It was a sunny day in Ponyville. At the park Apple Bloom was still depressed.
“Come on, Apple Bloom. It’s been a week since the elimination round and you're still down.” said Sweetie Belle
“Come on, it’s summer vacation time for use to have fun.” said Scootaloo
“But it’s all my fault girls.” said Apple Bloom in a depressed tone
“If it was any ponies fault, it’s mine for running away from team.” said Scootaloo to help make Apple Bloom fell better. But it didn’t work.
“Well, the vanguard finals are about to start. Come on, girls let go.” said Sweetie Belle
“Come on we don’t want to miss it.” said Scootaloo
Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo entered Card Capital.
“Hey, where’s Rarity? You did say she was alright with use watching the finals, right?” asked Scootaloo
“Sorry to keep you waiting.” said Rarity opening levitating a big tv in to the shop.
“That’s ok, what’s with the tv? I thought we we’re just going to watch it in the living room?” asked Scootaloo
“We were, but I got an idea to put one in her so if anypony else wants to join us in watching it they can just come on in. Plus I have some plans for. Sweetie Belle do you mind give me a hoof putting the tv into place?”
“Sure thing Rarity.” said Sweetie Belle as she lit up her horn and took half of the tv and helped put it into place.
Then the door opened as Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon walked in.
“You don’t mind if we join you in watching the finals, right?” asked Diamond Tiara
“Sure, we don’t mind.” said Sweetie Belle
Then the door opened again but this time Snips and Snails came in.
“Is there room for two more?” asked Snips
“Of course, the more the merrier.” said Rarity as she turned on the tv.
“Sis, I can’t hear anything.” said Sweetie Belle
“Let me turn up the volume.”
“Welcome to the finals of the Vanguard Nation Championship. The final battle is about to start.” said Pinkie Pie
“I can hardly wait.” said Fluttershy
“Wait, does that mean we missed all the other fights?” asked Scootaloo
“It look like it stated early.” said Snips
“I’m sorry you missed it.” said Rarity
“It’s ok, it wasn't your fault they started early.” said Scootaloo
“This is history in the making fooks. From team Golden Lancer it’s Shining Armor.” said Pinkie Pie as the crowed cheered and Shining Armor walked up.
“I wish we got a chance to fight them.” said Apple Bloom in a depressed tone
“Yeah, me too.” said Scootaloo also in a depressed tone but not as depressed as Apple Bloom.
“Well, I think it’s great that team Crusaders made it to the nationals, for their first time. You girls should be proud.” said Rarity
“Yeah, it’s a big deal you four got as far as you did without me.” said Diamond Tiara
“Diamond Tiara are you trying to cheer them up?” asked Silver Spoon
Then the door opened as Rainbow Dash came in. “Hey, what's up.” she said
“Hi, Rainbow Dash.” said Scootaloo
“Are you alone?” asked Apple Bloom
“Yeah, why?” said Rainbow Dash
“I guess Spike must be mad at me.”
“No, Spike knows you did your best. He just wants some time alone thats all.”
“And his opponent Flip Side.” said Pinkie Pie as the crowed cheered as Flip Side walked up.
At Sugar Cube Corner Spike was having a gem cupcake and watching the finals of the vanguard national championship. ‘Flip Side!’
“Fluttershy, what are you looking for in this fight?” asked Pinkie Pie
“I looking for a fair match from the captions from this two teams. Ponies from all over the nation.” said Fluttershy as they prepared for their cardfight.
At Card Capital.
“Trixie isn’t there.” said Sweetie Belle noticing on the tv the she isn’t there as the showed team asteroid's dugout.
“You're right, the player that Spike fought is missing.” said Scootaloo
Apple Bloom remembered Spike match with Trixie. “I beat she had to switch places with Flip Side because she lost that match against Spike.”
In the stadium.
“Team Golden Lancer, the team named after a former captain of the Royal Guard.” said Flip Side
“You know him?” asked Shining Armor
“I know alot of the captions of the Royal Guard.”
“Well I’m impressed I expect nothing less from my rival.”
“Rival, surely you joke.”
“Oh, I see your plan. You're trying to make it so I won’t hold back in our cardfight. But you don’t need to worry. I all was go all out no matter who I’m facing.”
“Let’s just leave it at that.” said Flip Side as the draw their cards.
“Let the match began.” said the Judge
“Stand up.”
“The.” Flip Side only
“Vanguard!” As the turned into their units.
“Shining Armor get the first attack but Flip Side guards. Now Flip Side is counterattacking. This match is out of this world!” said Pinkie Pie
“I guard with Kerenroid, Daisy.” said Shining Armor ‘I barely avoided that one I need to win this, before he overpowers me.’
“It’s your turn.” said Flip Side
“I stand and draw.”
At Card Capital.
“It looks like team Golden Lancer, is trouble.” said Rainbow Dash
“Yeah.” said Apple Bloom
“I call Masked Police, Grander.” As an earth pony with a helmet and a white scarf appeared.
“Up till now, it’s been a battle in which neither fight as yielding an inch.” said Pinkie Pie
“With this leave of play I couldn’t think a better matchup for the finals of the tournament.” said Fluttershy
“Those two are strong.” said Snips
“Yeah!” said Snails
“It’s unreal.” said Silver Spoon
“There not bad.” said Diamond Tiara
“It’s a great match so far. But it looks like Flip Side is only toying with Shining Armor.” said Apple Bloom
Scootaloo, Sweetie Belle and Rainbow Dash were shocked a little from what Apple Bloom said.
“Is that the best you can do? All right it’s my turn. I stand and draw, seeing this is the final battle I’ll end with something special. Well I guess play time is over. You may have found inspiration from Golden Lancer. But no matter how great the champion there's always somepony waiting to defeat them. Where there is light, there is darkness and light can only be swallowed up by darkness. Appear my avatar from the everlasting darkness, I ride Blaster Dark.” said Flip Side as he was turned into an earth pony that with armor like Blaster Blade but was black and purple with a black sword.
Apple Bloom was shocked from what she seen on the tv. “I don’t believe it, it’s not possible.”
“What is that unit?” asked Scootaloo
“It’s not Blaster Blade.” said Diamond Tiara
“A black Blaster Blade.” said Apple Bloom still in shock
Blaster Dark slashed his blade at a giant mechanical Pegasus with a sword in his right hoof and a shield in his left.
“The great Shining Armor falling to the power of darkness. How the mighty have fallen.” said Flip Side
“What kind of deck does he have?” asked Scootaloo
“Final Turn, I expected more.” said Flip Side as the six card went into Shining Armors damage zone.
“The national champions are team Asteroid.” announced Pinkie Pie
“That Flip Side is scary, to bad Twilight’s team lost.” said Rainbow Dash
“That was a one sided win.” said Sweetie Belle
“Flip Side is incredible.” said Apple Bloom
“Flip Side, could you say a few words to the cardfighters across the nation?” asked Pinkie Pie with a reporter nere him.
“Everpony was strong. But not as strong as the players on team Asteroide.” said Flip Side
“He’s mocking everypony!” said Scootaloo
“How about a few words to the player you fought?” asked Pinkie Pie
“Nothing to say.” said Flip Side
“Okay, what what did you think of this years tournament?”
“It was boring.”
“This is crazy.” said Scootaloo
“I know, Usually the final match of a tournament isn’t that one sided, like that one was.” said Rarity
“No, I was talking about Spike. He was able to win against one of them. I have to give him credit, he is an amazing player.”
“The winners and still champions team Asteroid.” announced Pinkie Pie as they were given the medals and flowers.
Rarity turned of the tv. “We’ll I have to tell you girls something. Me and my friends are going to the beach and Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom you’re invited to. Also Scootaloo we talked to you parents and they said it was alright for you to join us to.”
“Realy thanks.” said Scootaloo
“We wouldn’t want to leave you out Scootaloo. This is going to be awesome right.” said Rainbow Dash
Right after she said that Apple Bloom ran out off Card Capital.
At Sugar Cube Corner.
“What was that card Flip Side used I’ve never seen it before.” said a random Stallion
“There you are.” said Rainbow Dash taking a sit across from Spike. “Mrs. Cake I’ll have a chocolate cup cake.” Mrs. Cake came over and gave Rainbow Dash a chocolate cup and Rainbow Dash gave her some bits.
“What are you doing here?” asked Spike
Rainbow Dash told what was wrong with Apple Bloom. “So that’s what happened, so do you think you could talk Apple Bloom?”
“Whats the point.”
“Apple Bloom’s kind of upset and a few kind word might make her feel better. She’s your friend and teammate.”
“Like I care.”
“So, you’ll do it.”
Spike got up and left Sugar Cube Corner.
Apple Bloom was still depressed as she looked at her reflection in the pond. ‘It’s all my fault, because I lost. I spoiled Spike win and team Crusaders chance at winning. I can’t stay on team Crusaders anymore.’ thought Apple Bloom then see notice Spike was right behind her because of his reflection. “Hi Spike.” Both Apple Bloom and Spike stayed quiet for a awle. “I’m sorry, it’s my fault we lost to Asteroid.”
“That’s right, you are the one to blame.” said Spike
“Yeah.”
“With your skill, you're not going to beat anypony on that team.”
“I know.”
“Not yet.”
‘Not yet? Those that mean he thinks I can get stronger?’ Apple Bloom turned around and saw Spike walking away. “I’m going to get stronger. I know I can do it Spike.” ‘I need that thank you.’ Not depressed anymore.
At Card Capital.
“Can you say that again?” asked Rarity
“I’m seeing if you could train me to a better cardfighter? So I can get stronger.” said Apple Bloom in a determined tone
“Apple Bloom’s all fired up!” said Silver Spoon
“Well it is hot today.” said Diamond Tiara
“Me too, can you train me as well to be a better cardfighter? So I can help team Crusaders win the National’s next time.”
“Are you sure?” asked Snips
“Even if you have to be on the same team as Spike?” asked Snails
“Spike knows more about the game, then anypony. I don’t know what happened to make him this way, but he still is our friend.” said Scootaloo
“That’s right.” said Apple Bloom
“Rarity me too, I still don’t know much about the game. Butting a deck together, making the most of my units, staying one step ahead of my opponent. There is a lot I need to learn.” said Sweetie Belle
“Is that alright?” asked Apple Bloom
“Now those are the faces that I wanted to see. That is way we are going to the Beach.” said Rarity
“Rarity!” said Sweetie Belle
“Now let me explain, you see this is a camp. Team Crusaders training camp.”
“So you were planning this all along.”
“This makes it even more awesome.” said Scootaloo excited
“Excites me, do you mind if I join alone?” asked Diamond Tiara
“Use to?” asked Silver Spoon, Snips and Snails
“Only if your parents say it’s ok, first.” said Rarity
‘I’m going to get stronger.’ thought Apple Bloom
