It was another day at Canterlot High, classes were over, today there would be no club day and no day at the team lair.
Twilight and Spike were heading home, they were riding Twilight's Duel Runner in their motorcycle outfits.
"How did you learn to drive this?" Spike asked as he held on to Twilight's waist for fear of falling.
Twilight giggled, "Shining taught me, at first it can be very difficult but you'll get used to it with time, who knows, maybe you'll be able to drive it one day."
Spike was surprised, he never saw himself driving a Duel Runner, but for that he would have to wait a bit, the laws indicated that Duel Runners can be used by young people over 15 years of age and he was only 14, there were a few months left before his birthday .
After a few minutes, they stopped at a red light, while they waited, Spike and Heathspike felt a kind of icy blizzard, "Spike, do you feel that?"
Spike shook his head, which didn't go unnoticed.
"Is something wrong Spike?" Twilight Sparkle asked.
"No nothing, just adjusting my helmet," Spike replied, realizing that he hadn't told Twilight or his parents about Heathspike yet, he didn't know how they would react to knowing he was accompanied by a Duel Spirit.
Although something that caught his attention was seeing a girl his age at the bus stop, the girl had snow blue skin, her hair was white with some light blue lines, she wore a blue sweater and a white skirt, with winter boots, but her most notable feature was her eyes which seemed empty, besides, she had a cane, when Spike saw her he realized something, she was blind.
For some reason, Spike couldn't stop looking at her, for several seconds, something that again didn't go unnoticed by Twilight, "She's very pretty Spike, don't you think?"
"Ah, wait, I didn't mean to, I just," Spike said nervously, to which Twilight giggled.
"Relax Spike, I'm just teasing you," Twilight replied, patting her little brother's head even though it was covered with a helmet, "Besides, I know your heart is reserved for Apple Bloom, Scoots, and Sweetie."
Spike blushed intensely, he was going to answer but the traffic light turned green, to which his sister sped up, "Well, it's a coincidence that I know that girl."
"Huh?" Spike asked.
"Her name is Snowdrop, she's 15 years old, she must be in your grade, besides she is Vice Principal Luna's assistant," Twilight explained, "You'd like her Spike, she's a very kind girl, and a great duelist."
"Wait, I don't want to sound rude, but how can she play if she's blind?" Spike asked, trying not to sound insensitive or rude in a rather delicate situation.
Twilight just smiled, "You'll find out tomorrow, if you want I can convince her to duel with you."
"Would you do that? For me?" asked Spike touched.
"Sure Spike, I know you're a good boy, plus I like that you expand your circle of friends," Twilight smiled at him.
The next day.
Spike and Twilight were getting ready for another day of school, while getting ready Spike locked himself in his room to talk to Heathspike about what he felt yesterday.
"Sorry I didn't answer your question yesterday," Spike apologized.
"Don't worry Spike, I forgot you haven't told your family about me yet, and honestly, I don't think it's time yet," Heathspike replied.
"Eventually, though we can't wait long either, we don't know if Scootaloo has told Rainbow Dash about Rumble's existence," Spike added, "But, about the girl from yesterday."
“Oh right,” Heathspike recalled the reason he started the conversation, “I felt an icy blizzard, if you like dragons you know that the cold is deadly for us.”
"That's right, being cold-blooded reptiles they can't survive cold temperatures," Spike stated as he adjusted his Duel Disk on his wrist.
“Right, but the blizzard I felt, it was unique, it felt like I'd felt it before, and for some reason, it made me feel good, it made me feel at home,” Heathspike said movingly to his partner.
"Heathspike, I know you come from the spirit world, but do you remember your home?"
“No, unfortunately, all I've heard are stories of some monsters of my kind, but since I woke up in this world, my memories, my memory, have all gone,” Heathspike replied, “That's why I'd like to know more about that girl, maybe she has some answers.”
Spike smiled, "Heathspike, since I've known you you've helped me to be a better duelist, to have more confidence in myself, that's why I'm going to help you, together we will recover your lost memories."
Heathspike was touched, "Thanks Spike, I don't think I could have woken up with a better duelist."
The two of them high-fived, even though they didn't touch, since Heathspike was still a spirit, they both giggled and headed for the door.
But Spike noticed that his mother was in the hallway.
"Spike, who were you talking to?" asked Twilight Velvet.
"Ahhh," Spike replied, trying to hide his nerves, "Nobody's mom, I was just, umm, oh yeah, I read my comic books."
"Your comic books?" Velvet asked, “And do you read them out loud?”
"It's better that way, you feel the intensity that Power Ponies emanate when fighting, hehe," Spike replied nervously and with his hand behind his head.
“Umm, okay I guess,” Velvet answered who didn't seem to be 100% sure of the answer her son had given her.
"I'll see you in the afternoon," Spike said goodbye and went to the entrance of his house where Twilight Sparkle was waiting for him in her Duel Runner.
"Whew that was close," Spike thought.
“I know, we almost got caught,” Heathspike stated.
And so, another day of school ended, for Spike it went by quickly, though for Heathspike it took forever.
“Gaahhh, about time,” Heathspike was saying, stretching out his arms, “how can you do that every day?”
Spike looked to both sides to make sure no one was watching him, seeing that he was alone, he answered his partner's question, "I don't do it every day, I have some days off like weekends and vacations."
“Still,” Heathspike replied, cracking his knuckles, “to have to listen to that fool talk about history in a way that I'm surprised you didn't fall asleep.”
"Yeah, Professor Flintheart can be kind of boring and overly strict," Spike admitted, "but I can handle it."
"How?" Heatspike asked.
At that moment a voice was heard, "Spike."
The two turned and saw Twilight Sparkle waiting for him.
Spike smiled and turned to her, but not before whispering to Heathspike, "I can handle very advanced classes, thanks to all the extra lessons Twilight gave me."
"So you're smarter than you look," Heathspike said to which Spike smirked, but the Dracoslayer continued, "But how can you do a lot of stupid things?"
"Hey, Twilight only taught me academics, it's not my fault I don't know the rest," Spike replied in a low tone so Twilight wouldn't hear.
The siblings walked through the halls of Canterlot High, heading to Vice Principal Luna's office, where they should find Snowdrop.
"Ready to meet Snowdrop?" Twi asked.
"Yeah, I just hope she doesn't think I'm weird, or mean to her," Spike replied, lowering his head.
"Spike," Twilight placed her hand on his shoulder, "You're a sweet boy, you're weird, I won't deny that, but she won't think you'd try anything mean."
"Yes, you're right, I think I'm overreacting, but can you blame me for worrying and being nervous?" Spike asked.
"Absolutely not," Twilight replied, stroking his hair and giggling, "I think you kicked that bad habit out of me, it's partly my fault."
"Hehe," Spike laughed, "You're right about that, but I wouldn't change you for anything."
"Dawww Spike," Twilight hugged her little brother being moved, Spike felt ashamed but allowed himself to be hugged by his older sister.
"There," Twilight said to Spike, pointing to the office.
The two of them approached and looked out the window, there they saw a tall woman with dark blue skin, blue hair and blue eyes, she was wearing a purple suit and a black skirt, in addition to wearing black heels, she was the vice principal Luna, she was at her desk while answering a call, next to her was Snowdrop who was using the printer.
“Here are the exams, Vice Principal Luna,” Snowdrop placed the papers on her desk.
"Thanks Snowdrop, if you want you can go home, we're done for today, I really appreciate you being my assistant," the vice principal thanked her.
"The pleasure is mine, Vice Principal Luna, although you may wish to attend to the two behind the door," Snowdrop told her.
"Wow, how did she know?" Spike wondered.
Gently, Twilight smiled and knocked on the door.
“You can come in,” Luna spoke to them.
Twilight and Spike entered the office.
"Twilight Sparkle, it's good to see you, and you're her little brother, Spike," Luna greeted them, "what can I do for you."
“We actually came to see Snowdrop,” Twilight explained, which got the girl's attention.
"Me?" asked Snowdrop.
"Hi Snowdrop, my pleasure, I wanted to introduce you to my little brother Spike," Twilight said.
"Nice to meet you," Spike said, offering his hand for an inertial squeeze, forgetting that she was blind.
But Snowdrop managed to take Spike's hand without problem to accept the squeeze, this surprised him, "The pleasure is mine, I am Snowdrop, and I know you."
"Do you know me?" Spike asked.
“Of course you are, you're the guy who taught Rover a lesson a few days ago,” Snowdrop told him.
"Spike, I would like to apologize for what you went through that day," Vice Principal Luna apologized, "A case of bullying of this magnitude should not have happened under our direction."
"Don't worry, Vice Principal Luna, everything was resolved in the end, Rover hasn't caused us any more trouble," Spike told him.
“His expulsion may have something to do with it,” Snowdrop said.
"Was he expelled?" Spike asked.
Luna nodded, "It wasn't just his behavior in your duel Spike, Rover had already broken several school rules in the past, he had been given many warnings, but he ignored them."
"Oh my," Spike said, feeling relieved.
"So you wanted to see me?" Snowdrop asked Spike with a smile.
"Oh, right, yeah," Spike replied, "Twilight told me you were a great duelist."
Hearing that, Vice Principal Luna giggled, “Just a great duelist?”
"Huh?"
“Spike, Snowdrop is more than just a great duelist,” Luna replied, stroking Snowdrop's hair, “Although she may not look like it, she is a Pro Duelist.”
"Really?" Spike asked very surprised.
“I know what you're thinking,” Snowdrop laughed, “If I'm a pro, then why am I not an arrogant snob?”
Without letting him answer, Snowdrop continued, "You could say that I'm different, I'm one of those who prefer to have fun playing, I would never use my position to put others down."
Spike smiled, "I'm glad there are more Pro Duelists like you, I thought I'd have problems with almost the whole school the day I declared war on the Pros who abused their power."
"Don't worry, they won't hurt you here, and I'm not just saying it because of me, there's also your sister, and other Pros who aren't evil."
"I take it you want to duel Snowdrop, right Spike?" Luna asked smiling, to which Spike nodded a little nervously.
"Awesome, a duel against the Rogue Duelist Spike," Snowdrop excited, "Why didn't you say it before, of course I accept."
Spike smiled, while behind him, Heathspike clenched his fist in excitement.
Spike and Snowdrop had headed to the schoolyard followed by Twilight and Vice Principal Luna.
Even Spike kept wondering how Snowdrop could duel in her condition, but he trusted what Twilight told him and decided to see it on his own.
“I hope you're ready Spike,” Snowdrop was telling him as she shuffled her deck.
Spike smiled and proceeded to do the same, "I always ready."
Something that interested Spike were the sleeves that covered Snowdrop's cards, although they all had a snowflake drawn on the back, he could see that some on the front had stickers of different shapes.
At that moment Luna approached Snowdrop.
"I'm going to assist Snowdrop in this duel," the vice principal said placing her hand on Snowdrop's shoulder, then Snowdrop smiled at Spike, "You just play like you usually do Spike."
“Okay, I guess?” Spike replied.
“Both of you, ready?” Twilight Sparkle asked.
"Yes," Spike and Snowdrop said at the same time.
Both activated their Duel Disks, an energy blade was generated in both of them, Snowdrop's was light blue.
“Then let it begin,” Luna said excitedly.
"DUEL!"
Spike: 4000 LP
Snowdrop: 4000 LP
"Ladies first," Snowdrop said very determined taking out 5 cards from her deck, Spike did the same with a nod.
That's when Spike saw Snowdrop rubbing her fingers over her cards.
"Nice, First I summon Ice Barrier Gardna in defense mode," Snowdrop placed a card in his Duel Disk, from there, a kind of ice cube manifested which took the form of a knight in blue armor carrying a huge shield with a snowflake in the center. (ATK 0/DEF 2200/Lv 4)
Spike was drawn to that method, but that was when Snowdrop did it again, rubbing a card with her fingers.
“Alright, good card,” Snowdrop said as she activated it, “Activate the spell card, Aquarium Stage.”
At that moment, the ground began to shake, worrying Spike, "What's happening, an earthquake?"
Snowdrop chuckled, "More like, it's a tidal wave, too bad we don't have swimsuits."
Water began to come out of the ground flooding the area.
“Ahhh,” Twilight and Spike yelled at the same time trying to hold their breath as the stage was completely inundated, while Snowdrop and Vice Principal Luna just stood still.
"Wait," Twilight said, taking a breath, "Spike, it's okay, you're not going to drown."
Spike confirmed what his sister breathed, "Wow, this new solid vision system never ceases to amaze me."
“I know, even though I can't see it, I can feel it, it's almost magical,” Snowdrop said with a bubble in her hand, “The effect of this card makes water attribute monsters unable to be destroyed in battle by other monsters, with the exception of monsters of the same attribute.”
"Fortify her defenses," Spike thought, but finally realized how Snowdrop could play without seeing her cards, "I see, so she uses stickers to identify her cards."
He corroborate that when he saw the field on her Duel Disk, the Gardna card had a sticker in the shape of a snowflake attached to it, while the spell card had a sticker in the shape of a drop of water attached to it.
“That's amazing,” Spike said, marveling at how Snowdrop still had a way of enjoying dueling.
“My turn ends,” Snowdrop said, and at that moment, a card was added to her hand, “Effect of Ice Barrier Gardna, every End Phase, whether it's yours or mine, I can add an Ice Barrier card to my hand.”
"It was a good start, but now it's my turn, Draw," Spike pulled a card from his deck.
"Come on Spike, you can do it," Twilight encouraged.
Spike smiled, he looked at his hand, and it showed 2 pendulum monsters.
"I'm using Scale 3 Magical Abductor and Scale 7 Archfiend Eccentrick to set the Pendulum Scale."
Spike placed the two cards on the far ends of his Duel Disk.
On each side of him two pillars of light appeared as two monsters floated upwards, a magician with a large dress and a demon with a strange smile, hovering once they were ten feet high as the image of a three and a seven appeared below them.
But at that moment, the abductor's dress shimmered, creating a circle above her head.
“Spell Counter on Magical Abductor ,” Luna told Snowdrop.
“Hmm, curious,” Snowdrop replied.
"So the vice principal tells her the little details I'm missing, that's cool," Spike thought.
"Magical Abductor, wow Spike I'm flattered," Twilight told him.
“Yeah, I learned how to do this by watching your duels, and it's time to get it right,” Spike said, “Magical Abductor's effect, every time I activate a spell card, she will gain a Spell Counter, when she has 3 Spell Counters, I can remove them and add any Pendulum Monster to my hand.”
Snowdrop smiled, "But, can you get the 3 Spell Counters this turn?"
"That's a resounding yes," Spike responded excitedly as he activated a spell card, "I activate Igknight Reload."
“He place the card in the center,” Vice Principal Luna told her.
“I can return a set number of Pendulum Monsters to my Deck, shuffle and draw the same number of cards I returned to the Deck plus one extra,” Spike explained, returning a single monster.
“He pick the Supreme King Dragon Darkwurm,” the vice principal told Snowdrop.
“Makes sense, Darkwurm is useless in his hand,” Snowdrop replied.
"Wait, do you know what Darkwurm does?" Spike asked surprised.
“Well, I know it's a useful card in pendulum decks, plus I should know what most cards do, so I should remember well,” Snowdrop replied.
"But right now there are over 10,000 cards," Spike exclaimed, "I couldn't remember half of them."
“Hehe, you're funny,” Snowdrop laughed with a very cute giggle.
"Well, it's one of my qualities," Spike replied drawing the 2 cards from his deck and blushing, thankful that Snowdrop was blind.
The abductor's dress shine again, generating a second circle above her head, with this, Spike already had 2 Spell Counters.
“Awesome,” Spike said, “Now I activate the effect of my other pendulum card, Archfiend Eccentrick, by destroying it, I can destroy a spell or trap card.”
At that moment, the demon exploded into a thousand pieces, and a kind of tornado was approaching the aquatic stage.
"Nice move Spike," Twilight Sparkle told him.
But at that moment, a blizzard appeared, making the tornado disappear.
"Hey, what's going on?" asked Spike puzzled.
“I activate the effect of Ice Barrier Frost Soldier,” Snowdrop said as a knight with armor that seemed to be made of ice appeared from that blizzard, “I can discard it and this turn, my spell or trap cards are not destroyed if I control an Ice Barrier monster.”
"Who would have thought, that's the monster you searched for with Gardna's effect?" Spike asked to which Snowdrop nodded.
"I like how Snowdrop calculates her strategies, she protects her spell card which in turn protects her monster," Twilight Sparkle thought.
"I see, she has well managed her resources, the cards she looks for protect other cards which in turn protect others," Spike thought, looking at his hand, "I can't be wrong, if I make a single mistake, it will be my end."
“Don't you think you're being dramatic, we'd only lose,” Heathspike told him.
"Sorry, sometimes I forget I'm playing this for fun," Spike apologized but didn't say it in a low tone, so he could be heard.
"Who is he talking to?" Twilight wondered.
"Well it doesn't matter, I still have more things to do," said Spike, "I'd better gain more ground for now."
"I place Luster Pendulum the Dracoslayer on the pendulum scale."
“Pendulum 5,” Luna told Snowdrop.
The third circle appeared, causing Spike to get the 3 necessary Spell Counters.
“You already have all 3,” Snowdrop told him, smiling.
"That's right," Spike replied, "Now I'll use her effect."
The 3 Spell Counters combined, creating a kind of beam of light that engulfed the field.
That's when Spike added a card to his deck, "I add it to my hand."
“The card is Master Pendulum the Dracoslayer,” Luna told Snowdrop.
“Now, Luster's effect on the pendulum scale, I destroy Magical Abductor, to bring another copy to my hand,” Spike said adding and destroying the card back to the scale.
“He's going to do it,” Snowdrop said excitedly.
"Cut through space time and carve the arc of victory," Spike chanted as his Pendulums pointed their sword and scepter up, and each shot a beam of light and dark which connected and opened a portal above him. "I can summon level 4 monsters at the same time," Spike explained, "I PENDULUM SUMMON!"
Two lights shot out of the portal, and as they hit the ground they took shape.
“Prepare for battle, Master Pendulum the Dracoslayer and Magical Abductor,” Spike said as his monsters appeared on the field. (ATK 1950/DEF 0/Lv 4/P 3) (ATK 1700/DEF 1400/Lv 4/P 3)
“Those monsters, they're both level 4,” Snowdrop said, “so I'm guessing an Xyz is coming.”
"Now," Spike ordered as his Master Pendulum and his Abductor began to glow and changed into lights, before shooting into the air, "With these two monsters I build the Overlay Network."
A black hole appeared below him which the lights flew into.
"The Majespecter alliance will lend you its power, taking the reins of the mighty Kirin and riding it as a majestic Pegasus, be one with the wind, XYZ SUMMON."
From the black hole, a monster appeared, it was Spike's Dracoslayer Xyz, "MAJESTER PALADIN, THE ASCENDING DRACOSLAYER." (ATK 1850/DEF 2000/Rank 4)
“He put it in the center of the Main monster zone,” Luna told Snowdrop.
“A bad idea for him,” Snowdrop replied.
“And not only that, he also put him in a defense position,” Vice Principal Luna said, “Smart.”
“My turn is over,” Spike said.
"Good idea Spike, now Majester's effect will kick in," Twilight Sparkle told him.
At that moment, a pendulum monster was brought into Spike's hand, "Majester's Effect."
“Yes, I know him,” Snowdrop said, "But I will use Gardna effect too."
Both of them added a monster to their hands.
“The monster is Luster Pendulum,” Luna told Snowdrop.
“I figured,” Snowdrop replied, “That's the Dracoslayer you need most.”
"Be careful Spike, Snowdrop doesn't forgive anyone who hasn't set cards face down," Twilight thought.
“It's my turn, Draw,” Snowdrop said pulling out another card, rubbing it with her fingers and smiling, “Finally you came.”
Spike raised an eyebrow.
“I activate the spell card, Medallion of the Ice Barrier,” Snowdrop said as she added a card to her hand, “This spell allows me to add an Ice Barrier monster from my Deck to my hand.”
At that moment, another Spell Counter from the new Magical Abductor was activated.
"Wow, it works on my opponent's spells, too," Spike said in astonishment.
"Of course it works with your opponent's spells," Twilight told him with her hand on her forehead, "Spike, I don't think you read the card right."
Leaving that aside, the card Snowdrop was looking for was a level 4 monster.
"It must be an important card," Spike thought.
“But it won't be around long, because now I'm going to use Graceful Charity, draw 3 cards, and discard 2,” Snowdrop said.
Spike was surprised that Snowdrop sent one of the cards that she herself had just searched to the graveyard, although he was also happy, since it made him gain an extra Spell Counter.
"I now summon Zuijin of the Ice Barrier," Snowdrop summoned a monster with the appearance of a samurai who wore a white kimono with a long blue scarf and wielded a sword that seemed to be made of ice. (ATK 500/DEF 500/Lv 2)
"Wait," Spike said realizing something, Ice Barrier Gardna was a Tunner monster, "Uh oh."
"You found out too late Spike, I don't know how you didn't notice, and they say I'm blind," Snowdrop laughed, although Spike found it adorable how she laughed.
"Yes, my brother is a bit of a fool, he doesn't read his opponent's cards even at their most critical moments," added Twilight Sparkle.
"Thanks Twilight," Spike said with a sarcastic tone, "Now Snowdrop thinks I'm stupid."
"No, I don't think you are, we all have our way of enjoying this game," Snowdrop said to which Spike smiled.
"If it makes you feel any better Spike, I don't read my opponent's card effects either, my sister, the Principal Celestia, has thrown that in my face many times already," Vice Principal Luna added.
"Hehe, I promise I'll get better," Spike laughed.
"You'll get better when you see my summon," Snowdrop said, "Now, I tune level 4, Gardna and level 2 Zuijin."
Ice Barrier Gardna jumped up and turned into 2 snowflakes, creating a pair of blue rings which Zuijin jumped into.
“Hear my prayers, cast your blizzard across this battlefield and reduce all that is weak to mere frost, SYNCHRO SUMMON.”
And from a blizzard that appeared in the field, a giant snake appeared which seemed to have a helmet in the shape of a snowflake on its head, the body of the snake seemed to be made of ice, but when it was completely revealed, that snake opened its wings, that was clearly not a snake, it was a dragon, "BRIONAC, DRAGON OF THE ICE BARRIER." (ATK 2300/DEF 1400/Lv 6)
“Holy Guacamole,” Spike and Heathspike exclaimed at the same time.
That's when they felt a breeze similar to the one they felt when they first saw Snowdrop.
“No, it's not this one,” Heathspike said.
Spike didn't understand what he was referring to but there was no time, because the dragon began to flap its wings.
"Surprised right, it's the impression a powerful Ice Barrier gives, and now I'll activate its effect, I can discard a number of cards from my hand, and I can return one card you control to your hand for each card I discard," Snowdrop told him.
"And now this is going to hurt," Spike said.
"But now I'll use the effect of the monster I discarded, Revealer of the Ice Barrier, if I were to discard cards for an effect, I can banish it from the graveyard instead."
"Good way to save your hand," Spike told her.
“Thank you, but now it's time for your Majester to go,” Snowdrop told him as Brionac's flapping made Majester leave the field.
“Majester,” Spike yelled, then learned that his draconic rider had been returned to the Extra Deck.
“You are helpless, so I will go into battle, Brionac, use your ice laser,” Snowdrop said as a blue glow began to radiate from Brionac's mouth.
"Uh oh," Spike said.
BAAAAAMMMM.
Brionac released a huge laser beam from his mouth which hit Spike directly.
"AHHHHHH," Spike was thrown back as he was struck by the bolt.
"SPIKE," Twilight yelled, worried about her little brother.
"Grr, I'm fine Twi," Spike said, recovering, "But I can't say the same for my life points."
Spike: 1700 LP
Snowdrop: 4000 LP
"Concentrate Spike, remember how important this duel is," Heathspike told him.
"Yeah buddy," Spike replied, "I'm not losing here."
Snowdrop's smile encouraged Spike to continue, it was clearly a duel that the two of them were enjoying.