Love of the Draw.

by Zoom zoom

Where Rarity Manages to Tick off Applejack

All of Ponyville was in a state of chaos as everypony prepared for the duels that would be starting in just ten minutes. Sugar Cube Corner even had a raffle to see who got to duel in the store and the winner got a free pastry of their choosing. The local pink mare’s treats did have sweets was simply to die for after all. A certain lady was the proud winner of the raffle and so it would come down to whomever she challenged.

Applejack sat in the corner, with thoughts in mind that only fogged her mind the more she thought about them. Her ghostly companion was doing his best to appear to be sitting across from her so she wouldn’t give her the headaches he loved so much to give her by flying around. “You can’t blame them, silly Applejack, even I find this whole idea rather…hard to believe. I bet your siblings feel the same about this.”

“Ah can bet on that too.” she muttered to herself. “Maybe Ah really am just going crazy. This may be some weird fever dream. Or Ah’m in shock and I can’t seem to break out of whatever coma Ah maybe in right now.”

“Snap out of it!” Draw finally shouted at the mare. Applejack jumped from her friend’s reaction, feelings of surprise and shock welled up within her. “Even if this was for some reason a dream you don’t get out of it by just laying around. In any dream you only get out if you see it to the finish it, one way or another. So if you’re not going to take my advice so you can help me and your friends, than I guess you’re stuck. Whether you like it or not.”

“Ya’ll got ah point,” Applejack replied. Draw nodded. “Still,” she thought, “Ah sort of hope this ain’t a dream. Since my friends aren’t in any danger, it means Ah don’t have to feel bad for wishing you’d shifted over a bit with that kiss.”

Draw Blank turned and smiled, “You do know I can hear your thoughts too right? We are sort of sharing the same body and all right now. Guess it doesn’t work the other way for some reason or you would have noticed a long time ago. Especially THOSE choice of words there.” Applejack turned and pulled her hat over her head in embarrassment, her face flushing red like the apples on her flanks.

Noticing her country friend act the way she had at that moment, a hint of light hit Rarity in the eye, an idea was born. “Oh hello Applejack! I was just wondering if you could play a little game of cards with mwah?” asked the fashionista mare.

Applejack’s attention however was more on Draw who was once again staring at Rarity. “Well look there,” he said, casually looking deep into her eyes, causing a bit of anxiety to rise up in her stomach of her friend’s astral form. “as a friend this might be a good way for you to really get to know about dueling first hoof, and oh sweet Celestia what a friend you have...oh my.” The next sounds from Draw Blank were his best imitation of gurgling noises he could muster from his liquid-less mouth.

“Sure Rarity.” said Applejack, angered up to the point of trying not to grind her teeth.

Rarity however, wasn’t born yesterday. “Oh I know that look Applejack, is somepony you like interested in me again? I keep telling you if you just fixed yourself up a bit it wouldn’t happen, or at least you’d have so many suitors it wouldn’t matter. In fact, you’d have a much better chance of keeping somepony more than me. I can admit that I’m a bit…picky.”

Draw couldn’t quite read the message in between the lines of the marshmallow-white mare’s words, but he knew she was trying the best she could to be subtle with her orange friend. What he could read was that she was only making her friend even angrier by the second. “How are these two friends?” thought Draw Blank.

“Fine,” said Applejack, “If it will get ya’ll to leave me alone fer not believing me earlier, then Ah’ll take you on… alone.” She said this last word to Draw as she pulled out the deck they had made.

“Wow,” thought Draw, “Didn’t take her as the jealous type. Or is it just how she acts when it’s with this mare?”

“Shut up, Draw Blank.” thought Applejack.

“You can go first Applejack,” said Rarity coyly. “I dare say that you’re going to need that advantage.”

Applejack looked her dead in the eyes, even though what she read was just tom foolery, every word sank down right into the farm mare’s core like rotten apple cider going down her throat. “Oh I’ll go alright…”

Draw hovered over his host, “Now are you sure you know what you’re doing. Remember unless you have a different way you can’t normally summon a monster with more than four star levels without a sacrifice.” He attempted to reach for Applejack’s shoulder, but it wasn’t so much of use since his hoof went right through her.

“Don’t ya’ll be a back seat driver, Draw.” Applejack yelled at him. Rarity was a bit confused but shrugged after getting over the out of nowhere scream. “Ah can do this on my own thank ya very much, so Ah’ll start by summonin’ Hayabusa Knight in attack mode.”

Draw grew with irritation as Rarity waited to see what else Applejack was going to play. Applejack didn’t stop there, “Now mah Knight, attack Rarity directly!” Draw face hoofed the best he could with his spiritual form, followed with a loud groan.

“Applejack,” Rarity said simply with her sweetest voice. Nerd rage was hidden in her voice but she couldn’t get too short with one of her best friends after all. “Surely you know that by the rules of this game you can’t attack if you go first. Why, that would be too much of an unfair advantage.”

“Oh…” said Applejack embarrassed, her cheeks flushing red, “Guess Ah just thought it was just some kind of strategy behind the ones Ah saw not doing that. Guess Ah end my turn then.”

Draw was about to yell something but Applejack stared daggers at him. Just great, he could see plenty of moves Applejack could have done to recover, but sometimes it’s just got to be learned. He bit his lip and swallowed as Rarity raised an eyebrow.

“Well if that’s all you’re going to do,” said Rarity with her usual natural smug, “I suppose it is up to me to correct your mistake by showing you what a real move is like in this game, dear Applejack. I draw, and now I summon Gem Knight Garnet to the Field in Attack mode. And he’ll attack your Hayabusa Knight.”

Applejack’s monster fell like it was a rag doll when it came to the Gem Knight’s attack. Draw by this point just sat back on the other side of sugar cube corner with the other spectators. It was obvious if he bothered to pipe up now Applejack wasn’t going to have any of that. With this not costing them the tournament he wasn’t going to bother unless Applejack asked if that’s what she wanted.

“I end my turn with a face down card in my magic/trap zone,” called Rarity doing as she said without any emotion too it.

Applejack growled. She didn’t want to admit her mistake, and she wouldn’t have to if she just drew and pretended like that was part of the plan. She did so and tried to think of what to do. “Ah’ll start my turn off by playing the spell card Allure of Darkness. This lets me draw two new cards and then I have to banish a dark monster from play. So I’ll draw and get rid of my Dark Blade. Then ah…” She sat there reading her cards. “Just give me a minute.” Two full minutes past, Draw could tell because he had time to get bored and mentally sing a song one of his friends made to go with playing the game.

“Alright, Ah got it! I set this monster in defense mode and set a card face down as well.”

“All that for such a simple move?!” Rarity’s anger was showing, it was enough to show Draw why she didn’t exactly have a boyfriend despite her good looks. She calmed herself quickly however and just said simply. “I suppose I better just end this quickly then.”

She drew her own card. “I’ll start off by playing my face down card. Dust Tornado. I use it destroy your face down card.” It was Ego Boost. Both Rarity and Draw swallowed, but for two very different reasons despite the source being the same. “Applejack, I’m going to say this right now. If that face down monster doesn’t have less than 1000 attack points I am going to smack you upside your rough head for wasting my time with this pathetic display you are calling dueling.”

“Hey,” called Applejack from her end of the store, “That’s a bit uncalled for. Besides it isn’t that bad a move….uh…is it?”

Draw stayed silent and just motioned to Rarity who was so mad at this move and waiting so long she just had to be audible about it. “Even if you were afraid of my face down card had you played your Knight, from the first turn on this one you would have at least killed my own Knight and dealt me damage, and quite more while saving your life points with whatever this monster is defending you. Your Ego Boost card would have powered up any of your weak monsters to destroy mine. But if that’s how you wish to play then I will attack you head on!

“Now I summon Gem-Armadillo. His effect lets me bring one Gem-Knight to my hand from my deck, I choose another Garnet. Then I play the spell: Polymerization so that it can take my Garnet in my hand and the Gem-Knight Crystal also in my hand in order to summon: Gem-Knight Citrine.”

“Oh that’s a bad move Rarity,” said Applejack nodding with a smile, “playing all yer best cards now when Ah can counter it.”

“Like you could even counter it.” Rarity said simply.

“She’s right,” Draw said from the sidelines. “First off Applejack you have nothing to defend yourself. And second unlike Gilda she still has two cards in her hand to back up her monsters should you actually be able to counter this.” Applejack felt dumber than a sack of potatoes, she thought she had everything set up from the beginning, but it was her friend who had the upper hoof.

“Now Gem-Knight Citrine, attack the face down monster.” It was Trident Warrior. Draw just stared at his host in disbelief. She could have used Trident Warrior with another monster he saw in her opening hand and completely dominated the duel at this point with a powerful monster. Heck he hoped it was one of the cards she drew form Allure of Darkness to at least justify not having that effect to bring out Dark Blade to have a decent defense follow up. He really should have trained her in how to use this deck better.

However no one in the Bakery was more angered than Applejack’s opponent. She ground her teeth in rage before swallowing to smile cutely and saying, “No, it isn’t worth my time. So my other two monsters just attack her directly please.”

They only passed through but Applejack felt every blow because of how she was making both of her friends react to her dueling. Was she really that bad at this? Even if she wanted she couldn’t ask for Draw’s help now. After all her boasting at all it would be degrading. Rarity didn’t even bother with face down cards. Applejack wasn’t sure if that meant she didn’t have any traps or spells, or if it was that she was so disappointed in Applejack’s skill that she didn’t bother giving it her all anymore.

“Fine then,” said Applejack trying to keep a stiff upper lip. She looked at the card she just drew and remembered what the symbol on the spell card she read meant. She took a minute to read the text and finally played her cards the only way she could at this point if she remembered Draw’s instruction correctly.

This is a type of spell called and Equip Spell card. Notice the symbol that looks like a cross? These spells have a decent amount of good effects and stick to the monster you use it on till it’s removed one way or another. This one that came with the starter deck is crucial to how we are going to surprise our enemies when we are in a tight spot. Learn this card well, but I won’t tell you the best way to play this card. That can only come from you if you really want to learn this game.

“I summon Speed Warrior in attack mode. He comes with a great effect all his own Rarity. On the turn I summon him I can double his original attack points during the battle phase.”

Rarity didn’t even bother with this. She had used up too much of her energy trying to stomach the horrible way her friend was playing already and chose to just relax without a care.

“Now Ah know what your thinkin’ Rarity,” said Applejack, “With 900 attack points that guy could only defeat your Gem-Armadillo when it doubles to 1800. But you see Ah still have a spell card to play: Unstable Evolution!”

That got Draw’s and Rarity’s attention back in full. “And with this equip spell’s effect, the original attack of my Speed Warrior changes from 900 points to 2400 points so long as my life points are lower than yours. This of course means that my warrior doubles that this turn into 4800 attack points. But that isn’t the only equip spell I have. I got a different one from my Allure of Darkness earlier. It’s the Spell: Twin Swords of Flashing Light-Tryce. So by lowing my Monster’s attack, which doesn’t count as his original attack, by 500 points he can attack twice in this battle phase. So Ah think Ah’ll have my Speed Warrior take out yer two Gem-Knights. Also, since this effect comes in before he even attacks your Citrine’s effect doesn’t stop it.”

The illusion of the mechanical warrior spun around on its feet, slashing apart Rarity’s monsters with two shining swords in hands. After it was done cutting up the other illusions like they were nothing, it swung it swords at Rarity’s direction to show that she lost life points.

“Downside is now that we have the same point count my monster goes back to 900 attack points, and the swords still reduce his attack so now his has 400 attack points. So Ah’ll place one face down card in the back row, and end my turn.”

“Amazing,” Draw heard. “She evened the score and the playing field.” They were right. Applejack may not know everything about this game just yet, but if she could come up with being able to use the cards like that she had a pretty good potential to be at his level, that is if she learned enough.

“Applejack,” Rarity said in surprise. “That was simply amazing. I never thought you’d be able to do something like that.” A smile slowly crossed her face. “Now it seems I really have to give it my all as well.” She drew her card.

“Hold it Rarity,” cried Applejack, “I activate my trap: Drop off. You gotta throw the card you just drew into the grave now without playing it.”

“Well played Applejack,” said Rairty smiling again, “I’m still going to win of course but now I have to send my Gem-Knight Fusion to the grave so you may actually hold out well enough this turn. Unfortunately your trap was in vain I’m afraid since with its effect I can remove my Citrine from play in order to return it to my hand. So now I’ll have my Gem-Armadillo attack your Speed Warrior, and set one card face down to end my own turn.”

“You still have one monster at least in your hand Applejack,” thought Draw Blank. “But with 1600 attack points it isn’t going to do anything. I hope something good comes in your next draw.”

Applejack drew her next card with caution. Could she play it with Rarity’s face down card looming? Well if she did just play the only monster in her hand to defend it wouldn’t do any good if she could pull off two monsters and leave her with little to work with. “Ah play the spell card: Monster Reborn. This lets me take a monster from either of our graves and lets me use him as my own. So since you already got rid of your Citrine I guess I’ll take one of your Garnets for myself.”

The Flame wielding Knight came to Applejack’s field. “Not so fast yourself Applejack,” called Rarity. “I have a trap to play: Compulsory Evacuation Device. This trap will give me back my Garnet by returning him to my hand. As if I’d let you steal any of MY knights.”

“Well fine then,” replied Applejack disappointed her strategy didn’t work. And she was on such a roll too last turn. “Ah’ll just have ta’ do my best this turn then. I summon my Tune Warrior to the field. Then I suppose I’ll just play the last card in my hand: Foolish Burial. Not sure what good it will do me but Ah’ll look anyway.”

Draw could barely contain himself; she did have one monster perfect for this one moment. He hoped she would find and see it. Granted it wouldn’t win her the duel but he would be the only right move Applejack could make now, and at this point that’s all she needed.

Applejack’s eyes widened as she found just the card, she looked up at Draw and mouthed the monster to him. He nodded with a blank stare. In all her excitement she forgot she was mad at him and forgot everything she did wrong in the duel thus far. Just the chance to turn this duel around again after Rarity cut her off was so exciting she didn’t even care about what Rarity may do next turn.

“I put Quillbolt Hedgehog in the grave,” she announced as she did so and shuffled her deck. “Then I play its effect: since I have a Tuner monster on my field he comes out of the grave. And when he goes away it will be out of play. But I won’t need him then. So I think I’ll Tune my two monsters together this time. To Synchro Summon: X-Saber Wayne!”

“Oh my,” said Rarity looking at the monster. “He’s actually quite the mysterious one isn’t he?”

“Don’t go getting’ a card crush on him now, Rarity,” Applejack said with a snort. “Ah can’t even use his effect because I don’t have a hand anymore. But Ah can attack with him which is what Ah’ll do. X-Saber attacks your Armadillo!”

It went down fast and hard to the monster’s assault, but that’s not what mattered to Rarity at the moment, what mattered was the muscles on her friend’s monster. It was almost more then she could bare in anything male, and yet it was there. It was a dream on the eyes and could only focus on the movement of the illusion. Heck, she swore she saw the monster wink at her.

“Hey Rarity!” called Applejack. “It’s your turn now.”

“Oh,” said Rarity shaking her head, and with cheeks flushing red, “the duel… right.”

She drew her card. “Oh, I don’t wanna do this,” Rarity muttered. “But I must. I MUST. I play Lightning Vortex to destroy your strong, handso-err… to destroy Wayne.” The Lightning crashed and Wayne was blown to pieces, she winced before she rid herself of the Gem-Fusion card again. “Then I summon my Garnet back in attack mode. It was a good game Applejack, but I’ve basically won. Go my monster. Go in for a direct attack. Then I’ll set my final card and end my turn.”

“It’s best to forfeit now Applejack,” Rarity said. “We don’t have all day and not many monsters can match my Knight that you could summon. Also even if you did I still have the face down to play to end this. Still, I must congratulate you for such a splendid duel. Had you not messed up at the start I would not have made such a careless mistake at allow that speed warrior combo and who knows how the game would have gone then?”

“Don’t count your apples before they harvest Rarity. I still got one draw left to turn this around.” Applejack drew her card and her eyes grew wide as she read it. “Wow, Ah must be really lucky or my deck loves me fer this to work. Since Ah have no cards in my hand I can summon Swift Gaia the Fierce Knight to the field without a tribute.”

“Now my Knight beats yours down, unless your face down can do anything.”

“Not the time yet,” Rarity replied.

“Guess now the tables have turned,” said Applejack with a smile.

“Not exactly,” replied Rarity, “I just need one card from my deck to end this.” She drew, “I activate my trap: Reckless Greed. I’ll draw two cards now and stop drawing for the next two turns.” She laughed ecstatic, her hooves nearly making her jump. “Yes I got it. Gem-Knight Alexandrite! His effect lets me sacrifice him for Gem-Knight Crystal from my Deck in attack mode.”

“I’m not going to lose if that’s all you got yah marshmallow.” said Applejack confident now in her draw luck.

“Unfortunately Applejack, you’re not getting another turn. I remove my other Gem-Knight Crystal from play to bring Gem-Knight Fusion back to my hand. That way I can discard it again in order to play D.D.R., Different Dimension Reincarnation!”

Something inside Draw pulled at him when the magic of this card activated. Without any control over it he felt himself being pulled to the portal opening in the illusion. Applejack noticed this and cried out she admitted defeat on instinct, copying the move Draw did and saying what she needed to fast, before Rarity could say who was being revived.”

The magic left and Draw soon returned to himself, “W-What just happened?”

“Ya’ll almost got taken away is what happened!” Applejack called to him rushing to Draw Blank as he lay back down.

“I feel tired for some reason…”

“Hang in there!” Applejack wasn’t sure what to do. Twilight was no where nearby to help even if she did know what was going on, the same with Trixie and Luna.

Rarity saw the look of desperation on her friend’s face and approached cautiously. “You weren’t lying earlier were you? What’s happened to him then?”

“He’s suddenly fading or something,” exclaimed Applejack, “Ever since ya’ll played that DDR card thing. Oh gosh, hang in there Draw.”

“My card,” Rarity said looking down at the card she had played when Applejack suddenly freaked out. She thought for a moment then used her magic to make a smaller scale illusion and called over the two guards in the store. “It is sort of your fault too, darlings. Help me out here.” They did as she played her card, but this time putting two knights on top of each other and another black card from there.

Suddenly the illusion portal opened again and this time Draw felt perfectly fine. He bolted upright with a start until he saw the card Rarity just did that with. “Ask her for that card,” he said quickly to Applejack.

Applejack for her part was far too happy to notice what he was saying. Rarity however still gave the card to her. “I thought it was strange,” said Rarity, “Yesterday Pinkie gave me this card saying that if for some reason there was somepony in trouble while playing this game, YOU should play this to stop it. I thought she was just being Pinkie Pie and kept it for myself even though it isn’t a very good card for me. Maybe you know more about it?”

Applejack looked at the black card. In gold letters it read: Number 11: Big Eye.