Twilight, Yugi, Joey and the others were all in the main concourse, eating and talking about Yugi’s victory.
“That was awesome!” said Rainbow.
“Thanks,” said Yugi.
“We saw the whole thing live,” said Twilight. She then dropped a card. “Oops.”
Joey picked it up. “Here ya go.”
“Thanks,” said Twilight.
“Magic Cylinder, nice card,” said Yugi.
“What’s it do?” asked Joey.
“It lets me redirect an attack right back at my opponent,” explained Twilight.
“Nice,” said Joey.
Kaiba was still sulking. “I was supposed to crowned champion on my duel tower! But somehow Yugi stole from me once again. How?! I had the perfect strategy! Where?! Where did I go wrong?!!”
“Mr. Kaiba!!” called Roland.
“What is it?!” said Kaiba in a very aggravated tone.
“We have a bit of a situation, sir,” said Roland.
“Like what?” asked Kaiba.
The whole ship’s been turned around, Seto!” said Mokuba.
“What?!!” asked Kaiba. “How is that possible?!!”
“Someone snuck into the cockpit, reprogrammed our destination and set the autopilot,” explained Roland.
“Then turn it off, you fool!!” yelled Kaiba.
“Our pilots tried,” said Roland. “But whoever did this rewired the system so the settings couldn’t be undone.”
Kaiba stood dumbfounded for a minute. “I’m already out of the tournament, what’s the point in staying? Pack up! We’re abandoning ship!”
“What?!” asked Mokuba.
“You said the coordinates couldn’t be changed, right?” asked Kaiba.
“Yes sir,” answered Roland.
“Then we’re leaving!!” ordered Kaiba. “Once we land, you finish the rest of the tournament, Roland!”
“Yes sir,” replied Roland.
“Mokuba and I will proceed back to Kaiba Corp and do what I planned to do after the tournament!” finished Kaiba.
“You mean we’re finally gonna do it?” asked Mokuba.
“Yes, Mokuba,” answered Kaiba. “Come back when the contest is complete.”
“Yes sir!” said Roland.
“Alright!” cheered Mokuba. “We’re gonna build Kaiba Land!!”
“Opening a chain of theme parks isn't all fun and games, Mokuba,” said Kaiba. “It takes hard work and determination.”
“Some things never change,” said Mokuba silently.
Later, as the duel ship approached Canterlot High, Roland made the announcement. “Attention duelists! Due to a few difficulties, we will not be proceeding to Kaiba Corp Island!”
“What the?” asked Joey.
“Why not?” asked Yugi.
“No idea,” said Twilight.
“I bet she does,” said Flash as Sunset walked by. She then looked at the group of friends and grinned.
“She creeps me out,” said Fluttershy.
“Same here,” said Tea.
“I like her hair,” said Mai.
“Instead,” continued Roland. “We will be continuing the Battle City finals in the city! That is all!”
“How about that?” asked Applejack. “We’re heading toward our school!”
“What?” asked Rarity.
“Nice school,” said Serenity.
“Thanks,” said Pinkie.
“I wish we went to school here,” said Tea.
“Me too,” said Yugi.
Marik then walked in.
“What do you want, freak-show?!” yelled Joey.
“Don’t be alarmed,” said Marik. “I only came to thank you, Joey Wheeler.”
“Me?” asked Joey.
“Yes,” said Marik. “You sent my evil side to the Shadow Realm and lifted the darkness from my heart. Thank you.”
“Um… It was no problem,” said Joey. “I guess.”
“Pharaoh, I’m so sorry about what I did,” continued Marik. “I’ve finally seen the error of my ways. In spite of all I’ve done, I hope we can be friends.”
“Yes,” said Yugi.
“Thank you, and I’m truly sorry,” said Marik.
The group then walked down the hall when Joey and Pinkie stopped.
“Hey! Is that French Fries I smell?” asked Joey.
“I smell donuts,” said Pinkie. “Chocolate glazed.”
“I say we take a lunch break!” said Joey as he and Pinkie headed toward the kitchen.
However, Bakura was already inside eating. “Sorry guys, but I’m the donuts are gone.”
“Hey, Bakura you’re okay!” said Bakura. “But whatta doing raiding the refrigerator?”
Bakura shrugged. “When I woke up, I was starving.”
“Go figure,” said Joey.
Pinkie’s hair deflated.
“We’ll get some snacks when we land,” said Rarity. Pinkie’s hair puffed up again.
Ishizu and Odion walked toward the school.
“Are you sure they’ll land here?” asked Odion.
“My Millennium necklace confirmed it!” said Ishizu. The two then heard saw the ship and rushed toward the school.
As the ship landed, Yugi, Twilight, and the gang jumped out.
“Master Marik!” said Odion.
“Brother!” called Ishizu.
“Ishizu!” called Marik. “He ran up and embraced his siblings. “Sister, I’m so sorry about what I’ve done.”
“I’m just glad you’re finally back to normal,” said Ishizu.
“As am I, master Marik,” added Odion.
Ishizu looked Yugi and Joey. “Thank you my king. And you too, Joey, for lifting the darkness from my brother’s heart.”
“Ah, it was nothing,” said Joey.
“Yeah right,” said Tea. “You saved the world!”
“Indeed you did, Joey,” said Yugi. “Thank you for helping me.”
“I always keep my promises,” said Joey.
“Now we have one last task before our mission is complete,” said Ishizu.
“What’s that?” asked Yugi.
“Once you obtain The Winged Dragon of Ra, I can show you,” said Marik.
“Here, take it, Yug,” said Joey as he held out the Winged Dragon.
“But Joey,” said Yugi. “I haven’t—”
“No buts, Yug,” interrupted Joey. “You need this a lot more than I do.”
“Thanks a lot, Joey,” said Yugi. “You’re the best.”
“Right back at ya,” replied Joey.
“Heartwarming, isn’t it?” asked Fluttershy.
“It sure is,” said Rarity.
“Those two remind of me and my friends,” thought Twilight.
First, Marik handed the Millennium Ring and Rod to Yugi. Marik then showed Yugi the marks on his back, while Ishizu explained the prophecy to the Pharaoh.
“Farwell my king,” said Ishizu. “I know we’ll meet again.”
“Goodbye,” said Marik. And the three Ishtars walked off.
“I’m glad that’s over,” said Yugi.
“No joke,” said Tea.
“Well, we all made it through in one piece,” said Tristan.
“Barley,” corrected Duke.
Sunset then walked over. “Hey! I still have a tournament to win!”
“Yeah right!” said Rainbow.
Ishizu looked at Sunset for a moment. “For some reason, my necklace tells me I will see her again. But why?”
“Bring it on!” challenged Joey.
“Now that all the evil’s been banished,” thought Yugi. “We can finish the rest of this tournament just for fun!”
“I don’t know, Yugi,” said Yami. “There’s something about that girl Sunset Shimmer that I don’t trust.”
“What do you mean?” asked Yugi.
“I sense a great deal of anger in her,” said Yami as he looked at Sunset. “We better stay on our toes.”
“Okay,” said Yugi.
“Hey, Yugi!” called Joey. “You okay?”
“I was… just wondering about that girl, Sunset,” said Yugi.
“She’s pure evil,” said Pinkie.
“And, she a very good duelist,” said Fluttershy.
“But I know you guys can beat her,” said Serenity.
“I hope I can,” thought Twilight.
“You bet!” said Joey.
“Then let’s get going already!” said Rainbow.
“Onward!” said Rarity.
“Hey!” said Sunset to Roland. “Why finish this tournament at the school?”
“Uh?” asked Roland.
“Half of us go to this school,” said Sunset. “I’m sure the teachers will let us use the softball field or something.”
“Well…” said Roland. “I guess Mr. Kaiba doesn’t care where the tournament ends, so… Alright! I’ll speak the principal.”
“Did I hear her right?” asked Fluttershy.
“She really wants to finish this thing at our school?” asked Applejack.
“I guess she wants to be in a familiar setting,” assumed Yugi.
“Doesn’t matter!” said Joey. “I’ll take her on anytime, anywhere! She’s gonna pay for humiliating Mai!”
A few minutes later, Roland walked out. “School is just about to end, so the principal has given us permission to use your school as our battle ground!”
“Cool!” said Rainbow.
“This’ll be fun,” said Serenity.
“You don’t know how fun!” said Pinkie.
“Fine by me,” said Mai.
“Let’s do this!” said Joey.
“Right on!” added Yugi.
“Attention duelists!” said Roland. “Please proceed to the softball field!” Once everyone was there, the four duelists shuffled their decks. “Now each one of you will pick a base. That will be your position for this special duel! You see, before the winner of the Battle City Championship can be crowned, we must first narrow down the finalists! So in the semi-final round, the four remaining duelists will be reduced to two! But first, the preliminary duel must be played! This special duel will decide who faces who in the semi-finals! And all four duelists will patriciate at once! The first two duelists to lose will face off in round one!”
“Hear that?” asked Joey. “It’s a duel to see who duels.”
Once the word got out about the tournament, all the students glued their faces to windows.
“Could you girls please watch Spike for me?” asked Twilight.
“Of course,” said Rarity. “He’s just too cute.”
Spike barked in joy.
“He sure is,” said Serenity.
The four duelists walked to base on the diamond. Sunset chose Home plate, Yugi stood on 2nd base, Twilight stood on 4th, and Joey stood on 3rd.
“Each duelist will begin with 4000 life points!” continued Roland. “When it’s your turn, you may attack any of the other players. Remember, winning or losing in this duel has no effect on how you place in the finals! This is just a way to determine who will be your opponent will be in the semifinals!”
“That’s good,” said Mai.
“Yeah, all the pressure’s off,” said Fluttershy.
“After all it doesn’t matter who wins or loses in this duel,” said Tea.
“Not exactly,” said Duke.
“Whatta mean?” asked Tristan.
“They can control who their opponent will be,” explained Duke. “Two duelists can even team up against one if they want.”
“Gang up, huh?” asked Tristan.
Yugi then switched with Yami. “This entire duel was sent up to make us choose our opponent in the semifinals,” thought Yugi. “Who should I pick?”
“In order to get back home, I have to win this whole thing,” thought Twilight. “Sorry guys, I have to do this for Equestria.”
“That is crown is mine, no matter who I face,” thought Sunset.
“It’s time to begin!” said Roland. “Now, to decide who goes first, you will each pick a monster from your deck, and the ATK points of that monster will determine who goes first! However that monster cannot be used in this duel!” A few seconds later. “It’s time to reveal your cards! Hold them up so all the players can view them!”
Twilight choose Wheel of Prophecy,
Sunset held up Double Coston. “I have three of these in my deck, so losing one won’t make a difference.”
Yugi selected Feral Imp.
Joey picked Swordsman of Landstar. “I’m gonna save all my best cards for the duel.”
“The results have been tallied!” said Roland. “First, Twilight, and then Sunset, then Yugi, and finally, Joey!”
“Getting rid of the boys should be simple,” thought Sunset. “Once, they're out, I can focus on Twilight.”
“Sunset, you’re all mine,” thought Joey.
“All of Equestria is depending on my victory,” thought Twilight.
Begin!” said Roland.
Twilight LP: 4000
Sunset LP: 4000
Joey LP: 4000
Yugi LP: 4000
Turn 1: Twilight
“Here goes!” said Twilight. “I activate Spellbook Star Hall! Now if I play a Spellbook card, Star Hall will gain a counter and all of my Spellcasters will gain 100 ATK points for each counter. Next, I’ll summon Fool of Prophecy in attack mode! That ends my turn.”
Turn 2: Sunset
“Ready for a real move?” asked Sunset. “I summon Rapid Fire Magician in attack mode. Then I’ll place two cards face down and end my turn.”
Turn 3: Yugi
“Alright then, my move!” said Yugi. “I summon Big Shield Gardna in defense mode! And place these two cards face down!”
Turn 4: Joey
“Last but not least,” said Joey as he drew. Joey's hand contains Skull Dice, The Legendary Fisherman, Legendary Sword, Jinzo, Insect Queen, and Graverobber. “Ah man! This hand is the pits! But I gotta relax and play it cool. I place one card face down and end my turn.”
Turn 5: Twilight
“Which brings it back to me,” said Twilight. “I activate Offerings to the Doomed and I’ll use it to destroy you magician Sunset!”
“Damn her,” said Sunset.
“True I may have to skip my next draw phase, but it was worth it,” said Twilight. “Fool of Prophecy, attack Sunset directly!”
“I don’t think so,” said Sunset. “I activate Dimension Wall! This card lets me redirect the battle damage to a different player. I think I’ll choose… Joey!”
“Joey can’t defend himself!” said Tristan.
“Darn that girl!” said Tea.
“Look out, Joey!” said Serenity.
“I’ll protect you!” called Yugi. “I activate The Regulation of Tribe!”
“Shoot!” said Sunset.
“Thanks to this card, I can stop the attack of one type of monster!” explained Yugi. “So I chose Spellcasters! Therefore the effect of your trap is canceled out!”
Twilight sighed with relief.
“Thanks Yug,” said Joey.
“Joey, you and I are a team!” said Yugi. “And I’ll always protect you!”
“I see,” said Sunset. “Your friend’s gonna waste all of his moves protecting you because he doesn’t believe you can take care of yourself.”
“What?!” asked Joey.
“That a lie!” yelled Yugi.
“Whatever,” said Sunset. “If he wastes all his time protecting you, you’ll be responsible for getting him kicked out of this tournament.”
“Sunset!!” yelled Yugi. “You’ve gone way over the line!”
“Wait a second, Yug!” called Joey.
“What’s wrong?” asked Yugi.
“Thanks for helping me out,” said Joey. “But she’s right, if I’m ever gonna become a pro duelist, I gotta learn to look after myself!”
“Okay, just be careful,” said Yugi.
Turn 6: Sunset
“Excellent,” said Sunset. “My move! I’ll set a card face down and then summon Gemini Elf in attack mode! Then I’ll play Ring of Destruction! This card lets me destroy a monster on the field, then the owner of that monster and I will lose life points equal to that monster’s ATK power. I choose… Twilight’s Fool of Prophecy!”
“What?!” Twilight gasped.
“Oh no!” cried Fluttershy.
“Darn her!” said Rainbow.
“I’m not done!” said Sunset. “Next I’ll activate Spell of Pain! This card lets me redirect the damage I’m about to lose to someone else! I think I’ll choose Joey.”
Twilight LP: 2400
Sunset LP: 4000
Joey LP: 2400
Yugi LP: 4000
“Thanks a lot!” said Joey.
“Stay strong Joey!” said Tea.
“Now I’ll attack you, Twilight!” said Sunset. “Go, Gemini Elfs!”
“Ah!!” cried Twilight.
Twilight LP: 500
Sunset LP: 4000
Joey LP: 2400
Yugi LP: 4000
“Hang in there, Twilight!” called Rainbow.
“Don’t give up!” said Flash.
“Stay strong!” Rarity.
“Now she’s in last place,” said Fluttershy.
“Don’t worry,” said Serenity. “It’ll all work out. I know it will!”
“Thanks,” replied Fluttershy.
“You move, Yugi,” said Sunset.
Turn 7: Yugi
“I know!” said Yugi. “First off, I choose not to pay maintenance cost for The Regulation of Tribe, Therefore, it’s destroyed! Now I sacrifice my Big Shield Gardna to summon Archfiend of Gilfer! Now attack Sunset’s Gemini Elf!”
“Guess again!” said Sunset. “I activate Mirror Force which destroys your beast!”
“Are you sure?” asked Yugi.
“Huh?” asked Sunset.
“Now I activate my trap!” said Yugi. “Seven Tools of the Bandit! By paying 1000 life points, I can negate and destroy your trap.
Twilight LP: 500
Sunset LP: 4000
Joey LP: 2400
Yugi LP: 3000
So your Elfs are done for.”
Twilight LP: 500
Sunset LP: 3700
Joey LP: 2400
Yugi LP: 3000
Sunset growled in anger.
“Finally Sunset lost some points,” said Duke.
“I know,” said Tristan. “I didn’t think she’d ever lose any.”
“Negative nancys,” said Pinkie.
Turn 8: Joey
“My move!” said Joey. “If I don’t draw a monster now, this turn will be my last. Come on, I need a winner!” Joey drew. “Awesome! I summon Gearfried the Iron Knight, in attack mode! Gearfried, attack Sunset directly!”
“Sorry kid,” said Sunset. “By discarding Kuriboh, I can block all your damage.”
“Dang!” said Joey. “This girl is just too good. Oh well, I guess I’ll just place a face down and end my turn.”
Turn 9: Twilight
“Alright, my move!” said Twilight. “Now because of my magic card, I can’t draw. So instead, I’ll summon Charioteer of Prophecy in attack mode! Attack Sunset directly!”
Twilight LP: 500
Sunset LP: 1900
Joey LP: 2400
Yugi LP: 3000
“Alright Twilight!” said Flash.
“Way to go!” cheered Rainbow.
“Go Twilight!!” cheered Pinkie.
“Way to go!” called Rarity.
“Thanks everyone,” said Twilight. “I think now would be a good time for me to activate Magical Blast! This card inflicts 200 points of damage for every Spellcaster I have on the field! And I choose you, Sunset!
Twilight LP: 500
Sunset LP: 1700
Joey LP: 2400
Yugi LP: 3000
I place two cards face down, and that’s all.”
Turn 10: Sunset
“It’s my move,” said Sunset. “I play Pot of Greed, so I get to draw two new cards. Next, I summon Dark Jeroid in attack mode. And he has quite the ability. When he’s summoned, I can lower the ATK points of one monster on the field by 800.” The others players gasped. “The question is, who should I choose? Let’s see, even with my monster’s effect, Yugi’s monster too strong. I’m sure at least one of Twilight’s face downs is a trap. So that leaves one target. I choose your Gearfried, Joey!”
“Great,” said Joey. (Gearfried the Iron Knight: 1800 → 1000)
“You’re through!” said Sunset.
“Not quite,” said Joey in a taunting tone. “Check this out, Go Skull Dice! Now your monster’s points decrease depending on what I roll!”
“You’re relying on luck?” asked Sunset.
“Yeah, got a problem with that?” asked Joey. The die landed on six. “Jackpot! Now your monster loses 600 ATK points! (Dark Jeroid: 1200 → 600)
“Yes!” said Yugi.
“Time for Gearfried to strike back!” said Joey.
“Oh yeah?!” asked Sunset. “I activate my Shrink card! Now your monster loses half its strength!”
Joey’s knight then shrank. (Gearfried the Iron Knight: 1000 → 500) “What?! My monster! It’s a mini Gearfried.”
“Oh no!” said Yugi.
“Dark Jeroid, destroy his knight!” ordered Sunset.
Twilight LP: 500
Sunset LP: 1700
Joey LP: 2300
Yugi LP: 3000
“I’ll get you for that!” said Joey. “Mark my words!”
“Stay focused Joey!” called Yugi.
“Man, Joey just can’t get a break,” said Tristan.
“Poor guy,” said Mai.
"He can do it!” said Serenity. “I know he can.”
On Sunset’s End Phase, the effect of Skull Dice expires (Dark Jeroid 600 → 1200).
Turn 11: Yugi
“I can’t stand that girl,” said Joey.
“Stay calm Joey!” called Yugi again. “You must maintain your concentration! Now then! My move. Now, Archfiend of Gilfer! Attack Sunset’s Jeroid!”
“Hold on!” called Joey. “Yug, you’re attacking the wrong duelist! You should be attacking me.”
“I don’t get it,” said Tea. “What’s Joey thinking?”
“I’d say he’s not thinking,” said Tristan. “Hey Joey! Don’t let the pressure get to ya! Just relax and let Yugi make his move!”
“Stay out if it, Tristan,” said Joey. “Yugi, I know you’re looking out for me, but you can’t do for the rest of your life. I’ll never improve if ya keep going easy on me. I made it all the way here by myself, and I did a really good job, if I do say so myself. If you really wanna help me, then treat me just like you would any other opponent. If you really believe in me, then start treating like your equal!”
Yugi stared at Joey in shock “But Joey,”
“No buts!” interrupted Joey. “If you don’t attack, I’ll now you think I can’t take it!”
Yugi smiled at his friend. “I understand, Joey! And... I believe in you! Now Archfiend of Gilfer, attack Joey directly!”
Twilight LP: 500
Sunset LP: 1700
Joey LP: 100
Yugi LP: 3000
“Thanks a lot Yug!” said Joey. “Now I know you finally believe in me!”
“Always!” said Yugi.
Turn 12: Joey
“Okay folks, my move!” said Joey. “I summon Axe Raider! Then I’ll equip him with the Legendary Sword, which gives him 300 extra ATK points! (Axe Raider: 1700 – 2000) Wait! I wonder if Twilight has that trap.” Joey looked at Twilight, and then her face down.
“Why is he looking at my cards?” wondered Twilight.
Joey then pointed his eyes toward Sunset. He looked at Twilight’ s face down cards, then back at Sunset several times, trying to send Twilight a message. Afterwards, he winked at Twilight.
“Does Joey know I have a trap?” wondered Twilight. “Maybe he’s trying to tell me something.”
“I hope this works,” thought Joey. Now, Axe Raider! Attack Charioteer of Prophecy!”
“What?!” asked Flash. “Why is attacking Twilight?!”
“I don’t know!” said Tristan.
“I thought they were friends!” said Tea.
“Why would he do such a thing?” asked Fluttershy.
“I see what he’s trying to do!” thought Twilight. “I activate Magic Cylinder! Now I can redirect Joey’s attack to any other player! Like… Sunset!”
“Crap!” said Sunset.
Twilight LP: 500
Sunset LP: 0
Joey LP: 100
Yugi LP: 3000
“I see!” said Rainbow. “Joey remembered that Twilight had Magic Cylinder in her deck, so he assumed it must have been of her face down cards.”
“That was quite a gamble,” said Rarity. “But I’m glad it worked.”
“Nice combo,” said Flash.
“Awesome move, Joey!” called Tristan. “It looks like you were one step ahead of everyone else for a change, buddy!”
“Way to go, Joey!” called Tea. “Keep it up!”
“I knew you could beat, Joey!” called Serenity.
“Thanks guys!” said Joey.
“That was excellent teamwork! Joey!” said Yugi. “You too, Twilight.”
“Thanks a lot Yug!” said Joey. He then gave a thumbs up to Twilight.
“Happy to help!” said Twilight.
“You’ll pay for that,” said Sunset. “Dearly!”
“Oooh, I’m shaking,” said Joey. “I’m gonna go ahead and end my turn.”
Turn 13: Twilight
“Alright My turn!” said Twilight.
“Hey Twi!” called Joey. “I’d like to battle Shimmer! So, could ya help me out?”
“Sure!” replied Twilight. “Hopefully he can defeat Sunset for me. I sacrifice my Charioteer in order to summon Emperor of Prophecy, in attack mode! Now, attack Joey’s Axe Raider!”
Twilight LP: 500
Sunset LP: 0
Joey LP: 0
Yugi LP: 3000
“This duel is over!” said Roland. “The semi-final bouts have been determined! The first semi-final match will be Sunset Shimmer against Joey Wheeler! Followed by Twilight Sparkle against Yugi Moto! Now! Please proceed to the auditorium, so we can begin the first semi-final match!”
“This’ll be an easy win,” said Sunset.
“Yeah right!” said Joey.
All the students in the school cheered.