This chapter's featured card: Lavell Hydra
Xyz Monster Rank: 7 ATK: 3000 DEF: 3000 Attribute: FIRE Type: Dragon
2 Level 7 FIRE Synchro Monsters
This card is always treated as both a Flamvell and a Laval card. Once on your turn, you can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card to negate the effect of one monster your opponent controls and halve its ATK until the End Phase.
The next morning, the final step of the registration process was much easier because instead of registering ponies one at a time, they were registering them in the pairs that they would be fighting in. And, instead of being given a deck, duel disk and registration number, the teams would only be confirming each others’ partners for the competition. Plus, with the extra time they would have, there was the welcoming feast in the large park outside of Ponyville that afternoon and a live performance by Lamss that evening. Alex was registering many couples, including Soarin and Spitfire who were representing the Wonderbolts. Alex had already registered himself and Orion as partners for the tournament along with Sammy and Spike, Lucas and Scott, and Maddie and Charley. Soon, Twilight Sparkle and the zebra pony from Nightmare Night walked up together. “Hello Twilight,” he said. “Hello Zecora.” “Hi,” responded Twilight. We just wanted to confirm that Zecora and I are partners for the competition.” He punched in their ID’s, and as quick as that he said, “Your registration for the Equestrian Friendship Dueling Competition is now complete. Dueling begins tomorrow at 8 am. We hope you enjoy your time.” “The competition is drawing nigh,” said Zecora, “but we will be ready for you. Goodbye.” “She is such a nut,” Alex jokingly whispered to himself. By 2 o’clock that afternoon, all registrations were completed. There were many ponies dueling everywhere. Alex was certainly excited. If his plan worked, he and his friends might be able to go home.
3 hours later, many trays of pies were being brought out to a large park with many tables where the ponies would be eating. Lucas was helping Pinkie Pie, and Mr. and Mrs. Cake with that task. In about 20 minutes, everything was ready. Thanks to Pinkie Pie and Lucas’ help the other day, they had plenty of pies to go around. Everyone was happily feasting, when Sammy was approached by Spitfire. “You’re one of the humans who crashed here, aren’t you.” “Yes,” confirmed Sammy. She introduced herself to Spitfire and shook her hoof. “I heard you’re also a really good duelist where you come from,” said Spitfire. Alex, who was looking for Rainbow Dash, was walking by. Sammy didn’t notice him, and continued her conversation. “Not only am I a good duelist. I’m probably the best duelist here,” she said exaggeratingly. Alex stopped dead in his tracks. “Well,” Alex laughed, “behind me she probably is.” “Really?” asked Sammy. “Because you should remember that I beat you 3 times 2 weeks ago when practicing for the tournament in Saffron.” Alex started to sound more serious. “Yeah? And I beat you, like, 7 times before that. Face it, I am and always will be the better duelist between us.” “Then put your money where your mouth is,” said Sammy. “I challenge you to a duel.” They both walked away from the tables and found a wide open area to duel at. They both put their duel disks on their arms and unsheathed their zones. They both drew 5 cards. “DUEL!” they yelled.
Alex vs. Sammy
Alex’s Turn: Alex summons Dragunity Partisan (ATK: 1200 DEF: 800). Alex activates Dragunity Partisan’s effect to special summon a Winged-Beast type monster from his hand and equip itself onto it, and Alex chooses Dragunity Tribus (ATK: 300 DEF: 500). Alex uses Dragunity Tribus’ effect to send one level 3 or lower Dragon type monster from his deck to his graveyard and he chooses Dragunity Phalanx. Alex then uses the effect of Dragunity Arma Leyvaten from his hand. By removing from play one monster equipped with a Dragunity monster, he can special summon it from his hand (ATK: 2600 DEF: 1200). He activates the effect of Dragunity Arma Leyvaten on the field. When special summoned, he can equip one Dragon type monster onto it from the graveyard and chooses Dragunity Phalanx, whose effect Alex uses to special summon it onto the field when equipped from the graveyard (ATK: 500 DEF: 1100). Alex tunes Dragunity Arma Leyvaten with Dragunity Phalanx to synchro summon Nero, the Dragon Warlord (ATK: 3200 DEF: 2800). Alex plays Monster Reborn to special summon Dragunity Arma Leyvaten from the graveyard. Alex redoes the effects of Dragunity Arma Leyvaten and Dragunity Phalanx. Alex tunes Dragunity Arma Leyvaten and Dragunity Phalanx again to synchro summon Virgil, the Griffin Warlock (ATK: 2800 DEF: 3200).
Alex places 1 card face down and ends his turn.
Status: Hand-1 Life-4000 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1
All of the ponies were really impressed. Alex just summoned both of his ace monsters on his first turn. “You see, Sammy?” Alex said. “This is what my experience and practice brings me. I am the better duelist.” Sammy responded, “Relax, Alex. I was only kidding.” “Really?” asked Alex annoyed. “Are you sure? Because if you were kidding, you wouldn’t have challenged me. If you knew inside that I was the better duelist, then you would have just kept your mouth shut, and ended it at that. But it’s just like when we were kids: you always wanted to be better than me. You always wanted to get the same toys as me for Christmas. You always wanted to do the same activities I partook in. And then you had the gall to try and be better than me at all of those things without any desire or passion to want to do them. It’s probably because you couldn’t stand the fact that you would otherwise be nothing compared to me.” Sammy bowed her head. She suddenly got a serious look of fury in her eyes. “How dare you?” she said quietly. “How dare you?!?” she yelled. “I’ll show you who’s nothing!”
Sammy’s Turn: Sammy activates Card Destruction, having both players discard their hands to the graveyard and draw cards equal to what they had in their hand. Next, Sammy activates Rekindling, special summoning as many FIRE monsters with 200 DEF from her graveyard as possible, choosing Flamvell Archer (ATK: 1000 DEF: 200), Neo Flamvell Sabre (ATK: 1500 DEF: 200), Laval Lady of the Burning Lake (ATK: 200 DEF: 200), and Neo Flamvell Hedgehog (ATK: 800 DEF: 200). Sammy tunes Neo Flamvell Sabre with Laval Lady of the Burning Lake to synchro summon Laval Stannon (ATK: 2700 DEF: 1800). When Laval Stannon is synchro summoned, Sammy must discard one card. Next, Sammy overlays Neo Flamvell Hedgehog and Flamvell Archer to xyz summon Lavalval Ignis (ATK: 1800 DEF: 1400). Sammy activates Lavalval Ignis’ effect. By removing 1 xyz material from it, she can increase the ATK of all Laval monsters on the field by 500 until the end phase (ATK: 1800 -> 2300) (ATK: 2700 -> 3200). Sammy attacks Virgil, the Griffin Warlock with Laval Stannon.
Alex’s Life Points: 4000 -> 3600
Sammy places 2 cards face down and ends her turn. Laval Stannon and Lavalval Ignis’ ATK returns to normal (ATK: 3200 -> 2700) (ATK: 2300 -> 1800).
Status: Hand-1 Life-4000 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-2
“Ha!” Sammy exclaimed. “I just took down your monster.” “Don’t be so cocky,” said Alex. “You only knocked down 400 life points. A paltry amount compared with what I’ll do with you.”
Alex’s Turn: Alex activates his trap card Trap Stun, negating the activation of all trap cards on the field. Alex attacks Lavalval Ignis.
Sammy’s Life Points: 4000 -> 2600
Sammy activates her Card of Last Will, drawing 5 cards when a monster of hers is destroyed. For every 1000 points of damage inflicted by an attack by Nero, the Dragon Warlord, Alex draws 1 card.
Alex summons one monster in face down defense position and ends his turn.
Status: Hand-2 Life-3600 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-0
Sammy’s Turn: Sammy special summons Laval Burner from her hand, as she has 3 different Laval monsters in her graveyard (ATK: 2100 DEF: 1000). Next, she normal summons Neo Flamvell Origin (ATK: 500 DEF: 200). Sammy tunes Laval Burner with Neo Flamvell Origin to synchro summon Ancient Flamvell Deity (ATK: 2500 DEF: 200). When Ancient Flamvell Deity is synchro summoned, Alex must remove cards in his graveyard from play up to the number of cards in Sammy’s hand (5). Ancient Flamvell Deity’s ATK rises by 200 for every card removed this way (ATK: 2500 -> 3500). Next, Sammy equips Ancient Flamvell Deity with Salamandra, increasing its ATK by 700 (ATK: 3500 -> 4200). Sammy attacks Nero the Dragon Warlord with Ancient Flamvell Deity. With Nero, the Dragon Warlord’s effect, it is not destroyed by battle. Damage is still applied though.
Alex’s Life Points: 3600 -> 2600
Laval Stannon attacks Alex’s face down monster, which was a Dragunity Corsesca.
Sammy ends her turn.
Status: Hand-4 Life-2600 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-2
Alex knew what was coming next turn. But he needed a card to be able to survive the next turn or defeat one or more of her monsters. “You know it’s coming,” said Sammy. “Why not just give up now?” “Because I actually have the passion to continue,” declared Alex. “Unlike you, who would always go from one new activity to the other like they were fads, I actually wanted to press on with the one I was on. Just like when you tried to take guitar away from me.” Sammy scoffed. Alex continued despite her. “When we went to the Guitar Center that day, I was getting a guitar for Christmas, but, being usual you, you wanted to get a guitar too.” “And you know how that story ends right?” interrupted Sammy. “As I browsed through the guitars, I saw a man playing a bass guitar in a practice room. I decided on playing bass instead at that moment.” “Oh please,” said Alex. “You just did that to make yourself look like the better person in front of Mom and Dad.” “No, you!” exclaimed Sammy. “It’s because I actually wanted to play bass!” Sweetie Belle then ran in between them. “Stop fighting, you two,” she said. “I know siblings can be hard to get along with, but it’s obvious you two love each other. I mean this the only time I’ve seen you two fight before. Certainly there’s a reason why you’ve been so good to each other for this long. Just think of the good times because you obviously have plenty of those.” For as corny and cliché as Sweetie Belle’s speech was, she was absolutely right. Both Alex and Sammy calmed down. “Alex,” Sammy said, “you may have thought at the time that I was taking up bass to get back at you, but you knew. After months and months of playing, you knew I was taking this seriously. And then you gave me the CD’s.” “Oh yeah,” said Alex nostalgically. “All of the greatest bass albums I could find: Fragile by Yes, Sailing the Seas of Cheese by Primus, Moving Pictures by Rush, Brain Salad Surgery by ELP…” “Yes, interrupted Sammy. “Those albums really helped influence my playing today, and I’m very grateful that you gave them to me. It’s just that sometimes, you tend to look at things in a negative light and expect the worst, but I knew how much that saying I’m better than you at certain things when it wasn’t true really bothered you then and now, and we wouldn’t be having this silly argument if it wasn’t for that. You truly are a superior duelist and guitarist.” “And you’re a superior bassist and athlete,” said Alex. Sammy then ended with “So, I’m sorry.” “I’m sorry, too,” said Alex. “Hey,” he said. “Weren’t we dueling?” “Oh yeah,” said Sammy a tad embarrassed, “I think it was your turn.” Alex nodded.
Alex’s Turn: Alex plays the spell Reload, adding his hand to his deck and drawing cards equal to the amount he had.
Alex places 2 cards face down and ends his turn.
Status: Hand-0 Life-2600 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
Sammy’s Turn: Sammy summons Flamvell Firedog (ATK: 1900 DEF: 200). Alex tries to activate Trap Hole, but Sammy activates Seven Tools of the Bandit, paying 1000 life points to negate its activation and destroy it.
Sammy’s Life Points: 2600 -> 1600
Sammy overlays Laval Stannon with Ancient Flamvell Deity to xyz summon Lavell Hydra (ATK: 3000 DEF: 3000). Sammy activates its effect. By removing 1 xyz material monster from it, Sammy can negate the effect of one monster on the field and halve its ATK, choosing Nero, the Dragon Warlord (ATK: 3200 -> 1600). Sammy attacks Nero, the Dragon Warlord.
Alex’s Life Points: 2600 -> 1200
Alex activates his Card of Last Will, drawing 5 cards when a monster of his is destroyed. Sammy then tries to attack Alex directly with Flamvell Firedog, but Alex activates The High Priestess’ Staff from his hand, negating the attack and inflicting 500 points of damage towards Sammy.
Sammy’s Life Points: 1600 -> 1100
Sammy places 1 card face down and ends her turn.
Status: Hand-3 Life-1100 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-2
“You know, how I was saying you were a superior duelist?” said Sammy. “I may have to revoke that statement, no offense. I mean, this is kind of a rough spot for you.” “None taken,” said Alex. “But you won’t need to revoke that statement, because I’m going to beat you right here, right now.”
Alex’s Turn: Alex activates Giant Trunade, sending all spell and trap cards on the field to their owners’ hands. Next, Alex plays the equip spell D.D.R. - Different Dimension Reincarnation, discarding one card to special summon a removed from play monster, choosing Virgil, the Griffin Warlock. Next, Alex activates its effect, paying 1000 life points to set a spell or trap card from his graveyard onto his field, choosing Monster Reborn.
Alex’s Life Points: 1200 -> 200
Alex activates Monster Reborn, special summoning Nero the Dragon Warlord from the graveyard. Alex attacks Flamvell Firedog with Virgil, the Griffin Warlock.
Sammy’s Life Points: 1100 -> 200
Alex attacks Lavell Hydra with Nero, the Dragon Warlord.
Sammy’s Life Points: 200 -> 0
Alex wins.
Alex helped her sister up and they hugged each other right there. The crowd cheered them on. Spitfire flew up besides her and said, “You may not be the best duelist here, but I was still right about saying that you’re a really good one.” “Thanks,” said Sammy. “You two keep it up,” said Spitfire, “because we might just be opponents tomorrow. See ya.” She then flew back towards her friends at her table. Twilight then approached them. “You two seemed to learn a lot today. Would you mind writing what you learned to the princess?” “Sure,” said Alex. Spike was ready with paper and quill in hand. “Dear Princess Celestia,” Alex began, “Sometimes, siblings can really be a handful to deal with, and we may butt heads now and again. But we then look at the positive aspects of each other and realize we have more to appreciate than before.” Sammy finished, “and it’s only though that appreciation and understanding between each other that allows good friendships to last. Your guests, Sammy and Alex Morrison.” Spike sealed the letter and sent it off.
Then to close off the evening, Lamss played a short but fun set of songs to party to. After their first couple of songs, Scott had an announcement. “Before we go any further, there’s a young filly who wanted to sing with us.” The crowd awed in unison. “Don’t take her too lightly now, Scott said. “She certainly knows how to sing and sings well. Now, give a warm welcome to the one, the only Sweetie Belle. Sweetie Belle went on stage. She was very nervous at the sight of all of those people, but she looked at Scott, who nodded in support. She then imagined herself in her room, where she liked to sing alone. She then looked more relaxed and prepared. “Hit it!” she yelled. Scott and Sammy then played the introductory riff to I Wish by Stevie Wonder. Then the rest of the band came in and had the crowd dancing. Sweetie Belle then started singing with them. With her strong and soulful voice, she was truly the shining star on the stage at that moment. The band then made a flawless transition into Superstition by Stevie Wonder. Sweetie sang with just as much soul and emotion to match the darker lyrics. Scott at one point even said, “You tell ‘em, soul sister,” during a break. Sweetie was heavily enjoying her time on stage. Then came the finale to her Stevie Wonder medley: Sir Duke. As usual, she performed wonderfully and scatted the horns parts. When they finished, the crowd gave a roaring applause. Sweetie felt a new kind of joy that she never felt before. She wasn’t even concerned about the cutie mark anymore. She couldn’t believe the applauses she’d missed in her life because of her stage fright, but after having many ponies from all over Equestria praising her performance like what was happening to her now, she would never be afraid of singing again. Soon, people began pointing to her. She assumed they were still congratulating her, but Scott was pointing at her too. She then looked at her flank, and on it was an image of a black circle with 4 smaller circles inside each other, and on or in between the lines, there were various musical notes. “Looks like Sweetie Belle just earned her cutie mark!” shouted Scott on the microphone. The crowd cheered even louder. Sweetie Belle was jumping up and down in jubilation when her sister Rarity came up and gave her a congratulatory hug. “I’m so proud of you,” she said happily to her little sister. They both walked offstage together, with various ponies high fiving her. Lamss then played a couple more songs and finished their set.