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

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

"Stand up-"

"-the-"

"-VANGUARD!" A torrent of dark blue and crimson flames tore at the surroundings, morphing it into a barren desert at night. There were tall spires of rock, each tipped with a blue crystal.

"Fullbau!" A black dog with a visor growled as it materialized beside Sweetie Belle, who smirked. (G0/5000)

"Wingal Brave!" Lightning suddenly struck the ground beside Spark, and a blue Vanguard Circle appeared. In the middle of it was the High Beast Wingal, clad in battle armor and a dagger similar to the Blaster Blade. (G0/5000)

"Wingal... Brave?" Sweetie Belle muttered in awe. "I haven't heard of that unit before. Is it new or something?"

Spark shook his head. "This starter was released before you even started playing Vanguard, like Clawdia. It's even rarer nowadays, apparently."

"No matter. A new starter won't help you beat my Crossride."

"Or will it? My turn first, I draw. Ride, the Vanguard! Little Sage, Marron!" A bespectacled unicorn in blue robes replaced Wingal, who simply moved behind him. "Wingal moves back, and I end my turn." (Hand: 5, Damage: 0)

"I draw. Ride, Blaster Javelin." An Earth Pony with a javelin replaced the High Dog, and suddenly yelled. A dark blue Vanguard Circle appears under him. "Javelin's skill nets him a plus 2000 at all times. Also, Fullbau's skill triggers. I search my deck for..."

"... My avatar, Blaster Dark."

(RC) (BlstJvl) (RC)

(RC) (RC) (RC)

Hand: 6, Damage: 0

"Blaster Javelin attacks!"

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

"Check the drive trigger..." Sweetie Belle revealed Grim Reaper. "Aha! All to Vanguard! Javelin deals an extra damage!"

"Damage trigger... First," Spark revealed Gallatin, and sent him to the damage zone. "No trigger. Second... Margal. All to Marron, and I draw an extra card."

"Tch... I end my turn." (Hand: 7, Damage: 0)

"My turn, stand and draw." Spark sighed. "I'll ask you again. Sweetie Belle... You can still come back. You'd have to apologize to Dinky, Rumble, and all the others, but it'll be worth it."

Sweetie Belle just smirked. "Aww, isn't that sweet? Li'l old Sparky-warky actually cares for others. Too bad. I'll repeat what I said; The old me is dead. I don't care about who I hurt, as long as I get power."

In the audience...

Sweetie Belle... What are you saying?! Rarity thought, horrified. "... Why, Sweetie Belle? Why do seek power so much?"

Back in the Fight Field...

"Well... Since that is your answer..." Spark glared at Sweetie Belle. "Then I'll shatter that illusion of yours!"

"W... What?!"

"Shining white blade of Sanctuary... Defend the weak, and shatter all that is evil! STAND UP, OUR AVATAR! BLASTER BLADE!!!"

A torrent of crimson flames suddenly surrounded Spark, who slammed the card onto the Vanguard Circle. Blaster Blade appeared, with overlapping red and blue Vanguard Circles beneath him. He pointed his sword at Javelin and Sweetie Belle, who stepped back. (G2/9000)

"Now call! Knight of Loyalty, Bedivere! Knight of Friendship, Kay!" The two unicorns wearing silver armor appeared, levitating their glowing blades, although Kay also had a large gauntlet. "These two units... They get 3000 Power when attacking, if my Vanguard has "Blaster" in their card name!"

Sweetie Belle smirked at this. "So... They could work with my Blaster Ride chain, then?"

"Most likely. But good luck finding them."

"It's probably another old unit anyways. Again, they won't help you survive my Blaster series." Sweetie Belle's eyes glowed bright violet. "The sheer willpower of their souls... hunger the Dragon of Tartarus."

(Kay) (BB) (Bedivere)

(RC) (RC) (RC)

Hand: 3, Damage: 0/2

"Kay attacks Blaster Javelin!" The unicorn charged, seemingly prioritizing his gauntlet's attacking power over that of his sword. (POW: 10000)

"Guard! Grim Reaper!" (Hand: 6, Damage: 0)

"Wingal boosts! Blaster Blade, attack! Buster Crash!" The white knight charged, his sword in a reverse grip. (POW: 14000)

"No guard."

"Check the drive trigger!" Spark revealed Llew. "Power to Bedivere, the rest to Blaster Blade!"

"Damage checks... No triggers, ugh." Phantom Blaster Dragon and Skull Witch, Nemain were sent to the damage zone.

"Bedivere! Attack at 17000 Power!" Sweetie Belle winced as her damage check revealed Charon. "I end my turn here." (Hand: 4, Damage: 0/2)

"My turn, draw." Sweetie Belle's eyes glowed violet. "Awaken once more, Blade of Determination! Enveloping everything in darkness, my avatar descends! THUNDER FORTH! BLASTER DARK!"

"Blaster Dark..." Spark muttered.

"Now, I call Macha and use her skill! I Superior Call Charon! Now, I call Knight of Nullity, Masquerade!"

(Macha) (BD) (KoN,Masq)

(Charon) (RC) (RC)

Hand: 4, Damage: 2/3

"Masquerade attacks Blaster Blade! His skill's the same as Bedivere, by the way!" The masked pony in azure armor lunged at the white knight, levitating his enormous blade. (POW: 12000)

"Intercept, Bedievere!"

"Blaster Dark attacks!" The black knight charged...

"Llew guards!" ... But was met by a blonde squire and the white knight, and was forced to retreat.

"Check... Aha! Phantom Blaster Dragon! Just what I needed. Now, boosted by Charon, Macha attacks at 16000!"

"No guard. Damage check... No trigger." (Hand: 3, Damage: 0/3)

"I guess I end my turn here." (Hand: 5, Damage: 2/3)

"Damn... This fight is getting serious..." Rainbow muttered. Scootaloo nodded, having finally stopped crying. "That kid is gonna ride a Grade 3 now, right? Soul Saver Dragon seems cool."

"Yeah, but he doesn't have enough rear-guards or soul." Scootaloo gritted her teeth. "Not to mention even Alfred's consistent 20000 Power won't have any effect one she hits a Grade 3 like Blaster Dragon. Let's face it, Sweetie Belle's old deck was pretty much crap without Barcgal. Damn restriction list."

"Oh, don't worry. He's altered the deck. With my consent, of course." said Rarity, shocking the pegasi. "Where do you think Wingal Brave came from? And besides... He has a trump card."

"A... Trump card?" Scootaloo gulped. Whatever it is, it needs to kll her before she activates Blaster Overlord...

"King of the holy knights... Enter the fray, and lead me to victory! THE KING IS HERE! Ride! King of Knights, Alfred!" Spark slammed the card onto the Vanguard Circle, causing an aura of blue fire to surround him. Alfred appeared, pointing his blade at Sweetie Belle and Blaster Dark. (G3/10000)

"Now, Kay moves back and I activate his skill! Counterblast! I superior call from the deck --"

"--Stand up once more, my avatar! Seek the Blade!"

"EH?!" Sweetie Belle yelled, before Alfred pointed his sword to the sky. A golden aura shot up, and exploded. "Is it possible...?!"

"I call! BLASTER BLADE!"

"What?! A second Blaster Blade?!" Scootaloo yelled, causing Rarity to grin. The pegasus looked at her. "You... Knew about this?"

"He just told me." Rarity said. "This is the card that can break her free from this madness."

A blinding light suddenly hit the place next to Spark, causing a shockwave. "This is... my second copy of Blaster Blade!"

"What?! Blaster Blade had a second copy?!"

"Yes. There are only two of these in existence." Spark glared at Sweetie Belle. "And I used to own both of them. This is the proof of my strength as a fighter, and my tie to you as a friend. Now, I call Gallatin."

(BB) (Alfred) (Gallatin)

(Kay) (WnglB) (RC)

Hand: 2, Damage: 3/3

"Gallatin attacks Masquerade!"

"Macha intercepts!"

"Alfred attacks at 18000!"

"No guard." (Hand: 5, Damage: 2/3)

"Twin drive! First... Lien. No trigger. Second..." Spark revealed Epona, who was glowing yellow. "Critical to Alfred, the Power to Blaster Blade!"

"Damage check. First... Dark Dictator, no trigger. Second... Draw get. All to Vanguard and I draw."

"Finish it! Blaster Blade!" The white knight charged at his counterpart, his blade expanding to reveal multiple-colored energy flowing within. (POW: 21000)

"Guard. Grim Reaper." (Hand: 5, Damage: 2/5)

"Tch... I end my turn." (Hand: 4, Damage: 3/3)

"My turn, stand and draw." Sweetie Belle smirked. "Sorry Sparkybutt, but I'll have to end it here. FINAL TURN!"

"Just try it!"

"Twisted dragon of darkness... Unveil your true form and plunge everything into despair! RIDE! PHANTOM BLASTER OVERLORD!" she yelled, slamming the card on top of Blaster Dark. In a shockwave of violet energy, Blaster Dark was replaced by a horrifying dragon with twin blades.

"I call Masquerade, Charon and Nightmare Painter. I use his skill to put Phantom Blaster Dragon into the soul." The demonic dragon roared, causing the violet flames to be drawn towards it. Spark gritted his teeth.

"Blaster Overlord already?! And she got the 13000 Base without Crossriding?!" Scootaloo yelled. "Damn it! He has no chance!"

"Don't count your chickens before they hatch, Scoots." Apple Bloom said, before seeing Scootaloo's glare. "Oh. Dang. Sorry."

"Not cool, Bloom. Not cool."

(KoN) (PBO) (KoN)

(Chn) (Chrn) (Chn)

Hand: 1, Damage: 2/5

"Boosted by Charon, Blaster Overlord attacks! Persona Blast! WRATH OF THE NIGHTMARE!" A black aura suddenly manifested, cobering Sweetie Belle. Her eyes turned pitch black, with green irises similar to those of a snake. "This attack will finish you off!"

Spark Light's eyes widened, and he threw a single card onto the Guardian Circle. "NULLIFY! Flash Shield, Iseult! Damnit...! I knew you couldn't be that cruel without external influence...! PSY Qualia... and the Nightmare?! Wait... NO! That's not the monster that took control of Ponyville years ago...! That's--"

"-- her own desire?!"

Rarity collapsed onto her haunches. My sister... My sweet, adorable little sister... Summoned a power that's similar to that same darkness that took control of me three years ago...?! What... What in the world happened to her?!

"Tell me Sweetie Belle!" Spark yelled as the dark dragon charged towards him. "What is it that made you so desperately seek power?! TELL ME!"

"You want an answer? It's too late, I suppose, but why not? What my old self wanted was... To be able to protect my friends, make Scootaloo come back, and to earn your respect. It was a simple, naïve cluster of wishes. Kind of pathetic, huh?"

Spark Light and Rarity's eyes widened. Scootaloo and the others just collapsed on their haunches, unable to say anything.

"Now, checking the drive trigger. First... Mac Lir, no trigger. Second," Sweetie Belle revealed Death Feather Eagle. "All to Masquerade!"

Spark stayed silent.

"Boosted by Painter, Masquerade attacks!" (POW: 18000)

"G... Guard, Margal. Intercept, Blaster Blade." (Hand: 3, Damage: 3/3)

"Masquerade attacks, boosted by Charon!" (POW: 25000)

The top two cards of Spark's deck flew to his damage zone. "No triggers."

"Hmph. I guess I end my turn here." (Hand: 3, Damage: 5/5)

"Sweetie Belle."

"Hmm? What is it now? Have you finally given into despair?"

[BGM: Believe In My Existence]

"... I'll bring you back, no matter what! Final Turn!"

"W... What the hell are you saying?!"

"My turn, stand and draw." Spark drew the top card, and his eyes widened. "Let's end this! "White blade of courage... Awaken your true power, and realize you're not alone! THE POWER OF BONDS WILL BREAK THROUGH THE DARKNESS! With my allies... I RIDE THE VANGUARD! Stand up, OUR AVATAR! BLASTER BLADE -- BURST!"

A blast of rainbow energy shot down on Alfred, causing an explosion. Suddenly, a whirlwind of rainbow energy dissipated the smoke, revealing Blaster Blade - but his armor, and weapon all leaked a rainbow-colored energy. He pointed the blade to the sky and, in an instant, it opened up and started releasing shockwaves of energy. (G3/10000)

"Now, call. Palamedes! Marron!"

(Pala) (BBB) (Gallatin)

(Kay) (WnglB) (Marron)

Hand: 1, Damage: 3/5

"Blaster Blade Burst... Attack! He gets 3000 Power when attacking, but he can't be boosted!"

"Tch... He's got another skill, doesn't he?!"

"Yes. Now..." Spark pointed his hoof at Sweetie Belle. "Burning flames of bravery! BRING FORTH A NEW ERA! Especial Counterblast! Shine, BURST JUDGEMENT!"

Blaster Blade charged at the unholy abomination of a dragon, blade gripped tightly. As soon as Spark flipped over two cards in his damage zone, Palamedes and Gallatin started to glow. "Burst Judgement allows Blaster Blade to get the power of all the Royal Paladins in the front row! Break through the spell, Blaster Blade!

"No... NO! I can't lose here! I nullify with Mac Lir...?!" Sweetie Belle yelled desperately, almost slamming the card onto the Guardian Circle before realizing a simple fact; Even if she could protect herself from this attack, she'd still have to face Palamedes and Gallatin. "Fine! N-No guard!"

"Twin drive check. First," Spark revealed Soul Saver Dragon. "Second..."

"Damn it... No triggers...!"

"This is the deciding card! CHECK THE DRIVE TRIGGER!" Spark raised the card in the air, and, without looking at it, smirked. "I win. Critical get. Power to Gallatin."

He revealed the card, which was Future Knight, Llew.

"No... NO! I will not lose here! Damage check first!" Sweetie Belle revealed Abyss Healer. "Get! All to Vanguard! Second..."

"You can't pull a Heal Trigger, Sweetie Belle." Spark said. "I can see it in your eyes. You don't want to fight anymore."

"Shut up! Second check..." Sweetie Belle revealed Blaster Dark. "No... NO!"

Blaster Blade lunged at Blaster Overlord, and stabbed it in the stomach with the overloaded sword. In an instant, the dragon of darkness exploded in a flash of multi-colored light.

"AGH!" A black aura exited Sweetie Belle, who sat on her haunches. After a few minutes, her eyes widened in realization of what she had done for the past few months. "No... NO! It wasn't supposed to end up like this! I... Just wanted... To protect... Everyone..."

[BGM: Believe In My Existence/End]

After the dark miasma had finally exited her, Sweetie Belle collapsed. Rarity and the others galloped to her immediately. Spark sighed and fixed up his cards, before giving the deck to Rarity.

"Is she alright?" Silver Spoon asked.

Spark nodded and was about to say something, before being interrupted by clapping. He turned to see Midnight Storm and Diamond Tiara leering at them. Silver Spoon glared at them.

"Look at what the hell you've done to her!" The bespectacled mare screamed. "You-"

"-Monster?" Midnight cut off, before chuckling. "Heard that one before. Now move aside before I destroy you, Silvy."

Silver Spoon was about to retort, before Spark interrupted. "You're my opponent, you bastard. Let's finish this!"

"Oh, that would be a pleasure, Sparky." Midnight threw an absentminded glance at Sweetie Belle. "Oh, looks like you've beaten her. Meh, she wasn't that useful anyways."

"How... How dare you speak of my sister like that!" Rarity yelled, before being silenced by Midnight's eyes glowing red. "W... What?! You... You're not the same kid I saw in the vision...!"

"Oh? Dammit Sparky." Midnight grimaced. "Letting others see your memories? Ugh. Let's just Cardfight so I can beat you."

Spark wordlessly trotted to the MF System, brought out another deck, and placed a card faced down. Midnight smirked, and flew there. He put his deck and FVG in their rightful places.

"Stand up-"

"Stand up-"

"-the-"

"-VANGUARD!" As they flipped their Vanguards over, whirlwinds of fire and darkness plagued the arena, and a dragon's savage roar could be heard.

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

Author's Notes:

Midnight: Pity she burnt out. Meh, she wasn't that important anyways.

Spark: You... You...!

Sweetie Belle: Why...? Why did I do this...?! I hurt everypony... Even my best friends and my sister...

Spark: I'll end this, Midnight! Next time on Cardfight!! Vanguard - EA: Clash of the Strongest! This is it... I'll tear you apart, limb from limb if I have to!

Midnight: I wonder who'd win? PSY Qualia or the Hunter?