"Here's to getting closer to beating Crystal Prep!" said Zipp.
The girl held a sundae as four more joined and clinked against hers. The girl and her friends all sipped their sundae, which tasted incredible.
"Feel free to order as much as you want; it's on me," said Roll, who had a simple soda in front of her as she twirled her straw. "It's the least I could…"
"Roll…"
"Listen, guys. I'm sorry. I'm sorry I took so long to decide," Roll said to the group as they listened. "I just… I just couldn't get past the idea of fighting against family. It's something my parents hold close to us. Family isn't supposed to go against each other. I just… I just didn't know what to do."
"Hey, it's alright. We understand," Sunny said, placing her hand on her friend's shoulder. And I think we also have to apologize for trying to push you so much into joining. We know fighting against a family member is a tough pill to swallow. And we're sorry for putting any unwanted pressure on you. Right, guys?"
The others all shared nods.
"Thanks. But you know now where I side. And you can trust me that we're gonna beat my cousin and her team." said Roll.
"Alright, we've now got six members. We almost got a full team!" stated Zipp.
"The keyword, sis, is almost," said Pipp.
"We're still missing our seventh member," responded Hitch.
"And we're running out of time. Tomorrow, Principal Celestia wants our final selection. And if we don't have seven, we'll lose before the Games even begin," Sunny stated. Roll… are you sure you can't try again to convince your brother to join us?"
The girl heard what Sunny was saying and looked forward with a far-gone look.
"I… I'll try," said Roll, willing to talk to her older sibling one last time to help them.
"In the meantime, we got to kick it into overdrive to find a potential seventh. 'Cause Mario ain't gonna join," said Zipp as the others agreed.
After their meeting was dismissed, Roll returned to her dorm building. Upon opening the door, she found her sibling waiting for her. Mario looked at his sister with crossed arms as he waited patiently for his little sister to return.
"Mario… are you mad?"
"No."
"Are you angry at me?"
"No… come here," said the boy to his little sister as he uncrossed his arms. Roll approached her elder sibling as he pulled her into a hug and held her tightly. "I love you, little hermana." The boy kissed his sister's head while rubbing her back.
"I love you too, big brother," the girl responded as she held her sibling. I was… just doing what Dad said. Look in my heart for my decision."
"Hmm."
The two siblings stood there in their embrace as they just enjoyed the presence of each other.
"Mario… will you join us?" asked Roll.
The boy sighed as he just looked forward.
In her office, Celestia reviewed the final details for this year's Friendship Games and the events to be held. Her door opened as in came Principal Sombra; the woman initially had a glare at the man entering as he carried his smug and cocky persona.
"Tia, why so down? Are you already planning your defeat speech?"
"For your information, Sombra! I'm actually planning on writing my victory speech when my team beats yours!" declared Celestia as she was bluffing, hoping to put her competition in his place.
"Tia, I've known you long enough to know when you're lying. You aren't a good one. Especially when it affects your complexion, my dear."
Celestia grumbled, hating how Sombra still had his charming insults getting under her skin. The Crystal Prep principal knew how to get into a woman's mind because they had dated in the past. The man approached the woman and stood by her hand as he grabbed her wrist, making her drop her pen.
"Do you recall what I said to you on our first date all those years ago when we were starting out as dueling pros?" asked Sombra.
"Y-Yes," said Celestia hesitantly. She hated that she remembered that night so clearly, given how in love she was at the time with the man before her. You said… there was nothing in the world that could compare to my beauty."
"Well, yes, I did say that. But I was referring to when you lost your duel earlier. I said… that losing is inevitable. Skill has no factor into that, but it does factor if you keep losing."
Celestia glared at Sombra as she reeled her wrist from his hand.
"You put together an impressive team, Tia. I'll give you. Having the children of the World Champion join your school was a stroke of genius. I mean, I don't blame you. I, too, would have sought them out to join the ranks of Crystal Prep. But you happen to beat me to the punch, and for that, I commend you, my dear."
"Let it be clear, Sombra. I had nothing to do with them purposely coming here. Their parents simply contacted me to see if they would be accepted. And after all Twilight and Isaac have done for this school and for me, I couldn't turn down their request. It was the least I could do to repay them," said Celestia. "If you have a problem with them not reaching out to you or Cadance, perhaps you would like to discuss that with them."
"As endearing as it would be to have both children of them, I am completely satisfied with Ms. Flurry Heart. She is a downright prodigy of her father. She is the future and has all the necessary tools to succeed. I have no doubt she will live up to the expectations set by her father and me. Can I say the same for your two students?" countered Sombra as Celestia kept her scowl. "Time is running out, Tia. You're still short a player. And in this game, you need all the pieces to play."
"I assure you, Sombra. Tomorrow, my team will be set. You just worry about how you'll explain to your entire academy how CHS won," smirked the woman.
"Well, it'll be easy for you to tell your school you lost. You're so used to it that they're probably expecting it to happen," said Sombra as he continued to get under Celestia's skin. "But let's discuss another topic really quickly. Let's say you do have your team prepped for tomorrow. There's still the matter of the team exhibition event to hold before the actual games start. And that, of course, falls to the visiting school to select which event will take place."
"Yes, I'm aware, Sombra. So… what event do you want to take place?"
"Actually, I've already decided. I'll be generous and let you pick."
"M-Me?" stuttered Celestia as she didn't expect Sombra to pull this move. It caught her off guard as the man knew that and played that card to throw the woman into turmoil further. "W-Why?"
"I'm confident, even if you pick the event, Crystal Prep will win and serve as a spoiler for what will happen when it's all said and done."
Celestia made a face after hearing Sombra claim that she and her school would lose before the games even began. The woman looked at the list of potential events to select the team exhibition as her eye wandered to a certain one. She looked at it before glancing up at Sombra.
"I've made my decision," told Celestia.
"Then all we need to do is figure out who gets the advantage first in that event," smiled Sombra.
"I have the solution. Tomorrow, a duel between one member of my team against yours. The winner will have the advantage for their team in the exhibition event."
"Then the die is cast," smirked Sombra with a bow as Celestia turned her head to the stack of papers on her desk.
She then felt a hand on her chin as Sombra grabbed it to make her turn to face him. The man then placed his lips on Celestia's, which made the woman's eyes widen, as she didn't expect the man to go through with such an unexpected action. The short kiss left the message Sombra wanted as he held his smirk. Celestia brought her fingers to her lips as she rubbed them, feeling the touch of Sombra's lips as if they had just gone on their first date all those years ago. The woman was flustered as the man began to head out, knowing he got the last say in his competitor and messed with her mind.
"Fare thee well, my dear," said the principal of Crystal Prep, holding his smug smile and exited.
Celestia sank back in her chair as she tried to calm her heart and all the sudden emotions that wrapped around her brain.
The following morning, it became clear throughout the school that the Friendship Games were nearly upon them. Celestia quickly announced that there would be a special duel as a team exhibition event later today before the actual games. And so, CHS was starting to feel the pressure as the Crystal Prep students all smiled, knowing Flurry and her squad had this advantage duel in the bag. Speaking of CHS, Sunny and the others could see their time was running out. All morning, they looked about, trying to find one last member since they hadn't heard from Roll since yesterday.
Zipp was at her locker after her latest search to find their last member failed. The girl opened it as she looked to get something. When she searched, she came across a small photo. The teen looked at the photo taken during the winter break. In the photo was Mario and her from the date they went on as the girl put her arm around the boy's neck while he had his left hand around her waist. The girl gave a gleeful smile with a peace sign while Mario just popped a nonchalant smile to serve the purpose of their photo being taken. Zipp looked at the photo, and the events of that day came flooding her mind. She recalled how that night ended with her kissing the boy.
She knew she told Mario she needed time to sort out these feelings regarding him, but what if she already had her answer and was just holding back for reasons? One of them was her own sister, as she knew what it could lead to. Her heart began to race, thinking about the boy as she put the photo away and closed her locker. As she closed it, she turned and came face to face with Flurry Heart. Roxanne and Phin flanked the Crystal Prep girl as Zipp glared at the two. Flurry just held a smirk when the speaker above them came on.
"Ms. Zipp Storm. Please report to the dueling arena," spoke Celestia over the PA system.
"Let's see if you'll survive," mocked Flurry as she already knew what was happening and left with her friends to go to the dueling arena.
Zipp watched the girl leave as she looked at the speaker. She wondered what Flurry meant and could only speculate that whatever Celestia had for her had to do with the Crystal Prep girl and her crew. The girl made her way to the dueling arena, and her surprise, it was filled with several of her classmates and Crystal Prep students. The teen didn't expect such an audience as off to the side was Flurry and her group of friends who stood by their Principal. Seeing Sombra sent chills down Zipp's spine as she tried not to stare at him for too long. She turned to the field where Celestia and Shirai were.
The Crystal Prep girl had been waiting for the rich girl to show up, smiling sinisterly. Zipp wasn't showing any fear as she approached the field and got on. The girl looked at her opponent as Celestia came up to her.
"Thank you for coming, Ms. Storm."
"What's this about, Principal Celestia?" asked Zipp.
"This is to determine which team will have the advantage in the team exhibition duel event I've selected. You and your opponent will duel to see who gets that."
Zipp looked over at Shirai as the girl cracked her neck. The heiress was more than ready as she'd been itching to get at Crystal Prep since what happened with her sister. It may not have been Flurry, but she'd get her hands on it. This was just as good.
"You don't need to tell me twice if I'm game," said Zipp, already stepping forward to take her spot.
"Very well," said Celestia as she got off the field.
"You really wanna tussle with me, princess?" mocked Shirai.
"Don't call me a princess!" growled Zipp as she despised being called that.
"Fine. I'll just call you a loser when I'm done beating you. Crystal Prep will gain the advantage in whatever stimulation your principal chooses. And that will serve as the precursor to what Crystal Prep already knows. You're gonna lose." stated Shirai.
"Why you'd shut up and just bring it!" declared Zipp, putting her hand out and folding her fingers to taunt her rival.
"Yeah," chuckled Shirai, "This is gonna be fun."
"Let the duel commence!" said Luna over the microphone.
Zipp and Shirai pulled out their duel disk devices and strapped them around their wrists. The latter projected a teal-colored duel tray, while the former had a white-colored duel tray. They each pulled out their decks from their pockets and slotted them into the holder as the auto shuffler kicked in.
"Duel mode set. Streaming data. Initiating. Commencing duel." said their devices.
Shirai's Life Points: 8000-
Zipp's Life Points: 8000-
"Let's duel!" declared both girls as they drew their opening hands.
Their portraits were shown on the screens around the arena. Shirai's portrait was highlighted in yellow to indicate she would get the first turn.
Turn 1: Shirai (Hand 5)
"Just how I like it. Prepare for the Genius of the Sky to soar!" declared Shirai as she drew her card with a flourish. "Dash to the field, Red Sprinter(1700/1200), in attack mode!" A red horse appeared that had flames on its mane and tail. "And since it's the only monster I currently control, I can summon a Level 3 or below Fiend-type tuner monster from my hand. I summon Red Resonator(600/200)!" A small fiend that had flames on it appeared. "Next, I think I'll tune my Red Resonator with my Red Sprinter!" declared Shirai as her monster turned into two giant green rings that circled her other monster, who sprinted into them as a yellow light surged. "I Synchro Summon! Red Rising Dragon(2100/1600)!" A dragon made up entirely of fire appeared.
"I now activate my Red Rising Dragon's special ability! When it's synchro summoned, I get to summon a 'Resonator' monster from my graveyard. Return to the field, Red Resonator!" stated Shirar as her small monster appeared. "This time, I'll activate Red Resonator's effect. Since I special summoned it, I gain Life Points equal to the attack points of a monster on the field. And I choose my Red Rising Dragon!" stated the Crystal Prep girl as her monster touched its dual rods and sprinkled a show of particles over its mistress.
Shirai's Life Points: 10,100-
"10,000 Life Points already?" said Zipp in disbelief.
"Oh, I'm not done. Next, I tune my Level 6 Red Rising Dragon with my Level 2 Red Resonator!" The small fiend turned into two giant green rings again, circling around the fire dragon with a yellow light surging through. "From the ancient chasms of a lost world. I awake a great and terrible power! I Synchro Summon! Now rise, Scarlight Red Dragon Archfiend(3000/2500)!" A massive dragon that towered over the girls and everybody present in the arena appeared as it roared.
"What the hell is that?" said Zipp as she stared at the giant beast with fearful eyes.
"The monster to your doom," responded Shirai. "I'll set this baby down and kick it over to you. Let's see you try to hang with me. 'Cause the sky is my domain, rich girl!"
Turn 2: Zipp (Hand 5)
"My move, so watch out!" declared Zipp as she drew her card.
According to Phin's data, Zipp likes to start things off fast. She'll want to summon her Speedroid Terrortop, which allows her to add any 'Speedroid' she wants to her hand. Her best option is her Speedroid Red-Dice to change the levels of her monster. Luckily, thanks to my facedown, I'm prepared for whatever she summons.
"It's time for me to pick up the pace of this duel. Since I control no monsters, I can summon my Speedroid Terrotop(1200/600)!" said Zipp as her monster, consisting of several tops with fangs at its head, appeared. "Thanks to the effect of my Terrortop, I can add any 'Speedroid' monster I want to my hand from my deck."
Just as I expected.
Zipp touched her duel screen to sift through her deck to select which card she wanted. She landed on her Red-Eyed Dice. She was about to touch and confirm her choice when she glanced at Shirai. The Crystal Prep girl smiled while staring at the CHS teen. For a second, Zipp was conflicted as she looked at her opponent. Turning her attention back to her duel screen, she decided to change things up to avoid being too predictable for her opponent.
"I'm choosing to add my Speedroid Red-Eyed Dice, but I'm not gonna summon it. Instead, I'm gonna summon this monster, Windwitch - Glass Bell(1500/1500)!" A small girl magician appeared riding on a broom bell made of glass. "And when I summon her, her special effect kicks in. Now, I can take a 'Windwitch' monster from my deck and bring it to my hand. Next, I'll tune my Level 4 Speedroid Terrortop with my Level 4 Windwitch - Glass Bell!" The small witch soared into the air and turned into four giant green rings; it circled her other monster as a yellow light surged through. "I Synchro Summon! Meet Windwitch - Diamond Bell(2800/2400)!" A witch made entirely of diamond appeared as she rode in on her diamond broom.
"When Diamond Bell is synchro summoned, I can target one 'Windwitch' monster in my graveyard and you take damage equal to half of its attack points. And I choose my Glass Bell!" said Zipp as her monster appeared in spirit form and blasted a beam of magic that headed toward Shirai, who blocked it with her duel disk.
Shirai's Life Points: 9350-
"Looks like you're not as invincible as you Crystal preppies think you are."
"Don't let one lucky attack get to your head! If you look at the scoreboard, you'll see that I still got a hell of a lead."
"Well, let's see if I can't dwindle it down even more. Since you were damaged, I can activate Diamond Bell's other effect. Now I can destroy one card on the field and I choose your Scarlight Red Dragon Archfiend. So say goodbye to your beast!" stated Zipp as her monster began to cast a huge spell symbol and had its target in sight.
"Like I wasn't prepared. I activate my trap card, Safe Zone. This continuous trap card protects my Scarlight Red Dragon Archfiend from destruction!" stated Shirai as her dragon took flight and avoided Zipp's monster as it flew out of harm's way.
"Your Safe Zone is the only reason your monster isn't gone!" remarked Zipp.
"Ha! How naive you are. You think my Safe Zone is a defensive trap card? You're sorely mistaken, Zipp." stated Shirai. "Safe Zone isn't a defensive card. It's the ultimate place from which to launch my attacks!" proclaimed the Crystal Prep girl.
"Well, it's still my turn. And I'm gonna place one card facedown and end my turn."
Turn 3: Shirai (Hand 3)
"It's my turn!" smiled the girl as she looked to showcase Zipp her power. "I activate my Scarlight Red Dragon Archfiend's effect. Once per turn, I can use its effect to destroy as many special summoned monsters on the field as possible with fewer attack points than my Scarlight Red Dragon Archfiend! And inflict 500 points of damage to your Life Points for each one destroyed!"
"That's not good!" said Zipp as she saw firsthand how powerful Shirai's monster was.
"Get ready to feel the burn, Zipp!" stated Shirai.
"Well, I wasn't the only one prepared. I reveal my facedown, Metal Coat! Thanks to this trap, my Windwitch can't be destroyed by card effects!" said Zipp with a smile. Her Diamond Bell then received a shiny coat to its appearance as the fires erupting from the ground disintegrated around it.
"Oh, I got a way around your trap. Watch. I discard Mirror Resonator from my hand to special summon Bone Archfiend(1800/0)!" A skeleton appeared, wearing a slim silver chestplate and yellow pants. "Next, I'll use Bone Archfiend's effect to send the Level 1 Synkron Resonator from my deck to my graveyard and modify my Bone Archfiend's level by 1. Now, I'll the other effect of my Red Rising Dragon in my graveyard."
"It has another effect?" said Zipp.
"By banishing it from the duel, I get to special summon Mirror Resonator and Synkron Resonator back to my field!" Shirai stated as her two monsters appeared. And I'm nowhere near done. I tune my Level 8 Scarlight Red Dragon Archfiend with my Level 1 Mirror Resonator and Level 1 Synkron Resonator!" Shirai's two monsters then turned into giant green rings that circled her dragon as it flew through them with a yellow light surging.
"H-Hang on? You can only use one tuner per synchro summon!" stated the heiress.
"So? Unlike most Synchro Monsters, the beast I'm summoning out requires two tuner monsters to be used. So I not only can but I must." said Shirai as she looked back upwards. "Together… these monsters will call forth an absolute power destined to rule this duel. Now I Synchro Summon! Bow down and terrorize before the mighty Tyrant Red Dragon Archfiend(3500/3000)!" A bigger, more powerful version of her previous dragon appeared as it spat out fire from its mouth.
"I've got a bad feeling about this," said Zipp, staring up at the giant beast.
"I now use my Synkron Resonator's effect. Since it was sent from my field to my graveyard, I return Red Resonator to my hand." Shirai's duel disk ejected her card as she grabbed it and looked ready to take action. "Tyrant Red Dragon Archfiend, reign in a new terror and attack her Windwitch - Diamond Bell!"
"My monster isn't going anywhere. By getting rid of my Metal Coat, my Diamond Bell can't be destroyed in battle this turn!" stated Zipp.
"I was one step ahead. Tyrant Red Dragon Archfiend, activate your second effect. During the battle phase, when a spell or trap card is activated, I can negate that activation and destroy it. Furthermore, my Tyrant Red Dragon Archfiend gains 500 attack points!"
"No!"
"So you're not only gonna lose your monster but also take even more damage. Go Tyrant Red Dragon Archfiend! Molten Crimson Tide!" commanded Shirai. Her dragon had its right claw engulfed in flames before it slammed it onto the ground, causing it to crack open, and flames erupted from the earth below. The flames made their way to Diamond Bell as it melted and was burned to a crisp upon contact, with the rest heading toward Zipp as she covered up, with them spreading around her.
Zipp's Life Points: 6800-
"Can't handle the heat, Zipp? Then let's see if you can handle what comes next."
Turn 4: Zipp (Hand 5)
Zipp could barely stand up as the Tyrant Red Dragon Archfiend attack was more powerful than she expected. The heiress tried not to show any signs of weakness as she stood up and put her hand on her deck, ready to draw.
"My move. I draw! I activate the spell card, Speed Recovery, to bring back my Speedroid Terrortop from my graveyard. It then activates its effect, so I can add a 'Speedroid' monster from my deck to my hand when it's summoned. And I'm choosing my Speedroid Horse Stilts(1100/1100). And when I summon it, I can also summon my Speedroid Red-Eyed Dice(100/100)!" stated Zipp, who had three monsters on the field.
"So much work for monsters that can't even stand to my Tyrant Red Dragon Archfiend. Looks you cracked!" mocked Shirai.
"I haven't cracked just yet. Watch. I tune together all three of my monsters!" stated the heiress as her die monster turned into a single green giant ring that circled her other two monsters as a yellow light surged. "I Synchro Summon! Hi-Speedroid Kitedrake(3000/2800)!" The girl's monster appeared as it soared above her, letting out a sound. "I now activate Kitedrake's special ability. When it's synchro summoned, I can destroy all other cards on the field. So your Tyrant Red Dragon Archfiend is about to have its flame put out!" The heiress' monster powered up as it let loose several lasers that decimated the field, leaving nothing in its wake. When it was done, Shirai was left with nothing.
"Now, Kitedrake, attack her directly!" commanded Zipp. Her monster rushed forward as Shirai blocked but was pushed back a bit by the attack.
Shirai's Life Points: 6350-
"Looks like that scoreboard is looking a little more even," taunted Zipp with a smirk.
"Heh. You think you can master the skies like me?" Shirai asked as she put her arm down. "There's a reason why they call me the Genius of the Sky. Nobody can do what I do. And when it comes to battling in the air, I'm untouchable."
"Really? 'Cause my attack just showed that I can touch you," stated Zipp as she ended her turn by setting a card.
Turn 5: Shirai (Hand 3)
"I draw! I summon Red Familiar(1600/0)!" said Shirai as a small fire demon donning a cape and crown appeared. "Next, I activate my Red Familiar's effect. By tributing it, I can special summon Scarlight Red Dragon Archfiend back from my graveyard with its effects negated."
"Why?" questioned Zipp as she wondered why bring a powerful beast but get rid of its powers.
"Next, since there's a Level 5 or higher Dark monster on the field, I can special summon Vision Resonator(400/400)! Now, I activate the effect of this spell card, Red Resurrection! Now, I return a banish 'Dark' Synchro Monster to my graveyard, and in exchange, I draw cards based on their level. I choose my Red Rising Dragon, and since it's Level 6, I'm allowed to draw two cards. Next, I'll activate the effect of my Red Rising Dragon to banish it from my graveyard and summon the special Synkron Resonator and Mirror Resonator back to my field! Now… it's time for another Synchro summon."
"What now?"
"I combine all four of my monsters!"
"But three of them are tuners?!" said Zipp.
"That's right. Three tuners is exactly what my synchro monster needs!" As a yellow light surged, three giant green rings circled Scarlight Red Dragon Archfiend. "Take witness to a cosmic explosion of a magnitude never before seen! I Synchro Summon! Red Supernova Dragon(4000/3000)!"
"That's thing enormous!" shouted Zipp as she looked at the behemoth dragon donned in red that roared.
"My Red Supernova Dragon has 4000 attack points to start and gains an additional 500 for each tuner in my graveyard. Since I have three, Red Supernova Dragon has 5500 attack points!" said Shirai.
"I also know you also get to return a 'Resonator' monster from your graveyard to your hand, just like you did earlier," commented Zipp.
"I'm glad you've been paying attention, Zipp. While it's true I could return a 'Resonator' monster to my hand, I'll choose not to do so. I want my Red Supernova Dragon to have all the attack points it can. I will, however, use the effect of my Vision Resonator. Since it was sent to my graveyard, its effect lets me add a spell or trap card from my deck to my hand that mentions 'Red Dragon Archfiend.' And I'll choose the spell card, Absolute Powerforce!" said Shirai as her duel disk ejected the card for her to grab. "Now it's time to battle. Your monster's strength pales in comparison to my Red Supernova Dragon. Red Supernova Dragon, blast Zipp's Hi-Speedroid Kitedrake into space!" The dragon roared as it reeled its mouth back before firing a supernova energy beam at Zipp and her monster.
"No!" echoed the girl as she tried to stand her ground before being taken off her feet and hit the ground hard with a grunt.
Zipp's Life Points: 4300-
"That's why I'm known as the Genius of the Sky!" declared Shirai as she looked about to address the crowd, taking a moment while Zipp was down to bask in the glory.
The girl's friends and her principal held smug smiles, seeing Zipp being taught firsthand the power they had. Celestia bit her nails after seeing her student take a hit like that, as she feared for Zipp's health. The heiress began to move as she got to her knees and looked up. Seeing Shirai leaning against her monster's tail made her angry, and she willed herself to stand up.
"Since you sent my Kitedrake to the graveyard, its effect allows me to add a 'Speedroid' monster to my hand."
"You only have a handful of Life Points left; it won't take much for me to take you out," taunted Shirai as she ended her turn.
Turn 6: Zipp (Hand 4)
"My move," said the heiress as she drew. "To start, I banish my Speed Recovery from my graveyard. Doing that allows me to add a 'Speedroid' monster from my graveyard to my hand. I choose my Speedroid Terrortop. And since I control no monsters, I can summon my Speedroid Terrortop, which triggers his effect to add another 'Speedroid' monster from my deck to my hand."
"No matter what monster you choose to unleash, it can't stand up to the power of my Red Supernova Dragon," Shirai said.
It's now or nothing.
Zipp looked at the Extra Deck compartment of her duel disk as the girl was hatching her plan of attack.
"I now summon my Speedroid Tri-Eyed Dice(300/1500)! Then… I tune my Speedroid Terrortop with my Tri-Eyed Dice!" The dice monster turned into three giant green rings circling her other monster as a yellow light surged. "I Synchro Summon, Orient Dragon(2300/1000)! And when it's synchro summoned, its effect activates. So now I can banish your Red Supernova Dragon!" Zipp's own beast spread its wings out as a giant wind blew over the field.
"Oh, my dragon will be banished, but not by your monster. I activate Red Supernova Dragon's effect. When you activate a monster's effect, my Red Supernova Dragon banishes itself along with all your cards on your field."
"All of them?!" said Zipp in shock as her monster and Shirai's monster took to the air and were sucked into a supernova explosion that caused everyone to look away for a bit.
"However, unlike your monster, my Red Supernova Dragon will return in my next end phase."
Zipp could only look on as her expression was just as empty as her field.
"Anything else?" mocked Shirai.
"I… No," responded Zipp.
Turn 7: Shirai (Hand 3)
"Game over, princess!" stated the Crystal Prep girl as she looked poised to end Zipp. "I activate Return of the Dragonlords. Now, I can special summon a Level 7 or 8 dragon from my graveyard. And I choose my Scarlight Red Dragon Archfiend! Next, since I control a Level 8 or higher Synchro Monster, I can summon my Creation Resonator(800/600). And the fun doesn't stop there, Zipp. I can summon this monster because… I control a Synchro Monster. A second copy of my Synkron Resonator!"
"Two tuners…" stated Zipp as she felt she knew where Shirai was going.
"Time for the Genius of the Sky to take off. I double tune my Level 8 Scarlight Red Dragon Archfiend with both of my tuner Resonators!" declared the girl. Her tiny monsters turned into four giant green rings that circled her dragon, with a yellow light surging through. "Behold as the stars high above the sky and the fire that burns deep below the earth! Collide into a cosmic explosion to synchro summon! Red Nova Dragon(3500/3000)!" The red giant beast roared as it pushed away the ring of fire it was encased in; Shirai had her arm up as she managed to hold onto her monster as it swooped by.
Zipp covered up when she felt the mighty wind blow in her face. She then put it down to look at the giant dragon, as Shirai was on its head. The Crystal Prep closed her eyes as she took in the wind blowing in her face. Being in the air gave the teen a sense of clarity as she could be herself without anyone interrupting her. She looked down at Zipp as the girl stared up at her.
"Red Nova Dragon's effect allows it to gain 500 extra attack points for every tuner in my graveyard. And I have five, meaning it gains 2500 attack points!" stated the girl as her dragon roared from the powerup of its comrades, who appeared in spirit form in a ring around the girl and her beast.
"I… can't believe…" said Zipp, looking at the monster about to defeat her.
"My name is Shirai… and I'm the Genius of the Sky. Red Nova Dragon, finish off Zipp. Crimson Scorching Dive!" said the girl.
Her dragon roared as it became engulfed in flames, and she held onto her beast when it dove. Zipp saw the monster as her pupil had the image of the beast clear as day. The dive caused an explosion, making most students in attendance look away. Zipp emerged from the explosion with scuff marks along her clothes as she hit the ground. She groaned upon impact as Shirai landed heroic on the floor with a smirk.
Zipp's Life Points: 0-
Winner: Shirai
"Your winner, students. Ms. Shirai and Crystal Prep," said Luna as she announced the girl as the winner of this duel.
"Just remember, you poured gasoline on this fire," stated Shirai as Zipp leaned on her arms to look at her opponent.
The heiress was at a loss for words as the defeat from Crystal Prep really stung her. As she got to her hands and knees, she noticed Flurry and her crew circling the field. The heiress could see the sea of Crystal Prep sharks surrounding her as if to ambush her. Flurry was positioned behind Zipp on the floor as she smirked.
"I warned you, princess. You should never have messed with us. And you had your friends pay the price." Flurry looked at Zipp, eye to eye, despite being a few meters apart. "And now… it's time you pay the price."
The heiress looked about as Flurry's crew slowly started to get closer. Celestia was about to run interference to protect her student when the doors to the arena burst open. Just like before, Sunny was leading the charge of her group as they rushed to offer Zipp some assistance. However, Roll joined them this time as all five got on the field and surrounded Zipp to protect her. Pipp offered her hand to her older sister as she grabbed it and was pulled up. The heiress stood with her friends as they stared down Flurry and her friends.
"Enough! Enough!" yelled Celestia in the microphone as she'd reached her breaking point. "I'm sick of this! I'm sick of all this! Every time, every time! I've had enough of this, Sombra! You and your team want to play games? You all want to play games? Well, we're gonna play games!"
The woman stared down Sombra, who remained stoic while listening to Celestia.
"Sombra! You and your team better be ready… because we will settle this tomorrow night... in WARGAMES!" shouted the CHS principal.
Everyone gasped upon hearing Celestia's proclamation. Apart from the two teams and Sombra, everybody else couldn't believe what they heard. Even Luna grabbed her sister to turn to face her and asked why she chose that specific challenge for the team exhibition event. Celestia only turned to look at Sombra, as she wanted to stick it to the man, and this was the best way she knew how. Sombra only raised a smile at her.
"Let's go, guys!" said Flurry, snapping her fingers.
Her crew growled while staring at Sunny and the others, wanting to get their hands on them. But they would have to wait for the team exhibition duel tomorrow. Flurry and her crew walked backward, still looking at her cousin and friends as they approached their principal. Sombra stood before his team, keeping his mocking smile at the teens and Celestia. The group then turned as they looked to leave, as it was clear that, based on the stage, only six of them, not the seven required, needed to participate in the event.
"Hey, prima!" shouted Roll as she got Flurry's and the others' attention as they were leaving. The girl turned to look at her cousin. "I know what you're thinking and let me be the first to say congrats. I'm so happy for you. I really am. I'm so happy. I'm so happy you and your crew have the advantage."
The girl scowled at her cousin's little rant as her crew, including Sombra, turned around to look at the CHS student speak. Sunny and the gang kept staring at them and listening to Roll speak.
"I'm so glad you put together a team at the star-caliber level of what's before us. And I know what you're thinking: Seven on six just isn't fair. Well… I'm here to tell you, cousin… we're not alone." smiled Roll as Flurry raised an eyebrow. "We have our seventh member."
Sunny and the others all broke their gaze and turned to look at Roll with confusion. Even Flurry's friends had questionable marks on their faces from what their captain's cousin just said.
"Somebody that I have a legacy with. You know what I'm talking about, right?" asked Roll to her cousin as her face started to change and her brain worked things out slowly. "Why are you looking at me that way? You're looking at me like I'm prey. Like we're prey. Did you not know? With us… is an Apex Predator. That's right, prima. You're not just hearing voices inside your head."
"I don't believe it! I don't believe it!" shouted Flurry to her cousin as she pointed at her.
Roll held her wicked smile. Sunny and the others were still confused, as they had no idea what Roll was talking about.
"Oh, that's right, Flurry. You want a bloodline civil war? Then you're gonna get a bloodline civil war. Because our seventh member… is my brother!" yelled Roll.
The mic was dropped with that statement as the CHS student body cheered with excitement. As for Flurry and her gang, they couldn't believe what they heard.
"I'll believe it when I see it! I'll believe it when I see it!" yelled Flurry at her cousin.
Roll kept smiling at her cousin as Flurry look to charge at her cousin, but had to held back by her crew. The Crystal Prep girl continuing to shout at her cousin and vice-versa as they had to drag her away and out of the building. Sombra looked at Celestia and her students as he just smirked.
Roll kept her eyes on her cousin as they didn't know how to respond after hearing her huge announcement that Mario would be joining them.
"Roll, are you serious?" asked Sunny, wondering if Mario indeed did say yes.
The girl didn't answer and just looked at her.
"Roll, is Mario in?" asked Zipp as they began to surround the girl. Once again, she just avoided their gazes and bit her lip.
"Roll?!"
"Roll?!"
"Is he coming?!"
"Is Mario on the team, yes or no?!"
"Roll, tell us!"
The main five shouted at their friend to get her to answer, but she didn't say anything. She just bit her lip, trying not to make eye contact with them as she drowned out all the demanding questions they wanted her to answer.
Author's Notes: The battlelines have been drawn. It's looking like it indeed will be a bloodline civil war between cousins. Between two families. And despite Zipp getting her piece for all the trouble she started, it seems Team CHS might indeed have its final member... and according to Roll, it seems Mario might join them. However... given near the end how she avoided answering her friends' questions and not looking them in the eye, she might just have been talking out of her ass. The question remains: Does big brother show up for the team exhibition event tomorrow night? Fingers crossed.