Wednesday morning had dawned. The corridors of CHS felt strangely colder than usual. And not just because of the announcement on the door saying the building’s heating system was on the fritz. As she walked alongside Fluttershy, Sunset felt akin to walking down the dusty street of one of those Hollywood western movies. Most students they passed took the moment to look at her, be it directly, or surreptitiously with sidelong glances. All that was missing was the dramatic music and the passing of a tumbleweed (albeit that notion was conveniently substituted by a stray balloon that happened to waft by).
In such a world with such conveniences like smartphones, telecommunication apps and the soul-sucking Internet, it stood to reason that what Derpy had warned her about had spread throughout the student body. Some of them were undoubtedly sizing her up; the girl who made everyone’s lives at CHS an epitome of misery who’d either gone soft, making her an easy target for retribution, or was just faking it to cover her own ass. Truthfully, she couldn’t blame them. In addition to Spitfire, Lightning Dust and… whoever the third one was (the name eluded her for the moment), who knew how many of the school’s top brass were looking to get a piece of her.
Sunset and Fluttershy continued on their way to first period; math class with Mr. Cranky Doodle, vehemently trying to ignore any problematic looks being diverted their way.
“I don’t like this…” whispered Fluttershy, hugging her books to her chest.
“I hear you,” muttered Sunset.
“It’s like walking into a… umm…”
“A wolves’ den?”
“Oh, I wouldn’t put it that way; wolves are actually quite misrepresented. In truth, they’re very sweet animals deep down.” Leave it to Fluttershy to defang an animal impression. “Now dolphins; those are the ones you need to watch out for…”
-
As Mr. Cranky Doodle was going through roll call, in the midst of her preparations for class, Sunset could not help herself from taking out her deck box and sifting out the one card that felt like it’d started everything that was now taking place; Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon. Whatever happened to her yesterday in the gymnasium which seemed to spawn him, and the other Pendulum cards that took the places of certain cards in her deck; a riddle that continued to elude her.
After her duel with Fluttershy, in trying to see if dueling Pinkie Pie would yield different results; no-one once again felt any particular sensations when she’d managed to set the Pendulum Scale and Pendulum Summoned.
“Sunset Shimmer,” She was interrupted by the gruff, unenthused voice of Mr. Cranky Doodle, to which Sunset held up her free hand laxly while muttering a barely audible “Here.”
Returning to her reverie: Did the sensation of her friends serving as proxies to the Elements of Harmony only occur once? Was it because during her first duel since her defeat by Twilight was against Trixie?
“Trixie Lulamoon?” asked Mr. Cranky Doodle in the direction of the class. Only silence ensued, to which Sunset could not help but look up in confusion. “Trixie?” It wasn’t only Sunset who’d taken notice, with many heads turning about to discover that the ever-theatrical Trixie was indeed absent. “Hmph,” muttered Cranky, crossing something on a notepad, “she’s not doing her grades any favors, that’s for sure…”
Sunset felt oddly disheartened. Sure, she didn’t exactly like Trixie, both before or after her own liberation, but she could not help herself from wondering if yesterday’s events had something to do with it. Also a few too many heads glancing in her direction did nothing to alleviate the feeling.
“Alright, that’s enough gawking,” came Cranky Doodle from the head of the class. “Today we’re resuming you learning the ins and out of the x and y axis.” The remark made quite a few students let their discontent, if not outright despair, be known. “And yes, this will be on the test.” Mr. Cranky Doodle’s ever dourness proved only to exacerbate these reactions further.
Sunset looked over at Odd-Eyes' card in her hand, before surreptitiously sliding it back into her deck box, “I just hope you’re content being around me…” she muttered as she opened her text- and notebooks. The class resumed with no further drama, aside from the occasional outward groan from Rainbow two desks behind and four desk right from Sunset’s place at the window. The PA system sudden blared to life.
“Sorry to interrupt first period, students, but I have an urgent announcement to make,” came Principal Celestia’s voice over the intercom. “We were just informed that junior year student Trixie Lulamoon did not return home last night.” The principal’s words over the intercom sent an abrupt jolt through Sunset’s system. She saw how even the normally grumpy Cranky Doodle was looking up at the intercom with unease. “I request that anyone with knowledge pertaining to her recent whereabouts report to my office immediately.”
Cranky turned to the class, clipboard in hand, “Students, please resume working on problems independently. I need to step out for a moment.” He proceeded out the classroom door, no doubt to inform the principal about Trixie’s absence from class.
The notion of Trixie being simply late or absent due to sickness or such would have been an understandable convenience. But now going missing on top of everything else? That’s when Sunset realized more than a few students diverting their attention towards her. What…? Are they implying that I…? “What are you looking at?” she asked those closest to her, to which they promptly looked away. “Are you insinuating something?”
They were, weren’t they? Trixie goes missing; conveniently on the same day she dueled Sunset for an examination. Who else were they to blame? Other than the one who just a month ago went on a magic-induced rampage. Out of her own control, but she couldn’t expect the average person to understand that Sunset had not done everything fully out of her own volition. As far as they knew; she was the same, detestable Sunset they’d known since their freshman years. For all she knew this might have the added consequence of no-one willing to duel her again… Perhaps there truly was a silver-lining to everything, since it could imply the notion of the manhunt for her being put on hold… Probably.
-
In between first and second period, Rainbow Dash muttered to herself about the amount of homework Cranky had imposed on her and her peers. The application of calculating points on an grid with X:s and Y:s; whatever in the wide world would they need that for? Other than as potential future tormentors in the educational system to pass on this weekly bit of torture on the next generation as a never-ending legacy.
“Hey, Dash, you got a minute,” came a familiar voice; her unofficial second-in-command as it were in soccer. Spitfire stood beside her, books for the next period held under one arm, back straight, her face calm and stoic.
“Sure, what’s up?” asked Dash, shutting her locker before picking up her backpack, the two of them proceeding side-by-side.
“Just that something’s been bugging me for a while,” Spitfire began. Despite the matter-of-fact tone, Rainbow had an inkling what this was about. “After the mid-term duel, what is it with you being around Sunset so much?”
Rainbow did not even deign to look at her fellow athlete as they went. “It’s utterly crazy, if that’s what you’re getting at. I know.”
Spitfire huffed amusedly, “Wouldn’t be you if it weren’t the least bit nuts. Although, seriously; why are you hanging around that bitch so much lately? She holding your soul ransom or something? … Does she still do stuff like that?”
Rainbow did not reciprocate Spitfire’s sentiments, “Nah. It’s just that Twilight told us that in order to make her a “better person” or some other crap like that, I need to be buddies with her. Fluttershy kinda took that to heart and now she’s following her around everywhere; apparently Shimmer’s volunteering with her at the shelter, the two go to yoga together: It’s crazy.”
“Ohhh…” Spitfire looked thoughtfully at her. “So you’re doing that because you don’t want to see Fluttershy hurt?”
“Bullseye, Spits. Bullseye,” said Rainbow dourly. “I just feel off every moment I’m not around those two. I don’t know what Sunset’s playing at; but I don’t buy it. No way someone would change just like that; demonic possession or not.”
“Right… Anyhow; with Trixie missing, you wouldn’t happen to know if Sunset’s been doing anything like she did back at the mid-term? Anything at all?” Spitfire asked.
“As far as I know, not really…” said Rainbow. Much as she did not trust Sunset, she could not deny what she’d seen; no dark powers were invoked. “I was with Fluttershy and the rest when she decided to duel Sunset.” That’s when something from yesterday clicked into place in her mind; the reason Fluttershy suggested it in the first place; “Spits; is this about you lot wanting to take on Sunset?”
“Yea. Did you read it on Trotter or-?”
“Nah, apparently Derpy snitched on it. Hence Sunset’s all about mastering Pendulum Summoning,” said Rainbow in interjection. “Dunno what to say; I mean her performance yesterday wasn’t anything stellar, but…”
“No, Dash,” Spitfire brought a hand up. “Whatever she did, don’t tell me. If I’m to take down Sunset Shimmer; I need to do it my way, by my power, by my intuition. Duelist’s code,” she emphasized with a thump on her chest, a notion Rainbow was all too happy to reciprocate. “You think it’s safe to take her on?”
Rainbow looked about cautiously before leaning closer, “She’s not exactly at her best, but so far I don’t think she can even do that thing she did in the gym.”
“Alright; I had a feeling I could depend on you, chief,” said Spitfire with confidence. “You want in on this, Dash? Lightning Dust and Night Quill are already raring to have a go. Gotta spread the word; show that bitch the true strength of the Wonder Colts.”
At first, Rainbow was more than eager to accept… If not for some indescribable apprehension that abruptly gnawed at her mind. Why? Sunset was not her friend; all she was doing was for Fluttershy’s sake: Rainbow had abandoned her as a result of Sunset’s actions, therefore Sunset deserved what she had coming for her…
-
Lunch period felt arguably worse than usual. With news of Trixie’s disappearance abound, everyone was back to actively avoiding Sunset, or being outwardly standoffish. On the plus side, she supposed, she could collect her lunch sooner, with others not daring to get in her way, even despite her insistence on being last. Granny Smith, the head lunch lady, seemed among the few who didn’t treat her any differently, even making a remark about the unusual occurrence of her being among the first to be served. No doubt Applejack had put in a good word for her. She had to remember to thank her in earnest for that.
Winding her way to her usual table, she slumped down with her tray, to her friends’ surprise at her earlier than usual arrival. “Oh, my,” came Rarity, looking up from what seemed to be a Caesar salad, “you’re early today.” She immediately caught on to Sunset’s current state of mind, “Whatever is the matter?”
Sunset sighed, “Everyone thinks I’m responsible for Trixie’s disappearance.” She shrugged helplessly, looking from friend to friend, including Rainbow Dash, who seemed much less forward today than usual. “What else is there to expect, right? Trixie duels me, the next day she’s gone missing; clearly it’s the demon spawn girl!” she exclaimed, slamming her hands on the table out of frustration.
Applejack sputtered, “Ridiculous; we were all with ya yesterday.”
“Although you have to wonder…” Rainbow chimed in, musingly, “what did happen to Trixie?”
“Oh don’t you…” Sunset caught herself in her outburst, “… I mean… Yea. Does she have any afterschool activities?”
Everyone looked amongst each other in silence. “We all never really paid any mind to her, so…” Rarity stated abashedly.
“Right. Still, had to start somewhere,” Sunset remarked with a shrug.
“Although,” Applejack chimed in suddenly, “Ah’ think Ah’ recall Big Mac sayin’ Trixie was in the role-playing game club.”
Sunset’s mood managed to brighten from the farmgirl’s contribution. “Oh, you don’t suppose you could…” she paused, a delayed realization emerging into the forefront of her thoughts, “… Your brother’s into role-playing games?”
“Sure is. Heck, he still takes time to take part. Alumnus, so he has special privileges.”
Sunset was admittedly surprised that the usually taciturn Big Macintosh was into tabletop role-playing. With Trixie, certainly; the girl had the exuding bravado and the dramatics down. Honestly; she’d portray a perfect character from Tirek’s Revenge or whatnot if she so ever chose. “As I was saying; you think you could ask around, retrace Trixie’s steps before she went missing?”
Rarity’s focus seemed to peak unexpectedly, “Why Sunset; are you suggesting we do an investigation?” The hint of pent-up excitement in the fashionista’s voice was not lost on anyone.
Sunset nodded, “If I’m ever going have this crap over and done with. I don’t particularly like Trixie, but I also didn’t want anything to happen to her. If I help find her, maybe I can… Uh, Rarity?”
The fashionista was exuding eagerness to the point where one could swear her eyes were sparkling, all the while Applejack simply sat beside her, serene like a tree in a still orchard, a small smile formed on her lips, sipping out of her box of apple juice. “Ah’ think ya found the perfect person for the job.”
-
Vice-principal Luna looked up from her paperwork when the door to her office was knocked upon. Before she could issue confirmation, it was slowly opened. Turner looked about, squinting his eyes.
“You always were one for the gloomy…” he remarked, stepping into the dark office. Luna couldn’t help but chuckle in humor at her friend’s remark about the minimal lighting of the office; just the way she preferred it.
“Is something the matter?” asked Luna, twirling one of her ballpoints deftly between her fingers.
“Not at the moment, no,” said Turner as he approached Luna and held out an envelope to her over her desk. “Since I have class to teach, and Celestia’s busy, so I decided I bring you the data and a written report regarding Miss Shimmer and Miss Lulamoon’s duel. I broke everything down into the most basic I could articulate.” He stood in silence as Luna opened the head of the paper envelope to take out the small stack of papers helpfully bound together with a treasury tag. “Any word about Miss Lulamoon?”
Luna leaned back in her swivel chair, sighing softly through her nose, “According to Tia; only confirmation of her absence and her last known location before going missing.”
“I take it your exasperation stems from the correlation regarding Miss Shimmer?” asked Turner.
Luna nodded grimly, “I know; I shouldn’t jump to conclusions. For all we know it was just an unfortunate coincidence, but…” She slumped her shoulders. “I just can’t ignore the possible connection.”
“I still remain adamant that I don’t think Miss Shimmer is connected,” said Turner. “I know it’s not really my place, what with having just met her. And I understand your concern for all the students, but-”
“I know,” Luna interrupted, adjusting her posture. “I have been perfectly willing to give Miss Shimmer the benefit of the doubt that she’s changed. I just can’t discount the possibilities that she was involved somehow. I refrain from passing judgement until conclusive evidence has come forth. So, until then, we’re just going to have to let the authorities do their work, while doing a bit of our own contributing whenever possible. Agreed?” She raised a slanted brow at Turner.
Turner shifted in place, adjusting the hold on his class material he’d been holding to under one arm, though Luna could discern something was bothering the man. “Agreed…” He paused for a moment, seemingly peering at the clock Luna kept over her door, “I better get going. If I may offer one piece of insight over all of this: Perhaps it’s her fellow students’ hostility that could be a contributing factor?”
“That’s not at all unfounded, no,” said Luna leaning forward onto her desk. “We’ll talk more later. I’ll see that Tia gets a look at this later.”
Turner exited the darkened office. Luna returned her attention to the documents he’d compiled; composed of printouts of charts and graphs, accompanied with scribbles of calculations and formulas the man had written here and there. Much of the information went well beyond her understanding; mathematics and physics really hadn’t been her forte. No, she was more adept in the social sciences and the like. Fortunately, as he’d made note of, Turner had compiled a written report that shed more light on the data.
-
Just when you’d thought you’d known a person well enough. Sunset found herself back in the currently vacant gymnasium, accompanied by Rarity, who had donned a fine quality, wide-rimmed dark turquoise fedora, as if she were a character from a noire detective story. Along with them was Pinkie, who herself had donned a khaki deerstalker cap and a fake mustache, complete with a calabash pipe in her mouth that expelled soap bubbles.
“Why are we back in the gymnasium?” asked Sunset, as the three of them stood by the end of the bleachers to the stage side of the room.
“To start, we need to retrace Trixie’s steps from yesterday,” said Rarity. “While Applejack consults the RPG club, we will start here, where you last saw Trixie. So, tell us; as much as you can remember: What occurred here? Who were present? And if anything seemed out of the ordinary.”
Sunset looked to Rarity with uncertainty. Perhaps the fashionista was playing too much into this detective fantasy she had going on… Though on the other hand, what could she possibly have to lose at this point? “Well, Trixie was on this side, I stood opposite. There were some students gathered, some of them between set periods.”
Rarity hummed contemplatively whilst scribbling notes into a small notepad, “Mm-hmm. Can you remember specifically who?”
“Does that really help with anything?” asked Sunset.
“In the event should we need to question anyone. Do go on; any names to faces if you can.”
Sunset thought back, envisioning the moments before the start of the duel when her focus was still divided, “Well… There was Flash over here on our side. As was Lightning Dust, Spitfire, Derpy, Umm… I don’t know his name; wears that funny domed hat and scarf…”
“Oh, you mean Night Quill? It’s called a bowler hat. His propensity for blending antiquated with contemporary isn’t quite to my liking, but he does seem to make it work,” the fashionista remarked absently. “Anyone else?”
“I couldn’t really tell who were in the opposite side; just that Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash were back there. You might wanna ask them for those details. As for anyone else on our side? Well I think I saw Sandalwood… Cherry Crash… I think one of Trixie’s friends was there too. Name eludes me at the moment.”
“Good, good. That’s already quite a few.”
“Of course, there was Mr. Turner and, for some reason, Micro Chips up on the stage and… Has the schoolboard ever used additional equipment during examination duels by any chance?” Sunset asked, the notion of out of the ordinary repeating in her mind.
“Additional equipment?” asked Rarity, looking up from her notepad. “What do you mean?”
“There were these devices set up,” Sunset sidestepped to where one of the tripods had stood, “here, there, there and there,” she pointed at every general location, “with cameras and things. And then over here,” she walked over to just beside the stage and indicated the floor, “they had this white boxy machine set up, wired to computers kept up on the stage where Mr. Turner was observing.”
“Hey, I found a thing!” came Pinkie’s voice from backstage, who dragged one of the very tripods out into the open. “This was left back here!”
“That’s one of them!” exclaimed Sunset, clambering up onstage, foregoing simply taking the steps. She hurried past Pinkie to inspect further back. Aside from props that might as well have been there since the building itself was completed, the sound table used for special events, a misplaced projector, and other various objects, she didn’t find anything out of the ordinary. “Where’s the rest of them?”
“And what is this thing anyway?” Rarity wondered, looking over the apparatus.
At the top was affixed an action camera, below which was one of the two strange devices she could not quite describe. At the front it seemed to possess some form of horizontal slit lens, but whether or not it was another mode of camera was difficult to say. The device seemed to lack a proper external chassis, as the top and left side of it exposed the intricate assembly of circuit boards, connectors and gaggles of wires. Below that, on closer inspection, did seem to be some form of directional audio sensory device, complete with a dish like a miniature satellite.
“Whatever this is; it’s definitely some sort of surveyance rig,” Sunset remarked. “Think it’s some new standard for evaluating duels?”
Rarity was scrutinizing the rig intently, particularly the unknown middle apparatus, “I’ve never seen something like this being used. And you said there were four of these?”
“Yup. Though two of them didn’t have… Whatever this middle one is.”
“Seems strange that, if it is for monitoring purposes by the school board, they would use jury-rigged hardware,” said Rarity.
“What?”
“This middle one; it’s clearly been cobbled together from various bits and bobs, see?” Rarity indicated the device. “Lacking chassis, the wear on this circuit board, and I think… Yes, a wire that clearly doesn’t connect to anything, and look; there’s still hints of tin on the end.”
Sunset looked at Rarity in what could only equate to awe, “Wow! You could spot all of that?”
Rarity smiled wryly, “I wouldn’t be the artiste that I am if I did not fixate on the little things.”
“Also it’s beeping,” Pinkie added.
Sunset strained her ears, even holding her breath. True enough, she could hear just the faintest sound of something from within the incomplete machine. Peering closer further proved something was active inside, for if one looked closely, hints of blinking lights could be discerned from amidst the wires and resistors. Following the electrical cord, which seemed to have been inserted into the machine through a haphazardly bored hole, proved it had been inserted into an outlet backstage.
“So then why was this one left behind, let alone being left on?” Sunset wondered aloud.
Pinkie hummed thoughtfully, all the while a larger than average bubble began to form out of the mouth of her calabash pipe, “You don’t suppose our new looker of a teacher is up to anything?”
“Hold on, what?” asked Sunset.
“I mean seriously: You seen Mr. Turner?! Don’t know about you but ‘woof!’” said Pinkie, fluttering her eyebrows. “Though seriously; isn’t it kinda weird? New (hot) teacher arrives the exact same day as Sunset duels Trixie, then Trixie disappears. And not intentionally this time!”
Sunset pondered on Pinkie’s words. Mr. Turner; what exactly did she know about the man? Someone who just showed up out of the blue to observe her test. She’d figured he was an official from the school board, which might have helped explain the additional hardware that time. Only to turn up as a teacher? What was happening at CHS?
Just when you’d hoped all the madness was over, another chapter opens up? Twilight… If only you were here right now…
“Sunset Shimmer!” came a voice demanding authority from the direction of the gymnasium exit, taking all three of the girls by surprise. Spitfire, instantly recognizable for her fiery hair and predominately blue outfit in spirit of the colors of the Wonder Colts underneath a denim jacket. She walked forth, a look of determination as fierce as the very element in her name. She pointed a finger directly at Sunset, her body language having already belied her intentions. “For the honor of the Wonder Colts and the school spirit; I challenge you to a duel!” There it was, further solidified as her blue and golden yellow duel disk’s tray deployed.
It seemed safe to assume not everyone had gone undeterred to go about their convictions in the wake of the latest scandal. Certainly not Spitfire at the very least. When you had to lead by example from the shadow of the athletic marvel of Rainbow Dash, she always did seem to maintain that firm, never surrender attitude.
“Spitfire,” Sunset called out, hopping down from the stage. “We’re kind of in the middle of something right now.”
Spitfire’s expression remained unchanged, maintaining the distant, impassive demeanor, “So you decline my challenge?”
Sunset held up her hands in front of her, “That’s not what I’m saying. I simply ask that we hold this off until later. Alright? This is very important.”
Spitfire raised an inquiring brow, in a way that seemed as if any other muscle in her visage went completely unaffected, “By any chance should I take this implying you have something to hide, Shimmer?”
“What?”
“Don’t play dumb. I know people are talking that you had something to do with Trixie going missing.” She lowered her brow, an accusatory glare etching in, “Are you trying to catch me without anyone else seeing it so you might do whatever that was you pulled in the mid-term?”
“No!” Sunset exclaimed indignantly. “We’re trying to help find Trixie! I don’t have time for this right now. Hell; there were plenty of others watching during my last duel. I even dueled Fluttershy and Pinkie just yesterday, and see?” she pointed towards Pinkie up on the stage with Rarity. “I have nothing to hide!”
Spitfire seemed to scrutinize her for a moment. With the silent whirr of electronics, her duel disk’s tray disengaged, the two halves parting and sliding back into their stand-by placements. “Alright; I’m willing to postpone this duel. Until after school. You want to prove your honesty; we duel on the soccer field, where everyone can see.”
And to prove how weak I’ve become I take it? “Deal. If you want this spectacle at my expense; fine.”
“You better be there then, Shimmer,” said Spitfire in a baleful tone. “Wouldn’t look good for the demon of CHS now to not be as open as she could…” She then proceeded to turn and walk out of the gymnasium, showing off the large flame patch stenciled to the back of her jacket.
-
“Well, here it is; Canterlot High School, just like she said,” remarked Aria, as if the plaque at the front of the property wasn’t confirmation enough.
Adagio looked over the two-story, red bricked building, the two protruding wings of the building being nicely accented by the rearing horse statue that stood before it a short distance from the plaque. Quite droll, if not utterly unimpressive compared to some of the institutions she had witnessed throughout the many, many long years. “Hmph. Makes me wish this girl was attending Crystal Prep, to be frank.” Pulling up the hood of her faint violet sweater, with some difficulty as per her illustrious, thick hair, she motioned her sisters to follow, choosing to remain inconspicuous for the time being.
“Lame,” said Sonata in a thoroughly unenthused manner. “We haven’t been to school once. And based on all the TV I’ve seen; it sounds so boring…”
“Keep it down, would you?” hissed Aria. “We’re incognito; the last thing we need is someone overhearing our life story.”
Adagio hummed contemplatively, feeling some form of sensation removed from purely the physical; like a faint treble in the air that permeated the vicinity. “It isn’t normal for certain. Can you feel it?”
“Ooh yea,” Sonata concurred, the barest hints of a toothy smile mustering to her lips. “The feels.”
“Indeed. There’s been despair here. A strong one at that. I can’t even recall when was the last time it felt even close to this,” said Adagio, feeling the soft beat of her gem underneath her hoodie. Already she could feel herself feeling energized, if only a smidgeon.
The three walked around the school, Adagio discerning the sounds of accruing people. Gesturing for her sisters to remain quiet and pointing around the corner, they approached discreetly, peering around to the school football… soccer field, as they preferred in this corner of the globe. A number of students had gathered in the wooden bleachers set across from the that, giving her and her sisters an unobstructed view of the field. It wasn’t a soccer game that was occurring at the moment. There were only two people occupying the space, each standing at short distance from the goals, each brandishing a duel disk.
-
“So you had the courtesy to show up.” Spitfire harrumphed as her duel disk deployed, the tray aligning with her arm, screen and emitters lighting up, “At least you’re being honest, I’ll give you that.”
Sunset felt unwilling to dignify the second-in-command of the Wonder Colts’ soccer team with a direct response as her own duel disk deployed. On establishing the connection to the dueling network, the automated shufflers engaged. “I never wanted any of this, Spitfire.”
Her foe’s eyes narrowed, “You sure love to play the pity card after you fall.” The virtual coin toss engaged with the iconic ‘ding’. It landed with heads for Spitfire, and the dueling grids engaged.
“Duel!”
Duel Start!
Spitfire Life Points: 4000
Sunset Shimmer Life Points: 4000
Turn 1: Spitfire (Hand: 5)
Right, Spitfire; she uses a fire-based deck, which means I need to be on the lookout for effect damage this time around… She tried to recall any of the previous times she’d dueled Spitfire in the past.
“I summon ‘Volcanic Slicer’ in attack mode,” in few deft movements, Spitfire slapped her first card onto her tray.
Emerging to the field came a creature highly reminiscent of some form of bipedal reptile or dinosaur: It’s body was sleek and covered all throughout its length by golden metallic armoring with a beak-like head lacking any discernable eyes, a slender, segmented tail and short arms with razor-tipped fingers. (Level 4, 1800/1200)
Without taking her hand off the card, Spitfire resumed, “And I activate Volcanic Slicer’s effect: Once per turn, I can inflict 500 points of damage to you!”
On the indirect command, Volcanic Slicer lunged out with its beak-like maw, ejecting a flaming ball of volcanic rock that rocketed towards Sunset like a meteorite. Sunset shielded herself on instinct, when the projectile impacted with her forcefield, emanating a resonating boom.
Sunset Shimmer Life Points: 4000 – 500 = 3500
“First hit! Nice!” came the voice of one of Spitfire’s teammates, Soarin, pumping an enthusiastic fist at his superior.
Spitfire, he expression never flinching, veered her eyes over her hand, before picking out a card to slide into her disk. “I set one card. My turn ends. Your move, Shimmer.”
(Hand: 3)
-
“Wouldn’t be Spitfire if she didn’t land the first bit of damage,” remarked Rainbow, seated alongside her friends in the bleachers, chewing on her thumbnail. This earned her questioning looks from Applejack and Fluttershy. “What? I’m just stating what is,” she insisted, bobbing her shoulder nonchalantly. “So, how do you think Sunset’s gonna fare against the fire?”
Applejack could only sigh, “Ah’ was under the impression we’d be lookin’ into Trixie.”
“Eh, I’m sure we’ve got plenty of time for that,” Rainbow stated in a lax manner. “What’s one perfectly fine non-dark duel?”
“Ya want the long answer or the short one?”
-
Turn 2: Sunset Shimmer (Hand 5)
Sunset drew her first card of the duel. True enough; there’s the burn damage already. If there was anything to be said; Sunset absolutely loathed burn damage-oriented decks: The kind that, instead of attacking like normally, her foe would instead whittle her life points away through extensive use of damage dealing effects. She recounted bits of her fragmented memories how it took extra effort to remain standing when using the volatile life-draining Archfiends when trying to mow down enemies specializing in this particular style.
Well, first things first; getting rid of that Slicer of hers. “I summon ‘Doomstar Magician’ in attack mode!”
Arising from the ground-level summoning portal came the quintessential depiction of a human sorcerer or wizard. He was lanky in frame, adorned in a heavy-set robe-like coat that was open at the front with a high collar and long, billowing hems. His face was partially obscured by a forward curving, pointed hat, showing off only his nose and lower. In his left hand he wielded a simple staff with a gleaming white oval gem at the top and seemed to taper towards the bottom. (Level 4, 1800/300)
“And I equip him with ‘Bound Wand’ from my hand,” she added, slipping the card into her disk. In response, Doomstar Magician held out his right hand, a black scepter with a brilliant, magenta-red gen set at its tip materializing in his grasp. “Bound wand increases the attack points of the equipped spellcaster by 100 times its level. (Doomstar Magician ATK: 1800 -> 2200). I will then attack Volcanic Slicer with Doomstar Magician!”
“Trap card activate: ‘Volcanic Ash’!” Spitfire responded, unveiling her set card.
Doomstar Magician (ATK: 2200) held up his regular staff, the gem atop beginning to draw power, when Volcanic Slicer bent down into a hunched posture (DEF: 1200.) Doomstar launched a direct, thin beam that caused its target to combust.
“Volcanic Ash lets me change an attack position monster to defense,” Spitfire reiterated. “Sorry, Shimmer, but being hasty won’t cut it against me.”
“I set one card, then end my turn.”
(Hand: 3)
“You didn’t Pendulum Summon?” Spitfire raised a brow.
“You sound disappointed,” Responded Sunset with a daring smirk.
Turn 3: Spitfire (Hand: 3)
“Mockery is not going to win you this duel, Shimmer,” said Spitfire, utterly unamused as she drew her first card, most of her body remaining motionless, save for her drawing arm. Sunset could only roll her eyes exasperatedly; all the while Spitfire placed the newly drawn card onto her tray. “I summon ‘Volcanic Rocket’ in attack mode.”
In a burst of flame, onto Spitfire’s field emerged a creature highly reminiscent of a pterosaur; its streamlined, sharply angular body a similar brazen to golden hue as Volcanic Slicer. Lacking any walking limbs, a pair of bright red, sinewy wings extended from its sides. (Level 4, 1900/1400).
“When Volcanic Rocket is summoned, I can add one ‘Blaze Accelerator’ card from my deck to my hand,” Spitfire’s deck shuffled before ejecting a card for her to take, which she immediately slid into her disk’s spell and trap port. The card’s image arose as a 3D projection, which then faded when the very device depicted in the artwork materialized onto the field. It was a machine propped up on a heavyset tripod leg, with a tube extending from a hefty chassis. It almost looked like a-
“I activate Blaze Accelerator’s effect: By discarding a pyro-type monster with 500 or less attack points, I can destroy one monster on the field. I discard ‘Volcanic Shell’ from my hand to destroy your Doomstar.”
A small metallic lizard-like creature, perhaps even the size of a real-life species, surrounded in an aura of fire, appeared hovering in the air. It flung itself into a port that looked very much like an opened breech, followed by the sound of it locking in place. The tube, or rather barrel, was directed towards Doomstar, followed by a thundering boom, after which Breaker was completely decimated by an explosive impact.
-
“Really? Blaze “Accelerator”?” asked Pinkie, complete with air quotes.
“Ah’ know, right?” Applejack nodded, “Nasty piece of work there.”
“That’s clearly a gun!” Pinkie shouted abruptly. “I mean come on! It shoots stuff, that thing clearly looked like a bullet! It’s a gun! Call it ‘Blaze Gun’, or maybe ‘Blaze Cannon!’ For (Eff!)ck’s sake! We know what cannons are!” She looked upwards at nothing in particular, holding forth her arms which began to shake violently, “We know what cannons are!”
-
“When a monster equipped with Bound Wand is destroyed; I can Special Summon it back to the field,” Sunset responded, to which the system didn’t need to take Doomstar’s card to the Graveyard and simply brought his image back, only kneeling in defense position (DEF: 300). “Guess you won’t be damaging me in battle either,” she smirked.
Spitfire Life Points: 4000 – 500 = 3500
“By paying 500 life points, I add another Volcanic Shell from my deck to my hand,” said Spitfire as the system counted down her price, after which her deck was shuffled, ejecting what she presented as a copy of Volcanic Shell. She promptly fed the card into her Graveyard port, “I discard it to activate Blaze Accelerator’s effect again.”
The second Volcanic Shell flung itself into the breech of the Blaze Accelerator, which then fired, obliterating Doomstar a second time, and no way to bring him back this time.
“I set one card, then end my turn,” Spitfire announced.
(Hand: 1)
Turn 4: Sunset Shimmer (Hand: 3)
“Why didn’t you attack me?” Sunset asked, befuddled. “My field’s wide open.”
“Using Blaze Accelerator’s effect prevents me from attacking that turn. Consider it a formality from attacking an unarmed opponent,” Spitfire quipped, a hint of a smirk curving onto her lips. “At least for now.”
Sunset drew. “Alright; if you want me to Pendulum Summon so bad, I suppose I’ll just have to oblige,” Sunset dared, holding out two cards, “I take the scale one ‘Dragonpulse Magician’ and the scale eight ‘Odd-Eyes Mirage Dragon’ to set the Pendulum Scale!” In one fluid motion, Sunset set the two cards on the far ends of her tray, triggering the Pendulum Scale function.
The two pillars representing the scale appeared, one the glaive wielding warrior sorcerer she’d used against Trixie, the other the green tusked dragon she’d used yesterday against Fluttershy. “Now I can Special Summon any monsters between the levels one and eight.”
“The swing of the pendulum connecting two worlds draws out the arc of harmony.”
“Pendulum Summon! Come forth; my companion!” The gateway between the scales opened, a single bolt of light shooting out and impacting the ground. “Level 7: Valiant dragon with dichromatic eyes; ‘Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon!” The sauropod red dragon with different colored eyes and great horns let loose its call before the gathered spectators to see, Sunset’s new ace and symbol. (Level 7, 2500/2000)
-
Rainbow Dash found herself abruptly clutching at her chest when a sudden jabbing pain erupted deep inside, akin to someone driving a needled into her very heart. Thankfully, the sensation seemed to fade as quickly as it struck, albeit it did little to not make her fret over it, so much as her breathing seemed to cut off, her first intake of air coming out as a disconcerting gasp.
“Oooh…” mouthed Pinkie, the curled-up bang of hair off her forehead seeming to vibrate. “I feel the fuzzies again~”
“You’re right, Pinkie,” concurred Fluttershy, her hand finding itself over her chest. “It’s just like the first time she Pendulum Summoned.”
“So care to explain why you’re getting the “fuzzies”, all the while I got jabbed in the tick-?!” Rainbow exclaimed, only for Applejack to slap a palm over the athlete’s mouth.
-
“That’s the card you used to defeat Trixie,” Spitfire remarked. “But only one monster?”
“One is all I need for this one, Spitfire.” That and she didn’t have other monsters in her hand at the moment. “I attack your Volcanic Rocket with Odd-Eyes! Spiral Strike Burst!”
Odd-Eyes reared its long neck back (ATK: 2500), accruing power and promptly launching it towards the hovering Volcanic Rocket (ATK: 1900). The creature began to reel away in the air, went the gout of power consumed its form. Within the attack, it exploded in a fiery flash.
Spitfire Life Points: 3500 – 400 = 3100
“My turn ends.”
(Hand: 1)
Turn 5: Spitfire (Hand: 1)
“Hmm… I see,” said Spitfire vaguely as she drew her next card. This made Sunset look at her questioningly. “Pendulum Summoning weighs a heavy toll on your hand, what with needing to set two cards to then summon multiples of monsters from your hand. When it’s done; you’re vulnerable.” She pressed her screen, “I pay another 500 life points to add another Volcanic Shell into my hand from my deck.”
Spitfire Life Points: 3100 – 500 = 2600
Placing her newly acquired card into her hand, she then took one of the other two and slid it into her disk, “I play the spell ‘Blasting Vein’; by destroying a set spell or trap,” her set card’s image was suddenly engulfed in flames, “I draw two cards. And because the card I destroyed was Fire Trap, it lets me draw one more card.” The slightest hint of a smirk formed on the athlete’s face looking at her accrued hand. “I activate Blaze Accelerator’s effect, discarding Volcanic Shell.”
For the third time, one of the lizard-like creatures materialized into the air, flinging itself as living ammunition into the awaiting breech. With a resounding click, the weapon fired, Odd-Eyes being enveloped by a fiery blast that decimated even its larger, more powerful form.
“With that safely out of the way; I play the spell card ‘Majesty of Fire’: If I control no monsters, I can Special Summon one level five or higher fire monster from my hand. I summon ‘Volcanic Hammerer’ in attack mode.”
Emerging to her field came a creature twice the size of Volcanic Slicer: Like its kin, it had a very sauropodian dinosaur type physique: Bipedal, its body encased in golden metallic armoring, adhered around a frame seemingly made of molten rock, veins of seething magma glowing in errant patterns all around. It had a pair of hefty clawed forelimbs, and a distinct backwards curving horned head, its maw surging with the glow of magma. (Level 5, 2400/1500)
“As you yourself said; you can’t attack me the turn you use Blaze Accelerator,” remarked Sunset.
“I don’t need to attack to hurt you, Shimmer. With Volcanic Hammerer, once per turn I can inflict 200 damage multiplied by each ‘Volcanic’ monster in my graveyard. I have three Volcanic Shells, Volcanic Slicer and Volcanic Rocket, meaning you take a total of 1000 damage.” Through this indirect command, Volcanic Hammerer launched a five-part volley of magma projectiles from its maw, each striking at Sunset with the volume of a mortar, landing Spitfire in the lead.
Sunset Shimmer Life Points: 3500 – 1000 = 2500
“I end my turn.”
(Hand: 2)
Turn 6: Sunset Shimmer (Hand: 1)
Sunset had to give credit to Spitfire for refusing to gloat. She drew her next card… Nothing particularly beneficial at the moment; however, Spitfire seemed to have forgotten one crucial element from her duel with Trixie:
“With my Pendulum Scale active, I perform Pendulum Summon. Return to the field, my partner; Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon!” Her extra deck port slapping open, Sunset placed Odd-Eyes back to her tray, the red dragon arising back to the field in a crimson streak. (Level 7, 2500/2000)
“What?! I destroyed it!” Spitfire retorted.
“Pendulum Monsters don’t go to the graveyard when destroyed; instead they go to the extra deck Furthermore, as long as my Pendulum Scale stays active, I can continue to summon them back again and again from the Extra Deck. No matter how many times you destroy my Odd-Eyes, he’ll keep getting back up, just how I’ll keep on fighting, no matter what you may say or think of me.” With her declaration of defiance, Sunset pointed toward Volcanic Hammerer, her next intended target. “I attack Volcanic Hammerer with Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon! Spiral Strike Burst!”
Odd-Eyes (ATK: 2500), as if reciprocating its partner’s sentiment, snarled before lunging forth on its heavyset legs. With a mighty leap it flew over the field, charging its breath attack.
“When Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon attacks a level five or higher monster, the battle damage it inflicts is doubled. Reaction Force!”
Odd-Eyes launched its attack at the awaiting Volcanic Hammerer (ATK: 2500), the gout of energy carrying with it a more intensified aura that enveloped the magmatic biped. In a moment after being engulfed, the volcanic beast exploded with bits of molten rock scattering around.
Spitfire Life Points: 2600 – 200 = 2400
“I end my turn.”
(Hand: 2)
Turn 7: Spitfire (Hand: 2)
Spitfire drew. Though remaining stoic, she seemed to display a hint of agitation, seeing as destroying Odd-Eyes would be rendered pyrrhic in regards to wasted resources. Plus, if her monsters could only chip away at Sunset’s life points while being unable to physically contend with Odd-Eyes’ substantial attack strength, it wouldn’t be long before her defenses would break.
“I summon ‘Volcanic Blaster’ in defense mode.” Spitfire slapped a monster onto her tray. Unveiling itself not as another metallic reptilian creature, but instead a green robot consisting of four legs around a frame which held what was clearly the cylinder of a revolver. (Level 3, 1200/600) “I set one card, then end my turn.”
(Hand: 1)
Turn 8: Sunset Shimmer (Hand: 2)
She must have run out of ammunition, thought Sunset as she drew her next card. “I activate Dragonpulse Magician’s Pendulum effect.”
“Pendulum effect?” asked Spitfire with a raised brow.
“When set for the Pendulum Scale; Pendulum monsters are treated as spell cards with alternate effects: By discarding a Pendulum monster from my hand,” Sunset slid a card into her graveyard, “I can destroy one monster you control.”
Suspended inside the Pendulum Scale, Dragonpulse Magician brandished the dual-bladed glaive he bore and flung it like a discus, cleaving through Volcanic Blaster, leaving Spitfire open for the finishing blow.
“Odd-Eyes, attack Spitfire for game!” Sunset commanded, pointing at her opponent with finality. “Spiral Strike B-”
“Continuous trap: ‘Blaze Accelerator Reload’!” Spitfire rebutted, unveiling her set card. “Once each turn; I can send one ‘Volcanic’ monster from my hand to the graveyard to draw one card.” A card was inserted into her graveyard port, to which she drew a card.
“How does that help you in any way?” asked Sunset.
“The card I discarded was ‘Volcanic Scattershot’,” said Spitfire, to which something small, surrounded in a fiery aura emerged over the field: It looked much akin to the lizard-like Volcanic Shell, albeit with a chunkier frame to compensate for the three heads at the front of its body. “When ‘Volcanic Scattershot’ is sent to the graveyard, it deals 500 points of damage to you. But when sent by the effect of a ‘Blaze Accelerator’, it lets me send two more Scattershots to the graveyard and destroy all monsters on your side of the field!”
The three-headed lizard was duplicated, with two more taking their places to either side of the first Scattershot, which promptly flung themselves at Sunset’s field. Each impacted with a fiery explosion, lifting thick motes of virtual smoke. Odd-Eyes pained roaring could be heard over the explosions, showing no trace of it once the smoke cleared.
Sunset Shimmer Life Points: 2500 – 1500 = 1000
It figured Spitfire would have some form of contingency: There was a reason she was considered part of the top brass of CHS. “During my second main phase, I activate my Pendulum Scale: Return to the field; Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon!” By her call, the seemingly undying Odd-Eyes returned to the field in the same brilliant red flash (Level 7, 2500/2000). “I end my turn.”
(Hand: 2)
Turn 9: Spitfire (Hand: 2)
Spitfire drew, her composure slowly ebbing away to sneering overconfidence; “Since I have Blaze Accelerator Reload on my field, I can send it to the graveyard as a Tri-Blaze Accelerator to Special Summon from my hand my ultimate weapon: Arise, fiery devil; ‘Volcanic Doomfire’!”
A series of cracks began to form on the ground. That spot on the ground began to bulge, when a pillar of fire erupted forth from within, in the wake of a monstrous bellow that came with it. Arising from the fiery crater came a bipedal, somewhat dinosaurian appearing silhouette, though largely unintelligible until the flames died down. It stood on a pair of hefty legs seemingly composed of grey stone. The same could be said to describe its arms; composed of a reddish-brown rock, bearing a quartet of thick claws, as well as a thick, significantly lengthy tail. These appendages were connected to a charred black, metallic torso; riddled with spiky protrusions, leading to a matching, sharply angled head, atop which was a noticeable ridge overflowing with a great flame. Throughout the gaps in this darkened chassis, veins of glowing hot magma shone from the surface. (Level 8, 3000/1800)
-
Rainbow idly nibbled on her thumbnail, “Nice; she got out Doomfire. That’s a card even I don’t wanna get in a tussle with, and this is me we’re talking about…” Volcanic Doomfire destroys all other monsters on the field if it manages to destroy a single one in battle, then inflicts 500 points of damage for each monster destroyed.
-
“Let’s see you Pendulum your way out of this one, Shimmer! I attack Odd-Eyes with Volcanic Doomfire!” Spitfire called out with more intensity in both her voice and expression, “Volcanic Cannon!”
Volcanic Doomfire (ATK: 3000) reared back on its rocky legs, opening its jagged maw, from which it launched a large flaming projectile of magma with a boom, like it was from a literal cannon. The projectile struck Odd-Eyes (ATK: 2500), resulting in a fiery explosion that vaporized the dragon. Spitfire had cemented the lead.
Sunset Shimmer Life Points: 1000 – 500 = 500
“I set two cards, then end my turn,” she called out, sliding her remaining hand into her disk.
(Hand: 0)
-
You’re done, Shimmer; the cards I set are Fire Wall and Volcanic Curse. If you manage to take out Doomfire, I’ll negate every direct attack you make against me with Fire Wall and all my monsters in the grave. And if you manage to summon a monster strong enough to contest it, Volcanic Curse will increase its attack by 500 for each pyro-type in my graveyard.
-
Turn 10: Sunset Shimmer (Hand: 2)
Sunset drew her next card, a humble smile appearing on her lips as she beheld the familiar, yet different monster in her hand. Thanks, partner, for believing in me, even if I stole you away from someone else. “Think what you will of me, Spitfire, but you insisted on this duel, and like a true duelist, I will face the challenge head on, whether I win or lose.” She held forth a hand, “Pendulum Summon! Return, Odd-Eyes!” Once again, Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon emerged down from the portal (Level 7, 2500/1000).
“Doesn’t matter how many times you summon that thing to the field, Shimmer. If I have to spend all the ammo I have to shoot it down in order to beat you, then so be it!”
“I have more than one method to my dueling Spitfire,” said Sunset in retaliation. “I sacrifice Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon to perform a Tribute Summon! Take flight in a higher form; level 8; ‘Odd-Eyes Advance Dragon’!”
A column of red light erupted from underneath Odd-Eyes, the dichromatic dragon letting loose a fearsome roar as it was entirely enveloped. In but a moment, a pair of great red wings erupted from within, one mighty downward flap dissipating it against all known laws of physics. Replacing Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon was a larger, more brilliant beast of matching scarlet scales: In place of the arc on its back extended the great wings, while its neck had elongated much further, just like its serpentine tail had to compensate. Its forelimbs had grown too, though still remained significantly frailer compared to its hefty hindlegs, each further enhanced with vicious spike jutting from the knee. (Level 8, 3000/2500)
Though slightly taken aback at the larger Odd-Eyes, Spitfire, her composure further ebbing, simply smirked, “You think making it match Doomfire’s attack points will be enough?”
“Odd-Eyes Advance Dragon can be Tribute Summoned using one sacrifice if that sacrifice is level 5 or higher. Also, when successfully Tribute Summoned, I can activate its first effect: I can destroy one monster you control, and inflict damage equal to its original attack points.”
This had Spitfire grit her teeth in disbelief, all the while the spectators began to jeeringly boo.
“Go, Odd-Eyes! Reaction Advance!”
Odd-Eyes Advance Dragon revved back its snaking neck, a scarlet orb forming between its toothy jaws, from which it then fired a thin beam that trailed along the ground, passing over Volcanic Doomfire to seemingly no effect. Once passed, the ground began to erupt in pattern with where the beam had crossed, the burst engulfing Volcanic Doomfire (ATK: 3000).
Spitfire Life Points: 2400 – 3000 = -600
Sunset Shimmer Victory!