Prologue: Night Hunters

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Adagio felt the rush of the unique sense of satiation overcoming her, all the while her delicate fingers fell over the blood red brooch adorning her neck, a crimson glow pulsing from within, like a crystalline heart. She breathed out in satisfaction, unable to restrain herself from licking at her lips, the taste almost mouthwateringly intoxicating, despite what a paltry quarry this one turned out to be.

When the sensation began to slowly wane, she approached the pile of clothing and other effects the pitiful man had on him, her purple boot unceremoniously stomping down on the Archfiend Black Skull Dragon that came dislodged from the steel grey duel disk on the ground. Utter garbage to her. She fumbled around the pockets, finding the fool’s wallet, then detached the deck from its placement in the duel disk and fanned it out. Pitiful as he was, he did seem to have a few cards that could prove useful. The rest she tossed away without a second thought, scattering them throughout the alley.

“Having a good time, Dagi?”

She turned around, immediately spotting the pair of red glowing orbs in the shadows. A normal person would be sent cowering or screaming in terror from such a sight, but upon stepping into the illuminated area of the alley, they dulled to a mulberry purple. It was a girl with pale fuchsia skin and purple hair sporting brilliant streaks of aquamarine in the large twin-tails and the bangs framing her face. She was adorned in a baggy, green hoodie.

“Aria,” said Adagio in acknowledgement. “The usual; fun to screw around with, absolutely lacking in inner-strength,” she remarked, glancing back at the pile of clothes. “So why are you here? Finally get sick of the tobacco stench of that factory you call a place of fun?”

Aria grinned amusedly, before going dour, “Place is gone.”

Adagio looked at her in confusion, “Excuse me?”

“Gone. Up in smoke. Crazy,” said Aria briefly.

“Oh,” Adagio brought a hand to her hip. “Finally blow a gas main or something?” she asked wryly.

“Actually, you might find this interesting. Although…” she looked around, “Any idea where Sonata is?”

Adagio rolled her eyes, “I’m sure she’s around somewhere. Does it really matter? Let’s just have it; we can-”

“Nuh-uh,” came another voice from the shadowed portion of the alley. Another pair of red glowing eyes moved steadily closer, until the illumination toned them down into a shade of raspberry, unveiling another girl; bluish white skin with arctic blue hair accented with Persian blue streaks, worn in a high ponytail, donning a purple hoodie. She pulled out the lollipop currently in her mouth to speak, “No fair leaving me out of the fun.” She looked at the piece of candy in an almost needlessly intent fashion, “Hmm, ever notice how the younger they are the more spirit they have?” she asked idly before popping it back into her mouth.

Aria groaned, “Where the hell were you?”

Sonata stared blankly at Aria, her eyes glancing down at the stick protruding from her mouth, before a wide grin formed.

“Right,” Aria looked at Sonata for a brief moment, before returning to addressing Adagio again. “Anyway, the factory: I was there, doing some feeding, see if I could bag some extra along the way.” She produced a smartphone from her hoodie pocket, “Thought it’d get interesting with that Sunset Shimmer girl returning.”

“Sunset Shimmer?” asked Adagio.

“You know; bacon hair, best in the underground, seems to go on and off whenever.”

Adagio caressed her jaw in contemplation, “Vaguely, but continue.”

“Look at this,” said Aria, handing her phone to Adagio. A video taken from the ‘VIP’ mezzanine in the local Ghouls’ factory hideout slash establishment just over the infamous cage arena.

Sure enough, to one side stood the aforementioned “bacon-haired” girl, this Sunset Shimmer, prominently sporting a black leather jacket while adorning a black duel disk with an orange tray. And seemed to be having some form of ailment, seeing how she seemed to be caressing her head. Adagio could hear how the girl was screaming. She knew the underground used their even more infamous shock collars to induce genuine pain from any damage people took in duels, but never had she seen nor heard of a case this agonizing.

She came close to dropping the phone when the girl threw her arms to her sides and roared, the footage seeming to distort for but a moment when a staticky roar blasted through the phone’s miniature speakers. What had Adagio’s undivided attention was the aura of blackness that enshrouded the girl in the cage.

“Uh… Okay, is someone screwing with the holo-emitters?” came a muffled voice somewhere off screen as the footage sloppily zoomed in on Sunset Shimmer, even from the distance, the billowing flames of shadows were impossible to miss, that and the glints of red emanating roughly where her eyes would be located.

“You done yet, human scum?” an ominous voice called out, sounding like it thundered, despite the remarkable distance.

“T-the hell…?” Sunset’s opponent seemed to stutter somewhere off the camera feed, “I… I end my turn. So what now, bitch? You’ve one foot in the grave! There’s no way in hell you’re coming back from that… You ain’t got no chance, bitch! You only got one card in your hand, your monsters are dead and buried. Just give up and I promise me and my pals will go easy on ya!”

“Draw!” the girl swiped a card from atop her deck, the motion bringing with it an arc of black flames. That was the moment Adagio heard a muffled “Shit,” that was clearly Aria, who promptly took off running, the footage becoming blurry and unintelligible in the rush.

Incomprehensible sounds overcame the audio, with what were clearly screams emanating from somewhere, when a loud bang of a door being rammed open followed, with the footage seeming to brighten into what must have been the night sky. The recording must have been left on unintentionally, when all that could be seen was the asphalt.

“I kinda forgot I’d left it on at that point, but true story: Soon enough, the building caught fire,” said Aria, taking her phone back.

“A dark duelist…” muttered Adagio, “And she’s here; in the same city as us… Oh… Ohhh-hoh-ho…” a smile crept onto Adagio’s, all the while her realization slowly came to manifest itself as a laugh. She haughtily brought a hand to her mouth, the realization beginning to work itself into a most brilliant idea.

All the while, Aria too began to chuckle along with her, being more reserved as opposed to Adagio’s more outward habits, joined soon by the third wheel, Sonata, who began giggling enthusiastically. The sounds bounced about the compact space of the alleyway, forming a veritable cacophony echoing into the night.

Sonata was the first to come to an abrupt halt, “Umm, what are we laughing at?”

Adagio quickly composed herself, clearing her throat. “This, dear sisters; this is the moment we’ve all been waiting for!” She drew the two to her by their shoulders and huddled them together, “Stuck in this wretched world where the inhabitants wouldn’t know real magic from a book of fiction; when lo and behold, after only… What? More than a whole millennium; do we find someone like her.”

Sonata’s face seemed to brighten, “Oh! Does this mean we’re one step closer to…?”

Adagio’s hand snapped forth and squeezed around Sonata’s cheeks, “Yes! Bringing this world to its knees before us! We may have not gotten our home world, but now, our goals of dominating this one; it’s back on…” she finished with a positively sinister smile, a sentiment Aria seemed to agree with, and possibly Sonata, if she were able to move her lips. “So, Aria,” she released Sonata’s face, whose face squirmed extensively, “where do we find this Sunset Shimmer?”

“Well, that’s the hard part…” she muttered resentfully. “I’ve only seen her play in the underground; I never really asked where she came from. I think she might have been a student somewhere in town.”

Adagio however, was not undeterred, “Merely a minor setback, dear sister.”

“Oooh, she said ‘dear’,” remarked Sonata, “Dagi’s in a good mood~!”

“Oh, like you wouldn’t believe,” Adagio chuckled. “Come, let’s discuss strategy over some drinks at the Barbed Wire. I’m feeling generous right now, so I’m buying.”

“I want a milkshake,” Sonata blurted, idly spitting out the lollipop stick.

“Yes, Sonata, we know you don’t like what us grownups drink,” Aria groaned, which earned her a pouty raspberry blowing.

“Trust me, sisters: In this quaint little town; this Sunset Shimmer won’t stay hidden for long. We’ll track her down. A dark duelist isn’t exactly something mundane. And who knows, maybe there’s other surprises to be found, once the noose tightens around her,” said Adagio, slowly and deliberately closing her elegant, slender hand into a fist before their eyes, accented with the crimson glow of their eyes and the three identical pendants they wore around their necks.

♪I’m flustered at myself, no matter what I do
Defeating all the odds, but still I won’t hear the truth

My journey’s long, but I must stay strong
For anything

Seems like I’ve lost all of my control, ON THE FIELD, I won’t back down
Maybe you’re afraid, DON’T GO AWAY, just STAY

The path that I chose towards my future will not be easy as it seems
Though I know I’ll find my destiny

I must close my eyes, and trust in my heart, JUST LIKE CARDS, I believe
I’ll never break my promise, YES, YOU ARE THE WINNER

NEVER LOSE, I’ll trust in my shuffle, JUST LIKE CARDS, I’ll believe
That we’ll be blessed by a miracle♪

Duel #23: A New Start (Edited 28.4.2020)

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My name is Sunset Shimmer. I am a student at the certified dueling school of Canterlot High in Canterlot City. For a long time, I was the sole, undisputed Duel Queen as per its traditions, but in the dark, I was so much more than that, to the point that I almost brought about not only the destruction of Canterlot High, but perhaps even the end of civilization as we know it.

No, that was not a joke.

For those unaware, I am not exactly human. I mean I am, in this reality. To the average bystander, I am pretty much your average high school girl. But many years ago, in another dimension, I lived as a unicorn, in the magical land of Equestria. Even there, I wasn’t exactly what you would call average. For most of my life, what might as well have been an eternity ago, I was the protégé of Princess Celestia, the undisputed alicorn ruler of all Equestria: A near god-like pony, imbued with the very power to move the sun and moon.

Yet in my hubris, it wasn’t enough for me to have the best schooling possible for any unicorn. No. What I wanted, what I felt entitled to, was a power beyond any mortal, be they human, or pony: The power to undo death itself. For when I was a filly, in my overeager carelessness upon acquiring my cutie mark, I tried magic which I had no business meddling with, and as consequence for my action… I caused the deaths of my mother and my father. I thought that should I become powerful, I could unmake my first, gravest mistake and undo all the wrongs which I may have inflicted, if not more.

I betrayed my beloved mentor when I was denied what I desired, and in my anger, I fled through an ancient magical mirror that was connected to a focal point in another world, hoping to make a new life for myself, away from my mistakes, away from the painful memories, and away from Celestia. But this world was not one bereft of its own magic and mysteries. Here, I met a wise and ancient spirit, one who sought to protect me from my own fears, and protect the world from me, for as a being with magic tied to my very veins; I was a danger, and some things sought to use me, because of that.

Something beyond my own understanding came to me, and infected me with deceptions and lies, cutting me off from my spirit guardian, and I was poisoned by the malice of betrayal and hatred. I drove people apart, destroyed friendships… and relationships, relishing on the misery I inflicted on everyone around me. All to mold me into a tool for the ultimate weapon of the cosmos; the Games of Darkness.

In this world, there exists an ancient magic that the inhabitants of this world had long forgotten, which was as inexplicably returned through what would grow into the world’s most popular past time; Duel Monsters.

A card game, designed and produced by an eccentric entrepreneur through emulation of the very dark rituals that the people of this world once used in their bids for power, where the very fabric of the cosmos is twisted to summon forth supernatural manifestations of the human spirit given tangible form as monsters. Through my mastery of Duel Monsters through CHS, and the dark secrets bequeathed to me by unspeakable horrors, I was molded into an unstoppable force, save for one lacking piece: A font of power strong enough to unmake the world.

During the correct celestial formation, I returned back home to Equestria, where I stole the one thing bearing all the power I would ever need, the Element of Magic: One of six relics that maintained the harmony of the land itself; belonging to someone who I once considered my enemy; Princess Twilight Sparkle.

The Princess pursued me into my new home world, and went about undoing all I had done in a bid to get back her stolen element: She reunited CHS, in particular five special people, against me, to unseat me from my throne as Duel Queen of CHS, and to make things right. This all culminated in a great battle, my hatred versus the hope and camaraderie Twilight Sparkle embodied, all until I seized what I sought, and whatever had poisoned my mind unmade me as a person, and instead repurposed my very flesh as a harbinger of the end. If not for the one who still held hope.

By the will of the Element of Magic and its bearer, I was pulled from the darkness into the light, and the darkness was banished, all to protect me… And to help me. On my refusal to return home, she assigned those same five special people to look after me; Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Rarity and Rainbow Dash, ponies in Equestria, humans in this world, who resonate with the same virtues as they do as ponies; my first friends.

CHS still resents me, not that I blame them, but I will persevere. I will make things right again. And I hope I will do proud the one special person who thought I deserved this second chance: I will not waste this opportunity to remake my life. I will keep this journal as a reminder, and to aid me in my journey.

- Sunset Shimmer

Another Monday was upon the students of the certified dueling high school of Canterlot High. Everyone was diligently flocking towards the open front doors, ready to resume broadening their understanding of the world, on top of molding themselves to the next generation of trained duelists. Coming up after the majority of the others, was Sunset Shimmer, deliberately trying to avoid much attention, for ever since her fall as the Duel Queen of Canterlot High, her reputation as the instigator of the newly titled “CHS incident,” (in honor of the similar “West Tower incident”) had not exactly been impacted in a positive way.

A soft voice called out to her beside the pedestal of the majestic Wonder Colt statue, “Good morning, Sunset!”

Sunset shimmer waved back to Fluttershy, one the first seven people she’d come to call friend, who upon her getting close enough, proceeded to hug Sunset in greeting. Sunset couldn’t help but blush from bashfulness.

“Hey, Fluttershy. You know, you don’t need to hug me every time we meet…” she said, returning the gesture, having become well acclimated to the notion that hugs truly did have a positive effect one one’s state of mind.

“Oh, I know,” said Fluttershy unperturbed, “I just want you to feel welcome.”

The two laughed softly as they together approached the school, “Believe me, I’ve felt welcome enough since our little weekend get-togethers.”

Fluttershy nodded, “You’ve been a great help down at the animal shelter.”

Hearing her friend say so felt elating. To the surprise of not only Sunset herself, but very much most of the student body, and even outside of CHS, her and Fluttershy’s friendship would have been deemed all but an impossible notion. Being the rather meek and shy (as befitting her name) girl Sunset, until that fateful night, had designated the light-yellow skinned, light-pink haired eco-kid as the bottom of the pecking order.

Indeed, for as long as she’d been at CHS, Fluttershy would have suffered the most of the brunt of Sunset’s tormenting; being pushed around, having been stuffed into her locker by Sunset, and admittedly the most repugnant; the cold, vile threats made towards each and every animal Fluttershy might have come across in school. Given her innate love of animals of all shapes and sizes, the mere mention of a threat aimed at her furry, feathery, or scaly friend was the ultimate tactic of blackmail and coercion against her.

And here the two were now; walking side-by-side, fondly talking about their weekend activities together. Ever since what Sunset might have guiltily felt was having her imposed on the five girls Fluttershy was the first among them to take this charge with gusto: After some coaxing (largely successful due to the enormity of guilt that Sunset had felt particularly susceptible after the incident), Fluttershy had set Sunset up to aid her during her volunteering at the Canterlot City animal shelter.

It was awkward at first, particularly how the woman who ran the shelter, one Dr. Fauna, originally took to Sunset’s mere presence. As Sunset would come to learn, her machinations at CHS had farther lasting effects, rather than simply making students’ lives figurative hell on a daily basis. To this end, Sunset had felt beholden to make up for every possible way she had wronged the sweet and caring Fluttershy. Even after proving the ability to openly care for animals, and the accruing stories pertaining to mishaps, such as Sunset’s little tussle with a chinchilla (affectionately named Puffles), Sunset remained incapable of forgiving herself, and this a constant weighty sadness remained.

“Everything okay, Sunset?”

Snapped out of her thoughts, Sunset looked to Fluttershy, who was staring at her in concern, “It’s… It’s nothing, really.”

Fluttershy’s brows arose in an almost perfectly level line. She was not buying Sunset’s dismissal, “You’re still feeling guilty about… well, you know, aren’t you?”

Sunset sighed, “Yea… I know you’ve told me it’s fine, but I just can’t help it.” The feeling was not at all helped by disdainful looks directed towards her from most of the students they passed. She could spot how two students, girls Sunset believed were named Sweet Leaves and Paisley respectively, whispered something between one another as she and Fluttershy walked past. “I’ve been trying so hard, but no matter what I do, be it giving up my place in the lunch line for everyone, to cleaning out the student council space, and just saying hello to someone…” she sighed. “I’ve honestly considered it being better if I’d just up and vanished.”

She felt a comforting hand upon her shoulder, “Oh, don’t say that, Sunset. I’m sure with the whole revelation about dark magic and such just has everyone spooked. I’m confident that they’ll come to see you’re not what you used to be.”

Indeed, another something she’d openly refrained from partaking in in the past several weeks; Sunset may have adorned a new duel disk (what with her old one having been rendered irreparable following her morbid transformation), one with a more inviting color scheme of a warm magenta central module and a light orange tray, she hadn’t dueled anyone once. Mostly due to no longer having a ready deck, with her original being now an indeterminate distance away in another world with its new, more worthy wielder, while her two previous decks were now long gone. The other reason being everyone’s steadfast refusal of dueling her, most definitely due to how the last time she did she came close to injuring everyone, and potentially even killing them while under the unknown entity’s control.

Fluttershy waylaid to unload anything excess into her locker, while Sunset walked further down to find her own. Standing out like a sore thumb from the rows of identical ones, her locker’s door was covered in a potpourri of sticky notes of various colors. “She-demon!” “Crazy bitch.” “Get out of town!” That and many other colorful messages were left for her, along with one having a crudely drawn picture of what seemed to be her tied to a stake and on fire.

Charming… Thought Sunset, opening her locker to put away her unneeded material for the first period. Not quite as inventive as the one where I was being fucked up the ass by Summoned Skull, but still.

“Good morning, Miss Shimmer,” Sunset looked to find Vice-Principal Luna approaching her, the second in charge of CHS reacting to her presence much more courteously. If Sunset could take any solace, it was that this particular person was one of three survivors of a similar incident, the West Tower Incident at Academia, the progenitor dueling school, and thus knew better than others of Sunset’s plight.

“Vice-principal Luna,” said Sunset in acknowledgement.

The vice-principal noticed the sticky notes decorating the locker, “This again?”

Sunset sighed, “It’s fine, Vice-principal. It’s not like some of them are that far off…”

Vice-principal Luna frowned discontentedly, “Miss Shimmer, I know you feel guilty, but the faculty does not approve of your fellow students’ conduct towards you.”

“Eh, what some don’t understand makes them afraid,” said Sunset, when she noticed the clipboard in the vice-principal’s hands. “Is there something wrong?”

Vice-principal Luna rhythmically rattled her fingers against the plywood board in her hands contemplatively, “Well, you see, Miss Shimmer; it came to the board’s attention that for the past month you’ve been neglecting on your dueling.”

Neglecting? Maybe. More like the fact no-one will duel me after the stuff I pulled. Well that and I don’t have a deck… So maybe it’s apt.

“Now, the Principal and I, we understand you might have reservations,” she continued, being ever by-the-books when referring to Celestia by her title, despite the two heads of CHS being sisters, “but as a certified dueling school, the curriculum requires at least a minimal participation. If you do not catch up, we will be forced to transfer you to a non-dueling institution.” Despite the professionalism, externally the vice-principal appeared apologetic.

“There’s no-one for me to duel,” shrugged Sunset helplessly on shutting the door. “Everyone’s afraid I’m just going to turn it into a dark duel and maybe ‘swallow their souls’ or something to that effect.” That’s when the two noticed one of the sticky notes coming loose and wafting to the floor; the one with the drawing of her being burned at the stake, something Vice-principal Luna seemed to take to with absolute displeasure. Sunset casually placed a foot atop it, and crumpled it underneath the sole of her boot.

“Speaking of…” Vice-principal Luna looked about before leaning in to whisper, “You don’t by any chance actually remember how you did that?”

An excellent question certainly, one Sunset could almost proudly respond, “I actually don’t. I know under regular circumstance it requires preparations, perhaps a sacrifice, most likely blood like in your, *ahem*, case. But no; I do not actually remember how I pulled it off. Ever since that night my memories have been… scattered.”

It was true; since her, or rather, the entity’s defeat in her body by Princess Twilight, Sunset hadn’t been entirely unscathed by the experience. The migraines from trying to remember things were gone; she could freely remember details before and after Priestess’ arrival with no ill effects. She could freely remember most things where she believed she’d been mostly in control, whereas certain moments such as that Thursday night at the Ghouls’ establishment were simply blanked in her mind. From what she’d heard of the occurrence, she felt she was better off not knowing what she did that night.

The vice-principal looked at her in consideration, “I’ll… take your word on it, Miss Shimmer. Your behavior has been defined by most staff as amicable, I do not see a need for you to lie. Still, the board requests that you be put through a test duel. As such we’re setting one up for you tomorrow afternoon.”

Sunset stood silent for a moment, “Against an instructor?”

“We will be pairing you with someone of your current grade and tier level. As such, it will be a freestyle duel, no test decks, just whatever you and your designated opponent wish to use.”

That’s going to be difficult, thought Sunset, for she felt not even the orders of one of the most authoritative members of the faculty could sway anyone with the prospect of dueling what most considered a monster posing as a woman, like something out of H. B. Lovetap. “There’s also the problem that I do not have a deck…”

Vice-principal Luna seemed to make not that the deck port of Sunset’s duel disk was, indeed, vacant, “I see… I understand you discarded your previous deck. Could you not use the one prior?”

Sunset took a hissing intake of air through her teeth, “Yea… You see; I kind of discarded both my old decks, and my very first I gave to Princess Twilight as a keepsake. Overall, I’m very much… deckless at the moment.”

The vice-principal’s fingers rattled against the clipboard again, looking empathetically concerned, “That could be a problem… I’ll see if we can give you an extension, but if not, I’m afraid our hands are tied.”

Quite the dilemma indeed. On one hand; being forced to transfer to a new school meant less knowledge about her past, albeit bringing on the continued stress of hiding one’s identity among strangers. The notion was, somewhat tempting, but then on the other hand; Sunset would once again be forced to be alone, and leaving behind the first genuine friends in her life made the prospect even less appealing. She was going to need help.

“Apologies how this sprang up so suddenly, my friend,” said Principal Celestia, leaning forward onto her desk, before her spread out a manila envelope, looking over some of the paperwork it contained.

“No problem. It’s not like my career was exactly going anywhere in the first place, what with people being reluctant to hire a, and I quote; “deluded basement dweller”,” said Celestia’s guest seated across from her.

He was a tall, slightly lanky man, his skin a greyish amber hue with a head of brown hair styled somewhere between spiked up and bedraggled. He was dressed in a contrastingly formal attire consisting of a dark blue, slightly ruffled pinstripe suit with a white dress shirt peeking from the top with a green tie. The ensemble’s air of formality was drastically reduced from the pair of converse sneakers, one being very visible from Celestia’s vantage point with his laidback manner in which he was seated, with one leg perched over a knee.

Celestia raised an amused brow, “Have they seriously said that?”

The man held up his hands defensively, “Alright, so the rent is cheap. I couldn’t exactly splurge, what with being fired from teaching at Stancolt… And other locations. Suffice it to say, it’s been a huge damper or resources.”

Celestia couldn’t help but smile, “Honestly, it’s been too long, Turner.”

Turner chuckled in response, “That is has. To be frank, I was really hoping to get a chance to study a proper case of the Dark Games, but let alone it being in your school of all places that this comes up.”

“That and how easy it was acquiring a qualified physics teacher,” Celestia joked as she gathered Turner’s credentials back into the folder. “But in all honesty, I’m very grateful you agreed on this. Though student camaraderie has improved greatly, many of them are still understandably terrified after that night. I suppose I am too to an extent.”

“Ah yes, this Sunset Shimmer. A dark duelist, on top of an extradimensional being to our universe.”

“I was almost certain you wouldn’t believe the latter in the least,” Celestia mused.

“Being a certified doctor in quantum physics, I wouldn’t find the notion of parallel worlds farfetched in the slightest,” said Turner, leaning forward onto his knees.

Celestia raised a daring brow, “Even if said parallel world entails, from her own words I should add, talking magical ponies? Emphasis on magical.”

Turner looked at Celestia flatly, “Need I remind you I saw you and your sister in a ring of fire, with real monsters that all but destroyed the west tower’s structural integrity?”

“Touché.”

“And the fact the reason I’m in my current financial predicament being that I made a few minute suggestions that certain phenomena which we ourselves could describe as magic or the supernatural, might not be as farfetched as our understanding could indicate.” He extended a finger in emphasis, “Going as far as avoiding that one specific word quite fervently I might add, with theoretical calculations on top of theoretical calculations, and the one time; one – time, the word slipped, I lose all credibility.”

Celestia placed her intertwined hands to her desk, “Since you bring that up: Do you think this magic is detectable by more grounded means?”

Turner shrugged nonchalantly, “More than likely. Not to toot my own horn, but I took some time making and modifying some hardware on the off chance something like this comes up again.”

“Perfect!” declared Celestia more audibly. “This might be rather unorthodox, but by any chance would you be willing to perform a… tryout, if you will, before you start officially?”

Turner looked at her with evident interest, “What’s on your mind?”

“The board brought it to our attention that, on top of the decrease in duel-oriented activities at CHS, Sunset Shimmer’s duel disk has not registered one single duel, at least on school hours or grounds for the past month or so. As such, Luna and I have been obligated to perform a test of her abilities, on the pains of potential expulsion and transfer to a non-dueling school.” Celestia stood from her seat and walked over to her wall filled with photographs, including the one of her, Luna, Turner, and a few others during their time at Academia. “The hard part has been finding her an opponent, in lieu of the incident.”

Turner’s eyes followed her intently, “Ah, I see. Presiding over the duel all the while I take the chance to gather data. Simple enough; I could set up some spectrometers, maybe a Geiger counter and some UV and IR detectors- Oh! And I could finally test one of my inventions to boot! Though it would take time to set everything up…”

Celestia looked to turner, “In that case, I believe I have the perfect, let’s call him a teacher’s aide,” she said as she walked to the front of her desk and casually leaned against it. “One of our students, Micro Chip; a regular prodigy among the sciences. I’m sure he’d be more than happy to assist. Young man is bound to be going places with his grade average, so I’m certain a few missed classes under your supervision won’t hurt. All I ask that for the time being you don’t disclose too much information among the student just yet.”

“Well then,” said Turner, getting up, straightening his suit and tie, “preparations to be done, charters to peruse, and most importantly… find out how to get all my stuff here at a reasonable amount of time.”

Turner walked up to retrieve his tan trench coat from the small rack in the corner of Celestia’s office, all the while Celestia herself walked to the door, “I can’t stress this enough how happy I am that you agreed to help with all of this.”

“Think nothing of it,” said Turner, leisurely throwing his coat over a shoulder. “Glad to help out, even if it might not be as glamorous as some university.” He held out a hand, which Celestia took hold of, “It’s good to see you again, Celestia.”

“Likewise.” She looked idly to the side, when a small, abashed smile formed on her lips, “Could you say that thing you always did? For old times’ sake.”

Turner grinned sheepishly, before pointing a hand towards the door in a grandiose fashion, “Allons-y, everybody!” he declared, to which Celestia opened the door for him to leave.

After her probationary choice of leaving herself as the last student to be served their lukewarm, allegedly highly nutritional meal that was to maintain their energy requirements for the remainder of the day, Sunset walked as discreetly as she could in the crowded, wide open room, towards what came to be her… their usual table. Setting her tray down and taking a seat next to Fluttershy, she was greeted in varying levels by those she’d come to consider her first and only friends.

First up, greeting Sunset with the most gusto was the aptly named Pinkie Pie, who was currently waving to her quite fervently, to which Sunset abashedly waved back with a twiddle of her fingers. Enthusiastic and ever smiling, Pinkie was the other among the five to eagerly accept befriending Sunset alongside Fluttershy, despite having caused a rift between the two via a malevolent case of online fraud. Truly, there was no mean bone in either’s body.

Then there was Applejack and Rarity: The former the epitome of the hardworking country girl, complete with never going anywhere without her cherished Stetson hat. The latter a prim and proper classy lady with an avid eye for detail and a figurative wizard when it came to style and fashion. The most striking trait about the two was that they were a couple, much to certain boys’ despair, or so Sunset had heard, who time and time again, despite their vast differences in mannerisms, lifestyles and even class, made evident that they truly cared for one another in subtle displays of affection. And Sunset had so coldly split the two apart through a duplicitous deception during their freshman year.

How and why the two would come to even stand having Sunset around them was a mystery to her. Of all five, they should have had the most justified of reasons to despise her. Applejack in particular was known for being stubborn, almost on par with a certain other someone. Whether or not Sunset could discern her being true to try and make the impromptu friendship work, oddly enough, she had no reason to believe Applejack as being disingenuous. For there was a reason Applejack was known as the uncrowned worst liar of CHS. In Rarity’s case it may have been simply respecting Twilight’s wishes, given how she was the one to help rekindle the flame between the two; the “you scratch my back” system.

And then there was Rainbow Dash; top athlete at CHS, captain of every possible sports team imaginable. Competitive, fiery in spirit, and about as headstrong as one could be… And Sunset knew well enough that she clearly despised her, though was tactful enough to not be too explicit about it, at least when the others were around. She did not so much greet Sunset, as she would eye her warily, in between mouthfuls of pulled pork.

An awkward silence ensued, no vocalization uttered aside from the odd clink of cutlery or clap of a glass, or the gurgling from Pinkie’s imbibement of whatever canned carbonated substance of excessive amounts of carbohydrates, caffeine, and other questionable, if not hazardous, elements she was in the mood for.

Clearing her throat as she prodded at her three-bean chili, Sunset took the initiative to break the silence, “Girls… Vice-principal Luna informed me that I’m required to take a duel test.”

“Mhm, that’s very interesting,” said Rainbow Dash before ingesting another forkful. “Tell me more.”

Sunset decided to ignore Rainbow’s passive aggressiveness for the moment, “Well, it turns out the school board isn’t all too pleased with me going without dueling since you-know-what. So I need to do this or I’m going to be transferred to a non-dueling institution. But I’m sure you’ve noticed that I still don’t have a deck.”

“Seriously?” asked Applejack, seeming to sound at best perplexed rather than irritated.

“Sunset, while I know some of us might not have been the most welcoming,” said Rarity, ever more tactful than her girlfriend, “but you shouldn’t let it come between you and your performance. Applejack and I have made it abundantly clear that you’re off thin ice. Why, we’re very proud how you’ve been helping with Fluttershy at the shelter.”

“And being my favorite cupcake guinea pig,” added Pinkie, “A cupcake pig, if you will.”

“I get what you mean,” Sunset replied, a slight shudder racing down her spine remembering the last hangout with Pinkie, the burn still embedded in her memory. It turned out habaneros were not the most auspicious choice for chili chocolate icing. “Honestly, with how no-one is even willing to duel me, I guess it just slipped my mind. Now the problem is, I might have to do this tomorrow.”

This turned the heads of four, sans Rainbow, who seemed to only swerve her eyes.

“Ohhh…” hissed Applejack. “Yea, that’s not good.”

“Are you saying you don’t have anything you could use? Like your previous deck?” asked Fluttershy.

Sunset shook her head, “No, I got rid of my Chess Archfiends too. I didn’t want those things associated with me anymore.”

“Well… um… You could borrow my deck, maybe that’ll-”

“Nuh-uh,” proclaimed Rainbow Dash. “Loaning one’s deck to someone else is out of the question. Besides; Sunset ain’t even in the same discipline as us.”

Though certain Rainbow was doing this as a jab at her, Sunset had to agree; duelists were required to utilize a deck of their own belonging, as such using Fluttershy’s deck would mirror poorly in evaluation. Plus, she wasn’t quite certain if she could consider herself a Synchro user. In the past she was part of the Xyz discipline, but she dropped out after…

Actually, she couldn’t quite remember exactly when it came about, but she clearly remembered transitioning to using her Archfiends at the time, while any precise memory of what she did to Priestess and her Prophecy deck still eluded her. She must have forgotten them in her backpack, out of sight, and out of mind, until by chance their case was ejected from within the night she stole into the Crystal Palace.

“Thank you for that… insistent reminder, Rainbow,” said Rarity sounding more than a little displeased at the athlete’s demeanor.

“Always happy to help,” proclaimed Rainbow, leaning back in her chair, finishing the remainder of her milk.

Applejack glanced at her rainbow-haired friend with discontent, “So you’re sayin’ you’ve got nothin’ to work off of?”

Sunset bobbed her shoulders, “Maybe a few extras, but that’s about it.” She could have made mention that she wasn’t too pressed for cash at the moment, despite having to purchase a new duel disk after her previous one’s destruction in lieu of her… malformation. Still, despite wanting to remain true and cordial with the five (whether they wanted it or not), she hadn’t had the heart to tell them about what she’d gotten up to while others toiled at their part-time or summer jobs. “I guess I just hadn’t put much thought on it until this just sprung up.”

To everyone’s surprise, it was Fluttershy who took the initiative in the situation when she stood up to address everyone, “Alright then; I say we get together and help Sunset build a new deck!” Perhaps out of a sudden feeling of abashment, the animal caretaker slowly lowered herself back into her seat, “If you’re all available, that is…”

Rarity was the first to respond, “I for one believe that is a wonderful idea. It’s so seldom we all six of us get together. Don’t you think so too, hun?” She looked to Applejack expectantly, fluttering her eyelids playfully.

Applejack chuckled with amusedly, “Alright-alright, sugarplum, Ah’ can take a hint.”

Pinkie hopped on her chair, inch by inch getting closer to Rainbow Dash, currently perusing something on her smartphone, when she felt the intent stare of the pink anomaly in the shape of a girl. Rainbow looked up to find herself staring directly into Pinkie’s soul-staring cerulean eyes, like being ogled by an attention-starved puppy dog.

“Uh… Thing is, I’ve got soccer practice after school, so…” said Rainbow, looking hot under the collar from Pinkie’s staring.

Sunset and Fluttershy exchanged glances. “We could always wait for you,” said Sunset in suggestion.

The reasonable compromise, coupled with Pinkie’s aid to the negotiation made the athlete sigh in defeat, “Fine. Just have something other than ramen unlike last time, kay?”

Sunset gave an okay gesture, for Rainbow was not exactly in the wrong when last time she had everyone over in her loft apartment. She mouthed a silent thank you to Fluttershy, who in turn responded with a friendly wink. It was progress, certainly: Asking her friends for help when she desperately needed it. Who knows? Perhaps getting her back into the spirit of the game would help mend bridges further, seeing how a certain special someone did just the same. If only she were accessible right now. Would she think Sunset had performed admirably thus far? She certainly hoped so.

The sense of irony was not at all lost on her as she discarded the ramen cup. It was past five pm. in the evening, so afterschool activities would have come to a close by now, so all she had to do now was wait. As per Rainbow’s request, Sunset had taken the time on the way home to pick up a two-liter of soda, as well as a bag of nachos and dip. For the moment she lay atop her futon, a series of Duel Monster cards fanned out in her hand. Nothing spectacular stats-wise, for sure, given that they were largely the typical potpourri anyone had lying about, unused if not outright forgotten.

The sound of her buzzer sent an instantaneous jolt through her system, kicking herself up to answer the door.

“Deck-building party commence, girls!” cried Pinkie exuberantly as she hopped over the threshold into Sunset’s apartment, while the rest filed in after her.

“Hey girls. I hope this isn’t too much of an inconvenience for you,” said Sunset, closing the door as everyone was inside and settled.

“Honestly, Sunset; you’ve become more apologetic than Fluttershy,” remarked Applejack as she slung her backpack beside the futon.

“So guess there’s a silver lining to everything,” quipped Rainbow, tearing open the bag of nachos on Sunset’s coffee table, naturally without asking.

Rarity looked at Rainbow with a sigh. “Pardon it took so long; we had to retrieve some essentials for this little meeting,” she emphasized, showing a small box styled akin to a treasure chest. First expecting it to be a makeup kit, Sunset was proven wrong on opening it to reveal a small stack of Duel Monster cards.

“Do you have anything in mind?” asked Fluttershy showing her own small flower and butterfly print box. “I don’t have much, but I hope they’ll be of some help.”

“Just don’t go asking for any extra deck stuff,” muffled Rainbow, mouth full of nachos and salsa. “Those things don’t exactly come cheap.”

“Oooh, why not use him?” asked Pinkie, who’d taken the liberty of looking through the stack Sunset was going through initially, picking out one card in particular and held it out to Sunset. “I mean he’s red, your hair is red, he’s got funny alternatively colored eyes-”

“It’s called heterochromia,” Fluttershy interrupted in a discerning tone. When a few looks turned her way, she promptly blushed abashedly, “It’s common among huskies and certain cats.”

Pinkie acknowledged with an “okay” gesture, before resuming in her latest stream of consciousness, “You have green eyes, and they were all red when you…” And with that the warmth of the moment was promptly drained. “Ohhh… Sorry. I didn’t mean to… That is…” With a sigh, she handed the card to Sunset, frowning ashamedly. “I’m sorry.”

Sunset took the card in question. “No, it’s fine,” she sighed, “An apt descriptor, if you ask me.” She wasn’t exactly lying, what with the primary indicator of her past possession being visible namely through her eyes, having turned them from brilliant teal to a virulent orangish red.

An intriguing find certainly: The card depicted a sleek raptor-like beast. Its sleek purple body was covered in brilliant red, angular, arrow-shaped scales around its torso, legs, neck and a small portion of both the root and near the tip of its tail. A pair of bone-white horns protruded upwards from its shoulders like some unconventional tusks, while its sharp, beak-like visage, as Pinkie described, sported heterochromic eyes, the left green and the right a fiery orange.

“Odd-Eyes Dragon?” Sunset muttered aloud the name. Where did I get this one…? A realization dawned on her.

There was something Sunset had steadfastly refused to disclose to the others. During her time in the Underground, Sunset had injured multiple opponents through the Ghouls’ inhumane practices bordering on blood sports. The Underground had been a lucrative venture for her, earning thousands of dollars regularly for all her victories, and they had no qualms of Sunset taking cards off the foes she defeated as trophies and mementos, particularly rare ones, as a show of status and superiority. This Odd-Eyes Dragon was one of those that she hadn’t had time or bothered to pawn.

Whatever she had done that caused the local Ghoul chapter’s base of operations to burn down, she had no clue. The most she could remember was being in a rigged match against Spring Steel, during which she lost control during a moment of desperation to the entity, after which she’d woken up in her apartment. She already caused enough pain for CHS, so they did not need to know of her involvement with the Underground on top of everything else. The Ghouls were very much done for in Canterlot City, and it was for the better.

“Barring Pinkie’s little slip there, I think that’s a great card to go on!” said Fluttershy. “With this you can start with a clean slate, away from those awful Archfiends.”

“And to top it all; dragons are a symbol of nobility: Using a more visually noble set of cards will help flesh out your image for the better,” commented Rarity. “Hmm, though I suppose the dichromatism could also account for your, let’s say, dual nature…”

“Well, sure; I’m down for it,” said Sunset, despite the unease of the reason how this particular card was in her possession in the first place. Hopefully any negative resonance from being taken from its owner might be rectified if I used it with good intentions.

“Then let’s get lookin’ for whatever dragons we can find,” proclaimed Applejack, having fanned out Sunset’s stack of extras atop her coffee table. “Ooh, Ah’ found a whole bunch already!”

And thus, the six got to work, going over any dragon-type card and anything that seemed it would work in harmony with Sunset’s new deckmaster. Between Pinkie’s remarks about certain oddities in the naming conventions of some cards and Rarity’s mention of an alleged new teacher seen going into Principal Celestia’s office, to Applejack having playfully ensnared her in an embrace when she made note about him being cute, leading to a tickle tussle between the two, which had everyone laughing, Sunset felt having the girls over was very enjoyable. In the end, as the evening wore on, they all took a long time simply talking with one another about, well, very much anything; very mundane, and Sunset welcomed the peace of it.

Of course, a certain someone seemed to not share as much in the respite: Rainbow Dash. Slouching lazily on Sunset’s futon, while responding when addressed, she seemed downright separated from the rest of the girls.

Duel #24: Awakening: Sunset Shimmer vs. The Great and Powerful Trixie (Edited 28.4.2020)

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Sunset sighed in a sense of trepidation as she adjusted the wrist clamp of her duel disk, while idly tapping the tip of one boot against the gymnasium floor. Despite it being a single-person’s test, as per established rules of CHS, students currently not in class were permitted to observe the proceedings, as long as they remained quiet and did nothing to interfere. A small number of students had gathered on the bleachers, though many seemed intent on keeping their distance from the one quarter of the gymnasium space being used for the test itself: Among the spectators being Fluttershy who was seated in the bleachers behind her, up two rows, and to Sunset’s own surprise, Rainbow Dash, who seemed to remain intently close to the shy girl. Others she’d spotted were Flash Sentry, sitting on the bleachers across from her side, Spitfire, the second most decorated athlete of CHS and Lightning Dust, one of the delinquent students whom Sunset might have gotten to stab herself through the hand with a knife once.

What many others, herself included, noted as strange was the hardware set around the rectangular space that was to be the dueling field: Metal tripod stands, one in each corner of the allotted space; set near the top of each looked to be cameras. Beneath the cameras was some form of sensory array, but what kind completely eluded her. Near the bottom of the stand to her left, both on her side, as well as across, seemed to be something she thought was some form of directional microphone relay. Set to her right, along midway the length of the dueling space was a white, box-like device, which one of the tecchies, Micro Chips, was currently adjusting. All the devices were hooked up with a series of cables running along, around the duel space to a pair of laptops set atop a table atop the gymnasium stage.

Typing away at one of the laptops was someone Sunset did not recognize: He was a tall, somewhat lanky man of a faded dull brown skin with somewhat bedraggled looking dark brown hair, dressed in a dark blue pinstripe suit with a green tie, coupled with a contrastingly casual pair of converse sneakers, while having what looked to be a brown trench coat sloppily folded over the backrest of the chair he was oddly enough not occupying during the task. Possibly a representative of the board?

Micro Chips pushed a series of buttons on the front of the device he was tinkering with, after which he gave an okay sign to the man at the laptops, who responded in kind with a thumbs-up. Micro Chips joined him onstage, taking over on the computers as the man casually walked up to the ledge, hands in his pockets, making him appear drastically unprofessional.

“Good afternoon, students. My name is Doc-” he abruptly cut himself off with a cough, “Mister Turner and I will be presiding over this duel examination. Don’t mind the additional hardware, it’s just a new precaution put in place to make sure everything runs smoothly.”

Mister Turner? Sunset thought to herself. Haven’t I heard that name from somewhere?

Mister Turner turned to the field across from Sunset’s side, only now seeming to notice that Sunset’s designated opponent was currently not present. “Hunh… Has anyone by any chance seen Miss Lula-”

He was rudely interrupted by a loud boom, when a thick cloud of white smoke puffed out around the vacant side of the dueling field. Sunset, and undoubtedly a few others, jumped at the sudden disturbance. The sounds of footsteps, accented with hissed cussing, followed. Sunset could clearly see someone rushing from underneath the bleachers into the smoke, which was then swept aside with the billow of a violet, star-glittered cape.

“Students of Canterlot high, behold!” As the smoke cleared away, unveiling herself through her rather sloppy reveal, was a pale blue skinned girl with a head of very pale grey hair, with slightly darker bluish streaks and purple eyes.

Atop her head she wore a violet, slightly drooping conical hat, akin to that of a wizard, to complement the matching cape worn atop the blue hoodie she adorned, accompanied with a violet skirt with light blue, sparkling hems and blue knee-high boots with violet rims at the top. Attached to her left arm was a perfectly color coordinated duel disk with a glittery violet body and a blue, currently folded, tray. She was holding out her arms in a grandeur portrayal, despite the sheer amateurishness of her attempt at a magical appearance act.

“Are you ready to bear witness to the amazing, the jaw-dropping magical dueling feats, of the Great and Powerful Trrrixie?!”

Oh… no… This was the student they’d gotten to duel her? The person across from the field was the (in)famous Trixie Lulamoon; Canterlot High’s resident showgirl magician. As well as a contender for Canterlot High’s greatest egotist, to which Sunset could, sadly, assign herself.

Mister Turner seemed to share Sunset’s own lack of amusement for Trixie’s little stunt, “Very nice of you to join us, Miss Lulamoon,” he stated.

Trixie either ignored, or failed to realize the scolding tone of Mister Turner, “The Great and Powerful Trixie aims to please.”

Mister Turner shook his head. “If I may make the request that you be careful around that hardware, the both of you,” he admonished.

Trixie laughed in a dramatically haughty manner, “Not to worry, oh honorable Mister Turner, Trixie is the epitome when it comes to grace and- whoops!” On attempting to demonstrate her grace with a twirl, Trixie ended up stumbling when her foot tripped on one of the cables, to which she unceremoniously bumped onto one of the tripods. Everyone held their breaths, when Trixie managed to reach out and stabilize it.

As Micro Chips rushed over to inspect the equipment, Trixie sheepishly stepped further away, shaking off the cable loosely tangled around her foot. She proceeded to look at Sunset, immediately going back to the dramatics, “So; the good students and faculty have put it upon Trrrixie to teach this poser a lesson?”

Sunset raised a brow, “Poser?”

“Indeed; word in the hallways say you, Sunset Shimmer, are in possession of phenomenal powers.” She seemed to scoff at this, “Inconceivable; for ‘tis I, the Great and Powerful Trrrixie who is the only one in this school who can lay claim to such notions!”

“Umm, Trixie, with all due respect, you do realize I…” Sunset caught herself when she realized the wannabe magician’s claims; “Oh, that’s right; weren’t you sick the week of the mid-term duel?”

“Indeed; Trixie was home with the sniffles…” Trixie remarked offhandedly. “But that is beside the point! ‘Tis not enough that you already make going to school more of a chore than it already is, but then you have the gall to upstage Trixie?” she asked, insisting on referring to herself in the third person.

Sunset wasn’t quite certain what to say: Trixie despite her ego, something she had in common with the likes of Rainbow Dash and Sunset, up until recent events; she wasn’t a bad person. Overly dramatic, most certainly, but not bad. Naturally, as everyone else at CHS, she wasn’t at all fond of Sunset, before or after the dark duel, but perhaps her not knowing about the nightmare of a mid-term duel would have been for the better.

“Well? You’ve nothing to say to Trixie?”

Sunset took a deep, calming breath, “Trixie, listen… This past month has been taxing on me in so many ways. Let me just get this out here; if there’s anything, anything at all, that I did to hurt you: I’m sorry.”

Trixie stared at Sunset in a manner best described as utter bafflement. To say the same for those observing the duel; not so much. Flash Sentry seemed most receptive, for Sunset could see her ex looking at her in what she could describe as understanding. She really needed to talk to him in depth next time she had a chance, damn if anyone saw; she needed to make a point.

“Um… Uh…” Trixie came off as at a loss for words, before shaking her head and throwing out her left arm. “Enough talk! You wish to communicate further with Trixie; then we shall do so through dueling! Prepare yourself to be bedazzled, for Trixie has been waiting to show off her most spectacular performance yet!” And with those words, the two halves of her duel disk’s tray slid forth, combined into one, then slid along her arm.

Sunset’s duel disk, for the first time in this one’s usage, flared to life. “Opponent detected,” the machine notified her in the female synthetic voice. The device did the same as her opponent’s; the tray being deployed, while the screen displayed the two five-by-five grids.

“Everything’s up and running with no complications, Mister Turner,” notified Micro Chips, who’d moved back to the computers.

“Alright, brilliant!” exclaimed Turner, clapping his hands together. “You may begin, Miss Shimmer, Miss Lulamoon. May the best duelist win. And remember: Have some fun! Allons-y!”

The virtual blue and red coin emblazoned with a golden symbol in the likeness of an open eye on the former facet appeared spinning on Sunset’s screen. It spun in a faster blur with a sharp “ding”. The coin stopped abruptly on the red side, indicating Trixie as the one to begin.

Duel Start!

Trixie Life Points: 4000

Sunset Shimmer Life Points: 4000

Turn 1: Trixie (Hand: 5)

“Ladies and gentlemen; it begins!” Trixie said with a flourished bow, before drawing her hand. “Trixie summons ‘Performage Stilts Launcher’ in attack mode!”

Emerging onto Trixie’s field came a creature seemingly composed of blue and violet geometric shapes assembled into a humanoid-looking shape, almost like a puppet without strings, garbed in a two-pronged orange tricorn-like hat and an orange cape. As its name implied, it suspended itself off the ground on a spindly set of green, stylized geometric stilts. (Level 6, 2200/0)

“When there are no monsters on the field; Trrrixie can Special Summon Stilts Launcher from her hand, but cannot Normal Summon for the rest of the turn. To which she humbly passes her turn unto her foe.”

(Hand: 4)

Turn 2: Sunset Shimmer (Hand: 5)

Sunset placed a tentative hand atop her deck, looking up at her opponent, and the students occupying the bleachers on Trixie’s side of the field. Don’t hesitate. You have nothing to hide. You’re not dueling as what that parasite made you: You’re dueling as Sunset Shimmer.

Sunset looked through her hand, that familiar feeling of subtle excitement tingling in her gut from having abstained for an extended period of time from dueling, “I play the Ritual Spell ‘Hymn of Light’!”

Seemingly from the windows high up on the gymnasium wall, a golden streak of light shone upon the field, like some sign from the heavens. A single great, glistening pale blue feather wafted into the divine spotlight, shimmering in its resplendence.

“I discard the level 7 Odd-Eyes Dragon as the cost,” said Sunset, slipping said card into the Graveyard port. In doing so an image of the discarded card descended atop the feather in the light, which seemed to curl inwards, enveloping the card when they both devolved into a pulsating orb of light.

“By this sacrifice, I call upon you to lend me your power: Dragon Queen, let your divine light safeguard your children.”

“Ritual Summon! Arise, Level 6; ‘Saffira, Queen of Dragons!”

The orb erupted forth into an oval shape, before its contours broke apart into a pair of glistening, iridescent wings. These were adhered to the back of a sky-blue vaguely humanoid being. Its dragonic visage, chest, and limbs of its wings were adorned in filigreed, golden armor, a steadily tapering serpentine tail slithered behind it. It spread out its wings, breaking the light spectrum into a dazzling rainbow. (Level 6, 2500/2400)

As he observed the infamous Sunset Shimmer play her first few cards, Turner glanced at his two laptops; nothing top-of-the-line, but when you had the know-how; you could take something from who knows how far back and make it function. So far none of the standard sensors he and Micro Chips had painstakingly set up were picking anything unusual; just body heat, electronic currents, and no particular particulates in the air.
-

“I then play the Spell ‘Return of the Dragon Lords’ to Special Summon the monster I sent to the Graveyard: Odd-Eyes Dragon, arise!” As soon as she’d slipped the Spell into the port, another summoning portal emerged to the field.

From within arose the sauropod-esque dragon with red scales covering portions of its predominately purple body. Its head thrashed in a display of primal triumph, letting loose a most distinct call. Its distinctly dichromatic eyes lit up ominously. (Level 7, 2500/2000)

“To battle! Odd-Eyes Dragon attacks Stilts Launcher! Spiral Strike!” Sunset called out, pointing out the target of her intentions.

The bipedal dragon lunged forth (ATK: 2500), revving back its head in a grand draw of breath, the air before its elongated maw starting to ripple with heat. It let loose with a stream of red flame, striking Stilts Launcher (ATK: 2200) head on, resulting in a resonating explosion.

Trixie Life Points: 4000 – 300 = 3700

“When Odd-Eyes Dragon destroys a monster and sends it to the Graveyard: It inflicts additional damage equal to half the original attack points of that monster. Therefore, you take an additional 1100 damage,” Sunset iterated, holding up a hand and snapping her fingers. “Reaction Burn!”

Trixie flinched on seeing a ring of flame materialize around her, which then erupted in a pillar around her.

Trixie Life Points: 3700 – 1100 = 2600

“I will then attack you directly with Saffira, Queen of Dragons!” Sunset called out, pointing directly at Trixie. On command Saffira (ATK: 2400) spread out her iridescent wings, a series of sparkling lights forming in the very air before them, before launching forth as a fusillade of tiny projectiles.

“Trixie activates ‘Performage Damage Juggler’s’ effect,” Trixie retorted, flashing a card from her hand which he promptly fed into the Graveyard port. A series of small red balls, each bearing a yellow question mark, materialized before her, which began to revolve in a vertical halo. Saffira’s projectiles seemed to veer towards the space within this halo, vanishing instead of striking at Trixie. “This reduces one instance of Battle Damage to zero.”

I didn’t imagine it would be easy. “During my End Phase, since Saffira was Ritual Summoned successfully, she lets me draw two cards, as long as I discard one card from my hand afterwards.” Taking a quick glance, she slipped Dragonpulse Magician into the Graveyard. “My turn ends.”

(Hand: 3)

Turn 3: Trixie (Hand: 3)

“And the show continues!” Trixie said with a flourish as she drew her next card. “Trixie activates Damage Juggler’s effect from the Graveyard. By banishing it, Trixie adds one ‘Performage’ monster from her deck to her hand.” With a rattle of the automated shuffler, a card was ejected for her taking. “Since there are two monsters on the field, Trixie Special Summons ‘Performage Hat Tricker’ in attack mode!”

On slapping the card to her tray, onto Trixie’s field emerged a what was ostensibly just a hovering small green cape, with a pair of teal gloves, a pair of yellow spectacles and a magenta hat with stars plastered on it in vaguely humanoid seeming locations. (Level 4, 1100/1100)

“As a cost; Trixie can no longer Special Summon anything other than ‘Performages’ this turn. Trixie then Normal Summons ‘Performage Trick Clown!’”

Another monster emerged onto Trixie’s field; this one being, as the name already indicated, a small clown, balancing itself atop a small ball by one hand, while in the other it held a cane or staff with a question mark shaped head on one end. (Level 4, 1600/1200)

“And now, to get this show started! Trixie overlays the level four Hat Tricker and Trick Clown!”

Hat Tricker and Trick Clown devolved into swathes of light, the two of them spiraling into the air before plunging into the nebula that opened upon the field, after which a pillar of energy burst out from the center.

“Daring artisan of the skies, soar and awe the world underneath that is your stage!”

“Xyz Summon! Watch and be amazed! Rank 4; ‘Trapeze Magician’!”

A purple pole with studded orange heads on either end spiraled over the field, when a comically thick white-gloved hand snatched it, thin golden beams of light shooting out from each end to the ceiling. Hoisting onto the pole that had turned into an on-the-spot trapeze was a predominately white, lanky humanoid: Its waist and neck adorned in a fluffy pink boa, while from its back billowed a wide, magenta cape. Its spindly legs ended in dark blue shoes curled at the toes, while affixed to its masked, ever smiling visage, sat a white conical hat. As an Xyz monster; two orbs revolved around its form. (Rank 4, 2500/2000)

“Hmph, I was hoping for something other than that,” Rainbow remarked, sounding thoroughly unimpressed. “That thing’s been Trixie’s calling card since freshman term.”

“Even so, it could prove dangerous for Sunset’s untested deck,” Fluttershy noted.

“Probably,” Rainbow bobbed her shoulders casually.

“Trixie shall then activate the Continuous Spell; ‘Bubble Barrier’. Now, Trapeze Magician, go forth and show everyone why Trixie is the one and only master of the mystical in this school!” Trixie called out, pointing a finger at Sunset’s Odd-Eyes. “Attack Odd-Eyes Dragon!”

With an eccentric cackle, Trapeze Magician (ATK: 2500) swung down off the trapeze pole, deftly grabbing hold of it with its thin arms, the motion of which cause it to swing back and forth. Kicking its legs out, the trapeze swung further, repeating this process until it had enough force to reach Sunset’s field. The trapeze’s line vanished, Trapeze Magician dropping down towards Odd-Eyes Dragon (ATK: 2500), delivering a gravity assisted axe kick.

So she’s planning on taking the both of them out? “I banish Return of the Dragon Lords from the Graveyard; this prevents Odd-Eyes from being destroyed in this attack. Since Trapeze Magician will still be destroyed, you’ll take 1250 damage from Odd-Eyes’ effect.”

Trixie frowned for a moment, but composed herself quickly, “Think again, Shimmer. With Bubble Barrier out on Trixie’s field, any Performage monster on Trixie’s field cannot be destroyed once per turn.

Trapeze Magician’s kick was deflected by a roaring apparition of a ghostly dragon appearing to protect its live kin. Odd-Eyes proceeded to respond with another gout of red fire, when a translucent bubble appeared around Trapeze Magician, which burst, with the acrobatic magician seemingly going with it. A cackle revealed Trapeze Magician suspended off the ground on Trixie’s field, standing triumphantly on his trapeze pole.

“Since Trrrixie couldn’t end neither dragon this turn, she passes her turn over to you.” And with that she made a flourished bow towards Sunset. Frankly, it came off as more condescending if anything.

(Hand: 2)

Turn 4: Sunset Shimmer (Hand: 3)

Sunset frowned as she drew her next card; both for Trixie’s brusqueness, and someone jeering at her from the stands, whom was promptly silenced by a scold from Mister Turner. Fortunately, thanks to Saffira’s effect from last turn, she had just what she needed to burst Trixie’s bubble, pun entirely intended.

“From my hand; I activate ‘Mystical Space Typhoon’!” Sunset declared, slipping the card into her disk. “I use it to destroy your Bubble Barrier!”

The image of said card revolved itself to appear on the field, from which a funnel of air stretched forth, ramming into Trixie’s Bubble Barrier’s image on her side of the field, the card being blown away. This elicited a frown from the aspiring performer.

“I then attack Trapeze Magician with Saffira, destroying both!” Loathe as she was to sacrifice the card she was given; she couldn’t risk the duel stalling much longer in the event of Trixie getting more of her them appropriate monsters to the field.

Saffira once again spread her wings (ATK:2500), “pieces” of light gathering before her iridescent plumage before launching them in a rapid volley towards Trapeze Magician (ATK:2500). The acrobatic spellcaster tried in vain to protect itself, when the fusillade of lights began to pelt it, causing another explosion. As a result, his trapeze pole came spinning wildly from the billowing smoke, which struck the graceful dragon queen square in the face, her image shattering like glass on impact.

Your sacrifice won’t be in vain, she thought as she slid Saffira’s card into the Graveyard. “Odd-Eyes, direct atta-”

“Trapeze Magician’s effect activates!” Trixie retorted. “When destroyed, he can summon one ‘Performage’ monster from Trixie’s deck.” Another rattle of the automated shuffler followed, to which Trixie was given another card she slapped onto her tray. “‘Performage Plushfire’, in defense!” To her field emerged what looked to be a cartoony plush flame with little dots for eyes nestled in a pink sconce, all the while a fuse line poked out from what might have been a mouth. (Level 4, 1000/1000)

“In that case, I’ll attack Plushfire with Odd-Eyes Dragon,” said Sunset defiantly. “Spiral Strike!”

Drawing in breath, Odd-Eyes Dragon (ATK: 2500) lunged forth once more, blasting Plushfire (DEF: 1000) with a gout of red flames. Before the plush toy seared away, it seemed to undo the top portion of itself, with a burst of fire and what appeared to be confetti, erupted out of the gout. Plushfire was subsequently eradicated.

“Plushfire’s monster effect allows me to Special Summon one different ‘Performage’ monster from my hand or deck…” Another rattle of the auto-shuffler initiated. “Trixie summons ‘Performage Flame Eater’ in defense mode!”

To the field appear what looked to be a purple cartoon spherical bomb, its fuse trailing behind it from underneath a red collared cape somehow adhered to its round form, along with a tiny pointed blue wizard’s hat attached close to the top of its head lopsidedly. It possessed two small crazed green eyes over a jagged, smiling mouth. (Level 4, 1200/1600). Its cheeks began to puff up all of a sudden, its form turning from purple to red and starting to shake visibly. Both Sunset and Trixie were suddenly struck by an impromptu fiery explosion over their forcefields.

Trixie Life Points: 2600 – 500 = 2100

Sunset Shimmer Life Points: 4000 – 500 = 3500

“When summoned, Flame Eater inflicts 500 points of damage to both players,” said Trixie, a triumphant smirk making its way to her face. “Also when an effect would deal damage to Trixie’s foe, Stilts Launcher’s effect activates from the Graveyard; by banishing Silts Launcher, Trixie inflicts 2000 points of damage to you!”

Sunset barely had a moment to gasp when Stilt’s Launcher’s stilts came rocketing from out of nowhere, embedding themselves to the ground mere inches away from her. The duel disk system’s feedback kicked in, tossing her arm back forcibly.

Sunset Shimmer Life Points: 3500 – 2000 = 1500

“However, since Plushfire was sent to the Graveyard, you still take damage due to Odd-Eye’s monster effect,” Sunset remarked. However, Odd-Eyes’ effect seemed to not trigger as it was supposed to. “What?! Is the system on the fritz?”

“Ha! Did you really think the Great and Powerful Trrrixie wouldn’t be prepared, Shimmer?!” called Trixie in her showman grandeur. “Performage Plushfire does not go to the Graveyard when destroyed.”

“So it banishes itself?”

“Wrong again. Plushfire is safe and snug in Trixie’s Extra Deck,” she declared, tapping the lid of her duel disk’s Extra Deck compartment.

“What?!” Sunset wondered aloud. “But that’s not possible. A monster can’t be placed in the Extra Deck unless it’s an Extra Deck card.”

“This is different,” said Trixie, sounding deliberately vague. “This will be a performance that none at CHS have yet to behold.”

Turner raised a surprised brow on hearing Miss Lulamoon’s declaration. So, Miss Lulamoon has obtained Pendulum cards, has she?

“Well?” asked Trixie, looking over her nose in a haughty posture. “Are you going to do anything else, or can Trixie start her next performance?”

Sunset looked at her foe with uncertainty. She turned to look up at Mr. Turner, who seemed undoubtedly intrigued, currently looking at Trixie before turning to observe his laptops. Sunset looked down at her Duel disk, tapping the screen to verify nothing was wrong. To her surprise, it did indeed show Plushfire as being set atop Trixie’s Extra Deck, face-up. Other than the effect it had used previously, the card did not disclose any other information at this point.

Sunset took one card from her hand and slid it into the Spell and Trap port, “I set one card and end my turn.”

(Hand: 2)

-

“There is no way that can be valid,” said Fluttershy. “Do you think Trixie might be cheating?”

“I dunno,” said Rainbow with a shrug. “I’ve heard rumors about some new cards being put into circulation recently…”

-

Turn 5: Trixie (Hand: 2)

Trixie snorted, “All a minor setback!” she declared on drawing a card. “As any great magician, Trixie understands the need to save the greatest trick for last. Thus, the Great and Powerful Trrrixie shall reveal unto you her next, most phenomenal performance yet to be seen!” She presented two cards from her hand; at first, they appeared to be monster cards, with the orange coloration at the top, but half-way down the color changed in a gradient to a soft green. “Trixie shall take the scale one ‘Performage Cup Tricker’ and scale six ‘Performage Overlay Juggler’ to set the Pendulum Scale!”

A series of murmuring broke out among the observing students. Sunset herself was at a loss for what to say. Pendulum scale?

“Pendulum scale?” asked Fluttershy in the hopes of an answer from Rainbow.

“Pendulum monsters…” said Rainbow, looking more focused now than previously. “That new summoning method that’s been making its way onto the scene. And Trixie is the first one I see using it?!”

Trixie placed the two cards at the far ends of the cleft in her tray. A chiming tone rang out, the word ‘Pendulum’ forming through the circuitry within in a rainbow of colors. Two blue pillars appeared to the sides of Trixie’s field, within them present each monster; one a small beetle-like creature with short hands and legs ending in white gloves and soft, plush shoes, each hand holding a small cup underneath, peeking out from underneath three green upturned cups stacked together. The other looked to be a jester-like head suspended on a curved frame ending in a little wheel with short arms with equally small hand, surrounding by two oversized interlinked metal rings. The numerals two and six appeared underneath them.

“Now Trixie can special summon any monsters from levels two to five: Pendulum Summon! Come on down, my wonderful assistants!”

A wide portal opened between the pillar, from which two balls of light shout out, coalescing onto the field as monsters:

“First up; level 4; ‘Performage Mirror Conductor’!”

Eliciting a humored laugh was a round mirror with a smiling clown face on its glass surface. It stood on a three-footed stand, while a pair of human-like arms extended from its frame. A white cape with a red interior layer folded around its entirety. (600/1400)

“And level 4; ‘Performage Plushfire’!”

Plushfire arose from a summoning portal, its top sown back up, with its fuse once again poking out of where its alleged mouth would be. (1000/1000)

Sunset looked on in disbelief. She summoned both from her hand Extra Deck? And now she has three level four monsters on her field again… Is the going to-?

“Let us welcome our next star performance, as Trixie overlays her three level four assistants; Flame Eater, Mirror Conductor and Plushfire!” On her call, the two monsters devolved into the same swathes of light and spiraled into the opening nebula as before, bringing about another burst of energy.

“Fearless showman who fears not the sting of tooth and claw; let your courage dissuade the fear of the crowd with your fiery lash!”

“Xyz Summon! Take to the ring! Rank 4; ‘Performage Magical Tamer!’”

With the crack of a whip, onto Trixie’s field emerged an all new female monster: This one stood on long, shapely legs adorned in black, thigh-high boots, her curvaceous body clothed in a bright red leotard underneath a royal blue ringmaster’s coat with golden shoulder tassels. A purple cape billowed from her back whilst on her head, covering violet hair she wore a blue top-hat, under which on her very pink face she wore a black domino mask. In her white gloved hands, she brandished a long, gold-hilted, whip. Three orbs revolved around her form. (Rank 4, 2300/1800)

“But she only has 2300 attack points,” Sunset interjected. “Just what are you trying to pull?”

Trixie simply smiled, her face oozing in confidence. “I remove one Overlay Unit to activate Magical Tamer’s effect: Once each turn, she can seize one monster on your field!”

Handling her whip more like a rhythmic streamer, Magical Tamer performed a series of graceful acrobatics in a forward motion until abruptly lashing out like a coiled snake with her weapon: Odd-Eyes Dragon roared in protest as the whip coiled around its neck. With a yank the dragon was forced to step over to Trixie’s field, after which Magical Tamer leapt and proceeded to ride on its back, holding her weapon taught around the now enslaved dragon. (Performage Magical Tamer ATK: 2300 -> 4800)

“The monster seized become and Equip Spell for Magical Tamer, boosting her attack and defense by that of the seized monster’s original attack points!”

“Whoa,” the spectacle elicited from Spitfire, seated higher up in the bleachers, “Trixie’s really laying into her.”

“It’s kind of funny, in a way,” said someone Fluttershy didn’t recognize outside her vision. “A month ago, that bitch was gonna kill us, now she’s getting an ass-kicking from Lulamoon of all people. What do you think happened?”

“Who knows,” replied Spitfire. “Think Shimmer really did grow a conscience?”

“Sunset Shimmer never had a conscience.”

Fluttershy was frowning in disgust. People may not have taken her word for it (not that anyone ever listened to her anyway), it baffled her that her fellow students could accept the existence of magic, as attested by the principals themselves, yet the notion of possession alluded them.

“Don’t give up, Sunset,” she muttered.

“Magical Tamer, attack Sunset Shimmer directly for the encore!” Trixie called forth, eliciting cheers and encouragement from the spectators as Magical Tamer’s whip coursed red jolts of electricity into Odd-Eyes, the dragon being forced to obey. (ATK: 4800).

Sunset grit her teeth underneath pursed lip as her own Odd-Eyes was forced to charge up its attack. “Trap card: ‘Defense Draw’ activate!” As Odd-Eyes unleashed its attack via the empowered Magical Tamer, a blast preceded ahead of the attack, which proved to dissipate Trixie’s killing blow. “Defense Draw reduces all battle damage from one attack to zero, and I draw one card.”

Trixie snorted, looking more than a little peeved at her final attack being negated. “Hmph! No matter, Trixie will end it next turn. During my End Phase, your Odd-Eyes returns to your field.”

With that, Magical Tamer released her whip’s hold onto the red dragon’s neck and leapt back to the floor (ATK: 4800 -> 2300). Odd-Eyes’ form rippled and vanished, reappearing on Sunset’s field where it belonged. Her monster only has 2300 attack points, and she has no cards in her hand and not set cards. If Odd-Eyes destroys her next turn, she’ll take a combined 1450 damage from both the battle and the effect…

(Hand: 0)

Turn 6: Sunset Shimmer (Hand: 3)

Sunset drew her next card, but before she could even begin to formulate a plan, Trixie spoke out, “I remove another Overlay Unit to activate Magical Tamer’s effect once more!”

Damn! So it’s a quick-effect! Thought Sunset as Magical Tamer lashed out with her whip once more, ensnaring Odd-Eyes around the neck once again, forcing the dragon to wobble onto Trixie’s field and resumed riding the poor creature. (Performage Magical Tamer ATK: 2300 -> 4800) Sunset looked over her hand, the card she’d drawn was Dark Factory of Mass Production. Others were Mirage Dragon, Persona Dragon and Monster Reincarnation. Mirage Dragon was utterly useless in this situation, while Persona Dragon, while beefier, required a sacrifice. Dark Factory could bring two normal monsters from her Graveyard to her hand, and Reincarnation could bring one monster at the expense of one card from her hand…

None of these options were viable. She could summon Mirage Dragon or the Dragonpulse Magician in her graveyard, but at best she could block one more attack from Magical Tamer before she’d be left open…

“Get on with it!” called someone from the bleachers.

“You’re not foolin’ anyone, Shimmer!”

“Kick that crazy bitch’s ass, Trixie!”

“Let her have it!”

“Hunh…” muttered Rainbow, crossing her arms amusedly. “So Trixie had it in her. Guess that deck wasn’t quite up to snuff.”

Fluttershy looked to Rainbow discontentedly.

Sunset listened how her fellow students jeered at her all the while the applauded and praised Trixie for her new abilities, who at this moment was pre-emptively bowing before her audience. She could see that Flash was not partaking in the jeers; in fact, he seemed to be looking straight at Sunset apologetically. Glancing over her shoulder, she could see Rainbow Dash sitting, looking somewhat disinterested, while Fluttershy darted her attention between her and Rainbow. Rainbow clearly didn’t seem moved by the deck they put together being trounced by Trixie, nor by the insults being thrown Sunset’s way.

Sunset lowered her head, a saddened retch escaping under her breath. They’ll never accept that I’m not who I used to be, will they? She thought to herself. Lowering her arms, she was ready and willing to just accept defeat at this point. All she needed to do was hit the forfeit function and have it be over and done with. She wondered; what would the rest do once she was beaten down a second time now, by one of the lesser-ranked students? Would their ire turn more forward? Could they become more brazen and gang up on her as the figurative fallen tyrant and tear her limb from limb? She’d never caught any of the perpetrators pinning threats to her locker, so how about when they became more open in their hate? Could even the school board do anything about it?

I should have just fled when I got the chance…

“Don’t go… I promised Twilight I’d help. If you’re really sorry for all those things, then I forgive you.”

Dammit, Fluttershy… Sunset chuckled dryly. Such a wonderful friend, even in the midst of all of this. Sorry that you have to see this, but I guess even our group effort wasn’t enough against all the hate… She proceeded to bring her hand towards the forfeit icon on the screen when…

“Don’t give up!”

Sunset flinched, but no sound escaped her lips when the world faded around her. At first, she thought it was something to do with the holograms, but that was evidently not the case when she found the gymnasium, the students, Mr. Turner all vanished, and left her standing in blackness. A tingling sense of dread worked its way up her form, a faint memory worming its way into the forefront of her thoughts.

“They’ll never accept you,” something whispered…? No, roared… Calling out in a series of many different voices, tones, volumes, all mashed together into a chaotic cacophony.

Unveiling from the blackness, like in the wake of a parting curtain, Sunset felt her blood freeze when she witnessed herself standing before her… Or rather, what she had been, both inside and out: Bony talons clacked against the unseen ground. Great, leathery, raggedy wings spread out, barely perceivable in the blackness. A pair of gangly, skeletal arms held out to she sides, the only way they could be held out as being casual. Dark red sinew and muscle glistened. Her own face, marred by the dark irises, throbbing veins, and a boney white bastardization of her cutie mark, back from her time as a pony, gazed at her with a deranged, fanged grin.

“Poor, poor Sunset Shimmer… How she wants so bad to be loved, and yet no matter what she tries, no-one will ever want to,” her twisted image chuckled, crossing its arms over its chest in a disturbing imitation of a posed cadaver. “All you ever had, the only one to really love you, was me.”

“N-no…” Sunset took a step back, reeling as the monstrosity with her face reached out, taking slow steps towards her.

“It’s okay, little Sunset; I forgive you. We can forget all about how you were misguided by that arrogant alicorn. Come, embrace the truth.”

Sunset kept fervently backing away, the sight of those hideous, gangly arms beckoning her in horrifying infatuation made her want to scream, but she couldn’t, like something was clasped around her throat, unable to talk, and barely able to breathe.

“Don’t run. I’m the only one you’ll ever need. You’ll never be alone with me. Please, Sunset, I need you.”

Sunset’s shivering hands balled themselves into fists, “Shut up!” she managed to throat out, grasping at her chest at the feeling of suffocation.

“Don’t deny it, my dear little Sunset. You and I; we were meant to be together. Give in,” her dark image reached out with one, grasping arm, the madness in those black and red slit eyes burning into Sunset’s very core. “Embrace me, as you did before!”

“No!” Sunset bellowed, stopping her useless retreat, and instead lunged forward, barely evading the hand reaching out for her, and with a furious grunt, she socked the twisted image of herself square in the cheek, the impact reverberating all around the blackness in a satisfying echo. Her evil half stumbled backwards, the length of her skeletal arms making it awkward to feel the area where Sunset’s punch impacted.

Her corruption looked at her, the madness, while still present, ebbing from what Sunset could best describe as shock. When the dark reflection of her lowered her hand, the cheek... was cracking? Lines began to break out over and around the blackened cheek, forming a web of shatter points. The entity no longer pursued her, only stared back at her in almost pathetic disbelief.

“I… Needed… You…” she seemed to almost sob, when the cracks on her face violently popped and spread all around her body, and her form shattered like glass.

Sunset breathed hastily, feeling at her chest as if she had just run a marathon, “Yea? Well you needed me more than I ever needed you. So deal with it!”

That was when brilliant rays of light erupted behind Sunset, able to see the very lines of particles in the air of whatever void she had been trapped in. Turning around, the light seeming incapable of blinding nor so much as straining her eyes, she beheld something… Something so beautiful, any shreds of fear she’d harbored for seeing her darkness faded away.

Before her stood a great, shining monument of beauty: It looked much like a tree, but instead of bark and leaves, it seemed to be made up entirely of facets of mirror-smooth crystal, angling up into a curving trunk, at the base of which darker, purple roots spread out all around. At the top of the trunk it splayed out into a series of glimmering, upward curving branches, with wiry vines laden with crystal spheres hanging off. At the end of each of the thicker branches was a bulb, where colorful gems lay. Going clockwise starting from the bottom; a pink butterfly, a blue balloon, a red lightning bolt, a purple diamond, and a vermillion apple. At the very center lay a familiar, magenta nine-pronged star.

“Isn’t that…? The Element of Magic?” Sunset asked as she beheld the great crystal tree. “So then those are…?”

Her attention was diverted when she saw she wasn’t alone before the tree: Standing at the base stood someone else: A woman, her bare body a soothing light purple, which glimmered and sparkled before Sunset’s very eyes. Long, dark sapphire blue hair swayed behind her back, styled in a flat bang at the front with a streak of purple and raspberry. Violet, gentle eyes stared out at Sunset, all the while a pair of grand, feathery wings unfurled from her back.

Taking a step forth, Sunset’s eyes were glued to the divine, feminine form, “Princess… Twilight…?”

Twilight Sparkle smiled down at Sunset, holding out her hand in a welcoming gesture. Sunset’s legs began to carry her toward Twilight, and the tree. Completely entranced and unable, or unwilling to resist, Sunset reached out with her own hand, laying it over Twilight’s open palm. The moment they touched, she could feel a warming, welcoming calm overtake her senses, her cyan eyes focused entirely on the beauty of Twilight’s face. Any fear induced by this place was gone, as were her doubts, the sadness, and the pain. Sunset’s breath caught in her throat, as Twilight leaned towards her, those calming purple eyes locked onto her own, and she whispered.

“Let them be your power. Awaken; Sunset Shimmer.”

The moment she said it, a distinct, familiar roar reverberated through the blackness. Odd-Eyes, calling for aid…

“Mr. Turner,” said Micro Chips from his place by the laptops, “I think there’s something wrong with the sensors. I just saw a spike in the spectrometers.”

“What?” muttered Turner. Hearing the students cheering for Miss Lulamoon, while outright antagonizing the visibly distraught Miss Shimmer had him calling to them to cease their disruptive behavior, when he too noticed a small spike of activity in the spectrometry sensors. It was only for a moment, but it was evidently visible in the graph.

He looked back towards the field, only now Miss Shimmer, instead of downtrodden, seemed… He had trouble finding the right description. It was like an invisible fire was burning in the young woman’s eyes, all the while reaching for her duel disk once more, her fingers reaching for her deck, and not the forfeit icon.

What are you up to, Miss Shimmer?

Sunset swiftly slid one card into her Spell and Trap port, “I activate ‘Dark Factory of Mass Production’; this lets me add two Normal Monsters from my Graveyard to my hand. I return the Dragonpulse and Dragonpit Magicians I discarded earlier.”

Sunset presented two cards, which, upon seeing them, seemed to drain much of the color from Trixie’s face, “What?! That’s… I-i-impossible!”

“I take the scale one ‘Dragonpulse Magician’, and the scale eight ‘Dragonpit Magician’ to set the Pendulum Scale!” declared Sunset, slapping both cards in one sweeping motion to the edges of her duel disk’s central cleft. The circuitry and conductors normally imperceptible on average lit up with a rainbow of colors, the word “PENDULUM” emblazoning on the tray.

Two pale blue pillars arose to Sunset’s sides, within each arising a humanoid form: One a young male with spiky brown hair tied into an incredibly long braid that might have been as long as he was tall, garbed in a dark purplish-blue suit of armor underneath a billowing white robe with gold-lined rims, grasping a dual-bladed curved sword in one hand. The other a spiky blonde-haired man adorned in an extravagant, heavy set of white, blue and royal purple robes with intricate silver rims and inlays, holding in a perfect vertical line before him a staff; the tip, which held a golden gen in a socket surrounded by a silvery, saw-like ring. The numeral one and eight appeared underneath them.

“I activate Dragonpulse Magician’s Pendulum Effect,” by discarding a Pendulum Monster from my hand,” she slid Odd-Eyes Persona Dragon to the Graveyard port, “I can destroy one monster on the field. I’ll be taking my monster back, Magical Tamer!”

Dragonpulse Magician’s glaive lit up while suspended inside the pillar. With a forceful swing, the dual-bladed weapon was flung in a perfect circular motion, cleaving through Magial Tamer, in a delayed reaction, the beast tamer shattering just as her two halves began to split apart. Odd-Eyes screeched out in relief, even if he was sent to the grave.

“And one more card; ‘Monster Reincarnation’;” Sunset slipped the second last card into her disk. “By discarding one card,” Odd-Eyes Mirage Dragon was discarded, “I bring back one monster back to my hand.”

“The swing of the pendulum connecting two worlds draws out the arc of harmony.”

“Pendulum Summon! Come forth, my partner!” Sunset called out.

Six lights revolving in a vertical halo, orange, teal, red, blue, violet and magenta, aligned now horizontally between the pillars, a single red streak of light erupting downwards.

Fluttershy jumped when Rainbow Dash abruptly slammed a hand to her chest. For a moment she almost thought her athletically inclined friend was having a heart attack. “What the hell was that?!”

“What’s wrong, Rainbow?” asked Fluttershy, who too had a hand to her sternum.

Rainbow looked down over her chest, the taught grasp on her shirt having loosened entirely, now only the tips of her fingers lingering over her chest, “I just felt like something stung me, right in the heart…!”

“I felt something too,” said Fluttershy, feeling rightfully trepidatious herself.

“Hold on, what?”

“I don’t know why, but I felt something in my heart too…” she mused, though abruptly crossed her arms over her breasts out of embarrassment. “But it didn’t hurt. It felt… kind of nice, actually.”

Pinkie suddenly ceased all she was doing, in this case while pouring flour into a mixing bowl, the entire bag’s worth getting dumped in, billowing forth a cloud of powdered wheat that covered both her and her assigned partner for home ec, Roseluck, in a white layer.

Roseluck proceeded sneeze loudly, billowing more flour into the general vicinity, “You alright, Pinkie?”

Pinkie’s face scrunched, having remained mostly motionless since the accident, “Hunh. I dunno why, but I’m just feeling… so incredibly warm and fuzzy at the moment~!”

Rarity felt her body shuddering blissfully as Applejack pinned her against the wall in the gap between lockers. Her arms wrapped amorously around the farmgirl’s powerful feeling torso as the two passionately locked lips for the moment they were earned some privacy in the halls. Oh, how she loved it when Applejack got rough with her when making out, her strong hands sliding down the contours of her sides, making their way towards her backside…

A strange, but quite pleasant warmth overcame her, eyes fluttering in what could only be described as absolute bliss. And it all came to her so quickly. Whatever Applejack was doing to her, she just had to commend her girlfriend for whatever trick she’d picked up. Her Applejack had always been a great kisser, but whatever had changed, it was absolutely divine.

They abruptly parted their lips, though remained holding onto one another, staring into each other’s eyes in… The feeling, it still remained, but it was not coming from their primal passions. It was something in her chests; a feeling she could best describe as a blend of elation, peace… and something else she couldn’t quite put a finger on. She did not protest when Applejack brought a hand between her breasts, right over her heart.

“Did you… Did you feel that, sugarplum?” asked Applejack.

Rarity nodded, her breathing still stabilizing from the sudden rush that overcame her, and seemingly her beloved too. The two of them looked about in confusion, unable to piece together what had happened.

“Arise, valiant dragon with dichromatic eyes! Level 7, ‘Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon!’”

From the light appeared a new dragon: Similar in its raptor-like appearance to its previous incarnation, only this one was larger, bulkier, with all of the leathery purply skin obscured by sharp, curved armored scales. The pronged horns were longer, roughly triple their original span, added with an outward-curving crescent protruding from its back, one side bearing a red orb, the other a green orb. Its orange and teal eyes shone forth from underneath the protection of a great crest forming over its elongated snout. In a colorful glint from its eyes, it let loose a triumphant call, in thanks to its liberation. (Level 7, 2500/2000)

Trixie could only gaze in trepidatious awe at the evolved form of the monster she was so brazenly abusing. Sunset… did not blame her. She was merely ignorant for the time being that there was more to the cards she wielded other than just slips of high-density lightweight polymers.

“Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon, attack Trixie directly! Spiral Strike Burst!”

Odd-Eyes revved back its head, gathering the rippling energy from all around, and with one last lunge blasted Trixie head-on with a pillar of red energy, parted by the forcefield appearing before her, with nothing to defend her from the direct assault. Defeated.

Trixie Life Points: 2100 – 2500 = -400

Sunset Shimmer victory!

Duel #25: The Pendulum Between Two Worlds (Edited 28.4.2020)

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“I take the scale one Dragonpulse Magician, and the scale eight Dragonpit Magician to set the Pendulum Scale!” Turner watched intently as Sunset placed the two cards on the edges of the tray of her duel disk, the Pendulum Summoning requirement protocol inside the device unlocking, with the emergence of the two monsters serving as the aforementioned scale. “Pendulum Summon! Come forth, my partner!Arise, valiant dragon with dichromatic eyes! Level 7, ‘Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon!’”

She added Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon to her hand using Monster Reincarnation after discarding it for Dragonpulse Magician? But yet, why didn’t she use it earlier, unless she didn’t have the two cards for the Pendulum Scale…? She used the Ritual Summon of Saffira and her effect to discard the Magicians, yet she could have used them to set the scales earlier... Unless she didn’t have Pendulum Dragon until later? … I need to do some further research.

Turner observed his laptops again, seeing nothing unusual being recorded through the duel, other than an increase in electronic signals from the duel system. In a double-take, he did indeed spot some form of interference through the two arrays set up on Miss Lulamoon’s side, specifically set to monitor Miss Shimmer; an experimental sensor of his own design.

Positioned underneath the cameras; assembled from discarded metal detector components, affectionately calling them “Metaphysical Resonance Emission” meters, or MRE meters, or even further; Mr. Es: They worked by observing vibrational interference in the air, able to detect a wide range of resonations, from sounds, to particles, to even some levels of radiation and photonic activity in the air. And they seemed to be picking up something, albeit just barely.

Turner put on his reading specks and went over the program (his own design), splitting the display into three different modes of viewing; wavelength, spectral and heat. His curious elation was dampened when the devices stopped picking up anything. It could just as well have been a malfunction, but he figured he could just review the data later. He turned his attention back to the duel, just when Sunset was evidently going to finish off Miss Lulamoon.

“Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon, attack Trixie directly! Spiral Strike Burst!”” He watched as Miss Shimmer’s new monster launched forth a gout of crimson flame towards Miss Lulamoon, the illusory forcefield parting the attack around her as per the regulations imposed by certain concerned parties. The attack went 400 above Trixie’s sustainable number,

In stark contrast to the gymnasium having been uproarious in Lulamoon’s favor, it was now utterly silent, with all eyes focusing on Shimmer. She stood motionless at her spot on the field, seeming indecisive about something.

Sunset took a calming breath, bringing a hand to her sternum, her body still feeling strangely… uplifted, she thought. Looking down on her stand-by duel disk; the duel over, but the device still deployable, she looked at the three cards still in the cleft; the Pendulum cards. They were not in her deck before; nor had she sent Odd-Eyes… This Odd-Eyes to the graveyard at any point of the duel; it was the very one Trixie had taken to abuse. What exactly happened to her just then? What was that tree? Was that really Princess Twilight reaching out to her. Just the memory of her standing before her, like some winged divine, sent Sunset’s heart a flutter.

A sharp clap rang through the gymnasium. “Well then,” exclaimed Turner, who very casually slung himself down from the stage, instead of going around the side steps, walking up in between the two duelists with his hands behind his back. “It seems we have ourselves the dramatic victor. Just the way I like ‘em.” He turned to Sunset, smiling pleasantly at her, “Miss Shimmer, consider this a pass on your skills evaluation. Just keep up your dueling quota from now on and the board should get off your back.”

Sunset, though pleased about the man’s words, could not help but feel like he was secretly scrutinizing her, as he held his gaze on her for a moment longer, before turning to Trixie, “And Miss Lulamoon: Fantastic performance on your part! You’re the first duelist I’ve seen to use Pendulum. Very impressive. A bit of a miscalculation at the end. But hey; that’s what learning entails, right?”

Trixie did not seem to share Mr. Turner’s enthusiasm, if she even acknowledged them. Instead, she was glaring past the man, towards Sunset in anger. Despite the feeling of despair from her fellow students’ gawking and jeering from earlier, Sunset still felt inclined to approach and commend Trixie. For despite all her haughtiness; she had certainly improved a lot with this new summoning method…

Only for Trixie to produce something from her sleeve and chuck it on the ground. A loud bang rang out, accompanied by a thick curtain of white smoke. As both Sunset, and Mr. Turner, fanned at the smoke with their hands, there came sounds of grunting and struggling. When the smoke had cleared, Trixie was down on her torso atop the first tier of the bleachers, with the rest of her having squeezed in through the gap in between, muttering and cursing under her breath. It was obvious that the aspiring stage magician, in an effort to make an exit, was stuck.

Sunset hurried over to the wedged Trixie and offered a hand, “Trixie! Need any help?”

Trixie grunted fruitlessly as she failed to wedge any more of herself through the gap. “No, I most certainly do not need your help, Shimmer…” she spat in outward hostility, after which she tried to pull herself back out, but she barely budged. “Oh for… These things are a health hazard!”

“Well, you’re not exactly meant to try and squeeze through,” said Sunset, trying to diffuse the anger.

“Just shut it!” Trixie retorted, trying to pull herself loose again, but to no avail. “Would someone please retrieve Trixie’s saw?”

Sunset’s pursed her lips, made aware her presence was no longer required. Or wanted. “I’ll… get the janitor…” she announced before turning to leave, well aware of the condemning glares of everyone else.

Out in the halls, as she walked, Sunset detached her deck from her duel disk and fanned it out. There was no denying it that something strange was going on: While many cards remained as they were, more than just the three she had used were changed. Going from regular effect monsters with the orange backgrounds to that of orange that changed to green halfway down, an additional box of text appearing over the regular card text, framed between two arrows on each side, a blue one to the left and a red to the right with numbers below them; the scales.

How did this happen? I didn’t evoke anything… Did I? She stopped, turning to gaze towards the ceiling. Twilight… Priestess… If only you were here right now: If I ever needed guidance since that night; it’s now.

“What did you do?!”

Sunset spun around on her heels, coming face-to-face with Rainbow Dash, who immediately seized her by the shoulders, eyeing her angrily. Both before and after her liberation from the darkness, Sunset had never considered Rainbow as intimidating, but at that moment, her body visibly tensed as the athlete’s cerise eyes glared at her.

“W-what?”

“You heard me!” Rainbow spat, pushing Sunset’s back against a locker, “What did you do?!”

“Rainbow Dash!” exclaimed Fluttershy, her volume well above her usual whisper as she scolded the rainbow-haired athlete.

“Rainbow, I swear I don’t know what hap-!”

“I may not know what voodoo you got up to, but I definitely felt something!” Rainbow blurted, thumping Sunset against the lockers furiously, “Fess up! What have you been up to behind our backs?!”

“Voodoo?!” Sunset asked incredulously. “Wait! Felt what?!”

“My chest stung when you pulled that Pendulum thing! What was it?!”

“What in the hell is goin’ on here?!” to the rescue came the familiar southern twang and clack of boots. Applejack came rushing over to snatch Rainbow’s wrist, with Rarity following after her. “Rainbow Dash, what in the blazes are you doin’?!”

“Miss Bacon-Hair over here just pulled something! You did not have those cards before! I know because I saw you build that deck! Did you dare go so low as to cheat using magic?!”

“Stop it!” Fluttershy yelled as she tore Rainbow’s other hand off Sunset, everyone gathered staring at the normally soft-spoken girl in surprise. “For one; you hardly helped with the deck whatsoever! And isn’t it enough when everyone else was ganging up on her?!”

“Now just hold one apple-pickin’ minute here,” Applejack interjected, getting between Rainbow and Sunset in a much more levelled tone than anyone else. “One at a time!”

“Thank you, dear,” said Rarity with an approving nod. “Fluttershy; you’re the least heated here, so tell us what happened.”

“We were observing Sunset’s test against Trixie. Sunset came so close to losing, when-”

“Wait, hold on a minute,” Applejack interrupted, “Trixie? Ah mean, granted, that deck we made wasn’t anythin’ amazin’, but with her track record-”

“She used a new summon; Pendulum, and combined it with her Xyz summoning.”

“Pardon?” came Rarity’s turn to interrupt. “Pendulum?”

“That new summoning method that’s been rumored,” said Rainbow Dash. “Allows the summon of many monsters in one go.”

“The hell does that have to do with you roughin’ up Sunset?” asked Applejack discontentedly. “Ya thinkin’ this is what Twilight wanted us to do? Ultimate tough lovin’?”

“Because of these,” Sunset held out her deck, fanning them out to reveal the changed multi-colored cards.

Applejack picked one of them out, going over it intently, “Where’d these come from?”

“I don’t know,” said Sunset in earnest. “Listen; I honestly do not know what happened, where these came from, or what Rainbow’s implying, but I did not invoke anything. All that happened was that I saw… I saw Twilight.” She placed her other hand to her chest, “I felt as if she was there with me, telling me to not give up. Then it all just happened.” The four other girls looked among one another, Rarity idly imitating the motion of bringing her hand to her own heart. “Wait… You all felt something too?”

“If by “felt” you mean “stinging” in my ticker, then yea,” said Rainbow brusquely.

Fluttershy crossed her arms over her chest, looking slightly abashed among everyone, “I actually felt… Oddly warm. In a good way, Like… Like everything was right with the world that one moment.”

“Me too,” said Rarity, but for whatever reason the pearly skinned fashionista’s cheeks seemed to flare up faintly pinkish, “while Applejack and I were… mingling! Yes, mingling. Right, darling?”

“Definitely, m-hm,” Applejack nodded.

“Oh, hey girls!” beamed Pinkie, who came traipsing up with a plate of cookies in one hand. “I dunno why, but in home ec I just had this feeling of the absolute fuzzies, so I decided to share some of the cookies me and Roseluck made with you! So, what’d I miss?”

Sunset straightened herself up, reinserting her deck back into its port in her duel disk, Applejack handing back ‘Odd-Eyes Mirage Dragon’, “I think we should have another meeting over this. Sugarcube Corner, after school, alright? I want everyone to share what happened to all of you during my duel.” The seriousness may have been underplayed when she proceeded to munch on one of Pinkie’s cookies. The effects of the taste already improving the mood, miraculously to the point where it made her feel as if even the arguing no longer bothered her in the least.

Vice-principal Luna entered the now vacant gymnasium, right on time to catch Turner and his assigned assistant Micro Chips clearing away the last of the equipment they’d used for analyzing the examination duel. The two proceeded to lift a rather hefty looking white, boxy device and just managing to get it up on stage.

“I should be able to manage from here, Mister Chips. You go on a get to your next class,” said Turner, pushing the device further onstage.

“Yessir. Let me just say; it’s an honor to be able to assist you in all of this,” said Micro Chips with much enthusiasm.

“Likewise, Mister Chips. I’ll text you the moment I need further help. Now, off you go.” The two proceeded to shake hands before Micro Chips proceeded to leave, exchanging formal greetings with Luna on the way out.

Luna leaned against the stage as Turner in an awkward manner pushed the hefty device backstage, “So, how did it go?”

“Well, for one,” came Turner’s voice from backstage before stepping back out, straightening his tie, “it seems Pendulums are starting to encroach on the school.”

“I heard so from some of the students in passing conversation,” said Luna in acknowledgement. “Curious; I spoke with Miss Shimmer yesterday and she told me she hadn’t even a deck ready by then.”

“No kidding?” said Turner musingly. “Miss Shimmer’s deck seemed a tad conducive to just have been made on the fly though.”

“It’s safe to assume she had help: There’s these five students who’ve taken quite the shine to her since the mid-term duel,” said Luna.

“Curiouser is that Miss Shimmer had Pendulum cards herself,” Turner replied whilst going over something on one of the two laptops he’d set up.

Luna looked up at her old classmates in surprise, “Miss Shimmer? But… aren’t Pendulums quite rare still? I mean it wouldn’t be impossible, just…” A troubling thought came over her, no doubt her silence being what drew the focus of Turner.

“What is it?”

“I’m not sure if Celestia told you, but we have reason to believe that Miss Shimmer might have been tied to the fire that destroyed the Ghoul hideout, hence it stands to reason she might have been involved with them further.” Luna caressed herself in trepidation, “You think she might have gotten those cards through ill deals.”

“It’s not an impossibility,” said Turner, looking up from his work in thought. “Albeit from what I’ve been disclosed, Sunset Shimmer used cards of the Archfiend denomination previously, correct? Wouldn’t she have used the best stuff she had for the mid-term?”

“I suppose,” Luna bobbed her shoulders, “but it doesn’t rule out the impossibility. I’m just not all too comfortable knowing we might be harboring a Ghoul on top of everything else.”

Turner went quiet for a longer moment, looking down to his left, seemingly a very specific spot somewhere around the gymnasium floor or the bleachers. “… If you want my personal opinion Lu,” he said, using his nickname for her, “I don’t think you need to fret about Sunset being involved in anything illicit. At least not anymore. Miss Shimmer seems like a good sort, in spite of all you and Cely have told me from before.”

Luna decided to join him atop the stage, curiously looking between the man and his computers, “What makes you say that?”

“I know this will make my claims as a man of science sound highly dubious…” Turner began, “but she didn’t exactly come off as monstrous as all of the students seemed to imply.”

“Pardon?”

“In spite of the requirement of observers needing to remain quiet, most of the students seemed very vitriolic towards Miss Shimmer when she was at her low-point against Miss Lulamoon. Some of the things being said I don’t exactly feel right divulging in polite company.” Turner rhythmically rattled his fingers against the table, “Suffice it to say, it was painful to watch.

“Mm,” Luna hummed in agreement. “Maybe in different circumstances… Or rather, normal circumstances, I might be reluctant to believe it, but Celestia and myself think Sunset is truly trying to make amends. Particularly with the involvement of Prin- Twilight Sparkle.”

“Ah, our other extra-dimensional visitor,” Turner removed his specs to rub his eyes. “My, how she and Miss Shimmer would confirm so many theoretical concepts in so many fields of physics.”

“I know you’ve only second-hand accounts to go by but… But can I ask you something?”

“Of course.”

“Did we do the right thing pertaining to Miss Shimmer?” Luna asked.

Turner smiled, putting a friendly hand on her shoulder, “Knowing you and Cely; you just want to help someone going through a tough time. Just like when you…” He suddenly hesitated. “I’m… I’m sorry, I know she…”

“It’s fine,” said Luna. “Sometimes we just have to be strong and believe things will turn out for the better.”

The two stood there in uncomfortable silence for what might have been much longer than necessary. When the next bell rang, it was Turner who finally took the initiative,

“Hey, I should get these to the lab and start going over the data,” he said, closing the screens of both laptops before picking the first up and holding it under his arm, but before he could take the other, Luna took it in her arms.

“Allow me. By any chance did anything out of the ordinary happen?”

“Well… It’s inconclusive to say at this point; but it did seem that the MRE meters seemed to pick up something just before Miss Shimmer’s final turn, before she Pendulum summoned. Now whether or not it was reacting to “magic” or was just malfunctioning is too early to say,” stated Turner, complete with an air quotation. “Now if I could only observe her further and ensure the Mr. E’s work, that would be something. I suppose I could try affixing them to a drone…”

“I do not think the school board, nor my sister, would approve of outright spying on students though,” said Luna, though not in admonishment, for she understood the reasoning.

“I know. The other viable option would be the construction of multiple Mr. E’s, but that’s drastically over any budget of mine.” He paused for a moment as he and Luna stepped into the hallway, observing the students who’d started milling about. “Overall, it wouldn’t do any good for the girl’s self-esteem either.”

Luna hummed in admittance. “Yes, Miss Shimmer isn’t exactly on best terms with everyone else, despite the evident improvements in student camaraderie, and the remarkable change she herself has been through.”

“Yes, I’ve heard Miss Shimmer was… Difficult since before last month’s events. Mr. Chips was very thorough about it.”

“I mean, for three years; she was one of the worst delinquents I’ve ever seen, and yet somehow one person just makes it go away,” Luna tapped the side of her head. “Sometimes I even question my own sanity over this.”

“Like the insanity of dark magic rituals, possession and “magical ponies”?” asked Turner wryly, complete with more air quotations with his free hand. “Lu, we’re not exactly normal people. Not since that night at Academia. Furthermore, wouldn’t it be preferable that this had a happy ending? Unlike with Goldcap and Zappity?”

An abrupt shudder ran through Luna’s body, the haunting final cries of the missing, perhaps even dead, or worse, Zappity echoing in the depths of her memories;

Please help me! I’m sorry! Don’t let them take meeeeee…!

Goldcap and Zappity undeniably were to blame for whatever horrible fate they were damned to by their own negligence, what with them tampering with things they honest to… whatever higher powers were out there, didn’t understand. And Academia preferred to simply bury the truth under the rubble of the West Tower of Eilean gu Ifrinn. No matter how long, trying to forget all the nightmares from Academia proved impossible. And she was determined to not let them encroach on the youths she and Celestia were charged with watching over.

“I appreciate the positivity, Turner. But still…” She glanced about before tugging at Turner’s shoulder, urging him to stop before whispering, “For the sake of caution: Isn’t there some more inconspicuous way to use those “Mr.E’s”?”

Turner’s eyes darted sideways, looking a slight bit uncomfortable from the sudden secrecy, “Well, yes, actually. I could set one up in the gymnasium and the other in some other location where dueling is most prevalent.

“That would be the soccer field in most cases,” said Luna.

“Though I should point out; if I increase their range, they will be a drain on power. Your electric bill could take a dent.”

Reluctant as she was, Luna felt she had to acquiesce, for the sake of everyone, “I’ll talk to Celestia about this. In the meantime, just do what you need to do. The last thing we need is another West Tower incident.

“Will do. But if you want my personal opinion: I think Miss Shimmer has turned over a new leaf.”

The day had drudged on arduously slowly for Sunset after her test. Everyone continued to give her a wide berth, though the tone had changed, albeit not for the better. News about her duel against Trixie had quickly spread throughout the student body, having heard others gossiping about the spectacle, in particular with the advent of Pendulum Summoning having encroached on their school. Many seemed excited about the prospect, particularly from Trixie’s part, what with her being the one to formally introduce the method to CHS. And just as many seemed evenly irked how Sunset conveniently ended up being the second. She could easily discern people staring at her, whether they tried being inconspicuous about it or not.

Just when you thought the cold shoulders and crude messages were bad enough… She thought to herself. It feels like I’m walking into an Ursa’s den all of a sudden. Are they sizing me up, now that they saw that I didn’t evoke the darkness again? I mean, granted, getting to duel again is nice and all, but- “Whoa!” she exclaimed, not having paid attention where she was going, resulting in bumping unceremoniously into an open locker, which subsequently swung and banged against someone on the other side.

“Ow-wowowow…” muttered a light grey skinned girl with muted blonde hair, dressed in a light blue dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up, a yellow tie and a green skirt, current rubbing the side of her head where the locker door impacted on her cranium. A pair of bright gold eyes turned to look towards Sunset, one of them appearing distinctly unfocused from the other.

Sunset gasped, pulling the locker door back, “Oh geez! I’m so sorry about that, Derpy!” she said hastily. “Are you okay? I was lost in my thoughts, I didn’t look where I was going, I-”

The slightly cross-eyed girl, simply smiled, though continued to rub her head sheepishly, “I’m okay! Usually it’s me with their head in the clouds.”

Sunset glanced around, seeing a few students eyeing her warily. Uncertain what to do, she held her hands together like in prayer, silently mouthing another string of apologies, as she circumvented Derpy to get on her way.

“Hey, Sunset,” Derpy called out, further exacerbating the discomfort of the predicament.

Sunset took a breath, trying to calm herself as she turned to address Derpy, “Yes? … I’m sorry-”

“Oh, it’s not that. Just an accident,” said Derpy with a motion of dissuasion. Now was her turn to look around. When some students persisted in eyeing the two, she cast a disapproving stare and motioned people to move along. Once she seemed certain they had some inkling of privacy, she leaned forward and spoke in a hushed tone, “I was watching your duel with Trixie, and… well, I thought I should let you know that some of the others were talking about you.”

Sunset looked at the girl with the mismatched eyes with trepidation as Derpy began to recount her side of events;

As everyone present to witness the duel examination between Sunset Shimmer and Trixie vacated the gymnasium, Derpy caught an intense conversation taking place between a small group of students. Among them, she easily recognized the likes of Spitfire, the fiery orange haired girl ever adorned in the colors of the Wonder Colts, blue and light yellow, topped off with a blue denim jacket with a flame patch stitched in the back.

“Can you believe that? So Shimmer was holding out on us with Pendulums on top of everything else?” she asked the accrued students. “I mean I know that bitch is arrogant like nobody’s business, but she only now decided to break out the new stuff after this whole pity party routine she’s going with?”

“Tch, whatever you say, Spits,” chortled Lightning Dust; a pale turquoise skinned girl with amber hair with gold streaks, who seemed to always adorn the black biker jacket over whatever outfit she decided to wear underneath. “It’s pretty damn obvious that she’s just been gathering cards from the Ghouls. Say what you will about this magic BS; girl’s been running with them for years now.”

“And I suppose you’d know all about that, wouldn’t you?” asked Spitfire with no hint of subtlety over the evident spite towards Lightning.

“Cry me a river,” Lightning scoffed, clearly not moved by the CHS’ second best athlete’s remark. “Point is; girl’s gotta be pretty loaded after all those cage matches. Not in the least bit shocking she might have gotten her hands on Pendulums. Hell, could be forgeries for all we know: Ghouls know their way around the cards and hardware.”

“Fact of the matter is,” said Night Quill, an ash skinned boy with neck-length silvery hair who always made it a point to wear his cherished black bowler hat and checkered green scarf, “did Shimmer do anything outside of the ordinary like back during the mid-term duel? I mean isn’t it pretty convenient she had Pendulums like Trixie?”

“I guess,” said Spitfire with a shrug. “We can’t exactly prove anything. Though who was that Mr. Turner guy Micro Chips was palling around with?”

“Something about new regulations from the school board to ensure fair play. Maybe something to keep tabs on the system,” said Lightning Dust, laxly holding her hands behind her head. “Maybe Shimmer just didn’t do anything since she’d be caught. Hasn’t Dash been palling around with Sunset lately with those other girls?”

“Nothing she’s told me,” Spitfire shrugged. “I mean she could be hounding her at best given how chummy Sunset’s gotten with Dash’s pal Flutters.

“Honestly, now I wish I had stepped up as the contender,” Night Quill remarked as he idly adjusted his scarf. “If Sunset really didn’t do anything, I would have annihilated her.”

Lightning Dust grinned wryly, “Ooh? Thinking of replacing your great-great-great granddaddy’s hat with the tiara?” She teasingly flicked a finger against the rim of Night’s hat, the boy glaring exasperatedly all the while pressing it tightly back onto his head.

“Preposterous. Bowler hats came about in 1849,” said Night Quill, seeming unaware of Lightning mockingly miming a mouth with her hand. “And no, I just want to put Shimmer in her place.”

“Okay, now that I can actually agree on with you,” Lightning emphasized by showing her hand, a noticeable vertical line of a scar present between the middle and ring metacarpals.

“Get in line, Lightning; if anyone’s going to kick her ass, it’s going to be the second-in command of the Wonder Colts soccer team,” said Spitfire boastingly.

Night Quill came in between the two, “Ladies, ladies; might I make a suggestion before this ends in fisticuffs?” The two eyed him, Lightning Dust more discontentedly than Spitfire, possibly for referring to her as a lady.

“Speak up, Hattie,” said Lightning Dust.

Night Quill muttered something under his breath before addressing the two directly; “Why not make this into a wager and see which one of us bests Sunset Shimmer? Afterall; Twilight Sparkle proved she can be beat, almost twice at that. If one of us second stringers beats her down further down from the pedestal…” he gestured quizzically with his hand.

Lightning’s brow rose in confusion, all the while Spitfire seemed to contemplate on the notion more deeply.

“So if I understood this correctly,” Spitfire finally broke from her reverie, “you’re suggesting that if we prove that Sunset Shimmer is not undefeatable it will hurt her image and show weakness?”

“Exactly,” said Night Quill, sounding impressed. “For three years we were pretty much under her boot. If she’s so sorry for all the bollocks she pulled on us, we’ll just give her the same treatment she gave us in kind. When someone defeats her, she gets taken down a notch. This could encourage others to take her on, and sooner or later, she’ll be overwhelmed. A duelist who loses the will to fight is not a duelist at all.”

“So, what’s in it for me then?” asked Lightning Dust.

Night’s left eye squinted in confusion, “… The gratification that you brought the down the Duel Queen of CHS and put her down the pecking order?”

“Maybe,” Lightning Dust shrugged, “but what’s in it that benefits me personally?”

Night Quill frowned, “If you’re suggesting something like “the first to beat her gets our rarest cards,” Lightning, the answer is no.”

“Lame,” Lightning snorted.

“Hey, Flash!” Night Quill called out. True enough, Flash Sentry was passing by, his attention caught. “You interested in this little game we’re setting up?”

Flash approached, looking questionably between the three largely unaffiliated students, “What game?”

“Night Quill over here has an interesting idea over getting back at Shimmer, now that she seems to have gone full on soft on us,” Spitfire reiterated. “We’re waging who’s going to be the first to take her down, maybe encourage others to further prove how she’s not Queen. Thought you might be interested, what with how she ditched you and all.”

Flash looked in between the three, expression hard to discern before her turned away, “Not interested.”

“Whoa,” said Lightning in surprise. “I thought you’d be itching to get back at her more than most.”

Flash looked back, discontent in his eyes, “Me and her made up. Simple as that, and she’s trying hard to do the same with everyone else. Something you might wanna think about.” And with that, the head rocker walked away, never looking back.

“Oi, Derpy!” Night Quill suddenly realized they were being watched. “You wanna get in on this?”

-

“I told them I didn’t want anything to do with it,” said Derpy in conclusion.

A feeling of dread worked its way through Sunset’s mind. Was that the reason she seemed to have gotten more ornery looks from students? Sizing her up for when to figuratively pounce on her. Particularly how she no longer had her old, and preferably best forgotten, deck with her, instead having been relegated to the one she and her friends built with the best of remaining resources they had to work with. Until being balanced by whatever magical intervention took place during her desperation.

But even so, I don’t have the experience or know-how of how to use these new cards. “Thank you, Derpy. Though if you don’t mind me asking: Why didn’t you get in on it?”

“Well, you haven’t done anything bad. I mean, Twilight did say she wanted to stop all the conflict when she dueled against Pinkie and the rest, but everyone’s just being confrontational, only towards you.”

“Even if I did make fun of your eyes?” asked Sunset, her freed conscience having elicited many strong feelings of repugnance towards the outright infantilely malicious attacks she’d made on people.

“Are you sorry about it?” asked Derpy simply.

Sunset put a hand on the cross-eyed girl’s shoulder, “Incredibly so.”

“Then it’s forgiven,” said Derpy with a smile, which Sunset reciprocated graciously.

“Let’s have muffins sometime, okay?” asked Sunset, appealing to Derpy’s trademark love of the specific baked goods, a notion that seemed to greatly please her. “Listen, I need to get going; meeting with friends over at Sugarcube Corner. And thanks for warning me.”

“Okay. Be careful, Sunset,” said Derpy before the two parted.

The little bell at the top of the door to the Sugarcube Corner café jingled in announcing Sunset’s arrival into the establishment. It was a quaint little establishment at the corner of, fittingly enough “Sugarcube Street”, owned and operated by Mr. and Mrs. Cake. Since Sunset hadn’t been a regular, or rather, had never occupied the place once until recently, there was the added benefit that the owners didn’t know anything about her; as exemplified when she stepped up to the counter, currently manned by Mrs. Cake.

“Welcome back!” bid the rose and pink haired, light cerulean skinned woman, “What’ll it be, dearie?”

The term of endearment “dearie” continued to carry with it a strange feeling that Sunset couldn’t help but feel oddly warm inside. “Just a latte macchiato today, please, Mrs. Cake.”

“Won’t be a tick. By the way; I think two of your friends arrived earlier,” said Mrs. Cake, indicating towards a spot in the far corner. Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash had occupied the table there, the former waving to her.

“Oh, they did,” said Sunset with a forced smile. “I’ll be over there then,” she said, pointing in the general direction as she handed payment to Mrs. Cake, who nodded in agreement. She proceeded to saunter over to the corner and pulled up a chair, taking a precautionary glance back before assuming how she genuinely felt with a sigh.

“What’s wrong?” asked Fluttershy concernedly.

“Sweet Celestia, I think the whole school’s coming after me now…” Sunset moaned, supporting her head up with her hands.

“What makes you say that?” asked Fluttershy over her smoothie.

“Derpy said she heard some of the students talk about “putting me in my place,”” Sunset emphasized with air quotations. She straightened herself when Mrs. Cake brought her order, thanking her graciously. “I honestly did want to get back to dueling, but not like this.”

It wasn’t too long before Pinkie, Applejack and Rarity arrived (with Pinkie greeting Mrs. Cake in a very jovial manner, indicating the two shared histories) and would soon join the three already at the table.

“Okay, so,” Rainbow Dash spoke up, leaning against the table with one arm, “care to explain why the five of us are suddenly having inexplicable heart aches?”

“Um, I wouldn’t really have considered it an ache,” Fluttershy mumbled in between slurping up her beverage.

Pinkie sputtered, “If by “ache” you mean feeling like hugging a big puffy-cuddly-snuggly corgi, mmaybeee…” Fluttershy immediately let out an endeared “aww” at the pink girl’s description.

Sunset held up a hand in respectful interruption, before anything else waylaid what they were there for, “Alright: From what I’ve been able to gather from what you’ve been saying; you all had similar sensations in your chests, and it coincided at the exact moment I performed Pendulum Summoning. Correct?”

“The test was on fourth period, correct?” asked Rarity, before bringing her cup of tea to her lips.

“It was,” confirmed Fluttershy. “It happened to me the moment Sunset did the… Um…”

“Pendulum Scales?” asked Sunset.

“I… guess?”

“In any case; before it came about, when everyone was shouting at me, I just had this complete feeling of… despair, falling over me…” she paused, going over how best to dispense with the visions she witnessed. “I saw… I saw myself. The old, twisted one…”

A sense of dread fell over the corner table, everyone looking among each other uneasily, the air feeling like it’d fallen cold, despite the café being quite warm inside.

“You mean… Tall, icky, with the creepy-grabby fingers?” asked Pinkie, wiggling her fingers before snatching one of multiple baked goods on her tray.

Sunset nodded. “I don’t know whether it was a hallucination, an out-of-body experience… Maybe both. All I can say for certain is; something else called out to me, when I rejected the dark. That’s when I saw her.”

“The Princess?” Applejack asked.

“Yes,” Sunset nodded, deciding on omitting the mention of the Princess’ form as being completely nude, and… almost blindingly spectacular that she herself found herself almost yearning to lay eyes on her again. “She told me; “Make them your strength: Awaken, Sunset Shimmer.” When I came to I… The first thing I could think was “The swing of the pendulum connecting two worlds draws out the arc of harmony…””

Duel #26: Pendulum Summon (Edited 28.4.2020)

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“Make them your strength?” parroted Fluttershy.

“Connecting two worlds?” Rarity muttered. “What does it all mean?”

“Honestly, I don’t know,” said Sunset, staring down at her cup, now emptied of most of its contents. “At best I have are theories, none of them conclusive.”

“Well, hit me with the best ya got,” Applejack bid, tapping her chest in assurance.

Sunset looked between Applejack and Rarity, to a sidelong glance at Fluttershy. “What is obvious at least is that it’s tied to the time we were all affected by Twilight’s Element of Magic. Perhaps some bit of it remained in each of us. Though I have no idea about the tree…”

“In many mythologies trees are often symbolic of divinity,” said Fluttershy in an informative tone, only to promptly blush when everyone’s focus diverted towards her. “My friend Treehugger from yoga told me once.”

Sunset looked to her shy friend contemplatively, when she came to a vague realization, “Now that you mention it; I do recall there being a tree in Equestria. The Tree of Harmony I believe.”

“Whuzzat?” asked Pinkie abruptly, chewing something nestled in one cheek.

“Princess Celestia was a tad… obstructive, back when I was her student-”

“Can’t imagine why,” muttered Rainbow.

“Regardless…” muttered Sunset, “the Elements of Harmony were said to be tied to the Tree of Harmony. This is nothing definitive, but what Fluttershy said about trees and the divine might have merit.”

“Still doesn’t explain the heart thing,” Rainbow interjected.

“Point is, maybe the Element of Magic, or the Tree, maybe both, have bound the six of us during the game of darkness with Twilight.”

“What for?” asked Fluttershy.

Sunset frowned dejectedly. “That’s just it; a theory to the how. Just not the what or the why.” She sighed, “If only Twilight were here right now…” She leaned against the table’s surface with her elbows, holding her head up with her hands, “I mean after all I did, why would anyone or anything want to associate with me?”

“That’s not true Sunset,” said Fluttershy across from her.

“Yea! I mean you got us!” concurred Pinkie more jubilantly.

Sunset peered up, smiling faintly, “And I appreciate it, I really do.” Her frown returned, “But now on top of everything there’s a damn manhunt for me at school. I may have beat Trixie, but what about when the other, stronger students come to challenge me, when I barely know how my new deck works?”

“There’s only one thing what will help with that,” said Fluttershy with an uncharacteristically forward display of assertiveness. “Sunset, the two of us should duel. That’s the only way you’ll get the hang of it.”

The suggestion to duel went over unanimously in favor (even from Rainbow Dash). The six, after politely finishing their orders, trekked to the nearby park, which put them only a short distance away from Sunset’s apartment. They went over to a relatively secluded area in the park, with Sunset and Fluttershy donning their respective duel disks. As a show of trust, Sunset Shimmer showed her disk’s shuffle function do its job, before the two of them took the appropriate distance between each other.

“Remember; don’t hold back,” came Fluttershy’s voice through the communicator.

“You too, Flutters,” Sunset replied as her disk’s tray halves slid forward, combined into one and aligned with her arm. The screen flared up, displaying the five-by-five grid, followed by the virtual coin which spun. Her result was tails.

“Remember to have fun, you two!” called Pinkie from the side among Rainbow, Applejack and Rarity, their respective disks in spectator mode.

“Duel!”

Duel Start!

Fluttershy Life Points: 4000

Sunset Shimmer Life Points: 4000

Turn 1: Fluttershy (Hand: 5)

Fluttershy’s starting hand was ejected, which she then fanned out, “Alright; here I go. I banish one spell card from my hand to Special Summon ‘Monoceros’ in attack mode!”

To Fluttershy’s field arose a creature whose top portion seemed distinctly equine with a brown coat and silvery white, shaggy mane. However, the beast’s hide was rugged, bulging with muscle and bone underneath, its lower portion and legs looking closer to that of an elephant, complete with the coat giving way to a grey, rugged hide. Like a unicorn, it bore a golden horn on its forehead; one that seemed more than half the overall length of the monster. It stomped the ground, letting loose an aggressive, steamy snort. (Level 3, 1000/1000)

“Then I Normal Summon the Tuner monster ‘Elephun’ in attack mode.”

And with that the unique dichotomy with Fluttershy’s beasts was complete: From great and vicious, to small and cuddly. Onto her fiend arose a small fluffy baby blue ball with a short trunk below two large eyes, and with wings to its sides, giving it the likeness of an elephant’s head. (Level 2, 500/300)

“Now I Tune my level two Elephun to my level three Monoceros!” Fluttershy declared, raising her right hand towards the late afternoon sky.

Elephun’s form faded, unleashing two glowing spheres that spread out into the green tuning rings. The rings swept to hover in a horizontal line around Monoceros, whose own form faded into golden outlines, before unleashing a row of three spheres that aligned with the tuning rings. (2 + 3 = 5)

“Little critters need not fear, for their inner courage will light the way for the coming of a valiant protector in their hour of need.”

The orbs erupted into a column of light.

“Synchro Summon! Level five steed of lightning; ‘Thunder Unicorn’!”

A fearsome neigh, accented by the rumble of thunder, permeated the air, from out of the column galloped Fluttershy’s flagship beast; the blue unicorn with a golden yellow mane and streaks like lightning bolts accenting its form. It galloped around Sunset before swerving back to its master, rearing on its sparking hooves before planting them back down with the sounds of thunderclaps. Its bolt-shaped horn coursed with lightning. (Level 5, 2200/1800)

Fluttershy held forth her right hand, “Next, when Monoceros is used for a Synchro Summon, since the Tuner was a beast-type, I can Special Summon said Tuner from my Graveyard!” As such, Fluttershy’s Elephun remerged back to the field, giving out a joyous toot. “Now, I Tune my level two Elephun with my level 5 Thunder Unicorn!”

Two Synchro Summons on her first turn? thought Sunset in amazement.

Thunder Unicorn galloped; against all laws of physics (or the fact it was a state-of-the-art hologram), the equine rose to the sky in its wake, as Elephun once again faded and unleashed the tuning rings which aligned with the skyward galloping Thunder Unicorn. (2 + 5 = 7)

“Little critters need not fear, for their call shall beckon the heavenly guardian of roaring thunder in their hour of need.”

“Synchro Summon! Level seven heavenly steed: Voltic Bicorn!”

From the erupting pillar of light, a bolt of lightning struck the field, bringing with it a great, black equine with a dark turquoise mane; the left and right of its forehead affixed with blade-like, backwards swerving golden horns. A crest of lightning energy affixed to its powerful chest, whilst a static lightning bolt served as its tail. (Level 7, 2500/2000)

“I end my turn,” Fluttershy declared firmly.

(Hand: 2)

Turn 2: Sunset Shimmer (Hand: 5)

Sunset drew the first card of the duel, “Great opener, Fluttershy!” Fluttershy responded smiling sweetly. Sunset then turned to look down at her hand. True enough; two Pendulum cards were in her hand. As was Odd-Eyes!

Alright, don’t worry, Sunset. It’s just Fluttershy; this isn’t a life-or-death struggle; we’re just friends having a duel to practice and learn. We good…? I suppose so.

She presented the two cards, “I take the scale one ‘Odd-Eyes Persona Dragon’ and the scale eight ‘Odd-Eyes Mirage Dragon’ to set the Pendulum Scale!” Sunset announced, mostly going by what she remembered from her and Trixie’s duel, setting the two cards near the ends of her duel disk’s tray’s cleft. True enough, the obscured circuitry in the cleft lit up, followed by ‘PENDULUM’ being spelled out in capitalized, rainbow letters.

The two pillars representing the scale emerged. To her right was a bipedal, sauropodian light red dragon with its head, back of the neck, chest, forearms and feet covered in a pearly-white armoring with gold rims, and a sleek tail ending in a pronounced forked split. To her left was a green sauropod-like dragon in similar armor, though more lacking, with four pronounced tusks lining its lower jaw and a bladed horn jutting out of its forehead. Like its brother it possessed a long, serpentine tail, only this one ended in a thick, three-spiked bludgeon of shorts. As the two arose within the pillars, the numerals one and eight.

“The swing of the pendulum connecting two worlds draws out the arc of harmony.”

“Pendulum Summon! Come forth; my companion!” Sunset called forth, raising her right hand. The great gate opened between the scales, a bright red swathe of light launching down to the ground, materializing into a familiar, bipedal dragon.

"Arise, valiant dragon with dichromatic eyes! Level 7, ‘Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon!’”

The red, dichromatic dragon stepped forth on one of its heavy legs, letting loose its distinct call. Its odd-colored eyes glinted either from sunlight or by some inherent power within the sauropodian creature. (Level 7, 2500/2000)

After finishing her summon, she looked to Fluttershy intently. “Well? Do you feel anything?”

Fluttershy stood still, looking about expectedly, but as nothing appeared to change, it would seem Sunset’s question was answered. Fluttershy closed her eyes and held her breathing for a moment, before sighing. Scrutinizing herself, she looked over to Sunset and shrugged.

Sunset turned to the rest: Applejack proceeded to shrug, all the while Rarity held her arms to her sides in a relaxed posture, before shaking her head. Pinkie Pie proceeded to frown in an overt manner.

“Aww, I don’t feel the fuzzies…”

“Well, no heart pains at least,” Rainbow remarked, taking a deliberate deep breath.

“Do you think it was a one-time thing?” asked Fluttershy, sheepishly tapping her index fingers together.

Sunset bobbed her shoulders, feeling at a loss, “Just speak up if anyth-”

They were immediately distracted by a shrill shriek they instantly recognized; “Pinkie?!” the two of them called out. The urgency came out as unneeded, when they saw Pinkie leaning backwards, her eyes fixated on something small that seemed to be following her quite intently. With remarkable hand-eye co-ordination, Rainbow, having produced a ruler, smacked away the wasp that had become enraptured by Pinkie’s bubblegummy-cotton candy coloration.

The six could not help but share a laugh about the predicament afterwards, with Pinkie’s cheeks flaring up like peppers.

“Little pests notwithstanding, if anything out of the ordinary comes up,” Sunset finished her earlier remark. “Alright; now, I set one card…” Not much I can do but this and hope for the better. “I attack Voltic Bicorn with Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon!”

Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon is just as strong as Fluttershy’s Bicorn… Rainbow Dash thought as she observed Sunset’s performance. Her gaze drifted towards her meek friend, currently having only Voltic Bicorn to protect her, and no facedowns. Come on, Fluttershy. You’re better than that to lose to this punk…

With a threatening hunched display, Odd-Eyes roared: The raptor-like dragon began charging forward on its hefty hindlegs (ATK: 2500), to which the lightning equine (ATK: 2500) reared up defiantly before charging to meet its foe head-on. Stomping to a full stop, Odd-Eyes lashed out with its mouth-based energy attack, to which Voltic Bicorn lowered its head during its charge, its dual horns flaring up with electrical power, which seemed to split the fiery beam in their wake. In an upward swerving swipe of its head, Bicorn’s attack struck home, causing a rattling detonation that destroyed both monsters.

“Since Voltic Bicorn was destroyed, both of us send seven cards from the top of our decks to the graveyard,” said Fluttershy informingly, taking the allotted amount from her own and feeding them one at a time to her graveyard slot, which Sunset mimed herself.

“I end my turn,” Sunset declared. So far so good. Whether this is the ideal method or not… “… You didn’t feel anything just then, did you?”

(Hand: 2)

Turn 3: Fluttershy (Hand: 2)

“Oh, no; I’m fine,” said Fluttershy quite casually as she drew her next card. “I activate the Field Spell; ‘Closed Forest’.”

On feeding in the card and tapping her screen, a series of gnarled trees began erupting out of the ground all around, encompassing the dueling field, far enough that it even enveloped around Rarity, Applejack, Rainbow and Pinkie. The pink party girl suddenly went stiff, fingers gnarled and an expression of pure horror etched on her face as a thick, thorny branch came through her chest. Only to subsequently guffaw in laughter as she waved a hand through the obvious hologram.

“I then summon ‘Uniflora, Mystical Beast of the Forest’ in attack mode.”

Emerging to her field in a billow of willows and flowers, onto Fluttershy’s field emerged another distinctly equine creature: In this case a pearly white horse with green lines arranged int a myriad of interwoven patterns throughout its body. Its head and back were covered in a thick carpet of willows and moss, a golden horn sticking through at its forehead, all the while a golden eye gazed out from a gap in the foliage. (Level 1, 700/500)

“I then activate Uniflora’s effect: If all the monsters in my Graveyard are beast-type; I can sacrifice Uniflora and Special Summon one beast-type monster in my hand or graveyard.” Uniflora held up its head, its golden, vine-encroached horn emitting a blinding flash. “Return to us; Voltic Bicorn!”

The air was overtaken by the familiar sounds of thunder, accented with equine neighing; when Voltic Bicorn’s form replaced that of Uniflora. The revived beast of lightning turned in place, reared on its hind legs before bucking triumphantly. (Level 7, 2500/200 -> 3400/1800)

Sunset looked at the screen in confusion, “Wait; how’d Votic Bicorn’s attack points increase?”

“Closed Forest’s effect,” said Fluttershy, indicating their general vicinity. “All beast-type monsters of mine gain 100 additional attack for each monster in my Graveyard. I sent five thanks to Voltic Bicorn’s effect, with the addition of all my other friends in there; that amounts to 900. However, monsters summoned by Uniflora’s effect can’t attack the turn they’re summoned. “I set one card,” Fluttershy inserted a card into her disk, “then end my turn.”

(Hand: 1)

“You got this, Flutters!” called Rainbow encouragingly. “Keep it up!”

“Just ignore her,” said Fluttershy in a very serene tone, the animal caretaker taking a deep breath in demonstration of calmness.

Turn 4: Sunset Shimmer (Hand: 2)

Sunset drew, to which she quickly indicated her set card, “I activate my set card; ‘Call of the Haunted’ to bring back…” Wait, Odd-Eyes isn’t in the Graveyard…?

-

Plushfire is safe and snug in Trixie’s Extra Deck,” she declared, tapping the lid of her duel disk’s Extra Deck compartment.

“What?!” Sunset wondered aloud. “But that’s not possible. A monster can’t be placed in the Extra Deck unless it’s an Extra Deck card.”

“This is different,” said Trixie, sounding deliberately vague. “This will be a performance that none at CHS have yet to behold.”

“Oh! That’s right! Pendulum Monsters go to the Extra Deck instead of the Graveyard when destroyed,” Sunset swiped a finger across her disk’s screen, bringing up the system data. True enough, there was Odd-Eyes, registered as face-up over the Extra Deck.

“Now Trixie can special summon any monsters from levels two to five: Pendulum Summon! Come on down, my wonderful assistants!”

A wide portal opened between the pillar, from which two balls of light shout out, coalescing onto the field as monsters:

“First up; level 4; ‘Performage Mirror Conductor’! And level 4; ‘Performage Plushfire’!”

-

So that’s how they work! “With Call of the Haunted, I Special Summon…” she quickly browsed through the registered contents of her Graveyard, finding quite a few monsters having been dumped due to Voltic Bicorn’s milling effect. “I summon… ‘Oafdragon Magician’.”

From the dark Graveyard portal arose a male spellcaster with lime green hair, garbed in a green, billowing heavy robe with a yellow sash tied around his waist. A distinct, sharp-angled tattoo emblazoned his left cheek, and grasped in one hand was a staff with a forked, two-pronged blade at the end. (Level 6, 2100/1400)

“Oafdragon Magician’s effect lets me take one ‘Magician’ Pendulum or ‘Odd-Eyes’ Monster from my Graveyard and add it to my hand: I choose Dragonpulse Magician for this, which I will now Normal Summon.”

On slapping the card to her tray, the young magician in armor obscured by the billowing white robes, brandishing his dual-bladed glaive arose this time to the field of battle instead of within the blue pillar of the scales. (Level 4, 1800/900)

“With my Pendulum Scale still active, I Pendulum Summon! Return to the field, Odd-Eyes!” With the portal between the scales opening, in a flash of red, Odd-Eyes remerged back to the field with another roar. (Level 7, 2500/2000)

Rainbow eyed the assembled monsters warily. None of Sunset’s monsters are strong enough against the empowered Voltic Bicorn. As far as I know, there shouldn’t be that many power-boosting cards in that deck… Unless whatever the… magic did to it.

“Then from my hand, I activate the spell ‘Union Attack,’” Sunset said as she swiftly slid a card into her disk. “This card lets me take one monster and increase its attack points by the combined attack power of all other monsters on my field. (Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon ATK: 2500 + 2100 + 1800 = 6400) However, you take no battle damage from battle involving its attack, whereas other monsters I have can’t attack this turn.”

“That’s a relief,” said Fluttershy sweetly. Perhaps a tad too sweetly…?

“I use Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon to attack Voltic Bicorn!” Odd-Eyes (ATK: 6400), in a sweeping trail of its neck, opened its toothy maw, a veritable ball of power gathering before it, all the while Dragonpulse and Oafdragon Magician stood in matching positions akin to a prayer, a white aura shining off their outlines. “Spiral Strike Burst!”

“Trap card activate!” Fluttershy responded. “‘Super Rush Recklessly’!”

Before Odd-Eyes could finish preparing its blast, Voltic Bicorn in an abrupt, and at impossible speed, launched itself like an oversized black bullet at the wingless dragon. A thundering blast rang out, all the while Odd-Eyes, despite its greater mass, was sent flying, disappearing on reaching the end of the holo-emitters’ range.

“This card lets me destroy one beast monster I control; in return a monster on your field is shuffled into the deck.”

Sunset was taken aback at the sudden abrasiveness of Fluttershy. Welcomingly so, seeing the normally shy-to-timid animal caretaker show off her assertiveness was a comfort for Sunset, knowing that after all the hardship she’d put her through, there was still a fire burning bright within. She acquiesced in placing Odd-Eyes’ card atop her deck, after which it was shuffled into the confines of her deck.

“Since Voltic Bicorn was destroyed by my card, it does not send cards to the Graveyard,” she added, seeming to not be troubled over the lack of cards on her field.

“Alright; I end my turn,” said Sunset, not at all distraught. In fact, she felt… Normal. For the first time in so long, she was genuinely just enjoying herself, with a friend. If only Celestia could see this.

(Hand: 2)

Turn 5: Fluttershy (Hand: 1)

Fluttershy drew, a pleased look donning on her features, “Wonderful; I activate ‘Gift of the Weak’. I banish a level 3 or lower monster from my hand, to draw two cards.” The faded image of what looked to be a small snouted animal loomed behind her: It looked much like a tapir, which was bearing its teeth from underneath the flabby appendage that was its nose, most likely at Sunset. “When Dark Desretapir is banished, he lets me Special Summon any level 4 or lower monster from the Graveyard: I summon ‘Desmanian Devil’, in attack mode!”

To her field emerged what looked to be an enlarged version of the creature Sunset knew only of thanks to being named after the only place it was encountered in; a Tasmanian devil: A bulkier weasel-like animal with a dark brown coat, rodent-like ears black, beady eyes and a short, furry tail. Despite their normally small size, they were known for being ornery, such as when the one on her field bore its teeth, an unnerving guttural snarl escaping from its toothy mouth. (Level 4, 1700 -> 2600/1400).

“And finally, the spell card; ‘Ayer’s Rock Sunrise’, activate,” Fluttershy slid the card into her disk.

A brilliant ray of light pierced through the choking branches of the Closed Forest, lighting up Fluttershy from behind in an almost heavenly halo. Before her field opened the Graveyard summoning portal, any beast in the Graveyard being hers to call upon.

“I Special Summon Voltic Bicorn once more to my aid,” she beckoned, her black, thundering equine returning from the dead. (Level 7, 2500 -> 3300/2000). “And for every beast, winged-beast and plant in my graveyard, all your monsters lose 200 attack points. I have eight beasts overall, so they lose a total of 1600.

As the sun gleamed over them, Dragonpulse (ATK: 1800 –> 200) and Oafdragon (2100 -> 500) Magician had to err away from the sunbeams shining into their eyes. Ghostly apparitions of all the monsters in Fluttershy’s Graveyard loomed over them, including Elephun, Monoceros, Uniflora, Thunder Unicorn, Playful Possum, Giant Rat, Key Mouse what looked to be some form of flying squirrel with a cheeky grin on its face, This duel’s over…

“Now, Desmanian Devil attacks Dragonpulse Magician!” Fluttershy called out, pointing at the weakened spellcaster defiantly.

In staying true to its smaller cousins’ reputations, Demanian Devil (ATK: 2600) let out a feral scream as it lunged at Dragonpulse Magician (ATK: 200), snagging the blinded magician by the leg and viciously body-slamming him to the ground, erupting into pixels.

Sunset Shimmer Life Points: 4000 – 2400 = 1600

“Voltic Bicorn, attack Oafdragon Magician!”

With a compliant neigh, Voltic Bicorn galloped (ATK: 3300), its hooves sparking against the ground with every beat. In a dazzling display of agility for an animal its size, it performed a sharp turn, and launched back with its hindlegs, viciously bucking into Oafdragon Magician (ATK: 500). With a peal of thunder, the weakened magician was decimated like struck from the heavens themselves.

Sunset Shimmer Life Points: 1600 – 2800 = -1200

Fluttershy victory!

The Closed Forest faded from around them; the spectacle having drawn a few distant spectators, who proceeded to go about their business. Pinkie Pie was eagerly clapping in a rapid pace, whilst Rarity seemed to be contemplating on the spectacle. Rainbow Dash appeared very pleased with the outcome.

As Sunset’s disk emptied the contents of the graveyard to be placed back into the deck, Fluttershy approached her, her demeanor returning from decisively assertive to meek and soft-spoken. “Umm… H-how do you feel, Sunset?”

“Overall,” Sunset proceeded to shrug nonchalantly, “I feel fine. I know that wasn’t exactly stellar on my part, but it honestly just feels good to be back in the game again! Thanks for doing this, Fluttershy!” she stated enthusiastically, to which Fluttershy started kneading her hair around a finger with noticeably reddening cheeks.

“Ooh! Me next, Sunset!” called Pinkie, bouncing on her toes with one hand held up. “And then maybe Applejack, then Rarity, and-”

“Whoa, easy there, Pinks,” said Applejack. “It’s gettin’ kinda late for a ‘boss rush’ as you’d put it.”

“I have time for one more,” stated Rarity, looking up from her duel disk screen, “but I must concur; I have things to do tonight.”

“That’s cool,” replied Sunset leisurely. “This was pretty spur of the moment anyway. But sure; I’ll take you on, Pinkie.”

“Wohoo!” exclaimed Pinkie eagerly. “Our first duel ever without you being possessed and-” she abruptly slapped a hand over her mouth, “… Sorry.” She grinned sheepishly at her ill thought remark.

Sunset rolled her eyes, “Eh, you reap what you sow, right?”

Pinkie seemed to scrunch her face in contemplation, “Eh, leave the country-isms to Applejack. That was a bit…”

“Archaic?”

“Uhhh… Yea, that.”

“Although,” Fluttershy said, chiming in, “what about the sensations we had earlier?”

“Oh yea, didn’t anyone feel something during the whole duel?” asked Sunset, looking to the rest of their group. Everyone proceeded to dismiss.

“Whatever do you think this means?” asked Rarity.

Sunset fell silent, losing herself in her thoughts in trying to piece together a feasible resolution, “I honestly don’t know. It might have been a one-time thing with the Elements working off of us. Or maybe it didn’t happen since it’s us six specifically dueling each other instead of someone else.”

“So then we need to keep tabs on it, right?” asked Applejack. “Ah just hope this ain’t some hint of them Games of Darkness workin’ its magic off us.”

Applejack’s words struck just the right chord, “I know…” said Sunset, the vision of her old self reaching out for her in her mind coming to the forefront of her thoughts. As much as she’d been able to renounce its hold over her, she couldn’t help but dread if the darkness might have still been ingrained somewhere within her, trying to claw its way back to claim her.

Making her way back home from game club, though the recent fictitious escapades as imagination and theatrics had been an overall pleasant distraction, Trixie could not help but be reminded of her ignominious defeat at the hands of Sunset Shimmer in front of her peers at CHS. And after all the time spent researching into the art of Pendulum Summoning…

She could not help herself but fall into her habit of talking to herself in a huff, “Hmph! It’s not fair! How did Shimmer know about Pendulum Summoning when I could have sworn, I was the only one to do so before everyone else?”

“Hey,” came an abrupt voice from behind Trixie. Turning to look, it wasn’t anyone she’d recognized.

A girl, sporting a pale fuchsia skin color and a head of purple hair with very noticeable streaks of aquamarine, worn in a pair of long twin-tails that reached almost down to the level of her waist, each tied with a silver, spiky pin. Her rather glamorous appearance, what with the purple eyeshadow and brilliant red gem hanging off a choker around her neck, felt rather underplayed by her very lacking outfit: A baggy green hoodie adorned with a pair of worn out, either from use or as a mode of style, jeans.

“Look, normally I wouldn’t give two shits about your gripe, but you didn’t happen to be bitching about a Sunset Shimmer by any chance? Tell me.” she asked in a forwardly brusque manner, clearly lacking any basic manners.

Trixie eyed the stranger with a bitter taste in her mouth. Sure, she herself wasn’t exactly known for being humble or courteous (even she herself would freely admit to that… behind closed doors, naturally), but the abrupt forwardness of whomever it was, all the while immediately demanding information? Trixie did not feel particularly compliant.

She harrumphed, “Please, the Great and Powerful Trixie does not feel like very compliant. Especially not to such a model of decorum and manners such as yourself. Now if you don’t mind-”

“Oh, you misunderstood,” said the girl flatly, “I wasn’t asking.” Her eyes lit up with a crimson hue. Before Trixie could even utter out a single vocalization, she found herself unable to do… very much anything; all that swam through her mind was the red, and the desire to obey. “I was ordering you…”

Duel #27: Hunting Game Begins: Volcanic Assault (Edited 28.4.2020)

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Wednesday morning had dawned. The corridors of CHS felt strangely colder than usual. And not just because of the announcement on the door saying the building’s heating system was on the fritz. As she walked alongside Fluttershy, Sunset felt akin to walking down the dusty street of one of those Hollywood western movies. Most students they passed took the moment to look at her, be it directly, or surreptitiously with sidelong glances. All that was missing was the dramatic music and the passing of a tumbleweed (albeit that notion was conveniently substituted by a stray balloon that happened to waft by).

In such a world with such conveniences like smartphones, telecommunication apps and the soul-sucking Internet, it stood to reason that what Derpy had warned her about had spread throughout the student body. Some of them were undoubtedly sizing her up; the girl who made everyone’s lives at CHS an epitome of misery who’d either gone soft, making her an easy target for retribution, or was just faking it to cover her own ass. Truthfully, she couldn’t blame them. In addition to Spitfire, Lightning Dust and… whoever the third one was (the name eluded her for the moment), who knew how many of the school’s top brass were looking to get a piece of her.

Sunset and Fluttershy continued on their way to first period; math class with Mr. Cranky Doodle, vehemently trying to ignore any problematic looks being diverted their way.

“I don’t like this…” whispered Fluttershy, hugging her books to her chest.

“I hear you,” muttered Sunset.

“It’s like walking into a… umm…”

“A wolves’ den?”

“Oh, I wouldn’t put it that way; wolves are actually quite misrepresented. In truth, they’re very sweet animals deep down.” Leave it to Fluttershy to defang an animal impression. “Now dolphins; those are the ones you need to watch out for…”

As Mr. Cranky Doodle was going through roll call, in the midst of her preparations for class, Sunset could not help herself from taking out her deck box and sifting out the one card that felt like it’d started everything that was now taking place; Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon. Whatever happened to her yesterday in the gymnasium which seemed to spawn him, and the other Pendulum cards that took the places of certain cards in her deck; a riddle that continued to elude her.

After her duel with Fluttershy, in trying to see if dueling Pinkie Pie would yield different results; no-one once again felt any particular sensations when she’d managed to set the Pendulum Scale and Pendulum Summoned.

“Sunset Shimmer,” She was interrupted by the gruff, unenthused voice of Mr. Cranky Doodle, to which Sunset held up her free hand laxly while muttering a barely audible “Here.”

Returning to her reverie: Did the sensation of her friends serving as proxies to the Elements of Harmony only occur once? Was it because during her first duel since her defeat by Twilight was against Trixie?

“Trixie Lulamoon?” asked Mr. Cranky Doodle in the direction of the class. Only silence ensued, to which Sunset could not help but look up in confusion. “Trixie?” It wasn’t only Sunset who’d taken notice, with many heads turning about to discover that the ever-theatrical Trixie was indeed absent. “Hmph,” muttered Cranky, crossing something on a notepad, “she’s not doing her grades any favors, that’s for sure…”

Sunset felt oddly disheartened. Sure, she didn’t exactly like Trixie, both before or after her own liberation, but she could not help herself from wondering if yesterday’s events had something to do with it. Also a few too many heads glancing in her direction did nothing to alleviate the feeling.

“Alright, that’s enough gawking,” came Cranky Doodle from the head of the class. “Today we’re resuming you learning the ins and out of the x and y axis.” The remark made quite a few students let their discontent, if not outright despair, be known. “And yes, this will be on the test.” Mr. Cranky Doodle’s ever dourness proved only to exacerbate these reactions further.

Sunset looked over at Odd-Eyes' card in her hand, before surreptitiously sliding it back into her deck box, “I just hope you’re content being around me…” she muttered as she opened her text- and notebooks. The class resumed with no further drama, aside from the occasional outward groan from Rainbow two desks behind and four desk right from Sunset’s place at the window. The PA system sudden blared to life.

“Sorry to interrupt first period, students, but I have an urgent announcement to make,” came Principal Celestia’s voice over the intercom. “We were just informed that junior year student Trixie Lulamoon did not return home last night.” The principal’s words over the intercom sent an abrupt jolt through Sunset’s system. She saw how even the normally grumpy Cranky Doodle was looking up at the intercom with unease. “I request that anyone with knowledge pertaining to her recent whereabouts report to my office immediately.”

Cranky turned to the class, clipboard in hand, “Students, please resume working on problems independently. I need to step out for a moment.” He proceeded out the classroom door, no doubt to inform the principal about Trixie’s absence from class.

The notion of Trixie being simply late or absent due to sickness or such would have been an understandable convenience. But now going missing on top of everything else? That’s when Sunset realized more than a few students diverting their attention towards her. What…? Are they implying that I…? “What are you looking at?” she asked those closest to her, to which they promptly looked away. “Are you insinuating something?”

They were, weren’t they? Trixie goes missing; conveniently on the same day she dueled Sunset for an examination. Who else were they to blame? Other than the one who just a month ago went on a magic-induced rampage. Out of her own control, but she couldn’t expect the average person to understand that Sunset had not done everything fully out of her own volition. As far as they knew; she was the same, detestable Sunset they’d known since their freshman years. For all she knew this might have the added consequence of no-one willing to duel her again… Perhaps there truly was a silver-lining to everything, since it could imply the notion of the manhunt for her being put on hold… Probably.

In between first and second period, Rainbow Dash muttered to herself about the amount of homework Cranky had imposed on her and her peers. The application of calculating points on an grid with X:s and Y:s; whatever in the wide world would they need that for? Other than as potential future tormentors in the educational system to pass on this weekly bit of torture on the next generation as a never-ending legacy.

“Hey, Dash, you got a minute,” came a familiar voice; her unofficial second-in-command as it were in soccer. Spitfire stood beside her, books for the next period held under one arm, back straight, her face calm and stoic.

“Sure, what’s up?” asked Dash, shutting her locker before picking up her backpack, the two of them proceeding side-by-side.

“Just that something’s been bugging me for a while,” Spitfire began. Despite the matter-of-fact tone, Rainbow had an inkling what this was about. “After the mid-term duel, what is it with you being around Sunset so much?”

Rainbow did not even deign to look at her fellow athlete as they went. “It’s utterly crazy, if that’s what you’re getting at. I know.”

Spitfire huffed amusedly, “Wouldn’t be you if it weren’t the least bit nuts. Although, seriously; why are you hanging around that bitch so much lately? She holding your soul ransom or something? … Does she still do stuff like that?”

Rainbow did not reciprocate Spitfire’s sentiments, “Nah. It’s just that Twilight told us that in order to make her a “better person” or some other crap like that, I need to be buddies with her. Fluttershy kinda took that to heart and now she’s following her around everywhere; apparently Shimmer’s volunteering with her at the shelter, the two go to yoga together: It’s crazy.”

“Ohhh…” Spitfire looked thoughtfully at her. “So you’re doing that because you don’t want to see Fluttershy hurt?”

“Bullseye, Spits. Bullseye,” said Rainbow dourly. “I just feel off every moment I’m not around those two. I don’t know what Sunset’s playing at; but I don’t buy it. No way someone would change just like that; demonic possession or not.”

“Right… Anyhow; with Trixie missing, you wouldn’t happen to know if Sunset’s been doing anything like she did back at the mid-term? Anything at all?” Spitfire asked.

“As far as I know, not really…” said Rainbow. Much as she did not trust Sunset, she could not deny what she’d seen; no dark powers were invoked. “I was with Fluttershy and the rest when she decided to duel Sunset.” That’s when something from yesterday clicked into place in her mind; the reason Fluttershy suggested it in the first place; “Spits; is this about you lot wanting to take on Sunset?”

“Yea. Did you read it on Trotter or-?”

“Nah, apparently Derpy snitched on it. Hence Sunset’s all about mastering Pendulum Summoning,” said Rainbow in interjection. “Dunno what to say; I mean her performance yesterday wasn’t anything stellar, but…”

“No, Dash,” Spitfire brought a hand up. “Whatever she did, don’t tell me. If I’m to take down Sunset Shimmer; I need to do it my way, by my power, by my intuition. Duelist’s code,” she emphasized with a thump on her chest, a notion Rainbow was all too happy to reciprocate. “You think it’s safe to take her on?”

Rainbow looked about cautiously before leaning closer, “She’s not exactly at her best, but so far I don’t think she can even do that thing she did in the gym.”

“Alright; I had a feeling I could depend on you, chief,” said Spitfire with confidence. “You want in on this, Dash? Lightning Dust and Night Quill are already raring to have a go. Gotta spread the word; show that bitch the true strength of the Wonder Colts.”

At first, Rainbow was more than eager to accept… If not for some indescribable apprehension that abruptly gnawed at her mind. Why? Sunset was not her friend; all she was doing was for Fluttershy’s sake: Rainbow had abandoned her as a result of Sunset’s actions, therefore Sunset deserved what she had coming for her…

Lunch period felt arguably worse than usual. With news of Trixie’s disappearance abound, everyone was back to actively avoiding Sunset, or being outwardly standoffish. On the plus side, she supposed, she could collect her lunch sooner, with others not daring to get in her way, even despite her insistence on being last. Granny Smith, the head lunch lady, seemed among the few who didn’t treat her any differently, even making a remark about the unusual occurrence of her being among the first to be served. No doubt Applejack had put in a good word for her. She had to remember to thank her in earnest for that.

Winding her way to her usual table, she slumped down with her tray, to her friends’ surprise at her earlier than usual arrival. “Oh, my,” came Rarity, looking up from what seemed to be a Caesar salad, “you’re early today.” She immediately caught on to Sunset’s current state of mind, “Whatever is the matter?”

Sunset sighed, “Everyone thinks I’m responsible for Trixie’s disappearance.” She shrugged helplessly, looking from friend to friend, including Rainbow Dash, who seemed much less forward today than usual. “What else is there to expect, right? Trixie duels me, the next day she’s gone missing; clearly it’s the demon spawn girl!” she exclaimed, slamming her hands on the table out of frustration.

Applejack sputtered, “Ridiculous; we were all with ya yesterday.”

“Although you have to wonder…” Rainbow chimed in, musingly, “what did happen to Trixie?”

“Oh don’t you…” Sunset caught herself in her outburst, “… I mean… Yea. Does she have any afterschool activities?”

Everyone looked amongst each other in silence. “We all never really paid any mind to her, so…” Rarity stated abashedly.

“Right. Still, had to start somewhere,” Sunset remarked with a shrug.

“Although,” Applejack chimed in suddenly, “Ah’ think Ah’ recall Big Mac sayin’ Trixie was in the role-playing game club.”

Sunset’s mood managed to brighten from the farmgirl’s contribution. “Oh, you don’t suppose you could…” she paused, a delayed realization emerging into the forefront of her thoughts, “… Your brother’s into role-playing games?”

“Sure is. Heck, he still takes time to take part. Alumnus, so he has special privileges.”

Sunset was admittedly surprised that the usually taciturn Big Macintosh was into tabletop role-playing. With Trixie, certainly; the girl had the exuding bravado and the dramatics down. Honestly; she’d portray a perfect character from Tirek’s Revenge or whatnot if she so ever chose. “As I was saying; you think you could ask around, retrace Trixie’s steps before she went missing?”

Rarity’s focus seemed to peak unexpectedly, “Why Sunset; are you suggesting we do an investigation?” The hint of pent-up excitement in the fashionista’s voice was not lost on anyone.

Sunset nodded, “If I’m ever going have this crap over and done with. I don’t particularly like Trixie, but I also didn’t want anything to happen to her. If I help find her, maybe I can… Uh, Rarity?”

The fashionista was exuding eagerness to the point where one could swear her eyes were sparkling, all the while Applejack simply sat beside her, serene like a tree in a still orchard, a small smile formed on her lips, sipping out of her box of apple juice. “Ah’ think ya found the perfect person for the job.”

Vice-principal Luna looked up from her paperwork when the door to her office was knocked upon. Before she could issue confirmation, it was slowly opened. Turner looked about, squinting his eyes.

“You always were one for the gloomy…” he remarked, stepping into the dark office. Luna couldn’t help but chuckle in humor at her friend’s remark about the minimal lighting of the office; just the way she preferred it.

“Is something the matter?” asked Luna, twirling one of her ballpoints deftly between her fingers.

“Not at the moment, no,” said Turner as he approached Luna and held out an envelope to her over her desk. “Since I have class to teach, and Celestia’s busy, so I decided I bring you the data and a written report regarding Miss Shimmer and Miss Lulamoon’s duel. I broke everything down into the most basic I could articulate.” He stood in silence as Luna opened the head of the paper envelope to take out the small stack of papers helpfully bound together with a treasury tag. “Any word about Miss Lulamoon?”

Luna leaned back in her swivel chair, sighing softly through her nose, “According to Tia; only confirmation of her absence and her last known location before going missing.”

“I take it your exasperation stems from the correlation regarding Miss Shimmer?” asked Turner.

Luna nodded grimly, “I know; I shouldn’t jump to conclusions. For all we know it was just an unfortunate coincidence, but…” She slumped her shoulders. “I just can’t ignore the possible connection.”

“I still remain adamant that I don’t think Miss Shimmer is connected,” said Turner. “I know it’s not really my place, what with having just met her. And I understand your concern for all the students, but-”

“I know,” Luna interrupted, adjusting her posture. “I have been perfectly willing to give Miss Shimmer the benefit of the doubt that she’s changed. I just can’t discount the possibilities that she was involved somehow. I refrain from passing judgement until conclusive evidence has come forth. So, until then, we’re just going to have to let the authorities do their work, while doing a bit of our own contributing whenever possible. Agreed?” She raised a slanted brow at Turner.

Turner shifted in place, adjusting the hold on his class material he’d been holding to under one arm, though Luna could discern something was bothering the man. “Agreed…” He paused for a moment, seemingly peering at the clock Luna kept over her door, “I better get going. If I may offer one piece of insight over all of this: Perhaps it’s her fellow students’ hostility that could be a contributing factor?”

“That’s not at all unfounded, no,” said Luna leaning forward onto her desk. “We’ll talk more later. I’ll see that Tia gets a look at this later.”

Turner exited the darkened office. Luna returned her attention to the documents he’d compiled; composed of printouts of charts and graphs, accompanied with scribbles of calculations and formulas the man had written here and there. Much of the information went well beyond her understanding; mathematics and physics really hadn’t been her forte. No, she was more adept in the social sciences and the like. Fortunately, as he’d made note of, Turner had compiled a written report that shed more light on the data.

Just when you’d thought you’d known a person well enough. Sunset found herself back in the currently vacant gymnasium, accompanied by Rarity, who had donned a fine quality, wide-rimmed dark turquoise fedora, as if she were a character from a noire detective story. Along with them was Pinkie, who herself had donned a khaki deerstalker cap and a fake mustache, complete with a calabash pipe in her mouth that expelled soap bubbles.

“Why are we back in the gymnasium?” asked Sunset, as the three of them stood by the end of the bleachers to the stage side of the room.

“To start, we need to retrace Trixie’s steps from yesterday,” said Rarity. “While Applejack consults the RPG club, we will start here, where you last saw Trixie. So, tell us; as much as you can remember: What occurred here? Who were present? And if anything seemed out of the ordinary.”

Sunset looked to Rarity with uncertainty. Perhaps the fashionista was playing too much into this detective fantasy she had going on… Though on the other hand, what could she possibly have to lose at this point? “Well, Trixie was on this side, I stood opposite. There were some students gathered, some of them between set periods.”

Rarity hummed contemplatively whilst scribbling notes into a small notepad, “Mm-hmm. Can you remember specifically who?”

“Does that really help with anything?” asked Sunset.

“In the event should we need to question anyone. Do go on; any names to faces if you can.”

Sunset thought back, envisioning the moments before the start of the duel when her focus was still divided, “Well… There was Flash over here on our side. As was Lightning Dust, Spitfire, Derpy, Umm… I don’t know his name; wears that funny domed hat and scarf…”

“Oh, you mean Night Quill? It’s called a bowler hat. His propensity for blending antiquated with contemporary isn’t quite to my liking, but he does seem to make it work,” the fashionista remarked absently. “Anyone else?”

“I couldn’t really tell who were in the opposite side; just that Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash were back there. You might wanna ask them for those details. As for anyone else on our side? Well I think I saw Sandalwood… Cherry Crash… I think one of Trixie’s friends was there too. Name eludes me at the moment.”

“Good, good. That’s already quite a few.”

“Of course, there was Mr. Turner and, for some reason, Micro Chips up on the stage and… Has the schoolboard ever used additional equipment during examination duels by any chance?” Sunset asked, the notion of out of the ordinary repeating in her mind.

“Additional equipment?” asked Rarity, looking up from her notepad. “What do you mean?”

“There were these devices set up,” Sunset sidestepped to where one of the tripods had stood, “here, there, there and there,” she pointed at every general location, “with cameras and things. And then over here,” she walked over to just beside the stage and indicated the floor, “they had this white boxy machine set up, wired to computers kept up on the stage where Mr. Turner was observing.”

“Hey, I found a thing!” came Pinkie’s voice from backstage, who dragged one of the very tripods out into the open. “This was left back here!”

“That’s one of them!” exclaimed Sunset, clambering up onstage, foregoing simply taking the steps. She hurried past Pinkie to inspect further back. Aside from props that might as well have been there since the building itself was completed, the sound table used for special events, a misplaced projector, and other various objects, she didn’t find anything out of the ordinary. “Where’s the rest of them?”

“And what is this thing anyway?” Rarity wondered, looking over the apparatus.

At the top was affixed an action camera, below which was one of the two strange devices she could not quite describe. At the front it seemed to possess some form of horizontal slit lens, but whether or not it was another mode of camera was difficult to say. The device seemed to lack a proper external chassis, as the top and left side of it exposed the intricate assembly of circuit boards, connectors and gaggles of wires. Below that, on closer inspection, did seem to be some form of directional audio sensory device, complete with a dish like a miniature satellite.

“Whatever this is; it’s definitely some sort of surveyance rig,” Sunset remarked. “Think it’s some new standard for evaluating duels?”

Rarity was scrutinizing the rig intently, particularly the unknown middle apparatus, “I’ve never seen something like this being used. And you said there were four of these?”

“Yup. Though two of them didn’t have… Whatever this middle one is.”

“Seems strange that, if it is for monitoring purposes by the school board, they would use jury-rigged hardware,” said Rarity.

“What?”

“This middle one; it’s clearly been cobbled together from various bits and bobs, see?” Rarity indicated the device. “Lacking chassis, the wear on this circuit board, and I think… Yes, a wire that clearly doesn’t connect to anything, and look; there’s still hints of tin on the end.”

Sunset looked at Rarity in what could only equate to awe, “Wow! You could spot all of that?”

Rarity smiled wryly, “I wouldn’t be the artiste that I am if I did not fixate on the little things.”

“Also it’s beeping,” Pinkie added.

Sunset strained her ears, even holding her breath. True enough, she could hear just the faintest sound of something from within the incomplete machine. Peering closer further proved something was active inside, for if one looked closely, hints of blinking lights could be discerned from amidst the wires and resistors. Following the electrical cord, which seemed to have been inserted into the machine through a haphazardly bored hole, proved it had been inserted into an outlet backstage.

“So then why was this one left behind, let alone being left on?” Sunset wondered aloud.

Pinkie hummed thoughtfully, all the while a larger than average bubble began to form out of the mouth of her calabash pipe, “You don’t suppose our new looker of a teacher is up to anything?”

“Hold on, what?” asked Sunset.

“I mean seriously: You seen Mr. Turner?! Don’t know about you but ‘woof!’” said Pinkie, fluttering her eyebrows. “Though seriously; isn’t it kinda weird? New (hot) teacher arrives the exact same day as Sunset duels Trixie, then Trixie disappears. And not intentionally this time!”

Sunset pondered on Pinkie’s words. Mr. Turner; what exactly did she know about the man? Someone who just showed up out of the blue to observe her test. She’d figured he was an official from the school board, which might have helped explain the additional hardware that time. Only to turn up as a teacher? What was happening at CHS?

Just when you’d hoped all the madness was over, another chapter opens up? Twilight… If only you were here right now…

“Sunset Shimmer!” came a voice demanding authority from the direction of the gymnasium exit, taking all three of the girls by surprise. Spitfire, instantly recognizable for her fiery hair and predominately blue outfit in spirit of the colors of the Wonder Colts underneath a denim jacket. She walked forth, a look of determination as fierce as the very element in her name. She pointed a finger directly at Sunset, her body language having already belied her intentions. “For the honor of the Wonder Colts and the school spirit; I challenge you to a duel!” There it was, further solidified as her blue and golden yellow duel disk’s tray deployed.

It seemed safe to assume not everyone had gone undeterred to go about their convictions in the wake of the latest scandal. Certainly not Spitfire at the very least. When you had to lead by example from the shadow of the athletic marvel of Rainbow Dash, she always did seem to maintain that firm, never surrender attitude.

“Spitfire,” Sunset called out, hopping down from the stage. “We’re kind of in the middle of something right now.”

Spitfire’s expression remained unchanged, maintaining the distant, impassive demeanor, “So you decline my challenge?”

Sunset held up her hands in front of her, “That’s not what I’m saying. I simply ask that we hold this off until later. Alright? This is very important.”

Spitfire raised an inquiring brow, in a way that seemed as if any other muscle in her visage went completely unaffected, “By any chance should I take this implying you have something to hide, Shimmer?”

“What?”

“Don’t play dumb. I know people are talking that you had something to do with Trixie going missing.” She lowered her brow, an accusatory glare etching in, “Are you trying to catch me without anyone else seeing it so you might do whatever that was you pulled in the mid-term?”

“No!” Sunset exclaimed indignantly. “We’re trying to help find Trixie! I don’t have time for this right now. Hell; there were plenty of others watching during my last duel. I even dueled Fluttershy and Pinkie just yesterday, and see?” she pointed towards Pinkie up on the stage with Rarity. “I have nothing to hide!”

Spitfire seemed to scrutinize her for a moment. With the silent whirr of electronics, her duel disk’s tray disengaged, the two halves parting and sliding back into their stand-by placements. “Alright; I’m willing to postpone this duel. Until after school. You want to prove your honesty; we duel on the soccer field, where everyone can see.”

And to prove how weak I’ve become I take it? “Deal. If you want this spectacle at my expense; fine.”

“You better be there then, Shimmer,” said Spitfire in a baleful tone. “Wouldn’t look good for the demon of CHS now to not be as open as she could…” She then proceeded to turn and walk out of the gymnasium, showing off the large flame patch stenciled to the back of her jacket.

“Well, here it is; Canterlot High School, just like she said,” remarked Aria, as if the plaque at the front of the property wasn’t confirmation enough.

Adagio looked over the two-story, red bricked building, the two protruding wings of the building being nicely accented by the rearing horse statue that stood before it a short distance from the plaque. Quite droll, if not utterly unimpressive compared to some of the institutions she had witnessed throughout the many, many long years. “Hmph. Makes me wish this girl was attending Crystal Prep, to be frank.” Pulling up the hood of her faint violet sweater, with some difficulty as per her illustrious, thick hair, she motioned her sisters to follow, choosing to remain inconspicuous for the time being.

“Lame,” said Sonata in a thoroughly unenthused manner. “We haven’t been to school once. And based on all the TV I’ve seen; it sounds so boring…”

“Keep it down, would you?” hissed Aria. “We’re incognito; the last thing we need is someone overhearing our life story.”

Adagio hummed contemplatively, feeling some form of sensation removed from purely the physical; like a faint treble in the air that permeated the vicinity. “It isn’t normal for certain. Can you feel it?”

“Ooh yea,” Sonata concurred, the barest hints of a toothy smile mustering to her lips. “The feels.”

“Indeed. There’s been despair here. A strong one at that. I can’t even recall when was the last time it felt even close to this,” said Adagio, feeling the soft beat of her gem underneath her hoodie. Already she could feel herself feeling energized, if only a smidgeon.

The three walked around the school, Adagio discerning the sounds of accruing people. Gesturing for her sisters to remain quiet and pointing around the corner, they approached discreetly, peering around to the school football… soccer field, as they preferred in this corner of the globe. A number of students had gathered in the wooden bleachers set across from the that, giving her and her sisters an unobstructed view of the field. It wasn’t a soccer game that was occurring at the moment. There were only two people occupying the space, each standing at short distance from the goals, each brandishing a duel disk.

“So you had the courtesy to show up.” Spitfire harrumphed as her duel disk deployed, the tray aligning with her arm, screen and emitters lighting up, “At least you’re being honest, I’ll give you that.”

Sunset felt unwilling to dignify the second-in-command of the Wonder Colts’ soccer team with a direct response as her own duel disk deployed. On establishing the connection to the dueling network, the automated shufflers engaged. “I never wanted any of this, Spitfire.”

Her foe’s eyes narrowed, “You sure love to play the pity card after you fall.” The virtual coin toss engaged with the iconic ‘ding’. It landed with heads for Spitfire, and the dueling grids engaged.

“Duel!”

Duel Start!

Spitfire Life Points: 4000

Sunset Shimmer Life Points: 4000

Turn 1: Spitfire (Hand: 5)

Right, Spitfire; she uses a fire-based deck, which means I need to be on the lookout for effect damage this time around… She tried to recall any of the previous times she’d dueled Spitfire in the past.

“I summon ‘Volcanic Slicer’ in attack mode,” in few deft movements, Spitfire slapped her first card onto her tray.

Emerging to the field came a creature highly reminiscent of some form of bipedal reptile or dinosaur: It’s body was sleek and covered all throughout its length by golden metallic armoring with a beak-like head lacking any discernable eyes, a slender, segmented tail and short arms with razor-tipped fingers. (Level 4, 1800/1200)

Without taking her hand off the card, Spitfire resumed, “And I activate Volcanic Slicer’s effect: Once per turn, I can inflict 500 points of damage to you!”

On the indirect command, Volcanic Slicer lunged out with its beak-like maw, ejecting a flaming ball of volcanic rock that rocketed towards Sunset like a meteorite. Sunset shielded herself on instinct, when the projectile impacted with her forcefield, emanating a resonating boom.

Sunset Shimmer Life Points: 4000 – 500 = 3500

“First hit! Nice!” came the voice of one of Spitfire’s teammates, Soarin, pumping an enthusiastic fist at his superior.

Spitfire, he expression never flinching, veered her eyes over her hand, before picking out a card to slide into her disk. “I set one card. My turn ends. Your move, Shimmer.”

(Hand: 3)

“Wouldn’t be Spitfire if she didn’t land the first bit of damage,” remarked Rainbow, seated alongside her friends in the bleachers, chewing on her thumbnail. This earned her questioning looks from Applejack and Fluttershy. “What? I’m just stating what is,” she insisted, bobbing her shoulder nonchalantly. “So, how do you think Sunset’s gonna fare against the fire?”

Applejack could only sigh, “Ah’ was under the impression we’d be lookin’ into Trixie.”

“Eh, I’m sure we’ve got plenty of time for that,” Rainbow stated in a lax manner. “What’s one perfectly fine non-dark duel?”

“Ya want the long answer or the short one?”

Turn 2: Sunset Shimmer (Hand 5)

Sunset drew her first card of the duel. True enough; there’s the burn damage already. If there was anything to be said; Sunset absolutely loathed burn damage-oriented decks: The kind that, instead of attacking like normally, her foe would instead whittle her life points away through extensive use of damage dealing effects. She recounted bits of her fragmented memories how it took extra effort to remain standing when using the volatile life-draining Archfiends when trying to mow down enemies specializing in this particular style.

Well, first things first; getting rid of that Slicer of hers. “I summon ‘Doomstar Magician’ in attack mode!”

Arising from the ground-level summoning portal came the quintessential depiction of a human sorcerer or wizard. He was lanky in frame, adorned in a heavy-set robe-like coat that was open at the front with a high collar and long, billowing hems. His face was partially obscured by a forward curving, pointed hat, showing off only his nose and lower. In his left hand he wielded a simple staff with a gleaming white oval gem at the top and seemed to taper towards the bottom. (Level 4, 1800/300)

“And I equip him with ‘Bound Wand’ from my hand,” she added, slipping the card into her disk. In response, Doomstar Magician held out his right hand, a black scepter with a brilliant, magenta-red gen set at its tip materializing in his grasp. “Bound wand increases the attack points of the equipped spellcaster by 100 times its level. (Doomstar Magician ATK: 1800 -> 2200). I will then attack Volcanic Slicer with Doomstar Magician!”

“Trap card activate: ‘Volcanic Ash’!” Spitfire responded, unveiling her set card.

Doomstar Magician (ATK: 2200) held up his regular staff, the gem atop beginning to draw power, when Volcanic Slicer bent down into a hunched posture (DEF: 1200.) Doomstar launched a direct, thin beam that caused its target to combust.

“Volcanic Ash lets me change an attack position monster to defense,” Spitfire reiterated. “Sorry, Shimmer, but being hasty won’t cut it against me.”

“I set one card, then end my turn.”

(Hand: 3)

“You didn’t Pendulum Summon?” Spitfire raised a brow.

“You sound disappointed,” Responded Sunset with a daring smirk.

Turn 3: Spitfire (Hand: 3)

“Mockery is not going to win you this duel, Shimmer,” said Spitfire, utterly unamused as she drew her first card, most of her body remaining motionless, save for her drawing arm. Sunset could only roll her eyes exasperatedly; all the while Spitfire placed the newly drawn card onto her tray. “I summon ‘Volcanic Rocket’ in attack mode.”

In a burst of flame, onto Spitfire’s field emerged a creature highly reminiscent of a pterosaur; its streamlined, sharply angular body a similar brazen to golden hue as Volcanic Slicer. Lacking any walking limbs, a pair of bright red, sinewy wings extended from its sides. (Level 4, 1900/1400).

“When Volcanic Rocket is summoned, I can add one ‘Blaze Accelerator’ card from my deck to my hand,” Spitfire’s deck shuffled before ejecting a card for her to take, which she immediately slid into her disk’s spell and trap port. The card’s image arose as a 3D projection, which then faded when the very device depicted in the artwork materialized onto the field. It was a machine propped up on a heavyset tripod leg, with a tube extending from a hefty chassis. It almost looked like a-

“I activate Blaze Accelerator’s effect: By discarding a pyro-type monster with 500 or less attack points, I can destroy one monster on the field. I discard ‘Volcanic Shell’ from my hand to destroy your Doomstar.”

A small metallic lizard-like creature, perhaps even the size of a real-life species, surrounded in an aura of fire, appeared hovering in the air. It flung itself into a port that looked very much like an opened breech, followed by the sound of it locking in place. The tube, or rather barrel, was directed towards Doomstar, followed by a thundering boom, after which Breaker was completely decimated by an explosive impact.

“Really? Blaze “Accelerator”?” asked Pinkie, complete with air quotes.

“Ah’ know, right?” Applejack nodded, “Nasty piece of work there.”

“That’s clearly a gun!” Pinkie shouted abruptly. “I mean come on! It shoots stuff, that thing clearly looked like a bullet! It’s a gun! Call it ‘Blaze Gun’, or maybe ‘Blaze Cannon!’ For (Eff!)ck’s sake! We know what cannons are!” She looked upwards at nothing in particular, holding forth her arms which began to shake violently, “We know what cannons are!”

“When a monster equipped with Bound Wand is destroyed; I can Special Summon it back to the field,” Sunset responded, to which the system didn’t need to take Doomstar’s card to the Graveyard and simply brought his image back, only kneeling in defense position (DEF: 300). “Guess you won’t be damaging me in battle either,” she smirked.

Spitfire Life Points: 4000 – 500 = 3500

“By paying 500 life points, I add another Volcanic Shell from my deck to my hand,” said Spitfire as the system counted down her price, after which her deck was shuffled, ejecting what she presented as a copy of Volcanic Shell. She promptly fed the card into her Graveyard port, “I discard it to activate Blaze Accelerator’s effect again.”

The second Volcanic Shell flung itself into the breech of the Blaze Accelerator, which then fired, obliterating Doomstar a second time, and no way to bring him back this time.

“I set one card, then end my turn,” Spitfire announced.

(Hand: 1)

Turn 4: Sunset Shimmer (Hand: 3)

“Why didn’t you attack me?” Sunset asked, befuddled. “My field’s wide open.”

“Using Blaze Accelerator’s effect prevents me from attacking that turn. Consider it a formality from attacking an unarmed opponent,” Spitfire quipped, a hint of a smirk curving onto her lips. “At least for now.”

Sunset drew. “Alright; if you want me to Pendulum Summon so bad, I suppose I’ll just have to oblige,” Sunset dared, holding out two cards, “I take the scale one ‘Dragonpulse Magician’ and the scale eight ‘Odd-Eyes Mirage Dragon’ to set the Pendulum Scale!” In one fluid motion, Sunset set the two cards on the far ends of her tray, triggering the Pendulum Scale function.

The two pillars representing the scale appeared, one the glaive wielding warrior sorcerer she’d used against Trixie, the other the green tusked dragon she’d used yesterday against Fluttershy. “Now I can Special Summon any monsters between the levels one and eight.”

“The swing of the pendulum connecting two worlds draws out the arc of harmony.”

“Pendulum Summon! Come forth; my companion!” The gateway between the scales opened, a single bolt of light shooting out and impacting the ground. “Level 7: Valiant dragon with dichromatic eyes; ‘Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon!” The sauropod red dragon with different colored eyes and great horns let loose its call before the gathered spectators to see, Sunset’s new ace and symbol. (Level 7, 2500/2000)

Rainbow Dash found herself abruptly clutching at her chest when a sudden jabbing pain erupted deep inside, akin to someone driving a needled into her very heart. Thankfully, the sensation seemed to fade as quickly as it struck, albeit it did little to not make her fret over it, so much as her breathing seemed to cut off, her first intake of air coming out as a disconcerting gasp.

“Oooh…” mouthed Pinkie, the curled-up bang of hair off her forehead seeming to vibrate. “I feel the fuzzies again~”

“You’re right, Pinkie,” concurred Fluttershy, her hand finding itself over her chest. “It’s just like the first time she Pendulum Summoned.”

“So care to explain why you’re getting the “fuzzies”, all the while I got jabbed in the tick-?!” Rainbow exclaimed, only for Applejack to slap a palm over the athlete’s mouth.

“That’s the card you used to defeat Trixie,” Spitfire remarked. “But only one monster?”

“One is all I need for this one, Spitfire.” That and she didn’t have other monsters in her hand at the moment. “I attack your Volcanic Rocket with Odd-Eyes! Spiral Strike Burst!”

Odd-Eyes reared its long neck back (ATK: 2500), accruing power and promptly launching it towards the hovering Volcanic Rocket (ATK: 1900). The creature began to reel away in the air, went the gout of power consumed its form. Within the attack, it exploded in a fiery flash.

Spitfire Life Points: 3500 – 400 = 3100

“My turn ends.”

(Hand: 1)

Turn 5: Spitfire (Hand: 1)

“Hmm… I see,” said Spitfire vaguely as she drew her next card. This made Sunset look at her questioningly. “Pendulum Summoning weighs a heavy toll on your hand, what with needing to set two cards to then summon multiples of monsters from your hand. When it’s done; you’re vulnerable.” She pressed her screen, “I pay another 500 life points to add another Volcanic Shell into my hand from my deck.”

Spitfire Life Points: 3100 – 500 = 2600

Placing her newly acquired card into her hand, she then took one of the other two and slid it into her disk, “I play the spell ‘Blasting Vein’; by destroying a set spell or trap,” her set card’s image was suddenly engulfed in flames, “I draw two cards. And because the card I destroyed was Fire Trap, it lets me draw one more card.” The slightest hint of a smirk formed on the athlete’s face looking at her accrued hand. “I activate Blaze Accelerator’s effect, discarding Volcanic Shell.”

For the third time, one of the lizard-like creatures materialized into the air, flinging itself as living ammunition into the awaiting breech. With a resounding click, the weapon fired, Odd-Eyes being enveloped by a fiery blast that decimated even its larger, more powerful form.

“With that safely out of the way; I play the spell card ‘Majesty of Fire’: If I control no monsters, I can Special Summon one level five or higher fire monster from my hand. I summon ‘Volcanic Hammerer’ in attack mode.”

Emerging to her field came a creature twice the size of Volcanic Slicer: Like its kin, it had a very sauropodian dinosaur type physique: Bipedal, its body encased in golden metallic armoring, adhered around a frame seemingly made of molten rock, veins of seething magma glowing in errant patterns all around. It had a pair of hefty clawed forelimbs, and a distinct backwards curving horned head, its maw surging with the glow of magma. (Level 5, 2400/1500)

“As you yourself said; you can’t attack me the turn you use Blaze Accelerator,” remarked Sunset.

“I don’t need to attack to hurt you, Shimmer. With Volcanic Hammerer, once per turn I can inflict 200 damage multiplied by each ‘Volcanic’ monster in my graveyard. I have three Volcanic Shells, Volcanic Slicer and Volcanic Rocket, meaning you take a total of 1000 damage.” Through this indirect command, Volcanic Hammerer launched a five-part volley of magma projectiles from its maw, each striking at Sunset with the volume of a mortar, landing Spitfire in the lead.

Sunset Shimmer Life Points: 3500 – 1000 = 2500

“I end my turn.”

(Hand: 2)

Turn 6: Sunset Shimmer (Hand: 1)

Sunset had to give credit to Spitfire for refusing to gloat. She drew her next card… Nothing particularly beneficial at the moment; however, Spitfire seemed to have forgotten one crucial element from her duel with Trixie:

“With my Pendulum Scale active, I perform Pendulum Summon. Return to the field, my partner; Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon!” Her extra deck port slapping open, Sunset placed Odd-Eyes back to her tray, the red dragon arising back to the field in a crimson streak. (Level 7, 2500/2000)

“What?! I destroyed it!” Spitfire retorted.

“Pendulum Monsters don’t go to the graveyard when destroyed; instead they go to the extra deck Furthermore, as long as my Pendulum Scale stays active, I can continue to summon them back again and again from the Extra Deck. No matter how many times you destroy my Odd-Eyes, he’ll keep getting back up, just how I’ll keep on fighting, no matter what you may say or think of me.” With her declaration of defiance, Sunset pointed toward Volcanic Hammerer, her next intended target. “I attack Volcanic Hammerer with Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon! Spiral Strike Burst!”

Odd-Eyes (ATK: 2500), as if reciprocating its partner’s sentiment, snarled before lunging forth on its heavyset legs. With a mighty leap it flew over the field, charging its breath attack.

“When Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon attacks a level five or higher monster, the battle damage it inflicts is doubled. Reaction Force!”

Odd-Eyes launched its attack at the awaiting Volcanic Hammerer (ATK: 2500), the gout of energy carrying with it a more intensified aura that enveloped the magmatic biped. In a moment after being engulfed, the volcanic beast exploded with bits of molten rock scattering around.

Spitfire Life Points: 2600 – 200 = 2400

“I end my turn.”

(Hand: 2)

Turn 7: Spitfire (Hand: 2)

Spitfire drew. Though remaining stoic, she seemed to display a hint of agitation, seeing as destroying Odd-Eyes would be rendered pyrrhic in regards to wasted resources. Plus, if her monsters could only chip away at Sunset’s life points while being unable to physically contend with Odd-Eyes’ substantial attack strength, it wouldn’t be long before her defenses would break.

“I summon ‘Volcanic Blaster’ in defense mode.” Spitfire slapped a monster onto her tray. Unveiling itself not as another metallic reptilian creature, but instead a green robot consisting of four legs around a frame which held what was clearly the cylinder of a revolver. (Level 3, 1200/600) “I set one card, then end my turn.”

(Hand: 1)

Turn 8: Sunset Shimmer (Hand: 2)

She must have run out of ammunition, thought Sunset as she drew her next card. “I activate Dragonpulse Magician’s Pendulum effect.”

“Pendulum effect?” asked Spitfire with a raised brow.

“When set for the Pendulum Scale; Pendulum monsters are treated as spell cards with alternate effects: By discarding a Pendulum monster from my hand,” Sunset slid a card into her graveyard, “I can destroy one monster you control.”

Suspended inside the Pendulum Scale, Dragonpulse Magician brandished the dual-bladed glaive he bore and flung it like a discus, cleaving through Volcanic Blaster, leaving Spitfire open for the finishing blow.

“Odd-Eyes, attack Spitfire for game!” Sunset commanded, pointing at her opponent with finality. “Spiral Strike B-”

“Continuous trap: ‘Blaze Accelerator Reload’!” Spitfire rebutted, unveiling her set card. “Once each turn; I can send one ‘Volcanic’ monster from my hand to the graveyard to draw one card.” A card was inserted into her graveyard port, to which she drew a card.

“How does that help you in any way?” asked Sunset.

“The card I discarded was ‘Volcanic Scattershot’,” said Spitfire, to which something small, surrounded in a fiery aura emerged over the field: It looked much akin to the lizard-like Volcanic Shell, albeit with a chunkier frame to compensate for the three heads at the front of its body. “When ‘Volcanic Scattershot’ is sent to the graveyard, it deals 500 points of damage to you. But when sent by the effect of a ‘Blaze Accelerator’, it lets me send two more Scattershots to the graveyard and destroy all monsters on your side of the field!”

The three-headed lizard was duplicated, with two more taking their places to either side of the first Scattershot, which promptly flung themselves at Sunset’s field. Each impacted with a fiery explosion, lifting thick motes of virtual smoke. Odd-Eyes pained roaring could be heard over the explosions, showing no trace of it once the smoke cleared.

Sunset Shimmer Life Points: 2500 – 1500 = 1000

It figured Spitfire would have some form of contingency: There was a reason she was considered part of the top brass of CHS. “During my second main phase, I activate my Pendulum Scale: Return to the field; Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon!” By her call, the seemingly undying Odd-Eyes returned to the field in the same brilliant red flash (Level 7, 2500/2000). “I end my turn.”

(Hand: 2)

Turn 9: Spitfire (Hand: 2)

Spitfire drew, her composure slowly ebbing away to sneering overconfidence; “Since I have Blaze Accelerator Reload on my field, I can send it to the graveyard as a Tri-Blaze Accelerator to Special Summon from my hand my ultimate weapon: Arise, fiery devil; ‘Volcanic Doomfire’!”

A series of cracks began to form on the ground. That spot on the ground began to bulge, when a pillar of fire erupted forth from within, in the wake of a monstrous bellow that came with it. Arising from the fiery crater came a bipedal, somewhat dinosaurian appearing silhouette, though largely unintelligible until the flames died down. It stood on a pair of hefty legs seemingly composed of grey stone. The same could be said to describe its arms; composed of a reddish-brown rock, bearing a quartet of thick claws, as well as a thick, significantly lengthy tail. These appendages were connected to a charred black, metallic torso; riddled with spiky protrusions, leading to a matching, sharply angled head, atop which was a noticeable ridge overflowing with a great flame. Throughout the gaps in this darkened chassis, veins of glowing hot magma shone from the surface. (Level 8, 3000/1800)

Rainbow idly nibbled on her thumbnail, “Nice; she got out Doomfire. That’s a card even I don’t wanna get in a tussle with, and this is me we’re talking about…” Volcanic Doomfire destroys all other monsters on the field if it manages to destroy a single one in battle, then inflicts 500 points of damage for each monster destroyed.

-

“Let’s see you Pendulum your way out of this one, Shimmer! I attack Odd-Eyes with Volcanic Doomfire!” Spitfire called out with more intensity in both her voice and expression, “Volcanic Cannon!”

Volcanic Doomfire (ATK: 3000) reared back on its rocky legs, opening its jagged maw, from which it launched a large flaming projectile of magma with a boom, like it was from a literal cannon. The projectile struck Odd-Eyes (ATK: 2500), resulting in a fiery explosion that vaporized the dragon. Spitfire had cemented the lead.

Sunset Shimmer Life Points: 1000 – 500 = 500

“I set two cards, then end my turn,” she called out, sliding her remaining hand into her disk.

(Hand: 0)

You’re done, Shimmer; the cards I set are Fire Wall and Volcanic Curse. If you manage to take out Doomfire, I’ll negate every direct attack you make against me with Fire Wall and all my monsters in the grave. And if you manage to summon a monster strong enough to contest it, Volcanic Curse will increase its attack by 500 for each pyro-type in my graveyard.

Turn 10: Sunset Shimmer (Hand: 2)

Sunset drew her next card, a humble smile appearing on her lips as she beheld the familiar, yet different monster in her hand. Thanks, partner, for believing in me, even if I stole you away from someone else. “Think what you will of me, Spitfire, but you insisted on this duel, and like a true duelist, I will face the challenge head on, whether I win or lose.” She held forth a hand, “Pendulum Summon! Return, Odd-Eyes!” Once again, Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon emerged down from the portal (Level 7, 2500/1000).

“Doesn’t matter how many times you summon that thing to the field, Shimmer. If I have to spend all the ammo I have to shoot it down in order to beat you, then so be it!”

“I have more than one method to my dueling Spitfire,” said Sunset in retaliation. “I sacrifice Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon to perform a Tribute Summon! Take flight in a higher form; level 8; ‘Odd-Eyes Advance Dragon’!”

A column of red light erupted from underneath Odd-Eyes, the dichromatic dragon letting loose a fearsome roar as it was entirely enveloped. In but a moment, a pair of great red wings erupted from within, one mighty downward flap dissipating it against all known laws of physics. Replacing Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon was a larger, more brilliant beast of matching scarlet scales: In place of the arc on its back extended the great wings, while its neck had elongated much further, just like its serpentine tail had to compensate. Its forelimbs had grown too, though still remained significantly frailer compared to its hefty hindlegs, each further enhanced with vicious spike jutting from the knee. (Level 8, 3000/2500)

Though slightly taken aback at the larger Odd-Eyes, Spitfire, her composure further ebbing, simply smirked, “You think making it match Doomfire’s attack points will be enough?”

“Odd-Eyes Advance Dragon can be Tribute Summoned using one sacrifice if that sacrifice is level 5 or higher. Also, when successfully Tribute Summoned, I can activate its first effect: I can destroy one monster you control, and inflict damage equal to its original attack points.”

This had Spitfire grit her teeth in disbelief, all the while the spectators began to jeeringly boo.

“Go, Odd-Eyes! Reaction Advance!”

Odd-Eyes Advance Dragon revved back its snaking neck, a scarlet orb forming between its toothy jaws, from which it then fired a thin beam that trailed along the ground, passing over Volcanic Doomfire to seemingly no effect. Once passed, the ground began to erupt in pattern with where the beam had crossed, the burst engulfing Volcanic Doomfire (ATK: 3000).

Spitfire Life Points: 2400 – 3000 = -600

Sunset Shimmer Victory!

Duel 28: Bad Girls: Dokurorider Reborn (Edited 28.4.2020)

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“I take the scale one ‘Dragonpule Magician’ and the scale eight ‘Odd-Eyes Mirage Dragon’ to set the Pendulum Scale!”

Adagio looked on intently from her and her sisters’ admittedly not very subtle hiding spot, as two blue pillars of light arose to each side of the infamous Sunset Shimmer, each holding within them a Duel Monster, one of humanoid form akin to the sorcerers of this world’s distant past and the other a green dragon. Having been led by Aria to believe this girl was one of the long extinct practitioners of the Games of Darkness, yet she could not sense it. There was some subtle murkiness, but truthfully any human possessed something alike deep down. And yet, there was something else. Something that made the gem hanging from her choker pulse, stronger than normal.

“So, she can use Pendulum Summoning now too?” wondered Aria aloud. “She’s certainly different from before. Last time there was a full-on manifestation.”

Sonata hummed, holding her hand to her own gem, “Hmm, so familiar… It almost feels like home. How long it’s been…?”

Adagio came to a sudden realization: Magic in this world on average was paltry when compared to the days so long ago, back when they’d first arrived, outside their own volition. But now, the force permeating the vicinity, it was much more melodic. Human dark magic had always been more unruly, volatile and unrefined. But whatever this Sunset Shimmer was exuding…

“Equestrian magic?!” Adagio suddenly slapped a hand over her lips at her own outburst, ducking behind the corner in case anyone heard her. “It’s honest to Grogar Equestrian magic!” she repeated more restrictively to her sisters.

Aria was looking at her in befuddlement, “How’s that possible?”

“That would explain the homey feels,” Sonata remarked, appearing more focused than was usual.

“But where did a human find it? Let alone learn to wield it?” asked Aria. “Since when did a lowly human pierce the veil to the home dimension?”

“It seems there’s more to your little Ghoul acquaintance than you thought, Aria,” said Adagio, as the three continued to observe the duel taking place.

“So what the hell is she doing hanging out at a high school with that kinda power?” Aria inferred, sounding more than a tad disgruntled.

“You’re the one who got us on the right direction,” said Adagio in deliberate derision. “Didn’t that other girl tell you anything?”

Aria groaned, “She said she had the “sniffles” before some rumors about people calling this Sunset a demon or whatnot. Aside from leading us here, she was completely useless. Though this Pendulum Summoning proved pretty neat.”

“Well then,” said Adagio, watching as Sunset Shimmer seemed to turn the tide over on her opponent, “it looks like we have some more reconnaissance to do.”

“Please don’t tell me it means what I think it means…” Sonata chimed in.

“Girls, it looks like we’re going to school,” Adagio declared, smiling amusedly as the foe, whom she overheard over the spectators as being possibly named Spitfire, was struck by the attack of Sunset’s great red dragon.

“Oh dammit…”

Sunset stood quiet under the discontent booing and insults of her peers as she gathered the cards on her tray and slid them back into their proper place atop her deck, after which she disengaged her duel disk. Everyone fell quiet when she began to approach Spitfire, still holding her Volcanic Doomfire’s card in her hand, looking at it apologetically. She stopped a few feet away, looking at her defeated opponent.

“Going to gloat over your victory, Shimmer?” Spitfire spat derisively.

Without saying a word, Sunset held out a hand to Spitfire. The athlete looked between the hand and Sunset’s face, looking at her as if in confusion. “You did good, Spitfire. Just wanted to let you know.”

Spitfire snorted, turning away as her duel disk disengaged without saying another word. Sunset looked on dejectedly, all the while the other students chose to vacate the premises (naturally giving her a wide berth). She was soon joined by her friends.

“Are you okay?” asked Fluttershy.

Sunset sighed. “Yea. I’ll be fine.” She turned to the rest of the group, seeing how quick everyone else was to leave with her around. “So… Applejack? Did you by any chance manage to get anything on Trixie?”

“Yea, Ah’ called Big Mac; says Trixie was present for RPG club that day. Ah’ asked if anythin’ was off. Not much, other than her bein’ grumpy after you beatin’ her,” said Applejack.

“So how does that help us?” asked Sunset, turning to their wannabe detective that was Rarity.

“Any information is an asset, trust me on this,” said Rarity with confidence. “We now know that Trixie vanished outside of school. Naturally; the next option is to retrace her steps.”

“So walking to her house?” asked Rainbow, albeit she sounded less than enthusiastic about the prospect.

“Precisely,” said Rarity, slinging her backpack on one arm and producing a folded map from its confines. “According to what information Applejack provided me (thank you, sweetie), Trixie does not commute and lives in an apartment complex on the corner of Rein and Tanner. I took the liberty,” she turned the map over for everyone else, “of marking down the quickest routes to the location.”

Pinkie proceeded to hum in thought, “I know I’m usually not the one to say it, but shouldn’t we let the proper authorities handle this?” Everyone looked at her blankly. “I mean it’s not that I have anything to do today or anything, buuuut…”

Accompanied by Rainbow Dash, Sunset had opted taking the most straightforward route to Rein and Tanner, which would pass quite close to Sunset’s home. All the while Rarity and Applejack paired up to take the path down Proprietor Street (with the suspicion of an ulterior motive of being able to window shop along the way, even with the pulp-fiction enthusiasm), while Pinkie and Fluttershy took the path down Sugarcube Street.

Sunset wasn’t exactly thrilled by her pair in the venture. Much as she wanted to say something complimentary to the rainbow-haired athlete, she couldn’t bring herself to utter anything. Much less after how insistent Rainbow was about going with her in place of Fluttershy. Furthermore, she wasn’t fond of how the athlete seemed to keep eyeing her when she thought she wasn’t looking.

“So… No hard feelings over defeating your teammate?” asked Sunset, giving a sheepish shrug and smiling perhaps a little too chummily. Rainbow said nothing and clearly feigned looking about as they went. Perhaps appeal to her interests, “Hey, since you’re the top athlete… Um… Do you have anything like polo?” Rainbow this time grunted. “It’s a sport in Equestria where ponies run around hitting a ball with these long wooden mallets into a goal. I guess it’s closest to hockey, which we also have, actually! Though it’s not as common since, you know, no arenas…”

“Uh-huh,” muttered Rainbow.

Sunset tried to desperately come up with something else; “Oh! You said something about forming a band, right? For the showcase. Was just thinking if maybe I could-”

“Aren’t we supposed to be looking for clues on Trixie instead of chatting?” asked Rainbow curtly. This elicited a feeling of wanting to shout something obscene at Rainbow straight to her face for her passive aggressiveness, but Sunset bottled it in as best she could, albeit she could not help a fist trembling in frustration.

In the midst of the (attempted) dialogue, Sunset came to a halt on realizing how they’d passed an alleyway along the sidewalk, or rather, a sizable gap in between two buildings. “Rainbow, hold up,” she called, peering down the slightly dim space between buildings. The athlete ignored her. “Rainbow! Alley!” she called more assertively.

“What?” Rainbow looked back, idly kicking a bit of asphalt debris off the sidewalk.

“Alleyway!” Sunset repeated exasperatedly. “We should check it.”

“Okay, go ahead,” Rainbow motioned for her laxly.

“Are you serious?! Now you think I’m-?!”

“I’ll stay out here, make sure we don’t get boxed in. Not sure you had this problem in Ponyland, but alleys are not exactly safe.” At first Sunset was all too eager to blurt out her grievances towards the athlete, but held herself back, seeing as Rainbow did make a fair point. It wasn’t exactly late yet, but the notion of predators was not lost on her.

“Point… taken,” Sunset turned to head down, when she looked back at Rainbow, “And for the record; it’s Equestria.” Pedantic perhaps, but some memories back from home still cemented some pride in her Equestrian roots.

Down the alley she went, met by the fetid stench of garbage, and unmentionable secretions. If she had to choose, stench of tobacco smoke and industrial solutions in the Ghouls’ factory hideout was preferable. The alley naturally couldn’t go on too far, what with the back wall of the building on the other side of the block coming up, parting left and right to a back entrance to the establishments that comprised the left and right walls of the alley. Heaps of garbage bags were piled up haphazardly by the door to the right and… A duel disk laying on top.

Sunset picked up the forebodingly familiar looking object: It was a standard issue duel disk, the same as hers, barring the coloration: A glittery violet module with a well blending glittery blue tray, still deployed. A slight tough against the screen atop the module caused it to light up, the notification; “error: no deck detected” flaring up prominently. True enough, the deck compartment was empty, as was the Extra Deck.

When she’d thought she felt queasy enough from the trepidation, she spotted other items laid about by the garbage heap: A blue spread out hoodie, a crumpled violet skirt with light blue, sparkling rims a short distance from that, a blue boot laying on the ground, its pair leaning against the wall opposite the garbage heap. Gleaming something light blue crumpled on the ground, Sunset knelt down to carefully pick it up, only to instantly drop it again; it was a pair of panties. It didn’t take long to find her light blue, if not outright grayish, backpack amongst the garbage bags.

Sunset, Trixie’s duel disk in hand, looked over the scene before her in horror. What were her possessions doing in here? What happened here?

She pulled out the discarded backpack, gingerly fingering the zipper tag due to the awful stench and unzipped the main compartment; it was filled with a few books and a folder laden with star themed stickers.

A kidnapping? But then why are her clothes… Sweet Celestia, what did they do to her?! Her mind screamed as she slung her own backpack off and began stuffing Trixie’s discarded clothing (minus the panties) inside. As she was folding the hoodie, a cellphone fell and clattered onto the ground. Picking that up, she discovered that it still had power, but as luck would have it; it’d been set on vibrate only. No wonder no-one heard it. Unfortunately, she couldn’t gleam anything else, for it was one of those models accessible by fingerprint scan. Why were all these items left here when they could be sold off, or used for contacting people closest to CHS’ aspiring magician for ransom…

Sunset’s impromptu investigation was rudely interrupted by the distinct roar of an engine bouncing off the confined space of the alley, the beam of a single headlight shining on the wall just a few feet away, the bend of the turn hiding her from its gaze. She quickly gathered up all of Trixie’s belongings before stepping out into the light, shielding her eyes irritably, when the obnoxious rumbling ceased and the light faded. Stopped diagonally at the mouth of the alley was a motorcycle, pitch black with neon, almost luminescent, green decorative patches and streaks, and its rider.

The “tang” of a kickstand deploying followed, after which the rider shed her helmet, revealing the face of a pale turquoise skinned girl with a head of slicked back, and slightly flattened, amber hair, donning a pitch-black biker jacket not much unlike Sunset’s own. Lightning Dust.

“I didn’t think you’d gone hobo this quick, Shimmer,” she remarked in a demeaning tone. “When did you take to rummaging through trash?”

Out of all people today… “I’m not in the mood for this right now, Lightning,” said Sunset flatly. “Get out of the way.”

“Why the rush?” asked Lightning derisively. “Or are you like a vampire now? Can’t stay out in the light too long or you burst into flames?”

“Ha-ha,” mouthed Sunset. “Look, I’m sorry for what happened to your hand. The old me would have told you it was your own fault for playing along, but I won’t. If there’s anything I can do to make up for it; I’m down, but right now I’m in a hurry… Where’s Rainbow?”

“Present,” came Rainbow’s voice from behind Lightning Dust, giving a curt wave.

“You said you were watching out,” Sunset called out indignantly.

“Uh, motorcycle…” said Rainbow, stating the obvious. Again, Sunset couldn’t really argue.

“I figured since Spitshine took the fall, might as well not leave this game unfinished,” said Lightning with evident confidence, as she turned a switch on her motorcycle’s dashboard.

Something lit up before her on said dashboard of what Sunset at first assumed was a regular sports motorcycle, emanating a faint blue hue against Lightning’s cyan features. A cylinder extended from the bottom of the chassis to the side near her foot, which emanated a swirling rainbow-patterned lighting, while just above the headlight a panel slid up with a faint electronic whirr, exposing what first looked like a camera. Lightning reached into a pocket on the inside lining of her jacket and pulled out a deck, which she fastened to a gauntlet looking device which held a forward-facing deck port. With a loud, clicking twist, she turned the port inwards at a ninety-degree angle. Her cards appeared to shuffle, much like on a duel disk.

“Since when did you get a D-wheel?” asked Rainbow Dash, crossing her arms whilst eyeing the motorcycle in what could almost amount to awe.

Lightning looked over her shoulder, “Since finding out that if I can’t beat you on the soccer field or running track, Dash, then I need to do something you wouldn’t have the stomach for.” This elicited a bemused look from Rainbow.

“Seriously, Lightning; I don’t have time for this right now!” Sunset called out. Lightning Dust was clearly unmoved. Much as she deep down loathed the foremost idea she had for the predicament; Sunset had to strongly urge down her remaining pride for it. “If beating me means so much to all of you; fine. You win by default. Happy? “Sunset Shimmer, the devil of CHS runs away from a challenge. Tail between her legs and all,”” she proclaimed, throwing her arms up in the air. “Happy?”

Lightning stared at Sunset as if she were in shock, followed by the noticeable furrowing of her brow. “Are you kidding me with this shit?!” she blurted out incredulously. “I hate you, Shimmer. That isn’t an overstatement; I – hate – you,” she emphasized by pulling off the fingerless glove she wore on her left hand, showing a noticeable blemish on the skin; a scar, “so you’re full of it if you think I’m going to settle for a forfeit.”

She leaned forward, “I’m not going to settle for anything other than kicking your ass in a full-on, honest to god, duel. I don’t know if you had anything to do with Trixie’s disappearance or not. Maybe you did, what with that shit you pulled during the midterm. Maybe you really do think this pity party with kissing everyone’s asses will to do something for you…” She snorted spitefully, “When I win, people are going to see you’re not as tough as you thought, and they’re going to eat you alive for it. And I can live with the satisfaction that it was me who took you down, and as a bonus, outdoing Spitfire and Rainbow in something finally. That’s three birds.”

Rainbow groaned, “You’re still sore about being laid off? You’ve got no-one to blame but you for putting yourself ahead of everyone else, Lightning Dust.”

Lightning turned to look more directly at Rainbow, the two of them glaring at each other derisively, Lightning Dust going as far as performing the human gesture of giving Rainbow the finger. She turned back to Sunset, crossing her arms defiantly. “Only way out of this alley is if you beat me. Duelist’s honor and all that. If not, well I guess we’re just going to be sitting here. All day if I have to. You’re not getting out of this one, Shimmer.”

Sunset groaned. Unwilling to resort to violence after everything, it seemed she would have to comply. She engaged her duel disk, taking several steps backwards so that her back was almost to the back wall, giving enough space between the two. “Duelist’s honor, huh?” she muttered as her auto-shuffler engaged, followed by the digital flip of the coin. Her result was tails.

“Duel!”

Lightning Dust Life Points: 4000

Sunset Shimmer Life Points: 4000

Turn 1: Lightning Dust (Hand: 5)

“Let’s do this.” Lightning took a card from her hand and slapped it on the tray over on her bike’s dashboard, “I summon ‘Dust Rider’ in defense mode!”

With a rev of an engine, onto Lightning’s field emerged a humanoid garbed head to toe in baggy brown burlap looking clothing that was tied around various places, mainly the forearms, ankles, biceps and waist with ragged lengths of cloth. A hood covered its face, along with more strips of cloth obscuring its features, save for a pair of thick, black goggles covering the eyes. It was seated atop an old motorcycle, probably one from the mid-20^th century era; clunky, barebones, but sturdy, with a desert brown coloration. (Level 2, 1200/1300)

“I then activate the Quick-Play Spell; ‘Rip Snatch’. If I control a ‘Rider’ monster, I can draw one card. I then set a card, and end my turn,” she concluded, a projection of a facedown appearing before her.

(Hand: 3)

Turn 2: Sunset Shimmer (Hand: 5)

“I draw,” Sunset swiped her first card of the duel. Already it was looking promising, taking two Pendulum cards from her hand. Gonna make this quick. “I take the scale one ‘Odd-Eyes Persona Dragon’ and the scale eight ‘Dragonpit Magician’ to set the Pendulum Scale!”

“Oh no you don’t!” Lightning dust retorted flicking a finger across something on her dashboard. Possibly a screen like on a duel disk, seeing how this was the first time Sunset was dueling against someone on one of the (in)famous D-wheels. “I play the trap ‘Rip Skid’! When you play a spell or trap card; I negate its activation and destroy it.” The pillar holding Dragonpit Magician immediately erupted, disrupting the Pendulum Scale. “You really think I didn’t learn watching you and Trixie?” She scoffed, “I feel really insulted for that.”

Sunset frowned. With Dragonpit in the Extra Deck, and the only other Pendulum in hand being too high in Pendulum Scale, she was forced to do the most typical desperation move. “I summon ‘Odd-Eyes Mirage Dragon’ in attack mode.”

To Sunset’s field arose the green raptor-like cousin of Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon with its snaking neck, long tail and pronounced tusks on its lower jaw. (Level 3, 1200/600)

“I set one card, then end my turn.”

(Hand: 2)

Turn 3: Lightning Dust (Hand: 3)

“And with that the tables turn,” remarked Lightning Dust as she drew a card from the gauntlet she adorned. “Next I summon ‘Ripper Rider’ in attack mode.”

A quite adequate name for the next monster that revved onto the field: It was either a man or a robot (maybe a cyborg) adorned in a heavy set of gun grey armor that left little uncovered, save for some exposed hydraulics in the joints of the arms, give or take a hose or two. Said armor was extensively covered in a series of spikes and blades that would make it nearly impossible to get in close without cutting or nicking one’s self. Even the helmet angled forward into a sharp beak-like extension, with painted on red eyes smeared near the top. It was seated atop an equally lethal chopper-style motorcycle, the sides also adorned with vicious, serrated blades, and even the tires were made to appear like oversized circular saws. If that wasn’t enough with the appearance of lethality; from the rider’s wrist extended a jagged, slightly worn blade like an oversized bowie knife. (Level 4, 2400/1800)

2400 attack points for no cost?! thought Sunset. No. With these one’s there’s always a catch. She’s going to have to give something up when she attacks, no doubt.

“I then switch Dust Rider to attack mode (ATK: 1200). Then I attack Odd-Eyes Mirage Dragon with Ripper Rider!” Lightning Declared, to which she took three cards from the top of her deck and fed them into a port on her ride’s dashboard. “I order to do so; I need to send three cards from the top of my deck to the graveyard.”

With a rev of the engine, Ripper Rider (ATK: 2400) skid forth, delivering an upward swerving swipe with the jagged blade at his wrist at Odd-Eyes Mirage Dragon (ATK: 1200).

“Odd-Eyes Mirage Dragon’s effect! If I have an Odd-Eyes in my Pendulum Zone, once per either player’s turn, I can prevent an Odd-Eyes monster from being destroyed.”

“But you still take damage,” Lightning remarked.

Sunset Shimmer Life Points: 4000 – 1200 = 2800

“Dust Rider, attack Odd-Eyes Mirage Dragon!”

The burlap wearing humanoid on the old motorcycle revved forth (ATK: 1200), before taking a sharp turn, drawing what looked to be an old, rusted double-barreled sawed-off shotgun. Just as it managed to fire off a shot, Mirage Dragon (ATK: 1200) lashed out with its tail, succumbing to the buckshot, all the while knocking Dust Rider off his ride.

“Dust Rider’s effect! When destroyed in battle, I can Special Summon a ‘Rider’ monster from my deck. I summon ‘Chaosrider Gustaph’ in attack mode!”

Another motorcycle riding monster emerged; this one a green demonic humanoid with red segments of armor adhered to its horned head, face, shoulders, hand and shins, while in one hand it wielded a gnarled length of metal fashioned into a gruesome cutting instrument. As its fellow Riders, it rode on a scuffed, red armored motorcycle. (Level 4, 1400/1500)

“With Chaosrider Gustaph I attack you directly!”

The rider revved its weapon-bearing wrist (ATK: 1400), before revving up its engine and speeding towards Sunset.

“Activate trap: ‘Defense Draw’!” Sunset responded, the Rider getting blasted back by some unseen force. “This negates any damage I take from an attack, and I draw a card.”

“I set another card, then call it,” Lightning added, setting a new card facedown behind her two monsters. The image of her as some biker gang member with the matching Chaosrider Gustaph and Ripper Rider seemed quite adequate for the devil-may-care athlete, Sunset thought.

(Hand: 2)

Turn 4: Sunset Shimmer (Hand: 3)

As Sunset drew, the realization dawned on her that having dueled twice now with the same deck against a fellow student, it stood to reason her limited range in cards would become a hinderance sooner or later. A part of her simple wanted to surrender, get the pointlessness over and done with. But simultaneously it felt as if another part of her, one more insistent, drove her to keep going. Perhaps that duelist’s honor Rainbow was always on about.

“I activate the spell ‘Draconnection’,” Sunset fed the card into her disk “This lets me take a dragon from my hand and switch it for one of the same level in my deck…” If there is one here to match Odd-Eyes’ level… Bingo! Her new card was ejected, followed by a shuffle. “I then take the scale four ‘Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon’ to set the Pendulum Scale!”

Within the second scale arose a new dragon: Unlike most of Odd-Eyes’ kin; this one was a purplish-blue hue, quite similar in scale of Odd-Eyes Pendulum dragon, complete with the sauropodian body-shape. Over its head, chest, feet, forelimbs and tail it donned bleached bone-white armor, the portion over its head forming into horns similar, though more rounded than Pendulum Dragon, as well as forming a protective carapace down and along the neck. The numeral four appeared underneath it.

The moment Sunset set the scale, Rainbow Dash immediately felt the sting inside her chest, her body instinctively slapping a hand over her sternum. This again?! her mind screamed. Was this going to be a regular occurrence now?

Every time Sunset was dueling; either by some ancient, or perhaps interdimensional, voodoo, whenever she’d set the Pendulum Scale; she’d have to live with having what felt like miniature heart attacks? Was it going to go on whenever she was miles away? When in class? At lunch? At home? On the soccer field?!

“The swing of the pendulum connecting two worlds draws out the arc of harmony.”

“Pendulum Summon! Come forth, my monsters!”

With her call, a green streak launched down from the gate between the scales:

“Return, Odd-Eyes Mirage Dragon!” The green Odd-Eyes snarled from its place on the field (Level 3, 1200/600)

Lightning guffawed, “That’s it?! Hah! I was actually worried for a moment there!”

“Now; I attack Ripper Rider with Odd-Eyes Mirage Dragon!”

“Oh my god! Are you serious?!” Lightning laughed, slouching down with one arm propped over the windshield. “Did you just give up since you don’t have that big dragon to pull your ass out of this?!”

“I activate Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon’s Pendulum effect!” Sunset retorted, indicating the new dragon. “When an attack is declared involving my monster, while I control another Odd-Eyes card in my Pendulum zone (Odd-Eyes Persona Dragon), I can increase the attack of the battling monster by 1200!”

Odd-Eyes Persona dragon’s orange and teal eyes lit up within the scales, a blue aura surrounding Odd-Eyes Mirage Dragon (ATK: 1200 -> 2400), to which it lashed out with its spiked tail.

“Oh shit…” Lightning muttered.

With a resounding smack, Mirage Dragon’s tail struck and pierced through Ripper Rider’s (ATK:2400) armor, striking at a vulnerable point in the shoulder.

“With Odd-Eyes Mirage Dragon’s monster effect, I prevent it from being destroyed from this battle, therefore only your monster is destroyed!”

Ripper Rider’s form shattered. Though Lightning took no damage from the matching attack points, just having it off the field was comforting enough. “After battle, Mirage Dragon’s attack points return to normal (1200). I then end my turn.”

(Hand: 2)

Turn 5: Lightning Dust (Hand: 2)

Lightning harrumphed in a demeaning manner as she observed the card she drew. “So that’s it then, huh? Just gotta keep those Pendulums out and you’re as good as done.” A smirk etched to her lips, “I’d have thought Spits would have figured that out way before me. But then again…” she shrugged from atop her D-wheel, “it’s only Spitfire.” Rainbow visually did not condone the notion. Maybe at least Rainbow could appreciate it if Sunset defeated her. Much emphasis on if.

“A duel isn’t over while I still have cards to draw and life points,” Sunset replied in faux confidence. When you were a duplicitous backstabber, the first lesson was to sound that you weren’t bluffing.

“Then I’ll just bring them down right now, Shimmer,” Lightning complied, sliding a card into her D-wheel’s graveyard compartment. “I activate ‘Graceful Charity’; it lets me draw three cards,” which she did, “as long as I ditch two,” which were slid into the Graveyard port. “And then activate the Continuous Spell; ‘Soul Absorption.’ Now with everything set up, “I play the spell ‘Pre-Preparation of Rites.’”

Sunset raised a brow in surprise, “A Ritual card?”

“Damn straight. With this I can add one Ritual Spell, as well as a Ritual Monster mentioned in said card to my hand: I add ‘Dokurorider Unleashed’, and ‘Dokurorider Reborn’.” The two cards were ejected from her deck, followed by a shuffle. “I then activate Dokurorider Unleashed. With this I can ritual summon a ‘Dokurorider’ monster by either the regular means or banishing the needed Ritual fodder from my Graveyard. As such; I banish Ripper Rider and Dust Rider in my Graveyard (Stars: 6).”

Up above in the sky emerged in a flush of flame what looked to be a giant metallic human skull with exaggeratedly sharp teeth. The strangely malleable maw of it opened up, to which a pair of tendrils, like those of liquid flame, lashed down and drove themselves into Lightning’s Graveyard slot, before reeling back a pair of cards, which were devoured. Its cold eyes glowed an eerie red, its maw opening up further before seeming to lock into place with a resonant ‘clunk’, unveiling a dark, swirling vortex.

Lightning Dust Life Points: 4000 + 1000 = 5000

Blazing daredevil kissed by the flames of Hell; let your power roar with the freedom of rebellion.

“Ritual Summon! Rev it up! Level six: ‘Dokurorider Reborn’!”

The loud roar of a motorcycle erupted from somewhere within the foreboding void, when with a burst of fire, the skull shattered, and from the sky fell something loud, and erupting with more hellfire.

It touched down with a metallic thunk and the hiss of suspension springs. The rev of the engine, added with more flames bursting from the sextet of exhaust pipes at the back of the absolutely monstrous motorcycle. The front chassis was pretty much a giant skull of some demonic creature, a pair of red headlights shining from within the eyeholes.

Seated atop the beastly machine was a human skeletal figure: A charred skull with two red horns protruding from the sides, the eyes alight with a blazing light. Decked in a pitch-dark suit of armor, off of which not even a speck of light seemed able to reflect off of. In its right hand it brandished a fearsome red greatsword, one which seemed to have snapped half-way down its length, which only gave it further gruesome slanted point. A length of a long chain was wrapped around the pommel, possibly fused to it, while the rest seemed to be haphazardly wrapped and piled around the rider himself, as if they once bound him. It raised the crimson blade to the skies, the fleshless skull letting loose a fearsome blend of a scream and an almost animalistic roar.

Duel #29: Dokurorider Ascended (Edited 28.4.2020)

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Sunset Shimmer Life Points: 2800

Sunset Shimmer’s field
Monsters:
Odd-Eyes Mirage Dragon (Level 3, 1200/600), attack position

Spells/ Traps:
-

Pendulum Zones:
Odd-Eyes Persona Dragon (Scale 1)
Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon (Scale 4)

-

Lightning Dust Life Points: 5000

Lightning Dust’s field
Monsters:
Dokurorider Reborn (Level 6, 2500/2450), attack position
Chaosrider Gustaph (Level 4, 1400/1200), attack position

Spells/Traps
1x Set card
Soul Absorption

-

Turn 5: Lightning Dust (ongoing) (Hand:1)

“Since I banished two monsters to summon Dokurorider Reborn, Soul Absorption gives me a thousand life points, 500 for each card banished. I then activate my facedown card; ‘Rip Tire’, increasing Chaosrider Gustaph’s attack by 500 (Chaosrider Gustaph ATK: 1400 -> 1900). I will then activate Gustaph’s effect; by banishing two spells, Rip Tire and Rip Snatch from my graveyard, I increase his attack by 300 for each card banished until your next end phase (ATK: 1900 -> 2500).”

Lightning Bliss Life Points: 5000 + 1000 = 6000

“Here I come, Sunny,” called Lightning Dust in a taunting manner, “I attack Odd-Eyes Mirage Dragon with Chaosrider Gustaph!”

The motorcycle-riding humanoid swung its blade in brandish. Before Sunset could respond, Dokurorider’s eyes lit up ominously.

“At this point I activate Dokurorider’s monster effect! By banishing a spell from my graveyard, I can destroy a spell or trap on your field. I banish Graceful charity to destroy your Phantom Dragon! You’re not pulling that shit on me again!”

Lightning Dust Life Points: 6000 + 500 = 6500

With the unworldly roar, Dokurorider Reborn tossed up the crimson sword it wielded, before deftly seizing its chain and began to rev it overhead like some morbid lasso. With enough centrifugal force accrued, it tossed it towards the Pendulum Scale of Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon, decimating the pillar with a violent burst.

With a rev of its engines, Chaosrider Gustaph (ATK: 2500) rode forth, delivering and upward swipe at Odd-Eyes Mirage Dragon (ATK: 1200).

“I activate Odd-Eyes Mirage Dragon’s effect, so it’s not destroyed!” Sunset responded, though she would still take a sizable amount of damage.

Sunset Shimmer Life Points: 2800 – 1300 = 1500

Lightning Dust snorted amusedly, “It’s pointless, Shimmer! I attack your dragon with Dokurorider Reborn!”

With a repeat of its lariat-like handling of its hellish sword, Dokurorider Reborn (ATK: 2500) flung its flaming weapon at Odd-Eyes Mirage Dragon (ATK: 1200), the small Odd-Eyes being utterly decimated when the blade cleaved it in two, both halves erupting into pixels.

Sunset Shimmer Life Points: 1500 – 1300 = 200

“During the end phase, Rip Tire and Rip Snatch return to my hand if banished by monster effects,” Lightning held up the two cards, a condescending sneer etched on her features. “Without those annoying Pendulums, you’re nothing, Shimmer.” (Chaosrider Gustaph ATK: 2400

(Hand: 3)

Turn 6: Sunset Shimmer (Hand: 2)

Sunset drew her next card. Placing her hand over the Extra Deck compartment, she mouthed a silent thanks to her monsters. “I activate the spell ‘Pot of Riches’.”

Lightning raised a brow, “A Pot? So, you’re going to draw cards…”

“Indeed; I take three Pendulum monsters from either my Graveyard or faceup in my Extra Deck,” her Extra Deck compartment snapped open, pushing out the exact three monsters she had in it; Odd-Eyes Mirage and Phantom Dragon, and Dragonpit Magician. She slid them atop her deck, followed by the satisfying rattle of the automatic shuffler. “I then draw twice, but for the rest of this turn I can only Special Summon via Pendulum.”

Sunset looked over Lightning Dust. The showoff’s cocky demeanor seemed to ebbslightly as the turn went on. A duel is not just a string of luck and planning, but also of skill and strength of will. That’s what Priestess once told her when she first started.

“I then activate ‘Pendulum Call’. This card lets me add two ‘Magician’ Pendulum monsters, as long as they have different names, from my deck to my hand,” a quick shuffle and the two were ejected. “I then take the scale eight Dragonpit Magician to set the Pendulum-”

“Dokurorider Reborn’s effect activates!” Lightning retorted. “I banish Pre-Preparation of Rites to destroy your new scale!” Dokuroriber flung its flaming sword at the newly form scale, when the blade abruptly bounced off it. “What?!”

Sunset couldn’t help but afford herself a smug smile, “With Pendulum Call’s effect; ‘Magician’ Pendulum cards can’t be destroyed until my next turn. Sorry, Lightning, but you should learn to keep a cool head. Might have actually gotten somewhere.”

The last remark sparked a reaction from Rainbow, as the chromatically haired athlete slapped both hands to her cheeks and mouthed a distended “Ohhhhh,” with her eyes trained squarely on Lightning. Finally: A positive reaction from Rainbow Dash! Lightning Dust, however, was thoroughly unamused.

“With that, my Pendulum Scale remains set,” and as abruptly as it’d come, she spotted Rainbow clutching at her chest. “Pendulum Summon! Come forth, my monster!” In a green burst of light from within the scales, Sunset’s monster emerged.

“Level 6; ‘Oafdragon Magician’!” One of her new Magicians from when she dueled Fluttershy yesterday, garbed in his predominately green robe, yellow sash and wielding his pronged staff weapon.

“Now, I sacrifice Oafdragon Magician to Tribute Summon ‘Odd-Eyes Advance Dragon’!”

Engulfed in a pillar of shining red power, a pair of great, familiar red wings erupted from within, striking the light aside with one mighty flap. Rearing its snaking head, the greater, larger form of Odd-Eyes glared down from above the buildings, like an angered beast protecting its own. (Level 8, 3000/2500)

“Aw shit…” muttered Lightning.

“Odd-Eyes Advance Dragon’s effect: When successfully Tribute Summoned, it can destroy one monster you control, and inflict damage to you equal to its attack points. Reaction Advance!”

Opening its toothy maw, Odd-Eyes Advance Dragon fired a thin beam that trailed in a straight line through the alley, going over Dokurorider Reborn (ATK: 2500) without an outward effect. As soon as it passed, a violent ground-trailing explosion followed in its wake, decimating the rider.

Lightning Dust Life Points: 6500 – 2500 = 4000

“I then attack your Chaosrider Gustaph with Odd-Eyes Advance Dragon!”

Odd-Eyes, with a reciprocating roar, repeated the previous motion (ATK: 3000), firing a beam from its mouth trailing along the ground under Chaosrider Gustaph (ATK: 2000), getting a taste of the following explosion herself, only for it to not really affect her, aside from the noise and flashing.

Lightning Dust Life Points: 4000 – 1000 = 3000

“I set one card,” said Sunset as she slid one of the last two cards in her hand into the spell and trap port.

(Hand: 1)

Turn 7: Lightning Dust (Hand 3)

As Lightning’s turn began, her smug composure had broken away drastically. She seemed to hesitate for a moment as her fingers touched her deck. Murmuring something Sunset couldn’t make out, she drew her next card. “What a fucking relief,” she mused before slapping the newly drawn card onto the D-wheel’s mounted tray. “I summon ‘Chain Rider’ in defense mode.”

Another dreadful rev of a motorcycle engine permeated the enclosed space, when onto the field arose, to no surprise at this point; another motorcycle riding monster: This one, though similar akin to Chaosrider Gustaph, was a small, burly goblin-looking creature with a helmet that may have been two sizes too small, with a constantly grinning (or grimacing) mouth clearly visible from underneath, decked in a spiky leather harness and ramshackle armor plating tethered to its body. It rode on a worn-out cafe racer type motorcycle, while grasped tightly in an oversized green fist was a length of chain with a weight at one end. (Level 4, 1800/1100)

“I set three cards, then end my turn.”

(Hand: 0)

Turn 8: Sunset Shimmer (Hand: 1)

She’s getting desperate, thought Sunset as she drew her next card. Is this a good thing, or a bad thing? “I play the spell One Day of Peace. This lets us both draw one card,” a slight smile formed on her lips. “Consider it a peace offering.”

“Tch. Whatever, Shimmer,” said Lightning as both of them were urged to draw. “I guess it’s true; when you lose everything; you do become a pathetic kissass like you and Fluttershy.”

“She is not a kissass,” muttered Sunset, when Lightning appeared to trigger one of her set cards.

“I activate ‘Rip Snatch’, to draw one card. Then I activate Rip Tire, increasing Chain Rider’s ATK by 500. And lastly, Rip Chain. During the end phase I activate the appropriate number of effects based on the largest chain this turn.”

Sunset eyed her opponent warily, looking over her small hand before proclaiming, “I attack Chain Rider with Odd-Eyes Advance Dragon.”

Odd-Eyes (ATK: 3000) once again proceeded to blow away Lightning’s Chain Rider (DEF: 1100), but didn’t inflict damage due to being in defense.

“I end my turn.”

(Hand: 2)

That’s when that familiar smirk reappeared on Lightning’s features, “With a chain of three: Rip Chain lets me destroy one card on the field: And my choice is your Odd-Eyes Advance Dragon!”

Sunset couldn’t help gasping when a series of chains launched out from the card’s image, the numerous shackles coiling around the great dragon like metallic serpents, squeezing the life out of it. The dragon and the chains binding it shattered into pixels up above.

“And I can add one ‘Rider’ or ‘Rip’ card from my deck to my hand.” With a rattle of the automated shuffler, a card was ejected for her to take.

Turn 9: Lightning Dust (Hand: 3)

“Time to put you in your place, bitch,” Lightning growled as she drew her next card. “I activate ‘Dokurorider Unleashed’! I banish Dokurorider Reborn from my graveyard to fill the cost!”

Lightning Dust Life Points: 3000 + 500 = 3500

“Beyond the grasp of Hell, shunned by the Heavens, let your engine of freedom roar an eternity.”

“Ritual Summon! Ride on! Level 6: ‘Dokurorider Ascended!’”

Bursting from the void and landing in a similar manner as before, Dokurorider showed itself again, only this time, he was different. As before, he rode a grand motorcycle with a sextet of upward curving exhaust pipes, only the once hellish flames had changed to an ethereal blue, and the tires were both entirely composed of this same ghostly fire. The demonic skull at the front remained, and seemed more worn this time around, and bleached.

The rider himself had changed from wearing the void black armor to a silvery, mirror-like suit that shimmered the blue flames off its impossibly immaculate surface. His head, no longer adorning horns, was now awash in the same fire, only the outlines of his skull being visible. His sword was no longer shackled, and was made whole, the red having changed to pure silver, while the blade burned in a blinding blue. (Level 6, 2500/2450)

“When Dokurorider Ascended it Ritual Summoned using a Dokurorider as the Ritual material, his attack points permanently increase by 1000 (ATK: 2500 -> 3500), and makes him indestructible by card effects! And when Ritual Summoned, I can activate one of two effects by either banishing all my spells or all my trap cards in the Graveyard. By banishing all my traps (Rip Skid, Rip Lash); I destroy all your spells and traps on the field!”

Sunset took a step back in shock as the immaculate rider swung forth with his sword, sending a rippling aura of flame that seared away everything on her field: Her Pendulum scale and set card burned to ashes, leaving her field bare.

Lightning Bliss Life Points: 3500 + 1000 = 4500

“Dokurorider Ascended, direct attack! Finish this!” Lightning snarled, her composure gone, in place with an overeager, almost feral glare.

Dokuroriber Ascended brandished its blade, now made whole and sped off towards Sunset in a blue flurry of flames. The rider swung his blade… And nothing proceeded to happen. Sunset’s life points did not tick down from the meager 200 to zero, nothing.

“What the hell?!” blurted Lightning Dust incredulously. “Is your piece-of-crap duel disk fritzing or what?!”

A sudden bout of laughter followed. The source, even to Sunset’s own surprise; was Rainbow Dash. The rainbow-haired athlete, hands to her hips, was honest to Celestia laughing at the spectacle. The sight was a touch unnerving to say the least, given how Rainbow was persistently taciturn or passive aggressive in Sunset’s presence. But all at the same time, it was a refreshing change.

“Lightning, what an absolute tool you are!” guffawed Rainbow, shaking her head. “One Day of Peace. You get it? One Day of Peace: It prevents either player taking damage from anything until the user’s next turn! You literally pulled off that ender’s gambit for nothing! You blew it!”

Lightning looked like she’d been petrified upon hearing Rainbow’s explanation. True enough; that was the effect of the One Day of Peace Sunset had played last turn, not certain whether Lightning would catch on, particularly when she’d attacked Chain Rider with Odd-Eyes Advance Dragon, since it had been in defense mode. Lightning glared at Sunset one hand grasping tightly at the bar of her D-wheel. She was furious.

“Y-you… Whatever! Dokurorider is invincible to destruction effects, and none of your monsters are strong enough to take him on! My life points are miles ahead of yours! You can’t win, Shimmer!” Lightning blurted.

Sunset, comparably the epitome of calmness compared to the jittering Lightning, looked at her foe defiantly. “I told you only moments ago: A duel isn’t over while I still have cards to draw and life points. Anything is still possible, whether you believe so or not.”

Lightning huffed in exasperation, “During my end phase, Rip Lash and Rip Skid return to my hand. I end my turn.”

(Hand: 3)

Turn 10: Sunset Shimmer (Hand: 2)

Closing her eyes, Sunset reached for her deck, and drew. This has gone long enough; time to end it. “I play the spell card ‘Amazing Pendulum;’ I can add two ‘Magician’ Pendulum monsters from my Extra Deck to my hand.” Her Extra Deck port opened, pushing out her cards of choice. “I take the scale two Oafdragon Magician, and the scale eight Dragonpit Magician to set the Pendulum Scale.

“The swing of the pendulum connecting two worlds draws out the arc of harmony.”

“Pendulum Summon! Come forth, my partner!” With the re-established Pendulum Scale, the gate opened, a scarlet streak striking down. “Level 7; valiant dragon with dichromatic eyes: ‘Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon’!”

With a glint from its mismatched orange and teal eyes, Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon finally graced the field of this particularly harrowing duel, letting out its distinct call, as if in triumph. (Level 7, 2500/2000)

“And my final card from my hand: The spell ‘Tsukumo Slash’!” Sunset inserted the last card in her hand, unveiling itself on the field. “When my monster attacks a monster with more attack points; it gains attack points based on the difference between our life points.”

Lightning looked on in utter disbelief, “But… My life points are 4500…!”

“And mine are 200. So that’s 4300 in total. Odd-Eyes, attack Dokurorider Ascended! Spiral Strike Burst!”

With a roar elicited by the sudden surge of power (Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon ATK: 2500 -> 6800), the bipedal dragon dashed forth. Building up its now iconic breath attack and unleashing it with greater intensity than ever before, the gout of energy glowing hot orange instead of the usual scarlet. The attack completely enveloped Dokurorider Reborn and its ride (ATK: 3500)

“But even if you destroy Dokurorider Ascended I’ll still have life points left,” Lightning responded, with but a sliver of hope remaining.

“When Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon attacks a monster that’s level 5 or higher, it deals double the battle damage,” replied Sunset, to which all said hope came falling down on Lightning’s expression. “Reaction Force!” With another impossible surge, a white spiraling pattern enveloped Odd-Eyes’ attack. With no cards set and no way to use any cards in her graveyard, Lightning was finished.

“Dammit!” Lightning snapped, watching the (virtual) embers of her monster waft around her in disbelief. “I had you…”

Lightning Dust Life Points: 4500 – 6600 = -2100

Sunset Shimmer Victory!

As the whirr of the holo-emitters died down, Sunset watched as Rainbow squeezed her way past Lightning’s obstructive D-wheel, looking strangely pleased over the results; “Wanna tell Spitfire yourself, or should I?”

Lightning glared daggers at Rainbow. Veritably slamming her helmet on her head, kicking in the ignition of her vehicle, performing a dust-spewing turn before zooming away. Rainbow turned towards Sunset, crossing her arms while smirking in contentment.

“Enjoy the show?” asked Sunset with a wry smile, disengaging her duel disk.

Rainbow chuckled, “Oh maliciously.” An interesting choice of words, but at least Rainbow was happy for once in Sunset’s company. “So, what took you so long back here anyway?” she asked looking past the turn into the more compact path where the garbage bags lay. “I thought you were taking a piss or something down here.”

Sunset’s brows furrowed in disgust, “Ugh! No, dammit!” How is Fluttershy friends with you?! “I found something.”

Rainbow raised a brow,” Seriously?” Sunset slung off her backpack and unzipped it, pulling the gap open to reveal the assortment of discarded clothing and additional duel disk. She watched as Rainbow pulled out Trixie’s duel disk and scrutinized it intently. “Well, it definitely looks like Trixie’s…” She then pulled out the light blue hoodie, only for a light blue bra to fall out from its folds. “What the hell?!”

“I don’t know what went down here, but we gotta call the girls to meet up,” said Sunset in urgency.

Rainbow stuffed the clothing, including the bra, back inside, “Say no more.”

The two took down the street in a brisk pace where Sunset started to browse for Fluttershy’s number, when Rainbow abruptly cleared her throat to get her attention, “This doesn’t mean we’re cool, just FYI.” Sunset chose to simply roll her eyes before planting her phone to her ear.

Duel #30: Sinner or Redeemed (Edited 28.4.2020)

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The notion of ever having to find herself at a police station rarely crossed her mind. Although, lately she had entertained the possibility of being stuck into an interrogation room over some of her deeds. Thankfully, at least this time around, she was seated in relative comfort in a walled off cubicle office in front of a desk. Beside her sat Rainbow Dash, remarkably more relaxed, one leg heft against the other and an arm slung behind the chair.

“Miss… Sunset Shimmer, was it?” asked the officer across the desk, a grey-skinned woman with dark grey, bordering on black, hair tied in a formal looking bun, dressed in a dress shirt with her badge pinned to the chest pocket. The name plaque on her desk labeled her as “Investigator Penchant”. “You can relax; I understand it might be a little daunting, but you’ve nothing to worry about. Now, the officer at the front desk informs us you two provided evidence regarding the recent disappearance of…” she peeked at the folder open on her desk, “Trixie Lulamoon?”

Sunset fidgeted slightly in her seat, “Um, yes- That is… I mean, that’s correct, ma’am.”

Penchant did not outwardly respond to Sunset’s stuttering, “Since you’re from the same school, when did either of you last see Miss Lulamoon?”

“Just yesterday, actually,” said Sunset, Rainbow affirming this with a nod. “She was my designated opponent for a duel test.”

“I can confirm,” said Rainbow, lifting her hand over her backrest. “I was spectating. My- *ahem* Our friend Fluttershy can attest.” Hearing Rainbow speak formally was an odd spectacle, to say the least.

“I see,” said Penchant, jotting down notes onto a pad. “Where exactly did you find her belongings?”

“In an alley along Stirrups Street,” said Sunset, “I think it was between a laundry and a… Sorry, I don’t remember.”

“That’s alright,” stated Penchant. “How did you come across the items?”

“Not much to say; I looked in, there was a turn with garbage bags, I just found everything spread out.”

“Right,” as she jotted down more notes, Penchant raised a questioning brow. “What were the two of you doing going down the alleyway?”

Sunset almost fretted, the implications making it sound like the two of them were up to something illicit, when Rainbow spoke up, “Our friend Rarity from school got it into her head to look into the whole shebang. She’s been having this obsession with detective stories.”

Penchant uttered a faint chuckle at that, “It is pretty noble of her to help look for your friend and all, but perhaps insist to her to let the proper authorities handle it.”

She’s not really our friend, thought Sunset, but remained silent. She sat in silence, all the while the sounds of the rest of the office space carried into the cubicle. Penchant then looked over something on her desktop, before turning back to address them.

“By any chance would the two of you know of any possible reasons for Miss Lulamoon’s disappearance? Was she involved in something? Did she have enemies? Anything like that?”

Sunset glanced to the side before responding, “None that I know of.” Just remembering her own time with the Ghouls made those questions all the more troubling. “I mean, I think a lot of people at school might find her… Difficult, but I wouldn’t say she has enemies, per say.”

“She’s loud, obnoxious, and a hack performer,” said Rainbow, much more bluntly, to which Sunset motioned in disapproval.

Sunset shrugged, grinning awkwardly, “She’s theatrical.”

Penchant seemed to realize something as she jotted down further notes, “Now that I think of it, isn’t there that one stage magician in Las Pegas named Lulamoon?” Sunset was not certain who she meant. “Anyhow, on behalf of the Canterlot P.D., we appreciate you two coming forth with this evidence. I assure you we will not stop until we find your friend and bring her home.”

Sunset nodded glumly as she and Rainbow stood up to be led out of the office by Inspector Penchant. After the parting of gratitudes and farewells, the two of them rejoined with their friends who were left waiting in the lobby, and exited the police station. The fresh afternoon air helped alleviate the constrictive uneasiness Sunset had felt being inside, but it did nothing to alleviate any trepidations she had pertaining to Trixie’s whereabouts, and health.

“Ah’ guess that’s the best we can do for now,” said Applejack, her tone belying the same unease everyone else was feeling after finding Trixie’s possessions.

“I just really want to know how on earth did Trixie’s belongings; all that was on her, end up where it was,” said Rarity who, by Applejack’s insistence, had taken off the fedora.

“I don’t think I want to know myself…” said Fluttershy with a shudder.

“Damn straight!” exclaimed Pinkie Pie. “It’s like something out of this manga I read where-”

“Pinkie, now’s not the time,” Rainbow interjected. “For all we know some creeper just snatched her up, did who knows what, dumped her stuff and god knows what else!” The elicited an audible whimper from Fluttershy, prompting Sunset to put a comforting arm around her shoulders.

“You misconstrue one thing though,” prompted Rarity. “Everything was there, but her deck.”

Oh right! Sunset looked up in realization, her deck wasn’t there!

“Well isn’t it obvious then?” asked Rainbow. “It’s Ghouls.” The athlete’s conclusion sent a shiver up Sunset’s spine.

“B-but wasn’t their base of operations burned down?” asked Fluttershy. “Um, Sunset, your grip is hurting a bit…”

Sunset released her hold with a prompt “Sorry!”

“I doubt losing said base would end the problem completely,” Rarity remarked, idly putting the fedora back on.

Applejack groaned, “Kill one an’ a bunch more spring up like shrooms in the rain. But Ah’ never expected them to resort to kidnappin’ or… Good god, whatever they did to Trixie!”

Sunset felt the base of her stomach lurch. That couldn’t have been it, could it? The Ghouls were reprehensible, certainly, what with the cage matches with their shock collars, the betting rings, illegal acquisitions, be it through blackmail or outright force, but had they ever stooped to kidnapping random people off the street? Let alone… Sweet Celestia, no. Hazy memories of her final bout in the infamous cage against Spring Steel surfaced. Gauge wanted her dealt with for overstepping her boundaries one too many times, and she could still remember what Spring Steel had threatened to do with her had he won…

“Hey, Sunset,” said Pinkie,” you okay? Why are you looking so suspiciously introspective?”

Sunset stared blankly at the party girl’s oddly specific choice of words, “… I’m fine. Just, you know, bit out of it. I mean I just saw Trixie yesterday, the duel… Everyone thinking I did something to her.”

“You did nothing wrong, you have us as an alibi,” Fluttershy reassured her.

“I know. Thank you,” said Sunset softly. But what about whatever it was I did that night…?

Turner was roused from his focus on his work by his psychedelic ringtone, one that for reasons that still eluded him, he’d just grown strangely attached to. “Hello?” he answered, clutching the device to his cheek with his shoulder whilst continuing to type.

“I went over your report,” came the voice of Luna from the other end. “I really appreciate giving me the bullet points, because this stuff might otherwise be Latin for me.”

“No problem at all, Lu,” said Turner. “It’s actually good that you called: I was just going over the recent surveillance data picked up by the rooftop allotted Mr. E. I did have to hack into the school’s security cameras though to provide a visual feed, so…”

Luna went silent for a moment, the only sounds perceivable being the faint creak of her office chair. Knowing her, she was likely pinching her nose or the like. “Alright, but just be wary if the FBI comes knocking on your door, I’m afraid my hands are tied there.” A witty remark. Possibly. Hopefully?

“I was quite discreet I assure you. Mostly… Anyhow, the Mr. E notified me of a duel in progress through the duel disk network, and lo and behold as I turn on the feed, it was your Sunset Shimmer and this other fiery lass.”

“That would be Spitfire, one of our top athletes. I witnessed some of the event myself out the window,” said Luna informingly. “So what did your devices pick up?”

“You remember the brief sensory spike I disclosed in my report? Well, there was another, similar moment this time around as well, and I feel I need not even mention at what moment during the duel it came about.”

“When she Pendulum Summoned?” asked Luna, without a hint of hesitation in her tone.

“Exactly,” said Turner, as he minimized the document writer to reveal himself the graphs of data from earlier, “, well, set the Pendulum Scale, but I digress. Though this time the surge seemed stronger. By a noticeably wider margin. It lasted only a few seconds, just like last time, but the wavelength was more than double the first.”

“What do you suppose the reason is?”

Turner took the moment to pick up his phone proper to rev his cramping shoulder, “The MRE meters are based entirely on a theoretical phenomenon that I can at best attest to using currently understood laws of physics. For all we know it’s just reacting to the duel disk enabling the Pendulum algorithms. Otherwise it could be for a multitude of reasons; surrounding temperatures, air humidity, maybe even just other electronics interfering…”

Luna went quiet on the other end for an uncomfortably long moment, to the point where he was almost inclined to call out to her, when the vice-principal abruptly spoke, “Speaking as one not as familiar to the field as you, I might have my own theory as to why these… wavelengths, was it? Were stronger than the first time. If you will have it.”

This elicited a friendly chuckle from Turner, doing a one-eighty on his chair and putting his weight against the backrest, “Let’s hear it then.”

“I will have to view the security feed on my own, but on the night of the mid-term duel, recall that there were five other people involved…”

It was late in the evening, and no matter what she tried to preoccupy herself with, Sunset could not get the events of the day out of her mind. Laying atop her futon, idly flicking through articles on her phone: She was most focused on one from about a month ago; the night the Ghoul hideout in the industrial hub, the very same she’d once frequented for personal gain, to which she could attest her living in quite the comfortable setup in her loft apartment, let alone as a teenager in this particular country. As much as the human world had so many elements and conveniences one could never even dream of in Equestria, she still wracked her mind over how inept the human race had been over such trivial issues such as gender, the economy, war… Though the wisdom of using paper money over Equestrian gold bits did come off as more practical in terms of-

Focus, Sunset! she goaded herself. She was meant to be troubled, not introspecting cross-dimensional economics.

Going over the article for maybe the eighth time that evening; how Caliber Primer, the Ghouls’ master of ceremonies and who originally got Sunset her place among the syndicate talking about demons and monsters killing everyone while “she” watched, and how Gauge Primer was in custody. If she… No, if that aberration that was hijacking her body killed everyone, would there be many Ghouls left to begin with? If Gauge and Caliber were still in custody, who would even be next in the chain of command, if there even was one to begin with? Had the loss of leadership led to survivors going rogue and doing their own things?

Was this what really happened to Trixie? That she just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time that just coincided with the exact same day she would duel Sunset? And it would be something so disgustingly abhorrent as… Sunset didn’t even want to imagine it. Even if it was Ghouls, would she be at fault? If anyone found out that she used to run with them, obstinate as it was, could she have a hope in hell to defend her case, especially before the students of CHS who so readily pounced on her with accusations?

Flicking off the Internet browser and bringing up her contact information: The thought of coming clean crossed her mind. But not just to anyone. There was only one whom she thought would listen to her wholeheartedly. She was certain Fluttershy would hear her out; of all the five, she was the most understanding, though perhaps Pinkie was on the same level. Sunset needed to get this off her chest at last…

She couldn’t bring herself to hit the call button. With a sigh, she slumped her head down against the pillow underneath her head. She reached out to her coffee table beside her and picked up her deck, holding it over her, with Odd-Eyes staring down at her from atop it.

Why are you helping me so much, when I tore you away from your original owner? she wondered, staring up at the transformed Pendulum card. Her thoughts swam back to that moment of a waking dream, when she saw the Tree of Harmony and Twilight (in all her nude splendor). Ignoring the flushing in her cheeks, how she’d continued to yearn for her and Priestess’ guidance right now.

Lowering the deck back onto the coffee table, laying on her side, Sunset found her eyelids growing heavy, before drifting into the blackness of sleep.

She found herself there again: An unending blackness, centralized by the resplendent majesty of the crystalline tree standing over her, its vast network of roots snaking all around, spreading the soothing glow of the mystical font further into the void. The six elements gleamed in their rightful placements around and in the center.

Sunset approached; her sensation of body blurred. Two or four legs, she couldn’t tell. In her silent wake, from the base of the tree a bud opened to bloom; a magnificent pair of wings encompassing a familiar female form, gazing down at her, her eyes belying a sense of wisdom as well as admiration (or at least how Sunset thought, or rather, wanted to think so).

“I… I needed to see you again,” uttered Sunset, eyes transfixed on the image of Twilight standing before her. “Twilight, something’s happening and I don’t know what to do about it. The day you came to me, Trixie’s gone missing, and everyone still thinks I’m the same monster you fought during the Fall Formal, I… I’m scared about what’s happening to me.”

Before she could press further, a familiar sound echoed in the blackness. It came from something clearly living; a fearsome call of a great beast. Twilight, seemed none perturbed by this, when she peered behind her. The groundless expanse trembled as heavy feet stomped somewhere beyond the tree. Soon a pair of eyes, one orange, one teal, were perceived, staring back from the blackness. Another call echoed around her, coming from the direction of the eyes.

“Your new friend believes you are on the right path, Sunset,” said Twilight, her calm, kindly composure never faltering, when the dichromatic eyes stepped forth, entering the illumination: A sharp, attenuating visage, framed by a wide pair of white horns extending from a matching crest over those very eyes.

“Odd-Eyes?”

“Your strength keeps growing,” said Twilight cryptically, raising one arm as if to indicate the Tree of Harmony. “Continue to make them your strength too, and all will become clear. It’s already begun.”

Looking back up at the tree, Sunset noticed something that wasn’t there before: From each of the branches, coiled around beneath each facet of the Elements of Harmony, winding down and along the crystalline trunk what looked to be similar, glistening vines, one embedded beneath the centermost Element of Magic. These vines worked their way down into the roots. Further down into the blackness formed three vein-like growths, each bearing a distinct bi-colored coil:

One was magenta and purple, one pink and red, one orange and blue. Each of them reached down into something: Great ovals buried(?) further down in the void. Within each oval Sunset could barely make out small shapes. If she focused hard enough, she could hear something over the magical chime of the tree: A two-part rhythm… A heartbeat?

Duel #31: New Arrivals

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It was the next day, Thursday. And the atmosphere at CHS was melancholy, to say the least. No word had come up during the morning announcements regarding the wellbeing of Trixie, nor her whereabouts. Though she might have originally been relegated as a source of annoyance, what with her unnecessarily outward tendencies and boastfulness, the hallways felt inexplicably more morose without the resident stage magician to liven the mood between classes. Very much every one missed her, where even talks about her being possibly gone for good were brought about among the student body.

And then there was the accusations. By Celestia’s radiant, shining flank, the accusations: Word in the halls was that Sunset had caused Trixie to anything from vanishing to committing the unthinkable after her defeat at Sunset’s hand. Preposterous, surely; she could barely fathom how she tapped into such powers to begin with, let alone wish ill on someone as harmless as Trixie. Mildly annoying, certainly, but otherwise harmless.

And furthermore, how would they explain the continued presence of Spitfire and Lightning Dust? The former whom very publicly challenged her, and the latter who’d made it a point to actively avoid her or anything to do with her. By all accounts, Sunset’s alibi was solid: She’d been with her friends the afternoon Trixie vanished, and she spent much of her time in the company of Fluttershy between classes. Even Rainbow was willing to attest that nothing illicit was going on, for the most part, at least. Talks about potential new challenges were circulating too, though some remained fearful of dueling the “She-demon of CHS”, while others, at least on the surface, put on the bravado of not being afraid. Just biding their time. Apparently.

Biding their time all the while giving her as wide a berth as possible as she was putting away her materials from second period. If this kept up, Sunset would probably be forced into another examination duel sooner or later. The regret of not going with Twilight through the portal and leaving everyone in peace nagged at her. It offered no benefits, just further resentment over herself and her decisions.

As she slid a book inside, something came tumbling out of the depth of her locker, slamming audibly to the floor and collapsing over her boot. A book? No, more like a tome: Thick with sturdy wooden covers with golden frames, quite out of place to the mass-produced cardboard covers humanity had a preference for. She knelt down to pick it up, inspecting the front cover, at the bright yellow and radiant red sun symbol dead center. Where had she seen this before…?

Opening the tome to a spread uncovered an entry written in well-trained cursive, like something mere human hands couldn’t replicate… Because it was written by telekinetic gripping of a quill pen; her telekinetic grip. As if a blackened crevasse in her mind was touched by the eternal sun itself and unveiled what lay within.

She remembered: This wasn’t just a tome or journal; it was an enchanted tome used for two-way communication, one very specifically made for her… By Princess Celestia. On the page right after the previous, there was more writing, this one further refined by millennia of mastery before it was unlike any other of its kind; the writing of Celestia herself. This journal was one of the few items she took with her on her self-imposed exodus. Back then, she didn’t understand why; maybe a flickering sentiment for her mentor and former mother figure. Maybe she hung onto some faint hope that she… no, the other way around, that the Princess would find it in her heart to forgive her, and bid her to return, to her home.

No message ever came in the first few years into her abandonment of her old life. She recalled now how she did not want the thing anywhere near her. She may as well have tossed it into the garbage. But she didn’t. She must have stashed it away here, in her locker. Out of sight, out of mind, but safe enough to not leave Equestrian artifacts under possible seizure by human hands. It was amazing that the aberration within her hadn’t thought of using the journal itself, or maybe it saw no need. Or maybe, as it had done with her memories of Priestess; it saw the possibility of contacting Celestia as a threat and obscured her memories of its existence.

Sunset flicked through the pages, not getting all too far; what with her having very much lived with Celestia, but there were entries, or rather, exchanges one should say between the two, back when they still had that bond of mentor and student… And further down, there were a few entries by the Princess. She could not tell the specific date or time, but… It was very recent! Perhaps only a few days before the last time the opening of Star Swirl’s portal:

Dear Sunset Shimmer,

It’s been many a moon since I wrote to you last. I hope that you are well. That you have found peace of mind and soul. I have had much time to ruminate on what I said, how I acted. I was not the most qualified as a teacher when it came to friendship. I was haughty… no, arrogant in my presumptions, and for all of that, I am truly sorry.

If you receive this message, Sunset; the celestial alignment is approaching, and the portal will open soon. I ask that you at least consider returning home to Equestria. Much has changed since you left, and I think there are a few ponies who I think would be happy to meet you. I truly wish to make amends over how impulsive I was with you when I… When I forced you into something that I had no business claiming I knew anything about.

If you wish not to return, and have found happiness on the other side of the mirror, I will respect your wishes, and only hope for the best for you, much as I do miss you, and the happier times we had.

Best wishes,

Celestia

Sunset embraced the journal to her chest, feeling a fresh stream of tears from her eyes. Celestia had tried to contact her before, and had forgiven her. And she had left the Princess with no answer, because of her anger and arrogance. The latest entry couldn’t have been that old. She assumed the ponies her former mentor referred to was Twilight, and the counterparts of Sunset’s friends. Perhaps even the returned and restored Princess Luna. She certainly could fathom more than a few things she and the younger of the sister could have in common, both good and bad. What and interesting conversation that would be, were she and the Princess of the Moon ever to meet in person.

And the journal had worked even between dimensions! This was perfect. With her current dilemma over the rampant distrust of her at CHS, perhaps she could tell the Princess of her woes. A way to reconnect with her teacher and motherly figure. Sunset uttered thanks to whatever benevolent higher power in the multiverse allowed her to make this discovery. She might as well have responded to the princess immediately, but the bell had rung several minutes ago, and it was history class.

It’s been this long; I’m sure the Princess can wait one hour.

“Oh, have you taken to keeping a diary, Sunset?” asked Rarity from across the lunch room table. The six had gathered around what might as well have been the group’s official table during lunch period. Sunset was currently seated between Fluttershy and Pinkie, while across from them were Applejack, Rarity and Rainbow. “Good for you. Though might I suggest you not use it too openly? One might not know where there might be eavesdroppers…” Applejack’s eyes appeared to idly dart left and right.

“Hmm? Oh, it’s not a diary. Well, not exactly,” said Sunset as she closed the journal. “I found it stashed away in my locker; my old journal which I used to communicate with Princess Celestia back when we couldn’t get together.”

Now all five of the girls’ attentions were seized, the lot staring intently at the wood bound, gold framed book. Pinkie mouth a mystified “Ooooh” as she trailed a finger along the spine.

“… Used to what?” asked Rainbow Dash. The fact she took the initiative to incite dialogue showed improvements over some form of rapport being formed.

Sunset smiled knowingly, gently placing the enchanted tome on the table for everyone to see, “You heard me; this journal lets me exchange messages with Princess Celestia herself. It’s a unique form of communication reserved between Celestia and her personal students, with her having a matching journal which receives messages inscribed in this one’s pages, and vice versa.”

“Oh! So it’s like your- I mean, their- I mean…” Pinkie’s mouth lined. “It’s like a smartphone, but in book form!”

Sunset chuckled, “I guess it is.” Her enthusiasm erred, “I only now remembered I had it and how I deliberately hid it away since I was still so angry with her.”

“Your memories?” asked Fluttershy.

Sunset nodded, “Yea. One of those that that… thing blanked from my mind. It must have perceived the possibility of me talking to Celestia as a threat. And now that it’s gone and I found it, my mind feels clearer now.”

“But now you and… Princess Celestia, can chat each other up again?” asked Applejack.

Sunset nodded, “She’d tried to contact me sometime before the portal last opened.”

“What did she say?” asked Fluttershy.

Sunset acquiesced by taking the journal, opening the latest received entry and read it aloud, just vocal enough that only the six of them could hear. The tone of the Princess’ words seemed to elicit positivity among her friends, even Rainbow, who’s face indicated more than a sliver of warmth as she smiled wryly, though keeping a credible air of distance by looking away. Pinkie Pie went as far as giving Sunset what may have best be interpreted as a congratulatory hug.

“Did ya write her back?” asked Applejack.

“Not yet,” said Sunset, putting the journal down again. “I just don’t know what to say to her.”

“Just tell her you screwed up, admit that you screwed up, now you’re paying the pulpit and learned your lesson.” All eyes diverted towards Rainbow Dash, who returned everyone’s gaze whilst sitting lax in her chair. “What? Just call it as I see it.”

“I believe the saying is “paying the piper”, Rainbow,” said Rarity, pedantic as it may have been, or meaningless as far as Rainbow was concerned, most likely.

Rainbow revved her palm, “Potato-potato.”

“Who the heck says “potato”?” mused Applejack.

“Point being…” said Rainbow more vocally, “you gotta tell her you admit that you were wrong with what you did, then see how she responds. Trust me; been through similar tussles as team captain.”

Sunset stared at the rainbow-haired athlete in bafflement. “Umm… I mean… thanks, Rainbow. I guess that is the best I can do for now.”

All the while everything occurred, Fluttershy seemed particularly pleased with something, though what it was she did not speak out.

“Alright,” said Sunset, as she leaned against the lockers while eyeing Rainbow Dash intently who was busy managing her study materials, “who are you and what have you done with the ass of a Rainbow from yesterday?”

Rainbow mock-laughed as she shut her (messy) locker, “Buried in the soccer field.”

Rather witty, thought Sunset, “Though seriously; back there in the lunch room. What was that about?”

Rainbow sighed, not too exasperatedly, just in embarrassment, “After we went separate, Fluttershy verbally handed me my ass.”

“Fluttershy?” asked Sunset.

“Yea. Boy can she stick it to ya when she means it,” remarked Rainbow, looking like a shudder just raced up her form.

“Ah. The Stare,” Sunset nodded. Meek as Fluttershy may be, few ever dared to opposed her infamous stare.

As they walked along, Rainbow looked further resentful, “Sorry about your folks.”

“My...?” the realization dawned in but a moment, “Did she tell you?”

“Yea. Don’t be angry with her, please,” said Rainbow pleadingly.

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” said Sunset promptly with an open palm. “So yes; I lost my parents as a fill- when I was little.”

“Yea, so what I mean is that… I guess maybe I was just a bit stubborn.”

An understatement if I ever heard one. “Since we’re being honest; I wouldn’t have forgiven me either. But I really do wish to make things right, and even if it means only having you five, it would be enough for me.” An awkward silence ensued as they went. “We don’t need to be needlessly chummy, right?”

Rainbow snorted, “I’m guessing the terms might be; no passive aggressiveness, no sick burns, no she-demon remarks…” Rainbow counted down on her fingers.

“Excuse me! Miss Shimmer, if I may?”

The two looked back; Mr. Turner was approaching, dressed in his seemingly staple pinstripe blue suit and tie with the sorely mismatched converse sneakers. Sunset remained suspicious of the man, but outwardly, the new teacher seemed harmless, especially as he almost stumbled, sending one of his lesson materials, all clutched under one arm, falling to the floor. Rainbow, in an impressive display of speed and agility caught the notebook before handing it back to Mr. Turner.

“Thank you, Miss Dash,” he nodded gratefully, before turning his focus towards Sunset. “Miss Shimmer, since the faculty… well I guess that would also include me now…” He cleared his throat awkwardly, “Point is; we have three new students enrolling, so since you seem to be showing much good will, we would like to ask if you would like to volunteer as one of the test opponents for their entrance duels.”

Sunset sensed a sudden familiarity with the teacher’s offer. Just like my last interaction with him: A test. “Excuse me? Test opponents?”

“Exactly,” said Turner, shifting some of the weight his left arm was forced to endure from the brick of a physics book it held. The man clearly was not built for heavy labor. “Now normally enrolling freshmen would be tested by assembled faculty or seniors before their final acceptance to a designated dueling institution. In cases like these; any students enrolling during a term must be tested all the same, but it’s conventional to use an opponent of the corresponding skill level according to grade.”

“Isn’t it rather unfair for a new student to face a trained opponent?” asked Sunset.

“Oh, you misconstrue, Miss Shimmer,” said Turner, “you will not be using your own deck. You will be provided your choice of a board-certified test deck so as to even the difficulty scale.”

Sunset pondered on Turner’s words. If it was true that the faculty as a whole wanted her, which would mean the principal, curator and whatnot would have been involved, she supposed it would do good for her credibility. However, Turner himself still uneased her. Finding one of the devices used in her duel with Trixie further confounded her over who exactly this man was. If the cobbled-together machine wasn’t board-certified hardware, as Rarity’s keen eye pointed out, would it mean it was Turner behind the strange change in protocol?

“Is there room for one more?” asked Rainbow Dash abruptly. “Because I’d be down for it.”

“Ah, perfect!” exclaimed Turner. “That’d put us down for one more. If you’re interested, Miss Shimmer…”

“I’ll do it,” said Sunset. We’ll see what you’re up to with you little machine. “So when is this test duel?”

“Tomorrow afternoon,” replied Turner.

“Isn’t that pretty early?” asked Rainbow.

“Well, Principal Celestia was rather adamant about it.” Turner seemed distracted by something before he said, “Never before, back when I went to school did the process go this quick. I guess procedures changed, or maybe Celestia’s just trying to keep them on the wagon, as it were. But listen to me ramble; the duels will be held at three thirty pm. pronto in the gymnasium, so please be there ahead of time.” And with a gesture of farewell, the lanky man went on his way.

“Mr. Turner, you dropped your… screwdriver?” wondered Rainbow, eyeing what was indeed a pocket-sized screwdriver.

Sunset stood by the side of the gymnasium stage, together with her fellow participants Rainbow Dash and Canterlot’s resident “Hat Guy” as many people referred to him as, or Night Quill as was his given name. He was certainly an oddity, given his mode of dress, even more mismatched than the good Mr. Turner; a black dress shirt with matching pants, a green vest, a checkered green scarf and a black bowler hat. It almost looked like he was from the 19^th century, if not for the very contrasting modern sneakers. All he lacked was an overcoat, gloves, a monocle and a cane and the image would be neigh complete.

Even when checking the time, instead of checking the smartphone he clearly carried in his breast pocket, he looked at a pocket watch, complete with a chain clipped to his vest. Overall, he came off as needlessly pretentious, what with how he’d addressed her and Rainbow as if he were a gentleman. Then again, with many people around CHS; a lot of them did seem to conform to some colorful, albeit shallow, caricature, if one thought about it enough…

Atop the stage sat an assembly of CHS faculty, including Turner and Principal Celestia at the center, at three tables joined together into one long stretch, complete with note boards. As was the norm, students were permitted to quietly observe the duels from the bleachers.

“Who do you suppose these new students are?” asked Sunset as she idly adjusted the grip of her duel disk, bearing her choice of test deck.

Rainbow bobbed her shoulders, “Who knows.”

“Here’s hoping the “Canterlot High Incident” doesn’t get shoved down their throats too fast.”

Rainbow snorted, “You kidding? I bet we’re all going to be the crazy ones if anything as far as they’re concerned!”

Heads turned all around as Vice-principal Luna entered the gymnasium, followed closely by the applicants. To be more specific, the heads turning occurred roughly the moment the first one entered:

She was a girl with a very light-yellow skin tone, appearing to be amiss of any impurities, perfect, with a slight sheen to it, with a head of thick, vivid orange hair with mildly curving bangs framing her face, while the rest was bundled behind her into an impossibly large updo, with hints of light yellow streaks curving along its sides, held in place with a thick spiked band. The only apt way to describe her was as curvaceous, her hips swaying as she walked like a model on a runway, and had quite the impressive bosom. She appeared perhaps a tad overdressed for high school; a purple sleeveless, short-legged jumpsuit with a small pink vest, a golden spiked belt, magenta leggings, heavy looking purple boots with spiked bands around the ankles and short pink arm warmers.

The second was also a girl, flaunting in her stride, walking behind the first with a brisk, deliberate pace. Her skin was pale fuchsia, and appeared just as flawless, with a more restrained, but striking, purple hair with brilliant aquamarine streaks worn in twin tails. Physically, she appeared sturdier, with most of her curvature focused to her hips and thighs. Her outfit seemed more toned down as well, though still looked rather extravagant: A pale yellow top underneath a teal vest with the sleeves evidently having been ripped off, magenta, form-fitting leggings and wine boots.

The third was also a girl, but out of all three, she appeared the least… intent, or focused, as she did a full three-sixty in the midst of her stride. She had an arctic blue skin, flawless, sheening, like the other two (possibly siblings?) with light blue hair with darker streaks, tied to a high tail at the back with a pronounced forehead fringe. Her figure was equally voluptuous, though seemed more focused on her upper body, on the same range as Fluttershy or Pinkie (on Sunset’s astute observation.) Of all three, her wardrobe seemed most sensible; a burgundy collared shirt and a patterned pink skirt with knee-high pink boots.

An abrupt “Whoa!” emanated from the among students, many gawking in bafflement at the three beauties following behind the Principal. Who was Sunset to judge? They were attractive girls, no arguments there. Although, something felt off about them. On a closer look, she discerned something shared between all three of them: Each wore a choker, with a blood-red gem hanging off them, that seemed to shimmer at the slightest sleight.

“Okay, wasn’t expecting that,” remarked Rainbow Dash, watching as they went.

Vice-principal Luna got up onto to stage from its left-side steps and seated herself in the vacant space next to her sister, while the applicants awaited on the ground level. Now that there was only a short distance separating her side and theirs, she got a better look at their faces. The coincide with their physiques, the three had this almost unnatural beauty to them, like perfect examples of three fair maidens. For a moment, it looked as if all three were focused on her…

“Everyone, please quiet down,” called Principal Celestia. In a matter of seconds, the wave of clamor among the intrigued students seemed to died down. “Without further ado, we will commence with the first test.” She looked down at her notepad, “Miss Sonata Dusk. You will face off against…” she pushed a button on a small digital device set up on the table, eyeing it as it randomly selected the contender, “Sunset Shimmer. Both duelists, please take your places.”

Sunset assumed her place about four paces along the bleachers. Her designated opponent, the blue-haired girl, after the orange-haired girl whispered something to her, assumed her spot on the opposite side. Her face exhumed a great eagerness, as hinted by the excited smile on her face. Definitely seemed like a happy-go-lucky personality, at least on first impressions.

“Activate your duel disks,” called Vice-principal Luna.

At the request, Sunset deployed her duel disk along with her opponent, hers being a combination of an aquatic blue chassis with an ice-blue tray. The devices beeped to life, the screens flaring up with the dueling grids, while the automatic shufflers engaged. The virtual coined dinged, landing on tails for Sunset.

“Good luck, new girl,” said Sunset through the two-way communicators.

The girl, Sonata Dusk, giggled, “That’s funny! You’re funny!”

Sunset raised a questioning brow, “Umm, thanks…?”

“I wonder if you’re as funny when you duel,” said Sonata.

“Ominous!” called Pinkie from the bleachers.

“Miss Pie, please!” admonished Vice-principal Luna.

“Duel!”

Sunset Shimmer Life Points: 4000

Sonata Dusk Life Points: 4000

Duel start!

Turn 1: Sonata Dusk (Hand: 5)

Sonata looked over her fanned hand. “Hmm, Dagi said that I have to hold back for now…” She pouted, “Figures. This is going to be boring.”

Sunset watched as her opponent pouted as she went over her hand, seeming to mutter something to herself. “Okay! I’ll summon ‘White Stingray’, in attack mode.”

To the field emerged a large, mostly pristine white stingray. It hovered in the air as if it were swimming in its native aquatic habitat, undulating a segmented, barbed tail behind it. (Level 4, 1400/1000)

“I set two cards facedown. And I’m done.”

(Hand: 2)

Turn 2: Sunset Shimmer (Hand: 5)

Alright, let’s see what I’ll have to work with… thought Sunset, drawing a card and fanning out her hand. It seemed her willpower remained strong enough to influence even this test deck: A basic fire deck meant to utilize the quintessential aspects of the typing. “I summon ‘UFO Turtle’ in attack mode.”

Onto Sunset’s field arose what by all accounts looked to be a literal flying saucer as if from an old science fiction movie. A low thrum emanated from within, when a series of winding hatches unsealed around it: From one emerged a bulky green reptilian head, while from the sides hefty, three-toed limbs extended from the side hatches saucer, and lastly a stubby tail from the rear side: It was a giant turtle whose shell was the flying saucer. (Level 4, 1400/1200)

“I set two cards facedown. My turn ends.”

(Hand: 3)

Turn 3: Sonata Dusk (Hand: 2)

Sonata drew her next card. Upon looking at it, she looked to roll her eyes, her nostrils flaring out in a sigh. A bad card perhaps? “I discard White Moray to Special Summon another White Stingray from my hand with its effect,” she declared, sliding one card in the graveyard port, after which a second White Moray spiraled out onto the field beside its twin. (Level 4, 1400/1000)

Sunset looked warily at the duplicate monsters. Is she going for an Xyz Summon with the two matching monsters?

“From my hand; I activate ‘Inferno Reckless Summon’,” said Sonata, sliding a card into her disk. “With this spell, if I special summon a monster with 1500 or less attack points while you control a monster; I can Special Summon every other copy of the monster I summoned in attack mode from my hand, deck or graveyard, while you get to Special Summon each copy of a monster you control all the same.”

To this end, a blue ring of flame appeared on Sonata’s field, while two similarly flared up on Sunset’s field. Sunset complied, flicking through her deck’s contents on the screen of her duel disk: On confirmation, two cards were ejected from her deck after a quick shuffle, placing two copies of UFO Turtle to her tray. The two monsters emerged to her field within the rings of fire, before retracting their appendages protectively into their flaying saucer shells, the winding hatches sealing shut. (2x Level 4, 1400/1200). On Sonata’s field, a third White Stingray emerged to waft serenely between its kin. (Level 4, 1400/1000)

Okay, so it’s an Xyz requiring three level fours-?

“Trap card activate!” Sonata blurted, unveiling one of her two set cards, “‘Torrential Tribute’! When a monster is summoned, this thing destroys all monsters on the field!”

Sunset found herself gasping in shock when a torrent of water rushed down from the ceiling. All monsters currently on the field were swept away in the wild current, bursting into pixels after sliding a few feet. Still, she wasn’t going to let the applicant get away with it scot free…

“Activate continuous trap: ‘Backfire’!” Sunset retorted, her spells and trap still remaining valid. “This card inflicts 500 points of damage any time a fire monster I control is destroyed. Therefore, you take 1500 points of damage on the spot!”

The trap card’s holo-image flared to life, launching three flaming projectiles at Sonata. The girl instinctively reeled away in a defensive hunch, only for said projectiles to combust against her forcefield.

Sonata Dusk Life Points: 4000 – 1500 = 2500

Despite the rather hefty sum of damage she’d taken in the wake of her miscalculation, the blue-haired girl did not seem all too fazed in the slightest. In fact; she looked all the more eager for it. A wide smile formed on her face, “I knew you’d be a fun one!” She then indicated her second facedown, “I then activate ‘Torrential Rebirth’! With this, any water monsters of mine destroyed in one go are Special Summoned back to the field!”

In a blue flash, all three of her White Stingrays spun up and back onto the field in a semi-synchronized display. (Level 4, 1400/1000). “And then you take 500 damage for each monster I got back this way.”

In a fitting punishment to her fire trap, Sunset yelped when a flow of water from out of nowhere cascaded onto her, striking and flowing off and around her forcefield.

Sunset Shimmer Life Points: 4000 – 1500 = 2500

Sunset felt slightly baffled at the abruptness of her taking burn damage. With that maneuver, this Sonata Dusk had turned the duel in her favor. With three White Stingrays, all she needed was to attack with two and even the Sakuretsu Armor set on her field wouldn’t be enough. Whatever her background, she was certainly no amateur.

“I then sacrifice two White Stingrays,” Sonata proclaimed, to which both her monsters were swept away in a whirlpool, “to Tribute Summon ‘Superancient Deepsea King Coelacanth’!”

In a swirling funnel cloud, unto the field emerged quite literally a vision from the world’s ancient past: It was an enormous prehistoric fish; a coelacanth. Its grey body was covered in cracks and scarring over the thick, scaly hide, with a series of kelp patches dotting it. Around its body looked to be some form of harness composed of kelp, rope and conch shells. It stared, or at least Sunset felt it was staring at her, through its lifeless, glistening eyes. (Level 8, 2800/2200)

“Wha-?!” she almost blurted out her strategy at the sudden foul-up her opponent made. Why would she Tribute Summon?! With her three Stingrays she would have had me. Now the moment she attacks with Coelacanth I’ll destroy it and her final Stingray won’t be enough to take me out!

“Now, Coelacanth, attack her directly! Sic ‘er!” Called Sonata, to which her mammoth of a fish ominously ‘swam’ towards Sunset.

“Trap activate: Sakuretsu Armor!” Sunset responded, unveiling her simple, but lethal trap. “This destroys your attacking monster!”

“I sacrifice my third White Stingray to activate Coelacanth’s effect,” Sonata responded, indicating to her remaining Stingray. “This negates your trap and destroys it.”

White Stingray’s form glowed an eerie blue, when the graceful sea creature swooped into the air, performing loop before divebombing Sunset’s trap card, shattering both. Coelacanth (ATK: 2800) opened its great, toothy maw, appearing as if it were trying to suck Sunset in with a rippling disturbance, almost like a current, pulling into the blackness of its gullet. An intimidating display, most certainly, Sunset feeling a genuine sense of wanting to flee, but once more being reminded that it was simply an apparition made through the bending of light.

Sunset Shimmer Life Points: 2500 – 2800 = -300

Sonata Dusk Victory!

With a whirr, Sunset’s duel disk’s emitters powered down, the projections vanishing, leaving no trace of the giant Coelacanth to menace over her.

“Congratulations, Miss Dusk,” called Principal Celestia up from the stage, “you have passed your entrance duel. Welcome to Canterlot High. And thank you, Miss Shimmer for your contribution.”

Sunset tried to smile, when a round of applause erupted around her. Somehow, she suspected it was at her expense, what with her being trounced by the newcomer (even if it was with a provided deck instead of her own). Sonata seemed to titter at some of the calls of admiration, grinning innocently, both hands to her cheeks.

Okay, I will admit: She is pretty adorable… Sunset thought as she stepped aside, going to sit at the bottom of the bleachers in anticipation for the next duel. Though she had an inkling that Sonata was watching her… As were the other newcomers… She somehow got the feeling Sonata did the bizarre move deliberately. But why? To show off? To prove a point to her specifically?

“Next up; Miss Aria Blaze: You will be paired against…” Principal Celestia engaged whatever app she was using to pick the next opponent, “Rainbow Dash. Both duelists please take your places.

Rainbow stepped up to where Sunset had stood just a moment previously, while across from her came the leggy, purple-haired girl, Aria Blaze. Despite her predicament, she seemed much more focused on Sunset instead of her opponent, keeping an unnerving focus to her, even as her purple duel disk with a black trey deployed, the screen lighting her face from underneath with a blue tint.

Duel #32: New Arrivals pt. 2

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“Duelists; you may begin.”

Rainbow Dash deployed the golden yellow tray on her blue duel disk, her deck compartment rattling at the run of the automated shuffler. “Just because this is a test don’t mean I’ll make this easy on you, new girl,” said the rainbow-haired athlete in her usual bravado. Either Aria Blaze did not care, or based on how she was more focused on Sunset sitting in the bleachers, she did not hear. “Uh… Hello? Your opponent, remember?”

Aria’s cold, steely eyes darted to stare directly at Rainbow’s. The athlete did not respond, not outwardly in the very least. No doubt her ego was too much to ebb away, particularly before a new arrival. “I said; don’t think I’ll make this-”

“I heard you,” said Aria coldly. “You’ll have my full attention when I think you’re worth my time, skittles.”

“Ha-ha,” Rainbow mock laughed, “how very original.”

The virtual coin flip engaged, landing heads for Rainbow.

“Duel!”

Rainbow Dash Life Points: 4000

Aria Blaze Life Points: 4000

Turn 1: Rainbow Dash (Hand: 5)

“Here we go,” she fanned out her starting hand. “I summon ‘Flying Kamakiri’ in defense mode.”

Emerging to Rainbow’s field came a dark green humanoids insect: Its body covered in plates of segmented chitin, with two pairs of iridescent wings folded over its back. It knelt down, crossing the topmost two of its four arms over its head, consisting largely of just its large compound eyes and mandibles, while its lower two arms clutched at the floor. (Level 4, 1400/900)

“I set two cards, then end my turn.” The fact this turn went over so quickly seemed almost disappointing, since Rainbow tended to go about with more elaborate, gung-ho styles of play when having access to her personal deck. “Show me what you got.”

(Hand: 2)

Turn 2: Aria Blaze (Hand: 5)

The newcomer drew her first card, going over her hand stoically before placing it among her repertoire. She then proceeded to place a card into her graveyard port, “I discard ‘Warrior of Atlantis’ from my hand to add ‘A Legendary Ocean’ into my hand.” She then proceeded to insert the card into her spell and trap port and ticked the screen. “I then activate it.”

In a flash of blue, the entire gymnasium became enveloped in a hint of blue. Bubbles began to climb up vertically, whilst an assortment of random, colorful tropical fish began to flit about. Growths of coral, chunks of undersea rocks and even bits of distinctly Greek looking architecture such as columns and arches materialized around them, and the wooden flood was enveloped by pearly white sand. The simulation that they were all underwater, which some of the students seemed to take in a hint of wonderment, despite their artificial nature. Notably Pinkie eyeing a grumpy looking puffer fish swimming past her.

“A Legendary Ocean decreases the levels of all water monsters in our hands and field by one. And their attack points are all increased by 200.” Aria then took a different card from her hand, slapping it on her tray, “I then summon ‘The Legendary Fisherman II’ in attack mode.”

From a vertical portal appearing before her, her monster came literally riding to battle: A wiry, but well-muscled man with spiky blue hair held back with a red cloth bandana tied around his forehead, the only other articles of clothing being a blue ragged loincloth and metal anklets worn over bandages wrapped around his feet and ankles. His steed was seemingly a small orca-like cetacean, only instead of being black and white, its back side was streaked with purple blazes. Grasped in the man’s hands was a large crossbow, affixed with a bolt so long it might as well be a short spear with a large, attenuating tip. (Level 5 -> 4, 2200 -> 2400/1800)

Aria pointed abrasively at Rainbow’s now environmentally out of place monster, “Legendary Fisherman, attack Flying Kamakiri!”

In compliance, Legendary Fisherman trained his bowgun at Flying Kamakiri (ATK: 2200). With a pronounced, metallic “pa-twang” the bolt was propelled at Flying Kamakiri (DEF: 900). In but a blink of an eye, the oversized projectile became gruesomely embedded in the insect’s head, before erupting into pixels.

“Flying Kamakiri’s effect,” Rainbow responded, flicking over her screen, “when destroyed in battle, Flying Kamakiri lets me summon a wind-monster with 1500 or less attack points from my deck… I summon ‘Whirlwind Prodigy’ in attack mode.”

To Rainbow’s field was brought a human boy; a strangely regular looking one at that, with spiky brown hair adorned with a pointed cap, garbed in a raggedy brown tunic and frayed, cream trousers. If there was feature that made her perfect for Rainbow was the smug smile on his face. (Level 4 1500/1600)

Aria looked over the field over her nose, seeming quite disinterested in the spectacle before her. She unfanned her cards into a neat stack in her hand, “I end my turn.”

(Hand: 4)

A mostly strange choice, thought Sunset, since Aria had a sizable four-card hand to work off of. Or perhaps, as she suspected with Sonata, Aria wasn’t even taking the match all too seriously. It would be intriguing to find out further what their decks could do against proper opponents coinciding with their skill levels.

Turn 3: Rainbow Dash (Hand: 2)

Rainbow made her first draw of the match, “Alright, so you clearly think this is a joke? Fair enough, I mean if this was the real me you were taking on, I’d had you on the ropes since before this thing even began, but don’t think it’s going to be that easy to get into our school.” She took a card from her hand, “I sacrifice Whirlwind Prodigy to Tribute Summon ‘Simorgh, Bird of Divinity’ in attack mode!”

With a swirling funnel cloud, Whirlwind Prodigy was consumed by it, growing rapidly in breadth until a pair of brilliant green wings blew it away, accented with a screeching call. To her field emerged a gargantuan bird, covered in a glamorous green plumage. Its flight feathers appeared to be partially translucent, like some fine silken veil, whereas its tail was composed of fanned out golden plumes interspersed with long, flowy green ones, a more immaculate peacock. Behind its back was a runed, golden halo, and its crested head adorned what looked like a small dome crown. (Level 7, 2700/1000)

“Whirlwind Prodigy counts as two tributes when summoning a wind monster,” said Rainbow, to clear out any possible inconsistencies. “To battle! I attack Legendary Fisherman with Simorgh!”

The great bird Simorgh (ATK: 2700) spread out its great wings; from the ground a gust of wind picked up, coalescing into a miniaturized tornado that skidded along the (hologram) sand of A Legendary Ocean. The funnel sped at Legendary Fisherman (ATK: 2400), swallowing him and his cetacean steed and pushing them upwards off the field.

Aria Blaze Life Points: 4000 – 300 = 3700

“When The Legendary Fisherman II is removed from the field, I can add a level 7 water monster from my deck to my hand,” said Aria, her automated shuffler engaging before ejecting her card of choice.

“During each end phase, Simorgh, Bird of Divinity deals 1000 points of damage to both of us,” said Rainbow, making Aria raise a disinterested brow. “However, for each spell and trap we each control, that damage goes down by 500. I take zero, you take 500.”

A violent gust suddenly enveloped the field, causing even all the projected fish to swim away in fright. Rainbow’s two set cards rose up, backsides at the front, as if to somehow shield her from the storm.

Aria Blaze Life Points: 3700 – 500 = 3200

(Hand: 2)

Turn 4: Aria Blaze (Hand: 4)

“Please tell me you can get past this,” said Rainbow in a taunting manner, “because this was old before I even enrolled here.”

“You just love to hear yourself talk, don’t you?” grumbled Aria as she drew her next card. “In my experience, talking means you’re compensating for lack of something.”

Rainbow snorted, “A captain has to be able to talk the talk as much as kick ass.”

“Whatever you say,” said Aria with a bob of her shoulders. “I play ‘Monster Reborn’ to bring back The Legendary Fisherman II.” A white portal opened over the sand, with Legendary Fisherman remerging to the field atop his marine steed (Level 5 -> 4, 2200 -> 2400/1800). “I then sacrifice him to Special Summon from my hand ‘The Legendary Fisherman III’ in attack mode.”

A swirl of bubbles surrounded Legendary Fisherman, cloaking him in aqueous curtain. When unveiling, he’d been replaced by a similar being: A muscled, tanned human male with wild red hair, her body covered in arcing tattoos at various locations. Garbed in but a shredded pair of shorts and a cloth satchel across his body, as well as bandages wrapped tightly around his forearms, hands, shins and feet, he brandished a proper, heavyset harpoon gun. Like his predecessor, he rode on the back of a waterborne steed: A giant black dolphin, so large the man could freely stand atop it, its front half emblazoned with a white crest, and a great red jewel embedded in its forehead, complementing its ominous red eyes. (Level 7 -> 6, 2500 -> 2700/2000)

“When Special Summoned, The Legendary Fisherman III lets me banish all monsters you control currently, though I can’t attack with him the turn this effect is used.”

“Trap activate: ‘Compulsory Evacuation Device’!” Rainbow responded. “This sends your Fisherman back into your hand!”

An amused smirk crept on Aria’s lips, “The Legendary Fisherman III is unaffected by spells and traps. Therefore, your trap is worthless.”

Legendary Fisherman aimed his harpoon gun towards Simorgh. On being launched, the harpoon split into two in flight, which unveiled a net held between the two that seemed to expand as it went before binding Simorgh. The divine bird screeched in protest when its form vanished in a ripple.

“I end my turn.”

(Hand: 4)

Turn 5: Rainbow Dash (Hand: 2)

Rainbow drew her next card, after which she slid it into her hand and picked a different card, “I banish ‘Flying Kamakiri’ from my graveyard in order to Special Summon ‘Garuda the Wind Spirit’ in defense.”

On fulfilling the requirements, to Rainbow’s field in a flurry, materialized a khaki-skinned humanoid: Its body that of a man, his legs, garbed in red pants, ending in taloned bird feet, his head that of an arrow-beaked brown bird, with great wings on his back. (Level 4, 1600/1200)

“Not much I can do now. These test decks aren’t exactly the best, you know,” said Rainbow with a shrug. “I end my turn.”

(Hand: 2)

Turn 6: Aria Blaze (Hand: 4)

“Talk is cheap,” Aria remarked with a wry smile as she drew her next card. “I summon Codarus in attack mode.”

To her field emerged a dragonic looking sea-serpent: Its elongated body covered in deep blue scales from head to tail, ending in a fish-like fin. In its forehead sat a green gem, the sides of its head jutted what looked to be external gills, while just below where its neck ended, a pair of vestigial, clawed forelimbs sprouted. (Level 4 -> 3, 1800/1200)

“I activate Codarus’ effect: By sending A Legendary Ocean to the graveyard,” In a strange display; the water seemingly flushed away into Aria’s graveyard port, followed by the sand, coral and structures vanishing, “I send two cards on your field to the graveyard.”

Rainbow watched as her set card’s image faded away. Forced to comply, she took Garuda’s card and slid it into the graveyard port. Sunset could gleam from spectator mode that the set card was Reload, nothing breathtaking, if all that great.

“Now, using The Legendary Fisherman III’s effect: I return all your banished cards back to your graveyard…” As she stated so, Legendary Fisherman swung out a net, releasing an entire catch’s worth of fish that vanished soon on leaving their prison, “The first bit of damage you take this turn is doubled. I then attack you directly with Legendary Fisherman!”

Affixing a new harpoon to his weapon (ATK: 2500), Legendary Fisherman took aim directly at Rainbow Dash. With another violent “ka-thunk”, the metallic projectile was propelled towards her, embedding into her forcefield before vanishing.

Rainbow Dash Life Points: 4000 – 5000 = -1000

Aria Blaze victory!

Not quite as grandiose as Sonata’s display, but it worked. Legendary Fisherman and his mount faded away, followed shortly by Aria’s duel disk deactivating. Her focus seemed to have returned back to Sunset, watching as she stepped aside, same as Rainbow came up and sat next to her. She seemed to peek around for good measure before sighing heavily.

“What’s wrong?” asked Sunset, seeing Rainbow shudder slightly.

“Just doesn’t feel right when you can’t be yourself, you know,” said the athlete.

“You didn’t have to take Mr. Turner up on it,” remarked Sunset, when the speakers sputtered once more.

“Aria Blaze, you are officially admitted into CHS. Congratulations,” said Principal Celestia up from the stage. “And the last of our new entries: Miss Adagio Dazzle, you will face Mister Night Quill. Both duelists, please take your places.”

Sunset watched as the last of the new students stepped up to where her fellows were, while on their side Night Quill stepped up, deploying his green duel disk with a brazen tray, followed with Adagio deploying hers; scarlet with a golden tray.

“Duelists, you may begin!” called Vice-principal Luna.

“Best of luck,” said Night Quill with a nudge of his hat, “though I get the inkling you’re not going to need it, like your fellows.”

Adagio chuckled, “Please, if that’s your best try at flattering, I’m afraid you’re severely lacking.”

Night Quill shrugged, “Well pardon me for being polite.”

The virtual coin toss initiated, landing in Night Quill’s favor.

“Duel!”

Night Quill Life Points: 4000

Adagio Dazzle Life Points: 4000

Turn 1: Night Quill (Hand: 5)

“War does not determine who is right – only who is left,” said Night Quill, as he fanned out his hand. “I start by summoning Gold Gadget in attack mode.”

To his field arose a small robotic creature with an overall circular structure, accented with golden plating forming curved shapes along its sides, along with spindly arms and legs. A tiny dome with a single black visor sat atop the structure. The placement of the golden plates gave it the look of a cogwheel or a gear. (Level 4, 1700/800)

“When summoned; Gold Gadget lets me Special Summon a level 4 or lower machine monster from my hand: I summon ‘Yellow Gadget’ in defense mode.”

Beside the more incandescent Gold Gadget arose a similar sized, yellow toy-like robot with halves of a cogwheel affixed to its back, its groin area being split by a thinner, smaller cog, from the center of which its spindly legs extended from, and a single green eye peering from a cylindrical tube atop its body. (Level 4 1200/1200)

“When summoned, Yellow Gadget lets me add one ‘Green Gadget’ from my deck to my hand.” His automated shuffler activated, ejecting the specific card for him to take. “Over to you.”

(Hand: 4)

Turn 2: Adagio Dazzle (Hand: 5)

Adagio drew he first card, going over her fanned hand with a contemplative pout. “Hmm, history buff, are you? Then maybe you’ll appreciate these,” she remarked as she slid the drawn card into her hand and picked out another. “I summon ‘Atlantean Dragoons’ in attack mode.”

To her field arose a green humanoid, garbed in a heavy golden suit of armor engraved with intricate engravings, whilst on the top of its head and sides of its jaws extended bright yellow fins. It carried an equally brilliant gold trident, and was astride atop a vicious looking creature reminiscent of a dragon and a seahorse with matching brilliant golden scales. (Level 4, 1800/0)

“Atlantean…? Atlantis?” Night Quill huffed. “Please; there’s no historical record of the sort. Not to mention Atlantis was meant to be a fabled city of humans, based on Greek storytellers. Although it is quite the fascinating allegory for one’s perception of the state.”

“Sometimes people find it hard to tell the difference between mythology and fantasy,” mused Adagio. “I then play ‘Double Summon’, granting me an additional Normal Summon this turn.” A glowing ring appeared over on Adagio’s side of the field. “I also summon ‘Atlantean Marksman’ in attack mode.

Beside Atlantean Dragoons arose another aquatic humanoid: This one much more reminiscent of a fish than a human, with big round eyes that looked strangely unfocused, pronounced pink lips and conical teeth peeking out from behind them. It was garbed in comparatively lighter, emerald armor with golden linings, wielding a heavy crossbow with drastically spiked limbs and a tri-point bolt. (Level 4, 1400/0)

“I then attack with ‘Atlantean Marksman.’”

“Why would you attack when both my monsters’ attack and defense exceed yours?” asked Night Quill.

Adagio smirked in response, just as Atlantean Marksman (ATK: 1400) trained its crossbow, and fired. The trident-like bolt whizzed past the Gadgets and struck Night Quill’s forcefield with a harsh clang.

Night Quill Life Points: 4000 – 1400 = 2600

“When out on the field, Atlantean Dragoons allow level 3 or lower sea serpent monsters to attack directly. Also when Atlantean Marksman inflicts battle damage, it lets me Special Summon a level 4 or lower ‘Atlantean’ from my deck.” Her automated shuffler rattled, ejecting a card that she brought to her tray, “To this end I summon ‘Atlantean Attack Squad’ in attack mode.”

Another fish-like humanoid emerged to Adagio’s field: Physically identical to Marksman, it instead donned dark red, less intricate armor, and brandished a gleaming, curved sword in its right hand, and an inward curving broad shield. (Level 3, 1400 -> 2200/0)

“What the-?!” Night Quill managed to utter before being interrupted by his foe.

“As long as I control another sea serpent, Atlantean Attack Squad’s attack points increase by 800. To this end I attack you directly once more!”

With a gurgling growl, Atlantean Attack Squad (ATK: 2200) dashed forth, delivering a brutal downward swipe at Night Quill, stopping against his forcefield with a resonating bang, the remarkably high damage inflicted causing his arm to be kicked back by the system feedback.

Night Quill Life Points 2600 – 2200 = 400

“And finally, Atlantean Dragoons attacks Gold Gadget.”

Bucking its brilliant mount into action, Atlantean Dragoons (ATK 1800) charged forth, lance brandished forward as it sped towards the awaiting Gold Gadget (ATK: 1700). The gleaming armament struck the small robot squarely in the single ocular sensor in its head pinpoint, causing it to explode.

Night Quill Life Points: 400 – 100 = 300

“When Gold Gadget is destroyed, I can Special Summon a ‘Gadget’ monster from my deck, aside from Gold Gadget,” said Night Quill, his deck being once again shuffled before extending him his card of choice. “I summon Red Gadget in defense position.”

To Night’s field hopped another small toy-like robot: This one was a bright red with thick blocky hands and feet and a ball-shaped head with two eyes. A large cogwheel or gear was affixed to its back. (Level 4, 1300/1500)

“Hmm, if only you’d summoned that toy of yours in attack mode. These duels are so dreadfully boring…” mused Adagio, playfully holding her hand cards to her lips. “But I suppose rules are rules for a reason. I set one card, then over to you, boy.”

(Hand: 2)

Turn 3: Night Quill (Hand: 4)

Night Quill drew his next card, “It’s clear I’ve lost, but as a respectable student of CHS, I must persevere, and will not go down without a fight.” He indicated his field. “I sacrifice my Red and Yellow Gadgets, to Tribute Summon ‘Ancient Gear Gadjiltron Dragon’!”

The two gadget’s shapes faded in ripples of light. With a bursting gale, over the field materialized a giant, mechanical creature, letting loose a metallic, rattling roar, accented by the red and grinding of gears: It was a large, faded green robot dragon, with frayed wings made of very thin sheets of metal. Instead of electronics, its internal workings were composed of an intricate series of gearworks and cogs. A long, segmented tail extended at the base of its body, and its head seemed made of the canopy of an old airplane. A faint, red, eerie glow shone from one of its window eyes. At the base of its neck were three gear-shaped indentations, to which two of them were attacked Yellow and Red Gadget. (Level 8, 3000/2000)

“I attack your Atlantean Dragoons with Gadjiltron Dragon!” Night ordered, to which his mechanical dragon (ATK: 3000) rattled in compliance, lashing out with its segmented tail which crushed the mounted aquatic warrior (ATK: 1800).

Adagio Dazzle Life Points: 4000 – 1200 = 2800

“Ancient Gear Gadjiltron Dragon’s effects are determined based on the colored ‘Gadgets’ used to summon it: With Red Gadget; any time Gadjiltron Dragon inflicts battle damage; it inflicts an additional 400 damage to you. And with Yellow Gadget, when it destroys a monster, it deals another 600 damage.”

On the indirect command, Gadjiltron Dragon opened its maw and began to rattle like a rapid-fire gun: It appeared to fire a volley of gears at Adagio, ricocheting off her forcefield.

Adagio Dazzle Life Points: 2800 – 1000 = 1800

“I set one card, then end my turn.”

(Hand: 4)

Turn 4: Adagio Dazzle (Hand: 2)

Adagio grinned amusedly as she drew her next card, “Boldly stated, but when I want something, I get it, one way or the other.” She slid card into her disk, “I set one card, then I summon ‘Neptabyss, the Atlantean Prince’ in attack mode.”

This next monster was very contrasting compared to the humanoid fish Adagio had utilized so far: A young human male with a sleek, but very toned musculature visible through the rather revealing pearly blue armor he adorned. His wild purplish brown hair splayed out in long, tendril-like plaits, held out of the way by a simple triangular gold circlet, while from his back fanned out a series of aqua blue streaks of cloth. In one hand he wielded an elegantly curving golden trident. (Level 1, 800/0)

“Neptabyss’ effect: By sending an ‘Atlantean’ monster from my deck to the Graveyard,” her automated shuffler once again engaged, “I can add a different Atlantean card to my hand. Now, with three level 3 or below sea serpents on my field, the terms of set: By sending all my monsters on my field to the Graveyard, I summon the true lord of the seas: Arise, Poseidra, the Atlantean Dragon’!

All three of Adagio’s monsters were encircled by a blue ring of light arising from beneath them. In a swirl of light, their forms vanished, the three rings coalescing and expanding into a single, much larger one. A fearsome roar called down from within. Arising from the blue, a new, greater creature stood before everyone watching: A deep blue, serpentine dragon, its back lined with golden plates, gaps leaving room for the great yellow crest in its middle back. A glistening trident head was adhered to the tip of its tail, and golden rings were adorned around the long, upward swerving horns protruding from the sides of its head, over wide extended neck frills. (Level 7 2800/1600)

“When Poseidra, the Atlantean Dragon is summoned through its effect, all spell and trap cards return to out hands,” she said as both her and Night’s set cards vanished from their respective fields with a water-like ripple. “Then, since three were returned at once, all your monsters lose 300 attack points times each card returned this way.

With a commanding roar, a downward gout of water blasted down from up above onto Ancient Gear Gadjiltron Dragon, the pressurized force pushing the legless automaton to the ground. The gaps and cracks in its aged chassis leaked with liquids as it tried in vain to get out of the hazard. (ATK: 3000 – 900 = 2100).

“Poseidra attacks Gadjiltron Dragon. Finish this!” Adagio commanded, pointing at the grounded Gadjiltron Dragon.

Poseidra (ATK: 2800) opened its toothy maw, aqueous ripples surging into its mouth in preparation before unleashing a torrential blast of force onto the mechanical dragon. The faded green metal began to contort and bend underneath the force blast, until the projection shattered into pixels, wiping out the measly remaining 400 life points Night had remaining.

Night Quill Life Points: 400 – 700 = -300

Adagio Dazzle victory!

And with all three tests concluded, Principal Celestia declared for the third time, “Miss Dazzle, Miss Blaze and Miss Dusk: On behalf of all of us present: We welcome you all to CHS. Congratulations.”

As her duel disk disengaged, Adagio Dazzle looked up to the members of faculty overseeing the tests, a polite, humble smile on her face as she nodded graciously, “I believe I speak for all three of us; we thank you, Principal Celestia. I’m certain our time here will be most… edifying.”

As Adagio looked over the gathered student body, Sunset could not shake the feeling that this Adagio too seemed to take quite the long moment to focus on her from across the gym. As everyone else had begun to prepare for departure, she came face-to-face with someone else: Night Quill, his duel disk still engaged, looking down at her still seated. His face appeared to exhibit no direct emotion, but there was something much deeper peering from within his grayish blue eyes. She remembered: Derpy had told her he was among those who’d made the wager for her downfall…

“Sunset Shimmer; before our fellow students, and our new arrivals, I challenge you, to a duel.”

Duel #33: Power Grows: Odd-Eyes vs. Ancient Gears

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Author's Notes:

So a little backstory pertaining to this chapter:

For those of you unaware, I originally started my foray into Equestria Girls and Yu-Gi-Oh crossovers set in the same continuity as DrakeyC's Duelists of the Autumn Crown and Duelists of the Friendship Cup stories.

In terms of my contribution, I wrote a three-part one-shot where the Duelists universe's Rainbow Dash dueled against my OC Night Quill (and won, naturally, since I tend to abuse my OC rather than holding him to a high pedestal). As such, this is a sort of tribute to what eventually became Equestria Girls: Duel Monsters, with my own take on the crossover.

Due to my plethora of mental episodes, I sort of took down the original story her on FimFiction, but the story is still readable over on FimFetch, for those interested to see the originator of this story.

Sunset looked up at Night Quill, not showing any external reaction, surreptitiously surveying the current predicament: Spitfire had agreed on their duel out in the soccer field as a deliberate display to show anyone who’d shown up how she would be the one to take down the she-demon of CHS. This was certainly no different; many people were already gathered around to witness the prowess of their new fellow students, he wanted to make it a grand display of power too, as opposed to Lightning Dust who just wanted the satisfaction of beating her and outdoing those she held enmity towards, other than just Sunset..

Rainbow Dash seemed indecisive on the matter. On one hand, she was trying to establish a positive rapport, but she also had her own reputation to uphold as the CHS team captain: Outwardly siding with her could make her teammates doubt her authority. Looking past Night Quill, she wondered if the faculty would be all too eager for the gymnasium being commandeered for a freeform duel out of the blue. She also thought the new students, Adagio, Aria and Sonata (well, the first two at least), seemed quite focused on her too.

“Does this seem appropriate, Principal Celestia?” asked Mrs. Harshwhinny up on the stage. Harshwhinny, Sunset’s history teacher, was a strongly by the books and regs member of the faculty, thus making her quite unpopular among many students, along with her exorbitant standards when it came to student prowess.

Principal Celestia seemed unfocused in the midst of gathering away documents, almost as if she hadn’t heard Mrs. Harshwhinny’s protests.

“Celestia?”

The principal seemed shaken out of her reverie at the rise of Miss Harshwhinny’s voice, the head of CHS looking to her almost nonchalantly, “It’s perfectly fine. It’s time for extracurriculars now, and I’m certain our new students would appreciate some dueling more in line with their evident display of skill. Don’t you think?”

Another good reason for Mrs. Harshwhinny’s protests would be her other job as one of the PE teachers, for despite her prim and proper modicum of presenting herself, she was also inexplicably strong and fit; the perfect individual to whip students into shape both mentally and physically. Even the gathered students seemed intrigued by the prospect, many seeming inconclusive on whether to leave or remain.

“You could always decline, Shimmer,” said Night Quill. Though his tone sounded formal and outright polite, the hint of venom in his voice was all too evident. He was playing her to accept. “I understand the inexplicable threat of defeat would not look favorably on the best duelist of CHS.”

“If you’re so eager to duel, then I will gladly do so in her stead,” came the voice of Rarity, having appeared beside the confrontation, looking intently at Night Quill, one hand to her hip, all the while Applejack steadily approached from behind her.

Night seemed to look over the fashionista with a hint of surprise. Likely not all too fond as many would be to see the best of her clique standing up for Sunset. “I have no quarrel with you, Rarity, so I must decline.”

“If you’re that put off by a fellow fusionist, then try me, Night,” said Applejack, looking all too eager. It made sense; Applejack was not an active member of any clique, most of her standing coming from her own remarkable physical prowess among the athletes, but she did not regularly interact with them. “‘Ah’m well aware a might few of ya ain’t too keen on the fact that Sunset ain’t alone out here. ‘Ah got nothin’ to lose.”

“No, AJ,” said Sunset. Much as she appreciated the two whom she’d wronged willing to stand up to her, outside of her own volition or not, she couldn’t further ruin their own positive reputation. “I accept. So long as Principal Celestia permits it, I have my honor as a duelist to hold onto.” She didn’t see it, but she felt Rainbow would respect the sentiment.

A restrained smile of confidence shaped over Night Quill’s lips. “Excellent,” he declared as he placed a hand to his chest and performed a casual bow. Sunset found the gentlemanly display so disingenuous she almost felt like admonishing him. “Let’s not keep the spectators waiting any further.”

You’d like that very much, wouldn’t you? Sunset thought as she detached the test deck from her disk and fished out her own from a pocket inside her jacket.

“Lu, this would look like a perfect opportunity to…” Turner looked over to Luna, who seemed she hadn’t heard a word he’d said. “Lu, you alright?”

A nudge seemed to bring her back into focus, “Oh, I’m sorry. What?”

“I was saying this is another golden opportunity to observe Miss Shimmer for anything unusual. I still have the Mr. E ready and operational.”

“Ah, of course. Yes, please. But keep it discreet,” said Luna, though Turner couldn’t help but feel if something was amiss with her.

“Alright, I’ll send any changes in data your way… Are you sure you’re feeling alright, Lu? You seem kind of out of it.”

Luna rubbed a hand to the side of her eye, “Yea I’m… I’m fine, work’s just been a bit more hectic with everything else going on right now.”

“Well, if you’re certain…” said Turner, though the uncertainty remained not lost on him, seeing how Luna’s eyes looked… persistently absent, for lack of a better term. Regardless, he took a step back behind the curtain, setting up his laptop on a convenient elevated surface, bringing his machine online as many students resumed their spots in the bleachers.

Sunset engaged her duel disk, the tray deploying, followed by the automated shuffler engaging, that all too satisfying rattle permeating her immediate vicinity, all the while the network confirmed her opponent’s shuffler engaging too. Convenient that the machines removed almost all potential for cheating. With a metallic ding sounding through their speakers, the virtual coin was flipped, Sunset’s end showing the red tails side.

Night Quill Life Points: 4000

Sunset Shimmer Life Points: 4000

Duel start!

Turn 1: Night Quill (Hand: 5)

“Coin landed in my favor,” he mused as he took his hand and splayed it out. “Sometimes by losing a battle you find a new way to win the war. Are you familiar with such proverb, Shimmer?”

Sunset rolled her eyes, “We get it, Quill: You like quoting history.”

“Oh, I’m afraid that was much more relevant than you give it though,” said Night Quill with a startlingly straight face. “You started this war, our fellow belligerents lost their battles, whereas I took the time to reflect on their defeats. That’s what that proverb is about. While I doubt us seeing each other as comrades, it’s by Spitfire and Lightning Dust’s defeats that I will come out on top as the winner of this hunting game.” He took a card from his hand and inserted it into his spell and trap port, “To start, I activate the field spell ‘Geartown’.”

With a loud rumble, the gymnasium was overtaken by a series of old, stone and metallic buildings in simple blocky shapes rising from the ground. The loud rattling and grinding of enormous gears and cogs all around permeated the new (projected surroundings), complete with cog-shaped spotlights reflecting into the green, smoggy skies up above.

“Since I control no monsters, I can activate the spell card ‘Ancient Gear Catapult’.”

On inserting the next card, Geartown’s structure immediately began to crack and crumbled. Gears and cogs falling from their placements, kicking up thick clouds of dust, all the while every structure corroded and collapsed around them. The green sky gave away back to the ceiling of the gymnasium, and the thick smoke of destruction and industry faded.

“Ancient Gear Catapult forces me to destroy a spell or trap card I control. In return it lets me Special Summon one ‘Ancient Gear’ monster from my deck, ignoring any summoning conditions.” With a rattle of the automated shuffler, his card of choice was ejected. “I Special Summon ‘Ancient Gear Golem’ in attack mode.”

A large summoning portal opened before Night Quill, something big, and most definitely powerful slowly rising from the void, the first things to greet Sunset being a single, ominous red glow from the emerging figure. To the field arose a towering antique looking humanoid robot. Composed of a faded brownish metal, the gaps showing off a series of intricate gearwork mechanisms. From within its head, which was shaped like the helm of a warrior of the antique era, through occularium a single red, light shone in place of an eye. (Level 8, 3000/3000)

“Holy (Eff!)ck! That is a big robot!” called Pinkie from somewhere among the spectators.

“Also, when Geartown is destroyed by a card effect, it lets me special summon another ‘Ancient Gear’ monster from my hand, deck or graveyard.” Once again, like a well-oiled machine, his deck was shuffled for yet another card to eject. “I summon ‘Ancient Gear Wyvern’ in attack mode.”

Arising to his field came an antique mech in the shape of a two-legged dragon: Its chassis was a faded greyish green hue in color: Its exposed interiors also being composed of gearworks instead of intricate electronics as any modern interpretation of robots would imply. A haunting yellow light shone from one of the gaps meant to be its eyes at the end of a long, segmented neck. (Level 4, 1700/1200)

“When summoned, Ancient Gear Wyvern lets me add any ‘Ancient Gear’ card from my deck to my hand,” to which another card was given to him after a quick shuffle.

“And since I still have my Normal Summon for this turn, I summon ‘Ancient Gear Hunting Hound’ in attack mode.”

A third mechanical creature arose to Night’s field: This one a dark green, mechanical quadruped in the vague shape of what might have been a canine. Its chassis was thick and robust, with a single massive gear held vertically in its chest just past its neck. A pronounced pair of sharp tusks protruded from its lower jaw, from within which a rattling growl emanated. (Level 4, 1000/1000)

“When Normal Summoned, Ancient Gear Hunting hound inflicts 600 points of damage to you!” Night Quill swung an arm towards Sunset. “Hound Flame!”

In a compliant snarl, Ancient Gear Hunting Hound opened its maw, blasting a jet stream of flame that buffeted against her forcefield.

Sunset Shimmer Life Points: 4000 – 600 = 3400

Great, more burn damage, thought Sunset, thinking back to her duel against Spitfire.

“Next, I activate Ancient Gear Hunting Hound’s second effect: Once per turn, I can perform a Fusion Summon without a Fusion card using monsters in my hand or field as material. As such, I fuse Ancient Gear Hunting Hound and Wyvern.”

The fusion vortex opened over the field, Ancient Gear Wyvern and Hunting Hound began to fall to pieces; each plate being unfasted, bolts and cogs coming out of place, all being sucked into the eye.

“Mechanical hound and wyvern, bearing ancient souls: Unite, and take new form in a greater engine of power.”

He slammed his palms together. “Fusion Summon! Come forth, level 7 mechanical cavalry; ‘Ancient Gear Lancer’!”

Dropping to the field, galloping in a swerve to his side of the field, another gearworks automaton: This was composed of a humanoid torso of a faded grey color affixed waist-down to a quadruped form akin to a horse, complete with a conical piece of metal serving as a tail. Atop its domed head sat a metallic plume like Ancient Gear Golem, with the same eerie red glint peeking from within the occularium. Its left arm was equipped with a hefty shield composed of a series of wide cogs stacked atop one-another, while its right arm was an elongated lance with grooves running down its sides, reminiscent of a drill. (Level 7, 2500/1500)

“Since I used Ancient Gear Wyvern’s effect, I can’t set cards this turn. I end my turn. Now,” he motioned towards Sunset with his hand, “show me what you’ve got, Shimmer.”

(Hand: 3)

Turn 2: Sunset Shimmer (Hand: 5)

Sunset drew her first card. So, he’s an Ancient Gear user. They’re powerful and straightforward, and prevent me from activating spell and trap cards when attacking. She went over her hand; not quite adequate in dealing with the 3000 strong Ancient Gear Golem… But she could change that. “I activate the spell ‘Draconnection’: I shuffle one dragon-type monster from my hand to my deck and take a different dragon of the same level.” With that, her strategy was ready; “I take the scale four ‘Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon’ and the scale eight Odd-Eyes Mirage Dragon to set the Pendulum Scale.”

Rainbow tensed in anticipation of the inexplicable stings to her heart hearing Sunset declare her intention. The scales appeared over on the field, the purplish-blue dragon with the bone-white armor, and the small green dragon with pronounced tusks. To her amazement, she felt… nothing? She thumped her chest for assurance. True enough, she felt fine, whereas visually Applejack and Rarity seemed to show signs of whatever sensation Sunset’s unique case of using Pendulums induced.

The pain is gone? she wondered. But… Why? And why don’t I feel anything like those two?

“Now I can summon any monsters between the levels of four and eight, but I only need the one to tear down your machines,” Sunset boasted. “Pendulum Summon! Come forth, my partner: Level 7, valiant dragon with dichromatic eyes: Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon!”

In a flash of light, the red bipedal dragon graced the field: His dichromatic eyes flashing with the latent power held within, followed by its distinct call. (Level 7, 2500/2000).

“To battle! Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon attacks Ancient Gear Golem!”

“My golem has 3000 attack points,” stated Night Quill. “Just what are you planning?”

“When an attack is declared, as long as I have an ‘Odd-Eyes’ dragon for both Pendulum Scales, Phantom Dragon’s Pendulum effect activates: This increases my monster’s attack by 1200. (Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon ATK: 2500 -> 3700) Spiral Strike Burst!”

Odd-Eyes charged in, readying its breath attack (ATK: 3700), which it then unleashed in a rippling beam towards the looming Ancient Gear Golem (ATK: 3000). The fiery beam crashed against the antiquated machine, a haunting groan escaping somewhere from within.

“Ancient Gear Lancer’s effect! When Ancient Gear monsters would be destroyed in a single sequence, I can prevent their destruction, in turn permanently decreasing its defense by 500!” Night Quill responded, in which his centaur-like mech charged forth and intercepted Odd-Eyes’ attack. Under the stress of withstanding the attack, the topmost cog on its shield shattered to pieces, leaving two remaining. (DEF: 1500 -> 1000)

Sunset hadn’t expected this. However, she knew Night wouldn’t remain unscathed. “You still take damage from the battle. And since Ancient Gear Golem is level eight, you take double damage from Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon’s effect: Reaction Force!”

Night Quill shielded his eyes from the bright red beam glancing past his golem and striking his forcefield head on, combined with a slight kick from the duel system’s feedback on his arm.

Night Quill Life Points: 4000 – 1400 = 2600

“I set one card. Then end my turn.”

(Hand: 1)

Turn 3: Night Quill (Hand: 3)

Night Quill drew his first card, “Alright, I didn’t expect you boosting your Odd-Eyes’ attack past that of Ancient Gear Golem. But as history shows; great generals were always prepared for unforeseen possibilities.” He fed a card into his duel disk from his hand. “The perfect fusion spell, ‘Ancient Gear Fusion’, activate.” On his card’s reveal, the fusion vortex appeared anew. “When activated, Ancient Gear Fusion lets me perform a Fusion Summon, but if Ancient Gear Golem is on the field, I can take fusion material from my deck.” With a rattle of the automated shuffler, two cards ejected from his deck, which he flashed as two additional copies of Ancient Gear Golem, “I fuse the Ancient Gear Golem on my field with my other two in my deck.”

All three Ancient Gear Golems emerged to the field, when their bodies began to disassemble: Each plate was pulled from its placement, the complex internal workings being undone; all of it being sucked into the eye of the vortex.

“Mechanical giants, bearing ancient souls; unite together and become a vessel of untapped power!”

“Fusion Summon! Come forth! Level 9, ‘Ancient Gear Megaton Golem’!”

With a resounding boom, to Night Quill’s field emerged arguably one of the largest monsters Sunset had witnessed. Its body was a slightly more pristine, but still worn grey hue. It had the body of Ancient Gear Golem, but instead of two legs, it stood on a sextet of heavy mechanical limbs, and it bore six arms, each pair matching that of Ancient Gear Golem, with the right being composed of thick, hefty fists, and the left scooper-like claws. Three glowing red dots shone from within its helm. (Level 9, 3300/3300)

That is certainly a big robot…

“Ancient Gear monsters prevent my opponent from activating spell and trap cards during battle. In addition, Megaton Golem can attack once for each Ancient Gear Golem used for its summon.” Night Quill pointed at Sunset with a sense of finality. “Meaning your facedown is useless unless you activate it right now. And when I destroy your oddity of a dragon, you’ll be taken down from Megaton Golem’s second attack. So, let’s lower the curtain on this performance! Ancient Gear Megaton Golem, attack!”

With its internalized gearworks grinding within its chassis, Megaton Golem (ATK: 3300) revved back its triad of fists, which then flung towards Odd-Eyes (ATK: 2500) with enough force to generate a mach cone. Odd-Eyes, with a glint of its dichromatic eyes, revved back and blew back with its breath attack (ATK: 2500 -> 3700), the force of which miraculously pushed against Megaton Golem’s impossibly heavy limbs.

“What?!”

“Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon’s effect can activate regardless of who attacks,” said Sunset, bringing a hand to her hip. “Looks like this general was too hasty.”

Night Quill grunted in frustration. “Ancient Gear Lancer, defend!”

On command, the centaur mech intercepted Odd-Eyes’ blast (DEF: 1000 -> 500), causing Megaton Golem’s fists to glance away. The second cog composing Lancer’s shield shattered, followed by a stray gout of Odd-Eyes’ attack striking Night Quill once again.

Night Quill Life Points: 2600 – 800 = 1800

Night Quill shook his head, trying to appear more composed than he led on, even taking the time to seemingly dust off his shoulder. “Merely a setback. I set two cards, then end my turn.”

(Hand: 2)

Turn 5: Sunset Shimmer (Hand: 1)

Sunset drew her next card, adding to her drastically decreased hand as Pendulum Summoning was wont to do. However, with the frankly abysmal performance of her opponent compared to the last two matches, it seemed Odd-Eyes would be more than capable of withstanding. “I move directly to battle! I attack Ancient Gear Lancer with Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon! By using Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon’s Pendulum effect, it’s more than enough to end this!”

Just as Odd-Eyes (ATK: 2500 -> 3700) was preparing for the finishing blow, Night Quill swiped a finger over his screen, “Continuous trap, ‘Ancient Gear Land Mine’, activate!” The card unveiled itself, to which it promptly faded, being replaced by a small gear-shaped disk with a quarter of spindly, spider-like limbs extending from the bottom center, whereas at the top center a blinking red light flashed at regular intervals (Level 2, 1000/1000). “When activated, Ancient Gear Land Mine is summoned to my field as a monster in defense mode. Any attacks you make are diverted to it instead.”

Odd-Eyes attention seemed seized by the blinking red cog, to which its blast was diverted towards the little device. The mine suddenly skittered across the field, narrowly avoiding the attack before leaping and latching itself to Odd-Eyes’ head. As the dragon shook its head furiously to try and dislodge the nuisance, the mine let out a grating grind, followed by a violent detonation.

“When destroyed in battle, it lets me destroy one monster on the field. I refuse to be defeated so ignominiously, let alone by you.”

Sunset was not perturbed, however. “As long as my Pendulum Scale remains, Odd-Eyes will never truly die. With it, I Pendulum Summon! Return to the field, my partner!” In a flash of red, Odd-Eyes remerged to the field, screeching almost as if in retort to Night Quill’s trick. (Level 7, 2500/2000)

“I activate my second set card; ‘Cross-Dimensional Duel’. When activated, this makes me banish one ‘Ancient Gear’ monster on the field. I choose Ancient Gear Lancer as the target.” With a ripple, Lancer’s form faded from the field.

Sunset eyed the strange choice to conduct in confusion. What’s he up to now? “I set one card and end my turn.”

(Hand: 1)

Turn 6: Night Quill (Hand: 2)

As soon as Night Quill drew, the space previously occupied by Ancient Gear Lancer began to glow, “During my stand-by phase, Cross-Dimensional Duel returns the banished monster to my field, with its attack points doubled until my next end phase.”

From within the glow, the sound of metallic hooves clanged against a non-existent ground. Ancient Gear Lancer seemingly leapt from between existences to the field, its drill-like lance revving in a threatening display. (Level 7, 2500 -> 5000/1500)

“An attack strength of 5000?!” Sunset blurted in surprise.

“That’s right. More than enough to deal with your persistent dragon, even if you were to use your Pendulum Effect. What’s more, since Ancient Gear Lancer left the field, its defense points reset to their original value, meaning my monsters are once again guaranteed their protection. Furthermore; as an Ancient Gear, Lancer prevents you from activating spell and trap cards when it attacks, so even if you have whatever battle trap set, my monsters won’t be brought down by such an amateurish trick.” He pointed a commanding finger at Odd-Eyes, “Ancient Gear Lancer, attack Odd-Eyes and remove it from my sight! Precious Lance!”

Revving its drill-lance, the centaur automaton charged forth as both rider and knight, engaging the looming Odd-Eyes like a scenario lifted straight from old human legends. A spiraling cone took form over Lancer’s namesake weapon (ATK: 5000) as it neared, with Odd-Eyes firing its enhanced breath attack (ATK: 2500 -> 3700) at the approaching mech. Lancer’s spiraling armament parted the incoming beam up until lunging it into Odd-Eyes’ chest, the dragon erupting into pixels before anyone had to watch it suffer from the gaping wound inflicted.

Sunset Shimmer Life Points: 3400 – 1300 = 2100

“Trap card, activate, ‘Pendulum Reborn’!” Sunset unveiled one of her cards. “This lets me bring back Odd-Eyes from my extra deck, (Level 7, 2500/2000), and my other set card; ‘Pendulum Switch’: With this, once per turn, I can Special Summon a monster in my Pendulum Zone to my field. I bring Odd-Eyes Mirage Dragon to my field, in defense mode!”

In a golden ripple, Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon’s smaller green cousin took its place beside it, hunched down in a defensive posture. (Level 3, 1200/600)

“And what, pray tell, did that accomplish?” asked Night Quill in a condescending tone. “Ancient Gear Megaton Golem, attack Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon. Annihilate it!”

Megaton Golem revved back its triad of arms (ATK: 3300) and swung forth in a three-part punch, a loud, earthshattering boom rocking the gymnasium. When the dust cleared, Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon, to everyone’s audible surprise, was unscathed, a bicolored aura shattering from around it.

Sunset Shimmer Life Points: 2100 – 800 = 1300

“What?! What did you do?!”

“Odd-Eyes Mirage Dragon’s effect: As long as I have an Odd-Eyes card in my Pendulum Zone, I can target one Odd-Eyes on the field; that monster isn’t destroyed from one attack.”

“Hmph! Megaton Golem can attack thrice due to the number of golems used to summon it! Attack again, Megaton Golem!”

Winding its left set of arms following its wild swing, Megaton Golem (ATK: 3300) swung down with its clawed arms, scooping the smaller Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon (ATK: and sending it slamming into the gymnasium wall, where its form shattered into a burst of pixels.

Sunset Shimmer Life Points: 1300 – 800 = 500

Megaton Golem then raised its two frontmost legs (ATK: 3300) and stomped down with them, another ground-shattering boom permeating what might have been the entire school. Suffice it to say, Odd-Eyes Mirage Dragon (DEF: 600) was easily crushed from the third attack.

“Yeessss,” hissed Night Quill, clenching a fist triumphantly. “One more turn and you’re done. The last one standing who took down the infamous Sunset Shimmer, she-demon of CHS.”

Sunset could only sigh, at her foe’s foolish ambitions. “For all I cared, I’d let you have this victory you want with a surrender.”

“Don’t you dare!” Night Quill retorted. “I will defeat you by my terms. A legacy can only be written by remarkable feats. To do so any other way would sully the honor.”

“And that’s what this is about?” asked Sunset. “A legacy? For what? Defeating the one who reigned over as the undisputed queen of the CHS dueling academy longer than anyone before me?”

“Knowing I toppled the tyrant when the current Duel Queen of CHS seemingly abdicated her position when she vanished? This will be my Macedon; strive forward further until I achieve my own greatness, like Alexander the Great when the took the Achaemenid for himself. Goes to show those idiots at Crystal Prep Academy for rejecting me.”

Sunset frowned, “Where’d this come from? You tried to get into Crystal Prep, got rejected, now you’re just taking it out on me?”

“Rejected, and backstabbed, by my own brother, my very own Brutus. The prat couldn’t so much as put in a good word for his own family, so I end up here. Well, if Sharp Stroke thinks he has the right to lord himself over me, I’ll just have to carve out my own piece of the world. I set one card, then end my turn.”

(Hand: 1)

Turn 7: Sunset Shimmer (Hand: 1)

“I’m not surrendering, that much is a given,” said Sunset as she drew her next card. “I owe it to my friends with whom I built this deck, and for the sake of someone who believed in me, and fought tooth and nail to help me.” Ignoring the dismissive scoff from her opponent, she looked over her limited repertoire Whatever I do, I gotta do it this turn or it’s over.

“Without your Pendulum Scale you can’t summon your dragons to further stall me. With such a limited repertoire of cards to call on, it was only a matter of time before you ran out of options,” declared Night Quill in a condescending tone.

Let them be your power…

“I take the scale eight ‘Odd-Eyes Arc Pendulum Dragon’ to reset the Pendulum Scale,” Sunset placed the new card to the edge of her disk. Arising to the now vacant scale came a new dragon: Like its cousins; it had a bipedal body, but instead of the usual chromatic colors, its body was a solid, stony grey, with silvery armor affixed to its chest and shoulders, and brilliant, violent crystalline studs protruding from its long and heavy, segmented tail. From its back extended a long, crystalline arc, between which extended a single large, violet crystal spire. Instead of horns, from the top and sides of its head, and the sides of its lower jaw, extended a brilliant, silvery crest, between which the familiar orange and teal eyes glistened.

“Pendulum Summon! Return to the field, my companions, Odd-Eyes Pendulum (Level 7, 2500/2000) and Odd-Eyes Mirage Dragon (Level 3, 1200/600)!”

“Again with this?” frowned Night Quill exasperatedly. “My life points are high enough and with Ancient Gear Lancer to protect my Golem, you’re not going to have enough time to finish me.”

“It’s not what I’m going for,” Sunset declared, taking the final card in her hand and feeding it into her disk. “Spell card ‘Polymerization;’ activate!”

“Polymerization?” Night Quill’s eyes widened in trepidation. “You can…?”

“I fuse together my two Odd-Eyes dragons on my field.” The fusion vortex opened anew, this time on the side of Sunset instead of Night Quill and his mechanical forces.

“Dragons of dichromatic eyes, unite together and combine your power under the arc of harmony.”

Now was Sunset’s turn to bring her hands together, fingers intertwining more delicately, “Fusion Summon! Take flight, dragon of dichromatic eyes who lords over the storm winds: Level 7 ‘Odd-Eyes Vortex Dragon’!”

As if Odd-Eyes Pendulum and Mirage Dragon had been spliced together: The result was a sauropodian dragon of a dark grey body encased in streamlined armored green scales running down from the top of its sleek head down to the top of its snaking tail. From its back unfolded a quartet of metallic golden wings. As all its kin, Odd-Eyes’ familiar orange and teal eyes glistened from underneath the emerald armor, even its call matching that of Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon, with the accent of a storm’s fury raging with it. Its form seemed to hover off the ground under the effect of an invisible gale. (Level 7, 2500/3000)

Night Quill huffed, “It’s not any stronger than your other dragon.”

“Odd-Eyes Vortex Dragon’s strength doesn’t lie in the physical,” said Sunset defiantly, pointing at the looming Ancient Gear Megaton Golem. “When Special Summoned, Vortex Dragon lets me return an attack position monster on my opponent’s field to the hand.”

Unfurling its metallic wings, a gusting vortex fanned out from behind the new Odd-Eyes. Against so many laws of physics, Megaton Golem, despite the sheer tonnage to its mass, started to lift off the ground.

“Go ahead,” smirked Night Quill, strangely unperturbed at the impending loss of his strongest monster. “When Ancient Gear Megaton Golem leave the field by an opponent’s effect, it allows me to Special Summon the even stronger Ancient Gear Ultimate Golem from my Extra Deck. Your just wasted your ender’s gambit on a self-defeating-”

“Odd-Eyes Vortex Dragon’s second ability: Once each turn, by shuffling a face-up Pendulum monster from my extra deck to my regular deck, I can negate a spell, trap or monster effect’s activation and destroy it.”

On its second command, a trailing burst of wind ran across the field and shattered Megaton Golem’s form into pieces, which were all blown away by the impossible storm generated by the emerald dragon.

“Odd-Eyes Vortex Dragon, attack Ancient Gear Lancer! Spiral Vortex Strike!”

On her orders; drawing in the force of a storm’s gale in its jaws, Vortex Dragon (ATK: 2500) unleased a ripping twister towards the awaiting Ancient Gear Lancer (ATK: 2500), which revved up its drilling lance and galloped into the storm. To Night’s own surprise, Lancer’s attack struck home, the spiraling armament striking home, impaling the new Odd-Eyes through the chest, all the while the first cog shattered from the warrior’s shield (DEF: 1500 -> 1000)

“What are you doing?! You have an Odd-Eyes in both Pendulum Zones,” said Night Quill, seemingly taken aback at the turn to his favor.

Odd-Eyes Arc Pendulum Dragon on the other hand, seemed to respond as the crystalline growths in its body lit up, accented by a furious bellow from the inactive monster.

“Odd-Eyes Arc Pendulum Dragon’s Pendulum effect: If an Odd-Eyes is destroyed, once each turn, I can Special Summon an Odd-Eyes monster from my hand, deck or graveyard,” Sunset’s automated shuffled engaged, a card being ejected for her to take. “I’ll finish this with the pride of my deck: My one and only partner; Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon!”

Once again revived by the powers of its kin, Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon arose to the field of battle, the brilliant glint of its dichromatic eyes a portent to the only perceivable outcome. (Level 7, 2500/2000)

“I attack Ancient Gear Lancer with Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon, activating Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon’s Pendulum effect at this time to strengthen my partner’s power. Spiral Strike Burst!”

Night Quill could only watch as his Ancient Gear Lancer hefted its shield (ATK: 2500), but it would be a losing battle as Odd-Eyes (ATK: 2500 -> 3700) launched its enhanced breath attack one more time. Despite Lancer being spared when the second cog on its shield shatters (DEF: 1000 -> 500), the attack spewed around past the mechanical warrior, striking Night Quill’s forcefield. It was Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon’s effect that ultimately spelled his defeat.

Night Quill Life Points: 1800 – 2500 = -700

Sunset Shimmer victory!

Duel #34: The Doctor

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Adagio observed the bout between the infamous Sunset Shimmer and the appallingly dressed Night Quill most intently: Not only was she the first duelist she’d personally observed using the currently elusive Pendulum Summon method, but seeing her utilize it in conjunction with Fusion to get the upper hand.

“Something’s wrong here,” remarked Aria from beside her, her middle sister seeming strangely disappointed. “Sunset Shimmer was never this cordial; let alone she lacks the viciousness from the Underground.” Her brows furrowed in what could only be interpreted as utter disgust, “Was all that an act now? Or is she hiding it? If so, she’s doing a bang-up job with it.”

Adagio glanced between her sister and Shimmer, just as their target of interest readied the finishing strike. While she couldn’t take her exact words for it, Shimmer did not seem all that vicious and dominating as she’d been led to believe: The absolute best duelist, allegedly, in the Canterlot chapter of the Ghouls. Whatever had happened between then and now, there was still something to this fiery-haired girl: The air around her was still different to that of the rabble around them, and the familiarity of the home dimension clung to her so strongly. More reconnaissance would be required.

Either way, she will prove essential for my plans. Her ilk hasn’t been seen for centuries.

Sunset disengaged her duel disk after another hard-won victory, observing as students began to quietly make their way off the bleachers. No applause, no words of reconciliation towards the loser, just cold, apathetic murmurings and disappointment it seemed. This was not what Princess Twilight sought to achieved with her victories.

“Holy crap, Sunset!” she felt the grasp of a firm, light blue hand on her shoulder. “That was the quintessential definition of awesome!” Though on seeing a few glances her way from some students, she immediately let go and took a few good feet of personal space. “I mean, yes; nicely handled, I guess.”

“I concur,” said Rarity, who made no attempts to distance herself. “I did not expect you to use Fusion. How in the world did you obtain such a card?”

Sunset thought back to that moment of desperation, when she had the Polymerization spell in her hand: Initially it had been implemented for use of the generic dragon support, King Dragun. It was then when the familiar voice from her dreams spoke to her.

“I heard her again; Twilight,” muttered Sunset. “She said “let them be your power”, and from there I knew what I needed to do.” So those things in my dream; was that one of those… Those eggs?

Before she could indulge further, she noticed Night Quill begin to slowly make his way out. Against her better judgement, Sunset found her legs carry her forth, intercepting the bowler hat wearing student, “Night Quill…”

He glared at her with a furrowed, sideward glance, “Come to gloat over the failure of a younger sibling?” He looked almost ready to reel away when Sunset reached out and put a firm hand on his shoulder.

“Listen; I don’t know what the beef is between you and your brother, and it’s none of my business,” said Sunset, trying to sound as empathetic despite her dismissive choice of words. “But all I ask is that you consider the scope of a legacy: I tried to make one for myself, but all that did was cause a shitload of suffering. For everyone around me, and me.” With that she gave an encouraging pat on the man’s shoulder. “You did good. If you can only take my word for it, then so be it.”

Night Quill was evidently at a loss for words. Complimented and encouraged by the infamous “She-demon,” as he himself had put it, must have come as an utter impossibility. The anachronistically dressed student raised a finger, as if to voice out grievances, but the best he managed to do was stutter. Sunset continued to look him in the eye, hand still grasped to his shoulder, awaiting patiently for any impending retort. When enough time had passed that Applejack and Rarity, as well as Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie who’d been seated on the opposite row of bleachers had time to gather around, Night Quill seemed to grunt before walking off in silence.

“That was kindly said,” remarked Fluttershy, looking at Sunset with pride in her eyes.

“Yup-yup!” concurred Pinkie with a nod. “I mean did you see those robots? Imagine if they’d gotten even bigger!”

“I shudder to think,” said Sunset with a mirthful chuckle. Night Quills relentless assault at the end had given her the case of trembles when a duel got particularly heated. It felt genuinely good; the game was becoming more of an enjoyment rather than the twisted image of a horrific tool the entity possessing her had me her believe. “Has there been any word on Trixie?”

Her response came at a solemn silence from everyone. If only her state and whereabouts were known to them, perhaps CHS would be at least welcoming.

“Oh, Mr. Turner!” came the voice of Rainbow, who jogged off towards the stage.

Sunset looked after, spotting the mysterious new teacher still up on the stage, grasping a closed laptop computer under one arm. He seemed slightly startled as Rainbow approached, holding something up in her hand.

“You dropped your… screwdriver, yesterday,” she stated, leaning up on the stage, presenting the pocket screwdriver to its owner.

Mr. Turner seemed to hesitate for a moment, before reaching out to grab the specified tool, “Uh, yes. My screwdriver. I was just… looking for it, back here. Thank you for finding it, Miss Dash, it was a present from my mother. She knows how much I like to… screw and unscrew things.” His odd choice of wordings was not lost on him as he hastily pocketed the tool and leapt off the stage. “Now I must be off. Got lots of teacher-y activities to do. Thank you for your help in today’s entrance test Miss Dash… You too, Miss Shimmer. Have a good day.”

The six watched as the strange man walked off in a hurried pace. Pinkie was the first to break the silence with a snicker.

“It’s funny because screw means sex…”

“Pinkie!” admonished Rarity with a look of disgust.

“What? Not my fault Mr. Turner is a looker and about as awkward as a bishonen,” said Pinkie with a flutter of her eyelids.

“Pinkie, with all due respect; that guy just came off as a real creep just there with the talk of- What ‘cha doin’ back there, Sunset?” Applejack called out, as Sunset had made her way behind the curtains.

To her surprise, she found the same device she, Rarity and Pinkie had uncovered just the other day, having been sloppily hidden behind an old cardboard tree prop. It remained plugged into the wall socket, the jury-rigged device with the exposed wiring and lacking chassis continuing to emit quiet beeps.

Alright, this has gone unanswered long enough. Sunset came back around from behind the curtain, hopping back down onto the gymnasium floor and proceeding to hastily make her way towards the exit.

“What’s up, Sunset?” asked Applejack, as Sunset made her way past everyone, eliciting them to follow.

“Mr. Turner’s definitely up to something. It’s high-time I get some answers,” she declared with finality in her voice.

“What’re ya talkin’ about? … You mean?”

“The device backstage,” said Rarity in realization. “We completely forgot about it during the search for Trixie. It’s still there?”

“It sure as hell is,” Sunset muttered with frustration. “I don’t know what that man is up to, so it’s about time he fess up.”

“You don’t suppose he might be from the… the government?!” peeped Fluttershy, bringing her hands to her mouth in fear.

“For all we know, he might be,” said Sunset, when she abruptly stopped in her tracks. That meant she couldn’t get the rest involved if it was true. “You girls stand back. I’ll confront him solo.”

“Whoa, whoa!” Applejack grabbed her by the shoulder. “You’re not going after ‘im on yer own! For all we know he could be dangerous!”

“That’s hot,” remarked Pinkie.

Sunset couldn’t discount the possibilities. However, Mr. Turner so far seemed quite the scatterbrain and more than a little awkward. Nor could she discount the possibility of the man’s exterior being but an act, of course. Or if he might have had access to back-up, maybe even weapons, be it some form of taser or even firearms. Regardless, Sunset knew well enough she couldn’t risk getting her only friends involved.

“I can’t risk you and your families getting tied up if he really is from some government agency,” stated Sunset, softly brushing Applejack’s hand off her. “I need to do this myself. You stand back. If anything does happen, just… Just don’t come after me, alright? I can’t risk my only friends having their lives possibly ruined because of me.”

“S-Sunset?” Fluttershy stepped forth, when Sunset placed comforting hands to her shoulders.

“I’ll be fine, Flutters,” said Sunset as reassuringly as she could. “If things go wrong just… Thank you for you believing in me.”

With that, Sunset sped off, making for the closest exit to the car park. She heard Fluttershy call out to her one more time, but she refused to look back. She needed answers, and by Celestia, she would have them, one way or another. On the way, she passed by the three new arrivals, whose eyes seemed to trail her as she went.

Getting out through the back entrance, ignoring any stares or retorts from close evasions, she spied the parking lot, zeroing in on the new car in the faculty row. The car itself was anything but new; a Beetle, probably circa the eighties, based on some of the wear over the arguably well-preserved blue paintjob. Seeing the vehicle, something that at this point might as well have been interred at an auto museum, made Sunset begin to second guess about the government being involved, since she figured they had the resources to outfit their field agents better. On the other hand, looking as ramshackle and, as Sunset herself thought of the man, eccentric, might have also helped to throw off suspicion for an infiltrator.

Part of her wanted to just forget about this stunt and get out of there, just as Mr. Turner was seen exiting the school, seemingly talking with someone: Squinting to get a better view, Sunset recognized the bespectacled Micro Chip, who’d been helping him with the strange hardware earlier for her test. The two seemed deeply in conversation over something, right up to when they could see her. Micro Chip seemed eager to leave, no doubt due to many of Sunset’s unsavory tendencies since their first year, to which he hastily bid goodbye to Mr. Turner and walked off. Turner himself seemed mildly perturbed at Sunset standing before his car, blocking access to the trunk, but he nonetheless approached, until the two were in respectable talking distance to one another.

“Is there something wrong, Miss Shimmer?” he asked, still carrying his laptop under one arm while. Ever the image of unprofessional with his bedraggled hair and slight stubble contrasting his strangely well-kept suit combined with the badly matched converses, the notion of him being some government spook continued to feel so farfetched. Regardless, the man had to be up to something, seeing how intent he was towards Sunset since the beginning.

“As a matter of fact, there is, Mr. Turner,” said Sunset. Passive aggressive, certainly, but she wanted him to know she did not approve. “If Mr. Turner is even your real name.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“My friends and I found one of your toys backstage. I don’t know who you are, but a certified representative of the schoolboard would not use cobbled-together tech, let alone during official observation.”

Turner seemed to look at her in a studious manner, his face remaining largely expressionless. This was a stark contrast to the usually awkward and jovial image Sunset had of the man. “I guess I should have hidden it better than just behind the tree prop, huh?” he asked in a mirthful manner. “Funny isn’t it? How every time you need an outlet, and it just happens the only one is in the most inconvenient place, right?”

Sunset was not in the mood for wit. “Who are you?”

“Time Turner, certified teacher in physics. Nothing special. And I have a lot of physics papers to grade right now, so if you wouldn’t mind, Miss Shimmer, I really do need to have these graded by Monday, so-”

“I’m well aware you’ve been hounding me!” Sunset snapped, taking a threatening step towards the lanky man, who admirably didn’t budge. “How many times more since my duel with Trixie? The duel between me and Spitfire on the soccer field? You know damn well we saw you backstage, “looking for your screwdriver,” right? Who the hell carries a screwdriver when multitools are more convenient?”

“And illegal, I should add; those things have knives,” Mr. Turner remarked. “To be fair, I carry one with me everywhere. You never know when it might come in handy. And I did indeed misplace it, so much kudos to Miss Dash on finding it for me. You know, one time I actually-”

“I’m not here to chatter about how you… I dunno, lockpicked your way out of your car trunk with it!”

“Well now that you mention it-”

“Have you been stalking me? Did you also observe me and my friend Fluttershy’s duel in the park the same day I had my test with Trixie? Or when I dueled Lightning Dust the day after on Rein Street?”

“Well funny you should also mention Miss Lulamoon, Miss Shimmer,” said Turner her expression turning stern.

“So, you do know,” concluded Sunset, meeting Mr. Turner’s gaze. “About a month ago, the CHS incident?”

Turner looked less stern but more just obstinate to say anything, not helped that a few bystanders were looking at them. Wouldn’t do well for a government spook at any rate, being out in the open. Perfect. She was going to end up pressuring him.

“I do know about the incident you speak of, Miss Shimmer,” said Mr. Turner, looking outright dour. “I know plenty about such incidents, more so than you could ever imagine. I know this doesn’t look pleasant on my end, but I want you to trust me in that I am not your enemy.”

“Then who are you working for?” asked Sunset, glad to have made some progress, but further concerned if this Time Turner really knew more than he let on. “The government?”

Turner outwardly scoffed at that, “Now let’s not get all conspiracy-theorist here.”

The man seemed to jolt for a moment when Sunset’s duel disk engaged with its heavy clicks and whirr of electronics and mechanisms. “If there’s one thing I’ve learned here at CHS; as a duel school, dueling is as crucial as convictions. You’re not on the clock at the moment, Mr. Turner, and if you were a certified teacher at a certified dueling academy; you would have in your possession a deck. And you are also under the effect of the duelist’s code.” The last bit was an outright lie; at a dueling academy, teachers reigned over the students, and unless specifically requested, were forbidden from challenging teachers, or any faculty, on the grounds of trying to subvert authority.

Mr. Turner seemed to scrutinize her, looking between her eyes and the deployed magenta and orange duel disk. Either Turner might not know the rules thoroughly, or he did and would pull rank on her, or would simply brush her off. A smirk formed on his lips, a glint of something Sunset could only gleam as eagerness visible in his eyes.

“Takes me back, this does…” he murmured. “Very well, Miss Shimmer, in compliance with the rules and regs, I accept your challenge…” He used his arm carrying his coat to reach into a pocket on the inside of his suit coat, presenting that he did, indeed carry a deck on his person. “Though I much prefer if I were to use my own duel disk, which is in my trunk. I kindly ask you step aside for a moment.”

Sunset eyed him warily, but complied, stepping aside to allow the man to open his car’s miniscule trunk. Upon placing his laptop in, he took out something else. At first Sunset wasn’t certain, but it did turn out to be some form of duel disk, as evident by the circular screen, though it was placed differently, centered in a rectangular frame. The device itself was completely blue.

“So, Miss Shimmer,” he asked, fastening the device to his left arm, the metallic clink of the wrist clamp folding shut coming out clearly, “where shall we do this?”

On the flimsy pretense of a “performance re-evaluation”, as stated by Mr. Turner, Sunset knew of a good spot where they wouldn’t be interrupted, though if anything illicit did happen, it was still visible enough for deter any outward hostilities and had an easy escape route: The roof of CHS next to the glass dome overlooking the library. The site where Twilight rekindled Applejack and Rarity’s love, and where she came out with her true identity.

Sunset covertly insisted she take the side closest to the exit, while Turner stood across from her, back facing the admittedly gorgeous view of Canterlot in the distance. Attaching their decks to their respective devices, automated shufflers engaging. With a blue glint being cast up on both parties from their screens, the virtual coin was tossed; landing in Sunset’s favor.

“Duel!”

Sunset Shimmer Life Points: 4000

Time Turner: 4000

Turn 1: Sunset Shimmer (Hand: 5)

We’ll see your true colors soon enough. “I start with the spell ‘Pendulum Call’,” she slid her first card of the duel into her disk. “This spell lets me add two ‘Magician’ Pendulum monsters from my deck to my hand.” Her two choices were fed into her hand, followed by a shuffle. “I take the scale one ‘Dragonpulse Magician’ and scale eight ‘Dragonpit Magician’ to set the Pendulum Scale!”

Her original two Pendulums found their rightful spots on her disk, the two dragon sorcerers arising to her sides, unveiling the six colored motes of light revolving between them.

“With these I can now Special Summon any monsters that are levels two to seven.”

“The swing of the pendulum connecting two worlds draws out the arc of harmony.”

“Pendulum Summon! Come forth, my companions!” Sunset beckoned, the motes forming the portal where two lights shot forth.

Fluttershy shuddered when the sensations normally described as warm and soothing overcame her. She stopped in her tracks to look back in the general direction of CHS, a sense of trepidation coming over her.

“What’s wrong, Flutters?” she heard Rainbow ask her.

“Sunset’s… Sunset’s dueling someone right now.”

“Level 3, ‘Odd-Eyes Mirage Dragon’! (1200/600) and level 6, ‘Odd-Eyes Persona Dragon’ (1200/2400).” With her two smaller Odd-Eyes were in play, now the fun could get started, “I then play ‘Polymerization’, fusing together my dragons on the field!”

The fusion vortex opened over her field, her two dragons rising into it and melded like colors on a palette, until they degraded into a surging light erupting from the eye.

“Dragons of dichromatic eyes, unite together and combine your power under the arc of harmony.”

“Fusion Summon! Take flight, dragon of dichromatic eyes who lords over the storm winds: Level 7 ‘Odd-Eyes Vortex Dragon’!” (Level 7, 2500/3000)

With her newly acquired Odd-Eyes in play, with its hefty 3000 defense and its ability to negate effects, on top of having her Odd-Eyes in her Extra Deck for immediate return to the field.

“I end my turn.” Now to see if he’s actually a genuine duelist worth his salt.

(Hand: 1)

Turn 2: Time Turner (Hand: 5)

“Ah, the new dragon you showed during your duel with Mister Quill. Brilliant, I say!” said Turner on making the first draw. “But if you want my personal stance; you should never open up with your best immediately.” As he held out one card from his hand, a small segment folded out beneath his duel disk’s screen, which he slapped it onto. “I summon ‘Time Thief Regulator’ in attack mode.”

To Turner’s field leapt a small robot: Its vertically flat body, which seemed to teeter just slightly due to its lack of width, had a shape strongly reminiscent of a dog (as evidenced by its distorted call of “bow-wow”), the side of its body being covered in geometric shapes forming a strange technological pattern. (Level 4, 600/200)

“Since I control no other monsters, I sacrifice Regulator,” his monster barked “Affirmative” before vanishing in a ripple from the field, “to which I can Special Summon two ‘Time Thief’ monsters from my deck. I summon ‘Time Thief Chronocorder’, and ‘Time Thief Bezel Ship’.”

First came a small blue and white robot reminiscent of a drone, the top blue portion of it extending a pair of dazzling multi-chromatic wings, giving it the look of a butterfly. (Level 4, 1000/1000) The second was a significantly larger ship, appearing hovering over the field: It was best described as a tapered point, extending from a gold ring, within a rounded gold hexagon. (Level 4 1000/2000)

“Next, I take my two level four monsters and overlay them.”

His two monsters devolved into swathes of light which shot up. The nebula representing the Overlay Network opened before him, to which the swathes descending into, resulting in the power of Xyz erupting forth in a pillar.

“Valiant savior beyond time and space: Locked in your eternal crusade, unravel the mysteries of the universe.”

“Xyz Summon! Come forth, rank 4: Hero of time, ‘Time Thief Redoer’!”

Swinging back a cape in flourish, to Turner’s field emerged a very human-looking monster: An indeterminate age with pure white hair, wearing a monocle over his right eye; he was garbed in a most peculiar outfit: Black, fine loafers, purple pants and an intricate garb somewhere between a coat or a robe: Purple at the front, it became either a black or navy blue at the back, with long coattails, bronze linings and red diamond shaped decors just beneath either shoulder. A white neckerchief was just barely visible from the long, black cloak he wore with a tall crimson red collar, and mismatched gloves; black on the left hand and white on the right, the back of the palm on the latter bearing some form of flowing apparatus. (Rank 4, 2400/2000)

“And from my hand, I equip Time Thief Redoer with ‘Time Thief Resonation Wand.’” Materializing onto the field, Redoer snatched a small, scepter-like device in his left hand, the tip extending out with a blue dome, while a series of circuitry lines and bulbs along its shaft lit up.

“I set two cards, then end my turn.”

(Hand: 2)

Turn 3: Sunset Shimmer (Hand: 1)

Okay, so he’s not just a “set a few cards and call it” kind of guy. “I draw,” Sunset swiped her first draw from her deck.

“During your stand-by phase, Time Thief Redoer’s effect activates,” Turner declared. “I attach your topmost card from your deck to Redoer as an overlay unit.”

Sunset looked over at the monster in confusion. Not knowing whether or not it counted as something to be concerned about enough to trigger Odd-Eyes Vortex Dragon’s effect, she decided to acquiesce, taking the topmost card of her deck, pressing the image against her duel disk’s screen before placing it in a special compartment in the back. The system identified as the card being active on Turner’s field, with a third orb materializing hovering around Redoer. The card designated was ‘Pendulum Switch’.

I could Pendulum Summon if I so choose; his monster is just one hundred attack points below Vortex Dragon. But if it has some other effect, I will need my monsters in the Extra Deck for now… “I activate ‘Magical Star Illusion’ from my hand. This turn, if I control less or the same number of monsters, our monsters gain 100 attack points multiplied by the levels of monsters we currently control.”

Turner frowned, “But because Xyz monsters don’t have levels, that means Redoer gains zero.”

“Exactly,” said Sunset with a smirk. “I therefore switch Odd-Eyes Vortex Dragon to attack mode (Level 7, (7 x 100 = 700) ATK: 2500 -> 3200). I attack Time Thief Redoer with Odd-Eyes Vortex Dragon! Spiral Vortex Strike!”

Vortex Dragon drew in the power of storm into its maw (ATK: 3200), launching it in a swirling whip of wind winding towards its intended target (ATK: 2400).

“In battle, Time Thief Resonation Wand’s effect activates,” Turner responded. “When the equipped monster battles, its target loses 300 attack and defense points times each overlay unit it has (3 x 300 = 900).”

Sunset gasped when the scepter let out a low, humming tune, releasing faint ripples into the air (Odd-Eyes Vortex Dragon ATK: 3200 –> 2300). With a snap of his finger, Redoer’s white glove began to surge with energy from whatever the apparatus it contained was, and then lunged forth, literally punching through Odd-Eyes attack and striking the green-scaled dragon on the forehead. A glowing crack was left, which began to violently split and spread over Odd-Eyes form until shattering the dragon to shards.

Sunset Shimmer Life Points: 4000 – 100 = 3900

“Case in point, Miss Shimmer; don’t be hasty,” remarked Turner, as his monster landed gracefully back on his side of the field, casually flicking a stray strand of hair out of the way from his face.

Sunset mentally kicked herself for her recklessness, having lost one of her strongest monsters so easily. Fortunately, her Pendulum Scale remained, so she was only entirely helpless; “I Pendulum Summon! Return my companions!” To her field remerged Odd-Eyes Mirage Dragon (Level 3, 1200/600) and Odd-Eyes Persona Dragon (Level 6, 1200/2400), reduced to a defensive role for now. “I end my turn.”

(Hand: 1)

Turn 4: Time Turner (Hand: 2)

Turner drew his next card, after which Redoer’s glove apparatus lit up once more, “Redoer’s effect activates again, so another card from your deck gets added (Overlay units: 4).”

Sunset frowned as another card was taken, scanned for confirmation and placed in stand-by. So this is his strategy? He powers up his monster by stealing my cards? The card taken was Pendulum Halt, a card she could have made use of, but it was now in Turner’s use, which would only make his equip spell stronger.

“I go to battle phase and attack Persona Dragon with Redoer,” her foe declared.

“I activate Odd-Eyes Persona Dragon’s effect,” Sunset responded. “Once per turn, I can return a monster summoned from the extra deck into the hand! You Redoer therefore returns to your extra deck!”

“Ohhhh, we can’t have that, now can we? I activate Redoer’s other effect: I detach three overlay units, one trap, one spell, one monster…” Three overlay units erred and embedded into Redoer’s glove. “With a trap, I return your Persona Dragon to the top of your deck. With a spell, I draw one card, and with a monster, I banish Redoer until the end phase.”

With a courteous bow, followed by an extravagant flourish, Redoer snapped a finger, to which Persona Dragon, with a protesting roar, vanished from the field, along with Redoer, while Turner was given a new card to draw into his hand.

“Since the monster overlay unit is in the graveyard while the effect goes into effect, I can now activate Chronocorder’s effect after an Xyz monster of mine left the field: This lets me Special Summon it to the field, but it gets banished if it leaves the field this time.” With that his second monster from the duel, the butterfly-looking drone, remerged, flaring its aurora-like wings. (Level 4, 1000/1000). “In addition, since ‘Resonation Wand’ went to the graveyard, I can add one ‘Time Thief’ card from my deck to my hand. And since the battle phase is still on, I attack Odd-Eyes Mirage Dragon with Chronocoder.”

Appearing to shift in and out around the field, Chronocoder (ATK: 1000) warped before Odd-Eyes Mirage Dragon (DEF: 600) and body-slammed into the small green dragon, making its form shatter into pixels.

“With that, I must end my turn. Thus, during my end phase, Redoer returns to my field.” In a flash, an apparition in the shape of a cog appeared to the field, the hands of a clock revolving wildly within, until Redoer’s form smashed through the facet and performed another flourish with his cape. (Rank 4, 2400/2000)

(Hand: 4)

Turn 5: Sunset Shimmer (Hand: 1)

After drawing, which was nonother than Persona Dragon, Redoer’s glove lit up, signifying it stealing another card from Sunset’s deck. The card stolen this time was Pendulum Reborn, meaning Redoer could once again return a monster to the top of Sunset’s deck if Turner wished. But before Sunset could even decide on a plan of action, one of Turner’s set cards unveiled itself.

“In response, I activate the trap ‘Time Thief Flyback’; this lets me attach a ‘Time Thief’ card from my deck to a Time Thief Xyz monster,” with the rattle of the automated shuffler, his chosen card was slipped underneath Redoer’s. “I attach Time Thief Startup, a spell card.”

I have you now, you slippery bastard… “I activate Dragonpulse Magician’s Pendulum effect; if both my Pendulum Scales are ‘Magicians’, by sending a Pendulum monster from my hand to the graveyard, I destroy Redoer.”

From within the scales, Dragonpit Magician brandished his glaive and flung it across the field, the spinning blade zeroing in onto Redoer. One of Redoer’s overlay units erred into his glove before the glaive ran him through, shattering his form.

“I used Redoer’s ability to detach Time Thief Startup, as such, I draw a card.”

“Pendulum Summon! Return, Odd-Eyes Mirage Dragon! (Level 3, 1200/600)” There’s nothing else I can really do at this point, now is there? “To my battle phase; I attack Chronocorder with Odd-Eyes Mirage Dragon!”

As the only possible thing she could do at that moment, Odd-Eyes Mirage Dragon rand forth (ATK: 1200) and lashed out with its tail towards the hovering Chronocorder (ATK: 1000). With a direct strike with its spiked limb, the little machine was shattered.

Time Turner Life Points: 4000 – 200 = 3800

This man… He’s in a completely different level compared to everyone else I’ve dueled so far. At this point she’d figured she’d had reduced his life points by at least a thousand. “I end my turn.”

(Hand: 1)

Turn 6: Time Turner (Hand: 5)

Now with an almost fully filled hand, Turner may have not had Redoer to steal more cards, but he now had a significant advantage due to Sunset’s lack of a hand, one monster and no backrow. “Now, since you so rudely destroyed my primary playmaker, I guess I’ll just have to call for backup: I play ‘Monster Reincarnation’ from my hand. By discarding a card, I bring one monster from my graveyard back to my hand. I then summon the returned Time Thief Regulator.” With another robotic “bow-wow”, the vertically flat robot dog returned. (Level 4, 600/200)

“I then activate Regulator’s effect; by sending it to the graveyard, I special summon a second ‘Time Thief Chronocorder’, and ‘Time Thief Winder’.”

Aside from a duplicate of the butterfly drone (Level 4, 1000/1000), the next monster was another human, this one with wavy silvery hair, with a pair of pricey looking shades worn over his forehead. He was clad in a predominately black suit, though the right pantleg was a distinct dark purple, as was the front of his black jacket. Unlike Redoer, his sleeves were folded back, the gloves were on opposite hands this time, and a billowing light blue scarf adorned his neck. (Level 4, 1800/1300)

“With my two level four monsters, I once again overlay,” on Turner’s command, his monsters devolved into energy and dove into the opening Overlay Network.

“No hero is complete without companionship. Loyal friend and ally who carries on the legacy.”

“Xyz Summon! Rank 4: Student of time and space, ‘Time Thief Perpetua’!”

A woman backflipped and wheeled to Turner’s field: Young with vivid red hair accented with a light red bow at the back: Her outfit matched well that of Turner’s own mismatched style: A white dress shirt a frilled front and with Winder’s jacket worn with only her left arm sleeved. A skirt reaching just past her knees, similarly colored and styled as that of Redoer and Winder’s outfit; black with light red inner layers. Her more exposed right leg was adorned in a thick-soled black boot, while her left leg wore a mismatched, taller brown leather boot that disappeared up her skirt. Adorned on her left hand was a black fingerless glove with a similar apparatus on the back as Redoer’s white glove. (Rank 4, 1900/2500)

“Time Thief Perpetua’s effect: By removing one overlay unit, I Special Summon one ‘Time Thief’ monster in the graveyard: So come on back, Time Thief Redoer!”

Raising her gloved hand, one of Perpetua’s overlay units embedded into it, giving it a bright glow. The cog-shaped clock appeared beside her, from which Redoer broke through with a grand entrance, billowing his cloak to the side with a triumphant laugh. (Rank 4, 2400/2000)

“Next, I activate the effect of Time Thief Startup in my graveyard. By banishing this card, I can take one Time Thief spell, trap and monster card from my graveyard and attach them to a Time Thief Xyz monster as overlay units.”

With a twirl and another flourish, to which Perpetua seemed to applaud, Redoer snapped his gloved hand. In a burst of light from his glove apparatus, three overlay units emerged and began to revolve around him.

“Then with some more timey-wimey magic, I banish Time Thief Flyback from my graveyard to attach one card from our graveyards to Perpetua as an overlay unit. I choose your Odd-Eyes Persona Dragon: We can’t have him splitting up the magnificent duo, now can we?”

Now was Perpetua’s turn to point towards Sunset with her gloves hand and to snap her fingers. Sunset’s duel disk registered Odd-Eyes Persona Dragon not being present, while a new overlay unit emerged from Perpetua’s glove and began to revolve around her.

“Time Thief Perpetua, attack Odd-Eyes Mirage Dragon!”

Prepetua pulled something from a satchel on her waist, a simple spherical device, the top of which she pressed down with a thumb (ATK: 1900). She then tossed the device at Odd-Eyes Mirage Dragon (ATK: 1200), which burst in a crackle of sparks, causing the dragon to vanish, while the electrical discharge arced around Sunset’s revealing forcefield.

Sunset Shimmer Life Points: 3900 – 700 = 3200

“And there’s my gap: Time Thief Redoer, attack Miss Shimmer directly!”

With another flourish, pulling his cloak to cover himself, in a blink Redoer appeared right in front of Sunset (ATK: 2400). Grasping his right arm with his left hand, the strange man’s glove apparatus began to surge with power, some stray arcs dancing across Sunset’s forcefield, before Redoer revved his hand back for an obvious powered punch. Only for the surging to cease and he, in a quite patronizing manner, brought his hand level to Sunset’s face and simply flicked at her with a finger. In an uncontrolled gasp, Sunset found her left arm being flung backwards from the feedback of the system.

Sunset Shimmer Life Points: 3200 – 2400 = 800

“And with that, I end my turn.”

(Hand: 4)

Sunset grimaced, looking over the field, and by extension, the gap between the two in terms of power: Turner had two very powerful Xyz monster, currently standing back-to-back like the hero and sidekick dynamic they clearly went for, with one that could disrupt Sunset’s plays before she even made them, and one that could bring back the other at the cost of one overlay unit, one of which was Sunset’s only dragon that could stand up to the former with its effect.

He’s right. I went in too cocky with Fusion. I have only one card in my hand, without Persona Dragon I can’t defend against either of his monsters, and Mirage Dragon can’t protect itself without Odd-Eyes in my Pendulum Zone. If I could draw Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon I could buy some time, but what if Redoer steals it before I can?

Duel #35: Frozen Time: Odd-Eyes Absolute Dragon

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Sunset Shimmer Life Points: 800

Sunset Shimmer’s field:

Monsters
-

Spells/Traps
-

Pendulum Zones
Dragonpulse Magician (Scale 1)
Dragonpit Magician (Scale 8)

Time Turner Life Points: 3800

Timer Turner’s field:

Monsters:
Time Thief Redoer (Rank 4, 2400/2000, 3 overlay units), attack position
Time Thief Perpetua (Rank 4, 1900/2500 2 overlay units), attack position

Spells/Traps
1 set

-

Turn 7: Sunset Shimmer (Hand: 1)

Sunset moved her hand until her fingers rested hesitantly to her topmost card of her deck; if she couldn’t draw Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon, or something that could defend her from Turner’s next assault with his hectic time thieves, it was over, and by duelist’s oath, the man would owe her nothing. The notion of a government training any of their agents as duelists was very much absurd at this point, for Turner was probably one of the toughest opponents she’d crossed yet. Whoever this man was, he was certifiably potential pro material. It still gave no answer as to who he was and what he was doing at CHS.

She drew her next card. It wasn’t Odd-Eyes, nor a monster… But it could prove useful, unless...

“During your stand-by phase, Redoer shall appropriate your deck’s topmost card,” Turner said in reminding her, to which she was forced to take the next card from her deck, scan it, and place it in stand-by: The card stolen was Oafdragon Magician.

“I activate One Day of Peace from my hand,” Sunset inserted her card into her disk. “This card lets us both draw one card.” The card she drew wasn’t Odd-Eyes, but it would do. “Pendulum Summon! Come forth, my companions! Odd-Eyes Mirage Dragon (Level 3, 1200/600) and level seven ‘Dharma-Eye Magician’!”

The new magician was an unbelievable hulk of a male human: His rippling muscles contained within a skin-tight brown bodysuit, with a grand white and gold metallic kilt suspended from his waist covered his legs. Despite his grand physique, his face, or rather, the part not covered, anything below his striking blue eyes, exhibited an uncanny elegance with flowing platinum blonde hair. An asymmetrical golden crown adorned his head, a diagonal blue eye gazing forth near its front, with greater, similar eyes glowing on his hefty spaulders. Two decorative arcs with sharp protrusions adorned his back, and grasped in his hand was a grand golden cudgel, seemingly composed of four thick rings, each studded with a red and blue gem going down a line in a pattern. (Level 7, 2000/2500)

“To battle; Dharma-Eye Magician attacks Time Thief Perpetua!” Sunset ordered, pointing at the female Time Thief.

Dharma-Eye Magician’s cudgel’s gems lit up in sequence down its head (ATK: 2000), right before the muscular mage darted forth, as if he was gliding along the ground towards Perpetua (ATK: 1900), who could only reel back and cover her front with her arms.

“Well that’s not very nice,” quipped Turner, when a card from his hand was fed into his disk, “I activate Redoer’s effect; by detaching a Trap card overlay unit, I return your magician back into your hand.”

In the midst of his charge, one of Redoer’s time portals arose directly in front of him, being unable to stop as he dove straight through the clock face and disappearing. By her disk’s urging, she was forced to pick Dharma-Eye’s card from her tray.

Sunset frowned, Turner’s monsters once again eluding her attacks, “I end my turn…”

(Hand: 2)

Turn 8: Timer Turner (Hand: 5)

Turner drew his next card “A good man doesn’t leave his friends hanging, right?” he asked, but his tone implied it was anything but rhetorical. “I activate the continuous spell ‘Time Thief Hack’. Once per turn, I can increase the attack points of a ‘Time Thief’ Xyz monster by 300 times the number of overlay units. Redoer currently has three, so his attack increases to 3000. I will also switch Perpetua to defense position (DEF: 2500). Into my battle phase; I attack directly.”

With a cape-billowing twirl, Redoer (ATK: 3000) warped before Sunset, followed by him making a taunting motion that came a little too close to Sunset’s face. With a cocky shrug, the man warped back to Turner’s field.

“Due to One Day of Peace, neither of us takes any form of damage. You saving Perpetua with that stunt wouldn’t have cost you even the hundred life points,” said Sunset. “That is unless you just didn’t want your monster destroyed…”

“That’s about the size of it, Miss Shimmer,” replied Turner. His focus turned to his two monsters standing side-by-side, to which Sunset thought he could gleam something in the man’s eyes. “You never leave a pal in trouble, no matter what. I play the equip spell ‘Time Thief Jumper Unit’, and I attach it to Perpetua.”

Around Perpetua’s upper body materialized what looked to be a small leather satchel slung across her shoulder, the satchel itself being marked with multiple lines akin to circuitry, all of them coalescing into the center where a glass dome was situated, arcs of energy like a plasma orb racing across its surface non-stop.

“I end my turn. During the end phase Time Thief Hack’s effect ends and Redoer’s attack points return to normal.”

(Hand: 5)

Turn 9: Sunset Shimmer (Hand: 1)

Sunset drew her next card, well aware what was to come next as Redoer’s effect reengaged. She took her topmost card of her deck for scanning, when the confirmation made a jolt run down her spine. Odd-Eyes?! Indeed; Redoer’s next spot of thievery was her ace, snatched from her deck so brazenly.

Before she could think of what to do next, she heard a sound. It was difficult to describe in words, but it sounded what could best be described as a rasping snarl, coming from… Where was it coming from?

Turner watched in confusion as Shimmer seemed to be looking about and around her. Surreptitiously raising his right hand to an ear, he tried to discern what the girl may have heard. He failed to pick up any immediate sound, aside from the occasional car, or several, driving past down below around the school.

That’s when his phone made distinct chime in his breast pocket. It was custom-built, for obvious reasons; those brand products all came with so many flaws one could rather do without, and more importantly, it could wirelessly interface with all his custom hardware. That specific tone; it was geared specifically to the Mr. E’s, one of which stood cleverly hidden behind the library’s ceiling dome, imperceptible through the glare of the sun from their current vantage point.

“What was…?” Sunset uttered, realizing her opponent, the one spying on her, was looking in her direction with intent curiosity. She sealed her lips before uttering anything else her duel disk’s communicator may pick up. What was that?... Whatever it was, she had to keep up appearances… And the card she’d drawn was just what she needed right then and there to boot! “I Pendulum Summon! Return to the field; Dharma-Eye Magician, and from my hand, I bring out the Level 7 ‘Dragoncaller Magician!’”|

From the Pendulum Gates returned Dharma-Eyes, as well as another new Magician: Tall and sleek in build, her body was covered in a skintight dark blue armor that aesthetically was meant to have the likeness of a robe, given the wide billowing hems around her legs, with decorative gold stubs mimicking buttons and a sash going around from her left shoulder. Her face was heavily obscured by a dark, bronze mask connected to a conical hat-like helm, the most distinct feature of which was a gap possessing golden teeth, and a single fiery orange gem in the likeness of an eye… A dragon’s eye. (Level 7, 2400/2000)

“And from my hand, I activate ‘Magic Gate of Miracles’, when I control two spellcasters; I change one monster on your side to defense mode and take control of-”

“Counter trap: ‘Time Thief Retrograde,’” Turner responded, unveiling a card he’d set many turns ago. “If a spell or trap targets a Time Thief Xyz monster, this negates the effect and destroys it.”

Sunset grunted in frustration, with her only hope of getting Odd-Eyes back gone with a red jolt over her last hope. Now all she had were Dragoncaller and Dharma-Eye Magicians, neither who could break past Time Thief Perpetua’s defense, and the moment she’d try to use Dragoncaller on a suicide run against Redoer, he would just banish himself from the field and come back, ready to steal more cards.

How the hell am I supposed to fight that-?! The same sound came again, only this time, the moment it did the word around her vanished the moment she so much as blinked. What the-?! Back here again?

Instead of the Tree of Harmony towering before her, she was met by three great ovals, each towering over her, and each one of them casting a soft glow over her: One of the three, the one connected to the root-like coil of purple and magenta, was… It was pulsing, vividly, complete with that same two-part beat filling whatever this void was; a heartbeat. The one exactly opposite of that, connected to the coil or orange and blue… What were those colors represented of again…? She could gleam something through the rounded surface: A great silhouette, hunched over, its own heartbeat just barely discernible from that of its… Sibling?

Sunset found herself reach out and place a hand against it, trying to peer within to make out what this strange shape inside was. As if in response to her touch, a pair of golden orbs lit up through the semi-translucent shell, and the thing inside bellowed.

As if awakening from a trance, Sunset snapped her gaze to her field and held out a hand, “With the level seven Dharma-Eye Magician and level seven Dragoncaller Magician, I construct the Overlay Network!”

“What-?” Turner managed to utter when his phone chimed again, this time accented by a steady series of beeps. The Mr. E was picking something up, much stronger than before!

Sunset’s magicians devolved into swathes of light which shot up and dove down into the forming nebula that was the Overlay Network. Instead of a pillar of power erupting forth, the eye was overtaken, and in an instant the entire nebula, was covered in a violently expanding gaggle of something solid and blue; ice.

“Dragon of dichromatic eyes, underneath the arc of harmony: Arise from the cold depths to the light.”

“Xyz Summon! Rank 7, ‘Odd-Eyes Absolute Dragon’!”

In a mighty roar, the gaggle of ice crystals shattered under the wake of a new dragon: Bipedal, like any Odd-Eyes: It’s leathery purple hide was similarly armored, only instead of scale or metallic, it was encased in shimmering blue crystals that incessantly wafted a chilly vapor around it: An armor of blue ice. Two pairs of wing-like extensions protruded from its back into an X-shape while a long tail snaked behind it as a means to maintain balance. Red and green eyes glimmered from underneath an ice crest affixed to its forehead. (Rank 7, 2800/2500)

“To battle! Odd-Eyes Absolute Dragon; attacks Time Thief Perpetua!”

“I discard Time Escaper from my hand to banish Perpetua,” retorted Turner. A small, child-like humanoid in a green outfit, complete with a white cape and goggles, appeared beside Perpetua, taking her by the hand and pulling her along with him into a hole appearing in the air, saving Turner’s monster from Odd-Eyes’ assault.

“Alright then; I attack Time Thief Redoer with Odd-Eyes Absolute Dragon: Spiral Absolute Burst!”

Drawing in a flurry of ice, Odd-Eyes Absolute Dragon (ATK: 2800) shot out a concentrated burst of sheer cold in the form of a focused beam towards Redoer (ATK: 2400), the time traveling thief covering his front with his forearms crossed.

“I activate Redoer’s effect: I detach a spell card overlay units to draw one card.”

Without detaching a monster, Redoer’s arms became encased in ice, which began to grow and spread all over his body until he was completely encase in a thick crystal of blue ice. The formed structure subsequently shattered.

Time Turner Life Points: 3800 – 400 = 3400

Now there’s no threat of him stealing my cards… But why didn’t Turner just banish him? He’d still kept a thousand life points even if I hit him directly… But what was that card he gave Perpetua before he banished her? “I end my turn.”

(Hand: 0)

Turn 10: Time Turner (Hand: 4)

Turner drew a card. “During my stand-by phase, Time Escaper returns Perpetua to my field.” The female Time Thief leapt out of the reforming portal, holding her left hand backside forth, to which a transparent barrier was projected in front of her from the device atop it (Rank 4, 1900/2500). “And I then activate Time Thief Jumper Unit’s effect from the graveyard. When it was sent there while equipped to a ‘Time Thief’ Xyz monster, I can Special Summon one Time Thief Xyz monster from my graveyard, and make this an overlay unit for it. The hero of time just keeps coming back.”

Warping back to the field in a pillar of green light, Redoer stepping out and striking a pose with his hands to his hips in a nice blend of cocky and triumphant. The satchel that brought him back devolved into an orb that began revolving around his form as a new overlay unit. (Rank 4, 2400/2000)

“Next I activate the spell Overlay Regen: This spell becomes an overlay unit to a monster of my choice; in this case Redoer.” Another orb took its place revolving around Redoer. “Then I activate Time Thief Hack’s effect on Redoer, granting him 600 additional attack points. To this end I then attack your Odd-Eyes Absolute Dragon!”

Time Thief Redoer (ATK: 3000) warped around the field, each energizing his glove further, before warping just underneath Odd-Eyes’s (2800) belly, revving for a punch.

“I activate Odd-Eyes Absolute Dragon’s effect; by removing an overlay unit, I negate your attack!”

A harsh gust of snow and ice picked up around the roaring Odd-Eyes, forcing Redoer to warp back to Turner’s side of the field before landing his enhanced punch. The gust rose into a funnel around Odd-Eyes Absolute Dragon, a golden ring forming near the top. Something else erupted from said ring, being shot up the funnel cloud until breaching the top, gliding around the immediate vicinity before settling on Sunset’s field: Odd-Eyes Vortex Dragon (Level 7, 2500/3000)

“In addition, I can Special Summon one Odd-Eyes monster from my hand or graveyard. I may have underestimated your ability, with Vortex having to pay the price. I gotta do better; I can’t just use my monsters like some reckless kid and make them work in tandem. So I’m letting Vortex Dragon try this again.”

An eager grin formed on Turner’s face, the strange man giving an applauding clap of his hand, “Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant! You continue to surprise again and again, Miss Shimmer! I haven’t seen display like this in ages, not since-” he seemed to hesitate in the midst of his enthusiasm.

“Since what?” asked Sunset. Turner’s reservedness had managed to ebb just now, maybe she could try prying something out of him. “What are you talking about?”

Turner retaliated with a wag of his finger and a series of tuts, “Spoilers, Miss Shimmer, spoilers. If you want the truth, you’re still going to have to defeat me. Duelist’s honor, right?”

Sunset couldn’t help smirking at the man’s deviousness, perhaps a slight smidgeon of her old self still there, applauding this persistent subterfuge. “If that’s how it is; then so be it: I activate Odd-Eyes Vortex Dragon’s effect: When Special Summoned, and this accounts to other than Fusion Summoned, I return your attack position Redoer into your hand!”

“I discard another ‘Time Escaper’ to banish Redoer from the field, as well as activating his monster effect; removing one spell overlay unit to draw a card.”

The little humanoid in green appeared within the emerging portal, signaling Redoer to hurry inside, which the daring time traveler did, leaping in without hesitation.

Foiled again, thought Sunset at the persistence of Turner’s monsters.

“I set one card, then over to you, Miss Shimmer. What kind of trick will you pull off this time?”

(Hand: 3)

Turn 11: Sunset Shimmer (Hand: 0)

That’s going to be difficult to deliver, what with no hand… Thought Sunset, placing her hand to her deck in preparation to draw. I don’t fully understand what you meant by let them be my power, but… if it is what I think you mean, then the deck my friends helped me build… Alright, let’s see if I can work another miracle! In a powerful swipe she drew her next card. “I activate the spell ‘Pot of Riches’ from my hand.” To her field arose a large golden pot. Despite its illustrious sheen, it was quite detestable to look at, what with a wide, toothy, organic looking mouth curving up in a smile into obese cheeks, studded in rainbows of cut gems.

“With Pot of Riches, I shuffle three Pendulum monsters from my graveyard and/or Extra Deck to my deck, then draw twice. Since you previously stole so many of my cards, I return Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon, Oafdragon Magician and Odd-Eyes Persona Dragon I discarded earlier.” With her cards being ejected one at a time in sequence from her graveyard slot, she placed the three atop her deck, then the automated shuffler did its function, before the device dinged with a green “draw” sign flaring on her screen, giving her two new cards.

Turner watched on in intrigue, that old jittery feeling he recalled back from the old days when he was Miss Shimmer’s age. Despite all the bad he’d heard of her; she was a genuinely fascinating individual. For the alleged “She-demon of CHS” the students tended to label her, so far, she seemed less a she-demon and more like… Like some else he knew, back from their days at Academia.

“Quick-play Spell; ‘Wavering Eyes’, activate!” Sunset swiped one of her two cards into her disk. “This spell lets me destroy as many cards in either players’ Pendulum Zones as possible and apply the appropriate effects in sequence. I destroy my Dragonpulse and Dragonpit Magicians.” The two pillars suspending her two magicians began to crack, the webs pinging from top to bottom until the solid slight structures shattered, the beings suspended within lowering down before fading, going to Sunset’s Extra Deck. “I destroyed two: First, I inflict 500 points of damage to you.”

A gust blew over the field towards Turner, accented with what looked like dried petals billowing past him.

Time Turner Life Points: 3400 – 500 = 2900

“And I get to add one Pendulum monster from my deck to my hand. I then take the scale one Odd-Eyes Persona Dragon, and scale four Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon to set the Pendulum Scale!” In one deft swipe of her hand, she set both cards to the ends of the cleft of her tray, her two dragons replacing the previous spellcaster tenants. “Pendulum Summon! Return; Odd-Eyes Mirage Dragon!” (Level 3, 1200/600)

“I switch Odd-Eyes Vortex Dragon to attack mode. Then to battle! Odd-Eyes Vortex Dragon attacks Time Thief Perpetua! At this point I activate Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon’s Pendulum effect: Increasing Vortex Dragon’s attack by 1200! Spiral Vortex Strike!”

Odd-Eyes Vortex Dragon (ATK: 2500 -> 3700) craned back its long neck, drawing in power, before unleashing a concentrated funnel of air that weaved in the direction of Perpetua, who’s hair and skirt started to billow and waft uncontrollably, despite the shield projected in front of her.

“Trap card activate: ‘Time Thief Escape’! When a ‘Time Thief’ monster is attacked, I can banish that monster and take no battle damage from this one attack. The monster returns to the field during my end phase. Since Perpatua left the field, I activate the effect of my second Chronocorder in my graveyard and Special Summon it in defense mode.” One of the butterfly drones arose from the graveyard portal to the field, its wings folded forward, projecting a transparent barrier before itself. (Level 4 1000/1000)

“Odd-Eyes Vortex Dragon’s effect: By returning a Pendulum monster from my Extra Deck to my deck, I negate Chronocorder’s effect and destroy it!”

Turner flinched when his monster seemed to blow something inside before falling back into the graveyard portal. He was now completely defenseless.

Now! “Odd-Eyes Mirage Dragon, attack him directly!”

The small green Odd-Eyes (ATK: 1200) dashed forth, whipping its heavy-headed spiked tail about before launching it like a mace towards turner, the strike glancing off his forcefield.

Time Turner Life Points: 2900 – 1200 = 1700

“Odd-Eyes Absolute Dragon, finish this! Spiral Absolute Burst!”

“Vylon Omega attacks you directly! Final Purification!”

A focused beam of absolute cold shot out of Absolute Dragon’s maw, striking pin-point on the center of the unveiling segmented forcefield, a thick coating of ice beginning to grow around the spot before it all came to encase him, able to only barely see outside the projections, before it erupted and shattered all around him, leaving chunks and shards scattered all around the roof of CHS.

Time Turner Life Points: 1700 – 2800 = -1100

Sunset Shimmer victory!

Once more victorious, the holo-projections faded away with the dying whirr of the duel disk’s internal workings, and her tray split and folded away to their stand-by placements, while she saw Turner’s disk needed little since any monster placement not occupied was folded down. She’d never heard of such a model before, which only added to the strangeness of the man. With firm and deliberate stride, Sunset approached, purposefully locking eyes with him; she was going to get her answers, duelists’ honor or not.

The strange man posing as a teacher met her eyes with a stoic reservation. Both of them stood there in silence, with only the wind and traffic to break the monotony… Turner was the first to crack with a sputtering snicker, the man raising a hand to her mouth, learning forward with the other arm over his belly. Sunset thought she could make it; remain taciturn. She couldn’t. Through some infectious endearment, she started snickering herself, and before she knew it, she was joining in a vocal laugh with him. They did so for quite a moment, before Turner was the first to compose himself, straightening out his suit and readjusting his tie.

“You do realize a student challenging a teacher at a duel school is against the code of conduct, right? Only permitted in the reverse for evaluation and similar circumstances?” he asked, his abrupt mirthfulness switching to a more severe tone in a heartbeat.

“So you did know!” Sunset retorted, snapping back to her previous mindset also. “Then why did you not pull rank the moment I challenged you?”

Turner crossed his arms, a small smirk forming on his lips, “I may be a doctor, but I know the same excitement of a facing a worthy challenger as much as you do, Miss Shimmer. I was faking not knowing the duel academia rules to make sure you gave it your all, and let me tell you, that was a brilliant display!”

Sunset continued to eye the man warily, “You planned this from the start?”

“Well to be fair I didn’t expect you to come forth and challenge me so readily,” said Turner, pocketing his hands, idly stepping to the side, gazing over the horizon solemnly. “I suspected that someone was, well, suspicious, given that one of my Mr.-, that is to say, MRE scanners was uncovered.”

“MRE?”

“Magic Residual Emissions.” Turner seemed mildly amused looking her way, no doubt from the utter shock Sunset felt over the literal magic word being said out loud. “I call them Mr.E’s for fun.”

“You know about magic?!” asked Sunset incredulously. It was a safe, but not unfeasible, bet that whoever he was, he likely wasn’t aware of Equestrian magic, by Celestia how she hoped so, but human magic. “How?”

“Are you familiar with the West Tower incident on Eilean gu Ifrinn?” Turner asked, turning to fully face her. “Better known today as Academia Island.”

Sunset’s eyes widened at the revelation. “You were at Academia? But if you know about this, you’d have to be… You’re the third survivor!”

“Exactly,” Turner nodded with a deliberate smirk. “I was studying the Grimoire Obscure before it all went down; bit of a mysticism nut I suppose,” he remarked, idly scratching at the side of his nose.

At the revelation of his true identity, it was simple to put two and two together as to the man’s presence, “Principal Celestia put you up to this, didn’t she?”

“She and Lu- that is; Vice-principal Luna,” Turned confirmed. “Now I know this scenario undoubtedly sounds incredibly wrong, and you’re perfectly right in being angry at all three of us…” He paused, probably anticipating some form of outburst.

Sunset did not know what to say: Ever since the Mid-term duel and earning the ire of all students of CHS, the sibling heads of the institution were one of the few beacons of hope: Both offering guidance and kindness in the wake of Sunset’s liberation from the parasitizing spirit ingrained in her mind. Loathe as she was to think it, Sunset had reservations that perhaps even the principals didn’t fully trust her. And why would they? Sure, the feeling of anger and betrayal were at the forefront of her thoughts, but she had to at least hope there was more to it.

“I ask that you don’t be angry with them, Miss Sunset,” said Turner when no response came. “I understand you might feel like this was a betrayal of trust… And you’d be right, but Celestia and Luna meant no ill will towards you. They’re just concerned for everyone’s safety. And that also includes your own. You’re quite the special case; I’d dare say more so than the West Tower incident.”

“So, they told you what I am?” asked Sunset, obvious as the answer was.

“I was told that you are, in fact, a semi-anthropomorphic horse from an alternate dimension, yes.”

Sunset frowned, “Pony, Mr. Turner. Referring to us as horses is very much offensive.”

“Sorry about that,” the man grimaced awkwardly. “But, since you now know the truth; as per the duelist’s oath: No more hiding. I’ll answer any and all questions you have.”

Sunset looked at the man in bafflement at his sudden forthcomingness over the predicament. Trusting him was still up in the air, but if he really did know the principals on a more personal level, and the two were so readily willing to disclose such information to him. Perhaps she could try.

“Alright, Mr. Turner,” said Sunset, keeping to her stern tone. “You seem a tad overqualified to be a high school teacher,” the next part came out more laxly, a deliberate show of no ill will, for now, “why would you undercover as one?”

Her first question seemed to strike a nerve, judging by the indignant grimace forming on his face, “You really know how to pick ‘em…” He sighed. “I was once a Doctor of quantum physics at Stancolt. But all that flew out the proverbial window when I presented a theory pertaining to phenomena that those of a more skeptical outlook would deem as the supernatural. When I happened to accidentally slip the literal magic word, and I lost all credibility.”

Sunset nodded, bringing a contemplative hand to her chin, “So you were literally researching into magic, much like what happened at Academia?”

Turner stepped to look over the world below, hands behind his back as he peered over the landscape, “That night when the incident happened; I witnessed something that any other person would deem impossible. I saw how one of my best friends was being used as the sacrificial lamb to some madness beyond the realms of objective logic and reasoning. Watched how another leapt through fire to save her. And when the victims of an “unfortunate, but avoidable accident” were dragged down to who knows where.”

Sunset stepped up beside the man, looking over the thoroughly grim look on the man’s face as he continued looking into the distance, towards the inner city of Canterlot, a steely determination in his eyes. Eyes of dedication.

“This is something people all over the world treat as a simple game,” he continued, his expression unflinching. “In this city alone, we have hundreds, no thousands of duelists, all of them unwittingly taking part in something they couldn’t fathom the truth behind. Even now, who knows how many children are playing it as we speak. Imagine if what happened at Academia-”

“Or what happened here,” Sunset added.

“Imagine if that suddenly occurred somewhere out there, during what might as well be an innocent game of cards. If Duel Monsters really are just a recreation of the dark games; and someone ends up triggering it like that. It’s like playing with fire. I want to find out for certain that the West Tower incident never happens again, whether by accident or deliberate. That’s why I’m here, at the behest of a friend who’s concerned for everyone in this school.” He turned to look at Sunset, “I hope you’ll understand that I am not blaming you. I don’t know why it happened on your part, but I truly believe you’re not some monster your peers call you.”

Sunset met Turner’s eyes with her own. Whatever her thoughts about the man she’d held previously, if he spoke the truth; he posed a noble goal behind his blatant intrusion of personal privacy. Someday soon she had to confront the principals about this subterfuge being played right in front of her, but it stood to reason that the two would be worried with one of their own students bringing the Dark Games as she had. And Turner was right: What if someone out there did unlock the powers much like the two errant students of Academia? Or much like she had during that night at the Ghouls’ base…?

“Perhaps I can shed some light on any questions you might have?” she inquired, it now being her turn to offer confidence.

Turned seemed to consider her offer for a moment. His response came in seating himself down atop the parapet. “Maybe start at the beginning?”

Sunset remained standing, “On the condition that nothing leaves this school. I’m already taking a great risk trusting you as is. Don’t make me regret it.”

“I gave you duelist’s honor, Miss Shimmer,” replied Turner steadfastly. “Whatever you disclose remains between us and Principal Celestia and Vice-principal Luna.”

Sunset considered the options. Tell him the full truth, from Equestria and onwards, or only snippets here and there. The thought the principals ostensibly had someone spying on her still stung, and despite her previous reservations pertaining to the Doctor, something about his demeanor, on top of his protective streak shown during their duel…? Perhaps she could trust him, although some secrets she thought best should remain hidden… All while unbeknownst to them, someone was watching them from the cover of the entryway to the roof, a pair of slitted eyes like a skulking feline observing the two of them intently, while perfectly tuned ears picked up every exchange between the good Mr. Turner and Sunset Shimmer…

Under the dimming evening sky, enough so that the grid to the streetlamps had engaged, Night Quill strolled down the path of the local park for his and Frosty’s daily walk. Coming across an unoccupied park bench, at the base of a lamppost, he took the opportunity to sit, Frosty looking back at him in confusion. Oh, he wasn’t weary, not physically, in any case, more over the stress of not only an unsatisfactory grade from his last exam, but an equally unsatisfactory performance in his latest duel, despite all the odds being in his favor.

The puffy white canine groaned, peering up at him from her spot on the ground, eliciting a round of scratches behind her ear as Night thought long and hard at the event. By all accounts, Sunset in her weakened state would have been easy for someone like him to ram through: Spitfire proved adequately the frailties in whatever defenses the she-demon of CHS had. The predicament was perfect, absolutely perfect if not for that new dragon Fusion she unveiled at the most opportune moment. Worst of all; the condescension.

“Legacy?” he asked, muttering. “What legacy? I’m just a lout who couldn’t even enroll at a school…” Despite the dark clouds looming in his mind, the continued companionship and approval from Frosty always cheered him up. “You think I did right by going at her like I did, girl?” he asked.

Not that Frosty would know; she mostly just cared that he was around with her for walkies at the moment, though the look from her black button eyes always felt like she might know more than her canine form let on. “Aww, you don’t care do you?” He spoke to the white Samoyed in a babying manner, rubbing at the side of her fluffy head. “You got everything in life sorted, don’t you girl?” When she turned to look down their usual evening path down the park, it was obvious that it was time to continue on. “Alright-alright. Let’s converse more back home.” The notion was appealing, as the nights had begun to grow colder.

With her tail wagging eagerly, Frosty led on whilst Night kept a steady pace behind her, with an occasional glance back from her to make sure he was following…

As the two were around the centermost area of the public park, as they usually did, something began to feel strangely off. But what it was eluded him. Even Frosty seemed to slow down, eventually coming to a halt, her ears perking as if she’d heard something. Night glanced around; there was no-one else there but him and Frosty.

“What is it, girl?” he asked warily when Frosty seemed to become focused on something up ahead.

The both of them continued on at a quicker pace, but it seemed the further they went the more wrong everything felt. It was almost as if… As if one could put it to a sound…? A sound! It was a sound. Night could hear it too, somewhere near, off the path, which he began to stray away from. But why? Every instinct within him was screaming at him to get him and Frosty away, yet he was being drawn to whatever this sound was. It was almost, beautiful, in a way; a haunting melody reverberating through the vicinity, and yet so faint that it couldn’t have been louder but a whisper. He almost failed to realize Frosty tugging against her leash, an apprehensive whine emanating from her, but even his faithful companion’s cries couldn’t stop him.

Nearing the edge of the little thicket of trees and shrubbery, the song grew ever slightly more audible, yet still carried the volume of nary a hush. The lack of illumination this far off the path did not help with the sense of dread, yet his conscious thought could not sway his body to let the adrenaline kick in and run. Was he being hypnotized by this… harmony was it?

As suddenly as it’d come, the melody seemed to cease… Or did it? Maybe the dark or his ears were playing tricks on him, for it was as if he couldn’t hear anything further physically, unless it was the gust of the autumn wind, but he thought he could still feel the sound as if it was inside his head. A tingling chill raced down his spine, all the while he heard Frosty continue tugging against her leash as she growled at something.

“Did you like my song?”

That’s when his addled mind realized the faint hue of blue and red, only a few feet away, beside a tree. Someone was there. Peering into the dark, he thought he could make out a figure leaning against a trunk. Even in the dimness, he thought he could make out the outlines of a figure, just enough to stir his memories.

“Wait… Aren’t you…? You’re one of the new girls,” he muttered, recognizing her as she straightened herself from the trunk of the willow. “What do you want?”

The girl with the high ponytail proceeded to giggle, “I just asked you, silly. Did you like my song?” She seemed to purse her lips in a moment of contemplation, “Mm, though then again, I could just make you like it if I wanted to. So, I guess that was kinda rhetorical, huh?” She proceeded to giggle.

Night stared at the girl in befuddlement. “What the hell are you…?” The sounds of Frosty’s growling behind him drew his attention: The white Samoyed was standing as far as her leash let her, all the while hunched down on all four paws, baring her teeth at the arctic blue girl, as if indecisive on whether to attack or flee. That should have been enough proof for Night to take off, but somehow his flight response wouldn’t take over.

Sonata appeared as if she were scrutinizing him, bringing a finger to her lower lips as she seemed to almost appraise him. “Oh, yea: The reason you’re not running: My song does that. Convenient really when it keeps my prey from escaping.”

Prey?! “W-who the hell are you…?” Night shuddered; his inherent fear of the unknown clawed its way to the surface. Not since that hellish night during the mid-term duel had he felt fear as close as this moment.

“Silly hat guy,” Sonata giggled, getting close enough to drag a finger across his cheek. “I’m just Sonata. I mean unless you’re asking maybe what I am, ‘cuz let me tell you, your fragile little mind would get wrecked!” She emphasized with a loud, energized smack of her hands against one another, all the while she kept up that most innocent of smiles. She tilted her head coyly when it was evident that Night’s fear had taken hold, “Scared, aren’t ya? Well I suppose I could just let you go… But only on one condition…” She smirked darkly as her duel disk deployed, the glow of the screen accented by a haze of red in her eyes. “Duel me and win. And don’t even try to decline. Until you accept, you’re under my power, tidbit…”

Duel #36: Between World: A Letter From the Princess

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Dear Princess Celestia,

I know it’s been a long time since I last wrote to you at all. Since the day we parted, actually. I went over every message from you upon discovering my journal in the locker. I would assume Princess Twilight told you everything, about the magic of this world and the spirits presiding over it: Suffice to say, the thing that had me under its influence had seemingly blocked out my memories of the journal and only the other day did I stumble upon it. I’m relieved, for I have so much to say, so many apologies to beg for.

I’m doing fine. Well, maybe not exactly fine, but it better than possession. It’s hard to put into words the feeling of being under subconscious mind-control for three years. The best way to describe it is like a weight was lifted off, only for another to take its place.

I finally did it, after all these years: I have friends. Six of them; you must know their counterparts on your side: Fluttershy has been most welcoming, and Pinkie Pie (no mean bone in their bodies). I help Fluttershy down at the local animal shelter every weekend, and we also do yoga together once each week. She’s also a good listener and I feel like I can divulge anything on my mind to her when I’m feeling the most troubled. And Pinkie? I don’t know how she does it; but I can’t help but smile at her enthusiasm. Apparently, I’m her glorified “cupcake guinea pig”, which is always a plus (unless habanero peppers are involved).

Applejack and Rarity were obstinate at first, and they had all the right, what with me ruining their relationship that Twilight managed to reconcile. I sometimes wonder if there was something deep within me that just hated seeing true happiness, and it terrifies me to no end. Whereas Rainbow Dash has been admittedly most reluctant, but I feel she is slowly coming around. Fluttershy can be quite persuasive with her.

Sunset gripped the back end of her ballpoint in rumination. She felt uncertain whether or not to divulge her old mentor in the crew she ran with for a time. It was on a very rudimentary basis, certainly, but given recent events with Trixie, would that make her any less liable? Closing her eyes, a sharp, hissing sigh escaped her nose, whilst her thump idly clicked the cam of her pen in an erratic rhythm.

Things have gotten… complicated since Twilight’s leaving. Everyone else is still stand-offish about what I did that night, let alone that one of my classmates, Trixie, has gone missing. We’ve no idea where she is, just that Rainbow and I found her clothing and whatever possessions she had on her at the time in an alley downtown. We informed the authorities and gave what we found as evidence. Now we just have to hope they can find Trixie… And that she’s still with us.

I’m sorry to give such grim news on my first message to you after all this time. I eagerly await your response. I’ve been yearning to contact you. I have so much more to tell you.

Your former student,
Sunset Shimmer

PS. Please send Princess Twilight my regards. I owe so much to her for saving me. She’s fortunate to have a mentor like you, and she’s wiser than I ever could have been, for listening to your council.

With a slight sense of indecision, Sunset finally urged himself to close the tome. Once done, the very symbol she herself once bore on her flank lit up, signifying that a connection had, indeed, been made, even beyond the veil separating this world from Equestria. Remarkable indeed, perhaps owing a look back who created this particular magic.

With her vow to write to her mentor fulfilled, all she could do now was wait. Trepidatious as she was whether the Princess was angry and disappointed, or relieved. Maybe in time she could divulge more, like the long talk she had with Mr. Turner on the roof of CHS earlier.

She set the journal on her nightstand where she could more likely hear if its inherent magics would alert her of a response. As any night, she lay her head down, the constant troubles on her mind urging their way to her forethoughts. She’d very much resigned herself to the notion of never having a truly peaceful slumber again, with her past sins clawing their way into her dreams. She honestly yearned to see her, to see Twilight again, like she did the night of the day she found Trixie’s belongings.

If only I could be so lucky, she thought to herself as she turned on her side, trying to get comfortable.

It was one of those earlier mornings than usual. Much as she didn’t want to disappoint Fluttershy with their Saturday morning good deeds at the shelter, the notion of being able to just lay in bed thanks to another sleepless night felt so appealing in her mind. Sunset tossed the bag she’d also used as a makeshift holder for her breakfast panini into the trash can just to the side of the main entrance, while sipping from a paper cup of coffee, still adequately hot. The mixed scent of pine soap and animal fur was the first thing to assail her nostrils on entry to the Canterlot animal shelter, though it became increasingly unobtrusive from each visit.

She wasted little time in changing to an ensemble consisting of old clothing and a mildly stained white coat in the backroom before stepping back out into the lobby, just as she saw Fluttershy entering through the windowed door. In tow a white, large dog with a thick, fluffy coat. Sunset couldn’t help but internally aw at the outright beautiful canine, when she realized something unexpected on Fluttershy’s person.

“Hey, Fluttershy. What’s with the…?”

Fluttershy was wearing a hat, something very unusual for her, let alone how it looked very unbecoming of her with her thick, luscious pink hair, but it looked very familiar… Too familiar. A sinking feeling in her stomach came over her upon the realization where she thought she knew it from.

“… The bowler hat…”

Fluttershy did not respond as she knelt down beside the white-furred dog, which had sat down with its head noticeably drooping in a forlorn manner. The series of high-pitched whines elicited from Fluttershy’s attention pulled taught at Sunset’s heartstrings, eyeing the animal caretaker with a saddened upturned glance.

After Fluttershy gently stroked the scruff of its neck, she stood back up, when Sunset noticed something large clutched in Fluttershy’s other hand: A green and black standard-issue model of duel disk. Night Quill’s duel disk. Fluttershy then proceeded to sling her bulging backpack off and unzipped it, revealing an equally familiar checkered scarf of many green hues. Taking the liberty, Sunset pulled out a vintage green vest, gasping as she dropped an antique watch out one of its pockets. In an impressive reflex, she caught it before it hit the surface of the desk.

Oh… no…!!!

Before words could be exchanged, from the direction of the pens, right across the front door to the shelter someone entered the room. It was Doctor Fauna, veterinarian and head of the shelter: A thin, bright yellow-skinned woman with pale cerulean hair with even paler streaks in her hair, that she often kept tied back, dressed in an unassuming, but professional, veterinarian’s outfit of a white collared shirt and pale blue light pants.

“Ah, morning you two,” she beamed to the two, when she easily spotted the dog who was now lying down on the floor. “Oh! Isn’t that Frosty?” she inquired as she walked over to the saddened animal.

“Frosty?” asked Sunset, despite the obvious implications.

“Night Quill’s dog,” Fluttershy remarked promptly. “It’s much worse, Doctor Fauna…” she said apprehensively, taking off the bowler hat from atop her head for emphasis.”

Doctor Fauna, whilst going over the downtrodden Frosty, proceeded to eye the distinct hat intently, “Night Quill’s hat…? Fluttershy, what’s happened?” She asked, joining the two at the desk, seeing the contents from the backpack.

“It’s just like with Trixie,” Sunset stated. “One of our fellow students went missing this week right out of the blue. Me and one of our friends found her stuff piled in an alley along Stirrups. Everything, and I mean everything she…” Taking a moment, she peered into the backpack, seeing Night Quill’s black jeans stuffed inside, to which she tentatively fumbled them, until quickly pulling her hand away. “Exactly like here. Everything they had on them.”

“Except their deck,” Fluttershy added, pointing out the vacant deck port of the duel disk. For emphasis, she pulled back on the cover for the extra deck port, showing it empty as well.

Doctor Fauna looked down at the downtrodden Frosty, “Where did you find them?”

“In the park,” said Fluttershy. “I was passing through, when I took a moment to check up on a nesting family of jays nearby. That’s when I found Frosty just lying there by the treeline. Poor dear was shivering, right atop Night’s clothing.”

“Oh no…” Doctor Fauna knelt back down, petting the whining Frosty in empathy. “What do you suppose happened?”

“It’s not certain,” said Sunset, not helped by the further sinking feeling in her stomach, with a hint of heartburn, “but we think it might be Ghouls.”

“Those card gangsters?” asked Doctor Fauna. “Didn’t their entire operation burn down a bit ago?”

“Hence, “not certain,” Doctor Fauna,” Sunset remarked. “It’s just a though among us, but we think they might be sort of regrouping.”

“Understandable. But abduction? Let alone taking the person, but stripping them.”

“We…” Sunset swallowed the feel of bile rising in her throat at the thought of what Trixie might have endured, “We had theories… I’d heard Ghouls can be extreme, so maybe it’s some form of domination tactic. Possibly ransoms with their more lucrative business gone.”

“Dear god…” muttered Dr. Fauna, Frosty having gathered the strength to lay her head on the veterinarian’s lap. “And both are from the same school.”

“That’s the most terrifying part,” said Fluttershy with a shudder.

Dr. Fauna’s words made Sunset consider the very real possibility that the Ghouls might have been targeting these two specifically for being CHS students. Though her overall memories of the night of the fire continued to elude her, she’d thought Gauge and Caliber were in police custody. Suppose some of their underlings had taken to opportunity to go their own way and were being a lot less covert. It was plausible.

Dr. Fauna gently, with hushed encouragement urged Frosty to stand and follow. “I’ll go get Frosty a place in the pens. You girls call the police about Night Quill.”

“At once,” said Fluttershy, her phone in hand whilst Dr. Fauna led the white dog through the door to the back.

“Will she be okay?” asked Sunset, watching the downtrodden dog be led off. “It’s not exactly warm outside and who knows how long she was out there.”

“She should be fine, physically at least: Samoyeds are endemic to Siberia, they can withstand extreme cold. But emotionally…” Fluttershy trailed off sullenly as she brought the device to her ear.

Sunset looked from Fluttershy in the direction of the pens. An ever-increasing weight of guilt beginning to feel growing over her shoulders if it really was the very gang that she herself used to run with that was now grabbing people off the streets. How could she ever tell anyone the truth now? Let alone the Princess if it was true.

“Poor girl…” she uttered, wondering what exactly the crooks did to Frosty’s owner, and what else the dog must have endured before being found by Fluttershy.

“So that’s three people missing now!” remarked Rainbow incredulously at their usual table during lunch period.

“First Trixie on Tuesday, then Night Quill between Friday night and Saturday morning. Now Derpy,” mused Fluttershy, her, as well as the rest of their group, being unable, or unwilling, to even consider eating.

The moment first period that Monday morning began there was another PA announcement from Vice-principal Luna: Reporting that Derpy, or rather Ditzy Doo, if going by her formal name, had also gone missing. As with Trixie and Night Quill before, her clothing and any possessions she had at the time, minus her deck, were found crumpled on the side of a fenced path near the school.

“Exactly the same each time,” mused Rarity, “seemingly vanished, clothing and belongings, sans their deck, discarded carelessly in an otherwise out-of-the-way location.”

Sunset distastefully prodded at her vegetable quiche, “So there’s been no talks about signs of a struggle or anything?”

“Well, the clothes were all there, wouldn’t that mean there was struggling involved?” asked Fluttershy.

“I suppose that’s true,” said Rarity before taking a sip of her water. “But I have to wonder…”

“Sugarplum, much as ‘Ah love your enthusiasm, is this really a good time?” asked Applejack through as gentle wording as she could manage. “‘Ah mean people have gone missin’ an’ who knows what else. Out of respect, ya know.”

Taking another sip, Rarity proceeded to politely clear her throat, “I understand perfectly, dear. I’m just curios: Trixie disappeared off Stirrup, clothing stashed atop garbage. Suppose a van or other getaway vehicle was involved; it’s easy to not take into account: Cars pass by constantly.”

Sunset looked over at the fashionista with intrigue, “But at a park though? A no cars zone. Suppose Night Quill was also grabbed, you’d think they’d leave some kind of markers to follow.”

“You mean like tire tracks?” asked Fluttershy.

“Did you see any when you found his dog and things?”

“I’m not sure. I might have missed it since I had to gather Night’s things and get Frosty to the shelter.” A look of shock suddenly came over her features, “Oh no! What if I missed something important and-”

Sunset promptly placated her friend with a calming gesture, “Hush-shush, you did nothing wrong, Fluttershy, you couldn’t have known.”

“Plus; I don’t think anyone wouldn’t have noticed a car speeding through the park anyway,” Rainbow added, idly twirling her fork between her fingers. “What about Derpy? Wasn’t she in a no cars zone?” That none could really answer, what with the lack of information barring the location.

“Is it safe to assume who the scapegoat is?” asked Sunset dryly, as if there was any question who CHS’s local ogre was.

“That’s just them labeling,” remarked Pinkie in a dismissive tone. “Besides, how would anyone think you alone could make a person disappear? And leaving behind their clothes? I mean you’d have to be a special kinda weird for that, am I right?” she asked, looking over to the table next to theirs, only to realize how two tables to each side were vacant. “Oh…”

“It’s especially worse since Derpy actually took the time to talk to me,” Said Sunset propping her head against a hand, finally urging herself to eat a mouthful.

“‘Ah mean ‘Ah suppose it is a little bit convenient that three people disappeared from the same school.” Before Sunset could choke out her response, on top of it going the wrong way, a faint, pulsing tone sounded from the floor. This was only secondary in concern as she coughed violently at the chunk of quiche now caught in her throat. It took but a blink for Applejack to bolt over and with a mighty smack to the upper back, the obstruction got launched out like a veritable projectile.

“Hey, your bag’s beeping,” called out Pinkie.

Without saying a word, Sunset dug her hands into her backpack to produce the source; her journal. The imitation of her cutie mark was beating rhythmically, sending faint apparitions of it racing in all directions across the cover, while the tome lightly trembled all over.

“Oh! Is the Princess writing back to you?” asked Fluttershy, catching on quickly.

“Whoa, cellphone diaries?” asked Rainbow Dash in a slightly humored tone. “Neat.”

“She is! She is!” Sunset beamed, the morose atmosphere forgotten for the moment as the flicked through the pages, the latest niftily marked by an outlining magic. Maybe the words from the Princess herself might up their spirits.

“Don’t keep us in suspense, darling,” called Rarity from across.

“Yea, what’s she sayin’?” asked Applejack, back to her seat directly across from Sunset.

“Okay, okay, hush,” Sunset motioned. “Dear Sunset Shimmer, I regret to inform you that this journal was forwarded to me: It’s good to hear from you. This Twilight Sparkle writing back to you-?!”

All five girls almost leapt from their seats at the words just read. For a fleeting moment Sunset might have sworn her heart fluttering. Princess Twilight, her savior and first friend, was contacting her beyond the fabric of realities themselves. That might have meant that she would know even better what to do, what with her very recent foray into the human world. When everyone, herself included, managed to calm themselves down from the excitement, though with some jittery urging from Pinkie, she continued reading…

Through the endless expanse of the great void between world beyond counting or ken of mortal comprehension that would drive those of limited consciousness to insanity, a single note echoed. Throughout this bottomless and borderless space, it directed itself through a tear that brought the distance beyond measuring between two worlds closer than possible for but a moment.

Beyond this tear opened up another world, somewhere over the land of equestrian, the unheard note reverberated itself throughout the realm in an instant, before finding the one receptacle it was made for and meant to find. In the unassuming town of Ponyville, past the upright circular townhall and the many homes of the locals, at the crest of the tallest hill arose a structure very unlike the rustic town.

It was a grand structure, like the interweaving of ancient pony architecture, the organic curvature of roots and branches of a grand tree and the resplendence and luster of crystals. The Castle of Friendship it took to be called by the populace, risen in the wake of one of Equestria’s darkest moments. The echo bounced itself unnoticed throughout the equally lustrous hallways of indigo, bright blue and violet and settled upon something currently being carted towards a large door at the end of a long hallways accented with a directing magenta carpet.

In the center of six matching crystalline seats set around a grand crest in between was Princess Twilight Sparkle, newest member of Equestrian royalty and the newly titled Princess of Friendship, currently busy going through a series of scrolls of parchment. Around her were her closest of friends and confidants:

Applejack and Fluttershy were busy pushing a crate full of materials they would need to properly furbish the new dwellings. Rarity was putting meticulous detail into polishing each and every seat, while Pinkie Pie was busy blowing a balloon for… whatever Pinkie reason. All the while Spike and Rainbow were busy playing Duel Monsters in the corner.

“Excuse me, Princess,” came the unfamiliar voice of a stallion, “where do you want all these books from Princess Celestia?” He was a lanky grey-coated earth pony with a messy dark mane and some hints of stubble, garbed in simple blue overalls. A part of the moving crew contracted by Princess Celestia to aid with the recent move.

“The library,” said Twilight absently, “third door on the left.” Turning back to her checklist for the furbishing of the castle. She promptly checked off the entry for books sent by her mentor in the wake of her entire collection being scorched and vaporized in the wake of Tirek’s rampage.

“Uhh, even this one that’s glowin’ and vibratin’?” asked the mover.

Twilight looked up in surprise; seeing that the topmost book, a thick tome of wooden covers with golden frames, was, as the stallion put it, glowing and vibrating. Reaching out to grip it with the telekinetic aura of her magic, she brought it closer, identifying a familiar symbol embossed over the cover: An intricate representation of the sun, just like Princess Celestia’s cutie mark, apparitions of which seemed to flow across the cover with every vibration coupled with a soft chime. The flipped through a short series of pages before happening upon the one that seemed to be outlined with a soft glimmer of some inherent magic, revealing to her what looked to by styled in the form of a message.

“What is it, Twilight?” asked Fluttershy, curiously hovering closer, all the while the sounds of an additional pair of flapping wings indicated the nearing presence of Rainbow Dash. And possibly Pinkie Pie having abruptly appeared behind her.

“It looks like a message to Princess Celestia from… Sunset Shimmer?!”

“You mean the one who stole your crown?” asked Rainbow.

“The one who ruined the lives of our counterparts in another world by bringing forth a dark entity that was poisoning her thoughts since her perceived betrayal by Princess Celestia and almost caused the end of the world via a card game?” Pinkie’s mouth lined upon finishing her very precise train of thought. “… You know, it sounds a lot sillier the longer you think about it.”

Twilight tactfully ignored the mostly negative recount of her previous foray into the human world and read through the message a second time, more thoroughly, to digest the words of her friend stuck somewhere across the multiverse. The notion the message got through such incomprehensible distances(?) through such a simple spell was remarkable: Connecting two journals with a back-and-forth transceiver and receiver matrix; able to send messages between one another through the inscription of words onto their pages and closing the tome upon completion. Twilight made a mental note to look up who created the spell, for their exploits only became more remarkable to unwittingly pierce the void itself.

Sunset’s message elicited both hope and great concern: The human Fluttershy and Pinkie (unable to help smiling at the implication of habaneros) embracing her request so strongly, and even Applejack and Rarity forgiving her. Rainbow Dash she had concerns regarding her stubbornness, but it seemed she may have started to come around.

If knowing them is like knowing the ones I have with me, I’m sure they’ll help her.

However, the message bore ill tidings, and she wasn’t sure if she could help her any better than Princess Celestia…

“Don’t keep us in suspense, Twilight,” said Rarity, carefully clambering off the seat she’d been polishing. “What’s she saying?”

Twilight happily indulged, reading aloud her former enemy’s recounting of events, even the problems she faced and the disappearance of their version of Trixie (whom Twilight did not recall meeting, actually.) Everypony seemed satisfied with their counterparts’ actions, Rainbow quietly admitting she’d had problems trusting Sunset so soon after the crown theft.

“Goodness, I hope nothing bad happened to their Trixie,” murmured Fluttershy.

“Yea, ours was more than a bit of a blowhard if’n ya ask me,” said Applejack, a tad harshly, but given their Trixie’s latest visit, it was understandable. “But ‘Ah wouldn’t want nothin’ bad happenin’ to her, not like that, anyhoo.”

“What are you gonna do?” asked Spike, having himself had stakes in the events of the human world.

“Give me a moment, everypony,” said Twilight, trotting to the side, grabbing her quill and ink in her telekinesis. “I need to ruminate over what to say to her.”

Sitting down by one of the crystal thrones, Twilight took a deep breath, clearing her mind and held Sunset’s entry before her, coming up with how to respond to her fellow Equestrian across the veil. A fellow Equestrian and friend in need of her aid. Formulating a narrative, she dipped her quill and proceeded to respond.

Dear Sunset Shimmer

I regret to inform you that this journal was forwarded to me: It’s good to hear from you. This Twilight Sparkle writing back to you. Hello~!

With an abashed chuckle, she resumed with formality.

It would seem the Princess did so regarding our previous encounter on your side of the portal. I will be more than happy to send her your regards. (On my part, back-and-forth communications with Princess Celestia actually works through Spike.)

I am glad to hear of your growing rapport with our human friends, in spite of all past grievances. I had hope they, much like their counterparts here with me in Equestria, would help you through this trying time. It’s unfortunate your other peers do no understand as of yet the full ramifications of your situation. I’m sorry to hear about Trixie. On behalf of my friends and I; we hope that she will be found as soon as possible and unharmed.

All I can say is that you must keep trying. I can only imagine how hard it must be for you in the wake of what transpired, and that for years you had to endure being manipulated. Keep your friends close to you, for in my experience, with them by your side, things will turn out for the better. I can attest due to recent events that transpired here. I know more than ever that one must cherish those they love, for even in the darkest hours, they’ll always lift you up.

Please, give my regards to everyone. We may have only met, but I feel our shared experience helped me realize that maybe I can make a difference, with my new position as Princess.

Your friend,
Twilight Sparkle

PS. Priestess too yearns to know how you are. Otherwise, she has acclimated to Equestria quite well. To a spirit such as her, our world, in her own description, is like a vibrant, melodious realm of beauty in ways I don’t think neither pony nor human can comprehend.

Hope you write back soon~

Content for what she could come up with off the top of her head for the moment, she closed the tome, a sheen of magical energy radiating off the impression of Princess Celestia’s cutie mark on the cover. Looking up, trying to picture the very act of her message transmitting through the borders of the cosmos no perceivable to her, a sense of unexpected foreboding came over her. With recent events having forced her attention to the home front, she hadn’t the time to wonder what ramifications her foray into the human world might have incurred.

If only the connection to that world would not be severed for so long… She thought to herself, her thoughts turning towards her library. “Girls, could you carry on without me for a while? I need to look into something.” Upon the unanimous agreement from everypony, she began a brisk trot out of the chamber. “Spike; I’ll need some help. Rarity, can you assume the role of organizer?”

A sense of warmth seemed to fall upon their table upon finishing reading aloud the response. Brief as this first of hopefully many responses from Twilight was, Sunset couldn’t help but feel strongly emboldened by the new princess’ words. Let alone being glad that Priestess, her former self-declared guide and perhaps even guardian, was fine as well. Though in retrospect, her guidance over the dark games and the mysteries behind Duel Monster would prove invaluable in the wake of what was happening.

Pendulum, Odd-Eyes, and these visions I keep having…

“Are you alright?” asked Fluttershy, bringing Sunset out of her reverie.

“Y-yea… Actually… I don’t know.” She sighed, running her thumb down the cover of the journal, now her only available link to the home world, to Twilight and Priestess; two of the most valuable help in this trying time. “If only the portal could be opened sooner: We would definitely need Twilight and Priestess’ guidance right now with… everything. The disappearances, whatever happened to let me obtain Pendulum, Odd-Eyes. Just everything…”

“We know,” replied Fluttershy forlornly. “She did so much for all of us.”

“In so little time,” Applejack added, her and Rarity taking each other’s hands.

“Whoever designed that portal,” Rainbow remarked, “sure picked the best of time limits, huh?”

The students of Canterlot High School, filled the hallways in between periods, chatting amongst themselves, walking together, some hand-in-hand. No matter what they were talking about, be it how one did so poorly, or so great in the last exam, how far one kicked the ball at football practice, they all paled compared to what was truly brimming the hallways.

It was fear and despair. Three of their own had vanished without a trace in the past week. Though they would all put on a brave face, so self-assured that they themselves would not fall for the same folly as them; they knew, deep in the murky recesses of their minds that they feared if they might be the next to disappear. She didn’t need to guess. Adagio knew well enough from just feeling the air around her as she peered down from the second story alcove over the front entrance.

A loud belch abruptly interrupted her thoughts, the innate feeling of disgust and agitation welling up within, “Ugh, you pig.”

Sonata proceeded to pout indignantly “Hey, not my fault that last one isn’t sitting too well,” she said having drawn some stares from the odd student close by.

“Ugh, honestly, you have no decorum whatsoever,” said Adagio with a frown, leaning back against her arms against the railing. Unlike Sonata, she herself would put on the more proper display to complement her most sensual looks, something she would painstakingly maintain. An air of regality was just as vital as external appearance, something she’d learned stood the test of time. A very long time indeed.

“Yo, I followed Sonata’s bellyaching,” came the more abrasive tone of Aria, her twin-tailed sister having rounded the stairwell leading to their current spot. “Everyone having fun on our first ever day of school?” she asked with a frivolous wave of her hands, a wry, toothy smirk etched on her features.

“Meh,” Sonata shrugged. “Kinda wish it was a college. Way more fun if you ask me.”

“Ah yes, summers are always more fun when you put it that way,” Adagio remarked with a chuckle. “Anyway; to business, sisters. The principals?”

“Still under and holding strong. Saw to it personally when Celestia announced the disappearance of what’s-her-face. Didn’t even look to slip.”

“Hmm, she was a most boring victim,” muttered Adagio. “Still she put up a fight at the very least. I guess these trained school duelists are somewhat better than the usual street trash. Although, not much.”

“Yea, that one with the silly hat was okay,” said Sonata, suppressing another belch.

“Honestly, Sonata; it’s called a bowler hat; not hard to remember,” remarked Adagio absently, looking over her glittering nails. “Now, dealing with stage two of the plan: Dealing with our lesser Equestrian friend. What do we know?”

“Fought in the underground for the Ghouls, so a higher grade of duelist than any of these excuses around. I can attest to that, though I’d suspect whatever was up with her the last time might have something to do with that,” stated Aria, an unusually fascinated glint in her eyes.

“Possession, say the principals when I coaxed any information out of those two. And what took place; it’s left a strong residual echo from the dark game. It’s everywhere,” Adagio added, feeling the resonance of despair emanated the hallways.

“And they’re scared as all hell,” grinned Sonata. “I mean it’s no Blitz, or the revolutions, or the plague times… And remember Pompeii? That was a good one. But still…”

“Indeed, with maybe a little push from us,” Adagio agreed. “Now, Aria; you know Miss Shimmer better than us. What are our chances?”

“Since she’s an Equestrian, she’s bound to have a stronger spirit than the rest. I mean last time she was able to bring about a complete manifestation when she burned the Ghouls down. I still say she can be a threat. Let alone whatever she did when dueling that bowler hat guy and that Turner guy,” Aria recounted, bringing a contemplative hand to her jaw. “It’s something to do with that dragon of hers.”

“A spirit?” asked Adagio.

“No, not yet anyway. And the other one’s still in the home dimension.”

“And the portal is closed for thirty moons, meaning there’s no threat of anyone coming to the rescue.” Adagio glanced contemplatively in the direction of the main doors to the school. “Now, we just need to claim Miss Shimmer’s power for our own, then we can begin properly.”

“I think I have an idea…” said Sonata, sporting a most mischievous smirk, bringing her fingers together by their tips over her mouth.

“Really? “Sonata has an idea”?” mouthed Aria mockingly.

“The rainbow-haired one doesn’t trust her,” said their blue-haired sister abruptly. “Everyone here positively hates her. And since we offed those three, they’re all scared if they so much as look at her; they’ll go “poof” themselves. Ooooh, she’s absolutely miserable about it…”

Adagio raised an intrigued brow. Despite little Sonata’s vapid air-headedness, there was that one particular area of expertise even she had. “Go on.”

“Aria, you say she ran with them Ghoulies before?” asked Sonata.

“What about it?”

“Nobody here knows about it!” she exclaimed. “See; we’re gonna wreck the one thing Miss Sunny-side has going for her: Their trust. Let the rainbow one know what she really is. Trust me.” A sharp-toothed grin spread over her features. “Breaking that bond always hits hard…”

Sonata giggled maliciously, wagging her long tongue past her fangs, that ever-noticeable glint in her eyes as her little plan played out in her simple, but enthusiastic mind. For if there was one thing little Sonata was apt at; it was the act of cruelty.

Duel #37: Lies and Consequences: Sunset vs. Rainbow

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Dear Twilight

You have no idea how relieved I am to hear from you! As much as I’d hoped to finally make my peace with Princess Celestia, as you have experience regarding this world, I resign to waiting for a later opportunity. I thank you for sending her my regards, my friend.

Things have been strange, regardless of the recent disappearances. Ditzy Doo, but everyone just calls her Derpy, just went missing and we heard about it on the morning announcement. She was one of the few to not take to me all bad; I spoke with her last week after my recent test duel.

Context: Due to the lack of dueling I’d put in following what everyone now calls the “CHS Incident”, the school board gave me an ultimatum: A test that would reflect further on my grade if I lost, or expulsion and transfer to a non-dueling institution. Problem was I had no deck after I threw away my old one and passed Priestess’ over to you (I am happy to know she is fine in Equestria). So, me and the girls got together to build something that at least left me with a fighting chance against an opponent of my skill level. My opponent was Trixie. She’s not the greatest (don’t tell her I said that, if we ever find her), but she is formidable. Especially given her recent improvements.

Here is where I must stress that something has changed: Whether or not it’s because of my incursion to Equestria, or what your influence brought about when you saved us all, maybe even both: During a most desperate moment when I was just about ready to give up, give into the despair: I saw something I thought only legend, let alone it was something not from this world.

In my mind… No, maybe my soul, when you dove in to pull me out of the dark. Whatever that place was; I saw the Tree of Harmony of Equestrian lore, and the Elements themselves, all six of them… It spoke to me, telling me to “let them be my power”. That’s when it happened; my deck changed: Honest to Celestia, my deck changed into something new: Cards that weren’t there before, perhaps outright changed. On top of that, I was capable of utilizing a new summon: Pendulum.

Pendulum is apparently a new, rare mechanic creeping in that lets one summon multiple monsters at once. It functions by taking two “Pendulum” cards with the appropriate “scales”, then once each turn one can summon any monster from their hand with level between these scales. In addition, Pendulum Monsters, for lack of a better word, are near undefeatable, for when one is destroyed, instead of going to the Graveyard, they go to one’s Extra Deck and can be summoned back, so long as one retains the scales. If I only had a way to show a sample.

Sunset idly twirled her pen between fingers as she took out a card from her deck: Odd-Eyes itself staring back from the image once depicting its non-Pendulum self that whatever magic was interfering chose to evolve. If she could somehow introduce it to Twilight, maybe… Maybe…?!

She proceeded to cross out her last sentence, aligned Odd-Eyes’ card with the text, and proceeded to write beside it as if it were an image in a book:

My new partner, I guess I should call it; Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon has been a crucial part for each subsequent victory. Every time I’m in a bind, something spurs me to unlocking more power through it: Tribute, Fusion, Xyz.

There’s something else: In my dreams, I see something else with the Tree of Harmony: Three orbs connected to the tree itself, each containing something within. I don’t know for sure, but they seem to be dragonic in form. I remember the night before my duel with Night Quill that one of them seemed to, well… I think it was calling to me.

Perhaps you and Priestess with your combined wisdom can make sense of all of this. I’m still afraid that whatever is happening at CHS might very well be because of me.

Always thankful,

Your friend,
Sunset Shimmer

With that she closed the tome, Odd-Eyes enclosed within, the soft chime of magic emanating from within the pages, making the impossible connection between universes. On reopening and reclaiming the card, much to her amazement and convenience, the magic left an exact “imprint” of the card on the page.

At least Twilight can get a look at you, huh? she thought as she eyed the card of her partner.

“Perhaps you and Priestess with your combined wisdom can make sense of all of this. I’m still afraid that whatever is happening at CHS might very well be because of me. Always thankful. Your friend, Sunset Shimmer,” Twilight finished reading aloud from the journal.

The alicorn looked up to the more formally seated Priestess, the spirit from the human world having not left her side since being divulged Sunset’s message from beyond realities. While normally eager and wanderlust since her arrival with a penchant for appearing seated wherever her immaterial makeup allowed her to (a habit not too dissimilar to a certain obnoxious draconequus), she now looked the very air of concern.

Going over the message in silence, focusing particularly on the emblazoning of that specific card that seemed the root of this mystery: “Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon”; a far-cry from the initial spellcasters, later archfiends, that Sunset was most known for before Twilight’s timely intervention: A raptor-esque, wingless red dragon of dichromatic eyes.

“Pendulum Summon, dreams of dragons with the Tree of Harmony,” Twilight mused, studying the image of Odd-Eyes inscribed onto the page. “What could all of this mean?”

Priestess looked upon Twilight and the opened journal, strikingly taller compared to ordinary Equestrians, being just slightly taller than the fledgling alicorn when seated on her knees, “It’s difficult to divulge when I’m unable to witness is myself, sadly.” Her emerald tome appeared before her, its infinite pages fluttering in its wake before settling on an image of a crystalline tree: The very Tree of Harmony Sunset mentioned in her message. “It is possible that, what with you returning the Elements to the Tree of Harmony, that it’s been able to establish some meager connection to Sunset.”

“Possibly since she bore the crown herself for but a moment,” Twilight remarked.

“How and why, I do not know. As far as I’ve gleamed from studying the Tree, as I’m sure you’ve also seen: It has a mind of its own: Perhaps upon learning about alternate dimensions, or the Dark Games from my world, it might be influencing Sunset as a buffer; thus granting her these new cards and abilities.”

“But against what?” asked Twilight, looking up at her immaterial friend. “Do you think this could be a portent to a disaster?” The thought troubled Twilight greatly, especially since only recently surviving the onslaught of Tirek, now safely locked back in Tartarus, hopefully for good.

Priestess shrugged, her tome fluttering its pages once again, “I’m truly sorry, Twilight, but I do not know. What I find quite remarkable, however, is how quickly this card seemed to bond with her, in light of circumstance.”

Twilight raised a querulous brow, “Pardon?”

Priestess appeared to genuinely sigh, softly bringing her hand to stop her tome’s motions and opening to another spread, “I felt I shouldn’t speak of this, in light of how much Sunset needs you, but I suppose it’s time. Back before your arrival, Sunset was involved in quite illicit practices.” A moment spent in silence urged her to continue without interruption, “Sunset became involved in unlawful “underground” duels, as they called them.”

The spread of pages on her tome fluttered once more, only this time they were accompanied by images, like still-life photographs being flitted back-to-back so fast it created the illusion of motion. In a soundless display, it showed Sunset, her face cold and stern, with spiked bands attached to her biceps and neck, her hair disheveled, and her eyes surging with hate. It spread out, revealing her standing inside a wire-fence cage, screaming and jeering spectators raving and banging against the mesh. On giving out a soundless order, Reaper attacked, striking a man in sunglasses and a bandana with her haunting namesake weapon, when the man spasmed and convulsed madly, the same spiked bands on him eliciting arcs of electricity.

Twilight found herself at a loss for words. Priestess looked sadly at the images of what must have been her own memories playing out.

“Even before everything, Sunset was alone and unable to support herself. She started out selling valuable possessions from her life here. It allowed her to get some necessities, but until then, she had actually lived inside the school in hiding. Still, it was not going to last, so she first applied for the local junior dueling circuit. It seemed promising at first, but given her status she could not sign for sponsors or enter the pro-league. Then this woman, I believe her name was Caliber, sought her out and made her an offer with the promise of wealth, as long as she did as told.”

“Blood sports?” asked Twilight in a haunted tone.

Priestess nodded, “The called themselves Ghouls, after creatures of the ancient world that pillaged burials and devoured the dead. A crime syndicate specializing in Duel Monsters. Possibly by those who had knowledge of the Dark Games, but dismissed them as fables and instead chose to emulate the potentially lethal legends using artificial means and allowing gathered masses to witness. It drew in the most deplorable and depraved souls, and they paid handsomely for the carnage.”

Sweet Celestia, if Twilight could only mouth it out.

The Emerald Tome shifted between various moments of Sunset’s battles, each sparking more brutality and uproar than the last. As it went on, Sunset’s eyes turned colder, crueler. No doubt the parasite had taken root.

“She kept claiming to herself, and to me, that each would be the last. But her prowess only brought in more spectators, and each victory more riches. She became the most decorated Ghoul duelist in the county, and with it came stable and comfortable living. When the darkness ingrained itself within, she became crueler, taking cards from defeated foes as trophies.”

To emphasize, the tome revealed as Terrorking Archfiend blasted out its chest, blood-red insects swarming and exploding all over a familiar sauropodian dragon. Then showed Sunset, standing over her foe, boot down on the poor boy’s head, sneering as she flaunted Odd-Eyes Dragon’s card in a display of domination. Twilight dared not even think what these Ghouls did to the defeated once it was over.

Priestess unceremoniously snapped the tome shut. “Whatever happened, that dragon is now bonded with her. Whether the Elements of Harmony or Tree of Harmony or something in between had any influence, I cannot say.”

“I do hope these disappearances Sunset keeps bringing up aren’t connected,” remarked Twilight, the frustration of being unable to intervene eating away at her.

“Speaking of which,” Priestess began, not moving from her position as she normally when able. “How is that bypass coming along?”

Perfect; something uplifting to share finally, “I believe I might have it all right in my hoof.” Twilight tapped the journal. She looked over to the corner of the library; the Crystal Mirror of Star Swirl, sent over by Cadence and Celestia to guard it, and to re-establish contact with Sunset once the lunar phases allowed.

Surrounding the arcane artifact was a veritable workshop: Brass and copper tubing and wires, wooden insulation and structural materials lay assembled in neat stacks and piles around, some being partially put together into components. Some knickknacks and unneeded items were set to the side, some of them opened and disassembled to get at the finer parts within. To top it all off, her chalkboard on wheels had found its place there, dotted with a myriad of formulas and diagrams she’d spent the better part of the past few days calculating.

“If my theory stands, maybe we can intervene and find out what’s happening. A friend never leaves a friend in trouble, be it beyond mere distances.”

School was never something the youth looked forward to on the best of days. At Canterlot High, this sentiment it seems became double the meaning, for gone was much of the chatter and clamor that normally occupied the hallways.

“It’s like walking into a morgue,” remarked Fluttershy.

“Or wake,” said Sunset in reciprocation. “It’s awful.” And knowing they think I’m involved. “Any news about Trixie, Night or Derpy?”

Fluttershy shrugged. Unlikely that she was to know, just any good news would have been welcoming. At this rate it felt like each passing day someone vanished. One would think the authorities had something to go off of.

“Oh my god, there you are!”

Rainbow Dash came outright running down the hall to greet them. A tugging sensation came down in Sunset’s gut when she realized the outright terrified expression on the athlete’s face.

“I know this is a long shot, but have either of you seen or heard of Scootaloo since yesterday?!”

The realization dawned on her like lightning from a clear sky, Fluttershy barely stifling a gasp. The next victim, and one so close.

With no sense of decorum or manners, Rainbow might as well had bust the door into Principal Celestia’s office with the fervor in her stride, the rest of the girls being barely able to keep up with her pace. Principal Celestia, seated behind her desk, looked expectedly spooked from the sudden intrusion.

“Miss Dash, is something-?”

“We have another missing student, Principal Celestia!” Rainbow shouted, slamming her hands onto the desk. “Scootaloo has gone missing! Her aunts called me last night, she hadn’t returned home, hours after curfew!”

The Principal, at least from Sunset’s position, seemed eerily calm about the predicament. Sure; her face portrayed the very human expression of sadness, but for the life of her, she thought her eyes looked particularly hollow. She brought one hand from her laptop computer to her mouth in a display of sorrow.

“She… She’s a freshman… All the others were seniors…”

Rainbow shook her head firmly, “She’s like a little sister to me!”

“Principal Celestia,” Sunset spoke up, tentatively stepping into the office. “Forgive my intrusion as well, but given all that’s happened, we-”

“We need to close the school!” Rainbow blurted. “I know, me normally saying so would be damn childish, even I’ll admit that, but that’s four victims in a week!”

“I believe what Rainbow is trying to say, Principal Celestia,” came Fluttershy, meekly scooting next to Sunset, “We’ve had four disappearances and, well… they all came from our school.”

“Yea, something is definitely going on, and we’re the target!” said Rainbow insistingly. Sunset felt another pang of tightness in her gut.

Celestia looked at the athlete in pondering, “I’m… I’m afraid that won’t be possible.”

Rainbow thumped against Celestia’s desk, “Why the hell not?!”

“Miss Dash!” Principal Celestia admonished, pausing for a moment, remaining motionless before continuing, “I understand you’re worried. We all are. But these occurrences are not limited to just us.”

“They’re not?” asked Sunset. Her look at the local news begged to differ.

“There have bene reports of disappearances elsewhere in Canterlot City,” said Principal Celestia in a matter-of-fact tone, her hands gripped together as she leaned forward onto her elbows. “The authorities are looking into this strew of disappearances. All we can do is to adhere to what we’ve learned about personal safety and simply hold out for hope that our missing students are found. Other than that, my hands are tied. Now,” she sat back straight, “please, return to class.”

Sunset looked at their principal dubiously. Everything said made sense, she supposed, but Celestia seemed less... passionate that what she was used to, given everything she’d learned of her mentor’s counterpart’s outright maternal nature. Stress perhaps? Defeated and sullen, Rainbow stormed out of the office, Fluttershy being quick to go after her. Sunset remained for but a moment.

“Principal Celestia? Are you… feeling alright?”

Celestia, in an eerily calm fashion, brought her hands together atop her desk. Her face looked oddly unmoving, almost too professional even, “Why, I’m perfectly fine, Miss Shimmer. There is no need for concern. Now please; I have important work to cover, so if you wouldn’t mind.”

Sunset, hesitated for a moment, but complied to the Principal’s request. On the way out, peering surreptitiously over her shoulder, she thought she saw something change in her Principal. But she could not fathom what it was.

If Priestess was here, she could uncover everything easily.

As she left, glancing over her shoulder, she thought she could discern something in Celestia’s expression. She couldn’t tell what it was, but she thought the Principal looked, troubled, more so than what she was letting on.

Rainbow felt she was at her wits’ end, rushing into the bathroom. Barging into the stall farthest from the entrance; she slumped down on the toilet, hands clutching at her head. Her mind raced with fear, of a kind she’d not been able fathom all her life she thought. Scootaloo; headstrong and spunky Scootaloo, her honorary little sis… The voices of Holiday and Lofty echoed in her mind’s ear, the worst she could have expected, on par with the CHS Incident.

She’d been minding her own business; relaxing with a good Daring Do book in hand, Tank dozing next to her, just trying her utmost to try and not think about what was happening at CHS. It couldn’t possibly happen to her, or her friends, or her friends’ friends, her teammates, their families: That’s what she’d convinced herself; they were sharp enough to not make the same mistakes afterwards.

Shows what she knew. And there was absolutely nothing coming out from the authorities. Damn it, were they even trying?! Rainbow thought she felt the bile rise up her throat; all the victims went missing with only their clothing and belongings left behind… Those sick bastards!

A resounding bang rang in the bathroom, possibly even beyond its walls. Rainbow’s hand ached, a numbing throb racing through the edge of her palm where her fist had connected with the stall wall.

What is going on with this school?! Her mind screamed. First it’s three years of apathy, then we learn magic exists and there’s a gate to a world of ponies outside the school…

Stepping out of the stall, she ran the closest faucet and splashed cold water all over her face, the shock to the system stalling her hysteria just about. Looking herself in the mirror, it was evident she hadn’t slept, what with the black bags under her eyes.

The school’s speaker system suddenly crackled to life, followed by a noticeable pause, when Principal Celestia’s voice rang through the school. “… Students, I… I regret to bring you more bad news. It’s been brought to my attention that freshman student Scootaloo Allgood went missing last night in similarly mysterious circumstances as the last three senior students between last week and today. If anyone has any knowledge about her latest whereabouts, we request you bring this to our attention.”

A second pause followed.

“I understand that you’re all frightened. We’re all worried for the wellbeing of those who are missing. But we mustn’t lose hope that Canterlot authorities will find them. We are not the only people seemingly targeted by whatever malevolent intentions someone has on our community. As such we implore everyone to not go anywhere alone and to be home within daylight hours, and if possible, carpool with a friend or family. And if you feel it best I…”

Rainbow held her breath for but a moment without almost realizing it. Was she going to go against the norm and heed her and Sunset’s suggestions?

“I’m sorry, i-it’s nothing. Please, stay safe.” And with an electronic click, the speakers cut off.

Rainbow smacked a hand over her face and slowly, painfully dragged it against the skin, “Unbelievable…”

The door to the bathroom opened, in stepping someone Rainbow almost thought she didn’t recognize: Purple and teal hair in twin tails and an outfit quite different from your average student, with a chocked bearing a crimson gem hanging over her clavicles.

“Hey,” said the girl, Aria Blaze, thought Rainbow, in a disinterested tone. “Rainbow Dash, right?”

Rainbow eyes the girl vacantly, her mind feeling too disheveled to even care about the new girl.

“Okay, whatev,” the new girl scoffed seeming to head for the closest stall, when she looked over once again. “Listen, I know this is none of my business whatsoever, but I get you’re friends with that Sunset Shimmer girl, right?”

Rainbow eyed her questioningly. Quite the precarious assumption to make, let alone very personal. “What of it?”

Aria’s lips pouted contemplatively, her eyes veering to the side. So pretentious on top of everything else, “Well, I’ve heard from a reliable source that that girl; she’s a Ghoul.”

Rainbow’s breath hitched in her chest. “Bull crap.”

Aria raised a quizzical brow, “Is it?” She leaned casually against the stall, looking Rainbow square in the eyes, her expression firm and uncompromising. “Listen, sweetums, I kinda got this impression that you seem pretty tight with that Shimmer girl, yea?”

Rainbow pursed her lips. She wasn’t exactly wrong, but she wasn’t entirely right either. She’d made a promise to Twilight. Not that she would tell this stranger of a magical pony princess from another universe. Keeping that promise had been tough, she’d resented Sunset for so long. Part of her still did, but…

“Look, I don’t know what went on between her and… I dunno, everyone. Apparently, she’s this total bitch,” Aria sniffed.

“It’s a bit more complicated than that,” Rainbow dared interjecting. “Okay, she was… Yea, she was a bitch, but-”

“Yea, not trying to sugarcoat this, but facts are facts; Sunset Shimmer was a Ghoul; participated in the Underground. People aren’t exactly subtle; I have no idea what this whole “she-demon” schtick is or whatever, but she’s good, apparently the best duelist here?”

Rainbow ‘s discomfort over Aria’s prying began to grow, “Y-yea. Yea, she is good, I mean maybe not as good as me, but-”

Aria chuckled wryly, “How do you think she got so good? Because she practiced? Studied? Nope; she fought in the Canterlot Underground. You know, cage matches, shock collars and such? And the stealing, the forging. You’re all safe in here training the formal way; this girl, she was out there, doing it the hard way.” She frowned, “You know, I’ve even heard a rumor that she’s the one who burned down their operation.”

Rainbow scoffed at the absurdity of these abrupt claims, “You’re full of it.”

“Maybe,” Aria shrugged. “You know, those people disappearing? Everything left behind but the cards? Well, I know Principal Celestia said to stay strong, but what if it’s that simple that it’s kinda Shimmer’s fault? You know; burns down their establishment, now they’re snagging people off the streets, doing who knows what to rebuild?”

Rainbow’s eyes furrowed, “How the hell would you even know all of this?!”

Aria’s face remained stoic, “I’m not exactly a good girl, if you thought that. But hey; I’m smart enough to know when to get out of a predicament. So let me give you one more bit of advice; I’ve seen shit that’d have you pissing yourself. Take this all however you will, but wouldn’t it be worse if one of those other girls you and Shimmer hang out with might be next? Like the pink-haired one doting over her? Trust me; she’d not last a second.”

Preposterous. That had to be it; absolutely preposterous. Sunset Shimmer’s uncanny aptitude and skill came from her unique connections to magic. She had been closer to the truth behind things long before Rainbow herself could have imagined that the very practice CHS was built upon was more than a game… And Sunset could exploit it better than anyone with this direct knowledge…

A horrifying realization… No! No, it couldn’t be what this Aria was implying. How could she know? She would get the truth herself. Prove her wrong. For all her faults under everything even Rainbow could attest to…

Rainbow said nothing as she went bast Aria and out the door. Aria watched as she went, the door swaying back and forth upon her exit. A demeaning huff escaped Aria’s lips, taking something out of her vest’s pocket; a card, idly wagging it between an index and middle finger. “Thanks for the tip on the perfect bait…” she muttered, looking at the Hi-Speedroid Kendama.

The day went on somberly, more so now that someone close was missing, with no clue as to their whereabouts. At lunch anyone barely spoke, just how Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom were utterly devastated, having been the last to see Scootaloo after club activities before going their separate ways.

It went to show just how close Rainbow and Scootaloo were, Applejack and Rarity being the first to console her. Other than a few words, the rainbow-haired athlete hardly spoke. When she’d thought she wasn’t looking, Sunset thought she’d been casting questioning looks at her, but hadn’t procrastinated thankfully. Not that she’d question it; being emotionally vulnerable would make one do questionable antics. She could attest to that.

It wasn’t until last period when Sunset received a text, from Rainbow. It was short, simple and to the point: “Meet me on the rooftop after school. We need to talk.”

Suffice to say, Sunset’s trepidations about Rainbow’s mental state did not go unfounded.

Sunset took the earliest opportunity to meet with Rainbow. She owed her that much. Ignoring all the passing stares, or attempts at averting eyes like she would steal their souls or curse her fellow students, she made as covertly as she could to the rooftop. Easy to access as it was, it was also not appreciated by many members of faculty to go there, mostly out of safety concerns.

Stepping out through the rooftop exit, sure enough; there was Rainbow Dash, standing near the edge, looking over into the distance where the suburbs sunk into the horizon. As Sunset approached, deliberate in her stride, her boots clacking against the concrete as she went. On getting closer, she could tell Rainbow was clutching at herself, hurting.

“Rainbow?” Sunset called out gently. “What’s… I mean… Why are we here?”

Rainbow did not budge. The only response was a breeze wafting her hair. “Sunset…” A sigh escaped her lips, her hands slumping off her body, curling into fists. “I get why Twilight and Fluttershy and the rest… I get that they trust you. And I really wanna trust you too, I mean…” She sighed. “Look, after everything that’s happened since the Fall-Formal Championship, I kinda assumed we’d be open with each other.”

Sunset did not feel comfortable in the slightest over what her most obstinate friend was getting at. “We… We are open. I can only imagine how you must be feeling right now. I just-”

“Sunset,” Rainbow spun on her heels, facing Sunset sternly. “I want the truth, so no bullshitting: Are you a Ghoul?”

The question struck deep and hard. Sunset felt her body freeze, her breath getting caught in her throat. How-?! When-?! Who-?! How can she possibly know that?! Sunset hadn’t told anyone. Not the principals, not Mr. Turner, not even so much as uttered a peep to any outsider. She hadn’t even told Fluttershy, much as she’d wished she had the courage.

“Sunset,” Rainbow spoke up, Sunset having not realized her stillness. “Hey! Sunset; I asked you a question: Are you a Ghoul?”

Part of Sunset just wanted to turn tail and bolt. But she couldn’t; if anything, it would be as surefire a proof of her guilt. Rainbow had made progress at first, for certain. But now, however she found out and whoever could have possibly told her… She was at an impasse. If she told the truth, let alone with Rainbow’s already compromised state of mind, it would all be over. Everything Princess Twilight had striven for in order to help her would have been in vain. She’d could never show her face in good company again, she’d lose the only friends she’d known in the world. It would all be over.

Before Sunset could so much as utter the paltriest of responses, the distinct whirr or electronics and mechanics broke her out of her despaired thoughts. Rainbow’s blue duel disk’s golden yellow tray had deployed, Sunset catching just the barest glimpse as it affixed into place running along the athlete’s arm.

“If you’re not going to come clean with me, Sunset, then I evoke the duelist’s honor!” declared Rainbow in an imperious tone. “I may know jack about how this voodoo works, but I get what we’ve been doing all this time is a battle of convictions and drive. So here’s my terms: If I win; you tell me everything, the whole truth, no lying. If you win… I’ll let you go; we’ll pretend this never happened. But sure as hell you’re going to find it very hard to earn any trust from me again. If you decline; then your guilt is proven.”

The way she said it, the gross misnomer of ‘voodoo’ notwithstanding; there was only one choice that would be best. Sunset needed to win. If Rainbow’s honor held, and it often did by her reputation, she wouldn’t lose everything, just one friend. A pyrrhic outcome, were she to win. What other choice did she have at this juncture? Sunset deployed her own disk, the connection being established. No turning back now.

But if I lose Rainbow, wouldn’t that possibly spark another split…? Thought Sunset. She once drove everyone apart so easily. But she couldn’t just surrender either. It truly was an impasse. Whatever the outcome; they were not coming out of this as they had been.

“Duel!”

Duel #37: Lies and Consequences: Sunset vs. Rainbow, Part 2

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Author's Notes:

Two original cards that appear here:

Odd-Eyes Luster Dragon
Pendulum Effect Monster
Level: 4
Attribute: Dark
Type: Dragon
Scale: 8
ATK: 1900
DEF: 1600
Pendulum Effect: If an ‘Odd-Eyes’ card destroys a Monster as a result of Battle while you have only this card in your Pendulum Zones, place one ‘Odd-Eyes’ Pendulum Card that is face-up in your Extra Deck or GY into your empty Pendulum Zone.
Monster Effect: If this card attacks while you have an ‘Odd-Eyes’ Pendulum Card in your Pendulums Zone(s), negate the Effects of the monster this card battles.

(This is an Odd-Eyes variant of Luster Dragon.)

Odd-Eyes Spear Dragon
Pendulum Effect Monster
Level: 4
Attribute: Dark
Type: Dragon
Scale: 8
ATK: 1900
DEF: 0
Pendulum Effect: If you have an ‘Odd-Eyes’ Pendulum card in your Pendulum Zone, other than ‘Odd-Eyes Spear Dragon’, all ‘Odd-Eyes’ monsters inflict Piercing Damage.
Monster effect: If this card attacks while you have an ‘Odd-Eyes’ Pendulum Card in your Pendulums Zone(s), increase this card’s ATK by 500 until after the Battle Phase. After the Battle Phase, change this ATK position card to DEF position.

(This is an Odd-Eyes variant of Spear Dragon.)

“Duel!”

Duel Start!

Rainbow Dash Life Points: 4000

Sunset Shimmer Life Points: 4000

The digital coin unveiled and flipped itself with a virtual “ping”. The heads showed on Rainbow’s screen.

Turn 1: Rainbow Dash (Hand: 5)

“No holding back. No mercy,” muttered Rainbow as her hand fanned out. “I summon Junk Forward in attack mode!”

To her field emerged a mechanical humanoid, shorter than the average person. Its body was composed of a sandy yellow, segmented metal plating, with red gems on its forehead and around its pelvic area; the front, and on the sides of each thigh. On its back was slung a tubular gun of some kind. (Level 3, 900/1500)

“When I control no monsters, Junk Forward can be Special Summoned from my hand. I then Normal Summon the Tuner Monster Junk Changer, also in attack mode.”

Beside Junk Forward arose a robot; its body a mostly light blue cylinder, with a single red orb, possibly some form of sensor on its side. The structure was supported by a pair of thick, boxy legs, and a pair of short, angular arms stuck out from the sides. On the top was a low, cylindrical head with tiny yellow eyes peering from underneath a visor. (Level 3, 1500/900)

“Junk Changer’s effect: When summoned, I can increase or decrease the level of one ‘Junk’ monster by one. I decrease Changer’s by one (Level 2). I then Tune my level two Junk Changer to my level three Junk Forward!”

On command, Junk Changer’s form faded, releasing its two tuning rings. They aligned over Junk Forward, its form also fading, unveiling the three stars representing its level.

(Level 2 + 3 = 5)

“By the grace of the gathered stars; battered and broken, still fighting on. Let the scars of adversity show your awesome resolve.”

The stars within the rings erupted into a pillar of light, the silhouette of something new forming within.

“Synchro Summon! To battle, Level 5, unbreakable veteran, Scarred Warrior!”

With the pillar fading, in the Synchro Material’s place was a tall, bronze-skinned man, the left side of his body appearing very much human, garbed in white, his skin bore a multitude of great scars. His right side on the other had was composed entirely of armor, or rather, cybernetic grafts of cold steely silver. Without so much as a motion, the bandage covered right arm unveiled a large, pointed blade extending from within. (Level 5, 2100/1000)

“I set one card. My turn’s done.”

(Hand: 2)

Turn 2: Sunset Shimmer (Hand: 5)

Sunset drew her first card, going over her hand, trying to focus on a response as best she could under duress. Odd-Eyes was not in her hand at the moment, nor was there an adequate Pendulum scale available… At least not until she made note of the card she drew. She could start going all out, but, learning from her previous encounter with Mr. Turner, she knew going all out too soon could be costly.

“I take the scale two Oafdragon Magician and the scale 5 Wisdom-Eye Magician to set the Pendulum Scale!” She placed each card in one fluid motion at the edges of her duel disk’s tray, the circuitry within the cleft lighting up in a rainbow of color, followed by the word ‘Pendulum’ being spelled out in holographic lights.

Oafdragon Magician, the oriental-style wizard wielding a bident glaive arose to one side, and on the other was a new Magician she’d yet to unveil: Dressed in a white robe with golden inlays, his sleek body framed within a wide, billowing brown cloak. His hair was platinum and the lower part of his face covered by a mask seemingly part of his robe. Most notable features were the giant blue orbs embedded in his robe’s shoulder pads, along with six identical gems lining the front of his robe, and one underneath a contrasting red sash around his waist. Each of these iridescent gems took the likeness of great blue eyes, the shoulders in particular seeming to move as if in response to stimulus. In his hands he wielded a rob, at the end of which, in a bead-lined cord, hung a cylindrical weight. The numerals two and five appeared underneath them.

“The swing of the pendulum connecting two worlds draws out the arc of harmony.”

“Pendulum Summon! Come forth, my companions!” Sunset called it, two swathes of light erupting from the scales.

“Level 4; Odd-Eyes Luster Dragon!”

The first was a deep blue, semi-quadrupedal dragon: Its body was encased is a coarse, mildly prismatic blue carapace: The shoulders, knees, talons and head being pristine white, the head in particular giving it the likeness of a skull, with one orange and one green eye staring from within gaps. Bony white wings spread out from its back, bereft of a proper membrane. (Level 4, 1900/1600)

“And level 4; Odd-Eyes Spear Dragon!”

The second looked closer to a pterosaur than a proper dragon. Blue in color, with boney-white around its belly, its head was a sizeable keel with a snout tapering into a fine, sharp point, reinforced with the similar white carapace endemic to the Odd-Eyes family. Slanted dichromatic eyes of orange and green peered from underneath the crest. (Level 4, 1900/0)

“To battle!” Sunset declared, pointing at her target. “Odd-Eyes Spear Dragon attacks Scarred Warrior!”

Its eyes glinting underneath its hefty crest, Odd-Eyes Spear Dragon (ATK: 1900) flapped its forelimb wings, opening a tapered maw, showing off an axe-like carapace surrounding its jaws.

“When attacking Odd-Eyes Spear Dragon gains 500 additional attack points.”

Rainbow remained stoic as Odd-Eye Spear Dragon (ATK: 1900 -> 2400) charged up a swirling orb of red energy and fired it as an arrow-like projectile at Scarred Warrior (ATK: 2100). The scar-ridden warrior abruptly swung his arm, diverting the attack with his blade.

“Once each turn, Scarred Warrior can’t be destroyed in battle,” Rainbow responded.

“You still take damage from the attack though,” Sunset added.

Rainbow Dash Life Points: 4000 – 300 = 3700

“I will leave the Battle Phase,” said Sunset, to which Odd-Eyes Spear Dragon hunched down on its winged forelimbs (DEF: 0). “If Odd-Eyes Spear Dragon activated its effect, at the end of the Battle Phase; it’s forced into defense position. I’ll end my turn here.”

(Hand: 2)

Turn 3: Rainbow Dash (Hand: 2)

Rainbow did her first draw, in her own specific, energetic manner. Muddled as her memories were from between possession and the present, she knew how her foe operated. This was a battle between equals.

Rainbow looked at her next card: Tuning. Perfect. Looking over at Sunset’s field, two of the magically spawned Pendulums somehow warped from cards they had put together to create this deck. Destroying them would be easy; they were both weaker than Scarred Warrior. But she had witnessed much since Sunset unlocked Pendulum Summoning: Sunset had used it to defeat Trixie, Spitfire, Lightning Dust, Night Quill, all of them decent in their own ways. Each of them came to the cusp of winning, but each time Sunset would pull through.

Duel Monsters, according not only to Princess Twilight, but Sunset, and even Principal Celestia and Vice-principal Luna, was more so than a game as everything led them to believe: A battle of will and dedication manifesting through an ancient ritual brought into the modern day. Did it mean none of the others had the will to win?

Sunset lost to Fluttershy the same day this all started. She wasn’t fighting at the utmost to win no matter what. If she’s really hiding something from me, shouldn’t my goals be seen as the right one? I want to know why Scootaloo had to be taken… Dammit, Sunset. You won’t keep secrets from me. Not from Fluttershy. Not anyone. If I have to pound you to the ground…

“Spell card, Tuning, activate,” Rainbow slid her newly drawn card into the disk. “I add one ‘Synchron’ from my deck to my hand,” her chosen card was ejected following a shuffle, “after which I send the top card of my deck to the graveyard. The card I chose,” she flicked it around in her fingers, “is Junk Synchron, which I then summon.”

To her field leapt the small orange mechanical creature with its tall hat and billowing scarf. (Level 3, 1300/500)

“When summoned, Junk Synchron lets me Special Summon a level 2 or lower monster from my graveyard; I’ll summon Key Man the Key Warrior.”

Junk Synchron held out a hand, opening a portal, from which arose the low-level Key Man; a small humanoid covered head to toe in a gunmetal-grey suit of armor themed after a lock: Complete with a small, chunky kite shield bearing a keyhole at its center, and a long, brazen sword whose blade was a literal key. (Level 2, 1000/500)

She must have sent that to the graveyard with Tuning. I don’t know if she fully realizes, but it seems she and her deck are in perfect sync.

“Once during my turn; I can change Key Man’s level from two to three. After which I tune my level three Junk Synchron and the now level three Key Man.”

Junk Synchron reached behind itself, pulling on the ripcord connected to the engine apparatus attached to its back, the machine revving to life as the Tuner faded into a glowing outline, erupting with three Tuning rings. Key Man leap into the air, the rings aligning with his form as he went, before his form too faded, revealing three shimmering orbs.

(Level 3 + 3 = 6)

“Gathering stars will call upon a new force! A warrior who’s fist of awesome might will clear the way to victory!”

“Synchro Summon! Come forth, Mighty Warrior!”

From the resulting erupting pillar of force, down to the field dropped another one of Rainbow’s myriad of mismatched Warriors: A dark blue body lined with intricate patterns of golden circuitry-like lines, from which extended whitish blue, muscled legs and left arm. The right arm, in turn, was a hefty robotic limb, as wide as the warrior itself. The humanoid landed with what might have been earthshattering force if not for its massless nature, the bionic fist erupting with a hiss of hydraulics. (Level 6, 2200/2000)

“Battle!” called Rainbow. “I attack Odd-Eyes Spear Dragon with Mighty Warrior! Mighty Knuckle!”

Might Warrior leapt forth with a herculean grunt, twisting its body for a downward strike with its robotic fist (ATK: 2200). The bionically enhanced warrior dropped down towards the hunched Odd-Eyes Spear Dragon (DEF: 0) and with snapping of mechanics drove his fist forth just a split second before being in striking distance. The sounds of concrete shattering followed as the dragon was shattered, leaving behind a crater where the fist impacted.

“Mighty Warrior’s effect activates on destroying a monster. You take damage equal to half of the attack points of the monster he destroyed.”

“Pendulum Monsters do not go to the graveyard, lest you forgot,” remarked Sunset. In her experience; there was always a catch that the destroyed card absolutely had to go to the graveyard to trigger a damage effect.

“Mighty Warrior’s effect triggers regardless of where the target went,” she pointed at Sunset with her fingers in a pistol-formation. “Therefore, you still take 950 points of damage.”

Sunset flinched as Mighty Warrior drove its fist into the floor, sending a fault line splitting in her direction, just where her invisible forcefield would begin, and the line burst into a fissure, sending a blast of stone and volcanic fire over her.

Sunset Shimmer Life Points: 4000 – 950 = 3050

“I then attack your Odd-Eyes Luster Dragon with Scarred Warrior! Brave Dagger!”

Brandishing his own prosthetic arm’s punching-dagger blade, Scarred Warrior rushed forth (ATK: 2100) and swiped at the neck of Odd-Eyes Luster Dragon (ATK: 1900). Before any grisly result could be witnessed, the lesser dragon erupted into pixels.

Sunset Shimmer Life Points: 3050 – 200 = 2750

“I end my turn,” declared Rainbow with finality. She did not boast, she did not dare for her foe to try harder. This was Rainbow at her best, while also not embracing her passion.

(Hand: 2)

Turn 4: Sunset Shimmer (Hand: 2)

Sunset drew her next card. No Odd-Eyes yet. Still, not that it mattered; her Pendulum Scale remained.

“Pendulum Summon! Return, my monsters!”

On command, Odd-Eyes Luster Dragon (Level 4, 1900/1600) and Odd-Eyes Spear Dragon (Level 4, 1900/0) re-emerged from the scales. She didn’t start off big, but now it was time to resume as such with the card she’d been holding since the beginning.

“From my hand, I activate Polymerization. With it I’ll fuse the two dragons on my field.”

The Fusion vortex opened up over the field, the two Odd-Eyes dragons being drawn in, before the gravity of the vortex maw made them swirl together, being drawn into the shimmering eye in its center.

“Dragons of dichromatic eyes, unite together and combine your power under the arc of harmony.”

Sunset brought her hands together, fingers entwined, “Fusion Summon! Take flight; Level 7; Odd-Eyes Vortex Dragon!”

Erupting from the vortex in a veritable funnel cloud, the green armored flying Odd-Eyes erupted its way through its elements, letting loose a shrieking snarl over the field of battle, red and blue dichromatic eyes glinting with the powers it possessed. (Level 7, 2500/3000)

“When successfully Special Summoned; Odd-Eyes Vortex Dragon lets me target one attack-position monster and return it to the hand. And I’ve chosen your Scarred Warrior!”

Extending the golden metallic fins functioning as its wings, Odd-Eyes Vortex Dragon unleashed a funnel cloud from the raging storm aura permeating its form. The cloud swallowed Scarred Warrior, dragging it upwards before dissipating, leaving no trace of the bionic fighter. Rainbow was forced to take his card and reinsert it into the Extra Deck port.

“I attack Mighty Warrior with Odd-Eyes Vortex Dragon! Spiral Vortex Strike!”

Vortex Dragon revved its neck (ATK: 2500), focusing its storm aura into its mouth and launching it as a swerving, concentrated burst of wind, winding its way at the targeted Mighty Warrior (ATK: 2200). The warrior attempted to defend himself with his fist, but the attack came to engulf him and seemingly disintegrate him from sheer force.

Rainbow Dash Life Points: 3700 – 300 = 3400

Still not in the lead, by roughly 700 points, but she did manage to wipe Rainbow’s board for the most part, “I set one card. I end my turn.

(Hand: 2)

Turn 5: Rainbow Dash (Hand: 2)

That’s the one she used to beat Night Quill. From Pendulum, to Tribute, then Fusion. If this magic BS is doing something, then do I even have a chance…? I mean she’s a magic talking unicorn, when I’m just plain human, how’s anyone seriously to compete with that? … No, no they’re saying said magic’s been around here since forever, we just didn’t notice. Twilight said something about… Aw hell; if I can’t even put up a fight then what’s the point of me even trying?!

Looking up at Sunset’s dragon, with its decent attack strength and its effect that swept her board clean. By all accounts of what made sense; that dragon shouldn’t even exist. Hell; Sunset’s entire deck shouldn’t exist. It was but a bunch of scrapings from the bottom of the figurative barrel before whatever magic wormed its way in and changed it, and seemed to keep changing it every time she was in need. It was insane, unfair even, not like everyone else who had to spend time to change their decks.

She found her hand tentatively reaching for her deck, the tips of her fingers barely touching the cards. Was she… hesitating? Rainbow Dash, the captain, one of CHS’ best, in sports and as a duelist.

No? Maybe… Yes, she was hesitating. She was fighting a foe she for the longest time couldn’t fathom. Sunset Shimmer, the Duel Queen of CHS, the She-Demon, the unicorn. And just knowing the truth made the battle feel even more pointless. How could someone like that be a Ghoul? Aria Blaze had to be playing her. Why was she even doing this…?

Scootaloo…

“Rainbow…?” Sunset could see something was wrong. Rainbow hadn’t proceeded with the duel, a notion very unlike her. If she knew Rainbow Dash, she was the first to jump straight into the fray, no hesitations.

Rainbow visibly grit her teeth as her fingers closed in on her deck and she swiped the next card from her deck. Sunset’s surprise was furthered when she made out a blue trace following Rainbow’s arm movements. Was she…?

Did she tap into the Dark Game just now?!

Rainbow, still holding onto her drawn card, swiped a hand over her duel disk’s screen, “Trap card, activate: Descending Lost Star! When played, this card lets me Special Summon a Synchro monster from my graveyard in defense position. But as a cost it cannot change its position, and its defense points drop to zero. I summon back Mighty Warrior.”

Arising from the dark graveyard portal, Mighty Warrior hunched down over the field, brandishing his gauntlet arm as a makeshift, albeit useless, shield. (Level 6, 2200/0)

“Now, I sacrifice Mighty Warrior,” in a swirl of light, the revived Synchro monster found itself sent back to the graveyard, “to Tribute Summon Salvage Warrior.”

Emerging to her field this time was a large, rotund humanoid of an aqua blue skin, all of it being raw muscle barely being contained within a yellow padded vest and green pants. A gritting face stared from betwixt a tight-fitting studded purple helmet’s occularium. Hitched to his back was a hefty pulley device, with chains ending in clasping hooks borne in both its overly muscled hands. (Level 5, 1900/1600)

“When Tribute Summoned, Salvage Warrior lets me Special Summon any Tuner Monster in my graveyard. Return, Junk Synchron!”

The graveyard portal opened on the field, to which Salvage Warrior tossed one of its hooks into the depts. With a yank, Junk Synchron was pulled out of the abyss, letting out a peppy “Hup!” as it took its place beside its chunky rescuer (Level 3, 1300/500)

That’s a level eight Synchro summon she’s setting up for. Sunset frowned. This could be tough…

Rainbow seemed to breathe in, then slowly exhaled, her right hand clenching into a fist. “I tune the level three Junk Synchron with the level five Salvage Warrior!”

Revving its ripcord again, Junk Synchron unleashed its Tuning rings, aligning themselves around the hefty Salvage Warrior, the fading humanoid beginning to rise from the ground until only the five orbs representing its level remained.

“Loyal guardian of the skies, spread your awesome wings that shield those beneath your gaze from adversity. Bring your light to the darkness of despair.”

The summon commenced, the orbs erupting into the pillar, so great it consumed the Tuning rings in an instant, a shrieking call erupting from within. This was not something usual for Rainbow Dash. In fact, the last time something like this happened was…

“Synchro Summon! Take flight, my devotion! Level eight, Stardust Dragon!”

The call was heard all across campus, and well beyond. The pillar of light signifying a powerful Synchro Summon erupted over the roof of CHS for all bystanders to witness.

Impossible to go unnoticed by Fluttershy, and somehow, she just knew the rest of the girls were watching too. A sound they hadn’t heard since before the Fall Formal Championship.

“Rainbow?”

A pair of sleek, pristine white wings unfurled in the air. Framed between was a creature of a lithe form, but undoubtedly more powerful than it let on: A snaking, slender neck ended in an angular head with three backwards facing fins. A tail longer than the entirety of the monster’s body and neck combined snaked elegantly behind, ending in a four-pronged crest. All its four distinctly avian-like limbs ended in vicious talons, while purple gem-like orbs protruded from its pectorals and shoulder. A yellow glint from its eyes elicited a fearsome viciousness, despite its elegant, downright beautiful form. (Level 8, 2500/2000)

Rainbow Dash had unleashed the one thing meant specifically for her, back when the darkness still held. Sunset could not help but awe at the new dragon.

But it’s still not powerful enough to defeat Vortex Dragon. Unless Rainbow is planning on sacrificing it. Somehow, seeing this new monster wasted in such a way felt insulting, on both their parts.

Rainbow slipped another card from her hand into the spell and trap port; “Equip Spell, Silver Wing!”

Glistening particles emerged surrounding Stardust Dragon’s wings, the graceful monster shrieking in emphasis as these glistening specks coalesced and adhered to its wings, letting loose a multitude of light beams, giving the look of plumage composed of lights.

“Battle!” Rainbow shouted, pointing a fist towards Vortex Dragon in defiance. “Stardust Dragon attacks Odd-Eyes Vortex Dragon!”

Stardust unfurled its new glistening wings further and with one powerful downward stroke launched itself into the air. Vortex Dragon, like being goaded, or by some inherent instinct to follow after a powerful contender, unfurled its metallic fins and soared upwards with a self-generating updraft, calling out in its own distinct roar. As the two dragons alit, Stardust’s maw began to surge with accruing energy, the air around it rippling from the sheer disturbance.

“Shooting Sonic!”

Coming to an abrupt halt in its ascent, Stardust Dragon (ATK: 2500) lunged its head forth like a striking snake, launching a concentrated white beam that distorted the very air around it. Vortex Dragon (ATK: 2500) responded in kind; unleashing its swerving stream of wind to meet its foe’s attack head-on. The two attacks collided for but a moment, the sheer force behind each causing them to spark, when Vortex Dragon’s curled around dangerously, while Stardust’s pierced through the funnel, itself not abating from the disturbance. Both attacks struck their intended targets.

Stardust’s wings flared up as the wind funnel bore into its body, while a horrific crackle in the air preceded as Vortex Dragon’s armor was pierced, the white beam penetrating its body. Vortex Dragon exploded, while Stardust remained, correcting itself in the air after its foe’s attack dissipated.

“Silver Wing’s effect: It can only be equipped to a level eight Dragon-type Synchro Monster. Twice per turn, the equipped monster can’t be destroyed in battle,” Rainbow proceeded to explain. For emphasis, Stardust Dragon descending just above its master, snaking its neck in letting loose another screech. “I may have used him poorly when Twilight and me faced off. But now, I know I can’t just do what I always do and just wing it. I will know the truth.”

That uncomfortable tightness at the pit of her stomach came back fierce. Sunset for the first time since knowing the headstrong and brash Rainbow Dash felt genuine intimidation. The battle for the truth she’d kept was now reaching its apex. But also seeing Rainbow’s dedication, and she understood why she was doing this. Sunset never wanted anyone to know this part of her, but also knowing why Rainbow was so adamant.

“I end my turn.”

(Hand: 1)

Turn 6: Sunset Shimmer (Hand: 2)

Draw. Wavering Eyes? Perfect.

“I play the Quick-Play Spell; Wavering Eyes. When activated, I destroy as many Pendulum cards on either players’ Pendulum Zones. Of course, I’m the only one with Pendulum, so I destroy Oafdragon and Wisdom-Eye Magician.”

The pillars holding the respective Magicians shattered, their forms fading away.

“Since I destroyed two cards; you take 500 points of damage,”

A gust picked up from behind Sunset, bringing with it a flurry of blood red petals that swarmed around Rainbow, reveling her forcefield.

Rainbow Dash Life Points: 3400 – 500 = 2900

“and I get to add one Pendulum Monster from my deck to my hand.” Another shuffle and her chosen card was provided. “Now that I have more than three Pendulum cards in my graveyard and Extra Deck, I can activate from my hand Pot of Riches. I return from the graveyard Odd-Eyes Luster and Spear Dragon, and from my Extra Deck Oafdragon Magician to my deck,” the three chosen cards were ejected from their respective ports, which she returned to her deck, the automated shuffler engaging, after which her Duel Disk screen blared green with ‘DRAW’. “This lets me draw two cards, but for the rest of the turn I can’t summon aside from Pendulum Summoning.” She fanned out the two cards she drew, almost breaking her poise in relief.

She placed on card in her hand and took a different one to join the one she drew, “I take the scale four Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon and scale eight Odd-Eyes Mirage Dragon to reset the Pendulum Scales!”

The scales were set anew; one the blue, boney-armored Odd-Eyes, the other the smaller green tusked Odd-Eyes. The six multicolored lights spun back in alignment between their respective pillars.

“Pendulum Summon! Come forth, my partner, the valiant dragon of dichromatic eyes! Level 7, Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon!”

In a glint of teal and orange, the red sauropodian dragon emerged from betwixt the scales, thrashing its neck whilst letting loose its own call. (Level 7, 2500/2000). As if acknowledging its new challenger, Stardust Dragon appeared to screech in response. This was an occurrence most odd, at least to those unaware.

“Odd-EyesPendulum Dragon’s strength is equal to Stardust’s, so you know it won’t do anything with Silver Wing equipped,” remarked Rainbow.

“I know. However, Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon’s Pendulum Effect comes into play: If I have an Odd-Eyes in my other Pendulum Zone, I can increase a battling Odd-Eyes monster’s attack points by 1200.”

Rainbow frowned, “Oh right, that’s what you used against Night last time.”

“Also when Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon battles a level five or higher monster, it inflicts double the battle damage.” Sunset pointed at the airborne Stardust, “To battle! I attack Stardust Dragon with Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon! Spiral Strike Burst!”

Odd-Eyes charged forth, bringing its sharply angular head down as its toothy maw accrued power (ATK: 2500 -> 3700). With a furious roar it lunged its head upwards, launching its swirling red breath attack towards its winged foe. Stardust responded in kind (ATK: 2500), accruing and launching its pure white beam, but it was pushed very much back by the stronger, fiercer attack by Odd-Eyes, the lither white dragon getting struck and tossed further up in the air. The intensifying sheen of its wings indicated Silver Wing’s effect saving it.

Rainbow Dash Life Points: 2900 – 2400 = 500

That did it! That attack just knocked Rainbow down to 500 Life Points. She’ll likely switch it to defense next turn and Silver Wing will keep it from being destroyed. But that gives me time to fortify. “I set one card, my turn ends.”

(Hand: 1)

Turn 7: Rainbow Dash (Hand: 1)

Rainbow, refusing to show weakness, grit her teeth underneath his lips as he reached for her next draw. I’m not done yet, Sunset!

In an equally vicious momentum, Rainbow drew her next card, the same blue blur trailing behind as the last. This could turn out tricky; she was inadvertently channeling her imbalanced force of will into her dueling. An impressive feat, let alone for one who was only vaguely aware behind the truth of Duel Monsters. Let alone without a spirit to guide her as one had Sunset and Twilight. Sunset felt the oddest form of emotion given the newly flared hostility; she felt strangely proud.

“I change Stardust Dragon to defense mode (DEF: 2000).” On command, Stardust furled its wings around itself, effectively encasing itself protectively within the effect of Silver Wing.

“I then activate the Continuous Spell; Mirage of Nightmare, then set one card. My turn ends.”

(Hand: 0)

Turn 8: Sunset Shimmer (Hand: 1)

Sunset drew, when the image of Mirage of Nightmare on Rainbow’s field flared up green, indicating its effect was triggered.

“During your Draw Phase, Mirage of Nightmare’s effect triggers; this lets me draw until I have four cards in my hand, but during my Stand-by Phase I have to ditch the same amount of cards I drew.”

“So, you replenish your hand, only to lose all of it? What’s the point?” asked Sunset, though she felt as if she’d seen this tactic somewhere before.

“Not quite; I play my set card next; Quick-Play Spell Emergency Provisions,” Rainbow’s set card unveiled itself. “This lets me send any number of spell and trap cards to the graveyard, to which I gain 1000 Life Points.” The image of Mirage of Nightmare was erased from the field.

Rainbow Dash Life Points: 500 + 1000 = 1500

Right, so she replenished both her hand and Life Points with that combo. The feel on invigoration she hadn’t felt since she last dueled Turner; she was legitimately facing someone her true equal now. A pity it would have to end.

“I sacrifice Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon to Tribute Summon from my hand,” as she declared her intent the floor underneath Odd-Eyes crackled and erupted in a red surge, the dragon letting loose a sky-splitting roar as its form became engulfed, “the level 8 Odd-Eyes Advance Dragon!”

From the pillar erupted a grand pair of red wings, the eruption dissipating to show off Odd-Eyes not so much gone, but once more ascended to a different form. The more adequately traditional four-limbed, winged dragon snarled down at the smaller Stardust. (Level 8, 3000/2500)

“That’s the one you used to beat Spitfire,” remarked Rainbow reservedly. Defiant to the end.

“That’s right: Odd-Eyes Advance Dragon can be Tribute Summoned for one sacrifice if the monster being used is level five or higher. When successfully summoned, I can destroy one monster on your side, and you take damage equal to that monster’s original attack points. Silver Wing might protect Stardust from destruction by battle, but not against effects!”

Rainbow swiftly seized a card in her hand and fed it into the graveyard port. From up above a ghostly apparition of a gender-ambiguous, teal-haired human with white wings appeared before Odd-Eyes Advance Dragon. They held forth their arms, followed by the dragon’s form becoming enshrouded in a mist-like covering.

“By discarding Effect Veiler from my hand, I negate Odd-Eyes Advance Dragon’s effects for this turn.”

Sunset almost had the gall to smirk. For what felt like all the wrong reasons; she was enjoying this spectacle. I still won’t let you catch me off guard. “With my Pendulum Scale still up, I Pendulum Summon back my monsters!”

The Scales opened up, two flashed bursting down to the ground.

“Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon (Level 7, 2500/2000) and the level four Wisdom Eye Magician. (Level 4, 1500/1500). Since attacking your monster now would be pointless, I end my turn.”

(Hand: 1)

Turn 9: Rainbow Dash (Hand: 3)

Now with Rainbow’s hand being reinforced due to Mirage of Nightmare, and having a monster particularly sturdy to get through, it could go either way this turn. As Rainbow drew, she barely took the time to acknowledge what she’d gotten as her drawing hand went down to her holding hand and with dexterous finger work snatched a card, slapping it onto her tray.

“I summon the Tuner Monster Righty Driver in attack mode!”

To Rainbow’s field arose a tiny humanoid robot: Its body was designed in the likeness of a little girl, though her near featureless steel grey armor plates lacked any details. The darker plates mimicking clothing and the soles on its little feet, combined with the flared out bright blue metal reminiscent of hair, complete with plate mimicking a tiara, looked like something out of Fluttershy’s shoujo mangas. It hovered off the ground, clinging with its right arm to what appeared to be an oversized Phillips-head pen screwdriver. (Level 1, 100/300)

“Now that I have a Tuner on the field, I can Special Summon from my hand the Level 1 Boost Warrior.”

Slapping another card to her tray, to her field arose a man-sized humanoid. Largely human-like, with a head of wild, red hair, largely encase in a heft purplish-blue armor, his sleek, overtly muscled abdomen visible, but the profuse amounts of scarring and bulging indicated he might have been largely just machine than flesh. His tubular arms held pincer-like apparatuses, likely some form of weapons. (Level 1, 300/200)

“Since you control monsters that are over level five, I can Special Summon from my hand Junk Giant in attack mode!”

A third card wound up on the tray from her hand. This next monster was much larger and heftier than Rainbow’s usual small and swift arsenal she was known for: It was a ten-foot-tall robot: Its main body composed of a hefty sphere with the front taken up by a spinning cog; at the very center of which stared a single lens meant to be an eye. Attached via balljoints to its sides were hefty, tubular arms, ending in massive metallic hands, the backs being studded by oval red gem-like apparatuses. Underneath on a curved extension were linked a pair of hefty, boxy legs, and from its back protruded a pair of tubes with conical tips. Incessant bursts of hissing steam erupted from the seams of these tubes. (Level 6, 2000/2400)

Sunset observed the field curiously. That’s a total level of eight. This means she’s going to summon something particularly large. Glancing at the defending Stardust Dragon made her ponder at the possibilities of what it could be.

“Righty Driver’s monster effect allows me to substitute her as a specific Synchron Tuner; as such I shall be using her as if she were Junk Synchron. I now tune the level one Righty Driver to the level one Boost Warrior and level six Junk Giant!”

With a spin along her oversized screwdriver, Righty Driver generated a single tuning ring, whilst Boost Warrior and Junk Giant arose in alignment, their combined power coming to literal light as their forms faded, unveiling seven glowing orbs.

(Level 1 + 1 + 6 = 8)

“Beaten and broken, courage still lives on. Combine in your power, and break down your obstacle with awesome might.”

“Synchro Summon! Level 8, ‘Junk Destroyer’!”

With a resounding boom upon touching down on the roof, Rainbows new, hefty monster stood up. Towering at an impossible twelve feet, body encase in sheening black metal with bronze trims with great red spikes jutting up from its knee joints. A quintet of gems lining its chest, four of them green, with the largest central one being a fiery red. It boasted four massive arms, and the very top was a head covered in a brazen crown-like helm. This was all framed by a massive steel X attached to its back. (Level 8, 2600/2500)

Sunset recognized it. “That’s a card you used against Twilight when…”

“When summoned, Junk Destroyer can destroy a card for each non-tuner monster used to summon it: I’ll destroy your Safe Zone, to which the monster it is targeted towards is also destroyed.”

“I don’t think so!” Twilight slid a card into her graveyard slot. “I send Effect Veiler to the graveyard.”

“That’s right. But unlike last time; there’s no Effect Veiler to be used on it. And if you’re thinking of using that set card to counter it; Junk Giant prevents a Synchro Summoning from being negated, and you can’t use cards or effects in response.” Rainbow stated determinedly. “So now with two non-Tuners being used, Junk Destroyer can destroy two cards on your field; I choose Odd-Eyes Advance Dragon, and your Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon from bothering me further!”

Junk Destroyer raised its quartet of arms and with a mighty grunt slammed them down to the floor. Two fissures began to loudly snake their way towards their intended targets, when spouts of flame erupted from beneath the two dragons. Odd-Eyes Advance roared in pain as it was engulfed, while the pillar holding Odd-Eyes Phantom shattered, thus severing the Pendulum Scales.

“Now you don’t have that annoying power boost to complicate things! I switch Stardust Dragon to attack position.” Rainbow harshly pointed at Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon. “Junk Destroyer attacks Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon!”

Rushing across the field, Junk Destroyer (ATK: 2600) revved back its right-side arms and swung them forth in a double-impact so fierce it sent ripples of force as they connected with Odd-Eyes (ATK:2500). The dragon had nary a moment as it form splintered into pixels.

Sunset Shimmer Life Points: 2750 – 100 = 2650

“I activate Odd-Eyes Mirage Dragon’s Pendulum Effect!” Sunset responded, Mirage Dragon’s pillar sparking green. “When an Odd-Eyes Pendulum Monster is destroyed, by destroying another Odd-Eyes card in my Pendulum Zone; I can place one Odd-Eyes Pendulum Monster from my Extra Deck to my Pendulum Zone. I place Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon.”

Rainbow seemed to visibly mutter something as the sauropodian dragon found its place in the Pendulum Zone. “Stardust Dragon then attacks Wisdom Eye Magician! Shooting Sonic!”

Stardust Dragon drew in energy (ATK: 2500) and launched its now overly familiar beam of rippling light at the hunched Wisdom Eye Magician (DEF: 1500). The beam struck home and detonated the very ground before him, leaving nothing behind.

Rainbow looked at the last card in her hand; Defense Draw. If Sunset managed to rebound, at least she might stall her enough and come up with some form of counter attack. Her Life Points were at least over a thousand.

“I set one card. My turn ends.

(Hand: 0)

Turn 10: Sunset Shimmer (Hand: 1)

Sunset drew. With that focused burst of pure willpower, Rainbow managed to inflict serious damage to her field: Her Pendulum Scale was offset, her strongest monster by pure, raw power alone was gone and even if she managed to reset the scales, Odd-Eyes would be unable to pierce through Stardust Dragon’s Silver Wing, let alone Junk Destroyer trumped most Odd-Eyes in terms of power.

Despite being confined to the Pendulum Zone where monsters remained more stationary, Odd-Eyes stirred within its pillar, roaring fiercely. This had an affect on Stardust Dragon, which seemed to reciprocate, letting loose its own screeching call. This was not something normal, as evidenced by Rainbow noticing this bizarre reaction occurring before them. Were their dragons actively rearing to go at each other?

That’s when Sunset gasped as she felt her vision blur. This again?!

Finding herself within what she might deem as some form of mind- or soulscape, underneath the winding roots of the Tree of Harmony, two of the orbs has become active: Purple and magenta, orange and blue, now a third duo of spiraling roots had lit up the third and final orb: This one red and pink. Whatever stirred within; this one was more restless than the others: She could make out a small, writing serpentine shape with… Were they wings, protruding from its back? The only definitive she could gleam was a vibrant green glow of two eyes, when a guttural, feral roar shook the chamber.

“Let them be your power, Sunset Shimmer.”

Sunset gasped as her mind broke back into consciousness. Across the roof she could hear Rainbow calling out to her;

“Hey! What’s going on?! Did you just…?” she visibly struggled to find whatever word she was looking for.

Sunset however; she found her mind and body might not have been fully in sync yet, as what would occur next came what felt like unconscious movements controlled by something greater.

“I take the scale eight White Wing Magician to reset the Pendulum Scale,” Sunset declared, the compulsion of some latent instruction driving her onwards.

Resetting the scale was a lithe, peach-skinned human woman with neck-length pink hair: Garbed in a dress that would make Rarity fawn; it carried an intricate pattern of white, blue and black, with transparent teal sides to the hem, and elegant black and blue shoulder-length gloves that flared out at the ends opening to her hands. A white, pointed hat with a blue streak going through its center, slightly slanted. In one hand she held a scepter with brilliant emerald wings at its head, and on her back were a pair of translucent wing-like extensions.

Sunset slid the final card of her hand into the spell and trap port, “Quick-play Spell; Pendulum Shift. I choose one card in my Pendulum Zone and change its scale anywhere from one to ten. I thus change Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon’s scale to eight, letting me summon any monsters between one to eight.”

Rainbow did not fully understand what was happening. First their monsters were responding to something beyond the system. Then Sunset seemed to space out, only to come out with something entirely new. She swallowed, glancing down in hopes her set card would save her as it had done before.

This…? Is this true Duel Monsters?

“The swing of the pendulum connecting two worlds draws out the arc of harmony.”

“Pendulum Summon! Come forth, my monsters!”

Three lights cast down from the scales.

“Level 7, Odd-Eyes Phantom Dragon (2500/2000). Level 3, Odd-Eyes Mirage Dragon (1200/600). And Level 4, Wisdom Eye Magician (1500/1500).”

Sunset then tapped her screen, unveiling her set card; “Continuous Trap; Pendulum Switch. With this, once each turn, I can take a card in my Pendulum Zone and Special Summon it to my field.” The revealed card flared up; its conditions met. “I Special Summon the Tuner Monster White Wing Magician. (Level 4, 1600/1400)

Rainbow’s eyes widened, “T-Tuner?!”

“I tune my level four White Wing Magician to the level three Odd-Eyes Mirage Dragon.”

Raising her scepter alight, in an upward pattern, the six wings of her scepter lit up, White Wing Magician’s form faded to unleash the tuning rings. Odd-Eyes Mirage Dragon snarled as its form was dragged up by some unseen force, unveiling the three orbs representing its level. The four rings aligned with the stars.

(Level 4 + 3 = 7)

“Dragon of dichromatic eyes, high above the arc of harmony: Descend from on high, and bring me your flame of courage.”

The stars burst out with an intense pillar of light: Most telling was that it was a vibrant red instead of white.

“Synchro Summon! Impact; level 7, Odd-Eyes Meteorburst Dragon!”

Something red and flaming shot out from the pillar and struck down with a booming impact. Arising from its self-made crater, a fiery orangish-red head arose with a deafening roar, glints of crimson and azure shining from underneath. The new dragon, though very similar to Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon’s form, was covered in elegantly curving armor reminiscent as if flames had solidified around its purple hide underneath. The sharp crescents upon its back had split into four and formed a cross-shape around its frame. A great blue gem was enveloped within its armor over its chest, its armor forcing it to stand more upright. (Level 7, 2500/2000)

“When Odd-Eyes Meteorburst Dragon is successfully Special Summoned, it allows me to Special Summon one card in my Pendulum Zone. Come before me, my companion; Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon!”

Odd-Eyes Meteorburst Dragon revved its neck and let loose a call; the gem in its chest glowing the color of the scales. The pillar representing the Pendulum Scales shattered, and with another boom, Odd-Eyes Pendulum Dragon joined its kin on the field. (Level 7, 2500/2000)

“Now, with the level seven Odd-Eyes Pendulum and Phantom Dragon on the field, I use them to construct the Overlay Network!”

“Fusion, Synchro, and Xyz?! It’s just like during the Fall Formal Championship.”

The two Odd-Eyes devolved into swathes of red and blue lights which shot up and dove into the nebular opening before Sunset. Before anything else, a violently spreading gaggle of icicles began to enshroud and overwhelm it.

“Dragon of dichromatic eyes, underneath the arc of harmony: Arise from the cold depths into the light.”

“Xyz Summon! Break forth; rank 7, Odd-Eyes Absolute Dragon!”

The ice shattered as the ice-armored Odd-Eyes Absolute Dragon veritably roared away the obstruction, its long tail snaking behind its sauropodian body before settling in a semi-curve. (Rank 7, 2800/2500)

“Battle!” Sunset declared. “Odd-Eyes Absolute Dragon attacks Junk Destroyer! Spiral Absolute Burst!”

Odd-Eyes Absolute Dragon revved its neck in a circular motion (ATK: 2800), its maw alighting with an orb of pure cold, which it then launched at Junk Destroyer (ATK: 2600). The giant multi-armed warrior became encased in violently forming patches of ice, until its form was entirely encased before erupting violently, many shards about to pelter Rainbow.

“Trap card; Defense Draw!” Rainbow responded, the shards disappearing before impacting. “I negate the damage from one attack and draw a card.”

Sunset looked un-movingly at her foe, “Turn over.”

(Hand: 0)

Turn 11: Rainbow Dash (Hand: 1)

Rainbow drew her next card. While the attack itself could not have cost her the duel, keeping away as much damage as possible towards this point was crucial, and the addition to her hand was nothing to scoff at, now having two as opposed to one, versus zero in Sunset’s case.

The fact Sunset once again pulled what should have been impossible against all logic over what went into building her new deck; it made Rainbow doubt much of what she believed. How could her devotion be weaker than Sunset’s?

She looked over her hand; Half Shut… And Battle Tuned! And Sunset had left Wisdom Eye Magician in attack position. No, she could do this. She demanded the truth, about what was going on, and was Sunset possibly involved in what happened to Scootaloo. She could do this; she could win!

For Scootaloo “To battle! I attack Wisdom Eye Magician with Stardust Dragon!”

As Stardust pulled back its head to begin charging the final blow (ATK: 2500), Rainbow worked swiftly, inserting one card into her duel disk:

“Quick-play Spell; Battle Tuned! I banish one Tuner Monster from my graveyard, then add its original attack points to a monster on my field!” A card was ejected from her graveyard port, “I banish Junk Changer, and increase Stardust Dragon’s attack by 1500!”

Stardust’s accruing power rippled further as the strength of Junk Changer was channeled into it, the air around the silver-shining dragon distorting. (ATK: 2500 + 1500 = 4000)

“This is it, Stardust! Finish this! Shooting Sonic!”

The feeling of elation was soaring in her chest as Stardust Dragon launched its attack (ATK: 4000) at the puny Magician (ATK: 1500). Now she just needed to activate Half Shut and it was done. Sunset Shimmer, defeated. Not by Spitfire or Lightning Dust with their personalized squabbling over domination. It was her; like Twilight Sparkle did so before to save everyone, so too would Rainbow Dash with her devotion, to unveil the truth, to protect everyone. Loyalty, to the very end…

The pit of her stomach felt as if it had struck the floor as one of the orbs revolving around Odd-Eyes Absolute Dragon erred and embedded into its form.

“Odd-Eyes Absolute Dragon’s effect: When a player attacks, by removing one Overlay Unit, I negate the attack. Then I can Special Summon one Odd-Eyes monster from my hand or graveyard.”

She didn’t have any cards in her hand, so it had to be the graveyard. Advance Dragon? No, it was no threat; it could only trigger its destruction effect on being Tribute Summoned. And if it could, Silver Wing could be sacrificed to precent Stardust’s Destruction. The only other Odd-Eyes monster she had in the graveyard was…!

“I Special Summon Odd-Eyes Vortex Dragon!”

Arising from a golden-rimmed portal, the green and gold Odd-Eyes of the storm winds arose to join its Synchro and Xyz kin. (Level 7, 2500/3000)

“When Special Summoned, Odd-Eyes Vortex Dragon lets me return one attack position monster to the hand.” Almost as if accusing her of something, Sunset pointed at her, a stern frown on her face, “Your Silver Wing only protects from attacks. Therefore, I return your Stardust Dragon to the Extra Deck.”

Rainbow’s breath halted in her chest as Vortex Dragon unleashed its effect dead-set onto Stardust. Her ace monster, defiant to the end attempted to fight the impossible storm. The shining aura from its wings literally, very literally, shattered like glass as Silver Wing was sent to the graveyard, and Stardust’s form vanished from the field.

She made the exact same mistake as Lightning Dust; she gave into her desire to win to the point of not considering the possibilities of something hidden underneath the surface. Sunset wasn’t in any trouble; she might have even left Wisdom Eye Magician on the field to dare her to attack. That thing, Odd-Eyes Absolute Dragon, another mystery dragon she hadn’t even seen before, as well as Meteorburst Dragon that helped summon it, together bringing up Vortex Dragon to win Sunset the duel.

Rainbow, to her frustration and anger, felt her legs give in, falling to her knees, the three dragons looming over her; enormous beasts ready to pounce on the helpless little thing she was now. Half Shut was rendered entirely worthless. It would halve one’s attack strength, but it wouldn’t save her: Each of them had an attack strength of over two thousand. Just Wisdom Eye Magician alone could end her, if Sunset was feeling particularly demeaning towards her.

For all her convictions and feeling, or rather knowing her drive was right, she couldn’t do it. She lost, just like everyone else. She fell further forward, to her arms, one hand a fist, the other gnarled over the concrete and her useless card. Those same words everyone else had uttered motioned on her lips.

“I had you…”

(Hand: 1)

Equestria Girls: Duel Monsters Arc 2

by Night-Quill

Prologue: Night Hunters

Duel #23: A New Start (Edited 28.4.2020)

Duel #24: Awakening: Sunset Shimmer vs. The Great and Powerful Trixie (Edited 28.4.2020)

Duel #25: The Pendulum Between Two Worlds (Edited 28.4.2020)

Duel #26: Pendulum Summon (Edited 28.4.2020)

Duel #27: Hunting Game Begins: Volcanic Assault (Edited 28.4.2020)

Duel 28: Bad Girls: Dokurorider Reborn (Edited 28.4.2020)

Duel #29: Dokurorider Ascended (Edited 28.4.2020)

Duel #30: Sinner or Redeemed (Edited 28.4.2020)

Duel #31: New Arrivals

Duel #32: New Arrivals pt. 2

Duel #33: Power Grows: Odd-Eyes vs. Ancient Gears

Duel #34: The Doctor

Duel #35: Frozen Time: Odd-Eyes Absolute Dragon

Duel #36: Between World: A Letter From the Princess

Duel #37: Lies and Consequences: Sunset vs. Rainbow

Duel #37: Lies and Consequences: Sunset vs. Rainbow, Part 2