//------------------------------// // Arc 3: Riverwalk Tournament - Chapter 17: Warning // Story: Yu-Gi-Oh! Equus // by moviemaster8510 //------------------------------// Sunday, May 13, 2012 _________________________________________________________________________________________ Alex woke up that Sunday morning to a bright sunrise. His stirring in his bed caused Twilight to wake up. “What is it?” asked Twilight. “The sun,” responded Alex. “It’s really bright.” “You should see the sunrises that Princess Celestia used to do before, well, you know.” There was a hint of sadness to her voice. “I’m sorry things turned out this way,” replied Alex, comfortably petting her. “Don’t worry though. I’ll make sure Kyle doesn’t win this time. We’ll find a way to bring your world back to normal. I promise.” Twilight eased a reassuring smile. Now,” he whispered to himself, “what time is it?” “7:13. You think we should get up now?” “I don’t know. The tournament doesn’t start until 10:00, so we have some time. Plus, if Kyle’s going to be there, he’ll probably want to finish us off before the tournament actually starts. I want to fight him as little as possible, so it would be best if we arrived on time or perhaps slightly earlier.” “Sounds like a good plan.” “Still, we should take a shower before everyone else does.” “Sounds like a good plan.” Alex and Twilight hopped into the shower. Alex forgot his swimsuit, but he had grown comfortable enough around Twilight that he wouldn’t mind her seeing him naked and trust that she wouldn’t judge him. Alex and Twilight soon got out of the shower to be met by Tom and Rainbow Dash. “You get to wash the other ones this time,” said Alex, “k’, thanks, bye.” Tom groaned as he walked into the shower with the cyan pegasus. Alex decided to make himself and Twilight breakfast: a big bowl of oatmeal with sliced bananas and whole blueberries. By time they were both almost done, Carolyn walked downstairs in her pajamas to see them there. “Oh, I’m sorry,” said Carolyn, “I would have made you some eggs if you had waited.” “No need, Ms. Emmitt,” said Alex. “Plus, you’re almost out of eggs.” Carolyn checked the fridge to find there were only three left in the carton. “Oh. Alex, when you’re done with your breakfast, could you be a dear and pick up some more eggs?” Alex took a large final spoonful as he muffled, “Sure thing,” through his mouthful. Alex then ran to the garage with keys in hand and borrowed Carolyn’s van. The Dominick’s wasn’t very far away, so he opted to go there for his errand. He wanted to get in and out as quickly as possible, lest he might have a confrontation with Kyle, not knowing where he was currently residing. Upon finding the eggs, he picked up three dozen-sized cartons. As Alex walked away from the aisle, he found himself feeling unnaturally dizzy. Upon recognizing that this feeling wouldn’t subside, he knelt to the ground and placed the cartons on the floor. A couple of early shoppers watched as Alex finally passed out on the floor. _________________________________________________________________________________________ “Where… where am I?” asked Alex to the black void that he suddenly found himself in. “You are in a safe place,” said a soothing motherly voice. A bright light overtook the void, causing Alex to shield his eyes. Once the light became tolerable, Alex looked to see a white, jewled alicorn and a dark blue alicorn floating before him. “No,” muttered Alex. “You’re…” “Princess Celestia and Princess Luna,” greeted the white alicorn, “me being the former, of course.” “Why… why are you here.” “We have been watching you fight for the Stone of Equus cards, and thus, for Equestria. For that I am most thankful.” “Is that it?” asked Alex incredulously. “DOST THOU TAKE US FOR FOALS?” boomed Luna, forcing Alex to cover his ears. “OF COURSE THAT IS NOT-” “Thank you Luna,” interrupted Celestia. “No, that is not it. I’ve been watching you fight, more specifically, your fight with Kyle.” “About that, Princess, I-” Celestia put her hoof up as a gesture of silence. “I understand that you were not strong enough to defeat Kyle, but I assume that John has helped you well?” “He has, Princess.” “Please, call me Celestia.” “Celestia. Alright, so anyways what do you want with me?” “I want to let you know that it is imperative that you and your friends not let Kyle win that tournament. If he does, he will more than likely gain more Stones of Equus, and then there will be nothing that can stop the evil force that threaten both of our worlds' safety.” “What? What evil force?” “I’m not fully sure. Kyle is merely a pawn to his master’s, or as he likes to put it, his employer’s plan.” “What plan is this? Please don’t leave me in the dark here!” “I’m sorry,” apologized Luna. “We wish we could tell you more, but our knowledge is hazy at best. All we can tell you is that there is more at stake to today’s tournament than you might have previously thought.” "At least explain to me why exactly these people are hunting down the Stones of Equus! What makes them so special above the other cards that exist on my planet already?" "The Stones of Equus have very strong magic in each one of them," Celestia explained, "having been created by Starswirl the Bearded himself. The magic that was used to seal each creature into their respective stones was sealed in the stones as well. With enough of this magic, one could accomplish anything. If the Stones were to fall in the wrong hands, which I'm afraid some already have, there's no telling what they would use it for." "What about Twilight, or the others? Why didn't you tell them any of this?" "I did, Alex. The magic contained inside the Stones of Equus was too powerful to disclose to a species which I have only heard about mere days ago." "But you can trust me." "I know now. You and your friends are the only ones who are capable of making sure that the Stones stay safe." “I appreciate your warning, Celestia, but that doesn’t exactly boost my confidence.” “We shall support you,” said Celestia, floating towards Alex and nuzzling his cheek with her face. Alex couldn’t help but feel a sense of ease and comfort wash over him as her soft fur rubbed his face. He leaned into her cheek and stroked her neck on both sides with his hands. “Know that you aren’t alone. I have great faith in you Alex Yuwell, and so do your friends.” “Sister, we have little time,” beckoned Luna. “We have to prepare all of the towns.” “You’re right. I’m sorry.” Celestia pulled away from Alex, but continued to be close to him. “Right now, because this concerns both my world and yours, we are broadcasting the tournament live from all of the towns of and cities of Equestria. I’m sorry I have to cut you off like this, but you must prepare as well.” “I understand, Celestia.” “Good luck, Alex Yuwell. Know that all of Equestria has faith in you and your friends. Farewell.” Celestia touched her horn to Alex’s head. From it shot a brilliant white light, which engulfed Alex. _________________________________________________________________________________________ When the light subsided, Alex could see the supermarket's overhead lights above him him and people looking over to see if he was alright. Alex merely shook his head, and walked to the cashier with the eggs, feeling no embarrassment for his position. _________________________________________________________________________________________ Meanwhile in Equestria, thousands of pegasi worked as they brought massive mirrors to large venues in each of the towns in Equestria for their entire population to see, from the rural settings of Ponyville to the bigger and more urban cities of Canterlot. Ponyville and the rural towns had their mirror placed in their respective town squares. Canterlot and the other cities, including Cloudsdale, the pegasus city, had their mirrors placed in massive arenas for their ponies to see. Millions of ponies, spanning all of Equestria, were beckoned by the pegasi carrying the mirrors as they made their way to see the fate of their world lay before them that day. _________________________________________________________________________________________ Alex returned home later with the eggs. Everyone was downstairs at the table waiting. They didn’t look too happy about his absence. It was already 8:30. How much did time pass back there? thought Alex. “Hello,” said Carolyn angrily. “Where have you been? I’ve been worried sick.” Alex told them all about his meeting with Celestia, the true power of the Stones of Equus, and the warning she gave him. Not a single human mouth was shut. “Dude,” quietly said Tom, “are you serious?” “Yeah Tom,” Alex answered sarcastically, “because I purposefully stood around Dominick’s ignoring your phone calls and let you worry just so I could tell a cock and bull story when I finally got home.” “Come on there, sugar,” cooed Applejack, “it’s gonna be alright.” “No, it’s NOT going to be alright. I have the weight of both worlds on my shoulders, and I feel so scared.” “Alex,” peeped Twilight, “I’m not going to lie, I’m scared too, but I’m not going to let that keep me from saving my world.” “And mine,” said Tom. “The only thing you can do at this point is your best. For better or worse, we’re still friends, and we will be there until the very end.” Now it was Alex’s turn to be moved by Twilight’s encouragement. He shed a single tear as it rolled down his cheek and to the floor. “I will not be able to handle losing any one of you again.” “Then fight for us,” called Rainbow Dash bluntly. “If you want to fight for our lives, do so. Don’t be a little crybaby over it.” Alex was stunned by her choice of words. “Rainbow!” gasped Rarity, astounded by her apparent rudeness. “No,” said Alex, sounding much more composed. “She’s right. I can’t let my feelings kill me like that. I’m going to save my- no, our words, or I’m going to die trying!” Alex received a bunch of hugs from his pony friends. Tom and Sarah joined in too. Carolyn watched with tears in her eyes. Alex appreciated this support, but he looked deadly serious as he was continued to be embraced. _________________________________________________________________________________________ Upon the completion of the set up in Equestria, Princess Celestia’s head appeared on the mirrors placed all around Equestria. “My little ponies,” she began, “there is something that I have been keeping a secret for hundreds and hundreds of years.” She proceeded to tell the whole of Equestria the tale of the Stone of Equus cards, leaving many ponies surprised by this unknown legend. “Now, these creatures, called humans from the planet Earth, wield the Stones of Equus in an attempt to stop an evil that threatens to destroy both worlds, pony and human alike.” Ponies gasped and shivered in fear of this news. “I know this frightens you all,” she continued, “but we must not spend these moments in fear, but instead, we must continue to hope. Hope that these humans and their pony companions will save us from doom. If we continue to reach our prayers to these brave creatures, then we will live to see tomorrow!” The ponies cheered as the princess faded out, signaling the end of her speech. The scene on the mirrors changed to the Carillon Hill, which was covered in people in lawn chairs looking out over the bottom of the hill where a large platform was set for the duelists to battle on with a giant screen behind it to documents the action for the viewers at the top of the hill. _________________________________________________________________________________________ Carolyn rode all of the ponies plus Sarah in her van while Tom rode Alex to Rotary Hill on his dad’s motorcycle. They arrived at around 9:45 from the Centennial Beach parking lot, fifteen minutes before the tournament would begin. Carolyn and Sarah had brought their own lawn-chairs while Rarity, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie had blankets to lay or sit on. They finally arrived to the hill after crossing the wooden arched bridge. “Hey, Alex,” called a familiar voice. It was Reese, who was next to Emma and John. “It’s about time you two got here. Have you seen the crowd for this place?” “Reese,” said Alex, “as much as I’d love to talk about your love for attention, we have bigger problems right now.” “What do you mean?” asked Emma. Alex told them what Celestia and Luna had told him just as he did earlier with his family, resulting in similar responses from the three. “So either one of us beats Kyle,” said Reese, “or we're doomed.” “Don’t talk like that!” chirped Pinkie Pie, forcing a smile on Reese's face. “We're going to win, so keep your frowny upside downy!” Pinkie Pie sure did have a way in helping others see the positiveness in the bleakest of situations. “Well, we have ten minutes before we start this thing, so we might as well head on over and hope for the best.” Alex and his other finalist friends made their way to the front of the audience, where there was a set of eight chairs set up specifically for them. Before she could part ways with Alex and Tom, Carolyn hugged Alex tightly, Sarah joining in too. “I know you’ll both duel splendidly, but I just want you to know that I love you two very much, my sons,” she sobbed. Alex returned her embrace along with Tom. “Thanks Mom,” Alex mustered. Carolyn finally let go of Alex and Tom to let them continue on with the tournament. She, along with Sarah, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy sat as close as they could behind the finalists, despite still being about a hundred feet away. Alex looked to see him and his other six friends sitting in their seats. Kyle’s chair was empty. Where could he be? thought Alex.