After learning just what his former comrades had done while he was away, Sterling had made his way to the bar, determined to drown his sorrows the only way he knew how… in alcohol. And lots of it. He had arrived at the bar at around nine o'clock. It was now close to noon, and in those three hours, he had imbibed almost enough strong cider to fill a water tower.
'I should've known better.' He thought, as he drank another mug of cider. 'Things can and will always get worse for me… here I was, worrying about the Forefathers, when the truth is, I will eventually have to contend with the RDL as well, all because Gridlock had to carry out that stupid project.'
He drank up the last of the cider in his mug.
‘Who knows how long I have before they come for me… heck, the sheriff’s office might be getting my picture anyday now. And then everything about me will be laid bare for everypony to see. Big Red and his family will never want anything to do with me ever again. Then I'll be back where I started all those years ago…’ Suddenly, a thought occurred to Sterling, as his face turned to horror. 'Aw, buck! They might just get arrested for ‘harboring a criminal’, an enemy of the state, even! Just meeting me would've destroyed their lives! As if I hadn’t already bucked up Echo and Sunset’s with Project: Maelstrom!’
Sterling lowered his head, letting out a loud groan in frustration.
“...You doin’ alright, pal?” Suds, the bartender, asked.
“...Yes, just give another.” Sterling murmured, not bothering to lift his head, as Suds passed him another mug, followed by taking away the empty one to be cleaned.
Sterling lifted his head, as he nursed the cider in his hooves, glancing at his reflection in the dark amber liquid.
‘Faust, you just can’t stop messing up lives, can you, Sterling?’ He berated himself. 'Just how many ponies have you hurt? How many lives have you ruined, directly and otherwise? All because you had to go burn down your own home… because of what he did….'
His grip tightened in his left hoof, causing a small crack to develop in the mug... however, the grip slackened as Sterling lowered his head.
'It's like you said to yourself that night in the cell… you’re no good to anypony.' Sterling admitted sadly. 'If anything, you’re a cancer to them. Sooner or later, they catch your sickness, and they will suffer for it. And if I don’t shove off soon, Big Red and the others…' He then gave his reflection in his cider a look of disgust. 'Everything you touch turns to ash, you know that? You're like a plague germ that infects everything around you. What I wouldn't give for a cure...'
Unable to stand looking at his own face for a second longer, Sterling quickly downed the liquid.
"Same again." He told Suds.
"Don't you think you've had enough?" Suds asked. "Besides, it's barely noon. Way too early in the day to be drinking yourself into a stupor."
"Last I checked, it wasn't your job to ask questions." Sterling scowled. "Your job involves handing out drinks to thirsty ponies. So you just worry about doing that, and I'll worry about whether or not I've had enough."
"Suit yourself." Suds sighed.
"Yeah, I'll do that." Sterling nodded.
Suds reluctantly provided Sterling with another mug of cider, and noted with morbid curiosity the crack on the previous one. As Sterling started drinking again, he heard a commotion on the other side of the bar.
"Come on, good-lookin'." A brutish voice drawled. "You an' me could make some sweet music together."
"Please." A familiar, melodic voice scoffed. "I could make sweeter music with a rusty old harmonica."
'Wait... Shooting Star?' Sterling perked up. He looked around, seeing Shooting Star in a corner of the bar, being accosted by a dirty yellow Earth Pony stallion with a dark brown buzzcut and a Cutie Mark of a broken cider bottle.
"Ooh, playin' hard ta get, huh?" The stallion smirked, undeterred by Shooting Star's rejection.
"No, I'm playing 'trying not to throw up'." Shooting Star shot back.
"Feisty." The stallion backed Shooting Star against the corner. "I like that in a mare."
Sterling felt his temper rising.
'Who does this clown think he is?' He snarled inwardly.
"Look, I appreciate how much of a chick magnet you think you are." Shooting Star tried to slip away. "But I'm really not interested."
"I know when a mare says 'no', she really means 'yes'." The stallion chuckled.
"How about when a mare says 'get lost'?" Shooting Star growled. "Do you know what that means?"
Shooting Star made to escape the stallion's advances, but he grabbed one of her hooves.
"I didn't say you could leave." He snarled, his smooth demeanour giving way to anger.
"I wasn't aware I needed your permission." Shooting Star retorted, pulling her hoof out of his grip.
"The only way you're leaving is with me, got it?" The stallion scowled, once again blocking Shooting Star's path.
'That's it...' Sterling rose up from his seat, unable to take any more.
"I wouldn't even go to the morgue with you." Shooting Star sneered at her would-be beau.
"Got a mouth on you, huh?" The stallion snarled. "I'm sure I can fix that..."
"Hey pal, the lady wants you to back off."
Shooting Star and the stallion glanced towards Sterling, who was standing before them.
"...Well, you're half-right." The stallion smirked. “Not that it’s any of your business.”
“I’m not kidding.” Sterling growled, “Leave her alone.”
"Or what?" The stallion glared at Sterling, "What are you gonna do about it?" He started jabbing Sterling in the chest with one hoof. "Huh? What are you gonna do about-?"
Sterling suddenly grabbed the stallion's hoof with his left hoof and twisted it around.
"Ahhh!" The stallion yelped.
Suds and the other bar patrons turned to look at the commotion, shock and worry on their faces.
"Well, for starters, I could pull this hoof right out of its socket." Sterling said calmly, his cold ice blue eyes staring intensely into his victim's. "It'd be one less appendage for you to paw at unwilling mares with." He twisted it even more. "Now, are you going to leave the lady alone?"
"You don't tell me what to do-" The stallion started.
Sterling cut him off with a punch to the face, breaking his nose.
"Ahhh!" The stallion yelped, clutching his face with his free hoof.
"Wrong answer." Sterling growled, before twisting the hoof even harder. "Now I'll ask again: are you going to leave the lady alone?" He twisted the hoof to a near breaking point. "Are you?"
“Okay, okay!” The stallion whimpered, trying to hold in the tears. “Anything, just stop, please!”
"Well, since you said 'please'…" Sterling said smugly, as he let go of the stallion’s hoof. "Now get outta here, and don’t let me see you bother this mare again!"
"Whatever, ya psycho!" The stallion stumbled away, his hoof, face and pride all heavily bruised.
"You okay?" Sterling turned to Shooting Star.
"Of course I am." Shooting Star scowled. "What, do you think I'm made of glass?"
"I, er... don't think that's how you're meant to say 'thank you'." Sterling said awkwardly.
“Well, while I’m grateful for the help, I could've handled that clown myself.” Shooting Star scoffed.
"Is that right?" Sterling snorted.
"Yeah, it is." Shooting Star gave him a glare... which soon morphed into a smile. "Still... it was very gallant of you to step in like that."
"...Thanks." Sterling gave a small smirk. "But that creep had it coming anyway."
“Yeah, though I think everypony thought you were going to twist his hoof off.” Shooting Star admitted, as the rest of the bar patrons attempted to return to their business, yet unable to hide the disconcerted looks on their faces. Even Suds was at it, cleaning a mug a little too intently.
“...I guess I did get a little carried away.” Sterling cringed, silently cursing himself for not keeping a low profile again.
"Eh." Shooting Star shrugged. "Like you said, that slimeball deserved it."
"Still, I could've been a little more low-key about it..." Sterling frowned.
"What's done is done." Shooting Star retorted. "It's good to see you again, by the way."
"Good to see you too." Sterling smiled.
“So, are you here all by yourself?” Shooting Star smiled.
"Yeah." Sterling shrugged. "Just needed to... wet my whistle."
"Then you came to the right place." Shooting Star joked.
"Good one." Sterling smirked, enjoying the sound of her laughter.
"Hey, you wanna join me for a drink?" Shooting Star offered. "It'll be on me. It's the least I can do after what you just did for me."
For a moment, Sterling considered saying ‘yes’. It had been so long since he had enjoyed the company of a beautiful, alluring mare… but after everything he had going through his head moments ago still lingered. It was bad enough that Big Red and his family was already too close for comfort, but he couldn’t risk dragging Shooting Star into his mess of the life.
Besides, he already messed things up with one mare he cared deeply for…
“Thanks for the offer, but I can’t.” Sterling apologized, “I've got to get back to Big Red's place. Those cherries won't buck themselves, you know..."
"Oh. Okay..." Shooting Star's face fell. "But the invitation’s still open, so if you have some free time, feel free to drop by."
"I'll keep that in mind." Sterling smiled. He had no intention of taking up her offer, but he was at least going to make sure their meeting ended on a high note. "Well, better be going. See you around, Star."
"Not if I see you first." Shooting Star smiled.
Sterling started to make his way out of the bar. Despite his ongoing fears, he did feel good about helping Shooting Star.
'One more good deed... out of the hundreds of bad ones.' He thought. 'I don’t care what anypony said, I’m counting that one... Heh, I guess this day is looking up after all-'
"RRRR-!" Somepony started screaming
'Who the hell is screaming-' Sterling scowled, as he was about to face the source of the scream…
Only for said source, being the thuggish stallion Sterling had just humiliated, coming right behind him with a raised bar stool,
"RAAARRRRGH!!" He swung a bar stool at Sterling, smashing it over his head.
'Buuuuu…' Sterling cursed inwardly as he dropped to the floor, unconscious, his head feeling like a bomb had just set off in his skull,
When Sterling finally awoke, he felt an immense pain at the back of his skull.
"Ughhhh..." He groaned. "What the hell just happened…?"
"Well, look who's finally up." A voice said mockingly.
Sterling instantly recognized the voice. Groaning from throbbing pain in the back of his head, Sterling got up, only to find himself in what seemed to be a small, sterile room, with himself on a single bed with white cotton covers.
Sitting on the chair not far from his bed was Marshall, with a haughty look about him.
“...Marshall? What are you doing here?” Sterling frowned. “For that matter, what I am doing here? And what do I feel like I was hit with a bar stool?”
“That would be because you were.” Marshall frowned. “You see, I was in my office, filing away my arrest records for the month, when I overheard a commotion down at the saloon. I go to investigate, and imagine my surprise when I see a bunch of stallions holding down this pissed off stallion, and you, lying on the floor unconscious.”
"Pissed off stallion…" Sterling winced, his head hurting… only to remember what happened, and scowled. "That asshole! He buckin’ hit me with a barstool!"
“Well, according to the others, there’s a reason he did that.” Marshall declared with a suspicious glare. “From what I heard, you and this stallion got into it moments earlier before the incident. Is this true?”
“...Yeah…” Sterling frowned, not liking the look on the sheriff’s face. “But the guy was asking for it.”
“Really?” Marshall challenged. “According to Suds, you broke his nose and nearly twisted his hoof off!”
“Look, you had to have been there.” Sterling glare. “The guy was being a total scumbag-”
“Yet you picked a fight with him!” Marshall pointed out. “If there’s one thing I don’t like, it’s ponies causing a ruckus and disturbing the peace!”
“Picking fights? I was not-” Sterling stammered, only to groan, both in pain and exasperation, “That is not what happened.”
“Well, that is what seems to be consensus.” Marshall said matter-of-factly. “I knew it was only a matter of time before you got into trouble. And this proves it.”
“Oh my Faust, are you serious?” Sterling snarled. “Is this about me showing you up at the firing range? I beat you fair and square!”
“That is not what this is about.” Marshall growled, though his eye twitched for a moment. “This is about me being right about you all along. That you are not a pony to be trusted! Let alone given shelter by Big Red and Cherry!”
"I didn't-!" Sterling started, before pausing. Marshall's words did have some truth to them. Sterling felt he wasn't a stallion to be trusted, but he wasn't going to give Marshall the satisfaction of telling him that. "It's not like I robbed the local bank or something!"
"Not this time." Marshall frowned. "But I know from experience what a slippery slope breaking the law can be. One day, you're starting bar brawls, the next you're murdering ponies in back alleys."
"Paranoid much?" Sterling scoffed.
"I'm just stating the facts." Marshall shot back. "It's a domino effect. And I'm not keen to see more dominos fall around here."
"And why exactly are you laying into me?" Sterling snarled. "Why aren't dealing with the guy who hit me with a stool?"
“Give me some credit, Sterling.” Marshall scoffed, “I already dealt with him. As it turns out, the guy was an out-of-towner. Has a record for assault, sexual harrassment and arson. Wrangler has already processed him and he will be going away for a long time… and soon, you will be on your way. I already sent word to Big Red, and once he gets here, I will be telling him all about your little brawl.”
“Marshall…” Sterling scowled. “I know I'm not the most trustworthy guy, but this is starting to get old! Ever since I got here, you've been nothing but an ass to me! Seriously, what the hell is your problem?!”
“My problem is that you think you have everypony fooled with this ‘nice guy’ routine.” Marshall glared. “That you're 'just a traveling nice guy, passing through'. Lemme tell you, Sterling, you can fool Red, Cherry, and my father, but you aren’t fooling me.”
“Look, pal, I don’t know what you think, and frankly, I don’t care.” Sterling frowned, “You don’t know me!”
“Well, I do know that you’re hiding something!” Marshall accused, his eyes burning fiercely, “And I will be damned if you get Big Red and Cherry dragged into it! Those two are my best friends, and I won’t let anypony, especially some shady bucker like you, hurt them!”
"I would never hurt them!" Sterling yelled. "Never!"
"And I'm supposed to take you at your word?" Marshall sneered. "As you yourself pointed out, I don't know you. Meaning I can't trust you."
"Look, I'm not... I'm not a bad pony." Sterling faltered, trying to convince himself as much as Marshall. "I'm not."
"I'm sure that's what you want everypony to think." Marshall scowled. "But I'm an officer of the law. I know a shady character when I see one."
"Your sister doesn't seem to think I'm that shady." Sterling shot back. "She's a better judge of character than you, I'd say."
"And that's another thing." Marshall growled. "I don't want you anywhere near-"
“Sterling?”
Marshall and Sterling turned to see Shooting Star, who was standing at the door.
“Shooting Star.” Sterling gasped.
“Sis?” Marshall frowned, “What are you doing here?”
"I came to check on Sterling." Shooting Star declared. "I saw him take that stool to the head, and I figured he'd wind up here. But... why are you here?"
“Well, I heard about the little scuffle Sterling had with that stallion.” Marshall declared, casting a hidden glare at Sterling. “I was just waiting for him to wake up so I could get a statement.”
“Really?” Shooting Star asked. “Well, shoot, brother, I could've easily gold you what happened. I was right there when it went down.”
“...You were?” Marshall frowned.
“Yeah.” Shooting Star nodded. “I was at the bar, getting a drink, when that slimeball came in and try to woo me. I tried telling him to get lost, but he was about ready to force himself on me when Sterling here…” She cast a warm glance at Sterling. “Sterling stepped up and sent the guy packing.”
“...So, what you’re saying is…” Marshall’s frown grew deeper. “Sterling was defending you?”
“Exactly.” Shooting Star agreed. “But when Sterling went to leave, that asshole went and hit him over the head with the bar stool! While the others were holding him down, I went to come get you, but when I got to your office, I heard you already left to go to the saloon, and when I got back, they told me that you took Sterling here.”
“...I see.” Marshall felt his eye twitch.
“And that’s what brought me here. I wanted to make sure Sterling was doing alright.” Shooting Star declared.
"How... kind of you." Marshall said through gritted teeth.
"He was the one who was kind." Shooting Star smiled. "He barely even knows him, and he stepped up to defend my honor. Not many stallions like that around."
"Of course not." Marshall nodded dumbfounded and visibly disappointed at his suspicions seemingly being proven wrong.
Sterling grinned, silently enjoying Marshall being proven wrong.
"You gonna be okay?" Shooting Star turned to him.
"Yep." Sterling nodded. "Takes more than a stool to the head to take me down."
"And I am so glad to hear that." Shooting Star beamed. "And... you know, thanks again for before."
"Any time." Sterling smiled.
"You sure about that?" Shooting Star frowned. "After what it happened this time?"
"A lady like you is always worth defending." Sterling nodded. "No matter the cost."
"If you say so." Shooting Star blushed. "I gotta be going now, though. My manager's probably pitchin' a fit, wondering why I'm so late for rehearsals..."
Shooting Star departed, leaving Marshall and Sterling alone again.
“...Well, Sheriff, what do you have to say now?” Sterling smirked.
“Oh, you must think you are so clever.” Marshall seethed, “I didn’t see you bringing up my sister earlier to defend yourself earlier.”
“Would you have believed me?” Sterling challenged, “Or just gotten all pissy because your sister took a likin’ to me?”
“Fair warning, Sterling.” Marshall snarled. “You may have helped my sister, but that doesn’t change a thing. I know you’re bad news. And I swear on my badge that I will not let anypony in this town come to harm because of you!”
"Big words, coming from a small-minded stallion like you." Sterling scowled.
"Just wait until you step out of line." Marshall spat. "Then you'll see I can back those words up!"
"Ooh, scary." Sterling snorted. "I almost want to cause trouble now, just to see what you've got."
"I'll be watching you, Sterling." Marshall made his way to the door. "Always watching..."
As Marshall reached for the door handle, it opened, revealing Big Red on the other side.
"Oh, howdy, Marshall." Big Red declared. "What are ya doin' here?"
"Just... Getting a statement from Sterling about the incident at the bar." Marshall said curtly, hiding his anger at Sterling.
"Came all the way out here for that?" Big Red frowned.
"That's right." Marshall said flatly. "Now if you'll excuse me, I must be heading back to the office. Later, Red."
Marshall stalked out of the room.
“Hey, Sterling.” Big Red came in, “I came as soon as I heard. Are ya doin’ alright?”
“Well, considering I was knocked out with a bar stool, I’m thinking I doin’ pretty alright.” Sterling chuckled,
“What exactly happened? The guy who told me you wuz here didn’t say much.” Big Red frowned.
“It was pretty stupid.” Sterling admitted, as he shook his head. “You see, I was drinking down at the saloon, and there was this guy who was being an jerk and we got into it and… well, surely you can guess the rest.”
“Ah see…” Big Red frowned. “Ya got into a bit of a scrap, eh?”
“Look, I wasn’t looking for a fight, but-” Sterling tried to defend himself.
“Hey, now, there ain’t any need to explain yerself.” Big Red smiled, “I’m sure ya had a good reason.”
“...Really?” Sterling frowned, “You’re not mad that I got into a bar fight?”
“Come on, ah know ya, Sterling.” Big Red chuckled, “I know ya ain’t the kind of pony who would go pickin’ fights if he didn’t have a reason fer it. Yer a good, decent stallion!”
“...You really think that?” Sterling murmured.
“Ah’d stake mah life on it!” Big Red boasted.
"Thanks, Red." Sterling smiled weakly. "It means a lot to know you think that highly of me."
"Yer welcome." Big Red grinned.
You really are one of the good ones, Big Red.’ Sterling frowned. ‘But if you knew what kind of stallion I really was, you would not be thinking the same thing.’
"Ya sure yer okay?" Big Red asked. "Don't need a doctor, or nuthin'?"
"Nah, I'm good." Sterling nodded.
"Ya sure?" Big Red frowned.
"Trust me, I've had way worse injuries than this in my time." Sterling rubbed the back of his head.
"Suit yerself." Big Red nodded. "But all the same, Ah'm thinkin' ya should go easy on the cherry buckin' today..."
‘Besides, the last thing I need is a doctor looking into my medical records and finding out who I am.’ Sterling thought, ‘...Huh, I wonder how my old doctor is doing these days… it’s been so long since I've seen him…’
Many years ago...
After the incident with the RDL, Sterling had spent a lot of time in the training arena. He was determined to toughen himself up, so he wouldn't be overcome like he almost was by the commander.
‘Ain’t no way I’m getting taken down like that again.’ Sterling growled to himself, as he hit the punching bag. ‘I gotta get get tougher. Gotta be stronger…’
Sterling continued beating the bag, quickly exhausting himself.
'I've really gotta get stronger...' He thought, wiping sweat off his brow.
Subconsciously, however, the real reason Sterling was throwing himself into his training was so he could take his mind off the doubts he still had. He was torn between what he was told by his fellow agents and superiors, and what he had heard from the RDL. While he has tried his best to adhere Loveless’ words, he couldn’t stop but feel like something was off.
However, he knew he could never express these feelings, lest word got out to Father, resulting in his expulsion from the Forefathers, or worse, death.
So, instead of facing up to those doubts, he just buried them deep within his mind, hoping they would just go away.
After completing his new regime for the day, Sterling returned to his quarters. Ward, as usual, greeted him enthusiastically, yipping and licking him.
"Hey, pal." Sterling smiled. "Always good to see you. And to know how much you love me."
"Ruff!" Ward tapped.
"Seriously, boy, you are what really keeps me going." Sterling declared. "You're the most important thing in my life. The one friend I know will always be in my corner. You're my rock, pal."
"Rrr?" Ward turned his head quizzically.
"Never mind." Sterling chuckled, scratching Ward's ears. "You may not be able to understand me, but you still get me, and I love you for it, boy."
"Rrrf!" Ward barked happily.
The next day, Sterling was called in for a new mission. Loveless was waiting to inform him of his new objective.
"So, what's on the agenda for today?" Sterling asked.
"A mission very far afield." Loveless declared. "We need you to travel to the small country of Yokestadt.”
“Yokestadt? What’s there?” Sterling asked.
“We have a small mining operation of sorts going on there.” Loveless explained. “It has been months since the two agents in charge checked back with us.”
“You think something went horribly wrong?” Sterling frowned.
“Oh no.” Loveless chuckled. “It’s just those two always get too caught up in their little project to remember checking back in. Not to mention Yokestadt’s caves are infamous for having really bad mirror receptions.”
“Those two?” Sterling repeated, a bit confused.
“You will find out soon enough.” Loveless shrugged. “Your task today is to fly over to Yokestadt, make contact with a ‘Mr. Dysley’, find out how far along the operation is, and then report back to us with your findings.”
"I think I can handle that." Sterling declared.
"That's the spirit." Loveless smiled. "An airship is all ready to take you to Yokestadt. Good luck."
"Doesn't sound like I'll need it." Sterling smirked.
"Be prepared for a long trip." Loveless advised. "It'll take a couple of days to get there."
"...Knew there'd be a catch." Sterling sighed.
After stopping to pick up some provisions, and donning a leather jacket, Sterling made his way to a waiting airship.
"One for Yokestadt, please." He told the pilot, a teal Pegasus stallion with a short red mane, as he boarded.
"Never heard that one before..." The pilot rolled his eyes.
The airship took off soon after. As Loveless had predicted, it was indeed a long trip. Sterling grew so bored, he almost entertained the thought of reading the in-flight magazines.
'No, no.' He told himself. 'I owe it to myself.'
Finally, they flew over the borders of Yokestadt. It was a small, poor country, with little in the way of profitable resources. Everywhere Sterling looked, there were villages comprising of straw cottages, and ramshackle farms.
'Poor folks.' Sterling thought. 'Still, when Father's vision becomes a reality, they'll have a better life, just like everypony else… I hope.'
The airship landed outside a ridge of caverns.
"At last." Sterling smiled. "Not that this isn't a lovely ship, but I could use change of scenery about."
"Sure, whatever." The pilot shrugged. "I'll be waiting."
As Sterling disembarked, he found himself being greeted by a greyish-blue Pegasus stallion in a suit. Which seemed a bit out of place, considering this is a mining operation.
"Agent Cross, I presume?" The stallion inquired.
"Yep." Sterling nodded. "And you must be Mr Dysley. Nice to meet you."
“Oh, we already met.” Dysley smirked.
“...We have?” Sterling frowned.
“Yes. I was there at your swearing in ceremony.” Dysley explained. “I was the one in the pale yellow robes.”
“Wait, you’re an Ouroboros?” Sterling gasped.
"Oh, don't take that too deeply into account." Dysley said humbly. "I serve Father's will, just as you do."
"Guess you got a point there..." Sterling shrugged.
“So, I’m guessing you’re here to check up on us?” Dysley surmised.
“Yeah. Loveless figured you and your friend were too busy to call back or had really bad reception.” Sterling deadpanned.
“I figure as much.” Dysley shrugged. “Just didn’t expect them to send a kid is all.”
"...Right." Sterling frowned. "Considering it took me two days to get here, I’m hoping you guys got something good for me to bring back to the others back home."
“Of course, but first, I’d like you to meet somepony.” Dysley declared. "Please, come this way."
"Sure thing." Sterling nodded.
Dysley led Sterling to a small camp outside one of the caverns. Several agents were active, gathering soil samples and remaining on guard for intruders.
As Dysley and Sterling arrived before a small operating station under a tarp, there, waiting for them, reading over what look like the map of the mines, was a black-cloaked stallion who hid his face with a gray mask patterned with gold markings.
“Sterling, this here is Doc.” Dysley announced. “Fellow Ouroboros and head doctor of the Forefathers, and my right-hoof stallion in the project.”
"Greetings, agent Cross." Doc declared, his voice muffled and distorted by his mask.
"Huh?" Sterling asked.
"Greetings, agent Cross." Doc repeated.
"Sorry, still not getting it." Sterling shrugged.
“I said 'GREETINGS, AGENT CROSS'!!" Doc roared, though his voice was still muffled.
“Um, Doc, I think your voice changer is giving out.” Dysley awkwardly pointed out.
“Oh, for the love of-” Doc growled, his voice hardly audible, as he then pulled off the bottom half of his mask, revealing a pale tan jaw, as his distorted voice became clear and sound, his voice carrying a Hayspanic accent. “This is the fourth one this month!”
“I tell you, it’s these caves. All sorts of magic-related devices goes kaput.” Dysley chuckled.
“...Right.” Doc huffed, as he sent the voice changer down.
“Okay… if you don't mind my asking... what's with the mask?" Sterling asked. “I doubt anypony knows we’re out here.”
"All the same, I prefer to keep... covered up." Doc declared.
"Why?" Sterling asked. "You got something to hide?"
Doc lifted a hoof, about to retort, when Dysley cut him off.
“You see, Sterling, Doc here is a very private pony.” Dysley explained. “Unlike the rest of us, Doc likes to keep his personal life and this life separate. The reason everypony here calls him ‘Doc’ is because only a few of us knows his real name, including yours truly.”
“Okay…” Sterling frowned. “...What’’s Doc’s real name?”
"I'm afraid that's need to know only." Dysley shrugged. "Personally, I think he thinks it a little embarrassing."
"And now I really need to know what it is." Sterling smirked.
“So, I’m presuming you’re here to check in on us?” Doc asked.
"That's right." Sterling nodded. "The others wanted to know how things were going here… which makes me wonder, what exactly is going on here?"
“If you must know, this here is an operation that has been going on for two months.” Doc explained, with a hint of annoyance. “We had reason to believe that a fragment of Nightmare Moon’s essence is hidden somewhere in these caverns, and we have been working to find it and retrieve it.”
"...Nightmare... who?" Sterling frowned.
"...You're not from Equestria, are you?" Dysley asked.
"Nope. Haygypt." Sterling clarified.
"In that case, then allow me to explain." Dysley declared.
“Don’t you think I should do it, Dysley? You know I know more about her than you do.” Doc glanced at Dysley.
“Yeah, but if I let you talk about Nightmare Moon, we’d be here for another month.” Dysley teased.
“...Fair point.” Doc admitted.
And so Dysley quickly told Sterling of the story of Nightmare Moon, from her creation from Luna’s jealousy, to her imprisonment in the moon, and her eventual defeat.
"...And when she was reverted back to Princess Luna, it is believed that Nightmare Moon's dark magic and essence was separated from her, and scattered all over the world." Dysley finished. "That's why we're here; Because we believe a piece of that ‘essence’ is here, and we wish to unearth it... for the Forefathers' use, of course."
"Okay..." Sterling declared, his face forming a half-smile of incredulity. "That's... that's really what you believe?"
"You have a problem with that?" Doc growled.
"No, no." Sterling shook his head. "It's just... Alicorn Princess turning into an evil version of herself, then getting cured by fancy jewellery, and the bad parts of her magic flying off to who knows where... Seems a little far-fetched, you know what I mean?"
Doc’s revealed jaw clenched, offended by the remark.
“I suppose it does." Dysley admitted. "But, be that as it may, we do have several pieces of evidence for our theory, and that evidence lead us here. We've been digging into this mine for the last few weeks, honing in on what we believe to be a fragment's location. In fact, while you're here, perhaps you can assist me?"
"Assist... how?" Sterling asked.
"Well, the fragment is very deep into the mine." Dysley pointed out. "And the deeper we've gone in, the more dangerous it's gotten. I could use some backup."
“Why do you need me? What about all these other guys?” Sterling gestured to the agents around them.
“And risk them breaking the fragment? No way in Tartarus!” Doc snarled. “These fragments are our only chance of fulfilling our project’s ultimate goal, and to lose even one piece would ruin the whole project!”
“Okay… then what about you, Cloaky McMasky?” Sterling frowned.
"Somepony needs to be on the outside in case things go wrong." Doc retorted. "If both of us were caught in a cave-in, we'd be done for. What then of the project?"
"Yeesh, you really love this project of yours..." Sterling snorted. "Well, I guess it's better than taking notes..."
"So you're in?" Dysley asked.
"Sure, why not?" Sterling sighed. "It sure beats playing messenger boy."
"Excellent." Dysley grinned, as he slipped off his suit’s jacket. "Then let's get geared up. There are some... slightly toxic fumes where we're going, so gas masks will be required."
"There we go again with the catches..." Sterling sighed.
Sterling and Dysley quickly donned their gas masks, and hard hats. Sterling found that his hard hat had what seemed to be a camera attached to it.
"What's with the accessory?" Sterling asked.
"It's so I can monitor your progress." Doc declared, holding up a mirror. "The camera has a crystal that feeds the video from the camera into the mirror right here. I will be able to see what you see, and with your comms on your pony, I will be able to guide you if need be.”
"I thought the cave interfered with any mirror reception." Sterling frowned.
"Over long distances, yes." Dysley nodded. "But at closer ranges, there should only be minor interference."
"I guess that makes sense." Sterling shrugged. "So if we're gonna do this, let's do it."
"My thoughts exactly." Dysley smiled.
Sterling picked up a sledgehammer, while Dysley grabbed a pickaxe, and the two of them walked into the cave mouth, switching on the lights in their hard heads as they did. The inside of the cavern was mostly dark and filled with blackened stones, but there were some gems embedded in the walls here and there.
"Those things must be worth some decent scratch." Sterling whistled.
"Probably, yes." Dysley shrugged. "But we're after something far more valuable."
"That's a matter of opinion." Sterling snorted. "Like how foals think play money is valuable."
"Snigger all you like." Dysley retorted. "You'll be seeing and believing soon enough."
"We'll see..." Sterling scoffed.
They moved deeper into the cavern, taking many twists and turns. It wasn't long before Sterling could see the toxic fumes swirling around them like mist, eager to fill his lungs with their poison.
“Eesh, what is this stuff?” Sterling frowned.
“That would be the natural gas.” Doc spoke up through Sterling’s walkie-talkie. “Very toxic. Almost as bad as me after chilli night.”
“Wow, a real comedian you are.” Sterling sarcastically remarked.
“Enough, you two.” Dysley shook his head with a chuckle, “Where to now, Doc?”
"To the left." Doc spoke through the mirror, “According to the map, you should almost be there.”
“Then let’s get cracking. The sooner we find the fragment, the sooner we can get out of here.”
Dysley declared.
“Right behind you.” Sterling nodded.
They rounded more twists and turns, finally reaching a dead end.
"I think we made a wrong turn." Sterling deadpanned.
"Not exactly." Dysley smiled, holding up his pickaxe. "This is where these beauties come in."
"Good to know I haven't been lugging this around for nothing." Sterling held up his sledgehammer.
The two stallions began swinging away at the stone wall, gradually breaking through into a new cavern. This one was different from the others: darker, more ominous, and swathed in a strange dark blue aura...
“Brr…” Sterling shuddered, as he felt a chill down his spine. “Am I the only one getting this weird feeling?”
“Hold on a moment!” Doc declared, “Sterling, look at the far wall!”
“Okay?” Sterling frowned as he turned his camera towards the wall, which had a light blue chunk of metal embedded in it, pulsing with a dark aura. As the image feed into Doc’s mirror, Doc felt his heart jump.
“Dysley…” Doc spoke from Dysley’s walkie-talkie. “Is that what I think it is?”
“By Faust, it is!” Dysley gasped, elated. “The fragment of Nightmare Moon's magic! We found it!"
"Well, how about that..." Sterling mused, still not completely convinced.
“Well, what are we waiting for? Let’s go get it!” Dysley urged, as he marched towards the far wall, and swung his pickaxe, aiming to free the fragment from its entombment.
As the pickaxe struck the edge of the rock, the cavern began to shake, and a chunk of rock fell, narrowly missing Dysley.
"Whoa!" He yelped.
“What’s going on?!” Sterling frowned.
"Buck, I was afraid of this..." Doc remarked. "It seems our excavation have left the cavern in a unstable state. To try and extricate the fragment might cause a cave in!”
“Dammit!” Dysley growled, “And we’re so close!”
“You two should fall back.” Doc advised. “The cave could come down any second.”
"Fall back?" Sterling snorted. "But the piece is right in front of us! Can’t we just pull it out?!"
"Good thinking." Dysley smiled. He grabbed on to the fragment and pulled with all his might. But it didn't budge. "No good. It's in there too deep."
"Then I guess we've just got to keep chipping away." Sterling lifted up his sledgehammer.
“No, it’s too risky!” Doc urged. “We have to regroup and find another way to get the piece!”
“Doc, you said so yourself! If you guys lose this piece, the whole project would be a failure.” Sterling growled. “Now, I’m not a fan of risking my life for some hocus-pocus doodad, but giving
up on said doodad? Not a chance!”
“You know, Sterling is right.” Dysley said firmly, “We’ve been searching for this fragment for weeks, and I’m not turning back because of a crumbling cave!”
"But Dysley-" Doc protested.
"Doc, I probably just hit a weak spot." Dysley declared. "We'll just avoid that part. We just need to break enough to get the piece out!"
"Works for me." Sterling smiled, as he swung his sledgehammer at the wall.
As they kept striking away at the wall, more tremors followed.
"You have to stop." Doc insisted. "Before-"
"We're almost there!" Dysley declared. "We can't stop now!"
“Right you are, man!” Sterling chuckled, “Show that wall who’s boss!”
Sterling swung his sledgehammer especially hard, shattering a large chunk of the wall. He didn't have much to savour that achievement, as the entire cavern began shaking.
"I warned you!" Doc yelled. "Get out of there now!"
"But the fragment-" Dysley started.
The ceiling above the fragment started to collapse, kicking up a torrent of dust.
“NOW!” Doc roared.
"Okay, let go!" Dysley cringed, as he and Sterling turned tail and ran.
The two ran back the way they came. The entire cavern was collapsing, forcing them to dodge and weave falling rocks. While their hard hats protected them from the smaller rocks, the rest of their bodies weren't so lucky; A chunk of rock dropped into Dysley's side.
"Ahh!" He yelled, dropping to his knees, “BUCK!”
"Hey, this is no time for a break!" Sterling helped him back up.
"Thanks." Dysley smiled, gritting through the pain.
"Don't thank me yet." Sterling declared.
They kept running, Sterling supporting Dysley. Soon, the light of the entrance lay up ahead.
"Nearly there." Sterling urged. "Just a little further..."
As they reached the cave's mouth, the entire ceiling collapsed.
"Jump!" Sterling yelled.
The two stallions leapt forward, narrowly avoiding being caught in the cavern's total collapse.
"We made it." Dysley groaned, dropping to the ground.
“Yeah… woo…” Sterling panted.
Doc rushed to them.
"Are you alright?" He asked worriedly.
"Yeah, I'm-" Sterling started.
"I wasn't talking to you!" Doc growled, as he helped Dysley up.
"Whoa, whoa." Sterling frowned. "What did I do?"
"You almost got Dysley killed!" Doc roared, grabbing him by his jacket, bringing him to his face. "You spurred him on to stay in that deathtrap! That was all you!!"
"Well, I..." Sterling spluttered, unnerved by Doc's sudden burst of rage.
"It's alright, Doc." Dysley declared, getting up. "I'm fine. Just a little banged up."
“And for what?” Doc growled. “We lost the fragment! This pendejo nearly got you killed for nothing-”
“What nothing? You mean this fragment?” Sterling pulled the piece of blue metal out of his coat’s pocket.
"What the- Sterling, how-?" Dysley gaped.
"I was able to yank it out of the wall before the roof collapsed." Sterling smiled. "Like I said, I wasn't going to risk my life and come out with nothing."
“That is… fantastic!” Doc declared happily, letting go of Sterling’s jacket and nabbing the piece, “I gotta get this back to the lab and examine it immediately!”
"You're welcome… I guess." Sterling scoffed as Doc dashed away.
"He has a point, you know." Dysley frowned, walking over to him. "Listening to you almost got me killed."
"Hey, it got you what you wanted, didn't it?" Sterling scowled.
"...I suppose so." Dysley admitted, smiling lightly. "Good job, Sterling."
"I'm glad one pony around here appreciates my efforts." Sterling smirked.
"Oh, don't mind Doc." Dysley smiled. "He is very pleased."
"How can you tell when he has that mask on all the time?" Sterling asked.
"I have my ways." Dysley grinned. "And when Som's happy, I'm happy."
'Som?' Sterling frowned.
"Would you like to stay for dinner?" Dysley asked. "I've got some marvelous provisions handy. To celebrate our successful dig!"
"Thanks, but I've gotta head back." Sterling declared. "Can't keep the bosses waiting."
"Send them my regards, will you?" Dysley asked.
"Will do." Sterling nodded with a smirk, “It was real nice working with you. Hope we can do it again.”
“Likewise, Sterling.” Dysley gave a smirk back.
After a two-day return trip, Sterling relayed the information to Loveless.
"Excellent." Loveless smiled. "Good work all around, Sterling."
"No problem." Sterling shrugged. "I still think that Nightmare Moon stuff is a load of hooey, though."
“I admit, I too am skeptical.” Loveless admitted. “But Dysley and Doc believe in it greatly… they're been working on the project together for a long time. I've never seen two agents so in synch before."
“Yeah… still, do you know what they plan to do with those fragments?” Sterling asked.
“I’m afraid not.” Loveless shook his head. “Dysley told all of us that Doc insisted that all info be kept secret. I can only assume that Father himself knows what is going on over there.”
“And that doesn’t concern anypony?” Sterling frowned.
“Well, as long as Dysley and Doc knows what they’re doing, I’m all for it." Loveless shrugged. “I mean, those two are both intelligent and capable stallions. What could possibly go wrong?”
“...Well, I can’t argue with that." Sterling shrugged.
"Stout fellow." Loveless smiled. "That's the kind of attitude we like to see around here."
"Hey, I aim to please." Sterling smirked.
A few weeks later, Sterling was training in the gym. Thoughts of Dysley and Doc's project was still on his mind. A part of him had grown to worry that the project could be used for more... distasteful acts.
"Come on, Sterling." He told himself. "We've been through this before. Enough doubts. Whatever crazy thing they've got planned for that Nightmare magic, things will be just fine..."
His thoughts were interrupted when two agents that were nearby began talking.
"Dude, did you hear?" One asked. "Dysley's been put down."
"Whoa, really?" Another asked.
'Wait, what?' Sterling frowned, as he turned to face the two.
"Yep." The first agent nodded. "He was working that project of his at one of the labs, and it got raided by a bunch of RDL lackies. Black was one of them!”
“Oh, buck!” The second agent cringed. “Isn’t Dysley the reason he-”
“Oh yeah.” The first agent nodded. “From what I heard, he really bucked Dysley up!”
Sterling was frozen with shock.
'What… no…' Sterling gasped. 'They wouldn’t…'
“Oh, man, I feel sorry for the Doc…” The second agent shook his head.
'No... no, no, no, no...' Sterling thought as he backed away. 'They wouldn't do that. They can't have done that!'
Sterling rushed out of the training room.
'I gotta find Loveless. He'll tell me it's all a lie. He's got to...' Sterling thought frantically.
As Sterling made his way up to the Coils, he passed Doc.
"Doc, what are you doing here?" Sterling frowned. "Where's-?"
Doc walked right past Sterling without acknowledging him, his head hung low. Seconds later, Loveless and Jetstream rushed down the corridor.
"Doc, stop!" Loveless called.
"Get back here!" Jetstream yelled. "That's an order!"
Doc kept going, oblivious to their calls.
“Loveless, Jetstream, what’s going on?” Sterling frowned. “I heard down at the gym that Dysley was put down!”
“I’m afraid you heard right, Sterling.” Loveless sighed.
“But why?!” Sterling gasped. “Dysley was an Ouroboros! He was one of the good ones!”
“He was. But that means nothing if your spine is shattered, several of your nerves have been severed, and half your internal organs have been punctured. Dysley was going to be a cripple for the rest of his life.” Jetstream said firmly.
“So… they killed him? Put him down like a dog?!” Sterling yelled, obviously outraged. “He was Doc’s partner!”
"I know it seems callous." Loveless admitted. "But all agents have a quota to fulfill. And Dysley was no longer in any condition to keep up his."
"So you let him be killed?" Sterling scowled.
"It's part of the code." Jetstream declared. "The Forefathers have no use for ponies that are no longer of use to us... no matter how loyal they are." He finished with an angry look.
"None of us like it, but it is Father's will." Loveless sighed. "He has decreed that only the strong and capable are of use to us. And that those who are no longer able to assist in our great mission must be... Put out of their misery."
"I don't believe this..." Sterling shook his head.
"It's rough, alright." Jetstream admitted. "But it's Father's will. We must obey. Or we might be next."
"As much as we would like to discuss this further, we really must get after Doc." Loveless declared. "We need to have words with him."
"Later, kid." Jetstream declared, as he and Loveless rushed off in the direction Doc had fled in.
"...Yeah, later..." Sterling muttered.
As Sterling walked back down the corridors, he couldn't stop thinking about how cruel and ruthless Father's decree was. To put down even the worst loyal and dedicated servant, simply for being unable to perform their duties... It sent a chill down his spine worse than the cavern he had entered not too long ago. The doubts Sterling thought he had suppressed started bubbling back to the surface. Once again, the feeling that he had made the wrong choice made itself known. Those worries manifested themselves in a single sentence...
“...Oh, dammit.” Sterling cursed.