Rainbow felt her Signer Mark stop burning. She quickly glanced back over the horizon, and gave a small smile. “Way to go, Pinkie!” Turning back, she felt her smile drop, as Cloudsdale came into few. “I guess it’s my turn, now.”

Rainbow circled around, scanning the empty streets of the city of clouds. Finally, she spotted a faint glow coming from the weather factory. She landed in front, and spun around to kick down the doors.

“Dramatic entrance,” commented Scootaloo, as Rainbow trotted into the lobby. She leapt over the desk she was sitting behind, and readied her Duel Disk.

“Scootaloo,” Rainbow mumbled, before narrowing her eyes. “What the hay are you doing!? Why are you a Dark Signer!?”

“Rainbow Dash,” Scootaloo muttered. “You always promised to teach me to fly or duel or even just hang out with me. Those promises were the highlight of my day, but you always cancelled at the last minute.”

“I…” Rainbow mumbled. “I’m sorry I did that. I never meant to get your hopes up for nothing… Wait. Is that why you’re doing this?”

“When I died in that explosion,” said Scootaloo, “I, along with Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle were approached by some underworld guys.”

“The Earthbound Gods?” Rainbow asked.

“I guess,” shrugged Scootaloo. “They asked us if we had a reason to keep going, and if we were willing to fight the Signers for them. If we said yes to both, we had a deal. We’d come back and fight you girls.”

“And you agreed to that?” asked Rainbow.

Scootaloo nodded. “I don’t know what Apple Bloom or Sweetie Belle wanted, but I wanted to be with you. And if fighting you to the death is the only way I get to spend time with you, then so be it.”

“That’s both petty and insane!” snapped Rainbow. “I made a mistake, okay? I shouldn’t have kept blowing you off. And I’m sorry. But joining the Dark Signers, trying to kill me, trying to kill everyone? That’s more wrong than anything I’ve ever done!”

“Maybe,” said Scootaloo, looking up at the ceiling in thought.

“Maybe?” repeated Rainbow. “You actually have to think about this!?”

“Tell you what,” said Scootaloo. “Prove I was wrong to join the Dark Signers. Duel me, and show me how wrong it was. If you win, I guess I was mistaken. But if I win? Then I was right. The Dark Signers were destined to win and I finally get to be better than you. Either way, we’ll be together for the next few minutes.”

“Surpass me?” asked Rainbow, letting out a snort. “Not a chance. Only one pony is qualified to surpass me right now, and, unlike her, you’ve never been taught by me, so it isn’t you.”

“If only you did teach me,” said Scootaloo.

“I will,” said Rainbow. “I’ll make up for neglecting you and teach you that the Dark Signers are wrong. Let’s do this, Scootaloo!”

Scootaloo’s Dark Signer Mark began glowing. The clouds around the weather factory seemed to catch fire, purple flames weaving through the clouds of the city to form the shape of a large hummingbird. Rainbow’s Signer Mark began burning in response, as did the Marks of all the Signers.

“Duel!”

Scootaloo: LP 4000. Rainbow Dash: LP 4000.

“I’ll take the first move,” said Scootaloo. “Draw! I activate the Field Spell Future Visions!” The walls of the weather factory became see-through, a strange, dark purple star field visible on the other side. Occasionally, rifts opened up in the field showing visions of different locations.

Rainbow flared her wings in surprise, as she looked down through the now clear floor at the expanse of purple tinted space below. “Future Visions, huh?”

“Never sure what the future will bring,” said Scootaloo. “Like I’m never sure if you’ll actually stick to the plans you promised me. So I might as well read the future and be sure, right?”

“So did you read the future for this duel?” asked Rainbow. “How’s it end?”

Scootaloo didn’t respond, instead continuing with her turn. “I summon Fortune Lady Light!” A pale yellow female biped, hairless except for the top of her head spiraled out. She held a staff with a scythe blade on one end, and a decorative stone sun on the other. Her clothes consisted of a yellow dress, cut up and tied together in a way that revealed his midriff, her black boots and a black, revealing jumpsuit. [ATK?: LV1]

“Unknown ATK points?” Rainbow questioned.

“Fortune Lady Light’s ATK is equal to her level times 200,” explained Scootaloo. “Currently, she is level 1.” [ATK200]

“What do you mean, currently?” asked Rainbow.

“I mean in the present,” said Scootaloo.

“That doesn’t explain anything,” Rainbow muttered.

“First, Future Visions’ effect activates! When a player Normal Summons a Monster, that Monster is banished until its controller’s next Standby Phase!” Fortune Lady Light suddenly blinked out of existence.

“Why wouldn’t you wait until after summoning to play the Field Spell, then?” Rainbow asked. “You left yourself wide open!”

“Did I?” smiled Scootaloo. “Fortune Lady Light’s effect! When this card is removed from the field by a card effect, I Special Summon a Fortune Lady from my deck! I Special Summon Fortune Lady Earth!” A female biped nearly identical to Fortune Lady Light appeared. The only differences were her skin being pale brown, as was her hair. She also wore glasses and appeared to be older and more mature. Her dress was also brown, instead of yellow, and the decorative sun on the staff was absent, a glowing brown orb in its place. [ATK?: LV6]

“Another undetermined ATK value?” Rainbow questioned. “Are all your Monsters like this?”

“Fortune Lady Earth’s ATK is equal to her current level times 400,” said Scootaloo. [ATK2400]

“2400 ATK already!?” gasped Rainbow.

“Did you think a duel against a Dark Signer would be easy?” asked Scootaloo. “Rainbow Dash, you asked me if I saw how this duel ends? It ends in your defeat. On my third turn, I will summon my Earthbound God. On my fourth? You die.”

“Damn,” spat Rainbow. “Then I’ll have to beat you down before that happens! My turn, draw! I summon Flamvell Firedog!” A dog made of magma erupted from the floor. [ATK1900. LV4]

“Future Visions’ effect!” smiled Scootaloo. “Flamvell Firedog is banished until your next Standby Phase!”

“What!?” Rainbow gasped, as Flamvell Firedog blinked out of existence. “Gah, I forgot that works on both players…”

“I guess I can’t rely on you to follow destiny, either,” said Scootaloo. “As always, you have your own schedule to keep. And clearly you plan on dying before I even get to play my Earthbound God."

“Stop rubbing my mistakes in my face,” muttered Rainbow.

“Fine,” said Scootaloo., “I’ll just rub pain in your face instead. My turn, draw! Fortune Lady Light returns to the field!” Light blinked back into existence. [ATK200. LV1] “Another thing that happens during my Standby Phase, Fortune Ladies gain a level! Fortune Lady Light is now level 2! [ATK400. LV2] Earth is now level 7!” [ATK2800. LV7]

“So that’s what you meant,” muttered Rainbow. “Your Fortune Ladies get stronger the longer they’re on the field.”

“Yeah, they learn and grow,” said Scootaloo. “It helps that I actually spend time with them on the field.”

“Scootaloo,” said Rainbow, “please. I don’t know how I can apologize more than I already am. I’m sorry!”

“Fortune Lady Earth’s effect!” said Scootaloo. “When her level increases, you take 400 points of damage!” Fortune Lady Earth spun her staff around, before slamming it onto the floor. Spikes shot up from beneath Rainbow, stabbing into her.

“Agh!” Rainbow gasped. [Rainbow Dash: LP 4000 –> 3600]

“Didn’t anypony tell you a duel of darkness hurts?” Scootaloo asked, as Rainbow clutched at her stomach.

Rainbow said nothing, as she pulled her hoof away, examining the blood that got on it. That actually cut into me… Not the worse wound, but…

“Battle,” said Scootaloo. “Fortune Lady Light, direct attack!” Light spun her staff around, building up momentum, before she slashed the scythe blade across Rainbow’s cheek.

“Ah!” Rainbow gasped in surprise. [Rainbow Dash: LP 3600 –> 3200]

“Fortune Lady Earth attacks!” continued Scootaloo. Fortune Lady Earth repeated her earlier movements, and stabbed Rainbow with even more spikes.

“Ah…” Rainbow gasped, before collapsing to the ground, hunched together in pain. [Rainbow Dash: LP 3200 –> 400] She let out a slight cough, only for some blood to trickle out of her mouth. Damn… Internal bleeding…

“Don’t worry, Rainbow Dash,” said Scootaloo. “I promise it’ll end soon. And unlike you, I stick to my promises.”

“I won’t let you down this time,” said Rainbow, shakily standing up. “I won’t lose!”

“Hmph,” snorted Scootaloo. “I release Fortune Lady Light to summon Fortune Lady Dark!” Another female biped similar to Light and Earth appeared. This one had pale purple skin, and a purple dress to match her hair. Though she was smiling, it was more sinister than friendly. One end of her staff had a blade, while the other end was adorned with a strange, dark purple gem. [ATK?: LV5]

“Damn,” muttered Rainbow. “Another one…”

“Fortune Lady Dark’s ATK is equal to her level times 400!” said Scootaloo. [ATK2000]

“But you can’t use her until next turn,” said Rainbow, “thanks to your own Future Visions.” Fortune Lady Dark blinked out of existence.

“I know,” said Scootaloo. “I set a card, and end my turn.”

“My turn,” said Rainbow, wiping the blood off her hoof on her coat. “Draw! During my Standby Phase, Flamvell Firedog returns!” Flamvell Firedog blinked back into existence. [ATK1900]

“Whatever you were planning with that thing, it doesn’t matter anymore,” said Scootaloo. “Fortune Lady Earth is too strong.”

“That’s why I changed plans,” said Rainbow. “Something came up, so I needed to cancel.”

“Are we talking about the duel?” asked Scootaloo.

“Were we ever?” asked Rainbow. “I’m not good with emotional conversations, okay? But, I’ll do my best. Scootaloo, this isn’t you. You’re a cool kid. A lot like me. And I know that, like me, you aren’t a crazy, world killing nutcase.”

“What could have come up all of those times, though?” Scootaloo asked, her eyes tearing up. “How busy are you that you abandon me?”

“Scootaloo,” mumbled Rainbow. “I know how you feel. I had ponies I looked up to as a filly, and they never had time for me, either. And, yeah, it hurt, but they were busy. And ya know what? When we finally did hang out, it was awesome.”

“What exactly are you saying?” asked Scootaloo.

“I’m saying that when I’m free, when I can hang out with you,” said Rainbow, “I’m going to make sure you have the time of your life. Sis.”

“Sis?” repeated Scootaloo, her eyes returning to their normal color. “Are you saying…?”

“I know we aren’t related,” said Rainbow, awkwardly looking down “but if you want, I could be your sister. I could even buy you a new deck. One that’s more fitting for an angel like you.”

Scootaloo paused, before bursting out laughing. “Ba-ha-ha-ha! That was the cheesiest thing I ever heard!”

Rainbow blinked in surprise, before laughing too. “Heh... Ha-ha-ha! I guess so, huh? I don’t know what sisters call each other. Was trying to come up with something cute.”

“Try something cool, instead,” smiled Scootaloo.

“Sure thing, Scoots,” smiled Rainbow.

“Scoots is fine,” nodded Scootaloo. Suddenly, a dark aura washed over her, and she began screaming.

“Scootaloo!?” Rainbow gasped. “What’s wrong!? What’s happening!?”

“R-Rainbow Dash!” Scootaloo gasped. “I… I…” Her muscles slacked for a bit. When she looked up, her eyes were glowing dark purple, and she had an evil smirk on her face.

“Scootaloo…?” Rainbow mumbled.

“I am a Dark Signer,” Scootaloo said, her voice echoing.

“Scootaloo!” Rainbow gasped. “What happened!?”

“A Dark Signer’s sole purpose is to kill the Signers,” Scootaloo said.

“You aren’t Scootaloo, are you?”

Scootaloo nodded. “You are correct, Signer. Just like you were earlier. Her desires, her wishes to keep living and get back at you were so petty and foalish. I was thrilled at such a convenient vessel. Oh, how easy it is to manipulate her to the wishes of the underworld! Ah-ha-ha-ha!”

“So you’re the Earthbound God, I’m guessing?” Rainbow asked.

“You’re smarter than you look, Signer,” laughed Scootaloo.

Rainbow gritted her teeth. “No one, be it pony or god, messes with my friends, you got that!?”

“Try and stop me.”

“I will!” spat Rainbow. “As you have less than 3 cards in your Graveyard, and I have a Flamvell on the field, I Special Summon Neo Flamvell Origin!” A small ball of blue flames, cased in a protective coating of red flames ignited on Rainbow's field. [ATK500. LV2]

“A Tuner Monster?” muttered Scootaloo.

“Then,” continued Rainbow, “since a Monster was Special Summoned, I can activate the Quick-Play Spell, Dark Flare! I can Special Summon a FIRE Monster from my hoof! I Special Summon Fox Fire!” A small, red fox with a flame on the tip of its tail curled up in front of Rainbow. [DEF200. LV2]

“Going to summon your Signer Dragon?”

Rainbow nodded. “I tune my level 2 Neo Flamvell Origin to my level 2 Fox Fire and my level 4 Flamvell Firedog!” Neo Flamvell Origin burst into two green Tuning Rings, and channeled the level stars of Fox Fire and Firedog through them. “The ruler’s heartbeats now file through here! Take witness to its creation-shaking power! Synchro Summon! Red Demon’s Dragon!” Light shot down through the middle of the rings. In a spiral of flames, Red Demon’s Dragon rose up, with a roar, he spread his wings, dispelling the flames. Taking his place in front of Rainbow, Red Demon’s Dragon glared down at Scootaloo. [ATK3000. LV8]

“Hmph,” Scootaloo snorted.

“Battle!” said Rainbow. “Red Demon’s Dragon, attack Fortune Lady Earth! Absolute Power Force!” Red Demon’s Dragon’s claws began burning. It slammed them through Earth and into Scootaloo.

“Agh!” [Scootaloo: LP 4000 –> 3800]

“How do you like that?” asked Rainbow.

“Trap activate!” said Scootaloo. “Inherited Fortune! Since you destroyed a Fortune Lady, I can Special Summon 2 Fortune Ladies on my next Standby Phase!”

“What!?” gasped Rainbow. “Damn! I activate Red Dragon Vase! Since I control Red Demon’s Dragon, I draw two cards! I then set two cards, and end my turn!”

“My turn,” said Scootaloo. “Draw! First, Fortune Lady Dark returns!” Fortune Lady Dark blinked back into existence. [ATK2000] “Then, I Special Summon two Fortune Ladies thanks to Inherited Fortune! Come, Fortune Lady Wind!” A female biped with an outfit like the other Fortune Ladies appeared. Her hair and dress were green, her skin a paler shade, and her staff’s jewel was an emerald stylized to look like a gust of wind. Her expression was completely serious. [ATK?: LV3] "Fortune Lady Water!" Another female biped, a pale shade of blue for her skin color, and a darker blue for her hair and dress appeared. Her staff’s jewel was stylized to look like a snowflake. Her expression was much calmer than Wind’s. [ATK?: LV4]

“Damn it,” muttered Rainbow.

“All of my Fortune Ladies gain a level during the Standby Phase,” said Scootaloo. “Furthermore, Wind and Water’s ATK values are equal to their levels times 300!” [Fortune Lady Dark – ATK2400. LV6] [Fortune Lady Wind – ATK1200. LV4] [Fortune Lady Water – ATK1500. LV5]

“Damn it,” said Rainbow.

“Oh, one more thing,” added Scootaloo, “if Fortune Lady Water is Special Summoned while I have another Fortune Lady on the field, I draw two cards!”

“Damn it!” shouted Rainbow.

“I release Fortune Lady Wind and Fortune Lady Water!” said Scootaloo. “After 5000 years time, the doors of the underworld open once more! Descend, Earthbound God Aslla piscu!” A stone heart appeared and smashed up through the ceiling. It began beating, as the black fog enveloping Cloudsdale was sucked into it. After the last of the fog was absorbed, it exploded in a burst of light.

Rainbow covered her eyes from the glare. When the light died down enough to look, her irises shrank. A large, black hummingbird, its beak alone longer than an entire house, flew above her. Orange lines ran along its body, the designs giving it the appearance of a face. It opened its beak and let out a screeching, echoing cry, the force of it knocking the rest of the ceiling down. [ATK2500. LV10]

“The Earthbound God…” Rainbow mumbled. “But, even that thing isn’t immune to your Field Spell! Until your next Standby Phase, Earthbound God Aslla piscu is banished!”

“I am aware,” smiled Scootaloo. “Aslla piscu’s effect! When this card is removed from the field, all face up Monsters my opponent controls are destroyed! And for each Monster destroyed by this effect, my opponent takes 800 points of damage!”

“What!?” gasped Rainbow. “Damn it. Trap activate! Synchro Barrier! I release Red Demon’s Dragon! Then, until the End Phase of the next turn, I can’t take damage!” Red Demon’s Dragon dissolved, and a glowing shield appeared in front of Rainbow.

“Hmph,” snorted Scootaloo, as Aslla piscu blinked out of existence. “In that case, I end my turn. It doesn’t matter to me, though. Remember what Scootaloo said of the future? On my next turn, Aslla piscu will return and I will end your life.”

“T-that’s right,” Rainbow mumbled. “I… I was going to win before that, but with Red Demon’s Dragon in my Graveyard…” Rainbow fell to the floor, and slammed her hoof down. “Damn it! I… I can’t fail… I can’t let everypony down…”

Rarity almost gasped in surprise, as the Signer Marks began burning brightly. “Rainbow Dash… I can feel her emotions.”

“Yeah,” said Applejack, looking back at her own Mark. “Ah guess that’s from the Crimson Dragon’s power.”

“Applejack, she needs our support!” said Rarity. “I’ve never known Rainbow Dash to be this helpless, to be this desperate for help!”

“Ah’m with ya, there, Rare,” said Applejack, as she turned to look out the window again. “Rainbow. Ah know ya can’t hear us, but if we can feel your pain, then surely you feel our support.”

“We’re behind you, Rainbow Dash,” said Rarity. “Go for it!”

The Signer Marks vanished off of Applejack and Rarity, as well as from the other Signers.

Rainbow was lying on the floor trembling, eyes shut tight, when she felt warmth flow through her body. “Huh?” She opened her eyes, and looked back at her flanks. Her Signer Mark vanished, and in its place, the full Mark of the Crimson Dragon appeared.

“W-what is this!?” gasped Scootaloo.

“Girls…” Rainbow smiled. She stood back off, and gave a determined smirk towards Scootaloo. “I’d never trust a vision given to me by the underworld. You say you’ll win next turn? I say that on my next turn, I’LL WIN!”

“You’re bluffing,” said Scootaloo.

“Let’s find out!” said Rainbow, as the top card of her deck glowed. “My turn, draw! …Looks like I have an ace in the hole. Thanks, Crimson Dragon! I summon Savior Dragon!” A sleek, glowing, pinkish dragon with gems on its wing joints and eyes spun out, appearing in front of Rainbow. [ATK0. LV1]

“Useless!” spat Scootaloo. “You’ll have to wait until next turn to use it, and even then, that’s IF you have a next turn!” Savior Dragon blinked out of existence.

“That’s fine,” smiled Rainbow. “I activate Rekindling! I Special Summon as many FIRE Monsters with 200 or less DEF from my Graveyard! Return, Fox Fire!” The small fox reappeared, in a pouncing stance. [ATK300. LV2] “Flamvell Firedog!” The magma dog erupted from the floor. [ATK1900. LV4] “Neo Flamvell Origin!” The multicolored flame reignited. [ATK500. LV2]

“What good will this do you?” asked Scootaloo. “They’ll be banished during the End Phase!”

“Not if they leave the Field, first!” said Rainbow. “Battle! Fox Fire, attack Fortune Lady Dark!” Fox Fire leapt forward, only to be destroyed immediately by a blast of dark energy.

“You lose!” said Scootaloo.

“Did you forget I can’t be damaged until the End Phase?” asked Rainbow.

“Curse you…” spat Scootaloo. “No matter, thanks to Fortune Lady Dark’s effect, I Special Summon a Fortune Lady since I destroyed a Monster by battle! Arise, Fortune Lady Fire!” A pale red female biped appeared. Her hair and dress were red, and her staff was adorned with a red stone shaped like flames. [ATK?: LV2]

“So the sixth Fortune Lady shows up, huh,” mumbled Rainbow.

“Fortune Lady Fire’s ATK is equal to her current level times 200!” said Scootaloo. [ATK400. LV2] “And since she was Special Summoned by a Fortune Lady’s effect, I can destroy a Monster my opponent controls, and damage them for an amount equal to the destroyed Monster’s ATK! You may be immune to damage this turn, but I doubt Flamvell Firedog is immune to destruction!”

Fortune Lady Fire sent a wave of flames crashing over Flamvell Firedog. The energy shield was still in front of Rainbow, and the rest of the flames bounced harmlessly off it.

“Neo Flamvell Origin,” said Rainbow, “destroy Fortune Lady Fire!” Origin’s flames spread off its body, and incinerated Fortune Lady Fire as well as burn Scootaloo.

“Ah!” Scootaloo gasped. [Scootaloo: LP 3800 –> 3700]

“I set a card,” said Rainbow. “Turn end. During the End Phase, Neo Flamvell Origin is banished by Rekindling’s effect. I’m not defenseless, though! Fox Fire, since it was destroyed by battle while face up, is Special Summoned to the Field!” Fox Fire reappeared, curled up in front of Rainbow. [DEF200. LV2]

“Hmph,” snorted Scootaloo. “You hardly accomplished anything! My turn, draw! During the Standby Phase, Fortune Lady Dark increases her level! [ATK2800. LV7] But more importantly, Earthbound God Aslla piscu returns!” Aslla piscu blinked back into existence, and gave another echoing cry. [ATK2500]

“Bring it,” said Rainbow.

“Perish, Signer!” said Scootaloo. “Earthbound God Aslla piscu, bypass her Monster and attack directly!”

“Trap activate!” countered Rainbow. “Attack Guidance Barrier! I redirect your attack to Fox Fire, and increase his DEF by 600!” [DEF800]

Aslla piscu stabbed its beak down, piercing through Fox Fire and the entire floor. Rainbow’s eyes widened in surprise, as she leapt back and began flapping her wings to hover over the hole in the clouds.

“Clever,” muttered Scootaloo.

“After the battle,” said Rainbow, “Attack Guidance Barrier ends the Battle Phase!”

“Then I end my turn,” said Scootaloo. “Is that your big accomplishment for your friend? Holding off death for my fifth turn instead of the fourth?”

“No,” said Rainbow, taking a deep breath. “It’s destroying you and saving her from the underworld! First, Fox Fire returns to my field! [DEF200. LV2] My turn. Draw! During my Standby Phase, Savior Dragon returns to the field!” Savior Dragon blinked back into existence. [ATK0. LV1]

“A level 1 Tuner, and a level 2 non-Tuner?” laughed Scootaloo. “How is that supposed to defeat an Earthbound God?”

“Trap activate!” said Rainbow. “Descending Lost Star! By lowering its defense to 0 and its level by 1, I can Special Summon a Synchro Monster from my Graveyard in defense position! Come back, Red Demon’s Dragon!” Red Demon’s flew up, and took a defensive position in front of Rainbow. [DEF0. LV7]

“Bringing the Signer Dragon back like this?” asked Scootaloo. “Why…?”

“This is the power of the Crimson Dragon!” said Rainbow. “I tune my level 1 Savior Dragon to my level 2 Fox Fire and my level 7 Red Demon’s Dragon!” Savior Dragon dissolved into light, expanding and consuming Fox Fire and Red Demon’s Dragon. “A lone single polished light, become the true high-ruler and illuminate the earth! Shine bright! Synchro Summon! Savior Demon Dragon!” The light enveloped Rainbow Dash, before dissolving into the form of a long, serpentine version of Red Demon’s Dragon. A mane of red fur was now on its head, and its arms were replaced with large, shiny, white and red wings. It’s form shimmered, and almost seemed to be made of light itself. [ATK4000. LV10]

“W-what is this thing!?” stuttered Scootaloo, taking a step backwards.

“Scootaloo,” said Rainbow, as she drifted inside the light of Savior Demon. “This is how I’m going to save you. Savior Demon Dragon’s effect! Once per turn, I can negate the effects of an opponent’s Monster and increase his ATK by an amount equal to the ATK of my opponent’s Monster! Power Gain!”

Savior Demon let out a blast or red light, enveloping Earthbound God Aslla piscu in a red crystal. [ATK6500]

“6500 ATK!?” gasped Scootaloo.

“Savior Demon Dragon!” screamed Rainbow. “Attack Earthbound God Aslla piscu! Ultimate Power Force!”

Savior Demon enveloped itself in golden flames, before blasting through Aslla piscu. As the crystal shattered, Aslla piscu let out one final screech in pain, before exploding.

“AGH!” screamed Scootaloo, as the blast knocked her through the floor and clouds, and sent her falling to the ground below. [Scootaloo: LP 3700 –> 0]

Savior Demon Dragon flew up into the sky, before looping down allowing Rainbow to catch Scootaloo. Just before hitting the ground, Savior Demon Dragon pulled back, and gently flew them both back to the ruins of the weather factory, as the flames of the hummingbird geoglyph dissipated.

The full Mark of the Crimson Dragon vanished off of Rainbow’s flank, her original Signer Mark taking its place. Rainbow pulled Scootaloo in close, wiping her mane from her face. “Scootaloo?”

Scootaloo’s eyes slowly opened, the sclera back to their normal color. Her voice was weak when she spoke, but it no longer echoed. “Rainbow Dash… I’m sorry…”

“It’s not your fault,” smiled Rainbow. “I always tell Fluttershy not to apologize for no reason. And I’m the only one who should apologize. I did neglect you, and that was wrong. Now, can we go and be pseudo-sisters?”

“You don’t blame me for what I did as a Dark Signer?” Scootaloo asked.

“Of course not,” smiled Rainbow. “Why would I? You got tricked. I’ve fallen for tricks before, too.”

Scootaloo smiled. “Thank you, Rainbow… You’re the best…”

“I wish I could agree,” Rainbow began, before shaking her head. “So I guess I will.”

“Heh,” Scootaloo laughed, before frowning. “I hope you can forgive me for having to cancel on our plans, though…”

“What do you mean?” asked Rainbow. “You aren’t still mad about that, are you?”

“No,” said Scootaloo, “but now that the Earthbound God is gone… There’s nothing keeping me alive anymore…”

Rainbow felt her muscles tense up. “W-wait, so…”

Scootaloo looked up at Rainbow, and gave one last smile. “For me, Rainbow Dash… Beat those Earthbound Gods, will you? I know you’re strong enough…”

Before Rainbow could respond, Scootaloo dissolved into dust. Savior Demon Dragon deposited the lone pegasus back at the weather factory before vanishing, the rune circle glowing off in the distance.

Without a word, Rainbow stood up, and trotted into the circle, and held up Red Demon’s Dragon. The circle glowed bright crimson, before shattering completely.

Placing Red Demon’s Dragon back into her Extra Deck, Rainbow inspected her injuries. Upon seeing that Savior Demon Dragon's light has partially healed them, she stretched her wings and began slowly flying back through the hole, and gently soaring towards Ponyville, not noticing as the citizens of Cloudsdale reappeared in flashes of light.

As Rainbow flew, her vision clouded. Shaking her head, she let tears fall, as she finally said something, her voice echoing across the empty landscape below.

“SCOOTALOO!”