Upon entering the town hall, Dusk saw it was packed with ponies; many were at the party in the library previously.
He made his way though the ponies before he met up with Twilight and Spike. Just as Dusk was about to say something, Pinkie Pie suddenly appeared near them.
“Isn't this exciting? Are you excited, 'cause I'm excited, I've never been so excited…” Pinkie once again running her mouth in excitement.
She quiet down when Fluttershy on one of the balconies begun to orchestrate the birds to sing to start the occasion.
It was then an amber pony with a grey mane and wearing glasses appeared on stage. She then started her speech to the crowd.
“Fillies and gentlecolts, as mayor of Ponyville, it is my great pleasure to announce the beginning of the Summer Sun Celebration!”
The crowd cheered loudly as the mayor soon continue through her speech.
Dusk was listening when he noticed that Twilight was looking at the moon again. When look upon it again, he was shocked what he witnessed. Four stars near the moon begun to cluster to it and suddenly, they vanished alongside with the marking of the unicorn’s head on the moon.
“I think believe you now Twilight.” Dusk whispered to Twilight with a worried expression, which was shared with the unicorn. “Something is going to happen.”
“Princess Celestia!”
The mayor then finished her speech and pointed to the top balcony. Rarity was on the top balcony and she pulled the rope which would pull the curtains and supposedly reveal the princess.
However, there was no one there as the spotlight shined upon an otherwise empty spot.
“This can't be good.” Twilight said in worry.
“I can agree with that.” Dusk replied.
“Remain calm, everypony, there must be a reasonable explanation!”
The mayor was trying to calm the crowd down while Pinkie believe that Celestia was playing a hiding game.
It was then everypony soon notice a purple aura begun to appear where Celestia was supposed to be, where a figure begun to appear within the growing aura.
Suddenly, the aura vanished and revealed an black-coated alicorn and her mane appeared to be like the night sky. She wore a purple chestplate with a matching helmet and her cutie mark was a purple patch with a crescent moon.
“Twilight… Is this…” Dusk whispered.
“Yes… Nightmare Moon.” She replied. However, Spike on her back fainted from the shock of the myth being a reality.
“Oh, my beloved subjects. It's been so long since I've seen your precious, little sun-loving faces.” Nightmare Moon spoke to the crowd darkly.
“What did you do with our Princess?!”
Rainbow Dash tried to charge at the dark alicorn, but Applejack held her back by biting her tail.
“Why, am I not royal enough for you? Don't you know who I am?” The alicorn spoke once again.
“Ooh, ooh, more guessing games! Um, Hokey Smokes! How about... Queen Meanie!...” Pinkie pie tried guess her name.
Dusk resisted the urge to hoofslap himself, but luckily Applejack stuffed a cupcake into her mouth to quiet her down.
“Does my crown no longer count now that I have been imprisoned for a thousand years?” Nightmare Moon spoke face-to-face with Fluttershy before moving onwards to Rarity. “Did you not recall the legend? Did you not see the signs?”
“I did.” Twilight said to the alicorn, gaining the attention of the crowd. “And I know who you are. You're the Mare in the Moon – Nightmare Moon!”
As the crowd gasped in shock, Nightmare Moon look somewhat impressed. “Well, somepony who remembers me. Then you also know why I'm here.”
Twilight tried to reply, but she couldn’t get the right words in her mouth. The dark alicorn only chuckled at the sight.
“Remember this day, little ponies, for it was your last. From this moment forth, the night will last forever!” Nightmare Moon then made an evil laugh as her mane grew large and spiraled above her, releasing bolts of lightning.
“Seize her!” The mayor ordered a trio of pegasus royal guards in the building. “Only she knows where the Princess is!”
The guards took to the air and charged at Nightmare Moon. “Back away, foals!” However, she quickly taken them out with bolts of black lightning.
The crowd scream in terror as the guards dropped to the ground unconscious. Many ponies rush to the door to escape, but they were pushed back by a black aura.
Twilight and Dusk stare at the aura in shock as they recognize the aura anywhere.
“Never knew these cards could have such power.” Nightmare Moon said with a dark smile on her face.
The ponies saw the alicorn had her hoof out and on it was a pair of cards, covered in a shadowy aura. Many were confused what she was holding, Dusk had a good clue what they were.
“Where did you get those cards?!” Dusk yelled out to Nightmare Moon.
“Just as I was being released from my prison, these cards appeared before me and when I grabbed them, I felt something trying to take a hold on me. I manage to bend them to my will and as distasteful for me to use mere cards, I have to admit they have their uses.”
She then turned her attention to the crowd.
“Rejoice my ponies. One of you will have the great honor of serving me.” Nightmare Moon then threw one of the cards and it flew towards one of the ponies.
The pony, an aquamarine unicorn with a cyan mane tried to get away from it, but the card flew quickly and soon touched her cutie mark, a lyre. Before everypony’s eyes, a dark aura surrounded her as the pony’s screams became sinister laughter.
“Lyra!” One of the ponies in crowd yelled to her.
As soon as the aura died down, the unicorn in question look physically fine. However, her expression was twisted as she turns her attention to Nightmare Moon.
“What is your will… Your Majesty.” Lyra bowed to the alicorn as he spoke in an obedient tone.
Nightmare Moon only smiled in glee as her new servant. “Keep these sun lovers in check. I have important matters to attend to.”
The dark alicorn soon turned into a purple mist as it moves towards the door. While the door opened up, the dark barrier still remains yet the mist pass through it easily.
After Nightmare Moon left, many of the ponies tried banging on the barrier while others begun to cry.
Rainbow Dash then flew towards the possessed Lyra in anger.
“Snap out of it and let us out!” However, a protective aura surrounded Lyra and Dash crashed into it. She tried hitting it, but it was as resilient as the barrier over the door.
The possessed pony laughed at Dash’s attempts. “If you want to be free, you must defeat me in a duel.” She then revealed the card that corrupted her as it glowed darkly.
Soon, many cards begun to manifest from it as they flew into the air. Soon, they all stacked together into a deck and landed upon Lyra’s hoof.
She then presented the deck to the crowd. “You must defeat me in a duel to win your freedom. But I will not fail her Majesty if you take my challenge.”
“What a minute…” Dash took a look at the cards and recognizes them. “It’s those cards! What did the rumors call them again? Oh yeah, Duel Monsters!”
The crowd soon erupted into chatter as they talked about the rumor of the pony named Dusk; the only one who know how to use the cards in a strange game that helped defeat a villain in Canterlot.
“We need to get this Dusk!”
“But how?! We are trapped here!”
“Oh where is a hero when we need him the most?!”
The panic within the crowd only grew as they have no way of getting help and are trapped at the hands of the possessed Lyra.
“So… Which one of you will take my challenge.” Lyra said as she jumped upon the stage as her aura formed a barrier and encircled it. “You need to have a deck of your own though.”
She laughed darkly as many ponies begun to feel disheartened; seeing that they have no hope to escape.
However, two ponies kept their cool for they endured being in the same situation.
“Twilight… Keep the crowd calm as best as you can. I will handle this.”
“Okay Dusk. Good luck.”
Leaving Twilight’s side, Dusk steady approached the stage. The ponies soon witnessed the stallion came face to face with the corrupted pony without flinching. “Lyra! I will take up your challenge and free you from Nightmare Moon’s control!”
She only laughed as she made her reply. “You? What made you think you have a chance before me?”
Dusk smiled as he took off his backpack and took out its contents. “I am the very hero that these ponies were crying out for!”
The crowd gasp in both surprise and shock as Dusk took out his duel disk and raised into the air. “I am the Dusk you speak of and I will risk everything to win your freedom!”
Putting it on his left hoof and inserting his deck, he push through the barrier like nothing as he took position at the left of the stage.
“I knew something was strange about him…” Applejack muttered out.”
“Huh?!” Rainbow Dash said flabbergasted.
“Oh my…” Rarity whispered in both in shock and awe.
“Really?” Fluttershy spoke quietly at the revelation.
“Wow!” Pinkie Pie yelled in excitement.
“So… you have your own deck…” Lyra frowned before she smiled darkly as she moves towards the opposite of the stage. “No matter. I will win in the end.” A sinister-looking black duel disk of her own materialized on her left hoof.
After inserting her deck, Lyra look at Dusk with cold eyes, but he remained calm as both duelist stood on their hind legs.
Soon, their duel disk begun to activate their holographic functions as a voice echoed across the building.
“Solid Reality Vision Link established.”
The crowd look in awe as screens appeared above Dusk and Lyra, displaying their respective faces and Life Point counters.
“DUEL!” Both duellist yelled out as they drew five cards from their decks.
[Dusk’s Life Points: 8000]
[Lyra’s Life Points: 8000]
[Turn 1: Lyra]
[Dusk’s Cards in Hoof: 5]
[Lyra’s Cards in Hoof: 5]
“I take the first turn. I draw!” Lyra said as she drew a card. Looking at it and the cards in her hoof, she made a dark chuckle.
“Since I control no cards, I can Special Summon Blackwing - Gust the Backblast and it will be in Attack mode.”
Everypony witness a portal appear before Lyra and a bird-like monster appeared with its claws ready.
[Blackwing - Gust the Backblast] [ATK: 900] [DEF: 1400] [Level: 2]
“A Blackwing deck?” Dusk thought.
As the crowd chatter among themselves of what they seen, Lyra continued her turn.
“Now that I control a “Blackwing” monster, I can Special Summon Blackwing - Bora the Spear and it will also be in Attack mode.”
A second bird-like monster manifested itself on Lyra’s field, but was wielding a large spiral lance in its claws.
[Blackwing - Bora the Spear] [ATK: 1700] [DEF: 800] [Level: 4]
‘Finally, I summon Blackwing - Fane the Steel Chain in Attack mode.”
A third bird-like creature dressed like a ninja appeared, prepared for battle.
[Blackwing - Fane the Steel Chain] [ATK: 500] [DEF: 800] [Level: 2]
“I set two cards face-down and end my turn.” Lyra spoke as she look upon her field with glee. “I have the field advantage now!”
[Turn 2: Dusk]
[Dusk’s Cards in Hoof: 5]
[Lyra’s Cards in Hoof: 1]
“Three monsters already… As I expected from the Blackwings.” Dusk thought as he look upon his hoof. “It’s now my turn. Draw!”
Upon looking at the card, he smiled as he played it. “I play the Spell card, Six Samurai United.”
The card soon appeared on his field upwards. “Every time a "Six Samurai" monster is Normal or Special Summoned, a Bushido Counter is added to this card.”
Dusk then continued his turn. “I summon The Six Samurai – Yaichi in Attack mode.”
A warrior wearing black armor with yellow outlines appeared on his field, wielding a large bow and had a quiver filled with arrows on his hip.
After the summon, the Spell card glowed to represent the counter.
[Six Samurai United - Bushido Counter 0 (+)> 1]
[The Six Samurai - Yaichi] [ATK: 1300] [DEF: 800] [Level: 3]
“Since I have now a “Six Samurai” monster on the field, I can Special Summon Legendary Six Samurai - Kizan. In Attack mode.”
Beside Yaichi stood now another warrior, wearing armor of similar design yet wielded a katana instead and was prepared for battle. Once more, the Spell Card glowed.
[Six Samurai United - Bushido Counter 1 (+)> 2]
[Legendary Six Samurai - Kizan] [ATK: 1800] [DEF: 500] [Level: 4]
“Then I will equip Kizan with Spirt of the Six Samurai.” A spirit wearing purple armor appeared and flew towards Kizan, the former taking position behind the latter as its spectral form begun to glow.
“The Spirt of the Six Samurai can only be equipped to a “Six Samurai” monster and the equipped monster gains 500 ATK and DEF.”
Kizan was surrounded by a blue aura as his strength grew.
[Legendary Six Samurai - Kizan] [ATK: 1800 (+)> 2300] [DEF: 500 (+)> 1000]
“Since I have a “Six Samurai” monster with a different name, I activate Yaichi’s special effect. Once per turn, I can target 1 Set Spell or Trap Card and destroy it!” Dusk said as he pointed to one of Lyra’s face-downs.
“What?” Lyra muttered as Yaichi prepare to fire an arrow at one of her face-downs.
Upon firing, the arrow struck its target and the face-down card was shattered into pieces.
Her eyes widened as she realizes what Dusk has destroyed. ‘My Negate Attack!’
“Yaichi cannot attack after using this effect, but I still have another samurai to use.” Dusk then pointed to Kizan.
“Now Kizan! Attack Fane the Steel Chain.” The samurai then charged at Blackwing with his katana ready.
“Gust the Backblast special effect activates! When my opponent’s monster attacks a Blackwing monster I control, it loses 300 ATK for the Damage Step!”
Lyra said as Gust unleashed a force of wind which weakened Kizen as he charged in.
[Legendary Six Samurai - Kizan] [ATK: 2300 (-)> 2000]
“However, it will not stop my attack! Crescent Moon Slash!” The attack cleanly cleaves through the bird-like ninja monster and its form broke into particles of light.
Lyra covered her eyes as the force of the attack struck her.
[Lyra Life Points: 8000 (-)> 6500]
Since the battle is over, Kizan regains his ATK.
[Legendary Six Samurai - Kizan] [ATK: 2000 (+)> 2300]
Dusk however was far from over. “Next I activate Spirit of the Six Samurai next effect. When the equipped monster destroys a monster, I draw one card.”
After drawing a card, he then pointed to his Spell card. I then send Six Samurai United to the Graveyard.” Soon, the Spell card vanished into nothing.
“With this, I can draw one card for each Bushido Counter that were on this card. Since I had two Bushido Counter on it, I can draw two more cards.”
With his hoof full again, Dusk took a quick scan before he took two cards. “I place two cards face-down, ending my turn.”
While they don’t know the rules of Duel Monsters, the crowd notice that Lyra’s LP counter dropped after the attack. They correctly surmise that one can win by dropping their opponent’s Life Points to zero.
As the crowd of ponies then cheered for Dusk as he took the lead, Twilight gazes at him with a smile.
“Nice. Dusk not only have a strong monster on the field, but he also added more cards into his hoof.”
“Alright Twilight!” She was soon startled when Dash, who hovering close to her face with a displeased expression. “Spill the beans!”
Twilight couldn’t say anything as the blue pegasus begun to bombard her with questions.
“How did you know about Nightmare Moon? And what do you know about Dusk? And what… Whoa!”
Dash was interrupted when her tail was being pulled by something. She turns to see it was Applejack pulling her back.
“Simmer down, Sally. She isn’t bad. But she sure knows a lot what is going on.” Applejack said as Rarity, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie approached as well. “Don't you, Twilight?”
Seeing their worried faces, Twilight gave in and explained to them what she knows about Nightmare Moon; from how she was defeated by the Elements of Harmony to the signs of her inevitable return.
The five ponies nodded their heads in understanding before they change the subject to the next big thing in their minds.
“Alright. But what is your ties with Dusk?” Dash said as she pointed to the stallion on the stage.
“Well…” Twilight started to explain; taking her attention from the duel.
Back to the duel, Lyra scowled at the drop of her Life Points.
[Turn 3: Lyra]
[Dusk’s Cards in Hoof: 3]
[Lyra’s Cards in Hoof: 1]
“Its my turn!” She looked at the card she drew before she then pointed to her last face-down. “Face-down activate! Call of the Haunted!”
As the card flip straight up, Blackwing - Fane the Steel Chain suddenly returned to the field in Attack mode.
[Blackwing - Fane the Steel Chain] [ATK: 500] [DEF: 800] [Level: 2]
“I target one monster in my Graveyard and Special Summon it to the field in Attack mode. If this card leaves the field, then the targeted monster is destroyed and vice versa.”
Dusk prepared himself for what was about to come as Lyra prepare to attack.
“Due to Fane the Steel Chain’s special effect, it can attack directly!”
The monster begun to swing its chains towards Dusk, where its kunai tips struck him in his chest.
“Agh!” He yelled from the pain of the attack.
[Dusk’s Life Points: 8000 (-)> 7500]
“With that, I activate Fane the Steel Chain’s other effect. When this card inflict damage through a direct attack, I can change one of my opponent’s monsters in Attack mode to Defense mode. I chose Legendary Six Samurai – Kizan!”
Dusk narrowed his eyes as Kizan dropped to his knees and entered a defensive stance.
“Bora the Spear! Destroy that samurai!” Lyra yelled as the monster prepared his spiral lance. It then charged at Kizan as its weapon spiralled with purple energy.
The ponies gasped as Boras struck the samurai, but soon notice that struck the Spirit of the Six Samurai instead.
“What?!” Lyra shouted as the spirit disappeared and its armor fell to the ground before vanishing as well.
“Spirit of the Six Samurai is a union monster. If the monster equipped with such a card is destroyed, then the union monster would take its place instead.” Dusk said as Kizan remained intact, but lost its ATK and DEF bonus.
[Legendary Six Samurai - Kizan] [ATK: 2300 (-)> 1800] [DEF: 1000 (-)> 500]
“However..” Lyra said. “Boras the Spear can inflict piercing damage. The difference between its ATK and Kizan’s DEF is cut from your Life Points!”
The spiral aura from Bora’s lance reached Dusk as he takes further damage.
[Dusk’s Life Points: 7500 (-)> 6800]
The crowd became worried as Lyra continue to regain lost ground and has one more monster to attack with.
“Gust the Backblast! Finish off that samurai then!” The monster prepared his claws as he flew towards Kizan. After swiping Kizan multiple times, the samurai was finally destroyed.
“It is not over Lyra.” Dusk said as he pointed to one of his own face-downs. “Trap card open! Miracle's Wake!”
Soon, a ray of light appeared on Dusk’s field as Kizan reappeared in his defensive stance.
[Legendary Six Samurai - Kizan] [ATK: 1800] [DEF: 500] [Level: 4]
“When a monster I control is destroyed in battle, I can Special Summon it back to my field.”
Lyra growled, but she strangely smiled when she looked at her cards again. “I will again place two cards face-down. I end my turn.”
Back with Twilight, she was finally done explaining to the five manes how she met Dusk and what he told her about himself.
“Let me get this straight.” Rarity said as she was trying to picture what the unicorn said in her head. “A possessed royal guard took you hostage and Dusk rescued you through this game we are seeing now.”
“Yes.” Twilight replied.
“And Dusk was previous belonged to a race known as humans from a world known as Earth, where is no magic of any kind whatsoever.”
“Correct.”
“I heard of rumors being true, but easily takes the cake.” Dash said to the others, who all nodded in agreement.
“You have to admit… Dusk is being brave up there…” Fluttershy spoke out quietly.
“It is quite entertaining as well!” Pinkie said in excitement despite the situation.
“And if what Twilight said is true, then Dusk will win this right?” Applejack questioned as the six ponies continue to watch; both Dusk and Lyra still have yet to gain the advantage.
[Turn 4: Dusk]
[Dusk’s Cards in Hoof: 3]
[Lyra’s Cards in Hoof: 0]
“Draw!” As Dusk drew a card, Lyra suddenly laughed. “What’s so funny? I have yet to play a card.”
She continues laughing until she pointed to her face-downs. “First, I play the Spell card Level Mirror!”
“What?’ Dusk said in shock for he never seen such a card before.
As the card flip up, a large mirror appeared from it as Lyra begun to explain its effect. “When this card is activated, I can target up to three monster I control. The Levels of the targeted monsters become the combined current Levels of those monsters.”
Dusk was at first confused on the wording of the card, but he soon realizes what it meant. “You mean…”
“Yes! The total sum of my monsters’ Levels is eight, so their new Levels would become eight!”
Lyra’s monsters turned towards the mirror as their original Levels appeared above their reflection as red orbs with a yellow star in their center. Soon, each of the monster’s Levels duplicated themselves until they were each a cluster of eight.
Gust the Backblast, Bora the Spear and Fane of the Steel Chain then turned around towards Dusk again with their respective Level’s changed.
[Blackwing - Gust the Backblast] [Level: 2 (+)> 8]
[Blackwing - Bora the Spear] [Level: 4 (+)> 8]
[Blackwing - Fane the Steel Chains] [Level: 2 (+)> 8]
“What is the point of increasing their level?” Dusk questioned Lyra on her strange strategy.
“For the next phase of my path to victory. I activate my last face-down! Wonder Xyz!”
“Impossible!”
Lyra smiled in glee as her played her Trap card. “I can now Xyz Summon using the monsters I control as Materials, regardless of whose turn.”
‘What is she planning to bring out?’ Dusk thought as he prepares himself for what Lyra could try at him.
“I overlay my Level 8 Bora the Spear and Gust the Blackblast!" As Lyra spoke, a large vortex appeared on her field as her two monsters she spoken of transformed into a pair of orange and purple light.
“With these two monsters, I build the Overlay Network! Xyz Summon!” They flew into the air as they spiral together before they descended into the vortex. Soon the vortex exploded as a blast of light and a gigantic figure appeared.
“Appear! Number 22: Zombiestein!” Lyra shouted as a symbol appeared near her cutie mark; similar to the number she spoken out.
“Number?!” Dusk could only say as looked upon the Number towering his samurais. It was a massive and muscular humanoid whose body appeared to be sewed up. Its head was covered by a black cloth; only a glowing eye remain in view. Circling around its body were two yellow orbs.
Disturbingly, the very symbol that appeared on Lyra’s flank was on the neck area of the black cloth.
“Its body… Its all stitched up…” Fluttershy said, seeing its appearance to be very uncomfortable to look at.
The rest of the ponies were at awe at the giant, but they were soon in utter shock along with Dusk when they saw the Number’s stats.
[Number 22: Zombiestein] [ATK: 4500] [DEF: 1000] [Rank: 8]
“4500 ATK?!” Dusk shouted as the Number look upon him as it growled loudly.
“With this card given by her Majesty, I can’t lose!” Lyra boasted as he laughed once again.
Despite hearing the worries from the crowd, Dusk refuse to give in. “You may have a powerful monster, but I will not yield.”
He quickly looked through his hoof and saw nothing useful that could be used to defeat the Number. Dusk sighed in frustration as he was now pushed to the defensive.
“I summon Chamberlain of the Six Samurai in Defense mode.” A warrior with mechanic limbs appeared before Dusk and he kneeled down with his katana drawn.
[Chamberlain of the Six Samurai] [ATK: 200] [DEF: 2000] [Level: 3]
“Then I switch Yaichi to Defense mode.” The samurai then kneeled down with his bow on the ground.
“I end my turn.” Dusk soon turned to everypony and saw how distraught they were seeing that Lyra gained an overwhelming advantage over him.
[Turn 5: Lyra]
[Dusk’s Cards in Hoof: 3]
[Lyra’s Cards in Hoof: 0]
“That’s right everypony! Watch as your so-called “hero” met his defeat!” Lyra gloated as she begun her turn. “I draw!”
Upon look at the card, Lyra quickly played it. “I play Card of Demise. I draw until I have five cards in your hoof. However, I have to send all cards in my hoof to the Graveyard during my fifth Standby Phase.
Dusk sweated as the unicorn drew her cards. Since her hoof was previous empty, she can draw five cards.
Upon seeing them, she smiled darkly. “I summon Blackwing - Elphin the Raven in Attack mode!”
A tall bird-like monster appeared on the field, but its different from its other “Blackwings” due to all its feathers being black and grey.
[Blackwing - Elphin the Raven] [ATK: 2200] [DEF: 1200] [Level: 6]
“Since I control a “Blackwing” monster, I can Normal Summon this card without tribute. Also, if it is successfully Normal Summoned, I can change the battle position of one of my opponent’s monsters.”
“That would mean…” Dusk then look upon Chamberlain of the Six Samurai, now standing up with his katana ready.
“If you think it is bad, then you’re wrong.” Lyra said as she played another card. “Next, I play Trap Booster. I discard 1 card and for this turn, a Trap card can be activated from my hoof.”
After discarding a card from her hoof, Lyra then played her Trap. “And the Trap I play is Ebon Arrow!”
“Ebon Arrow?!” Dusk shouted.
“Yes! I first pick a face-up monster I control and until the End Phase, it loses 500 ATK. However, the monster can inflict piercing damage and if it destroys a monster by battle and sends it to the Graveyard this turn, you take damage equal to the destroyed monster's original DEF! And the monster I pick is Zombiestein!”
The Number roared as it begun to feel the effects of the Trap card. While being weakened, a bird-like creature wearing a cloak appeared on the Number’s right shoulder. It had a small crossbow with a bolt ready to fire.
[Number 22: Zombiestein] [ATK: 4500 (-)> 4000]
“Not good!” Dusk stated the obvious as the possessed unicorn prepare to bring him to a world of hurt.
“First, Fane the Steel Chain attacked your directly!”
The monster once again whipped its kunai-tipped chains upon Dusk.
“Agh…”
[Dusk’s Life Points: 6800 (-)> 6300]
“Elphin the Raven! Destroy that Chamberlain!”
The bird-like monster flew towards the warrior and quickly destroyed him with a vicious swipe.
“Agh!”
[Dusk’s Life Points: 6300 (-)> 4300]
“Now Zombiestein! Crush Kizan once and for all!” The monster soon delivered a massive punch to the samurai. Upon impact, Kizan was utter destroyed as the force of the attack pushed Dusk down on his back.
His Life Points also took a sharp dive due to piercing damage.
[Dusk’s Life Points: 4300 (-)> 800]
“Now Ebon Arrow’s effect now activates!” Lyra said as the creature on Zombiestein’s shoulder fired its bolt at Dusk while he’s down.
He gasped in pain as the bolt struck his stomach before it vanished and left no wound.
[Dusk’s Life Points: 800 (-)> 300]
“This is the fate of those who oppose her Majesty. I end my turn.” Lyra darkly boasted as Dusk struggled to get up.
Since Ebon Arrow's effect now worn off, Zombiestein's ATK returns to normal.
[Number 22: Zombiestein] [ATK: 4000 (+)> 4500]
‘This is the end?’ Dusk thought as the odds were completely against him. No matter what mode he put his monsters in, Lyra would use Zombiestein to obliterate them.
If he stayed defensive, Fane the Steel Chain would finish him off. But if he to destroy the monster, he would be then finished off next turn.
None of the cards in his hoof were useful in this situation and wouldn’t even buy him another turn.
‘Was it just mere luck that I won against Grey Wing?’ As he closed his eyes in frustration and feeling his resolve ebbing, Dusk suddenly heard a recognizable voice shouted from the crowd.
“Don’t give up now Dusk!” He turned to see it was Twilight and saw that Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie standing alongside her.
They too spoke out their own words to motivate him.
“You gotta stand tall no matter what’s thrown at you!”
“A hero doesn’t lie on his back and do nothing! Get up!”
“I have faith in you Dusk!”
“Dusk… You can do it…”
“You can’t let that meanie win! Make a comeback!”
Upon hearing the six mane’s words of encouragement, Dusk felt strength return back to him. When he gazes upon his deck, he soon remembered that there is still hope despite everything going against him.
‘One draw can change everything…’
He gritted his teeth as he manages to get up and stand again on his hind legs. The crowd quickly burst into cheering that he was back on his hooves.
“Really…” Lyra chuckled darkly. “You should surrender when you have the chance.”
“Never… As long there are ponies who still place their faith in me, I will not give up! The same applies to my deck!” Dusk gestured to his deck. “As long I keep my faith in my cards, they will never let me down.”
[Turn 6: Dusk]
[Dusk’s Cards in Hoof: 3]
[Lyra’s Cards in Hoof: 1]
Dusk then started the draw that would decide everything. “Watch as I bring forth a miracle! Draw!”
He smiled as he looked the card. “I activate Graceful Charity. I draw three cards and then discard two.”
As he hovers his hoof over his deck as he closed his eyes. ‘Let this be the turning point…’
Dusk drew the cards and looked upon them. He smiled at one of the cards he drew before sending two cards from his hoof to the Graveyard.
“Watch Lyra.” Dusk said calmly. “I summon The Six Samurai – Nisashi in Attack mode!”
A warrior wearing green armor appeared ready for a fight, wielding both a katana and wakizashi; the blades glowed green.
[The Six Samurai – Nisashi] [ATK: 1400] [DEF: 700] [Level: 4]
“I then switch Yaichi to Attack mode!” The samurai soon stood back up with his bow ready.
He then pointed to his only face-down. “I actuate my face-down, Return of the Six Samurai! I can Special Summon a “Six Samurai” Monster from my Graveyard, but it will be destroyed during the End Phase. Return to me Kizan!”
The samurai once more takes to Dusk’s field much to Lyra annoyance.
[Legendary Six Samurai - Kizan] [ATK: 1800] [DEF: 500] [Level: 4]
“Since I have two “Six Samurai” monsters on the field, Kizan gains an additional 300 ATK and DEF.
The samurai had a white glow across its body as its ATK and DEF increased.
[Legendary Six Samurai - Kizan] [ATK: 1800 (+)> 2100] [DEF: 500 (+)> 800]
“What the point?” Lyra then pointed to Zomberstein. “None can stand before my Number!”
“I am not done yet.” Dusk said as he played the card. “I play Cursed Bill and equip it to Elphin the Raven!”
“What?” Lyra said in confusion as a worn-out sheet appeared on the monster’s chest.
“Now for the miracle!” He spoke with a smile. “Go! Six Strike - Triple Impact!”
After he played the Spell, Dusk’s monsters suddenly jumped into the air and descended towards Lyra’s monsters. Striking swiftly with their weapons, Fane the Steel Chain, Elphin the Raven and even Zombiestein were cut apart and soon exploded.
“Impossible!” Lyra roared out as her monsters were destroyed and her field was now empty after the smoke clears. The crowd cheered loudly at the incredible reversal.
“Six Strike - Triple Impact. It can only be activated if I have control three or more “Six Samurai” monsters. I can choose from three effects and I choose the first, which all your face-up monsters are destroyed.”
Lyra only look at Dusk in horror as she was open for direct attacks. However, she suddenly yelled as a dark purple aura surrounded her.
[Lyra Life Points: 6500 (-)> 5300]
“My Life Points…”
“Cursed Bill’s effect now activates. Since the equipped monster is destroyed and the equip card is now sent to the Graveyard, the controller of the equipped monster takes damage equal to the monster's original DEF. Elphin the Raven’s DEF was about 1200, so you take 1200 points of damage.”
“No… I can’t be defeated by a mere pony like you!” Lyra yelled in defiance despite having no options left.
“Lyra! I will free you from the darkness!” Dusk replied as he pointed to Nisashi. “Since I have a “Six Samurai” monster of a different on the field, Nisashi can attack twice per Battle Phase!”
Soon, he pointed his hoof at Lyra. “Go my samurais! Direct Attack!”
Kizan, Nisashi and Yaichi prepare for the attack they leap upwards, readying their weapons against Lyra.
She screamed as the monsters’ attacks hit their mark and decimated her Life Points.
[Lyra Life Points: 5300 (-)> 3200 (-)> 1800 (-)> 400 (-)> 0]
[Winner: Dusk]
The crowd cheered more loudly in utter joy at Dusk’s victory. Dusk merely watch the holographic images disperse as his duel disk went into standby mode. He took a deep sigh of relief that he managed to win.
As Lyra fell on her side after her defeat, Dusk saw that the same thing occurred to her like it did to Grey Wing back then. A black aura emitted from Lyra and formed into a wraith. It screamed as it disappeared alongside Lyra’s duel disk and the barrier barring the way out of the town hall.
“You are okay?” Dusk quickly move towards Lyra and shook her. She soon opened her eyes as she looked around.
“What… what happened? Did I black out or something?”
“Lyra!” A beige pony ran towards the unicorn; her mane was blue with a pink streak and her cutie mark had a trio of wrapped candies. She caught then Lyra in a hug. “You are alright!”
“What do you mind Bon Bon? I…” Something flashes in her mind as her eyes begun to water and soon returned the hug.
“Please tell that it was just a bad dream…” She cried.
‘I wish it was…’ Dusk thought as he picked a pair deck that Lyra used when she was possessed; the Main Deck and the Extra Deck.
He skimmed through the Extra Deck until he found Number 22: Zombiestein.
“Could these Number card be responsible?” Dusk thought before something struck on the side. When he turned his head to see, it was Pinkie.
“You did it Dusk! I never seen such entrainment in my life! Seeing those illusions move around and…”
Pinkie however was pulled away by Twilight with a tired Spike on her back. Behind her was the rest of the ponies he met before; Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity and Fluttershy. They were all happy for his victory.
“I knew you could do it, but we have more pressing matters.”
“I know.” Dusk nodded as he put his duel disk and the decks into his backpack. “Nightmare Moon.”
Putting it on his back, he quickly followed Twilight out of the town hall, ignoring the attention of the crowd and the questions they were throwing him.
As they making their way to the library, they learn they were not alone as Applejack, Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy and Pinkie following them as well.
“Why are you all following us? Twilight questioned. “I answered all your questions right?”
“You did, but not Dusk.” Applejack replied as she looks at him as the other mares nodded in agreement.
“Not while Nightmare Moon is on the loose.” Dusk said to her. “When she is dealt with, then I will answer all your questions as best I can.”
Soon he and the rest of the mares finally reach the library. As Twilight was helping Spike to his bed, Dusk decided to help looking anything regarding the Elements of Harmony.
“Do you all mind to help find a book about the Elements of Harmony?” Dusk asked the mares.
“The Elements of Harmony: A Reference Guide.” They turned to see Pinkie looking at a red book on one of the shelves.
He moves to the shelf to look at the book and it was indeed the title that Pinkie said.
“That was quick Pinkie.” Dusk said to her.
“Well it was under E!” Pinkie merely sang out.
It was then Twilight finally came down from upstairs.
“Dusk, can you help me find…”
“No need Twilight. I got what you are looking for.”
After raising his hoof with the book in the air, Twilight used her magic to quickly bring it to her and skimmed through the pages.
Apparently, there are six Elements of Harmony, but the sixth element remains unknown. However, the known elements are noted as Kindness, Laughter, Generosity, Honesty and Loyalty.
The book stated the last location where the Elements of Harmony were seen in an ancient castle in place called the Everfree Forest.
Upon learning that, everypony left he library and were now at the outskirts of the forest.
“Let’s go!” Pinkie said and was about to move, but Twilight stopped her.
“Not so fast. I appreciate the offer, but I'd really rather do this on my own.” Twilight told everypony in a determined tone. Dusk only shook his head at her stubbornness.
“No can do, sugarcube. We sure ain't lettin' any friend of ours go into that creepy place alone.” Applejack disagreed as she walks into the forest with the rest of the mares following behind her. “We're stickin' to you like caramel on a candy apple.”
As Twilight sighed, Dusk patted her on the back. “You can’t possibly tackle every problem yourself Twilight.”
“But…” She tried to respond, but Dusk cut her off.
“I was about to give up during that duel, but it was due to the encouragement of my friends that I pushed on.” Dusk said referring Twilight and the others. “I know one day, you would understand the value of bonds.”
Dusk then entered the forest to regroup with the others ahead. Soon Twilight followed suit and thus the task of stopping Nightmare Moon has begun.