Duelists of the Autumn Crown

by DrakeyC

The Darkness Within - vs Rarity (Part 2)

The shadowed form of Rarity’s Rainbow Dark Dragon blotted out the sun as Twilight looked up at it. That thing is gigantic! It makes my monsters look like ants.
 
Rarity, her dark aura intensifying, sneered and pumped her fist, wisps of blue magic coming from her eyes. “My Rainbow Dark Dragon is the most powerful creature in my deck. There’s nothing you can do to stop me now.”

Twilight turned her attention from the dragon to its master. “There will be. I’ll find a way to destroy it.”

“I doubt that. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. It’s still my turn!” Rarity laughed and flung her hand out. “Rainbow Dark Dragon, attack Harmony Spirit Honesta Silva! Rainbow Shadow Flare!” The seven gemstones on the scales of Rainbow Dark Dragon lit up and sent streams of colored magic through the air to the beast’s horns. It opened its mouth and an orb of black energy began to form, crackling and flashing. It snapped its head down and fired a stream of dark fire, shockwaves of seven-colored light in the air in its wake.

Twilight raised her arms as the attack careened towards her.

“Ah sacrifice Dandylion to Lonefire Blossom, to summon any Plant monster from my deck!” Applejack tapped her duel disk and her card ejected. “Ah summon—”

She stopped and cried out, stumbling backward and falling to one knee.

Flash frowned. “Applejack?”

Applejack put a hand on her chest and winced. Searing pain shot through her body from her heart. “Wha… the heck was that?” She looked down and saw smoke rising from her hand on the ground.

Looking between her arms Twilight saw Honestas Silva explode, the scorched remains of its clothing flying by her head and dissolving away.

 
Such power… Twilight lowered her arms. “With Honestas Silva destroyed, I activate its effect to revive the original Honestas from my Graveyard.” She reached to her duel disk when sparks flew from her graveyard slot.

“Afraid not.” Rarity wagged her finger. “The dark magics of Advanced Dark infuses Rainbow Dark Dragon with the power to negate the effects of any monster it attacks. So your spirit will be staying in the discard pile where she belongs. As for me, I set one card and end my turn.” Rarity’s face-down card materialized in a nebulous swarm of shadows.

Twilight drew and looked over the field. The dark aura around Rarity was a familiar power, only twisted and corrupted. Sunset Shimmer got to her somehow. I have to beat her and break the magic controlling her! Twilight looked over her shoulder and saw Spike and Fluttershy at the edge of the barrier. Can they see this? Does Fluttershy realize what’s at stake? Twilight could hear sounds from beyond the barrier but they were muted, indistinct.

“Come now, dear.” Rarity’s voice brought Twilight’s attention back to her. “My dragon isn’t going to wait forever!”

“Fine.” Twilight held out her drawn card. “I activate ‘Harmony Fruit’ and use it to return Harmony Spirits Cantus and Honestas in the graveyard to my hand. Then I activate the effect of Harmony Fusion in the graveyard, and return Harmony Spirit Honesta Silva to the deck to add Harmony Fusion back to my hand.” Twilight picked up her cards from her duel disk and held out her Spell. “This should seem familiar. I activate Harmony Fusion, and fuse Honestas and ‘Harmony Spirit Risus’ in my hand! Return, Harmony Spirit Honestas Silva!” The muscular orange fairy exploded onto Twilight’s field as an aura of orange light engulfed its original counterpart.

“I activate the effect of Cantus in my hand and discard her to Special Summon ‘Harmony Spirit Magia’ from my deck, in defense mode.” The purple-garbed fairy kneeled in front of Twilight, her head bowed. (1500/1300) “Now that I’ve discarded a Harmony Spirit, the effect of Honestas Silva raises her attack power to 4000 for the rest of the turn.” Twilight pointed up at Rainbow Dark Dragon. “Honestas Silva, attack Rainbow Dark Dragon!” Honestas crouched and leapt up, its fist held back.

Rarity laughed. “You’ve activated my Trap card! I reveal ‘G-Force’! I Special Summon Crystal Beast Cobalt Eagle from my hand and redirect the attack to it.” The brown and white bird appeared in front of Rarity’s dragon as Honestas neared. (1400/800)

“What?” Twilight gasped. If this attack connects, she’ll lose!
 
“I activate the effect of Advanced Dark!” An orb of shadows manifested in front of Cobalt Eagle and warped and shifted, morphing into the image of a green tortoise. “By sending Crystal Beast Emerald Tortoise from my deck to the graveyard, Advanced Dark negates the battle damage I take from the attack.” Cobalt Eagle and the illusory Emerald Tortoise exploded into globs of shadow that faded away as they splattered on the ground.

Twilight scowled. “I switch Pietas Fulmen to defense mode and end my turn.”

“Very well.” Rarity drew and cast her hand over the field. “I activate the effect of Rainbow Dark Dragon! I banish the Emerald Tortoise and Cobalt Eagle in my graveyard in order to increase my dragon’s attack power by 500 points for each of them!”

The shadowed forms of the two monsters appeared on Rarity’s field and lit up as Rainbow Dark Dragon absorbed streams of colored energy from them, the light traveling up into its horns. (4000 → 5000)

“Oh no,” Twilight gasped. Now even if I call back Honestas Silva, it won’t be strong enough to beat her!

“Rainbow Dark Dragon, eradicate her Harmony Spirit once again!” Rainbow Dragon opened its jaws and another blazing stream of dark fire launched at Twilight. She gritted her teeth and looked away as her monster vanished in flames.

“Your Life Points are burning away more and more with each passing moment.” Rarity laughed darkly. “At this rate you’ll barely last my next turn.”

“I’ll do more than last. I’ll win.”

“You can try if you like. As for me, I activate the Equip Spell ‘Dragon Shield’.” White armoring with red spikes shimmered into place along Rainbow Dark Dragon’s wings and its golden helmet took on the same coloration. “As long as this card is equipped to my Rainbow Dark Dragon, it can’t inflict damage to your Life Points, but it cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects.” Rarity’s eyes flashed with blue magic. “Let’s see you destroy it now. I end my turn.”

Twilight drew her card and looked over her hand. Nothing I have can get rid of her dragon for now. It won’t be easy. First, I have to get rid of that shield. Then I need something strong enough to overpower her dragon in battle. Honestas is the only card I have that could do that normally, but now that her dragon is stronger… Twilight bit her lip and flipped over a card in her hand. “I activate the effect of Harmony Fusion in my graveyard, returning Honestas Silva to the extra deck to return my Spell to my hand. With that I end my turn.”

Twilight turned her attention to her field display. Pietas Fulmen and Magia. Together with Gracia in my hand, they’ll form a solid defense for now. She looked up at the gigantic form of Rainbow Dark Dragon looming over the field. I think I know what I have to do. But it’ll be tricky. I have to hold off that dragon long enough to draw all the cards I need.
 
“My turn again.” Rarity drew, her hair whipping out behind her in a gust of wind. “I summon Crystal Beast Amber Mammoth.” Yellow gemdust signaled the arrival of Rarity’s mammoth, its trunk rising into the air to trumpet. “Amber Mammoth, attack Magia”! The mammoth stomped forward, its tusks waving back and forth.

“I activate the effect of Harmony Spirit Gracia in my hand, and discard it to prevent Magia from being destroyed this turn.” Magia lit up yellow and a barrier rose around her, blocking Amber Mammoth’s tusks. “Then since I discarded a Harmony Spirit, the effect of Magia activates. I return Harmony Crown in the graveyard to my deck and return Harmony Fruit to my hand.”

“Go ahead. It won’t stop what’s coming next.” Rarity’s aura flared up as she pointed across the field. “Rainbow Dark Dragon, destroy Harmony Spirit Pietas Fulmen!” The dragon fired its dark flames across the field. Twilight fell back as the attack found its mark.

“I enter my battle phase!” Rainbow Dash grinned and pumped her fist. “U.A. Playmaker, attack—ack!” Rainbow gasped and fell forward onto her hands and knees.

“Dash?” Across the field, Spitfire frowned.

Rainbow winced and clutched her shirt. Her eyes widened as she saw smoldering embers in the dirt of her handprints.

“And now, Magia stands alone against my invincible ultimate monster.” Rarity tossed her hair, the strands waving. “I set one card and end my turn.”

“Right…” Twilight slowly stood up. “I draw…” She looked at her card and slid it into her hand. “I activate Harmony Fruit to return Gracia and Pietas in the graveyard to my hand. Then I activate ‘Harmony Gem’ and discard Pietas to draw two cards.” Twilight drew her cards and fanned them out. “With the discarding of a Harmony Spirit, the effect of Magia returns Harmony Gem to my hand in return for sending Harmony Fruit back to my deck. I then activate Harmony Gem again and discard ‘Harmony Spirit Risus’ to draw two more cards.” Twilight frowned as she saw what she drew. Not yet, but almost…
 
“Aw, did you not draw what you needed?” Rarity snorted. “A pity you’re running out of time to do it!”

I have to use my magic. Twilight clenched her fist and focused, trying to will the familiar pink aura to manifest. I know what I need to do to win. But I need to draw it! “I summon Harmony Spirit Gracia in defense mode and end my turn.” Twilight looked between her two fairies. This won’t be enough. But it’s all I can do for now.

“Is that the best you can do?” Rarity drew and smiled. “I summon ‘Crystal Beast Amethyst Cat’.” The pink feline jumped out of a flurry of purple gem dust, growling. (1200/800) “And now, battle phase! Rainbow Dark Dragon, attack Gracia!” As the dragon prepared its attack, Rarity leaned forward. “And don’t even bother trying to discard a Harmony Spirit to use its effect! Gracia’s effects are negated just like the rest!”

I know. Twilight closed her eyes as the dragon attacked. When she felt the heat of Gracia’s destruction there was a distant scream. She turned to the source and saw Fluttershy on the ground outside the barrier. “What?”

“And now, Amber Mammoth’s turn!” Twilight looked back at the duel. “Destroy Magia!” The mammoth ran across the field and stabbed its tusks into Magia. Twilight gasped out and her hand snapped to her chest. Pain, white-hot and intense, pulsed through her body. She stumbled back and hugged herself, shuddering. On the field, Amber Mammoth tossed its head to send Magia’s body flying into the ground to explode.

That… what was that?
 
“One attack left. Amethyst Cat, direct attack!” The cat yowled and ran across the field. Twilight looked up as the cat jumped and pounced on her. To her surprise she was knocked back to the ground. The wind was pushed from her lungs in an instant and her arms pinned under the cat’s paws. Twilight stared in horror at the jaws of the feline, the heat of its breath washing over her, its claws pinpricks on her arms.

“And now I end my turn.”

Amethyst Cat glared at Twilight and jumped off of her to slink back to Rarity’s side of the field.

Twilight sat up and looked at her arms. Small points of red from where the cat’s claws were on her skin. I felt it. Not just that, but when she attacked Magia, my card, I felt like I was being attacked. Then, when Gracia was destroyed… Twilight looked out of the barrier at Fluttershy. “I don’t believe it…”

“Believe it.” Rarity chuckled. “This is the gift given to me by Sunset Shimmer. The power of dark magic, to command monster spirits sleeping in shadows. Power to show the world how strong I really am!”

Twilight stood up, her eyes narrow. “Wake up, Rarity! Sunset Shimmer is just using you to get me out of the tournament!”

“And you weren’t? Remind me again what your plan for this tournament was all along. To win your way to the top no matter who you have to beat?” Rarity’s eyes flashed. “No, you’re the same as her. The same ambition and self-righteous entitlement, just in a different colored wrapper.”

“That’s not true! I’m here to try and help you all!”

“And Sunset Shimmer hasn’t helped me? You just talked to me about being friends. Sunset gave me power like I’ve never known! The power to prove my worth to the world at last!” Rarity grinned wildly, her eyes manic. “There’s just one attack to go and this duel is over. Now take your turn and let me show you how powerless you are!”

“I’m not powerless.” Twilight raised her arm in front of her. “I have power Sunset Shimmer could never understand or defeat. A magic beyond her control, resting inside my heart and my deck!” Pink light flickered on the edge of her field of vision. Twilight looked down and saw magic shimmering over her hand. Her eyes widened and she smiled.

“Rarity. I can’t give you the type of power that Sunset did. But I can give you something better – freedom from her control. You’re my friend, Rarity. And I’m prepared to do whatever it takes to bring you back.” The pink light on Twilight’s hand grew until it surrounded her. A cool warmth spread through her, a magic familiar and gentle.

“What is this?” Rarity’s expression wavered.

“This is my magic, Rarity. A magic stronger than Sunset’s. And it’s the magic that’s going to set you free!” With a determined look, Twilight put her hand on her deck and drew, streaks of rainbow light in the wake of her card. She held it up, knowing without seeing what it was. “I send Advanced Dark to the Graveyard, to activate the Field Spell ‘Harmony Castle’!”

The barrier of darkness around them began to shimmer and dissolve, the purple tide on the ground receding until it was condensed around Rarity. Behind Twilight a massive castle of purple and blue crystal rose into the air, a purple star on its front doors.

Rarity looked at her duel disk. “My Advanced Dark, my Crystal Beasts! I'm vulnerable!”

“No.” Twilight shook her head. “I won’t defeat you by attacking your Crystal Beasts, Rarity. I'll do it by destroying Rainbow Dark Dragon. With the power of Harmony Castle, the card I used to defeat you in our first duel, I will break Sunset’s power!”

“Try it!” Rarity gnashed her teeth. “My dragon will withstand anything you do!”

Twilight held out her hand. “I activate the effect of Harmony Spirit Ventus in my hand, and discard it to revive Harmony Spirit Magia.” Twilight’s purple-clad lavender fairy rose onto her field from a crest of pink magic, her horn spiralling into the air as she lifted her head. “Then, I activate the effect of Harmony Spirit Draco in my graveyard. When Magia is on the field, I can revive Draco!” Swirls of purple and green energy condensed on Twilight’s field into a spotted egg, which hatched into a purple fae dragon. (700/100)

“I activate Harmony Castle’s effect, and shuffle Harmony Spirits Pietas Fulmen and Gracia into the deck from my graveyard, to summon a Harmony Spirit from the deck!” Twilight brought her card out as it ejected. The clouds overhead swirled together. “I summon ‘Harmony Spirit Selena’!” The clouds parted around a shaft of silver light beaming down from the moon. In the light descended a dark blue-skinned fairy with large feathered wings and a long spiral horn. She spread her wings in a rush of wind, revealing a black gown with pale silver stars shining on it. (2600/2300)

“And the stage is now set for this card.” Twilight’s eyes flashed with purple magic and she held up Harmony Fusion, the card lighting up. “By the power of Draco, I treat it as Harmony Spirit Risus, and fuse it with Harmony Spirit Pietas in my hand to Fusion Summon ‘Harmony Spirit Risus Fera’! A pink fairy in a pink and blue dress exploded onto Twilight’s field in a shower of confetti, an array of balloons emerging from its back as well as a silver cannon barrel. (2000/1200) “I shuffle Risus in the graveyard into the deck to return Harmony Fusion to my hand, and activate it again! I fuse Magia and Honestas to Fusion Summon Harmony Spirit Honestas Silva!” The muscular orange fairy reappeared on Twilight’s field, arms crossed.

Twilight looked down at the last card in her hand. I’m counting on you. If I’m going to break through to her, it comes down to this.
 
Rarity laughed. “An impressive array of monsters. But none of them can hope to compare to my Rainbow Dark Dragon!”

“Wrong. Together my Harmony Spirits are invincible. When they combine their powers, there is no monster or strategy we cannot break.” Twilight smiled. “And the time to prove it is now! Harmony Spirit Selena, attack!” Selena’s horn lit up blue and funneled magic into her palms.

“You’re a fool.” Rarity sneered. “My dragon will devour your spirit!”

“Who said I’m attacking your dragon?” Twilight smiled. “Selena, destroy Amber Mammoth!” Selena fired a beam of blue magic across the field.

“You seal your own fate! I activate ‘Amber Crystal Circle’!” Tendrils of magic coursed from Amethyst Cat into Amber Mammoth. “Amber Mammoth gains attack power equal to the combined power of all my other Crystal Beasts, to 2900!”

“Good.” Twilight smiled. “I was hoping you’d have a counter ready. From my graveyard, I activate the effect of Harmony Spirit Ventus. I shuffle it into the deck to grant Selena 800 extra attack points!”

Amber Mammoth (1700 → 2900) trumpeted as Selena’s attack (2600 → 3400) struck it and pitched it back.

“I’m not out of this duel yet!” Rarity growled and flung her hand to the side. “You still have yet to defeat my Rainbow Dark Dragon!”

“That’s my next move, Rarity. When Selena destroys a monster, her special ability activates. I can add a Harmony Spell card from my deck to my hand.” Twilight put her hand over her deck and her card ejected in a spray of pink sparks. “I activate my chosen card immediately, the Quickplay Spell ‘Harmony Bolt’!” An orb of lightning formed around Twilight’s card as she pointed it across the field. “By discarding a Harmony Spirit monster from my hand, I destroy one card on the field. I choose Dragon Shield!” The light orb fired, spreading out into a flurry of thunderbolts. Rainbow Dark Dragon’s white armor sparked and exploded out from it.

“Since I discarded a Harmony Spirit monster, the effects of Risus Fera and Honestas Silva activate. Honesta Silva rises to 4000 points, and Risus Fera lets me target one card on the field and negate its effects for the rest of the turn.” Twilight pointed. “I choose Rainbow Dark Dragon! And with its effect negated, its attack is lowered to its original value.”

Risus’ cannon barrel snapped down onto its shoulder and glowed, an orb of bright pink energy gathering at the tip. The cannon launched the orb up into Rainbow Dark Dragon. The dragon crackled with sparks and twitched, groaning in pain. (5000 → 4000)

“There’s one final card to play.” Twilight held up her duel disk as blue light shone from it. “By the effect of Harmony Castle, the monster I just discarded is revived.” A four-sided blue gem rippled into place in front of Twilight, Rarity reflected in its facets. It shimmered and shattered to reveal a white-skinned fairy in a pale white gown. “I summon ‘Harmony Spirit Magnanimity’. (1200/800)”

“This can’t be happening…” Rarity gaped at the monster. She doubled over and clutched her head.

“This is the power of my magic, Rarity.” Twilight’s duel disk gleamed in multi-colored magic streaks as her cards began to glow. “I’m not dueling alone, not now, not ever. The spirits of all my friends in both worlds sleep in my deck, and it is with their combined efforts that I’m going to set you free!” Her body ablaze with magic, Twilight thrust out her hand. “Harmony Spirit Honestas Silva, destroy Rainbow Dark Dragon!” Honestas Silva (2500 → 4000) flexed its muscles and jumped into the air. Swirls of magic gathered on her fist as she drew it back, and dove forward to slam it into Rainbow Dark Dragon’s helmet. Rays of colored light gleamed from the impact point, glowing brighter and brighter.

With a shockwave of rainbow light, Rainbow Dark Dragon convulsed and exploded from head to tail, rays of white light bursting from its body before it broke apart. As Twilight watched, Rarity was engulfed in the light and faded from view. Around them the crowd was silent, watching as the remains of Rarity’s dragon descended to the ground and dissolved. Harmony Spirit Honestas Silva landed among them and faded away as well.

The glare faded from Twilight’s eyes and the holographic destruction ended. She looked across the field to see Rarity laying on her stomach, her eyes closed.

“Twilight…” Rarity weakly lifted her head and opened her eyes, trails of blue magic flickering on the edges of her eyes.

Twilight smiled. “Rarity!”

Rarity put a foot on the ground and rose into a kneeling position. A shadow fell over her and she looked up. Harmony Spirit Magnanimity stood in front of her, the fairy’s large purple eyes fixed on hers. Rarity turned her head and saw Amethyst Cat slink up next to her, looking at her. Rarity turned back to Twilight, her mouth set in a line. “Do it.”

With a nod, Twilight said, “Risus Fera attacks Amethyst Cat.”

The fairy aimed its shoulder cannon and fired. Amethyst Cat lowered its head as the light struck it, shattering it into shards of blue crystal. Rarity closed her eyes and tilted her head back. The magic in her eyes was blown away and the gemstones on her outfit lightened to blue.

Magnanimity lowered its hand and the hologram faded. Twilight deactivated her duel disk and ran across the field. When she reached Rarity, she kneeled and put a hand on her shoulder. “How do you feel?”

Rarity grimaced and shook her head. “I could see what was happening, but…”

“It wasn’t you, Rarity.”

“It was.” Rarity locked eyes with Twilight. “It was my emotions. My jealousy, my frustration, my anger. I just couldn’t keep it bottled up anymore…”

“That’s the power of Sunset Shimmer’s magic. And it’s why I have to stop her.”

“Magic?” Twilight turned her head. The rest of the crowd was staying, back whispering among themselves, but Fluttershy and Spike had come closer. Twilight looked down at Spike and he nodded.

She took a breath. “I think there’s some things I need to tell you guys.”