Carolyn was preparing a large pot of coffee along with a kettle of hot water for tea for everyone. As Zelda told Carolyn her preference (black coffee with sugar), Twilight scooted closer to her on the living room couch.
“Yeah?” asked Zelda.
“Zelda,” asked Twilight, slightly curious. “May I see your D-Pad?”
“Sure thing,” said Zelda, almost as if she had completely forgotten Twilight’s hostile nature a few moments ago.
A halo formed around Zelda’s hand, which quickly scanned her arm, causing her D-Pad to appear. Zelda’s story about how painful the application of her D-Pad was urged squirms from Twilight, disturbed by the thought. Everyone else took notice, amazed at Zelda’s capabilities.
“Doesn’t that still hurt anymore?” asked Twilight.
“Nah,” she said. “It’s kind of like getting a tattoo. It hurts like hell putting it on, but then it just becomes a part of you.”
“I see. Why is your D-Pad a gauntlet?”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“You see, when Alex and Tom left the hospital, Shining Armor explained Grant in better detail. He also had a gauntlet styled D-Pad like you.”
“Not to mention,” interrupted Alex, “that Gilda also wore a similar gauntlet on her person. Both Kyle and Trixie had such different duel disks, so why are yours similar to Grant’s and Gilda’s?”
Zelda’s melancholy frown returned, having to revisit more painful memories.
“When I was with Rae, she assigned Grant, Gilda, and I to the “Gauntlet Class.”
“Gauntlet Class?” asked Twilight.
“This was reserved for the best of the best duelists within Rae’s circle; the ones she expected to raise the most hell when it came time to strike against Equestria. It wasn’t just the negative feelings in me that caused me to run away, it was Kyle and Grant too.”
Reese perked up upon hearing Zelda giving the least amount of sympathy towards his sworn enemy. Twilight was about to ask Zelda a question, but Reese was quick to put his two cents in.
“How could you talk about that bastard like that?” he demanded. “I should tell you what he did to me and my sister.”
“I have no knowledge of what wrongs he’s caused in the past, but of all of Rae’s members that weren’t given the honor as I was, he seemed the most upset. From what little I’ve seen of Rae and Kyle, she treated him almost like a son. To give some newbie like me that honor, he must have felt very betrayed.”
“Whatever. I couldn’t care less about what honors that bastard has or hasn’t accomplished, any good thrown his way is too much for him.”
“Anyways, then I saw one of my fellow Gauntlets: Grant. Unlike Gilda, who seemed rather grateful, if not, boastful, about her Gauntlet status, Grant seemed rather unhappy about it. I tried asking him about it, but he preferred being left alone, saying nothing except an occasional ‘hello.’ It was these feelings animosity that helped push me away for good. Not to mention, Rae’s plan…”
“That reminds me!” spoke Twilight. “What was Rae’s plan? I figured since you were a member of their sect, you’d have some knowledge of their ideas.”
“Indeed, I do. Rae originally intended to obtain all Stones of Equus cards through her magic. Once she obtained them, she would use the Stones’ magic to bring her and the rest of her minions to Equestria, where we would lay waste to its towns and its populace, using our magically enhanced D-Pad’s to summon the Stones, among other duel monsters. With Equestria in ruins, they would create their own nation as they saw fit: a blackened utopia if you will.
“Their plan nearly succeeded, but there was one thing that stopped her.” She turned her head towards Alex. “And that was you.”
Alex was again reminded of his activation of his Element of Harmony and how it brought Equestria to Earth. He also imagined how powerful Rae was, and how angry she must have been that he essentially, though inadvertently, stopped her.
“After being defeated, filled with rage and unbridled spite, Rae upped the ante. She would not only destroy Equestria, but Earth too, but not before promising Grant, Kyle, and I to be key-leaders in her new nation. It was then that I couldn’t stand to be by Rae’s side any longer. Along with destroying the Earth, my dad would obviously be killed in the process. I wouldn’t let her get away with that.”
“Your coffee,” chirped Carolyn, handing Zelda a mug.
“Thanks,” she said delicately to her host.
Carolyn went on to deliver more drinks.
“At least you have a dad,” said Alex sullenly, but still trying to keep a straight face to not look too saddened. Thomas looked at Alex with unhappy eyes. “My parents both died in a nasty car accident when I was younger. I’ve been living with my best friend Tom ever since.”
“At least you have good friends,” consoled Zelda.
“Hey. Now you do too.”
Zelda gave Alex a gracious nod.
“Hey,” spoke Rainbow Dash, flying up close to Zelda, “you seem to like flying, huh?”
“Yeah?”
“How’s about I race you on your clunky little machine of yours?”
“Clunky?!?”
Hook, line, and sinker, thought Rainbow Dash.
“It took me years to get that machine in that shape. I assure you, it’s state of the art.”
“Prove it.”
“How’s about a duel?”
“Sounds like a plan!”
“Ladies!” interrupted Twilight. “You shouldn’t be dueling. I mean, Alex was just attacked and they’re out looking for you. You should lay low.”
“No, no, no,” reasoned Zelda, “Rainbow Dash is a big girl… filly… mare… anyways, she knows what she said. Let’s see if she can back up her words.”
“Plus,” said Alex. “If Zelda claims to have unheard of cards in her deck, I’d like to be able to see them.”
“What?” Twilight questioned vehemently, “this is no time to marvel at her deck.”
“That’s not what I meant. When I dueled with Zelda, we had great camaraderie together. If I’m, or any of us for that matter, is expected to work with her, we should watch her to get a better understanding of her deck and how she uses it.”
“…Okay,” Twilight calmly relented, “but in case someone attacks, we need someone to distract them.”
“Great. I’m in.”
“Alex, seriously? I’m trying to keep you out of harm’s way.”
“If you wanted me out of harm’s way, you should have taken away my Stone of Equus card the first day you met me.”
Before Twilight could respond, she realized that he was absolutely right. Alex took her silence as a victory in the argument, and proceeded outside with Rainbow Dash and Zelda, the latter of whom downed her coffee before making her way outside.
“Damn,” said Tom, impressed by Zelda’s drinking ability.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Rainbow Dash and Zelda had gone to the track where Alex had gotten his license. Everyone was sitting in the stands except for Zelda, Rainbow Dash, and Alex. Rainbow Dash and Zelda, who was on her glider, were at the starting line while Alex was right behind the two, ready to strike if any danger came about. It was even getting very late, as the sun was beginning to set, the sky was a deep orange, and the traffic began to decrease as more and more people returned to their homes to retire.
“Ready?” asked Rainbow Dash.
“Been ready for almost 8 months,” spoke Zelda. Her magical aviator goggles were already over her eyes. Then, she extended her arm, allowing the halo on her arm to summon her D-Pad. Rainbow Dash couldn’t help but take another gander.
“I know that your D-Pad may be a painful reminder for you, but that still looks so cool.”
Zelda gave Rainbow Dash a friendly smirk, and stood ready to go.
“Speed World 2, set on!” shouted Rainbow Dash, pressing the Speed World 2 icon on her D-Pad screen. The area was lit in a holographic aura.
Alex slipped on his helmet and got ready to follow. The electronic countdown began.
10. 9. 8. 7. 6. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1. *BEEP*
Rainbow Dash zoomed off while Zelda’s machine lifted about fifteen feet and then began to get moving, giving Rainbow Dash a considerable lead. Alex was close behind, making sure none of them got too far off, but considering he was tailing Rainbow Dash, that might have proven to be a near impossibility.
Rainbow Dash confidently soared, expecting to keep the lead. However, Zelda’s glider started to approach and fast. Rainbow Dash saw this and did her best to keep her lead.
“No you don’t,” grunted Zelda.
Suddenly, two jets from the behind of her machine propelled her even faster with blue, flaming, light. Rainbow Dash couldn’t believe what she was seeing.
Is there someone that’s really faster than me? she thought.
Sure enough, Zelda easily sped past her and took the first corner over the track.
Crap, thought Alex, she’s going to be even harder to catch.
Alex revved his handlebar harder to get himself to their speed.
“Let’s see you try that without your little contraption!” shouted Rainbow Dash from behind.
“Let’s see if you can even beat me!” Zelda retorted, drawing five cards from her deck.
“You know I will!” Rainbow Dash also drew five cards.
Let’s see this, thought Alex. This is going to be really interesting.
“DUEL!” the two duelists shouted.
Zelda vs. Rainbow Dash
Zelda’s Turn: Z:1 RD:0 – Zelda sets one monster.
Zelda places one card face down and ends her turn.
Status: Hand-4 Life-4000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************
“HA!” shouted Rainbow Dash. “You wasted your first move for that? Please, let me show you how its done.”
***************************************************
Rainbow Dash’s Turn: Z:1 RD:1 – Rainbow Dash special summons T.G. Striker, as she controls no monsters while her opponent controls one (ATK: 800 DEF: 0). Rainbow Dash then special summons T.G. Warwolf from her hand, as a monster was special summoned (ATK: 1200 DEF: 0). Rainbow Dash tunes T.G. Warwolf with T.G. Striker to synchro summon T.G. Power Gladiator (ATK: 2300 DEF: 1000). Rainbow Dash then normal summons T.G. Rush Rhino (ATK: 1600 DEF: 800).
Rainbow Dash attacks Zelda’s face down monster, which is a Gusto Egul (ATK: 200 DEF: 400). When T.G. Power Gladiator attacks a defense position monster, it inflicts piercing damage. Zelda activates Rainbow Life, discarding a card to gain life points that she would have lost this turn.
Zelda’s Life Points: 4000 -> 5900
Zelda then activates the effect of her Gusto Egul. When it’s destroyed by battle, she can special summon a level 4 or lower Gusto monster from her deck, choosing Gusto Codor (ATK: 1000 DEF: 400). Furthermore, Zelda activates the effect of the Gusto Griffin that she discarded, allowing her to special summon a Gusto monster from her deck, choosing Gusto Gulldo (ATK: 500 DEF: 500).
Rainbow Dash places two cards face down and ends her turn.
Status: Hand-1 Life-4000 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************
Such amazing swarming abilities, thought Alex, who was still close behind. Perhaps Rainbow’s in for a real challenge.
“You know,” called Zelda, “I saw your little accel synchro summoning trick at the tournament two weeks ago. Pretty impressive.”
“Thanks,” said Rainbow Dash. Remembering who she was talking to, Rainbow Dash tried to act cool about it. “I mean, of course you would.”
“It really reminded me of my dad.”
“Your dad?”
“He used to own a T.G. deck just like you, and his accel synchro summoning was always a blast to watch. So when I talked to Rae about it, she combined my deck with new cards that would allow me to experience the same thing.”
“Same thing. Bu– You don’t mean…”
Zelda smirked.
***************************************************
Zelda’s Turn: Z:2 RD:2 – Zelda tunes Gusto Codor with Gusto Gulldo to synchro summon Daigusto Sphreez (ATK: 2000 DEF: 1300). When Daigusto Sphreeze is synchro summoned, Zelda can add one Gusto monster from her graveyard to her hand, choosing Gusto Griffin. Zelda activates the effect of Gusto Gulldo. When it was sent from the field to the graveyard, she can special summon a level 2 or lower Gusto monster from her deck, choosing Gusto Falco (ATK: 600 DEF: 1400) Zelda normal summons Musto, Oracle of Gusto (ATK: 1800 DEF: 900).
Zelda tunes Musto, Oracle of Gusto with Gusto Falco to synchro summon Daigusto Griffins (ATK: 2100 DEF: 1300). When Gusto Falco is sent to the graveyard while face-up on the field, Zelda can special summon one Gusto monster in face down defense position.
================================================================================
Zelda began to speed up, leaving Rainbow Dash behind. The cyan pegasus was determined to be close by.
“You really want to see it?” asked Zelda. “Fine here it is. My very own accel synchro!”
Alex, along with his friends and family at the stands, watched in awe and amazement at what they began to witness.
“I tune my level 6 Daigusto Sphreez with my level 6 Daigusto Griffins!” yelled Zelda.
Daigusto Sphreez had become a bright green aura which assimilated itself with Zelda’s glider, causing it to glow green. Daigusto Griffins flew high into the sky, turning into six green rings, which formed together to form a large golden ring. Zelda ascended vertically into the sky towards the ring, the jets on her glider propelling her faster and faster. The aura around her glider also got brighter the faster she went.
“Accel synchro!” yelled Zelda.
Zelda flew into the ring, which caused it to explode in a massive fireball which began to take the form of a large red, green, and blue bird. Zelda looped backwards and flew back towards the track next to Rainbow Dash, the new monster following just behind her. Alex and the other onlookers were nothing short of awestruck.
“Be born,” yelled Zelda, “Gusto Flaming Pheenix!”
================================================================================
Zelda tunes Daigusto Sphreez with Daigusto Griffins to accel synchro summon Gusto Flaming Pheenix (ATK: 3300 DEF: 2500).
Zelda attacks T.G. Rush Rhino with Gusto Flaming Pheenix.
Rainbow Dash’s Life Points: 4000 -> 2300
When T.G. Rush Rhino is destroyed and sent to the graveyard, Rainbow Dash can add a T.G. monster from her deck to her hand.
Zelda ends her turn.
Status: Hand-4 Life-5900 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************
“Pfft,” exclaimed Rainbow Dash. “It’s not so tough.”
“Not so tough, you say?” asked Zelda, genuinely impressed that she could say such a thing to her monster. “Let’s see you try to beat it then!”
“Easy peasy!”
***************************************************
Rainbow Dash’s Turn: Z:3 RD:3 - Rainbow Dash summons T.G. Catapult Dragon (ATK: 900 DEF: 1300). Rainbow Dash activates T.G. Catapult Dragon’s effect, allowing her to special summon a level 3 or lower tuner monster from her hand, choosing T.G. Jet Falcon (ATK: 1400 DEF: 1200). Rainbow Dash tunes T.G. Catapult Dragon with T.G. Jet Falcon to synchro summon T.G. Wonder Magician (ATK: 1900 DEF: 0). When T.G. Jet Falcon is sent to the graveyard as synchro material, she can inflict 500 points of damage to the opponent.
Zelda’s Life Points: 5900 -> 5400
Rainbow Dash tunes T.G. Power Gladiator with T.G. Wonder Magician to accel synchro summon T.G. Blade Blaster (ATK: 3300 DEF: 2200). Rainbow Dash activates the speed spell Half Seize, halving the ATK of one of her opponent’s monsters and gaining life points equal to the amount halved when she has three or more speed counters, choosing Gusto Flaming Pheenix (ATK: 3300 -> 1650).
Rainbow Dash’s Life Points: 2300 -> 3950
Rainbow Dash attacks Gusto Flaming Pheenix with T.G. Blade Blaster.
Zelda’s Life Points: 5400 -> 3750
Rainbow Dash then activates her trap TG-SX1, special summoning a T.G. synchro monster from her graveyard when a T.G. monster she controls destroys an opponent’s monster by battle, choosing T.G. Power Gladiator. Rainbow Dash attacks Zelda’s face down monster with T.G. Power Gladiator, which is another Gusto Gulldo. T.G. Power Gladiator’s effect causes piercing damage.
Zelda’s Life Points: 3750 -> 1950
Zelda activates Gusto Gulldo’s effect again, special summoning a level 2 or lower Gusto monster from her deck, choosing another Gusto Falco.
================================================================================
“Whatever!” yelled Rainbow Dash, still happy that she brought down Zelda’s ace. “It’s not like your monster’s coming ba–”
Before Rainbow Dash could finish her statement, a fiery explosion appeared in front of her, Gusto Flaming Pheenix reappearing where it occurred.
“What?” exclaimed Rainbow Dash.
================================================================================
During the end phase, if Gusto Flaming Pheenix was destroyed and sent to the graveyard this turn, Zelda can special summon it by banishing a Gusto synchro monster in her graveyard (Daigusto Griffins). Also, damage is inflicted to the opponent equal to half of the banished monster’s ATK.
Rainbow Dash’s Life Points: 3950 -> 2900
Rainbow Dash ends her turn.
Status: Hand-0 Life-2900 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************
“Holy cow!” exclaimed Alex. “Her monster really is powerful.”
“Awesome,” muttered Tom.
“I don’t believe it!” shouted Rainbow Dash. “Your monster’s practically invincible!”
“Yes,” agreed Zelda. “It makes the perfect weapon for hunting Stones of Equus. Be thankful that it’s your ally! Well, not now, at least.”
***************************************************
Zelda’s Turn: Z:4 RD:4 – Zelda activates the speed spell Angel Baton, drawing two cards and discarding one when she has two or more speed counters. Next, she activates the speed spell Count Up, discarding a number of cards to raise her speed counters by two for each card discarded, discarding one (2 x 1 = 2, SpC.: 4 -> 6). Zelda reuses the effect of Gusto Griffin, special summoning a Gusto monster from her deck, choosing Reeze, Whirwind of Gusto (ATK: 1900 DEF: 1400).
Zelda activates her speed spell Synchro Return, special summoning one of her banished synchro monsters when she has five or more speed counters, choosing Daigusto Griffins. Zelda activates the effect of Reeze, Whirlwind of Gusto, sending one card from her hand to the bottom of her deck to switch control of a monster her opponent controls with a Gusto monster she controls, choosing Daigusto Griffins with T.G. Power Gladiator. Zelda then tunes Reeze, Whirlwind of Gusto with Gusto Falco to synchro summon Daigusto Eguls (ATK: 2600 DEF: 1800). Zelda reactivates the effect of Gusto Falco, special summoning a Gusto monster face down when it’s sent face up from the field to the graveyard.
Zelda attacks T.G. Blade Blaster with Gusto Flaming Pheenix. Since both of their ATK’s are equal, they are both destroyed. Zelda attacks Daigusto Griffins with T.G. Power Gladiator.
Rainbow Dash’s Life Points: 2900 -> 2700
Zelda attacks Rainbow Dash directly with Daigusto Eguls, but Rainbow Dash activates Miracle’s Wake, special summoning T.G. Blade Blaster from her graveyard. Zelda halts her attack.
During the end phase, Gusto Flaming Pheenix is special summoned via its effect, banishing Daigusto Sphreez in her graveyard to do so (ATK: 2000).
Rainbow Dash’s Life Points: 2700 -> 1700
Zelda places one card face down and ends her turn.
Status: Hand-0 Life-1950 Monsters-4 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************
“Four monsters!” exclaimed Alex. “That’s crazy!”
It was certainly a pickle for Rainbow Dash. She had one monster against Zelda’s four, which would only result in a defeat on her part if she didn’t do something this turn.
“I’m not giving up yet!” yelled Rainbow Dash. “I will defeat if it’s the last thing I do!”
***************************************************
Rainbow Dash’s Turn: Z:7 RD:5 – Rainbow Dash activates the speed spell Synchro Defuse, taking control of an opponent’s synchro monster until the end phase when she has two or more speed counters, choosing Gusto Flaming Pheenix.
Rainbow Dash attacks T.G. Power Gladiator with Gusto Flaming Pheenix, but Zelda activates Damage Diet, halving all damage she takes this turn.
Zelda’s Life Points: 1950 -> 1450
When T.G. Power Gladiator is destroyed, Rainbow Dash draws one card. Rainbow Dash attacks Daigusto Eguls with T.G. Blade Blaster.
Zelda’s Life Points: 1450 -> 1100
Rainbow Dash activates the speed spell Speed Storm, inflicting 1000 points of damage when she has three or more speed counters.
Zelda’s Life Points: 1100 -> 600
During the end phase, Zelda gains control over Gusto Flaming Pheenix.
Rainbow Dash ends her turn.
Status: Hand-0 Life-1700 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************
Alright, thought Rainbow Dash. The field is now good. As long as she doesn’t summon a monster with 1700 or more ATK, I’m golden. Come next turn, all I need to do is activate Speed Storm’s effect to add it from my hand to my graveyard by removing 3 speed counters and then activate it again. I think things are looking up for Rainbow Dash.
***************************************************
Zelda’s Turn: Z:8 RD:6 – Zelda flip summons Windaar, Sage of Gusto (ATK: 2000 DEF: 1000).
Zelda attacks T.G. Blade Blaster with Gusto Flaming Pheenix. Their ATKs are equal, so they are both destroyed. Zelda attacks Rainbow Dash directly with Windaar, Sage of Gusto.
Rainbow Dash’s Life Points: 1700 -> 0
Zelda wins.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Rainbow Dash crashed into the ground. Zelda and Alex both stopped quickly to make sure their companion was alright. Alex pulled to a stop while Zelda quickly and effortlessly landed on the track, hopping off and running to Rainbow Dash.
“Rainbow Dash!” she yelled. “Are you alright.”
“No,” she whined. “I’m not alright. I lost!”
Zelda and Alex were thankful that her only pain was mental rather than physical.
“Rainbow, what are you talking about?” continued Zelda. “You were fantastic!”
Rainbow Dash rolled over on her back and continued to sprawl as if she was having a light tantrum.
“Fantastic? How could I possibly be fantastic if I lost?”
Zelda knelt down and put her hand on Rainbow Dash’s chest.
“The point is that most duelists would not be able to recover from an onslaught like that, especially without having any knowledge of my ace monster. The fact that you brought me down to 600 life points in those conditions is a testament to how good of a duelist you actually are. Now keep your chin up, your friends are watching you.”
Rainbow Dash quickly flew up, looking a lot more chipper.
“What? You saying I’m crying? That’s for babies! Come on, Alex. Let’s go home!”
Rainbow Dash flew in a beeline towards Tom and her other friends.
“How rude,” commented Zelda.
“Don’t worry,” said Alex. “Her pride is the most sensitive part of her. Once she gets over it, she’ll warm up to you. Come on, let’s get back home.”
Alex rode around the track to get back to the exit while Zelda watched.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Back at Alex’s home, there was one last issue that needed to take place.
“Is there a chance that I can bum a bed for the night?” asked Zelda.
“Of course,” said Alex, “but I’m afraid it can’t be here.”
“What? Why?”
“We can leave your glider in the backyard, but if you stay here, our enemies will just be able to use that to track you to our house. If you stay somewhere else, they’ll have to go through me or Tom first if they see your glider here. Plus, I have six ponies and a baby dragon to house too.”
“Good point.”
“We’d be more than welcoming,” said Reese, “but our house really isn’t spacious enough for guests.”
“Me neither,” said John. “A card shop really never a really spacious kind of a home."
“I’ll do it!” said Jenny.
“Really? You’ll do it?” asked Zelda.
“Sure. Lisa comes over to my house all the time, so our family always expects an extra mouth to feed. You’ll be totally welcome in our home.”
“Thank you very much,” said Zelda. “Just let me take care of my glider.”
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Alex escorted Zelda from the backyard through the side gate that led to the front of the house. Jenny and Lisa were already in their car, with the front passenger’s side door opened. Before Zelda could get in, she ran towards Alex and gave him a hug.
“Thank you,” she whispered in his ear.
She then let go and hopped into the car, which sped away to Jenny’s house.
Alex and Tom gave Reese and Emma a farewell wave before they drove off as well.
“See ya’, Alex!” called John, before stepping into Claude’s car. “You’re coming to my dueling final Tuesday, right?”
“Wouldn’t miss it.”
"Cool. Have a good memorial day."
John stepped in as Claude drove him home. Alex and Tom were now the only ones outside.
“So that’s the supposed Gauntlet Class, huh?” asked Tom. “I’d hate to see what the others are like.”
“They’re powerful, no doubt,” answered Alex, “but we have one as our ally now, so if they want to try and attack us again, they’re really going to need to bring their A-game, because we sure as hell are going to bring ours.”