Correct.”

“I heard of rumors being true, but easily takes the cake.” Dash said to the others, who all nodded in agreement.

“You have to admit… Dusk is being brave up there…” Fluttershy spoke out quietly.

“It is quite entertaining as well!” Pinkie said in excitement despite the situation.

“And if what Twilight said is true, then Dusk will win this right?” Applejack questioned as the six ponies continue to watch; both Dusk and Lyra still have yet to gain the advantage.

[Turn 4: Dusk]
[Dusk’s Cards in Hoof: 3]
[Lyra’s Cards in Hoof: 0]

“Draw!” As Dusk drew a card, Lyra suddenly laughed. “What’s so funny? I have yet to play a card.”

She continues laughing until she pointed to her face-downs. “First, I play the Spell card Level Mirror!”

“What?’ Dusk said in shock for he never seen such a card before.

As the card flip up, a large mirror appeared from it as Lyra begun to explain its effect. “When this card is activated, I can target up to three monster I control. The Levels of the targeted monsters become the combined current Levels of those monsters.”

Dusk was at first confused on the wording of the card, but he soon realizes what it meant. “You mean…”

“Yes! The total sum of my monsters’ Levels is eight, so their new Levels would become eight!”

Lyra’s monsters turned towards the mirror as their original Levels appeared above their reflection as red orbs with a yellow star in their center. Soon, each of the monster’s Levels duplicated themselves until they were each a cluster of eight.

Gust the Backblast, Bora the Spear and Fane of the Steel Chain then turned around towards Dusk again with their respective Level’s changed.

[Blackwing - Gust the Backblast] [Level: 2 (+)> 8]

[Blackwing - Bora the Spear] [Level: 4 (+)> 8]

[Blackwing - Fane the Steel Chains] [Level: 2 (+)> 8]

“What is the point of increasing their level?” Dusk questioned Lyra on her strange strategy.

“For the next phase of my path to victory. I activate my last face-down! Wonder Xyz!”

“Impossible!”

Lyra smiled in glee as her played her Trap card. “I can now Xyz Summon using the monsters I control as Materials, regardless of whose turn.”

‘What is she planning to bring out?’ Dusk thought as he prepares himself for what Lyra could try at him.

“I overlay my Level 8 Bora the Spear and Gust the Blackblast!" As Lyra spoke, a large vortex appeared on her field as her two monsters she spoken of transformed into a pair of orange and purple light.

“With these two monsters, I build the Overlay Network! Xyz Summon!” They flew into the air as they spiral together before they descended into the vortex. Soon the vortex exploded as a blast of light and a gigantic figure appeared.

“Appear! Number 22: Zombiestein!” Lyra shouted as a symbol appeared near her cutie mark; similar to the number she spoken out.

“Number?!” Dusk could only say as looked upon the Number towering his samurais. It was a massive and muscular humanoid whose body appeared to be sewed up. Its head was covered by a black cloth; only a glowing eye remain in view. Circling around its body were two yellow orbs.

Disturbingly, the very symbol that appeared on Lyra’s flank was on the neck area of the black cloth.

“Its body… Its all stitched up…” Fluttershy said, seeing its appearance to be very uncomfortable to look at.

The rest of the ponies were at awe at the giant, but they were soon in utter shock along with Dusk when they saw the Number’s stats.

[Number 22: Zombiestein] [ATK: 4500] [DEF: 1000] [Rank: 8]

“4500 ATK?!” Dusk shouted as the Number look upon him as it growled loudly.

“With this card given by her Majesty, I can’t lose!” Lyra boasted as he laughed once again.

Despite hearing the worries from the crowd, Dusk refuse to give in. “You may have a powerful monster, but I will not yield.”

He quickly looked through his hoof and saw nothing useful that could be used to defeat the Number. Dusk sighed in frustration as he was now pushed to the defensive.

“I summon Chamberlain of the Six Samurai in Defense mode.” A warrior with mechanic limbs appeared before Dusk and he kneeled down with his katana drawn.

[Chamberlain of the Six Samurai] [ATK: 200] [DEF: 2000] [Level: 3]

“Then I switch Yaichi to Defense mode.” The samurai then kneeled down with his bow on the ground.

“I end my turn.” Dusk soon turned to everypony and saw how distraught they were seeing that Lyra gained an overwhelming advantage over him.

[Turn 5: Lyra]
[Dusk’s Cards in Hoof: 3]
[Lyra’s Cards in Hoof: 0]

“That’s right everypony! Watch as your so-called “hero” met his defeat!” Lyra gloated as she begun her turn. “I draw!”

Upon look at the card, Lyra quickly played it. “I play Card of Demise. I draw until I have five cards in your hoof. However, I have to send all cards in my hoof to the Graveyard during my fifth Standby Phase.

Dusk sweated as the unicorn drew her cards. Since her hoof was previous empty, she can draw five cards.

Upon seeing them, she smiled darkly. “I summon Blackwing - Elphin the Raven in Attack mode!”

A tall bird-like monster appeared on the field, but its different from its other “Blackwings” due to all its feathers being black and grey.

[Blackwing - Elphin the Raven] [ATK: 2200] [DEF: 1200] [Level: 6]

“Since I control a “Blackwing” monster, I can Normal Summon this card without tribute. Also, if it is successfully Normal Summoned, I can change the battle position of one of my opponent’s monsters.”

“That would mean…” Dusk then look upon Chamberlain of the Six Samurai, now standing up with his katana ready.

“If you think it is bad, then you’re wrong.” Lyra said as she played another card. “Next, I play Trap Booster. I discard 1 card and for this turn, a Trap card can be activated from my hoof.”

After discarding a card from her hoof, Lyra then played her Trap. “And the Trap I play is Ebon Arrow!”

“Ebon Arrow?!” Dusk shouted.

“Yes! I first pick a face-up monster I control and until the End Phase, it loses 500 ATK. However, the monster can inflict piercing damage and if it destroys a monster by battle and sends it to the Graveyard this turn, you take damage equal to the destroyed monster's original DEF! And the monster I pick is Zombiestein!”

The Number roared as it begun to feel the effects of the Trap card. While being weakened, a bird-like creature wearing a cloak appeared on the Number’s right shoulder. It had a small crossbow with a bolt ready to fire.

[Number 22: Zombiestein] [ATK: 4500 (-)> 4000]

“Not good!” Dusk stated the obvious as the possessed unicorn prepare to bring him to a world of hurt.

“First, Fane the Steel Chain attacked your directly!”

The monster once again whipped its kunai-tipped chains upon Dusk.

“Agh…”

[Dusk’s Life Points: 6800 (-)> 6300]

“Elphin the Raven! Destroy that Chamberlain!”

The bird-like monster flew towards the warrior and quickly destroyed him with a vicious swipe.

“Agh!”

[Dusk’s Life Points: 6300 (-)> 4300]

“Now Zombiestein! Crush Kizan once and for all!” The monster soon delivered a massive punch to the samurai. Upon impact, Kizan was utter destroyed as the force of the attack pushed Dusk down on his back.

His Life Points also took a sharp dive due to piercing damage.

[Dusk’s Life Points: 4300 (-)> 800]

“Now Ebon Arrow’s effect now activates!” Lyra said as the creature on Zombiestein’s shoulder fired its bolt at Dusk while he’s down.

He gasped in pain as the bolt struck his stomach before it vanished and left no wound.

[Dusk’s Life Points: 800 (-)> 300]

“This is the fate of those who oppose her Majesty. I end my turn.” Lyra darkly boasted as Dusk struggled to get up.

Since Ebon Arrow's effect now worn off, Zombiestein's ATK returns to normal.

[Number 22: Zombiestein] [ATK: 4000 (+)> 4500]

‘This is the end?’ Dusk thought as the odds were completely against him. No matter what mode he put his monsters in, Lyra would use Zombiestein to obliterate them.

If he stayed defensive, Fane the Steel Chain would finish him off. But if he to destroy the monster, he would be then finished off next turn.

None of the cards in his hoof were useful in this situation and wouldn’t even buy him another turn.

‘Was it just mere luck that I won against Grey Wing?’ As he closed his eyes in frustration and feeling his resolve ebbing, Dusk suddenly heard a recognizable voice shouted from the crowd.

“Don’t give up now Dusk!” He turned to see it was Twilight and saw that Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie standing alongside her.

They too spoke out their own words to motivate him.

“You gotta stand tall no matter what’s thrown at you!”

“A hero doesn’t lie on his back and do nothing! Get up!”

“I have faith in you Dusk!”

“Dusk… You can do it…”

“You can’t let that meanie win! Make a comeback!”

Upon hearing the six mane’s words of encouragement, Dusk felt strength return back to him. When he gazes upon his deck, he soon remembered that there is still hope despite everything going against him.

‘One draw can change everything…’

He gritted his teeth as he manages to get up and stand again on his hind legs. The crowd quickly burst into cheering that he was back on his hooves.

“Really…” Lyra chuckled darkly. “You should surrender when you have the chance.”

“Never… As long there are ponies who still place their faith in me, I will not give up! The same applies to my deck!” Dusk gestured to his deck. “As long I keep my faith in my cards, they will never let me down.”

[Turn 6: Dusk]
[Dusk’s Cards in Hoof: 3]
[Lyra’s Cards in Hoof: 1]

Dusk then started the draw that would decide everything. “Watch as I bring forth a miracle! Draw!”

He smiled as he looked the card. “I activate Graceful Charity. I draw three cards and then discard two.”

As he hovers his hoof over his deck as he closed his eyes. ‘Let this be the turning point…’

Dusk drew the cards and looked upon them. He smiled at one of the cards he drew before sending two cards from his hoof to the Graveyard.

“Watch Lyra.” Dusk said calmly. “I summon The Six Samurai – Nisashi in Attack mode!”

A warrior wearing green armor appeared ready for a fight, wielding both a katana and wakizashi; the blades glowed green.

[The Six Samurai – Nisashi] [ATK: 1400] [DEF: 700] [Level: 4]

“I then switch Yaichi to Attack mode!” The samurai soon stood back up with his bow ready.

He then pointed to his only face-down. “I actuate my face-down, Return of the Six Samurai! I can Special Summon a “Six Samurai” Monster from my Graveyard, but it will be destroyed during the End Phase. Return to me Kizan!”

The samurai once more takes to Dusk’s field much to Lyra annoyance.

[Legendary Six Samurai - Kizan] [ATK: 1800] [DEF: 500] [Level: 4]

“Since I have two “Six Samurai” monsters on the field, Kizan gains an additional 300 ATK and DEF.

The samurai had a white glow across its body as its ATK and DEF increased.

[Legendary Six Samurai - Kizan] [ATK: 1800 (+)> 2100] [DEF: 500 (+)> 800]

“What the point?” Lyra then pointed to Zomberstein. “None can stand before my Number!”

“I am not done yet.” Dusk said as he played the card. “I play Cursed Bill and equip it to Elphin the Raven!”

“What?” Lyra said in confusion as a worn-out sheet appeared on the monster’s chest.

“Now for the miracle!” He spoke with a smile. “Go! Six Strike - Triple Impact!”

After he played the Spell, Dusk’s monsters suddenly jumped into the air and descended towards Lyra’s monsters. Striking swiftly with their weapons, Fane the Steel Chain, Elphin the Raven and even Zombiestein were cut apart and soon exploded.

“Impossible!” Lyra roared out as her monsters were destroyed and her field was now empty after the smoke clears. The crowd cheered loudly at the incredible reversal.

“Six Strike - Triple Impact. It can only be activated if I have control three or more “Six Samurai” monsters. I can choose from three effects and I choose the first, which all your face-up monsters are destroyed.”

Lyra only look at Dusk in horror as she was open for direct attacks. However, she suddenly yelled as a dark purple aura surrounded her.

[Lyra Life Points: 6500 (-)> 5300]

“My Life Points…”

“Cursed Bill’s effect now activates. Since the equipped monster is destroyed and the equip card is now sent to the Graveyard, the controller of the equipped monster takes damage equal to the monster's original DEF. Elphin the Raven’s DEF was about 1200, so you take 1200 points of damage.”

“No… I can’t be defeated by a mere pony like you!” Lyra yelled in defiance despite having no options left.

“Lyra! I will free you from the darkness!” Dusk replied as he pointed to Nisashi. “Since I have a “Six Samurai” monster of a different on the field, Nisashi can attack twice per Battle Phase!”

Soon, he pointed his hoof at Lyra. “Go my samurais! Direct Attack!”

Kizan, Nisashi and Yaichi prepare for the attack they leap upwards, readying their weapons against Lyra.

She screamed as the monsters’ attacks hit their mark and decimated her Life Points.

[Lyra Life Points: 5300 (-)> 3200 (-)> 1800 (-)> 400 (-)> 0]

[Winner: Dusk]

The crowd cheered more loudly in utter joy at Dusk’s victory. Dusk merely watch the holographic images disperse as his duel disk went into standby mode. He took a deep sigh of relief that he managed to win.

As Lyra fell on her side after her defeat, Dusk saw that the same thing occurred to her like it did to Grey Wing back then. A black aura emitted from Lyra and formed into a wraith. It screamed as it disappeared alongside Lyra’s duel disk and the barrier barring the way out of the town hall.

“You are okay?” Dusk quickly move towards Lyra and shook her. She soon opened her eyes as she looked around.

“What… what happened? Did I black out or something?”

“Lyra!” A beige pony ran towards the unicorn; her mane was blue with a pink streak and her cutie mark had a trio of wrapped candies. She caught then Lyra in a hug. “You are alright!”

“What do you mind Bon Bon? I…” Something flashes in her mind as her eyes begun to water and soon returned the hug.

“Please tell that it was just a bad dream…” She cried.

‘I wish it was…’ Dusk thought as he picked a pair deck that Lyra used when she was possessed; the Main Deck and the Extra Deck.
He skimmed through the Extra Deck until he found Number 22: Zombiestein.

“Could these Number card be responsible?” Dusk thought before something struck on the side. When he turned his head to see, it was Pinkie.

“You did it Dusk! I never seen such entrainment in my life! Seeing those illusions move around and…”

Pinkie however was pulled away by Twilight with a tired Spike on her back. Behind her was the rest of the ponies he met before; Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity and Fluttershy. They were all happy for his victory.

“I knew you could do it, but we have more pressing matters.”

“I know.” Dusk nodded as he put his duel disk and the decks into his backpack. “Nightmare Moon.”

Putting it on his back, he quickly followed Twilight out of the town hall, ignoring the attention of the crowd and the questions they were throwing him.

As they making their way to the library, they learn they were not alone as Applejack, Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy and Pinkie following them as well.

“Why are you all following us? Twilight questioned. “I answered all your questions right?”

“You did, but not Dusk.” Applejack replied as she looks at him as the other mares nodded in agreement.

“Not while Nightmare Moon is on the loose.” Dusk said to her. “When she is dealt with, then I will answer all your questions as best I can.”

Soon he and the rest of the mares finally reach the library. As Twilight was helping Spike to his bed, Dusk decided to help looking anything regarding the Elements of Harmony.

“Do you all mind to help find a book about the Elements of Harmony?” Dusk asked the mares.

“The Elements of Harmony: A Reference Guide.” They turned to see Pinkie looking at a red book on one of the shelves.

He moves to the shelf to look at the book and it was indeed the title that Pinkie said.

“That was quick Pinkie.” Dusk said to her.

“Well it was under E!” Pinkie merely sang out.

It was then Twilight finally came down from upstairs.

“Dusk, can you help me find…”

“No need Twilight. I got what you are looking for.”

After raising his hoof with the book in the air, Twilight used her magic to quickly bring it to her and skimmed through the pages.

Apparently, there are six Elements of Harmony, but the sixth element remains unknown. However, the known elements are noted as Kindness, Laughter, Generosity, Honesty and Loyalty.

The book stated the last location where the Elements of Harmony were seen in an ancient castle in place called the Everfree Forest.

Upon learning that, everypony left he library and were now at the outskirts of the forest.

“Let’s go!” Pinkie said and was about to move, but Twilight stopped her.

“Not so fast. I appreciate the offer, but I'd really rather do this on my own.” Twilight told everypony in a determined tone. Dusk only shook his head at her stubbornness.

“No can do, sugarcube. We sure ain't lettin' any friend of ours go into that creepy place alone.” Applejack disagreed as she walks into the forest with the rest of the mares following behind her. “We're stickin' to you like caramel on a candy apple.”

As Twilight sighed, Dusk patted her on the back. “You can’t possibly tackle every problem yourself Twilight.”

“But…” She tried to respond, but Dusk cut her off.

“I was about to give up during that duel, but it was due to the encouragement of my friends that I pushed on.” Dusk said referring Twilight and the others. “I know one day, you would understand the value of bonds.”

Dusk then entered the forest to regroup with the others ahead. Soon Twilight followed suit and thus the task of stopping Nightmare Moon has begun.

Episode 2 [Part 3] – Ties of Friendship

“So, none of you have been in here before?”

Twilight said as she was in front leading the group through the Everfree Forest. Dusk was currently at the rear, checking if anything would come from behind.

“Ugh, heavens no! Just look at it - it's dreadful.” Rarity replied as she observes her surroundings.

“And it ain't natural. Folks say it don't work the same as Equestria.” Applejack followed up as everypony were getting close to a cliff.

However, Twilight remain skeptical what the two meant. “What's that supposed to mean?”

At the same time, a purple aura was seeping into the cracks along the sides of the cliff that the ponies were standing on.

“Nopony knows.” It was then Rainbow Dash entered the conversion. “You know why?”

After seeing that Dash was trying to scare Rarity, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie, Dusk intervened.

“Dash. Don’t scare them.” However, Dash didn’t seem to hear him.

“Cause everypony who's ever come in… has never come… out!”

After that, everypony heard something crack and were shocked to see the cliff they were on was breaking apart.

‘Not good!’ Dusk thought as he begun to lose his balance.

Soon, a landslide occurred and most of the ponies were caught in it. Only Dash and Fluttershy avoided the slide due to their wings, but the others were skidding down the slope and screaming along the way.

While the pegasuses were able ensure Pinkie’s and Rarity’s safety, Applejack manage to bite on a vine to stop herself.

Twilight was still skidding on her back while Dusk was skidding on his stomach as they were getting close to the edge of a cliff. While the former was able to turn on her stomach and grab onto the edge, the latter wasn’t as lucky.

“Ahhhh!” He yelled as he fell down the cliff.

“Dusk!” Twilight cried.

‘Is this the end?’ Dusk thought as he closed his eyes tightly and waited for the inevitable end.

He felt an impact on his stomach, but it was much less painful than he thought. Especially since he still draws breath, it was clear he was still alive.

When he opened his eyes, Dusk saw that he has yet to hit the ground. He soon realizes that he landed on a branch sticking out from the cliff.

‘Someone must be watching over me from above…’ He thought as sighed in deep relief before he fainted from the experience.

He been like this for a few minutes before he felt something shake him.

“Wake up Dusk!”

“Agh…” Dusk opened his eyes and saw it was Dash’s relieved face, who was currently shaking him before stopping.

As he got back on his hooves, Dusk saw he was on the ground at the base of the cliff. ‘Dash must have brought me down here.’

He soon turned to the rest of the mares, who were also relieved of him being alright. Apparently, Twilight wasn’t the only one who saw Dusk skid off of the edge.

The unicorn then ran towards at him and hugged him. “Thank goodness! When I saw you fell off the cliff, I feared the worse!”

Dusk sighed with a smile as he broke the hug. “I was scared as well, but everything is okay now.”

After reassuring everypony that he was alright, the group continue their way to their destination. However, they didn’t notice a purple aura flying ahead of them.

On the way, Dusk asked Twilight how she manage to avoid falling off the cliff. She explained it was Applejack’s doing. The earth pony managed to grab her hooves, but wasn’t able to pull her up.

It was then Applejack told her to let go, Twilight was shocked. After the earth pony assured her honestly that she would be fine, the unicorn finally relented. She fell towards the ground as expected, but was caught midfall by Dash and Fluttershy.

As Dash described how she done it and picking up Dusk afterwards, the group heard a roar ahead of them.

Dusk was startled when a lion with bat wings and a scorpion tail appeared before them.

“A manticore!” Twilight gasped. “We've to get past him!”

Before Dusk knew, all the mares except for Fluttershy ended fighting against the creature. Knowing his own abilities, he didn’t dare get involve in fighting the manticore.

“This is very different from holograms…” Dusk muttered as he looked at the creature that was supposedly deemed a myth in legends back on Earth.

He watched as Rarity kick it with her hind legs only to back off when the manticore’s roar puffed up her hair. Applejack then jumped on its head and tried to ride like a bull, but she was flung off. Rainbow Dash begun to speed around it at high speeds yet she was battered of by the creature’s tail.

Throughout all this, Fluttershy kept on telling the others to wait. However, her voice was quiet so nopony heard her.

It was only when the rest of mares begun to charge towards the manticore when Fluttershy stepped in.

“Wait!”

Dusk merely smiled as Fluttershy finally build-up her courage to stop the fighting.

The pegasus then turned towards the manticore and approached him. While worried what may happened, everypony was surprised of how cooperative the manticore was being to Fluttershy.

When Fluttershy pulled out a thorn from one of the manticore’s paw, it begun to quickly show much affection by licking her. Dusk and the rest of mare were able to get pass it without difficulty.

“How did you know about the thorn?” Twilight questioned Fluttershy.

"Sometimes we all just need to be shown a little kindness." She replied before turning to Dusk. “At least Dusk was considerate enough not to hurt the poor thing.”

Dusk laugh sheepishly after hearing the pegasus words, though he was embarrassed since he was actually afraid at that time.
The ponies continued their way until they entered a darkened part of the forest. They are unaware of a purple aura moving close to their hooves and going ahead of them.

As everypony carefully move through the darkness, Dusk then heard Fluttershy screamed. When he was about to ask, Applejack then screamed as well.

‘What is going…’ He stopped talking when he noticed the trees were glowing red, had scary faces and were growling.

Despite being startled at first, he quickly recovered and kept his cool. Due to playing Duel Monsters for a long time and seeing Monsters with horrifying appearances, he doesn't get scared based on appearances alone.

However, the rest of the mares didn’t share his bravery and were screaming loudly.

“Wait. Where’s Pinkie?” Dusk said as he looked around for her.

When he caught sight of her, she was apparently making funny faces to one of the trees.

“Bleh! Ooo!”

Unlike the others, Pinkie was laughing instead screaming her head off.

“You are handling this quite well Pinkie.” Dusk said to her just as the rest of mares notice Pinkie not being scared.

“Pinkie, what are you doing?! Run!” Twilight said hastily, but Pinkie didn’t listen while Dusk merely shook his head.

Much to Dusk surprise, Pinkie begun to sing about how to fight their fears by laughing. While skeptical, Twilight, Applejack, Dash, Rarity and Fluttershy soon ended up calming down and begun to laugh at the trees.

Dusk soon notice that the trees were returning to normal. He made a laugh of his own upon seeing that everypony were on the ground laughing.

“Are you all alright now?” Dusk asked the ponies.

“We are Dusk.” Twilight answered as she and the other got up. “I am amazed that you didn’t get scared back there.”

He merely laughed. “You think those trees were scary… Wait till you see some of the Monsters played in Duel Monsters.”

They continue on their way until the group found themselves in a snag. They were standing before a raging river.

“How are we going to cross this?” Pinkie asked.

“Swimming isn’t an option here.” Dusk stated. “And unlike Dash and Fluttershy, we can’t fly across.” He referred to himself, Twilight, Applejack, Rarity and Pinkie.

As the ponies were trying to think of a solution, they then heard a cry from the distance. When they went to check, they saw it was a purple scaled large sea serpent. He had orange hair and a mustache. However, the right part of the mustache was torn off.

While Dusk felt intimidated, he had a feeling the situation was similar to the manticore.

It was then he decided to build up his courage and talk to the creature.

“Excuse me, but why are you crying?”

The sea serpent approached and explained what happened. He was minding his own business when a purple cloud whisked passed him. However, it torn off the part of the mustache in the process and in an outburst, the sea serpent claimed he looked horrible now.

At the end of the outburst, he then slammed his head chin-first on the edge of the river in front of the ponies. The group ended up getting splashed with water and were now completely soaked.

‘Good thing my backpack is water-proof.” Dusk muttered as he took it off to check its contents before putting it back on.

“Oh, give me a break.”

“That's what all the fuss is about?”

Dash and Applejack apparently were not amused that the sea serpent was making a big deal about his mustache.

However, Rarity disagreed. “Why, of course it is. How can you be so insensitive?”

She then approached the sea serpent and patted his scales. “Oh, just look at him. Such lovely luminescent scales.”

‘She does operate a boutique, so she would obviously care for one’s appearance.’ Dusk thought as he and the others watched the unicorn continue compliment the sea serpent. As expected, the sea serpent cried when Rarity noted his ruined mustache.

“I simply cannot let such a crime against fabulosity go uncorrected.” Rarity declared as she suddenly bites onto one of the sea serpent’s scales and pulled it off.

“What did you do that for?” The sea serpent yelp from pain.

Dusk and the others was about to speak against her action, but was surprised when Rarity used the scale she pulled off to cut off much of her tail. She then used the tail to repair the sea serpent’s mustache much to his happiness.

Twilight then approached Rarity with a worried expression as she pointed to the latter’s shortened tail.

“Oh, Rarity, your beautiful tail...”

“Oh. It's fine, my dear. Short tails are in this season.” Rarity said unfazed. “Besides, it'll grow back.”

“So would the mustache.” Dash stated, but Dusk then put his hoof on her back.

“Easy now Dash. Rarity was just being generous.” Twilight can’t help but nod in agreement to Dusk’s words.

“Besides…” Dusk followed up. “The river is connected to the sea serpent’s mood. Look.”

The mares looked at the river saw it was now calm. Out of gratitude for Rarity’s help, the sea serpent also offered his assistance in helping the ponies cross the river.

Using his body as a bridge, the ponies reach the other side of the river and continued their journey to the ancient castle.

Passing through the trees, the group saw an opening and soon, they gazed upon the ruins of a castle as the moon illuminate the area. Dusk however notice another obstacle in the way.

“There it is, the ruin that holds The Elements of Harmony.” Twilight said in joy. “We made it!”

She was to rush towards the ruins, but was held back by Dusk.

“Dusk! What are you doing?!”

“You can’t just blindly rush in Twilight. Take a closer look.”

He then showed her the obstacle he noticed, which was a deep chasm and the bridge to take across was broken.

“Oh...” Twilight said, feeling embarrassed that she almost gets herself in trouble.

As the ponies reached the edge of their side of chasm, Pinkie sighed. “What now?”

“Luckily for us, the bridge is hanging on our side.” Dusk then turned towards Dash. “Can you get the broken end and tie it at the other side?”

“Duh.” The pegasus replied as she flew down the chasm to grab the other end of the bridge. Everypony watched as she flew back up with the ropes in her mouth and landed on the opposite side of the chasm.

However, the fog at the other side was quite thick and made it difficult to see what Dash was doing.

A few minutes have passed and there was still no progress on the bridge.

“What is taking her so long?” Dusk asked Twilight.

“I am not sure… Wait.” She replied before she notice the fog on the other side was lifting and Dash was now in sight. “Rainbow, what's taking so long?”

Yet, the group notice that Dash wasn’t alone for in front of her were a trio of pegasuses wearing dark coloured bodysuits and goggles.

“Oh no. Rainbow! Don't listen to them!” Twilight pleaded to Dash, but the fog suddenly grew in both size and intensity. Soon, it was impossible to see what was going on at the other side.

Dusk quickly put his hoof on Twilight’s back to ease her. “I have faith in her. I know she would make the right choice.”

As the unicorn continues to gaze at the fog in worry, Dusk held his breath in anticipation of Dash’s choice.

It was then the fog died down and reveal Dash right in front of them. Behind her was the repaired bridge and none of the unknown pegasuses were in sight.

“See? I'd never leave my friends hangin'.” Dash said to Twilight just as everypony begun to cross the bridge.

“She may be bold, but she is loyal.” Dusk commented about the pegasus, which Twilight heard and smiled.

After reaching the other side, the group soon entered a ruined structure and found themselves in a large chamber. The ceiling was long gone, the windows were shattered and the broken columns were covered with overgrowth.

In the center of the chamber was pedestal with large stone orb with an array of smaller orbs surrounding it. The smaller orbs each have a different shape carved into it.

“Twilight, is this really the…” Dusk asked her.

“The Elements of Harmony, we've found them!” She answered in joy.

Dash and Fluttershy then flew to the pedestal and carefully place each of the orbs on the floor.

“One, two, three, four... There's only five!” Pinkie quickly noted after counting.

“Wait… There is supposed to be six elements.” Dusk stated, remembering what the book said when they were back at the library.

“The book said: when the five are present, a spark will cause the sixth Element to be revealed.” Said Twilight as she kneeled down to the orbs.

While the rest of the ponies were confused what it meant, they chose to leave the chamber to give Twilight privacy as she was channeling her magic into the orbs.

Dusk however stayed close to the door just in case something may happen to Twilight and needed help.

It paid off for in a few moments, Dusk heard Twilight gasp and he rushed back into the chamber. The others outside followed him and there they saw a purple vortex in front of the unicorn and the elements were caught in it.

“Twilight wait!” Before he could do anything, Twilight jumped into the vortex and after that, the vortex itself vanish in a flash of light.

Everypony were in utter shock what happened as they cried out for Twilight. As Dusk was trying to calm his nerves, he then notice a bright light coming emitting from the windows of a nearby ruin.

“Over there!” He called for the rest of the mares and pointed them to what he saw.

“Come on!” Applejack said as she took the lead as everypony rush their way to the nearby ruin and help Twilight.

Upon entering the ruin, the group soon heard voices coming from the top of the ruins.

“Twilight!” Dusk said as he recognize one of the voices, but his eyes widen when he identified the other one. “And Nightmare Moon is with her!”

With that, they climbed up a long spiral staircase to reach the top. As they were getting close, the ponies were calling for Twilight and saying they would be there soon.

Dusk could hear Twilight talk as he and the other made their way up. While he was shocked that Nightmare Moon supposedly destroyed the Elements, it soon learned it wasn’t the case.

Upon reaching Twilight, they saw her standing up to Nightmare Moon in a chamber, where pieces of stone were beneath the latter’s hooves and behind her was a torn throne.

As Applejack, Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy and Pinkie went to unicorn’s side, Twilight stated that the spirits of The Elements of Harmony are already here.

Dusk stood behind them when he realize what Twilight meant.

It was then Nightmare Moon notice the shards beneath her begun to levitate just as Twilight begun to explain how each pony by her side represents a specific Element.

“Honesty…” Dusk muttered as he looked at Applejack, remembering what Twilight said and what she did for her at the cliffs.

“Kindness…” He turned to Fluttershy and recalled how she tamed the manticore with compassion.

“Laughter…” Turning to Pinkie Pie next, he called to mind how she taught everypony to relieve their fears by laughing.

“Generosity…” Looking towards Rarity now, he looked at her short tail and thought how she willing cut it off to repair the sea serpent’s torn mustache.

“And Loyalty…” Finally gazing at Rainbow Dash, who could left him and the others behind at the other side of the chasm, but ultimately stayed true them.

Dusk watched the shards approached the mares and everypony except for Twilight have the shards circling around their bodies.

However, the dark alicorn remain defiant. “You still don't have the sixth Element! The spark didn't work!”

“But it did! A different kind of spark…” Twilight rebuffed as she explained what the spark actually was. She stated that the spark was her heart telling her that Applejack, Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy and Pinkie are her friends.

Dusk smiled as Twilight also acknowledge him as a friend and appreciates his attempts to get her to open up to making friends back then.
It was then a flash of light appeared above the ponies and there appeared a stone orb with a six-pointed star.

“You see, Nightmare Moon, when those Elements are ignited by the...” Twilight stated as the orb hovered above her head. “…the spark, that resides in the heart of us all, it creates the sixth Element… The Element of... Magic!”

Before Dusk knew, he was almost blinded when the orb glowed brightly. When he recovered, saw that the mares were all surrounding by a bright light and ascending from it was a rainbow-coloured double helix.

While it was hard to see, he could the helix then struck Nightmare Moon as it enveloped her.

As Dusk felt that dark alicorn was about to be defeated, his eyes widened as he remembered what she had. ‘Wait! She still has that card!’

“No! I will not be defeated!” Nightmare Moon screamed out as a black aura started to surrounded her body.

Dusk took off his backpack and tried to grab his duel disk, but blacked out when the light surrounding the mares filled the chamber.

“Dusk, get up.”

“Ugh…”

Dusk opened his eyes as he felt his head being prodded. He saw it was Twilight and was surprised to see her wearing a golden crown with the jewel matching her cutie mark.

He then saw Applejack, Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy and Pinkie behind her and they had all golden necklaces; the jewels were shaped like the wearer’s cutie mark. He also noted that Rarity’s tail somehow returned.

“Are those the…” He said as he gazes upon Twilight’s crown and the others’ necklaces.

“Yes Dusk! These are the Elements of Harmony and with them, we have defeated Nightmare Moon!” Twilight replied with joy in her voice as she pointed to the throne.

“I got to also tell you, I think we really do represent the elements of friendship after all we been through.” Applejack said.

Dusk gazed upon an unconscious alicorn, but he saw it wasn’t Nightmare Moon. She had a dark blue coat with a sapphire blue mane and near her were pieces of the armor once worn by the dark alicorn.

“Nightmare Moon…” Dusk muttered before his eyes widen once more much to the surprise of the mares.

“Are you okay?” Applejack questioned.

“It is not over yet!” Dusk yelled out.

“What do you mean…” Twilight was then interrupted when a black aura suddenly struck her from behind.

“Twilight!” Everypony cried as the black aura flew into the air with the unicorn in tow.

It then flew to the right side of the chamber and attached itself of the wall. With black tendrils wrapped around her stomach and neck, Twilight tried to use her magic to escape.

However, the black aura seems to anticipated her move. More tendrils appeared from the aura, wrapping around the unicorn’s horn and Element.

Soon, the same occurred to the rest of the mares. More black auras struck them one by one and brought them to the air. Applejack and Fluttershy joined Twilight on the right side of the chamber while Dash, Rarity and Pinkie ended at the left side; all entangled in the same fashion and covering their respective Elements as well.

“Dusk! Help us!” Dash cried out as she tried to break free, but the tendrils refuse to yield.

He was about to move when he notice a black card appeared above the alicorn on the ground.

Dusk and the entangled mares watch in utter shock as large amount of the black aura erupted from the card. The aura then formed a large humanoid wraith with a twisted-looking left wing as he gazes upon everypony with dark orange eyes.

“What… is that?” Fluttershy said in fear upon seeing its appearance.

Raising upon raising its arms, black auras suddenly formed at the windows and the chamber’s entrance. Becoming into barriers, the auras ensured nothing could ever get in or out of the chamber.

Much to everypony’s surprise, the wraith then spoke. “I must admit… You all proved to be useful…”

“What do you mean?!” Rarity yelled. “What are you?!”

“I am a Number.” It said as its eyes glowed brightly. “I felt incredible power coming from this pony, but her mind proved to be much stronger than I anticipated…”

It then gazed upon the unconscious alicorn. “Number 22 tried to do the same, but as I expected... More brawns than willpower… Ended up being dominated and decided to submit to her.”

The Number then turned to the mares entangled to the walls with a dark smile. “Then you six used that strange magic on her. She tried to use me to protect herself, but she didn’t do it in time. Apparently, what you all did merely expel what darkness out of her…

It then patted its chest as it laughed darkly. “I merely absorb the darkness and with it, gained enough power to fully manifest myself to the physical plane. Imagine what I could become when I drain the magic out of those Elements of yours…”

The mares were in complete shock upon hearing the Number’s plan and begun to struggle more than ever to break free. However, nothing happened and they merely tired themselves.

“Before I can do that…” The Number then turn his attention to Dusk. “The Number Hunter…”

“What?” Dusk said in confusion what it called him.

“Don’t play coy with me. I know you defeated Number 24 and Number 22.” The Number spoke.

“Number 24?” Twilight questioned. She knew what happened during his duel with Lyra, but she knows nothing about Number 24.

“Number 24 was once in Grey Wing’s possession, but he didn’t play it during our duel.” Dusk answered before turning back to the Number before him. “You! What do you Numbers gain from possessing ponies?”

The Number merely chuckled. “We Numbers have our own ambitions and I seek to physically manifest myself.”

“What do you mean?”

“While Nightmare’s power did grant me a stable form, it still isn’t enough for him. But with the Elements… I would not only manifest my true form, but it would be permanent.” The Number then waved his hand at Dusk’s direction.

Dusk then heard something fumble behind him and stare that black tendrils was holding his backpack. Much to his surprise, they passed his duel disk and his deck pouches; three that he came to Equestria with and the one he taken after defeating Lyra.

“Very well. Let us duel.” He said as prepared to put it his duel disk, but a tendril stopped him.

“What? I thought…”

The Number laughed. “We Numbers are compelled to duel when the opportunity comes. While Number 24 and 22 couldn’t resist, I was able to thanks to the power I absorbed previously.”

“There will be no duel, but I do want you to make choice.” Dusk was in completely caught of guard of what the Number said as it continues on.

“I seen everything through Nightmare’s eyes.” The Number smiled darkly at the mares. “She thrown many obstacles in your way, but you all overcome them.”

“But…” It maintains his attention on Dusk. “You have yet to have a trial of his own…”

The Number then pointed its finger at him.

“Know this Number Hunter, I can tell you don’t belong to this world.” Dusk’s eye widened as the Number continued on. “I only interested gaining a physical form. These ponies however don’t interest me.”

The Number continued on talking. “Once I get what I want, I will let you all go. However, you must destroy your duel disk and give me your decks Number Hunter.”

“You can’t be serious!” Applejack yelled out in anger.

“He needs those to play the game, you meanie!” Pinkie also yelled.

"And what makes you think we would hand the Elements to the likes of you! Twilight stated.

The other ponies then begun to complained about the Number’s unacceptable option to Dusk.

“And what if I don’t?” Dusk narrowed his eyes at it.

It merely smiled while chuckling darkly. “Well, you can then duel me and try to protect those Elements. However…” The Number then snapped his fingers.

Dusk then heard the mares gasp and turned to them. To his horror, their front hooves were desperately trying to grip their necks. Their eyes were closed shut as tears started to build.

“These ponies’ lives are forfeit!”

“No!” Dusk yelled out as the mares entangled on the walls begun to cry out for air. Their bodies became frantic as the tendril around their necks slowly tighten and causing them suffocate.

“Make your choice…” The Number stated to the stallion. “The Elements or them…”

Dusk felt tears run down his cheeks as he looked upon the mares’ faces. Their tearful eyes and their desperate gasps for air were painful for him to see.

“Du…sk…” He heard Twilight cry out his name as best she could. She was looking at him with begging eyes as her face was stained with her tears.

The sight was too much for him to handle. In heart, he knew what was the right choice.

Dusk threw his duel disk on the ground and stomped it repeated with his right hoof. In a few moments, it was nothing was a pile of broken plastic and circuitry. After that, he threw his deck pounches towards the Number.

Upon seeing what he done, the Number snapped his fingers again before taking the decks as his own.

Soon, the tendrils around the ponies’ necks loosen and they were able to finally breath.

As they were taking deep breathes, the mares looked upon Dusk and saw the broken remnants of his duel disk.

“Dusk…” Rarity spoke first in a sad tone. “You…”

“He made his choice. The Number stated.

“You know what you did Dusk?” Applejack said to Dusk as he was wiping his eyes with his hoof.

“I know… I just given the Number the Elements… I have destroyed my duel disk and the given away the cards I treasured.” Dusk yelled.

“Heroes were said to make sacrifices for the better of all… But sacrificing somepony’s life… Especially a friend… Is something I cannot do!”
The mares were startled by his declaration as he continued. “Ever since I came to this world, I thought I was going to be alone… I was after all a stranger in an unknown land...”

He turned turned towards Twilight. “I know when we first, you wouldn’t too interested in friends, but I always viewed you a one. It made me happy when you finally acknowledge your bonds with everypony here…”

He then turn to rest of the mares. “You five… Even when you all learned the truth about me, none of you feared or shunned me…”

Dusk then yelled at the top of his lungs. “I don’t care what everypony would say! I will gladly give up my cards! I’m willing to take all the blame for giving the Number the Elements! I am even willing to give up my own life! All to ensure the safety of those precious to me! To me, the bonds I share with my friends is more precious than any worldly treasure or glory!”

Twilight, Applejack, Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy and Pinkie couldn’t help but shed tears. Dusk was willing to make such personal sacrifices for their safety.

“Even without my decks, I can always build another one.” Dusk then turned his attention to the Number. “I know we will meet again and when we do…”

“If you are done, then I will then take my prize…” It interrupted Dusk before it was then interrupted as well when a golden flash of light appeared before Dusk.

Much to his surprise, it was a card covered in a golden aura. The card then suddenly flew towards him and touched his chest.

“Dusk!” Twilight cried out as the stallion’s body was soon enveloped by the golden aura, which grew into an sphere. Nopony could see or her what was happening inside.

“What is going on!?” Dusk shouted.

He notice that he was still in control of his body and saw the card in his hoof duplicate itself. The duplicated cards glowed as they circled around him before stacking themselves in his right hoof and forming a deck.

In his left hoof, he saw something was materializing on it. Much to his surprise, it was a duel disk similar to his original, but its was white and had both gold and dark blue outlines.

Not only that, Dusk suddenly felt a strange sensation across the body; like he was being imbued with some sort of power.

It was then he heard a calm voice in his head.

‘Brave one… I’ve seen within your heart and I find you worthy… I’ll lend you my power…’

“Who or what are…” Dusk soon received a mental image of a symbol and was shocked to see it was shaped as a number. He could make out what the number was.

“…39?”

‘Not all Numbers have dark intentions… Go now… Defeat Number 40…’

Before Dusk could say anything; physically or mentally, he was then blinded by a golden flash.

Episode 2 [Part 4] – Ties of Friendship

“This feeling?! It can’t be!” The Number shouted in rage as the golden sphere around Dusk begun to glow brightly and soon blinded him.

The mares were also blinded by the flash, but suddenly felt the tendrils across their stomach and neck weaken. Soon, they vanish as the mares were finally free as they drop to the floor. At the same time, the golden sphere begun to vanish as well.

“We’re free!” Dash said happily as she flew to the air.

“But… what about Dusk?” Fluttershy was worried as she and the others watched the sphere disappear.

Much to their joy, they saw that Dusk was alright.

“Dusk!” They cried as they ran towards him and gave a hug. However, they went at the same time and found themselves now in a group hug.

It didn’t bother him or the mares though. The group hug was very comforting after all they been through.

“Easy now you guys.” Dusk said with a smile on his face as look around his surroundings.

As everypony broke their hug, Pinkie soon notice his new duel disk and deck in Dusk’s hooves.

“Wow! You actually had replacements after all.”

“What do you…” Twilight questioned before she noticed as well. “Where did you get those?”

“I know you have many questions, but I need to defeat Number 40.” Dusk replied as he turned towards the Number across the chamber.

“What? What did you…” Rarity tried to say, but the stallion merely put his hoof close to her lips.

“We are still trapped here. Look around.” The group look around the chamber as saw that the barriers on the windows and the entrance were still active.

“When I am done, I promise to explain everything to you all when we get back. Everything.” Dusk declared to the mares and they nodded in agreement.

With that done, Dusk approached Number 40 as he put on the new duel disk and inserted the deck.

The Number regained its sight and saw Dusk approach as its eyes glowed with rage.

“So… Number 39 chose you…”

“Apparently the case, Number 40.”

“The nerve of…” Number 40 raised its left arm into the air as a jagged duel disk appeared on its forearm. It was black with purple outlines and its blade appeared like a saw.

“So you are now in the mood for a duel?” Dusk then stood on his hind legs as he prepared himself.

“I wanted to avoid a duel, but…” The Number smiled darkly as he inserted a deck into his duel disk. “I have the opportunity to destroy Number 39 once and for all!”

“Is that your deck or one of mine?” Dusk questioned since he had to give the Number his decks in exchange for the mares’ life.

“This is mine.” Number 40 stated as it gazes upon Dusk’s deck in his duel disk. “I don’t know deck Number 39 gave you, but it will do little to stop me.”

“We will see about that.”

Their duel disks begun to emit their usual glow; signalling that their functions are now active.

“Solid Reality Vision Link established.” The voice echoed across the chamber.

The screens appeared above Dusk and Number 40 as they drew their cards from their respective decks.

“DUEL!” They both yelled out as the mares watched the duel begin.

[Dusk’s Life Points: 8000]
[Number 40’s Life Points: 8000]

[Turn 1: Number 40]
[Dusk’s Cards in Hoof: 5]
[Number 40’s Cards in Hand: 5]

“As the superior one, I’ll go first. Draw!” Number 40 drew his card and then played a card.

“I summon Gimmick Puppet Egg Head in Attack mode.”

On Number 40’s field, a doll-like monster appeared. It's face covers the front of its egg-like body and with its limbs, made a proper bow.

[Gimmick Puppet Egg Head] [ATK: 1600] [DEF: 1200] [Level: 4]

‘I don’t recall hearing about such a card…’ Dusk thought.

“Egh! That is not a cute doll!” Rarity noted on the monster’s appearance.

“True that. I doubt anypony would want something like that. Applejack agreed as she found its face rather disturbing.

“I will activate Egg Head’s special effect.” Number 40 said as it discarded a card from its hand to the Graveyard. “By discarding a "Gimmick Puppet" monster, I can then activate one of two effects. I chose the first, which inflicts 800 points of damage to you.”

Dusk then was covered by a orange aura which he groaned in pain before it vanished.

[Dusk’s Life Points: 8000 (-)> 7200]

“Dusk taken damage…” Fluttershy said in worry.

Number 40 smiled as the Field Spell slot of his duel disk opened. “Then I play the Field Spell, Despair Moon.”

Upon place the card, the ceiling of the ruin suddenly vanished. Dusk and the others looked up and saw a darkened moon in the night sky void of stars.

“What is this?” Dusk questioned.

“Your time limit.” Number 40 exclaimed. “During each End Phase, a Despair Counter is placed to this card. However, I can send this card to the Graveyard during my Main Phase to inflict 600 points of damage to my opponent for every Despair Counter placed on this card. Not only that, this card cannot be destroyed by card effects.”

“So if I prolong this duel, then Despair Moon will finish me off.”

Number 40 merely chuckled. “I then set two cards face-down. I end my turn.”

Upon that, a red star appeared near the moon; showing the counter being placed on the Field Spell.

[Despair Moon - Despair Counter: 0 (+)> 1]

[Turn 2: Dusk]
[Dusk’s Cards in Hoof: 5]
[Number 40’s Cards in Hand: 3]

“It my turn now. Draw!” Dusk looked at the card he drawn and then his hoof.

‘I don’t recognize these cards…’ Dusk thought. ‘But do feel a link to them…’

It was then he grabbed a card from his hoof and played it.

“Since I have no monsters on the field, I can Special Summon Photon Thrasher in Attack mode.”

On Dusk’s field, an unusual warrior appeared, wearing blue armor wielding a large blade. The most noticeable aspect was that most of its limbs and part of its chest were glowing light blue with star-like sparkles.

[Photon Thrasher] [ATK: 2100] [DEF: 0] [Level: 4]

“Oooh!” Pinkie said as she gazes on the illuminated parts of the monster.

“Not to mention how strong is that monster. Now he could get rid that creepy doll.” Dash was more focused on its high ATK.

“Now Photon Thrasher! Destroy Egg Head!”

The warrior then charged at the doll as it raised its blade. However, Number 40 wasn’t worried.

“How foolish of you! I play my Trap! Scrap-Iron Scarecrow!”

As the card flipped up, a scarecrow made of iron and scraps appeared from it and moved in front of Photon Trasher. The warrior ended striking it instead of Egg Head.

“When my opponent declares an attack, I can negate the attack.” Number 40 stated.

“Scare-Iron Scarecrow? Not good.” Dusk said as he knew it was a troublesome card to deal with.

“What do you mean?” Twilight questioned, which she learned quickly when she saw the Trap returning back to its face-down position.

“Hey! Why is that card still there?” Dash stated, which Dusk answered.

“When Scare-Iron Scarecrow is activated, it is set face-down instead of going it to the Graveyard.”

“That’s foul!” The pegasus said angrily to Number 40, who merely smirked.

“If that is the case, then I place three cards face-down and end my turn.” After that, Dusk notice another red star appeared near the moon.

[Despair Moon - Despair Counter: 1 (+)> 2]

[Turn 3: Number 40]
[Dusk’s Cards in Hoof: 2]
[Number 40’s Cards in Hand: 3]

“It is my turn. Draw!” Number 40 drew his card and smiled as he looked at it.

“I Special Summon Gimmick Puppet Magnet Doll in Attack mode.”

Another doll-like monster appeared Egg Head. It was made of rusted metal and seen better days.

[Gimmick Puppet Magnet Doll] [ATK: 1000] [DEF: 1000] [Level: 8]

“If my opponent controls a monster, and all monsters I control are "Gimmick Puppet" monsters, then I can Special Summon this card from your hand.” Number 40 explained as it then pointed to Egg Head.

“I then activate Egg Head’s special effect once again. By discard a "Gimmick Puppet" monster, I will activate its second effect. Now it’s Level becomes Level 8 until the End Phase.”

After Number 40 discarded a card, Egg Head’s eyes glowed as its Level changed.

[Gimmick Puppet Egg Head] [Level: 4 (+)> 8]

“Two Level 8 monster? You don’t mean to…” Dusk soon realize what Number 40 intentions were.

“Yes Number Hunter! You and these ponies will bear witness to…” Number 40 stopped when he notices the alicorn beside beginning to wake up.

“Hey, she is getting up.” Twilight said as she and the others watched as the alicorn look around. She was startled when she saw the ongoing duel.

Before she could say anything, black tendrils appeared below and wrapped around her mouth before continuing to the rest of her body.

“What are you doing?!” Dusk yelled out as he and the others looked at Number 40 in anger for his action.

“Despite her state, I can see that there is some use for her.” Number 40 smiled darkly at the bounded alicorn, who was struggling to break free. “Where was I… Yes! Bear witness to my power!”

Much to everyponies’ surprise, Number 40’s form turned into a shapeless aura and flew into the air. The duel disk and the cards fell to the ground.

“I overlay my Level 8 Egg Head and Magnet Doll! With these two monsters, I build the Overlay Network! Xyz Summon!” Number 40’s voice was heard from the shapeless aura.

As its monsters become purple lights and flew into the vortex portal that now appeared, Number 40 then much to Dusk’s shock, entered the portal as well.

“What that thing doing?!” Dash exclaimed as everypony was wondering was going to happen.

“I think we are going to see Number 40’s true form…” Dusk said.

Despite not being visible, Number 40’s voice echo across the chamber as the portal exploded. “Tremble before me! Tremble before Number 40: Gimmick Puppet of Strings!”

From the portal came out a large, dark coloured humanoid doll wielding a massive sword with an open center. It had one mechanical wing to its left side, which a symbol shaped by the number 40 was visible. Two yellow orbs were circling around the Number.

However, the most disturbing aspect of the Number was a deep split starting from the left side of the Number’s neck and onwards to the stomach, held only by a set of strings.

[Number 40: Gimmick Puppet of Strings] [ATK: 3000] [DEF: 2000] [Rank: 8]

“Eeeeeek!” Fluttershy screamed upon seeing the Number’s twisted appearance.

“Okay! Are all these Numbers freaky-looking or what?!” Dash shouted, remembering Number 22’s appearance and now she have seen Number 40’s own.

“So this is what you would look like if you drain the magic out of the Elements, Number 40.” Dusk said.

“Indeed.” Everypony saw the puppet’s mouth actually moved, showing Number 40 did indeed become the monster. “Know that even in this form, I can still play my cards.

It was then the black tendrils that the wrapped around the alicorn then reached for the Number’s duel disk and cards. Dusk could see the fear in the alicorn’s eyes and help motivated him to defeat Number 40 as quickly as possible.

“I then summon Gimmick Puppet Des Troy in Attack mode.”

As one of the tendrils placed the card, a horse-like monster made of humanoid doll parts appeared beside Number 40.

[Gimmick Puppet Des Troy] [ATK: 1000] [DEF: 2000] [Level: 4]

The mares were speechless as they looked at the monster; a twisted mockery of their kind.

“Next I play my face-down, Card of Sanctity. We both draw until we have six cards.”

Dusk drew his cards while the black tendrils did it for Number 40. He drew four cards, while the Number drew six cards.

“Now I will attack Photon Thrasher with Des Troy!”

“What?!” Dusk was shocked and it was shared with the rest of the ponies. “Photon Thrasher is much stronger.”

Number 40 didn’t seem to care as he still ordered the attack. His monster charged at the warrior, but it was quickly destroyed after being cleaved in half.

Number 40 however didn’t flinch when his Life Points went down.

[Number 40’s Life Points: 8000 (-)> 6900]

“Now I activate Des Troy’s special effect.” Suddenly, a portal appeared at each side of Number 40. “When this card is sent to the Graveyard, I can Special Summon one or two "Gimmick Puppet" monsters from my hand.”

“I Special Summon two Gimmick Puppet Shadow Feeler in Defense mode.”

At each side of Number 40, two disturbing doll-like monsters appeared; looking like two blue humanoid dolls on their fours. However, their heads were attached to each by a grey humanoid doll torso with arms. They lowered themselves like they trying to protect themselves.

[Gimmick Puppet Shadow Feeler] [ATK: 1000] [DEF: 1000] [Level: 8]

“I don’t know what to say…” Twilight muttered as she found Number 40’s monsters to be getting more and more disturbing. The thought is shared amongst the mares as well.

“Next I banish Des Troy from my Graveyard to Special Summon Gimmick Puppet Twilight Joker in Defense mode.”

Now a doll-like monster dressed like a jester appeared, but had a large scythe fused to its left wrist. It merely placed its scythe in front of its face.

[Gimmick Puppet Twilight Joker] [ATK: 800] [DEF: 1600] [Level: 8]

“Hey! Clowns supposed to be funny-looking! Not scary-looking!” Pinkie stated.

‘Number 40 must be bolstering its defences…” Dusk noted mentally.

“Now taste my blade! I, Gimmick Puppet of String attacks..!”

“Trap activate! Half or Nothing!” Dusk yelled as he pointed to one of his face-downs.

“What?” Number 40 muttered as he stopped in its tracks as the Trap begun to activate.

“During my opponent's Battle Phase, my opponent chooses one of the following effects. One is to halve the ATK of all monsters you currently control until the end of the Battle Phase and the other is to end the Battle Phase.”

Number 40 growled in annoyance. “Fine. I will end the Battle phase, but I am not done yet.”

Number 40 said as he raised its sword. “I detach an Overlay Unit from myself, Gimmick Puppet of Strings!”

One of the orbs circling Number 40 then flew to the Number’s sword and disappeared. “Except for this card, one String Counter are placed on all face-up monsters.”

“String Counters?” Dusk muttered as Photon Thrasher and Number 40’s monsters were lightly wrapped in string; representing the counter.
“You will see what happens during you next End Phase. I then place a card face-down. I end my turn.” Number 40 said as another red star appeared near the moon.

[Despair Moon - Despair Counter: 2 (+)> 3]

[Turn 4: Dusk]
[Dusk’s Cards in Hoof: 6]
[Number 40's Cards in Hand: 2]

“Its my turn. Draw!” Dusk drew his card. “I summon Photon Crusher in Attack mode.”

Beside Photon Thrasher appeared another warrior almost identical to it, wearing green armor and wielding a large double-ended mace.

[Photon Crusher] [ATK: 2000] [DEF: 0] [Level: 8]

Dusk then heard the same voice from before in his mind. He closed his eyes as he listened.

‘Its time… Summon me…’

Upon hearing it, the stallion opened his eyes and pointed to his monsters. “I overlay my Level 4 Photon Thrasher and Photon Crusher!”

Dusk’s monsters then transformed into golden light and flew into the air just as the vortex portal reappeared, but on Dusk’s field.

“With these two monsters, I build the Overlay Network! Xyz Summon!” As the two golden lights entered the portal, it exploded and slowly reveal an unusual form.

The monster appeared to be white wings with gold outlines curled around something that appears to be a sword. At the front center where the wings failed to cover, there was an aqua-coloured orb.

“Show yourself! Number 39!”

“Number?!” The mares shouted in shock and soon saw a symbol shaped like the number 39 appearing near Dusk’s cutie mark.

“I entrust both my hopes and wishes upon your wings, warrior of light! Appear Utopia!”

Soon, the wings of the Number soon uncurled and the sword form begun to shift itself. Everypony watched as it became a white and golden winged warrior; its two Overlay Units circling around it. On its left shoulder was the same symbol that appeared near Dusk’s cutie mark.

[Number 39: Utopia] [ATK: 2500] [DEF: 2000] [Rank: 4]

“Ooooh…” Dash stared at the shining warrior in front of her. “It looks so cool!”

“Shiny as well!” Pinkie followed up.

Much of the group quickly agreed it was a welcome sight after seeing Number 40’s disturbing doll monsters.

The bounded alicorn couldn’t say anything due to gagged, but felt relief enter her heart upon seeing Utopia.

“Are you okay Dusk?!” Twilight however didn’t feel the same. She saw what the Numbers could do and was worried for the stallion.

“I am fine Twilight.” He assured her. “Number 39 isn’t a malicious force.”

“But…”

“I said I will explain everything later. Have faith in me.”

Dusk then looked upon Number 40 as he saw the puppet’s face scowling at Utopia.

“So… You finally revealed yourself Number 39.” However, the golden warrior didn’t say a word.

“I remember that you’re not very talkative…” Number 40 growled.

“It is still my turn.” Dusk said as he played another card. “I activate Galaxy Cyclone, which I can destroy one set Spell or Trap card on the field.”

“And I chose your Trap.” He then pointed to the set card which he knew was Scrap-Iron Scarecrow. In a few moments, a starry cyclone appeared and destroyed the set card.

“Next I play the Spell, Half Shut. I can target a monster on the field and prevent it from being destroyed in battle, but its ATK is cut in half until the End Phase. I chose Gimmick Puppet of Strings!”

“What?” Number 40 said as it was covered in a blue aura.

[Number 40: Gimmick Puppet of Strings] [ATK: 3000 (-)> 1500]

“Go Utopia! Attack Gimmick Puppet of String!”

Everypony watched as Utopia drew one of its swords from its waist, throwing the sword into the air as it spun.

“Rising Sun Slash!” The warrior dashed at Number 40, catching its sword as it descended and delivered a powerful slash.

“Agh!” Number 40 yelled as he felt the attack. Despite not being destroyed due Half Shut, it still took damage.

[Number 40’s Life Points: 6900 (-)> 5900]

“I end my turn.” Dusk said as Half Shut’s effect worn off from Gimmick Puppet of Strings.

[Number 40: Gimmick Puppet of Strings] [ATK: 1500 (+)> 3000]

Not only that Despair Moon gained another counter as another red star appeared on the Field Spell.

[Despair Moon - Despair Counter: 3 (+)> 4]

[Turn 5: Number 40]
[Dusk’s Cards in Hoof: 4]
[Number 40's Cards in Hand: 2]

“You are going to pay for that! Draw!” Number 40 said in anger. The tendril drew the card for him and despite not seeing the card, the Number was able to tell what it drew.

“I will play Pot of Greed, allowing to draw two more cards.” Upon drawing them, the tendrils played one of them.

“I then play Attack Gimmick! I target one "Gimmick Puppet" monster and until the End Phase, it gains 500 ATK. Not only that, when it destroys an opponent's monster by battle this turn, you take damage equal to the ATK of the destroyed monster!”

“And I target yours truly!” Number 40’s form, Gimmick Puppet of Strings soon was covered a electric aura.

[ATK: 3000 (+)> 3500]

“I, Gimmick Puppet of Strings will destroy Utopia!”

Number 40 then charged towards the warrior with its sword. “Vanish Number 39!”

“I will not let happen! I activate Utopia’s special effect!” Dusk shouted as one of Utopia’s Overlay Units flew into the orb on the monster’s chest. “By detaching an Overlay Unit from it, I can negate one attack!”

Utopia’s wings then spread out and curled up in front of the warrior as a might shield “Light Wing Shield!”

Number’s 40 trusted its sword at the shield, but it failed to pierce through it.

“You…! I activate my Trap!” Just as the Number jumped back, its face-down opened up.

“Raigeki Break! By discarding one card, I can destroy a card!”

After a tendril discarded a card, a lightning bolt was fired from the Trap and was directed to the warrior. “One way or another, I'm destroying Number 39!”

“Face-down open!” Dusk however then pointed to one of his face-downs. “Xyz Reflect!”

Suddenly, a circular barrier appeared in front of Utopia and absorbed the lightning from Number 40’s Trap.

“Whenever an Xyz monster I control is targeted by a Spell, Trap or monster effect, the activated card is negated and then destroyed!” Dusk explained as the lightning was then reflected back to its card of origin.

“Not only that, you then take 800 points of damage!” Number 40 felt the blast of his Trap being destroyed and the damage inflicted to him.

[Number 40’s Life Points: 5900 (-)> 5100]

“Grrr... I set two card face-down and I end my turn.” Number 40 growled at the setback as Gimmick Attack worn off.

[Gimmick Puppet of Strings] [ATK: 3500 (-)> 3000]

However, another counter appeared on Despair Moon; the moon now has five red stars encircling it.

[Despair Moon - Despair Counter: 4 (+)> 5]

“He… He is winning.” Fluttershy said quietly, but with a happy tone.”

“But the Number has a sturdy defense.” Twilight looked at Number’s 40 field before looking at Gimmick Puppet of Strings. “And it’s possessing a powerful monster.”

“Hey. If Dusk could plummet that giant that Lyra summoned back at the town hall, then he should be able to take down a freaky doll.” Dash stated.

[Turn 6: Dusk
[Dusk’s Cards in Hoof: 4]
[Number 40's Cards in Hand: 0]

“It’s my turn. Draw!” Dusk looked at the card he drew and smiled.

“I Special Summon Photon Slasher in Defense mode.”

The monster appeared on the field, very similar to its Photon counterparts. The only difference that it had wing-like attachments and wielded a larger blade. It kneeled down with its blade positioned defensively.

[Photon Slasher] [ATK: 2100] [DEF: 1000] [Level: 5]

“Since there is an Xyz Monster is on the field, I can Special Summon this card from my hand in Defense mode.” Dusk said as he then played another card.

“I will then equip Utopia with Moon Mirror Shield.” A circle golden shield with eight point appeared on the warrior’s left arm.

“When the equipped monster battles an opponent's monster, its ATK and DEF become equal to the ATK or DEF of the opponent's monster plus an additional 100 points during damage calculation only.” Dusk said as he pointed at Number 40.

“Utopia! This time destroy Gimmick Puppet of String!”

The warrior drew its sword and charged at the puppet shield first. As a reflection of Gimmick Puppet of String appeared on the shield, it glowed and bolstered Utopia’s ATK.

[Number 39: Utopia] [ATK: 2500 (+)> 3100]

“Trap activate! Intrigue Shield!” Number 40 exclaimed as one of its face-down opened and from it, appeared an ornate shield.

“When activated, I can target one monster you control and equip this card to it. And I choose myself!”

The shield then flew to Gimmick Puppet of Strings’s left arm. The puppet then used the shield to block Utopia’s attack.

“What?” Dusk said for not only the puppet wasn’t destroyed, but Number 40 didn’t take any damage.

“While the equipped monster is in Attack mode, it cannot be destroyed by battle once per turn. I also don’t take any battle damage from attack involving it.” Number 40 laughed. “With this, I am invincible!”

After the attack failed, Utopia’s ATK returned to normal.

[Number 39: Utopia] [ATK: 3100 (-)> 2500]

“Oh… I was hoping that Dusk would get rid that ugly doll.” Rarity complained.

“I end my turn then.” As he said that, he notice that the strings around Number 40’s monsters begun to tightened. “What is going on?”

Number 40 smiled. “The effect of Gimmick Puppet of Strings now. During my opponent’s next End Phase, all monsters with String Counters are destroyed.”

Dusk and the others were shocked as the strings around Dusk’s monsters tightened to the point it cut their bodies to shreds.

“You just destroyed your own monsters!”

“That is not all. The controller of the destroyed monsters take damage equal the sum of their original ATK.” Everypony widen their eyes in utter shock.

“Are you trying destroying yourself then?!” Dusk yelled.

“Oh no… I am destroying you!” Number 40 replied as its other face-up opened. “Go! Triple Vengeance!” The card was revealed to be Trap.

Just as dark auras begun to appeared were the destroyed monsters use to be and flew towards Number 40, a barrier formed around Gimmick Puppet of Strings and absorbed them.

“It can only activate when three or more monsters I control are destroyed on the same turn. Until the End Phase, any damage I take would instead be inflicted to my opponent!”

“Impossible!” Dusk shouted as the dark auras left the barrier and flew towards him. He was pushed to the ground from the impact.

[Dusk’s Life Points: 7200 (-)> 4400]

“Dusk!” The mares cried as they saw the stallion down on the ground.

At the same time, another red star appeared, showing another counter was added to Despair Moon.

[Despair Moon - Despair Counter: 5 (+)> 6]

“Ugh…” Dusk groaned as he got back on his hooves.

[Turn 7: Number 40]
[Dusk’s Cards in Hoof: 3]
[Number 40's Cards in Hand: 0]

“It now my turn! Draw!” As the card was drawn, the tendrils played it.

“I play Xyz Treasure. I draw a card for each Xyz monster on the field. Since there two Xyz monsters, I can more draw two cards.” Number 40 said as the tendrils drew them.

Suddenly, Number 40 laughed loudly for all to here.

“Why are you laughing?” Dusk questioned.

“I play the Spell, Overlay Mass Destruction! All Xyz monsters on the field have all their Overlay Units detached and we both take 1000 points of damage for every one!”

The last Overlay Unit from Gimmick Puppet of Strings and Utopia flew into the air before they exploded, raining fire upon Dusk and Number 40.

[Dusk’s Life Points: 4400 (-)> 2400]

[Number 40’s Life Points: 5100 (-)> 3100]

“Why would that…” Twilight said before she realizes the Number’s intention. “Wait! Despair Moon!”

Dusk looked upon the moon as the red stars begun to move towards it. He then looked at Number 40 with defiant eyes.

“Still being brave? That will not help you! I activate Despair Moon’s effect!”

When the stars touched the moon, it begun to glow crimson red. The starlight night sky of the Field Spell was illuminated by the glow.

“By sending this card to the Graveyard during my Main Phase, I can inflict 600 points of damage to you for every Despair Counter on it! Since there are six in total…”

Number 40 smiled darkly as a crimson beam was fired from the glowing moon and decended towards Dusk.

“…So you take 3600 points of damage!” Number 40 yelled. “Vanish along with Number 39!”

As the beam struck Dusk and enveloped him, the mares gasped in horror.

“Dusk!” Twilight cried as tears begun to brim in her eyes. The other also had tears building up as they thought the stallion was defeated.

Even the bounded alicorn had tears in her eyes upon seeing the Number’s achieving his victory.

In a few moments, the red beam dispersed as the ceiling of the ruins returned.

“Victory is mi…” Number 40 declared just as he gazes upon Dusk. “Impossible!”

It yelled in anger for Dusk wasn’t lying on the ground in bitter defeat, but was still standing.

“…Dusk!” Twilight cried again, but it was out of joy and it was equally shared by the others.

“How?! How did you survive Despair Moon?!” The Number bellowed.

“I used my face-down.” Dusk pointed to his card now faced up. “Photon Prevent. When I am about to take damage from a card effect and I have a “Photon” monster on the field, I take no damage from the effect.”

“All this time… You been waiting for me to use Despair Moon...”

Then Number 40 then lunge at Photon Slasher. “Then I, Gimmick Puppet of Strings destroy that blasted Photon!”

Delivering a powerful slash, the Number cleave Photon Slasher down the middle and destroyed it.

“Then I play the Spell, Junk Puppet!” A portal soon appeared near Number 40. “I can Special Summon a “Gimmick Puppet” monster in my Graveyard! Return! Shadow Feeler!”

Soon, the same bizarre-looking doll reappeared and in Defense mode.

[Gimmick Puppet Shadow Feeler] [ATK: 1000] [DEF: 1000] [Level: 8]

“I end my turn!”

[Turn 8: Dusk]
[Dusk’s Cards in Hoof: 3]
[Number 40's Cards in Hand: 0]

“If you are this angry, then allow me to end it all! Draw!” Dusk then draw his card and played it.

“I play Graceful Charity. I draw three cards and then discard two.” As he did, he smiled what he drew before discarding two of his cards.

“Its over Number 40! I play Photon Sanctuary! I can Special Summon two Photon Tokens in Defense mode.”

The two aqua-coloured orbs, each with a trio of tiny similar orbs circling around, appeared on Dusk’s field.

[Photon Token] [ATK: 2000] [DEF: 0] [Level: 4]

“I will then release these tokens for a Special Summon!” Dusk said as the Photon Tokens turn into particles of light. The particles then begun to fly into the air and forming akin to a spiral galaxy, sparkling like stars.

Everypony couldn’t help but marvel at the sight as it illuminated the entire chamber.

“So beautiful…” Twilight muttered. She and others were caught off guard thought when Dusk begun to yell.

“Stars dancing in the night sky and beyond…! The stallion then raised his hoof into the air. “Come together and becoming the very shining beacon of hope!”

The spiral begun to spin faster and faster as more sparkles of light appeared. In time, something bright begun to appear from within the spiral and begun to release rays of blue light.

Everypony watched in utter shock when from a large dragon materialized from the light. Most of its body was glowing bright blue while wearing some form of dull purple armor with red outlines and aqua gems.

“Descend before us and stand against the darkness! Reveal yourself! Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon!” As Dusk finished talking, the dragon raised its head and spread its wings of unusual design. Seconds later, it made a ferocious roar for everypony to hear. Much of its glowing body begun to dim except for a number of outlines.

[Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon] [ATK: 3000] [DEF: 2500] [Level: 8]

All the ponies looked at the dragon in awe, but not all of them.

“Ahhh!” Fluttershy screamed as she quickly dropped to the ground and place her hooves over her head.

“What’s wrong Fluttershy?” Twilight asked the scared pegasus.

“I’m… scared of… dragons…” She replied in a quiet and scared tone.

“Don’t worry.” Applejack assured her. “The big guy is on Dusk’s side.”

“What is this?” The Number questioned as it looked upon the dragon. “You know it is useless as long it have…”

“Your Intrigue Shield? I think not.” Dusk stated as he put his hoof over the Graveyard slot and a card slipped out. “I banish Galaxy Cyclone to activate another of its effects. I can target one face-up Spell or Trap card on the field and destroy it.”

“No!” Number 40 yelled as another starry cyclone appeared and struck the shield, destroying the Trap.

“That is not all. I play Spell Dark Core! I discard a card to banish one monster on the field!” Dusk then pointed to Shadow Feeler as he paid the cost for the Spell. “Vanish!”

A small black orb appeared above the doll-like monster and grew until it consumed it. When the orb shrunk into nothing, Shadow Feeler was gone.

However, the Number wasn’t fazed. “That dragon didn’t even get stronger. Are you using it for a suicide attack! Numbers cannot be destroyed in battle unless facing another Number!”

Dusk merely smirked. “I think your previous outburst of your made you forget.” He then pointed to Utopia. “I have a Number of my own on the field.”

“No… No!” Number 40 shouted. “I came so far! I refuse…”

“Utopia! Attack Gimmick Puppet of Strings!”

The warrior attack the puppet in the same manner as before as Mirror Moon Shield once again took effect.

[Number 39: Utopia] [ATK: 2500 (+)> 3100]

“How’s this? Rising Moon Slash!” Utopia delivered a swift blow with its sword upon Gimmick Puppet of Strings. The slash cut through the strings holding its torso together and the puppet broke into two halves before exploding.

[Number 39: Utopia] [Number 40’s Life Points: 3100 (-)> 3000]

With its attack done, Utopia’s ATK went back to normal.

[ATK: 3100 (-)> 2500]

The mares cheered as Dusk finally destroyed the Number, but saw it wasn’t over.

They watched as from the smoke was the black shapeless form that was Number 40. It struggled to return back to the form it first met the ponies.

“I can’t lose to… a mere pony…” The Number said in a pained tone.

“It is time for you to vanish Number 40!” Dusk shouted as he pointed to Galaxy-Eyes. “You will no longer harm anypony anymore!”

“Finish this! Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon!” Galaxy-Eyes roared as it raised its head in preparation for its direct attack.

“Photon Stream of Destruction!”

The dragon then fired a powerful blast of energy upon Number 40. It screamed loudly as the attack enveloped its form and illuminated the chamber.

“AGGGGHHHHH!”

[Number 40’s Life Points: 3000 (-)> 0]

[Winner: Dusk]

As the attack dissipated, Dusk saw that Number 40 have vanished without a trace. On the ground where it once stood was Dusk’s deck pouches.

“Its over… and I have my cards back…” Dusk said with a tired smile as the holograms begun to vanish.

He then noticed Utopia turning to him and much to his surprise, it made a nod before vanishing as well.

The holograms weren’t not the only things to vanish. The black tendrils binding the alicorn vanished as well along with the barriers blocking the windows and entrance.

“It’s morning already?” Dusk muttered as he saw through the windows and saw the sun up in the sky.

“Indeed it is.” He heard a recognizable voice and saw a flash of light at the right corner of his eye.

He turned and much to his surprise, it was Princess Celestia. Dusk then heard the mares gasp and when he turned to them, they immediately bowed to her in respect.

It was then Twilight got up and happily approached the princess with tears building in her eyes.

“Princess Celestia! You can’t imagine what we been through…!”

“I know my faithful student. I have seen everything.”

As the mares gasped in surprise, Dusk then approached her. “Mind if you explain?”

Celestia then explained that when she felt Nightmare Moon being defeated, she apparently planned to teleport to the site to congratulate Twilight and the others. However, she ended up teleporting to the outside of the ruined tower; which was at the same time when Number 40 set up its barriers.

While she wouldn’t be able to breach the barriers, she could at least see and hear what was going on inside. She watched as the Number explained itself to the point which Dusk gave up his possessions in exchange for the mare’s lives and finally the entire duel itself.

“So you really did see everything…” Dusk said with some surprise in his voice.

“Dusk... You may not see yourself as a hero, but you are one in my eyes.” Celestia said to Dusk much to his surprise. “You were more than willing to give up your prized possession for them.”

She gestured to Twilight, Applejack, Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy and Pinkie. “You had a difficult choice between giving up the Elements and giving up your friends. Both choices were terrifying, but you chose the one that mattered more; your friends. A true hero never leave their friends to their fates.”

Celestia then pointed to his new duel disk. “And you were rewarded for your choice. While your deck is impressive, I am more impressed that this Number 39 chose to help you.”

Dusk smiled as he scratched the back of his head and turned to the mares. “Again, the bonds I share with my friends is more precious than any worldly treasure or glory.” They smiled brightly in return.

As Celestia begun to talk to Twilight and what she learned from friendship, Dusk decided to check on the unknown alicorn, who appeared to blacked out after his final attack on Number 40.

“Hey. Are you okay?” He shook her lightly and she begun to open her eyes.

She gasped when the alicorn saw him. “You… You were…”

Dusk merely smiled. “You are safe now. I dealt with the Number and it wouldn’t be bothering anypony.” He then gathered the pile of cards near her; the deck that Number 40 used.

“What…” The alicorn was confused what she saw and heard at first, but gasped when she caught sight of Celestia approaching her.

“Dusk.” Celestia turn her attention to the stallion. “I want to thank you for not only defeating t Number, but also saving my sister Luna in the process.”

“Sister?” Twilight and Dash said in surprise.

“Just doing what I have to do…” Dusk merely bowed his head to the princess before he went to pick up his deck pouches.

He listened to Celestia and Luna reconcile their relationship as he walked back to the mares.

They were quick to grab him into another group hug.

“You had us worried there Dusk.” Twilight said, remembering how she and others thought was finished when from the effects of Despair Moon.

“I was worried as well, but I knew that you all never lost faith in me.” Dsuk replied as the other smiled. “And I never lose my faith in my cards, even if they are new to me.”

Applejack then gave him his backpack, which gladly grabbed and put his decks in. However, she notice he was fumbling with his duel disk.

“What wrong?”

“Strange… This duel disk would come off…” Dusk then to pull on the bracer, but nothing happened.

“Eh… Are you okay?” Dash questioned as the stallion is started to get irritated of the inability to remove the duel disk.

“This duel disk… Come off!” Much to his and the mares’ surprise, the duel disk on his hoof dematerialized before their eyes.

Before they could say anything about the matter, Celestia and Luna approached them. Soon, they were on their way back to Ponyville.

Dusk knew he have to keep his promise to answer the question that the mares would throw at him when they get back, but nevertheless smiled that everything ended on a good note.

Back at Ponyville, Pinkie ended up preparing a party to celebrate the reunion of Celestia and Luna. Dusk was surprised that the pink pony still have energy in her despite being out all night. Then again, he and the others didn’t feel very tired after all they been through.

Not only the town was well decorated with banners and ribbons, but there were also many ponies joined the fun. As he expected, they rushed him as they asked questions about himself and Duel Monsters.

During that time after evading the crowd, he met Lyra, who was quick to thank him for freeing her from Number 22’s influence. While feeling guilty what happened back at the town hall, Dusk insist that she was not fault.

Just when he manage to regroup with Twilight and the others, they bear witness to Celestia and Luna arrival via chariot with an escort of pegasus royal guard.

He could see Luna being uncomfortable around the crowd; feeling guilty what she done as Nightmare Moon. Nevertheless, she was very happy when the crowd were quick to accept her.

However, he saw one pony that wasn’t in the mood to party.

“What’s wrong Twilight?” Dusk asked the unicorn, who was feeling down.

“Well… It’s just that since we stopped Nightmare Moon, we would have to return to Canterlot…”

“And leave the friends we made here.”

Twilight nodded sadly.

Dusk also felt conflicted due to being a essentially the only duelist in Equestria. He would be needed to stop any incident regarding the Numbers, but it would mean he couldn’t be with his friends for long.

“Look. If you don’t want to leave, then just tell Celestia. She would understand.”

“But what about you? I know you would be needed elsewhere…”

“I…”

“No need to worry.” Dusk and Twilight soon notice Celestia now standing before them.

She then asked Spike to take a note as she spoke. “I, Princess Celestia, hereby decree that the unicorn Twilight Sparkle shall take on a new mission for Equestria. She must continue to study the magic of friendship. She must report to me her findings from her new home in Ponyville.”

Upon hearing that, Applejack, Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy and Pinkie were quick to crowd around Twilight; all happy that their new friend would stay.

However, they all looked at Dusk with worry, fearing he may not stay in Ponyville. However, Celestia wasn’t done yet.

“I also hereby decree that the duelist Dusk will continue his responsibilities in dealing with the Numbers, confirmed responsible for the card-related incidents in Equestra. He must report any findings and incidents regarding any Numbers encountered during his indefinite stay in Ponyville. He would remain there unless I say otherwise.”

Dusk was surprised, but nevertheless smiled since he could be with his new friends. Pinkie quickly grabbed him and brought him to join in crowding Twilight.

“I guess we are staying here after all. Do you mind if bunk with you Twilight?”

“I don’t mind, but you have to pull your weight in the library thought. I could use another assistant.”

Dusk laughed lightly and smiled as he look forward to his stay in Ponyville.

Episode 3 [Part 1] - Ticket Trouble

A day has passed in Ponyville since the incident with Nightmare Moon and Dusk’s duel with Number 40. Dusk was currently in his room back in the library, sitting at his desk near his bed and writing down on a piece of paper.

While he found holding a quill with his hooves to be very different from holding a pencil, he managed to get use to it. Though questions arose in his thoughts of how he could do such a thing, Dusk felt it was linked to his previous form as a human.

“Huh… Finally done.” He muttered in relief as he finished writing.

As for what Dusk was doing, he was writing down a report to Celestia regarding what he knows about the Numbers. He noted his assumption that the Number could either possess a pony’s mind or influence their actions based what he heard from Number 40 prior to its defeat.

Dusk also noted what he learned from the Number 39, the only known Number with noble intentions. While not very talkative, Dusk was able get some answers from it such as there were these like Number 39, but has yet revealed themselves.

“I hope this would suffice…” Dusk knew he wasn’t good at writing reports, but at least it was presentable. “Now to get Spike to send this.”

After rolling up his report into a scroll, Dusk put on a chest strap with about six pouches. He smiled as he remembered Rarity making the strap for him yesterday. It was a way for him to carry his decks at all times while not being burdened by carrying his backpack all the time.

As for his new Duel Disk, Dusk learned from Number 39 he could now materialize it on his left hoof at will; something he also noted in his report.

Regarding for his Duel Monster cards, he placed them in the chest at the end of the bed. However, he would need a customized chest if he wants to properly organize the cards based on type.

Gazing around at his room again, he recalled that Twilight noted that it was cramped. However, it didn’t bother him since it remained him of his room back on Earth.

As long he has a bed to sleep in, any room would actually do for him.

After putting the scroll into one of the empty pouches, he left his room and went doing downstairs.

Dusk saw Twilight was going to the door with Spike on his back. “Morning Twilight.”

“Oh, good morning Dusk.” Twilight was surprised to see Dusk awake. “I thought you would be sleeping in.”

Dusk made light laugh as he remembered what happened since the Summer Sun Celebration was over. As he expected, many ponies rushed him and asked questions about Duel Monsters and the duel with Lyra.

During this time, he learned that only a few Duel Monster cards were sighted at Ponyville compared to Canterlot. The cards ended fell into the hoofs of fillies, but they barely had enough cards for a deck.

They were disappointed when Dusk explained that they lack the minimal number needed to duel him with. However, they cheered up when he also stated he would provide his own cards to them if they are still interested.

In time however, Dusk found himself being overwhelmed by the ever-growing crowd around him. Just when he manage to get to the sanctuary that was the library, Dusk was followed by Applejack, Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy and Pinkie.

They cornered him and quickly bombard him with questions regarding his claims of being human and being from another world.

He had to be honest with his answers, especially those that may be disturbing to the mares. While he explained the state of Earth and the differences between it and Equestria, he also spoke about the characteristics of humans.

When he explained how hands and fingers work, the mares were quick to surmise why Dusk’s front hooves were unique compared to other ponies; being able to “grip” things without difficulty.

Seeing him draw and hold his cards during his duels prove otherwise. While they were interested in how Lyra could do the same thing, Dusk made his own assumption that it my be related to being possessed by a Number.

However, Dusk obviously knew how the mares would react when he told them that humans ate meat. Twilight already knew due to interviewing Dusk back at Canterlot and she assured her friends that the former human’s diet changed due to his transformation.

Breaking from his thoughts, Dusk saw he has yet to answer Twilight.

“What made you think I would be sleeping in today?”

“After what you been through, I thought you would be tired.” Twilight answered.

“While the last few days were indeed tiring…” Dusk approached the unicorn. “But I am fine after a good night’s rest.”

He then turned his attention to Spike. “By the way Spike, can you send this to Celestia?” Dusk opened the pouch containing his report and handing it to the baby dragon.

“What is this?” Spike said as he looked at the scroll.

“Just my report to Celestia regarding what know about the Numbers.” Dusk replied.

“Have any plans for today?” He asked Twilight as Spike blew his green fire on his scroll, teleporting it to Celestia as it burned.

“Me and Spike are going to Sweet Apple Acres to help Applejack harvest apples.” Twilight replied. “Are you interested?”

Dusk had his hoof on his chin for a few moments before he nodded his head. “I haven’t worked in a farm before. Might as well learn something new.”

With that, the two ponies and the baby dragon left the library.

Dusk looked around as the other ponies in the town were doing their everyday activities. He smiled as they were not showering him with attention as they did before.

‘At least they are understanding my feeling.’ He explained to them that he isn’t comfortable being the center of attention except in duels. While he would get the occasional fans time-to-time, but he was usually left alone to do his own activities.

As they were on their way to Sweet Apple Acres, Dusk asked an question that Twilight wasn’t prepared for.

“I was wondering Twilight... Are you interested in having your own deck?”

“What?”

“Well, I’ve already explained the rules of Duel Monsters to you back at Canterlot. The Numbers could appear at anytime, so I wish to provide you a way to handle yourself if you encounter one.”

Twilight had a thoughtful expression before she replied. “I am not sure… If another of these Numbers appear, I would prefer you handle it.”

“I can’t always be there to stop them…” Dusk said truthfully. Despite his skill as a duelist, he was only one pony.

While still unsure, Twilight understood Dusk’s words. “I’ll think about it…”

The stallion nodded just as they reached the farm and were greeted by Applejack. She was more than happy to let Dusk help out in the harvest.

They been working for a few hours now and their baskets were filled with apples as they making their way to the barn.

While Applejack, Twilight and Dusk were busy with their work, Spike however was a different matter.

“No. Nope. Nope…” The baby dragon was still on Twilight’s back and was looking through each apple in her baskets.

Spike however chucked away apples that doesn’t appeal him over his back despite them being free of deformities.

‘Spike sure love giving me more work…’ Dusk thought as he was behind Twilight, picking up the apples that Spike chucked away and put them in his baskets.

“Thank you kindly you two for helping me out. I bet Big McIntosh I could get all these Golden Delicious in the barn by lunchtime.” Applejack said. “If I win, he's gonna walk down Stirrup Street in one of Granny's girdles.”

“No problem at all, Applejack. I'm glad the goal is lunchtime. All this hard work is making me hungry.” Twilight replied.

“I know, right?” Spike continues to scan through the apples, but he chucked one of the apples on Twilight’s head by accident.

“Spike.” Dusk said to the baby dragon. “You were sitting on Twilight’s back when the three of us were doing all the work.”

“That’s the point. You three are taking so long, I missed snack-time.” He replied.

Moments later, both Twilight’s and Dusk’s stomach begun to growl. They ended laughing nervously in embarrassment.

“I guess we should get some food.” Twilight said and Dusk nodded in agreement. Spike however continue to look through the apples until he pulled one that stands out.

“Woah…” Dusk muttered since he never seen an apple so red and ripe. Twilight only licked her lips upon seeing it.

“Oh Spike, that looks delicious.” However, Spike merely shoved the apple into his mouth and ate it completely.

“Spike.” Twilight said in disappointment.

“What?” Spike replied after swallowing the apple, which Dusk merely laughed lightly.

“The little guy must be really hungry.” However, he notice that the baby dragon soon covered his mouth with his claws. “Spike, are you…”

Twilight and Dusk were startled when Spike burped and release his green flames. Soon, a scroll appeared from the flames.

Spike quickly got off Twilight’s back and landed on his feet, grabbing the scroll as it floated down.

“It's a letter from Princess Celestia.” Twilight quickly noted as Spike opened the scroll and begun to read its contents.

“Hear ye, hear ye. Her Grand Royal Highness, Princess Celestia of Equestria, is pleased to announce the Grand Galloping Gala to be held in the magnificent capital city of Canterlot, on the 21st day of, eh, yadda…” Spike skipped part of the letter before reaching the end. “…cordially extends an invitation to Twilight Sparkle plus one guest.”

‘A special event?” Dusk thought as he looked at Applejack and Twilight as they both gasped happily.

“The Grand Galloping Gala!” The two mares said as they jump into the air in excitement.

“Eh…” Dusk turned his sights to Spike, who didn’t share the two’s enthusiasm. He ended up burping his green flames again and this time, two golden tickets appeared.

“Look, two tickets.” Spike grabbed the tickets and showed them to Twilight.

“Wow, great!”

“Eh Twilight. Just what is this Gala?”

“Dusk!, You don’t know what the Gala is?!” Twilight said in shock, but was met with the stallion’s unamused expression.

“Oh yeah…” Twilight realize her mistake, remembering Dusk wasn’t around Equestria. “The Grand Galloping Gala is the biggest annual royal ball in Equestria.”

“You mean dressing up, dancing…” Dusk questioned.

“and a lot of girly stuff.” Spike exclaimed, interrupting him.

“I am guessing you are not interested in the Gala.”

“Yes, and I plan to keep it that way.”

Twilight then tried to talk the baby dragon into joining. “Aw, come on Spike. A dance would be nice.”

“Nice? It's a heap good more than just nice.” Applejack quickly rushed to Twilight’s side and said to her face. “I'd love to go. Land sakes…”

Applejack begun to daydream as she explains her intentions if she could go to the Gala.

“…if I had an apple stand set up, ponies would be chowin' our tasty vittles 'til the cows came home. Do you have any idea how much business I could drum up for Sweet Apple Acres? Why, with all that money, we could do a heap of fixin' up 'round here. We could replace that saggy old roof, and Big McIntosh could replace that saggy old plow, and Granny Smith could replace that saggy old hip.”

‘How does surgery work in this world?’ Dusk thought.

“Why, I'd give my left hind leg to go to that gala.” Applejack said with hopeful eyes.

Upon hearing that, Twilight approached her. “Oh, well in that case, would you like to…”

“Woah!”

She couldn’t finish for seconds later, Rainbow Dash slammed into Twilight and Applejack from above.

“Are we talking about the Grand Galloping Gala?” Dash said in excitement as Applejack was getting back on her hooves while Dusk put down his baskets and now was helping Twilight up.

“Rainbow Dash.” Applejack said unamused. “You told me you were too busy to help me harvest apples. What were you busy doing? Spying?”

Dash merely turns her back at the earth pony. “No, I was busy… napping…”

Confused, Dusk soon looked up and saw a pillow and blanket on a branch above them. “That doesn’t look comfortable…”

“…and I just happened to hear that you have an extra ticket?” Dash said to Twilight as she was flying upside down.

“Yeah, but…” Twilight was once more interrupted by Dash as she cheered.

“Yes! This is so awesome!” The pegasus made a loops in excitement before landing on the ground. “The Wonderbolts perform at the Grand Galloping Gala every year. I can see it now…”

This time, Dash spoke how her time at the Gala would go as her imagination goes wild.

“Everyone would be watching the sky. Their eyes riveted on the Wonderbolts, but then in would fly Rainbow Dash! I would draw their attention with my Super Speed Strut! Then, I would mesmerize 'em with my Fantastic Filly Flash! And for my grand finale, the Buccaneer Blaze! The ponies would go wild! The Wonderbolts would insist that my signature moves be incorporated into their routine, and then welcome me as their newest member.”

After she was done, Dash was already hovering above the ground. “Don't you see, Twilight? This could be my one chance to show 'em my stuff. You gotta take me!”

It was then Applejack pulled Dash away from Twilight by her tail with her teeth. Dusk can’t help but flinch, remembering that ponies also use their mouth to grab and use items.

“Hold on just one pony pickin' minute here. I asked for that ticket first.” Applejack said as she brought face close to Dash’s own.

“So? That doesn't mean you own it.” Dash replied as she did the same thing.

“Oh, yeah? Well I challenge you to a hoof-wrestle. Winner gets the ticket.” Soon, both Applejack and Dash went to a stump and engage in the pony version of an arm-wrestle.

‘Rainbow Dash is stronger than I thought…’ Dusk assumed that Applejack would have the advantage after years working at the farm, but Dash was holding her own.

However, the hoof-wrestle prematurely ended when Twilight separated the two ponies.

“Girls, these are my tickets, I'll decide who gets it, thank you very much.” Twilight yelled out. “Whoever has the best reason to go should get the ticket, don't you think?”

Applejack and Dash soon step forward to give their reasons.

“Drummin' up business for the farm?”

“A chance to audition for the Wonderbolts?”

“Money to fix Granny's hip!”

“Living the dream!”

Dusk could only rub his head in thought. Between helping a friend’s farm to helping another achieve her life-long dream, it is a difficult choice.

Twilight felt the same way. “Oh my, those were all pretty good reasons, aren't they?” Once again her’s and Dusk’s stomach begun to growl.

She chuckled nervously as she turned to Dusk. “Listen to that, we are staving. Twilight then turned back to Applejack to Dash.

“I don't know about you, but I can't make important decisions on an empty stomach…” She said as she slowly back away. “…so I'll, uh, think about it over lunch and get back to you two, okay?”

After Spike climbed on her back, she walked away with Dusk beside her. The stallion turned around and sighed when he caught Applejack and Dash restarting their hoof-wrestle.

Back at the town, Twilight, Spike and Dusk were looking for a good restaurant to eat at.

“So are you interested in the Gala?” Spike asked Dusk, who merely shook his head.

“I don’t think so. Galas tend to be too formal to my taste and dancing isn’t my thing.”

Dusk’s answer peaked Twilight’s interest. “Have you ever been to a gala back on Earth?”

“Not quite, but I have been to formal events similar to a gala and they didn’t interest me much.” He replied. “I don’t think the Grand Galloping Gala would be much fun for me, so I will pass.”

“So Dusk is out.” Spike said before turning to Twilight. “So, who you gonna give the ticket to then?”

“I don't know Spike, but I really can't think straight when I'm hungry.” Twilight said.

“Can’t argue with that.” Dusk agreed with the unicorn as his stomach growled again.

It was then something struck Dusk by the left, which caused him to hit Twilight and Spike as well. The impact was strong enough to knock the three to the ground and a few meters away from their previous position.

“Ugh…” Dusk groaned as he laid on his back and he regained his bearings. He then caught sight of whatever struck and it was Pinkie, down on the ground as well.

“Pinkie…” He sighed as he got back on his hooves after such an impact. At the same time, the tickets landed on Pinkie’s face and was startled when she opened her eyes.

“Gah! Bats! Bats on my face! Help!” Mistaking the tickets for bats, Pinkie screamed as he ran over the area. Incidentally, it helped both Twilight and Spike regain their consciousness.

They too got back on their hooves as they watch Pinkie’s overaction.

“Pinkie! They are not bats!” Dusk yelled as he pointed to the tickets. “They are just tickets!”

“Tickets?” Pinkie calmed down as she looked at them. “Wait, these aren't... tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala?!”

“Uh oh.” Dusk muttered as he looked at Pinkie’s overjoyed expression.

“It's the most amazing incredible tremendous super-fun wonderful terrifically humongous party in all of Equestria! I've always always always wanted to go!”

Pinkie quickly broke into a song as she entered her own imaginative world.

“Oh the Grand Galloping Gala is the best place for me. Oh the Grand Galloping Gala is the best place for me. Hip hip Hooray! It's the best place for me. For Pinkie!”

The party pony continued singing as she begun to describe what the Gala would be in her eyes.

“With decorations like streamers and fairy-lights and pinwheels and piñatas and pin-cushions. With goodies like sugar cubes and sugar canes and sundaes and sun-beams and sarsaparilla. And I get to play my favorite-est of favorite fantabulous games like Pin the Tail on the Pony!”

‘I don’t think that how Galas are Pinkie…’ Dusk thought, but didn’t want to say directly to her face.

“Oh the Grand Galloping Gala is the best place for me. Oh the Grand Galloping Gala is the best place for me. 'Cause it's the most galarrific superly-terrific gala ever in the whole galaxy! Wheee!!”

When she was singing, Pinkie was jumping around Dusk in joy much to his confusion. “Uh Pinkie?”

“Oh thank you, Dusk, it's the most wonderful-est gift ever!” Pinkie said as she stopped jumping and was close to Dusk’s face with a wide smile.

“What?” The stallion was surprised that Pinkie thought the tickets belonged to him. Twilight was surprised as well and tried to explain to the party pony that they were hers.

“Eh Pinkie, those tickets belong to…”

Twilight stopped talking when he heard a gasp and turned to see it was Rarity. She was looking at the tickets in Spike’s claws just after he picking them up.

“Are these what I think they are?” Rarity asked, keeping her attention on the tickets.

“Rarity…” Dusk tried to talk, but was cut off by Pinkie.

“Yes, yes, yes!” Pinkie said in joy, still thinking the tickets were Dusk’s. “Dusk taking me to the Grand Galloping Gala in Canterlot!”

‘Pinkie…’ Dusk resisted the urge to facehoof himself.

“The gala? I design ensembles for the gala every year, but I've never had the opportunity to attend.” Rarity said happily. “Oh, the society, the culture, the glamour! It's where I truly belong, and where I'm destined to meet him.”

“Him!” Pinkie exclaimed before she became confused. “Who?”

“Him…” Rarity stated with a dreamy tone in her voice as she fantasize what would happen if she was at the Gala.

“I would stroll through the gala, and everyone would wonder, "Who is that mysterious mare?" They would never guess that I was just a simple pony from little old Ponyville. Why, I would cause such a sensation that I would be invited for an audience with Princess Celestia herself, and the princess would be so taken with the style and elegance that she would introduce me to him…” She said dreamily. “…her nephew: the most handsome, eligible unicorn stallion in Canterlot. Our eyes would meet, our hearts would melt. Our courtship would be magnificent. He would ask for my hoof in marriage, and of course I would say, "Yes!" We would have a royal wedding, befitting a princess, which is what I would become upon marrying him, the stallion of my dreams.”

‘Something from a fairy tale…’ Dusk felt that Rarity was setting the bar too high in seeking a prince.

It was then Rarity came face-to-face to him in disappointment. “Dusk, I simply cannot believe you would invite Pinkie Pie so she can... party, and prevent me from meeting my true love!”

“Wait…” Dusk tried to explain, but Rarity didn’t bother to listen.

“How could you?! Hmph!” Soon, she turned her back on the stallion. Dusk sighed at the predicament he was now in. Pinkie believed he was taking her to the Gala and Rarity was unhappy with his “decision”.

“Hey!” Dusk heard Spike yell out and turned to see that a small white bunny had the tickets in its mouth. He gazes upon the bunny running towards Fluttershy, climbing onto the pony’s head and showing her the tickets.

‘Hope she’s too shy to go to the Gala…’ Dusk thought as he turned his attention at Pinkie and Rarity, the former still bouncing in excitement and the latter still have her back turned.

“Listen you guys. Those tickets are not mine. They belong to Twilight…”

“What?!” The two ponies said, surprised what they heard.

“…and she is the one deciding who to give the spare ticket to.” Dusk continued on, refusing to be interrupted this time.

Pinkie and Rarity turned their sights at Twilight, who could only laugh nervously in return.

“Um, excuse me…” Everypony turned towards Fluttershy as the bunny stood with the tickets still in its mouth. “Twilight. I would just like to ask, I mean, if it would be all right, if you haven't given it to someone else…”

“What?” Dusk was very surprised that Fluttershy would go to such a public event due to her timid nature.

Rarity was also surprised as well. “You? You want to go to the Gala?”

“Oh, no.” Fluttershy said uncertainly, but the bunny nudged her to speak her true intentions. I mean, yes, or, actually, kind of.”

She begun to speak of what her plans were when she is at the Gala. “You see, it's not so much the Grand Galloping Gala as it is the wondrous private gated garden that surrounds the dance. The flowers are said to be the most beautiful and fragrant in all of Equestria. For the night of the gala, and that night alone, would they all be in bloom... and that's just the flora! Don't get me started on the fauna. There's loons and toucans and bitterns, oh my! Hummingbirds that can really hum, and buzzards that can really buzz. White-blue jays, and red jays, and green jays, pink jays and pink flamingos!”

“Eh…” Dusk could tell that Fluttershy was a big animal lover since they met, but couldn’t find the right words to say.

“Gee, Fluttershy, it sounds... beautiful...?” It was all Twilight could say after hearing the pegasus’s intentions.

“Wait just a minute!” Everypony turned to the roof of one of the buildings and saw Rainbow Dash standing tall with displeased eyes.

“Rainbow Dash! Were you following me?” Twilight questioned her.

“No! I mean, yes! I mean, maybe!” Dusk shook his head seeing Dash trying to save face. “Look, it doesn't matter. I couldn't risk a goody-four-shoes like you giving that ticket away to just anybody!”

“Wait just another minute!” Applejack yelled as she approached. Twilight however was quite unhappy seeing her, thinking she followed as well.

“Applejack, were you following me too?”

“No.” She said as she pointed her hoof at Dash. “I was followin' this one to make sure she didn't try any funny business. Still trying to take my ticket.”

“Your ticket?!” Dash shouted and it acted as the catalyst for the rest of the ponies to join in the argument who the spare ticket should go to.

Seeing Twilight was being overwhelmed being the center of the argument, Dusk tried to intervene.

However, he was stopped along with everypony when Spike, who was beside him, burped his green flames once more.

“What now…” Dusk muttered, but was shocked to see from the flame were two additional Gala tickets and a scroll.

“Another letter from Princess Celestia?” Twilight questioned just as Dusk grabbed the tickets and Spike got his claws on the scroll.

The baby dragon cleared his throat as opened it. “Dear Dusk. My apologies, but I was busy with other matters, so I have just finished reading report on the Numbers. I appreciate the information provided and look forward to additional reports in the future. As a reward for what your have done for me as of now, you and one guest are invited to the Grand Galloping Gala, our annual royal ball.”

Dusk had a shocked expression on his face as he stared as the tickets in his hoof and then to the mares. While Twilight made a nervous laugh at Dusk’s reward, the others looked at him and his tickets in awe.

“Thanks a lot Celestia…” Dusk sighed as he knew that his day was going to be more hectic than before.

Episode 3 [Part 2] - Ticket Trouble

“Uh…” Dusk said as the mares except for Twilight continue to stared at him and the tickets in his hoofs. “Easy now girls…”

Before he could do anything, they rushed Dusk and quickly surrounded him. The stallion soon found himself being the one overwhelmed as each mare tried to convince him to hand over the spare ticket.

“Dusk! Think how much good you could do to my farm if you give me ticket!”

“No, you have to take me! This could be my chance to join the Wonderbolts!”

“You wouldn’t let me miss out on the greatest party ever would you?!”

“What about me?! I want to meet my dear prince!”

“I would appreciate it if you take me…!”

Soon enough, Applejack, Dash, Pinkie, Rarity and Fluttershy begun to argue with each other once.

The stallion sighed in frustration; he knew they all want to go to Gala, but arguing isn’t helping himself and Twilight.

As the mares continue their argument, Dusk was about to yell at them to stop but Twilight apparently beat him to it.

“QUIET!!!”

With that, everypony went silent and looked at Twilight. Except for Pinkie, who kept on talking until she followed suit.

“Girls, there's no use in arguing!”

“But Twilight…” Rarity pleaded, but the unicorn merely brush her off.

“Eh! This is mine and Dusk’s decision, and we’re gonna make it on our own…” Twilight stated. “and we certainly can't think straight with all this noise...”

Her stomach and Dusk’s rumbled again. “…Not to mention hunger.” Twilight then swing her hoof, gesturing her friends to leave. “Now go on, shoo.”

Dusk watched as they walk away from the unicorn, grumbling along the way with their heads down.

“And don't worry, I'll figure this out...” Twilight called to her friends, but she said the last part to herself. “…Somehow…”

“Don’t worry. I’m sure we could think of something.” Dusk said in hopes of easing Twilight. “Any good place to eat at?”

“Well, I heard about this café and it is close by…” With that, Twilight, Dusk and Spike soon made their way to the café for their lunch.

When they arrived at the café, they found themselves an empty table and made themselves comfortable.

Just as he was looking into the menu, Dusk saw Twilight sadly laying her head on the table.

“Still thinking about the tickets?” The stallion said.

“Yes Dusk. What am I gonna do? All five of my best friends have really good reasons to go to the Gala…” Twilight replied as gazes upon the flower vase in the center of the table.

She then begun to pull the pedals of one of the flowers with her magic. “Applejack, or Rainbow Dash? Pinkie Pie or Fluttershy, Rarity... Oh, who should go with me?”

Dusk raised his eyebrow when he watched Twilight lick up the pulled petals and swallowed them.

Moments after that, one of the café’s waiter approached their table.

“Have you made your decision?”

“I CAN'T DECIDE!”

Twilight yelled out, which caught the attention of all the ponies at the café. Dusk ended facehoofed himself upon seeing her outburst.

“Twilight… He’s here to take your order.” Dusk stated as he pointed to the menu.

“Oh…” Twilight was embarrassed upon realizing her mistake. “I would love a daffodil and daisy sandwich.”

The waiter then turned to Dusk. “I would like to have some garlic bread please.”

“Do you have any rubies?” Dusk was slightly amused when it was Spike’s turn to order. The waiter wasn’t amuse thought and Spike had to instead order extra crispy hay fries, tossing the menu behind him in disappointment.

“He sure loves gems.” Dusk said to himself before he notice Twilight gazing at him.

“What do you think, Dusk?”

“About what? Is it about the Gala?”

“Yes.” Twilight replied sadly. How do I choose? And when I do choose, will the other four be mad at me? Maybe we could give up our tickets and give them away…”

“That is not going to work.” Dusk shook his head. “We have four tickets, but five of our friends want to go to the Gala…”

“Resulting in one very disappointed and upset pony…” Twilight slammed her head on the table, seeing that was no easy way out of their mess.

Dusk thought of the possible reactions of their friends if they not chosen to go to the Gala and unable to fulfill their dreams. Applejack and Dash would be very sad, Fluttershy would try to hide her disappointment, Pinkie would be at the verge at tears and Rarity would no doubt cry enough to fill a river or two.

He then patted her back to reassure her. “Don’t worry, I’m sure we can think of something. I hope…” He muttered the last part to himself.

“Ah, your food.” The waiter then arrived with their food. While Dusk and Spike quickly munched on their orders, Twilight thanked him and then levitated the sandwich with her magic.

Just before she could take a bite, she, Dusk and Spike notice the ponies that were outside with them suddenly rushing into the café.

“Em, monsieur? Madam? Are you two going to eat your food in ze rain?” The waiter said to them as he was holding the door for the ponies to come in.

“Rain?” Dusk questioned, but he soon remembered that the fleeing ponies that passed them were soaking wet.

“It's not raining...” Twilight stated as she looked around, but was shocked to see that it was indeed raining outside and yet, they were still under the sunlight.

“What's going on?” She and Dusk looked up to see the cloud-filled skies and saw they were beneath a hole which the sun could shine through.

From the hole above them, a pegasus revealed herself and it was somepony that they clearly know. “Hi there, best friends forever I've ever ever had. Enjoying the sunny weather?”

“Rainbow Dash, what are you doing?” Twilight asked the pegasus in an unamused tone.

“Whaddya mean?” Dash however replied rather innocently. “I just saw two of the greatest, most generous ponies about to get rained on, so I thought I'd kick a hole in the clouds to keep them dry so they could dine in peace, that's all.”

However, Dusk didn’t buy it as he finished eating his garlic bread. “I hope you don’t have a hidden motive in when you’re giving such favors to us.”

“Yeah Rainbow.” Twilight agreed with him. “Like giving you extra consideration for our spare tickets by doing us special favors, are you?

“Me?” Dash quickly brushed it. “No no no, of course not.”

“Uh-huh?”

“Seriously, I'd do it for anypony.”

“Oh really?” Dusk then pointed to the rest of the ponies at café. They were running all over the place to got out of the rain.

“Heh heh, eh.” Dash laughed awkwardly as Dusk and Twilight looked at her with displeasure.

“Rainbow, I am not comfortable accepting unwanted favors and so does Dusk. We would appreciate it if you close up that rain cloud right now.”

Dusk nodded in agreement, but soon realize what the consequence was going to be. “Twilight, that would…”

“Ugh, fine...” He was too late as Dash then closed the opening in the raincloud above him and Twilight akin to a zipper.

“That's better.” Twilight said as she was finally about to eat her sandwich, but the rain poured upon her, Dusk and Spike moments later.

“…get us soaked.” Dusk finished is sentence too late. He watched as Twilight growled as her sandwich was ruined while Spike snickered at what happened.

“Twilight, Dusk, it's raining.”

Dusk turned to see who it was and saw it was Rarity, who had an umbrella on her back.

“No, really?” Twilight said without turning her head, displeased on how her day was turning out at the moment.

“Come with me before you two catch a cold.” Rarity then rushed up to her and Dusk. She then grabbed on to them and dragged them back to her boutique as Spike followed them.

‘Please don’t tell me…’ Dusk had a feeling what her intention was.

When they arrived at Carousel Boutique, Dusk was drying himself off with a towel as Twilight merely shook herself.

While she did get herself completely dry, Rarity end up drenched in the process.

“Heh heh, oops.” Twilight realize what happened and quickly apologize. “Sorry.”

Dusk watched Rarity to see her reaction. He could tell she always takes care of her appearance, and would get upset if she got soaked.

“Oh no, it's quite all right.” Rarity however merely brushed it off as she quickly got to Twilight’s side. “After all, we are... the best of friends, are we not?”

‘I knew it.’ The stallion caught on what Rarity was doing, but could see Twilight has yet to catch on.

“And you know what the best of friends do?” Rarity asked Twilight, who was now trying to find the right answer to say back.

“Makeovers!” Rarity stated as she used her magic to bring over a large dressing divider and placed in front of Dusk and Spike.

While he couldn’t see what was happening back there, Dusk had a feeling that Rarity was putting her skills to full use. He was proven right when the dressing divider was moved away and revealed Twilight wearing a beautiful dress.

“There. Oh, you're simply darling.” Rarity said.

“Uh, yeah.” Twilight replied was inspecting the dress. “It is kinda pretty, isn't it?”

“I’ll say.” Dusk whispered to himself as looked at Twilight in surprise. Spike merely had a disgusted look on his face.

They were both startled when Rarity suddenly appeared in front of them. However, her attention was on Dusk.

“And you. Oh Dusk, I have the perfect outfit for the dashing gent.”

‘Oh oh…’ He thought just as Rarity used her magic to bring over the dressing divider. He couldn’t describe how Rarity was putting together his outfit so quickly, but she was very efficient if forceful.

“Ow ow ow. Rarity, please…” He also found such a method to be a bit painful for him.

When the dressing divider was moved away, Twilight and Spike gazes upon Dusk wearing a tux with a bowtie.

“I don’t what to say.” The stallion said as he examined his outfit.

While he wore clothes all the time when he was human, he found it strange to wear them now as a pony. For formal wear however, Dusk always found them uncomfortable even as a human.

“It’s marvellous is it not?” Rarity said. Twilight giggled at Dusk while Spike made the same disgusted expression as before.

“And you Spike.” Rarity turned to the baby dragon. “I have a dandy outfit just for you as well.”

“D-ah!”

Spike tried to get away, but failed as Rarity brought back the dressing divider. A few moments later, the divider move away and showed Spike wearing fancy-looking suit and a blonde wig.

While Dusk and Twilight giggled at the baby dragon’s appearance, Spike looked horrified at what he was wearing.

“Now you just need a hat.” Rarity quickly put a large hat on Spike’s head, which would make him stand out in a crowd.

“Ugh.” Spike however didn’t like what he was wearing. “I told you, I don't want any part of this girly gala gunk. See you back at the library.”

With that, Spike ran out of the boutique and left behind his clothing without taking them off, much to Dusk’s surprise.

Rarity made a laugh after watching Spike leave.

“Oh, who needs him anyway.”

She then grabbed Dusk and pulled him beside Twilight.

“This is all about the two of you…” Rarity said as she pulled over a mirror in front of them. “…and how fabulous you'll look at the Grand Galloping Gala.”

“Wait, the Grand…”

Twilight questioned just as she was admiring her appearance.

At the same time, Dusk was relieved that the unicorn finally caught on to Rarity’s intentions.

“Rarity. I know…”

They were both however interrupted by Rarity’s gasp. Dusk raised an eyebrow as he watched Rarity ran to one of her mannequins, which wore a dress that was exactly the same as Twilight’s.

“And oh, my goodness, what a coincidence. I happen to have an ensemble of my own that matches yours Twilight.”

Rarity then put a hoof over Twilight’s neck as her imagination goes wild.

“We would be the belles of the ball, you and I. Everyone would be clamoring for our attention. All eyes would be on us, and then everyone would finally know, the most beautiful, most talented, most sophisticated pony in all of Equestria is Rarity the unicorn!”

“Rarity…” Upon hearing Dusk’s voice, she broke from her imagination and turned to the stallion. He was unamused, an expression that was equally shared by Twilight.

“Ah…” Rarity made a nervous laugh as she patted their heads. “Along with Twilight Sparkle and Dusk, of course.”

“Rarity, I know you want the Gala tickets that we have.” Dusk stated as he started to take off the tux she made for him and placed it neatly on a table.

“That wasn’t my intention, I just…” Rarity tried to act innocent as she slowly back away.

“You're just buttering us up so you would get the extra ticket from either of us. Well it's not gonna work.”

Twilight said as she took off the dress and threw it at Rarity, who quickly ducked her head.

“You're going to have to wait for our decision just like everyone else. Now if you'll excuse me, I've been trying all day just to get some lunch.”

“Did somepony say lunch?” Dusk and Twilight were started when Applejack suddenly appeared at the door.

She then pulled the two ponies outside and both were in awe upon seeing a cart full of apple-related treats.

“You've got to be kidding me!” Twilight said as she looked at all the food with wide eyes.

Dusk merely shook his head as he saw Applejack was doing the same thing as Dash and Rarity.

“I got apple pie, apple fritters, apple tarts, apple dumplings, apple crisps, apple crumblers…”

Applejack listed out all the food that were in the cart before presenting the two ponies with a familiar treat.

“…and apple Brown Betty! Uh, the dessert, not my auntie. What do you say there, best friends?”

‘I have to admit, they do all look good.’ Dusk mentally noted, but refuse to give in to Applejack’s ploy.

He was worried about Twilight thought since she hasn’t had anything for lunch. Hearing her stomach growl, it was clear to him that she was tempted into stuffing her face with Applejack’s treats.

“Is that a yes?” Applejack questioned Twilight, whose expression quickly stiffened.

“No. No.” Twilight cried out in annoyance. “I don't know who I'm giving the ticket to, and all these favors aren't making it any easier to decide. In fact, I'm less sure now than I was this morning! Ugh!”

She then ran past Applejack without looking back at the cartload of food despite the growling of her stomach.

“So, that's a maybe?”

“She means no Applejack!” Dusk quickly scolded her.

Applejack was about speak, but he knew of her intentions. “I know what you are going to say and my answer is no! You are not going to get a ticket if you keep bother us with unwanted favours!”

With that, Dusk quickly ran pass her as well and manage to check with Twilight moments later near the library.

“I never knew just having tickets could be so troublesome Twilight.” Dusk sighed to the unicorn.

“I know! Who would have thought being showered with favors would be so… aggravating!” Twilight exasperated as she used her magic to open the door.

Upon opening the door, the two saw Fluttershy singing as she was cleaning the interior of the library with the help of some of her animal friends.

“Fluttershy, not you too?” Twilight gasped out as Dusk hoofslapped himself in annoyance.

“Oh, hello Twilight, hello Dusk.” Fluttershy greeted them. “I hope you don't mind, but we're all doing a little spring cleaning for you two.”

“It's summer.” Twilight stated and Dusk nodded in agreement.

“Oh, well, better late than never, right? It was Angel's idea.” She gestured to a white bunny wearing a chef’s hat mixing up a bowl of salad.

While mildly surprised, Dusk recomposed himself looked at Fluttershy with a displeased look. “Tell me the truth, were you doing all this to get a ticket from either of us?”

“Oh no, I'm doing this because you two are my very best friends. Right, Angel?” The bunny only gave Fluttershy a disapproving look.

“Oh, yes, we are just doing this for the ticket.”

“At least you are being honest now Fluttershy.” Dusk said as Angel went up to Twilight and presented the bowl of salad, which caused her stomach to rumble once again.

However, she was more agitated than pleased.

“No, no, no!” She shouted out, which knocked the bunny and the salad to the ground. “Well, this was all very nice of you and Angel, but I'm not accepting any extra favors until I've made my final decision. So I'm going to have to ask you to leave.”

She then walked to the door and gestured Fluttershy to leave. Moments later, confetti was thrown near her as the sound of blowing party horns echoed outside.

“Surprise!”

“Ah come on…” Dusk sighed in defeat as Pinkie Pie dragged Twilight out the library and then rushed in to pull him out as well.

Before Dusk and Twilight knew it, they were being thrown into the air by a large group of ponies while Pinkie was practically singing out her intentions

“She not being subtle at all.” Dusk muttered as Twilight was calling out to Pinkie, who didn’t hear or wasn’t listen as she continued to sing; stating that they are her best friends and one of them should give her a ticket.

In a few moments, Twilight’s shouted loudly in utter annoyance.

“PINKIE!”

Everypony quickly stopped what they were doing, but Dusk and Twilight were in midair when it happened.

They fell on their backs and luckily, the impact of the drop didn’t hurt much.

“Yes, Twilight?” Pinkie said as she came face-to-face with Twilight and she fluttered her eyes.

“At least the other ponies tried to be subtle about the ticket.” The unicorn said.

Before she could say anything else, a pony from the crowd asked a question. “Wait, what ticket? What gala?”

“Oh no…” Dusk muttered as he and Twilight begun to panic as the crowd begun to close in around them.

“Oh, you didn't know? Twilight and Dusk each has an extra ticket to the Grand Galloping Gala!”

“The Grand Galloping Gala?!” Everypony in the crowd yelled in surprise.

“We need to get out of here.” Dusk whispered into Twilight’s ear, which she quickly agreed while the ponies them were giving favours to both of them.

Surprisingly, Spike appeared from the crowd to lead the two away. However, the ponies were quick to intercept them.

“Would you like any help with your gardening?”

“I have a cartload of extra carrots.”

“I'll paint your cart.”

Before the three knew it, they were surrounded again as the crowd continue bombard them with favours and compliments.

“What are we gonna do?” Spike questioned in worry as he climbed on Twilight’s back.

“Isn’t it obvious?!” Dusk cried out. “We run!”

“Right!” The unicorn hastily replied as they ran away from the crowd, who gave chase as they continued to give to compliments to Dusk and Twilight.

Dusk, Twilight and Spike did everything they could to evade the ponies chasing after them and their tickets. They tried outrunning, hiding and disguises, but the ponies refuse to relent in their chase.

Soon, the two ponies and the baby dragon were cornered with their backs on the wall as the crowd chasing them move ever closer.

“What do we do?” Dusk asked Twilight, but he notice that her horn was glowing brightly. He was then blinded by bright flash as he suddenly felt his head spin and his body becoming light.

As soon he regained his bearing, Dusk saw that he was back in the library with Twilight and Spike. However, he saw the baby dragon wasn’t as lucky as they are.

“Are you okay Spike?” He asked in a concerned tone; the baby dragon had a number of burns across his body.

“Ugh… I think so.” Spike replied as he then turns his attention to Twilight. “Warn me next time you're gonna do that.”

“I didn't even know it was gonna happen!” Twilight hastily said as Spike remarkably was able to shake the burn marks away. “Now quick, lock the doors!”

With that, everypony moved swiftly thoughout the library, determined to close every door in the library and blowing away any source of lighting, hoping to deter any pony from approaching.

Just as the three of them thought themselves safe, the lights inside the library suddenly turned back on. To their utter shock, they saw that Dash, Pinkie, Applejack, Rarity and Fluttershy were already in the library, apparently waiting for them.

“Yaaaargh!” Twilight screamed in complete frustration and at the verge of breaking down.

However, Dusk broke down first as he shouted at the top of his lungs; his patience now spent and his temper flaring up.

“WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU FIVE?! CAN’T YOU SEE THAT ALL WERE DOING NOTHING BUT STRESSING BOTH OF US OUT!” Dusk’s voice filled the entire room as Spike and the mares were completely caught off guard. “DIDN’T YOU ALL EVER CONSIDERED OUR FEELINGS?! EVERYPONY OF YOU ARE…”

“Dusk! Please calm down!” Twilight cried out.

“But Twilight! These…” He turned to see that the unicorn was scared. Turning to the others, Dusk saw that the others shared the same fearful expression.

None of them ever seen Dusk, let alone a pony this angry before.

Upon seeing their expressions, Dusk soon feel guilty for losing his temper. He became guiltier when he realized he was about to swear.

He took multiple deep breaths to calm his nerves as those in the room looked at him in worry.

“Are you alright now?” Twilight asked Dusk.

“Yes. Thank you for stopping me in time. I was about to do something I would regret.”

“Really…?” Fluttershy said in a scared tone, yet to fully recover from Dusk’s outburst.

“I am very sorry for shouting like that…” Dusk apologized to the mares. “But you all have to understand that you were causing us nothing but trouble.”

“He is right.” Twilight followed up. “We know how important the Gala is for you all and don’t want to disappoint any of you. These favours of yours are not helping either of us because all of you are our friends. I am sorry, but that is why we couldn’t decide who to bring.”

The other mares soon became guilty for how much trouble they caused to Dusk and Twilight. Bearing witness to the stallion’s outburst was a clear sign of how much they pushed him.

They approached the two as Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinke and Rarity gave their respective apologies.

“Twilight, Dusk, I didn't mean to put so much pressure on you two, and if it helps, I don't want the ticket anymore. You two can give it to somepony else. I won't feel bad, I promise.”

“Me too. I feel just awful that I made you two feel so awful, especially Dusk.

“And me too. It's no fun upsetting your friends.”

“Twilight, Dusk , it was unfair of me to try to force you two as I did.”

Dusk smiled seeing that the mares finally learned their lesson, but notice that Dash has yet to say anything. He turned to see the pegasus was flying in joy, which the others notice as well.

“Yes! That means the ticket is mine!” Dash sang out. I got the ticket, I got the ticket…”

He was call out to Dash, but the other mares quickly covered his mouth out of fear of he was going have another outburst.

They then looked at the pegasus in disappointment and gestured her to Dusk, reminding her what happen previously.

“Uh you know, I haven't perfected my signature moves for the Wonderbolts anyway. I don't need that ticket either.”

After hearing her friends’ apologies, Twilight then asked Spike to prepare a letter for Princess Celestia as she speaks out what would be in the letter itself.

“Dear Princess Celestia, I've learned that one of the joys of friendship is sharing your blessings, but when there's not enough blessings to go around, having more than your friends can make you feel pretty awful. So, though I appreciate the invitation, I will be returning both tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala.”

“What?!” The ponies except Dusk shouted out in surprise. The stallion smiled at Twilight as he went up to Spike and give him his tickets.
The mares notice his action and realize what his intention was.

“You too Dusk?!” The mares shouted out except for Twilight, who merely smiled at him in the same manner as he did to her.

“While Dusk also appreciate the invitation you given him as a reward, he feels the same way as I do.” Twilight continued speaking. “If our friends can't all go, we don't wanna go either.”

“Twilight, you shouldn’t have to do that.” Applejack said. “Neither should you Dusk.”

“Nope. We have made up my mind. Spike, you can send the letter now.” The baby dragon then rolled up the letter and blew his green flames at it, sending it to the princess.

“Now neither of you won't get to go to the gala then.” Fluttershy stated the obvious.

“It's okay, girls. I couldn't possibly enjoy myself without my best friends there with me, so I would rather not go at all.”

“I would say the same thing as well. Besides, I am into really into formal events.”

Twilight and Dusk said to their friends, who quickly surrounded the two and brought them into a group hug.

Spike however found the scene to be too mushy to his taste and put his finger in his mouth. It was then he quickly held his stomach as his cheeks bulge.

“Spike…” Dusk noticed what the baby dragon was doing and shook his head. He would have done the same when he was younger, but he matured since then.

“Well wallop my withers, Spike. Isn't that just like a boy?” Applejack said as he walk toward the baby dragon. “Can't handle the least bit of sentiment. At least Dusk don’t mind.”

The stallion did a light laugh upon hearing her words, but was startled along with Applejack when Spike suddenly burped out his green flame. From the flames then appeared a scroll.

“That was fast.” Dusk said to Twilight. “I didn’t expect Celestia to answer this quickly.”

“Neither did I.” The unicorn agreed as Spike grabbed the scroll as it slowly descended.

"My faithful student Twilight…” He said out the contents of the letter. “Why didn't you just say so in the first place?”

With the letter were six tickets, which Spike grabbed and presented them to everypony.

“Now we can all go!” Twilight said as everypony cheered in happiness except for Dusk, who instead smile warmly at the scene.

It was then Twilight laughed nervously when her stomach growled loudly, reminding her that she didn’t have anything to eat for most of the day.

“If you want to make up to me and Twilight for what you done today, this is your chance.” Dusk told the other mares, who understood what he meant.

“Allow us to treat you two to dinner.” Rarity offered as everypony made their way to the door, where Spike was handing a ticket to each of them.

“What a great way to apologize.” Dash said.

“And to celebrate. Come on everyone, the cupcakes are on me!” Pinkie happily declared to her friends as the mares all had their own tickets.

As they left the library, Dusk and Spike were the only ones left inside.

“How come we don't get a ticket to the gala?” Spike muttered, but he then notice that Dusk with him, who gave the baby dragon a smirk.

“I thought you didn’t want to go to the Gala?” The stallion said.

“I mean it’s gross and I don’t want to do anythi…” Spike stopped speaking when he ended up burping again and another scroll appeared from the green flames.

“What did Celestia send this time?” Dusk asked as the baby dragon grabbed the scroll and in it was two additional tickets.

"And here are your tickets back Dusk. Please give one to Spike.”

After reading the letter, Spike made a giggle which was shared with Dusk.

‘Maybe going to the Gala may not be so bad…’ Dusk thought.

Now having their tickets, they quickly left the library to catch up with their friends.

Episode 4 [Part 1] - Stubborn Apple

“Here is your deck Twilight.”

“Thank you Dusk.”

It been a few days since the incident regarding the Gala tickets, where their friends pestered them with unwanted favours. At least everything went back to normal and everypony was happy.

During those few days, Twilight decided to take up Dusk’s offer in having her own deck. Despite looking into the rulebook back at Canterlot, the stallion was quick to remind her actual practice will beat studies any day.

As for today, they were currently in the library and Spike watched as Twilight looked into her new deck using her magic and was surprised at some of the cards.

“These Spell cards… These are books!” Twilight said happily. “I never knew you went this far to personalized my deck like this.

“Decks are usually meant customized to match the user’s personality and likes.” Dusk replied to the unicorn. “You after all work hard on your studies and love to read books during your free time.”

It was then Dusk begun to explain the playstyle of Twilight’s deck. “The deck you have is known as the Prophecy series, which revolves around Spellcaster-type monsters and effects of “Spellbook” cards to give you certain advantages. I also added some book-related cards that may prove useful for you.

Much to Dusk’s surprise, Twilight hugged him in joy. “Thank you!”

The stallion laughed a little before he gently pushed the unicorn away. “Easy Twilight. I am just doing what I do best.”

“Do you think I could have one as well?” Spike asked, wishing to have a deck of his own.

Dusk turned his attention to the baby dragon with a smile. “I don’t see why not.”

As Spike begun to cheer on the thought of having his deck, Twilight went towards a chest and opened.

“What are you getting?” Dusk asked.

“Since you surprised me with how you customized my deck, I think its my turn to do the same.”

Twilight then levitated something out of the chest and it greatly surprised Dusk.

“Is that my duel disk…?”

After his duel with Number 40, he asked Twilight to use her magic to put the remains of his old duel disk in a bag as a memento. It was a few days ago when Dusk let the unicorn take a look at the pieces so she could get a glance at one of the many technologies from Earth. The last thing he would expect was the entire duel disk being completely restored.

“How did you…?” Dusk said.

“Magic of course.” Twilight replied as she gave the duel disk to Dusk. “I have a spell that could restore broken objects, but it took several attempts due to how complex the duel disk was. I have to admit, your kind put a lot of work into its construction.”

After putting it on, Dusk saw it was back in working condition as its lighting begun to glow; its holographic systems functional.

“I don’t know what to say, but thank…”

Dusk was then interrupted by a rumble beneath his feet, which was also felt by Dusk and Twilight. Apparently, it was getting stronger as some of the books slip off the shelves and fall on the floor.

“What is happening?” Twilight said in worry.

“I am not sure?” Dusk questioned as he quickly put the restored duel disk back in the chest. “An earthquake?”

Worried of the possibility, the three left the library and soon notice Rainbow Dash hovering above the town as the rest of the ponies look on in worry.

The pegasus then shouted out loud for everypony below to hear.

“STAMPEDE!”

As soon as they heard of the word, the everypony in Ponyville begun entered a state of utmost panic. Some took shelter back in their homes while the rest ran amok on the streets.

“Stampede?!” Dusk cried in surprise just as he noticed a cloud of dust at the outskirts of town. He soon saw it was indeed a stampede as a herd of cows were charging to their direction. “Dash is right!”

As soon he and Twilight were about to run off, they saw Pinkie being surprisingly calm of the situation.

“Hey...! This makes my voice sound silly!” Pinkie laughed as she let the rumbling from the stampede vibrate her voice.

“Pinkie, what are you doing?!” Dusk yelled to the pony.

“You have to run!” Twilight followed up.

Dusk and Twilight were once again about to rush to safety, but they then heard the Mayor call out to the panicked ponies.

“Everypony calm down. There is no need to panic.”

“But Mayor, whatever shall we do?”

Rarity walked up and said dramatically, befitting for a sophisticated pony like her.

“Look there!” Dash shouted to everypony as she pointed to the herd of cows.

Dusk then noticed a pony and a dog running alongside the cows. Much to his surprise, he knew who the pony was due to her cowboy hat.

“Wait… That’s Applejack!”

“YEEHAW!”

Applejack cried out as she worked to divert the cows away from Ponyville. At the same time, the ponies in town were cheering for her.

“This is the best rodeo show I've ever seen!” Pinkie said as she ate some popcorn that were in her hoof. Dusk wondered where she got that, but he nevertheless kept his eye on Applejack as she manages to successfully stop the stampede before they reach town.

Applejack then had chat with the cows and with everything resolved, the herd then made their way back home.

Everypony gazes upon Applejack as she then came over the hill and quickly cheered for her again.

“Yeehaw!” She merely cried out once more as she ran off from view as her dog followed her.

“Yee haw! Ride 'em, cowpony!” Pinkie said in excitement as she jumped away from her friends and bounced around the area.

“Applejack was just... just...”

The Mayor tried to find the right word, but Pinkie beat her to it.

“Appletastic!”

She said upside down above the group, which Dusk found disturbing since she was in the air and had no wings. Luckily, reality kicked in and Pinkie fell to the ground on her back.

“Exactly. We must do something to thank Applejack for single-hoofedly saving the town.” The Mayor stated.

“I know!” Pinkie exclaimed.

Dusk merely giggled for he knows what Pinkie was planning. It was her talent after all.

A week have passed since Applejack stopped the stampede and everypony was doing the finishing touches to the party, but it was more of a ceremony to award Applejack for what she done for Ponyville.

Dusk was walking alongside Twilight with Spike on her back in looking at the decorations while they walk to town hall. They both were involve in preparing the ceremony, where Dusk helped carry the decorations while Twilight was preparing the opening speech.

He had doubts that some of the ponies would have the patience to listen since he saw how long Twilight’s speech was. Dusk didn’t want to upset or disappoint the unicorn though, so he kept it to himself.

Helping with the ceremony however wasn’t the only thing they’ve done this week.

“What do you think of dueling?” Dusk asked Twilight.

“I found it difficult at first, but I have to admit it was fun in the end.” She answered. “You were right that reading the rulebook isn’t enough.”

The stallion smiled at the unicorn. “Despite only having a week’s practice, I can see you can now handle yourself.”

During the week, Dusk allocated time to teach Twilight how to play Duel Monsters. During the first few days, the stallion went easy on Twilight by using decks made from random cards.

While Twilight could use Dusk’s previous duel disk, the two ponies realize the attention they would get if everypony heard the noises from inside the library. So to keep things quiet, they made use of the game mats instead.

In those few days, Twilight understood how to use her cards and now could diverse her tactics by analysing the field and the current cards in her hoof. Seeing her growth, Dusk raised the difficulty in their duels by switching his personal decks and later use Number cards. The unicorn manages to hold her own at this stage, but the stallion was the victor in the end.

“When it comes to new subjects, Twilight is a quick learner.” Spike said.

“Thank you Spike, but I can’t still beat Dusk though when he is serious.”

Twilight sighed, which Dusk lightly laughed in response.

“I’ve been playing Duel Monsters since I was young, so you have a long way to go in defeating me.”

As they continue their way, Dusk then brought up a question.

“When are you going to show your deck to your friends? You had all week to do so.”

“Oh, I wanted to surprise them. I want to set up a time when we all get together and then you and I would duel in front of them.”

Twilight replied, which caught the stallion’s attention.

“Using the game mats?” Dusk questioned.

“Not quite. I wish to use the duel disk.” Twilight said.

“Well, that would indeed be quite a surprise for them. I could only wonder if they would want their own decks after that.”

“We would have to see when that time comes.”

The two ponies soon made it to town hall, which was fully decorated with balloons, ribbons and flags. They then approached Rarity, who was currently tying a ribbon to a tree.

“We all ready?” Twilight asked her fellow unicorn.

“Just one last thing.” Rarity then levitated a yellow banner with apples and attached each side to the top balcony of the town hall. “Now we're ready.”

“Is Applejack ready?” Dusk asked.

“Actually, I haven't seen her all week.” Dash answered as she flew to her friends.

“Not since the stampede.” Pinkie followed up as she approached them.

“But she'll be here for sure. Applejack is never late.” Dash said to everypony in a confident tone. While Dusk knew that she was right, he had this strange feeling that something was off.

In a matter of time, all of the ponies gathered in front of the stage outside of town hall. Twilight then walked onto the stage and approached the podium. Using her magic, she brought out a large stack of notes.

Dusk made a quiet chuckle as he watched the unicorn organize her notes. ‘I hope everypony can handle an half hour speech.’

“Welcome, everypony! Today we are here to honor a pony we can always count on to help in matters great and small. A pony whose contributions to…”

Twilight begun her speech, but Dash quickly interrupted her when she flew towards the podium and knocked down her notes.

“Did you see Applejack's slick moves out there? What an athlete. This week she's gonna help me with my new flying trick, and I know it's gonna be so awesome.”

Dash spoke out in excitement, but Twilight quickly pushed her to the side.

“Exactly. And…”

She tried to continue her speech, but was interrupted by Pinkie who popped up in front of her and forced her to drop her notes again.

‘How did she do that?’

Dusk thought in confusion due to manner how Pinkie appeared on stage. Then again, he always had the feeling that there was more to the pony than meets the eye.

“This week, I get to run Sugarcube Corner for the first time.” Pinkie said.

“What does that have to do with Applejack?” Twilight questioned.

“Oh, Applejack, one of the best bakers ever, is gonna help me. Applejack makes everything great, so free samples for everypony!”
With that, everypony in the crowd cheered except for Dusk, who smiled instead.

“Oh-kay, that's great.” Twilight then pushed Pinkie from the podium and levitated her notes again. “Now if I could just make a point without being inter…”

However, the same thing happened again when Fluttershy came to the podium.

“Twilight?” She politely asked the unicorn.

“…rupted.” Twilight however was getting annoyed of being interrupted before she could finish the first part of her speech.

Nevertheless, she dropped her notes and move to the side so Fluttershy could stand at the podium.

“Twilight, I'm so sorry, but I just wanted to mention that Applejack is also helping me this week with the official bunny census, where we count up all the new baby bunnies that were born this season. She's gonna help gather them using her wonderful herding skills.”

Fluttershy stopped when she looked Twilight’s annoyed expression and slowly got off the stage.

“Anyone else? Anyone?” Twilight questioned the crowd like she was daring somepony to interrupt her again. “No?”

Levitating her notes, she continues her speech once more. “Well then, as I was trying to say...”

Twilight stopped talking however when she saw the Mayor standing beside her with a smile.

“Urgh! Never mind!” Giving in, Twilight threw her notes in the air and got off the stage.

Despite noting to himself that her speech was too long, Dusk can’t help but feel sorry for her when she came to his side with a pout.

“Ah-ahem.” The Mayor cleared her throat before speaking. “And so, with no further ado, it is my privilege to give the prize, Pony of Ponyville Award…”

She pointed to a golden trophy which was as large as a pony. “…to our beloved guest of honor, a pony of the utmost trustworthiness, reliability, and integrity. Ponyville's most capable and dependable friend: Applejack!”

The Mayor then pointed to the curtains which would reveal the pony in question. The crowd cheered when the curtains opened, but stopped when they saw that there was no pony behind it.

“Something isn’t right.” Dusk said to himself. His friends heard him, but they agreed with him as the rest of the ponies were silent.

“I'm here. I'm here.”

He and the others then heard Applejack’s voice as she was making her way through the crowd and onto the stage. They were rather surprised to see her carrying a few baskets filled with apples.

“Miss Mayor.” Applejack then pushed her away. “Thank you kindly for this here... award thingy.”

She yawned out as she took a closer look at the trophy.

“It's so bright and shiny and…” She then laughed at her own reflection on the trophy. “I sure do look funny.”

As she continues look at her reflection, Pinkie thought it was fun and ended up joining her.

“Okay.” Twilight said awkwardly. “Well, thank you Applejack for saving us from that scary stampede, and always being there for everypony.”

“Yeah. I like helping the ponyfolks and…” She yawned again as she begun to doze off. “…and stuff.”

Dusk was concerned as he watched Applejack falling asleep on stage. Approaching the sleeping pony, he lightly tapped his hoof on Applejack forehead to wake her up.

“Oh, uh?”

“Are you okay Applejack?”

“Uh, yeah.” She then shook her head to keep herself awake and begun to pull the trophy with her teeth, which made Dusk flinch.

As everypony watch Applejack leave the scene, Twilight was the first to voice her concern.

“Was it just me, or did Applejack seem a little…”

“Tired?”

“Dizzy?”

Dash and Fluttershy gave their respective answers.

“Messy?” All her friends then gave Rarity weird looks. “Well, did you see her mane?”

“She seemed fine to me.” Pinkie cheerfully said. “Woo! Woo!”

“I don’t about any of you, but I am going to check on Applejack.” Dusk said to everypony and was about to walk away when Twilight joined him.

“I am coming with you.” Dusk nodded to her with a smile as the two made their way to Sweet Apple Acres.

When they arrived, Dusk and Twilight were surprised to see what Applejack was doing. She at first kicked an apple tree, which the apples fell into the baskets below. The pony suddenly dozed off and upon waking up, she tried to kick the same tree again but missed.

“What on Earth is that pony doing?” Twilight questioned as Applejack dozed off again and unexpectedly kicked down a basket of apples.

“I don’t know, but I can tell that she is very tired.” Dusk said as they watch Applejack fall asleep and begun to snore.

“Hey Applejack!” Twilight called to Applejack, but she remains fast asleep. The unicorn kept on trying, but she still didn’t respond.

Dusk sighed as he walked towards Applejack and Twilight followed him. The stallion then tapped the sleeping pony’s forehead like before.

“Oh!”

Applejack woke up as she shook her head. She then saw Dusk and Twilight in front of her.

“Howdy Dusk, Twilight.” She greeted the two.

“What is all this?” The unicorn asked as she pointed to all the apple trees.

“It's Applebuck season.” Applejack answered as walked towards to another apple tree and kicked it.

“Applejack season? So it’s basically just harvesting time.” Dusk stated as he caught on what she was doing all week.

“Right, but the Apple family prefer to call it Applebuck season.” Applejack answered.

“But why are you doing it all alone?” Twilight said in worry, seeing how tired the pony was.

“Because Big McIntosh hurt himself.” Applejack merely replied as she walked away. Twilight however used her magic to teleport in front of her while Dusk merely followed from behind.

“What about all those relatives I've met when I first came to Ponyville? Can't they help?”

“They were just here for the Apple family reunion. They actually live all over Equestria and are busy harvestin' their own orchards. So, uh, I'm on my own.”

Applejack walked passed Twilight and kept on moving, but the unicorn once more teleported in front of her.

“Which means, I should really get back to work.” The pony asked, but Twilight didn’t budge. “Ahem... hint hint? Get back to work?”

“Fine.” The unicorn sighed as she moved to the side. Despite that, Applejack soon was the one that didn’t move as her head begun to sway.

“Could you step aside, Twilight?”

“Uh Applejack? Twilight already move aside.” Dusk reminded her as he walked to Twilight’s side. “Did you ever have a good night sleep this week?”

After looking at the two ponies, Applejack shook her head to keep herself awake. “Eh, don't any of you six worry none, I'm just fine and dandy.”

Dusk and Twilight looked at each in worry, seeing that Applejack wasn’t fine and dandy at all.

Just as Applejack missed her kick on an apple tree and almost fell, Twilight teleported herself and Dusk in front of her.

“Do you want some help?” Twilight asked her tired friend.

“Help? No way, no how.” Applejack however refused the offer.

“But there is no way you could do all this yourself. You are already tired as it is.”

Dusk tried to reason with her, but Applejack refuses to relent on her job.

“Is that a challenge?”

“No. I am just…”

“Well, I'm gonna prove to you that I can do it! Now if you two will excuse me, I've got apples to buck.”

With that, Dusk and Twilight were making their way out of Sweet Apple Acres.

“She is sure stubborn.” Dusk noted on Applejack’s behavior.

“I know. I hope she would see reason in time.” Twilight agreed with the stallion.

“I’m not sure Twilight. Sleep deprivation does more than just cause fatigue, it also impairs judgement and reasoning thinking.”

“And where is you learned such a thing?”

Twilight was rather surprised what Dusk said, seeing that was something that a doctor would say.

“When I get bored back on Earth, I tend to look up stuff on the Internet.”

“What is this Internet? Is like a library Dusk?”

Dusk sighed as he just remembered that he didn’t tell Twilight what the Internet was.

“I’m guessing you want another lesson about Earth don’t you Twilight?”

Seeing her excited expression, Dusk took as a yes and the two made their way back to the library.

“You are kidding me!”

“I am not kidding. That is what the Internet can do.”

Back at the library, Dusk and Twilight were sitting at the balcony when the former was explaining about the Internet on Earth. While it was difficult for him to explain the mechanics of Internet, it was worth it after seeing Twilight’s expression.

The stallion was in awe upon learning that the Internet allowed the humans to not only communicate with each other across Earth, but also allowed to get almost any sort of information.

It was like the ultimate library to her eyes; its shelves stretched without end and its books were impossible to count.

“I can’t believe you humans have such a repository of knowledge! Imagine what I could learn from this Internet!”

Twilight said in excitement, which Dusk merely made a light laugh.

“The Internet was originally made so researchers around Earth could share their findings, but it evolved to which information of all kinds is stored for future reference.”

“What else you can tell me about your people? Like how do they travel?”

“Well…” Dusk stretched his limbs as he begun to explain. “We humans make use of cars and airplanes.”

“What are these cars and airplanes?” Twilight questioned.

Dusk had a thoughtful look on his face, trying to think of a way Twilight could understand easily.

“Think of them like the carts and sky chariots used in Equestria, but they can move on their own yet require guidance to be used properly.”

“Move on their own? Incredible…” Twilight knew that Earth was very different from Equestria, but never expected Dusk’s world to be so advanced. “To think humans could do all this without magic.”

“Humans are known for their ingenuity, creativity and resourcefulness. Whenever we face a problem, we work hard to find a solution to which it would considered groundbreaking.”

Just as Dusk was about continue on about the accomplishments that his kind done, he and Twilight heard a nearby yell. In a few moments, something crashed into the balcony’s railings.

They turn to see it was Rainbow Dash, who was disoriented from the impact.

“Can we help you?” Twilight asked in worry as Dusk rushed towards Dash and carefully got her off the railing and onto the floor.

“I think somepony else needs your help.” Dash said in strained tone, which Twilight caught on who she meant.

“Applejack?”

“Yep.” A moment later, the pegasus fainted.

“Twilight, I will tend to Rainbow. You try to get through to Applejack before she causes anymore trouble.” Dusk said to Twilight, which she quickly agreed.

As the unicorn left the library and made her way to Sweet Apple Acres again, the stallion went inside to grab a pillow and blanket for Dash seeing she would need some time to recover from her experience.

Episode 4 [Part 2] - Stubborn Apple

Dusk stayed with Rainbow Dash until she woken up after chasing into the library’s balcony. When the stallion asked what happened back then, the pegasus explained she set up a catapult which Applejack would drop down on the other end and launch her into the air. Dash hoped that the extra boost in speed would allow her to do a number of awesome tricks.

However, Applejack apparently missed the other end of the catapult a number of times and hit the ground instead. She tried to launch Dash by pushing down the other end with her hooves, which the pegasus didn’t find amusing.

Just as Applejack let go of the other end though, Dash hit her head on the catapult and became disorientated. It has to come at a worse time as Applejack finally hit the other end and unprepared, Dash couldn’t use her wings when she was launched into the air.

After hearing her explanation and seeing that she has mostly recovered from the experience, Dusk led Dash out of the library but not without receiving a thank you from the pegasus.

‘I hope Twilight was about to get Applejack to see reason.’

Dusk thought as he watched Dash walk away. He stayed in the library until Twilight came back and passed the time by reading some books.

It was then the library’s door opened.

“Dusk, you are still here?”

Dusk move his head and saw it was Twilight.

“Twilight, how did it go?” He asked the unicorn, but she shook her head in disappointment.

“Applejack is still refusing help. She knows she’s tired, but she refuses to stop working.”

“I see.” Dusk frowned upon hearing the news. “Any signs she is getting worse?”

“Well, she misheard me several times and bumped her head on a branch.” Twilight stated. “She just left to help Pinkie Pie at Sugarcube Corner.”

“Uh…” Dusk murmured upon remember that Pinkie was going to get Applejack to help her in Sugarcube Corner this week.

“What’s wrong Dusk?” Twilight asked the stallion.

“I don’t think Applejack should do any baking in the state she is in.” Dusk said in worry.

“Don’t worry.” Twilight shared his concern. “But I’m sure that Pinkie could keep an eye on her.”

“I hope so…” Dusk imagined the mishaps that an Applejack could do while baking. The worse case scenario he thought of was the tired pony causing a fire by accident.

While, there is no doubt the Pinkie and Applejack could escape if it happens, but the entire building will likely be gutted by the fire. He couldn’t imagine the owners’ reaction upon learning that their business has literally go up in smoke.

After putting the books back in the right spots, Dusk returned back to his room and begun to look through the Duel Monsters cards in storage.

Knowing that Twilight wanted to surprise her friends by dueling him with her new deck, Dusk was think what would the mares’ reaction be.

While unsure if they have any interest in Duel Monsters, the stallion decided to make plans if they do indeed want a deck of their own.

Dusk then took a pen from his backpack and grabbed a piece of paper. He has a few in his disposal, but has no way to restock if he used in the ink up.

‘I think I’ll need to ask Twilight to teach me how to use a quill in the future.’

Dusk thought as he begun to think of the possible decks that the rest of his friends could make use of base on their personalities.

“Let’s see…” Dusk muttered as he begun to write down his thoughts.

Spike would obviously enjoy using a Dragon-Type deck, a Wyrm-Type deck or even hybrid deck of both. Dusk felt that since the baby dragon was still growing, he could also add in Dragon-Type LV cards to represent possible growth along with their effects.

Applejack was definitely devoted to farm work, so Dusk had a feeling she could make use of an EARTH deck with defensive effects. However, he isn’t sure if he should make the deck consist of Beast-Type monsters or Plant-Type monsters.

Rainbow Dash is energetic and loves to go fast, so a WIND deck with aggressive effects might suit her. One archetype that came into mind were the Mecha Phantom Beast, but he could also give the Blackwing deck that he obtained from defeating the possessed Lyra.

Rarity was a lover of fashion and from his previous visits to Carousel Boutique, Dusk saw she also add gems to her line of clothing. While he wasn’t sure which deck would appeal to her, but the best he got was the Gem-Knight archetype and its versatility.

Fluttershy would be a difficult case since she rather timid and would get nervous if she had scary-looking Monster cards. After some thought, Dusk believed that the Naturia archetype would suit her due to their cute appearance and useful effects.

Pinkie Pie could make use of the Performapal archetype since it relates to her love for parties despite Pendulum Summons being recently new back on Earth. Dusk knew about her love for sweets as well, so the Madolche archtype also came into mind; both are equally effective.

“Very optimistic of you Dusk.” The stallion said to himself as he looked at his notes. “Too optimistic…”

Dusk knew in the end, creating such decks for his friends was close to nothing. He doesn’t have such cards in his disposal; the only cards he has were those given by Shining Armor back at Canterlot and the decks he gained from defeating Numbers. Unless the same event that first brought Duel Monsters cards to Equestria occurs again, the stallion was essentially out of luck.

He was broken from his thoughts when he knocking on his door, which he knew who it was.

Upon opening the door, he saw that Twilight had a worried expression.

“What is wrong?” Dusk asked.

“I heard from a pony that several ponies have gotten sick at Sugarcube Corner.” Twilight stated. “Do you mind if you come with me?.”

“Lead the way.” The stallion nodded his head in agreement and the two ponies left the library with Spike in tow.

They rushed to Sugarcube Corner and saw that near the building was something like a medical tent. As they got closer, they could hear pained moans and groans coming from behind the cloth walls.

Upon reaching the entrance, the curtains opened up and revealed a pony with a white coat and a pink mane. Her cutie mark was a medical cross with hearts, which was also the symbol on the front of her nurse’s hat.

"We came as soon as we heard." Twilight said to the nurse.

“Thank you, you two. We need all the help we can get.” She then gestured to the ponies in the tent, their faces were green from sickness. Some were on groaning on their beds while the others were squirming on the ground with their hooves over their bellies. A few of them were even threw up into buckets before their eyes.

"Oh no! What happened?"

Twilight worriedly asked as Dusk watched Spike pick up a bitten muffin from the ground.

Dusk flinched when he saw a worm pop out from it and got the feeling it didn’t merely burrow into the muffin when it was on the ground.

"It was a mishap with some of the baked goods.”

The nurse explained, which Dusk quickly surmised that the ponies ended up getting food poisoning. He heard a familiar groan and turned to see it was Pinkie Pie lying on a bed, who was as just sick as rest of the ponies in the tent.

"No, not baked goods, baked bads...” She moaned out before she was forced to hurl into a bucket beside her bed.

“I fear Applejack may have gotten the instructions mixed up.” Dusk said to Twilight. “We need to stop her.”

“Yes.” The unicorn sternly replied. “She is going too far.”

“Hmm.” The two ponies turned to Spike, who was shocking eating the muffins which the ponies have gotten sick from.

“Want one?” He presented one of the half-eaten muffins to them, which the two ponies politely decline by saying they were not hungry.

‘What is with that dragon’s stomach?’ Dusk thought as he watched Spike continue munching on the muffins.

Nevertheless, he and Twilight made their way to Sweet Apple Acres again, hoping that Applejack would see reason this time.

Upon entering the farm, they found Applejack back up a cart of filled with apples into a wooden tub, which in something like a grassy ditch.

However, she was so tired that she failed to react in time when the cart leaned on its back and right on to the top of the tub.

Applejack apparently didn’t care as she merely dozed off while hanging in the air upside due to the cart’s harness.

As she snored away, Dusk and Twilight approached her.

“Applejack, we need to talk.” Twilight said as Dusk tapped the sleeping pony’s forehead, waking her up.

“Wha, huh? Oh, it's you Twilight, Dusk.” She yawned out. “I know what you two are gonna say, but the answer is still no.”

“Not to upset your applecart, but you need help.” The unicorn stated to Applejack, who remained stubborn.

“Hardy har.” She groans out as she flails her hooves around, trying to get her cart back on the ground. “And no, I don't.”

“Applejack…” Dusk said as he watched the pony struggle to get down. “When you helping Pinkie Pie, what do you put into those muffins.”

“Well…” Applejack begun to recall her time at Sugarcube Corner. “Pinkie told me to put in tater chips, soda, a cup of sour which I used lemons and wheat worms, a fancy way of saying earthworms.”

Dusk and Twilight flinched upon hearing what Applejack put into the muffins.

“I may not be a baker Applejack, but I think she meant chocolate chips, baking soda, a cup of flour and wheat germs.”

The stallion explained to the tired pony. “Which shows that you are too tired to do anything properly. Please take a nap while me and Twilight handle everything from here.”

“He is right. We were just at Sugarcube Corner and…” Twilight followed up, but Applejack still refuse to give in.

“Help? No thanks Dusk. And I don’t need a lecture from you Twilight.” After some effort, Applejack was able to get her cart back on the ground.

Taking off her harness, she then approached a tree. “I'll prove that this apple can handle these apples.”

Despite kicking the tree several times, no apples fell and Applejack begun to feel frustrated. “Come on apples… Fall off!”

However, Dusk and Twilight knew the truth why no apples were falling from that particular tree.

“Uh Applejack…”

“You are beating a dead tree.”

They both said respectively as Applejack looked up the tree and saw it was indeed the case.

“I knew that.” Applejack said as begun to walk away.

“Applejack, this can’t go on any longer. Let us help.” Dusk said.

“I told you already that I don’t need help.”

“But if you let us help…” Twilight pleaded.

“Ugh. No, no, NO!” Applejack raised her voice. “How many times do I gotta say it? I don't need no help from nopony!”

Dusk sighed in disappointment as Applejack march away from him and Twilight.

“Ugh. That pony is stubborn as a mule.” Twilight groaned out.

A moment later, a mule neighed behind them. The two ponies turned to see it was an actual mule, which Dusk found awkward since he feared the unicorn may have accidentally insulted him.

“No offense.” Twilight apologized.

“None taken.” The mule replied.

“I’m worried about Applejack. She is going to really hurt herself or another pony sooner or later.”

Dusk shared his worries with Twilight; the two ponies were back in the library after failing to convince the stubborn pony to accept help back at Sweet Apple Acres.

“I know, but I am sure we can get through to her. We just need to think of a plan.”

The unicorn said, but as she tried to think of something, nothing came into her head.

“Got anything?”

She asked the stallion, who shook his head in response.

“I’m afraid not.”

After couple of minutes, they both sighed as the only option they could think of was to use force to convince Applejack, which could end badly.

“Maybe a walk will jog our heads?” Dusk suggested.

“That sounds like a good idea.” Twilight agreed.

Leaving the library, the two ponies then walked through for some time; Twilight hummed to herself while Dusk merely kept quiet.

However, they were startled when they saw a trio of ponies down on the ground.

The first pony had a pale-yellow coat and raspberry-coloured mane, the second pony had a pinkish coat and her mane was light amber and the third pony had a magenta coat and a lime mane.

Their cutie marks were a rose, three lily flowers and two daisies respectively, but they all share the same horrified expression.

“The horror, the horror!”

“It was awful!”

“A disaster! A horrible, horrible disaster!”

The three respectively cried out as Dusk and Twilight scanned the town. There are no signs of damage to buildings, road and even windows.

From what they could tell, nothing horrible happened in Ponyville. The two looked at each other in confusion before turning back to the three ponies.

“We don’t get it.”

Twilight stated, which the pinkish pony ran off to a ruined garden, the pale-yellow pony bolted to a trio of pots with pedal-less flowers while the magenta pony remained still on the ground.

"Our gardens, destroyed!"

"Every last flower, devoured!"

“By... by... THEM!”

Turning to where the third pony was pointing, Dusk and Twilight were surprised to see a large group of baby bunnies, who were eating any vegetation in sight.

“Was Applejack supposed to help Fluttershy with that census…” Dusk muttered before he realized what they were seeing was the consequences of Applejack’s stubbornness and tired state.

He caught sight of Fluttershy, who was trying to get the bunnies to go back home, but without success.

“Oh my. Oh, please stop little bunnies. Oh no! Please, let's go home. Oh my goodness!”

“All right. Enough is enough.” Twilight said with an agitated expression.

“Right with you.” Dusk agreed with the unicorn. They are going to stop Applejack one way or another.

When they returned back to Sweet Apple Arces, they searched for the stubborn pony until they found her tiredly kicking a tree, which had little impact in knocking down the apples.

“Must… keep… buckin'... just… a few… more.” Applejack mumbled in her exhausted state. “Must… finish harvestin'…”

Twilight and Dusk then approached her with serious expressions.

“All right, Applejack. Your applebucking hasn't just caused you problems, it's over-propelled Pegasus', practically poisoned plenty of ponies, and terrorized bushels of brand new bouncing baby bunnies. I don't care what you say. You. Need. Help!”

“And you are going to deal with it! We are going to help you no matter what you say!”

Applejack merely deliver another kick to the tree, which finally knock down the apples and into her baskets.

“Ha! No, I don't!” She said triumphantly as she gestured to her left. “Look, I did it. I harvested the entire Sweet Apple Acres without help from either you two.”

Dusk would be amazed seeing so many trees all harvested of their apple, but he had a feeling something was off.

“How d'ya like them apples?”

Applejack declared to the two ponies. Yet it was then Big McIntosh appeared and walked to her side.

“Um, how do you like them apples?”

Gesturing to his right, he showed Applejack the rest of the acres and the trees that have yet to be harvested.

Upon seeing, Dusk saw his feeling was indeed right. “Sorry Applejack, but it appears you only halfway through the harvest.”

He didn’t get a reply though as the pony was already in utter disbelief.

“Where'd all the apple...?” Applejack managed to mumble out before her words became gibberish.

Worried, Dusk approached the pony just before she made a gasp and then fainted. Luckily, he was able to grab hold of her before the fell to the ground.

“That was close.” Dusk sighed as he gently laid the fainted Applejack on the ground. Big McIntosh soon left the scene, but not before thanking the stallion for his quick reaction.

Dusk and Twilight stayed by Applejack’s side, letting her rest for a few minutes before waking her up.

“Applejack. Applejack.” Twilight called out to her as Dusk gently shook her.

“Huh?” She moaned as she looked up and saw the two.

“Oh, good, you're okay.” Twilight said in relief before her expression became serious. “Now Applejack, I completely respect the Apple family ways. You're always there to help anypony in need, so maybe you can put a little of your stubborn pride aside and allow your friends to help you.”

Dusk kept quiet, but was prepared to lecture Applejack in case she once again refuses to accept the notion she needed help.

Luckily for him, that wasn’t the case as she finally caved in.

“Okay, Twilight.” Applejack sighed.

“You are being serious now, are you?” Dusk questioned.

“Yes, I am being serious. Yes. Please Dusk, Twilight, I could really use both of your help.”

Upon hearing Applejack’s plea, Dusk and Twilight both made a friendly chuckle before sighing in relief after all they had been through today.

Later on, Dusk and Twilight gathered their friends from town; Dash, Rarity, Pinkie and Fluttershy. Together, they were able to help Applejack with the harvest. With their talents and teamwork, they were able to harvest the other half of Sweet Apple Acres in record time.

“How about y'all take a little break?” Applejack called her friends to a table near the barn. “I got some fine apple juice waitin' for ya.”

Everypony gathered at the table and then drank their apple juice, which was refreshing after doing much work in the farm.

“Guys, I can't thank you enough for this help. I was acting a bit stubborn.” Applejack said.

“A bit?” Twilight quickly noted.

“That is an understatement if I heard one.” Dusk followed up.

“Okay. A mite stubborn, and I'm awful sorry. Now, I know the town gave me the Prized Pony award, but the real award is having you six as my friends.”

As everypony smiled at Applejack, Twilight decided it was the best opportunity to show her friends what Dusk prepared for her.

“Why don’t you all come to the library later. I have something I wanted to all of you something that Dusk gave me.”

“Oh, what is it?” Pinkie said happily.

“It is a surprise.” Dusk stated, which only made the party pony more excited.

“Maybe after we all have something to eat.” Dash said. “That applebucking sure made me hungry after all.”

“And I've got the perfect treat.” Spike walked with a plate of half-eaten muffins.

“Eeew... Spike, I threw those all away. Where'd you get them?” Pinkie said with a disgusted look.

“From the trash.” The baby dragon plainly said, which disgusted the rest of the ponies.

“Spike…” Dusk said, realizing those are the same muffins that made many ponies sick. “We don’t eat anything in the trash.”

“I think I may have lost my appetite…” Dash muttered out. “Let see what Twilight wants to show us.”

Everypony agreed and begun to make their way to the library. Spike tried to convince them taste the muffins, but they were disgusted at the notion.

“What the… I thought Dusk smashed it to save us from that Number after dealing with Nightmare Moon?”

At the library, Twilight showed friends Dusk’s old duel disk, which Dash quickly noted and assumed it was beyond repair.

“It was, but I manage to restore using a spell. It took a number of tries through. You be amazed how complex a duel disk could be.” Twilight said.

“That is nice and all, but this is not what I expected.” Applejack however was expected something would leave them in awe.

“Oh, this is not the surprise.” Twilight then levitated her deck from the table and showed them it. “This is the surprise.”

“Wait...” Dash got a clue what the unicorn meant and turned her attention to Dusk. “Were you teaching her how to play your card game, Duel Monsters?”

“It is not just that Rainbow.” The stallion then gestured to the deck in the duel disk. “What Twilight is showing all of you now a deck I personally made for her.”

“I would like to show you the cards, but I decided that I would show them to you by dueling Dusk.” Twilight stated as the rest of the mares gasped in shock what they heard.

“Now that is something I wasn’t expecting Twilight.”

Dusk chuckled upon seeing their expressions. “We will be taking the duel outside with you all as the audience. Then again, we will be attracting a big crowd if we duel Twilight.”

“I’m sure everything will be fine.” She said as she begun to re-examine her deck and see if every card is in order.

“So, you made a deck for Twilight?” Rarity asked Dusk. “Why would you do that?”

“Well, Twilight already know the rules how to play Duel Monsters back at Canterlot, so I thought she should have the means to defend herself in a Number appears before her.”

“Ooo, what about us?” Pinkie said as she bounced in excitement. “Will you make a deck for each of us?”

The stallion scratched the back of his head as he tried to find the right words to say.

“Well, the thing is… Decks I create are usually customized it to match the user’s personality and likes. The problem is that I have a limited number of cards and they are pretty much mismatched.”

“How did you make Twilight’s deck then?” Fluttershy asked.

“Remarkably, I found a full archetype set when I was organizing my cards, which match Twilight’s personality as well.”

Dusk replied as she notices the anticipation in the mare’s eyes, showing they were interested in having a deck of their own.

Twilight notice this as well and smiled. “If you are interested learning about Duel Monsters, I sure Dusk would have no problem giving you lesson.”

Dusk nodded in agreement. “Feel free to also give suggestions what you would want your decks to be like. I may be limited with what cards I have, but I’ll do what I can to make your decks. But that would have to be later though.”

Dusk then raised his left hoof in front of his face as he narrowed his eyes.

“Duel Disk on.”

He muttered as he pictured the duel disk he gained from Number 39 in his head. Soon, it appeared on his left hoof.

“How did you…” Applejack was surprised along with the others except for Twilight.

“Apparently, Dusk can now summon his duel disk at will. He believed it was due to Number 39’s bonding with him.”

Twilight said, recalling the events where the stallion dueled Number 40 over a week ago.

“Enough about that though.” Dusk stated as he made his way to the door and the other ponies followed. “Its time for our duel.”

Episode 4 [Extra] - Twilight's Spellbooks

Outside the library, Dusk and Twilight took their positions as the latter placed the duel disk on her left hoof. Since Dusk already explained its functions back at Canterlot, she has a good understanding how everything worked.

Applejack, Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy and Pinkie were standing near the entrance as they anticipate was about to come.

“Ah finally!”

They soon joined with Spike and were relieved when they saw he isn’t holding onto the muffins anymore. The baby dragon was rather excited of seeing the images created by the duel disks up close.

While Spike watched Twilight and Dusk duel, it was using game mats and the only time he seen the holograms was when the stallion dueled Grey Wing. He was however high up in the tower throughout the duel occurred, so he never got to see the holograms close up.

While he heard about Dusk dueling Number 22 and Number 40 during the day they arrived at Ponyville, he never had a chance to see either of them.

“So Spike, just how good is she in playing Duel Monsters?” Dash ask the baby dragon.

“Oh, Twilight could hold her against Dusk, but she never won against him when he gets serious. The only times she won is when Dusk is going easy on her and using a deck of random cards.”

“Well, Dusk know every bit about the game after all.” Applejack said as she and others turned Dusk and Twilight, who were activating their duel disks. “Looks like it is about to start.”

“Hope you are ready Twilight. Don’t expect me to go easy because you are my friend.”

“Not to worry. I am confident that I will best you this time Dusk.”

With their duel disks to emit their usual glow, the computerized voice soon made its announcement.

“Solid Reality Vision Link established.”

Moments later, the holographic screens displaying their respective pictures and Life Points appeared above their heads.

“DUEL!” Dusk and Twilight called out as the former drew his cards while the latter used her magic to drew her own, which acted as her “hoof” as she levitated the cards in front of her.

[Dusk’s Life Points: 8000]
[Twilight Sparkle’s Life Points: 8000]

[Turn 1: Dusk]
[Dusk’s Cards in Hoof: 5]
[Twilight’s Cards in Hoof: 5]

“I will take the first turn. I draw!”

Upon drawing his card, Dusk examined his hoof and made his move.

“I summon Legendary Six Samurai – Kageki in Attack mode.”

The four-armed samurai appeared on Dusk’s field with its weapons ready. Twilight recognize the monster since she watched Dusk duel for the first time.

[Legendary Six Samurai – Kageki] [ATK: 200] [DEF: 2000] [Level: 3]

“If Legendary Six Samurai – Kageki is Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower "Six Samurai" monster from my hoof.”
Dusk stated its effect as he then played another card.

“Through Kageki’s effect, I Special Summon Legendary Six Samurai – Enishi in Attack mode.”

To the left of Kageki appeared a fellow samurai in a aggressive stance, wearing green armor and wielding a nodachi.

[Legendary Six Samurai – Enishi] [ATK: 1700] [DEF: 700] [Level: 4]

“Not only that, Kageki gains 1500 ATK if I control another face-up "Six Samurai" monster with a different name.”

Kageki was covered in an electric aura as its ATK rose up.

[Legendary Six Samurai – Kageki] [ATK: 200 (+)> 1700]

“I set two cards face-down and end my turn.” Dusk set two cards into his duel disk and gestured to Twilight to start.”

“He is using that Samurai deck.” Applejack noted, which she and the others remembered the time when Dusk duelled against Lyra possessed by Number 22.

Spike merely look on in awe as he finally saw the holograms of the monsters in full detail.

“It is truly life-like isn’t it.”

“I’ll say Spike, but I am really want see what Twilight has in store.” Pinkie said as she gazes upon the unicorn.

[Turn 2: Twilight Sparkle]
[Dusk’s Cards in Hoof: 2]
[Twilight Sparkle’s Cards in Hoof: 5]

“Alright, I draw.” Twilight drew a card using her magic, which levitated alongside with the rest of her cards.”

“Hope you are ready Dusk because I play the Field Spell, The Grand Spellbook Tower.”

Placing the card into the slot that opened to the right of the duel disk, the entirety of Ponyville was changed as the houses became large modern structures. The most astonishing thing was that behind Twilight was a vast unique-looking tower that stretches to the sky and had strange objects circling around the spire.

“What the…?!” Dash yelled out as she saw Ponyville disappear before her eyes and the feeling was shared with her friends. While they seen what a Field Spell could do, they never expected it to change the very environment itself.

“Don’t worry, it is all just an illusion.” Spike reassured the mares.

“You know about this Spike.” Fluttershy asked the baby dragon.

“Of course, I was there when Dusk dueled Grey Wing in Canterlot.” The mares soon remembered what Twilight told them during the Summer Sun Celebration over a week ago.

“He played his own Field Spell and changed all of Canterlot into what I saw as a rundown forest. It was only when the Field Spell left the field when everything returned back to normal.”

Spike explained as he and others soon notice a crowd slowly building up to the left of Dusk and Twilight.

“With a Field Spell like that, we are definitely going to get everypony’s attention.”

Dusk then turned to the crowd as they murmuring what was going on. “Don’t panic everypony. What is happening now is just an illusion and all your homes are intact.”

“Wait, are you…” One of the ponies notice what he and Twilight were doing.

“Yes, they are dueling!” Pinkie stated to the crowed. “Just a friendly game of Duel Monsters!”

“You are all free to watch if you want.” Twilight said as she then played a card.

“Now then Dusk, I summon Amores of Prophecy in Defense mode.”

On her field then appeared a green-haired man with a ponytail and he wore an ornate outfit with a blindfold. In his left hand was a bow which red symbols of different types circle around it.

The monster then kneeled down and used his bow as a makeshift shield.

[Amores of Prophecy] [ATK: 600] [DEF: 2000] [Level: 3]

All the ponies showed some amazement upon seeing Twilight’s monster. Rarity however had ideas popping up in her head after seeing Amores’s outfit.

“What a remarkable design…”

“I activate Amores’s special effect.” Twilight called out. “Once per turn, I can reveal a "Spellbook" Spell Card in hoof to Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower Spellcaster-Type monster.”

“Spellbooks?” Dash said as she remembered the name of Twilight’s Field Spell. “Dusk, I know Twilight is a bookworm, but didn’t expect you to go so far to personalize Twilight’s deck.”

The crowd were surprised to hear that Dusk actually made a deck for Twilight, which the stallion merely smiled.

“It is how I am.” He said before he turned back to Twilight. “So, what “Spellbook” are you going to show me.”

Twilight then raised one of her cards and flipped it over, which Dusk saw it was Spellbook Organization.

“Now I can Special Summon Hermit of Prophecy in Attack mode.” Twilight then played another card.

Soon, an old bearded magician wielding an elegant staff appeared on her field as blue symbols encircled around him. His outfit was a purple robe and pointed hat which as ornate as Amores.

[Hermit of Prophecy] [ATK: 1200] [DEF: 700] [Level: 3]

The ponies in the crowd look in awe at the ongoing duel. While worried that Dusk was dealing with another possessed pony like what happen to Lyra over a week ago, they were relieved to hear it was just a friendly match.

There were those in the crowd who were more interested what kind of cards Dusk give to Twilight.

“Now I play Spellbook Library of the Crescent.” Twilight stated as a rift opened above and revealed a darkened pillared room. In the center of the room was a crescent moon and was surrounded by small objects that are similar to the ones around the Tower.

“If I have no "Spellbook" Spell Cards in my Graveyard, I reveal three "Spellbook" Spell Cards with different names from my Deck and you have to randomly pick one of them to add to my hoof.”

Twilight took out her deck and after a quick look, took out three cards and revealed them to Dusk.

The stallion saw that the cards the unicorn chose were Spellbook Star Hall, Spellbook of Wisdom and Spellbook of Power.

Twilight then flipped the cards over and briefly shuffled them before separating them.

“Pick one Dusk.”

She gestured to her cards, which showed only the back and prevented the stallion which was which.

“I pick the center card.” Dusk pointed to the specified card, which Twilight then added it to her “hoof”.

“I then placed the other two cards back to my deck and shuffle.” The unicorn then shuffled the other two cards back to her deck and returned it back to her duel disk.

“For the rest of the turn though, I can only activate "Spellbook" Spell Cards, but since I played a “Spellbook” Spell Card, Hermit’s special effect now activates.” Twilight gestured to the magician as the symbols around glowed in power.

“Every time a “Spellbook" Spell Card is activated, Hermit’s Level goes up by 2 and it ATK goes up by 300.”

[Hermit of Prophecy] [ATK: 1200 (+)> 1500] [Level: 3 (+)> 5]

“Oh, Twilight’s Hermit still isn’t strong enough to go up against Dusk’s monsters.” Fluttershy said worriedly.

“Don’t worry.” Applejack said. “Twilight always have a plan of some sort.”

“Next I play Spellbook Organization, which I look at the top 3 cards of my Deck then return them to the top in any order.”

Twilight drew her cards from her deck and Dusk notice that she moved the first card to third and the moved the third card to first.

“Don’t you think you went too far in personalizing her deck?” Dash noted as Twilight placed her cards back on the top of her deck in their new positions. “We all know she loves reading, but for you to add a card related to organizing...”

Dusk merely chuckled as he kept his attention on Twilight as he knew what was coming next.

“Since another “Spellbook" Spell Card was activated, Hermit’s Level and ATK goes up again.” Hermit on Twilight’s field gained more power as the symbols around him glowed once again.

[Hermit of Prophecy] [ATK: 1500 (+)> 1800] [Level: 5 (+)> 7]

“Now Hermit is strong enough.” Applejack stated to her friends as they saw that Twilight’s monster now could overpower Dusk’s own.

“Now Hermit! Attack Legendary Six Samurai – Kageki!”

Hermit of Prophecy chanted in incantation as magic begun to build around his staff. Soon, he pointed the staff at Kageki and unleashed an orb of energy, which engulfed the samurai and destroyed him.

Dusk braced himself as he was the first in the duel to take damage.

[Dusk’s Life Points: 8000 (-)> 7900]

“Alright, Twilight has taken the lead!” Pinkie cheered out along with the crowd.

“That may be, but it is far from over.” Dash said as she notice Dusk pointed to one of his face-downs.

“Trap Card open! Shien's Scheme!” Dusk called out as the card flipped up and the picture shimmered.

“If a "Six Samurai" monster I control is destroyed by battle, I am able to Special Summon up to two "Six Samurai" monsters from my hoof.”

“Two more monsters?” Twilight yelped out as the stallion then placed his monsters onto his duel disk.

“Appear, The Six Samurai – Irou and The Six Samurai – Yariza!”

Irou, the same blindfolded samurai that Twilight saw back at Canterlot appeard on Dusk’s field.

[The Six Samurai - Irou] [ATK: 1700] [DEF: 1200] [Level: 4]

While she saw Dusk played Yariza during their practices, she never seen him as a hologram before. He wore dark blue armor with a cable attached to side, which was connected the yari spear he wields.

[The Six Samurai - Yariza] [ATK: 1000] [DEF: 500] [Level: 3]

“None of your monsters are strong enough to beat Hermit though.” Twilight stated the oblivious, but Dusk chuckled instead.

“I activate one of Enishi’s special effects.” The stallion pointed to the samurai. “If I control 2 or more face-up "Six Samurai" monsters excluding Enishi, it gains 500 ATK and DEF.”

“What?” Twilight was shocked as Enishi was surrounding by bright aura as he raised his blade.

[Legendary Six Samurai – Enishi] [ATK: 1700 (+)> 2200] [DEF: 700 (+)> 1200]

“Well, it looks like Dusk will make a comeback on the next turn.” Dash said while the crowd chatted amongst themselves of the Twilight’s setback.

“Okay, I place a card face-down and end my turn.” She then placed her last card into her duel disk.

[Turn 3: Dusk]
[Dusk’s Cards in Hoof: 0]
[Twilight Sparkle’s Cards in Hoof: 0]

“Dusk and Twilight don’t have any cards in their hooves.” Applejack said. “Looks like it comes to the luck of the draw from here.”

“It is now my turn. Draw!” Dusk drew his card and looked at Twilight’s face-down.

‘That is no doubt the card I chose for her when she activated Spellbook Library of the Crescent. Don’t know what exactly it is though, but I have to risk it.’

He then pointed to Hermit of Prophecy. “Enishi! Destroy the Hermit!” The samurai then dashed towards the magician and jumped into the air to deliver a overhead slash.

However, Twilight wasn’t startled and quickly pointed to her face-down. “I activate my face-down.”

The card flipped upwards and Dusk gasped in surprise upon seeing it.

“Of all the cards I have to select, I had to be Spellbook of Power.”

Twilight giggled at his response. “Sorry, but that is how it is. When Spellbook of Power is activated, I target one Spellcaster-Type monster I control.”

Soon, an orange crystal-like book with almost transparent pages appeared in front of Hermit and he grabbed it. Upon opening it, he then was surrounded by fiery aura much caught the attention of all the ponies.

“Until the End Phase, my monster gains an additional 1000 ATK!” Twilight said as the crowd gasped upon seeing the aura around the magician grow in size.

[Hermit of Prophecy] [ATK: 1800 (+)> 2800]

“Woah!” Rarity was startled by the powerful fiery aura emitting from the magician. Even if it is just an illusion, it looked like the real thing to her.

“Since another “Spellbook” Spell Card was played, Hermit’s special effect also activates.” Twilight smiled as her magician got even stronger.

[Hermit of Prophecy] [ATK: 2800 (+)> 3100] [Level: 7 (+)> 9]

“What? Would that mean…” Fluttershy muttered as Enishi delivered the blow, but Hermit repelled him with his staff.

Muttering a quick incantation, the empowered magician unleashed a large orb of fire which struck the airborne samurai and destroyed him.

“Ah!” Dusk felt the blast from the attack as his Life Points drop for the second time in a row.

[Dusk’s Life Points: 7900 (-)> 7000]

“Not only that Dusk.” Twilight said as she took out her deck. “When a monster affected by Spellbook of Power destroyed a monster in battle, I can add one "Spellbook" Spell Card from my Deck to my hoof.”

She then took a card out of her deck and returned the latter back to her duel disk.

“What a surprise! Twilight is staying a step ahead of Dusk!” Pinkie stated out, effectively being the announcer for the duel.

“Don’t underestimate Dusk.” Spike said as he remembered the practice duels that Twilight had with the stallion. “He always a knack for turning things around.”

When the mares turned to Dusk and wasn’t fazed by his setbacks.

“You want a surprise Pinkie, how about this?”

Dusk pointed to Yariza as the samurai prepared his spear, which didn’t escape Twilight’s attention.

“What are you doing? Yariza can’t take on Hermit!”

“He is not going to attack Hermit. He is going to attack you Twilight!”

Her eyes widened as she remembered the card’s effect.

The samurai jumped into the air and threw his yari. Despite the weapon phasing through her as it was a hologram, the unicorn nevertheless felt the impact as her Life Points finally dropped.

[Twilight Sparkle’s Life Points: 8000 (-)> 7000]

“Wha… How?!” Dash yelled out as Yariza grabbed his cable and pulled his yari back to him just before he touched the ground. “How did you do that Dusk?”

“Yariza’s special effect.” Dusk said. “While I control a face-up "Six Samurai" monster with a different name, he can attack my opponent directly. Which means that even if Twilight has monsters on the field, Yariza would just bypass them.”

Twilight shook her body as she recovered from the attack.

“I forgot how troublesome that card is…”

“Now you know. I end my turn and with that, Hermit’s ATK returns back to normal.” Dusk said as the fiery aura around the magician slowly vanish.

[Hermit of Prophecy] [ATK: 3100 (-)> 2100]

[Turn 4: Twilight Sparkle]
[Dusk’s Cards in Hoof: 1]
[Twilight Sparkle’s Cards in Hoof: 1]

“Looks like Dusk and Twilight are now even.” Pinkie said.

“Its my turn. I draw.” Twilight she drew the card and then pointed to her Field Spell.

“I activate Grand Spellbook Tower’s special effect. Once per turn, if I have a Spellcaster-Type monster either on my field or in my Graveyard, I can take a “Spellbook” Spell Card from my Graveyard and put to the bottom of my deck.”

A card slipped out of her Graveyard slot and she moved it to the bottom of her deck. “After that, I draw one card.”

Looking at the card she drew, Twilight smiled and played it. “I activate Spellbook of Secrets.”

A book similar to Spellbook of Power appeared on the field, but it was white instead. It flipped a all its pages before vanishing.

“With its effect, I can add one “Spellbook” card from my deck and add it to my hoof.”

Twilight again took out her deck, took out the card she wanted and placed the deck back in place.

Dusk notice though that the card she took was the one at the bottom of her deck.

“Okay, just how many card related to books does Twilight have in her deck?” Dash said with a raised eyebrow.

“Must be plenty.” Applejack told her friend. “Then again, those cards making that magician of hers stronger.”

“Since I played another “Spellbook” Spell, Hermit’s effects activate once more.” The crowd looked at awe at Twilight’s Hermit as the symbols around him seems to glow ever brighter with every “Spellbook” played.

[Hermit of Prophecy] [ATK: 2100 (+)> 2400] [Level: 9 (+)> 11]

‘Is this going to be Twilight’s plan?’ Dusk mentally noted. ‘Is she just going to keep playing “Spellbook” cards to constantly power up Hermit?”

“Next, I play Spellbook of Knowledge.” Now on Twilight’s field appeared another Spellbook. It was red yet it did the same routine as the Spellbook of Secrets.

“To activate it, I send Amores to the Graveyard…” Twilight gestured to the specified monster as he vanished in a flash of light. “Now I can draw two more cards from my deck and as you expect, Hermit’s effect activates.”

[Hermit of Prophecy] [ATK: 2400 (+)> 2700] [Level: 11 (+)> 12]

Everypony begun to cheer for Twilight for she not only has the field advantage, but she also has the hoof advantage.

“Now I summon Spellbook Magician of Prophecy in Defense mode.” A young magician wearing a blue ornate robe and hat appeared on her field kneeling.

[Spellbook Magician of Prophecy] [ATK: 500] [DEF:400] [Level: 2]

“Are you okay Rarity?” Flutershy asked the unicorn, who was looking closely at Twilight’s new monster.”

“Of course I am! Just look at their outfits!” Rarity pointed to the magicians. “The design! The style! If I were to redesign them for a pony…”

The rest of her friends didn’t know what to Rarity, but they mentally wish her luck in designing which would be a rather unique line of clothing.

“When this monster is successfully Normal Summon, I can add a “Spellbook” Spell Card from my deck to my hoof.”

“You are not going to stop throwing Spellbooks at me, aren’t you Twilight?” Dusk said as the unicorn took the card she wanted from her deck.

“Well, you were the one who made this deck after all. And I hope you handle another Spellbook of Power.”

Twilight then played the spell as the orange Spellbook reappeared in front of Hermit and he was enveloped in the same fiery aura as before.

“Hermit not only gains 1000 ATK, but his special effect activates as well.”

Hermit’s power rose to new heights, but his Level remained the same for it has reached its maximum.

[Hermit of Prophecy] [ATK: 2700 (+)> 3700 (+)> 4000]

“Look at that, Dusk is indeed about to get a big whooping!”

Pinkie yelled as everypony were shocked of how powerful Twilight’s monster became in a few turns.

“How’s this? Hermit will now attack Yariza!” The magician chanted and then launched an orb of fire towards the samurai.

“Sorry Twilight, but that is not going to happen. I activate Yariza’s effect! Irou!”

The ponies were astonished to see the blindfolded samurai move front of Yariza and took the blow from Hermit, which resulted in his destruction.

Dusk however still felt the blast of the attack and the damage inflicted to him. He also fell to the ground, but was able to retain his balance.

[Dusk’s Life Points: 7000 (-)> 4000]

“It is like before…” Twilight muttered, recalling the duel back at Canterlot.

“Indeed. All my “Six Samurai monsters” such as Yariza all share a certain effect. If Yariza would be destroyed, I can choose to destroy another face-up "Six Samurai" monster I control instead.”

Dusk stated as the smoke cleared and showed that Yariza still remain standing due to Irou’s sacrifice.

“It is like the bond between close friends, where they would risk even their lives to protect one another from harm.”

Everypony felt moved from Dusk’s words while his friends each made a warm smile, remembering how the stallion chose to sacrificed his prized possession to Number 40 to ensure their safety.

“Your deck is really something Dusk.” Twilight said.

“No doubt it is.” Dusk replied. “However, since Hermit failed to destroy a monster in battle, the second effect of Spellbook of Power doesn’t activate.”

“I guess I’ll set a card face-down then.” The unicorn then placed a face-down. “I end my turn.”

Soon, Spellbook of Power wore off and Hermit’s ATK dropped back to normal.

[Hermit of Prophecy] [ATK: 4000 (-)> 3000]

[Turn 5: Dusk]
[Dusk’s Cards in Hoof: 1]
[Twilight Sparkle’s Cards in Hoof: 2]

“It’s my turn. Draw.” Dusk looked at his card and played it.

“I activate Pot of Greed, which I can draw two more cards.”

Drawing his cards, he examined them and smiled, seeing it was time to turn the duel to his favor.

“I am impressed Twilight. You manage to not only get Hermit this strong by just using its effect, but to also push me back like this.” Dusk complimented before smirking. “But its time for the reversal.”

It was then he played the card he drew. “I summon Tuner monster, Kagemusha of the Six Samurai in Defense mode.”

The green armored warrior appeared on Dusk’s field as he kneeled down with his spear ready to block.

[Kagemusha of the Six Samurai] [ATK: 400] [DEF: 1800] [Level: 2]

“Tuner monster?” Pinkie questioned, which was equally shared with her friends and the crowd of ponies.

Only Twilight and Spike knew what it was; the former’s eyes widen as she realizes of Dusk’s intention.

“You are going to…”

“Indeed Twilight. I’m tuning my Level 2 Kagemusha of the Six Samurai to my Level 3 The Six Samurai - Yariza!”

Everypong watched as Kagemusha and Yariza jumped high into the air; the former jumped much higher than the latter.

They were surprised to see Kagemusha turned into two stars, which then made a pair of glowing green rings. Yariza move into the rings until stopping at the center, which he turned into three stars and formed a straight line within the rings.

“What is going on?” Dash muttered as she can’t help but look at the spectacle.

Her attention soon turned to Dusk as she and the others notice he begun to make a chant.

“Never yield against the unrelenting storm! Witness power born through unity!”

The ponies when then startled upon seeing a pillar of light shot through the rings. The light engulfed the stars and soon expanded to the rings.

“Synchro Summon! Stand Strong! Legendary Six Samurai - Shi En!”

The crimson armored samurai appeared from the pillar of light and descended onto the ground with its wings with his katana drawn.

[Legendary Six Samurai - Shi En] [ATK: 2500] [DEF: 1400] [Level: 5]

“Woah…” Spike muttered as he finally got to see Shi En close up at last. He would never forget the monster that lead Dusk to victory against Grey Wing and rescued Twilight.

“That… That…” Dash slowly said before she jumped into air in excitement. “That was so cool! Did you see how fast that beam of light moved and how that monster appeared from it?!”

“I know! It was amazing!” Pinkie was just as joyous as Dash in seeing the Synchro Summon and jumped into the air.

“Well, seeing how attention-grabbing that was...” Applejack said as looked at the awe-stricken crowd. “That so-called Synchro Summon reminded of you, Rainbow Dash.”

Back at the duel, Twilight gazes upon the samurai that helped Dusk in defeating Grey Wing. “It been a while saw Shi En, but he doesn’t have enough ATK to defeat Hermit.”

Dusk made a light laugh as a reply. “I know and that is why I have saving this Trap for this occasion.”

He then pointed to his one of his face-downs. “I activate the Trap, Fiery Fervor!”

After flipping upwards, a fiery vortex emerged from the card and surrounded Shi En as he made a battle cry.

“What is going on?” Twilight was startled as she looked upon Shi En’s fiery form with his eye burning brightly.

“When activated, Fiery Fervor equip itself to a face-up monster I control. When my opponent controls a monster with ATK higher than that the equipped monster's original ATK, its ATK becomes double the its original ATK during the Damage Step.” Dusk explained.

“That would mean…” The unicorn realizes that since Hermit has higher ATK than Shi En, the latter would gain double ATK if they battle.

“Yes. Shi En, attack Hermit of Prophecy with Fiery Blue Flame Strike!”

Empowered by the Equip Trap, Shi En’s katana became embedded with flames as he charged at the Hermit.

[Legendary Six Samurai - Shi En] [ATK: 2500 (+)> 5000]

Instinctively, Twilight ended up activating her face-down.

“I activate Spellbinding Circle! As long this card remains on the field, a monster you control cannot attack or change position and I choose Shi En!”

As the card flipped up, a magical circular seal emerged from it and flew towards Shi En as he was charging.

“Oh, looks like Twilight is still a step ahead of Dusk!” Pinkie call out before she notices Spike facepalm his forehead. “What is wrong Spike?”

“I can’t believe Twilight just wasted that card.” He said, which caught the mares’ attention.

“Why is that?” Rarity asked before looking back at the duel and at Twilight.

“Wait, what is with Twilight?” She said and the others turned to the unicorn, who now had a horrified expression.

“No, wait!” Twilight cried as she just remembered Shi En’s effect and realized her mistake.

“Too late Twilight!” Dusk stated as he pointed to Shi En. “You activated Shi En’s special effect. Once per turn, when my opponent activates a Spell or Trap Card, I can negate the activation and destroy it!”

Everypony gasped as Shi En cleaved the magical seal in half before it struck him, which shattering it into many pieces. Upon reaching Hermit, the magician tried to fight back yet the samurai merely slice though his spells. Delivering a horizontal slash on Hermit’s chest, Shi En jumped back to Dusk’s field before the magician exploded.

As the battle was over, Shi En’s ATK return back to its original state.

[Legendary Six Samurai - Shi En] [ATK: 5000 (-)> 2500]

Twilight however not only lost a powerful monster, but also a significant amount of her Life Points.

[Twilight Sparkle’s Life Points: 7000 (-)> 5000]

“Oh my.” Fluttershy muttered seeing Twilight losing her advantage.

“That is what I call a reversal!” Dash said as she was in awe at Dusk regaining the initiative in the duel.

“Twilight, how did you forget about Shi En’s effect?” Spike said to the unicorn. “We both seen it before.”

“I don’t know. Dusk didn’t use it during practice and I… uh…” Twilight always had good memory, but she couldn’t find the right words to explain this blunder.

“If you knew, you would have saved Spellbinding Circle for a turn when Shi En wasn’t able to use his effect.” Dusk lectured her. “Try not to forget next time Twilight. I set a card face-down and I end my turn.”

[Turn 6: Twilight Sparkle]
[Dusk’s Cards in Hoof: 1]
[Twilight Sparkle’s Cards in Hoof: 2]

“Its my turn now, but thanks for the advice. I draw.” Twilight said as she draws her card, trying to think of a way to make up for her mistake.

“I activate Grand Spellbook Tower’s effect. I return a “Spellbook” Spell card to the bottom of my deck and draw one card.

After doing just that, Twilight looked at her newly drawn card and smiled as she saw her chance to make her own reversal.

“I reveal three “Spellbook” Spell cards to you Dusk.” The unicorn flipped over three of the four cards she has and the stallion saw it was Spellbook of Wisdom and two Spellbook of the Master.

“Why would Twilight do that?” Applejack said. “Wouldn’t that help Dusk know what she is going to do next?”

The crowd begun to chatter at what Twilight’s intention of showing most of her cards, which she merely smiled.

“By doing this, I can now Special Summon High Priestess of Prophecy in Attack mode!”

“What?!” Everypony yelled out as a female magician appeared on her field. She wore a very ornate white outfit and bright aqua symbols circle around her.

[High Priestess of Prophecy] [ATK: 2500] [DEF: 2100] [Level: 7]

“Another marvelous outfit!” Rarity said with stars in her eyes upon seeing Twilight’s new monster. Her friends however remained focused on the duel.

“I now activate High Priestess of Prophecy’s special effect. By banishing one "Spellbook" Spell Card in my hoof or Graveyard, I can destroy a card on the field!”

Dusk’s eyes widened as he knew what her target was as a card slipped out of Twilight’s Graveyard and she put it away.

“Say goodbye to Shi En!” Twilight called out as the High Priestess chanted an incantation, which the same aqua symbols around her then appeared around the samurai.

Shi En groaned as his body begun to become enveloped by an aqua-coloured aura and when the magician finished her chanting, the samurai exploded into nothing.

Since Shi En was destroyed, Fiery Fervor on the field was also destroyed; the card shattering into pieces.

The ponies gasped at Twilight’s own reversal, which left Dusk’s field wide open.

“Wow! After her blunder last turn, Twilight just regained the advantage!” Pinkie called out as the ponies cheered for the unicorn. “However, its not over yet!”

“Indeed…” Dusk muttered as he knew he was open for a direct attack.

“I am not sure about your face-down, but I am sure it is a Trap.” Twilight looked at the stallion’s last face-down and she played one of her cards. “I play Spellbook of Wisdom.”

An aqua-coloured Spellbook appeared in front of the High Priestess and it opened by itself. Gazing upon the flipping pages, the magician was soon imbued with new power.

“For this turn, High Priestess of Prophecy can either be unaffected by Spells or Traps and choose Traps.” Twilight said as she then played another card. “Next is Spellbook of the Master.”

A dark blue Spellbook appeared before the magician and the same thing occurred, but she was instead covered by a darkish aura.

“If you control a Spellcaster-Type monster, I can reveal one other "Spellbook" card in my hoof.”

Twilight revealed once again the other Spellbook of the Master in her “hoof”.

“Now I target 1 "Spellbook" Normal Spell Card in my Graveyard and this card's effect becomes the targeted card’s effect. The card I am choosing is Spellbook of Power.

The aura covering the High Priestess of Prophecy soon became fiery as the spell is now coping the effect of Spellbook of Power.

[High Priestess of Prophecy] [ATK: 2500 (+)> 3500]

‘This is gonna suck.” Dusk mentally noted as Twilight prepare to attack him directly.

“High Priestess of Prophecy! Direct Attack!”

The magician chanted as a trio of large magical orbs slowly appear above her head. Stretching her arms towards Dusk, the orbs were soon fired and engulfed the stallion in an explosion.

“Agh!” The blast was strong enough to push Dusk to the ground.

[Dusk’s Life Points: 4000 (-)> 500]

The crowd of ponies grew ecstatic seeing Twilight take a massive lead in the duel. She smiled when she turned to her friends and saw they were cheering for her.

“Incredible, Twilight!” Pinkie cried out. “There is no doubt she has this duel in the bag.”

“I don’t believe it. Looks like Twilight might actually beat Dusk.” Spike said.

“I think Dusk might have taught Twilight a bit too much.” Fluttershy stated out.

“It is more like the student surpassing the teacher.” Applejack smiled.

“Wait a minute…” Dash felt something wasn’t right. “Why didn’t you use that other Spellbook Twilight? You would have beaten Dusk.”

The crowd soon realized that the peagsus was correct for they also saw Twilight’s second Spellbook of the Master.

“Dash is right.” Rarity agreed. “If you used it and copied that Spellbook of Power like before, then you would have won.”

Twilight however shook her head. “Unfortunately, that isn’t possible. Spellbook of the Master’s effect also states it can only be used once per turn.”

She turned her gaze to the Dusk, who was getting up and shaking himself. “I end my turn Dusk.”

[Turn 7: Dusk]
[Dusk’s Cards in Hoof: 1]
[Twilight Sparkle’s Cards in Hoof: 1]

“Of all the duels we had since last week, this is the first time you actually pushed me to the corner.” Dusk said proudly as he looked at the unicorn with a smile. “Seeing how you picked up everything I told you about Duel Monsters in such short time makes me very happy.”

“Thank you Dusk.” Twilight replied. “I know you said that you think of yourself not much of teacher, but you were always patient and provided me with tips whenever I need it. I think you have potential to be great teacher in the future.”

Dusk smiled after hearing her compliment, but knew the duel was not over yet.

“I appreciate what you say about me, but I will state once more that you have a long way to defeat to me. Draw!”

Dusk drew his card and smirked after seeing what it was.

“Watch closely Twilight and see what one can do if they place their faith in their cards.”

He said as he pointed to his last face-down. “I activate Backs to the Wall.” The card flipped up and revealed it was a Trap Card.

“First I pay until I have 100 Life Points left.” Many ponies gasped as Dusk was essentially giving up much of his Life Points, which is already very little.

[Dusk’s Life Points: 500 (-)> 100]

“Now, I can Special Summon as many “Six Samurai” monsters as possible from my Graveyard.” Dusk stated which caused to ponies to gasp even louder than before.

“What?!” Twilight cried as five cards slipped out of Dusk’s Graveyard and filled in all his Monster slots on his duel disk.

“Return my samurais!” Dusk yelled as his field was soon filled with the monsters he played throughout this duel. Their weapons were drawn and were prepared for essentially was the final battle.

Legendary Six Samurai – Kageki] [ATK: 200] [DEF: 2000] [Level: 3]

[Legendary Six Samurai – Enishi] [ATK: 1700] [DEF: 700] [Level: 4]

[Legendary Six Samurai - Shi En] [ATK: 2500] [DEF: 1400] [Level: 5]

[The Six Samurai - Irou] [ATK: 1700] [DEF: 1200] [Level: 4]

[The Six Samurai - Yariza] [ATK: 1000] [DEF: 500] [Level: 3]

“Woah…” Spike muttered as he never seen Dusk summon so many monsters in a single turn. “I guess that why that card is called Backs to the Wall…”

The mares didn’t say a word, but mentally agreed with the baby dragon. It was indeed a card that would Dusk a chance at victory even at the verge of defeat.

“Since I have already a diverse number of “Six Samurai” monsters on the field, the effects of Kageki and Enishi now activates.”

The two samurais in question gained their respective boost in their stats.

[Legendary Six Samurai – Kageki] [ATK: 200 (+)> 1700]

[Legendary Six Samurai – Enishi] [ATK: 1700 (+)> 2200] [DEF: 700 (+)>1200]

“Now I play Blustering Winds, which until my next Standby Phase, increase 1000 ATK and DEF of a monster I control and I chose Shi En.”

A gust of wind soon appeared and encircled Shi En’s body, empowering him.

[Legendary Six Samurai - Shi En] [ATK: 2500 (+)> 3500] [DEF: 1400 (+)> 2400]

“I don’t believe it…” The unicorn was shocked of Dusk’s reversal just as she was about defeat him.

“Sorry Twilight, but this duel is mine. Shi En! Attack the High Priestess!”

Shi En charged at the magician with his katana infused with wind. The High Priestess tried to repel him with her magic, but the crimson samurai broke through and cleaved her across the chest.

“Ugh!” Twilight covered her eyes as her monster was destroyed.

[Twilight Sparkle’s Life Points: 5000 (-)> 4000]

“Its not over yet! Yariza! Attack Spellbook Magician of Prophecy!”

Yariza jumped into the air and threw his yari at the kneeling magician which pierced through his chest; his form breaking into pieces of light.

“Now for the climax! Kageki! Enishi! Irou! Direct Attack!”

The remaining samurai rushed Twilight and hit her with their weapons. Hologram or not, the unicorn was ultimately knocked to the ground in defeat.

[Twilight Sparkle’s Life Points: 4000 (-)> 2300 (-)> 100 (-)> 0]

[Winner: Dusk]

Everypony were in shock to see the outcome of the duel. Many thought Twilight would be the winner, but Dusk changed everything on the last turn.

In truth, they didn’t favor one duelist and were more into the duel itself and how entertaining it was. The crowd erupted into a loud cheer while the holograms begun to disappear and Ponyville reappeared once more.

“Dusl Disk off.” Dusk as the duel disk vanished from his left hoof after he took out his deck.

He moves up to Twilight and helped her back up on her hooves. “You put up a good duel Twilight.”

“I know.” The unicorn sighed, but with a smile. “But I was hoping to at least win a duel against you at your best.”

“I had many years of practice and I had my share of duels before coming to Equestria.”

The stallion stated, but he then reassured Twilight.

“However, you had really had me back there despite only having a week’s practice. I see you have the potential to be a great duelist if you still wish to play Duel Monsters.”

Twilight was about to say something, but she was interrupted by Spike who approached with the rest of their friends in two; all giving praise to how the duel went.

“That was an awesome you two. I was hoping you would beat Dusk, but you nevertheless did good Twilight.”

“Wow! You and Dusk were amazing! Now I am really interested in having my own deck!” Pinkie yelled in an excited tone.

“Look at the crowd! You drove them all wild! Why can’t I grab their attention like you two did?” Dash pointed to the still jubilant crowd.

“Well, I am sure you can if you play Duel Monsters like Twilight here.” Applejack said, smiling at the unicorn. “You were so close in beating Dusk.”

“I’m glad you two had fun. Though I wish you played cute monsters.” Fluttershy timidly said.

“As for me, seeing the outfits that Twilight’s monsters just gave me ideas for on a new clothing design.” Rarity said happily.

Dusk and Twilight merely smiled at their friend’s reaction to the duel. While they would no doubt going to get plenty of questions for the next few days, it was still a good way to end a otherwise complicated day.

Episode 5 [Part 1] - Dueling Feathers

A few days has passed since Dusk and Twilight had their duel and the two were the center of attention of Ponyville for some time now.

They found the attention awkward at first since it reminded them of what happened when the ponies learned about the Gala tickets. Luckily for Dusk and Twilight, they just receive praises for showing a good duel.

Some ponies even asked Dusk if he could try to teach them to play the game. He was reluctant however since he found it more comfortable teaching one pony at a time than an entire class. Twilight though insisted that he had what it takes to be a teacher, but the stallion still remain unsure.

Nevertheless, Dusk decided to give it a shot and said to everypony he would try to set up a special class for those interested in Duel Monsters in the near the future.

As for where Dusk and Twilight were at as of now, they were currently in the library along with Spike. They were currently looking though all the cards that Dusk had with him, excluding his personal decks.

“I guess you are right.” Twilight sighed as she dropped the cards she was levitating on the table. “None of these of cards would appeal to our friends.”

“I told you customizing a deck would be difficult.” Dusk said as he turned his attention to his notes.

After their duel, Dusk and Twilight asked their friends if they were now interested in Duel Monsters. They not only showed their enthusiasm in learning how the game worked, but also the prospect of having a personalized deck like Twilight.

The problem however was that Dusk had not only a limited number of cards, but he may not have the cards that would appeal to of his friend’s liking.

“Okay, Rainbow Dash said she wants a deck that represents her completely. Fast, spectacular and cool.” Dusk stated as he read his notes.

“What about that Blackwing Deck?” Twilight asked, which the stallion shook his head.

“I already asked her yesterday and she just said that it wasn’t cool enough.” Dusk scratched his head. “What does she see as cool anyway?”

“I don’t know, but I am sure that none of these cards would appeal to Applejack.” Twilight stated. “I haven’t found a single card related to apples, trees or farming.”

“I did find a few cute Monster cards that would suit Fluttershy’s deck, like she wished for. They are not enough to make a full deck I’m afraid. Found anything for Rarity?”

“I’m not sure... She did say she wants monsters that wear outfits that would leave ponies in awe, but I doubt the outfits found in many of these cards are suitable for poines. As for Pinkie…”

“Yeah... Nothing related to parties or sweets whatsoever…”

The two ponies sighed as they saw finding the right cards for their friends is still far off.

“Spike on the other hoof…” Dusk said as he and Twilight turned to the baby dragon, who had a lot of cards in front of him as he was carefully inspecting them.

“I know. I am surprised that many of your cards are related to dragons.” Twilight watched as Spike gathered the cards he looked into a deck and had to Dusk.

“I think I made a good deck. What do you think Dusk?”

Spike asked as the stallion grabbed the deck and quickly looked through them.

“Spike…” Dusk sighed. “Do you know you picked nothing but Monster cards?”

“Yeah. So what?” He and Twilight resisted the urge to facehoof after hearing the baby dragon’s reply.

“Uh Spike, do you remember what Dusk said about deck composition?” Twilight said.

“Of course. Each deck require a balance of Monsters, Spells and Traps…” Spike then realize his initial mistake. “Oh…”

“Don’t worry Spike.” The stallion chuckled. “I will handle your deck from here.”

After some time, Dusk packed up his cards with Twilight and Spikes help. While the stallion felt disappointed that he wouldn’t be able to create decks for the rest of the friends, he was able to at least start working on Spike’s deck.

While Spike stayed in the library, Dusk and Twilight were walking through town.

“How am I going to explain to the others?” The stallion muttered.

“Just tell them that you are unable to make their decks at the moment. I’m sure they would understand.” The unicorn replied, but felt a bit guilty that her friends would have to wait for their own decks.

“I am not sure they would be patient for long… If only if I had more cards…”

As he sighed, he and Twilight then caught sight of a pegasus stallion talking to a pony outside of a house, which they recognized as Bon Bon.

Dusk remembered her as a friend of Lyra, the pony that was possessed by Number 22 back at the Summer Sun Celebration.

The pegasus however was somepony they never met before. He had a silver coat and light grey mane while his cutie mark looked like pair of coins; one showing heads and the other showing tails. He had two pouches on each side of him and they appeared to be stuffed.

Dusk however felt a strange feeling coming from the pegasus, but he chose to ignore it for the moment.

Despite knowing it was rude to easedrop, Dusk and Twilight nevertheless listened to the conversation.

“Thank you so much for helping Lyra.” Bon Bon said happily. “Maybe she can finally put the incident at the Summer Sun Celebration to rest.”

“I am just doing what I do best.” The pegasus replied. “I will be in Ponyville for a few days, so feel free to get me if your friend needs another appointment.”

After the two ponies shook hooves, Bon Bon went back inside the house. The pegasus was about to leave when he saw Dusk and Twilight.

“Oh, I haven’t met you two before.” He said as he walked towards them. Dusk and Twilight swore they felt a relieving feeling when he looked at them with is light blue eyes.

“We haven’t met you either.” Dusk said. “What were doing with Bon Bon?”

“Oh her. I just arrived in town a few hours ago and I first met with her and her friend Lyra.” The pegasus explained. “I could tell something was bothering Lyra, so I eased her worries and help her to move on from it. I would have never thought she was previous possessed by a Number.”

The unicorn wasn’t surprised though that the pegasus know about the Numbers. Since Dusk’s arrival to Equestria, news about the Numbers and Duel Monsters would have no doubt spread across the land.

“So, you are a therapist?” Twilight asked the pegasus.

“That is correct. I travel across Equestria and help those who suffered from emotional trauma. I was quite busy for the last few weeks, helping ponies who were hurt from these so-called Numbers. Luckily, I have able to get to move on and see the brighter side of life.”

“I am glad to meet a pony who care much for others.” Dusk smiled at the pegasus before gazing at his cutie mark. “But how does your cutie mark relate to your job as a therapist?”

“Oh, my cutie mark?” The pegasus turned his gaze to his frank. “Well, I had a gift for reading a pony’s emotion when I was just a colt. I was confused at first when I got my cutie mark, but I soon realize what it meant.”

“Your cutie mark reminded of a phase I know…” Dusk rubbed his chin. “Of course, two sides of the same coin…”

“Sometime like that. To simply put, I could understand a pony’s true feelings; good and ill.”

“Interesting…” Twilight said. “What is your name.”

“Half Coin. And you two.”

“My name is Twilight Sparkle.” She said as she then gestured to the stallion. “He’s Dusk.”

“Dusk…?” Half Coin muttered in surprise. “Like in the Dusk that knows about this strange game of Duel Monsters.”

“Yes, that is indeed me.” Dusk stated and was startled when the pegasus grabbed his right hoof and shook it.

“I am pleased to meet you at last.” Half Coin said.

“I never thought you were a fan of me.” Despite finding the hoofshake abrupt, Dusk remained polite. “Is there anything I could help you with?”

“Yes.” The pegasus nodded. “I wish for you to teach me this game of Duel Monsters.”

“Huh?” Dusk and Twilight was caught off guard by Half Coin’s request.

Back at the library, Dusk and Twilight were having a discussion with Half Coin and regarding his request.

“Before I agree Half Coin, I wish to know why you want to learn Duel Monsters?”

Half Coin cleared his throat as he begun to explain. “Well, I was in Manehattan when these Duel Monsters first appeared in Equestria…”

‘Manehattan?’ Dusk thought it was very strange for an Equestrian city to sound very similar to Manhattan back on Earth.

Nevertheless, he gave Half Coin his full attention as he continued his story.

“I saw a few flashes of light in the sky and suddenly, the cards rained from the sky and piled in the streets…”

He and Twilight were surprised to hear that thousands of Duel Monsters cards rained across the city and many of the inhabitants curiously picked them up.

Half Coin picked up plenty of cards during the event, but like everypony in Equestria at the time, he was unsure of what they were or where they came from. The pegasus nevertheless kept the cards in case he meets a colt or filly who wanted to collect such cards.

“If so many cards appeared in Manehattan, that would mean…?” Twilight asked, but Half Coin knew what she was going to say.

“Yes. There were a hoofful of ponies that became possessed by these Numbers. I didn’t know back then and I thought that some of the cards contained a malevolent being.”

The pegasus sighed in sadness as he spoke of the incidents that occurred in the city by the hooves of the possessed ponies; hours after the appearance of the Duel Monster cards.

The majority of the incidents were the usual threatening of innocent ponies, destruction of property and civil disorder. However, Dusk and Twilight were horrified that one of the possessed ponies started a fire in one of the city’s parks.

Apparently, the possessed pony was named Green Leaf and one of the park’s caretaker, which was irony when she ended up set alight the park. While nopony was hurt from the incident, a portion of the park was in ruins after the fire was put out.

“How horrible…” Twilight said sadly. “I knew what Numbers were capable of, but that was out of hoof…”

“I know. I was there.” Half Coin solemnly said. “When I gaze upon the pony, I could feel nothing but twisted emotions. It was then I realized it belonged to the Number and not Green Leaf herself…”

The pegasus was quiet for a few moments, recalling the incident before he continued on.

“There were a few ponies that tried to stop her, but they were pushed away by the black aura surrounding her. She then pulled out a deck made from the Duel Monsters cards and stated she could only be stopped by a duel. After the incident, I then caught on what she meant…”

“However, you know nothing how to play Duel Monsters…” Dusk stated to the pegasus.

“Truth, but I had to at least try to stop the Number. A day after the fire, I heard Green Leaf reappeared near the park. I rushed there and challenged her to duel in hopes of stopping the Number possessing her.”

Dusk and Twilight were very surprised to hear that Half Coin tried to duel the possessed pony even though he knows nothing about the card game.

“But you don’t have a duel disk.” Twilight noted to Half Coin.

“Duel disk?”

The pegasus was rather confused what the unicorn was referring to. Dusk then briefly explained what a duel disk is and even showed his old one to Half Coin.

“Interesting. I always wondered about the object that appeared on Green Leaf’s hoof. Anyway, she used the aura around her to convert one of the patio tables near a café into something she called a duel table.”

“Duel table huh? And your deck…?” Dusk asked, which the pegasus made a deep sigh.

“Unfortunately, the deck I made was made from an assortment of random cards. And as I feared, I was hopelessly outmatched against Green Leaf.”

Half Coin said as he thought back to his first duel.

“When we played, the lifelike illusions of the cards we played appeared and it startled many ponies and scared others away. Yet, Green Leaf looked amused when I kept calm.”

The pegasus then sighed again. “While I gained an understanding how to play by observing her during her turns, I was nevertheless defeated in the end. It was strange though.”

“Strange?” Dusk questioned. “What do you mean?”

“Well, I understood that you lose the duel if your Life Points drops to zero, but Green Leaf had many opportunities to finish me off. Truth be told, our duel lasted for ten turns.” Half Coin stated.

“That is strange.” Dusk noted. “May be the Number possessing Green Leaf chose to toy with you…”

“Did she do anything to you when you lost?” Twilight asked.

“No.” Half Coin shook his head. “She just said she was disappointed in my skills and left the scene.”

“What about Green Leaf herself?”

Twilight asked next, which the pegasus had a solemn look on his face.

“A few days after my defeat, I learned that she was back in the park . When I got there, Green Leaf was found weeping and was constantly crying sorry. Also, she didn’t have that strange aura around her when I first saw her…”

“Wait… That would mean the Number was defeated in a duel right?”

“I don’t think that was the case Twilight. No pony knows Duel Monsters at the time.” Dusk stated. “It was likely the Number just left Green Leaf’s body. However, she was left with all the memories of the things the Number force her to commit…”

He and the unicorn frowned as they remember Grey Wing and Lyra, who remember everything they did when possessed by the Numbers and it hit them hard.

Half Coin also frown as he recalls how traumatised Green Leaf was from her possession.

“While everypony knew that what possessed her was the one responsible, Green Leaf felt it was still her fault and was inconsolable. However, I was there to help her open up and spend the next days treating her trauma.”

Half Coin looked at the floor solemnly. “I was able to at least help her resume her life in peace, but she nevertheless flinches whenever she sees a Duel Monster card. Even when news about the existence of the Numbers became widespread, Green Leaf still feels a hint of guilt for her uncontrolled actions.”

“Me and Twilight feel the same way.” Dusk said with a comforting smile, which was shared with the unicorn. “Nopony deserve to suffer like that...”

“So what brings you here to Ponyville?” Twilight asked.

“Well, I heard rumors about Dusk and his deeds. After finishing everything in Manehattan, I left for Canterlot last week, hoping to meet him.”

Half Coin replied as he turned his eyes to Dusk.

“However, you weren’t there when I arrived. It was then I learned you were staying in Ponyville.”

“How come you didn’t come last week then?” Dusk questioned the pegasus.

“I would have, but I was treating an ex-royal guard named Grey Wing. No doubt you know him?”

“Yes.” Dusk nodded. “He was possessed by a Number, but I freed him after defeating him in a duel. However, he resigned his position after that.”

“He was very guilty what he done when he was possessed.” Half Coin sadly spoke. “He couldn’t find it in his heart to forgive himself.”

“But Princess Celestia knew it was the Number’s fault and forgave him.”

Twilight stated, but the pegasus shook his head.

“Not in his eyes. During our first appointment, Grey Wing said he doesn’t deserve the Princess’s forgiveness…”

Dusk and Twilight were saddened to hear about Grey Wing’s condition.

“Were you able to…?”

“Of course.” Half Coin answered Dusk. “As much I wanted to meet you, I couldn’t bear to see anypony hurt themselves like this and Grey Wing was no exception.”

Half Coin then explained his ordeal during his stay in Canterlot. Grey Wing felt he was nothing he could do to atone for himself, but Half Coin refuse to give up on him. While there was some trouble during the first few appointments, the pegesus was finally able to get his patient to take his words.

Half Coin told Grey Wing he could help ponies in trouble and redeem himself in his own eyes if he rejoined the royal guard. If he didn’t, he would put them at risk and would likely suffer the same trauma as he did, which would compound his guilt. It was only yesterday when Grey Wing took everything that Half Coin told him at heart and decided to return back to the royal guard.

Pleased with Grey Wing’s recovery, Half Coin finally left Canterlot and took a train to Ponyville.

“I am impressed Half Coin.” Twilight said happily. “Surely Princess Celestia would be pleased what you did.”

The pegasus merely chuckled.

“I didn’t stay to find out I’m afraid, but I’m sure she would indeed be pleased.”

“Well then, I see you wish to learn Duel Monsters so you could stop the Numbers before they cause harm.” Dusk said. “If that is the case, I would like to see your deck?”

“No problem, but I didn’t bring just bring my deck with me.” Half Coin then took off his pouches and much to Dusk’s and Twilight’s surprise, he used his hooves.

“How did you do that?” Twilight questioned. “I thought Dusk was the only one who could do that.”

“Well, that confirm that rumor that Dusk is unique from other ponies.” The pegasus said as he pulled out a folded cloth from the left pouch and presented to Dusk.

“Regarding my hooves though, I am not sure. On my way to Canterlot, a card appeared in one of my pouches. I was very worried when I saw the name, but I got this strange feeling from it. After that, I could strangely grip things with my hooves.”

Grabbing the cloth, Dusk opened it and gasped what was within. It was a Duel Monster card, but it wasn’t just any card since he felt a familiar feeling.

It was when he first obtained Number 39, but it felt weak and dim.

“You have a Number?!” Twilight gasped as well.

“Number 82: Heartlandraco.” Dusk spoke the card’s name. “And this feeling… Looks like a good Number chose to support you.”

“A good Number? How would know?” Half Coin questioned.

“You are not the only one.” Dusk then reach to one of his pouches and pulled out his Extra Deck. He then took out Number 39 and showed it to the pegasus.

“Number 39: Utopia?” He muttered as his body lightly shook. “Wait, this feeling… It is like when I first touched Number 82, but much stronger.”

“From my experience, not all Numbers are malicious beings. It relieved me though that Number 39 isn’t the only good Number out there.” Dusk stated to Half Coin.

“It is just an assumption, but I got the feeling that Number 82 had a run-in with an evil Number and was weakened as a result. Looks like the Number came to you because it can trust you while it regains its strength.”

“You sure know a lot about these Numbers.”

“Well, I defeated some after all.”

Dusk then reach for a pouch which held the Number he obtained since he came to Equestria and showed them to Half Coin, which amazed him.

“The more reason I wish for you to teach me who to play this card.” Half Coin said.

“That I can do, but I still wish to see your deck.”

“And like said before.” Half Coin reached for his right pouch and pulled out a cloth-wrapped bundle and placed it on the table. “I have more than my deck with me.”

Dusk’s and Twilight’s jaws dropped when the pegasus opened the cloth and revealed its contents.

“How… How did you…” Dusk muttered in shock.

What Half Coin showed the two ponies were a dozen stacks of Duel Monster cards, neatly arranged together into a rectangle shape. From Dusk’s observation, each stack was likely consisted between fifty to sixty cards.

“I initially only had a few decks worth of cards, but there were ponies in Manehattan who heard of my duel against Green Leaf. Much to my surprise, they praised my bravery for standing up against her despite losing in the end.”

Half Coin stated to Dusk, who was looking at the stacks of cards in awe.

“The ponies thought the cards they collect would be better use in my hooves and donated them to me. They are other ponies who also collected Duel Monster cards, but I heard they feared one of them could possess them and locked the cards up instead.”

“Still, I only have a few hundred cards in storage.” Dusk said. “You have like three times the number of cards than I do.”

“And they are all yours Dusk.”

“Wha…?” Dusk’s and Twilight’s jaws dropped for the second time today upon hearing Half Coin’s words.

“Since you are only one who knows about Duel Monster, I know that these cards I have is better off in your hooves than in mine.”

“I don’t what to say… But thank you.” Dusk manage to say out after his shock of Half Coin donated so many cards to him.

“Don’t mention it.” Half Coin reached for his left pouch again and this time pulled out a deck of Duel Monsters.

“And finally, this is my deck.” He then handed it over to Dusk, who grabbed them and begun to examine it. “I revised it several times before coming to Ponyvile. As much I don’t know about Duel Monsters, I think the cards I chose should suffice.”

“Hmm…” Dusk scanned through each card in Half Coin’s deck. “From what I can see, you made yourself a Beatdown deck.”

“Beatdown?” Twilight and Half Coin said at the same time.

“It is one of the oldest strategies in Duel Monsters. Basically, the player summons low Level monsters with high ATK to overwhelm their opponents and wither their Life Points. It may be simple, but is quite effective if used properly.”

“If that’s the case, when can you teach me?” Half Coin asked.

“If you wish…” Dusk smiled. “We can start right now.”

Dusk and Half Coin were now at a meadow some distance away Ponyville, which the former provided the latter with his old duel disks. After the attention, he received a few days ago, Dusk chose the location since it was unlikely somepony would notice them duel.

The stallion plan to do something different for Half Coin. Instead of going easy like he did with Twilight during practice, he plans not to hold back against the pegasus. He wishes to see how he reacts to unexpected maneuvers and see if he could stay calm under pressure.

Despite not intending to hold back against the pegasus, Dusk would nevertheless during the duel, explain the rules of Duel Monsters and provide advice if needed.

As much she wishes to see how Half Coin duel, Twilight however couldn’t didn’t join them since she needs to reorganize a number of the sleeves in the library.

“So how does a duel disk work?” Half Coin was gazing upon the duel disk that Dusk placed onto his left hoof.

“Let me explain…” Dusk then spend a few minutes explaining the mechanics of the duel disk.

While it was different from the duel table he used back in Manehattan, Half Coin saw the same principles and rules applies to the duel disk.
“So how do players decide who goes first?” Half Coin asked as he placed his deck into the duel disk.

“Usually, the players decide amongst themselves before a duel. One of the popular methods though was that the first one to draw his or her cards at the start of the duel goes take the first turn.” Dusk explained before gazing upon his left hoof.

“Duel Disk on.”

He said as his duel disk materialized and placed his deck into it. “For this duel, I’ll let you go first.”

“How did you do that?” Half Coin said in surprise as he looked at he newly appeared duel disk. “You are not a unicorn.”

“When I first obtained Number 39, I’ve gained this strange ability to manifest this duel disk.” Dusk answered. “If Number 82 recovers, maybe you would gain that ability as well.”

“I guess we’ll see in time.”

Half Coin said as he and Dusk prepared themselves for the duel.

“You’re ready?”

“As always.”

Soon, their duel disks activated and the usual dueling procedures begin.

“Solid Reality Vision Link established.”

The holographic screens appeared above the two ponies as the computerized voice echoed across the field. Despite seeing this for the first time, Half Coin was remarkable calm by Dusk’s point of view.

“DUEL!” Dusk and Half Coin called out as they drew their cards.

[Dusk’s Life Points: 8000]
[Half Coin’s Life Points: 8000]

[Turn 1: Half Coin]
[Dusk’s Cards in Hoof: 5]
[Half Coin’s Cards in Hoof: 5]

“It’s my turn. Draw.” Half Coin drew his card and look through his hoof. Despite dueling only once prior to meeting Dusk, he at least knows the basic rules of the game.

Such as how to summon monsters and place them in the right battle positions.

“Alright, I summon Battle Footballer in Defense mode.”

On Half Coin’s field, a cybernetic football player appeared and kneeled down with its arms crossed.

[Battle Footballer] [ATK: 1000] [DEF: 2100] [Level: 4]

“I then set two cards face-down and end my turn.”

[Turn 2: Dusk]
[Dusk’s Cards in Hoof: 5]
[Half Coin’s Cards in Hoof: 3]

“Looks like you indeed know a bit about Duel Monsters.” Dusk said as Half-Coin set his face-downs. “However, the game is more complex then that.”

Before drawing his card, Dusk begun to explain about how each player’s turn comprised of six phases. He gave a brief overview of each phase and the different card types to Half Coin.

“I never would have thought a card game would be this complicated.” Half Coin said.

“Oh, I am just scratching the surface. There is much more to Duel Monsters. I draw!”

Upon drawing his card, Dusk made his move. “I play Six Samurai United.”

The Continuous Spell Card then appeared on the field. “Every time a "Six Samurai" monster is Normal or Special Summoned, a Bushido Counter is added to this card. Now I summon Legendary Six Samurai – Shinai in Attack mode.”

A muscular samurai wearing purple armor appeared on Dusk’s field, wielding two large kanabōs in each hand.

[Legendary Six Samurai - Shinai] [ATK: 1500] [DEF: 1500] [Level: 3]

At the same time, a Bushido Counter was placed on Six Samurai United.

[Six Samurai United - Bushido Counter 0 (+)> 1]

“Since Shinai is face-up on my field, I can Special Summon Legendary Six Samurai – Mizuho.”

Now, a female samurai wearing red armor appeared to the left of Shinai. She wielded dual blades which were unusual in design; the blades curve downwards close to the hilt as a crescent.

[Legendary Six Samurai - Mizuho] [ATK: 1600] [DEF: 1000] [Level: 3]

Once more, a Bushido Counter was added to Six Samurai United.

[Six Samurai United - Bushido Counter 1 (+)> 2]

“Now I activate Mizuho’s special effect.” Dusk then gestured to the female samurai. “I can tribute a “Six Samurai” monster I control to destroy one card on the field.”

The stallion then turned to Shinai, who vanished in particles of light and flew into Mizuho’s blades. She then swung her blades, launching two waves of red energy at Battle Footballer.

Moments later, the cyborg exploded in a cloud of smoke. Half Coin covered his eyes as his monster was destroyed.

“Now Mizuho, direct attack!”

As the samurai charged at Half Coin, the pegasus calmly pointed to one of his face-down.

“I activate my trap, Shadow Spell.”

After the card flip up, black chains appeared from the picture and wrapped around Mizuho and stopped her attack. The samurai tried to break free, but found herself being weakened.

“Now Mizuho not only loses 700 ATK, but she also cannot attack or change battle positions.”

[Legendary Six Samurai - Mizuho] [ATK: 1600 (-)> 900]

“Not bad Half Coin, but it is not over. I send Six Samurai United to the Graveyard.” Dusk stated as his Spell vanish.

“For each Bushido Counter placed on this card, I draw 1 card.” He then drew two cards and after glancing at them, he set them face-down.

“I set two cards face-down, ending my turn.”

[Turn 3: Half Coin]
[Dusk’s Cards in Hoof: 3]
[Half Coin’s Cards in Hoof: 3]

“You sure live up to the rumors I heard Dusk. Draw.”

As he drew from his deck, Half Coin then pointed to his face-down.

“I activate Jar of Greed, which lets me draw another card.”

Half Coin smiled at what he drew and played it. “I activate Double Summon, which I can Normal Summon two monster this turn.”

He then took two cards from his hoof and play them. “I summon Neo the Magic Swordsman and Fencing Fire Ferret, both in Attack mode.

To the right of Half Coin’s field appeared a blond long-haired swordsman who was channeling magic in his left hand. Beside him then appeared a small pillar of fire, which revealed a fearsome ferret with a bladed tail.

[Neo the Magic Swordsman] [ATK: 1700] [DEF: 1000] [Level: 4]

[Fencing Fire Ferret] [ATK: 1700] [DEF: 600] [Level: 4]

“Next, I equip Neo with the Spell Card, Black Pendent, which boost his ATK by 500.”

Around the swordsman’s neck was a dark purple amulet with violet beads, which strengthened his power.

[Neo the Magic Swordsman] [ATK: 1700 (+)> 2200]

“Now Fencing Fire Ferret, attack Mizuho.” Half Coin called out as his monster rushed at the chained Samurai with its bladed tail ready to strike.

“Not so fast.” Dusk said as he gestured to one of his face downs. “I activate my Trap, Rising Energy.”

After discard a card from his hoof, a powerful aura emitted from Mizuho just before the Fencing Fire Ferret struck her with its tail. Upon contact, the aura around the samurai blasted the ferret away.

“What?”

“The effect of Rising Energy. By discard 1 card, 1 monster I control gains 1500 ATK until the End Phase.”

[Legendary Six Samurai - Mizuho] [ATK: 900 (+)> 2400]

“Since Mizuho has more ATK, your ferret is destroyed instead.” Dusk said as Half Coin’ monster shattered into particles of light before hitting the ground.

The pegasus gritted his teeth as he felt his Life Points drop due to the counter.

[Half Coin’s Life Points: 8000 (-)> 7300]

“However, Fencing Fire Ferret has a special effect of its own.” He said. “If the card is destroyed and sent to the Graveyard, a monster you control is destroyed and you also take 500 damage.”

A pillar of fire erupted beneath Mizuho, which quickly destroyed her. At the same time, Shadow Spell was destroyed as well since its target was no longer on the field.

Dusk felt some of the sparks from the pillar hit him, which represents the damage to his Life Points.

[Dusk’s Life Points: 8000 (-)> 7500]

“Since you have no monsters left, Neo can attack you directly.” Half Coin gestured to his remaining monster, who charged at Dusk with its sword ready.

“I activate my other Trap.” Dusk pointed to his remaining face-down. “Ring of Destruction!”

After flipping up, a large ring with a number of explosives flew from the Trap’s picture. Before Neo could strike, the ring reached him and shrunk tightly around his neck.

“What have you done?”

The pegasus said as he watched Neo struggle in vain to get the ring off.

“Ring of Destruction allows me to destroy 1 monster on the field and we both take damage equal to its ATK.”

Dusk replied as the explosives on the ring exploded and the blast enveloped the swordsman. He and Half Coin soon felt the force of the blast which cut into their respective Life Points.

[Dusk’s Life Points: 7500 (-)> 5300]

[Half Coin’s Life Points: 7300 (-)> 5100]

“To think you can counter my moves like this…” Half Coin said as he recovered from the force of the blast.

“You definitely have skill, but you have to be careful when you plan your attacks. Whenever you see a face-down, you need to decide if attacking would be the best choice. After all, one mistake can cost you the duel.” Dusk stated.

“I will keep that in mind, but Black Pendent has another effect. If this card is sent from the field to the Graveyard, you take 500 damage.”
“Ugh.” Dusk flinched when he was surrounded by a dark aura, which impacted his Life Points.

[Dusk’s Life Points: 5300 (-)> 4800]

“I set one card face-down and end my turn.” Half Coin then set his last card in his hoof.

[Turn 4: Dusk]
[Dusk’s Cards in Hoof: 3]
[Half Coin’s Cards in Hoof: 0]

“My turn. Draw! I play Pot of Greed, which lets me draw two cards from my deck.”

After drawing his card, Dusk smirked when he saw what he drew. “I summon The Six Samurai – Nisashi in Attack mode.”

The green armored samurai appeared on the field with his dual blades drawn for battle.

[The Six Samurai – Nisashi] [ATK: 1400] [DEF: 700] [Level: 4]

“Since I have a “Six Samurai” monster on the field, I can Special Summon this monster.” Dusk then played the card he drew. “Appear, Grandmaster of the Six Samurai!”

Now, an elderly samurai wearing a greyish outfit appeared on the field with a orgnate katana. Both his arms and his right eye were mechanic, but the former appeared more human-like.

[Grandmaster of the Six Samurai] [ATK: 2100] [DEF: 800] [Level: 5]

“When I have another “Six Samurai” monster on the field, Nisashi can attack two time during each Battle Phase.” Dusk said as he pointed at Half Coin. “Nisashi, attack Half Coin directly!”

“Face-down open, Scapegoat.” Half Coin said calmly as his set card flipped open as from it, four small sheep appeared and floated to the field.

“When Scapegoat is activated, I can Special Summon 4 Sheep Tokens in Defense Mode.

[Sheep Token] [ATK: 0] [DEF: 0] [Level: 1]

“Not bad.” Dusk noted as Nisashi ended slashing one of the tokens instead of Half Coin. “However, your defenses cannot hold for long! Niashi, Grandmaster, attack!”

Dusk ordered his monsters to destroy two more Sheep Tokens, leaving Half Coin with only one left.

“I set two card face-down and end my turn.”

[Turn 5: Half Coin]
[Dusk’s Cards in Hoof: 1]
[Half Coin’s Cards in Hoof: 0]

With Dusk’s turn over, Half Coin found himself in dire straits.

‘He truly lives up to the rumors, but I will not give up.” Half Coin thought as he placed his hoof on his deck.

“I draw.” Half Coin gazes upon the card he drew.

‘This may buy me another turn…’ He thought as he set the card on the field.

“I set a card face-down and end my turn.”

[Turn 6: Dusk]
[Dusk’s Cards in Hoof: 1]
[Half Coin’s Cards in Hoof: 0]

“Risking everything with that card? Very well, I draw!” After drawing his card, Dusk pointed to one of his face-downs.

“Trap Card activate, Double-Edged Sword Technique. I can Special Summon two “Six Samurai” monsters from my Graveyard in Attack mode. Return to me, Shinai and Mizuho!”

Moments later, the two samurai return back to the field, prepared for battle once more.

[Legendary Six Samurai - Shinai] [ATK: 1500] [DEF: 1500] [Level: 3]

[Legendary Six Samurai - Mizuho] [ATK: 1600] [DEF: 1000] [Level: 3]

“Prepare yourself Half Coin! Nisashi, destroy the last Sheep Token!”

Just as the samurai dash into battle once again, Half Coin played his only face-down.

“I activate Zero Gravity. Now all face-up monsters change battle positions.” The Trap flipped up and emitted a gravitational wave which spread throughout the field.

“Trying to stop my attack? Not going to happen I’m afraid.” Dusk stated as he also played his final face-down. “I active Counter Trap, Solemn Judgement!”

After it was activated, a bright aura begun to cover Zero Gravity as the wave begun to dissipate.

“By paying half of my Life Points, I can negate the activation of your Trap and destroy it.”

[Dusk’s Life Points: 4800 (-)> 2400]

‘He countered my move once again.’ Half Coin thought as his Trap was destroyed and Nisashi destroyed his last line of defense.

“Now my samurais, finish this duel!” Dusk said as his monsters one-by-one charged at Half Coin for multiple direct attacks.

“It’s over.” Half Coin muttered as he struck by Grandmaster, Shinai and Mizuho respectively. While he remarkably stood on his hooves, he kneeled down as his Life Points drop to nothing.

[Half Coin’s Life Points: 5100 (-)> 3000 (-)> 1500 (-)> 0]

[Winner: Dusk]

“Duel Disk off.”

After taking out his deck and dematerializing his duel disk, Dusk move up to Half Coin and helped him up. “Even though you lost, I can see you have plenty of potential.”

“Thank you.” Half Coin said after he was back on his hooves. “But it looks like I still have a lot to learn about Duel Monsters.”
“How long will you plan to stay in Ponyville?”

“Well, I don’t wish to neglect on my job, so I would be staying in town for three days at best. Do you mind if I come to you for lessons everyday?”

Dusk merely smiled at the Half Coin.

“I am more than willing to teach you Half Coin. This isn’t the first time I taught a pony Duel Monsters after all.”

Episode 5 [Part 2] - Dueling Feathers

Two days passed since Half Coin came to Ponyville and always comes to Dusk for Duel Monster lessons; eager to learn the game and take the fight to the evil Numbers.

During the first practice duels with Half Coin, Dusk made use of his test decks and went easy on the pegasus like he did with Twilight before. However, Half Coin insisted that Dusk shouldn’t hold back on him and take him seriously instead, which the stallion willingly obliged.

Despite only having a few days worth of lessons and practice, Half Coin surprisingly learned rules of the game quickly. Dusk wasn’t sure if the pegasus was either quick learner or it was thanks to Number 82, Half Coin’s good Number.

Regardless, Dusk thought tomorrow would the last lesson since Half Coin stated he would leave Ponyville the day after.

As where they were now, Dusk and Half Coin were with Twilight as they were walking through town. On the way, they notice Rainbow Dash lounging on a cloud.

“Enjoying your stay in town?” Dusk asked.

“Indeed. It’s not only peaceful here, but everypony is friendly as well.” Half Coin replied.

“Glad to hear that.” Twilight said as they reached a bookstore, which the unicorn begun to window-shop.

As Dusk and Half Coin begun to look around, they soon saw Pinkie Pie skipping towards a group of ponies while humming to herself.

“As expected, she is always full of energy.” Half Coin noted.

“That she is.” Dusk agreed.

During Half Coin’s stay in Ponyville, Dusk and Twilight introduced the pegasus to their friends. Unsurprisingly, Pinkie was quick to set up a welcoming party for the new arrival.

During the party, the silver pegasus told everypony of his story and that Dusk would be teaching him Duel Monsters during his stay in Ponyville. Many ponies were rather amazed that Half Coin stood up against a Number despite having little to none knowledge of Duel Monsters.

Dusk and Twilight noticed that their friends were a bit envious that Half Coin had his own deck and while they have yet to have one of their own. Luckily, the two put them at ease when they told them what the pegasus generously gave to Dusk, which would allow him to complete their decks in a matter of days.

As Dusk and Half Coin watched Pinkie, they were able to hear that she was looking for Rainbow Dash. When they turned their eyes to the sky and towards the pegasus in question, they notice that she digging into the cloud and trying to hide herself.

Moments later, Pinkie approached them and both ponies knew what she was going to say.

“Dusk, Half Coin, have you two seen Rainbow Dash anywhere?”

“She is over there.”

Half Coin pointed to the cloud where Dash tried to hide herself in. Dusk shook his head as the blue pegasus only managed to hide her head and left her frank visible.

“Rainbow Dash.” Pinkie called out to the blue pegasus.

However, Dash quickly flew away to where Dusk believed Sweet Apple Acres was. Pinkie was undaunted though as she bounced away to give chase.

“I wonder what Pinkie Pie had planned if she needs Rainbow Dash?” Dusk muttered as he, Half Coin and Twilight continued on with their day.

Despite that, there were two occasions that Dusk saw a rainbow streak in the sky. He knew Rainbow Rain was trying get away from Pinkie, but if there is an aspect about the pony that he would note, it would be that she is persistent.

“I have to thank Half Coin again for giving me these cards…”

Dusk was back in the library as he looked though his now impressive reserve of Duel Monster cards in his room. He was going to be downstairs, but he saw Twilight was preparing an experiment and decided to give her privacy.

“Never thought I would have so much cards…”

Once only having a few hundred cards since he came to Ponyville, the stallion now had close to a thousand cards available for use. Even back on Earth, he never had this many cards before.

“But now…”

Dusk muttered as he looked at a set of six decks in front of him on a table, one each for Spike, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie.

“These decks are almost complete.”

Thanks to Half Coin’s gift, he had more than enough cards to finally construct his friends’ decks. Despite taking hours in organizing all the cards in reserve, Dusk manage to find both the cards and archetypes which would suit his friends’ expectations.

As of today, he has finally accomplished the goal of designing the decks as he begun to grab each of them one-by-one and inspect the contents for any mistakes.

“Spike should be very happy with his deck.” Dusk inspected the first deck, meant for Spike.

Spike’s first attempt of creating deck resulted in nothing but Dragon-Type monsters and while some of the monsters had useful effects, all monster decks cannot win duels. Dusk spend the time revamping the deck by adding in Spell and Trap cards; some supporting Dragon-Types.

Thanks to Half Coin’s contribution though, Dusk finally had his hooves on the Armed Dragons series and decided to place them into Spike’s deck as his ace cards.

“This may not by what Applejack’s expected, but it is the closest I can get.” Dusk then inspected the second deck, meant for Applejack.

He manages to find the Sylvan archetype within his newly vast reserve of cards, which he feels that the trees and plants that the cards represent should at least satisfy the earth pony’s expectations. Now he need to find Spells and Traps which supports Plant-Types.

By a stroke of luck, Dusk manage to find a rare Trap Card known as Golden Apples, which he quickly added to Applejack’s deck.

“If Rainbow views this deck as uncool, I don’t what to do…” Dusk then turned his attention to the third deck, meant for Rainbow Dash.

From his reserve, he also found the Mecha Phantom Beast archetype and cards that directly support Machine-Types. Dusk hope to explain to the pegasus that the cards represents the aircrafts found on Earth, which could do things that she would never imagine.

While the deck is a few Synchro and Xyz monsters belonging to the archetype, Dusk wishes to add in more since they would benefit from the archetype’s special effects.

“While Rarity may be disappointed, these cards would make a fine substitute.” Dusk begun to scan through the fourth deck, meant for Rairty.

Dusk manage to find both the Gem-Knight and Crystron archetypes and after some thought, he decided to combine both archtypes and their supports into one deck. While the former would be prevalent in the deck, the latter could turn the tide of the duel if things goes wrong.

Despite the cards may not be to Rarity’s wishes, Dusk knew the unicorn loves gems and wouldn’t complain if she has such a deck.

“Fluttershy without doubt though would love this deck.” Dusk check through the fifth deck, meant for Fluttershy.

The Naturia archetype is known for both its cute-looking monsters and special effects that could control the field. Since most of the monsters have low ATK and DEF, Dusk is still trying to find the right cards to help even the scales during a duel.

As much Fluttershy loves animals, Naturia’s monsters usually represent insects and vegetation, but Dusk believed that she wouldn’t mind as long they are not scary-looking.

“As for Pinkie, she would be bouncing all over the place in joy.” Dusk finally reached the sixth deck, meant for Pinkie Pie.

Since Pendulum Summons is quite new back on earth, related archetypes are quite rare. Remarkably, the Performapal archetype was among the cards Half Coin provided to Dusk and with its relation to entertainment makes it a match for Pinkie’s character.

While he never done a Pendulum Summon before, Dusk knew the mechanics and was capable of passing that knowledge down to Pinkie.
Just as he gathered the decks and put them away, he heard something like a poof downstairs.

“What did Twilight do now?” Dusk muttered as he left his room and went down to check on the unicorn.

When he was downstairs, the stallion saw that everything was intact and the unicorn was snickering to herself. Apparently, Pinkie and Dash played a prank on her by replacing her ink with invisible ink. Confused on why the writing on her notes suddenly vanished, she didn’t pay attention to her experiment and resulted in the noise he heard.

‘So that’s why Pinkie was trying to get Rainbow for.’ Dusk thought as he realized he could next victim in the duo’s pranks.

Strangely, nothing happened to him for the rest of the day; from getting a new batch of ink for Twilight from a store to going to bed at night.

On the next day, Half Coin was in the library with Dusk, Twilight and Spike. Since it was going to be his last day in Ponyville, he was preparing for his final lesson in Duel Monsters.

“Looks like Number 82 is back at full strength.”

Dusk was holding onto Half Coin’s Number and the feeling its emits onto him is now the same as when he holds Number 39.

“If that is the case, is it possible for Half Coin to make a duel disk appear on his hoof?” Twilight asked Dusk. “It happened to you when you got Utopia.”

“That is what we are going to find out.” Dusk said as he returned Number 82 back to Half Coin.

“How is that going to work though?” The pegasus questioned.

“For me, I just imagined the duel disk in my head and then say “Duel Disk on.” Dusk answered. “See if that method works for you?”

Half Coin closed his eyes and imagined the duel disk he used back in his duel with Dusk and spoke the words.

“Duel Disk on.”

The pegasus was skeptical at first, but was amazed along with the others to see a duel disk manifest on his left hoof. The design is akin to a spread-out wing and have the same colour like its owner’s coat.

“Well I be…” Twilight muttered. “I guess it would apply to anypony with a Number’s support.”

‘This is something I need to report to Celestia.’ Dusk mentally noted as Half Coin looked at his new duel disk with bewildered eyes.

“Just say “Duel Disk off” and it will vanish.”

The pegasus nodded and upon saying the words, his duel disk vanish just like that.

“So, do you think Twilight could get a Number?” Spike asked Dusk.

“I am not sure. While I know not all Numbers are evil, I still can’t grasp their nature though.” He replied as he looked at Twilight. “I guessing a good Number has to see if you are worthy or not.”

“Well, seeing how I fare against you in a duel, I think I should be fine without a Number.” Twilight said with a confident smile.

“So Half Coin.” Dusk turned his attention to the pegasus. “Are you ready for…”

He was interrupted when the library door opened without warning. Everyone turned to see it was Pinkie Pie and she wasn’t in her usual mood.

“Are you okay Pinkie?” Dusk asked, seeing that the pony was somewhat upset.

“No, I am not okay and I will you why I am not okay.” Pinkie then begun to explain what happened early on the day.

Apparently, Rainbow Dash brought a friend to Ponyville and surprisingly to Dusk, it was griffon named Gilda. However, Pinkie described Gilda to be both grumpy and mean since she always steals Dash’s attention and telling the party pony to leave.

“You are sure Gilda is as mean as you say?” Dusk found it hard to see Dash being friends with someone like that.

“Of course.” Pinkie answered. “I've never met a griffon this mean. Well, actually, I've never met a griffon at all, but still.”

“You know what I think, Pinkie Pie.” Twilight made her assumptions. “Well, I think... you're jealous.”

“Jealous?” Pinkie said in shock.

“Green with envy. Well, in your case, pink with envy.” Spike provided his input.

“Half Coin.” Dusk asked the pegasus. “Are you able to discern if Pinkie telling the truth or not?”

“Unfortunately no. I can tell though that Pinkie is frustrated and that is one the signs of jealousy.” Half Coin said.

The two stallions watched as Twilight insisted to Pinkie that she is jealous and she need to improve her attitude. All it did was make the party pony more frustrated then before and she merely left the library.

“You’re sure that Pinkie is being jealous?”

Dusk asked Twilight, wondering if it would be alright to leave Pinkie as she is.

“I am sure. She just needs to cool her head and take in what I said.”

“I hope you are right Twilight.”

After that, Dusk went upstairs with Half Coin to give him his final lesson while Twilight and Spike stayed downstairs to look through some books.

‘I hope Pinkies okay.’ Dusk thought out of worry for his friend. While the pony wasn’t the most rational in his circle of friends, he felt there is some truth in her words.

Pinkie isn’t the type to lie to her friends after all.

Sometime later however, Pinkie Pie returned to the library to invite everyone inside to a Sugarcube Corner, where she planned a welcoming party for Gilda.

Despite Pinkie being like herself again, Dusk had a strange feeling that something was going to happen at the party. Then again, it was his chance to see Gilda and see if she is as mean as Pinkie claimed.

“Welcome, welcome, welcome!”

Dusk, Twilight and Half Coin were in Sugarcube Corner, which was all decorated and was packed with ponies.

The three were with Applejack Rarity and Fluttershy as they were talking about Dash’s friend Gilda.

“Who's this Gilda I've heard nothing about?” Applejack asked.

“I hear she's an old friend of Rainbow Dash. A griffon, so rare.” Rarity answered.

“Well, this would be my first time seeing a griffon.” Dusk said as he turned to Half Coin. “What about you?”

“The same as well.” The pegasus replied while Twilight spoke with Fluttershy.

“You've met Gilda, right? What's she like?”

“Oh, um, well, I'll tell you later, Twilight.”

Dusk frowned upon seeing the shy pegasus’s response as she walked towards Pinkie.

‘Pinkie may be right about Gilda.’ Dusk thought.

The moment of truth came when he saw the griffon, which apparently matches those he read in legends; half eagle and half lion. She has a brown coat and feathers along with a white head.

However, he felt an unusual feeling from her and while it felt familiar, Dusk couldn’t put his hoof on it.

Half Coin felt the same thing and swore he felt this feeling before.

They both kept this in their minds as they saw Pinkie pranked Gilda with a joy buzzer. Dusk flinched though upon seeing that the griffon was literally shocked and dropped to the ground.

Upon getting up, Gilda was about to show her anger at Pinkie, but calmed down when Dash came by and found the hoof-shake prank to be funny.

“Oh Pinkie Pie, the old hoof-shake buzzer. You are a scream.”

“Yeah. Uh, good one, Pinkie Pie.”

Gilda supposedly brushed it off, but remain cautious with Pinkie Pie and claims she knows what the party pony is planning.

“Half Coin, what can you tell me about Gilda?” Dusk quietly asked the pegasus, wondering if he could provide some insight to the griffon’s behaviour.

“I can tell she has the usual qualities that defines a griffon, but when I look deeper… Its clouded and…”

“Clouded?”

“Nevermind… Let us enjoy the party.”

Dusk confused what Half Coin was saying, but nevertheless agreed to enjoy the welcoming party just as Pinkie officially started the whole event.

While the ponies were having fun, Gilda was an exception since she became a victim of a number of pranks.

When the griffon took one of the Vanilla Lemon drops from one of the bowls, she literally spit fire from her mouth. Dusk found it strange though that Pinkie somehow had now a marshmallow on a stick and was using the said fire to roast it.

Rushing to the punch bowl, Gilda got herself a glass of punch and quickly drink its contents. The thing is that it didn’t go into her mouth and instead was spilled all over her coat.

“Well, whaddya know! Pepper in the vanilla lemon drops, and the punch served in a dribble glass!”

Pinkie exclaimed as everypony at the party was laughing, including Rainbow Dash.

“Ha! Priceless! Priceless!”

“Yeah, hilarious.” Gilda gasped out after finding another glass of punch and quickly drank it.

From her tone, Dusk and Half Coin could tell she was getting irritated from the pranks.

“I hope she is just being unlucky.” Dusk muttered as he didn’t want to think Pinkie set up this party to get even with Gilda by pranking her.

When Dash gestured her griffon friend to the set of presents on a table, Gilda smiled widely as she took one of them. Upon unwrapping it however, a bunch of fake snakes popped out of the present and scared her.

“Spittin' snakes. Hah, somepony pulled that prank on me last month.” Applejack said as the ponies around Gilda laughed at the prank.

“Ha ha. I bet I know who that was.” Gilda stated as her body shook from the anger slowly building inside her.

“You do?” Pinkie merely said innocently.

As time passed in the party, Pinkie brought in a large cake with lit candles.

“Cake time everypony!”

Spike at first wanted to blow out the candles, but Twilight insisted that Gilda should do it as she is technically the guest of honour.

Dusk was angry when the griffon elbowed Spike out of the way, but kept himself in check as he catches the baby dragon before he hit the floor.

When Gilda blew out all the candles, they suddenly relit once more. She tried kept on blowing until she was out of breath, but the candles kept on relighting themselves.

“Re-lighting birthday candles, I love that prank! What a classic!” Spike laughed along with the other ponies.

“Now, I wonder who could've done that?” Pinkie questioned.

“Yeah, I wonder…” Gilda was now struggling to keep her anger in check.

“Mmm, who cares. This cake is amazing.”

Dusk was very surprised to see Spike popping from the cake. Checking the sides of the cake, he saw that the baby dragon practically tunneled all the way to the top.

‘Uh, I don’t think I want a slice now…’ He thought as Twilight voice her disapproval of Spike’s action.

“Hey G, you're not upset about some silly candles, are you?” Dash asked Gilda, who quickly changed her expression.

“No way, Dash. Like I said, I'm down with a good prank.”

Dusk and Half saw that griffin always tries to hide her annoyance and anger whenever Dash is around. However, every prank is causing her to slowly lose her cool.

At the same time, they could feel the unusual feeling she is emitting to be getting stronger and was becoming more familiar with the two.

‘This feeling… It is like… No.’ Dusk shook his head when nopony was looking. ‘That can’t be the case.’

When it was for a game of Pin the Tail on the Pony, Gilda went first since she was the guest of honour. After being blindfolded and spun around, Pinkie was going to lead her to the poster where she would pin the tail.

Gilda however thought it was another prank from Pinkie, so she went to the opposite direction.

“Wait. The poster is this…” Pinkie was being sincere, but Gilda refused to listen. Things came to a head when the griffon slipped on a piece of cake and skidded all the way to the kitchen.

By the time she got out, Gilda was covered with cake and was now wearing the tail as a mustache.

“Uh, Gilda? You pinned the tail on the wrong end.” Pinkie pointed out as the ponies laughed once more.

Seeing how the griffon was shaking, Dusk and Half Coin surmised that Gilda was about to reveal her true colours.

That was apparently the case as Gilda made an angry roar and quickly took to the air.

“This is your idea of a good time? I've never met a lamer bunch of dweebs in all my life!” She cried out to everyone in anger. “And Pinkie Pie, you!”

Gilda turned to face Pinkie closely as she pointed a talon at her. “You are queen lame-o with your weak little party pranks. Did you really think you could make me lose my cool?”

Dusk and Half Coin were looking at the scene in worry. It wasn’t because of how Gilda was acting, but because the unusual feeling from her begun to spike up; it now felt unnatural and cold.

“Well, Dash and I have ten times as much cool as the rest of you put together!” Gilda stated as he wrapped her arm around her neck. “Come on Dash, we're bailing on this pathetic scene.”

She then walks towards the door, but notice that Dash wasn’t following her and she had a disapproving expression on her face. “Come on Rainbow Dash. I said, we're leaving.”

“You know Gilda, I was the one who set up all those weak pranks at this party.”

Gilda gasped in shock while Pinkie was surprised that the pranks was Dash’s doing.

‘I would have never thought…’ Dusk always thought everything were Pinkie’s all the long, but it was all done by Rainbows Dash.

“So I guess I'm queen lame-o?” Dash questioned Gilda in a disappointed tone.

“Come on, Dash, you're joshing me.”

“They weren't all meant for you specifically, it was just dumb luck that you set them all off.”

“I shoulda known, that dribble cup had Rainbow Dash written all over it.” Pinkie said to Spike.

“No way! It was Pinkie Pie! She set up this party to trip me up, to make a fool of me!” Gilda insisted that everything that happened to her was all Pinkie’s fault.

The party pony however disapproves of her claim. “Me? I threw this party to improve your attitude. I thought a good party might turn that frown upside down.”

Dusk flinched seeing Pinkie actually turning her head 180 degrees, but kept his full attention on the scene.

“And you sure didn't need any help making a fool of yourself.” Dash exclaimed to Gilda. “You know, this is not how I thought my old friends would treat my new friends... If being cool is all you care about, maybe you should go find some new cool friends someplace else?”

Despite seeing that her true emotions were “clouded”, Half Coin could still tell that Gilda was hit hard by Dash’s words.

However, he and Dusk’s eyes widened at they soon felt the unusual feeling reach its peak and they finally recognize what this feeling was.

‘Not good! This belongs to a…’

“Rrgh! Yeah? Well you, you, you are such a… Flip Flop…!”

Gilda struggled to talk back at Dash as her breathing became harder. Soon, she clutches her head as tears appeared from her eyes. Moments later, she made a loud scream that echoed through the building.

Everyone looked in horror as a black aura suddenly appeared from Gilda’s body; some stayed close to her while the rest quickly blocked the door and all the windows.

“Gilda!?” Dash yelled as she quickly entangled by tendrils that appeared from the aura around the griffon, who now had a sinister expression.

“Ah… There is nothing more refreshing than the feeling of one’s heart being torn into two.” Gilda said in an eerily happy tone.

“Wait…”

While entangled, Dash soon recall an event that occur in a similar manner as of now. Her eyes widened as she realized what happened and who was actually before her now.

“You’re… A Number!” She exclaimed as everyone gasped upon hearing the pegasus.

“Look likes you know me.” The possessed griffon said. “I am Number 60.”

“What did you do to Gilda!?”

“Oh, my host… She is still here, but she is currently wallowing in her pain and misery. After all, her greatest fear became reality and I have you to thank.”

“Hold it!” Dusk shouted as he approached the possessed Gilda. “This is as far as you go Number 60!”

“Oh, looks like the Number Hunter wants to play. However, I have no interest in you…”

Number 60 then turned to Half Coin. “I wish to have a rematch with Half Coin there.”

“Huh?!” Everypony cried in surprise as the silver pegasus frowned.

“I remember now… You were the Number that possessed Green Leaf back in Manehattan!” Half Coin shouted. “I cannot see Gilda’s true feelings, but I recognize those twisted emotions anywhere!”

“So, you do you remember me.” Number 60 laughed. “I could tell that the Number Hunter thought you how to play properly. Hopefully, you will not be as disappointing as before.”

“Answer me! Why possess Green Leaf and Gilda? Why do you do this?” Half Coin said in a demanding tone, which Dusk never heard from the quiet pegasus before.

“We Numbers have ways to sustain ourselves... Many like myself feed on negative emotions like jealousy, anger and personally my favourite, misery. After feeding on that park-loving pony’s misery, I gained enough power to manifest myself in an immaterial form. To maintain my new form, I been going possessing pony by pony since then.”

“What about Gilda!?” Dash angrily questioned.

“When I first found her, I decided to be subtle with my possession. Instead of completely taking control, I pretended to be the second voice in her head. She was naturally ill-tempered, so it was easy for me to influence her actions despite her ultimately being in control of her body.”

“Wait, so you were why Gilda was so mean?” Pinkie questioned.

“Indeed. Then again, you were watch me closely today. I know you were watching when I scared that granny, swiped an apple and roared at the that pegasus over there.” Number 40 pointed to Fluttershy, who was hiding behind her friends.

“What do you mean?” Twilight said with a hint of anger in her voice.

“Welll…” Pinkie begun to explain what she seen prior to preparing the party for Gilda. Taking in Twilight’s words at the library, she observed Gilda to see if she was wrong about the griffin.

However, he saw she was right all the long when Gilda scared Granny Smith, Applejack’s grandmother at an apple stand. After the old pony ran off, the griffon then used her tail to take an apple when nopony was looking. It was then Fluttershy accidently bumped into her while guiding a family of ducks. Despite Fluttershy apologizing to her, Gilda angrily roared at her and the pegasus ran away in tears.

“Scaring my granny and Fluttershy is one thing…” Applejack was angry, a feeling shared with the rest of her friends. “But making us think Gilda was responsible is definitely crossing line!”

“Oh, making Gilda a scapegoat isn’t my goal. My goal was to influence her actions to which I make her greatest fear come true. Then, I would feed on her despair as she realizes it was responsible for letting it happen… Without her ever knowing I had a part of it…”

“Her greatest fear?” Dash questioned and thinking back to moment before Number 60 took over Gilda, so soon realize what it was. “It can’t be…”

“Yes, you foolish pegasus!” Number 60 mocked her. “Gilda’s greatest fear was losing her closest and oldest friend! You!”

Dusk and the others angrily gritted their teeth as the Number laughed in delight at Dash.

“It was easy to influence Gilda into letting out her anger and made her think it was all to drive away those who would take you away from her. The way to quickly renounced her as a friend up to her face… It was as I hoped for…”

“No… No…” Dash muttered as tears begun to pour from her eyes.

Thanks to Number 60’s manipulation, Dash thought Gilda showed her true colours as a jerk. By ending her friendship with her, she not only played her part in the Number’s plan, she also hurt her oldest friend in the process.

“Enough!” Dusk yelled out as he was about to bring forth his duel disk.

However, he was interrupted when Half Coin patted him on the back.

“No. This is my fight.”

Everypony was shocked to hear the pegasus’s proclamation, especially Dusk.

“But Half Coin! You…!”

The silver pegasus turned to the stallion with a reassuring smile.

“I have faith in my deck like you have faith in yours. Please have faith in me… Dusk, everyone...”

Despite his worries, Dusk could feel the determination in Half Coin’s eyes. Reluctantly, the stallion walked back to his friends, letting the pegasus take his place.

“Duel Disk on.” Half Coin muttered as his duel disk appeared on his left hoof, which surprised everyone but Dusk, Twilight and Spike since they saw it already.

“You caused much suffering in your wake Number... I will see to that you will never hurt anyone in Equestria ever again.” Half Coin stated as he placed his deck into his duel disk; his tone was back to normal.

“Oh, I see now...” Number 60 looked closely at Half Coin. “Number 82 decided to help you. It will make no difference I’m afraid.”

“Number 82?” Rarity questioned.

“Oh yeah. I forgot to mention it when me and Twilight introduce you all to Half Coin.” Dusk said. “He has a good Number just like me.”

“Huh!?”

“Hope you put up a better fight than last time.” Number 60 stated as its duel disk appeared on Gilda’s left arm. It was dark brown colour and its blade was like a pair of spread-out eagle wings. “Because I will not show any mercy if you lose to me this time!”

As the Number’s and Half Coin’s duel disk begun to activate its holographic functions, the computerized voice made its announcement.

“Solid Reality Vision Link established.”

As usual, the holographic screen appeared with both their respective pictures and Life Point counters.

“DUEL!” Half Coin and Number 60 called out and soon, drew their cards from their decks.

[Half Coin’s Life Points: 8000]
[Gilda/Number 60’s Life Points: 8000]

[Turn 1: Gilda/Number 60]
[Half Coin’s Cards in Hoof: 5]
[Gilda/Number 60’s Cards in Claw: 5]

“Prepare yourself! It is my turn and I draw!” Number 60 drew its card, using Gilda as a vessel. “I activate the Field Spell, Rising Air Current.”

Within Sugarcube Corner, everyone suddenly felt powerful gusts of wind as it blew through their manes.

“Now my WIND monsters gain 500 ATK while losing 400 DEF. Next I Summon Harpie Lady in Attack mode.

On the Number’s field then appeared a fearsome harpie with purple wings and reddish hair. She made a bird screech as she readied her claws.

[Harpie Lady] [ATK: 1300] [DEF: 1400] [Level: 4]

“Harpie Lady?” Dusk noticed that the monster was wearing a purple jumpsuit. If he remember, the original Harpie Lady cards had a more revealing outfit.

“Since Harpie Lady is a WIND monster, she is affected by Rising Air Current!”

The harpy’s power grew as wind channeled around her form.

[Harpie Lady] [ATK: 1300 (+)> 1800] [DEF: 1400 (-)> 1000]

“I set three cards face-down. I end my turn.” With that, three set cards appeared in front of Number 60.

[Turn 2: Half Coin]
[Half Coin’s Cards in Hoof: 5]
[Gilda/Number 60’s Cards in Claw: 1]

“It’s my turn. Draw.” Half Coin looked through his cards and soon have a plan in mind. “I set a monster face-down.”

A horizontal face-down card appeared in place of a monster, much to the confusion of many ponies. Dusk knew though it was a common move used by many duelists. Twilight knew as well since the stallion pass it down to her.

“I set two cards face-down and end my turn.” The audience wondered what the pegasus has planned as two set cards appeared on his field.

[Turn 3: Gilda/Number 60]
[Half Coin’s Cards in Hoof: 3]
[Gilda/Number 60’s Cards in Claw: 1]

“That’s it? How disappointing... Draw!”

Number 60 drew its card from its deck and played it. “I activate Graceful Charity, which I can draw three cards and then discard two.”

Drawing three cards, the Number surprisingly just picked two random cards and discarded them.

“What are you doing?” Half Coin questioned upon seeing how Number 60 discard its cards without qualm.

“Just part of my plan. Next I activate one of my face-downs.” One of Number 60’s set cards then flipped up. “Disgraceful Charity!”

A winged figure appeared from the picture of the card, who then pointed to Number 60’s Graveyard as it glowed red.

“When this card is activated, all the cards from each player’s respective Graveyards that were discarded by the effect of a Spell Card activated this turn to their hands.”

Number 60 said as much of the audience were confused what it meant by hands. Only Dusk knew what it meant since he was formerly a human. The same applied to Spike and the mares since the stallion shared with them his origin.

“For you, it would be your hoof and for me, it would be host’s claw. However, since I was the only one who discard cards due to a Spell Card, Disgraceful Charity only applies to me!”

From its Graveyard, the two cards that was discards slipped out and Number 60 eagerly took them back.

“Wait, that would mean that Number 60 actually drew three cards.” Twilight noted in worry.

“A card reinforcement combo…” Dusk muttered.

“It is not over yet.” Number 60 then played one of its cards. “I summon Phantom Gryphon in Attack mode.”

Beside Harpie Lady, a large blue-coated and gold-feathered griffon appeared as it made a roar. Fluttershy flinched since it reminded her of Gilda’s roaring at her back then.

[Phantom Griffon] [ATK: 2000] [DEF: 0] [Level: 4]

“Since it is a WIND monster, Phantom Griffon receives the effect of Rising Air Current.”

The griffon made another roar as its ATK rose to greater heights. The negative impact on its DEF is null since it already 0 to being with.

[Phantom Griffon] [ATK: 2000 (+)> 2500]

“Oh no.” Dash muttered as she saw that the Number has the advantage. Yet, she saw that Half Coin was rather calm in this predicament.

“Now Harpie Lady! Destroy that face-down monster!” Number 60 ordered as the harpy flew towards the set card and was prepared to rend it with her claws.

The set card then flipped up and there appeared a scary-looking ladybug with four stars on its back. However, it was quickly destroyed by the harpy’s swipes.

“Sorry Number 60, but you activated 4-Starred Ladybug of Doom’s special effect.” Half Coin said with a smile. “When this card is flipped face-up, all Level 4 monsters you control are destroyed.”

“What?!”

Number 60 yelled as Harpie Lady and Phantom Griffon were surrounded with a glowing green aura. After they both gave a yelp, the two monsters were then destroyed.

The audience looked at awe at how Half Coin destroyed all of the Number’s monsters.

“What the… How did that work?” Applejack said in confusion.

“Well...” Twilight then explained to her friend. “Dusk told me that when a set monster is attacked, it is then flipped face-up. Not only that, there are some monsters which have effects that could only be activated when it is flipped face-up.”

“So, a face-down monster can actually be a mean surprise then?”

“That is correct Applejack.” Dusk said. “In a duel, a careless attack on a set monster could put one in a difficult situation. Something like Number 60 put itself into.”

Number 60 growled at Half Coin for destroying its monsters with just a set monster. “You… I play Monster Reincarnation, which I discard one card to return Phantom Griffon from my Graveyard to my hand!”

After discarding a card to the Graveyard, the card, Phantom Griffon slipped out and the Number took hold of it. “I end my turn.”

[Turn 4: Half Coin]
[Half Coin’s Cards in Hoof: 3]
[Gilda/Number 60’s Cards in Claw: 2]

“It is my turn. Draw.” Half Coin drew his card and then played it. “I activate Double Summon. Now I can Normal Summon two monsters this turn.”

He then places two cards into his monster slots; one set face-down while the other face-up.

“I will set a monster face-down and then summon Hyper Hammerhead in attack mode.”

Now, a dinosaur with a hammer-shaped head appeared on the field and it roared at Number 60.

[Hyper Hammerhead] [ATK: 1500] [DEF: 1200] [Level: 4]

“Hyper Hammerhead, attack Number 60 directly.” Half Coin pointed to the possessed Gilda as the dinosaur made a mad dash at the Number and delivered a headbutt.

“Agh!” Number 60 yelled as it felt the impact of the direct attack, damaging its Life Points.

Despite knowing that the Number was in possession of Gilda, Dash flinched upon seeing the direct attack on the griffon; knowing that her friend is still there somewhere.

[Gilda/Number 60’s Life Points: 8000 (-)> 6500]

“I end my turn.”

The audience cheered at Half Coin as he was the first to deal damage. Dusk, Spike and the mares however were worried since Number 60 had Phantom Griffon, which it could summon very soon.

[Turn 5: Gilda/Number 60]
[Half Coin’s Cards in Hoof: 1]
[Gilda/Number 60’s Cards in Claw: 2]

“My turn, Draw!” The Number drew his card. “I once more summon Phantom Griffon in Attack mode!”

The same griffon soon reappeared on the field, ready for vengeance for its previous destruction.

[Phantom Griffon] [ATK: 2000] [DEF: 0] [Level: 4]

Its power is then further bolstered thanks to Rising Air Currents.

[Phantom Griffon] [ATK: 2000 (+)> 2500]

“Next, I play a face-down, Hysteric Party!” After the card flipped up, sparks appeared left and right of Phantom Griffon.

“What is going on?” Half Coin said as he watched the sparks getting stronger and stronger.

“This card only activates by discard a card…” Number 60 then discarded its last card. “Now I can Special Summon as many cards with the name “Harpie Lady” from the Graveyard.”

The audience gasped as two Harpie Ladies appeared on the field as they brandish their claws.

[Harpie Lady] [ATK: 1300] [DEF: 1400] [Level: 4]

At the same time, they were affected by Rising Air Currents.

[Harpie Lady] [ATK: 1300 (+)> 1800] [DEF: 1400 (-)> 1000] [Level: 4]

“Two Harpie Ladies, but you only had… Monster Reincarnation.” Half Coin realized how Number 60 have another Harpie Lady in its Graveyatd. “An all-out attack?”

“I was the initial plan, but I see you are much better than the first time we duelled.” Number 60 said. “Looks like I have to reveal myself after all.”

“What?”

“Let me show you! I overlay my Level 4 Phantom Griffin and my two Harpie Ladies!” Soon, the vortex appeared on its field and the Number’s monster soon transformed into green lights.

However, everyone was in shock to see a dark aura slipped out Gilda and flew above the portal.

“Gilda!” Dash called to the griffon, but she didn’t response. The pegasus saw that Gilda’s eyes were blank and her body stood eerily still like a statue.

“Sorry Dash, but Gilda is as of now my puppet…” A feminine voice was heard from the dark aura. The blue pegasus soon realize that was Number 60.

‘It was like with Number 40…!’

The green light that were the Number’s monsters danced around the dark aura before making their descent into the portal.

“With these three monsters, I build the Overlay Network! Xyz Summon!”

The green lights were the first to enter the portal before the dark aura joined in as well. Moments later, the portal exploded as Number 60’s voice echoed throughout the building.

“Behold! Look upon Number 60: Niohre the Winged Fury!”

Appearing from the portal was a purpled haired harpy wearing a fearsome set of armor, giving her an intimidating presence. Her claws were also fearsome and appeared it could rend metal easily as the symbol of number 60 was on top of the right claw. Dancing around her were three golden orbs; Overlay Units.

[Number 60: Niohre the Winged Fury] [ATK: 3000] [DEF: 800] [Rank: 4]

“As a WIND monster, I gain the effect of Rising Air Currents.” The monster spoke with Number 60’s voice as it is affected by the Field Spell.

[Number 60: Niohre the Winged Fury] [ATK: 3000 (+)> 3500] [DEF: 800 (-)> 400]

“That is your true form Number 60?” Half Coin questioned.

“Indeed.” In its new form, Number 60 then gestured to its last face-down as it flipped up. “Now I activate Reckless Greed! Now I can draw two cards, but I have to skip my next two Draw Phases!”

Many in the audience were shocked to see Gilda draw the cards for the Number despite it leaving her body during the Xyz Summon.

“Gilda! Please snap out of it!” Dash cried again to griffon, but she reminded unresponsive.

“Don’t bother.” Number 60 snickered.

“I may have left her body, but still have a connection to her. Gilda is no longer my host, but my puppet.” Gilda then mechanically then played a card from her claw, acting under the orders of the Number.

“Now play Gust Fan, which I gain 400 ATK but lose 200 DEF!” Number 60 chuckled as it gained even more power.

[Number 60: Niohre the Winged Fury] [ATK: 3500 (+)> 3900] [DEF: 400 (-)> 200]

“Oh no...” Twilight said in worry as Number 60 made itself very powerful. “Can’t you do something Dusk.”

“I’m afraid not. Interfering with an official duel is strictly prohibited.” Dusk shook his head. “Number 60 will no doubt enforce it, especially since it has Dash as an hostage.”

“Dash…” The unicorn mutter sadly as she watches the pegasus tried in vain to get through to the griffon.

“I told you not to bother.” Number 60 mocked Dash before turning to Half Coin. “As for you, I will destroy that Hyper Hammerhead of yours!”

The Number flew to Hyper Hammerhead, but Half Coin then pointed to one of his face-downs.

“Trap Card activate, Magic Cylinder.”

In front of Hyper Hammerhead, a pair of ornate cylinders appeared. Number 60 tried to cleave the dinosaur, but its attack was absorbed by the cylinder to its left.

“Sorry. Magic Cylinder not only negates your attack, but you take damage equal the negated monster’s ATK.”

“Wha…?!”

“All you did is hurt yourself.”

From the cylinder to the Number’s right, a powerful blast was fired and it struck Number 60 with great force.

“Ahhh! You dare!?” Number roared in anger as it took a massage drop in its Life Points from the Trap.

[Gilda/Number 60’s Life Points: 6500 (-)> 2600]

The audience was about to cheer, but they stopped when they saw Gilda played the last card from her claw; given her orders from the Number.

“I will make you pay for that!” Number 60 shouted at Half Coin. “I play Double or Nothing!!”

Soon, Number 60 was surrounded with a golden aura. “When a monster’s attack is negated, its ATK is doubled and can attack again!”

“What!?” Everypony yelled out in shock as Number 60 became more powerful than ever.

[Number 60: Niohre the Winged Fury] [ATK: 3900 (+)> 7800]

“7800 ATK!” Dash and Dusk shouted at the same time.

“Now! I will crush you!”

Number 60 flew once more to the dinosaur and finally unleashed a powerful slash with its claws, destroying the monster instantly.

“Ahhhh!” Half Coin was now on the floor from the attack, but he manage to get back up. His Life Points though was different matter.

[Half Coin’s Life Points: 8000 (-)> 1700]

Since the battle was over, Number 60’s ATK return back to normal.

[Number 60: Niohre the Winged Fury] [ATK: 7800 (-)> 3900]

“When the monster that battles Hyper Hammerhead isn’t destroyed, it is returned back to the hand and for your case, Gilda’s claw.” Half Coin said as Number 60 was then surrounded by a dark green mist. “But for you, you would return back to the Extra Deck.”

Much to his shock, Number 60 remained on the field as the mist was blown away by a gust of wind. “What happened?”

“Once of my special effect.” Number 60 then grabbed one of its Overlay Units. “Once per turn, when I leave the field by a card effect, I can detach an Overlay Unit to not only negate the effect, but you take 500 points of damage!”

Upon absorbing the Overlay Unit, the same gust of wind then struck Half Coin as he takes further damage.

[Half Coin’s Life Points: 1700 (-)> 1200]

“That is not all, I can also detach an Overlay Unit to give myself piercing damage until the End Phase. So even if you go defensive, I will finish you off on my next turn!”

The audience was now on the verge of panic as Half Coin was in a complete disadvantage.

“I end my turn.” Number 60 laughed darkly as it is confident that it would defeat Half Coin on its next turn.

[Turn 6: Half Coin]
[Half Coin’s Cards in Hoof: 1]
[Gilda/Number 60’s Cards in Claw: 0]

“Its my turn...” Half Coin could feel the audience’s feeling as he was about to draw his card.

‘They are losing hope… Was this a mistake? Should I’ve let Dusk duel instead?”

There were a few moments the pegasus would get frustrated and this was one of them. However, a voice in his head calmed him down.

‘Have faith in your deck...’

‘What? What are you…’ Dusk found the voice to be both comforting and familiar. ‘Wait, are you Number 82?’

‘Yes.’ The voice answered. ‘Remember… Have faith in your deck.’

‘Faith in my deck? It is what Dusk told me…’ Half Coin remembered the stallion telling him that by putting his faith in his deck, he would answer him and gives him the card he needed most.

“I will not give up…” Half Coin muttered as he looked at his deck. “Please give me the card that would defeat Number 60… Draw!”

Upon looking at the card, he smiled as he heard Number 82’s voice once again in his head.

‘Now you have what you need to summon me…’

“Right.” The pegasus then played the card he drew. “I summon Drillroid in Attack mode.”

On Half Coin’s field, a cartoonish-looking drilling machine appeared and boldly smiled at Number 60.

[Drillroid] [ATK: 1600] [DEF: 1600] [Level: 4]

“Do you know what you are doing now is pointless?” Number 60 said, but the pegsasus ignored it.

“Next, I Flip Summon Battle Footballer.”

The set card flipped open and revealed the cybernetic football player, kneeling down.

[Battle Footballer] [ATK: 1000] [DEF: 2100] [Level: 4]

“Flip Summon?” Pinkie questioned.

“Basically, you just flip-up a set monster.” Dusk briefly explained. “But Half Coin now has two Level 4 monsters… Could he be…”

“Now, I overlay my Level 4 Drillroid and Battle Footballer!” Now, the same vortex as before appeared on Half Coin’s field.

Drillroid became a purple light as Battle Footballer became a red light; both though flew above the portal.

“With these two monsters, I build the Overlay Network. Xyz Summon!” Soon, those lights entered the portal, which resulted in its explosion.

“Appear before us! Number 82: Heartlandraco!” Except for Dusk, Spike and the mares, the audience gasped upon hearing the words. They gasped again when they saw that beside Half Coin’s cutie mark, a symbol shaped like number 82 appeared.

It was then a pinkish toy-like dragon with white outlines appeared from the portal. As usual, two Overlay Units circle around the dragon.

Over its left eye was a white heart marking while a pink heart marking adorned its belly near wind-up key. In the enter of the pink heart though was the same symbol as the one near the pegasus’s cutie mark.

[Number 82: Heartlandraco] [ATK: 2000] [DEF: 1500] [Rank: 4]

“That’s Half Coin’s number?” Spike said as he looked at the dragon. “It looks like more of a toy.”

“Don’t understand the Number Spike.” Dusk stated. “All Numbers have a special effect and not to be underestimated though.”

“It looks cute though.” Fluttershy noted the Number’s appearance, which was more cute-looking than scary.

“Number 82…” Number 60 gazes upon the toy-like dragon before laughing. “You think that will help you? Number 82 pales in power compared to mine!”

Heartlandraco merely growled as Half Coin just smiled at his opponent’s overconfidence.

“I then activate my face-down, Rush Recklessly.” The card flipped up and a wave of energy struck the dragon. “Now Number 82 gains 700 ATK.”

[Number 82: Heartlandraco] [ATK: 2000 (+)> 2700]

“It still means nothing to me!” Number 60 stated. “Number 82 can’t harm me!”

“Maybe not physically, but what about spiritually?” Half Coin countered.

“What?”

“I activate Heartlandraco’s special effect.” The dragon opened its mouth as it consumed one of its Overlay Units. “By detaching an Overlay Unit, at the cost of the rest of my monsters being unable to attack this turn, this card can attack you directly.”

“Impossible!” Number 82 yelled in defiance.

“Number 82's ATK now surpassed Number 60’s Life Points...” Dusk said with a smile.

“Incredible! Half Coin has this game in the bag!” Applejack cheered. Soon, the rest of the audience cheered as well.

“How can this be!? No!”

“Its over Number 60… Your hold over Gilda and twisted desire ends here!” Half Coin exclaimed as he gestured to his Number.

“Heartlandraco, direct attack!”

The dragon begun to channel pinkish energy into its mouth before firing a powerful beam, which was directed at Number 60

“NOOOO!” The evil Number scream as the attack overwhelmed it and depleted its Life Points.

[Gilda/Number 60’s Life Points: 2600 (-)> 0]

[Winner: Half Coin]

After the attack, Number 60’s monster form shattered into pieces before vanishing into nothing. In its place was now the Number’s wraith form, but it only made a scream as it also vanished.

With the Number’s defeat, the black aura blocking the door and the windows dissipated. Also, the tendrils that entangled Rainbow Dash were now gone and she was finally free.

As for Gilda, she dropped to the ground as the duel disk that were on her left arm vanished. The only thing that is left of Number 60’s presence was its deck, which was now scattered on the floor.

While many of the ponies were breathing in relief that the Number was defeated, Half Coin then dropped to his knees.

“That was a tough duel…” He muttered as Dusk and Twilight rushed up to him.

“Are you okay?” Dusk asked.

“I’m just tired. I never thought facing a Number in its true form to be such a challenge.”

“But in the end, you manage to win. You even successfully summon Number 82.” Twilight said.

“As impressive as it was, I still have another challenge to face.” Half Coin said as he gestured to where Gilda was.

Dusk and Twilight turned to see Dash and Pinkie was checking on the griffon. The pegasus was shaking Gilda’s body, but the griffon was clearly out cold after her possession.

“Gilda…” Twilight muttered sadly. “I hope Rainbow could be friends with her again. It was the Number 60’s fault that all of this happened.”

“Maybe with Half Coin’s help…” Dusk helped the silver pegasus back on his hooves. “Maybe that would be possible."

After the incident, everyone was doing what they can to get everything back to normal. Twilight and her friends carried the unconscious Gilda to the hospital and let her recover there.

Knowing that the griffon would no doubt remember everything after her possession, Half Coin decided to stay in Ponyville until Gilda wakes up and gets the therapy she needs.

Dusk in the other hoof was in the library, looking through the cards that Number 60 used in the duel, especially the Number card itself. In time, he would prepare a priority report for Princess Celestia regarding the incident.

Only time would tell how the aftermath would play out…

Episode 5 [Extra] - Reconciliation and Revolve

Some time passed since Half Coin’s duel with Number 60 and Gilda was freed from its possession. As the inhabitants of Ponyville were recovering from the incident, Dusk and Twilight were discussing about it in the library; the latter just returned from the hospital.

“So how is Gilda doing?” Dusk asked.

“She is still unconscious, but the doctors say she would be fine.” Twilight replied. “They even gave Rainbow and Half Coin to stay by Gilda’s side.”

“If Gilda wake up, do you think she and Rainbow would be able to be friends again?”

The stallion followed up, which the unicorn made a hopeful smile.

“I am sure they can since we all know it was that Number’s fault. Since Half Coin decided to stay in Ponyville for the time being, maybe he could help mend their friendship.

“Knowing that pegasus, he would be a good mediator if things turn sour.”

Dusk then walked to the table and picked up Number 60’s deck along with the Number card itself. He gazed upon Niohre the Winged Fury as he spoke.

“I was thinking about giving Number 60 to Half Coin.”

“What?” Twilight gasped in surprise. “Why would you do that?”

“Well, he did defeat the Number 60 in a duel, so I think it’s fair he gains ownership of the card.” Dusk said. “Besides, Half Coin would need all the help he could get if he wants to fight other Numbers.”

“Wait a minute, are those Number cards actually safe to use?” She never saw Dusk play the Number cards he defeated and assumed that were still not safe.

“Don’t worry. Whatever dark influence those Number cards have are now gone.” He replied. “The reason I never played them is that I don’t have the monsters I need to summon them…”

He was interrupted when the library door suddenly opened up. Dusk and Twilight turn to see who it was and saw it was Pinkie Pie.

“Wait is it Pinkie?” The stallion asked the excited pony.

“I have good news. Gilda just recovered!”

Pinkie’s words quickly got the twos’ attention and they quickly followed her out of the library.

“So Gilda just got up?” Dusk asked Pinkie as the trio were making their way to the hospital.

“Oh no. She actually got up minutes after we got her checked in to the hospital.” She stated much to his and Twilight surprise.

“Huh?!”

“I wanted to spread the news, but Half Coin told me to wait. He wanted to give Gilda therapy and wanted some privacy. It was then Rainbow Dash came to me and said I could finally bring you guys to see Gilda.”

“Knowing what she been through, that would be natural.” Twilight said. “Are Applejack, Rarity and Fluttershy at the hospital as well?”

“Yeah. They are waiting for us.” Pinkie said.

“Well then. Let’s not keep them waiting.” Dusk replied as they pass though town and made their way to the hospital.

“About time you three got here.”

When Dusk, Twilight and Pinkie arrived at the entrance of the hospital, they were greeted by Applejack. By her side was Rarity and Fluttershy, who smiled at their friends.

“So I guess you are all ready to see the true Gilda?” Dusk stated to everypony.

“Well… I hope she is much friendly than before…” Fluttershy recalled the time when Gilda roared at her for bumping into her by accident.

“Don’t worry. That Number was the reason why Gilda was a meanie in the first place.” Pinkie reassured the shy pegasus.

“Not to mention that Half Coin is a therapist, so he would have helped bring out her good side.” Rarity noted.

“One way to find out. Let’s go.” Twilight said as they all entered the hospital and were lead to the griffon’s room by a nurse.

Upon knocking on the door, it opened up and revealed it was Half Coin. Inside the room with him was Rainbow Dash and was by the side of Gilda, who was lying on the bed yet was awake.

“So how is she?” Twilight asked the silver pegasus regarding the bed-ridden griffin.

“Gilda is alright, but she remembers everything. Just as I feared.” Half Coin explained her condition. “She still feels guilty what she done and has yet not fully comes to terms with it, so do not to pressure her.”

“Don’t worry about that.” Dusk said as he and the rest of the mares got closer to Gilda, who caught sight of them. However, she then lowered her head as she gripped the blanket.

They saw Gilda was now acting the opposite of what she did prior to Number 60’s full possession. Instead of showing her temper like before, she was showing her remorse.

“Gilda.” Dash said to the griffon in a reassuring tone. “Don’t be afraid. I understand we not yourself back then. We understand…”

The griffon was quiet for a few moments before finally build up the courage to speak.

“I’m… I’m sorry…” Gilda apologized to the ponies in front of her. “I’m sorry for what happened today.”

Everypony smiled as they heard her apology, which they knew was sincere.

“Apologizing is a step in the right direction.” Dusk noted, which was agreed with the others.

Moments later, they begun to question Gilda on how she got the Number in the first place. She stated that on her way to Ponyville, she notices the Number card on the ground. Ignoring at first, she then felt compelled to pick it up anyway. It was then she begun to her own voice in her head and believed it was her inner thoughts

Half Coin believed it was Number 60 influencing Gilda into picking up its card, all without her knowing. The griffon was unaware that she was now carrying a malicious being within her, who was pretending to be the second voice in her mind.

The voice however gotten stronger when she finally meets up with Rainbow Dash and the pegasus told her all the friends she made in Ponyville. Gilda felt jealous and became fearful that Dash would forget about her, which Number 60 soon took advantage of.

The Number then convinced Gilda that she must intimidate the ponies to deter them from getting close to Rainbow Dash and must not show any weakness. At the same time, she felt an anger within herself that she never felt before.

Taking the facts in mind, Dusk and the mares saw that the Number 60 was indeed response for the chain of events today which ultimately lead to Dash breaking her friendship with Gilda.

“So Half Coin.” Dusk asked the silver pegasus. “Was there any difficulty with mending their friendship?”

“Believe me it was tough…” Half Coin then explained what happened after Gilda woke up after the duel. Since she remembered everything including Dash renouncing her as a friend, the griffon was still hurt and brushed off the blue pegasus when she tried to explain.

It was then Half Coin put his talent as a therapist to use, where he helped put Gilda’s mind at ease while mediating both her and Dash at the same time

He didn’t go into detail how he did it, but Half Coin assured the ponies that Dash and Gilda have rekindled their friendship.

“I’m glad to two were able to make up.” Twilight smiled at Dash.

“You have to thank Half Coin here. He definitely has a way with words.” Dash noted as she gestured to her fellow pegasus.

Everypony smiled in relief that Dash and Gilda were friends once more. Despite the trouble they endured today, it at least ended on somewhat of a good note.

“So Gilda is going to stay in Ponyville overnight?” Dusk and the mares were walking through the streets after leaving the hospital. Gilda was still back there with Half Coin, who was giving her another therapy session.

“Yeah. While the doctors say she is fine, she has yet come to terms what happened.” Dash replied sadly. “I letting her stay in my place. Hopefully, she would be better if she stays with me.”

“Only time would tell I’m afraid. You can’t use magic to heal trauma like that.” The mares can’t help but agree with Dusk’s statement.

It was then Dash’s expression became one of determination as she spoke to the stallion.

“Dusk, is the deck I asked for ready?”

“It is almost done. I’ll have yours deck and the others ready by tomorrow morning.”

“What about lessons? Can we start when you give me my deck?” Soon, Dash’s friends suddenly stopped in their tracks and turned their attention to her.

“You are more eager to learn about Duel Monsters than I thought.” Dusk looked at her in surprise.

“Too eager if you ask me...” Applejack noted. “Why are you so anxious to learn anyway?”

“It just I can’t stand it...” Dash said much to their confusion. “I can’t stand these Numbers going around causing trouble. To stand idle and do nothing when all that is happening... I can’t bear it any longer.”

“It’s about Gilda isn’t it?” The stallion soon caught on why she was so eager to learn Duel Monsters.

“Yes.” Dash replied with serious glint in her eyes. “I am not going to let another Number hurt any of my friends again.”

Everypony looked at the blue pegasus in awe as they never seen her this determined before.

“I don’t care how many lectures I have to listen to or how many books I have to study Dusk. Teach me how to play Duel Monsters.”

Seeing her resolve, the stallion smiled at Dash.

“I have no problems with that Rainbow Dash. As long you are not busy, I’ll teach you everything you need to know how to play the game.”

Dusk then turned to gaze to Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy and Pinkie. “What about you five?”

“Well, Rainbow has a point. I don’t want those Numbers running amok.” Applejack stated. “I may be busy doing work at the farm, but I want to learn Duel Monsters as well.”

“Count me in as well.” Rarity joined in. “While I have my obligation, I can’t stand what these Numbers are doing.”

“Let me help as well.” Fluttershy said with a brave face. “I don’t want to see anyone getting hurt from the Numbers.”

“When can we get started Dusk?” Pinkie exclaimed. “I want to these this mean Numbers a lesson!”

Twilight smiled at her friend’s resolve to stand against to the Numbers. “Looks like you have to prepare class tomorrow Dusk.”

“That may be the case.” The stallion said as he smiled at his friends. “But before that, do you want to see what your decks are?”

Upon hearing that, they quickly agreed as everypony were now making their way to the library; eager to see their respective decks.

“So you are going to show everypony their decks?” At the library, Dusk was about to get the decks from his room when Spike came up to him.

“Yes. They are not finished yet, but I want to show them what type of cards they would be using.” Dusk answered the baby dragon. “If you wish, I will show you what your deck is like.”

“Hmm Hmm!” Seeing how enthusiastic Spike was nodding his head, the stallion took it as a yes.

After getting the decks, he went downstairs with Spike, where the mares waiting for him.

“Once again, these decks are not completed yet, so I would appreciate it that you give them back to me when you leave.”

Dusk said as he presented then them their respective decks and he started with Dash.

“Rainbow Dash, your deck is the Mecha Phantom Beast archetype.” Dusk told the pegasus as she used her hooves to looked through the cards. “Your deck involves swarming the field quickly and the cards represents well-known aircraft back on Earth.”

“Aircraft?” Dash never heard of it, but her jaw soon dropped when Dusk begun to briefly explain what aircrafts were and what some were capable of.

“Incredible...” She muttered in awe; a feeling that was shared with the mares except Twilight, who already heard about aircrafts before from Dusk.

“So, is this deck to your liking? Is it as cool as you hoped?”

“Oh yeah! I bet with this, those Numbers will not know what hit them!”

Seeing that Dash was very happy with her deck, Dusk then turned to Applejack as he showed the earth pony her deck.

“Applejack, your deck is the Sylvan archetype.” She looked through the deck and raised an eyebrow upon seeing some of the cards. “It involves excavating cards and sending “Sylvan” monsters to the Graveyard to activate their effects. I wasn’t able to any card related to farming, so this the best I could do I’m afraid.”

“Well, I had a feeling that I was asking for too much.” Applejack saw that only a few cards were related to trees, but found no cards related to her line of work. “But if there is a consolation prize, it would be this Golden Apples card.”

“Ooohhh...” Her friends looked closely at the Trap card that Applejack was showing. Since Applejack was content with her deck, Dusk then presented Rarity her deck.

“Rarity, your deck is the hybrid deck of two archetpyes; Gem-Knights and Crystron.” Using her magic, the unicorn looked at the cards. “Gem-Knights focus on Fusion Summoning powerful monsters while Crystron does the same with Synchro Summons.”

“They’re beautiful...” Rarity’s eyes sparkled as she looked at the monsters, which were all adorned in rare gems and minerals.

“I wasn’t able to find monsters that wore outfits that would appeal to ponies, so I felt that cards related to gems would be a fine substitute. You don’t mind?”

The unicorn only nodded her head as she continues to looked through the cards. With that done, Dusk decided it was now Fluttershy’s turn.

“Fluttershy, your deck is the Naturia Archetype.” As she looked through the cards in the deck, she gasped when she looked at the monsters’ appearances. “Naturia monsters have effects which counters what your opponent do, so this archetype focus on controlling the field.”

“These are so cute...” The pegasus gushed as the Naturia monsters appeared much cuter than the last. “Thank you giving me such a deck.”

“Not a problem.” Dusk smiled as he turned his attention to Pinkie, who was bouncing in excitement.

“Pinkie, your deck is the Performapal archetype.” She quickly grabbed the deck from Dusk’s hooves and looked through the cards. “Not only it is known for its versatility, it is the first archetype to make use Pendulum Summons, which I will explain later.”

“Wow! This is so me! Thank you!” Pinkie said in joy as hugged Dusk tightly, who chuckled at the gesture.

After breaking free from party pony’s hug, he then presented the final deck he has to Spike.

“As for you Spike, I made many improvements to the deck you made a few days ago. It’s not complete yet, but see if it is to your liking.”

Most of the mares were surprised to see that Spike was getting a deck of his own. Twilight however merely smiled at the baby dragon looked through the cards.

“Wait... I never seen these cards before.” Spike then showed Dusk all the Armed Dragon cards in the deck. “What are “LVs” anyway?”

“Oh that. The Armed Dragons were amongst the cards that Half Coin gave to me and are quite powerful.” Dusk stated. “As for LV monsters, they are unique in Duel Monsters for if certain conditions are met, they could be send to the Graveyard to summon a more powerful version of themselves.”

“I’m surprised you would give Spike a deck.” Rarity said. “Are you worried he may fight a Number?”

“Don’t worry. I’m sure he knows better than to that.”

As he watches everyone in the library show their decks to each other and gave their own opinions, Dusk smiled at his friends’ enthusiasm in learning Duel Monsters and that he would not be alone fighting the Numbers.

Dusk knew it would be a challenge in teaching them how to play the game when they finally get their hoofs on their completed decks tomorrow.

And it was something he was looking forward to.

Author's Note

This is the first time I put down an author's note, but I need to clarify something. I plan to add pairing in the story somewhere in the future, but I wasn't sure what to do with Dusk.

I would be reasonable if Dusk gets paired with a single mare, but I ended up thinking that getting a harem could be possible. I'm not sure which is best.

Any feedback on this matter would be appreciated.

Episode 6 [Part 1] - Boastful Performance

A week have passed since Gilda came to Ponyville and the incident involving Number 60. While the griffon has already denatured town, it was a relief to everypony that she left on good terms with Rainbow Dash.

Half Coin also left Ponyville, where he would travel to other places to see if they are anypony in need of his skills. However, the pegasus promised that he would come to Ponyville again in the future.

Before he left though, Dusk presented the pegasus Number 60’s card and told him it was his to keep. Many ponies were surprised, but saw it was reasonable since Half Coin was the one who defeated Number 60 in the duel. He was reluctant at first, but Half Coin soon agreed when Dusk stated he would need all the help he could get against any Number he may come across.

While everypony resumed their everyday lives since Half Coin and Gilda left Ponyville, Dusk was an exception. He was now giving Duel Monster lessons to Applejack, Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy and Pinkie.

After completing his friends’ respective decks and handing them over, Dusk attempted to setup a weekly timetable for lessons. Since each of the mares have different responsibilities and schedules, the stallion thought that tutoring them individually would be the best choice.

However, they all wished to learn Duel Monsters together and instead tried to make compromises with their respective schedules. After some discussion, everypony agreed that early in the evening would be perfect. By that time, they have would have already finished their tasks and would be free for the rest of the day.

Almost like a usual school routine, Applejack, Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy and Pinkie would meet up with Dusk on the weekdays. While Twilight already have good grasp on Duel Monsters, she sometimes come to the lectures to check up on her friends and see how Dusk handles himself.

Today however was start of the weekend, so there was going to be no lecture today and it was to the stallion’s relief.

“Thank eh... Celestia that it’s the weekened.”

Dusk muttered as he stretched his limbs after getting out of bed. Upon looking at the clock, it was close to 12:00 PM.

“I slept in.... Those lectures really took it out of me.”

He then recalled what he been doing the last five days. The stallion had no trouble teaching Duel Monsters to one pony, but he found teaching a whole group to be more tiring than he thought.

It was more troublesome when it came to the practical part of the lectures; using the decks first hoof.

While Rarity could use her magic to hold her cards, the Applejack, Dash, Fluttershy and Pinkie did not have the same luxury. Since they didn’t have a Number to support them, they could “grip” the cards in the same manner as Dusk and Half Coin.

At first, the four tried to use their mouths, but it was impractical in a duel since they wouldn’t be able to see their cards or set them down properly. Dusk also frowned on this method since the cards would inevitably be damaged by their teeth and saliva.

Much to Dusk’s surprise, they were able to use their tails as an appendage to grab hold of their cards. Dash on the other hoof was able to overcome this issue by using her wings to pick up her cards and hold them.

It was troublesome at first, but the pegasus manage to get use to it. Fluttershy could do the same thing, but had more difficulty doing so.

As for Applejack and Pinkie, they asked Dusk if he could design something that could act as their “hand” while they use their tails to play their cards.

Seeing it was now the weekend, he would more than enough time to design a card holder for them.

“Maybe a good meal will get my brain running.” Dusk then left his room and went downstairs.

Upon coming down, he saw Twilight preparing a spell while Spike watched closely, standing near a mirror and a chart.

Much to Dusk’s surprise, a glow appeared on the baby dragon’s nose which a black mustache appeared.

“Ha ha! You did it!” Spike cheered as he looked at his mustache. “Growing magic, that's number twenty-five. Twenty-five different types of tricks and counting.”

Twilight only blushed upon hearing her assistant complimenting her.

“Well, you are quite skilled in magic after all Twilight.” The stallion said to the unicorn, which startled her.

“Oh Dusk, you’re finally awake.” She recovered quickly and smiled at him. “I was just practicing some trick with Spike.”

‘That is an understatement if I heard one.’ Dusk thought as he watched Spike looked at himself in the mirror before he turned to him.

“And I think this is the best trick so far. What do you think Dusk?”

“Well Spike... I think that mustache will get somepony’s attention one way or another.” Dusk offered his opinion.

“You said it.” Spike then looked back at the mirror. “Hello, Rarity. What's that? Aw, it's nothing, just my awesome mustache.”

“Really Spike?” Dusk sighed while Twilight made a amused smile. “Looks alone will not get Rarity’s attention.”

“Sorry, but Dusk is right Romeo. As attractive and enticing as you look, it's just for practice, and it's got to go.”

“Wait!” Spike protested as he covered his mustache, but it was in vain as it vanished without a trace. “Aw, rats…”

Dusk and Twilight merely made a friendly chuckle upon seeing his disappointment.

“Twenty-five, Twilight. Twenty-five different kinds of tricks and counting.”

“Spike, you already said that back at the library.”

After going out for lunch at a café, Dusk, Twilight and Spike were now taking a walk through Ponville.

“I know, but its amazing.” Spike stated proudly as he turned to Twilight. “I thought unicorns were only supposed to have a little magic that matches their special talents.”

“True, for ponies whose talents are for things like cooking or singing or math...” She replied back. “But what if a unicorn's special talent is magic?”

“Like you, Twilight, and you know a ton of magic.”

“Oh, Spike, stop. I'm sure there are lots of ponies right here in Ponyville that know just as much magic as me.”

“Even if that is true Twilight, you will be always an outstanding unicorn. One-of-a-kind I would dare say.”

Twilight can’t help but blushed after hearing Dusk’s compliment of her abilities.

“Gangway! Coming through!”

Turning to the direction of the voice, the three notices two unicorn colts rushing towards their position. Dusk, Twilight and Spike brace themselves for impact, but the stallion and unicorn were fine as the colts merely passed them.

The baby dragon on the other hoof wasn’t as lucky as he tackled by one of them. However, the colts didn’t stop in their tracks and Spike ended up going on a ride. Dusk and Twilight gave chase.

Spike managed to convince the two unicorn colts to stop, but he was flung forward by a few meters in the process.

‘I recognize these two.’ Dusk thought as he now got a good look at the two colts. One have a orange mane and opal coat while the other have a turquoise mane and amber coat. Their cutie marks were a pair of small scissors and a snail respectively.

“Ah. Its these two.” Due to his reputation, he became quite popular with colts and fillies in Ponyville. It was a challenge though to remember all their names by memory though, but he managed.

“Alright Snips, Snail. Just what is going on?”

“Dusk!” The two colts turned to him and were excited to see him, but they nevertheless answered his question.

“Didn’t you know? There's a new unicorn in town!” Snails said.

“Yeah! They say that she's got more magical powers than any other unicorn ever!” Snips followed up.

“Really?” Twilight was quite surprise to hear there is another unicorn with a greater talent in magic than her.

At the same time, Spike recovered and was now walking towards them.

“Aw, no way, that honor goes to Twilight here.” She blushed once more from Spike’s appraisal.

“Well, we’ll see if this unicorn as skilled as the two of you claim.” Dusk said to Snips and Snails. “Where is she?”

“She's in the town square. Come on!”

“Yeah! Come on! Whooo!”

With that, the colts soon ran off to the town square and Dusk, Twilight and Spike followed suit.

The three arrived in the square in less than a minute, they saw a large crowd has gathered in front of a carriage.

Since the crowd was packed, Dusk and Spike have to lightly push their way to front. By coincidence, Applejack, Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy and Pinkie were in the front as well.

At the same time, they all heard a loud voice coming from the carriage itself.

“Come one, come all! Come and witness the amazing magic of...” Everypony watched as the carriage then transforms into an elaborate stage. “...The Great and Powerful Trixie!”

Seconds later, a burst of glittering smoke appeared on the center of the stage and emerging from it was unicorn with a azure coat and pale blue mane. She was wearing a pointed hat and cloak, which were both purple and adorned with star patterns. While briefly visible, her cutie mark was a star wand with a light blue wave of magic to its right.

“Watch in awe as the Great and Powerful Trixie performs the most spectacular feats of magic ever witnessed by pony eyes!”

She exclaimed to the entire crowd in a dramatic tone as she stretched his front hooves to the air. The sound of trumpets then erupted from the stage along with a colourful spectacle of fireworks.

“Trixie is definitely an attention grabber...” Dusk noted. “But she is also full of herself.”

“Indeed. What boasting.” Rarity agreed with him.

“Come on, nopony's as magical as Twi... Oh!” Spike soon realized who he was talking to as he coughed. “Hey, Rarity, I, uh— Mustache!”

‘Really Spike?’ Dusk shook his head as he saw Spike quickly ran off.

“There's nothing wrong with being talented, is there?” Twilight approached the two ponies with a concern look.

“Nothin' at all...” Applejack said as she watches Trixie used her magic to make a bouquet of flowers appear. “Except when someone goes around showin' it off like a school filly with fancy new ribbons.”

“Just because one has the ability to perform lots of magic does not make one better than the rest of us.” Rarity said in agreement, which made Twilight feel uncomfortable.

“Especially when ya got me around being better than the rest of us.” Dash stated, but she made an awkward laugh when Applejack looked at her with disapproving eyes. “Eh, I mean, yeah, uh, magic shmagic. Boo!”

Trixie however didn’t take what Dash said lightly. “Well, well, well, it seems we have some neighsayers in the audience.”

“She made a pun...” Dusk had to hold back a laugh as the unicorn continue to boast about her abilities.

“Who is so ignorant as to challenge the magical ability of the Great and Powerful Trixie? Do they not know that they're in the presence of the most magical unicorn in all of Equestria?”

“Just who does she think she is?” Rarity said after she made a rashberry.

“Yeah! Since we all know that Twilight here is...” Much to Dusk’s surprise, Spike popped up back in the front again.

“Spike! Shhh!” Twilight however quickly silenced the baby dragon and pushed him out of the crowd. Wondering what was going on with her, Dusk secretly lean his ear towards the two.

“What? What's wrong?”

“You see the way they reacted to Trixie? I don't want anyone thinking I'm a show-off.”

‘So that’s why...’ Dusk now realized why the unicorn was being anxious as of now. At the same time, Trixie did the same routine with her pose, trumpets and fireworks.

After that, Dash flew to stage and was now face-to-face with the blue unicorn.

“So “Great and Powerful Trixie”. What makes you think you're so awesome, anyway?”

“Heh, why, only the Great and Powerful Trixie has magic strong enough to vanquish...” Trixie exclaimed dramatically. “The dreaded ursa major!”

More fireworks were fired as an image of a bear then appeared in the air.

Many ponies in the crowd were in awe of the claim, but Snips and Snails were now like completely starstruck.

“When all hope was lost, the ponies of Hoofington had no one to turn to, but the Great and Powerful Trixie stepped in, and with her awesome magic, vanquished the ursa major and sent it back to its cave deep within the Everfree Forest!”

‘Really?’ Dusk found such a claim to be unbelievable as he looked at the bear, where an image of Trixie now appeared and defeated it with her magic.

“That settles it.”

“Trixie truly is the most talented, the most magical, the most awesome unicorn in Ponyville.”

“No, in all of Equestria!”

Snips and Snails however completely took in every word Trixie said and believed what she did was true. Dusk only shook his head on how impressionable those two colts were.

It was at the same time Twilight sand Spike were back in the front.

“How do you know? You didn't see it!” Spike exclaimed; not liking Trixie’s claim one bit. “And besides, Twi...”

Twilight silenced him once again by literally zipping the baby dragon’s lips with her magic.

“It's true, my enthusiastic little admirers. Trixie is most certainly the best in Ponyville.”

Everypony in the crowd were silent as Dusk swore he heard a cricket chirping. He turned to his friends and saw that they all have unpleased expressions expect for Twilight.

“Don't believe the Great and Powerful Trixie?” She chuckled. “Well then, I hereby challenge you, Ponyvillians. Anything you can do, I can do better.”

Trixie boldly exclaimed to the crowd.

“Any takers? Anyone? Hmm? Or is Trixie destined to be the greatest equine who has ever lived!?”

Once again, she did her pose as the trumpets played and fireworks were launched from the stage.

“Okay... I’m reaching my limit here...” Dusk muttered as the unicorn on stage was now getting on his nerves.

Spike then unzipped his mouth as the spell Twilight casted on him wore off. Seconds later, he was now on his knees as he clung to the unicorn’s hooves.

“Please! She's unbearable! You gotta show her! You just gotta!” Spike cried as he begged Twilight to stand up to Trixie’s boasting.

“There's no way I'm going to use my magic now, Spike.” Twilight quietly refused. “Especially since...”

At the same time, Trixie was scanning the crowd before she gazes on Twilight. “Hmm, how about you?”

Twilight only gulped in response.

“Well, how about it? Hm?” The boastful unicorn questioned her. “Is there anything you can do that the Great and Powerful Trixie can't?”

“I...” Twilight couldn’t find the right words to say, but was relieved when Dusk stood up for her.

“Don’t... She isn’t interested in your so-called challenge.”

He and Trixie had something akin to a staring contest for a few seconds before the latter turned her attention to Applejack.

“Well, little hayseed?”

“That's it! I can't stand for no more of this!” With that, the farm pony then walked up on stage as Spike cheered for her.

“Can your magical powers do this?”

Applejack then give an impressive performance by doing various lasso tricks including pulling an apple from a tree and into her mouth. As expected, the crowd cheered in excitement.

“Top that, missy.”

“Oh you’re of little talent.” Trixie remains confident as he used her magic to took off her hat, making her horn visible. “Watch and be amazed at the magic of Trixie!”

Using her magic, she made the rope move in a manner of a snake moving in tune to a charmer. With her attention on its movement, Applejack wasn’t prepared when the rope then entangling her legs.

As a finishing touch, Trixie made the other end of the rope put an apple into the tied-up pony’s mouth. The crowd laughed and cheered at the scene.

“Once again, the Great and Powerful Trixie prevails.” She boasted as Applejack had to hop off stage due to her entanglement.

It was then Dash flew up stage once again to face Trixie. At the same time, Dusk was helping Applejack remove the rope tied to her legs.

“There's no need to go strutting around and showing off like that!” The peagsus exclaimed. “That's my job!”

Dash then flew into the air and showed the crowd multiple aerial tricks which includes spinning around a windmill, going through clouds and creating a rainbow when he descended back onto stage.

“They don't call me "Rainbow" and "Dash" for nothing!”

Despite the cheering of the crowd, Trixie wasn’t fazed or daunted.

“When Trixie is through, the only thing they'll call you is loser.”

Using her magic again, she manipulated the rainbow above Dash and whirl it around her. The pegasus yelled as she spun into the air and then back to the ground disorientated.

“I think I'm gonna be sick...” Dash muttered as Applejack came by to help her up.

“Seems like anypony with a dash of good sense would think twice before tussling with the Great Trixie.” She then created a storm cloud near the pegasus and struck her frank with a bolt of lightning.

Trixie laughed and the crowd laughed with her. Dusk and the others in the other hoof were not amused one bit.

“What we need is another unicorn to challenge her.” Spike stated as he gestured to Twilight. “Someone with some magic of her own.”

“Yeah! A unicorn to show this unicorn who's boss.”

“A real unicorn to unicorn tussle.”

Applejack and Dash were in agreement, but it made Twilight more uncomfortable than before.

“Enough. Enough, all of you. I take your hint, but Rarity is above such nonsense.” Rarity though misunderstood Spike and thought he was referring to her. “Rainbow Dash and Applejack may behave like ruffians, but Rarity conducts herself with beauty and grace.”

“Ooo, what's the matter? Afraid you'll get a hair out of place in that rat's nest you call a mane?” Trixie said to her in a taunting manner, which struck a nerve with a fashion unicorn.

“Oh, it. Is. On!”

Rarity soon approached the stage.

“You may think you're tough with all of your so-called powers, but there's more to magic than your brutish ways. A unicorn needs to be more than just muscle.” She used her magic to pull on of the curtains off the stage. “A unicorn needs to have style.”

Wrapping herself with the curtain, Rarity then used her magic to alter the clothing in a set of beautiful clothing. At the same time, she also changed her hairstyle.

“A unicorn is not a unicorn without grace and beauty.” She stated as the crowd look at the dressed-up unicorn in awe. Trixie however has something else in mind.

“Rarity won't let Trixie get the best of her!” Spike said with confidence. “She's strong, she's beautiful, she's...”

Seconds later, there was a flash of light on the stage and everypony gasped upon seeing what happened to Rarity.

“Quick! I need a mirror! Get me a mirror!” Rarity cried out. “What did she do to my hair? I know she did something terrible to my hair!”

“Nothing.”

“It's fine.”

“It's gorgeous.”

Twilight, Dash and Applejack said respectively to ease the unicorn. However, Spike was bluntly honest.

“It's green.” The mares give the baby dragon an unpleased look as Dusk merely facehoof himself. “What?”

“Ugh, no.” Rarity’s eyes teared up as she finally got a glance of her new hairstyle. “Green hair! Not green hair!”

Dusk was watching her run off the stage as she cried her eyes out. “Such an awful, awful color!” Rarity however ran pass a pony with green hair, who felt insulted and walked away.

“Well Twilight, guess it's up to you.” Spike kept on trying to get Twilight to take action. “Come on, show her what you're made of.”

“What do you mean? I'm nothing special.” She remains reluctant though.

“Yes, you are! You're better than her!”

“I'm not better than anyone!”

“Hah! You think you're better than the Great and Powerful Trixie?” Trixie approached Twilight from stage. “You think you have more magical talent? Well, come on, show Trixie what you've got. Show us all.”

“Who, me? I'm just your run-of-the-mill citizen of Ponyville.” With the crowd paying attention to her, Twilight was eager to leave. “No powerful magic here. I, uh... I think I hear my laundry calling. Sorry, gotta go.”

After making her rather poor excuse, Twilight quickly bolted out the crowd.

“Twilight?” Spike muttered in shock just as Dusk gave Trixie a glare for how she acted. After that, the stallion took off and run after Twilight.

“Twilight?”

Dusk opened the door to the library, which he assumed it was going to be where the unicorn would likely be.

He was correct in his assumption for he saw Twilight who was about to grab a book from one of the shelves.

“Dusk?” She was startled by his arrival. “What are you doing here?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” The stallion said as he approached her. “I wanted to check on you after you ran off.”

“Oh that... It’s just that I...”

Twilight tried to make an excuse, but Dusk looked at her with a serious expression.

“Twilight, I know what is bothering you.” He stated much to her surprise. “While you are very skilled in magic, I know you’re not the type to show off.”

“But you seen my friends hated her bragging...” Twilight said with doubt in her voice. “If I show off my magic in front of them...”

“And what? They would stop being friends with you?” Dusk replied as he rubbed his hoof on the top of her head. “Don’t be stupid. They will not abandon you and neither will I.”

“But...”

“Twilight, you are overthinking about this matter with Trixie. You are nothing like her. She merely uses her magic just to be the center of attention and to feed her ego. You use your magic to help ponies in need; the opposite.”

The unicorn remained quiet, but she took in the stallion’s words and feeling less anxious than she was before.

“Like you said, there is nothing wrong being talented and you put your own talent to good use. If you don’t believe me, just talk to your friends. I assure you that they will not look at you in the same way as they did to Trixie.”

Dusk then took a deep breath and hoped what he said would help ease Twilight’s worries.

“Thank you.” The unicorn said with a smile. “Now I feel better already.”

“No problem.” The stallion made a smile of his own. “Feel free to share any worries with me. I’m a good listener.”

Episode 6 [Part 2] - Boastful Performance

“You got to be kidding me?”

In the library, Dusk and Twilight were reading the same book, which the latter was about to grab before the former arrived.

After easing Twilight’s worries that came during Trixie’s show, Dusk asked her for any details regarding ursa majors. He knows of the name from a constellation back on Earth, but he never heard of such a bear-like creature before in he few wildlife books he read in his free time.

Much to his surprise, Twilight doesn’t know anything about ursa majors and was about to read up about them. Became her reading partner, Dusk learned about the creature along with Twilight and the details surprised the stallion greatly.

“To think these ursas could be so large...”

From what he read from the book, ursas are semi-translucent bears and were massive when compared to ponies. However, a fully-grown ursa was titanic in size and provoking it would be the last mistake anypony would ever make.

At the same time, Dusk recalled Trixie’s claim of defeating an ursa major and now saw it was far-fetched to the highest level.

“I know. Its fascinating.” Twilight said as she put a hoof on her chin. “But the way Trixie bragged...”

“About defeating one? I don’t believe that one bit...” Dusk stated in an annoyed tone as he turned to her. “Tell me Twilight. Now you know what ursa majors are, would you dare to pick a fight one despite your talent in magic?”

“Of course not!” She quickly replied. “No pony would ever be brave enough to face one.”

“Which is a good indication that Trixie was lying about that the whole time.” The stallion shook his head. “And I don’t like those who lie to just to make themselves look good. Not one bit...”

“Dusk...” Twilight was worried that he was going to do something rash to Trixie. “Tell me you are not...”

“Not to worry. I’m not going to trouble Trixie in anyway.” Dusk assured the concerned unicorn. “I am not that sort of pony.”

The rest of the afternoon was the usual routine for Twilight; reading through the many books in the library. The only difference was that Dusk decided to joined in the reading, who seen it as good way to keep the matter with Trixie out of his mind.

It wasn’t meant to last when Spike returned to the library and was trying to get Twilight to use her magic.

“Twilight, would you put down that book and just listen to me?”

Spike said as he stood near the same chart that he used in the morning. However, Twilight was adamant on her refusal to show off.

“No Spike.”

‘Still reluctant eh?’

Despite his assurance that her friends will not look down on her, Dusk saw his previous talk with Twilight has to yet taken root in her.

“Come on Twilight, you'll be using your magic to stand up for your friends!”

“Now is not the time.”

“Come on, Twilight, any one of these tricks, even the teeniest, would be enough to show up Trixie.”

“I said no.”

Twilight then used her magic to create an blue door in front of Spike and slammed it shut.

“Woah...” Dusk knew Twilight was skilled in magic, but the last thing he would except was for her to create an real door out of nothing.

Spike wasn’t deterred as he reopened the door. “But you're the best!”

“Spike, I know how you feel.” The stallion then intervened for the exasperated unicorn, which give her some relief. “But you can’t just force Twilight. It is her choice to show off her magic or not.”

Dusk knew Spike would be disappointed that he was taking Twilight’s side, but he felt it was the best choice.

“If that's the way it has to be, then fine.” Spike sighed out as he slammed shut the door Twilight created, which Dusk raised in eyebrow.

Moments later, the baby dragon then reopened it and then left the library through the actual door.

After that, Twilight then looked down on the ground with a depressed look on her face.

“Dusk, do you think I’m making the right choice?” Twilight said. “I know what you said to me before, but...”

“You said you were feeling better...” Dusk was worried upon seeing her expression.

“I did, but I just find it hard to shake off Trixie’s bragging. The thought of losing my friends is...”

“Twilight.” Dusk exclaimed as he placed his hoof on her back. “Forget about her bragging. If you have to use magic, you don’t actually need to show it off. Again, your friends will not be bothered if you used your magic in front of them in any way.”

Twilight didn’t say a word as Dusk hoped that his words would actually have an effect on her this time.

“Now then, are you feeling better this time?”

Once more, the unicorn was quiet for a few moments before she finally made a reply.

“Yes.” Twilight then made a grateful smile. “I appreciate you being so supportive.”

“I’m just doing what I need to do.” Dusk said as he moved towards the stairs. “If you need anything, just know on my door.”

After going upstairs and returning to his room, Dusk spend the time by looking through his cards and preparing out a rough sketch of the card holders which Applejack and Pinkie would use. He even played Duel Monsters by himself using decks made from random cards.

He hasn’t notice how much time have passed until he looked through his window. “Nighttime already?”

Gazing upon the moon in the sky, Dusk is reminded of Princess Luna. Ever since the incident with Nightmare Moon, he hasn’t heard anything about her since then.

‘I should ask about her if I need to send another report to Celestia in the future...’

Dusk was then interrupted when he heard a commotion downstairs. Upon going downstairs, he saw it was Spike and he was in a state of panic.

“Twilight! You've gotta come! Quick!” The baby dragon hastily said to Twilight, but she refused once again.

“I already told you, Spike, I don't wanna show up Trixie!”

“No, you don't understand, it's...”

“Calm down Spike. What is going on?” Dusk soon got his answer when he heard as loud roar from outside the library. “Wha...?!”

“Uh, is that what I think it is?” Twilight worriedly asked her assistant.

“Majorly.” Spike quickly replied as they soon heard the same roar again and it was louder than before.

“You two check it out.” Dusk said to the unicorn and baby dragon. “I’ll meet up after I get my cards. There is no telling if a Number is involved.”

The two agreed with the stallion and wasted no time in leaving the library. After rushing back to his room to get his decks, Dusk then left the library as well and ran as fast as he could to where the roar came from.

On the way there, he saw that the whole town was in state of panic as everypony were alerted to the roar. Upon seeing groups of ponies running pass him in fear, Dusk knew he was going in the right direction.

He also came across Trixie carriage, which was mostly flattened and was practically now a pile of scrap. Much to his relief, there was no sighs that Trixie was inside when it was destroyed.

Soon, he finally regrouped Twilight and Spike. Along with the two were Snips, Snails and Trixie.

“Twilight, do you know what is going on?!”

“There is an ursa in the town!”

“What?!” Dusk was in disbelief to hear that the beast he read back in the library was somehow now in Ponyville. “How did it get here?!”

“It’s because of those two!” Spike then pointed to Snips and Snails. “They brought it here!”

“You two did what?!” Dusk couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “Are you two out of your minds?!”

“Fear not. We have Trixie.”

“Don't worry, the Great and Powerful Trixie will vanquish it.”

Snips and Snails said as they placed all their faith in Trixie, who was rather nervous and became more so when Dusk glared at her.

“I can't...” She stated without hesitation as she hung her head in defeat.

“What?!” The two colts cried out in shock.

“Oh, I can't, I never have...” Trixie confessed. “No one can vanquish an ursa major. I just made the whole story up to make me look better.”

“I knew it...” Dusk muttered just as he heard loud stomps accompanied with a growl.

He and the others turned to see a giant semi-translucent blue bear standing on its hind legs; its size surpassing all the houses in Ponyville.

“An real-life ursa...” Dusk muttered out as he tried to keep himself calm.

“From its size, its...” He took note of its size and appearance, but was quickly interrupted as the ursa made a loud roar.

Everypony in the area were shaking in utter fear at the towering beast, including Rarity, Dash and Applejack.

It was in that very moment, Spike desperately gestured Twilight to use her magic on the ursa. The unicorn showed her reluctance until Dusk patted her back.

“You have to... All of Ponyville is at stake.” Dusk whispered to her as he lightly smiled. “Don’t worry. Everything will be fine.”

After pausing a few moments, Twilight took a deep gulp before she made a brave face and march towards the approaching ursa.

Digging her hooves to the ground, Twilight’s horn glowed purple as she begun to channel her magic as the rest of the ponies watched on.

Dusk wasn’t sure what she has planned, but was amazed that the unicorn was able to manipulate the wind with her magic.

He couldn’t see it, but Twilight was using the wind to blow through a patch of cattails at the outskirts of town to play a lullaby. Upon hearing the lullaby, the ursa calmed down as its body begun to sway.

“Nice use of number sixteen.” Spike noted.

“It wasn’t over yet.” Dusk said as he watches Twilight channel more of her magic as the purple aura around her horn grew in size.

The unicorn then begun to levitate the town’s water tower much to everypony’s awe. After unscrewing the top and pouring the water out, she then moved the container into a barn.

From what Dusk could make out from the noise coming from the barn, it was full of cows and was very surprised to see the container was now filled with milk.

“Wha? How?” He never expected the unicorn to multitask like that.

“That's new.” Spike merely said as Twilight screw back on the top of the water tower.

The ursa however begun to fall asleep and was about to topple onto Trixie. She would have been crushed if not for Twilight, who caught with her magic and begun to levitate the bear-like creature into the air.

Dusk and the others looked at the sight with their eyes wide open as Twilight shifted the ursa onto its back. Seconds later, the water tower flew into the ursa’s paws, who then sucked it like a baby bottle.

Using every bit of willpower she has, Twilight focused all her magic into moving the ursa away from Ponyville and back to its cave within the Everfree Forest.

Seeing how much Twilight is pushing herself, Dusk slowly approached her in case she faints from exhaustion in the end. It wasn’t the case when she was still on her hooves when she stopped channeling her magic.

“Are you okay Twilight?” Dusk asked her, who was breathing hard from her ordeal.

“Yeah... I’m fine.” Remarkably, she manages to recover quickly.

It was then they heard a loud cheer coming from the crowd and it was all directed at Twilight.

“Heavens to Betsy!” Applejack joyously exclaimed, which was shared by Dash and Rarity. “We knew you had ability, but not that much!”

“I'm sorry. Please, please don't hate me...” Twilight said with fear and uncertainty in her voice.

“Twilight.” Dusk then lightly whacked the back of the unicorn’s head. “Did you forget what I told you? Your friends will not hate you for using magic.”

“But Dusk...” She tried to talk back to the stallion, but was interrupted by her friends.

“Hate you?” Dash, Applejack, and Rarity said at the same time. Rarity then questioned Dusk on what Twilight meant.

“Dusk, whatever does Twilight mean?”

Taking a deep breath, Dusk begun to explain. “After seeing how you three hated Trixie’s showing off her magic, Twilight here felt...”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa.” Dash quickly cut him off. “Magic's got nothing to do with it. Trixie's just a loudmouth.”

“Most unpleasant.”

“All hat and no cattle.”

Both Rarity and Applejack quickly agreed with her and spoke their own thoughts on Trixie.

“So, you don't mind my magic tricks?” Twilight asked her friends.

“Your magic is a part of who you are, sugarcube...” Applejack stated. “And we like who you are. We're proud to have such a powerful, talented unicorn as our friend.”

“And after whuppin' that ursa's hindquarters, we're even prouder.” Dash followed up.

After hearing their words, Twilight smiled as her previous fears and anxiety were quickly going away.

“You are?” She asked once more, which Dash, Applejack and Rarity nodded their heads with bright smiles on their faces.

“I told you Twilight. Your friends will not shun you for being talented in magic.” Dusk said to her with a smile of his own.

“You were right.” Twilight smiled back. “Thank you for being there for me.”

“Wow!” Spike cried out from the crowd. “Twilight, how'd you know what to do with that ursa major?”

“That's what I was doing when you came looking for me.” She explained. “I was so intrigued by Trixie's bragging that I was compelled to do a little reading up on them. Dusk was interested as well, so we both read about the ursas together.”

“So it is possible to vanquish an ursa major all by yourself?”

Spike asked, but saw Dusk shook his head in response.

“You be surprised Spike, but that wasn't an ursa major. From what me and Twilight read up at the library, that was actually an ursa minor; a baby.”

“That was just a baby?” Trixie exclaimed in shock.

“And it wasn't rampaging.” Twilight followed up Dusk’s statement. “It was just cranky because someone woke it up.”

She gave Snips and Snails a disapproving look and some of the ponies did the same to the two colts.

“Well, if that was an ursa minor, then what's an ursa major like?” Spike asked as he made a fearful expression.

“Well Spike...” Dusk turned his gaze to Twilight, who shook her head. “I think it would best that you don’t know.”

“Huh. You may have vanquished an ursa minor...” Trixie said as she approached Twilight. “But you will never have the amazing, show-stopping ability of the Great and Powerful Trixie!”

Before anypony could react, the blue unicorn then disappeared in a cloud of magical smoke. They thought she teleported away, but saw it was just a poorly-prepared smokescreen for it failed to conceal Trixie as she quickly departed from Ponyville.

“Why, that little...” Dash took to the sky to chase after the unicorn, but Twilight stopped her.

“Just let her go. Maybe someday she'll learn her lesson.”

“I hope so.” Dusk muttered to himself, but he had a good feeling that Trixie wasn’t the type to admit her own faults so easily. Despite that, he was nevertheless relieved that everything is now back to normal.

His relief however was short-lived when he felt his senses suddenly flare up. It was a feeling he was all to familiar with.

‘No... At a time like this....’

Everypony was talking about what Twilight did to the ursa when they heard something akin to hitting pieces of wood to each other.

The ponies all turned to the remains of Trixie carriage and were shocked to see that the pieces of wood were piled together by a black aura. The wood bended in such a way that wasn’t naturally possible as they merged together. In less than a minute, a faceless humanoid figure emerged from the leftover scraps.

“You... Just when I was enjoying the fear and panic that these ponies were emitting, you had to interfere!” The figure said in an angry tone as hit pointed its figure at Twilight. “Everything was going my way and you just ruined it in instant!”

“A Number!” Dusk yelled out as the crowd gasped in shock and tried to run away.

The Number however anticipated this and raising both its arms, a black dome soon emerged and covered the area. As a result, the ponies in front ending up bumping into the barrier while those behind crashed into them.

Since the dome was somewhat transparent, those outside the barrier could see what was happening. However, they are unable be of any help to those trapped inside.

Soon, a set of black tendrils appeared beneath Twilight and swiftly entangled her. She tried to use her magic, but one of the tendrils wrapped around her horn and stopped her.

“Twilight!” Dash, Applejack and Rarity cried out as another tendril wrapped around the unicorn’s mouth, preventing her from speaking.

Dusk however was rather surprised though that he wasn’t entangled as well despite standing beside Twilight. He then notices the Number picked up one of the wheels from the ruined carriage.

“No so great without your magic huh?”

Everypony look on in horror as the Number threw the wheel at Twilight, which was aimed for her head.

Spinning like a frisbee, the wheel quickly closes the distance towards the entangled unicorn as she begun to panic and tears begun to pour from her eyes.

“No!”

Without thinking or hesitation, Dusk quickly got in front of Twilight, who was horrified of the thought of the stallion taking the blow for her. Twilight cried out to him to stop, but her pleas was muffled.

Dusk bravely stood his ground as he closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. He knew that was no way he could survive taking a blow like that, but he was resolved to defend Twilight at any cost.

‘This is the end? Isn’t it?’ Dusk tightly closed his eyes as he braced for the wheel to strike him down.

However, it was then he felt a strange yet warm feeling all across his body just as he heard the sound of the spinning projectile finally making impact. At the same time, he heard everypony gasp in shock.

Slowly opening his eyes, the stallion saw there was a golden aura shaped like enclosed wings in front of him, which apparently shielded him from the wheel. Near his hooves were the remains of the wheel, which struck the aura instead of him.

Upon closer inspection, he soon recognized the design of the wings and realized who shielded him from harm. “Light Wing Shield...”

Despite Utopia being with him for almost a month now, he never seen anything like this before.

As he stood bewildered on what happened, the protective aura slowly vanishes as the ponies made a deep sigh of relief that Dusk was unharmed. Twilight in the other hoof shed a few tears in relief instead.

“Number 39... You and your pawn had to interfere as well...” The Number growled as he walked towards the stallion.

The crowd were confused what happened to Dusk and what the Number meant by Number 39. Only Twilight, Dash, Applejack and Rarity knew the truth.

Regaining his composure, Dusk then stepped towards the Number as he glared at its featureless face.

“You have a lot of nerve attacking my friend.”

“She ruined my plan. Those who ruined my plans will pay dearly.”

“Plan? Explain yourself!” Dusk demanded.

“I was wandering around this Everfree Forest when I notice those two enter a cave.” The Number explained as it pointed to Snips and Snails. “I was curious what they were doing, so I followed them in secret.”

“What!?” The two colts yelped in fear.

“When I saw those two woke that ursa up, I suddenly had a brilliant idea.”

“What do you mean?” Dusk wasn’t sure what it was getting at and neither did the other ponies. When it came to evil Numbers though, nothing good ever comes from their meddling.

“While I feed on one’s fears, I prefer despair over everything else. I’ve imagined what would happen if that very ursa chased those fools back their town. The despair that all these ponies would be filled with when their homes are nothing but ruins...”

Everypony were horrified to hear such words from the Number. They never thought they would meet one that desire to see their homes destroyed.

“Initially, the ursa didn’t give chase when the two left the cave, so I had to “motivate” it to go after them. I observed as it finally reached the town and when I thought everything was going as planned...”

The Number turned to Twilight and if it had a face, it would be showing an expression of utmost anger.

“That idiotic unicorn had to use her magic and ruin everything! Oh, I am going to make that stupid...”

“Enough!” Dash yelled out as she lands near Twilight. She was then accompanied by Applejack and Rarity who glared at the Number.

“I had enough of you badmouthing my friend! Pummel this Number Dusk!”

“You don’t need to tell me Dash.” Dusk then raised his left hoof up. “Duel Disk on!”

As his duel disk materialized on his left hoof, he placed one of his decks into it. For trying to harm Twilight, Dusk intends not to show any mercy to the Number.

“A duel eh? Very well.”

The Number waved his left arm as a duel disk appeared on its forearm. Despite appearing to be made of wood, its glowing outlines showed it functions just like any other duel disk.

“I am Number 72. When I’m done with you and Number 39, that unicorn is next on my list.”

“Not while I’m still standing.”

The two then activated the holographic systems of their respective Duel Dusks.

“Solid Reality Vision Link established.”

The computerized voice echoed throughout the black dome as the holographic screens then appeared.

Dusk and Number 72 then drew their cards as they shouted the word that starts all duels.

“DUEL!”

Episode 6 [Extra] - Light in the Night

[Dusk’s Life Points: 8000]
[Number 72’s Life Points: 8000]

[Turn 1: Number 72]
[Dusk’s Cards in Hoof: 5]
[Number 72’s Cards in Hand: 5]

“I’ll go first. Draw!” Number 72 called out as it drew its card and then played one from its hand.

“I activate the Field Spell, Line World!”

Upon playing it, an array of green lines then spread quickly across the ground, creating squares of equal length and width. In a few moments, every bit of ground inside the dome looked more like a checkerboard.

“What is this?” Dusk said as he and the other ponies looked upon the field spell in confusion.

“You will find out soon enough.” The Number replied as it played another card. “I summon Shogi Pawn in Attack mode.”

Dusk muttered as he saw a lightly-armored samurai with a spear appeared on the Number’s side of the field. Its face however was covered with a shogi piece, which the kanji 歩兵 (Foot Soldier).

[Shogi Pawn] [ATK: 500] [DEF: 100] [Level: 3]

“When Shogi Pawn is summoned, I can Special Summon two more Shogi Pawns from my deck with their effects negated.”

Two cards slipped out of Number 72’s deck and flew to his hand, which he immediately played.

On both sides of the first Shogi Pawn, a second and third Shogi Pawn appeared and both in Attack mode.

[Shogi Pawn] [ATK: 500] [DEF: 100] [Level: 3]

‘Three monsters summoned on the same turn?” Dusk thought as he looked at the three monsters. ‘But they have low ATK points...’

“Its not over.” Number 72 stated as its Field Spell begun to glow. “Line World’s effect now activates. All “Shogi” monsters I control gains 500 ATK.”

All three Shogi Pawns glowed green as they gained additional power from Line World.

[Shogi Pawn] [ATK: 500 (+)> 1000]

“I’ll set two cards face-down and end my turn.” Two set cards then appeared on Number 72’s field.

[Turn 2: Dusk]
[Dusk’s Cards in Hoof: 5]
[Number 72’s Cards in Hand: 3]

“It’s my turn! Draw!” As he drew his card, Dusk turned his eyes to the crowd. “You all are going to be in a surprise for I’m not using my samurai deck for this duel.”

As the crowd gasped in surprise that the stallion was using a different deck, Dusk then played a card from his hand.

“I summon Photon Cerberus in Attack mode.” Soon, a cerberus-like being appeared in front of Dusk. Some parts of its body including its three heads had a combination of red, black and gold. The same can’t be said for the rest of its body though for it was made entirely of a glowing light blue matter.

[Photon Cerberus] [ATK: 1300] [DEF: 600] [Level: 3]

“Photon?!”

Applejack called out as she and her friends saw that Dusk was using his Photon and Galaxy deck.

The only time they seen him use this deck was back in the ruined castle, which he dueled Number 40. After that, they never seen Dusk use the deck again until of this very moment.

“Wow...” Spike knew about the deck since Dusk showed it to him a day after the Nightmare Moon incident. Now, he could finally see it being played with his own eyes.

As for the crowd, they looked in awe at the monster and its glowing translucent form.

“Ha! You activated my Trap!” Number 72 said as it pointed to one of his face-downs.

At the same time, Photon Cerberus made a loud roar as it raised all three of its head to the air.

Before Number 72 knew it, his face-downs were covered with a light bluish aura.

“What have you done!?” It tried activate his face-down, but it refused to respond.

“Photon Cerberus’s special effect.” Dusk explained. “When it is Normal Summoned, neither of us can activate Trap Cards while this card is face-up on the field for the rest of the turn.”

The Number growled in frustration at the setback as Dusk continued on his turn.

“Next, I activate Photon Trident.”

After playing the card, an elegant-looking trident then appeared above the Photon monster. From Cerberus’s back then emerged a mechanical appendage which grabbed onto the trident.

“Due to the effect of Photon Trident, Photon Cerberus gains an additional 700 ATK until the End Phase.”

[Photon Cerberus] [ATK: 1300 (+)> 2000]

“Now Photon Cerberus, attack the first Shogi Pawn!”

Cerberus then leaped into the air and slammed into upon the Shogi Pawn in question. It then used the trident to pierced the opposing monster’s chest, which resulted in its destruction.

Number 72 braced itself as it was the first to take damage.

[Number 72’s Life Points: 8000 (-)> 7000]

“It’s not over yet.” Dusk gestured to the Trap that the Number tried to activate previously. “Since Cerberus inflicted Battle Damage to you, another effect of Photon Trident is activated. Now a Spell or Trap card on the field is destroyed.”

‘My Trap Hole!’ The Number watched as his set Trap shatter into many pieces.

“Yeah!” Dash cheered out as the crowd followed suit. “Show that Number whose boss!”

“I end my turn with a face-down.” After Dusk his card, the effect of Photon Trident wore off as it vanished from the field.

[Photon Cerberus] [ATK: 2000 (-)> 1300]

[Turn 3: Number 72]
[Dusk’s Cards in Hoof: 3]
[Number 72’s Cards in Hand: 3]

“You little... Draw!”

Upon drawing, Number 72 played the card immediately.

“I play Premature Burial. By paying 800 Life Points, I can special summon a monster in my Graveyard and equip this card to it. Return, Shogi Pawn!”

[Number 72’s Life Points: 7000 (-)> 6200]

The Shogi Pawn that was destroyed the previous turn has returned to Number 72’s field.

[Shogi Pawn] [ATK: 500] [DEF: 100] [Level: 3]

Soon, the Shogi Pawn recived the effects of Line World as it glowed green.

[Shogi Pawn] [ATK: 500 (+)> 1000]

“Now I release that Shogi Pawn...” A portal then appeared beneath the Shogi monster as it slowly descended until it was gone without a trace. At the same time, Premature Burial is destroyed since the equipped monster left the field.

“To Advanced Summon Shogi Bishop!”

From the portal then appeared a Japanese monk wielding an ornate bronze staff. Like the others, its face was covered with a shogi piece has the kanji 角行 (Angle Mover).

[Shogi Bishop] [ATK: 1800] [DEF: 1400] [Level: 6]

As a “Shogi” monster, it glowed green as it gains the effect of Line World.

[Shogi Bishop] [ATK: 1800 (+)> 2300]

“And since Shogi Bishop was successfully Advanced Summoned, all “Shogi” monsters currently on the field including itself gain 500 ATK.”

The Shogi Bishop raised its staff as it released a wave of energy, granting it and the Shogi Pawns an additional boost to their ATK.

[Shogi Bishop] [ATK: 2300 (+)> 2800]

[Shogi Pawn] [ATK: 1000 (+)> 1500]

“Oh no...” Rarity muttered as she and the others saw that Dusk was now at a disadvantage against the Number’s empowered monsters.

“Now I activate my face-down! Line Flanking Maneuver!”

Upon activation, all three monsters on Number 72’s field suddenly jumped to the sides of the field; Shogi Bishop went to the left and the two Shogi Pawns went to the right.

“Until the End Phase, all “Shogi” monsters I control lose half of their ATK points, but they would be able to attack you directly!”

“What?” Dusk muttered as the Number’s monsters prepared their weapons despite their drop in their respective ATK.

[Shogi Bishop] [ATK: 2800 (-)> 1400]

[Shogi Pawn] [ATK: 1500 (-)> 750]

“Time to start the offensive!” Number 72 pointed to the stallion. “Shogi Bishop, direct attack!”

Shogi Bishop pointed it staff at Dusk and unleased several magical bolts. He braced himself as he was struck by the attack.

“Agh!” Dusk covered his face with his right hoof as he took damage to his Life Points.

[Dusk’s Life Points: 8000 (-)> 6600]

“Its not over yet! My Shogi Pawns, direct attack as well!”

The two samurai-like monsters charged at Dusk and struck him with their spears.

“Ugh!” The spears were holograms and thus didn’t truly harm Dusk. His Life Points though took another drop.

[Dusk’s Life Points: 6600 (-)> 5850 (-)> 5100]

“Dusk!” His friends cried out as the stallion regained his balance after the direct attacks. At the same time, the crowd became worried at the amount of damage that Dusk took.

“I set a card and end my turn.” Number 72 then set his card as the effect of its Trap wore off and its monsters’ ATK went back up.

[Shogi Bishop] [ATK: 1400 (+)> 2800]

[Shogi Pawn] [ATK: 750 (-)> 1500]

[Turn 4: Dusk
[Dusk’s Cards in Hoof: 3]
[Number 72’s Cards in Hand: 1]

“Dusk! Hang in there!” Applejack said.

“It’s not over yet. Draw!” With that, Dusk then played the card he just drew. “I activate Photon Trade. By sending a “Photon” monster from my hoof to the Graveyard, I draw two more cards.”

After discarding the chosen card, Dusk drew his cards and smiled what he just got.

“Now I equip Photon Cerberus with Photon Spear.”

Above the back of the Cerberus now appeared two identical spears. Two mechanical appendages then emerged from its back which grabbed onto them.

“What is the point of that? My monsters are still stronger! You can’t possibly turn this around!” Number 72 exclaimed.

“Oh really?” Dusk then pointed to Cerberus as it begun to glow. “By the effect of Photon Spear, the equipped monster can be treated as two tributes!”

“Two tributes?” The Number muttered as it saw a clone of Cerberus emerge from the original; spears included.

“Now I release my Photon Cerberus!” Dusk shouted as he pointed his hoof to the air.

The two Cerberus roared as they both turned into particles of light, which flew into the air to form an starry spiral.

The entire crowd looked at upon the incredible spectacle in complete awe.

“Incredible...” Spike muttered out as the spiral begun to spin quickly and was now brighter than before. The mares though only smiled for they knew what about to come.

“Descend before us and stand against the darkness! Reveal yourself! Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon!”

Soon, a large dragon emerged from the center of spiral and it gave out a mighty roar as it finally revealed itself.

[Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon] [ATK: 3000] [DEF: 2500] [Level: 8]

The crowd was startled at first upon the dragon’s summoning, but they soon burst into a cheer as they look upon its unique appearance.

“Alright! He summoned Galaxy-Eyes!” Dash exclaimed in joy, which was shared amongst her friends.

As for Spike, he was speechless as gazes upon Galaxy-Eyes and the overwhelming presence its radiates.

“Now Galaxy-Eyes attack the Shogi Pawn to the left!” Dusk yelled out. “Photon Stream of Destruction!”

The dragon then unleashed a powerful beam of energy at the specified Shogi Pawn. Upon being enveloped by the attack, the monster quickly vanishes into nothing.

“Agh!” Number 72 cried out as it felt the shockwave of the attack as it cut into its Life Points.

[Number 72’s Life Points: 6200 (-)> 4700]

“I end my turn.”

[Turn 5: Number 72]
[Dusk’s Cards in Hoof: 2]
[Number 72’s Cards in Hand: 1]

‘Grrr... Shogi Bishop isn’t strong enough to take on Galaxy-Eyes and if I go defensive, that pony is going to swarm me with his own monsters.’

The Number growled in anger as it clutched its hands tightly while the crowd cheered for Dusk. However, it refuse to relent as it grew its card.

“My turn... Draw!” Upon looking at the card he drew, Number 72 begun to laugh darkly.

“It’s time...” It crackled. “I summon Shogi Knight in Attack mode!”

A centaur wearing samurai armor and wielding a large blade appeared on the Number’s field. Like all “Shogi” monsters, there is a shogi piece covering its face with the kanji 桂馬 (Cassia Horse).

[Shogi Knight] [ATK: 800] [DEF: 400] [Level: 3]

The monster soon received the effects of Line World as it was imbued with green energy.

[Shogi Knight] [ATK: 800 (+)> 1300]

“When it is Normal Summoned, I can target one set Spell or Trap card your control and see what it is and if it is a Trap, it is destroyed.”

“Not good...” Dusk whispered as his last face-down was flipped up and it was revealed to be Photon Current, which was a Trap card.

Shogi Knight then swung its blade at the card and cleaved it into two as the two halves soon shattered into pieces.

“Since a Trap card was destroyed by this effect, Shogi Knight’s second effect now activates. Now I can Special Summon a Level 3 EARTH monster from my hand in Defense mode.”

Number 72 stated as something begun to appear near Shogi Knight.

“Appear, Shogi Lance!”

Surprisingly, the monster summoned as basically a wheel adorned with eight spearheads. In the center of the wheel as a shogi piece with the Kanji 香車 (Incense Chariot).

[Shogi Lance] [ATK: 500] [DEF: 500] [Level: 3]

It too received the effects of Line World.

[Shogi Lance] [ATK: 500 (+)> 1000]

“I activate Shogi Lance’s special effect.” The Number gestured to his monsters as it begun to emit a golden glow. “Once per turn, I can target one Level 3 Beast-Warrior-Type monster I control and I chose Shogi Knight.”

Shogi Knight soon was covered in the some golden aura as Shogi Lance.

“Now the Levels of Shogi Knight and Shogi Lance become the combined Levels of those two monsters!”

[Shogi Knight] [Level: 3 (+)> 6]

[Shogi Lance] [Level 3(+)> 6]

“Three Level 6 monsters... You don’t mean...” Dusk soon realized what Number 72 was planning to do.

“Yes! Now I overlay my Level 6 Shogi Knight and Shogi Lance!" As the Xyz vortex appeared on its field, a black aura soon emerged from the Number’s wooden “body” and flew into the air. At the same time, the two monsters the Number chosen became a pair orange light and joined up the aura.

“With these two monsters, I build the Overlay Network! Xyz Summon!” The voice echoed from the black aura.

The two orange lights were the first to descending into the vortex before the black aura followed suit. When vortex exploded a moment later, an unusual red and yellow figure appeared.

“Prepare yourself for you face the full might of Number 72: Shogi Rook!”

The Number’s true form appeared robotic in appearance, but its most fearsome aspect was a pair of spiked wheels. In the center of each of the wheels was a yellow orb with a shogi piece, which had the kanji 飛車 (Flying Chariot). On the left side of the Number’s chest was the symbol of number 70 as a pair of Overlay Units spun around in.

[Number 72: Shogi Rook] [ATK: 2500] [DEF: 1200] [Rank: 6]

“The Number’s true form...” Applejack muttered as she looked upon Number 72. Its wooden “body” still stood on its feet, but was now barely moving.

“If you think my true from is fearsome, wait till I gain the effects of Line World.” The Number chuckled as it gained additional ATK.

[Number 72: Shogi Rook] [ATK: 2500 (+)> 3000]

“Now I activate my own special effect!” Number 72 then struck one of its Overlay Units with its spiked wheels. “By detaching an Overlay Unit, I can destroy one monster and one set Spell or Trap you control! While you have no set cards, you say goodbye to your dragon!”

“No! Galaxy-Eyes!”

Dusk cried out as Number 72 then threw one of its spiked wheels at Galaxy-Eyes. After giving out a pained roar when the wheel struck deeply into its chest, the dragon quickly exploded. The wheel however remained in intact as it returned back the Number.

“As a price for using this effect however, any Battle Damage you take this turn will be halved.” The Number stated out. “It doesn’t matter for victory will be mine in the end.”

As everyone looked horrified after seeing Galaxy-Eyes being destroyed in an instant, Dusk gritted his teeth as he has nothing left to defend himself.

“Feel my wrath!” Number 72 exclaimed just before throwing the same wheel that destroyed Galaxy-Eyes at Dusk. “I will attack you directly!”

“Aghhh!” Dusk was knocked to the ground after being struck by the wheel. At the same time, it took a chunk out of his Life Points.

[Dusk’s Life Points: 5100 (-)> 3600]

“Next, my Shogi Priest will attack you directly as well!” The monster in question then unleashed another wave of magical bolts at Dusk, who has yet to get back up.

He gasped as he was then struck again by the barrage, which took even more of his Life Points away.

[Dusk’s Life Points: 3600 (-)> 2200]

“I’m not done with you yet. Now I activate my face-down, Xyz Buster!”

After the card flipped-up, Number 72 was then covered with a reddish glow before it condensed into its chest. Suddenly, it was unleashed upon Dusk and struck him while he was still on the ground.

“Aghhhh!”

Everyone were horrified as Dusk was struck by the effect, which cut a portion of his already diminished Life Points.

[Dusk’s Life Points: 2200 (-)> 400]

“When Xyz Buster is activated, I target one Xyz Monster I control and inflict damage to my opponent by the Xyz’s Rank multiplied by 300 points!”

Number 72 laughed as Dusk struggled to get back up after the Number’s aggressive maneuver.

“Looks like you had enough for now. I end my turn.”

[Turn 6: Dusk]
[Dusk’s Cards in Hoof: 2]
[Number 72’s Cards in Hand: 0]

“Ugh...” Dusk slowly got back on his hooves as he was recovering from the previous direct attacks and the effect of Xyz Buster.

Dusk looked upon his field and saw how dire the situation was. He had no cards on the field while Number 72 was on the field along with Shogi Bishop; both powerful monsters.

“Give up.” Number 72 stated to him. “You can’t win.”

The stallion was silent as the crowd held their breath. While they were worried as well, Dusk’s friends still have faith in him.

They knew him long enough that he wouldn’t give up no matter the odds.

“Never...!” Dusk yelled at the Number. “As long I can draw a card... I can make a miracle happen! Draw!”

Upon hearing that, everyone sighed in relief and cheered on Dusk as he drew the card and immediately played it.

"I activate Pot of Greed, which allows me to draw two cards."

After drawing, he again immediately played one of the two cards he drew.

“Next, I activate the Spell, Photon Sublimation. By banishing two “Photon” monsters from my Graveyard, I draw more two cards.”

After setting aside the two cards that slipped out of his Graveyard, Dusk closed his eyes as he drew his cards; hoping for the cards that would grant him victory.

As he opened his eyes and looked upon the cards, he smiled with confidence as he now had the means to win the duel.

“Since I have no monsters on the field, I can Special Summon Photon Thrasher in Attack mode.”

Soon appearing on the field was the blue armored photon warrior, who readied his sword for battle.

[Photon Thrasher] [ATK: 2100] [DEF: 0] [Level: 4]

“Next, I summon Photon Crusher in Attack mode as well.”

Beside Thrasher was its fellow green armored photon warrior, who spun his double-ended mace and entered his combat stance.

[Photon Crusher] [ATK: 2000] [DEF: 0] [Level: 4]

“Could he be...?” Applejack muttered with a smile as she and others realized what Dusk was planning to do.

“What is going to do?” Spike questioned.

“Dusk is going to bring him out!” Dash replied.

“Uh?”

“Now, I overlay my Level 4 Photon Thrasher and Photon Crusher!” Dusk said as the two monsters became a pair of golden light and flew into the air, a vortex then appeared in front of Dusk.

“With these two monsters, I build the Overlay Network! Xyz Summon!” The vortex soon exploded just after the two lights descended into it.

“Reveal yourself Number 39! The warrior of light, Utopia!”

The crowd gasped in surprise as they notice the symbol 39 appeared near Dusk’s cutie mark. At the same time, the golden winged warrior himself appeared on his field.

[Number 39: Utopia] [ATK: 2500] [DEF: 2000] [Rank: 4]

“Woah...”

Spike’s mouth was agape as he and the rest of the crowd were mesmerizing Utopia’s formidable appearance; like a shining beacon of light.

The mares were not as affected since they already seen Utopia before, but they nevertheless smiled at the good Number.

“Number 39...” Number 72 bitterly said. “I wouldn’t matter though. Number 39 cannot defeat either me or Shogi Bishop.”

“Not alone that is.” Dusk then played a card from his hoof. “I activate Monster Reborn! Come back to me, Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon!”

Moments later, the dragon reappeared on the field in a bright flash of blue light. The crowd cheered on as the witness the return of Galaxy-Eyes.

[Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon] [ATK: 3000] [DEF: 2500] [Level: 8]

“Now for my trump card... I equip Galaxy-Eyes with Photon Wing!”

Galaxy-Eyes made a powerful roar as a second pair of wings of wings grew from its back, which were much larger than the original pair. Everyone watched the sparkles that appeared from the wings, which shine brightly as the stars in the sky.

“Once per turn, I can target 1 Xyz Monster you control and detach all of its Overlay Units. Utopia! Lend Galaxy-Eyes your aid!”

Utopia obliged as it detached its two Overlay Units, which flew away from him and towards Galaxy-Eyes and were absorbed by its new pair of wings.

“Now until the End Phase, the equipped monster gains ATK equal to that targeted Xyz’s Rank multiplied by 200 points. Since Utopia’s Rank is 4, Galaxy-Eyes gains 800 ATK.”

The dragon’s wings glowed brightly as it signified the boost in its power.

[Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon] [ATK: 3000 (+)> 3800]

“Is that so?”

Number 72 wasn’t fazed by Galaxy-Eyes now being stronger than itself or Shogi Bishop.

“I cannot be destroyed in battle by a non-Number and even if you destroy Shogi Bishop, I will use my effect next turn to destroy your dragon and then personally crush Number 39!”

Dusk merely smirked.

“Unfortunately for you Number 72, I am not attacking either you or Shogi Bishop. You see when Photon Wing’s effect activates, the equipped monster can attack you directly!”

“What!?!

“Galaxy-Eyes!” The stallion pointed to the wooden “body” of the Number. “Direct Attack! Photon Stream of Destruction!”

The dragon roared in compliance as it unleashed its attack on the Number’s wooden “body”, which didn’t flinch from the impact. The feeling wasn’t the same for Number 72 for it yelled in pain as its Life Points dropped drastically.

[Number 72’s Life Points: 4700 (-)> 900]

“You think this will stop me... On my next turn, I’ll...”

“There is no next turn for you for I activate Miracle Galaxy!”

Dusk activated the last card in his hoof, which a shining aura then covered Galaxy-Eyes as it made another roar.

“During my Main Phase 2, if I took no Battle Damage during this turn's Battle Phase, I’m able to conduct another Battle Phase.”

“Impo... Impossible! But Galaxy-Eyes...” The Number cried in shock.

“Due to its effect, only one monster I control would be able to attack.” Dusk explained as he gazes upon his dragon. “However, Galaxy-Eyes more than suffice for Photon Wing’s effect is still active.”

The stallion then pointed to the Number’s wooden “body” once more. “Galaxy-Eyes, finish this! Photon Stream of Destruction! Second Direct Attack!”

“No! No!” Number 72 look in horror as the dragon begun to unleash the final blow. “My plan! It wasn’t to end like...!”

It couldn’t continue on as Galaxy-Eye struck the Number’s wooden “body” once again. This time, the attack unleashed a shockwave which struck Number 72’s true form and spread cracks all over.

“AHHHH!” Number 72 screamed as its form begun to break down into nothing.

[Number 72’s Life Points: 900 (-)> 0]

[Winner: Dusk]

With it true form now gone, Number 72 was in the form of a black wraith found in all Numbers. It made one last scream as the Number vanishes without a trace, which the black aura that created the dome and the tendrils followed suit.

As the holographs begun to disappear and Dusk dematerialized his duel dusk, he looked upon Number 72’s wooden “body”, which no longer had its duel disk. Now that Number 72’s essence is gone, it was essentially now a humanoid mannequin.

“Its over...” Dusk sighed in relief while he listened the cheering from the crowd, who were ecstatic of the stallion’s performance in the duel and his victory.

He turned to his friends and saw that Twilight was finally free from the tendrils that Number 72 entangled her with previously.

“You are safe Twil...” Dusk smiled at the unicorn, but was startled when Twilight quickly caught him in a hug with her eyes at the verge of tears.

“Idiot...” She said as her hooves was tightly wrapped around the stallion’s neck.

“That isn’t something you say to the one who saved you.” Dusk stated.

“Then why did you shield me...?” Dusk soon realize what Twilight meant. “If you were hit by that wheel, then...”

“I would have gotten hurt or worse.” He finished her sentence as he manages to get Twilight to let go of him.

“Twilight, I don’t want to see any my friends getting hurt and especially from a Number.” Dusk said looking in Twilight’s eyes. “While I wasn’t thinking clearly when I got between you and the wheel, but know this... I’m willing to risk my life for the sake of my friends and you are one of them.”

Twilight made a bright smile upon hearing Dusk’s words. Soon enough, the others approached Dusk with smiles of their own.

“Dusk!” Spike was the first to speak. “That Utopia and Galaxy-Eyes were incredible!”

“You said it.” Dash agreed. “The way he took down that Number was awesome!”

“I agree with Twilight though.” Rarity said to Dusk. “You had us all scared when you shielded her from that wheel.”

“But you then somehow created that barrier to shield yourself.” Applejack quickly noted. “How in Equestria did you do that Dusk? You are not a unicorn.”

“I... I don’t know...” Dusk replied. “When I was shielding Twilight, I suddenly felt this warm feeling across my body. When I opened my eyes, I then saw that golden aura...”

“Wait...” Twilight soon remembered what the aura looked like when it first appeared. “That aura was shaped like Utopia’s wings.”

“Yeah, I noticed that as well.” Applejack said. “Did Utopia really...”

“I believe so. It must have sensed I was in danger and appeared to protect me.” Dusk then took out the very card from his Extra Deck and looked at it.

“You think you could that again?” Dash asked.

“I’m not sure. As much I would like to think about it, I’m in no mood to think after what we been through tonight.” Dusk sighed. “Let’s get everything clean up and try to get a good night sleep.”

“Can’t argue with that.” Twilight felt the same since she had to use a lot of magic to stop the ursa minor and then being entangled by Number 72.

In the end, Snips and Snails were ordered by Twilight to clean up the area as punishment for bring the ursa minor to Ponyville and endangering everypony in the process. Feeling guilty what they done, the two colts willingly accept their punishment.

Surprisingly, Twilight casted the same spell that she practiced this morning, which give Snip, Snails and even Spike mustaches of different style.

As for Dusk, he went towards the wooden mannequin and picked up the cards that Number 72 used that lie on the ground.

After inspecting it, the stallion smiled as an idea came to his head.

“Do you really want this in your room?”

Back in the library, Twilight using her magic to levitate the wooden mannequin into Dusk’s room. However, she found it a bit strange that Dusk would want it in the first place since he wasn't the type to collect trophies.

“Don’t worry. Since Number 72 is defeated, it is just now a harmless mannequin.” Dusk assured her. “Just think of it as chance to learn about the physiology of a human in detail.”

“Really?” Twilight questioned.

“Of course.” Dusk pointed to each part of the mannequin. “The arms, legs, hands, fingers... These are the very things that make humans unique back on Earth.”

“Do you mind if you tell me about it tomorrow?” Twilight was now looking at the mannequin in interest.

While Dusk provided her rough sketches and descriptions back in Canterlot, it wasn’t enough for her to fully understand the human body. Now, she would have the opportunity to get an idea how the so-called fingers and toes worked.

“Sure thing Twilight, but I think we should make sure our reports are finished before we get to that.” Dusk said, which she nodded in agreement.

However, it was getting late, so the two decided to write their respective reports in the morning. After saying good night to each other, Twilight and Dusk soon went to bed and quickly found themselves fast asleep.

Episode 7 [Part 1] - No Courage without Fear

It been a week since Twilight stopped the ursa minor and Dusk defeated Number 72. After that, everything was relatively peaceful in Ponyville.

Inside the library, Twilight and Spike were preparing for an simple experiment. However, it was rather special since Dusk personally proposed it and stated he would be the test subject.

“You are sure about this?” Twilight had a skeptical look as she was levitating a broom with her magic.

“As long you don’t hit me too hard, then I’ll be fine.” Dusk said, who was holding Utopia’s card in his hoof.

“Okay then.” With that, the experiment begun as Twilight moved the broom towards Dusk, who closed his eyes as he imagined the golden aura that protected him before.

The unicorn first lightly hit the stallion with the brush end of the broom, but nothing happened as Dusk kept focusing the image of the aura in his head.

Reluctantly, Twilight entered the second phase of the experiment as she then begun to use the handle to hit Dusk. As he felt the impacts, his thoughts quickly shift to Utopia’s true form as he furrowed his forehead.

Seeing that nothing was happening, Twilight stopped hitting him with the broom and thus stopping the experiment.

“No aura? No shield? Nothing?” Dusk asked her and Spike as he was rubbing his head.

“Nope”

“Afraid not.”

Spike and Twilight gave their respective reply while shaking their heads.

“I’m guessing Utopia would only protect me if my life was in danger after all.” Dusk sighed as he walked to the two. “Well, there goes the theory of the possibility of channeling the power of a Number at will.”

“Sorry Dusk.” The unicorn said with a comforting smile.

“It’s a shame. Imagine what you could do if...” Spike couldn’t finish talking as he suddenly burped green fire.

Dusk and Twilight knew what it means as a scroll then appeared from the flames.

“Wonder what Celestia has for us now?” He said as Twilight merely pouts upon hearing him say the alicorn’s name in a casual manner.

While she knows that Dusk told her that royalty on Earth is more of a ceremonious role than that in Equestria, Twilight wish that he would be more respectful when referring to the princess.

Dusk grabbed the scroll from the air before Spike could get his claws on it. After he opened it and scanning through the contents, his expression turned into one of shock.

“What...?”

Much to Twilight’s and Spike’s surprise, Dusk then quickly pass the letter to Spike before rushing out of the library and quickly looked towards the sky in front of him.

“Dusk! Is everything alright?” Twilight worriedly asked as she and Spike went outside and turned her head to the direction that the stallion was looking. They soon gasped upon seeing that there was a cloud of smoke circling on the top of a mountain; some distance away from Ponyville.

The smoke has ready reached the outskirts of town and begun to spread further inwards, blocking out the sunlight in the process.

“Uh Spike, what did say Princess Celestia in the letter?” The unicorn asked as she had a very good feeling it involves what they are seeing now.

“Well...” Spike quickly read through the letter and spoke out everything word-by-word.

Apparently, they learn that an adult dragon is currently taking a nap on top of that mountain and makes smoke whenever he snores. However, the dragon’s nap would last for about a hundred years and combined with his snoring, all of Equestria would be covered in smoke.

Twilight was surprised that she and her friends were entrusted by Celestia to convince the dragon to find another place to take a nap. The princess also requested Dusk to join the others on their task in case a Number tries to take advantage of the situation and get in their way.

“Oh my...” Twilight muttered.

“This is a daunting task...” Dusk was concerned why Celestia would entrust such a task to Twilight, himself and the others.

While he knows the princess has a lot of faith in her student, the stallion felt this is too much. However, his thoughts turned to the other ponies in Ponyville and realized they may panic if they see the ever-growing smoke in the sky.

“Twilight, we need to warn everypony in town.” Dusk said to her.

“Don’t worry Dusk, we will. Come on Spike.” She replied as the baby dragon quickly climbed on her back.

They soon made their way to the park at the outskirts of town, which most of the ponies would go to spend their day under the sun.

After stepping onto the small bridge leading to the park, they saw that everypony there were enjoying themselves. However, they were rather oblivious to the smoke in the sky.

Clearing his throat, Dusk then call out to all the ponies in the area.

“Everypony, we need your full attention!”

Seeing that all the ponies were now focusing their attention on him, Dusk slightly tapped Twilight’s side to signal that it was her turn to talk.

“Listen up! Smoke is spreading over all of Equestria.”

Upon hearing that, the crowd became worried as they looked at the sky and muttered amongst themselves.

Dusk notice that Fluttershy was jumping high in the air and was moving her mouth. He could tell she was saying something, but her voice was too soft and quiet for anypony to hear.

“But don't worry, I've just received a letter from Princess Celestia informing me that it is not coming from a fire.” Twilight assured all the ponies who all sighed in relief.

She then revealed the true cause of the smoke. “It's coming from a dragon.”

The crowd’s relief quickly turned into complete shock as they gasped loudly.

After telling the news to everypony in town, Twilight and Dusk got their friends together and brought them to library.

“What in the name of all things cinnamon swirled is a full-grown dragon doing here in Equestria?” Applejack asked.

“Believe it not, the dragon is sleeping.” Dusk stated, which everypony except for Twilight showed their disbelief.

“According to Princess Celestia, he's taking a nap.” Twilight followed up as she was packing her stuff in her bags. “His snoring is what's causing all this smoke.”

“He should really see a doctor. That doesn't sound healthy at all.” Pinkie said.

‘I think it’s a dragon thing Pinkie.’ Dusk thought.

“Well, at least he's not snoring fire. What are we meant to do about it?” Rarity was concerned what they were supposed to do.

“I'll tell you what we're meant to do.” Dash showed a confident face as she hovered in the air. “Give him the boot. Take that!”

She then turned around and delivered a kick to a wooden bust, which would have fallen if not for Twilight using her magic.

“And that!”

The pegasus made headlong charge against the bust, but the unicorn quickly moved it out of the way. Dash soon found herself crashing into a shelf and was now lying on her back.

“Rainbow, the last thing we need is to pick a fight with a full-grown dragon.” Dusk warned her.

“Dusk is right. We need to encourage him to take a nap somewhere else.” Twilight agreed with him.

“Princess Celestia has given us this mission, and we must not fail.” The unicorn declared while Dash got back up and gave a salute. “If we do, Equestria will be covered in smoke for the next one hundred years.”

While Fluttershy gasped in shock of a future in a smoke-filled Equestria, the other mares were surprisingly calm.

“Hmph. Talk about getting your beauty sleep.” Rarity said.

“All right everypony, I need you to gather supplies quickly.” Twilight stated as she finished packing her bags. “We've got a long journey ahead of us. Let's meet back here in less than an hour.”

“Okay, girls, you heard her. The fate of Equestria is in our hooves.” Dash said as she wrapped her hooves around Pinkie and Rarity. “Do we have what it takes?”

The mares made a confident cheer as they leave the library to pack up their stuff. Fluttershy however appeared reluctant before she too left the library.

“You should get your decks ready.” Twilight said to Dusk. “As much I don’t wish to come across a Number on the way, we can’t take any chances.”

“Don’t worry Twilight. I’ll be prepared.” He replied as the stallion quickly went upstairs to get what he need for the long trek ahead.

Dusk would bring his decks with him as usual, but he decided to bring his old duel disk and with her permission, hold onto the Twilight’s deck.

While the unicorn found it unnecessary since Dusk is the best in Duel Monsters, the stallion reminded her that she was the one that told him that they cannot take any chances. No matter how slim it is, there was the possibility that he wouldn’t able to duel and Twilight may have to take his place.

Nevertheless, Twilight hope it didn’t have to come to that.

Outside the library, everypony were standing at attention as Twilight explained what her expectations for the trip up the mountain.

While Dusk was wearing his backpack when he first came to Equestria, the mares except for the pegasuses having the same bag design, but each having a different colour and a picture that is similar to their respective cutie marks.

“All right everypony, listen up. I'm mapping out the fastest route, but we've all got to keep a good pace if we expect to make it up the mountain by nightfall.”

“M-m-mountain?” Fluttershy asked nervously.

“Yes. The dragon is napping in a cave at the very top.” Dusk walked forward and pointed to the top of the mountain where it was circled by a large cloud of smoke.

“Looks pretty cold up there.” Applejack noted as she looked up.

“You bet it is. The higher you go, the chillier it gets.” Dash stated.

“Good thing I brought my scarf.” Rarity took out a pink stripped scarf out her bag with her mouth.

“Ooo! Pretty!” Pinkie complimented as she watched the fashion unicorn wrapped the scarf around her neck and did a simple pose.

“Heh, oh yeah. That'll keep you nice and cozy.” Dash chuckled while Fluttershy made a nervous gulp as she looked at the mountain.

“Are you okay Fluttershy?” Dusk approached the shy pegasus.

“Oh Dusk. Well... Uh...” She couldn’t find the right words say to the stallion before she suddenly walked away.

‘Fluttershy...’ Dusk knew the pegasus get scared easily, but he had a feeling that something else was bothering her.

He watched as Fluttershy approached and tried to talk to Twilight, who was looking through the map. The unicorn was so focused on the map that she was unaware that she just agreed to let the pegasus remain in Ponyville.

Unlucky for Fluttershy, Twilight quickly realized her mistake.

“Wait! You have to come!” Twilight called out to Fluttershy. “Your way with wild animals will surely come in handy.”

“I don't think I...”

“Oh, and don't worry about your little friends in the meadow. Spike's got it covered while you're gone.”

Spike then walked up to Fluttershy with a few critters and birds; both around him and on his claws.

“You can count on me!” The baby dragon said before Angel, Fluttershy’s pet rabbit quickly stomped on his head. “Oooh!”

As Spike waved his arms to get Angel to stop, the rabbit and the other animals quickly ran off. “Hey! Hey! Wait!”

“I don't really think he's up to the task. Maybe...” Fluttershy tried to speak to Twilight, but her voice was too quiet for the unicorn to hear. “But... But...”

“I know you are nervous Fluttershy, but we have a job to do.” Dusk told her after he walked to her side.

“But Dusk... I...” She muttered as she lowered her head in unease and saw her own shadow. “Wah!”

The stallion watched as Fluttershy squeal in fear and was moving her front hooves anxiously. She then jumped into a nearby bush and begun to scan her surroundings.

‘Really Fluttershy...’ Dusk sighed as he shook his head at the shy pegasus’s behaviour. ‘Never met anyone who get scared of a shadow.’

He had a nagging feeling that bringing her along to confront the dragon up the mountain was going to be a challenge.

Just as he gently pulled her out the bush, Twilight called out to everypony that it was time to go.

“All right everypony, move out!”

Seeing that the mares were now moving quickly towards his and Fluttershy’s direction, Dusk reflexes kicked in and he got out of the way. The pegasus however was dragged by her friends’ gallop and softly screamed on the way to the mountain.

“Sorry Fluttershy.” The stallion muttered as he ran as quickly as he could to regroup with the others.

Upon reaching the base of the mountain, everypony heard a loud noise coming from the top. While Fluttershy gasped and went behind Dusk in fear, the others were not scared and merely curious.

“Whoa. What was that?” Dash asked.

“That is what it sounds like when a dragon snores.” Twilight replied.

‘More like a growl.’ Dusk thought as he turned his head to see the shaking pegasus behind him.

“It... It's so...” She muttered as she gazes upon the mountain. “High!

“It’s a mountain Fluttershy. Obliviously it is going to be high.” The stallion stated to Fluttershy as he resisted the urge to sigh.

“Well, I'm going to fly up there and check it out!” Before Dusk could tell Dash to stop, Applejack quickly bit down on the pegasus’s tail and pulled her down.

“Hold on, now. I think we should all go up together. Safety in numbers and all.” She suggested which the others were in full agreement on.

“Oh alright.” Dash reluctantly gave in as the rest of the group begin to climb up one of the cliffs.

Dusk saw that while the cliff was steep by human standards, it didn’t pose any trouble for the mares. He was impressed that they were able to essentially move up the cliffs without any special equipment.

The stallion was about to make his climb when he notice that Fluttershy standing near a bush and didn’t move an inch.

Dusk approached her and gave a light nudge; telling her it was time to move.

“Come on Fluttershy. We gotta move with the others.”

“But...”

“Hey!” They were interrupted by Dash’s shout, who was looking down along with the other mares. “What are you two waiting for? An invitation?”

“Ooo, I think I have one in my bag!” Pinkie then showed an invination slip just as confetti suddenly appeared, startling both Dash and Rarity.

“It’s Fluttershy.” Dusk called out to the others. “It seems she doesn’t want to climb.”

“It's so... so... steep.” Fluttershy said nervously.

“Well, it is a cliff. You could just, oh, I don't know, fly up here?” Dash stated to the pegasus in an annoyed tone.

“Come on, Fluttershy, you can do it!” Pinkie encouraged her. “Flap those wings!”

“Oh... okay.”

Taking a deep breath, Fluttershy begun to fly upwards and just when she was about a few feet in the air, the dragon made another snore.

Fluttershy whined in utter fear as both her wings suddenly closed shut and caused her to fall to the ground. Reacting quickly, Dusk quickly got under her and ending up being her cushion.

“That hurt less than I expected...” The downed stallion groaned while Dash covered both her eyes as she sighed.

“Oh my... Sorry...” Fluttershy apologized as she got off of Dusk. She tried to spread her wings again, but they wouldn’t budge and was like they were glued in place.

“Uh, we don't have time for this.” Twilight stated just as Applejack took the map from her bag. “What are you doing?”

“I'll need this if me and Dusk are going to take her around the mountain another way.”

Dash soon voiced her annoyance at the earth pony’s intentions. “Around the mountain? That's going to take them forever.”

After Applejack skidded back the base of the mountain towards Dusk and Fluttershy, the dragon snored again.

‘Oh, come on...’ Dusk fought his urge to face-hoof after he watched Fluttershy froze in place and laid on her back; playing possum. He also swore he heard goat bleating nearby.

“Don't worry, Twi. We'll be there lickety-split.” Applejack assured the unicorn before she turned back to the map.

After finding a way around the mountain, she and Dusk had to drag Fluttershy with them by pulling on her tail.

Applejack believed it could take about an hour to regroup with the others through the alternative route while dragging Fluttershy. That was if she was doing the ordeal alone.

Since Dusk was with her sharing the labour, she now believed they would able to reach their friends in half the time.

However, they begun to feel the strain of dragging the pegasus and were out of breath just as they finally met up with the others.

“We... Made... It...” Applejack said tiredly as she and Dusk fell to the ground; both catching their breath.

Twilight and Dash were the first to walk up to them.

“Told you it was going to take them forever.” The annoyed pegasus muttered to the unicorn.

“I heard... That...” Dusk said as he struggled to get up. “Even with... Applejack... It is not easy... Dragging a pony... Around a mountain...”

It was then the ponies then heard a crack above them. They looked up to see about three pieces of rock that were rolling down the cliff. It wouldn’t much concern if not for the fact they were the size of a pony’s hoof.

The ponies were horrified when they saw that the rocks were barreling towards Fluttershy, who was still out.

Like he did for Twilight when Number 72 appeared, Dusk quickly jumped onto the pegasus with the intent of using his fatigued body as a shield.

“Dusk!” Twilight cried out just as the hoof-sized rocks were about to hit the stallion; one was at the verge of striking his head.

While closing his eyes tightly, Dusk soon felt the same warm feeling that he experienced when he shielded Twilight. At the same time, the mares saw a golden aura appearing around him and begun to manifest a pair of wings which they recognized were those belonging to Utopia’s.

They watched as the wings fold up to form the Light Wing Shield and it absorbed the impact of the falling rocks. When the danger was finally over, the golden aura around Dusk soon vanished.

“Ugh.” Dusk opened his eye as he looked up to see the other’s relieved faces. “Sorry for being a shield again, but Fluttershy was in danger.”

“I know, but try to not scare us next time.” Twilight said.

“Wow, are you able to do that at anytime?” Dash asked.

“Unfortunately not.” Dusk replied. “From what I know, it only appears if I’m in danger.”

At the same time, Fluttershy conveniently stopped playing possum and was now looking around her surroundings while on her back.

“Oh my... What happened?”

“Well...”

After explaining what happened when Fluttershy after she played possum, the group continue their trek up the mountain.

While the shy pegasus was very grateful for Dusk for protecting her from the falling rocks, she was still reluctant to move on further. Applejack and Dusk had little choice but to push her forward as the everypony else was ahead of the,

It was then they came across a gap which separates them from their chosen path. Luckily, it was small enough that anypony could jump over it.

As the group one-by-one jumped to the other side successfully, Fluttershy gulped when Twilight told her it was her turn now.

“Your turn, Fluttershy.”

“But... It's so... Wide.” The pegasus shook as she clings to a large piece of rock near her.

‘Really...’ Dusk’s right eye twitched upon hearing that.

“Come on, Fluttershy, we should be much farther along by now.” Twilight said.

“You could just leap on over.” Applejack tried to convince the pegasus.

“I...”

Fluttershy looked down the gap before the dragon snored once more. It caused her to back off and was now shaking on the ground in fear.

“I don't know.”

Twilight and Applejack shook their heads while Dusk finally sighed at Fluttershy’s antics. Then again, he took note that she becomes fearful whenever the dragon snores.

“There's nothing to be afraid of. It's just a hop, skip and a jump!” Pinkie said as she jumped back to Fluttershy’s side. “See?”

While Pinkie was singing a song to motivate the scared pegasus, Twilight only groaned that they didn’t have time to waste.

“O-okay... Here I go...” Fluttershy muttered as she prepared herself while Twilight, Applejack and Rarity were cheering her on.

“A hop... Skip...” She then finally made her jump.

“Just don't look down.” Twilight said, which unfortunately caused Fluttershy to actually look and startling halfway though the jump.

Fortunately, the gap wasn’t wide to begin with and she manage to catch both edges with her front and back hooves.

“Ugh...” Dash groaned as she was starting to get annoyed of Fluttershy’s behaviour. Just as she went to the other side to help her fellow pegasus across, everypony heard something crack nearby.

“Not again.”

Dusk whispered as he and Twilight quickly scanned the cliffsides above him to see if there are any rocks that are going to fall on them. At the same time, Rarity and Pinkie helped get the scared pegasus across.

While they manage to get her across, Fluttershy ended up lying on top of Rainbow Dash, who made an annoyed expression.

It was a not moment too soon for after they helped Fluttershy get to the other side, a part of the cliff that she was on before suddenly collapsed.

“Woah...” Dusk said as he and others looked at the collapsed portion of the cliff. “If Fluttershy hesitated for a moment later...”

“Oh... My...” The shy pegasus was shocked to see she was a few seconds away from plunging down the mountain. Even though she had wings, she would most likely be too scared from the fall to use them properly.

“Don’t worry Fluttershy.” The stallion helped her back on her hooves before doing the same for Dash. “You’re safe and that all that matters.”

As everypony continue their task, Dusk had a nagging feeling that something isn’t right with the last two incidents with Fluttershy; the falling rocks and the collapsed cliff.

‘First those rocks and now this.’ He thought. ‘They cannot possibly be just coincidences.’

Dusk thought a Number could be involved, but he didn’t get even the tiniest feeling that it was nearby.

Nevertheless, he kept it in mind as he and the others continue their journey up the mountain. He could only hope Fluttershy wouldn’t get them into too much trouble.

Episode 7 [Part 2] - No Courage without Fear

The ponies were continuing their trek up to the top of the mountain and towards the cave which the dragon sleeps. Despite all the delays, they were still making good progress since the sky is still bright.

The sky that has yet to be covered by the dragon’s smoke.

Despite her own anxiety, Fluttershy was finally walking on her own much to the relief of Dusk and Applejack. The two after all had to go through the trouble of dragging and pushing her up the mountain.

After all they been through, the ponies were hoping that the rest of the trek would be peaceful, but there is the old saying that if something can go wrong, it will go wrong.

“Let keep it down.” Twilight whispered to the others as she examined the cliffside to her right. “According to my map, we're entering an avalanche zone. The smallest peep could cause a huge rock slide.”

“Oh oh...”

Dusk muttered as he turned to Fluttershy, who begun to shake a little out of fear upon hearing Twilight’s warning.

“An... An ava... Ava...” She quietly said, but the unicorn quickly shushes her.

With that, everypony didn’t say a word as they continue up the mountain. Knowing that Fluttershy get scared easily, Dusk stayed close to her. While she would usually whimper on the ground if something scares her, there was also the equal chance she would scream at the top of her lungs.

Unfortunately for Dusk and the others, it was the latter for Dash brushed against a branch of a cliffside tree and a single leaf gently landed on Fluttershy’s back.

Her fear getting the better of her again, she quickly stood on her hind legs and screamed loudly as she frantically waved her front hooves.

“AVALA...!”

Dusk quickly covered her mouth as tightly as he could as the pegasus’s voice echoed across the mountain.

Anxiously scanning the cliffs to see if something was going to happen, everypony saw that everything appeared fine. Just as they made a sigh of relief, the mountain begun to rumble as they heard the sound of falling rocks.

They soon realized what was about to happen when they saw boulders descending upon them from the cliff and were growing in number.

“AVALANCHE!”

Immediately after screaming, the mares begun run all over the place while dodging all the rocks that were raining upon them. Dusk was about to do the same when once again, he covered by the golden aura and was shielded by Utopia’s Light Wing Shield.

While skeptic that Utopia could protect him from a barrage of rocks weighing tons, he was quickly proven wrong when a large boulder struck the Light Wing Shield. After creating a brief spark of light upon impact, the wings didn’t budge as the chunk of rock then rolled off the mountain.

“Woah!”

Dusk never imagined that the Utopia’s wings could be so strong as he watched as it repelled every chunk of rock that decended upon him. Despite the falling rocks and clouds of dust, Twilight quickly notice Dusk receiving Utopia’s protection and immediately shouted out to the other mares.

“Girls! Gather around Dusk! Hurry!”

The stallion saw the unicorn rushing as fast she could towards him just as he felt the aura around him getting stronger. He looked up to see that the Light Wing Shield getting larger as if Utopia was accommodating for Twilight.

Upon seeing Dusk and his protective wing-like barrier, the other too rushed towards Dusk and soon all the mares were hurdling around him. As for the wings, it expanded until it was large enough to shield all seven of them.

While Light Wing Shield is able to block all the earth raining upon everypony, it does nothing to the continuous build-up of dust around them. Even when the dust enveloped their vision and made breathing difficult, everypony stood their ground as the pounding of rocks started to stop.

In a few seconds, the avalanche finally ended and the ponies regained their visibility for the cloud of dust dispersed.

“Is... Everypony alright?” Dusk coughed out as he sat down on the ground in relief that it was now over. At the same time, the golden aura around him vanished along with Utopia’s wings.

“We are thanks to you.” Twilight then briefly nuzzled Dusk’s forehead, which the stallion couldn’t help but blush a little.

“Incredible...” Applejack said to the stallion in amazement. “Did you really do that?”

“I wish Applejack, but it apparently only happens when I am in danger.”

Dusk shook his head in response, but cracked a smile. “However, I can see that it also happens when my friends are in danger as well.”

The rest of the ponies were fine as well. Fluttershy was sighing in relief while Dash spread her wings to take flight once more. As Pinkie was bouncing in excitement despite what just happened, Rarity shook off all the dust that gathered on her coat.

“Whoohoo! Let's do it again!” Dusk was rather stunned that Pinkie would find being in the middle of a rock slide to be fun.

“Uh! This is why a girl always packs extra accessories.” Rarity pulled a scarf out from one of her bags and wrapped around her neck.

“Oh, please tell me I brought the tiara that goes with this.”

“Uh, think we got bigger problems than making sure our hair bows match our horseshoes.”

Dash quickly pointed to the vast mound of dirt and rock that was now blocking the path up to the top of the mountain.

“Looks like we are going to be delayed again.” Dusk sighed as the mares were looking upon the obstacle with unhappy expressions.

“Sorry...” Fluttershy sadly apologized to her friends

“Aw, no big whoop, sugarcube.” Applejack said.

“Yeah, we'll just have to...” Twilight turned back to the mound before sighing. “Climb over.”

All the ponies then started climbing over the debris and while it wasn’t very steep, it was nevertheless both tiring and time-consuming. Climbing down was also a challenge since it was easy to slip on loose dirt.

It was apparently the case for Fluttershy just when Twilight, Dusk, Pinkie and Dash finally reached the other side. Halfway down, the pegasus lost her balance and skid down the mound, colliding with Rarity and Applejack in the process; the two becoming Fluttershy’s cushion when they reached the bottom.

Dusk watched as Dash groaned in annoyance as she flew towards the three ponies to help them. He couldn’t blame her since Fluttershy’s timidness has been problematic throughout the trek.

He could understand Twilight’s reasons for bringing Fluttershy due to her special gift for animals, but he believes that trying to get her convince a dragon to leave was pushing it.

“Wait a minute.”

Dusk first recalled the times that Fluttershy gotten anxious whenever the dragon snored and then to the time when he was duelling with Number 40.

He did remember hearing the pegasus screaming in fear the moment he summoned Galaxy-Eyes Photon Dragon for the first time.

“So that’s why Fluttershy didn’t want to go in the first place...”

Dusk kept what he learned in mind as he and others continue their way to the top of the mountain.

“Still think it was a good idea to bring Fluttershy along?”

Dash said to Twilight as the group were on the verge of reaching their objective.

“We're about to find out. We're here.”

All ponies were now in front of a cave and from the constant stream of smoke that was coming out, it was indeed the cave where the dragon was taking his nap.

It was then Twilight made a serious expression as she begun to give out instructions to her plan.

“Rainbow Dash, you'll use your wings to clear the smoke.”

“Mm-hmm.” Dash agreed as she flew up to the sky and through the black smoke.

“Rarity and Pinkie Pie, you'll create a diversion to distract the dragon if things get a little hairy in there.”

Pinkie suddenly left Rarity’s side and brought back a rubber chicken in her mouth. Both unicorns looked at her dumbfounded, but Twilight quickly regained her composure.

“Applejack, you're ready with the apples in case he decides to attack.”

With two apples in her mouth, Applejack tossed them into the air and kicked them at a tree.

“Dusk, you’ll have to bring out Utopia to protect us if all else fails.”

“Understood.” He nodded. “But I hope it doesn’t come that.”

"Don’t worry, I’m sure that wouldn’t happen, because Fluttershy will do what she needs to do to wake him up.”

Hearing that, Fluttershy became very nervous of the idea of waking up a dragon.

“Between the two of us, we should be able to get him to understand why he needs to go.” Twilight said with confidence. “Is everypony ready?”

All but Fluttershy acknowledged that they are ready for action.

“Okay then, we're going in.”

Twilight then entered the cave and was expecting that Fluttershy would be accompanying her. However, the pegasus instead was prone on the ground and sticking her face into the dirt.

“She is acting like an ostrich now.”

Dusk muttered to himself as he walked towards her and pulled her head out of the ground.

“Are scared what is within that cave Fluttershy?”

“Yes...” She quietly replied as she tried to plant her face into the ground again, but the stallion stopped her.

“I know how you are feeling, but you already gotten this far. You can’t just back out now.”

“But... I...”

“Oh, come on!”

Dusk and Fluttershy were interrupted by Twilight’s exasperation from the cave, realizing that the latter wasn’t with her.

Getting out of the cave, the unicorn approached the pegasus and tried to push her from behind.

“Come on! We have to do this!” Twilight exclaimed as she tried to shove FLutershy forward to the cave. “Now!”

However, the scared pegasus literally dug in her hooves as she refuses to budge even a single inch. Dash was there to help to push, but Fluttershy stood her ground despite the strength of two ponies pushing on her.

As much he was impressive with Fluttershy’s strength, Dusk knew that forcing her wasn’t going to help them in any way.

“Easy Twilight, she is...”

“Every second longer that dragon sleeps...” Twilight wasn’t listening as she kept on trying to push Fluttershy as Rarity and Applejack came by to help. “Is another acre of Equestria that is covered in smoke.”

Remarkably, Fluttershy still didn’t move from her spot even by the combined push of four ponies. It was only when Pinkie rammed into the mares that the pegasus finally moved, but by only an inch.

“I... I... I can't go in the cave.” Fluttershy told everypony, which the only response was the collective groan of all her friends except for Dusk.

“Oh, great. She's scared of caves now, too.” Dash complained.

“I'm not scared of caves.” Fluttershy stated. “I’m scared of...”

“Dragons.” Dusk finished what she was going to say as he faced her up close. “You are scared of dragons?”

“What?” The rest of the mares were surprised while the shy pegasus was silent for a few moments before finally answering loudly.

“Yes Dusk, I’m scared of dragons!”

Coincidentally, the dragon in the cave made another snore as the ponies were struck by his smoke, causing them to cough. Dusk felt something was touching him from behind and saw it was Fluttershy hiding behind.

“Dusk, how did you know?” Twilight asked the stallion on how he learned the pegasus’s fear.

“Well if you haven’t notice, she gets scared whenever she hears that dragon’s snores.” He explained. “Not only that, I remember hearing her screaming when I first summoned Galaxy-Eyes when I was dueling Number 40.”

“Galaxy-Eyes?”

Applejack was at first confused until she too remembered.

“Of course! Fluttershy even told us she was afraid of dragons at the time. How did we forget?”

“But Fluttershy. You have a wonderful talent dealing with all kinds of animals.” Twilight said to her.

“Yes, because they're not dragons.” She replied.

“Oh come on! We've seen you walk right up to a horrible manticore like it was nothing!” Dash exclaimed, regarding the night they were chasing after Nightmare Moon.

“Yes, because he wasn't a dragon.”

“Spike is a dragon. You're not scared of him.” Pinkie quickly pointed out since the pegasus got along with the baby dragon well.

“Yes, because he's not a huge, gigantic, terrifying, enormous, teeth-gnashing, sharp-scale having, horn-wearing, smoke-snoring, could eat a pony in one bite, totally all grown-up dragon.”

‘That was rather descriptive...’

Dusk thought just as the dragon made another snore which caused Fluttershy to drop to the ground and whimpering in fear.

“But, if you're so afraid of dragons, why didn't you say something before we came all the way up here?” Twilight asked Fluttershy

“I was afraid to.” Dash only groaned at her fellow pegasus.

“All of us are scared of that dragon.” Applejack approached Fluttershy and got her up.

“I’m not.” Dash boldly proclaimed, which Dusk and Applejack gave her an unamused look before the latter rephrased her words.

“Almost all of us are scared of that dragon, but we've got a job to do. So, get in there with Twilight and show her what you're made of.”

“I... I...” Everypony looked at Fluttershy in anticipation as she tried to speak. “I just... can’t.”

Fluttershy lowered her head with a defeated expression as she turned around and walked away.

“Oh, Fluttershy...”

“Twilight, do what you can to convince the dragon to leave.” Dusk told her as he made his way to Fluttershy’s direction. “I’ll go check on her.”

The stallion was hoping that Fluttershy didn’t try to leave the mountain, but was relieved when he found her hiding behind a large rock that close to the cave.

“Fluttershy...”

“Oh Dusk.” She was a bit startled upon seeing him as he approached her. “I’m sorry, but I can’t face that dragon.”

“But you can’t be afraid of dragons forever Fluttershy. This is your chance to overcome your fear.”

Dusk tried to talk her into helping, but the pegasus shook her head in refusal.

“No, I can’t... I’m not like you...”

“What?”

“I’m not as brave as you.” Fluttershy looked down on the ground as she spoke. “The way you stood against those Numbers and stood tall even after what they thrown at you... You are very brave and I can’t hope to be like...”

“Fluttershy, listen to me.” Dusk stopped her with a tone that got her attention. “I was actually scared when I was dueling the Numbers. However, I knew they were a threat to anypony they come across and must be stopped. That is why I brought forth all the courage within me to protect those precious to me.”

“What do you mean?” She questioned despite feeling a rumble.

“I’m saying that when somepony you love dearly is danger, you would risk everything to protect him or her; regardless how much it frightens you.”

The Fluttershy didn’t say a word as she took in everything Dusk said. However, the two ponies were startled when they heard a mighty roar from the cave.

“Don’t tell me?!” Peeking from the rock, Dusk look in horror as a large red-scaled dragon emerge from the cave as the mares were running around in panic. Just as they all clung to each other in fear, the dragon then blew a stream of smoke at them.

The stream was powerful enough to blast the group to the rock that Dusk and Fluttershy were hiding behind, which resulted in half of it crumbling into pieces.

Fluttershy was very scared when she looked up and saw the dragon, who in turn was focused on the disoriented mares down on the ground. As for Dusk, he quickly rushes in front of them and firmly dig his hooves into the dirt. Despite the fact he was standing against an angry dragon, kept his fear in check and hope that Utopia would lend its full power in this situation.

Watching as the dragon begun to approach Dusk, Fluttershy recall what the stallion said about courage as she moves her gaze to her friends.

Closing her eyes, she finally mustered the courage within her.

“How dare you...” Fluttershy called out as the dragon then turned his attention to her. “How dare you!”

All the ponies look at Fluttershy in astonishment as she flew onto the dragon’s snout and went up close to his right eye.

“Listen here, mister. Just because you're big doesn't mean you get to be a bully! You may have huge teeth, and sharp scales, and snore smoke, and breathe fire.” The pegasus spoke in a loud and stern voice, which unlike her shy nature. “But you do not, I repeat, you do not! Hurt! My! Friends! You got that?”

Astonishingly, the dragon backed down from Fluttershy’s outburst and begun to whimper.

“Well?” She asked in demanding tone.

“But that rainbow one kicked me.” The dragon said as he pointed to Dash. Dusk looked at her in disappointment, especially when she nodded proudly of what she did.

“And I am very sorry about that.” Fluttershy’s tone was no longer stern as she apologizes for her friend’s action, which Dash finds a little awkward.” But you're bigger than she is, and you should know better. You should also know better than to take a nap where your snoring can become a health hazard to other creatures.”

“But I...” The dragon tried to speak, but the Fluttershy stopped him as she put her front hooves on her hips, which Dusk found eerie since it was human stance.

“Don't you 'but I' me, mister. Now what do you have to say for yourself?” The dragon was silent as she repeated the question. “I said, what do you have to say for yourself?”

The dragon made another whimper before he finally burst into tears.

“Wow... I never thought Fluttershy had it in her.” Dusk muttered as he was rather shock to see that the shy pegasus actually made a dragon cry.

“There, there. No need to cry.” She said to put the dragon at ease. “You're not a bad dragon, you just made a bad decision. Now go pack your things. You just need to find a new place to sleep. That's all.”

As she returned back to the ground, Fluttershy was quickly surrounded by her friends.

“You did it!” Twilight congratulated her. “I knew you could do it.”

At the same time, the dragon quickly pack up his stuff from the cave before long, he flew away to find another place to take his nap.

“Well then.” Dusk said to everypony as they watch the dragon leave. “Shall we go... Wait...”

“Dusk, what is wrong?” Twilight look at him in worry.

“I feel a...” Dusk closed his eyes tightly before he opened them up wide. “Number!”

Upon saying the word, a black tendril emerged from the cave and without warning, wrapped around Fluttershy’s mouth.

“MMMMM!!”

While unable to speak, she was able to get everypony’s attention. Turning to her, they were shocked to see more tendrils coming from the crack and grabbed her.

“Fluttershy!”

The ponies screamed out as the tendrils pulled the pegasus into the cave. Everypony rushed into the cave to give chase.

Upon entering main interior of the cave, they found their friend entangled by the tendrils and was effectively immobilized.

Just before the rest of the ponies could move, they saw a black aura materializing in front of Fluttershy, which soon took the shape of a humanoid figure. However, it was unique from the other Numbers for it was wearing a white mask.

“How can this be...?!” The Number turned towards the terrified Fluttershy. “It’s not possible?! You were the weakest link!”

“Hold it Number!” Dusk shouted as he approached the Number, but it quickly raised its right arm towards the top of the entrance. Waving its hand, everypony felt a light rumble beneath their feet.

“Unless you all want to be buried alive, you will not move until I say so!” Hearing the warning, Dusk was forced to stop lest he cause a cave-in.

“Now then, where were we? Ah yes... You!” The Number then held onto Fluttershy’s face with both hands. “How were you the one to save the day when you were nothing but a hindrance all this time?!”

“Hey! Don’t you dare talk to my friend like that!” Dash yelled at the Number.

“Oh, that is rich coming from you.”

Letting go of Fluttershy, it then turned its attention to Dash and the rest of the group. “I was watching you all the moment you begun your trek up the mountain. I could see that you and the others of were annoyed of your friend’s cowardice. Yet, all of you still went through the trouble to bring her along despite the fact you all knew she is the weakest link!”

“How dare you say that! She is our friend!” Rarity angrily said. “Besides, she was able to get that dragon to leave!”

“Oh really?” The Number stated. “What kind of pony gets scared of climbing an easy cliff? What kind of pony get scared of a tiny gap? What kind of pony gets scared by a single leaf on the back?”

The Number then pointed to Fluttershy. “That pony! She should have been down on the ground begging for her pathetic life when she saw the dragon! But what she just did... It was incomprehensible!”

“You clearly underestimated Fluttershy, and you’ll not let you ill of her!” Dusk shouted in anger. “Lets duel!”

“Oh, there will be a duel alright, Number Hunter.” The Number chuckled darkly as it raised both arms into the air. “However, you’ll have no part in it!”

More of the dark aura emerged from its hands, which moved towards the cave’s entrance and blocked it off. Dusk was soon surrounded by tendrils that burst from the ground. While it didn’t attack or entangled him, it ensured that he could leave his spot.

“Don’t you dare try to leave that spot. Those tendrils around you are linked to the integrity of the cave.” The Number said. “Leave your spot and I’ll collapse it completely, burying you and your friends under tons of rock.”

The ponies stood petrified at the thought of being buried alive. It also didn’t help that the Number’s threat also ensured that Dusk couldn’t interfere.

“You see, I could tell that you taught these ponies how to play Duel Monsters and among them is your best student.” It spoke to Dusk. “Conveniently, you are not only carrying her deck, but also a duel disk for her to use.”

“Wait.” Dusk soon realized what the Number was referring to. “You want to duel Twilight?”

“This is right.” The Number then pointed at the unicorn, who was startled of the notion.

“You, the pony that is called Twilight! I am Number 8 and you will be my opponent!”

Episode 7 [Extra] - Courageous Illumination

“What?!”

Twilight was utterly shocked to hear that Number 8 proclaimed her to be its opponent.

“You heard me. You will duel me in the Number Hunter’s stead.”

Number 8 stated as it pointed to Dusk, who was surrounded by black tendrils. “Unless you want to be trapped here along with your friends for all eternality, you will duel me.”

Everypony were now looking at Twilight in worry. Even though she was essential Dusk’s first student in Duel Monsters, she doesn’t have the same amount of experience like him. Especially when it came to fighting Numbers.

“Twilight!” Dusk called out to her. “You have to take up the Number’s challenge! There is no other option!”

“But Dusk, I...”

The unicorn wasn’t sure if she was up for the task. Even though Dusk taught her Duel Monsters to stand a chance when she has a run-in with a Number, Twilight was hoping it would never come to that.

Now, she was being forced to duel Number 8, where refusal or defeat would spell doom for not only herself, but also her friends. She wasn’t sure if she could take on such a burden if she would to fail.

“Twilight.” The stallion once more called out in a reassuring tone. “I have faith in you and so does the others. Just have faith in your deck.”

“He’s right sugarcube.” Applejack agreed. “Amongst us, you are the one with most experience when it comes to Duel Monsters.”

“Yeah.” Dash followed up. “If Dusk could defeat a Number, so could you.”

Despite their reassurances, Twilight was still unsure if she could take on Number 8. The only one she ever duelled against was Dusk and she never won once when he plays seriously. From her observations of the evil Numbers, they are ruthless yet skilled when playing Duel Monsters.

“You have to Twilight.” Rarity said as she pointed to the entangled Fluttershy. “You are the only one who could save her.”

“You can do it!” Pinkie stated. “We know you can!”

With that, Twilight closed her eyes as she took a deep breath. A few moments later, she looked at Number 8 with a serious expression.

“Very well, I accept.”

“Good.” The Number then pointed to Dusk. “Now get your deck and duel disk from the Number Hunter.”

On cue, the stallion placed his backpack on the ground and pulled out the duel disk. After placing Twilight’s deck in it, he then raised the duel disk in the air.

“Twilight, here.”

The tendrils surrounding Dusk didn’t interfere when the unicorn used her magic to bring the duel disk to her.

“Even if I am not as skilled as Dusk...” Twilight said as she placed the duel disk on her left hoof. “I will defeat you Number 8.”

“We’ll see.”

Number 8 raised his left arm as a white, sharp-looking duel dusk materialized along with its deck. Both entered their dueling stances as their duel disks then activated their primary functions.

“Solid Reality Vision Link established.”

The computerized voice echo throughout the cave as the screens display their names and Life Points as usual appeared above them.

Applejack, Dash, Rarity and Pinkie went to Dusk’s side while keeping their distance from the tendrils around him. They soon heard the word that signal the start of all duels as Twilight used her magic to draw and hold onto her cards while Number 8 used its hands.

“DUEL!”

[Twilight’s Life Points: 8000]
[Number 8’s Life Points: 8000]

[Turn 1: Number 8]
[Twilight’s Cards in Hoof: 5]
[Number 8’s Cards in Hand: 5]

“I’ll start the first turn. Draw!” Number 8 drew its card and immediately played it. “I summon Heraldic Beast Aberconway in Attack mode.”

On the Number’s field then appeared a red-scaled dragon white armor platings on the top of its head, the top portion of its legs and the entirety of its arms.

[Heraldic Beast Aberconway] [ATK: 1800] [DEF: 900] [Level: 4]

Despite being entangled, Fluttershy shook in fear upon seeing the dragon. Even though it is nothing more than an illusion, it is still indistinguishable from real-life.

“Then I activate Foolish Burial, where I send a monster from my deck to my Graveyard.”

Taking out his deck and checking through the contents, Number 8 found the card he wants and slipped it into the Graveyard slot of his duel disk.

“I set three cards face-down to end my turn.” After putting his deck back, its face-down cards then appeared on the field behind Aberconway.

“Number 8.” Twilight called out. “What are you doing here? Does involve the dragon spreading smoke across Equestria?”

“Indeed, but I am more interested in the dragon than its smoke.” The Number replied. “Sure, I would feed on the misery that would come from a smoke-filled land, but it would be a matter of time before all life there would be extinguished. Then I would have nowhere else to rephenish myself.”

“If that is case, why didn’t you possess him?”

Twilight asked, which everypony found it to be a good question. If Number 8 was already at the top of the mountain, why didn’t it possess the dragon prior to their arrival?

“I would have, but I couldn’t. I may have power the possess that dragon, but I wouldn’t be able to control his body for long. The dragon’s strength and willpower was just too formidable.”

Number 8 then turned to Fluttershy.

“And she was my key to gaining the power needed to overwhelm those resistances.”

The ponies gasped in shock as the Number continued on talking. “When I caught sight of you all, I saw how scared and weak-willed that pony is. Seeing that she did nothing but cause trouble during your trek up the mountain, I thought I would benefit me if I gave you all a little push.”

“What little push?” Dusk questioned.

“The push needed for you all lose your patience with your weakest link and leave her behind. Abandoned, alone, unwanted, unloved... The weakest link would be filled with so much despair, which I would feed on and obtained enough power to possess that dragon permanently.”

Everypony gasped louder than before upon hearing its intentions.

“So those stray rocks and the collapsing cliffs from before...” Twilight recall those incidents which involved Fluttershy in someway. “Those were your doing?”

“Correct, but I also have a hand in that avalanche.” Number 8 said much to everypony’s shock. “It wasn’t possible, but even with weakest link’s screaming her heart out, the avalanche never happened.”

“So, you intervened and made the avalanche appear to be a delayed reaction?” Dusk pointed out.

“Yes. It was intended that the survivors would lash everything at the weakest link, who would be unharmed from the rocks.” The Number confirmed his statement. “But you had to interfere Number Hunter. You and Number 39...”

“What made you think we would abandon Fluttershy?” Twilight wasn’t happy that the Number was trying to turn them against the shy pegasus. “She’s our friend!”

“But, you were clearly all annoyed by her...”

“Don’t you dare say that!” Dash shouted at Number 8 in anger. “Even with what happened today, it will never change the fact she would always be our friend! Show it what you are made off Twilight!”

The unicorn nodded to her in response as the duel continues on.

[Turn 2: Twilight Sparkle]
[Twilight’s Cards in Hoof: 5]
[Number 8’s Cards in Hand: 2]

“It’s my turn. Draw!” Twilight drew her card and add it to her “hoof”. After looking through her cards, she then made her move.

“I summon Strength of Prophecy in Attack mode.”

On her side of the field was a female warrior-mage wearing a red outfit as she wield a large ornate axe. Circling around her weapon were red symbols of different kinds.

[Strength of Prophecy] [ATK: 1500] [DEF: 1400] [Level: 4]

“Next, I play the Continuous Spell, Wave-Motion Cannon.”

To the right of Twilight then appeared large yet strange-looking green magical cannon. Its vents were pumping out steam as it s gauges were pointing to the number zero.

“During my Main Phase, I can send this card to the Graveyard.” Twilight explained its effects. “If I do that, I can inflict 1000 points of damage to you for each of my Standby Phases that have passed when it was activated.”

“Is that so? That isn’t going to help you against me.” The Number taunted.

“Then I activate Spellbook of Power, which boost my monster’s ATK by 1000 points.”

As Twilight played the card, the orange-coloured book then appeared in front of the spellcaster, who grabbed it and was imbued with power upon opening.

[Strength of Prophecy] [ATK: 1500 (+)> 2500]

“Now Strength, attack Aberconway!”

The Strength of Prophecy charged at the dragon with her axe over her head. However, Number 8 pointed to one of its face-downs in response, which immediately flipped up.

“Trap activate, Heraldry Protection!”

Soon, a purple crest of unusual design appeared on Aberconway’s chest just as Strength was about to deliver an overhead slash.

“While Heraldry Protection is face-up, Aberconway cannot be destroyed in battle, but loses 800 ATK.”

[Heraldic Beast Aberconway] [ATK: 1800 (-)> 1000]

With great force, she cleaves Aberconway across its chest, but like the Number said, the dragon isn’t destroyed due to the effect of the continuous Trap card.

The same couldn’t be said for Number 8’s Life Points, but was surprisingly unfazed by the damage.

[Number 8’s Life Points: 8000 (-)> 6500]

“Why would it do that?” Dash was confused why the Number did such a move.

“Number 8 sacrificed its Life Points to protect its monster.” Dusk pointed out. “Not only that, the second effect of Spellbook of Power can’t activate since the monster isn’t destroyed.”

The Number made a chuckle as it then pointed to another of its face-downs as it also flipped up.

“Since I taken Battle Damage, I can activate Damage Gate! Now I can Special Summon a monster from Graveyard whose ATK is equal or less to the damage I taken.”

“From the Graveyard?” Twilight quickly realized why the Number used Foolish Burial. “So you were saving it for this moment.

The Number chuckled again as a rectangular portal appeared on its field. “Now come forth in Attack mode, Heraldic Beast Twin-Headed Eagle!”

Soon, a purple two-headed eagle wearing some orange armor plating flew out from the portal and shrieked loudly at Twilight.

[Heraldic Beast Twin-Headed Eagle] [ATK: 1200] [DEF: 1400] [Level: 4]

“Wow.” Pinkie said as she gazes upon the two-headed eagle. As much as it is fascinating, it was nevertheless disturbing to the ponies.

“I’ll end my turn with two face-down.” Twilight said as the set cards then appeared in front of her.

[Turn 3: Number 8]
[Twilight’s Cards in Hoof: 1]
[Number 8’s Cards in Hand: 2]

“Now all the pieces are in place! Draw!” After Number 8 drew its card, it then grabbed onto its mask as everypony wondered what it was going to do.

“Now I overlay my Level 4 Heraldic Beast Aberconway and my Heraldic Beast Twin-Headed Eagle!” The dragon glowed red while the eagle glowed purple, but the two turned into light as they flew upwards just as a vortex appeared.

“With these two monsters, I build the Overlay Network! Xyz Summon!” The ponies look in shock for the Number then took off its mask and threw into the vortex just after the two lights went into it.

Since Aberconway is no longer on the field, Heraldry Protection was in turn destroyed.

“Despair for now you face Number 8: Heraldic King Genom-Heritage!”

After the vortex exploded, a blue aura emerged and begun to take shape. In a few moments, a horse-like being appeared and its appearance was found disturbing by the mares.

Its hooves were pointed, its mane was styled into something akin to ponytails and its outfit was strange-looking yet accustomed with gold jewellery. Circling around its body are two Overlay units.

“Oh my...” Rarity found the monster’s outfit to be too bizarre and colourful for her looking.

However, they saw that it wore the same mask as the Number, but it has the symbol shaped like an eight on the top left.

[Number 8: Heraldic King Genom-Heritage] [ATK: 2400] [DEF: 1800] [Rank: 4]

“This is your true form?” Twilight questioned.

“Obviously.” Number 8 said as its other begun to move mechanically as it pointed to the last face-down. “But first, I activate my last face-down, Xyz Effect!”

Upon flipping, a force of energy emerges from the cards and struck Prophecy of Strength, which caused to glow white before vanishing.

“What?” The unicorn was shocked to see her monster suddenly destroyed.

“I can activate Xyz Effect when I successfully do an Xyz Summon, which would allow to destroy one card on the field.”

The Number’s other body then pulled a card from its hand and played it. “Now I summon Heraldic Beast Basilisk in Attack mode.”

Now beside Number 8 then appeared a fiendish rooster with the tail and wings of a dragon. It shrieked as the ponies too found its appearance to be disturbing, especially to Applejack and Fluttershy.

[Heraldic Beast Basilisk] [ATK: 1000] [DEF: 1000] [Level: 4]

“Twilight has no monsters to defend herself.” Applejack said as she knew that two direct attacks were coming her way.

“Now, I will personally attack you directly!” Number 8’s mane begun to stretch and split into multiple tendrils. “Flash Impact!”

The mane tendrils begun to move towards Twilight with blinding speed and was about to strike her from all directions. However, she quickly pointed to one of her face-downs and activated it.

“Trap activate! Defense Draw!”

Soon, a barrier appeared around Twilight and block all the tendrils much to Number’s displeasure.

“Not only the Battle Damage from this attack becomes zero, it also allows me to draw one card.”

“But you forgotten that I still have Basilisk.” Number 8 pointed out as Twilight drew her card. “Go! Direct Attack!”

Basilisk was covered in flames, which then move towards Twilight and struck her, inflicting damage in the process.

“Ahhh!”

[Twilight’s Life Points: 8000 (-)> 7000]

“You just activated another one of my face-downs.” Twilight grunted as she then pointed to her other set card. “Attack and Receive. When I take any damage, you will 700 points of damage.”

When it flipped up, a curved sword was suddenly thrown from the picture and struck Number 8’s other body, which recoiled only a little.

[Number 8’s Life Points: 6500 (-)> 5800]

“Alright! Twilight is still in the lead!” Pinkie cheered and it was shared amongst the other ponies. Number 8 only growled in response.

“This isn’t over yet. I set two cards face-down and end my turn.”

[Turn 4: Twilight Sparkle]
[Twilight’s Cards in Hoof: 2]
[Number 8’s Cards in Hand: 0]

“It’s my turn. Draw!” Twilight drew her card before she then played the card she gained from Defense Draw.

At the same time, the gauges on Wave-Motion Cannon moved up to one for Twilight’s first Standby Phase has passed.

[Wave-Motion Cannon - Standby Phases Passed: 0 (+)> 1]

“I activate Spellbook of Secrets, which I can add a “Spellbook” card from deck to my hoof.”

As she was looking through her deck, the white book appeared on the field as its pages flipped by themselves. It vanishes just as Twilight added the card she wanted to her “hoof”.

“Next I activate Spellbook of Knowledge by sending a “Spellbook” card to the Graveyard, which I can now draw two cards.” After paying the cost, she then drew the cards from her deck.

“Perfect. I summon Fool of Prophecy in Attack mode.”

Standing in the stop where Strength used to be was a young magician wearing a green and yellow outfit with silver outlines. He cracked a smile was he lend his ornate gold staff that is in his right hand over his shoulder.

[Fool of Prophecy] [ATK: 1600] [DEF: 900] [Level: 3]

“Now I activate Fool of Prophecy’s effect. Once per turn, I can send a “Spellbook” card from my deck to the Graveyard.”

The mares were unsure what Twilight has planned, but Dusk had a good idea what she was trying to do.

After sending the chosen card from her deck to the Graveyard, Twilight then pointed to Basilisk.

“Now Fool will attack your Basilisk!”

As the magician pointed his staff at the unnatural rooster and started in incantation, Number 8 merely laughed.

“Like that is going to work! I activate Basilisk’s special effect!”

Suddenly erupting in flames, Basilisk shrieked as those very flames then struck Fool. Consumed by the flames, they were both destroyed.

“What?! How?!” Twilight was caught off guard by the loss of her monster and the fact that her initial strategy was ruined.

“When Basilisk battles a monster controlled by my opponent, I can destroy both monsters without damage calculations. We lose our monsters, but we don’t take any Battle Damage.”

‘Not good...’ Dusk thought as he knew that Twilight had a total of five “Spellbook” cards in her Graveyard, it would meet the minimal requirement for Fool’s second effect upon the activation of its first effect.

During the End Phase on the turn when the card activated its effect, Fool of Prophecy can be tribute to Special Summon a Level 5 or more DARK Spellcaster-Type Monster from the deck. Twilight would have been able to bring forth a powerful monster this turn, but Fool’s destruction made that attempt null.

“I set a card face-down then and end my turn.” While she has no monsters on the field to defend her again, Twilight hoped that her face-down would turn the tide.

[Turn 5: Number 8]
[Twilight’s Cards in Hoof: 2]
[Number 8’s Cards in Hand: 0]

“Prepare yourself! Draw!” Number 8’s other body drew from the deck in a mechanical fashion and played it in the same manner. “I activate from my hand, Oni-Gami Combo!”

Both of Number 8’s Overlay Units exploded as waves of energy from them were unleashed. The Number soon absorbed the waves as it was imbued with a new power.

“By detaching all the Overlay Units of an Xyz Monster I control like myself, I can attack twice during Battle Phase for this turn.”

“Even if you attack me, I will still have a chance to turn things around.” Twilight said.

“Oh really?” Number 8 snickered as a card then slipped out of its Graveyard. “Next, I activate Heraldic Beast Twin-Headed Eagle’s special effect from the Graveyard. By banishing this card, I can then attach two monsters from the Graveyard as Overlay Units to a Heraldry" Xyz Monster I control with no Overlay Units.”

“Huh?” Twilight muttered as the Number’s Graveyard glowed as two Overlay Units flew out and begun to circle around Number 8 when they reached it.

“Not only that, I activate one of my face-downs, Heraldry Reborn.”

With that, a strange purple crest appeared beside Number 8 along with a portal on the ground.

“Now I can bring back a “Heraldic Beast” monster from my Graveyard. Return back Basilisk!”

From the portal then emerged the rooster-like creature, which shrieked to signal its return.

[Heraldic Beast Basilisk] [ATK: 1000] [DEF: 1000] [Level: 4]

“Now, let’s see if you avoid this again. I attack you directly! Flash Impact!”

Twilight braced herself as she was struck from the Number’s hair tendrils, which knock her to the ground and inflicted heavy damage.

Twilight’s Life Points: 7000 (-)> 4600]

“Twilight!” Everypony cried out as the unicorn slowly got back up on her hooves.

“Huh... Since I taken damage, I can now activate my Damage Condenser.”

When her face-down flipped open, a large condenser appeared in front of Twilight. Within its glass tubes were electricity which slowly begun to build up.

“With it, I can Special Summon a monster from my Deck with an ATK equal to or less than the Battle Damage I took this turn before it is activated.”

Soon, the glass tubes of the condenser started to glow brightly to which it enveloped the entire machine.

“I wish I didn’t have to summon this monster, but I have no choice.” Twilight took the chosen card from her deck and played it via Damage Condensor. “I chose to Special Summon Reaper of Prophecy in Attack mode.”

Immediately, the condenser vanished in a flash of light and in its place was a fearsome mage wielding a wicked scythe. The mares were unnerved by its nightmarish outfit and its skull mask which covers half of his face.

[Reaper of Prophecy] [ATK: 2000] [DEF: 1600] [Level: 6]

“Well I be... She manages to summon Reaper after all.” Dusk muttered for it was powerful when used correctly. The others however were more focused on the mage’s dark-themed outfit though.

“Ahhh! That thing is something out of a nightmare!” Rarity shrieked in fear.

“Compared to the other monsters we seen before, I don’t think its that scary.” Dash made a brave face despite finding its appearance uneasy.”

“Ha! Like that is going to help you.” Number 8 said. “I am clearly stronger.”

“Not for long.” Twilight stated in confidence as Reaper begun to emit a dark aura. “Since Reaper was summoned, I can activate its special effect. I can apply as many effects to him based on the number of “Spellbook” cards in my Graveyard.”

“So how many those books are there Dusk?” Pinkie asked.

“She has a total of five “Spellbook” cards.” Dusk replied. “Which means Reaper can use its effect to his fullest.”

“Really?” The party pony looked upon Reaper and saw the dark aura around to be growing stronger.

“First, if I have three or more “Spellbook” cards in my Graveyard, Reaper gains 600 ATK.”

Twilight stated the first tier of the effect as Reaper’s scythe glowed darkly before returning back to normal.

[Reaper of Prophecy] [ATK: 2000 (+)> 2600]

“Then if I have four or more “Spellbook” cards in my Graveyard, I can add a “Spellbook” card from my deck to my hoof.”

Twilight looked through her deck and placed the card she wanted into her “hoof”.

“Finally, if I have five or more “Spellbook” cards in my Graveyard, I can Special Summon a Level 5 or more DARK Spellcaster-Type monster from my deck.”

“Two monsters on the same turn? Interesting...” Number 8 muttered as a portal then emerged to the left of Reaper.

“I have little choice but to bring this out. Appear, Prophecy Destroyer!”

Rising from the portal was a wicked humanoid wielding a sinister sword. From his wings, tail and horns, all the mares swore they witness the coming of a demon as it roared.

[Prophecy Destroyer] [ATK: 2500] [DEF: 1200] [Level: 6]

“How is that thing a magician?” Applejack said to Dusk. “It looks like more like a horror!”

“Don’t ask me. It’s written on the card itself; a Spellcaster.” The stallion replied. “It does have a useful effect though.”

“It must be if Twilight would bring out such a beast!” Rarity stated.

“So... You have two monsters stronger than me eh?”

From a normal point of view, it wouldn’t be able to attack them due to their greater ATK points. Basilisk could use its effect, but that would still leave one standing.

However, Number 8 wasn’t intimated by Twilight’s monsters and merely snickered.

“Let see if you can handle this. Since you have monsters now, I’ll activate my face-down. Bad Luck Blast!”

Upon flipping up, a round black bomb with a lit fuse appeared from the picture.

“When activated, I take damage equal to half of the ATK of a monster you control of my choice.”

“What?” Twilight was surprised of the notion that Number 8 would harm itself. “Why would you do that.”

“I have Life Points to burn and when I’m done this turn, you will have very little left. You see that after I take damage from Bad Luck Blast’s effect, you then take the same amount of damage that I took.”

The unicorn gasped as Number 8’s other body stiffly pointed to Reaper of Prophecy.

“Since Reaper has 2600 ATK, we’ll take 1300 points of damage in the end.”

Soon, the bomb exploded and Number 8 felt the shockwave of the blast. It grunted just as its Life Points dropped.

[Number 8’s Life Points: 5800 (-)> 4500]

However, the smoke created from the blast suddenly rush towards Twilight as her Life Points dropped as well.

Twilight’s Life Points: 4600 (-)> 3300]

“It’s far from over. Now I will attack your Prophecy Destroyer personally!”

“But why? My monster is stronger than you!” Twilight pointed out to the Number.

“Not for long." It repeated what Twilight said moments ago. "I’ll activate my special effect!”

One of its Overlay Units then flew into its mask and created a bright glow. “By detaching an Overlay Unit, I can activate one of my three effects!”

“Three effects?!” Everypony were shocked that Number 8 had such versatility.

“I chose to activate my first effect!” The Number’s mane then stretched and split up into many tendrils again and wrapped around Prophecy Destroyer.

“What happened?” Twilight saw that not only her monsters was turning gray, the tendrils were emitting a red aura like it was draining Destroyer of his power and giving it to Number 8.

“When I battle a monster my opponent controls, until the End Phase, that monster’s ATK drops to zero while my ATK become that monster’s original ATK!”

“Wha...!?” Twilight couldn’t finish as she and the others were flabbergasted when they witness Number 8 suddenly transforming into the Prophecy Destroyer himself; including the sword itself. The only difference is that it wore the same white mask like before.

[Number 8: Heraldic King Genom-Heritage] [ATK: 2400 (+)> 2500]

As for Prophecy Destroyer, it was now completely gray and was slumping downward due to losing its strength.

[Prophecy Destroyer] [ATK: 2500 (-)> 0]

“Vanish!” Number 8 in Destroyer’s form swung its sword and unleashed a magical wave, which struck the true yet weakened Destroyer and immediately destroyed him.

“Twilight!” Everypony cried out once more as the unicorn was forcibly pushed to the ground from the attack and taken heavy damage to her Life Points.

Twilight’s Life Points: 3300 (-)> 800]

“Now Basilisk, attack Reaper of Prophecy and use your special effect once again!”

Basilisk shrieked as it was enveloped in flames, which then struck Reaper and destroying the two monsters in the process.

“Prepare your defense for your end is inevitable!” Number 8 taunted as it was returning back to its horse-like form as its effect wore off. “I end my turn!”

[Number 8: Heraldic King Genom-Heritage] [ATK: 2500 (-)> 2400]

[Turn 6: Twilight Sparkle]
[Twilight’s Cards in Hoof: 2]
[Number 8’s Cards in Hand: 0]

“Twilight...” Applejack muttered as she and the others looked at the unicorn in worry. Not only the unicorn’s Life Points took a dive, she also lost two strong monsters as well.

‘What can I do...’ Twilight managed to get back up despite her hitting the ground hard. “I have no cards that would help...”

She looked through the cards she has left in her hoof and saw they would do very little against Number 8’s true form.

‘I could use Prophecy Destroyer’s effect, but what good will it do...’

If she tried to attack Number 8, it would then use its effect to finish her off. If she summoned a monster in defense mode however, the Number would destroy it and likely have another monster ready to deliver the final blow.

Besides Wave-Motion Cannon, she was no other set Spell or Traps on her field. Her only chance was to draw the right card.

As she looked at her deck, she recalled what Dusk told her while he was teaching her Duel Monsters.

‘As long you have faith in your deck, it will give you the card needed for victory. ‘But... I’m not like you...’

She always found Dusk to be special due to his affinity for Duel Monsters. No matter how smart she is, Twilight felt she could never get the same connection with her cards like Dusk have with his.

“Considering surrender?” Number 8 said to disheartened unicorn.

“Don’t listen to it Twilight!” Dusk shouted. “Trust your deck and draw! I know... No, we know you can turn this around!”

The other mares were quick to agree with the stallion’s statement and cheered on Twilight. While it gave her much needed relief, the unicorn was still unsure if she could get the right card.

‘I... I...’

‘The chosen of Number 39 speaks true.’

‘Huh?’

Just as she was about to draw, Twilight heard a kind voice in her head.

‘I’ve saw what within your heart and judge you worthy. Use my power to defeat Number 8.’

She soon saw a mental image of symbol that was shaped like a number as she felt a warm sensation throughout her body.

“...102”

Everyone were caught off guard when Twilight was then enveloped in a golden light which slowly took the shape of a sphere.

“What the?! This is like what happened to Dusk back then!” Applejack pointed out.

“But wouldn’t that mean...!?” Rarity asked, but was interpreted by Dusk.

“I believe so! Twilight just received the support a good Number!”

Number 8 however was furious as he recognizes the feeling coming from the sphere.

“You dare interfere!? Number 102?!”

When the sphere finally dissipated, Twilight was seen to be alright and had a confident look on her face. However, she now had an elegant purple-coloured duel disk with gold outlines on her left hoof instead of Dusk’s old one, which was somehow on the ground in standby mode with no cards.

Seeing that her deck was in the new duel disk and Wave-Motion Cannon is still active, Dusk surmised that all her cards were transferred from his old duel disk when she was within the golden sphere.

“Hey Twilight, are you okay?” Dash questioned the unicorn.

“Yes. More than ever.” Twilight turned her gaze to her friends with a smile.

“So what if Number 102 came to your aid?!” Number 8 shouted in anger. “It will not save you whatsoever?!”

“You’re wrong. As long I have my friends, I will not give up. Draw!” After finally drawing a card from her deck, she immediately played it.

“I activate Card of Sanctity, which the both of us draw until we have six cards.”

Twilight drew four cards while Number 8’s other body completely replenishes its hand with six cards.

Not only that, the gauges on Wave-Motion Cannon once more moved up for Twilight’s second Standby Phase has passed.

[Wave-Motion Cannon - Standby Phases Passed: 1 (+)> 2]

“First, I activate Prophecy Destroyer’s effect in my Graveyard.” Twilight’s Graveyard glowed as a portal then appeared on her field. “By banishing three “Spellbook” cards from my Graveyard, I can Special Summon him back to the field.”

Rising from the portal then emerged the demonic being from before as it readies its sword.

[Prophecy Destroyer] [ATK: 2500] [DEF: 1200] [Level: 6]

“Now then, allow me to show you what I was gifted with. I summon Star Seraph Scout in Attack mode.”

On her field then appeared what look like a winged mechanical machine, which was mostly black with a few golden outlines.

[Star Seraph Scout] [ATK: 1200] [DEF: 1800] [Level: 4]

“Star Seraph Scout?” Dusk muttered as he never put that card in Twilight’s deck. In fact, he never seen it before.

“Since Star Seraph Scout was Normal Summoned, I can Special Summon a “Star Seraph” monster from my hand. I choose Star Seraph Sage.”

Beside Scout then came forth a blue-coloured machine of unusual shape. Its also have gold outlines across its form. It was set in Attack mode.

[Star Seraph Sage] [ATK: 1600] [DEF: 1400] [Level: 4]

“I’m not done yet. I activate Star Seraph Sage’s special effect.” Sage’s outlines begun to glow brightly. “Once per turn, I can send a Spell card from my hand to the Graveyard to Special Summon a “Star Seraph” monster from my hand. Appear Star Seraph Sword.”

Twilight said as that monster then appeared on her field in Attack mode. It was similar to Star Seraph Scout in appearance, but was more like a sword with both gold and dark bronze colouring.

[Star Seraph Sword] [ATK: 1400] [DEF: 1000] [Level: 4]

“She just summoned three monsters on the same turn...” Dusk said as he and the others look upon Twilight’s new monsters in surprise.

“Now I activate the effect of Wave-Motion Cannon. By sending this card to the Graveyard during my Main Phase, I can inflict 1000 points of damage to you for each of my Standby Phases that have passed.”

Twilight gestured to the cannon, which magical energy was now condensing inside the barrel. “Since two of my Standby Phase have passed since its activation, you now take 2000 points of damage!”

The cannon then fired it payload at Number 8’s other body and engulfed it in an explosion. Soon, the Wave-Motion Cannon broke down and vanished from the field.

[Number 8’s Life Points: 4500 (-)> 2500]

“I still have Life Points left and you will have none next turn!” Number 8 yelled out. “You are a fool to set your weak monsters in Attack mode!”

“It has just begun. I overlay my Level 4 Star Seraph Scout, Star Seraph Sage and Star Seraph Sword!” All three monsters soon transform into golden lights and flew up in a spiral above the vortex.

“With these three monsters, I build the Overlay Network! Xyz Summon!” The vortex exploded when the three lights descended into it.

It was then a large ornate halo that was hovering above an object that was akin to a spiked stave with a golden gem on top. The halo spun as it releases sparks of light that illuminated the interior of the cave.

“Reveal yourself! Number 102!”

A symbol shaped like the number 102 appeared near Twilight’s cutie mark just as the halo begun to emit a golden glow.

“Illuminate the darkness that stands before me! Star Seraph Sentry!”

The halo quickly transformed into a humanoid being wearing gold and silver plating and uses a golden bow. Its most noticeable feature is that part of its chest and hips emit a golden glow, which was similar to the three Overlay Units that circle around it. On its right wing was the same symbol that appeared near Twilight’s cutie mark.

[Number 102: Star Seraph Sentry] [ATK: 2500] [DEF: 2000] [Rank: 4]

“Woah!” Dash looked upon Twilight’s new Number in amazement. “Twilight really does have a Number now!”

“Not to mention how bright it is!” Applejack look through the entire cave as it was all brightened by Sentry’s glow.

“I wonder how it would fare with Number 8 though.” Dusk hoped that the good Number has an effect that would counter the evil Number’s own.

“Number 102...!” Number 8 growled in rage. “But with my effect, I am still untouchable!”

“That is where you’re wrong. I activate Star Seraph Sentry’s special effect!” Twilight stated as one of the Overlay Units circling Sentry infused itself to the bow. “By detaching an Overlay Unit, a monster you control loses not only half of its ATK, but also its effect is negated!”

“Impossible!” Number 8 roared as Sentry readied its bow and pulled back the bowstring; creating an arrow of light in the process. When the arrow was released, it struck the Number on its mask and soon, its entire form was covered with a shining aura.

“Agh!” The Number screamed as it begun to lose its strength and abilities. “This can’t be!”

[Number 8: Heraldic King Genom-Heritage] [ATK: 2400 (-)> 1200]

“Lets finish this! Prophecy Destroyer! Destroy Number 8!”

Following Twilight’s command, Destroyer flew towards the Number and delivered a devastating cleave across its mask. Since Number 8’s effects were negated by Sentry, it can now be destroyed by a non-Number.

“No...!”

With its true form being destroyed and taken significant damage, Number 8 was forced back into its other body. Its white mask reappeared on its face, but with a deep crack across the middle.

[Number 8’s Life Points: 2500 (-)> 1200]

“This can’t be happening...” Number 8 couldn’t comprehend that his defeat was imminent. “To be defeated by the hand of Number 102...”

“Now Star Seraph Sentry! Direct Attack!” Twilight called out as Sentry once again prepared its bow to deliver the final attack. “Lightning Cluster!”

Immediately after Sentry fired its shot at Number 8, the arrow the split itself to become an entire volley.

“NOOOOO!” Number 8 screamed as it was bombarded by the rain of a hundred shining arrows.

[Number 8’s Life Points: 1200 (-)> 0]

[Winner: Twilight Sparkle]

Number 8’s humanoid form broke down under the volley until it was nothing more than a wraith. Making one final scream, the evil Number soon vanishes completely along with its constructs made from its black aura.

Everypony made a deep sigh of relief as it was finally over. They watched as Sentry turned to Twilight and nodded its head before it vanished along with rest of the holograms.

While Dusk went up to check up on Twilight, the other made their way to see if Fluttershy was still alright despite her entanglement.

“You did it Twilight.” Dusk said when he reached her. “You not only defeated Number 8, but also have a Number of your own.”

“I know. I still find it hard to believe.” Twilight gazed upon the card in her hoof; Number 102: Star Seraph Sentry. “I wonder what Princess Celestia’s reaction would be when she learns about this?”

“She would definitely be surprised, but I think she would also be proud.” The stallion replied. “I’ll be sure to report everything when we get back to Ponyville.

After getting her deck out of her new duel disk, Twilight then handed them to Dusk for safekeeping when they make their return trip back. Just as the stallion put back his old duel disk back in his backpack along with the cards used by Number 8, he notices that the unicorn was having trouble getting hers off.

“Eh Dusk, how did you get yours Duel Disk again?”

“I thought you already know Twilight. Just say “Duel Disk off” and it will disappear and if you want it back, say “Duel Disk on.”

“Okay, here goes. Duel Disk off.” Upon saying that, Twilight saw the duel disk on her left hoof dematerialized. “That was simple.”

“Tell me about.” Dusk said as he pointed to the rest of the group. “Come on, let see how Fluttershy is doing.”

As he and Twilight approached, they found that the others were comforting Fluttershy, who was lightly sobbing. While the tendrils from before prevented her from speaking, it didn’t stop the pegasus from hearing everything that Number 8 said about her.

She was really hurt from how it said she was weak and stating that her friends were annoyed with her behaviour during their trek. The others however were quick to refute the Number’s claims with the truth that no matter what happened today, Fluttershy would always be their valued friend.

Nevertheless, it took the group some time to put Fluttershy’s worries at ease and they soon begun their trip back to Ponyville.

“That should be everything.”

After everypony safely return back to Ponyville, Dusk was preparing his Number report for Celestia and just recently finished. After rolling up his report into a scroll, he went to see Twilight and Spike, who were in the former’s room.

“Ah Dusk.” He was greeted by Twilight while Spike was sitting down writing down what was the unicorn’s Friendship Report. “Finish with your report?”

“Yes.” He replied to Twilight. “So did you have chance to tell Spike what happened?”

“Tell me about what?” Spike asked the two; wondering what happened at the mountain. “And you said report Twilight. Did Dusk defeat another Number?”

“Well...” Just as he was about to explain what really happened, Applejack was calling for him and Twilight.

“Twilight! Dusk! You gotta come see this! She's just five away from a new pony record!”

Going to the room’s balcony, they saw Dash bouncing a ball on her head while the others around her.

“347, 348...” Dash was keeping count when Pinkie decided to play a trick on her.

“Roar!”

“Dragon!” The pegasus surprisingly fell for the trick as she then played possum like Fluttershy did back at the mountain. Much to her confusion, everypony were laughing at her.

“Why are you laughing?” She yelped. “That awful dragon is back!”

“Oh really Rainbow Dash?” Dusk pointed to Pinkie Pie, who then made another roar.

“Pinkie Pie, you scared me!” Dash soon realized what she said. “I mean, uh, you... Uh, broke my concentration.”

“It's okay, Rainbow Dash.” Fluttershy reassured her friend. “Not everypony can be as brave as me.”

Dash soon notice a stray leaf coming down from the library and blow it towards the shy pegasus’s back. Upon landing on her back, Fluttershy made a brief scream before she played possum once more.

“At least she didn’t yell out avalanche.”

Dusk said with a smirk on his face before he laughed. Everypony quickly joined in and laughed at their frozen friend.

Episode 8 [Part 1] - Sleepover Mishaps

A week has passed since the incident up the mountain. While Fluttershy manage to convince the dragon to leave despite her timid nature, but Twilight took a big step forward for she defeated not only Number 8, but also gained the support of Number 102 as well.

Since Twilight was the one who defeated Number 8, Dusk felt it was appropriate to that she should have ownership of the Number and its deck. However, the unicorn pass on the offer and let him keep the cards instead. To her, having Number 102 and the new “Star Seraph” cards were reward enough.

If there was greater reward for her, it would be praise from Celestia. Upon returning from the mountain, Dusk quickly wrote his report regarding Twilight’s duel and her new Number. After Spike send it, he received the princess’s reply on the very next day.

In the reply, Celestia showed her amazement and congratulation that her own student not only defeated a Number, but now has one of her own. The Princess also gave thanks to Dusk for being a good teacher to Twilight, seeing that the unicorn’s skill in Duel Monsters came from him.

By having a Number in her possession however, Twilight was now had the strange ability to grab onto things with her hooves. She found it awkward at first, but manage to get use to it thanks to Dusk’s assistance.

As of now, Twilight had no trouble using her newfound ability in pulling books out of the sleeves, writing with a quill and even drawing cards from her deck.

While she made extensive notes on what it was like to use her hooves in such a manner, Twilight still prefer to use her magic when it comes to object manipulation.

For the rest of the week since then, it was relatively peaceful for everypony in Ponyville. The weather during those times were clear and sunny; perfect for anypony to spend his or her day.

Until now...

“Do we really need to have a storm today?”

Dusk asked to Twilight, who was beside him as they looked through the library’s window. Outside, the pegasuses were covering the sky with rainclouds and was turning a beautiful day into a storm.

“Well, the pegasuses skipped a scheduled sprinkle last week, so they need a downpour to make up for it.” Twilight replied.

“But I must admit, my people would love have the ability to control the weather like these pegasuses.”

“Wait, humans cannot manipulate the weather?”

“No.” Dusk shook his head. “On Earth, the weather is beyond our control. The only thing we can do is predict the weather and prepare ourselves. If there is a drought, we’ll ration our water supply. If there is a flood, we’ll evacuate and then rebuild our homes.”

“So... Earth is like the Everfree Forest?” Twilight followed up. “But how does your kind thrive in such an environment?”

“That is true. The plants and animals on Earth don’t need human intervention and can take care of themselves. And how we thrive?” Dusk stated with a hint of pride in his voice. “Humans are resourceful and creative. Through determination and technology, we have weathered through every disaster that came our way.”

He cleared his throat before continuing on.

“While humans may lack the abilities that those in Equestria have, we always find a way to rise up in the end. The same applies to me. I maybe now a pony, but I am still human in both heart and mind.”

“Wow...” Twilight looked at the former human in amazement. “I’m sure our kind would have a lot to learn from each other.”

“If our kind ever meet, I’m sure that would be the case.” Dusk soon heard the sound of thunder from outside, which signalled that the storm has just begun.

“Looks like it starting. Wait a minute....” Dusk notice that two ponies were still outside despite the heavy downpour. “Is that Applejack and Rarity?”

“Huh?” Twilight quickly looked out as well and was surprised to see it was indeed them. Applejack took shelter beneath a picnic table while Rarity strangely let herself be exposed to the rain and wind.

“Why are those two still outside at a time like this?”

“I don’t know, but they need to get indoors before they get sick.”

Both Dusk and Twilight then went to the door and upon opening it, they both called out to Applejack and Rarity.

“Applejack! Rarity!”

The two ponies outside manage to hear Twilight’s voice despite the wind and thunder. They quickly turn their gaze to the library as Dusk and Twilight beckon them to come in.

“Get inside you two! Now!”

Dusk shouted to Applejack and Rarity, who both then ran towards the library as fast as they could.

“Whoa, nelly.” Applejack however stopped by the door just as Rarity manage to get indoors. “Is inside a tree really the best place to be in a lightning storm?”

“Don’t worry Applejack.” Dusk assured her. “The library apparently has a lightning rod for an occasion like this.”

“Come on in.” Twilight urged her to come inside.

“Hah! We are most grateful for your invitation.”

“Thank ya kindly for yer hospitality.”

Rarity and Applejack was very relieved to be indoors and out of the ongoing storm. However, the latter was quickly stopped by the former for her muddy hooves.

“Uh, do be a polite house guest and go wash up please, won't you?”

‘Can’t agree with that.’ Dusk thought as he knew anypony would make a fuss if somepony brought in mud into their household.

“If I gotta spend one more second with that fussbudget Rarity today, I can't be held responsible for what I'm gonna do.”

Applejack muttered to herself as she went back outside to wash her hooves.

‘Did something happen to them?’ The stallion notice that there was some tension between the two ponies. It was almost like Applejack and Rarity no longer enjoy each other’s company.

Dusk kept it in his mind as Twilight started a conversion with Rarity.

“Some storm, huh? The Pegasus ponies sure have outdone themselves this time.” She said. “I hope you and Applejack don't have any trouble getting home.”

“It may indeed be a problem.” Rarity replied in a somewhat nervous tone.

“Well, you're welcome to stay if need be. Spike is away in Canterlot on royal business. Only me and Dusk are alone tonight.”

Suddenly, Twilight gasped for an idea came into her head.

“You and Applejack should totally sleep over! We'll have a slumber party!” She clapped her hooves in excitement. “I've always wanted one of those.”

“Slumber party?” Dusk found the notion to be awkward for him despite the fact he was Twilight’s roommate since coming to Ponyville. Then again, he never been to a slumber party before.

Rarity only blinked a few times before Twilight’s words finally sunk in.

“Oh! Uh, goodness. Uh, I do believe I have another engagement scheduled for this evening that completely slipped my mind until just now.” She hastily said before laughing awkwardly. “Ah, silly me, I can't possibly stay here all night... With Applejack.”

She muttered out the last part, which Dusk managed to hear while Twilight went up to one of the library sleeves and pulled out a book with her magic. After opening it, she showed the book’s contents to Rarity and Dusk.

“Slumber 101: All You've Ever Wanted to Know About Slumber Parties, But Were Afraid to Ask.”

“I’m a bit surprised that you have such a book with you.”

“My own personal copy Dusk. It's a fantastic reference guide.” Twilight stated. “You should see the table of contents. I've been waiting for a chance to use it, and today is the day! This is gonna be so great!”

“Yes, uh, great...” Rarity made a nervous laugh as she looked out the window, where Applejack was struggling to use a hose to wash the mud off her hooves.

“I guess I leave you girls to enjoy yourselves.” Dusk was about o go back to his room when Twilight stopped him.

“Wait. You should join in the fun as well.”

“I’m not sure... I doubt I’ll fit in with your activities”

The stallion turned to her with a look of uncertainty. He found it awkward to be the only boy in an otherwise all-girl slumber party. While he never been to one, Dusk had a good feeling what activities the girls would do.

“Don’t be silly Dusk. I know you’ll have fun as well.” Twilight insisted. “Please?”

Seeing how much the unicorn wanted him to join in the slumber party, Dusk finally relented to her.

“Alright. I’ll join...” He sighed as Twilight clapped her hooves in joy.

For the next few minutes, Twilight brought down a few pillows from upstairs while Rarity apparently somehow had some green facial mud with her.

Sitting on the pillows, Rarity was the first to put some of the mud on her face before doing the same for Twilight. Dusk was also sitting on a pillow, but didn’t partake in the activity and was instead looking through the slumber party book.

‘Makeover huh?’ The stallion thought as read through the other activities listed in the book.

They include ghost stories, making s’mores and games such as Truth and Dare. Surprisingly, instructions on having a pillow fight were in the book as well.

Dusk soon heard a gasp and turned to see it was Applejack, who was looking at Rarity and Twilight in surprise.

“What in tarnation?” She said to Rarity in an annoyed tone. “Now wait just a goll-darn minute. Ya make me wash the mud off my hooves, but it's okay for y'all to have mud all over yer faces?”

“Silly! This is called a mud mask.” Rarity stated. “It's to refresh and rejuvenate your complexion.”

“We're giving each other makeovers!” Twilight giggled as she lifted the slumber party book from Dusk’s hooves and presented it to Applejack. “We have to do it, it says so in the book.”

“Slumber 101: Everything You...”

Upon reading the title, Applejack flinched.

“Oh hey, heh, would you look at the time. I gotta skidaddle on home quick.” Pretending she was looking at a watch on her right hoof, she tried to excuse herself. “I'm powerful late for, uh, fer somethin'... Uh, good night.”

‘That is one of the poorest excuses I have ever heard.’

Seeing that Applejack apparently wanted to be away from Rarity, Dusk now had a good feeling that something indeed happened between her and Rarity.

And she would have gotten her wish if not for the sound of thunder scaring her back into the library.

“Or maybe I'll sit here for a spell.” Applejack said.

“Hurray slumber party!” The unicorn cheered as she clapped her hooves in excitement.

Moments later, Rarity rubbed some facial mud on Applejack’s face and then placed cucumber on her eyes.

“What in the world is this for?” In her mind, the latter was confused why the former covered her eyes with pieces of vegetable.

“To reduce the puffiness around one's eyes, of course.” Rarity sighed out in response.

“Puffiness-schmuffiness!” Applejack used her tongue lick the cucumbers off her eyes and ate them. “That's good eatin'!”

Before long, she begun to munch on the spare cucumbers that were in a bowl, which the fashion unicorn watched with a deadpan expression.

“I hope they don’t cause any trouble tonight...” Dusk muttered quietly as he was worried that the two may get into a fight before bedtime. “Maybe I can help resolve this.”

At the same time, Twilight giggled as she looked through her slumber party book.

“Hee-hee! Isn't this exciting? We'll do everything by the book, and that will make my slumber party officially fun.”

“Did you hear that, Applejack?” Rarity stated. “You certainly would not want to do anything that would ruin Twilight's very first slumber party, would you?”

“Of course not, 'n you wouldn't either, I reckon?” Applejack then asked the same thing.

“So do we have an agreement?”

“You betcha.”

‘Well, they could resolve their differences themselves.’ Dusk was optimistic until as he saw Applejack then spitting into her hoof before offering a hoofshake to Rarity. ‘Then again... Maybe not.’

“Oh! Gross! You know, there's messy and there's just plain rude.” Rarity said in disgust.

“You know, there's fussy, 'n there's just plain gettin' on my nerves.” Applejack talked back.

“Fortunately, I can get along with anypony, no matter how difficult she may be.”

“Oh yeah? Well, I'm the "get-alongin-est" pony you're ever gonna meet.”

“That's not even a word.”

“Can you...” Before Dusk could do anything, Twilight suddenly popped out behind the two arguing ponies and brought them into a group hug. Apparently, she has yet to notice the bad mood between Applejack and Rarity.

“This is going to be the bestest slumber party ever! Yay!” Thinking of her slumber party, she cheered once again.

“Yay...” Applejack and Rarity wasn’t as enthusiastic as their friend, but they cheered regardless.

‘I think it would be best if I stay in the slumber party.’

Dusk had a feeling that he would be needed to mediate Applejack and Rarity, especially since he notice the two mares glaring at each other.

‘Hope they don’t cause Twilight too much grief...”

Episode 8 [Part 2] - Sleepover Mishaps

“So, how are you getting along over there, Applejack?”

“Just fine, Rarity.”

Dusk watched as Rarity, who recently added curls in her mane and tail, putting the finishing touches to Applejack’s maker. However, the farm pony wasn’t very amused of having curls in her own mane and tail.

“This is so awesome!” Twilight giggled as she also has curls in her mane and tail. “Makeovers, check.”

With her magic, she made all the curls in her mane and tail to vanish, which in turn restored her usual hairstyle. The same applied to both Applejack and Rarity; the former getting her cowboy hat back on her head.

Scanning through her slumber party book, she found the next activity to her first sleepover.

“Ooh, it says here we have to tell ghost stories. Who wants to go first?”

“Uh...”

Dusk know that he isn’t much of a storyteller or know any scary stories to tell the mares. It was then Applejack raised her hoof up.

“Me! I'd like to tell y'all the terrifying tale of the prissy ghost who drove everypony crazy with her unnecessary neatness.” She told everypony. “Oo-oo!”

“Ay yi yi...” Dusk could easily tell that was a jab directed at Rarity.

“I'm sure y'all are familiar with that one?” Applejack asked the so-called prissy unicorn.

“Never heard of it, but I have a much better one.” Rairty stated. “It's the horrifying story of the messy, inconsiderate ghost who irritated everypony within a hundred miles! Oo-oo!”

This time, Applejack who was jabbed for being called messy and inconsiderate.

“That's not a real story. You made it up.”

“It is a ghost story, they're all made up.”

“Will you two...” Dusk found himself interrupted again when the sound of thunder echo outside. Eerily, the lights in the library went off at the same time, which was usually since none of the buildings in Ponyville run on electricity.

Nevertheless, everypony was startled for the interior of the library was pitch black. Thankfully, Twilight turned on a lantern to provide some lighting.

“I've got one! This story is called The Legend of The Headless Horse.” Twilight then begun her story. “It was a dark and stormy night, just like this one. And three ponies were having a slumber party, just like this one...”

“Really Twilight...” The stallion muttered at the premise of the story and the fact she was using her slumber party as the setting.

Nevertheless, Dusk listened to how the story would play out.

“...and just when the last pony thought she was safe, there, standing right behind her, just inches away was... The Headless Horse!”

With that Twilight finished her ghost story as she quickly grabbed on of the sheet and placed it over her head just as lightning bolt from outside flashes through the window.

Pretending to be the Headless Horse, Rarity and Applejack clung to each other in fright as they screamed.

When it was Dusk’s turn, Twilight pouted when he explained that he doesn’t have any good scary stories to tell. Rarity and Applejack however made a sigh of relief though since they were scared enough for one night.

Still, the unicorn went to the book to check off ghost stories and at the same time, the lighting in the library suddenly turn back on.

“Ghost story, check.” By that time, Rarity and Applejack realized what they were doing and quickly let go of each other.

Twilight once again suddenly appeared between them and placed her hooves over their shoulders.

“Now, who wants s'mores?”

“I’m definitely up for it.”

Dusk can’t help but lick his lips of eating such treats. It been a while since he ever had s’mores back on Earth and the ones in Equestria shouldn’t be any different.

While he and Applejack were roasting a few marshmallows by the fireplace, Rarity was showing Twilight on how to make a s’more in the most presentable way possible.

“Then you place one marshmallow on the top of the chocolate and be sure it's centered -- that's critical -- and then carefully put another perfectly square graham cracker on the top. And done. Ta-da!”

“Ooo!” Dusk rolled his eyes on Twilight’s awe at the s’more, which was nothing more than an ordinary yet tasty treat.

“Nah, ya just eat 'em.” Applejack quickly grabbed the s’more and munched on it while Rarity looked on. “Mmm-mmm!”

After finishing the s’more, Applejack then made a burp which the stallion can’t help but snicker to. Rarity however was not assumed due to her well-mannered sensibility.

“You could at least say excuse me.” She sighed.

“Aw, I was just about to, but you interrupted me.” Applejack said back. “Pardon.”

Dusk shook his head as he saw that both ponies are still bickering with each other. He fears that that Twilight’s first slumber party may end up being her worst one at this rate.

In the meantime, he found the s’mores to be as good as the ones back on Earth.

As for the unicorn, she remains obvious to her friends’ distain for each other as she checks off her book again.

“S'mores, check. Now the next item of fun we have to do is Truth or Dare.”

“Truth and Dare...” Dusk muttered as he looked at Applejack and Rarity carefully.

“Well, I dare Applejack to do something carefully and neatly for a change.”

“Oh yeah? Well I dare Rarity ta lighten up and stop obsessin' over every last little detail, for a change.”

The stallion gulped as he saw that the two ponies were now using the game to again jab at each other like they did before. With how these two were acting, this game will not end well for either of them.

“I think the truth of the matter is that somepony could stand to pay a little more attention to details.

“And I think the truth is somepony oughta quit with her fussin' so the rest of us can get things done.

As Applejack and Rarity started to bicker again, Twilight was disturbed on how they were acting and looked through her slumber party book again.

“Um, I don't think this is how the game's supposed to work. You have to give an honest answer to any question or do whatever anypony dares you to do.”

“If that so...” Applejack then gave Rarity her dare. “Then I dare you to step outside and let your precious, tidy mane get ruined again.”

As Rarity gasp in the shock of Applejack’s dare, Dusk facehoofed at how everything was turning out.

‘Can I even mediate these two?’ With the two mares showing how much they dislike each other, the stallion wasn’t sure he has what it takes to reconcile them without getting hurt himself. ‘I wish Half Coin was here...’

“You can’t be serious?!” Rarity exasperated.

“You have to. It's the rule.” Twilight stated.

“Hah!” Applejack cheered.

“Fine...” Reluctantly agreeing to the dare, Rarity made her way out the library and everypony heard her cries from outside.

Upon going back inside, Rarity was shivering for she was completely soaked from the rain. While Applejack was laughing at the sight of the unicorn’s state, Dusk did not find it amusing.

“I’ll go get a towel.”

The stallion went upstairs and grabbed one of the many towels in the library’s bathroom. At times, he wondered why it was here in the first place, but today wasn’t the time to do so.

By the time he got back downstairs, he was surprised to see Applejack wearing a ridiculous princess outfit while Rarity was smirking in amusement.

“Let me guess?” Dusk asked Twilight. “Rarity dare Applejack to wear that?”

“Yeah.” Twilight with a hint of uneasiness in her voice. “Um, do I ever get a turn?”

She asked Rarity and Applejack, but the two were more focused on each other than their friend.

“I dare ya to enter the next rodeo when it comes to town.”

“I dare you not to enter the next rodeo that comes to town.”

“I dare ya to not comb your mane a hundred times before bed!”

“And I dare you to comb yours just once!”

“Twilight, I think we should this game... Right now.” Dusk was worried that they may come to blows at a matter of time.

Nevertheless, he slowly approached Rarity to give her the towel, which she briefly thanked before focusing her gaze on Applejack.

“That sounds like a good idea.” Twilight replied uneasily. Lets, uh, check off Truth or Dare and move on.”

“Let's see what our next fun-fun-fun thing is, shall we?” She looks through the book in hopes of finding an activity to ease the situation. “Hmm, what does this mean? Pillow fight? Any clue what it is Dusk?”

“What? You don’t know?” The stallion asked, which the unicorn shook her head. “Isn’t it obvious, you and friends just grab pillows and hit each ot...”

Dusk explained before abruptly stopping midsentence. “Oh oh...”

“Oh, please. I am not at all interested in participating in something so crude.” Before Rarity knew it, Applejack threw a pillow and hit her straight in the face.

“Oh! It! Is! On!” She retaliated by throwing the pillow back at her aggressor’s face in force.

Before long, Rarity and Applejack embroiled in an all-out pillow war. While the farm pony made use of her applebucking and lasso skills to throw pillows, the fashion unicorn countered with her use of magic.

While Dusk wasn’t sure how both mares manage to have their own supply of pillows, it was clear to him that they intend to throw everything they got at each other.

“Oh, I get it! Pillow, fight! Fun!” Twilight tried to ease the fighting between her friends, but was about to get caught in the crossfire if not for Dusk.

“Get down!” The stallion pulled the unicorn down just as a barrage of pillows was about to hit her. “Girls! Ceasefire, ceasefire!”

“I will if she will!”

“She started it!”

Despite his plea, two ponies refuse to back down from their little war; both continuing to throw pillows at each other while dodging what is thrown at them.

Dusk and Twilight were not as fortunate for even down on the ground, they were still hit in the crossfire. In a few moments, the two were buried within a large pile of pillows as they manage to stick their heads out.

“Uh, maybe we should just call it a night and get some sleep?” Twilight suggested after spitting a feather out of her mouth.

“I was just thinking the same thing...” Dusk agreed as he watched his two friends continue to wage their aggressive pillow war.

After the two ponies manage to convince their friends to end their little conflict, everypony finally went to bed. However, Dusk had trouble going to sleep due to the hostility between Applejack and Rarity.

As of now, the two mares were sleeping in Twilight’s room where the unicorn used her magic to conjure another bed for them to use. Being the same room was one thing, but having to share the bed was another matter.

Dusk was worried that the Applejack and Rarity are likely to continue their bickering rather get a good night sleep. He imagined the two mares fighting for control cover the blanket and kicking each other in their sleep.

‘I hope they don’t cause too much trouble for Twilight...’ He thought with his eyes closed as he tried to get to sleep as he heard the sounds of lightning from outside.

Just as he was about to doze off however, he heard a loud crash from within the library. It startled him to the point he abruptly rolled off his bed and onto the ground.

From where the noise originated, Dusk quickly realized where it came from.

“Oh you got to be kidding me?!”

He cried out as he rushed out of his room and went to see if Applejack and Rarity were at it again. Now at the breaking point, he is going to get the tow reconcile even if he gets hurt in the process.

“Girls! What is going on...”

Upon reaching Twilight’s room and opening the door, he was speechless to see the top of a tree sticking through the window. He then notices Applejack dangling in the air as she bit on a rope that was lassoed to that same tree.

“What did you do Applejack?!” Dusk exclaimed just as the farm pony let go of the rope and landed on the floor.

“Well... I was uh.... making sure this tree branch doesn’t fall on anypony outside...” She nervously answered as the stallion quickly went up to check on Rarity and Twilight.

“You are okay?” He first asked Rarity, who was using a book as a meager shade from the rain and wind that was coming through the window.

“I’m alright, thank you.” Rarity replied before turning her attention to the pony responsible for the mess.

“I tried to tell you it would come crashing down in here.”

“Well, you shoulda tried harder.”

Applejack talked back as she climbed up the broken tree. Moments later, Twilight popped her head out of the portion of the tree that covered her bed.

“Twilight, are you alright?” Dusk asked as he checked on the disorientated unicorn and was relieved to see that she has were no injuries whatsoever.

“Yeah. I guess so.”

“I'm mighty sorry, Twilight.”

Applejack apologized for what she done, but it didn’t make the unicorn feel any better by the slightest.

“It's... Well, it's not okay. There's a giant tree branch in the middle of my bedroom, and the book doesn't say anything about having a giant tree branch at your slumber party. Or at least I haven't found that entry yet.”

‘You got to be kidding me.’

Dusk facehoofed on the fact that Twilight would rather look for the solution in her book for than use her magic to move the tree out of the library.

“What in tarnation are y'all doin' over there?”

Applejack called out to Rarity, who was still cleaning up the mess on the floor.

“Cleaning up this mess somepony made. Who was that again? Oh, right, that's you.”

“Twilight, now is not the time to read that. Use your magic!” Dusk tried to get the unicorn to help, but she remains focused on finding an entry regrading a tree branches in a slumber party book.

“Baking... BFFs... Brothers... There's nothing in here about branches.”

Dusk was beginning to feel frustrated at how things were going this night; from Applejack and Rarity fighting with each other to a tree lodged through the window.

“Dusk, help me out here!” Applejack called for his help as she struggled in vain to move the tree out of the library.

Even though he knew how daunting such as task would be, the stallion nevertheless did what he can to help

As he feared however, he and Applejack made no progress in getting the tree out of Twilights’ room. No matter how much they shove, kick and even jump on the tree it didn’t budge one bit.

“Rarity, for pony's sake, stop sweatin' the small stuff and help us get rid of this thing!”

Applejack exclaimed to Rarity to get her attention, but the latter remained focused on cleaning the debris around her.

“I said hussle over here and help...!”

“Alright, that is enough!” Dusk yelled, which easily caught the attention of both Applejack and Rarity. “I don’t what happen between you two today, but this has to stop now. The two of you are better than this.”

“But...” The two mares tried to speak, but the stallion refuse to back down.

“No! You are going to hear me out.” Dusk took a deep breath before he continued on.

“I know you have your differences, but you two are friends. One of the greatest challenges of being friends to accept and even appreciate those differences, no matter how troublesome they may be. If you are going to continue bickering with each other, then we will never get this tree out of the room.”

Applejack and Rarity didn’t say a word as they took in everything that Dusk said. For stallion however, he kept his gaze on the two mares and hope they make the right choice in the end.

His hopes were realized when Applejack finally spoke.

“Rarity, I'm sorry, all right?”

“What was that?”

Rarity was taken back to hear such words as the farm pony continued on.

“I said I'm sorry! I shoulda listened to you when you noticed where this here branch would end up.” Applejack apologized sincerely. “Your annoyin' attention to detail would'a saved us from this whole mess. But right now, you need to stop bein' so dang fussy pickin' up all the little things and help us move the one big thing in here that actually matters! Please!”

“Uh...” Rarity looked upon the leaves and the puddle of rainwater around her. “Uh, but I'll get all icky...”

“Rarity, listen to me!” Dusk said. “Moving a tree like this is hard work and it is natural to get dirty in the process. Sometimes, you must make such compromises to achieve your goals.”

“He is right.” Applejack agreed. “Not only that, me and Dusk can’t fix this mess ourselves, which I made. We... No, I need your help.”

“Oh...” This time, Rarity was really taken back by Applejack’s plea. Before long, she took off the book on her head and made a determined face.

She too has taken in Dusk’s words.

“Let's do this.”

“Well, the book does have a section about backyard slumber parties.” Twilight however wasn’t paying attention to what Dusk manage to accomplish. “Is that what we're doing right now? Does this count as camping?”

“Oh, come on Twilight.” Dusk muttered to himself as watched both Applejack and Rarity working together to get rid of the broken tree.

The latter with some difficulty, used her magic to convert the majority of the tree into multiple smaller sculptures. The only thing remaining was a part of the trunk, which the former chose to grab it with her mouth and gently toss it out the window.

As Applejack closed the window, Rarity looked at her self and saw how muddy she was.

“Ugh. Oh, I look awful.”

The farm pony was thoughtful for a few moments before an idea appeared in her head. She approached the unicorn and placed cucumbers over her eyes.

“Better?” Applejack asked.

“Hmph, thanks.” Rarity appreciated the gesture and soon, the two mares gave each other a hug.

After all what happened between them tonight, they were able to set aside their differences and their friendship returned back to normal.

Very soon, the two thanked Dusk for his effort in reconciling them, which the stallion only rubbed the back of his head with a sheepish smile.

“Oh, pretty! Where did these come from?” Twilight inspected the small sculptures that Rarity made before looking at her book again. “They're not in the book either.”

Dusk merely sighed at Twilight, but with a smile. Seeing Applejack and Rarity reconciling relieved him of his frustrations from watching their prior antics.

After cleaning the room, the three mares decided to restart their slumber party. This time, Applejack and Rarity were enthusiastic in having fun than fighting with each other. Even Dusk showed some enthusiasm in joining in the party.

To start out with, they played a guessing game, which Dusk, Applejack and Rarity had a lot of trouble since they used 19 out of their 20 questions in trying to guess what Twilight was thinking.

When Applejack and Rarity combined their respective questions into one, Twilight was so happy to seeing her friends get along that she let the two win the game.

“I declare my first slumber party a success!” Twilight cheered and was quickly joined in by the other two mares.

Dusk only a happy smile at seeing everything returning to the way it is.

If there is a bonus to his happy occasion, it is that a Number didn’t appear in the library and caused trouble.

Episode 9 [Part 1] - Never Assume on Appearance Alone

“Wow, what a gorgeous day! Isn’t it Dusk?”

“Sure is Twilight. Rainbow Dash really did a good job with removing the clouds.”

Several days has passed since Twilight had her first slumber party. Disregarding the usual harmless mishaps that occur in Ponyville, rest of the week was relatively peaceful.

“I bet all of Ponyville is going to be out enjoying the sunshine.”

Twilight said for she, Dusk and Spike were expecting the usual routine that all ponies would do whenever it is sunny outside. However, it wasn’t the case today for they saw the streets to be completely empty.

“What? Where is everypony?”

“Strange... It looks like they are really eager to stay indoors.”

Dusk answered Twilight as he pointed to one of the houses to his right, which a pony quickly closed the upstairs shutters. He then pointed to a house to his left, a unicorn filly was gazing through an open doorway before she was pulled in and the door was slammed shut. At the same time, the stallion also saw a tumbleweed passing through.

“Is it some sort of pony holiday?” Spike asked while riding on Twilight’s back.

“Not that I know of.” The unicorn replied.

“Does my breath stink?” Spike then belched out some fire and smelled the smoke.

“I doubt this has anything to do with you Spike.” Dusk found it absurd that the baby dragon’s breath was why everypony except him and Twilight were staying inside their homes.

“Is it... zombies?!”

‘Really Spike...?’

The stallion found the idea of zombies to be more absurd. Sure he was in a magical world, but it is almost impossible to ever think that any race in Equestria would dare dabble in dark arts like necromancy.

“Uh... not very likely.”

“Not likely... but possible?”

“Spike...”

Twilight, Spike and Dusk then stopped moving when heard something just as they reached Sugarcube Corner.

“Psst!”

Turning their attention to the store, they found Pinkie poking her head out the door for a few seconds repeatedly.

Apparently, she was trying to warn them about something.

“Twilight! Spike! Dusk! Come here!” Pinkie quietly exclaimed as she waved them to come inside. “Come! Here! Hurry! Before she gets you!”

While unsure what Pinkie meant, Twilight and Dusk nevertheless listened to her and quickly went inside just as the door close shut behind them.

However, the two along with Spike quickly found that everything inside was completely dark; all the lights were off and window drapes were closed.

“Why is it so dark here?” Dusk asked before he and Twilight had a flashlight shine in their eyes, forcing the two to cover them.

“Agghh.”

“Who?! The zombie pony?” Spike fearfully asked while clinging to Twilight.

“Z-Z-Zombie pony?!” Pinkie shined the flashlight beneath her face as she spoke, which scared the baby dragon more.

“Spike! There are no zombie ponies.” Twilight assured him before asking her friend. “Pinkie, what are you doing here alone in the dark?”

“I'm not alone in the dark.”

Pinkie then opened one of the drapes to light up the room a bit, which surprised Twilight and Dusk for they saw that the rest of their friends were inside as well; Applejack, Dash, Fluttershy and Rarity.

Dusk notice that there was a filly standing beside Applejack. She has a pale olive coat, a reddish mane and notably, no cutie mark on her frank.

‘Apple Bloom.’

She was Applejack’s little sister and Dusk first met her when he first came to Ponyville. At the time, she thought that the stallion was just an ordinary pony. However, that changed when Dusk revealed himself as a duelist to everypony during the Summer Sun Celebration.

Needless to say that, Apple Bloom was eager to learn about Dusk and his exploits against the Numbers. She even stated her interest in Duel Monsters and wish to learn about the game like her big sister. As of now, the stallion has yet to decide if he should try to get other ponies to partake in this “special “curriculum.

“Okay then, what are you all doing here in the dark?” Twilight asked her friend, wondering why they and the other ponies were hiding in the first place.

“We're hidin' from her!”

Applejack stated as she opened the drapes of one of the windows and pointed to what seems to be a pony wearing a brown cloak and hood. In everyponys’ eyes, she appears to be digging for something before she suddenly turned her eyes to Sugarcube Corner.

‘What?’ Dusk swore that cloaked pony was actually looking at him and his friends straight in the eyes. He also felt a strange and mysterious feeling from her as well.

Almost everypony along with Spike gasped in fear when the cloaked pony looked at their direction. While the rest of their friends move away from the window, Dusk and Twilight merely observed the unknown newcomer to Ponyville.

“Did you see her you two? Did you see... Zecora?” Apple Bloom asked both Dusk and Twilight.

“Apple Bloom!” Applejack scolded her sister. “I told you never to say that name!”

‘Zecora?’ Dusk repeated the name in his head. He wondered why that pony outside is so feared in Ponyville.

“Well, I saw her glance this way...” Twilight said before Pinkie interrupted her.

“Glance evilly this way!”

“And then a bunch of you flip out for no good reason.” The unicorn continued after lightly pushing her friend away.

“No good reason? You call protectin' your kin no good reason?”

Applejack exclaimed as she put a hoof on Apple Bloom’s back.

“Why, as soon as my sister saw Zecora ridin' into town, she started shakin' in her little horseshoes.”

She then shook her sister in manner which Dusk found to be rather forceful.

“D-Did n-not!” Apple Bloom manage to say despite being shaken by her older sister.

“So I swept her up and brought her here.” Applejack then picked her up and put her over her back.

“I walked here myself!”

“For safe keepin'.”

“Applejack, I'm not a baby!” Apple Bloom stated as she climbed off her sister’s back. “I can take care of myself!”

“Not from that creepy Zecora.” Applejack said.

‘Can’t blame Applejack being protective of her little sister.’ Dusk thought as he continues to observe Zecora. He knows very well that the farm pony loves her family dearly.

Soon enough, the rest of the mares then shared their opinions regarding Zecora.

“She's mysterious.”

“Sinister.”

“And spoooooky!”

Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash and Pinkie said respectively. However, Dusk and Twilight were skeptical of their claims and merely went back to the window to observe Zecora.

The two ended up getting squished together when the rest of their friends decided to join them in looking through the window. While Twilight annoyed at first, she ended up having a light blush on her cheeks upon seeing how close Dusk was.

Luckily, everypony was too focused on Zecora to notice her blush. In the meantime, Zecora removed her hood and revealed her dark grey and white mane, which styled like a mohawk and adorned with white stripes.

Dusk also notice that on Zecora’s light grey coat was a number of dark grey stripes. It reminded him of an animal he read up on the Internet back on Earth.

“Wait a minute... That could be...”

He tried to mutter out, but everypony but Twilight made a collective gasp when they saw Zecora’s mane.

“Will you cut that out?” Twilight was not amused of her friends’ overreactive behaviour.

“Just look at those stripes!” Rarity commented on Zecora’s appearance. “So garish!”

“Rarity...” Dusk sighed. “I’m guessing you never seen a zebra before in your life.”

“A what!?” Everypony exclaimed.

Before Dusk could say a word, Twilight came forth and spoke on his behalf.

“A zebra.” The unicorn said before turning her attention on Rarity. “And her stripes aren't a fashion choice Rarity, they're what she was born with.”

Dusk could only shake his head when he watched Rarity dramatically fainting when Twilight finished talking.

“Born where?” Applejack questioned. “I've never seen a pony like that in these parts, 'cept... her!”

“Well, she's probably not from here, and she's not a pony.” Twilight replied. “My books say that zebras come from a faraway land. But I've never seen her in Ponyville. Where does she live?”

“That's just it, she lives in...” Applejack fearfully said. “The Everfree Forest!”

Upon saying that, everypony soon heard the sounds of thunder throughout the building. Dusk was confused at first since it was sunny outside, but Twilight had an explanation.

“Spike!”

“Uh, sorry.”

The baby dragon was apparently getting some snacks from the kitchen, but he ended up knock down some pots and pans in the process.

“The Everfree Forest just ain't natural.” Applejack continued. “The plants grow... “

“Animals care for themselves...” Fluttershy followed up.

“And the clouds move...” So did Rainbow Dash.

“All on their own!”

After the three said out loud in unison, Rarity ended up fainting again in the same manner like before.

Dusk and Twilight only made deadpan expression at the friends.

“And that wicked enchantress Zecora lives there doing her evil... stuff!” Pinkie said. “She's so evil I even wrote a song about her!”

“Here we go...” Dash muttered as Pinkie begun to sing her song about the zebra being an evil enchantress.

“Evil?” Dusk muttered and wasn’t paying much attention to the song. He did feel a mysterious feeling when he first saw Zecora, but it isn’t enough to prove she is indeed evil.

He starting to see that even in the happy and peaceful land of Equestria, there is still some form of racial discrimination.

“Wow... Catchy.” Twilight commented on Pinkie’s song after she finished.

“It is a work in progress.”

“This is all just a lot of gossip and rumors.” The unicorn however still doesn’t believe what her friends say about the zebra. “Now tell me; what exactly have you actually seen Zecora do?”

“Well... Once a month, she comes into Ponyville.” Dash stated.

“Oooooh.” Twilight merely said in a sarcastic manner.

“Then, she lurks by the stores.” Rarity followed up.

“Oh my.”

“And then... She digs at the ground.” Fluttershy told her.

“Good gracious!” At this point, Twilight stopped acting sarcastic. “Okay, I'm sorry. But how is any of this bad? Maybe she comes to town to visit?”

“Yeah! Maybe she's just tryin' to be neighborly.” Apple Bloom said.

“And about her lurking near the stores, maybe she wanted to do some shopping?” Dusk added himself in the conversation.

“Yeah! Everypony likes to shop. You know what I think...?” The filly was then stopped by Applejack.

“Apple Bloom! Hush and let the big ponies talk!”

“I am a big pony...” Apple Bloom muttered under her breath as she walked towards the door.

“W-what about digging at the ground? You've got to admit that's weird.”

“What if she's digging for innocent creatures?”

Dash and Fluttershy respectively said while Pinkie begun to sing her song once more. As for Twilight, she was trying to get her friends to see reason.

“I am sure there is an explanation for everything Zecora does. And if anypony here were actually brave enough to approach her, she would find out the truth!”

“This is getting ridiculous...”

Tired that most of his friends viewed Zecora is a wicked enchantress without actual proof, Dusk decided to find out the truth.

He quietly left the building while the mares were focused on bickering with each other. Seeing that Zecora was leaving Ponyville, Dusk decided to tail her back to her place. Even if her home was said to be in the Everfree Forest, he had Number 39 for protection.

The stallion however didn’t realize that Apple Bloom saw him leave Sugarcube Corner and was now secretly following him as he tailed Zecora to the Everfree Forest.

“You ponies are being ridiculous!” Back in Sugarcube Corner, Twilight continue to bicker with her friends.

“Well, I heard that Zecora eats hay.”

“Pinkie, I eat hay! You eat hay!” Twilight refuted at the party pony’s claim.

“Yeah, but I heard it's the evil way she eats hay.”

“Hey, where is Apple Bloom?” Applejack interrupted as she saw her little sister was missing.

“Dusk isn’t here as well.” Fluttershy notice that the stallion isn’t here as well. She soon notice that the door to outside was left ajar. “And the door’s open!”

“They went outside!” Rarity shouted.

“Dusk must have gone out to confront Zecora!” Dash assumed that with Number 39, the stallion could stand up to the so-called evil that the zebra could throw at him.

“And Apple Bloom followed him?” Applejack cried in shock. “That silly lil' filly! I told her to stay put!

All mares soon rush out of the buildings to catch up with Dusk and Apple Bloom. Before she left with her friends, Twilight told Spike to keep an eye out if either two returns back.

As for Dusk, he followed the path that Zecora took, which went straight into the Everfree Forest. While keeping pace with her, he notices several patches of blue flowers in his path.

‘Keep you distance...’

“Utopia?” Dusk whispered as he heard Number 39’s voice in his head.

‘Those are no ordinary flowers...’ The Number warned him.

He was skeptical that these blue flowers could be dangerous, but Dusk nevertheless listened and avoided them.

In the meantime, he still remains unaware of Apple Bloom who was tailing in secret.

‘Why is he avoiding them?’

She found it strange that Dusk was avoiding the blue flowers, but her sister told her that the stallion was unique compared to other ponies. That is disregarding the fact he is from another world.

The filly continue to follow Dusk from a distance until she suddenly heard Applejack shouting from behind.

“Apple Bloom!”

The shout also alerted both Dusk and Zecora; the two turned around to see Applejack with the rest of the mares.

“You get back here right now!”

“Apple Bloom?”

Dusk was very surprised to see that the filly was following him all this time. When he turned his gaze to his friends, he saw that they were standing on the very flowers that Number 39 warned him about.

“Beware! Beware, you pony folk!” Zecora told everypony as she slowly back away into a cloud of mist that slowly appeared. “Those leaves of blue are not a joke!”

Applejack rushed over to Apple Bloom and scooped her onto her head while glaring at the zebra.

“Y-you keep your creepy mumbo-jumbo to yourself, ya hear?” She shouted. “A-and don’t try anything or Dusk will make you regret it!”

Everypony except Twilight and Fluttershy agreed with the farm pony as their shouting were overlapping with each other. Pinkie was even singing her song again while standing on her hind legs.

“Oh brother.” Twilight sighed at how her friends were acting today. It relieved her though that Dusk was the only one that was being reasonable regarding Zecora.

“Beware! Beware!”

Those were the last words that Zecora said before she vanishes into the mist.

“Yeah, back at ya, Zecora!” Dash shouted. “You and your lame curse are the ones who better beware!”

“Oh come on...”

Dusk muttered to himself before he then recalled Number 39’s prior warning. Looking at the mares, he could see they still alright despite being in direct contact with the blue flowers.

Still, he chose to trust the Number and kept away from the patch that the mares were standing in.

“And you! Why couldn't you just listen to yer big sister?”

He watched as Applejack scolded Apple Bloom. Dusk couldn’t blame her since he never expected the filly to actually follow him into the Everfree Forest.

“I... I...”

“Why in tarnation did you follow Dusk when he was going to confront Zecora? You could have been hit by a stray curse if they started fighting!”

“Uh Applejack, I wasn’t going to confront...”

“Just like in my song!”

Thanks to Pinkie interrupting him with her ridiculous song, Dusk wasn’t able to say that he intended to learn about Zecora in person.

“You guys, there's no such thing as curses!” Twilight exclaimed to her friends, which was ironic since she uses magic herself.

“Well, that's interesting to hear coming from Miss Magic Pants herself.” Dash flew up to the unicorn and tapped her horn.

“My magic, real magic, comes from within. It's a skill you're born with. Curses are artificial, fake magic. It's conjured with potions and incantations; all smoke and mirrors meant to scare. But curses have no real power, they're just an old pony tale.”

After Twilight explained in her view why magic and curses are different, she saw that almost everypony were now going back home; having no interest in listening to what she said.

The only ponies left with her was Applejack and Dusk.

“Just you wait, Twilight. You're gonna learn that some pony tales really are true.”

With that, Applejack turned around and started to walk back to Ponyville.

“Dusk, were you actually going to...”

“Confront Zecora? No, I just wanted to ask her some questions.” Dusk both finished and answered Twilight’s question.

He then pointed to the blue flowers that the unicorn was standing on.

“Uh Twilight? You may want to step out of that patch of flowers right about now.”

“Huh?”

Twilight turned her attention to Dusk and saw he been keeping his distance from the blue flowers all this time.

“Why? These are just flowers.” The unicorn found it strange that the stallion was staying away from something that is relatively harmless.

“Well when I was following Zecora, Utopia suddenly told me to stay away from those flowers.”

“What?” Twilight approached Dusk, getting out of the patch of flowers in the process. “But why?”

“I’m not sure. All Utopia told me is that they are not ordinary.” He said. “I know you and the others were in contact with them, but I didn’t see anything unusual happen.”

Despite what Dusk said, Twilight was skeptical since she and the rest of the mares are quite well. In the end, the two begun to walk back to Ponyville while thinking about Zecora.

Dusk still wanted to know the truth about the zebra and was going to get it one way or another. He thought about going into the Everfree Forest alone tomorrow and try to find her home. Even if his friends didn’t like the idea, he wasn’t going to let them stop him.

As for the rest of the day, everything was again peaceful as all the ponies finally left their homes and were now doing their usual activities. When it was finally nighttime, everypony drifted into sleep.

As Dusk dozed off on his bed, he would never expect that a change is starting to occur within the bodies of his friends.

Number 39’s warning may have merit after all...

Episode 9 [Part 2] - Never Assume on Appearance Alone

“That was a good rest...”

Dusk yawned as he rose up from his bed and stretched his limbs.

It was only yesterday that he had his first encounter with Zecora, which many of his friends view only as an evil enchantress. At least Twilight have some doubt on the true nature of the zebra.

“Maybe I should look for Zecora again.” He muttered to himself while putting on his usual deck strap.

Dusk doesn’t like it when his friends blindly believe in their own assumptions than finding out the truth. The faster that he learns what Zecora truly is, the faster that everything would return back to normal.

Just as he was about to open the door, he heard several frantic knocks coming from the other side.

“Dusk! Wake up!”

“Twilight?”

Realizing that the unicorn was in a state of panic, Dusk wasted no time and quickly opened the door.

“Twilight, what is goi...” The stallion stopped mid-sentence when he caught sight of Twilight’s horn. “What the...”

Somehow, her horn was not only soft and wobbly, but was also covered with blue dots. Based on its condition, it was no shape to channel magic whatsoever.

As much as he found the sight of Twilight’s now wobbly horn to be funny, Dusk kept himself from laughing for the unicorn’s sake.

“What happened to you?” Dusk asked Twilight. “Did one of your experiments backfire or something?”

“No! It was like this when I woke up!” She replied. “What about you Dusk? Are you feeling well?”

“From what I can tell, I’m as fine as I can be.” He stated. “Twilight, you were alright yesterday.”

“Maybe it is some sort of illness I caught overnight? That means there should be a book here that could provide a cure!”

Twilight then quickly bolted out of the room and rushed downstairs, which Dusk followed suit. While he had planned to find Zecora, the stallion decided to remain with Twilight and help her if possible.

At the moment, the best they could do was to look up a cure from the many books that are related to illnesses and medicine. Spike with them to help as well, but he ended up laughing at Twilight’s wobbly horn, which she as expected didn’t find amusing.

Despite their efforts, they found nothing that has any connection to unicorn’s condition. At the same time, the main room of the library was now a mess as books were scattered across the place; floor, tables and even the stairs.

It isn’t like Twilight to be this messy with her books, but today was an exception since she was more focused on returning her horn back to normal.

“No no no no no! None of these books have a cure!” Twilight cried in a frustrated tone. “Ugh! There has to be a real reason for this! An illness?! An allergy?!”

“Easy now Twilight.” Dusk tried to calm down. “I’m sure it is...”

“A curse!” Spike interrupted as he was reading a green-covered book.

“I said a real reason.” Twilight said back. “Something that points to something real.”

“Mind if I see that Spike?”

Dusk asked the baby dragon for the book, which he was more then willing to oblige. He raised an eyebrow when looked upon the title.

“Supernaturals: Natural Remedies and Cure-alls That Are Simply Super...” Dusk then tried to pass the book to Twilight. “This could be a good lead.”

“Are you serious? Dusk, the word supernatural refers to things like ghosts and spirits and zombies, which are as make-believe as curses.”

The unicorn however disagreed with the stallion as she pushed the book back to him. She wasn’t interested in even skimming through the contents.

“That book is just a bunch of hooey!”

“But what if you're wrong, Twilight?” Spike agreed with Dusk, seeing that he was on to something. “What if this really is a...”

“Ah pfurse!”

“Huh?”

Everyone turned to see it was Pinkie Pie, but they were taken back by the state of her tongue that was sticking out of her mouth. It was also covered with blue dots, but its most noticeable aspect was that it was now too big to fit back into her mouth.

“A purse? How could it be a purse?”

Spike said to himself, misunderstanding what Pinkie was actually trying to say.

“Pinkie, what happened?” Twilight asked.

“Pee pah Zthecora! Sthe put a cursthe on me!”

Pinkie tried to speak, but her large tongue made it difficult for Twilight to understand properly. Not only that, she also ends up spitting a lot whenever she talks, which were all directed to Spike unfortunately.

“Hey, say it, don't spray it, Pinkie!”

Moments later, he and the other ponies heard a loud thud coming from outside. Dusk went up to the window to see what it was, only to be startled by Rainbow Dash banging into the window.

“Ow! Oh! She's...”

Dusk could see that the pegasus’s wings were now inverted and were now positioned close to her belly. As a result, Dash couldn’t fly properly and was now very likely to crash into something.

“...trying to say... Ow!”

Dash was trying to explain what Pinkie said, but she ended up banging into the window again. Surprisingly, the window was quite sturdy if it could withstand repeated hits.

“Zecora... Ow!”

Dash bumped into the wall before she the bashes through the door in blinding speed, which knocked it off its hinges.

“She slapped us all with a... Ow!”

Her constant crashing was put to an end when she crashed into the shelves and got caught the library’s ladder in the process.

“Curse!” Dash finally manage to finish what she was trying to say just as Dusk rushed to her side and helped her back on her hooves while trying to get the ladder off her.

“I'm afraid I have to agree.”

At that moment, Rarity then walked into the library and everyone was startled to see that the fashion pony’s coat became something akin to long dreadlocks. The same applied to her mane as well, which covered her whole face and she tried to blow it off in vain.

“Woah...” Dusk muttered as Twilight and Spike yelled in surprise at their friend’s state.

“I hate to say I told you so, Twilight, but I told you so!”

Upon hearing a high-pitched voice, everyone quickly turns to see it was Apple Bloom. They all gasped when they saw her back was Applejack, who was now the size of an small apple. Even her cowboy hat even strunk with her.

“You get to be kidding.” Dusk was very shocked to see the state that the farm pony was in. For something like that to happen, it would have to be the work of magic.

“It's a curse, I tell you!” Applejack exclaimed as she jumped into the air.

At the same time, Fluttershy walked into the library and stood by Rarity’s side. Remarkably, there was no physical changes of any kind on her body.

“But Fluttershy seems just fine!” Twilight said.

“Yes, there doesn't seem to be a thing wrong with her.” There was a hint of envy in Rarity’s tone.

“Fluttershy? Are you okay?” Twilight asked the shy pegasus, who merely shook her head.

“Is there something wrong with you?” Fluttershy nodded.

“Would you care to tell us?” The unicorn tried get answers, but the pegasus only shook her head again.

“So... you're not going to tell us?” Fluttershy nodded once more.

“Yes you're not, or yes you will?” As the pegasus shook her again, Applejack was getting annoyed at her friend’s silence.

At that point, she jumped off her sister’s back and ran across the table to get Fluttershy to speak.

“Good gravy, girl! What's wrong with you?!”

After a few moments, Fluttershy finally gave in and spoke in deep male voice, which shocked everyone around her.

“I don't want to talk about it.”

Unable to hold it in him any longer, Spike snorted before he burst into laughter. The stallion however made a disapproving expression.

“This is hilarious!” He said before laughing again. “Look at all of you! We got Hairity, Rainbow Crash, Spitty Pie, Apple Teeny, Flutterguy, and... Ow!”

The baby dragon was interrupted when Dusk lightly hit him on the side of the head.

“Spike, this is not the time to be laughing.”

“Oh come on Dusk! Don’t you have a sense of humor?”

“I do have a sense a humor Spike, but it only applies when we are all find it funny.” Dusk replied as he pointed to each of the mares. “If you haven’t notice already, everypony here don’t find their condition amusing. Not one bit.”

“At least you are taking this seriously.” Twilight sighed in relief at Dusk’s consideration. “Now Spike, start looking for more books so I can find a cure!”

Spike only groaned, but he obeyed Twilight’s order.

“Eh Dusk, could you help me?”

He turned to Dash and saw that somehow, the pegasus got her head through one of the step openings and was struggle to get free.

“How did you manage to do that Rainbow?” Dusk sighed as he grabbed hold of the ladder and hold it still while Dash pulled her head. After some trouble, she manages to finally free herself.

“Thanks.” Dash took to the air again, but couldn’t even hover properly due to her misplaced wings. “I think we'll find a cure to this curse at Zecora's place!”

“It is not a curse!” Twilight stated as the pegasus ended up crashing backwards into another shelve before flying around the library wildly.

“I agree with Dash!” Applejack called out. “We'll bring Dusk to Zecora's and he’ll force her to remove this hex!”

“It's not a hex either!” Soon enough, all the mares begun to bicker with each other like they did yesterday.

Dusk only shook his head at the scene and was about to leave the library before he was stopped by Apple Bloom.

“Dusk, where are you going?”

“To meet with Zecora. I’m not sure what really happen today, she may know.”

“But she was the one...”

“No Apple Bloom. Not until I hear from Zecora herself.”

Dusk shook his head again in annoyance. He was getting tired hearing the girls’ assumptions about Zecora without going through the trouble of getting actual proof.

“I don’t believe in assumptions until I see proof. I don’t know if those girls are actually cursed or Zecora is really an evil enchantress, so I’m going to find the truth. One way or another.”

With that said, Dusk turned around and again tried to leave the library if not for the filly intervening once more.

“Wait Dusk, can I join you?” Apple Bloom requested.

“Really Apple Bloom?” He looked at her carefully before sighing. “Very well, but I want you to stay close to me when we are in the Everfree Forest. Got it?”

“Got it.”

“Good. Try to keep up.”

Soon enough, both the stallion and the filly exited the library and ran at a steady pace towards the outskirts of the Everfree Forest. Just as the two entered the forest however, they stopped in their tracks when they heard a shout.

“Stop right there!”

“Applejack?” Dusk said as he saw the tiny farm pony popping out from the top of Apple Bloom’s mane. “I see you come to join us.”

“What are you thinking Dusk?! Letting my little sister join you when you confront Zecora!”

“Look, I know your concerns but...”

Applejack however wasn’t listening for she then turned her attention to Apple Bloom.

“As for you missy, Turn around right now!”

Apple Bloom however only made a mischievous look and chose to defy her big sister. It helps that she now gigantic compared to Applejack.

“No!”

“No?!” Applejack was shocked at Apple Bloom’s refusal. “You can't ignore a direct order from your big sister!”

Before she could start arguing with, Applejack was then picked up by Dusk, who then put her into one of his empty deck pouches on his strap.

All the pouches were designed to not fully enclosed by the sides, so Applejack would still have air to breathe. However, there were very little she could do inside to hinder Dusk or Apple Bloom the slightest.

“What are you doing Dusk?! Let me out of here!” Her yells were muffled as she pounded from inside her leathery prison.

“Sorry Applejack, but we going to meet with Zecora whatever you like it or not.”

Dusk apologized as he and Apple Bloom continued on their search for the zebra and hopefully get the answers they seek.

“You will let me out of her right now! You hear me!” Applejack continue to shout at the stallion. “You two are going to regret this! Aw... Pony feathers...”

Upon realizing that neither he or her little sister were going to listen, the tiny farm pony had no choice but to reluctantly gave in. She remained quiet as the stallion and filly and traveled down the path that Zecora likely took yesterday.

Luckily for them, that was apparently the case when they came across a large that was re-purposed into a hut. It was decorated with a number of coloured bottles hanging from the branches and there was African-like mask placed above the entrance.

“This must be the place.” Dusk muttered while Apple Bloom left his side and went up to the window to see what was inside. “Wait.”

He rushed up to the filly and ended up looking through the window as well. There, he saw there were much more on the sleeves along with books. On the walls were masks like the one outside; each one different in design and size. In the middle of the room was an iron cauldron.

Dusk soon notice that a zebra with a several golden rings around her neck and a pair of golden earrings, who currently reading a book. From the pattern of her stripes and the mohawk, he saw it was indeed Zecora.

“There she is.” Apple Bloom whispered. “What do we do now.”

“Isn’t obvious?” Dusk replied as he walked towards the door. While the filly was worried, he assured her that he will protect her if something goes wrong.

After knocking on the door a few times, Zecora opened the door and greeted the two.

“Ah greeting. May I know the names of the two I am meeting?”

“Well, my name is Dusk and the one with me is Apple Bloom.” Dusk told the zebra. He was a bit surprised that she spoke in rhyme, but he kept it to himself.

“Oh, hello.” The filly nervously said.

“Hey! Have you forgotten somepony?!” Applejack shouted to the stallion from inside the pouch.

“Oh sorry.”

Dusk quickly opened it and put his hoof close enough for the tiny pony to jump on. With that, Applejack finally have a close-up look on the supposed evil enchantress.

“Oh my... Who is the little one before my eye?”

“The name’s Applejack and I demand you remove this curse!”

She shouted at Zecora, but she wasn’t very intimating with her now high-pinched voice and miniaturized size.

“Sorry!” Dusk quickly apologized for his friend’s outburst. “She’s just cranky today. If you let us in, I’ll explain everything.”

With that said, Zecora agreed and let the ponies into her hut. Dusk then provided the zebra a brief yet detailed explanation of what happened to his friends and how most of them think they were cursed by her.

After listening to the stallion, the Zecora made a thoughtful expression as quickly realize what the so-called curse was.

“Ah, I see that all your friends are affected by Poison Joke.”

“Poison Joke?” Dusk was confused what that was until he recalled Utopia’s warning about the blue flowers from yesterday.

The same ones that the mares ended up stepping on at the time.

“Wait a minute. Are you referring to those blue flowers from before?”

“That is correct. Upon contact, they cause symptoms akin to a joke. In a way, they are similar to Poison Oak.”

“Wait... Is that why you were avoiding them yesterday?” Apple Bloom asked the stallion, who nodded in response.

“Are you kidding me?!” Applejack exclaimed while standing on her little sister’s back. “You are saying everything that happened to me and my friends is caused by a flower?!”

“I assure you it is no curse.” The zebra assured her. “In fact, I know a way to make it disperse.”

“So there is a cure?” Apple Bloom said as Zecora went up to one the sleeves and pulled out a book with mouth.

“What you seek is within this book. Take a look.”

Passing the book to Dusk, who grabbed it with his both his hooves while standing on his hind legs.

“Supernaturals: Natural Remedies and... Looks like I was right after all.” Dusk said much to Apple Bloom’s and Applejack’s surprise.

“What are you talking about?” The filly asked.

“There is a copy of this book in the library. I believed it would lead to a cure to everypony’s condition, but Twilight didn’t believe me.” He replied. “She told me this book is nothing but nonsense. Then again, she doesn’t believe in the supernatural.”

“Really? I would have thought she would know better than to judge a book by its cover.”

“Likely not the case today Zecora. But I will be sure to tell her that when I meet her again.”

“Would you please just find this cure already Dusk?!” Applejack yelled out in annoyance. The faster she could return back to her normal size, the better.

“Easy now Applejack.”

Dusk first opened to the table of contents to find any page related to Poison Joke. Soon enough, he skimmed through the pages until he reached the right one.

“Ah here it is. Interesting... It seems that you have to take a bubble bath laced with various herbs.”

“Ah... What?” Apple Bloom was somewhat dumbfounded that the cure to everypony’s condition was something so ordinary.

“So are you able to mix up this bubble bath or at least provide us with the herbal solution?”

Dusk asked Zecora, who gave him both good news and bad news.

“That would not be a problem. Unfortunately, I can’t do so right now for I’m missing a key item.”

“And what would that be?” The stallion asked.

“A kind of herb that I hope to obtain from Ponyville during my visits. Strangely, all the stores that would sell them are closed shut.” Zecora sadly replied.

“We can take care of that Zecora. We’ll get that herb for you.” Dusk declared to the zebra, which in turn made her quite happy.

After providing them with a list which provide details about the required herb necessary for the cure, the three ponies then left Zecora’s hut.

“So Applejack?” Dusk asked her. “What do you think of Zecora now that you meet her?”

“Well, she’s... She isn’t what I expected.” She replied. “I’ll admit isn’t as bad as I thought she would be.”

“She is quite nice.” Apple Bloom commented.

“Glad you two now see Zecora that way.”

Dusk is relieved that the two’s perception of the zebra has changed for the better. The only things left now is to get the herb needed for the cure and convince the rest of his friends’ opinion on Zecora.

“Now lets...”

He suddenly went silent when he felt senses suddenly flare up. Very soon, he scanned his surrounding with a serious expression on his face.

“Applejack? What is wrong with Dusk?”

Apple Bloom was startled by his sudden change in behavior and worriedly asked her sister.

“Dusk, please don’t tell there is a...”

“Number?” The stallion answered for her. “I’m afraid that is case...”

Before they knew it, the three suddenly felt a cold feeling behind them. Turning around, the ponies saw there was a black aura covering both the door and windows.

“Well I be... Seems you are smarter than I thought.”

Looking up, Dusk, Apple Bloom and Applejack saw a cloud of the black aura forming into a humanoid wraith. Its figure appeared to be slime-like and there was a freakish grin on its otherwise featureless face.

“Ahhh!” Apple Bloom was scared by its appearance and quickly got behind of Dusk. It was the first time she seen a Number after all.

“It is a pity to see that this Zecora isn’t anything like the rumors said...” The Number states while crossing its arms. “I will see to that she does becomes the evil enchantress that all you ponies fear so much.”

“I’m not afraid of rumors and definitely not you. Duel Disk on.”

Dusk declared as he materialised his duel disk on his right hoof. He then turned his head to the filly, who was looking at what he just did in amazement.

“Apple Bloom, you and Applejack go back to Ponyville and get that herb. I’ll handle this Number!”

“But...”

“No Apple Bloom!” Applejack scolded her. “Numbers are very dangerous! Dusk is the only one right now who can handle it.”

After some hesitant, the filly finally relented and rushed down the path back to Ponyville with her sister, who was back in her mane.

Dusk kept a close on the Number in case it tried intercept the two, but it merely struggled as he watched the two leave his sight.

“Those two are little threat to me...”

It stated as it jumped down to the ground, which Dusk quickly back away to give himself some distance.

“Sure they would tell the truth of that zebra, but it would all for naught when I have her in my grasp.”

The stallion could a muffled banging coming from inside Zecora’s hut. From what he could tell, the zebra realized she was locked inside and wondering what was going on outside.

“Oh, don’t worry. She can still see outside despite what I did to the windows.” The Number said as a duel disk designed like a half circle appeared on its left arm. “I wish for her to see her only hope being crushed to pieces before her eyes.”

“We will see about that.”

Dusk checked through his pouches and found that the only deck he has with him was his Six Samurai deck.

‘Just my luck...” He realized that he forgot to grab his Galaxy deck just before he left the library. ‘Can’t be helped...’

As he placed the deck into his duel disk, he notice cards beginning to materialize and bundle together into a deck in front of the Number.

“You wish to make a last stand eh... Very well.” The Number stated as it grabbed and inserted the deck into its duel disk. “I am Number 30... The last Number you will ever face.”

“You are not the only Number I faced.” Dusk refuted. “And I know for sure you will not be the last.”

Both quickly enough activated the functions of their duel disks as the computerized voice echo across the Everfree forest.

“Solid Reality Vision Link established.”

After that, the holographic screens which display their respective pictures and Life Points appeared above them. Dusk and Number 30 then drew their respective cards and shouted the usual word at the start of all duels.

“DUEL!”

[Dusk’s Life Points: 8000]
[Number 30’s Life Points: 8000]

[Turn 1: Dusk]
[Dusk’s Cards in Hoof: 5]
[Number 30’s Cards in Hand: 5]

“I’ll take the first turn. Draw!”

Dusk drew his card and examined his hoof to see what he could do to start the first turn.

“Here goes. I summon The Six Samurai – Kamon in Attack mode.”

On his field then appeared a orange-coloured samurai whose armor appeared to be partially made from sticks of dynamite. Unlike the rest of the Six Samurais, he doesn’t have any other weapon with him.

[The Six Samurai – Kamon] [ATK: 1500] [DEF: 1000] [Level: 3]

“Next, I equip him with Legendary Ebon Steed.” Dusk activated the card, which then a black horse wearing darkish armor appeared next to Kamon.

“It can only be equipped a “Six Samurai” monster, but the equipped monster gains 200 ATK and DEF.”

Kamon quickly got onto the horse’s back as his strength rose up.

[The Six Samurai – Kamon] [ATK: 1500 (+)> 1700] [DEF: 1000 (+)> 1200]

“I then set two cards face-down and end my turn.” The stallion said as he placed the cards into the duel disk, which appeared on his field face downwards.

[Turn 2: Number 30]
[Dusk’s Cards in Hoof: 2]
[Number 30’s Cards in Hand: 5]

“Like that monster is going to help you. Draw!” Number 30 mocked Dusk as it drew from its deck. “I summon Acid Slime in Defense mode.”

Appearing from a portal in front of the Number, a blue slime with an organic component in the center then emerged onto the field on its four appendages.

[Acid Slime] [ATK: 800] [DEF: 1000] [Level: 3]

“Then I activate the Spell card, Slime Base. Now I can Special Summon a “Slime” monster from my hand. Come forth, Clone Slime.”

Next Acid Slime then appeared a green slime shaped like a ghost with frail arms. It was kneeling on the ground with its arms crossed in a protective stance.

[Clone Slime] [ATK: 0] [DEF: 0] [Level: 2]

‘What is its planning?’

Dusk wondered in his head why Number 30 is going defensive with weak monsters. However, he knew better than to underestimate his opponents; especially a Number.

“I then end my turn with three face-downs.” The Number set the remaining cards in its hand onto the field.

[Turn 3: Dusk]
[Dusk’s Cards in Hoof: 2]
[Number 30’s Cards in Hand: 0]

“It’s my turn. Draw!” Dusk drew his card and after looking at it quickly, he played it. “I summon Shien's Daredevil in attack mode.”

Appearing on his field was a muscular samurai who lacked armor on his chest and arms. He had a bold smile on his face as he drew his dual katanas.

[Shien’s Daredevil] [ATK: 1600] [DEF: 1000] [Level: 4]

“When this card is successfully Normal Summoned, a Bushido Counter is placed on it. Not only that, Shien’s Daredevil also gains 300 ATK as long it has an Bushido Counter attached to it.”

That very samurai glowed brightly as it received his Bushido Counter and received the boost to his power.

[Shien’s Daredevil - Bushido Counter 0 (+)> 1]

[Shien’s Daredevil] [ATK: 1600 (+)> 1900]

“Now let us battle! Kamon will first attack your Acid Slime!”

Dusk pointed to the specified slime as the orange samurai rode his steed towards it. Grabbing one of the dynamites on his armor and lighting it, he threw it at the slime and blew into pieces.

However, the stallion felt a slight burning sensation as a piece of Acid Slime struck him on the face.

“Agh!”

[Dusk’s Life Points: 8000 (-)> 7200]

“My Life Points...”

“When Acid Slime is destroyed in battle and sent to the Graveyard, you take 800 points of damage.” Number 30 explained as it then pointed to one of its face-downs. “With its destruction, I can activate this Trap!”

The face-down flipped up and the picture glowed brightly, signifying that the effect is occurring.

“Broken Blocker! When a Defense Position monster I control is destroyed in battle and its DEF is greater than its ATK, I can Special Summon up to 2 monsters with the same name as that monster from my Deck in face-up Defense Position!”

Two cards slipped out of the Number’s deck and flew into its hand. Soon enough, it played those cards and immediately on the field were two more Acid Slimes.

[Acid Slime] [ATK: 800] [DEF: 1000] [Level: 3]

‘Well that complicate things...’

Dusk saw that he would have to destroy those Acid Slimes to reach Number 30, but he would take damage in the process. It seems that part of Number 30’s strategy involves inflicting to his Life Points while protecting his own.

“My Battle Phase is not over! Shien’s Daredevil will attack your Clone Slime!”

Dusk wasn’t sure what Clone Slime could do, but he has to risk it. The muscular samurai charged at the green slime, ready to cut it into pieces with his katanas.

“Not so fast!” Number 30 grinned as it pointed to his attacked monster. “I activate Clone Slime’s special effect.”

“What?” Dusk was surprised to see Clone Slime suddenly changing both its colour and shape.

“When Clone Slime is selected as an attack target, you can send this card to the Graveyard...”

The Number took the card and send it to its Graveyard. In the process, a card then slipped out of its Graveyard and Number 30 immediately placed on the field.

“If I do, I can select 1 "Slime" monster in your Graveyard and Special Summon that monster in same battle position as Clone Slime; becoming the target for your attack!

“That would mean...”

The stallion realized what the Number brought forth as the Clone Slime transformed itself into the Acid Slime that was previous destroyed.

[Acid Slime] [ATK: 800] [DEF: 1000] [Level: 3]

The cycle repeats itself as Shien’s Daredevil struck down Acid Slime and Dusk once more was struck on the face by a portion of the destroyed slime.

“Egh!”

[Dusk’s Life Points: 7200 (-)> 6400]

“I... I end my turn.” Dusk shook his head to rid himself of the slight pain on his face that came from the effects of Acid Slime.

[Turn 4: Number 30]
[Dusk’s Cards in Hoof: 2]
[Number 30’s Cards in Hand: 0]

“It is my turn now. Draw!”

Number 30 grinned as he looked upon the card he drew. “I play the Spell, Contingency Fee. Now you must draw until you have six cards.”

“What?”

Dusk was confused why the Number would replenish his entire hoof. Nevertheless, he complied and drew four cards from his deck.

“You shouldn’t think of it as a gift because the next effect of Contingency Fee now activates!” The Number stated. “For every card you just drew, I gain 1000 Life Points!”

“Impossible...” Dusk muttered as he watched its Life Points rise up by 4000 points; half of its original amount.

[Number 30’s Life Points: 8000 (+)> 12000]

“That is not all... Next activate my Trap, Gamble!” Number 30 continued on as it pointed to the now faced-up card. “It can only be activated when my opponent’s hand or your case, hoof has six or more cards and my hand is two or less...”

“You toss a coin and call either heads or tails...” Dusk called out for he knew the effects of this Trap card. “If you call it right, you draw until you have five cards in your hand. Call wrong however and you have to skip your next turn.”

“But I feel lucky today. I call heads.”

Number 30 snickered as a coin appeared in its hand and immediately tossed it into the air. As the coin descended, the Number grabbed it and placed it on the top of his left hand.

Upon revealing the side that the coin landed on, the Number 30 grinned once again.

“I told you I was feeling lucky. Its heads!”

The stallion only groaned as Number 30 drew a total of five cards from its deck; no longer in a disadvantage when it came to the number of cards in hand.

“Now that is done with, let us truly begin!”

Number 30 exclaimed as it pointed to its two Acid Slimes. “Now, I overlay my two Level 3 Acid Slimes!”

Dusk quickly realized what it was bringing forth as the two slimes transformed into a pair of blue lights that now spiralled in the air. At the same time, Number 30 opened its mouth and exhaled a black cloud that begun to circle around the vortex that appeared on his field.

“With these two monsters, I build the Overlay Network! Xyz Summon!” The Number’s voice was heard from the black cloud instead from its other body.

The pair of lights were the first to enter the vortex and it was only when black cloud finally entered that the vortex finally exploded.

“Fear me! Fear me! Fear me! Woe upon those who stand before Number 30, Acid Golem of Destruction!”

Emerging from the portal was now a large mechanic golem with two Overlay Units spinning around it. A mix of dark cyan, purple and black colours, its form had dozens of nozzles that appears to be leaking out some kind of acid. On its right side was a design similar to a ribcage, which helps bolster its frightening appearance along with its menacing teeth.

[Number 30: Acid Golem of Destruction] [ATK: 3000] [DEF: 3000] [Rank: 3]

“So you finally revealed your true form...” Dusk muttered at the golem, whose size is twice the size of Zecora’s hut.

“Behold your end!” Number 30 shouted as it pointed its nozzle fingers at Kamon. “I will destroy that samurai with Acid Splash!”

Unleashing a powerful stream of acid at Kamon, the orange samurai quickly avoided the attack by jumped off his steed. The steed however was enveloped by the acid and dissolved into nothing.

“What happen?!” Number 30 yelled out as it saw that Kamon survived the attack at the cost of its equip card. However, Dusk still took Battle Damage.

[The Six Samurai – Kamon] [ATK: 1700 (-)> 1500] [DEF: 1200 (-)> 1000]

[Dusk’s Life Points: 6400 (-)> 5100]

“When a monster equipped with Legendary Ebon Steed is destroyed, the equip card is destroyed in its place.”

The stallion explained why his samurai was about to survive the Number’s attack.

“Why you... I end my turn with three more face-downs!” It growled in annoyance before its secondary body set the cards onto the field.

[Turn 5: Dusk]
[Dusk’s Cards in Hoof: 6]
[Number 30’s Cards in Hand: 2]

“It’s my turn...”

Dusk was about to draw before he heard a shout coming from his right. He turned to see it was Twilight, Rarity, Pinkie and Fluttershy; Rainbow Dash was strangely missing.

“Dusk!”

The unicorn quickly called out as she saw that stallion was dueling a black wraith-like figure. Looking up on the holographic screen above it, she saw the name, Number 30.

“A Number!? At a time like this!?”

She shouted out, which in turn scared her friends. With what she and the others have to deal with today, she doesn’t want anything that would make it worse as it is.

“Oh, it seems you have now an audience.” Number 30 said to Dusk. “However, I cannot allow any inference.”

The Number’s secondary body raised both its arms mechanically and created a blackish barrier around Number 30 and Dusk. The barrier however is transparent enough to see what was going on inside.

“Ahhhh!”

Everpony turned to see it was Rainbow Dash, who unsurprisingly flying out of control due to her inverted wings. Unfortunately, she ended up slamming into the barrier hard and skidded slowly to the ground.

“Ow... Who put... That there...” She groaned in pain as her friends help her back up on her hooves.

“Wthe ah minate! Thet canh be igh!” Pinkie said when she looked upon the screen and saw that the Number’s ridiculous amount of Life Points.

“What do you mean?” Rarity didn’t understand what Pinkie said until the party pony moved the hair out of her face and pointed to the holographic screen above Number 30.

“What!? Why that Number’s Life Points so high!? 12,000!?”

“Better question, where is Apple Bloom and Applejack?”

Fluttershy asked everypony in her now-manly voice. Looking around, she quickly heard some banging coming from the tree hut, unaware it belonged to Zecora.

“Hmm... Based on your stupid and laughable conditions, I surmised that you wish to see Zecora eh?” Number 30 guessed correctly, though the mares were less than amused of its comment on them. “Sorry, but she is busy at the moment.”

It chuckled when its old body pointed to the tree hut. Realizing that Zecora was inside, the mares ended up imagining the worst-case scenario.

“Does that mean that Apple Bloom and Applejack are inside with Zecora...” Fluttershy muttered in assumption.

“Maybe it be that Zecora is holding them as prisoners?” Rarity followed up. “But doesn’t explain why that Number is here though.”

“It could be that Zecora is league with that Number!” Dash claimed as she recovered from the previous impact. “I knew she was wicked!”

“Oe myee shee ie actaely teh numere iself!” Pinkie made her assumption despite the difficulty that came with her tongue.

“Zecora is the Number itself?” Twilight was at least able to make out what her friend was saying. “Pinkie, that is completely ridiculous.”

“Ugh...!”

Dusk was getting annoyed that most of the mares have the wrong idea regarding Zecora. As much he wanted to explain the truth about the Zebra, he has to focus on the duel.

At least it pleases him that Twilight was trying to be reasonable on the true nature of Zecora.

“As I said before, it is my turn. Draw!”

Upon drawing his card and scanning his hoof, he chose to start his turn by playing a monster.

“I summon a Tuner monster, Shien’s Squire in Defense mode.”

Soon, a monkey wearing a suit of Japanese-style armor and wielding a small spear appeared next to Kamon. Fluttershy couldn’t help but gush a little at the little monkey, who was kneeling and was using the shaft of its weapon as a shield.

[Shien’s Squire] [ATK: 300] [DEF: 700] [Level: 1]

“Tuner? That must mean...” Dash caught on what Dusk was planning to do.

“I’m tuning my Level 1 Shien’s Squire to my Level 4 Shien’s Daredevil!” Dusk shouted as the two monsters jumped into the air. The monkey turned into a star and made a green ring as the samurai move through it. Stopping halfway through, he then turned into four stars which then lined up with the ring.

“Never yield against the unrelenting storm! Witness power born through unity!” As expected, a beam of light passed through the ring before enveloping it and the four stars.

“Synchro Summon! Stand Strong! Legendary Six Samurai - Shi En!”

The powerful red samurai emerge from the pillar of light and landed on Dusk’s field. Already knowing its capabilities, Shi En is welcome sight to the mares.

[Legendary Six Samurai - Shi En] [ATK: 2500] [DEF: 1400] [Level: 5]

“Next, I activate my face-down, Fusion Sword Murasame Blade and equip it to him.” Dusk said as the sword as about to appear in Shi En’s left hand. “He gains 800 ATK and as long it is equipped to him, the Fusion Sword Murasame Blade cannot be destroyed by card effects.”

“Clever, but that card doesn’t help if its activation is negated!”

Number 30 exclaimed as its secondary body activated one of its face-downs. “I activate Jammer Slime! By discarding a “Slime” monster in my hand, I can negate the activation of Spell or Trap and destroy it!”

After flipping upwards, the purple slime appeared from the Trap and flew towards Fusion Sword Murasame Blade just as it was finally materializing.

“Activate Shi En’s special effect!” Dusk countered. “Once per turn whenever my opponent activates a Spell or Trap Card, I can negate the activation and destroy it!”

The samurai was about to strike down the slime with the katana in his right hand, but he was stopped when a number of chains wrapped around his limbs and then the rest of his body.

“What? How?”

Dusk was shocked to see Shi En unable to use his special effect as Jammer Slime struck Fusion Sword Murasame Blade. Since the equip card’s effect was negated during activation, its protective effect was active and thus destroyed it.

“I activated my other Trap card.”

Number 30 said it gestured to newly faced-up card on his field.

“Fiendish Chain. As long this card is on the field, Shi En cannot ever use its special effect or declare an attack. Your monster is essentially just dead weight!”

“Oh no...” Twilight muttered in worry that the Number manage to deprive Dusk of one of his ace monsters.

“If that is case, then I will then use Kamon’s special effect!”

Dusk declared as the orange samurai took another dynamite off his armor and prepare to light it.

“When I control a face-up "Six Samurai" monster with a different name, Kamon can once per turn destroy a face-up Spell or Trap card on the field! And choose I’m free Shi En from your chains!”

After lighting his dynamite up, Kamon threw it at the face-up Fiendish Chain. However, Number 30 chuckled as its other body activated another face-up.

“Are you serious...” Dusk was both shocked and annoyed that his moves were being countered in quick succession.

“You activated another Trap! Fake Trap!” The Number yelled as the faced-up Trap card swiftly moved in front of Fiendish Chain and shield from the explosion.

“When my opponent destroys any number of Trap cards on my field, Fake Trap gets destroyed in their place!”

“Egh... I switch Kamon to Defence mode then.” Dusk’s dynamite-wielding samurai soon kneeled on the ground on one knee as he changed to a defensive stance.

“Then I play the Spell, Monster Reincarnation. By discarding a card from my hoof, I can return a monster from my Graveyard back to my hoof.”

Dusk send the card of his choice from his hoof and placed it into his Graveyard. When that was done, a card then slipped out of the slot and the stallion add it into his hoof.

“And I choose Shien’s Squire.”

“Hah! Like that little thing could do you anything good!”

Ignoring the Number’s taunts, Dusk merely set a card face-down on the field. “I end my turn with a face-down.”

[Turn 6: Number 30]
[Dusk’s Cards in Hoof: 4]
[Number 30’s Cards in Hand: 2]

“Let us end this! Draw!”

As Number 30’s other body drew from its deck, the Number itself begun to emit some acidic fumes from its vents.

“Trap card open, Session Draw.” Dusk said as one of his face-downs revealed itself. “During my next Draw Phase, I can draw another card and if I draw two monsters with the same Levels, I can use them for an Xyz Summon.”

“If that is so, then I’ll activate my special effect. During my Standby Phase, I have to detach an Overlay Unit from myself or I take 2000 damage.”

“So you have an upkeep cost?” Dusk noted. “I think its obvious what you plan to do.”

“No quite...” Number 30 replied. “I chose not to detach any Overlay Units!”

“What!?” Rarity yelled in surprise. “But you would...”

“I’m not the one who going to take the damage... Your friend will!” With that said, the last face-down the Number had flipped upwards. “I activate Barrel Behind the Door!”

Appearing from the Trap’s picture was a golden and ornate gun barrel, where the acidic fumes from Number 30 entered it through the muzzle.

“Whenever I take damage from a card effect, my opponent takes the damage instead!”

“Ah man...”

Dusk groaned just as the purple beam of energy was fired from the barrel and struck him. The force of the blast was strong enough to knock him to the ground.

“Egh!”

[Dusk’s Life Points: 5100 (-)> 3100]

“Dusk!” All the mares cried out as he got back up. The stallion shook his body a bit to get the dust and dirt off his coat.

“Don’t give up! You have to save Apple Bloom and Applejack!”

“Save us? What are you talking about Rainbow Dash?”

Surprised to her Applejack’s high-pitched voice from behind, the pegasus turned around to see it was Apple Bloom with a pair of side pouches which were filled with herbs.

On her head was Applejack herself, who looked at her friend with a skeptical expression.

“Me and my little sister are fine as dandy. Besides the Poison Joke affecting me of course...”

“Apple Bloom! Applejack! You two are alright!”

Twilight cried out in joy, a feeling that was shared with the rest of the mares.

“Of course, why did yo... Woah!”

Apple Bloom stopped talking as her attention was now focused on the duel between Dusk and the Number.

She was there during the Summer Sun Celebration, where she watched the same stallion duel Lyra, who was possessed by Number 22 at the time. Seeing the holograms really excited the young filly and thought she may never experience such a thing again until now.

“Where were you two? We thought you were held by Zecora?” Rarity said.

“Zecora?” Applejack quickly realized that her friends have yet to learn the truth. “I know this may surprise you all, but Zecora isn’t really that bad.”

“Wat ar yeu alkin aout?” Pinkie struggled to say due to her tongue.

“Uh, where that start...”

As Applejack was now explaining to her friends about the true nature about Zecora, Number 30 continued his turn.

“So those two came back... Whatever!” It said as its other body played the card it drew. “I activate Pot of Greed, which lets me draw two more cards.”

After the cards were drawn, Number 30 pointed its finger-like nozzles towards Shi En.

“Begone samurai! I attack Shi En with Acid Splash!”

Upon releasing another stream of acid at the chained samurai, Dusk quickly activated another of his face-downs.

“I activate Rising Energy! By discarding a card from my hoof, I can increase Shi En’s ATK by 1500 till the End Phase.”

Just as he paid the cost, Number 30 merely laughed.

“Not going to happen, I play the Quick-Play Spell, Trap Booster! By discarding a card, I can then play a Trap from my hand!”

After its other body discarded a card to its Graveyard, the slot suddenly begun to glow. “By the way, when Draw Slime is sent to the Graveyard, I can draw a card from my deck.”

After drawing from its deck, the Number then played the Trap of its choosing. “I then play from my hand the Trap card, Curse Transfer!”

Dusk was startled to see some electricity emit from his Trap card as it slowly begun to vanish.

“This only activates when my opponent activates a Trap card. That Trap’s effect is not only negated, but Curse Transfer’s effect then becomes the negated effect!”

“Wah!?”

Dusk could only watch was Number 30’s Trap begun to take the form of Rising Energy.

“Now Curse Transfer’s effect becomes Rising Energy’s own! By discarding a card, I can increase my own ATK until the End Phase by 1500!”

After another of its cards were discarded, the Graveyard glowed once more. “Since I discarded another Draw Slime, I can draw another card from my deck.”

As the Number’s other body drew the card, Number 30’s true form gained a substantial boost in ATK thanks to Rising Energy.

[Number 30: Acid Golem of Destruction] [ATK: 3000 (+)> 4500]

Apple Bloom gasped in shock just as Number 30’s stream of acid became larger and more potent.

Despite the setback, Dusk regained his composure and quickly discard a card from his hoof.

“I activate Shien’s Squire special effect! By sending that card from my hoof to the Graveyard, Shi En cannot be destroyed in battle for the rest of the turn!”

A spiritual form of that very monkey appeared in front of Shi En and formed a protective dome around the samurai. While it ensured Shi En’s survival against Number 30’s attack, it nevertheless inflicted much damage to Dusk’s own Life Points.

“Ah...”

Dusk struggled to keep his balance as he felt the acidic feeling on his body. Hologram or not, the sensation is as real as it can be.

[Dusk’s Life Points: 3100 (-)> 1100]

“You...” It was angered that Dusk manage to ensure that his monster remained on the field despite his efforts.

“I set these cards face-down and end my turn! You just delayed the inevitable! I will crush you on my next turn!”

Number 30 set the last two cards in its hand face-down on the field. Since the turn has ended, Shien’s Squire vanished for its effect on Shi En has expired. At the same time, the effects of Rising Energy wore off as well.

[Number 30: Acid Golem of Destruction] [ATK: 4500 (-)> 3000]

The Number was right though on the stallion’s situation. As it stands, Dusk only have his next turn to win this duel.

[Turn 7: Dusk]
[Dusk’s Cards in Hoof: 3]
[Number 30’s Cards in Hand: 0]

“Wow... I am surprised to hear that... Oh no!”

After hearing everything about Zecora from Applejack, the rest of the ponies turned her attention back to the duel.

Twilight however horrified to see that Dusk was on the verge of losing due to the drastic differenence between his and the Number’s Life Points.

“How... How is he going to turn this around?!”

“I’m sure he can!” Apple Bloom said. “Remember what he did during the Summer Sun Celebration?”

The mares recalled back to the time where Dusk duelled against Number 22. The stallion was on the verge of defeat, yet he changed everything in a single draw.

A miracle draw...

“Have faith in your deck...” Twilight whispered the words that Dusk told her before. She at first thought it was sheer luck, but started to realize it was something much greater.

“Its my turn. Draw!” Dusk called out as he drew from his deck. “Due to the effect of Session Draw, I can draw another card from my deck.”

After drawing again, Dusk made a smirk when he examined the two cards.

“While don’t meet the requirements to use Session Draw’s other effect, I have what I need.”

“Don’t make me laugh! Look at our Life Points!” Number 30 stated. “There is no way you can turn this around!”

“Sorry to disappointed, but thanks to you, I can finally activate this Trap!” Dusk refuted much to everyone’s surprise. “I activate Life Equalizer!”

When the Trap was finally faced-up on Dusk’s field, two bolts of green energy shot out from the card. One of the bolts struck the stallion while the other struck the Number; the former made a sigh of relief as the latter groaned in pain.

As for the ponies, they were astonished as they witness Dusk’s Life Points raising up and Number 30’s own taking a steep dive.

[Dusk’s Life Points: 1100 (+)> 3000]

[Number 30’s Life Points: 12000 (-)> 3000]

“Impossible?!” Number 30 roared in anger. “What have you done?!”

“Life Equalizer can only be activated when the difference between our Life Points is 8000 or more.”

Dusk explained the Trap’s effect.

“When activated, our Life Points then becomes 3000, regardless of the original amount. This Trap card is very situational, but I have this in my deck for rare occasions like this.”

“Incredible! He just took away most of its Life Points in one move!” Dash cheered.

“He also raised his Life Points as well!” Rarity followed up.

“That is not all. I activate Kamon’s special effect once again!” Dusk said as he pointed to Number 30’s faced-up Fiendish Chain.

The specified samurai once more prepared another stick of dynamite and threw it at the Trap. Unlike what happened last time, the Number was unable to counter it and watched its Fiendish Chain was blown to pieces.

“Since Fiendish Chain is now destroyed, Shi En is now free!”

The stallion pointed to the red samurai, who manage to break free from the chains entangling with his newly gained strength.

“Let’s end this... Since I have at least two “Six Samurai” monsters on the field, I can Special Summon Great Shogun Shien!” On Dusk’s field then emerged a fiery portal, which a powerful shogun emerged; donned in a set of fearsome red armor and dark violet cape. He pointed his katana at Number 30 as he stared at it with his glowing red eyes.

[Great Shogun Shien] [ATK: 2500] [DEF: 2400] [Level: 7]

“Woah...” The ponies looked at the inspiring warrior that was Shien in awe. Twilight in particular look at it in amazement since she never seen him play this card during their practices.

However, she couldn’t help but assume that there was a relation between him and Shi En. Since their names were virtually identical, it was obvious there was a connection with the two.

“What is point of that? Your monsters are no match against me! Even if you somehow overpower me, I can’t be destroyed by a non-Number!”

Number 30 called out to Dusk, who retained both his composure and smirk.

“Not for long! Next, I play the Spell, Riryoku!”

Upon playing the card, a glowing orb of energy appeared on Dusk’s field and before the Number could react, it was covered by a greenish aura.

“No...!”

“Riryoku allows me to halve the ATK of one monster on the field and transfer them to another monster till the End Phase.” The stallion told it as the Number felt its strength being sapped. “You may be powerful, but you are still affected by card effects! I will take your ATK and give them to Shien!”

“Ugghh...!”

The aura around Number 30 drained his strength before moving towards the orb. The orb in turn flew towards Shien and entered his chest, granting him the power that was drained from the Number.

[Number 30: Acid Golem of Destruction] [ATK: 3000 (-)> 1500]

[Great Shogun Shien] [ATK: 2500 (+)> 4000]

“Impossible...” Number 30 muttered as it realized that it was now weaker than Dusk’s Shi En and Shien.

“Now Shien! Attack Number 30 with Shogun’s Swordplay!”

“No!” Number 30 defiantly said as it activated one of its face-downs. “I activate Negate Attack...”

“You have forgotten Shi En’s special effect! Once per turn, I can negate the activation of Spell or Trap and destroy it!”

Shi En dashed in front of Shien and slashed the Trap into several pieces; clearing the way for the shogun.

“Ha! I already anticipated that move! Now I can safely activate my Mirror Force!” The Number declared as its original body prepare to activate it. “Now all your face-up monsters in Attack mode are destroyed!”

Much to the Number’s and the other ponies’ surprise, the Trap failed to flip upwards as it was then covered by blue aura that was similar to flames.

“Come on! Activate already!”

“I’m sorry Number 30, but Shien also have a special effect!” Dusk called out to it. “As long Shien is on the field, you can only activate a Spell or Trap card each turn!”

“What?!” Number 30 cried in shock as there was nothing it could do to stop the shogun’s attack, who then deliver a series of powerful yet precise slashes throughout its form.

While Shien wasn’t about to destroy the Number, he nevertheless taken almost all of its Life Points away.

[Number 30’s Life Points: 3000 (-)> 500]

“This can’t be...”

“This is the end! Shi En! Deliver the final blow to Number 30!” Dusk yelled out.

“...HAPPENING!” As Shi En charged forward, the Number tried to swipe him away in defiance. However, the red samurai merely jumped up to avoid the attack and delivered an overhead blow onto Number 30’s head.

“AGGGHHH!”

[Number 30’s Life Points: 500 (-)> 0]

[Winner: Dusk]

Number 30’s monster form slowly crumbles into nothing as the holographic functions of the duel disks begun to shut down.

As the holograms and screens begun to vanish, the wraith form of the Number reappeared to give out one final cry before it disappeared without a trace. The same applied to its original body and duel disk; both silently faded from existence until the only thing that remains was the deck itself.

“It’s over...”

Dusk sighed in deep relief that he manages to defeat the Number despite the trouble it brought him. He turned towards his friends, who were now rushing up to congratulate him for his victory.

“That was awesome!” Apple Bloom said in excitement. “I wish I could see more of these duels!”

“I’m sure I can arrange something.”

Dusk chuckled tiredly as he turned his head to Twilight and the other mares. “Glad you all manage to get here safely. I’m surprised though that you manage to find me though.”

“Well, it is quite easy when he you hear explosions from a distance.” The unicorn told him. “I’m more surprised what Apple Bloom and Applejack told me about Zecora. Is she really nice?”

“You will see soon enough.”

Dusk then pointed to Zecora hut, where door and windows were no longer covered by Number 30’s aura. Quickly opening the door was the Zebra, who was deeply relieved that she was finally free.

“Ah, free at last! Locked inside my own home, I was aghast!”

“Good to see that you are alright Zecora.” Dusk called out to her. “By the way, these are the rest of my friends.”

Zecora took a good look at the mares and saw they were indeed the ones she meets yesterday. While the mares in turn were cautious to meet zebra face-to-face, Applejack reassured them that everything will be alright.

“Ah, it is you pony folks. I did tell you before that those leaves of blue were no joke.”

“Yeah, yeah, we get it! Can you please cure us already?!” Dash cried out as she tried to flew up to Zecora, but accidentally passed her and banging into the hut instead. “Ow!”

“I’m very sorry about her. She and the others are not a good mood when the Poison Joke effect.” Dusk apologized for the pegasus’s behavior.

“That I can’t argue, but was that shadow? The one that almost brought me much woe?”

“The Number?” Dusk scratched the back of his head. “Well, I will tell everything you want to hear inside.”

He told the zebra as he picked the cards that Number 30 once used. “Believe me, you are going in for a surprise.”

When everypony was inside Zecora’s hut, Dusk explained his tale as of now to the zebra. She was indeed very surprise to hear that the stallion was a being from another world; a human from Earth. He also explained about the Numbers, what they are capable of and how they could only be stopped by beating in Duel Monsters.

Seeing that Duel Monsters was also found on Earth, Zecora asked the former human if he has any links to the Numbers. Dusk assured her that he was clueless when he arrived to Equestria and been trying to learn about the mysterious beings since then.

As the rest of the mares, they were slightly unnerved by the decorations that Zecora had throughout the interior of her hut. Only Apple Bloom and Applejack were alright since they already gotten use to it.

After telling Dusk that she is in his debt for freeing her from Number 30, she then turned to Apple Bloom and Applejack regarding the herbs needed for the Poison Joke cure. Just as the she and Dusk hoped, the two manage to obtain the requested herbs.

In time, Zecora was preparing to mix up the cure and when she was doing so, Dusk told Twilight that the cure was inside the supernatural book; the one she claimed was nonsense.

“I told you that book was a good lead...”

The unicorn felt a bit embarrassed that for all her book smarts and logic, the stallion resolved everything by following his own intuition and instincts.

When the cure was finally finished in the form a bubble bath solution, the mares were quick to thank her and realized she wasn’t an evil enchantress after all. Soon enough, Dusk and Twilight decided to bring Zecora to Ponyville and explain the truth with the ponies there.

At expected, the ponies who were outside were fearful when they saw Zecora; running all over the place and going back indoors. Luckily, the stallion and unicorn manage to convince everypony about Zecora’s true nature and get them to accept her who she is.

With the issue with Zecora’s presence in Ponyville positively resolved, Dusk and the others were now the town’s spa. For the stallion, this was a new experience for he never been into one before, even when he was still back on Earth.

Zecora was there to pour the cure into one of the spa pools, which mares were more than eager to go into.

“Miss Zecora, I would love to get the recipe for this bath. It's simply luxurious!”

One of the ponies working at the spa asked her. She had an azure blue coat, a rose-coloured mane and had a white lotus with pink outlines for a cutie mark.

Dusk was standing beside Apple Bloom; the two watched as the cure took effect and all the mares returned back to normal.

“Applejack! Hey, where's Applejack?” The filly worriedly asked, which the mares in the pool begun to panic, fearing that their tiny friend ended up getting submerged.

“Don’t worry, she’s fine.” Dusk quickly told everypony. “I prepared a bucket filled with warm water for her to use.”

“He’s right.”

They all turned to see was indeed Applejack, who near the pool and was back to her normal size. The side effect however that her flank was now stuck inside the bucket.

“I'm right here, little sis. I ain't tiny no more!” She said before gazing upon Dusk. “As for you, we are going have a little chat on what it’s like being trapped in a pouch!”

Dusk made a nervous laugh since he knew it would take some effort in getting Applejack to go easy on him.

“Oh! I have never felt so lovely in all my life!” Rarity was deeply relieved that her coat and mane were back as it was use to be.

“Oh, my gosh! I never realized how horrible it is not to be able to talk!” As for Pinkie, she was very happy that she could speak normally again. “I mean, I love talking so much, and when I couldn't talk anymore, my tongue was all 'ehhhh'! It was the worst! Don't you agree, Fluttershy?”

“Yes.” The shy pegasus politely replied in her normal voice, which made everypony and even Zecora laugh.

Dusk only smiled happily that everything today was going to end in a good note.

His friends were back to normal, Zecora became their newest friend and he put a stop to another evil Number before it wreaked havoc.

Episode 10 [Part 1] - Pest Control

A week passed since the incident with Zecora have been resolved. Even though Dusk received a scolding from Applejack for “imprisoning” her in his pouch back then and had to work at Sweet Apple Acres for a few days to make up for it, he was nevertheless pleased of the outcome.

It was a welcome relief to the zebra for she can finally shop for her herbs without the ponies abruptly closing their stores in fear of her presence. As for Dusk and the mares, they made a new friend who was more than willing to aid them when trouble comes.

While it was relatively quiet most of the week, today was an exception for everypony in Ponyville learned that Princess Celestia was planning to visit the town tomorrow.

As expected, everypony was quickly preparing for the visit; decorating the town and preparing food that would appeal to royalty. While Dusk had a good feeling that the Celestia isn’t that formal, he was obvious that the ponies revered her greatly.

Especially Twilight, who was in the library trying to get everything inside cleaned up and organized for her mentor’s visit.

“Oh! Hurry up you two! This place isn't going clean itself.”

“It also didn't mess itself up.”

“True that.”

Dusk and Spike groaned as they were helping move the books back to the sleeves. It didn’t help that she left the books she was reading lying around the main floor.

A lot of books... And it is still in the afternoon.

“Princess Celestia will be here tomorrow!”

Twilight told them as she was levitating a feather duster and was brushing the dust away.

“I thought this was just an unofficial casual visit.” Spike said.

“He’s right.” Dusk agreed with him. “You are just overreacting...”

“Overreacting?! Dusk! There’s nothing casual about a visit from royalty!” Twilight stated, unaware she was proving the stallion right. “I want this place to be spotless, and you and Spike barely made a dent in the clutter!”

“Maybe you should, ugh, start reading them one at a time... Woah!”

Spike was climbing up the shelf ladder, but it wasn’t easy since one of his claws was holding onto a small stack of books. Soon enough, he slipped and fell to the floor as the books rained on him.

“You are okay?” Dusk asked the baby dragon as he got up to him and got the books of him.

“Yeah.” Spike replied as he got back on his feet, but had an opened book on top of his head.

“Everything's got to be perfect.” Twilight stated as approached the two. “No time for fooling around!”

“You know, this would be an awful lot easier if there weren't three of us here getting under each other's feet.”

“He has a point. We can get more done if we focus on our jobs and not bother each other so much.”

Spike told the unicorn, which Dusk agreed with. The two hoped that it should convince her to focus on cleaning and stop interrupting them with her worries of how the visit would go.

“Great idea.” Much to their surprise, the unicorn handed Spike her feather duster. “You clean, me and Dusk will split up to see how everyone else's preparations are coming.”

“Wha...” Dusk was dumbfounded that Twilight misinterpreted what he and Spike actually meant.

“You go check on the Cakes at Sugarcube Corner.” She told the stallion. “I’ll check everypony at the park.”

“Twilight, that is not what we were...”

Dusk tried to explain what they were actually saying, but the unicorn didn’t hear him as she walked out of the library.

“Ahhhh...” Spike groaned in frustration as he has to now clean up the entire library by himself.

“Don’t worry.” Dusk patted him on the head to comfort him. “I’ll quickly check through Sugarcube Corner and come back here to help.”

“I would appreciate that Dusk.” Spike feel a bit better as he watched Dusk quickly leave the library.

As the stallion made his way to the store, Dusk looked at all the decorations and food stands that were set up across the place. He could see that everypony were putting everything they got in making sure that Celestia enjoys her visit to Ponyville.

“With everything how it is, Twilight shouldn’t have anything to worry about.”

He muttered to himself as he finally caught sight of Sugarcube Corner and went inside. As expected, the Cakes were very busy in preparing various kinds of the sweets for Celestia’s visits.

Mr. Cake was identified from his amber coat, orange mane and a trio of carrot cakes as his cutie mark. He also has an orange pattern on his upper muzzle, which was very similar to freckles.

As for Mrs. Cake, her coat was of light cerulean and her mane was striped; one is light crimson while the other was a much lighter version of the former. Her mane was also styled in which it was identical to an ice cream swirl.

“Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Cake.” Dusk greeted them. “Is everything going well in here?”

“Ah Dusk.” Mrs. Cake greeted him back before she made a nervous laugh. “Well, that would be the case if...”

She pointed to the many sweets that were lined up on one of the tables. Dusk in turn was startled to see that most of them were already bitten into.

Quickly enough, he soon realized who that was responsible for all that.

“Pinkie Pie...”

“You said my name Dusk?”

The said pony popped out from behind the table with a cupcake in her hoof. After chomping on it, she then turned her attention to one of the cakes and manages to swallow it whole, much to Dusk’s shock.

“Pinkie... You know those are meant for Princess Celestia right?” The stallion stated as he recovered from his shock. “Do you know how much work the Cakes were putting in making these?”

“Of course! With how tasty these sweets are, I say the Cakes are doing a great job!”

Pinkie happily said as she continues to engorge herself on the sweets. Dusk could only facehoof at how his friend was acting. While she means well, it is nevertheless quite difficult to get the party pony to see reason time-to-time.

“Hey Dusk.”

Hearing his name, he turned back to the door and saw it was Twilight.

“I came to check on you. So how is the banquet going?”

“I think we may have a small problem.”

Dusk gestured to the table with the half-eaten sweets, which he soon saw Pinkie chomp into a large cake that was adorned with a crown.

“Scratch that... A big problem...” He sighed out as Pinkie licked the cream off her mouth as the crown landed on the top of her head.

“Pinkie! What are you doing?” As expected, Twilight bolted into the store to confront Pinkie. “Those sweets are supposed to be for the princess!”

“I know. That's why I'm tasting them. Somepony needs to make sure that everything is tasty enough to touch the royal tongue...” Pinkie told her in a formal yet playful manner. “And I, Pinkie Pie, declare that these treats are fit for a king, or a queen, or a princess.”

Just as Pinkie was about to eat another cake while Twilight and Dusk tried to stop her, they heard Fluttershy’s voice from outside.

“Twilight, Dusk, Pinkie, you won't believe...” She skipped into Sugarcube Corner and notice the little situation that the three were in. “Oh, I'm sorry. Uh, am I interrupting?”

“No, not at all. Come on in and make yourself at home.” Pinkie told her as she tried to eat the cake again.

Since Twilight was focused on Fluttershy, she would have gotten away with it. However, she forgot about Dusk, who quickly pulled the cake away from her before she could eat it.

“Anything you need, Fluttershy?” Dusk asked the pegasus before he shook his head Pinkie, who only pouted.

“You won't believe what I found at the edge of the Everfree Forest.” She then turned to a portion of her mane. “Come on out, little guy. It's okay.”

From her mane, a small blue insect with an orb-like body, green eyes and four wings flew out and hovered beside her. Dusk could see it was no ordinary insect as he heard it chirp and purr with its small mouth forming a smile.

The strange insect wasn’t alone however as two more then came out; one was yellow and the other was brown.

“Three?” Fluttershy gasped in surprise.

“They're amazing...” Twilight was apparently taken by their cute appearance and went up for a closer look. “What are they?”

“I'm not sure. I'm also not sure where these other two came from.”

Fluttershy replied as she pointed to the three insects that were now flying above her.

“I'll take one off your hooves.” Twilight soon took hold of the yellow insect that was circling around her and nuzzled it. “I've never seen anything so... adorable.”

Dusk could only chuckle at the scene, which was heard by the unicorn and made her realize what she was doing in front of everypony.

Quickly enough, she regains some of her composure while her cheeks had a noticeable blush. “Besides, it'll be nice to have a companion for Spike so he won't bother me so much while I'm studying.”

“Dusk, do you want the other one?”

“I think I’ll pass.” The stallion politely passed on Fluttershy’s offer. “What about you Pinkie?”

“Ugh! A parasprite? Are you kidding?”

The moment Dusk asked her that question, the party pony stick her tongue out in disgust. Soon enough, she started to walk towards the door with a frown on her face.

“Huh?”

“A para-what?”

“How could you not like...”

Dusk, Twilight and Fluttershy were all taken back by Pinkie’s response. Before they could say anything else, the party pony turned back to them with a hint of seriousness in her eyes.

“Ugh. Now I gotta go find a trombone!”

“What?” Dusk and Twilight said at the same time at what Pinkie said.

“A trombone, you know...” She did an imitation of the playing the instrument before she left Sugarcube Corner.

“Ahhh, typical Pinkie...”

Twilight merely sighed as she knew well how strange and unpredictable that her friend can be. She then gazed upon her a new pet insect with a smile, which purred in return.

“I wonder why Pinkie called it a parasprite?” Dusk muttered to himself since the insect doesn’t appear to be dangerous in anyway.

Then again, he once thought that the blue flowers that were Poison Joke to be harmless and would have stumble into them if not for Utopia’s warning.

Dusk could try to have the Number verify on the so-called parasprite, but he didn’t have his deck with him. From both observations and experience, a Number cannot provide any form of support unless the card itself is in close proximity to the user.

This was the case for despite having Star Seraph Sentry, Twilight didn’t have the card with her when she walked into the patch of Poison Joke a week ago. If she did have the card with her back then, she could have avoided getting affected by the flower.

“I wish I brought my deck with me...”

His best back was for him to wait for Twilight to bring the insect to the library, where he could see if Utopia or even Sentry have anything to say. Then again, he could try to find a book that provide details on the insect by using parasprite as a reference.

With that in mind and seeing that Sugarcube Corner was working hard despite the setback caused by Pinkie, Dusk decided to go back to the library and help Spike like he promised.

Before he could leave the store, he was stopped by Twilight.

“Dusk, where are you going?”

“I’m going back to the library to help Spike. What about you?”

“I’ve have to check on Rarity and the outfits she prepared for the Princess’s visit.” Twilight replied. “I believe Rainbow Dash is there as well.”

“Really?” Dusk found it surprising that somepony like Dash would dress up for the occasion, especially in something fancy.

“You think they would like your new friend?” He referred to the yellow insect that hovered beside the unicorn.

“I’m sure they will. I’ll see you back in the library then.”

Nodding in response, Dusk left Sugarcube Corner and went back to the library.

When he arrived, he saw that the baby dragon manages to organize all the books on the floor into neat piles and was now trying to put them back into the sleeves.

Spike may be a hard worker, but he does have his limits. He was currently taking a break on the stairs and was relieved to see that Dusk really did came back to help out.

Before the two started to clean up the library together, Dusk told Spike about what happened back at Sugarcube Corner. While the baby dragon was interested in meeting this insect, he wondered why Pinkie called it a parasprite.

Knowing that Twilight wanted the library to be as clean as possible, they decided that they should look it up when the Celestia finishes her visit. For now, they have an entire library to clean.

In a matter of hours, they manage to accomplish just that; starting from the main floor to Twilight’s room. Much to Dusk’s surprise, everything inside appeared to sparkling. As much he wanted to question how such a thing was possible, he knew that anything could happen in fantasy world like Equestria.

While Dusk still had some strength left in him despite the ordeal, Spike ended up falling asleep due to exhaustion.

Just as Dusk laid the baby dragon on his bed, he heard the door opening from downstairs and knew Twilight was back.

“I’m home!” She called out as the stallion went downstairs and greeted her.

“Welcome back Twilight. Like what me and Spike did with the place?” He asked.

“Yes! Everything here is perfect!” She replied in happiness. “I’m sure everything will be fine tomorrow.”

“Glad to hear.” Dusk smiled at her. “So, what did Rarity and Rainbow Dash say about your little friend?”

Dusk gestured to the yellow insect that flew out of the unicorn’s mane and was now circling around her.

“Oh, they love it. In fact, they now have one of their own.”

“One of their own? Did Fluttershy went out to find more or something?”

“Well that is the strange thing...” She said. “When I went to Carousel Boutique, I ended up having two more.”

“Really?” Dusk was disturbed to hear that since it gives the notion that the insect was somehow multiplying itself.

“In any case, we should rest up for the Princess’s visit tomorrow. Have good night Dusk.” Twilight then went upstairs to her room while the small insect followed her.

“You too Twilight.” He replied before he made a yawn. With all the cleaning he had to do, he deserves a good night rest.

As he went to bed and closed his eyes, Dusk then heard a voice in his head.

‘Utopia...’

He tiredly thought as she started to fall asleep. Before Dusk finally succumbing to slumber, the Number quietly gave him a warning.

‘Your friend is a fool bringing it here... Prepare yourself tomorrow...’

Episode 10 [Part 2] - Pest Control

“What is going on...?”

Dusk groaned as he got out of bed earlier than he wanted. Despite his attempts, the constant buzzing and chipping from outside his room made it almost impossible to go back to sleep.

“Twilight, if you are using your little friend of yours to wake me up, I’m not...”

When he walked towards the door and opened it, he was speechless for before him was a swarm of the very insect that the unicorn brought back last night. All of a different colour and numbering in the hundreds, they would have entered the stallion’s room if not for him abruptly closing it shut.

“What is going on?!” Dusk cried out with his back on the door. “Wait a minute...”

He soon recalled Utopia’s warning from last night, then to Twilight telling him that she somehow gotten two more and finally what Pinkie called it when she first laid eyes on it.

“Don’t tell me... That insect was actually a parasprite?!”

Upon this realization, he bolted out of his room but not before closing the door behind him shut to prevent any of the parasprites in the hallway from entering.

Brushing the insects aside, he made his way to Twilight’s room and saw that both her and Spike were struggling in vain in containing the swarm that were now pulling things off the shelves.

“Dusk!” Twilight was relieved to see the stallion. “You got to help us! The Princess will be here in a few hours!”

“Twilight, I know this may sound crazy to you, but I believe these insects are parasprites.”

“Huh?” Twilight was confused at first, but she too remembered what Pinkie said at Sugarcube Corner yesterday. “You can’t be serious.”

“Not only that, Utopia actually told me last night that you were a fool for bringing that insect here.” He stated as Twilight gasped in response. “Didn’t your Number, Star Seraph Sentry say anything to you?”

“Well...” Twilight sadly recalled what her Number told her the moment she drifted into sleep.

(“Do you have any idea what you have done by bringing that here... You will find nothing but grief tomorrow...”)

“I... I thought it was making a really bad joke! I didn’t know that these would be so much trouble!”

Twilight gestured to the paraspites that were flying within her room and no doubt throughout the entire library.

“Just because these insects are cute doesn’t mean they are harmless. If one alone can multiply into a swarm overnight...” Dusk’s eyes quickened widen, which startled Twilight. “Didn’t you just tell me last night that you say gave one of these parasprites to Rainbow Dash and Rarity?”

“Yes, why...” Soon enough, her eyes widen as well. “Oh no!”

“Those two are likely having the same trouble as we are! I need to check on them!” Before Twilight and Spike could say anything else, Dusk quickly left the room and was now out of the library.

After seeing that none of the parasprites have gotten out, he decided to go to Carousel Boutique and check on Rarity before looking for Rainbow Dash.

However, Dusk ended up meeting the latter instead of the former first. He heard a yell coming from the sky and saw the pegasus flying around, apparently trying to get rid of a bunch of parasprites was around her mouth akin to a beard.

“Rainbow! Are you okay?!” He called out to her.

“Dusk!?” She turned her attention to him while still trying to get rid of the insects. “Do you look like I’m okay?! I just got swarmed the moment I woke up! I only had just one last night!”

“Believe it or not, but Twilight is having the same problem.” Dusk said before an idea appeared in his head. “Wait a minute... Maybe Fluttershy know a thing or two about them!”

“Good idea! I’ll go to her right now!”

Dash then quickly bolted towards Fluttershy’s cottage while Dusk continue his way to Carousel Boutique and check on Rarity.

By the time he got there, Dusk saw that Rarity was already outside with two bags filled with something. She also appeared to be bickering with Pinkie Pie about something.

“Please, Pinkie, I don't have time for some silly scavenger hunt.” Rarity said before walking away. “I've got a real problem.”

“You've got a real problem, all right. And a banjo is the only answer!” Pinkie replied before running off into another direction.

“What was that about Rarity?” Dusk asked as he approached the unicorn.

“Oh Dusk. That is just Pinkie being herself.” She stated as she gestured to her bags. “She couldn’t understand that I have a crisis here.”

“Let me guess? An infestation?”

Dusk didn’t actually need to guess what were in Rarity’s bags. He could easily tell from the chirping and buzzing emitting from them.

“Yes. If you excuse me, I need to see Fluttershy right now.”

“I’ll come with you. Rainbow Dash should with her at this moment.”

“Why? Don’t tell me...” Rarity said worriedly.

“I’m afraid so. She having the same trouble as you. Twilight included.” Dusk told her.

Without wasting anytime, he and Rarity quickly ran as fast as they could to meet with Fluttershy and hopefully get a solution.

As much as he wanted to ask Pinkie since she seems to knows something about parasprites, Dusk feels it would best to talk with the animal expert herself first.

On the way to Fluttershy’s cottage, Dusk and Rarity soon encountered Twilight running towards their direction. She gasped as she skidded on the ground to stop herself from colliding with her friends.

From the movement inside her bags, it was very obvious to the stallion and fashion unicorn what was inside.

“Dusk told me that you and Rainbow Dash are having the same problem as I am.” Rarity said to Twilight.

“Ditto!”

The ponies heard Dash’s voice as the blue pegasus have finally arrived and was struggled to shake the parasites following her.

“Fluttershy knows everything about animals, I'm sure she can tell us how to stop them from multiplying.”

Twilight said to her friends as they all went up to the front door of the cottage. Just when Dusk was able to pull the handle, the door suddenly opened and a vast swarm of parasprites poured through.

“Apparently not!” Dusk shouted as he immediately went inside the cottage. Twilight, Rarity and Dash soon followed suit.

They were shocked to see hundreds of the insects scattered across the entirety of living room while Fluttershy herself was apparently avoiding one was flying around her that was holding a pot in its tiny legs.

“Do something Fluttershy, can't you control them?” Twilight worriedly asked her.

“I've tried everything I know. I've tried begging, and pleading, and beseeching, and asking politely and...”

Fluttershy didn’t finish for she was forced to ran away as the pot-holding parasprite started to chase her.

While Rarity and Dash respectively made a look of fear and disgust, Twilight appeared to be staring into the unknown with horrified eyes.

“Twilight?”

Dusk gently shook her to snap her out of it, but she didn’t budge. He was unaware that she was imagining the worse-case scenario of Princess Celestia’s visit, where she would be screaming as the swarm of parasprite whisk her away into the horizon.

Now outside the cottage, Twilight was telling everypony what would happen if the Princess come to an now-infested Ponyville.

“If we can't get them under control before the princess arrives, it'll be a total disaster!”

Moments later, a yellow parasprite then hovered close to Rarity and coughed out a brown ball, which then turned into another parasprite.

“Ew!” Rarity as expected was disgusted by the scene. “If you ask me, it's already a total disaster!”

“So that how they multiply...” Dusk noted as he watched the two insects enjoy each other’s company.

As everypony were trying to think of a way to get rid of the ever-growing swarm of parasprites, Applejack soon arrived with a cartload of apples.

“Here's all those apples you wanted, Fluttershy, but I still can't figure why y'need so many.”

Before she knew it, a small swarm of parasprites then flew towards her apples and consumed them all in a matter of seconds.

“Hey!”

“And they have quite an appetite for their size...”

Dusk noted again as he watches the small swarm fly away. It seems quite clear to him why Pinkie called these little insects were called parasprites and for good reason.

“What do we do?” Fluttershy asked Twilight, who gasped moments later when an idea popped up in her head.

“I got it! No pony can herd like Applejack!”

“Yeah! We can drive 'em back into the forest!”

“I'll rastle 'em up, but I need everypony's help to do it.”

Applejack scoffed before she begun give instructions to her friends. Twilight, you, Rarity and Dusk wait over there. I'll herd the little critters straight at you like a funnel.”

The three nodded as they then took their positions.

“Rainbow Dash, you and Fluttershy stay on top of 'em. Don't let 'em fly away.”

“Aye aye!” Dash said as she and her fellow pegasus flew above the parasprites.

“Yee-haw!”

Applejack cried out and that was the signal for everypony to gather up the parasprites. It took some time, but they manage to clump them together into a huge ball.

“Alright y'all, here goes nothing!”

Everypony were then moving the ball of parasprites into the Everfree Forest; Twilight, Rarity and Dusk were in front, Applejack was behind while Dash and Fluttershy were hovering above.

“So far so good.” Dusk muttered as he and his friends didn’t face any sort of trouble. Une the insects though tried to fly away, but Dash put a stop to that.

He then heard the sounds of somepony galloping by his right side and turned to see it was Pinkie Pie.

“Pinkie!” Dusk said in surprise. The rest of the mares were surprised as well since they never expected her to appear without warning.

“Dusk, everypony, we don't have much time!” Pinkie said.

“You're telling us!” Twilight replied. “The princess could arrive at any moment!”

“Exactly! That's why I need you all to drop what you're doing and help me find some maracas!”

“Huh?” Dusk was bewildered why Pinkie wanted some maracas, especially in a situation like this. “Would you tell me...”

“Maracas?” Twilight interrupted him. “Pinkie, we've got much bigger problems than missing maracas.”

“You're right!” She gasped. “Getting a tuba has to be our number one goal! Follow me!”

The two watched Pinkie bolted to the opposite direction, but she returned back a few seconds later. She was running backwards yet remarkably, she was able to keep pace with everypony else.

“I said, follow me!” Pinkie stated.

“Pinkie Pie, you are so random.” Dash said in annoyance.

“And you are all so stubborn!” With that said, Pinkie finally left.

“Forget her everypony! Focus!” Applejack told her friends. “Head 'em up and move 'em out!”

In a few minutes, they all reached the edge of the Everfree Forest and successfully rolled the ball of parasprites to where they belong.

“All right!”

Dash cheered as she gave Fluttershy a high-five on both her hooves, but the latter appeared to be more sensitive.

“Ouch.” Fluttershy quietly said.

“Looks like we did it.” Dusk said. “Nice work as always, Applejack.”

“Couldn't have done it without y'all.”

“Now let's get back and clean up the mess they made before the princess arrives.”

Twilight told everypony as they then walked back to Fluttershy’s cottage.

“Okay, everyone knows what to do, right?” Now that everypony was back at the cottage, Twilight asking her friends regarding the Princess’s visits. “We gotta work extra hard to make up for lost time.”

Just as Fluttershy opened the door through, another swarm of parasprites then flew out while the rest of the ponies were utterly shocked.

“Where did they come from!?” Twilight cried out as the swarm was just as large as the one they herded away.

“Fluttershy...?” Dusk turned to the said pegasus with a glare. “Don’t tell us you...”

“Well... I may have kept just one...” She admitted as an orange parasprite then appeared on her back, hopping joyously.

The rest of her friends then joined in glaring at her for putting them all back to square one with the infestation.

“I couldn't help myself. They're just so cute.” Fluttershy said as Dusk shook his head at her.

“Great... Just great.”

“We don't have time to keep rounding up these things!” Twilight said as she watched the swarm scatter all over the area. “What do we do now?!”

“We call in the weather patrol!”

Dusk turned to Dash, who had now a pair of goggles on her forehead before she took to the air. As for the others, they were too focused on the parasprites to see what she has planned.

“Time to take out the adorable trash! Yaaaaa!”

The pegasus cried out as she begun to fly around the insects and was quickly picking up speed while leaving a rainbow streak. Everypony was surprised when Dash formed a miniature tornado and was sucking up any parasprite in its path.

The tornado was stronger then Dusk anticipated for he and the other mares had to hold onto something to prevent themselves from getting sucked in as well. Luckily, Dash was giving chase to the remaining parasprites and moved the tornado away.

“Way to go, Rainbow Dash!”

“Looks like our problems are solved!”

Twilight and Applejack said in relief that the new infestation is now contained.

It was then they heard the sounds of clapping cymbals in the air and everypony but Dash turned to see it was Pinkie again and she had a pair of the said instructions on her neck via a string cord.

“They will be with these cymbals.” Unfortunately, Dash’s tornado snapped the cymbals off their cord and was now being sucked in. “Hey, give me those back!”

“Oh oh...”

Dusk muttered in worry for he saw the cymbals entered the tornado edge first. From the sudden and awkward movements that it is making, it was clear that Dash was caught off guard and was now losing control.

“I can't hold it! She's breaking up!”

Very soon, Dash was blown out of the tornado and was briefly stunned when her back slammed into a nearby tree. As for the cymbals, they flew out and narrowly hit Dusk before becoming lodged into the cottage’s fence.

Without Dash to maintain it however, the tornado begun to dissipate, but not before blowing the parasprites towards Ponyville.

“Pinkie Pie, what have you done?!”

Twilight and the other mares was not pleased at what Pinkie had done even though it was more like an accident. Dusk however was focused on pulling the cymbals out of the fence and wasn’t with them when they confronted the party pony.

“I've lost a brand new pair of cymbals, that's what I've done!”

Pinkie replied, which only made her friends more agitated.

“Will you forget about your silly instruments for one second?!” Twilight cried out. “You're ruining our efforts to save Ponyville!”

“Me? Ruin? I'm not the ruiner, I'm the ruin-ee!” Pinkie said. “Or is it ruiness? Ruinette?”

“Come on girls, there's no reasoning with that one.” Applejack told the others. “She's a few apples short of a bushel.”

Tired of their friend’s apparent randomness, they all unanimously went straight to Ponville while ignoring what Pinkie has to say.

“Hey! I'm trying to tell you all that the ruining is on the other hoof. If you'd just slow down and listen to me!”

Frustrated, Pinkie was about to leave if not for Dusk patting her on the back. She turned to see that he holding onto her cymbals with his mouth.

“Herre are yor cmbaals.”

Dusk will admit that he doesn’t like the taste of metal in his mouth and was relieved when Pinkie took them.

“Thank you Dusk.” Pinkie said happily before she then frowned. “You are going to leave aren’t you?”

“Not before you tell me why you need instruments all of the sudden.” Dusk asked. “You been like that the moment Fluttershy showed that parasprite yesterday.”

“Duh! Parasprites love music, so I been collecting instruments so I can lead them out of Ponyville. I tried asking the others for help, but they are too stubborn.”

“Maybe because you didn’t tell them in the first place!” Dusk scolded her.

While he was surprised that Pinkie actually had the solution all this time, Dusk wasn’t very happy that she never told him or the others about it at the start.

“Huh?”

“Pinkie, you been asking us to help you gather instruments, but you never explained why beforehand! If you told us in the first place that you have solution in dealing with these parasprites before asking, then we would be more than willing to help you! You didn’t however and we ended up assuming you were being yourself!”

Dusk told Pinkie, who was confused at first. After a few moments though, she soon saw the logic in the stallion’s words.

“Oh...” Pinkie said. “I guess that does makes sense.”

“It does Pinkie.” Dusk sighed.

After the scolding, the stallion then told Pinkie that he would help her, but he would like to explain everything to the others first, which the latter agreed to. With that done, they went back to Ponyville before going their separate ways.

As Pinkie went out to find additional instruments, Dusk searched around for the other mares. All the while, the parasprites were swarming all over the place and were eating any food in sight.

By the time he found the others, he saw Twilight casting a spell. Her horn unleashing waves of purple magic all across the town and the parasprites were apparently affected by it since they abruptly stopped their eating frenzy.

He also notices that Applejack was missing, but surmised that she went back to her farm to protect her apple trees from the parasprites’ endless hunger for food.

“Twilight? What did you do?”

Dusk asked the unicorn as he approached her and the others.

“Oh Dusk, I just casted a spell that make them stop eating all the food.” Twilight answered while gesturing to the parasprites. “Where were you by the way?”

“I was talking to Pinkie and...”

“What? But why?” Dash questioned. “You already seen how random she is today.”

“You all got to know that...”

“Wait.”

Twilight interrupted him as she pointed to a parasprite that was sniffing an apple in a wooden bucket. She was scared at first, but was relieved that her spell did worked as indented since the insect refused to eat it.

Instead, the parasprite chose to consume the entire bucket in one gulp while spitting the apple out. The rest of the swarm followed suit as they begun to consume anything that isn’t considered food like signs, lamp posts and even the houses.

“Hey, it worked...” Dash said sarcastically. “They are not eating the food no more.”

“Twilight...” Dusk shook his head at the unforeseen outcome of the unicorn’s spell. “If anything, you just made things worse...”

Twilight could only smile nervously as everypony watched as the entire town was slowly being devoured by the parasprites.

“Oh no... If they get inside my store...”

Realizing that the parasprites’ new appetite is going to endanger her business, Rarity stood on her hind legs and yelled in panic. “Everypony for themselves!”

Just as Rarity ran off, Dusk soon saw that his Duel Monster cards were also endangered for the library was swarming with parasprites. Even though the door to his room was closed, there was the chance that those insects could chew through it thanks to Twilight’s spell.

“The library!”

Dusk ran as fast as he could to the library with Twilight following from behind; worried as well that the parasprites would literally sink their teeth in her books.

By the time they reached the library, the two notices that something was banging the door from the other side.

“Spike?”

Twilight muttered just as Dusk went up and opened the door. When he did, he was then knocked to the ground as a swarm of parasprites rushed outside. It was hard to tell, but Twilight swore that those insects all had a fearful expression on their tiny faces.

“What just happened?” The stallion as he rubbed his head.

“Us...”

The two were startled to see two golden humanoid wraiths coming out of the library and realized who they were upon seeing their distinctive wings.

“Utopia?”

“Seraph Star Sentry?”

Dusk and Twilight said in surprise just as Spike poked his head out of the library’s door.

“Dusk! Twilight! You two are not going to believe this!”

The baby dragon then explained that as the parasprites were continuing to wreak havoc throughout the library, the two good Number then appeared without warning. Intimidated by the overwhelming presence of the Numbers, the insects stopped what they were doing and were trying to get out of the library just before Dusk opened the door.

“I’m surprised you two could take up this form.” The stallion said as he inspected the Utopia’s astral appearance.

“Only in rare circumstances that we will do so...” Utopia replied.

“Like when somepony decided to cast a spell to made the swarm to eat anything but food... Like our cards; our anchor to the physical world...”

Seraph Star Sentry said as he looked at Twilight in disappointment, who could only laugh nervously at notion that she endangered both her and Dusk’s Numbers.

“In any case, the library is secured and the rest of the Number could be used to secure more of the town...”

“Rest of the Numbers?” Dusk wasn’t sure what Utopia meant.

“The Numbers that you have defeated in the past.” It stated. “While no longer capable of inflicting harm, they still retain some power and capable of preserving their connection to the physical world if necessary.”

“So, they would scare off any nearby parasprite to ensure it doesn’t get eaten then?” Dusk asked, which the Number nodded its head as a yes.

“You two should also seek out that eccentric friend of yours.” Seraph Star Sentry said. “She passed by the library and I could tell she has the solution.”

“Pinkie?” Twilight said in dumbfounded manner. “You’re kidding me, right?”

“Seraph Star Sentry isn’t kidding.” Dusk vouched for the Number as he told Twilight about the discussion that he and Pinkie had some time ago. As he expected, the unicorn was shocked to hear why her friend was so focused on gathering instruments despite the infestation.

“And she never said it in the first place?!”

Twilight yelled out with a stressed-out expression. If Pinkie actually told her and the others at the start, they wouldn’t be in this mess.

“Trust me, I was mad at her as well and I had to give a good scolding.” Dusk said. “Just try to find her. I’ll go around town and set up some safe zones with my Numbers.”

Twilight was hesitant at first, but she soon relented and set off to find Pinkie. Dusk in the other hoof ran to his room and grabbed his deck and his Numbers. Seraph Star Sentry chose to remain in the library to ward off the parasprites, so he could take Utopia with him.

“Better check on Applejack first.” Dusk muttered as he ran as fast as he could to Sweet Apple Acres.

She’s no doubt caught off guard by the parasprites abruptly eating her farmhouse instead of her apples thanks to Twilight’s spell. He could only hope to get there before that ever happens.

“Looks like I’m not too late.”

Upon reaching the edge of Sweet Apple Acres, Dusk saw that Applejack and the rest of her family have already setup a barricade using two wagons and a table.

While Big Mac was holding a flyswatter in his mouth, Granny Smith was doing the same with a pitchfork and was using a cooking pot as a makeshift helmet. Despite the possible dangers of facing down a swarm, Apple Bloom was with them as well and was using a net.

“Dusk! I’m so relieved that you’re here!” Applejack notice the stallion and quickly called to him. “You gotta help me and my family! Can’t you use what ever your Numbers can do to drive those critters off!”

“I believe I can.” He replied just before he then heard the sounds of an oncoming swarm of parasprites behind him.

“They’re here!” Applejack cried out to Dusk. “Do something!”

“I’m on it!”

Wasting no time, Dusk held out Utopia in front of the incoming swarm and they thought the card was going to be tasty snack. However, the astral form of the Number then appeared in front of them and they immediately halted.

Feeling the overwhelming power from Utopia itself, all the parasprites in the swarmmade a horrified expression and quickly turn back were they came from. Dusk made a sigh of relief while Applejack and the rest of her family were cheering that Sweet Apple Acres was safe.

“You did it Dusk, you...” The farm pony said before she notices that the swarm once more halted in the distance. “Huh?”

The parasprites turned around to the ponies at their eyes slowly turned bright red and their exterior became pitch-black.

“What the...” Dusk muttered as he could feel that the changes that the insects were undergoing was not natural.

Before he and the Apples could do anything, the swarm quickly flew towards the ponies and formed a large circle around them. Despite the presence of Utopia, the parasprites were no longer intimidated by it like they were before.

“Dusk, what is going on?!”

Applejack cried out as she was startled by the change of behaviour of the parasprites, who were staring at everypony with blank eyes.

“Something much worse...” Dusk narrowed his eyes at a black aura a few meters away from him. Slowly raising from the ground, the aura soon took the shape of a humanoid-insect wraith.

“Don’t ruin my fun, Number Hunter.” It said. “I was just enjoying the fear and panic that these little guys are causing.”

“A Number?!” Applejack yelled as she realized what was before her. “At a time like this?!”

Despite being present for the incident during the Summer Sun Celebration several months ago, this was the first time that Big Mac and Granny Smith ever seen a Number in its astral form. Apple Bloom wasn’t as fazed though since she already seen one during the day she, Applejack and Dusk first meet with Zecora.

However, they soon found themselves experiencing what it’s like to be ensnared by a Number for their limbs and mouth were entangled by black tendrils that appeared below them.

“Hey!” Applejack was enraged that the Number would dare threaten her family. “Leave my family alone!”

“Yeah!” Dusk called out. “It’s me you want!”

“Do I look like a fool? I don’t intend to join your collection Number Hunter.” The Number laughed. “Instead, I’ll fight that student of yours.”

“Huh?” Applejack said.

“Don’t be so surprised. I know that the Number Hunter has been teaching you how to duel.” It stated. “However, I also know that you have yet to play in an actual duel. That will be your incentive into duelling me...”

It then pointed to the rest of the Apples, who were all struggling in vain to break free from the tendrils. Dusk tried to approach them, but was halted by the obviously-possessed parasprites.

“Don’t interfere or I will sic my newest swarm at them. This is between me and her.”

Applejack didn’t say word as she glared at the Number. She knows that she isn’t as experienced in Duel Monsters as Dusk, but she didn’t want to leave her family at the mercy of the malicious being.

There was a problem however for she realized that didn’t have her deck with her. It was inside her farmhouse and it’s not possible to retrieve it as long the Number maintain its control over the parasprites. Even if she did, she could tell that Dusk didn’t bring his spare duel disk for her to use.

‘What can I suppose to do...’

Just as her frustration over her inability to duel the Number begun to grow within her, Applejack then heard a strong yet gentle voice in her head.

“I’ll get it for you.”

“Wha...”

“Your heart is both strong and honest. Let me lend you my aid.”

Before Applejack knew it, a golden orb of light suddenly materialized in front of her. In a split second, it then flew towards the direction of the farmhouse.

“Oh no you don’t!”

The Number quickly commanded the majority of the swarm tried to stop the orb by forming a dense wall. Much to its shock however, the orb easily brushes them aside.

“Could that be...”

Dusk muttered as the golden orb then phased through a window on the second story of the farmhouse. In a few moments, it then left the structure and immediately flew towards Applejack.

“What the hay is going on!?”

Applejack said as the orb struck her left hoof and felt a strange yet pleasant feeling as her entire body was enveloped by a golden glow. She then saw a mental image of a symbol shaped like a number in her head; 75.

As the rest of the Apples could only look at her in astonishment, Dusk only smiled as it became clear to him what that golden orb was.

By the time the glowing died down, everypony could see that there was now a rugged-looking duel disk on Applejack’s left hoof. While mostly red in colour, its outlines were a mix of green and gold.

There was even a deck already inserted into the proper slot and the farm pony could tell it was the same deck that Dusk made for her back then.

“I don’t believe it... It is like with Dusk and Twilight...”

It became apparent to Applejack that she too received the support of a good Number and the timing was impeccable.

“Now...” The voice spoke once again. “Let us fight Number 28 together.”

Episode 10 [Extra] - Repelling a Pesky Moth

“Why you...”

Number 28 growled at Applejack or more specifically, the Number that chose to aid her in her time of need. In the meantime, the possessed parasprites managed to recompose themselves after their failure to stop Number 75.

As for Applejack, she was quickly inspecting her new duel disk and was trying to adapt to the strange feeling in her front hooves.

‘It is like Twilight said...’

When Twilight first gained her Number Seraph Star Sentry, she tried her best to explain to her friends what it was like to “grip” onto things with her hooves. As strange as the feeling was to her, the farm pony knew there was more pressing matters to attend to.

Like dealing with Number 28 that dared hold her beloved family hostage.

“Alright! Now I’m ready for you Number!”

Applejack exclaimed as she glared a at the Number while trying her best to copy the dueling posture that Dusk used. However, she found it to be more troublesome then she expected since she had to maintain her balance on just her hind legs.

While she did stand on her hind legs in the past, it was only for a few seconds. From all the duels she has witness, Dusk was able to do so for minutes without any discomfort.

“How does Dusk make it so easy?” Applejack muttered to herself.

“Let me help. ”Number 75 said in her head as the farm pony then felt the warm feeling across her body once again.

When the feeling faded away, Applejack found herself able to perfectly emulate Dusk’s dueling posture. Dusk along with rest of her family were surprised what the farm pony had accomplished while Number 28 merely growled.

“Let get this over with!” The Number stated as an insect-like duel disk then appeared on its left arm. “When I’m with you, my swarm will devour everything you hold dear!”

“Like I let you!” Applejack said back. “I’ll protect my home and my family!”

With that said, their duel disks then activated their holographic functions as the usual screens and data appeared above their heads.

“Solid Reality Vision Link established. ”The computerized voice echoed across Sweet Apple Acres as Applejack and Number 28 drew their cards from their respective decks.

“DUEL!”

[Applejack’s Life Points: 8000]

[Number 28’s Life Points: 8000]

[Turn 1: Number 28]

[Applejack’s Cards in Hoof: 5]

[Number 28’s Cards in Hand: 5]

“It’s my turn! Draw!”

Upon looking at the card it drew, Number 28 would be smirking if it had a mouth.

“Excellent. I play Petit Moth in Defence mode.”

Appearing on its field was green caterpillar with several patterns adorning its skin. With its appearance and stats, it didn’t appear to be a threat to anypony.

[Petit Moth] [ATK: 300] [DEF: 200] [Level: 1]

“Huh?” Applejack was dumbfounded that Number 28 would play such a weak monster on the first turn.

Dusk on the other hoof didn’t feel the same way for knew the card and the combos related to it.

‘So that what it’s planning...’

As much as he wanted to warn Applejack, the stallion was worried that the Number would harm the rest of the Apples if he tried to interfered. With that in mind, the only thing he could do for now is cheer for her.

“Next I then summon Cocoon of Evolution and equip it to Petit Moth.”

Number 28 said just as threads of silk then appeared around the insect and wrapped around its form; forming a cocoon.

“As you should know, Cocoon of Evolution is actually a monster, but it can act as an equip card if I have Petit Moth on my field.”It told Applejack. “Now Petit Moth gains the ATK and DEF of Cocoon of Evolution.”

Above the cocoon then appeared its stats screen, which was then transferred to the moth that is encased within.

[Cocoon of Evolution] [ATK: 0] [DEF: 2000] [Level: 3]

While Petit Moth didn’t gain any ATK, it does gain a substantial boost to its DEF.

[Petit Moth] [DEF: 200 (+)> 2200]

“I then end my turn with these two face-downs. ”Number 28 set two cards from its hand to the field. “Now is your turn.”

[Turn 2: Applejack]

[Applejack’s Cards in Hoof: 5]

[Number 28’s Cards in Hand: 2]

“Alright, its my turn!”

Applejack called out as she prepared to draw from her deck. At first, she found the sensation of “holding” onto her cards with just her hooves to be awkward. But if Dusk and Twilight are able to do the same thing without any difficulties, so can she.

“Draw!”

Adding the card to her hoof, she tried to devise a strategy with what she has. After a few seconds of deliberation, she then made her move.

“Here goes nothing. I first play the Continuous Spell card, Seed Cannon.”

Beside then appeared a large flower, which the stem, leaves and bulb were covered in sharp thorns.

“Then I summon Sylvan Bladefender in Attack mode.”

In front of her emerged a warrior wearing a feudal Japanese outfit along with a variety of plants of different colours. On its hips were a pair of katanas, which almost appeared to be each made from a large blade of grass.

[Sylvan Bladefender] [ATK: 1900] [DEF: 700] [Level: 4]

Upon being summoned, one of the leaves on Seed Cannon begun to glow.

“What is going on?” Number 28 asked.

“Its Seed Cannon’s special effect. When Plant-type monster is summoned, a Plant Counter is then added to it to a max of five.”

[Seed Cannon - Plant Counter: 0 (+)> 1]

“Hmm. Still, that monster of yours can’t break through my moth’s cocoon.” Number 28 noted.

“I know that.” Applejack replied. “So, I’m going to equip my Bladefender with Lucky Iron Axe.”

In the monster’s very hands then appeared a simple-looking axe with a few glowing runes. Even so, it imbued Bladefender with power for it provide a substantial boost to its ATK.

[Sylvan Bladefender] [ATK: 1900 (+)> 2400]

“Lucky Iron Axe increases my monster’s ATK by 500, which means it can break open that cocoon of yours!” Applejack said as she pointed to the Number’s Cocoon of Evolution, which encased the Petit Moth. “Now Bladefender, attack!”

Just as Bladefender dashed towards the cocoon and prepare to take a slash at it, the Number pointed to one of its face-downs.

“I open my first face-down, Turn Jump!”

Appearing from the card then emerged a silver pocket watch, which begun to tick loudly just as its arms were quickly moving clockwise.

“Due to its effect, six turns will now pass and that means we skipped three of our respective turns.”

Number 28 stated as the holographic screens were updating the sudden change in the number of turns passed.

[Turn 2: Applejack] -Skipped-

[Turn 3: Number 28] -Skipped-

[Turn 4: Applejack] -Skipped-

[Turn 5: Number 28] -Skipped-

[Turn 6: Applejack] -Skipped-

[Turn 7: Number 28] -Skipped-

[Turn 8: Applejack] -Current-

“However, the Battle Phase will resume on the new turn, which is yours.”

“You kidding me right?”

Applejack said as she then ordered her monster to attack once more. If anything to her, it was a waste of a card since it didn’t stop her attack in anyway.

Dusk only shook his head as he got a good feeling what the farm pony was thinking. It seems that she forgotten one of his most important lessons in Duel Monsters

Every card has its uses regardless of its effect. The only thing that matters is that you play it correctly and at the best possible time.

Knowing the combo that Number 28 was attempting to do, Turn Jump was a boon. He could only hope that Applejack was ready when the time comes.

As before, Bladefender prepared himself to strike the cocoon, but the Number then activated its other face-down.

“Not quite. I now activate my last face-down, Negate Attack!” Number 28 said as it activated the card.“Your attack is not only stopped, but your Battle Phase ends as well.”

Just before Bladefender could get close to the cocoon, the face-up trap unleashed a burst of energy and pushed the plant-like warrior away.

“Fine, I set a card face-down and end my turn.” Despite the setback, Applejack kept her cool as she set her cards.

[Turn 9: Number 28]

[Applejack’s Cards in Hoof: 3]

[Number 28’s Cards in Hand: 2]

“Now its my turn! Draw!” Number 28 drew its card and immediately played it. “I activate Card of Demise, which I can draw until I have five cards in my hand. On my fifth Standby Phase however, I then have to discard my entire hand.”

Upon drawing the cards, the Number snickered as it can finally put its plan into motion.

“It is finally time! Since four turns has passed since Petit Moth was equipped Cocoon of Evolution, I can release it...”

Just as it said that, the cocoon’s begun crack open before it then exploded into a ball of light.

“To Advance Summon Great Moth in Attack mode!”

From that very ball of light then emerged a gigantic greenish moth which was now hovering above the ground with its vast wings before landing.

[Giant Moth] [ATK: 2600] [DEF: 2500] [Level: 8]

“Wha?!”

Applejack was shocked to see that the Number brought out such a powerful monster, which was stronger then her own. Recalling what it said a few moments ago, she soon realizes why it played Turn Jump in the first place.

‘So that why it played that card! To bring out that Giant Moth much faster!’

The rest of her family could only look on in utter shock at the gigantic insect that was hovering before them. Despite their efforts, they are unable to break free from the Number’s tendrils.

“That is not all. Next I activate from my hand Premature Burial.” Number 28 said. “By paying 800 of my Life Points, I can Special Summon a monster from my Graveyard and equip the card to it. Return to me Petit Moth!”

[Number 28’s Life Points: 8000 (-)> 7200]

After paying the cost, the small caterpillar then reappeared on the Number’s field in Attack mode; right next to its grown-up counterpart.

[Petit Moth] [ATK: 300] [DEF: 200] [Level: 1]

‘Why did it bring Petit Moth out again, especially in Attack mode?’

Dusk thought as Applejack thought the same thing. Number 28 merely snickered again as it played another card from its card.

“Now I’ll activate the Spell card, Super Cocoon of Evolution!”

Much to the two ponies’ surprise, Petit Moth was then encased in a golden cocoon, which shimmer with power unlike its original counterpart.

“By releasing an Insect-type monster with an Equip card on either side of the field, I can Special Summon any Insect-type monster from my deck, ignoring Summoning conditions!”

Dusk’s and Applejack’s eyes widen as they watched the golden cocoon started to crack before becoming a large pillar of light. With everything that is going on here, it is surprising that no pony from town came by to investigate.

“Now come forth from my Deck! Perfectly Ultimate Great Moth!”

Appearing from the light then appeared another gigantic moth with bluish wings and it was more fearsome in both appearance and strength than Great Moth. It too hovered momentarily above the ground before landing beside Great Moth.

[Perfectly Ultimate Giant Moth] [ATK: 3500] [DEF: 3000] [Level: 8]

“Oh ponyfeathers...”

Applejack mutter in shock as looked upon the two powerful moths that Number 28 had on his field. She was clearly now in a disadvantage since they were much stronger than her only monster Bladefender.

However, the Number wasn’t done just yet.

“If you think this is bad, wait till I play Offerings to the Doomed.”

Just as it played the said card from its hand, Bladefender then was quickly covered by white bandage-like wrappings before he exploded into nothing.

“Bladefender!”

“When Offerings to the Doomed is activated, a face-up monster on the field is destroyed at the cost of me skipping my next Draw Phase.”

The farm pony could only brace herself for she has nothing to protect her from direct attacks, which Number 28 begun to take full advantage of.

“Now that you are wide open, I will let Great Moth attack you directly. ”It called out while gesturing to the said monster. “Moth Hurricane!”

Taking to the air for a brief moment, Great Moth flapped its wings and unleash a series of powerful gales against Applejack. Despite her best efforts, she was immediately knocked to the ground and skidded a few feet across the dirt; her Life Points took a sharp dive.

[Applejack’s Life Points: 8000 (-)> 5400]

“Applejack!”

Dusk called out to her as she slowly got up from the ground and tried to regain her bearings. However, the pony notice that Perfectly Ultimate Great Moth was also taking to the air.

“There is no point of doing that for you will be down in the dirt again! Now my Perfectly Ultimate Great Moth! ”Number 28 said as it then pointed to its other gigantic moth. “Direct Attack! Perfect Moth Hurricane!”

Like its counterpart, Perfectly Ultimate Great Moth flapped its wings yet unleashed even more powerful gales towards Applejack. This time, the force was strong enough to roll her body across the dirt; being more disoriented and battered than before; her Life points again taking another dive.

[Applejack’s Life Points: 5400 (-)> 1900]

“Ugh...”

Despite taking the brunt of two Direct Attacks, Applejack refused to give up as she forced herself off the ground; her body was covered with patches of dirt and several bruises.

“Ready to yield to me?” Number 28 asked the pony, which she responded with a glare.

“Never...”

“Struggle all you like. My moths will easily destroy what monsters you bring out. And if you are thinking of putting them in Defense mode, think again.”

With that said, Number 28 then played a card from its hand.

“I’ll equip my Perfectly Ultimate Great Moth with Fairy Meteor Crush. Now if it destroyed a monster in Defense mode, you will take piercing damage.”

“Applejack...”

Dusk muttered as he watches the farm pony walk back to where she once stood; breathing hard as she weathered through the pain that she felt all over her body. Her family in turn was becoming more demoralize at the disadvantage that their family member is in.

“It’s not over yet...”Applejack said with an unyielding look in her eyes.

“You really must have hit your head that bad. Of course it is! ”Number 28 refuted. “I have two monsters that can blow away anything that you send out!Not only that, you already lost like 3/4th of your Life Points!”

To the Number’s eyes, it was just a turn away from obtaining victory. Even so, Applejack wasn’t intimidated by its declaration by the slightest.

“I’ll admit that I’m not that skilled in dueling like Dusk here, but he did teach me to the best of his abilities...

Applejack stated as she gestured to the stallion before then pointing to one of her face-downs.

“And I don’t intend to let all his lessons be all for nothing!I activate my trap, The Golden Apples!”

When her Trap flipped up, Number 28 watched as a golden apple then appeared in front of Applejack’s face.

“At first, I liked this card because the picture was this fancy apple. When Dusk told me what it does, I realized that it actually embodies what it means to be an Apple.”

Applejack smiled as the golden apple begun to glow and covered her body in a relieving aura.

“No matter what is thrown at us, we don’t give up so easily!”

When both the apple and aura finally disappeared, Dusk smiled as he saw that the bruises on Applejack’s body were gone and her Life Points were returning back to its original value.

[Applejack’s Life Points: 1900 (+)> 8000]

“What?! Impossible!!!” Number 28 roared out as the rest of the Apples were looking at their family member in utter awe.

“The Golden Apples only activates when I take Battle Damage and I have no Monsters on the field. Whatever damage I taken prior to using this Trap, my Life Points goes up by the same amount.”

“So you essentially negated what damage I inflicted on you... ”The Number growled. “That doesn’t change the fact that...”

“There is more to The Golden Apples you know.” Applejack interrupted. “I can then Special Summon a Malus Token on the field.”

With that said, the specified token then appeared on her side of the field. Having one eye and a mouth, its paper-like form was shaped like a small flame and shimmer in multiple colours.

[Malus Token] [ATK: ?] [DEF: ?] [Level: 1]

“Both its ATK and DEF are undetermined...” Number 28 noted in confusion as Applejack merely smirked.

“I’m getting to the good part. Malus Token’s ATK and DEF then become equal to the Battle Damage I’ve taken!”

“What?!”

[Malus Token] [ATK: ? (+)> 6100] [DEF: ? (+)> 6100]

“6100 ATK...”Dusk muttered as he looked upon the Malus Token, which was far more powerful than the Number’s moths despite its small size.

“I set a card face-down... And my turn...”

Number 28 set its card in bewilderment at the fact that Applejack managed to bring forth a reversal with just a single card.

[Turn 10: Applejack]

[Applejack’s Cards in Hoof: 2]

[Number 28’s Cards in Hand: 0]

“Now that is over, I draw!” Applejack drew her card as she sighed in relief that she now has the advantage over Number 28. “I’ll first set a monster face-down.”

As the horizontal face-down card appeared in front of her, she then pointed to the Number’s Perfectly Ultimate Great Moth.

“Now to blow away that big moth of yours! I’ll attack your Perfectly Ultimate Great Moth with my Malus Token!”

Opening its mouth, the token unleashed a stream of multi-coloured fire at the hovering moth and set it ablaze. With its wings on fire, it then crashed into the ground before exploding into a fireball.

Luckily for the Apples, that it was nothing more than a hologram and that their trees were safe from the flames. The Number however ended up losing both its monster and a chunk of its Life Points.

“Ugh! My moth!”

[Number 28’s Life Points: 7200 (-)> 4600]

“With that done, I’ll end my turn with a face-down.”

Applejack said while setting her card onto the field. Now with Perfectly Ultimate Great Moth gone along with its equip card, she was safe from piercing damage.

[Turn 11: Number 28]

[Applejack’s Cards in Hoof: 2]

[Number 28’s Cards in Hand: 0]

“It’s my turn...Dra...Agh!”

Number 28 growled out as it clenched its right hand into a fist in anger.

This was supposed to be the turn where it would finish off Applejack, but that was now ruined thanks to the pony’s trap, The Golden Apples.

“Due to the effects of Offering to the Doomed, the Number has to skip its Draw Phase for this turn.”

Dusk said out loud which made Applejack smile. Since it has no cards in its hand and unable to draw another one till its next turn, there was only one option that Number 28 could do for this turn.

“I switch my Great Moth to Defense mode and end my turn...”

Shifting the card on his duel disk sideways, Great Moth slowly landed on the ground and curled its wings; bracing itself for any attack.

[Turn 12: Applejack]

[Applejack’s Cards in Hoof: 2]

[Number 28’s Cards in Hand: 0]

“It’s now my turn! Draw!” Applejack then played the card she just drew. “I summon Sylvan Marshalleaf in Attack mode.”

On her field then appeared a plant-like creature with its head styled like a leaf. Around its neck was a flower-like necklace and in each of its hands were purple pedal-like batons.

[Sylvan Marshalleaf] [ATK: 1500] [DEF: 1200] [Level: 3]

Since another Plant-type monster was summoned onto the field, Seed Cannon gains a Plant Counter as another of its leaves begun to glow.

[Seed Cannon - Plant Counter: 1 (+)> 2]

While Marshalleaf has an effect that activates when Normal Summoned, Applejack chose to not to use it and instead has something else planned.

“I’ll then activate Seed Cannon’s effect.” Applejack said as she pointed to her Continuous Spell. “By sending this card to the Graveyard, I can inflict 500 points of damage to you for every Plant Counter it has.”

With that, Seed Cannon then fired two volleys of seeds from its flower at Number 28, which struck the chest and head respectively.

[Number 28’s Life Points: 4600 (-)> 3600]

“Guh...” The Number quickly recovered from both volleys just as Seed Cannon then vanished from the field.

“Not done yet.” Applejack said. “Malus Token, now destroy Great Moth!”

Unleashing another stream of multi-coloured flame at Great Moth, the giant insect soon suffered the same fate as its counterpart and turned into an exploding fireball.

“Now you are wide open. Marshalleaf, Direct Attack!”

Now that Number 28 has no monsters on its side of the field, the said monster then rushed up to it. However, the Number quickly pointed to its face-down.

“Trap activate! Dimensional Wall!”

In front of Marshalleaf was a small portal and the monster ended up swinging its baton right into it. At the same time, Dusk notice another small portal appearing behind Applejack and flinched when that very attack from Marshalleaf ended up chunking the farm pony’s head from the back.

“Ow!”

[Applejack’s Life Points: 8000 (-)> 6500]

“When my opponent declares an attack, Dimensional Wall can redirect any Battle Damage I would have taken from that attack onto my opponent instead.”

“Ugh, I will end my turn then." Applejack said as she rubbed the back on her head to relive herself from the pain.

[Turn 13: Number 28]

[Applejack’s Cards in Hoof: 2]

[Number 28’s Cards in Hand: 0]

“It’s my turn, Draw!” Number 28 said as it could finally draw a card from its deck.

“Now my comeback begins!" Number 28 said out loud. "! play the Spell, Card of Sanctity! Now we draw until we each have six cards!”

Applejack narrowed her eyes at the Number as she drew from her deck.Thanks to the Card of Sanctity, her opponent now has a full hand to make a counter-attack.

After examining the cards that he drew from its deck, Number 28 made a dark chuckle for it now has what it needs to retake the initiative.

“First, I activate the Continuous Spell, Insect Neglect.” Around Number 28’s monster zones on its side of the field was a cage made from sticks and some rope. “Whenever you would declare an attack, I can now negate it by banishing an Insect-type from my Graveyard.”

‘Number 28 has Petit Moth, Great Moth and Perfectly Ultimate Great Moth in its Graveyard, so it would be able to negate up to three of Applejack’s attacks.’ Dusk noted in his head.

“Now I will then Special Summon Shimmering Moth in Attack mode.”

In front of the Number was silver-scaled elegant-looking moth and like its name, it was shimmering in the sunlight. Compared to both Great Moth and Perfectly Ultimate Great Moth, it wasn’t very intimidating.

[Shimmering Moth] [ATK: 1000] [DEF: 1000] [Level: 7]

“If I control no monsters on the field, I can Special Summon this card from my hand. ”Number 28 explained. “Not only that, if it is used in the Xyz Summon of Insect-type Xyz monster, it can be treated like two monsters!”

“What?!”

Applejack and Dusk yelled in shock just as black tendrils appeared beneath of the Number, which in the process of holding onto both its duel disk and cards.

“Now then, I overlay my two Level 7 Shimmering Moths!”

Number 28 called out as it gestured to the moth, which glowed as it split into two; both identical in appearance and size. Both turning into silver lights, they rose into the air before the Number itself followed suit; its tendrils on the ground now ready do draw and play the cards in its place.

“With these two monsters, I build the Overlay Network!” When the vortex portal appeared on the field, the two lights were the first to enter before Number 28 quickly joined them. “Xyz Summon!”

With that, the portal exploded as the true from of Number 28 begun to take shape.

“Look upon my all-powerful form and despair!Now you’ll face Number 28: Titanic Moth!”

Slowly rising up from the portal then appeared a massive white moth-like being, which was adorned with multiple colours with its only limbs being two humanoid arms. There were a pair of feather-like appendages at the top of the Number’s strange one-eyed head and the bottom of its abdomen, where the number 28 was visible on its bottom-left side. As it hovered above the ground, an Overlay Unit was circling around its chest.

[Number 28: Titanic Moth] [ATK: 2400] [DEF: 2200] [Rank: 7]

“Now that is one weird insect.”

Applejack said while startled at the Number 28’s form, which was similar yet equally different to the moths that the Number played before.The Number paid no mind to her comment as it prepared its next move.

“Next, I equip myself with Xyz Unit.” Number 28 said in its true form just as the tendrils placed the card onto the duel disk, which resulted in the Number being covered in some form of white armor plating.

“This card can only be equipped to Xyz Monster like myself and I gain 200 ATK multiplied by my Rank. Since my Rank is seven, I gain a total of 1400 ATK.”

[Number 28: Titanic Moth] [ATK: 2400 (+)> 3800]

“Also, if I have to detach an Overlay Unit to activate my effect, Xyz Unit can act as a substitute.”

“Quite a card you have there.”Applejack commented.“But you are still no match for Malus Token through.”

“Unfortunately for you, I do not intend to fight that token of yours head-on. ”Number 28 stated before points its finger at Applejack. “I am coming for you.”

“Huh?”

“Its one of my special effects. If I don’t have any monsters beside myself on the field, I can attack you directly at the cost of cutting the Battle Damage you would take in half.”

“What?! You gotta be kidding me!” Halved Battle Damage or not, Applejack didn’t want another gale of wind to shove her into the dirt again.

Too bad for her, something worse was coming her way as flames begun to appear throughout Number 28’s vast wings.

“Now I will attack you personally!” The Number called out as it begun to flap its now-flaming wings at Applejack. “Fire Tornado!”

The farm pony in question could only look in horror at the flaming tornado that Number 28, which headed towards her while ignoring her monsters in the process.

“Uaghhh!”

Again, Applejack soon found herself being pushed into the dirt by the force of the attack before the flames begun to dissipate.

[Applejack’s Life Points: 6500 (-)> 4600]

“I’m not done!I activate another of my special effects!” Number 28 said as its only Overlay flew straight into its eye, which it didn’t flinch one bit.“ After I delivered a successful Direct Attack, you will then take 500 points of damage for every card in your hand or in your case hoof!”

Just before Applejack could get herself back up on her hooves, she was suddenly engulfed in a pillar of fire that appeared beneath her.

“Ahhhhhhh!”

“Applejack!” Dusk cried out as the pillar of fire then vanish and revealed the farm pony still down on the ground; breathing hard while her Life Points took a sharp dive down.

[Applejack’s Life Points: 4600 (-)> 1600]

“I’ll set a card face-down and end my turn. ”Number 28 said as the set card appeared behind it. “Make your final move.”

[Turn 14: Applejack]

[Applejack’s Cards in Hoof: 6]

[Number 28’s Cards in Hand: 2]

“It’s my turn...”

At first, Applejack was quite taken back by Number 28’s fearsome attack and effect combination. With the state of her Life Points as it is, another Direct Attack from Number 28’s true form would surely finish her off.

Not matter how strong-willed she is, every attack and damage that she endured is starting to take its tool.

It was only by seeing the scared faces that her entangled family was making that she quickly put herself together .For the sake of her beloved family, she has to win no matter what.

“Draw!”

After drawing her card, Number 28’s tendrils then activated its face-down much to the pony’s surprise.

“Before you do anything, allow me to activate my Trap!Spirit Barrier!”

With its activation, a ghost-like being emerged from the card’s picture and entered Number 28’s form.

“Now as long I have a monster on the field, I’ll take no Battle Damage! With my immunity to destruction from non-Numbers combined with the effect of Spirit Barrier, I’m now invincible!”

The Number said with utmost confidence in its voice, believing that victory is assured on its next turn. However, it forgotten that Applejack still has her ace in the hole.

“No matter what you throw at me, I will not give up!Especially since I am not alone in this duel!” Applejack stated as she then flipped her set monster face-up. “I’ll start by Flip Summoning Sylvan Komushroomo in Defense mode.”

After flipping upwards, the set monster revealed itself to be small mushroom-like humanoid with its mushroom cap being on fire. While sitting on the ground cross-legged and in its right hand was a ringed monk staff.

[Sylvan Komushroomo] [ATK: 100] [DEF: 2000] [Level: 2]

“Since Komushroomo was flipped face-up, I can activate its special effect. ”The farm pony stated as her monster glowed dimly while pointing its staff towards the sky. “Choosing from a number from one to five, I can excavate that many cards from my deck.”

“Excavate?”The Number questioned for it never heard such a term before in its existence.

“And I choose to excavate five cards.” Upon excavating the said number of cards from her deck, Applejack looked through them before showing them to the Number. “Whenever I excavate cards, I have to reveal them to my opponent.”

Revealing the five cards that she excavated, they were Monster Reincarnation, Sylvan Charity, Wall of Thorns and remarkably, two additional copies of Sylvan Komushroomo.

“What kind of effect is that? Revealing the cards in your deck to your opponent?”

Number 28 said in a mocking manner, which Applejack ignored as she continued on her move.

“For any Plant-type monsters that I excavate, they are sent to the Graveyard. ”She then places the two copies of Komushroomo into the Graveyard slot of her duel disk. “As for the other cards, they are then placed at the bottom of my deck in any order.”

Just as Applejack placed the remaining excavated cards at the bottom of her deck, the ghostly forms of the two Komushroomos that were sent to the Graveyard appeared by her left and right side.

“What the...?”

“Since my Komushroomos were excavated and sent the Graveyard by a card effect, another of their special effect now activates.”

The farm pony said while the two ghostly Komushroomos beside her slowly transformed themselves into spectral fireballs.

“Now two of your Spell and Traps are destroyed!”

“What?!”

Before Number 28 can react, one of those fireballs struck Xyz Unit wearing while the other one struck Insect Neglect. The former smashed the Number’s equipped armor into a hundred pieces while the latter turned the wooden cage into ash.

[Number 28: Titanic Moth] [ATK: 3800 (+)> 2400]

“Ugh...” The Number found itself weakened due to the lost of Xyz Unit. “Attacking me will still be pointless. I still have my Spirit Barrier.”

“Did you forget what I said before?I am not alone in this duel.”Applejack said back.

“Hah, you are just referring to that Number Hunter and your fa...”

Number 28 stopped mid-sentence for he finally realized what she was referring to.

“Number 75...”

“That’s right.” Applejack said with a smirk as she played a card from her hoof.“Now I play the Spell, Level Lifter.”

Upon activation, she then took another card from her hoof yet sent it to the Graveyard. At the same time, both Marshalleaf and Komushroomo that she has on the field begun to glow.

“By sending a monster from my hoof to the Graveyard, the Level of two of my monsters on the field then becomes the original Level of the sent monster until the End Phase.” She explained.“ The monster I sent to the Graveyard was another Sylvan Bladefender, who is Level 4.That means Marshalleaf and Komushroomo become Level 4 as well.”

Marshalleaf and Komushroomo continued to glow until their respective levels became that of Sylvan Bladefender’s own; Level 4.

[Sylvan Marshalleaf] [Level: 3 (+)> 4]

[Sylvan Komushroomo] [Level 2 (+)> 4]

“Everything is now set! I overlay my Level 4 Sylvan Marshalleaf and Sylvan Komushroomo!”

With the two monsters respectively becoming green and red lights, they spiralled into air just as the spiral vortex then appeared in front of the farm pony.

“With these two monsters, I build the Overlay Network! Xyz Summon!”

With the two lights finally descended into the portal and caused an explosion.

“Rise up! Number 75!”

It was then the symbol shaped like the number 75 appeared next to Applejack’s cutie mark as a vast oak tree then emerged from the portal.

“Aid me in my time of need! Bulewark the Great Ent!”

It was then that very tree begun to transform; its roots turning into strong legs while powerful arms begun to appear from its sides. On the very top of the trunk leading to the crown where two Overlay Unit were circling around, a pair of glowing green eyes then appeared and glared at Number 28.

[Number 75: Bulewark the Great Ent] [ATK: 2000] [DEF: 2800] [Rank: 4]

“Impressive...” Dusk said as he and the rest of the Apples looked up Applejack’s Number, which was larger than any tree that is found in Sweet Apple Acres.

“So you finally appeared Number 75...” Number 28 said in a cold tone.“Number or not, I am still stronger!”

“Not for long!” Applejack refuted as she gestured to her Number.“ I activate Bulwark’s special effect!”

One of its Overlay Units flew into the crown and infused itself with the good Number.

“By detaching an Overlay Unit from it, I can then equip a Plant-type monster from my Graveyard to Bulewark and choose Sylvan Bladefender.”

The ghostly form of Bladefender appeared above the crown of Bulewark. Turning himself in a stream of green energy, he imbued the good Number with his power.

“Whenever a monster is equipped to Bulewark by this effect, half of its original ATK while be then transferred to Bulewark’s own ATK. Since Bladefender original ATK was 1900, Bulewark will gain 950 ATK.”

“What?!”

Number 28 cried out as Bulewark made a fearsome roar as its own strength spiked up due to its effect.

[Number 75: Bulewark the Great Ent] [ATK: 2000 (+)> 2950]

“No!This cannot be!”Number 28 was shocked to see that foe’s ATK now surpass its own.

“Now to swat you as the pesk you are! Bulewark, attack!” The good Number obliged as it lumbered towards the evil Number. “Unrelenting Melee!”

With its right hand now being infused with a greenish aura, it then clenched it into a fist and swiftly delivered a powerful punch to Number 28’s chest.

“UHHGHH!”

Number 28 gasped out in pain as glowing cracks begun to appear all over its form.In a matter of seconds, it burst into flames and collapsed to the ground before exploding.

Since there are no monsters left on Number 28’s side of the field, Spirit Barrier’s protective effect is no longer active.

[Number 28’s Life Points: 3600 (-)> 3050]

“No...”

Appearing from the smoke caused from the prior explosion was Number 28’s wraith form. However, it struggled to retain its form due to the damage sustained from the loss of its true form.

“I was so close...”

“Now to make sure you don’t hurt my family or anypony ever again! Malus Token! Direct Attack!”

Unleashing its attack for third and final time, Malus Token quickly engulfed Number 28 and the tendrils behind it with its multi-coloured flame.

“NOOAAGGHH!”

[Number 28’s Life Points: 3050 (-)> 0]

[Winner: Applejack]

With its defeat, the evil Number begun to break down until it vanished without a trace. The only left of it was the cards that it used, which was now lying on the ground.

All the while, all the tendrils begun to disappear as the parasprites in the area returning back to normal.The parasprites would have wreaked havoc upon the farm if not for Bulewark revealing itself as a greenish tree-like humanoid wraith.

Once again, the fearsome power of a Number was overwhelming and it caused the parasprites to flee straight to Ponyville.

“I hope Twilight and Pinkie is ready when that swarm reaches town.”

Dusk muttered to himself as he went up to pick up Number 28’s cards and put them in one of his pouches. With that done, he turned his attention to Applejack who was breathing hard in relief that the duel was over and in her victory.

“Duel Disk off.”

Applejack said just after she removed her deck from the device, recalling what Dusk told her and others before regarding the properties of these unique Duel Disks.

As she looked upon the dematerialization of her Duel Disk in amazement, the stallion then approached her with a heartfelt smile.

“You did it Applejack. You defeated not only an evil Number, but you have the help of a good Number as well.”

“I wouldn’t have done it if not for your lessons Dusk.” Applejack replied with a heartfelt smile of her own as she turned her attention to her family, who were currently recovering from being entangled by the evil Number’s tendrils before.

As much as she wanted to celebrate her victory with her family, Applejack knew that there was still much to be done. Ponyville after all was still in danger from the relentless swarm of parasprites.

“Since I have a Number of my own, I can now protect the farm.” She said. “Best for you to check on the others back in town.”

“Well do.” Dusk nodded his head as he left Sweet Apple Acres and made his way back to Ponyville.

On the way, he could hear the cheering from behind him and smiled for Applejack. With what she had to deal with today, the farm pony definitely deserved what praises that her family was giving her right now.

“Looks like everything went well. I suppose...”

Dusk muttered to himself as he along with the other mares watched Celestia leave the outskirts of Ponyville in the same way she arrived; a sky chariot

When he arrived back to town moments ago, the stallion heard what seemed to be a marching band coming down the street. Much to his relief, it was Pinkie and she playing every instrument that she gathered throughout the day both perfectly and in sync.

Behind her were all the paraspites in town and they were quite enthralled to the music, just like she told him before. The insects followed her in an orderly and upbeat fashion as she leads them out of Ponyville and towards the Everfree Forest.

Soon enough, Applejack came to join him since she heard Pinkie’s music all the way from her farm. Twilight, Dash, Rarity and Fluttershy were also out on the street, looking upon what their pink friend was doing.

It was quite clear that the party pony has special knack of doing things that many would deem very difficult if not impossible.

By the time Celestia arrived, Pinkie was still in the process of leading the parasprites out of town.Much to everyponies’ relief however, the Princess has mistaken the scene to be a part of parade for her visit.

Surprisingly, Celestia told Twilight that she had to cancel her visit to Ponyville since she was needed in a city named Fillydelphia, which was infested with what she called “incredibly bothersome creatures”.

Dusk couldn’t help but hope that the inhabitants of Fillydelphia have better luck than he and others had in Ponyville.

When Celestia then asked Twilight if she learned anything new about friendship, the unicorn explained that solutions to problems may come from even the most unlikely of sources. She also explained that no matter how strange and absurd it is, it is always a wise idea to listen to a friend’s own opinion and views.

Pleased what she heard from her student, Celestia then left for Fillydelphia even though Dusk was hoping she stayed a bit longer. He wanted to tell to her in person regarding the incident with Number 28, but it seems he would have to provide her with the written report as usual.

“Hey, what happened to the princess?”

Pinkie asked as she walked back to her friends after leading the last parasprite into the Everfree Forest.She was so focused on her task at the time that she didn’t pay attention to the conversation.

“Emergency in Fillydelphia.” Twilight said.

“Some sort of infestation.” Dash followed up, which made Pinkie gasped.

“Oh no! Have they got parasprites too?”

“Not to worry.I’m very sure that the princess can handle it easily.”Dusk assured Pinkie.

“So you knew what those critters were all along, huh Pinkie Pie?”Applejack asked.

“Well, duh! Why do you think I was so frantic to get my hooves on all these instruments? I tried to tell you.”

“Pinkie...”Dusk said to her in a semi-scolding tone

“Uh, I mean I should have told you all about it first before asking for your help.I’m sorry”

“We understand, Pinkie Pie. At least Dusk told you about your mistake and we’re sorry as well for not listening to you.”

Twilight said in an apologizing manner as the Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy and Applejack told Pinkie how sorry they were.

“Even if we don’t always understand you, you will always be a great friend.”Dusk told her, which made her very happy.

“Thanks guys, you’re all great friends too, even when I don’t understand me.”She replied to him and everypony else.

“You saved my reputation with Princess Celestia, and more importantly, you saved Ponyville.”

“Only part of it I’m afraid.”

Dusk tapped on Twilight’s shoulder and gestured her to the town at the distance. Even from this distance, it was easy to see the amount of damage that the parasprites had caused.

“Or not...”

“We can rebuild.”

Dusk comforted the worried unicorn before he changed the conversion to another important subject.

“If you are wondering, I was at Sweet Apple Acres. So can anypony tell me why no one notice all the explosions and noise coming from there?”

“What are you talking about Dusk? Of course we noticed.”Dash told him. “It just that we were still having trouble dealing with those critters at the time.”

“When I heard the explosions, I feared that a Number was coming for you and your family Applejack.” Twilight said to her before turning to Dusk. “I’m so relieved that you were there to put a stop to it Dusk.”

“Oh, that is where you are wrong.”Dusk shook his head.“ I wasn’t the one that defeated it.It was Applejack.”

The farm pony smirked as the other ponies turned towards her in shock and surprise. To confirm it was indeed the truth, Applejack then revealed her Number to the rest of her friends.

“Number 75...?!” Twilight said the first portion of the card’s name in awe.

“I don’t believe it!” Rarity was just in awe as her fellow unicorn.

“Are you serious!? First Twilight gets a Number and now you?!” Dash yelled with a hint of jealousy in her voice.

“Oh my...” Fluttershy was surprised at the thought that another of her friends gotten their own Number, but was quiet as usual.

“Wow!” Pinkie being herself was excited at the notion that another good Number chose to join them.

Dusk merely smiled as he looked up towards the clear sunny sky. It will take several days of repair, but life in Ponyville will return back to normal like before.

Like it should be.

Episode 11 [Part 1] - Winter Mischance

It was currently winter season all across Equestria and Ponyville was no exception.

Snow covered the ground, trees and roofing of all the buildings; the roads remained clear to ensure easy passage and to prevent delays. As for the animals, the birds have migrated to warmer areas while the rest entered hibernation.

For Dusk, it was during this season that he learned something new about the the ponies of Equestria, which was their impressive tolerance to the cold. While some of them wore scarves, hats and clothing, it appeared to him that it was merely for fashion instead of staying warm. He wasn’t sure if it was due to their coating or physiology, but it was nevertheless something that his fellow humans on Earth love to have.

As what he was doing right now, Dusk was fast asleep in his room yet he wasn’t going to enjoy it for long for something knocked on his door

“Yah!”

Startled by the knocking, Dusk quickly opened his eyes as he rose up from his pillow. He would be both groggy and grumpy from being woken up abruptly if not for the fact he went to bed early.

“Oh yeah. Today is Winter Wrap Up Day.” He muttered as he got off his bed and went towards the door.

Winter Wrap Up was self-explanatory in its purpose. Apparently, Ponyville was founded by earth ponies and as a result, the inhabitants have to clean up everything related to winter and bring forth spring without magic. Despite there are now unicorns living in Ponyville, they chose to follow that very tradition.

As absurd as the event was to him, Dusk knew it was best for him not to question it since the pegasuses have already manipulated the weather and likely only Celestia knows how long that been happening.

Upon opening the door, he saw it was Twilight and she has bright smile on her. She was apparently prepared for she was wearing a pink scarf, a saddle and a set of yellow boots.

“Ah Dusk. You are up for Winter Wrap Up Day like you promise.” She greeted happily.

“That I am.” He greeted back. “Not really sure how this Winter Wrap Up is going to work though.”

Twilight in particular was excited for this would be the first time participating in the event as well as see the tradition in action. While Dusk wasn’t as enthusiastic as the unicorn, he was nevertheless interested in seeing how the ponies actually clean up winter and decided to join in as well.

“Surely you and your kind must have done something like this?” Twilight asked as went to the stairs with Dusk following behind.

“Twilight, the best that we humans can do in winter is just clear the snow and ice off our roads.” Dusk replied. “For everything else, we have to wait and let our world’s nature takes it course.You already know that we cannot control the weather like pegasuses.”

“I know, but I still find it hard that your kind is able to live in such conditions. To deal with unpredictable weather...”

“And that is why humans are able to adapt and innovate to suit our needs.”

“Well, I bet you are going to be impressed when we take part in the Winter Wrap Up.” Twilight said as she opened the library’s door. Especially since we are bright and early...”

Twilight stopped talking for she and Dusk notice that it was still nighttime outside; the sun was yet to dawn over Ponyville.

“Twilight... It’s too early.” Dusk mumbled in annoyance, which the unicorn only made a nervous chuckle at her mistake.

After the two went back inside and got themselves a couple more hours of sleep, the morning sun then arose and it was time for the Winter Wrap Up.

Twilight and Dusk were making their way to the town hall where everypony were suppose to meet up. On the former’s back was Spike, who was still groggy and wanted nothing more to go back to bed.

By the time they got sight of the town hall, they saw practically everypony in town gathered in front of the building. Most notable, they were all wearing vests of various colours; blue, green and tan.

“What are those vests for?” Dusk questioned.

“Oh, those must be the team vests Rarity designed.” Twilight answered. “Blue for the weather team, green for the plant team, and tan for the animal team. I wonder which team vest we’ll be wearing.”

“I'll take a blue vest, same color as my blanket.” Spike grumbled out. “Which I think I hear calling my name...”

‘That I can imagine.’ Dusk thought as he listens to the baby dragon complain that it is too early today.

By the time that he and Twilight arrived at the meeting, Mayor Mare was already in the process of finishing her speech to everypony present.

“Thank you everypony, for being here bright and early. We need every single pony's help to wrap up winter and bring in spring.”

She said as the ponies gathered in front of her cheered loudly.Twilight however was jumping up several times and appeared like she was trying to get her attention. The mayor didn’t notice however since she continued on her speech.

“Now, all of you have your vests and have been assigned to your teams. So, let's do even better than last year and have the quickest Winter Wrap Up ever.”

As the ponies once again cheered, Twilight was quick to express her excitement on taking part of the event. “Oh, this is so exciting!”

“All right everypony, find your team leader and let's get galloping!”

Mayor Mare called out as she gestured to the ponies in charge of their respective teams, which concluded her speech to everypony. Before long, they all begun to disperse and gather around their team leaders.

Dusk was a bit surprised to see that Applejack and Dash were respectively in charge of the plant team and weather team. For the animal team though, he doesn’t recognize the pony in charge, who had a light magenta coat, a violet mane and her cutie mark was a trio of round-cut diamonds shown from the side.

“Huh, I was expecting Fluttershy.”

He muttered to himself since he assumed that the said pegasus was in charge of the animal team due to her incredible skill with animals. Then again, her own timidness would hamper her efforts as a leader.

As for Twilight, she was anxious since she wasn’t sure which team she should join. “Oh gosh, where should I go? I'm not sure where I fit in... What exactly does everypony do?”

Before Dusk could say anything to her, he notice Dash singing a few lines before Pinkie, Applejack and Rarity joined in; respectively singing out their own lines. The stallion wasn’t sure if his eyes were playing tricks with him, but he swore that he briefly saw spotlights shining upon the mares.

“Looks like it is happening again.”Dusk muttered to himself as he knew what was going to happen. From what he know during his time in Equestria, most ponies tend to have a fondness for singing, whenever it is for an important event or if they are just in a good mood.

Despite now being a pony, Dusk is still human at heart and unlike ponies, not all humans have a fondness for singing or have the natural talent to do it well.

While he enjoys songs every now and then, the stallion is not much of a singer and instead kept quiet as everypony including Twilight begun to partake in the singing. It was quite an awkward to be the only one not participating in the singing like everypony else.

Even so, he nevertheless listened to their song, which apparently explained the purpose that each team does on Winter Wrap-up Day.

The purpose of the weather team was to clear the sky of clouds and allow the sun to shine through, which in turn would melt both the snow and ice. Regarding the animal team, they were to wake up all the animals from hibernation and fix up their homes; going as far as making nest for the birds returning from the south. As for the plant team, they focus on clearing the ground of snow, which would let them plant their seeds to grow both vegetables and flowers.

When Dusk then turned his attention to Twilight, he saw that she was singing about her concerns of which team to join up with and that she has to do her work without magic. As daunting as it may be, the stallion knew that the unicorn would manage somehow.

Soon enough, the song reached its end and everypony went off with their respective teams to fulfill their task for Winter Wrap-up Day.

“Everypony belongs to a team. What should I do? Where should I go?” Twilight said anxiously.

“Easy now Twilight...” Dusk was about to ease her worries, but he was interrupted by Dash calling out to her team in the sky from the ground.

“All right team, you're clear for takeoff.”

As she watches her team fly off to do their duties, Dash heard Twilight call out her name and turned to see the said unicorn approaching her along with Dusk.

“Oh, hey Twilight, Dusk, what's up?”

“What are you doing?” Twilight asked.

“Sending off one of my flight crews to retrieve the birds that have flown south for the winter.”Dash replied, which made Dusk raise an eyebrow.

Back on Earth, bird migrations are a natural part of nature and humans play no role in it. Here in Equestria however, birds appear to be quite dependent on the ponies, which is quite the same for rest of the animals. Despite being in Equestria for almost a year now, he still have some trouble getting use to the culture here.

‘Is it me or did these ponies play around with laws of nature for too long?’

As for Twilight and Dash, they were more focused on each other and failed to notice his prior action.

“Oh, can I help? How about if I help clear out the clouds?” Twilight requested to Dash, who made an awkward expression in response.

“Um...” After she raised her wings upwards, the unicorn soon got the message why she couldn’t be part of the weather team.

“Right... No wings.”

“Sorry, Twilight.” After apologizing, Dash flew up to the sky to regroup with her team.

“Great, now what do we do?” Twilight sighed in disappointment.

“I don't know about you, but I'm gonna be napping.” Spike tiredly said as he laid down on a bush and dozed off.

“Really Spike?” Dusk shook his head at the sleeping baby dragon. He knows that Spike is tired and all, but to go to sleep like that was absurd.

“Come on Spike, this is serious business.” Twilight obviously wasn’t pleased at Spike as she tried to shake him awake. “Winter needs to be wrapped up and I'm determined to do my part. Somehow...”

“I’m sure you will.”

Turning their attention to one who said that, Dusk and Twilight were very surprised to see a familiar face. Somepony that they haven’t seen for several months and was easily recognizable due to his dual-coin cutie mark.

“Half Coin?” Dusk said in surprise. “What are you doing here in Ponyville?”

“Oh, I’m just here to see how this Winter Wrap-Up Day is like.” The said pegasus replied. “I first read about it in the library when I first visited Ponyville and was interested to see how it goes since then.”

“Well, you are here just in time. We’ve just started.” Dusk told Half Coin before looking at Twilight. “We should check on the others throughout town. I’m sure they would have something for us to do.”

“That sounds like a good idea Dusk.” Twilight said as she picked up Spike and put him on her back. “Care to join us Half Coin?”

“I don’t mind. But know that I’m just here to observe and not participate.”

“Fair enough.”Dusk said before he, Half Coin and Twilight with the Spike napping on her back begun to look around for anypony that would give something to do for Winter Wrap-up Day.

The group walked around town, they caught sight of Rarity working on something at a table in front of Carousel Boutique and without using her magic. Since she was wearing a tan vest, which means that she is part of the animal team.

“Hey Rarity.” Dusk called out to her with Half Coin, Twilight and Spike behind him; the latter woke a few minutes before. “Is there anything me and Twilight can help you with?”

“Yes. Please tell me there's something, anything we can help you with.” Twilight followed up.

“Well yes, I...” Before she could finish, Rarity then notice the pegasus. “Oh, hello Half Coin. I wasn’t expecting you to be in Ponyville in such an occasion.”

“Good to see you as well Rarity. I’m here to see how this Winter Wrap-up goes.” Half Coin then notice what the fashion unicorn was working on and saw it was a bird nest. “You’re making bird nests?”

“Why yes. During Winter Wrap-up, the weather team guides the birds back north for the spring. When they do, they'll need a place to live and lay their eggs.”

“I see...” As Dusk did his best not to express his shock of the possibility of having to making hundreds of nests in one day, Twilight went up to examine the one that Rarity just made.

“Wow, Rarity, that one's really beautiful.” She complimented.

“Oh why, thank you most sincerely.” Rarity replied. “Would you and Dusk like to try your hoof at a nest?

“Would I? Yes!” Twilight agreed with utmost enthusiasm. “What about you Dusk?”

“I don’t have any experience in making bird nests, but I’ll give a try.” Despite his doubts that he would make a good nest, Dusk nevertheless joined in.

As the two ponies grabbed everything they would need to make a nest, Rarity would then provide the instructions while Spike and Half Coin would watch.

“Where do we begin?” Twilight eagerly asked with all stuff neatly organized.

“Okay now, take some of that straw and hay over there, and a little bit of branch. Now, weave them through there, yes...” As Rarity was providing instructions to Twilight and Dusk, she started to notice that things are not going as she hoped. “Uh, take some ribbon, yes, oh uh, n... not there. Oooh, yes, uh, tuck it in over there, uh but be careful not to... I don't know I guess that would do... oh dear.”

Spike and Half Coin couldn’t say a word as they watch the two ponies make their nest. In their eyes, the nests’ design and quality leaves a lot to be desired.

“Well I’m finished. I guess...”

Dusk said as he looked upon his nest, which was essentially a mess of badly-weaved straw, poorly positioned sticks and hastily-tied ribbons. Despite having the advantage that came from the special properties of his hooves, it would have done little due to his lack of experience in building nests.

When turned to see the Twilight’s attempt at a nest, it was pretty much as bad as his own besides the fact that her nest appeared to be flattened by something.

‘I don’t whose nest is worse. Twilight’s or my own...’

Dusk thought to himself as Twilight remain oblivious to how bad her nest was and felt she did a good job. Too bad that even with the ability “grip” onto things with her hooves due to her Number, she knows very little about nest-building like Dusk.

“There! It looks just like... yours.” She soon realizes the vast difference between her nest and Rarity’s. “Oh my...”

“Those nests need to be condemned.” Spike spoke at the quality of the nests that Dusk and Twilight made, which only made Rarity and Half Coin glare at him.

“Spike, it is their first time making a nest and I say it is not a bad attempt on their part.” The pegasus scolded him. “I’m sure that the birds wouldn’t mind using them...”

“As outhouses?”

“Spike.” Rarity scolded the baby dragon before checking on the nests. “They’re just fine. They’re just a little rough around the edges. Let me lend you two a hoof.”

She soon begun to remake on the nests while mumbling out what is doing every now and then.

Twilight was feeling down at seeing how poorly she made her nest. Dusk however wasn’t daunted and gave a few pats on the back to reassure her.

“Don’t let it get to you. We did our best in making our nests. Right Rarity?”

He didn’t hear a single reply from the fashion unicorn for she was completely absorbed on their poorly-designed nests.

“I think we lost her.” Spike whispered to the rest of the group.

“Let us check on the other teams. They must have a task that you two would do well in.” Half Coin said which the others agreed and they left Rarity to do her work.

Deciding to check on the rest of animal team, they were at the outskirts of Ponyville and were passing by a frozen lake when a familiar voice called out to them.

“Hellooooooo, Twilight! Hellooooooo, Dusk!”

The group saw it was Pinkie and she was skating across the lake with uncanny skill. She wore a blue vest which signify that she is part of the weather team.

“Hellooooooo... Half Coin!” Pinkie gasped upon seeing the pegasus and skated towards him until they were face-to-face. “I didn’t know you were back in Ponyville! I would have prepared a party for you!”

“As much as I would like that, it would have to wait until Winter Wrap-up is done.” Half Coin replied. “Never knew you could skate that good.”

“Yeah, probably the best skater I've ever seen.” Twilight followed up.

“Thanks you two, I've been doing this since I was an itty-bitty little-wittle Twinkie-Pinkie.” She then started to skate again and did a few yet impressive tricks. “Just comes natural. Which is probably why they designated me the lake scorer.”

“Lake scorer?” Dusk asked.

“I cut lines in the lakes with my skates. That way, when the rest of the weather team comes here to break the ice, it'll be easy as pie.”

“I see... When the ice begins to melt, it will break on the lines and become smaller pieces, which in turn would melt faster. Clever...”

Deep down, Dusk found the task to be rather absurd since there wasn’t such a job back on Earth. Even so, he didn’t let it get to him and remain polite when chatting with Pinkie.

“Indeed.” Twilight said. “Well, you sure have a lot of work ahead of you. There's quite a few lakes in Ponyville.”

“Ha, tell me about it.” It was then an idea came into Pinkie’s head. “Hey, Twilight, Dusk, wanna help me out?”

“Would I?”

The unicorn enthusiastically agreed, which made the party pony smile before turning to Dusk, hoping for a similar response.

“Can’t say I’m as much as a skater as you, but I can help.”

Seeing that her two friends agreed to help her, Pinkie then pointed to two sets of skates that were sitting on the edge of the lake.

“Great! Come on, put on those skates over there. I bet you two will be naturals like me.”

In a few moments, the two ponies put on their skates and went onto the frozen lake. However, they soon found themselves having trouble keeping their balance on the ice.

‘Maybe this was a bad idea after all.’

While Dusk actually had some experience skating while back on Earth, it was back in his childhood and he hasn’t done it again since then. Even so, he managed to propel himself forward while Twilight ended up slipping and went face first onto the ice.

Unfortunately for the stallion, he wasn’t able to sheer himself properly and begun to lose control; skating on four legs ended up being more of a hindrance to him as he skidded around uncontrollably.

“Steer, Dusk! Steer!”

Pinkie called out to him after noticing his predicament. Spike however found the scene to be funny and did his best to hide his chuckles.

“What do you think I’m doing!” Dusk cried out as he struggled to change directions and ended up skating straight into a mound of snow sitting at one edge of the lake.

“Ugh...”

His voice muffled by the snow for his head and upper half of his body became lodged into the mound. The only thing sticking out was his lower half and he was wiggling in a manner that would be found in most cartoons.

“Hold still.”

Despite the snow covering his ears, Dusk could tell that was Half Coin’s voice and stopped struggling to get out. The pegasus then carefully pulled him out of the snow, who made a sigh of relief of being freed.

“Thanks Half Coin.”

“No problem.”

“Twilight, steer! Steer!” The two stallions turned their attention to Pinkie, who was now calling out to unicorn skidding uncontrollably on the ice.

Like Dusk, Twilight was unable to steer and collided with Pinkie who wasn’t able to evade in time. Sliding quickly across the ice, the two mares screamed as they ended up collided with Spike. In the aftermath, they were all covered with snow and became something like a snowman with multiple eyes and has hooves for limbs.

“Ha ha, you are a natural Twilight!” Spike laughed after breaking free from the snow and landed on the ice. “A natural disaster like Dusk!”

“Not funny Spike.” The said stallion scolded him as he walked towards him along with Half Coin on the outskirts of the lake. “Somepony could have gotten hurt.”

“Twilight, you did a great job your first time around.” Pinkie said to the unicorn. “I'm sure my first time was just as wobbly and bobbly and crasheriffic as yours.”

“Really?” Twilight asked in a hopeful tone.

Pinkie hesitated for a few moments before replying with an awkward look on her face. “No.”

Once again, Twilight felt a bit upset that she messed up on another task for Winter Wrap-up day. It gained some relief though from Dusk, who wasn’t daunted of his skating mishap as he patting on her back again.

“Don’t worry. There is still plenty to do for Winter Wrap-up.” He reassured her before looking at Pinkie. “Know anypony that could use an extra hoof?”

“Let’s see...” She made a thoughtful expression for a moment before she had somepony in particular in her head. “I know, Fluttershy could probably use your help with the critters.”

“Sounds good to me. What do you think Twilight?”

“Well, I'm pretty good with little animals. Yeah, we’ll go help her!”

Twilight agreed and was about to move if not the fact she was on the ice with her skates on. Once more, she skated uncontrollably across the ice until she became lodged in the same mound of snow like Dusk before.

Spike could only laugh at the poor unicorn’s mishap as both Dusk and Half Coin came to her aid. After pulling her out, the group then left Pinkie to do her work as they look for Fluttershy.

Hopefully the task that she would provide Dusk and Twilight would go well compared to the last two.

Hopefully...

Episode 11 [Part 2] - Winter Mischance

After their previous mishaps in nest-making and skating, Dusk and Twilight were now looking for Fluttershy with Spike and Half Coin behind them. When they reached another part of the outskirts of Ponyville, they were in luck when they saw the shy pegasus poking her head into a den.

“Wake up, little sleepy heads.” Fluttershy called out gently.” Hope you had some wonderful dreams and restful hibernation, but it's time to get up now, spring is coming.”

The group watched as the pegasus moved her head and from the burrow, a pair of hedgehogs were yawning before walking out.

“Awww, how cute.” Twilight commented as she and others walked up to Fluttershy while looking at the hedgehogs.

“Aren't they?” Fluttershy said.” This is my favorite task the whole season, when I get to see all my little animal friends again.”

While she hasn’t notice at first, Fluttershy finally saw Half Coin in the group. “Half Coin? What are you doing in Ponyville?”

“Well, I’m interested in seeing how this Winter Wrap-up goes and I have to say its quite an ordeal that you ponies have.”

“Uh, what's hibernation?” Spike questioned just as Half Coin finished talking.

“Really Spike?” Dusk was a bit surprised at baby dragon. “Hibernation is when animals enter something like a long sleep during winter to save their energy and eat less food.”

“Long sleep?”

“Yes.”

Fluttershy agreed with Dusk’s explanation before ringing a bell at another den and called out the porcupines that resides there to wake up.

“So, you know a lot about animals Dusk?”

“I’m no expert, but I did read some books about animals.”

He replied as watched the porcupines that came out of their den hug each other, only to flinch when some of their quills ended up sticking to each other’s fur.

“With all these warrens and dens, it seems you have a lot in your hooves.” Half Coin noted as he looked around the entire area.

“Oh, I’m afraid so.” Fluttershy said. “I'm worried that I won't be able to wake up every animal before spring comes.”

“Well, I'll help, Fluttershy.”

“Guess I will join in as well.”

Twilight was eager to be some help with Dusk following suit. Compared to nest-making and skating, waking up animals from their hibernation should be simple.

“You two will?” Fluttershy was happy to have her friends helping her with her task. “Oh, that would be wonderful.”

After getting a bell of their own, Dusk and Twilight then went up to a den of choosing and wake up the animals inside. Spike went to accompany the latter when half Coin went with the former.

“Okay, here goes.” Dusk muttered as he ringed his bell near the den’s entrance. “Uh wake up. Spring is coming.”

“You could show a bit more enthusiasm.” Half Coin commented.

Moments later, the stallions heard Twilight screaming and quickly turned to see her frightened of the animals that awoken from the den she chosen.

“Waaa! Snakes! Snakes!” Twilight yelled as she backed away quickly.

In the process, she ended up stumbling into a cave and awoken the bats that lived there. As expected, Twilight quickly bolted out in fright as the bats themselves flew out.

“Twilight! Look out for that...” Half Coin tried to warn her, but he was too late for she ended up colliding with a tree.

Unfortunately for Twilight, the impact dislodged a bee hive from its branch and landed over her head. With the bees stinging her face, Twilight screamed at the top of her lungs despite being muffled by the bee hive, which also covered her eyes.

Running frantically and blindly, Twilight was unaware that she was moving towards Dusk’s direction and he was not prepared to move away in time.

“Twi...” That was all Dusk could say before Twilight crashed into him and the two ponies ended in the den that former chose before.

For the animals that the stallion awoken prior, they were startled from the sudden intrusion and with that, Dusk and Twilight learned the hard way what they were.

“Ugh...!” Dusk moaned as his nose was quickly overwhelmed by a powerful pungent scent which he once experienced back on Earth. “Skunks...”

Back in the library, Twilight and Dusk ended up having to take a bath in tomato sauce; in separate tubs of course. With their noses covered, Spike was tending to the former while Half Coin was helping with the latter.

“I don’t think the tomato sauce is helping.” Dusk muttered as he could still smell the stench across his body. It seems to him that tomato sauce treating shrunk spray was really a myth after all.

“I’m so sorry Dusk.” Twilight apologized to the stallion. She was after all the one responsible for getting themselves sprayed by the skunks.

“Don’t fret about it Twilight. I was getting the feeling that those skunks would spray me anyway upon waking them up.” He replied. “Besides, you are in worse shape than I am.”

He gestured to Twilight’s face, which was covered with welts due to the bee stings before. They still hurt and the tomato sauce isn’t helping.

“After we get rid of the skunk spray, I will treat your welts.” Half Coin told her while scrubbing Dusk’s coat.

“Thank you.” She thanked the pegasus before she sighed. “Oh, all this Winter Wrap-up stuff is a lot harder than it looks...”

“Right, because there's no magic.” Spike said with his nose covered. “Why don't you just use magic, Twilight, and get it done the right way?”

“No, Spike, I have to do it the traditional way.” Twilight remained resolute in keeping with the town’s tradition. “Ponyville has never needed magic to wrap up winter.”

“Well, they never had you here before, either. Think how much quicker they could wrap up winter with your magic.”

“No, no, no! I'm gonna find some other way that I can help out if it kills me!”

Spike was still insistent that the she does what she does best yet Twilight refuse to yield. Dusk and Half Coin were listening to the conversion and while they appreciate her commitment, they also worry that her frustration of her inability to do something meaningful today would cause her to do something rash.

After spending more time in the tomato sauce bath and taking additional treatments, Twilight and Dusk manage to rid themselves of the skunk spray and with Half Coin’s help, the former’s welts were properly treated.

Leaving the library, the group went to Sweet Apple Acres where they would likely meet with Applejack and her plant team.

Dusk and Half Coin had doubts that Twilight would fit in since the plant team are likely engaged in manual labour, which the unicorn is not likely to excel in. Even so, she remains determined to do her part for the Winter Wrap-up.

For Dusk, he wasn’t sure he would be up to the task. He may have the form of an earth pony, but he hasn’t done much physical work like Applejack.

“Keep pushin', Caramel.” Following Applejack’s voice, the group soon saw her coordinating her team. “That's it, Bumpkin. I know it's hard work, but you guys are doin' great. Yee-haw!”

Dusk could see that the plant team were using snowplows which were somewhat like the ones back on Earth. The only difference that it was essentially pony-powered; another way of saying physical work.

“Hey, Applejack. How's everything going?” Twilight called out to her.

“Oh, just dandy. A little slow startin', but peachy all the same.” Applejack replied before she then notices Half Coin. “Howdy Half Coin. Wasn’t expecting you to be in Ponyville at this time.”

“Just wanted to see how this Winter Wrap-up goes.” He said while looking at the ponies plowing the snow off the fields. “I say that your team has their work cut out for them.”

“I’ll say. There's a lot of ground to clear and we can't even start the plantin' and the waterin' until we get all these heap of snow hightailed outta here.”

“Well, me and Dusk would like to help.” Twilight asked with a determined expression, which caught Applejack’s attention.

“Well, I... I dunno Twilight.” Applejack said in an unsure tone. “I think Dusk is better suited.”

“Uh...”

“Just give me a chance.”

Dusk tried to reply but was quickly interrupted by Twilight, who looked at Applejack with a desperate smile.

“Well, I never turn down a hard worker, but...” The farm pony tried to find the right words to say, but the unicorn took it as a yes and went into one of the snowplows.

Unfortunately, the snowplow didn’t budge for Twilight lacked the strength necessary to push it through the snow. When she turned her head to the others, the unicorn could only see them shake their heads at her fruitless efforts.

“Uh Dusk. Would you mind helpin’ Twilight?” Applejack whispered to the stallion.

“I don’t think she will like it, but I can...” Before he could finish, Dusk heard some movement and turned to see that Twilight now pushing her snowplow without any trouble.

Upon closer inspection, Dusk and Half Coin notice that her snowplow was covered with a faint violet aura. It soon dawned to the two what Twilight had just done.

“Half Coin. Don’t tell me Twilight...”

“She just did.”

Whispering to each other, it became clear that Twilight finally gave in and chose to discreetly use magic to maker her task easier.

Applejack may not have notice the aura, but she became suspicious when she saw Twilight was moving faster than the rest of her team.

“Hmm... She's awful strong for such a little pony.” She commented on Twilight, who was passing by just a few meters away with a smile on her face.

“That's my girl, following my advice.”

Spike said upon noticing that the unicorn’s horn was glowing. However, that only raised Applejack’s suspicions of Twilight’s sudden success at snowplowing.

“And what in tarnation does that mean?”

The two stallions felt this has gone long enough and were about to reveal the truth if not for Twilight’s yell from the fields.

“Slow down! Slow down!”

Everyone turned their attention to Twilight and saw that her snowplow was picking up speed. Unable to maintain control, the unicorn begun to move all over the field while rolling up a large snowball in the process. After causing some trouble, the out-of-control snowplow begun to head for their direction.

Dusk and Half Coin was quick to react to avoid it; the former jumping to the side while the latter took flight. As for Applejack and Spike, they were failed to react in time and thus were caught in the ever-growing snowball in front of Twilight’s snowplow.

“Oh no!”

Dusk said as he quickly got back up on his hooves and chased after them. From the sky, Half Coin did the same as the two tried their best to catch up with the speeding snowplow.

“What's going on? Wha'd'ya do? You used magic, didn't you?”

The two stallions heard Applejack shout out despite her being rolled around in the snowball. The chase only ended when the snowplow ended up crashing into a hillside, which in turn caused a miniature avalanche.

While Half Coin was able to avoid it due to being in the air, Dusk wasn’t as lucky as he was caught in the wave of snow along with Twilight, Applejack and Spike.

“Oh, this is not good.”

The pegasus muttered his dismay as watched the avalanche reached the almost-cleared field and buried it in snow, undoing the work of the plant team.

Moments later, Dusk popped his head out of the snow and gasped for air. This was one of the few moments that he was scared for his life. While it isn’t like the rock avalanche back then with napping dragon, but the thought of being buried alive in snow was nevertheless frightening.

“Ugh... You really have to make such a mess didn’t you, Twilight.”

He said to himself upon regaining his composure, looking upon the snow-covered field and the displeased expressions that the weather team were making at the work they now have to do.

“Nuts, Twilight, you used magic!”

Turning his attention to the hillside, Dusk watched as Applejack scold Twilight for using magic which brought forth the mess that her team had to clean up.

“The nerve. Can you believe her?” Upon hearing that from Spike, he glared at the baby dragon. After all, he was the one that gave the suggestion to Twilight in the first place.

“That's not how we do it 'round here, Twilight, and especially not on my farm!” The farm pony continue to scold the unicorn, whose eyes began to water.

“Well, see, I just wanted to... Oooh...”

Twilight said nothing more as she leapt out from the snow and ran away in tears; her hopes of doing something meaningful for Winter Wrap-up now eroded.

‘Twilight...’

Seeing sadness and disappointment on the said unicorn’s face made Dusk’s heart ache a bit. He seen her upset before in the past, but what he’s seeing now was like a whole new experience.

Almost like an instinct, he quickly freed himself from the snow and chased after her, leaving both Spike and Half Coin behind.

“Twilight? Twilight?”

Dusk called out the unicorn’s name as he looked around for any sign of her. He followed her straight to the town hall but ended up losing sight of her in the last minute.

While looking around, he heard something rustle from a nearby bush and soon caught on that was Twilight’s hiding spot.

“I know you are there Twilight.” He said as he approached the bush. “Please come out.”

“No...” She replied with her voice filled with disappointment. “I’m a winter mess-up.”

“Just because you messed up several times today doesn’t mean it’s the end of the line.” Dusk tried to comfort her. “I know there is something you could do for Winter Wrap-up.”

“I doubt it... All I did was cause trouble for my friends and the rest of the teams.”

“That doesn’t mean you can just give up like that.”

Twilight was silent for a couple of seconds before she asked Dusk a question.

“How can you be so positive?”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, you messed up almost as badly as me today and yet...” The unicorn tried to find the right word to say, but stallion soon realized what she meant before.

She wanted to know why he wasn’t distraught with his own mess-ups.

“Twilight, the reason I’m not daunted with my failures today is because I knew deep down, those were going to happen.”

Dusk explained to Twilight, who was taken back by his words.

“I don’t a thing about making bird nests. I haven’t skated for many years till now. I had a gut feeling that those skunks from before would spray me upon waking them up and Earth pony or not, I doubt I could move that snowplow through the snow by myself.”

“Huh?” Twilight didn’t know what to say to Dusk, who was apparently speaking out his own lack of skills without hesitation.

“Sure, I’ve messed up several times today, but those very mess-ups can be learning experiences. I just need to build up those necessary skills or even look up other tasks involved in Winter Wrap-up in the future.”

Dusk felt he was acting like a teacher sharing his own experience with failure and that wasn’t far from the truth. He wasn’t very successful at first when he first played Duel Monsters, but he learned from his defeats and refined his skills until he was what he is today.

“I know it isn’t easy Twilight, but you can learn much from your failures. You understand what mistakes were made and ensure that you don’t repeat them in the future.” Making a bold move, Dusk moved his hoof into the bush a give a reassuring pat Twilight; hopefully her head. “Even if today was bad, I know you’ll be able to learn from your mistakes and prepare yourself properly for the next Winter Wrap-up.”

Luckily for Dusk, he indeed patted the top of Twilight’s head and luckily for her, the bush prevents him from seeing the blush on her cheeks due to the gesture. Even so, she felt some renewed hope that she could still do her part for today.

“There you are Dusk.”

He heard somepony call his name and turned to see Half Coin coming up to him with Spike on his back.

“Did you find Twilight?” Spike asked Dusk and he got his answer when he saw the latter’s hoof in the bush. “How is she?”

“She should be feeling better. I just had a...”

He was then interrupted by a conversion near the town hall between Dash, Applejack and Fluttershy.

“Rainbow Dash, y'all on the weather team need to melt the rest of the snow here on the ground and the trees, pronto.”

“Got it.”

Dash obliged with Applejack’s request and was about to leave if not for Fluttershy disagreeing with that request.

“Wait. My poor little animals' homes will get flooded if the snow melts too fast.”

“Got it.”

Applejack however remained adamant for her request that the snow be melted for planting, which Fluttershy was utterly against for the sake of her animal friends.

“I'm tellin' you, Rainbow, you gotta melt that snow now.”

“No, you simply must wait.”

“Okay...” Dash however was unsure what to do as she watches her two friends argue with each other.

Dusk was listening to the argument along with the others and he could tell it was difficult choice between food and the well-being of the animals. If the snow doesn’t melt, it wouldn’t be possible to grow food to sustain Ponyville. However, if the snow melts, there was the chance that the water would flow into the dens and endanger the animals that are still hibernating.

It was then he saw Half Coin walk towards the ponies as they continue to argue whose request should be followed through.

“Go!”

“Stop!”

“GO!”

“STOP!”

“UGH! Make up your minds!”

“Would you two please stop arguing.” Half Coin called out as he went between Applejack and Fluttershy. “Arguing will not get anypony anywhere.”

“Half Coin?”

Dash was surprised at seeing the said pegasus again after all these months. Applejack and Fluttershy however was hoping they could get him to convince one another that their respective request is the best choice.

Knowing his skill as a therapist and mediator, they presume he could convince the other to give in to the other’s request.

“Half Coin, would ya mind telling Fluttershy that the snow needs to be melted right now.” Applejack said to him. “We can’t plant any of our seeds till then and we will not have anything to eat.”

“No, my animal friends have to be waken up slowly.” Fluttershy said. “Half Coin please, you have to tell Applejack that melting the snow has to wait.”

Just before Half Coin could do anything, Mayor Mare just arrived at the scene with a displeased look on her face.

“Oh! What in Equestria are all you arguing about? This sort of silliness is why we were late for spring last year, and the year before that, and the year before that.”

Upon hearing the word ‘late’ from the mayor’s mouth, Twilight then poked her head out of the bush which startled both Dusk and Spike.

“Did she say late?” She questioned as Mayor Mare started to express her dismay at how the Winter Wrap-up was going.

“I was hoping my amazingly inspirational speech would urge everyone to do better than last year, but now it looks like we're going to be later than ever! I mean just look at this catastrophe!”

She turned her gaze to the other parts of Ponyville and while Dusk knew he couldn’t see what was actually happening, he could still visualize from the Mayor’s words.

“The ice scorers made the ice chunks too big to melt.” He imagined that Pinkie wasn’t really responsible and then recalled that she didn’t say anything about somepony in charge the ice scoring.

“The nest designer is horrendously behind, we need several hundred, and she's only made one.” He then imagined that Rarity was fixated in redesigning the nests that he and Twilight made yet was failing miserably.

“And don't get me started on all the clouds in the sky, the icicles on the trees... This isn't good, not at all!”

For Half Coin, he could tell from the Mayor’s tone that she been through these issues many times on each Winter Wrap-up. However, it appears that very little was done to resolve them.

“And it's gonna be all to pieces disastrous if we can't get our seeds all planted.”

“Chillax Applejack, we're bustin' our chops as fast as we can.”

“No, not fast, we have to wake animals slowly.”

Before Applejack and Fluttershy argue again with Dash at the middle, Big Mac walked with up along with an earth pony which Dusk recognize as a member of the plant team.

“Uh, AJ?”

“Oh good gravy, Caramel lost the grass seeds again, didn't he?”

“Eeyup.”

Moments later, a pegasus from the weather team came by to give a report to Dash.

“Ditzy Doo accidentally went north to get the southern birds!”

“Oh that featherbrain! Didn't she learn her lesson last year when she went west?!”

Very soon, a chain reaction occurred as ponies begun to gather around the town hall to argue and express their complaints. Half Coin would have been the one to silence them and restore order if not for Mayor Mare doing it first.

“Stop this at once! We don't have time to argue!” She called out. “It's almost sundown. Spring is going to be late again. Another year of scandal and shame...”

“I never expected Winter Wrap-up to be so disorganized...” It was then an realization appeared in Dusk’s head akin to a breakthrough.

“Of course!” Dusk said. “Twilight, you love to be organized right?”

“Yeah. Why?”

“And you remember what I told you about learning from your mistakes.”

“Yeah...”

Slowly trying to understand what the stallion meant, Twilight finally caught on when she heard the mayor say what would be considered the unicorn’s magic words.

“If only we could be more organized...”

With that said, Twilight then jumped out of the bush. Thanks to Dusk, she not only regained her confidence but realize there was a task that was essential for Winter Wrap-up and it was something she excel in.

“Spike! Get my checklist and clipboard, STAT!”

She told the baby dragon, who obliged and ran back to the library. It was then she turned her attention to Dusk.

“Dusk, thank you for being there for me.” She told the stallion with a happy smile. “Can you still help me?”

“After all you been through, why wouldn’t I?” His response made the unicorn smile even more as they then walk towards the crowd who started to bicker once more.

“Stop, everypony!”

Twilight called out, but the crowd was too focused on arguing and complaining to listen.

“WOULD YOU ALL STOP ARGUING AND LISTEN?!”

It was only by Dusk shouting at the top of his lungs that the crowd quickly quiet down and give them their full attention.

“Thank Dusk.” Twilight said to him before then speaking to the crowd.” Listen, I know you all want to complete your jobs on time, but arguing is no way to go about it.”

As the crowd listen and took in everything that she said, Spike came back with the checklist and clipboard that she requested.

“What you need is organization, and I'm just the pony for the job.”

Seeing that everypony was willing to place their faith, Twilight smiled along with Dusk and Spike.

“Think you are up for this?” Half Coin asked Twilight as he walked up to her.

“She is more than up to the task, Half Coin.” Dusk assured him. “Trust me. When it comes to organizing, Twilight here is a natural.”

Twilight couldn’t help but smile at Dusk’s compliment. She was also hoping that no pony notices her blushing a little.

Despite the daunting task of completing Winter Wrap-up with a couple of hours to spare, all the teams manage to complete their tasks without any trouble thanks to Twilight’s organization skills.

Rarity now has ponies helping her make the hundred of nests needed for the birds coming back from the South.

Pinkie Pie and the ice scorers were coordinating their movements in which they made small squares across the frozen lakes and allow the ice to melt quickly.

Fluttershy was given the instructions and means to wake up multiple animals at the same time from their dens.

Applejack and her team were combining multiple steps into one process; one pony would plow the snow, another behind him or her would plow the dirt and then another would then plant the seeds.

When the animal and plant teams finish their respective tasks, Rainbow Dash and her weather team was finally given the green light to clear the clouds and let in the sunlight.

With Twilight and Dusk helping in maintaining cohesion within the teams and carefully planning out their tasks, everypony worked through the night until everything was done all across Ponyville.

On the next day, Spring has finally arrived as the southern birds came back to their new nests, and the animals frolick across the newly grown plants and flowers.

“I can't believe it. Spring is here! On time!”

Mayor Mare was happy at long last, the town had a proper Winter Wrap-up. She then turned to Twilight, the one responsible for making it happen.

“And we have you to thank for it. If it weren't for your organizing skills we would still be arguing.”

“It’s not just her.” Dusk said as he gestured to everypony that took part in Winter Wrap-up. “It was a team effort.”

“He’s right.” Twilight nodded in agreement.

“And since you helped every team, we have an official vest for you.” Mayor Mare said just as Rarity came up and leviated a newly-designed vest for Twilight, which was a mixture of blue, green and tan. “We give you the title: All-Team Organizer.”

While Dusk felt that the name could use some work, he could see that the vest does represent the role. With the colours of the weather, plant and animal teams all on one vest, Twilight has an important role to play for all three teams.

“Gosh, I don't even know what to say. Thank you, everypony.” Twilight said before she patted on Dusk’s back.

“However, I couldn’t have it if not for Dusk here. He was there to help me when I down and told me that you can learn from your mistakes so you don’t repeat them.”

Before long, everypony turned their attention to the stallion and cheered for him, who only gave a nervous chuckle while rubbing the back of his neck.

“Now that everything is done, I hereby declare that winter is... wrapped up on time.”

Mayor Mare’s declaration has caused everypony to cheer and clap their hooves at their accomplishment. As Dusk and Twilight were smiling at the scene, Half Coin then came up with a napping Spike on his back.

“I’m impressive what you just did Twilight.” He told her. “To get these ponies to work together and get everything done on a tight deadline is no small feat.”

“Why thank you Half Coin.” She replied before looking at Spike. “He quite a sleepyhead isn’t he?”

“I’ll say. I just saw him take a nap on a sheet of ice at this lake here.” The pegasus gestured to the one that they were standing near. “I managed to grab him before the ice floated away.”

“Well, that’s a relief” Dusk said. “Though I think we should let have Spike have his beauty sleep on the next Winter Wrap-up.”

In a matter of time after the cheering, everypony went back to their homes to take a long-deserved rest. At the library, Dusk was putting Spike to bed while Twilight wrote her friendship letter to Princess Celestia.

As for Half Coin, he was going to rest up in the town inn before going back to his travels. However, he did promise that he would be coming to Ponyville time-to-time to check up on everypony.

All in all, it was pretty much a good way to start the Spring.