> Equestrian Elseworlds: The Fiend, The Warrior and the Spellcaster
>  by Equestrian Ghost
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Prologue
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Ponyville was horrible and Hell was hot. The 'family' I had to tolerate in the past is compensated with the family I now form part of."
- Spike Solaris, Duel Academy: October 25th, 2004

Life is full of surprises, if I must be honest. There are good days, and there are bad days. I had my fair share, but now... I love my life: waking up in the mornings, wife in my arms, children entering a few minutes later to jump on the bed, I couldn't ask for more.


"Mm, morning love," my wife said, looking into my eyes as we stood in bed. Her dark blond hair, her brown eyes, her beautiful face, and a personality that is just as nice, perfect indeed.


"Morning," I answered, pecking her lips and getting a smile from her part. "Ready for another day?" I asked, kissing her cheek.


"As long as you're ready," she said, smiling as she giggled.


"Let me have breakfast and a nice shower, and I'm-" this is the kind of moment when something crazy happens. In this case, the not-so-crazy barging in of my daughters.


"Good morning daddy!" They said in sync. I just loved that, it was cute.


"Morning girls," I said, watching as they walked towards me, sitting on the bed. These girls were joy-bringers, twins with their slight differences in personality and appearance. Although, you may be wondering how I got to all of this, right? I won't make all of these crazy jumps, so I think I'll start from the beginning, or should I say... The end? That's right boys and girls, my story begins with an end, and it ends with a beginning. 


What did I mean with this? Well, let me get to the story part, which happens ten years ago...
> Chapter 1: Death of the Dragon/ Oh Boys and Girls
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Life at Ponyville was the pits in my opinion. This brought upon me the termination of the classes I received from my tutors, my connection to Yubel, and many other things. Five years with Twilight were a nightmare, given that I was woken up early, forced to cook for her, forced to clean the library (which would then lead me to cleaning a castle, which fucking sucked), and the death of my barely-alive social life. I was loved by Fleur de Lis, Fancy Pants, and Photo Finish, good friends to me. 

Vinyl and Octavia were cool to hang out with back when I played the piano with them, until Twilight sold the piano. The list had a few more ponies, which consisted on my former babysitter Cadence, my dead brother Shining Armor, and my marefriend, Zecora. Yes, I had a marefriend, and it was legal since my age was 18 Equine years (12 Dragon years). It was a casual day, with her dropping by the library asking for a book (October 12th, 2015). I asked her out on a date, and the rest is history.

Time passed and I was 14, or 21 in Equine years. It was February 18th, 2017, two years since Twilight left to learn how to be a proper princess. However, this day was unique, for Zecora brought me some news: she was pregnant, and it was going to be my foal. I just broke there, processing the information, to put it in a funny way. However, I slowly began to smile, hugging her and then sharing a kiss with her.

It may seem like the story got better, but it gets worse. April 7th of the same year, and I was diagnosed with a terminal disease: Solaris's Disease, as someone named it, given that I was the first to have it. I would lose my energy, bit by bit, until I was bedridden, and then dead. Seven months away from the baby's due date, and approximately twelve from my death date,  things weren't pretty at the moment.

November 22nd came by, and I was in the hospital under serious treatment. Zecora managed to enter my room, accompanied by a nurse and a cart that contained the foal Zecora and I made: a zebra of white and green stripes, and also my eyes. It was quite a sight, and it reminded me of the good things in life, no matter how bad everything may seem.

Things, however, ended on March the 7th, 2018. Zecora was beside me, the foal was in my arms, and I couldn't manage to say my last words, because I was tired to the degree, where I couldn't say my last words, something I really despised since I couldn't cheer Zecora up before my death, but then again, how easy is it if your marefriend is beside you and you have a terminal disease.

I thought it was all over at the time, only to end up in a burning hole, a hole known as Hell. In times like these, I could get used to the pain to the degree that I feel pain no longer, or I could do something to try and escape this fiery prison.  I was trained by Gilda in Ninjitsu, and Zecora to control my fire. I wasn't burning here that easily, I was going to get out of here, or burn in Hell's flames trying.





WARNING: The following may be disturbing, if you do not want to know about it, you may skip it.

Luna's Dreamscape

The Lunar Princess was happy, enjoying the peace of another night. There had not been nightmares in quite a while, an accomplishment she was proud of. However, the peace was disturbed by the visit of an odd, bipedal figure. This figure was a bit bulky, unlike anything she had seen. Its height was equal to hers, and as it got closer, Luna was frightened.

Its appearance was of purple and green scales, a bloody machete in its right hand, and dragging a mare in its left. What made it unique of the rest was the odd clown mask it had: a red smile adorned with white teeth, a big red nose, red hair on the sides, brown eyebrows, one eye had a cross instead of an eyehole, and three straps held the mask to its face.

However, what disturbed her even more was the fact that the creature grabbed a match and quickly ran it against the floor, getting a flame and putting the match against its head, lighting it on fire. 


"Hello Luna, we meet again," it said, dropping the mare that had a pink mane and fur. 


"Who are you?" Luna asked, trying to remain calm.


"Don't you recognize me? I'm Spike!" He exclaimed,  laughing as he set the machete on the floor and opened his arms for a hug.


"I will not hug you, cretin."


"Says the one who decided to destroy Equestria and shroud it in eternal darkness instead of telling her sister about her true feelings or go to a psychologist," he countered, laughing as he grabbed the corpse and grabbed the bottom of its jaw as if it were a marionette.


"And here we see Princess Luna, the hormonal filly who developed a suicidal personality and went berserk!" Spike said, imitating a mare's voice.


"I am not like that!" Luna exclaimed, charging her horn.


"Now now, I did not say that you WERE like that, I said that your action of bottling up your emotions lead you to the stupid actions you did," Spike said, tsk tsk-ing her and setting the corpse in the ground.


"I will destroy you!" She said, shooting a beam at him, a beam he would merely dodge.


"Oh, that's why you weren't fit for being a user of the Elements: hatred. You felt it since the birthday parties since your sister's had more guests, while yours only had your family, in your teenage years when Celestia was popular while you weren't," he said, getting closer to her as he grabbed her throat. Luna was struggling to breathe, until Spike said:


"Goodnight, Luna." And with that, he stabbed his machete right into her chest, which lead Luna to waking up in her bedroom, sweat on her forehead and chest. A pillar of flames rose from the Canterlot Cemetery, a fire of a green color. Luna knew that if Spike was in her dreams, it was either the funeral, or in this case, a signal.
> Hell-bound Dragon/ Netherrealm Rage
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Somewhere in Hell...

Fire was on my fists, but it didn't burn. Said fire had the same color as my fire, and I smirked. It was good to know that I had martial arts and fire to aid me, so I felt as if the exit was near. However, a group of demon ponies surrounded me, some were missing flesh, although it didn't really scare me. After facing an insane amount of villains, fear is unfamiliar to me, although I was on the sidelines.

One ran towards me, and I just gave that demon a punch to the face, smiling as it fell unconscious. If I could take one down this easily, I could take out all of them, I just needed time to charge my fire to my full capacity. I delivered two kicks to a demon, sending it flying a couple of feet. Then, a demon had a sword in its mouth, but I managed to grab the sword, only to deliver a few punches to the demon's face.

Once that demon fell, the sword I held slowly got on fire and morphed from a rusty sword to an infernal Ninjato sword, a sword mainly used by those who practiced the sacred art of Ninjitsu. I smiled as I slashed at the remaining demons, getting another sword and moving on. As I moved on, the demons got bigger, but my rage and power was growing as well.

Time however, passed until I reached an un-dead Hydra. Great, a walking napalm, I thought. I prepared my Ninjato swords, and I charged at the beast, nimbly dodging its attacks. The good thing about Hell was that I was good as new. I delivered a few punches and kicks to the un-dead hydra. It seemed like hours as the battle went on, but after a while, I won. The thing was, the reaper arrived, and boy was he pissed.

Well, who wouldn't? After all, part of that person's army and one of the deadliest beasts known in Equestria was defeated by yours truly. Seriously, why mess with me when I barely reach Hell? Is it because I'm ugly or something? Oh wait, I spit fire...


"Who are you, and why are you here?" He asked, only for me to find out that the Reaper was a mare instead of a stallion. She looked nice, a mare with the size of Celestia, white fur and the teeth marked on her face as if it were a tattoo. Under her cloak, her dress was nice, with the hellish touches and the feminine style.


"I am Spike Solaris, and I just died due to a terminal disease," I said, looking at her.


"Why did you take down my soldiers?" She asked, looking at me.


"Well, they attacked so I went Scorpion on them," I said, chuckling as I remembered the days I'd play Maretal Kombat.


"Really? I prefer Sub-Zero," she said, spawning several weapons made of ice. 


"We can keep on discussing fighting games, or you can tell me how to get out of Hell."


"There are only two ways: the first is crossing it as Dante Alighieri did, or the Resurrection Program." Since I'm lazy, I decided to check the program.


"Well, where do I sign?" I asked, looking around.


"I will perform a test on you, and then you will be graded. Once that's done, we'll see if you are worthy of being resurrected," she finished. I could tell you that I did the test and aced it, but things turned out differently a few minutes later.


"Yes, right there," she said. I smirked and went harder, feeling the pressure fade away. "How did you get this good?"


"I learned from the best."


"You're telling me that you learned from the Ponyville Spa?"


"Yeah, I got a part-time job as a masseur. It was fun, and the pay was good. Well, until Twilight forced me to quit." You thought something else happened, right? You sick readers...


"What a shame," she said.


"Well, I learned how to give good massages. Now, about the Resurrection Program, do I still have to fill in the papers?"


"No, under one condition: each Saturday night you must give me a massage." Well that was easy.


"I accept. Now, will I end up back in Ponyville?"


"No, we have another place in mind, a place where the battles are won with card games." I considered rejecting, given that Zecora had the kid. However, the thought of beginning a new life, somewhere else, making the decisions myself? Also, if I refused, I would have to remain in Hell. Considering all of that, how could I say no?


"Under one condition: I want to visit a few mares and a stallion before leaving Equestria."






Sweet Apple Acres, Ponyville, Equestria
March 12th, 2018
Midday

Applejack was applebucking as usual, enjoying the peace of solitude. Solitude meant that no one would bother her, and that her job would be done without interruptions. However, a lone tree burned, and Applejack ran to check it. When she got there, she saw a drake dressed in yellow and black robes, his hands on fire, and his face covered by a yellow mask. 


"We meet again, Applejack," the dragon said, in a distorted voice.


"Spike, how did you-" Applejack was quickly interrupted by the drake.


"Hellfire was what brought me back. I didn't pray to Faust, and instead, I prayed to the fire in order to burn you all," he said, rage seen in his eyes.


"What do you mean?"


"When you live a life of misery, dying before achieving anything in life, you feel rage. That rage boiled inside of me, and when I ended up in Hell, I felt the fire creep up on me. That fire was tempting, so I prayed for a miracle. As if on cue, it engulfed me, and I ended up as a demon.


"I won't let you as long as I can fight!"


"Well then..." He said, warping and delivering several punches. Applejack kicked him once, and he stood still.


"Your kicks are only useful for knocking apples off the trees. Due to the amount of strength needed, you do not have stamina, which is your weakness. Instead of improving the technique to knock more apples with less energy, you remained stubborn," he said, before kicking her, which knocked her onto the ground. However, his onslaught continued with a fearsome phrase.


"GET OVER HERE!!!" He exclaimed, extending a chain with a bladed tip that connected to her chest, bringing her towards him, only to finish by delivering a strong punch to her back, breaking it as she remained immobile due to the impact.


"Spike, why?" She asked, looking up at him.


"You and your friends did nothing to help me when I needed it the most, but I'll focus on you. When I asked if I could help you, you said 'no', which lead you to doing more work and getting tired to a terrible degree. You said that I was not up for the job of knocking the apples off the branches, but you underestimated me," he said, as he charged his fist with fire, and then he delivered a punch to a tree, which left a hole in the tree.


"No, no Spike..." Applejack said.


"Hell, if it weren't for me, you'd be minced meat due to the Timberwolves!" He said, grabbing her by the throat. 


"I- I'm sorry," the farm pony said, struggling to get air.


"Your apology is unacceptable, given that you were dishonest with me, a clear contradiction to your element. Now that you know my pain, I will wrap you in the flames that slowly consumed me as I stood in Hell," he said, removing the mask and engulfing her in green flames.


She felt her skin burn away, the wish of dying yet not being able to, as if he burned her slowly so she could agonize as long as possible before she passed away. As she felt her eyes close, her eyes opened once more. She was in her guest room, with Soarin' beside her. She saw the pillar of green flames rise from the cemetery, and she got out of the room, wanting to find out what had caused the pillar to rise.

> Early Valentine's Day Special
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	Ah, Valentine's Day, a special day for the ones who have a special somebody. That special somebody being a man or a woman, is there to spend time with you sharing the never-ending feeling of love. Now, those who are not in a relationship mostly hang out with their friends, or just home alone watching the television which is transmitting an insane amount of romantic comedies, while the single one is eating whatever is in their fridge (unless they ordered from a pizzeria or they received an order of Chinese food.

However, our story takes place on an island of Japan, an island known as Duel Academy. This academy was the main of five academies around the world that focused on teaching young students the art of dueling in order to become excellent students and use the skills they obtained to grow in the world of dueling. The lucky boy today is the one and only Spike Solaris, adoptive son of Celestia and new member of the Obelisk dorm.

It was he who began as a Slifer, but managed to reach the highest rank after a test and a wager. Anyways, let's get to what the dragon-eyed student had in mind, as he spoke with his closest friend, the one who stood with him as a child.


"I told Mana and Burst that I'd leave them at the room for a reason," Spike said, looking out as he stood at the card shop, which was alone without counting him and Yubel.


"What troubles you?" Yubel asked, as she spawned a shadow ball and began playing with it.


"I know I talk with you alone when I need some good advice, but this is something else. This is dating advice, because it's the first time I ask someone out."


"What about Zecora?"


"She asked me out, and that resulted in an unexpected pregnancy," he said, chuckling a bit as he remembered the time he spent with her.


"I must admit that was hilarious. Now, back when Hao and I dated, he asked me out with confidence. Also, he got me a good gift, which was something I really enjoyed. The conclusion? Follow the basic steps: One, be confident. Two, be yourself, and three, get her a good gift, such as flowers or chocolates."


"Chocolates are overrated, and flowers are default I assume," he said.


"That is true. Take her out to dinner, or prepare the dinner yourself."


"Thanks Yubel, I think I'll invite her once I get out," he said. Time passed and he grabbed his PDA, texting her with a simple message:


"Dinner tomorrow? I'll bring the food, just wait in your dorm. Also, I'll pick you up so we can eat in a place where no one can disturb us."
- Spike





The next day...

Having ended his service as a butler at the Valentine's Day party organized for the school, the green-eyed Obelisk student proceeded to prepare a simple, yet exquisite dinner for two. He then prepared a bouquet of roses and a small box, which held something simple yet important. Before he left for the Girls' Dorm, he smiled, closing the door and heading for his date.





You might say that two hours looking for a girl was terrible, but hey, that's what happens when it's someone like Alexis Rhodes. Spike smiled softly, as he headed to the places she would usually be. That's when it hit him: what if he was avoiding people? That idea lead him to the place the Obelisks least spent their time at: the Slifer dorms. As he walked down the familiar path to the dorm he began in, he saw Professor Banner, who walked out of his room. 


"Hey professor," Spike said, looking at him.


"Hello Spike, what brings you here?" Banner asked, as he looked at the basket in Spike's left hand.


"I was looking for Alexis, turns out, we were probably going to share a meal today, although I haven't found her. I was wondering if you knew where she was."


"Well, she is in my room due to a funny reason. Do go in, and if you two leave the room, make sure to lock the door," he said, as he carried Pharaoh and left the dorm.


As for Spike, he proceeded to a Professor Banner's room, opening the door and finding Alexis sitting in a chair, looking at him.


"Spike, why are you here?" She asked.


"Why are you here, when you could be at the party?" He asked, looking out to the zone designated for the party that stood in the middle of the academy.


"Oh, I'm sorry, it's just... It's that day again," she said, looking away.


"Why is it such a bother?" He asked, grabbing a chair and sitting in front of her.


"Because... Well, most of the boys on campus have gone  to my room or they're trying to find me to ask me out and give me several gifts. It was nice in middle school, but it started being bothersome in 8th grade."


"I see, being chased by boys all day could be annoying."


"Yeah, I won't get out until the day ends. You said the dinner was for us, right?" 'Smooth, Alexis. Now your reputation of being nice is ruined by hunger,' she thought.


"Indeed, I do understand that being in here for a few hours without eating can make anyone hungry. However, I have a better idea to not eat here: let's eat outside," he said, smiling softly.


"What if they come and-"


"No, they will not come. Who'd think that you would be at the Slifer dorm? Also, you'll be with me, which in a way, gives them no right to ask you out."


"I guess you're right."


"It's rare when they tell me that. Now, shall I take you to dinner?" He asked.


"Yes please," she said, smiling softly. The two walked out of the room, locking the door and walking until they sat under a tree near the dorm.


"The day is nice, nor too hot nor too cold," he said, before setting the things up for the picnic.


"Did you make all of this yourself?"


"Just as I make your meals Monday through Friday," he said, chuckling as he grabbed two bottles of Coca-Cola and handed one to Alexis. Once he handed her a bottle, he began eating his slice of pizza, enjoying the mixture of cheese, tomato sauce, bread and pepperoni


"This pizza is great," Alexis said, before drinking from her soda.


"Why thank you," he said in response to the compliment, serving himself another slice after a while. "So, I know that this may be a touchy topic, but... Why did you go to the Abandoned Dorm that night?" Alexis sighed, only to answer his question.


"I've been searching for my brother, he disappeared due to Shadow Games. I've been trying for a long time, and I haven't been able to find him. I feel terrible, I-" and with that, she broke down, sadness taking over and tears flowing.


"I know where you're coming from," he said, handing her a tissue. She took it and wiped her tears away.


"What makes you think that?" He merely spawned a ball of fire in his left hand, holding it as a response.


"Spike, how did you-"


"Necrofire, as I like to call it," he said, before continuing. "I died due to a terminal disease, but I was then resurrected thanks to the Reaper. She's nice and all, although I have to give her a massage every Saturday night as part of the contract."


"I don't believe you."


"Let me show you," he said, as both of his hands slowly enveloped themselves in fire, holding her hands as his memories were seen in her head: his measly life in Ponyville which was improved by Zecora, his terminal disease, and his time here.


"I, I didn't know about it," she said, looking at him.


"We both share the pain of loss, Alexis. However, from loss rises creation. If I hadn't died, I wouldn't be sharing a meal with you right now," he said, smiling as he got out the dessert.


"Is that strawberry cheesecake?" Alexis asked, looking at him as all signs of sadness disappeared.


"Yes, also, I love how you were frightened at my fire powers and now you're smiling because I brought cheesecake," he said, chuckling as he served two slices, one for each. He then handed her a fork, and he followed a few moments later.


"It's tasty, Spike," she said, as she gave him a soft smile.


"After being on Earth for quite a while, you learn a few recipes. Also, the days I'd spend giving you breakfast, I learned about your favorite meals," he said, before eating part of his slice. 


"About your other life, how was it before all of the hard work?" She asked, as he frowned and looked at her. "Spike, you don't have to-"


"I will, you already told me about your loss, the least you deserve is my past," he said, before smiling softly as he held her hand, which brought a blush to Alexis's face. "Mom and I were very close, despite the fact that she had a kingdom to run."


"She was a queen?"


"Sun princess, to be precise. Now, life everyday was fun: breakfast with her, the rest of the morning with tutors, part of the afternoon in the garden with a maid whose name I do not remember, and at night, mom would tell me a story. Do you want to know what was funny?"


"What?"


"The book was about Duel Monsters. At the age of three, I received my first card: Yubel."


"You've had her for all of that time?"


"Not really, just for four years, from my third birthday until I moved out, which was at age 7 to be precise. I moved in with Twilight, who acted as my guardian. The thing is, I was the one who took care of her. And that's my life for now," he said, smiling a bit.


"Wow, you're full of surprises," she said, smiling as she still held his hand.


"Thanks, the same goes to you," he said, before continuing. "It's getting late, how about I walk you back to the dorm once I pick this all up?"


"Sure, let me help you," she said, smiling as the two got to work, putting everything away. After a few minutes, the two were on their way, laughing and holding hands. However, all good things come to an end as they stood in front of the Obelisk Girls' Dorm.


"Well, I guess it's all for today," he said, smiling as he held her hands as he looked into her eyes.


"Yeah, it was fun though," she answered, smiling as she looked back at him. "Thanks for everything today, Spike," she said, before leaning in to give him a kiss on the cheek, which made him blush a bit.


"See you tomorrow?"


"Yeah, I'll see you tomorrow," she said, as she entered the dorm. 


He went towards his dorm and into his room, smiling as he put the basket aside. However, he remembered that he forgot to give her the Valentine's Day gift. He quickly washed his hands and brushed his teeth, and proceeded to go to the Obelisk Girls' dorm with the bouquet of roses and the small box, quickly walking through the halls as several girls looked at him.


"We should tell Miss Fonda about him being in the dorm," a girl said.


"Why? He's got a bouquet of roses and a small black box," Mindy said.


"Yeah, but what if he's like the other boys who were looking for Alexis earlier?" Jasmine asked, standing beside Mindy.


"What is going on, girls?" Fonda asked, walking in as she held a glass of water in her hand. A group of girls, who were watching Jasmine and the others talk then saw the point of interest, which lead to them pointing at Spike as he knocked on a door, and Fonda just smiled softly.


"Let him, it is an act of love," she said.


"But Miss Fonda-" Jasmine said, before several other Obelisk girls got closer upon seeing Spike, who smiled as the door opened. Once he closed the door, the group headed towards it, some pressing their heads against the door to hear what was going on inside.


"Spike, why are you here?" Alexis asked, looking at him.


"I forgot to give you the Valentine's Day gift I prepared for you," he said, as he gave her the bouquet.


"Thank you," she said, as she put it aside. "What do you have there?" She asked, as she saw the small box in his right hand.


"The most valuable gift I could come up with," he said, as he gave her the box. She opened it and saw one of the rarest cards she had ever seen: a copy of the Swing of Memories card, the card Atticus used to represent the bond of brother and sister.


"Spike, how did you get it?"


"It's a funny story. First, I asked Dorothy if she had a database of sorts which showed the favorite cards of every student. I found you after a while, and I saw that 'Swing of Memories' was your favorite, so I ordered it in the highest rarity it was available in," he said, smiling.


"This is just, it's-" she broke into tears once more, and he chuckled since it was what he wanted: tears of joy, not of pain. He gave her a tissue, which she used to wipe her tears.


"You might want this," he said, handing her a special sleeve which was used for the exhibition of cards, making them unaffected by humidity, heat and other factors that wasted the card away.


"Thanks," she said, putting the card into the sleeve.


"Now that I've done that, I guess I must go before I get in trouble."


" Spike, I didn't give you your Valentine's Day gift," she said, looking at him as she out the card on her desk.


"And what would that-" his sentence was interrupted by a swift kiss, one that felt like an eternity to both, although it lasted a few seconds. She broke the kiss and looked at him.


"Happy Valentine's Day," she said, smiling softly. He merely smiled and pulled her in for another kiss, this one being a bit longer than the first one.


"Happy Valentine's Day, Alexis," he said, as he slowly wrapped his arms around her, kissing her forehead as she smiled. 


Once Spike walked out, he was greeted by more than a dozen Obelisk girls, who looked at him with curiosity. This group was lead by Fonda, Misty and Jasmine, Misty being the one to speak first.


"What happened in there?"


"I don't like bragging, but... we're now an item," he said, chuckling before the small group smiled at him, knowing that a couple had been born. If there was one thing he was proud of, it was making her smile. He now had someone to love after the loss, and now he looked forward to spending the next day with her, the day after that, and the days to come.


As for Alexis, she smiled as there was someone who understood her pain. Not only that, but due to Spike's point: from loss, creation is born. She may have lost her brother, but she now had a special someone, this someone being a green-haired Obelisk who manipulated fire, greeted her every morning and had a pair of unique, green eyes.
> Inferno and Purgatorio/ Lake of Fire
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	If you thought Hell was where my misery ended, you were wrong. I got out of the fire and into the boneyard. But... What exactly am I saying? The answer is: I ended up in a not-so beautiful, spooky-ass place known as Zombie World.

Now, this is not related to my world in any way, so let me explain the whole method of 'The Three Trees'. The Trees are well, existence, and each branch of those trees is a different world, and each leaf represents a decision that is made or not. Let's take the Equestria branch as an example (from the Tree of Existence), these being some odd examples of leaves:

1. What if Twilight were a Batpony instead of Fluttershy? Well, that ended in Twilight being the Ruler of the Night after murdering Auntie Luna. We'll call it the Vampire Leaf.
2. What if Pinkie killed ponies and other beings to make cupcakes? We'll call it the Cupcake Leaf.
3. What if Twilight kept her power instead of keeping her friends? We'll call it the Tyrant Twilight Leaf.

There are many more examples, and no, we are not a world that is really a leaf: the tree is a metaphor, the most accurate way of describing the existence of our worlds. Now, Hell does not exist on this tree, in fact, there is a tree that consists on the many infernos that exist throughout space and time: Trenzalore, The Netherrealm, Space Sector 666, etc.

Back to Zombie World, I had ended up on the Tree of Purgatory, the tree where the sinners go (although I wasn't a sinner, so I suppose it was a trial. Did I mention that I massaged Death in what was Hell, which was connected by a gate to Equestria, and Tartarus being known as the prison located in hell where the baddest beings known are contained?).

As the name goes for Zombie World, zombies are the main men, and being the non-putrid being in a place where they eat said non-putrid beings is not so beautiful. I could take my time describing how I escaped, but I'll put some estimations: 15 platoons (about 540 soldiers, 15 Zombie Masters, 15 guides, 15 snipers, 15 cannoneers (snipers with cannons), 15 sergeants and 15 commanders). I then had to defeat a such Revived King Ha Des. The last guy was difficult to beat, but I did it (with an incredible amount of rage and Necrofire).

After escaping Spook World (let's call it like that, it makes things funnier), I ended up in the Tree of Paradise, which consisted on the connection of Utopias that existed. I'll name some: Skyworld, the Lightsworn Sanctuary, Paradiso, etc. I ended up in (Italian for Equestrian Heaven), where my grandparents resided. As I set foot, a mare saw me and smiled.


"Hello Solaris," she said. This mare had a red mane, white fur and a Cutie Mark that consisted on an ink jar with a quill. This mare was my grandmother Faust, the Goddess of Creation.


"Hey grandma," I said, walking towards her and wrapping my arms around her.


"How did you get here?" She asked, looking into my eyes.


"Well, I died, ended up in Hell, bribed Death into letting me form part of some resurrection program, escaped a zombie-filled world, and ended up here," I answered.


"It must have been an interesting adventure," a stallion said, appearing. This stallion, on the other hand, was of dark blue fur and a black mane, with the cutie mark of a music note. He was Ingram, my grandfather and also the God of Time.


"Well, if massaging Death is the highlight, then yes," I answered, chuckling as I walked beside them. They're nice to be around, to the degree that their last visit felt like it was yesterday, despite the fact that I'm the one visiting.


"I didn't know you'd bribe her that way," Ingram said, before laughing. I joined in, only to be interrupted by me grandmother.


"Now my grandson, let me show you the world you are destined to arrive at," she said,  walking to a mirror. As I reached her, she began casting her magic, showing me a world I did not know of. I saw many valleys, monuments, people, and an island. Yes boys and girls, that was Duel Academy, something I didn't know back then.


"As my final set of paragraphs, I will say the following: what if there are more worlds out there than those you knew, such as Equestria?" She asked me.


"That could explain the whole zombie incident," I answered.


"Indeed, you are the chosen one to be the first of many who will be sent throughout space and time to learn about these worlds, and connect them to ours," she said, holding two gems. "You can consume the sapphire, which will take you back to Hell and you'll serve Death, or you can consume the ruby, where you will be taken to this new world. What will it be?" She asked.


Let's ponder this: I could go back to the fiery prison and visit Tirek and the others, OR... I could end up in a new world I was unfamiliar with, that looked nice, and I could get a new life. Let's face it, who wants to spend the rest of their 'lives' burning in the core of Equis?


"I'll take the ruby," I said, biting it. It was quite tasty, but then... Things got ugly. I fell down a hole, only to land in a dark room a bit later. As if on cue, a light turned on, revealing a room with a table and a chair. On said table was an odd device, a box, and a book. Out of curiosity, I grabbed the box, which had several cards I didn't understand back then.


That lead me to the book, which was titled 'The History and Guide to Duel Monsters'. As I saw the cover, memories came back to me, back when I was a hatchling. That was when I heard a voice, one that I hadn't heard in years.


"Hello Spike," she said. This woman had sickly-pink skin, large black wings, heterochromic eyes, a third vertically placed eye, and she was half-woman half-man.


"Yubel?" I asked.


"In the flesh," she answered, chuckling as we hugged each other. Let me explain why she was important to me: Back when I lived with Mom, I received a card for my birthday, along with a storybook. This storybook happened to be the book I now had. Why did I call it a storybook, you ask? Well, my mother would only read me the stories that came in it.


"Alright, I need to understand this world," I said, taking in my new appearance as I looked at myself in a mirror: I was about 5' 9" in height, a bit less muscular mass than when I trained Ninjitsu (which was enough to attract a few mares back in the days, nor lanky nor having muscles like Bulk Biceps), and short green hair. As for my clothing, I wore a black shirt, a purple hoodie, jeans and green sneakers.


"In this world, you use cards to solve your everyday problems. Welcome, to the Duel Monsters' version of Earth," she said.


"Alright, is there any difference between this place and Equestria?"


"Besides the fact that here they are not pastel-colored humans and that Duel Monsters is important, no," she said, bluntly.


"Excellent, just need to shake the rust off my skills as a masseur and a chef," I said. "Also, what is that for?" I asked, pointing at the artifact.


"That is a Duel Disk, you're supposed to put it on," she said.


"Could you teach me? I really need to learn how to use it."


"Alright, you put it on the arm you do not use to write, the long part on the outside of your arm, not the inside." I got to putting it on, and it was a bit difficult at first, but I managed to put it on. 


"Now, you extend your arm, and you'll activate it," she said. I extended my arm, and as if it were by magic, the disk turned on, joining the two plates to make a plate with five squares on top and five slots under each square.


"Good, better give it a whirl," I said, putting a pinkish card on a square, only to discover that it didn't work.


"The green and purple cards go in the slots," she said, laughing, before she turned into a card that appeared in my hand. "Try putting me on the disk." I did as she said, and she appeared.


"Cool," I said. 


"You'll learn on how to use a Duel Disk properly as time goes on, for now, we must go and practice, there will be an exam in a week," she said. I followed an address that she gave me, which lead me to a small shop. However, there were the letters that spelled 'GAME' in front of the shop. I then entered and saw an old man, one with a black bandanna and green overalls.


"Hello young child, how may I help you?" He asked.


"I'm looking for a such 'Solomon Muto'. Do you know who he is?" I asked.


"It is me," he answered, before continuing. "Now, why do you seek me?" He asked.


"I was sent here to train in the field of Duel Monsters," I said.


"Very well then, you may start by separating the cards of that box," he said, pointing at a big box before continuing, "into Spells, Traps and Monsters."


"Um, ok then," I said, getting to work. It took me eight hours at a non-stop pace to finish organizing, but I managed to do it. As I looked at him tired, he said:


"You may rest in the guest room, it's at the end of the hall," he said, before going up the stairs. I followed him, and then went to the room I was temporarily residing in. It was simple, nor luxurious nor lacking, just enough for the time being. Now, my days were spent organizing cards in multiple orders: names, levels, card frames, etc. 


When it wasn't spent like that, I would be dueling him, and boy was I terrible. However, it was nothing a week's training did. Now, you may think a week is too little, but it was enough. 

When I asked him in what way organizing cards would help me, he'd show me some cards, and I'd say their names and effects. It was then that I understood his method: the cards that I'd organize were always the same, and due to the different methods of organization, I learned about each card. I still made some mistakes, but then again, who doesn't?


"This morning, you will go over to the Kaiba Tower and show them your skills. Once you are finished, just return, okay?" He asked.


"Okay," I said, checking my Duel Disk and the deck he gave me. As I walked out of the Game Shop, I looked at the tower and smiled, walking towards the tower.






The Dreamscape

Vinyl and Octavia were wandering through their dreamscape, given that they were connected for some reason. However, they saw me dragging a huge knife, but the unique part was the steel pyramid on my head.


"Who're you?" Vinyl asked, before the I dropped the knife, only to remove the pyramid, and I looked at them with a smile..


"Good ol' Scale Head, Vinny," I said, smiling as he addressed her by the nickname he gave him when he was alive.


"Spike, how are you... alive?" Octavia asked.


"Well, I have resurrected, but I was sent to another world. However, you are two of five ponies I'm visiting," I said.


"Why can't you come back?" Vinny asked.


"If I return, I'd be repeating the past events, or I'd just reside in Hell. Now... How about one last song?" I asked, spawning a guitar. I also spawned a sound system for Vinyl and a cello for Octavia. As Octavia began, I followed a few seconds later, singing the lyrics to one of my personal favorites.

Where do bad folks go when they die?
They don't go to heaven where the angels fly
They go to the lake of fire and fry
Won't see them again 'till the fourth of July

I knew a lady who came from Duluth
She got bit by a dog with a rabid tooth
She went to her grave just a little too soon
And she flew away howling on the yellow moon

Where do bad folks go when they die?
They don't go to heaven where the angels fly
They go down to the lake of fire and fry
Won't see them again 'till the fourth of July

Now the people cry and the people moan
And they look for a dry place to call their home
And try to find some place to rest their bones
While the angels and the devils try to make them their own

Where do bad folks go when they die?
They don't go to heaven where the angels fly
They go down to the lake of fire and fry
Won't see them again 'till the fourth of July


"Just like old times," I said, smiling as I de-spawned the guitar.


"Yes indeed," Octavia said, smiling softly.


"Well, it was nice being with you Scale Head," Vinny said.


"Yeah. Well, I must go, time's running out," I said, smiling as I walked out of the dreamscape. "Also, you're two of the six I'm visiting," I finished, before vanishing.
> Draconic Revelations and the Exam/ The Drake That Walked at Midnight
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

	I arrived at the tower, going up the elevator as Yubel helped me do some last-minute studying to make sure I was prepared.


"Remain calm at all times or else you will solve nothing," she told me, smiling softly.


"Thanks Yubel, you're as good help as you were when I was a hatchling," I answered, smiling softly as I hugged her. Said hug was short-lived since the doors of the elevator opened, and I saw the desks in front of me. There were several men and women writing down names, as well as several teens in registration. I walked up to a man and he asked me:


"Name?"


"Spike Solaris," I answered, waiting for a response before he nodded in approval, giving me a motion to proceed to a room full of teens. Each teen was seated, and the only things on their desks were a pencil, an eraser, and the test. I took a seat, only for the man in charge of watching us said:

"You have one hour to answer your exam. Now, you may begin." I went to doing the questions, and it was a breeze in a way:


Written Exam, by Dr. Vellian Crowler

1. At least how many cards must you have in your graveyard to activate "Reversal
of Graves"?
A. 10 cards
B. 18 cards
C. 15 cards
Answer: 18 cards

2. Black Luster Soldier + Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon =
A. F.G.D.
B. Paladin of White Dragon
C. Master of Dragon Soldier
Answer: Master of Dragon Soldier

3. Dark Blade + Pitch-Dark Dragon =
A. Rare Metal Dragon
B. Dark Blade The Dragon Knight 
C. Invader of Darkness
Answer: Dark Blade The Dragon Knight

4. Elemental Hero Avian + Elemental Hero Burstinatrix =
A. Elemental Hero Thunder Giant
B. UFOroid Fighter
C. Elemental Hero Flame Wingman
Answer: Elemental Hero Flame Wingman

5. "Flame Manipulator" and which monster are Fusion-Material for "Flame Swordsman"?
A. Karbonala Warrior
B. Swordsman from a Foreign Land
C. Masaki the Legendary Swordsman
Answer: Masaki the Legendary Swordsman

6. If "A Legendary Ocean" is on the field, which monster can be summoned without a
tribute?
A. Terrorking Salmon
B. Gogiga Gagagigo
C. Levia-Dragon - Daedalus
Answer: Terrorking Salmon

7. Of the three types of "Gaia", which has the highest attack?
A. Gaia the Fierce Knight
B. Gaia the Dragon Champion
C. Swift Gaia the Fierce Knight
Answer:  Gaia the Dragon Champion

8. These cards have the following effect: Return cards to the owner's hand. Which
one allow you to retrieve the most cards?
A. Penguin Soldier
B. Hane-Hane
C. Hade-Hane
Answer: Penguin Soldier

9. When I soar through the sky,
My victims run.
My master's true name
Is known by none.

What card am I?

'This is a difficult one, hardly any card has an official story of its own.' I thought, before looking at the picture of an Egyptian tablet that stood in the classroom. 

'The game originally began in Ancient Egypt, and the gods had an influence. There was Anubis, Osiris, and Ra, the three main gods. The first was the god of the underworld, while the second was the god/goddess of death. Ra was the sun god and nobody knew his name... That's it!' I ended, scribbling my answer quickly before exiting my classroom, only to walk to a table with several cards set in the table.


"The second stage is a timed duel, every time you restart, you will lose 10 points. Also remember, you can check both decks to make your moves," the tester said, as he observed.


Spike: 900 - Tester 2: 3100

I saw the set of cards in front of me, seeing as I had a face-up defense-position monster (Opressed People) and two face-downs, while my opponent had two face-up attack position monsters.

"Alright, I've got two monsters in my hand, and two spells as well," I said, reading the description description of my opponent's first monster:


"Spell Canceller, as long as this card is face-up, you cannot activate Spell Cards..." Well, it doesn't make it immune to monster effects! I'll summon 'Tsukuyomi' in Attack Mode (1100 ATK). Its effect allows me to 'Book of Moon' a monster, so Canceller's going face-down," I said, flipping it face-down.


"Next, I'll use Call of the Haunted to bring back 'People Running About' in Attack Mode (600 ATK). As for my next move, I'll activate 'Monster Reincarnation' to ditch my 'United Resistance' for the Bokoichi the Freightening Car," I said, adding said card to my hand after putting United Resistance in the grave.


"My fourth step will be reviving 'United Resistance' with 'Premature Burial', it'll cost me 800 Life Points, but it's on the field," I said, seeing how the damage was subtracted (900 - 800 = 100 LP) before I put 'United Resistance' in Attack Mode (1000 ATK).


"And now, it's time to clean up, I'll activate Huge Revolution! As long as I have 'Opressed People', 'People Running About' and 'United Resistance' on the field, I can destroy all cards you have on the field, and also make you discard the cards in your hand," I said, putting them in the graveyard.


"To finish things off, I'll switch 'Opressed People' to attack mode, and attack with all," I said, smiling as the tester's Life Points dropped to 0.


"Well done, you may proceed to the third and final stage of the entry exam," he said, smiling as I walked to the field, which was pretty much full. I saw my opponent, who was another tester, who had her disk ready.


"I hope you're ready for the most difficult phase," she said, looking at me.


"Ready as I'll ever be," I answered, preparing my duel disk and grabbing my Red-Eyes deck, shuffling it and putting it in the deck holder of the disk.


"The duel exam begins now."


Spike: 4000 - Tester 3: 4000


"Ladies first," I said.


"I see you have manners, and I accept."


1. Tester
"I'll summon 'Winged Sage Falcos' in Attack Mode (1700 ATK). Then, I'll end my turn with two turns. Your move, Snake-Eyes," she said. I guess she saw my eyes and decided to give me a nickname.


2. Spike
"I'll start off by activating 'Heavy Storm', which allows me to destroy all Spell and Trap cards on the field," I said, seeing her cards turn to smithereens. "Then," I'll drop off my 'Masked Dragon' in Attack Mode (1400 ATK). To end my Main Phase, I'll activate 'Red-Eyes Transmigration'. By sending monsters whose combined levels equal 8 or more, I can Ritual Summon a 'Lord of the Red' from my hand. Luckily, I'll send a copy of it to bring my other copy onto the field, so give it up for 'Lord of the Red', in Attack Mode (2400 ATK)!" I said, seeing as it appeared on the field.


"Is that all?" She asked.


"Not skipping my Battle Phase. Now, 'Lord of the Red', attack the sage with Red Rage!" I said, as it charged at the sage, destroying it instantly.


"'Masked Dragon', attack directly!" I yelled, seeing as her life points dropped a bit. 


Spike: 4000 - Tester: 1900


3. Tester
"I'll play 'Premature Burial'. This card lets me summon a monster from my Graveyard by paying 800 Life Points." She said, smiling.


"It's a shame I've got Lord on the field: its effect allows me to destroy a Spell or Trap card when a card or effect is activated, that is, if it isn't Lord's effect," I countered, seeing how the Equip Spell was destroyed, leaving her without the chance of resurrecting her 'Winged Sage Falcos'.


"I'll end my turn by summoning Flying Kamakiri #1 in Defense Mode (900 DEF)."

Spike: 4000 - Tester: 1100


4. Spike
"It's time I finish what I started. I'll summon a second Masked Dragon in Attack Mode (1400 ATK). Now, my first 'Masked Dragon' will attack that Kamakiri you've got there," I said, seeing the dragon headbutt the giant mosquito. However, the tester smiled, spawning a dragon onto the field.


"When my Flying Kamakiri #1 is destroyed by battle, I can special summon a Wind-type monster with 1500 or less Attack Points in Attack Mode," she said, as I saw the monster, which turned out to be 'Harpie's Pet Baby Dragon (1200 ATK).


"Well, I'll take it down with my second 'Masked Dragon'." I said, seeing as no monsters were left after the second 'Masked Dragon' attacked, before I continued. "'Lord of the Red', attack with Red Rage!" I yelled, seeing the tester's Life Points drop to zero.

Spike: 4000 - Tester 0


"You are well-trained," the tester said, looking at me.


"I'm doing alright, still need to polish my skills," I answered, smiling softly before leaving the field. However, there were two men in suits waiting for me, and they didn't look like they wanted to be friends.


"Mr. Spike Solaris, your presence has been requested by Seto Kaiba and his wife," the left one said.


"We will escort you to the observation room, where the couple is located," the one on the right added.


"Very well then..." I said, following them as they began walking. I didn't know who Seto Kaiba nor his wife were at the time, but I'd soon receive answers once I entered the room.


In that room, I saw a man and a woman. The man had brown hair, a white jacket and black pants, and a serious expression. As for the woman, she had white hair, blue eyes, and a dress, a caring expression on her face. This woman was drinking a cup of tea, and I was sure there was something strange about her.


"You may be wondering why you are here, applicant. I am Seto Kaiba, and I will-"


"My love, I can handle him, I am sure he will feel much more comfortable around me," she said, smiling softly. "Now, I want to talk to him, dragon-to-dragon," she added, as he walked out of the room. She got up and used some kind of magic to burn her dress away, leaving a battle attire as her attire. The battle attire consisted on a silver armor, and I saw her hands emit a white aura.


"That explains the 'dragon-to-dragon' term," I said, seeing as the room was now a battle arena, several people cheering for her.


"I wish to know how well you are as a fighter," she said, entering a fighting stance.


"Let's see if Hell and Zombie World were a good training session," I said, as my hands caught on fire with my signature green fire. We ran at each other, and she spawned three orbs of white energy. I delivered a punch to her, but as soon as I did it, the orbs headed towards me, all three hitting me on the chest. She delivered several punches before knocking me down.


I got up and wiped the blood that was pouring from my mouth, and then I spat on the ground to get rid of the taste. She projected the three orbs again, so I ran towards her once more. She smiled and used the orbs as projectiles once more, but I teleported behind her and delivered a flying kick. As she fell to the ground, I delivered a few punches to her face, each punch getting stronger, until I decided to stop and do a backflip. 

She got up and spawned the white aura on her body, regenerating herself as I maintained my balance. We ran at each other, and as I prepared another flying kick, she spawned two dragon wings on her back and flew at me, knocking me back a few meters before she delivered several kicks to my head, seeing as I fell.


I hadn't come all the way here to lose in one fight. I began laughing, seeing how my scales returned. I had returned to my draconic form, which was the way I was before I was diagnosed with my disease.


"Death of Equestria, give me the strength to avenge the fallen!" I yelled, as my body covered itself in flames. The fighter and I delivered punches to each other, until I used my dragon fire as a flame thrower. It would normally stagger opponents, but the fire now burnt away at her, and I used it to deliver several punches and kicks. I decided to finish it off by teleporting and delivering a punch to her head, said punch making her fall to the ground.


The fight appeared to be over, until she enveloped herself in the white aura to recover from all damage she took. She then placed her hand on mine, and I felt myself recover as well.


"You are quite skilled, you only need to improve a bit," she said, smiling softly as she warped us back to the room. By that time, she was in a dress once more, and then she proceeded to take a seat.


"My name is Kisara, embodiment of the monster known as the Blue-Eyes White Dragon. What is your name, dragon-blood?" She said, looking at me as she went back to drinking her cup of tea.


"I am Spike Solaris, born in Equestria and resurrected here. By the way, how did you find out I was a dragon?" I asked, smiling softly.


"When I saw you on the field, what caught my attention were the dragon-eyes Solaris. Also, when I heard your name, it reminded me that it has been a long time since we last met."


"What are you talking about?"


"Let me show you," she said, holding my hand as she projected a moment in time I wasn't aware of. I saw three male dragons, one was blue, one purple and one that was pretty much Yubel Pink. Then, I saw Kisara in her dragon form: she was with a purple dragoness, observing what seemed to be my egg.





Several centuries ago


"This is my egg, what is left of my family after the clan war," the purple dragoness said, smiling softly.


"Why are you not in sorrow, given the circumstances?" Kisara asked.


"I learned to enjoy things despite the losses. I may have lost most of my family, but I will still have my hatchling."


"I understand. By the way, do you have a name for it?"


"I plan on naming him Solaris, given that I can feel it getting happier when it's in the sun rather than when it is receiving heat from me."


"Considering what happened to your family, let me bless it," Kisara said, before resting a claw on it. The egg began flowing, and after a while, it faded. "This egg will withstand damage, securing its birth. As to when it will hatch, I do not know," she added.


"Thank you Kisara, you have been quite the company."


"Your welcome Artemis, I enjoyed seeing your egg." And with that, the image faded once she stopped holding my hand.






"You met my mother?" I asked, looking into your eyes.


"Yes, and many other dragons," Kisara answered, smiling softly. I couldn't help but smile softly, seeing the dragoness who was my mother, and the resemblance of the two.


"By the way, how did you get to Equis all those years ago? Who were the three dragons that appeared at first?"


"We discovered a portal centuries ago, which gave several of us access to your home planet, despite the fact that the portal was destroyed after a war. As for the dragons, they are the Legendary Dragons known as Timaeus, Critias and Hermos. The three dragons serve as our leaders, and they have done a wonderful job."


"Wait, you mean the second clan war?"


"I'm afraid you're correct, that war lead to the death of your mother and what remained of your clan." 


"Thanks for the knowledge Kisara," I said, sighing. "Now, why did you need to see my fighting skills?


"The combat session was to see if you were apt for the mission we will send you on."


"Do tell me more..." I said, taking a seat.


"There has been paranormal activity in our academy, which involves the disappearance of students and the performance of Shadow Games. Seto and I need you to go and investigate, given that you are resilient to several types of magic, except the one of the Shadows."


"I hate to be greedy, but what will I get out of this?" I asked.


"Your scholarship will be covered by Kaiba Corps, you'll get access to the entire campus and several upcoming events."


"All-in-all, I get to go around campus without being busted by you, and I get a VIP pass in certain upcoming events?" I asked.


"Exactly. Now, do we have a deal?" She asked, standing up and extending her hand to me. I got up and shook her hand, smiling.


"It's a deal." Now, I had to sign a contract which secured me in the category of Ra Yellow. Said contract also secured my scholarship and the all-access pass. I was going to put these things to good use, although I had to return to the Game Shop to get my few belongings before heading to the mentioned island.






The Dreamscape


Our dear Element of Kindness was walking through the forest, enjoying the nocturnal life. However, things would take a sharp turn as she came across a barn, this one being different from the one at Sweet Apple Acres. She entered and saw several ponies, griffons, dragons, and other species in tubes, writhing in fear and pain. Their screams of agony and terror started affecting the yellow mare, and then, a bipedal figure in ragged clothing came in.


"Fluttershy, I see you joined the party!" He said, laughing a bit.


"Who are you, and why do you know me?" Flutters asked, looking at him.


"I am Spike, but my experiments nickname me Scarecrow!" He said, laughing.


"Why are you doing this to them?"


"They need to understand the true concept of fear, unlike yours. They also need to understand that the kind will always be the easiest to startle."


"You won't hurt them anymore, I will use The Stare!" She said, looking into his eyes before he started screaming.


NO, IT CAN'T BE! I'M FEELING FEAR AGAIN! CELESTIA, LUNA, HELP ME..." He yelled, before he began laughing.


"Why doesn't it affect you?" She asked, scared.


"I am smart, unlike the simpletons like Angel Bunny. Speaking of that damn hare..." He said, holding his head.


"Angel!" She yelled.


"He was pretty tasty, although I only kept the head to show you," he said, laughing.


"Y-you, you monster!" She yelled.


"You're the monster! You treated me in a less caring way than you would treat animals, hell, Angel took my slot! Now, it's time for you to know the true meaning of fear," he said, injecting a needle into her neck. As she felt the needle, her vision got hazy, slowly showing her images of her animal friends, her fellow elements, and Discord dying.


"Ahh! Please make it stop!" She yelled, as the images then turned into her childhood memories: the bullying, the fear of flight, the death of her father, and several other factors. As the laughing became unbearable, she woke up. She was in the castle, and Discord was by her side. She saw the flame pillar, and had no other better idea than to walk to the pillar, heading to the Canterlot Cemetery.
> A Ship-load of Things/ A New Hope
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Spike's Journal
October 3rd, 2004

It's been a week since I arrived to Earth, and hardly a few minutes since I set foot in my room. This is an interesting concept for a school, and I'm looking forward to it. I hope things go well, for it is a second life.

- Spike Solaris


As I walked back to the Game Shop, I smiled as I held my results and the contract that permitted my scholarship as long as I did the errands Kaiba sent me on. I opened the door and saw Solomon and the box I spent time organizing.


"I was informed of your results by Mr. Kaiba," he said, smiling.


"I hope I did great under your expectations," I answered.


"Better than expected. Now, you will be sent to the academy, but you won't have money. However, due to your help, the box you spent time organizing is now yours, including the cards."


"Thank you, Mr. Muto," I said, smiling as I walked towards the box.


"Your welcome. Now, there is a card shop there. If you want to buy cards, you'll have to improvise, and I'm sure you'll find a way," he said, smiling. "Now get going, the helicopters leave today at 3:00 P.M," he added. I looked at the clock and it read 11:00 A.M, enough time for me to prepare my things and have lunch. I prepared some club sandwiches, that consisted on ham, bacon, lettuce, tomato and toasty bread. 

Four hours later, I was on my way to the pier, where the ships awaited us. Now, as the odd person I am, I started to sing sea shanties on my way there...


"We'll rant and we'll roar, like true British sailors, we'll rant and we'll roar, along the south seas-"


"Spike, stop it," Yubel said, looking at me.


"Alright, I'll start singing on the boat. Besides, my voice is better than Twilight's dance moves," I answered, chuckling as Yubel didn't understand the joke.


At the pier, I was in a mob of probably more than a hundred students, all waiting to get on. I observed that some were dueling, others chatting, and others making sure they had everything. I was one of the people who were trying to get in front, trying to get a good seat. 

However, racism kicked in, for when they let us in, the Obelisks were given the privilege of choosing first. I showed my Kaiba Corps. Employment Seal, and given that I was Kaiba's personal Boba Fett, I was given the privilege as well, despite the fact that I was a Slifer due to the lack of dueling antecedents.

Sadly, the Ra and Slifers got on last, and this is where I realized the system was tainted: being judged by the color of your jacket? Come on, I was judged for having scales, which didn't let me join the Equestrian Military! However, my thoughts were interrupted by an Obelisk girl who had dark blonde hair, brown eyes, an hourglass figure, and, well, that was it for the moment. 


"What are you doing here?" She asked. Her tone wasn't of annoyance, instead, it was of curiosity.


"Special permission from Seto Kaiba," I said, showing my seal of employment.


"You work for him?"


"Yeah, nothing special in my opinion," I answered, smiling softly. "Given the reputation of the man, I'd rather keep it a secret, but given that you asked, you have the right to know." I know this looks as if she were a close friend, but look at her, the woman who turned out to be my wife. I know it's a big spoiler, but it leaves the gap between now and the prologue as one big mystery. 


"Mind if I sit with you?"


"Is it due to the empty seat, or is it due to my employer?"


"Definitely not because of your job."


"Well then, I don't mind at all," I said, as she smiled and took a seat. 


"Do you want to know why I sat here?" She asked, as I looked into her eyes. Oh, those simple, brown eyes that had much to tell. I could go on, but we've got an agenda of writing down four years, so yeah, I'm sure you'll understand.


"Go on, I'm all ears," I answered, checking my equipment.


"Well, my friends sat together, and as you can see, it's two people per bench. I tried to find a place near them, but I ended up here since the other seats in our section are full. Then I saw you, and there were two things that caught my attention: the first one was your red jacket, which means you're a Slifer Red."


"What was the second one?" I asked.


"Your eyes, I'm surprised nobody noticed them."


"You mean the fact that I've got a reptile's eyes?


"Yeah, it looks like they're real, but... Are they?"


"Yeah, due to some odd reason, I got these eyes, I guess I'm a Liz Taylor of sorts." Okay, any coincidences of people, dead or alive, are not intentional... Well, in this case, it was, since I needed a reason to not be odd.


"That must be pretty cool."


"Yeah, sort of. I'll be fine with it as long as people don't call me a frog or some other ridiculous reptile or amphibian."


"So, tell me about yourself."


"I'm Spike Solaris, I'm unimportant, I have no dueling antecedents, so that's pretty much it," I said, shuffling my Red-Eyes deck. "Now about you? I'm sure you're much more interesting than I am."


"Well, I come from Duel Prep School, my parents are important in the fields of dueling, law, and the stock exchange, and my name is Alexis Rhodes."


"Alexis, the name that means 'to help or defend'. Also, your parents know how to count big numbers in a way," I said, chuckling. 


"Well, my mother is an attorney, the cases she receives are few, but they pay well."


"So... She's a housewife and an attorney?"


"If you want to put it like that, then yes, she is. As for my father, he works in the stock exchange, pretty much calculating the increase and decrease of things in the market."


"As the occupation's name goes..."


"What are your parents' jobs?"


"Well, that's the thing: I'm the last member of my family," I answered, frowning and looking down.


"I'm sorry Spike, I didn't want to-"


"I guess I should explain. Time ago, there were several clan wars, and my family was involved in one of them. My father, my brother and my sister were lost in the first war against the Frost Clan. Right after my birth, my mother was killed by the leader of the Swiftclaw Clan. I would've been a victim as well, but I remained alive, given that my stepmother's guards got there before I was killed."


"If you want to stop, it's okay."


"Almost done, beautiful," I said, causing her to blush as I smiled. I guess that simple comment broke the silence, and I began laughing along with her.


"Well, things became brighter after that day, which lead to me being here. To be honest, I hadn't touched a deck until about a week ago," I ended.


"We're going to the right place to study, Spike, the teachers there are experienced, and Dr. Crowler has a PhD in dueling."


"It's good to know. Also, it does belong to Kaiba and his wife." It is odd, however, that for some reason, she slid her hand over to mine.


"Wow, you're warm, and it's cold here," she said, with a small amount of surprise in her voice.


"I've got warm blood, always been like this," I answered, smiling as my Draconian genetics gave me an advantage here.


"Mind if I lean on you?"


"Touchy, aren't we?" I asked, making her blush. I know it seems a bit cruel that I'm teasing her but let's get back on track. "Nope, not at all," I said, wrapping an arm around her. She blushed, only to smile softly and get comfortable as she felt my warmth. I know it seems as if our relationship is going fast, but we haven't even started it yet. In fact, it starts in February 2005.


It felt like an eternity as we stood in silence, although it was only a couple of hours. The boat stopped, and I looked around: the women wondered how I managed to have her under my arm, while the men looked at me with hate. I didn't know how powerful she was, because I'd find out a few hours later.


"I was cold, and he is surprisingly warm," Alexis said, before getting up. As if it weren't enough, I held the hand of another Obelisk, and she was amazed. The same expression was shared by a few Ra and Slifer students. As we all got off the boat, we proceeded to a room with a man in the middle of what is really a classroom.


"Good afternoon class, I am Chancellor Sheppard. I welcome you all to the prestigious Duel Academy, the center of five academies that are around the world, one on each inhabited continent: North Academy of Europe, South Academy of Australia, West Academy of Africa, and East Academy of America." 


"Now, before you truly become part of our academy, you will each receive a PDA, which will guide you to your dorms. You may all leave, and I wish you all an excellent school year," he said, before we all left the classroom. As I went to get my PDA, I received a piece of paper instead, which directed me to my dorm and room.


Slifer Red was like an apartment complex, but it was a nice place. As I entered Room 7, I saw what it contained: a bed, a desk with a Slifer poster on the wall in front of said desk, a stove, a small fridge, cupboards, a closet, a small table and a window. 


"It is not that bad for a Slifer room," Yubel said.


"Well, I just can't be a beggar with a stick," I answered, putting my backpack and the box of cards on the floor. 


"Anyways, what are we having for dinner?"


"I thought Duel Spirits didn't need to eat."


"It does not mean that we do not do so. Also, I'm surprised you didn't notice the suitcase on your bed." This caught my attention, which lead me to seeing the silver suitcase. I opened it, and saw two revolvers: one was black with a red grip, and the other was white with a blue grip.


"They're beautiful..."


"Hmm, you also happen to have a PDA, and there's a letter for you," she said, giving me the two items after I put the guns in their case. I opened the letter and put the PDA in my lap, reading the letter which said the following:


Spike Solaris,

You may be wondering why you did not receive a Personal Digital Assistant at the assembly, and why you have these firearms. The firearms are to aid you in your quest, which as you know, is to find information of shadow game activity and traces of the missing students. There will be enemies that will not settle things with a duel, which could lead you to combat. In order to use the handguns, you must channel your energy into them. Then, you aim and pull the trigger, and a small fire bullet will be shot. These projectiles are faster than your average projectiles. This also works for any other firearm you can hold.

As for the PDA, it is unique compared to the other PDAs. This one has a GPS, basic information on the academy's staff and students, a memory of 16 gigabytes, and direct contact with Kaiba and I. I do hope you do well in your first year at Duel Academy, and we also wish for you to bring results in your mission as soon as possible.

Sincerely,
Kisara, hostess of the Blue-Eyes White Dragon

P.S In order to get extra money, you're going to have to get a job on the island. We've provided you with a fridge full of food, and basic culinary utensils, as well as a masseur's bed. Don't screw up, and stay alive.

- Kaiba


"That's comforting, but how did he find out I'd need this?" I asked.


"I told Kisara," Yubel said, smirking. "Hey, you can't start living alone empty-handed."


"Thanks for that 'Bel, I appreciate it."


"'Bel? That's an odd nickname, but I like it."


"Now... How about kebabs for dinner?"


"Use cow meat, not chicken."


"Will do," I said, before I began he process of preparation: chopping, cutting, roasting, and putting the meat and vegetables on sticks. I then proceeded to serve lemon-lime soda in two cups while the kebabs cooled down. As I served the kebabs in two plates, I took them to the table, which lead me to sitting on the floor.


Yubel had approved of my food, and I was happy my skills weren't that rusty. I knew clothes and other items would be a problem, but I'd solve those problems with time's passing and giving it my all. As I fell asleep, my dreams drifted to Alexis, and then how I would put my skills as a masseur to good use. Life couldn't have gotten better. However, I had to visit a zebra tonight in the dreamscape.





The Dreamscape

Zecora was very depressed, watching over her foal in her hut. As it was expected, she was one of the most affected due to Spike's death. She then looked around, only to be greeted by a purple-and-green dragon that was dressed in white robes, and he had an odd metallic cylinder in his hands.


"Hello Zecora, again, we meet again," he said.


"Spike... how are you here?" Zecora asked.


"This is one of the few trips, able to realize in the dreamscape, am I.  Rhyme, I am, also surprised by the fact that you did not."


"It has been time indeed, it is you who I need."


"Always been your way of speaking, rhyming has, I assume, to be careful with what you say, is it. "


"Guessed right you have, your warmth is what I lack."


"Zecora, come to say goodbye, I have.  More ponies out there, there are, despite the fact that I am a pony not."


"Spike, I-"


"Me Zecora follow, something I must show you, there is," I said, walking out of the hut, only to see the sunset that consisted on two suns.


"What is this place? My doubts I am sure you can sate."


"Tatooine, this is, of Anakin Skywalker the home planet.  Also the place that saw his son, is it, Luke Skywalker grow. An impossible happening in equestria, the two suns in the sky are.  Our case in, miracle, it is.  Something that seems impossible but happens anyway, a miracle is."


"Continue..." she said, as we went back in.


"To me listen, Zecora.  Spend the rest of your life mourning over my death you should not, bad for the foal would it be.  Raise the foal properly and move on.  Remember Zecora, the only one out there I am not," I said, fading away after giving her a unique item: a Krayt Dragon Pearl, a pearl known for the feeling of warmth it emanates.
> Defender of the Lesser Ones/ The Last Laugh
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Defender of the Lesser Ones/ The Last Laugh

Spike's Journal
October 4th, 2004

Today we're introducing ourselves to the class, and it's all happening in Professor Banner's Alchemy class. He's a cool person, given that we both are enthusiasts of the culinary arts. Now, as I holster my black-and-red gun Razel in my blazer's inner pocket, I put Yubel in my card case, and also prepare my Duel Disk in case a showdown happens.
- Spike Solaris





Alright, you may be wondering where the comedy kicks in. Well boys and girls, let me show you:


"Alright, a guy's at his check-up, and the patient asks: 'how much do I have left?' The doctor says 'five', and the patient asks 'five what?' The doctor gets out a gun and says 'four, three, two, one...'" Yubel began laughing.


"Where'd you get that joke from?" She asked, looking at me.


"At a bar, the bartender told me the joke."


"Alright, I got a joke for you: so Yugi and Kaiba were dueling, and then Yugi manages to use 'Lightforce Sword' on Obelisk the Tormentor, guess what Yugi says? He said, 'You should've ADOPTED another strategy, eh?'" I just lost it, imagining Yugi Muto say that, making fun of the big guy spurt just... I'm sure you know how things went down.


"Ahahahaha! Damn Yubel, I didn't know you had the skills to tell good jokes!"


"Been saving that one for quite a while. You better hurry up Spike, class begins in five minutes," she said, before vanishing. I kept on walking, reaching the classroom three minutes before 8:00 A.M. Class began, and we had to introduce ourselves: first the Obelisk boys, then the Obelisk girls, then the Ra students, and finally: the Slifers. 


Things were going well until a short blue-haired kid stood in front of us, and he spoke:


"U-um hi, I a-am Syrus Truesdale, and I-" his mind drifted away as he lost his confidence, it was evident. As he struggled to say something, an Obelisk said:


"Looks like you were a mistake, unlike your brother, Slifer Slacker!" This just broke Syrus, and he ran away crying. I felt the Draconian Rage rise, something that gave me strength, but limited my thinking and rationality. I managed to control myself, and I stepped up front, given that I was the last student that was going to step up front and talk a bit about myself.


"Whoever said that, raise their damn hand," I said, my pupils showing clear signs of anger.


"What are you going to do about it, slacker?" The same Obelisk asked, going down to face me.


"Drill some respect into you," I said, removing my jacket, folding it neatly and putting it on my desk.


"Dueling or fighting, I'll beat you!"


"How about a clean fight? I'm sure the burn will be small, because the bigger burn is what I'll save for later." I know I got a bit cocky, but not enough to take it easy. I was prepared for whatever outcome would appear, as my opponent got into a fighting stance. I don't know why Banner wasn't present at the moment this was happening, I guess Sheppard needed him for something.


"I was trained by the greatest boxing trainer in Japan, I'll beat you without breaking a sweat!" He exclaimed, running at me before I looked at the other students.


"Alright, before I introduce myself, I'm going to lecture you all on martial arts," I said, blocking a punch. "Rule one, fighting must be done with the purpose of defense."


"Nice block, it won't be enough," he said, delivering multiple punches. I managed to block them with one arm, given my agility. 


"Rule two, don't deliver the first blow, because the opponent will know how to counter and defeat you," I said, slapping him, which made a few students laugh. He stepped back and yelled, running at me ready to deliver me a jolt punch, one meant to...


"Rule three, boxing doesn't count as a type of martial art, it's mostly for show. Also, it leaves your legs weak," I continued, delivering a sweep kick, which made him fall backwards.


"And rule four, finish them off quickly," I said as he stood up. The next thing I did was deliver two punches to his stomach, grab his arms, deliver three kicks to his head, and finish it off with an uppercut. As he fell unconscious, the students looked at me, impressed that I won without taking any hits.


"I'll be training Ninjutsu, Monday through Friday from 5:00 to 7:00 A.M, at the price of 10 dollars per week. You can deposit the money at the card shop in the account that's under my name, or just hand the money to me at the start of each week. The first class begins tomorrow. I also offer the service of a masseur or chiropractor, the first being to ease your muscles and the second to fix corporal issues like a bad leg, bad posture, etc."


"Let's get to know you!" Alexis yelled, smiling. The girls nearby looked at her, and she looked at them, before looking at me. I smiled as my eyes made contact with hers. I then proceeded to put my jacket on, being careful that my gun didn't slide out of its pocket.


"Alright, please allow me to introduce myself, I'm a man of wealth and class, despite the red jacket. I have no dueling antecedents besides the entry exam. I'm Spike Solaris, haven't gone to school, but the knowledge I carry is by experiences in life and free time in a library, about five years. I'm also good at cooking, not that fond of sports, and I have a sense of humor that I only bring out only when I want to liven things up a bit, or just to waste time. Any questions?" I asked.


"How much per massage?" An Obelisk girl asked.


"I've yet to determine the price, so I'll inform you by the end of this week. Anyone else?"


"How did you get your deck? I heard it's a Red-Eyes deck," a Slifer asked.


"When I arrived at Domino City, I was given this deck along with my current duel disk."


"Why the snake eyes, slacker?" Another Obelisk asked. I walked up to him in a few seconds, and I smirked.


"Looks like SOMEBODY didn't learn their lesson..." I said, smirking as I raised my fist, only to start laughing. "Well, to answer your question, it's a genetical issue of sorts, like Liz Taylor. Instead of purple eyes, my pupil is shaped like a reptile's instead of a human's," I answered, before winking at Alexis, causing her to blush. I seriously don't remember why I loved doing that, but I guess it was due to how fun it was.


"Now, I will accept a final question," I added, before another Obelisk rose his hand, this one coming from a student of blue hair, and a serious look.


"Putting aside the discrimination, why did you defend my brother?" Wait, that guy was his brother? Yeah, that guy was Zane Truesdale, the main man of the Obelisk dorm, let alone the Academy, and all of this was as I read his biography on my PDA.


"Well, YOU who didn't defend him because he is not in your league and you're a terrible brother to be honest, shouldn't ask, but I'll answer anyways. I did it because I know that his problem is being shy, but he has potential. I will take it as my task to help increase his self-esteem and dueling skills. Then, I'll defeat each and single student on campus, leaving you for last, Truesdale. Although, I'll skip the ladies, they look like nice people," I said, smiling at Rhodes before taking a seat.


Now, you might think it as a suicide mission, but my progress throughout the week was defeating the Slifer students, and I did it well (about five or six per day, and it was tiring. However, I managed to get through). As for Zane and Alexis, it was Thursday in the evening, and they were talking to each other at the lighthouse, for I saw them from a distance.


"I guess he's serious about it, I've seen Syrus train with him at 6:00 in the morning, and in the afternoon, Spike would duel one Slifer at a time, defeating them as if he were experienced," Zane said.


"To hardly have any experience, he's good at Duel Monsters," Alexis answered. "Still, to see him train Syrus in martial arts and dueling, it's not usual of your brother."


"I guess so, the arrival of that Slifer made things interesting, and I bet he's going to start taking down the Ra students. Once he's done with them, he'll begin with the Obelisks, and then me, if he can do so."


"I wouldn't underestimate him if I were you, it only took him four days to defeat all the other Slifers on this island."


"I am not, I am merely curious on how he will succeed."


"Ra students would check their skills, and the average Obelisk student would duel to make fun of him. Think about it: who wouldn't want to challenge a person new to the game?"


"I assume anyone who can face this inexperienced Slifer that is here due to the scholarship."


"A point I wouldn't be saying if I were you," I said, serious as I walked up to them.


"Spike, what are you doing here?" Alexis asked.


"I just went out  for a walk, good to ease the mind. However, I saw you two here, so I came over to see what you were up to."


"You shouldn't talk big if you can't go just as big, Spike," Zane said.


"Well, I'm going at a good pace, the challenge is to prove that anyone can become an Obelisk with the proper effort. If I manage to defeat most of the Obelisks, it'll prove that I can go from red to blue. If I defeat you, it'll prove that I have fulfilled my objective, reaching the top rank within the top category."


"We'll see about that," he said, walking away.


"While you're at it, try being nicer to your brother, he's lucky he has a brother, but unlucky that you're not a good one!" I yelled, before looking at Alexis.


"You're asking for trouble when it comes to Zane, Spike," Alexis said, looking into my eyes. I looked away, in order to not lose myself in her eyes.


"That's why I'm going up the ladder, to improve my skills and be ready for him. Also, it'll be fun," I answered, smiling softly, only to see her shiver a bit. I gave her my jacket, and despite the fact that she didn't want to, I insisted on her using it, for I could endure the cold to a degree. 


"Where did you learn your manners?"


"Eh, a book here and there, watching my adoptive sister go with her friends while I did chores, and that's pretty much it," I answered, looking at her as I walked alongside her to her dorm. 


"That doesn't sound fun."


"It wasn't, trust me. However, I'd read in my free time when I wasn't practicing Ninjutsu, or cooking. As for the masseur part, I took it as a part-time job, until I was forced to quit."


"I guess your free time was what made up for the chores."


"Yeah, and well you look at that? We're here," I stated, pointing to the dorm.


"I guess I'll see you tomorrow, Spike."


"Yeah, I'll see you in the classroom,"  I said, before we looked into each others' eyes. We looked away quickly, as if we were two not wanting to admit our feelings due to shyness and fear of failure. I saw her walk in, and then I went to my dorm, smiling as I had another friend, this one being an Obelisk girl. However, my business would begin tomorrow, along with a duel.


-----

The Dreamscape

Pinkie Pie was frightened: trying to laugh off the current situation was difficult, given that her friends were chained to the wall, several frightening machines in the room: Slot Machines, Pendulum Machines, etc. And then, a bipedal figure walked in: a purple suit, a matching tie and a green undershirt were his attire, and he had a white face with a big, red smile.


"Hello Pinkie Pie, welcome to my playhouse," he said, the smile being a creepy one, one she feared.


"Spike, is that you?"


"It was, but then ponies started calling me, Joker..." He said, before an odd tune began, then a machine put her in chains, and then, Spike began singing:


Well, well, well, what have we here?
Pinkie Pie, huh?
Oh, I'm really scared

So you're the one everypony's talkin' about,
ha, ha, ha, ha
You're jokin', you're jokin'
I can't believe my eyes
You're jokin' me, you gotta be, 
This can't be the right guy

She's hyper, a pranker
I don't know which is worse,
I might just lose some scales
If I don't die laughing first.

When Pinkie Pie says
That a party's coming up,
Everypony rushes to the Corner
To try to make the Pie shut up.

He said, before triggering a machine to deliver multiple shots at Applejack, and he laughed before he continued singing.

And if you are not laughing
Then you'll soon be the next one choked,
'Cause this may be the last time now you hear
the song of the Killing Joke, ooh,

Three Skeletons
Ohhh

Spike
Ohhh

Several dead dragons
Ohhh

Spike
Ohhh

Slot Machine
Oh, he's the fucking Killing Joke!

Spike
If the crowd is mellow
And if they are all too sad,
Some acid from my flower 
Brings some smiles close at hand.


Then, Spike went over to Fluttershy, squirting the acid flower from his suit pocket onto Fluttershy's face, seeing her face burn away.


And don't ya know the one thing
That would make it work so nice?
A pinch of laughter to make my life a lot more nice.

Three Skeletons
Ohhh

Spike
Ohhh

Several dead dragons
Ohhh

Spike
Ohhh

Slot Machine
Oh, he's the fucking Killing Joke!


Pinkie sang, trying to make Spike understand.

Release me now
Or you must face your actions' consequences,
I don't remember you as a meany pants
So please, come to your senses.


Spike
Ha! You're jokin', you're jokin'
I can't believe my ears
The baker prayin' for mercy?
I'm drownin' in my tears

The flour, the mix
It's really full of tricks,
So let's let Rarity give it a taste
So it won't go to waste.


Spike then grabbed a pie, throwing it at Rarity's face, only to see her begin laughing uncontrollably. Pinkie, then asked:


"What are you going to do?"


"I'm going to show you my finest slapstick comedy," he answered, hearing the trumpets and the piano play, only for him to continue singing.


Oh, the sounds of victims screaming
To me is music in the air
'Cause I'm a killin' laughing man
Who of ethics doesn't care.

It's much more fun, I must confess
When I don't play alone
With Gilda, Scoots or Cheerilee
Someone dancing to this tone.


As he finished singing this part, he motioned a robot to use it's saw arm, successfully cutting Rainbow Dash in half.


"Please let me go and I can help you make some friends and things will go back to the way they were." However, Spike began to sing his last two verses.


Oh, brother, you're something
You put me in a spin
You aren't comprehending
The position that you're in

It's hopeless, you're finished
I'm the one laughing, not you,

With this, he pulled a lever, which opened a door that was beneath Twilight, incinerating her as Pinkie watched Spike finish his song.

'Cause I'm The Killing Joke
And the one crying is, you...


Pinkie woke up in the castle, checking if her friends were alright. As she reached a window, she saw the pillar, and as any other pony would, she went to it.
> First Client, First Duel in the Harpie's' Den/ Infamous
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

October 8th, 2004

The comedy, the comedy, it happens frequently. I'd like to rhyme, but I'm no Zecora. Anyways, it's Friday, the last day of the week in which we have school. I heard we're having Physical Education today, something that serves to keep our physiques at their finest. However, I don't like sports, so let's see how things turn out.

- Spike Solaris





Yubel was laughing as I ranted on why we were going to have P.E, and then she brought up the chance to see Obelisk girls in sports clothes, something that would've gotten me going a few years ago. However, I had matured in the field of love (despite my love for teasing Alexis). As I was now in my exercise attire, I began talking to Yubel on the way to the gym.


It may have been a blessing of sorts that the P.E teacher came in, her back injured. She had burgundy hair, the usual hourglass figure for a person who was loyal to her profession, and a face that looked like it could use a smile, but then again, she was injured.


"Students, I am Fonda Fontaine, your gym teacher. However, due to an unexpected injury, I'm afraid we won't have class today," she said, before waking away. As I walked out, I spoke up:


"I guess we're going BACK," I said, trying to make her laugh, only for my attempt to be in vain.


"I find Kaiba's jokes funnier," she answered, chuckling. Ok, that was a blow to my pride as a comedian.


"Do you think my masseur business will be successful?" I asked.


"Yes, all you need is the right push, it's like gravity."


"Yeah, I guess so. Anyways, I better hurry up, Crowler's class begins a bit earlier due to the cancellation of P.E," I said, before running down the hall.






I guessed that this was going to be a long Friday: Alexis was busy, Syrus and Chumley were resting, and it was barely 7 P.M. I know I've been using 'I' a lot, but then again, I'm not going to use 'The Great and Powerful Spike', that would just be ridiculous. However, as life goes, my PDA received a message, which said the following:

'Swing by the Obelisk Girls' Dorm, two guards will be waiting for you at the gate,'
- Fonda Fontaine


"Duty calls," I said, putting my blazer on, then putting Kisara (my white-and-blue revolver) in my blazer pocket. The other things I took with me were my Duel Disk, two decks, and Yubel, who I carried as a charm on my necklace.


"Indeed," she said, smiling as we went to the Obelisk dorm. Once we got there, Yubel vanished, leaving me with the guards. They looked at me and walked me in, one on each side, as if I were a prisoner. Given the way the Obelisk girls looked at me, I wasn't welcome, but due to the guards, I was walked to Fonda's room.


"Do something wrong and we'll know about it, kid," a guard said, as they stood on each side of the door, like the guards in my mom's castle. I walked in, only to find Miss Fonda in a chair, and she didn't look happy, but then again, who would when their back hurts?


"I heard of your skills as a masseur," she said.


"Yeah, that might explain why you sent me a message," I answered, removing my blazer and folding it neatly before putting it on the desk.


"How are you going to do this?"


"Alright, since the issue seems to be on the back, we could use an office chair for the time being. You're going to have to sit on the chair with your chest pressed against the backrest, but you're going to have to lift your shirt and just un-clip your bra clip in order for me to access your back," I said calmly.


"How can you be calm, instead of blushing or looking at me with lust like the other boys?"


"Well, I'm not like the others, living in a village where women were the dominant sex for five years changes you, and you learn how to be a gentleman in a way," I answered, before watching her get into position. "Now, I want you to tell me what happened from the day before the injury, until the moment you started feeling it," I ended, before feeling her back.


"Well, I finished my nightly exercise routine last night, and I went to sleep. However, I woke up with my back injured today," she said, as I felt a small lump on her back. These are stress points, which are fundamental in acupuncture. However, these are the places I must treat, and in this case, it was the trapezius, which pretty much consisted on an important muscle that had an influence on their respective arms. However, since it was her left one, her left arm was disabled, limiting her arm's functions as well as part of her upper back.


"Excellent, now I can get to work," I said, applying pressure in a gentle way on that space which was a result of stress and other factors. After a few minutes, I had finished, and I smiled as I helped her up. After re-clipping her bra and sliding her shirt back to the way it was supposed to be, she stretched, enjoying the feeling of being back to her usual state. You'd be surprised at what stress and a bad night's sleep can do to your physique.


"Thank you, Spike, I would've had to wait a few days in order to ease my pain," she said, wrapping her arms around me. You know what? I did a good job, so I deserve this hug... Along with the cash. However, I thought of something better than cash.


"Your welcome, you can get this one for free, as a demonstration of what I can do," I said, smiling. 


"Very well then, I will spread the word," she said, before I walked out of the room. Things went smooth, until I was confronted by Alexis and her cool lackeys. What I mean by 'cool lackeys' is that they are strong on their own, and they're nice people.


"What were you doing in the headmistress' dorm?" Jasmine asked, looking at me. Jasmine was a brown-haired girl with gray eyes who had a serious expression, most likely the Aria Blaze of the Obelisk Trio (and by that I meant Alexis, Jasmine and Mindy).


"I just gave her a massage, if you don't believe me, see for yourselves," I said, opening the door enough for them to see Miss Fonda begin her nightly routine.


"You did that?" Mindy asked. Now, Mindy was a joyful girl of light black hair and brown eyes, which made her the Sonata Dusk of the Obelisk girl trio. 


"Yes, and I charge 40 dollars for an hour-long bare bone massage, and 75 dollars for a full-hour Swedish massage. If business turns out well, I will include deep tissue, aromatherapy and hot stone massages."


"Well, we can't have you around here due to a silly masa-" Jasmine said, being cut off by a guard.


"He's with us," the left guard said.


"I challenge you to a duel," Jasmine said, looking at me.


"Oh come on, it's late, besides, tomorrow's Saturday," I said, before looking at Alexis.


"He's right Jasmine, just let it slide," Alexis said.


"No, he's here for no good reason, so I am going to-"


"I will challenge him!" another Obelisk girl said. Her hair was the color of wine, a dark one at that. As for her eyes, she had light brown eyes, or maybe they were grey, anyways...


"Duel! Duel! Duel! Duel!" Several Obelisk girls started chanting.


"Alright, alright! Let's make it a wager," I said, going to the first floor, standing in the middle of what was pretty much a dance floor. "If I win, you provide me, hmm... Well, first let me win, then we'll figure things out later," I said, preparing my Duel Disk. "By the way, which deck? Red-Eyes, or Lord of the Dragons?"


"Your lord deck," she answered. "Oh, and if I win, you'll have to massage me whenever I want to, for free." Hey, I wasn't going to hand out free massages to everybody, the only person receiving a free massage was Miss Fonda.


"Fine, let's dance, cupcake," I said, turning my duel disk on. "By the way, what's your name?" I asked.


"Missy, one of the top Obelisk duelists," she answered, smirking. I checked my PDA, checking what kind of deck she played and such.


"A pity I have to end such a beautiful butterfly," I said. "As I am a gentleman, I suggest you go first."


Missy: 4000 - Spike: 4000

1. Missy
"I'll accept. I'll summon 'Ultimate Insect LV 3, in Attack Mode (1400 ATK)! I'll end my turn with two face-downs," she said. "Your move, snake-eyes."


2. Spike
"So much for being nice..." I said, drawing a card. "Alright, I'll start off by activating 'Heavy Storm'," I said, as I saw her face-downs turn to shreds.


"Is that all? I want to finish you off," she said.


"That's so wrong..." I said, smirking as I saw her blush. "As a heads-up, I am not a pervert, I just enjoy making girls blush every once in a while," I said, in order to not stain the reputation I was building, in order to succeed here.


"Then, I'll activate 'Graceful Charity', which lets me draw three, although I have to ditch two after drawing. As a bonus, I'll play the ballpark cars known as 'Pot of Greed'. I'll set two face-downs and summon 'Lord of D.' in Attack Mode (1200 ATK). After that, I'll activate 'Card Destruction', a perfect card for a fresh hand," I said, as we discarded our hands in order to draw an equal amount of cards as the ones we discarded.


"Are you done yet?"


"Soon, I'm sorry if I am taking quite a bit. Moving on, I'll activate 'Polymerization' to fuse the 'Divine Dragon Ragnarok' in my hand and the 'Lord of D.' on my field in order to special summon King Dragun, in Attack Mode (2400 ATK)." As I said this, a giant dragon appeared, and it was quite a monster.


"All of that for one monster?"


"Nope, I've still got my Equip Spell Card 'Premature Burial'. At the cost of 800 Life Points, I get to bring back a monster from the grave," I said, watching as a beautiful emerald dragon appeared, this one being known as 'Luster Dragon #2' (2400 ATK).


"Done yet?"


"Let me perform my Battle Phase first, please," I said, before continuing. "Now, Luster Dragon #2, attack the insect with Emerald Flame." The dragon opened its mouth, releasing a fire similar to mine. Once it closed its mouth, the insect was gone.


"King Dragun, end the phase with Fire Scourge." A fiery whip spawned in one of its claws, hitting Missy as her Life Points dropped.


Missy: 1000 - Spike: 4000


"Based on the turn progression, it's time for your next turn, and then, I'll be back."


3. Missy
"I'll end my turn with 'Flying Kamakiri #1 in Defense Mode (900 DEF)," she said, sighing as a giant mosquito appeared on the field.


4. Spike
"Bad hand?" I asked, looking at her.


"Why are you being so nice?" She asked, confused.


"You haven't given me a proper reason to treat you badly," I answered, smiling softly. "I am annoyed by the fact that I have to duel, I just wanted to go back to my dorm."


"Still, how can you be beating me?"


"That is a question to which I do not have a proper answer, the ones I've come up with are luck, skill and you being a bad player. However, luck is a fictional term, a better term being chance. As for skill, I hardly have experience, while you come from a Prep School that focuses on dueling," I said, checking her brief biography on my PDA.


"I guess that makes sense, but still, you're beating me."


"I can guarantee that I'll make this turn quick. I'll summon 'Lancer Dragonute' in Attack Mode (1500 ATK)." A green dragon appeared, holding a lance. "Now 'Lancer Dragonute', finish the duel," I said, as it impaled its spear into the insect, dishing out the difference from Missy's LP.

Missy: 0 - Spike: 4000 


"That went better than expected," I said, turning off my disk and putting my deck away.


"You, you beat me," she said.


"Yeah, and for my part of the bet: you'll owe me a favor, which I'll ask for when the time comes," I said, smiling as I walked out of the dorm, on my way to my dorm. Today, I had my first client, and now, I just had to wait until I received the next ones, which would fill up the rest of my agenda. As I checked the girls who asked for a massage on my PDA, I smiled as I saw that Alexis asked for a session. 


To be honest, I don't know how Fonda got my PDA address, but I do know this: I was going to be swimming in the green pretty soon.






The Dreamscape

Cadence stood in her castle, eating alone if you did not count the company of her personal servant, one she liked to call 'Dusty'.


"It's my fault, Spike and Shining Armor are dead and there's no one I can blame," she said.


"There are many you can blame, as to your fault, the only factor that is truly your fault is cutting off contact with them due to your misjudgment, leading to your divorce," he answered.


"Quite ironic, the Princess of Love getting divorced," I said, walking in. Unlike the Pyramid Head and Jedi attires, this one was a bit more different: a red beanie with the tag 'Tartarus 667', a matching flannel shirt, a white hoodie, a blue denim vest, and matching jeans. The unique thing of my vest was the symbol of a blue eagle with several white feathers. 


"Who are you to judge?" She asked, before I coated myself in a pink aura of sorts quickly dashing until I took a seat, smiling as I had a cupcake in my hand.


"The one who died due to a terminal disease, although my love was quite pure," I answered, before eating part of the cupcake.


"I couldn't feel your love, Spike."


"You DID cut off the connection to Shining Armor and I. After all, his death was quite a  blast," I answered, laughing a bit as I admired my pun.


"That wasn't funny."


"And neither was the divorce, since you made him infamous due to your lack of judgement," I countered, walking towards her. "Animosity aside, let's clear the air: I don't hold grudges, they're ridiculous. Also, you should be careful, keep your emotions in check. As quickly as you can fall head over heels for someone..." I said, before I covered myself in Necrofire, my white hoodie becoming red, my vest and jeans becoming black, and dark circles appearing under my eyes, as if I hadn't slept in days.


"Spike, what are you doing?!"


"You can lose your judgement, and become something you think you'd never be," I answered, removing my vest and throwing it on the table. The eagle was now replaced with a vulture's wings, black and red feathers adorning the bird. Also, there was a white vulture skull covering the center of the wings.


"How can I trust you?"


"Let me show you," I answered, holding her hoof as I showed several alternate universes where I was a beast of sorts: in one world, I had a red ring, spitting out a crimson plasma to annihilate my enemies. There was one where I had a black ring, and another where my eyes were yellow, and I was using ice instead of fire. There was also an odd man with a rain hat who was using thunder, but I was shocked when I saw my alternate version choking Alexis, as many other academy students were dead.


After seeing this, I stopped the projection, looking shocked. Cadence was shocked as well, for I, the lone dragon, was capable of such damage if I went down the wrong road. She frowned and looked at me, wrapping her fore hooves around me, as I hugged back.


"Mistakes are common, and you need to be careful. The worst mistakes that were made lead to the loss of people such as Anakin Skywalker, who fell to the Dark Side after his (...) brother and Master Yoda pushed him away, leaving space for Chancellor Palpatine to amplify the darkness in Skywalker's heart. There's also Raiden's mistakes, which lead to the loss of many good warriors who fought to defend Earthrealm. I would continue, but my time is up," I said, walking to the window.


"Wait Spike, will you return?"


"I don't know, but for now, be careful when you decide, don't let yourself be taken over by rage, and until the next time, if there is one," I said, as the Neon covered my body, and I ran to the window, opening my wings to fly at high speeds thanks to the neon.


> The Koala Kid, the Rabbit Hole and the Request/ Rise!
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

October 12th, 2004

I still don't know why the guards didn't stop me from dueling Missy, I guess they let me continue since it was going to be an entertaining duel. Exam's next week, business is going great, and now I'm just waiting for my mattress. Anyways, I'm going to spend some time with Syrus.

- Spike Solaris

As I stood in Truesdale's dorm, I looked at the chubby Slifer in a white-and-red blazer: two balls of hair that protruded from his hairstyle, although the odd part was the koala nose. 


"Who're you?" The other Slifer asked.


"I'm Spike Solaris, a friend of Syrus, how about you?" I asked, extending my hand.


"Chumley Huffington, I'm also Syrus's friend," he answered, shaking my hand.


"Say, it's almost dinner time... Anyone wishes to join me?" I asked.


"Do you know how to make grilled cheese sandwiches?"


"I know much more than that, and I'm surprised at the fact that Syrus is quiet," I answered, looking at Truesdale.


"Oh, sorry about that," Syrus answered.


"Now let's get moving, I'll make grilled cheese sandwiches with carne asada, beans and avocado, as well as super nachos," I said, opening the door for them. We then left Syrus and Chumley's dorm, entering mine a few seconds later. Half an hour in my dorm lead to the four of us (Four given the fact that Yubel was eating with us. I had to activate her on my Duel Disk in order for my Slifer colleagues to see her) eating, enjoying the meal.


"Who knew that grilled cheese was better with meat?" Chumley asked, before taking a bite out of his third sandwich.


"I did, I've tried it with ham and other meats, as well as a few vegetables. Also, I like the fact that you don't mind Yubel," I said, laughing as I looked at her, given that she had her hand in the bowl of super nachos. Sentence of knowledge: super nachos are your standard nachos, with pieces of carne asada, and the nachos are also adorned with guacamole.


"At first she was scary, but then, she turned out to be friendly," Syrus said with confidence. I smiled at this, since the progress was starting to show. At the beginning, he was insecure, but now, there's a confidence building up inside of him.


"Thank you boys, it's good to have friends without counting Spike," she said, before popping a nacho into her mouth. After a while, we were just chatting, until we reached the following:


"What do you plan on doing after Duel Academy?" I asked.


"I plan on being a pro duelist," Syrus said, smiling softly.


"I plan on being an employee in Industrial Illusions," Chumley answered.


"Industrial Illusions, what's that?" I asked. Both Slifers looked at me in disbelief.


"Industrial Illusions is the company of the man who made Duel Monsters!" Chumley exclaimed.


"Yeah, Maximilian Pegasus made the game after a trip to Egypt. He has a unique deck that has only been defeated by the King of Games and Seto Kaiba," Syrus added.


"How difficult is it to work there?" I asked.


"Industrial Illusions only hires the best of the world. In order to be there, you need to have creativity, a good hand at drawing, and several other factors, depending on the specialty you wish to form part of," Yubel explained.


"Well Chumley, what do you want to focus on doing there?" I asked.


"I want to make card artworks," the aspiring artist answered.


"I think I should check out some of your drawings. If possible, I could hook you up with an employee of the company, but it requires some effort," I answered, before I put the dishes in the sink. A few hours later, the two left, and it was now time for my nightly round in the Abandoned Dorm. As I went there, I saw Banner, looking at the stars. 


"How are you tonight, headmaster?" I asked, before he looked at me.


"Everything is quite alright, Solaris. If you'll excuse me, I will be able to catch a comet in a few minutes," he answered, before he went back to looking through his telescope. I continued walking, spotting Chumley as he drew on his notebook. This image was of a canyon, and it was quite impressive.


"Hey Chum, doing a nightly drawing?"


"Yeah, I couldn't get the image out of my mind, so I decided to start drawing it," he answered.


"Remember to rest up, tomorrow we've got school," I answered, patting his back once before I headed to the dorm. As fate has it, I ended up being surrounded by a group of Obelisks.


"Well if it isn't Snake-Eyes," an Obelisk said.


"What do you guys want? I've got business," I answered, looking around me.


"We want to fight  you, to see if you're not lucky or a cheater," another Obelisk said.


"Well, if that's what you want..." I said, getting in a fighting stance.


"I'll take you down easily," a third Obelisk said, readying his fists.


"Say that to the other Obelisk," I countered, as the fight began. Five Obelisks swinging their fists at me, the ninja dragon. Who wins? Yours truly. I started by jumping and using an Obelisk's face as an impulse with my foot, doing a backflip kick to knock out a second Obelisk.


"He knocked out Benny!" The leader said, before he sent two more at me. While he charged at me, I faced two Obelisk students, a task difficult to achieve. However, it was not as difficult as facing my mentor. I delivered the left Obelisk several punches to the stomach, and then I delivered the right Obelisk a punch to the face. A few moments later, I finished them off with an aerial split kick, kicking their heads.


The fourth Obelisk was a challenge, since he delivered several blows. I received a punch in the stomach, as well as a few kicks. However, I finished the fight with a bicycle kick, a low kick, and a punch in the head.


"One, two, three, four, where's the fif-" I was interrupted, given that I felt a pinch on my neck. I pulled out the object that was on my neck, seeing that it was a dart. "Oh crap..." And then, the world went black.






When I woke up, I was in a well, surrounded by cards. My two decks were gone, as well as my disk. Luckily, I had my handy-dandy PDA, although the facts stated that it was Friday, 10:00 A.M to be precise.


I also happened to have several cuts and scrapes, my clothes being damaged as well.


"Crap, there goes two days of massages," I said.


"There are more important things at hand," Yubel commented.


"Yeah, but I need the cash for the practical exam and my custom Duel Disk," I answered.


"In order to get out of the well, you must climb, or teleport. Now, as part of your training, I will teach you how to teleport. First, channel your Necrofire," she ordered, as I spawned it, said fire covering my arms and legs.


"Now, focus on one place you see, like that rock," she continued, pointing at a rock. I looked at it.


"The final step is to unleash the energy, to put it like that," she finished, as I slowly teleported.


"Well, that was a thing," I answered.


"Good, now, I will show you how to warp to a place in your thoughts that exists. First, channel the fire, charging it a bit more than last time." Fire was now engulfing me, and I could feel the fire growing around me. Yubel used some odd magic to make the floor fireproof, as to not burn any cards.


"Now, imagine a place. In this case, it will be the nurse's office."


"Um, won't there be someone in there?" I asked.


"No, imagine the nurse's office," she answered, as an image of the office was now in my mind.


"Unleash your energy when I indicate it," she said, getting ready. The fire had grown, and I could feel myself getting a bit dizzy.


"Now!" Yubel yelled, before I vanished, ending up in the office. I stumbled to try and remain conscious, smiling as I hadn't blacked out.


"What now?" I asked.


"I'll train you to use less energy, and not having to charge that much," she answered. "Also, you should call Kaiba and Kisara to import a new set of cards, and vials with the healing magic Kisara performed on you."


"Yeah, I think I'll do it now," I said, dialing.


"Have you brought any updates?" Kaiba's serious voice asked.


"Minor details, hardly any activity has been reported," I answered. "Mr. Kaiba, due to the upcoming exams, I request of you rare cards of machines, warriors, dragons, fairies and fiends. Also, some spells and traps could come in handy."


"Very well then, I expect the best of you. Also, I require the deposit by tonight," Kaiba ended.


"Thanks, now, may I speak with your wife?"


"Go ahead," he said, standing up and walking away, letting Kisara take a seat.


"Spike, why are you tattered and hurt?" She asked, looking at me.


"On my way to the Abandoned Dorm, I was surrounded by Obelisks. I defeated one, only to be knocked out. I woke up in a well, only to realize that my disk and decks were stolen," I answered.


"My, that is terrible."


"Yeah, which is why I requested the cards from Kaiba. Also, I need a custom-made duel disk and some vials of your healing magic, that is, if it is not much to ask of you."


"I will send you those items, although you will need a flare. In that case, you can use your fire. However, in order to receive what you requested, you must wait until Monday Morning, the day of the exam."


"Well, that's a bit dramatic," I answered.


"Yes, it is. However, it serves that we use the shipment of rare cards that will arrive at the shop as a distraction in order for no one to notice that a supply crate will fall in front of your dorm."


"Hmm, an excellent strategy. Anyways, thanks for that Kisara," I answered, before the call ended.


October 18th, 2004

After some explaining, I managed to redeem for the lost massages. It cost me my day off, which was Sunday. However, the cards, my new disk and the meds will arrive today, after the written exam.

- Spike Solaris

Finally, the day I'd receive my stuff. It was a nice day, doing my exam, getting my new deck ready, still trying to figure out who stole my decks and my disk. As I finished my exam, I sent a quick message to Syrus and the others, telling them to meet up at Slifer Red. As I saw the other students running to the shop. 


'It looks like somebody's in a rush,' Yubel said, smirking as I ran.


'Well, I can't risk an interception, the drop's in three minutes,' I thought in return, reaching the Slifer dorm and catching my breath. Once I was breathing normally, I spawned a green ball of fire, launching it and seeing how it exploded. A few minutes later, the crate dropped, along with four guards. These guards had Duel Disks strapped on their backs, as well as assault rifles in their hands.


"Spike Solaris of the Slifer Dorm, your signature is required on this document," the first guard said, handing me a clipboard and a pen. After I finished signing, he handed me a key, which I used to open the crate. Upon opening it, I smiled, grabbing a vial and consuming its contents, feeling myself regenerate.


"Thank you for your service, lads. Now if you'll excuse me, I've got some fine-tuning to do," I answered, shaking the leader's hand before the four departed.


"Spike, why did you want us to get over here? The exam's in an hour," Syrus asked.


"Well, I got presents for the good boys and girls," I said, smirking as I looked at the seven in front of me: Syrus, Chumley, Bastion, Mindy, Missy, Jasmine and Alexis. I smiled at the sight of Alexis, and when she saw me, she smiled back.


"Did you get us some rare cards? The ones at the shop ran out," Missy said.


"Looks like somebody's going on my naughty list," I said, smirking as I reached into the box, looking at each labeled briefcase. I grabbed a case, before I began handing them out,


"Syrus," I said, handing him a case with the word 'Machines' labeled on it.


"Thanks Spike!" My student answered, opening the case. His eyes became the size of saucers, and when the others looked at the contents of the case, they looked back at me in surprise.


"Chumley," I continued, handing him a case which had the word 'Beasts' on it. The artist smiled as he went to his dorm, most likely to fix his deck.


"Bastion, I know your deck is fine right now, but I think it's time you got an upgrade," I said, smirking as I handed him a case with the word 'Science' on it. The science-based duelist smiled as he saw its contents, before I moved on to the Obelisks.


"I know it's weird how a Slifer's paying for your cards, but the job as a masseur pays well, and since I've got dough, I need to invest it, and what better investment that cards?" I asked, handing Mindy and Jasmine a case each, said cases being labeled with the words 'Warriors' and 'Harpies' respectively. 


"For the butterfly, some rare insects," I said, handing her the case with the word 'Insects' on it. She looked at the contents and smiled softly, before returning to her somewhat serious state.


"Last but not least, some Warriors and Fairies for the fan-proclaimed Obelisk Queen," I said, getting a blush out of her once I handed her the seventh case. I then proceeded to check the cases I asked for, smiling wide as I got them out of the crate. "Have fun, my friends!" I said, before locking the crate and going to my room, smiling as Yubel began to laugh, before saying:


'Let's get serious.'







After building the new deck, I walked to the Arena, Syrus walking beside me. 


"I'm sure we'll make it into Obelisk Blue in no time," I said, looking at him.


"Yeah, I just feel so better," he answered, smiling as he looked through his deck, until a lone card caught his eye.


"Hey Sy, what's that card?"


"Power Bond, the card my brother doesn't let me use," he said, sadly.


"Hey, I'm sure he said it for a reason."


"Yeah, it happened when I was dueling someone, and once he ended the duel, Zane looked at me and said, 'there's a difference between knowing how to play a card and when to play it,'" he finished.


"I get you, it's like attacking. If there's nothing stopping you, go for it. However, you have to be careful at times. What if they pop a 'Mirror Force', which would leave you wide open?"


"I guess you're right."


"Remember, at times, the game can be like a gamble. If things do not go as planned, you must have a back-up plan. For instance, if you use 'Power Bond'..." I said, getting the card, reading its effect before continuing. "... But your opponent uses 'Negate Attack', you need to get rid of that monster in order to avoid losing Life Points, should the effect damage lead to your loss," I ended.


"Oh... No wonder my brother uses it well."


"Indeed, you must be prepared for any possibility. You can tribute it, de-fuse it, whatever you can come up with. All you have to do, is know when to activate it," I answered, ruffling his hair. Come on, our duels will begin soon."

As we sat in the arena, we observed how the students did their exams. I saw how my friends did well on their respective exams. However, it was time for Syrus and I to go onto the field.


"Give it your all, Syrus," I said, bumping his fist with mine.


"Okay, master," he said, before going onto his duel field. I still didn't know why he called me master, I assume it was due to the Ninjutsu lessons. As for my rival, it was a black-haired Obelisk. This one was some odd version of Rainbow Dash, he reeked of arrogance, and if I am not wrong, I saw him on the night of October 12th.


"Hello Slifer Slime, I'm the lucky one who gets to wipe the floor with you," he said.


"That's bananas, you're losing either way. Right now, the girls are disgusted by the fact that you, an Obelisk, are dueling me, a Slifer. If I win, you get humiliated, my friend," I answered, checking my new Duel Disk. It was beautiful, black-colored metal, glass squares with the color of dried blood, and the plastic triangles on the card slots were the color of an intense red.


"Well, I guess I'll have to make this duel a quick one," he answered.


"Ok.... Before we start, what's your name?" I asked.


"Chazz Princeton, and I will be the next King of Games!" This was the perfect time to deliver a blow to his pride, which would lead me to checking my PDA for his profile.


"Given the fact that your parents paid quite a bit for you to have the blue jacket, yeah, you go tiger," I said, chuckling.


"Who thought giving away a duel with the dragon-eyed duelist would bring good results?" Dr. Crowler asked, checking his PDA.


"I doubted your idea at first, although I must say, I was wrong about that, Crowler," the Chancellor answered, smiling as he looked at the duel field. 'Let's hope you're the one, Solaris.'

1. Chazz
"Obelisks first! I'll summon 'Shining Angel' in Attack Mode (1400 ATK). I'll end my turn with three face-downs. Your move, creep," he said, smirking.


2. Spike
"It's show time! I'll start my turn with 'Card of Safe-" I was interrupted.


"Not so fast, slime ball! I play 'Mystical Space Typhoon'! Now, I get to destroy your Spell Card!" He said, as my card was shredded.


"Anyways, I'll summon 'Armageddon Knight' in Attack Mode (1400 ATK). His effect allows me to send a monster to the grave, and I'll choose my 'Doom Shaman'. Knight, attack the Angel with Judgement Blade!" I exclaimed, seeing the two battle, only for the Angel to remain. Time to see what this one was about...


"When my 'Shining Angel' is destroyed in battle, I can Special Summon a LIGHT monster of 1500 Attack Points or less in Attack Mode, and I'll choose my 'W-Wing Catapult' (1300 ATK)!" He exclaimed, as a glider of sorts appeared.

"Alright, I'll end my turn by activating 'Monster Reborn' to bring back my 'Doom Shaman' in Attack Mode (2400), and I'll set a face-down.


3. Chazz
"I'll end my turn by summoning 'X-Head Cannon' in Defense Mode (1500 DEF), and changing my W-Wing to Defense (1500 DEF)," he said, frowning.


"Alright, I'll activate 'Fires of Doomsday', which lets me summon two 'Doomsday Tokens' in Defense Mode (0 DEF)," I said, before looking at him a bit more carefully. "Wait, I've seen you before..." I added.


"Yeah, so what?"


"You were there that night!" I exclaimed, pointing at him. 'We've got the right guy, right Yubel?' I asked in my thoughts.


'It's him alright,' Yubel answered.


4. Spike
"Time for some payback. I'll activate the ballpark card known as 'Pot of Greed," I said, before drawing two cards. "Then, I'll summon 'The Calculator' in Attack Mode (300x ATK). His attack is equal to the total levels of the monsters on my side of the field times 300, and since there are six on my shaman, one on each token, and two on my calculator, it has 3000 Attack Points!" I exclaimed.



"Shaman, send his Catapult flying with Fiendish Magic," I said, watching as the shaman raised his staff, conjuring a purple ball of energy which went flying to the catapult, shattering it before I continued.


"Now, my algorithmic friend, blast the Cannon away with Number Blast!" I added, observing as the monster shot the 'X-Head Cannon' multiple times, leaving Chazz without monsters.


"You done?" Chazz asked.


"Let me set a face-down," I said, setting the card.


5. Chazz
"I'll end my turn with a face-down and summoning 'Z-Metal Tank' in Defense Mode (1300 DEF). 


Meanwhile, Syrus watched his mentor duel, all while seated next to Alexis and the others,


"Something's wrong with Chazz," Syrus said.


"Yeah, there's something I don't like about the deck he's using," Alexis answered.


"Chazz is filthy rich, he could be hiding some really rare cards there!" Mindy continued, looking worried.


"I'm not sure about him being rich, but I can guarantee that he's plenty filthy," Bastion said, before they went back to the duel.


6. Spike
"Let's speed things up. Shaman, do your magic and destroy the Tank!" I said, as the shaman blasted Chazz's only monster.


"I want you to attack me," Chazz said, smiling widely.


"Well, time to see where this takes me. Calculator, satisfy the child's desire of being blasted," I answered, rolling my eyes as the monster attacked.


"You just activated my card, 'Inferno Tempest'! When I take at least 3000 points of battle damage in one attack, we must remove all of our monsters in our decks and graveyards from play," Chazz said, smiling as we proceeded to remove our monsters from play.


"In that case, I'll end my turn with two face-downs," I ended, setting two before letting Chazz begin his turn.

Chazz: 1000 - Spike: 4000

7. Chazz
"You know what's fun? I steal your decks and your disk, and now I get to beat you in front of the whole school with the rare cards I got from Crowler!" He exclaimed, laughing. Talk about subtlety. 


"Could you please make your move? This is starting to have more filler than a Twinkie," I said, bored.


"I'll start by activating 'Return from the Different Dimension', paying half of my Life Points to summon as many removed from play monsters as I can. Come on out 'V-Tiger Jet', 'W-Wing Catapult', 'X-Head Cannon', 'Y-Dragon Head' and 'Z-Metal Tank'!" He exclaimed, as those five monsters spawned on the field. V, W, X, Y, Z... Oh crap. 


"Wait, is this some Megazord stuff? I'm not in the mood of playing Gobot with you," I said,  laughing a bit.


"Even better, 'cause I'll fuse V and W to bring out 'VW-Tiger Catapult, in Attack Mode (2000 ATK)!"


"Go go Letter Rangers..." I muttered.


"Then, I'll fuse X, Y and Z to bring out 'XYZ-Dragon Cannon' in Attack Mode (2800 ATK)!"


"Two medium robots, go on..."


"I'll activate Xyz's effect: by discarding a card, I can destroy a card on your field, and I choose your robot!" With a blast, my robot was gone.


"But wait, there's more!"


"Hurry up Billy Mays, I've got girls to massage," I said, making several girls blush.


"I'll fuse my monsters to summon 'VWXYZ-Dragon Catapult Cannon, in Attack Mode (3000 ATK)!"


"You brought out Megatron, congratulations!" I said, making several students laugh.


"I wonder if Spike is a comedian," Chumley said.


"Well, he has a better sense of humor than most of us," Bastion added.


"I wouldn't be laughing if I were you. Chazz has an extremely rare card," Missy said, before they went back to the duel.


"Now, I'll remove from play your doof shaman with V-to-Z's effect," Chazz said, smiling as my shaman vanished. 


"Anything else?" I asked.


"Yes, V-to-Z, attack the left token with Ultimate Destruction!" With that said, two beams were shot at my token, and just before those beams reached their target, the Obelisk added:


"Oh, and if he attacks a monster, he can switch that monster's position," he said, as the Token was now in Attack Mode (0 ATK), costing me some points.


"It's a good thing I've got a trick on my field, one known as 'Damage Condenser'! I said, smiling as the crowd cheered. "Courtesy of the big boss, this card allows me to Special Summon a monster with an attack equal or less than the damage I took from an attack, at the cheap price of one card," I said, discarding a card.


"What card are you going to bring out, eh?" Chazz asked, smirking.


"My friend 'Yubel'," I answered, as I summoned her from my hand, and she looked at me smiling as she stood in Attack Mode (0 ATK)."


"Has he lost it?" Jasmine asked, confused.


"No, look," Syrus said, as a conversation began.


"Hello, my fiendish friend," I said, smiling as I hugged her, getting mixed reactions from the audience.


"Hello Spike, I see you are in quite a pickle," the fiend answered, smirking.


"Come on, let's show him why at times, less is more," I ended, breaking the hug as my turn began. 

Chazz: 500 - Spike: 1000

8. Spike
"It was fun dueling you, but Mindy is my first client of the day," I said, smirking as I looked at her, before looking back at Chazz. 


"You can't end the duel in a turn," Chazz said, smirking.


"Watch me. I'll summon an ugly mofo  known as 'Necroface' in Attack Mode (1200 ATK)," I said, before a baby head with what looked like tentacles coming out of his head.


"That's the card Bakura used against the King of Games!" Bastion exclaimed.


"What's the effect?" Chumley asked.


"See for yourself," Bastion answered, as their attention went back to the duel.


"Now, Chazzy-Wazzy," I began, in a mocking tone, before continuing. "When this puppy hits the field, all removed from play cards are sent back into their decks, and for each card sent back, it gets 100 attack points. Now, since 31 cards were sent back, 'Necroface' now has 4300 attack points!" I continued, smirking as Chazz looked at me in fear.


"Listen Slacker- I mean, Spike, I'm sure we can solve this peacefully!"


"Not a chance, common thief. I'll activate 'Raigeki Break', discarding a card to destroy Yubel," I added, as Yubel smirked and then became a monster of two heads, looking like a dragon. The third eye was now on her chest, and Yubel, who was now in her 'Terror Incarnate' form, still had 0 attack points.


"Please, finish this already!" Chazz pleaded.


"Not yet, because I'm ditching her with 'Interdimensional Matter Transporter', a Trap Card which allows me to remove from play a monster until the end of my turn. However, when she leaves the field, she becomes deadlier," I said, smirking as Yubel was now a behemoth of three dragon-like heads, her face as her chest.


"Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, I present to you 'Yubel - The Ultimate Nightmare'!" I exclaimed, as she unleashed an unearthly roar, freaking out most of them.


"What is that?!" Bastion and the others asked, all while Syrus and Chumley were calm.


"Yubel is Spike's first and closest friend," Syrus answered, before he continued. "When he was three, he received her as a gift. Her story's dark, but she became more of a second friend and mother to him with time."


"But why those forms?" Alexis asked.


"The first form was the one she received in order to protect the Supreme King. The second form is when she received her powers from the Supreme King. As for her present form, it was when she was in her darkest moment,  destroying anything she came across. However, the king realized this and reasoned with her, admitting his mistakes, which lead to their confessions, and then their love," Syrus answered, smiling softly.


"But why zero attack points?" Missy asked.


"Watch," he answered.


"Now Yubel, finish him!" I yelled.


"With pleasure," she said, her voice distorted. She went over to the robot, putting her side heads on the sides of the robot's chest. She then proceeded to rip its arms off with her arms. Then, she pushed it onto the floor and then ripped off its legs with her own. As a finisher, she ripped off V-to-Z's head, spitting it at Chazz, which lead to his Life Points dropping to 0.

Chazz: 0 - Spike: 1000


"Hmm, good enough to beat a rich kid, now I just need to beat the Ra students in order to begin my true path of victories against the Obelisk students," I said, helping him up before he pulled himself away from me.


"Didn't think you'd be good without your decks," he said.


"It's game over man," I said, grabbing his wrist, only for several guards to take him away. Syrus then came towards me, smiling as he raised his hand for a hi-five, which I accepted.


"Thanks for the cards!"


"No need to thank me. You've always had the skills, all you needed was the right push," I answered, ruffling his hair.


"Spike Solaris and Syrus Truesdale, please report to the Chancellor's office to consult him about your promotion," the person on the intercom said. We did it, and we were on our way to the top, or we'd hit the ground hard in our attempt.






The Dreeamscape

Rarity stood in the graveyard, looking at Spike's tombstone, which read:

Spike Solaris, forgotten in life and remembered in death.

She began crying, only for a lone black ring to fall from the sky, piercing the ground in front of the tombstone. Then, the ground began to glow, and from the grave rose Spike. His spines were gray, while his scales were pitch black. His eyes were now gray, and he had a scythe in his hands.


"Hello, Rarity," he said, in a distorted voice.


"Spikey-Wikey?" She asked, worried.


"In the undead flesh," he answered, smirking evilly.


"Spike, I'm-"


"Sorry you didn't give me a chance? Heard it before. In fact, many have been rejected by you, all because they didn't live up to your standards," he said, sitting on his tombstone.


"I was looking for my prince."


"Well, fairy tales are nothing but fiction, you rotten unicorn. It's also funny, knowing that you weren't out of their league: they were out of yours," he ended, raising his scythe. "Thunderlane, Time Turner, Hoity Toity, all who were rejected by Rarity and are now long gone, RISE!!!" With this, several hooves rose from the earth, each one being a distorted form of their original forms. Each one had a twisted grin on their faces, and they also had a black ring with an odd symbol on each ring.


"Recite the oath, my fellow Black Lanterns," Spike said, before the stallions joined him.

"The blackest night falls from the skies
The darkness grows as all light dies,
We crave your hearts and your demise
By my black hand the dead shall rise!"


"Chase her, surround her, and leave her heart for me, for it is filled with fear." That said, the fallen stallions quickly surrounded the Element of Generosity, four stallions grabbing her extremities.


"Funny how the Element of Generosity herself was the most selfish of the six," he said, smirking as he showed her the time he spent with her: cleaning her boutique, his futile attempt of trying to keep her safe, the moment she wanted him to give her the Fire Ruby, and many other memories.


"But, the Fire Ruby, you wanted me to have it!"


"Lies! The truth was the avarice that lurked in your heart that day, and the way you showed off the heart you tore out of me the next fucking day!"


"Spike, please, I'm sorry, please search deep in your heart..." She said, crying.


"I just mentioned that you tore out the remaining good in me that day, time for me to tear your heart out," he said, plunging the scythe in her chest, which lead to her waking up.


"It was, a dream..." She said, waking up in her house in Canterlot. She then went to the Fire Ruby that was hidden in her drawer, only to see how it was black, and there were several cracks in the gem. She began crying, regret filling her thoughts. However, those thoughts were interrupted when she saw the fire pillar. As if she were a fly, she headed for the light.
> Spooky Celebrations
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alexis POV

Today was the day I'd be organizing the Halloween party for the students of Duel Academy. Several workers and students were bringing in chairs, tables, and many other things, and I was excited for the party. I am sad that Attie won't be here this year, but he wouldn't want me being sad. 

Then, my attention was directed at Spike. Yes, it was that green-eyed boy that was quite handsome, rivaling Zane and several other Obelisks, according to what Mindy and Jasmine said. I know it may be weird coming from me, but I am a woman, and just because I'm the Obelisk Queen doesn't mean that I can't go out with a boy every once in a while.


"Hey Lexie, anything else?" Spike asked, looking at me.I had to look away, because I couldn't look into his eyes. Those green eyes which had a lot to say, as if what he has told me of him wasn't enough.


"No Spike, it's alright. You should go back to your dorm and get ready, the party's in a few hours," I answered, watching as he went towards me.


"Alright then. Hey Lex," he asked, as he was now in front of me.


"Yes, Spike?"


"I was wondering... I was wondering, if you wanted to dance tonight," he said, looking up as he put a hand behind his head. Let's think about this: Spike Solaris, the 'Rising Rookie' (as he was nicknamed by several), boyfriend material according to Mindy and Jasmine (as I said earlier), asking me to dance with him. He's a better person than most who have asked me out, so why not?


"Sure."


"Well, see you here in a few hours," he said, before walking away. Now came the difficult question: what should I dress up as? It was then that I looked at my deck and smiled. It was time to get ready, because a certain green-eyed boy was going to dance with me.





8:00 P.M

It was time to begin the party, and the students walked in. I saw Mindy and Jasmine, who were dressed as the Queen's Knight and the Dunames Dark Witch respectively. The funny part was seeing Zane dressed as a Jedi. Never thought he was into that stuff, but then again, he uses Cyber Dragons. My attention was then caught as I felt someone tap my shoulder.


"Looking for me?" Spike asked, smiling. I looked at him: he was dressed in black, and his hair was swept back. After looking at his black trench coat, the matching pants, shirt and shoes, I realized that he looked familiar.


"If you're wondering who I am, I am Neo from The Matrix," he said, smiling.


"Oh, no wonder you looked familiar." That was repetitive.


"As for you, you look quite nice, an excellent portrayal of the Cyber Blader. Now, shall I take you to the dance floor?" He asked, extending his hand. Do you know that time where something happens out of nowhere? This was one of those moments, and I hated it very much.


"Spike, could you please get me a glass of punch?" I asked. I hated myself so much, especially since I hated asking people favors.


"Sure, serves that I get myself a glass as well," he answered, before he went to the punch table. After a while, I began to wonder what happened to him, so I went to the punch table. Remember what I told you about the out-of-nowhere events happening and ruining the mood? Yes, another moment like that one happened. 


Spike was being approached by an older woman. This woman had short black hair, glasses with blue edges, and a black cocktail dress. What caught my attention, however, were the high heels. It looked like she had guns on her heels, something really odd.


"Now handsome, I am sure your dancing skills are just as good as your looks. After that, we can continue in your bedroom, enjoying the moment with tea and pastries," she said, as she rested a hand beneath his chin, making him blush a deeper shade of red.





Crystal Academy, Crystal Empire, Equestria, Equis
Present Day


"Let me get this straight: an older woman was seducing Spike, and he was blushing?" The Slifer student asked.


"Yes, Izinski, my husband was being hit on by a woman that was MUCH older. If you want to know more about her, let me continue," I said. If you're wondering why I'm narrating this to a Slifer student, it's because my husband took the kids to see my mother-in-law, Celestia. I then smiled, continuing my story.





Obelisks' Ballroom, Duel Academy, Japan, GX Neo-Earth
October 31st, 2004


"Who are you?" I asked, getting closer to them.


"I am Bayonetta to most people, Cereza to my closest friend," she answered, smirking as she now looked at me.


"Get away from him, I was with him first," I said. Now, I see that I acted out of character.


"Jealous, aren't we?" She asked, smirking as she pulled out a gun, pointing it at me. I'm surprised that nobody noticed what was going on at the time.


"No, he wants to dance with me."


"Well the night is young child, as young as I. After all, being more than 500 years old is youth in an Umbra Witch's lifespan," she said, leaning in and kissing Spike on the cheek. I was quite amazed at the fact that she was half half a millennium old, but she was threatening my night with Spike. Wait... Why was I being so jealous about it?


"How about we duel? Winner gets him for the night," I said.


"A duel for the boy... As much as I would like to face you in combat, a duel is quite exciting given the world I am in," she said, smirking.






Spike's POV


"Where's my opinion in all of-" Spike started to say, before Zane pulled him aside.


"What you will get out of this is an interesting duel: the best duelist of the Obelisk dorm against a woman who is much older than us," he said, smiling. 


"How could we know that she's really older than us?" Spike asked, before Zane pointing at my opponent, who used her hair to make the dress vanish, covering several parts of her body with her growing hair. After a while, she now stood in a one-piece suit, which showed skin in several places.


'There's the answer. Another thing you'll get from the duel is the fact that two attractive women are dueling to see who gets to dance the night away with you,' Yubel said in my mind.


'If you put it like that, then I guess I'll let it slide, after all, I have a feeling that things are going to get interesting,' I answered.





"Attention students, please leave the dance floor and the space around it empty, because a duel will take place," a voice on the microphone said, as the students began making space for the duel. I noticed how Spike and Zane went to the turntable, getting two chairs as they got a microphone each. I stood on one side of the space in the middle, while Bayonetta was on the other side. As the duel was going to begin, Spike said:


"Welcome to the Halloween Party, ladies and gentlemen!" With this, several students cheered, showing their presence before he continued. I am Spike Solaris, and I will make a dual commentary of this duel along with my fellow duelist, Zane Truesdale. Nice Jedi attire there, how are you tonight, Zane?" 


"Excellent, Solaris, I must say the same for your Neo costume," Zane answered, before continuing. 


"Tonight we'll have a duel, unlike any other, for our contestants are dueling to earn something, or in this case someone. This someone is none other that Spike Solaris of the Ra Yellow dorm, and only one of these lucky ladies will get the chance to dance the night away with him," Zane said, smirking. If he weren't a duelist, I'm sure he'd be a duel commentator. 


"On the left side, we have the product of a forbidden love, growing up to be a woman capable of taking down anyone who crosses her path, yet maintain her class, let's give it up to the Umbra Witch, Bayonetta!" Several men cheered, given her, well... features.


"And on the right side, nicknamed the 'Obelisk Queen' by several students, sister of Atticus Rhodes... Alexis Rhodes!" With that, the other students cheered, apparently supporting me for being the local one.


"In this case, I will be commentating Bayonetta's moves, while Zane commentates Alexis's moves."


"Without further ado, let's start the duel!"


Alexis: 4000 - Bayonetta: 4000

1. Alexis
"Why don't you start the duel? After all, I'll be the one ending the night with him," Cereza said, smirking.


"As you wish," I answered.


"Hm, Alexis has decided to begin by summoning 'Manju of the Ten Thousand Hands' in Attack Mode (1400 ATK). This allows her to search for a Ritual Monster or Spell, and in this case, she's adding 'Cyber Angel Dakini' to her hand. That done, she's ending her turn," Zane said, smiling.


2. Cereza
"And now Bayonetta's kicking off her turn. She's opted for activating a curious card known as Toy Vendor: by discarding a card, she gets to draw a card, and if it's a 'Fluffal', she gets to Special Summon a 'Fluffal' monster from her hand," he said, before the Umbra Witch said:


"Swamp? What a bummer. Also boys and girls, if you're wondering what deck I have, it is one from the future. I explained it to Spike, as well as giving him a list with the effects in order for him to explain it."


"She's now discarding 'Fluffal Bear' in order to add another Vendor to her field in face-down mode, only to flip it and discard 'Fluffal Mouse'..." He drifted off.


"She's drawn 'Fluffal Dog', and now she's going to Special Summon it in Attack Mode (1700 ATK)! When Dog hits the field, she gets to scout out an 'Edge Imp Sabres' or a 'Fluffal' monster, and she's chosen 'Fluffal Owl'. Using her Normal Summon, she's bringing out 'Fluffal Owl' in Attack Mode (1000 ATK), and this card let's her add a 'Polymerization' to her hand. She's now putting a 'Fluffal Mouse' in her hand to the top of her deck in order to Special Summon 'Edge Imp Sabres' in Defense Mode (800 DEF).


"Now comes the fun part," Cereza said, smiling as she activated Polymerization.


"Ditching Sabres, Owl, a Dog in her hand and the Dog on her field, she's Fusion Summoning 'Frightfur Wolf' in Attack Mode (2000 ATK), she could end the duel right now!"


"What makes you say that, Spike?" Zane asked.


"Wolf gets an attack for each monster used for its fusion, and Bayonetta's going in for the win!"


"Wait, Alexis is discarding her 'Honest', allowing to give a Light-Attribute monster a boost equal to the opposing monster's attack, and that means Manju's attack is now 3400, enough to destroy the wolf!" This said, Manju delivered multiple punches, destroying the wolf.


"Bayonetta's down to 2600 Life Points, while Alexis's points are intact, quite a way to turn the tables."

Alexis: 4000 - Cereza: 2600

3. Alexis
"It seems to be that Alexis is going to take out the Umbra Witch with brute force, sacrificing her monster to summon 'Gyakutennu Megami' in Attack Mode (1800 ATK). Megami's ending the turn with Specter Strike," Zane said, as Gyakutennu delivered a blast dropping her Life Points farther.

Alexis: 4000 - Cereza: 800

4. Cereza
"Down to only 800 Life Points, Cereza's using her Vendor's effect, discarding 'Fluffal Mouse' and drawing 'Edge Imp Chain', having to discard it. However, due to Chain's effect, she gets to add a Frightfur card, and she's chosen no other than 'Frightfur Fusion', the 'Dragon's Mirror' of the 'Fluffal' archetype! She's ditching Mouse, Bear and Wolf to summon her strongest monster... 'Frightfur Sabre-Tooth' in Attack Mode (2400 ATK). It's original attack is 2400, but due to its first effect, it's attack gets a boost of 400 (2400 + 400 = 2800 ATK). Also, since she used at least three monsters for the fusion, Sabre-Tooth can't be destroyed by card effects."


"This puts Alexis in a great disadvantage, and I'm confirming that Cereza will destroy Alexis's only monster," Zane said, as the Frightfur monster destroyed 'Gyakutennu Megami' with a single pounce.

Alexis: 3000 - Cereza: 800

5. Alexis
"Despite her Life Points now being 3000, Alexis still has an advantage. However, if she remains without monsters, the victory could be handed to the Umbra Witch. Now, it all relies on this turn," Zane said, before I drew a card. Upon seeing my hand, I smiled, knowing that I had won the duel.


"She's activating her key ritual, 'Machine Angel Ritual'. By discarding 'Wingweaver' and 'Key Mace', she's Special Summoning 'Cyber Angel Dakini' in Attack Mode (2700). It is not enough to destroy Sabre-Tooth, but her effect allows her to send it to the Graveyard, much different from destroying it!" Chazz exclaimed, smiling.


"Now Dakini's going to end the duel with Machina Angel Strike!" And with this, Dakini struck my opponent four times, ending the duel.

Alexis: 3000 - Cereza: 0


"Spike and I are sharing the dance floor tonight," I said, smirking as I went to him, smiling as he then smiled back at me.


"It'll be a pleasure dancing, but Cereza and I have a 'dance' of our own to attend to first," he said, before he walked alongside the Umbra Witch. I was slightly mad, but that all changed a while later when he entered, several cuts and bruises being visible. As for Bayonetta, she was intact.


"Yep, you're leading," he said, chuckling as he drank an odd potion that healed him. "That said and done, shall we dance, lovely?" He asked, holding my hand.


"Yes," was all I said, and after that, things were a blur in a way. The way we danced, what I felt while dancing, it was magical, no matter how ridiculous it may seem. After a while, he and I were sitting in the grass, our backs agains a tree. I was now resting my head on his shoulder, and he smiled as he held my hand.


"That was fun," he said, looking at me.


"Yeah, I'd do it again," I answered, smiling softly.


"It may be odd, but... would you go on a date with me?" Now he was asking me out on a date? I just couldn't but... he's not like the others, treating women with respect, and it looks like he's the kind of boy who arrives in a suit, takes a girl out to dance, and drops her off at the entrance of her home, receiving a kiss at the end of the night.


"I don't know, I mean, it sounds like a great idea, but I'm not ready."


"Well, I'll be patient," he ended, before he wrapped an arm around me, sharing his warmth with me a bit more. 


"I would like to duel you someday."


"Tell you what: I win, we go on a date, you win, I owe you a favor."


"That isn't fair."


"Says the one who dueled against another woman for me," he said, chuckling as I looked at him annoyed.


"She wasn't going to let me dance with you."


"See what I mean?" He asked, playfully kissing my cheek. I blushed a lot, and I looked away. However, our attention was caught by a giant white tiger, which landed on our island. From it came out a man who was in a white suit. Back then, I didn't know what a Power Ranger was.


"Who're you?" Spike asked, getting up. The stranger removed his mask, showing the face of a man with long black hair.


"My name is Tommy Oliver, White Ranger"


"Why are you here?"


"I'm looking for Zane Truesdale, I'm here to teach him a thing or two about life," he answered, before he looked at me.


"Follow me," I said, as Spike and Tommy went with me, reaching the party once more. It was now calm, and some students were talking with each other, while others were slow dancing. After a while, we found Zane, and he was sitting while a girl tried to convince him to go to the dance floor, which he refused.


"Zane Truesdale, I wish to duel you," Tommy said.


"I won't bother," Zane answered, ignoring him.


"He's got a one-of-a-kind future deck," a woman in a pink suit said, this one having blonde hair.


"Another one?" Spike asked.


"My name is Kimberly, I'm with him," she answered.


"Dual commentary, Lexie?" Spike asked.


"Sure, I'll give it a try," I answered, as I walked to the turntable, grabbing a microphone. Kimberly smiled, and headed to the turntable as well, joining me.


"Good evening, we need the center of the room to be cleared out, because a second duel will take place," Spike said through the microphone I was holding, before Kimberly began:


"Tonight's second main duel will be hosted by two strong duelists. Our special duelist is the leader of a team designated to save the Earth, Tommy Oliver!" Several students cheered, admiring his outfit.


"And on the other side, the main man on campus, respected by his friends, feared by his enemies, Zane Truesdale!" I said, smiling. So this is what Zane and Spike felt...


Zane: 4000 - Tommy: 4000

1. Zane
"Zane's starting by summoning 'Shining Angel' in Attack Mode (1400 ATK), and ending his turn with four face-downs," I commented, waiting to see what kind of deck Tommy had.


2. Tommy
"Due to his opponent having a monster while he doesn't, Tommy's Special Summoning 'Super Quantum Red Layer' in Attack Mode (2000 ATK)."


"This is where his plan is ruined, because Zane counters with 'Bottomless Trap Hole', removing Red Layer from play."


"However, as a good leader, he has a backup plan known as 'Emergency Teleport', allowing him to Special Summon a Level 3 Psychic monster, but he has to banish it from the field at the end of his turn. After summoning 'Super Quantum Blue Layer' in Defense Mode (2000 DEF), he activates Blue's effect, allowing him to add a 'Super Quant' card from his deck to his hand, and he's chosen 'Super Quantal Mech Ship Magnacarrier'. Continuing, he's Normal Summoning 'Super Quantum Green Layer' in Attack Mode (1600 ATK), which lets him Special Summon a 'Super Quant' monster, and he's bringing out 'Super Quantal Fairy Alphan' in Defense Mode (0 DEF)," she said, before taking a break.


"Discarding a card, he's activating Magna Carrier's first effect, using Green Layer to Xyz Summon 'Super Quantal Mecha Beast Aeroboros' in Attack Mode (2200 ATK)."


"Xyz summon? How does that work?" I asked. I was unfamiliar with that way of summoning back then, but Kim then explained.


"Xyz summoning is like Fusion Summoning, but using two or more monsters with the same level in order to bring it out. Xyz monsters have Overlay Materials, which let them activate their effects. Back to Tommy, he's paying 1000 points to Special Summon the 'Performage Trick Clown' he discarded, in Defense Mode (0 DEF due to effect). Now tributing Alphan to randomly summon one of three 'Super Quant' monsters he chose, Green Layer hits the field, while Red and Blue go to the grave. Red's effect activates, letting him Special Summon Blue Layer in Defense Mode (2000 DEF), and then Blue's graveyard effect activates, sending Red and Alphan into the deck."


"Will his turn finish soon? We've yet to see," I said.


"Now, he's using both Blue Layer monsters on the field, Xyz Summoning 'Super Quantal Mech Beast Grampulse' in Defense Mode (2800 DEF). Grampulse loses one of its Overlay Materials to destroy a Spell or Trap Card on the field, destroying the one on the far left. Aeroboros swings in for the kill," Kim said, as the green monster destroyed the Shining Angel.


"However, Zane's bringing out another 'Shining Angel' in Attack Mode (1400 ATK) due to its effect of Special Summoning a Light monster with 1500 or less attack points," I said, as another Shining Angel appeared.


"Green Layer heads in to finish off the Shining Angel with 'Green Tri-Strike'," she said, as Green Layer destroyed the Shining Angel, bringing out a metallic dragon.


"Zane's decided to bring out 'Proto-Cyber Dragon' in Attack Mode (1100 ATK). Its effect allows it to be treated as a 'Cyber Dragon' as long as it's on the field," I countered.


"Tommy is finishing his turn with a face-down, leaving Zane at 3000 Life Points."


Zane: 3000 - Tommy: 3000


3. Zane
"Tommy's activating the effect of 'Grampulse', destroying one of Zane's face-downs," Kimberly said, smiling as one of Zane's face-downs was destroyed.


"Zane's activating 'Graceful Charity', which allows me to draw three cards, but then discard two," I said, as Zane discarded, before activating a Trap Card.


"However, he's activating 'Disgraceful Charity', which allows him to recover the cards he lost from 'Graceful Charity'. Summoning another 'Proto-Cyber Dragon' to the field (1100 ATK), he's activating 'Power Bond', letting him Fusion Summon a Machine-type monster with twice the attack, and he's summoning his key monster... Cyber End Dragon (4000 x 2 = 8000 ATK)!" With that, a giant three-headed machine dragon appeared.


"This is it, Zane could end it here, and Cyber End Dragon's attacking the Clown with Eternal Evolution Burst!" I commented.


"However, it won't be this turn..." Kimberly said, before continuing. "... because Aeroboros's effect is kicking in, flipping that dragon into face-down position," she ended, as the dragon now became a Set monster, ending Zane's Battle Phase, which lead to Tommy's next turn to begin.


4. Tommy
"Sacrificing 'Performage Trick Clown' Tommy's summoning 'Super Quantum Red Layer' in Attack Mode (2000 ATK). Red Layer allows him to add a 'Super Quant' card from his Graveyard to his hand, and he's adding Blue Layer to his hand. Activating Magnacarrier's effect, he's discarding the monster he just added to his hand in order to Special Summon 'Super Quantal Mech Beast Magnaliger in Attack Mode (2600 ATK), using Red Layer as Xyz Material. After using Blue's effect to shuffle itsel into the deck, he's activating Magnacarrier's other effect, tributing Magnacarrier, using Grampulse, Aeroboros and Magnaliger, along with their Overlay Materials as materials for the Xyz Summon 'Super Quantal Mech King Great Magnus' in Attack Mode (3600 ATK)!"


"Impressive move, even the audience is cheering louder than they did when 'Cyber End Dragon' appeared," I said, before she continued.


"However, Tommy's activating his face-down, the Trap Card known as 'Super Quantal Mech Sword - Magnaslayer', equipping it to Mech King. This Trap Card's effect increases the equipped 'Super Quant' monster's attack by 100 times its Rank. Now, Mech King's going to deliver a true mechanical beat down to the dragon!" And with that, he flew into the sky, swooping down and delivering a single slash, before the dragon appeared and the sword disappeared. 


"Kimberly, please explain what's going on," I said.


"In the Battle Phase, the Trap Card can be sent to the Graveyard to give the equipped monster three attacks that turn," Kimberly ended, as the Mech King delivered two more punches, as Cyber End Dragon started to release electricity and sparks, falling to the ground with a heavy thud, then exploding as Zane's Life Points dropped.

Zane: 0 - Tommy: 3000

"And Tommy wins the duel!" Kimberly exclaimed, smiling as we went to Tommy and Zane, only for Tommy to stop Kim.


"Zane, Spike and I are going to talk, leaders to leaders," Tommy said, as he walked out of the dorm with them.






Zane's POV

I didn't know why they wanted to talk with me: I taught Syrus a valuable lesson, and I am the top student of this academy.  However, my doubts were answered as Tommy began.


"Zane, Spike and I are here to talk to you due to how you've acted."


"Yeah, especially Syrus, kid's got a problem of self-esteem. The mistakes he's made, the insults he's received, there was a time where he nearly killed himself, hell, I thought I had it bad... but wanting to kill yourself? You're supposed to be a role model, he has the right to be treated with love, yet you show him none," Spike said, annoyed.


"With a brother like you, why would he want enemies? He needs a brother, not a tormentor."


"You're 4000 Attack Points from putting Obelisk to shame."


I kept on receiving comments like this, until Spike's next comment made me fully realize, compared to the ones I was told before.


"Hell, I wish I were his brother instead of you! I lost my family in two clan wars, yet you have yours and you act as if you didn't have one," Spike said, before slapping me on the face, hard. 


"Oh, and if it makes you feel better, the deck I use is known for being far into the future," Tommy said, before the two left. The last thing I heard was Spike calling on his PDA about some dreamscape issue.
> Battle of the Dragons/ Let's dance, boy
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Dreamscape

Zane's POV

There was fog everywhere, even if I was in my room. The memory of my loss was still fresh, and I tried to shake it off, but I heard sinister laughter everywhere. I began running in order to get away from it, only to see a figure with a machete in his hands, a hockey mask on his face, and small green embers on his body. It was sitting on something, looked like an oddly-shaped rock.


"Time's up, Zane Truesdale," the figure said, getting up as he looked at me.


"Who are you?" I asked, stepping back a bit.


"I am your Ghost of Christmas to Come, a sinister one to be honest," it answered, chuckling. "Such a pity your brother didn't put up a fight. Hell, he said I was doing him a favor," it ended, pointing at the rock that was really my brother. I ran as fast as I could, only to see something that shocked me: despite the fact that my brother was stabbed in the chest, he was smiling, eyes open.


"No, it can't be..."


"It can, future isn't written yet. You'll eventually get what you want, but it always come at a price," the figure said, smiling as it lifted its machete and-


I woke up. It was too horrible, and when I looked around the room, I heard a voice in my mind:


'Hello Zane,' a female voice began. It was Yubel, but how was it possible?


"What are you doing in my mind?" I asked.


'I've come to warn you about your loss tomorrow. Tomorrow, you will duel Spike at 6:00 P.M, at the lighthouse. Alexis and the others will be there.'


"How can I know you are not lying?"


'I already entered your mind, which reminds me, you only have 16 hours to prepare for the duel.' After that, I didn't hear her voice anymore. I tried to go back to sleep, but I couldn't. The little to no time I spent with Syrus, was spent scolding him from what some people told me. I was sure it wasn't true, but I had to win this duel.





Spike's POV

'Bel arranged a duel between me and Zane. I knew she'd only arrange a duel between the two of us when I was ready, unless there was another purpose for it. Whatever it is, it's time to make Zane feel their pain.

- Spike Solaris

Chancellor's Office
10:00 A.M

As I stood in the office, I looked at Chazz, who was looking down. He was on trial due to theft and other issues, and I was the one who was going to designate his punishment (well, part of it). 


"Tell you what, I want a fancy apartment for me. You know, three bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen, and some fancy stuff: video games, a computer, and a hot tub, yep, hot tubs are cool," I said. I knew my dragon instinct was kicking in, but hey, those decks were given to me by the big boss, and the cards were quite expensive. I already had my two dragon decks back, so I figured I'd kill two birds with one stone: he'd pay back, and I'd get a better place to massage my clients. It might be unfair, but his parents have already discounted the money necessary for the construction from his savings, and let me tell you, he's fucking rich.


"That part done, we need you to exit the room Chazz, Spike and I are going to discuss a bit more in order to put a punishment suitable for your crimes on behalf of the school," the Chancellor said, before Chazz exited, two guards behind him.


"Does Kaiba have an academy where discipline is fundamental?" I asked.


"There is one, somewhere around Scandinavia: the place has the best students of Europe, and it's known as North Academy."


"I think the academy's found a punishment," I said, before Chazz and the guards entered.


"Chazz Princeton, for theft and other minor crimes in the school, you are forced to transfer to North Academy until you are worthy of being here once more. As an extra, your deck must be left here before transfer, which happens in three hours," Sheppard ended, as my rival left.


"As for you, Spike, you should get to your next class, which has already begun." That said by the chancellor, I started to run, smiling as my mind went to a certain blonde-haired duelist dressed in blue...






3:00 P.M

I was eating with Mindy, and she was smiling as she enjoyed the taste of the steak I had prepared. Yes, there was quite some luxury this day, given that I won a trial, and I was now in Ra Yellow, giving me more privileges.


"How long have you been cooking?" Mindy asked, before drinking from her glass of cider.


"Nine years, started since I was 6," I answered, before cleaning my mouth with a napkin as to remove any crumbs and stains on my mouth.


"Still, why did you invite me?"


"Just to break the routine on who eats with me, if someone is at the time. It's mostly Syrus and Chumley, and sometimes alone, so yeah, it's just to get to know people better."


"Well Spike, I'll see you tonight for our session," she said, before she parted. Now, it is not THAT kind of session if that's what you're thinking. These sessions are nightly ones, given the peace that oddly occurs at night. I told her it was going to cost her a bit more, but she still accepted. 


'You must prepare for the duel Spike, you are facing the Obelisk Kaiser,' Yubel said, looking serious.


"So I'm facing the German Obelisk leader? Hail Truesdale!" I answered, mocking a German when mentioning the second sentence. 


'Putting the Captain America reference aside, he is the best duelist on campus.'


"Yeah, I'm going to need help from the genius," I said, walking to the Ra Yellow Headmaster's room. The man was a bit old, black hair, and he was known as Sartyr.


"Good afternoon Solaris, how may I help you?" Sartyr asked.


"Good afternoon Professor Sartyr, I was wondering which room belonged to Bastion Misawa," I answered, before he answered me.


"Ah yes, young Bastion is quite a remarkable student. You may find him in the left section of the dorm," he said, as I went to the right section, to invite Syrus over. He accepted, and then we went to Bastion's room. If you guys thought Twilight took science seriously, you haven't seen Bastion's domain. The walls, Hell, even the ceiling had formulas.


"Hey Bastion, you run out of paper?" I asked, smirking as he finished a formula.


"No, I use this method to build and counter decks," he answered, admiring his own work.


"Cool. Hey Bastion, we wanted to know if you could help us with our decks. We've got brawn in dueling, but we don't fare well in deck building," I said, before he smiled.


"Excellent, let me show you how to build a proper deck, depending on your interests.







5:57 P.M

The time had come, and I was walking to the lighthouse along with Bastion, Syrus and Chumley. Remaining calm was easy, but taking on the Kaiser was a different issue. 


"We know you can do it," Bastion said.


"Thanks you guys, just a bit nervous since it's Zane we're talking about here," I answered, before Yubel told me about her actions with Zane. This meant, that I had to deliver the Obelisk Kaiser a punishment.


"Hey Spike," Alexis said.


"Hey Alexis," I said, as I waved at her.


"I thought you wouldn't show up," Zane said. Ok, that is quite unnatural of him, but putting that aside...


"Well, I'm here," I answered, preparing my Duel Disk.


"Time to see if the nightmare was bogus," he muttered, before the duel began.

Zane: 4000 - Spike: 4000

1. Zane
"I'll activate 'Different Dimension Capsule', which allows me to remove from play a card. Then, I'll end my turn with a face-down and 'Cyber Valley', in Attack Mode (0 ATK)."

2. Spike
"Alright, I'll set two face-downs, and normal summon 'Red-Eyes Wyvern' in ATK-"


"I don't think so, I'm activating 'Bottomless Trap Hole', which removes from play a monster you summon if it has 1500 or more attack points." That said, my wyvern fell down the hole.


"Ok, I'm done."


3. Zane
"I'm removing my 'Cyber Valley' and a card in my hand from play to add a card in my Graveyard to the top of my deck. Next, I'll summon 'Proto-Cyber Dragon' in Attack Mode (1100 ATK). Now 'Proto-Cyber Dragon', attack Spike with Proto-Photon Strike!" That said, a white ball was launched, and I received the hit.

Zane: 4000 - Spike: 2900

4. Spike
"Alright, now I'm going to set a face-down and summon 'Spear Dragon' in Attack Mode (1900 ATK). Next, I'll activate the Spell Card 'Dragon's Gunfire'. I'll use its second effect, which allows me to destroy a monster with less than 800 defense points, and since your dragon's of only 600, it's gone," I said, as it was destroyed.


"Now Spear Dragon, attack directly with Aerial Lance!" Once I said it, the dragon flew straight towards Zane, inflicting damage and then going into Defense Mode (0 DEF).

Zane: 2100 - Spike: 2900.

5. Zane
"Now that two turns have passed, I can add the card I removed from play to my hand. I'll activate 'Brain Control', which lets me take control of one of your monsters by only paying 800 Life Points. I'll switch 'Spear Dragon' to Attack Mode, and attack you directly!" He exclaimed, as I was attacked by my own monster, receiving it in Defense Mode (0 DEF).

Zane: 1300 - Spike: 1000

6. Spike
"Fun duel, but you've lost it. Spear Dragon, end this," I said, as Zane's LP dropped.

Zane: 0 - Spike: 1000


"Zane Truesdale..." Jasmine said.


"...Just, lost." Alexis completed.


"Against a former Slifer..." Missy added, before I went to Zane, who fell to his knees in disbelief. 


"Your mind is filled with the lack of sleep, as well as the loss against Tommy Oliver. Your soul is tainted by the pain you've inflicted on your own blood, see the Deadly Truth and feel the pain of Syrus," I said, resting my hand on the top of his head, as his face went from one of disbelief to agony. 


Let me explain how the Deadly Truth happens: it is similar to the Penance Stare, just that the enemy's eyes aren't burned, and neither is their soul. Instead, they see the truth, and after a while, they return, but with a change or two after seeing the truth. As to why it is called 'The Deadly Truth'? The agony some feel is one that makes them want to end their lives, although they are not allowed to.


When I finished, Zane fell, eyes open and his mouth slightly open. The others looked at me, before I answered:


"I showed him the truth, he'll be alright. If you'll excuse me, I'll take him to his room," I answered, before carrying him to his room. A few minutes after I reached my dorm, I received a message from Alexis:


'What is up with you? Why did you do that to Zane?!'
- Alexis

I merely answered:

'I showed him the truth. Tell Syrus to meet me at my room. Once you tell him, tell Zane, the effects of the Truth must be wearing off.'
- Spike


I didn't think they'd come, but they did. First Syrus, then Alexis and Zane. I received a swift slap from Alexis, only to stop her before she delivered a second one. I motioned her to look, and boy was it a surprise: Zane was crying. That's right, the Kaiser was crying. He knelt to hug Syrus, before speaking.


"I am sorry, Syrus. All those times I hurt you, thinking I was helping you..."


"It's alright. Not the best way, but it's still alright. All I needed was to understand the lessons, and Spike helped me understand," Syrus said, hugging back. Alexis then looked at me.


"My method is unorthodox, but the result is unarguable on this occasion," I answered, rubbing the sore spot.


"Sorry for slapping you," she answered, looking away.


"I sort of deserved it, after all, when do you do that to the Kaiser?" I asked, before walking out of the room, only for Alexis to follow me. We reached the forest a bit later, and she asked:


"Why did you do that?"


"They needed to fix that. Hell, I would've fixed it long ago if I were one of them. I know very well that you know the feeling of losing a brother," I answered, before she looked at the ground.


"Zane wasn't much of a duel: he wasn't at his full potential, which explains why he lost quickly. I know that he is much better than I am, and I await a duel against him when he's at his best," I ended.


The rest of the night was quiet as I walked her and the other Obelisk Girls along with her. What I didn't expect however, was for my duel against Missy to be told to the Chancellor, nor the fact that a man was going to arrive to the island soon in order to take a friend of mine.





The Dreamscape
Shining Armor's POV

Rage, the ever-existing emotion. Gives some people power, makes others... Different. Cadence suffered it, divorced and made me infamous due to a supposed affair. However, her rage was the small push which would lead me to my new life. Now, as I sit on my bed, I look at my loved one, smiling as she was asleep. Blonde hair, clear skin, and a height of 6'4", she's quite a fighter, but she also has her soft side. Still, it's funny how I'm making sure she's alright, asleep or not.


"Hello brother," a man said, from the doorway. This man had a one-piece suit, and a set of glasses as well.


"Spike?" I asked.


"Yes, it is me," he answered, smirking as he left the room. I followed him, only to see his hair grow, covering several parts of his body to change his attire to that of a yellow blazer, jeans and sneakers. We ended up in the kitchen, and there was a bottle of cider on the table, as well as two glasses.


"Cider from Sweet Apple Acres?"


"Yep, top-notch stuff," he answered, serving cider in each glass. We each got one, and began drinking.


"Been quite a while since I've had a glass," I said, looking at him.


"Yeah, I know. How's life as of late?" He asked.


"Pretty well. After a few weeks in Heaven, I ended up on an odd planet, met a princess named Rosalina. After that, I ended up with the woman who would then be my girlfriend, Samus Aran. How about you?"


"Now that you say it, it's funny how we have a thing for blonde girls. I'm quite alright, just died a month or so ago, but I've got a new life in another world," he answered, before he drank a bit from his glass.


"How did you get here?"


"Special pass, courtesy of Lady Death herself. Quite a nice mare, although I have to give her a massage every Saturday night."


"So you seduced Death..."


"You say it as if the massage comes with a happy ending."


"Alright, sex jokes aside, it's been a while. Now we're alive again, have a preference of blond girls, and we are traveling through worlds unknown to us.


"Yep, good life," he said, lifting his glass. "To resurrection."


"To resurrection," I answered, as we clinked our glasses before we drank the cider. After a while of talking, we got up, smiling as we shook hands.


"Leaving already?" I asked.


"Yeah, time's up for me. I don't know when I'll see you again, but I'm sure it will be cool," he answered, before he vanished in thin air. I woke up, seeing as my love was in my arms. It was morning, and I decided to give her a proper wake-up.


"Morning love," she said, after I had kissed her.


"Ready for another day?" I asked, looking into her eyes.


"Yeah, just need to get the suit on."


"Same here. Now, let's go hunt down that 'Ridley' you've been talking about lately."
> Unknown
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hey everybody, Equestrian Ghost here, and I want to tell you all that I'm putting this story in hiatus due to some personal issues, such as college and emotions. Honestly, I do not think several depressing chapters will do, and I am in no state of continuing this story for the time being. I might bring out another story, I might not. Still, I'd like to thank those 20 or so readers that have given this story a chance and keep on reading it. Thank you all for understanding, and I'll see you all later.
> Back in Business?
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chappy by next Sunday for old time's sake, trying out a new deck.
> Brave New World
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

By the gods, it's been four years. After a brief trip down the story, I realize what a difference in themes (so to say) between my teenage years and my early twenties (far edgier before). So yeah, among leaving the fandom, university, emotional issues, I figured I'd give this gig another go. Sure, I'm unaware of anything that happened after the first two EQG movies, and only watched up to S3, so not much of an emphasis there. This chapter is a bit of a spin-off, and I realize that Spike was overpowered to the degree it's sad. This said, been four years, least I got a bit more progress than a certain chalice-gobbling developer, and I hope you enjoy.
- Equestrian Ghost




The air was brittle in the chamber, and the visitors quite nervous. It had been years since they last heard of Solaris, the ally turned enemy who was once the pride of Duel Academy. There were many suspicions about his fate, such as him dying the night of the fire, or in the other world due to falling rocks. They questioned these outcomes, but there was one they did not question when mentioned: his durability.

He had proven this when making his way through Hell per Death’s words, his brief time in the Shadow Realm and even his time as a Revenant, so him surviving, while unlikely after all these years, was not out of the realm of possibilities. A quick visit later and the GX group sans Bastion was in a room where three entities were seated in their thrones. The left belonged to Equestria’s incarnation of Death, who looked at them from underneath their hood. The middle belonged to a shambling bipedal being whose skin was that of glassy tar and had a knight-like armor of a matching color. Finally, on the right throne was Faust herself, a thin frown on her face.

“We cannot grant you this request,” Faust said, looking at them. Celestia, who was also in the room, spoke up.

“Why not, mother? I get that I retired, but such a request should be within your reach!” the former ruler of Equestria pleaded, getting on her knees.

“Such a request is not one within our boundaries. Despite setting up a connection with your world, the world he is in is a different one altogether.”

“But if you did it with our world, shouldn’t his world be possible? I mean, it’s not like a different universe or something, right?” Alexis asked, looking at the three entities.

“You are not wrong, yet you are far from correct,” the middle entity said.

“And who are you supposed to be, huh?” Chazz asked, clearly annoyed by the situation.

“Pardon my manners, I am Requiem, the entity of Purgatory of this and many other worlds. I watch over the souls and worlds that are left in a state of limbo, never-ending life if you please. For instance, the following,” he said, motioning a door and watching as a brown-haired woman with matching rabbit ears and a camera trudged along, followed by a red-haired woman dressed as a Spartan who had a shield and spear.

“Who are they?” Syrus asked, looking at them in shock.

“Those who go to neither Heaven nor Hell, or those who have been forgotten or had their stories left untold. They come from a world where a major incident killed them off either metaphorically or literally. You could say they were written off, but the interpretations vary,” the now identified Requiem stated.

“In technicality, I watch over the dead who originated in our world. However, I received no soul from him. When consulting with the others, we got word that another entity governs that world. The problem is that he is quite busy,” Death sighed, looking away.

“And who is that?” Celestia asked, looking up at the deathly being.

“The Red One,” she said grimly, her fear being evident.





Slifer Red dorms, Academy Island, ???



“Here lies Spike Solaris, student and paragon of Slifer Red.”
??? – 2007

“I don’t know about the paragon part, but the student part checks out,” a black haired-woman said, checking a tombstone and then checking her scroll, seeing the image of a green-haired teen with messy hair and a Slifer Red blazer. “Hate to say it, but I dig the blazers over whatever you’re rocking.”

“Keep that to yourself, Carly. I am not too fond of you, but I know that you are the one capable of finding a connection between the Duel Academy incidents and my father. I had an inkling, but said inkling is useless without proof,” another voice answered, this belonging to a woman who was wearing a cloak.

“Should we head in? It looks like it’ll fall apart at any given minute,” Carly said, removing her glasses to wipe them with her shirt before putting them on once more.

“Yes, though you can stay out here if you’d like, keep an eye on the surroundings,” the mysterious figure answered, entering the biggest room that looked like the common room. A television that at this age would look obsolete, dusty furniture, a table that looked like it was on the verge of breaking, nothing interesting. Sighing, she made her way to the other rooms on the lower floor, the results also the same.

She made her way to the upper floor, holding onto the railway that creaked under her grasp. One by one she went through the rooms as she did before until coming across a well-furnished room. The furniture was covered with plastic sheets, and so the young woman proceeded to remove said sheets. What caught her curiosity was a mini-fridge that she then connected, smiling as it began to run. One could say that not a day had passed within this room, and she took her time looking around said room.

As she went around the room, a creaking noise caught her attention. Looking beneath her, she saw a wooden floorboard. To come and think of it, it was odd that the floor was of wood unlike the other rooms where aside from the dining hall the floor was made out of carpet. She stepped on a few other floorboards, the only troublesome board being the one that creaked. Bringing out a small screwdriver she kept on her person, she shimmied it to try and get it between the gaps, managing to loosen it enough before removing it.

Putting the screwdriver away, she brought out a flashlight, using it to shine its light upon the gap. She quickly removed the cobwebs before extracting the hidden contents the floorboard offered: a notebook. Taking a seat on the bed, she proceeded to carefully read the contents of the notebook, her eyes widening as she kept on reading. After a short while, she got up, leaving the room as it was before she entered.

“Hey, are you okay? You took a while, I was starting to get worried,” Carly asked, concern evident on her face.

“Yes I am. However, our trip was worthwhile.”

“Why, what did you find?” Carly asked, only for her eyes to widen when seeing the notebook before the two made their way to the boat.

“A lead.” 





“Do you think this will summon him?” the former Duel Academy students asked, watching how Celestia, Ingram, Faust, Death and Requiem stood in a circle, the five standing over a seal that had five different symbols. Faust stood over the symbol of Light, Ingram over Wind, Death over Fire, Celestia over Wind and Requiem over Dark. 

“You dare question me?” Ingram asked, raising an eyebrow and earning silence from them.

“Grace us with your power, Ultimaya, transcend the limits space and time imposed upon you and accept our humble invitation,” the five beings said, the seal glowing res as a beam of red light shot up. A massive being rose, this being one of crimson energy. The duelists and divine beings watched as the serpent-like creature unfurled its wings and let out a massive roar.

“What is it you require that called for my presence?” the crimson being asked.

“Oh Crimson Dragon, we apologize for bringing you up in such a manner. What happened was that one of our residents ended up in your world, and we were wondering if you could aid us by granting us passage into your realm,” the solar princess said, bowing to the cosmic dragon.

"Such an unusual yet specific request. Who was it that ended up in my world?" the now identified Crimson Dragon asked.

"Spike Solaris," Sunset Shimmer spoke up, in her human form as she looked at Ultimaya.

"Hmm, such a tricky request... I am afraid I cannot grant you to him in such a fashion. If he is to return, it shall be by his decision or a death not caused by any of you. Let it be known, that should you die there, you will either be killed, or resurrected by them."

"Who's them?"

"The Dark Signers, or your equivalent of the Seven Stars. From here on out, I will not have power beyond that of an observer in my world, understood?" he asked, receiving several nods from the duelists and Equestrians. 

"Good. Stand in the center of the circle, as a warning: you might end up separated," the Crimson Dragon said. The group of eight stepped in the middle of the seal, vanishing in a crimson pillar of light.





No Man's Land, Satellite, ???

A cloaked man stood atop the highest point in Satellite, watching over the citizens. What caught his attention, however, were multiple crimson pillars. These were not the kind of presences he'd feel from duel gangs when he began to clean up the Satellite, or the activity in the B.A.D. that overwhelmed him. Goodwin was up to something, Sayer was up to something as well, his children scrambled and Martha the only person running the orphanage. No, this presence was much, much more different.

These presences were alienating, yet familiar. Presences that are not meant to be in this realm, jeopardizing the current series of events for better or for worse. Unfurling his feathery wings, the mysterious being began his hunt.

Several minutes later.

'What happened here? It looks like a wasteland,' Chazz thought to himself, going through the tunnels that were threatening to crumble. He had ended up in a dark tunnel, seeing the occasional passerby as he tried to find a way out. His prayers were answered when he heard a commotion. 

"Get out of here," a distorted voice said.

"What about Yusei?" a young voice asked.

"There's no time Rally, I'm pretty sure he's okay, it's Yusei we're talking about!" an adult voice said, 3 adults and a child running past him. Paying them little to no attention, the former Slifer got into a small sprint, only to stop when seeing a figure with a tattered cloak, his face hidden as a Duel Disk on his left arm. There was also a chain wrapped around his waist, an aged gun on his hip and a rusty strip of metal strapped to his other hip.

"What are you doing here?" the unknown figure asked.

"None of your business," Chazz answered, walking by only to hear the stranger's Duel Disk being activated. 

"Stepping into Satellite made it mine. Duel me, or is your disk for show?"

"You want a show? I'll give you one," Chazz answered, his Duel Disk turning on.

"DUEL!"

Chazz: 4000 - ???: 4000

1. Chazz
"My turn!" Chazz said, drawing a card. "I'll summon 'V-Tiger Jet' in defense mode (1800 DEF)!," he said, a yellow machine tiger with green wings on its shoulders along with a green back. "I'll end my turn with a face-down, your move creep." Sets Royal Decree.

2. ???

"I'll tribute your V-Tiger Jet, to Special Summon 'Gameciel, the Sea Turtle Kaiju' in attack mode (2200 ATK)," the voice said, the tiger being squashed by a scaly blue foot, coming from a long-necked turtle-like creature.

"What did you do to my monster?!" Chazz asked.

"Kaijus can tribute enemy monsters to be summoned from the hand. However, each player can only control one Kaiju. Now that you know this, I'll Special Summon 'Radian, the 'Multidimensional Kaiju' in attack mode, and normal summon 'Jet Synchron' in defense mode (0 DEF) as well)," the stranger said, a bipedal pitch-black being with red eyes appearing from nowhere before it was joined by a monster whose main body was a turbine engine and jet wings on the side of its body, along with a pair of arms and legs. 

"Now, I'll tune my 'Jet Synchron' and Radian to synchro summon! Scars are to be learned from, todays defeats shall be tomorrows victories. Arise, 'Scarlight Red Dragon Archfiend', in attack mode (3000 ATK)!" the stranger cried, as his two monsters merged, the pillar becoming bright red as a red dragon rose from it, its right horn missing as its right arm was in a bone-like cast that went from its hand to the elbow.

"W-what did you just do?!" Chazz stammered.

"I synchro summoned a monster, it's quite evident you're not from around here, let alone this time," the cloaked being answered before continuing. "I'll discard a card to special summon Jet Synchron from my Graveyard in defense mode (0 DEF), but it'll be removed from play when it leaves the field. Not that it concerns me, especially with Scarlight's ability. Go, Ruthless Inferno!" With a flap of the Archfiend's wings, Gameciel and Jet Synchron were destroyed by being combusted. "Once per turn, I can destroy every special summoned effect monster on the field whose attack is equal or lower than Scarlight's except for the Scarlight who activated it," the being said, before the two fires that were in the place of the destroyed monsters were shot at Chazz.

"Aah!"

"And for each monster destroyed by this effect, you lose 1000 points. Doing the math, it's 4k total. Scarlight, end this duel with Hell-Scarred Scorcher." With the order given, the dragon charged up an attack and engulfed Chazz in flames, making him pass out. 

Chazz: 0000 - ???: 4000

Wrapping the chain around the fallen duelist, the stranger unfurled his wings and began shortened the distance between himself and Chazz as to avoid dragging him.

'Who the hell brought you here and why, Princeton,' the being pondered.