http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mV25QVdVAZE

The three Crusaders went inside their room, seeing The Mane Six waiting for them.

"Sweetie Belle! Where have you been!? How could you NOT tell me you went to Canterlot!?" Rarity asked, annoyed.

"Well, you were busy." retorted her sister. "And you know how pissed you can get when your work is interrupted and stuff. Remember the Sisterhooves Social incident?"

Rarity and most of the group flinched. "W-Well! At least you should have told the others about it!"

"Well, you didn't tell me you were gonna beat up the guy who basically gave me a boost in my self-esteem three years ago!" Sweetie Belle said, sounding annoyed. "I mean, seriously!?"

Well, that caught everyone off guard.

"H-hold it up you two!" Applejack said, trying to mediate. "This isn't the place to start this. Can't it wait 'till the end of the day?"

"Yeah. The girls still have the Championship Finals." Twilight said. "Who are you going up against, anyway?"

Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, and Sweetie Belle gulped. "Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon."

"Huh, you done training, Silvy?" asked Diamond Tiara as her friend slid off her VF Gloves leaving behind a KO'ed opponent. "About time."

"Everything needs to be, like, perfect, remember?" Silver Spoon said. "Besides, even if I lose, you guys will wipe the floor with them."

"True, true." Diamond said. "But have you seen that loser act wierder than usual?"

"Which one?"

"Sweetie Belle. She acts a bit like our so-called leader here."

"Hmmm... Can't say I've noticed it. It'll still be a cakewalk, anyways."

"Me and Midnight will come back after your match. See ya 'till then." They then did that "bump, bump, sugar-lump, rump!" thing they rarely do nowadays before Diamond Tiara left.

"So... Your entire plan to beat those manipulative, scheming fillies is to, 'wing it'?" Rarity stared incredulously at the Crusaders.

"Well, yeah. We don't know their playstyle much, and if anything, Tiara's changed clans again." Scootaloo said.

"Sure, just make sure you beat them in ten seconds flat!" Rainbow said.

"Technically, that's impossible, since during the first turn, you can't attack-" Twilight's lecture was cut short by the Crystal Vision at max volume.

"Dragonic Overlord, finish this! Send him to the depths of hell, ETERNAL FLAME!!! Spark yelled, as the dragon burnt a white pegasus knight who had gray armor to dust.

"And with that, Spark Light end the match! Woo-wee, that match was one-sided, in his favor!" the announcer said. "We can finally proceed to the all-important Finals, which will start in three minutes! Fighters, get your flanks over here!"

"Well, that's my call!" Scootaloo said, getting her deck. "I'm gonna teach them who's boss!"

"Get and early advantage, and spam those cloning shenanigans of yours, squirt!" Rainbow said, giving her a high five, which Scootaloo returned.

Scootaloo saw her opponent, Silver Spoon, walk in. She was feeling uneasy about facing her. No, don't think that. I have to beat her at all costs.

"Hmmm? I'm fighting you? Well, this should be interesting." Silver said, face remaining terrifyingly calm. Both players put their SVGs faced down, and drew five cards, then proceeded to redraw.

"Returning three." Scootaloo said.

"No return." Silver replied, shocking Scoots.

When the redraw was finished, they placed their hooves on their SVGs.

"Stand up...."

"... my..."

"... VANGUARD!!!" The field this time was a darkened valley, full of crystals. The sky was filled with storm clouds, and an evil aura was present in the air.

"Stealth Beast, Evil Ferret (G0/5000)!" A white ferret in a purple ninja costume appeared.

"Vermillion Gatekeeper (G0/5000)!" A black pony with a spikey mane appeared.

Dark Irregulars!? Crud! Scootaloo thought.

"My turn. Draw." Silver Spoon added the top card to her hand. "I ride Alluring Succubus (G1/7000). Vermillion Gatekeeper's skill. Soulcharge one card. Succubus's skill. Soulcharge again. I end." (SP Counter - Soul: 3)

"My turn! Draw!" Time to rush her, since she'll get a cruddy early game. "I ride, Stealth Rogue of Silence, Shijimamaru (G1/8000), and Ferret moves! I call, Shijimamaru!"

(Shiji) (Shiji) (RC)

(EF) (RC) (RC)

Hand: 4, Damage: 0

"My vanguard attacks!"

"No guard."

"Drive check! No trigger."

"Damage check, no trigger." (Hand: 5, Damage: 1)

"With a boost from Ferret, my rear-guard attacks!"

"No guard. Damage check." Silver Spoon "Hysteric Shirley. Draw trigger, power to the Vanguard and I draw." (Hand: 6)

"Turn end."

"My turn. Draw." Silver Spoon smiled a little. "I ride, Gwynn the Ripper (G2/9000)."

An elf-pony with dark grayish-green armor appeared, multiple blades jutting out of his arm.

"Counterblast. Kindly show that rear-guard Shijimamaru the way to hell." Gwynn punched the ninja, with his arm blades spinning like a buzz saw, and reduced it to purple sparkles as it was sent to the drop zone. "Call. Prisoner Beast (G1/8000). Doreen the Thruster (G1/6000). Flirtatious Succubus (G2/9000). I Soulcharge, and Doreen gets an extra 3000 Power."

Three new units appeared. One, a hulking beast covered in chains, another a female elf-pony in black clothing, and the last another Succubus pony, but with lilac hair.

(FSccbs) (GwynntR) (RC)

(DreentThrstr) (PrisnrBST) (RC)

Hand: 3, Damage: 2 flipped/2 total

SP Counter - Soul: 5

"Boosted by Doreen, Succubus attacks your vanguard." (POW: 18000)

"No guard." Scootaloo sent a copy of Mandala Lord to the damage, wincing. (Hand: 5, Damage: 1)

"Boosted by Prisoner Beast, Gwynn attacks." (POW: 17000)

"I guard with Moon Edge!" (SLD: 18000)

"Trigger check." Silver Spoon revealed a card with a blue elfpony. "Blitzritter, Critical trigger. All to my Vanguard, and the attack breaks through."

"Argh! Damage checks." She revealed Mandala Lord and Midnight Crow, letting them fall to the damage zone.

"Well, that put a dent in your defense." Silver Spoon said, pleased with herself. "Turn end."

"So what? I can still go on the offensive. Stand and draw." Scootaloo beamed at the card she drew. "I ride Stealth Beast, Bloody Mist (G2/10000)! I call, Left Arrester, Right Arrester!"

"Hmm? You still run those two?" asked Silver Spoon, surprised. "You do know that they're detrimental to the deck you're trying to build, right?"

"Shut up!" Scootaloo retorted. "What do you know, anyway!?"

"I know that you could've used White Mane or something." Silver sighed. "Well, no use talking sense into a dodo."

"What the hell did you say!?" Scootaloo yelled. "I'll show you!"

"Oh dang! Scoots, yer falling inta her trap!" Apple Bloom yelled, worried. "At this rate, she'll lose!"

"It's a simple plan, really." Twilight said. "Angering Scootaloo to make more reckless and neglect her defenses."

"We need to help!" Sweetie said, but Rainbow just put a hoof on her shoulder. "Rainbow...?"

"She'll get through it. I know Scoots."

Scootaloo's field

(Leftie) (Mandala Lord) (Righty)

(RC) (Leaf Raccoon) (RC)

Hand: 5 Damage: 1/4

Silver Spoon's field (Current Turn)

(FSccbs) (Demon Eater) (EmblemMSTR)

(DtS) (Prisoner Beast) (Blue Dust)

Hand: 4, Damage: 0/4 (via twin Heal Triggers)

SP Counter - Soul: 10

"My turn. Stand and draw." Silver Spoon smiled. "Let's finish this. The outcome has already been decided by Fate itself! FINAL TURN!!!"

"Say what!?" Scootaloo said.

"What!?" All of them except Rainbow gasped.

Rainbow's flashback...

Hey Rainbow Dash, do you believe I'll ever be able to fly? A younger Scootaloo said, sounding very sad.

Aw hay, I'm not that good with advice... So... Ah! I got it! Rainbow said, giving her a noogie. Don't believe in the me that believes in you, believe in yourself! When faced with the impossible, SCREW LOGIC UP!!! AND MAKE A CURBSTOMP BATTLE OUTTA IT!!!

Scootaloo beamed at Rainbow Dash in admiration. Thanks, Dash! But... How am I gonna fight fate?

Dash snorted. Screw that! You forge your own destiny!

Scootaloo smiled even wider. So... You'll teach me how to fly!?

Rainbow smiled back. Sure, squirt. Wanna get some milkshakes at Sugarcube Corner in the meantime?

Heck yeah!

Rainbow's flashback ends...

Squirt... Don't forget what I told you three years ago! Believe in yourself! Not in the you who believes in me, not the me who believes in you. Believe in the you who believes in yourself! Rainbow thought.

She hasn't made her move yet. Scoots thought. She's thinking it through...

"Screaming through the darkness, my avatar!" Silver Spoon suddenly yelled, raising a card into the air, and slamming it down on the Vanguard Circle. "Devouring souls, destroying the surface! The Demon World Marquis is here! RIDE!!! DEMON WORLD MARQUIS, AMON!!!"

A black demon appeared, with an insectoid face with horns, pincers and a single blue eye, six blood-red claws instead of hooves, a giant eye on its stomach with blue fire, and meaty crimson wings flapping to keep it airborne. Roaring, it landed on the ground, shattering numerous crystals. (G3/10000)

"Amon's skill! Counterblast, and I send Blue Dust to the soul! Banishing another to the underworld, burn everything with pitch-black flames! INFERNO RITUAL!!!" Amon absorbed Blue Dust through his eye-stomach, then shot a wave of black flames at Leaf Raccoon, who Scoots had chosen to retire.

"Chain! Doreen gets 3000 extra Power! Again, but first I call Demon Eater (G3/10000)! Then I activate Inferno Ritual once more!" Amon repeated the process, but with Demon Eater put in the soul and Leftie the one retired. "Doreen's skill again! She gains another 3000 Power!" (Hand: 2, Damage: 2/4)

She's going all-out, huh? Scoots thought. Let's see where this is going...

"I call! Hysteric Shirley! Her skill! Into the soul, and I get to Soulcharge! Doreen's skill, boosting her Power to 18000!" Silver Spoon smirked.

"And there you have it folks! Silver Spoon's special move! The Insane-Number Boost! Too bad she didn't get to call Doreen behind the vanguard." said the announcer. "Let's see how Scootaloo can defend THAT!"

"Now, for the ultimate skill of my Dark Irregulars! Demon of the underworld, unleash your true power!" Silver yelled, surprising the audience, "SPECTRE INFERNO WAVE!!! AMON GETS 1000 POWER FOR EVERY CARD IN THE SOUL, MAKING HIS CURRENT POWER 24000!!!"

"WHAT!? THAT'S INSANE!!!" Scootaloo yelled, shocked at the amount of Power Amon could get to.

"As I said a bit earlier, fate has already decided this match." Sliver Spoon said, smirking. "And don't forget I have another attack at 27000 Power. Give up." (Hand: 1, Damage: 2/4)

"I'll... I'LL NEVER GIVE UP!!!" Scootaloo yelled, angry. "COME AT ME, SILVY!!!"

"Hey! Only Di gets to call me that." Silver Spoon rested Emblem Master. "Emblem attacks Right Arrester."

"No guard!" Scootaloo placed her other Arrester in the drop zone.

"Now, with a boost from Beast, Amon attacks at 32000 Power!"

"I nullify with Stealth Beast, Leaves Mirage!" Scootaloo sent a copy of Right Arrester to the drop zone. (Hand: 3, Damage: 1/4)

"Twin drive! First check, another Demon World Marquis. Second check." Silver Spoon revealed a copy of... Blitzritter. "All to Succubus."

The ninja-wolf defended the attack, which was a fireball of darkness, with a cyclone of wind.

"Now, boosted by Doreen, Succubus attacks the vanguard at 32000 Power."

"OUCH! Silver Spoon swings at Scootaloo with TWO attacks of 32000 Power!" The announcer said. "If this attack goes through, the only chance she'd have is a Heal Trigger!"

Scootaloo remained silent.

"That's it... We lose..." Sweetie said, saddened. Rainbow patted her on the back.

"No, it's not."

"I told you. Give up." Silver said. "You can't win."

Scootaloo remained silent. She then revealed another copy of Leaves Mirage as her emotionless face turned into one of glee. "Gotcha."

"SHE HAS ANOTHER PERFECT GUARD!!!" Sweetie Belle squealed as she hugged Apple Bloom, who said,

"WE AIN'T LOSING THIS JUST YET!!!"

The Bearers looked on at the sight, smiling, especially Rainbow. And then Spark came in.

"... Am I interrupting something?" he said.

Rarity had a bit of trouble controlling her emotions at the sight of him, as he now sported a bruise on his cheek covered by a bandage, which made Sweetie, the other Bearers, and Apple Bloom's jaws drop.

"... I'll just go now." The colt closed the door, as indifferent as ever. All of the ponies left in the room shot a look at Rarity.

"... I'm sorry?"

"... Let's just watch Scoots' match." sighed Sweetie.

"WHAT!? How could you guard BOTH of them!?" said Silver Spoon, as Scootaloo drew a card.

"Like a mare I know once told me, TO HELL WITH DESTINY!!!" yelled Scootaloo, burning with fury. "FINAL TURN!!!"

Everypony's jaws dropped. At the exact, same, time.

"I RIDE THE VANGUARD!!! DRAGON OF THE SEALING BLADE, SLICE AND DESTROY EVERYTHING!!! STAND UP! DUELING DRAGON, ZANBAKU!!!!" A dark cyan samurai-esque Abyss Dragon appeared, with glowing red eyes. It drew its sword, which was crystalline when seen from afar. "I call! Leaf Raccoon!"

"With a boost from Raccoon, ZANBAKU attacks Amon! BLAZE THROUGH, BLUE FLAME EXPLOSION SLASH!!!"

Silver Spoon looked at her hand, which was Blitzritter, Demon World Marquis, Amon, and Demon Eater. "No guard."

"Twin Drive check! First... Another ZANBAKU... Second...." Scootaloo revealed the top card, which had a glowing yellow symbol on the top right. "Critical get! All to Vanguard!"

"Damage check... First... Draw Trigger! Power to Vanguard, and I draw." Silver look pissed at the card she drew. "Second... No trigger. I lose."

"HECK YEAH!" Scoots flew out of the battle arena, Murakumo deck in hoof. Silver Spoon was just smirking.

"They don't know that I'm the weakest member currently, do they?"

"THAT. WAS. AWESOME!!!" Rainbow yelled, hugging Scootaloo. They were pretty much celebrating until Apple Bloom said,

"Wait, we haven't won just yet. Ah still need tah face Diamond Tiara, and if all goes well, then we celebrate."

"She's right." Sweetie said. The alarm suddenly piped up, telling themit was time for the next match.

"Good luck, Apple Bloom!" Said Applejack.

"Thanks sis, 'cuz Ah'm gonna need it." Apple Bloom said, walking into the battlefield through the darkened hall.

Sweetie Belle had an uneasy feeling. It's like something's trying to warn me about something, or somepony.

"Sorry I lost." Silver said casually. "Who thought she'd have two Perfect Guards in hand?"

"I did." said Midnight happily, prompting DT to snort.

"Yeah. Anyways, I'm facing that farm hick, right?

"Eeyup." said Midnight Storm, smiling.

"This should be fun." said Diamond in response, grinning.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=BO5dGJlhuL8

Author's Notes:

We see how hot-blooded Scoots can get. Only Rocket can get to that level of hot-bloodedness, so far. Again, point out any errors in spelling, etc. Thanks!