> Destiny: Equestria > by Deep Voiced Maniac > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Intro > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Everything changed with the arrival of the Traveler. Long ago, it breathed new life into our system and began our Golden Age. But it did not last. Something hit us. Knocked us down, tried to stomp us out. Nopony knows exactly what, but we do know this: very few of us survived, and those who did owe their lives to the Traveler. In our darkest days, Ponies, Exos, and Awoken found the Traveler where it made it`s last stand, low above Equestria, silent and immobile. We built this city- our last- within it`s protective shields, fighting countless wars to keep it`s peace. From that dark age, the Guardians of the City were born. Hunters once prowled the wilderness and wastelands, taking big risks for even bigger rewards. Making your own luck has always meant bending the rules. But you are no outlaw, at least, not anymore, and your unique brand of daring and ingenuity will be needed now more than ever. The first Titans built the wall and bravely gave their lives to defend it. Now you stand in the same place, steadfast and sure. Our enemies are deadly and merciless, but so are you. You hail from a line of legendary heroes and your strength and skill will be needed to shatter their ranks. Warlocks have long studied the Traveler, mastering some of It`s arcane energies. It`s true purpose still remains a great mystery, but discovering the truth has always driven you into the unknown. Now, our enemies stand between you and your greatest discovery- the secrets of the Golden Age. Equestria is the only home many of us have ever known, but the wilderness beyond the Walls of the City are ruined and corrupted, claimed by nature and our enemies. From the war torn fortresses of the Twilight Gap to the skyward steppes of Old Muzzia, evidence of our lost glory still litters the wilds of Equestria, waiting to be rediscovered. These relentless thieves seem driven by desperation and rage. They are crafty, but they usually give up their cover with their clattering and hissing. Most seem outfitted with some kind shock dagger and pistol, and as far as we can gather, they seem to only have two arms, while other Fallen have four. The truths about the Fallen chain-of-command are still making themselves known, but the Vandals appear to hold a higher ranking than the Dregs, and deadlier weapons too. They often have long range capability, but their weapons take time to charge. Fallen run in small packs, led by an individual Captain. There is no denying a Captain`s might; they are the fiercest of the Fallen. There is this sense of tattered nobility to them. You can see it in the way they carry themselves. They think they`re better than us. They think that Equestria belongs to them. It`s been years since they first made their presence known at the Twilight Gap. While reports have centered on or around Mares, the true might of the Cabal is still wrapped in speculation. Awaiting more reports from the Vanguard. The Vex are partly robotic, time traveling alien species. From their stronghold on Venus, they launch endless waves of metal armies at the Ponies, Exo, and Awoken alike for the quest of domination. The Hive is an enemy to Ponies. Little is known about their origins or traits, though they apparently have a deep mythos and back story made evident through their appearance and tactics. Equestria has had heroes fall and rise. But now, new heroes has arised, and the fate of Equestria is placed in their hooves. Equestria has been abandoned and new foes rise up to the challenge. Fight and save Equestria. Become Legend! > Prologue > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Audio File #12 "This is Deadshot. We are currently pin downed by Cabal. Our Titan is injured immensely and require immediate evacuation. I don`t know how long we can hold out. Mystic, our Warlock, is run down from defending our location. But, nonetheless, we found it. Down in this, Celestia-forsaken tomb, we found the Core. We just nee-" The audio file cut out, leaving the chattering of static. Cona dropped the audio case and sighed. Dammit. They were the best! Dammit! Cona slammed his hoof into the ancient stone floor, chips flying off. Steam was practically flowing from his nostrils. He plopped on his haunches and buried his hooves in his lap. He powered his horn and pulled off his round-like helmet, setting it next to him. Cona levitated the audio file into his saddlebags and stood up. "Sir, we found another audio file." Cona perked up and spotted the data in the Pegasus` hoof. He snatched it and searched for the button. He saw a black button on the bottom and the audio file powered up. Audio File #10 "Tank... I don`t know... It`s just... What if she doesn't like me back?" "Mystic was always the one for mares." "Yeah... But..." "Just ask her... It might work." "Alright, I`ll ask. "Trust me... Do you trust me?" "Yes... I do." "Mystic is smart and will find out that you are the perfect mare for her." "Thanks." "Oh yeah, ever put me in this situation again... I will kill you for real this time" The audio file, once again, powered down and left static. Cona threw it in his saddlebags, finding it`s place in the stash inside,and started walking for the exit. Several scientist looked on, analyzing old tech and ancient stone. He shifted his helmet back on his head, his muzzle resting in his protected coffin. Cona`s duster blew around in the breeze, the cool summer air brushing against it. He scanned around, spotting a few drop ships and picked one. Trotting towards a ship, a orange hoof stopped him." What`s the status of the Core and the Guardins?" "Deceased." Cona said with grief in his voice. The commander looked on and stood there, thinking about the obvious problem.The orange pony sighed in frustration and stormed off, tripping on a rock along the way. Cona slipped on the dropship, setting his haunches on one of the plenty of seats and flew off, thinking about if he could have saved them. On the way, he pulled out the last audio file they found and started it. Audio File #7 "Tank... I`m worried about Deadshot." "Why, she seems perfectly fine to me." "She`s been... acting weider than usual." "How weird?" "She`s been fidgety." "Probably drugs." "Tank! This is serious!" "Alright, Alright... I`ll talk to her." The audio file ended abruptly, filling the ship with static. Cona sighed, dropping the memory player on the ground. It clunked, hitting the floor of the ship, echoing throughout. He could barely hear over the engine, it`s rumbling making him unable to concentrate. The ship flew into lightspeed, finding it`s way into space and out into the unknown... The scientists were poking around. Their horns buzzing, magic fields picking up 'evidence'. One scientist was analyzing a pile of rubble, looking for atleast a peak of something interesting. She rested her hoof on a rock, and realized it wasn`t a rock. She frowned and tried pulling it, groaning in the process. She pulled hard enough and tumbled over, falling backwards and onto her flank. She sighed and powered her horn, particles of magic floating about. It latched on to the odd object and levitated it out... > Welcome to the Frontier... > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- I threw my myself on him, latching around his neck and held on for dear life. He bucked around, trying to knock me off. I slid out my dagger and slammed it against his side, puncturing his armor. He yelled and ripped me off, landing in a pile of dirt. I shook my head and dived out of the way before becoming pony sauce! I hoisted myself onto a rock and took to the air. I slipped out my sniper and aimed, directly on his head. I exhaled and fired. He didn`t flinch and just kept charging. I smiled under my hood and charged as well. Seconds away, I slid under him, planting three shots into his belly. I stood up and ran to the nearest rock, plopping on it. I rested my sniper on the rock and aimed. I exhaled once again and fired two shots into his chest, making it`s new home. He put a hoof to his chest and dropped onto the ground. I smiled and flew over to his immobile body. His chest was rising up and down slowly, indicating he was still alive. I reached my hoof to his gun and picked it up. Thunderlord was engraved on the barrel. I stashed it in my saddlebags. I frowned and looked at the fallen Titan. I gave a small smile and pulled him to the nearest rock. I placed him against it and pulled out a healing syringe. I took off the cap and place it above his exposed arm, jabbing it in. The syringe took effect immediately and magical wisps surrounded his body, slowly healing him. I turned around and came face-to-face with a Titan. Before I could reach for my revolver, he pinned me on the ground. He looked over to the unconscious Titan, and back to me. He slammed his hoof right into my left wing, bones snapping and feathers flying off. I screamed in agony and desperately tried grabbing my gun. I almost had my hoof on the handle, when he smashed his hoof into my other wing, doing the same damage it did before. I yelled and mustered all my power, knocking him off me. He flew a short distance, hitting the ground with a thump. He picked himself up, growling under his heavy-ass helmet. I extended my wings, but the never ending pain stopped me from taking off. I scanned around and noticed an abandoned building at the top of the hill. Shifting my saddlebags, I galloped up the hill, glancing behind me. I reached the door, pushing it open and closing it behind me. Dust particles gliding around, glowing through the busted window. File cabinets were scattered around the floor, papers in their final resting place. "Come out... filthy dog." I heard the Titan mutter. I looked behind me and got threw into the wall. I shook my head and looked around, seeing the Titan slam into me at full force. I broke through the wall, rolling and dodging his attacks. I jumped up and punched him in the face as powerful as I could. I went for another attack, but he grabbed my hoof, twisting it and shoving me away. I jumped up, slipping out my revolver with speed Rainbow Dash would be proud of. I shot four shots right into his chest, the bullet casings hitting the ground with a clink. My revolver clicked and I unsheathed my dagger, advancing towards the super soldier. He glanced up, his hooves powering. I started galloping, my dagger in my mouth, cutting the inside of my mouth. I did a flip over him, planting my knife in his back, and landed. I looked behind me and barely dodged a full powered punch. I blocked his attacks to the best of my ability. I slammed myself into him, knocking him onto his back. I latched onto his helmet with my hooves, pulling it off. Finally, the hatches released and his helmet flew off. Staring at me was a white buck, half of his face burned. His mane was dark blue, emanating light from the bright sun. His cyan eyes peeked back at me, blinking in anger. He threw me off him and I landed on my back, dizzy. Before I could get back up, he pinned me to the ground. I hit my hooves against his metal armor, doing nothing but adding scratches to the armor. He yanked my hood back, and I grabbed his hoof before he could rip my mask off. "Stop...Please." I said, using my voice changer. He stared at me, his cyan eyes shimmering in the light. I tried moving my hooves, but he kept them pinned down to the ground. He grabbed my revolver, ripping it from it`s holster. He handled it in his hooves, with earth pony expertise. He placed the barrel to my forehead, the metal shining. He kept it aimed there, until he pulled the trigger. The gun clicked and threw it to the side. "Enough!" Magic wrapped around the white buck, throwing him off me. I looked to the right and saw a unicorn. She had pale white skin, her mane and eyes the same. Her magic powered and felt myself get thrown next to the Titan. I tried moving, but she kept me trapped. The Titan shifted around, trying to find a way to escape. Good Idea. She walked up and placed a gun to my forehead. "Your Name?" She asked, the gun`s clip sliding in. "Deadshot." I said trying to act as friendly as possible. I did not want to piss of the mare with gun to my head. "You. What`s your name?" She said taking the gun away from me to the Titan. I let out a breath I didn`t know I was holding. "Tank." He said looking at me. Too bad I still have my hel- The pale white mare yanked my hood back, and ripped my mask off. I almost yelled, but refrained from it, considering she had a gun and I did not. "See. We can all be friends. My name is Mystic." She said smiling. Wow. That`s a stupid name for an unicorn. She lowered her gun and let us go. I rubbed my hoof, feeling like she was still restraining us. Tank stood up and walked over to his helmet. He reached for it, but Mystic stopped him. "No, No, No. We can`t be friends like that." What`s up with being 'friends' with each other. She levitated the helmet into her saddlebags and mine too. I had half a thought about ambushing her fast enough, where I can snatch her rifle and get my mask back, then I can take care of the Ti- "Deadshot, come on." I sighed and trotted next to her, my teal blue mane brustling in the cool wind. I rubbed my dark grey fur, feeling the warm coat. I wiped my muzzle and blood leaked onto my hoof. "Where are we going anyway?" I said rubbing my face. It really itched. "You, are being arrested for attacking a Titan." She said pointing her hoof at me. She shifted her hoof over to Tank and said, "And you`re being arrested for attacking a citizen." Tank scoffed and I lowered my head. Jail. Whoopee. "Oh yeah." Mystic pulled out hoofcuffs and slapped them on our hooves. After a few minutes of walking, Mystic spoke up, "How did this start?" I nearly burst out laughing. I went to speak, but Tank beat me to it. "This... This traitor killed a brother Titan!" I snorted and I swear if Tank didn`t have hoofcuffs on, he would kill me. "He started it!" I said pointing at Tank. "Oh, stop acting like a child!" "Yeah, right." I muttered under my breath. Mystic cleared her throat and I took that as, 'Shut up you stupid idiots'. I looked around and noticed it was starting to get dark. Well, today was a long day... I shifted around, trying to move away from Tank. Being hoofcuffed to each other is not going to make us 'friends', Mystic. I sighed and slumped down. Dammit all! If he didn`t show up, I could`ve gotten out and back to the city. But, No! He just had to show up and make my life a living hell! I wish had my mask. They completely stripped us of our equipment. I looked down at Tank`s cutie mark. It was a golden shield, with a silver clean sword shimmering behind it. He was pretty cute looking. You know, if he wasn`t trying to kill me. I scanned around, looking for a way to escape. I spotted an air duct. Nah, too small to fit in. Fuck! I hate standing still! I wish I didn`t have this oaf next to me. I plopped onto my haunches and sighed. I smacked Tank across the head, waking him up immediately. I smiled as he looked around then noticed me hoofcuffed to him. He blinked in shock and tried so hard to break the link. "It`s not gonna work. We need to find a way outta here." I said looking around. "No. We are going to stay and wait out our punishment." He said giving me a stern glare. I looked back at him and met his glare. I flushed and looked down. I felt kinda bad for hurting him and the Titan. He looked down at me before I looked back at him. We stared at each other before I turned my head away from him. I parted and he just blinked in confusion. I smiled and closed my eyes. Today was a long day. He smacked me in the head, and laughed. I opened my eyes to him smiling and I shook my head. I smacked him across the face, and he responded by smacking me in the muzzle. I smacked him in the ear, it folding against his skull. I stopped, but he slapped back. I grabbed his ear, yanking it lightly. Why, I`m messing with him , I`ll never know. Probably because of my bubbly personality. I`m ponies` pony. We giggled and kept smacking each other, laughing at each other`s hits. This went on for hours before the cell door opened, revealing a Warlock in a dark black duster. I noticed the face: Mystic. She stared at me and Tank before saying, "Come, on. It`s time for the execution." If I had a drink, it would have been spit out of my mouth. Tank perked up and stared at Mystic. "The Council has decided. Come on." I stood up and Tank did as well. Hmm. I`ve never thought I`d die by being executed. I thought I would die by a Cabal or The Hive. Oh well. I trotted next to Mystic and Tank, since he had no other choice. We walked through a long corridor, guards stood at attention when Mystic passed by. Apparently, she has quite the reputation here. She used her horn to open a door, sunshine blasting through and blinding us. Outside was a crowd of civilians and guards. There was raised platform with a Titan on it, and He was holding a pistol. This won`t end well. Me and Tank trotted along, the crowd shouting at us, calling us 'traitors and 'betrayers'. I scoffed and kept walking. Mystic motioned to the platform and I sighed. With Tank still hoofcuffed, I stepped onto the floor of the raised platform. The Titan pointed the pistol to the ground and I sighed...once. I lowered, Tank doing the same. The crowd cheered, waiting for our deaths. The Titan stepped into our view, blocking the crowd from view. "Any last words?" I smiled. "I`m gonna smile while I die." Keeping that same smile. "Any last words?" He asked Tank. "I`m sorry I couldn`t serve the City well enough." He said looking down. Poor guy. The Titan pointed the gun to my head. I smiled. He cocked it. I smiled. He was slowly pulling the trigger. The crowd cheered on, watching me die beside a Titan, my final body form with a bullet in it. I smiled. > Escape... > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- I smiled. The gun fired, but not at me. No, Tank slammed into the Titan, the gun firing into the crowd. The crowd scattered and ran, screaming. I blinked in shock and decided to take down the Titan. I piled onto the Titan, Tank smashing his head in. I helped and eventually the Titan lay limp on the ground. I struggled for the pistol, galloping towards it. Guards stepped into view, firing their pulse rifles. I ran behind a crate, their guns slowly eating at my cover. I bit my lip and looked around. I spotted Tank on the far right, mouthing 'what`s the plan?' I peeked over the crate, almost getting my head blasted off in the process. I saw Mystic firing space magic at us, their radius almost hitting us. I locked my vision onto the pistol and exhaled. I jumped over the crate, the Guards and Mystic firing at me. I dodged most of them, but one shot struck me in my left hindleg. The pulse round was eating away my fur and eventually my flesh. I hissed through my teeth and kept running. I slid under a guard and punched him right in the gut along the way. I was behind them and snatched the pistol with my teeth. I shot the guard I punched, turning him into ashes. "Just surrender, Deadshot!" I heard the pale mare yell. I ignored her and kept fighting, firing. I pulled the trigger and the gun clicked. Dammit! I powered my holographic dagger and charged. I sliced through three guards in a matter of seconds. They disintegrated into a pile of ashes. I smiled and galloped towards Mystic. She looked shock as I tackled her, sending us both over the railing. I punched her in the air, she trying to fight me back. We hit the ground, me landing on my back and her on her face. I walked over to her, grabbing her by the mane. I dragged her to a wall and pinned her against it. "Why?! Why the execution?!" I shouted in her face. She simply just looked down. I raised my hoof to strike, but... I couldn`t. She looked up at me and I dropped her. I did this all the time. Did I care about her? Do I feel bad for her? I shook my head and got to the task at hoof. I left her there, trying not to think about it. I looked up at the broken railing and the tall wall that was supporting it. I sighed and tried extending my wings. I hissed in pain, as I realized they were still broken. Gee, thanks Tank. They settled back in place and I scanned around. A big air duct came into view and I smiled. Popping open the hatch, I crawled inside and let the small corridor lead me to freedom. Yeah, Freedom. I looked down a hole and saw a guard armoring up. I looked past him and found the holy grail of armories. I grinned and kicked the hatch. The hatch hit the ground, bonking the guard in the head; and in response knocking him unconscious. I dropped down and spinned around. I stopped when I saw my gear. It`s like I was a filly on Heart`s Warming Eve. I slipped on my hood, my cape connecting to it. I hatched on my mask, the visor having a small crack in it. I found my holster empty, much to my disappointment. I dug through as much as I could take, ammo, weapons, and whatever healing supplies I could find. I found Tank`s stuff, and decided that I`d bring it to him. Maybe, he won`t kill me if I do. I slipped it into my saddlebags and finding it`s temporary home. I jumped up into the air, latching onto the hatch with my hooves. I pulled myself up and back into the small air duct. I started crawling towards another hatch on the other side of the air duct. My hoof slipped and I fell through the duct. I landed on a guard patrolling, her back being crushed by my weight. I jumped up and found out she was unconscious. Well, easier for me. I stripped her of ammo and dragged her body to a closet full of cleaning supplies. Another thing they have to clean up. I shut the door and locked it. Don`t want to have guards surrounding me everywhere in every direction, after all. I sneaked down the hall, keeping to the wall. Talking came into my range of hearing and I tried to focus on it. "They are escaping, Mystic!" I heard a slam and a long sigh. I peeked around the corner to see a Titan and Mystic, both standing around a table. "I`m sorry sir, but the Hunter pinned me down and we don`t know where the Titan is." At least Tank got out. I slid out my knife and felt along the blade. Yup, still sharp. I readied it and charged. I flipped over the table, slamming into the Titan. We broke through the wall, me perfectly unharmed. I jumped up, to be tackled immediately. The Titan pushed me onto my stomach, cuffing my forelegs behind me. So much for escaping. I grunted and wiggled around. I was pulled to the wall by the Titan, Mystic standing behind him. "How`d you escape?" I grunted some more while I tried getting out of his lock. He punched me right in the muzzle. Didn`t do much, considering I still have my mask. Speaking of my mask. He ripped off my hood, the mask with it. My teal mane folding out behind it. I smiled and he punched my now exposed muzzle. I spit out some blood onto his face, he covering his face with his free hoof. "It`s called an air duct." I said with a sarcastic tone. I really did not want to be in this situation right now. He looked down in anger, then spotted my spare dagger. Oh shit... He unsheathed it. The blade shimmering in the hanging light in the room. I looked down at my stomach as it slowly entered my belly. I hissed in pain, blood gushing through gaps. He smiled and pulled it out. He smashed it right into my left wing. I screamed in agony, my already broken bones making way for another wound. He let go, the dagger hanging me by my wing. I tried reaching for it, my hooves a few inches short. Tears filled my vision, some already streaming down my face. Mystic looked at me, her hoof hiding her from the horror in front of her. Blood speared out of my mouth, leaking down my muzzle. The Titan pulled out the dagger, holding it firmly in his metallic hoof. I looked down at my burnt leg and touched it. Oww, still hurts. He jabbed into it, the decaying flesh punctured. The dagger was pulled out and raised for another strike. The dagger was shanked back in, mutilating it completely. My eyes widened, to the point where I thought my eyeballs were gonna pop out their sockets .Well, I`m dead. Mystic slammed into the Titan, tackling him. Her hoof powered and witnessed his face burning before my eyes. She stood up from the melting flesh of the dead stallion. She walked over and picked me up, placing her on my back. "Why...Save me?" I barely coughed up. Blood splatted onto her pale coat. "It`s what friends do." She said glancing back at me with a smile. I gave a bloodied smile. She turned back and continued walking. Blackness started forming in the edges of my vision. Eventually, I gave in and let unconscious take me... ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ "Mommy, we`re gonna be late!" I yelled at my mom. We were going to the Grand Galloping Gala in the City! I jumped around on my hooves at the thought. My dress is really pretty! "Hold on honey, I`m doing my make up." She said back, still looking into the mirror. I frowned and jumped onto my bed, trotting to the opened window. I looked out at the green grass and rivers. I smiled and hummed silently. The radio station played all kind of cool songs! Like Winter Wrap Up and Raise this Barn! Mommy said we can listen to music while we`re home. I turned around and half expected Mommy done, but no. This wasn`t Mommy! This was some big robot! It disappeared and in it`s place was six ponies. One was cyan and had a rainbow mane, another had pink hair and had a yellow coat. Two unicorns, one purple and the other white with a high class mane. And finally, was two earth ponies, the former had poofy pink hair and the latter had an orange coat, her mane covered by a cowpony hat. My body turned into my mature state. My teal mane growing and grey coat darkening. My cutie mark appeared: A glowing orb. It was silver and blue, lines swirling around it. I looked to the six ponies and the purple unicorn stepped up, and spoke. "You may be wondering who we are and why we are in your dreams?" I blinked in confusion. "See, we`re the ponies who created the Last City and in your time, it`s in danger. The Fallen, Cabal, Vex, and Hive are closing in. There`s only one thing that can prevent the city from falling: The Core." "What is the Core?" I asked, trying to remain calm. "The Core is the power we used to create the City. After we died, the Core was lost and Nopony bothered to look for it." It sounded like there was dread in her voice. "And you`re the only one who can retrieve it." I was at a loss for words. Me. Of all ponies. "How?" I asked in confusion. "You are Rainbow Dash`s descendant. See, the Core was connected by our Elements and you are on the family tree. There are six Elements: Magic, Laughter, Honesty, Loyalty, Generosity, and Kindness. Rainbow was Loyalty. You`re going to need to find the other five Elements. The Core will see the Elements are connected and you can collect it." "The City will fall without it. Retrieve the Core. Save the City." I nodded and they slowly faded away. I stood there, in the ethereal realm of nothing. The Core? The Elements? Why me? How come I`m the only pony who can do this? I stood there, until the world swirled away... ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ I awoke to feeling of pain. Seems like every morning. I leaned up and rubbed my head. Mystic looked down at me and there was somepony else... "Welcome back to the land of the living." I stood up and looked over to the Titan. He pulled off his helmet and revealed that same cute stallion. I smiled and waved. He just glared at me before turning around, watching the door in front of us. I groaned and rubbed my hoof, or where my hoof would have been. It was replaced by a cybernetic part! "Your pulse stopped while you were unconscious." Mystic said looking down at my now robot leg. I sighed and walked over to my mask on a table. I slipped it on, the hatches strapping in. The filter activated, sending fresh air into my mouth. I breathed it in and smiled. There was still the task of escaping... "Why are you two helping me?" I said while strapping my saddlebags on. I turned my head a bit, looking at them behind a cracked visor. "We`re fugitives. We mine as well work together." Tank said. "Friends help each other." Mystic said with a smile. "I didn`t know I was either of your friends." "This world is filled with enough hate." Mystic said, giving a small smile. I always worked alone, Ever since my mother was murdered at the Grand Galloping Gala. I never considered having friends. "We still have to escape." I said slipping on my hood. My suit was torn up ever since I fought Tank. I walked to the door and pulled out my revolver, the cylinder filled with bullets waiting to be dished out. I slapped the cylinder back in and cocked it. I opened the door and glanced down the dark hallway. I pressed my hoof to my visor, hoping to turn on my nightvision. It blinked and shut down. Dammit! It`s too damaged. "It`s too dark, anypony have a light?" I said feeling my hooves along the wall, trying to navigate in the pitch black darkness. "I do." Mystic held out her hoof, a small orb floating into the distance. It emanated light and stayed near Mystic. That was useful. I motioned for her to take the lead. Tank was behind me, his heavy-ass gun held on his back. The Titans have a complicated system implicated into their suit, allowing them to carry and shoot weapons. I mean, Warlocks can use magic and I just hold them in my mouth. Mystic stopped in front of a door and I moved to the right of the door. Mystic took the left and Tank stood in front of the door, ready to breach. I nodded and he kicked open the door. Tank stepped in, guns blazing. Me and Mystic stepped in after him, occasionally firing. A shot whizzed past me, another striking me in the chest. I took cover behind a table, flipping it over. I fired my revolver blindly behind cover, sometimes hitting somepony. Tank stopped firing, and I took that everyone is dead. I hopped over, scavenging from the bodies. I went to touch a Pegasus, but my hoof flew back to me Because you`re Rainbow Dash`s descendant, you can`t touch pegasi. That`s stupid. I retracted and searched every other body. I saw a elevator, windows on each side of it. I pointed at it and they nodded. I stepped in and them after me. The doors closed and we started ascending. "Everypony check their ammo. They`re sure to wait for us." My cylinder slid open. Four bullets. I slapped it shut, cocking it. The elevators door opened and Tartarus broke loose. We immediately ran behind a railing, returning fire along the way. I shot two shots into a guard, dropping to the ground as a lifeless, limp body. My last two shots were ejected into a another guard. She dropped and I pulled out my cylinder. I started loading bullets in. One. Two. Three. Fou- A Titan in silver armor tackled me, landing punches. I blocked as best as I could, responding with punches of my own. I reached for my revolver with my free hoof. Mystic kicked it over, it landing in my hoof. I grabbed it to the best of my abilities, placing against his head. I shot four bullets into him, his body falling limp on me. I pushed him off me and jumped back up. I finished loading, slamming my cylinder shut. We fought for a while, until we ran out of ammo. My gun clicked. Tank`s gun clicked. And finally, Mystic`s gun clicked. "What are we going to do?" Tank asked me. I looked around and spotted the elevator. I ran to it and pressed the button. Shit! They turned off the power! I ran back to Tank and Mystic, taking cover again. "They turned off the power." I said trying to avoid dying. "We got to turn it back on ourselves." Mystic said pointing at the power box behind the guards. Of course. Everything has gotta be difficult. I peeked over and my visor counted the guards. Twenty- two. Hmm. I readied my holographic dagger and prepared my approach. A pale white hoof stopped me, though. "What are you doing?" She said looking at my dagger. "I`m gonna charge and turn it back on." I pushed her hoof away and galloped forward. I slid under a guard, stabbing him in the gut. I strafed from guard to guard, killing them with my 'Rainbow Dash'! I reached the power box, and I turned it back on. I went to walk, but I was stopped from unbearable pain. I looked down to see a shock sword sticking out of my chest, blood gushing out. Tank rushed up, pounding the Titan to a bloody pulp. I dropped to the ground, blood pouring out of my un-seeable muzzle. Mystic galloped to me, dragging me to the elevator. She sat me down, pulling out several healing syringes. She ripped off my helmet, my hood with it. Blood stained my dark grey coat, my teal mane covering my eyes. "G-G-Get out of here. L-Leave me." I spit out. Mystic ignored me, stabbing healing syringes into me. I slapped her hoof away and stood up. Mystic looked shock, to say the most. Tank ran back over, staring at me. Blackness surrounded my vision and I drifted back to the world of unconsciousness... ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ I flew through the sky, a rainbow trail behind me. I felt alive! I haven`t had freedom like this in forever! The wind slamming against me, it`s cool features calming me. The endless, free blue sky was my home! I landed at a tree. Upon closer inspection, it`s actually a building! There was a door, and windows! I opened the door, revealing a library. Books upon books, littered the shelves. In front of the shelves, was a purple unicorn. "Oh, good. You ready?" The unicorn asked. "Yeah, as ready as I`ll ever be." My host said. My host walked over to a small orb. It was glowing blue, it`s black exterior shimmering in the sunlight. The purple mare walked up, placing my cyan hoof over the orb. It glowed brightly, covering my host in bright blue swirls; twisting and turning around me. After a couple of minutes, it stopped and my host felt stronger. She felt she could take on an Ursa Major! Twilight covered the orb with a magical field, placing it in a metal box. "What did it do?" My host asked. "It made us immortal, Rainbow." She said smiling. "Imagine. We can live forever, like the princesses! We can bring the world some more light!" Rainbow stared at the box. The power to make you immortal and was used on her. She would live forever. She would never age or even die. "I already used it on Everypony else." Twilight said placing it under a secret door in the floor. "Trust me, Rainbow. The world is going to be a better place with this." And with that, the world swirled away again... ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ My eyes popped open to the same position. Tank and Mystic were gone. The elevator was open. I stood up, rubbing my head. Those ponies were immortal. Princessess? Ugh, this is making my brain hurt. I walked over to the elevator, a holonote pinned to the glass. Deadshot, We had to leave. If you read this, we will get a indication noting us you`re alive. The City were closing in on us. Please, try not to die and Good Luck. Sincerely, Tank and Mystic. I ripped it off and placed it in my saddlebags. I pressed the 'down' button, and the elevator shifted; moving after a few seconds. There was a buzzing and it kept getting louder and louder. I turned around and saw a dropship pointing it`s giant-ass guns at me. It fired, it`s missiles blowing the elevator off it`s tracks. I was flying around the elevator, plummeting towards the ground. I escaped. > Lone Wolf... > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Do you think she`s okay. Her dot has been out for days." "I don`t know. But in my short time of knowing Deadshot, I`ve learned she is a tough pony." "But, not Everypony can survive getting stabbed through the chest." "She will survive. Don`t worry." "I hope so." Death. I never thought it would be like this. I thought it would be the everafter like in the books. But, I digress. I was certainly not was going to survive falling to the ground. My wings were broken, so basically Tank killed me. But what is death? The act of dying? No. Dying is when you decide to eternally sleep and not wake up. When you decide your body has had enough and to give it the rest it deserves. No. I won`t die. I have to find the Core! I have to find the Elements. I need to get out of here! I need to find Mystic and Tank! Glowing, small orbs started floating around me, and into the distance. I looked at it with my nonexistent eyes, and followed it. My not...there, legs walking towards it. The orbs dissolved into embers, reforming into something much bigger: The Core. I reached out for it, trying to see if I touch it; if it will bring me back to the land of the living. I touched it and my body felt relaxing. Behind me was a loud explosion, revealing the six ponies from the past. I looked at them, waiting for one of to speak and speak they did. "You need to wake up, Deadshot!" The purple unicorn said. "Come on, wake up! The City needs you!" Rainbow Dash screamed at me. "Why? They killed me, in the first place!" I shouted back. Twilight, is it Twilight? Twilight stepped up and spoke, "What about Mystic and Tank, Hmm? What about your mother?" How do they know my mother? "We are a part of you, Deadshot. That`s how told we you can`t touch pegasi." This is impossible! They can talk to me in my head! "How? How can I wake up?" "Touch the Core. It makes you immortal. It will bring you back to life." I nodded, walking slowly to the Core. My steps felt like the whole world was standing on top of me. I stand at it. The power to make me immortal and bring me back to life. I reached out, but hesitated. Did I want to live? Did I want to be immortal? I left my hoof, if you can call it that, there in the air. I felt my body blast forward, sending my body onto the Core. My hoof touched it. The world slowly broke apart, piece by piece. Blackness into lightness. My body reformed into my current state and I felt the pain. This is gonna suck! Tank reached around, grabbing his saddlebags. Mystic snuggled up against Tank for warmth, rain surrounded the ground with wetness. It felt wrong to have somepony sleeping next to you. Especially, somepony you barely know. He still felt weird about Deadshot playing with him in the cell. She doesn't even know him, and kissed him. Tank shook away the thought, arising from slumber. He gently got up, not wanting to wake the pale mare sleeping next to him. It`s been weeks and Deadshot`s dot is still out. Is she really dead? Maybe the guard caught her and killed her? Tank slipped on his armor, strapping his helmet on. He slid his saddlebags over his back, shifting it around. Once it found a comfortable position, Tank pulled out a holonote and began writing. Pinning it onto a tree, he wrapped Mystic in a blanket and left. He needed to find Deadshot. The rain poured around him as he walked towards the City. Mystic stretched, feeling a warm cloth around her. She opened her eyes and noticed Tank was gone. She sat up, readying her magic, along with her horn powering up. She relaxed when she saw a holonote strapped onto a nearby tree. She trotted over to it, mud wetting her hooves. She reached the tree, ripping off the note and read it. Mystic, I left to find Deadshot. I need to find out if she is alive or not. I won`t be gone too long. I hope. You can move or stay, either your choice. If you move, me and Deadshot, if she`s alive, will find you. Tank. Mystic slipped the note into a pocket. Is she alive? Her dot has been gone for weeks. Maybe the guard killed her? Mystic placed her round-like helmet on. She started walking towards the City, hoping to find Tank; and hopefully, Deadshot. I shifted around in my blanket, the itching warmness bugging me. I ripped off the blanket, flying over to the corner of the room. I sat on my haunches, pressing buttons on my helmet. The radio turned on, playing a rather catchy song. I placed my helmet down, letting the music play in the air. It`s been a couple of months since I died. I tried staying away from Everypony, as much as I could. As far as I know, Tank and Mystic probably gave up on looking for me. Good. I tapped my cyber leg, the metal making a clink. It felt wrong having one of my limbs missing, it least I could walk. My wings are healing, but still fucked up. The fall broke my ear, making me deaf in my left ear. I haven`t got messed up since then. The song ended and another song came on, replacing the catchiness with slow cello. I stood up, grabbing my helmet. I slid the mask on, the strapping in. I pulled my hood on, my cape at the end of it. I hesitated. I took off the helmet, shoving it into my saddlebags. I pulled out my picture of Mom. Her mane was dark blue, her coat black. She was always the prettiest of us two. I smiled. I haven`t smiled for a while, no reason to. I slipped it back in, strapping my saddlebags. I always worked alone. I never had anypony follow me, or follow them for that matter. But, I feel alone. Ever since Mom died, I just felt alone. Alone, in this unforgiving world. Hopefully I can find them. And maybe the Core as well...