This chapter's featured card: XX-Saber Gottoms
Synchro Monster Level: 9 ATK: 3100 DEF: 2600 Attribute: EARTH Type: Beast-Warrior
1 Tuner + 1 or more "EARTH" monsters
You can Tribute 1 "X-Saber" monster to discard one random card from your opponent's hand.
Applejack was helping get her sister registered. She didn’t have her own duel disk and usually just borrowed one of the humans when dueling, but today she was getting her very own. She was given a mahogany colored duel disk that was small enough to fit her. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo registered with Rarity at Lucas’ table. After they each got their duel disks (a dark purple and a light blue duel disk, respectively), Applejack and Apple Bloom met them far from the crowd in the town square. “Hey, Applejack. Hey, Apple Bloom,” called Sweetie Belle. “Did you get registered yet?” “Sure did,” said Apple Bloom. “In fact, me and my sister Applejack were planning on entering the competition together as a team.” “Cool,” responded Sweetie Belle. “Me and MY sister were also going to register together.” Rarity was still uncommitted, but she didn’t want to disappoint Sweetie Belle so she cracked a fake smile and nervously said, “Yes, right.” “Hey, let’s try out our strength with a duel,” said Apple Bloom, “but let’s use the new competition rules.” “That sounds like fun,” said Sweetie Belle. “Let’s get ‘er done, then,” said Applejack. They stood in position away from each other. All of their duel disks unsheathed. They each then drew 5 cards from their decks and were ready to begin. “DUEL!” they all yelled.
Applejack and Apple Bloom vs. Rarity and Sweetie Belle
Applejack’s Turn: Applejack plays Graceful Charity, drawing 3 cards and discarding 2. Next, she special summons XX-Saber Gardestrike because she has 2 X-Saber monsters in the graveyard (ATK: 2100 DEF: 1400). Next, she normal summons X-Saber Galahad (ATK: 1800 DEF: 800). Next, Applejack special summons XX-Saber Faultroll since she controls 2 X-Saber monsters (ATK: 2400 DEF: 1800). Next, she activates XX-Saber Faultroll’s effect, special summoning a level 4 or lower X-Saber monster from the graveyard, and she chooses XX-Saber Garsem (ATK: 1400 DEF: 400). Then, she overlays XX-Saber Garsem and X-Saber Galahad to xyz summon Kachi Kochi Dragon (ATK: 2100 DEF: 1300).
Applejack places 2 cards face down and ends her turn.
Status: Hand-1 Life-8000 Monsters-3 Face Down Cards-2
Rarity’s Turn: Rarity activates Graceful Charity, drawing 3 cards and discarding 2. Next she activates Gem-Knight Fusion, sending Gem-Knight Obsidian and Gem-Knight Emerald from her hand to the graveyard to fusion summon Gem-Knight Zirconia (ATK: 2900 DEF: 2500). When Gem Knight Obsidian is sent from the hand to the graveyard, she can special summon a level 4 or lower normal monster from her graveyard, choosing Gem-Knight Amber (ATK: 1600 DEF: 1400). Next, she normal summons Gem-Knight Sapphire (ATK: 0 DEF: 2100). Rarity overlays Gem-Knight Amber with Gem-Knight Sapphire to xyz summon Gem-Knight Pearl (ATK: 2600 DEF: 1900).
Rarity places 1 card face down and ends her turn.
Status: Hand-1 Life-8000 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1
Apple Bloom’s Turn: Apple Bloom summons Karakuri Komachi mdl 224 "Ninishi" (ATK: 0 DEF: 1900). With its effect, Apple Bloom can normal summon a second time, so she summons Karakuri Bushi mdl 6318 "Muzanichiha" (ATK: 1800 DEF: 600). Apple Bloom tunes Karakuri Bushi mdl 6318 "Muzanichiha" with Karakuri Komachi mdl 224 "Ninishi" to synchro summon Karakuri Shogun mdl 00 "Burei” (ATK: 2600 DEF: 1900). With its effect, Apple Bloom can special summon a Karakuri monster from her deck, choosing Karakuri Muso mdl 818 "Haipa" (ATK: 2100 DEF: 1100).
Apple Bloom places 1 card face down and ends her turn.
Status: Hand-3 Life-8000 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1
Sweetie Belle saw a good combo in her hand, but she needed a bit of assistance. She whispered her plan in Rarity’s ear. “Sweetie Bell, I have a very orderly field set up here. I would like to keep it undisturbed,” said Rarity. “Pff. Fine,” said Sweetie Belle annoyed. She then decided to improvise.
Sweetie Belle’s Turn: Sweetie Belle activates Heavy Storm, destroying all spell and trap cards on the field. Next, she discards Fabled Lurrie to special summon The Fabled Nozoochee (ATK: 1200 DEF: 800). When Fabled Lurrie is discarded, Sweetie Bell can special summon it from the graveyard (ATK: 200 DEF: 400). When The Fable Nozoochee is special summoned that way, Sweetie Bell can special summon a level 2 or lower Fabled monster from her hand, choosing Fabled Krus (ATK: 1000 DEF: 800). Next, she normal summons Fabled Kushano (ATK: 1100 DEF: 800). Sweetie Belle tunes Fabled Lurrie, Fabled Krus, and The Fabled Nozoochee with Fabled Kushano to synchro summon Fabled Valkyrus (ATK: 2900 DEF: 1700). Sweetie Belle activates its effect, discarding The Fabled Cerburrel from her hand to draw a card. When The Fabled Cerburrel is discarded to the graveyard, she can special summon it (ATK: 1000 DEF: 400). Sweetie Bell tunes Fabled Valkyrus with The Fabled Cerburrel to synchro summon Fabled Leviathan (ATK: 3000 DEF: 2000). Next, she plays the spell Monster Reborn, special summoning Fabled Valkyrus from the graveyard. Sweetie Belle attacks Kachi Kochi Dragon with Fabled Valkyrus.
Applejack and Apple Bloom’s Life Points: 8000 -> 7200
Next, she attacks Karakuri Muso mdl 818 "Haipa" with Fabled Leviathan.
Applejack and Apple Bloom’s Life Points: 7200 -> 6300
Sweetie Belle ends her turn.
Status: Hand-0 Life-8000 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-0
“What?” asked Rarity. “You don’t have any traps to protect us with?” “Well, no,” responded Sweetie Belle. “But I dealt some good damage! That’s good, right?” she said happily. “We’ll just see about, that,” said Applejack.
Applejack’s Turn: Applejack plays Pot of Greed, drawing 2 cards. Next, she summons X-Saber Pashuul (ATK: 100 DEF: 0). Applejack tunes Karakuri Shogun mdl 00 "Burei” with X-Saber Pashuul to synchro summon XX-Saber Gottoms (ATK: 3100 DEF: 2600). Next, she equips it with Megamorph, doubling its ATK (ATK: 3100 -> 6200). Applejack attacks Gem-Knight Pearl with XX-Saber Gottoms.
Rarity and Sweetie Belle’s Life Points: 8000 -> 5400
Because Applejack and Apple Bloom’s life points are higher than Rarity and Sweetie Belle’s, XX-saber Gottoms ATK is halved (ATK: 6200 -> 1550).
Applejack then uses XX-Saber Gottoms effect, tributing XX-Saber Gardestrike to discard a card in her opponent’s hand. Rarity discards a card.
Applejack places 1 card face down and ends her turn.
Status: Hand-0 Life-6300 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1
“Oh, Sweetie Belle,” said Rarity in frustration, “how am I going to fix your mess?”
Rarity’s Turn: Rarity activates her own Pot of Greed, drawing 2 cards. Next, she summons Gem-Knight Sanyx (ATK: 1800 DEF: 900). Next, she plays the spell Particle Fusion, fusing Gem-Knight Zirconia and Gem-Knight Sanyx to fusion summon Gem-Knight Citrine (ATK: 2200 DEF: 1950). Next, she activates Particle Fusion’s effect, banishing it to target one of the fusion materials in her graveyard and having her fusion monster gain ATK equal to the fusion materials ATK, choosing Gem-Knight Zirconia (ATK: 2200 -> 5100). Gem-Knight Citrine attacks XX-Saber Gottoms.
Applejack and Apple Bloom’s Life Points: 6300 -> 2750
Rarity ends her turn. Gem-Knight Citrine’s ATK returns to normal (ATK: 5400 -> 2500).
Status: Hand-0 Life-5400 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-0
Apple Bloom’s Turn: Apple Bloom activates Reload, sending her hand to her deck and drawing cards equal to the amount sent. Next, she summons Karakuri Watchdog mdl 313 "Saizan" (ATK: 600 DEF: 1800). Next, Applejack activates her Call of the Haunted trap card, special summoning Karakuri Muso mdl 818 "Haipa" from their graveyard. Apple Bloom tunes Karakuri Muso mdl 818 "Haipa" with Karakuri Watchdog mdl 313 "Saizan" to synchro summon Karakuri Steel Shogun mdl 00X "Bureido" (ATK: 2800 DEF: 1700). When Karakuri Steel Shogun mdl 00X "Bureido" is summoned, Apple Bloom can special summon a Karakuri monster from her deck, choosing Karakuri Ninja mdl 7749 "Nanashick" (ATK: 2200 DEF: 1800). She equips Karakuri Steel Shogun mdl 00X "Bureido" with her Megamorph, doubling its ATK (ATK: 2800 -> 5600). Next, she activates the spell Gift of the Martyr, sending Karakuri Ninja mdl 7749 "Nanashick" to the graveyard to increase Karakuri Steel Shogun mdl 00X "Bureido"’s ATK equal to the sent monster (ATK: 5600 -> 7800). Karakuri Steel Shogun mdl 00X "Bureido" attacks Gem-Knight Citrine.
Rarity and Sweetie Bell’s Life Points: 5400 -> 0
Applejack and Apple Bloom win.
Applejack and Apple Bloom high fived each other in celebration. “Sweetie Belle, I told you I didn’t want to have my field disturbed.” Sweetie Belle looked sullen as her sister scolded her. “Now Rarity,” said Applejack, “Without that Heavy Storm, you wouldn’t have knocked down as many life points as you two did. But honestly Rarity, you probably would have been even better off if you had just listened to your sister. The point of this competition is to work together with your partner, which I never saw you do with Sweetie Belle, which is probably why you two lost.” “Yeah,” said Sweetie Belle. “I don’t think we had very good vibes either. Hey Scootaloo,” she called. “Do you want to be my partner and represent the Cutie Mark Crusaders?” “That sounds great,” said Scootaloo. They both ran off. Rarity tried to call out and apologize, but she was too far to be called.
Meanwhile Fluttershy and Charley, who was relieved of registration service for the day, were about to duel. “Are you sure you want to go through with this?” Charley asked. “Once the duel starts, the nice me is gone.” “I’m sure,” whispered Fluttershy boldly. “I heard a rumor from Pinkie Pie that this griffon named Gilda is competing in the tournament. She’s an incredibly vicious creature who cares for no one but herself. If there’s even the slightest chance that I’m going to face her and the fear of her that comes with it, I want to be ready.” “If that’s what you want, I’ll support you.” They both unsheathed their duel disks and drew 5 cards from their decks. “DUEL!” they both yelled.
Fluttershy vs. Charley
Fluttershy’s Turn: Fluttershy summons 1 one monster face down.
Fluttershy places 1 card face down and ends her turn.
Status: Hand-4 Life-4000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
“You wanted bad?” asked Charley menacingly. “Then you got it!”
Charley’s Turn: Charley summons Gishki Shadow (ATK: 1200 DEF: 1000). Next, she activates Gishki Aquamirror, sacrificing Gishki Shadow to ritual summon Evigishki Levianima (ATK: 2700 DEF: 1500). She attacks the face down monster. When Evigishki Levianima attacks, Charley can draw one card and reveal it. If it’s a Gishki monster, Charley can look at one card in Fluttershy’s hand. She draws a Negate Attack. The attacked monster was a Naturia Beans (ATK: 100 DEF: 1200). Once per turn, Naturia Beans isn’t destroyed in battle, and when its chosen as an attack target, it inflict 500 points of damage to the opponent.
Charley’s Life Points: 4000 -> 3500
Fluttershy activates the effect of Naturia Hydrangea from her hand, special summoning it if a Naturia monster’s effect is activated that turn (ATK: 1900 DEF: 2000).
Charley places 1 card face down and ends her turn.
Status: Hand-3 Life-3500 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
Fluttershy knew that her fear of Gilda was a lot stronger than what Charley was putting Fluttershy through. “Is that the best you got, you… you pansy?” she asked defiantly. Charley didn’t even look upset. She just smirked and grew a small but evil looking smile on her face. “Go ahead,” she replied, “I’m waiting…”
Fluttershy’s Turn: Fluttershy summons Naturia Pumpkin in defense position (ATK: 1400 DEF: 800). When this card is normal summoned when Charley controls a monster, Fluttershy can special summon a Naturia monster from her hand, choosing Naturia Tulip (ATK: 600 DEF: 1500). Fluttershy tunes Naturia Beans and Naturia Hydrangea with Naturia Tulip to synchro summon Naturia Leodrake (ATK: 3000 DEF: 1800). Fluttershy attacks Evigishki Levianima.
Charley’s Life Points: 3500 -> 3200
Fluttershy ends her turn.
Status: Hand-2 Life-4000 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1
“Now show me what you’re really made of,” said Fluttershy. “Perhaps I should just go all out right now,” Charley said smugly. “All out?” asked Fluttershy surprised.
Charley’s Turn: Charley summons Gishki Chain (ATK: 1800 DEF: 1000) When this card is summoned, Charley can check the top 3 cards of her deck. If there is a ritual spell card or a ritual monster among these, Charley can show them to her opponent and add them to her hand. There is a Forbidden Arts of the Gishki, an Evigishki Soul Ogre, and an Evigishki Gustkrake, so they are added to her hand. Next, she activates the spell Forbidden Arts of the Gishki, sacrificing Naturia Pumpkin and Gishki Chain to ritual summon Evigishki Soul Ogre (ATK: 2800 DEF: 2800). A monster ritual summoned this way has its ATK halved (ATK: 2800 -> 1400). Next, she activates Ritual Buster, preventing Fluttershy from activating spell or trap cards until her next standby phase. Next, she activates the effect of Evigishki Soul Ogre, discarding a Gishki monster to return one monster her opponent controls to the deck, choosing Naturia Leodrake. Charley attacks Fluttershy directly.
Fluttershy’s Life Points: 4000 -> 2600
Charley places 1 card face down and ends her turn.
Status: Hand-2 Life-3200 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1
Fluttershy’s Turn: Fluttershy summons another Naturia Pumpkin and she activates its effect to special summon a Naturia monster from her hand, choosing Naturia Cosmobeet (ATK: 100 DEF: 700). Fluttershy tunes Naturia Pumpkin with Naturia Cosmobeet to synchro summon Naturia Barkion (ATK: 2500 DEF: 1800). Fluttershy attacks Evigishki Soul Ogre.
Charley’s Life Points: 3200 -> 2100
Fluttershy places 1 card face down and ends her turn.
Status: Hand-0 Life-2600 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2
Charley’s Turn: Charley activates her face down Reload, sending her hand to the deck to draw cards equal to the amount sent. Charley then activates Heavy Storm, destroying all spell and trap cards on the field. Next, she activates Monster Reborn, special summoning Evigishki Soul Ogre from the graveyard. It now has its original ATK. Next, she plays the spell Fissure, destroying Naturia Barkion. Charley attacks Fluttershy directly.
Fluttershy’s Life Points: 2600 -> 0
Charley wins.
The duel was over, and Charley was back to her original self. Fluttershy sat on the ground looking despondent. Charley walked over to her and put a hand on her shoulder. “Better?” Charley asked. “Better,” said Fluttershy. “But I have one question: Why are you so vicious when you duel? Like, what happened to you to take such a violent transformation?” Charley sat down next to her and told her a story. “When I was a little kid, I would play at the nearby beach every weekend. My dad would come with, we’d pack sandwiches, play in the water and sand, it was just a regular childhood thing for me. Then one day, I saw a large blue blob wash up on shore. It was a Wailmer pokémon, and the sight of it was horrific. There were numerous lashes and cuts ranging in size on its body, and some of them were even infected. But the poor thing was still breathing. I tried to revive it, but my dad called the PPS, the Pokémon Protection Services, and it was sent to a hospital. When I got there, I found out that the Wailmer was a victim of an illegal whaling ring that encompassed the world. It succumbed to its own injuries and was declared dead.” Fluttershy gasped. Suddenly, the story was sounding all too familiar to where she failed to nurse Princess Celestia’s sick pet bird. She could only imagine Charley feeling the same amount of despair that she did at the time.
“One day,” Charley continued, “I was having what I thought was a friendly pokémon battle with a classmate from school. I exclusively used water pokémon in my party, but the guy still sent out a torkoal, a fire type tortoise pokémon. The torkoal was reluctant to go, knowing it was fighting off against a water type pokémon. The man then kicked the torkoal out. I was just about to leave out of disgust, but then he started making misogynist remarks against me, so I just had my pokémon do a bubblebeam, a not too powerful of an attack to really damage the poor thing, but it was effective enough to win the battle. He then cursed out his pokémon and kicked it so hard that he left a large noticeable crack in the shell.” Fluttershy was holding back tears and fury. She was so sad that such a thing could happen to an animal like that, but she couldn’t help but imagine what she would do to that man if she met him. Charley continued. “At that point, I couldn’t stand it. I walked towards him and I kicked him hard in the kneecap. He fell down like a sack of potatoes. I then kicked him hard in the ribs, screaming, ‘How does it feel?’ and ‘This is what you get,’ until the police showed up and dragged us away. My father was upset about my outburst, but he understood why I did it. To him, abuse of a pokémon is a worse crime than murder, and he consoled me by saying he would have done the same thing. As for the man, he had a shattered kneecap and 5 broken ribs. He also had a history of pokémon abuse issues that never went to court because of his wealthy upbringing and connections. However, my father had plenty of money to see to it that he never owned a pokémon again. Thankfully, the torkoal was just fine and only needed his shell replaced. He looked very happy to see me, but Father knew that I was a water type user only, so he decided to take the pokémon under his wing. The torkoal has never been happier since.” Fluttershy sighed upon knowing that the story ended somewhat happy.
Charley concluded with, “The point is Fluttershy, without my rage and unbridled fury, that man would have continued abusing countless more pokémon for the rest of his life, but because of it, I kept goodness knows how many pokémon safe from that monster. To me, my rage and fury gets things accomplished for me when fighting; it helps me win, and sometimes it can even save lives.” Fluttershy then went over to her and gave her a warm and loving hug. “I understand,” whispered Fluttershy with her head on her shoulder, “and I forgive you.” Charley then hugged Fluttershy in return, fighting back tears. She had a little trouble finding a way to wrap her arms around her with Fluttershy’s wings. “Oh, sorry,” said Fluttershy. She then unfolded her wings, giving Charley plenty of room to hug Fluttershy, who then wrapped her wings around Charley’s lower back. They then let go moments later. “Thanks Fluttershy,” said Charley. “You are a great duelist, and an even better friend.” Fluttershy responded with, “Likewise.” Charley gave her a smile and turned on her heel to leave, but she was stopped by a voice. “Fluttershy. Charley,” called Rarity. “Oh, hey Rarity,” responded Fluttershy. Rarity said, “Fluttershy, I seem to have trouble finding a partner for the competition. Did you… perhaps… want to partner with me?” “Well,” said Fluttershy, “We both have EARTH decks. That actually sounds like a great idea.” “By the way,” said Rarity. “What day is it?” “Tuesday,” responded Charley. “Oh, heavens!” Rarity cried. “With all of this preparation for the competition, I completely forgot about our weekly spa date.” “Don’t worry, it slipped my mind as well,” said Fluttershy. “Charley, would you like to come with us?” Charley beamed and said, “That sounds wonderful. Let me just grab my robe and a bathing suit.” Charley went and got her things, and the trio was off to do a little bit of relaxation together.