The students were giving their support to AJ, who was on the field kneeling. The girl was panting hard as she managed to beat Twilight, but it was far from a walk in the park. If the girl was honest with herself, the way Twilight played the duel and battled, she was in control and didn't lose it once. The way she manipulated her Deck, calculated for all possible moves, and even pulled off some deadly combos. Safe to say, it felt like the country gal got punched in the face, and she liked it.
She looked across and saw Twilight being helped up. Isaac got up from the bench and helped his friend as he had her arm over his shoulder. The boy stood up as he looked at Applejack. They didn't say much other than him giving her a thumbs-up as he began to lead Twilight away. AJ turned as she walked to her side of the field and was welcomed to warm applause.
"What a pathetic, horrible display!" said Principal Cinch as she began to give Twilight a stern talking-to.
The girl removed her arm from Isaac's shoulder as the woman approached her.
"I expected you to have an easy win against a stupid farmer. But it seems you were incompetent on doing that!" growled Cinch as the other Shadowbolts glared.
Twilight had her head down as she took in the words said by her Principal. She lowered her head to avoid letting the other see how the words affected her. Isaac wanted to step in but soon heard the girl's sniffles as Cinch continued to run down her student.
"What did I say? 'I would have hated to add you to our ranks, only for you to be the reason we didn't win'. And it turns out that I was right. To think I expected so much from Shining Armor's little sister. I thought his skill and talent would be passed on. I guess all the talent seemed to have skipped you. You're nothing more than a bookworm with a pretty face." stated Principal Cinch.
At that moment, Twilight took off and ran. Try as she may, she tried not to cry, but the sniffles could be heard. The next event was underway as Principal Cinch instructed Sour Sweet to get out on the field. The girl obeyed and strapped on her Duel Disk. Isaac glared at his principal as it showed the boy with his fists bawled up. The woman and teen stared into each other as scowls appeared on their faces. Isaac had some choice words for the woman but decided to save them for later as he took off to find his friend. Principal Cinch let the boy go as she focused more on seeing the next round and having her team crush Canterlot High.
"The second round of the Tri-Duel Relay is starting. And this second round will feature Speed Duels! Allow me to explain:" said Luna through the P.A. system, "Speed Duels are duels in which you're working with limited resources. One is that your starting hand is four cards, no first turn draws, you only get three instead of the regular five slots for both Monsters and Spells and Trap cards, your Extra Deck is minimized to just five instead of fifteen, you only get a single Main Phase each turn, and instead of the 40-60 deck limit, it's cut in half to 20-30."
The students from Canterlot High in the stands were chatting among themselves after hearing the rules.
"Now, let's begin. The first Speed Duel will pit Crystal Prep's Sour Sweet against Canterlot High's Pinkie Pie!" said Cadence.
Sour Sweet flipped her hair as she made her way to the field. On the other hand, Pinkie was with Sunset as the pair checked on Golden Flare. After he told them that he wasn't feeling good, they spent the entire time during AJ's duel trying to make him feel better. It seemed to work as the boy was back to smiling. However, Golden could feel something inside of him as he refused to tell the girls what he truly felt. Mostly cause they were in the middle of the Games and didn't want to worry them. But he did promise that once they finished these Games, he would tell his friends about what he felt and these sudden "Dark Chip" cards he got.
"You sure?" asked Pinkie.
"Positive, Pinkie. Golden says he's fine; besides, he wants to watch you duel. He was very persistent on that." stated Sunset.
"Okie-dokie!" said the party girl as she zipped away.
You see? Golden's darkness spoke to him once again, They worry about you, yet you push them away. The darkness isn't just a part of you, you deserve to have it, and you know it.
"...Get out of my head..." Golden muttered to himself, clutching his cranium.
Don't pretend I don't exist. We both know you're too old to play pretend.
Golden tried to suppress these thoughts as to not arouse suspicion from the girls as he watched Pinkie's first Speed Duel. Both competing girls were standing across from each other. Pinkie put on her D-Pad as Sour Sweet turned on her Duel Disk to project a pale pink light card tray. They pulled out their Duel Gazers as the field began to form.
"//Augmented Reality Vision Link established.//" said the A.I.
"Let's duel!" shouted Sour Sweet and Pinkie Pie as their auto-shufflers kicked in.
Sour Sweet: 8,000 LP
Pinkie Pie: 8,000 LP
Turn 1: Pinkie Pie - Hand: 4
"Yippee, I get to go first!" shouted Pinkie as she looked at her hand, "I'll start by placing two cards face-down and then summon this handsome little guy, Madolche Chouxvalier." A small caviler appeared as he rode on his steed while wielding a lance made of peppermint candy while standing on a piece of cake.
Madolche Chouxvalier
Attribute: EARTH
Level: 4
Type: Warrior/Effect
ATK: 1700
DEF: 1300
Effect: When this card you control is destroyed by your opponent's card (either by battle or by card effect) and sent to your Graveyard: Shuffle this card into your Deck. Your opponent cannot target face-up "Madolche" monsters for attacks, except "Madolche Chouxvalier".
"I then end my turn." said Pinkie.
Turn 2: Sour Sweet - Hand: 4
"Aw, such a cute little guy. It's a shame it has to die!" grinned Sour Sweet while drawing her card, "I'll play the Spell, Amazoness Call!"
Amazoness Call
Quick-Play Spell Card
Effect: Take 1 "Amazoness" card from your Deck, except "Amazoness Call", and either add it to your hand or send it to the GY. During your Main Phase: You can banish this card from your GY, then target 1 "Amazoness" monster you control; this turn, that monster can attack all monsters your opponent controls, once each, also other monsters you control cannot attack. You can only activate 1 "Amazoness Call" per turn.
"Now I can add 1 'Amazoness' monster from my Deck and add it to my hand. So I'll choose my Amazoness Princess, but she won't be there for long because I'll summon her." A small, dark-skinned warrior woman in red and purple armor landed from a portal in the air in front of Sour Sweet. She stood up, smirked, and lifted a spear from her back, twirling it to point it toward Pinkie.
Amazoness Princess
Attribute: EARTH
Level: 3
Type: Warrior/Effect
ATK: 1200
DEF: 900
Effect: This card's name becomes "Amazoness Queen" while on the field or in the GY. If this card is Normal or Special Summoned: You can add 1 "Amazoness" Spell/Trap from your Deck to your hand. You can only use this effect of "Amazoness Princess" once per turn. When this card declares an attack: You can send 1 other card from your hand or field to the GY; Special Summon 1 "Amazoness" monster from your Deck in Defense Position, except "Amazoness Princess".
"Now, since I summoned my Amazoness Princess, I can add 1 'Amazoness' Spell or Trap from my Deck to my hand." Once again, Sour Sweet searched through her Deck and got her needed card. "I'll choose my Field Spell, Amazoness Village. This card raises the attack of all my Amazoness monsters by 200 extra attack points. Now my princess has a total of 1,400 (Amazoness Princess: ATK 1200 + 200 = 1400)." A large jungle of trees sprang up from the ground around Sour Sweet. Branches and grasses on the ground around her came together and joined together to form a circle of huts and tents.
Amazoness Village
Field Spell Card
Effect: All "Amazoness" monsters gain 200 ATK. Once per turn, when an "Amazoness" monster is destroyed by battle or card effect and sent to the GY: You can Special Summon 1 "Amazoness" monster from your Deck with a Level less than or equal to that "Amazoness" monster in the GY.
"Then I'll play Amazoness Spellcaster."
Amazoness Spellcaster
Normal Spell Card
Effect: Target 1 "Amazoness" monster you control and 1 face-up monster your opponent controls; switch the original ATK of those targets until the end of this turn.
"So now I switch our monsters' attack points until the turn's end. Which means now my monster is the stronger one. So Amazoness Princess, take down her little soldier!" ordered Sour Sweet.
"I'll activate my face-down, Madolche Waltz! Now, whenever my monsters attack or get attacked, I can deal you 300 points of damage as the check." smiled Pinkie (Sour Sweet: 8,000 - 300 = 7,700 LP).
Madolche Waltz
Continuous Trap Card
Effect: Each time a "Madolche" monster you control attacks or is attacked, after damage calculation: Inflict 300 damage to your opponent.
Sour Sweet was unimpressed with what Pinkie had done as she held her hands up, "Whatever, it's still dead."
"Now my second Trap card activates, Desperate Tag."
Desperate Tag
Continuous Trap Card
Effect: If a face-up Attack Position monster you control is destroyed by battle, during damage calculation, you can reduce the Battle Damage from this battle to 0 and Special Summon 1 Level 4 or lower Warrior-Type monster from your hand at the end of the Damage Step.
"Now, if a monster of mine is destroyed by battle, then I can reduce that battle damage to zero. And then I can Special Summon a Level 4 or lower Warrior-Type monster from my hand. So now I'll replace my Madolche Chouxvalier with another." informed Pinkie. She then had another monster (1700/1300) rise as the previous one was destroyed but didn't lose any Life Points.
"Now my Madolche Chouxvalier's ability activates; instead of sending him to the Graveyard, I can shuffle him back into my deck," informed Pinkie as she placed her monster on top of her Deck, and the auto-shuffler kicked in.
"I'm not impressed; I end my turn." stated Sour Sweet.
Turn 3: Pinkie Pie - Hand: 0
"My turn," said the party girl as she drew her card. "I'll summon this cute handsome little guy, Madolche Butlerusk." A small butler appeared with a white cloth over its lower left arm. It had a teapot in one hand and a teacup in the other while standing on a waffle with syrup oozing.
Madolche Butlerusk
Attribute: EARTH
Level: 4
Type: Spellcaster/Effect
ATK: 1500
DEF: 800
Effect: When this card you control is destroyed by your opponent's card (either by battle or by card effect) and sent to your Graveyard: Shuffle this card into your Deck. When this card is Normal Summoned: You can add 1 Field Spell Card from your Deck to your hand. There must be another face-up "Madolche" monster on the field to activate and to resolve this effect.
"Mmm, tasty," said Pinkie as she dipped her finger into the syrup and took a taste, "Now, since I control another 'Madolche' monster, I can activate my Butlerusk's special ability. It allows me to add a Field Spell to my hand, so I'll choose this one, Madolche Chateau!" shouted Pinkie as the entire field morphed. Soon all around them was turned into a sweet wonderland which caught Pinkie's attention as she struggled to keep her sweet tooth in check. Soon there was a giant chateau as it was behind the girl.
Madolche Chateau
Field Spell Card
Effect: When this card is activated: Shuffle all "Madolche" monsters in your GY into the Deck. All "Madolche" monsters on the field gain 500 ATK/DEF. If a monster(s) in your GY would be returned to the Deck by the effect of a "Madolche" monster, you can add it to your hand instead.
"My Field Spell does the same thing as yours. It also gives my monsters extra points, five hundred to be exact," smiled Pinkie as both of her monsters powered up (Madolche Chouxvalier: ATK 1700 + 500 = 2200) (Madolche Butlerusk: ATK 1500 + 500 = 2000). "So, Madolche Butlerusk, attack her Amazoness Princess!" Pinkie's monster heard the command as Butlerusk threw his teapot; it shattered and exploded upon contact with Amazoness Princess (Sour Sweet: 7,700 - 600 = 7,100 LP).
"And don't forget, thanks to my Madolche Waltz, you lose another 300 life points since my monster attacked." informed Pinkie (Sour Sweet: 7,100 - 300 = 6,800 LP).
"Well, I activate my Field Spell's effect; since an Amazoness was destroyed, I can replace her with another monster equal to or less than its Level from my Deck. So I choose my Amazoness Spy!" stated Sour Sweet as her monster rose in defense mode.
Amazoness Spy
Attribute: EARTH
Level: 3
Type: Warrior/Effect
ATK: 800
DEF: 1200
Effect: You can reveal 1 other "Amazoness" monster in your hand; Special Summon this card from your hand. You can only use this effect of "Amazoness Spy" once per turn. When this card is destroyed by battle and sent to the GY: You can target 1 "Amazoness" monster in your GY, except "Amazoness Spy"; return it to the hand, or shuffle it into the Deck.
"Well, I'm not done yet. Chouxvalier, your turn!" commanded the party girl as her caviler charged forward and jousted the Amazoness. "And you lose 300 more points (Sour Sweet: 6,800 - 300 = 6,500 LP)."
"Now, my Amazoness Spy's effect activates! I can target another 'Amazoness' in my Graveyard when she's destroyed. Then I can either add it to my hand or shuffle it back into my Deck. So I'll take back my Amazoness Princess!" stated the Crystal Prep girl as her Duel Disk ejected her card and added it to her hand.
"I guess I'll end my turn." smiled Pinkie as she ended her turn.
Turn 4: Sour Sweet - Hand: 3
"I think it's time I put the 'speed' in Speed Duel; I draw!" shouted Sour Sweet, "I play the spell, Polymerization, to fuse my Amazoness Queen and Amazoness Swords Woman in my hand!" The crowd in the stands of Crystal Prep roared as a swirling purple vortex appeared in the air. The Queen stood up from her throne, looked up at the portal, and leaped into it. Sour Sweet held her hands out.
"Ruler of hunters and swordbearer of hunters, combine your wisdom and wit, and reign supreme over this battlefield!" She brought her hands together. "From the deepest depths of the darkest jungles, I Fusion Summon, Level 8 Amazoness Empress!" A bolt of light shot out of the vortex and into the former throne of Amazoness Queen, shattering it and the hut it had been placed in a shower of splinters and bone. The smoke cleared to reveal a massive warrior woman with white hair and red war paint on her muscles. Animal skulls adorned her shoulders, waist, and head, forming a horned crown. She snapped her hand out to the side, a red cape blowing out behind her, and in a flash of red light, a massive curved, spiked sword appeared in her grasp.
Amazoness Queen
Attribute: EARTH
Level: 6
Type: Warrior/Effect
ATK: 2400
DEF: 1800
Effect: "Amazoness" monsters you control cannot be destroyed by battle.
Amazoness Swords Woman
Attribute: EARTH
Level: 4
Type: Warrior/Effect
ATK: 1500
DEF: 1600
Effect: Your opponent takes any battle damage you would have taken from battles involving this card instead.
Amazoness Empress
Attribute: EARTH
Level: 8
Type: Warrior/Fusion/Effect
ATK: 2800
DEF: 2400
Effect: "Amazoness Queen" + 1 "Amazoness" monster
Other "Amazoness" cards you control cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects. If your "Amazoness" monster attacks a Defense Position monster, inflict piercing battle damage to your opponent. If this face-up Fusion Summoned card is destroyed by battle, or leaves the field because of an opponent's card effect while its owner controls it: You can Special Summon 1 "Amazoness Queen" from your hand, Deck, or GY.
"Oh, boy. I don't like the looks of this." said Astral Flare as the others thought the same.
"I'm not done 'cause first, my Empress gains the effect of my Field Spell (Amazoness Empress: ATK 2800 + 200 = 3000). Then I'll activate the ability of my Amazoness Call from my Graveyard; by banishing it, my Amazoness Empress can attack all of your monsters!" stated Sour Sweet.
"Oh, that's not good." said Golden.
"But before that, I play Mystical Space Typhoon to get rid of your Desperate Tag! Then summon out my Amazoness Princess once more," said Sour Sweet as she had another monster on her field, the girl then laughed, "What do you think happens next?"
Pinkie smiled, "I think you're going to hurt me a bit."
"Nope, I'm gonna hurt you a lot!" Sour Sweet gnashed her teeth and held her hand out. "Amazoness Empress, take out both of her monsters!" The Empress coiled her legs and sprinted forward, her sword held out to the side. She brought her sword down on both of Pinkie's monsters and cleaved them in a shower of red sparks (Pinkie Pie: 8,000 - 1,000 - 800 = 6,200 LP).
"Well, I'm not the only one who takes damage; my Madolche Waltz is still in play. So that means you're losing 600 points for destroying both of my monsters (Sour Sweet: 6,500 - 300 - 300 = 5,900 LP)." said Pinkie.
"Normally, my monsters can shuffle themselves back into my Deck, but since I have my Field Spell out, I can choose to add them to my hand." said Pinkie as she put both cards in her hand.
"A small price to pay since I've cleared your field." said Sour Sweet as she ended her turn.
Turn 5: Pinkie Pie - Hand: 2
"My turn." said the party girl as she drew her card.
"So what's Pinkie's plan for dealing with that Empress?" asked Rainbow.
"I don't know," responded Sunset. "Let's hope she drew something that might help."
"I'll play the Continuous Spell, Madolche Salon. Thanks to this, I can now have two Normal Summons during my turn, so I'm summoning my Chouxvlier and Butlerusk." said Pinkie as both of her small monsters appeared.
Madolche Salon
Continuous Spell Card
Effect: During your Main Phase, you can Normal Summon 1 "Madolche" monster in addition to your Normal Summon/Set. (You can only gain this effect once per turn.) If another "Madolche" card(s) you control or in your GY is added to your hand or shuffled into your Main Deck by a card effect: Set 1 "Madolche" Spell/Trap directly from your Deck, except "Madolche Salon". You can only use this effect of "Madolche Salon" once per turn.
"This again?" said Sour Sweet putting a hand on her hip.
"Take a closer look 'cause I'm overlaying both of my monsters to build the Overlay Network!" shouted Pinkie as her monsters turned into orbs of light and hovered in the air. A portal appeared before the girl as both orbs entered, and a pillar of light emerged. "With the might of the cavalier and helpfulness of the butler, I call upon the sweetest educator in all the land! I Xyz Summon, Madolche Teacher Glassouffle in defense mode!" A small woman appeared sitting on a chair; she had emerald hair and wore a matching dress, glasses, and a baton while having some books.
Madolche Teacher Glassouffle
Attribute: EARTH
Rank: 4
Type: Fairy/Xyz/Effect
ATK: 1800
DEF: 2500
Effect: 2 Level 4 "Madolche" monsters
(Quick Effect): You can detach 1 material from this card, then target 1 "Madolche" monster on the field; this turn, that face-up monster is unaffected by monster effects, except its own. If a "Madolche" card is sent to your GY while this card is on the field (except during the Damage Step): You can shuffle up to 2 cards from the GYs into the Deck(s). You can only use each effect of "Madolche Teacher Glassouffle" once per turn.
"Seems Pinkie did have something." smiled Golden.
"Yeah, but it ain't much. Even with Pinkie's new monster, it's a temporary wall." said Astral.
"I end my turn." said Pinkie.
Turn 6: Sour Sweet - Hand: 0
"My draw," stated Sour Sweet as she drew her card, "I play Pot of Greed to draw two cards, then I play Fusion Recovery, so I'll take back my Polymerization and Amazoness Swords Woman."
"Is she gonna Fusion Summon again?" wondered Applejack.
"I end my turn with a face-down." smiled Sour Sweet.
"Huh?" said all of the CHS participants.
Turn 7: Pinkie Pie - Hand: 2
"It's my turn," said Pinkie as she drew her card, "Now, I'll evolve my 'Madolche' Xyz monster into a brand new one. Go Rank Up Xyz Evolution!"
"She's doing what?" said Sour Sweet and the rest of the Crystal Prep students, as they didn't expect the girl to make such an advanced move.
"With the sweetest educator, I call forth most delicious princess in the whole world! I Xyz Summon Rank 5! Madolche Puddincess Chocolat-a-la-Mode!" shouted Pinkie as he upgraded her last monster for a more powerful one. A small girl wearing a chocolate dress appeared as she twirled.
Madolche Puddingcess Chocolat-a-la-Mode
Attribute: EARTH
Rank: 5
Type: Fairy/Xyz/Effect
ATK: 2500
DEF: 2200
Effect: 2 Level 5 EARTH monsters
You can also Xyz Summon this card by using a Rank 4 or lower "Madolche" Xyz Monster you control as the material. (Transfer its materials to this card.) Once per turn: You can target 1 "Madolche" card in your GY; shuffle it into the Deck. While this card has "Madolche Puddingcess" as material, when a "Madolche" card(s) in your GY is shuffled into the Main Deck (except during the Damage Step): You can detach 1 material from this card; Special Summon 1 "Madolche" monster from your Deck in Attack Position or face-down Defense Position.
"Alright, that one surprised me, I'll admit it. But with your Field Spell power boost, it has the same attack points as my Empress."
"For now, but I've yet to conduct my turn. So let's get to it. First, since I have no monsters in my Graveyard, I can Special Summon my Madolche Petingcessoeur!" A small girl appeared as she twirled with sparkles shining around her. "Then, since I special summoned her, I can summon another 'Madolche' monster from my deck, but its level is reduced by one. So give a warm welcome to Madolche Puddingcess!" Another small girl appeared, and her dress seemed to resemble pudding.
Madolche Petingcessoeur
Attribute: EARTH
Level: 4
Type: Fairy/Effect
ATK: 1400
DEF: 1400
Effect: If this card in your possession is destroyed by an opponent's card and sent to your GY: Shuffle this card into the Deck. You can only use each of the following effects of "Madolche Petingcessoeur" once per turn.
●If you have no monsters in your GY: You can Special Summon this card from your hand.
●If this card is Special Summoned: You can Special Summon 1 "Madolche" monster from your hand or Deck, except "Madolche Petingcessoeur", and if you do, reduce its Level by 1, also you cannot Special Summon monsters for the rest of this turn, except "Madolche" monsters.
Madolche Puddingcess
Attribute: EARTH
Level: 5
Type: Fairy/Effect
ATK: 1000
DEF: 1000
Effect: Gains 800 ATK/DEF while you have no monsters in your GY. If this card in your possession is destroyed by an opponent's card and sent to your GY: Shuffle this card into the Deck. After damage calculation, if this card battles an opponent's monster: You can target 1 card your opponent controls; destroy that target.
"Again, are you trying to make me feel sorry for you?" mocked Sour Sweet as she didn't understand what Pinkie was doing.
"Don't judge me yet! 'Cause let me inform you, when I have no monsters in my Graveyard, my Puddingcess gains 800 extra attack and defense points. Not to mention the extra 500 it gets from my Field Spell (Madolche Puddingcess: ATK 1000 + 800 + 500 = 2300)." stated Pinkie.
"Even with all those extra points, your little monster doesn't come close to matching that of my Empress."
"I don't have to; Madolche Puddingcess attack her Amazoness Princess!" commanded Pinkie. The small girl tossed some food at the small warrior girl as she got hit in the face with the tasty dessert (Sour Sweet: 5,900 - 900 = 5,000 LP).
"What an idiot! Due to my Empress' ability, you can't destroy my monsters!" stated Sour Sweet.
"I wasn't planning on it. Well, not yet, anyway. Besides, you lose 300 more points due to my Trap," said Pinkie (Sour Sweet: 5,000 - 300 = 4,700 LP).
"This is what separates Crystal Prep from Canterlot High; you don't think. And you don't take anything seriously based on your personality. Your friends must be embarrassed to be ever be associated with someone like you." scoffed Sour Sweet.
"Yeah, people think I'm all bubbles and laughter. That I don't seem sincere, I might joke around a bit too much, but one thing I'm serious about is my friends. They're counting on me to win, and I'm not gonna let them down." said Pinkie showing a different side than her usual easygoing attitude.
"Except you've already lost," stated Sour Sweet, "you don't have a monster that can take down my Empress, and it's only a matter of time before I beat you. Hell, it's only a matter of time before Crystal Preps wins. Sunny Flare will have no problem beating whoever you choose for the second Speed Duel. And then, we have our heavy hitter. Isaac still hasn't dueled if you haven't put it together. By the way, is your friend Rarity still functioning after the one-sided beatdown she received at the hands of Isaac?" mocked Sour Sweet.
Pinkie scowled as she didn't like hearing Sour Sweet talk bad about her friend. The others also heard as they had scowls, but Golden was thinking about the boy and how it was only a matter of time before the two met.
Yes, the brat who thinks he's all that and a bag of chips...blech. Once everyone sees what I've got planned for that cocky little shit...
"...Shut up..." Golden whispered.
Don't deny it; you want to shut that arrogant prick's mouth just as much as I do, if not more than me. But what, oh what, could breed such anger and frustration towards him, yet you two have barely spoke? OH! I know! It's because--
Golden slammed the palm of his hand on his forehead to try and silence the dark voice...but to no avail.
Hehehe, why so panicked? I thought I was blowing smoke. Or maybe...I DO know what you're really thinking! And you know why? Because I AM YOU!! You hate the guy, not just because he beat down Rarity, but he also goes to Crystal Prep AND he takes orders from that wrinkly old bag, Cinch! Why else would you be so angry? A bunch of rich snobs who have more money than brains and will mooch off their even richer parents till that money runs dry for no good reason, now THAT'S infuriating! You don't have a single other reason for hating the poor guy, don't you?!
"Shut it, you miserable...!" Golden muttered through clenched teeth.
If you insult me, you insult yourself. I'm you. Your inner demons, the darkness that has tainted your heart. Now that you've had a taste, we are inseparable now.
Golden could almost feel his "inner demons" smirking devilishly at him as the voice finally goes silent, for now at least. But he didn't notice Sunset staring at him in great concern; after he had used those "Dark Chip" cards, Golden had been keeping to himself recently and conversing with himself, but Sunset knew better. He could hear the dark voice taunting him...just like it did after Sunset's reformation.
"If he had no problem beating her, imagine how easy it'll be when he wipes the floor and runs over whoever you pitted against him in the Turbo Duels. And not to mention Enix, who has NEVER lost his spot at Crystal Prep's #2. Basically, we've got the last event in the bag. The only hard part is winning the Speed Duels, and based on how that's going so far, I think Crystal Prep is just moments away from winning once again like we always do."
"Tough talk from someone who doesn't realize she fell for a trap." smiled Pinkie.
"Huh?" said Sour Sweet.
"'Cause I activate the effect of my Madolche Puddingcess. Since it battled a monster, I can target one card on your side of the field and destroy it. So your Empress is going bye-bye!" stated Pinkie.
"Nice one, Pinkie!" smiled Golden at how the girl could get rid of the creature. A gust of wind blew over the field as it shattered Sour Sweet's monster.
"You'll pay for that! My Empress may be gone, but she's leaving a parting gift. Now I can bring back my Amazoness Queen (2400/1800)!" stated Sour Sweet as she had another monster rise and receive the power-up from her Field Spell (Amazoness Queen: ATK 2400 + 200 = 2600).
"Good, 'cause now, without your Empress, my monsters are the ones with the highest attack points. And it's still my battle phase. Madolche Puddincess Chocolat-a-la-Mode attack her Queen!" stated Pinkie.
"This is perfect; her Xyz monster will attack Amazoness Queen. Then her Petingcessoeur will attack Amazoness Princess. Not to mention, Pinkie still has her Trap in play, so she'll deal extra damage." said Astral.
"You set me up, didn't you?" said Sour Sweet.
"Maybe, maybe not. Or perhaps, CHS isn't just the average third-rate Duelists you think we are," smiled Pinkie as her monster raced forward.
Her monster was about to make contact when a flash of light appeared. It blinded the entire field as Pinkie covered her eyes. The light didn't last long as soon it faded. Pinkie opened her eyes as she widened upon seeing what she saw. Sour Sweet was smiling with her hand out as her face down flipped up.
"But I knew you'd set me up; that's why I had this ready. Amazoness Archers.
Amazoness Archers
Normal Trap Card
Effect: When an opponent's monster declares an attack, while you control an "Amazoness" monster: Change all monsters your opponent currently controls to face-up Attack Position (Flip Effects are not activated), they lose 500 ATK, also they must attack this turn, if able.
Since you declared an attack while I control an 'Amazoness,' your monsters lose 500 attack points. And, you must attack my Queen with all your monsters!"
"I have to?!!" said Pinkie in disbelief as her monsters weakened.
"But if she attacks, then..."
"It will destroy her monsters." said Golden as he finished Dash's statement.
"Wait a minute, you had that Trap all along? So why didn't you activate it earlier? You would have saved your Empress?" asked Pinkie.
"You're right; I could have. So why didn't I?" mocked Sour Sweet as she sealed the deal on the Duel and broke Pinkie's confidence, "Now, I believe you had your monster attacking my Queen."
Pinkie looked at her monster as the girl was held in place as she was about to make contact with Amazoness Queen. The party girl's hair deflated as she realized the situation and how she got hustled pretty hard.
"I...attack your Queen with all my monsters." said Pinkie in a sad tone.
Madolche Puddincess Chocola-a-la-Mode continued her attack as she was cut down (Pinkie Pie: 6,200 - 100 = 6,100 LP). Her little sister was next to join as Amazoness Queen turned her into magical particles (Pinkie Pie: 6,100 - 300 = 5,800 LP). The last one was Petingcessoeur, who cried as she was tossed and exploded upon impact (Pinkie Pie: 5,800 - 700 = 5,100 LP). Sour Sweet smiled as she took the additional damage from Pinkie's Trap (Sour Sweet: 4,700 - 300 - 300 - 300 = 3,800 LP).
"Pinkie..." spoke Golden softly as he could see how the girl had her confidence shattered by Sour Sweet. So much so, she didn't even have the gall to say she ended her turn.
Pathetic. Too bad, so sad. Should've known she wouldn't finish the job. Now, if it were us out there...
Golden shut out the darkness to the best of his ability so he could watch the rest of the Speed Duel.
Turn 8: Sour Sweet - Hand: 2
"Like I said. We've got this in the bag," smiled Sour Sweet as she drew her card, "Now I'll play Polymerization and fuse together my Amazoness Swords Woman and Amazoness Tiger!" A swirling vortex appeared above the girl as it sucked in both of her monsters.
Amazoness Tiger
Attribute: EARTH
Level: 4
Type: Beast/Effect
ATK: 1100
DEF: 1500
Effect: You can only control 1 "Amazoness Tiger". This card gains 400 ATK for each "Amazoness" monster you control. Your opponent cannot attack any face-up "Amazoness" monsters, except this one.
"Wild beast of the jungle with vicious fangs. Obtain the skills of the warrior who hunts down her prey, become a new savage beast and appear! I Fusion Summon! Level 7! Amazoness Pet Liger!" A pillar of dark red light burst out of the trees behind the Amazoness Village. The earth shook, and the trees parted, revealing a massive liger, pale beige with black stripes. Armor plating with spikes covered its shoulders, gleaming blue against the dark orange of its mane. It crept up next to Sour Sweet, glaring at Pinkie with one red eye, the other closed by a jagged scar, and roaring at her.
Amazoness Pet Liger
Attribute: EARTH
Level: 7
Type: Beast/Fusion/Effect
ATK: 2500
DEF: 2400
Effect: "Amazoness Tiger" + 1 "Amazoness" monster
Once per battle, if this card attacks, during damage calculation: You can make this card gain 500 ATK during that damage calculation only. If your "Amazoness" monster attacked an opponent's monster, after damage calculation: You can target 1 face-up monster your opponent controls; it loses 800 ATK. Monsters your opponent controls cannot attack "Amazoness" monsters you control, except this one.
"He's such a cutie, isn't he?" Sour Sweet smiled and patted the monster on one of its armored portions, who purred at its mistress. "Now, thanks to my Field Spell, he gets 200 extra points (Amazoness Pet Liger: ATK 2500 + 200 = 2700). Now to have him strike, go Liger! By attacking, he gets 500 more attack points (Amazoness Pet Liger: ATK 2700 + 500 = 3200)! I told you, you would lose. And I'm never wrong. Girls, finish her!" said Sour Sweet as her other two monsters ran. They trailed behind Liger as all three leaped into the air as Pinkie braced herself. A small explosion occurred as it died; Pinkie was shown sitting down as she accepted her defeat (Pinkie Pie: 5,100 - 3,200 - 2,600 - 1,400 = 0 LP).
WINNER: Sour Sweet
"The winner of the first Speed Duel is Sour Sweet from Crystal Prep!" stated Luna. The students from the prep school all cheered and applauded Sour Sweet, who was soaking in all the attention.
"As if there was any doubt?" Sour Sweet gathered her cards from her Duel Disk and snorted. "I'm just annoyed it took so long." Sour Sweet looked at Pinkie before leaving.
"Excellent work." smiled Principal Cinch as she congratulated her student on her victory.
"Pinkie, you okay?" asked Sunset as she had to get on the field to check on the girl.
"Yeah, just...shaken is all." said the pink-haired girl as Sunset guided her back to their side.
"Poor Pinks." said Astral.
"Sour Sweet rocked her confidence, hard." said Golden as the two girls made it to their side.
Now, see, if I was in control, this never would've happened.
Golden tried to ignore the darkness inside him again as the next Speed Duel was being decided.
"The second duel will begin!" said Luna over the P.A. system.
"Finish the job." ordered Principal Cinch.
"Beating that boy will be an easy task." said Sunny Flare as she strapped on her Duel Disk and made her way to the field.
"Guess I'm up. Wish me luck, guys." said Astral as he received fist bumps from his teammates as he made his way to the field.
Astral was face to face with Sunny Flare as the boy could already tell what kind of girl he was dealing with. The way she stood, her posture, even her mannerisms, the best way he could describe was if Rarity was self-absorbed and only cared about her image. Well, in a way, that kind of was the girl, but underneath that beauty was a generous heart that Astral knew. The boy stuck his hand out.
"As if I'd shake hands with you, especially a boy of your stature." scoffed Sunny as she turned on her Duel Disk to project a moderate cerise card tray.
Astral put on his Duel Pad as both teens pulled out their Duel Gazers as the field began to change, "I'd suggest keeping your attitude in check. It's common courtesy."
//Augmented Reality Vision Link Established.// said the A.I.
"Let's Duel!" said both teens.
While the Duel was happening, Isaac was shown looking for Twilight. The girl didn't get far as she snuck off to the library. The boy felt this was where she would be whenever Twilight was not her usual self; she would often lock herself in this place as her safe haven.
"Twilight." said Isaac as he walked to the second floor and saw the girl.
He bent down and pulled the book down to see her face. The girl was still crying as her glasses were getting a bit foggy. He took the lenses off and wiped the water from the girl's eyes. The boy sat down next to her; Twilight buried her head into him as he wrapped his arms and held his friend.
"It's okay, just let it out." stated Isaac as he was willing to stay with his friend until she felt better.
Astral Flare: 8,000 LP
Sunny Flare: 8,000 LP
Turn 1: Sunny Flare - Hand: 4
"Marvelous." Sunny drew her opening hand and flipped a card out from it.
"I don't like the sound of that," said Astral as he saw the look on the girl's face.
"I'll summon Hazy Flame Cerbereus." A circle of fire lit up in front of Sunny. From within them rose a large three-headed dog, its entire body made of flickering orange and red flames. The three heads looked at each other before turning forward to growl at Astral.
Hazy Flame Cerbereus
Attribute: FIRE
Level: 6
Type: Beast/Effect
ATK: 2000
DEF: 200
Effect: You can Normal Summon this card without Tributing, but its original ATK becomes 1000. Your opponent cannot target this card with card effects. When this card is destroyed and sent to the Graveyard: You can add 1 "Hazy" card from your Deck to your hand.
"Despite being level 6, I can summon it without a tribute. All I have to do is sap its strength in half." Cerbereus groaned as its body lit up red, the flames of its mane dying down (Hazy Flame Cerbereus: ATK 2000 ÷ 2 = 1000).
"I end my turn."
Turn 2: Astral Flare - Hand: 4
"Then it's my move!" said Astral as he drew his top card and began to look at the cards in his hand, "Since you control a monster and I don't, I can special summon this...Cyber Dragon (2100/1600)!" A mechanical snake-like dragon appeared with a computerized roar.
"Nice, seems Astral was able to get a good opening hand." said Rainbow.
"Now, Cyber Dragon, attack her Cerberus!" ordered the boy to his dragon. The limbless dragon charged a laser in its mouth and blasted the three-headed dog (Sunny Flare: 8,000 - 1,100 = 6,900 LP).
"I end my turn." stated the boy with a smile. (hand 4)
Turn 3: Sunny Flare - Hand: 3
"Such a brute, just as I expected from a boy." scoffed Sunny Flare as she checked on her hair to ensure it wasn't out of place from the Duel Disk's feedback system as she drew.
"Hey, I'm just playing the game. Besides, it's your fault for weakening your monster. You shouldn't expect your opponent not to put up much of a fight." responded Astral.
"True, your move was a good one. But you've left your field open for a counter-play, and you've no idea what cards are in my hand." Sunny's lips curled in a small smirk. Astral saw it and was a bit hesitant about what the girl meant. "Style is not nearly as important as substance; unfortunately, you only have the former. I'll show you the latter." She reached to her hand and picked up a card to slide into her Duel Disk. "I activate the continuous Spell card, Hazy Pillar." The ground behind Sunny split apart. A glowing, wavering pillar of bright orange fire rose from it, the top flickering and snapping the air.
Hazy Pillar
Continuous Spell Card
Effect: You can Normal Summon "Hazy Flame" monsters for 1 less Tribute. Once per turn: You can target 1 face-up Xyz Monster you control; attach 1 "Hazy Flame" monster from your hand or your side of the field to that Xyz Monster as an Xyz Material.
"As long as this card is in play, any Hazy Flame monster I may summon requires one less Tribute for their summoning." She flipped another card out of her hand and swung it onto her card tray. "Since I now need no Tributes for it, I'll summon the Level 6 Hazy Flame Sphynx in attack mode." A large fireball emerged from the Hazy Pillar and floated in front of Sunny. The flames expanded, grew into a form lying on the ground, and then receded to reveal her monster. A beast with a lion's body and a woman's head lounged on the grass, her mane a field of orange and red fire. Jeweled blue and yellow regalia covered her forehead and neck.
Hazy Flame Sphynx
Attribute: FIRE
Level: 6
Type: Beast-Warrior/Effect
ATK: 1900
DEF: 1900
Effect: Your opponent cannot target this card with card effects. You can declare 1 card type (Monster, Spell, or Trap); send the top card of your Deck to the Graveyard, then if it was the declared card type, you can Special Summon 1 FIRE monster from your hand or Graveyard. You can only use this effect of "Hazy Flame Sphynx" once per turn.
Sunny smirked and reached for another card. "I now activate the spell card, Card Advance."
Card Advance
Normal Spell Card
Effect: Look at up to 5 cards from the top of your Deck, then place them on the top of the Deck in any order. You can Tribute Summon 1 monster in addition to your Normal Summon/Set this turn. (You can only gain this effect once per turn.)
"This allows me to look at the top five cards of my Deck and place them back on top of the Deck in any order I wish, and I'm also afforded an extra Tribute Summon this turn." Sunny's cards ejected from her Duel Disk, and she picked them up and fanned them out. She let out a small giggle. "Oh my, I didn't expect to have luck like this on my side. This Duel may be over quicker than I thought."
"Just place your cards." said Astral as he had enough of Sunny's mockery.
"Very well." One by one, Sunny put the five cards back on her Deck and rolled her neck when she was done, "Now that, that is done." She gestured a hand to her monster, "I activate the effect of Hazy Flame Sphynx. Once per turn, I can guess if the top card of my deck is a Spell, Trap, or Monster card. I then reveal and discard that card, and if I guessed correctly, I can summon a FIRE monster from my hand or Graveyard." She put a hand on the top of her Deck and smirked, "I have a very strong hunch that the top card of my Deck is a Monster card.
"Clever girl." muttered Astral as he saw what Sunny's entire plan was.
"I know," Sunny drew and held up the card. She pressed a hand to her cheek. "How fortunate for me! It is a monster, Hazy Flame Hydra. Hydra now gets discarded, and I can summon a monster." She pursed her lip. "Although my Hydra is now in the Graveyard and is a perfectly fine card, why get rid of it so hastily? I use the effect of Hazy Flame Sphynx to revive my Hazy Flame Hydra!" Hazy Flame Sphynx turned its head and opened its mouth to shoot a column of fire at the ground. The flame formed into the shape of Sunny Flare's monster and dispersed to reveal it, a writhing mass of red serpentine necks topped by pairs of red jaws with glowing eyes.
Hazy Flame Hydra
Attribute: FIRE
Level: 6
Type: Dinosaur/Effect
ATK: 2300
DEF: 200
Effect: Your opponent cannot target this card with card effects. You cannot Special Summon monsters, except FIRE monsters. An Xyz Monster that was Summoned using this card as an Xyz Material gains this effect.
●When it is Xyz Summoned: You can target 1 "Hazy Flame" monster in your Graveyard; attach that target to this card as an Xyz Material.
"Like before, the effect of my Card Advance allows me to conduct an additional summon this turn. I summon Hazy Flame Mantikor, and by the effect of my Hazy Pillar, I shall do so without needing a Tribute." A swarm of fireballs floated out of the pillar of fire and congregated, growing into a quadrupedal form and dispersing. A large red lion with leathery wings crouched in front of Sunny, its mane a ring of orange fire.
Hazy Flame Mantikor
Attribute: FIRE
Level: 6
Type: Winged Beast/Effect
ATK: 2200
DEF: 300
Effect: Your opponent cannot target this card with card effects. Once per turn, during either player's turn: You can send 1 FIRE monster, except this card, from your hand or face-up from your side of the field to the Graveyard; this card cannot be destroyed by card effects this turn.
"Uh-oh." said Astral as he realized he was in trouble.
Sunny laughed and pointed forward, "Now begins the counter-attack! Hazy Flame Hydra, destroy Cyber Dragon!" The Hydra's heads turned to face each other and summoned an orb of fire between them. The orb launched forward and engulfed Astral's monster in a flash of light (Astral Flare: 8,000 - 200 = 7,800 LP), "Now, Hazy Flame Mantikor, Hazy Flame Sphynx, attack him directly!" commanded the girl with her hand. Hazy Flame Sphynx leaned its head back and shot a jet of fire from its mouth. Sunny's Mantikor roared and leaped through the air. It lifted its paw and extended claws of flickering orange fire, slashing into the ground as Astral was thrown onto his back from both attacks (Astral Flare: 7,800 - 2,200 - 1,900 3,700 LP).
"I end my turn." smirked Sunny Flare as she was cackling.
"Ohh, that's a lot of damage," said Rainbow as they saw how fast their friend's life point counter ticked down.
Turn 4: Astral Flare - Hand: 4
"My draw and I'll place one card face-down. Then I'm summoning Silver Gadget (1500/1100)!" As its arms and legs extended, a little silver robot appeared on the field, "Then I can bust out this guy by Tributing him and sending my Odd-Eyes Dragon from my hand to the Graveyard. Odd-Eyes Saber Dragon!" A portal opened as the shadowy image of the beast was shown before the light was cast to reveal itself for all to see.
Odd-Eyes Saber Dragon
Attribute: LIGHT
Level: 7
Type: Dragon/Effect
ATK: 2800
DEF: 2000
Effect: If this card is in your hand: You can Tribute 1 LIGHT monster; send 1 "Odd-Eyes Dragon" from your hand, Deck, or your side of the field to the Graveyard, and if you do, Special Summon this card. When this card destroys a monster by battle and sends it to the Graveyard: You can destroy 1 monster your opponent controls.
"Like that changes anything." said Sunny, trying to hold her ground, but Astral could detect a hint of hesitation.
"It changes everything now, Odd-Eyes Saber Dragon, attack her Hazy Flame Mantikor!" commanded Astral as his beast opened its mouth and fired an attack at Sunny's monster (Sunny Flare: 6,900 - 500 = 6,400 LP).
"That's not all, 'cause my Saber Dragon has a special ability. Since it destroyed a monster, I can destroy another monster. So your Hydra is also gone!" stated Astral as his dragon took out another target.
"You'll pay for that!" shouted Sunny as she growled.
"I end my turn." smiled Astral.
Turn 5: Sunny Flare - Hand: 1
"My turn, I draw!" said Sunny as she drew her card. "I'll place one card face-down. Next, I'll play Monster Reborn to bring back my Hazy Flame Hydra. Then I'll activate the effect of my Sphinx, so I guess the top card, and if I'm right, I can summon 1 FIRE monster from my hand or Graveyard. I predict a Monster. And wouldn't you know, it is." smiled Sunny as she looked at her card and sent it away. "Now, I'll revive my Hazy Flame Mantikor. And lastly, I'll overlay both my Hydra and Mantikor!"
Sunny Flare's two monsters turned into orbs of orange light and swirled into a flaming vortex above her, red light gleaming from the center. She spun in place as she reached her Duel Disk, her hair and skirt flapping in the wind. "By uniting the serpent of fire and the lion of fire, I spark the kindling that will light the flames of malice!" She stopped with her hand in place, a card ejecting into her fingers. "I Xyz Summon! " She swung her card out and onto her Duel Disk with one swift motion. "Take flight, Rank 6 Hazy Flame Basiltrice!"
The Hazy Pillar behind Sunny blazed hotter as a shadowed form appeared within it. With a loud screech, a massive avian monster flew out of the flames and circled the field, two balls of orange light orbiting it. Wings of fire and gold swept through the skies, feathers in blue and orange and red rustling and a long serpent's tail flicking the air in its wake. The monster touched down behind Sunny on six claws and raised its chest proudly, red eyes blazing beneath a golden crown and a pair of blue fire.
Hazy Flame Basiltrice
Attribute: FIRE
Rank: 6
Type: Pyro/Xyz/Effect
ATK: 2500
DEF: 1800
Effect: 2 or more (max. 5) Level 6 FIRE monsters
Once per turn: You can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card to target 1 monster your opponent controls or is in their Graveyard; banish that target. This card gains effects based on the number of Xyz Materials attached to it.
●3 or more: This card gains 200 ATK and DEF for each Xyz Material attached to it.
●4 or more: This card cannot be targeted by your opponent's card effects.
●5: This card cannot be destroyed by card effects.
"Not much." scoffed Astral.
"Typical boys. You judge before you know the whole truth. For you see, my monster has a special ability. When my Hydra is used as an Xyz Material, the monster I summon with it gains an additional Xyz Material in the form of another Hazy Flame Monster in my Graveyard. I choose my Hazy Flame Cerbereus." The third ball of light rose from Sunny's Duel Disk and joined the other two orbiting the Basiltrice (Hazy Flame Basiltrice: OLU 2 + 1 = 3).
"Now, to explain some of my Basiltrice's abilities, since it has three Overlay units, it gains 200 more attack points for each one," said Sunny as her monster was more powerful than Astral's dragon (Hazy Flame Basiltrice: ATK 2500 + 600 = 3100), "Basiltrice, take out that dragon!"
"I reveal my face-down, Half Unbreak! So now my monster isn't destroyed, and I cut the damage I take in half!" said Astral as a force field appeared to protect his dragon as the attack from Sunny's monster was repelled (Astral Flare: 3,700 - 150 = 3,550 LP).
"Very good." said Sunny as she had to give props to her opponent for keeping his dragon safe while giving a half-hearted applause.
Turn 6: Astral Flare - Hand: 1
"My turn, and time for my Dragon to take out your Hazy Flame Basiltrice!" commanded Astral, "And by equipping him with Dragon Treasure, I might as well nuke both our monsters. So take down Hazy Flame Basiltrice!"
Dragon Treasure
Equip Spell Card
Effect: A Dragon-Type monster equipped with this card increases its ATK and DEF by 300 points.
"Not this time! I reveal my face-down, Slip of Fortune! This negates your attack and banishes Hazy Flame Basiltrice until the next turn." Basiltrice turned into a ball of flame and was drawn into the Hazy Pillar. Odd-Eyes' attack flickered out and vanished in the air.
"Fine then. I end my turn." said Astral as he had nothing else to do.
Turn 7: Sunny Flare - Hand: 1
"My draw, and so my Basiltrice returns to the field (2500/1800/OLU 0)." Sunny declared as her monster came back.
"Maybe, but it doesn't have its Overlay Units, so it's weaker than my dragon." stated Astral.
"A small price to pay to keep it in play." Sunny shrugged, "You haven't even seen what my Deck can really do!" said the CPA girl. "I shall now use the effect of Hazy Flame Sphynx. I guess the type of card on top of my Deck and then send it to the Graveyard, and if I guessed right, I can revive a FIRE monster from the Graveyard." Sunny placed her hand on her Deck. "I'm going to guess it's a Monster card." She turned the card over and barked out a chuckle. "Lucky me, it's another copy of Hazy Flame Sphynx. It goes to the Graveyard, and I'll revive my Hazy Flame Hydra." A jet of flame erupted from the ground in front of Sunny, and the multi-headed serpent slithered out of it and rose (2300/200). Sunny smirked. "And now, I think you know what comes next. I overlay my Hazy Flame Sphynx and Hazy Flame Hydra! Using my two Level 6 monsters, I construct the Overlay network!"
"Again?" said Astral.
The two monsters turned into orbs of flame and floated towards the Hazy Pillar, circling it in streaks of light. Sunny held her hand up. "By uniting the serpent of fire and the lion of fire, I spark the kindling that will light the inferno of malice!" She swept her arms through the air, bringing her hand down to her duel disk. "I Xyz Summon!" She whipped the card out and slid it into place on her duel disk, the card tray lighting up. "Take flight, my second Hazy Flame Basiltrice!" A shockwave of orange and red energy burst out of the Hazy Pillar, signaling the Basiltrice's arrival as it flew out. It circled Sunny and landed on her right, two orbs of orange light circling it (2500/1800/OLU 0).
"Things just went from bad to worse!" shouted Sunset.
"And this one has two Overlay Units..." said Astral as he backed up a bit.
"Ah, ah, not quite." Sunny wagged her finger, "One thing at a time, dearie. You remember the special ability of my Hazy Flame Hydra, right? When Hazy Flame Hydra is used as an Xyz Material, another Hazy Flame monster in my Graveyard can be attached as an additional Xyz Material. I choose my Hazy Flame Mantikor." Another ball of light emerged from the ground and floated into orbital formation with the other three, "Not only that, but I play Overlay Regen to add an additional Overlay Unit to my second Basiltrice." Sunny's Spell turned into another ball of light that now orbited her monster, "Now that that is taken care of, I think you should be aware of my Basiltrice's other abilities." Sunny chuckled softly. "With three or more Xyz Materials, my Basiltrice gains two hundred attack points for each. And with four or more Xyz Materials, you cannot target my Basiltrice with card effects."
"A hefty investment for such benefits." grimaced Astral.
"Trust me, it's worth it!" Sunny pointed across the field, "Since Hazy Flame currently has four Overlay Units attached to it, it gains 800 attack points. Now its total strength is 3,300, plus, it's untouchable. Next, I'll place one card face-down and use my monster's ability; I banish your Odd-Eyes Saber Dragon using one Overlay Unit!" Basiltrice opened its mouth and fired a stream of flame. Astral's dragon roared and reared up as the fire consumed it, its form washed away.
"No!" said the boy as he was defenseless.
"Now attack him my second Basiltrice!" commanded Sunny as her monster fired another stream of fire as it pushed the boy onto his back (Astral Flare: 3,550 - 3,300 = 250 LP), "All too easy, dearie. I could finish you with my other Basiltrice...but I'd like to see you squirm a little more as you cling to what little hope you have left. Just hurry up and make your last move." said Sunny Flare as she flipped her hair.
Turn 8: Astral Flare - Hand: 1
"It's...my move." said the boy as he struggled to get up.
"You could just give up; you've already lost." suggested Sunny.
"Never, I'm gonna win. Just watch me!" shouted Astral as he drew his card, "I play Pot of Greed to draw two new cards. Please, give me something."
"Draw all the cards you want, it won't matter." said Sunny.
"You sure?" smiled Astral as he saw what he picked up, "I play Polymerization to combine the two Cyber Dragons in my hand!" Both dragons appeared as the portal sucked them. "With the two cybernetic dragons, I create a twin-headed ace in the hole! I Fusion Summon, Cyber Twin Dragon (2800/2100)!" A two-headed metal dragon appeared and roared.
"You must be pathetic. That monster can't beat mine."
"It can, with this! Megamorph! Since my Life Points are lower than yours, my monster's attack points are doubled (Cyber Twin Dragon: ATK 2800 x 2 = 5600). Oh, and here's something you should know, my Cyber Twin Dragon can attack twice." smiled Astral.
"So that means he wins!" said Rainbow as she was excited to hear that.
"Finish her!" shouted Astral.
"How uncouth," scoffed Sunny and rolled her eyes, she then reached to her Duel Disk and touched a screen prompt, "I activate my Trap card, Safe Zone." A wall of pale blue crystal rose in front of Hazy Flame Basiltrice.
Safe Zone
Continuous Trap Card
Effect: Activate this card by targeting 1 face-up Attack Position monster on the field; that face-up monster cannot be destroyed by battle or your opponent's card effects, your opponent cannot target it with card effects, also it cannot attack your opponent directly. When this card leaves the field, destroy that monster. When that monster leaves the field, destroy this card.
"With this now active, my Hazy Flame Basiltrice cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects or targeted by card effects."
"What?!! That can't be fair!" said Astral as he was shocked to see Sunny use a powerful card.
"Crystal Prep spares no expense for the best cards. But it's not all bad, dearie. My monster cannot attack you directly now, and if my Safe Zone card is removed from the field, my monster is destroyed." The girl smiled as she winked at the boy, "I still take damage from the attacks, but it's a minor inconvenience (Sunny Flare: 6,400 - 2,300 - 2,300 = 1,800 LP)."
"I...end my turn." sighed Astral as he fired his best shot but failed.
Turn 9: Sunny Flare - Hand: 0
"So close, well, not really," snickered Sunny Flare as she drew her card, "I activate my Basiltrice's ability, removing one Xyz Material; your dragon is banished." The girl snapped her fingers as a pillar of fire shot out from her Basiltrice and burned up the metal dragon as it roared in pain. All Astral could do was watch as his monster was gone.
"And now I summon Hazy Flame Peryton." said Sunny as she summoned a winged pegasus on fire.
Hazy Flame Peryton
Attribute: FIRE
Level: 6
Type: Pyro/Effect
ATK: 1600
DEF: 1700
Effect: Cannot be Special Summoned, except by a "Hazy Flame" monster's effect. Your opponent cannot target this card with card effects. You can send 1 FIRE monster from your hand to the Graveyard and Tribute this card; Special Summon 2 "Hazy Flame" monsters from your Deck. You can only use this effect of "Hazy Flame Peryton" once per turn.
"Parting is such sweet sorrow." The winged horse flew towards Astral as it fired flames from its nostrils that hit the boy as he was knocked to the floor (Astral Flare: 250 - 1,600 = 0 LP).
WINNER: Sunny Flare
"The winner is Sunny Flare of Crystal Prep. Therefore, CPA are the winners of the Speed Duels!" said Luna as the students of CPA relished hearing that as they cheered and applauded.
CHS' section of students was heartbroken as after a confident win in the first round, they thought for sure they could clutch it out. But both Sour Sweet and Sunny Flare shut down that confidence in seconds. Astral sat up as he removed his Duel Gazer; he saw Sunny Flare taking in the affection she was being showered with. The Crystal Prep girl saw the boy, and she smirked. She then brought her hand up to her mouth and blew a kiss at Astral as she walked off with her snootiness intact. Astral, having been bested by his opponent, punched the ground next to him as he got up and walked.
"Excellent work, you two." smiled Principal Cinch as she praised Sour Sweet and Sunny Flare.
"Of course." said both girls as they made their way to the bench and received applause from their teammates.
"The final round of the Tri-Duel Relay will begin shortly. Duelists, make sure you're suited up and reporting to your Duel Runners before the allotted time!" said Cadance over the P.A. system.
"Now, it is time for CHS to fall." snickered Principal Cinch.
In the library, Isaac received a notification on his Duel Disk that said he had to get ready for his Duel as they put the track on the field and moved the participants to allow more room for the riders.
"Twilight," said the boy as the girl lifted her head from his shoulder, "it's time I get ready."
"Go on, I'll catch up." said Twilight.
"You sure?" asked Isaac.
"Don't worry, I just...want to get my bearings straight, is all." responded the girl.
"Alright then." said Isaac as he got up and left to prepare himself.
"Sorry, guys." said Astral as he took a sip of some water.
"Both of us." said Pinkie as she was sad.
"Come on, you guys did great!" said Rainbow trying her best to cheer up her teammates.
"You gave it your all, and that's what matters." said Golden.
"I just wish we could have defeated them. That would have been a huge win for CHS." said Astral.
"Well, it ain't over yet, sugarcube. We still got plenty of fight left." responded Applejack.
"Besides, me and Sunset have got this in the bag. Don't worry, we'll pick up the slack." assured Rainbow as she left to get dressed.
"Shinkokuna, report." Enix spoke on the phone.
//According to the scores, Canterlot High and Crystal Prep are tied 1-1, and the next event are Turbo Duels. Also...//
"Go on."
//...When the Speed Duels started, the Chaos Correction's countdown stopped, and when the Duels ended, it started back up. It's very odd. Why would the timer stop for these Duels?//
"I don't know, but--" Enix stopped himself when he felt an extreme murderous intent VERY close by, "...Shinkokuna, I'm gonna have to call you back." he hung up immediately, and whipped out his Phantom Swordsman Duel Disk, and as a silhouette of a monster closed in on him, he drew a card and played it, summoning Elemental HERO Neos to shield him from the attack, causing a cloud of dust and smoke.
Once it cleared up, the attacking monster revealed itself to be Predaplant Moray Nepenthes, controlled by Applejack SUI-871, glowing blue eyes and all, "Gittin' REAL tried o' ya duckin' me, Enix."
"And I'm getting real tired of you pulling sneak attacks on me."
"...Ya know, Ah remember ya tellin' a lil' somethin' about, 'having ta kill ma family ta give them mercy', and how it 'wusn't yer fault'. It's a great story, Sugar, don't git me wrong, but it's missin' somethin'. What's it called? It's on th' tip o' ma tongue...oh, I know...AN OUNCE OF TRUTH?!?!"
"You think I killed your family just for fun?! Fine! I killed your family! Happy?!"
Little did either of them know that one of Inspector Yokozawa's assistants, Mahno had over heard the entire conversation by accident when she was looking for Principal Celestia to explain that Lucky Clover didn't make it to the precinct, "Ohhhh...I knew that guy was trouble...I gotta warn the Inspector!" she then ran off to inform her fellow cops of the new information she just gotten.
"How much does it sting, Enix?" Applejack SUI-871 asked.
"I only did it because they told me to!" Enix tried to reason, "It wasn't murder! It was mercy! I was ending their suffering!"
"Oh, la-dee-DA! Ah got orders ta take ya in, and convert you to an SUI Unit...an' Ah'm gunna do just that! An' ya'll submit ta me!"
"Not if I take you down FIRST! Neos! Attack Predaplant Moray Nepenthes, with Cosmic Crush!"
Both monsters were charging each other, ready to collide in combat...
//Attention Turbo Duelists:// the computer AI spoke, //The third event of the Tri-Duel Relay is about to begin. Sunset Shimmer, Rainbow Dash, Enix, and Isaac please report to the Duel Track within 30 minutes, or you will be disqualified.//
With that, the two monsters disappeared and Enix made his way back to the field.
"...You're free to choose to believe whatever you want. I am NOT a killer."
Applejack SUI-871 stared at the ground in thought...then licked her lips with a smirk, "...Tease. Back in the past, you've never changed. you've always relied on HER, despite her...current situation." she wandered off and changed her eyes back to green before meeting up with the Rainbooms, "Hey y'all, what'd Ah miss?"
Meanwhile, Enix called up Lucky Clover and Jack, "I want you two to tail Applejack. Find out what she's hiding." he hung up and pulled something out of his pocket, Dark Rebellion Xyz Dragon, "Sunny...I hope you're okay..."
He then made his way to the locker rooms to change and prepare to do his part in the Relay.