Incognito joined Fletcher, Caboose and Black as they left the Wall of Remembrance.
"So you were Shadow's replacement, huh?" Caboose asked Incognito. "That's lucky..."
"I suppose in an organisation like you, it would do well to have new blood ready to step if the worst should happen." Fletcher admitted.
"Yeah, I guess." Black nodded. "But at the time, I didn't really see it that way."
"You can say that again." Incognito snorted.
"Well, you didn't make the great first impression, you know." Caboose glared at him.
"Well, as arrogant as Incognito was, that had nothing to do with it." Black shook his head. "Things were not looking well for me. I had just lost another pony close to me, and was powerless to save him. The guilt from losing Shadow, in addition to losing White... well, it began to affect my life..."
Many years ago...
Black was standing in a graveyard, in the dead of night. But he had no idea how he had gotten there, or why.
"What is this place?" He asked as he looked around. "Hello?! Anypony out there?!"
Black was answered with only silence.
"Is this is some kind of joke, I'm gonna be really mad!" Black added.
Black glanced around once more. There was nothing and nopony to be seen in any direction. As he kept looking, he noticed something on one of the gravestone.
"Wait a second..." He frowned.
As Black came closer to the gravestones, he saw a familiar name on one of them: "Rookie Blue".
"What the-?" Black frowned. He was well aware of the fact that Rookie had been buried in a different cemetary altogether. He looked upon two nearby gravestones, finding the names "Shadow Slinker" and "White Knight Paladin" etched upon them. His shock quickly gave way to anger. "Okay, that's it! Whoever's doing this, you've crossed the line. And when I find you, you're gonna pay!"
Suddenly, the ground at Black's hooves began to shift.
"Oh, what now?" He groaned.
Suddenly, a decaying hoof burst out of the ground by the Rookie headstone.
"Holy-!" Black yelped, leaping backwards.
The hoof was followed by a rotting body: That of Rookie Blue himself. The fatal wound that killed him was plain to see on his decayed side
"R-Rookie?" Black trembled "But you're dead!"
"Because of you." Rookie snarled, in a raspy, soulless voice. "If you hadn't put together that attack, I'd still be alive!"
"Rookie, I-" Black started.
Before he could get a word out in edgewise, another animated corpse emerged from a grave, that of White. His body was very pale and drenched, obviously alluding to his drowning.
"Brother..." White growled in a distorted voice, as water began spilling from his mouth, "Why couldn't you save me? Wasn't disgracing our family name enough for you?"
"No." Black shook his head. "I never meant to hurt you. I tried to save you."
"But you failed." White told him. "You let your own brother die."
"But White..." Black said feebly.
Another corpse emerged. It was Shadow, his slit neck on display for all to see.
"You weren't the only one." He told White, his voice barely audible (possibly because of his slit throat). "Black let me die too. We were supposed to be teammates, but he let me down."
"He let us all down." Rookie added.
"It seems just knowing Black is a death sentence." White hissed. "Maybe we should return the favor."
"No, please..." Black pleaded, stepping back.
"You let us all down, Black." Shadow growled, as his slit neck began to bleed. "You killed us all."
"I... I didn't..." Black spluttered.
"We're all dead, because of you." Rookie muttered in a emotionless voice.
"And now you'll know what that's like." White spat, coughing up more water. "To have your life ripped away from you by somepony you thought cared about you."
"No, don't-" Black tried to back away, but he bumped into something solid. He turned to see a massive headstone before him, one with his name written on it, in ten foot high letters. "This... this can't be hapening..."
"Oh, but it is, Black." Shadow smirked.
"And when you're dead, we'll be square again." Rookie cackled.
"Come on, brother." White hissed. "Time to join us... time to balance the scales, at long last."
"No, please!" Black trembled, as the zombie trio advanced on him. "Nooooo!"
Black suddenly sat upright. He was in his bed, in his quarters, ice-cold sweat dripping off him.
"Just a dream..." He panted. "Just a dream... freakiest one yet..."
A week had passed since Shadow's funeral. Black had tried to move on, as he knew he was expected to, but losing another pony close to him had hit him harder than he'd imagine. He had been having nightmares which featured Rookie, White and Shadow haunting him, berating him for allowing them to die.
'I know I couldn't save any of you.' He thought. 'You don't have to keep reminding me...'
There was a knock at Black's door.
"Come in." Black said flatly.
Armory entered the room.
"Sorry to wake you pal, but Elite needs us in the meeting room." Armory announced.
"No problem." Black sighed. "Didn't get much sleep anyway..."
"Say what?" Armory frowned.
"I said 'tell 'em I'm on my way'." Black claimed.
"Okay." Armory nodded. "See you there."
As Armory left, Black got out of his bed.
"Just another day at the office." He told himself.
After taking a moment to wash up, Black headed for the meeting room. Everypony was already there, silently acknowledging him as he took his seat.
"Okay, everypony." Elite declared. "I know losing Shadow hit us all pretty hard..."
"And then some." Black muttered.
"It is an awful feeling to lose a comrade you had been working with for so long." Elite sighed. "But as much as we may dislike it, life goes on. As does the mission. On that note, we are in a need of a new infiltrator. Luckily, Shadow had taken on a protege in recent years, and after much discussion with Ballista, I wish to introduce you all to Shadow's student and replacement... Incognito."
A younger Incognito, barely out of his teens, entered the room. He was slightly skinnier than in the present, with a longer mane.
"What the..." Black frowned.
"Hello." Incognito said awkwardly. "It's good to meet you all. Shadow told me a lot his teammates. It's good to see you at last, even under the... distressing circumstances."
"Ain't that the truth." Armory sighed.
"I know Shadow would have wanted you here." Micro admitted. "And if he taught you to be even half as good as he was, I'm sure you will prove to be a valuable asset."
"Welcome aboard, mate." Ballista smiled.
"Rrrf!" Titan licked Incognito.
"Ugh, thanks..." Incognito cringed.
"What the buck is this?!" Black snarled, as everypony glanced at him. "Shadow's barely been in the ground a week, and you've already replaced him?"
"Well, I wouldn't put it quite like that..." Elite frowned.
"Then what would you put it like?" Black growled.
"Black, you must look at this logically." Micro stepped in. "Shadow was our top inflitrator and stealth agent. Such a role has to be filled as soon as possible if our success rate is to not take a nosedive. Incognito is the one who must fill that role."
"So you're all going to just let this guy take Shadow's place?" Black asked.
"You know how it is in the army, Black." Ballista declared. "When one soldier falls, another takes his place."
"Or look at it like this." Armory added. "If you lose a tool, even your favorite one, than you need to get a replacement."
"Shadow wasn't a tool." Black snorted. "And he was more than just a soldier. He was our friend. Or have you forgotten that already?"
"We have forgotten nothing, Black." Elite said sternly. "Make no mistake, we all miss Shadow, and things will never be the same without him. But we still have a mission to do, and that mission can only be accomplished with a stealth expert on this Taskforce. Which means Incognito is here to stay, like it or not."
"I choose 'not'." Black huffed.
"You're even more passionate than I expected." Incognito announced. "Shadow told me quite a bit about you."
"Yeah, well, he told me nothing about you." Black glared at him. "You can take his job... but you can't and will never take his place."
"I am aware of that, sir." Incognito murmured, a bit intimidated by Black's glare. "But I hope that as we work together, we might be able to become close as comrades, maybe even friends."
"Don't hold your breath, kid." Black scowled.
"Black, that's enough." Elite frowned. "Incognito is your new teammate, and I expect to treat him as such."
"Yeah, sure." Black snorted. "Whatever you say, boss..."
"Good." Elite nodded. "Now, Ballista, would you care to escort Incognito to his workspace?"
"Gladly." Ballista stood up. "Right this way, mate."
'His workspace?' Black thought petulantly. 'It was Shadow's, and now he's just moving in like it doesn't even matter!'
"You okay, Black?" Armory asked, having noticed the look on Black's angry face.
"No, I'm not." Black huffed. "And I don't know how you can be, either."
"What do you mean?" Armory frowned.
"If you can't see it, I won't tell you." Black growled.
"What?!" Armory sputtered, "But then how am I supposed to know what's wrong?"
"Figure it out yourself." Black growled, as he stormed off.
"Black!" Armory called after him, but the stallion ignored him. "Oh... Black."
Back within Infinity, within Loveless's offices within the labs, the owner of said office and Pike was seated, as Loveless's face was twisted with displeasure.
"So... let me get this straight... once again, your Black Sheep failed to kill Black." Loveless frowned. "I wish I could say that I was surprised... but I'm not."
"How do you think I feel?" Pike growled. "It sounded like we were close."
"Well, it's the fact that it was Reaper and Talbolt that failed to kill Black." Loveless shook his head. "Reaper, the one who never let his targets get away. Not even the best of your division could put a end to Black."
"In my defense, I had no idea that Reaper was back in Infinity till last night." Pike snarled. "In fact, I had no idea that they'd launched an operation to kill him. Scalphunter went behind my back!"
"So not only have you failed continuously to kill Black, but you're also losing control of your own underlings?" Loveless frowned. "That is very troubling news, Pike."
"This was an isolated incident." Pike said sourly. "I will take steps to make sure it won't happen again."
"I'd imagine you would." Loveless nodded.
"But even though they went behind my back, reaper and Talbolt did succeed in killing one of Black's associates." Pike pointed out. "That's gotta count for something, right?"
"...Do you really think that?" Loveless grimaced. "You and I both know that killing this 'Shadow' was completely unneccessary. The Pike I know didn't believe in unneccessary bloodshed."
Pike remained silent, as he glanced at the desk.
"Pike... I am only saying this not as your superior, but as a concerned friend... this hunt for Black has been messing with you." Loveless frowned. "You're becoming obsessed with taking him down. It's starting to affect your composure, causing you to become unhinged. And the big problem is, I'm not the only one noticing this. I'm sure Scalphunter has taken notice as well."
"What are you getting at?" Pike glared.
"I fear that this 'isolated' incident, as you call it, is not so isolated." Loveless continued. Scalphunter has always been a shifty slimeball. And he has a way with appealing to his fellow psychopaths and ne'er do wells. I believe if you continue on with this obsession... well, then it might not be the Ouroboros you have to worry about."
"You don't know what you're talking about." Pike rolled his eyes.
"Really? Well, this is how I see it." Loveless rebutted. "On one hoof, you have the Ouroboros, who are beginning to grow tired of the Sheeps' constant failures and tired of you, and unless you do something to change their minds, there is nothing I can do to keep them from disposing of you. The other hoof is the Black Sheep are losing their respect for you, and if push comes to shove, they will turn on you." He sighed in frustration. "Your life hangs in the balance of these two extremes. The only way out I can see is if you just back down and give up on Black."
Pike glared at Loveless as he then said.
"No."
"But Pike-" Loveless protested.
"But nothing, Loveless." Pike snarled. "I was given this mission. And I have never lost a target. Yes, maybe we had some bumps along the way. Yes, maybe this hunt has been taking it's tolls on me. Yes, maybe the Black Sheeps are falling apart. But I am still alive and kicking, and mark my words, Black will get his. And once he does, everything will be back to normal."
"...I wish I can believe that, Pike." Loveless sighed. "I really do. But I fear this will only end badly for you."
"It's going to end, alright." Pike retorted. "I can promise you that."
"That's what worries me." Loveless frowned.
"Oh, really?" Pike growled. "And why's that?"
"I'm just afraid that you may not be able to do the deed when the time comes." Loveless mused. "I don't know why, but I get the feeling that, despite you obsession with him, you may not be willing to kill Black."
"Are you nuts?!" Pike spluttered. "Of course I'm willing. And I'll do it, just wait and see!"
"I suppose that's all I can do right now..." Loveless wheeled his way out of the room.
'The nerve of that guy.' Pike scowled. 'Doubting me. Thinking I'm losing it. Where does he get off?!'
His anger soon subsided as he sighed deeply.
'Though... I think he might be right. The truth is... I don't know if I even want to kill you anymore.' Pike confessed to himself. 'It's an funny thing. Black reminds me so much of myself. So much that everytime I see him... I see Kitty... Spear... Barbs... Black lost ponies he'd loved just as I have...'
Pike shook his head.
'But that's in the past. My life is with the Black Sheeps now, and as long as Black lives and these memories haunt me, that life is in jeopardy. Black must die, so I can forget this whole mess ever happened, and the Ouroboros will get off my ass.' Pike thought firmly.
Over the next few days, Black watched with great distaste as Incognito integrated himself into the team. Even seeing him sharing lunch with the others was enough to turn his stomach.
'It's like they don't even care that Shadow's gone any more.' Black thought bitterly. 'And why would they? None of them had to watch Shadow die right of him..'
The others laughed at a joke Incognito had just made.
'That's a riot there, mate!" Ballista chuckled.
"A true comedic wit." Micro agreed.
'Unbelievable.' Black scowled.
"Hey, Black!" Armory waved. "Why don't you come over and join us?"
"Incognito really knows his way around a joke." Micro added.
"I'm good as is." Black said flatly. "Besides, I'm not really in a joking mood right now."
"I'm sorry to hear that." Incognito declared. "Some other time, perhaps?"
"Yeah, sure..." Black nodded, as he made his way out of the mess hall. 'Like never.'
"Rrf..." Titan shook his head.
"I get the distinct impression that Black doesn't care for me." Incognito sighed.
"Give him some time, he'll get used to you." Armory assured him.
"Took 'im a while to get used to me..." Ballista smirked.
Black stalked down the halls, still fuming over Incognito. He was so lost in his thoughts that he bumped into Elite.
"Oh, sorry, boss." He apologised.
"No problem." Elite said politely. "...Back from the mess hall a little early, aren't we?"
"I was put off my lunch." Black growled. "By the sickening sight of Incognito cosying up to the others..."
"Still having trouble accepting Incognito?" Elite sighed.
"More like I'm having trouble with being the only one to remember Shadow." Black pouted.
"None of us have forgotten Shadow, Black." Elite declared. "And Incognito has only taken his position. He's one of us now. And you need to put aside this petty resentment. I don't want it disrupting your ability to work with him."
"I can work with him just fine." Black growled. "But I'm not going to be his friend. No way..."
Black turned away from a dissaproving Elite, and returned his quarters. He sat down on his bed, and played his tape recorder.
Can I have a moment of your time?
Just a single second
So you'll see that indeed
We'll be leaving you behind
Far across that line
Turn it up so you can hear the bells
Crashing through the clouds
Acid rain down the drain
That we know all too well
It's a living hell
Careful what you say
And who you say
And who you say it to
Careful what you say
And who you say it to
Maybe you talked too much
And you were asking for it
Asking for it
Asking
You can blame bad luck
But you were asking for it
Asking for it
Asking
When all is said and done
You need to tie your tongue
Cause when you spit on everyone
You are, you are, you know
You're asking for it
Asking for it
Asking
Caught up in the gutter once again
Crashing through the mud
Throwing lies
Cutting ties
'Til the sidewalk ends
And the truth begins
Power through the point of no return
Famously deranged all the same
Hope you change
If the worm is gonna turn
It's not my concern
Careful what you say
And who you say
And who you say it to
Careful what you say
And who you say it to
Maybe you talked too much
And you were asking for it
Asking for it
Asking
You can blame bad luck
But you were asking for it
Asking for it
Asking
When all is said and done
You need to tie your tongue
Cause when you spit on everyone
You are, you are, you know
You're asking for it
Asking for it
Asking
You are
You are
You are
You are
You are asking for it
'Incognito's the one asking for it.' Black thought bitterly. 'Coming here, taking Shadow's spot... Who does he think he is?'
For the next couple of days, Black continued giving Incognito the cold shoulder, and ignored any attempts by the others to try to make him get along with the new member. Then, one morning, Elite gathered the others into the meeting room again.
"I've just received an anonymous tip that one of the Forefathers agent is going to infiltrate and pilfer the contents of a dark magic research lab in Baltimare tonight." He announced.
"Sounds like that whackjob who wanted to bring back Nightmare Moon had a friend." Black snorted.
"Perhaps." Elite nodded. "Either way, the agent must be stopped."
"And who's gonna be doing the stoppin', chief?" Ballista asked.
"Black, I need and Micro to take this one." Elite declared.
"Me and Micro?" Black asked.
"Yes." Elite nodded. "Micro is well versed in chemistry. He may be able to deduce which of the lab's resources the Forefathers may want."
"'May be able'?" Micro snorted. "You insult me, sir. Rest assured, I won't let you down."
"Me neither, boss." Black smiled.
"I know you won't." Elite grinned.
"Good luck, you two." Incognito added.
"Thank you, Incognito." Micro beamed.
"Come on, let's go." Black frowned, turning away from the others.
"Of course." Micro sighed.
After taking a few minutes to prepare, Black (fully armored) and Micro boarded the motor carriage, and set off for Baltimare.
"I hope you're ready to do more than just identify chemicals." Black told Micro. "Things have been getting pretty dicey lately."
"Oh, I believe I can handle myself." Micro smiled.
"Just keep on your hooftips." Black urged. "Who knows what trouble we'll run into."
"Honestly, I rather relish a challenge." Micro admitted. "That's the whole reason I joined this Taskforce in the first place."
"No kidding?" Black asked.
"Indeed." Micro nodded. "Growing up in Manehattan, I was something of a child prodigy. I had a gift with numbers and calculations that just couldn't be beat. Everything I tried, I succeeded at with ease."
"Lucky you." Black whistled.
"At first, yes." Micro nodded. "But over time, I grew dissatisfied with how easily I accomplished everything. I found myself longing for a challenge. Then, one fateful day..."
Flashback...
A young Micro was sitting in a park, playing a game of chess against himself. Due to his massive intelligence, he wiped the floor with any ponies who would play the game with him. This unfortunately led to no one wanting to play a game with somepony they know could beat him.
'How utterly tedious.' He thought, moving his black knight to take a white bishop. 'Even playing against myself gains me no excitement...'
"Nice move."
Micro looked up to see a younger Elite (though older than when he met Shadow) standing before him.
"Who are you?" He asked.
"Just another chess enthusiast." Elite smiled. "Feel like a game?"
"With all due respect, I doubt you can pose much of a challenge." Micro huffed, "Faust knows anyone had."
"Only one way to find out, right?" Elite grinned.
"I suppose." Micro shrugged. "You take black, I'll take white. And don't be disappointed if this ends real quickly."
"Oh, I think I like my chances." Elite nodded.
Micro thought the game would be an easy win. But to his surprise, Elite put up a better fight than he thought he would.
"What's the matter?" Elite smirked, as he took one of Micro's knights. "Am I more of a challenge than you expected?"
"Maybe a little." Micro said grudgingly. "But this game will still be mine..."
After several minutes of arduous back and forth playing, Micro finally succeeding in achieving checkmate.
"Congratulations." Elite smiled. "You really are quite the little genius."
"I will admit, you put up a much better fight than anypony I've ever faced before." Micro declared.
"Coming from you, Micro, that's high praise indeed." Elite nodded.
"Yes, it- wait, you know my name?" Micro frowned.
"I know quite a lot about you, Micro Manager." Elite smiled. "Top of your class in everything, valor dictorian, graduated with honors... need I go on?"
"Perhaps you should." Micro smirked. "It is quite gratifying to hear all my accomplishments listed out loud..."
"I'm afraid that's not exactly why I'm here." Elite declared. "You see, a pony with intelligence such as yours is quite difficult to notice, especially by my organization. That is why I came here: to offer you a spot in this Taskforce I am putting together. One where I believe that you will be sufficiently challenged."
"Oh, really?" Micro smiled, intrigued.
"Very much so." Elite nodded. "And not only will you be able to test your limits, you'll be doing it for the good of all Equestria."
"Equestria?" Micro frowned. "What kind of organization is this?"
"I'd be happy to tell you all about it." Elite declared. "...Over a rematch?"
"You're on." Micro nodded.
Flashback ends...
"After I just barely defeated Elite again, I had managed to learn everything about the Taskforce." Micro finished his recollection. "I had longed to do something that truly mattered, that could really make a difference, and I had finally found it. I agreed to Elite's terms on the spot, and I've been happily employed here ever since."
"Lucky you." Black smiled. "Finally got to put that big brain to good use."
"So true." Micro nodded. "Of course, I was just a boy back then... just like Incognito."
"Oh, boy..." Black grumbled. "Not this again."
"Yes, this again." Micro sighed. "Look Black, I know losing Shadow affected you the most-"
"Seeing a guy die in front of you will do that." Black snorted.
"But that doesn't give you the right to snub Incognito." Micro continued. "You can't resent him simply for continuing Shadow's work."
"But I can resent him for taking Shadow's place." Black spat. "And all of you for letting him."
"Incognito has not taken Shadow's place." Micro growled. "Nopony can. But he is still our comrade, and friend. He's new, and needs our aceptance. Besides, Shadow's death hurt him too. Do you really think he wanted his mentor to die? To have the heavy burden of following in his hoofsteps so soon?"
"...I guess not." Black admitted.
"Exactly." Micro nodded. "And with such a burden upon him, surely he requires support, rather than animosity? Disliking him will not bring Shadow back. But making an effort to get to know him, work with him, accept him as part of our team... well, that is a fine way to honor Shadow's memory."
Black was silent, unable to admit that Micro's words had resonated with him.
"Well?" Micro asked. "Will you at least give Incognito a chance? For Shadow?"
"Okay, okay." Black groaned. "I'll try. But right now, let's focus on the mission, okay?"
"Of course." Micro nodded. "We're almost there, anyway..."
They arrived at the lab soon after. It was the dead of night, so the building was empty.
"Time to take a little peek inside." Black declared.
After forcing the lock of the back door, they entered the main complex. It was filled with glass paneled chambers, each filled with chemicals and equipment.
"Okay, time to get to work." Micro declared.
"Looks like we beat the agent here." Black smiled. "Makes it easier to grab the chemical and keep it from him."
"If only there were true..." A voice from the shadows hissed.
"Who's there?!" Micro yelled.
"Show yourself!" Black added.
"Hmph, gladly."
Black and Micro gasped, as none other than Pike emerged from the shadows.
"Hello, Black." Pike greeted. "Long time, no see."
"You." Black growled. "So you're the one trying to rob this place?"
"Yeah, no." Pike smirked. "To tell the truth, I was the 'anonymous tipster' who called Elite. Figured it was the best way to draw you out."
"Clever, I must admit." Micro frowned.
"Want a rematch that badly, huh?" Black sneered.
"Naturally." Pike nodded. "After our last fight, I had been ordered to give my underlings chances to take you out. But as you can see, they all failed... miserably. Since they had all failed, it has now come back to me to take you down... and I have no intentions of failing this time."
"Underlings? What underlings?" Black asked.
"The Black Sheeps, of course." Pike declared. "You've probably heard of them by now."
"Oh, I have." Black growled. "'It rubs the lotion on its skin, or else it gets the hose again'. Those buckers had been nothing but trouble since we first met them. One of them crippled my friend for life... and another had murdered my other friend... and they were all taking orders from you."
"...And for that, I am sorry." Pike said solemnly, "Our only mission was to kill you and only you. But another of my associate, who will not be named, went and sent Reaper and Talbolt after you. Had I known..." Pike let out a growl, "Trust me, I am angry about it as you are."
"And why should we believe you?" Micro growled.
"Especially considering you work for the Forefathers... and oh, yeah, tried to kill me!" Black snarled.
"What, you think just because I'm the 'bad guy', I don't have any sense of honor, or decency?" Pike asked, affronted.
"You're a murdering piece of scum." Micro declared. "'Decency' doesn't factor into the equation."
"I only kill for a reason." Pike snarled. "Not one death I've ever been responsible for was a spur of the moment thing. They all served a purpose... just as yours will, Black."
"Okay, that's enough self-justifying garbage." Black spat. "You wanna kill me? Go ahead and try."
"I shall." Pike held up a crossbow. Black recognised the explosive bolts attached to it.
"Look out!" Black pushed Micro aside, an instant before Pike fired.
"Hey!" Micro yelled, as he tumbled into one of the glass chambers.
Black dodged the bolt himself. A piece of debris from the explosion hit the chamber's keypad, and the door automatically sealed.
"Black!" Micro yelped, banging on the glass. "Get me out of here!"
"Wait, why?" Black frowned, "You're safer in here than out here with this psycho!"
"I am not a psycho." Pike snarled, "Quick to anger and not having any of your crap, but not a psycho."
"You don't understand!" Micro panicked, "This chamber is airtight, so as to stop the spread of airborne viral agents. I estimate I have only minutes before the oxygen runs out!"
"...Oh, crap..." Black growled. "Don't worry, I'll get you out of there in a bit!"
"You should worry more about yourself, Black!" Pike aimed his crossbow.
"Wrong!" Black fired his own crossbow, knocking Pike's weapon out of his hooves.
"Nice." Pike groaned. "But it won't be that easy."
"I don't care." Black growled angrily. "I'm gonna make you pay for everything you and your flunkies have done."
"Well then, catch me if you can!" Pike taunted Black as he ran down the corridor.
"Oh, I will..." Black growled.
"Black, what are you doing?" Micro asked. "What about me?!"
"Just stay put." Black seethed. "This won't take long..."
"No!" Micro yelled, banging on the glass, as Black rushed after Pike. "Don't leave me here!"
Black, blinded by anger over Shadow, chased after Pike.
"Get back here, scum!" Black yelled. "Time to finish what we started!"
"I agree." Pike grinned as he rounded a corner. "Time to put this to bed."
Black followed Pike around the corner, only to find he had vanished.
"What the...?" He frowned.
"Surprise!" Pike suddenly dropped down from the ceiling.
"Why, you...!" Black spat.
"This is where it ends, Black." Pike said solemnly. "You were a worthy opponent, but I can't let myself waste any more time hunting you. You have been nothing but trouble for me and the Forefathers and if I let you live, you will continue to be nothing but trouble... and I cannot allow that. Time to finish this"
Pike clenched his hoof as his 'Redfield Pike' blade unsheathed.
"On that we agree." Black snarled. "I am sick and tired of you and your bosses coming after me. You keep tryin' to kill me, make my life as rough as possible... Well, it's already pretty rough! I lost a good friend, my brother practically disowned me, I was forced to leave the love of my life! Then my brother died, despite me trying to save him! And then, one of your flunkies killed Shadow, just to get to me... And it worked!" He snarled angrily. "I'm done with this. I'm done with you and your bucking vendetta. I'm done letting life trot all over me. I'm done being a victim, a target, a nemesis. And I'm done with you constantly trying to kill me!" His eye took on a very intimidating look, "I'm going to rip you apart..."
"...Something is different about you." Pike frowned, his face taut with concern. "You don't look different... but something about you... doesn't sit right."
"Like your opinion really means anything to me." Black spat. "When I'm done, you'll be the who isn't sitting right!"
Black punched Pike, harder than he'd ever punched any pony before.
"Ugh..." Pike straightened his glasses, glaring intensely. "That really hurt!"
"That isn't the only thing that's going to hurt!" Black bashed his hooves together.
"Well, then..." Pike nodded firmly, "It looks like I have to end this quickly... before you do something you regret!"
"Oh, the only regret I will be feeling is not leading you or your Sheeps to slaughter sooner!" Black roared, "Now die!"
The two charged at each other, hooves (and pike raised) as they traded blows.
Pike and Black fought their hardest... but the vicious battle seem to turn in Black's favor, as Black's bloodlust and rage had heightened his physical capabilities. As for Pike, he had no such luck. It was as if his heart wasn't in the fight, as if it didn't want him to continue.
'What is wrong with me?' He thought. 'Come on, Pike. Fight back! It's him or you. The choice should be obvious... right?'
Pike swung his weapon at Black, only for Black to catch it, wrench it out of his hooves, and toss it aside. Pike punched Black in return, knocking him back.
"Go ahead." Black snarled, rubbing his jaw. "Give it your best shot. It'll just make it all the sweeter when you realise you never stood a chance against me."
Unnerved, Pike threw another punch. Black dodged it, and headbutted Pike, his helmet causing severe pain to me.
"Ahh!" Pike cringed. "You...!"
PIke kicked Black against the wall. He wrapped his hooves around his foe's neck, trying to choke him, but Black kicked him off with his hind legs. Black then charged at Pike, throwing blow after blow at him.
"Is this really the best you can do?" Black taunted him.
"Not even close!" Pike retaliated with a barrage of his own, knocking Black bad.
"Not bad." Black wiped a trickle of blood from his mouth. "At least you got serious before I mopped the floor with you!"
"We'll see about that!" Pike charged.
Before Pike could reach him, Black unleashed a pummeling shower of blows himself. With each blow, he grinned more and more widely, to the point that he looked completely unhinged.
"Game over!" Black delivered a haymaker to the side of Pike's face.
With that blow, Pike slumped against a wall, bruised and broken.
"Oooh..." Pike grimaced, coughing a bit of blood.
"Now..." Black panted, as he glared hatefully at Pike. "You'll pay for what you and your wretched sheep did to Shadow."
"...You know, maybe you're right." Pike admitted, as he crawled up the wall, using it to support his badly bruised body, "Maybe I do deserve this... I've been a pretty rotten guy. Even before I joined up with the Forefathers. I've caused so much pain and misery. Maybe I really do have this coming..."
"Oh, shut up!" Black snarled, "I'm going to end this!"
"I'm sure you will... but not today." Pike shook his head. "I'm sorry, Black, but today just isn't going the way I expected... so..." He pulled out a flash bang.
"Don't you dare-"
Pike pulled the pin and everything went white.
"UGH!" Black cried, covering his eyes, his ears ringing. "You son of a draft horse, I'm going to kill you!"
It only took a few moments for his eyes to readjust from the flash bang. As soon as it did, Black saw that Pike was no longer where he left him. This severely ticked him off.
"You coward!" Black spat, looking around furiously. "You buckin' coward! RAARGH!" He slammed his hoof into a wall.
With his opponent gone, Black's anger started to abate. As it did, Black felt exhausted.
"Ugh... what came over me?" Black murmured, "It's like the moment me and Micro saw-"
Suddenly, Black recalled Micro's predicament.
'Oh no.' He thought, suddenly struck by his terrible mistake, and the fact that several minutes had passed. 'What have I done?!'
Black rushed back to the chamber, finding Micro sprawled on the floor, unconscious.
"No, no, no..." He whispered. "Not again..."
Quickly, using his hind legs, he bucked open the door that sealed him in, and pulled Micro out. He then performed some chest compressions, in hopes of kickstarting his lungs.
"...Micro?" He asked tentatively, fearing the worst.
Suddenly, Micro's hoof darted up and struck Black's face, knocking him down.
"Ugh..." Black grunted, before smiling, "Oh, Micro, you're alive!"
"Yes, no thanks to you!" Micro snarled, standing up.
"Micro..." Black murmured.
"You left me, you bucker! You left me in there to go after Pike!" Micro growled.
"So I could avenge Shadow!" Black declared.
"Oh, so that justifies nearly costing me my own life?" Micro asked.
"I... I thought I had more time..." Black spluttered. "I lost myself for a moment..."
"That doesn't excuse the fact that you almost left me to die!" Micro roared.
"But you didn't!" Black pointed out, "And I came back for you, didn't I?!"
"You're missing the point!" Micro snarled, "Have you any idea what could have happened if you didn't come for me when you did? Aside from dying, do you know the kind of damage a lack of oxygen does to a brain? I could have ended up like a guy who says 'I didn't solve this problem today' and maybe hallucinated some Trottingham broad who had actually gone undercover in an evil organization."
"'Broad'?" Black frowned, "'Evil organization'?"
"Oh no..." Micro gaped. "My brain really has been damaged!" He then shoved Black, "Thanks a lot, Black! Do you realize my genius was the only thing I had going for me?! Now, I have lost that, all because of you!"
"You don't know that!" Black snarled. "You weren't in there for that long without oxygen. So why don't you make sure before you start another rant!"
"Oh, trust me, I will..." Micro nodded.
The return to headquarters was a very uncomfortable one, as Micro refused to speak to him the whole trip. As soon as they finally got back, Micro made a beeline to Triage to have himself examined while Black explained everything.
"You just left him in there?!" Ballista growled. "Are you out of your bloody mind?"
"I know, it was stupid." Black sighed, wracked with guilt. "I just wanted to nail that bucker so badly, I forgot about everything else."
"I'm very disappointed in you, Black." Elite frowned. "I thought you would know better than to abandon a teammate."
"I'm sorry, okay?!" Black roared. "It was a mistake! One I won't make again!"
"Rrf..." Titan whined.
"I never saw my time with the Taskforce being like this..." Incognito mused.
"I can only hope you won't make a mistake like this again, Black." Elite admonished him. "For you own good..."
Black looked away, ashamed at his outburst.
"Let's just be glad Micro's okay." Armory tried to diffuse the tension.
"We don't know that for sure yet." Ballista pointed out. "Let's hope Triage gives 'im a clean bill of health."
Over n the medical unit, Triage had just finished performing a CATscan of Micro's brain, and was comparing it to a previous one.
"Well, how bad is it?" Micro frowned.
"I have some good news." Triage smiled, "According to the CATscan, there seems to have been no real damage caused by your brief lack of oxygen. You were pretty lucky, my friend."
"Considering I nearly asphyxiated to death, I highly doubt 'lucky' is the word to use." Micro scoffed.
"The point is, your brain is as functional as ever." Triage smirked, "You're still the head genius."
"No thanks to Black." Micro growled, "I nearly lost everything because of him..."
"But he did come back for you, though." Triage pointed out.
"Not soon enough." Micro snorted. "He was supposed to have my back, but he let his grudge against Pike control his actions. I hate to think what would happen if I was in a situation like that again..."
"Well, what do you plan to do about it?" Triage asked.
"I have... some options to consider." Micro declared, as he left the medical unit.
A couple of days later, Micro had gathered the whole group together in the lounge room to make an announcement.
"Okay, we're all here." Ballista noted. "What's goin' on, mate?"
"Yeah, it's not every day you're the one calling a meeting." Armory pointed.
"Not according to Shadow's notes." Incognito added.
"Is there some kind of problem, Micro?" Elite asked.
"Well, guys... it's like this..." Micro sighed, "I want to let you know that I will be resigning from Taskforce Omega, as of today."
"What?!" Ballista gasped.
"Say what?!" Incognito yelled.
"Rrf?!" Titan gaped.
"Why?" Armory asked.
"Because I simply cannot work in the same space as Black any more." Micro declared.
"Me?!" Black spluttered.
"Yes, you. You chose to pursue your vendetta rather than extricate me from my predicament." Micro glared at Black. "I could have expired, all because you let your need for vengeance cloud your judgment."
"Micro, please be reasonable." Elite urged. "Black messed up, we get that. But it's nothing to quit over."
"Yeah." Black frowned. "I'm sorry about what happened back there. I was stupid and I screwed up, but I promise, it won't happen again!"
"Oh, and how can you be so sure of that, huh?" Micro growled. "I'm sorry, but I can't be a part of a team with somepony like the one you're becoming."
Black stepped back, chastened.
"Come on, mate, be reasonable!" Ballista protested. "You can't quit because this guy was a buckin' moron!"
"Reason is what I'm all about, Ballista." Micro declared. "But Black threw all reason out of the window on our last mission... I am aware that the Taskforce needs him, and I can't deny that... but I cannot stand for such improper conduct."
"Micro, please. It was a one-off." Black defended himself. "A lapse in common sense. It won't happen again."
"Yeah, exactly." Armory nodded. "We all make mistakes, and learn from them. It really won't happen again!"
"But how can we be sure?" Micro asked. "I'm sorry, everypony, but I just can't take that chance. I must leave."
"And there's nothing we can do to change your mind?" Elite asked, "Micro... you had been with this team for a long time..."
"I know." Micro shook his head, "And trust me, I didn't make this decision lightly. But the thing is... when I was lying there in that airtight chamber, running out of oxygen... all I could think about was what it is I have done with my life. Yes, I helped a lot of ponies and served my country... but that is all I did. There was so much more I wanted to do with my gifted intelligence. Write a book, teach a few classes, find a cure for a cancer of some sorts, just share my knowledge with the world... and Black nearly took that from me."
"Micro..." Black whispered.
"That is why I have to go. I fear that if I stay any longer, I risk losing my gift again. I'm sorry, but I have made up my mind." Micro declared firmly, as he let out a sigh, "I'll gather my things, and leave posthaste."
"I understand." Elite sighed.
Before long, Micro had gathered together his personal belongings, and was ready to leave. The rest of the Taskforce were there to see him off.
"We're gonna miss ya, mate." Ballista declared.
"It just won't be the same without you." Armory agreed.
"Rooo..." Titan hugged Micro.
"We've only just met, and already, we're saying goodbye." Incognito sighed. "Seems like such a shame..."
"I know." Micro nodded. "But from what I've seen, you will serve this Taskforce well."
"Farewell, old friend." Elite smiled, as he shook his hoof. "I wish you the best of luck with everything."
"Likewise, sir." Micro nodded, "I will always be grateful for the challenges you provided me."
"...It's going to be hard to replace someone as brilliant as you." Elite murmured.
"Well, actually, you won't have to." Micro smiled, much to the confusion of everypony. "You recall that one student I had in that applied physics class I taught on my days off?"
"Mastermind?" Elite mused.
"Exactly." Micro nodded. "I've already asked him to take my place, and he agreed."
"And you're sure he can do the job?" Ballista asked.
"He was easily my best student." Micro nodded. "Believe me, he is more than worthy of the position."
"If you are recommending him, than I'm sure he is." Elite smiled. "Make no mistake, we are more than ready to accept him into the fold."
"Thank you, sir." Micro nodded.
"Micro..." Black came forth. "I'm... I'm really sorry. I didn't want you to-"
"I know you didn't." Micro sighed. "And I want to forgive you... but I can't... not yet at least."
Black hung his head in shame.
"But if you want to earn my forgiveness, you should remember what I said about Incognito, and apply it." Micro urged. "Try and accept him. And Mastermind, too. Do it for me, Black."
"I'll try." Black nodded. "I really will."
"Well, I suppose that's something." Micro admitted. "And... good luck. With everything."
"Thanks." Black sighed, knowing it was more than he deserved.
"Well, I guess this is goodbye." Micro nodded. "I bid you all farewell."
"Keep in touch, mate." Ballista urged.
"I will." Micro smiled. "Rest assured, this is not the last time you'll hear from me."
"We all hope so." Armory smiled.
"You are welcome here always." Elite smirked.
"Until then..." Micro nodded.
The Taskforce looked on as Micro departed. Though there were many heavy hearts that day, Black's was the heaviest; He had lost another teammate. Though Micro had not perished, his friendship with Black had, leaving a fresh serving of guilt added to the pile in Black's heart.
'You really messed it up this time, Black..' He thought to himself.
The present...
"And just like that, I lost another teammate." Black sighed.
"That's rough, pal." Caboose mused. "But on the bright side, at least he wasn't dead."
"He may as well have been, though." Black frowned. "It took years for him to forgive me for what happened that day."
"But he did forgive you in the end, right?" Fletcher asked.
"Yeah, eventually." Black smiled. "In fact, sometimes, he would come by and we play a few games of chess."
"Aw, that's nice." Caboose grinned. "The last thing I'd want is leave things unsettled."
"What's all this?" Mastermind walked by. "Some sort of debate club?"
"Just talking about old times." Black declared. "We just got up to the part where Micro left, just before you came in."
"Yes, I recall that day quite well." Mastermind nodded. "Micro was the best teacher I ever had. Thanks to him, I was able to attain my dream job, working as a data analyst for a big corporation. But though the job had its moments, I ultimately grew bored with it, feeling like I could more. And then, I got the call from Micro, asking me to take his place. I didn't have to think twice about it. And before I knew it, I was in a more challenging and exciting job than I'd ever thought possible."
"I'm guessing Black wasn't too pleased to have you there either?" Caboose asked.
"Well, it was because of me that Micro left." Black shrugged. "While I didn't like the prospect of another pony coming in to take one of my friend's place, I didn't have a place to complain. Besides, I had a lot of other things on my mind back then. Pike was still out there and I became more determined than ever to find him and put a stop to this mess, once and for all."