Reese had been dueling at the small amphitheater across the street from the city’s Nichols Library. Reese was not just a popular duelist on school grounds; he was a popular duelist in the city period. Despite the word of him losing to Alex, people still itched for a piece of him.
Not only did the amphitheater provide Reese with a decent sized audience for them to sit and watch the duels, but Reese enjoyed the atmosphere it had. The crowd on his left, the rolling river on his right, it was a perfect combination of exciting and peaceful for him.
Emma and Rarity had met Reese at the amphitheater after a while, where they would meet up with the rest of their friends to go to the Mongolian Barbecue for lunch. While passing the time for the others to arrive Reese was dueling Rarity.
Cont. from Reese vs. Rarity
Cont. from Reese’s Turn: Reese attacks Rarity’s Gem-Knight Pearl (ATK: 2600 DEF: 1900) with Berserk Dragon (ATK: 3500 DEF: 0).
Rarity’s Life Points: 700 -> 0
Reese wins.
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As soon as Reese won, there was a loud boom from right behind him followed by a cloud of confetti being blasted from behind him. The explosion caused Reese to freeze in shock and fear. He was partially relieved to hear the familiar childlike laughter of Pinkie Pie. He slowly turned around to see Pinkie Pie rolling on the ground with laughter next to a light blue cannon with magenta and purple wheels with yellow flowers on them.
“What the hell is that?” asked Reese.
“It’s my party cannon!” said Pinkie Pie through her giggles. “I never leave home without it.”
“Why do you even have it?”
“Well, I saw you and Rarity, so I’d thought I’d say, ‘Hi’ or ‘Howdy do!’ but that wouldn’t be nearly fun enough. So I had the greatest idea. Well actually, I had two, but they both mixed together to form a perfect storm of hilarious fun! I pulled out my party cannon just as you were about to win the duel and when you did, I blasted it. Not only did I scare you silly, but I get to celebrate your fantabulous win! That’s two times the fun, and two times the laughter!” Pinkie Pie fell over laughing again.
Under normal circumstances, Reese would have scoffed off this childish behavior if it had been done by a human, but with Pinkie Pie, there wasn’t an air of cynicism in her prank; she was about as innocent as they came. Reese couldn’t help but smile at her.
“Thanks,” Reese genuinely said, “I appreciate it.”
“Gee, thanks Reese. You don’t look like the kind of pony- I mean human- I mean pony human man person to enjoy pranks.”
“Things change,” he said a little more flatly. “By the way, how have you been doing in the competition?”
“I’ve been doing great! I’m having so much fun!”
“Really? How many duels have you won?”
“I haven’t!” Pinkie merely beamed.
“You… haven’t won a single duel… and you’re happy?”
“Oh silly, I don’t need to win to have fun!” All of the sudden, a sound of peppy music comprised with acoustic guitar, tambourine, and other instruments, began to make itself heard over the area.
“Where is that music coming from?” asked Emma.
“It’s best not to ask,” said Rarity. Pinkie then began to sing.
Verse
Yesterday, I learned a great new game.
It’s quite a hoot, it’s anything but lame.
However, I’m not sure if it’s just fate.
But my winning record stands at 0-8.
I haven’t won, but I have fun,
Making brand new friends.
Chorus
Every duel’s an opportunity.
To meet a pal that’s right for you and me.
Though I lose, I know I’ll be just fine.
‘Cause when I meet a friend, victory is mine.
Pinkie’s impromptu song and dance got a small thing of applause from the children watching, while most people were just confused over what they heard and saw.
Is she for real? thought Reese. Is she some kind of cartoon character or something? Despite Reese’s confusion over Pinkie’s song, he easily got the message.
“Okay,” said Reese. “I got what you’re saying.” Suddenly, he realized the crowd that Pinkie inadvertently garnered. Idea, he thought. “Pinkie Pie, why don’t you duel me?”
“Huh? Duel you? But you’re already my friend.”
“I realize. And who better to duel than one of your own friends. It will be fun, I promise.”
“You Pinkie Pie promise?”
“Pinkie Pie promise?”
She then enacted the motions along with the poem.
“Now you try,” she said.
Reese loved to duel with an audience, and he hadn’t had such an audience since he first dueled Alex, an audience that he hadn’t had in years. Plus, he had a really strong desire to face her. Despite her staggering number of losses, there was a feeling that he had about her that kept him from thinking her a novice. Reese reluctantly did the Pinkie Pie promise to the laughs of his peers, children, and adults. To think that the great Reese Miller would be at the whim of a peppy pink pony.
“Alright,” said Reese, “are you ready now?”
“Okie dokie lokie!” confirmed Pinkie Pie. With that, Pinkie Pie and Reese unsheathed their duel disks.
From the south, Fluttershy, Sarah, Lisa, and Jenny walked north on the eastern side of Eagle St. to find Reese and Pinkie Pie dueling. From the west, Alex, Tom, Claude, Twilight, Rainbow Dash, and Applejack walked east down Jackson to see the large group of people. Rainbow Dash flew up to see who it was.
“It’s Reese and Pinkie Pie,” she called. Everyone ran to the amphitheater to gather around their duel. Upon finding Rarity and Emma, they stood alongside them.
“Woohoo!” cheered Pinkie Pie. “Now the gang’s all here!” She pointed at Fluttershy, Sarah, and her friends who watched from the other side which was far less crowded.
“And then after this, we get lunch?” asked Reese.
“Sound’s like a plan, Stan!” said Pinkie Pie.
Pinkie Pie uses a flip effect reliant deck, thought Reese with a sly calculated smile. With Obsidian Imp’s effect, I can lock-down any of her monsters’ effects, so it would be imperative that I summon Obsidian Imp as fast as possible.
Reese and Pinkie Pie drew five cards from their decks.
And this just might do it.
“DUEL!” they both shouted.
Reese vs. Pinkie Pie
Reese’s Turn: Reese activates Graceful Charity, drawing three cards and discarding two. Reese then special summons Supersonic Skull Flame by removing a Skull Flame in his graveyard from play (ATK: 2600 DEF: 2000). Once per turn, Reese can inflict 400 points of damage for each Burning Skull Head in his graveyard. He has one.
Pinkie Pie’s Life Points: 4000 -> 3600
Reese normal summons a Burning Skull Head (ATK: 1000 DEF: 800). With Burning Skull Head’s effect, Reese can banish it on his field to add Skull Flame from the banished zone to the graveyard.
Reese places two cards face down and ends his turn.
Status: Hand-2 Life-4000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
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Despite a setback on her first turn, Pinkie Pie rolled on the ground laughing hysterically.
“Oh Reese,” he continued to giggle. “I can’t believe you inflicted damage on me on the first turn. You’re so awesome!”
Reese’s face continued to be stoic.
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Pinkie Pie’s Turn: Pinkie Pie activates Worm Call, allowing her to special summon a Reptile-type Worm monster from her hand in face down defense position when her opponent controls a monster. Pinkie Pie sets one monster.
Pinkie Pie places one card face down and ends her turn.
Status: Hand-2 Life-3600 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1
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That’s it, thought Reese, that’s what I want.
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Reese’s Turn: Reese summons Goblin Zombie (ATK: 1100 DEF: 1050). Reese then activates the effect of Supersonic Skull Flame, inflicting 400 points of damage for each Burning Skull Head in his graveyard (1).
Pinkie Pie’s Life Points: 3600 -> 3200
Next, he activates Thunder Crashes destroying all monsters he controls and inflicting 300 points of damage for each monster destroyed that way (2 x 300 = 600).
Pinkie Pie’s Life Points: 3200 -> 2600
When Goblin Zombie is sent from the field to the graveyard, Reese can add a Zombie-type monster with 1200 or less DEF from his deck to his hand. When Supersonic Skull Flame is sent from the field to the graveyard, Reese can special summon Skull Flame from his graveyard (ATK: 2600 DEF: 2000). Reese then activates his face down A Deal with Dark Ruler, special summoning Berserk Dragon from his deck when a level 8 or higher monster of his was sent from the field to the graveyard (ATK: 3500 DEF: 0). Reese overlays Berserk Dragon and Skull Flame to xyz summon Obsidian Imp (ATK: 2800 DEF: 2500).
Reese attacks one of Pinkie Pie’s face down monsters with Obsidian Imp, which is a Worm Noble (ATK: 1500 DEF: 2400). Pinkie Pie tries to activate its flip effect, but Reese activates Obsidian Imp’s effect. By detaching one xyz material from it when he attacks a monster, he can negate its effect and reduce its ATK by 800 (ATK: 1500 -> 700). The attack goes through.
Reese places one card face down and ends his turn.
Status: Hand-1 Life-4000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
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Pinkie continued to lose more life points, but it didn’t stop the giddy mare from laughing.
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Pinkie Pie’s Turn: Pinkie Pie activates Monster Reborn, special summoning Burning Skull Head from Reese’s graveyard. Next, Pinkie Pie flip summons Worm Jetelikpse (ATK: 1200 DEF: 0). Pinkie Pie overlays Burning Skull Head and Worm Jetelikpse to xyz summon Temptempo the Percussion Dijinn (ATK: 1700 DEF: 1000).
Pinkie Pie activates Temptempo the Percussion Dijinn’s effect. By detaching one xyz material from it, she can detach an xyz material from an xyz monster that the opponent controls and increase the ATK of all Dijinn xyz monsters by 500 (ATK: 1700 -> 2200). Pinkie Pie then equips Temptempo the Percussion Dijinn with Horn of the Unicorn, increasing its ATK and DEF by 700 (ATK: 2200 -> 2900, DEF: 1000 -> 1700).
Pinkie Pie attacks Obsidian Imp with Temptempo the Percussion Dijinn.
Reese’s Life Points: 4000 -> 3900
Pinkie Pie sets one monster.
Pinkie Pie ends her turn.
Status: Hand-0 Life-2600 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1
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“You think that’s all its going to take to defeat my monster?” asked Reese. “Perhaps you need another lesson on my strength.”
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Reese’s Turn: Reese activates Xyz Reborn, special summoning Obsidian Imp from his graveyard and attaching Xyz Reborn as xyz material to it. Reese summons Skull Conductor (ATK: 2000 DEF: 0). Reese then equips Obsidian Imp with Sword of Dark Rights, increasing its ATK by 400 (ATK: 2800 -> 3200).
Reese attacks Temptempo the Percussion Dijinn with Obsidian Imp, but Pinkie Pie activates Shift, switching the target to her face down monster, which is a Morphing Jar (ATK: 700 DEF: 600). When Morphing Jar is flip summoned, both players discard their hand and draw five cards. At the end of the battle phase, if Skull Conductor is face up, it is destroyed.
Reese places one card face down and ends his turn.
Status: Hand-4 Life-3900 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
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Pinkie Pie’s Turn: Pinkie Pie activates Temptempo the Percussion Dijinn’s effect, detaching an xyz material to detach an xyz material from an opponent’s xyz monster and have all Dijinn xyz monsters gain 500 ATK (ATK: 2900 -> 3400).
Pinkie Pie attacks Obsidian Imp, but Reese activates Battle Break, destroying the attacking monster and ending the battle phase.
Pinkie Pie activates Worm Call’s effect, special summoning a Reptile-type Worm monster from her hand in face down defense position. Pinkie Pie then sets a monster.
Pinkie Pie places two cards face down and ends her turn.
Status: Hand-2 Life-2600 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-2
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“Now I’ve got you,” said Reese.
“Nope,” quipped Pinkie Pie. “Now, I got YOU.”
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Reese’s Turn: Pinkie Pie activates W Nebula Meteorite, flipping all face down monsters into face up defense position, flipping up Worm Victory (ATK: 0 DEF: 2500) and Worm Apocalypse (ATK: 300 DEF: 200). When Worm Victory is flip summoned, all monsters except Reptile-type Worm monsters are destroyed. When Worm Apocalypse is flip summoned, Pinkie Pie can destroy one spell or trap on the field choosing Reese’s face down card. Worm Victory gains 500 ATK for each Worm monster in the graveyard (2 x 500 = 1000, ATK: 0 -> 1000).
Reese activates Reload, adding his hand to his deck, shuffling it, and drawing cards equal to the number of cards he added to his hand. Reese then activates Pot of Greed, drawing two cards. Reese activates Mystical Space Typhoon, destroying one spell or trap card on the field, choosing Pinkie Pie’s face down card. Next, he summons Pyramid Turtle (ATK: 1200 DEF: 1400).
Reese attacks Worm Apocalypse with Pyramid Turtle (ATK: 1000 -> 1500).
During the end phase of the turn when Pinkie Pie activated W Nebula Meteor, Pinkie Pie flips each LIGHT Reptile-type monster that she controls face down, draws a card for each monster flipped face down, and special summon a level 7 or higher LIGHT Reptile monster from her deck, choosing Worm King (ATK: 2700 DEF: 1100).
Reese places two cards face down and ends his turn.
Status: Hand-1 Life-3900 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
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What just happened? thought Reese. One moment I’m controlling the duel, and in the blink of an eye and she’s wiping my field away. No. I have to stay strong. If this setup of mine goes without a hitch, I can make a comeback.
“Ready for my double surprise?” asked Pinkie Pie.
Oh, what now?
***************************************************
Pinkie Pie’s Turn: Pinkie Pie summons Worm Tentacles (ATK: 1700 DEF: 700). Pinkie Pie flip summons Worm Victory, destroying all monsters except Worm monsters. Pinkie Pie then activates Worm King’s effect. By tributing a Reptile-type Worm monster, choosing Worm Victory, Pinkie Pie can destroy one card that Reese controls, choosing one of his face down cards. Pinkie Pie also activates Worm Tentacles’ effect, banishing a Worm monster from her graveyard to have Worm Tentacles attack twice.
Pinkie Pie attacks Reese directly with Worm Tentacles.
Reese’s Life Points: 3900 -> 2200
Pinkie Pie attacks Reese directly again with Worm Tentacles.
Reese’s Life Points: 2200 -> 500
Pinkie Pie attacks Reese directly with Worm King, but Reese activates Card Defense, discarding one card in his hand to negate the attack, and then he draws one card.
Pinkie Pie ends her turn.
Status: Hand-3 Life-2600 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-0
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Pinkie laughed even harder at the prospect that she was not only winning, but she was beating one of the top duelists in the city.
Now, thought Reese, I just need the right card to take out her king, and then it will be checkmate, figuratively and literally.
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Reese’s Turn: Reese activates his Monster Reborn, special summoning Obsidian Imp from his graveyard. Reese attacks Worm King with Obsidian Imp.
Pinkie Pie’s Life Points: 2600 -> 2500
Reese places one card face down and ends his turn.
Status: Hand-0 Life-500 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
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“Come at me Pinkie,” whispered Reese.
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Pinkie Pie’s Turn: Pinkie Pie activates Double Spell, discarding a spell card in her hand to activate a spell card from her opponent’s graveyard, choosing Reload. Pinkie adds her hand to her deck, shuffles it, and draws cards equal to the amount added to her deck. Pinkie Pie then activates Riryoku, halving the ATK of one monster on the field and increasing another monster’s ATK by the amount halved, halving Obsidian Imp’s ATK to increase Worm Tentacles’ ATK (ATK: 2800 -> 1400) (ATK: 1700 -> 3100).
Pinkie Pie attacks Obsidian Imp with Worm Tentacles, but Reese activates Bye Bye Damage, preventing Obsidian Imp from destruction and inflicting twice the battle damage that he will receive onto his opponent.
Reese’s Life Points: 500 -> 0
Pinkie Pie’s Life Points: 2500 -> 0
The duel ends in a draw.
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People were shocked by what happened. Reese Miller just drew to a pink pony with a frizzled pink mane. Reese was initially upset by the “loss,” but then she saw Pinkie laughing as usual. Having gotten used to it at this point he finally started to grasp the message in Pinkie’s song. He also laid on his back and began laughing. For once in his life, he felt joy in the duel itself and not just the outcome. Despite the tension that he had, it was all released upon Pinkie’s characteristic laugh.
“You’re right Pinkie,” he admitted. “That was fun.”
“Such big talk for a loser such as yourself,” called a voice from the north.
Everyone, including and especially Reese, turned around to see the source of the insult. Standing there was a slender young man in his late teens early twenties. He wore an open blue trench coat with a black collared shirt, black pants, and black boots. His hair was in a red faux-hawk. Reese could tell by his familiarly sinister smile who this was, causing him to bare his teeth.
“Kyle.”
“Reese.”