Fluttershy’s Signer Mark stopped burning as the lizard geoglyph faded from the sky. She looked down, letting out a sigh of relief.

“Rarity, thank goodness,” she mumbled, before looking out of Ponyville Station and into the empty streets of the town itself. She stood up and trotted to the door, and looked up at the dark clouds above.

Her mind wandering, Fluttershy leapt up in surprise upon hearing the clock on the station wall chime. Upon seeing the time, Fluttershy took a deep breath, and forced herself to trot out into Ponyville.

I’m running out of time, Fluttershy thought to herself, as she looked around Ponyville for any sign of Gilda. Stupid Fluttershy! Why are you so weak? You should have been the first one to duel, instead you let your friends get hurt for you again! Again and again, you always do this!

Fluttershy stopped in her tracks, her eyes tearing up as she curled up on the ground outside Sugarcube Corner. “I’m sorry… I’m too weak…”

“Music to my ears!” a voice laughed from above.

Fluttershy’s eyes widened, as she looked up. “G-Gilda!”

“Took you long enough to find me, Klutzershy,” said Gilda, leaping off the roof of the building, straight towards the shy pegasus.

Fluttershy yelped, quickly flapping her wings to get out of the way as Gilda landed on the ground. Fluttershy fell to the ground herself, and quickly pulled herself up, fearfully taking steps back as Gilda slowly advanced towards her.

“I specifically chose Ponyville so we could duel first, you wimp,” said Gilda. “Didn’t expect you to be dumb enough to get lost in your own town.”

“I…” Fluttershy began.

“Are you going to say you’re too weak to beat me?” Gilda laughed. “Because that’s what I like to hear. I look forward to crushing you, Flutter-”

“Fluttershy!” a voice called out, interrupting Gilda.

“Rainbow?” Fluttershy asked, looking up towards the sky.

“Dash…” Gilda muttered, looking up as well.

Rainbow quickly swooped down, landing beside Fluttershy and wincing a little. “Hey, Fluttershy. How are you holding up?”

“Rainbow!” Fluttershy gasped. “Are you alright?”

“Huh?” Rainbow asked, looking over herself and seeing all her cuts and bruises. “Oh, right, yeah, I’m okay. Trust me, they aren’t nearly as bad as they look. A lot of them healed already, in fact.”

“So you’ve defeated the orange runt, huh?” Gilda asked, with a smirk. “Good. I’m glad you came, Rainbow Dash. You get to have front row seats to Fluttershy’s beating!”

Rainbow narrowed her eyes. “Gilda, I won’t let you do this. Duel me! You have no issue with Fluttershy, so leave her alone!”

“Rainbow Dash…” Fluttershy mumbled.

“But I do have issues with her,” said Gilda. “And I want to resolve them.”

“I’m not going to risk my friend’s life over some stupid little problem!” said Rainbow.

“Rainbow Dash,” said Fluttershy.

“Stupid little problem?” Gilda asked. “Is that all my life means to you? Besides, Rainbow Crash, I actually graduated school, while you’re a drop out. I don’t think you have any right to call me stupid!”

“I don’t care!” snapped Rainbow, readying her Duel Disk. “Just duel me!”

“Rainbow Dash!” Fluttershy shouted. Both Rainbow and Gilda blinked in surprise, before looking over at Fluttershy.

“Yeah, Fluttershy?” Rainbow asked. “Did you have a question?”

Fluttershy shrank back from their gazes. “I… I appreciate what you’re doing, but I can’t let you duel for me…”

“What?” Rainbow asked. “Why not?”

“Well, Gilda challenged me, right?” Fluttershy asked. “I know she’s a Dark Signer and has been acting evil, but she still was your friend, so… shouldn’t we honor her request?”

“Honor her request?” Rainbow repeated.

“Did I phrase that weirdly?” Fluttershy asked.

“No,” said Rainbow, “I just find it weird that you’d want to do that. She’s trying to kill you, Fluttershy!”

“I can’t let you get hurt again for me,” said Fluttershy.

Rainbow looked down. “Is that still on your mind? It’s in the past…”

“I haven’t thought of it until Gilda showed up,” said Fluttershy. “She keeps mentioning our drop out of school, and it reminds me of that. I can’t help it.”

“…Yeah,” said Rainbow. “I figured it would be too much to hope for that you’d forget. I didn’t, after all.”

“What are you two babbling about?” Gilda asked.

“I’m going to duel you, Gilda,” said Fluttershy.

“Oh?” Gilda smiled.

“Fluttershy, wait!” said Rainbow.

“No, Rainbow,” said Fluttershy. “I waited too long. You and the others kept getting hurt. I even sat back out of fear while Applejack and Rarity faced their own sisters! I… I can’t stand by anymore.”

“Are you sure?” Rainbow asked. “I won’t think any less of you.”

“I’m sure,” said Fluttershy, giving Rainbow a small smile. “You always believed in me, even when I don’t. That’s why, with you here, I… I know I can do this.”

“Fluttershy…” Rainbow mumbled. After a pause, she gave a smile. “You’ve got this, Fluttershy! Go for it!”

Fluttershy smiled back, and readied her Duel Disk as Rainbow stepped to the side. “I’m ready, Gilda.”

“Finally,” said Gilda. “Watch closely, Rainbow Dash. Watch as I tear your friend to pieces!” Gilda’s Dark Signer Mark glowed, and the purple flames erupted from the ground, weaving around them to form the spider geoglyph. Fluttershy’s and Rainbow Dash’s Signer Marks began burning, as did the Marks of all the Signers.

“Duel!”

Gilda: LP 4000. Fluttershy: LP 4000.

“I’ll go first,” said Gilda. “Draw! I activate the Field Spell, Spider Web!” Strands of sticky silk shot out, weaving themselves over the entire geoglyph to form a large spider web. An extra strand of silk shot out, and ensnared Rainbow.

“Ah!” Rainbow gasped in surprise. “I-I’m stuck!”

“Don’t want you trying to play hero,” said Gilda. “I set one card and end my turn.”

“My turn,” said Fluttershy. “Draw. I summon Wattsquirrel!” A red squirrel with a yellow belly scampered out. The underside of his tail was yellow, while the tip was blue. Small sparks of electricity coursed around him. [ATK700. LV3]

“How you managed to even beat Mayor Mare with cards like that,” said Gilda, “I’ll never know.”

“Fluttershy’s stronger than you give her credit for,” said Rainbow.

“Battle!” said Fluttershy. “Wattsquirrel, direct attack!” Wattsquirrel scampered across the field towards Gilda, its teeth gleaming with electricity, as it bit down hard on the griffon’s neck.

“Agh!” Gilda gasped, shaking Wattsquirrel off her. [Gilda: LP 4000 –> 3300]

“Wattsquirrel can attack twice each battle phase!” said Fluttershy.

“Not if its in defense position it can’t!” said Gilda. “Spider Web’s effect! When a Monster declares an attack, it is changed to defense after damage calculation! And its battle position can’t be changed until the End Phase of its controller’s next turn!”

“No!” Fluttershy gasped, as Wattsquirrel got ensnared in the web’s sticky strands. [DEF100]

“Furthermore,” smirked Gilda, “I activate my Trap! Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing! When I’m attacked directly, after damage calculation, I can Special Summon a level 1 Monster from my talons. I Special Summon Dark Spider!” A spider with black, scythe-like legs, and a tall, green body scuttled out, its red eyes gleaming. [ATK0. LV1] “And then, since the Special Summon was successful, I get to Special Summon another Monster with the same name from my deck!” A second Dark Spider crawled out next to the first. [ATK0. LV1]

“Uh oh,” said Rainbow. “You’re going for it already, aren’t you?”

Fluttershy’s irises shrank, and she began trembling. “The Earthbound God is coming already?”

Gilda smiled. “Surprised you caught on. Smart for a drop out.”

“Why do you keep making fun of us for that?” Rainbow asked. “You were the one who wanted to drop out more than anyone!”

“You could have dropped out after we did,” said Fluttershy. “Why didn’t you?”

Gilda’s eyes widened. “W-why?” she stuttered. “Well, um…” She mumbled something under her breath.

“What was that?” Rainbow asked.

“I said I liked history class, okay?” Gilda spat. “Besides, that’s not the point! You left with her, Rainbow Dash! Some friend you are! Dropping out and leaving town without a word! You could have let me in on your plans!”

“It wasn’t something we planned,” Fluttershy mumbled. “You see, Rainbow-”

“Shut it!” Gilda interrupted.

“I set a card,” mumbled Fluttershy. “Turn end.”

“Gilda,” Rainbow mumbled. “Is that why you’re upset? You could have mentioned something when you last visited. I could have explained why we left like that. You see-”

“Shut up!” Gilda snapped. “My turn, draw! I release my two Dark Spiders!” The two Dark Spiders vanished and a stone heart appeared, floating high above them, sucking in more black fog with every pulse. “Descend, Earthbound God Uru!” A beam of light shot down from the heart, and the ground trembled. The large black spider, with red eyes and markings rose up behind Gilda, smashing Sugarcube Corner in the process. It tilted its head to stare down at Fluttershy, who shrank back under its gaze. [ATK3000. LV10]

"T-that's the monster that almost killed Rarity..." Fluttershy stuttered.

“Stay strong, Fluttershy!” Rainbow called. “You can do this!”

“R-right,” Fluttershy stuttered. “I can do this.”

“Battle!” said Gilda. “Uru ignores your pathetic Monsters and can attack directly! Take this! Hell Thread!” Uru spat out a shot of hard webbing, which slammed into Fluttershy.

“Ah!” Fluttershy gasped, the air knocked from her lungs, as she tumbled backwards. [Fluttershy: LP 4000 –> 1000]

Rainbow winced in sympathy upon hearing a crack come from Fluttershy’s chest. “Fluttershy! Are you okay?”

“Mm…” Fluttershy moaned, pulling herself back to a standing position, and trotting back to the duel field. “Mhm…”

“That was so satisfying for me,” smiled Gilda. “Shame I’ll have to wait a bit for the next one. Uru is switched to defense by the effect of Spider Web.” Webbing ensnared Uru, and it let out a sound of protest. [DEF3000] “I set a card. Turn end.”

“My turn,” said Fluttershy. “Draw!” She winced slightly, sitting back and gingerly rubbing her chest.

“Fluttershy?” Rainbow asked. “Something’s broken, isn’t it?”

“A rib, I think,” said Fluttershy, standing again. “I’ll be okay, though. I summon Wattgiraffe!” A small giraffe, with light-bulbs for ears and electric prongs for horns appeared in front of Fluttershy. [ATK1200. LV4] “Continuous-Trap, Wattcannon activates! Once per turn, when I summon a level 4 or lower Thunder-Type Monster, I deal 600 points of damage!” The cannon shot out a blast of electricity, zapping Gilda.

“Agh!” she screeched. [Gilda: LP 3300 –> 2700]

“Battle!” said Fluttershy. “Wattgiraffe, direct attack! When Wattgiraffe deals damage from a direct attack, you can’t use card effects until the End Phase!”

“Alright, Fluttershy!” cheered Rainbow. “You found a way around Gilda’s Field Spell!”

“Did she now?” smiled Gilda. “Continuous-Trap, activate! Roar of the Earthbound God! Once per turn, when a Monster with less ATK than my Earthbound God attacks, it is destroyed and my opponent takes damage equal to half of its ATK!”

“What!?” Rainbow and Fluttershy gasped.

“Since Wattgiraffe has 1200 ATK, you take 600 points of damage!” Uru sent out a small blast of webbing that struck through Wattgiraffe and hit Fluttershy. Rainbow winced again as she heard another crack come from Fluttershy’s chest.

“Ah…” Fluttershy groaned, as she fell back. [Fluttershy: LP 1000 –> 400]

“Fluttershy!” Rainbow gasped, struggling to break free of the webbing. “Damn it, Gilda, what is wrong with you?”

“It hurts, doesn’t it?” said Gilda. “The feeling of losing a friend you care about?”

“Gilda,” Rainbow mumbled.

“I can explain,” Fluttershy mumbled, as she stood back up.

“Explain what?” Gilda asked.

“Why we dropped out and left,” said Fluttershy.

“Why you left?” Gilda repeated.

“It was my fault, as you probably guessed,” said Fluttershy.

“It’s not your fault,” said Rainbow.

“But it is,” said Fluttershy. “If I wasn’t so weak and shy, those bullies never would have…”

“Don’t start this again,” said Rainbow. “I said it back then, and I’ll say it now. It isn’t your fault.”

Fluttershy nodded. “Still, since I was so weak, I couldn’t fight them off. I couldn’t get away, as they pinned me down and… beat me.”

“I came across them too late,” said Rainbow. “It was the day of our last detention together, Gilda. Remember that day?”

“Yes,” said Gilda. “I remember. The last time I saw you until I visited Ponyville a few years back.”

Rainbow nodded. “Fluttershy was there waiting for us to get out, but was pushed away by some a- uh, some jerks.”

“You could swear if you wanted to,” Fluttershy mumbled.

“Yeah, well, anyway,” said Rainbow, “I saw what they were doing and pounded the living snot out of them. I would have gone even further if they didn’t hurt me as much as they did. And if Fluttershy didn’t tell me not to kill them.”

“I was surprised they never went to the police,” said Fluttershy. “I guess they were worried Rainbow would rat them out in return if they did.”

“Didn’t stop us from getting in trouble at school, though,” said Rainbow.

“I think I get it,” said Gilda, closing her eyes in thought. “With how badly it sounds like you beat them, you would have been expelled.”

Rainbow nodded. “Yeah. So I dropped out instead. If I’m leaving, its on my terms. Not theirs.”

“I quit, too,” said Fluttershy. “I couldn’t bear the thought of being alone in that place without a single friend. Without Rainbow.

Gilda’s eye twitched slightly. “So that’s why you left, huh?”

“Yeah,” nodded Rainbow. “It was a bit more graphic than that, but that’s the gist of it.”

Gilda opened her eyes in a glare. “And what was the point of that story, exactly? So I found out why you left. Big deal. I didn’t care that much when I visited a few years back, did I?”

“N-No,” Rainbow stuttered.

“That’s not why you’re trying to kill me?” Fluttershy asked.

“No,” said Gilda. “I have another reason for hating you. And my big motivation for killing you is that pony right there!”

“Me?” Rainbow asked.

“I said I was glad you came, didn’t I?” Gilda asked. “I want you to suffer at the loss of your friend!”

“Damn it, Gilda,” Rainbow muttered.

Fluttershy looked down. “I end my turn.” The webbing ensnaring Wattsquirrel fell off.

“My turn,” said Gilda. “Draw! I end my turn!” The webbing ensnaring Uru fell off. “Next turn, it’s all over!”

“My turn,” said Fluttershy. “Draw! I summon Wattlemur!” A black and yellow lemur with large, yellow eyes appeared. His tail seemed to be an electrical cable. [ATK800. LV2] “Take the effect of Wattcannon!”

“Gah!” Gilda gasped, another blast of electricity hitting her. [Gilda: LP 2700 –> 2100] “Is that all you’re capable of? Even the prissy unicorn did more!”

“I activate the Continuous-Spell, Messenger of Peace!” said Fluttershy. “Monsters with more than 1500 ATK can’t attack!”

“What!?” gasped Gilda.

“Phew,” Rainbow sighed. “She bought herself another turn.”

“I set a card,” said Fluttershy. “Turn end.”

“My turn,” muttered Gilda. “Draw! …Sorry, Klutzershy, but you didn’t buy yourself any time at all.”

“What do you mean?” Fluttershy asked.

“I activate the Spell, Earthbound Whirlwind!” said Gilda. “Since I control an Earthbound God, all Spells and Traps you control are destroyed!”

“No!” Rainbow gasped.

“Trap activate!” Fluttershy countered. “Waboku! This turn, I take no battle damage and my Monsters can’t be destroyed by battle!”

“Damn it!” Gilda spat.

“Thank Celestia,” Rainbow sighed.

“I end my turn,” Gilda muttered.

“Gilda,” said Fluttershy. “I’m sorry.”

“You’re sorry?” Gilda repeated. “I already told you, the drop out isn’t why I’m pissed off at you two.”

“But I know why you are,” said Fluttershy. “And that’s why I’m sorry.”

“You know?” Gilda and Rainbow said.

Fluttershy nodded. “It’s because your friendship with Rainbow ended when you visited, but you saw her friendship with me was still going, right?”

“What?” Gilda asked.

“That’s it, isn’t it?” Rainbow asked, her eyes wide in realization. “I didn’t realize it in school, but you didn’t really care to hang out with Fluttershy, only me. So, seeing me and Fluttershy were still close, and after that argument at Pinkie’s party… You’re jealous.”

“Jealous?” Gilda laughed. “Me? How… How…” She looked down. “How the hay did you figure it out?”

“I’m more surprised I didn’t realize sooner,” said Fluttershy. “Pinkie did say you tried to hog Rainbow to yourself during your visit.”

“Of course I did!” Gilda spat. “I didn’t know any of these losers! I missed Rainbow, and wanted to be with her! You said it yourself, Fluttershy! You couldn’t imagine being without your only friend!”

“Gilda,” said Rainbow. “I know Pinkie wasn’t exactly right in butting into our time, and I know I was wrong pushing you away like that, but you messed up, too!”

“How?” asked Gilda. “How is any of this my fault!?”

“Gilda,” said Fluttershy. “I tried to be nice and be your friend back at school. Pinkie tried to be your friend when you visited. But what did you do? You pushed us away.”

“So what if I did?” asked Gilda.

“Would you have been alone after losing me if you had other friends?” Rainbow asked. “Would Fluttershy have dropped out for fear of being alone if you were her friend?”

“If Gilda was a friend like you, Rainbow,” Fluttershy said, “I think things would have gone a lot differently back then.”

“If I was your friend?” Gilda repeated. “Agh, shut up! We aren’t friends, and never will be! You’re too weak! I’m a Dark Signer, too! Why would you want to be friends with that?”

“I keep saying this,” said Rainbow. “Fluttershy isn’t weak. She’s holding her own against you, isn’t she? And I think she’s about to win, too.”

“What are you babbling about?” Gilda asked.

“My turn,” said Fluttershy. “Draw! I summon the Tuner Monster Wattfox!” A yellow fox, with legs of electric coils and paws of red sphere’s appeared. Circuitry ran along its black tipped ears and tail, and its smooth face was a chrome line in the shape of a resistor symbol. [ATK800. LV2]

“Tuner Monster?” Gilda repeated.

“I tune my level 2 Wattfox to my level 2 Wattlemur and my level 3 Wattsquirrel!” said Fluttershy. Wattfox burst into two green Tuning Rings, and began channeling the five level stars of Wattlemur and Wattsquirrel through them. “Oh holy light of protection, shine now and become eternal life! Synchro Summon! Be born, Ancient Fairy Dragon!” A burst of light shot down, and Ancient Fairy Dragon appeared from it, stretching her large, butterfly-like wings, as her long, green hair trailed down her slender neck. Her serpentine tail curled around Fluttershy protectively, the braided green hair at the end gently brushing against her. [ATK2100. LV7]

“The Signer Dragon!?” Gilda gasped, stepping back in surprise.

Rainbow’s eyes lit up. “Wow, Fluttershy. I can’t think of a more fitting card for you. She's beautiful.”

Fluttershy gave a small smile. “Ancient Fairy Dragon’s effect! Once per turn, I can destroy a Field Spell to regain 1000 Life Points! Plain Back!” Ancient Fairy Dragon’s wings glowed, as she straightened out towards the sky and let out a roar.

A gust of wind emanated from her, and the strands of sticky silk that made up Spider Web dissolved away in the wind. Rainbow happily flexed her wings upon her release from the silk. “Alright!”

“No!” Gilda gasped. “Without a Field Spell, the Earthbound God is…” Uru bent awkwardly, before crumbling away into dust blown away by Ancient Fairy’s winds. “…destroyed…”

Sparkles of light drifted down from Ancient Fairy’s wings, and Fluttershy closed her eyes with a slight smile as they touched her. “Thank you, Ancient Fairy…” [Fluttershy: LP 400 –> 1400]

“I-I’m wide open…” Gilda stuttered. I was wrong? She, Fluttershy, is stronger than me? How… many ponies… friendships… did I miss out on…?

“Ancient Fairy Dragon, direct attack!” said Fluttershy. “Eternal Sunshine!” Ancient Fairy spread her wings again, and a bright light shone from them, illuminating the entirety of Ponyville.

“Awesome,” Rainbow smiled, as she shielded her eyes from the light with her wing.

“Ahh!” Gilda screamed as the light completely engulfed her. [Gilda: LP 2100 –> 0]

The light faded away, revealing Gilda had been knocked onto her back and the flames of the geoglyph had died out. Fluttershy’s and Rainbow’s Signer Marks stopped burning. Fluttershy looked up at Ancient Fairy and gave a small smile. Ancient Fairy looked back and nodded before fading away.

“Fluttershy!” Rainbow cheered, pulling her into a hug. “You did it!”

“Ouch!” Fluttershy gasped.

Rainbow let go. “Sorry. Forgot about your broken ribs. You okay?”

“I’m fine,” Fluttershy said, nuzzling against Rainbow. “Thanks for being here for me.”

“Anytime,” Rainbow mumbled, blushing slightly.

“Fluttershy… Rainbow Dash…”

“Gilda?” Rainbow asked, the two trotting over to her.

Gilda opened her eyes, her sclera back to their normal white. “Sorry. I know its probably stupid hoping for forgiveness now, after all I’ve done to you…”

“It’s okay,” said Fluttershy. “I forgive you.”

“You do?” Rainbow asked in surprise. Fluttershy nudged her in the side. “Ah! I mean, uh, yeah. I forgive you, too, Gilda.”

“Heh,” Gilda forced a smile. “I used to think your eagerness to forgive was weak. But now… I guess it shows how tough you are. Fluttershy. Take care of Rainbow for me, will ya?”

“I will,” Fluttershy nodded.

“Good,” said Gilda. “Rainbow Dash. I’m counting on you. Defeat the Dark Signers.”

“I will,” said Rainbow.

Gilda nodded, closing her eyes before collapsing into dust. Fluttershy closed her eyes, and let out a sigh, before trotting into the ruins of Sugarcube Corner, where the rune circle was placed.

She held up Ancient Fairy Dragon’s card, causing the circle to change color from purple to bright crimson before it shattered. Placing Ancient Fairy back into her Extra Deck, she trotted back over to sit beside Rainbow.

“What’s going on?” Rainbow asked, looking up at the sky.

Fluttershy looked around as well, as orbs of light drifted down from above. Upon reaching the ground, the lights vanished, replaced with the ponies of Ponyville.

“W-what?” Fluttershy stuttered. “Everypony that Gilda sacrificed is… coming back?”

Rainbow’s eyes were wide. “I didn’t stick around in Cloudsdale long enough to see for sure, but… It looks like because the Earthbound God was defeated, the ponies that were sacrificed for it came back, too.”

“Then,” said Fluttershy, “wouldn’t that mean Princess Celestia would come back, too?”

“It seems it would mean that,” said a voice from behind them.

“Princess Celestia!” Fluttershy and Rainbow gasped.

“I’m proud of you both,” Celestia smiled, laying down to be on eye level with them. “You both seem to have fought so hard.”

“Tell me about it,” said Rainbow. “It’s great you’re back, Princess.”

“Twilight will be so happy to find out!” said Fluttershy.

“So Twilight survived?” Celestia asked.

“So far,” said Rainbow. “We still haven’t won yet.”

“Two Dark Signers remain,” said Fluttershy. “And we have until midnight to defeat them both.”

“Twilight still hasn’t dueled yet,” said Rainbow, turning to look at the distant Canterlot Castle. “What’s taking her so long?”

As if on cue, Fluttershy’s and Rainbow’s Signer Marks began burning again as parts of the castle began collapsing in the distance, purple flames shooting up into the air around it. Reflecting on the sky above Canterlot was the burning geoglyph of a giant.