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

I haven't seen her since Regionals...

Sweetie Belle was wandering the expanse of Ponyville, thinking about the events of three months ago. Rainbow Dash hadn't found Scootaloo since then, Spark had disappeared directly after, and recently Apple Bloom got busy with farmwork, and Rarity's busy with her dresses...

"I... I need to get stronger... For Scoots... For Apple Bloom... For all my friends..." she said. I'm the reason... The reason why Scootaloo left...

Sweetie Belle suddenly looked up, finding herself in the... shadier parts of Ponyville. She was about to turn back, until a hoof was placed on her shoulder. Looking back, she was met with a sharp pain on her head, and proceeded to black out.

When Sweetie woke up, she felt a tightness on her right hoof. Looking, she saw her hoof clad in a brace that looked like her own VF Gloves, only with wires connected to a machine in front of her. She was surrounded by a dark area, with a wire fence, and she turned to see her captors.

"You stupid wench!" the dark purple one yelled. "You damn weakling! You screwed up Ponyville's chance at the big leagues! Now that stupid Diamond Tiara'll think she's superior! You idiot!"

"Now, now, Apple Bytes." The gray one said. "You can get revenge on her without the swearing."

"But Checkers! She ruined this your chance to-" she was cut of by a hoof in front of her face. "Checkers..."

"We'll get our part anyways." she said before turning to Sweetie Belle, glaring. "You're pathetic. I'm going to enjoy hurting you."

Alarmed, Sweetie tried to escape, but was blocked by Apple Bytes. "Why are you doing this!? I don't deserve it!"

Grinning, Checkered Flag said, "You really don't know, do you? Well, let's say a certain filly's dad bet his paycheck against the Riches that you guys would win the tournament. Now guess who's family ended up poor? Now, let's start. Put your Starting Vanguard on that MF System."

Gulping, Sweetie Belle obeyed as she put Brugal faced down, with her opponent doing the same.

"Stand up..."

"... the..."

"... VANGUARD!!!" They flipped over their SVGs.

"... Stardust Trumpeter!" A red-maned white pegasus filly with her hair in buns appeared behind Sweetie Belle. (G0/6000)

"Lizard Runner, Undeux!" A red dragon with laser swords flew from Faust knew where. (G0/6000)

"Now, my turn! Draw!" Checkered said, drawing a card. "Ride! Grapeshot Wyvern (G1/6000)! I end." (Hand: 5, Damage: 0)

"M-My turn. Draw." Sweetie Belle gulped. "I ride! Little Sage, Marron (G1/8000), and I call Knight Squire, Alen behind him!"

(RC) (Marron) (RC)

(RC) (Alen) (RC)

Hand: 4, Damage: 0

"Boosted by Alen, Marron attacks at 15000 Power!" Sweetie/Marron shot a bolt of energy at the wyvern, it's feet-guns offering no protection while Checkered winced.

"No guard" Sweetie Belle's drive check revealed a copy of Epona. "Damage checks, no triggers." (Damage: 0/2)

"Turn end." (Hand: 5, Damage: 0)

"Now, my turn. Stand and draw!" Checkers smirked. "Ride! Berserk Dragon! Counterblast, I retire Alen!"

Sweetie was about to send Alen to the drop zone, when she felt a small amount of heat behind her. Ignoring it, she continued.

"Now I call! Raopia (G1/6000)! Nehalem (G2/10000)!"

(Nehalem) (BerserkD) (RC)

(RC) (LS,Raopia) (RC)

Hand: 3, Damage: 2/2

"Boosted by Raopia, Berserk Dragon attacks at 19000!" (Raopia's skill = Power +4000 since there are two or less opponent's RG)

"I don't guard!" (Hand: 5, Damage: 0)

"Check! Oh look, it's Rakshasa! Critical to the vanguard, Power to Nehalem!" Berserk Dragon shot a torrent of fire at Marron, causing an explosion.

"Checking my da-" Sweetie Belle was cut off by a sudden, painful jolt, making her legs buckle underneath her, and the taste of metal on her mouth as two cards flew from the top of her deck to the damage. "W-What... Was that!?"

"Oh. I've seen you've felt the effects of my Underground Fight Gloves." smirked the gray mare, making Sweetie Belle's eyes widen. "Once you take damage, it shoots a blast of magic through the glove, and into your body, either elctrocuting or giving the feeling of being hit by a giant fist."

Sweetie Belle recoiled in horror. Sweet Celestia! I have to get out of this!

Smirking, her opponent rested Nehalem, who flew above Sweetie Belle. "15000."

"I... I GUARD WITH EPONA!!!" Sweetie nearly threw the card in an attempt to stop the approaching dragon. (Hand: 4, Damage: 0/2)

"Turn end." (Hand: 4, Damage: 2/2)

"M-My turn. Stand and draw." Sweetie Belle thought about her options. She either had to escape or fight her way out. She couldn't escape, so... I... I need to win this... "Stand up, my Avatar! Defender of he weak! Ride, BLASTER BLADE!!! (G2/9000)

A whitish-gray knight appeared, gripping tightly on his sword. I could've sworn Blaster Blade was a little lighter colored.... "Counterblast! Pinpoint Burst on Nehalem!"

The knight suddenly disappeared in a flash of light, and appeared behind Nehalem, stabbing the rider. Teleporting back to Sweetie Belle, Blaster Blade seemed... miffed, not looking at her as the knight had sometimes done three months ago.

"Now, I call! Marron (G1/8000)! Gordon (G2/8000)!" The mage she used earlier and a gray knightpony with his mane in a ponytail appeared, wielding a rapier of light. Let's go, everyone!

(Gordon) (BB) (RC)

(Marron) (RC) (RC)

Hand: 2, Damage: 2/2

"Boosted by Marron, Gordon attacks!" (POW: 16000)

"I guard with Rakshasa!" Checkered put the Trigger Unit in the drop zone.

"My Vanguard attacks!"

"No guard."

Sweetie Belle drive checked a unit with the illustration of a regal-looking knight and his comrade sitting on a big rock.

"Checking my damage! Heal trigger! Power to my vanguard, and I heal!" Her opponent put one of the used-for-Counterblast cards in the drop zone. (Hand: 3, Damage: 1/2)

"Tch... Turn end..." The white filly prepared herself for the onslaught that was soon to come. (Hand: 3, Damage: 2/2)

"My turn. Stand and draw." Checkered laughed. "Stand up, guardian dragon of the Empire! Cleanse the world of the weak, and glory to the strong! RIDE!!! DRAGONIC WATERFALL!!!

"What!?" That's one of Spark's cards! How'd she get it!?

"You're probably wondering how I got this, right?" smirked the gray mare. "I bought this from some collector in Manehattan. Didn't come cheap, either. Also, call! Bahr!"

Gritting her teeth, Sweetie looked at the paladin-like dragon, wielding a bland but very sharp sword.

(Nehalem) (D.Waterfall) (RC)

(Bahr) (LS,Raopia) (RC)

Hand: 2, Damage: 1/2

"Boosted by Raopia, Waterfall attacks at 23000 Power!"

"I don't guard!" (Hand: 3, Damage: 2/2)

"Checking my drive trigger! First up.... OH YEAH!!! IT'S TAHR BABY!!! CRITICAL TO VANGUARD, AND POWER TO NEHALEM!!!" Checkered yelled, with Waterfall's sword getting longer. "Second! CRITICAL GET! Let's give the Power to Nehalem, and the Critical to Waterfall!"

Sweetie Belle's eyes widened in horror at the insane attack. One second, she was standing on all four hooves. The next, she was blasted backwards by an insane surge of energy. "GAAAAAAAHHHH!!!"

Pure, unadulterated magic was blasted through her. It was as if her body was on fire, and she could feel every inch of her, being consumed. OH SWEET CELESTIA, IT HURTS!!!

Screaming and eyes watering, she tried using her own magic to counter, and it failed horribly, causing a sharp pain on her horn Why...? Why? WHY!?

It's because you're weak, that's why. Glory befits only those with power. A deep, rumbling voice said.

I'm...... Weak...

Honestly, you're pathetic. You can't even beat scum like her. How will Spark and your friends ever treat you as an equal?

I... Won't let that happen... I'll become stronger... I need to become stronger....

And, pray tell, how will you achieve that?

I don't even care... I need to get stronger...

Hmm... I like that mentality. I give you permission to tap into my power...

W-Wha...!?

All the while this was happening, Apple Bytes put three more cards in Sweetie Belle's damage zone, causing Sweetie Belle to taste metal and cough up blood, signified by the doubling in pain and volume of Sweetie Belle's howls, which echoed throughout the night.

Seeing the dirty deed, multiple thought raced through Sweetie Belle's mind. The only thought that was ever considered, the one that would affect her life, was chosen. It was revenge. I... Want... To... Make her.... Feel... PAIN!!!

In a flash of deep purple light, the magic was cancelled, surprising Apple Bytes and Checkered Flag, who were also met with a very pissed filly.

"Scum like you... NEED TO DIE!!!" she yelled, eyes blazing dark purple. The two felt the surroundings melt around them, and were suddenly in a moonlit valley. Turing around, they saw her.

Clad in gray, was the filly they tormented, gazing upon them with soulless eyes. Clutching her blade of the righteous, she said, "Those of you in the dark have no right to exist in the light."

Eyes widening, Apple Bytes said. "N-No. No. NO!!! You can't be her! She's supposed to be weak!"

"So this... This is what they call power..." muttered a shaking Checkered.

"Let's end this now, scum." The knight said, eyes blazing with that deep purple, before raising her sword, and bringning it crashing down on the two, but not before chanting. "Glory to those with power, death to the weak!"

"AAAAAAAAGH!!!!!" The two yelled, before finding themselves back in the arena, with Sweetie Belle glaring at them.

"W-What are you!?" Apple Bytes screamed.

Sweetie Belle smirked, as her eyes flashed that purple again. "Your worst nightmare. Even if you escape, I'll find you, and I will destroy everything you hold dear."

"M-MONSTER!!!" Checkered yelled, horrified, as she and Apple Bytes galloped away as fast as their hooves could carry them, while yelling 'MONSTER!!!'.

"Pathetic. And they had the nerve to capture me." Sweetie Belle glared at the running ponies for a bit, then felt a sense of dizziness overtake her, turning into pain, eventually blacking out.

Sweetie Belle had just woken up, and was greeted the sight of her sister, who looked like she went to the depths of hell and back. "R... Rarity?"

Hugging her, Rarity said. "Sweetie Belle, what were you thinking!? You went to... that part of Ponyville! During the evening, no less! Be glad that... Spark saw it and told the others!"

Spark!? Sweetie's jaw dropped. Shaking her head, she apologized. "Um... Sorry for making you worry."

"What's important is that you're okay, darling. Bruised and having traces of a magical overload, but fine." Rarity beamed. "Also, can you tell us who hurt you, so we can have those brutes arrested?"

"No, that's not necessary." she smiled, surprising Rarity. "I don't think they'll bother me any more. Trust me on this."

Rarity was about to say something, until she caught a glint of purple in her little sister's green eyes. Wha...? Must be my imagination.

Glory to the strong, death to the weak. Sweetie Belle thought. I need to get stronger...

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

Author's Notes:

New chapter is damn dark. Also, Believe in my existence ftw! Point out any mistakes!