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

"Well Tiara, here Ah am." Apple Bloom placed her SVG on the platform she was given. "Ya'll ready to rumble?"

"Sure. As long as you don't make this match a bore." Diamond said, particularly dismissive. Her SVG was already faced down.

"Let's do this! Stand up..." Apple Bloom said.

"Stand up..."

"... VANGUARD!!!" They turned over their First Vanguards, and the battlefield materialized; a circus arena with props everywhere and two spotlights, one for each Vanguard.

"Hades Ringmaster!" A puplr pony with a tophat and mustache appeared, grinning wickedly.

"Blaujunger!" A blue robopony appeared, wielding a shield and assault maser. It shot up in the air immediately after materializing.

Huh!? She uses a dang Pale Moon deck now!? Apple Bloom thought. Isn't that clan in that new expansion set Ah heard? Demonic Lord Invasion, was it... ?

"Hmph. I ride Dark Metal Bicorn. Ringmaster's skill, I Soulcharge." Tiara reveals a card with a red pony wearing a provocative outfit covered in fire, and puts it in the soul. "Turn end." (Hand: 5, SP Counter - Soul: 2, (CBT in soul))

"My turn! Ah draw." Apple Bloom grinned as Blaujunger suddenly glowed. "Ah ride! Blaupanzer (G1/6000), and his passive gives him an extra 2000 Power when 'junger is in the soul! Now, activatin' 'Junger's skill! Ah search for a Blaukluger in mah deck, and add it tah my hand! Now Ah call! Tough Boy (G1/8000)! Dancin' Wolf (G1/7000)!"

(RC) (Bpanzer) (Tough Boy)

(RC) (D.Wolf) (RC)

Hand: 4, Damage: 0

"Tough Boy attacks!"

"I don't guard. Damage trigger check, no trigger." Diamond Tiara sent a card with an illustration of a multi-colored Cerberus to the damage zone.

"Boosted by Wolf, Blaupanzer attacks!" (POW: 15000)

"I don't give a buck. Just drive check already."

"Grrr... Drive check! Critical get! All to Vanguard!" The blue fighter shot a barrage of lasers at the beast, causing it to roar.

"Damage checks... First, no trigger. Second... Aha! A Heal. Power to vanguard, and I heal." (Hand: 5, Damage: 2)

"Ah end mah turn."

"You rush a darn lot, don't you? Stand and draw." Diamond sighed. "Ride, Elephant Juggler (G2/9000)!"

A multi-colored, three headed dog appeared, roaring. "I call! Barking Cerberus (G2/10000)! Skull Juggler (G1/7000)! Skull Juggler's skill! Soulcharge! Then, Elephant Juggler! Soulcharge!" Diamond puts a card with a giant blonde filly and a pink bunny-mare in the soul. (Hand: 3, SP Counter - Soul: 5, (CBT in Soul))

(RC) (EleJgglr) (BarkingCerb.)

(RC) (RC) (SkllJgglr)

Hand: 3, Damage: 0/2

SP Counter - Soul: 5, (CBT in Soul)

"Boosted by Skull, Barking Cerberus attacks at 17000 Power!"

"Ah guard with Shining Lady!" (POW: 17000 < SLD: 18000)

"Now, my vanguard attacks at 9000 Power!"

"Ah don't guard!" The three-headed dog tackled the blue robopony, causing an explosion. (Hand: 5, Damage: 0)

"Drive trigger check! Critical! All to my vanguard!"

"Ah damage check, no triggers." Two cards, one each of Brutal Jack and Tough Boy were sent to the damage zone.

"Well, turn end." (Hand: 4, Damage: 0/2)

"Mah turn! Stand and draw!" Apple Bloom grinned as she placed a card on the Vanguard Circle. "Ah ride. Blaukluger (G2/10000), and I call! Brutal Jack! Tough Boy! I also activate Jack's Counterblast to lose Restraint!"

(BrutalJck) (Blaukluger) (ToughBoy)

(ToughBoy) (DancingWlf) (RC)

Hand: 3, Damage: 1/2

"Boosted by Tough Boy, Jack attacks! Rev it up, Brutal Blaster! Jack gets fired up!" Jack's arms glow green, especially the bladed parts. (POW: 19000)

"I don't guard. Damage check... No trigger." (Hand: 4, Damage: 0/3)

"Now, boosted by Wolf, Blaukluger attacks! SHINING BLADE!" The blue robopony's wings suddenly spread, with luminous green particles coming out. It then charged the cerberus, landing a slash on its shoulder. (POW: 17000)

"I guard with Dynamite Juggler!" (SLD: 20000)

"Drive trigger check. No trigger." (Hand: 4)

"Dang it! Turn end." Apple Bloom grunted. (Hand: 4, Damage: 1/2)

"Hmph. Really? That's all the damage you can do in one turn? Pathetic. My turn, stand and draw." Diamond shot a smirk at Apple Bloom, who was scowling. "Ride! Beast of chaos, tamed by the whip of fire! BARKING MANTICORE!!! Using his skill, I draw, and I put Dark Metal Bicorn from my hand into the Soul! Manticore and Turquoise Beast Tamer get 3000 Power since Crimson Beast Tamer is in the soul, bythe way." (SP Counter - Soul: 7)

A red manticore with a white mane appeared, roaring, as it drifted down to the stage using its wings. "I also call! Turquoise Beast Tamer! Mirror Demon! Midnight Bunny! It's showtime!"

(MirrorDmn) (BrkingManticore) (BarkingCerb.)

(MidnightBunny) (TurquoiseBT) (SkullJgglr)

Hand: 1, Damage: 0/3

SP Counter - Soul: 7 (CBT in the Soul)

"Boosted by Bunny, Mirror Demon attacks!" (POW: 15000)

"Ah don't guard. Damage check, no triggers." (Hand: 4, Damage: 1/3)

"I activate Mirror Demon's skill! Counterblast, and into the soul! I Superior Call, Nightmare Doll, Alice (G3/10000)! And using Bunny's skill! Counterblast and into the soul, I Superior Call Bicorn!"

"What!? Ya dang switched out an entire column!" Apple Bloom gasped. She could attack for five times maximum this turn.

"Now, boosted by Bicorn, Alice attacks the vanguard!" (POW: 18000)

"Ah guard with Battleraizer!" (SLD: 20000)

"Now, boosted by Turquoise, Manticore attacks the vanguard!" (POW: 22000)

"Ah don't guard." (Hand: 3, Damage: 1/3)

"Really? You expect to win by taking all that damage? Well, let's see. Twin drive check!" Diamond Tiara revealed the top card, a Pale Moon Draw trigger. The second was a Critical trigger, glowing yellow.

"Ah damage check! First... Draw trigger! Power tah Vanguard, and Ah draw. Second check, critical! Al to mah vanguard!" (SLD: 20000)

"Hmph. I end my turn." Diamond Tiara was wearing a huge grin on her face. (Hand: 4, Damage: 0/3)

"Mah turn! Stand and draw!" Apple Bloom smiled. "Ah'll lose if Ah don't end this now, judging from your expression. So let's do this! FINAL TURN!!!"

"What!? How can she end it now!? She'd need more or less five attacks to do that!" Sweetie said.

"Ah'm purty sure she can." Applejack beamed. Twilight and the others smiled at her friend's enthusiasm, when suddenly Pinkie burst in, carrying eight tubs of popcorn, eight sodas, and some candy.

"Pinkie!? What? How-" Rainbow Dash looked at where 'Pinkie' was sitting. What she saw was a Pinkie Pie-shaped balloon that the real Pinkie proceeded to pop with a needle she got from Faust knew where.

"Ya know what? I'm not even gonna ask." Applejack shook her head.

"This should be interesting. Entertain your princess, pleb." Diamond flashed a haughty grin at Apple Bloom.

"Stand and draw." Apple Bloom raised the card she drew in the air. "Blastin' through light and darkness, in the vacuum of space, my vanguard! Shoot down the stars, STERN BLAUKLUGER!!!" (G3/11000, since Blaukluger is in the soul)

The blue robopony suddenly spread its wings, causing it to emit pink particles, and get multiple guns. It's sword disappeared, replaced by two laser rifles on both front hooves.

Tiara's eyes widened. "What!? That unit is a Triple Rare! How the hay did you manage to get that!?"

Apple Bloom smirked. "Well, duh. Booster Packs and Binder Singles. You rich fillies ain't that good in the brain department, huh?"

"Grrr..."

"Anyways, Tough Boy moves back, Ah call Red Lightning! Activatin' his skill! Into the soul, and Ah unflip a damage! Now, rev it up, Jack! Activatin' his Counterblast and Ah call Eisenkugel (G2/10000)!" A blue and white robopony of similar design to Blaukluger appeared, with a mace of some sort on one of its front hooves. "Let's do this!"

(BrutalJck) (Stern Blaukluger) (Eisenkugel)

(ToughBoy) (DancingWlf) (Tough Boy)

Hand: 2, Damage: 1/5

"Boosted by Tough Boy, Jack attacks at 19000 Power! BRUTAL BLASTER!!!" said Apple Bloom as Jack shot a burst of plasma from his mouth.

"I don't guard, damage check, draw trigger! All to Vanguard, and I draw!" (Hand: 5, Damage: 0/3)

"Boosted by Tough Boy, Eisenkugel attacks at 20000 Power due tah his skill!" The robot fired(!?) the mace, which was apparently rocket-propelled.

"I guard with Dynamite Juggler!" (SLD: 25000)

"Heck yeah! Stern comes in at 18000 Power!"

"Hmph." Diamond Tiara smirked. "No guard."

"I'll wipe that smirk off yer face! Twin drive check! First, Draw trigger! Power tah Stern, and Ah draw!" Apple Bloom smiled. "Second check, stand trigger! Power and effects tah Eisenkugel! (Eisenkugel: [Rest] ==> [Stand], Power: 15000)

"Damage check, no trigger." (Hand: 4, Damage: 0/4)

"Now, Stern's skill activates!" Apple Bloom yelled, Stern glowing. "Ah Counterblast two, and send two Nova Grapplers in mah hand to the drop, so Stern and his booster can stand once more! Dancing Wolf's skill, he gets 3000 Power! Breakin' the galaxy, STERNEN BLITZ!!!"

"What!?" Diamond shrieked.

"Boosted by Wolf, Stern Blaukluger attacks at 26000 Power!"

"Aw hay yeah! AB's got this in the bag!" Scootaloo cheered.

"Not yet, sugarcube." Applejack said, becoming totally serious. "Don't count yer chickens before they hatch."

"I nullify with Hades Hypnotist." Diamond said, discarding a copy of Nightmare Doll, Alice. The card with a golden shield sign started to glow, manifesting in the form of a red demonpony that was casting a rune to block the onslaught of lasers.

"Drive check! No trigger." Apple Bloom added a copy of Stern to her hand.

"Now, Eisenkugel! Attack!" (POW: 17000)

"I guard with Rainbow Magician." (SLD: 20000)

"Tch... Ah end mah turn."

"My turn, stand and draw." Tiara smiled. "It's time for the princess to put this little show to an end! FINAL TURN!!!"

"Wha!?" Apple Bloom gnashed her teeth.

"Boosted by Dark Metal Bicorn, Alice attacks!" The doll swung her enormous hoof at the robot. (POW: 10000)

"Ah guard with Battleraizer!" (SLD: 21000)

"The finale! Boosted by Turquoise Beast Tamer, Barking Manticore delives an attack to Stern Blaukluger!" (POW: 22000)

Apple Bloom looked at her hand, which was a 5000 Shield unit and a Grade 3. "Ah... Don't guard!"

"Drive trigger check! Critical! As if that was even necessary. The extra Critical to my Vanguard, and Power to my rear-guard, Barking Manticore. Second check, no trigger."

"Ah... Damage... First... BOOYAH! Heal Trigger! Clara, Ah love you! Power to the vanguard, and Ah heal. Second..." Apple Bloom revealed the card. It was The Gong. "Ah... Lose."

"Hmph. Commoner filth like you dare to go against me? Get real." And with that, Diamond Tiara left. Apple Bloom was next to leave, feeling down.

"Ah'm sorry, but she just overpowered me. Who dang knew she had a Sentinel in her hand." said Apple Bloom, slamming her hoof on the wall. But the others just smiled at her.

"Don't worry Apple Bloom. Y'all will get back at her someday. Through legal means, of course." Applejack reassured, in a strict tone.

"Yeah! And I'll help ya!" Dash said, making Applejack shoot a look at her and mouthed something like: 'No trucking fer a week', making Dash say, "Uh, as long as it's okay with your sis."

"Thanks..." Apple Bloom said, before looking at Sweetie Belle. "Sweetie, it's all up to ya now."

"I-I know..." Sweetie gulped.

"Sweetie Belle..." Scootaloo sighed, venting some very unpleasant feelings. "Uh... Okay, no pressure, but you have to win this... All our dreams are riding on this, so you have to win, okay?"

Sweetie trembled nervously and managed to stutter, "Uh-Uh... O-okay..."

"Enough pressure on the poor girl already." Rarity said. "She still has to do the deed itself, you know."

"T-thanks, S-sis." Sweetie Belle said before going into the darkened hallway to the arena as the announcer told the Fighters to get their flanks there. "I'm g-gonna win this!"

Then suddenly, the door opened, revealing Spark Light, who was looking at Apple Bloom. "I assume you lost against that spoiled brat?"

Apple Bloom snorted. "Dang straight."

"So. Where's our other member?" he said nonchalantly.

"She is not your 'other member'! You will refer to her as Sweetie Belle, you-" The rest of the Mane Six and Crusaders cut her off with glares, when suddenly Spark spoke up.

"Buck you, Generosity." Spark said, making their jaws drop at his terrifying expression of cold fury. "I don't know nor care what you've got against me, but make one more damn move..."

Rarity froze in her open-mouthed position. "W-well-"

"And if this is about your sister, she's only my teammate, get that fact straight."

Rarity dumbly nodded.

Twilight suddenly put a mental link through the Bearers, allowing telepathic communication.

Uh, Rares, I think you went a bit to far this time. Applejack thought.

DAMN STRAIGHT YOU DID! WHAT THE FREAKIN' BUCK WERE YOU THINKING!? thought... Fluttershy(!?).

Seriously Rarity, you might want to try fixing things with him later... Twilight thought.

I... I suppose so. Rarity thought, feeling downcast. I attacked him... That was very unlady-like of me.

Yeah! I mean, you totally went OOC there! I suppose it was your 'big sis' instincts, right, Arthur? Pinkie thought.

Uh... Pinkie? You're not supposed to break the 4th Wall...

But it's FUUUUUN!

Do you want 'The Master' or something to show up and erase you from existence?

NOOOO! I'll stop now...

Uhh... Pinkie? Who are you talking to? asked/thought Rainbow.

Ohhh... Nopony! Ooooo! It echoes here! Echo! Echo! Echo!

Sweetie Belle put her Starting Vanguard in the table, while her opponent, the dark gray pegasus called Midnight, suddenly flew from the other team's waiting area, and landed in front of his MF System.

"Well, that was fun. Now." He turned to face Sweetie Belle. "Hi! I'm Midnight Storm! I'll be your opponent, and worst nightmare.

Sweetie was stunned. She suddenly felt a cold, tingling sensation in the back of her mind as her opponent put his Starting Vanguard faced down.

"And now, the moment you've all been waiting for! The VF Regional Finals! Team Foo Fighter PSY and Crusader have duked it out, and now here's the final battle! Let's start the cardfight! STAND UP!!!"

"Now, let's do this! Stand up..." Midnight put his hoof on his SVG.

"S-Stand up..." Sweetie did the same to her SVG.

"... the..." both uttered, surprising each other a bit.

"... VANGUARD!!!" The two flipped their cards over, the battlefield being a grassland valley with a full view of the night sky, in which the moon was eclipsed.

"BRUGAL, THE VANGUARD!!!" A blue dog with yellow accents on his face appeared.

"FULLBAU, MY VANGUARD!!!" A black dog with a visor and glowy blue spots across his body appeared.

Now, I'll show you the true meaning of despair... Midnight thought while smiling. It's gonna be fun breaking her.

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

Author's Notes:

Point out any mistakes, please. Also, OH CRAP, THE SHADOW PALADINS. D:
Thanks to my prereader, Kamen Writer