Yugioh EQG: XX

by Banshee531


Turn 20: Marshall vs the Machine

The excitement builds as the Double X Tournament enters it's third day. As the Duellists filed out onto the field, Celestia and Luna stepped up onto the stage.

Celestia: Greeting Duel fans. I hope you're ready for another action packed day.

Luna: Nine spots now remain in the next round, and I'm sure we'll see most of them be earned today.

Down on the field, the Duellists were getting psyched up. "Okay guys!" Flash said. "Let's get out there and not lose a single match today."

"Yeah!" Spike agreed, "this is gonna be awesome."

"Don't get to overconfident," Sunburst told them. "A lot of these Duellists are just as good and just as determined as us. We'll need to be careful, especially with so many points now up for grabs." Flash and Spike gave him a look that screamed 'party pooper', but knew he was right.

"Alright," Twilight said to her team, "today I refuse to lose a match."

"That's the spirit," Sunset said.

"I'll try my best too," Fluttershy said. "We're only a few wins away from fifty points."

"Exactly," Twilight said. "If we're able to win two matches each, then that should give us enough points to get through." Sunset and Fluttershy both nodded, knowing this was their best chance to get to the next round. They couldn't let it slip through their fingers. Twilight meanwhile, glanced over to where Trixie and her team were standing. Remembering what the girl had told her yesterday, Twilight needed to be careful how she played if she ran into her.

"Awe yeah!" Rainbow said while punching her fist into her palm. "This is it. We're getting into the next round today. Nothing's gonna stop me from getting us there."

Soarin smiled at Rainbow's determination, while Gilda just smirked. "Yeah," she agreed, "this is gonna be good. Let's go after the Duellists that have the most points."

Soarin's smile increased. Something was different about Gilda today. She was more hyped then she had been in the last two days. Seems her Duel against Rainbow had really kicked her into high gear. He couldn't help but remember their Duel, and the way Rainbow had managed to win. But strangely, this made him frown.

Celestia: Alright everyone! It's time for the Double X's third day to begin!

Luna: Good luck and remember to give it your all!

With that, the ARC System activated and teleported everyone into the Duel Fields. Once their, the teams split up to find their opponents and it did not take long.

"DUEL!"

And so the matches began. In the Meadow Field, Sunburst was facing off against Shining Spoon and his Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon.

"I RITUAL SUMMON!" Sunburst cried as his monster was summoned. "Sunburst Ravager!" The fire demon appeared besides Blaze Wizard and Burn Blader. "I then equip Ravager with Blazing Aura, to increase his ATK by one thousand." The flaming veil appeared around him. (A3000/D1500/L6) "Attack!" Ravager leapt up into the air before slashing Dark Rebellion with its axe and destroying it.

Spoon: 2100
Sunburst: 2400

"Plus, Sunburst Ravager can attack once for every Fire monster on my field." His Ritual monster turned towards Shining Spoon and slashed him with his blazing claw.

Spoon: 0
Sunburst: 2400 (Winner)

Celestia: And Sunburst wins another match for his team.

Luna: Over in the Volcano Field, Gilda of team Wonderbolt is facing off against Rover of team Barking Bite.

On the field, Gilda currently had Zephyr Blitz, Harpie Dancer and a face down Defence Wind. She also had Harpie Crone and Harpie Child in her Pendulum Zone. Rover meanwhile, had Power Dog Husky and Power Dog Bulldog while having just summoned his Power Dog Cerberus.

"Rover's Power Dog Cerberus will now use his ability. Which destroys every monster on your field and deals you five hundred points for damage for each one." The elephant sized three headed dog unleashed a mighty howl that hit her monsters and destroyed them, while knocking Gilda back.

Gilda: 1200
Rover: 2400

"Rover ends his turn."

As Gilda picked herself up, she couldn't help but smile. "Oh yeah," she said while looking at the beast that had just destroyed her monster. "This is good."

"Bring it!" Rover said.

She drew her card and smiled as the portal opened up above her. "I PENDULUM SUMMON!" The portal opened before a pair of lights flew out and hit the ground, quickly fading to reveal her two monsters. "Cyber Harpie Lady and Harpie Lady Zephyr Blitz." (A1800/1300/L4) (A2800/D2400/R5/P4) "And since she was Pendulum Summoned, Zephyr Blitz's ability activates." She drew five cards, "now I can look at the top five cards of my deck and add any Level four or five Wind monsters to her as an Overlay Unit." She looked at the cards and took two of them out before placing them under her monster's card.

Rover looked up at Zephyr Blitz as a pair of lights appeared around her.

"Now I'll remove one of them, to use Zephyr Blitz's ability!" It's Overlay Unit flew into the monster's fan, which started spinning and unleashed a powerful cyclone that sucked Husky and Bulldog up. Once they were destroyed, Zephyr Blitz sucked their energy into her fans and powered up. (A4200/D2400/R5/P4) "Zephyr Blitz, teach that mutt to play dead!"

Zephyr Blitz flew forwards and cut Cerberus in half.

Gilda: 1200
Rover: 1400

"And whenever Zephyr Blitz destroys a monster, she deals five hundred points of damage to you for every Overlay Unit connected to her. The Xyz Monster's fan began to spin around before unleashing a tornado, that hit Rover and pushed him backwards.

Gilda: 1200
Rover: 900

"Cyber Harpie Lady!" Gilda's monster leapt into the air, "finish this!" The winged woman swung her whip and hit Rover in the chest.

Gilda: 1200 (Winner)
Rover: 0

"OH YEAH!" Gilda cheered as her monsters disappeared.

Celestia: And Ms Gilda has earned another victory for Team Wonderbolts.

Luna: This, long with the victory from her teammate Rainbow, puts them at the top of the points board and close to entering the next round.


Over in the Forest Zone, Soarin heard this and looked down at the points they had accumulated.

One more big win should put them through, but could they pull it off. "I've gotta find an opponent," he said while looking around. As he did, he couldn't help but frown as the memories of last night came back to him. Gilda and Rainbow had fought so hard, both managing to push the other passed their limits to unleash a new power. But what about him?

If it had been him Duelling them at the time, would he have been able to make them use Zephyr Blitz and Prism Bolt? Then there was all the other Duellists Rainbow knew, some of which were high ranking competitors. Duellists Rainbow had entered so she could face off against them. Duellists that pushed her passed her limits.

Could Soarin be classed as one of those Duellists?

A beeping sound made him look down to see an alert of his next opponent. "Well howdy partner." He spun around to see Applejack walk out from behind a tree. "Looks like you and me are gonna throw down."

"Applejack," Soarin whispered. He knew a lot about this girl. She had gotten into the top four of the Celestic Cup and had been Rainbow's rival since they started Duelling. If anyone could be used to measure themselves against Rainbow, it was her. "If I can beat her, then maybe that means I can make Rainbow take me seriously."

"Wotcha say?" Applejack asked.

"Nothing," Soarin replied before activating his Duel Disk, "let's do this."

Applejack smiled and activated her Duel Disk, "you got it!"

"DUEL!"

Soarin: 4000
Applejack: 4000


Over in the Canyon Zone, Rainbow was looking for her next opponent when her Raduel beeped.

Looking down at the screen, it showed Soarin's Duel begin. "He's facing Applejack?" She asked in shock, then started running. "This I gotta see." As she ran, she heard Celestia and Luna speak up.

Celestia: This is it folks. If Soarin Skies is able to defeat Applejack, he'll have accumulated enough points for the Wonderbolts to head into the next stage.

Luna: But can he defeat such a strong opponent? Only time will tell.

Rainbow was split. She wanted her team to win, but she also didn't want her first and best rival to be beaten by anyone except her. It was out of her hands now.


"A'll take the first move!" Applejack drew her card. "A'll start by bringing out Red Apple Golem in Def mode!" A giant red apple appeared with eyes, a mouth, legs and arms. (A1300/D1500/L4) "And with its ability, a'h can add Green Apple Golem from ma'h deck to ma'h hand when it's summoned." Her deck shuffled before slotting out a card, which she took. "A'll throw down two face downs and hand things over to you partner."

"Thanks!" Soarin drew his card, "and I'll start by playing Magical Mallet. Now I can send any cards in my hand that I don't want back to my deck, then shuffle and redraw the same number of cards." He placed four cards back into his deck before it shuffled, then drew four new cards. "Sweet," he said after seeing what he'd gotten, "say hello to Techno Force Rush Rotor!" The green helicopter appeared in front of him. (A1700/D1400/L4)

Applejack smiled. "Not bad. But it won't be much use after a'h use ma'h Trap!" Her face down flipped up, "Lasso Tasso!" A rope shot out of the card and wrapped around Rush Rotor. "This bad boy'll lower ya'h monsters ATK by five hundred and stop it from attackin." (A1200/D1400/L4)

"Nice move," Soarin said before activating another card. "To bad I've got my Frontline Base!" Applejack's eyes went wide. "I assume you know what this means. Now I can summon a Union Monster to my field, Like Techno Force Tank Trasher!" The black tank appeared besides the tied up helicopter. (A1600/D1200/L4)

"Not good," Applejack said. "He's gonna Union Summon."

"Darn tootin!" Soarin said while imitating Applejack. "Gentlemen, start your engines!" The two machines shot into the air before beginning to transform, linking together into their more powerful robot form. "Mega Techno Force, Defence Convoy!" (A2100/D1800/L6)

Celestia: Looks like Soarin's going on the offensive.

Luna: Ironic, considering he's using a monster with Defence in its name.

"And now my monster will attack!" His monster extended the cannon on its back before aiming it at Applejack's monster. "Go, turn that thing into apple crumble!" It fired and destroyed Applejack's monster. "Oh, and since I have less cards in my hand then you, Defence Convoy deals you damage even if your monster's in DEF mode."

Soarin: 4000
Applejack: 3400

"Nice move," Applejack's face down flipped up. "But ya'h activated ma'h Trap. Compost Harvest! Since a Plant monster with fifteen hundred or less ATK was destroyed, a'h can draw one card for each Level it had." She drew four cards.

"I place one card face down and I end my turn."

"Ma'h draw!" Applejack drew her card and added it to her oversized hand before taking two more cards out of it, "and a'll use scale one Stag of Great Seedling and scale nine Grizzly Pear too set the Pendulum Scale!" The pillars of light appeared on either side of her, as two monsters flew up into them. One was a stag whose coat was a combo of green, orange, brown and yellow, along with antlers that had apples and different coloured leaves growing out of it. The other was a small pear in the shape of a bear. "Cut through space time and carve the arc of vic-tree!" The portal formed above Applejack's head, "A'H PENDULUM SUMMON!"

The portal opened before a pair of lights shot out and hit the ground, taking shape before fading to reveal Applejack's monsters. The first was an orange pony with a blonde mane and tail, wearing a stetson similar to Applejack's with three apples on its flank. "Apple-Buck Pony!" (A1800/D1200/L4/P5) "And Green Apple Golem" (A1400/D600/L4)

"Wow," Soarin said.

Applejack smirked. "Since she was Special Summoned, Apple-Buck Pony's skill kicks in. And I mean kicks!" The pony rushed over to a nearby tree and slammed its back hooves into it. "Now a'h can look at the top five cards of ma'h deck and summon any Apple monsters a'h get." She drew her cards and smiled before taking out five of them. "Come on out, Apple Knight and Apple Fairy!"

From out of the tree fell the apple themed knight alongside a pixie in a red dress with an apple headed wand that was almost as big as her. (A300/D300/L3) (A900/D1100/L3/P7) "Then a'll use the skill of ma'h Apple Fairy!" Green Apple Golem transformed into a stream of light that flew back into Applejack's deck. "By sending him back to ma'h deck, a'h can summon an Apple monster from it. So say hello to Apple Kid!" The apple clothes wearing child appeared besides the rest of her monsters. (A200/D300/L2) "And since this little guy was Special Summoned, his Level goes up!" (A200/D300/L3)

"Three Level threes," Soarin knew what was coming.

"And now, with these three monsters a'h build the Overlay Network." The monsters shot into the air and then flew into the black hole as it appeared below her. "As the seasons bring fourth new growth, it can also bring fourth a new power!" The black hole exploded in a burst of light, "A'H XYZ SUMMON!"

The light faded revealing AJ's Xyz monster. "Orchard Cowboy!" (A2100/D600/R3)

Celestia: There it is! Applejack's ace monster. With this, the tide of the Duel might just turn in her favour.

Luna: But let's not forget about Defence Convoy's ability. But will Soarin want to discard the few cards he has?

"I activate my Trap!" Soarin cried as his face down flipped up, "Power Draw! Since you summoned a monster with two thousand or more ATK points, I get to draw cards equal to its Level or Rank!" He drew three cards.

Celestia: Well that answers that question.

"A'm playing Gaia Energy!" Applejack said, making Soarin begin to sweat. "This card powers up ma'h Earth monsters ATK by five hundred points!" An orange aura appeared around Orchard Cowboy and Apple-Buck Pony. (A2600/D600/R3) (A2300/D1200/L4/P5) "Orchard Cowboy, attack!" The Xyz Monster leapt into the air before pointing its pistols at Defence Convoy.

Soarin quickly kicked into action, running through the forest as Orchard Cowboy prepared its shot. He spotted a nearby tree with a hole in the trunk and rushed over to it, throwing his hand inside and grabbing hold of a card. He pulled it out and saw what it was, "yes!" He spun around while activating the card, "I play Evasion! Now your attack won't work against Defence Convoy."

"Don't be so sure," Applejack said before one of Orchard Cowboy's Overlay Units flew into his gun. "A'm activating ma'h Cowboy's ability!" The Xyz monster fired at the Action Spell and destroyed it, then pointed its over pistol at Defence Convoy.

"Fine," Soarin said, "then I'll send a card to my graveyard and activate Defence Convoy's ability to negate your attack!" Defence Convoy held up the rotor on its arm before it started spinning, creating a wind shield that blocked Cowboy's bullet.

Applejack smirked. "Not bad. He knew ma'h monster's ability, so he used the Action Spell as a decoy to use his monster's effect. A'h can see why Rainbow wanted him on her team." She turned to her horse, "go get him partner!" Apple-Buck Pony galloped forwards before jumping at Defence Convoy, ready to destroy it.

Soarin looked down at his hand and frowned, then looked up at Applejack. "I won't use his ability." The pony smashed Soarin's monster to bits.

Soarin: 3800
Applejack: 3400

"A'm throwing down a face down and ending ma'h turn." Orchard Cowboy and Apple-Buck Pony's ATK points returned to normal. (A2100/D600/R3) (A1800/D1200/L4/P5)

"It's my turn," Soarin reached for his deck. "I draw." Seeing what he'd gotten, he nodded before getting to work "I summon Techno Force Sub Surfer, in ATK mode." The blue submarine appeared on Soarin's side of the field. (A1200/D1500/L4) "Then I'll use the effect of my Frontline Base, to Techno Force Armored Assault!" The yellow armed security vehicle appeared besides the sub. (A500/D2000/L4)

Applejack was on guard, having a feeling she knew what was coming next.

"I activate my Iron Call Spell card, which lets me summon a Level four or below machine monster from my graveyard."

"A'h don't think so," Applejack told him as one of Orchard Cowboy's Overlay Units flew into the gun. "A'm using my monster's effect to negate your card." Cowboy shot Soarin's card, destroying it.

The boy frowned, but then spotted an Action Card on the branch of a tree.

He quickly ran up it and leapt up, plucking the card before seeing what it was and smiling. "I activate the Action Spell Revitalisation. With it, I pay three hundred life points to add a Spell card back to my hand.

Soarin: 3500
Applejack: 3400

He retrieved his card and activated it, Applejack seeing it was Iron Call.

In a flash of light, Techno Force Jet Jammer appeared next to his other two monsters. "And now," the trio shot into the air. "I banish all three of my monsters, in order to Union Summon!" The three machines linked on top of each other before transforming into the humanoid robot, the machine ready for battle. "Mega Techno Force, Attack Convoy!" (A2800/D2600/L8)

"Hoowee!" Applejack said, "that's one heck of a monster."

"Thanks," Soarin said before jumping up and landing on the monster's shoulder. "Wait until you see what he can do!" He discarded a card as Attack Convoy pointed its gun hips at Orchard Cowboy.

Applejack was starting to regret using her monster's ability, as Attack Convoy fired and destroyed her monster. "Not bad partner."

"There's more," Soarin told her. "The card I discarded was Techno Support ATV, so I can now draw two new cards." He did so, "and I've still got my attack left!" Attack Convoy prepared to launch its missiles, only for Applejack to jump on her horse as they galloped through the forest. Attack Convoy followed, the dense trees making it difficult for the large robot to move while Apple-Buck was able to easily weave passed them.

Eventually, Applejack spotted an Action Card on a high branch. As her monster got close enough, she leapt off its back and grabbed a nearby vine. This allowed her to swing up and snatch the action card. "A'h got the Action Spell Unblooming. Now a'h pay five hundred life points to switch ma'h monster into DEF mode."

Soarin: 3500
Applejack: 2900

Apple-Buck took a defensive stance, seconds before Attack Convoy fired its missiles. Apple-Buck was destroyed. "And when Attack Convoy destroys a monster, you take damage equal to that monsters Rank or Level times three hundred." Attack Convoy aimed its hip guns at Applejack and fired, knocking her off the branch.

"WOOOOW! Applejack yelled as she hit the ground, her life points going down as well.

Soarin: 3500
Applejack: 1700

Celestia and Luna: OOH!

Celestia: That had to hurt.

Luna: Soarin's really not pulling any punches here. Is Applejack gonna be able to pull herself back?

"I place one card face down and end my turn."

Applejack moaned as she picked herself up, righting her hat before turning to Soarin. "Alright partner, ya'h got some serious skills."

"Thanks," Soarin smirked, "so do you."

Applejack placed a hand on her deck. "But a'm not letting ya'h take me down so easily. Here goes, A'H DRAW!" She looked at the card she'd gotten and smiled as the portal formed above her head. "A'H PENDULUM SUMMON!"

The portal opened before a single light shot out and hit the ground, fading to reveal Applejack's monster. "Apple-Buck Pony!" (A1800/D1300/L4/P5) "And since she was special summoned, a'h can look at the top five cards of ma'h deck and special summon any Level four or below Apple monsters!" She drew her card and looked through them, only finding one card that fit the bill. "Yellow Apple Golem!" The monster appeared besides Apple-Buck. (A1200/D1200/L4)

"Those cards won't save you," Soarin said.

"But this will," Applejack replied as she activated the card she drawn. In that second, the ground opened up before Orchard Cowboy jumped out of it before vines shot out of the hole and wrapped around him like a cocoon. "Go, Rank-Up-Magic...ETERNAL GROWTH!" A black hole appeared above their heads, as the vines lifted the cocoon towards it. "With this card, a'h can rebuild the Overlay Network and Rank-Up ma'h Xyz Monster." The cocoon entered the black hole before it began to pulse, as Applejack chanted. "Warrior of justice and nature, unleash ya'h powers on this world and rid it of all that might hurt it!" The black hole exploded, unleashing Applejack's monster. "RANK-UP XYZ EVOLUTION!"

The light faded revealing Applejack's new monster. It looked like Orchard Cowboy, only his poncho was now a black coat. Pinned to it was a circular badge with an apple in the centre, with a white button up shirt was under it with a red bandanna tied around his neck. He wore a ten gallon hat on his head and carried a large black and silver shotgun. A single light flew around him. "Orchard Marshall!" (A3000/D1500/R4/P5)

"Wow," Soarin said as he watched Marshall land in front of Applejack.

Celestia: Talk about bringing out the big guns. Now I'm itching to see what this new monster can do.

"Since Orchard Marshall was summoned usin a Rank-Up-Magic card, his ability lets me add any Level four Plant monster onto him as an Overlay Unit." Yellow Apple Golem transformed into a light that began to float around the Xyz monster along with the other one. "Plus, Eternal Growth's effect boosts his power by five hundred for this turn. (A3500/D1500/R4/P5)

"Not good," Soarin realised.

"It'll get worse once a'h activate Marshall's ability!" One of the Xyz monster's Overlay Units flew into his shotgun before he pointed it at Attack Convoy. He then fired a beam that hit the robot and made it glow, then retracted back into the weapon while taking the glow with it. (A1400/D2600/L8)

"What the?" Soarin asked as Marshall pointed the weapon at Apple-Buck and fired the beam at it, making it glow the same light. (A3200/D1300/L4/P5)

Luna: Incredible. Applejack's monster cut Soarin's monster's ATK in half and gave it to Apple-Buck.

"It's his special ability," Applejack said. "Removing an Overlay Unit to steal away half ya'h ATK and give it to any other Earth monster on ma'h field." Soarin began to sweat at this. "Attack!" Orchard Marshall once again pointed the weapon at Attack Convoy, as Soarin jumped off its shoulder and landed on a tree branch.

He looked around for an Action Card, but couldn't find one. As such, he was forced to activate his face down. "Go Scrap-Iron Scarecrow!" The assortment of metal appeared in front of Attack Convoy, seconds before Marshall fired his weapon.

The bullet bounced off the scarecrow, leaving Attack Convoy safe before flipping back down.

"That's fine," Applejack said. "I'll just have Apple-Buck Pony finish it off." Her monster galloped ahead, ready to take Soarin's monster down. Meanwhile, Soarin leapt from branch to branch until he finally spotted what he was looking for. An Action Card.

He grabbed the card and, seeing what it was, moaned but used it anyway. "Go, Synthesis!" Sunlight suddenly shot down through the trees and hit Attack Convoy, making it glow as it gained an extra five hundred points. (A1900/D2600/L8) Seconds later, Apple-Buck struck Attack Convoy and destroyed it.

Soarin: 2200
Applejack: 1700

"Not a bad move partner," Applejack said. "Though a'm bettin you were hoping for somethin that'd save ya'h monster?"

Soarin sighed as he jumped out of the three. "Yeah, I was. Still, saved myself a few points."

"Better put them to good use," Applejack said as she ended her turn. Marshall and Apple-Buck's ATK returned to normal. (A3000/D1500/R4/P5) (A1800/D1300/L4/P5)

Soarin looked down at his hand and saw he had nothing that could help him beat Applejack's monster. Plus, she still had that face down from a few turns ago. Even if he manged to summon something that could beat it, that card might take him down. His only hope was his next draw.

"Here goes," he reached for his deck. "I draw!" He looked at the card he'd gotten and went wide-eyed. With this, he could summon...it. But, was it worth the cost.

His mind suddenly flashed back to Rainbow and Gilda. The way those two Duelled in the moment, without worry about the consequences. If he wanted to Duel like them, he had to be willing to take the risk. "Here goes!" He yelled while activating the card, "Dimension Fusion!"

Applejack's eyes went wide. With that card.

Soarin: 200
Applejack: 1700

Celestia: He's given up almost all his Life Points.

Luna: But it might just be worth it. Look up.

A portal opened up above the forest, with all five of Soarin's Techno Force monsters flying out of it. Soon enough, Applejack was facing down an army of machinery. "But don't worry, they're not sticking around for long." The five shot into the air, "or maybe you should worry!" They split up before transforming and linking together, creating both Attack and Defence Convoy.

Celestia: What a medley of metal.

Applejack felt herself panic, but knew she had to stay calm. Plus, her Trap would protect her if they tried to attack.

"And now!" Soarin yelled as the two robots leapt into the air, "watch as I banish both Attack Convoy and Defence Convoy in order to Union Summon a whole new monster!" The robots split into their component parts before transforming in a whole new way.

Tank Trasher and Armoured Assault transformed the way they did before, with Tank Trasher's gun turret flying off, before linking together to form the main body. Jet Jammer linked onto the top of Tank Trasher before folding down, the human head popping out. Sub Surfer transformed like normal before the arms came off and linked onto the ends of the tank tread arms.

Rush Rotor's tail and rotors detached from the main body, the tail splitting in half before linking onto the ends of its shoulders. The rotors spun around until they came together, as a handle folded out the bottom and made it look like a sword that the machine caught in its right hand while the left caught the remains of Sub Surfer, which now resembled a double barrelled shot gun. Finally Rush Rotor's main body transformed into a helmet, which flew onto Jet Jammer's head.

The new machine swung its sword before firing its blaster, as Soarin announced its arrival to Applejack. "Behold, Ultra Techno Force...GRAND CONVOY!" (A3000/D2800/L8)

As the combo monster landed in front of her, Applejack gulped.

Luna: INCREDIBLE! Soarin's really pulling out all the stops here. But the question is, what is this monstrosity capable of.

Soarin smirked as he climbed up onto Grand Convoy's shoulder. "It's over. On the turn Grand Convoy is summoned, all card effects on your side of the field are negated." Grand Convoy pointed its left arm at her field, as a light shot out of Rush Rotor and hit the cards on her field. Applejack watched as blue sparks surged around her cards, realising that she couldn't use her face down. "Now attack Apple-Buck!"

Applejack sighed. No wonder Rainbow had let him onto her team. He was good.

"Guess this is it," she said.

"What, you giving up that easily?" Applejack looked up towards the voice, going wide-eyed when she saw who it was. Rainbow was standing on one of the branches of a tree, staring down at the two as they Duelled.

"Rainbow," Soarin said. How long had she been there?"

"Come on AJ," Rainbow said. "Can't let him beat you that easily. You'll make him get lazy if. And he'll start thinking he's on my level if he beats my main rival like this."

"Rival?" Applejack asked, only to realise what she meant. That's right, the two of them had trained like crazy against one another. There's no way Applejack would let Rainbow's teammate, someone who couldn't beat Rainbow, beat her. "No way!" With that, she and her monsters began to run as fast as they could in search of the one thing the could save them. An Action Card. "A'h ain't losin here."

"Gotta end this fast," Soarin said. "I'll show Rainbow. I am on her level. Grand Convoy!" His robot raised its sword as it chased after them, the jet engines on its back firing to propel it forwards through the trees.

Ignoring the sounds of destruction behind her, Applejack looked around and finally spotted a nearby tree with a hole in it. She knew it was a long shot, but she had to try.

"Here goes!" She leapt at the tree and reached into it, grasping a card a praying for an Spell. Pulling it out, she saw what it was and gasped. "Alright!" She spun around while activating the card. "Go, Uprooting!" Her face down and her Grizzly Pear glowed before transforming into a pair of lights, that flew into the girl's hand. "This Action Spell lets me return two Spell or Trap cards to ma'h hand."

"So what?" Soarin asked.

"So, ya'h monster's ability only negates the effects of cards on the field. So a'h can still use the effects of the cards in ma'h hand, like my Grizzly Pear's ability." She discarded said card. "By sendin him to the graveyard, a'h can activate the effects of Trap card in ma'h hand!"

Soarin's eyes went wide, "seriously!"

"Seriously!" Applejack replied before playing her card, "so a'm activatin ma'h Power Guard!" The Trap appeared on the field in, as Marshall leapt in front of Apple-Buck. "This card lets me change the target of ya'h attack, while upping his power." Marshall glowed as it power increased. (A3200/D1500/R4/P5) "Sorry Soarin, but a'h ain't goin down that easily."

"Maybe not," Soarin said. "But you're still going down. Grand Convoy has another ability. When he attacks a monster, that monster's ATK goes down by its Rank or Level times three hundred." The gun turret on its back folded out and pointed down at Marshall, firing a beam of light that struck the Xyz monster and made it shake in pain. (A2000/D1500/R4/P5)

Grand Convoy raised its sword and slashed down at Marshall, destroying it and sending Applejack back.

Soarin: 200
Applejack: 700

Celestia: An impressive move. Applejack managed to turn what was an assured victory into a narrow save.

Luna: She's earned herself one more turn. And with Soarin's Life Points so low, it might be all she needs.

Soarin didn't like this. That should have been his big victory, but now he was in a dangerous situation. "I...end my turn." He looked over at where Rainbow had been, but saw she was gone. "I'll show you. I can pull my weight on this team."

"It's ma'h turn," he turned back to Applejack as she drew her card. "And since a'h got a Pendulum Monster in ma'h grave, the Stag of Great Seedling lets me draw one card." She did so and summoned it, "let's go Iris Maiden!" The flower dress woman appeared. (A1600/D1300/L4/P5) Applejack then placed another card on her Duel Disk, "then a'll reset the Pendulum Scale with scale six Seedling Sprite!" The fairy appeared in the pillar, the portal beginning to form once she did. "A'H PENDULUM SUMMON!"

The portal opened before a single light shot out, hitting the ground and taking shape before fading. "Orchard Marshall!" (A3000/D1500/R4/P5) "And since he was Pendulum Summoned, a'h can add any Level four Plant monster to him as an Overlay Unit." Iris Maiden transformed into a light a surrounded the Xyz monster, only to quickly fly into his shotgun as he pointed it at Grand Convoy.

Soarin watched as Marshall fired the beam at his robot, draining its power. (A1500/D2800/L8) Marshall then fired the gun at Apple-Buck, powering her up. (A3300/D1300/L4/P5)

"It's over," Applejack told him as Marshall aimed his gun at Grand Convoy.

Soarin leapt off his monster and landed on a branch, activating his face down. "Go, Scrap-Iron Scarecrow!" The metal construct appeared in front of the robot, as Marshall fired his gun and hit it.

"Apple-Buck!" Applejack cried as her monster galloped forwards, while Soarin spotted what he had been looking for.

As the pony leapt at Grand Convoy, Soarin leapt off the branch and reached for the Action Card. But right as he was about to grip it, Apple-Buck's attack struck. The pony hit the robot with such force, she flew right through it and made it explode.

"WOW!" Soarin yelled as he was sent flying by the explosion.

Soarin: 0
Applejack: 700 (Winner)

Celestia: And with that, Applejack claims victory over Soarin. It seems the Wonderbolts won't be heading to the next round quite yet.

Luna: Even so, both Duellists should be proud for giving the Duel everything they had. Bravo.

As the monsters vanished, Applejack rushed over to where Soarin had fallen and looked him over. "Ya'll right partner?"

Soarin moaned as he picked himself up and turned towards Applejack. "Yeah, I'm fine. Don't worry." He sighed, "guess I'm not ready to give Rainbow a decent challenge."

"You kindin?" Applejack asked in almost shock. "Ya'h have any idea how close that match was. I a'h hadn't gotten that Action Card, a'd be in the Graveyard right now." She gave him a light punch to the shoulder, "ya'h got skills boy. Don't go puttin ya'h self down. Rainbow was right ta'h put ya'h on her team."

Soarin couldn't help but smile at this, as the ground beneath him lowered. "Thank you," he told her. "If we both make it to the next round, let's play again."

Applejack smiled and gave a thumbs up. "A'm up for that." That was the last words exchanged between them before Soarin disappeared.

As he travelled down the tunnel, he sighed. "Not yet, but soon. Soon I'll be able to give Rainbow the Duel she's been looking for." He had no doubt in his mind that he'd push Rainbow the next time they faced off, but for now he had to focus on getting out of the Graveyard and earning back the points he'd lost.