Twilight’s Signer Mark stopped burning, prompting her to look out the window in the direction of Ponyville. Seeing the spider geoglyph was gone, she let out a sigh of relief. “Fluttershy, you did it.”

Turning away from the window, she continued to trot up the stairs of Canterlot Tower, heading through the door at the top and entering the room she and Celestia studied in many years ago.

The room looked mostly the same as Twilight remembered, but with a few key differences. In the center of the room was a purple rune circle. And rather than having Celestia standing in wait with a smile, Cheerilee stood across the room, staring out the window.

“I failed them, Twilight,” Cheerilee said, as Twilight closed the door behind her.

“What do you mean?” Twilight asked.

“Do you know why I became a Dark Signer, Twilight?” Cheerilee asked, turning to face her. “Because of you.”

“Me?” Twilight asked, tilting her head in confusion.

“Yes,” said Cheerilee. “You and your friends blamed me for the Crusaders’ deaths. And, truth be told, I did, too. I had no idea what Dark Signers were, and let them conduct their research on your behalf. It was only a result of my suicide later that I learned the truth from the Earthbound Gods.”

“The truth?” Twilight repeated. “And what did they claim? How could you trust anything they say?”

“I’ll tell you,” said Cheerilee. “The Crusaders died because of you, Twilight. You and your friends started looking into the legend of the Crimson Dragon, you sparked their curiosity, and you sparked mine as well. If you, Twilight, had never given me that book, I’d have no idea what the Crusaders were talking about. I wouldn’t have given in to their request, and I wouldn’t have their blood on my hooves.”

“Cheerilee,” Twilight mumbled.

Cheerilee nodded. “I feel nothing but guilt for failing to protect them from this. I became a Dark Signer to get the chance to possibly save them from death again by defeating you and the other Signers.”

“So that’s it, huh?” said Twilight. “You know it’s not my fault. You’re just projecting your own perceived failure onto us. You’re in denial!”

“Am I?” Cheerilee repeated. “What have your friends just finished doing? What happened to Scootaloo in Cloudsdale, I wonder? Apple Bloom in Manehatten? Sweetie Belle in Fillydelphia? Tell me, Twilight. What happened?”

“They lost,” said Twilight.

“And you know what happens to a pony that loses a duel of darkness?” asked Cheerilee. “They die. Regardless of who is truly the cause of the Crusaders’ initial deaths, your friends killed them this time. And the only reason your friends became Signers was because of their friendship with you.”

“That’s crazy!” Twilight snapped. “The Crimson Dragon chose us long before any of us met, didn’t it? How could I manipulate something like that?”

“Do you truly wish to argue with me, Twilight?” Cheerilee asked. “Only a few hours remain until the King of the Underworld is freed.”

Twilight sighed, and readied her Duel Disk. “I’m sorry about what we said to you, Cheerilee. I’m sorry we drove you to do what you did. But, you know what? I’m not pitying you now. You did fail the Crusaders, Cheerilee. By choosing to become a Dark Signer, by continuing to fight to end the world instead of listening to reason, that’s how you failed them!”

“Hmph,” Cheerilee snorted, her Dark Signer Mark lighting up. Purple flames erupted in the ground around the tower, carving through the buildings nearby, including Canterlot Castle itself, to form the geoglyph of a bipedal giant, the flames reflecting on the sky. “What do you know?

Twilight’s Signer Mark began burning in response, as did the Marks of the other Signers. “They were just fillies, Cheerilee. I doubt their motivation was to end the world. Do you think they wanted to kill their friends and family?”

“You can find out for me, Twilight,” said Cheerilee. “I don’t think I can face them again after what I’ve done. All I can do is ensure that their friends and families can join them in the afterlife.”

“After all the pain my friends have gone through for this world,” said Twilight, “I can’t let you destroy it just to avoid facing your own guilt. As much as it may pain me to do, I will defeat you, Cheerilee!”

“Duel!”

Celestia, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash stared out at the geoglyph of Canterlot. Celestia forced herself to look away, turning to face the two pegasi. “You said there’s still a Dark Signer left aside from the one in Canterlot?”

“Yeah,” said Rainbow. “Trixie’s waiting for us in Tartarus. Said she would wipe out any of us that survived.”

“How disgusting,” said Celestia, before looking out towards the horizon. “Tartarus is accessed by a cave on the coastline over there. A small village has been built around it in an effort to both investigate and protect its gates. I doubt anypony remains there now, with a Dark Signer lying in wait.” She glanced back at Fluttershy and Rainbow. “Where are the other Signers?”

“Pinkie went to Appleloosa, Applejack is in Manehatten, and Rarity is in Fillydelphia,” Fluttershy replied.

Celestia nodded. “Good. I’ll go and get them. We’ll all meet up back here before going off to Tartarus together. Hopefully Twilight will be finished in time.”

“Princess Luna should still be with her,” said Fluttershy. “I’m sure she’ll get back in time, in that case.”

“Luna,” Celestia mumbled, closing her eyes. She opened them again, as she spread her wings. “Wait here, you two. Rest up for the final battle.”

Rainbow and Fluttershy nodded, as Celestia flew off, following the train tracks towards Appleloosa.

Rainbow looked out at the horizon, and stood up, spreading her wings as well. “Well, I’m off.”

“Rainbow?” Fluttershy asked. “Where are you going? Celestia told us to wait?”

“We don’t have time to wait!” said Rainbow. “If we don’t beat Trixie by midnight, the world will end!”

“I know,” said Fluttershy, “but we’d stand a better chance together, wouldn’t we?”

“We would,” said Rainbow. “But I don’t think we have enough time to wait for us all to be together.”

Fluttershy frowned. “Then at least let me come with you.”

“And let you get hurt?” Rainbow asked. “Not a chance. Besides, somepony needs to explain where I went when the others get back.”

Fluttershy frowned. “B-but…”

Rainbow looked back at her, before gently pulling her into a hug. “I’ll be okay, Fluttershy.”

“Promise?” Fluttershy asked.

“I promise,” said Rainbow. “If I don’t, we won’t be able to talk.”

“Talk?” Fluttershy repeated.

Rainbow blushed slightly, looking up at the sky. “I think I’ve gotten used to this emotional talking thing after these last few days. And after your duel with Gilda, I thought we might need to have one.”

Fluttershy looked down at the ground, awkwardly digging at it with a hoof. “…Promise me we will, please.”

Rainbow gave a small smile. “I promise, Fluttershy. I’ll come back okay and when this Dark Signer thing is over, we can talk as much as we want about whatever you need to talk about.”

Fluttershy smiled back. “Thank you, Rainbow. For everything. Good luck.”

Rainbow nodded, and spread her wings. She took off into the air, giving Fluttershy a quick salute, before darting off as fast as she could towards Tartarus.

Fluttershy watched her go until she couldn’t see her anymore, before turning her attention towards Canterlot. “And good luck to you, too, Twilight.”

Cheerilee: LP 4000. Twilight Sparkle: LP 4000.

“I’ll take the first move,” said Cheerilee. “Draw! I pay 2000 Life Points to activate the Spell Final Countdown!” [Cheerilee: LP 4000 –> 2000]

“What!?” Twilight gasped. “Why would you lower your Life Points by such a large amount already?”

“Don’t you know what Final Countdown does?” Cheerilee asked. “At the end of every turn, the turn count moves forward by one. Once twenty turns pass after I play Final Countdown, I automatically win the duel.”

“I know that,” said Twilight. “But Final Countdown is hard to pull off. A few weeks ago, my friends and I went to watch a Duel Tournament. And do you know what? Not a single duel lasted over ten turns, let alone twenty. Final Countdown is difficult to pull off, especially when its cost is 2000 Life Points.”

“Perhaps it is,” said Cheerilee. “Doesn’t mean its not impossible to stall for that long. I activate the Spell Swords of Revealing Light! You can’t attack for as long as it remains on the field!”

“And Swords of Revealing Light remains active until my third End Phase,” Twilight mumbled. “In other words, Final Countdown will be active for six turns by that point.”

“I end my turn,” said Cheerilee. Behind Cheerilee, a ball of flame appeared, floating in the air. [Final Countdown: 1]

“My turn,” said Twilight. “Draw! I summon Tuned Magician!” A biped dressed in a pointed, ornate yellow hat and green, white, and yellow robes, armed with a short, white staff appeared. [ATK1800. LV4] “Turn end!” [Swords of Revealing Light: 1] A second ball of flame appeared beside the first one. [Final Countdown: 2]

“My turn,” said Cheerilee. “Draw! I summon Servant of Catabolism!” A sickly, yellow snail-like creature, with a translucent blue snail shell jutting out of the back of its head instead of encasing its body slithered out. [ATK700. LV3]

“Gross,” Twilight mumbled.

“Servant of Catabolism can attack directly,” said Cheerilee. “Strike her!” The creature oozed forward, and struck Twilight with its oddly shaped mouth.

“Ah!” Twilight gasped. [Twilight Sparkle: LP 4000 –> 3300]

“I set a card,” said Cheerilee. “Turn end.” A third flame appeared next to the first two, curving slightly in an effort to surround the two duelists. [Final Countdown: 3]

“My turn,” said Twilight. “Draw! I summon Frequency Magician!” A robed biped, with strange devices strapped to his arms appeared. The devices were vibrating, creating a small hum. [ATK800. LV2]

“Trap activate!” countered Cheerilee. “Tuner Symphony! When a Tuner Monster is summoned to the opponent’s field, I Special Summon a Tuner Monster! I Special Summon Dark Tuner Ebony Pendulum!” A black metal rod, with a black orb at the lower end appeared, floating in front of Cheerilee and swinging on its own. [ATK0. LV10]

“A Dark Tuner already?” Twilight muttered. “I tune my level 2 Frequency Magician to my level 4 Tuned Magician!” Frequency Magician burst into two green Tuning Rings, and began channeling the four level stars of Tuned Magician. “Surging from my heart, and unparalleled tempest of pure magic!” A burst of purple light shot down behind Twilight. “Synchro Summon! Tempest Magician!” A white skinned biped covered in dark blue robes appeared, wielding a scythe with a see-through blade. [ATK2200. LV6]

“Attempting burn damage, are you?” Cheerilee smiled. “Dark Tuner Ebony Pendulum’s effect! When my opponent Synchro Summons, I can perform a Dark Synchro Summon with this card!”

“What!?” Twilight gasped.

“I’m dark tuning my level 10 Ebony Pendulum to my level 3 Servant of Catabolism!” said Cheerilee. Ten level stars burst out of Ebony Pendulum and pierced into Servant of Catabolism. Three of the stars shattered, as the rest turned black before bursting out of Servant of Catabolism to spin around in front of Cheerilee, black lightning coursing between them. “Ticking away time, may the gloom you represent echo throughout this dark world!” A burst of dark energy erupted from the center of the stars, engulfing them. “Dark Synchro! Counting down to the end, Mortality – The Clock of Black Ebony!” The light faded away to reveal a pure black grandfather clock with a skull and bones for a pendulum. The clock was set to 5. [DEF2400. LV-7]

“A Dark Synchro Monster,” Twilight mumbled. “It doesn’t seem particularly impressive…”

“But it is much more impressive than you think,” smiled Cheerilee. “Have you read The Masque of the Red Death, Twilight?”

Twilight nodded. “I have. Are you saying that this clock is like the one in that story? Representing our mortality?”

“Yes,” smiled Cheerilee. “Just as the clock in the story is chiming towards the arrival of death, this card chimes forward towards the arrival of the Earthbound God.”

“The Earthbound God?” Twilight repeated, her eyes wide.

“As long as this card is on the field,” said Cheerilee, “neither player can take effect damage.”

“Damn,” Twilight muttered. “Tempest Magician’s effect is useless now.”

“Furthermore,” said Cheerilee, “during each End Phase, the clock will move ahead one hour, and Mortality will gain one level. Once it reaches what should be level zero, it will be destroyed and the Earthbound God will be Special Summoned.”

“So I only have seven turns!?” Twilight gasped.

Cheerilee smiled. “Well, Twilight Sparkle? What are you going to do?”

Twilight gritted her teeth. “Turn end.” [Swords of Revealing Light: 2] A fourth flame appeared beside the previous three. [Final Countdown: 4] Mortality let out a loud, echoing chime as the hour hand moved forward. [LV-6]

“My turn, then,” smiled Cheerilee. “Draw! I two cards. Turn end.” Another ball of flame appeared. [Final Countdown: 5] Mortality let out another loud chime, the hour hand moving forward. [LV-5]

“My turn,” said Twilight. “Draw! I summon Arcane Apprentice!” A robed biped appeared, a small ball of flames held in its hand. All identifying features, save for two glowing red eyes shining out from under its hood were obscured. [ATK1000. LV2]

“Going for your Signer Dragon?” smiled Cheerilee.

“I tune my level 2 Arcane Apprentice to my level 6 Tempest Magician!” said Twilight. Arcane Apprentice burst into two green Tuning rings, channeling the six level stars of Tempest Magician through them. “Clustering wishes will create a shining new star! Become the path its light shines upon!” A burst of light shot through the rings. “Synchro Summon! Take flight, Stardust Dragon!” Stardust let out a roar, spreading its large white wings as it soared out of the light. It spiraled around in the air, sparkles flying everywhere before landing in front of Twilight. [ATK2500. LV8]

“So that’s what it looks like,” Cheerilee mumbled. “A bit flashy, but still rather intimidating.”

“Arcane Magician’s effect!” said Twilight. “When used for a Synchro Summon, I can add Assault Mode Activate to my hoof! Then I set a card, and end my turn!”

“Going for an Assault Mode?” Cheerilee smiled. “Trap activate! Dust Tornado! I destroy your set card!”

“No!” Twilight gasped.

“So sorry, Twilight Sparkle,” smiled Cheerilee. [Swords of Revealing Light: 3] “At least my Swords of Revealing Light is destroyed.” Another ball of flames appeared. [Final Countdown: 6] Mortality let out another chime. [LV-4] “My turn, draw! I activate Level Addition! I discard a Monster from my hoof to raise the level of a Monster I control by the discarded Monster’s level. I discard the level 2 The Calculator to increase Mortality – The Clock of Black Ebony’s level by 2!” Mortality chimed twice, as the hour hand moved forward by two. [LV-2]

Unless I get rid of that thing on before the end of my next turn, Twilight thought, the Earthbound God will be summoned.

“I activate the Field Spell Black Velvet Clockwork!” said Cheerilee. The room turned pitch black, velvet curtains hanging from the walls and over the doors and windows. The floor became a large, black gear. If not for the flames of Final Countdown, the room would be pitch black “Now my Earthbound God can be summoned without being destroyed. Turn end.” Another ball of flame appeared. [Final Countdown: 7] Mortality chimed again, the hour hand moving up to eleven. [LV-1]

Twilight illuminated her horn up to help her see. “You really like that Red Death story, don’t you?”

“Do you want to discuss literature or save Equestria?” Cheerilee asked.

Twilight looked down. “What’s happened to you, Cheerilee? This isn’t the same pony I knew.”

Cheerilee looked away. “I can’t fail again, Twilight. You should know how I feel.”

“I know failing is hard,” said Twilight, “but its not the end of the world. Well, usually it isn’t. But right now…”

“Enough, Sparkle,” spat Cheerilee. “Just take your turn.”

Twilight sighed. “My turn. Draw! Battle! Stardust Dragon, attack Mortality – The Clock of Black Ebony! Shooting Sonic!” Stardust shot out a blast of white energy.

“Trap activate!” countered Cheerilee. “Labyrinth of Kline! My monster can’t be destroyed by battle, and Stardust’s ATK and DEF is switched until the End Phase of the next turn!” [ATK2000. DEF2500]

“No!” Twilight gasped.

“What’s more,” said Cheerilee. “Black Velvet Clockwork’s effect! When a Monster attacks, the turn count is moved forward by one plus an additional turn for every 1000 ATK that the attacking Monster has! Since Stardust attacked with 2500 ATK, the turn count for Final Countdown moved up by three!” Three more balls of flame appeared, surrounding half the duel field. [Final Countdown: 10]

“I set a Monster,” said Twilight. “Turn end.” Another ball of flames appeared. [Final Countdown: 11] Mortality chimed forward one more hour, before exploding.

“Mortality’s effect,” said Cheerilee. “I Special Summon an Earthbound God from my deck as it was destroyed by its own effect. I sacrifice the souls of Canterlot!” A stone heart appeared, and shot out the window, pulsing and sucking in the black fog over Equestria’s capital. It shot down a blast of dark energy into the ground outside the tower, causing the whole building to shake. “Descend, Earthbound God Ccapac Apu!” shouted Cheerilee. The roof was torn off of the room, a large black bipedal with blue markings over its body looming above. [ATK3000. LV10]

Twilight shrank back in shock, her eyes wide. “E-Earthbound God Ccapac Apu…”

“I won’t let the Crusaders down!” said Cheerilee, a crazed look in her black eyes. “Ccapac Apu, direct attack!” Ccapac Apu lifted its hand high, and brought it down right on top of Twilight.

“Ah!” Twilight gasped, the air knocked from her lungs as she was crushed into the floor and her ribs snapping. [Twilight Sparkle: LP 3300 –> 300]

The floor began to crack beneath her, as she applied pressure on it in an attempt to stand again. “I can’t… let everypony down… My friends… The Crusaders… Or you, Cheerilee…”

“Twilight…” Cheerilee mumbled, before shaking her head. “Stop it! Just die!”

Just as Twilight managed to stand, the floor gave out beneath her, Ccapac Apu’s attack having damaged the tower’s structural make up. Twilight’s eyes slammed shut as she fell. Before she could even let out a scream, a claw reached down and grabbed her.

She opened her eyes in surprise, as the claw lifted her and placed her on its owner’s back. “S-Stardust Dragon… You saved me?” Stardust glanced back at her, before turning towards Cheerilee and letting out a roar. “Thank you, Stardust…”

“So close,” Cheerilee mumbled. “But of course your Monster would save you.”

“Cheerilee,” said Twilight. “My Signer Mark told me the pain everypony went through in their duels, both physical and emotional. I know how hard it was for Rainbow, Applejack, and Rarity to defeat the Crusaders. It wasn’t so we could be malicious, Cheerilee. We didn’t kill them to cause you pain. We defeated them to save the world from the Dark Signers, and save them from the Earthbound Gods' lies. I don’t know what its doing to your head, Cheerilee, but I know I won’t give in until I save you, too! We’re friends, Cheerilee!”

“I… I can’t stop,” Cheerilee mumbled, her eyes tearing up. “Black Velvet Clockwork’s effect! Since Ccapac Apu had 3000 ATK when it attacked, Final Countdown has its turn count moved up by 4!” Four more balls of flame appeared, surrounding most of the duel field. [Final Countdown: 15] “I set a card, and end my turn!” Another ball of fire appeared. [Final Countdown: 16]

“If I can’t win next turn,” Twilight began.

“Then I will thanks to my Final Countdown Black Velvet Clockwork combo,” Cheerilee finished. “You will fail your friends just as I have!”

Twilight’s Signer Mark burned brightly, before all the Marks gathered on her and formed the full Mark of the Crimson Dragon. The top card of her deck glowed, and Twilight smiled. “I don’t think so, Cheerilee! With my friends supporting me, I can’t fail! My turn, draw!”

“Continuous-Trap!” Cheerilee said. “Brilliant Shrine Art! You can’t attack me directly, Twilight, as this card redirects all attacks to the Earthbound God! And, even if you can overpower it in battle, that will just trigger my Field Spell’s effect, and Final Countdown will grant me instant victory!”

“Are you sure you’ve won?” Twilight smiled. “I summon Savior Dragon!” A sleek, glowing, pinkish dragon with gems on its wing joints and eyes spun out, appearing in front of Twilight. [ATK0. LV1]

“What is this card?” Cheerilee asked.

“I Flip Summon my Crystal Seer!” said Twilight. A red robed biped appeared. He had a long blue cape and a blue cloth covering his mouth. A red fabric hat covered his hair. [ATK100. LV1] “When he’s Flip Summoned, I look at the top two cards of my deck. I add one to my hand and place the other on the bottom. I add Forbidden Dress to my hoof! Now, I tune my level 1 Savior Dragon to my level 1 Crystal Seer and my level 8 Stardust Dragon!”

Savior Dragon dissolved into a bright pink light that enveloped Crystal Seer, Stardust Dragon and Twilight herself. “Gathering starlight will enlighten a new miracle! Become the path its light shines upon! Synchro Summon! Arrive in light, Savior Star Dragon!” The light dissolved away to reveal a streamlined, serpentine version of Stardust Dragon. Her wings grew to a much larger side, and seemed to be made of blades, while her legs lost their ability to hold her on the ground, and became clawless points to act as stabilizers in high speed flight. Savior Star’s whole body shimmered as if it was made of light itself. Twilight Sparkle drifted safely inside. [ATK3800. LV10]

“W-what is this…?” Cheerilee mumbled. “Is this the power of the Crimson Dragon?”

“Savior Star Dragon’s effect!” said Twilight. “I negate the effect of Earthbound God Ccapac Apu and Savior Star gains those effects! Power Drain!” Savior Star stretched her wings, and energy was sucked out of Ccapac Apu. The Earthbound God slouched over as Savior Star began shining even brighter.

“Even if you do attack,” Cheerilee said hysterically, “Black Velvet Clockwork will increase Final Countdown’s turn count and make this my victory!”

“I activate the Quick-Play Spell Forbidden Dress!” said Twilight. “Savior Star Dragon loses 600 ATK but can’t be targeted or destroyed by other card effects this turn!” A flowing white dress with golden adornments appeared on Savior Star. [ATK3200]

“No!” Cheerilee gasped. "If it can't be targeted, then Black Velvet Clockwork can't increase the turn count by its ATK!"

“Battle!” said Twilight. “Savior Star Dragon, attack Earthbound God Ccapac Apu! Shooting Blaster Sonic!” Savior Star brought its legs and wings in close as she rocketed forward, piercing through Ccapac Apu, before dramatically curving up through the sky.

“Agh!” Cheerilee gasped, the explosion from Ccapac Apu’s destruction causing the whole tower to collapse beneath her. [Cheerilee: LP 2000 –> 1200]

“Cheerilee!” Twilight gasped, Savior Star turning around to try and catch her.

“With Ccapac Apu’s effect,” Cheerilee mumbled, “Savior Star Dragon deals damage equal to the destroyed Monster’s ATK when it destroys a Monster by battle…” [Cheerilee: LP 1200 –> 0]

Savior Star Dragon pierced through the rune circle on her way down, causing the circle to quickly glow crimson before shattering. Cheerilee’s eyes returned to their normal white coloring as Twilight pulled her in close.

“Twilight, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Scootaloo,” Cheerilee mumbled. “I’m sorry. I hope with my loss, I’ve made up for failing you. I hope…” Cheerilee’s eyes closed and she dissolved into dust as Savior Star Dragon placed Twilight gently onto the ground before fading away.

“C-Cheerilee…” Twilight mumbled, closing her eyes as they teared up. The full Mark of the Crimson Dragon vanished, the Signer Marks returning to their respective Signer. Her own Mark reappeared, glowing slightly before dying down to its usual coloration. Twilight looked at it as it returned, before looking up into the sky, where small orbs of light drifted down into Canterlot, turning back into the city’s citizens as they reached the ground.

Twilight barely noticed them as she turned her attention to the horizon, looking in the direction of Tartarus. “I’ve been there before, so I know where I'm teleporting. Trixie, I’m coming for you. Let’s settle this.” Twilight’s horn lit up, and she teleported away.