Spike and Garble's battle had begun, Spike had no choice, he had to win yes or yes, otherwise Garble would keep Flash Sentry's Flash Heart Dragon and then steal Spike's precious card, Crystal Scale, plus to break Spike's arms.
Without a doubt, this would be a day that no one would forget.
STAND UP, DOOM VANGUARD.
STAND UP, THE VANGUARD.
spike:0
Garble:0
Garble said as he flipped his card over in the Vanguard circle, "Time to terrify, FIRE HUNTER." (PWR5000/G0)
Spike replied, then proceeded to do the same, "I'll teach you a lesson for dishonoring this game, HARMONY EGG." (PWR4000/G0)
"Hmm, Narukami," Ember said as she looked at Spike's deck.
“A very interesting deck,” added Microchips.
"Hehehe, Narukami, are you serious?" Garble laughed.
"What's wrong with the Narukami clan?" Spike asked.
"They, like my Kagero, belong to the same nation, the Dragon Empire," Garble answered, "But in the game's story, it is made clear that they are much weaker than the Kagero, meaning that no matter how hard they try they will always be losers, losers like you.”
Everyone was looking at Garble with even more contempt than before, but at that moment Spike answered.
"You say I'm a loser, but can you imagine how you would feel if you were defeated by someone you called that?"
Garble glared at him.
"That's right, the Kagero clan may be stronger than the Narukami clan, but when a weakling like me pushes himself, I'm sure he can overcome the power of someone bigger and stronger," Spike finished.
“GRRR, LISTENING TO YOU IT MAKES ME SICK,” Garble yelled as he pulled a card from his deck, “I WILL SHOW YOU THE GREAT BARRIER YOU CANNOT CROSS NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU TRY, STUPID.”
“I'm going first, DOOM RIDE,” Garble said, placing a card on top of Fire Hunter, “HELL FIRE SALAMANDER.” (PWR7000/G1)
"Fire Hunter's skill allows me to move him into a rear-guard circle," Garble said as he moved Fire Hunter right behind Hell Fire Salamander, "I'm done with my turn."
Spike took out a card from his deck, and thought "He is using the same tactics he use against Flash."
"But you don't scare me, I Ride," Spike placed a card on top of the Harmony Egg, "CRYSTAL HATCHLING." (PWR8000/G1)
Spike drew another card from his deck, "When a Narukami is put on top of Harmony Egg, I get to draw a card."
Garble frowned, it was a bad sign that his opponent increased the number of cards in his hand.
“And now, Call,” Spike placed 2 copies of the same card in the front rear-guard circles, “COMBAT WYVERN.” (PWR8000/G1)X2
"Alright Spike, 3 attacks without holding back," Ember said.
"There's actually a problem with their strategy," Microchips said.
“Yes, it would have been better to place one of his Wyverns in the backrow, so he could give his vanguard more power,” Flash said.
“That's right, Garble will probably manage to pull off a Trigger and avoid Spike's 3 attacks,” Ember said.
At that moment, Spike placed a Wyvern horizontally, "First I attack your Vanguard with my Combat Wyvern."
“No Guard,” Garble said as he took a card from his deck and put it into his Damage Zone, “Tskk, No Trigger.”
spike:0
Garble:1
“Next, i attack with Crystal Hatchling,” Spike said as he put his card horizontally.
“I don't defend against that attack either,” Garble said.
"Alright then, Drive Trigger check," Spike said as he pulled a card from his deck, disappointed to find it a normal drive, "No Trigger."
“Damage Trigger check,” Garble said as he placed another card into his Damage Zone, but he smirked when he saw what it was, “Well, Well, look at this, its Berserk Hatchling, a Critical Trigger, power boost to my Vanguard.” (PWR17000)
Spike frowned, no longer able to attack with his other Wyvern, "It's your turn."
spike:0
Garble:2
“Oh man, if only that Trigger had come out later,” Flash Sentry said.
"You think that placing 3 weak units could take me down, nobody takes down the Great Garble, Doom Ride" Garble said as he drew a card from his deck and placed another on Hell Fire Salamander, "GRENADE WINGBLAST." (PWR10000/G2)
"Oh no," Spike said knowing what it meant for that thing to be present.
“Oh yes,” Garble replied, “When Wingblast shows up, I take out one of your units other except the Vanguard.”
Spike had to drop one of his Wyverns to the Drop Zone.
“Hehe and not only that, Doom Call again,” Garble said as he laid down another copy of the same card, “GRENADE WINGBLAST.” (PWR10000/G2)
"Seriously," Spike said.
"Remember his skill," Garble said to which Spike placed his other Wyvern in the Drop Zone, "And now you have no more units in your field, wallow in despair."
"Oh no, Spike lost his frontrow units," Microchips said.
"That doesn't mean he's defeated, he can get over that hurdle," Flash said.
“I will now attack your Vanguard with mine,” Garble said as he placed Grenade Wingblast horizontally.
"I'm not gonna guard," Spike said.
“Drive Trigger check,” Garble pulled a card from his deck, a wicked grin suddenly forming on his face, “BERSERK HATCHLING, A CRITICAL TRIGGER, MY OTHER UNIT GETS THE BOOST, AND MY VANGUARD GETS THE CRITICAL.”
"WHAT?" Spike yelled, "Ughh, Damage Trigger check."
Spike didn't get any triggers on his 2 checks, which made him nervous.
spike:2
Garble:2
“NOW I ATTACK WITH MY OTHER WINGBLAST,” Garble yelled. (PWR20000)
Spike had no choice, he had to accept the attack.
"No Guard, Damage Trigger check," Spike said as he placed another card in his Damage Zone, he smiled because the card showed a Dragon with a hat and a fancy suit, but more importantly, there was a red icon in the upper right corner of the card, "GAMBLER DRAKE, DRAW TRIGGER."
Spike drew a card from his deck and added it to his hand.
spike:3
Garble:2
“At least he has an extra card, he can still turn the tables on the duel,” Ember said.
"I think this is the place," said Twilight who was accompanied by her friends, who entered the store.
"Spike, it's time to go home," she called out to Spike but received no answer.
“There he is,” Moondancer pointed to the table where Spike was sitting.
"Spike…" Twilight said moving closer, but she couldn't finish her sentence because she slipped and fell to the ground.
"Oh, are you okay?" asked Flash Sentry helping her up.
"Don't worry, I'm fine," Twilight replied as she took Flash's hand to get up, but when she saw him she blushed, "Ummm, hello."
Flash, seeing her up close, blushed too, and nervously spoke, "Hello, are you Spike's sister?"
"Yes, yes I am, are you another one of his friends?" Twi asked him.
"Yes, although I just met him today, he's a good guy, more so right now, by the way, I'm Flash, Flash Sentry."
“I'm Twilight, Twilight Sparkle,” she introduced herself and hearing that name made something click in Flash's mind.
"Wait, Twilight, Spike, that can't be," Flash said, "You guys are Shining Armor's younger siblings."
When Spike was going to ride, he stopped hearing Flash, Twi was also surprised.
"Do you know Shining Armor?" Spike and Twilight asked at the same time.
“He was the one who gave me Flash Heart Dragon, and he also told me about his 2 siblings, he told me that they were very interesting in their own way and that he is proud of you 2.”
That revelation made Twilight feel great, and motivated Spike to keep fighting.
"So that's Shining, he can always bring out the strongest in anyone, from someone like Flash to a loser like me," Spike said.
"Spike, you're not a loser," Twilight told him.
“Rather I won't be a loser anymore, I won't let Shining's efforts go to waste, I won't let you take the victory Garble,” Spike said.
"I'm already confused, what is going on here?" Minuette asked.
"I'll sum it up for you," Ember said, "Garble is evil and Spike is fighting for the honor of everyone in this store."
That explanation surprised Twilight and her friends.
"Spike is doing this for his friends," Twinkleshine said.
"Wow, he's a hero," Lyra said.
“I'm sure he'll win,” Lemonhearts said.
"Well, thanks for making me look more heroic," Spike laughed nervously.
"Hey, I don't have all day, are you going to do something?" Garble asked.
"Oh right, FOR SHINING, WHO GAVE ME THE STRENGTH, GET UP MY AVATAR, RIDE," Spike placed the card Shining gave him in his Vanguard, "CRYSTAL SCALE." (PWR10000/G2)
“It's Crystal Scale,” Ember said excitedly.
"Very good Spike," Flash said.
“That's the card Shining gave him, it's helped her a lot in and out of this game,” Twilight explained to her friends.
"Crystal Scale skill, I can superior call your partner from my deck," Spike reached into his deck and placed a card right behind Crystal Scale, "CRYSTAL HATCHLING." (PWR8000/G1)
Garble was annoyed, Spike was increasing his power without losing cards from his hand.
“Very well done, Spike, and as far as I know, your creatures don't have summoning sickness,” Twilight said.
All the cardfighters stared at her until Spike spoke up, "Twi, again, that's from another card game."
“Oh, come on,” Twilight replied, then sat up to watch.
“I think you need to investigate further,” Moondancer told her.
"I'll call another unit to help me," Spike placed a card in the upper right corner, the card showed a kind of knight riding a dragon similar to Crystal Scale, only that this one was not anthropomorphic, “KNIGHT OF THE PURPLE DRAGON." (PWR9000/G2)
Garble was looking at him carefully.
"Now supported by Crystal Hatchling, Crystal Scale attacks your Vanguard." (PWR18000)
“Ughh, I don't guard,” Garble said with a bored expression.
“Drive Trigger check,” Spike pulled out a card and smiled and showed it, on the card there was some kind of reddish orange baby Phoenix, but more importantly there was a green icon in the upper right corner, “HEAL TRIGGER, PEEWEE THE PHOENIX HEALER.”
“Damn it,” Garble said.
“Phoenix tears can heal and that's what I'll do, I'll heal myself and give the power to Knight of the Purple Dragon,” Spike said. (PWR 19000)
spike:2
Garble:2
“Damage Trigger check,” Garble said as he placed a card into the Damage Zone, “No Trigger.”
spike:2
Garble:3
"Now I attack with Knight of the Purple Dragon," Spike said, laying the card out horizontally.
“Guard,” Garble said as he set up a Critical as a shield. (SHLD 15000)
"I'm done with my turn," Spike said.
“My turn, stand and draw,” Garble stood his units vertically and drew a card, then yelled, “AND NOW YOU'RE GOING TO REALLY SUFFER.”
Spike gulped hard.
“DOOM RIDE,” Garble placed his best unit on his Vanguard, “SEEKER OF DARKNESS, EMPEROR DRAGON.” (PWR13000/G3)
Flash, Ember, and Microchips got worried when they saw Garble's powerful card.
Even Twilight and her friends who didn't fully understand the rules felt intimidated, even though it was a piece of cardboard.
"Now, Doom Call," Garble moved his Wingblast to the backrow and placed 2 copies of the same card on the frontrow, showing an anthropomorphic red dragon with a gatling gun, "GATLING DRAKE." (PWR13000/G3)X2
“I use my Gatling Drake skill, I discard 2 cards so my front rear-guards gain 15000 power, and since I have 2, I use the skill 2 times,” Garble said as he discarded 4 cards. (PWR43000)X2
“He discard almost all of his cards,” Microchips said.
"But it gave him great power," Flash said.
"And that power is directed at Spike," Twilight said startled.
“Now, I attack with one of my Gatling Drakes to your Vanguard,” Garble said as he placed his unit horizontally.
“Checking Damage Trigger,” Spike said, placing a normal unit in his Damage Zone, “No Trigger.”
spike:3
Garble:3
“Now, supported by Fire Hunter, my Emperor Dragon attacks your Vanguard,” Garble placed his Vanguard horizontally. (PWR 18000)
“No Guard,” Spike said hoping Garble didn't pull 2 Criticals.
"What does he do, why doesn't he defend himself?" Ember asked.
“I guess he can't spend the resources in his hand, Spike is betting it all on this fight,” Flash Sentry replied.
“Twin Drive, first check,” Garble smiled as he pulled out the card, “CRITICAL TRIGGER, 10000 POWER TO MY OTHER GATLING DRAKE AND THE CRITICAL TO MY VANGUARD.”
No, Spike thought scared.
"NOW, MY SECOND CHECK," Garble yelled as he pulled out the card, "Looks like you survived."
It was a normal unit.
Suddenly Spike imagined himself on the planet Cray, he was Crystal Scale, while Garble was Seeker of Darkness, Emperor Dragon, there with the critical, he launched a huge beam from his mouth which hit Crystal Scale.
"AHHHHHHHH," Spike yelled and fell out of his chair.
"Spike, what happened?" Twilight asked him.
"I really can imagine, he imagined the blow to his Vanguard," Flash Sentry replied.
"Ugh," Spike said as he returned to the chair and placed 2 cards in the Damage Zone, "Damage Trigger first check."
Spike placed a normal unit in his Damage Zone.
“Second check,” Spike saw that it was a Trigger, “DRAW TRIGGER, I DRAW A CARD AND I BOOST MY VANGUARD.” (PWR 20000)
spike:5
Garble:3
"That won't work for you, because now my other Gatling Drake will attack you and his power is unimaginable." (PWR 53000)
“53000 power,” Microchips was surprised.
"THIS…. ENDS…. NOW.” Garble yelled as he attacked with his last unit.
“SPIKE,” Twilight and her friends yelled, none of them daring to look.
And as Garble imagined his Dragon burning Spike's Vanguard, something happened that he didn't expect.
“CRYSTAL HEART DRACOKID,” Spike yelled as he discarded a card and placed it on the Shield Zone. (SHLD 0)
“A perfect guard?” Garble said.
"No...I'm not done yet...Garble," Spike said, still processing everything.
“Hehe, I'm done with my turn, brat, you won't be able to defeat me on your next turn, and when it's my turn again, you'll be history and your Crystal Scale will be mine,” Garble told him.
Spike was in a critical situation, if he couldn't defeat Garble this turn, it was almost certain that he would defeat him on his next turn with his Emperor Dragon's attack.
"I HAVE TO DO IT, IF I DON'T," Spike thought and then looked at Garble, who had an evil smile, "NO I WON'T MAKE IT, I'LL LET FLASH DOWN."
But then he remembered something.
"Spike, you are stronger than you think, you are not afraid to be who you are, that is what makes you stand out from other children, you really are like Crystal Scale."
Shining's words echoed in his head, this made him smile.
"Hey, why are you smiling?" Garble asked, "If you give up now, I promise I'll just break one of your arms instead of two, hehe."
But Spike only replied, "FINAL TURN."
“Final Turn?” Twilight asked Flash.
Flash replied, "That's what you shout when you're sure you'll win the battle this turn."
"Oh, so you got arrogant, it won't work, it will only make your defeat more satisfying, I'll be the one laughing when I see your hopes shattered by my power," Garble said.
“Stand and draw,” Spike placed his units vertically, and drew a card, and what he drew made him smile.
“CALL,” Spike yelled, causing Flash, Ember, and Microchips to worry.
“Call? He's not going to ride,” Ember said.
“Which means it doesn't have a grade 3, this really looks bad,” added Microchips.
But Flash thought about it, and saw that Spike had a plan.
“CRYSTAL SCALE.” (PWR10000/G2)
“Another copy of Crystal Scale,” Garble said, surprised to see Spike place another copy of Scale but with different artwork on his last front rear-guard.
"Crystal Scale Skill, Superior Call," Spike reached into his deck and placed another unit behind Crystal Scale, "CRYSTAL HATCHLING." (PWR8000/G1)
Garble looked frustrated and then saw his hand, he only had 4 cards, 3 to defend while the other was a grade 3.
"Now, Call," Spike placed a card in the last circle showing a purple and green dog wearing a collar which had a heart marked on it, "BRAVE AND GLORIOUS HOUND." (PWR7000/G1)
“Dawww, that puppy looks cute too,” Twinkleshine said.
Spike rolled his eyes at that.
“Wait a minute,” Garble said.
"I see you already noticed," Spike said very confidently.
“His whole field is full,” Flash said, smiling.
"And what does that mean?" Twilight asked.
“Crystal Scale gains an extra critical if all the circles on your side are occupied by a Narukami unit,” Ember replied.
“And he's got 2, Spike is likely to beat Garble this turn,” Microchips said excitedly.
“GRRR, COMPARED WITH MY POWER, YOU ARE JUST TRASH,” Garble yelled.
“I attack with Crystal Scale supported by Crystal Hatchling,” Spike said as he laid out the 2 cards horizontally. (PWR18000)
“Guard,” Garble defended with 2 units of 5000. (SHLD 10000)
“I WILL NOT GIVE UP, AND I WILL NOT LET PEOPLE LIKE YOU CORRUPT THIS GAME, I ATTACK WITH CRYSTAL SCALE SUPPORTED BY CRYSTAL HATCHLING.” (PWR 18000)
“I have to defend myself, as long as I don't get a critical, I can beat him, GUARD,” Garble set up a unit to defend himself. (SHLD 15000)
Spike thought, "MY UNITS, I BELIEVE IN YOU, WE HAVE HAD GREAT BATTLES IN THE PAST, THAT'S WHY I'M ASKING YOU, HELP ME ONE MORE TIME."
“DRIVE TRIGGER CHECK,” Spike yelled.
Everyone was nervous, Spike had to get something good to defeat Garble.
"GYAHHHHHH," Spike yelled as he pulled out the card.
He saw the card and witnessing her, he smiled.
“YEAH, ITS A CRITICAL TRIGGER, ANGRY SEA DRAGON.”
“NOOOOOO,” Garble yelled.
"WE MAY BE WEAKER THAN YOU, BUT WHEN WE COME TOGETHER, WE ARE AN UNSTOPPABLE FORCE, ATTACK."
“Grrr, Drive Trigger, TRIPLE CHECK,” Garble yelled as he drew 3 cards.
Garble was waiting to get a Heal Trigger to save himself from that situation, but...
None of them was a Trigger.
Spike:5 (Winner)
Garble:6
"YOU DID IT, SPIKE, YOU WON," Flash Sentry yelled excitedly.
“HE DID IT, HE BEAT IT,” Ember yelled.
"Even with all the odds against him, Spike managed to come out on top," Microchips thought.
“SPIKE,” Twilight yelled, smiling at her little brother's victory as she hugged him.
Spike, who was still processing what happened, was also surprised, "I won? I WON."
“This is impossible, the Great Garble, he lost to a brat,” Garble said in shock.
Ember told Garble, "Maybe you only see one brat, but everyone else here sees something different," she pointed to all of his friends who were surrounding him, "We see a Cardfighter with a great heart and a powerful spirit."
Garble just glared at them.
"That's our Spikey," Minuette said hugging Spike then all of Twilight's friends did the same.
"Umm, girls, I can't breathe," Spike gasped until Ember came to his rescue.
“Alright girls, he's had enough for today,” Ember said as she helped him out of there.
Flash walked over to Spike and spoke, "I'm sure Shining would be proud of you."
Spike smiled at that.
"And it looks like someone owes you a card, doesn't it, Garble?" Ember said pointing to Garble.
“GRRR, YOU THINK I'M GIVING IT BACK, ALL YOU WILL GET IS YOUR BROKEN BONES,” Garble yelled as he climbed onto the table and proceeded to attack Spike.
“AHHH,” Spike yelled as he covered himself to reduce the impact of the punch, but the punch never landed.
Spike opened his eyes and saw Flash stopping Garble's hand.
“Grghhh, what are you doing, stay out of this,” Garble said as he tried to free himself.
“Attacking the winner, that's how the Great Garble reacts to defeat, wow, that's good for your image,” Flash said.
“Anyway, no one saw me, I'm still a hero to the clumsy Cardfighters who idolize me,” Garble said.
“I don't think so,” Flash answered.
"What?" Garble asked.
“Look at this,” Microchips spoke up and showed him a camera he had hidden in his coat, “I always have the need to record every fight I watch, so I didn't just record the cheating you did on Flash, I also have your tantrum on video.”
“GIVE ME THAT,” Garble yelled wanting to attack Microchips but at that moment…
CRACK.
“AHHHHH,” Garble yelled in pain, Flash had broken 2 of his fingers.
"Damm it," Garble told Flash as he held up his broken fingers.
Spike walked over to Garble while he wasn't looking and took the Flash Heart Dragon card from him, "As we agreed, I'll take this back to his original owner."
Garble glared at him while still holding his fingers, but felt terror when he looked at Ember.
Ember spoke to him, "Get out of here and never come back."
Garble ran as fast as he could, leaving his deck behind.
“Wow, you sure did scare him into running away without his cards,” Microchips said.
“He doesn't deserve them anymore anyway,” Ember said as she took the cards.
“Here, this belongs to you, Flash,” Spike said as he handed Flash Heart Dragon back to him.
"Thanks Spike," Flash said taking the card.
"Wait," Twilight said, "What was that guy doing with your card?"
"He cheated me in a cardfight," Flash explained, "And when he won he took them.”
"Wait, so my little brother was playing to get them back?" Twilight asked surprised.
"And he put his own cards and his bones on the line." Flashsaid.
"Bones?"
"Garble threatened to break Spike's arms if he lost the battle," Ember added.
"What a jerk, that is really disgusting, that Garble doesn't deserve to play this anymore," Twilight said angrily.
"Don't worry Twilight, we'll take care of it," Flash said to which Microchips nodded.
“Ugh, what happened here?” asked Thorax who had woken up after passing out.
"Umm, we'll explain it to you later Thorax, but for today I'd rather go home, that battle wore me out," Spike replied.
"Yeah, you're right Spike, it's getting late, we should go," Twilight said, "It was nice meeting you Flash."
"The pleasure is all mine, Twilight," Flash replied as he kissed Twilight's hand in a gentlemanly manner.
Twilight smiled and blushed before walking away.
But before he left, Flash said something to Spike, "Spike, at my school, I'm in a Vanguard club, I hope we can have some friendly competition someday."
Spike smiled with determination, "I'll make sure that happen Flash."
Afterwards, everyone proceeded to leave the place.
Back in Minuette's car, Spike had fallen asleep leaning on Twilight´s shoulder.
“He looks so cute when he sleeps,” said Minuette.
Twi giggled, "I wonder what he's dreaming about."
Spike dreamed that he was on the planet Cray, in front of him were all the units of his deck, he looked at them smiling and suddenly, the Brave and Glorious Hound jumped towards him and began to lick him.
"Hey stop, that tickles," Spike said smiling with a laugh.
“Woof,” the Hound barked, then retreated as Crystal Scale himself arrived.
“My Vanguard, I am very honored by your victory,” Crystal Scale said as he knelt in front of Spike.
"Don't kneel," Spike said making Crystal Scale stand up, "This isn't just my victory, it's our victory, all of you helped in this battle it's not fair that I take the credit."
All of his units smiled as Spike approached Crystal Scale.
“Today was a formidable challenge, I thank you for your support, and I am sure that if we continue like this, we will be able to handle anything in the future, as long as I have you by my side, nothing can bring us down.”
Crystal Scale was moved and hugged Spike, who hugged him back.
Spike as he slept formed a smile on his face, what challenges would await him in the future, he didn't know, but one thing was certain, that the Narukami clan would always be there to help him.
Twilight saw the smile Spike put on while he slept, she got closer to him and without knowing it, she also fell asleep.
When they arrived at the Sparkle family house, the girls saw that Twi did not get out of the car and witnessed the beautiful scene of the 2 siblings sleeping together.
The girls and Thorax smiled at the sight of them.