Ride 007 - The Results, The Regionals, and The Waiting Room

"Turn end." (Hand: 6, Damage: 1/3)

"My turn. Stand and draw." Sweetie Belle tensed as she drew the top card of her deck. Buck it., she thought. "ALL OR NOTHING! FINAL TURN!"

The shop suddenly became quiet after she yelled the phrase. Rocket raised his eyebrow.

(Gallatin) (KoK, Alfred) (Blaster Blade)

(Marron) (Barcgal) (Flogal)

Hand: 6 Damage: 3/4 Soul: 1

"Marron boosts! Gallatin attacks!" said Sweetie Belle as a purple ninja-pony with a spiky mane.

"I don't guard. Damage check; no trigger." Rocket placed a card named "Twin Order" in the damage zone. Gallatin's sword began glowing blue, and slashed Enigman Storm's left wing.

"The King attacks! Go forth, Lord of the United Sanctuary!" said Sweetie as she, as Alfred, swung his sword as Enigman Storm, shooting a wave of blue energy at the golden-white alien.

"I guard with Justice Cobalt, Karenroid, Daisy, and Enigman Wave! JUSTICE GUARD FORMATION!" The selection of units morphed into a giant green circle, blocking the attack. (Hand: 2)

"Twin Drive check! First; Critical trigger! All effects to my avatar! Second check," Sweetie checked the top card of her deck. "ALABASTER OWL! CRITICAL GET! ALL EFFECTS TO BLASTER BLADE!"

Rocket's eyes widened at the sight of the triple-critical Blaster Blade.

"Flogal boosts, Blaster Blade attacks at 24000 Power and 3 Critical!"

"I'LL TAKE THE ASSAULT! I damage che-" Rocket was interrupted by the sound of a cellphone ringing. He pulled it out from nowhere (much to everypony's shock) and answered the call. "Who is this? Oh! Twis- wait, I'M LATE FOR WHAT NOW!?" He immediately packed up his cards and ran into the crowd as fast as he could while yelling. "WELL, GOTTA GO! I FORFEIT! BYE!"

"Wimp. Couldn't accept he was about to lose." grumbled Scootaloo.

"B-b-but the cardfight! And the double crit-" Sweetie Belle was interrupted by a card landing in front of her, glowing.

"Hey, that's my- you know what? KEEP THAT!" Rocket said as he dashed outside faster than you can say "Rainbow Dash", leaving everypony bewildered.

"Well, uh... OUR WINNER IS SWEETIE BELLE!" announced Card Keeper, still confused as hay.

"Err... Yay?"

The audience slowly burst into applause for the new member of the team. Scootaloo and Apple Bloom galloped towards her, while Spark merely looked away. She sighed.

"Okay! The team selection is now done! Anyways, what do you think an appropriate name would be for Ponyville's representatives?"

The three former Crusaders yelled, "TEAM CRUSADER!"

"Are you okay with this?" Card asked the lone colt. Spark just shrugged and nodded. "Well, here's Ponyville's representative team! TEAM CRUSADER!!!!"

The croud cheered in applause as the three fillies looked at each other, smiling. Some of the ponies (specifically Spark) put their headphones on, as if to block whatever loud noise was coming up.

"Wanna do it?"

"Jus' like ol' times?

"Sure!"

All three mares inhaled, and yelled.

"CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS VANGUARD FIGHTERS YAY!!!" they said, nearly deafening those who were unfortunate enough to be near them.

*** 2 months later...***

Sweetie Belle and her team stood in front of the stadium. The venue had apparently been moved to a small area in Canterlot, near the 'rich' ponies' homes.

She slowly went up the stairs, followed by her teammates, which led to a door. Sweetie gulped. This is it. Once I go in, there's no turning back.

She pushed the doors open.

Later, in the lobby/waiting area...

"Sweet Celestia, why the hay is it taking so long!?"

Scootaloo was slumped on a couch, groaning. She was currently in the lobby room, which basically consisted of a large room with multiple couches, tables, Crystal Visions, and potted plants. Dang it, why does registration have to take so freakin' long? she thought. Well, might as well get a drink.

As she made her way towards a vending machine, she bumped into a earth pony colt with a blue mane, and light blue coat. "Aagh!"

"Ummm... I'm sorry 'bout that."

"N-no. It was my fault. Well, gotta go miss!" The colt said as he sped away, yelling something that sounded like, "Kamui!".

"Huh, what is it with ponies these days? They make it look like we're in some anime fic or something." she muttered to herself as she put a coin in the machine. She pressed a button for a purple can of cola, but it didn't come out. "Aargh! Darn machine! Give me my soda!"

She kicked the machine. No soda. She kicked it again. No soda. By the 23rd time, she bucked it, putting a small dent in the machine. There it is. "Finally!"

Grumbling, she went back to the waiting room, where Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, and Spark were waiting for her.

"There ya are! Where the hay have ya been?"

"Bought a soda, okay?"

"Well, we need your signature, decklist, and ..."

Spark looked at the screen as the three were filling out the paperwork. It was showing a purple ninja-dragon with red orbs around its body, who was shooting purple flame-arrows at a giant fly-thing that used the fire on two of its arms to consume and nullify the attack. The fly shot a web of sonic energy at the dragon, who quickly evaded. Finding an opening, the fly shot a fireball (yes, he can) at the dragon, causing an explosion and ending the match.

"Umm... Spark? We need your info here." Sweetie said as she offered a pen. Spark took it and started writing.

Somewhere nearby...

A pink filly with a purple and white mane and a tiara was watching them fill out the application forms.

"Soon." she muttered, as she gripped her pink deckbox. "I WILL get my revenge on you losers."

"HEY DT! DIAMOND TIARA! IT'S ME, ALULA!!!"

Diamond Tiara turned and saw, much to her horror, a light-yellow pegaus filly with a lavender mane galloping towards her. She immediately ran away as fast as her hooves could carry her. However, the filly shifted from running to flying, and soon managed to catch up and tackle her.

"Sweet Celestia, I'm, like, too pretty to die like this!" she groaned, as she was smothered in a bone-crushing hug, with Silver Spoon and Midnight nearby, laughing like maniacs. I am going to KILL those two...

And back to the team...

Sweetie Belle was looking at the card that Rocket had 'given' her, and sighed as she put it back in her binder. She hadn't mastered the card yet, so it'd be a while before she could actually use it.

"Fillies and gentlecolts!" the announcer's voice suddenly boomed. "The first round is about to begin in ten minutes!"

Sweetie Belle gulped as Apple Bloom ran towards them. "Guys, we're gonna have the first match!"

"What!?" Scootaloo yelled. "Then let's decide turn order already! Dibs on second!"

"Then Ah'm first."

"I'm going third."

"S-so that means I'm back-up?"

"OK! We got turn order down! Now let's go!" she said as she galloped to the west atrium.

"Scoots! Yer goin' the wrong way!"

Author's Note

Sorry for the short chapter. The cards they're using are meant to be a secret, as all will be revealed in the following rounds.