Rarity smiled at the rows of dresses she had made. Ah... I'm finally done for the week! It's time to rela-

Her thoughts were cut off by a loud banging from the door. She groaned. Ugh... Never mind...

"Wait, I'm coming!" As she made her way over to the door, she looked at a blue card with several blue sapphires that had toppled on her worktable. She smiled, before propping it back up and answering the door.

"Welcome to the Carousel Bouti-" She was cut off by an impatient hoof in the air.

"Miss Rarity." She looked at her 'customer'. "I need your help. But before that, I need to tell you something. It's about your sister."

Rarity stayed silent for a moment, before nodding. "Come in."

Spark Light entered the store.

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

The two ponies sat on opposite couches, occasionally taking a sip of tea, or getting a refill from the teapot on the small table in front of them.

"What did you want to tell me about Sweetie Belle?" Rarity asked. "She's been with Mom and Dad, so I really don't know what happened these past few months."

Spark sighed. "She's fallen to the dark side. As in the Shadow Paladins."

"What!?"

"And I'm taking the blame for this, so if you want to beat me up, this is the most appropriate moment." The colt replied, his face totally calm. Rarity just sighed and rubbed her forehead.

"I'm sorry for what happened months ago... But that isn't the issue here. Explain everything."

"Everything? Okay. But first..." Spark brings out a blue deckbox. "Touch this deck."

Rarity nodded, and a sudden burst of light consumed them. They were suddenly at Ponyville. However, it looked different... Everything was less advanced, and The Everfree hadn't consumed most of the town. They were above a fairly large house, which had a small garden, playground, and swimming pool.

"Spark Light? W-What is this!?" The colt said nothing, and pointed at Rarity. She looked at her body, and gasped. She was translucent, and was levitating like Spark. "Explain this...!"

"This is the Power of Images." he says. "It's when a deck... Summons memories from the past. In this case, four years ago."

"W-What has this to do with my sister!?"

"It has everything to do with her." Spark stares at Rarity. "Have you ever heard of The Eyes of Cray?"

"The Eyes... Of Cray?"

"Okay, that means a no. Just keep watching." Spark pointed to the house below them. A white colt with green hair stepped out of the door, looking at the ground.

Rarity stared at Spark, before watching the scene below her unfold.

"Oi, Spark! What the heck are you doing!?" A voice from inside called.

"Nothing... I'm just going out, okay?" Younger Spark tilted his head. "Miss Lemon Hearts?"

A yellow unicorn with a curly blue mane stepped out, her face showing an expression of concern. "Dear... It's only been months since the... accident, and you haven't talked to the others... They're getting worried about you."

"Then let them worry. I'm going." The younger pony trotted away, leaving a sighing caretaker. Rarity gasped.

"What is it?" Spark said, raising an eyebrow.

"Y-Y-You're from-"

"The orphanage? Yeah, until my uncle decided to let me live in my own, in his old apartment."

The white unicorn just stared at the colt, who motioned to the scenes below them once more. Younger Spark was now at the doors of a shop, and he trotted inside.

Oi. The colt turned to see a purple pegasus colt with a red mane, grinning. Beside him was smirking, blue-haired unicorn mare, who looked older than the other two. "Hi, Spark. This is Beats. She's moved in recently, and she says she wants to fight the strongest fighter here."

"I-Isn't that the ruffian who injured Sweetie Belle during Regionals!? Are you his ally!?" Rarity yelled, but Spark ignored her.

"Aren't you the strongest?" Younger Spark smirked, making Midnight scratch his head.

"N-Not really... Hehe... I just sack triggers a lot."

"Are any of you fighting me?" Beats said, an unamused expression on her face. Spark nodded, and they went to a VF Table. They put their Vanguards faced down.

"Stand up-"

"Stand up-"

"-VANGUARD!!!" A sudden surge of red and pink flames consumed them.

"Okay, guys." Scootaloo grinned. "Here's the plan. We break into PSY's Headquarters. I fight Sweetie Belle, win, and convince her to come back. Any questions?"

Apple Bloom looked at her, unamused. "Really? After 2 days, that's your 'Master Plan' to stop an insanely powerful Shadow Paladin user?"

"Yeah. I even got Silver Spoon to work with us."

"What!?" Babs yelled, slamming her hoof onto a table. "Why did you do that!? And can we even trust her!?"

"Don't worry." Scootaloo shrugged it off. "She's against what her teammates are doing, and is actually pretty nice. Didn't stop me from giving her a beating, though..."

The two Apples stared at Scootaloo with a horrified expression on their faces.

"What?"

"You... Beat her up...!? When!? What the hay, Scoots!"

"Heck no. I just destroyed her with my improved Murakumo deck right after we met up at Sugarcube Corner." The pegasus smirked. "If Silver Spoon can't handle me, then what chance does Sweetie Belle has?"

"You sound like an arrogant douche, if ya ask me." Babs said, glaring at the pegasus. Scootaloo just shrugged.

"I mean, it's Phantom Blaster Dragon. When you think about it, if you survive Damned Charging Lance and Tartarus Gatebreak, she's literally nothing." Scootaloo grinned. "And I have a card that can limit her to using only one of those moves."

Silence filled the room.

"Are... Are you talking about ZANBAKU's u-ultimate skill...!?" Babs muttered. "You haven't... You wouldn't...!"

"Yes, I will." The orange pegasus picked up her black deckbox with an expression of determination. "This deck is specifically tailored to make ZANBAKU work as soon as possible, with my Rear-guard units also going all-out. There's no way I can lose."

"Now, let's start our war."

"AGH!" Beats screamed as she took her sixth damage. A large dragon with an even bigger cannon on its back dissipated into pink mist. "Even my 'Gun Salute Dragon, End of Stage' was not enough...!? How!? How can you have a Vanguard that attacks with so much power!?"

"I dunno. I guess you're just weak." Younger Spark smirked, causing the unicorn to glare at him.

"You little...! Take this!" The unicorn's eyes and horn glowed, and she shot a bolt of lightning at the colt. Spark braced for the shock, but was suddenly shoved aside by...

"M-Midnight!?" The pegasus collapsed onto the ground, unconscious. Beats' eyes widened, and she quickly fled the scene. "S-Say something!"

Midnight opened his eyes, but... They were different. The innocent gaze he had was gone, and it was replaced by that of a predatory animal seeking its prey.

"I... I have to get stronger." His eyes glowed bright red and the image faded, leaving a dumbstruck Element of Generosity and a silent colt. A heavy silence hung in the air.

"W... Why have you decided to show me this?" Rarity muttered.

"You're her older sister. I'm basically asking permission to use," Spark revealed the top card inside the blue deckbox, making Rarity gasp. "This unit against her."

Rarity stayed silent, but the door was suddenly flung open. Rainbow Dash's head poked out, and looked at the white unicorn.

"Rarity! I have to show you... What's he doing here?"

"Hey, Silvy?" Sweetie Belle was walking with Silver Spoon down a hallway. "Where are Midnight and Diamond Tiara?"

"I don't know." The gray mare replied, adjusting her glasses. "Something about getting new ace cards. Anyways, let's go to the training room."

They arrived at a blue door which Silver opened, revealing a large field with two MF Systems... And three fillies.

"What the hell are they doing here!?" Sweetie Belle glared at the bespectacled mare, who said nothing. "Fine. I'm dealing with them myself."

Approaching the rest of the Crusaders, she smirked at them. Apple Bloom trotted towards her and held her hoof out.

"Sweets, Ah'm-" She was cut off by her hoof being slapped away and getting knocked away by an emerald lightning blast. She slammed against the steel wall, coughing up blood.

"Don't. You. Dare. Touch me." Sweetie Belle growled, before slamming Babs into the wall with a magical construct, making her scream several obscenities. "Scootaloo. What the hell are you here for?"

"Let her go." The pegasus muttered. With a flash, the Babs was on the ground.

Silver Spoon was too shocked to say anything. This was worse than I thought... Way worse... Scootaloo, it's all up to you now.

"S-Scoots... She's different now..." Babs coughed. Scootaloo nodded, and the two fighters went to the opposite sides of the field. Sweetie Belle was on the left, and Scootaloo on the right. They placed their Vanguards faced down.

"This fight... I'll put everything on the line!"

"Just try it! Stand up-"

"Stand up-"

"-the-" Sweetie Belle muttered, her eyes flashing purple.

"-VANGUARD!!!" They flipped their cards over, causing the MF Systems to summon an environment; in this case, a dark valley in the Dragon Empire.

"Fullbau!" An armored black dog suddenly appeared, growling at the opposing fighter.

"Stealth Beast, Evil Ferret!" A white ferret in a purple ninja attire appeared, brandishing a kunai.

"I go first, draw. Ride! Blaster Javelin! I use his skill to get Blaster Dark, and I end my turn." (Hand: 6, Damage: 0)

"My turn, draw. I ride! Shijimamaru, and Ferret moves behind him." Scootaloo sighed. Even if I used Million Rat, he'd be worthless since Javelin is 8000 Power...

(RC) (Shijimm) (RC)

(RC) (EvilFerrt) (RC)

Hand: 5, Damage: 0

"Evil Ferret boosts, Shijimamaru attacks!" (POW: 13000)

"No guard." (Hand: 6, Damage: 0)

"Check." Scootaloo revealed ZANBAKU, making Sweetie Belle wince. "Heh... No trigger."

"Going all out, huh...? Check. Abyss Freezer, all to Vanguard and I draw."

"I end my turn." (Hand: 6, Damage: 0)

"My turn, stand and draw." Sweetie Belle's eyes glowed violet momentarily, attracting Scootaloo's attemtion.

"Did... Did your eyes just glow!?"

"Huh?" Sweetie Belle's eyes widened in realization. "No... NO! You couldn't be one of them... You don't have PSY Qualia, so...!?"

"PSY Qualia!?" Scootaloo yelled. "What the hell are you talking about!?"

"How about I show you?" The unicorn smirked, her pupils totally consumed by a void of purple energy. "Blade of everlasting darkness... Thunder forth and destroy everything! RIDE! BLASTER DARK -- MY AVATAR!!!"

A black knight descended on the battlefield, glaring at the ninjas in front of him. He swung his sword, which caused a torrent of black wind to envelop himself. (G2/10000)

"I call. Nemain. Counterblast, I drop Phantom Blaster Dragon, and draw two cards." Sweetie Belle smirked. "I call Charon behind Nemain."

(RC) (BD) (Nemain)

(RC) (RC) (Charon)

Hand: 7, Damage: 1/1

"Blaster Dark attacks!" Sweetie Belle took the knight's form, and charged at Shijimamaru. (POW: 10000)

"Guard! Moon Edge!" A feline-like rogue appeared, causing Sweetie Belle/Blaster Dark to jump back. (SLD Total: 18000)

"Drive check." Sweetie Belle levitated Grim Reaper and she swung her sword at the rogue, causing it to disappear. "All to Nemain!"

"AGH!" Scootaloo yelled as she was electrocuted by Nemain's magic. "N-No triggers..." (Hand: 5, Damage: 0/2)

"I end my turn." (Hand: 8, Damage: 1/1)

"My turn, stand and draw." Scootaloo glared at the black warrior in front of her, before smirking. "This is the perfect opportunity to use that combo."

"Hmm?"

"Ride! Bloody Mist! Now, I activate Ferret! He's going to the bottom of the deck, and I Superior Call Midnight Crow from my hand! Counterblast! I Superior Call another Crow from the deck, to the field! Now, I call Shijimamaru!"

(MidCrow) (BloMi) (MidCrow)

(Shijimmr) (RC) (RC)

Hand: 3, Damage: 1/2

"Midnight Crow attacks Nemain!" The Warbeast threw a kunai at the witch, causing her to dissipate into violet sparkles. "Now, my Vanguard attacks!"

"No guard." (Hand: 8, Damage: 1/1)

"Check." Scootaloo revealed Moon Edge. "Booyah! Critical to Vanguard!"

"Damage check. First," Abyss Freezer was revealed, and glowed a bright red. "I draw a card, and extra Power to Blaster Dark. Second... Abyss Healer. All to Vanguard, and I heal one damage."

"Tch... Boosted by Shijimamaru, Midnight Crow attacks!" (POW: 21000)

"Guard. Blaster Javelin." (SLD: 25000)

"Tch... I end my turn. One Midnight Crow is returned to my hand. The other goes to the bottom of my deck." (Hand: 5, Damage: 1/2)

"My turn, draw." Sweetie Belle sighed. "You know, Scoots, it's not too late. You can join PSY. Silvy and I will vouch for you, and Midnight would most likely approve, so..."

"Over my dead body." The pegasus snarled. "Now, are you going to ride something!?"

"Fine." Sweetie Belle's eyes suddenly stopped glowing. In a split second, a whirlwind of purple energy surrounded everypony present, and they were suddenly on the planet known as Cray. The area chosen was a dark, misty valley with various spires of rock at night, with both of the planet's moons in the sky. "Cursed dragon of Tartarus... Thunder forth and display your dark powers! Destroy everything! I RIDE MY VANGUARD! PHANTOM BLASTER DRAGON!!!"

In an instant, the warrior of darkness was gone. In his place was the black dragon, gripping its demonic lance. With a savage roar, it spun the lance around, causing a maelstrom of black energy to gather on the two blades. Its ebony scales didn't reflect any of the moonlight, causing it to have a surreal look. (G3/11000)

"Now, I call. Darkness Maiden, Macha! I use her Counterblast, and Superior Call Charon behind her! Not done. I also call Badhabh Caar, and Superior Call... Aha! Blaster Javelin! I activate his skill to discard The Dark Dictator, and search my deck for Blaster Dragon."

(Macha) (PBD) (Caar)

(Charon) (BJvl) (Charon)

Hand: 6, Damage: 2/2

"Boosted by Blaster Javelin, Phantom Blaster Dragon attacks!" (POW: 17000)

"No guard." (Hand: 5, Damage: 1/2)

"Twin drive, first," Sweetie Belle smirked as Death Feather Eagle's Critical symbol glowed a bright yellow. "Critical to the Vanguard, Power to Caar. Second... Blaster Dark. No trigger."

"Damage check... First... Aha! Cat Rouge! All to Vanguard, and I draw! Second... BOOYAH! Another Cat Rouge! All to Vanguard and I draw!"

"Tch... Charon boosts, Caar attacks!" (POW: 22000)

"No guard. Damage check... ZANBAKU." (Hand: 7, Damage: 1/5)

"I end my turn." (Hand: 8, Damage: 2/2)

"My turn, stand and draw. I ride! ZANBAKU (G3/11000)!" Scootaloo smirked as the dragon appeared beside her, gripping its cyan blade. "Call! Midnight Crow! Counterblast, Superior Call! Then, Shijimamaru!"

(MidCrow) (ZNBK) (MidCrow)

(Shijimmr) (RC) (Shijimmr)

Hand: 5, Damage: 1/5

"Zanbaku attacks!"

"No guard."

"Drive check. First," Scootaloo revealed Mandala Lord. "Second... Aha! Critical! Power to a Crow, and Critical to my Vanguard!"

Sweetie Belle winced as Charon and The Dark Dictator were sent to the damage zone. (Hand: 8, Damage: 2/4)

"Boosted by Shijimamaru, Midnight Crow attacks!" (POW: 16000)

"Guard. Death Feather Eagle."

"My other Crow!" (POW: 21000)

"No guard, damage check... Draw get, all to Vanguard and I draw."

"I end my turn. Midnight Crow returns to the bottom." (Hand: 7, Damage: 1/5)

"My turn, stand and draw." Sweetie Belle's eyes glowed... Black!? "This is the final turn. Die, HUNTER!!!"

"H-Hunter...!?" Scootaloo stepped away as Sweetie Bell dropped a card from her hand. "What the hell are you talking about!?"

Sweetie Belle ignored her. "Dark dragon... Break through everything in this known world, and destroy the Vanguard! CROSSRIDE!!! Phantom... Blaster... OVERLORD!!!"

"B-Blaster... Overlord!? Ga... GAAAH!" Scootaloo screamed as a black dragon with gold armor all over its body appeared, brandishing twin blades.

"His passive skill. Blaster Overlord gets an extra 2000 Power at all times." Sweetie Belle declared, earning the shock of everypony. "This unit... It's called a Crossride. It's when a unit unleashes its inner rage, and surpasses its previous form."

"13000 Power base!? That's insane!" Scootaloo yelled, before getting silenced by a savage roar from the demonic dragon. "Aghh... Damn this...!"

(Macha) (PBO) (Caar)

(Charon) (BJvl) (Charon)

Hand: 7, Damage: 2/5

"Javelin boosts, and Phantom Blaster Overlord attacks! Now I activate his skill... Death and despair... Transcend this mortal plane, and plunge everything into eternal darkness! PERSONA BLAST!!! He gets 10000 Power and an extra Critical!"

"What!?" Scootaloo stared at Sweetie Belle as she Counterblasted 3 and discarded a copy of the card from her hand. "29000!? Of course I nullify! Leaves Mirage!" (Hand: 5, Damage: 1/5)

"Twin Drive check! First... Aha! Death Feather Eagle! All to Macha! Second... Booyah! Grim Reaper! Power to Caar, Critical to Macha!" Sweetie Belle's eyes lost their emerald color, and were pitch-black now. "Charon boosts, Caar attacks!"

"Guard! Moon Edge! Midnight Crow!"

"Macha, boosted by Charon, attacks!" The blue-haired unicorn mare in black armor charged, levitating her diamond-encrusted blade. (POW: 21000, CRT: 3)

"I... Can't guard..." For the first time in a long time, Scootaloo despised having two Mandala Lords in her hand. "D-Damage... First... AHA! Heal get!"

A twister of blue wind ripped through the Image of Cray, and ZANBAKU tried to stand up despite being repeatedly stabbed by Macha.

"W-What's happening!? Sweetie Belle!?" Scootaloo yelled, before she felt something melt on her left front hoof. It was the Image itself. "H-Huh?"

"Hunters... Near-ordinary ponies that can negate the effects of PSY Qualia..." Sweetie Belle said, her voice filled with contempt. "You're one of them, huh? No matter. My PSY Qualia will destroy you."

"Tch...! Second check... HECK YEAH! Heal get, all to Vanguard!" The twister intensified, causing Sweetie Belle's black eyes to momentarily flash purple. "T-Third..."

Sweetie Belle gritted her teeth as she watched Scootaloo's nervous hoof reach for the top card of her deck. She revealed...

"Please..."

"... Not a heal..."

"... HEAL GET!" Scootaloo yelled, revealing the top card. It was Midnight Crow. The battle was over, and ZANBAKU disintegrated.

"Scootaloo!" Apple Bloom yelled, before running over to her friend. Scootaloo was looking at her hooves. "Are you alright?"

"I-I... Lost... I was too weak..." The pegasus muttered, before bursting into tears. "That's it... It's over. She's won."

"Hah... See that Silvy? I-I was strong enough..." Sweetie Belle said, not noticing Silver Spoon's look of horror.

"What... What was that unit!?" Silvy yelled. "Did Midnight give it to you!?"

"Y-Yeah... He's off looking for a full four copies of that unit so he himself can use them, but for the meantime I'm using his spare two since they were old anyways..." Sweetie Belle grinned. "The Crossride System is the strongest. Nothing can beat it-"

"Would you like to test that?" A new voice said, before revealing himself to be... Spark Light, who was wearing a gray scarf. Rarity and Rainbow Dash were behind him, before they noticed the Crusaders.

"Squirt!" Rainbow yelled, beside the orange pegasus in an instant. "Are you okay?"

"I... Couldn't beat... Her..." Scootaloo sobbed into Rainbow Dash's shoulder, while the cyan mare nodded at Spark Light.

"Sweetie Belle..." Rarity muttered, before her sister smiled at her like nothing was wrong. "What have you done?"

"Oh, hi sis! I've gotten a lot stronger." Sweetie Belle's expression suddenly turned into one of anger. "Why are you here, Spark Light? Or should I say...."

"... The PSY Qualia Breaker?" Sweetie Belle grinned psychotically. "You're the first ever Hunter, and the most powerful one as well, am I right?"

The entire room froze at the mention of the name. This colt... Had such a vicious title?

"I'm here to fight you." Spark closed his eyes. "Just this once... I'll bring back the colt you met three years ago."

"Too bad. The old me is dead. This is the new, improved me." Sweetie Belle said, before organizing her cards in a flash. Spark went to where Scootaloo's deck was, and fixed it up before giving it to the pegasus. The arena had a tense atmosphere as the two Vanguards put their Starters faced down.

"Let's finish this, Hunter! Stand up-"

"Stand up-"

"-the-"

"-VANGUARD!!!" A torrent of red and dark blue flames tore at the surroundings, creating a vortex of unspeakably strong energy around the two fighters.

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

Author's Notes:

Scootaloo: I was too weak... I failed her...

Sweetie Belle: This is me at my strongest! Come at me, Spark!

Spark Light: If you say so...! RIDE!

Sweetie Belle: The King of Knights...! What's happening to it!? W... What the hell is this!?

Spark Light: This is the power of bonds! This is the true image! Next time of Cardfight!! Vanguard - EA: Judgement! Final turn!

Sweetie Belle: In that case... I also have a trump card. Break through, Blaster Overlord!