The walk back was a weird one. The moment Applejack and Isaac stepped through the curtain, the crew and a few other staff applauded them for their win. The World Champ put on a fake smile as he saw his wife approaching him. Twilight smiled and wrapped her arms around her husband's neck as the two shared a kiss.
"Behold," Isaac announced, lifting his left hand to reveal the gleaming medallion, a tangible symbol of his hard-earned victory.
"Congrats," said Twilight as she was happy for her man.
The World Champion smiled before glancing at his teammate as Aj scoffed.
"Be lucky I let you hold the prize that I won," said the country gal. She tipped her stetson hat and walked away.
"Honey… save it for later."
Isaac sighed as he gave one last kiss to his wife before walking away. He arrived at the photo shoot where Aj was, as they had won the medallions and needed to take some quick photos to post online. He approached the photographer as he shook his hand, and gave him respect. He then turned to look at Applejack, who was busy admiring the prize that she won. She then looked up and locked eyes with her so-called "teammate." As the two were eye to eye, it was clear they weren't on the same page despite being part of a tag team. Eventually, the photographer got their attention as they turned to the camera, acted professionally, and took some pics. The flash of the bulb was heard as he and Applejack did different poses with the medals, as their disdain was still at the front of their mind regarding their match against each other in just a few hours.
Back in the arena, the next match was preparing to happen.
"Well, ladies and gentlemen, from one duel we go to another. You just saw Isaac and Applejack just become the new Tag Team Champions, but will the same be said for this match? Up next, it's the Interconential Champion, Rainbow Dash, as she takes on her former teammate turned rival, Lightning Dust." said the lead announcer as the graphic came on the screen, which showed Rainbow and Lightning Dust looking at each other with raised fists.
"For those of you who don't know, let's show you how this all came to be," said the other announcer, signaling the playback of the video package.
Sunny and the others turned to the giant titration as they watched the video recap, explaining how this match happened.
(Video Package)
15 months ago
"Rainbow Dash…"
"... Lightning Dust"
"We are the top 1%!" said both duelists.
The video shows the two when they decided to team up and all the many wins they won as a tag team. It then fast-forwards to a specific event where they finally get an opportunity to compete for the Tag Team Medallions after months and months of grinding. After a hard-fought victory, Rainbow and Lightning won as they became champions. The two were shocked before they hugged each other and cried out emotions.
"We told everybody that we are the top 1%!" said Lightning Dust as it showed a backstage shot of them talking to the camera.
"And nobody is taking these from us!" said Rainbow.
Despite the team's intentions of holding the medals for a long time, it was short-lived as 70 days later, they faced a team and lost their prizes as Rainbow was the one who took the fall. The high the two were riding came to a screeching halt as they were disappointed to have such a short reign after working so hard to get to the top. The next months showed the two getting another opportunity to win their medals back as, once again, they came just a bit short. After another grueling three months, the pair got one final shot at reclaiming their prizes, as the stipulation for their final shot was an Action Duel.
All the participants gave it all in that duel. At one point, Lightning Dust landed awkwardly on a floating platform as she twerked her foot. When she tried to stand up, she felt some pain shoot through as she clutched her leg. Despite the potential injury she may have suffered, she willed herself to continue for the sake of her and Rainbow to win. As the duel neared the end, Lightning Dust was helpless and at the mercy of their opponents. The final attack was coming at her as Rainbow rushed over to her partner at the last second and pushed her out of the way. The chromatic-haired duelist was willing to take the bullet for her injured teammate and took the loss again.
After the duel, the pair were shown holding each other as they began to walk up the ramp slowly. The crowd applauded their performance as they felt sorry for the two, given this was their last chance. They waved to the crowd, showing their appreciation as Lightning Dust grabbed the back of Rainbow's head and looked at her.
"I'm sorry,"
"No, I'm the one," Rainbow said to her teammate, as she was the one who took the loss.
"No… I'm sorry," said Lightning Dust in a more stern and serious tone.
Rainbow was confused by her teammate's tone as Lightning Dust tightened her grip on the back of Dash's head. She threw her partner into part of the stage, and she collided facefirst before falling on her back. Shots of the crowd showed gasps as they couldn't believe what they saw. Rainbow groaned before getting on her side and looking up as Lightning Dust stared her down with a betrayed look.
"Why?" said Rainbow as she was shown in a chair, having opened her eyes as she recalled those events all those months ago.
Lightning Dust was shown in a chair. She slowly lifted her head like a villain and stared into the camera as if looking at Rainbow herself.
"I saw you like a friend," responded Dash as it cut to her. "And I didn't think you were even capable of that."
"You want answers, Dash? You did it to yourself," Lightning Dust responded. "Because you're selfish!"
The video continued to play, showing Lightning Dust coming out on crutches and looking to address the crowd, which booed her for what she did.
"Are we not gonna address the fact that I tore my damn ACL in that duel!?" shouted Lighting Dust to the camera from her seat before it shifted to footage of her standing before a booing crowd. "I carried Rainbow and this team! It's always been about you, Dash! Not about us!"
"I think that's something you've formed in your sick, deluded mind, but we were something special!" responded Rainbow from her seat.
"When I return, I will be the most dangerous son of a bitch!" yelled Lightning Dust as she threw the mic down and walked away to go recover.
"And then… you weren't there," said Rainbow as Lightning Dust faded from her mind.
The next footage series showed Rainbow returning to her roots, returning to her persona before she teamed up with Lighting Dust as she smiled.
"I need to be Rainbow Dash again. I need to be… HER!" declared Dash, now more over than ever with the crowd.
"I thought I had it all figured out, but I didn't. That thought… kept coming up."
Despite returning to her roots, Rainbow experienced some bumps in the road as she struggled to string consecutive wins together, and a few times, she came up short in her duels. Despite Lightning Dust not being at the forefront of her mind, she couldn't help but think of the team she formed with the partner who betrayed her.
"And then bam!" said Lightning Dust.
Rainbow's duel with Isaac was shown as she had become the #1 contender for it. After she lost to the World Champ, her former friend jumped her as she had fully recovered from her injury. She sent her former teammate a message saying she was back.
"You're selfish!" yelled Lightning Dust. The video showed Rainbow becoming Intercontinental Champion a few months ago, and she celebrated her victory of finally getting back on the winning tracks.
"I wanted you to have your moment and rip it from you!"
Her former friend then ambushed Rainbow as she stood over her body and whispered into her ear what her intentions were.
"I'm taking your title from you!"
"This match means more to me than anything," said Rainbow.
"I finally get my moment, and I do so at your expense. At Super Showdown, 15 months in the making, I take everything from you, Dash!"
"I don't care what happens to me anymore; I'm going to Super Showdown to beat the hell out of you!" Rainbow responded.
"At Super Showdown, I take your spirit! Your soul! Your heart! Rainbow Dash and everything it stands for… ends!" said Lightning Dust intensely.
"I will finally… have my moment," responded Rainbow.
"This is my moment," responded Lightning Dust.
The final image of the video package transitioned from between the two former teammates as one found themselves in an arena full of cheers while the other was in a sea of boos.
(End of Video Package)
In the arena, everyone was getting settled in. After watching that video package, they were set for the next match on the card. And they didn't have to wait long as some music began to play.
Woooah yeah!
Whoooooooo!
I can slap a tornado.
Bursting through the curtain and onto the stage was Lightning Dust. Immediately a sea of boos echoed as she didn't care. She lowered her shades and ruffled her leather jean jacket before walking down the ramp. Along the way, she grabbed some signs from some people in the crowd that had Rainbow's picture, and she tore them up on her way to the field as if to send a message to her opponent.
When I live for the moment
There ain't no greater than me
Now you don't sell me no future, yeah
Don't you sell me your love
Lightning Dust looked at the hard cam with an intense and serious expression. She was focused and willing to put this personal issue between her and Rainbow to bed. It had been 15 months in the making, and the two were finally going to settle the score. She immediately turned toward the stage and paced the field back and forth like a predator waiting for its prey to appear.
"Come on, Rainbow! Let's finish this!" shouted Lightning Dust, wanting to get her hands on her former teammate.
The lights started to dim, but the stage remained lit. On the screen, digital jerseys began to fly down and unwrap as they hung from the rafters. Almost everyone knew that was the sign of Rainbow's entrance, but something else happened along with the jerseys. A red banner dropped with some words, followed by a voice that read what was on the banner.
"Get a dream…"
Another banner in the middle dropped. It was white and had words, followed by the voice reading them.
"Hold onto it…"
A third banner, this one in blue, dropped as it did the same thing again.
"And shoot for the sky!"
Once all three banners were dropped, they disappeared before another massive digital banner that spread across all the screens was shown. On it was one simple word in large, bold font. One word that everyone in the arena knew as it was the calling card of the Interconential Champion. One word…
HER.
The music then played.
Cause I'm the greatest,
Ain't not hatin',
I'm the best here
You want your shot,
Well I guess you wait 'till next year (ha)
I'm at the top,
Get respect while I get feared (what?)
Who got a problem, huh?
Tell 'em to step here.
Rainbow appeared as the crowd cheered her on. She was dressed in a special jersey that Rarity made for her while wearing her signature shades. On the back was her name as the #1 was on it. The duelist put her arms out to the side, and the word HER flashed on the screen behind her. Small fireworks sparklers went off and shot into the air.
'Cause I'm the greatest, no arguing or debating
He in my face then I'm obviously gonna break him
I ain't never run from challenges,
I handle 'em and face em'
They say success either mangle them or make 'em
I'm the best to ever do it,
Going against me, you stupid
Rainbow stopped just before the field as she saw Lightning Dust with fury in her eyes. She taunted Dash to get in so she could get her hands on her. Dash took off her shades and tossed them to the crowd as she ran forward. She got on the field and tried to jump at Lightning Dust, but the official caught Dash down and held her back.
"Come on, Dash! Come on!" shouted Lightning Dust, taunting her former teammate even more.
"Wait till I get my hands on you!" yelled Rainbow, wanting to end this issue between them so badly.
The two began to exchange words and threats as the official managed to enforce his authority, and he assured both duelists that they would step back lest they get disqualified. Everybody watching could see this duel would be good, as the personal beef displayed was sizzling and boiling with tension. A bell rang as the announcer stood up and spoke into the mic.
"The following duel is for the title of Interconential Champion! Introducing first, the challenger, Lightning Dust!"
The duelist raised her arm as she got a sea of boos but kept her focus on Rainbow, who stared her foe down.
"Next… she is the Interconcential Champion… Rainbow Dash!" She put her arm up after the announcer introduced her. Unlike Lightning Dust, she got cheers to show who the clear fan favorite was.
Both duelists stared at the other as they tuned out what the ref was saying. All that was on their mind was settling the score of this long-standing issue. Once instructed, they turned and walked to their respective side of the field. The crowd sat down as they prepared for another barn-burning duel to watch.
"I'm taking that title from you, Dash!" said Lightning Dust as she slotted in her deck and projected a brilliant amber card tray.
"There's only one thing that's gonna happen, Lightning Dust. And that's when I shoot; I don't miss!" proclaimed Rainbow, slotting in her deck as it projected a sky-blue card tray.
"Opponent detected. Streaming data. Duel mode set. Initiating. Commencing duel."
Rainbow Dash's Life Points: 8000-
Lightning Dust's Life Points: 8000-
"Let's duel!" said both competitors as their faces were shown on a split screen with their starting hand.
Turn 1: Rainbow Dash (Hand 5)
"The first move is mine!" proclaimed Rainbow as she drew. "I summon my U.A. Libero Spiker(1800/1800)! Then I'll place one card facedown and end my turn."
Turn 2: Lightning Dust (Hand 5)
"Then it's my turn. And time to begin the countdown to your defeat!" said Lightning Dust as she drew her card and smirked at what she got before adding it to her hand and grabbing a different card. "I play the field spell, Gaia Power!" The entire field began to change as a massive giant tree began to take root in the center. It grew and grew until it was massive and nearly reached the top of the stadium.
"With the power of this field spell, all Earth monsters gain 500 extra attack points but lose 400 defense points."
"Yeah, well, guess, my U.A. monsters are Earth-types, so you made a big mistake because my crew of all-stars gets the powerup as well!" said Rainbow as she pointed at her foe while her U.A. Libero Spiker got stronger but weaker in defense.
"Oh, believe me, I know. All the time I spent carrying you on my back only for you to be selfish and hog the attention all to yourself because you wanted more. I know your deck inside and out. Now… since I control no monsters and you do, I can special summon this… Lord Gaia the Fierce Knight(2300/2100)!" Out came a dragon; on it was a rider calvary who double-wielded lances as the winged beast screeched.
In his locker room, Isaac sat down as he watched the monitor broadcasting Rainbow's duel; he looked grimly. He knew Rainbow had her beef and prayed that she would find a way to retain her championship status, given Lightning Dust's recently upgraded deck. Twilight was watching from gorilla along with Rarity as they could see the sweat coming down Rainbow's face, knowing their friend wouldn't run over her longtime rival as she expected.
"I can tell you weren't expecting that, huh, Dash? Well, you won't be expecting what I'm about to do next."
"No, but I can do this! I activate Libero Spiker's ability! During your turn, I can shuffle one Level 5 or higher 'U.A.' monster from my hand back into my deck. Then, I can summon a different one from my deck. So, I'm choosing my U.A. Dreadnought Dunker(2500/1800)!" A muscular basketball player in dark blue and black pants and a thick silver and orange chest piece appeared before Dash. "And with your field spell in play, my Dunker gets 500 points stronger. Then I can take back my Libero Spiker!" Rainbow's other monster turned into a white light that shot toward her hand, reappearing as a card.
"Not bad… but not good enough! Lord Gaia, attack!" commanded Lightning Dust.
"Why is she attacking?" Pipp asked, unsure why Lightning Dust would command her monster to charge.
"Now I activate Lord Gaia's special ability. When it battles a monster that you special summoned with higher attack points, it gains 700 attack points until the end of the turn!"
"What?!" said Rainbow.
Lord Gaia charged as he threw his lances at Rainbow's monster, who put his hands out but was destroyed upon impact. Rainbow braced herself as she lifted her arms to shield herself from the damage.
Rainbow Dash's Life Points: 7500-
"Bet you didn't see that coming, huh!" taunted Lightning Dust as Dash gritted her teeth. "Next, I summon Artillery Catapult Turtle(1000/2000) in defense mode!" A mechanical turtle with a rail cannon on its back appeared. "I then place one card facedown and call it."
Turn 3: Rainbow Dash (Hand 4)
"My draw! Ha!" exclaimed Dash as she drew. "First, I'll activate my facedown, U.A. Locker Room! With this spell, I can add a 'U.A.' monster from my graveyard to my hand. So, I'm taking back my U.A. Dreadnought Dunker. Then I gain 500 Life Points!" Dash's duel disk ejected her card as she grabbed it.
Rainbow Dash's Life Points: 8000-
"And there's more. Next, I reveal any number of 'U.A.' monsters in my hand and shuffle them back into my deck. And for each one that I do, I draw that same number of cards. So I'm revealing my Libero Spiker and Dreadnought Dunker!" Rainbow showed her two cards to her opponent before placing them on her deck as the auto shuffler kicked in. She then drew her two cards as she looked at them. "Next, I summon my U.A. Midfielder(1200/1000), but he won't be sticking around for long because I'll tag him out to bring out this guy… U.A. Perfect Ace(1500/2500)!" Rainbow slapped her card onto her tray as her monster appeared.
"With that, I end my turn with a facedown."
Turn 4: Lightning Dust (Hand 2)
"That's all? Please. Stand back!" gloated Lightning Dust as she drew. "I summon my Giant Rat(1400/1450)!" A large rodent appeared as it eyed its target in Rainbow. "Then, I activate my turtle's effect. By tributing my Giant Rat, I can special summon one Level 5 dragon from my deck. So make way for… Curse of Dragon, the Cursed Dragon(2000/1500)!" A screech was heard as a fire-breathing dragon appeared and spread its wings.
"Next, my dragon's ability activates. When he's summoned, I can add one spell or trap card that lists 'Gaia the Dragon Champion' in its text." Lightning touched her duel screen and began to search her deck before clicking on a card. She confirmed her choice as it was slotted out for her to grab. "Then, I activate my facedown. Beginning of Heaven and Earth! Here's how it works. I reveal three Warrior-type monsters from my deck, with one of them being at least a 'Gaia' monster or a 'Black Luster Soldier' monster, and you randomly pick one to add to my hand. If the card you pick falls into either of the two categories, it's added to my hand, and the rest goes to the graveyard. Otherwise, all of them are sent away. So take your pick, Dash!"
Three cards materialized before Rainbow as she only saw the back covers. The chromatic-haired duelist eyed the choices as she thought long and hard about which card to pick.
"I pick… the one on the left," said Dash as she pointed at it.
"Thanks, because now… I can add it to my hand," smirked Lightning Dust. "Now… Lord Gaia, take out her monster!"
"Not this time! I reveal my facedown… Battleguard Rage! Thanks to this trap, my Perfect Ace gains 1000 attack points! And since I didn't summon it this turn, Lord Gaia can't activate its ability. So your monster bites the dust!" declared Rainbow as her monster reeled its fist back before thrusting it out and destroying Lightning Dust's monster.
Lightning Dust's Life Points: 7800-
"Lucky for you, my Battleguard Rage's additional effect means any monster my Perfect Ace destroys in battle returns to your hand instead of your graveyard!" stated Rainbow as Lighting's card reappeared in her hand.
"Thanks for the help, partner."
"We ain't partners anymore!" said Rainbow, as she could never get over Lighting betraying her the way she did.
"You're right, because of you," said Lighting as she stared at her former teammate.
Turn 5: Rainbow Dash (Hand 3)
"My turn! I play the spell card, U.A. Signing Deal. Now, I can summon a 'U.A.' monster from my deck with its effects negated. So I choose my Libero Spiker!" Rainbow, her monster from before appearing, stated. "Now, the additional effect of my card means I take damage equal to its level by 300."
Rainbow's Life Points: 6800-
"Next, I'm going to tag out my Libero Spiker for my U.A. Player Manager(2000/2600)! And when he's summoned, I can activate his ability. I can destroy one card on the field. So say goodbye to your turtle!" Rainbow stated as an energy beam fired from Player Manager collided with Lightning's monster, resulting in an explosion and the duelist covering up.
"Now, Player Manager, attack her dragon!" Rainbow ordered as her monster fired an orb of energy and destroyed the winged creature.
Lightning Dust's Life Points: 7300-
"Perfect Ace, your turn! Attack her directly!" The superhuman athlete put his hands together to condense an orb of energy before shooting it forward and made contact with Lightning Dust, who put her arms up to protect herself and was pushed back a bit.
Lightning Dust's Life Points: 4300-
"What a hit by Ms. Dash!" said the lead announcer as Rainbow stood tall with a smirk.
"It seems she's backed Lightning Dust into a corner. Can she find a way out of it?" said the other announcer.
"I end my turn," smirked Rainbow as she saw her dwindle Lightning's Life Points so much, which boosted her confidence.
Turn 6: Lightning Dust (Hand 5)
"I'm through taking it easy on you! I draw! I now play the spell card Spiral Fusion! Thanks to this spell, I can conduct a fusion summon. So I combine my Swift Gaia the Fierce Knight with my Curse of Dragonfire!" stated Lightning Dust as her two monsters entered a swirling vortex, emitting purple and orange lights. "I Fusion Summon! Sky Galloping Gaia the Dragon Champion(2600/2100)!" A golden monster appeared as it and its rider were donned in shining armor.
"Now, since I summoned my monster, its ability activates. I can add the spell 'Spiral Spear Strike' to my hand from my deck!" stated Lightning Dust as her deck ejected the card and grabbed it. "Next, I'll play it. The power of this continuous spell card grants my monster the ability to inflict piercing damage. And there's more: Sky Galloping Gaia's other effect allows me to determine the battle position of the monster it's battling. So now… Sky Galloping Gaia, attack Perfect Ace, and I'm choosing for your monster to be in defense mode!"
Rainbow's chosen monster bent down to a knee and put its arms up in an X. Lightning's monster then flew toward its target as it thrusted one of its lances right into its intended target and destroyed it upon impact. Rainbow covered up as she looked away and closed her eyes momentarily.
Rainbow Dash's Life Points: 6300-
"Now the additional effect of my Spiral Spear Strike activates. Since my monster inflicted damage, I can draw two cards and discard one card in my hand!" stated Lightning as she drew and added them to her hand before choosing one card to get rid of. "I place one card facedown and end my turn."
Turn 7: Rainbow Dash (Hand 3)
"Now, it's my turn. Here goes!" said Rainbow as she drew before looking at the field and began to access the field.
Lightning has definitely stepped up her game since we split. But so have I. We're no longer the teammates we used to be; now, we've gone our separate ways. Since her monster isn't an earth-type, it doesn't get the bonus from her field spell, but she knows that. That's why she packed some insurance with a facedown. If I'm going to take out that combo of hers, I better do it now, no matter what happens.
"To start, I summon U.A. Midfielder and then tag him out to call upon my U.A. Mighty Slugger(2300/700)!" Rainbow's newest monster descended from a portal above her, a baseball star in black and silver sports armor. It posed with an arm held out, a metal cylinder in its hand, and with a flash of light, it extended a holographic red light in the shape of a baseball bat. "And thanks to your field spell, he gets stronger. Now… attack! And if you were betting on your facedown to save you, don't bother because Mighty Slugger's ability makes it so that you can't activate any cards or effects when it attacks. So there's no stopping this hardball!"
Dash's monster tossed a ball upwards before reeling back and swung. The ball made contact with the bat as it flew toward Lightning's field in a red light that looked almost like a shooting star. It collided with Lightning's monster as it exploded.
Lightning Dust's Life Points: 4100-
"Now to go in with my Player Manager-"
"I don't think so. Thanks for getting rid of my monster, Dash. 'Cause now… I can activate this! Spiral Reborn!" said Lightning Dust as she touched her duel screen to flip her card over. "Thanks to this trap, I can return one Level 7 dragon-type monster from my graveyard. So welcome back, Sky Galloping Gaia the Dragon Champion!" A portal appeared as flying out was Lighting's recently destroyed monster, who let out a roar. "And there's more. Thanks to my trap, since I revived my Dragon Champion, my trap makes it so that you can't target my monster with card effects, nor can it be destroyed by them!"
"Just great," said Rainbow, biting her lower lip as not only had Lightning brought back her menace of a monster, but she just made it tougher. "I place one card facedown and end my turn."
Turn 8: Lightning Dust (Hand 3)
"My turn. I summon my Charging Gaia the Fierce Knight(2300/2100)!" Another rider on a horse appeared as the animal stood on its hind legs before setting down. "It may be a Level 7 monster, but I can summon it without sacrifice if I lower its attack points to 1900. Next, my Sky Galloping Gaia will attack your Mighty Slugger. And don't forget about my deadly combo! Galloping Gaia's effect allows me to choose your monster's mode when it attacks. And I choose defense mode… then Galloping Gaia's other effect means it can deal piercing damage! Hope this hurts a lot, Dash!"
The dragon champion soared toward its target as Rainbow's monster put its bat sideways to block. However, it didn't provide much protection, as the monster's lance stabbed through and broke the wooden bat, making contact with its chest plate before exploding. This sent a huge wave over Rainbow as she was taken off her feet and hit the ground.
Rainbow's Life Points: 4000-
"And with that hard-hitting assault, Lightning Dust manages to drop Rainbow to nearly her Life Point total, " the lead announcer commented.
"We have a banger of a match happening, folks!" said the other announcer. "Neither side is giving an inch in this personal vendetta."
"Come on, get up!" shouted Zipp as she entered the duel and yelled at Rainbow in a sea of shouting to rise.
Rainbow grunted as she willed herself not to show weakness or give Lightning satisfaction. She stood up and dusted herself before looking at her former teammate.
"Now my Spiral Spear Strike spell activates. Since I dealt you damage, I can draw two cards and discard one card in my hand. And I'll let you know right now: the monster I'm choosing to get rid of is my Arisen Gaia the Fierce Knight." said Lightning with a taunting smile as she purposely discarded her card.
Why did she tell me which card she got rid of?
Lightning caught Rainbow off guard by informing her opponent which card she got rid of, almost as if giving her a heads-up on what monster lay to rest in her graveyard.
"I end my turn with a facedown."
Turn 9: Rainbow (Hand 2)
"It's my move!" stated Rainbow as she drew her card and began to think about her plan to deal with Lightning's monster. "I now attack your Charging Gaia the Fierce Knight with my Player Manager, which I'll then activate my facedown, U.A. Penalty Box! Thanks to my trap, whenever my monster battles yours, it's banished until the end of your second turn!" Rainbow's monster charged as it leaped into the air to deliver a kick that made contact with Lightning's monster, resulting in it vanishing.
Lightning Dust's Life Points: 3500-
"With that, I'll end my turn."
Turn 10: Lightning Dust (Hand 3)
"My, my… if that move doesn't scream desperate, I don't know what does," smirked Lightning Dust as she could tell Rainbow was struggling to form a plan of attack. "Now then… I play a ritual spell!"
"What?!" said Rainbow surprisingly.
"I play the ritual spell card- Super Soldier Ritual!" stated Lightning Dust as two podiums appeared before her. "Now I can tribute monsters to summon a ritual monster. But here's the kicker… remember the last turn when I sent away my Arisen Gaia. Well, he's got a handy ability. See, if I ritual summon a 'Black Luster Soldier' monster, I can simply banish my Arisen Gaia from my graveyard, which counts as one of the tributes to summon it. So that saves me a card in my hand. And now… I'll sacrifice my Jutte Fighter alongside my Arisen Gaia!" Both monsters appeared on the podiums before they vanished as a massive white light covered her field.
"I Ritual Summon… Black Luster Soldier - Super Soldier(3000/2500)!" Out came a monster with a sword and shield that donned purple and black armor. It raised its blade at Rainbow and her monster to convey its strength.
"Oh boy," said Dash, seeing Lightning's new monster.
"Ready! Black Luster Soldier… attack her Player Manager!" Lightning Dust commanded as she pointed. Her monster rushed forward at blinding speed, appearing before its target and making some quick slashes. Rainbow's monster grunted as the slash marks were on its chest plate before it exploded, making Dash cover-up.
Rainbow's Life Points: 3500-
"And now Black Luster Soldier's ability kicks in! Whenever it destroys and sends a monster to the graveyard, you get hit with damage equal to the destroyed monster's attack points!"
A shock rained down on Rainbow as she screamed before falling to her knees and panting heavily.
Rainbow's Life Points: 1500-
"It's the end of the line, Dash!" mocked Lightning as she was one attack away from winning.
"No way!" said Zipp as she couldn't believe she would watch Rainbow lose.
"It's time to finally put the past behind us. Galloping Gaia… finish her!" Lightning Dust ordered as her monster soared toward the chromatic-haired duelist.
"We're going to have a new champion crowned!" said the lead announcer as Lightning's monster approached.
"I hope this works," Rainbow muttered as she grabbed a card from her hand. "I discarded my U.A. Rookie from my hand to trigger his second effect! Now I can cut the damage I take this turn in half!"
"Either way, you're getting hit!" growled Lightning Dust as the monster speared Rainbow in the chest and knocked her back a bit before she tumbled onto the field.
Rainbow's Life Points: 200-
"She survived, but barely," muttered Twilight as she and Rarity watched their friend take a nasty bump from Lightning.
From their private locker rooms, Isaac and Applejack looked intensely at Rainbow and Lightning's duel, which was living up to its hype. Rainbow got to her hands and knees before she shifted to sit on her bottom and look at her duel disk.
"Thanks for the assist, buddy," said Rainbow to her U.A. Rookie, as he was the true MVP for saving her skin.
"I end my turn. Now… make your pathetic move!" stated Lightning.
Turn 11: Rainbow (Hand 2)
"I will!" growled Dash as she drew. "I play Pot of Greed to draw two cards. Next, I'm gonna summon my U.A. Midfielder." Rainbow's monster appeared before her, hunched over and ready to move. "And since I just summoned a 'U.A.' monster from my hand, I can special summon the tuner monster, U.A. Strategist(1000/600)!" Next to Midfielder rose a monster in a silver uniform with blue and orange stripes, a clipboard under one arm, and a whistle dangling from its neck. The monster raised its head, eyes staring sharply under a white baseball cap, and grunted.
"I activate U.A. Strategist's special ability!" Rainbow held her duel disk as cards emerged from her graveyard. "Once per turn, I can return up to three U.A. monsters in my graveyard to my deck, and a 'U.A.' monster on my side of the field can gain or lose a Level for each of them." The transparent images of Dreadnought Dunker, Player Manager, and Perfect Ace appeared above Strategist. "I return three monsters to my deck and have U.A. Strategist gain three Levels, making it Level 6!" Strategist raised its whistle and blew into it; at the sound, the specters of Rainbow's monsters flowed into it in flashes of blue light. "And now, I tune my Level 6 U.A. Strategist with my Level 4 U.A. Midfielder!"
Strategist's whistle echoed as it turned into six green rings that floated in the air. Midfielder rose up into them as they began to spin. A pillar of blue light shot down through the rings. "I align brains and brawn, coach and player, and call in the unparalleled master of the field!" Rainbow's duel disk popped open, and a card ejected from her Extra Deck. "Meet a superstar like no other! I Synchro Summon! Rushing in, U.A. Star Player(2700/2500)!"
The pillar of light receded, revealing a darkened form floating in the air. Around the field, the lights of Indigo's track darkened, and spotlights on the stadium swung around, shining on the monster. Clad head to toe in a silver bodysuit with glowing blue and orange stripes up the sides, it hung ominously in the air. The monster raised its head, scruffy blond hair blowing in the wind, and dropped to the ground, landing on its feet. It held a hand to the side, and a pair of orange sunglasses appeared in its fingers; it slipped them on, grinned, and reared up to its full height, arms crossed.
"Your monster doesn't stand a chance against mine!" stated Lightning Dust.
"Not now, but once I equip him with this! Super Powered Jersey!" Star Player held its arms out. A set of gold and black armor with massive spikes, electricity sparking from them, appeared around it. One by one, the pieces gravitated onto Star Player, the armor's black sections lighting up once complete, forming a large spiked chest piece and gauntlet. "With this new piece of equipment, my monster gains 1000 attack points, and any monster it destroys in battle, the damage is doubled, and… it can attack three times."
"Three?!" said Lightning Dust with wide eyes.
"Star Player, attack Sky Galloping Gaia!"
Star Player tensed its limbs and leaped into the air. Lightning coiled from the spikes of its armored jersey and into its gauntlet. With a laugh, it brought its arms together and thrust them forward, firing a beam of blue energy. The beam lanced through Lightning's monster and exploded. Lightning cried out as the shockwave of the blast washed over her.
Lighting Dust's Life Points: 1300-
"And now to finish this- attack!" Eyes glowing bright blue, Rainbow pumped her fist and pointed. Star Player, fists still held out, turned them towards Black Luster Soldier - Super Soldier. With a smirk, another beam of blue light fired. The blast pierced Lighting's monster through the chest. It stumbled before it exploded, taking Lighting off her feet with a cry of defeat.
Lightning Dust's Life Points: 0-
Winner: Rainbow Dash
"Ladies and gentlemen… your winner and still Interconential Champion… Rainbow Dash!" said the announcer.
The crowd went nuts as they cheered for Dash. She smirked before raising her arm, showcasing how grueling the due was. She retained her championship status and resolved this issue with Lightning Dust for good.
"When Rainbow shoots. Rainbow don't miss!" shouted Dash to the crowd as she said her catchphrase.
She soaked in the crowd's admiration and praise as she posed and panted to them. Twilight and Rarity applauded their friend's performance backstage as she continued her reign as IC champ.
"This isn't over yet, Rainbow."
Lightning Dust got off the field and clutched her arm as she stood on the ramp, looking at Rainbow in her victory lap. She growled as she knew she would revisit this issue with Rainbow sooner or later. She then turned and began to walk back up toward the back while Rainbow soaked in the moment.
Author's Note: The tension between Isaac and Applejack is still there. Even though they're now the new Tag Team Champions, the personal beef between them is still at large and is at the forefront heading into their match. In the meanwhile, we had Rainbow Dash and Lightning Dust going at it for the title of Intercontinental Champion. As you saw, they had their own personal issue that needed to be taken care of. And while Rainbow emerged the victor this time, it's clear the issue between them will be visited at some point down the road. As you can see, with this Duel, I'm doing some other duels that are taking part in this event to serve as the appetizers before the main course in Isaac v. Aj. So if you enjoyed this Duel, wait till you see the next chapter.