//------------------------------//
// Duel Thirteen - The Ticket Master? Battle Royale For Your Dreams! 
// Story: Elements of the Duel 
// by Dashguy 
//------------------------------//

The morning sun shines brightly over Ponyville. On the far end of the town, at Sweet Apple Acres, a crowd of children watch attentively as one of them, a boy named Chip Mint, faces against Fluttershy in a duel.

For teaching purposes, Fluttershy takes the first turn. “I summon Maiden with Eyes of Blue.” A lovely, pale-skinned girl with gorgeous blue eyes appears on the field. Her attack and defense points display zero for both. Fluttershy sets a single card and says, “Alright, it’s your turn.”

Chip Mint draws. He examines his hand, then summons Alligator’s Sword. The corner of Chip Mint’s lower lip curls as he glances at Fluttershy’s set card. “I think I’ll set a card and end my turn…”

Fluttershy smiles and compliments him on playing safe. “My turn.” She draws and immediately unveils her set card. “Senet Switch.” Several of the children are baffled. Fluttershy takes the opportunity to ask if anybody remembers what the card does.

A little girl raises her hand. “Isn’t that the card that lets you move your monsters?”

Fluttershy nods. “That’s right.”

“But that card is totally useless!” protests a hot-tempered boy.

“Well, um, yes, some cards are better than others, but every card can be useful if you get creative.” Fluttershy switches the Maiden with Eyes of Blue to the adjacent monster zone with Senet Switch. The lovely maiden calmly walks two steps to her right, turns to face Chip Mint and begins chanting.

Fluttershy explains, “When Maiden with Eyes of Blue is targeted by a card effect, like that of Senet Switch, I can special summon a Blue-Eyes White Dragon from my hand.”

Not too far away, Twilight watches in amusement at the astonished reactions from the children as the imposing white dragon appears on the field. She remembers when Princess Celestia told her how she came up with the Senet series of cards after reading a book of ancient history on Saddle Arabia, as well as her embarrassment at how poorly received they were.

It has been two days since Twilight began living in the Golden Oak Library. She decided it wouldn’t make sense to keep wearing her Eos Dueling School uniform for the time being, so she switched it for a similar ensemble consisting of a white, long-sleeved button shirt and a light purple sweater; a gray pleated skirt, light purple socks and brown polished shoes.

The events at the Castle of the Two Sisters still resonate in her mind, and while it wasn’t exactly the most pleasant experience, Twilight would be lying if she said she wasn’t interested in the Duels of Darkness, from an academic standpoint. Still, she did not dare to ask the Princesses for fear of bringing up bad memories.

Sitting comfortably on the grass next to Twilight, Spike looks through a thick folder filled to the brim with rare cards, every single one of them holographic and neatly organized by type. “Man, I can’t believe Fluttershy has so many rare cards,” he comments fascinated.

Twilight looks at him with a smile and nods. “I admit I didn’t peg her as a collector.” Fortunately, Spike’s experience with the Duels of Darkness didn’t go beyond a nasty scare. Probably because we managed to deal with Nightmare Moon quickly enough, she thinks. Another thing I’ve got my friends to thank for.

Twilight turns to Applejack, standing next to her, and asks, “So, what do you think?”

Applejack scratches her forehead. “Ah’ don’t know, sugarcube.” She tilts the sheet of paper in her left hand. “This looks like a bit too much, if you ask me.” She begins reading aloud some of the listed points, “Resource Management Methods, Card Advantage Examination, Deck Thinnin' Applications, Side Deck Construction I, II and III…”

Twilight frowns slightly. “What’s wrong with those subjects? It’s all basic knowledge a decent duelist should possess.”

Applejack smiles placatingly. “Ain’t gonna argue with that, Twilight. It’s just that this fancy wordin’ may be a tad scary for the kids, if you get mah’ drift.” She points with her thumb towards the crowd of cheering children to emphasize her point.

Twilight’s expression softens. “Oh.” She smiles sheepishly. “I guess I should make the curriculum more accessible for younger readers.” She takes the sheet from Applejack’s hands, neatly folds it and puts it inside the pocket of her skirt.

A beep coming from Twilight’s Duel Disk catches their attention. She taps the screen, looks at it for a moment and then gasps softly. Her lips curve into a smile. Spike sets the folder aside and stands up on his toes to try to take a peek. Applejack leans forward and asks, “What is it?”

Twilight begins reading aloud, “Her Grand Royal Highness, Princess Celestia of Equestria, cordially extends an invitation to Twilight Sparkle plus one guest to the Grand Galloping Gala to be held in the magnificent capital city of Canterlot, on the 21st day of September.” She points there are two electronic tickets attached to the message.

“Dang!” Applejack exclaims in amazement. “The Grand Galloping Gala!”

Twilight giggles. “This is great! I have never been to the gala before. Have you, Spike?”

Spike flicks his hair, looks away and, with his best “aloof, cool guy” voice, says, “Nope, and I plan to keep it that way.” He waves his hand dismissively and adds, “I’m not into that girly, frilly frou-frou nonsense.”

“Aw, come on Spike,” Twilight says pleadingly. “A dance would be nice.”

“Nice?” Applejack interjects. “It’s a heap more than just nice! I’d love to go. Do you have any idea how much business I could drum up for Sweet Apple Acres if I could set up an apple stand there? We could do a heap of fixin’ up ‘round here with all that money!” She points with her index finger towards the barn. “We could replace that saggy old roof, the saggy old plow and Granny Smith could replace her saggy old hip!” Applejack sighs, looking upwards dreamily. “I’d give an arm to go to that gala…”

Twilight smiles, tilting her head. “Well, in that case, would you like--”

“Twiliiiight!”

Twilight, Applejack and Spike turn around sharply to see Fluttershy running towards them waving her arms. She stops in front of them and, taking heavy breaths between words, says, “S-sorry—I just—finished with—the kids and—heard something—about the—” She takes one last, deep breath. “Grand Galloping Gala?”

Twilight exchanges a brief, awkward look with Spike. “Yes, but--”

“Umm, in that case, if it’s not any trouble, would you—” Fluttershy gulps and asks, “Take me with you?”

“Hold yer horses, sugarcube.” Applejack interjects, raising her right hand. “You want to go to the gala?”

Fluttershy cheeks turn a nice shade of red; she begins fidgeting with her fingers. “W-Well…yes.”

“It’s because of the Royal Garden, right?” Twilight asks. Applejack frowns and asks what about it. Twilight elaborates, “It’s a large, private garden inside the Royal Palace. From what I’ve read, it houses unique species of flora and fauna, many of which cannot be found anywhere else.”

Fluttershy shakes her head. “Not really. You see, since the gala takes place at night, most of the animals will be sleeping and intruding in their territory carries the risk of upsetting them, which would be bad for their health.”

Twilight blinks. “Oh.” She tilts her head and asks, “Then?”

Fluttershy picks up her folder from the ground, holding it tightly with both arms. “I heard a lot of duelists and collectors gather there and…I wanted to see if I could find some rare cards for my collection.”

Applejack folds her arms. “That’s mighty nice an’ all, Fluttershy, but I already—” A sudden gust of wind interrupts Applejack, almost blowing her hat away.

Rainbow Dash lands, kicking up a small cloud of dust. She grins and waves casually. “Hi, guys! Didja say something about tickets for the Grand Galloping Gala?”

Twilight bites her lower lip. “Yes…”

Rainbow Dash pumps her fist triumpanthly. “That’s awesome! The Wonderbolts perform at the gala every year!” She flaps her wings, staying a couple of meters above the ground and spreads her arms. “I can see it! Everybody would be watching the sky, their eyes locked on them when—wham—Rainbow Dash is here!”

She makes an exaggerated motion of drawing from her Duel Disk as she keeps narrating, “The crowd would go wild as I take on the Wonderbolts one by one and then all of them together! Seeing my amazing dueling skills, they would have no choice but ask me to join them!”

Rainbow Dash descends. She walks to Twilight, places both hands on her friend’s shoulders and pleads, “Don’t you see, Twilight? This could be my only opportunity to show ‘em my stuff. You gotta take me with you!”

Applejack grunts, puts a hand over Rainbow Dash’s shoulder and pulls her back. “Wait one pickin’ minute here, Rainbow. I asked for that ticket first!”

Fluttershy timidly interjects, “I asked too.”

Rainbow Dash folds her arms. “So what? That doesn’t mean you own it!”

Applejack narrows her eyes. “Oh yeah? Well I challenge you to—”

“Girls!” Twilight interrupts. She puts her hands on her hips and says sternly, “These are my tickets and I’ll decide who gets it, thank you very much.” Twilight lets out a breath, her expression softens. “Whoever has the best reason to go should get the ticket, don’t you think?”

Applejack takes a step forward, smiling eagerly, and asks, “Drummin’ up business for the farm?”

Rainbow Dash steps before Applejack, grinning enthusiastically. “A chance to audition for the Wonderbolts?”

Applejack frowns. She steps in front of Rainbow Dash, smiles pleadingly and says, “Money to fix Granny’s hip.”

Rainbow Dash steps right in front of Twilight’s face and says with childish glee, “Living the dream.”

Twilight gulps. She glances at Fluttershy, who hasn’t said a single word. Fluttershy hugs her folder against her chest, looking down flustered. Twilight is at a loss for words and begins looking around awkwardly. “I—huh…” She looks at the screen of her Duel Disk and hurriedly says, “Oh my! Look at the time! I can’t make important decisions on an empty stomach, so—uh—I’ll think it over lunch and get back to you three, okay?”

Without waiting for a reply, Twilight grabs Spike by the arm and teleports away.





With a flash of blinding light, Twilight and Spike appear at the Town Square. “A little warning would have been nice,” Spike groans, holding his head. Twilight apologizes. “So, who are you gonna give the ticket to, Twilight?” he asks.

Twilight shakes her head. “I don’t know, Spike,” she answers frustrated. “I never expected having tickets for the Grand Galloping Gala would be this troublesome…” She closes her eyes and rubs her temples.

“Did you get invited to the Grand Galloping Gala, Twilight?”

Twilight replies absentmindedly, “Yes, Pinkie. I di—” She opens her eyes and turns around to see Pinkie standing inches away from her face with the widest grin she had ever seen in the face of a fellow Equestrian. Twilight squeaks and jumps back. “P-Pinkie!”

Pinkie squeals, “The Grand Galloping Gala! The most amazing incredible tremendous super-fun wonderful terrifically humongous party in all of Equestria!” She slaps her cheeks with both hands. “Can you imagine the kind of amazing incredible tremendous super-fun wonderful terrifically humongous Entertainment Duel I could perform there?”

Pinkie ignites her Duel Disk, draws two cards and swiftly slides both on the Spell & Trap slots with a single move. Three cute, colorful hippos wearing carnival dancer outfits appear around her in a shower of confetti, streamers and balloons. The hipos dance cheerfully alongside Pinkie as she sings loudly.

“Oh the Grand Galloping Gala is the best place for me!

Oh the Grand Galloping Gala is the best place for me!”

Twilight rolls her eyes. “Great. Now we only need Rarity to yell bingo…”

“What about me, darling?”

Twilight turns around exhausted to see Rarity looking at them curiously. She wears black high-heels, a deep purple pencil skirt and a frilly, pure white blouse. On her right arm she carries an expensive-looking black purse with golden linings.

A smitten Spike enthusiastically explains how Princess Celestia invited Twilight to the Grand Galloping Gala and sent her two tickets. Twilight shoots him a glare. Rarity’s eyes widen in surprise; she gasps dramatically and asks, “Is that true, Twilight?”

Twilight sighs and defeatedly admits it’s true.

“Oh my goodness!” Rarity exclaims. “The Grand Galloping Gala!” She puts her hand over her chest, turning her nose slightly upwards. “I design ensembles for the gala every year, but I’ve never had the opportunity to attend.” Rarity gazes wistfully into the distance. “Oh, the society, the culture, the glamour! It’s where I truly belong, where I will reach the pinnacle of my career and where I’m destined to meet him.”

Twilight quirks an eyebrow. “Him?”

“Prince Blueblood,” Rarity replies gleefully. “I would dazzle everybody at the gala with my dueling skills, and they will all wonder, “Who is that mysterious girl?” They would never guess I was just a simple girl from little old Ponyville.” She waves her hand dramatically. “Why, I would cause such a sensation that Prince Blueblood himself would be taken with my style and elegance!” She puts her hands together in a gesture of praying. “Our eyes would meet, our hearts would melt. Our courtship would be magnificent.” Rarity giggles. “He would ask for my hand in marriage, and of course I would say, "Yes!" We would have a royal wedding, befitting a princess, which is what I would become upon marrying him, the man of my dreams!”

Spike folds his arms and looks away with a grumpy expression.

Twilight nods slowly. “Right. Setting aside the fact you cannot become a princess by marrying a duke, I haven’t--”

Suddenly, Pinkie jumps between the three of them shouting, “Wheee!” Twilight, Rarity and Spike look at her baffled. There’s a moment of silence before Pinkie pouts and says, “You guys weren’t listening to my song!”

Rarity waves her hand dismissively. “I’m sorry, Pinkie, but Twilight and I are a little busy here, she’s going to take me to the Grand Galloping Gala, you see.”

“Wait what?” Pinkie shakes her head rapidly. “No way! Twilight was going to invite me!”

Rarity gasps, turning to Twilight outraged. “I simply cannot believe you would invite Pinkie and prevent me from meeting my true love!” She turns her head away with a “hmph”. “How could you, Twilight?”

Twilight resists the urge to roll her eyes. “Look—”

“Wait just a minute!”

Twilight groans. She looks up to see Rainbow Dash standing on the roof of a nearby house, wings fully spread and looking down with an expression of disapproval. Twilight frowns. “Rainbow Dash, were you following me?”

Rainbow Dash’s expression falters. With a flap of her wings, she comes down to the ground. “I wasn’t following you,” she says sheepishly. “I mean—I was, but—what I want to say is that I couldn’t let a goody-two-shoes like you giving that ticket away to just anybody!”

“Wait just another minute!” Applejack shouts, stepping in.

Twilight’s frown deepens. “Applejack, were you following me too?”

“No,” Applejack replies. She points an accusing finger at Rainbow Dash. “Ah’ was followin’ this one to make sure she didn’t try any funny business.”

Fluttershy chimes in from behind Applejack, “And I was following them both.” She carries a large brown backpack with her card folder inside.

“Are you still trying to take my ticket?” Rainbow Dash asks annoyed.

“Yourticket?” Rarity asks in disbelief.

Pinkie protests, “But Twilight’s taking me!”

Soon, Twilight can’t make out their words as the girls begin arguing loudly with each other. Spike doesn’t dare to step in, choosing to keep his distance instead. Twilight grits her teeth and finally snaps, shouting at the top of her lungs, “QUIET!”

The girls immediately shut up, except for Pinkie Pie. “And then I said, “Digital Bugs, are you craz—”

Twilight’s glare quickly silences her.

Pinkie grins sheepishly. “Sorry.”

Twilight takes a deep breath to compose herself. “Girls, arguing like this is not the way to solve the issue.”

Rainbow Dash holds her hand up. “Say no more, Twilight!” She ignites her Duel Disk. “There’s only one way to do it!”

Applejack smirks and follows suit. “Now that’s what I’m talkin’ about!”

Rarity takes out her Duel Disk from inside her purse. “Good thing I came prepared.” She adjusts it around her arm and ignites it.

Pinkie cheers, “It’s a Battle Royale!” She takes the Hippo Carnival and Illusion Balloons cards from the Spell & Trap slots and shuffles them back into her deck.

Fluttershy gulps and ignites her Duel Disk. “I want that ticket too…”

Twilight and Spike take their distance as the girls position themselves forming a circle. “Shouldn’t we stop them or something?” he asks tentatively. Twilight ponders for a moment. “You know what? Let them go at it.” She folds her arms and adds, “This is a good opportunity to see how they fare against each other.”

Spike shrugs and proceeds to watch as the girls each draw their initial hands of five cards. Their life points display at 4000 for each. The screen on each disk flashes alternatively, and a number appears above their heads to indicate the order of turns.

Rainbow Dash goes first. She folds her arms and declares confidently, “Turn end!”

Spike wonders aloud why didn’t she do anything. Twilight explains in a Battle Royale none of the players can draw or attack on their first turn. “She probably wants to see what everybody is going to do first.”

Pinkie summons Performapal Fire Mufflerlion in attack position and sets a single card. “I’m done here!” she declares cheerfully.

“Right,” Applejack mutters under her breath. She normal summons Superheavy Samurai Flutist, tributing it to special summon Superheavy Samurai Big Benkei in defense position. The massive form of Big Benkei draws the attention of the passerby, several of whom stop to watch the duel. Applejack declares, “Ah’ end mah’ turn!”

Rarity fans out her hand with a flick of her wrist. She immediately activates Polymerization to fuse Lunalight White Rabbit and Lunalight Black Sheep into Lunalight Cat Dancer. After adding Lunalight White Rabbit back to her hand with Lunalight Black Sheep’s effect, she sets two cards. “My turn is over.”

“My turn…” Fluttershy activates the spell One for One, discarding Sylvan Hermitree to special summon Sylvan Peaskeeper directly from her deck. “Excavate.” She reveals Sylvan Cherubsprout, sends it to the graveyard and uses its effect to special summon a second copy, again directly from her deck. “Excavate. Two cards.” Fluttershy reveals Sylvan Bladefender and Sylvan Princessprout, adding the former to her hand and special summoning the latter to the field. She frowns and declares, “Level eight!”

Twilight quirks an eyebrow. Level eight?

Fluttershy overlays Sylvan Peaskeeper and Sylvan Cherubsprout to special summon Sylvan Princessprite in defense position. She follows with her newest monster’s effect, sending Sylvan Bladefender from her hand to the graveyard to special summon Sylvan Hermitree back from the graveyard.

Twilight nods in understanding. Ah, I see.

“Excavate!” Fluttershy reveals Sylvan Marshalleaf, sending it to the graveyard and then draws a card. “When Sylvan Marshalleaf is excavated, I can destroy one monster on the field! I choose Superheavy Samurai Big Benkei!”

Applejack answers, “Not today, sugarcube!” She banishes Superheavy Samurai Flutist from the graveyard to protect Big Benkei.

Fluttershy is undeterred. “I overlay my two level eight monsters!” A mass of vines envelops Sylvan Princessprout and Sylvan Hermitree like a cocoon. “Come, serene guardian of all things in nature! Xyz summon!” A gigantic white tiger tears through the vines, letting out a loud roar to announce its presence. Its chest and back are covered by thick foliage like a robe and two large tree trunks hang on its back like armor, giving the monster an imposing, regal appearance. “Rank eight! Alsei, the Sylvan High Protector!” The monster’s defense points appear at 3200.

“I summon Sylvan Flowerknight! Excavate!” Fluttershy sends a second copy of Sylvan Hermitree to the graveyard, allowing her to rearrange the top three cards of her deck. She continues detaching an Xyz material from Sylvan Princessprite. “Excavate!” Fluttershy reveals Sylvan Charity, which she adds to her hand.

Twilight glances at the other girls. All of them watch Fluttershy’s plays carefully.

Fluttershy explains once per turn, she can use the effect of Alsei, the Sylvan High Protector to declare the name of a card, excavate and, if she calls it right, add it to her hand. “Draining Shield! Excavate!” She reveals Sylvan Waterslide, to the surprise of everyone present, sends it to the graveyard and detaches an Xyz material from Alsei, the Sylvan High Protector. “When a card is sent from my deck to the graveyard, I can return a card on the field to the top or bottom of its owner’s deck! I choose Lunalight Cat Dancer!”

“Sorry, Fluttershy.” Rarity apologizes as she activates her set Forbidden Dress to protect her monster.

Spike smiles sympathetically. “Poor Fluttershy, they’re countering all of her plays.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure,” Twilight comments. Spike asks what she mean. “Having the last turn means there’s a risk of everybody ganging up on you, which is why Fluttershy had to build a solid defense.” Spike nods. Twilight raises her index finger. “Now, it’s true that Fluttershy had her plays countered, but if you look at it from a different angle, she forced Applejack and Rarity to waste valuable cards, making them easier targets for the others.”

Spike blinks. “Oh.”

Fluttershy sets two cards, lowering her hand count to two. She takes a deep breath and declares the end of her turn.

Twilight comments, “The real Battle Royale begins now.”

“Draw!” Rainbow Dash shouts. She grins and picks a card from her hand, twirling it on the tip of her middle finger. “Since you girls were all so nice to special summon a bunch of monsters, now I can call this fella right away!” She slaps the card on her Duel Disk. “Speedroid Skull Marbles!” Rainbow Dash wastes no time declaring an attack on Superheavy Samurai Big Benkei. “Speed Skull Smash!” The toy locomotive bounces against Big Benkei like it crashed against a steel wall, but Rainbow Dash’s life points remain the same.

“What the--?” Applejack mutters in disbelief as her life points nosedive to a mere 500.

Rainbow Dash taunts, “Did you forget the effect of my monster, AJ? You take all the Battle Damage I would’ve taken!” Applejack scowls, but says nothing. Rainbow Dash sets a monster and a single card, bringing her hand count to three. “Turn end!”

“My turn again!” Pinkie declares cheerfully. "Draw!" She first switches Performapal Fire Mufflerlion to defense position, then summons Performapal Hip Hippo and Performapal Helpprincess with her effect. The cute, twin tailed girl appears striking a pose on top of the pink hippo's back. Pinkie takes a card from her hand and, holding it above her head, announces, “Ladies and gentlemen! Let’s give a warm welcome to the star of today’s show!” Hip Hippo and Helpprincess vanish in an explosion of confetti to reveal a young man dressed in outlandish, brightly colored clothes. Pinkie calls out the monster’s name, “Performapal Laugh Maker!” He twirls his cane and bows exaggeratedly, displaying a wide smirk across his face.

“And for my next trick…” Pinkie announces as she plays the last card in her hand. “Smile World!” The sound of joyful laughter fills the air as countless cartoonish, smiley faces appear all over the field. She spreads her arms and declares, “Now all face-up monsters on the field will get an extra 100 attack points for each monster on the field!”

Spike tilts his head puzzled. “Why would she do that?” Twilight explains Performapal Laugh Maker can gain 1000 attack points for every other monster on the field with their current attack points higher than their original ones, except for Pinkie’s. Spike counts with his fingers, “Skull Marbles, Big Benkei, Cat Dancer, Alsei, Princessprite, Flowerknight…” His eyes widen in shock. “T-That’s 6000 attack points!”

“With the bonus from Smile Word, that makes for a total of 9400 points,” Twilight adds.

Pinkie points at Superheavy Samurai Big Benkei with her index finger and thumb raised upwards in the shape of a gun. “Go for it!” Performapal Laugh Maker flicks his wrist to reveal four cards which he throws with alarming speed, hitting Big Benkei in the joints. The mechanical giant stumbles and falls on its face, kicking up a cloud of dust and disappearing. Performapal Fire Mufflerlion roars and its mane flares up, increasing the attack points of Performapal Laugh Maker even further, to 9600.

Without lowering her finger, Pinkie explains, “When one of my Pendulum Monsters wins a battle, my Mufflerlion can let it attack again!” Applejack pales. Much to her surprise, however, Pinkie winks and points at Rarity’s Lunalight Cat Dancer. “Attack, Laugh Maker!”

“I-It’s a one-turn-kill!” Spike exclaims horrified.

Rarity is unfazed. She lets out a soft “hmph” and reveals her remaining set card, Forbidden Scripture. “Your petty tricks won’t work, Pinkie!” Both monsters’ attack values return to their original numbers and Lunalight Cat Dancer blocks the strike of Performapal Laugh Maker’s cane with her daggers, sending him stumbling back with a well placed kick on the stomach. Rarity’s life points drop down to 3900.

Pinkie snaps her fingers, “Oh, shoot!” She giggles and declares the end of her turn.

Spike lets out a breath of relief. “That was close…”

Twilight looks intently at Applejack. “Too close if you ask me…”

Applejack adjusts her hat with a fiercely competitive scowl. “Mah’ turn! Draw!” She takes a card from her hand and slaps it on her Duel Disk. “Ah’ call Superheavy Samurai Battleball!” The tiny, ball-shaped robot appears standing proudly with both arms at its sides. Applejack orders it to perform a Synchro Summon with Speedroid Skull Marbles and both monsters fuse in a cluster of stars. “Mow ‘em down!” A massive mechanical centaur appears wielding a spear. Its pure white frame gleams under the light of the sun. “Level nine! Superheavy Samurai Beast Kyubi!” The centaur rears and the dozen of exhaust pipes on its back flare up, spewing flames that flicker behind it like multiple tails. Its defense points go up to 5200.

“Mah’ Superheavy Samurai Beast Kyubi gets 900 attack points for every special summoned monster mah’ opponent has!” Applejack plays another card from her hand. An armor with two giant horns materializes attached to Kyubi’s back. “And with Superheavy Samurai Soulhorn it can attack twice!” She points at Rainbow Dash’s set monster. “Destroy it!” Superheavy Samurai Beast Kyubi leaps forward and destroys the revealed Speedroid Tri-Eyed Dice with a mighty overhead strike. Applejack orders a direct attack.

“Another one-turn-kill!?” Spike asks shocked.

“You wish!” Rainbow Dash throws her hand upwards and Speedroid Tri-Eyed Dice jumps from her graveyard, spinning at great speed to block the thrust of Superheavy Samurai Beast Kyubi’s spear.

Applejack growls under her breath, visibly annoyed her attack failed. “Ah’ end mah’ turn!”

Spike wipes his forehead. “They aren’t holding back at all…”

Twilight doesn’t say a word. She begins tapping on the screen of her Duel Disk while keeping an eye on the duel.

Rarity draws. Looking at her newest card, she smirks and declares, “I will show you why I am the most deserving of attending the Grand Galloping Gala with Twilight!” With great flourish, Rarity activates Allure of Darkness to draw two cards. She banishes Lunalight Purple Butterfly from her hand. “Come, Lunalight White Rabbit!” With her monster’s effect, Rarity brings back Lunalight Black Sheep to the field in defense position. “Once per turn, Lunalight White Rabbit allows me to choose a number of Spells & Traps equal to the number of Lunalight monsters I control and bounce them off the field!”

The lithe girl lifts her hammer over her shoulder, takes a breath and swings it in a wide arc, kicking up a gust that blows away Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy’s set cards, much to their shock. Rarity plays the last card in her hand. “Fusion Substitute!” Lunalight Cat Dancer and Lunalight White Rabbit fuse into a whirlpool of light. Rarity joins her hands together and chants loudly, “Beautiful beast dancing in the moonlight! Lively white rabbit illuminated by moonlight! Swarm in the vortex of moon’s gravity and become a new power! Fusion Summon!”

A beautiful, buxom dark-skinned maiden appears twirling gracefully. Her short hair conceals her eyes while her exotic attire reveals her fantastically well-toned arms and legs, giving her a mysterious yet powerful kind of appeal. Both, her hand and feet end in feline-like claws.

Rarity calls proudly, “Elegant beast dancing in the moonlit wilderness! Lunalight Panther Dancer!"

“Cool,” Spike mutters in awe.

Rarity flicks her hair and, with an elegant wave of her hand, commands, “Crescent Moon Mayhem! Endless Waltz!” Lunalight Panther Dancer reveals a second set of long, crimson blade-like claws from between her fingers and rushes at Performapal Fire Mufflerlion, taking it out with a swift swipe. Her attack points go up by 200, to 3000.

The assault continues. Lunalight Panther Dancer charges towards Sylvan Princessprite in a series of flips and somersaults. Coming to a halt, she delivers a powerful side-kick to Sylvan Princessprite’s head, felling her instantly. Lunalight Panther Dancer’s attack increases further, to 3200. She turns to Sylvan Flowerknight.

Fluttershy cringes as her monster is torn apart. The first strike lowers her life points to 2600, the second to 1200. Lunalight Panther Dancer gains another 200 attack points. Alsei, the Sylvan High Protector soon follows and Fluttershy’s field is left empty.

Twilight and Spike watch as Lunalight Panther Dancer, now with 3600 attack points, makes short work of Performapal Laugh Maker with two swift strikes. Pinkie’s life points lower to 1800. She squeaks, “Y-Yikes!”

Rarity banishes Fusion Substitute from her graveyard, returning Lunalight Cat Dancer from her graveyard to her Extra Deck to draw a card, which she immediately sets. Smiling satisfied, she declares the end of her turn.

Spike cheers, “That was awesome!”

Twilight nods in agreement. “Indeed. Rarity chose her targets accordingly to maximize the Battle Damage she could inflict.” Twilight thinks it’s to be expected from a Pro Duelist graduated from a well known school.

“M-My turn!” Fluttershy draws. She activates Sylvan Blessing to draw three cards, reveals Sylvan Lotuswain and Sylvan Snapdrassinagon, then puts them back on top of her deck. She continues summoning a second copy of Silvan Flowerknight and excavating Sylvan Snapdrassinagon, which she sends to the graveyard without activating its effect. “When a Sylvan monster is sent to the graveyard I can special summon Sylvan Sagequoia from my hand!” The giant tree emerges from the ground, standing protectively before her. “Excavate!” Fluttershy reveals Sylvan Lotuswain and uses the card’s effect to place Sylvan Peaskeeper, Sylvan Cherubsprout, Sylvan Bladefender, Sylvan Princessprout and her first copy of Sylvan Flowerknight on the bottom of her deck.

Taking a deep breath, Fluttershy sets the two cards Rarity bounced on the last turn, reducing her hand count to one, and carefully examines the state of the field.

There’s a long moment of silence before Spike asks, “What is she waiting for?”

“She needs to plan her next move carefully.” Twilight adds this Battle Royale is especially harsh since there can be only one winner.

Fluttershy finally decides. “Silvan Flowerknight, attack Pinkie directly!” The young knight raises his sword and charges, but is suddenly pushed back by an invisible wall. A baby elephant wearing a top hat and a bowtie jumps from Pinkie’s deck, standing protectively before her. It trumpets and slams the ground with the toy hammer attached to the tip of its trunk. Despite its cute appearance, the baby elephant boasts an attack power of 2600.

Pinkie smiles and wags her index finger, tilting her head towards her unveiled trap, Performapal Pinch Helper.

Fluttershy frowns. She points at Rainbow Dash and orders the attack of Sylvan Sagequoia, “Roots of Wisdom!”

Rainbow Dash calmly answers summoning Speedroid Menko from her hand. “I can special summon this guy when attacked directly! And it changes all of my opponent’s attack position monsters to defense!” Sylvan Flowerknight, Sylvan Sagequoia and even Lunalight Cat Dancer are switched to defense position.

Fluttershy lets out a soft sigh. “I end my turn.”

Rainbow Dash draws. She grins and declares, “I think it’s time to start wrapping things up!” She special summons Speedroid Taketomborg and immediately tributes it to special summon Speedroid Red-Eyed Dice directly from her deck. "Level five!” Rainbow Dash continues, tuning Speedroid Menko and Speedroid Red-Eyed Dice to Synchro Summon Hi-Speedroid Kendama in attack position. She takes another card and slaps it on her Duel Disk. “Speedroid Ohajikid!” A small, toy-like robot dressed in stereotypical cowboy clothing appears on the field.

Rainbow Dash looks at Applejack and says mockingly, “Hey AJ, I’m borrowing your tuner, okay?”

Applejack grumbles as Superheavy Samurai Battleball jumps from her graveyard onto Rainbow Dash’s side of the field.

“I tune the level three Speedroid Ohajikid with the level two Superheavy Samurai Battleball! Synchro Summon!” Rainbow Dash throws her hand upwards and her monsters disappear into a cluster of stars above her head. “Superfast swordplay!” A vehicle in the shape of a massive blade manned by a toy-like automaton materializes on the field. “Level five! Hi-Speedroid Chanbara!”

The two sword-shaped monsters loom threateningly like birds of prey ready to strike. Rainbow Dash banishes Speedroid Menko from her graveyard. “Sorry, AJ!” Hi-Speedroid Kendama aims at Applejack and fires a beam of light, hitting her on the chest. She barely flinches, but her life points are taken down to zero. Superheavy Samurai Beast Kyubi and Superheavy Samurai Soulhorn disappear.

Applejack tilts her hat to cover her eyes. She grits her teeth hard, but says nothing.

Rainbow Dash points at Sylvan Flowerknight. “Spiral Sword!” Hi-Speedroid Kendama charges forward at terrifying speed.

Fluttershy answers with her set Sylvan Blessing, placing Sylvan Guardioak from her hand on top of her deck and special summoning a copy of Sylvan Cherubsprout from her graveyard. Hi-Speedroid Kendama makes a sharp turn, returning to Rainbow Dash’s side. “Excavate two cards!” Fluttershy gulps and reveals the two cards from the top of her deck, the Sylvan Guardioak she had returned and Mount Sylvania. “I lost…” she mutters in defeat.

Rainbow Dash resumes her attack. Fluttershy gasps as her monster is torn to shreds, costing her her remaining 1200 life points. Sylvan Sagequoia and Sylvan Flowerknight disappear and she falls on her knees, silent. Fluttershy takes the remaining card she had set, Plant Food Chain and dejectedly puts it back on her deck with the others.

Spike gulps. “Two of them down in a single turn.”

Twilight continues to watch the action impassively.

“Go, Hi-Speedroid Chanbara!” Rainbow Dash shouts. “Spiral Blade!”

The machine’s attack points increase to 2200 and it slices Lunalight Black Sheep in half, allowing Rarity to activate her set card, Lunalight Reincarnation Dance. She adds Lunalight Wolf and Lunalight Tiger from her deck to her hand.

Rainbow Dash sets a card, bringing her hand count to one. “My turn is over!”

Pinkie cheers, “My turn again!” She swings her right arm and shouts, “Shining Sugary Draw!” With great fanfare, Pinkie draws. She looks at her newest card and grins. “I set Performapal Radish Horse on the Pendulum Scale!” The cute pony ascends in a pillar of light. “With this little guy I can pick one of your monsters and it loses the attack points of one of my Performapals!” Hi-Speedroid Kendama suddenly falls to the ground, its attack points displaying as zero.

Rainbow Dash cringes as Pinkie declares the attack of Performapal Elephammer. “Super Squeaky Smash!” The baby elephant raises its snout and destroys Hi-Speedroid Kendama with a single strike, like a child breaking a toy. Rainbow Dash’s life points go down to 1400.

Pinkie twirls and strikes a pose winking. “And that’s all for now! Turn end!”

Rarity calmly draws. She picks Lunalight Tiger and Lunalight Wolf between her middle and index fingers and sets them on the Pendulum Zones with a swift motion. “With Lunalight Tiger’s effect, I can special summon Lunalight Black Sheep back to the field!” After normal summoning her newly drawn Lunalight Blue Cat, she adds, “And with Lunalight Wolf, I can Fusion Summon a Lunalight monster banishing the materials from the field or graveyard!” Rarity smiles nostalgically and muses to herself that it’s been a while since she called this monster. “My beautiful monsters! Swarm in the vortex of moon’s gravity and become a new power! Fusion Summon!”

Rarity’s new monster is a sight to behold. A gorgeous, beastly lady with soft purple skin and a body comparable to that of an elite athlete. Her long, pure white hair flows wildly like a mane and her red eyes shine like rubies. A dragon-like tail goes from the base of her neck down her back. The monster’s outfit is skimpy yet tasteful, of a wine red color. Ornate golden pieces of armor and beige patches of fur asymmetrically adorn her body. In her right hand she wields a large, curved saber. “The king of beasts dancing atop the summit of the moonlight wilderness! Lunalight Leo Dancer!”

A faint blush appears across Spike’s cheeks. “Whoa…”

Rarity waves elegantly and commands, “New Moon Mayhem!” Lunalight Leo Dancer leaps towards Hi-Speedroid Chanbara, holding her saber one-handed as if it weighed nothing; the crimson cape around her waist flutters like wings behind her.

Rainbow Dash grits her teeth. “When Hi-Speedroid Chanbara battles it gets 200 attack points!”

The two monsters clash their blades in mid-air. Lunalight Leo Dancer lands gracefully while Hi-Speedroid Chanbara remains airborne. A second later, the machine splits cleanly in two and explodes, taking down Rainbow Dash’s life points to a mere 100.

Rarity declares, “Lunalight Leo Dancer’s effect! I can destroy all of my opponent’s special summoned monsters!” Lunalight Leo Dancer swings her saber, creating a gale that sends Performapal Elephammer flying away and disappearing. “New Moon Mayhem! Second waltz!”

Pinkie grins nervously as Lunalight Leo Dancer looms over her. She rummages on the pocket of her skirt and pulls out a small pink thread. Pinkie waves the thread around and asks, “Here, kitty?” Lunalight Leo Dancer casually slashes Pinkie, taking her life points down to zero and making her fall on her butt. Pinkie let’s out a groan. “Why did I pick today to leave the catnip at home?”

Rainbow Dash grins. “Looks like it’s just you and I, Rares,” she remarks with a chuckle.

Rarity smirks. “It would seem so.” Rainbow Dash asks why she didn’t attack her instead of Pinkie. Rarity tilts her head and answers, “So you could block me with the Speedroid Menko you retrieved with Hi-Speedroid Chanbara’s effect?”

Rainbow Dash flicks the card between her index and middle fingers. “Gotcha, but I’m going to win this duel!” With those words, she spreads her wings and draws. “Speedroid Double Yoyo!” Using her monster’s effect, Rainbow Dash brings back Speedroid Red-Eyed Dice to the field. “Level six!” She throws her hand upwards and shouts, “I tune my level one Red-Eyed Dice with my level six Double Yo Yo! Synchro Summon!” Clear Wing Synchro Dragon descends from the sky. Its roar seems to echo all over Ponyville.

Rainbow Dash special summons Speedroid Rubberband Plane and uses its effect to lower the attack points of Lunalight Leo Dancer by 600, to 2900. Rarity remarks that won’t be enough to defeat her. “That’s why I was saving this one!” Rainbow Dash unveils her set card, Hi-Speed Re-Level and banishes Speedroid Double Yoyo. The level of Clear Wing Synchro Dragon changes to four and its attack points go up to 4500. Rarity’s expression falters.

“It’s over,” Twilight remarks.

Clear Wing Synchro Dragon dive bombs Lunalight Leo Dancer, leaving Rarity with 1600 life points, enough to be finished by the 1800 attack points of Speedroid Rubberband Plane. Every monster remaining on the field vanishes. Rarity puts her hands on her waist and looks away pouting.

“Yes!” Rainbow Dash shouts triumphantly. “The ticket is mine!” She begins flying around, twirling and spinning while repeating “I got the ticket” over and over again in a sing-song voice.

“Talk about being humble in victory,” Rarity comments drily.

A sudden beep coming from Rainbow Dash’s Duel Disk alerts her to a new message. “Alright! Come to ma--”

Before she can say another word, several more beeps can be heard.

Rarity taps on the screen of her Duel Disk. “Oh my!” she exclaims. “I got a ticket!”

“Me too!” Fluttershy adds.

Pinkie cheers, “Me three!”

“Ah’ got one too…” Applejack blinks twice and turns to Twilight. “But ah’ though you only had an extra one?”

“I did,” Twilight states. “But I sent a message to Princess Celestia about it. She apologized, said the automatic messaging system had not been yet updated with your data, which is why you didn’t receive an invitation.”

“Wait a minute!” Rainbow Dash descends. She frowns and asks, “Does that mean I kicked all that ass for nothing?” Rarity, Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie and Spike, shoot her a glare. Rainbow Dash giggles sheepishly. “S-Sorry.”

Twilight sighs. “I couldn’t simply choose one of you to give the ticket to.” She smiles fondly and adds, “You’re all my friends and I wanted to make all of you happy.”

Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie all look at each other in an awkward silence. Applejack is the first to speak; she takes out her hat and holds it with both hands. “I’m sorry, Twilight…I didn’t mean to put so much pressure on you…”

Fluttershy nods. “Me too. I feel bad about making you feel bad…”

“No party is worth making a friend feel upset,” Pinkie adds.

Rarity puts her hand over her chest. “I’m sorry, Twilight. It was unfair of me to push you the way I did.”

“Uh…yeah…” Rainbow Dash scratches the back of her neck embarrassed. “I think I may have gone a bit too far with the whole ticket thing…”

The girls look at each other once again and say in unison, “We’re sorry, Twilight.”

Twilight shakes her head. Without a word, she takes a step forward and embraces each of them. Afterwards, she smiles and says, “You know, all this watching you duel made me hungry. Who’s up for lunch?”

Applejack puts her hat back on with a wide grin. “Say no more! Yer all comin’ for brunch at Sweet Apple Acres!” The girls, and Spike, cheer. As they head towards Sweet Apple Acres with renewed spirits, Twilight tells Spike, “I still have the extra ticket with me. You sure you don’t want to come to the gala?”

Spike sighs heavily, making a show of rolling his eyes. “Fine, but only because it would be a waste otherwise.” Twilight smiles and, with a few taps on the screen of her Duel Disk, transfers him the ticket. “Done!” Spike gives her a thumbs up. As Twilight goes ahead with the girls, Spike discreetly takes a look at the ticket and giggles joyfully.