Yu-Gi-Oh! Equus

by moviemaster8510

Chapter 10: Luster

The Riverwalk Competition was in full swing. The entire park was littered with duelists. Even some of the normally closed off things such as the baseball field and the Centennial Beach were fully open for duelists. Some people dueled in the sandy beach area, many dueled on the grassy hills where swimmers would normally lay their towels or bags to lounge, or, if they had connections, they could get a lifeguard to kayak them to the two floating platforms out in the deep end of the pool where they could get a more scenic duel.

“Emma, where are you taking me?” asked Rarity as they walked along the ledge of the shallowest part of the pool’s water.

“I wanted to show you something,” responded Emma.

“Are we going to duel here?”

“Not quite yet.”

As they approached the diving boards, they came across a shirtless man in a red bathing suit and red baseball cap sitting from the lifeguard’s watchtower.

“Yo, Peter!” yelled Emma at the man.

“Emma, what’s up?” he responded, climbing down the ladder to meet his friend. “Woah, is that one of those ponies from the news?”

“Sure is. Peter, this is my friend Rarity.”

“Hi, Rarity. How’s it going?” He shook his hoof.

“Charmed,” said the pony with a slightly forced smile. She didn’t care for the brashness of the human’s voice, but he still seemed like a nice fellow, especially if he was friends with Emma.

“So, what can I do for you?” Peter asked Emma. “If it’s about me working your shift on Memorial Day, count me out.”

“No, Pete, I was just going to ask if I can borrow a kayak. Me and my friend would like to duel on the floating platforms.”

“Oh, then by all means, be my guest.”

“Thank you.” They both began to walk towards the main building just northwest of the pool.

“How on earth did you do that?” asked Rarity, surprised. “I can’t just believe they would let you just waltz in and grab their boats.”

“It’s cool,” responded Emma. “I’m a lifeguard here too, so I have access to the gear here.”

They came to what looked like a garage on the lower level of the large bathhouse. Emma’s point was proven when she took a key from her pocket and unlocked the lock keeping the door closed. Emma even threw her arms out as if she was saying, “Tada!”

Rarity picked up the kayak with her magic while Emma got a paddle.

“You know,” said Emma, “I can carry both if you want.”

“Nonsense,” scoffed Rarity. “I won’t allow you to treat me to such a duel and not be of some assistance in some way.” Emma couldn’t help but smile at her generosity.

Rarity gently set the boat in the water closest to the bathhouse. Rarity held the kayak in place for Emma to get in, with Rarity hopping into her lap once she was settled. Emma gently pushed off and paddled towards the deep end.

“My goodness,” exclaimed Rarity. “This is marvelous. It’s like riding one of the Canterlot gondolas.”

“Next time, I’ll just get Reese to wear one of those striped shirts and silly hats and he can drive it.”

The thought of Reese in a gondola driver’s uniform made both Emma and Rarity giggle.

Emma parked the kayak on the easternmost platform, allowing Rarity to get off. Rarity was pleasantly surprised at how sturdy the platform was. Emma parked and tied the kayak next to the ladder on the westernmost platform, using the ladder to hold herself and get onto the platform.

“How’s this for a scenic duel?” asked Emma.

“I must say,” answered Rarity, “it’s exceptionally prettier than where Alex and Twilight dueled. Certainly a lot more interesting too.”

People inside the Centennial Beach grounds stood around to watch. People walking on the Riverwalk on the south also stopped to watch.

“It seems we’ve attracted quite a crowd,” commented Rarity.

“Yeah well, I’m known as Queen Beach around these parts.”

“The queen you say? Oh, it. Is. On!”

Rarity unsheathed her purple D-Pad while Emma unsheathed hers. The duel holograms were all set for today. Rarity and Emma drew five cards from their decks.

“DUEL!” they both yelled.

Rarity vs. Emma

Rarity’s Turn: Rarity plays Gem-Knight Fusion, sending Gem-Knight Crystal and Gem-Knight Garnet from her hand to the graveyard to fusion summon Gem-Knight Citrine (ATK: 2200 DEF: 1950). Next, she activates De-Fusion, sending Gem-Knight Citrine to the extra deck to special summon Gem-Knight Crystal (ATK: 2450 DEF: 1950) and Gem-Knight Garnet (ATK: 1900 DEF: 0) from the graveyard. Next, she normal summons Gem Armadillo (ATK: 1700 DEF: 500). When Gem Armadillo has been successfully normal summoned, Rarity can add one Gem-Knight monster to her hand from her deck. Rarity overlays Gem-Knight Garnet and Gem Armadillo to xyz summon Gem-Knight Pearl (ATK: 2600 DEF: 1900).

Rarity places one card face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-4000 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1
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I can summon my Equus card here, thought Emma, but I can’t do it without her summoning a bunch more Gem-Knight Crystals. What to do, what to do.

That’s when she noticed the equip spell in her hand.

Bingo.

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Emma’s Turn: Emma activates the continuous spell Water Hazard, allowing her to special summon a level 4 or lower WATER attribute monster from her hand, choosing Mermail – Abysslang in defense position (ATK: 1200 DEF: 1800). Next, she activates her quick-play spell Inferno Reckless Summon, special summoning as many copies of a monster with 1500 or less ATK that she controls that was special summoned from her hand, deck, or graveyard when her opponent controls a monster, special summoning two more Mermail – Abysslangs in defense position.

Furthermore, Rarity can choose one monster she controls and special summon as many copies of it from her hand, deck, or graveyard, special summoning two more Gem-Knight Crystals. Emma normal summons Gishki Ariel (ATK: 1000 DEF: 1800). Emma overlays two of her Mermail – Abysslangs and Gishki Ariel to xyz summon Sapphire Serpent (ATK: 2800 DEF: 2200). With Mermail – Abysslang’s effect, all WATER monsters except for Mermail – Abysslang gain 300 ATK (ATK: 2800 -> 3100).

Emma attacks one of Rarity’s Gem-Knight Crystals with Sapphire Serpent.

Rarity’s Life Points: 4000 -> 3650

Emma equips Sapphire Serpent with Mist Body, preventing its destruction in battle.

Emma ends her turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-4000 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-0
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The crowd had never seen Emma’s new monster before, and they were excited that they would be watching a much more interesting duel, including the fact that a pony was dueling her.

“So,” observed Rarity, “you summoned your Equus card. Fine then. Let me show you my ace!”

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Rarity’s Turn: Rarity summons Gem-Knight Tourmaline (ATK: 1600 DEF: 1800). Rarity activates her face down Pryoxene Fusion, sending Gem-Knight Tourmaline and one of her Gem-Knight Crystals to the graveyard to fusion summon Gem-Knight Topaz (ATK: 1800 DEF: 1800). Next, Rarity activates Particle Fusion, sending Gem-Knight Topaz, Gem-Knight Crystal, and Gem-Knight Pearl to the graveyard to fusion summon Gem-Knight Master Dia (ATK: 2900 DEF: 2500).

Gem-Knight Master Dia gains 100 ATK for each Gem-Knight monster in Rarity’s graveyard (7 x 100 = 700, ATK: 2900 -> 3600). With Particle Fusion’s effect, Rarity can banish Particle Fusion in her graveyard to have Gem-Knight Master Dia gain ATK equal to the ATK of one of the fusion material monsters until the end phase, choosing Gem-Knight Pearl (ATK: 3600 -> 6200). Next, Rarity activates Gem-Knight Master Dia’s effect. By banishing a level 7 or lower Gem fusion monster in her graveyard, Gem-Knight Master Dia is treated as the same name of the banished monster and given its effects until the end phase, choosing Gem-Knight Topaz (ATK: 6200 -> 6100).

With Gem-Knight Topaz’s effect, Gem-Knight Master Dia can attack twice during the battle phase. With Mermail – Abysslang’s effect, Rarity can attack no other monsters than it.

Rarity attacks Mermail – Abysslang with Gem-Knight Master Dia. Since Mermail – Abysslang is no longer on the field, Sapphire Serpent’s ATK is decreased (ATK: 3100 -> 2800). With Gem-Knight Topaz’s effect, when Gem-Knight Master Dia destroys a monster by battle and sends it to the graveyard, damage is inflicted to the opponent equal to the destroyed monster’s ATK.

Emma’s Life Points: 4000 -> 2800

Rarity then attacks Sapphire Serpent with Gem-Knight Master Dia, but Emma activates Sapphire Serpent’s effect. If Emma would take battle damage involving Sapphire Serpent, she can detach one xyz material from it to gain life points that she would have lost. Because of Mist Body’s effect, Sapphire Serpent is not destroyed by battle.

Emma’s Life Points: 2800 -> 6100

During the end phase, Gem-Knight Master Dia’s ATK returns to normal and its effect returns to normal (ATK: 6100 -> 3500).

Rarity ends her turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-3650 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-0
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The crowd ooed and ahhed at the spike in Emma’s life points. Clearly this small horse was in way over her head dueling someone like Emma Miller.

Emma wasn’t entirely relieved though. She had little in her hand, and she’d either need another defensive strategy or to replenish her hand to do so.

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Emma’s Turn: Emma activates Salvage, adding two WATER monsters with 1500 or less ATK from her graveyard to her hand, choosing Gishki Ariel and Mermail – Abysslang.

Emma attacks Gem-Knight Master Dia with Sapphire Serpent. Emma activates Sapphire Serpent’s effect again, detaching an xyz material from it to gain life points that she would have lost in battle damage involving Sapphire Serpent.

Emma’s Life Points: 6100 -> 6800

Emma sets one monster.

Emma places one card face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-1 Life-6800 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1
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Rarity began to see something. Despite Emma continuing to gain life points from attacks, she would eventually run out of xyz materials to use on it. If she would draw the right cards here, she would put Emma in a corner that she couldn’t get out of.

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Rarity’s Turn: Rarity activates Painful Choice, selecting five cards from her deck and having Emma pick one of them. She chooses Morphing Jar. Rarity sends the other cards to the graveyard. All four sent cards were Gem-Knight monsters (ATK: 3500 -> 3900).

Rarity attacks Sapphire Serpent with Gem-Knight Master Dia, but Emma activates Sapphire Serpent’s effect once again, detaching its last xyz material from it to gain life points that she would have lost in battle damage involving Sapphire Serpent.

Emma’s Life Points: 6800 -> 7900

Rarity sets one monster.

Rarity ends her turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-3650 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-0
***************************************************

And so it begins, thought Rarity.

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Emma’s Turn: Emma activates Stop Defense, switching Rarity’s face down monster into face up attack position, which is a Morphing Jar (ATK: 700 DEF: 600). When Morphing Jar is flip summoned, all players discard their hands and draw five cards from their deck.

Emma attacks Morphing Jar with Sapphire Serpent.

Rarity’s Life Points: 3650 -> 1550

Emma places two cards face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-3 Life-7900 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-3
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Despite Rarity’s heavy loss in life points, and the cheers of the crowd against her, Rarity wore a heavy smile on her face.

“I could only wonder what’s going on in your head right now to make you beam so brightly,” said Emma.

“Oh nothing, darling. It’s merely the move that will put your life points to 0.” Emma smirked.

What could she do with 1550 life points against my 7600?

Emma would find out all too soon.

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Rarity’s Turn: Rarity activates Pot of Greed, drawing two cards. Next, she activates another Gem-Knight Fusion, sending Gem-Knight Sapphire and Gem-Knight Alexandrite from her hand to her graveyard to fusion summon Gem-Knight Zirconia (ATK: 2900 DEF: 2500) (ATK: 3900 -> 4100). Next, Rarity activates the spell Burial from a Different Dimension, adding Gem-Knight Topaz from Rarity’s banished zone to the graveyard (ATK: 4100 -> 4200). Rarity activates Gem-Knight Master Dia’s effect again, banishing a level 7 or lower Gem fusion monster and gaining its name and effects (ATK: 4200 -> 4100). Rarity equips Gem-Knight Master Dia with Megamorph, doubling its original ATK when her life points are lower than her opponent’s (ATK: 4100 -> 7000).

Rarity attacks Emma's face down monster with Gem-Knight Zirconia, which is a Mermail – Abysslang. Emma activates Card of Last Will, drawing five cards when a monster of hers is destroyed by battle. With Gem-Knight Topaz’s effect, Gem-Knight Master Dia can attack twice during the battle phase. Rarity attacks Sapphire Serpent with Gem-Knight Master Dia. Mist Body’s effect still prevents its destruction by battle. Damage is still calculated.

Emma’s Life Points: 7900 -> 3700

Rarity attacks Sapphire Serpent with Gem-Knight Master Dia again, but Emma activates her face down Emergency Provisions, sending Water Hazard to the graveyard to gain 1000 life points before the attack hits.

Emma’s Life Points: 3700 -> 4700

Emma’s Life Points: 4700 -> 500

Since Rarity’s Life Points are higher than Emma’s, Gem-Knight Master Dia’s original ATK is halved due to Megamorph’s effect (ATK: 4100 -> 2650).

Rarity places two cards face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-0 Life-1250 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-2
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“Phew,” sighed Emma. “Now that was a close one.”

Rarity was none too happy about Emma surviving her onslaught like that, but the crowd started doing something that Rarity hadn’t heard all day: they began applauding her. Her move, while not final as she had wished, was still highly impressive. This brought Rarity’s disappointed frown to a gentle and accepting smile.

“Ready to finish this?” asked Emma.

“Bring it!” exclaimed Rarity happily.

***************************************************
Emma’s Turn: Rarity activates her trap Disarmament, destroying all equip spell cards on the field, including her Megamorph (ATK: 2650 -> 4100), and Emma’s Mist Body. Emma activates the field spell Forgotten Capital Lemuria, which is treated as Umi. Emma then activates her face down Abysstrom, sending an “Umi” she controls to the graveyard to send all spell and trap cards on the field to the graveyard. Emma then activates Riryoku, halving the ATK of one monster on the field and increasing another monster’s ATK by the amount halved, halving Gem-Knight Master Dia’s ATK to increase Sapphire Serpent’s ATK (ATK: 4100 -> 2050) (ATK: 2800 -> 4850).

Emma attacks Gem-Knight Master Dia with Sapphire Serpent.

Rarity’s Life Points: 1550 -> 0

Emma wins.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

The force from the attack sent Rarity flying back and off of the platform.

“Rarity!” called Emma, but she was too far away to do anything.

Before Rarity, her D-Pad and her cards could be drenched in the pool's water, a pair of arms caught her.

“I got ya’,” said Peter, holding the unicorn in his arms.

“Peter. What are you doing here?”

“When I saw you take that first attack,” explained Peter, “Me and another friend went to the bathhouse and grabbed a kayak for ourselves and sat behind the both of you in case you got knocked off.”

“Mmm, my hero,” moaned Rarity, sweetly pawing at Peter’s pectorals. Nonetheless, Peter couldn’t help but blush.

“Hey Peter,” called Emma. “It looks like you finally got some tail.” The crowd laughed.

Peter really wanted nothing more than to throw the mare into the water and save himself the embarrassment, but she had her D-Pad and cards on her, he had people, including his friend Emma watching, and plus, that’s no way to treat a lady. Nonetheless, Peter made as quick of an attempt as possible to paddle her to shore.

“Thank you so much, young col- I mean man.”

Peter gave a tip of his hat.

“Emma,” called Rarity, “aren’t you coming?”

“Nah,” replied Emma. She then addressed the crowd. “Who wants to go next?”

The crowd cheered loudly to be picked by Queen Beach for a chance to duel her. She picked a skinny young man with a maroon colored duel disk in simple jeans, a black t-shirt, a white shirt jacket, and light brown hair. Once she made her decision, the crowd quieted down.

“I’ll see you later,” Emma yelled to Rarity with a wave. Rarity waved back and walked away to find another duel.

Comments

[Teslakana]

it's abbysLUNG not Abysslang