//------------------------------// // Chapter 51: Luna // Story: Yu-Gi-Oh! Equus // by moviemaster8510 //------------------------------// Reese and Rarity fell through a portal over the ground. With Rarity caught off guard by her sudden appearance, she and Reese both fell to the ground with a thump. Once Rarity, got up, still a bit tipsy from the fall, she saw Reese on the ground, she picked him up with her magic and tried to “brush” him off as best as she could. “So sorry, Reese,” she profusely apologized. “I had no idea where I was, and ‘poof,’ here I am!” “It’s okay,” replied Reese, dusting himself off. “Thank you though.” Now that Reese and Rarity were acquainted, they could finally observe their surroundings. They were on a small island along the eastern edge of the ring that was surrounded by water. “Oh dear!” exclaimed Rarity. “How are we ever going to get out of here?” Rarity and Reese suddenly heard deep feminine laughter in the air. Rarity couldn’t quite put her hoof on it, but she was certain that she heard this laugh before. “Hopefully,” the voice responded, “when all is said and done, you won’t.” A purple aura began to rise from the water in front of them, seeping onto the shore, causing Reese and Rarity to back away. The aura rose to a height about seven feet, then spreading apart like curtains revealing a black alicorn standing there. “No…” gasped Rarity, instantly recognizing her. The top and the back of her head was covered in a light purple helmet, along with a broach of the same color with a white crescent moon on it. Her cutie mark was a dark purple splotch that covered her entire rump with a crescent moon, similar to the one on her broach. Her mane and tail seemed to be made out of a purple aura. She stared at Reese and Rarity with her hungry, ice-blue, cat-like eyes along with her slight smile. “Nightmare Moon!” shrieked Rarity. “Who?” asked Reese. “Nightmare Moon. She tried to plunge Equestria in eternal darkness over a thousand years ago. She tried to do it again not too long ago, and then–” “You stopped me,” interrupted Nightmare Moon. “Well, without your precious Elements of Harmony, I’ll see to it that you won’t stop me again!” “Why have you returned?” demanded Rarity. “Hay, how have you returned.” “Let’s just say, a friend assisted me.” “Rae,” grunted Reese, baring his teeth. “Quite the intuitive little creature, aren’t you? To answer your question, yes, I have returned thanks to the kind assistance of Rae Sulfa Tun. And she promised that with the destruction of Equestria and Earth, she’ll plunge the new world into eternal darkness for me!” “Like hell she will!” shouted Reese, activating his duel disk and unsheathing the zones. Rarity also finished setting up her duel disk. Using her magic, a portion Nightmare Moon’s mane split off of her, forming a field with fourteen zones in front of her, seven on top, seven on the bottom. Nightmare Moon placed her deck upon the lower-right hand zone. “What the…” muttered Reese. Then he remembered. “Luna!” he shouted at Nightmare Moon. The alicorn was shocked upon being called that, but resumed her confident smile. “Rarity, that’s Luna in there!” “I know!” she shouted. “What? You knew?” “Well, of course, darling. If you knew you were fighting your friend, you might have let your guard down.” “Don’t worry,” said Reese. “I won’t let my guard down. Even if I’m dueling a ‘friend.’ Right now, my sister, my friends, my world, my home are about to be destroyed. I’m not going to let my feelings stand in the way of saving all of that.” “I’m sorry to disappoint,” spoke Nightmare Moon, “but your home is as good as doomed. Now, Reese, Rarity, come and see if you have what it takes to stand up to the night!” Reese, Rarity, and Nightmare Moon drew five cards from their decks. “DUEL!” they all yelled. Rarity and Reese vs. Nightmare Moon Rarity’s Turn: Rarity activates Ancient Rules, special summoning a level five or higher normal monster from her hand, choosing Gem-Knight Crystal (ATK: 2450 DEF: 1950). Rarity sets one monster. Rarity places two cards face down and ends her turn. Status: Hand-1 Life-8000 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-2 *************************************************** “Reese!” called Rarity, “can you make something out of that?” “I certainly can.” *************************************************** Reese’s Turn: Reese equips Gem-Knight Crystal with Synchro Boost, increasing its ATK by 500 and its level by one (ATK: 2450 -> 2950, Lvl.: 7 -> 8). Reese then summons Gernia (ATK: 1300 DEF: 1200). Rees then activates Level Doubler, discarding one card from his hand to double the level of a level 4 or lower monster he controls, choosing Gernia (Lvl.: 4 -> 8). Reese overlays Gernia and Gem-Knight Crystal to xyz summon Obsidian Imp (ATK: 2800 DEF: 2500). Reese places one card face down and ends his turn. Status: Hand-1 Life-8000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1 *************************************************** “So foolish,” mused Nightmare Moon aloud. *************************************************** Nightmare Moon’s Turn: Nightmare Moon sets one monster. Next, she plays the spell Infernity Launcher. Luna places 2 cards face down and ends her turn. Status: Hand-2 Life-8000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2 *************************************************** Let’s see how she handles this, thought Rarity. *************************************************** Rarity’s Turn: Rarity flip summons Gem-Knight Sapphire (ATK: 0 DEF: 2100). Rarity then summons Gem-Knight Emerald (ATK: 1800 DEF: 800). Rarity activates her face down Pyroxene Fusion, sending Gem-Knight Sapphire and Gem-Knight Emerald to the graveyard to fusion summon Gem-Knight Aquamarine (ATK: 1400 DEF: 2600). Rarity equips Gem-Knight Aquamarine with Fusion Weapon, increasing its ATK and DEF by 1500 (ATK: 1400 -> 2900, DEF: 2600 -> 4100). Reese then activates his face down Enemy Controller, changing Luna's face down monster from face-down defense position into attack position, which turns out to be an Infernity Guardian (ATK: 1200 DEF: 1700). Rarity attacks Infernity Guardian with Gem-Knight Aquamarine, but Nightmare Moon activates Infernity Inferno, discarding two cards to send two Infernity cards from her deck to the graveyard. With Infernity Guardian’s effect, it cannot be destroyed by battle or card effects if Nightmare Moon has no cards in her hand. Battle damage is still applied. Nightmare Moon’s Life Points: 8000 -> 6300 At the end of the battle phase when Gem-Knight Aquamarine attacked, it is switched to defense position. Rarity ends her turn. Status: Hand-0 Life-8000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1 *************************************************** “Nice move, Rarity,” said Reese. “To be fair,” said Rarity, slightly bashful, “it was your card that helped.” “Then here, let me be of further assistance.” *************************************************** Reese’s Turn: Reese activates Mystical Space Typhoon, destroying Nightmare Moon’s face down card, which was an Infernity Force. Reese attacks Infernity Guardian with Obsidian Imp. With Infernity Guardian’s effect, it cannot be destroyed in battle when Nightmare Moon’s hand is at 0. Battle damage is still calculated. Nightmare Moon’s Life Points: 6300 -> 4700 Reese places one card face down and ends his turn. Status: Hand-0 Life-8000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1 *************************************************** “Yes!” shouted Rarity in glee. “We’re doing it!” “Alright!” cheered Reese. “We’re almost halfway there.” Despite their advantage, Reese and were caught off guard by Nightmare Moon, who began giggling. “You have no idea what’s in store for you now, do you?” she asked. *************************************************** Nightmare Moon’s Turn: Nightmare Moon activates Pot of Greed, drawing two cards. Next, she summons Infernity Dwarf (ATK: 800 DEF: 500). Nightmare Moon activates Night Beam, destroying one set spell or trap card on the field, choosing Rarity’s face down card. She then activates the effect of her Infernity Launcher, sending it to the graveyard to special summon two Infernity monsters from her graveyard when she has no cards in her hand, summoning Infernity Beetle (ATK: 1200 DEF: 0) and Infernity Destroyer (ATK: 2300 DEF: 1000). Nightmare Moon activates the effect of Infernity Beetle. When she has no cards in her hand, she can tribute Infernity Beetle to special summon two Infernity Beetles from her deck. Nightmare Moon tunes Infernity Destroyer with Infernity Beetle to synchro summon Hundred Eyes Dragon (ATK: 3000 DEF: 2500). Next, Nightmare Moon tunes Infernity Guardian and Infernity Dwarf with Infernity Beetle to synchro summon Infernity Doom Dragon (ATK: 3000 DEF: 2400). Nightmare Moon activates Infernity Doom Dragon’s effect. When she has no cards in her hand, she can destroy one monster the opponent controls and inflict damage equal to half of the monster’s ATK, choosing Obsidian Imp, but Reese activates Utopian Aura, detaching one xyz material to negate the destruction of his xyz monsters by card effects this turn. Nightmare Moon then activates Hundred Eyes Dragon’s effect. By banishing a level 6 or lower DARK monster in her graveyard, Hundred Eyes Dragon gains the effect of the banished monster until the end phase, choosing Infernity Archer. Using Infernity Archer’s effect, when Nightmare Moon has no cards in her hand, Hundred Eyes Dragon can attack the opponent directly. Nightmare Moon attacks Rarity and Reese directly with Hundred Eyes Dragon. Rarity and Reese’s Life Points: 8000 -> 5000 Nightmare Moon ends her turn. Status: Hand-0 Life-4700 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-0 *************************************************** Reese and Rarity groaned, heavily weakened by Nightmare Moon’s dragon. Nightmare Moon continued to laugh. “Now that both my dragons have taken the field,” spoke Nightmare Moon, “you’re now powerless to stop me.” Reese grit his teeth, knowing that she was right. Sooner or later, one of her monsters would destroy Obsidian Imp, or even Rarity’s monster. That’s when he remembered Gem-Knight Aquamarine’s effect. “Rarity!” called Reese. “I know what I’m going to say will sound crazy, but I need you to attack one of Nightmare Moon’s dragons for me.” “What?” shrieked Rarity. “You’re crazy.” Reese shot a blank look at Rarity. “Seriously. Trust me.” Rarity bit her lip, unsure of whether she should go along with Reese’s suicidal plan. “Go on,” giggled Nightmare Moon. “Go along with your friend’s ridiculous strategy.” Nightmare Moon’s words did little to encourage her, but upon glancing at her monster, she knew what she needed to do. *************************************************** Rarity’s Turn: Rarity switches Gem-Knight Aquamarine to attack position. Rarity attacks Infernity Doom Dragon with Gem-Knight Aquamarine. Since Gem-Knight Aquamarine’s ATK is lower than Infernity Doom Dragon’s, Gem-Knight Aquamarine is destroyed. Rarity and Reese’s Life Points: 5000 -> 4900 When Gem-Knight Aquamarine is sent from the field to the graveyard, Rarity can send one card on the field back to the owner’s hand, choosing Infernity Doom Dragon. Rarity sets one monster. Rarity ends her turn. Status: Hand-0 Life-4900 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-0 *************************************************** “There we go!” shouted Reese. “I see,” grunted Nightmare Moon. “You were able to send my dragon back while sustaining minimal damage.” “Let’s see if we can keep this hole open a little longer.” *************************************************** Reese’s Turn: Reese activates his own Pot of Greed, drawing two cards. Reese places two cards face down and ends his turn. Status: Hand-0 Life-4900 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2 *************************************************** “Foolish creatures,” spoke Nightmare Moon. “You have only delayed the inevitable.” “What are you talking about?” asked Reese. “You have no cards in your hand, and the only monster that you control is Hundred Eyes Dragon. You have no hope of a turnaround.” “We’ll just see what Hundred Eyes has to say about that.” *************************************************** Nightmare Moon’s Turn: Nightmare Moon activates Graceful Charity, drawing three cards and discarding two. Nightmare Moon places one card face down. Next, she activates Hundred Eyes Dragon’s effect, banishing a level 6 or lower DARK monster in her graveyard in order to have Hundred Eyes Dragon gain its effect when she has no cards in her hand, choosing Infernity Necromancer. Using Infernity Necromancers effect, Hundred Eyes Dragon can special summon an Infernity monster from her graveyard when she has no cards in her hand, choosing Infernity Destroyer (ATK: 2300 DEF: 1000). Nightmare Moon attacks Obsidian Imp with Hundred Eyes Dragon. Rarity and Reese’s Life Points: 4900 -> 4700 Nightmare Moon attacks Rarity’s face down monster with Infernity Destroyer, which was a Gem-Knight Obsidian (ATK: 1500 DEF: 1200). With Infernity Destroyer’s effect, if Nightmare Moon has no cards in her hand, she can inflict 1600 points of damage if it destroys an opponent’s monster by battle. Rarity and Reese’s Life Points: 4700 -> 3100 Reese activates Miracle’s Wake, special summoning Obsidian Imp from his graveyard when it was destroyed this turn. Nightmare Moon activates ZERO-MAX, special summoning an Infernity monster from her graveyard, choosing Infernity Beetle. Nightmare Moon tunes Infernity Destroyer with Infernity Beetle to synchro summon Infernity Doom Dragon. Nightmare Moon activates Infernity Doom Dragon’s effect, destroying one monster the opponent controls and inflict damage equal to half of the monster’s ATK when she has no cards in her hand, choosing Obsidian Imp. Rarity and Reese’s Life Points: 3100 -> 1700 Nightmare Moon ends her turn. Status: Hand-0 Life-4700 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-0 *************************************************** “Reese,” groaned Rarity. “Why did you summon Obsidian Imp from your graveyard, especially if you knew she was going to summon Infernity Doom Dragon?” “I didn’t,” Reese said, shocking both Rarity and Nightmare Moon. “I was kind of thinking you were going to summon Void Ogre Dragon and prevent us from using our spells and traps. But thankfully, my trap served as nothing more but red herring to summon your other monster back. Now, our window has been opened again.” “I have to say, Reese, that was a very impressive move. But we’re on our last 2000 life points and our field is nearly empty.” “Don’t worry,” said Reese, “as long as we can draw the right cards here, we’ll be fine.” “You think we can?” “I know we can.” Rarity, smiled, amused by his faith in the both of them. Then, Rarity’s element necklace began to glow, the top card of her deck glowing as well.” “What is this?” asked Nightmare Moon. “The card that’s going to save you, Luna!” shouted Rarity. Nightmare Moon gasped at being called such a name. *************************************************** Rarity’s Turn: Reese activates Call of the Haunted, special summoning Obsidian Imp from his graveyard. Rarity equips Obsidian Imp with Element of Harmony – Generosity, increasing its ATK by 300 times its rank (300 x 8 = 2400, ATK: 2800 -> 5200). Rarity ends her turn. Status: Hand-0 Life-1700 Monsters-0 Face Down Cards-0 *************************************************** Reese’s Turn: Reese attacks Infernity Doom Dragon with Obsidian Imp. Nightmare Moon’s Life Points: 4700 -> 2500 Reese places one card face down and ends his turn. Status: Hand-0 Life-1700 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1 *************************************************** “Your tricks won’t serve you any good,” shouted Nightmare Moon. “My life points are still higher than yours and my cards will still reign over yours!” “You can certainly try,” tempted Reese. *************************************************** Nightmare Moon’s Turn: With Element of Harmony – Generosity, Nightmare Moon must draw two extra cards during her draw phase. Nightmare Moon activates Burial from a Different Dimension, adding two of her banished cards to her graveyard. Nightmare Moon sets one monster. Next, she places one card face down. Nightmare Moon activates Hundred Eyes Dragon’s effect, banishing a level 6 or lower DARK monster in her graveyard in order to have Hundred Eyes Dragon gain its effect when she has no cards in her hand, choosing Infernity Archer, allowing it to attack directly if Nightmare Moon has no cards in her hand. Nightmare Moon attacks Rarity and Reese directly with Hundred Eyes Dragon, but Reese activates Damage Diet, halving the damage he takes this turn. Rarity and Reese’s Life Points: 1700 -> 200 Nightmare Moon ends her turn. Status: Hand-0 Life-2500 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1 *************************************************** “That was a close one,” sighed Reese. “Too close,” spoke Rarity. I have to find a way to get rid of that trap, thought Rarity. I won’t let Reese try and finish her off with that possible threat looming over him. Think Rarity. What to do, what to do… *************************************************** Rarity’s Turn: Rarity activates her own Pot of Greed, drawing two cards. Rarity summons Gem-Knight Alexandrite (ATK: 1800 DEF: 1200). Next, she activates its effect, tributing it to special summon a normal Gem-Knight monster from her deck, choosing another Gem-Knight Crystal. Rarity attacks Nightmare Moon’s face down monster, which was an Infernity Avenger (ATK: 0 DEF: 0). Nightmare Moon activates Infernity Reflector, discarding all of the cards in her hand when an Infernity monster is destroyed in battle. Then, she can special summon the destroyed monster from her graveyard and inflict 1000 points of damage to her opponent, but Rarity activates her quick-play spell Poison of the Old Man, gaining 1200 life points before the damage hits. Rarity and Reese’s Life Points: 200 -> 1400 Rarity and Reese’s Life Points: 1400 -> 400 Rarity ends her turn. Status: Hand-0 Life-400 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-0 *************************************************** “Door’s wide open, Reese!” called Rarity. “Thanks,” he responded. Nightmare Moon shuddered with fear. *************************************************** Reese’s Turn: Reese equips Obsidian Imp with Sword of Dark Rites, increasing its ATK by 400 (ATK: 5200 -> 5600). Reese attacks Hundred Eyes Dragon with Obsidian Imp. Nightmare Moon’s Life Points: 2500 -> 0 Rarity and Reese win. _________________________________________________________________________________________ Nightmare Moon was clouded in a purple aura as she fell backwards towards the ground. Before she finally collided, her body transformed back into Luna. Upon seeing the mare that they knew and loved, Reese and Rarity, ran to her. Unfortunately, she wasn’t getting up on her own, so Reese tried to pick her back up, but her body was completely limp. “I’m sorry,” sighed Luna, sounding weak to the point of fainting. “Don’t say that!” said Rarity. “You’re going to be just fine. Hang in there.” “You don’t understand. Trixie defeated Kyle.” “What?” asked Reese and Rarity simultaneously. “After she beat him, Rae locked both Kyle and I up, and then drained us of our life force.” “What?” asked Reese, still confused. “For a human like Kyle, he had little to him. I, on the other hand, have plenty of magic stored in me that Rae is using to destroy Equestria. Before she could drain me and Kyle clean, she transferred her own magic into us, tainting us, forcing us to become darker versions of ourselves.” “That’s why–” “Yes. However, upon my defeat, that magic would be taken from me. I was doomed no matter who won.” “Nonsense!” shouted Rarity. “We’re going to fix you up and then you’ll be right as rain.” Luna smirked and scoffed. “I’m afraid there’s nothing left for me. Go Reese, Rarity. Please save your friends. Save Equestria. I have… my full faith… in… you.” With those final words, Luna slumped into Reese’s arms, motionless and her breathing slowing. “Luna?” asked Rarity, tears forming in her eyes. “Oh, God!” he exclaimed, moving Luna around so he could piggyback her. “We need to get to the other side of this lake!” “But we don’t even know how deep the water is!” shouted Rarity, nervous for her princess’ safety. “We have to try and save her!” Suddenly, a spotlight appeared over the three of them on the island. Reese and Rarity turned around, looked up, and saw Zelda, Rainbow Dash, and Gilda. The light seemed to be coming from Zelda’s glider. “Guys?” shouted Reese. “What’s going on here?” “Gilda’s with us now,” shouted Rainbow Dash. “I’ll explain later. What’s wrong with Luna?” “I’ll explain later. We need your help, pronto!” _________________________________________________________________________________________ Alex, John, and Pinkie Pie fell from a portal and to the ground. Not letting the fall get the best of them, they both hopped up off the ground, ready to face whatever threat would come their way. They found that they were at the southernmost point of the ring, Wilson Hall being just southwest of them. Upon looking around some more, Alex couldn’t find anyone else. “Alright,” said Alex. “It seems like our enemy is hiding.” “Hiding?” squealed Pinkie Pie. “Are we playing hide and seek? I love hide and seek!” “There’s no hide and seek,” called a voice, causing Pinkie Pie to jump. Alex, John, and Pinkie Pie turned to the source of the voice, finding Grant standing there, his red coat blowing in the slight wind. “Ooh,” exclaimed Pinkie Pie. “He’s good.” “Grant!” yelled John. “I’m going to make you pay for what you did to Luna!” “I’m sorry to say,” said Grant, his voice emanating a lack of sympathy, “that your princess is no more.” “What are you talking about?” Grant outstretched his hand, producing a holographic screen. On it, Luna was screaming as she had her life drained from her while she was slowly becoming Nightmare Moon. Alex, John, and Pinkie Pie gasped in utter shock. “Luna!” shouted John. “You bastard! I’ll kill you.” “Again, I’m sorry,” said Grant, closing the screen, “but Luna has only one future left. Either she resumes her life as the entity who almost brought eternal darkness to Equestria, or she relinquishes the one power keeping her alive and perishes.” “Bastard,” growled John. “I’ll never forgive you!” “It seems that you wish to fight me. Very well. I accept your challenge. Now, come at me bearers of the Stones of Equus.” “You bet,” shouted John, unsheathing his D-Pad. Alex and Pinkie Pie’s D-Pads activated as well, their zones unsheathing from the tablet. Grant’s own D-Pad appeared on his arm. With this victory, thought Grant, the dark forces holding me will finally be relinquished. With this victory, thought Alex, I can finally save you from the dark force controlling you. Alex, John, Pinkie Pie, and Grant drew five cards from their decks. “DUEL!” they all yelled.