Burst stirred as he awakened. When he opened, he saw his friends standing by his bed. "Hey everyone. So how'd it go?"
"You were awesome!", Rainbow Dash cheered. "You and Inferno put up an epic fight against Midnight Sparkle!" Twilight then stepped forward.
"I'm sorry! I should have listened to you!"
"Easy, Twi. It's cool. You know better now. That's all that matters. Just learn from this and move on.", Burst said with a smile.
"Sunset was the one to save the day.", Gold said with a smile. "She even got her own harmony card."
"Even got a new ace monster too.", Sunset said proudly. "But more importantly, we've got a new friend."
"You're...saying we're friends?", Twilight asked.
"Of course!", Pinkie chirped as she pulled out her phone and took a picture of all of them together. Principal Celestia then walked in.
"I think you should all give Burst some space if you want him to be rested for the party."
"See ya there man!", Inferno said as he and the others left Burst alone. However, Celestia was still present.
"I didn't get a chance to thank you.", Celestia said with a smile.
"For what?"
"Standing up for Twilight, and sticking it to Cinch. I've wanted to toss her in a trash can for a long time.", Celestia said with a mischievous smile. Burst let out a small laugh.
"Yeah. I enjoyed dropping her into the garbage too. Me and Blue-Eyes." Burst then took a moment to take in Celestia. He got lost in her lovely violet eyes.
"You've grown into quite the young man Burst."
"You haven't changed a bit Principal Celestia.", Burst said with a smile. Celestia smiled and inched closer. "Is there something on my face?"
"No." Celestia then kissed Burst on the forehead. "Just wanted to give you a token of my thanks."
"A-Anytime.", Burst said with a slight blush. "Thank you." Burst got out of bed. "I'm feeling rested, so I think I'll join my friends at the party."
At CHS's Gym...
"So where's the surprise you had for me Veenus?", Adagio asked. Veenus smiled as he pulled out a bouquet of flowers for Adagio.
"I take it you like it?", Veenus asked.
"C'mere.", Adagio said with a flirty smile as she pulled Veenus into a kiss. Meanwhile, Ice was introducing Indigo to his brothers.
"Well Zap, these are my brothers. Ace and Shadow. Plus, you've seen my partner. Red Dragon Archfiend.", Ice said proudly.
"Nice to meet all of you.", Indigo Zap said with a smile. "Good thing we don't gotta worry about Cinch giving us the riot act for even hanging around CHS students." Ice smiled, but then he sensed something.
"Could you excuse me? I've gotta check on something..." Ice and Red Dragon Archfiend went outside to where Midnight Sparkle had been defeated. "You can stop hiding." Midnight Sparkle re-materialized. However, she wasn't the power-hungry demon he had seen earlier. In fact, she looked like a scared little girl. "I'll admit. I thought you were fried from all that magic. But what are you still doing here?"
"D-don't know....scared.....alone....", Midnight whispered. Ice sighed.
"I'll probably regret this. But...." Ice knelt down to Midnight's level. "Come with me. You can stay in my shadow." Midnight's eyes lit up as she slid into Ice's shadow with a joyful smile.
"Thank you!"
"Yeah. You do know I'll have to tell my friends about you sometime right?" Midnight nodded. "Good. Until then, I guess you'll just have to stay in my shadow until we get home. TRY not to make any trouble." Midnight nodded as she fused into Ice's shadow as he rejoined the party.
Faraway at Tirek and Scorpan's Duel School....
Tirek was staring at The Wicked God Cards. He couldn't deny that they were powerful. But something felt....off. Then, the Wicked Gods spoke. "Feed us.", they boomed.
"Wait. You can speak? And why should I feed you? What do you eat anyway?", Tirek asked.
"Feed us, and we shall grant you power. Power to surpass your brother! Power that all of your students shall respect!"
"And....just what is is that you eat?"
"Your school is rich with food. The energy of the monsters your students use. Beat them in duels, and we shall absorb the energy. And in turn, your power shall grow!" Tirek was hesitant at first, but soon agreed.
"ONE duel..."
Later...
Scorpan had just returned to the duel school, and found all of the students on the floor! All of them had been defeated, and their cards were grey and lifeless! "Who...who could have done this?!" He didn't have to search far. Scorpan heard laughter coming from the dueling arena. And he found Tirek standing. "TIREK! What have you done?!"
"Ah. Brother. Did you see my handiwork? The Wicked God Cards are quite formidable. In fact, I think I've attained more than enough power to defeat you."
"Then face me and pay for your actions!" Tirek paused, and then laughed!
"HA HA HA HA HAH HAH HA! I'd love to. But now is neither the time or place. You will see me again brother. And when you do, you'll never pick up a deck for as long as you live!" Tirek faded away in a black mist. Leaving Scorpan alone with his thoughts.