//------------------------------//
// Mission 25: A Taste of the Main Course 
// Story: Operation: VECTOR in Equestria 
// by type13 
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Having defeated the Goblin Hulk and Goblin Wizard, VECTOR and the Bearer of the Elements of Harmony made their way to the upper levels of the castle. Upon reaching the top floor, they saw a particularly odd floor.

It was a single long hallway with nothing more than medieval window-like holes and a door at the other far end of the floor.


“I don’t know about you guys but, something feels awfully wrong here” said Twilight nervously.

“I know, right? Even if it’s just an empty hallway, something feels….off?” replied Rainbow Dash.

“Thinking it’s some kind of trap?” asked Applejack as she looked at VECTOR.

“I don’t know, even still. We need to get a move on; heaven knows how the others are holding up. Let’s go, don’t let your guard down” replied VECTOR as he eyed the mysterious long empty hallway.

As the group steeled themselves for anything that might surprise them along the hallway, the door at the far end of the hallway slammed open and a faint clapping could be heard.

Readying themselves; VECTOR and the Bearers took on battle stances, but to their surprise. The long hallway became smaller and smaller, it was like the whole floor itself was retracting, until they saw the faint image of a man who wore similar, but not exact outfit of VECTOR who was the source of the clapping.

VECTOR, who was oh so familiar with the man clapping; tightened every muscle in his body, expecting a single movement to be fatal. To his surprise, the retracting floor stopped and a seemingly black object was thrown their way.

With the Bearers of the Elements still recovering from the floor retraction, VECTOR side kicked the incoming black object so that it’ll hit the side of the wall instead. But to his surprise, this time the wall now expanded and became as wide and large that rivaled the Main Hall.

“What the hay is going on?!” screamed Rainbow Dash as she tried to recover her footing and mind placement.

“What was that black thing just now?!” asked Twilight as she saw the black object that was thrown to them.

VECTOR did not answer, as he too did not know what he kicked. And as the group recovered their footing and mind placement, they looked at the black object that was thrown at them, all except for VECTOR; who was standing like nothing happened and looked at the man across the hallway turned hall room.

Walking ever so slowly, whilst holding a metallic briefcase; HUNK also known as Mr. DEATH stared behind his Gas Mask at his one and only student, a smile never leaving his face from beneath his Gas Mask.

“Is-is that a po-pony?” asked Fluttershy as she narrowed her eyes upon looking at the black object thrown at them earlier. She then proceeded to glide next to the pony-like object that lay on the floor. And as she confirmed that it was a pony. 

*Loud Audible Gasp*

To her shock, the pony was none other than King Sombra himself. A lifeless body of King Sombra lay on the floor with an expression of shock and empty eyes present on his face.

“What’s the matter Fluttershy?” asked Rarity as she approached the still shocked Fluttershy.

“Who’s that V? Is he your Teacher?” asked Rainbow Dash as she glided next to VECTOR whilst eyeing the approaching HUNK.

“Is he a friend or ----“ said Twilight but was cut off when she heard a scream.

“GIRLS!!” screamed Rarity at the top of her lungs, which caught the attention of the others, except for VECTOR.

“What’s the matter, Rarity?!” asked Applejack as she and the rest of the girls galloped next to their two Friends.

“Look!” pointed Rarity at the lifeless body of King Sombra.

“Is that King Sombra?!” shouted Twilight as she and the rest of the girls gasped in shock at the lifeless body of their supposed target.

“Is he *gulp* dead?” asked Rainbow Dash as she floated closer to the dead body of King Sombra, witnessing the empty eyes of the Tyrant Ruler.

“Ho-how could this be? Who would do this?” asked Twilight to no one in particular.

“It was him” replied VECTOR coldly as he continued to stare at his Mentor. “Isn’t that right, sir?”


With a small chuckle, HUNK stopped his approach just a few feet across VECTOR. He then proceeded to put down his metallic briefcase.

“Long time no see, VECTOR. And to answer your question; Yes, I was the one who killed that pitiful horse of a King” replied HUNK coldly with his voice being filtered by his Gas Mask. He then continued by asking a question.

“Let me ask you something VECTOR: 


What's the difference between a King and his horse? I don't mean kiddy shit like ‘One's a person's and one's an animal’ or ‘one has two legs and one has four’. If their form, ability and power were exactly the same, why is it that one becomes the King and controls the battle, while the other becomes the horse and carries the king? 
 

There's only one answer.”


Everypony including VECTOR was silent; the Bearers of the Elements of Harmony looked at VECTOR who just stood there silently, after a few silent moments passed, VECTOR unsheathed his combat knife, made a low battle stance and said.


 “Instinct! In order for identical beings to get stronger and gain the power they need to become King, they must search for more battles and power! They thirst for battle, and live to mercilessly crush, shred, and slice their enemies! Deep, deep within our body lies the honed instinct to kill, and slaughter our enemies!” 


The Bearers of the Elements of Harmony was speechless at what VECTOR had just said. Every word he spoke was like an Iron hoof law, every word he pointed out was screaming anger, This was VECTOR, this is the person that mercilessly killed hundreds if not, thousands of his same kind just to survive in his world. What they saw infront of them was, VECTOR; a born killer. 

And it made their hearts cry. They didn’t fear him, far from it. They felt his loneliness, because deep deep down in his heart; behind the anger, behind the killing and behind the ‘Instinct’. Was a lonely, broken and sad man who lost everything important in his life, a man who only wanted a simple thing as, a Friend.

“I’m glad you haven’t forgotten my lesson yet, VECTOR. This will be fun” said HUNK, as a black Aura covered his whole body and in a blink of an eye, closed the gap between him and the invisible VECTOR, force palming him, sending a small shock wave with the impact of HUNK’s palm and VECTOR’s body.


“VECTOR!” cried the girls in unison.