//------------------------------//
// Chapter 15: A Tasting Treat 
// Story: Yugioh: Worlds Collide 
// by ShootingStar25 
//------------------------------//

As night began to fall on day 1 of the Fall Formal Tournament, Celestia and Luna were looking over the results of the day's events.

"Well sister, you'll be pleased to know that everything went smoothly as planned. According to our systems we've had over 100 duels in just the first few hours. I dare say by the time we reached the final day we'll have had at least over 1000 duels. The students are really showing their interest if these numbers are any indication."

"That's wonderful news Luna, any duelists that have been making a splash recently?" asked Celestia who was wearing a nightgown as she and her sister prepared for bed.

"Well, as always we have a few front runners. One of them being, of course, is Sunset Shimmer. In fact, all her duels today have lasted at most 5 turns when facing her opponent. Then there's the energic Rainbow Dash who has been winning duels like people owe her money. She really gives new meaning to the word 'Dash', not too mention that she's also been racking up some wins in hopes of making the finals. Then we a few people behind them not that far off. Overall, everybody seems to have gained a couple of wins."

Celestia had a smile on her face as she heard the good news from her sister. "And what about Isaac? How is he faring with this kind of competition?"  

"Well he hasn't competed in as many duels as Sunset or Dash, but he still seems to have gained a few wins under his belt. Overall his ranking puts him in just above the average range. Still I'd expect with a couple of more duels, I have no doubt he'll be a top contender for the finals."

"That's good, my hope from this tournament is that the students really understand that this event is to honor the game of Duel Monsters. To honor the great duelists of the past and how they have paved the way for others through the use of their unique dueling methods and signature cards. Also for the students to understand the concept of friendship; I want them to know that even after a duel has ended they can still be friends."

"That's a bold claim to make Tia, and I'm proud of all that you've done to accomplish that." Smiled Luna.

"You mean 'we' accomplished. You've played just as a big of a role as I have little sister. Without you none of this wouldn't be possible and I probably wouldn't be the principal that these kids look up too. Thank you Luna, for everything."

Luna was surprised that her sister was giving praise to her. Nevertheless she carried on with what she was doing until she felt her sister give her a hug. Luna wasn't much of a hugger, but no matter what she couldn't break away from the grip of her older sister so eventually she gave in and returned the hug. The 2 sisters eventually decided to turn in for the night.

Day 2 of the Fall Formal tournament was in full swing as even more duels were taking place. Everywhere there were students battling left and right. Compared to the previous day, everybody started to be more strategic with who they were challenging. The first day of the event proved to be a learning curve as now that everybody had a general idea of what styles of dueling everybody had and they made sure to capitalize on that. Among those students competing was our very Isaac who was about to secure victory against his opponent. 

"Now Dark Magician take out his life points, Dark Magic Attack!". Isaac's wizard the raised his staff and unleashed a powerful attack that zapped away the remainder of his opponent's health. 

After that Isaac began to take a quick break by checking to make sure his duel disk was working and looking at his deck to see if he wanted to make any substitutions. Unlike the previous day, he didn't get to see the girls at all. So when he got there and Celestia announced the second day of the tournament, Isaac couldn't find any of the girls so he decided to engage in a couple of duels in hopes of running into the girls. 

"I sure hope the others are ok. We're going to need all the firepower we can get to take down Sunset. Isn't that right, magician?"

Isaac looked at his Dark Magician card when he said that question. While most found it weird, Isaac knew his magician agreed with him.

"You're right buddy, we better get back to dueling if we want to make it to the finals." With that Isaac left in search of more competition.

The rest of the day went by with so many more duels happening. However, for Pinkie she was in a rather unique situation. Compared to the others, she did in fact encounter some loss between yesterday and today. Granted when they happened she just merely smiled and then proceed as if everything was back to normal. For Pinkie she really didn't mind if she lost because to her losing was the just the same as winning. Ultimately, the thing Pinkie really was looking forward to was organizing the huge party planned for the Fall Formal dance and that she was going to co-commentate the finals with none other than Principal Celestia. Honestly, to Pinkie everything was going great for her.

"Well today has been a doozy, not only did I get to duel but I got to meet some crazy new monsters. Any hoo, time for a cupcake break." Pinkie then out of nowhere pulled a cupcake out of her hair and gobbled it in one gulp.

"Now that's what I call good eats. Oh well time to get back to dueling. The question is who am I going to challenge?"

Just when Pinkie began to use her brain, she heard a nearby sound.

"Come one, come all. If your taste buds are craving something new, then why not try the new cream puff now filled with red velvet and blueberry? Don't be shy folks, step right up. Free samples for everybody." Unfortunately, nobody paid attention to what this man was saying. Pinkie then made her way to the free pastries.

"I'll try one." Once Pinkie took a bite she immediately spit out the pastries. She began to rub out any remaining pieces that remained on her tongue. 

"It is supposed to taste bad?"

"No, I'm sorry but it seems I've faced another baking tragedy. My name is Tasty Eclair and I'm helping my parents run their business. However, everytime I try to make something new, I always find some way to mess it up. My dream one day is to own my shop. I want to become one of the bestest bakers in the world; ever since I was little all I wanted to do was put smiles on people's face by giving out tasting treats. But if I can't make good sweets then maybe I should hang up my chef's hat and dreams."

Pinkie then kneeled down and put a hand on Eclair's shoulder. 

"Don't fret, I'm sure everything will work out. I'm Pinkie Pie, nice to meet you! So your dream is spread laughter through sweets, that's a wonderful dream."

"Well given how awful my deserts have been I think it's same to say that my career as a baker is over before it even gets started."

"Cheer up, if there's anybody who knows a thing or two about sweets it's me. Now why don't you show your recipe and maybe I can offer you some advice." 

After a moment of considering his options Eclair decided to take Pinkie up on her offer. They then made their way to Eclair's food truck that was filled with tons of baking supplies. The first thing they did was look over the recipe book that Eclair had and began to work their magic. Pinkie had suggested that they both make the same desserts to compare the results. After making a simple cupcake, Pinkie saw what the issue was right off the bat. However she wanted to see what else he could do; so she began to ask him to make several treats. After several horrendous baked goods and a couple of kitchen fires, Eclair started to throw in the towel.

"It's no good! I'll never become a baker, maybe I should just disappear. I doubt my parents will ever notice if I left." Eclair had thrown his hat on the ground and hung his head in shame.

Pinkie then made her way over to Eclair and picked up the chef's hat. "Ah cheer up, sure you made some mistakes. Sure you made some horrible treats that are inedicabled. And I'm sure if someone managed to eat one they probably wind up in the hospital, not to mention the many complaints you'll get from people. Which will likely lead to not many people wanting to hire you. Also your parents will be super disappointed and probably think that their legacy is in danger."

"Wow thanks, I feel so much better now. It turns not only am I not a good baker but apparently I'm killer due to how bad my  skills are." Eclair had a bit of sarcasm when he gave Pinkie his response.

"Sorry, my bad. What I meant to say is that there's still hope for you, especially since I've figured out what your problem is."

"Mind telling me what it is?"

"You're too nervous. What I mean is that you're nervous that your treats won't be good and that you'll let your family down. You put so much pressure on yourself to meet the expectations of others that you're not focusing on what you want."

Eclair was a bit confused with what Pinkie was suggesting. "What are you saying?"

"Put it this way, when you bake does it feel you with happiness? Do feel like a bundle of joy when making such tasty sweets? More importantly, do you make sure that you put all of your love into creating your desserts?" 

"Of course, I believe that if you don't put in all of your effort into making sweets, then why bother? Ever since I was young, my parents always told me that making sweets is like showing the world a part of yourself. They say that as long as you put your heart and soul into your cooking then the final product will be amazing. But you've seen firsthand how that turns out."

"That's why you need to let go of those expectations. I know it sounds weird but if you learn to relax and learn that you can do things at your own pace then I guarantee, you will be successful. Look your parents want you to learn and be the best baker you can be, right? So don't worry about what others expect, the only person whose expectations you should please is yourself. It's like my grant nani once said life without chocolate is no life at all, but mostly she said that as long as you enjoy spreading laughter with other people then that is the greatest accomplishment anyone.  So come on, we've got some treats that need baking."

Pinkie then offered her hand to Eclair. Eclair was thinking about what Pinkie had said to him and after having a moment to collect his thoughts, he eventually agreed and accepted Pinkie's advice. They then got to work making a brand new batch of pastries which with the help of Pinkie she began to relieve Eclair of his anxiety. Eventually after a couple of mishaps, they eventually created a new batch of tasty treats. It consisted of donuts, cupcakes, eclairs, cookies, etc... in fact hey had created just about every tasting thing you could think of. The final test was being able to see what the people thought so Pinkie worked her magic and was able to draw a crowd of nearby students and bystanders. Eclair then brought out some free samples to give and the results were more than pleasing. Everybody was saying that this was one of the best things they had eaten in a while, in fact some were asking Eclair the cost each treat as they were willing to buy more. Eclair was the happiest he ever was in his entire life, not only was his food putting smiles on people's faces but to know they weren't spitting out their taste buds meant so much to him. After getting the huge endorsement from his patrons, he turned to find Pinkie snacking on some more treats.

"I can't thank you enough, Pinkie. Because of your help I've been able to get over my anxiety about living to someone's expectations. I now know that if I want to be a great baker the only person who I should try to please is myself; as long as I'm happy making food for people to enjoy then I've done my job. Is there anything I can do to repay you?"

Pinkie thought about it until she reached a decision. "Well, I was thinking about letting me drive your food truck around. Seriously, I always wanted to do it. Imagine racing to the ends of the world hunting down hungry mouths and delivering them delicious treats. And then we'll throw a big party as a way to celebrate, so can I? Please? Pretty please with sprinkles on top?"

"I don't think I can allow that, seeing as how we wouldn't get very far. Plus that's a long time to be on the road. I think I have a better idea, seeing as these folks enjoyed my food why not give them a show that they can enjoy? Up for a little duel, Miss Pie?"

"Alright, though I still say my idea was way for fun. Let's duel."

"Opponent detected. Streaming Data. Duel Mode Set. Initiating. Commence Duel" said the duel disks.

Eclair's Life Points: 8000-
Pinkie's Life Points: 8000- 

Turn 1: Eclair

"I'll start things off, I draw. First I'll activate the field spell Tasty Bakery. Now once per turn, I can summon a pastry monster from my hand to the field and I think I'll do just that with my Cupcake Soldier(1100/1200). Then I'll also summon my Truffle Trooper(1500/1200) in attack mode. I'll then play 1 card facedown and end my turn."

Turn 2: Pinkie

“Cool!” Pinkie grinned as she drew. She looked at her card and held it out. “I pay a thousand Life Points, and activate the Spell card ‘Toon World’!”

A shower of sparks and a cloud of pink smoke billowed into the air behind Pinkie. A large green book with cartoon characters spun out of it and hurled into the air, landing in front of her and springing open to reveal a pop-up city rising from the pages.
Pinkie's Life Points: 7000-

"I summon Toon Masked Sorcerer(900/1400) in attack mode!" A circular portal in front of Pinkie opened and a purple and red mist poured out, solidifying into the shape of a humanoid figure in a purple robe with a long, bright red shock of hair. The figure shook its head, its face covered by a bright blue mask, and sat down in front of Pinkie. "I'll then set 2 cards facedown, you're up. This is so much fun!"

Turn 3: Eclair

"My turn, seeing as you only a single monster I'll take this opportunity to attack, now my Cupcake will take out your Sorcerer and then I'll have my Trooper take a shot at your life points." Eclair gave his orders and his duo of monsters began to charge towards Pinkie's monster. 

“I don’t think so!” Pinkie called. “I activate my Continuous Trap card ‘Toon Defense’!” A long wooden crook extended of the Toon World book and hooked around Masked Sorcerer. “When you try and attack a Level 4 or lower Toon monster, I can change it to a direct attack instead!” The crook pulled Masked Sorcerer into the book, leaving Hyper Librarian’s energy attack streaming towards Pinkie.

“So now you’ll just take the full force of the hit!” Eclair cried.

“Nope! I use my second Continuous Trap ‘Spirit Barrier’!” A glowing field of yellow energy encircled Pinkie. Hyper Librarian’s attack struck in a shower of sparks and dispersed. “With this Trap, as long as I control a monster, any damage I take from your attacks is reduced to zip-zilch-zee-ro!”

Eclair grinned. “So I can’t attack your monsters with that first Trap, and my attacks don’t hurt you because of the second. Not bad.”

“Thanks!” Pinkie smiled back as Masked Sorcerer emerged from Toon World, dancing from either foot.

"Then I'll just end my turn with a facedown."

Turn 4: Pinkie

"I'm up and draw.  Alright, I play Toon Harpie Lady. Now since I control another toon monster on my field I can destroy 1 spell or trap on the field and I choose your field spell. Goodbye bakery, you'll be dearly missed with frosting. However, my harpie lady can't attack on the turn she's summoned, but my sorcerer can and he do it right at your life points. So go head and have some fun."
Eclair's Life Points: 7100-

"Now my sorcerer's ability activates when he inflicts battle damage, I can draw 1 card. I'll then end my turn with a facedown."

Turn 5: Eclair 

"I'll admit Pinkie you're not only amazing in the kitchen, but you're also amazing when it comes to handling a deck."

"Oh please, I just love to have fun."

"Well if it's fun you want then allow me to show you a good time. First since you sent my bakery to the grave, I can now add one card of my choosing to my hand." Eclair's deck then slotted out the card he desired and added it to his hand. Then I'll play spell Powdered Donuts now I gain two donut tokens(200/500). Next I'll sacrifice my tokens in order to summon one of my most culinary creatures, appear my Chocolate Mousse(2500/2200). Next I'll add another layer to this taste creature with the equip spell Seven Layer Frosting, now my Mousse gains an addition 300 attack for every monster on my field, so he gains 600 more points making his attack equal to 3100."

"Nod bad, in fact I was hoping you would do something like that."

Eclair raised an eyebrow. "Why is that?"

"Because I can activate my trap Toon Mask!" Pinkie’s Trap shimmered and turned into a large mask of a cartoon ogre. "Now I can summon a monster whose the same level as your Mousse, since he's level 7 I'm gonna summon a level 7 of my own. Say hello to Red-Eyes Toon Dragon(2400/2000)."

The mask shattered and the ink dripped away, revealing a cartoon black dragon with stubbed wings, an oversized mouth, and large red eyes. It flapped into the air in front of Pinkie and let out a high-pitched roar, flexing its claws. 

"Impressive, but don't think I've forgot about your traps. Now by sending 1 monster I control I can activate this card: Rush Order. Now for this turn I can negate your traps until the battle phrase is over, not time to give Pinkie her just desserts. Mousse take out her Toon Masked Sorcerer. With that I'll end my turn with a facedown."
Pinkie's Life Points: 5800-

Pinkie put her arms up as she tried to stand her ground against the attack. She was taken off her feet but quickly bounced right back up. 

Turn 6: Pinkie

"Wow, what a doozy of an attack." Pinkie then dew her card. "Now then I'll play the spell Toon Rollback now I can select a Toon monster and they gain an additionally attack this turn and I choose my Red-Eyes Toon Dragon, so now prepare for a double whamming on your life points, go my dragon!"

Pinkie's monster then started to inhale air in its lungs, thenit flapped its wings as it soared into the air. Once it got high enough, its jaws glowed orange as it let out a barrage of fireballs as they collided with Eclair. Eclair just raised his arms up to cover himself from most of the attack.

"I'll then have my Toon Harpie Lady also attack you directly, I'll then end my turn."  
Eclair's Life Points: 1000-

Turn 7: Eclair

"Seems like I'm almost out of life points, those toons of yours really pack a punch. Tell me something, Pinkie. What's your purpose in life?"

For the first time Pinkie didn't have an immediate answer. All she ever did in her life was plan parties and put smiles on people's face. Sure that was something nice to do as a hobby but was it really a calling in life. Compared to her friends, Pinkie was always the optimistic one. Whenever someone was feeling down, she would always be there to turn that frown upside down. To Pinkie smiling was just a whole lot easier, in fact it was the first time she threw a party for her family that showed just how powerful a smile could be. Ever since then she made an effort to always throw a party as a way to get people to laugh and have fun. Eventually, Pinkie decided to address Eclair's question.

"To be honest, I don't really know. All I've been doing is making sure that people laugh to wash away any sadness they have. In terms of what I want for my future, I don't know. I have pretty good baking skills, so maybe I could get a job working at bakery or possibly in a diner. Still there's a part of me that thinks I'm destined for more."

Eclair then tried a different approach. "Well about now? Why did you enter this tournament, I could tell from that look in your eyes that you have a set goal in mind? Is that correct?"

Pinkie gave him a nod. "Yeah, me and my friends are trying to band together to take someone down. That's not so wrong, is it?"

"That depends if your intentions are true then your actions will be justified. The only thing that you need to answer is do you feel like you're doing your part to help the others?" Eclair then did something that nobody was expecting even Pinkie was left stunned. He placed his hand over his duel disk and said the words: "I quit".

Once Eclair made his surrender everything went back to normal. Pinkie then made her way to Eclair.

"Why? Why surrender, you could have had a chance?"

"To be honest, I don't think I would have lastly much longer. Plus I wanted to see something from you. You've shown that while you're willing to help your friends and do everything in your power to put smiles on people's face, there's still a sense of doubt in you. I see fear in your eyes, fear that one day there will come a time where all your antics won't be enough to make people laugh. That they'll laugh at you instead of with you; that all your gifts and services as the ultimate party planner will be forgotten. Now you'll have to face those demons of yours one day, but know that as long as you have individuals you can count on they will always remember you."

Eclair's words left a lasting impression on Pinkie that she started to burst into tears. Unbeast to her, Pinkie was starting to experience a similar feeling that Rarity had encountered the previous day. It was a strange sensation, but one that filled her full of hope and positivity.  

Once Pinkie had finished letting her tears out, she thanked Eclair for a wonderful time not just for the duel but for also getting to make some delicious treats. She then began to leave but not before taking a few sweets for the road. As she waved goodbye, she looked at her deck and then to the sky. There were still many questions that she needed to answer. While Pinkie may not have the answers she seek, she knew that right now her friends were counting on her to do her part in taking down Sunset Shimmer. Pinkie gave one last look at her deck and remembered the words Isaac had told them prior to the tournament. 

"Always put your trust in your deck and it will put their trust in you."

She thought she knew what Isaac was talking about at that given moment, but now those words rang truer than they ever before. "Trust my deck and it will trust me. Then I'm going to keep on searching and no matter what I'll find my life's purpose. Count on it!"

Meanwhile in another part of the school, Isaac had just finished taking a break when he suddenly heard his stomach growling. "That's weird, I ate not too long ago. And yet I have a weird craving for something sweet, oh well probably means nothing." Little did Isaac know that suddenly 2 bright particles had landed on his deck both resembling the colors of purple and pink.