Upon returning back to the homestead following the scene with the ill Changeling, Sterling noticed something was different. Namely, when he sat down to lunch, Cherry was acting… different. She still acted miffed at him… but it was in a way that seemed half-hearted. Whenever she looked his way, she simply did just that: look. No cold sneer or under-hooved insult. And she continued to act this way all throughout lunch.
"Would you like more kale, Sterling?" Cherry asked.
"Uh... sure." Sterling nodded.
"Here you go." Cherry placed some extra pieces of kale on his plate. "Let me know if you want any extra."
"Yeah, I'll do that, thanks." Sterling nodded.
"Nice tah you two gettin' along fer once." Big Red chuckled.
“Think nothing of it, Red.” Cherry gave a small smile.
"No problem." Sterling shrugged. While he wasn't sure what exactly brought on Cherry's change in attitude, he wasn't about to question it.
'As long as she's not on my back all the time, who cares?' He thought as he chewed on some kale. 'I'm starting to think I'll never understand that mare anyway...'
After finishing his lunch, Sterling took the empty plate to the sink, as his way of returning the favour to Cherry.
"Thanks for the food." He said quietly.
"You're welcome." Cherry nodded. "Good luck out in the orchards today."
Sterling nodded curtly.
"Right behind ya, Sterling." Big Red smiled.
The rest of the day was mostly uneventful. They brought back quite a lot of cherries, with Sterling exhausted enough to drop off to sleep almost immediately that evening.
The next morning, Sterling took another trip to the bar (since his last trip hadn't exactly gone as planned). He made his way to the bar and ordered his usual glass of cider.
"Enjoy." Suds smiled as he handed over the drink.
"Oh, I will." Sterling grinned.
Sterling drank slowly, wishing to savor the flavor. As he was halfway through, he heard a familiar voice.
"Hey there, stranger."
Sterling lowered his glass, seeing the welcome sight of Shooting Star.
"Hey, Shooting." He smiled. "Great to see ya."
"You're not so hard on the eyes yourself." Shooting Star smirked, sitting beside him.
"So, how are things?" Sterling asked. "Hope that brother of yours didn't yell your ear off too badly over... y'know."
"Nothing I couldn't handle." Shooting Star shrugged. "Trust me, I've been dealing with his over-protectiveness all my life. He never thought any stallion was good enough for me."
"Somehow, that doesn't surprise me." Sterling snorted. "Still, a mare like you deserves only the best..."
"Easy on the flattery, Casaneighva." Shooting Star chuckled. "Speaking of my brother, I couldn't help but notice when he came home covered in bruises a couple of days ago."
"Oh, really?" Sterling put on a fake show of light interest.
"Yeah. He told me he got those injuries taking in a crook who was tougher than usual." Shooting Star nodded. "But I could tell he was lying. And he only lies when he's trying to cover up something embarrassing…” She glanced intently at Sterling, “Did you beat him up, Sterling?"
"Well..." Sterling cringed.
"Come on, Sterling." Shooting Star urged. "Tell me. Did you get into a fight with my brother?"
“Okay, you got me.” Sterling sighed, “He and I got into it the day after he caught us. He thought he could take me… and I ‘disagreed’.”
“Ah, jeez…” Shooting Star cringed, “What did you two fight over?”
“What do you think?” Sterling scoffed, having no intention of telling her the real reason, “He was still pretty livid about what we did together. We tried having it out, but before you know it, one thing lead to another… and yeah.” He then frowned, “...I guess I owe you an apology. I didn’t mean to humiliate your brother like that.”
“Look, it’s fine.” Shooting Star assured him, “Trust me, my brother can get pretty vindictive if somepony wronged him in anyway. Doesn’t even matter if you and he were friends. He held a grudge against Big Red for years!”
“Really?” Sterling asked, intrigued, “Over what?”
“Heh, it wasn’t pretty. My big brother had it bad for Cherry for years. But so did Big Red. And when those two ended up together… he did not take it well.” Shooting Star grimaced.
“...Somehow, that doesn’t surprise me.” Sterling deadpanned, “So… you’re not mad?”
"Hey, it was bound to happen sooner or later." Shooting Star shrugged, “I’m just glad neither of you got severely injured.”
"Yeah." Sterling sighed in relief. "Thanks, Shooting. I can always count on you to be on my side. I don't know how I can repay for all your faith."
"Ah, but I do." Shooting Star declared. "Sterling, I need you to do something for me."
"Okay... what is it?" Sterling asked.
"I need you to go and settle things with Marshall." Shooting Star told him.
"Wait, what?!" Sterling stuttered. "Didn't you just hear me say he and I got into a fight?"
"I heard." Shooting Star nodded. "But surely you realize stuff like that will just keep happening unless you and Marshall bury the hatchet?"
"But he's... he's..." Sterling spluttered.
"My brother." Shooting Star finished. "And yeah, he can be a total idiot sometimes, but he's family, and I love him no matter what. And as you no doubt realize, I care for you a great deal too." She blushed lightly. "And I would prefer it if two of the best stallions I know could actually get along. Is that too much to ask for?"
"I guess not." Sterling sighed.
"So you'll do it?" Shooting Star grinned.
"...I can give it a try, at least." Sterling said grudgingly. "For you, Shooting."
"Thanks, Sterling." Shooting Star kissed him on the cheek. "I knew I could count on you."
"You do realize Marshall may not be so willing to be all buddy-buddy with me?" Sterling asked.
"Marshall may be a cactus-brain, but he can be very reasonable." Shooting Star declared. "Maybe if you ditch the insults and be as civil as possible with him, you'll be able to make some headway."
"That's what I like about you, Shooting." Sterling smirked. "Your unending optimism in the face of stark reality."
“Very funny." Shooting Star rolled her eyes. "Marshall should be in his office right now. No time like the present..."
"Yeah..." Sterling quickly finished his cider. "Wish me luck."
"Good luck." Shooting Star jabbed him lightly on the shoulder.
'I'm definitely gonna need it...' Sterling thought as he departed from the bar.
Sterling made his way over to the jailhouse. Each step felt as if it was one step closer to signing his own death warrant.
'I can't believe I'm doing this.' He thought. 'But It's for Shooting. And let's face it, doing what needs to be done isn't always a pleasant experience.' He sighed deeply. 'But I made a promise, and I'm going to keep it. You can do this, Sterling. At least try...'
As Sterling entered the jailhouse, he spotted Marshall and Wrangler in the back, looking at some boxes filled with various items.
"Okay, you check that one, and I'll check this one." Marshall pointed Wrangler in the direction of a smaller box.
"You got it, Marshall." Wrangler nodded.
"Ahem." Sterling cleared his throat, drawing their attention. "Sorry to interrupt, fellas."
"Oh." Marshall's eyes narrowed. "Hello... Sterling."
"Hey, Sterling." Wrangler smiled. Clearly, he was still in the dark regarding Sterling's past.
"This isn't the best time for a visit, Sterling." Marshall said flatly. "We're kind of busy right now."
"Yeah, what's in the boxes?" Sterling asked.
"Confiscated materials." Wrangler replied. "Recovered from criminals and crime scenes."
"And it needs to be catalogued, stored away, and, if necessary, destroyed." Marshall added. "It's very important work. So I'd appreciate it if you'd leave us to it."
"Well, far be it for me to obstruct the course of justice." Sterling smiled. "But I'm afraid I can't go. Not just yet."
"Mind if I ask why?" Marshall asked, suspicious.
"Because I need to talk to you... In private." Sterling announced.
"Private, huh?" Marshall mused, his suspicions only furthered by the statement. "Wrangler, could you excuse us for a moment? You can take the box into the front room."
"Okay, Marshall." Wrangler nodded.
Once Wrangler left the room, Marshall turned to Sterling.
"So, what is it you want, Sterling?" Marshall asked. "Because this seems to be the first time you've come to me... alone, at least. Don't suppose it'd be too much to hope that you've decided to turn yourself in?"
"Close, but no cigar." Sterling smirked. "No, the reason I'm here is because…” He rubbed the back of his head, “I want to clear the air between us. No more insults, no more jabs… and no more of what happened the day before yesterday. A clean slate!”
“...Really?” Marshall mused, “I find it hard to believe you'd suddenly decide you want to be my friend…” He then scowled, “My sister put you up to this, didn’t she?”
“...Yeah.” Sterling cringed.
"Typical." Marshall growled irritably. "That mare is so stubborn..."
“Look, I’m not thrilled about this either, but Shooting asked me to do it.” Sterling declared, “She really doesn’t want us fighting anymore. And to be honest, I agree with her.”
“Oh, really?” Marshall challenged, “You’re sure this isn’t some ruse to convince me to give you my blessing to court my sister?”
"No, that is not the reason I’m doing it." Sterling shook his head… before giving a small smirk, "Although it would be a nice perk..."
“Well, too bad.” Marshall growled, “I don’t care why my sister want you to do this. It doesn’t change the fact that you’re a criminal and a terrorist! No self-respecting officer of the law would dare associate himself with ponies like you, let alone their family. So, why don’t you buck off?!”
“Come on, don’t be that way.” Sterling frowned, “Your sister really wants this. And I can bet you Big Red would want us to do this.”
“Don’t you bring Big Red into this.” Marshall scowled, “I refuse to play nice with a pony who murdered Faust knows how many, bucked my sister, has my friend risking life in prison, and beat the crap outta me! Now, unless you have the decency to turn yourself in and face justice for your crimes, I don’t want to even look at you, let alone spend any more time with you. So buzz off, and leave me and my family alone!”
“Ya see, I knew you were going to say something like that.” Sterling glared, “But I promised your sister I would settle things, and I’m not going to leave until I do.”
"Oh, really?" Marshall sneered. "What about when you need to get back to the homestead and buck cherries, so you can earn the money you need to keep evading justice? You won't have a choice. You'll have to go."
"Unless I change your mind before then." Sterling smirked.
"Please." Marshall scoffed. "It'd take something pretty big to change my mind..."
At that point, Wrangler entered the room, carrying a small bundle of red sticks with a clock attached.
"Hey, Marshall, what's our policy on explosives again?" He asked.
"What the- Wrangler, what is wrong with you?" Sterling gaped. "Why would you bring explosives in here?!"
"I just wanted to ask you how to disarm them safely!" Wrangler countered angrily.
"I'll show you exactly what to do." Marshall snatched the explosive.
"The trick is to cut the wires in a certain order." Marshall declared. He brought out some pliers and cut a blue wire. "The red wires are usually live, so you start with the blue. And even then, you start from the outside, and make your way in..."
"...Errr, maybe you shouldn’t do that..." Sterling suggested.
"Please don't interrupt." Marshall growled. "I've been doing this for a long time. I know what I'm doing."
"You don't see your mistake, do you?" Sterling frowned.
"I haven't made a mistake." Marshall retorted as he cut another wire.
"Yes, you have." Sterling declared. "You need to start on the inside and work your out."
"No, you don't." Marshall countered. "Trust me. I've disarmed bombs before."
"And I've made bombs before." Sterling shot back. "So maybe you should listen to the expert on-"
"Okay, I have had it with you!" Marshall scowled, as he cut another wire. "You may be an expert in brutishness, subterfuge, deception, and how to be supremely annoying, but-"
Suddenly, the hands on the clock began ticking, making their way around the face. It was painfully clear what was going to happen once they completed their circuit.
“Uh-oh.” Marshall gaped.
“What’s happening?” Wrangler asked nervously.
“A bad thing, a very bad thing!” Marshall panicked, as he turned to Wrangler, “Get the door, get the door!”
"Right away, Sheriff!" Wrangler raced to the door.
"Hurry, hurry!" Sterling juggled the dynamite.
"Typical." Sterling groaned. 'Looks like once again, I have to step up to save a guy I don't like...'
Wrangler opened the door.
"Open!" He yelled pointlessly.
"Okay, now let's get this out of-" Marshall started.
“Give me that.” Sterling grabbed the dynamite with his left hoof.
Without another word, he threw the ticking bomb out the nearby window with a great amount of force, towards the area designated for target practice.
“Hey, what did you do that for?” Marshall growled, “I had more than enough-”
A loud explosion rattled the building, leaving everything undamaged, including those inside.
Marshall and Wrangler stood there, stupefied by how close the bomb was to blowing them both up.
“...You’re welcome.” Sterling huffed.
"Sterling, what-?" Marshall gaped. "You... you saved both our flanks..."
“Why so surprised?” Sterling scoffed, “Despite what you might think of me, I do have a sense to not let somepony who means a hell of a lot to Red and Shooting get blown to bits. And I simply didn’t want Wrangler to die too.”
“Aw, thanks, man.” Wrangler smiled.
“But… you were able to throw it far enough to clear the building.” Marshall gaped, “...And through a window… how the hell did you managed that?”
“What can I say?” Sterling flexed his left hoof, “I have a pretty good throwing hoof.”
“...I guess so.” Marshall admitted, “I might have misjudged you a little…”
"So does that mean you'll reconsider my offer?" Sterling asked hopefully.
"I didn't say that exactly." Marshall said sternly. "But I am willing to take it under consideration."
"Well, I guess that's better than a 'no'." Sterling mused.
"And as for you, Wrangler." Sterling declared. "Next time, think before you bring a dangerous object into my office."
"Yes, sir." Wrangler said awkwardly.
"And whatever you do, do not touch any more explosives until we’re ready, okay?" Marshall added with a firm glare.
"Very seriously noted." Wrangler nodded sheepishly.
"Good." Marshall nodded, “Now get goin’.”
“Yes, sir.” Wrangler murmured as he left the room.
“Well, I guess I better get back to the homestead.” Sterling declared, turning to leave, “I need to earn those bits, like you say.”
“Sterling, wait.” Marshall ordered.
“What?” Sterling glanced back at Marshall.
Marshall remained silent for a moment, his face seemingly torn between his stern distrustful glare and something that looked liked… gratitude?
“...Thank you.” Marshall said simply, “For saving both our hides just now. I don’t get why you did it, but… thank you.”
“Well, I just did what I thought was right.” Sterling shrugged, “...So, whether you reconsider or not… could you at least let Shooting know that we settled things? You won’t have to even bring up ‘me saving your life’ thing.”
“Yeah. I don’t know which would be worst: her knowing you saved my life, or me almost dying because my dimwitted deputy couldn’t recall protocols.” Marshall cringed.
“Yeah, I think that would be best.” Sterling smiled, “Just be careful, Sheriff.”
Sterling left the jailhouse, leaving Marshall by himself.
'I still can't believe he actually did that.' Marshall thought. 'He saved us. If not for him, me and Wrangler could have been blown to bits. Maybe Sterling isn’t all that bad after all…' He then shook his head. 'No. Don't be swayed, Marshall. One good deed doesn't erase his past. He's still a criminal, no matter what he just did...'
As Sterling departed the jailhouse, he did so with a small sense of accomplishment.
‘Well, that went a little better than I thought.’ He gave a small smile, ’Maybe if I’m lucky, I might've gotten him off my back for the rest of the month… hopefully, nothing else will happen that requires me doing something…’
Back at the homestead, Cherry was reading the morning paper. The headline read "A Land With Concise Troubles".
"The small kingdom of Schwartzamungaknackerhobblestan was beset by civil strife once again this week." The article read. "Six months have passed since the sudden passing of ruler Prince Nalik Aqqbar-Royale, and ever since then, the kingdom has suffered many hardships. To begin, with no living relatives, there has been no pony to assume Nalik’s throne. Without an heir, there has been attempts to form a democratic ruling system, with the efforts being headed by the Prince’s former head of elite guards, Slink Sazzle.”
"As much as Prince Nalik tried to provide for his subjects and tried to ensure our country's future, his actions ultimately left us in a rough state." Slink stated during a press conference. "It is my hope, as well as the hope of my fellow guards, that we will be able to help the kingdom thrive again."
“Despite these words of great hope, there have been many pitfalls.” The article continued, “To begin, some of the city has been in an uproar following an announcement to change the kingdom’s name, with the council saying the name was ‘too long and ridiculous’. Other moments of unrest have resulted due to attempts to repair the long-standing rift between the Unicorns of the nation and their Pegasus and Earth Pony brethren. The Unicorns, who have always been treated as the highest class of pony in the country, refuse to accept the others as equals, while the Pegasi and Earth Ponies are unwilling to put aside decades of prejudice. This has lead to riots and attacks from both sides, one particularly notable instance being the assault of Unicorn extremists on a unity rally. Lastly, there has been investigations, looking into the late prince’s activities preceding his death, following a massacre of some of his loyal soldiers in an abandoned warehouse. We have received little information about what they found, but there is talk of there being a link between Nalik and the world-wide convulsions all the non-Unicorns had suffered. It is clear to many that the once great nation of Schwartzamungaknackerhobblestan is heading into a downward spiral of anguish and unrest. We can only hope that in time that the kingdom will be restored to its former greatness."
"My, oh, my." Cherry shook her head. "Such trouble. Makes me glad to live in Equestria. At least things here are calm... for the most part."
As Cherry put down the paper in preparation for making lunch, Sterling entered.
"I'm back." He announced.
"So you are." Cherry nodded. "Lunch will be ready soon. In the meantime, why don't you go wash up?"
"Sure." Sterling nodded.
As he made his way out of the living room, Sterling glanced at the newspaper, and frowned at what he saw.
'Boy, that place has really gone downhill since that worthless racist piece of crap died.' He thought. 'Maybe he really was a halfway-decent leader. Without him telling them how to live, they probably have no clue what to do with themselves.' He scowled. 'Typical Nalik. Even in death, he's still causing trouble...'
Many years ago...
A few weeks after the failure of "Project: Infestation", Sterling entered the Coils as usual. His fellow Ouroboros were all there, awaiting Father's arrival.
"Good morning, Sterling." Loveless smiled. "Good work on that museum heist yesterday."
"Yeah, that was totally wicked, bro!" Ricochet added.
"Thanks, guys." Sterling grinned.
"Cross." Nalik said haughtily.
"Your highness." Sterling said mockingly.
Solomon greeted Sterling with a gruff nod, which Sterling returned.
"Morning, Sterling." Doc nodded.
"Mornin', Doc." Sterling nodded.
Sterling noticed Harlhooves and Gridlock standing at one side. He hadn't seen them much since the failure of their project.
'Poor guys.' He thought. 'They must still be broken up about what happened. I know I'd be depressed if the project I'd been working on for years just proved to be totally useless...'
"Hey, guys." He approached them.
"Oh." Harlhooves looked over. "Hello, Sterling."
"Hmph." Gridlock muttered.
"So... how ya been holding up?" Sterling asked.
"Fine." Gridlock scowled.
"Really?" Sterling frowned. "But I haven't seen you guys around much lately."
"We took a little time off." Harlhooves shrugged. "In hopes that we could think up a new way of tackling Project: Infestation."
"Any luck?" Sterling asked.
"Not really." Gridlock snarled. "And don't think we weren't trying."
"I'm sorry, guys." Sterling sighed. "I know how hard you both worked on that project, and now it seems it was all for nothing..."
"Thanks for summing it up, kid." Gridlock snorted. "Always nice to have a reminder of how badly things turned out for us."
"Really, Gridlock?" Harlhooves rolled his eyes. "Sterling is just trying to be supportive."
"We don't need his pity." Gridlock spat. "Or anypony's, come to think of it."
"You're welcome." Sterling snorted, affronted by Gridlock throwing his concern back in his face.
"Maybe next time, you should just mind your own business." Gridlock growled.
"We're all on the same team, aren't we?" Sterling pointed out. "So it technically is my business."
"He makes a good point." Harlhooves noted.
"Too bad." Gridlock snarled. "Because I don't want him trying to-!"
“Settle down, my sons.” Father’s voice ran through the room as he entered, catching everypony’s attention, “Let this meeting come to order.”
The Ouroboros gathered around.
"Now, begin the reports." Father ordered. He turned to Ricochet, "Ricochet, how is Project: ‘Party Over Here’ proceeding? Did that young dragon from Fillydephia ever accept your invitation?”
“Ugh, not really.” Ricochet cringed, "I thought it was a lock, but negotiations broke down, there were words and threats exhanged... to put it simply, we might not get that big dragon any time soon.”
“Told you it would be a waste of time.” Solomon scoffed.
“Do not fret, Ricochet.” Father declared, “I am sure there will be other opportunities for recruitment of the dragon variety. Do stay determined in your efforts.”
“Thanks, sir.” Ricochet smirked.
"Now, Gridlock and Harlhooves." Father announced. "I am well aware of the... Unexpected delay of your project. I trust this setback isn't weighing too heavily on you."
"We're... Coping, sir." Gridlock said respectfully. "In fact, we're doing just fi-"
“Actually, sir.” Harlhooves spoke up, cutting Gridlock off, “I do not mean for us to go off topic, but I feel there is something I must bring up with you and the others.”
"All of us?" Doc asked.
"What possible knowledge of yours could affect me?" Nalik scoffed.
“What seems to be the matter, Harlhooves?” Father inquired, concern in his voice.
“You see, sir, I was approached by some of our accountants within the organization the other day.” Harlhooves explained, “They told me that they were having issues with balancing the ledgers, and asked if I could lend a hoof. Being one of more intellectual ponies in this organization, I obliged.”
“You forgot ‘humble’.” Gridlock snorted.
“Anyways…” Harlhooves continued, glaring at Gridlock, “I found out why they were having issues. It seems that our fundings are lower than what they usually are at this time of year.”
“What?!” Loveless gaped, “How can that be?”
"There are a number of possibilities." Harlhooves announced. "All of which I have been investigating. Theft, extortion, embezzlement... but those leads all turned out to be false."
"As fascinating as all this is, I fail to understand why I should care." Nalik sneered.
“Funny you should say that, Nalik.” Harlhooves frowned, “You see, I have already pinpointed the reason for our little inconsistency.”
“...You have?” Nalik’s face fell.
“Oh, yes.” Harlhooves declared, “According to the ledgers, the Forefathers had yet to receive the annual fundings from Nalik’s kingdom.”
As Harlhooves finished his sentence, the other Ouroboros looked at Nalik, whose demeanour had suddenly gone from haughty to nervous.
"Is that so?" Father glanced in Nalik's direction. "I can't help but wonder why that is..."
"Well, ah..." Nalik spluttered. "There is a perfectly good reason as to why you haven't received payment yet, sir."
"And what exactly is this reason?" Father demanded.
“Um, you see…” Nalik stuttered, “The local harvest is late this year! That’s right! Without harvest, there’s no money from the exports!”
“Really?” Harlhooves frowned, “If I recall, harvest season in your kingdom was two months ago.”
"D-did I say 'harvest'?" Nalik said awkwardly. "I meant there was a... tempest! Yes, a terrible storm that did a number on the capital, and even my palace! We were forced to spend more than a little money on restoration. Can't have my subjects, or myself without a roof over our heads."
“What tempest?” Doc spoke up, a bit confused, “I checked the weather reports yesterday. There hasn’t been anything more than the occasional shower for months.”
"I... I meant to say..." Nalik stuttered.
"Dude, quit while you're behind." Ricochet chuckled.
"Enough of these fabrications, Nalik." Father said firmly. "What is the real reason for your failure to pay your dues?"
“Ugh…” Nalik sighed heavily, “Fine, the truth is… my country has been faced with strife lately. There are these rebels that had been stirring up trouble over the past few months.”
"Rebels?" Ricochet asked. "I like rebels. They're cool."
"These ones most certainly aren't." Nalik scowled. "They have been attacking our government buildings, raiding the royal treasury, inciting riots among the citizens. Fighting them is proving immensely costly. Every penny we have is going towards our attempts to stifle that filth. If this keeps up much longer, the entire country will become broke, and the Forefathers will not have any income for the foreseeable future."
“Hmm, I must say, that is troubling to hear.” Father mused, “But why did you not simply say this in the first place? Why would you try to deceive me?"
"I... I was ashamed, sir." Nalik admitted. "Ashamed that those traitors even exist within my country. Ashamed to admit they are more than my forces can handle. Ashamed to admit that... I need help." He looked around. "But now that everything is out in the open… I beseech you, my fellow Ouroboros. I require your assistance."
The room went silent, as the other Ouroboros glanced at Nalik…
Suddenly, Solomon burst out laughing.
“Hahahaha!” Solomon chuckled, “Ha-ha-ha-ha!”
“Are you… are you seriously laughing?” Nalik growled, “Do you find the suffering of my kingdom funny?!”
“I find everypony’s suffering funny but my own.” Solomon shrugged, “Sue me.”
“Well, stop it!” Nalik snapped, “I am asking for your help right now! Will you help me?!”
“Yeah, not a chance in hell.” Gridlock sneered.
"What?" Nalik gaped.
"You heard me." Gridlock snarled. "You're honestly asking us to help you, after all the bullcrap you put us through?! After all the racist and xenophobic remarks you made to me, to the others, lording your so-called ‘royal status’ over us, and treating us as less than equine beings?! You seriously have the stones to ask us to take care of your mess?! Well, buck you, sir! Buck you!"
“Gridlock has a point, Nalik.” Harlhooves agreed, giving a disdainful glare, “You’ve never once lift a hoof to help us in our time of need. In fact, you mocked us, wishing us nothing but failure. And here you are now, asking us to a lift a hoof for you? You just reek of hypocrisy.”
“Come on!” Nalik grunted, as he turned to Ricochet, “Ricochet, you were never one to leave a pony hanging. Surely you are willing to help me, despite our differences, right?”
“I don’t know what a ‘hippo-crisis’ is… but no, I ain’t doing jack-crap for you.” Ricochet scowled, crossing his hooves.
“What?! Why not?!” Nalik glared.
“Do you think I forgot what you said about Ignite all those years ago?” Ricochet seethed, “If I can be honest… I hate you. And I like everypony! Even those three!” Ricochet pointed to Gridlock, Harlhooves, and Solomon.
“What you do mean ‘even we three?’” Solomon asked, his left eye giving a twitch.
“Not now, Lightning!” Ricochet ignored him, “I’m sorry, ‘bro’, but you’re on your own.”
“But I… you…” Nalik spluttered, as he turned to Doc, “Doc?”
“My apologies, but I see no reason to waste my time on a petty feud." Doc snorted.
“Solomon?!” Nalik turned to Solomon, “Please, from one Unicorn to another… will you-”
“I’m gonna stop you there.” Solomon held up a hoof, “One, I’ve had my fill of deserts. Two, even if I didn’t, I wouldn’t help you, even if I had a crossbow pointed at my head. Heck, I rather take a bolt to the head rather than doing something that would give your racist flank gratification!”
“None of you can be serious right now!” Nalik gasped, “You and the Forefathers greatly require the money my kingdom provides!” He turned in Loveless's direction. "Loveless, despite everything, we are comrades! Surely you can put a little thing such as distaste for me aside to assist me!"
"We do have other sources of income. The organization had done well for itself long before you came along." Loveless countered. "Besides, if you treat your ponies the way you treated us all these years, it’s no wonder you even have these rebels. It’s as the saying go: ‘karma’s a bucker’.”
“Amen to that.” Gridlock nodded.
“Testify!” Ricochet cheered.
Sterling remained silent throughout the exchange, though he agreed with the others.
'Teamwork's a two-way street.' He thought. 'Maybe if Nalik showed a little of the team spirit before now, one of us might actually have volunteered to help. Too bad for him...'
“That’s quite enough, everypony.” Father declared, “Nalik is right.”
"He is?" Loveless frowned.
“HE IS?!” The other Ouroboros (except Sterling, who lit up in shock) gaped, stupefied.
"I am?" Nalik gaped.
“Yes.” Father nodded, “While I do understand the disdain you hold for Nalik and his xenophobic views, it does not change the fact that we are all comrades, and it would make us no better than him if we were to deny him help.”
“But sir, you heard Loveless!” Gridlock frowned, “We don’t need his money! I say we let his kingdom burn to the ground!”
“I wouldn’t be so quick to say that, Gridlock.” Father said sagely, “While the organization is more than capable of surviving without Nalik’s funding, as Loveless said, the economy of Equestria, nay, the world, is ever changing. Yes, we have other sources of income… but without a great source of income, like Nalik has provided for us all these years, our fundings could potentially plummet. And then we would have to cut our expenditures.”
“...Meaning?” Ricochet asked, a bit perplexed by his words.
"Such as our weapons budget..." Father declared.
"What?" Gridlock gaped.
"Chemical deliveries..." Father continued.
"Oh, dear." Harlhooves cringed.
"That could prove problematic." Doc added.
"Basic equipment..." Father stated.
"But my inventions..." Loveless mumbled.
"We would also have to cut back on transportation..." Father pointed out.
"So we'd have to walk everywhere?" Solomon yelped.
“And no more extravagant celebrations.” Father finished.
“Oh my Faust, no!” Ricochet gasped.
“Considering that none of you wish for this to pass, we must cast aside our personal feelings and focus on what is important. And that entails that we assist Nalik in his time of need.” Father explained.
"But, sir-" Gridlock started.
"But nothing." Father said firmly. "One of you shall travel to Nalik's home country with him and assist him in dealing with the rebels. And that one will be..." His gaze fell upon Sterling. "You, Sterling."
"Say huh?!" Sterling gaped.
"Him?" Nalik scowled.
"Not to question your judgment, sir, but... why Sterling?" Harlhooves asked.
"Because, as a native of Haygypt, Sterling is the one of you best suited to sandy, arid environments." Father pointed out. "He will be the most at home during the mission, and thus, be at peak efficiency.”
"...Um, do I really have to go, sir?" Sterling asked awkwardly.
"My thoughts exactly." Nalik scowled.
"Yes, you do." Father replied. "My decision is final. And I don't want to hear any complaints... from either of you. Is that understood?"
"...Yes, sir." Sterling and Nalik chorused.
"You have my condolences, Sterling." Harlhooves said sourly.
"Tough luck." Gridlock shrugged.
"Best of luck, more like." Doc added.
"Wouldn't want to be you right now." Solomon snorted.
"Have fun out there!" Ricochet said with utter sincerity.
"I suppose I should go and prepare then." Nalik scowled, marching out of the room.
"And on that note, I hereby close this meeting." Father declared. "Until next time..."
As the Ouroboros departed, Loveless stuck closely to Sterling.
"This is like a waking nightmare." Sterling groaned. "A mission with Nalik..."
"Admittedly, it's not the best scenario." Loveless admitted. "But Father has ordered it, and his orders must be obeyed. You're just going to have the make the best of it."
"I'd have a better chance at making the best of a spear in my head..." Sterling scowled.
The next morning, Sterling joined Nalik at the armory.
"Good morning, Nalik." Sterling declared, trying to be civil. "I hope you slept we-"
"Let's get something clear." Nalik growled. "I really don't like you. And I'm sure the feeling is mutual."
"And then some." Sterling nodded.
"But Father is insistent on our working together." Nalik declared. "And since the fate of my country lies in the balance, I have no choice but to stomach your presence, and accept what meager help you can provide."
"And I can guess I can handle your smug attitude for a while." Sterling retorted.
"Then we are in agreement." Nalik noted. "Excellent. Now, let's get going. Those rebels must be dealt with. The sooner, the better."
"No argument there." Sterling nodded.
They boarded the ship, which carried them to their destination. Sterling stood on the observation deck, with Nalik standing as far from him as possible. As the land below gave way to sand dunes, Sterling was reminded of his home country of Haygypt.
'Father was right.' Sterling admitted. 'This place is a lot like home...'
As they neared their destination, Sterling saw a sign out of the window, welcoming all and sundry to "The Great and Glorious Schwartzamungaknackerhobblestan".
"Heh-heh." Sterling sniggered. "Heh-heh-heh..."
"Something funny?" Nalik scowled.
"Yeah." Sterling chuckled. "The name of your country is even funnier written than it is spoken!"
"Insolent little..." Nalik snarled.
"Or maybe not... Schwartzamungaknackerhobblestan!" Sterling guffawed.
"Stop laughing!" Nalik yelled.
"Hey, it's not my fault your country has such a stupid name!" Sterling chuckled.
"It is not a stupid name!" Nalik growled. "Roughly translated, it means 'Land With a Concise Name'. It is a noble and respectable name in my native language!"
"Well, in every other language, it's a stupid and hilarious name." Sterling sniggered.
"Let's just change the subject." Nalik growled.
"Okay, okay." Sterling sighed. "So, you got anything on those rebels?"
"Not much." Nalik admitted. "But they're hardly a top-notch military force. They're just a bunch of brainless thugs, out to destabilize everything I've built over the years." He scowled. "But they are adept at hiding... Like the vermin they are. They're believed to have hidey-holes all over the capital."
“Then we should get to searching the second we land." Sterling urged.
"Why go to them?" Nalik declared. "When we could make them come to us?"
"So you've got a plan, huh?" Sterling mused. "Care to let me in on it?"
"All good things to those who wait, Cross." Nalik smirked, as he departed the observation deck.
"Sure, ya smug, self-satisfied snob." Sterling snarled.
As the airship continued its path, it flew over the capital city. Sterling noted that the majority of the buildings were simplistic and cheap-looking. This served to make the palace in the distance, and the buildings surrounding it, look even more grand.
'Wow, they must really be hard up for money.' Sterling frowned, noting that several of the buildings were damaged or otherwise missing pieces. 'Those rebels must have hit this place hard...'
As they headed the palace, Sterling couldn't help but notice that the buildings were starting to look grander and more well-being. He also noticed that the inhabitants in that area were mostly Unicorns. It hadn't struck him before, but he realized that the inhabitants of the less well-kept part of the city were Pegasi and Earth Ponies.
'That's unusual.' Sterling thought. 'Almost like the Unicorns are intentionally keeping themselves apart from the Earth Ponies and Pegasi. Then again, this is Nalik's country. He probably likes it this way...'
Soon after, the airship landed on a field just outside Nalik's palace. As Sterling and Nalik disembarked, they were greeted by two Unicorn stallions in black outfits.
"Cross, this is Captain Slink and Sepulchre, of my Elite Guard." Nalik announced. "Slink, Sepulchre, this is Sterling Cross, one of my colleagues within the Forefathers."
"Mr Cross." Slink nodded.
"Yeah, hi." Sterling nodded.
"Your Highness, you brought an Earth Pony back with you?" Sepulchre frowned.
"The Earth Pony is only here to help us with a certain delicate matter." Nalik retorted. "He's an unfortunate necessity."
"Gee, thanks." Sterling scowled.
“By the way, sire, that translator from the Crystal Empire has finished the translation of the glyphs for Project: Transcendence-” Sepulchre started.
“Sepulchre, not in front of the mudpony.” Nalik cut him off testily, “We will discuss it later. Right now, I have more immediate problems to attend to.” He turned to Sterling. "This way, Cross."
"Right behind ya." Sterling nodded.
As they ended toward the palace, Sterling took note of its opulence, the marble and gold that formed its outer form. But most of all, he noted its sheer size. Even the Infinity seemed small in comparison.
"Nice place." Sterling noted as they descended. "Could you have made it any bigger, do ya think?"
"Very funny." Nalik sneered. "But as a point of fact, I didn't make it. My ancestor, the first king of this great land, had the finest architects at his disposal make a true masterpiece."
"Got that right." Sterling nodded. "Too bad the rest of the buildings around here don't look so good."
"It's the blasted rebels." Nalik spat. "Always attacking. Always causing a great amount of damage. But not for much longer..."
"Yeah..." Sterling declared. A thought then struck him. "...What was that thing your flunky mentioned back there? About 'Project: Transcendence'?"
“Nothing that concerns your little mudpony brain.” Nalik grunted, “The fool should've kept his mouth shut.”
“Hey, I’m the one helping you out here. The least you could do is give me an idea of what it’s all about.” Sterling growled.
“Well, even I could, I fear the details are a tad over your head." Nalik sneered.
"Try me." Sterling challenged, “If I can understand Gridlock and Harlhooves’ plan about infecting the Changelings with some ‘cordyceps’ virus or whatever, I can understand anything you can throw at me.”
“...You’re not going to stop hassling me till I do, are you?” Nalik glared.
“Got that right.” Sterling glared back.
"...Very well." Nalik sighed, in a tone that suggested he was about to attempt to teach a foal how to hold a quill. "Project: Transcendence is about harnessing a power… a power far beyond any mortal’s comprehension.” He turned to Sterling, “You see, Sterling, there has been legends… legends of immortal creatures, that predates even that of ponies themselves. The beings known as ‘Deities’...”
"Deities? You mean like that Discord guy?" Sterling asked, “I heard stories about all sorts of things he could do.”
“Discord, oh hell no.” Nalik scoffed, “Discord is a Draconequus. An abominable amalgamation of inferior creatures. Deities are far more powerful, and far more ancient. These Deities had been said to personify some of the most primal forces in existence: land, sea, sky, fire, death, and even creation itself.” He glanced at Sterling, “Have you ever wondered why we are called Ouroboros?”
“Well, I thought it was just a fancy latin name.” Sterling admitted.
“That is where you are wrong, my misguided mudpony.” Nalik corrected, “As rumors have it, Ouroboros happened to had been a name that one of these Deity had bear. We bear the title that was shared with a god-like creature!”
“Hold on there, what do these ‘deities’ have to do with anything?” Sterling asked, “It seems like they are nothing more than myths.”
“That is where you’re wrong.” Nalik smiled, “You recall those ruins I had you and the traitor stop the renovation bill for? Within every single one of them lies ancient scriptures that speak of Deities. They speak of them in great details. They represent irrefutable proof that they do exist… and they’re out there, somewhere.”
"No kidding?" Sterling mused.
"Not at all." Nalik grinned, no snark or condescension found in his voice, "My ultimate goal with this project is to harness the power of these Deities, and use it to control the world!” He then quickly added, “...For the Forefathers, of course."
“I would hope so.” Sterling frowned, “If these Deities are real, having one of them on our side could be pretty handy.”
“Well, I am not interested in just any Deities.” Nalik explained, “There is one Deity who has a power that dwarfs everything else, even his fellow Deities. And I know it’s out there… once I find it… I will have its power for my own. I will use it to mould the world as it should be, remove all obstacles, become more powerful than any other... become a force of nature unto myself...”
"...Um… huh?" Sterling frowned.
"Nothing." Nalik said awkwardly. "Just got lost in the moment. This project has been a focus of mine for a long time. As you can imagine, it's become quite dear to my heart."
"Yeah, I can imagine that..." Sterling noted, recalling Gridlock's and Harlhooves’ own project.
As they entered the palace, Nalik led Sterling to a luxurious room filled with pillows and attractive female servants.
"I'll give you this much, Nalik: You really know how to live." Sterling smiled, as a servant girl handed him a drink.
"What's the point in having the finest things in live if you can't enjoy them?" Nalik smirked. "Now, onto business. I have a plan to lure those rebels out of hiding."
"Let's hear it." Sterling sipped his drink.
"I've noticed that the favorite target of those filth involve anything connected to me." Nalik scowled. "So I'm going to set a little trap. I have donated one of the portraits from my collection to the local art gallery. As you can imagine, the act is very well-publicized, so the rebels will know all about it, and will no doubt attack during the unveiling this evening. But what they won't know is that you, posing as an art critic, and some of my Elite Guard will be there, waiting for them." He grinned wickedly.
"Nice plan." Sterling noted."I'm surprised you're willing to part with one of the 'finer things' to pull this off."
"Oh, the portrait?" Nalik scoffed. "The one I'm donating is a cheap forgery. It'll barely cost me anything at all. I would rather buck a zebra than part with my family’s treasure."
"And there it is." Sterling snorted. "I was starting to worry there was something wrong with you."
"Very funny, Cross." Nalik scowled. "Now, I suggest you prepare yourself. There is quite an evening ahead of us..."
A few hours later, Sterling entered the art gallery ahead of Nalik (so as to avoid suspicion). He took a look around at all the art exhibits, consisting of simple portraits and elaborate sculptures.
'Not bad.' He mused, as he looked at a sculpture that resembled a Maulwurf. 'Not really my scene, but not bad.'
Moments later, Nalik entered the gallery, flanked by his guards.
"Greetings, dear subjects!" He called out to the patrons. "I'm so glad you could be here for the big unveiling!" He approached a painting on the center wall, one covered by a sheet. "Behold my latest gift to you, a masterpiece for all to look upon: 'Stars over Sands'!"
Nalik removed the sheet, revealing a painting of the desert sky at night, brightly colored stars shining within. The crowd applauded.
"Thank you, thank you!" Nalik declared smugly. "I am a generous and benevolent leader, aren't I?"
Sterling rolled his eyes.
As the crowd gathered around the painting, Nalik slipped away to speak to Sterling, talking to him from behind a pillar.
"Nice performance, your highness." Sterling scoffed.
"I thought so, too." Nalik smirked. "Now, you get into position. Those filthy rebels should be attacking any moment."
"Okay, and what will you be doing?" Sterling asked.
"Why, staying out of the line of fire, of course." Nalik declared.
“So, you’re seriously counting on me to take care of your mess?” Sterling growled.
“Of course not. That’s why I have my Elite Guards backing you up.” Nalik frowned, “Do try to keep most of them in one piece. I do need them to serve me still.”
“Yeah, whatever…” Sterling grumbled.
“Good. I’ll see you when this is over. Good luck!” Nalik smirked.
'Why am I not surprised?' Sterling scowled.
For the next ten minutes or so, things were quiet. Sterling had looked at every work of art at least twice, and was getting bored.
'Looks like Nalik's plan was a bust.' Sterling thought. 'So much for drawing out the-'
Just then, the wall of the gallery was blasted apart, and a group of half a dozen ponies, most of them armed with crossbows and covered in robes, entered the gallery.
"Nopony move!" One of them, a bulky slate grey Pegasus stallion, ordered. "All of you sycophants, kissing up to the Prince, applauding like children when he gives you a tacky painting... you make me sick!"
"All of us." A dark blue Earth Pony mare snarled. "We are going to tear down this den of debauchery, and take everything of value. We'll put it to better use."
"Sorry, guys." Sterling stepped forward. "That's not happening on my watch."
The armed ponies glanced at Sterling in both surprise and shock as he came out to face them.
“What the… and who the hell are you?” The Pegasus demanded, “What is an Earth Pony doing here?
“Nopony important.” Sterling snorted, “I’m just a good Samaritan, stepping up to put you rebels in your place.”
"You have no idea how badly you've chosen your battles." The Pegasus spat.
"I could say the same thing to you." Sterling smirked.
"That's telling them, Cross!" Nalik yelled from his hiding place behind a pillar.
“So… you and the Prince are pals, huh?” A lime green Pegasus mare noted, “I never thought I'd see a Earth Pony sticking up for a Unicorn Supremacist like Nalik.”
"I'm not all too thrilled about it myself." Sterling shrugged. "But the way I see it, helping Nalik to deal with you creeps is just a means to an end."
“Then you are a fool.”
The rebels parted ways for a Earth Pony stallion. He wasn’t well-built, his size about the same as Ricochet and Harlhooves. He had a dirty orange coat, a red mane, yellow eyes, and a Cutie Mark of an open flame.
“We are noble warriors, who will purge this land of the scourge of our Prince and his corrupting influence.” The stallion declared, “And we will cut down anypony who dares stand in our way!”
"So I’m guessing you're the leader of this big bad, band of rebels?" Sterling sneered. "I'm not impressed."
"The name is Blaze." The stallion stared back. "And you shouldn't underestimate me."
"Please." Sterling snorted. "Have you seen yourself lately? I doubt a scrawny guy like you will be much of a challenge."
"Appearances can be deceiving." Blaze smirked, “I may not have the brawn of my brethren… but I have something better…”
Suddenly, strange purple wisps began to flow out of his eyes.
"What the...?" Sterling frowned.
"Cross, watch out!" Nalik yelled. "He's a Nightcrawler!"
"A what?" Sterling asked.
"You're about to find out." Blaze smirked, his body glowing.
Before Sterling could react, a burst of energy erupted from Blaze's body. Sterling barely managed to avoid getting hit dead center, but the force of the blast still sent him flying.
"Arrrgh!" Sterling yelped, as he crashed into the sculpture he had looked at earlier.
The gallery patrons fled in terror.
"What... Was that?" Sterling groaned, getting to his hooves.
"That was the power of righteous vengeance." Blaze smirked. He glanced at Nalik. "You will taste that soon enough, my Prince."
"I think not." Nalik turned to his guards. "Guards, protect me with your lives!"
"Yes, sir!" Slink obeyed, he and the others charging the rebels.
"Cross, get in there!" Nalik ordered. "You're not here on vacation, you know!"
"Yeah, yeah." Sterling readied his crossbow, then dived into the fray
"How can you take the Prince's side?" The Pegasus asked Sterling.
"Believe me, it's not exactly by choice." Sterling admitted. "But I have a job to do, and that involves bringing a little order to Nalik's country."
"We are the ones who will bring order to the country." The Pegasus snarled. "True order!"
"Whatever, pal." Sterling fired his crossbow.
The Pegasus dodged the bolt, then returned fire. Sterling leapt behind a pillar for protection, and a furious exchange of bolts ensued.
Meanwhile, Slink pounced upon one of the rebels. He clamped his hooves around the rebel's neck and twisted, snapping it and killing the rebel.
'Whoa.' Sterling thought. 'That Slink guy doesn't mess around...'
"Yarrgh!" The Pegasus took advantage of Sterling's lapse in focus and charged at him. Before Sterling could react, his crossbow was kicked out of his hoof. "Gotcha now!"
"Wanna bet?" Sterling kicked him in the face.
As his opponent reeled from attack, Sterling rolled over to his crossbow, and, just as the Pegasus fired, squeezed the trigger. The Pegasus's bolt narrowly clipped Sterling's mane, while Sterling's struck him square in the chest.
"Urk!" The Pegasus fell to the ground, dead.
"You'll pay for that!" The Pegasus mare roared as she charged.
"Wrong!" Sepulchre threw a spear at the mare, catching her in the side.
"Ahh!" The mare screamed, collapsing.
"No!" A light blue stallion yelled.
"Yes!" Slink smirked, stabbing him with a dagger.
"How dare you!" Blaze roared. He fired more explosive blasts, forcing Sterling and the guards to scatter.
As Slink and his fellows tried to get to safe ground, a piece of wall fell, crushing one of them and pinning Slink and Sepulchre to the ground.
“Hey! Do you know how much it cost to train new Elite Guards?!” Nalik roared.
“Shut up! I will attend to you in just a minute!” Blaze snarled coldly, he rounded on Sterling, “As for you, I’m going to make you burn!”
"No thanks!" Sterling leapt forward, firing a bolt.
Blaze, showing impressive agility, dodged the attack.
“You will pay for what you did!” Blaze roared, as he fired more energy blasts.
"What I did?" Sterling scoffed, sidestepping them. "You're the ones who were trying to tear down everything Nalik built."
"The Prince is a vile monster!" Blaze spat, “He’s sending Schwartzamungaknackerhobblestan down a path to self-destruction and devastation, in both a political and financial sense.”
“Says one of the guys who been attacking their own fellow ponies and causing mayhem all around the city, all for the sake of their little 'revolution'." Sterling sneered.
“...What the buck are you talking about?” Blaze scowled, “We don’t attack our own ‘fellow ponies’. If anything, we’re defending them!”
“Defending them? From who?!” Sterling frowned.
“Who do you think?!” Blaze snarled, “Are you not aware that our Prince is a Unicorn Supremacist?”
“I kinda got that from the first time I met him.” Sterling huffed.
“Then did you not notice you were the only Earth Pony in this gallery?” Blaze pointed out, “How everypony around you was a Unicorn?”
Sterling considered the statement for a moment.
’Come to think of it… it is kinda odd how everypony here was a Unicorn…’ He thought.
“I don’t know what bullcrap Nalik fed you… but we don’t rebel because we want to be in control.” Blaze retorted, “He shaped this kingdom in a way where he and all Unicorns are placed in the upper echelons, filled with riches and luxuries, and the necessities for a good life. While over on the outskirts, all ponies without horns, or any other creatures for that matter, are left in crumbling buildings, constantly policed by his toadies, with hardly any food, clean water… not even health care! You seen how bad it was out there, haven’t you?”
"Well..." Sterling froze, recalling the state of the buildings he'd seen earlier. Now that he thought about, the holes he'd seen didn't seem to look like they were caused by explosions. In fact, as he glanced at the dead bodies of the rebels and Blaze himself, he noticed how dirty and malnourished they looked, as if they had lived this way for a long while.
'Maybe he's telling the truth...' He thought. 'Is there something Nalik fail to mention? I must be missing something here...'
“If there is to be any hope for our kind and for the future of the kingdom, Nalik must die!” Blaze declared, “We must rid this kingdom of his racism, before he goes on to do something awful!”
“...I’m sorry, but I cannot let you do that.” Sterling shook his head.
“Why?!” Blaze gasped, outraged, “Why would you fight for somepony who looks down on your own race?!”
“Because I'm not fighting for him.” Sterling said firmly, “I’m fighting for something bigger, and that ‘something’ needs the money this kingdom provides. And unfortunately, we need your Prince alive for that.”
"So you're not even fighting because you care for the prince, but because you need his money?" Blaze snarled, outraged. "You're no better than he is!"
"Hey, I'm just doing what needs to be done." Sterling shrugged.
"So am I!" Blaze charged Sterling.
Sterling was slightly startled, but managed to counter Blaze's first strike. Blaze managed to make a glancing blow with his other hoof, but Sterling replied with a headbutt, knocking Blaze back.
"Grr..." Blaze rubbed his wound.
"I can do this all day." Sterling smirked.
"Prepare to be a scorch mark on the ground!" Blaze charged up another blast.
"Uh-uh!" Sterling leapt over and kicked Blaze in the face before he could finish.
"Ugh!" Blaze grunted.
"Not so tough fighting stallion-to-stallion, are you?" Sterling smirked, following up with a kick.
Blaze returned the blow with one of his own, knocking Sterling back.
"Then again..." Sterling mused, rubbing his chin.
"You've chosen the wrong side, sir." Blaze growled, powering up another blast.
"We'll see about that." Sterling evaded the blast, then fired a crossbow bolt into one of Blaze's hooves.
"Agggh!" Blaze roared.
"Let's see if you can still pull off that trick without hooves!" Sterling leapt forward and slammed the handle of his crossbow on Blaze's other hoof, breaking it.
"Yahhh!" Blaze screeched.
Sterling kicked Blaze in the face, knocking him on his back.
"It's over, Blaze." Sterling declared. "Give it up."
"Never." Blaze groaned. "I won't let the loss of my comrades be in vain."
"You can't fight any more." Sterling declared. "Not with broken hooves. So either give up, or I'll have no choice but to put you down."
"I will not allow myself to become a victory for that spoiled, selfish prince." Blaze declared. "I would rather die, and let my fate stand for something. Me, my comrades... we will all live on as martyrs, to inspire others to stand up for what is right.... to help all ponies, regardless of race and species... to free themselves from Nalik's oppression..."
'He sounds so... earnest.' Sterling thought worriedly. 'Like he really means it...'
Sterling's doubts were interrupted by the realization that Blaze was glowing again. This glow was brighter than the others.
"Let my fate inspire others to stand up for freedom!" Blaze screamed.
"Wh-what are you doing?" Sterling asked, unnerved.
"Yaaaarrrggghhh!" Blaze screamed, as the glow grew more and more intense.
At that point, Sterling realized what he was going to do.
"Oh buck! Run!" Sterling yelled. "Run!"
"Princes first!" Nalik screeched, bolting for the front door.
Slink and Sepulchre, having just freed themselves, followed their prince, with Sterling right behind them. Just as Sterling passed through the front door, a massive explosion tore apart the gallery, and sent him flying once more.
"Not agai-ugh!" Sterling grunted, as impact the ground rendered him unconscious.
When he came to, Sterling found himself in the palace lounge again, Nalik standing over him.
"Ah, you're awake." Nalik said in an uninterested manner. "I was fifty/fifty on whether you would pull through."
"Gee, thanks." Sterling rubbed his still sore head.
"It pains me to say this, but... Good work, Cross." Nalik declared. "I would have preferred that one be kept alive for interrogation, but at least the rebel scums have been expunged from my realm."
"Yeah, well... just doin' my job." Sterling shrugged.
"And you did it... adequately." Nalik admitted.
"Try not to go overboard with the praise, your highness." Sterling joked.
"I'll try not to." Nalik snorted.
A thought suddenly came to Sterling.
“You know… some of those rebels said some very odd things.” Sterling scowled.
“Really? And what is that?” Nalik snorted.
“Well, for starters, he said that most of the ponies here, specifically Pegasi and Earth Ponies, are being forced to live in squalor, while you and your fellow Unicorns are living it up here.”
"Filthy lies." Nalik retorted.
"Lies they'd be willing to die for?" Sterling asked. "I saw the look in Blaze's eyes. That wasn't the look of some guy out to raise hell for the fun of it. It was the look of somepony who really wanted to make a difference, and was willing to kill himself just so he could kill you."
"What else would you expect from a deranged lunatic?" Nalik shrugged.
"He didn't seem that deranged to me." Sterling pointed out.
"You and I have very different definitions of 'deranged', Cross." Nalik retorted.
“Cut the bullcrap, Nalik.” Sterling snarled, “I know that look. It’s the same look you had when you tried lying back at the Coils.”
"Well, I nev-!" Nalik started, before Sterling suddenly sprang up and looked him right in the eye.
“And you wanna know something? I'm beginning to think those rebels aren’t the reason that most of the kingdom look like crap.” Sterling said coldly, “I want the truth, Nalik. I want to know why I almost got myself killed for you!”
“Don’t you dare take that tone of voice with me, you filthy mudpony! I am Prince Nalik Aqqbar-Royale, and I demand respec-” Nalik tried to snarl back.
Suddenly, Sterling clutched him by his robes, pulling him closer.
“The only thing you’re going to get from me is a slug right in the face.” Sterling seethed, “We both know that I can beat your flank any day. So save me the trouble, and start talking!”
“...Okay, okay, take it easy.” Nalik grunted, as Sterling let go of him. He straightened his robes as he glanced at the angry stallion, “That money problem I was mentioning back at the Coils? The reason the Forefathers didn’t get their fundings?” He gave a small sigh, “I’ve might had shifted the blame on that one.”
“...You what?” Sterling raised a brow.
“You see, the ponies I had over in the treasury had recently taken notice of the amount of money I had been taking out to give to the Forefathers over the years.” Nalik revealed, “They started asking questions, wondering where the money have been going, and they began to suspect that something wasn’t right. If I didn’t do something quick, they would learn about the Forefathers, and I would end up losing everything. So I needed a scapegoat.”
“You mean the rebels?” Sterling glared.
“That’s right. “ Nalik nodded, “They were already causing problems. A couple acts of vandalism here, a couple of protests there. Nothing major… albeit very annoying. But they were perfect for taking blame. My subjects… at least those who actually matter to me and my kingdom, would believe anything I would say. So I decided to spin up a tale about how these rebels started to become more violent and aggressive, and how they were the ones stealing money right from under their noses. Heck, I even had my men set up bombs to implode a building over on the east side to sell it better. Soon, they became enemy number one, taking the heat right off me!”
“So, it was all a cover up… those rebels were innocent!” Sterling scowled.
“Innocent? They made the choice to come crashing that gallery.” Nalik sneered.
“Only because of your lies!” Sterling retorted, “Because of you… they’re all dead!”
“Yeah, like anypony is going to miss a bunch of filthy mudponies and chickens.” Nalik gave a sarcastic snark, “I say the world is better for it.”
“You son of a draft horse…” Sterling growled… before realizing something, “Hold on… if the rebels didn’t steal the money from your treasury… then what happened to the funds that the Forefathers were supposed to receive?!”
“Yeah, that…” Nalik cringed, “You see, I had some ‘side projects’ I had going on around here…”
"Like your Project: Transcendence?" Sterling scowled.
“Well, there is that.” Nalik shrugged, “I've also been spending some funds on renovating the inner streets of the city, improving living conditions, that sort of thing."
"The inner streets..." Sterling mused. "Would that happen to be where most of the Unicorns reside?"
"Yes. What of it?" Nalik shrugged.
"So are you planning on renovating the outer streets?" Sterling asked.
"Why would I bother?" Nalik scoffed. "The mud ponies and feather-backs are nothing but a drain on the purity of my kingdom. They aren't worth wasting the time or money on."
“...Are you buckin’ kidding me?” Sterling gasped, visibly outraged, “You wasted the Forefathers’ money so you could become a bigger racist asshole than you already are?!”
“Hey, it’s not their money until I give it to them.” Nalik snarled defiantly, “Besides, I’ve been giving them a good chunk of my kingdom’s treasures for years. I am well in my right as Prince to spoil myself and my kingdom every now and then. It’s like they said, they don’t really need my money.”
“You son of a draft horse…” Sterling growled, “You used me! You used the Forefathers! You made us think you needed our help to solve your problem! A problem that wasn’t even a problem! Just you being a lying piece of garbage!”
“Don’t be such a drama queen, Cross.” Nalik scoffed, “So I stretched the truth a little, big whoop.”
“Why did you do this?!” Sterling demanded, “What was the point of all these lies?!”
“Well, for starters, I wasn’t about to tell Father and the others that I spent the funds on myself.” Nalik scoffed, “I figured they would had eventually found out that I hadn’t paid them, so I did everything in my powers to appear as pitiful and pathetic as I could to them, so that I could earn their sympathy.”
“Really? You actually thought that would work?” Sterling asked incredulously.
“Well, not on any of those other fools I dare call comrades.” Nalik smirked darkly. Sterling glared fiercely at him, “Oh, don’t give me that look. Trust me, the hate is mutual. I knew they would never help me… but I knew Father would.”
“You knew…” Sterling murmured, “You knew Father would force one of us to help you!”
“Oh, yes. As much as I respect Father, he’s a giant bleeding heart if I ever saw one.” Nalik smirked, “He wouldn’t allow one of his ‘sons’ to suffer, especially if it meant losing the fundings he needed for his organization. With his help, I have not only dealt with the rebels, but I cleared myself of suspicions from both the Coils and my treasurers… and I get a new jacuzzi. Three birds, one stone!”
“...Why the hell did you even need me or the organization?!” Sterling frowned, “I mean, you could have had your Elite Guards take care of those rebels yourself!”
“Well, I didn’t need you necessarily.” Nalik corrected, “I knew Father would force at least one of you to help me. Any pony would had done nicely. As much as I trusted my Elite Guards, having an Ouroboros such as you would had helped ensure my victory… though I personally think Solomon would've gotten the job done faster.”
"You conniving piece of scum!" Sterling spat.
"You watch how you speak to me!" Nalik growled. "We may be fellow Ouroboros, but I am still a prince! You're barely more than a commoner!"
"Here we go." Sterling sneered. "The old 'I'm better than you' story!"
"Well, I am!" Nalik roared.
"Please." Sterling retorted. "Everything you have, you were handed on a silver platter. I had to work hard to get where I am. Suffer and struggle, become stronger. So in that sense, I'm the one who's better."
"keep telling yourself that." Nalik scoffed.
"You know what?" Sterling growled. "I always knew you were low. But somehow, I never imagined you could be this low. Never imagined what could drive anypony to this. Using everypony around you like that."
“Then you need to learn a good hard lesson…” Nalik said coldly, “If you are ever going to get anywhere in life, you need to use other ponies to get ahead. So what if a few ponies get hurt along the way? Everypony except yourself is expendable. Don’t like it? Tough. But you have to do it to get what you want!”
“Oh, really? Well, let’s see if the others feel that way when I tell all about your little scam." Sterling scowled.
“What? You’re gonna tattle on me?” Nalik sneered, “Tell me, what good will that do?”
“Well, I hope it will get your ass booted right out of the Coils.” Sterling glared.
"You think that Intimidates me?" Nalik growled.
"It should." Sterling snarled.
"But it doesn't." Nalik smirked. "There’s no point in you telling anypony. The rebels are dead, and the Forefathers will still get their money eventually, so there really isn't anything wrong with how things turned out. As you know, Father is a heavy believer in the ends justifying the means. It's the final results that count." He smirked even more widely. "Check and mate, Cross."
Sterling attempted to come up with a counter-argument, but was unable to do so. Instead, he simply scowled and walked away.
Soon after, the two of them returned to the Infinity. It was a quiet flight, since neither one was talking to the other. Sterling had plenty of time to think. He hated what Nalik had done. He hated Nalik (possibly more than his own mother, one would say). But as he stewed in his cabin, he could not help but think about the words Nalik imparted on him, the sentiment resonating with him.
'Using other ponies to get ahead...' He thought. 'Is that really how it should go? It can't be. Stepping on everypony around you, all so you can climb higher. It just doesn't seem right...'
Loveless was waiting to greet Sterling upon his return.
"So, how did it go?" Loveless asked.
"Worse than you'd think." Sterling declared.
Sterling quickly explained what had happened.
"I see." Loveless sighed. "I must confess myself disappointed. I hadn't expected even Nalik to be capable of such despicable actions."
"You're telling me." Sterling scowled. "...He's not right, is he? About how you need to use other ponies to get ahead, and only look out for number one?"
"Of course not." Loveless smiled. "Nalik is a self-centred narcissist, so of course he'd think that. But you, my boy, you know the value of relying on and trusting others. I'd say that makes you a far better stallion than Nalik could ever be."
"Thanks, Loveless." Sterling smiled. "I needed that."
"Any time, my boy." Loveless placed a hoof on Sterling's shoulder.
The next day, everypony was gathered at the Coils. Sterling cast a cold glare towards Nalik’s way as they sat down. Nalik simply responded with a sneer his way.
"Welcome, Sterling." Father declared.
"Sir." Sterling nodded.
"Nalik." Father announced.
"father." Nalik nodded.
“I hear that you were both successful in silencing the rebels.” Father told them both.
“You heard correctly, sir.” Nalik smirked, “Those rebels are good and dead. They didn’t put up as much of a fight as I thought they would… in fact, having Sterling along made it overkill!”
Sterling clenched his hooves angrily. Loveless placed a hoof on one soothingly.
“That is good to hear.” Father nodded, “So, I trust that there shouldn’t be a issue with the Forefathers receiving your fundings?”
“That is also correct, sir.” Nalik smiled, “It will take a bit, but I will have your money sent to you in a couple of months.”
“Yes… about that...” Father began, “There is something I wished to speak to you about.”
“Sire?” Nalik’s smile slightly faded.
“Harlhooves, if you please.” Father turned to Harlhooves.
“Yes, sir. Here’s the ledger you asked for.” Harlhooves levitated a old leather-bound book over to Father.
“Um, what are you doing with the ledger, sire?” Nalik frowned.
“I have been in thought about the finances of our organization.” Father explained, “And how some of our projects greatly relies that they have proper fundings. And that if something were to happen that puts our funds in dire straits, everypony would suffer. That is why I decided to make amendments to our original agreement, Nalik.”
“Amendments?” Nalik gasped, “What are you talking about?”
“See for yourself.” Father levitated the ledger over to him, opening it up to a certain page.
As soon as it was within grabbing distance, Nalik nabbed the ledger, and began perusing it quickly, eyes darting back and forth… until he found what he was looking for.
“What the buck?!” Nalik yelled, slamming the ledger down, “This is twenty percent more than what I was paying you before!”
“Indeed it is.” Father nodded, “It is nice to know you are well-versed in math.”
“What is going on here?!” Nalik snarled, “This wasn’t the condition of our arrangement! I’m already paying twice as much as I did when I first joined this organization!”
“I have altered the deal.” Father said firmly, “While I am pleased that your issue within your kingdom has been resolved, I do know that this issue only came about because you, as a prince, were unable to keep your subjects in line. Because of it, I was forced to send one of our best agents to waste his time to clean up your mess. To put it in laypony’s term, you were starting to become more trouble than you’re worth. So, you will be paying more to cover the difference.”
“B-but sir!” Nalik protested, “How can I be expected to come up this much money in a couple of months?”
"I doubt it will be too much trouble." Father said soothingly. "You just have to cut certain expenditures... Such as urban renewal, or even making some... additions to your palace."
Sterling’s eyes lit up in surprise, as well as Nalik’s. The prince’s blood ran a little cold as Father stared intently at him.
“I am a patient pony, Nalik.” Father declared nonchalantly, “I know that you will procure the funds for the organization in due time. However, I do hope the funds will end up where they belong this time. I may be a ‘bleeding heart’ sometimes…”
Nalik’s blood went completely sub-zero at this point.
“...But I know when to make it harden.” Father added, a cold edge to his voice, “So I pray that you will be more responsible with paying your dues. I can assure you that no pony here will help you should another group of ‘rebels’ show their faces. Are we in agreement, Nalik?”
“...Yes, sir.” Nalik numbly bowed, “...Could I be excused for a moment?”
“Yes, you may.” Father nodded.
"Thank you, sir." Nalik quickly left the room.
The second Nalik was outside the room, he vomited in utter terror.
Inside, the discussion was still ongoing.
"Sir, do you really think this is the best course of action?" Loveless asked.
"I agree with Loveless." Doc nodded. "How long do you intend for all of us to put up with Nalik's nonsense?"
"No kidding." Solomon snarled. "That self-centred slimeball is going to be the death of all of us."
"Little harsh, don't ya think?" Ricochet frowned.
"Not harsh enough, I say." Harlhooves said coldly.
"I believe Nalik still has potential within him." Father declared.
"Must be pretty bucking deep within him." Gridlock scowled.
"And if he knows what’s best for him, he will not do what he did again." Father added. "Or he will suffer the consequences..."
'Lucky for the rest of us, Nalik isn't the top pony he thinks he is.' Sterling thought. 'As long as Father's around, he'll have no choice but to accept his place. Father's one pony who won't be stepped on...'