Serenity’s Hospital Room
Tea carried a bag with lunch from a nearby place and entered the room where she found Serenity seemingly deep in thought. “Hey Serenity.” The younger girl lifted her head at that. “I figured you might be tired of hospital food, so I stepped out to pick us up some lunch.”

“Oh, thank you Tea.” Serenity smiled. “I will admit it is a bit bland.”

Tea took out two treys, which contained burgers and fries, before then grabbing out a couple cans of soda.

As she worked to set things up, and prepared to help Serenity eat, the younger girl spoke up. “Hey Tea, before we eat, will you promise me something?”

“If I can manage it, there shouldn’t be a problem promising something.” Tea stated. “What do you want?”

“Will you take me into Domino City when my bandages can be removed?” Serenity asked. “It’s important to me the first sight I see is my big brother dueling.”

“That’d be no problem.” Tea stated, making Serenity smile. “Now, let’s get some better food in you.”

Market Street
Sunset walked with Mr. Muto and Tristan along a street full of stalls selling something or other.

“That duel you had was awesome Sunset.” Tristan praised.

“He was quite the first opponent, that’s for sure.” Sunset smiled as she added the Xyz card to her extra deck.

“You’re dueling skills were impressive.” Solomon nodded. “It was a well-deserved reward.”

“Coming from the one who taught Yugi and Joey, that means a lot.” Sunset voiced.

They reached the end of the street.

“Anyways, we’re off to find Yugi or Joey.” Tristan declared.

“As for me, I’m off to find my next challenger.” Sunset responded as they started to part ways.

“Good luck!” Tristan called back.

Café
A certain teenage girl with long, cornflower blue hair, grayish violet eyes, and the robe of a rare hunter sat at a table with a cup of tea. She would periodically drink from it while looking over the database on duelists and their rare cards.

“Collecting rare cards is well and good.” The girl noted before the screen stopped on Yugi Muto. “If Trixie is to get what she wants, she must duel her true target.” Just as she was about to change to the next set of information, the very duelist she needed was walking by.

“Yugi Muto…” She stood up and made her way around the table. “Stop right there.” Yugi turned towards her before being shocked by her ware. “Trixie challenges you to a Battle City duel.”

“That robe!” Yugi noted. “It’s just like what Bandit Keith wore.” The puzzle glowed as Yami took over. “Very well, I accept your challenge.”

“Trixie appreciates your willingness to duel.” Trixie declared. “The sooner we begin, the sooner she can lay claim to your Dark Magician as well as that Puzzle.” She looked at it. “The sooner Trixie has that, the sooner she gets what she wants.”

They moved to stand an equal distance from one another.

“Let’s Duel!”

(Yugi 4000/Trixie 4000)

“My move.” Yugi drew. “I’ll start off this duel by setting one monster and one card.”

“That is not a solid start compared to what Trixie shall achieve.” Trixie drew. “Trixie activates Ancient Rules, allowing her to special summon any level 5 or higher normal monster from her hand. In a duel with you, there is no better option than Dark Magician(LV 7/2500/2100).”

Yugi went wide eyed as a red robbed; silver haired version of Dark Magician appeared. “You’re not the only duelist with the power of the Dark Magician in their deck. Don’t get it twisted. Acquiring your Dark Magician, while something Trixie intends, is not why I duel you now.”

“Is it my puzzle?” Yugi asked.

“In a way, that shall help Trixie get what she ultimately desires.” Trixie smiled. “Perhaps try asking again on your turn and see if she will answer. For now, I activate Thousand Knives. Since Trixie controls Dark Magician, this spell can destroy any one monster you control.”

Yugi’s face down Big Shield Gardna(LV 4/100/2600) was impaled by knives, destroying him. “Monsters in defense are well and good; however, they hardly matter to a master of spellcasters. Now that you are wide open, my Dark Magician shall use Dark Magic Attack!”

“I activate my continuous trap, Spiritual Swords of Revealing Light.” Yugi countered. “Any one time you issue an attack; I can pay one thousand life points to negate it.”

A sword of light appeared before Yugi, glowing at the same time as him (Yugi 3000/Trixie 3200). It then shot forward, phasing through Dark Magician and stopping his magic.

“Trixie ends her turn.” Trixie declared.

“It’s my turn!” Yugi drew. “Now, why don’t you answer my question Trixie? What do you stand to gain from beating me?”

“Trixie is out for control.” Trixie answered. “If there’s one thing she’s learned, it’s that herself and those around her cannot be trusted to be good people. You should already know one such instance…provided Sunset is the person I think of her as.

“Sunset?” Yugi questioned. “Is this tied to Anon-a-Miss?”

“It was the incident which showed Trixie no one at Canterlot High knows how to carry themselves.” Trixie voiced. “Even before then, Sunset separated us. In both instances, it took outside interference for anyone to see we were wrong.

Trixie especially needed it as she’s bought into ruse’s two times now. Every time, Canterlot High falls apart proving we can’t be trusted. Then, I met my master who made me an offer. If I claim your puzzle, he shall take control of Canterlot High.”

“I can’t say I approve of what Canterlot High did to my friend, but giving up control to someone else isn’t the answer.” Yugi voiced firmly. “Given what I’ve seen from him, this master strikes me as the type to say or do whatever will get him what he wants.”

“Given how thinking for herself turned out, Trixie is willing to take his orders.” Trixie voiced. “She believes him assuming command is best. Especially over the remaining Rainbooms. They have magic of their own yet have proven unstable when left to their own devices.”

“You are a fool to place your trust in someone like him.” Yugi voiced. “People make mistakes, and they can be bad ones at that. At the end of the day, it’s better to place your trust within yourself.”

“Trixie’s mind is already made up.” Trixie smiled slightly. “In the end, nothing you say will deter me. Your only way out of this now is winning.”

“Very well.” Yugi declared. “My first order of business is to activate Monster Reborn, using it to resurrect my Big Shield Gardna(LV 4/100/2600). Then, I’ll summon Frequency Magician(LV 2/800/400).” A purple caped spellcaster appeared.

“Er, a level 2 tuner!” Trixie exclaimed.

“Indeed.” Yugi smiled. “My Magician shall give Gardna a tune up to synchro for 6. Synchro summon Vulcan the Divine(LV 6/2000/1600).” A bipedal tiger with armored gauntlets and a massive hammer appeared.

“As he was Synchro summoned, I now target 1 face up card I control and 1 face up card you control. The cards I choose are my Spiritual Swords and your Dark Magician, which sees both returned to our hands with the condition I can’t use either effects the rest of this turn.”

Both cards vanished off the field.

“Er, Trixie’s Dark Magician!” Trixie thought.

“Now, Vulcan shall launch a direct attack!” On Yugi’s order, Vulcan surged forward and swung his hammer through Trixie (Yugi 3000/Trixie 2000). “I then set one card.”

“Trixie’s turn!” Trixie drew. “Trixie shall set one card before activating Card Destruction, forcing us to discard our entire hands. We then draw a new hand equal to what we discarded. Trixie will now activate her Monster Reborn, reviving her Dark Magician(LV 7/2500/2100).

Since she activated such an effect on your turn, Trixie is allowed to special summon Magician of Dark Illusion(LV 7/2100/2500).” A spellcaster obscured by black mist which clung to its robes appeared.

“You may have rebuilt your field, but I won’t lose.” Yugi declared.

“We’ll see how that resolve last after this.” Trixie retorted. “Trixie constructs the overlay network with her two level 7 monsters to bring about a monster who delved through the darkest magic and came out a master. Xyz summon Ebon Illusion Magician(R 7/O2/2500/2100).”

A spellcaster in dark purple and blue robes, with long blond hair, appeared. “By detaching 1 overlay unit from this monster, Trixie can special summon any Normal Spellcaster from her hand or deck.” Ebon Illusion Magician(R 7/O1/2500/2100).

“Trixie summons a second Dark Magician(LV 7/2500/2100). Now, my Dark Magician will attack Vulcan. Dark Magic Attack! As a normal spellcaster declared an attack, Ebon can now banish one of your cards. I choose your currently set trap. Go, Ebon Devour!”

“You may banish my Spiritual Swords of Revealing Light, but I can still activate it now to keep my Vulcan on the field a little longer.” Yugi declared.

A sword of light appeared before Yugi, glowing at the same time as him (Yugi 2000/Trixie 2000). It then shot forward, phasing through Dark Magician and stopping his magic. Ebon then waved his staff as pitch black magic washed over the trap to banish it.

“You’re monster will now be destroyed by Ebon, go Ebon Magic Attack!” Trixie declared.

Ebon blasted Vulcan (Yugi 1500/Trixie 2000).

“Unlike with her last turn, whatever you summon next turn will fall without ever getting the chance to shape this duel as Trixie has.” Trixie took a card from her hand. “Trixie sets one card before ending her turn.”

“My move!” Yugi drew. “I’ll activate Polymerization to fuse my Dark Magician and Blue-Eye White Dragon. Two become one to further delve into arcane arts never seen before. Fusion summon Blue-Eyes Light Dragoon(LV 9/3500/3000).”

Dark Magician now wore armored robes made from the body of a Blue-Eyes White Dragon and wielded a sword made from its tail as an arcane ring of light magic flowed around his body.

“You’ve fallen into Trixie’s trap!” Trixie declared. “She activates Dark Renewal! Whenever you summon any monster, she can target it along with one spellcaster she controls. Both are then destroyed, and she may summon a dark spellcaster from the deck or grave.”

“That is one useful trap; however, it falters in the face of my fusion.” Yugi declared.

Trixie saw her trap spark before being destroyed. “W-what just happened!?”

“My Light Dragoon cannot be targeted or destroyed by any card effect.” Yugi declared.

“No!” Trixie exclaimed.

“It only gets worse from here.” Yugi voiced. “For every normal monster I used to create Dragoon, I can send up to that many monsters from my deck to the grave. Then, Dragoon gains ATK equal to that monster’s original ATK. I only need one, Dark Magician Girl(ATK 2000).”

Blue-Eyes Light Dragoon(LV 9/5500/3000 effect)

“This can’t be happening!” Trixie thought, taking a step back.

“Now Light Dragoon, end this duel with Light Magic Attack!” Yugi declared.

Light Dragoon obliterated Ebon Illusion Magician with a powerful blast of light magic, reducing Trixie’s life points to 0 (Yugi 1500/Trixie 0). Trixie collapsed to her knees in defeat before Yugi approached her. She didn’t move as he took her deck and locator card.

“By the rules of Battle City, I’ll be taking one locator card along with one of your Dark Magicians.” Yugi declared, doing just that before placing the deck back where it belongs.

“I failed…” Trixie muttered.

Suddenly, she stood and began sweating before screaming in pain. Yugi took a step back as this was familiar from his encounter with Bandit Keith. Soon enough, the Millennium symbol appeared on her forehead.

“We met again Pharaoh.” That same voice that came from Keith was now coming from Trixie. “Remember me? Perhaps you wouldn’t since you were trapped in the puzzle while I dueled little Yugi. Congratulations one beating this Rare Hunter; however, she was not the best I have.”

“What do you want with me?” Yami asked.

“First, allow me to introduce myself.” The voice declared. “My name is Marik, and I want what belongs to me. Your power. Once I have it, I’ll be unstoppable. The world will belong to me, and no one shall stand in the way of that destiny. Especially not you or your weaker half.”

“Yugi is not weak, like you think he is.” Yami retorted.

“Listen Yami.” Marik continued. “My family has slaved for centuries protecting the tomb of the Pharaoh until his return. For what? I should be the Pharaoh.”

“Someone like you has no claim to rule.” Yami retorted. “The way you used Keith and Trixie is all the proof I need.”

“My claim will be your puzzle and the three Egyptian Gods.” Marik retorted. “Once I’ve bested you and claimed the puzzle, you and Yugi will be banished to the Shadow Realm.”

“Yugi and I possess the puzzle, so who has the cards?” Yami questioned.

“I have two of the Egyptian Gods while I know where to find the last.” Marik retorted. “Soon, my Rare Hunters will bring the last card to me. It’s only a matter of time before it and your puzzle are mine.”

“What you assume will never come to pass.” Yami voiced. “Your Rare Hunters, or you yourself, will never defeat me. Without achieving that, my puzzle stays with Yugi and I.”

“I promise you, by the sands of Egypt, your power will be mine.” Marik declared. “Another of my mind slaves is already in Domino, waiting to defeat you and claim the puzzle. To ensure it, I gave him an Egyptian God. Until then, beware the Quiet One.”

“Who is this Quiet One?” Yugi questioned.

Marik choose not to answer. “We’ll meet again.”

Trixie’s body then collapsed, soulless.

Park
Sunset had stopped off at a nearby stand and picked up a vanilla cone before heading into a nearby park with the intention of finding her next opponent. As she ate her ice cream, keeping an eye out, the hero user hadn’t expected who she’d end up finding.

“Flash?” Sunset questioned.

The Destiny Hero user turned to face Sunset, shocked to see her. “Sunset?”

Back during Duelist Kingdom, before she told her friends everything, Sunset would have dreaded running into anyone from Canterlot High. As things stood, being confronted with someone she had arguably more history with than her former friends, she felt apathetic.

She did note his presence likely meant at least a few other students were in this tournament, potentially among them being all or a few of her former friends, but she felt nothing. The people important to her, her current friends and brother, already knew everything.

That meant none of them had a chance at ruining her new life if that was their intention. Should they have realized their mistake, that would be fine. She’d likely still be mad with her former friends, but it wouldn’t achieve much else. Sunset was rather content with where she was.

Even with the problems that have/do crop up, she thought life was pretty good. Better than anything she had prior. Granted, Equestria had to do with mistakes on hers and Celestia’s parts while Canterlot turned into a nightmare, but that didn’t diminish what she had now.

On Flash’s end, he couldn’t exactly shoot out a group message to the others letting them know he’d found Sunset when she’d approached him like this. He’d have to bring that up with her. At the very least, he was relieved to have run into her.

“There’s a lot I need to say to you, but I’ll start with I’m sorry.” Flash stated genuinely.

“You’re sorry?” Sunset questioned. “I don’t recall you treating me bad, in any shape or form, during Anon-a-Miss.”

“Just because I didn’t treat you bad, doesn’t mean I’m absolved of any part in it.” Flash stated sincerely. “I knew from the beginning you weren’t Anon-a-Miss. It was far too blatant, and you stood to lose everything while gaining nothing beyond division.

The old Sunset always had a reason for everything, including breaking up the student body. I stood by and let it happen because some part of me was still hurting with how everything happened between us. I wanted you to hurt, but I only felt empty at the end.

Revenge was never the answer, yet it cropped up turning me, in some small part, into the person you used to be. I realized I was acting no better than the old Sunset. I should have come to your defense so many times, but I…”

“Flash, I understand.” Sunset had a sad smile on her face. “You were a good guy who I took advantage of to prop up my own popularity. Honestly, I never realized just how much I hurt you until now. You didn’t defend me, but I didn’t…”

“You did deserve people who would defend you.” Flash interrupted. “Even if you hadn’t changed, like you had, the people who knew should have done more. Even those who were defending you should have let you know.

I should have been there the moment your friends weren’t, but I wasn’t. It made me realize I wasn’t the kind of guy I always wanted to be. That’s a fault with me just as who you were was a fault with you. Don’t think any differently.”

“Heh, I suppose you’re right.” Sunset nodded. “I forgive you Flash, genuinely. The guilt of who you were will be palatable for a while, trust me, but I managed to get past it. If I could, you certainly will. Despite not thinking you’re a good guy, I know you are.”

“Thanks, Sunset.” Flash let out a sigh of relief.

While the full weight of his failures hadn’t left, it was easier to bear now. If Sunset were to be believed, which Flash did, he knew one day his guilt would abstain. Still, he’d continue to work on himself, but that was for later. Now, there was something to attend to.

“With that out of the way, there is a lot you need to know about Anon-a-Miss.” Flash stated. “For starters, the people responsible for it came forward…”

Flash told Sunset everything as it was, with no embellishment to make it seem any less bad. Throughout it, Sunset become eerily quiet and just as eerily calm about the whole situation.

“…Sweetie Bell, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo put me through all that because they wanted to spend more time with their sisters and felt like I hadn’t been punished enough?” Sunset surmised.

“Pretty much.” Flash stated.

“When you get back to Canterlot, I want you to promise me something.” Sunset stated.

“Sure, what is it?” Flash asked, a bit worried.

“After taking the rainbow laser of friendship, I could sympathize with everyone I hurt, and my apologies after the fact were no less sincere.” Sunset nodded. “Now, I can empathize with all of them. When you get back, tell the student body they are forgiven.”

“Yeah, I’ll be sure to remember that.” Flash stated.

“Now, I want you to send out the message and tell them where I am.” Sunset voiced. “They are to wait at the fountain over there, and no one is to approach me should they see me. Once everyone is gathered, I will approach them, and they are to listen. Can you do that?”

“Y-Yeah, I’ll do it.” Flash stated, taking out his phone.

At this point, he did not think this would go well; however, he knew they didn’t deserve as such. The fact he was forgiven, in his mind, was nothing short of a miracle.

“Alright, it’s done.” Flash informed.

“Good, now I need some ice cream and time to process just how I’m going to handle this.” Sunset voiced, walking off.

Author's Note

I'll start by saying, I don't hate Arcana, but I noticed something about his episodes. The B stories pointless. We already knew Seto was tracking Yugi. Tea and grandpa even see him vanish. Come the next episode, it's almost like none of that happened.

I don't think we get a scene with Mokuba telling Seto about this. Tea, grandpa, and Tristan aren't with Yugi like they were at the end of the Arcana stuff. The latter is actually back at the hospital while it seems to me the former never initially found Yugi to begin with.

It's all rather bizarre, and I only just noticed it as I went to write this chapter. In the end, it made it impossible to write with Arcana as his opponent. As such, I changed the opponent to show more of the effect Anon-a-Miss could have had.

I choose Trixie because in MLP proper she was controlled by the Alicorn Amulet. Seemed to me this could be a homage. Don't worry, her soul isn't gone forever. Then, we get to Sunset finding Flash before they go off to talk.

Duels before the Top 16: 16
Yugi: 3 Locator Cards
Joey: 2 Locator Cards
Sunset: 2 Locator Cards