Dear Twilight
You have no idea how relieved I am to hear from you! As much as I’d hoped to finally make my peace with Princess Celestia, as you have experience regarding this world, I resign to waiting for a later opportunity. I thank you for sending her my regards, my friend.
Things have been strange, regardless of the recent disappearances. Ditzy Doo, but everyone just calls her Derpy, just went missing and we heard about it on the morning announcement. She was one of the few to not take to me all bad; I spoke with her last week after my recent test duel.
Context: Due to the lack of dueling I’d put in following what everyone now calls the “CHS Incident”, the school board gave me an ultimatum: A test that would reflect further on my grade if I lost, or expulsion and transfer to a non-dueling institution. Problem was I had no deck after I threw away my old one and passed Priestess’ over to you (I am happy to know she is fine in Equestria). So, me and the girls got together to build something that at least left me with a fighting chance against an opponent of my skill level. My opponent was Trixie. She’s not the greatest (don’t tell her I said that, if we ever find her), but she is formidable. Especially given her recent improvements.
Here is where I must stress that something has changed: Whether or not it’s because of my incursion to Equestria, or what your influence brought about when you saved us all, maybe even both: During a most desperate moment when I was just about ready to give up, give into the despair: I saw something I thought only legend, let alone it was something not from this world.
In my mind… No, maybe my soul, when you dove in to pull me out of the dark. Whatever that place was; I saw the Tree of Harmony of Equestrian lore, and the Elements themselves, all six of them… It spoke to me, telling me to “let them be my power”. That’s when it happened; my deck changed: Honest to Celestia, my deck changed into something new: Cards that weren’t there before, perhaps outright changed. On top of that, I was capable of utilizing a new summon: Pendulum.
Pendulum is apparently a new, rare mechanic creeping in that lets one summon multiple monsters at once. It functions by taking two “Pendulum” cards with the appropriate “scales”, then once each turn one can summon any monster from their hand with level between these scales. In addition, Pendulum Monsters, for lack of a better word, are near undefeatable, for when one is destroyed, instead of going to the Graveyard, they go to one’s Extra Deck and can be summoned back, so long as one retains the scales. If I only had a way to show a sample.
Sunset idly twirled her pen between fingers as she took out a card from her deck: Odd-Eyes itself staring back from the image once depicting its non-Pendulum self that whatever magic was interfering chose to evolve. If she could somehow introduce it to Twilight, maybe… Maybe…?!
She proceeded to cross out her last sentence, aligned Odd-Eyes’ card with the text, and proceeded to write beside it as if it were an image in a book:
My new partner, I guess I should call it; Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon has been a crucial part for each subsequent victory. Every time I’m in a bind, something spurs me to unlocking more power through it: Tribute, Fusion, Xyz.
There’s something else: In my dreams, I see something else with the Tree of Harmony: Three orbs connected to the tree itself, each containing something within. I don’t know for sure, but they seem to be dragonic in form. I remember the night before my duel with Night Quill that one of them seemed to, well… I think it was calling to me.
Perhaps you and Priestess with your combined wisdom can make sense of all of this. I’m still afraid that whatever is happening at CHS might very well be because of me.
Always thankful,
Your friend,
Sunset Shimmer
With that she closed the tome, Odd-Eyes enclosed within, the soft chime of magic emanating from within the pages, making the impossible connection between universes. On reopening and reclaiming the card, much to her amazement and convenience, the magic left an exact “imprint” of the card on the page.
At least Twilight can get a look at you, huh? she thought as she eyed the card of her partner.
“Perhaps you and Priestess with your combined wisdom can make sense of all of this. I’m still afraid that whatever is happening at CHS might very well be because of me. Always thankful. Your friend, Sunset Shimmer,” Twilight finished reading aloud from the journal.
The alicorn looked up to the more formally seated Priestess, the spirit from the human world having not left her side since being divulged Sunset’s message from beyond realities. While normally eager and wanderlust since her arrival with a penchant for appearing seated wherever her immaterial makeup allowed her to (a habit not too dissimilar to a certain obnoxious draconequus), she now looked the very air of concern.
Going over the message in silence, focusing particularly on the emblazoning of that specific card that seemed the root of this mystery: “Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon”; a far-cry from the initial spellcasters, later archfiends, that Sunset was most known for before Twilight’s timely intervention: A raptor-esque, wingless red dragon of dichromatic eyes.
“Pendulum Summon, dreams of dragons with the Tree of Harmony,” Twilight mused, studying the image of Odd-Eyes inscribed onto the page. “What could all of this mean?”
Priestess looked upon Twilight and the opened journal, strikingly taller compared to ordinary Equestrians, being just slightly taller than the fledgling alicorn when seated on her knees, “It’s difficult to divulge when I’m unable to witness is myself, sadly.” Her emerald tome appeared before her, its infinite pages fluttering in its wake before settling on an image of a crystalline tree: The very Tree of Harmony Sunset mentioned in her message. “It is possible that, what with you returning the Elements to the Tree of Harmony, that it’s been able to establish some meager connection to Sunset.”
“Possibly since she bore the crown herself for but a moment,” Twilight remarked.
“How and why, I do not know. As far as I’ve gleamed from studying the Tree, as I’m sure you’ve also seen: It has a mind of its own: Perhaps upon learning about alternate dimensions, or the Dark Games from my world, it might be influencing Sunset as a buffer; thus granting her these new cards and abilities.”
“But against what?” asked Twilight, looking up at her immaterial friend. “Do you think this could be a portent to a disaster?” The thought troubled Twilight greatly, especially since only recently surviving the onslaught of Tirek, now safely locked back in Tartarus, hopefully for good.
Priestess shrugged, her tome fluttering its pages once again, “I’m truly sorry, Twilight, but I do not know. What I find quite remarkable, however, is how quickly this card seemed to bond with her, in light of circumstance.”
Twilight raised a querulous brow, “Pardon?”
Priestess appeared to genuinely sigh, softly bringing her hand to stop her tome’s motions and opening to another spread, “I felt I shouldn’t speak of this, in light of how much Sunset needs you, but I suppose it’s time. Back before your arrival, Sunset was involved in quite illicit practices.” A moment spent in silence urged her to continue without interruption, “Sunset became involved in unlawful “underground” duels, as they called them.”
The spread of pages on her tome fluttered once more, only this time they were accompanied by images, like still-life photographs being flitted back-to-back so fast it created the illusion of motion. In a soundless display, it showed Sunset, her face cold and stern, with spiked bands attached to her biceps and neck, her hair disheveled, and her eyes surging with hate. It spread out, revealing her standing inside a wire-fence cage, screaming and jeering spectators raving and banging against the mesh. On giving out a soundless order, Reaper attacked, striking a man in sunglasses and a bandana with her haunting namesake weapon, when the man spasmed and convulsed madly, the same spiked bands on him eliciting arcs of electricity.
Twilight found herself at a loss for words. Priestess looked sadly at the images of what must have been her own memories playing out.
“Even before everything, Sunset was alone and unable to support herself. She started out selling valuable possessions from her life here. It allowed her to get some necessities, but until then, she had actually lived inside the school in hiding. Still, it was not going to last, so she first applied for the local junior dueling circuit. It seemed promising at first, but given her status she could not sign for sponsors or enter the pro-league. Then this woman, I believe her name was Caliber, sought her out and made her an offer with the promise of wealth, as long as she did as told.”
“Blood sports?” asked Twilight in a haunted tone.
Priestess nodded, “The called themselves Ghouls, after creatures of the ancient world that pillaged burials and devoured the dead. A crime syndicate specializing in Duel Monsters. Possibly by those who had knowledge of the Dark Games, but dismissed them as fables and instead chose to emulate the potentially lethal legends using artificial means and allowing gathered masses to witness. It drew in the most deplorable and depraved souls, and they paid handsomely for the carnage.”
Sweet Celestia, if Twilight could only mouth it out.
The Emerald Tome shifted between various moments of Sunset’s battles, each sparking more brutality and uproar than the last. As it went on, Sunset’s eyes turned colder, crueler. No doubt the parasite had taken root.
“She kept claiming to herself, and to me, that each would be the last. But her prowess only brought in more spectators, and each victory more riches. She became the most decorated Ghoul duelist in the county, and with it came stable and comfortable living. When the darkness ingrained itself within, she became crueler, taking cards from defeated foes as trophies.”
To emphasize, the tome revealed as Terrorking Archfiend blasted out its chest, blood-red insects swarming and exploding all over a familiar sauropodian dragon. Then showed Sunset, standing over her foe, boot down on the poor boy’s head, sneering as she flaunted Odd-Eyes Dragon’s card in a display of domination. Twilight dared not even think what these Ghouls did to the defeated once it was over.
Priestess unceremoniously snapped the tome shut. “Whatever happened, that dragon is now bonded with her. Whether the Elements of Harmony or Tree of Harmony or something in between had any influence, I cannot say.”
“I do hope these disappearances Sunset keeps bringing up aren’t connected,” remarked Twilight, the frustration of being unable to intervene eating away at her.
“Speaking of which,” Priestess began, not moving from her position as she normally when able. “How is that bypass coming along?”
Perfect; something uplifting to share finally, “I believe I might have it all right in my hoof.” Twilight tapped the journal. She looked over to the corner of the library; the Crystal Mirror of Star Swirl, sent over by Cadence and Celestia to guard it, and to re-establish contact with Sunset once the lunar phases allowed.
Surrounding the arcane artifact was a veritable workshop: Brass and copper tubing and wires, wooden insulation and structural materials lay assembled in neat stacks and piles around, some being partially put together into components. Some knickknacks and unneeded items were set to the side, some of them opened and disassembled to get at the finer parts within. To top it all off, her chalkboard on wheels had found its place there, dotted with a myriad of formulas and diagrams she’d spent the better part of the past few days calculating.
“If my theory stands, maybe we can intervene and find out what’s happening. A friend never leaves a friend in trouble, be it beyond mere distances.”
School was never something the youth looked forward to on the best of days. At Canterlot High, this sentiment it seems became double the meaning, for gone was much of the chatter and clamor that normally occupied the hallways.
“It’s like walking into a morgue,” remarked Fluttershy.
“Or wake,” said Sunset in reciprocation. “It’s awful.” And knowing they think I’m involved. “Any news about Trixie, Night or Derpy?”
Fluttershy shrugged. Unlikely that she was to know, just any good news would have been welcoming. At this rate it felt like each passing day someone vanished. One would think the authorities had something to go off of.
“Oh my god, there you are!”
Rainbow Dash came outright running down the hall to greet them. A tugging sensation came down in Sunset’s gut when she realized the outright terrified expression on the athlete’s face.
“I know this is a long shot, but have either of you seen or heard of Scootaloo since yesterday?!”
The realization dawned on her like lightning from a clear sky, Fluttershy barely stifling a gasp. The next victim, and one so close.
With no sense of decorum or manners, Rainbow might as well had bust the door into Principal Celestia’s office with the fervor in her stride, the rest of the girls being barely able to keep up with her pace. Principal Celestia, seated behind her desk, looked expectedly spooked from the sudden intrusion.
“Miss Dash, is something-?”
“We have another missing student, Principal Celestia!” Rainbow shouted, slamming her hands onto the desk. “Scootaloo has gone missing! Her aunts called me last night, she hadn’t returned home, hours after curfew!”
The Principal, at least from Sunset’s position, seemed eerily calm about the predicament. Sure; her face portrayed the very human expression of sadness, but for the life of her, she thought her eyes looked particularly hollow. She brought one hand from her laptop computer to her mouth in a display of sorrow.
“She… She’s a freshman… All the others were seniors…”
Rainbow shook her head firmly, “She’s like a little sister to me!”
“Principal Celestia,” Sunset spoke up, tentatively stepping into the office. “Forgive my intrusion as well, but given all that’s happened, we-”
“We need to close the school!” Rainbow blurted. “I know, me normally saying so would be damn childish, even I’ll admit that, but that’s four victims in a week!”
“I believe what Rainbow is trying to say, Principal Celestia,” came Fluttershy, meekly scooting next to Sunset, “We’ve had four disappearances and, well… they all came from our school.”
“Yea, something is definitely going on, and we’re the target!” said Rainbow insistingly. Sunset felt another pang of tightness in her gut.
Celestia looked at the athlete in pondering, “I’m… I’m afraid that won’t be possible.”
Rainbow thumped against Celestia’s desk, “Why the hell not?!”
“Miss Dash!” Principal Celestia admonished, pausing for a moment, remaining motionless before continuing, “I understand you’re worried. We all are. But these occurrences are not limited to just us.”
“They’re not?” asked Sunset. Her look at the local news begged to differ.
“There have bene reports of disappearances elsewhere in Canterlot City,” said Principal Celestia in a matter-of-fact tone, her hands gripped together as she leaned forward onto her elbows. “The authorities are looking into this strew of disappearances. All we can do is to adhere to what we’ve learned about personal safety and simply hold out for hope that our missing students are found. Other than that, my hands are tied. Now,” she sat back straight, “please, return to class.”
Sunset looked at their principal dubiously. Everything said made sense, she supposed, but Celestia seemed less... passionate that what she was used to, given everything she’d learned of her mentor’s counterpart’s outright maternal nature. Stress perhaps? Defeated and sullen, Rainbow stormed out of the office, Fluttershy being quick to go after her. Sunset remained for but a moment.
“Principal Celestia? Are you… feeling alright?”
Celestia, in an eerily calm fashion, brought her hands together atop her desk. Her face looked oddly unmoving, almost too professional even, “Why, I’m perfectly fine, Miss Shimmer. There is no need for concern. Now please; I have important work to cover, so if you wouldn’t mind.”
Sunset, hesitated for a moment, but complied to the Principal’s request. On the way out, peering surreptitiously over her shoulder, she thought she saw something change in her Principal. But she could not fathom what it was.
If Priestess was here, she could uncover everything easily.
As she left, glancing over her shoulder, she thought she could discern something in Celestia’s expression. She couldn’t tell what it was, but she thought the Principal looked, troubled, more so than what she was letting on.
Rainbow felt she was at her wits’ end, rushing into the bathroom. Barging into the stall farthest from the entrance; she slumped down on the toilet, hands clutching at her head. Her mind raced with fear, of a kind she’d not been able fathom all her life she thought. Scootaloo; headstrong and spunky Scootaloo, her honorary little sis… The voices of Holiday and Lofty echoed in her mind’s ear, the worst she could have expected, on par with the CHS Incident.
She’d been minding her own business; relaxing with a good Daring Do book in hand, Tank dozing next to her, just trying her utmost to try and not think about what was happening at CHS. It couldn’t possibly happen to her, or her friends, or her friends’ friends, her teammates, their families: That’s what she’d convinced herself; they were sharp enough to not make the same mistakes afterwards.
Shows what she knew. And there was absolutely nothing coming out from the authorities. Damn it, were they even trying?! Rainbow thought she felt the bile rise up her throat; all the victims went missing with only their clothing and belongings left behind… Those sick bastards!
A resounding bang rang in the bathroom, possibly even beyond its walls. Rainbow’s hand ached, a numbing throb racing through the edge of her palm where her fist had connected with the stall wall.
What is going on with this school?! Her mind screamed. First it’s three years of apathy, then we learn magic exists and there’s a gate to a world of ponies outside the school…
Stepping out of the stall, she ran the closest faucet and splashed cold water all over her face, the shock to the system stalling her hysteria just about. Looking herself in the mirror, it was evident she hadn’t slept, what with the black bags under her eyes.
The school’s speaker system suddenly crackled to life, followed by a noticeable pause, when Principal Celestia’s voice rang through the school. “… Students, I… I regret to bring you more bad news. It’s been brought to my attention that freshman student Scootaloo Allgood went missing last night in similarly mysterious circumstances as the last three senior students between last week and today. If anyone has any knowledge about her latest whereabouts, we request you bring this to our attention.”
A second pause followed.
“I understand that you’re all frightened. We’re all worried for the wellbeing of those who are missing. But we mustn’t lose hope that Canterlot authorities will find them. We are not the only people seemingly targeted by whatever malevolent intentions someone has on our community. As such we implore everyone to not go anywhere alone and to be home within daylight hours, and if possible, carpool with a friend or family. And if you feel it best I…”
Rainbow held her breath for but a moment without almost realizing it. Was she going to go against the norm and heed her and Sunset’s suggestions?
“I’m sorry, i-it’s nothing. Please, stay safe.” And with an electronic click, the speakers cut off.
Rainbow smacked a hand over her face and slowly, painfully dragged it against the skin, “Unbelievable…”
The door to the bathroom opened, in stepping someone Rainbow almost thought she didn’t recognize: Purple and teal hair in twin tails and an outfit quite different from your average student, with a chocked bearing a crimson gem hanging over her clavicles.
“Hey,” said the girl, Aria Blaze, thought Rainbow, in a disinterested tone. “Rainbow Dash, right?”
Rainbow eyes the girl vacantly, her mind feeling too disheveled to even care about the new girl.
“Okay, whatev,” the new girl scoffed seeming to head for the closest stall, when she looked over once again. “Listen, I know this is none of my business whatsoever, but I get you’re friends with that Sunset Shimmer girl, right?”
Rainbow eyed her questioningly. Quite the precarious assumption to make, let alone very personal. “What of it?”
Aria’s lips pouted contemplatively, her eyes veering to the side. So pretentious on top of everything else, “Well, I’ve heard from a reliable source that that girl; she’s a Ghoul.”
Rainbow’s breath hitched in her chest. “Bull crap.”
Aria raised a quizzical brow, “Is it?” She leaned casually against the stall, looking Rainbow square in the eyes, her expression firm and uncompromising. “Listen, sweetums, I kinda got this impression that you seem pretty tight with that Shimmer girl, yea?”
Rainbow pursed her lips. She wasn’t exactly wrong, but she wasn’t entirely right either. She’d made a promise to Twilight. Not that she would tell this stranger of a magical pony princess from another universe. Keeping that promise had been tough, she’d resented Sunset for so long. Part of her still did, but…
“Look, I don’t know what went on between her and… I dunno, everyone. Apparently, she’s this total bitch,” Aria sniffed.
“It’s a bit more complicated than that,” Rainbow dared interjecting. “Okay, she was… Yea, she was a bitch, but-”
“Yea, not trying to sugarcoat this, but facts are facts; Sunset Shimmer was a Ghoul; participated in the Underground. People aren’t exactly subtle; I have no idea what this whole “she-demon” schtick is or whatever, but she’s good, apparently the best duelist here?”
Rainbow ‘s discomfort over Aria’s prying began to grow, “Y-yea. Yea, she is good, I mean maybe not as good as me, but-”
Aria chuckled wryly, “How do you think she got so good? Because she practiced? Studied? Nope; she fought in the Canterlot Underground. You know, cage matches, shock collars and such? And the stealing, the forging. You’re all safe in here training the formal way; this girl, she was out there, doing it the hard way.” She frowned, “You know, I’ve even heard a rumor that she’s the one who burned down their operation.”
Rainbow scoffed at the absurdity of these abrupt claims, “You’re full of it.”
“Maybe,” Aria shrugged. “You know, those people disappearing? Everything left behind but the cards? Well, I know Principal Celestia said to stay strong, but what if it’s that simple that it’s kinda Shimmer’s fault? You know; burns down their establishment, now they’re snagging people off the streets, doing who knows what to rebuild?”
Rainbow’s eyes furrowed, “How the hell would you even know all of this?!”
Aria’s face remained stoic, “I’m not exactly a good girl, if you thought that. But hey; I’m smart enough to know when to get out of a predicament. So let me give you one more bit of advice; I’ve seen shit that’d have you pissing yourself. Take this all however you will, but wouldn’t it be worse if one of those other girls you and Shimmer hang out with might be next? Like the pink-haired one doting over her? Trust me; she’d not last a second.”
Preposterous. That had to be it; absolutely preposterous. Sunset Shimmer’s uncanny aptitude and skill came from her unique connections to magic. She had been closer to the truth behind things long before Rainbow herself could have imagined that the very practice CHS was built upon was more than a game… And Sunset could exploit it better than anyone with this direct knowledge…
A horrifying realization… No! No, it couldn’t be what this Aria was implying. How could she know? She would get the truth herself. Prove her wrong. For all her faults under everything even Rainbow could attest to…
Rainbow said nothing as she went bast Aria and out the door. Aria watched as she went, the door swaying back and forth upon her exit. A demeaning huff escaped Aria’s lips, taking something out of her vest’s pocket; a card, idly wagging it between an index and middle finger. “Thanks for the tip on the perfect bait…” she muttered, looking at the Hi-Speedroid Kendama.
The day went on somberly, more so now that someone close was missing, with no clue as to their whereabouts. At lunch anyone barely spoke, just how Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom were utterly devastated, having been the last to see Scootaloo after club activities before going their separate ways.
It went to show just how close Rainbow and Scootaloo were, Applejack and Rarity being the first to console her. Other than a few words, the rainbow-haired athlete hardly spoke. When she’d thought she wasn’t looking, Sunset thought she’d been casting questioning looks at her, but hadn’t procrastinated thankfully. Not that she’d question it; being emotionally vulnerable would make one do questionable antics. She could attest to that.
It wasn’t until last period when Sunset received a text, from Rainbow. It was short, simple and to the point: “Meet me on the rooftop after school. We need to talk.”
Suffice to say, Sunset’s trepidations about Rainbow’s mental state did not go unfounded.
Sunset took the earliest opportunity to meet with Rainbow. She owed her that much. Ignoring all the passing stares, or attempts at averting eyes like she would steal their souls or curse her fellow students, she made as covertly as she could to the rooftop. Easy to access as it was, it was also not appreciated by many members of faculty to go there, mostly out of safety concerns.
Stepping out through the rooftop exit, sure enough; there was Rainbow Dash, standing near the edge, looking over into the distance where the suburbs sunk into the horizon. As Sunset approached, deliberate in her stride, her boots clacking against the concrete as she went. On getting closer, she could tell Rainbow was clutching at herself, hurting.
“Rainbow?” Sunset called out gently. “What’s… I mean… Why are we here?”
Rainbow did not budge. The only response was a breeze wafting her hair. “Sunset…” A sigh escaped her lips, her hands slumping off her body, curling into fists. “I get why Twilight and Fluttershy and the rest… I get that they trust you. And I really wanna trust you too, I mean…” She sighed. “Look, after everything that’s happened since the Fall-Formal Championship, I kinda assumed we’d be open with each other.”
Sunset did not feel comfortable in the slightest over what her most obstinate friend was getting at. “We… We are open. I can only imagine how you must be feeling right now. I just-”
“Sunset,” Rainbow spun on her heels, facing Sunset sternly. “I want the truth, so no bullshitting: Are you a Ghoul?”
The question struck deep and hard. Sunset felt her body freeze, her breath getting caught in her throat. How-?! When-?! Who-?! How can she possibly know that?! Sunset hadn’t told anyone. Not the principals, not Mr. Turner, not even so much as uttered a peep to any outsider. She hadn’t even told Fluttershy, much as she’d wished she had the courage.
“Sunset,” Rainbow spoke up, Sunset having not realized her stillness. “Hey! Sunset; I asked you a question: Are you a Ghoul?”
Part of Sunset just wanted to turn tail and bolt. But she couldn’t; if anything, it would be as surefire a proof of her guilt. Rainbow had made progress at first, for certain. But now, however she found out and whoever could have possibly told her… She was at an impasse. If she told the truth, let alone with Rainbow’s already compromised state of mind, it would all be over. Everything Princess Twilight had striven for in order to help her would have been in vain. She’d could never show her face in good company again, she’d lose the only friends she’d known in the world. It would all be over.
Before Sunset could so much as utter the paltriest of responses, the distinct whirr or electronics and mechanics broke her out of her despaired thoughts. Rainbow’s blue duel disk’s golden yellow tray had deployed, Sunset catching just the barest glimpse as it affixed into place running along the athlete’s arm.
“If you’re not going to come clean with me, Sunset, then I evoke the duelist’s honor!” declared Rainbow in an imperious tone. “I may know jack about how this voodoo works, but I get what we’ve been doing all this time is a battle of convictions and drive. So here’s my terms: If I win; you tell me everything, the whole truth, no lying. If you win… I’ll let you go; we’ll pretend this never happened. But sure as hell you’re going to find it very hard to earn any trust from me again. If you decline; then your guilt is proven.”
The way she said it, the gross misnomer of ‘voodoo’ notwithstanding; there was only one choice that would be best. Sunset needed to win. If Rainbow’s honor held, and it often did by her reputation, she wouldn’t lose everything, just one friend. A pyrrhic outcome, were she to win. What other choice did she have at this juncture? Sunset deployed her own disk, the connection being established. No turning back now.
But if I lose Rainbow, wouldn’t that possibly spark another split…? Thought Sunset. She once drove everyone apart so easily. But she couldn’t just surrender either. It truly was an impasse. Whatever the outcome; they were not coming out of this as they had been.
“Duel!”