//------------------------------// // Level 8: Fallen Into Enemy Hooves // Story: Resident Pon-Evil - Operation: Equestrian Downfall // by Delta 727 //------------------------------// In a successful mission to bring down an oil storage compound belonging to Harrow's End during their search for their missing teammate, Acid, an unexpected guest shows up at Harmony's Elements' door. Now trapped in another one of Dmitri's tricks, Harmony's Elements discover that there is a leak in the corporation of their own, and find that not all they see is true, as well as the past is not always gone. *Begin Transmission* "You all seem shocked. I cannot pay a visit to some old friends?" Dmitri's hoof remained planted on Chainlink's back, pistol pointed at his head. The Elements aimed their guns straight at his vile head. "Ah, ah, ah... One move and I put a bullet through his head and send him straight to Celestia!" "Do what he says," Chainlink said. "It's not worth getting me killed over a bucker like him..." The team lowered their weapons, but Marigold still aimed. "You can drop the act now, Marigold. I don't assume they will be alive much longer," Dmitri said in an almost comforted tone. Marigold lowered her weapon, walked straight up to him... And hugged him. "Good to see you're okay, hon. I was worried about you!" Marigold said cheerfully. "Marigold! What the buck are you doing!?" Blade was shocked, and Chainlink cursed under Dmitri's hoof. "Oh, y'all didn't know? I've been with him this whole time! Even gave him your communication channel? Must've slipped my mind." "You bucking traitor!" "Now now, Blade," She said. "I'll make sure your deaths are nice and painless. Now put the guns down." The team all looked at her in fury, and reluctantly put their weapons on the ground. "Good. Now move. Daisy, remember what I told you." The Tyrant looked at her commander, then broke down the West wall and stalked off into the night. "Good girl! Now let's move." She pointed her SMG at the team, and they all moved out the door, glancing with hatred as they went past. Dmitri bucked away Chainlink's gun, picked him up in his front hooves, and pushed him out the door after the others. --- After about an hour of walking, the team found themselves in the remains of the Equestrian Town Square, in front of the Town Hall building that had now burned to the ground. Dmitri and Marigold, guns aimed, led the team to an elevated speaking platform originally intended for the mayor. Now it looked like a shooting range. "Get up there." Dmitri pushed X-Ray toward the ladder, and he climbed up. The rest of the team followed, as well as Marigold and Dmitri. ''You may want to go now, Marigold. After what happens next..." Dmitri smiled. "No problem." Marigold kissed him on the cheek. "I'll see y'all later..." She jumped off the platform and disappeared. "Now that I have you all right where I want you... Line up." He pointed his gun straight at the stallions. "You know we could easily overpower you," Chainlink said. "Yes, but I will gun you down before you take one hoofstep. Now line up." Dmitri waved his gun along the wall, and the team followed his direction. He aimed his gun, but pointed it into the air, and fired. Almost instantly, infected ponies galloped out of every last alley and crevice, their rotting out manes flowing through the wind. As they gathered around the tower, hooves reaching, they were surrounded. "Any last words...?" He laughed. The team knew this was the end. Their time had come. After so many victories and losses, they were about to fail their mission for the last time. After alliances and betrayls, they had lost their last ally. As they lined up against the wall, they all had to face the truth, and prepare themselves to come muzzle to muzzle with Celestia herself. In their final moments, X-Ray stepped forward. "Yes... We have a few..." He twitched his head to signal the team to step forward. As Chainlink and Blade joined him, he turned and held out his hoof. "We will all be executed today... And the blame will be on us... But we will not lose... Our unity... We are still a team... Together.... United Under Celestia." The two stallions hesitated, and Blade touched hooves with him. "United Under Celestia." Chainlink followed next. "United Under Celestia. Buck you to Luna, Dmitri..." He touched hooves with the team, and they all faced their killer. "Aww, how cute." Dmitri pretended to wipe a tear from his eye with his hoof. "But your unity won't save you. Marigold is gone. She betrayed you for me, and now you will all die-" He hadn't been able to finish before something bucked him to the ground. "What the bu-!" Something hit him again, and a pistol appeared at his neck, and the team all stared in horror. "I think you remember me, after you got me all caught up in your little 'trap'? " There, pointing her pistol into the neck of the traitor with a hoof in Dmitri's back... Was Acid. *Transmission Ended*