As Spike's his eyes flutter open, he felt his body ache. He let out a slow moan as he tried to pick himself up.
"Oh no you don't."
He looked up to see Rarity looking down at him as she held him in her arms.
"You're still in no condition to stand up," she told him.
"I'm good here," Spike said as he looked around and saw Rainbow, Applejack and Mac. "Looks like I missed a bit while I was out."
"Just us kicking some serious butt," Rainbow said as she pounded her fist into her palm.
"And getting our own butts kicked a little in return," Applejack said as she pointed to her brother.
"Eeyup," Mac replied.
"So you all won?" Spike asked, "and then left the tower?"
"They didn't have much of a choice," Thorax told him, "but we gotta hope that Flash, Twilight and Sunset can get up to the higher tower."
Suddenly their Duel Disks all activated once again, showing images of Twilight and Adagio.
"Twilight," Spike said as he sat up.
"Relax," Rarity told him.
"Where's Flash and Sunset?" Scootaloo asked.
"There," Applebloom said as she pointed to a spot right behind Twilight, "looks like their trapped."
"Then Twilight needs to get them un-trapped," Rainbow said.
"No problem," Sweetie said, "Twilight's beaten her before."
"I don't think it'll be that simple," Rarity said, "if the last few Duels have taught us anything, then Adagio will have likely stepped up her game."
"Then Twilight needs to be careful," Applejack said.
"Come on Twilight," Shining said as he and Cadance watched the Duel unfold.
"She'll be fine," Cadance assured him, "this is Twilight after all."
Shining nodded, but still looked uneasy.
"Sir," one of the Scientists said, "the Tower's power level has just passed sixty five percent."
"Their running out of time," Shining said.
Inside the Crystal Tower, Twilight and Adagio were staring each other down.
"I'll take the first move," Twilight said as she drew her card, "I'll start by setting the Pendulum Scale, with scale two Magi-Beast Midnight Owl and scale six Magi-Beast Mystic Owl!" The columns of light appeared on either side of her, as the two monsters flew up and into them. "Now watch as I cut through space time and carve the arc of victory," Twilight spoke as the portal opened above her, "I PENDULUM SUMMON!"
The portal opened and two lights shot out and hit the ground, taking form as they did.
"Striker Magician!" (A1200/D1100/L3)
"Terra Charmer!" (A1200/D1800/L4)
"Twilight's not holding back," Sunset said.
"She wants to end this quick," Flash replied, "before Adagio has a chance to summon her Siren monsters."
"But summoning such a high powered monster," Sunset said, "it's dangerous unless she has a way to counteract Adagio's monster ability."
"We'll just have to wait and see," Flash said.
"And now," Twilight called out, "I'll tune my Level four Terra Charmer with my Level three Striker Magician!" Her Tuner glowed before transforming into four balls of light, which each circled around creating three rings which Striker Magician jumped into. "When two mighty magicians unite their magical power an amazing event will occur." Her monsters disappeared in a burst of light, "I SYNCHRO SUMMON."
The light faded, revealing one of Twilight's best monsters. "Twilight Sorcerer!” (A2100/D2800/L7)
Adagio seemed unwavered by the sight of this monster.
"Since Striker Magician was used as a Synchro Materiel," Twilight said, "his ability deals you damage equal to half Terra Charmer's ATK points."
The spectral form of Terra Charmer appeared, before slamming Adagio with his staff though she appeared unphased by the attack."
Twilight: 4000
Adagio: 3400
"Next I activate my Sorcerer's ability," Twilight said as he deck began to shuffle and then slotted out a card for her to take. Twilight looked at it and nodded. "I place one card face down and end my turn."
"My turn," Adagio spoke as she reached for her deck, "I draw and I set the Pendulum Scale with scale two Alluring Harmonious and scale eight Alluring Choir!" The columns of light appeared on either side of her, as two new mermaid monsters appeared within them. One had a golden tail and hair, while the other's was silver. Once the two were high enough, the portal slowly began to open above Adagio's head. "I Pendulum Summon."
The portal opened and a pair of lights shot out and struck the ground, before taking form.
"Alluring Vocalist." (A1000/D1000/L3)
"Alluring Siren." (A0/0/L7)
The three teens grew tense seeing that card on Adagio's field. Hopefully she didn't have the other card needed.
"Next," Adagio said, "I activate the Dark Melody Ritual." Suddenly a tornado of murky water shot out of the ground, surrounding the two monsters.
Twilight and her friends all growled seeing this, knowing which monster was coming next.
"With Alluring Siren now in my graveyard, " Adagio said, "I may now summon its more powerful form." The jewel around Adagio's neck glowed along with her eyes, before the tornado exploded. "I Ritual Summon."
The last of the water disappeared, revealing Adagio's monster. "Dark Siren." (A1000/D1000/L8)
The slimy seahorse monster looked down at Twilight and her Spellcaster, releasing a low growl which sent a chill down her spin.
"I activate Dark Siren's special ability," Adagio said as her monster unleashed sludgy black tendrils from its stomach. "I will absorb your monster and makes its power my own."
"Not this time you won't." Twilight said, "because I activate my face down Trap Card." The card flipped, revealing a Trap Twilight had never used before. "Magical Pocket Dimension! This card works by banishing my Twilight Sorcerer," a portal opened up above Twilight's monster and then sucked it inside. "Next, I can search my deck and summon a Spellcaster whose Level is less then Twilight Sorcerer's." Her deck deck shuffled, before slotting out a card for Twilight to take. "I summon Mystic Mage to my field." The old wizard appeared on the field. (A400/D600/L2)
"Alright Twilight!" Flash said.
"Since Dark Siren can only use its effect once a turn," Sunset continued, "Adagio can't use it to take Mystic Mage."
"I attack," Adagio said as he monster's mouth opened and unleashed a powerful torrent of water, which struck Mystic Mage and destroyed it.
Twilight screamed as her body suddenly felt like it had been hit by a bus...or a powerful burst of water.
Twilight: 3400
Adagio: 3400
"Twilight?" Flash called out seeing her flinch and clutched her stomach, "are you alright?"
"I'm fine," Twilight replied, "but I think...I think I just felt the pain my monster felt."
Flash and Sunset shared a concerned glance. "This could be bad," Sunset said.
"You don't have to do this Twilight," Flash told her.
"I'm fine," Twilight said as she straightened herself out and reached for her deck. "When Mystic Mage is destroyed by battle, I can add a Spell card from my deck to my hand." Her deck slotted out a card, which she took and added to her hand.
"I place one card face down and end my turn," Adagio said as she did so.
"Then it's my turn," Twilight said as she drew her card and smiled. "Since its my Standby Phase, Magical Pocket Dimension returns my Twilight Sorcerer to the field." The portal reappeared on the field and from out of it came Twilight's Synchro Monster. "I activate my Sorcerer's effect," Twilight said as she took another card out of her deck, before placing the card Mystic Mage gave her last turn. "Now I'll activate Spellbook of Rebirth, which lets me revive Mystic Mage to my field." The old man reappeared and stood next to Twilight Sorcerer.
"I think I know where this is going," Flash said.
"I summon the Tuner Monster Royal Charmer," Twilight said. (A100/D100/L1)
"That's just what she needed," Sunset said.
"I now tune Level one Royal Charmer with Level two Mystic Mage," Twilight called out as the robe clothed wizard waved his wand and transformed into a ball of light. It then carved a ring that Mystic Mage leapt into. "Now watch," Twilight said, "as both power and magic surge towards each other and collide to create pure might." The two disappeared in a burst of radiant light. "I SYNCHRO SUMMON!"
The light faded, revealing the Synchro Tuner that had helped Twilight defeat Adagio last time. "Celestial Charmer!" (A1200/D600/L3)
"Since Celestial Charmer was Synchro Summoned," Twilight explained, "I can draw a card and if its a Spell card then your monster will lose five hundred ATK points." Twilight drew a card, before revealing it as Twilight Unicorn.
"Dang," Flash said.
"It's alright," Sunset said, "Twilight's monster still outmatches Adagio's. Especially after what's about to happen."
"And now," Twilight said, "Level three Synchro Tuner Celestial Charmer tunes with Level seven Twilight Sorcerer!" Celestia Charmer waved its staff before transforming into three rings of light, which flew up into towards the unseen roof. Once there, Twilight Sorcerer flew up towards them. "Ancient power of the heavens, let your might flow through me, so I may carry out your work." As Twilight Sorcerer flew through the rings, they exploded into light which covered the Spellcaster before the light formed a cocoon around him. "GO ACCEL SYNCHRO!"
The light cocoon disappeared from around Twilight's monster, revealing her most powerful monster. "Celestial Body Magician!" (A3500/D3000/L10)
"Now I activate Celestial Body Magician's ability," Twilight called out as she drew the top five cards of her deck, seeing two Spellbooks amongst them. "That means my monster can attack twice this turn," she said, "GO!" Her monster created a pair magic books, which it fired at Dark Siren.
"I activate my face down," Adagio said, causing her card to flip up revealing a Trap. "Destruction Guard, this card negates an attack on a monster on my field once." A shield appeared around Dark Siren, causing the first book to bounce off.
"Maybe one attack was negated," Twilight said, "but I've got a second one coming." The second book made its way towards the seahorse monster.
Adagio kicked into action, jumping up onto one of the nearby platforms and swiping an Action Card from the crystals. "I play the Spell card Miracle." Another shield appeared around Dark Siren, deflecting the book though Adagio and the monster still felt the pain.
Twilight: 3400
Adagio: 2150
Twilight sighed. "I end my turn."
"Dang it," Flash said, "Twilight could have ended it there with those attacks."
"It's not all bad," Sunset told him, "with Celestial Body Magician's ability, at least Adagio won't be able to take him."
"My turn," Adagio said, "Thanks to Alluring Harmonious's Pendulum Effect, I draw two cards." She did so and looked at her what she'd got, before her eyes glowed bright red once again. First I summon Alluring Melodist." The purple fined mermaid appeared. (A1800/D1200/L4) "Now I activate the Spell card Rebirth Ritual!" Another black tornado appeared and engulfed Dark Siren, who disappeared from sight.
"What's going on?" Sunset asked, "I've never seen that card before."
"I have," Flash said, "but how did she get one?"
"Now my monster will be reborn once more," Adagio said, as the tornado exploded while unleashing a powerful light. "RITUAL EVOLUTION!"
The light faded, revealing a new monster in Dark Siren place.
It looked like Dark Siren, except it was twice the size and had three heads. "Ultimate Dark Siren!" (A3000/D3000/L10)
The three teens stared up in horror at the new monster.
"Rebirth Ritual increase my monsters's ATK points by a thousand for the turn," Adagio told them. (A4000/D3000/L10). "Next I activate my Ultimate Dark Siren's ability," she continued. Suddenly her new monster turned to Alluring Melodist, before unleashing a horde of black tendrils which wrapped around the mermaid and pulled her inside.
"She destroyed her own monster," Sunset said.
"And I get the feeling we won't like why," Flash replied.
"Now Ultimate Dark Siren's ATK points increase by that of Alluring Melodist," Adagio said. An image of Alluring Melodist's face appeared on the monsters body. (A5800/D3000/L10)
"Oh no," Twilight said.
"Ultimate Dark Siren attack," Adagio said as her monster prepared to attack.
"I activate Celestial Body Magician's ability," Twilight said, "to banish him and negate your attack."
"And I activate Ultimate Dark Siren's ability," Adagio replied as she removed Alluring Siren from her graveyard. "By banishing a copy of Alluring Siren from my graveyard, I can negate your monsters ability."
"No!" Twilight said.
Ultimate Dark Siren's three heads unleash a trio of water blasts, which all struck Celestial Body Magician and destroyed it. Twilight screamed as her body was bombarded by the pain, while the force of the attack sent her flying.
Twilight: 1100
Adagio: 2150
"TWILIGHT!" Flash and Sunset screamed as they watched her be sent flying into a nearby wall.
Everyone outside gasped seeing her hit the wall.
"This can't be happening," Fluttershy said.
"Twilight," Spike whispered, "get up."
They watched as Twilight slowly pushed herself back up.
"Are you okay?" Flash asked.
"I'm fine," Twilight said, though her sides were hurting quite a bit.
"I end my turn," Adagio said. Rebirth Ritual's effect wore off, but the points from Alluring Melodist remained. (A4800/D3000/L10)
"It's my turn," Twilight said, "I draw and once against I carve the arc of victory." The portal began to form above her. "I PENDULUM SUMMON!"
The portal opened and two lights shot out and struck the ground.
"Twilight Unicorn!" (A1800/D1300/L4/P7)
"Shadow Charmer!" (A1200/D700/L3)
"Hope this works," Flash said.
"Now!" Twilight cried, "I'll tune my Level three Shadow Charmer with Level four Twilight Unicorn!" Her Tuner leaped into the air and transformed into three spheres of lights, which carved three circles that Twilight Unicorn leapt into. "It's time to embrace the power given by those we call friends and ascend to a higher plain of life." A bright light occurred as the transformation took place. "I SYNCHRO SUMMON!"
The light faded, revealing Twilight's monster. "Twilight Alicorn!" (A2600/D1900/L7)
"Next I'm using Midnight Owl's Pendulum Ability," Twilight said, "to discard a card and then add a Spell card from my deck to my hand." Her deck slotted out a card, which she took and then activated. "Now I'll use Spellbook of Secrets, to add another Spellbook to my hand." Once again it happened and see took the card. "I activate the Spellbook of Master, to activate the effect of Spellbook of Rebirth." In a bright flash of light, Twilight Sorcerer appeared and stood next to Twilight Alicorn.
"Those monsters don't stand a chance against Adagio's monster," Sunset said.
"Don't be so sure," Flash said, "don't forget about Alicorn's ability."
"I remove three Spellbooks from my graveyard," Twilight said as she did so, "in order to switch your monster to DEF mode and cut its ATK points in half." Ultimate Dark Siren did so, as it power began to drop down. (A2400/D1500/L10)
"Now we're talking," Flash said.
"Do it Sorcerer," Twilight said as she jumped on her Alicorn's back. Her monster leapt into the air, before pointing his staff at Ultimate Dark Siren.
Adagio then leapt off her platform and onto another one, then another and then up to grab an Action Card. "I activate Swap Shift, which changes the ATK and DEF of my monster." Ultimate Dark Siren glowed, as its power began to change. (A1500/D2400/L10)
Magician pulled back from the attack, making Twilight glare at this. "Alicorn!" The winged unicorn's horn glowed.
Adagio leapt off the platform and onto another, picking up an Action Card and using it. "I activate Emergency Trap, to pay half my life points to activate a Trap in my graveyard."
Twilight: 1100
Adagio: 1075
"I activate Destruction Guard." A force field appeared around Ultimate Dark Siren, protecting it from the Alicorn's blast.
"I end my turn," Twilight said. Ultimate Dark Siren's points returned to normal. (A5800/D3000/L10)
"Don't lose heart," Flash told her, "you can do this just relax."
"But Adagio's monster is back to full power," Sunset told him.
"Doesn't mean she'll win," Flash said.
"It's my turn," Adagio said, "I draw and I'll switch Ultimate Dark Siren to ATK mode and summon Alluring Diva." (A1800/D1400/L4) "I activate Ultimate Dark Siren's ability." The evolved ritual monster unleashed its black tendrils and wrapped them around the mermaid, before pulling it inside and absorbing it. (A6600/D3000/L10)
"Oh no," Twilight said.
"Attack Twilight Alicorn," Adagio spoke as her monster aimed its attack at Twilight.
"TWILIGHT!" Flash screamed.
"GET OUT OF THERE!" Sunset cried.
Twilight turned Twilight Alicorn around and began flying around the chamber, as Ultimate Dark Siren unleashed its three blasts. As it followed her, Twilight looked around trying to find an Action Card but none were around. Then finally, at the very top of the chamber, see saw one wedged between the crystal walls.
Twilight glanced back to see the attack drawing closer, before she stood up on Alicorn's back and then leapt off it to reach the card. Time seemed to slow down as she and the attack drew closer to what they were aiming for. Finally Twilight managed to grab the card, seconds before the blast hit Alicorn and caused an explosion.
"TWILIGHT!" Flash, Sunset and all their friends watching screamed seeing the explosion.
Adagio waited patiently for the smoke to clear to see if she'd won, but she didn't have to. Shooting out of the smoke, once again riding her Alicorn, was Twilight. She was a little roughed up from the force of the explosion, but all in all she was fine.
Twilight: 550
Adagio: 1075
"What is happening?" Adagio asked.
"I got the Action Card Mirror Action," Twilight explained. "By paying half my life points, I got to activate the effect of an Action Card that was already used. I used your Evasion, allowing my monster to dodge your attack."
Everyone sighed in relief, unable to believe how lucky she was to get that card in time.
"I end my turn," Adagio said, "you cannot win. No monster in your deck will allow you to defeat my monster."
"That might be true," Twilight said as she jumped onto a platform the same height as Adagio, "but I won't give up. I can't, because I have people looking to me to win. My friends, my family, their all in danger and the only way to save them is to defeat you."
Everyone smiled hearing Twilight's sure determination.
"And there's someone else that needs me," Twilight said, "you."
Adagio's face became on of confusion, indicating she didn't understand.
"You're in this situation because you lost to me," Twilight said, "I'm not sorry I beat you, but I'll do everything in my power to help you. In order to do that...I HAVE TO WIN!"
Then it happened.
Twilight suddenly began to glow, surprising her as she looked down at herself. "What's going on?" She asked. Then another glow appeared, making her look up to see Twilight Alicorn and Sorcerer were both glowing. "Guys?"
"What's happening?" Sunset asked.
"I don't know," Flash replied, but in that second he started glowing as well. "Seriously," he said looking down at himself, but then he remembered this happening both during his Duel with Shadow. "I wonder," he said as he closed his eyes and placed his hands together, causing the light to flow into the space between them.
"What are you doing?" Sunset asked.
"I think a new monster is being born," Flash said as he opened his eyes, "and its using me to help it form." Suddenly the light took shape, becoming a blank monster card. He took it and turned to Twilight. "Twilight!" He yelled.
Twilight looked back from her monsters to him.
"Catch!" He screamed as he threw the card through the cage and up towards Twilight, who managed to catch it. As soon as she did, the light from her and her monsters flowed through it.
The card glowed as it absorbed the light, until finally it faded revealing a new monster. "Incredible," Twilight said, before turning back to Adagio. "I tribute Twilight Alicorn and Twilight Sorcerer!" Her two monsters shot into the air, before Twilight Sorcerer transformed into a stream of light which spread around Alicorn and encased it in a cocoon like form. "By tributing her and a Synchro Spellcaster Monster," Twilight explained, "Twilight Alicorn's true power is revealed!"
The cocoon broke open, revealing Twilight's newest monster. It looked like Twilight Alicorn, but its wing tips were now pink and dark purple. Its mane and tail were longer, with streaks of yellow now flowing through it. Its hooves were now pink, with yellow, purple and pink star patterns similar to the one on its flank on them. "Arise, Perfect Harmony Alicorn!" (A3500/D3000/L10)
Everyone stared up at Twilight's new monster, amazed my the radiant aura is seemed to give off.
Perfect Harmony Alicorn looked down at Adagio, as its horn suddenly glowed and it fired off a magic blast which struck her.
Adagio yelled as she was zapped, falling to her knees as she did so.
"Adagio!" Twilight called out. Then she saw it.
Adagio was clutching her head and moaning in pain. When she finally looked up, they all saw he eyes wen't blank anymore. "What's happening?" She asked.
"You're awake," Twilight said in joy.
"Twilight?" Adagio asked, before clutching her head once again and crying. When she stopped she opened her eyes and they were once again blank.
"No," Twilight said, "if being on the field did that, maybe if I beat her with Perfect Harmony Alicorn she'll be truly free."
"Then beat her already!" Sunset said.
"You got it," Twilight said, "first since Twilight Sorcerer was the one I tributed to summon her, Perfect Harmony Alicorn gains half his ATK points." (A4550/D3000/L10)
"That's not enough," Adagio told her.
"Hold your horses," Twilight said as she placed a card in her Duel Disk, "next I activate the Spellbook of Illusions, which creates four Spellbook Tokens on my field." In a flash of light, the four books appeared alongside Twilight's new monster. "Now attack!" Her monster flew into the air, as its horn began to glow.
"What are you doing?" Flash asked her, "your monster's not strong enough."
"Don't be so sure," Twilight said, "because when Perfect Harmony Alicorn attacks, it gain a thousand ATK points for each Spellcaster on my field and with four Spellbook Tokens, that's an extra four thousand ATK points!" The four Spellbooks began to glow, the light flying up into Perfect Harmony Alicorn and bathing her in its power. (A8550/D3000/L10)
Adagio's eyes went wide seeing this.
Perfect Harmony Alicorn unleashed its attack, firing a rainbow coloured blast which struck Ultimate Dark Siren and flew straight through it. The blast then struck Adagio, causing her to let out a loud scream as she was sent flying and the blast bathed her in its power.
Twilight: 550 (Winner)
Adagio: 0
Back at the Freeze Stadium, Aria and Sonata's eyes fluttered open as they regained contagiousness.
The two moaned as they sat themselves up and looked around.
"Where are we?" Sonata asked as she rubbed her eyes.
"I don't know," Aria said, "some kind of hospital."
"Hey," Sonata said as she looked around, "where's Adagio?"
As the monsters and Action Field disappeared, Twilight leapt down and ran over to where Adagio had landed.
The crystal cage around Flash and Sunset disappeared, allowing them to run over to where the two girls were.
"Adagio," Twilight said as she picked her up, "speak to me."
Adagio's eyes slowly opened, allowing her to look up at Twilight. "You saved me, after everything I've done?"
"I don't blame you," Twilight said, "you were doing it for your sisters."
"My sisters?" Adagio said before her eyes went wide, "where are they?"
"It's okay," Sunset told her, "their safe. They're under our care and are recovering."
Adagio smiled hearing this, but in that moment Adagio's body began to glow.
"What's happening?" Twilight said as she looked at her.
"I lost," Adagio said, "so I am no longer welcome in the Crystal Tower." She then looked up at Flash. "Sombra is waiting for you, at the top of the tower. You must defeat him or the Shadow Gate will open." In that moment, Adagio's body began to disappeared starting with her feet and moving up.
"Don't worry," Twilight said, "once we stop him, we'll reunite you with your sisters."
Adagio just smirked. "It doesn't work that way. Me and the other Shields know to much, there's no way Sombra would let us be free."
"What are you talking about?" Sunset asked.
Adagio just smiled as her torso vanished. "Tell my sisters I'm sorry and I hope they have a good life." With that, the last of her disappeared.
"NO!" Twilight screamed.
"If they weren't ejected from the tower," Sunset asked, "where are the other shields?"
Flash just stood there, shaking with anger. "SOMBRA!" He yelled at the top of his lungs, "how many more people do you have to hurt? How many more families do you have to tear apart in the name of your perfect future?" He turned to the stairs, which had opened after Adagio lost, and began walking towards them. "This ends now," he said.
Twilight and Sunset stood up and followed him. "We're with you," Twilight told him.
"Until the end," Sunset agreed.
Flash nodded, before turning back to the to stairs. "Then let's go save the world."