“Duel!”

Twilight Sparkle: LP 4000. Rainbow Dash: LP 4000.

“It’s my party, so I go first!” said Rainbow. “Draw! I summon Neo Flamvell Sabre!" A flaming haired biped, wielding a burning sword appeared, slashing his sword dramatically. [ATK1500. LV4] "If my opponent has less than 4 cards in their Graveyard, Sabre gains 600 ATK! [ATK2100] I set two cards and end my turn.”

“My turn,” said Twilight. “Draw!” ‘Hmm, Dash focuses on brute force more than strategy, so maybe I should…’

“Ugh,” groaned Rainbow. “Now I remember why I don’t duel you. You take forever to do anything. Applejack, could you and Pinkie fetch the cake? We might as well eat it now, considering how long this will take.”

“You are seriously over reacting to this,” sighed Twilight. “You know, you’d do good to strategize, too. I activate the Field Spell, Magical Citadel of Endymion!" The apple orchard disappeared, and a large stone tower rose up where the barn once was. Nearby, four magical alters resembling gazebos rose up, forming a square around the tower. Inside the square's perimeter, a small village of stone cottages appeared. "Then I set a Monster in defense. I end my turn with two more set cards.”

“My turn,” said Rainbow. “Draw! I summon Flamvell Archer!" Another flaming haired biped appeared. This one was armed with a red bow and burning arrows. [ATK1000. LV3] "I tune my level 3 Flamvell Archer to my level 4 Neo Flamvell Sabre! Ancient god of fire, burn my adversaries to a crisp! Synchro Summon! Ancient Flamvell Deity!” In a repeat from last time, Ancient Flamvell Deity rose up from a pillar of light. [ATK2500. LV7]

“My Graveyard is empty,” said Twilight. “So your monster’s effect can’t activate.”

“What?” asked Rainbow. “Oh, uh, right. I knew that. But still, I have a Synchro Monster out, so…”

“You won’t have it for long,” said Twilight. “Trap activate! Bottomless Trap Hole! When my opponent summons a monster with over 1500 ATK, I destroy and banish it!”

“Not so fast!” said Rainbow.

“I thought you wanted me to go faster,” muttered Twilight.

“Counter-Trap, Flamvell Counter! By banishing a FIRE monster with 200 or less defense from my Graveyard, like my Flamvell Archer, I can negate the activation of my opponent’s Spell or Trap, and destroy it! I negate Bottomless Trap Hole!”

“Well then,” said Twilight. “You did have something planned.”

“Battle!” said Rainbow. “Ancient Flamvell Deity, attack Twilight’s set Monster!”

“Quick-Play Spell, Enemy Controller!” countered Twilight. “I switch your Ancient Flamvell Deity to defense, stopping it’s attack! [DEF200] Then, since a Spell Card was activated, Magical Citadel of Endymion gains a Spell Counter!” A ring of enchanted runes written in light appeared around the tower, slowly circling it to mark the place a small, barely noticeable black stone appeared on the tower itself. [Spell Counter: 1]

“Hmph,” snorted Rainbow. “Turn end.”

“My turn,” said Twilight. “Draw! I activate Swords of Revealing Light! Until my opponent’s third End Phase after I play this, this card will remain on the field. As long as it’s on the field, you can’t attack! Plus, Magical Citadel of Endymion gains another Spell Counter since I activated a Spell card!” Another ring of runes appeared to mark the location of another small, black stone. [Spell Counter: 2]

“My turn,” said Rainbow. “Draw! I activate Monster Reborn to Special Summon Neo Flamvell Sabre from the Graveyard!” [ATK1500. LV4]

“Since you activated a Spell,” said Twilight, “another Spell Counter is added to Magical Citadel of Endymion!” Yet another ring of runes appeared alongside another black stone. [Spell Counter: 3]

“Yeah, yeah,” said Rainbow. “Whatever. I summon Neo Flamvell Origin!" A small ball of blue flames, cased in a protective coating of red flames ignited on Rainbow's field. [ATK500. LV2] "I tune my level 2 Neo Flamvell Origin to my level 4 Neo Flamvell Sabre!" Origin turned into two green rings, as Sabre became the stars to channel the Synchro Summon. "Burning flames of my heart, pierce through my opponent’s defenses! Synchro Summon! Flamvell Uruquizas!” A large biped, with fists coated in flames rose up out of the pillar of light. [ATK2100. LV6]

“Another Synchro Summon?” gasped Rarity.

“Being a little too aggressive, RD?” asked Applejack.

“Be quiet,” snapped Rainbow. “I switch Ancient Flamvell Deity back into attack position. [ATK2500] Turn end.” [Swords of Revealing Light: 1]

“My turn,” said Twilight. “Draw! I activate the Continuous-Spell, Spell Absorption! Whenever a Spell Card is activated, I’ll gain 500 Life Points! Then, since I played another Spell Card, Magical Citadel of Endymion gains another Spell Counter!” [Spell Counter: 4]

“My turn,” said Rainbow. “Draw! I activate Mystical Space Typhoon! I destroy Swords of Revealing Light!”

“Since you activated a Spell card,” said Twilight, “Magical Citadel of Endymion gains a Spell Counter and I gain 500 Life Points!” [Spell Counter: 5] [Twilight Sparkle: LP 4000 –> 4500]

“Big deal,” shrugged Rainbow. “I can attack again. Battle! Flamvell Uruquizas attacks your set Monster! When Flamvell Uruquizas battles a defense position Monster with DEF less than his ATK, Piercing Damage is inflicted!” Uruquizas' fists burned hotter as he punched straight through Twilight's defense. [DEF800. LV2]

“Gah! [Twilight Sparkle: LP 4500 –> 3200] Apprentice Magician’s effect! When destroyed by battle, he allows me to set a level 2 or lower Spellcaster-Type Monster from my deck! I set another Apprentice Magician!”

“When Flamvell Uruquizas deals Battle Damage, he gains 300 ATK! [ATK2400] Ancient Flamvell Deity attacks your set Monster!” Ancient Flamvell Deity summoned a wall of flames, which he then sent crashing down onto Twilight's field.

“And I get another level 2 or lower Spellcaster-Type Monster!” said Twilight. “I set Old Vindictive Magician!”

“Turn end.”

“My turn,” said Twilight. “Draw! I Flip Summon Old Vindictive Magician!" A hunched over, wrinkled biped appeared, wielding a staff with a black stone lodged in it. [ATK450. LV2] "This activates his Flip Effect, allowing me to destroy one Monster my opponent controls! I destroy Ancient Flamvell Deity!” The stone glowed purple, shrouding Ancient Flamvell Deity in purple aura. Old Vindictive Magician gestured with the staff, and Flamvell Deity was destroyed.

“No!” gasped Rainbow. “Well, whatever. You can’t change a Monster’s battle position twice on the same turn, so you just left a low ATK Monster out for me to destroy.”

“I’m not done, Rainbow,” said Twilight. “I activate Monster Reborn to Special Summon Apprentice Magician back to the Field.” [ATK400. LV2]

“And Twilight’s Field Spell gets another Spell Counter, right?” asked Fluttershy. [Spell Counter: 6]

“Not only that,” said Twilight, “but Spell Absorption increases my Life Points by another 500! [Twilight Sparkle: LP 3200 –> 3700] Then, I release my two Monsters to Advance Summon Endymion, the Master Magician!” A large, cloaked and armored biped armed with a staff rose up. His staff ended in a crescent shape, a black stone floating inside it. Adorning his armor and cloak were more of these stones. A large metal ring rested on his back, containing even more of these magical black stones. [ATK2700. LV7]

“Uh oh,” said Rainbow.

“It gets worse,” smiled Twilight. “By discarding a Spell Card from my hoof, Endymion can destroy one card on the Field. I discard Field Barrier to destroy Flamvell Uruquizas!” The stone in the staff glowed. Upon Endymion's command, a bolt of purple energy shot out, striking Uruquizas.

“No!” gasped Rainbow.

“Endymion, attack Rainbow directly!” said Twilight. “Spell Counter Cataclysm!” Every stone on Endymion glowed with a magical aura, charging up his staff as he sent out a blast of magic.

“Gah!” [Rainbow Dash: LP 4000 –> 1300]

“With that, I end my turn,” said Twilight.

“My turn,” said Rainbow. “Draw! Heh, gotcha, Twilight.”

“What do you mean?”

“I activate Dark Hole! All monsters on the Field are destroyed!”

“The only monster on the Field is Endymion,” said Rarity.

“Well,” said Applejack, “it’s not there anymore.”

“I gain another 500 Life Points thanks to Spell Absorption,” said Twilight, “and my Magical Citadel of Endymion gets another Spell Counter!” [Spell Counter: 7] [Twilight Sparkle: LP 3700 –> 4200]

“And now that the Field is open,” said Rainbow, “I activate my Continuous-Trap, Call of the Haunted! With this, I Special Summon Ancient Flamvell Deity back to the Field!” [ATK2500. LV7]

“So Twi is gonna take 2500 points of damage, huh?” asked Applejack.

“Nope,” smiled Rainbow. “She’ll take more. Thanks again for your present, Twilight.”

“You mean…” began Twilight.

“I’m about to summon him?” finished Rainbow. “Yeah. I summon the Tuner Monster, Attack Gainer!" A red haired, jumpsuit wearing biped now stood in front of Rainbow. [ATK0. LV1] "I tune my level 1 Attack Gainer to my level 7 Ancient Flamvell Deity!" Attack Gainer became the green Tuning Ring, while Ancient Flamvell Deity became the stars to channel through it. "The ruler’s heartbeats now file through here! Take witness to its creation-shaking power! Synchro Summon! Red Demon’s Dragon!” A spinning torrent of flames surrounded a red and black dragon, with three large horns upon his head. He spread his wings to dispel the flames, roaring to the sky, bearing his claws. [ATK3000. LV8]

“Eep!” gasped Fluttershy, ducking behind Rarity.

“It’s not real, darling,” said Rarity. “It’s just Solid Vision.”

“I know,” mumbled Fluttershy. “It just startled me.”

“Uh, sorry, Shy!” called Rainbow. “Anyway, Twilight. Like I said before. Thanks for the gift. Red Demon’s Dragon, direct attack! Absolute Power Force!” Flames of energy engulfed on of Red Demon's' claws. With a roar, he slammed his claw into Twilight.

“Gah!” winced Twilight, skidding backwards from the impact. [Twilight Sparkle: LP 4200 –> 1200]

“I set a card,” said Rainbow. “Turn end.”

“My turn,” said Twilight. “Draw! I activate the effect of Endymion, the Master Magician from my Graveyard! I can Special Summon him by removing 6 Spell Counters from Magical Citadel of Endymion!” The ring of runes vanished, as the tower sent out a burst of six purple lights. The lights collided and from the collision, Endymion appeared. [Spell Counter: 1] [ATK2700. LV7]

“What!?” gasped Rainbow.

“Furthermore,” smiled Twilight. “When I Special Summon him like this, I can add a Spell Card from my Graveyard to my hoof. I add Monster Reborn!”

“Continuous-Trap activate!” countered Rainbow. “Fiendish Chain! I target an effect monster on the Field and negate its effects as well as stop it from attacking! I negate the effects of your so-called Master Magician!” Chains launched up from the ground, ensnaring Endymion.

“What!?” gasped Twilight.

“How’s that for strategy, Twilight?” asked Rainbow.

“Not bad,” said Twilight. “But still expected. I activate Monster Reborn!”

“Go ahead and do that,” shrugged Rainbow. “It won’t do much good, anyway. All Monsters in either of our Graveyards are weaker than Red Demon’s Dragon.”

“That may be true,” said Twilight. “But you’re assuming my final goal is in the Graveyard.”

“Hm?”

“I Special Summon Attack Gainer!” [ATK0. LV1]

“My Tuner Monster?” mumbled Rainbow.

“She’s going for a Synchro Summon, huh?” said Rarity.

“Rainbow, I got the cake!” called Pinkie. “No thanks to Apple- wait, what’s going on? What did I miss?”

“Pinkie,” said Rainbow, “did you take my teasing of Twilight literally?”

“Uh… That would be a yes.”

“Well, you made it back in time for me to win!” said Twilight. “First, since I played a Spell Card, I gain another Spell Counter and 500 Life Points. [Spell Counter: 2] [Twilight Sparkle: LP 1200 –> 1700] I tune my level 1 Attack Gainer to my level 7 Endymion, the Master Magician!" Once again, Attack Gainer became a green Tuning ring, while Endymion took on the role of becoming the stars to channel the Synchro Summon. "Clustering wishes will create a shining new star! Become the path its light shines upon! Synchro Summon! Take flight, Stardust Dragon!” Spinning from the light came a white and blue dragon. Upon spreading its large wings, a shower of sparkles went flying out. With a roar, the dragon circled the field, before dramatically landing in front of Twilight. [ATK2500. LV8]

“Ooh,” said Rarity, “how beautiful…”

“A bit flashy for mah tastes,” mumbled Applejack. “But Ah suppose it’s right up yer ally, Rare.”

“Thanks to Attack Gainer’s effect,” said Twilight, “since he was used in a Synchro Summon, your Red Demon’s Dragon loses 1000 ATK!”

“Crap!” said Rainbow. [ATK2000]

“Battle!” said Twilight. “Stardust Dragon, attack Red Demon’s Dragon! Shooting Sonic!” Stardust breathed a blast of white energy out at Red Demon's Dragon. The energy engulfed and burned him away, continuing on to strike Rainbow Dash.

“Gah!” winced Rainbow, getting tossed back by the impact. [Rainbow Dash: LP 1300 –> 800]

“And I thought I was dramatic,” said Rarity.

What the hay was that? thought Rainbow. Did that attack actually send me flying?

“Turn end,” said Twilight.

“Twilight,” mumbled Rainbow, “just what are these dragons?”

“What do you mean?” asked Twilight.

Rainbow sighed. “Never mind. My turn, draw! I activate Synchro Super Nova! I banish a FIRE Attribute Synchro Monster from my Graveyard, to destroy a Monster my opponent controls! Then, my opponent takes damage equal to the destroyed Monster’s ATK! I banish Flamvell Uruquizas to destroy Stardust Dragon!”

“Stardust Dragon’s effect!” countered Twilight. “By releasing her, I can negate an effect that would destroy a card on the Field and destroy that card! Victim Sanctuary!” Stardust let out a roar, as she dissolved into a shower of sparkles.

“No!” gasped Rainbow. “Well, whatever. Stardust is gone, at least, so I might have a chance. Turn end!”

“Sorry, Rainbow,” said Twilight, with a soft smile. “Stardust Dragon’s effect! During the End Phase of the turn Stardust was released by her own effect, I Special Summon her from the Graveyard!” In another shower of sparks, Stardust flew up, dramatically spinning again and announcing her return with yet another roar. [ATK2500. LV8]

“Are you kidding me?” muttered Rainbow.

“My turn,” said Twilight. “Battle! Stardust Dragon, direct attack! Shooting Sonic!” Once more, Stardust sent out a blast of white energy. The attack engulfed Rainbow Dash, sending her flying.

“Gah!” [Rainbow Dash: LP 800 –> 0]

“Oh,” mumbled Fluttershy. “Poor Rainbow.”

“I lost again,” muttered Rainbow. “And on my birthday, too.”

“I’m sorry, Rainbow,” said Twilight. “But it was a good game, right?”

“I guess,” said Rainbow, before giving a small smile. “Congrats, Twilight.”

“Well, that was fun!” said Pinkie. “But we should probably eat this cake before it melts. It is an ice cream cake, after all.”

“I’m up for some cake,” said Rarity, as everypony moved over to the picnic table.

“Where did you get these cards, anyway?” asked Applejack.

“I found them stuck in a book, actually,” said Twilight. “I guess somepony used them as a bookmark or something.”

“Why would anypony do that?” asked Fluttershy.

“Was it at least an interesting book?” asked Rainbow.

“If you find the ancient history of Duel Monsters interesting, then yes,” said Twilight.

“Who could find that interesting?” yawned Rainbow. “Aside from you, of course.”

“Cheerilee, apparently,” said Twilight. “She was the one who borrowed the book from me.”

“And she was the one who put the cards in?” asked Rarity.

“Actually,” said Twilight, “she didn’t. She told me she’s never seen them before in her life.”

“Huh,” said Pinkie. “Weird. Oh well, one of life’s mysteries, I suppose. Like the mystery of where the bathwater goes when you pull the plug.”

“The sewers, Pinkie,” said Rarity.

“Really?” asked Pinkie. “Darn. Thanks for ruining the mystery, Rarity.”

Speaking of mystery, thought Twilight, these cards seem to be getting more mysterious by the minute. Just what exactly is up with this cards?

Author's Notes:

I did invent some cards for the fic, such as Synchro Super Nova. I try to limit the amount of cards I make up, though.