“Good morning, Twilight,” said Rarity, trotting into the library.

“Morning, Rarity,” Twilight yawned in reply. She was sitting in the middle of the floor, surrounded by books.

“Good morning, Rarity,” said Fluttershy. She and Rainbow Dash were sitting at a nearby table, looking over D-Wheel schematics.

“How long have you two been here?” Rarity asked.

“Since last night,” said Rainbow. “It’s top priority that we get Twilight a better D-Wheel for the WRGP. I mean, do you want to be seen on a team with a generic store model?”

“You don’t have to keep insulting it, Rainbow,” said Twilight.

“Um,” said Rarity, biting her lip, “maybe not so rudely, but you know, constructive criticism is always useful.”

“What is constructive about this at all?” Twilight asked.

“Twilight, let’s be serious,” said Rarity. “For somepony with a tight budget or who is first learning about D-Wheels, yes, I can see wanting to go for the basic model, but you managed to defeat Ghost, AND you have friends capable of building you better looking D-Wheels. And at a low budget, too!”

“Thank you, Rarity,” smiled Rainbow.

“Yeah, thanks,” muttered Twilight.

“So if Rainbow and Fluttershy are working on your D-Wheel’s new design, what are you doing?”

“Trying to find info on what Ghost could be,” said Twilight.

“He was a machine, wasn’t he?” said Rarity.

“Yes, but the thing is, even with all the advancements we’ve made in technology over the course of a few years, to have a machine that sophisticated is unheard of. Considering the metal used to assemble it is of Equestrian origins, it's unlikely he was made by a Duel Spirit.”

“But if we had the stuff to make something like that in Equestria all this time, couldn’t it be made whenever?”

“I don’t think it quite works that way,” said Rarity.

“Actually, she’s right,” said Twilight.

“She is?!” Rarity gasped.

“I am?” Rainbow asked.

“Sort of,” said Twilight. “Although the technology to make it would need to be made first, which would of course require certain technology to be made to make that, the materials were always present, so…”

“If somepony was smart enough, they could advance technology fast enough to build Ghost?” Fluttershy finished.

“Yes,” said Twilight. “That’s how D-Wheels and Duel Disks were made as fast as they were. Scientists in Baltimare and Canterlot knew what they wanted the technology to do and were able to piece together what they needed to work on to produce results. It took a lot of trial and error, and they’re still coming out with improvements. But Ghost had a fully functioning AI with intelligence and thoughts on par with living ponies.”

“AI?” Rarity repeated.

“Artificial Intelligence,” Twilight clarified. "To make an AI like that sounds like pure science fiction."

“Well, while you two talk about Ghost,” said Rainbow, “Fluttershy and I are going to go look at D-Wheel parts. We want to know how much it will cost to improve the build of yours.”

“Bye,” waved Fluttershy, as the two pegasi trotted out the door.

Rarity gave a small smile, and turned towards Twilight.

“Don’t even start,” said Twilight. “You’ve already completely convinced Spike those two are together with your crazy theories. I can’t even have him in the library when they visit now.”

“It’s not crazy,” said Rarity. “Trust me, they’ll confess their relationship to us one day, and I’ll be there. There to rub it in.”

"We'll see," said Twilight.

Rarity sat down next to Twilight. "So where is Spike?"

“Visiting Apple Bloom and the other Crusaders,” said Twilight. “I’m hoping he can get something out of them. I’ve been pretty worried.”

“What’s there to worry about?” Rarity asked.

“Has Sweetie Belle said anything about the Dark Signer incident since they came back?”

“No,” said Rarity. She paused in thought. “…that is troubling, actually.”

“Exactly,” said Twilight. “Anypony would be traumatized after going through something like that. I myself had nightmares for weeks. But they…” Twilight trailed off as a loud yawn escaped her mouth.

“I’ll let you rest, Twilight,” said Rarity, standing up and trotting towards the door. “Thanks for bringing this all to my attention.”

Twilight nodded as the door closed, giving a weary glance at all the books she had on the floor, before trotting up towards her bedroom.

Rarity was riding her D-Wheel along the highways, trying to clear her head. Sweetie Belle would tell me if she was still upset by that incident, wouldn’t she? Even if she didn’t, I’d notice it, right? Though, thinking back this past year… She and her Crusader friends have been a bit more… subdued, more reclusive than usual. I don’t want to seem rude asking her all of the sudden, though... What the?

Rarity snapped out of her thoughts as she was what appeared to be a crashed D-Wheel up ahead. And standing over the crashed driver was a strange, masked pony. The two didn’t seem to notice Rarity approaching, as the masked pony smacked the crashed one across the face.

“Stop playing dumb, and tell me!” the masked pony snapped.

“I’m not playing,” groaned Adviser, rubbing his cheek. “I really don’t know anything about-“

“I know you do,” the masked pony interrupted. “My sources tell me that Spitfire quit, yet the Director’s chair isn’t vacant. Now, what is the new Director of Security planning to do with the WRGP?” The masked pony’s horn glowed pink, lifting and pinning Adviser to the barricade

“Leave him alone!” Rarity snapped.

The masked pony dropped Adviser, glancing over at Rarity. Without another word, she jumped onto her D-Wheel, which was designed to resemble a rose, and sped off. Adviser looked at Rarity. “Don’t just sit there, catch the criminal!”

“Oh, uh, right!” nodded Rarity, speeding off after the masked attacker.

Adviser stared after the two of them, before shakily starting to stand. “Sheesh, who knew hiring Yliaster members would cause so much drama.”

“So you do know something, at least,” said a voice from behind him. “Forgive me, but we really need all the information we can get on Yliaster.”

Adviser closed his eyes. “Why me?” he sighed, as a yellowish magic aura pinned him back against the wall.

“Slow down!” Rarity called after the masked pony.

“As if saying that will make me stop,” she replied. “You need to back up your requests with something that shows authority, Rarity!”

“So you know me, do you?” Rarity asked. “Should I be flattered or concerned?”

“You sure haven’t been clued in,” she answered.

“Clued in to what?” Rarity asked.

“You know, there’s nothing making me answer you, right?” asked the masked pony, beginning to accelerate away.

“Well, I’d hate to reduce myself to your level,” muttered Rarity, “but given how violent you acted to an innocent pony, perhaps I could beat the answer out of you!”

“You think Adviser is innocent, do you?” the masked pony mumbled. “Fine. I suppose I could try to open your eyes while my friend gets the answers I need from Adviser. Speed World 2, set on!”

Two pulses of light shot out of Rarity’s and the masked pony’s D-Wheels. They turned off onto another branch of the highway, bringing them further away from Ponyville.

Seems somepony doesn’t want this duel being observed, Rarity thought to herself.

“Ready, Rarity?” the pony smiled.

“Riding Duel, Acceleration!”

Rarity: LP 4000. ???: LP 4000.

“I’ll go first,” said Rarity. “Draw! I summon Crystal Beast Sapphire Pegasus!” The golden feathered white pegasus soared out, flying along next to Rarity, his blue horn gleaming in the sun. [ATK1800. LV4] “When Sapphire Pegasus is summoned, I can place a Crystal Beast into my Spell and Trap Zone. I place Ruby Carbuncle!” Sapphire Pegasus’ horn glowed, and a chunk of ruby appeared, drifting next to Rarity. “Turn end!”

“My turn, then,” the masked pony said. “Draw! [Rarity: SPC 1. ???: SPC 1] I summon Sacred Knight Joan!” A female bipedal with smooth skin and silver armor appeared. Her helmet and shoulder blades were designed to bear resemblance to wings. [ATK1900. LV4]

“1900 ATK?” Rarity asked.

“Don’t worry,” the pony said. “If Sacred Knight Joan attacks, she will lose 300 ATK so instead, I’ll set five cards and end my turn.” Five set cards briefly flashed next to the pony’s D-Wheel before fading from sight.

“The five set cards are more worrying,” Rarity muttered. “My turn, draw! [Rarity: SPC 2. ???: SPC 2] I summon Crystal Beast Topaz Tiger!” A white saber-toothed tiger with black stripes and a blade-like horn on its head leapt out, running along the highway next to Rarity. [ATK1600. LV4] “When Topaz Tiger attacks, he gains 400 ATK. Battle! Topaz Tiger, attack Sacred Knight Joan!” Topaz Tiger leapt forward, baring his teeth. [ATK2000] He tore effortlessly through Sacred Knight Joan and went on to slash the masked pony.

“Gah!” she winced. [???: LP 4000 –> 3900] “Trap activate! Liberty at Last!! When a Monster I control is destroyed by battle, I return two Monsters on the field to the deck! I return Sapphire Pegasus and Topaz Tiger!”

“No!” Rarity gasped. Topaz Tiger and Sapphire Pegasus glowed brightly, before dissolving into light and flying back into Rarity’s deck, which shuffled automatically. “I knew those set cards would cause problems… I end my turn.”

“My turn, then,” the masked pony said. “Draw! [Rarity: SPC 3. ???: SPC 3] I summon Horse of the Floral Knights!” A brown horse, clad in silver armor that was decorated in gold appeared. On his back was a red saddle. [ATK400. LV3]

“Only 400 ATK?” Rarity asked.

“When this card is Normal Summoned, I can add Sacred Knight’s Spearholder to my hoof,” said the masked pony. “Now, since you’re wide open, I think I’ll attack you directly. Go, Horse of the Floral Knights!” The horse galloped forward, rearing up to batter Rarity with her front hooves.

“Gah!” Rarity winced. [Rarity: LP 4000 –> 3600]

“That ends my turn,” the pony smiled.

“It was only 400 damage,” said Rarity. “So I wouldn’t get too confident. My turn, draw! [Rarity: SPC 4. ???: SPC 4] I summon Crystal Beast Amber Mammoth!” A large mammoth with a piece of amber on his head trumpeted with his trunk, before charging forward, running to keep up with Rarity’s D-Wheel. [ATK1700. LV4] “Amber Mammoth, attack Horse of the Floral Knights! Amber Stomp!”

“Blindly attacking, again?” the masked pony asked. “Trap activate! Floral Shield! When my opponent’s Monster declares an attack, that attack is negated and I can draw a card!” A large, white flower bloomed around Horse of the Floral Knights, taking the brunt of Amber Mammoth’s attack.

“Darn,” Rarity mumbled. “But on the plus side, you’re steadily losing resources. I set one card and end my turn.”

“Oh, but I have all the resources I need to survive,” the pony said. “My turn, draw! [Rarity: SPC 5. ???: SPC 5] I activate Speed Spell – Speed Fusion! Since I have at least four Speed Counters, I can send two or more Monsters from my hoof or field to perform a Fusion Summon!”

“You’re Fusion Summoning!?” Rarity gasped.

“I fuse my Horse of the Floral Knights from my field with the Sacred Knight’s Spearholder in my hoof!” said the masked pony. “Fusion Summon! Appear, Centaur Mina!” At first glance, the monster seemed to be a brown horse with a red haired, armored, female biped riding it. However, the female wasn’t riding it at all. Rather, the top half of the biped grew out from where the neck of the horse would be, and made up the front half of Centaur Mina. She galloped alongside the masked pony’s D-Wheel, her long sword shining in the sun. [ATK2200. LV6]

“A centaur…” Rarity mumbled. “How odd. Yet, appropriate for a Fusion Monster…”

“Sorry you won’t have long to admire it,” said the masked pony. “I summon Fleur Synchron!” A flower bud with arms and legs sprang out, fluttering in the slipstream behind the masked pony, I crazed look in its eyes. [ATK400. LV2]

“That’s a Tuner Monster, isn’t it?” Rarity asked, eyes wide.

The masked pony smirked. “I tune my level 2 Fleur Synchron to my level 6 Centaur Mina!” Fleur Synchron burst into two green Tuning Rings, lining up along the highway. Centaur Mina galloped through the center of them, dissolving into six level stars. "Body born from the speed of light, the time for revolution has come! Bring victory into my grasp!” A burst of light shot through the rings. “Synchro Summon! Sparkle, Chevalier de Fleur!" Pink petals spun around in the wind, as a female bipedal, completely covered in silver and pink armor appeared. Her helmet was designed to look like a large, pink flower. A large, red cape bellowed behind her as she swung her rapier sword dramatically. [ATK2700. LV8]

“You managed to Fusion and Synchro Summon from practically nothing?!” Rarity gasped.

“Were you expecting me to go easy on you because you’re a Signer?” the masked pony asked.

“You know I’m a Signer?” Rarity asked.

“Battle! Chevalier de Fleur, attack Amber Mammoth! Fleur de Orage!” The sword moved so quickly, that Rarity wouldn’t have even seen it if not for the large, flame shaped crossguard. It quickly sliced Amber Mammoth to ribbons, before stabbing into Rarity herself.

“Gah!” Rarity gasped. [Rarity: LP 3600 –> 2600] “Instead of going to the Graveyard, Amber Mammoth is sent to my Spell and Trap Zone!” A chunk of amber appeared on Rarity’s field, drifting alongside her. “Next, I activate my Trap, Crystal Pair! Since one of my Crystal Beasts was destroyed, I can place another one from my deck into the Spell and Trap Zone!”

“As if I’ll let you get that big of an advantage with that deck,” the masked pony smiled. “I activate Chevalier de Fleur’s effect! Once during each of my turns, I can negate a Spell or Trap’s activation and destroy it!” The rapier moved swiftly, slicing Rarity’s Trap to shreds.

“What?!” Rarity gasped.

“You seem surprised,” said the masked pony. “Did you think it wouldn’t have an effect or something?”

“Of course I knew it would have one!” Rarity snapped. “My turn, draw! [Rarity: SPC 6. ???: SPC 6] I activate Speed Spell – Crystal Promise! Since I have at least two Speed Counters, I can Special Summon a Crystal Beast from my Spell and Trap Zone! I Special Summon Ruby Carbuncle!” A small, furred, four-eared quadruped with ruby red eyes, a small ruby in its forehead, and a sphere of ruby on its tail burst out of the chunk of ruby and landed on Rarity’s D-Wheel, riding along with her. [ATK300. LV3] “When Special Summoned, Ruby lets me Special Summon as many Crystal Beasts from my Spell and Trap Zone!”

“There’s only one there, though,” said the masked pony. “Not much of an accomplishment.”

“I Special Summon Amber Mammoth!” The chunk of burst apart, and Amber Mammoth ran next to Rarity again. [ATK1700. LV4] “Then, I summon Buten!” A small, winged pig appeared, flying next to Rarity. [ATK200. LV1]

“A Tuner?” the masked pony asked.

“I tune my level 1 Buten to my level 3 Ruby Carbuncle and my level 4 Amber Mammoth!” said Rarity. Buten burst into a green Tuning Ring. Ruby Carbuncle leapt off Rarity’s D-Wheel and onto Amber Mammoth’s back as he ran into the Tuning Ring. The two of them burst into a total of seven level stars. ““Darkened gales, become the wings that soar from resolved hope! Synchro Summon! Soar, Black Feather Dragon!” A burst of light shot through the ring, clearing away as the legless dragon flew out, its mane of black feathers fluttering in the wind. His long, ribbon like tail feathers danced behind him as he flew next to Rarity. [ATK2800. LV8]

The masked pony smiled. “I was wondering when your Signer Dragon would appear. Tell me, are you treating my old card well?”

“Your old card?” Rarity questioned. “I received Black Feather as payment from… It can’t be!” Rarity brought her D-Wheel to a halt. “Fleur?! Fleur Dis Lee?!”

The masked pony stopped next to Rarity, taking off her helmet, and lowering her mask down, letting it hang around her neck like a scarf. “About time you figured it out, Rarity,” Fleur smiled.

“But, I don’t understand,” said Rarity, biting her lip in confusion. “What reason would you have to attack Adviser? Why would you even do that? You’re a supermodel!”

“So what if I am?” Fleur asked. “Wasn’t one of your friends a supermodel once, too? And considering she’s a Signer, I doubt she’s just eye candy.”

Rarity blushed. “I- I didn’t mean it like that. It’s just, when we first met, you seemed so… relaxed? Airy? You didn’t strike me as the type to launch unprovoked attacks.”

“There’s more to everypony that what you see in passing,” said Fleur. “In public, in high society, yes, I act airy. But the truth about me, Rarity? It’s deeper than you know.”

“Deeper than just a front to mindless violence?” Rarity scoffed. “Does Fancy Pants know you act like this?”

“Of course he does,” said Fleur. “He’s probably dealing with the interrogation of Adviser while we dueled.”

“He’s what?!” Rarity gasped.

“Don’t worry,” sighed Fleur. “We won’t hurt him too badly. He is relatively innocent.”

“Relative to whom?” Rarity asked.

“Yliaster,” Fleur replied, looking down.

“Yliaster?” Rarity repeated. “I heard that word before…”

“Have you?” Fleur asked. “How unfortunate. They’re ruthless. No idea what they’re planning, what their overall goal is, but Celestia help you if you end up in their way.” Fleur paused, and gave a short, bitter laugh. “Actually, I doubt even Celestia can do anything to them.”

“What did they do to you?” Rarity asked.

Fleur looked up, and glanced around. She beckoned Rarity to follow, before speeding off down the highway. Rarity obliged, and as soon as she caught up, Fleur began speaking.

“What I’m about to tell you is something I’ve only told Fancy Pants,” said Fleur. “I was a little filly when it happened. I had gone to a friend’s house for a sleep over when my parents were killed by an Yliaster assassin.”

Rarity’s eyes widened in shock. “O-oh, Fleur… I’m so sorry.”

Fleur nodded. “I don’t know what they did to provoke Yliaster, but they were killed and the house was burned to the ground because of it. They were simple school teachers in Baltimare.”

“How can Yliaster still exist if they’re doing stuff like that?” Rarity asked.

“You think they make themselves public?” Fleur asked, a forced smile on her face. “It took me years to find out they existed. I thought I was just chasing some murderous psycho at the beginning.”

“You’ve been after them all this time?” Rarity asked.

“Of course,” said Fleur. “A house fire in a rain storm? There was no way that was an accident and no way I’d let it go.”

“But why be a supermodel?” Rarity asked. “Why marry Fancy Pants?”

“I’m married to him because I trust him,” said Fleur. “And as for my supermodel role? Do you have any idea how much information you can learn from high society gossip? You need to read between the lines a lot, but it’s still there. Heck, at the top of the social ladder, you can even get info from the black market and underground.”

“Wouldn’t two of the most respected members of the Canterlot elite draw suspicion if they frequently contacted criminals like that?” Rarity asked.

“Not at all,” said Fleur. “Besides, you’d have to be rich to afford most of the things they sell anyway.”

“Fair point, I guess,” said Rarity. “But what’s Adviser have to do with all this?”

“Sources suggest, and I was merely seeking confirmation, that Yliaster may have sent some agents as the new Directors of the Highway Security Task Force.”

“They’ve taken over Security?!” Rarity gasped.

“Keep it down!” Fleur snapped. “You know, I’m telling you this while driving to try and drown the noise out because the highways are bugged, right?”

“Sorry,” said Rarity. “But why?”

“Security is hosting the WRGP,” said Fleur. “I’d bet they have something planned there.”

“Like what?” Rarity asked.

“How should I know?” Fleur asked.

“Well, don’t you worry,” said Rarity, a confident smile on her face. “My friends and I will stop whatever scheme these brutes are planning.”

“Hah!” Fleur laughed, actual amused this time. “I’ll admit you Signers are tough, but considering you can’t even beat me, you stand no chance reaching Yliaster.”

“Oh really?” Rarity asked. “Well, maybe I’m about to win right now. Black Feather Dragon, attack Chevalier de Fleur! Noble Stream!”

“Wow, I go out of my way to tell you all this and you immediately stab me in the back?” Fleur asked sarcastically.

“If you aren’t going to trust us to help,” said Rarity, “then I’ll just have to prove to you we can!”

“Hmph,” Fleur snorted, a smirk on her face. “Then give it your best shot! Trap activate! Fleur Guard! A Monster I control can’t be destroyed by battle this turn! So even with your higher attack power, Chevalier de Fleur will remain on the field!” A burst of red light shot out from Black Feather. Chevalier de Fleur braced for the attack, which bounced off her, merely grazing Fleur Dis Lee. [Fleur Dis Lee: LP 3900 –> 3800]

“Of course you’d have a way out,” Rarity sighed. “I set two cards. Turn end.”

“My turn,” said Fleur. “Draw! [Rarity: SPC 7. Fleur Dis Lee: SPC 7] I summon Sacred Knight’s Shield Bearer!” A heavily armored bipedal appeared. Both her arms were being used to hold up a large blue and gold shield. [ATK800. LV4] “When this card is Normal Summoned, I can banish a LIGHT Warrior-Type Monster from my Graveyard to draw a card! I banish Sacred Knight Joan!”

“Was drawing another card worth summoning a low ATK monster?” Rarity asked.

“I’d say it was,” Fleur smiled. “I activate Speed Spell – Speed Energy! For every Speed Counter I have, my Chevalier de Fleur gains 200 ATK until the End Phase! Since I have seven, her ATK goes up by 1400!” [ATK4100]

“4100 ATK?!” Rarity gasped.

“Enough to beat Black Feather Dragon by 1300,” said Fleur. “Battle! Chevalier de Fleur, attack Black Feather Dragon! Fleur de Orage!”

“Trap activate!” Rarity countered. “Wave Force! When a Synchro Monster I control is targeted for an attack, all attack position Monsters my opponent controls are destroyed!”

“I doubt you’ve forgotten,” said Fleur, “but in case you did, Chevalier de Fleur’s effect, once during my turn, negates and destroy an opponent’s Spell or Trap’s activation! I negate Wave Force!” Chevalier de Fleur sliced through Rarity’s Trap.

“I didn’t forget,” said Rarity.

“That’s nice,” said Fleur. “So I’m guessing you were hoping I would do that so you could use that other card you set? In that case, Counter-Trap, Chain Close! When a card is destroyed and sent to the Graveyard, like your Trap just was, you can’t use Spell or Traps until the End Phase!”

“No!” Rarity gasped.

“My attack continues!” said Fleur. Chevalier de Fleur quickly tore Black Feather Dragon apart.

“Gah!” Rarity gasped. [Rarity: LP 2600 –> 1300]

“Now, Sacred Knight’s Shield Bearer attacks directly!” said Fleur.

“Agh!” Rarity winced. [Rarity: LP 1300 –> 500]

“Turn end,” said Fleur. “During the End Phase, Chevalier de Fleur’s ATK returns to normal.” [ATK2700]

“My turn,” said Rarity. “Draw!” [Rarity: SPC 8. Fleur Dis Lee: SPC 8]

“Please tell me that isn’t all you’ve got,” sighed Fleur. “I thought you Signers were supposed to be tough, but if this is all the fight you’re putting up... I’m starting to regret bringing up Yliaster to you at all.”

“I still have Life Points, you know,” said Rarity. “And I just drew the exact card I need to turn this around.”

“Oh really?” Fleur asked, a skeptical smile on her face.

“I activate Speed Spell – Crystal Blessing!” said Rarity. “Since I have at least four Speed Counters, I place two Crystal Beasts from my Graveyard into my Spell and Trap Zone! I place Ruby Carbuncle and Amber Mammoth!” A chunk of ruby and amber appeared next to Rarity. “Then I activate Speed World 2’s effect!” said Rarity. “I remove seven Speed Counters to draw a card!” [Rarity: SPC 1] Rarity looked at the card she drew, and gave a sigh of relief. “I set two cards. Turn end.”

“That sure made a big difference,” smirked Fleur. “My turn, draw!” [Rarity: SPC 2. Fleur Dis Lee: SPC 9]

“Trap activate!” said Rarity. “Crystal Raigeki! I send Amber Mammoth from the Spell and Trap Zone to the Graveyard to destroy Chevalier de Fleur!” The chunk of amber shattered, and the pieces went flying towards Chevalier.

“And Chevalier de Fleur will negate that Trap’s activation!” countered Fleur. Chevalier’s sword moved quickly, slicing and jabbing the amber shards into harmless dust.

“But now that you can’t use the negation effect again,” smiled Rarity, “I can activate the Continuous-Trap, Call of the Haunted, to Special Summon Black Feather Dragon back to the field!” Black Feather rose up, stretching his wings with a roar. [ATK2800]

“I see,” said Fleur. “You think you’re safe now, do you? Speed World 2’s effect! I remove four Speed Counters to deal 800 points of damage for each Speed Spell in my hoof! Since I have Speed Spell – Overboost, you take 800 damage!” [Fleur Dis Lee: SPC 5] Fleur spun around to face Rarity, a blast of energy launching out of the front of her D-Wheel.

“Black Feather Dragon’s effect!” countered Rarity. “I can place a Black Feather Counter on him to negate an instance of effect damage!” Black Feather Dragon flew down, opening his mouth and swallowing the energy before it hit Rarity. A few of the feathers on his wings turned black, with red highlights. [Black Feather Counter: 1]

“However,” smiled Fleur, “for each Black Feather Counter on him, Black Feather Dragon loses, what, 700 ATK?”

“That’s right,” Rarity mumbled. [ATK2100]

“Now it’s weak enough to be beaten by my Chevalier de Fleur!” said Fleur. “Attack Black Feather Dragon! Fleur de Orage!”

“Trap activate!” countered Rarity. “Cut Jewel! I send a Crystal Beast from my deck to the Graveyard to halve the original ATK of Chevalier de Fleur! I send my Crystal Beast Topaz Tiger!” [ATK1350]

“No!” Fleur gasped.

“Destroy Chevalier de Fleur!” said Rarity. “Noble Stream!” Black Feather Dragon shot out a blast of red and black energy at Chevalier de Fleur.

“Trap activate!” countered Fleur. “For Our Dreams! I release Sacred Knight’s Shield Bearer to prevent Chevalier de Fleur’s destruction by battle!” Shield Bearer dissolved into energy, which coated itself around Chevalier.

“No!” Rarity gasped. “No matter, you still take battle damage!”

“Gah!” Fleur gasped. [Fleur Dis Lee: LP 3800 –> 3050]

I’m so close, Rarity thought.

“I activate Speed Spell – Overboost!” said Fleur. “I gain six Speed Counters at the cost of having my Speed Counters reduced to one during the End Phase!” [Fleur Dis Lee: SPC 11]

“Uh oh,” Rarity mumbled.

“With Speed World 2’s effect, I remove ten Speed Counters to destroy Black Feather Dragon!” said Fleur. [Fleur Dis Lee: SPC 1] Another blast of energy shot out of her D-Wheel, striking Black Feather Dragon. Black Feather let out a roar, before exploding.

“Black Feather Dragon!” Rarity gasped.

“Turn end,” said Fleur. “Well, you just may have a chance, Rarity. Chevalier de Fleur can no longer be destroyed by battle, but her ATK remains halved. On the other hoof, I have far more Life Points than you.”

“Yeah, you do,” said Rarity. “My turn, draw! [Rarity: SPC 3. Fleur Dis Lee: SPC 2] I summon Crystal Beast Sapphire Pegasus!” The sapphire horned pegasus flew out to gallop next to Rarity again. [ATK1800. LV4] “When he’s summoned, I place a Crystal Beast into my Spell and Trap Zone. I place Emerald Tortoise!” A chunk of emerald appeared next to Rarity.

“What are the odds you’d draw him again?” Fleur mumbled.

“Battle!” said Rarity. “Sapphire Pegasus, attack Chevalier de Fleur!” Sapphire Pegasus shot a blast of blue energy out of his horn.

“Gah!” [Fleur Dis Lee: LP 3050 –> 2600]

“That’s all I can do, though,” sighed Rarity. “Turn end.”

“My turn,” said Fleur. “Draw! [Rarity: SPC 4. Fleur Dis Lee: SPC 3] I switch Chevalier de Fleur to defense position.” [DEF2300]

“Well, so much for winning that way,” said Rarity.

“I set a Monster, and end my turn,” said Fleur.

“My turn, then,” said Rarity. “Draw! [Rarity: SPC 5. Fleur Dis Lee: SPC 5] I activate Speed Spell – Angel Baton! Since I have at least two Speed Counters, I can draw two cards! However, I must send one card to the Graveyard afterwards. I draw and discard Crystal Beast Cobalt Eagle. Then I summon Amethyst Cat!” !” A lean, pink panther with gold adornments on her ankles and chest leapt out to run next to Rarity. Centered on her chest plate was a large amethyst gem. [ATK1200. LV3]

“So all seven Crystal Beasts are now either on the field or in the Graveyard, huh?” Fleur mumbled. "That could be bad for me."

“Amethyst Cat can attack directly,” said Rarity. “However, the battle damage will be halved. Go, Amethyst! Amethyst Nail!” Amethyst Cat leapt over, and slashed her claws across Fleur’s back.

“Ahh!” Fleur gasped. [Fleur Dis Lee: LP 2600 –> 2000]

“I don’t have enough Life Points to be willing to risk an attack on your set Monster,” said Rarity, “so I’ll end my turn with that.”

“My turn, then,” said Fleur. “Dr-“

Fleur stopped as another D-Wheel sped up and pulled to a halt in front of them. Rarity stopped as well, a slightly confused look on her face.

“Fancy Pants?” Fleur asked. “I take it you finished interrogating Adviser?”

“Indeed I did,” he replied. “Oh, hello, Rarity.”

“Hello again, Fancy,” said Rarity.

“I take it Fleur has filled you in on Yliaster?” Fancy asked.

“Yes,” said Rarity. “I’m still a bit shocked, it’s hard to believe.”

“Can we discuss this later?” Fleur asked, turning towards Fancy. “Did he tell you anything?”

“Well, your guess was right,” said Fancy. “Yliaster is indeed running Security and will be involved in the WRGP, but he’s in the dark on anything else.”

“Well confirmation of the rumors is better than nothing,” said Fleur. “Well, Rarity, I’ll say I’m impressed you managed to hold your own as long as you did. A shame we won’t be able to finish our duel this time.”

“What do you mean we can’t finish?” Rarity asked, as Fleur reapplied her mask.

“My dear Rarity,” said Fancy, “we just assaulted the Vice Director of Security. They take things like that very seriously.”

“I do apologize, Rarity,” said Fleur, “but we’ll have to settle this next time. Dawdling on the highway after doing something like that wouldn't be a smart move, because I doubt Security will just let this go.”

“What do you mean I should just let it go?” Adviser asked. The dirty, bruised unicorn stood in the Director’s office at Security HQ.

“Exactly what you think we mean,” said Decima. “So a supermodel beat you up. Big deal.”

“She already spoke of our existence to a Signer,” said Morta. “Stopping her now would be pointless.”

“And it’s not like the Signers weren’t on alert already!” laughed Nona. “What, with that whole Ghost incident.”

Decima scowled, but said nothing.

“If anything, the Signers knowing of us will just force things to accelerate,” said Morta. “A bit inconvenient, but easily something we can adapt to.” He looked up at the monitors lining the wall. “Especially with god’s will on our side.”

Everypony turned to look. One of the screens depicted a stone tablet, almost identical to the first one, plummeting down from the sky, before colliding into the desert, by the highway out of Dodge City.

“Ah-ha-ha-ha!” Nona laughed with a screech that hurt Adviser’s ears. “My tablet has arrived!”

“Hmph,” Decima snorted. “Adviser, go collect it. Close off the highways near there and let nopony see it.”

“Y-yes, sir,” Adviser stuttered, wincing slightly as he trotted out the door.

The three ponies remaining in the room turned to look at the monitor showing Rarity on her way back to Ponyville.

A secret, murderous group that even Princess Celestia is in the dark about? Rarity thought. Sounds like a crazy conspiracy theory. And yet… There’s not only confirmation that they’re running Security right now, but that’s a name I’ve heard before somewhere, I’m sure of it. She shook her head. I’d better tell the others. If Yliaster is as dangerous as Fleur thinks they are, I may have a lead on just who made that robot.

Author's Notes:

Apologies for any mistakes or awkwardness that may be present in this chapter. I'm a bit rusty on this story.