//------------------------------// // Crossing Lines // Story: Dancing In The Shadows // by Bluecatcinema //------------------------------// A single month had passed since the confrontation at the Senate. With the Registration Act scrapped, Echo and Sunset were able to rest easily now that Nightcrawlers everywhere wouldn't had be subjected to such indignities, and that their son could grow to have a normal life. After settling a few more things following the meeting, Echo and Sunset retired to their new manor, where they took the time to finally settle in. As of now, the happy couple were tending to their baby colt. "Ah, what an experience we've been through." Echo sighed, as he gently rubbed Arcane's mane, "It's hard to believe that Arcane is already a month old." "I know." Sunset agreed, gently rocking Arcane in her hooves. "So much has happened in such a short amount of time." "Yeah... though I am relieved that the pack was able to clear their name with a simple apology..." Echo mused. Flashback... The Pack stood before the Senate in awkward silence. It was only yesterday that Hans and Olga's deception was revealed, and despite proving that Artorias did not attempt to kill Malus and further proving that Wave was brainwashed to doing the act instead, it didn't change the fact that they did participate in some small-scale terrorism. It took some negotiations, but Shining and Cadance were able to help pardon them of their crimes, on the condition that the Pack apologizes for their actions. The members of the Senate were also remaining uncomfortably silent, still a little distraught from learning the deceitful actions that a few of them were participating, and honestly speaking, despite Barbossa's speech, they were still very wary of Artorias. "So..." Malus began, the most uncomfortable, hoping to break the ice "Is there anything you wish to say, Mr. Gray Wolf?" "Please, Artorias will do." Artorias said humbly, as he then stepped forth. "I know how awkward this must seems. what with what happened yesterday. It was never our intention to put you on the spot, Senator, but we had to end this before more ponies got hurt." "Yes, I understand." Malus murmured. "And I mean no offense, but could you please get on with it, so we can all go home?" "Right." Artorias nodded, as he then cleared his throat "On behalf of the Shadow Stalkes pack, and of all Nightcrawlers everywhere, we ask you to forgive us for our trangressions. We... or rather, I, had let the words of a bitter old stallion drive me to lead our pack on a war path that would had surely ended in the demise and misery of Nightcrawlers everywhere. I was wrong to had let my own grudges on equinity control my actions, and have others do the same." "Well, that's very big of you." Malus declared. "Yes." A male Pegasus agreed. "It takes a special kind of pony to admit to their mistakes." "So true." A female Unicorn nodded. "However..." Artorias began coldly. "However? There's more?" Malus frowned. "Yes." Artorias glared. "While I bear full responsibility for the mistakes that my pack has made under my leadership, I do not apologize for the 'terrorist acts' that were in self defense. There were those we had attacked that had evil intentions regarding our kind, and the damage we dealt upon them would had ill in comparison to the damage they would had done if they had went unchecked." "Hold on... so, you are saying that you had every right to... say..." Malus grunted, as he then glanced at papers that were on his desk. "Attack a military outpost, utterly destroying it, and injuring several soldiers? Self-defense or not, terrorism is still terrorism." "Even though we wouldn't had been driven to such lengths if we had not been ostracized the way we were?! We were abused, humiliated, and almost killed because of what we were. And there are probably more like us that are suffering the same fate as of now!" Artorias declared fiercely. "Artorias..." Elatha soothed, as she joined his side. "I apologize, my brother cares deeply for his bretheren. What he is trying to say is there were mistakes that both sides had made, and both sides are to blame. And the only way that they will both be resolved is if we worked together to sort out this mess." "Yes, exactly." Artorias growled. "In driving Nightcrawlers into hiding, afraid for their life, the normal ponies almost made us into the monsters they feared we are." "We must come together, in the spirit of unity." Nano added. "Such a thing is possible. I've seen it. Take Echo Alchemy and Sunset Shimmer, for example. Sunset didn't let the fact that Echo was a Nightcrawler stop her from marrying him," "And, not to rub salt in old wounds, but Hans and Olga Hubris were working with a couple of Nightcrawlers." Willow added. "Sure, one was a double agent, and another had no idea he was a 'artificial' Nightcrawler, but the fact that they were driven to such lengths to destroy us is a call for change." "Their alliance came so close to succeeding." Moana declared. "If they could work together for evil, what's to stop us all from working together for good?" "That's what I'm talkin' 'bout." Wave nodded, "We gotta pull it together, yo. Our two posses need to rap to the same beat, or we'll both ruin the song." "So, what do you say?" Artorias asked. "Do we put aside our differences and work for a better tomorrow for all of us, or continue drawing lines in the sand? Lines that others could use to manipulate both sides, I might add." The Senate murmured amongst themselves, most of them speaking words of agreement. "He has a point." A Griffon mused. "I suppose we could take a stab at unity." Malus admitted. "It's better than living in fear, at least..." "Or seeking war." Shining Armor chipped in. "Then we're agreed." Malus nodded. "From this point on, we will do our best to give Nightcrawlers fair treatment, and keep them from being seen as monsters or freaks. It won't be easy, but doing the right thing never is. But it will be worth it." "Har, hear." Cadance smiled. "Well done, Artorias." Elatha smiled. "I'm proud of you, big brother." "And I'm proud of you." Artorias grinned. "All of you." The present... "That was a day the world won't soon forget." Echo smiled. "Yeah." Sunset nodded. "And it seems like a lot of the Senate are taking their words to heart. According to the news, Nigtcrawler hate crime is down by about twenty percent. And more and more ponies are coming out as Nightcrawlers...well, among other things." "Looks like we're building that better world for you after all." Echo told Arcane. "Isn't that right, my little miracle?" "Eeee!" Arcane giggled. "Yo, Alchemy!" Echo and Sunset turned to see Wave walk in. "You two up for some lunch?" Wave asked "Elatha's making some horseradish sandwiches." "Sounds great." Echo nodded. "Thanks, Wave." Sunset smiled. After their speech at the Senate, the Pack had moved in with Echo and Sunset. It was Echo who made the offer, knowing that the Den was no longer safe since Scalphunter knew of its location. With the option of not having to live underground and not having to live on foraged berries and nuts, everypony was on board, including Artorias. "And to think, I was worried that this big place would end up being too empty for us." Echo chuckled. "Not that they're here twenty-four seven." Sunset noted. "Seriously, I'm surprised they managed to branch out so soon after everything." "As am I." Echo declared. "I was surprised to learn that Nano has managed to get back on his hooves in the world so quickly." "That's not as surprising as what he first did." Sunset grinned. Flashback... Nano was stood in the Senate, standing before the ponies who had held him captive so long ago. He had used his newfound influence to finally have them brought up on charges. In the main courtroom, a group of soldiers stood before the Senate. These soldiers just so happened to be ones stationed in Isreinal that had held Nano captive for years. Since Nano's escape, they had faded into obscurity until recently, when an anonymous source had brought them into the light. "Sargeant Turret." Malus began, having been chosen to oversee the case. "You and your subordinates are charged with the false imprisonment of Equestrian Senator and decorated veteran Neigh Machines, followed by illegal experimentation, and forcing him into slave labor as a 'weapon of mass destruction'. How do you plead?" "Not guilty, your grace." Turret, a gunmetal gray Earth Pony with green eyes and a short brown mane. "If I may ask, what is this about? Neigh Machines had been dead for many years. Was kidnapped by those nasty Isreinalites, and died a slow and painful death. It was very tragic." "Really?" Malus deadpanned. "Well, a witness had come forward, and according to him, you had not only did those things, but you had went out of your ways to destroy all proof of his existence, and when he allegedly escaped, you tried to capture him." "Well, this witness is wrong." Turret glared. "I don't know who is spouting these lies, but how the heck woudl this guy know if I did these things or not?" "Because I was the one who you had imprisoned." Turret, as well as his comrades, lit up, as none other than Nano came in. He was fully decked out in a gray leather suit, with a white undershirt, and a yellow tie, plus a golden Roamex watch. "It can't be..." Turret gaped, as he then snarled. "What kind of joke is this? Who is this stallion?" "What's the matter, Sargeant?" Nano frowned. "Don't recognize me? Because I remember you. All of you. I never forgot how you all kept me in that cage, with little food and care that made me prefer being a hostage to the Al Quinoa, ran all sorts of tests that let me wishing to be dead, and made me do crap that no self-respecting stallion of the military would ever have a soldier do." "How dare you!" Turret stood up in outrage. "Where do you get off insulting a officer?! How the buck do we know if you aren't some freak that pretending to be Neigh Machines! All records of him were destroyed!" "Not all of them." Nano smirked. "As thorough as you were in making me disappear, you neglect to pay the guy who makes my speeches a visit. I left him a backup of all my records on an outside chance something like this would had occurred. It took me forever to summon up the courage to finally find him and get back my life, but fortunately, I was real bad at making speeches, and he recognized me on the spot." "It took some paperwork, but technically, Nano... or as he should be addressed, Senator Neigh Machines, had never finished his term." Malus smiled. "So, we welcomed him back into our ranks. His first act was to deal with some 'insubordinates' that caused his disappearance in the first place." "You can't be serious!" Turret growled, though sweating like crazy. "Aren't you aware of what he is?! He's one of them! Those Nightcrawler freaks, like the ones on the news!" "Those ones happen to be my family." Nano grunted. "And I would appreciate a bit of respect from a soldier." "Respect?!" Turret snarled. "You should be locked up in a prison cell!" "Any more than you?! Sargeant Turret, you and your comrades took me prisoner." Nano growled. "Experimented on me, turned me into a living weapon. To do it to an innocent stallion is one thing, but to do it to a stallion who once served this country in the same hooves as you are standing, and take away his life for their own selfish gains... it's a severe miscarriage of justice that had been allowed to go unpunished for far too long. And now, you will face this justice." "This is an outrage!" Turret yelled. "I was doing my duty for my country! You could turn your body into something that could withstand three nukes, and we weren't allowed to capitalize on that because some chump was a big pansy to not use it?!" "First off, it is only two nukes. Don't ask me how I know." Nano grunted. "And two, I was doing my duty to my country just the same as you were. Rallying the troops and offering my military companies to assist them so that their experience would be less tasking than mine was." Nano retorted. "But neither of our duties involved enslavement. You're a disgrace to the uniform, Sergeant." He then glared at the others, who only cowered under his glare, "All of you." "You're the disgrace!" Turret roared. "Where does a freak like you get off talkin' down to me?!" "Well, I'm standing on a podium that is higher than yours. I am taller than you. I played hoofball in college and could had gone pro had I not joined the Foreign Guard. My muscle mass outclasses yours... and I can turn my body in chromed metal and shield a bomb..." Nano gave a deadpan stare. "And that's physically speaking. Need I say more?" "Why speak at all." Turret spat. "Nopony should be listenin' to you! You're nothing but a filthy freak who shouldn't even exist! It makes me sick just lookin' at you!" "Funny, you didn't seem to have a problem with using a 'freak' like me as a weapon." Nano said coldly. "Because that's all your kind are good for: Killin'!" Turret roared. "Not this one." Nano scowled. "For so long, I let ponies like you rule my life, and made me feel like I was nothing. But I am not nothing. Because to be nothing would mean to be someone less than the likes of you." "You think you're better than me?" Turret spat. "You're nothing but genetic trash! I'm worth ten of you!" "I've heard enough from you." Nano frowned. "Guards, take them away for sentencing." "Don't listen to him!" Turret yelled, as he and his stallion was dragged out of the senate. "He's a buckin' freak!" Turret continued his rant as he was dragged away. "An excellent speech, Senator Machines." Malus declared. "Thank you." Nano nodded. "It needed to be said." "You always did have a way with words." Malus noted. "I always admired that about you." "Always?" Nano asked. "I... was actually a big fan of your earlier work in the Senate." Malus admitted. "Really?" Nano raised an eyebrow. "Oh, yes." Malus nodded. "When I was a rookie in the Senate, your work was an inspiration to me. I might not be where I am now if I hadn't followed your example." "Well... thanks." Nano smiled. "Maybe if I'd known you were a Nightcrawler before all this, I might have been more fairly disposed toward your kind." Malus admitted. "But as it, I'm honored to have you at the Senate with me." "Don't be." Nano told him. "I'm just doing my job, same as you." "But you do it so well." Malus replied. "I'm not the only one." Nano chuckled. "Now that you've called off the Registration Act, you're really going places with the constituents." "I guess I am, aren't I?" Malus smiled. "Of course, if you and your friends hadn't exposed the Hubris', that might not have happened. Even now, your example is shaping my career." "I'm just pointing the way." Nano told you. "You chose the path yourself." Later on, as Nano left the Senate, he was greeted by some familiar faces. "Hey, Machines." A blue Earth Pony with an orange mane, brown eyes, and a clamp Cutie Mark grinned. "Long time, no see." "Klutcher?" Nano gaped. "Is it really you?" "Us too." A brown Pegasus with a black mane, yellow eyes and eagle Cutie Mark nodded. "Eagle Eye!" Nano beamed. He turned to an indigo Unicorn with a silver mane, green eyes, and a Cutie Mark of a radar screen. "Radar! So good to see you again!" "Good to see you too, pal." Radar grinned. "What are you doing here?" Nano asked. "We came to see you, of course." Eagle Eye smiled. "We heard about you gettin' your job back, so we figured we could finally see you again." "We never stopped looking for you, you know." Klutcher admitted. "After you disappeared, we searched high and low." "Never imagined you'd end up with such a colorful bunch." Radar declared. "And you... don't mind the powers?" Nano asked. "Course not." Klutcher chuckled. "You're still the same stallion we fought alongside. Nothing will ever change that." "Thanks, guys." Nano smiled. "That means a lot to me." "So, does the big-shot Senator have some free time to spend getting reacquainted with his old friends?" Eagle Eye asked. "Without a doubt." Nano nodded. "Come on, let's go to dinner. My treat." "I'm glad you said that." Radar declared. "because I'm a little low on funds right now." "So what else is new?" Klutcher joked. The present... "Of course, the others have taken jobs a little closer to home." Echo noted. "Like Willow." Sunset nodded. "He's back to doing what he loves... and selling out the Crystal Amphitheater while doing it." "He truly is a great actor." Echo agreed. "Best Roameo I've ever seen. He's already wowed his fellow performers so much, they're actually letting him put together some plays he'd written during his time in the caves." Flashback... The acting troupe were rehearsing. Willow was wearing a suit of armor. "Do your worst, Lord Bile!" Willow declared. "For I, Sir Typhoon, shall never yield!" "Excellent!" The sapphire colored Crystal Pony director declared. "Magnificent work, Willow!" "You think that's great?" Willow smiled. "Just wait until the next scene, when Sir Typhoon pulls the Spear of the Storm from its stone, and uses it to create a mighty cyclone... which I shall provide effects for, of course." "Boy, we sure started saving money on special effects since you came along." An emerald crystal stallion chuckled. The present... "And what about Moana?" Sunset smirked. "She's this big-time talk show therapist now." "She came such a long way." Echo mused, "Who would had thought that the mare would make for both a good therapist and a TV personality? I hadn't seen her this well-composed in... well, ever." "Not to mention she's a lot more positive." Echo noted. "I've seen her smiling more and more, everyday. And not forgetting how well her new career is going..." Flashback... In a television studio, Moana was recording her show. While she was a little lost in what to do following their pardon, she thought she could put her once humiliating namesake to her advantage, and maybe help other ponies who were miserable as her. She had gone looking for work at the studio, and during the course of an interview, gave an executive some advice on his love life. The executive was so impressed by how well her advice worked, he offered her the host spot on a new show. It was called Cry Me A River, and her key method of therapy was to have her guests let out their worries and anxieties through tears... hence her motto, "Let it all out." "I just don't see why his bowling night has to be more important than our anniversary." A teal mare with a purple mane and blue eyes sniffed. "There, there." Moana patted her on the back. "Let it all out..." "Sometimes, I just don't think he appreciates me!" The mare started crying. "Of course he does." Moana soothed her. "But he's a stallion. And we all know clueless they can be sometimes. Tell that to him. Establish a dialogue. Let your feelings be known, or else this marriage will end in tears." "I'll try." The mare nodded. "Thanks, Moana." "It's what I'm here for." Moana beamed. After the show, Willow came to Moana's dressing room. Of course, after the pardon, the two had finally decided to start dating, now that there was nopony out to murder them. "Ready for a grand night out, m'lady?" He asked. "Aren't I always?" Moana chuckled, taking his hoof. The present... "And then there's Wave, making his grand comeback to the rapping scene." Echo smiled. "Not that I'm much of a fan of that kind of music." "Yet he is starting from the bottom." Sunset smirked, "The Pack really changed his outlook on life. Now he's out singing for himself and others." "And no drugs this time." Echo noted. Flashback... Wave came out on stage to massive applause. "Yo, yo, listen up!" He yelled. This striped stallion's been livin' in the woods Didn't about to worry 'bout cops an' hoods Now I can talk the talk Better than I can walk the walk You mess with me You're gonna get an earful I'll drop my funky beats Right into your skull I'm a Nightcrawler And I'm sayin' it proud I'm a Nightcrawler And I'm singin' it loud On the last word, Wave let out a small-scale ultrasonic blast, just enough to send a tingle down the audience's spines. "Peace!" Nightcrawler dropped his mike, as the applause reached fever pitch. The present... "I hear he'll be teaming up with Vinyl Scratch next month." Sunset noted. "Should be a show to remember." "And what of our newest stay-at-home mother?" Echo smiled. "And her daughter." Susnet grinned. Flashback... One morning, Snow was frolicking around in her namesake, Elatha close by. "Snow!" She whooped jumping and kicking and grabbing the stuff. "Real snow! I've never seen it before. It's awesome!" "Easy there, sweetie." Elatha smirked. "There's plenty of snow to go around." "I never thought I'd get the chance to come outside and play in it." Snow smiled. "If Echo hadn't found us, we'd still be in the Den, with that lying meanie, Aether!" "That's right, dear." Elatha nodded. "We owe him so much, and he aks for so little in return." "I know!" Snow said suddenly. "I'll make Echo a snow Thestral! Do you think he'll like that, mom?" "I'm sure he'kll love it, sweetie." Elatha chuckled. "Okay then!" Snow went to work. The present... "It was a marvellous snow Thestral." Echo beamed. "But for a moment, I was worried about one of them." "Ah, yes, Artorias." Sunset noted. "I kinda expected he would have a little trouble adjusting to normal life, after everything he had been through..." "As did I." Echo nodded. "Good thing I was able to help him with the process." Flashback... One evening, Echo found Artorias standing out on the balcony, staring up at the stars and the full moon. "Artorias?" Echo asked. "Everything okay?" "Honestly speaking?" Artorias sighed, "No...no, it's not." "What's the matter?" Echo asked. "Well, it's just... in this month alone, so much has changed for me." Artorias frowned. "I went from living underground to residing in this fine manor, learned that the stallion who helped me and my sister was the one responsible for our suffering, and that I was made only for war..." "Hey, you shouldn't listen to what Aether had said." Echo declared. "He doesn't know you like you know yourself." "I don't know." Artorias shook his head. "It's just... look at me, Echo, I am both a pony and a dragon. Even if I didn't have these powers, I would never find a place in this society. Everypony else seems to be moving on with their life: Nano being with the Senate, Willow and his plays, Moana and that talkshow, and Wave doing what he loved... even Elatha and Snow are adjusting just fine... but what do I have?" "I'm sure there is a place for you in the world." Echo assured him. "You just have to find something you're good at." "The only thing I've ever been good at is killing." Artorias scowled. "Just like Aether wanted. I've never been anything more than a weapon." "But there's still time to change that." Echo declared. "You can dedicate yourself to doing something truly good, something that makes a positive difference in the world." "Oh, really?" Artorias snorted. "And what would that be?" "Well..." Echo racked his brains for a moment. "Ah! How about joining Project: Synchro?" "What?" Artorias frowned. "That little 'defensive dark magic' project of yours?" "Why not?" Echo asked. "If you join up, you'll be able to use your powers for good. You'll be using them to protect rather than destroy!" "I'm not so sure..." Artorias admitted. "What of your other students? What will they think of me?" "They'll accept you." Echo declared. "They accepted me as their teacher, so I'm sure they won't mind having you as a fellow student." "So you say..." Artorias shrugged. "Though I'd still be forged into a weapon, even if it in the means of defence..." "Look, I'm not going to force you to do it." Echo told him. "All I can do is offer you the chance to truly make something of yourself. To help you be more than just a weapon. The choice is yours." As Echo made to leave the balcony, Artorias turned. "Wait." He said flatly. "I'll... give it a try. For a little while, at least." "Excellent." Echo smiled. "I promise you won't regret it." The next morning, Artorias stood before Echo's other students. Most were slack-jawed in awe, if not at his unusual appearance, than by his sheer size alone. "As you can see, we have a new student joining us." Echo declared. "This is Artorias. I trust you'll make him feel welcome?" "Uh... hi." One Guard gaped. "Hello." Artorias said flatly. "You're that Nightcrawler from the news, aren't you?" Another guard asked. "The Great Gray Wolf?" "That I am." Artorias nodded. "Do you want to make something of it?" "That is... awesome!" The Guard whooped. "Check it, guys! We're training with a full-on badflank!" "Oh, um... thanks." Artorias said awkwardly, not expecting such a reaction. "Artorias already knows a thing or two about dark magic." Echo revealed. "In fact, I was hoping he could help me with today's demonstration." "Gladly." Artorias smiled. "Now, first take this spear." Echo handed him a crystal spear. "Charge it up with your dark magic." Artorias complied, channelling the dark magic through his claws. "This is what is known as the weaponmaster spell." Echo told the others. Artorias finished channelling his magic. "Alright, now throw it." Echo instructed. Artorias did as instructed. "Now... halt!" Echo ordered. Artorias held out his hoof, and the spear froze in place. "Whoa." One of the Guards gaped. "Now... back!" Echo declared. Artorias pulled back his hoof, drawing the spear back over to him. "Got it on the first try..." The first Guard gaped. "Very impressive." Shining smiled, as he walked over. "Artorias, I don't think we've been formally introduced. I am Prince Shining Armor." "Your majesty." Artorias bowed stiffly. "Joining Project: Synchro, huh?" Shining noted. "From what Echo's told me, you should prove quite the asset. The Crystal Empire could use a defender like you." "Defender..." Artorias smiled. "I like the sound of that." "So do I." Shining grinned. "Keep up the good work." "I will." Artorias nodded. As Shining left, Echo smiled at Artorias. "Ready for your next lesson?" He asked. "Bring it on." Artorias nodded. The present... "And what about our mysterious Griffon Nightcrawler?" Sunset asked. "Ah, yes." Echo nodded. "Fury. I heard from Barbossa that he's taking on a new line of work, now that his mission unmasking Hans and Olga is over. And Barbossa had just the thing in mind." Flashback... Fury was in Barbossa's office. "A job well done, my friend." Barbossa smiled. "It was my pleasure." Fury nodded. "So, have you given any though as to what you will do now?" Barbossa asked. "I have a few options I'm mulling over." Fury shrugged. "Well, may I suggest one more?" Barbossa asked. "I have this friend who's working on a little project, and he could really use a talent like yours." "Really?" Fury asked. "Who is he?" "His name is Elite Everest." Barbossa declared. "And I think his mission could up right your alley..." The present... "Guess it's all's well that ends well." Sunset noted. Just then, they saw Deathgaze walk by, carrying his bag. Deathgaze had come to stay with them also, but it seemed his stay was about to come to an end. "What's the rush, father-in-law?" Sunset asked. "Oh." Deathgaze stopped. "I... uh, didn't know you were in here." "What's wrong, dad?" Echo asked, noting his father's flustered attitude. "Honestly, son... I'm thinking of leaving." Deathgaze admitted. "What?" Echo frowned. "Why?" "Well, it's simple, really..." Deathgaze sighed. "I feel as if I had overstayed my welcome, and I don't want to burden neither of you by me staying here." "Burden? You're no burden." Echo shook his head, "If anything, it was wonderful to have you stay here. Don't you feel the same way?" "Of course I do." Deathgaze nodded, "It's just..." "Come on, father, out with it." Echo urged. "...Aether was right about me." Deathgaze frowned. "I had all this power that I could had used to save you, Synchro, and Claudia from Nero, yet instead, I just ran. All the suffering and death would had never happened, if I just came back. But I didn't...and now, your brother and your mother are gone." "Father..." Echo murmured. "All my life, I had done nothing but run." Deathgaze sighed. "I never stayed in one place since I left you, because I knew if I did, someone else would get hurt. I am only leaving because I know that I don't deserve to be a part of your, Sunset, or Arcane's life..." "You're wrong." Echo declared. "While it's true you left, you did guide me onto the path I walk to this very day. It was you that inspired me to carry on with studying dark magic, and it was you who gave me the strength to face my brother when he threatens to destroy everything. Even if I wasn't aware of it at the time, you were still a true father to me..." He then glanced away, his face turning that of anguish, "Not like Nocturne...he only saw me as an experiment... a failed one at that." "...I wouldn't be so sure of that." Deathgaze declared, as he then reached into his bag, and pulled out a few tapes. "I found these in Aether's chamber shortly before we left. He didn't want you to listen to them, and for good reason. Play them." "I don't know if I should..." Echo frowned. "Trust me." Deathgaze urged, as he then pulled out a recorder. "You'll feel much better after you listen to them." Hesitantly, Echo placed the first tape into the player. "To whoever is listening, know that I have made a huge mistake." Nocturne's voice declared. "I believed I was working for the cause of knowledge, and that my employers were thus motivated. But I was wrong. While going through some of the files connected to my research, I learned that they are planning to use the information I have gathered to create an army of Nightcrawler soldiers, with which they plan to take over Equestria. And what's worse is that they have been seeking out my former test subjects, and 'disposing' of them in vile ways, all to ensure nopony could trace them to me, and then back to the organisation." "How awful..." Sunset gasped. "I've been a fool." Nocturne sighed. "I let their unlimited funding and resources blind me to the truth. I became so focused on my research that I forgot that Nightcrawlers are ponies too. They shouldn't be experimented on, or turned into weapons. They should be allowed to live their lives, free and unabated. I said those very words to my employers when I resigned. As you can imagine, they were quite angry at my sudden change of heart. They threatened several repercussions if I didn't give them my research. Fortunately, I had planned ahead; I informed them that if anything should happen to me, a copy of my research will be sent to the authorities, complete with evidence leading to my employers and their twisted schemes. They weren't happy about it, but they let me go. That was the easy part, though. The hard part is living with myself. Everything I've done, and what I almost allowed to happen..." As the tape reached its end, Echo stared dolefully at the recorder. "So, he wasn't as cold and heartless as I thought he was." He remarked. "He was a good stallion, after all...but that doesn't change-" "There's more." Deathgaze smiled. "Check the next one." Echo put in the next tape. "Consider this an addendum to my previous tape regarding Echo." Nocturne began. "Being the stallion of logic that I am, it's sometimes hard for me to express my feelings. But after my recent revelations, I've had cause to look at things differently. Echo is no failed experiment, no waste of time. He is my son. He filled a hole in my life I didn't know I had. As he grew older and wiser, I grew prouder. And now he is walking his own path, as a stallion. Words cannot express the depths of my adoration for him. I will forever treasure our every moment together. A father could not ask for a better son. Good luck, my boy, wherever you walk in life..." The recording came to an end. Echo felt a tear roll down his cheek. "He... really did love me..." He smiled. "He sure did." Sunset hugged him. "As I love you, my son." Deathgaze grinned. "As so many do." "Not as many as I'd like." Echo shrugged. "More than you know." Deathgaze smiled. "Sterling, for example." "Sterling?" Sunset frowned. "How do you know about that?" "Because he was the one who informed me that Nero's forces were about to attack." Deathgaze revealed. "Wait, Sterling?! But...how?!" Echo gaped. "Well, this is what he said..." Deathgaze began... Flashback... Sterling had just gotten hung up on by Scalphunter. "RAARRRGH!!" He roared, punching the wall. "How dare he?! He won't get away with this!" "And what actually do you plan to do?" Silas taunted him. "You're locked up in prison, remember?" "I'll just call somepony for help." Sterling smiled. "What?" Silas frowned. "No, you can't. You'd be going against Father's wishes!" "I don't care." Sterling scowled, holding up the mirror. Some distance away, Deathgaze was sitting at a bar, drinking in an attempt to chase away a deep depression, when he felt his own mirror vibrate. "Who could be calling me?" He frowned, activating the mirror. Sterling's face appeared. "Hi there." He smiled. "How did you get this number?" Deathgaze frowned. "Look, I have no time to explain, but you gotta listen to me." Sterling began. "My name is Flatfoot and-" "Bullcrap." Deathgaze glared. "I met Flatfoot before, and he's dead now. Now tell me what is going on, or I am hanging up." "No, please!" Sterling pleaded. "Fine, my name is Sterling Cross, and I am calling because your son is in danger!" "My son... Echo?! Wait..." Deathgaze then growled. "You're that stallion... the one who-" "Will you just shut up and listen?!" Sterling roared, "I am in a prison cell right now, and a guard is going to be by soon! Look, there are mercenaries, a lot of them, and they are out to kill this group of Nightcrawlers. Your son is out there, trying to help them, but I don't think he will be enough. If you don't go to Daleshire Woods, not only will your son die, but so will his wife and their child." "And what reason do I have to trust you?" Deathgaze challenged. "...There is none." Sterling admitted, before glancing at the mirror with eyes fraught with concern. "But please, you have to trust me on this one. Echo and Sunset... they both mean a lot to me, and if they both die... I will never forgive myself. I know who you are and what you are capable of... don't let them die because of your mistrust for me... please..." "...Okay." Deathgaze nodded, seeing the truth in his eyes. "I will be there in five minutes." "Thank you..." Sterling murmured. Lowering the mirror, Deathgaze's eyes grew wispy, and he suddenly vanished in a puff of smoke. "What the..." The bartender frowned. The present... "Sterling... said all that?" Echo whispered. "But why..." "Because he cares a lot about you two." Deathgaze declared. "He didn't want to see either of you killed." "See, Echo?" Sunset smiled. "I told you he cared about us." "Who's to say he wasn't just pretending to care?" Echo said stubbornly. "I doubt that very much." Deathgaze frowned. "I saw the look of concern on his face. Such a thing can't be faked." "Well, maybe one of us should go and thank him." Sunset declared. "Because if it weren't for Sterling, we'd all be dead right now." "It doesn't make up for what he did to us." Echo scowled. "He used us, and got a few ponies killed in the process, including Synchro. I tried my best to forgive him, but he refused to let us help him with whoever he's working for. I can't trust a pony like that. Even if that pony was a friend..." "Please, son." Deathgaze urged. "Don't walk down the path of hate like Aether and Nero did. I can sense that there's a bond between the two of you. It may be frayed, but it hasn't broken yet. Don't give up on Sterling. He might just surprise you." "Come on, Echo." Sunset declared. "Would it really kill you to at least talk to him?" "...I'll think about it." Echo shrugged. "As long as you agree to stay a couple of days more. Maybe a few weeks." "...You drive a hard bargain, my boy." Deathgaze chuckled. "But we have an agreement." "Good." Echo nodded, before smiling. "Besides, I would like for Arcane to get to know his grandfather more." "I can definitely do that." Deathgaze smiled. "You'd like that, wouldn't you, Arcane?" He pulled a funny face, making his grandson giggle. "Oh, by the way..." Echo pulled out a new pair of sunglasses. "Are those...?" Deathgaze asked. "Indeed they are." Echo nodded. "I managed to salvage the remains of your previous inhibitor. I even made a couple of improvements." "Thanks, son." Deathgaze smiled, donning the shades. "These make it so much easier to keep a handle on my powers. Without them, I have to treat everything like they're as fragile as eggs." "That explains why you haven't held Arcane yet." Sunset noted. "Care to give it a try?" "Gladly." Deathgaze took Arcane in his hooves. "Come to grampa, kiddo." "Eee!" Arcane squealed. "Look at us." Echo smiled. "We're really a family now." "Yeah." Sunset held him. "It's a good feeling, isn't it?" "The best." Echo kissed her. For the next night and day, Echo gave the matter serious thought. 'Sterling lied to us, betrayed us.' He mused. 'I was sure he didn't care about us. And yet... he directed my father to our aid, saving all our lives. Why? Is it some twisted scheme of his? Or is Sunset right about him? Is father right about him?' Sunset could tell Echo was struggling with the decision, but she couldn't try and talk him into going. He had to come to the decision himself. The following morning, Echo announced his decision to Sunset. "I'm going to go and see him." He declared. "But only so I can try and straighten things out." "You've made the right choice, Echo." Sunset smiled. "Trust me." "Always." Echo nodded. That afternoon, Echo travelled to the dungeons. "I'm here to see Sterling Cross." He told the guard. "Um...I don't think that will be a good idea..." The guard frowned. "And why not?" Echo challenged. "Well... there was an incident... and Sterling..." The Guard declared. "What?!" Echo gasped. "What happened?" "Please calm down, sir." The Guard urged. "Calm nothing!" Echo growled. "Let me through." "But sir..." The Guard started, beefore Echo pushed past him. "...You may not like what you're about to see..." Echo stormed down into the main dungeon. As he entered, he saw, to his horror, that the cells containing Sterling, Silas, and Lunard had been busted open. "What the-?" He gasped. The guard instantly caught up. "Oh...we didn't want you to see this." The guard frowned. "What's going on here?! What happened to Sterling, and the other two?!" Echo demanded. "You got me." The guard shook his head. "According to the guy that was here earlier, some big dude broke through that wall." He pointed to a hole in the nearby wall. "And proceeded to bust out both Sterling and Silas. Then another guard came up and was able to headshot the big guy right here..." He gestured to the corpse of a burly stallion, covered by a white cloth now. "Before Sterling took the big guy's crossbow and wounded him... and that's all we know. The griffon must had busted out with them in midst of the panic." "Well, do we have any leads?" Echo asked. "Only this." The guard pulled up a pendant, much like the one Sterling and Silas had. "We figured that he must have been one of their associates..." "No..." Echo shook his head. "No, no, no..." Desperate for answers, Echo walked into Sterling's cell, hoping to find clues as to where Sterling could had gone. But it was completely empty, save for a scrap of paper on the bed. Echo picked it up and saw that it was a letter. Dear Echo, If you are reading this, then I will already be gone... though I don't know if you will ever read this, knowing how much you hate me right now... but I want you to know the truth. To begin, I am truly sorry that I had lied to you, deceived you, and tried to kill you. I thought I was doing what was necessary to make my 'masters' happy and content, but I knew, something deep down, that you were nothing but a loose end that they want taken care of. I'm sure you met Scalphunter, didn't you? First off, I did not ask him to do anything that would hurt you or Sunset. All that creep ever was to me was somepony I helped with on his project concerning artificial Nightcrawlers, while I refered to him on my own project, Project: Maelstrom. When I chose you to be the figurehead of the project, I thought it would be clean cut as usual. you and Sunset would make a child, I would organize a incident that kill you both, and the child would grow to become somepony like Deathgaze. But then... I found myself falling for the mare that wasn't meant for me, and I grew to call you as a loyal and stalwart friend. I knew it was wrong for me to do so, and that there would be major reprecussions, but I didn't care. That day in the hospital room, I was glad that you stopped me... because I don't think I would had lived with myself if I had done so. I would had wanted to tell you all this in pony, but alas... you hate me. Sunset once told me that if there was going to ever be trust and respect between any of us, I would had to do some thinking... and I did. I realize now that I was wrong in thinking that I could ever get back your or Sunset's friendship, because honestly, I am like poison to you both. If we continue to talk like this, my superiors would eventually catch on, and they would dispose of both of you, and I just can't bear to see that happened to neither of you. That is why I had called them to bust me out of here. This is the only way I will be able to go on, without seeing either of you getting hurt. "Sterling..." Echo whispered sadly. "I didn't think... couldn't guess you cared so much for us..." Please don't try to find me. It is best that we both go our separate ways and have nothing to do with each other. Despite everything, I'm still loyal to my masters. If they order me to kill you (which I pray they won't), I will do it. I won't like it, and I will hate them forever for it, but I'll do it. I know I seem like some blindly obedient attack dog who will murder for food, but it's more than that. I owe them everything, and I can't turn my back on them. I can only pray our paths don't cross again. Please, give my love to Sunset. You two have a good life together with that foal of yours. That's one good thing that came out of knowing me, right? "I suppose I owe you that much..." Echo smiled halfheartedly. But there is one more thing I can do for you. Call it a parting gift. You wanted to know the name of the ponies I work for? The ponies Black Thorn worked for? They call themselves 'The Forefathers'. I cannot say much beyond that, but they are a group that seeks to change Equestria and the world as we know it. Whatever you do in life, I beg of you, leave them be. Seriously, you have no idea what they are capable of. If you challenge them, you will perish. So please, just stay in the Crystal Empire, with your family, your job, and the respect of the citizens. Just... forget about me. Regretfully yours, Sterling. A single tear drop had landed on the letter at that point, smearing Sterling's name a tad. Echo lowered the note. "Oh, Sterling." He sighed, wiping his tear, "Why did you have to run? Perhaps if I could come to see you sooner, I might have changed something. Stubborn fool..." Elsewhere... Scalphunter was standing in a stark stone room, two hooded stallions, one a Unicorn with a sparking horn, the other an Earth Pony with wheels instead of hooves standing before him. "So... I'm guessing the others couldn't make it tonight?" Scalphunter slightly joked. "We're not happy, Scalphunter." The Unicorn grunted. "Indeed we aren't." The Earth Pony frowned. "We paid you good money to dispose of the Shadow Stalkers, yet you failed...and failed miserably." "Look, it wasn't my fault, okay?" Scalphunter said awkwardly. "What happened was that Frankensteed-" "Silence!" The Unicorn zapped him with a bolt of electricity, causing him to twitch and shake comically. "Ow..." Scalphunter cringed. "I don't like excuses." The Unicorn snarled. "We kept you on board when we bought out Forever Industries, because we knew what a boon you would be... yet when we needed you the most, you blew it." "Have you any idea how far you've set back our plans?" The Earth Pony growled. Scalphunter took a moment to catch his breath from the shock, as he then glared at the two. "Okay, seriously, could you guys please take off those stupid masks?" Scalphunter growled. "I know who you both are, and we are the only ones here, so off with them already!" "Very well." The Unicorn removed his mask and cloak, revealing himself to be a middle-aged, with an electric yellow coat, orange eyes, short, spiky white mane, and a Cutie Mark of a thunder cloud with a bolt of lightning coming out of it. He also had a lightning shaped scar that went over his right eye. "Now that's more like it, Solomon Thunder." Scalphunter smirked. "Watch your tone." The Earth Pony removed his cloak and mask, revealing a peach coated stallion with a long messy black mane and beard, blue eyes, and a Cutie Mark of a metal spider. His legs were completely gone, his torso mounted on a steam-powered wheelchair. "Or what, Loveless Irons?" Scalphunter chuckled. "Ya gonna run me over?" "You can be glib all you want." Solomon declared. "It doesn't change the fact that you failed." "You were supposed to make Frankensteed's mission a success." Solomon added. "But you choked." "Hey, it's not my fault a super-powered Nightcrawler came out of nowhere to stop us." Scalphunter scowled. "Honestly, I think Sterling might have tipped him off." "And why would Sterling do that?" Loveless asked. "Oh, seriously?" Scalphunter grunted. "You all know damn well that Sterling has been acting different since Project: Maelstrom. He is practically lounging in prison, holding on to some fantasy that he, Echo, and that one chick is going to have themselves a nice threesome or somethin'. He knew I was going to kill them, and so he sent the Dark Messiah to stop me!" "Well, Scalphunter, you will be pleased to know that Sterling had finally relieved himself of this fantasy." Solomon smirked. "What are you talking about?" Scalphunter frowned. "Sterling contacted us earlier with that mirror you gave him." Loveless explained. "He told us that he has gotten over those two fools and is ready to retake his place as an elite of the Forefathers. He ought to be here soon." Just then, the door to the room opened, and indeed, Sterling entered. He was adorned in his own Forefather's robe, bright silver in color with golden lining. "Sterling?" Scalphunter grimaced. "You're back..." "That I am, Scalphunter." Sterling grunted as he approached him. "I was told of the Forefather's struggles, and of the worthless URCHINS!" He then slugged Scalphunter hard, sending to the ground. "That we were being forced to work with. Well, now, I am back, and hopefully, we can turn this sinking ship around." "Look, if this about me gloating about your friends-" "What friends?" Sterling glared, "They were just a means to an end." "That wasn't the way you were-GAH!" Scalphunter groaned as Sterling kicked him again. "Don't question me again." Sterling growled, "Now get out of my sight!" "O-okay, fine." Scalphunter quivered, an air of bitterness in his fear. "See how well you robe and mask nuts do without me!" Scalphunter rushed out of the room. "Ah, Sterling, it is so good to finally have you back." Loveless smiled. "And I am glad that you had finally come to your senses." Solomon smirked, "Now we can get back to business." "Yeah... good to be back..." Sterling frowned. Despite his words, Sterling was still filled with regret over everything he'd done. He could have just left the Forefathers, but didn't. It wasn't just loyalty keeping him there. He felt he was too far gone, that he had committed too much evil to ever put behind him. This was his destiny, and nothing could change it. He had no choice but to serve his masters, no matter his own misgivings. He could only hope the ones he thought of his friends would never step into his world ever again. None of them would enjoy the consequences, and Sterling in particular couldn't stand any more regret. 'Just stay put, Echo...' He thought. 'Please. For all our sakes...' The End.