“Not so fast Derpy! I activate my Trap card ‘Rainbow Life’!” stated Phantom Heart.
Rainbow Life
ATT: TRAP
Type: Trap Card
Card Text: Discard 1 card. Until the end of this turn, whenever you would take damage you gain that amount of Life Points instead.
“Thanks to this card, any damage I would’ve taken this turn increases my Life Points instead,” she explained with a grin.
A rainbow veil then shrouded her body as the fireball headed toward her. It’s then absorbed and her Life Points were increased to 2900. Derpy let out an annoyed huff.
“Fine, I’ll set this card facedown and end my turn.”
--------------------
On the sidelines, Star breathed a sigh of relief.
“Whew, that was a close one,” he spoke.
“Yeah, Derpy’s in top form today,” chuckled Applejack.
“I wonder what Phantom has to counter Derpy’s strategies?” queried Twilight. “So far. She has been on the defensive.”
“Who knows…I just hope Phantom can find a way to turn this around,” said Star.
--------------------
Back on the field, Phantom Heart proceeded with her turn.
“Very well, it’s my turn!” she said as she drew her card.
She then looked at the card and then continued on.
“First, I summon ‘Phantus Scout’ in Attack Mode!”
Phantus Scout
ATT: DARK
Level: 3 stars
Type: Fiend/Effect
Card Text: If your opponent has a face-up Spell or Trap on the field, this card can attack your opponent directly.
ATK: 1000/0500
At that moment, a short, lean stallion appeared on the field. He had a dark slate gray coat, spiky black mane, and crimson red eyes. He wore a sleeveless dark gray shirt with ruby trim, jet black wrist gauntlets and cool gray pants.
“And since he’s a level 3 monster, he can attack you directly.”
“Err…” Derpy growled.
“Okay, Scout. Attack her with Dark Rush!”
The stallion then gathered his energy into his left fist. And with a powerful thrust, launched and aura fist at Derpy. When the attack impacted, Derpy’s Life Points were reduced to 2200.
“I’ll set this card facedown and end my turn,” said Phantom Heart.
“Let’s see what I can do,” stated Derpy, as she drew her card.
Upon looking at her card, Phantom noticed the subtle gleam in her eyes.
“Perfect, I’ll set this monster facedown in Defense Mode and end my turn,” she spoke.
‘What is she up to?’ questioned Phantom.
She then drew her card.
“Okay first, I’ll use my Archer’s effect and send one card to the Graveyard to destroy your facedown monster.”
As she sent a card to the Graveyard, Phantus Archer took aim. But before she could fire, Derpy let out a small laugh.
“Thanks Phantom, you walked right into my trap. I active my facedown card ‘Divine Wrath’!” grinned Derpy.
Divine Wrath
ATT: TRAP
Type: Counter Trap Card
Card Text: When a monster effect is activated: Discard 1 card; negate the activation, and if you do, destroy that monster.
“And thanks to this card, whenever a monster’s effect it activated all I have to do is discard a card from my hand to negate it’s effect and destroy it,” Derpy explained.
“Oh no…” gulped Phantom.
The skies above the field were then covered with swirling black clouds. As Derpy sent her card to the Graveyard, a large lightning bolt rained down on the defending archer. The impact instantly destroyed her.
“Fine, but I can still attack you with my Scout.”
“True, but you won’t be able to hurt my Life Points,” pointed out Derpy.
“Oh, but I can,” she replied with a smirk.
“What do you mean?”
“Due to my Scout’s effect, as long as you have a face-up Trap card on the field he can attack you directly!”
“What?!”
“Now Scout, attack her directly with ‘Dark Rush’!”
As before, the stallion gathered his energy into his fist to prepare to strike. This time however, he leapt into the air and fired an aura fist at her. As the attack impacted, it caused Derpy to slightly flinch. Her Life Points were reduced to 1200.
“And that’ll end my turn,” said Phantom.
--------------------
On the sidelines, the others were left in awe at how quickly Phantom turned the duel around.
“Wow, this duel is getting good,” smiled Star.
“I agree. I didn’t think that Phantom would’ve been able to counter Derpy that fast,” noted Twilight.
“Oh boy, I’m at the edge of my seat waiting to see how this ends,” grinned Pinkie.
“Who cares as long as they finish soon. I’m starving,” said Gilda.
“Way to ruin the mood, G,” spoke Rainbow, as she rolled her eyes.
“Whatever,” she huffed.
The others then turned their attention back to the action.
--------------------
“I must say that was pretty good Phantom,” admitted Derpy.
“Why thank you, Derpy,” she replied.
“But it’s time to end this duel,” Derpy spoke as she drew her card. “And it will start with this. First, I flip summon my facedown monster ‘Cyber Jar’.”
Cyber Jar
ATT: DARK
Type: Rock/Effect
Level: 3 stars
Card Text: FLIP: Destroy all monsters on the field, then both players reveal the top 5 cards from their Decks, then Special Summon all revealed Level 4 or lower monsters in face-up Attack Position or face-down Defense Position, also add any remaining cards to their hand. (If either player has less than 5 cards in their Deck, reveal as many as possible.)
ATK/DEF: 0900/0900
She then revealed a large mechanical jar. Its paneling was silver, and its face was light blue with a green eye.
“First, my monster destroys every monster on the field!” Derpy explained.
“No…”
In a flash, her two monsters were destroyed.
“Next, we both reveal the top five cards from our Decks. We can then Special Summon any level 4 or lower monsters from those cards and add the remaining ones to our hands.”
The two then picked up the five cards and revealed them. Derpy’s cards were Familiar-Possessed – Hiita (ATK:1850), Battle Footballer (DEF: 2100), Pot of Greed, Blazing Hiita (DEF: 1500), Draining Shield. Phantom’s cards were Vindictive Old Magician (DEF: 600), Phantus Scout (DEF: 500), Phantus Magician (ATK: 1900), Pot of Greed, Phantus Commander (ATK: 2500).
“Now, I Special Summon ‘Familiar-Possessed – Hiita’, ‘Battle Footballer’ , and Blazing Hiita’ in Attack mode!” said Derpy.
Familiar-Possessed - Hiita
ATT: FIRE
Level: 4 stars
Type: Spellcaster/Effect
Card Text: You can send 1 “Hiita the Fire Charmer” and 1 FIRE monster you control to the Graveyard to Special Summon this card from your hand or Deck. If you do, this card gets the following effect: During battle between this attacking card and a Defense Position monster whose DEF is lower than the ATK of this card, inflict the difference as Battle Damage to your opponent.
ATK/DEF: 1850/1500
At that moment, a humanoid female then emerged onto the field. She had light peach skin, spiked down mahogany hair, and fiery ruby eyes. She wore a beige cardigan with a white arm scarf, an open buttoned white blouse with black camisole bra, black miniskirt, light tan stockings, and black knee-high boots. She wield a large golden staff with fire engulfing the top of it and is accompanied by a large red-orange spirit fox.
Battle Footballer
ATT: FIRE
Level: 4 stars
Type: Machine
ATK/DEF: 1000/2100
Next to appear on the field was a large mechanical warrior. It had an orange helmet, red shoulder pads with lime green chest guards, violet wired arms with blue armbands and gray metal casing, steel elbow pads, metallic gloves, black metal torso with slate gray pelvis, lime green shin guard and red cleats.
Blazing Hiita
ATT: FIRE
Level: 4 stars
Type: Spellcaster/Effect
Card Text: Once per turn, you can Tribute 1 FIRE monster (except this card) to Special Summon 1 FIRE monster from your hand. The monster Special Summoned by this effect is destroyed if ‘Blazing Hiita’ is removed from your side of the field.
ATK/DEF: 0800/1500
Another humanoid female appeared onto the field. She has the same features as the other, but she just looks slightly older.
“And I get to summon ‘Phantus Magician’ in Attack Mode and set ‘Old Vindictive Magician’ and ‘Phantus Scout’,” stated Phantom Heart.
Phantus Magician
ATT: DARK
Level: 4 stars
Type: Spellcaster
ATK/DEF: 1900/1200
At that moment, a petite cobalt mare appeared on the field. She had short, slicked back black mane, piercing blue eyes, and a scar on her left cheek. She wore a long sleeved midnight blue vest, dark blue camisole bra, dark slate blue gauntlets with purple lining, mauve sash, midnight blue skirt, and midnight bluestockings. The other two monsters were placed facedown and then their position were shuffled.
“I then sacrifice ‘Battle Footballer’ and ‘Blazing Hiita’,” Derpy began. “In order to summon one of my most fearsome beasts. Come forth ‘Infernal Flame Emperor’!”
Infernal Flame Emperor
ATT: FIRE
Level: 9 stars
Type: Pyro/Effect
Card Text: This card cannot be Special Summoned. When this card is Tribute Summoned, you can remove from play up to 5 FIRE monsters in your Graveyard. Destroy a number of Spell/Trap Cards on the field equal to the number of monsters removed from play for this effect.
ATK/DEF: 2700/1600
The field was then shrouded by flames. They then gather together on Derpy’s side of the field. The fire then molded into one to form a colossal beast. The fiery beast had the head of a lion, the torso of humanoid male, and the lower half of a manticore.
‘This isn’t good,’ gulped Phantom.
“And now for his effect. By removing from play of my ‘Solarflare Dragon’ and ‘Battle Footballer’ from the Graveyard, in order to destroy my ‘Gravity Bind’ and your facedown card.
“No…” Phantom spoke.
With her monster now removed, the flaming behemoth then launched a fireball at her own card and the facedown card.
“Not so fast Derpy. Before it’s destroyed I activate the Trap card ‘Gift from the Mystic Elf’,” said Phantom Heart.
Gift of The Mystical Elf
ATT: TRAP
Type: Trap Card
Card Text: Increase your Life Points by 300 points for each monster on the field.
“Thanks to this card I can gain 300 LP for each monster on the field.”
Her Life Points were then increased to 4200. The card then destroyed by the fireball.
“Now, ‘Infernal Flame Emperor’ attack her magician with ‘Blazing Storm’!” ordered Derpy.
With that, a series of small fireballs appeared behind the beast. And then, with a swift motion with his hand, he launched them at the opposing magician. As she was overtook by the barrage she was immediately destroyed and Phantom’s Life Points were reduced to 3400.
“Now, ‘Blazing Hiita’ attack the facedown on the left with ‘Inferno Shot’!”
The fiery maiden then gathered her aura into his fist. She then took aim and fired a powerful blast at the defending monster. As it was destroyed, it flipped up to reveal an old looking witch.
“Perfect, you destroyed my ‘Old Vindictive Magician’,” smiled Phantom Heart.
“Oh no…” gasped Derpy.
Old Vindictive Magician
ATT: DARK
Level: 2 stars
Type: Spellcaster/Flip/Effect
Card Text: FLIP: Target 1 monster your opponent controls; destroy that target.
ATK/DEF:0450/0600
“That’s right, and due to her effect I can destroy a monster on your field. And I choose your ‘Infernal Flame Emperor’,” grinned Phantom Heart.
“Oh no…” spoke Derpy.
At that moment, the flaming behemoth was then destroyed.
“Err...very well. I place two cards facedown and end my turn,” huffed Derpy.
--------------------
On the sidelines the others were on the edge of their seats to see the conclusion of the duel.
“This is such a competitive duel,” stated Twilight.
“Yeah, I didn’t expect them to be so evenly match,” admitted Gilda.
“Ooh, I can’t wait to see what Phantom will do next~” Pinkie squeed with excitement.
“Me either. Come on, P.H.!” shouted Star.
At that moment, Star's Millennium Pendant began to glow once more. Star again saw a translucent image of Moon standing next to him.
‘Hey, Moon. Is something up?’ Star asked.
‘It seems another guardian has been discovered.’ he answered.
‘What do you mean?’
‘Take a closer look at the one you call Phantom Heart.’
Star then turned his attention to Phantom Heart. As he gazed at her he saw that she had two auras that swirled around her. The first was a cobalt aura, but the second was a harvest gold aura.
‘The Millennium Aura?!’
‘Yes, it's seems that she’s another one of their descendants.”
‘What’re the odds we’d find two guardians in one day’
‘Given our current situation, I’m hoping we can find the others just as easy.”
‘Me too.’
--------------------
Back on the field, Phantom Heart was assessing the situation.
‘I need to get something good here, or this duel is over for me,’ she thought as she drew her card.
When she saw the card that she drew, Phantom let out a sigh of relief.
‘This is just what I needed!”
As she turned her attention to Derpy, her eyes burned with determination.
“First, I play the Spell card ‘Pot of Greed’,” she started. “And thanks to this card I can draw two more cards.”
She then drew her two card and proceeded with her turn.
“Next, I play the Spell card Heavy Storm.”
Heavy Storm
ATT: SPELL
Type: Spell Card
Card Text: Destroy all Spell and Trap cards on the field.
“Thanks to this card, all Spell and Trap cards on the field are destroyed.”
“Err…” seethed Derpy.
At that moment, a massive squall appeared on the field. With a powerful gust of wind each of the cards in both duelist the Spell and Trap zones where destroyed.
“Now, I play the Spell card ‘Premature Burial’.”
Premature Burial
ATT: SPELL
Type: Equip Spell Card
Card Text: Activate this card by paying 800 LP, then target 1 monster in your Graveyard; Special Summon that target in Attack Position and equip it with this card. When this card is destroyed, destroy the equipped monster.
“By paying 800 LP in can bring back my ‘Phantus Magician’ from the Graveyard,” Phantom Heart explained.
As her Life Points reduced to 2600, the cobalt mage appeared back onto the field.
“But she won’t stay for long, because I sacrifice my facedown monster and ‘Phantus Magician’ to summon ‘Phantom Commander’ in Attack Mode.”
Phantus Commander
ATT: DARK
Level: 7 stars
Type: Warrior/Effect
Card Text: On the turn this card is summoned, if there are no other monsters on your side of the field, Special Summon 2 ‘Phantus Grunt’ tokens [ATT:DARK/Level: 4 stars/Type: Warrior/Effect/ATK/DEF: 1500/1000] onto your side of the field.
ATK/DEF: 2500/1500
In a flash the two monsters were gone , and a tall, stoic earth pony stallion emerged onto the field. He has a jet black coat, crimson spiked back mane, and piercing deep blue eyes. He wore a maroon battle scarred chestplate with dark gray undershirt, tattered red cape, black belt, maroon wrist gauntlets and black pants. He wielded a large sword that he carried on his back.
“And since he’s my only monster, I get 2 ‘Phantus Grunt’ tokens to the field.”
With that, two colts with black helmets with face guards, chestplate with undershirt, wrist gauntlets, belt, pants, and boots. They wielded a sword and shield.
“Uh-oh…” whispered Derpy.
“Now, ‘Phantus Commander’ attack her ‘Familiar Possessed - Hiita’ with ‘Dark Divider’!” she commanded.
Upon her orders, the stoic stallion then unsheathed his mighty blade. As he took aim, with one sweep of his sword, he launched a devastating aura slash at the maiden was destroyed and Derpy’s Life Points were reduced to 550.
“This duel’s over! Phantus Grunt tokens attack directly with ‘Phantom Slash’!”
The soldiers then charged into battle. They both then delivered a pair of swift aura slash to Derpy. With nothing left to defend herself, Derpy braced herself for the approaching attack. As they impacted, she was sent flying to the ground. When she landed on her back, her Life Points reached 0.
“And there you have it. The winner of the match is Phantom Heart,” declared Pegasus.
The crowd then erupted with applause at the conclusion of such an awesome duel. Phantom then rushed over to Derpy. As she sat up, Phantom could sense her normal demeanor had returned.
“Aw...I can’t believe I lost,” she whined. “Oh well, there’s all always next year.”
Derpy then let out a small chuckle. Phantom then helped her to her hooves.
“That was quite impressive duel, Derpy,” spoke Phantom. “You really kept me on my hooves.”
“You too. I haven’t had a tough duel like that since my last one with Luna,” Derpy admitted.
“Luna? You mean Princess Luna?!” Phantom asked in amazement.
“Yeah, me and Lulu duel all the time,” smiled Derpy.
‘Lulu?’ thought Phantom Heart.
“Well anyways, thanks for such a fun duel Phantom Heart,” Derpy grinned, as she offered her hand.
Phantom accepted her gesture.
“You as well,” she answered, as she accepted Derpy’s gesture.
“Let’s here it for our two combatants, everyone,” said Pegasus.
The crowd responded with a thunderous cheer.
“Now, the final match will take place later this afternoon as our defending Twilight Sparkle will face The Great and Powerful Trixie,” he announced.
On the sidelines, the two mares shared a competitive.
“Be prepared to lose this time, Sparkle!” spat Trixie.
“I wouldn’t be too sure Trixie. I don’t plan on losing my crown anytime soon,” Twilight replied with confident grin.
The two then glared at each other for a moment then Trixie walked off.
“Same old Trixie,” Star said, with rolled eyes.
“Yeah, but I’m not too worried about her, Star. I’m the reigning champion for a reason y’know.”
“You’re right. So how about we go celebrate AJ, ‘Shy’s and Phantom Heart’s victory,” suggested Star.
“Yeah!” they all responded.
They then left the Duel Field and headed for a restaurant.
--------------------
Deep in the Abyssal Realm, Ehm sat on her throne and contemplated her next move.
‘Something must be done about that fool, Star Driver. But what can we do?’ she thought.
At that moment, King Sombra entered into the throne room. As he reached her, he humbly bowed before her.
“Rise, my servant…” she spoke with a motion of her hand “What news have you to report?”
He then rose to his hooves and began.
“It seems Fluttershy and Applejack have made it the next round of the tournament,” he spoke.
“Err…”
“But fear not my Empress, I’ve already have a plan to motion. Right now my shadow to scouring the city for potential recruits.”
“I see...and what do you have planned for that nuisance Star Driver?”
Sombra gave her a dark grin.
“Oh...I have something special planned for him.”