Scoot-A-Loo: Cruel Critters

Scootaloo's eyelids are growing heavier with every word that leaves her teacher, Miss Cheerilee's, mouth. Her droning lecture about the settlers that built the first homestead in Ponyville serve as a cure for her inability to sleep, and the ticking clock is a metronome guiding her to dreamland. She lays her head gently into her textbook, and Cheerilee's words become a muffled mess. The moment her eyes close she is granted vivid recollections of her first match with Twilight. The roaring storm, the winged goliath that peered through the clouds, and the most mysterious element of it all--the voice she heard calling out to her.

"Scootaloo!" Miss Cheerilee shouts. Scootaloo springs to life from her lecture-induced coma. As she grips the edges of her desk; she realizes that she's still trapped in this prison of a classroom. "I'm assuming you were up all night again playing your card game?"

"Uhh, I mean--" Scootaloo sweats. "--Come on, Miss Cheerilee! You gotta practice as much as you can to succeed! Isn't that what you always say about school?"

"Yes, about school. Not cards. Now, I've also been up all night, but I spent that time grading papers. Speaking of which, I'll be giving you all back your assignments from yesterday." Miss Cheerilee grabs a stack of papers from her desk, and passes them out one by one to each student. She sets Scootaloo's down onto her desk with a disapproving look that Scootaloo responds with a nervous smile.

Scootaloo looks down at the 'C' grade written in red ink, and rejoices by throwing her hoof into the air. "Oh yeah! Still making it!"

The school bell rings, and all the students collectively gather their books and pens, and rush out the door in a stampede. The sweet sound of the bell is what Scootaloo's been waiting for all day. Despite the fact it's the sound she always looks forward to on any given day, this day will mark the beginning of Scootaloo's biggest challenge yet. Her two friends, pent up with energy, trot over to her desk unable to keep still.

"Come on, Scoot! We gotta git goin'!" Apple Bloom urges.

"Yeah, you don't want to be the last one to sign up, do you?" Sweetie Belle asks.

"No way!" Scootaloo sloppily scoops her textbook and pencil into her schoolbag, and leaves her desk, nudging it as its metal legs screech against the floor. Together, they make their way for the glorious exit. Bursting through the door, they trot through the schoolyard already homed in on their destination.

"Hey! Did you guys notice Diamond Tiara wasn't at school today?" Sweetie Belle asks.

"Who cares?!" says Apple Bloom.

"Yeah, all she does is flaunt that new tiara of hers around to everypony! I'm glad we got a break from it!" says Scootaloo.

As a group, they gallop onto the main road of Ponyville. All three of their hearts race as they hop over and dodge around any obstacle that stands in their way. Their destination: the new card shop that opened since Twilight debuted the card game to the public. Scootaloo's found it to be her new home away from home, and her one-stop-shop for just about anything she could want to enhance her skills and deck. However, a big announcement has been made by Twilight, and Scootaloo can see literal signs of such on the path leading to the shop. 'Tournament Sign-Up Today!' and 'Cruel Critters Championship!' are written across large wooden signs stood up in the road. The closer they get, the thicker the crowd of ponies who are all waiting for their chance to enter the shop appears. Once it becomes clearly impossible for them to squeeze through, they realize they've got a long wait ahead of them. Judging by the sheer size of the crowd they figure it could take over an hour before they can set hoof in the shop.

Apple Bloom sighs. "Well, what do we do now?"

"Hang on guys; I got a plan," says Scootaloo.

"What kind of plan?" Sweetie Belle asks.

"Just follow me." Scootaloo sneakily guides the gang around to the back of the shop, using the signs as cover to hide themselves from view. They make a dash for the garbage cans beside the back door, and after checking and confirming that they weren't spotted, Scootaloo leads them to a tall, metal door.

"Scoot, what're we doin'?" Apple Bloom asks nervously.

Scootaloo finds and drags a large cardboard box to the door. "Quick, get inside!"

"What?! Why?" Sweetie Belle asks.

"The shop has been getting deliveries for days now. If we hide in one of these, the manager will just think it's another one of those! Once he brings us in, we sneak out and beat the line."

"That's a pretty good plan," Apple Bloom compliments.

"No, that's a terrible plan!" Sweetie Belle retorts. "What happens if he opens the box?"

"With how busy it is in there? He's not going to even bother opening this up, because he'll be too busy dealing with the customers!" Scootaloo explains.

"Ugh, fine."

"Trust me; if we get caught, I'll have a backup plan."

The fillies jump inside the box with barely enough wiggle room. Scootaloo knocks on the door, sinks into the box, and folds the closures shut. She can hear the knob twist and the door push open. The box turns and shifts as whoever is inspecting the box tries to maneuver it inside. It's obvious that the pony outside is struggling to move the box, but they're moving nonetheless. Inside the box, the three fillies can barely find a comfortable way to sit without bumping or knocking into one another. For Scootaloo, the brief discomfort is a small price to pay for the opportunity of a lifetime. Sneaking into the store and cutting the line is obviously the wrong thing to do, but Scootaloo reasons that after seeing how huge that crowd was--combined with the knowledge that there's limited entries--she doesn't have much of a choice. The guilt doesn't last long however, as the excitement of writing her name on the signup sheet and being labeled as a competitor is just too exhilarating for her to not be excited. Just then, the box stops. The three fillies, holding their breath, are too afraid to make even the slightest move to blow their cover. They listen to the pony's hoofsteps as they fade until they are masked by the talkative customers inside the store.

Scootaloo peeks her head out to check that the coast is clear, and is relieved to see the manager of the store is absorbed in assisting a customer. The trio abandon the box to bask in the glory of the card shop. The isles are stocked with plenty of boxes containing metallic, plastic packs of cards with an assortment of designs to differentiate the sets from each other. Stacked in a wireframe stand are enough starter guides, rulebooks, and the official: 'Twilight's Cruel Critters Tips and Tricks' to get you into the game. Ponies chat as they peer into the many glass cases containing individual cards available for purchase. Plastered over the walls are posters depicting critters in action poses; some of which Scootaloo doesn't even recognize. However, something she does instantly recognize is the long sheet of paper full of names stuck to the wall with strips of sticky tape. A mare had just finished writing her name, and the next pony in line is about to step up to the sheet. Scootaloo makes a mad dash and dives in front of the stallion who retracts his hoof and reels back from her intervention. She grabs hold of the pen hanging by a thread tied around a pin stuck into the wall. With haste, she scribbles her name down, and turns to rejoice in her accomplishment.

"Woo! I'm in!" Scootaloo cheers, then notices the glare from the stallion behind her. "Uh, sorry."

"Alright, Scoot! You made it!" Apple Bloom congratulates.

"You bet! It's a good thing too; there weren't too many spots left."

"Guys, look at who was the first to sign up." says Sweetie Belle with a trembling throat.

Scootaloo reads the name at the very top of the list, and is stunned by what she sees. "Well, well, well, look who almost didn't make it." A familiar voice sends a shiver up Scootaloo's spine, and a sense of dread washes over her. Diamond Tiara approaches the trio with a grin so smug Scootaloo wishes she could make it disappear. "I will say, this tournament wouldn't be the same without you. That way I can trounce you myself."

"Back off, Diamond Tiara!" Apple Bloom asserts herself.

"Scootaloo would wipe the floor with you!" Sweetie Belle adds.

"Oh, I doubt it." Diamond Tiara walks passed them both, and circles Scootaloo like a wolf on the prowl. "What's the matter, Scootaloo? Need your friends to fight your battles for you? How sad. I can tell you won't be lasting long." Scootaloo wants to lash out, but doesn't know what to say or how to even say it. Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle helplessly watch Scootaloo quiver as Diamond Tiara stares her down, hoping that they're friend will bite back. "This isn't going to be much fun if a cat's got your tongue, but whatever." Diamond Tiara turns her back to Scootaloo. "See you in the arena, loser." She walks away, leaving Scootaloo with clenched teeth and locked knees.

"You alright, Scoot?" Apple Bloom asks.

"Fine," Scootaloo says firmly.

"Don't pay any attention to her," Sweetie Belle consoles. "Just focus on the tournament."

"I didn't even know she played Cruel Critters," says Apple Bloom.

Scootaloo gradually calms with a sigh. "Neither did I."

"Attention, Everypony!" The store manager calls out to the patrons. "If you've signed up for the tournament, please come to the checkout counter for your gear!" Scootaloo and her friends being the closest are the first at the counter, stand up on their hind legs just to see over the top. The manager reaches under the counter and presents three important pieces of gear. "Alright young filly, you get your deck holder, two critter coins, and your competitor's jacket."

"Woah!" Scootaloo excitedly puts on the navy-blue jacket with its popped collar, and circles around to try and get a good look at herself. Wearing it makes her feel even more official than before, and the deck holder she straps to her leg simply tops it all off. With the entire ensemble, she feels as though she can take on just about anything. "So cool!" She whinnies with glee. "I don't think I'll ever take this off!"

"Now, that's the look of a competitor!" Apple Bloom compliments.

"I'll say!" Sweetie Belle agrees.

"Hey, so what are these coins for?" Scootaloo asks.

"Princess Twilight will explain everything in a few moments. Just wait outside and she'll be here soon," the manager advises.

With a nod in understanding, Scootaloo and her friends head through the exit and mend into the crowd of anxious ponies who are still waiting for their chance to enter. Some of which take notice of Scootaloo's new look with intrigue. As ponies slowly receive their gear and exit the shop, the three fillies have found a calm spot under the shade of a tree to chat amongst themselves in the meantime.

"Hey, how come you didn't sign up Apple Bloom?" Scootaloo asks. "I bet you'd do great!"

"I just don't feel like I'm ready for it," says Apple Bloom. "My sister's pretty good at the game though. I can't remember if she said she was gonna sign up."

"You bet Applejack signed up!" A shrill voice screams from behind the trio as they shriek from surprise. A friendly pink pony with a deeper pink, cottony mane pops out from behind the tree brimming with joy. "You girls ready to duel?!"

"Hey, Pinkie!" Scootaloo says, calming from the scare. "What do you mean 'duel'?"

"Play in the tournament, of course!" From behind her back, Pinkie whips out a competitor's jacket and puts it on with a single twirl.

"You're competing too?!" The fillies holler in confusion as their jaws drop.

"Uh, duh! Twilight's tournament sounded like fun, and I'm all about having fun, so I got some cards and told everypony else who likes having fun to have some fun and sign up for the fun!" Pinkie leans in closer. "Did I mention this is going to be fun?" She whispers.

"Wait, so who else do you know is singed up?" Scootaloo asks.

"Attention, everypony!" Twilight's voice erupts from a megaphone. "Please gather 'round! I will now go over the rules and requirements for the official Cruel Critters tournament!"

"Oh! That's our cue!" says Pinkie as she hops away. "Good luck, Scootaloo!"

"What does this mean, Scoot?" Apple Bloom asks.

"It just means the competition's gonna be tougher than I thought. If Pinkie and Applejack are signed up, anypony could be signed up. I just need to be ready for whoever and whatever comes my way."

"And we'll be right behind you!" Sweetie Belle says supportively.

"Yeah! No matter what!" Apple Bloom adds.

"Thanks, guys. Now, let's go see what Twilight has to say," says Scootaloo.

The three fillies join the herd forming before Twilight, squeezing their way through the legs of the onlookers until they reach the front. With her fellow competitors on both sides, her friends close by, and the setting sun blanketing the town in a heavenly amber hue, the moment is almost dreamlike. Scootaloo can't help but smile as she readies herself for Twilight's speech. Twilight spots her in the crowd easily, and can't help but smile herself at the sight of her. For a moment Twilight wonders if this project of hers would've become what it is now if it weren't for her, and quickly settles on the idea that it surely couldn't have. She could've chosen anypony to assist in the trials of the game's creation, but she never could've guessed her decision would lead to having such a faithful student. Her level of interest and the speed at which she's learned has both impressed and honored Twilight to have been her teacher. She raises the megaphone up to her mouth, and calls out to the crowd.

"Everypony! During this tournament, you are required to wear the gear that was provided to you so that you may be easily distinguished as a competitor, and as proof that you are in fact on the list. You're all probably wondering why you've been given two golden critter coins as part of your kit. These are your wager coins, and they are what will be keeping you in this tournament. Upon declaring a match against your opponent, you both will wager any amount of coins you wish. However, should you lose all of your coins, you will then be disqualified. The first ponies to obtain ten coins will proceed into the semifinals. Now, you cannot play wherever you want. This is where anypony who is not a competitor may become a spectator." The crowd of competitors mumble and murmur amongst themselves in confusion. Twilight's horn glows as she directs their attention to the large, tarped object behind her. Using her magic, she rips the tarp off of the now completed gaming arena as the sunlight gleams off its metallic surface. The crowd collectively chatters with intrigue at the sight of it. "This is the arena where your games will take place. With its built-in, state-of-the-art hologram technology, your Cruel Critters experience will be enhanced to its fullest potential! Upon pulling the lever nearby, the machine will activate, and the game will commence. So, everypony return home and prepare! Tomorrow, the tournament will officially begin!" The crowd clamors as they stomp their hooves in excitement.

"Phew! Good thing it's tomorrow," says Sweetie Belle. "That gives us time to do our homework."

"You girls can do the homework. I've got a different kind of homework to do," says Scootaloo.

"Alright, Scoot. Then we'll see you first thing in the mornin'!" Apple Bloom waves goodbye as she breaks away from the group--Sweetie Belle included.

Scootaloo bids them farewell, and races back home. She bursts through the door, shouting at the top of her lungs to help release some of the tension built up inside her. "Aunt Holiday! I'm in the tournament!" She turns the corner into the living room to find her aunt sound asleep on the sofa, and decides it be best to leave her alone before marching up the stairs to her room. Dropping her schoolbag onto the floor with a thud, she can finally stretch out her back and relax her shoulders after carrying it for so long. She pulls open the drawer of her bedside table, and pulls out her deck that she keeps safely stashed inside. She takes a seat on her rug, and begins laying out each card to make sure she's nailed down her strategy. Every game she's played, and every card she's traded or purchased has led to this. She can't afford to make any mistake that could cost her spot in the tournament, so she needs to know she's prepared as the homework she's already forgotten about lies within her schoolbag.

The night has fully blanketed the town of Ponyville in darkness as the moonlight and twinkling stars are barely enough to pierce it. Yet through the dark an even brighter light shoots upward into the sky. A whistling rocket bursts into an explosion of color with a loud boom as several others follow in its stead. A crowd of ponies cheer at the lightshow, but little do they know, the real show is about to begin. Lying in wait behind a crimson-red curtain, a mare slides her deck of cards into the pouch attached to her leg, and adorns her signature cape over her new competitor's jacket. She uses her magic to tug at a rope that pulls apart the curtains to expose her to the crowd. An unplanned--yet conveniently cinematic--gust of wind causes her cape to lift and flap in the breeze, but it isn't strong enough to budge the pointed hat atop her head. The crowd whistles and cheers at the sight of her, the sound of which is nothing short of music to her ears.

"Everypony!" She exclaims. "Prepare to witness the first--and possibly the last--game of Cruel Critters for one of us here today! In a matter of moments the clock will strike midnight, and I, The Great and Powerful Trixie, will declare the first match of the tournament by wagering both of my critter coins!" The crowd gasps in disbelief. "It is a risk indeed, but how can you have excitement and thrills without risk?! So, prepare for a game of Cruel Critters you will never forget! A game where the stakes couldn't be higher! Who will be the one to accept and face off against The Great and Powerful Trixie!"

Rows of smaller fireworks shoot off from the edge of the wooden, makeshift stage at the sound of her name and extravagant title. The ponies in jackets look to each other with nervous eyes. Trixie scans the crowd for anypony brave enough to step forward, but it appears every pony is too intimidated to accept the challenge. She waits patiently, happy with the fear she's instilled in them. In her eyes, the only way to dominate this tournament is to do it with gusto. She knows that anypony that accepts will be far too nervous to concentrate with all eyes on them. Trixie, however, lives for the attention.

"I suppose I'll have to accept!" A small voice taunts from the middle of the crowd. The ponies separate as they search for the brave soul, revealing Diamond Tiara boasting a confident grin.

Trixie laughs. "You must be joking! Isn't it far passed your bedtime, little filly?"

"Oh, I'm not joking. In fact--" Diamond Tiara shows off the two critter coins in her hoof. "--I have two coins to prove it."

"Listen, kid. The Great and Powerful Trixie is kind enough not to take your only two coins away from you so early on in the tournament. Why don't you go and face somepony more your speed?"

"I'm not worried about that," Diamond Tiara smiles. "Because you won't be taking them even if you tried." The crowd murmurs as they feel the sting of Diamond Tiara's retort, quickly shortening Trixie's patience.

"Well, I refuse to be talked down to by a child, but don't say that Trixie didn't warn you."

"Then let's get started, shall we?"

The crowd parts to make way for Diamond Tiara as she walks toward the game arena set up in the grass. She kicks the lever into the on position, illuminating the arena as the machinery inside cranks and hums. Both she and Trixie step up to the podiums, and set their decks onto the appropriate grid space. The gawking ponies form a ring around the arena, eager for the match to begin.

"It's not too late to back out, kid," Trixie advises. "When this game starts, Trixie will not be holding back."

Diamond Tiara giggles. "You're just so confident. . ." A thick, violet fog begins to exude from her tiara, pouring over her head and down to her hooves. "It'll feel all the more sweeter when I defeat you." Mystified, Trixie watches as the fog continues to shroud Diamond Tiara's entire body. It grows in size, and a sudden breeze wisps away the fog to reveal her stunning transformation. Trixie takes a step back in shock as Diamond Tiara, now a fully grown mare, stares her down. Somehow, her competitor's jacket has grown to fit her new body, and her smile has become even more wicked than before. The crowd, believing it all to be a part of the show, is impressed with what they believe to be nothing more than special effects. However, Trixie knows otherwise, and looking into this mare's eyes is filling her with dread.

"What's the meaning of this? Who are you?" Trixie asks.

Diamond Tiara continues to smile as she tilts her head, amused by Trixie's curiosity. She chuckles and speaks in a voice that sounds nothing like the filly she spoke to just moments ago. "It's me: the child who didn't heed your warning. What a silly question to ask. Now, are we going to play, or are you going to sit there trembling in your hideous costume?"

Trixie's uneasiness is washed over with anger at her comment. "Trixie doesn't know what scheme you're pulling, but it won't matter! You'll lose all the same."

"Ooh, this will be amusing. Why don't you take the first move? Show this child how to start things off."

Diamond Tiara and Trixie draw their five cards, and the life point counters on their podiums alight with their base four thousand points. Trixie looks through the cards and is pleased by what she sees. She plucks one of the cards from her hoof, and sets it down onto the grid.

"Allow me to introduce you to: Abra The Magician's Assistant!" Trixie shouts as a hologram of a well-groomed mare in a fancy red dress appears on Trixie's side of the arena. The mare takes a bow, whips her long mane, and shows that her face is partially covered by half of a porcelain mask.

Diamond Tiara laughs. "What kind of critter is this? How is a measly fifteen hundred offense-point critter supposed to protect you?"

"That's not all. For her first trick, she'll allow me to add a very special card from my deck to my hoof. I won't spoil the surprise, but I will end my turn with this facedown card." A large image of a card forms behind Trixie's critter, and Diamond Tiara scoffs at her uneventful turn.

"I hope the rest of your turns aren't this much of a bore." Diamond Tiara draws a new card, and sets one on the grid. "I play Dolly the Toy Princess." The image of a rather harmless, yet slightly unsettling doll takes shape onto the arena. The toy mare in her royal getup stares lifelessly at Trixie, who stares back bafflingly at one of the most pathetic critters she's ever seen.

"Huh, toys hm? Trixie expected nothing less from a child's deck," Trixie mocks. "Since my critter is so weak, how exactly is your five hundred offense-point plaything supposed to stand a chance against my Abra?"

"Oh, I'm not foolish enough to attack with her. No, no, no, I'm merely playing her so that I can play this!" Diamond Tiara smacks a new card onto the grid, and a large wooden toybox with colorful lettering materializes onto the arena. "I activate: Toybox Terror! This card will allow me to automatically play another toy critter from my hoof each turn. I'll use it to play Stuffy the Toy Bear in defensive mode!" A huge teddy bear with black button eyes and pointed cloth teeth forms on the arena on all fours. It growls, and despite it having the appearance of an old toy, it worries Trixie with its hefty two thousand defense points. "And just like me, my toys like to have a little bit of fun."

"What do you mean, fun?" Trixie asks. The holograms of the bear and princess shoot up and fly over toward Trixie. They each steal two cards from the top of her deck just before Trixie can reach out to stop them, then laugh maniacally as they return back to their original positions. "What is this?! H-How could they--?"

Diamond Tiara chuckles at Trixie's bewilderment. "All of my toy critters have the special ability to take two cards from your deck each turn, as long as they're still in the arena of course. Your turn, Trixie."

Trixie draws to start her turn, and after understanding how much of a threat these critters actually pose to her deck, she thinks hard about what she needs to do to get around it. She looks down at the card she drew, and is happy with what she sees. Without a second thought, she plays a new critter to enter the arena.

"I play The Magical Rabbit in offensive mode." A rabbit critter appears on the arena dressed in a black, dapper suit and top hat. He stands on his hind legs and sniffs the air like any average rabbit would, but removes his hat briefly to perform a gentlecolt's bow to Diamond Tiara. "This little guy won't be getting pulled out of any hats, instead he has tricks of his own. But first, Abra, attack her Princess with Knife Barrage!" At Trixie's command, Abra twirls and throws a barrage of spinning knives at the doll. They shred through the toy and reduce it to pieces; they explode, and the life point counter on Diamond Tiara's podium drop to three thousand. The strength of the attack is translated through the wind as it roughly blows Diamond Tiara's long mane, yet she appears to be looking on with sinister pleasure.

"Well done," Diamond Tiara congratulates. "But all you have left to attack with is your rabbit, and he won't be touching one hair on my bear."

Trixie smirks. "Oh, I'm well aware of that. That's why he'll now perform his signature trick!" The rabbit pulls off his hat, and hurls it like a frisbee toward Diamond Tiara. The brim of the hat strikes her cheek, and like a boomerang, it comes right back into the rabbit's paw. "My rabbit's special ability allows him to attack your life points directly regardless of what you have in the arena. So, say goodbye to another eight hundred points!" The crowd excitedly cheers for Trixie's surprise attack, and she turns to savor their adoration. "Thank you all! The Great and Powerful Trixie promised you a show, did she not? It won't be much longer before we reach the grand finale!"

Diamond Tiara chuckles, which then grows into a joyous laughter. "You amuse me Trixie, you really do! For you to think you're in control of this game is both foolish and precious at the same time! But you are right about one thing, it really won't be long before this comes to an end." Diamond Tiara draws a new card to begin her turn. "First, I think I'll play somepony I'm sure you thought was gone for good. Please welcome another princess!" Trixie watches with displeasure as the exact same toy critter appears in the arena. "Don't pout; I know you missed her. She'll be in defensive position of course. Wouldn't want you touching any more of my life points. But what's this? Thanks to my toybox, I can play yet another toy critter from my hoof! I choose Jackie the Toy in The Box!" A cherry-red box with a metal crank appears beside the princess. "You can't quite see her right now since she's in defense, but don't worry, she's in there."

"You can play as many critters as you want in defense!" Trixie declares. "They won't keep your life points safe for long."

"You know what isn't safe?" Diamond Tiara asks. "Your deck! Now my toys, go and take what's yours!" The stuffed bear and toy princess shoot up, and the cherry-red box pops open as the torso of a plastic mare attached to a flexible metal spring in clown make-up and a cap with jingly bells rockets out. All three of the critters take turns snagging two cards from Trixie's deck who can only watch in discomfort. "There go six more cards, Trixie. I hope they weren't important to you. Oh, who am I kidding? I'm sure they were." Diamond Tiara giggles at her own maliciousness. "I'll end my turn with one card facedown."

Trixie draws. "You choosing not to attack will be the biggest mistake you've made! Trixie will now offer her rabbit as tribute for--!"

Diamond Tiara raises her hoof. "Sorry, but I'm afraid you won't. I activate my hex card: Puppet Strings!" The facedown card on the arena lifts up and reveals an image of a wooden marionette pony being hoisted up by strings. Through the image, a series of silky threads propel toward Trixie's rabbit. Trixie watches in horror as the tips of the strings are driven into the rabbit's limbs, and its body is converted from fur to painted wood. A wooden controller with which the strings are attached to pops out of the hex card, and is carried into the air to animate Trixie's rabbit. "As long as this card is in the arena, you no longer have control over your rabbit. He'll remain on your side of the arena, but only as a useless puppet. However--to me--he's the newest addition to my growing toy army! I think he's much cuter this way. Wouldn't you agree?"

With her plan foiled, Trixie stomps her hoof onto the floor. "You may have made a mockery of my rabbit, but my Abra is still free to attack your toy princess once again!" Just like before, Trixie's Abra sends an onslaught of knives slicing Diamond Tiara's princess into pieces. Even with her critter destroyed, Diamond Tiara continues to smile. With every passing turn Trixie has felt that she's been slowly losing control of the battle, and it's beginning to feel like victory is slipping too far out of reach. Unenthusiastically, she places another card down onto the grid. "I will set one critter in facedown defense, and end my turn."

Diamond Tiara draws. "What's the matter, Trixie? You don't sound as jolly as you did when we began. Aww, am I going to hard on you?"

"Trixie's only concerned for you, kid. You've only got two cards in your hoof, and it's just a matter of time before I tear down your defenses!"

"You're right, I need some more cards to play with. So, how about I play this nifty little mystic card I've been holding onto? I activate: Card of Sacrifice!" The card appears in the arena with the image of a stack of cards being slashed in half by a blade. "By discarding my entire hoof--which would just be one lonely card--I'll get to draw a whole new set of five cards!" Trixie, her throat too dry to even swallow, watches anxiously as Diamond Tiara gingerly draws her five cards. "And how lucky am I? I've got another familiar face for you!"

"Another dolly?" Trixie groans.

"I know you're dying to see her again, but no! It's another Stuffy!" Another hologram of the monstrous teddy bear joins the arena, and as the defense mounts, Trixie grows even more worried. "And thanks to my toybox, I'll play a critter you haven't seen yet! Please welcome, Knighty the Toy Soldier!" Beside the teddy bear, a stallion dressed from head to hoof in shiny, silver armor marches onto the arena in a very stiff and unnatural way as though the joints in his legs are fused together. "And now it's time for my toys to pillage more of your cards! Go my toy army!" As a collective unit, all of the toys fly over and take a huge chunk out of what remains of Trixie's deck. "Unfortunately for you, since your rabbit is under the influence of my Puppet Strings card, his special ability has been replaced with the same ability all of my delightful toys possess!"

"What?! This can't be!" Trixie refutes. The rabbit's wooden body knocks about as it is carried over to Trixie's deck, snickering as it takes two more cards from her nearly depleted deck.

"It hurts to have one of your own critters turn against you, doesn't it?" Diamond Tiara asks. "It doesn't look like you have very many cards left in your deck. Are you aware of what's going to happen once you aren't able to draw?"

Trixie's heart nearly skips a beat at the sudden realization. "Th-That's means. . ."

"That's right! You'll automatically lose! All it's going to take is just two more turns, and I will have won this game without even touching your life points! You'll lose both your critter coins, and be the first to be disqualified from this tournament!" Diamond Tiara fills the air with a maniacal cackle, the crowd watches with bated breath, and Trixie clenches her teeth out of both anger and fear. An opponent who she thought would be a complete pushover now has her back against the wall. Despite still having cards to draw for the moment, Trixie is unsure if victory is even possible. The shame of losing to a child would be too unbearable for her to accept, but it could be the only thing she leaves this game with.