With the green, magic beam easily visible in the sky, several helicopters began flying around the beam, trying to get a clearer picture of what was happening. Unfortunately, the wall of the beam was too visibly thick that no one could see beyond the other side.
“What’s going on here?” asked one of the pilots.
“Something big, that’s for sure,” replied another pilot.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
“You have no idea what’s coming, do you?” asked Rae. “I’ll go first!”
Lauren vs. Alex, Tom, and Kyle
Lauren’s Turn: Lauren activates Temple of the Kings, allowing her to activate trap cards the same turn she sets them. Lauren then sets and activates Astral Barrier. Next, Lauren activates the field spell Clear World.
================================================================================
“Now,” shouted Lauren, “I construct the overlay network!”
“What?” yelled Tom.
“But she has no monsters!” yelled Alex.
“What could she be summoning?” asked Kyle.
“I overlay Temple of the Kings, Astral Barrier, and Clear World!”
Lauren then began to glow a bright yellow and hover in the air, all to everyone’s shock. Lauren only continued to glow brighter until the auras of all three xyz materials flew into Lauren’s body, causing a massive burst of light. When the light cleared, Lauren fell to the ground, completely unconscious as her body crumpled like a rag doll.
Replacing her spot in the air was a creature that the mere sight of made everyone of Equestrian origin gasp with fear. It had a horse-like head with an antler on the right side of his head, a blue misshapen horn on the left side, a long white beard, white bushy eyebrows, and an elongated right fang. He also had what looked like the body and left arm of an eagle, the left arm of a lion, the right leg of a dragon, the left leg of an antelope, the right wing of a bat, the left wing of a pegasus, and a dragon-like tail.
================================================================================
Lauren overlays Temple of the Kings, Astral Barrier, and Clear World to xyz summon Discord with its effect (ATK: 4000 DEF: 4000).
================================================================================
Discord laughed as he stretched his arms out, Rae’s D-Pad suddenly appearing on Discord’s left arm.
“Oh, it’s good to be back!” he said.
“Discord?” yelled Twilight. “But how? We defeated you?”
Discord turned to Twilight with a disgusted look.
“Of all the ponies I had to lay my eyes on first,” he muttered aloud.
“Woah,” exclaimed Tom, “why does he sound like Q from Star Trek?”
“Discord,” shouted Twilight. “Answer me!”
“Fine,” began Discord. “I guess I should start by saying that I haven’t been entirely honest with you. Before you had completely imprisoned me with the Elements of Harmony, I completed a spell that detached my soul from my body. However, the spell… wasn’t too successful. After the Elements restored the world from the one which I made and slaved over, by the way, the intense magic shot my soul into space.
“Lost and alone, I wandered the universe to look for a place with life so I could claim a host. After searching for nearly two fortnights, I finally found a planet similar to this one. Upon finding it, I rushed to the nearest landmass that I could find, which I assumed to be this country. However, the first person I laid my eyes on was a lone woman running on the beaches of New York City at night.
“Lauren,” muttered Kyle.
“Seizing my opportunity, I possessed her. Of course, her will was far too weak to expel a master of magic and chaos such as mois, so she was mine to command. It was only made better by the fact that that I possessed one of the most powerful women in the world already, complete luck, mind you.
“I toyed with her memories so I could function exactly like she would in real life, completely avoiding suspicion by even her closest friends."
“But you didn’t fool me,” yelled Kyle.
“That’s why I had to brainwash you,” continued Discord. “I couldn’t possibly be under the same roof as a person who could try and kill me in the night. Call me paranoid, but my plan wasn’t going to be screwed up!
“While living inside Lauren, I’d need to find a way to return to Equestria if I was going to enact my ultimate revenge. That’s where the Orion satellite came in handy.”
Alex seethed over the mention of his father’s satellite.
“Using my newfound, stargazing abilities that I learned in space, I figured that it would take me weeks or even months to find Equestria. Wouldn’t you know it? The coordinates for the galaxy Equestria resides in was plotted right into the satellite.”
This mention made Alex’s eyes widen in shock.
“How?” asked Alex. “How could Equestria be programmed into my dad’s satellite?”
“Beats me,” said Discord, shrugging his shoulders. “Perhaps your father thought it was just some random nebula or something. I guess you’d have to ask him. Wait, I guess you can’t!”
Discord laughed again, bringing Alex’s anger to a fever pitch.
“Shut up and make your move!” yelled Alex.
Discord was shocked over Alex’s demand.
“Fine then.”
================================================================================
With Discord’s effect, it gains the effects of all xyz materials attached to it.
Discord places one card face down and ends his turn.
Status: Hand-2 Life-12000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************
“And I know what you’re thinking,” discussed Discord. “I haven’t summoned a single monster yet. You know why? My deck is filled with nothing but spell and trap cards. I’m already an extremely powerful monster now, so why need the extra support?”
Alex suddenly smirked, causing a look of confusion in Discord.
“Nothing but spells and traps, you say?” said Alex. “In that case…”
***************************************************
Alex’s Turn: Alex activates Hieratic Seal of Supremacy, special summoning a Hieratic Monster from his hand, choosing Hieratic Seal of the Dragon King (ATK: 0 DEF: 0). With Discord’s effect, he can activate the effect of Clear World, having Alex reveal his hand at all times when he controls a LIGHT monster. His hand shows Dragunity Phalanx, Inferno Reckless Summon, Shift, and Riryoku.
Alex activates Inferno Reckless Summon, special summoning as many copies of a special summoned monster with 1500 or less ATK that he controls from his deck when his opponent controls a monster, choosing another Hieratic Seal of the Dragon King. Alex overlays both Hieratic Seal of the Dragon Kings to xyz summon Jade Wyvern (ATK: 2500 DEF: 2100). Since Alex doesn’t have a LIGHT monster on his field anymore, Alex’s hand isn’t revealed.
Alex activates Riryoku, halving the ATK of one monster on the field to increase the ATK of one other monster on the field by the same amount until the end phase, halving Discord’s ATK to increase Jade Wyvern’s ATK by the same amount (ATK: 4000 -> 2000) (ATK: 2500 -> 4500). With Clear World’s effect, because he controls a WIND monster, Alex must pay 500 life points to activate the spell card.
Alex, Tom, and Kyle’s Life Points: 12000 -> 11500
Alex attacks Discord with Jade Wyvern. With Discord’s effect, it cannot be removed from the field. Battle damage is applied normally.
Discord’s Life Points: 12000 -> 9500
Discord activates Damage Vaccine Ω MAX, increasing his life points by the amount of damage that he took from that battle.
Discord’s Life Points: 9500 -> 12000
Alex sets one monster.
During the end phase, the ATK of both monsters return to normal (ATK: 2000 -> 4000) (ATK: 4500 -> 2000).
Alex places one card face down and ends his turn.
Status: Hand-0 Life-11500 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************
“Hmhmhm,” giggled Discord. “Not only will you have to change your strategy around because of my effects, but Clear World will prove to be quite bothersome too.”
***************************************************
Discord’s Turn: Discord activates Graceful Charity, drawing three cards and discarding two. Discord activates his effect. By detaching one xyz material from it, Discord can attach one continuous spell card, one continuous trap card, or one field spell card to it from his hand, detaching Astral Barrier to attach Doppelganger. Discord then activates Mystical Space Typhoon, destroying one spell or trap card on the field, choosing Alex’s face down Shift.
Discord attacks Jade Wyvern, but Alex activates Jade Wyvern’s effect. By detaching one xyz material from it, Alex can prevent the destruction of one monster by battle this turn, choosing Jade Wyvern.
Alex, Tom, and Kyle’s Life Points: 11500 -> 10000
Discord places one card face down and ends his turn.
Status: Hand-0 Life-12000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************
“Hmph,” scoffed Tom, “it’s not so tough.”
Discord was appalled at Tom’s statement.
“And what makes you say that, human?” Discord asked.
“Your monster seems to be pretty impenetrable from a glance, but take away its effect, and it’s just as weak as any other monster.”
“And how will you do that?”
Tom smirked.
***************************************************
Tom’s Turn: Tom summons Gladiator Beast Dimacari (ATK: 1600 DEF: 1200). Next, Tom activates Double Summon, summoning Gladiator Beast Darius (ATK: 1700 DEF: 300). Tom overlays Gladiator Beast Dimacari and Gladiator Beast Darius to xyz summon Brotherhood of the Fire Fist – Tiger King (ATK: 2200 DEF: 1800). Tom activates the effect of Brotherhood of the Fire Fist – Tiger King. By detaching one xyz material from it, he can negate the effects of all non Beast Warrior-type monsters on the field until the end of the opponent’s next turn.
Tom then activates Xyz Treasure, drawing a number of cards from his deck equal to the number of xyz monsters on the field (3). Tom then equips Brotherhood of the Fire Fist – Tiger King with Xyz Jeweled Crown, making its rank its level (Rnk.: 4 -> Lvl.: 4). Also, it can be treated as two xyz materials for an xyz summoning. Tom overlays Brotherhood of the Fire Fist – Tiger King to xyz summon Amber Minotaur (ATK: 2400 DEF: 1900).
Tom activates Space Cyclone, detaching one xyz material from Discord, choosing Clear World. Tom then activates Amber Minotaur’s effect. By detaching one xyz material from it, Tom can normal summon again this turn without tributes, summoning Gladiator Beast Octavius (ATK: 2500 DEF: 1200).
Tom places two cards face down and ends his turn.
Status: Hand-0 Life-10000 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************
Discord started to get angry over Tom’s detachment of Clear World from him.
“You’ll pay for that one,” he growled.
***************************************************
Discord’s Turn: Discord attacks Jade Wyvern, but Tom activates Negate Attack, ending the battle phase.
Discord ends his turn. Discord’s effect returns.
Status: Hand-1 Life-12000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************
“Discord!” called Kyle. “You have nearly ruined my life. You have taken my mother from me, and I will see to it that I reclaim her back. With the power and support of my friends, I’m sure not to lose.”
***************************************************
Kyle’s Turn: Kyle activates his Graceful Charity, drawing three cards and discarding two. Kyle activates Monster Reborn, special summoning Laval Judgment Lord from his graveyard (ATK: 2700 DEF: 1800). Kyle activates Laval Judgment Lord’s effect. By banishing a Laval monster in his graveyard, Kyle can inflict 1000 points of damage to the opponent.
Discord’s Life Points: 12000 -> 11000
Discord activates his effect through Doppelganger, inflicting the same amount of damage from an effect monster’s effect to his opponent.
Alex, Tom, and Kyle’s Life Points: 10000 -> 9000
Kyle overlays Tom’s Gladiator Beast Octavius and Laval Judgement Lord to xyz summon Olivine Dragon (ATK: 3000 DEF: 2500).
================================================================================
Everyone was in shock.
“No way!” yelled Applejack.
“That’s...” sputtered Emma.
“Impossible!” yelled Discord. “That card was absorbed into the dome when you lost!”
“Just a little parting gift from Princess Celestia.”
Discord’s nervous frown soon turned into a sly smile.
================================================================================
Kyle equips Olivine Dragon with Xyz Unit, increasing its ATK by its rank times 200 (7 x 200 = 1400, ATK: 3000 -> 4400).
Kyle attacks Discord with Olivine Dragon.
Discord’s Life Points: 11000 -> 10600
Kyle sets one monster.
Kyle places two cards face down and ends his turn.
Status: Hand-1 Life-9000 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************
I know that it will only further support Discord, thought Kyle, staring at his set monster, but I need to support my friends.
“I’m not sure how Celestia got you that card,” said Discord, “but it matters little. With my Doppelganger card, your monster’s effect is useless on me.”
“We’ll just see about that!” muttered Kyle to himself.
***************************************************
Discord’s Turn: Discord places two cards face down. Next, he activates his face down Burning Strike, giving himself the effect of piercing damage.
Discord attacks Kyle’s face down monster, which is a Morphing Jar (ATK: 700 DEF: 600).
Alex, Tom, and Kyle’s Life Points: 9000 -> 5600
When Morphing Jar is flip summoned, each player discards their hand and draws five cards from their decks.
Discord activates Overlay Regenerate, attaching it to himself as xyz material. Discord then activates his face down Magical Stone Excavation, discarding two cards to add a spell card from his deck to his hand, choosing Clear World.
Discord activates his effect, detaching an xyz material to attach one continuous spell card, one continuous trap card, or one field spell card to it from his hand, detaching Overlay Regenerate to attach Clear World.
Kyle activates Olivine Dragon’s effect. By detaching an xyz material when his opponent activates an xyz monster’s effect, Kyle can inflict damage equal to that monster’s rank times 200 (11 x 200 = 2200).
Discord’s Life Points: 10600 -> 8400
Discord then activates Doppelganger through his effect, inflicting damage equal to the amount he took from an opponent’s effect monster’s effect. Kyle attempts to activate Barrel Behind the Door, but Discord activates Temple of the Kings through his effect, allowing him to activate a trap card that he set that turn, activating Dark Bribe, negating and destroying Barrel Behind the Door and having Kyle draw one card.
Alex, Tom, and Kyle’s Life Points: 5600 -> 3400
Kyle activates Olivine Dragon’s effect again, sending Xyz Unit, which can be treated as an xyz material, to the graveyard (ATK: 4400 -> 3000) to inflict damage to his opponent equal to the rank of an opponent’s xyz monster that activated its effect times 200.
Discord’s Life Points: 8400 -> 6200
Discord activates Doppelganger’s effect, inflicting damage to his opponent equal to the damage he took.
Alex, Tom, and Kyle’s Life Points: 3400 -> 1200
Discord places one card face down and ends his turn.
Status: Hand-1 Life-6200 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************
“Kyle!” yelled Emma.
“Alex!” yelled Twilight and Zelda.
“Tom!” yelled the Emmitts and Rainbow Dash.
“I’m not sure why you did that,” spoke Discord, “but it seems it’s only furthering to dig your grave.”
Discord began to laugh while the ponies cowered in fear. Everyone else just looked at Discord with spite in their eyes. Alex suddenly broke Discord’s laughter with his own, causing the lord of chaos to stop.
“Clear World,” spoke Alex. “If I control a WIND attribute monster, I must pay 500 life points to activate a spell card. I’d only need two.”
“Two? Two for wha–”
Alex smiled upon seeing Discord’s face recognizing the strategy.
“No…” muttered Discord.
***************************************************
Alex’s Turn: Alex places two cards face down. Alex activates Foolish Burial, sending a monster from his deck to the graveyard. As Alex controls a WIND monster, Alex must pay 500 life points to activate a spell card with Discord’s Clear World effect.
Alex, Tom, and Kyle’s Life Points: 1200 -> 700
Alex then summons Dragunity Militum (ATK: 1700 DEF: 1200). Alex flip summons Dragunity Phalanx (ATK: 500 DEF: 1100). Alex tunes Dragunity Militum with Dragunity Phalanx to synchro summon Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana (ATK: 1900 DEF: 1200). When Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana is synchro summoned, Alex can equip a level 3 or lower Dragon-type Dragunity monster from his graveyard onto it, choosing Dragunity Aklys.
Alex activates Dragon Hatchling, special summoning itself as a Dragon-type monster with the same level as a Dragon-type monster that he controls (6). Alex pays another 500 life points because of Discord’s Clear World effect.
Alex, Tom, and Kyle’s Life Points: 700 -> 200
Alex activates Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana's effect. By sending an equip card equipped to it to the graveyard, he can double Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana's ATK (ATK: 1900 -> 3800). With Dragunity Aklys’ effect, when its sent to the graveyard while equipped with a monster, Alex can destroy one card on the field, choosing Discord’s face down card. Alex overlays Dragunity Knight – Vajrayana and Dragon Hatchling to xyz summon Hieratic Dragon King of Atum (ATK: 2400 DEF: 2100).
With Discord’s Clear World effect, Alex must play with his hand revealed when he controls a LIGHT monster. His hand contains Hieratic Seal of the Sun Dragon Overlord. Since his life points are below 500, Alex overlays Jade Wyvern and Hieratic Dragon King of Atum to xyz summon Shining Platinum Dragon (ATK: 3500 DEF: 2500).
Alex activates Shining Platinum Dragon’s effect, detaching all xyz materials from it to reveal a number of cards on the top of his deck equal to the number of xyz materials detached (5). Shining Platinum Dragon gains 500 ATK for each Dragon-type monster revealed by this effect. The cards revealed are Hieratic Dragon of Su, Dragunity Partisan, Hieratic Dragon of Nebthet, Hieratic Dragon of Asar, and Dragunity Arma Mystletainn (5 x 500 = 2500, ATK: 3500 -> 6000).
Alex attacks Discord with Shining Platinum Dragon.
Discord’s Life Points: 6200 -> 4200
During the end phase, Shining Platinum Dragon’s ATK returns to normal (ATK: 6000 -> 3500).
Alex ends his turn.
Status: Hand-1 Life-200 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************
“Alright!” cheered Rainbow Dash. “Keep it coming!”
“Easy, Rainbow Dash,” spoke Twilight. “Alex and his friends have only 200 life points left. They need to be extra careful if they want to win this duel.”
“It’s too bad that they won’t,” chuckled Discord.
***************************************************
Discord’s Turn: Discord attacks Amber Minotaur, but Tom activates Card Defense, discarding a card to negate the attack and then draw one card.
Discord places one card face down and ends his turn.
Status: Hand-1 Life-4200 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************
“Alright,” shouted Rainbow Dash. “That’s what I’m talking about. Go Tom! You can do it!”
Tom smiled at his friend’s confidence in him. He then looked up at Alex’s dragon.
“My turn now,” Tom quietly said.
***************************************************
Tom’s Turn: Tom activates Xyz Revival, special summoning an xyz monster from his graveyard and equipping Xyz Revival to it, choosing Brotherhood of the Fire Fist – Tiger King. Tom then activates his Overlay Regenerate, attaching itself as xyz material to Brotherhood of the Fire Fist – Tiger King. Tom activates the effect of Brotherhood of the Fire Fist – Tiger King, detaching an xyz material from it to negate the effects of all non Beast Warrior-type monsters on the field until the end of the opponent’s next turn.
Because Tom’s life points are below 500, Tom overlays Amber Minotaur and Brotherhood of the Fire Fist – Tiger King to xyz summon Shining Golden Minotaur (ATK: 3400 DEF: 2400). Tom equips Shining Golden Minotaur with Axe of Despair, increasing its ATK by 1000 (ATK: 3400 -> 4400).
Tom attacks Discord with Shining Golden Minotaur, but Discord activates Mirror Force, destroying all face up attack position monsters that his opponent controls, but Kyle activates Utopian Aura, detaching an xyz material from Olivine Dragon to prevent the destruction of all xyz monsters he controls by card effects.
Tom places two cards face down and ends his turn.
Status: Hand-1 Life-200 Monsters-0 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************
“Oh no!” cried Fluttershy, covering her eyes with her hoofs. “I can’t watch.”
“But you’ll miss the best part:” responded Discord, “your friends’ defeat and failure!”
***************************************************
Discord’s Turn: Discord attacks Olivine Dragon, but Alex activates his own Negate Attack, ending the battle phase.
Discord ends his turn. Discord’s effect returns.
Status: Hand-2 Life-4200 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************
Discord growled in anger over his attacks not reaching his opponents.
“Discord,” said Kyle. “I will not allow you to carry onwards. Your ambitions end here, tonight!”
Kyle’s coat turned alight with green flames, shocking the crowd while Emma stood there, mystified.
“God, I love you,” she sighed in his direction.
***************************************************
Kyle’s Turn: Kyle activates Pot of Greed, drawing two cards. Next, he activates his own Magical Stone Excavation, discarding two cards to add a spell card from his graveyard to his hand, choosing Monster Reborn. Kyle activates Monster Reborn, special summoning Laval Judgment Lord from his graveyard. Next, he activates Rekindling, special summoning as many FIRE attribute monsters with 200 DEF from his graveyard as possible, summoning Flamvell Magician (ATK: 1400 DEF: 200).
Kyle then normal summons Laval Miller (ATK: 300 DEF: 400). Kyle tunes Laval Miller with Flamvell Magician to synchro summon Ancient Flamvell Deity (ATK: 2500 DEF: 200). Kyle overlays Olivine Dragon, Ancient Flamvell Deity, and Laval Judgment Lord to xyz summon Ultra-Olivine Tri-Dragon (ATK: 4500 DEF: 3800).
Kyle attacks Discord with Ultra-Olivine Tri-Dragon.
Discord’s Life Points: 4200 -> 3700
During the end phase, with Discord’s Clear World effect, because Kyle controls a FIRE monster, 1000 points of damage are inflicted him, but Tom activates his face down Emergency Provisions, sending a number of spell/trap cards that he controls to the graveyard to increase his life points by 1000 for each card before the attack hits, choosing his other face down card.
Alex, Tom, and Kyle’s Life Points: 200 -> 1200
Alex, Tom, and Kyle’s Life Points: 1200 -> 200
Kyle places two cards face down and ends his turn.
Status: Hand-1 Life-200 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
***************************************************
“Phew,” exclaimed Emma. “That was a close one.”
“Too close if you ask me,” said Applejack.
Discord looked at his hand nervously. He hadn’t been able to draw many decent cards to help his effect, and it looked like his opponents were doing well despite Clear World. Nonetheless, Discord remained steadfast, determined to win.
***************************************************
Discord’s Turn: Discord places one card face down and ends his turn.
Status: Hand-2 Life-3700 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************
His monster is too strong, thought Alex. I need a miracle in order to turn this around.
Alex’s Element of Harmony began to glow brightly, along with Twilight’s, Applejack’s, Rarity’s, Pinkie Pie’s, Fluttershy’s, and Rainbow Dash’s. Alex’s shirt, blazer, and pants then turned white.
“No,” gasped Discord. “Not again!”
“Yes, again!” yelled Alex. “You couldn’t escape the power of the Elements of Harmony once, and you won’t do it again!”
Alex’s top card on his deck glowed a bright white.
***************************************************
Alex’s Turn: Alex activates Elements of Harmony, targeting one monster the opponent controls, negating its effect and reducing its ATK and DEF to 0 until the end phase, choosing Discord (ATK: 4000 -> 0, DEF: 4000 -> 0). Next, Alex can apply one of three other effects, choosing the first, special summoning an xyz monster from his graveyard and attaching Elements of Harmony to that monster as xyz material, choosing Shining Platinum Dragon. With Shining Platinum Dragon’s effect, it can still attack this turn despite being summoned by Elements of Harmony.
Alex activates Shining Platinum Dragon’s effect, detaching all xyz materials from it to reveal a number of cards on the top of his deck equal to the number of xyz materials detached (1). Shining Platinum Dragon gains 500 ATK for each Dragon-type monster revealed by this effect. The card revealed is Dragunity Arma Leyvaten (ATK: 3500 -> 4000).
================================================================================
“Go!” yelled Alex. “Shining Platinum Dragon! Attack Discord! Luster Ray!”
Shining Platinum Dragon expelled a massive white energy from its mouth towards Discord.
“NO!” shouted Discord as the blast hit him, causing a massive explosion.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
From the outside of the beam, the helicopter pilots could partially see the explosion from outside.
“Holy smokes!” shouted one of the pilots.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Alex took a breather as his whitened clothes turned to black.
“We did it,” he sighed triumphantly.
“Hmhmhmhmhmhmhmhmhm.”
Alex was shocked to hear Discord’s voice, yet alone hear him laugh.
When the dust finally cleared, Discord stood there, smiling and giggling. Next to him appeared his life point counter: 1700. In front of the creature was an activated Half Unbreak.
“No…” whimpered Twilight fearfully, distraught over the Elements failing to defeat Discord.
“You’d think that after being defeated with those trinkets the first two times,” said Discord, “that I’d learn from my mistakes. How funny is it that the simplest of cards can counter something as powerful as the Elements of Harmony. Tough break, guys.”
Every single creature, minus Discord, stood frozen in shock and fear as Discord laughed at their expense.
================================================================================
Alex attacks Discord with Shining Platinum Dragon, but Discord activates Half Unbreak, preventing his monster’s destruction by battle and halving the damage he takes this turn.
Discords Life Points: 3700 -> 1700
During the end phase, Shining Platinum Dragon and Discord’s ATK return to normal (ATK: 4000 -> 3500) (ATK: 0 -> 4000, DEF: 0 -> 4000).
Alex ends his turn.
Status: Hand-1 Life-200 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
***************************************************
“Now,” said Discord, “let’s put you out of your misery.”
***************************************************
Discord’s Turn: Discord activates Pot of Greed, drawing two cards. Next, he equips himself with his own Xyz Unit, increasing its ATK by 200 times its rank (11 x 200 = 2200, ATK: 4000 -> 6200).
Discord attacks Ultra Olivine Tri-Dragon, but Kyle activates his own Negate Attack, ending the battle phase.
Discord activates his effect, detaching an xyz material to attach one continuous spell card, one continuous trap card, or one field spell card to it from his hand, detaching Doppelganger to attach Stolen Dawn. Discord activates Stolen Dawn through his effect, discarding one card from his hand and skipping his next draw phase to skip his opponent’s turn.
Discord ends his turn.
Status: Hand-1 Life-1700 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************
“Guys!” yelled Tom, unable to help his friends.
“Yes,” said Discord with a smile, “it will be over soon.”
***************************************************
Discord’s Turn: Discord attacks Ultra Olivine Tri-Dragon, but Kyle activates Iron Resolve, halving his life points to prevent the battle damage.
Alex, Tom, and Kyle’s Life Points: 200 -> 100
Discord activates Stolen Dawn through his effect, discarding one card from his hand and skipping his next draw phase to skip his opponent’s turn.
Discord ends his turn.
Status: Hand-0 Life-1700 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************
Kyle lied limp on the ground.
“NO!” shrieked Emma, trying to run to him, but being held back by Reese.
“Your turn,” said Discord to Alex.
***************************************************
Discord’s Turn: Discord attacks Shining Platinum Dragon, but Alex activates Mirror Shade, halving his life points to reduce the battle damage to 0.
Alex, Tom, and Kyle’s Life Points: 100 -> 50
Discord ends his turn.
Status: Hand-0 Life-1700 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************
Alex, blasted away from the damage, lied motionless on his back. He thought he could hear the calls of his friends trying to help him, but they sounded like nothing but an echo. He could hardly even make out the blonde haired man trying to pick Alex up onto his feet to no avail. A single tear rolled off of Alex’s face.
Guys, he thought. I’m so sorry. I’ve failed you all.
Unbeknownst to him, his Element, along with the Elements of the other ponies, began to glow brightly, engulfing them in bright, white light.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Alex found himself in the same black void that he found himself in when he was brought by Princess Celestia and Luna on the day of the Riverwalk Tournament.
“What? I’m here again?” he asked.
Upon looking around, he found Twilight, Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash with him.
“What…” moaned Twilight in confusion.
“What’s going on?”
“You’re in a safe place,” said a familiar voice.
Suddenly a bright white light and a bright blue light, both in the shape on an alicorn, conjured themselves in front of the seven bearers of the Elements of Harmony.
“Pri…” stuttered Twilight, “Princess Celestia?”
“Yes, Twilight. It is I.”
Twilight couldn’t control her tears. They floated in the abyss as they rolled off her face.
“How are you even here?” asked Twilight. “I thought you–”
“Died? Not exactly. When a pony’s body perishes, their spirit continues to live on. That is how I can communicate with you now.”
“What do you want, your highness?” asked Rarity.
“Hmhmhm. I’m technically not your leader anymore, and you still refer to me royally.”
“Of course,” said Applejack. “In our hearts, you’ll always be our leader.”
“Thank you,” said Luna’s aura, “but we have little time left.”
“Right,” confirmed Celestia. “Twilight, what powers the Elements of Harmony?”
“Friendship. That’s easy! But Princess Celestia, the Elements of Harmony still couldn’t defeat Discord. We’re hopeless now.”
“I wouldn’t be too sure about that.”
“What?”
“You and your friends have fought valiantly. But, if I seem to recall, you never needed the Elements of Harmony to win all of your duels. If not the Elements, what helped to achieve your victories?”
“Luck?” answered Applejack.
“Skill?” answered Rainbow Dash.
“A complete and balanced breakfast?” asked Pinkie Pie.
“Yes,” said Celestia, “those are all very important, but there’s one thing that you have forgotten, that without it, nothing can be won.”
“It’s…” spoke Alex. “It’s our bonds! It’s my bonds with Tom that gave me the power that inadvertently send Equestria here. It’s my bonds with my pony friends that helped me summon Shining Platinum Dragon, defeat Kyle, win the Riverwalk Tournament, and become an Element of Harmony. It’s my bond with Grant that saved him from Onyx Cerberus’ curse. And now…”
“And your bonds will continue to pull you through. As long as your bonds continue to exist, there is always hope.”
“Yes. I see.”
“Good.”
Suddenly Celestia and Luna’s auras began to fade.
“Wait!” cried Twilight.
“Alex, Twilight, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash. I have my full faith in you. I know you will have the power to stop Discord. Just believe, and you shall prevail. Goodbye, my faithful subjects.”
Before, Celestia and Luna faded, a bright light enveloped them all.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Alex woke up back on the ground to be greeted by Tom screaming in his face.
“-up, Alex! Wake up!”
Alex jolted awake, scaring Tom. Alex looked to his left, being able to see his family and friends watching him, along with Kyle, who was standing up. Alex caught a glance of Twilight, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash looking at him expectantly, smiling.
“So,” said Discord. “Will you finally surrender to me?”
“I’ll tell you something,” said Alex. “Twilight once told me about your second rise to power. You had defeated the spirits of the Elements of Harmony by taking away the one thing that gave the Elements power: their bonds with each other.”
Discord giggled at his speech, unsure of where it was leading to.
“Upon rediscovering their bonds,” Alex continued, “they were able to defeat you. And that’s what we’re going to do.”
“How?” questioned Discord. “Your Elements of Harmony have already failed you. Your victory is as good as sealed!”
“That’s where you’re wrong, Discord! We defeated your minions countless times without the Elements’ assistance, and we certainly don’t need it here!”
Discord began to noticed as Alex’s now balled up hand began to glow red.
“What’s this?” he asked to himself.
Alex then held out his hand next to his face, the back facing Discord. Alex’s hand suddenly went alight in flames, shocking everyone, including and especially Discord.
“These are our bonds!” answered Alex, having heard Discord. “Now, get ready to taste the full, unbridled, power of the bonds with my friends in their rawest form!”
Alex placed his hand on his deck.
“My turn! DRAW!”
The card Alex drew went in flames. Upon whipping his arm out and stopping its motion, both Alex’s hand and the card were extinguished. Upon looking at the card he drew, Alex smiled at the frightened Discord.
“This is where it ends,” said Alex. “And this is where you lose.”