//------------------------------// // Turn 26: Pony from the Shadows // Story: Crossover Into Chaos // by dabestgamer //------------------------------// Twilight darted upwards as two dogs from opposite sides charged towards her, colliding with one another. A burst of magic struck one of the two remaining dogs and hurled him out of the room. “Let go!” Spike shouted, struggling to maintain a grip on the key ring. The dog growled as he slowly pulled the ring towards himself. “Um, excuse me?” said a soft voice. “Would you please let go of the keys?” The tug-of-war between Spike and the dog continued. “Excuse me. If you could please just—” No response. “I said EXCUSE ME.” All eyes turned to Fluttershy. The abrupt end of Twilight’s magic resulted in the fourth dog confronting her to fall on his head. The pegasus glared at the canines as she descended onto Spike’s cage. “I already tried asking you politely, but it seems this is the only way for you to listen. It’s very rude of you to be hurting ponies and keeping them trapped like this. You should all be ashamed of yourselves!” The dogs’ ears all drooped in unison. “Please let go of the keys,” Fluttershy requested, with a piercing stare. The armored dog holding the ring released his grip and stepped back towards his comrades. “Now I want you all to go home and think about what you’ve done. I don’t want to see you doing this again,” she stated. The dogs nodded, whimpering as they fled the room. Twilight sighed. “Thank you, Fluttershy.” “Oh, it was no problem,” Fluttershy replied. “I sorta wish it didn’t come to that, though.” “In any case, let’s start freeing everyp—” A small explosion was heard outside the room. Twilight and Fluttershy turned to see the five dogs in a pile. “What was that?” Fluttershy asked. The ponies in the cages that were awake began mumbling. “She’s here!” cried a stallion. “Who’s here?” Twilight questioned. “Her!” shouted a mare. “That pony… she always comes from the shadows to torture us…” All eyes turned towards the room’s entrance once more. A pony wrapped in a black cloak entered. Her coat was a light gray with a dark pendant around her neck. Her horn poked out of the hood. “Couldn’t even finish a simple job, those mutts,” the newcomer said. “If I had gotten here earlier, this wouldn’t have happened.” “Who are you?” Twilight asked. The unicorn stared at Twilight. “Well?” The unicorn’s horn glowed as electric sparks flew at Twilight. The alicorn instinctively raised a shield to repel the lightning. The bolts bounced off the shield and struck the walls behind the cages. The captives shrieked. “I can’t fight her here…” Twilight thought. “Fluttershy, get Spike out of there and both of you start getting everypony out.” “What about you?” Spike asked. “I’ve got some business to take care of.” The horns of Twilight and the mare glowed as the former lunged forward. Another bolt of lightning shot towards Twilight. The alicorn quickly teleported to evade the strike and reappeared behind the mare. Using her horn, Twilight tossed the mare out into the hall. The unicorn quickly recovered and looked up to see Twilight sprinting towards her. Sneering, she charged forward. Yusei LP: 3700 Nitro Warrior LV: 7 ATK: 2800 “Are you ready, Yusei Fudo?” Carnis asked. Carnis LP: 1700 Underrogue Hound LV: 5 ATK: 2400 “When Underrogue Hound is Synchro Summoned, I can discard one card from my hand to destroy an opponent’s Level 5 or above monster!” “What?!” Yusei exclaimed. As Carnis placed a card in his Graveyard, his beast swung its blade at Nitro Warrior, destroying it. “Nitro Warrior!” “At this moment, I activate the effect of the Rogue Snatcher I just discarded!” Carnis continued. “When this monster is discarded to activate the effect of a “Rogue” card or by the effect of one, I can destroy a Spell or Trap Card on the field.” The image of a small canine slashed one of Yusei’s Set cards. “The more he discards… the more benefits he gains from his effects,” Yusei thought. “I can’t afford to let this Duel drag on much longer.” “I now activate the Spell Gem Hoarding. I banish three “Rogue” monsters from my Graveyard to draw two cards!” Carnis grinned upon glancing at his drawn cards. Yusei scoffed. “I activate a Continuous Spell! Rogue Miner Attack! Once per turn, I can discard a card from my hand to destroy a Spell or Trap Card you control!” Light from the card’s image shot towards Yusei’s remaining card. “I activate my Trap! Descending Lost Star!” Yusei replied. “This card Special Summons a Synchro Monster from my Graveyard in Defense Position!” Nitro Warrior reappeared onto the field in a defensive stance. The burst of light shattered Yusei’s Trap Card. “The monster Summoned by the effect of Descending Lost Star has its effect negated. Also, its Level decreases by 1, its DEF becomes 0, and it cannot change Battle Position.” Nitro Warrior LV: 7 – 1 = 6 DEF: 1800 – 1800 = 0 “I might have brought back my monster, but…” Yusei glared at his opponent. Carnis chuckled. “At this moment, I activate the effect of Rogue Collector. As you probably have already guessed, this monster activates the same way as the others. With this effect, I draw one card. Now, go! Underrogue Hound! Obliterate Nitro Warrior!” The image of a warrior with a large shield abruptly repelled the hound’s blade. “What is that?” “I’ve activated the effect of Shield Warrior in my Graveyard,” Yusei stated. “By banishing it, Nitro Warrior won’t be destroyed by this battle.” “Clever,” Carnis scoffed. “I Set one card face-down and end my turn.” “It’s my turn!” Yusei declared, drawing a card. “I Summon the Tuner Monster Nitro Synchron!” Nitro Synchron LV: 2 ATK: 300 “I tune Level 2 Nitro Synchron with Level 6 Nitro Warrior!” 2 + 6 = 8 “Clustering wishes will become a new shining star! Become the path its light shines upon! Synchro Summon! Take flight, Stardust Dragon!” Stardust Dragon LV: 8 ATK: 2500 “Battle! Stardust Dragon, attack Underrogue Hound!” Yusei commanded. “Shooting Sonic!” A large cosmic blast burst from the dragon’s mouth, destroying the canine. 2500 – 2400 = 100 Carnis LP: 1700 – 100 = 1600 “I activate the Continuous Trap Call of the Haunted! I now Special Summon a monster from my Graveyard in Attack Position! Revive, Underrogue Hound!” Underrogue Hound LV: 5 ATK: 2400 “So he had that ready, huh?” Yusei thought. He then glimpsed at the two remaining cards in his hand. “This will have to do.” “You won’t defeat my monsters that easily,” Carnis remarked. “We’ll see about that. I’ll Set two cards face-down and end my turn.” “I’ll ask again: Who are you?” demanded Twilight. “You mean you don’t know?” the unicorn replied. “Should I?” “I don’t mean personally, Princess. I’m just surprised that you, of all ponies, don’t know… It’s just as well, though.” A blast of electricity fired towards Twilight as she raised another magic shield. The alicorn flew up and fired her own burst of magic. The hooded mare jumped out of the way. The image of a bright sword materialized near the unicorn’s head as she lunged at Twilight. Twilight raised another shield, repelling the blade. The unicorn’s sword continued to collide with the barrier as she forced Twilight backwards. A heavy swing smashed the shield. Twilight flinched as the impact knocked her away. “Good night,” the unicorn grinned, pointing the sword forward. “Twilight!” shouted her friends. The alicorn opened her eyes and teleported above the unicorn, avoiding the blade’s edge. A burst of magic struck from above, the shockwave hurling the mare away. The unicorn groaned as she rose to her hooves, panting. “You win this time, Princess,” she stated, sprinting into a room. “Hey! Come back!” Twilight shouted, as she pursued the unicorn into the dark room. Lighting the area with her horn, Twilight saw that the room was vacant. The mare she was chasing was nowhere to be found. “But how…?” “What was that impact just now?” Yusei wondered. He glanced at his opponent, whose eyes were focused elsewhere. “Could it be?” “Looks like I don’t have time to play with you anymore, Yusei,” Carnis stated, eyes on his opponent once more. “What?” “My turn!” Carnis continued, drawing a card. “I activate the other effect of Underrogue Hound! On the turn it was not Special Summoned, I can Tribute it to Special Summon any “Rogue” monster from my Deck!” “Tributing his Underrogue Hound…?” Yusei mumbled. “Appear now, Rogue Captain!” A familiar armored canine appeared before Yusei. Rogue Captain LV: 7 ATK: 2700 “That monster…” Yusei thought. “Rogue Captain, attack Stardust Dragon!” Carnis commanded. “Rogue Mace!” The armored dog raised its mace and swung it at Yusei’s dragon. “I activate a Trap! Scrap-Iron Scarecrow! This card negates your monster’s attack!” A metal scarecrow repelled the dog’s mace. “After it’s activated, it can be Set face-down.” “Just as I figured.” “What?” Carnis grabbed the remaining two cards in his hand. “From my hand, I activate the monster effect of Speedy Rogue! When a “Rogue” monster I control is targeted by an opponent’s effect, I can discard this card and another card from my hand to deal damage equal to the targeted monster’s ATK!” The image of another dog slashed at Yusei, knocking him over. Yusei LP: 3700 – 2700 = 1000 “I’m not finished yet,” Carnis continued. “I now activate the effect of the Backup Rogue I just discarded. I now Special Summon a Level 4 or lower “Rogue” monster from my Graveyard! Come, Advance Party Rogue!” Advance Party Rogue LV: 2 ATK: 400 “A Tuner Monster…” Yusei thought, recoiling as he rose to his feet. “I tune Level 2 Advance Party Rogue with Level 7 Rogue Captain!” Carnis declared. 2 + 7 = 9 “Your hunger is without bounds, your greed is without rival! Rise from the darkness! Synchro Summon! Appear now, Underrogue Demon!” Underrogue Demon LV: 9 ATK: 3100 “A Level 9 Synchro Monster?” Yusei mumbled. “What kind of power does it have?” “As long as the Synchro Summoned Underrogue Demon remains face-up, it gains the effects of one of its non-Tuner Synchro Materials. Naturally, that would mean it gains Rogue Captain’s effects,” Carnis stated. Yusei scoffed. “I now activate another effect of Underrogue Demon. Once per turn, I can banish a “Rogue” monster from my Graveyard to inflict 500 damage to you!” “What?!” The large canine raised its paw and slashed Yusei. Yusei LP: 1000 – 500 = 500 “That ends my turn,” Carnis concluded. “Give up now. You can’t defeat my Underrogue Demon.” “Is that so?” Yusei replied, smiling. “What?” “The preparations are all set. It’s my turn!” Yusei declared, drawing a card. “I banish Necro Defender from my Graveyard to activate its monster effect! This turn, Stardust Dragon can’t be destroyed by battle and any Battle Damage I take from battles involving it becomes 0!” “So what? What good will this do you?” “Battle! Stardust Dragon! Attack Underrogue Demon! Shooting Sonic!” Stardust Dragon LV: 8 ATK: 2500 Underrogue Demon LV: 9 ATK: 3100 Carnis’s beast raised its arms to block the dragon’s blast. “What a pointless battle.” “At this moment, I activate the Trap Card Synchro Ring! When a Synchro Monster I control doesn’t destroy the opponent’s monster in battle, I can double its ATK until the End Phase and have it attack once more!” Stardust Dragon LV: 8 ATK: 2500 * 2 = 5000 “Unbelievable…” Carnis mumbled. “Go! Stardust Dragon! Destroy Underrogue Demon!” Yusei commanded. “Shooting Sonic!” Another blast from the dragon’s mouth vanquished the canine, the impact causing Carnis to fall over. 5000 – 3100 = 1900 Carnis LP: 1600 – 1900 = 0 Yusei let out a small gasp as he saw a blackness emerge from the ground beneath his opponent, wrapping itself around him. “Wait!” he shouted, running up the stairs towards Carnis. The darkness faded away just as Yusei reached the top step. Carnis was no longer present. Yusei clenched his fists as he turned his head toward the hallway downstairs from where he heard the shockwave. The final cage was opened. “You’re all free now,” Twilight said. “Thank you very much, Princess,” the townsponies replied. “Twi, what’re you gonna do?” questioned Apple Bloom. “I’m pretty sure there’s another human or two in the castle, and I plan to drive them out.” “All by yourself?” Sweetie Belle asked. “Come on! You’ve gotta let us help you!” Scootaloo added. “It’s too dangerous, and you three are still pretty young,” Twilight answered. “Aww…” the three girls replied in unison. “But…” Apple Bloom started, only to be interrupted by Big Mac’s hoof. “Nope,” he said. “Don’t worry, I’ll be keeping an eye on Twilight,” Fluttershy stated. “Uh, no offense, Fluttershy, but you’re not exactly… fighter material,” Scootaloo commented. “Then I guess I’ll assist you,” Steel Heart stated, walking up to Twilight. “You sure?” asked the alicorn. “Yes, I am.” Twilight turned towards Big Mac, also approaching her. “You, too?” “Eeyup,” Big Mac replied. “Anypony else?” The other ponies mumbled, but none stepped forward. “All right, then… Spike.” “Yes, Twilight?” Spike responded. “I want you, Fluttershy, and the girls to help get everypony else out of here,” Twilight requested. The three girls instantly reacted, contesting her decision. “Wait, you don’t want me to come with you?” Spike asked. “Like I said, it’s too dangerous,” answered the alicorn. “But—” “No. You’ve all already been through enough, and I’m not sure you’re all able to handle what we’re about to deal with.” “Come on! We can handle it!” Spike raised his arms in protest. “Spike, please!” Spike opened his mouth, but stopped upon looking into the alicorn’s eyes. One long glance was enough for him to see the amount of worry she had. Finally, he spoke, “Okay.” “Thank you, Spike…” Twilight embraced Spike. “All right, you all heard her, let’s go!” Spike said. The three girls groaned as they and Spike began leading the townsponies out. “Twilight?” Fluttershy called. “Yes, Fluttershy?” Twilight replied. “What will you do if Yusei comes?” The alicorn sighed. “I don’t know.” “Well, you know what I think? I think you should give him a chance.” “Where’s this coming from?” “Before that human and those dogs came to Sweet Apple Acres, Yusei told me about what happened.” “Oh… did he?” Fluttershy placed her hoof on Twilight’s shoulder. “I understand why you’re upset, but you shouldn’t keep holding it against him. He doesn’t seem like someone who would hurt any of us on purpose.” Twilight looked up to see Fluttershy’s smile. “Okay,” the alicorn finally spoke. “Please be careful.” “I will.” The pegasus turned around and walked behind the crowd of townsponies. “You two ready?” Twilight asked. “Eeyup,” Big Mac answered. Steel Heart nodded. The three ponies walked back out into the hallway and continued until an object caught Twilight’s eye. It lay near the room the unicorn that she fought earlier escaped into. “What’s this?” she wondered, levitating the object closer to her. “This is the pendant that unicorn wore… she must’ve dropped it before she escaped…” Observing the pendant, she noticed a horizontal crescent moon at the top of the crest. The moon hovered just above the horizon behind a small castle, casting a large shadow on the foreground. “Have I seen this before?” Twilight asked herself. “I see you managed to save everyone,” said a familiar male voice. The alicorn quickly turned around. “Yusei?” she responded. “But how did…?” “This was the only place you could’ve gone,” Yusei replied. “But why are you here?” “The same reason you are: to save everyone. The ones that have taken over Ponyville are in league with whoever has both of our friends.” Twilight groaned. “Look, Twilight. I’m sorry about before. I never meant to harm anyone.” “Yusei.” “What is it?” “I’ve had time to think about everything that’s happened so far, and I’ve decided… if Fluttershy can see past that and forgive you… so can I,” Twilight continued. “Besides, now isn’t the time for us to be fighting each other, especially since our goals are pretty much the same now.” Yusei nodded. “Just make sure you warn me before you decide to take a life-threatening risk again, especially if it’s someone else’s life that's being threatened.” “I understand,” Yusei smiled. “Anyway, I think I have a pretty good guess as to who might be behind all this.” “Wait. What?”