Yu-Gi-Oh! Friendship is Magic: The Numeric War

by moviemaster8510

Chapter 17: Sparkling Waters

Author's Note:

This chapter's featured card: Number 32: Shark Drake

Xyz Monster Rank: 4 ATK: 2800 DEF: 2100 Attribute: WATER Type: Sea-Serpent

3 Level 4 Monsters

This card can only be destroyed by battle with another "Number" monster. Once per turn, when this card destroys an opponent's monster by battle and sends it to the Graveyard: You can detach 1 Xyz Material from this card; Special Summon that destroyed monster from the Graveyard (ignorning the summoning conditions) to your opponent's side of the field with its ATK reduced by 1000, and have this card battle it once again.

Rarity and Braeburn were walking along the road by the local elementary school. For the past 9 hours that Rarity spent with Braeburn, she was really enjoying his company. During their duels, he was very supportive and protective, leading to a number of victories in their favor. This made her think a bit of her last “date” when she tried to court Princess Celestia’s nephew, Prince Blueblood.

Although he was very regal, handsome, and rich, all things she sought in a mate, he turned out to be a rude and self-centered pony with no concern for Rarity whatsoever. However, upon Braeburn’s arrival in Ponyville, she was initially repulsed by his humble background and meager lifestyle, and he wasn’t nearly the hunk that Prince Blueblood was. Unlike Prince Blueblood, Braeburn was highly respectful and dependable; common Apple family traits. She never saw any reason why they couldn’t just be friends, seeing multiple similarities between her and her friend Applejack. But she started to transcend simple feelings of friendship, and felt something a bit more for the stallion.

Upon passing the local schoolhouse, Rarity and Braeburn were just catching the ending of a duel between Fluttershy and Sweetie Belle and Maddie and Charley. It didn’t look to be going so well for the former.

Cont. from Fluttershy and Sweetie Belle vs. Maddie and Charley

Charley’s Turn: Charley activates Card Destruction, having all players send their hands to their graveyards and draw cards equal to the amount of cards discarded. Next, she summons Gishki Beast (ATK: 1500 DEF: 1300). When Gishki Beast is summoned, Charley can special summon a level 4 or lower Gishki monster in her graveyard in defense position, choosing Gishki Chain (ATK: 1800 DEF: 1000). Next, she activates Surface, special summoning Gishki Diviner in defense position (ATK: 1200 DEF: 800). Then, Charley activates Star Changer, increasing Gishki Diviner’s level by 1 (Lvl.: 3 -> 4). Charley overlays Gishki Beast, Gishki Chain, and Gishki Diviner to xyz summon Number 32: Marine Biting Dragon – Shark Drake (ATK: 2800 DEF: 2100). Charley attacks Fluttershy’s Naturia Barkion (ATK: 2500 DEF: 1800).

Fluttershy and Sweetie Belle’s Life Points: 1400 -> 1100

Charley then activates the effect of Number 32: Marine Biting Dragon - Shark Drake. By detaching 1 xyz material from it, she can special summon the destroyed monster to her opponent’s side of the field, lower its ATK by 1000, and have Number 32: Marine Biting Dragon – Shark Drake battle it again. Charley special summons Naturia Barkion to Fluttershy’s side of the field (ATK: 2500 -> 1500). Charley attacks Naturia Barkion again.

Fluttershy and Sweetie Belle’s Life Points: 1100 -> 0

Maddie and Charley win.

The school children that surrounded the playground where they dueled were ecstatic. Though the schools weren’t cancelled today, any foal that was participating was exempt from class, and the school day for everyone else was devoted to watching any duelist who dueled near or even on the school grounds. This gave the fillies and colts something more to be excited by. Rarity knew the full extent of Charley’s erratic mood changes when she dueled (having had an experience with them firsthand). Fluttershy upon finding out that she was partnering with Sweetie Belle, she surrendered all of her Numbers to her other friends as to not put Sweetie Belle’s life at risk. Charley should have known better to use her Numbers when her opponents didn’t have any.

“Charley!” called Rarity.

Charley and Maddie were too busy shaking hands/hooves with their opponents to notice her the first time.

“I say Charley!”

Charley finally perked her head.

“Oh, hello Rarity,” she said in her normally calm and kind voice.

“Rarity!” called Sweetie Belle as she hopped over to her sister and hugged her.

“Hey there lil’ youngin’,” said Braeburn to the small filly.

“Who’s this?” asked Sweetie Belle confused.

“Oh, this is Braeburn. He’s my dueling partner.”

“Wait, I heard about you,” said Sweetie Belle. “You’re my friend’s cousin.”

“You mean Apple Bloom?”

“Yeah.”

“How wonderful.”

“I can’t even believe Rarity would even partner with you. She never likes dirty stallions.”

Any surrounding school children laughed. Rarity blushed in embarrassment. Braeburn decided to save face for her.

“Now don’t you go talking about your sister like that. If I say, we go together about as well as apples and cinnamon.”

Sweetie Belle then turned to Charley. “Yep. He’s related to Applejack alright.”

Charley then decided to butt in during a small period of silence. “By the way Rarity, what did you need before?”

“Right,” said Rarity while clearing her throat. “What in Celestia’s name were you doing fighting Fluttershy and Sweetie Belle with Numbers? You know they don’t have any!”

“Actually,” whispered Fluttershy, “it was our idea.”

Rarity ignored her. “You could have hurt them.”

“Rarity, calm down,” coaxed Charley. “Fluttershy said she wanted to face our Numbers so they could formulate some kind of strategy if she came across the Number hunters.”

“Yeah,” piped in Sweetie Belle, “what she said.”

“Either way,” spoke Rarity bluntly, “you certainly gave them a good walloping. How about you duel someone who can defend themselves properly?”

“Like you?” asked Maddie.

“Why yes,” said Braeburn who was eavesdropping. “Just like us. How about we all have ourselves a little duel, right here, right now.”

The foals were getting excited to hear that another duel would be taking place.

“Well, we haven’t dueled you two yet,” said Maddie. “And we can certainly use the wins. Why not?”

The children cheered at Maddie’s confirmation. Everyone made their way to a vacant area on the playground where the teams would duel.

“Braeburn,” whispered Rarity.

“Yes?”

“Be very careful around that black haired one. She becomes quite vicious when she duels. When I told you to watch your step for Alex, that goes twice for her.”

“Aright, thanks for the tip.”

Once everyone was in place, Charley offered them the first turn.

“You two go on ahead,” shouted Braeburn. “We’ll catch up.”

“I bet you will,” whispered Charley, her voice becoming slightly harsh.

The four competitors then unsheathed their duel disks and drew five cards from their deck. “DUEL!” they all cried.

Maddie and Charley vs. Rarity and Braeburn

Maddie’s Turn: Maddie summons Dance Princess of the Ice Barrier and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-5 Life-8000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-0

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“Go, Rarity!” called Sweetie Belle from the audience.

Rarity acknowledged her sister with a nod.

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Rarity’s Turn: Rarity summons Gem-Knight Alexandrite (ATK: 1800 DEF: 1200). Next, she activates its effect. By tributing Gem-Knight Alexandrite, she can special summon a normal Gem-Knight monster from her deck, choosing Gem-Knight Crystal (ATK: 2450 DEF: 1950).

Rarity places 2 cards face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-3 Life-8000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2

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“You’re a new opponent to me,” said Charley to Braeburn in her harsh dueling tone. “Perhaps I should introduce you to my special brand of hospitality.”

____________________________________

Charley’s Turn: Charley activates Graceful Charity drawing 3 cards and discarding 2. Next, she summons Gishki Beast (ATK: 1500 DEF: 1300). When Gishki Beast is normal summoned, Charley can special summon a level 4 or lower Gishki monster from her graveyard in defense position, choosing Gishki Marker (ATK: 1600 DEF: 1200). When Gishki Marker is summoned, Charley can add one Gishki ritual monster or Gishki ritual spell card from her graveyard to her hand. Charley overlays Gishki Marker, Gishki Beast, and Dance Princess of the Ice Barrier to xyz summon Number 32: Shark Drake (ATK: 2800 DEF: 2100).

Charley places 2 cards face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-4 Life-8000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-2

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“Well, that’s a tough looking monster if I’ve ever seen one,” said Braeburn observing Charley’s Number.

“Well, take a good look at it,” said Charley, “because it’s the monster that’s going to help lead to your defeat.”

“Well, like my momma always used to say, ‘Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.’”

“Oh come on, who hasn’t heard that one before?”

“Apparently you, because that’s going to come back and bite you.”

____________________________________

Braeburn’s Turn: Braeburn activates Monster Reborn, special summoning Gem-Knight Alexandrite from his graveyard. Next, Rarity activates her trap Tiki Curse, which is special summoned as a monster (ATK: 1800 DEF: 1000). Braeburn tributes Tiki Curse and Gem-Knight Alexandrite to summon Ancient Gear Golem (ATK: 3000 DEF: 3000). Braeburn attacks Number 32: Shark Drake. With Ancient Gear Golem’s effect, Charley cannot activate spell or trap cards until the end of the damage step. Because of Number 32: Shark Drake’s effect, Numbers can’t be destroyed in battle except for other Numbers. Battle Damage is applied normally.

Maddie and Charley’s Life Points: 8000 -> 7800

Braeburn places 1 card face down and ends his turn.

Status: Hand-3 Life-8000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1

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“Please,” scoffed Charley. “Maddie, will you do the honers?”

“The pleasure will be all mine,” said Maddie.

____________________________________

Maddie’s Turn: Maddie activates Pot of Greed, drawing 2 cards. Next, she activates her Monster Reborn, special summoning Gem-Knight Alexandrite from Rarity and Braeburn’s graveyard. Next, she activates Magic Triangle of the Ice Barrier, revealing 3 Ice Barrier monsters in her hand to destroy 1 card her opponent controls (Braeburn’s Ancient Gear Golem) and special summon an Ice Barrier monster from her hand, choosing General Gantala of the Ice Barrier (ATK: 2700 DEF: 2000).

Next, she tributes Gem-Knight Alexandrite to summon Royal Knight of the Ice Barrier (ATK: 2000 DEF: 2000). When Royal Knight of the Ice Barrier is tribute summoned, she can special summon an Ice Coffin token to her opponents side of the field (ATK: 1000 DEF: 0). Maddie then activates Xyz Plant, which becomes a monster with the same level as a monster that she controls (Lvl. 5). Maddie overlays Xyz Plant and Royal Knight of the Ice Barrier to xyz summon Number 19: Freezerdon (ATK: 2000 DEF: 2500). Maddie attacks the Ice Coffin token with Number 19: Freezerdon.

Rarity and Braeburn’s Life Points: 8000 -> 7000

Next, Maddie attacks Gem-Knight Crystal with General Gantala of the Ice Barrier, but Braeburn activates Card Defense, discarding one card in his hand to negate the attack, and then draws one card.

Maddie ends her turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-7800 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-0

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“You okay, Rarity?” asked Braeburn.

While only a paltry amount of damage, it was still enough to knock the fragile Rarity down.

“Yes, I’m fine. Thank you,” she responded.

“I know that you beat me last time, Rarity,” called Charley. “That was merely a fluke. You don’t stand a chance against me now, you and your stupid, flashy monsters.”

Rarity knew it was Charley’s dueling mode talking for her, but something about that last sentence just felt uncalled for.

“Oh it. Is. On!” she growled.

____________________________________

Rarity’s Turn: Rarity summons another Gem-Knight Alexandrite. She activates its effect to tribute it to special summon 1 normal Gem-Knight monster in her deck, choosing another Gem-Knight Crystal. Rarity overlays both Gem-Knight Crystals to xyz summon Number 118: Golden City Sentry – Mighty Dorado (ATK: 3200 DEF: 1000). Rarity attacks Number 32: Shark Drake, but Charley activates Poseidon Wave, negating the attack and inflicting 800 points of damage for each Aqua, Fish, or Sea-Serpent type monster she controls. She has one. Rarity activates Barrel Behind the Door, switching the effect damage onto her opponents.

Maddie and Charley’s Life Points: 7800 -> 7000

Rarity activates Number 118: Golden City Sentry – Mighty Dorado’s effect. Once per turn, by detaching one xyz material from it after it attacks or is attacked, she can battle with a different monster on the field, choosing Number 19: Freezerdon.

Maddie and Charley’s Life Points: 7000 -> 5800

Rarity places 1 card face down and ends her turn.

Status: Hand-2 Life-7000 Monsters-1 Face Down Cards-1

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“Yeah!” called Sweetie Belle. “Look at my sister go!”

The other foals also cheered with her. Charley then started giggling, bringing the cheering to an eerie halt.

Then she began laughing. “You seriously underestimate me, Rarity. It’s the fatal mistake that all duelists make when they play me. And now, you’re going to realize the severity of your error firsthand.”

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Charley’s Turn: Charley summons Vision Gishki (ATK: 700 DEF: 500). Next, she activates Gishki Aquamirror, tributing Vision Gishki to ritual summon Evigishki Zealgigas (ATK: 3200 DEF: 0). Charley activates Evigishki Zealgigas’ effect. By paying 1000 life points, Charley can draw one card.

Maddie and Charley’s Life Points: 5800 -> 4800

If it’s a Gishki monster (she draws Gishki Chain), she can shuffle 1 card on the field into the owner’s deck. She chooses Number 118: Golden City Sentry – Mighty Dorado. Charley attacks Rarity and Braeburn directly with Evigishki Zealgigas.

Rarity and Braeburn’s Life Points: 7000 -> 3800

Charley then attacks them directly with Number 32: Shark Drake.

Rarity and Braeburn’s Life Points: 3800 -> 1000

Charley ends her turn.

Status: Hand-4 Life-4800 Monsters-2 Face Down Cards-1

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Of the two, Braeburn was the first to get up. It was one heck of an attack, as evidenced by the way he strained to get up. He looked down at Rarity, who was still winded out. Charley was still laughing over the 6000 points of damage she just dealt.

“Unacceptable,” grunted Braeburn.

Charley responded, “I’m sorry, did you-”

“Unacceptable!” yelled Braeburn. This surprised everyone in the area, including Charley. “You think you can laugh while you hurt my partner? I will not allow that. And now, it’s my turn to beat you while I laugh.”

Rarity woke up just in time to see Braeburn make his move.

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Braeburn’s Turn: Braeburn activates Brain Control, paying 800 life points to take control of a monster his opponent controls, choosing Number 32: Shark Drake.

Rarity and Braeburn’s Life Points: 1000 -> 200

Then, activates Xyz Gift, detaching 2 xyz materials from Number 32: Shark Drake to draw 2 cards. He then activates Mystical Space Typhoon, destroying Charley’s face down card. Next, he summons Ancient Gear Knight (ATK: 1800 DEF: 500). Then, he activates the spell card Gift of the Martyr, sending Ancient Gear Beast to the graveyard to increase the ATK of a monster he controls by the ATK of the monster sent to the graveyard, choosing Number 32: Shark Drake (ATK: 2800 -> 4600). Braeburn attacks General Gantala of the Ice Barrier.

Maddie and Charley’s Life Points: 4800 -> 2900

Braeburn then activates Number 32: Shark Drake’s effect. By detaching one xyz material from it, he can special summon the monster it destroyed onto his opponent’s side of the field, reduce its ATK by 1000, and attack it once more. General Gantala of the Ice Barrier is special summoned onto Maddie and Charley’s side of the field (ATK: 2700 -> 1700). Number 32: Shark Drake attacks it again.

Maddie and Charley’s Life Points: 2900 -> 0

Rarity and Braeburn win.

The students cheered upon the ending of the match. Rarity herself was dumbstruck by Braeburn’s ingenuity. Braeburn walked over to her partner and nudged her up.

“Braeburn, that was incredible,” she said, still a little weak.

“Aw, shoot, it wasn’t that good.”

“I’ll disagree,” said a familiar yet kinder voice.

Charley and Maddie approached them for a friendly handshake. Braeburn growled at her, but Rarity quickly explained Charley’s personality swings.

“Hey, no hard feelings, right?” asked Charley.

Braeburn took a second to consider. Instead of shaking her hand, he stood on his back legs and hugged her.

“No hard feelings,” he confirmed.

He eventually got off and let Rarity give Maddie and Charley handshakes.

“Well, I’ll see all y’all around then!” called Braeburn.

“Yep. See ya’!” called Maddie.

After giving Charley her Number back, Maddie and Charley headed back towards Ponyville, but Rarity herded Braeburn down the road opposite of Ponyville.

“Where y’all takin’ me?” asked Braeburn.

She then eventually stopped when they were out of sight from anyone.

“Braeburn, we may have done some great things together in the past few hours, but that was certainly the best effort of your that I’ve seen from you.”

Rarity was turning bright red, knowing that what she was saying was not how she wanted to get her point across.

“Don’t mention it, it was all I could do at the ti-”

The movement of his lips were ceased by another set on his. Rarity finally couldn’t hold in her emotions, finally giving in and expressing what she had been holding in. Braeburn was shocked, but he couldn’t help but feel a slight amount of affection towards Rarity. He tenderly caressed Rarity’s lips with his own, satisfying her even further. Once they had stopped, they both opened their eyes. Both Rarity and Braeburn recoiled in slight embarrassment after what had happened.

“So, does that mean we’re dating… or something?”

Rarity couldn’t help but laugh at his bashful and unprepared question. “I guess we are,” she replied.