Yu-gi-oh/MLP Season 1 Chapter 7
Twist of Fate
A crooked figure sat hunched over a table, giggling to himself as he drew the cards from his tarot deck. "Wonderful. The sheep shall lead the prize to me, the wolf, and then," He looked up towards the figure above. "Master will be most pleased."
...
"Hey, Twilight!" Spike called out. "Wanna catch a movie?" Twilight turned and smiled bashfully. "Sorry, I can't. I have training with Ruby this afternoon. Maybe later, though. See you!" Twilight walked away before Spike could get in another word. That seemed to be happening more and more often these days.
"It seems like Twilight has no time for anything that isn't hunting those numbers these days." Pinkie Pie mused, spooking Spike as he was certain she wasn't there before. However, he nodded in agreement. "I guess I appreciate her coming out of her shell more," Spike said. "But I wish that didn't mean spending less and less time with her."
The two of them sat there on the sidewalk, wondering what to do when Sunset came along. "What's wrong with you two?" she asked out of genuine curiosity, as she hadn't seen those two that down before. "Twilight isn't around all that often." Spike lamented. "She's too busy now." "Her hunt for the number cards, right?" Sunset asked, to which the two nodded. "Well, maybe you could help her in finding the number cards."
"But how?" Pinkie Pie asked. "They don't exactly spring up from the ground." Sunset thought about it, then pulled out a card from her jacket and handed it to Spike. "I wouldn't get your hopes up, but there's a fortune teller called Jin. I visited him before, and he seems legit." As Spike examined the card, he turned to face Sunset. "Why are you helping us?"
Sunset turned around. "I owe Twilight for saving my rear twice now. Figured this might be a way to repay the favor." She began walking away from the two, not wanting to get involved further. "But don't think this is going to be a pattern! If you ask me, you shouldn't be involved in those things." Spike and Pinkie looked at each other, then shrugged. It seemed worth a shot.
...
The shop found on the address on the card seemed almost cliche. There were various crystals hanging from wires, abstract paintings on the walls, and all sorts of tourist merchandise on the shelves. "Hello?" Spike called out as there was currently no one in the store at the moment. After a few moments of the two examining the shop's wares, Jin finally peaked out.
The man was tall and lanky, his skin pale and draped in a blue robe. "Welcome to Jin's Oracular Observatory. Now, if you don't mind, allow me to elucidate the purpose of your gracing my humble shop with your presence." Before either of the two could react, he grabbed Pinkie Pie's hand and examined it. "Ah, yes. I see. You are here for guidance concerning a friend in need."
That got their attention. "Yes, actually." Spike answered. "Our friend Twilight is trying to find these things called number cards, and we want to help her if we can." Jin let go of Pinkie's hand and stroked his chin, as if in contemplation. "It would be so rude of me to resist such a selfless request. Oh, what to do, what to do...I know! We will consult my crystal ball. That has never failed me before. It should have the answers you seek."
Jin lead the two to a room in the back, where a table occupied the center. The table had a red cloth over it, and a glass ball on a pedestal in the center. Around the table were three wooden chairs, two on one side and one on the other. "Wow!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed. "Convenient!"
"Oh, I get two visitors more often that you think." Jin explained. "So many potential lovers wanting to know the validity of their bond." The three of them got seated and Jin began his work, making spiraling motions over the ball with his arms. Soon after, lights started to emanate from the ball, and strange music filled the air. After a few minutes, certain that his prey was sufficiently ensnared, Jin snapped his fingers.
...
Sunset really didn't want to go back to the junkyard. For one thing, it reminded her of that stupid stunt with that gang. What was she thinking? And for another thing, she didn't want to face that witch again. But something made her want to keep going, for whatever reason.
As she entered, Twilight and Ruby had just finished another training duel, meant to keep Twilight on her guard as they looked for number cards. It didn't take long for the two to notice her approaching. "Hey, Sunset." Twilight waved at her. "What's up?" Whatever Sunset was about to say was lost as she entered a strange trance.
"Twilight Sparkle." She said without emotion or volume. "I am Jin the servant of Rainbow Dash. I speak through this weak-willed peon to give you a message. Your friends are under my control in my shop. If you ever wish to see them again, you will come to this address." Sunset pulled out another card and threw it to Twilight, who caught it despite her anxiety.
Sunset blinked and shook her head. "What am I doing here? I don't want to deal with either of you!" She ran away and neither felt like chasing her. "Nervous?" Ruby asked. "The last time I faced Rainbow Dash, she thrashed me. It was pure luck that Starswirl and I escaped with our lives." Ruby thought it over. She was wanting Twilight to face her fears for a while now, but there was a gnawing fear at the back of her head. Was Twilight ready for this? "Well, it's not like we have a choice." Ruby said. Twilight, despite herself, agreed. She may not want to face Rainbow Dash again, but she couldn't leave Spike and Pinkie Pie in danger. Starswirl, meanwhile, was wondering what this new feeling inside of him was that seemed to grow every time he thought of Rainbow Dash and Galaxy Eyes.
...
Twilight and Ruby entered the shop, quickly examining their surroundings. There was a sign that read "Number Bearers this way." and pointed towards a back room. The two progressed forward, into a large open room with Jin at one corner of the room, Spike and Pinkie Pie standing perfectly still behind them. Straight across from the entrance were stairs, with a throne on the top. Sitting on that throne was the imposing figure of Rainbow Dash, staring down as if into Twilight's soul.
"How good of you to join us." Jin greeted them with a bow, his voice dripping in fake sincerity. "Now, if you wish no harm to come to your friends, you'll give up your number cards now. Otherwise," Jin snapped his fingers and both Spike and Pinkie Pie grabbed knives from the shelf behind them. The two turned to face each other. "Wait!" Twilight pleaded. "Please, don't hurt them." Jin cackles and snaps his fingers again.
"You're right. This is too easy. We'll settle this the old fashioned way, a glorious duel under the watchful gaze of my master. However, all it will take is a snap of my fingers to end their miserable little lives, so don't get any ideas." With that, both Jin and Twilight readied their duel disks and duel gazers. Ruby started to do the same until Twilight raised her hand in protest. Ruby understood how Twilight felt; this was something she had to do on her own. "I'll take the first turn. I draw! I summon Orange Shaman!"
A woman in orange-colored tribal clothing appears, dancing a pagan dance. (Level 4/0) "I set a card and end my turn." "Well, at least we aren't facing Rainbow Dash." Starswirl notes with a reassured sigh, though something is bothering Ruby as she peeks over at the throne. "Still, it would be best if you took out Jin's monster before he can xyz summon. I recommend Teleport Magician, since it will be able to attack again if his monster is destroyed." Twilight nods in agreement. "I draw!" Twilight declares. "I summon Teleport Magician!" A witch riding a broom covered in futuristic gadgets flies in. (Level 2/1400)
"I activate the effect of Orange Shaman!" Jin counters. "When you summon an effect monster, I can summon another Shaman from my hand. I choose Red Shaman!" A man in red-colored tribal clothing appears, joining Orange Shaman's dance. (Level 4/0) "Teleport Magician, attack Orange Shaman." Teleport Magician flies towards Jin's monster, energy gathering at the tip of the broom.
"I activate my face-down, Dance of Guardian!" Jin replies. "I choose one card in your hand. If it is a monster card, not only will the attack be negated, but the monster in your hand will be sent to the graveyard, and I'll get to draw a card." Jin waved his arms in a mystical, ritualistic fashion before pointing at the middle card in Twilight's hand. "That one!"
Twilight cursed at her bad luck as his prediction was correct and she was forced to send Flare Magician to the graveyard.That was the only monster in my hand, too! She complained to herself. Jin laughed as he drew his card. "You foolish little girl. I am the greatest fortune teller in the world, so no secret is safe from me. "I set two cards and end my turn." Twilight replied.
"I draw!" Jin announced. "I activate the spell card Shaman Call! Since I have two spellcasters with zero attack, I can summon a Shaman from my deck. Appear, Green Shaman!" An elderly man in green-colored tribal clothing appears. (Level 4/0) "Now, I use my level 4 Orange, Red, and Green Shaman in order to build the overlay network! Appear, Number 16: Shock Master!" A large purple tesseract appears, only to morph and change shape into a large metallic insect-like thing. (Rank 4/2300)
"His number card." Starswirl whispers with that growing feeling in him again. "I activate Shock Master's special ability!" Jin shouts. "Witness the true power of number cards. By using one overlay unit, I can declare monsters, spells, or traps, then negate all of your cards of that type until the end of your next turn. I choose Spell cards!" Jin laughs as an overlay unit is absorbed into Shock Master's horn. The monster's body rotates for a few seconds before taking on a green glow.
Damn it! Twilight thought. Both of my face-down cards are spells. How'd he know? "Shock Master, crush that would-be witch!" Shock Master fires two white beams from its eyes that incinerate Teleport Magician. (Twilight 4000-3100) "I end my turn. What were you expecting? I told you, I see all! And I see that you shall lose and your number cards shall be mine!"
"I'll rewrite that prophecy!" Twilight said. "I draw! I summon Thief Magician!" A wizard in black robes appears. (Level 4/100) "When it is summoned, I can choose one of your overlay units and summon it to my side of the field!" Thief Magician grabs one of the overlay units orbiting Shock Master and throws it to the ground near Twilight, releasing Red Shaman. "I overlay my two level 4 monsters. Appear, Number 39: Star Sparkle!" (Rank 4/2500)
"Star Sparkle, attack Shock Master with Star Power!" Both Twilight and Starswirl commanded as the two number cards fired energy beams at each other. Star Sparkle won out, however, as his beam fired out and destroyed Shock Master. (Jin 4000-3800) Jin gave a wicked grin which unsettled Twilight. "This was foreseen, as it shall be the way of your defeat!"
"Big talk." Twilight dismisses him. "I end my turn." Jin shakes his head in disappointment. "Blind waif. I draw! Since you control an xyz monster and I don't, I can special summon Rainbow Shaman!" A tall man with rainbow-colored hair and tribal clothing appears. (Level 7/0) "I then activate my spell card Xyz Plant, which summons itself as a monster with the same level as Rainbow Shaman, but it can only be used for an xyz summon!" A large plant sprouts up from the ground. (Level 7/0) "Don't tell me…" Starswirl wonders.
"I overlay my two level 7 monsters! Appear, Number 11: Big Eye!" A ball of light appears before exploding into a large white cone with an eye on its side and a ring surrounding it. (Rank 7/2600) "I activate Big Eye's special ability! By using one overlay unit, I can take control of a monster you control, though Big Eye can't attack this turn. Temptation Glance!"
An overlay unit is absorbed into Big Eye's eye before a beam shoots out, highlighting Star Sparkle. Twilight's monster is pulled over to Jin's side of the field. "Now, Star Sparkle, attack your former master with Star Power!" Star Sparkle fires a shot at Twilight, knocking her down. (Twilight 3100-600) "Twilight, now!" Starswirl beckons as he begins to fade in and out.
"I activate my face-down, Spacial Prison!" Twilight says as she recovers. "Since a monster you control just dealt damage to me, it will be banished and returned to its owner's side of the field on my second standby phase. And since I was the owner, that means I'll get Star Sparkle back!" As Star Sparkle fades out of existence, Jin laughs. "How foolish. Do you really think you'll live that long? I set a card and end my turn."
At this point, Ruby activates the spell Ookazi, firing a shot at the "Rainbow Dash", shattering her to pieces of stone. The head rolls to the floor at Twilight's feet, showing two small cameras where the eyes were. I guess that's how Jin was predicting my cards, Twilight realized. "NO!" Jin protests as Ruby dashes towards Spike and Pinkie Pie, grabbing their hands and pulling them away. As they are moved, the knives drop out of their hands to the floor.
"Something bothered me about all of this." Ruby explained. "From how Twilight described her, Rainbow Dash seemed to be a woman of action, someone who wouldn't bother with subordinates when she could do something herself. Plus, she was awfully still this entire time." Jin sneers at Ruby, wanting to do something but knowing the futility of it. "You little pest!" He growled.
"Hey! Don't forget about me!" Twilight interrupted. "I draw!" She smiles as she drew a monster, Battery Magician. "Perfect." Starswirl cheers. "We can set this monster to protect ourselves next turn." "Oh, I haven't forgotten about you at all." Jin replies. "I activate my face-down Freezing Dance! Until your second end phase, neither player can summon or set monsters from the hand."
"Guess we'll have to get creative." Starswirl says, the strange feeling rising to its apex. "Luckily you have one more face-down." "I end my turn." Twilight says. "I draw!" Jin declares. "I activate my continuous spell card Twilight Dance. Now neither player can summon monsters from the graveyard. Big Eye, destroy her!" Big Eye gathers energy around its eye before firing it at Twilight.
"I activate my face-down Crumbling Reflection, discarding the Builder Magician in my hand to reduce Big Eye's attack by Builder Magician's for this turn." A mage wearing a hard hat and carrying a hammer appears to block the beam. (Big Eye 2600-500) The attack pierces through Builder Magician and hits Twilight. (Twilight 600-100)
"I end my turn." Jin grumbles. (Big Eye 500-2600) "Twilight, your friends are safe." Starswirl remarks. "Perhaps it would be best to leave while we still can." Twilight looks at him with a surprised expression. "But Jin still has two numbers. You need those for your memories." "I know that, but ever since Jin talked to us through Sunset, no, ever since we nearly lost to Rainbow Dash, there is this terrible feeling coursing through my soul, a feeling that everything will go wrong as long as we continue down this path."
Twilight smiles, then laughs a little bit, which startles Starswirl. "That feeling is fear, Starswirl. I've known that feeling my whole life, and I'm also scared of Rainbow Dash. But my parents, before they disappeared, taught me one important thing; never give up, especially not when someone's in need. And right now, that someone is you!" Starswirl smiles, his fear giving way to Twilight's words of encouragement.
"I draw!" As Twilight does, a small beam of light escapes her pendant. Starswirl gasps as a new feeling permeates him, and his body begins to glow brightly. In fact, it was so bright that for a few seconds, everyone could see it, not just Twilight. The wondrous sight is enough to break Spike and Pinkie Pie out of their trance.
"During the standby phase, Star Sparkle returns!" Twilight exclaims as the number card triumphantly reappears. "Twilight, I sense a new power withing me." Starswirl explains. "Let us unleash it together!" The both of them begin their play. "This is our new power! We use the rank four Number 39: Star Sparkle in order to rebuild the overlay network! Chaos Xyz Evolution!"
Jin can only stare in disbelief as Star Sparkle retracts into his sealed form and enters a swirling portal. "Appear, Chaos Number 39: Star Sparkle Nova!" A new version of Star Sparkle emerges, glowing brightly and carrying a more ornate staff. (Rank 4/2500) "We activate the effect of Star Sparkle Nova, spending one overlay unit to gain 1000 attack for every spell card in our graveyard. Magical Potency!" Star Sparkle absorbs its overlay unit into its staff, causing electricity to crackle around itself. (Star Sparkle Nova 2500-4500)
"We then activate the effect of Battery Magician in my hand, attaching itself to an xyz monster we control with no overlay units." A small boy in black and yellow robes appears before becoming an overlay unit. "This lets us activate Star Sparkle Nova's effect again. Magical Potency!" (Star Sparkle Nova 4500-6500)
"Star Sparkle Nova, attack Big Eye with Nova Power!" Star Sparkle Nova points his staff at Big Eye, and all the electricity on his body fires towards Big Eye, pulverizing it. "NO!" Jin exclaims as he is pushed to the wall before collapsing. (Jin 3800-0) As the duel concludes, Starswirl fades out of visibility from the others.
"My newest observation," Starswirl begins as he absorbs Jin's numbers. "Fear can be a truly limiting and terrifying experience, but it gives way to greater mental fortitude and new experience." As the four of them leave, Ruby grabs Twilight's shoulder. "That was amazing! How did you and Starswirl do that?" Twilight looks down at her necklace. "I'm not sure, but I do know one thing; we're now more ready than ever for Rainbow Dash."
...
Later that night, as Jin recovers, he gets up and presses a secret button on the shelf. A hidden compartment opens, revealing a third number card. "A minor setback at best. With this, I can rebuild and get revenge on Twilight Sparkle!" An eerie whistle fills the air. Jin looks up and sees the real Rainbow Dash on the throne above. "My master! We meet at last! I know that I have failed, but I can make it up to you, I promise!" Rainbow Dash gets up off the throne, her glare piercing through Jin's soul. This would be over quickly.