Confrontation of The Emerald Witch

Canterlot High: 2 Days Prior

A cool breeze flows through the soft blades of grass in front of CHS as the glow of the moon above bathes the school in a comforting light. The chirp of a few scattered crickets travels on the wind as their sultry hums reached the ears of a familiar, young, fiery haired teen. Seated atop the marble portal to Equestria, Sunset Shimmer gazes out into the lit streets as she holds her deck tightly in her hands. Her cloudy eyes, now slightly scarlet from all the tears, look down at her deck as she sniffles and wipes away some remaining tears from her cheeks. Doubt and sorrow plague her mind as her mind races along through the events that had transpired.

" ... "

The CHS Cup had brought about a wave of misdirection and mystery ever since its inception. The excitement that Sunset and her friends felt had all but vanished after someone, or something, had wiped away all good memories of Sunset from the rest of the Rainbooms and all of the student body overnight. The calm that came initially during the first day of the Cup was a ruse as students began to suffer from strange injuries caused by a mysterious duelist that joined out of the blue under the guise of the "Emerald Witch". Canterlot High was no stranger to duels with real damage ever since the incidents with Sunset, The Dazzlings, and Midnight Sparkle, but this was different. The same magic that caused the damage also erased the memories of any student that lost to the witch. Most damaging of all was the loss of the memories that Sunset had made after the events of the Fall Formal. All that remained in the minds of the students was the memory of the bully that she once was.

Shoves, idle glances, and boos from the crowd was all Sunset received during the second bouts of the Cup. After the initial shock that occurred at the beach, Sunset found herself dueling her friends during the Turbo section of the Cup. There was malice behind these duels as the friendly bouts she once had with the girls were nothing like what she went up against. The end of the long day and string of hate fueled duels had worn her down as she consulted Princess Twilight on what had happened. With the help of Princess Celestia and Luna, Sunset had learned of the Memory Stone and the dark magic that it emitted. She was warned by the Princesses that if she was unable to find and destroy the Memory Stone within three days, the stolen memories would be lost forever. Returning back across the portal, she found herself seated atop the portal; reflecting on what Princess Twilight told her before she departed.

" No matter what happens, they're all your friends. Despite what anypon-- I mean, anybody says, you aren't the same as before. Even if the memories of the times you've spent with them is gone, the love and warmth of their friendship lives deep inside their hearts. I know you can stop all of this, and even if i'm not there with you physically, our friendship will see this through to the end."

" She's right." Sunset thinks to herself; her once somber expression now switching to one of determination. " They are my friends, and I can't just dwell on who I was before. They're all wrong. I'm not the same power hungry teen I was before and tomorrow, i'll make sure to stop her dead in her tracks!"

Leaping down from the marble pedestal with a new sense of resolve, Sunset slides her deck back into her jacket and runs down the street. The next day would be the finals of the CHS Cup and Sunsets one and only chance to stop whoever was behind this. She knew that the Emerald Witch was behind all of the damage caused by the duels, and now she knew that she has the Memory Stone. Once the finals were over and the Witch was unmasked, she could restore all of the memories that were stolen by the stones dark magic. A determined smile appears onto her face as she remains unaware of a shadowy, cloaked figure covertly spying on her from the forest.

School Garden: Present Day

" I draw!"

With a swift crack of her arm, Sunset draws her card. Silence. The Rainbooms all stare intently as they wait to see what her drawn card was. The soft growls of Wallflowers dragons is the only noise that wavers throughout the field as Sunset twirls the card around and glances at it. Her eyes widen and her grip tightens as she stares at her card.

" What did she draw?" Twilight says worriedly.

" I activate the effect of my Level Stealer from my graveyard. Now, by reducing my Explode Wings level by one, I can summon this guy to the field in defense mode."

Sunsets dragon gave a pained groan as a ghostly image of some sort of oversized ladybug flew out from its chest. The insects body materializes as a single, golden star appears on its orange back. It buzzes slightly as two counters show both its pitiful zero defense points and Explode Wing Dragons level drop to seven.

" Next, I summon my Tuner monster, Attack Gainer!" Sunset declares as she summons her new monster.

Appearing from Sunsets card was a small, humanoid being clad in a grey and blue jumpsuit. Its upper body was covered in a bulky, obsidian armor that covered much of its shoulders, arms, and hands. On its head was a large, heavy-looking helmet that sported a deep cyan visor and a single crimson jewel in the center of its forehead. Flaring out from the back of its head was a long, blood red stream of hair that seemed to mimic a knights feather. The monster stood its ground in an offensive stance as it stood by with its 0 attack points.

" A Tuner monster?!" Rainbow exclaims. " But why summon that now? She doesn't have any other level eight Synchro monsters she can summon!"

" That is, unless, she is trying to summon... Jeweled?! But that's impossible." Rarity adds with a scared tone in her voice.

' Jeweled? What's that?" Twilight asks, blissfully unaware of what she meant by "Jeweled."

" Jeweled Demon Dragon - Red Daemon." Aj replys. " That was a card that Sunset used durin' her duel with Princess Twilight, along with its bigger forms; Bane, Abyss, and King Calamity."

" But... Sunset doesn't have those cards anymore.They turned to ash after she lost." Fluttershy adds meekly.

" I now tune my level one Attack Gainer with my level seven Explode Wing Dragon!" Sunset declares. A vibrant glow radiates from her jacket as she reaches into it and pulls out a shining card. Her wounded dragon shatters into stars and flies into the neon green ring left behind by Attack Gainer.

" The tyrants fall brings about a new soul reborn. The one and true ruler arises scarred and primed for the new world! Synchro Summon! Arise, level eight! Red Demons Dragon - Scarlight!"

From the light shaft came yet another dragon; this one having a nearly identical appearance to Red Demons Dragon. Most of its body and scales was covered in numerous gashes, burns, and cracks. Lined around its shoulders, legs, and wings was many citrus colored tribal markings that flared out in a style not unlike the scars it bore on its front. One of its three curved horns was damaged and burning brightly as it huffs and growls. Most prominent of all was the cumbersome, heavy mass of scales and skin that covered its lower right arm. Lining the cast-like mass was deep imprints that glowed a deep scarlet and orange aura. The new dragon lets out an enraged howl as it spreads its wings and ignites its damaged claw. A bulky 3000 attack points arise along with its howls.

" What is THAT?! I've never seen or even heard of that crazy dragon!" Rainbow exclaims shocked at this new dragon.

The rest of the girls stare in a mix of amazement and confusion. Sunset had summoned another dragon that was nearly identical to her old beast, and yet, there was something different about this one. Whatever feelings of dread and malice that Red Demons Dragon and its darker counter part Jeweled held before wasn't present in this new dragon and the Rainbooms felt it. Despite never having seen or heard of Scarlight, deep down they could feel a sense of relief; as if a heavy burden had just been lifted from their shoulders. Sunset could feel it too; a warm feeling from deep inside of her that she hadn't felt in ages. Before she left Equestria, her mentor Princess Celestia gave her one last memento, that being her new dragon. The fear she felt about going back to her former teacher was all but quelled when she had learned that she had been forgiven for her past transgressions, and it was made even clearer when Scarlight was bestowed upon her.

" What is this?" Wallflower responds in a nervous tone. " You summoned another dragon?! What good will that do you?"

" My Scarlight is nothing like my old dragon. It's more than just a symbol of power, and i'll show you right now! Since my Attack Gainer was used as Synchro Material, your Black Rose Dragon loses 1000 attack until the End Phase!"

A deep violet haze surrounds Wallflowers monster as its attack slowly drains away. The dragon lets out huffs and coughs as a counter shows its attack power plummet to 1400.

" Now, I activate my dragons effect! With this, I can destroy all other Special Summoned monsters on the field, provided they have less than or equal attack to my Scarlight and you take 500 points of damage for each monster destroyed. Go, Absolute Powerflame!"

Scarlight howls in rage as it slams its ignited fist into the ground. From the crater came a torrent of molten lava that consumes Wallflowers stolen dragon and Sunsets Level Stealer. A splash from the lava splatters near Wallflower as she sidesteps away from the pool of hazardous flames. The stinging heat forces her back as her life drops to 1700. The remaining pools of lava sizzle out and fade away as she curses under her breath.

" Now go! Attack Black Rose Dragon! Crimson Hell Burning!" Sunset declares as she points at the botanical dragon.

Sunsets dragon flaps its wings and takes to the sky. It raises its head and roars viciously as a fiery glow forms in its mouth. With one whip of its neck, Scarlight blast a giant torrent of flames that streaks across the sky and strikes Wallflowers dragon square in its chest. The dragon screeches in pain and writes before it explodes in a shower of burnt petals. Despite her best efforts to shield her face from them, many of the petals embedded themselves into Wallflowers arms and torso. Whatever was left of her mask was all but shattered to pieces as the strong gale from the blast launched her backwards into a nearby tree. She lets out a pained gasp as she slumps down; her life dropping back down to 100.

" Whoa! That was insane!" Rainbow exclaims.

" Oh... I hope she's ok...." Fluttershy mutters. " That was a really bad hit."

" Wallflower! Are you-" Sunset begins before a pained cough from her opponent cuts her off.

" Spare... me, Sunset." the girl replys, spitting out some blood. " You've sealed your fate... when you destroyed my dragon. The final effect... of Wings of the Supreme Ruler now activates! Now, your Scarlight is destroyed and you take damage equal to its attack...."

A ghostly image of Wallflowers equip spell appears briefly on the field before detonating in a shower of indigo lightning. The lightning strikes Sunsets dragon and engulfs it in its aura. It howls angrily before spreading its wings and dispelling the lightning. A new crimson aura surrounds Scarlight as it roars back at the wounded Wallflower, now horrified at seeing her Equip Spell fail.

"W-what?! Why didn't it..."

" I activated my Trap, Red Crystal. This prevents all 'Red' monsters from being destroyed this turn."

Wallflower stares blankly at Sunsets trap. That was it; her last chance at beating Sunset was burned away. With a heavy heart, she falls to her hands and knees as she stares at the ground, now with tears streaming down her face. Sunset and the rest of the girls could only stare at the beaten down girl as her choked sobs echoed through their minds.

" How? Why...." Wallflower chokes as she slams her fist into the dirt. " I was so close... Damn! Why?! Why is it that nothing I do matters?! All I wanted was to be noticed by everyone, by you Sunset! Time and time again, no matter what I did, I was spat at and kicked to the curb and forgotten."

" Wallflower..." Sunset sighs, " This isn't the way. I understand how you feel and i've been through these feelings before. A Great and Powerful friend reminded me that just because i'm not mean doesn't mean I was very nice to you. Everyone matters Wallflower, no matter how insignificant or worthless they might feel."

" ....why? Why do you care? All of this forgiveness and friendship and other crap that I don't deserve..." Wallflowers hold on her Memory Stone tightens as she shakes in anger. Slowly, she rises back to her feet as she tears the stone from its string. " I've had enough!"

The stone begins to vibrate and shine brightly as she holds it above her. The emerald aura around her intensifies as her eyes begin to glow even brighter. After a series of bright flashes and vivid sparkling, she lowers the stone and points it toward the rest of Sunsets friends. The girls step back as the stone ceases its pulsating light as the eye on its center emits a small ball of aqua green light.

" I'm tired of all this. The constant failures, neglect, and all of you!" Wallflower yells as the Memory Stone fires a straight beam of energy towards the girls.

" NOOO!" Sunset screams as she hurls herself in front of the beam. It strikes her as she falls to the ground, now surrounded by a crackling aqua aura.

" SUNSET!" The girls scream in horror as they quickly run over to her.

" I won't let this happen! I've already ruined their friendship before, and I won't let it happened again! I would rather give up my own memories instead."

A pulse of energy and a wave of blinding static suddenly expels from Sunsets body as it stops the girls in their tracks. The static crawls around Sunsets body before centralizing itself on her forehead. Gently touching the warm orb of light, Sunsets hand trembles as her eyes widen.

" It ends here! I draw" Wallflower yells as the aura around her body blazes even more. The Memory Stone vibrates and glows with an even harsher light. " I play my Trap, Lost Star Descent! With this, I can revive my Black Rose Dragon in defense mode, so long as I negate her abilities, lower her level by one, and drop her defense to zero! Furthermore, I send a card from the top of my deck so I can revive my Glow-Up Bulb!"

The same powerful gale from before whips through the scorched field as Wallflowers dragon rises and bursts through the earth. The dragon lets out a mournful howl as it wraps itself around Wallflower and lowers its wings in front of her. Whatever was left of its now pale red petaled wings was all but scraggly and weathered. A counter reveals its weakened defensive power and its lowered level now sitting at six. Sprouting from the ground nest to her dragon came the mono eyed mutated plant bulb. A small squee can be heard from the bulb as it begins to glow in a bright neon green.

" One last move is all I need... the last, immovable power created from this relic will finally bring everything back to normal. Her jumping in the way is just a minor setback. Once I beat her, I can erase her friends memories...." Wallflower thinks to herself as she eyes her field. Sunset had no other set cards on her field and nothing in her hand. One last attack and it would be all over.

" I tune my level one Glow-Up Bulb with my level six Black Rose Dragon!" Wallflower says aloud, raising her hand as she holds a glowing card in her hand.

Her dragon rises from its lowered stupor and soars into the neon green ring created by her tuner. Unlike all the other pillars of light, which were normally a bright white ray, this new pillar was a deep shade of navy blue. Even with the sun setting over the horizon, the entire field was bathed in a dim light, save for the blazing auras around Wallflower and Sunset. The pillar of shadowy light burst up high into the air, seemingly headed straight for the full moon that had risen over the field. Suddenly, several marking that resembled the carvings on the relic appeared over Wallflowers face and now exposed right arm that held her new card.

" Wilting rose bud in a garden of shadows! Be bathed in radiant moonlight, and evolve into an aria of sorrow! Synchro Summon! Appear, Moon Flower Dragon - Black Rose!"

A dark haze falls over the field as Wallflower finishes her chant. Swirling around her, two deep crimson light shine through the choking smog behind her. In a sudden gust of violent winds, the smog is cleared away as Wallflowers newest servant stands behind her. Much like Sunsets Scarlight, Wallflowers new dragons was nearly identical to the original dragon. However, this new dragon was had a much darker aura around it. Whatever vibrant splendor of color its wings once had were now darkened and dulled out. Numerous strange markings lined its petals and face as it lets out a screeching how and flaps its gigantic wings. Just like its counter part, a counter reveals its 2400 attack.

" Behold, the final, greatest power created by the Memory Stone! Go! Rose Ballad!" Wallflower declares as her mighty beast howls and violently flaps its wings. A storm of treacherous winds and scattered petals slams into Sunsets dragon as the scarlet fiend is shattered into scattered pieces of light. Before she could even react to her dragons defeat, a throbbing pain overtakes Sunsets troubled thoughts and she falls to her knees and clutches her head.

" Hnggh.... no.... not... yet...." Sunset mumbles as the pain intensifies.

" I had hoped it wouldn't come to this, but you left me no choice." Wallflower mutters angrily, tightening her fist. " It's over. My dragon attacks you directly."

No roars, no growls or snarls, Wallflowers dragon extends one of its barbed vines toward Sunset. The vine wraps around her tightly as she's hoisted high into the air. In one swift motion, Wallflowers dragon slams Sunset into the dirt and loosens its grip on its victim. A pained gasp is all that's heard from Sunset as she bounces from the impact and lands face first into the dirt near her friends. Whatever was left of her life slowly dropped to zero as her disk emitted a loud buzz that was eerily similar to a flatline.

" No way... Sunset.. lost?" Twilight says, completely dumbfounded at what had just happened.

" Oh no. Sunset! Are you ok?" Fluttershy says as she rushes over to her.

The rest of the girls rush over to Sunset and huddle around her. With a pained groan and a cough of blood, Sunset rolls onto her back as she tries to get up. The shredded pieces of her clothes dangle loosely from her scarred frame as her attempt to recover fails. A sharp sting strikes her left arm as she slowly goes to rub it. The sharp pain that crawls around her left arm was far greater than the stings she felt when Wallflowers Evil Thorn burst and scattered its bolts into her arms. Despite her best efforts to move her arm, all she could muster was a few limp movements and some pained grunts. A horrid realization suddenly slipped int her head as she held her still arm in her right hand; her arm was broken.

Before any of the girls could continue, a long reel of light suddenly slips from the light perched on Sunsets face. Thin, yellow, and flickering in the wind, a horrified Sunset stares at it. The reel slips away from her as its swallowed by the cursed Equestrian artifact. Sunset feebly reaches out for it with her only working arm as more strips of multi-colored film reels eject themselves from her forehead; each just as painful as the last.

" Fluttershy!"

" AppleJack!"

" Rarity."

" Pinkie Pie..."

" Rainbow Dash..."

Weakness and fatigue slowly crept into Sunsets mind as the last memory reel tore itself from her head. She could barely keep her eyes open as she turned to her last friend among the strangers that stood beside her.

" Twilight... don't forget me..." Sunset whispers weakly as her consciousness fades away.

" Sunset..." Twilight whispers as she places her hand onto her friends shoulder. She averts her bitter gaze toward Wallflower as she stands to face the witch and her dragon. " What have you done?!"

" Sunset, wake up... please. Sunset!" Fluttershy says in a panicked tone as she she hold her unconscious friend in her arms.

" I... don't know." Wallflower replys meekly. " This wasn't supposed to happen!"

" You were messing with a power you didn't understand! What did you think was gonna happen?" Rainbow barks as she approaches angrily.

" We may not remember anythin' about Sunset bein' good..."

" But after the sacrifices she's made..."

" We're glad to call her our friend!"

A profound glow radiates from each of the girls necklaces. Equestrian magic once again began to flow through the girls bodies as the girls rose into the air; each sporting their trademark wings and extended ponytails that normally came when they "pony up" The marvelous light show that ensued and enveloped the girls brought about a new set of dazzling and vibrant outfits. Streams of magic swirl around the girls bodies as their new clothes ripple in the wind above Wallflower. The lime colored girl falls back in shock at the sight of their transformations. A wave of magical static washes over her body as she feels an odd sensation run over her. Before she could even react, Wallflowers Memory Stone was torn from the rope that held it around her neck and it floated into Twilights hand as she clenched it tightly in her palm.

" Wallflower Blush, you have used magic that you do not understand, but it is nothing compared to the magic of--"

" Yeah yeah, we get it." Pinkie says as she stops yet another one of Twilights speeches (much to her chagrin.) "LIGHT EM UP LADIES!!!!"

With a crack of her arm, Twilight pitches the cursed relic into the air she goes to lock hands with the rest of her friends. More magical energy surrounds their bodies as a single orb of concentrated energy appears beneath the girls. In a brilliant flash, a ray of pure, magical energy fired itself from the orb of light and it slams into the airborne relic. The stone detonates in a violent shower of luminous magic and sizzling rubble. Multiple whisps of the reels of memories suddenly swirl from the blast and fly towards each of the girls; embedding themselves into their foreheads. Each of the transformed girls could feel all of their memories return to them, with only Sunset being the last one to receive her memories again. The Rainbooms return to the ground as they once again huddle around the still unconscious Sunset as the last reel of stolen memories slowly pulls itself into Sunsets head. A small groan her heard from her as she slowly forces her eyes open.

" Ugh.... Twilight... Sparkle?" Sunset croaks, staring at the lavender teen above her.

" Sunset Shimmer!" Twilight replies with a renewed feeling of joy in her voice.

Pain still ran through Sunsets body, but she let out a sigh of relief knowing that her friends memories were finally safe from harm. With a bit of help from the girls, she rose to her feet and had Rarity help keep her balance. Some warm and careful hugs from the rest of the Rainbooms further calmed her troubled mind as she kept her soft smile on her face.

" I sure am mighty glad all of our memories are safe 'n' sound. Now, about that there Wallflow--- hey! Where'd she go?!" Aj begins before noticing the former witch's absence. The rest of the girls turn to see this as well.

" She got away?! We gotta go find her!" Rainbow declares as she starts to run towards the dense forest, but is promptly stopped by Sunset only working arm.

" No. Leave her be." Sunset says, staring blankly past the trees. " She has no power anymore. I could feel it throughout the duel. Hatred, sorrow, lonesomeness; all of it was feeding that stone. It wouldn't do us any good to talk to her in this state. Right now, she needs some time to recover and reflect on what happened here."

Despite a few murmurs from the girls, they agreed with Sunset as they helped her leave the clearing. Sunset had sustained a considerable amount of damage and she needed medical attention as soon as possible. While shuffling away from the ruined garden, Sunset takes one look back at the field before it disappears from view. Whatever the girls did to stop Wallflower, she knew it was the right call to leave her be. Ever since what she'd learned about Wallflower, she knew that girl was suffering and to confront her now would only damage the situation even further. Forgiveness was a virtue that all the girls, especially Sunset and Twilight, had experience with and that with time and love from friends, things would get better. For now, however, the only thing that would need help getting better was Sunset. With a heavy heart, Sunset pressed onward with her friends as she left the emotionally damaged teen to her own vices.