It was a sunny saturday morning in Canterlot City.

Inside her apartment, Sunset was still tucked up in her bed, fast asleep. This was abruptly interrupted, when the radio alarm turned on. “Gooooooood morning, Canterlot!” Chimed the overly enthusiastic radio announcer. “It’s a beautiful day with plenty of opportunities! And for all of you Duelists out there, I got some big big news for you! The Wis-” the announcer's voice was silenced as Sunset slammed her hand down on the button on top of the radio, turning it off, before she sat up with a yawn, and dragged herself out of bed.

“Morning roommate!” Said Chrysalis cheerfully as Sunset walked down from her loft, holding a coffee cup.

“Morning,” Said a half asleep Sunset. Chrysalis then gave Sunset the coffee. “Thanks,” She said gratefully, then taking a sip. “Mmm, that’s good joe.”

“So, I’ve been thinking about this Number Card thing, “Continued Chrysalis. “But I still don’t fully understand.” She then looked Sunset in the eyes. “Sunset, I Seriously need to know what’s going on.”

Sunset took another sip from her coffee before saying, “Alright, I’ll try to explain.” But before she could say anymore, her phone started to ring. She answered it. “Hello… Hi Rarity… you need us at the school… yeah, yeah, we will meet you there.” She ended the call and looked at Chrysalis. “Sorry, this will have to wait.”

“Okay, but we’re picking this up at the school,” Said Chrysalis. Sunset nodded and went to get dressed.

Later, Sunset and Chrysalis arrived in front of the school. “Looks like we’re early,” Said Chrysalis, seeing no one about.

Just then, Mad Page appeared from out of the portal. “Hey, Sunset, you did tell me you were having financial trouble,” He said.

Chrysalis was puzzled. “What happened to-” She was cut off when Mad Page grabbed her and pulled her into the portal.

“Not again,” Said Sunset with a face palm.

A moment later, Chrysalis came back through, shaking like a leaf. “What the actual fuck was that!?” She yelled.

“Let’s talk!” Said Mad Page as he came back through the portal too.

Sunset just sighed, before she and Mad Page explained to Chrysalis everything. Once the explanation was done, Chrysalis looked between the two of them with an astonished look.

“So, let's see if i've got this right. you're a unicorn?,” She said, pointing at Sunset.

“Yep,” Sunset nodded.

“And he’s a demonic, crazy book?”

“Well, you're a sharp one,” Mad Page said with a wide grin.

“Chrysalis,” Sunset began with apologetic eyes, “When you become my roommate, I didn’t expect you to get involved. I’m sorry, and I will understand if you don’t want to be my roommate anymore.”

“What? No,” Chrysalis said, giving Sunset a determined, resolute look. “Sunset, I understand this thing a bit better, but not a lot. That said, I will not just leave you, not now. After all, I paid you rent and all my stuff is at your place. I’ll stand with you through thick and thin.” She finished with a reassuring smile.

“Thanks, Chrysalis,” Sunset said with a grateful smile, and the two girls hugged, increasing their friendship.

“Hey, Sunset,” Said Mad Page. “Sorry to spoil the moment, but the gang is coming. You should go greet them. Chrysalis, can we chat?” Sunset went to speak to the girls, leaving Chrysalis alone with Mad Page. “You know my counterpart don’t you?” He Asked.

“How did you know?” She asked him with suspicion.

“That look in your eyes. Dead give away,” Answered Mad Page simply.

“Oh. Sorry, it’s just we haven’t seen each other in a long time and I just...” said Chrysalis before trailing off.

“It’s fine, anyone would react the same way,” Mad Page reassured her. “Well, I’ve outstayed my welcome. Take care of Sunset and yourself,” With that said, Mad Page turned and he rolled his chair back through the portal.

After he had left, Chrysalis then starts to think about her Mad Page. “I wonder what he's doing right now,” She said to herself, before heading inside the school.

Chrysalis rejoined Sunset and the other girls in the music room. “Um, Sunset, are you sure it’s okay for Chrysalis to be here?” Asked Rainbow, eyeing Chrysalis warily.

“Yeah, it’s fine, she knows everything,” Replied Sunset with a dismissive shrug.

“Moving on to the important stuff, Rarity and I made special cards for the Secret Number Investigation Squad! Or S.N.I.S for short,” Said a very enthusiastic Pinkie Pie. She started to pass them out. “One for you, one for you, one for you, one for you, one for you, one for you, and last one for you!”

“Hey, cool,” Said Rainbow.

“I feel like a real detective,” Said Rarity.

“Is there one for Solar Force, too?” Asked Sunset.

“Yep, but he’s not here yet,” Replied Pinkie Pie.

“We'll give it to him when we see Luna. So let's get started. First stop at Rarity's boutique,” Said Sunset.

The Squad made their way to Rarity’s boutique, where Rarity showed them the sewing machine. “I found my Number Card here, wedged in between the gears. I thought it was put there to protect the gears,” She explained.

“So you took it out, and then you became this crazy, obsessive dress maker?” Asked Applejack.

“Yes, I can remember my state of mind at the time. I still have the recording and all the dresses,” Rarity said.

“You still can’t sell them?” Asked Sunset.

“It’s a challenge to find anyone who would buy them,” Said a sad Rarity.

“Okay, I may not be a fashion expert, but even I can tell, this is well made. Do you take requests?” Chrysalis asked Rarity as she examined one of her dresses.

“Traditional, I’d say yes, darling, but I’m afraid I am having financial problems right now. If I don’t sell these dresses, and soon, I’ll lose the shop,” Explained Rarity in a worried tone.

“I’m so sorry to hear that, Rarity,” Said Fluttershy as she gave her friend a comforting hug.

Sunset looked at Rarity with worried eyes as well. “I wish I could help you, Rarity,” She said. “But I’m having my own problems, right now. It’d gotten so bad, I had to get a roommate just to afford rent.”

“Hey, you know I got your back, Sunny,” Chrysalis said with reasuringing smile.

“Thanks, Chrysalis,” Sunset smiled back.

“Please,” said Chrasilis with a smirk, “call me Chryssy.”

“Oh, my god,” Fluttershy whispered with wide eyes, “They already have nicknames for each other.”

“Oh La La,” Rarity said with a smirk, “I totally ship it.”

“OK, Y’all,” Applejack said, killing the mood, “That’s enough fan service. Let’s get back to the investigation.”

“Well, anyway, if you’re strapped for cash, why not ask that weird guy in the wheelchair?” suggested Rainbow. All eyes turned to look at Rainbow. “I mean he gave Derpy more than enough to start her company,” Rainbow continued.

“Wait, what company?” Asked Chrysalis.

“Muffin Queen!” Answered Pinkie Pie.

“To be honest, I think this may be your only choice,” Twilight told Rarity.

“Well, I’m not one for taking handouts, but if need’s must,” Rarity said as she considered all the facts.

“Don’t worry, Rarity, I’ll contact him later,” Said Sunset reassuringly.

“Thank you, darling,” Rarity said gratefully.

After they finished at Rarity’s shop, the girls went to pay Vinyl Scratch a Visit. They met Vinyl and Octavia at the music shop. Vinyl was helping Octavia as she was still in her neck brace. “Let me pay for your stuff, Octi,” Vinyl insisted.

“Vinyl, I understand you want to make amends, but this is too much,” Octavia tried to argue.

“I know, I just want to do everything to make you feel better and make up for what I did,” Said Vinyl in a remorseful tone.

“That’s sweet of you, Vinyl, but you’ve already done enough,” Octavia said in a soft voice.

Just then, Sunset and the other approached them. “Hi girls,” Sunset greeted with a wave.

“How’s your neck, Octavia darling?” Asked Rarity with a caring look on her face.

“The doctor said there is no damage. Just a sprain. Good news is, he’ll be taking the brace off later today,” Octavia replied.

“Well, that’s a major relief, darling,” Rarity said with a relieved smile.

“Vinyl, we wanted to ask you about the Number card you found,” Said Rainbow.

“If now is a good time,” added Sunset.

“Yeah, I got nothing to hide,” Said Vinyl with a shrug.

“I’ll just finish my shopping, and give you space,” Octavia said, before moving off to another area of the shop.

“So, what do you remember?” Asked Sunset.

“We were having another argument,” Vinyl began to explain, “But this time, Octavia made it personal. She said that my music was pure trash. That got me really mad, so I shouted at her, saying that we weren’t friends anymore. After that, I was packing up my stuff, and then, there it was, just lying on the floor, and for some reason, I just picked it up. You already know the rest.”

“Thanks Vinyl. I know this must be hard for you to talk about,” Said Sunset with a sad frown.

“I’m not going to lie about what I did that day. I can’t look at myself in the mirror,” Vinyl said with guilt in her voice.

“It’s not your fault Vinyl,” Sunset said as she put her hand on her shoulder. She knew in her heart she was to blame for what happened to Octavia.

“I think that's all we can gather here. How about we now go and see Vice-Principal Luna,” Suggested Applejack.

The other girls agreed. They thanked Vinyl and left the music shop.

They made their way to visit Solar Force and his aunts. As they approached the Principal and Vice-Principal’s house, they saw Solar, who was putting a traveling case in the boot of a car.

“Is he going somewhere?” Asked Fluttershy.

Rainbow Dash, using her geode, ran straight to Sailor’s side, catching him off guard. “Hey, pal, planning a little trip somewhere?” Rainbow asked with narrowed, suspicious eyes, and an intimidating voice.

“Umm, yes, we are, but-” Before he could continue, Rainbow brazenly interrupted.

“Mind if I have a look in this case?” she said, trying to grab it out of Solar’s hands.

“Yes, I do mind, Rainbow,” Solar Force said with an annoyed, defensive look, trying to fight Rainbow off. “Let go! That’s private!”

“RAINBOW DASH!” Yelled Sunset, marching up to Rainbow and standing between her and Solar. “WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!”

“Just doing my job, Sunset,” Replied Rainbow with a smug smirk.

“Uhh, Rainbow?” Said Applejack with a raised eyebrow, “You do know he’s with the squad, right?”

“He was acting suspicious!” Rainbow said, trying to defend herself.

“Alright, that’s it,” Applejack said with a huff, “you're coming with me.” With that said, she grabbed Rainbow by the collar and dragged her away.

“Hey! Let go, AJ!” Rainbow protested as she was dragged off.

After they were gone, Sunset turned to Solar and gave an apologetic smile. “Sorry about that, Solar,” she said, “I don’t know what got into her.”

“It's fine, Sunset,” Said an understanding Solar, “I understand how Rainbow can be sometimes.” He then said, “OK, look, I don’t have much time to talk. Me and my aunts are going away for a few days.”

“Oh, really? How long for?” Asked Sunset.

“Till Wednesday.” Answered Solar.

“Oh, I see,” Sunset said. “Oh, right, before I forgot,” Sunset reached into her bag. “Here’s your membership card.” Sunset then gave Solar his S.N.I.S Card.

“Uh, thanks Sunset,” Solar said as he took the card. “So, anyway, are you girls here to see aunt Luna?” He asked.

“Yes, we are, if it’s not too inconvenient.” Said Twilight.

“OK, sure,” Solar said, “But you’ll have to make it quick, we gotta get going.”

“We understand,” Sunset said. Solar then led Sunset, Twilight, Fluttershy and Pinkie into the house, while Applejack and Rarity were busy telling off Rainbow Dash.

As they entered the house, the two sisters came down the stairs, each carrying a suitcase.

“Hello, girls,” Said Celestia, “How can we help you?”

“We just need to ask Vice-Principal Luna about the Number Card she found,” Explained Sunset.

“Sister, you take your case out to the car, I’ll talk to Sunset and her friends,” Said Luna.

Luna led Sunset and her friends to the living room. “So, Vice-Principal, what do you remember about when you found your Number?” Sunset asked.

“Well, I remember I was tidying the office and the card was mixed with the papers. I picked it up, thinking it was my sister’s, and then... the rest is a blur. I’m sorry, that’s all I can remember,” Luna explained.

“That’s alright, thank you,” Sunset, “One more question. What were you thinking about just before you found the card?”

Luna thought hard for a moment. “Well,” She said slowly, “I remember thinking about how I missed the old days at Canterlot High. The days before, uh…” She paused, before saying, “before all this magik business started happening.”

“I see,” Sunset said, “Thank you for telling us everything Vice-Principal Luna.”

After that, Sunset and her friends leave and go to Fluttershy’s house to compare notes. Once they were settled in Fluttershy’s bedroom, and her mother had brought them all milk and cookies, Sunset began to speak.

“Okay, here’s what we know,” She said, “Vinyl found her Number under a table, Rarity’s Number was trapped in her sewing machine, and Vice-Principal Luna found her’s mixed with papers, and Zirconia Crown had her’s given to her. So, all of this means that they can apparently appear anywhere, at any moment.”

“So they could be anywhere?” Asked Fluttershy, shaking like a leaf as she pulled her hair over face.

“Even if they are all over the place, we can find them, and it’s because we are the Mane Seven!” Said a hyperactive Pinkie Pie.

“No, we're more like superheroes!” Said Rainbow arrogantly with a huge smirk, her eyes sparkling as she lived out her own fantasy of being a superhero.

(BONK!)

Applejack punched her in the head. “Stop spouting nonsense, Rainbow!” she shouted in annoyance.

“Ow ow ow!” Rainbow shouted indignantly, rubbing her head, “That’s so uncalled for!”

“It is when you don’t know when to shut your mouth,” Said an annoyed Applejack, rolling her eyes.

“She has a point darling. First you interrogated Solar Force, and now you think we are some silly superhero squad like something out of those ridiculous comic books you read. What’s going on in your head?” Rarity said, rubbing her forehead as she felt a migraine coming on.

“Come on, girls, we got these geodes, let's use them against the Number cards!” Exclaimed Rainbow.

“No, we can’t!” Sunset told her sternly, “If we started using our powers it could lead to an all out war. Anyone who gets a Number gets their own unnatural powers, you know this Rainbow. Look what happened with Vinyl when she found her’s. This isn't like a comic book, this is real life, and these Number cards are very dangerous and lethal.”

“Yeah, Rarity had mental control over the dresses she made, Vinyl got super strong, Zirconia turned some of us into dolls, and Vice-Principal Luna hypnotised most of the Student body, ” Said Pinkie Pie, counting each incident on her fingers. She then thought of something as she looked at Sunset. “Hey, Sunset, can you use the powers of the Numbers?” She asked.

Everyone looked at Sunset. “Hmm, I’m not sure,” Replied Sunset, putting her hand on her chin in thought, “I never tried to use the Number card’s powers.”

“Well, maybe you should try just to be safe, Sunset,” Said Chrysalis.

“OK, yeah, I’ll give it a try,” Replied Sunset as she nodded in agreement, “but not here. We need to go somewhere safe first.”

The girls all nodded, before they left Fluttershy's home.

Meanwhile, inside the world of the key, Cosmo is still exploring the machine.

“What is this machine? Why was it created? Who created it? I have too many questions and no answers,” She pondered to herself as she flew between the intricate mesh of gears and cogs like the inside of a giant clock.

Just then, She noticed a small rectangular object sticking out of one of the gears. It looked out of place, so she floated over to it to take a closer look. When she arrived at it, she stared at the small object. “What is that?”

She moved closer and she saw the Number 52 embedded on the gear above the object, causing her eyes to widen in shock. “A Number!” Cosmo then reached out her hand and a light glows from her palm. The Number then begins to glow as well, and the machine suddenly activates, as the gears begin to turn and move. “Fascinating. It would seem that this machine and Numbers are somehow linked.” The machine then came to stop once more. “I must find the other pedestals that the Numbers belong to, and I must inform Sunset of my discovery.” Cosmo says to herself as she continues her investigation.

Back with Sunset and the girls, they were out in the orchards at Sweet Apple Acres.

“Okay, just to Make sure I know what you're planning, you want to punch this brick wall?” Asked Applejack.

“Yep, with the power of Vinyl’s Number I’ll knock it down. Now, stand back, girls.” Sunset said as she approached the wall, raised her closed fist, and with all of her might, she punched the brick wall.

Through an X-ray, we see the bones in Sunset hand shatter.

Sunset slowly turned her head to look at the girls, her right eye twitching, and with a pain filled whimper, she said, “Help, please?” The girls all screamed in panic. “OW, MY HAND!!” Cried Sunset in agonony.

Several minutes later, Applejack finished wrapping up Sunset’s fingers in bandages. “There, that should do it.” she said.

“Thanks, Applejack,” Sunset said with a wince. “Ow, that still hurts.”

“Maybe trying to punch a brick wall with your bare hands was not the best idea you ever had,” Said Chrysalis, cringing slightly.

“Ooh! Ooh! Let’s try the mind control next!” Pinkie Pie jumped in.

“Alright, I’ll give it a try, but I doubt it’ll work,” Sunset said as she stood up. “Okay, so who am I going to brainwash?” Sunset looks around at the others to see who she was going to hypnotize.

“Fluttershy, you were the first person Vice-Principal Luna hypnotized. Do you remember how she did it?” Asked Twilight.

“I think she held my face and I stared into her eyes, I can't remember the rest,” Explained Fluttershy.

Sunset walked up to Fluttershy and placed her hands on either side of her face. “Like this?” She asked. The two girls then made eye contact, and Fluttershy blushed.

“Oh ho ho, two yuri moments in one day? Are you coming out, Sunset?” Said Rarity with a devilish smirk.

“And, we’re done here!” Shouted Sunset, backing away from a still blushing Fluttershy.

“Okay, I’d say it’s confirmed that Sunset can’t use the powers of the Numbers,” Said Chrysalis.

“Oh, come on, we still got the toy power to try out,” said Pinkie with a pout.

Applejack just looked at Pinkie with a raised eyebrow. “Look, sugarcube. Sunset punched a brick wall and broke at least 4 of her knuckles, and she just spent 5 seconds staring passionately into Fluttershy’s eyes, and nothing happened. I think the point has more than proven,” she said.

“It wasn’t passionate!” Sunset shouted again, blushing heavily. “Okay girls, moving on. I think we’re done for today. I’m going home to put my hand in some ice.” She finished.

“Yeah, I better get home and check on Spike,” Said Twilight.

“And I don’t want to miss my favourite show,” Said Pinkie.

With all this said, the girls headed back home. “I’ll try to call Mad Page and see if he can help you with your money problems, Rarity,” Sunset said to Rarity before they parted ways.

“That would be much appreciated darling,” Rarity thanked Sunset.

Later, Sunset and Chrysalis were back at their apartment. Sunset was sitting on her couch, with her hand now in a bowl of ice. “Ahhhhh, that’s better,” she said in relief.

Chrysalis then sits down next to Sunset before handing her some painkillers. “Here, take these,” She said, giving Sunset the pills.

“Thanks,” Sunset said, before swallowing the medication.

Just then, Cosmo appeared from the key, “Ah, Sunset, I have news on…” she paused as saw Sunset with her hand in the bowl of ice. “Did Something happen in my absence?” She asked.

“I’ll tell you later,” Sunset said as she looked up at her. “Did you want to tell me something?”

Chrysalis looked at with a confused look. “No, I didn’t… wait, are you talking to the invisble blue girl you told me about?” She asked.

“Yeah, Cosmo is here and she has something important to tell me,” Sunset replied.

“Alright, I’ll just leave you two alone. I’ll get something in for dinner. What do you feel like?” Chrysalis asked.

“Spaghetti,” Answered Sunset.

“Ohh, nice,” Chrysalis said with a smile, “we can have italian tonight.” With that said, Chrysalis left Sunset and Cosmo to have their conversation.

“Okay, Cosmo, what did you want to tell me? Did you find out something about the Numbers?” Asked Sunset.

“As a matter of fact, yes. It would seem that the machine inside your key has a connection to the Numbers,” Cosmo explained.

At this, Sunset sat-up, her interest fully peaked. “So the Numbers with your memories, and this machine inside my key have a connection. So this means that the two are linked to my key.” Sunset analyzed.

“It would indeed seem so,” agreed Cosmo. “We will need more Numbers in order for me to continue my investigation.”

“You're right, but that may be a challenge. Oh, I just remembered. I need to contact Mad Page,” Sunset said, before going to find the glass ball that Mad Page gave her.

“What is that glass ball for?” Asked Cosmo.

“Mad Page gave it to me, no idea how it works,” Replied Sunset. She then stared at the ball. “Hmm? Umm, Mad Page, can you hear me… or something?”

“You called?” said a voice from the ball.

“Is this how it works?” asked Sunset.

“Of course, I designed this ball like those… What do you call them? Oh, yes, cell phones you have in your world,” Explained Mad Page. “So, anyway, is there anything I can help you with?” He asked.

“Yes, my friend, Rarity, she has some problems in the financial department. So we were wondering if you had any loose change you could give her,” Explained Sunset.

“Of course, I’ve always had too much cash,” Said Mad Page. “I can spare your friend some extra cash.”

“Really? That’s great! Rarity will be so relieved. We’ll meet you tomorrow by the statue,” Said Sunset.

“Yep, I’ll see you then,” Replied Mad Page.

“Thanks, Mad Page,” Said Sunset gratefully. She put the glass ball down and leaned back into the cushions of the couch. “Well, that’s one load off my mind. For now, I’m just gonna relax, put my hand back in some more ice, and wait for Chryssy to make us dinner.”

“Very well,” said Cosmo. “In the meantime, I shall continue my investigation of the machine. Goodbye for now, Sunset.” With those words, she disappeared.

The next day, Sunset and the girls made there’re way to the school, where Mad Page was waiting for the girls to arrive beside the statue. The CMCs, who had also come to the school early, all greeted him, “Hello, girls, you're early,” Said Mad Page.

“Yeah, we were going to our favourite card shop, but they closed for the day,” Explained Applebloom with a disappointed look.

“Shame, too. I was hoping I would get lucky and get some super rare cards,” Said Scootaloo with an annoyed pout. “Figures that Applebloom would get all the good luck.

Sweetie Belle then looked at the time on her phone. “Hey girls, we'd better go. Classes will be starting soon,” She said. The three young teens said their goodbyes to Mad Page and ran inside the school to find their lockers.

Just then, Sunset and the others arrived at the school. “Hi Mad Page!” Yelled Pinkie Pie cheerfully.

“Hi girls! Hey, Rarity here’s the hand out,” Mad Page said, handing Rarity a small bag.

“Oh my!” Gasped Rarity in awe, her eyes going and sparkly as she opened the bag and saw what was inside. It was full of uncut gemstones.

“Ooh, pretty,” Said Pinkie with stars in her eyes.

“With this, you’ll get to keep your shop,” Said Mad Page.

“Oh, thank you, darling,” Said Rarity gratefully, “It’s such a dreadful shame I have to pawn these beautiful gems.”

As the conversation continued, the masked person watched with narrowed eyes, hiding out of sight. In her hand was a small deck of blank Duel Monsters cards. She picked up a card from the top of the deck and held it up in front of her mask. “This one will do,” She said, “and I’ll give you to the Tomboy.” She prepares her hand and throws the blank card. The card flies through the air, straight towards Rainbow Dash. However, just before the card could reach Rainbow Dash, Mad Page quickly raised his hand and snached the card from the air.

Everyone looked at him oddly after the odd move, ”Look, there’s someone there,” Said Fluttershy, pointing in the direction the card had come from.

They all looked, but saw no one.The masked person had disappeared like a phantom. “She’s gone! And nowhere to be found!” Gasped Pinkie Pie.

Sunset then turned her attention toward Mad Page. “Are you okay?” She asked.

“Perfectly fine,” He replied casually.

“Wait, why haven’t you gone crazy?” Asked Sunset again with a raised eyebrow. Mad Page looked at her with a deadpan look. “OK, yeah, that was a stupid question,” She said with a just as deadpan look.

“It did try to take control, but the thing is, I’m not in control of my own mind,” He explained with a wide, wild grin. “Here, give this to bluebird. You will need it,” He said handing the Number over to Sunset. Sunset took the Number from Madpage, and at that moment, Cosmo appeared from the key.

“Hello, bluebird, are your ears burning?” Mad Page asked her.

“I am here because I sensed a Number,” Cosmo replied.

“Yeah, here it is Cosmo, it was Mad Page’s,” Explained Sunset.

“Interesting. How did it not affect you like the others?” Cosmo asked Mad Page with interest.

“Simple, I’m not a Duelist, so it couldn’t control me,” Mad Page replied with a shrug. “Well, anyway, I’ve gotta go. I’ve got some errands to run. So I must leave you girls. Just look out for each other. She’s still out there.” He then wheeled himself backwards to the portal.

Once he was gone, Sunset put the Number in her deck box. Just then, the school’s PA system chimed, and they heard an unfamiliar voice. “Attention all students. Please report to the gymnasium for an important announcement.” After that, the girls all looked at each other, before making their way to the school gymnasium.

Inside the gym, all of the student body was sitting on the bleachers, waiting for the announcement. A man in a black three piece suit, somewhere in his 30s, stepped up to the podium.

“Thank you all for gathering so promptly. I know you all have school work to return to, so I’ll keep this brief. Principal Celestia and Vice-Principal Luna have both taken a short leave of absence. Until their return, the school will be under the supervision of Principal Cinch.” Needless to say, none of the students were happy with this arrangement, particularly Sunset and the girls.

The man stood aside, allowing Cinch to step forward to say a few words. “Now, I know that the relationship between us is an unfortunate and bumpy one. But rest assured, this is only until next Wednesday, when Principal Celestia and Vice-Principal Luna shall return. Let me also assure you, that while I am in charge, school business shall carry on as normal. There will be no change whatsoever.” Principal Cinch finished her speech and stepped away from the podium.

Once the assembly finished,Sunset and the girls went about their day like usual, while keeping an eye out for the masked person.

After school, the girls were now at Sugar Cube Corner, sitting at an 8 seater table that sat them all. “Okay, girls, I think it safe to say we’re not seeing that person any time soon,” said Rainbow after taking a big gulp of her soda.

“Don’t jinx it!” said Applejack sternly.

“Well regardless, I’m just surprised that Cinch is in charge of our school,” said an unhappy Rarity.

“I Know how you feel. I mean, it was because of her that I became Midnight.” Twilight agreed.

Sunset was not paying attention to her friends, her mind was on other matters. “Who was that person? Why did she throw that card at us? I keep getting more questions than answers.” Her mind was clouded with the puzzle.

“Sunset, darling are you alright?” asked Rarity.

“Hmm, what?” Sunset replied, “ sorry girls, my head is somewhere else.”

“Yeah, a lot happened today,” said Fluttershy.

“Then, once we are all done here, how about we all just go home and call it a day,” suggested Chrysalis.

Everyone agreed with her and all headed back home. Once they got back to their apartment, Sunset just decided to go to bed early, as her head felt like it was going to explode with everything that was going on her mind, along with trying to think of a way to deal with the Number cards. She quickly but fitfully fell asleep.

In her dream, Sunset found herself in an endless hallway of doors. “I’ve never had this dream before.” She said to herself. She opened one of the doors and inside was the best party that only Pinkie can throw.

“Whoo, this party is off the hook!” Shouted a girl that looked like a mashup of Sunset and Pinkie.

“Who are you?” Asked Sunset.

“Hay, what’s up? I’m the party girl side of you personally,” The strange looking girl replied with a wide happy grin, very similar to Pinkie Pie’s.

She stepped back into the hallway, out of the party, where it was quiet. “What is this place?” She asked.

“This is the subconscious,” The girl answered.

“So, why am I here?” Sunset asked again.

“You must have a lot on your mind, So you came here to find a solution to your problem.” The party girl replied.

“Hmm, maybe I might find something here. Thanks,” Said a grateful Sunset.

After that the Party Sunset waved goodbye and returned to her party. “Good luck!” She called back to Sunset cheerfully.

Sunset walked down the hallway opening each door. Behind each door, she was introduced to a girl who was another mashup of herself and one of her friends, who represented a different side of her personality. She had a different kind of fun with each one she met, taking care of some animals with her kind side, playing some soccer with her sporty side, etc.

After meeting yet another one of her counterparts, the Twilight one, who represented her logical side, she knew that there must be another reason why she was here other than simply meeting her other selves. “As fun as this is, I’m not finding any kind of solution to my problems,” She said to herself. As she moved on, she then stopped as she saw a door that was different from the others, as it seemed to be glitching, like in an old video game. “That’s weird. What’s going on here?” She slowly approached the door, reached out her hand, turned the handle and the door opened. Her eyes widened in shock as she saw a beautiful, galaxy like world. “What is this place?” she asked in wonder, but then, suddenly, she clutched her hands to her head as was in a great deal of pain. “My..My head!” She cried as she fell to her knees, and then, she was surrounded by a loud beeping noise as everything went white.

Sunset was suddenly jolted awake when she hit the floor after falling out of bed. “Ow! My head,” She groaned as she rubbed her head.

“Well, that’s one way to wake up in the morning,” Said Chrysalis as she came up the steps to Sunset’s loft, seeing her roommate lying on the floor. She walked over to the bed and helped Sunset get up from the floor. “Are you okay?” she asked with concern in her voice, “You were talking in your sleep.”

“Was I? Sorry, did I keep you up?” Asked Sunset apologetically.

“No, but you were saying some weird stuff,” Replied Chrysalis.

“Yeah, I had a strange dream,” said Sunset.

“What about?” Chrysalis asked.

“I was in an endless hallway with countless doors on each side, and I found this one door that was different from the others and then...” Sunset explained, before trailing off as she groaned again, as her head was still hurting from last night’s dream.

“Maybe you should stay home for today,” suggested Chrysalis.

“No, I’ll be fine,” Sunset reassured her roommate.

Chrysalis was not confident, but she wouldn't argue with Sunset. “OK, just don’t push yourself,” She said.

“I will, thanks,” Sunset said, before she and Chrysalis got ready for the day, her headache slowly fading away.

Later, they met up with the other girls at the school and were relieved to see that everything seemed normal.

“It seems Cinch was telling the truth,” Said Applejack.

“Yes, that seems to be the case, but we can’t just let our guard down yet,” Said Twilight, speaking from experience. The other girls nodded and murmured their agreement.

Just then, the school bell rang to begin the school day. “We’ll continue our conversation later,” Said Sunset. The girls nodded and headed off to their classes.

Later that day, in the photography class, the students were learning about the history of photography.

The teacher pointed to the board as he gave his lecture. “When cameras were first introduced, people believed that a camera could steal the soul of whoever had their picture taken. So, most religions classed the Camera as the devil's work. But, nowadays, everyone knows that a camera captures a moment of time and freezes it on paper.” Before he could continue, the bell rang. “Okay everyone, tomorrow we’re going to take pictures of landscapes. if you don’t have a camera, we can lend you one,” He said as the students left the room. He then spoke up as one blue skinned girl was about to leave the room. “Photo Finish, can I have a word?”

Photo Finish paused, before approaching her teacher. “Is there something wrong?” She asked in her heavy accent.

“No, of course not. I have a meeting now, so can you put film in the cameras for tomorrow?” He asked her.

“Yes, I can put new films in the cameras,” Photo Finish agreed, The teacher leaves Photo Finish. She got started on changing the films for the cameras. Soom, she was on the last camera. She opened the back to change the film, when she paused at what she saw inside. There was a blank Duel Monsters card inside. “Who put this here?” She wondered as she removed the card. As soon as she touched it, a dark mist engulfed her, while she grasped her head and groaned, as a demonic voice could be heard in her head.

“Yes, Photo Finish! Let the Number take hold!”

The Number 25 appeared on her check, and with an evil smile, she said, “Yes! I will take the most perfect pictures!”

Just then, Wallflower Blush entered the photography room. “Hi Photo, are we still on for the photo shoots?” She asked.

Photo turned to her, pointing her camera at her, and with a flash from the camera, Wallflower disappeared.“Yes we are,” Photo said with a sinister voice, as she picked up a picture off the ground and hung it up on the wall. The picture showed a surprised looking Wallflower, who was now trapped inside the image.

Later that day, Principal Cinch was in the Principal's office going through some paperwork. She paused to look at the time. “Hmm, 12:30, and it’s quiet,” she said thoughtfully, listening carefully for any noise outside the office door, but she could hear nothing. “The students should be heading for their lunch by now.” With this thought, she got up from her desk and walked out of the office. The hallway was empty and some lockers were left open. Worksheets and books were also on the floor. “What is the meaning of this? And where are the students?” Principal Cinch started to look for the students, but everywhere she looked, all she saw were empty hallways.“What's going on here? No students or teacher’s anywhere,” She said to herself.

Sunset was on her way out of the restrooms. “That’s better,” She said with a happy smile, before pulling out her phone. “Hmm, no new messages.” She tried to call Twilight. “No answer, lets try Rainbow.” She tries to call her the rest of her friends, but there is no answer. She then looked up and noticed that the hallway was empty. “This is strange. Where is everyone?” Sunset started to look for the other students. She walked past the science room, looked inside, seeing a bunsen burner which still lit and left unattended. “Now I’m getting concerned,” She said as she entered the room and put out the burner.

Just then, Principal Cinch walked past the science room, looked in and saw Sunset. “Miss Shimmer, where is everyone?” She asked.

“I don’t know. I just left the restroom and there was nobody in sight,” Sunset said.

They then both turned as they heard someone call out. “Hello! Where is everyone?”

“That sounds like Bon Bon,” Said Sunset, and she and Chinch went to find her. As they searched for her, a snapping sound was heard.

“Where is she?” asked Principal Cinch.

Sunset looked around and saw a hair pin on the floor. “This is one of the hair pins,” She said as she picked up the pin.

“So she was here, but where is she now?” asked Principal Cinch.

“I can answer that, but could you let me out first?” Said a male voice from inside a locker.

Sunset walked up to the locker. “What is the code?” She asked.

“5 left, 8 right, 2 left,” He replied.

Sunset entered the code into the lock, and pulled the locker door open, and a young man with dark skin, gray hair and light gray eyes, wearing a black hoodie, stepped out with a grateful look on his face. “Thanks,” He said as he stretched.

“Your welcome. Why were you in your locker?” Sunset asked.

“I was pushed in,” He answered.

“Now, please do tell us about Miss Bon Bon,” Asked Principal Cinch.

“I saw her looking for the others like I was, but then there was a flash, like from a camera, and then she was just... gone,” He explained.

“Sounds familiar,” Sunset thought to herself. “We should check the Photography room,” she suggested. “He said he heard a camera. It’s the most logical destination,” Sunset explained.

“She has a point,” Said the boy. Cinch agreed and they made their way to the Photography room.

When they arrived at the Photography room, they walked inside, only to see that no one was inside. They looked around the room. “Umm, guys, these pictures over here. They are moving,” Said the boy with a shocked tone.

Principal Chich and Sunset looked at the photos, and they’re eyes widened in shock as well. “They are moving,” Gasped Principal Cinch. Indeed, the pictures were moving, and besides that, they were pictures of the missing students, including, much to Sunset’s own shock, all of seven of her friends, including Chrysalis. Before anyone could say anything else, they heard a sinister chuckling, causing them to turn around to see a smirking Photo Finish, who held up her camera and used it to take their photograph. The flash was so bright, it blinded Sunset. When she opened her eyes, both Principal Cinch and the hooded boy had vanished. She looked down at the ground and saw two new photographs, each with a newly trapped boy and Principal Cinch. She picked up the pictures. “So, you're the one behind this,” She said, looking angrily at Photo Finish.

“Yes, and I’ll add your photo to my collage,” She replied with a sinister grin. Sunset looked closely at Photo Finish and saw the Number 25 on her check.

Just then, Cosmo appeared from the key. “I thought I sensed a Number,” she said.

At that moment, in her head, Photo Finish heard the demonic voice once again. “Take her Numbers! Take her key!” She then gave Sunset a wicked look. “Sunset Shimmer, I challenge you to a Duel!” She declared, placing a modified D-Pad, which had a built in camera, on her arm and activating it.

“Alright, I accept your challenge,” Sunset replied with narrowed eyes, readying her own D-Pad.

They each put on and activated their Duel Gazers, as the virtual Dueling Field formed around them.

Augmented Reality Vision Link Established.

“DUEL!” Both girls yelled.

LP: Sunset Shimmer: 4000 / Photo Finish: 4000.

“As the challenger,” Said Photo Finish, “I will go first!”

“First, second, whatever,” Sunset said back, “Doesn’t matter to me. Go ahead.”

Photo smirked. “You will regret those words,” she said, before drawing her first card. “I Draw!”

Sunset then took a quick glance at her opening hand, and was pleased with what she saw. “Good,” she thought, “I have both Goblindbergh and Gagaga Magician. That means I can use Goblidbergh’s effect to summon Magician, and then, because they’re both level 4, I can overlay them to XYZ summon Utopia right away.” She then looked back across at Photo as she made her first move.

“I play one card face down,” Photo said, before playing another card from her hand. “I now activate the Spell card, Card Destruction!”

“What?!” Sunset said in shock.

“It would appear that she already anticipated that you had a favourable opening hand,” Stated Cosmo, “I believe that you may need to work on, what do you call it, your poker face?”

“Bite me, Casper,” Sunset muttered under her breath.

“I take it by your reaction, you know what this card does,” Photo said, still smirking, “We both discard every card in our hands, and then we Draw the same number of cards we discarded from our decks.”

“Yeah, yeah, I know,” Sunset said crossly, as she proceeded to send all of the cards she had to the Graveyard, before Drawing five new cards. Photo did the same, discarding the four she had left in her hand and drawing four more cards. Sunset then looked at her new hand, and grimaced. “Oh no. Almost all these cards are useless, and none of them are monsters,” She thought.

“I now set one monster,” Photo continued, a vertical face down card appearing in front of her other set card. “That ends my turn.”

“Then it’s my turn!” Sunset declared with determination. “I Draw!” She drew her next card, and frowned at it, before putting it in her hand. “Oh, this is just great,” She thought in annoyance, “another Trap Card I can’t use.”

“It would seem you are having quite the bad luck at this time, Sunset,” stated Cosmo as she looked over the cards in fiery haired girls hand.

“Quiet, blue girl, I’ve got this,” Sunset muttered.

“As you wish,” Cosmo agreed.

Sunset then looked carefully at her hand, trying hard to come with anything she could do. “OK, there might be a way out of this. If I set that Jar Of Avarice Trap, I might be able to replace my hand with something useful. And I can at least protect myself with this Sakuretsu Armor Trap,” she thought, before doing just that. “I set two face down Cards and end my turn!”

“It must be sad not being able to set up a proper defense,” Photo said mockingly. “It’s also too bad for you that the same can’t be said for me. I activate my face down card, Call Of The Haunted! With this card, I can bring back one monster from my Graveyard, and I choose the monster I sent there last turn, Trance The Magic Swordsman!” A tall warrior in armor appeared on her side of the field. He wore armor, had a purple cape, and carried a long sword with magical runes on it.

Trance The Magic Swordsman: Attribute: EARTH: Type: Spellcaster: Level 6: ATK: 2600 / DEF: 200

“And with that, it’s now my turn. I Draw!” Photo said, drawing her next card. “And now, let’s take a look at your graveyard.” She then used the screen on her Dpad to check the cards in Sunset’s graveyard. She saw two cards that stood out to her, Gagaga Magician and Goblindbergh. “Well, look at this, you could have easily summoned your own Number with these two monsters. And one of your favorites too. I think I’ll help myself to him,” she said, looking at Sunset with a mocking grin.

“And how do you plan on doing that?” Sunset said back with a glare.

“Like this,” Photo said, “I activate the Spell Card, Monster Reborn, and I’ll use it to bring back your Gagaga Magician!” Sunset could only watch as one of her favourite monsters appeared on Photo’s field.

Gagaga Magician: Attribute: DARK: Type: Spellcaster: Level 4: ATK: 1500 / DEF: 1000

“And now, I activate Gagaga Magician’s effect and change his Level from Level 4 to Level 6!”

Gagaga Magician: Level 4 > Level 6

“I know what’s coming now,” Sunset thought.

“I now overlay my two Level 6 monsters to build the overlay network!” Photo went on, smirking darkly, as the number 25 appeared on her right cheek. Both monsters turned into purple and orange streaks of light, shooting up into the air before disappearing into a galaxy like portal. “Behold! A photographer's greatest weapon! I XYZ Summon Number 25: Force Focus!” Above the field, what looked like a giant box appeared, with a huge camera lens on the front. It suddenly unfolded, becoming bigger, and revealing a bunch of smaller lenses all across it, the number 25 appearing under the largest lens.

Number 25: Force Focus: Attribute: Light: Type: Machine: Rank 6: ATK: 2800 / DEF: 2400

So, this is her Number,” Said Cosmo, “Force Focus.”

“And she used one of my monsters to summon it,” Sunset hissed, grinding her teeth and scowling. “How dare she.”

“Calm yourself, Sunset,” Cosmo said softly, “I will do you no good at the present time.”

Sunset took a breath to calm herself. “Your right. Getting worked up won’t get me anywhere,” She said. “Besides, if she attacks me with her Number, I can get rid of it with my Sakuretsu Armor Trap Card,” She thought to herself.

“And just in case you were thinking of using one of your face down cards to get rid of Force Focus, I now activate the Spell Card, Giant Trunade!” Photo suddenly declared. “With this card, I can send all Spell and Trap cards on the Field back to our hands.” With that said, a huge gust of wind blew across the field, sending both of Sunset’s facedown cards back to her hand, much to her annoyance. “Now that the coast is clear, I move to my Battle Phase,” Photo continued, “Now, Force Focus! Direct Attack!” The giant camera focused it’s huge lens before firing an intense beam of energy at her.

“Brace yourself!” Called Cosmo.

All Sunset could do was brace herself and try to endure the attack, grunting loudly as it struck home.

Sunset Shimmer: LP: 4000 - 2800 = 1200

As the attack dissipated, Sunset fell to one knee, clutching her chest, and breathing heavily.

“Are you all right, Sunset?” Asked Cosmo.

“I’ve… been… worse…” Sunset said as she struggled back to her feet, “Oh, geez, that still hurt, though.”

“I think I’ve made you sefer enough for now,” Photo said with a sadistic smirk, “I end my turn!”

“About… time…” Sunset huffed. “My Turn! I Draw! Come on! Give a Monster!” She drew her next card, and frowned at it. It was a monster, but not what she had been hoping for. “Kurivolt?! What am I supposed to do with this?!” She thought hard, trying to think of anything she could do. “I could summon it and use it’s effect to get rid of one of Force Focus’s Overlay Units, but then I would just lose on her next turn, and can’t play it in Defense Mode, because they got rid of that method years ago, meaning I would have to set it, so I can’t use it’s effect. What can I do?”

Cosmo could also see that Sunset was in trouble. There had to be something she could do. As she thought about the situation, she suddenly felt a pulse coming from Sunset’s deck box. “Wait, could that be…” She says, before turning to Sunset. “Sunset, I believe our salvation may lie with the new Number.”

“What?” Sunset asked. “New Number? Do you mean the one that Mad Page gave us?”

“Yes,” Cosmo said. “Have you taken a look at the Number since you took possession of it?”

“Hm, no,” Sunset said thoughtfully. She then used the screen on her Dpad to check the cards in her Extra Deck, but when she saw the new card, she frowned in confusion, as the only stats it showed her was its Rank, which was only Rank 1. “What? I don’t get it? Why is it only showing me it’s Rank and nothing else? Not even it’s name?”

“Could it be…?” Said Cosmo.

“Be what?” asked Sunset.

“That this Number is not fully formed yet,” Replied Cosmo.

“Not fully formed?” Sunset asked. “Why would that be?”

“Sunset, you must Summon that card in under to complete it,” Cosmo said seriously.

“What?” Sunset said, eyeing Cosmo strangely, “If the card’s incomplete I can’t use it, right?”

“I believe that the reason the Number has not fully formed is because it was never used until now,” Cosmo explained. “As soon as you play it, it’s true form will be revealed.”

“Alright,” Sunset nodded, “I trust you.”

“What is taking you so long!” Photo snapped impatiently. “Hurry up and make your move already!”

“I was just about to!” Sunset shot back. “I Summon Kurivolt!” On her field, a small, round, black monster appeared,with small red feet, round orange and brown eyes, a red lightning bolt on its forehead, and metal spike for a tail.

Kurivolt: Attribute LIGHT: Type: Thunder: Level 1: ATK: 300 / DEF: 200

“And now that I’ve summoned it, I can activate its effect!” Sunset continued. “Kurivolt can get rid of an Overlay Unit from any XYZ monster on the field, and look at that, you have one, and it has two Overlay Units. So the monster I choose is Force Focus!”

“I’m afraid you’ll have to think again, mein liebe,” Photo interrupted, “For I now activate the effect of Force Focus! By using one Overlay Unit, I can negate the effect of one of your monsters until the end of this Turn!”

“What?!” Sunset shouted.

“And the Overlay Unit I will use will be your Gagaga Magician. You may have him back now. He has served his purpose,” Photo went on, pulling Gagaga Magician from underneath Force Focus, and tossing it back to Sunset. Sunset caught the card with a scowl, and took a look at it, before depositing it in her Graveyard. Force Focus then absorbed one of the two orbs of light circling it, and then focused it’s enormous lens on Kurivolt. The click of a shutter was heard, and there was a blinding flash, causing Sunset to cover her eyes with her arm. Once she could see again, she looked down at her monster, as it had its eyes squeezed shut. Once it opened them, they became swirls, and little golden stars floated around it’s head, as it shook from side to side. “Oh, is the poor little thing dizzy?” Photo asked in a fake sweet tone.

“I’ll make you dizzy in a minute,” Sunset muttered under her breath. “Great! That move was my best bet. What do I do now?” She thought to herself bitterly. “Wait,” she thought as she looked over her hand, “I still have Sakuretsu Armor and Jar Of Avarice. And all the other cards in my hand are all Spell cards. Wait, that’s it! It’s my only chance. I’m going to have to bluff my way out.” She then picked up all the cards in her hand. “I sure hope this works. Because if it doesn't I’m finished.” She then said out loud, “I place 5 Trap Cards facedown!”

“Did you say 5 Trap Cards?!” Photo asked in a shocked tone.

“Wait? What?” Sunset said. “Did I say 5 Traps? I meant to say 5 facedown cards. Just forget I said that,” she said with a shrug of her shoulders. “Well, anyway, that ends my Turn!”

“About time!” Photo said. “My Turn! I Draw!” She drew her next card, and was ready to launch another attack with Force Focus to finish Sunset off, but then she hesitated. “Wait?!” She thought with worry, “It may have just been a slip of the tongue, but what if she really did lay down 5 Trap Cards? I will be walking straight into a trap.” She then looked down at her hand, and smirked at what she saw. “Or maybe not,” she thought before announcing, “I place 1 card face down and end my Turn!”

“What? You’re not going to attack me with your big, all powerful Number Card?” Sunset asked teasingly. “Oh well, it’s my turn again. I Draw!” She drew her next card, before saying, “Still I don’t need you to attack me to play this card. I activate the Trap Card-”

Before she said the card's name, Photo, in a sudden panic, shouted, “Oh no you don’t! I activate my own Trap Card, Dark Bribe! This will negate your…” She stopped and stared as Sunset’s face down card was revealed. “Jar Of Avarice?!”

“Oh, would you look at that,” Sunset said with a smile, “You must have been desperate to activate that card now. And, don’t forget, as the cost for playing that card, I get to draw a new one from my deck, so thanks.” She then proceeds to do just that, while Photo scowled indignantly.

“You… you… you tricked me!” She shouted accusingly.

“I didn’t trick you,” Sunset said with a smirk, “I mean, it’s not my fault you have an itchy trigger finger.” Photo growled furiously, grinding her teeth so hard she was practically sanding them down. “Now, like I was saying, it’s my turn,” Sunset continued, looking at her new card, seeing she had drawn another Kurivolt. “Oh, well, look at that,” She thought, “I might be able to pull this off after all.” She then announced, “I now summon another cute little Kurivolt!” A second Kurivolt appeared in front of her next to the other one. “And I’ll activate his effect, which I’m sure I don’t need to remind you of.”

“Go ahead, try it,” Photo said with an evil chuckle, “I can just negate its effect using the effect of Force Focus again!”

“Are you sure you want to do that?” Sunset asked, “I mean, you already used up your Dark Bribe, which was your best defence against any of my Traps. What if you activate your monster's effect and I’m able to get rid of it with one of my Trap cards? You wouldn’t be able to protect it this time.”

Just like before, Photo hesitated. “Is she trying to trick me again, or does she really have a way to destroy Force Focus?” She thought about what kind of cards Sunset might have on the field, before her eyes widened in realization. “Wait! Could she have played a Divine Punishment?!”

While Photo was panicking, Sunset took her chance. “I now activate Kurivolt’s effect! I’m sure I don’t need to remind you about what it does, so I’ll just get rid of your monster’s second Overlay Unit!” With that, Kurivolt let out a bolt of electricity, which snared Force Focus’ last Overlay Units, and pulled it away. “With that done, I can now summon another Kurivolt from my Deck!” The little orb of light vanished, only to be replaced with a second Kurivolt appeared next to the first one. “And now that all three of my Kurivolt’s, I will now overlay two of them!” The two of three little monsters turned into streaks of yellow light, as a galaxy-like portal appeared in front of her. “I sure hope this works,” she thought, before she announced, “I XYZ summon a new monster! Number 20: Madgic!” What emerged from the portal was a large white top hat. A long red curtain dropped down from inside it, before a pair of white gloved hands, pulled the curtain open, revealing it to actually be a long cape, worn by a tall, thin man in a white, flamboyant magicians’ outfit. The top hat covered the top half of his face, except for two little holes above the brim for his eyes.

Number 20: Madgic: Rank: 1: Attribute: Light: Type Spellcaster/XYZ: ATK: 500 / DEF: 500

“What?! Another Number?!” Photo cried in shock, before taking full notice of it’s sats and smiling wickedly. “Still though that’s your big monster? Even though it is a Number, it still only has 500 ATK points! Not to mention he looks completely ridiculous!” She laughed out loud as Sunset just rolled her eyes.

“Laugh all you want,” She said, “There’s more to this monster than just his appearance, or his attack points.”

“Aww, well aren't you the sweetest things,” Madgic suddenly said as he turned and around and pinched Sunset’s cheek.

“Whaaat!” Sunset and Cosmo both said in unison.

“What, you've never seen a talking Duel Monster before?” Madgic said, floating on his side, propping up his head with his arm. “I mean, it’s kinda mandatory in this game.”

“Intriguing,” Cosmo said with interest.

“I just summoned a talking Duel Monster,” Sunset muttered to herself, “why am I surprised at this?”

“What are you muttering about you simpleton?” Photo asked with an impatient scowl.

“None of your business!” Sunset shot back.

“Curiosity aside, we must prevail here, Sunset,” Cosmo said. “I believe this new asset of ours may be our best chance of doing so.”

“Excuse me,” Said Madgic, who was still floating on his side, “but your so-called ‘asset’ does have a name, Casper.”

“Hmm,” Sunset said with a slight smirk, “I like him. Now, lets see what he can actually do.” She used the screen on her Dpad to check Madgic’s effects, and smiled at what she saw. “Yeah, this could be useful.” She then announced, “I activate Madgic’s effect! By spending one Overlay Unit, I can take one Spell Card form either Graveyard and add it to my hand! And the Spell I choose is Monster Reborn! Your Monster Reborn to be exact!”

Madgic raised his cane and caught one of the little orbs of light with the end of it, and then drew a circle in the air in front of him, which he reached his hand into, and pulled out the said Monster Reborn card, before turning and handing the card to Sunset. “Here you go malady,” he said.

“Why thank you, goodsir,” Sunset said, smiling at his manors.

“Just a quick warning,” Madgic said, “Don’t go using that Card just yet. It won’t be fun.”

“Don’t worry, I don’t plan to use it. At least not yet,” Sunset said, “But I will do this. I now place one card face down!” She placed the newly obtained card on the field, filling all five of her Spell/Trap Zone spaces. “I now move to my Battle Phase! Madgic! Attack Force Focus!”

“Nothing personal 25,” Madgic said, “But I have to do as the lady says.” His left hand goes up into his sleeve, as he uses his right hand to cock it like a gun, before shooting a barrage of playing cards straight toward the giant camera.

“Are you mad?!” Photo shouted, “Your little party magician only has 500 ATK points, and my Force Focus has 2800! As soon as that attack hits, you lose!”

But Sunset just smirked at her. “Oh, did I not mention Madgic’s other effect? You see, during my Battle Phase, he gains 500 ATK points for every Spell or Trap card on the field.”

“WHAT?!” Photo screamed.

Number 20: Madgic: ATK: 500 + 500 x 5 = 3000

The barrage of cards hit home, shredding the giant camera to pieces.

Photo Finish: LP: 4000 - 200 = 3800

“NEIN!!!” Photo screamed at the loss of her Number. “HOW DARE YOU, YOU LITTLE SWINE!” She proceeded into a full blown furious rant, which Sunset couldn’t understand, because it was all in German, and Sunset didn’t know German.

“I’m… not getting a word of this,” She said with a raised eyebrow.

“You can not understand her?” asked Cosmo. “I can still understand her perfectly. It would seem that I am able to hear any language as if it were english.”

“Really?” Sunset said, “Cool.”

“Indeed,” Cosmo nodded.

“So what is she saying?” Sunset asked.

“I think it is best you do not know,” Cosmo said simply.

“Ok,” Sunset said, before saying, “I end my turn!”

“I swear I will make you pay,” Photo growled, “I DRAW!!” She drew her next card, took one look at it, and laughed maniacally, before announcing, “I summon Skilled Dark Magician!” A tall man holding a staff and wearing wizards robes appeared on the field.

Skilled Dark Magician: Level 4: Attribute: DARK: Type: Spellcaster: ATK 1900 / DEF 1700

“This is where it ends for you!” Photo shouted in triumph. “I move to my Battle Phase! Skilled Dark Magician! Attack her Kurivolt!” The spellcaster launched a spell at Sunset’s small monster. “It’s all over!”

“I don’t think so!” Sunset retorted. “I activate the Trap Card, Sakuretsu Armor!”

“WHAT?!” Photo screamed. All she could do was watch as her only monster was easily destroyed. “But… but… but I thought…” she stuttered in disbelief.

“You thought I was just bluffing,” Sunset said with a smirk. “Well, I was, and I wasn’t.”

“NEIN!! NEIN, NEIN, NEIN, NEIN!!” Photo screamed, stomping her foot in rage at being so easily deceived. Finally, she fell to her knees, her head slumped, as she muttered in a broken voice, “I end my turn.”

“Well, then, it’s my turn,” Sunset said confidently. “I Draw!” She drew her next card and smiled. “Alright, time to end this. I now activate the Spell Card I took from you. Monster Reborn! And I will use it to bring back my Gagaga Magician!” Her faithful spellcaster reappeared in front of her. “And now it’s time to bring out his favorite playmate. I summon Gagaga Girl!” A female spellcaster in similar robes appeared next to her male counterpart.

Gagaga Girl: Level 3: Attribute: DARK: Type: Spellcaster: ATK 1000 / DEF 800

“And since Gagaga Magician and Gagaga Girl are now on the field together, I can activate Gagaga Girl’s effect! She can target my Magician and change her level to match his own!”

Gagaga Girl: Level 3 > Level 4

“And now that they are both Level 4, I Overlay both of them!” The spellcasters turned into steaks of purple light and flew up into the air, both disappearing into a galaxy-like portal. “Finally! The moment I've been waiting for! I XYZ summon Number 39: Utopia!” At last, the powerful warrior had finally made his appearance.

Number 39: Utopia: ATK 2500

“Hey, Number 39,” Magic said with a grin, “You're looking good.”

“Alright, boys, let's finish this,” Sunset said with a smile. “Utopia, the first attack is yours. Go! Rising Sun Slash!” With the order given, Utopia unsheathed his twin swords and lunged toward the still kneeling Photo. But as the attack was about to his home, Utopia suddenly paused. It seemed to look down at the broken young photographer with what may have been pity, before simply tapping her on the head with the back of one of his swords.

“I do not want your pity,” Photo sulked.

Photo Finish: LP: 3800 - 2500 = 1300

“Geez,” Sunset said with a frown. “Now I almost feel sorry for doing this.”

“I hear you,” Said Madgic.

“Just make it quick, OK, Madgic,” Sunset said.

Number 20: Madgic: ATK 500 + 2000 = 2500

“You got it,” Madgic said, before zipping across the field, and stopping in front of Photo. “Sorry to do this to you,” He said, before booping her on the nose. Photo didn’t respond.

Photo Finish: LP 1300 - 2500 = 0

Winner: Sunset Shimmer

With the Duel over, Cosmo then reached out her hand, and an orb of light flouted out of Photo’s chest, and over to her. Upon taking hold of the newest Number Card, a new memory returned to her, in which she remembered painting a picture. “This memory, it would seem, was a happy one,” She said wistfully to herself.

With Photo defeated, and her Number taken from her, all of the Photos victims were suddenly freed from the photographs they were trapped in, returning them to where they all were when Photo first trapped them, leaving them confused as to what had happened to them. Cinch and the hooded boy also returned back to where they were taken. “Young man, do you care to explain any of this?” Cinch asked.

“Uh, not really Principal Cinch,” The hooded boy said hesitantly.

Back in the Photography room, Photo regained consciousness. “What happened? Did I do something wrong?” She asked, rubbing her forehead in confusion.

“That's what I want to know!” Said an angry Cinch as she stormed into the room. “I want answers this instant!”

Sunset then approached Cinch. “It was Magic,” She said simply.

“Oh, I see,” She said, rolling her eyes and rubbing her forehead. “I should have know.”

“So, what happens now?” Asked the hooded boy as he walked in.

“Simple, we just brush it under the rug,” Sunset answered, “It’s for the best.”

Principal Cinch then looked at the time. “Due to the time, I think it would be best if I just send everyone home,” She said, which was very out of character for her.

“Are you serious?” Asked Sunset, surprised.

“Yes, after literally becoming a picture, I think I have had enough for one day,” She replied, before turning and leaving the Photography room.

Sunset just stared after her for a moment, before walking over to Photo Finish and kneeling down in front of her. “Are you okay?” She asked.

“I think so, I just can’t remember what I’ve been doing until now,” Replied Photo Finish with a very confused look.

“Don’t worry, you’ll be fine,” Sunset reassured her, before asking, “Do you remember how you got that Number?”

“I was replacing the film in the cameras when I found this blank Duel Monsters card inside one of them. I pulled it out, and then, there was this pain in my head. Everything after that is a blur,” Photo explained.

“Will you be alright getting home?” Sunset asked.

“Ja, I will be alright,” Photo said as she got back to back to her feet.

“Alright, we’ll just let you go home so you can try and get some rest,” Said Sunset.

With that said, Sunset and the hooded boy left the Photography room.

“Is it like this all the time here?” The boy asked.

“Not all the time, just most time’s,” Replied Sunset with a shrug.

They were just making they’re way to the school entrance, when Chrysalis came running down the hallway.

“Sunset! Are you alright?” She asked in a worried tone.

“Yeah, don’t worry, I’m fine,” Sunset said reassuringly, “And, I’ve taken care of it.”

“Well, always you’re alright,” Chrysalis said with a relieved sigh.

The hooded boy then looked at Chrysalis, and suddenly gave a big smile. “Hey, Chrysalis, you're going here now?” He said with excitement.

Chrysalis gasped. “Shadow Dancer! It’s been so long!” She said happily, giving him a hi-five.

“You two know each other?” Asked Sunset in surprise.

“Yeah! Me and Shadow went to school together,” Chrysalis explained with a smile.

“Hey, I got to run. Let’s get coffee and catch up some time,” He said.

“Yeah, that would be great. I’ll call you some time,” She replied.

“That would be great. See you later,” Shadow said before he left.

“Well, that’s great, you got a date,” Said Sunset with a giggle and teasing smile.

“Very funny,” Said Chrysalis, rolling her eyes.

“Anyway, are you alright?” Asked Sunset.

“Yeah, I'm fine,” Chrysalis replied.

“Good. I’ll see you at home, ok,” Sunset said, before heading outside.

Outside the school, Sunset met up with the girls and explained to them everything that had happened.

“I can’t believe that Cinch would do that,” Gasped a shocked Twilight.

“I know, isn’t it fantastic?” Said a super happy Pinkie Pie.

“Well, I’m not complaining,” Said Rainbow with a pleased smile.

“It was nice of her to let us go home,” Said Fluttershy with a smile and a nod.

“Well, I don’t know about you girls, but I’m almost down for the count here,” Sunset said, rubbing her eyes sleepily.

“Agreed, darling,” Said Rarity, “This girl for one certainly needs her beauty sleep.”

“Alright, I guess I’ll see you all tomorrow,” Sunset said before heading off. The other girls murmured theiyr're own goodnight, and headed off as well.

The next few days flew by, and Celestia and Luna soon returned back to the school.

“Did anything happen in my absence?” Celestia asked Cinch.

“Yes, there was an incident with Photo Finish involving one of those Number Cards,” Replied Cinch.

“I see. Was there any damages to the school?” Asked Celetia.

“No, there was no damage. And Miss Shimmer was able to put a stop to it,” Cinch replied.

“That's good to hear, and I’ll give my report to the Board. You might get a new job with education,” Said Celestia with an approving nod.

“Yes, thank you,” Cinch said with a nod. “By the way, in your absence, I took the liberty of looking at the school finances. I am afraid you have a serious problem,” She said in a serious tone

“I see. How bad does it look?” Celestia asked, looking worried.

“This is no trivial matter. I am afraid your school may face being shut down,” Cinch went on, “However, there is a solution that can fix your finances before it is too late. Wisdom Academy is about to hold their annual Wisdom Games. And the winning school will be given a substantial cash prize.”

Celetia thought very carefully about the Wisdom Games. “Why are you telling me this?” She asked.

“You are doing me a favour by helping me. I am merely returning the gesture,” Explained Cinch simply.

“Thank you. I know we rarely see eye to eye. But I am truly grateful that you told me about the Wisdom Games. You may have very well saved this school,” Celetia said gratefully, before she and Cinch shook hands. After that, Cinch left the school, and Celetia began her research into Wisdom Academy.

Meanwhile, at the amusement park, the masked person reported to her master.

“Sir, I have news,” She said, kneeling in front of him.

“Make it quick, my favourite show is about to begin,” He replied with an impatient frown.

“I have tried to give a Number to one of the Key Holder’s friends. But someone else grabbed the Number out of midair,” She explained.

“And the problem is?” He asked, his frown deepening.

“The Number didn’t take control,” She continued.

“It doesn’t matter if the Number takes control or not as long as the Number is filled. We have nothing to fear. You may leave now,” He replied, obviously unconcerned.

“Yes, sir,” The masked Woman said obediently, before standing and leaving the room.

The child can’t help but ponder. “This is most curious. How can some random person be immune to the power of a Number?”

To Be Continued...

Number’s collected: 7

Number 20: Madgic

Number 25: Force Focus

Author's Note

Hi guy’s sorry for the long wait I’ve been busy with other stuff.
But worry not I’ll still be working on all of my stories.

Shout to who you think I am for letting me use his OC Shadow Dancer.

Hi guy’s I’m looking for OC’s to give them Number card’s.
If you have an OC send me a PM and I’ll get back to you.
Stay safe and thank you for reading my story.