Echo found a remote section of tunnel, far from anypony else, and fell to his knees, lost to depression and self-hate. The stark reality of what he had almost done to Sunset cut through him like a knife. In a moment of rage, he had lashed out, and could have grievously wounded both his wife and his foal. The thought of such a thing felt like ice.
"What am I becoming?" He groaned. "I almost let my rage cost me my wife and foal... the two things I care about most in this world... I thought I was past such horrors... I just don't know what to do anymore..."
"Echo?"
Echo barely raised his head to acknowledge Elatha, emerging from another tunnel. He simply slump his head, as Elatha approached him.
"Echo?" Elatha murmured. "Are you okay?"
"Please, just leave me alone." Echo said solemnly.
"Don't be like that." Elatha urged. "I just want to help you."
"Help?" Echo snarled. "Help?! It's because of you that I'm like this!"
"I-" Elatha started, "I don't understand..."
"It's rather simple. If it weren't for your wretched letter, I would never have come here." Echo spat. "I would never have listened to those cursed recordings, I would never have learned what a monster my adoptive father was, and I wouldn't had come to realize that no matter what I do, things will remain the same, and as of now, I nearly became the one stallion I swore I would never be like, and I would never attacked my own wife in a rage!"
"You attacked... Oh, dear." Elatha sighed. "Echo, please. I never meant for any of this to happen. I just wanted you to help us."
"And in doing so, you incited a cycle of events that have ruined my life." Echo spat. "I've lost everything. My respect for my father, my beliefs, and even my wife. The way she looked at me... She was terrified."
"I'm sorry, Echo." Elatha sighed. "I'm so sorry... I never imagined things would turn out this way..."
"Well, they did." Echo scowled. "You made a mistake. I'm not the one who can save this pack. I can't help anypony..."
"I don't believe that." Elatha declared.
"And why not?" Echo growled. "You saw what happened back there. I became nothing more than an animal. I tried to maim your brother. He didn't deserve that. He may have made mistakes, but he was at least trying to do the right thing. What does that say about me?"
"I know things got... heated back there." Elatha admitted. "But we all have our moments of weakness."
"I know the feeling." Echo sighed. "...Back before I got these microcrystals, I had a completely different power... the spell of the Berserker."
"The Berserker?" Elatha murmured. "You mean..."
"Yes..." Echo nodded, "If I grew stressed or angry, I would turn into this giant ravenous beast."
"That's... you mean..." Elatha gasped.
"It's true." Echo nodded. "I became a hulking beast of pure rage, attacking everything around me. It would happen not even on purpose, yet I had suffered for the actions I had done while in that state. Fortunately, I was eventually cured of that affliction, and I had thought those days of mindless anger were behind me. But it seems I thought wrong..."
"I had no idea..." Elatha frowned.
"Now do you see?" Echo asked. "Do you realise how ridiculous the idea of me helping anypony is?"
"But Echo..." Elatha started.
"But nothing." Echo insisted. "All I am is a flawed, foolish stallion. I'm nothing. Worse than nothing... I just have no idea who I am anymore..."
"No, you're not." Elatha said firmly. "I know the kind of pony you are, Echo. You are kind, and caring, and you always stand up for what's right. That's why I called you here. Because I know you can save us. Because you always stand up for the opressed. That's who you are. Your equinity is undeniable. Whatever anger is in you, I know you can overcome it. I have faith that you can still do what's right, and change this world for the better."
"You really believe that?" Echo looked at her, dumbfounded.
"I had believed many things." Elatha nodded, "I always believed that for every awful pony there is in the world, like those who had tormented me and Artorias, there are many more good ponies, like you and Sunset. It is because of ponies like you that I never gave up on the prospect of a normal, wonderful life. You are a good pony, Echo, and you always be... never let anypony tell you otherwise..."
"...Thank you, Elatha." Echo smiled. "I needed that."
"You're welcome." Elatha smiled.
"And I promse you, Elatha, no matter what demons I have in my head, I will put them aside." Echo said firmly, "I came here to help you guys, and that is what I intend to do, one way or another."
"That's the spirit." Elatha smiled.
Meanwhile, Artorias had left the den and was walking through the forests In the moments since his fight with Echo had ended, he had had some time to reflect on what had happened. He had realised how out of control he had gotten during the battle, and how his savage fury had almost overwhelmed him.
'Elatha was right all along.' He thought. 'I don't deserve to lead this pack. I can barely control myself...'
Moments earlier...
Aether followed Artorias as he marched down the corridors, heading for the nearest exit.
"Artorias, stop this!" He yelled. "You can't leave!"
"And why not?" Artorias growled. "You heard the others. They don't want my leadership, so I may as well go!"
"But you can't!" Aether declared.
"I can, and I will." Artorias shot back. "I'm sorry, old friend, but my mind is made up."
"Look, let's just talk about this..." Aether pleaded.
"There's nothing to talk about." Artorias retorted. "Please, leave me be."
"I won't let you do this." Aether declared. "This pack needs you for their leader, not some peace-loving feeble-minded Thestral. You should have won that fight."
"But I didn't." Artorias frowned, still sore over his hesitation at that moment. "Like it or not, Echo defeated me fair and square."
"But Echo is not you." Aether glared, "And I will be damned if I let you le-"
"You can't stop me." Artorias growled, cutting him off. "And it would be unwise to try."
"But... we need you!" Aether spluttered. "We need your strength, your power!"
"The power that was just bested?" Artorias pointed out. "Besides, nopony else wants me around, so I may as well go."
"Artorias..." Aether sighed, "Please, what about our mission?"
"I'm sorry, but the mission... is no more. Goodbye, old friend." Artorias declared, as he reached a hatch that led to the outside. "And thank you... for everything."
Aether shook his head in sorrow as Artorias climbed the hatch.
"Oh, Artorias." Aether whispered. "What has happened to you?"
The present...
Artorias continued walking, trying his best to get as far from his old home as possible.
"Hey, hold up!"
Artorias turned, seeing Wave running over to him.
"Wave?" He frowned.
"The one and only." Wave declared.
"What do you want?" Artorias scowled.
"What's it look like?" Wave asked. "I'm here to try and talk some sense into that head of yours."
"Save yourself the trouble and go back to the den." Artorias spat. "I'm sure your new Alpha is waiting."
"Ouch." Wave cringed.
As Artorias continued walking, Wave followed him.
"So, is this for real how it's gonna end?" He asked. "You packin' up and goin' AWOL?"
"Looks like it." Artorias shrugged.
"Funny." Wave snorted. "You're the last guy I ever thought would just up an' quit."
"And yet, I am." Artorias said flatly.
"Look, I'm gonna be straight with ya, pal." Wave declared. "You can't just ditch us like this."
"Oh, now you care?" Artorias growled.
"Say what?" Wave asked. "Of course I care. I've known you longer than any of the others, 'cept for Elatha and Aether. I've always had your back."
"Really? You didn't 'have my back' when you and the others were turning yours on me before." Artorias snorted. "You've made it quite clear that you no longer want me around."
"That's straight-up wack, bro." Wave declared. "Just 'cuz we don't want ya in charge anymore, don't mean we want ya to leave."
"What would be the point of me staying, anywhere?" Artorias huffed. "Leader or not, you obviously no longer care for my methods. In fact, you all seemed too terrified of me to ever speak up. I thought I had your respect, and your friendship..." He let out a sad sigh. "Not your fear."
"It ain't like that, bro." Wave declared. "Yeah, we were a little against speakin' up. But that was only because we didn't wanna seem ungrateful. You and Elatha saved us all, remember? Gave us a place to live, and a new family. You did for us what no other ponies did."
"But it seems I ruined everything." Artorias frowned. "All my life, I let my hate for the normals rule me. I became so focused on revenge against them that I was willing to use other ponies as means to an end. I turned every one of us into the very instruments of destruction they claim us to be. I had no right to do that to you, Nano, Willow, and Moana... and I had no right to put my sister and my... my daughter through all of that."
"Then why the buck would you try and exile them?" Wave challenged. "You know Elatha was trying to-"
"I know that!" Artorias snarled, before calming down instantly, sighing "I just... I just thought Elatha was always with me. I knew she didn't approve of the violence, but... just knowing that she and Snow were safe because I was out there punishing those who would see them dead, it made me feel like I was doing something right... but now..." He turned to Wave, sadness apparent in his eyes. "I didn't banish them in hopes of leaving them for dead... I simply didn't want them to see any more of me as this savage killer..."
"Come on, pal, you're not that bad." Wave tried to sooth him.
"But I am." Artorias growled, "In my fight with Echo, I had pushed my powers to the limit... I even went into that state of mind, and all I could think about was ripping Echo apart. Aether had told me once that if I lost control, that my death spell could of done the same and kill everyone in the den, without even raising a claw. Even worse, I could have exposed us to those who seek to hunt us down... but I didn't care..." He sat down. "I just didn't... Elatha was right, I shouldn't be the one to lead you..."
"Look, I get that this has hit ya pretty hard." Wave admitted. "But ya can't just walk away. When we first met, I only cared about myself. I just wanted to go it alone, without anypony else ridin' my coattails. But you helped me see the importance of bein' in a group, a family. We all need each other. And we still need you."
"No you don't." Artorias shook his head. "I'm just a savage beast, blinded by rage."
"That ain't true." Wave told him. "You're more than that."
"No, I'm not." Artorias declared. "I'm just a cold, joyless shell of a stallion. Not to mention broken. I had spent my entire life being hated for what I was. I tried so hard to see the good in life like my sister, but I just couldn't do it. In fact, the only reason I bother living nowadays is because of Elatha... but there was only one time that I felt something other than pain and misery... when I was hurting somepony else. When I killed those monsters who made me do those...things...just feeling their blood in my mouth and on my claws... it was euphoric."
"Wow..." Wave murmured. "That's... that's..."
"I know." Artorias frowned. "That is one of many things that gave me the will to go on. When I'm out there, fighting, the painful truth that I am hated by everyone, that we are struggling to survive day to day, and the fact that I was subjected to torture and had brought a little inbred Nightcrawler into this cruel world were all but an eternity away."
"Hey, Snow might have been made by incest, but it's not like she's some abomination or something." Wave glared, before the glare softened. "Look, I know what happened that night was something no guy should ever have to go through, but dammit, ya gotta get over it. What matters now is that you still have your sister, and like it or not, you still have a kid who needs both her parents, even though she has no clue that you're her father. It's just something you gotta do."
"Why?" Artorias frowned. "I am no longer Alpha. With Echo and his 'plans' for peace, there is no need for a savage wolf like me. No one needs me. Elatha and Snow will be both be happier with me gone... as well as everyone else."
"That's a load of bull!" Wave shouted the last word a tad more loudly than he meant, shaking the trees. Artorias cringed from the shout. "Here's how it is, Arty: Me an' the others will always look up to you as a leader. Sure, you're not perfect and not always right, but who is?"
"I know that now." Artorias nodded.
"You gotta quit focusin' on the negative." Wave urged. "Think of all the good you've done for us. You took us in, protected us, helped us get to grips with our powers. We ain't never gonna forget how much you've done for us. And you're still one of us, bro. No matter, you will always be a member of this pack."
"A nice sentiment." Artorias admitted. "But that's your opinion."
"No, it ain't." Wave declared. "We all feel the same way. Even Elatha."
"Elatha..." Artorias sighed wistfully.
"She cares about you, Arty." Wave told him. "She only did what she did because she didn't want you getting yourself killed. She was even willin' to go behind your back to save you."
"That does sound like something she'd do..." Artorias murmured.
"You're a part of our family, remember?" Wave smiled. "You're like the brother I never had. A big wolf-obsessed half-dragon half-pony with a smokin' hot sister, but still a brother I never had." He then held out a hoof, giving a genuine smile. "Please, don't leave, bro."
Artorias sighed deeply, mulling over his options.
Meanwhile, Sunset was sitting in her and Echo's chamber. She was sobbing deeply, caressing her stomach. The horror of what Echo had almost to her sticking in her mind like glue. She had seen him lost himself to rage before, but that was when he was afflicted by dark magic. This time, there was no outside culprit to blame. That was all Echo.
There was a knock at the door.
"Sunset?" Moana's voice asked. "Can we come in?"
"Yeah, I guess." Sunset sniffed.
The door opened, and Moana, Willow, Nano and Snow came in.
"Is everything alright, miss Sunset?" Nano asked. "We just saw you run by."
"You looked most distressed." Willow observed. "Is it about what your husband almost did to Artorias?"
"A little." Sunset nodded. "But it's mostly about what he did afterwards."
"What did he do?" Snow asked.
Sunset hastily recapped the course of events.
"Oh, my..." Willow gasped.
"That must have been awful..." Moana sniffed.
"It was." Sunset nodded.
"Why would Echo do that?" Snow asked. "I thought he loved you."
"He does." Sunset declared. "He's just... a little confused right now."
"You don't have to make excuses for him." Nano declared. "Like Artorias, he must be held accountable for his actions."
"But I know Echo." Sunset retorted. "He'd never hurt me. But everything that's happened this past few days is starting to get to him. His beliefs, his memories... all of it is being tainted. It just turn his entire world upside down. And what he almost did to Artorias brought up some awful memories..." She just sighed. "Maybe we should never have come here. Maybe then Echo wouldn't be so..."
"But then I wouldn't have made new friends." Snow smiled. "I'm glad you came, Sunset."
"Thanks, Snow." Sunset smiled. "I must admit, it was a pleasure to meet you all. No matter what happens, I'm glad to have you as friends."
"As are we." Willow grinned.
"Really glad." Moana nodded. "After all, it's not every day that a normal pony is so accepting of us."
"Before you came along, I was starting to doubt if any normals would ever treat us as equals." Nano revealed. "You convinced me otherwise. Thanks to you, I have hope that there are more ponies like you out there. Whatever happens, nothing can change that."
"Well, I guess that's one good things about this trip." Sunset smiled. "I swear, things have been so stressful lately, I thought I was... I was..."
"Sunset?" Moana asked.
"Ahhh!" Sunset yelled.
"What's wrong?" Snow asked. "Did you stub your hoof?"
"No..." Sunset groaned, as liquid started pouring down her legs.
"Ewww!" Snow cringed. "What is that?"
"My water just broke." Sunset groaned.
"The foal's coming." Nano gulped.
"Oh no." Willow gaped. "Oh no, oh no, oh no..."
"What do we do?" Moana asked.
"Nano..." Sunset groaned.
"Yes?" Nano kneeled down.
"Get... Echo..." Sunset gasped.
"Are you sure?" Nano asked. "After what he-"
"Now!" Sunset roared.
"Yes, ma'am!" Nano cringed as he got up and ran out of the room.
"You may want to leave too." Sunset told Snow.
"Aw, but I've never seen a foal be born before!" Snow griped.
"Trust me, it's not a pretty sight." Sunset cringed. "Willow, I'm going to need some sheets."
"Coming right up." Willow nodded, racing outside.
"Everything's going to be okay!" Moana told Sunset.
Not too far away, Echo was walking beside Elatha.
"I can only hope Sunset can forgive me for what I did." Echo sighed. "Though after what I almost did to her, I wouldn't blame her if she never wanted to see me again..."
"Sure she will." Elatha smiled. "Sunset loves you."
Nano ran past them, then stopped, and ran back.
"Echo, there you are!" He said breathlessly.
"What's going on, Nano?" Elatha asked.
"Miss Sunset just went into labour!" Nano revealed. "She wants Echo by her side."
"You see, Echo?" Elatha smiled. "I knew Sunset would..."
As Elatha turned, she saw Echo racing down the tunnels.
Back in the chamber, Sunset was panting heavily, the contractions hitting her hard. Echo rushed in
Sunset, I'm so sorry." He apologised. "I never meant to-"
"Talk. Later." Sunset said through gritted teeth. "Support. Now!"
"...Yes, dear." Echo nodded. He knelt down beside her, holding her hoof in his own. "I swear I won't leave your side."
"I know." Sunset smiled.
The others joined them, both awed and mortified by the process.
The labour was a long and painful process. Though the den was bereft of any medical supplies that could help, Echo had thought ahead, and packed some painkillers just in case. The pills barely did their job, Sunset still in incredible agony.
"I know you can do this." Echo urged. "Push! Push!"
"If you say 'push' again, I'm gonna... AGH!" Sunset screeched, as her pain reached a crescendo.
"Almost there..." Echo urged.
"Oh, I can't watch." Willow cringed.
"Me neither." Moana hid her face against his torso.
"I once removed my bunkmate's appendix with a rusty spoon, and didn't even flinch." Nano revealed. "But this is way worse."
"Here we go..." Elatha declared.
Sunset screamed one last time, followed by the cries of the newborn.
"They did it." Nano smiled.
The foal was a Thestral, like Echo, but had Sunset's green eyes, and a black and silver mane.
"He's perfect." Sunset smiled, as Echo passed him to her.
"He really is." Echo whispered. "My son... He's my son..."
"Our son." Sunset corrected him.
"Yes." Echo nodded. "Sunset... about before... I... I never meant to..."
"I know." Sunset nodded. "It wasn't your fault. I shouldn't have pushed you, knowing how tense you were."
"That's no excuse." Echo rebutted. "I had no right to take my frustrations out on you. Can you ever forgive me?"
"Of course." Sunset kissed him. "Now, what should we call our little bundle of joy?"
"Well, if you have no suggestions, I was thinking I like 'Arcane'." Echo declared. "Unless you think it's too esoteric..."
"It's perfect." Sunset grinned. "Little Arcane Alchemy. Welcome to the world."
"I promise, I'll be the best father I can." Echo told the foal. "I will do everything in my power to make this a better world for you to grow up in."
"Well, well." Sunset smiled. "Looks like somepony's got his vision back."
"I had a little help." Echo smiled at Elatha.
"Did I miss it?" Snow asked, as she rushed back into the chamber.
"Shh." Elatha whispered. "Not so loud, dear."
"I cannot erase the evil my father and those bigots have done." Echo declared. "But I won't let that knowledge destroy my equinity. For you, my love, and for Arcane, I will complete this mission."
"I know you will." Sunset nuzzled him.
Arcane looked at Echo. Echo responded by holding out hoof, which Arcane grasped with both of his. Echo's vision suddenly flickered with memories of his past; He saw himself as a young colt, living in the orphanage, nopony coming near him. He saw himself being adopted by Nocturne. He saw himself leaving home, and starting his research into dark magic. He saw the fateful day when King Sombra's book activated his Tenebros gene, turning him into a Berserker. He saw Princess Miracle's light pushing back the beast within him, and his subsequent transfer to the Crystal Empire. He saw the quest for the pages of Sombra's book. He saw Sterling's betrayal, Synchro's death, and the many good moments he had shared with Sunset. It all flashed past in a blur.
Echo shuddered as Arcane let go of his hoof. The foal seemed as confused as he was.
"Echo?" Sunset asked. "What's wrong?"
"...Oh, nothing." Echo lied. "I'm just a little tired. It's been a big day, after all."
"You're telling me." Sunset smiled. "But right now, it all seems worth it." She held Arcane against her chest. "Look at this beautiful little foal."
Arcane nuzzled against Sunset.
"That's my boy." Echo smiled.
"So beautiful..." Moana sniffed.
"Come on, guys." Elatha told them. "Let's give them some time alone."
"Aw, but I wanna see the new foal." Snow pouted.
"There'll be plenty of time for that later." Elatha told her.
"Speaking of time, I need to go on lookout duty." Willow declared.
"Good luck." Moana smiled.
The Nightcrawlers departed, leaving the new parents alone.
A short while later, Willow was up on the lookout tree, keeping an eye open for trouble. Unfortunately, he got it; He saw a black-suited, armed pony in the distance. He was holding a black rectangle against his head. Willow strained to hear.
"Have located a probable hideout." The stallion murmured. "Converge on my position."
"Oh, dear..." Willow climbed down the innards of the tree, rushing over to the main room.
Echo and Sunset were with the others (sans Aether, Wave, and Artorias). Sunset was holding Arcane, a curious Snow peeking from around her shoulder.
"We... have... a problem..." Willow gasped.
"Willow, what's wrong?" Moana asked, noting his breathlessness.
"I regret to inform that we have some trouble on the horizon." Willow announced. "There was... a well-armed pony in the forest. He was speaking to some others over a radio. And they seem to be heading our way."
"You don't think... they know we're here?" Moana gulped.
"They must." Willow noted. "Well-armed ponies don't come into a random forest without expecting a fight."
"How many are we talkin'?" Nano asked.
"I don't know." Willow shrugged. "But if they are here for us, they will no doubt have great numbers."
"Then we gotta get out of here. It's not safe here." Moana frowned.
"I don't think that will work." Nano sighed. "Right now, they must have the entire woods surrounded."
"Then we'll have to fight." Echo shrugged.
"But how?" Willow asked. "In case you haven't noticed, we're missing a few members."
"Are we?" Wave smirked, as he and Artorias came in.
"Artorias?" Elatha gasped. "You came back."
"Of course I did." Artorias nodded. "There's no place I'd rather be."
"By the way..." Elatha indicated Arcane. "We have a surprise guest."
"So I see." Artorias noted. "Congratulations are in order, I suppose." He told Echo and Sunset sincerely.
"Um... thanks?" Sunset shrugged.
"Now, what's all this about fightin'?" Wave asked.
"I'm afraid we have a situation." Nano declared. "For all intents and purposes, it seems we are about to be attacked by a squad of heavily armed ponies."
"Whoa, really?" Wave gaped.
"Yes." Echo nodded. "And we're going to need everything we've got to stop them."
"You can count me in." Artorias declared.
"Really?" Nano asked. "You'd fight with us, even after... everything?"
"I may not be Alpha anymore, but this place is still my home, and you all are still my family. I made a promise that I would protect you all, and that is one promise I intend to keep." Artorias nodded, as he glanced at Echo. "If you will have me... Alpha."
"Of course, Artorias." Echo smiled. "We will need all the power we can get. Right, guys?"
"That's an understatement." Nano chuckled.
"Verily." Willow grinned.
"You're still one of our best fighters, Artorias." Moana smiled. "And our friend."
"Not to mention my brother." Elatha smiled. "We never wanted you to leave. We will always need you."
"Even if you were being a big meanie before." Snow smirked. "But you're our big meanie, and we love you."
"Thank you all." Artorias said, humbled. "It's more than I deserve... you really are the best family I could ever want."
"So, what's the plan, Echo?" Nano asked.
"Simple." He turned to Sunset and Elatha. "Sunset, you and Elatha take Arcane and Snow someplace safe, and get ready to run if something goes wrong."
"You got it." Sunset nodded. "Come on, girls."
"Right behind you." Elatha smiled.
"Kick their flanks, guys!" Snow cheered.
"The rest of you, prepare to defend the den." Echo instructed. "Whoever this is that has chosen to attack us, we will make them rue the day that they messed with Nightcrawlers."
"Now that's what I'm talkin' about!" Wave smirked.
"And Artorias?" Echo declared. "I'm sorry for being a little too rough on you during our little tussle."
"That's okay." Artorias declared. "Faust knows I went more than a little overboard myself."
"For all your faults, you truely were a competent leader." Echo declared. "You protected your fellow pack members, and only did what you did with their best interests in mind. In that respect, I hope I can live up to the responsibility."
"I'm sure you will." Artorias nodded. "Before, I thought you were soft, but I'm starting to realise that compassion is not a weakness. Your compassion earned you this pack's respect, and now, mine. If you believe you can bring about peace for our kind, you at least deserve the benefit of the doubt."
"Thank you, Artorias." Echo smiled. "It's good to know you and I are finally seeing eye-to-eye."
"But before we can bring peace, first we must prepare for war." Artorias declared.
"Unfortunately, you're right." Echo nodded. "Hopefully, we can repel these invaders without much loss of life."
"They're the one who should be worrying about that." Artorias smirked.
"Let's just try to kill only if necessary." Echo instructed. "They are no doubt driven by fear, and prejudice. That doesn't necessarily make them monsters."
"We'll try." Nano nodded.
"But if they come with lethal intent, we will respond in kind." Willow declared.
"I don't like killing." Moana admitted. "But I'll do it if I have to."
"I'm not saying you shouldn't kill." Echo declared. "Just... try not to make it the go-to option, okay?"
"Kind of new for me, but I'll give it a shot." Artorias nodded.
"That's all I ask." Echo nodded. "Now, let's get to work..."
The pack girded themselves for battle, unaware of the true scale of the threat that lay on the horizon...