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

"BRUGAL, THE VANGUARD!!!"

"FULLBAU, MY VANGUARD!!!"

"My turn! Stand and draw." Midnight was smiling at Sweetie Belle. "You use the Royal Paladin clan, huh? Too bad."

"Too bad? What do you mean?" Sweetie inquired, not letting her guard down.

"Too bad you're using that clan. You'll never reach your full potential." he said, smiling casually. "Anyways, I'll show you what true power is."

Sweetie Belle gulped.

"My turn starts. I draw." Midnight smiled as he put a card on his Vanguard Circle. "Ride the vanguard. Blaster Javelin."

A black pony wearing dark-colored purple armor with glowing blue lines wielding a spear appeared. (G1/8000, since Fullbau is in the soul.)

"Fullbau's skill! I search my deck for a certain card that you'd probably like to see." He searched his deck for a card, which he flashed, shocking Sweetie. "Blaster Dark."

"W-What!?" Sweetie said. The unit matched every detail of the knight she saw in a vision. "B-Blaster Dark!?"

"Well, that's all I can do. Turn end." (Hand: 6, Damage: 0)

"M-My turn. Draw." Sweetie gulped. "R-Ride! Little Sage, Marron (G1/8000)!!!"

Sweetie imagined herself as Marron, and Midnight as Blaster Javelin. "Now, I call! Snogal!"

(RC) (LS,Marron) (RC)

(RC) (Snogal) (RC)

Hand: 4, Damage: 0

"Now, boosted by Snogal, the Vanguard attacks!" Sweetie Belle/Marron levitated a book, and cast a spell that shot lightning from her horn. (POW: 14000)

"I guard with Darkside Trumpeter." Midnight/Blaster Javelin put his left front-hoof forward, making a (cute) white pegasus filly with a purple mane (styled in buns). [(SLD: 18000), (Hand: 5, Damage: 0)]

"Checking my drive trigger!" She revealed a copy of her avatar, the white pony knight known as Blaster Blade. "Well... I didn't get a trigger."

"Well, too bad." Midnight snorted. "That was just pathetic."

"Tch... End turn." (Hand: 5, Damage: 0)

"Well, well, well. My turn, draw." Midnight sighed as he used his wing to raise a card in the air. "Plunge everything into despair... MY AVATAR!!!"

The card suddenly began to exude darkness. Sweetie felt a disturbing presence coming closer and closer.

The two fillies were standing in a dimly-lit room with a giant window, allowing them to see the Cardfight from above.

Diamond Tiara snorted. "He really makes a big deal about riding that card. What's so good about it anyways?"

Silver Spoon raised an eyebrow. "Have you really forgotten about that power?"

"Oh yeah." Diamond said. "He usually wins without using it. Makes you wonder why he said he'd pull out all the stops on that loser, huh?"

"Yeah." Silver agreed. "Even I don't know what that guy's thinking sometimes."

"Anyways, wanna bet who's gonna win?"

"Oh, sure. My money's on Midnight."

"Same. No competition there, at all."

"What!?" Spark yelled, sounding alarmed. "He's going to use that unit!? This early!?"

"What do ya mean?" Apple Bloom said, worried. Rarity looked worried as well.

"Yeah! What the heck is strong enough to make you have that reaction?" snorted Scootaloo.

"You idiots don't even know, do you!?" Spark barked. "I swear, we should just forfeit this match. I can feel something bad is about to happen."

They were stunned. Spark Light, of all ponies, was telling them to forfeit!

"Whoa, wait a minute. Why the hay do you want squirt and the others to forfeit!?" Rainbow said.

"Yeah! What the hell!? Are you telling us that we're weak!?" Scootaloo flared her wings.

"Tch... You'll find out soon enough." he said, glaring. Scoots returned the glare all-too-willingly.

"... Where there is light... There is DARKNESS!!! RIDE THE VANGUARD!!! BLASTER DARK!!!"

"What...!?"

A black knight appeared, cloaked in the armor of the shadows. Pouncing from a cliff nearby, he landed, wielding a big, two-pronged, dark-colored, Blaster-type sword that looked as if it were made from the finest black steel... (G2/10000, since Blaster Javelin is in the soul.)

"Well, I call. Doranbau!" A black High Dog with fire on its head and body appeared. "Also, Black Sage Charon (G1/8000) and Knight of Darkness, Rugos (G2/10000) would like to meet you!"

A black knight with twin swords, one bigger and having red markings while the other a short sword with blue ones, and a black mage-pony with a gray mane appeared.

(KoD,Rugos) (BlasterDark) (RC)

(Charon) (Doranbau) (RC)

Hand: 2, Damage: 0

"Boosted by Doranbau, my Avatar attacks! Also, Doranbau's skill activates! Giving an extra 4000 Power to Dark!" (POW: 20000)

"Tch... No guard!"

"Checking the drive trigger!" He revealed a card with a black pony with a red mane wielding a scythe. "The Grim Reaper has come to take its victims!" (Blaster Dark - Critical: 1 ==> 2, Rugos - Power: 10000 ==> 15000)

"Damage check first... No trigger!" Sweetie Belle sent Wingal to the drop zone. "Second... Aha! Yggdrassil Maiden, Elaine! Heal the troops, and 5000 Power to my Vanguard!" [(Hand: 5, Damage: 1), (Marron's SLD/POW: 13000)]

The black knight suddenly disappeared. Reappearing behind Marron, he stabbed it from the back. Sweetie Belle suddenly felt her back getting pried open by a sharp metal blade and screamed in pain, her front legs buckling and sending her (at least front legs) into a kneeling position.

"Sweetie Belle!" Rarity nearly shrieked. "What happened!?"

"You better have an explanation for this!" yelled Scootaloo, directing the question at Spark.

"As I said, that's Blaster Dark. A unit that can make you feel any pain that your Avatar on Cray can feel." Spark said matter-of-factly, horrifying the mares in the room. "That was a lot of Power, so obviously the pain is multiplied threefold."

"How is that even possible!?" Twilight said. "There has to be an explanation for it!"

"There's no explanation. It just does."

"WHAT!?" Rarity shrieked, horrified. "We need to get her out of there!"

"No can do." Spark Light interrupted. "Once a Cardfight started, it cannot be interrupted. You could've forfeited earlier."

"Oh sweet Celestia...." Applejack said, completely in shock, as Fluttershy gasped and nearly fainted. Pinkie, however, stayed optimistic.

"All she has to do is win, right?" Pinkie chirped. "Then she can't feel pain from the attacks any more!"

"Yes. However, at how Sweetie is today... I find that nearly impossible." Spark cut in.

Scootaloo snorted. "You haven't seen her fight that serious yet, haven't you?"

Spark was about to say he did during their first fight, but chose to give them the benefit of a doubt.

Sweetie Belle gasped for air. She had felt her back and lungs reduced to something that can't be described due to this fic's rating. "W-What the hay was that!?"

"Oh, nothing." Midnight smiled. "I'm not done. Boosted by Charon, Rugos attacks!" (POW: 23000)

"I d-don't guard. Damage check, Margal! DRAW TRIGGER!" Sweetie Belle suddenly felt a wave of power course through her, removing most of the pain from Blaster Dark's attack. "5000 Power to Marron, and I draw." (Hand: 6, Damage: 2)

"Well, that's it! Turn end!" (Hand: 3, Damage: 0)

"M-My turn, I stand and draw!" Sweetie suddenly heard a voice different from anyone's. It seemed to come from... Blaster Blade!?

Vanguard... Vanguard... Vanguard...

Gulping, Sweetie raised the card into the air using her magic, suddenly getting more confident. "Light of courage, and defender of the weak! STAND UP MY AVATAR!!!"

Midnight suddenly looked interested. "Oh? Your Avatar you say?"

"I RIDE!!! BLASTER BLADE THE VANGUARD!!!"

Eyes widening, Midnight said, "B... Blaster Blade? Wow, you are interesting."

A white knightpony wielding a sword appeared. His sword suddenly split into three, with surges of energy. "Now his Counterblast, and I retire Rugos! PINPOINT BURST!!!"

Midnight sent his rear-guard Rugos to the drop zone as Blaster Blade shot a blast of light using his blade, which returned to normal after.

"Next, I call! Blaster Javelin Normally, and his skill! I put two Royal Paladin cards in my hand to the soul, and I superior call two Royal Paladin High Beasts! I call two Snogals!"

(RC) (Blaster Blade) (BlstrJvlnNrmlly)

(Snogal) (Snogal) (Snogal)

Hand: 6, Damage: 2/2

"Boosted by Snogal, Blaster Blade attacks your Vanguard!" (POW: 17000)

"I don't guard." (Hand: 3, Damage: 0)

"Checking me drive trigger! Yeah! I got Epona, a Critical Trigger! Power to Javelin Normally, and the extra Critical to my Vanguard!"

"Checking the damage. First, no trigger." Midnight revealed the second card. "Abyss Freezer. Oh lookie, a Draw Trigger. That's 5000 Power to my Vanguard, and a card for me." (Hand: 4, Damage: 0/2)

"Now, boosted by Snogal, Normally attacks your Vanguard at 22000 Power!" The knight readied its gleaming white spear, shooting bolts of lightning.

"I guard with Grim Reaper." A demonic black pony with a scythe blocked Normally's attack. (SLD: 25000)

"Well... That's the end of my turn." (Hand: 6, Damage: 2/2)

"My turn! Stand and draw." Midnight smiled at Sweetie Belle. "Time to show you what darkness is all about."

Sweetie got on her guard as Midnight placed a card on the Vanguard Circle.

"Ride, the vanguard! The dragon of impenetrable armor, Dark Metal Dragon!!!"

A titanic purple dragon covered in crystals opened its four eyes, roaring as black gems started coming out of the ground, screwing up the smooth appearance of the terrain. Its sword began to glow menacingly in a red color. (G3/10000)

"And now I call!" A card were placed on the rear-guard. "Skull Witch, Nemain (G2/3000)! Counterblast and I discard Dark Metal, and I draw two cards!"

(KoD,Rugos) (DMDragon) (SW, Nemain)

(Charon) (Doranbau) (RC)

Hand: 3, Damage: 1/2

"Boosted by Doranbau, Dark Metal Dragon attacks!" (POW: 16000)

"I don't guard." (Hand: 6, Damage: 2/2)

"Checking my Twin Drive! First up is Abyss Freezer, who's a Shadow Paladin unit, which makes Dark Metal Dragon get an extra 2000 Power, which is useless in this situation. Power to Rugos." Midnight added the card to his hand and drew another, before revealing the next card. "Second check. Blaster Dark. Dark Metal gets another useless 2000 Power." (Hand: 6)

"Damage trigger check! No tri-" Sweetie Belle was cut of by a burning pain on the right side of her body. She somehow couldn't scream, even if she wanted to. A third damage floated from her deck to the damage. It hurts...

"Seiously? Even that weak attack could phase you?" Midnight sighed. "Charon boosts, Rugos attacks!" (POW: 23000)

"I... Don't guard." Sweetie felt her face getting punched, as a result, was sent reeling back as the next damage floated to its respective place. (Hand: 6, Damage: 2/4)

"That's it! I'm putting a stop to this!" Rarity said. "This has obviously gotten dangerous!"

As Rarity was about to bolt into the arena, Scootaloo blocked her and said, "She can do this! Don't give up on her!"

"No offense darling, but are you out of your mind!?" Rarity retorted. "She's getting hurt out there! Spark is right, we need to forfeit!"

"Hay no!" Scootaloo said as she glared an instant at Spark, then proceeding back to Rarity. "We aren't forfeiting anything! She's gonna win this."

Sweetie Belle's field (Current, Battle Phase)

(Snogal) (FoL,Garmore) (BlstrJvlnNrmlly)

(Snogal) (Snogal) (Snogal)

Hand: 4, Damage: 2/4

"Now, boosted by Snogal, Garmore attacks Dark Metal Dragon!" (POW: 23000)

"I guard with Dark Shield, Mac Lir! I discard Abyss Freezer!" Midnight revealed a card with a black pony using a black shield, having a distinct golden Shield symbol. (Hand: 4, Damage: 1/2), (SLD: ∞)

"Twin Drive! First check, no trigger." Sweetie Belle smiled as she felt a familiar burst of energy go through her. "Second check! FUTURE KNIGHT, LLEW! All to Javelin Normally!"

Garmore tried to jump, but was blocked by an enormous shield of darkness.

"Now, boosted by Snogal, Javelin Normally attacks!" (POW: 23000)

"Heh, I told you she'd finish it! Go, Sweetie Belle!" Scootaloo cheered.

Rarity asked herself. Is she really a filly any more? I don't think so. She's grown so much, considering what's happened these three years. Especially the part about Ponyville getting split in half by a forest. Thank Celestia they remedied that using those new buildings.

"She's a goner." Spark said suddenly, catching everypony's attention.

"What the buck do you mean!? I've just had it with you-" Scootaloo was cut off by Spark pointing at the screen, which showed. Midnight no guarding, landing two damage. Directly after, he took the last attack.

"Just watch."

"Well, My turn. Stand and draw." Midnight smiled. "It's been fun and all, but I think I'll end this now. FINAL TURN!!!"

"What!?"

"Spreading the wings of pure darkness across the land, consuming every single bit of light!" Midnight said, raising a card into the air. "Plunge the world into despair, unholy dragon of Tartarus! RIDE THE VANGUARD!!! PHANTOM... BLASTER... DRAGON!!!"

Dark Metal Dragon erupted in a plume of darkness, with Blaster Dark in its place. Suddenly, though, Blaster Dark clutches at his face, bearing the expression of extreme pain before being blasted by darkness from the skies. In his place was... This. (G3/11000, since Blaster Dark is in the soul.)

"Now, I call Dark Metal Dragon." Midnight then flashed a sinister grin before saying. "Time to offer you lives to the cursed dragon, you pathetic weaklings! Nemain! Doranbau! Dark Metal! DIE!!!"

"WHAT!?" Sweetie screamed as she watched the dragon turn, killing his targets with one swipe of his massive lance.

"This is Phantom Blaster Dragon's ultimate skill! DAMNED... CHARGING... LANCE!!!" Midnight yelled as Blaster Dragon's cyan lines began to glow a fiery crimson instead. "Blaster Dragon gets 10000 Power and an extra Critical!" (POW: 11000, 1 Crit ==> 21000, 2 Crit)

"What!? That unit just killed his friends for power!" Rainbow Dash yelled, as her friends could only look at the horrific sight before them. Fluttershy looked as if she were about to faint.

"That." Spark said. "Is what I was talking about. The Shadow Paladins kill their own allies for power, as demonstrated by Blaster Dragon here. That unit is the equivalent in power of my Kagerō's Dragonic Overlord, by the way."

What... Have I done!? Scootaloo thought. Sweetie Belle, get out of there!

"I'm not done. I call Dark Mage, Badhabh Caar! His skill, if I call him, I get to check the top card! If it's a Shadow Paladin, I can call him!" Midnight revealed the top card, which was another Caar. "Lookie! I superior call Caar, and his skill! I superior call... Abyss Healer!"

Why does he need all- Oh buck. Sweetie's eyes widened in horror as Midnight smiled.

"Yup! Activating his Counterblast once more to retire my two Caars, and Healer! DAMNED... TWIN... CHARGING... LANCE!!!! Blaster Dragon once again killed his allies, and his crimson lines suddenly housed fire, making it look like a flaming demon from the Underworld. (POW: 31000, Critical: 3)

"Now, Blaster Dragon attacks you." Midnight's eyes suddenly flashed a vibrant pink and violet, reflecting in Sweetie's eyes as she felt her surroundings melt. She found herself in a volcanic area, as Garmore, with nopony else around... Except a certain hellish dragon.

Where... Am I!? Sweetie Belle/Garmore said.

YoU'rE aT YoUr rEsTiNg PlAcE... A demonic voice rumbled. DiE!!!

Sweetie Belle/Garmore suddenly found herself impaled on Blaster Dragon's lance. An overwhelming pain took over her as she began to lose consciousness. Anyone... Please... Help....

Sweetie Belle coughed up blood and collapsed as her fifth and sixth damages flew to its respective places. Midnight just smiled and said something before leaving. "Well, it was fun breaking her. Gotta give Di credit. She knows her stuff."

When Spark was finished explaining every detail about what happened to the nurses, Rarity rushed in to see her sister, but was blocked by a nurse. "Let me in there! That's my sister!"

"Wait a moment, miss. The doctor is nearly done with her check-up."

Scootaloo, who was seated on the farthest bench, was approached by Spark Light, who said. "You knew her limitations, and I told you personally before the fights even started of what he could do. Look what happened."

"I... I know..." Scootaloo said, fighting to keep back tears. "I... Don't deserve to be her friend..."

Spark, looking as stoic as ever, just glared at the orange pegasus.

"I... I think I'll quit the team. Break the news to them gently, okay?" Scootaloo said before she turned and left.

"... I'll do my best." Spark Light said quietly when she was gone, approaching the others, who were finally let inside the room. The medical room was pretty nice, with a small Crystal Vision in front of the bed. Sweetie Belle was sitting up, smiling.

"H-Hey."

Rarity rushed in to hug her, crying. Fluttershy had rushed off a while ago to get Sweetie Belle's stuff, along with Pinkie Pie, while Twilight Sparkle was choosing books for Sweetie to read during her 'in' time in the infirmary. "Oh my goodness, Sweetie Belle! Don't ever scare us like that again!"

Spark whispered something to Apple Bloom, which made her eyes widen. As he continued to whisper, Apple Bloom looked sadder and sadder.

"A-Apple Bloom? What's the matter? Where's S-Scoots?" Sweetie Belle said weakly.

"... She left the team, Sweetie Belle. She left." Apple Bloom said, nearly crying, and shocking the others (except Spark).

"W-What? S-She left, huh? No wonder... I let her dreams get crushed." chuckled Sweetie Belle as she started tearing up. Apple Bloom was about to say something, but Sweetie Belle cut her to it. "Don't say anything else. I... I need to get stronger."

"Dammit! I'm gonna go look for her!" Rainbow said, flying out in an instant.

Spark Light's eyes widened at those last words that Sweetie had said. Oh no... Not again...! Wait... Spark... Calm down... Observe what happens...

Sweetie Belle's eyelids suddenly felt as they were made of lead. Her last thought before blacking out was:

I need... To get stronger...

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

Author's Notes:

IT'S OVER 3000!!!! Anyways, cue "OH SHIT!" moment. Anyways, point out all mistakes, yadda yadda, thanks to Kamen Writer for his semi-good pre-reading, etc. Have fun Vanguard Fighting!