Author's Note: I want to say thanks to Rampage for editing this chapter. Great job bro.
[Meanwhile back with Rampage.]
My master and I were sitting a few feet opposite of one another. My master gave me an even stare.
"I will go get us some refreshments. You still drink tea right?" he asked casually.
I nodded and he excused himself to retrieve the drinks.
I took time to look over the old dojo, or at least the room I was in of it. It held two mats where I and my master sat, and the rest of it was bare.
The walls were made of standard wood. To any other pony it would seem like master merely found this house. I however am not just anypony. I know master had created it himself with his own two hooves. I feel at home. I forgot how much I truly missed this place.
"Are you still there?" I heard my master ask.
I nodded my head. I took my cup with a grateful smile.
"Good. Now lets get down to the business at hoof," my master said, suddenly growing more serious.
Oh Celestia, when master gets serious,he really means business.
"Fine," I said, matching the seriousness in my master's voice.
"I assume you haven't found the murderer yet," my master said.
"Actually I have," I said a little irritated. He thought I had failed my quest.
"And it only took you a few years. I hope it was worth it," he said grimly.
"It will be once I see him die," I shot back icily. I wanted to rip that pony apart with my bare hooves. He didn’t deserve to die by my powers.
He sighed. "So you still insist on your mission of vengeance then?" he asked disappointed.
It took every fiber of my being not to hit him right there.
"Yes. I want to see him die," I responded with a monotone. Master never liked my quest, but he couldn’t control me.
"So you still haven't learned anything," he said sadly, then spoke up again;
“You’re unlike my other student, he took my words to heart, used my teachings not to better himself, but to better others” when master said this, it enraged me. How dare he question what I use my powers for?
“Who is this ‘other student’? I thought you didn’t take disciples” I said, with a nasty edge to my voice. I scanned the room again, in the corner was the mat that Clock used to use....wait....there were TWO extras!
“His name is not important. If you keep fighting in that tournament though, you will eventually find him. He rivals you in potential, and in skill”, when master said that, my mouth went agape. He had been training me since I was just a colt! How could this be? Master, my adoptive father, taught somepony else better than he taught me? This fueled my anger more, added gas to the flame.
“Master, you said I had the most potential out of any pony you had ever seen!” right after I said that, Master grinned a sly grin.
“Whoever said he was a pony, Rampage?” he retaliated. I was done, I swore to Master Martial Art that I would be the best, have the most potential. He had tried to work with Clockwork too, but to no avail. When he died by that bastard’s hand, the swordspony that killed Clock, I swore over Clock’s dead body that I would be the best, that’d I’d be unbeatable. Clock had said before he died that I was going to be the best fighter in all of Equestria...no...the world!. But...he died, and I swore I’d avenge him! All opposition to my lead would have to be eliminated. Anything for Clockwork....angry and frustrated tears formed in my eyes. Why didn’t Master understand? Why would he say another student was better than me? I felt betrayed. His eyes locked onto mine. Neither one of us would back down. One will against another. The room went silent. The next two noises were a door slamming shut and an old stallion sighing.
Martial spoke to himself,“That stallion is too hot headed for his own good. Bass...watch yourself...a pony driven by anger and vengeance is a very formidable force”
[Back with Bass. Bass's P.O.V.]
After the tournament Shadow had decided to help Goldie recover. So Shadow took him to Fluttershy's cabin. [With her permission of course.] Shadow was finishing up examining Golden's injuries.
"Whats up doc?" I asked smugly.
Shadow gave me an annoyed stare. "Golden will be fine in a week," he said with a small pride filled grin.
"But the next round is tomorrow," I said, concerned for Goldie.
Shadow's face filled with guilt," I did all I can. His injuries were too severe. If he gets hurt anymore...I don't even want to think what could happen!"
I patted him on the back. "Relax," I said soothingly. "Hey how about you and me just go walk around Ponyville? You know help get your mind off things," I said persuasively..
Shadow smiled, "Sure. Just let me tell Fluttershy." He ran to tell her and we were off.
We strolled through Ponyville when one thing crossed my mind. "Hey Shadow, mind if I ask you a question?" I asked abruptly.
"Sure," he replied happily.
"Okay," I said taking a deep breath. "Where the hell did you get your gundam? Where is it? And when did you get it?!" I asked each question in rapid succession. Whew. Man was that a mouthful to say. I almost ran out of breath.
Shadow backed away a little at all my questions. "Well," he said taking a big breath of his own. "I met a pony named Tech Specs. She is an inventor. I asked Shadic to help me gather a lot of parts from the robots we fought. We showed Tech your gundam and asked what she could do. And she made my gundam," he quickly explained.
"Oh," I replied surprised. I guess I shouldn't be too surprised. I mean they can use magic. Anything is possible here. I love this place.
"You still there?" I heard Shadow asked concerned.
"Yes," I answered grinning nervously.
"Good. I thought I lost you there," he said with a playful smirk. "Well what should we do?"
"I know. Lets see if there is anything at the library. I was a bit of a bookworm back on earth," I said sheepishly.
"Okay. Maybe I can find some stories to read to the animals," he replied excitedly.
I grinned and felt myself fly into the sky. I realized Shadow had grabbed onto me with his hooves while he was airborne.
"Sorry. I figured this way would be faster," he apologized.
"Okay," I said trying to sound fearless. Oh fuck. I fucking hate heights. Oh my Celestia I hope we get there soon!
[Meanwhile back in the Darkness.]
"How dare you fail me!" a voice roared at me.
"I," I stutter.
"Silence!" my master commands. I obey.
I stood before my master kneeling for the failure of my own minions. None of them made it far in the tournament. Well except for one. The griffin and pegasus were kneeling on either side of me. The dragon, however, was leaning against a wall. The other one was standing.
"I haven't failed," she said proudly. "And I won't."
"What makes you so certain?" my master inquired.
"Because I know my next opponent and there is no way he can beat me," she replied overly cheerful.
My master went silent. He then began chuckling. "I like you. You're not a failure like the rest," he said happily.
She turned to leave.
"Infinite create a portal," my master commanded.
I nodded and did as he asked.
She neared the portal. "Before you go take this," my master said tossing a jet black sword to her.
She caught it. She smiled and then she jumped through the portal.
"Can't risk her remembering. It wasn't that long ago after all," I hear my master say. "Infinite."
"Yes?" I reply eager to be of service.
"Tell Discord to check on Eggman. I think he has something planned," my master commands.
"You, Griffin and pegasus. She can't be allowed to face her next opponent. Make certain she doesn't," my master ordered coldly.
"Why?" the Griffin asks.
"You don't need to know why. Just do it!" my master snaps at us.
The Griffin and pegasus nodded and awaited me to create their own portal. I did so and they exited.
"As for you dragon. You will find this pony," he said giving them an image of it. "He must not be allowed to roam free. When you find him, dispose of the carcass."
The dragon grunts his acceptance of his orders and left in his own vortex.
I turned around to exit.
"Infinite halt! We still have much to discuss," my master ordered. I stop, and turn back to my master.
"As you say, master," I reply humbly kneeling before him.
[Back with Bass and Shadow.],
We arrived at the library without incident.
"Okay, I will handle this," I said taking charge. And then I knocked on the door. [Quit laughing. It takes a lot of guts to knock at the door of librarians. They are said to be the most fierce creatures in the world.]
"Coming," I hear a familiar voice say. The door opens to reveal an old acquaintance of mine.
"Rhino! Nice to see you man," I began to say when suddenly I noticed Rhino's mane move. What is up with his mane? It doesn't look windy.
"Hi Bass. Um..not to sound mean, but what do you want?" I heard him say but I couldn't turn away from his mane. "Are you ok?" Rhino asked concerned.
"Just one second," I say before I rub my hooves along Rhino's mane.
"Dude what are you," before he could finish I feel something latch itself onto my face.
"What is this?!" I yell slightly frightened.
"That is my squirrel Specter. Specs get off his face now," I hear Rhino demand.
"Squirrel!" I said surprised.
"Get it off! Get it off!" I yell flailing my arms and running around wildly. In a world of black I felt my body hit a wall.
"Fucking squirrel,"I mutter before I pass out.