Domino City: Clock, Midday…
Apple Bloom arrived in the immediate area and cast her gaze at the nearby clock. “It’s midday.” She pulled out two locator cards with a slight frown. “I’ve looked all morning yet found no one to duel. At this rate, I may not get enough to move onto the Top 16.”

With how their search for Sunset concluded, all the CHS students had left was the Battle City Tournament. While the events of yesterday were still raw for everyone involved, its finality meant all any of them could do was move forward.

“I supposed we could still dwell on it.” Apple Bloom sighed. “Sunset’s words, followed by all the conversating, showed us that won’t do a lick of good.” She moved to put her locator cards away. “We got to endeavor to push forward, not be held back.”

“You’d think with the eight of you around, my intention being to find any of you, I’d have run into one of you prior to now.” A voice Apple Bloom couldn’t quite place spoke up from behind her. “I do suppose I did end up finding the one who started it, right Anon-a-Miss?”

That voice, paired with the fact he spoke Anon-a-Miss as a way to identify Apple Bloom rather than in reference to the blog itself, told her this was someone familiar with the Anon-a-Miss incident. Given this was no CHS student, she turned around to see who she came to expect.

“Rob Snowden.” Apple Bloom voiced, noting the displeased look the young man was giving her.

It was worth noting the look didn’t convey she was in danger; it was more a look of disgust tinged with frustration rather than genuine anger or malice. Given how he felt about what this girl had done, Rob ignored her speaking his name.

“With how things have gone, I can settle for knocking you out of Battle City.” Rob voiced, having spotted her two locator cards which mirrored how many he had by the end of yesterday. “Let’s duel, winner gets the other’s locator cards and is out of the tournament.”

“Back at the shop where we signed up, he did have three stars, so I suppose it makes sense he’d have a good number of locator cards.” Apple Bloom noted.

She didn’t have to accept a duel from this guy, there was no rule specifying as such. Disregarding that, the warrior user had wondered why this guy disliked her, the other Crusaders, and the Rainbooms. How he spoke to them seemed to indicate it was personal.

“I’ll agree to your duel, only if we talk about why you seem to take Anon-a-Miss personally.” Apple Bloom voiced.

“Not that you deserve to know, but if it means I get to take you out of this tournament…” Rob shook his head. “I can’t stand cyber bullying. What Anon-a-Miss did, cyber bullied all of Canterlot High while laying the blame on Sunset.

Her so called friends abandoned her to the wolves. When someone is pushed too far, they can follow through on a decision which can’t be taken back.” From under his shirt he pulled out a Saint Christopher medal, looking at it melancholically. “No matter how much I wish it could be.”

Apple Bloom now understood why Rob felt the way he did. A small part of the Crusaders punishment was lectures about how Anon-a-Miss could have turned out. The fact it hadn’t gotten that far was part of the reason why they weren’t in more trouble than they had been.

“Who did you lose?” Apple Bloom asked.

“I lost my best friend.” Rob put the medal back under his shirt. “Unlike the Rainbooms, I had no knowledge of what he was going through until it was too late.” His expression hardened. “As you should be aware, I’m not ignorant to who Sunset once was.

Her brand of bullying could have led to the same outcome; however, it didn’t, and she was making strides to correct her mistakes. Perhaps you and the Rainbooms have been attempting to do the same; however, I can’t overlook what you all did right now.”

“Sweetie Bell, Scootaloo, and I haven’t had long to make amends.” Apple Bloom reasoned. “Given it was cyber bullying specifically that took his best friend, I suppose it does make sense why he is harsh to us.”

“I’ve given you what you want.” Rob voiced firmly. “Now, it’s time you give me what I want.”

“You’ll get it.” Apple Bloom walked back from him. “Don’t think I’m going to be handing my locator cards over, just like that.”

They activated their duel disk.

“Duel.”

(Apple Bloom 4000/Rob 4000)

“I’m taking the first turn.” Rob drew. “I now summon my Galaxy Worm(LV 3/1200/1000).” A small, sleek worm appeared. “When I normal summon this card while controlling no other monsters, I can special summon a second Galaxy Worm(LV 3/1200/1000) form my deck.”

“He just got two monsters out for the cost of only one from his hand.” Apple Bloom recognized.

“With my two Level 3 monsters I construct the overlay network. Xyz summon Cicada King(R 3/O 2/1200/2500) in defense mode.” A large black and purple cicada took up a defensive stance on the field. “I’ll then set one card.”

“Here goes!” Apple Bloom drew.

“I activate my face down Corrosive Scales.” Rob interrupted. “I now target my Cicada King and equip it. From here on, this will be the only insect you can attack. Additionally, every summon, card activation, and effect activation will see a Scale Counter put on each monster you control.”

“What does a Scale Counter do?” Apple Bloom questioned.

“For every Scale Counter a monster of yours has, they lose 100 ATK/DEF.” Rob informed.

“That doesn’t seemed too bad.” Apple Bloom noted, especially with the monster she intended to summon. “Alright, I summon my Bull Blader(LV 4/1600/1200).” A black and brown metallic, bipedal bull appeared before being sprinkled with insect dust.

Bull Blader(LV 4/1500/1100/1 C)

“Now, my Bull Blader is going to attack your Cicada King.” Apple Bloom declared. “I then activate his effect, seeing neither of us taking damage from this battle and destroying your monster in the process.”

The warrior was cloaked in an orange aura as he charged the defense position monster. As Bull Blader(LV 4/1400/1000/2 C) ran, he was sprinkled with more insect dust.

“I activate Cicada King(R 3/O 1/1200/2500).” Rob countered. “Whenever a monster activates their effect, I can detach one of his overlays to negate there effects so long as they are on the field.”

Bull Blader was greyed out as his aura faded, seeing Cicada King effortlessly fending the monster off and forcing it back to Apple Bloom’s side (Apple Bloom 2900/Rob 4000).

“Er, that trap pairs perfectly with Cicada King.” Apple bloom thought.

“With my monster’s prior effect having gone off, I can now perform one of two actions on any insect I control.” Rob informed. “I’ll perform the first on Cicada King(R 3/O 1/1200/3000 effect) to raise his defense by 500.”

“I can only set one card now.” Apple Bloom voiced.

“My turn.” Rob drew. “I’ll first switch my Cicada King to attack mode before then summoning Digital Bug Websolder(LV 3/500/1500).” A green, digital spider appeared. “Through his effect I can target any 1 attack position monster I control and switch it to defense.”

“Why would you go through that?” Apple Bloom asked.

“Everything in my deck has its purpose, and this is no different.” Rob retorted. “By switching a monster to defense, Websolder lets me special summon any level 3 insect I wish from my hand in defense. I choose Bachibachibachi(LV 3/800/800).”

An angry bee appeared. “Now, I construct the overlay network with my two level 3 monsters. With this monster, I shall maintain control. Xyz summon Digital Bug Scaradiator(R 3/O 2/1800/1400).” A digital dung beetle appeared.

“His deck can just flow into Xyz monsters easily.” Apple Bloom noted.

“Websolder and Bachibachibachi both bequeath my Scaradiator effects.” Rob continued. “Upon being Xyz summoned, your monsters are switched to defense position, and all defense position monsters you control have their defenses zeroed.”

Bull Blader(LV 4/1400/0/2 C/effect)

“Is that the effect of both those monsters you used?” Apple Bloom asked.

“No, that was just Websolder.” Rob informed. “Bachibachibachi grants my monster piercing battle damage. Speaking of which, my Scaradiator will now destroy you Bull Blader.”

“I reveal my face down, Battleguard Howling.” Apple Bloom countered. “Since you’ve targeted my warrior, I can target any 1 monster you control and inflict damage equal to their original attack. I choose Scaradiator.”

Howling sound waves washed over Rob (Apple Bloom 2900/Rob 2200). This was followed by more insect dust raining down on Bull Blader Bull Blader(LV 4/1300/0/3 C/effect).

“That trap would send my monster back to the hand, extra deck in this case.” Rob noted. “That’s why I’ll activate my quick-play Bug Signal. A Rank-Up by any other name, is still a card which allows it. I target Scaradiator, rebuilding the overlay network for a monster two ranks more.”

“You can rank up your monster!?” Apple Bloom questioned, shocked.

“It’s a large part of why I stand where I do.” Rob declared. “Now, spread forth your wings as you descend. Rank up! Xyz change Digital Bug Corebage(R 5/O 3/2200/1800).” A large, digital butterfly appeared. “Now, to destroy that Bull Blader of yours.”

Corebage beat its wings, wiping up wind which tore through the warrior. Given the material effects only applied to Scaradiator, as well as the fact Cicada King had been shifted back to defense, Apple Bloom was save from taking any damage this turn.

“I have nothing further.” Rob declared.

“This is my moment!” Apple Bloom drew and smiled. “First, I’ll activate Mytical Space Typhoon to destroy your Corrosive Scales. Next, I activate Monster Reborn to summon Bull Blader(LV 4/1600/1200) from the grave.

With my normal summon, I call upon Torapart(LV 2/600/600).” Two green monsters connected at the hip appeared. “Torapart will give Bull Blader a tune up to Synchro for 6. Synchro summon Mighty Warrior(LV 6/2200/2000).” A blue and white warrior appeared.

“That monster is just as strong as Corebage, meaning it clashes with him and can’t do a thing to my Cicada King.” Rob noted.

“Alone, my synchro couldn’t achieve much, but that’s where the equip Magnum Shield comes in.” Apple Bloom declared. “Giving this to Mighty Warrior will grant him ATK equal to his DEF or vice versa depending on battle position.” Mighty Warrior(LV 6/4200/2000 effect) grasped the shield which appeared. “Now, we’ll destroy Corebage.”

“Not happening.” Rob voiced. “I activate the effect of Honest, discarding this monster from my hand. Now my light attributed Digital Bug Corebage(R 5/O 3/6400/1800 effect) gains ATK equal to your Mighty Warrior’ until the End Phase.”

As Mighty Warrior swung its new shield, Corebage suddenly increased in size and ran over him (Apple Bloom 700/Rob 2200).

“I used my normal summon on that!” Apple Bloom could do nothing more. “I end my turn.”

“Time to end this.” Rob voiced. “Core, direct attack.”

Corebage beat his wings once more, the wind phasing through Apple Bloom (Apple Bloom 0/Rob 2200).

“I am definitely going to need to work on this deck.” Apple Bloom as she withdrew her two locator cards with Colossal Fighter and approached Rob. “Here is your prize.”

Even though he had no use for the synchro, Rob still laid claim to it. He then tucked them away while turning to leave without another word. Everything he’d wanted to say had been said to the point he didn’t need to repeat himself.

“I don’t know if anything I’m about to say will mean anything to you .” Apple Bloom started. “I think someone like you could take your experience and that of many others to help inform people what bullying can really do to people.

It probably won’t stop everyone from ever bullying; however, I’d like to think had I known what could have happened, I’d have never made Anon-a-Miss. Given how you seem good at finding information, I think maybe you’re smart enough to do it.”

Rob glances back at Apple Bloom briefly before departing without bothering to say anything in return. The warrior user didn’t know what, if anything, she managed to achieve. Maybe something good would come of this or perhaps what she did was useless.

Park
Rex strolled through the park after just managing to secure his third locator card. “This reworked deck of mine is working like a charm.”

“Rex.” A familiar voice stated.

Rex glared as it was Weevil. “The park smelled just fine, only for some dung beetle to come stink it up.”

“That’s my greeting after all this time?” Weevil questioned.

“You didn’t come here for a greeting.” Rex retorted. “You came looking for what you think will be an easy win.”

“If the shoe fits.” Weevil chuckled snidely. “Boy, does it ever fit with you considering how our last two duels went. Now, I’m looking to make it a third. How does two locator cards sound to you?” He smirked. “That is, if you even have that.”

“I got enough for your wager, that’s all that matters!” Rex declared, activating his duel disk.

Weevil chuckled gleefully as he followed suit.

“It’s time to duel!”

(Rex 4000/Weevil 4000)

Rex drew. “I’m setting one monster face down and coupling it with this set card.”

“The mighty dino duelist resorting to setting his monsters?” Weevil questioned snidely.

“If it’s really of no concern, take your best shot.” Rex retorted.

“Don’t mind if I do!” Weevil drew. “Once per turn, I’m permitted to special summon Battlewasp-Twinbow the Attacker(LV 3/1000/1000).” A yellow and purple wasp with two stingers appeared.

“By special summoning that monster, you just triggered my face Hunting Instinct.” Rex declared. “I can now special summon any dino from my hand, and I choose Jurrac Velo(LV 4/1700/1000).” A colorful raptor appeared.

“Jurrac?” Weevil questioned.

“After a duel I had not long ago, I saw it was time for an upgrade.” Rex smirked. “Despite embarrassing newer summon methods, I was still stuck in the past. Now, I’ve entered a new era.”

“Old or new era, it won’t make a difference before my insects.” Weevil voiced. “I normal summon Battlewasp-Arbalest the Rapidfire(LV 4/1800/900).” A purple and yellow wasp appeared. “Now Arbalest will destroy your Velo.”

Arbalest flew forward and impaled the dino with its stinger (Rex 3900/Weevil 4000).

“When Velo is destroyed by battle and sent to the grave, I can call forth any Jurrac I want from my deck with 1700 or less ATK.” Rex declared. “I choose Jurrac Guiba(LV 4/1700/400).” An orange and red long necked dino appeared.

“You protected yourself from Twinbow since it can attack twice, but that face down monster of yours is prime for the taking!” Weevile declared.

Twinbow lunged forward, seeing the monster flip to reveal Jurrac Ptera(LV 3/800/1500). The green, flaming pterodactyl used its flames to push the insect back (Rex 3900/Weevil 3500).

“That monster actually had decent defense?” Weevil questioned, slightly annoyed.

“While Ptera does have defense, his real survival skill comes from his ability to bounce any attempted predators back to their duelist’s hands while gaining DEF equal to 100x their level.” Rex informed.

Jurrac Ptera(LV 3/800/1800 effect)’s flames wrapped around Arbalest, sending it back to Weevil’s hand.

“Don’t think your dinos can compare to my swarm, Raptor.” Weevil voiced. “I set one card.”

“We’ll just have to see about that.” Rex drew. “I now tribute my two monsters to summon Jurrac Spinos(LV 7/2600/1700).” A blue, yellow, and red Spinosaurus appeared. “Now, I’m attacking that Twinbow of yours.”

“That won’t happen thanks to my set Battlewasp–Nest.” Weevil countered. “Since you’ve targeted a Battlewasp for attack, I’m permitted to special summon any Battlewasp I wish from my hand or deck.” A card slotted out of his deck for him to take.

“I select my Battlewasp-Sting the Poison(LV 2/400/800).” A red wasp appeared. “When this card is summoned, I can add any Battlewasp card I wish from my deck to my hand.” He took another card form his deck. “Now, nest activates further.”

“There’s more to that trap?” Rex questioned.

“Of course there is.” Weevil grinned. “Nest can acquire two counters before its destruction, and with each one it gains, your Battle Phase ends.”

“That means you can end my Battle Phase twice over while garnering resources.” Rex reasoned.

“Truly, a card my insects can swarm around.” Weevil chuckled.

“Careful Weevil, too many bugs isn’t going to be good when it all comes burning down from some rampaging dinos in the area.” Rex informed. “For now, I’ll set one card.”

“My swarm will be just fine as their number grow this turn.” Weevil drew. “For starters, it is my Main Phase once again, so I shall special summon Battlewasp-Twinbow the Attacker(LV 3/1000/1000).

I’ll follow it up with the normal summon of another Battlewasp-Twinbow the Attacker(LV 3/1000/1000). Now, I have everything I need to summon one of my ultimate insects which shall see all your dinos going extinct.”

“You won’t be able to do a thing without any resources on board.” Rex informed.

“What are you blabbering about?” Weevil grinned. “My field has plenty of insects.”

“Check again as I’m activating my face down Jurrac Impact.” Rex declared. “So long as I control a dino with 2500 or more ATK, this trap triggers an extinction event to clear the field!”

A meteor crashed down and leveled the field, destroying everything to leave their fields barren.

“Er, that wasn’t supposed to happen.” Weevil grunted. “All I can do now is set one card.”

Rex drew. “I activate Rising Fire. Since I control no monsters, this card lets me dive through my grave for a fire attributed monster and bring them back with 500 more ATK. Return Jurrac Spinos(LV 7/3100/1700 effect).”

“You cleared my field last turn, too bad you couldn’t also get rid of the card I set just after it.” Weevil smirked. “I reveal my face down Parasite Worm. As you’ve just summoned a monster, this trap destroys it and deals you damage equal to its current attack!”

Rex went wide eyed as a worm shot clean through his dino, bringing it down to the ground before it shattered. The resulting debris washed over him (Rex 800/Weevil 3500).

Weevil laughed. “Just give up because you’re already beaten.”

“The duel isn’t over until the last life point.” Rex retorted. “I can still normal summon and will use it on my Souleating Oviraptor(LV 4/1800/500).” A blue raptor with blue flames down its back appeared. “When he’s summoned, I can take any dino from my deck.

It then gets added to my hand or sent to the grave.” A card slotted out and he discarded it. “Now, my Oviraptor will take a bite out of your life points.” Oviraptor rushed at Weevil before biting him, its maw phasing through him (Rex 800/Weevil 1700). “That’s the end of my turn.”

“You’ve lasted longer than I thought.” Weevil drew before grinning. “With these three cards in hand, this duel is nearly won. First, I do have insect monster in my grave, so I’m permitted to special summon Fairyant the Circular Sorcerer(LV 3/800/1500).”

A small, blond haired boy with insectoid wings appeared. “You should be familiar with this next monster, though I didn’t summon one like this. As I now control an insect, I can special summon Battlewasp-Pin the Bullseye(LV 1/200/300).” A little wasp appeared.

“During you Main Phase, Pin can inflict 200 damage for each Pin you control.” Rex remembered.

“Unfortunately, this will be the only Pin I summon this turn, so you only take 200 life points.” Weevil declared as Pin fired its stinger through the dino user (Rex 600/Weevil 1700). “I now normal summon Battlewasp-Dart the Hunter(LV 1/100/100).” A small, purple wasp appeared.

“With those three monsters, you have enough for Azusa.” Rex recognized.

“Exactly.” Weevil chuckled. “Fairyant will now give my two Battlewasps a tune up to Synchro for 5. Synchro summon Battlewasp-Azusa the Ghost Bow(LV 5/2200/1600).” A bipedal insect in white and purple garb appeared. “He’ll now destroy Oviraptor.”

Azura fired an arrow through Oviraptor, destroying him (Rex 200/Weevil 1700).

“A handful of life points with only two measly cards once you’ve draw.” Weevil laughed. “Still think you shouldn’t just give up?”

“You’re acting as though no one but you can pull off something with few cards.” Rex put his hand on his deck. “If there’s anything I learned from dueling Joey Wheeler, there’s always a chance!” He drew. “I activate the effect of Miscellaneousaurus from within my grave.”

“Hold on, I call foul!” Weevil shouted. “At no time did such a monster enter your grave.”

“Souleating Oviraptor begs to differ.” Rex retorted.

Weevil went wide eyed. “That was the dino he sent with that effect!”

“Anyways, I banish this card along with however many other dinos I wish to then special summon a dino from my deck whose level equals what I banish. I’ll only be banishing Miscellaneousaurus to summon Jurrac Aeolo(LV 1/200/200).”

“A tuner monster!” Weevil exclaimed, stunned.

“Synchro summoning is part of the Jurracs; however, it’s not what I intend to do.” Rex nodded. “Now, I’ll be tributing Aeolo to summon Jurrac Herra(LV 6/2300/1500).” A green and yellow dino appeared.

“To think, you almost had me worried.” Weevil laughed heartedly at that. “That monster is one hundred stronger than Azusa, so that’s hardly going to achieve anything like you seem to think it will.”

“Actually, this dino has everything handled thanks to the spell Tail Swipe.” Rex declared, seeing Weevil freeze up in shock. “All I need is a monster with at least a level of 5, which Herra meets by one extra.

Now, I can return up to two of your monster to the hand, or extra deck in this case.” Herra swung her tail at Azuza, seining it glow gold as it was forced back into Weevil’s extra deck. “Now, Herra will end this with a direct attack!”

Herra roared before charging forward, slashing her claws through Weevil (Rex 200/Weevil 0).

“I-I lost.” Weevil was shaking before collapsing to his knees. “I don’t believe it.”

Rex approached the bug duelist. “Alright, cough up your rarest card and the two locator cards you put on the line.”

“Have mercy.” Weevil pleaded, only having two locator cards.

“You’ve never been one for mercy yourself.” Rex retorted. “If you clean up your act, I might just give you back your rare card someday. Until then, it will be mine. If you’re referring to your locator cards, you set the bet in the first place.”

Weevil collapsed on his back in utter defeat. Soon enough, Rex would be walking away from this with two more locator cards and Battlewasp-Hama the Conquering Bow.

Author's Note

The back story and medal idea come from the OC's owner RobtheMorpherPony. This is just to give credit as if I didn't want to include something someone gave me, I wouldn't. I don't think any part of that backstory is out of line since this is part Yugioh here.

If you look into the sub, death isn't an uncommon thing. Granted, it doesn't tend to stick with the characters we really come to know; however, backstories of characters are full of death. As for the medal, we see a church in Bakura's flashback.

The modern Bakura is attempting to run from the spirit and seeks shelter in a church, granted that obviously isn't going to do much given the spirit is with him. Not to mention Valon grew up with a nun. I think that's all I want to talk about with the Rob vs Bloom duel.

Moving onto Rex vs Weevil, this was the get back match for Rex after the development he's had. While some of you might want me to give him the Transcendosaurus archetype, I tend to associate large dinos with Hassleberry.

Duels before the Top 16: 10