After the fall of Harrow's End, a new force is rising from the ashes. Holding ties to Harrow, the anonymous ponies seek revenge on Harmony's Elements in breaking these ties. As the dust settles, the ashes of defeat begin to smolder back into a blaze.
*Begin Transmission*
There was not a sound. The room was pitch black. In the middle of the room, a light flashed on. An overhanging light was shining over a digital map on a table. Four shrouded figures trotted forward to the table, glaring over the map.
"Is this what's left?" One spoke.
"All that is left," Another said. "Equestria has been overrun by the infected, and the only thing we could find was a large scorched area in front of Town Hall that may represent evidence of living ponies."
"Go on," The first said.
"It is believed that this was caused by an ex-Special Operations Security team of Harrow's End, as well as they are the ponies who exposed Harrow's End for their research and use of the Harrow Virus under the command of Doctor William Buck."
"So these are the ones who bucked off our business?" A third said.
"Yes," the first lowered his voice. "They broke our ties as well as our payment for our research. They are, however, unaware of us."
"Not to mention," the fourth said, "that they had killed Dmitri after he betrayed Harrow's End as well. Is it just me, or is everypony out to betray Harrow's End for ties to the infection?"
"It matters not!" the second said. "We are without work, without pay, and left in the dark to survive with the city in ruin!"
"Enough!" the first yelled. "Whining over our predicament like a group of foals will not solve anything. We will need a plan to get our hooves back to high ground in our work."
Silence filled the room. Although every pony around that table wanted revenge, none had any idea what they would do. They were out of bits, out of resources, and out of options.
Finally, the fourth spoke. "I say we break into the Canterlot Prison, release the Harrow's End officials they captured, and ransom them for what they owe us!"
"Impossible," said the third. "If we release them, they will make a gallop for it, going rogue to rebuild and leaving us alone once again. What if we were to sneak in as admirers of the team, and during their victory banquet, poison them all with Parasprite blood? They would be squirming and foaming at the muzzle, and all we look like is a group of confused tourists. Blame would spread, and we could take matters into our own hooves. We will never look nearly suspicious enough to take the blame."
"Not good enough," said the first. "Their banquet room is private, invited guests only. I do not expect a few strangers will be accepted in because we 'say' that we admire them. As well as Parasprites went extint long ago, and our remaining samples were burned down with the labs after the arrest of Harrow's End's officials. Anypony have a better idea?"
Next spoke the second. "If we could somehow execute Harmony's Elements, they will no longer be a nuisance in our progress. Four heroes die suspiciously, leaving them to look into that while we sneak in to rebuild our research? It is flawless."
"It would seem to be, if you had not forgotten that they are under the protective hoof of Celestia, as they are known as heroes," retorted the first. "If we were to attempt to kill them, we would be crushed under their iron hooves."
"It sounds to me," continued the second, "That you are beginning to turn into a coward. Are you afraid of them so quickly that you cannot even elaborate a plan positively before you are cowering like a foal? You are patheti-" He had nearly finished before the first struck a hoof into the second's chest, then the first slammed his hoof into the back of the second's head, causing him to slam down into the table and breaking his neck. The second fell limp to the floor, blood trickling from his muzzle.
"Any more thoughts on my leadership?" The first asked. When there was no answer, he slammed his hoof onto the table. "Enough thinking! We do not have time. We must initiate Procedure 3..."
"What?" The third said. "No, we cannot. It is too risky and may end up killing us all in the end!"
"We have no choice..." The first said. "We will carry out the plan and finally have our chance. Send the instructions to the demolition teams. We launch our operation as soon as Luna's moon is full." The third and fourth nodded and left the room, but the first stayed. He stared down at the map on the table. "We're coming for you, Harmony's Elements. You sent us into defeat, and now we are coming to send you into the smoldering flames of revenge..." He spat, trotted away from the table, and slammed the door as he left the room back into darkness.
*Transmission Ended*