The Stardust Phantom

by CosmicAlchemist24


Enter Obsidian.

Location:Junior Flight Academy

“I bet I can eat more than you!” Rainbow said challenging Cloudchaser to a eating contest.

“You’re on Skittles.” Cloudchaser said. The two pegasi both began eating their Hayburgers while Artemis, Fluttershy and Flitter watched.

“If anyone asks, me and her are not related.” Flitter said shaking her head at her sister.

“As long as you all say I don’t know her.” Artemis said looking away. Fluttershy didn’t comment, but she was also disgusted by the sight of Cloudchaser and Rainbow’s contest.

“You guys are such wimps.” Cloudchaser said before putting another burger in her mouth.

“Seriously, this is a time for fun.” Rainbow said.

“If this is what you both call fun then I think I would have been better off going back to the room and studying.” Artemis said. Flitter and Fluttershy both giggled at Artemis’s comment while Cloudchaser and Rainbow glared at him.

“You know I'm starting to regret him coming along.”Rainbow said crossing her hooves. Artemis shrugged and stood up.

“Well if that's how you feel then-” Artemis’s sentence was cut short when he felt a hoof on his. He turned to see it was Fluttershy's and she was smiling at him.

“She's kidding Artemis.” She said in a soft tone. Artemis couldn't help but blush at Fluttershy's beautiful smile.

“Uh...yea I know.” He said looking away from his crush. Cloudchaser and Flitter both giggled at their friends blush while Rainbow raised an eyebrow at him.

“You ok pal, you look like you have a fever?” Rainbow asked. Artemis’s face lit up after that comment.

“Oh he’s fine, don’t worry about him.” Flitter said snickering.

“Yea, don’t worry about me. I’m going to go order another milkshake, be right back.” He said before walking away.

“Hurry back.” Fluttershy said still smiling at him.

“I will.” He said.

“You sure warmed up to him rather quickly, you don't normally do that.” Rainbow said looking at her friend with a raised eyebrow. Fluttershy shrunk down a bit and hid behind her hair.

“Don’t worry about it Rainbow, Artemis just has that effect on ponies.” Cloudchaser said.

“If you say so.” Rainbow said taking another bite out of her burger. Flitter giggled again and looked to Fluttershy.

“So what do you think of our pal, like Rainbow said you seem to have warmed up to him pretty quick.” She said smiling at the timid pegasus. Fluttershy stayed behind her hair,b t answered.

“I think he’s really nice, he’s also very funny when he wants to be.” Fluttershy said with a small smile.

“That’s Artemis alright, just don’t interrupt him when he’s studying. He’ll go off on you if you do that.” Cloudchaser said with a chuckle.

“I’m guessing you know from experience, huh?” Rainbow asked.

“Oh big time!” Cloudchaser said with a big smile on her face.

“She loves messing with Artemis, it’s like her hobby.” Flitter said.

“Funny I do the same thing to Fluttershy, she’s so easy to embarrass.” Rainbow said with a chuckle. Fluttershy shrunk a bit more, but Flitter put a hoof on her back.

“It's ok Shy, no need to be embarrassed.” She said with a snicker. Right now Fluttershy prayed that Artemis hurried back so they could talk about something else.

“Yea, that’s wasn't gonna happen.”

With Artemis

“Sweet Luna, I feel like I can't breath.” Artemis said putting a hoof over his heart. He couldn’t believe it, he was wasn't just spending time with his pals, he was also spending time with his crush and Rainbow.

If this is a dream, I don't want to-” “AGH!” Artemis’s thought were cut short when he felt a tug at his neck. He looked to see that the Pendulum was glowing and spazzing out. “Hey what’s up with y- Whoa!” The Pendulum tugged on his neck once again and pointed to the Academy. Artemis was being pulled forward, but did his best to resist. “Come on, what’s the matter with you?” He asked only to have the pendulum tug on his neck even harder. “Ok ok, I’m going!” He said before walking in the direction the pendulum was pointing at. He then looked back to see The twins and Rainbow Dash enjoying themselves, he then looked to Fluttershy who was was looking slightly embarrassed.

“I’m sorry.” He then ran off. Once he was inside the academy, Artemis got a cold chill up his spine. “Ok, I’ve gone through this school many times and I’ve never felt this creeped out.” Artemis thought walking down the Academy hallway. He then looked to the pendulum which was pointing straight ahead. “I don’t like this.” Artemis said to himself. He continued walking until the pendulum lead him to the gym. Artemis looked around to see nothing, not a soul but his own. “Please don’t tell me I left my friends for not-”

RAWWWWWWR!

Artemis jumped a few feet in the air shaking like a leaf. “What is Luna’ name was-”

RAWWWWWWR!

Artemis covered and his ears and looked around for the source of the roar. After a few seconds, a flash of light blinded Artemis and once it died down he was face to face with a huge black dragon.

RAWWWWWWR!

THe dragon roared once again and the force of it cased Artemis to crash into a wall. “AGH!” he screamed in pain.  Artemis slowly opened his eyes and looked at the dragon in front of him.

“Is this the dragon I saw in my dreams?” He asked himself. He kept looking at the dragon and realized that… “No it’s not, the dragon in my dream, this one has red eyes.” He said trying his best to stand back up. The black dragon began to slowly walk towards Artemis causing him to back into the wall. “I’m going to die her, aren’t I?” Artemis thought closing his eyes.

“Easy there red-eyes, no need to kill the boy…..well not yet.” Artemis opened his eyes and saw that the black dragon was starting to disappear and as it did he could see a Unicorn stallion with a black coat, a white mane, and green eyes walking towards him. Artemis ad so many questions running through his head.

“Who...who are you, what do you want? Where did that dragon go?” Artemis asked frantically.

“Whoa calm down there kid, My name is Obsidian Shade and I’m here for that jewel around your neck,” Obsidian said pointing at the pendulum. Artemis stepped back a bit.

“Why?” He asked.

“How should I know, I was just told to take it from you?” Obsidian said shrugging his shoulders.

“By who?” Artemis asked.

“None of your business kid, now either hand over the jewel or we'll have to do this the hard way.” Obsidian said glaring at the young pegasus. Before Artemis could say anything else, The pendulum began to glow again and he heard a familiar voice in his head.

You must not let him get the Pendulum.” Artemis knew it was Princess Luna and he unconsciously nodded.

“I won’t but how am I supposed to do that?” Artemis asked.

That’s easy young one.” JUst then, the pendulum began to glow brighter and without any warning the strange device he found on his dresser earlier this morning was now wrapped around his left hoof.

“Wait...how?”

With Cloudchaser and Flitter

“Where did they go, they were right here!” Cloudchaser said in a panicked tone. She was showing off Artemis’s cards to Rainbow and Fluttershy only to have them disappear in a bright flash of light.

“I told you not to mess with them.” Flitter said scolding her sister.

“It’s not my fault I swear, the just disappeared.” Cloudchaser said trying to defend herself.

“It’s true, they just evaporated into thin air.” Rainbow said. Fluttershy nodded trying to reassure Flitter who just sighed and began to think.

“I wonder if this has to do with what Artemis told us.” She said quietly, but loud enough for the other mares to hear her.

“What are you talking about Flit?” Rainbow asked in a confused tone.

“Does Artemis know something about this?” Fluttershy asked with concern in her voice. Cloudchaser and Flitter looked at one another and nodded.

“We need to go find Artemis, he might be in trouble. Cloudchaser said with determination in her voice.

“Then let’s go.” With that the two twins flew off to look for their friend leaving a very confused Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy.

“What the heck is going on?” Rainbow asked.

“I’m not sure, but they said Artemis could be in some kind of trouble.” Fluttershy said getting worried. Rainbow Dash saw this and ruffled her friends mane.

“Come on, we’re going with them.” She said with a small smile.

“Rainbow-” “Hey we may have just met him, but he seems like a cool guy and like I said before it looks like you warmed up to him pretty quick.” Rainbow said causing Fluttershy to blush. “Now let’s get moving.” Rainbow said before taking off after the twins. Fluttershy nodded and followed Rainbow.

I hope he’s ok.”

With Artemis...

Obsidian then stepped forward and smiled. “Alright, Hard way it is. The sooner I do this, the sooner I get paid.” Obsidian said as a levitated a similar device out of his saddlebag and placed it around his forearm. Artemis was even more confused now.

“Princess, he has one too. What are these things anyway?” He asked.

It's called a duel disk Artemis, he’s challenging you to a duel.” The princess said.

“A duel, but I can’t fight.” Artemis thought in a panic.

You won't have too, I will guide you through this duel Artemis, do you trust me?” Luna asked. Artemis thought about this for a moment.

“Yes, I do,” Artemis said with a nod.

Good.” The Lunar princess said.

“Nice Duel disk kid, shall we begin?” Obsidian said drawing 5 cards.

“Bring it!” Artemis said as five cards covered in a blue light floated in front of him.

DUEL!

Artemis:4000 Hand:5
Obsidian:4000 Hand:5

“I’ll start things off, I’ll place a monster facedown in defense mode and then I’ll place one card face down to end my turn.” Just then, two cards appeared on the field, one face down sideways and the other one was behind it in a normal position.

“Whoa, so the card are projected onto the field once we place them onto the Duel disk.” Artemis said to himself.

That’s right, but right now is not the time to be impressed. It’s your turn.” Luna said getting the young pegasus’s head back into the game. “

Um right...what do I do now?” He asked. Just then another card was drawn from the deck.

It’s time for you to fight, looked at the cards you have.” Luna said in a serious tone. Artemis did what he was told and looked at his cards.

Artemis:4000 Hand:6
Obsidian:4000 Hand:3

Let’s see Astromancy Magician, Whip Viper, Silver Claw, Last Minute Cancel, Monster Reborn and Hippo Carnival. These cards still look weird.’ He thought.

Yes, but they're going to help you. Now summon Whip Viper in attack mode, that means putting it on the disk Vertical Position.” Luna explained. Artemis nodded and took the card into this hoof.

“I summon Entermate Whip Viper in attack mode!” Artemis said putting a card duel disk. Soon a purple snake with a black top hat and a yellow bowtie appeared in front of Artemis.

Entermate Whip Viper: ATK:1700/DEF:900 LVL:4

“Wow, cool.” Artemis said impressed. “Now what?” He asked the princess.

Tell him to attack his face-down monster.” Luna said.

“Got it! Whip Viper, attack this face-down monster!” Artemis commanded. The purple snake lunged at Obsidian’s face- down before sinking his teeth into it. The card disappeared and was quickly replaced by a what looked like a green dragon holding a sword and shield before leaving the field completely. “Was that a dragon?” Artemis asked in confusion.

“Yes it was, that was my troop dragon and he’s got one heck of a special ability. You see, whenever troop dragon is destroyed I’m allowed to summon another troop dragon from the deck.” Obsidian explained before taking summoning another Troop dragon in attack mode.

Troop Dragon: ATK:700/DEF:800 LVL:2

“I’m guessing that’s why he has ‘troop’ in his name, huh?” Artemis asked the Earth pony.

“That’s right.” He said with a smile. Artemis narrowed his eyes and took a deep breath.

“What now?” He asked the moon princess.

Place Last Minute Call face-down and end your turn.” Luna said.

“Right! I place La-” “DON’T SAY THE NAME OF HE CARD!” Luna shouted causing Artemis to flinch.

“Ok, ok! I place one card face-down and end my turn.” Artemis said not wanting to make Luna mad. Obsidian looked at the young colt with a confused look on his face.

“What’s wrong with you kid, why are you talking to yourself?” He asked. Artemis then realized that hwe was the only one who could hear Princess Luna.

“No reason, isn’t it your turn?” Artemis asked.

“Whatever, I draw.”

Artemis:4000 Hand:4
Obsidian:4000 Hand:4

Obsidian looked at the card and smiled.

“I play my face down, ‘Call of the Haunted’!” The card on the field flipped up and showed a picture of a graveyard with pink smoke coming from the ground.

“Call of the Haunted?” Artrems asked taking a stepped back.

“That’s right and here’s how it works. It allows me to bring back one monster from my graveyard that was destroyed.” Obsidian explained. Artemis knew were this was going.

“So you’re going to bring back your other troop Dragon, am I right?” Artemis asked.

“Hey you’re learning, that’s good. Come on back Troop Dragon!” Obsidian said as his first troop dragon returned to the field.

“Now it’s time for the fun to start, I sacrifice my two Troop Dragons to summon a good friend of mine and I’m sure you’re pretty familiar with him as well.” Obsidian said as the two Troop dragons disappeared from the field and the card he was holding was now covered in a black Aura.

Be careful young one, he about to summon a powerful monster!” Luna said in a worried tone. Artemis heard this and he began to sweat.

“This is not good.” He said to himself. Obsidian then raised the card in the air.

From the depths of darkness, I call forth the black dragon with blood red eyes!” He then placed the card onto his Duel disk. After a few seconds, the entire room the soon covered in a black fog causing Artmes to get a shiver up his spine.

“P..p..princess…” He stuttered.

“I feel it to, stay strong.” Luna said trying to comfort the young pegasus.

“Come forth, Red-Eyes Black Dragon!” Obsidian said with a dark smile on his face. Just then, a pair of glowing red eyes cold be seen through the black fog and soon the huge dragon Artemis saw earlier emerged from the fog. “Say hello Red-eyes.” Obsidian said.

RAWWWWWWR!

Artemis covered his ears as the dragon roared. “Well I lived a full life.” He thought to himself.

No you didn't, you didn't tell that Fluttershy girl you liked her.” Luna said in a calm tone. Artemis’s eyes widened.

“How did you-” “I know many things young one, now calm down and focus. This duel just got a whole lot more dangerous.”