Anger. Fury. Melancholy. Painful emotions one should never feel ran through her mind. Whatever pride Cloudy once felt was all but gone. Beaten and humiliated as she was, the sense of dread she felt as she struggled home lingered with her. What would she do now? Could she even face her old team and friends after this? Her pride was in pieces and her shame hung above her. But there was one thought that terrified her more than anything. A thought that shrouded her mind as she step into her home.

'I lost again... What will I tell papa and mama?'

Soccer paraphernalia strewn around the walls of the house was the first sight to greet her as she walked in. There was some comfort from the sight of many jerseys from numerous teams and eras and faux trophies. The sweet scent of baked goodies and floral scents wavered throughout the house and quickly drew her attention to her first task. With a heavy sigh and heart, she stepped into the peal-white kitchen to greet what she hoped would be her easiest task; facing her mother. The aroma of the freshly baked cookies lingered in her nostrils as her presence alerted her mother as she turned around. To say that her mother Aura was beautiful would be an understatement. From her delicate ivory skin and beautiful blonde hair to her dainty slim figure, she seemed to glow with purity. The sight of Cloudys beaten and bruised form, however, elicited a gasp from her as the warm smile across her face disappeared.

"Oh Dio! Mio povero tesoro! Quello che è successo? Stai bene?" she said as she darted over to her child and held her in a tight embrace.

"I'm fine mama." Cloudy replies as she squirms from her mothers grasp. "It's nothing. Where's papa?"

Almost as if on queue, the front door slammed shut behind them and the hulking figure that was Storm Kicks walked into the kitchen. A former athlete himself, Storm was a monster of a man; his tan muscles nearly bulging out of his tight platinum jersey. With a commanding gaze across his mustached face, one would be correct in assuming he was once a team captain and fair leader. Imposing as he was, Cloudy could only stare back up at him with a scowl on her face. The steely-jawed soccer star could returned the gesture with one as well as he stomped over to the fridge.

"So. Did you win?" he asked before chugging down an energy drink.

"I-... no... still, I did-a my best papa and I-" A dissatisfied grunt and the crunching of an aluminum can interrupted her as her father tossed the trash aside.

"Hmm... as expected. Why did I ever think you could win? You lack discipline. You lack finesse. You lack in strength! When I was your age I was team captain of every sport in school and dueling was no different! Nobody could take that away from me and any who tried were swiftly put in their place. But you? What was all that training for then Cloudy? All those days of physical and mental training. You couldn't even beat one egocentric brat whose skill means nothing to what we have."

"Storm per favore... There iz no need-"

"I lost-a today sure, but dis is far from over! My pozition on da team may be gone but I won't rest until I-"

"Forget it. It doesn't matter anymore. You lost it all because you couldn't take the initiative against her to begin with. I had honestly thought that all of the training we did would amount to something. I am very disappointed in you."

Disappointment. Perhaps that was the worst of it all. The shame. Long had she wanted to impress her father with her skills in sports and dueling. Being born to a former champion gave her a constant feeling of inadequacy that lingered throughout her childhood and a drive to be the best she could be for her father. Was it all just a fruitless endeavor? How she wished that she didn't fail this day. Her anger was now sorrow; guilt over her own weakness. Not a word was uttered from her as she stormed her way past her father and up to her room; slamming the door to ensure the raging argument between her parents wouldn't disturb her thoughts any further. The soft trickle of tears that began to stream down her face now became a torrent of emotions that ran down her face. She violently tosses her duel disk towards the wall and collapses onto her bed; still clutching her deck box tightly in her grasp.

'Damn you Rainbow Dash.' she thinks as she pauses her release of emotions for a moment. 'You'va ruined everything! Everything I worked so hard to accomplish... Just you wait. Da next time we-a battle I'll make-a sure to humiliate you! I will bring you down!'

"Yo! Are you just gonna stand there or are you gonna play?!"

So lost in thought was Cloudy that she was unaware of the duel in progress. Not even the cheers of the crowd or the screeching fireworks above had snapped her out of her memories. Her gaze wanders until she eyes the one person she had hoped she'd never see in the crowd; Storm. The announcement of the CHS Cup came with its fair share of mixed emotions for her family and the tension caused between Cloudy and her father. Her mother sure but her father? Why was he here? Wasn't he disappointed in her? Shaking her head, she stares back to the field.

"Are you dat desperate to lose?! Fine then!" she screams."My turn iz far from over! My deck iz-a far stronger now and dis is just what I need! I equip Fantasista Dieci with XYZ Unit! Now my playmaker gains 200 attack for every Rank he has and he iz a Rank 5!"

The deep cerulean jersey on the soccer star fades into dust as it is replaced by a white and golden uniform. Its black mechanical components shone a brilliant gold as its visor shimmered a gallant white. Gone were the crimson steel wings on its back and in its place were a pair of elegant angelic wings that radiated with purity. The soccer ball at its feet now shone like a bright star beneath its feet as its power rose to 3600. The audience stared in awe at the elegant form of the newly transformed soccer star.

'Now those are some numbers.' Rainbow muses silently to herself. 'That card's also pretty new. Someone's been working on new tricks.

"Dis is-a where the game really begins and your Magical Blade Dama will be da first! Go, Fantasista Dieci!"

Cloudys playmaker quickly dashed forward as its foot slammed into the shimmering orb and launched it into Rainbows monster. A shower of light and smoke overtook the living machine as it detonated and scattered embers and sparks over Rainbow Dash. Despite her efforts, the force of the blast knocks her down to her knees as her life plummets down to 3300. It was the sight of numerous bubbles that broke through the smog, however, that caught the attention of the crowd. Hovering above a now smiling Rainbow was Dama; still intact and now enveloped in a sparkling bubble.

"Nice try but thanks to my Trap Half Unbreak, my Dama isn't destroyed and the damage I take is halved!"

"Even so, my Diecis effect activates now! Since it battled your monsters, I can detach an Overlay unit and have him battle again! Tiro Di Rigore!"

Cloudys monster stomps its right leg as one of its orbiting units sails into its leg. The burning light around its leg intensifies as another glowing soccer ball bounces toward its leg. With a flap of its mighty wings, it leaps into the air with its ball in tow and delivers a ferocious kick towards Rainbows protected monster. Even with the bubble barrier surrounding it, the impact made Dama groan in pain as the ball rebounded off of the slick bubble and crashed into Rainbow Dash. Quick reflexes kept the ball from slamming into her stomach but the sheer force of the ball flung her hard into the goal net behind her. A thick layer of steam gushed from where the heated ball met her hands as her life further lowers to 2600.

"This is my day! I will-a show you dat I am better than her! You must-a come!"

"Why should I go? If you can't beat some hotshot like Rainbow Trash then what chance do you have against the likes of her friends? Or even that Shimmer girl?"

"I'm not-a done! Again! Tiro Di Rigore!"

"What? Again?" Rarity says bewildered. "But Rainbows Half Unbreak is still in effect. The damage she will take is still halved."

"That's not what matters to her... she'll take damage all the same." Sunset remarks, knowing the real reason why Cloudy would continue her assault. Rainbow was many things and thick headed was one of them. Sunset could only hope that her friend would see the pain that Cloudy was in, if the fury in her eyes wasn't enough. "Hopefully that Traps effect will keep her in the game long enough for a counterattack."

Still reeling from the last impact, Rainbow Dash stumbles to her feet and readies herself once more. Solid Vision or not, those soccer balls hurt. It was made all too painfully clear as the next fiery orb ricocheted off of the bubble and slammed into her. This time, however, she was still far too dazed from the second kick to catch this one. It drove itself deep into her chest and knocked her back into the goal net; her life now dropping to 1900.

"I have more pressing matters to take care of, so your mother will take you to the stadium. Do as you like Cloudy but I won't be there."

"DI NUOVO! TIRO DI RIGORE!" Cloudy yells; her face now twisted in anger. With its final unit sailing into its leg, Cloudys monster storms across the field and delivers another devastating kick to the glowing soccer ball. The ball screeched across the field and slammed into the still recovering Rainbow Dash, sending her crashing back into the goal net and dropping her life down to 1200.

'Man... that hurt.' Rainbow thinks to herself as she stumbles to her feet. Much of the outfit she wore was tattered and scorched as she lurched back over to her monsters. Even if her monster wasn't destroyed, her Dama groaned and seemed to hover weakly above her. 'What was all that about? Don't think I've ever seen her this worked up before. Man, those new cards of hers are really beating me down. At least it's over now.'

"How barbaric..." Rarity mutters in disgust.

"I'll say! She really gave poor ol Dashie a wallop." Pinkie replies.

"Well, at least she's out of Overlay Units. And thanks to Rainbows Half Unbreak, she can formulate counter attack on her turn." Twilight adds checking the duel tracker. "Good thing too because it says here that she could send XYZ Unit to the Graveyard to activate her monsters effect again. Logically, Cloudy would want to keep her monsters attack at 3600 so I'm sure Rainbow can-"

"I activate the effect of my XYZ Unit! Go again! TIRO DI RIGORE!"

"WHAT?!" was the collective yell from Sunsets friends as the radiant aura around Cloudys playmaker dies down and sinks into its left leg. It drives another kick into the now regular soccer ball and slams it into Rainbows monster. She was completely caught off guard as the ball caught her side and sent her sailing back into the goal net; dropping her life even further to 1000. The crowd roars as even the M.C is surprised at this sudden move.

"What a move ladies and gentlemen! Who would have guessed that Cloudy would actually let her monsters attack drop back down just to get another strike in! With a monstrous 4000 life point lead, it looks like Cloudy has taken full control of this duel!"

"How iz dat for-a move?! Next turn you're done! I set one cad and end my turn!" Cloudy exclaims, still seething with anger as she slaps her card into her disk.

"Yeah? We'll see about that. I've still got a monster and all I need is the right card to turn this around!" Rainbow responds. Her body ached as Rainbow staggered to her feet and back to the field. Within five powerful strikes nearly all of her life points were gone and she stood against Cloudys 5000. Defiantly, she draws her card and gives a sly smirk as she peeks over to it. "Just what I need! Angel's Charity! So say hi to three new cards and goodbye to two more! And the best part? Since one of the cards I tossed away was Den-Den Daiko, I can banish him to summon a Speedroid monster from my graveyard! So I'll summon my level two Tuner, Speedroid Domino Butterfly!"

Fluttering from her feet was another strange machine that was some sort of vague papillon with a slim black and white body, over sized gloved hands and white helmet. Two pairs of black and white dominos hovered on its back by some unknown force as they flapped around haphazardly. Its frail nature was only further exemplified with its low 100 stats. It didn't take long for the newly revived tuner to flap into the air and scatter int two Synchro rings above Rainbows Chanbarider.

"The ruler of speed will come through here! Fly on dichromatic wings and soar beyond the sound barrier! Synchro Summon! Soar, level 7! Clear Wing Synchro Dragon!"

The crowd was suddenly swept in a raging whirlwind that swamped the field from Rainbows side of the field. A shadowy streak zipped across the stadium as it dragged a funnel of violent air behind it. Neither the crowd or even Cloudy herself could keep up with the column of turbulence as it flared across the sky. Whatever the figure was finally slowed down from its high flying act and scattered the winds that it dragged behind it. From the storm came a long, slender dragon clad in thick white and black scales that stacked on its body like armor. It had no feet and seemed to be held aloft by the wafts of energy pulsating from its pair of gigantic, mechanical bio-luminescent wings on its back. Amusingly, it received a solid green jersey with aqua blue trimmings due to the effect of Cloudys Field Spell. Its glowing gold eyes shimmer from its snarling face as it releases a booming roar that shakes the stands and rattles the stadium.

'There he iz... Il Capo himself... My final obstacle.' Cloudy could feel her blood boil as the looming shadow of Rainbows behemoth towered before her. Clear Wing Dragon; the ace of Rainbow Dash and the supreme ruler of speed itself. It was no secret that Dash was the fastest athlete in CHS and the commanding presence of her dragon only further solidified her authority amongst the schools various sports teams. Her symbol of pride; the final hurdle for her humiliation. 'Today, you-a die bestia.'

"Oh yeah! The big guns are here!" Pinkie says pumping her fists in the air. "Now she's got this in the bag."

"Ah wouldn't be celebrating just yet Pinkie." Aj replies. "Clear Wing only has 2500 attack points. She may have her dragon out but that there Dieci still has 100 more."

"I think you girls are already forgetting about its effect." Sunset remarks with a smirk. "Whenever a level 5 or higher monster activates its effect or is targeted by an effect, Clear Wing can destroy that card and add its attack to its own if it's a monster."

"Why of course I haven't forgotten darling but Cloudys monster is an XYZ monster. It uses Ranks, not Levels."

"That may be but that effect can be used on any level 5 or higher monster."

There was still some uncertainty from her friends as they stared out to the field. Aside from Clear Wing, the only other monster Rainbow Dash had was Magical Blade Dama who's attack couldn't come near Cloudys Dieci. Its effect could still remove a Speedroid from play to inflict a damage, albeit an insignificant amount when compared to the 5000 life points Cloudy had. The realization of what Sunset meant finally clicked. Dama was in fact a level 6 monster!

"I activate my Damas effect! By banishing my Domino Butterfly I can hit you with 500 points of damage! However, my Clear Wings effect activates also! Since my Dama is a level 6 and it activated its effect, I can negate its effect, destroy it, and add its attack to my dragon! Go, Dichroic Mirror!"

Rainbows monster roars as both of its wings glow a blazing green and spread wide. A dazzling shower of light scatters from its wings as streams of energy wash over her Dama. The living machine shatters to pieces as its shards sail into her dragons wings and convert into a deep blue aura. With its task done, Clear Wing retracts its wings and let's loose a thunderous howl as its attack points climb to 4700; far surpassing the 2600 that Cloudys playmaker held.

"Let's go Clear Wing! Attack Fantasista Dieci! Whirlwind Helldive Slasher!" Rainbow declares. Her dragon quickly spirals into the air as it forms the raging column of air that it debuted in. The tempest sweeps the soccer ball from Cloudys monster and catapults it towards her monster.

"No, you won't! I play my Trap, Guardraw! Dis puts my Dieci on the defensive and lets me draw one card!" Cloudys playmaker sprints across the field and leaps straight into the oncoming ball of wind. The crushing impact of its hands slamming into the ball echoes throughout the stadium as its launched back towards the goal net and slowly grinds to a halt; stopping just shy of what would be considered a goal in a conventional game. With its job done, it gives a silent nod to its master before shattering to pieces.

"Tch... I still have next turn to slam you for some damage! I end my turn!" Rainbow says bitterly.
Her dragon swoops back down as its power boost drains away in a red aura. 'Darn... now she takes no damage. At least her monster is off the field now... what's her deal anyway? She can't still be sore for being team captain can she? That was ages ago. Why does she keep looking into the crowd?'

"It's-a my turn! I draw!" Cloudy declares, snapping Rainbow from her thoughts. Thing weren't going as she had planned. A small glance towards the crowd showed the dissatisfied expression from her father and the worried one from her mother. She had to turn this around and fast. "I'll start with my Spell, Treasured Cards of Variation! Dis will let me draw two more cards! Just da cards I need! Xyz Revival and Stealth Strike!"

Once more, Cloudys monster comes sprinting from the dugout and onto the field. Unlike before, its body was now completely translucent and outlined by a dim white glow. One would be excuse into thinking it was a ghost as the trail of haze behind it seeps around Cloudys area of the field. Numerous afterimages trailed behind it as it stood front and center. It was also much weaker than before, with its attack cut in down to 1300.

"Thanks to Xyz Revival, my Fantasista Dieci returns to da field! Also, my Stealth Strike will allow my monster to attack you directly by cutting its-a strength in half until da end of dis turn! Go, Dieci! End this duel!"

The ghostly playmaker sprints across the field and begins to kick the ball towards Rainbow Dash. In a fit of rage, Clear Wing swoops down and attempts to stop Cloudys monster but the soccer star simply phases through the beast and continues its attack. Cloudy could only smile in satisfaction as her monster took aim at her old rival. Finally, she would have the revenge she had trained and waited for. This was it; her moment of victory! With one last ferocious kick, her monster catapults the ball towards Dash.

"This is it folks!" the M.C declares. "If this attack lands then its game over for Rainbow Dash! What will she do?!"

"I'm not letting it end just yet! I play my Trap, Iron Resolve!" Rainbow declares quickly as her card flips up. Her card shocks her with a bolt of indigo lighting as her life drops to 500 and the oncoming ball is deflected. "By giving up half of my life points I can stop all damage coming my way and the battle ends!"

There was a sigh of relief from Rainbows friends as the crowd cheered on. Even when down to the wire, Dash still found a way to stay in the game even if her own life points were cut in half. While the rest of the girls were relieved, Cloudy could only seethe as she took another glance at the stands. She already felt the scowl her father gave and the disappointment in his eyes didn't help. Her hand was running low and she was nearly out if steam as it was.

"Grr... I'll get you yet. I set-a one card and play my Spell, Take Over 5. With this, 5 cards are sent to my graveyard. Unfortunately, I can't send one card from my hand for the cost of Cards of Variation. So the cost comes from my life instead." Cloudy mutters bitterly; her anger being stuffed as a bolt of golden lighting strikes her down and cuts her life down to 2000. There were murmurs and gasps from the crowd as her monstrous life point lead had been shattered.

'Maldezione... Again she stops me... Why? All of my planning and all of my new cards won't matter if-a I can't beat her now! Why did papa have to come today? I was-a so close... Can I really not beat her?'

That was it, wasn't it? Had her time really come? Was all of her efforts in vain? She couldn't impress her father, she couldn't hold her position as a team captain, she couldn't even beat Rainbow Dash now with everything she had in store. Her arms fell to her side as her rage subsided and tears now stung her face. Her hand hovered slowly over her deck as she contemplated on ending this duel.

'So that's it.' Rainbow was many things; fast, an inspiring leader, loyal, but nobody could match her thick head and brash nature. Now, however, it finally struck her. She wasn't completely oblivious to Cloudys glances at the crowd, nor did she ignore the presence of her father. Dash was no stranger to the legacy that Storm left as an athlete, even meeting him once years ago but his lone wolf personality and harsh attitude towards even his own family had turned Dash away from him. He reminded her too much of her old self; a side Rainbow had long discarded and that only peaked when she was unaware. 'That's why she's like this. She feels like she needs to impress him. That, or he's pushing her too far.'

"Look Cloudy, I get it. You've got a pompous blowhard for a dad who's been pushing you to be the best. You don't have to impress anyone!" Rainbow says aloud. There was no response from Cloudy other than a teary eyed gaze. "And I get it. I used to be just like you. All I ever wanted was to show that I was the best and prove that no one could be better than me. It doesn't have to be like that!"

"No. You don't get it. Its-a more than just me wanting to impress my papa. So much more... You could never understand why! You ruined everything I worked so hard on. I thought I could finally win now... but I can't and now he hates me even more now. What more can I do now?"

"Keep dueling? Duh! You don't have to give up now! If there's anything I've learned when it comes to dueling is that it's not over till the last life point's gone! C'mon Cloudy! No matter what happens just have fun and duel to the very end!"

"But what's da point?! I have failed. I humiliated myself in front of everyone, including my papa. How can I ever show my face to him again?"

"So that's it then? You're just giving up then? All because of some stupid need to prove yourself to someone who isn't worth the time of day? C'mon Cloudy! Are you really gonna let your dad tell you how to play? Are you just gonna call it quits because you couldn't impress him? Duel for yourself, not for anyone else!"

Duel for herself? There was a thought that never crossed her mind yet was familiar to her. 'Duel to be the best. You're the only one that matters. Crush those in your way. Prove to me that you're worthy of my name.' Long had her mind been poisoned by her fathers pride and bravado. He never wanted a daughter. That was the heart of the matter and one that festered throughout her childhood. Could she really do that? Duel for her own reasons? Duel for herself. Words that she had heard long ago.

~~*~~

"About time Rainbow got the memo." Sunset remarks.

"Oh the poor dear. Her father really has pushed her too far, hasn't he?" Rarity replies.

"Just y'all wait. Imma give that there Storm a piece o' my mind once this is all done." Aj mutters.

"No kidding. She was even willing to cheat to get her way."

A slight gasp was elicited from Sunsets friends as Aj spoke up. "Cheat? What do ya mean sugarcube? Ah didn't see her pull anything funny."

"That's because she was swift about it. Look at her wristbands. Those aren't the standard ones most athletes use. Those are weighted wristbands. Thick, heavy, good for training and large enough to hide several cards beneath them. A card slips out of her wristband as she goes to draw and it slides onto the top of her deck. Normally, you'd be able to see that but Cloudy is way too fast for the normal eye. Well, except for Dash. Every draw and every card Cloudy played was far too convenient and Dash saw it from the beiginning. She caught on to it when she noticed Cloudy checking the audience for her father, who no doubt probably encouraged her to do something like that."

"Well, if anyone can spot somethin' at that speed then its our ol' Dash."

"I don't doubt that," Twilight adds "But if she really did spot that then why would she still keep dueling? She nearly lost the duel due to Cloudys cheating."

All of Sunsets friends nod and murmur in agreement. Rainbow had always been the fastest individual at CHS and the addition of the magic from their geodes only further bolstered this notion. Nothing was too fast for Dash, no matter how blurred or wild it was. Still, why would she let the duel continue? A girl with a plan was something even her friends knew she wasn't, yet she must have something in mind.

"Ya know our Dash. She ain't givin' up just yet. Not even to sum cheater."

"That, and she's probably trying to knock some sense into her. If Cloudy keeps up this self-destructive path, she'll never lift herself from this hole she's fallen into." Sunset replies. 'I sure hope you can help her Dash...'

~~*~~

Duel for herself. Not for anyone else. Disregard everything her father had rammed into her head. Cloudys hand trembled furiously as it hovered over her deck. What was left for her now? Stick to her anger and the ideals her father taught her or set it all aside and fight on her own terms. Her mind tossed what her old rival had said until she finally remembered it; where she had heard those exact same words before.

Fresh tears still streamed down her face as Cloudy sat atop the roof. Even the crisp night air couldn't clear her mind as she stared out at the sky. The only comfort she could find was in her mothers warm embrace as she also joined her in this moment of solace.

"Why mama? Why is noting I do ever enough? Why does papa hate me?"

"Mio piccolo tesoro... Don't-a listen to your papa. I think we both know why... You.. already know the truth, don't you"

"Yes... Papa wanted a strong boy to train and pass on his legacy. Not-a me. Im-a just a failure."

"No mio tesoro. You are mi amore della mi vitta and his words will never ring true. You are no failure to anyone. For as long as I am here with-a you, you will never be alone or unwanted. For as long as I am with you, he will never harm you anymore."Her mothers words wavered in her mind as she was propped up by Aura and met her face. The long marks where she had shed tears as well washed across her soft complexion as a warm smile met her own melancholic face. Her mother reached into her aprons pocket and pulled out a small white napkin that had been folded daintily and passed it to her. It was only what was inside the folded cloth that snapped Cloudy from her puzzled state.

"Mama... dis is-

"For as long as you have this with you I will always be with you. Remember mi tesoro, dis is your story and your life. Fight for yourself. Duel for yourself. Live for yourself."

'Mama... of course. How could I forget?'

It had been so long since she'd heard those words from her mother. How could she let her father taint her mothers words? There it was; the clarity that avoided her for so long had been brought about by the most unlikely of people. Whatever angry or vengeful thoughts that plagued her mind finally vanished as she removed her hand from her deck.

"No... Not yet! I won't-a give in yet! Foolish I may be, but now dis changes! I duel for me now and no one else! So let's-a finish dis!"

"That's what I like to hear! Lets see what you've got! I draw! And I'll start off by playing my Battle Waltz spell on my Clear Wing!" Rainbows spell hovers above her as its glare surrounds her dragon. A transparent doppelganger separates itself from the original as it gives a ghostly howl. "You aren't seeing double Cloudy cause thanks to Battle Waltz I can summon a Waltz token that's just as good as the original! But don't take my word for it! I'll have my Waltz token attack your Dieci!"

"Heh, come at me then! You forget that since my turn iz-a over, my Diecis attack has returned to normal! Fight back my playmaker!"

Wasting no time, Cloudys monster sprints across the field and effortlessly steals the ball from Rainbows duplicated dragon. It drives the ball into the dragons chest with a ferocious kick but it passes harmlessly through it and falls out of the field. The beast slinks behind the playmaker and subdues him it an inescapable vice grip. Despite its best efforts, Cloudys monster is unable to free itself as its attack plummets to 100.

"Oh, I forgot to mention that due to Battle Waltz, I take no damage from attacks involving my Waltz token. But the best part? Any monster that destroys my Waltz token also loses attack equal to my tokens! Which means my Clear Wing is free to swoop in and take out your monster!"

" Cloudy only has 2000 life points left! If this hit lands folks, then it's all over!" the M.C says excitedly as Rainbows monster swoops down and sails straight towards the immobile soccer star. Its violent winds slashed through the playmakers body and showered the field in a thick layer of smoke. The crowd and all of the other contestants held their breath. Suddenly, breaking through the smoke, a holographic counter appeared in front of a now still standing Cloudy. Her monster was no more but the display upon the screen elicited murmurs and gasps from the crowd. Instead of being at 0, Cloudys life was at 1100.

"Dat was a good move Dash but I was more than prepared! Before that attack landed I used my Trap card, Rank Gazer, which allowed me to gain 300 life points for every Rank my Dieci had. Also, since my monster was destroyed, I can summon another Xyz monster from my Extra Deck and attach my Dieci to it. I summon Fairy Cheer Girl!"

A small ball of light flutters from the dugout and settles itself in front of where Dieci once stood. Clearing through the light was a fairy that was no taller than Cloudy herself. Her little cerulean dress was replaced by a full navy blue soccer uniform and a golden scrunchy tying her huge plume of deep blue hair into a large ponytail. Its golden pomp poms were discarded in favor of two heavy wristbands similar to the ones Cloudy currently wore. Cloudys newly remade playmaker stood with the ball at its feet with its 1900 attack points and single overlay unit swirling above it.

"Well that's new. Don't think I've ever seen that card before." Rainbow muses. "Alright, I'll throw down a face-down I end my turn!"

"Dis is the turn that decides it! I draw! And I will activate the effects of the Take Over 5 in my graveyard and the effect of my Cheer Girl!" Cloudy declares as her graveyard slot begins to glow and the orbiting unit from her monster flies into her deck. "By banishing Take Over 5 from graveyard and by using one Overlay Unit I can draw two more cards!"

'And just like that, she has three new cards. No cheating this time. I knew I'd be able to knock some sense in ya.' Rainbow thinks.

She could feel it. Deep down inside was a feeling that had long been lost to. A flare of joy. A spark of pride. The mocking smirk Cloudy gave to her father had forced him away. The sight of her mothers sweet smile. In the end she was finally content. "Now I play Killer Pass on my Fairy Cheer Girl! Dis will negate your monsters effects when she battles and since your dragons defense is higher than her attack, I can double her attacks points! Now go!"

Cloudys fairy speeds across the field and charges inward towards Rainbows monster. The soccer ball it kicks around glows brightly as its attack power rises to 3800. Despite its wings, the tiny fairy opted to run on foot towards the behemoth before her. Being the spry and swift fairy she was, not even a swipe from her draconian opponent could slow her down as she flips over the smashing claw and catapults the ball into the air.

'Never thought the cheerleader would be attacking the offence. Guess she's still full of surprises even now. Looks like it's time to rely on luck... This is gonna be great.' Dash thinks as she stares at her set card. Skill may beat luck but Dash knew the best kind of outcomes were the ones made by chance. "I play my trap Counter Gate! This puts a stop to your attack and lets me draw a card. If I draw a monster I can Normal summon it straight away!"

A wide screen of light stops the oncoming soccer ball as the top card of Rainbows deck begins to glow. The crowd held its breath as she drew her card. "Aww yeah! The card I just drew is my Speedroid Pachingo-Kart and when he's summoned I can destroy your Fairy Cheer Girl!"

A giant steel ball bounces from the dugout and slams into the tiny fairy and shatters her to pieces. Rounding the field on the track was a V shaped go kart balanced precariously on two marbles attached to its front that served as its wheels. The kart suddenly jerks violently as it vaults itself into the air and towards the field. The rear end of the kart crashes onto the giant marble from the dugout and latches itself as its third wheel. It rested idly with its 1800 attack points.

"Good play as always Dash. I set two cards and end-a my turn." Cloudy says. This was the end and she could feel it. Victory was far from her grasp today but the small one over her father would be enough. Almost. There was one last obstacle in her way.

"This is it! I draw! To start off, I release my Pachingo-Kart for Speedroid Passing Rider!"

With the bizarre go-kart out of the way, a new machine swooped down from the skies and took its place. Initially there was nothing bizarre to the new monster as it appeared to be a standard grey and blue bomber festooned with rivets, panel lines, and dents. It was, however, the open canopy that revealed its android pilot that cemented its place among Rainbows other Speeroids. Despite the vehicles lack of any propeller or visible engine, a thunderous engine roar boomed across the field as it sailed round the field with 2200 attack points.

"Alright, let's go Clear Wing! Direct attack!"

"Cloudy only has 2000 life points left! If this attack lads, it's all over!" the M.C cheers.

"I still have my Trap, Xyz Reborn! Dis brings back an Xyz monster from my graveyard and uses this trap as an overlay unit! Return, Fairy Cheer Girl!" Once more from the dugout came the tiny faiey clad in its jersey and transparent wings. Cloudys trap shifts into a ball of light and slowly orbits around her monster.

There were few confused glances and murmurs from Rainbow friends but none as vocal as Twilights over this move. "What?! Why that one? She could have brought back her Fantasista Dieci! It has more attack points than both of her monsters! Hello?"

Sure, Twilight was a genius but there were still numerous small thing that eluded even her. Sunset could only giggle at her friends confusion. "It's because winning is no longer on her mind anymore. Rainbow helped her in more ways than one today. Besides, Cloudy has one last move to make before she's satisfied."

"Yeah? Alright then! Go get her monster Clear Wing!" Rainbow declares as her dragon starts to spin and dive towards Cloudys monster.

"Ha! I don't-a think so! I still have one last card to play. One dat will defeat your dragon! Go, Mirror Mail!"

The blue jersey worn by her monster suddenly becomes a reflective silver as the sun shines off of it and blinds the stadium. From the sparkling light came Cloudys fairy, now clad in much heavier padding and wearing a reflective uniform. Not wasting any time, Cloudys monster hops into the air and meets the charging dragon with a kick of her own. Sparks scatter for a brief moment before both monsters are engulfed in a fiery explosion that rocks the battlefield. Once the smoke clears, all that's left on the field is Rainbow Dashs remaining monster.

"Uhh... wut just happened? And where'd Dashs dragon go?" Aj asks.

"Mirror Mail." Twilight responds, still seemingly confused from the last move. "It mirrored Clear Wings attack so they were both destroyed. Still not a very optimal move..."

"I suppose this is it then? That was her last card." Rarity replies.

There was no response from anyone but the outcome was clear. Even Cloudy knew it but for her, this was fine. Clear Wing Synchro Dragon; the ruler of speed, Il Capo of Rainbow Dash, finally defeated on her own terms. Perhaps a true victory would have been better but for now this would suffice. She took one last look at her mother, who was now in tears but still smiling and nodding her head in approval, and fell to one knee.

"Well... dis is it for me Dash. That was my last-a move."

"You did good Cloudy. Not a lot of people can say they've taken down my best monster and even less have pushed me into a corner. Maybe next time we can have a rematch? A real one; nothing on the line, no stress no mess?"

"Sì, I'd like that. For now, it end. Make your move, Capitana."

A soft smile and a nod to her monster was all that it took. Passing Rider took off and knocked the ball on the field towards the goal behind Cloudy. The sudden rush of air knocked her on her back as the ball sailed past and crashed into the net. Fireworks erupted all across the field as a resounding Goal was screamed all across the field. All she could do was let out a sigh as her life points dropped to zero. In the future and on her terms. That would be the duel she'd wait for. For now, she was content and tired. There would be some choice words from her father but all bridges are crossed eventually and she'd deal with it then. Things would change, starting right now. This time when Rainbow held her hand to her, she'd take it with pride.

Author's Note

Wow, that was a long one. Yeah, I'm alive. Guess I've just been busy with other things again. That, and I'm not really a writer. I wanted to have more backstory and such for Cloudy (even if it was a vague to begin with.) It all seems cheesy and overly dramatic but that's the nature of Yugioh to be frank. It took a bit of thinking to write this so I hope its decent at least