//------------------------------// // Duel #13: Battle-Scarred: Mark of Hate // Story: Equestria Girls: Duel Monsters // by Night-Quill //------------------------------// Sunset Shimmer Life Points: 3200 Sunset Shimmer’s field Monsters: Terrorking Archfiend (Level 4, 2000/1500 -> 3000/1500) Attack position Darkbishop Archfiend (Level 3, 300/1400) Defense position Spells/Traps: That Six (Continuous trap) Axe of Despair (Equip spell -> Terrorking Archfiend) Pandemonium (Field Spell) Twilight Sparkle Life Points: 1800 Twilight Sparkle’s field Monsters: - Spells/Traps: - Turn 8: Sunset Shimmer (Hand: 4) Twilight glared defiantly at Sunset, her Empress of Prophecy, after painstakingly summoning her, and reviving her to annihilate Skull Archfield to break Sunset’s effect nullifying combo with That Six, being reduced to carrion feed by Terrorking Archfiend. Sunset narrowed her eyes, “You were never my caliber, Twilight Sparkle. Not in Equestria. Not in this world. And never will be…” she took a card from her hand. “I set one card facedown, ending my turn. Now, make your move so I can end this.” (Terrorking Archfiend ATK: 4000 -> 3000) (Hand: 3) - “Twilight has only one card in her hand,” Scootaloo remarked. “Anyone kept note what it is? ‘Cuz I kinda lost track…” “I think it was Spellbook of the Master,” Sweetie Belle replied. “Was that the one that copies a Spellbook’s effect?” “But she needs another Spellbook in her hand in order to use it. So if she doesn’t draw a Spellbook this turn, it won’t do any good…” Apple Bloom muttered, nervously chewing on her thumbnail. “Don’t you fret just yet,” Applejack replied. “Remember; Empress of Prophecy allowed her to excavate an’ rearrange her cards. Knowin’ Twilight, she put one of them Spellbooks she revealed on top for such an occasion.” Apple Bloom’s mood brightened, “Oh yea! An’ if there’s anyone here who knows a thing or two about excavatin’!” - Turn 9: Twilight Sparkle (Hand: 1) Remember what I said; she does not know you, Twilight. Your propensity for wisdom and patience are something Sunset does not have. Emboldened by Priestess’ words, Twilight drew her next card. Thanks to Empress’ effect, she was well prepared for what it was. “I summon ‘Spellbook Magician of Prophecy’ in attack mode.” The white and blue robed archivist sorcerer emerged onto the field, his sapphire tome hovering over an open palm whilst holding two fingers of his other hand against a temple. (Level 2, 500/400) - Scootaloo cringed, “But why would she put a monster on top and not a Spellbook?!” “Oh!” Apple Bloom mouthed in realization. “But Spellbook Magician gets Twi a free Spellbook from her deck, right?” “Ohhh, and because she needs to shuffle afterwards, so that way she might get something she can use afterwards!” Scootaloo caught on. “That is, if I’m right with what Spellbook she’s going for…” - “When Spellbook Magician is summoned, I can add one ‘Spellbook’ from my deck to my hand,” after a quick automated shuffle, a card ejected from Twilight’s deck, “The card I chose is Spellbook of Knowledge.” Sunset rolled her eyes, “You’re really pushing it, aren’t you?” “It’s just like Applejack said; a true duelist always does their best. She might not know it, but like someone much like her back home, I tend to trust her judgement.” - What I'm sayin' to you is the honest truth. Let go, and you'll be safe. - “Cute,” Sunset spat. “So what are you going to do? Sacrifice your monster in the vain hope of drawing a game changer?” “Not exactly,” Twilight smirked, sliding a card into her disk. “I activate ‘Spellbook of the Master’. By revealing one other ‘Spellbook’ in my hand, though it would probably be redundant since you already know what it is, to which this card’s effect becomes the effect of another normal Spellbook spell in my graveyard.” A white tome appeared on the field, which erupted into a swirling flurry of different colored lights. “My card of choice was ‘Spellbook of Miracles’. Since I banished Spellbooks of Secrets and Wisdom, I’ll use those as the selected overlay units, and revive Empress of Prophecy a second time!” The lights came together to form the blinding white star once more, the Empress stepping forth from the light, casting a defiant side-long glance at the Archfiends. (Rank 5, 2000/1700 -> 2600/1700) “You imbecile!” Sunset retorted. “It doesn’t matter how many times you activate her effect! With Darkbishop on my field, That Six makes my Archfiends invincible to your effects.” “I wasn’t planning on using her effect. Not yet at least…” Twilight pointed a finger at the kneeling Darkbishop. “To battle! Empress of Prophecy attacks your Darkbishop Archfiend!” Empress (ATK: 2600) without the aid of Spellbook of Power, held her greatshield in front of her, the orange gem studded in the embossed Prophecy symbol lighting aglow, which spread into the arcane symbols etched along the rest of the shield’s shimmering surface. A ray of light erupted from the whitegold over Darkbishop (DEF: 1400) whose form evaporated in the light. “During my second main phase, I activate Empress’ effect: By removing one overlay unit (ATK: 2600 -> 2300), I shuffle and excavate the top five cards of my deck and any ‘Spellbook’ spell cards revealed will destroy one of your monsters.” Sunset grunted, “Terrorking Archfiend’s Hell’s Gamble will still activate! You’ll still risk destroying your own monster!” “Perhaps,” Twilight responded gravely. “But I much prefer the risk when it’s not being manipulated: Terrorking Archfiend requires a roll of two or five, so you can’t change the outcome in your favor with That Six. I would rather take a one-in-three chance gamble than one that is rigged…” One of the green lights revolving around Empress erred from its path and embedded in her scepter. Twilight’s duel disk scanned her deck’s top five cards, a projection appearing over the field. First: Dark Renewal. Next: Reaper of Prophecy. Third: Spellbook of Life. Fourth: Double Spell. Fifth: Magical Dimension. Feeling her deck cut her much too close for comfort, Twilight sighed. “I revealed one Spellbook. Therefore I destroy your Terrorking Archfiend!” “The die is cast! Hell’s Gamble!” Sunset snarled. The gruesome die once again arose from Pandemonium’s pit. Everyone held their breaths as the dice was flung, again bouncing off one of the bony protrusions. Twilight’s eyes followed intently, amble to vaguely make out a series of sides; two, six, one, three… The die stopped. A single dot showing off the topside surface, the gruesome eyeball splaying open. Twilight heard the student body’s relieved cheers, thinking she saw what might have been the one jeering at her beforehand clutching his chest. The two revealed Spellbooks splintered into the flurry of arcane symbols that proceeded to swarm around Terrorking Archfiend. The demon was shred into nothing under the assault. - You're not singing You're not singing You're not singing any more Pinkie, accompanied by several others in the audience chanted accompanied by demeaning jabs aimed at Sunset. Among them included Lyra Hearstrings, Bon Bon, Derpy, Octavia Melody, a girl who Twilight thought she recognized as a counterpart from Equestria, one with messy red hair and wearing glasses, one who looked much like Roseluck from Ponyville, among others. This was followed by a punchline in a series of record scratches by Vinyl. - Sunset growled in fury, “Pandemonium’s effect lets me add my third ‘Desrook Archfiend’ to my hand, which I then discard to revive Terrorking!” Terrorking’s form remerged from Pandemonium’s pit, now deprived of Axe of Despair. (Level 4, 2000/1500) “Next I activate ‘Spellbook of Knowledge,’” Twilight continued. “I sacrifice Spellbook Magician from my field in order to draw twice.” Spellbook Magician’s tome dropped into his awaiting hand, whilst flicking his free hand in a gesture of farewell before vanishing. Twilight drew two cards. “I set two cards facedown and end my turn.” (Hand: 1) Turn 10: Sunset Shimmer (Hand: 3) - Impossible! Sunset’s mind screamed. She can’t… She can’t possibly be this strong! “You’re replacing me?!” Sunset shouted indignantly at the regal alicorn, whose back currently stood facing her, eternally flowing mane obscuring her face. “You disobeyed me, Sunset. I made it clear you were not to dabble with the mirror and the danger it could pose.” Celestia’s sideward glance eyed accusingly at Sunset. “You’ve shown me that I can’t even trust you anymore.” “No!” Sunset stomped a hoof on the tiled floor of the Princess’ chambers. “I have worked so hard! Suffered so much! You can’t just abandon me!” I can’t lose… Not to her. Never to her! - Sunset drew her next card. “During my stand-by phase I activate the effect of ‘Imprisoned Queen Archfiend’ in my graveyard to increase Terrorking’s attack points by a thousand!” The chains embedded into Terrorking’s back glowed again, whatever stygian power flowing into the repulsive creature, making it roar in pain-induced vigor. (ATK: 2000 -> 3000) “I then summon ‘Shadowknight Archfiend’ in attack mode!” Another skeletal demon emerged onto the field. This one seemed similar to the earlier Vilepawn Archfiend, only larger, with dark blue sinew around its biceps and thigh areas, with a much larger blade attached to its right arm and a long, wider shield for its left forearm. A splayed blue mane spread from the back of its skull-like, grinning head. (Level 4, 2000/1600) “Now to end this!” Sunset forcefully slid a card into her disk. “I activate the spell card ‘Checkmate’!” - Pinkie cringed betwixt her gathered chanting posse, “Uh… You're not sinnnngggginggg any more…?” - “To activate I sacrifice Shadowknight Archfiend.” Shadowknight was promptly impaled by Terrorking Archfiend’s large sword, which came to bear a dark aura, followed by Shadowknight’s form dissipating. Such display made Twilight feel increasingly sickened by Sunset’s choice of cards. “Now Terrorking Archfiend can attack you directly, even if you have monsters on your field,” Sunset grinned maliciously. “Terrorking Archfiend, attack Twilight Sparkle!” Terrorking’s chest began to bulge and pulsate violently, as it no doubt was swelling with those disgusting insects again. Twilight refused to be taken down by something so repulsive. She hastily pressed the trigger on her duel disk screen, “Facedown activate! ‘Magical Dimension’! I sacrifice a spellcaster-typse monster in order to special summon another one from my hand!” she revealed the remaining card in her hand, “Arise, ‘Reaper of Prophecy’!” Empress of Prophecy devolved into an orb of energy, her last remaining overlay unit shattering into specks of light. The orb flung itself into the sky and slammed into the sinewy ground. A blanket of dark smoke emerged like an insetting mist. From within it arose a four-point metallic frame, within which was suspended a human-sized coffin or sarcophagus with chains. The casket opened with a foreboding groan, unveiling a burst of swirling dark miasma which gathered out of it into a humanoid shape. Swinging their wicked scythe, Reaper of Prophecy emerged onto the field. (Level 6, 2000/1600) “When summoned, Reaper’s effects are determined by the number of ‘Spellbook’ spellcards in my graveyard: I currently have Spellbooks of Power, Fate, the Master, Miracles, Knowledge and now Wisdom and Secrets, as well as Spellbook Organization I returned the first time I used Mircales, that makes eight…” Reaper’s obscured eye lit in an eerie red glint, whilst their scythe’s blade elongated as a beam of cold blue light. (ATK: 2000 -> 2600) “With three, Reaper gains 600 additional attack strength, with four, I can add a ‘Spellbook’ from my deck to my hand,” a card ejected from Twilight’s deck, revealing it as Spellbook of Life. “And with five, Reaper special summons one level five or higher dark spellcaster from my deck…” Reaper swung and tore a hole into the fabric of reality. A fearsome bellow erupted from the tear, followed by a burst of flames. Emerging from the flames, a pair of great thorny wings spread out, unveiling the burned grey body of ‘Prophecy Destroyer’, brandishing its flaming longsword. Despite its outward appearance, Twilight already saw it as comparatively noble to Sunset’s Archfiends. (Level 6, 2500/1200) “And finally, thanks to Magical Dimension, I can destroy one monster on your field: Your Terrorking Archfiend!” Sunset grunted in anger, “Unless Terrorking Archfiend’s effect pulls through; you’re finished. Hell’s Gamble!” Sunset beckoned, the ghoulish dice emerging from Pandemonium’s pit. Once more everyone, be it Twilight, Sunset, or everyone watching, held their collective breaths as the die was cast. If the result was a two or five, Twilight would have nothing left to stop Sunset’s killing blow… The dice landed on the edge of the pit, revealing a facet with four dots opening into eyeballs. “Four?!” Sunset shouted in cringe. A flurry of chains shot out from the sarcophagus and bound the winged demon in their coils. They then proceeded to violently yank Terrorking back inside, before booming shut and vanishing from the field along with the smoke. - Rarity sighed, “Sweet, merciful mistress of luck, thank you…” “So Sunset just lost her only monster,” Fluttershy affirmed, hands cupped over her chest in relief. “And she can’t revive it again since she used up all three Desrooks,” Applejack grinned triumphantly. “Twilight might actually win this one!” - “Not yet! Pandemonium’s adds the level three ‘Vilepawn Archfiend’ to my hand!” Sunset swiped the ejected card. “I activate the continuous trap ‘Call of the Archfiend!’” A card with a macabre image arose on Sunset’s field. Twilight swallowed, having just barely managed to survive Sunset’s attempted final strike. “I discard one fiend-type monster from my hand to special summon one level five or higher fiend-type monster in my graveyard,” Sunset slid Vilepawn into the graveyard. In response a large pair of arms emerged from Pandemonium’s pit, dripping the noxious ooze to the sides. “I summon ‘Imprisoned Queen Archfiend’ in attack mode!” Pushing down, the arms raised up a large creature, a haunting, bubbling snarl escaping from its skeletal mouth. Spreading a great pair of black wings, the new terror launched itself up from the pit. It landed on Sunset’s side of the field, standing at an astounding twelve feet, its body composed of bluish bone plates and bulging muscle tissue along its sides, thighs, shins, biceps and forearms, with a ragged green loincloth dangling from its waist. A crest of bony extremities connected with tendons jutted from its skull-like head, whilst a long chain composed of metallic finger bones were bound and dangling from its wrists and ankles. (Level 8, 2600/1700) Twilight pursed her lips. So this is the abomination that was empowering her Terrorking. Sunset pointed a finger towards Destroyer, “Imprisoned Queen Archfiend attacks Prophecy Destroyer! Punishing Bind!” The chains hanging from Imprisoned Queen Archfiend’s (ATK: 2600) limbs shot out towards Destroyer (ATK: 2500). Twilight looked away, unable to witness as her monster was torn to pieces by the chains. Twilight Sparkle Life Points: 1800 – 100 = 1700 “I end my turn,” Sunset growled. “You may have survived that, Twilight Sparkle, but come next turn, I’ll finish you.” (Hand: 2) Turn 11: Twilight Sparkle (Hand: 1) Twilight drew her next card. With Sunset’s Terrorking finally over and done with, and no more Desrook’s left to revive it, Sunset’s That Six combo was defeated. All that remained was avoiding a direct attack from this new Archfiend fresh out of the pit and just focus on keeping Sunset’s field empty. Unfortunately, the next card she drew wouldn’t help much. “I banish Spellbooks of Wisdom, Fate, and Spellbook Organization from my graveyard to special summon Prophecy Destroyer in defense mode!” Destroyer’s flaming sword fell from the sky onto the field, its flame forming the magical rune on the sinewy ground of Pandemonium, which erupted in flames. Prophecy Destroyer remerged, kneeling down with its wings folded over itself protectively, grasping its sword by the hilt with the blade driven to the ground. (Level 6, 2500/1200) “I end my turn.” (Hand: 2) Turn 12: Sunset Shimmer (Hand: 2) Sunset drew her next card. “I discard ‘Mist Archfiend’ for the effect of Call of the Archfiend once more. I revive ‘Skull Archfiend of Lightning’ in attack mode.” Unlike their chess piece counterparts, Skull Archfiend re-entered the field through materializing from a bolt of lightning. The horned demon spread its wings beside the larger Imprisoned Queen, a vicious snarl rattling from its sinewy throat. (Level 6, 2500/1200) - “¡Ay-ay-ay! ¡El demonio está de vuelta!” Pinkie cried out from the crowd. - “I’m sure you realize, Princess, that with Skull Archfiend back, my That Six combo is back in effect,” Sunset stated forebodingly. “I didn’t expect your Call of the Archfiend to work for multiple monsters,” Twilight replied. “I’d have to admit; if it wasn’t you I was dueling, this might be more enjoyable. But instead, all I can listen to is your blustering.” “I’ll have plenty of fun once I’ve crushed you and shown these idiots that you’re not worthy of facing me again…” Sunset muttered. “Sunset: Why do all of this? Why did you come here? Why take my crown to this place? Why would you subject yourself to the Games of Darkness?” Twilight asked in earnest. Sunset looked at her in mild surprise, “Oh, so you know about that, do you now? But you are not beholden to any answers from me. Just know that I despise you with all my being.” “Why? I’ve never done anything to you. I’ve never even met you.” “True, you haven’t,” Sunset shook her head. “But, I know who you are, and what you’ve done. And you have your cherished mentor to thank for that.” She pointed an accusatory finger, “I attack your Prophecy Destroyer with Skull Archfiend!” Skull Archfiend (ATK: 2500) roared, its surging body launching a bolt into the sky. A rumble followed, after which lightning struck down squarely on Prophecy Destroyer (DEF: 1200), causing an explosion that decimated the demonic warrior. “I end my turn.” (Hand: 2) Turn 13: Twilight Sparkle (Hand: 2) “It seems she really can’t remember…” Priestess voice once more echoed in Twilight’s voice. “She seems to know me well enough, or at least claims to. What do you suppose happened that her memories of you were affected? I was expecting her to at least have memorized her old deck to the point of being able to combat me perfectly…” “I’m not certain,” Priestess astral image closed her eyes in regret. “I’ve tried to force my way inside, but her mind seems like it’s shielded from me. Tell me, Twilight, is mental fortitude like this common in your world?” Twilight looked down, a most uncomfortable notion creeping into her mind, “I’m not versed in mind control, Priestess. It’s dark magic, the kind even Celestia herself would not even touch. Any records are kept safely stored away with only special clearance permitted. But I suppose it might be possible that those with training could resist its effects. I’ve read about sorcerers in the pre-Celestia era being able to erect wards inside their minds, but with the arts having fallen out of favor. If Sunset somehow learned to protect her mind, perhaps even block off memories… But why would she do so?” “What are you doing?” Sunset asked, irritated. “Make your move!” As Twilight reached to draw her next card, Priestess’ spectral gloved hand came atop hers. Twilight surreptitiously looked at Priestess, seeing the spirit stare back at her grimly. “Twilight, I want to try something. Remember what me and the pink one taught you during your last duel. Keep your mind focused. I’ll handle the rest.” Twilight nodded, “I’ll do my best.” With the Twilight drew. Spellbook of Judgement. It wasn’t something she could really make use of by itself, but she now had a Spellbook to work off. “I activate ‘Spellbook of Life’,” Twilight revealed Spellbook of Judgement in her hand, “By reveling a different Spellbook from my hand, and banishing a spellcaster-type monster from my graveyard, I can special summon another spellcaster from my graveyard and equip it with this card.” - “Wohoo!” Pinkie cried from the audience, “Bring out Priestess!” - Twilight chuckled, “Not quite. I special summon ‘Strength of Prophecy’.” The violet tome spun onto the field and opened out on the ground, emitting its purple lightrays that spawned Strength, the red-haired warrior sorceress hefting her lion-headed axe. The tome closed and levitated above her head. (Level 4, 1500/1400) A card slid out of Twilight’s graveyard slot, “I banish the level three Hermit of Prophecy, so Strength’s level increased from four to seven. I then activate Strength’s effect; by returning Spellbook of Power from my graveyard to my deck, I can increase the level of one of my spellcasters by one and their attack points by 500. I’ll use it on Reaper of Prophecy.” Strength pointed a palm towards Reaper, the red gems of her outfit glowing red, followed by Reaper being surrounded in a fierce red aura. (Level 6 -> 7, 2600/1600 -> 3100/1600) “I overlay my level seven Reaper and Strength!” On command the two spellcasters lowered their weapons as they devolved into lights, rising up in a spiraling blaze before combining over the field, into the nebula. “Power of the cosmos and fate intertwined, the arcane wisdom and force of the universe; bring the patron of the heritage of wisdom and learning to stand by my side.” “Xyz Summon! I beseech you, keeper of knowledge: Rank 7, ‘Hierophant of Prophecy’!” Slamming the pole of his golden staff onto the macabre ground of Pandemonium’s landscape, the black, gold and silver garbed spellcaster stood ready, overlay units revolving around him. (Rank 7, 2800/2600) Sunset’s eyes focused on the newly summoned sorcerer, her mask of anger steadily fading, “… Hierophant… What did…?” “I remove one overlay unit from Hierophant,” Twilight declared, refusing to waste the opportunity. “Hierophant then destroys spells and trap cards on my opponent’s field up to the number of ‘Spellbook’ spells in my graveyard: I have five, so I destroy all your spells and traps on the field.” Sunset let out an audible gasp. Pointing his scepter towards Sunset, three tears into the cosmos opened above the field. A fusillade of tiny shooting stars erupted from each one, perforating Sunset’s That Six, Call of the Archfiend, and then Pandemonium itself was pelted away, the bony protrusions and fleshy growths giving back way to the soccer field. “W-what have you done?!” Sunset blurted. - Applejack couldn’t help but smile smugly at Sunset’s current predicament. Even the other students openly cheered for Twilight in spite of Sunset’s presence. “At least that awful field spell’s gone now…” Fluttershy muttered in relief. “An’ that ain’t all,” said Applejack. “Without Pandemonium, Sunset’s gonna have it much harder…” - “Lastly, I attack Skull Archfiend with Hierophant!” Twilight declared. Hierophant (ATK: 2800) released hold on his staff, which levitated before him perfectly upright. The sorcerer placed his hands in a gesture not too dissimilar to Priestess. His staff lit up in a beam of light that shone on Skull Archfiend (ATK: 2500). The winged demon covered itself in a futile attempt as the light literally disintegrated it. Sunset Shimmer Life Points: 3200 – 300 = 2900 Twilight breathed a sigh of relief. Pandemonium’s, hopefully imaginary, noxious funk cleared from her mind. “I end my turn.” (Hand: 1) Sunset stared back at Twilight, her face etched in utter disbelief, “Y-you… You can’t be this strong! You’re barely even a novice…” Twilight simply smiled, not in condescension, or an air of superiority, but a genuine, hopeful, thankful smile. “You said it yourself, Sunset. The Magic of Friendship.” Turn 14: Sunset Shimmer (Hand: 2) Sunset drew her next card, when suddenly what looked like black smoke emanated from her mouth. Twilight looked on perplexed, when the sound of someone life point counter ticking down rang. Sunset Shimmer Life Points: 2900 – 1000 = 1900 “What just happened?” Twilight asked in confusion. Sunset growled, “Without Pandemonium, I must pay life points to keep Archfiends in play.” Twilight looked up at the still present Imprisoned Queen Archfiend. - “Here in the Archfiends’ realm of Pandemonium, I do not require to pay the price for the service of my minions. And furthermore, should you destroy any ‘Archfiend’, Pandemonium adds another of a lower level to my hand. I end my turn.” - So in two turns she’ll lose if she keeps Imprisoned Queen on the field. “So I’ll have two turns to finish you,” Sunset stated, sliding a card into her duel disk, “I play the continuous spell ‘Solidarity’. So long as all the monsters in my graveyard share the same type, all monsters of said type on my field gain 800 attack points. (Imprisoned Queen Archfiend ATK: 2600 -> 3400) I attack your Hierophant with Imprisoned Queen! Punishing Bind!” With a roar, Imprisoned Queen (ATK: 3400) lashed out with her chains. Twilight barely had time to look away in terror when she could have sworn that she saw Hierophant’s (ATK: 2800) head get impaled. On looking back up, Hierophant’s form vanished, leaving her field empty, with the empowered Archfiend looming over her. Twilight Sparkle Life Points: 1700 - 1100 “I set one card facedown. I end my turn.” (Hand: 1) Turn 15: Twilight Sparkle (Hand: 1) Twilight drew her next card. If I can just hold out for Imprisoned Queen to drain her remaining life points. She looked over her drawn card. She softly held the card to her lip, uttering a thanks as if the addressee had somehow guided her. “I play the spell card ‘Double Spell.’” - “Isn’t that the card she used to beat you?” asked Sweetie Belle. “It is, yes,” Rarity nodded, putting a hand on her sister’s shoulder. “Not that you weren’t involved in any way…” she added with a side-glancing smile, to which Sweetie Belle seemed to freeze up. - “By discarding a spell card,” Twilight slid the impractical Spellbook of Judgement into the graveyard, “I can copy a normal spell card in your graveyard.” Sunset looked down at her duel disk as the contents of her graveyard scrolled past. Twilight’s finger tapped on the specific card on her screen, the image of Double Spell turning around to reveal her choice, the macabre Card of Demise. “By copying your ‘Card of Demise’, I draw until I hold three cards, as long as I discard my hand at the end of my turn.” “You also can’t deal damage to me this turn,” Sunset added. “I’m well aware of that,” Twilight replied, “I then remove three Spellbooks from my graveyard to bring back Prophecy Destroyer in defense position.” With another burst of flames, the demonic knight emerged onto Twilight’s field, kneeling with its sword driven to the ground and wings folded over itself protectively. (Level 6, 2500/1200) “I then normal summon ‘Stoic of Prophecy’, also in defense mode.” The pointy-haired, dual staff’s wielding sorcerer materialized onto the field, crossing its top-heavy weapons in front of himself by the tips. (Level 1, 300/200) “I set one card facedown, and end my turn.” And with that, Twilight was forced to slide her remaining card into the graveyard. (Hand: 0) - Having gone mostly unnoticed, Rainbow Dash stood close to the bleachers, having been observing the latest development in the impromptu spectacle, drawn by the notice of Sunset Shimmer having been skulking around. Her duel disk’s spectator mode had shown most of the technicalities; this new student, Twilight Sparkle, had so far managed to hold her own against the queen bitch of CHS. Everyone, absolutely everyone watching were entirely fixated on the battle, any form of nervous habit on display, from biting one’s finger, fidgeting, shivers. No matter the outcome, Rainbow Dash herself was entirely convinced of her next actions. Whoever this new girl was, she absolutely needed to test her own skills against this new adversary. - “I activate the continuous trap; ‘Battle-Scarred’!” Sunset declared abrasively. “Now during my stand-by phase we both take Imprisoned Queen Archfiend’s cost out of our life points.” “What?!” Turn 16: Sunset Shimmer (Hand: 1) Sunset almost yanked her next card from her deck, right before the effect of Imprisoned Queen Archfiend drained her of another 1000 life points, as indicated by the virtual miasma projected from her mouth, the same occurring on Twilight’s side of the field. Sunset Shimmer Life Points: 1900 – 1000 = 900 Twilight Sparkle Life Points: 1100 – 1000 = 100 “I’m done with this,” Sunset uttered grimly, sliding one of her two remaining cards into her disk, “I activate the equip spell ‘Falling Down.’” Before any inquiry or explanation could be so much as uttered, Twilight was startled when Destroyer collapsed on his knees. The fire-imbued demon knight groaned in what sounded like a snarl accented by the roar of flames, when jagged, spiky growths began to penetrate through its back. She almost gasped in sheer terror when the growths forcefully breached out into a series of bony protrusions jutting from Destroyer’s back. It threw up its arms in what sounded like the most agonizing roar imaginable. “So long as I control an ‘Archfiend’ monster, I can take control of one of your monsters. However, during your stand-by phase, I take 800 points of damage.” Twilight watched helplessly as Prophecy Destroyer stood up and leapt across the field onto Sunset’s side. From this angle she could spot throbbing webs of veins permeate much of the fiery demon knight’s dull grey body, the red-hot glow of the eyes and mouth of its visage helmet having changed to a noxious purple, all before kneeling back down in defense position. With the press of a button, due to not having the material card itself (instead the system marking Destroyer’s spot on Twilight’s field currently empty and marking one of Sunset’s monster slots as occupied), Destroyer rose up into attack position, looking ready to tear into Twilight with gnarled, clawed fingers instead of the flaming sword. “I will then attack Stoic of Prophecy with Imprisoned Queen Archfiend!” Imprisoned Queen (ATK: 3400) lashed out with its shackles once more, a single one cleaving Stoic (DEF: 200) gruesomely in half. “When Stoic of Prophecy is sent to the graveyard, I can add a level three or below ‘Prophecy’ monster from my deck to my hand,” Twilight’s deck ejected a card, revealing it as Justice of Prophecy. “It doesn’t matter,” Sunset sneered, “I’ll defeat you with your own monster! Prophecy Destroyer attacks you directly!” In a gruesome display of animalistic madness, Prophecy Destroyer (ATK: 2500) leapt across the field, arms reared back to swipe at Twilight for the finishing blow. “Trap card activate!” Twilight responded hastily, “‘Magician’s Circle!’ When a spellcaster-type monster attacks, we both special summon a spellcaster from our decks with 2000 or less attack points!” “Dammit…” Sunset muttered. “I special summon ‘Charioteer of Prophecy’ in defense mode!” Onto Twilight’s field emerged a sorcerer clad in a green gold rimmed garb with a blue cape, two cloth talismans hanging from his waist and wielding a long, double-edged sword in his right hand, whilst his left held to the reins of his steed: A tall white horse with a saddle and decorative collar matching those of it’s rider’s primary colors. The horse knelt down to represent being in defense mode. (Level 4, 1800/1300) The new monster was quickly dispatched as Destroyer came down upon the sorcerer and his steed, crushing them with an explosive impact. Twilight’s field was left empty. “I… I end my turn,” Sunset growled, eyeing the final card in her hand, indicating it as having no use. (Hand: 1) Turn 17: Twilight Sparkle (Hand: 1) Twilight drew, hoping against all odds that this final card would ensure victory, “During my stand-by phase, you take damage from the effect of Falling Down.” Another gout of smoke wafted from Sunset’s mouth. Sunset Shimmer Life Points: 900 – 800 = 100 Twilight looked at her hand. It was Wheel of Prophecy, added with Justice of Prophecy. No good, as Justice of Prophecy required a Spellbook to trigger her effect, plus Wheel of Prophecy held no value in this predicament, what with needing two sacrifices to normal summon. Looking at it on all accounts, with Sunset’s Battle-Scarred, there was no way around it; both of their life points would be depleted. Twilight relaxed her wrist holding her cards, and simply sighed. “I end my turn.” (Hand: 2) - “It’s over,” Applejack declared glumly. “The moment Sunset draws her next card, that Imprisoned Queen and trap is gonna take both out.” “A draw,” Apple Bloom concurred. “But, Ah suppose it’s better than nothin’.” “It’s the closest anyone’s ever come to beatin’ Sunset,” Applejack sighed. “As far as Ah’m concerned, just seein’ her walk away as somethin’ other than a winner; brings a smile to my face.” “You an’ me both, sis. You an’ me both.” - Sunset clenched her right hand so tight her nails may have actually dug into her palm. A flurry of indignant emotions and questions rushed through her mind all at once. How?! How could she already be this adept at dueling?! I stole into Equestria only two days ago, so she couldn’t have been here more than a day in the least, and the portal remains active for three days. It took me months just to get the hang of the game, let alone gathering the necessary cards. Yet she already has a fully functional deck and is pulling off complex maneuvers… Why?! Where did she even get cards as powerful as the Prophecies? Could it be…? What she said… Did I…? An uncontrollable gasp escaped her lips when like a bolt of lightning on a cloudless day, a throbbing pain erupted in her head for the third time since returning through the portal. This again?! Why?! She gritted her teeth clutching at the side of her head in vain as what felt like a burning web spread through her cranium. Ever since she arrived… What’s happening to me…?! - Twilight’s expression had changed from solemn regret to downright concern. When she thought Sunset Shimmer couldn’t get any more detestable from her demeanor, all that was swept aside when Twilight saw the fiery-haired girl grasp the side of her head, having leaned forward, whilst clenching her teeth. Either Sunset was being needlessly bitter or… She’s… in pain? A single orange eye snapped in Twilight’s direction, looking less and less like the eyes of a pony, or human, but more like the flaming orb of an enraged dragon. Twilight felt almost urged to step back, a shudder racing up her spine when the eyes zeroed in on her. Turn 18: Sunset Shimmer (Hand: 1) At this point nothing could be done. Sunset furiously swiped her next card, triggering the effects of Imprisoned Queen and Battle-Scarred. Twilight suddenly felt like her breathing had cut off. A foul tasting and burning sensation raced up her throat, the black plume of mist wafting out of her mouth. Only now she could feel it; honest to Celestia, she was feeling the noxious fumes expel from her body, her lungs felt like they were burning, as if a small part of her had actually shot out from within. The moment the effect ceased, Twilight clutched at her chest, a hoarse cough following. The ensuing gasps of air felt like her lungs truly had been burned from within, until the stinging inexplicably subsided. Sunset Shimmer Life Points: 100 – 1000 = -900 Twilight Sparkle Life Points: 100 – 1000 = -900 Draw With her breathing resuming to function normally, though feeling slightly out of breath, Twilight’s eyes focused back on Sunset, who seemed to be going through similar symptoms. Imprisoned Queen and Prophecy Destroyer vanished, duel mode deactivating. Was that…?! Was that part of the Game of Darkness?! Priestess’ astral projection appeared standing behind Sunset. The white clad spirit grabbed hold atop Sunset’s head, the girl visibly flinching as if the spirit were material. “Sunset Shimmer!” Twilight heard the spirit’s mental voice reverberate across the field. “Reveal yourself to me; let me see what plagues your mind!” Was this Priestess’ doing? Had she invoked the Game of Darkness just for the chance to breach through into Sunset’s mind. Whatever she had done, the fact that Sunset seemed to outwardly react to the spirit’s touch indicated that whatever hypothetical mental blocks Sunset had set up to bar Priestess’ mental link, had temporarily fallen. “Back!” Twilight flinched. There was another voice; distorted, almost as if there were multiple voices speaking all at once. Among them seemed those of a feminine pitch. Sunset’s own mental voice possibly? Priestess hands released from Sunset’s head. No, not released, but were forced off by some invisible force. “Sunset!” As if she’d lost control of her legs, Twilight rushed towards Sunset, who was now clutching her head with both hands. - “Umm… What’s going on?” asked Fluttershy as she and everyone else watched Twilight rush for Sunset. “Either she’s taking a draw in the most undignified manner,” Rarity commented, “… Or she’s having a migraine?” - “Sunset!” Twilight called out again, her previously held disgust having miraculously evaporated. Whatever was happening to the fiery-haired unicorn turned human; the amnesia, the inability to commune with Priestess, that voice pushing her back, the sudden pain she was suffering, maybe, just maybe, she could reach out to her. “Sunset, what’s wrong? Do you remember…?” Sunset’s gaze snapped back up at Twilight. Her eyes stared up at Twilight, directly into hers. Twilight reeled back, those fiery orbs alight in anger such as she’d never beheld before. “S-Sunset…?” “Get away from me!” Sunset snapped and lashed out. A loud, reverberating slap overtook Twilight’s senses. Her eyes blurred as her head was thrown violently to the side, a stinging pain enveloping her left cheek. She stumbled away, coming dangerously close to collapsing. She felt a hand on her raw cheek, her senses slowly catching up. She looked back at Sunset, standing with her right hand swept over to her left, those enraged eyes glaring at her in utter contempt. “Hey!” came an angered exclamation from behind Twilight. She heard as Spike ran up, growling angrily at Sunset. “How dare you!” followed by another. In a moment, Twilight felt someone’s arm around her shoulders, whilst a delicate alabaster hand gently urged to turn her head. “You scratched her?!” shouted Rarity incredulously. That’s when Twilight noted something else on her face other than just the stinging flesh where Sunset’s palm had connected. She hissed as Rarity delicately dabbed a tissue against her cheek. “What the hell was that?!” Applejack shouted, standing protectively in front of Twilight. “So that’s what ya are, huh?! One draw an’ ya fly off the deep end?! Honestly, to think yourself anythin’ but a snake, Sunset!” But Sunset remained unmoved by Applejack’s scolding. Instead, her eyes continued to focus on Twilight. She felt hadn’t Applejack intervened, Sunset would undoubtedly have attacked her right then and there. She pointed an accusatory finger at Twilight. “This isn’t over, Twilight Sparkle!” she declared. “Tomorrow night, we’ll settle this once and for all. Mark my words; I will destroy you, and then all will witness what happens when they defy me!” With that final declaration of war, Sunset turned and ran. Applejack shouted after in protest, taking a few steps after her. “Are you alright, darling?” asked Rarity, looking at Twilight with worry, holding the tissue against her cheek. “I knew Sunset was unscrupulous, but… Ugh, I can’t even put it into words!” After fully recovering her senses, Twilight looked to Rarity, “How is it?” Rarity frowned, uncovering Twilight’s cheek, “She genuinely scratched you across the cheek! They don’t look deep, but they’ll undoubtedly scab…” Twilight put a hand over the tissue, looking in the direction Sunset had taken off in. How could someone, whom she’d never even met, nor even heard about until recently, hold so much contempt for her as to going as far as assaulting her? Not that it was the first time; there was the recent bout with Trixie Lulamoon and the alicorn amulet, but even then, Trixie didn’t so much harm her as she simply forcibly evicted her from Ponyville and cordoned off the entire town. “We should get those cleaned off, they could get infected,” said Rarity urgingly. “Here,” came Fluttershy, holding a soft blue package of something. “I always carry these in case of injured animals. They’re perfectly fine for people.” “Thank you, Fluttershy,” Rarity plucked a tissue from a small hole in the package, which she delicately dabbed over Twilight’s scratches. The moist antiseptic wipe stung slightly where Sunset’s nails had breached the skin. “To think she’d do something so awful…” said Fluttershy, keeping the pack of wipes on hand. Twilight winced slightly, “It’s not as up there as the thing with the knives…” she commented, Rarity continuing to clean out her cheek. “Oh, I know,” Fluttershy muttered. “But the way she just reacted, that was… disturbing.” “Ah swear that girl…” Applejack growled in frustration. “First she challenges ya, the moment she doesn’t have it ‘er way she goes nuts.” She looked at Twilight, “Ya’ll right there, Twi?” “Yea,” Twilight winced, Rarity finishing cleaning her cheek. “Stings a bit, but I’m fine. Wasn’t expecting that…” “What in the world got into her?” asked Rarity, delicately holding out the slightly stained antiseptic wipe. “Any other time she’s just obnoxiously proud or demanding. But just now?” If only I could explain it to them… “Well, that was… Morbidly unexpected, but congratulations to our very own Twilight Sparkle!” called Pinkie, having either retrieved her megaphone, or possibly had another on hidden in her floof. “Not only did she beat all four contenders, but on top of all of that; she dueled that no good…” she paused for a moment in thought, “…That no good (Eff!)cknugget Sunset Shimmer to a draw! A draw, everybody! A draw!” The gathered students proceeded to loudly cheer and applaud. “You go new girl!” called Lyra Heartstrings, raising a pepped fist into the air. “Way to show that big palooka!” cried Bon Bon, slamming a fist against an open palm. “You’ve got my vote!” called Derpy, waving happily. “Eyy…!” called Vinyl, lifting her shades and giving a lax, but deliberate point towards Twilight. “Now you gotta know that counts for something when our own taciturn turntabler has something to say!” Pinkie emphasized, popping up behind the DJ, who lowered her glasses back over her eyes and shrugged nonchalantly. “Oooh, and what’s this?” Pinkie vanished behind Vinyl, only to then pop up beside Flash Sentry standing up from his seat on the bleachers. “Does Twilight’s rival slash love interest have something to say?” she asked, topped off with flirtatious clicking. “Pinkie!” yelled Twilight indignantly from the field. “You know what I’m about!” cried Pinkie in unperturbed rebuttal. Flash Sentry cleared his throat, whether out of need or embarrassment, if not both, before Pinkie held up the megaphone to his face with a mischievous grin on hers, “Well, um… I just wanted to say, that even if I beat her on her first go, after what I’ve seen today; I fully endorse Twilight Sparkle as the students’ choice contender for the midterm duel.” “You heard him, folks,” said Pinkie, giving Flash a playful nudge. “Twilight Sparkle for midterm finalist, what say all of y-” “Hold that thought for just a bit, okay Pinks?” For a second time the even was interrupted by a new arrival. Everyone’s attention was now diverted to a bright blue-skinned girl with a head of radiant rainbow hair tied back into a high tail, immaculately showing off all its shades from red to purple, complete with a pair of goggles atop her head. At long last the fifth of Twilight’s friends’ counterparts had come forth. “Before anyone makes any hasty decisions,” said Rainbow Dash, her eyes diverting towards the field, specifically at Twilight, “I think maybe we should make sure the people know exactly who to vote for.” She smiled in a cocky gesture, holding up her currently deactivated blue and gold trayed duel disk.