//------------------------------// // Gems & Water // Story: An Equestrian Element // by Quillion9000 //------------------------------// Convenience Corner Mektaveus had stumbled upon convenience corner as he looked for his first opponent, and upon seeing all these machines full of food, he had to try something. Figuring you couldn’t mess up a sandwich that badly, he selected roast beef and found it to be cold, like someone crisped it. After eating the whole thing, it tasted like it too. “Wonder why America doesn’t bother to have more vending machines?” He tossed the plastic in the nearest garbage can as he stepped out of the narrow alley. “That was actually one of the better sandwiches I’ve had.” “Yoho!” A feminine voice called out as he was ready to continue his search. “Please wait, Mektaveus Armaldo!” Before they mentioned his name, the superheavy samurai user figured that person had been calling out to someone else. To hear his name being called drew his attention, especially since this voice didn’t sound like any he recognized. He turned to see an admittedly attractive girl approaching him. She had long, indigo hair and azure eyes. Her attire consisted of a white, half sleeve blouse with a purple skirt. She was wearing a duel disk which indicated she was participating in Battle City. “Yeah, you wish to speak with me miss?” Mektaveus asked. “My name is Rarity.” Rarity greeted. “I apologize for calling out your name like that, but I simply had to speak with you about Sunset Shimmer.” “Sunset Shimmer?” Mektaveus raised an eye brow. “What do you need with one of my buds?” While they couldn’t hang out every day, Mektaveus came to consider everyone who was there at the end of Duelist Kingdom as one of his buds. Given Sunset didn’t mention someone like this to him, he wasn’t going to just hand over information. “Well, it’s…complex.” Rarity voiced, nervously. “In short, my friends and I wronged Sunset months ago. Unfortunately, we did not know where she went. Given we saw her competing in Duelist Kingdom, we figured this tournament would be our best shot at finding her.” “What do you intend to do once you find her?” Mektaveus asked. “We wish to try and make amends for our mistakes.” Rarity voiced. “Well, you don’t seem dishonest; however, I’ll need a little more assurance before we continue.” Mektaveus walked back from her. “Rarity, I challenge you to a Battle City Duel. Beyond what’s at stake, this should tell me how I ought to be taking your questions.” “Well, we must attempt to earn locator cards anyways.” Rarity nodded, determined. “Very well, darling.” “Let’s Duel!” (Mektaveus 4000/Rarity 4000) “Ladies first.” Mektaveus called out. “My, how gentlemanly.” Rarity drew. “I’ll start by activating Unexpected Dai. Since I control no monsters, this card allows me to special summon any level 4 or lower Normal monster I wish from my deck. I’ll choose Gem-Knight Saphire(LV 4/0/2100) in defense. A light blue, lanky knight appeared. “Then, I activate Absorb Fusion which first allows me to add any Gem Knight I wish from my deck to my hand. Now, I can Fusion summon any Gem Knight possible by banishing the monsters from my field or hand. I’ll banish Gem Knights Lapis and Brilliant Rose, which always acts as a Gem-Knight, from my hand. Fusion summon Gem-Knight Lady Lapis Lazuli(LV 5/2400/1000).” A pale female in blue and white robes appeared. “She fuses like Sunset, but are her Knights as potent as the Heroes?” Mektaveus pondered. “Now, I activate Lady Lapis.” Rarity continued. “By sending 1 Gem-Knight from my deck or extra deck to the graveyard, you will take 500 life points of damage for every special summoned monster on the field. I’ll send Zircon from my extra deck. Since there are two special summoned monsters out, that’s 1,000 life points.” Saphire and Lazuli both radiated an aura which collected above them before firing into Mektaveus (Mektaveus 3000/Rarity 4000). “I didn’t see me losing one thousand life points like that.” Mektaveus smiled slightly. “Seems to me your skills, if anything, are starting to line up with Sunset’s.” “I’ve picked up on a few new combos.” Rarity stated. “Now, I’ll merely set two cards before ending my turn.” “While you have skills, my deck has answers.” Mektaveus drew. “I’ll summon Superheavy Samurai Battleball(LV 2/100/800).” A small, spherical machine samurai appeared. “This card has a unique effect provided I fall under its requirements. Since all I control are Superheavy Samurai, and there are no spell/trap cards in my grave, I am allowed to target any 1 monster you control with a level. Then, this and that card will go to the grave allowing me to Synchro summon a monster with their total levels. I target Lazuli.” “I don’t think so as I’m activating my face down, Dark Factory of More Production.” Rarity countered. “With this, I can send any 1 monster from my hand or field to the grave and draw 1 card in exchange. I’ll send Lazuli from the field meaning your effect can’t go off.” “That’s under the assumption Battleball’s effect can only be used once per turn.” Mektaveus retorted as his initial target went away. “Wait, it’s not a once per turn effect?” Rarity asked, shocked. “Nope, I can utilize this effect as much as I like provided Battleball is on the field, and I meet the prior requirements.” Mektaveus grinned. “Now, I will simply send Battleball and your Saphire to the grave to Synchro for 6. Synchro summon Superheavy Samurai Ogre Shutendoji(LV 6/500/2500) in defense.” A hulking red and gold samurai appeared. “Since you recognized me from Duelist Kingdom, surely you must recognize this monster.” “I do.” Rarity nodded. “All your stronger Superheavy Samurai can attack from defense position. Additionally, provided you have no spell/trap cards in your grave, this card can destroy all mine on the field upon being Synchro summoned.” “That’s exactly what I’ll do right now.” Mektaveus declared. “I will chain the face down you intend to destroy.” Rarity called out. “Go, Fragment Fusion. With this, I can banish any Gem-Knights from my grave to special summon any 1 Gem-Knight Fusion monster I wish from my extra deck. This is treated as a Fusion summon and the monster is destroyed at the end of this turn. Of course, only Saphire and Lady Lazuli are in my grave, but that still gives me options. In my opinion, there is no better than Gem Knight Aquamarine(LV 6/1400/2600) in defense.” A blue armored knight with a bladed shield appeared kneeling. “Since attacking now would be foolish, I’ll end my turn.” Mektaveus voiced. “Aquamarine is now destroyed which sends her from the field to the grave activating her effect.” Rarity declared. “Now, I can target one card you control and send it back to your hand. In this case, your Synchro monster will return to the Extra Deck.” “Alright, that was the perfect choice in this instance, but my deck hasn’t left me defenseless.” Mektaveus thought. “Now, it’s my turn.” Rarity drew. “I’ll activate Gem-Knight Fusion to combine Gem-Knights Garnet and Quartz from my hand. Fusion summon Gem-Knight Ruby(LV 6/2500/1300).” A bulky, red knight with a halberd appeared. “Whenever Quartz is used as Fusion material, I can add 1 Gem-Knight, besides itself, from my grave to the hand. I’ll reclaim Garnet. Then, I activate Gem-Knight Fusion’s second effect. By banishing a Gem-Knight, like Quartz, I can add this spell to my hand. Now, Ruby attacks you.” “Whenever you declare an attack, I can special summon Construction Train Signal Red(LV 3/1000/1300), and I did so in defense.” An orange train signal appeared. “When he’s special summoned by his effect, your attack redirects to him, and he can’t be destroyed by that battle.” “While one cannot prepare for every eventuality, it appears going with Ruby as my fusion was the ideal move.” Rarity declared. “When he attacks a defense position monster, you are inflicted with piercing battle damage.” Ruby sliced into the opposing monster, and while it withstood the attack, the resounding shockwaves washed over his duelist (Mektaveus 1800/Rarity 4000). “With nothing further, I’ll end my turn.” Rarity declared. “Alright, time to see what I can manage this time.” Mektaveus drew. “Since I have no spell/trap cards in my grave, I can special summon Superheavy Samurai Big Waraji(LV 5/800/1800).” A golden machine with thinner limbs appeared. “Now, this card can be used as two tributes for a Machine-type monster, but I’ll instead offer Waraji and my Signal Red to secure the field. I Tribute summon Superheavy Samurai Big Benkei(LV 8/1000/3500) in defense mode.” A hulking black and red machine appeared. “This monster enables any Superheavy Samurai I control to attack while in face up defense position. “Since he’s my only monster, he’ll be the only one attacking and destroying Ruby.” Benkei smashed Ruby into the ground (Mektaveus 1800/Rarity 3000). “I end my turn.” “Alright, my turn!” Rarity drew. “I activate Magical Mallet allowing me to send itself and any number of cards from my hand back into my deck. Then after shuffling, I’ll draw the same number of cards I sent. I’ll send itself and the two remaining cards in my hand.” She refreshed her three cards. “I’ll now activate Sword & Shield. Until the end of this turn, all monsters currently on the field have their ATK/DEF swapped. Superheavy Samurai Big Benkei(LV 8/3500/1000 effect) “What, are you planning on bringing back Ruby?” Mektaveus asked. “Wish that I could, darling.” Rarity stated. “Unfortunately, that refresh didn’t grant me such a card, but I still have quite the combo instore. I now normal summon Gem-Knight Alexandrite(LV 4/1800/1200).” A white knight embedded with multiple gems appeared. “Through his effect, he can be tributed to special summon any normal monster I wish from my deck. I wish for Gem-Knight Crystal(LV 7/2450/1950).” A mighty, white knight with crystal embedded in its suit appeared. “Now for the last card, Fairy Meteor Crush.” “Oh, that’s where she was going with this.” Mektaveus thought. “This equip will go to Crystal granting him the same piercing battle damage as Ruby.” Rarity declared. “Crystal will now destroy your Benkei!” Crystal slashed through the defensive monster destroying him (Mektaveus 350/Rarity 3000). “I now end my turn.” “I’ll admit that was quite the combo you pulled off.” Mektaveus drew before smiling. “Looks like I’ll have to take things up a notch and win this duel now.” “Did he really just draw something that can overcome Crystal?” Rarity pondered. “First, I summon Superheavy Samurai Motorbike(LV 2/800/1200).” A purple bike appeared. “Since I now control a Superheavy Samurai monster, I can special summon Superheavy Samurai Hexagon(LV 6/600/1600) in attack mode.” A tall, bulky dark red and black machine appeared. “Once per turn, Superheavy Samurai Motorbike(LV 4/800/1200 effect) can grant any Machine-type monster two extra levels, so I’ll use it on himself.” “That means you can synchro summon a Level 10 monster!” Rarity exclaimed. “That’s right.” Mektaveus declared. “Motorbike tunes Hexagon to Synchro for 10. There are times when the impenetrable wall must seek reinforcement from the back row. When you simply don’t have it, draw from your opponent. Synchro summon Superheavy Samurai Warlord Susanowo(LV 10/2400/3800) in defense mode.” A bulky green, black, and red machine appeared. “Thing is, I don’t need his defense. All I need is to attack Crystal.” “Destroying Crystal won’t end this like you said it would.” Rarity retorted. “If my Warlord were alone, you’d be right.” Mektaveus declared. “Fortunately, the soul series backs them up. During either Damage Step, I can send Superheavy Samurai Soulbuster Gauntlet from my hand to the grave and double my monster’s defense until the End Phase.” Superheavy Samurai Warlord Susanowo(LV 10/2400/7600 effect) lunged forward slicing clean through Crystal in one, fell swoop (Mektaveus 350/Rarity 0). With the duel over, Mektaveus approached his opponent. “Well, you bested me fairly.” She took out her locator card and most valuable card, being Gem-Knight Master Diamond. “Here are your prizes.” “No offense to your deck, but I don’t think a single one of them will really work well with mine.” Mektaveus took the locator card. “I’ll just be taking this. Now, I can tell from our duel that you don’t seem like a bad person, so why do you need to find Sunset?” “Well, it’s not exactly a great story.” Rarity shrugged. “I’m not sure I should share it with you if Sunset hasn’t.” “Fair enough.” Mektaveus crossed his arms. “Look, all I currently know is that Sunset is somewhere in Domino City. My sister, some other buds, and other competitors met up with her before this tournament started. If I bump into her, I’ll inform her people are looking for her.” “Thank you, I would appreciate that.” Rarity voiced, before moving past him. “Now, I should continue looking for her.” As Mektaveus watched Rarity go, his mind turned to the Hero user. “Why wouldn’t you have mentioned buds like these Sunset?” Domino City Streets “This city is much larger than Canterlot.” Applejack thought as she wandered around it. “How am I supposed to find Sunset in a place this big? That’s even if she is here to begin with.” As her eyes wandered, she did spot something. “What’s this?” She walked over to see a poster telling her that Mako Tsunami was at the aquarium. “Mako Tsunami?” Her eyes widened. “He was one of Sunset’s opponents in Duelist Kingdom!” She didn’t think the guy would know anything major about Sunset, but it was likely he was competing in Battle City. At this rate, she might as well transition into acquiring locator cards. AJ just hoped this wasn’t a sign he already lost his. Aquarium AJ managed to find the aquarium, and there was a crowd watching Mako as he performed with a whale. “I’ll be.” She hadn’t expected this. “Didn’t think there were people out there who could wrangle creatures of the sea with such ease.” The guy was able to perform all kinds of tricks with the whale to the point AJ was reminded of rodeos she’s been to before. While it was quite the sight to behold, she hadn’t forgotten her initial mission. “Hey, Mako Tsunami!” AJ called out as she walked down the steps. He looked at her before jumping into the water. There, the whale got under him and lifted the water duelist into the air. “Well, hello there.” Mako crossed his arms. “I can only assume by you knowing my name, and that duel disk on your arm, that you’ve come to challenge me to a Battle City Duel.” “That’s right.” AJ nodded. “Though I got to ask, why are you putting on shows if you’re still in Battle City?” “While I am still committed to this tournament, my kinship with the sea was required.” Mako grinned. “Now, are you sure about dueling me?” “I’m certain.” AJ declared firmly. “Very well.” Mako presented his locator cards. “I’ve managed to acquire three in quick succession.” “Mighty impressive considerin’ I’ve only managed one duel myself.” AJ took out her two locator cards, staring at them firmly, before making her decision. “My name’s Applejack, and since I need to make it to the next round, at the rate I’m going, what’s say we bet two?” “Gutsy move.” Mako smiled. “I say, let’s give these people a duel they will never forget!” “Awesome, they’re going to duel!” “That’s even better than the whale!” With that settled, they ended up on the center ring surrounded by water where they activated their duel disks. “Let’s Duel!” (AJ 4000/Mako 4000) “Since you found me, you can have the first turn.” Mako declared. “Alright then.” AJ drew. “I’ll start with XX-Saber Emmersblade(LV 4/1300/800).” A four-armed armored insect appeared. “Then, I’ll set one card to end out my turn.” “It’s time.” Mako drew. “Now, I summon Abyss Soldier(LV 4/1800/1300).” A bipedal, humanoid whale monster appeared. “Once per turn, this mighty beast of the deep utilizes one of him comrades to send one card on the field back to your hand.” He discarded one of his monsters. “I’ll target your spell/trap.” “This here card has no effect I could activate in response.” AJ declared as she retrieved her card. “Whatever you might have been planning from your first turn washes away due to the waves my deck makes.” Mako declared. “Abyss Soldier, destroy Emmersblade.” Abyss Soldier thrust his trident through the opposing monster (AJ 3500/Mako 4000). “You’re looking an awful lot like shark bait.” Mako chuckled. “I wouldn’t quite say that pardner.” AJ refuted. “When Emmersblade is destroyed by battle and sent to the grave, I can special summon any Level 4 or lower X-Saber I wish from my deck. I’ll call upon X-Saber Airbellum (LV 3/1600/200).” A bipedal beast with large claws appeared. “I may not know where you are going with this, but you seem to be building towards something.” Mako plucked two cards from his hand. “As such, I’ll set two cards before ending my turn.” “Let’s see just how helpful those are.” AJ drew. “I’ll summon X-Saber Anu Piranha(LV 4/1800/1100).” A blond woman in red armor appeared. “Nice try.” Mako declared. “I’ll activate Torrential Tribute. When either of us summons a monster, this mighty trap wipes the field of every monster.” “He just stopped me from Synchro summoning.” AJ looked at her hand. “I’ll set one card of my own and end my turn.” “Through the power of my water monster, I shall show no mercy.” Mako declared. “I don’t recall asking ya to go easy at any point.” Applejack retorted. “For years, I’ve worked to be even half the man my father was.” Mako declared, drawing AJ’s attention. “Every time I battle the mighty ocean, I inch ever closer to who he was. As such, I face my dueling opponents with the same determination. I know in my heart we will meet again, wherever it is we go when making it to the other side. Until that fateful day, I will live my life to honor the sacrifice he made for me.” He pointed at himself. “His inspiration and strength live on within me.” “I know how you feel.” AJ could see the same loss in his eyes that she’s recognized within herself before. “I lost my parents when I was young, just like you. I’ll admit, I faltered in honoring them rather recently. It’s exactly that failure which led to me entering this tournament.” “Then, as those who understand each other, let us go all out!” Mako drew. “I summon Gluttonous Reptolphin Greethys(LV 3/1000/1000).” A long, blue sea fish appeared. “Once per turn, this monster allows me to target any 1 Fish, Sea Serpent, or Aqua monster in my grave. Then, provided they have an equal or lower level than the number of cards in your hand, I can special summon them. I count four cards in your hand meaning I can bring back my Abyss Soldier(LV 4/1800/1300). Now, my Greethys will give Soldier a tune up to Synchro for 7. This monster calls upon allies from my grave. Synchro summon White Aura Monoceros(LV 7/2500/1500).” A narwal surrounded by moving water and with a large horn appeared. “That’s some monster.” AJ commented. “Just wait because I’m not done.” Mako declared. “Firstly, due to Greethys being used as material for this summon, White Aura Monoceros(LV 7/3300/2300 effect) gains 200 ATK/DEF for every card in your hand. Four cards equates an 800 increase.” “What else is there?” AJ asked. “Monoceros allows me to special summon any one Fish monster from my grave; however, the monster summoned through this effect cannot attack this turn.” Mako declared. “That’s fine as I sent the perfect monster to the grave through Abyss Soldier’s effect. I call upon the mighty Citadel Whale(LV 7/2350/2150).” A large, blue whale with canons all over its body appeared. “When he’s special summoned, I can set a Sea Stealth Attack directly from my deck.” “He threw together quite the combo there.” AJ thought. “So far, he’s been dueling circles around me. I got to mount an actual comeback before it’s too late.” “Now, Monoceros will attack you directly with Piercing Water.” Mako declared. Monoceros collected the water around himself to around his horn before lunging through the opposing duelist (AJ 200/Mako 4000). “I activate The Golden Apples!” Applejack declared. “When I take Battle Damage and control no monsters, this trap restores my life points.” (AJ 3500/Mako 4000).” Then, I can summon a Malus Token(LV 1/?/?).” A golden apple appeared. “That is a mighty card indeed, but what of the question marks?” Mako asked. “Those became equal to the life points I just gained.” Applejack declared. Malus Token(LV 1/3300/3300 effect). The crowd cheered at Applejack finally managing something. “Hoisted by my own turn.” Mako smiled. “Well, it’s not like I had anything left beyond that, so I’ll end my turn.” “Alright, time to see what I can achieve this go around.” AJ drew. “Not so fast.” Mako declared. “I activate Sea Stealth Attack. While alone it can’t do much, the fact that I can activate Umi from my hand bequeaths it many effects, which I’ll explain as they become relevant, and grants my monsters a small boost to boot.” The field was flooded with virtual water. White Aura Monoceros(LV 7/3500/2500 effect) Citadel Whale(LV 7/2550/2350 effect) “Alright, it won’t stop me from pressing on.” Applejack declared. “I’ll summon XX-Saber Bogart Knight(LV 4/1900/1000).” A tall warrior in silver armor appeared. “When he’s normal summoned, I can special summon any Level 4 or lower X-Saber from my hand. I’ll chose X-Saber Pashuul(LV 2/100/0).” A bulky, blue armored man appeared. “Now, Pashuul gives Bogart Knight a tune up to synchro for 6. I call upon an unstoppable cyclone of steel. Synchro summon XX-Saber Hyunlei(LV 6/2300/1300).” A female sword wielder in blue and gold armor appeared. “When she’s Synchro summoned, I can target up to three spell/trap cards on the field and destroy them. Your Sea Stealth Attack, Umi, and face down are in my sights!” “I activate Sea Stealth Attack’s first effect.” Mako countered. “By banishing 1 Water monster I control, like Citadel Whale, it prevents the destruction of spell/trap cards this turn. Now, you best prepare your monster’s some life preservers for next turn my denizens of the deep sink them.” “You might have protected your spells/traps, but what about your remaining monster?” AJ questioned. “I activate Saber Slash which allows me to destroy any face-up cards on your field equal to the number of X-Sabers I control. I control one, so your Monoceros is destroyed.” “If there is one thing you must know about the sea, it’s that you never underestimate its strength.” Mako declared. “When you destroy White Aura Monoceros(LV 7/2700/1700 effect), I can banish any 1 Water monster, like Abyss Soldier, and revive him as a tuner.” “With a deck full of Water monsters, he can just keep reviving that Synchro monster.” AJ thought. “That is not all.” Mako continued. “I activate Raigeki Break. By simply discarding 1 card, I can destroy any one card on the field.” He pitched a card. “As you destroyed my strongest denizen, I too shall destroy your strongest.” Malus Token was struck by lightning shattering it. “In that case, I’ll set two cards to end my turn.” Applejack declared. “Now that you have, my Citadel Whale(LV 7/2550/2350 effect) returns to the field.” Mako drew. “I will now attack your Hyunlei with Citadel Whale!” “I activate my face down, At One With the Sword.” AJ countered. “This card can only be activated if I control one X-Saber monster. It now equips to that monster increasing their ATK by 800.” XX-Saber Hyunlei(LV 6/3100/1300 effect) sliced clean through the whale destroying him (AJ 3500/Mako 3450). The crowd cheered at how Applejack turned the duel around. “Now that you fell into that trap, I’ll wipe your field through Compulsory Evacuation Device allowing me to target any one monster on the field and return them to the hand. In this case, your Monoceros is going back to the extra deck.” That only made the crowd cheer more. “She just put me on the back foot.” Mako looked at the only card in his hand. “At least with this I can buy a little more time.” He set his last card. “I play one face down and end my turn.” “Alright, let’s see what my deck has instore for this turn.” Applejack drew before smiling. “Looks like it’s time to wrap this up.” “What do you mean?” Mako asked. “Just watch.” AJ retorted. “I activate Gottom’s Second Call. Since I control an X-Saber Synchro monster, I can special summon any two X-Saber’s I wish from my grave, but their ATK’s will be zeroed out. Additionally, they will be destroyed at the End Phase.” “With your deck, neither of those are down sides!” Mako exclaimed in shock. “You’re darn tooting.” AJ stated. “I’ll summon back XX-Saber Bogart Knight(LV 4/1900/1000) and X-Saber Pashuul(LV 2/100/0). Now, Pashuul gives Bogart Knight a tune up to synchro for 6 once more. I call upon an unstoppable cyclone of steel. Synchro summon my second XX-Saber Hyunlei(LV 6/2300/1300). As I tried before, when she’s Synchro summoned, I can target up to three spell/trap cards on the field and destroy them.” This time, Mako couldn’t defend them due to not having a monster on the field. “Well, that’s it.” The water duelist stared ahead at Applejack. “Finish this duel.” “No matter what the life point total says, you were one tough opponent Mako.” AJ voiced. “It was an honor going up against you. Now, my two Hyunlei will end this with direct attack!” Both Hyunlei lunged forward slashing through the opponent (Applejack 3500/Mako 0). “That was an excellent duel.” The Water duelist smiled as he approached. “Congratulations.” He took out his two locator cards along with his rarest card being, White Aura Bihamut.” “Whoa, that is one powerful Synchro.” AJ noted as she accepted her prizes. “Hey Applejack, I won’t pry into whatever you did to dishonor the memory of your parents.” Mako voiced, sincerely. “What I will say is that I believe you can correct whatever mistake was made.” “Given you know what I was talking about, the support means a lot.” AJ smiled. “If you’re ever in Canterlot, in America, look me up at Sweet Apple Acres.” She held out a hand. “Someone like you would be welcome there, I know it.” “I may have to take you up on that offer.” Mako clasped her hand. “Best of luck, both in correcting your mistake and making it to the next round.” The audience cheered at the display of sportsmanship after a fantastic duel.