The Ghost Of Me

by Bluecatcinema

First published 17th of May, 2016

The untold story of Black Knight Paladin.

Black Knight Paladin: brother, soldier, traitor. But there is so much more to his story than you think. For the first time, the tale of Black's journey can be told.

Back In Black

Previously, in the Bluecatcinemaverse...

Daring Do hung up her phone.

"Oh my Faust!" She turned to her daughter, Hurricane. "Tell your father to not get into that carriage!"

The carriage outside their home exploded.

Caboose, wearing a police uniform, was interrogating a suspect in a dark room.

"You want my badge number?" He slammed the badge into the suspect's face. "Here's my freakin' badge number!"

Lars and Lyra, both wearing suits, were talking to another suited pony.

"I can't lose this case!" Lyra declared.

"Lyra, the case is already over!" Lars told her.

Blue Blazes was crying over Vinny's bloody corpse.

"Who did this to you?!" He wailed.

Twilight Sparkle was looking through a microscope..

"In all my years, I've never seen a virus reproduce this quickly." She murmured fearfully.

Sonny and Lars were driving an out of control speedboat as they struggled to regain control, only for them to crash into the side of the pier.

"AAAAAAAAH" Sonny and Lars screamed as they splashed into the water.

Sterling was on the phone as he was in the room with a dead body.

"Everypony I told about the file is dead!" Sterling glared as he frowned at the body.

Fletcher was kneeling in front of a bomb, wire cutters at the ready.

"What do you mean, 'cut the blue wire'?" He spoke into a walkie talkie. "They're all 'blue wires'!"

Caboose and Fletcher (in suits) ran as they shot at a runaway criminal.

Celestia and Luna were stood before a hospital bed, Shine Paladin laying on it, unmoving.

"Face it, he's never coming out of that coma." Luna told Celestia.

Celestia slapped Luna across the face.

Caboose was being lifted away in the claws of a dragon. He stabbed it in the toe with a crossbow bolt, causing the dragon to drop him... from five hundred feet in the air.

"AHHHHH!" Caboose screamed, as he crashed through a glass ceiling and plummeted toward the ground.

Then...

Caboose opened up a letter as his entire family glanced at the note.

"Brian's gone to Los Anglades to find himself!" Caboose gasped... only to frown. "Wait a minute... who's Brian?!"

Just kidding. Here's what really happened last time...

Elite Everest, director of the Royal Defense Legion, stood before Captain Fletcher Ulysses and his trusted Lieutenant, Caboose James Napoleon, who had just agreed to be a part of a new group he was putting together.

"Captain, Lieutenant, I would like you to meet an old friend and trusted colleague of mine..." Elite turned to a oddly shadowed part of the room. "Come on out..."

Red hooves made their way out of the shadows, as both Caboose and Fletcher's face went from confusion to complete and utter shock.

Standing before them, not in a dream, nor dead in the ground, was none other than Black Knight Paladin.

"What in Faust's buck?" Caboose gaped.

"This... this can't be..." Fletcher shook his head.

"Hello, Caboose... Fletcher..." Black nodded. "I heard quite a lot about you two." He then smiled. "Looks like us three might be working together. Exciting, isn't it?"

Fletcher and Caboose just stared in shock, trying to voice their reactions...

"Look at them." Elite grinned. "They're so thrilled they can't even speak..."

Caboose and Fletcher slowly turned to Elite, still dumbfounded by what they were seeing.

"I believe some explanation is in order." Elite declared.

The present...

Both Caboose and Fletcher stared in shock at Black...well, Fletcher was. The revelation of the pony he killed being alive had caused Caboose to snap, as he closing his eyes, singing to himself.

"'It was the heat of the moment..." Caboose drowsily sang, tilting his head back and forth. "Telling me what your heart meant..."

"Caboose, snap out of it!" Fletcher yelled. "We have an enemy of the state standing before us! One who is supposed to be dead..."

"Oh, right!" Caboose came back to Equestria, frowning at Black. "...Didn't I kill you? 'Cuz I'm pretty sure I killed you..."

"So was I, to tell the truth..." Black joked.

"Oh, you have jokes?" Fletcher snarled. "Well, you'll be able to share those with your fellow inmates after we arrest you!"

"Easy there, Captain." Elite stepped forward.

"Sir, how can you possibly associate yourself with this monster?" Fletcher turned to Elite.

"Whoa, now." Black frowned. "I know I've done some bad things, but 'monster' is a little harsh, don't you think?"

"Fletcher, there is an explanation for all this, I assure you." Elite declared.

"Well, you won't mind if I get some of our fellow Guards to hear it." Fletcher marched towards the door.

As the door opened, Fletcher saw a huge, brown-coated Diamond Dog standing before him.

"Hrrrr." The Diamond Dog growled, gripping Fletcher by the shoulder as he dragged him back to the desk.

"Take your stinking paws off me you damn dirty mutt!" Fletcher snarled, as he tried to break free of his grip.

The Diamond Dog snarled back, even louder.

"Easy there, Titan." Elite soothed, as he turned to Fletcher, "Fletcher, I only ask that you hear me and Black out."

"It doesn't look like you're asking me." Fletcher glared.

"Maybe we should listen, Fletch." Caboose suggested, eyeing Titan warily. "My brothers once tangoed with a Diamond Dog his size, and they all needed to get rabies shots... and the Dog was a horrible dancer!"

"Well, since it seems we're not going anywhere..." Fletcher growled.

"Trust me, all will be made clear." Elite declared, as he then turned to the one named Titan. "Make sure nopony disturbs us."

Titan gave a huff as he stomped outside the room and shut the door.

"I apologise for the rough treatment." Elite told Fletcher and Caboose. "But I need you to know what this is really all about, and the last thing I need is for one of you to go rushing off to tell anypony."

"Hey, I can keep a secret." Caboose pouted.

"That may be, but you need to know the whole story." Elite declared. "Trust me, all will soon become clear."

"How about making it clear about why you are with him and why he is alive right now!" Fletcher glared at Black. "I mean, you're the director of the RDL, working with the stallion that smeared it's name!"

"All in due time... but I believe it should be known that Black is not the stallion that you, Caboose, and so many else think he is..." Elite said mysteriously.

"Oh, really?" Fletcher raised an eyebrow. "Then he has played the role spectacularly well."

"Thanks." Black smiled. "I like to think I'm a pretty good actor."

"An actor?" Caboose frowned. "Really?"

"Indeed he is." Elite nodded. "All that you think you know of Black Knight Paladin was a carefully crafted ruse, of which only a select few are aware. I am just one of those ponies."

"So you're saying all the horrible things Black has done has been part of one big con?" Fletcher sneered. "Forgive me if I'm a little bit skeptical."

"And forgive me if I am suddenly hooked." Caboose smiled, "I sense an awesome flashback story coming on!"

"Seriously, Caboose?" Fletcher frowned.

"What? Sure, he's a terrorist, a murderer, a traitor, a foalnapper, and has terrible taste in eyepatches , but I'm sure everyone... and I do mean EVERYONE..." Caboose winked. "...is curious to know how he came to be this bad guy..."

"Not exactly how I would put it, but yes, it is indeed a very long story..." Black smirked. "Better get comfortable..."

Many years ago...

'It all started around forty years ago... me and my brother, White, had just finished our training in the RDL's academy in the mountains, and were shipped off to Saddle Arabia. As you know, being soldiers ran in our family. We had gone in, in hopes of doing our country proud... but little did we know that what happened in the next few years that followed would change our lives forever...'

In the desert country of Saddle Arabia, an airship descended on one of the Royal Defence Legion's camp. Once the ship had landed, the side unfolded into a ramp. From within emerged dozens of soldiers, having just completed their training. Among those recruits were White Knight Paladin and Black Knight Paladin.

"I can't believe we're finally here!" White smiled. "Look at us, Black. We're full-fledged RDL soldiers at last!"

"Yeah, great." Black nodded. "Let's hope they've got air conditioning in there..."

"What's the matter, Black?" White frowned. "Last I heard, you wanted this as much as I did."

"Yeah, but it doesn't I'm going to lose it now that we're finally here." Black snorted. "Seriously White, you sound like a mare at fashion show."

"Very funny..." White pouted.

The new recruits were lead into the main building. They were greeted by the General, a gunmetal gray Earth Pony stallion with a white, buzzcut mane, a square jaw, dull yellow eyes, and a Cutie Mark of a cannon.

"Alright maggots, fall in!" The General roared. "I am General Turret, and from now on, you will do everything I say, without hesitation, or questions! Is that clear?"

"Yes, General Turret, sir." The recruits chorused.

"I can't hear you!" Turret snarled.

"YES, GENERAL TURRET, SIR!!" The recruits boomed.

"That's more like it." Turret nodded. "You have five minutes to drop your belongings off at the barracks, then you come back here for your first assignments! Dismissed!"

"Sir, yes sir!" The recruits saluted, before moving out.

"He seems nice." Black joked. "Almost makes me miss that psycho Drill Sergeant we were stuck with during training..."

"I'll admit, Ermey was a little rough on us." White shrugged. "But if not for him, we wouldn't be here right now."

"Yeah, maybe." Black declared. "I could have done without all the eardrum-busting yelling, though."

As they reached the barracks,White naturally chose a bed that was right next to Black's.

"Finally." White smiled. "This is where we'll be living as we strive to make the world a better place."

"You're not gonna cry, are ya?" Black snorted.

"Real funny." White rolled his eyes.

"I think you've got the right idea." A snow-white Pegasus stallion with a gray mane, royal blue eyes and Cutie Mark of a mountain said, as he took the bed opposite White's. "That's what a soldier is all about: Making a difference."

"Great, another one..." Black sighed.

"Nice to meet you." White smiled. "I'm White Knight Paladin, and this is my brother, Black."

"'Sup." Black said nonchalantly.

"I'm Avalanche." The stallion smiled.

"I know that name." White mused. "Weren't you the trainee who received the 'best markspony' award?"

"Sure was." Avalanche grinned. "Not to brag, but I've been told I have all the makings of a great sniper."

"Whoop-dee-doo." A teal Unicorn mare with a short red mane, pale orange eyes and a Cutie Mark of a crossed knife and arrow sneered. "Like shooting your enemy from a distance is anything to be proud of. What's the matter, you too scared to take 'em on face-face? I prefer to pound those guys with my bare hooves."

"There's nothing cowardly about sniping." Avalanche growled. "It's strategically sound."

"But not as much fun as beating down the enemy up close and personal." The mare smirked. "I wanna be close enough to hear their bones breaking."

"Where I come from, it's considered... unseemly for a lady to talk like that." White frowned.

"I never claimed to be no lady, pal." The mare declared proudly. "Besides, ladies don't get to crack skulls."

"I like your attitude." Black chuckled.

"Thanks, red." The mare grinned. "I'm Nora. Lookin' forward to bustin' some heads with you."

"Me too." Black smirked.

"They like to think busting heads is the only reason we're here..." White sighed.

"I know, right?" Avalanche agreed. "Good thing there are some soldiers here..."

As they finished putting away their posessions, Black was bumped into by a short Earth Pony stallion, one with a blue coat, yellow mane, green eyes, and a Cutie Mark of a single arrow.

"Watch it, shorty!" Black growled.

"Sorry!" The stallion apologised. "I just... didn't want to be lagging behind."

"So you thought you'd just push ahead?" Black frowned. "Not a good viewpoint for a soldier, pal."

"Come on, Black." White sighed. "Ease up. He didn't mean any harm."

"I know." Black shrugged. "I was just messing with him."

"You were?" The stallion asked.

"Yeah." Black nodded. "What's your name, shorty?"

"Rookie Blue." The stallion nodded.

"Nice to make your acquaintance, Rookie." White nodded. "Right, Black?"

"Yeah... just so long as you don't make a habit of bumping into me." Black nodded.

"I won't." Rookie nodded. "And I'm looking forward to working alongside you."

"Listen to this guy." Nora snorted. "Real team spirit there."

"I like that." Avalanche nodded. "You're gonna do just fine here, Blue."

"We'll see..." Black declared. "Once we get out on the battlefield, we'll be able to tell who the real soldiers are..."

The recruits returned to Turret, ready for their first assignment.

"Alright, troops!" Turret announced. "I know it is your first day out in this hellhole those desert rats dare call a country, but we gotta hit the ground running! We've received intel that there's a gathering of terrorists on the northeast side. Your mission is to storm their camp and take them down! But be sure to leave a couple alive for questioning. Grab your weapons and gear. We leave ASAP!"

The soldiers started to gear up, grabbing crossbows and camoflagued flak jackets.

"Let's kick some terrorist flank!" Nora declared.

"Now there's a mare after my own heart." Black smirked.

Once they were armed, the troops followed Turret out into the sands. Before long, they reached the periphery of the terrorist camp.

"Okay, first things first." Turret whispered. "Avalanche, put those crossbow skills to good use and snipe the Guards."

"Yes, sir." Avalanche took his crossbow. He glanced at Nora. "Watch this. You might just learn something."

"Fat chance..." Nora sneered.

Avalanche edged closer to the camp, where four guards stood. He took careful aim, and took down each guard with a bolt to the head. He returned to the group with a smug grin.

"That's how it's done." He declared, his gaze falling on Nora.

"Big whoop." Nora shrugged. "Take 'em down up close, and then I'll be impressed."

"Enough talk." Turret declared. "Now we strike, before the enemy realises anything's wrong. Charge!"

The group rushed upon the camp, all guns blazing. From within the tents emerged several more ponies, mostly Unicorns, shrouded in dark hoods or wearing bandanas tied around their faces, who retaliated in kind, firing crossbow bolts and magic blasts. But the RDL had the element of surprise on their side, and numbers.

"Come on!" Nora charged at a brutish Earth Pony stallion.

"I will break you, little girl!" The stallion roared, throwing a punch.

Nora caught the punch.

"Or the other way around." She smirked, breaking his hoof in one quick twist.

"Ahh!" The stallion screamed.

"Nighty-night." Nora punched him in the face, knocking him out. She then smirked at Avalanche. "That's how it's done, pal!"

"No finesse." Avalanche sighed, as he ducked a magic blast and retaliated with a crossbow bolt. "None at all..."

Some soldiers had no problem killing their targets. White wasn't one of them. He refrained from kill shots, instead incapacitating his enemies with shots to the hooves or stomach.

"What's the matter?" Another soldier chided him. "Too soft to kill?"

"On the contrary." White declared. "The General wanted some left alive for questioning. I'll take care of that. More to kill for the rest of you."

"Sweet." The soldier grinned.

Black had no compunctions about killing if he deemed it necessary. He cooly and clinically fired crossbow bolts into those who challenged him.

"Terrorise this!" He snarled, shooting a stallion square in the eyes.

"Paladin! Paladin!" Turret called. "Keep up the good work!"

"Yes, sir!" The brothers chorused.

Rookie Blue was also handling himself quite well. While not exactly a top-rate soldier, he scored some decent hits.

"Not bad, shorty." Black admitted, after Rookie brought down another terrorist.

"Yeah." Avalanche nodded, as he shot another terrorist. "Why do they call you 'Rookie'?"

"Because that's my name." Rookie shrugged.

"Pretty weird name, if you ask me." Nora declared. "What were your folks thinking?"

One of the Unicorns suddenly blasted White in the side.

"Ahh!" White yelped, dropping to the ground.

"Back off my brother, punk!" An enraged Black shot the offending pony in the neck.

In his anger, Black left himself open to enemy fire. One stallion fired a magic bolt at him. The bolt didn't hit him head on, but scraped the side of a leg.

"Yarrr!" Black growled. He returned fire, taking the sniper down.

"Paladin! Paladin!" Turret called. "You two okay?!"

"I'm fine, sir." White stood back up. "Nothing I can't power through."

"Yeah." Black agreed. "I'm not done yet..."

Despite their injuries, the Paladin brothers continued with the assault. By then, the terrorists' numbers had dropped dramatically. But some were still holding out. And of course, some of the RDL's own troops had fallen during the clash.

As Avalanche took down another target, another crossbow stallion took aim at him from behind a tent. Nora spotted him before he could fire.

"Oh no, you don't!" She pulled out a combat knife and flung it at the sniper.

The knife embedded itself in the sniper's hoof.

"Agh!" He screamed, dropping the crossbow.

"That's one you owe me, buddy-boy!" Nora smirked at Avalanche.

Avalanche pointed his crossbow at Nora.

"Hey, what are you-?" Nora frowned.

Avalanche fired, and the bolt flew past Nora, and into the head of a stallion who was about to jump her.

"Now, we're even." Avalanche grinned.

"Aww..." Nora pouted. "I was gonna milk that 'you owe me' thing for all it was worth..."

The terorists' numbers dwindled into single figures. Realising they couldn't win, the remainder held up their hooves in defeat.

"We surrender." One of the Unicorns declared.

"Of course you do." Turret smirked.

The troops restrained the remaining terrorists, and gathered up the bodies of their fallen comrades for proper burial.

"Nice job, newbies." Turret declared. "Now, let's return to home base!"

The soldiers followed suit.

"Paladin and Paladin." Turret declared. "Nice work out there. Even being wounded didn't stop you guys."

"We're here to serve, sir." White declared.

"Besides, it takes more than a scratch to bring me down." Black smirked.

"Be that as it may, first thing you're gonna do when we get back is let yourselves get patched up." Turret declared. "That clear?"

"Yes, sir." The brothers chorused.

As they returned to their base, Turret led the brothers to their medical unit.

"Medic!" Turret yelled. "We got two soldiers wounded over here!"

An albino Earth Pony with pink eyes and a cotton swab Cutie Mark rushed over. Both White and Black were surprised to see such a pony.

"Oh, my." He said, in a very soft voice. "This looks rough. Give me a moment, and I'll see what I can do." He looked through his medical supplies.

"Nevec here will have you fixed up in no time." Turret declared, as he departed to attend to other business.

The brothers turned to look at Nevec, who was still looking through his supplies.

"Yikes." Black grimaced. "And I thought being blasted was harsh. Seeing this guy nearly gave me a heart attack."

"Black, be nice." White hissed. "He can't help what he is."

"He could get contacts for those freaky eyes, at least." Black retorted.

"Here we go." Nevec smiled. "Some bandages and salve." He looked between the brothers, acknowledging Black's wound to be worse. "I'll attend to you first, I think."

"Do you have to?" Black muttered under his breath.

"That is a nasty scrape." Nevec poured some salve over Black's leg wound.

"Ah." Black scowled, the liquid stinging.

"Shh." Nevec said softly, as he wrapped the bandage around the leg wound. "Just leave that bandage on for a day or two, and you'll be just fine." He turned to White. "Now, for you. Your wound isn't quite as bad. Just a little burn."

"That's good to hear." White smiled.

"Hold still now." Nevec said, in a smooth, yet creepy voice. "This won't hurt a bit."

Nevec poured some salve onto a cloth, then rubbed it against White's burn. White was more than a little unnerved at the slow, steady way Nevec rubbed. But he couldn't arue with results; The liquid was easing his burn considerably. Before long, there was barely any sign of it left.

"There." Nevec grinned, as he put away his tools. "Smooth as a foal's backside..."

"Um... thanks." White said awkwardly.

"Try telling me he's not creepy now." Black whispered.

"While it was nice to meet you fellows, I do hope I won't be seeing too much of you." Nevec admitted.

"The feeling's mutual..." Black muttered.

"Thanks anyway, though." White smiled.

"My pleasure." Nevec smiled his creepy smile. "Truly..."

"Come on, White." Black urged. "Let's get back to the barracks."

The two brothers departed the medical unit.

"Thanks for stepping in back there." White smiled. "I'd have been a lot worse than burnt if it weren't for you."

"Forget about it." Black shrugged. "You'd have done the same. That's what brothers do."

"That's one thing that'll never change." White smiled. "No matter what, we'll always have each others' backs. Right?"

"Like you even have to ask." Black nodded.

"Nope." White agreed. "You're the one pony I know I can always count on."

"If you try to hug me, I'm gonna slug ya." Black joked.

"Don't worry, tough guy." White lightly Black in the shoulder. "We're soldiers, remember? And soldiers don't hug... no matter how much they may want to."

"Speak for yourself, softie." Black jabbed him back.

"But seriously, as long as we stand together, I know we withstand anything life tries to throw at us." White declared.

"Couldn't have put it better myself." Black smiled, as they reached the barracks. "You and me, bro. The ultimate team."

Over the coming weeks, they went through more military operations. White and Black proved themselves to be among the most skilled of the troop. Black especially earned a reputation for faultless assaults and tactics. Of course, their fellow soldiers couldn't help but notice.

"Nice job out there, Black." Avalanche smiled one evening, after another successful mission.

"Yeah, way to make the rest of us look bad." Nora joked.

"Just doing my job." Black shrugged, walking past them.

"Good at being a soldier, yes." Avalanche mused. "Good at socializing, no."

"Nopony's perfect." Nora shrugged.

"That's just how Black is." White joined them. "It takes a while for him to warm up to ponies. Give him time."

Aside from White, Black preferred not to interact much with his fellow troops. White had made quite a few new friends, and tried to bring Black in, but Black hadn't been too thrilled at the idea. Just the fact that he had to share the barracks with so many others chafed at him. He felt constricted and suffocated. He would have dearly loved some time to himself...

"Hey, Black?" Rookie asked, as Black walked past.

"What?" Black asked bluntly.

"I was working on a little something." Rookie held up a tape player. "Mind giving me a second opinion?"

"No thanks." Black shook his head.

"It'll only take a second." Rookie held up some headphones. "Please?"

"Okay, but make it quick." Black sighed, slipping on the headphones.

"Great." Rookie smiled, switching on the player.

Black heard a catchy medley of songs, mostly rock, but some were jazz, and even country music.

"Not bad." Black admitted.

"You like it?" Rookie asked.

"Yeah, sure." Black nodded.

"In case, you can keep it." Rookie popped out the tape.

"Nah, I shouldn't-" Black frowned.

"I can always make another mix tape." Rookie declared. "Besides, a great soldier like you deserves some good tunes."

"...Thanks." Black took the tape.

"My pleasure." Rookie smiled.

Black returned to his bed, placed the tape in his own player, and listened.

"So look at me now
I'm just making my play
Don't try to push your luck
Just get outta my way..."

Black suddenly switched off the player.

'Better watch yourself, Black.' He thought. 'You're there to be a soldier, not make friends...'

One evening, Black left the barracks, walked into a tavern in a small town nearby. It was a very rustic and rough-looking place.

"Gimme a beer." He told the bartender, a gruff-looking Griffon.

"Comin' right up." The Griffon said flatly, handing him a bottle.

Black passed over a couple of Bits, then opened the bottle, and swigged it down in one.

"Finally, some time to myself..." He muttered.

As Black looked around the bar, he saw a wooden cage on the far end. Inside, two ponies were fighting, with a crowd on onlookers cheering and placing bets on the outcome. Black had heard of this tavern's "cage fights". Though he had come just to drink, there was something alluring about the prospect of unrestrained combat...

"Okay, folks." A stout Earth Pony announcer declared, as one of the fighters was brought down by his opponent, a muscular dark blue Pegasus with orange eyes, a black mane and a Cutie Mark of a boxing glove. "Who else wants to try their luck against our reining champ, Gale Force?"

Black left the empty bottle and walked over.

"I'll give it a shot." He announced.

"Right this way, sir." The announcer opened the cage door.

Black entered (as the loser of the previous fight was dragged out) and stood face-to-face with his opponent.

"I hope you put up a decent fight." Gale Force sneered, his mouth full of broken, jagged teeth.

"Careful what you wish for, musclehead." Black grinned.

Gale lunged at Black, who dodged him. Momentarily confused, he lunged again, and Black still dodged.

"What do you think you're doing?" Gale growled.

"What you wanted me to: Put up a decent fight." Black smirked.

"I meant 'fight' as in 'hit me'!" Gale yelled.

"You got it." Black landed a lightning-fast punch on Gale's nose.

"Ugh!" Gale staggered back. "Why, you-!"

Gale continued lashing out at Black, who dodged every blow and retaliated with one of his own. Before long, Gale was bruised and exhausted.

"This can't be happening..." He wheezed. "I'm the champ..."

"Not any more." Black landed a right cross that knocked Gale to the ground.

Gale lay on the floor, out cold.

"And we have a new champion!" The announcer declared, as the crowd cheered.

'Not a bad way to spend an evening...' Black thought.

Black returned to the barracks soon after.

"Where have you been?" White asked.

"Just went for a drink." Black shrugged. "No big deal. Why, you gotta problem with that?"

"Just as long as you don't stay out too late." White declared. "We're soldiers, remember? We can't afford to be drowsy when we're in the middle of battle."

"Please. Even with no sleep at all, I could take anything those sand dwellers could dish out." Black boasted.

"Well, as long as you're not being overconfident..." White joked.

"If you want me to get some sleep, then you should stop talking." Black scowled.

"Why don't you both quit the chatter?" Avalanche called. "You're not the only ones here in need in sleep."

"Aw, poor baby." Nora teased. "Does diddums need his nappy-poo? Yeah, we wouldn't want you getting cranky tomorrow."

A number of the still-awake soldiers had a good laugh about that.

"You can shut up, too." Avalanche rolled over.

"I'd like to see you try to make me..." Nora smirked.

"Majority ruling." White declared. "Time to sleep."

"Yeah, yeah..." Black climbed into bed. Despite the ease at which he had defeated Gale, he had expended some energy on the brute, and needed to rest.

Over the next week, Black partook in more cage fights, effortlessly trouncing the opposition.

'Too easy.' Black thought, as he brought down another challenger. 'Isn't there somepony who can give me a real fight?'

"Who else is brave enough to get into the ring with our champ?" The announcer offered.

"I'll give it a shot." Somepony spoke up.

"It's your funeral, pal." Black smirked.

"We'll see..." The stallion declared, entering the cage.

As he did so, Black was shocked to see that the pony was a slightly older Pegasus... even more so to see that one of his hooves was a prosthetic.

"Whoa, hold it right there, bub." Black held up a hoof, "I don't feel right beating up a gimp."

"Who ya callin' a gimp?" The stallion scoffed.

"Look, pal, why don't you back out now while you have the chance, because I won't take it easy on you." Black frowned.

"I wouldn't forgive you if you did." The stallion smirked back, "Unless of course you're afraid you'll lose."

"I'm not afraid of anything." Black sneered.

"Then you're a fool." The stallion retorted. "Fear is natural, and yet you deny it? You may as well deny common sense, while you're at it."

"Pretty fancy talk." Black growled. "But this is a fight, not a philosophical debate. Meaning you oughta shut up your mouth and put up your hooves."

"Sounds like I'm not the only one who has a way with words." The stallion smirked. "Let's see if you can back up your tough talk."

"Just worry about yourself, pal." Black snarled.

The fight bell rang, and the clash began.

"Mind if I make the first move?" The stallion asked.

"May as well." Black sneered. "You won't be making that many in this fight..."

The stallion struck Black in the face with his metal hoof, faster than he could react.

"Ahh!" Black yelped. "How'd you-?"

"What's the matter, champ?" The stallion smirked. "I'm not too fast for you, am I?"

"Lucky shot." Black snarled. He threw a punch of his own at his opponent, landing a solid blow that sent him trotting backwards. "How ya like that?!"

"Not bad." The stallion rubbed his jaw. "I can see why you're the 'champ' around here. You're certainly more skilled than the local street brawler... I wonder why that is?"

"None of your business." Black sneered. "Besides, I'm just getting warmed up!"

"Good to know." The stallion smiled. "And by the way, so am I."

"Then let's just get right down to it." Black growled.

"With pleasure." The stallion nodded.

The two engaged in an epic duel. In spite of the stallion's older age, he was proving to be a difficult opponent.

The stallion punched Black across the face, and Black countered with a kick. The stallion headbutted him.

"Guh!" Black stumbled back. "Try this on for size!"

Black grabbed the stallion by the midsection, slammed him on the floor. He climbed the cage, leapt off, and elbow-dropped the stallion.

"Ugh!" The stallion groaned.

"Had enough yet?" Black sneered.

"Does this answer your question?" The stallion asked, tripping Black up. He leapt onto Black, putting him in a half-Nelson.

"Let... go!" Black rammed the back of his head into the stallion's face, knocking him back.

The clash continued, both sides raining down punches, kicks and other such powerful strikes. Before long, both were near exhaustion.

"Time to end this." Black snarled, wiping his bloody lip.

"Yes, let's." The stallion nodded as he crick his neck.

The two charged at each other, and at the same, threw a punch. Their hooves connected with the others' face at the exact same time. For a moment, they stood still, the impact of the blows reverberating through them. Then, Black dropped backwards, falling into unconsciousness.

"I'm afraid that's it for our champ!" The announcer declared.

The crowd cheered for the newcomer.

As Black was being dragged out of the ring, he came to.

"Get off me!" He yelled at the stallions dragging him.

The crowd booed as Black leapt to his feet, disappointed by his defeat.

"Back off!" Black spat, pushing his way through the crowd.

As he did so, the stallion watched on, with intrigue in his eyes.

Black left the bar stewing in anger and wounded pride.

"Stinking punk!" He snarled. "he must have cheated somehow. Nopony beats me! Nopony! And now, thanks to him, I'll probably be a laughing stock around here. I'll never be able to show my face in that bar again..."

Suddenly, he heard somepony called out to him.

"Hey, champ!"

Black glared as he noticed the stallion who had beaten him running up to him, holding a satchel.

"What do you want?" Black growled. "Wanna rub it in my face?"

"Not at all." The stallion replied. "In fact, I'd like to say that was the best fight I've had in a long time."

"Yeah, thanks." Black sneered. "Now kindly leave."

"But I'm done yet." The stallion replied. "I have much more to say to you."

"Too bad I'm not interested in hearing it." Black sneered.

The stallion suddenly grabbed Black, and pulled him into an alley.

"Oh, but I insist you hear me out." He declared.

"Get offa me!" Black struggled.

"Not until you hear me out." The stallion insisted.

"Just who do you think you are, anyway?" Black growled.

"I'm surprised you hadn't heard of me." The stallion smirked, "You think a RDL soldier would know better..."

"Wait, how did you know I was..." Black frowned, as he then snarled. "Who are you?!"

"Hmm, I am Elite Price Everest." Elite declared, as he then pulled out a medal, bearing the RDL's logo of the three letters surrounded by an outline of an Alicorn's wings and horn. "The Director of the Royal Defense Legion."

"...What?" Black gaped.

The Present...

"And that, kids, is how I met your director." Caboose declared happily.

The room went silent.

"You just couldn't resist that reference, could you?" Fletcher rolled his eyes.

"Nope." Caboose chuckled.

"Yeah, well if you wouldn't mind interrupting my story." Black scowled. "Especially when we're getting to the important stuff."

"Sorry." Caboose shrugged.

"I'm still not seeing any real explanations yet." Fletcher frowned.

"Patience, my friend." Elite told him. "The true revelations are yet to come."

"So in other words, sit tight and listen." Black declared. "Because here's where things start to get serious..."

Author's Notes:

"Heat of the Moment" is the property of the band Asia.

"Back in Black" is the property of AC/DC.

Bad To The Bone

In Elite's office, Fletcher was less than captivated by the story.

"This is all very interesting." He said sarcastically. "But I fail to see how it justifies any of Black's wicked deeds, nor for that matter, why you're associating with him after everything he's done." He glared at Elite.

"Impatient, aren't we?" Elite frowned.

"Yeah, can't you just enjoy the story?" Black asked.

"I sure am." Caboose grinned, eating from a box of popcorn he'd pulled from out of nowhere.

"See, Napoleon gets it." Black gestured, "Although I do not want to know where that popcorn came from."

"Fine. Continue." Fletcher scowled. "The sooner this nonsensical yarn is over with, the better."

"And on that note, let's move on to the next part." Black noted.

Many years ago...

As Caboose pointed out, yes, this was how I first met Director Everest. Back when me and my brother were in training, we had heard about the elusive founder of the organization, and how he is rarely seen in public. At one point, I thought he was a myth. Yet, there he was, standing in front of me... needless to say, I was a bit more than surprised.

Black was still staring in shock at Elite.

"You?" He gaped. "You're the big fromage of the RDL."

"That's right." Elite nodded. "And you are Black Knight Paladin, one of our new recruits."

"You recognize me?" Black frowned.

"Oh, yes." Elite nodded. "I make it a note to be aware of all the new recuits. But I must say, it is not proper for a member of my organisation to waste his time on petty scuffles like back in the bar. You're a soldier. You should fight for a cause, not your own amusement."

"Hey, what I do when I'm off-duty is no business of yours." Black sneered. "Besides, you were in that cage too."

"Only to teach you a lesson." Elite smirked.

"By humiliating me." Black scowled. "I'll never be able to show my face in that bar ever again..."

"Good." Elite smiled. "It should give you some time to focus on what's really important."

"Oh, yeah, like what?" Black glared.

"That is not important, right now." Elite declared, "I think for now, you should head on back to the barracks."

"Hold on, didn't you say you've got something to say to me?" Black frowned.

"Yes, but that can wait for another time. You just get some rest for tomorrow, and don't think on heading out to another bar after tonight. I will be right there to meet ya if you do."

"Whatever, 'boss'..." Black rolled his eyes.

"Hey, don't give me any lip." Elite gave a firm chide. "I'm still your superior officer. I can have you cleaning out the toilets with just one word to General Turret. Try and remember that, the next time you feel like getting snippy with me."

"Yes, sir." Black muttered as he walked away, mumbling under his breath. "Buck you, sir.."

"Quite a spirit that one's got." Elite pondered... before smiling. "He'll do perfectly..."

Black stomped back to the barracks. Without a word, he climbed into bed, punching his pillow a few times in anger.

"Something wrong, Black?" White asked.

"No." Black seethed. "Everything's just fine."

"Come on, Black." White frowned. "You think I can't tell when something's bothering you?"

"I don't want to talk about it." Black said gruffly.

"Suit yourself." White sighed. "But I'm here if you want to."

"Yeah, thanks." Black slipped on his headphones, and played Rookie's mixtape, eager to lose himself in the catchy tunes...

On the day I was born
The nurses all gathered round
And they gazed in wild wonder
At the joy they had found...

The present...

"Wait a sec." Caboose cut in.

"What is it, Lieutenant?" Elite asked.

"How come you were there, right after Black and White enlisted?" Caboose asked. "Seems like a cheap plot device to me..."

"Oh, there's a very good reason for that." Elite declared.

Many years ago...

The day after Black's encounter with Elite, the troops gathered in the base's grounds. To Black's shock and annoyance, Elite was standing beside Turret.

"Soldiers, we have a special guest today." Turret declared. "The director of our glorious RDL, Elite Everest!"

'Oh no...' Black thought.

The rest of the troop were far more pleased to see Elite, especially.

"It... it's really him." White gaped. "Elite Everest, the greatest soldier in Equestrian history!"

"Yeah, yeah." Black growled. "It's no big deal."

"No big deal?" White gaped. "You know as well as I do how many battles he's fought in, all the incredible things he's done! Why, he even managed to kill a dragon single-hooved!"

"Ugh, could you be any more of a fanboy?" Black rolled his eyes.

"Hello, new recruits." Elite smiled. "You may be wondering what I'm doing here. Well, as Director of the RDL, I like to have some 'face time' with the new recruits. I would have come sooner, but I was delayed by... certain business. Now, to all of you who have deigned to serve in our grand Legion, I say: Well done. It takes a certain kind of pony to put their life on the line for their country. It takes courage, selflessness, determination. I can see all that and more here. I know that our work can be dangerous, and harrowing. But as long as you hold onto your beliefs, and work together as a unit, I'm confident you can all pull through."

"So inspriring..." White whispered.

"Oh, please..." Black mumbled.

Elite made a salute, which the troops returned (Black reluctantly).

"Good luck to you all." Elite declared. "I know you'll all do your country proud."

"Thank you Director, for those words of encouragement." Turret declared. "Troops, you are dismissed!"

The squad moved out.

"Incredible." White smiled. "Elite Everest spoke to us. Such an honor..."

"Yeah... 'honor'." Black scowled.

For the next few days, it was all business as usual. They launched attacks on terrorists, made scouting runs, and escorted vital supplies to towns in danger zones. Black kept up his usual level of skill, but found himself chafing once more. And thanks to Elite, he had lost his preferred method of letting off steam.

One day, the troops were celebrating their latest victory at the barracks. Spirits were high, but there was some disagreements in the air regarding the events of the battle, mostly between Avalanche and Nora.

"We both know I took out more of those scum than you did." Nora boasted.

"Actually, no." Avalanche declared. "I took out exactly two dozen. You only took down twenty."

"Sniper hits don't count." Nora sneered.

"Since when?" Avalanche frowned.

"Since everypony knows that's not real kills." Nora smirked.

"Said only ponies who believe in using only brute force to win." Avalanche declared. "You have no finesse whatsoever, that's your problem."

"And you're a total wimp." Nora shot back. "That's your problem."

The rest of the soldiers groaned and rolled their eyes, having been made to suffer through many other arguments before.

"Well, to ponies who actually see the value in marksponyship, I took down more enemies than you." Avalanche smirked.

"Only because you're too much of a coward to do it the real way." Nora chided. "You're barely even a real soldier!"

"You take that back!" Avalanche yelled.

"Make me!" Nora snarled.

"Oh, knock it off!" Black roared. "I can't take much more of you two! Always squabbling, like a couple of kids..."

"He/she started it!" Avalanche and Nora chorused.

"Why are you two always at each others' throats?" White asked. "Why can't you forget about this competitive streak you two have goin' and just get along?"

"Especially since I got the most kills out there today..." Black muttered.

"Hey, it's not my fault sniper-boy here can't keep up." Nora sniggered.

"Likewise, I can't be blamed for this uncouth mare's cheap attempts at competition." Avalanche added.

"You wanna know what I think?" Rookie asked. "I think you two actually like each other."

"What?" White asked.

"What?!" Avalanche and Nora chorused.

"Think about it." Rookie grinned. "Why else are they so determined to constantly get in each others' faces? It's most likely because they're actually attracted to each other."

"Ew, gross!" Nora gagged, though there was a definite tinge of red in her cheeks.

"That's ridiculous." Avalanche cringed, also blushing lightly.

"Totally." Nora nodded. "Because I would never-"

"Neither would I!" Avalanche agreed.

"You sure got some crazy ideas, Blue." Nora declared. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go and throw up."

"And I need some air..." Avalanche noted.

The two walked off in seperate directions.

"Looks like you were wrong there, Rookie." White smiled.

"Seriously?" Rookie asked. "Can you really not see it? Some ponies just don't understand romance..."

"And some don't want to." Black sneered. "You'd never catch me acting all googly-eyed over some mare."

"Never say never, bro." White teased. "It could happen to you one day."

"Not if I have anything to say about it." Black huffed.

The next morning, the troops were preparing to move out, when Turret approached Black.

"Private Paladin, come with me." He declared. "Somepony wishes to speak with you."

Black shared an uncertain glance with White.

"...Yes, sir." He nodded.

"Whatever it is, good luck." White declared.

"Thanks." Black nodded. "Be back soon, I hope..."

Turret led Black through the base, before stopping outside a door.

"Here it is." He declared. "Go on in, Private."

Black entered the room. To his surprise (and annoyance), he saw Elite standing before him, sitting at a desk.

"Aw, great." He groaned. "You again."

"Now, what did I say about showing respect to your commanding officer?" Elite chided.

"Sorry... sir." Black said grudgingly.

"That's better." Elite smiled.

"So... why did you call me here, Director?" Black asked. "Wanna teach me another lesson in humiliating me?"

"On the contrary, there is a matter of great importance I would like to speak to you about." Elite declared.

"You mean from the other night?" Black asked.

"Well, since our last encounter, I've been looking into your prowess on the battlefield." Elite admitted. "Your determination, your skill... very impressive for a rookie."

"Yeah, well... thanks." Black shrugged. "If that's all..."

"Actually, that's not all." Elite declared. "I can see real potential in you, my boy. In fact, I think you're prime material for this little covert ops team I'm running."

"Covert ops team?" Black raised a brow.

"Yeah, you know, infiltration espionage, counter-intelligence... that kind of thing." Elite shrugged.

"Huh, all due respect, but I'm not interested." Black declared. "I'm a soldier. I don't have time for all that fancy cloak and dagger stuff."

"Really? Have you ever tried?" Elite asked.

"Not unless you count sneaking out of the house after being grounded." Black shrugged.

"Actually, I do." Elite grinned. "I assume you weren't caught?"

"Nope." Black said proudly. "I was out and back in before anypony knew I was gone."

"So there is something of a 'cloak and dagger' pony in there after all." Elite smirked.

"Not enough to start a career out of it." Black shrugged. "Thanks for the offer, but the answer's 'no'."

Black turned to leave.

"That's a pity." Elite sighed. "Then again, it might be too much for you."

"...Say what?" Black turned around.

"You are a rookie, after all." Elite declared. "And a position in the group I'm in charge of is a daily test of skill and strength. Maybe you're just not up to the challenge."

"Oh, please." Black sneered. "You're just baiting me with that kind of talk. You really think I'd fall for that old trick?"

"Or perhaps you simply don't care enough about Equestria to give your all to protect her." Elite continued.

"Now that's a steaming hunk of mule dung!" Black scowled. "The whole reason I came to this oversized sandbox was to protect Equestria."

"Was it?" Elite asked. "Or was a part of it due to you wanting to make a name for yourself as a great soldier?"

"Well, it would be nice to get my name in the history books..." Black admitted... before frowning, "But it's not like your little secret team would help me with that, right?"

"Well, it wouldn't be official." Elite admitted. "But your name would go down in the records as one of the proud few who went above and beyond the call of duty."

"Yeah, like that's something impressive." Black shook his head, "I'm still not interested."

"Look, Black, I really think you should reconsider." Elite urged, "I had been keeping a close eye on you for a while, and I can tell you that this position will give you what you really want..."

"Oh, and what's that?" Black challenged.

"A challenge." Elite declared.

"A challenge?" Black repeated.

"Oh yes." Elite nodded. "The way you handle yourself in the battlefield is quite uncanny. Most rookies would be unnerved when first going out into the battlefield, but you go out there like it's a walk in a park. You see, you strike me as a kind of a pony who enjoys a good fight. Thriving against the most difficult of odds, and facing foes much harder than the last. As long as it's tough going, you're in your elements. Right?"

"Maybe." Black shrugged. "But I get plenty of fights as is. I am a soldier, y'know."

"That may be. However, for you, these 'terrorists' and all these missions are just cakewalks." Elite declared. "Like a smart schoolkid in the midst of bumbling children, you are lacking that thrill that a challenge gives you. Why else would you spend your nights in that bar, fighting random brutes? I can tell just by looking at you that there's nothing you love more than testing your mettle. You prove to the world that you, Black, are indestructible."

"That's because I am!" Black boasted.

"Well, in my group, you'll have the chance to prove it." Elite smiled. "We deal in only the riskiest, most dangerous, and most difficult of operations. Operations normal soldiers just aren't cut out for. And, my earlier taunting aside, I can think of no other stallion more suited to this position than you. You are strong, determined, capable. A true patriot, willing to put his life on the line for his country."

"Yeah, I am." Black grinned, growing fond of the idea.

"So, what do you say?" Elite held out his hoof. "Are you in?"

"Sure." Black shook his hoof. "You twisted my foreleg. I'm in."

"Good to have you with us." Elite smiled.

"So, what happens now?" Black asked.

"Come with me." Elite instructed.

As they left the room, they passed Turret.

"I trust things went well, sir?" Turret asked Elite.

"As well as can be expected." Elite nodded.

"Good luck, Private." Turret declared.

"Thanks, General." Black shrugged. "Don't quite know what I'm getting into just yet, though..."

Elite led Black down to the basement, which was mostly filled with crates, supplies and provisions.

"What are we doing down here again?" Black asked.

"What indeed?" Elite smiled. He pulled out a key and inserted it into the top of a crate.

The side of the crate suddenly swivelled up, revealing a hidden stairwell.

"This way, please." Elite urged.

"Whoa..." Black murmured.

Black followed Elite down the stairwell, the crate closing behind them. They walked down a long tunnel reaching another stairwell, which lead to a door.

"Where does this come out: A refrigerator?" Black joked.

"Very funny." Elite chuckled, using the key once more.

They entered into a large room, filled with computers, file cabinets, maps, and a long table in its center.

"Wow..." Black gaped. "What is this place?"

"Allow me to welcome you to the Saddle Arabian homebase of Taskforce Omega." Elite declared. "A team devised by yours truly to combat the greatest threats to Equestria since well, ever."

"Is that so?" Black mused. "Little more than cloak and dagger."

"A lot more." Elite nodded. "We work outside the system. We mostly investigate and contain subversive elements and clandestine movements that seek to undermine not only Equestria, but the world."

"Sounds like pretty big stuff." Black noted. "I'm kinda flattered that you chose me for this..."

"Now, there are some folks I'd like you to meet." Elite smiled, "First off..." He gave a short whistle.

Suddenly, as if out of nowhere, from right behind Black, was Titan, while not as broad or as big as in the present, still stood a bit taller than Black and Elite, glaring at Black as he walked up aside Elite, much to the red stallion's surprise.

"This here is Titanium Cerberus." Elite declared. "We just call him Titan."

"A Diamond Dog..." Elite frowned. "Well, that is gutsy, enlisting a gem-grubbing mutt."

Titan gave a growl in offense.

"I assure you, Titan is nothing like those mutts back home." Elite declared firmly. "He's our resident tracker, bomb sniffer, scout, and attack dog. He is also my personal bodyguard whom I trust with my life." He then fondly rubbed the back of Titan's neck. "Isn't that right, boy?"

Titan panted happily, and pulled Elite into a one-armed hug.

"Personal bodyguard?" Black murmured, as he then frowned, "Has he been following us this whole time?"

"Indeed." Elite smiled. "Titan is quite good at covering me. Unless I don't want him to, I can always count on him to show up whenever I need him."

"Is that right?" Black smirked, as he turned to Titan, "How ya doin', Scooby?"

"Rrrrrr..." Titan snarled, about to step forth.

"Down, Titan." Elite urged.

Titan stepped back, folding his arms petulantly.

"Trust me, you do not want to get on Titan's bad side." Elite told Black. "He also serves as the heavyweight around here. Now, let's continue on, shall we?"

"I'll bet his bark is worse than his bite." Black sneered, as he followed Elite.

Titan gave a warning chuff as he tailed them both.

Soon, they came across a young gray-coated Earth Pony with a reddish-brown mane and beard, with dull green eyes, with what seemed to be a wavy rope with an arrowhead at the end for a Cutie Mark, as he was looking through some papers on a clipboard he was holding.

"This here would be Heinrich Armory." Elite gestured. "The tech-savvy stallion of our group. He's responsible for making all the weapons, gears, and gadgets you will ever need for a mission."

"Ah, so this is the brawler I've heard so much about." Armory nodded, with a Germane accent. "I look forward to working with you."

"Same here." Black grinned. "Loves me a good weapon."

"Ooh, then you might be interested in what I got cooked up in my lab." Armory smirked. "I could show-"

"There'll be plenty of time for those later." Elite declared. "Trust me."

"If you say so, boss." Armory sighed.

"Don't worry, pal." Black grinned. "You and me are going to have a long chat about that gear later."

"i look forward to it." Armory beamed.

Elite led Black over to an ocean blue Pegasus stallion with a yellow mane, brown eyes, and a Cutie Mark of a graduation cap.

"This is Micro Manager." Elite declared. "He handles all the planning and strategy."

"Quite beautifully, might I add." Micro Manager smirked pompously. "After all, it takes real brains to take on this kind of work."

"You don't say..." Black rolled his eyes.

"I do say." Micro Manager nodded. "Though from what I've heard, brains aren't your strong suit..."

The final stallion to be introduced was a green Pegasus with a dark blonde mane, light purple eyes, and a Cutie Mark of a lockpick.

"And this is Shadow Slinker." Elite declared. "He handles all the infiltration and lockpicking techniques."

"Hello." Shadow said quietly. "Nice to meet you."

"Same here." Black declared.

The others joined them.

"So this is your whole team?" Black asked Elite.

"Not quite." Elite declared. "There are others, but they're all currently on assignments. Armory and the others tend to stick around here."

"Must be fun for you guys." Black joked.

"We are exactly where we need to be." Micro Manager declared.

"Our individual talents are best served right here." Shadow Slinker added.

"Hey, I'm not judging." Black declared. "Just kinda seems like you'd miss out on all the fun..."

"Oh, we have our fair share of excitement." Armory declared. "Right, Titan."

"Rrr." Titan nodded.

"He doesn't say a lot." Armory admitted. "But honestly, we're always glad to have another new member. It's good to have you with us, Black."

"The feeling's mutual, I guess." Black said flatly. "Interesting team you have here, Director."

"Indeed they are." Elite nodded. "They have all proven invaluable to the cause, just as I'm sure you will be."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence." Black declared. "Now, did you bring me here just to do a meet-and-greet, or so I could do a job?"

"Both, actually." Elite declared. "In fact, I already have your first assignment all lined up."

"And what would that be?" Black asked.

"Are you aware of the local businesspony, Sand Dollar?" Elite asked.

"The guy who runs that big corporation over in the capital?" Black asked. "Yeah, I've heard of him. What of it?"

"Well, we have it on reliable intel that Mr. Dollar is secretly in league with a group of subversives..." Elite revealed.

"Subversives?" Black asked, "You mean like rebels? Like the terrorists I have been fighting?"

"You could say that, yes." Elite nodded. "But think on a much bigger scale..."

"How much bigger can you get than terrorists?" Black frowned.

"...That is for another day." Elite declared. "As for Sand Dollar himself, there is unfortunately no solid proof with which we can enforce an arrest. But there are ways to deal with him."

"And that's where I come in, right?" Black smirked. "Want me to rough him up? 'Persuade' him from continuing businesses with these 'subversives'?"

"Not quite." Elite declared. "We need you to apprehend him and bring him back here, so we can question him about his 'friends'."

"You want me to just grab the guy?" Black asked. "Just like that? I'm not exactly a snatch-and-run kinda stallion."

"Your new teammates can help you in that regard." Elite smiled. "Micro Manager can provide you with you second-by-second guidance, Shadow Slinker can find the quickest, stealthiest way in, and of course, Armory can provide you with the gear you need to overcome Sand Dollar's bodyguards and make your escape virtually unnoticable."

"Sounds like a real tough one." Black mused.

"Oh, yes." Elite nodded. "...Exciting, isn't it?"

"Ya kidding?" Black smiled. "It sure beats shooting sand rats all day. Let's do this!"

"Excellent." Elite nodded. "First, you'll need to familiarise yourself with the target and his place of business. Learn all you can from your new comrades about what to do. That will take a day or two. Once that is done, you can go into the mission for real."

"If you say so." Black shrugged. "Never was much good at studying."

"Fortunately, I am." Micro Manager declared. "I already have detailed schematics of Sand Dollar's corporation headquarters, and a layout of his usual routine. Listen carefully now..."

"Do I have to?" Black groaned.

"Yes." Elite nodded. "While I admire your devotion to using brute force, this operation will require precise movements and in-depth knowledge. If this is botched, it will surely tip Sand's friends off and make all that we are doing all for naught..." He then pat Black's back. "No pressure, right?"

"Right..." Black frowned. "...What the buck did I get myself into..."

"Shall we begin?" Micro Manager smirked.

"Like I have a choice..." Black groaned.

"Excellent." Micro Manager declared. "Come with me. There are a lot of files for us to get through..."

"Yay..." Black sighed, reluctantly following.

After several hours of mind-numbing talk about timing and maneuvers, Black noted with glee that it was time to return to the barracks.

"See you tomorrow for the next information dump." Micro Manager declared.

"Yeah, can't wait..." Black sighed.

"And Black?" Elite asked. "I must ask that you keep your involvement in the Taskforce to yourself. Don't tell anypony."

"Not even my brother?" Black asked.

"I'm afraid not." Elite nodded. "We must remain covert. Anonymity is our greatest weapon. If anypony asks where you were today, and where you'll be over the next few days, just tell them you've been selected for some other assignments."

"Okay, fine." Black sighed. "My lips are sealed."

"Excellent." Elite smiled. "I knew I could count on you."

"Yeah, I'm great." Black shrugged.

"Here." Elite handed him his own key. "So you won't need an escort next time."

"Wait, really? We barely knew each other for a few hours, and you are entrusting me with the keys to the kingdom?" Black frowned, "I could be a spy for all you know."

"Black, I knew you were right for this job the moment I first laid eyes on you." Elite smiled. "Besides, it isn't whether you are worthy of our trust that matters most... it's whether you are worthy of keeping the trust."

"Huh, well, I won't let you down." Black gave a small smile, touched by his statement.

"I know you won't. Now get goin'." Elite gestured outwards, "We will send for you when the time comes for further briefing."

"Understood, boss." Black nodded.

Black turned and left the room.

"Are you sure he's really Taskforce Omega material, sir?" Micro Manager asked. "He seems a little... undisciplined."

"He is somewhat uncouth, I'll admit." Shadow Slinker noted. "Might not be such a good fit..."

"Hrr." Titan nodded.

"You guys are way too critical, you know that?" Armory declared. "Besides, I kinda like Black."

"Of course." Micro Manager sneered. "You like anypony who expresses interest in your little gadgets."

"I'm sure Black will do fine." Elite remarked. "He'll be a fine addition to the team, just you wait and see."

Black departed back down the tunnel, and returned to the barracks, just in time to meet the others as they returned from the day's mission.

"There you are." White smiled. "How did that 'meeting' go?"

"Pretty so-so." Black shrugged.

"What was it about, anyway?" White asked.

"Not much, really." Black lied. "One of the ponies in charge is giving me some new assignments, more suited to my abilities."

"Oh, really?" White mused.

"Yep." Black nodded. "I knew it was only a matter of time before I stood out from the pack."

"Well... congratulations." White smiled.

"Just don't spread it around, though." Black declared. "Don't want anypony else getting jealous."

"Don't worry." White nodded. "I can keep a secret."

"Thanks, bro." Black grinned.

Over the next couple of days, Black continued learning about his mission.

"Now, the best access point for the building would be the delivery bay at the back." Shadow Slinker declared. "Armory will provide you with a device that can override the lock long enough for you to slip through. After that, make your way up the west stairwell, so as to avoid the cameras. Then climb into the elevator shaft on the tenth floor. Climb up there, and once you reach the top of the shaft, you can make your way through the vents, reaching the outside of Sand Dollar's office."

"If I didn't know better, I'd say you've done that yourself..." Black smirked.

"No, but I did rob a building with a similar design." Shadow Slinker added. "Turns out, the same construction company built this one."

"Lucky for us, right?" Black grinned.

"Well, Elite didn't bust me out of a Panamarean prison for nothing, that's for sure." Shadow Slinker shrugged.

Soon, Armory had taken Black aside in a big empty room with a table, not only to provide him with the aforementioned door opener, but other various weapons and infiltration equipment that he would be using for the mission. He was currently taking the time instructing him on each of their uses.

"Okay, Black, you won't need a whole lot to break into this building, but these items are very vital to the mission's success. You got the override device, just a simple plant on the panel and you're in."

"Uh-huh." Black nodded.

"But things get complicated when you get to the elevator. Their emergency hatches are sealed tight. One can only open them in case of the emergency, but since we can't draw attention to ourselves, you need something strong to break open the hatch. That's why you need this..."

Armory set what seem to be a big crowbar on the table.

"A crowbar?" Black deadpanned, "No offense, but you can buy those at your local hardware store."

"Not this one, you can't." Armory scoffed, as he pointed to the hooked end of the crowbar, which was actually glowing a bit as well as a unusual grip on the center, "This crowbar in particular allows you to feed your Earth Pony magic into it, making this crowbar super resilient and super strong, strong enough to force those heavy doors open."

"Hmm, crafty." Black mused.

"As for the shaft itself, the vent is towards the opposite side of the door you go through, and you will barely have enough time to get up there before another elevator comes by. That's why you'll need these."

Armory set down two metal pads, as they suddenly clamped onto the metal table.

"Two magnetic pad gloves, both armed with military-grade magnets, tuned to be strong enough to hold your weight, yet you should be able to pull them off any bolted down metal object with ease." Armory explained, "But you need to make sure that the pads are firmly clamped against the shaft's walls, or they won't lock proper-"

Black let out a small yawn.

"...Am I boring you, Mr. Paladin?" Armory glared.

"Well, yeah." Black frowned. "It's bad enough hearing Micro prattle on about how to do the mission, but you sound just like an instruction manual."

"Excuse me, soldier boy, but it is of the utmost importance you know how to use my gadgets." Armory frowned, "The last thing we want is for you to get caught with your schwantz wide open and misusing these fine crafts. Ponies lose organs that way. And are made huge asses of themselves. Do you want that?"

"Okay, I'm sorry." Black cringed, "Can we just carry on, please?"

"That's more like it." Armory smirked, as he then held up what seem to be a shoulder strap, "This is my patent 'Armory Belt'. You will want to hold onto this baby: comes equipped with a mini-taser, choloform-ready rags, a few capsules of blinding mist, diamond-lined garotte wire, explosive putty... and of course..." He pulled out a energy bar. "A little snack while on the mission." He opened it and took a big bite out of it.

"Okay, I admit, that's nifty." Black smiled.

"Oh-ho, that's nothing compared to easily my greatest creation..." Armory grinned, as he then held up what seemed to be a hoof bracer, with a cylinder bolted on it, with an arrow-head sticking out of a small hole. "The Hoof-Mounted Ropedart, or as I like to call it, 'The Homer'."

"The Homer?" Black repeated, "It looks like a fancy grappling hook."

"...In a sense, it is. But this one is special." Armory smiled, as he gave it to Black to look at. "You see, when I was a small Germane colt, I didn't have much in terms of friends. But I did have a talent for building devices. That was how I earned my Cutie Mark, in fact; I was recruited by a now-defunct agressive military organisation to build weapons. Which lead to the creation of this hoof-mounted rope dart."

"Cool story... but how does it work compared to a normal grappling hook?" Black asked.

"In many ways. The hoof-bracer is built with adjustable straps, equippable by anypony, as so..." Armory took the gauntlet and put it on his own hoof, strapping it in like he said. "With the aim and the clench of the hoof, you can fire the rope dart up to fifty feet into almost every surface with it's steel arrowhead. Like this."

With a loud 'thwing', the rope dart fired into a punching doll that happened to be standing a good distance from the table. The rope itself looked odd, being made of a dark grey fiber and very thin, and not showing any slack.

"Note the material the rope is made out of." Armory gestured to the rope. "It's a little something I made up back in the days. 'The Armor Thread'. A fiber so light yet so strong that it's practically armor in rope form. Can't be severed by any known weapon as far as I tested, and so small that you can fit miles of it within this bracer. Also, you can easily pull some out and use it as a make-shift garrote for close combat. Pretty handy, uh?" With a smile, he strummed the thread.

"Well, I am liking it already." Black grinned excitedly.

"You should. It was my very first creation." Armory mused, as he then turned to the bracer. "With the Homer attached firmly to your hoof, with a click of the special grip, it can pull you right towards the target you latched onto. But here's the kicker: the Homer has the same technology as the crowbar did, channeling the inner pony magic of it's user. But in this case, this one can be used to it's full extent by any species, as long as there's magic in them. Thanks to said magic, this baby can pull objects five times your weight!"

With a flick of his hoof and another click of the grip, the punch doll was sent flying towards them, flying past as it slams against the wall.

"Ooh, that is amazing!" Black smiled as he glanced at the 'Homer', "How come I never heard of it till now?"

"Well, I refused to sell it to the military companies." Armory pouted. "I'd rather that all inventions of mine stay close to home. Believe me, if any inventions of mine were to get mass-produced and sold to a country, we would be pledging allegiance to some awful country out there." With another click, the rope retracted back into the bracer, as Armory took it off, "That's why only members of 'Taskforce Omega' are only ones who gets one."

"Wait... there's more than one?" Black gaped.

"Of course, there's more than one!" Armory chuckled. "I have crap-loads cluttering up my closet. I have more than I know what to do with. At this point, this baby is standard-issue." He then handed the bracer to him, "Here, you can have this one."

"Wow... thank you, Armory. Sorry for ever calling you boring." Black smirked.

"Naw, forget about it." Armory smirked, "You wouldn't be the first."

The night before the mission, Elite and Black were sharing a drink.

"You sure I should be drinking, considering what I'll be doing tomorrow?" Black asked.

"You seen like a stallion who can hold his liquor." Elite declared

"Oh, yeah." Black nodded.

"So, what do you think of your new comrades?" Elite asked.

"They seem like a decent bunch." Black admitted. "Even the egghead. Seems like they really know what they're doing."

"They do indeed." Elite nodded. "I selected them precisely because they are the best in their fields."

"So... I'm a bit confused... why exactly do you need me for this mission?" Black asked.

"Whatever do you mean, Black?" Elite asked.

"It's just that... with Shadow's skill as a thief, Armory's tools, and Micro's know how, and heck, Titan's brawn, you could had easily nab Sand without me. What makes me special?" Black asked.

"A good question." Elite admitted. "But the answer's rather simple. You see, Sand Dollar has been paranoid in the past months. Being in a city not far from a warzone can do that to you. And with his connection to these ponies he's working with, he constantly stays under the protection of his bodyguards. You know, big burly mercenaries. And as good as Shadow, Armor, and Micro are, none of them can really handle themselves in a fight like that. And Titan? He's a strong hound, but... he is a dog, you know?"

"Oh, I know." Black chuckled. "I guess you're right. You guys really do need me for this."

"Which is exactly why I recruited you." Elite smiled. "Now, a toast." He held up his glass. "To a hopefully successful mission."

"Hear, hear." Black tapped his glass against Elite's.

The very next evening, the time had come to begin the mission...

"Okay Black, this is it." Elite declared, as they took a plain, non-descript carriage into the city. "Remember what we told you, and you should be fine."

"Yeah... 'should'." Black murmured. He was wearing a full-body stealth suit, with the 'Armory Belt' and 'Homer' equipped, and saddlebags containing his gear strapped to the side.

"I have faith in you, Black." Elite assured. "I know you can pull this off."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence, sir." Black smiled.

The carriage stopped, just outside the back of Sand Dollar's building, where deliveries were made (due to Mastermind's intel, they had a working knowledge of the delivery schedule, and knew that none were due for the next hour or so).

"Well, this is my stop." Black declared.

"Okay. Now, you will have less than a hour to get up to Sand's floor, nab him, and get back down here before the next delivery carriage comes in..." Elite explained, as he then gave him a walkie-talkie. "Here, me and the others will be on the line, so if anything go awry, give us a call."

"Will do." Black nodded as he disembarked.

"Good luck, Black." Elite declared.

"I don't need luck." Black smirked, as he pulled up a piece of fabric to cover his mouth.

Sticking to the shadows, Black made his way to the delivery bay. He pulled the override device out of his saddlebag, and placed it on the card key-based panel. The device lit up as it went into action, and the door swung open.

'Easy part's done.' Black thought. 'Now for the really tough stuff...'

Black headed to the western stairwell, and climbed up. Once he reached the tenth floor, he slipped into the corridor, staying to the sides until he reached the elevator. He entered it, then, utilising the special crowbar, pulled open the hatch, and climbed on top of the elevator. He then put the magnetic pads on his front hooves, and began to climb up the shaft.

'Make sure the clamps are securely fastened...' Black reflected on Armory's advice. 'Yeah, because I really want to fall and break my neck...'

Once Black made it to the top, he pulled out a miniature blowtorch, and cut his way into the vents. He crawled through the metal passageway.

'I knew I should've had a light breakfast.' He thought, as he struggled to squeeze himself through the vents.

After several uncomfortable minutes, Black reached his destination. He dropped out of the vent, landing in a storeroom.

'Okay, time for the main event.' He thought. 'If the smart guy was right, Sand Dollar and his bodyguards should be heading this way...'

Black peeked through the window in the door of the closet, and spotted a sand brown Earth Pony with a dark green mane, brown eyes, and a Cutie Mark of a bank vault, clad in a suit, flanked by four large and imposing bodyguards, having just returned from a meeting across town (as the intel had informed the Taskforce).

'Of course.' Black frowned. 'Just another reason for the guy to get all smug...'

Quietly, Black exited from the storeroom, and followed after Sand Dollar, as he prep to take down his bodyguards, one by one...

The first one was simple enough, as he pulled out a choloform rag from his belt, quickly coveirng the guard's mouth and knocking it out. The second one was easy-picking with a jab of the small taser. The third was simple to pick off, as Black quietly tug out some wire of the 'Homer' and quickly wrapped it around the bodyguard's neck, choking him till he passed out.

Soon, only one guard remained, unaware of what happened to his comrades.

'And then there was one...' Black smirked. 'This guy I'll take care of the old fashioned way...'

As Sand Dollar and his remaining bodyguard turned a corner, Black jumped the bodyguard, dragging him back. The second the bodyguard turned to face him, Black unleashed a barrage of precise, punishing blows. The bodyguard went down before he even knew what was happening.

'About time I got to use my hooves.' Black thought. 'Now to finish this...'

Sand Dollar reached his office. As he made to enter, he turned around, and realised that his bodyguards were missing.

"What the-?" He frowned.

At that moment, a small cylinder landed at his hooves, and released a stream of blinding mist.

"What's going on?" Sand Dollar coughed, unaware of a shadowy figure approaching him.

"Nap time, that's what's going on." Black declared, delivering a chop to the neck.

"Ugh..." Sand Dollar collapsed, unconscious.

"Okay then." Black smiled as the gas dissipated. "Now to get out of dodge. With a little help from the fire system."

After binding and gagging Sand Dollar, Black pulled on the fire alarm. The plan was that he would be more capable of leaving with Sand Dollar in all the panic. He couldn't take the vents with a passenger, but the plan didn't call for that.

Black, carrying Sand Dollar over his back, entered the businesspony's office, opened the window, and climbed onto the ledge outside.

"Okay, Armory, time to see this baby in action." Black nodded. He fired the rope dart upward, embedding it in the masonry above. With a deep breath, Black hopped off the ledge, the dart holding firm as he began rappelling downwards, landing just outside the delivery area.

"Mission accomplished." Black grinned, as he rushed over to the waiting carriage.

"Well done, Black." Elite smiled as Black entered, bringing in his captive, "You handled that like a professional."

"All in a day's work." Black smirked. "Now let's beat it before anypony realizes what's happening."

"You heard the stallion!" Elite told the ponies pulling the carriage.

The carriage was pulled away from the building, its cargo intact. As they headed towards a rocky outcrop outside the city, the rocks slid away, revealing a path to Taskforce Omega's hidden base. The carriage travelled through the path, coming to a stop within.

"Congratulations!" Armory smiled, as the others greeted their comrades.

"I knew you could do it, Black." Shadow Slinker declared.

"Of course he could." Micro Manager said smugly. "It was my plan, after all."

"Well, the rest of us helped too." Shadow Slinker growled.

"You sure did." Black nodded. "Couldn't have done it without any of you. Even the egghead."

"You're welcome." Micro Manager scowled.

"Uhhh..." Sand Dollar mumbled, coming round.

"Ah. our guest is awake." Elite smiled, removing Sand Dollar's gag. "How are you, Mr. Dollar?"

"What is the meaning of this?!" Sand Dollar growled. "How dare you foalnap me! Do you know who I am?"

"We certainly do, Mr Dollar." Elite nodded. "And we know who your friends are."

"I... don't know what you're talking about!" Sand Dollar said nervously.

"Is that so?" Elite frowned. "Fine, be that way. But we will get the truth out of you, Mr. Dollar. One way or the other. Titan?"

Titan lumbered over.

"Escort our guest to the interrogation room, please." Elite requested.

Titan grabbed Sand Dollar and lifted him up.

"Put me down, you overgrown canine!" Sand Dollar yelped. "You can't do this to me! You'll all be sorry!"

"Think he's gonna talk?" Black asked.

"We'll see." Elite admitted. "But either way, you did quite well today, Black."

"Yes." Micro Manager admitted. "Not bad, for a stallion who clearly prefers to use his hooves rather than his brain."

"Honestly, all this secret stuff isn't my favorite method." Black admitted. "I prefer a straight fight anyday. You'd never catch me sneaking around in the shadows all the time..."

"Never say never, Black." Elite declared. "After all, the future always comes with surprises..."

"I doubt there's anything the future can throw at me that I can't take." Black boasted, as he then set down all the tools he used. "Gotta say, Armory, you were right. The Homer was awesome."

"What did I tell you?" Armory smirked, "You never forget the first time you use one."

"Well, I look forward to doing more of this." Black declared.

"And we will." Elite grinned, "We will be in touch. Just head on back to camp."

"Will do. See ya all." Black waved as he left.

By the time Black had returned to the barracks, where his fellow soldiers were winding down after a particularly tough mission.

"I... got... more... than... you..." An exhausted Avalanche taunted Nora.

"Did... not..." Nora wheezed.

"Save it for the honeymoon, you two..." Rookie groaned, nursing a bandaged wound.

"Not... funny..." The pair said breathlessly.

"Hey, Black." White greeted his brother.

"Hey, bro." Black noted. "Rough day?"

"You could say that." White nodded. "But it looks like you didn't have it nearly as rough on your assignment. Was it an easy one?"

"No, I'm just that good." Black smirked. "Still, I'm sure you and the others did great on your assignment."

"Well, we won, that's for sure." White noted. "Wasn't easy, though..."

"Hey, we both did good today." Black grinned. "The Paladin brothers are really making their mark here."

"Yeah, I guess we are." White smiled. "It's almost time for dinner. Hungry?"

"Starved." Black declared.

The two brothers, joined by several others, marched down to the mess hall for dinner, content in their accomplishments.

The Present...

"Okay, I'll admit that this is pretty awesome." Caboose declared, finishing off his popcorn. "It'd make a great movie. Or maybe a book..."

"I'm still failing to see the point of this story." Fletcher frowned. "All it proves is just how far Black had to fall when he betrayed all of Equestria. Not only did he besmirch the RDL, but he also made a fool of your..." He tried to recall the name. "Taskforce Omega..."

"Things are rarely that clear-cut, Fletcher." Elite told him. "And besides, Black did not disgrace Taskforce Omega one bit."

"Oh, I suppose what happened next was all part of some big plan you had?" Fletcher asked.

"Not exactly." Elite admitted. "But we're getting ahead of ourselves."

"Yeah, things didn't go south quite so fast." Black admitted. "But it was still quicker than I would've liked."

"Ooh, I can't wait to hear what comes next!" Caboose suddenly had a drink in his hoof.

"I can." Fletcher snorted. "...Though I would like a drink if you have another."

"I always carry a spare!" Caboose pulled another drink from out of nowhere.

"Thanks." Fletcher smiled. "If I must be forced to listen to this farce, at least I can enjoy some refreshments."

"You won't be calling it a 'farce' for long." Black said darkly. "Not after you hear what comes next..."

Author's Notes:

"Bad to the Bone" belongs to George Thorogood and the Destroyers.

Never Surrender

"Alright, you've piqued my interest." Fletcher admitted. "From the sound of it, it seems Black actually had a good thing going with Elite's taskforce. Which leaves me wondering why he would choose to betray their trust and become a twisted regicidal terrorist."

"As I keep reminding you, it isn't that cut-and-dry." Black growled.

"Might I suggest we stop arguing amongst ourselves?" Elite offered. "There is still a story to tell, you know."

"Yeah, and I wanna hear the rest." Caboose smiled. "This is a better story than that last James Buck movie."

"Like I said, I'm intrigued." Fletcher shrugged. "Please continue, Mr. Paladin."

"Well, since you asked so nicely..." Black huffed.

Many years ago...

After that first mission, I had realized the truth in Elite's words. I really did wanted a challenge. And I tell ya, breaking into a building to snab a guy who had made some questionable friends was on another level than just shooting terrorists in the face. However, the next few missions that followed were nothing of interest.

Elite and the others still had to get info out of Sand Dollar, so they had me check on other leads. For the most part, they were just dead ends: Some little place on the docks, a depository down south, a little hole in the wall bar where Dollar said some of those guys hung out... And when I wasn't doing that, they just had me stick with my brothers and comrades and go about my day as usual. And after those dead ends, I was okay with that. But then came an evening...

One warm evening at the squad base, Black and White were walking back to the barracks after a long day of serving their country.

"It's always good to fight alongside you, bro." White smiled one evening. "The battlefield just hasn't been the same without you lately."

"Thanks, White." Black smiled. "I've missed having you by my side too."

"You guys were both really awesome today." Rookie admitted. "Boy, I wish I could be as good as you..."

"Hey, not everypony can be as naturally gifted as us..." Black smirked.

"But that doesn't mean you can't be as good as us one day." White declared, casting a small glare Black's way.

"Hey, sure." Black smiled. "Keep at it, Blue. Maybe one day, you'll be almost as good as me."

"I hope so." Rookie beamed. "I want to serve my country well, and make my family proud. I had a late uncle who was a General, you know. He was the whole reason I enlisted."

"I'm sure you'll be more than capable of honoring your uncle's memory." White declared.

"But you shouldn't try to be just like him." Black shrugged. "You gotta be your own pony. Stand out from the herd. Like I do."

"Honestly, I like being part of a group." Rookie admitted. "Makes me feel like I'm a part of something bigger than myself."

"That's exactly how I feel." White grinned. "Nopony can make it too far alone."

"That's your opinion." Black scoffed. "Still, I guess there are some benefits to being part of a team..."

"If only all of us felt that way..." White frowned. "Look, Avalanche and Nora are at it again."

"I'm telling ya, I bagged the most sand ponies!" Nora insisted.

"No, I did!" Avalanche yelled.

"No, me!" Nora shot back.

"Me!" Avalanche retorted.

"Ugh, why can't they just kiss already?" Rookie rolled his eyes.

"Whatever keeps 'em from talking..." Black scowled. He lay back on his bunk, pulling out his tape player. "Thanks for the mixtape, Rookie. Really comes in handy for times like this."

Black put on his head phones and played the tape.

Self-medicating
Craving punishment
Blaming myself
For a world on fire

No more shame
No more pity
No more...

"Can you make me one of those?" White asked Rookie, as Avalanche and Nora continued their argument.

The next morning, Black received word that he was needed for another mission. He made his way down to the basement, and through the secret passageway to Taskforce Omega's headquarters.

"Okay, I'm here." He declared.

"Welcome back, Black." Elite smiled.

"Good to be back." Black grinned. "How's everypony doing?"

"Rrrf." Titan grunted.

"As well as can be expected." Micro Manager declared.

"I've had worse days." Shadow Slinker nodded.

"Had some unexpected bugs to work out in my latest invention, but otherwise, not too bad." Armory smiled.

"So, what do you have for me today?" Black bumped his hooves together. "I hope it's not another one of those 'dead ends'..."

"Fortunately, no." Elite remarked. "This time, we have a simple, yet cruically important mission. Remember our old friend, Mr. Dollar?"

"Yeah, how is the rich guy, anyway?" Black smirked. "Did he talk?"

"Not as much as we hoped.." Elite admitted. "While he does admit to being associated with them, he seems to be... 'scared' of them, even more than of Titan here."

"Hehehe..." TItan sniggered.

"Well, I assume you got something, right?" Black asked.

"That we did." Elite smiled. "While he refused to divulge much, he did give us an interesting lead. He mentioned there being a warehouse a few miles over. It's mostly used to hold chemicals, which he has apparantly been passing along to a third party in an under-the-counter deal. According to Sand, it is often frequented by low-level members of his subversive friends."

"Have anypony ever told you that you use the word 'subversive' a lot?" Black frowned. "Are these the mysterious guys you mentioned earlier?"

"Yes they are." Elite nodded.

"Yet you are still keeping me in the dark about who they are." Black glared disapprovingly.

"I believe the time hadn't come yet for you to know, I'm afraid." Elite shook his head, "But rest assured, it will be soon."

"Well, I hope so." Black pouted. "If I am going hoof to hoof with these guys, I would like to know who and why..." He then sighed. "But I guess you're right."

"I appreciate your trust in me, Black." Elite smiled. "I really do."

"You should." Black shrugged. "Trust isn't something I give out too freely."

"And I'm glad to know you gave it to me." Elite nodded. "I assure you, it won't be misplaced."

"So, what's going to happen to Sand Dollar anyway?" Black asked.

"We will continue to question him further about his 'friends'." Elite declared, "But after that, we will deliver him to authorities for assisting in terrorism."

"Just like that, huh?" Black raised a brow, "They aren't going to question how Sand Dollar came to be with us?"

"We are a covert operation for a reason, Black." Elite declared. "Most laws that would otherwise hinder law enforcement and military don't apply to us. While they won't be so happy about it, they will rest easy knowing that we brought somepony in."

"They shouldn't have a problem, anyway." Black snorted. "What's the point in law if it means letting ponies get hurt? I'd gladly break a dozen laws if it meant protecting my fellow ponies."

"An admirable sentiment." Elite admitted. "Still, you wouldn't be able to continue protecting them from jail."

"Which is why I'm lucky to have found you guys." Black grinned.

"Indeed it is." Elite chuckled.

"...So about this mission..." Black declared.

"Right." Elite nodded. "According to Mr. Dollar, those ponies who visit the warehouse will be gathering there tonight. We need you to get in there, and gather some info as to what they are up to... and maybe bust up their little shindig and bring one of them in for questioning."

"Consider it done." Black smirked, "Just let me suit-"

"Hold on." Elite declared. "When I said 'you', I meant 'not just you'. You're getting a partner this time around."

"Oh, yeah?" Black frowned. "Who?"

"Armory." Elite smiled.

"Can't wait to start working with you, Black." Armory smiled, as he walked over.

"...Seriously?" Black frowned. "I thought the reason you hired me was because I was the only one with some combat experience."

"Yes, for a solo mission such as nabbing a heavily-guarded mark." Elite clarified. "However, you are storming a heavily-guarded warehouse. We have reason to believe this warehouse has numerous advanced technological safety systems. So much advanced you need somepony with the brains to thwart this system. That's where Armory comes in."

"Well, no offense to Armory, but he doesn't look like much a fighter." Black said with concern.

"Don't you count him out, Mr. Paladin." Elite smirked. "While Armory has limited experience out in the field, he does know how to fight. He may not look like a fighter... but that's because his greatest weapon..." He pointed to his head. "Is his brain..."

"That and a arsenal of gadgets and weaponry that would make Iron Stallion and Bat Stallion jealous." Armory boasted.

"...Well, with that logic, I can't argue." Black shrugged, as he then pat Armory. "Guess we are teaming up."

"Oh, yeah!" Armory cheered. "It's been too long since I got into the field! I've been aching to test my gadgets out in the real world."

"Calm yourself, Armory." Elite admonished him. "Remember, you must remain professional."

"...Of course." Armory calmed himself. "Professional is my middle name. Well, actually, it's Fritz, but you get the idea..."

"Well, you'll be glad to hear there won't be that much research this time around." Elite told Black. "Just a quick look at the layout with Micro Manager, and a little chat about the best way to enter from Shadow Slinker."

"Yipee..." Black rolled his eyes.

"I know how you feel, Black." Armory declared. "I'm dying to get right to the action!"

"I knew I liked you for a reason." Black grinned. "Come on, let's get this over with."

They made their way to Micro Manager's table.

"Of course, this warehouse isn't as heavily fortified as Dollar's building." Micro Manager declared. "But there a few interesting security implements, such as pressure pad-based alarm system, and a hoofprint lock."

"I've got a few gadgets that can get by those." Armory smirked.

"Why am I not surprised to hear that?" Micro Manager chuckled.

They then moved on to Shadow Slinker.

"The best way to enter is from the back." Shadow declared. "We don't know exactly how many operatives will be inside at the time, so it's best to try and take them by surprise."

"Sneaking around was never my favorite tactic." Black growled. "But I do like to know what kind of fight I'm in before I start. The back way it is."

After that, they gathered together their equipment. Black took a crossbow and the ropedart, while Armory got a saddlebag full of his gadgets.

"I see you're packing light." Black joked.

"Just the essentials." Armory grinned.

"Good luck, you two." Elite declared.

"Thanks, boss." Black nodded.

"We won't let you down!" Armory pledged.

Black and Armory climbed into the nondescript carriage, which carried through the hidden tunnel, and to the warehouse. Armory was still quite excited, tapping his hoof along the way.

"Try and relax, buddy-boy." Black urged. "We're probably headed into battle. You gotta get serious."

"Oh, don't worry." Armory declared. "I can be serious if I need to. Right now, I'm getting all the excitement out. Trust me, I'll be plenty serious once we get there."

"Good to know." Black smiled. "Since we're doing this together, I'd like to be sure I have a partner I can count on."

"I'll do my best, Black." Armory grinned. "Wait'll I start unloading my gadgets. Those schweinhunds won't know what hit them."

The carriage parked a short distance from the warehouse. Black and Armory, clad in stealth gear, approached the rear.

"Okay, there's the back door." Black noted. "Now let's see one of those gizmos in action..."

"Ask, and ye shall receive." Armory pulled out a flat, wide object with a plastic underside. "This should take care of the lock..."

Armory placed the device on his hoof, then took out a brush, coating the hoofprint lock with dust.

"Okay... why?" Black asked.

"The last good hoofprint should still be on there." Armory smiled. "And this little baby will help me use that to my advantage."

Armory pressed his glove-like invention against the scanner. The device was fooled into thinking his hoofprint was valid, and opened up.

"Not bad." Black grinned. "I'm starting to like having you along more and more."

"That was just the opening act." Armory smirked. "Wait until you see the main event."

They slipped into the warehouse. It was a wide area, a few crates scattered all over.

"Not much there." Black frowned. "They said that this warehouse was filled to the brim with chemicals and pathogens. Either they cleared it all out or Dollar was messing with us..."

As Black stepped forward, Armory stopped him.

"Hold up." He declared, grabbing another device, a long tole with a two-headed prod at the end. "Remember the pressure pads?"

Armory jabbed the prod into the floor, unleashing a bolt of electricity. A waft of smoke rose up from the floor.

"Neutralized." Armory grinned.

"Nice." Black declared.

As they walked forward, they saw a faint glow of light ahead. A small room, shadows of ponies brought out by the light, lay ahead of them.

"Bingo." Black grinned. "Now the real fun starts."

"Oh, goody..." Armory grinned.

They sneaked over to the office door. as they did, they overheard the occupants muttering amongst themselves.

"The bosses are getting antsy."

"So what else is new?"

"They're really getting on our backs about this latest operation."

"Typical. every time they have a big plan, it means where work for us."

"I'd be happy if we didn't have to deal with that bald buffon."

"I know, right? Stuck-up jerk..."

"Okay, I'll head in first." Black declared. "You cover me with those fancy gizmos of yours."

"Sounds like a plan." Armory nodded.

"On three." Black whispered. "One... two... three!"

Black kicked open the door, and he and Armory rushed inside. Several thuggish stallions in overalls stood within, surprised at the intrusion.

"What the-?" The largest yelped. "What are those, ninjas?"

"Not quite." Black smirked. "We're acquaintances of a friend of yours. One Mr.Sand Dollar. He sent us here. Said you could tell us a few things about his after-hours operations."

"Is that so?" A wiry stallion growled. "We're not telling you anything!"

"Fine. The hard way it is." Black grinned.

Black rushed over to the wiry stallion, knocking him out with a single punch.

"Oh, that is it!" The large stallion lunged at Black... only to be wrapped up in bolas. "Ah!" He dropped to the floor.

Black turned to see Armory, wielding the bola launcher.

"Consider yourself covered." Armory smiled.

"Kill them!" One of the remaining stallions snarled.

"Not today!" Black smirked, decking another one with a haymaker.

Most of the stallions focused on Black, but one went for Armory.

"Out of ropes, are we?" He sneered. "Too bad."

"Yeah... for you!" Armory whipped out another weapon. The weapon fired out two electrodes, which jabbed into the stallion's chest and electrocuted him.

"AHHHH!" The stallion screamed, before falling unconscious.

"It may shock you to know I have more tricks up my sleeve." Armory smirked.

"Ugh, seriously?" Black groaned, holding one stallion in a headlock.

"It was the best I could come up with." Armory shrugged.

"Whatever." Black punched the stallion out.

As two more stallions charged Black, he did the unexpected, and charged them. He rammed into them, smashing them through the office window, and into the warehouse.

"Ugh!" One stallion groaned, as they tumbled. "Are you crazy?"

"I've heard that before." Black snorted, headbutting the stallion.

After that, the other stallion grabbed some barbed wire atop a crate, and whipped Black in the leg with it.

"Agh!" Black yelped, as the barb gouged into his thigh. "You little...!"

Black fired his crossbow, clipping the stallion in the foreleg.

"Ahh!" The stallion screeched, dropping the barbed wire.

"Zip it!" Black clubbed the stallion in the head with his crossbow.

"Whoa, nice work." Armory admitted as he joined Black. "Elite wasn't kidding about your combat prowess. Like poetry in motion."

"What can I say?" Black smirked. "I like to lay down a beat or two..."

"You okay, though?" Armory asked, pointing out the wound on Black's hoof. "That looks pretty nasty."

"I've had worse." Black declared, using some cloth from his outfit for a makeshift bandage. "There. It'll keep for now. I'll get that creepy medic of ours to look at it later."

"You mean Nevec?" Armory asked. "Boy, that guy spooks me..."

"Tell me about it." Black snorted.

Black and Armory returned to the office, looking for anything important

"Now, let's see what we have here..." Black looked through a stack of papers on a desk, as he glanced them over... only to scowl, "Damn it. Of course these guys would write it in Saddle Arabian."

"Never learned the language of the country you would be fighting in?" Armory smirked knowingly.

"Didn't expect to talk with the locale." Black admitted, "I was lucky to find a bar that knew English."

"Well, if it's any consolation, foreign language was never my forte either." Armory frowned as he glanced at the papers... before his eyes light up in recognition. "But look at that ink stamp..."

Black glanced at said ink stamp, which seem to look like a bird with two Fs overlapping it...

"I'm guessing you've seen it before?" Black frowned.

"You can say that, yes. These papers are definitely worth bringing back to base." Armory nodded.

"Okay, but just to be sure, let's grab one of those clowns, just in case they know something that's not written down."

"Consider it done." Armory nodded, pulling out some diamond-lined rope and tying the wiry stallion up.

They returned to the base soon after, boasting both paperwork and a captive.

"Well done, fellas." Elite smiled. "I'll have Micro Manager will look over and decipher these papers, and Shadow and Titan will see if our new friend will talk."

"Here's hoping." Black nodded.

"Hey, Black?" Armory smiled. "It was... really great working with you. You were amazing out there."

"Thanks." Black grinned. "You weren't so bad yourself."

"I did do pretty well, didn't I?" Armory spun his empty bola launcher... which hit him in the nose.

"You did good enough." Black chuckled.

"I'm sure he did." Elite smiled.

"Hey, Elite, can I ask you something?" Black asked.

"Sure, what is it?" Elite asked.

"When Armory and I were looking through the papers back at the warehouse, Armory seem to recognize this symbol that was on the paper." Black frowned. "An eagle with two Fs connected at the tail... am I to assume that this is that group we're up against?"

"You could assume that, yes." Elite nodded.

"And should I 'assume' that you're still not going to tell me what they're called?" Black asked, getting testy.

"I know it's frustrating." Elite declared. "But I assure you, it will all come to light soon, when the time is right."

"Yeah, well, that time better come soon." Black growled.

"Not as soon as you'd think, but soon enough." Elite declared.

"Very cryptic." Black snorted.

"Thank you." Elite smirked. "We'll let you know if any comes up."

"You'd better." Black sighed, departing the HQ.

After leaving the basement, Black made a beeline for the medical unit.

"Hey, creepy." He called to Nevec as he entered. "I got a wound that needs fixing."

"Ah." Nevec turned around. "Nice to see you again, Private Black. I'm surprised you haven't been around sooner. From what I've heard, you're quite a fighter. I'd expect a stallion like that to have to come see me more often, so I can attend to their firm, muscular bodies..."

"Yeah..." Black cringed, creeped out. "So, think you can get to it?" He held up his leg, removing the makeshift bandage.

"Of course." Nevec nodded, grabbing some antisceptic, cotton balls, and gauze. "Let's take a look at the little problem."

"Not so little, if you ask me." Black frowned.

"That does look a little serious." Nevec admitted.

"You don't have to tell me that." Black snorted. "I lived it..."

"My, you have such strong, firm legs..." Nevec remarked, as he examined his patient.

"Thanks..." Black cringed.

"Such a pity one of those marvelous limbs had to suffer an injury like that." Nevec declared. "Completely throws off their perfection..."

"I'm sure it does." Black shuddered.

"Here we go." Nevec applied the antisceptic. "This might sting a little."

"I've had worse." Black declared... though he did grit his teeth in pain.

"And now for a proper dressing." Nevec wrapped the wound. "There. That sinewy leg of yours should be as good as new in no time."

"Thanks, doc." Black declared.

"Interesting, though..." Nevec mused.

"What's interesting?" Black asked.

"Well, it's just that, judging by the shape and depth of the wound, it looked as if it had made by some kind of forceful interaction with a piece of barbed wire." Nevec surmised. "Hardly the kind of thing you run into on military operations..."

"I... took the fence with trying to get to our enemy's base." Black lied. "I thought I could clear the wire. Guess I misjudged my jump."

"...I see." Nevec nodded, his expression unreadable. "Well, let's both be glad your firm, muscular thigh will be perfect again soon."

"Yeah, sure..." Black cringed, slowly stepping out of the room. "Later."

"Later..." Nevec said quietly.

Two days later, Black returned to the HQ.

"So, did you guys find anything out yet?" He asked.

"Well, unfortunately, MIcro is still deciphering the documents you found... but we were able to get some info out of the stallion you captured."

"As it turns out, there's more than one place those low-level thugs had been gathering." Shadow told Black. "Each reportedly having more of the chemicals and pathogens, and possibly more intel on what's going on around here."

"No kidding?" Black mused. "Guess there's more visiting to do."

"And Armory will be joining you for all of them." Elite declared. "There may be more stringent security measures in place in any of those locations. I trust that won't be a problem?"

"Actually, no." Black smiled. "I kinda liked working with the guy. Bring it on, I say."

"I'm glad to hear it, Black." Armory grinned. "That last mission was more fun than I've had in a while."

"Trust me, the fun's just begun." Black grinned.

For the rest of the week, Black and Armory followed lead after lead, going to warehouses and disused buildings all over.

"Alright punks, listen up!" Black roared, as he and Armory burst into one location. "We're here to get some info. You can help us, or you can get some hospital time. Your choice."

"Get them!" The ringleader roared.

The thugs charged.

"Hospital time it is." Black snorted, punching one out, then grabbing one and throwing him at two others.

"I was hoping to get to test this anyway." Armory shrugged, his new weapon firing pellets at the remaining thugs' hooves, gluing them to the floor.

"Okay, here's how it's going to go." Black growled. "I'm going to start pounding until somepony talks. Where are all those chemicals going?"

"You'll get nothing from us." The ringleader spat.

"We'll see about that." Black snarled. "Armory, check for records. I'll see if I can hammer something out with these guys..."

"Sure, you get the fun part." Armory joked, walking over to the office area.

"Now, let's get to know each other." Black smirked at the ringleader. "Starting by introducing my hooves to your face."

After Armory searched through some paperwork, he returned to find Black standing amongst the unconscious thugs.

"Did they tell you anything?" He asked.

"Nothing important." Black shrugged. "You find anything?"

"Not anything useful." Armory shrugged. "If these guys know anything, there's no evidence for it."

"Guess we should just bring them in, and move on to the next target..." Black sighed. "How long does that glue of yours last, anyway?"

"A while." Armory shrugged. "But I do have a solvent handy."

"Good." Black smiled. "That could have been messy..."

It was the same wherever they went. None of the ponies they encountered were willing to talk, and documentation was low on the ground. Eventually, by the end of the week, Black was growing impatient.

"Eight buildings. Eight frickin' buildings." Black scowled that night, as he sat at a round table with Elite and the others (Micro still off deciphering not only the papers they first brought, but the others they brought soon after). "Me and Armory cleared out every one of them, but we're still no closer to finding out what the hell is going on."

"What's worse, we're out of places to look." Armory frowned. "And all the henchmen we captured and brought here don't know anything."

"It would seem the higher ups don't consider them worthy of knowing anything important." Shadow Slinker declared.

"Grrf." Titan growled.

"Yeah." Black nodded. "Irritating, ain't it?"

"Well, hopefully by now, Micro had finally finished deciphering those papers..." Elite frowned.

"You would be right."

Everypony turned to see Micro joining them.

"Thank Faust." Black sighed in relief, "Tell me you got something."

"I do... but..." Micro went silent, his face stuck in a deep frown.

"What is it, Micro?" Elite frowned.

"I... I think whatever it is they're working on, it is bad... very bad." Micro frowned.

"What are you talking about?" Black asked.

"Erebium, Sonambrite, Grogarous, Spirotox... If a major in chemistry has taught me anything, when put all those together, you get a catalyst much similar to that of the cordyceps virus." Micro revealed.

Everypony except Black frowned deeply.

"The what now?" Black asked in confusion.

"Did you ever see that documentary where that fungus was growing off that ant?" Armory asked.

"Not really. Never cared for nature documentaries." Black admitted.

"To put it simply, it's a parasite that take control of the insect and turns them into a zombie." Micro declared. "It's often used for medication and are naturally found in tropical forests."

"...Is that it?" Black deadpanned. "I really don't see how that's a threat. You say it infects insects. The biggest threat they would be is to bugs."

"Exactly." Micro Manager pointed out, as he then pulled out a document, which has been translated. "Thanks to the last document you brought back, Black, we were able to learn that they had been partaking not only in illicit buying of chemicals... but pony trafficking... but not the ponies you think."

Armory glanced at the document.

"Monday, 09:30. Received delivery of one dozen Changelings for experimental-" Armory's eyes widened. "Changelings?"

"Changelings? You mean those freak of natures that are part pony, part bug?" Black scowled.

"Hey, have some tolerance for the other species." Shadow glared.

"What? My father told me horror stories about these pests." Black glared back. "They can take our shapes, infiltrate our towns and cities, and can suck us dry. They're a huge threat to Equestria!"

"You shouldn't believe everything you hear, Black." Elite chided him. "While it is true that they can pose a huge threat... they only do what they do to survive. After all, we have been driving them towards extinction for couple of decades now..."

"Well, they were kinda asking for it." Black sneered.

"I'm afraid that topic isn't up for discussion at the moment, Black." Shadow Slinker declared.

"That's right." Elite nodded. "Regardless of their past, the Changelings did not ask to be kidnapped. Nor be experimented on."

"If what you're saying is true, then why are we concerned? It seems like the virus will only infect those overgrown bugs." Black frowned.

"Well, there's a theory I read a while back." Micro declared. "They say that the cordyceps 'could' infect the normal pony, but the fungi was naturally designed to only latch onto creatures close to its own size. Hence why it only infects small bugs like ants and spiders. But this cordyceps virus is not natural. If I am right, they are making their own strand of the virus... a virus that can latch on changeling... and changelings are about our size..."

Immediately, Black caught onto where he was going with this theory...

"Allowing the virus to infect normal ponies..." Black gaped. "Holy buck... they're planning a viral outbreak."

"And the Changelings are the rats to this Bubonic Plague." Armory growled. "As if Changelings aren't hated enough already."

"And considering the Changelings' talent for disguise, they could spread this virus wthout us even being aware of it." Shadow Slinker frowned.

"We could have a full-scale epidemic on our hooves." Elite said darkly.

"Then we gotta shut this down before they get any farther." Black glared. "Micro, did the documents mention anything about who is responsible for those Changelings getting sent here?"

"Fortunately, yes." MIcro nodded, as he set down another document. "Our 'friends' seem to have been using another company as a front to moving them all over here for quite a pretty penny. There has been plentiful of secret transactions between them and one 'Obadiah Stable'."

"Obadiah Stable... hey, isn't he that business bigwig from Stable Industries?" Black asked. "That fancy weapons-making corporation? They supply some of our bases with their products!"

"Ah, yes." Elite nodded, "Obadiah Stable... the self-proclaimed 'Iron Monger' of the military weapon industries."

"Ugh, I despise those kind of corporations." Armory scowled. "Mass-producing weapons like that... where's the love?"

"You can ask him yourself." Elite declared. "I need you and Black to get over there and bring Obadiah in. With everything that's going on lately, I can't shake the feeling that impending disaster is coming our way..."

"Not if we can help it." Black said boldly.

"And help it, we can." Armory grinned. "Right, Black?"

"You know it." Black slapped him on the back. "Time to move, partner."

At that very moment, over at the Saddle Arabia branch of Stable Industries, Obadiah Stable, a dirty brown coated Earth Pony with a scrubby gray beard, bald mane, blue eyes, and a black business suit (hiding a Cutie Mark of a metal helmet), sat in his office, messing with a ham radio.

"Come in... come in..." Obadiah growled.

Suddenly, a gruff voice spoke up.

"This had better be good, Stable." A gruff voice growled. "Can you see that we're busy?"

"Indeed." A softer voice joined in, agreeing with the other voice. "You know our operations are at a critical stage right now. And you know how-"

The present...

"Spoiler alert!" Caboose suddenly blurted. "Anyone who hasn't read King of the Changelings yet may not want to go any further!"

"...What is he talking about?" Black frowned. "What spoilers?"

"I'd ignore it if I were you." Fletcher rolled his eyes. "He does this from time to time."

"Can't believe this is the guy who finished me off before..." Black rolled his eyes, then turned to Elite. "And you actually want me to work with him?"

"Please continue, Black." Elite urged.

"Okay, fine..." Black sighed.

"Wait, how do you even know what was happening then?" Caboose asked. "You weren't there!"

"We grabbed the security footage afterwards." Black declared. "Now, where was I..."

Back to the past...

"And you know how Gridlock gets when you interrupt him while he's in the zone." The soft voice sighed.

"Like you're any different, Harlhooves." Gridlock growled, "Now what is it that you thought was so important that you needed to call us?"

"We got a big problem." Obadiah scowled. "In the past week, I've been getting words from your men that two stallions has been busting into our warehouses and safehouses, nabbing a couple of them and gathering sensitive information on our little project..."

"Say what?!" Gridlock snarled, "And we are just hearing about this now?!"

"Hey, don't shoot the messenger." Obadiah glared, "I just heard about it myself. I saw on the television that they nabbed Sand Dollar. That damn fool must had tipped them off."

"Who the hell do these guys think they are?" Gridlock demanded.

"Isn't that exactly the question?" The soft voice asked. "Who are they?"

"...You're not going to like it." Obadiah sighed, as he pulled out a photo... which was of an unmasked Black Knight and Armory, presumably before they tackled one of the leads. "While they have taken great pains to hide their identities, my cameras were able to catch a glimpse of them. There's a big red stallion that I don't recognize... but the other..." He gave a scoff. "Does a red-maned Germane pony ring any bells?"

The radio went silent... before in unison...

"BUCK!" Gridlock and Harlhooves cursed.

"It's them..." Harlhooves growled in frustration.

"Heinrich Armory..." Gridlock snarled. "And if he's there, then this must be Elite's doing."

"Yes... this elusive 'Taskforce Omega' the Forefathers has been talking about." Obadiah frowned.

"How did they know we would be here?" Gridlock demanded. "We've been covering our tracks every step of the way!"

"Who are we kidding? It's them! They always find out!" Harlhooves groaned. "This is not good!"

"You mentioned a big red stallion." Gridlock pointed out. "Any idea who he is?"

"No, but I am having my guys check him out." Obadiah declared. "I can only assume that's he new to the team, and that he's no stranger to a brawl. He must have a military background."

"How much do you reckon they know already?" Harlhooves questioned.

"Well, given they hadn't come for me yet, they were probably looking for leads." Obadiah frowned, "But two nights ago, they ambushed some of our operatives at one of my annex buildings. I'm afraid that they might be coming here next for me..."

"Then might I suggest you make yourself scarse?" Harlhooves suggested.

"Normally, I wouldn't agree with such wussy tactics." Gridlock frowned. "But Harlhooves is right about the experiment being critical. And if Taskforce Omega are the ones responsible for all this, you are the only one standing between them and our hard work! If they catch you, they'll stick you in a hole somewhere until you crack, and then they will find out about our project and ruin everything! You gotta get outta there NOW!"

"I can't do that, Gridlock, sir." Obadiah declared. "If I leave now, then my reputation is ruined. I will lose Stable Industries. You realize the lengths I went to secure this company? For Faust's sake, I had my partner's son killed by terrorists!"

"It's for the best, Obadiah." Harlhooves urged. "We lost a lot of good stallions to Elite and his men, and we can't afford to lose another one."

"But you need my resources." Obadiah frowned. "The project is not yet ready for initiation. If I left now, we could face serious delays. And a certain 'somepony' doesn't like delays."

"I will live!" Gridlock scowled, "But you won't if you stay!"

"Look, the way these two are going, they're not going to stop unless somepony does it for them." Obadiah growled, "I'm staying right here, and if they do come for me, I'll take them down myself."

"Tell me you're not serious..." Harlhooves murmured.

"Tell me you're out of your freaking mind!" Gridlock growled.

"Hey, I will not see your hard work burn to the ground!" Obadiah declared, "You two have been working for this for years. And I know a thing or two about having worked hard to get where we are today."

"Which is exactly why you should depart immediately." Harlhooves urged.

"Yeah, vamoose!" Gridlock added.

"But what would that do?" Obadiah asked. "It will only delay the inevitable. I'm gonna bring this little crapstains down right here! Show them what happen when they buck with Stable!"

"What happen is you're going to get your ass kicked." Gridlock sneered. "Besides, what can you do against two ponies that can clobber our troops? You're just some middle-aged milksop!"

"I agree with the implication, if not the language." Harlhooves added. "You're no warrior, my friend."

"True." Obadiah nodded. "But you forget, we happen to be friends with a certain paraplegic who has a knack for creating the most wondrous machines... and he had recently given me something that could even the odds in my favor..."

A suited Unicorn stallion entered the room, carrying several sheets of paper.

"Here's the details on the red stallion you wanted, sir." The pony declared as he then left.

"Thank you." Stable took the papers as he looked at it, as he then turned back to the radio, "Don't you worry, you two. By the time the night's out, our problems will be over..."

That evening, Black and Armory approached the rear of the building.

"Time for the old rope darts." Armory smirked. "There's a reason I hold this particular invention so highly."

They fired the darts straight up. They embedded themselves on the underside of the roof, and poor stallion pushed the retract button, carrying them to the top floor, and Stable's office.

"And I can see why." Black grinned.

"Now, just let me trick the lock..." Armory started. "...Hmm, that's odd."

"What is?" Black asked.

"The lock has already been deactivated." Armory frowned.

"Weird." Black frowned. "Maybe he just forgot to turn it on."

"Maybe..." Armory frowned.

They opened the window and climbed into the office. Obadiah was nowhere to be seen.

"Didn't Micro say Stable would be in tonight?" Black frowned.

"He did." Armory nodded. "And his intel is never wrong."

"But this place is empty." Black frowned. "You'd think his secretary would be here, at least..."

"Maybe it's her night off?" Armory suggested.

At that moment, they heard a muffled grinding, whirring noise.

"What was that?" Armory asked.

"Got a feeling it ain't the secretary..." Black joked.

Suddenly, the wall beside them was smashed open.

"What the-?!" Black yelled.

As the dust cleared, the floor began to shake as a giant metal stallion clambered towards them, the eyes glowing, towering over both of them.

"Um... Obadiah Stable?" Armory gaped.

"Hello, gentlestallions." The armored stallion declared, his voice being indeed that of Obadiah, as he was within the stallion itself. "I've been expecting you."

"Well, we hate to disappoint." Black declared.

"Wow... what a magnificient piece of technology..." Armory gaped, awestruck. "Simply incredible... this could only be the work of one stallion..."

"Why, thank you." Obadiah grinned, "Mr. Irons never fails to disappoint."

"Mr. Irons?" Black frowned. "I'm guessing he's a friend of yours?"

"More of an associate." Obadiah shrugged. "Speaking of associates, it looks like Taskforce Omega has a new flunky."

"You know about the Taskforce?" Black frowned.

"And I know about you, Black Knight Paladin." Obadiah sneered. "A little green for this sort of work, aren't you?"

"How-" Black gaped.

"You really should have kept that mask on during work hours, Mr Paladin." Obadiah declared. "You never know who's watching."

'Way to go, Paladin...' Black scolded himself.

"I knew you were coming for me, but I took precautions." Obadiah announced. "With this suit, an army couldn't beat me!"

"Armory..." Black whispered to Armory, "You wouldn't happen have anything to deal with giant mechanical stallions, would you?"

"Not exactly." Armory admitted nervously. "I wasn't expecting this..."

"You know what, enough talk!" Obadiah sneered, "You are welcome to die!"

"Come and get me!" Black said boldly. "I'll bet you can't even move so quick in that tin overcoat!"

Obadiah activated magic-powered jets in the back armored hooves, launching himself at Black.

"...Uh-oh." Black gulped.

Obadiah punched Black, sending him flying.

"Urgh!" Black groaned, as he slammed into a wall. His suit provided him with some protection, but not enough.

"No!" Armory yelled. He turned his taser on Obadiah, but the voltage barely made him twitch.

"Wait your turn." Obadiah grabbed the wires and pulled,fling Armory across the room. "Once I'm done with your friend, I'll move on to you..."

"Bring it, buckethead." Black lunged at Obadiah, covering his helmet and blinding him.

"Get... off!" Obadiah yelled, flailing around.

Armory looked through his bag, desperately trying to think of something.

"Come on, think..." He told himself.

Obadiah grabbed Black, and slammed him onto the floor.

"You know, I never had a taste for this sort of thing, but I must admit, I'm deeply enjoying this suit!" Obadiah cackled, as he prepared a built-in crossbow. "Hold still, Mr. Paladin."

The crossbow fired, but Black dodged.

"Laugh it up, pal." Black snarled. "But I'll find a way to open that can somehow!"

"Open... that's it!" Armory dug back into his bag. "Hang in there, Black..."

Black was doing his best, but Obadiah's armor protected him from his fists, his crossbow, even Armory's weapons. With one mighty blow, Obadiah knocked him across the room.

"Thank you for providing me with such an excellent field test." Obadiah declared. "My associates will be pleased to hear that they won't be bothered anymore by this mystery stallion that came out of nowhere..."

"Don't be so sure." Black groaned, struggling to get up. "I don't go down so easily..."

"But perhaps your brother will." Obadiah smirked.

"...What?" Black froze.

"Oh, I know all about White." Obadiah growled. "Maybe he's not as tough as you are..."

"I wouldn't count on that." Black growled.

"Perhaps my associates could pay your brother a visit." Obadiah said wickedly. "Somepony would have to break the news of your passing to him, and break some other things while they're at it..."

"You wouldn't..." Black trembled, fearing for his brother's life. "Don't even think about it..."

"This is where I say goodbye... so..." Obadiah raised a mechanical hoof. "Goodbye."

"I don't think so!"

A rope dart embedded itself in the leg of Obadiah's armor. Both Black and Obadiah turned to see Armory, his dart gun, jury-rigged to combine with his taser. A bolt of electricity entered the suit, fusing its circuity.

"Ahhh!" Obadiah roared, his suit slowing to a halt, "You'll... I'll..." He tried to move, but couldn't. "What?"

"Well, well." Black stood up. "So much for your fancy suit." He pulled off the helmet's mask.

"G-get away from me!" Obadiah yelled, as he tried to get out, but he was fastened in too tight. "I'm warning you!"

"Nighty-night, Obie." Black punched him in the face, knocking him out.

"Are you alright, Black?" Armory asked.

"Yeah, thanks to you." Black nodded. "What was that, anyway?"

"Just a little something I... threw together." Armory chuckled.

"Come on." Black urged. "Let's get this guy out of that tin can and over to the base for questioning."

After pulling Obadiah out of the suit, Black and Armory departed, returning to base.

"Good work, you two." Elite smiled.

"Hey, Armory deserves most of the credit." Black grinned. "He's the one who took this clown down."

"Ah, y'know..." Armory said humbly.

"Nice job, Armory." Elite smiled. "Now, we'll see what Obadiah knows."

"I already got some of that." Black frowned. "Beardy knows about me, and you guys. He threatened my brother. I thought this was supposed to be a secret organisation."

"It should be." Elite declared. "But secrets have a habit of getting out."

"That wasn't part of the deal." Black growled. "If I'd known joining up with you would mean putting a target on my brother's back, maybe I would have reconsidered..."

"I know you're worried about your brother's safety." Elite declared. "But you needn't do so. This base is protected. And your brother is a soldier, after all. Just as skilled and capable as you are, right?"

"More or less." Black admitted. "But still..."

"Once we take down our foes, there'll be nothing to worry about." Elite told him. "Besides, just because Obadiah knows about him, doesn't necessarily mean anypony else does."

"Yeah, maybe..." Black sighed, though still not fully convinced. "Well, if that's all, I guess I should be going."

"Of course." Elite nodded. "See you tomorrow."

"Yeah, see ya..." Black sighed, as he departed.

Black returned to the barracks, more than a little shaken. White noticed at once that something was wrong.

"Black, are you okay?" He asked.

"Huh?" Black snapped out of his reverie. "Oh, yeah. I'm fine..."

"You don't look fine." White declared. "What's wrong? You can tell me."

"No, it's... stupid." Black shrugged.

"I'll be the judge of that." White smiled.

"It's just... I'm worried about you." Black sighed.

"Worried?" White asked.

"Yeah." Black nodded. "We are in a dangerous line of work, and I can't always have your back. I'd just... hate to see anything happen to you. Especially if I'm not there to stop it."

"I know how you feel, Black." White smiled. "I worry about you too."

"It's different, though." Black frowned. "No offense, but we both know I'm the more skilled out of the two of us."

"That doesn't stop me from worrying about you." White countered. "You're my brother, Black. Regardless of skill or strength, I'll always worry about you when we're apart. But I don't let that worry consume, and you shouldn't ever. Trust that I can take care of myself, like I trust you can."

"...You're right." Black smiled. "Thanks, White."

"Hey, that's what brothers are for." White placed his hoof on Black's shoulder.

"I don't know what I'd do without you." Black grinned. "And I don't plan on finding out."

"Same here." White chuckled. "So we'll make a pact; Neither of us dies anytime soon. Deal?"

"Deal." Black ruffled his brother's mane.

"Oh, you know I hate that!" White cringed, patting out his messy mane.

"Yeah, I do." Black smirked.

"same old Black." White grinned. "But I wouldn't change you for the world."

"Right back at ya, bro." Black smiled.

Lights out came shortly after. Black went to sleep, his fears put at ease.

The next morning, Black was summoned back to the HQ.

"Well?" Black asked Elite, "Did Obadiah talk?"

"Unfortunately, no. He refused to budge." Elite declared, "But we were able to seize a lot of his documents. One in particular points us to a lab in a little town back east... I believe we might had found where they are working on this virus, as well as where the changelings are being kept..."

"And does this town have a name?" Black asked.

"Indeed it does." Elite nodded. "Reinadh."

"Well, we gotta stop them." Black nodded, still a little shaken up from last night. "The sooner I put a stop to these guys, the sooner White will be safe..."

"I'm afraid it's not that simple, Black." Elite sighed. "I fear that we have not been as invisible as we had hoped, and it seems that they are onto you, Black..."

"And who are 'they' exactly?" Black growled. "Why haven't you told me who 'they' are? Considering I've been going after their pals, you'd think I'd deserve to know... So why don't you just tell me already?"

"I suppose I should." Elite sighed. "With the stakes seemingly growing higher by the day, perhaps the time has come for you to know exactly who we're up against..."

The present...

"Reinadh." Fletcher mused. "There's a name I am well aware of."

"Ooh, we're finally here." Caboose declared.

"Yeah, we are." Black nodded.

"The time has come for you to learn the truth of that terrible day." Elite remarked. "Once you hear it, it will change the way you think of Black forever..."

Author's Notes:

"Never Surrender" belongs to Combichrist.

The Ghost Of You

"So, here we are at last." Fletcher frowned. "The day when Black Knight Paladin became known as a monster."

"I won't dispute that." Black sighed. "That day was just a big mistake. All I ask is that you prepare yourselves, because that is when things started to get bad... real bad..."

"Good thing I'm out of popcorn." Caboose mused. "These kinds of stories always ruin my appetite."

"You have no idea." Elite said darkly. "Black, whenever you're ready."

"Oh, I'll never be ready." Black sighed. "But this story needs to be told..."

Many years ago...

Elite came back into the main room, right after telling Black that he was going to tell him about the 'foes' he was facing, having momentarily left to get something. That something was a folder marked 'confidental' as he set it down.

"Before I continue, Black, what you are about to see cannot leave this room." Elite warned him, "You can't breath a word of it to anypony besides us, do you understand?"

"I understand completely." Black nodded, "I just want to know who I am up against."

"Very well." Elite nodded, as he opened the folder, the first file revealing the symbol of two Fs connected at the tail and the eagle behind it.

"This symbol again... what's the deal with it?" Black frowned.

"That would be the sigil of the Forefathers." Elite declared.

"The Forefathers?" Black raised a brow.

"That is what they call themselves." Elite explained, "A secret society that was found centuries ago by a stallion who goes by the name of 'Father'."

"Father... you mean like a priest or something?" Black asked.

"Not exactly." Elite declared. "The group is not motivated by religion of any sorts, but the leader seems to insist on being called 'Father'. I believe it's a sort of metaphor. Bottom line is, this group is out for one and only one thing... power."

"Lemme guess, they're looking to take over the world or something?" Black sneered.

"Not in a way you would think. While there are hints of megalomania, they seek to gain powers through politics. They wish to change the status quo of Equestria." Elite clarified. "To our understanding, they feel that the Alicorns had been ruling improperly for a long time, and they seek to dethrone them, and have normal ponies take their place. To replace monarchy with democracy."

"Really?" Black frowned, "But why? Not to say Celestia's doing a perfect job running a country on her own, but I don't see why they find her unfit to rule."

"Who can say? Perhaps they simply have a problem with royalty." Elite sighed. "At first glance, it seems like the Forefather's mission is merely a power struggle... but they are nothing like politicians."

"What do you mean?" Black asked.

"I mean the Forefathers are very dangerous ponies." Elite declared darkly. "An illicit and secretive group. They want control of Equestria, and they seek to attain it by any means necessary. Mass slaughter, domestic terrorism, mass destruction, if it brings them closer to their goal, they will do it, and they are not afraid to die for their cause..."

"Okay, now they sound like a bunch of whackjobs." Black scoffed.

"Very likely." Elite admitted. "But they're whackjobs with connections. All evidence suggests that their leadership is comprised of wealthy and/or influential ponies."

"Which explains why they're rubbing elbows with Sand Dollar and Obadiah Stable." Black noted.

"Yes. To this date, we still don't know much about them. But this is as much as we know... the society are governed by one pony... the 'Father'." Elite scowled.

"Wait, you mean the stallion who founded the organization?" Black gaped, "Wouldn't he be about a couple thousand years old? And dead?"

"That I don't really know." Elite declared, "There are a only few explanations for it... either 'Father' is just a term they give to their leaders or... this stallion is far from ordinary... at this point, I'm leaning towards the latter."

"How long exactly have you been fighting these guys?" Black questioned. "And how did you even learn of them in the first place?"

"That is another story for another day." Elite frowned. "Right now, we need to focus. From what we've been able to glean, their latest plan could mean catastrophe for us all."

"Not if we have anything to say about it." Black said firmly. "So, what's the plan?"

"First, I'll send Shadow Slinker and Armor to survey the situation." Elite declared. "We need to know exactly what's going on around there."

"But once they come back, we'll be getting to work, right?" Black asked.

"Of course." Elite nodded. "But for now, you can return to the troops. Rest assured, when you are needed, we will send for you."

"You'd better." Black grinned.

The next day, Armory and Shadow Slinker approached Reinadh, looking upon the town though binoculars on a nearby ridge. As they observed the inhabitants, they saw many of the Changelings going about their business alongside their pony neighbours. Nothing seemed to be amiss.

"That is strange..." Armory frowned.

"What?" Shadow asked.

"Look at the Changelings. These guys are detested by ponies everywhere. If one is seen, they are slaughtered or jailed on sight." Armory declared. "Yet here they are, undisguised, and practically being merry with ponies."

"Hmm, that is rather disconcerting." Shadow declared. "Didn't our 'sources' say they were transported here via pony trafficking?"

"Yeah. Yet they don't look like they are upset with their situation." Armory murmured. "In fact, they look... joyful."

"Well, looks can be deceiving, my friend." Shadow declared. "Come. Let us take a closer look."

"You got it." Armory nodded.

They made their way into the town. Up close, things seemed just as pleasant.

"Mornin', Bob." One Changeling called to an Earth Pony who was cleaning a window.

"Morning, Scamper." Bob smiled. "Heading to market?"

"You know it." Scamper nodded. "They finally got in those swamp berries I was asking for."

"Lucky you." Bob grinned.

As they walked down the streets, Armory and Shadow saw a female Changeling gossiping with two mares.

"You wouldn't believe what I heard about Azalea yesterday!" The female Changeling smirked.

"Dish, girl, dish!" One of the mares urged.

"I heard she's dating Mine Cart!" The Changeling grinned.

"No!" The second mare gasped.

"Yes." The Changeling nodded.

"Guess there's no accounting for taste..." The first mare smirked.

"It doesn't look like the Changelings here are being held against their will..." Armory mused.

"No, it does not." Shadow frowned. "It seems they are quite content here. And their pony neighbors seem very accepting of them..."

"Hello, strangers!"

A pale green Earth Pony stallion with a bald head, white beard, and wheat chaff Cutie Mark approached them.

"I'm Mayor Chaff." He smiled. "You fellows moving in, or just visiting?"

"Oh, we're just stopping by." Armory smiled.

"I must say, this is a most unique place." Shadow declared. "Ponies and Changelings, living together... How did that all come about?"

"Oh, it was part of this little 'peace program'." Chaff revealed. "Some charitable rich types helped put this place together. Offered the Changelings a place to live, a place where they didn't have to disguise who they were."

"And what about the ponies?" Armory asked. "How did you come to be involved?"

"We all volunteered." Chaff declared. "We had no quarrel with Changelings. It was a little tricky at first, but our hard-shelled neighbors opened up to us, and now we all live in harmony."

"What a touching story." Shadow smiled. "This place truly is an inspiration."

"We like to think so." Chaff beamed. "Hopefully, all ponykind will accept our Changelings friends one day."

"Yeah, maybe..." Armory nodded.

"Well, I have business to attend to." Chaff declared. "Hope you enjoy your stay!"

"Thank you, your Mayorship." Shadow nodded.

"Seems like a nice guy." Armory declared.

"Indeed." Shadow nodded. "This whole village seems so idyllic... Perhaps too idyllic."

"Maybe we should look around some more?" Armory suggested.

"Exactly." Shadow Slinker nodded. "Did you bring those microphone earpieces of yours?"

"Naturally." Armory pulled out his devices. "These should help us pick up any clandestine conversations."

"We can only hope." Shadow Slinker mused, as he put his in his ear.

They spent the next couple of hours exploring the town as nonchalantly as possible. As they neared the outskirts, they passed a small shack, through which their earpieces picked up some interesting words.

"Can't believe that Stable clown got himself caught." The voice of Gridlock growled. "Actually, I can. Arrogant egghead, thinking that tin suit could help him..."

Neither Armory nor Shadow Slinker recognized Gridlock's voice, but they recognised the importance of his words.

"You heard that, right?" Armory asked Shadow Slinker.

"Mmm." Shadow Slinker nodded, silently urging Armory to keep his voice down as they edged in closer to the building's wall.

"Stable's hubris forces us to push our plans ahead." The voice of Harlhooves declared. "We can no longer afford to go slowly."

"Yeah, no kidding." Gridlock's snarled. "Thanks to Stable, we'll have those meddlers on our backs any time now..."

"They may already be close at hoof." Harlhooves declared. "I hate to say it, but we must put the final phase into action at once."

"With pleasure." Gridlock chuckled. "According to the others, we've just finished injecting the last of our little vermin friends with the 'Last Bacterium', and gave thetroops their magic frequencies. Once they set their horn to that frequency... boom, they're walking biohazards."

"Magic frequencies?" Shadow murmured. "What do they mean?"

"I know what they mean." Armory scowled. "Magically armed bombs. Think C4s, but instead of a remote, they use a certain magical frequency to set them off."

"It's amazing, really." Harlhooves mused. "We created a virus that behaves like a bomb. The changelings are oblivious to the fact that they are infected... but that will change once they are in optimal positions."

"A bomb-like virus?" Armory gaped.

"Is that even possible?" Shadow asked.

"I'm not sure. I know chemistry, but I never really thought about it." Armory frowned.

"This will be perfect." Gridlock continued, smiling. "Once the virus is set off, they'll burst into spores, infecting everypony within a ten-mile radius. And then those infected will infect others, and soon, everypony will be infected... and who will be to blame? The Changelings."

"Thereby providing us complete freedom from suspicion." Harlhooves nodded. "Very poetic."

"And it'll definitely make all the time and money we put into this joke of a town worth it." Gridlock sneered. "And I can see Father praising us-"

Suddenly, Armory and Shadow heard a door open, as another voice, one they recognized, came in.

"Ah, there you are." Mayor Chaff's voice declared. "A moment of your time, please?"

"Commander Chaff. I hope you have a good reason for interrupting us." Gridlock growled.

"Commander Chaff?" Armory and Shadow frowned.

"My apologies, sir." Chaff apologized. "It's just that the others are growing restless with this charade. They want to know when they can stop pretending."

"Pretending?" Armory repeated.

"They can stop pretending when we say they can." Harlhooves frowned in annoyance. "We need 'Horsey-bug love' to continue if Project: Infestation is going to succeed."

"Ugh, couldn't we have picked a better name?" Chaff complained. "It's bad enough we have to make nice with these creatures, but seriously, why that name?"

"Quit your belly-aching, Chaff." Gridlock scowled. "I don't like being friendly with these gnats any more than you do, but we all have to do our parts if we are to make this project a success."

"Yeah, tell every pony in this town that!" Chaff growled, "We didn't join the Forefathers so we could play 'house', you know!"

"I don't see what the big deal is." Harlhooves scoffed, "These Changelings are still ponies, just like us."

"Yeah, ponies who can suck us dry, take our shapes, and infest our towns." Chaff grunted. "They're monsters. Plain and simple."

"Just hang tight, Commander." Gridlock ordered. "Trust me, we are already in negotiations with ponies to finally let these Changelings into their towns. In about a week's time, they'll be ready to ship out and we will finally see the fruit of our labors at long last... doesn't that sound good?"

"It certainly does." Chaff cackled.

"I'm sure you and the others can stomach the company of your Changeling neighbors for a few more days, correct?" Harlhooves asked.

"If we must." Chaff snarled.

"Then if there's nothing else you'd like to say, we' kindly ask you to leave." Harlhooves declared. "We still have some preparations left, and we cannot afford any more disruptions."

"Of course, sir." Chaff answered.

Armory and Shadow heard hoofsteps as Chaff left the shack.

"One more week..." Gridlock chortled. "Then the fireworks begin. Can't blame Chaff for being impatient..."

"I still fear it may be too soon." Harlhooves fretted. "But with our enemies closing in, we have no choice but to go forward."

"It'll be worth it, though." Gridlock snickered. "Just you wait and see. Those bugs are finally going to make themselves useful. Even if it kills them, which it will..."

Armory and Shadow stood in horror over what they just overheard.

"Oh, this is worse than we thought." Shadow whispered.

"No kidding." Armory cringed. "This whole town is one big trick. Every Changeling here is an unwitting pawn of those monsters and their plan!"

"We must return to HQ with our findings at once!" Shadow urged.

The two stallions left the village as quickly as they could, bring the dire news back with them.

"So that's what we're up against." Black scowled. "Those conniving, back-stabbing scumbags. I'm no fan of Changelings, but turning them into unwitting suicide bombers? That's just low!"

"We must figure out a way to stop the Forefathers' plan before it starts." Elite declared.

"Otherwise, the projected death toll could be in the thousands." Micro Manager frowned, "Maybe millions, even."

"But what exactly should we do?" Shadow Slinker asked.

"Well, we must alert Celestia and Equestria!" Armory suggested. "Get the DCD over here, and have them block the village off! They can't send Changelings out if they're quarantined."

"That's no good." Micro Manager shook his head. "What would we say to the DCD? That the ponies injected the Changelings with a 'bio-bomb'? Heck, if I hadn't heard it from you two, I wouldn't believe it."

"And it could cause a panic." Shadow frowned. "Changelings are already despised by ponies. If they are to learn that the Changelings have a virus within them, they will surely assume that all Changelings have it, and it would assure the extinction of Changelings everywhere."

"And there's the Forefathers to consider." Elite explained, "The Forefathers have remained under the radar for hundreds of years, and they are determined to keep it that way. I've seen what they're willing to do when their anonymity is threatened. This one time in Russiaddle, one of our agents discovered some crucial evidence to another operation of theirs, and the Forefathers' agents cracked open a dam, washing away our agent, the evidence, and a few innocent village. And in Chineigh, they set an entire forest alight to cover their tracks when another of our agents came too close. And who could forget Neighpal? They incited a civil war just so they could continue about their business!"

"Can't you get one of your smart guys to whip up a cure?" Black asked.

"Not without a sample of the virus itself." Elite shook his head. "Besides, you heard them. They plan to ship out within the week, and if they are all sent to the winds, there is no hope in containing this... 'Last Bacterium'."

"Okay, then why don't we just take the direct approach, and attack them?" Black continued. "I'm sure with all of us, we can take down before they know what hit them."

"But the Forefathers already know we're on to them." Micro Manager pointed out. "If we launch even a focused attack with our men, they would be ready. Not to mention it could cause the Changelings to scatter, and I'm sure they won't have qualms of setting them off prematurely."

"Then we're out of options." Armory sighed.

"No." Elite said solemnly. "There is still one plan that might just work. We do attack them... but not as 'Taskforce Omega'. We will have the Royal Defense Legion do that."

"Um, Elite, we can't just sick the RDL on this village." Armory frowned. "They'll never go for it. They would need probable cause."

"We just tell them that the village is filled with terrorists that have millions of bits worth of weaponry within their possession, and eradicate every single one of them." Elite declared.

The others were understandably distressed at this suggestion.

"Are you serious, Elite?" Shadow frowned.

"We know that the village is filled with Forefather agents and Changelings only." Elite pointed out. "We could easily deal with both of the threats. And while lives will have to be taken, it will ensure the Changelings' reputation will remain intact. In fact, it might give them a few sympathy points... but more importantly, the Forefathers won't be expecting opposition from an army."

"But we can't allow that!" Armory yelled. "It's one thing to just kill the Forefathers' agents, but to kill the Changelings as well? It would be outright murder! And it surely wouldn't take long for the higher ups to learn the Changelings were innocents. Despite their opinions on them, they'd be outraged! And we can't prove the village ponies are evil, so whoever would lead this attack would undercome vicious accusations and defamation. That pony will be branded a traitor for the rest of his life and be imprisoned, if not worse..."

"Well, I'm sure the pony in question will be willing to make that sacrifice." Elite declared, glancing pointedly at Black.

"...You want me to do it, right?" Black frowned.

"What?!" Armory yelped.

"That is unthinkable!" Micro Manager yelled.

"You'd let Black suffer the consequences for this outrageous action?" Shadow Slinker gasped.

Titan let out a plaintive whine.

"Believe me, I'd rather not." Elite sighed. "But at this point, it's our only option. We cannot allow the Forefathers to spread their contagion. If they do, countless lives will be lost. Desperate times call for desperate measures."

"Do they have to be that desperate?" Black scowled.

"I know this is hardly ideal for you, Black." Elite declared. "But know that while you could surely face punishment, we will make sure that you 'disappear' from the public eye, and we could continue on as normal."

"'Disappear'?" Black frowned. "You mean like go into hiding?"

"In a way, yes." Elite nodded. "You would still work for us in an official capacity, but nopony would be aware of your active presence. And if nopony knows you're still around, the Forefathers would never think of using your brother against you. Let's face it, out of all of us, you are the only one who really has anything to lose, and the Forefathers would no doubt capitalise on that."

"Yeah, they could..." Black frowned, thinking of White.

"So you're asking him to give up his entire life over this one problem?" Micro Manager asked.

"That's crazy!" Armory added.

"Rrf!" Titan added.

"Elite, this can't be our best course of action." Shadow frowned. "It just can't!"

"What other choice do we have, Shadow?!" Elite snarled. "They're going to have infected Changelings all over the world in a week. If this plan comes to fruition, not only will Changelings' names will be cemented in infamy, but the whole world could come to an end in a disease-riddled apocalypse."

"That still doesn't justify dragging Black's name through the mud!" Armory roared. "Not after everything he's done for us!"

"I agree." Micro Manager nodded. "It just isn't right."

"Far from it." Shadow shook his head.

"It's okay, guys." Black said solemnly. "I'll do it."

"What?!" Armory yelped. "But Black-!"

"Elite's right." Black admitted. "We can't let the Forefathers kill so many ponies and destroy the Changelings. We need to stop them. And if I have to ruin my reputation to do it, then I guess there's no other choice. Besides, it's already been looking like working with you guys has put my brother in the line of fire. If anything happened to him, I don't know what I'd do..."

"But Black, if you do this, White will no doubt be appalled." Micro Manager pointed out. "He'll never look at you the same way ever again."

"Yeah, probably." Black sighed. "But I'd rather have him hate me and live, then love me and be dead. Maybe severing ties with him and the rest of the family is the best thing to do."

"Black, you can't be serious..." Shadow shook his head.

"I am." Black nodded. "The Forefathers have to be stopped, before more ponies lose their lives. No matter the cost..."

"You have made a noble decision this day, Black." Elite smiled. "I know it can't have been easy, which only makes you valor all the more impressive."

"'Valor' wouldn't be the word I'd use." Micro Manager frowned.

"I still say this is a bad idea." Armory scowled.

"I also still have my doubts." Shadow cringed. "This is, without a doubt, the riskiest strategy we've ever considered."

"Perhaps." Elite nodded. "But it's the best idea we have. Now, let's consider the best plan of attack..."

A short while later, Black returned to the barracks, making a beeline straight to Turret.

"General, I need to talk to you." He declared.

"What about, soldier?" Turret asked.

"I was in town, talking to some local snitches, and I got a serious lead." Black declared. "I followed it, and I found out that here are some huge weapon depots in Reinadh."

"Weapon depots?" Turret mused. "is that right?"

"It surely is, sir." Black nodded. "From what I've been able to learn, the whole town is packed with terrorists, who could easily bring any target to their knees with the kind of firepower they're packing. We need to go in all guns ablazing if we're going to have a chance at nipping this in the bud."

"I heard Reinadh was a peaceful little town." Turret declared. "Ponies and Changelings living together in harmony."

"In harmony, perhaps." Black declared. "But they are definitely not for harmony. They seek to destroy everything in their path. We need to take them down, fast."

Turret looked at Black, an uncomfortable silence in the air. For a moment, Black was worried that he hadn't bought it. Then...

"Alright, soldier." Turret nodded. "Let's do this."

"You're making the right choice, sir." Black smiled.

"Let's hope so." Turret declared. "It'll take a couple of days for us to get ready. Inform your fellow troops in the meantime."

"Yes, sir." Black saluted.

Black headed over to the others.

"Big news, guys." He told them. "We're going to attack a major terrorist location in a couple of days' time."

"What kind of location?" Rookie asked.

"An entire town." Black revealed. "Reinadh, it's called."

"A whole town?" White frowned. "We've never taken on such numbers before..."

"Bet I nail more than you." Nora nudged Avalanche.

"In your dreams." Avalanche nudged her back.

Recently, the two's rivalry had grown more subdued and playful, to their fellow soldiers' relief. They still argued, but at a more tolerable volume.

"But still, you're saying they're all terrorists?" White asked Black. "I find that a little hard to believe... Surely there must be some good apples in there."

"Not a one." Black lied. "Trust me."

"I do trust you, Black." White smiled.

"Great..." Black tried to return the smile, a pang of guilt in him. "Now, we gotta get ready. This ain't gonna be a cakewalk."

"But it will be a story to tell to the old grandfoals, huh?" Nora grinned.

"Yeah, it would." Avalanche nodded. "And I plan to have as many as possible."

"Sure you do..." Nora snorted.

As the troops girded themselves for their biggest battle yet, Black considered what lay ahead.

'Better get ready, Black.' He thought to himself. 'And not just to fight the biggest fight you've ever been in. After this battle, your whole life's going to change. You'll be going down a new path, one that nopony can know about. Not even White...'

Black's communicator beeped. Slipping outside, he pulled out the device, and spoke into it.

"Black here." He declared.

"How did it go?" Elite's voice asked. "Did they buy it?"

"Like a discount cherry pie." Black answered.

"Good." Elite declared. "We need them as determined and focused as possible. Even with an army, this won't be easy."

"That's what I'm afraid of." Black frowned. "What if those Forefather stooges are tougher than we think? They do have us outnumbered, you know..."

"I know it's a heavy risk, Black." Elite declared. "But any soldiers who do perish will be giving their lives for a noble cause. One more noble than they themselves think..."

"That's just what I'm worried about." Black sighed.

"Have faith in your comrades, Black." Elite told him. "You are all RDL soldiers. I know you can do this."

"...Thanks, Elite." Black nodded.

"Happy to help." Elite answered. "Good luck to you all. Elite, out."

As the communicator shut off, Black gazed at it, not wholly convinced by Elite's words.

"'Have faith', he says." He mused. "Something tells me it won't be that easy..."

The night before the attack, the troops were gathered in the mess hall, the table replaced with chairs for them to sit on. The higher ups had provided with a night of entertainment before their big mission.

"Wow, do they usually throw parties before every big raid?" Avalanche asked.

"Not in particular, soldier." General Turret explained. "It seems that somepony put in a good word for all of you and they felt it necessary to give you all a hurrah before going out to kick those sand rats' asses."

"I wonder who that could be..." Black frowned.

"Who cares? I hear that they got 'My Carnival Romance' to come here!" Rookie said excitedly. "I love that band! In fact, I already sent out a song request!"

"Really?" White asked, "What song?"

"Oh, I'm sure Black knows. It's on his mixtape!" Rookie turned to Black.

"Um, actually, I hadn't the chance to listen to it lately." Black admitted sheepishly, "Just been busy..."

"Oh... well, that's okay. I think they're coming on soon." Rookie gestured to a group of ponies that were coming onto a makeshift stage...

The band were all wearing imitation military uniforms, and matching crewcuts.

"Hello, RDL soldiers." The lead singer, Gerard Wheat, declared. "First, I'd like to say what an honor it is for us to be here. You guys do so much for Equestria, and it is our privelege to give a little something back. Now, we're going to play a song requested by one of the soldiers here tonight. We hope you all enjoy our performance, and good luck with tomorrow."

A few of the band members began strumming guitars, the somber song already getting to Black.

'Yeah, sure.' Black thought sadly. 'A little something to ram home how I'll be willingly destroying my life tomorrow...'

Black's thoughts turned to the last minute briefing.

"Okay, this is it." Elite told him that morning. "No pressure, but thousands of lives are depending on you."

"I won't let them down." Black said firmly. "Or you."

"We'll be listening in during the mission." Elite told him. "If you need help, we'll be ready to give it."

"Thanks, Elite." Black smiled. "I'll try to make you proud."

"You already have." Elite grinned.

Then the lead singer began to sing.

I never said I'd lie and wait forever
If I died, we'd be together
I can't always just forget her
But she could try

Avalanche ran a comb through his mane, as he then rose up from his seat. To the surprise of many, he offered a hoof to Nora. Nora was surprised too, but then smiled, taking Avalanche's hoof. Avalanche returned the smile, pulling Nora up into a slow dance.

Soon after, other ponies began to take after them, as they got up to dance... well, all but Black, but who just sat there.

At the end of the world
Or the last thing I see
You are
Never coming home
Never coming home
Could I? Should I?

And all the things that you never ever told me
And all the smiles that are never ever...

The next morning, the squadron rode in towards Reinadh, tensions at an all time high. Nevec, who had come along due to the high risk of battlefield leaned out of the carriage, and threw up. Rookie nervously kissed the heart-shaped pendant around his neck. Avalanche placed his hoof on Nora's, and she returned the favor.

'This is it.' Black thought, gripping his crossbow tightly. 'Everything changes, starting now...'

"You okay, Black?" White asked.

"Sure I am." Black shrugged.

"It's okay to be nervous, bro." White placed a hoof on his shoulder. "We're heading into something big, with some high stakes..."

'Higher than you think, White...' Black thought, before saying aloud "Thanks, White. You've always been there for me. I don't think I would have gotten this far without you."

"Sure you could." White grinned.

"Not without your moral compass to help guide me." Black grinned. "I may be reckless sometimes, but I always think about what you would do before I make any big decisions."

"You do?" White beamed. "Thanks. Didn't know you thought that highly of me."

"Always did." Black nodded. "You've always been the upright, dependable one. And whatever happens, I'll always love you, White."

"I'll always love you too, Black." White grinned. "I swear."

'Keep that in mind, White.' Black thought. 'After today, I may have to hold you to that...'

Unbeknownst to most Taskforce Omega, watched the carriage from atop a ridge.

"I still say this is a mistake." Armory frowned.

"Rrrf!" Titan nodded.

"Indeed." Micro Manager nodded. "Such a high probability for disaster..."

"And some things aren't so much probable as certain." Shadow declared. "Poor Black..."

"I know this isn't going to end well for some." Elite sighed. "But what happens today will save countless lives, at the expense of a few. As repugnant as it may seem, it is the only path at this juncture." He gazed deeply at the carriage. "Good luck, Black. You're going to need it..."

Soon, the squadron reached their destination, and the carriage's doors opened.

Ever...

On the night before, the troops were still dancing. Avalanche and Nora were holding each other very closely. Nora blushed lightly as Avalanche tightened his grip, but made no effort to escape. In fact, she even leaned against him, enjoying the warmth of his body.

Black spent most of that time leaning against a wall, lost in thought, until...

"Hey, Black!" Rookie called.

"What?" Black snapped out of his reverie.

"We're heading down to the bar." Rookie offered. "Wanna come?"

"Eh, I'm not really feeling it..." Black shrugged.

"Come on, don't be a party pooper!" Nora teased.

"Yeah, Black." White grinned. "I've never known to turn down a good drink."

"It won't be the same without all of us." Avalanche added.

"Well..." Black mumbled, conflicted.

"Come on, bro." White smirked. "You know you want to."

Black looked upon White's pleading face. He couldn't refuse him, not when he considered what tomorrow could bring for them.

"...Okay, sure." Black smiled. "Let's go."

One by one, the soldiers then began to leave the dance.

Get the feeling that you're never
All alone and I remember now
At the top of my lungs in my arms she dies
She dies

In the present, they burst out of the carriage and stormed the village, with other carriages coming in with other soldiers.

"Take no prisoners!" Black yelled.

"We're under attack!" Mayor Chaff declared, pulling out a crossbow.

"Mayor, where did you-?" Scamper asked, confused.

"Shut up and fight!" Chaff yelled. "Our home is being invaded! We must defend ourselves! All of us!"

The Forefathers' undercover operatives had no problems getting into the battle, having been prepared for any outside assault. The Changelings, however, had been caught completely unawares.

"We didn't come here to fight." One declared. "We came to live here in peace."

"Well, that peace is being threatened!" Bob declared. "You want these crossbow-toting maniacs to ruin everything we've built here?"

"Well, no, but-" The Changeling started.

"Then get to fighting back!" Bob yelled.

"He's right." Another Changeling nodded. "This is our home, and we must defend it!"

The Changelings cheered in agreement.

"Yes!"

"Defend our home!"

"Stop our attackers!"

"Charge!"

With that, the Changelings joined the battle, firing blasts of magic at the soldiers as they raced to confront them.

At the end of the world
Or the last thing I see
You are
Never coming home
Never coming home
Could I? Should I?

"Nice aim... for bugs!" Avalanche declared, firing back and hitting a Changeling in the eye.

"At times like these, I prefer not to get in close." Nora grimaced, snapping another's neck.

"Split up, team!" Black ordered. "We need to cover more ground. We can't afford to let any of them hide or escape!"

"You got it, Black!" White nodded. He turned to Avalanche, Nora, and several others. "You guys, with us!"

The others complied, and their group moved east, bringing down any pony or Changeling who challenged them.

And all the things that you never ever told me
And all the smiles that are ever gonna haunt me
Never coming home
Never coming home
Could I? Should I?

And all the wounds that are ever gonna scar me
For all the ghosts that are never gonna catch me

The previous night, several of the troops were gathered at the local bar.

"So, what are you guys planning to do when your tour of duty is over?" Rookie asked.

"I already know the answer to that." White smiled, "I'll be transferring to Canterlot. It's always been a dream of mine to follow in our father's hoofsteps and become a Royal Guard."

"Yeah, good old dad." Black muttered under his breath. "Great Guard, lousy father..."

"How about you guys?" White asked Avalance and Nora.

"Well, we're kinda planning on... sticking together." Avalanche smiled, a bright red blush tinting his cheeks.

"Yeah..." Nora blushed also.

"I knew it." Rookie smirked. "I knew you two had a thing for each other."

"Yeah, yeah." Avalanche pouted. "Don't rub it in."

"Hey, where you the ones who were bucking in the infirmary that other day?" White jabbed.

"Who told you about that?!" Nora blushed heavily. "That was supposed to be a secret!" He glared at Avalanche.

"Don't look at me! I didn't tell anypony!" Avalanche frowned.

"You're right, he didn't." Nevec suddenly spoke up, surprising everyone.

"Lauren Faust, could you not do that?!" Rookie snapped. "How long were you standing there?"

"And how did you know Avalanche didn't say anything?" Nora frowned.

"Oh, I've been watching you a while now." Nevec smiled in a very creepy way.

"Yeesh, how did we not notice you?" Black cringed.

"I guess I just blend into my surroundings." Nevec joked.

"So... what are you planning to do, Nevec?" White asked.

"I plan on becoming a hermit." Nevec revealed.

"Okay... why?" White asked.

"The solitude." Nevec shrugged. "Don't get me wrong. I like ponies, but I like my own company better."

"Somehow, that doesn't surprise me." Black murmured to himself.

White noticed Rookie taking out his locket.

"What's that, Blue?" He asked.

"This is a family heirloom." Rookie smiled, holding up the locket. "When this is all over, I'll go back to Whinnyapolis, settle down with the mare of my dreams, and raise a whole bunch of foals with her, I'm going to have a photo taken of us, and have it put in here, so I can always have my loved ones close by."

"Kinda sappy, if you ask me." Nora joked.

"I just hope I'll have the chance." Rookie frowned. "Tomorrow's assignment is a real big one, after all. Taking on an entire town... The odds are definitely against us. What if I... what if all of us..."

"We'll be fine, Rookie." White smiled.

"White's right." Avalanche nodded. "Look at us. We're a regular dream team."

"I know we're good, but we've never faced so many before." Rookie frowned. "What if being good isn't enough? What if tomorrow, some of us die?"

"Blue, listen to me." White said firmly. "I promise you, everything will be fine. We'll all pull through. All of us, together."

"...You mean that?" Rookie asked.

"I do." White nodded. "I give you my word, you're going to survive. And you're going to get that family you're hoping for. I promise."

"Thanks, White." Rookie smiled.

"Tomorrow's going to be a heck of a day, that's for sure." Nora grinned.

"Oh, yeah." Avalanche nodded.

"One for the history books." Nora nodded.

"Something to remember." Nevec agreed.

"A toast, then." White raised his glass. "To tomorrow!"

"To tomorrow!" The troops all raised their glasses (all except Black).

White noticed Black's glass still on the counter.

"You okay, Black?" He asked. "You seem a little... down. I'd have thought you were looking forward to our biggest battle yet."

"I am." Black sighed. "It's just..."

"Just what?" White asked.

Black suddenly hugged White, to the shock of everypony present.

"Okay, now I know there's something up with you." White declared. "Why the close physical contact?"

"Because you're right." Black nodded. "This is our biggest battle yet. And while that was a nice speech you made, I thought, just in case something happens to one or both of us, I should..."

"I understand." White returned the hug. "But we're going to make it through this. Have faith."

'Why does everypony keep saying that?' Black thought.

"I will never leave you, bro." White told Black. "I'll be with you no matter what."

"Thanks, White." Black smiled. "You don't know how much this means to me."

"I think I do." White grinned.

'Wanna bet?' Black thought.

If I fall

The next morning, the squadron were boarding the carriage, preparing to leave. Rookie looked back at all the worried looks on the faces of those who were seeing them off. Shaking it off for the moment, he rushed to catch up with the others.

If I fall (down)

In the present, the battle was still ongoing. Both sides suffered losses, but they continued. However, for one soldier, the stress of battle was proving too much...

"Ahhh!" Rookie yelped, doing his best to dodge all the bolts and magic blasts flying everywhere. "There's so many of them!"

Rookie leapt behind a shattered wall for cover. As more bolts and magic blasts flew overhead, he breathed heavily, almost overcome with terror.

"Come on, Rookie." He told himself. "Pull it together. Be like Black and White. They're giving their all right now. You gotta find the courage to do the same..."

Rookie took a deep breath, and leapt out the wall, firing his crossbow at the enemy force, as he ran for a more strategic cover, a place where he could both attack and defend.

A short distance away, White and Black were side by side, using a wagon for cover, taking down pony and Changeling alike. White saw none other than Chaff, taking a aim at Rookie.

"Say your prayers, you meddlin'-" Chaff roared.

"Rookie, look-!" White started.

But the warning came too late. A bolt fired from Chaff's crossbow, and struck Rookie in the abdomen.

"Agh!" Rookie screamed, dropping to the ground. He placed a hoof against his side, which was gushing blood, screaming bloody murder.

"No!" White yelled. He tried to rush over to help, only for Black to pull him back.

"Are you crazy?!" Black growling.

"Let me go!" White struggled. "I have to help him!"

"You go out there now, and you'll die!" Black held him back.

"But Rookie-!" White groaned.

"There's nothing we can do!" Black yelled.

While enjoying his latest kill, Chaff's gaze fell upon the brothers.

"Is that...?" He gaped, recognising Black from his comrades' descriptions. His expression turned to one of anger. "You. You're behind this, you meddling-!"

A crossbow bolt embedded itself in the back of Chaff's head, killing him. It had been fired by Avalanche.

"Another one for me." Avalanche grinned.

"I'll admit it: That was a nice shot." Nora declared. She then spotted Rookie's prone form. "Oh no... Rookie's hurt! Somepony do something!"

"I've got him!" Nevec, using uncanny agility, rushed over and grabbed Rookie, then pulled him behind cover.

At the end of the world
Or the last thing I see
You are

Never coming home
Never coming home
Never coming home
Never coming home

White was distraught, the words he told Rookie last night running though his mind:

"I give you my word, you're going to survive. And you're going to get that family you're hoping for. I promise."

"I promised him... I promised him!" He continued to struggle against Black's grip.

"I know you did, bro." Black held him tightly. "I know..."

And all the things that you never ever told me
And all the smiles that are ever gonna haunt me
Never coming home
Never coming home

Could I? Should I?

Nevec did everything he could to help Rookie. He injected him with a stimulant in an attempt to get fresh blood pumping, and did his best to patch the wound, but Rookie had lost too much blood for him to survice.

"Please, Faust..." Nevec pleaded, sewing the gash shut. "Please, don't let this happen..."

Alas, it was too little, too late. Rookie's breathing grew slow and shallow, and his eyes faded to nothing. Then his body grew limp.

"No..." Nevec whispered. "Oh, no..."

And all the wounds that are ever gonna scar me
For all the ghosts that are never gonna...

White could see the life leaving Rookie's eyes, as Nevec turned to the two... and gave a solemn shake of his head as he bowed it.

"No..." White murmured, as tears began to build up.

"White..." Black whispered.

"NO!" White screamed, as he began sobbing. "This can't... this can't be happening... it just can't..."

Black was just as distraught, barely able to hold White, let alone keep his emotions together.

"It just did happen." He said in a choked voice. "Rookie's gone. He's dead." He then thought regretfully 'Because of me...'

"No..." White wept in anguish. "No..."

"I'm sorry, White." Black comforted his brother. 'More than you know...'

"It's not fair." White sniffed. "He was such a nice stallion. He had so many plans for the future, and now... and now..."

"And now he's gone..." Black started crying also. "I should have done something. Watched out for him."

"No, I should." White insisted.

The two brothers weren't the only ones weeping. Nora leaned against Avalanche for comfort as they too grieved for their fallen friend.

Nevec gently closed Rookie's lifeless eyes.

"Rest in peace, soldier." He whispered, his voice breaking. "Rest in peace..."

The present...

The room was silent, as Fletcher and Caboose stood slack-jawed at Black's explanation.

"You see, it was supposed to be cut and dry." Black explained, his eyes misty. "We would have razed the village, ruining their plans. My reputation would had been destroyed, but everypony would had been safe... Rookie was never supposed to die that day... but he did. And I will never be able to forget seeing his body just laying there, him screaming in pain before he faded away, and me, holding White back as he screamed out to him..." He bowed his head. "It was the worst day of my life..."

"I... I don't know what to say." Fletcher admitted. He wanted to think Black was lying, but the true anguish on his face from the memory of that day was plain to see. "It seems I had you pegged wrong after all."

"Yeah..." Caboose sniffed as he pulled out a box of tissues. "You poor guy. And poor Rookie..."

"As bad as things were at that moment, it was only going to get worse." Elite declared. "What happened next set in motion a domino effect that led to far worse things..."

Author's Notes:

"The Ghost Of You" belongs to My Chemical Romance.

Already Over

Fletcher had just undergone a huge change in emotions regarding Black. Moments before, he had nothing but hate and suspicion for him. But now, after hearing the truth, he actually felt sympathy for him.

"So you were telling the truth before." He mused. "You didn't wipe out Reinadh to kill the Changelings. You did it to save Equestria."

"Ya damn right I did." Black nodded. "But at what cost?"

"Poor Rookie..." Caboose sniffed, "You think something like this would only happen in a war movie... or a music video."

"Can I assume that Black has earned your trust yet?" Elite asked.

"I really can't say for sure, yet, Director." Fletcher admitted. "But I think I'm getting there."

"He had me at 'hello'." Caboose whimpered.

"...I never said 'hello'." Black deadpanned.

"Oh... well, I think I can trust him. Just so long as he doesn't doesn't try to snatch my hay fries at lunch." Caboose smiled.

"Good." Elite nodded. "Now, what do you say all of us take a trip?"

"A trip? Where?" Fletcher asked.

"Why to our base, of course." Elite declared, "I believe the time has come for you to meet the ponies you will be working with."

"Now hold on, we hadn't exactly agreed to join yet." Fletcher frowned.

"Don't worry, you will." Elite smiled.

"So, you guys up for the trip?" Black asked.

"...Yes, we are." Fletcher nodded, "I must admit, I would like to meet these comrades you spoke of."

"Excellent." Elite nodded, as he made his way to the door. "There's a carriage just outside, waiting to bring us back to HQ."

Elite opened the door, with Titan still standing guard outside.

"It's alright, Titan." He declared. "Our new friends have agreed to come with us. So let's head for home."

"Ruff!" Titan barked happily.

"If you'll follow me, gentlemen." Elite told Fletcher and Caboose.

"Of course, sir." Fletcher nodded.

"Once more, into the breach..." Caboose smirked.

Soon, the group made their way through the halls of the castle towards a back door. Black donned his cloak before even leaving the room.

"Interesting fashion statement." Fletcher noted.

"Well, since I'm supposed to be dead, I need to keep a low profile." Black pointed out.

"So, Black... how exactly did you and big boy get in here?" Caboose asked, casting a glance at Titan. "I doubt anypony would miss a dead warlord and a Diamond Dog running around here."

"We have our methods." Black shrugged. "Titan has a tendency to disappear at times... like right now."

"Right now? What do you-" Caboose turned to Titan, only to find him gone. "...How does he do that?"

"It's a secret to everypony." Elite declared. "And not even his best trick. You should see him fetch..."

"Speaking of secrets, who else knows about Taskforce Omega?" Fletcher asked.

"Oh, a few influential ponies." Elite noted. "Princess Celestia knows a bit about us..."

"Celestia?!" Caboose gaped. "But Black-"

"isn't something she's aware of." Elite declared.

"Well, that would make sense." Fletcher frowned. "After what happened with Shade, I can understand how that news might upset her."

"Don't we all?" Black joked.

"So you guys are like Stallions In Black? From Area 51?" Caboose asked.

"No. But I have been there once." Elite shrugged. "And I will tell you, they greatly exaggerate all the stuff that goes on in there."

"So no snazzy suits?" Caboose asked.

"Depends on the mission." Black shrugged.

"As long as we're serving Equestria, I doubt what we're wearing will matter much." Fletcher declared.

"Try and say that you're going undercover at a clown college..." Black joked.

Soon, they were outside, where indeed, a black, non-descript carriage was waiting for them, with suited ponies as the pullers.

"I love riding in style." Caboose grinned.

"Style is the only way we ride, period." Black smirked.

"All aboard." Elite opened the door

Titan was already in the carriage, panting happily.

"Okay, how'd he beat us here?" Fletcher frowned.

"Just another one of his tricks." Black chuckled.

"How'd he learn those tricks, anyway?" Caboose asked. "Was there a Diamond Dog whisperer involved?"

"Wouldn't put it past him." Black shrugged, as they got inside the carriage.

"Home please, boys." Elite told the stallions pulling the carriage.

"Yes, sir." One of the stallion nodded.

The carriage left the castle grounds, and departed from Canterlot.

"So... are we heading to that base in Saddle Arabia?" Caboose asked. 'You guys must get a lot of flight miles flying back between there and Equestria."

"Oh, no. That base merely served as a mobile command center. We set it up when there were word of Forefathers' activities going on around there, but not long after the Reinadh attack, we returned back to our home base, here in Equestria." Elite explained.

"And how far is it to this headquarters?" Fletcher questioned.

"Oh, quite a ways away still." Elite admitted. "It's over in a remote mountain region. But it is close to the RDL HQ in Quanticolt."

"Wait, is the RDL aware of Taskforce Omega's existence?" Fletcher questioned.

"Of course it is. After all, I'm the director of both." Elite declared. "But only those with a high enough level of clearance knows for sure what goes on in the Taskforce. And trust me, the information me and the others tell you are information we don't give away freely."

"Of course, you can trust us." Fletcher nodded.

"Yeah. I mean, we only lied to you once." Caboose smirked.

The carriage went silent, as Fletcher's eye twitched at the mention of the lie they told earlier about Shade.

"Yes, you did." Elite admitted. "But you had a good reason to do it, and things worked out in the end. No harm, no foul."

"That's as maybe." Fletcher grit his teeth. "But I'd prefer not to dwell on it..."

"How about we pass the time by listening to more of Black's life story?" Caboose suggested.

"You really wanna know?" Black frowned. "'Cause it'll only get worse..."

"I think both of us should know what happened next." Fletcher declared. "Especially if we're going to be working together."

Many years ago...

Even with Rookie's death, we still had a mission to do. We worked endlessly to take out every remaining Forefather agents and infected changelings. By some miracle, we were able to do just that before the day was out. Soon, the streets of Reinadh was red with blood, and this 'Project: Infestation' would no longer come to be... but it didn't change the fact that with our lie... a life was lost.

The battle was over. The entire population of Reinadh had been wiped out, pony and Changeling alike. But victory was cold comfort for White and Black, for Rookie's death was more of a loss than they could stand.

Rookie's body had been put on a stretcher, was to be placed into another carriage, so he could be given a proper burial.

Before the stretcher was taken in, White rose from the seat of a nearby carriage where the others were sitting, waiting to go, as the young Pegasus looked at his fallen comrade's body.

"I'm so sorry, Rookie." He sniffed. "I promised you you'd make it through this, but I couldn't keep that promise. And now, all those dreams of yours will never come to pass..." He looked upon Rookie's locket, which lay on his chest. He gingerly removed the locket, "I will make sure that your parents get this, and know that you died a hero... and that is a promise I won't break... I swear..."

White picked up the locket, and looped the chain around his neck.

"Wherever you are now, I hope you're at peace." He whispered.

White sat back down with the others as their carriage finally set out. White was seated next to Black, while Nora, Avalanche, and Nevec sat across from them. They all noticed the locket, but said nothing, silently aware of White's intentions.

"What a day..." Avalanche said flatly, one hoof on Nora's.

"Worst day ever..." Nora sniffed, leaning against Avalanche.

"We won, though." Nevec said quietly. "Thanks to us, those terrorists never got the chance to hurt anypony."

"Yeah, I guess..." Black sighed.

"Not much of a consolation prize, if you ask me." White shook his head.

"Rookie wasn't the only one who died out there." Avalanche admitted. "But losing him hurts so much..."

"But at least he didn't die in vain." Nora smiled weakly, as Avalanche stroked her mane to comfort her. "All those vile ponies and Changelings who wanted to launch unprovoked attacks all got what was coming to them."

Black grit his teeth. The lie he told to his fellow soldiers felt far less necessary, knowing that it had cost Rookie his life.

"Changelings working together with those ponies... that only proves that they are cold-blooded." Avalanche snarled. "Back where I'm from, if we even see one of them, they'll be hanging before a 'how you do'."

Black put his hooves together, knowing full well that the Changelings were innocent. Just like Rookie.

"Yeah, that things are just plain vile." Nora spat. "Shape-shifting scum..."

"I realise this may be a case of the pot calling the kettle black, but I find them incessantly creepy." Nevec scowled. "How could those ponies stand to live with them?"

"Okay, that's enough." White said sternly. "No species-bashing on my watch."

"But they killed Rookie!" Avalanche snarled.

"And blaming them constantly isn't going to do a thing!" White snarled... as he then let out a exasperated sigh. "Look, we all had a bad day today, but it would do us good to focus on the positives..."

"Like what?" Nora challenged. "That there's a little more legroom on the way back?"

"Or that the barracks will be a little less crowded?" Avalanche growled.

"We should just be grateful that nopony else lost their lives." White sighed. "Those guys didn't put up much of a fight. They went eas-" Suddenly, White stopped mid-sentence, his face suddenly frigid with shock.

"White? White, what is it?" Black asked, not liking the look on his face.

"You suddenly went pale. And coming from me, that's saying something." Nevec admitted.

"Yeah, I noticed that too." Avalanche noted.

"What's up, White?" Nora asked.

"When we were storming Reinadh... did you see what they were fighting us with?" White suddenly questioned.

"Um... weapons?" Nevec asked.

"Yeah, but what kind?" White urged.

"Well, going by the ones I fought, they seemed to have been fighting with crossbows... and not the best kind. You know, ones you can easily pick up at your local armory." Avalanche frowned.

"They also seem to been fighting with whatever they could find. Shovels, rakes, if it's a blunt object, they were using it." Nora mused.

"Doesn't that strike any of you as odd?" White asked, "I mean, they were guarding weapon depots, probably filled with loads of far better weapons then what they were using. Why didn't they use those?"

"Well, maybe they didn't get the chance. We did catch them by surprise." Nora mused.

"But still, you'd think they'd expect some kind of an attack." Avalanche noted. "They should have had security, or early warning systems..."

"And the Changelings didn't fight nearly as fiercely as you'd expect." Nevec added. "It was almost like they barely even wanted to fight... Not typical terrorist behavior, is it?"

At once, everypony turned to face Black, who nearly shrank under their gazes.

"Black... you're the one who told General Turret that there was caches of weapons here. You are why we were here in the first place... what's going on?"

"I... I don't know what you're talking about." Black said nervously.

"You lead the attack." Avalanche pointed out. "You'd have to know."

"Well..." Black muttered.

"Come on, Black." Nora urged. "You can tell us."

"There's nothing to tell." Black insisted.

"For some reason, I don't believe you." Nevec looked at him in a creepy way. "You look a little... unnerved."

"Because you're staring at me, weirdo." Black growled.

"Black, please." White pleaded. "I know there's something you're not telling us. As your brother, I need you to tell me."

"ALRIGHT!" Black snapped, "I ADMIT IT! I LIED!"

The carriage went silent.

"You... you lied?" White gaped.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Avalanche frowned.

"I mean..." Black sighed. "The truth is, there never was any weapon depots there. It was a lie..."

"No... no... Black, tell me you're not serious." White shook his head, "Tell me that this is some horrible joke..."

"White..." Black turned to White.

"Tell me Rookie didn't die for nothing..." White's voice was quivering.

"White, please..." Black urged.

"Tell me!" White demanded.

Black simply lowered his head, unable to do just that.

"...No... oh Faust, no..." White whispered.

"This isn't happening..." Nora shook her head.

"You..." Avalanche seethed.

"Oh, I think I'm gonna be sick..." Nevec moaned.

"Guys, please, I can explain..." Black murmured.

"Explain?!" White repeated, as he then roared, "We just murdered an entire village full of innocent ponies, because of the lead you gave us! Because of you, Rookie is..."

"I know it looks bad, but that village wasn't what it seems..." Black urged.

"And that's supposed to make us feel better?" Avalanche snarled. "How would you even know?"

"It was something I found out when I was out on one of my mission." Black declared, "I discovered something very disturbing about Reinadh, and I had to act!"

"And what is this disturbing thing, huh?" Nora challenged.

"The Changelings... they were infected..." Black stuttered.

"You thought they were vermin?" Nevec frowned. "I don't like Changelings anymore than the next guy, their flanks being skinny and filled with holes and all, but they didn't deserve to be exterminated, let alone by us!"

"No, it's not..." Black groaned. "Look, I did what I had to do. I didn't lie about the threat that village posed. It just wasn't the threat I led you to believe."

"And how are we to believe that, huh?" White growled, "They were innocent ponies who had families and friends, and so were the changelings, and you had us slaughter them all... they didn't even stand a chance..."

"I know..." Black nodded. "But it was for the greater good. Rookie wasn't supposed to die."

"But he did!" Avalanche snarled, moments from lunging at him. "And it's all your fault!"

"Easy, Avalanche." White held him back. "That won't help anything."

"It'd sure feel good, though." Nora glared at Black.

"And I'm strongly tempted to ignore my hippocratic oath if something of Black's broke in the scuffle." Nevec snarled.

"Like I said before, that won't bring Rookie back." White declared, letting go of Avalanche, who had calmed down.

"Look, I'm sorry things turned out this way. But all we can do now is keep this between us." Black urged.

"Oh, and what's to stop us form going to the General about this?" Avalanche challenged.

"And getting your lying flank court-marshalled?" Nora added.

"For Rookie." Black said flatly.

"What?" Nevec frowned.

"Think about what it'll mean for Rookie's memory if anypony finds out he died on a mission to exterminate non-combatants." Black urged. "Do you really want him to be labelled that way? Not as a soldier, but as a monster? If you expose me, you'll tarnish Rookie's memory... and it could lead to far worse things."

"Is that a veiled threat?" Nora growled.

"No, it's a fact." Black declared. "Like it or not, Reinadh's blood is on all our hooves. Exposing me will not only ruin Rookie's memories, but it could destroy all of our livelihoods."

"So you're blackmailing us?" White growled, "Your own brother and your comrades... of all the awful things... how could you be this... just what are you?"

"Please, I know you all hate me right now." Black admitted, their gazes boring into his skin, "But it's best for everypony this way. It's a lie that serves the common good. Do you want Rookie's family to see him as a war hero who gave his life to protect his homeland, or as a coward who killed defenceless civillians?"

White mulled it over. His sense of truth and duty conflicting with his guilt over being unable to prevent Rookie from dying in the first place. He then glanced at Rookie's locket, the guilt of his death quickly overpowering whatever sense of justice he had within him...

"...Okay, you win." He sighed.

"White, you can't be serious!" Avalanche gaped.

"What other choices do we have, Avalanche?" White glared, "I hate that this happened to us, but I already failed Rookie once by letting him die, and I won't spit in his grave by having his name sullied. His family doesn't deserve that!"

"He has a point." Nevec added, "And it's not just Rookie. All of our names could be tarnished by this fiasco. Not that I care, though..."

"I could live with that." Nora shrugged. "But not with the same thing happening to Rookie's name..."

"So, we are agreed then." Black nodded, "We take this to our grave. Got it?"

The others remained silent, with White and Avalanche staring in anger, Nora with disgust, and Nevec with uncertainty.

"I said... got it?" Black urged.

"...Well, it seems we have no choice." Avalanche sighed in frustration.

"I can't believe this is happening." Nora growled.

"Alas, it is." Nevec pointed out.

"We'll do it." White nodded. "For Rookie."

"For Rookie." The others chorused.

"Good to hear that." Black nodded, "Trust me, it will be best for all of us to just move on." Black turned to White. "Right, bro?"

"Don't kid yourself, Black." White growled.

"...White..." Black cringed under his glare.

"I never knew you to be a perfect pony, Black..." White glared. "But I didn't believe you would be this kind of stallion... you can act like this didn't happen, that we can just forget... but I will never forget what you did..."

"What I did I did to help protect Equestria." Black rebutted, "I'm sorry that Rookie had to die, but that village had to go down. By doing so, we saved countless lives!"

"At the cost of a hundred?" White shot back.

"I'm not saying it's right." Black declared. "I'm not even saying it's just. It's what had to be done."

"Well, it's not why I enlisted." White glared at him. "And I'm sure it's not why you enlisted. What's happened to you, Black? Does it having something to do with those assignments of yours? Were there even 'assignments' to begin with?"

"Don't talk like that." Black scowled. "What I do is not of your business, but I assure you what I do is to keep Equestria safe, just like all of you."

"Yeah, you keep telling yourself that. See how far that gets you." White glared coldly, as he turns away in disgust.

"White..." Black began... but he couldn't bring himself to say anymore. He turned to the others, who all wouldn't bother to face him.

Black let out a sigh as he lowered his head.

'Keep it together.' Black told himself. 'You knew this would happen. It's for the best. Remember, better he hate me, and live, then love me and die...'

The next day, Rookie's funeral was a quiet, somber affair. Rookie's mother wept over her son's casket.

"My brave, sweet boy..." She sniffled. "I can't believe he's gone..."

"I know, dear." Her husband comforted her. "But at least he died defending our homeland. He died a hero."

"Yes, a hero..." White sighed, as he approached them. "Your son was a true friend. A warm, funny soul. But you already knew that."

"You must be White Knight Paladin." Rookie's mother declared. "Rookie wrote to us about you and your brother."

"He had nothing but good things to say about both of you." Rookie's father smiled. "I'm sure you're sure as incredible as he told us you were. Our boy always was an excellent judge of character."

"And nopony would know that better than his parents." White smiled half-heartedly.

Black, standing within earshot, looked away, ashamed.

"Here." White held up the locket. "This belonged to Rookie. I think it should go to his family."

"I'm afraid we can't accept that, Mr Paladin." Rookie's mother declared.

"But it's Rookie's." White protested.

"We know." Rookie's father nodded. "We got it for him for his 18th birthday."

"So you should have it." White urged.

"I think Rookie would have wanted you to have it." Rookie's mother smiled. "He thought so highly of you. I'm sure he'd be honored."

"Well, if you insist..." White put on the locket hesitantly.

"Thank you so much for being our boy's friend." Rookie dad smiled.

"You're welcome." White smiled humbly. "I'm just sorry I couldn't help him..."

"Now, that's enough of that." Rookie's mother declared. "Our boy was never one to hold a grudge, and neither are we. I'm sure wherever he is now, he's thinking of you in the best possible way."

'I can't take this any more...' Black thought.

Overwhelmed by guilt, Black slipped away.

After the funeral, Black stepped into Taskforce Omega's headquarters, and slouched over to the round table.

"Hey, Black." Armory said tentatively.

"Hey, Armory." Black muttered.

"Are you... okay?" Shadow Slinker asked.

"No, I'm not." Black sighed.

"You have our condolences regarding Private Blue." Micro Manager declared.

"Thanks..." Black bowed his head.

Titan whined in sympathy, placing a hand on Black's shoulder.

"You too, big guy." Black smiled half-heartedly.

"I'm sorry, Black." Elite sighed. "Rookie was a good soldier and comrade."

"Yes... and he's dead because of us." Black sighed.

"I know." Elite nodded sadly. "But sometimes, sacrifices must be made. We all knew the risks and it can't be helped."

"Yeah..." Black murmured. "How long you say I have to keep this whole Reinadh thing under wraps?"

"Twelve months." Elite declared firmly. "Once that time comes, you will come forward, fraught with guilt over your actions. It shouldn't hurt your reputation as much, maybe they'll take it easy on you. Once they get you into prison, we'll bust you out, and we can continue as normal."

"Easy for you to say. I only murdered Reinadh three days ago, and already the ones I once called my friends despises me and White..." Black lowered his head on the table.

"Black..." Elite sighed. "I know it's tough, but you can pull through, I know it."

"...Elite, I've been thinking." Armory said tentatively. "I know mum's the word when it comes to our organization... but would it really be such a bad idea for Black to tell White the truth? I mean, White got to hate Black for what's happened."

"He does." Black frowned. "I'm not gonna sugarcoat and say that we had the best of relationships, but now..." His voice became a mere whisper, "He's like father all over again..."

"Armory, we can't afford to protect White every waking hour of the day." Elite groaned. "And neither can Black. The Forefathers will undoubtedly use that to their advantages."

"So why not let him in on the secret?" Armory insisted. "White is just as capable of doing everything Black can do, and he can handle himself. We can let him into the team, where Black and us can have his back. It's got to be better than letting Black be despised by his own brother!"

"I'm afraid that's not possible." Elite declared. "The less ponies who know about this Taskforce, the better. Even then, White just doesn't possess the right 'qualities' that Black does."

"Even if White did, I wouldn't allow it." Black scowled. "I am only doing this to keep him away from the Forefathers. I know my brother. If he knew the truth, he'd want to be involved. He always was the righteous sort. He'd want to help me take on the Forefathers. His life will never be safe. White doesn't deserve that, and I will be damned if I let another pony I care about die because of me. I thank you for having my back, Armory, but we have to keep it as it is. It's better this way, no matter how much it hurts."

"Okay, Black." Armory nodded sadly. "If that's what you want..."

"It's not." Black sighed. "But it's the way things have to be..."

Six months later...

Life went on in the RDL. For his role in the attack on Reinadh, Black had been promoted to Squad Leader. However, this did little for him in the eyes of his comrades. Avalanche, Nora and Nevec had all distanced themselves from him, not so much as inviting him out for a drink. White was even worse; Some days, White didn't speak even a word to Black.

The worst part of it all was the locket that belonged to Rookie. Ever since the funeral, White had donned it as his own, and had never taken it off since. White said it was a way of keeping Rookie with them in spirit, but Black could feel that it was White's way of punishing him, to make him feel the torment of getting Rookie killed... and it was working.

Black had once humored the thought of getting rid of the locket, but he knew that wouldn't make a difference. All semblances of a friendship he had with his comrades were good and gone... and soon, he would lose his brother.

Every day since Reinadh, it took every ounce of Black's will to not just break and tell White everything, just so he could have his brother's love back, and things could go back to normal. However, in the end, he reminded himself that he had to do it, so that the Forefathers wouldn't threaten White just so they could get to him.

Fortunately, as a coping mechanism for both the guilt of Rookie's death and his brother's anger, he had Taskforce Omega. Black simply threw himself deeper into his work, exerting all the negative emotions that boiled within him with each passing day. It was only a matter of time before he would give his confession and once he was in prison and Elite and the others broke him out, he could rest easily, knowing his brother was safe.

In the end, that was all he could ask for.

One evening, Black returned to the barracks, flecks of blood still on his hooves. Earlier he was charged with taking down some of the Forefathers' couriers and smugglers that had been running about since Reinadh. Black managed to take some of them in, but others refused to come quietly, and Black had to get his hooves dirty.

Black made his way over to the sleeping quarters, he overheard arguing.

"You gotta let it go, White." The voice of Avalanche urged.

"How can you say that, Avalanche?" White's voice snarled. "Rookie is dead because of him!"

"Oh, White, no..." Black groaned.

"We have to tell General Turret the truth." White urged. "All of us."

"What good will it do, though?" Nora asked. "It won't bring Rookie back."

"Or the village." Avalanche added. "All it will do is tarnish Rookie's memory."

"But still-!" White started.

"Maybe we should just forget about this and move on." Nora sighed.

"Forget?" White snarled. "How can you say that?"

"Look, Black was right. It isn't just his life and Rookie's legacy that's on the line. It's ours too." Avalanche sighed. "We want to help, but we have our own futures to think about." He then placed his hoof on Nora. "Me and Nora are going to start a life together once we're done here. Tell me how we can do that if we're dishonorably discharged, huh?"

"I'm talking about the greater good here." White shot back. "But I can't do this alone. I need you guys."

"Sorry, White." Avalanche sighed. "We just can't do it."

"It's not worth it." Nora added.

"Fine." White snarled. "I just hope you can live with yourselves."

White departed from their company, making his way to his bunk. He caught a glimpse of Black as he did.

Black let out a harrowing sigh as he made his way to a sink, hoping to wash off the blood before White-

"Black."

'Buck.' Black groaned. He turned around, to see White glaring at him.

"Black... why is there blood on your hooves?" White frowned.

"It's nothing, White." Black shook his head. "Me and these guys got into it, so I had to set them straight."

"So what? You murdered them?" White growled.

"Oh Faust, I am not getting into this again with you!" Black moaned in frustration.

"No, Black, we are!" White snarled. "Why were you listening in on mine and the others' conversation?"

"Look, I just got back and I overheard you arguing." Black frowned. "And by the by, you should listen to Avalanche, and just let it go."

"Why? So you can get away with murdering all those ponies?" White challenged.

"For the last time, it had to be done!" Black scowled, "Why must you dwell in the past?!"

"I did not sign up for the RDL to become a murderer!" White snarled.

"This is war, White!" Black glared, "To become a soldier and not kill is like becoming a cook that doesn't cook!"

"But we killed only when necessary to protect others!" White snapped. "Now, I can't even look at myself in the mirror after what I did because of you!"

"Maybe that's because you're just too soft." Black growled. "Like always."

"And you were always a brute." White snarled.

"If that's what you call 'being tough'." Black smirked.

"Not everypony thought that way." White retorted. "Back home, lots of ponies you were just some jerk. But I always defended you around others."

"I don't recall asking you to." Black retorted.

"Because you were always so full of yourself." White sneered. "So sure you were the toughest stallion around, that you were the best. But you're not the best. You're a monster, and you hide your twisted deeds from the world. At the end of the day, you're just a coward!"

In a flash, Black turned and grabbed White by the throat and slammed him into a wall. White's blood froze as he saw the fury in Black's eyes.

"You listen, White, and you listen good." Black seethed. "I can care less about how you feel about this whole Reinadh thing, but I'm only going to warn you once. Move on. Nothing you can say or do will ever bring Rookie back or undo anything. And if you don't keep your damn mouth shut about this... we're going to have problems."

With that, he released his grip, as White dropped to the ground, coughing.

"Glad we had this chat..." Black growled, as he made to leave...

"Black...please..." White whispered.

The older stallion stopped in his tracks.

"Black, I'm worried about you..." White admitted, his voice quivering. "Whatever it is you're doing, these 'assignments'... they're changing you. It's like the brother I used to know is disappearing and being replaced by this... this thing I don't even recognize... The Black I know wouldn't do any of this..."

White's words cut through to Black's very soul. He knew White had a point, but he couldn't back down, not if he didn't want the Forefathers to harm him...

"Ponies change, brother..." He declared. "But like I said before, I'm still doing this to protect Equestria. And sometimes, protection requires going to extremes..."

"But what is the point if you become as bad as the monsters you kill?" White rebutted.

"White, the point is keeping Equestria safe." Black said stubbornly. "Keeping our friends and loved ones safe. I'd do anything to make that happen."

"Even at the cost of your own soul?" White whispered.

"...Yes." Black nodded sadly. "It has to be this way, White. In time, you will understand... now if you'll excuse me..."

Black walked away, leaving a woeful White behind, his face taut with anguish...

'I'm sorry, Black, but I can't do this anymore...' He thought. 'I can't just sit by and watch you become this thing... I already lost Rookie... and I won't lose you...'

Black sat on his bed, distraught over the argument he had with White.

'Dammit, Black... why did you have to do that?' Black groaned. 'Threatening your own brother? Why must this be so hard? Why can't White just please...'

Black sighed, as he put on his headphones, as he began listening to the mixtape Rookie gave him.

You never go
You're always there
Under my skin
I cannot run away
Fading slowly...

'I'm sorry, Rookie...' He thought, as he drifted into a fitful sleep.

The next morning, as Black was preparing to depart. General Turret entered the barracks, flanked by two MPs (the Military Police).

"Black Knight, you got a moment?" General Turret asked.

"Um... sure, what is it?" Black Knight asked, "I was about to go on my special assignment,"

"Look, Mr. Paladin, there's no way I can sugar coat this but..." Turret sighed, as he gestured to the MPs. "We have a warrant for your arrest."

Black's blood froze.

"Arrest?!" Black gaped, "W-what for?"

"Well, a member of your squad came forward, and told us everything." Turret frowned. "Told us that 'lead' about Reinadh having weapons was a lie, and that you instigated a unfounded attack on Reinadh."

"What?!" Black gaped, as he turned to see Avalanche, Nora, and Nevec who came to see the commotion. Judging by their expressions, they were just as surprised. "How did you-"

"It was me..."

Black gaped as White stepped forward. It seemed like he was crying recently.

"...White?" Black whispered. "...You told them?"

"I'm sorry, Black. I really am." White sniffed. "But I couldn't do it anymore."

"No... White, how could you do this?!" Black growled, the outrage of his betrayal overriding any common sense or sense of understanding he had. "I'm your brother!"

"I had no choice..." White shook his head.

"What about Rookie, huh?!" Black snarled. "You're practically spitting on his grave!"

"I know..." White shook his head. "But I would just be doing the same by keeping quiet. Rookie wouldn't allow any of this if he was alive."

"But... but we're brothers! You were supposed to have my back!" Black yelled. "You mother-"

He was moments from lunging before Turret held up a hoof.

"Look, Black, the reason you're not in cuffs already is because I assured White that I would bring you in quietly." Turret glared. "Don't make me a liar."

Black was at a loss of what to do. This was not part of the plan. But he couldn't do anything about it. Not without Elite's say-so. He had to follow the plan, even with such drastic shift in the situation. Reluctantly, he got a hold on his anger.

"Fine..." Black whispered. "Take me away..."

"Thank you." Turret nodded. "Boys..."

The MPs flanked Black as Black gave one last glare at his brother.

"I won't forget this, brother." Black glared, "Never..."

With that said, the MPs escorted Black out.

"W-what's going to happen to him, General?" White murmured.

"We will bring him back to Equestria to be tried." Turret declared. "But don't you worry. We will make sure that you and your squadron don't suffer for his sins."

"But what will become of Black?" White insisted.

"That... I can't really say, White." Turret sighed. "However, I will need you and the others to come with me to Equestria for the trial."

"Yes, sir." White nodded.

"You can count on us." Avalanche declared.

"All of us." Nora added.

"Excellent." Turret nodded. "You're all good soldiers. Unlike Black... And thanks to all of you, justice will be done." He saluted them. "As you were."

Turret departed the barracks, and White sat down on his bed, distraught.

"White, are you... okay?" Avalanche asked.

"No." White muttered. "No, I'm not. I just had my own brother arrested."

"You did the right thing." Nora told him. "Something we were all afraid to do."

"And you were right." Nevec added. "Rookie would be proud of you right now..."

"I know he would..." White sighed, stroking the locket. "But am I?"

"Only you can answer that question." Nevec put a hoof on his shoulder.

"Not very reassuring right now." White muttered.

Back at HQ, Elite was waiting at the table for Black's arrival... but he couldn't help but notice how late Black was.

"It's been a hour..." Elite glanced at the clock. "Where the hell is he?"

Suddenly, the door opened.

"It's about damn-" Elite began... only to see Armory. "Oh."

"Nice to see you too." Armory joked.

"Sorry, Armory." Elite apologised. "Black's late today."

"He is?" Armory frowned. "That's not like him."

"No, it isn't." Elite nodded. "I'm hoping it's nothing, though..."

"Guys, we got a problem." Shadow frowned. "Black has been arrested."

"WHAT?!" Everypony yelled at once.

"What do you mean arrested?" Elite demanded. "We still have at least two months!"

"It was Black's brother." Shadow declared. "He must have come forward."

"Dammit, I knew this would happen!" Armory growled. "White must be beside himself with guilt because of all this!"

"This will certainly derail our plans regarding Black." Micro Manager pointed out.

"Hrrf." Titan nodded.

"Just typical, isn't it?" Shadow asked. "You think you have things all figured out, then something happens to mess it all up..."

"It doesn't matter now. Looks like we have to resort to plan B." Elite grunted. "Armory, tell everypony to pack up the HQ. We're moving back to Equestria!"

In a matter of days, a war crime trial was put together. Black was sent back to Equestria, to be tried in his homeland. He sat in the defendant's chair within the courtroom of the Canterlot castle.

'Okay... this is a little more than I was expecting...' Black cringed, more than a little freaked out.

As he glanced amongst the crowd, he could see White and his comrades amongst the attendance. None of them could look at him, as they turned their faces away, unable to look at their comrade. He also noticed greyish-blue Pegasus stallion in a suit sat next to White and the others, throwing an odd grin at him.

'Creepy...' Black shuddered. 'Now, where are the other? Elite? Armory? Come on guys, don't make me do this alone...'

Elite quietly entered the courtroom. He took a seat near the back, and gave Black a subtle nod.

'Finally.' Black smiled. 'Good to have at least one pony on my side.'

Finally, Celestia herself had taken her place in the judge seat. As she did, Black couldn't help but notice the coldness in her eyes. He could tell that she had heard of his 'crimes' and had already pin him guilty.

'So much for our kind, benevolent ruler.' Black thought. 'Those eyes of hers look like they could freeze a pony faster than Windigos.'

Once everypony was in place, Celestia spoke.

"Ladies and gentlestallions, we are gathered here today to discover whether or not Black Knight Paladin was responsible for an unprovoked attack on Reinadh." Celestia declared.

The entire court room glared at Black. Black bowed his head, not just in shame, but over the fact that White had caused this to happen to him.

'I knew this would happen sooner or later.' He thought. 'I just didn't think White would be the one to bring it down on me... I must had pushed him too far that night... that was stupid...'

"Does the defendant have any legal counsel?" Celestia asked.

"Yes, he does!"

All eyes turned to the doors, as none other than Armory came in... though only Black could recognize him. As Armory was dressed up in a brown suit, big square-rimmed glasses that made his eyes look huge, and for some reason, a bucktooth.

"And you are?" Celestia asked.

"H-h-hans S-schwarzenhoff." Armory stuttered. "I-I'm the counsel for the defendant."

"I see." Celestia mused. "Very well then. Take your position."

Armory sat down beside Black.

"Armory?!" Black whispered, "When did you become a lawyer?!"

"A-armory?" Armory murmured, "W-who's Armory? I'm H-hans. T-this Armory fellow does sound pretty c-cool." He gave a wink.

Black caught on... only to frown.

"Aw, geez... as if I didn't have enough problems already." Black murmured.

"Now, to begin-" Celestia started.

"Y-your highness, may the court grant us a s-short recess?" Armory suddenly asked. "I-I need to speak with my client in private!"

"Seriously? We hadn't even started yet!" Turret said in exasperation.

"I-it's very important!" Armory insisted.

"Oh, very well." Celestia sighed. "Five minute recess, everypony."

"T-Thank you, your majesty!" Armory smiled.

As Black and Armory made their way to the rear of the courthouse, he could still feel the glares of everypony on his back. He passed by White and the others. Not one of them returned his gaze, White in particular doing his best to ignore him completely. The greyish-blue Pegasus stallion watched him shrewdly.

"I wonder what they'll be talking about..." The stallion whispered.

Moments later, Elite also left the room.

At the said spot, Black and Armory entered a room... where Shadow and Micro Manager were waiting for them.

"Shadow, Micro? You're here too?" Black gaped.

"Oh yes. We all came as soon as we heard." Micro Manager declared.

"Well, not that I am not grateful, but why is Armory dressed like a Germane dork?" Black gestured to Armory. "I thought the point of all this was for me to take a dive."

"That is correct."

Black turned to see none other than Elite coming in, soon followed by Titan, who had somehow appeared right behind him.

"Titan, make sure nopony disturbs us." Elite told Titan.

The DIamond Dog gave a small chuff as he went back outside, shutting the door behind him.

"Black, how are you feeling?" Elite asked.

"Honestly, not so good." Black growled, as he sighed. "I'm sorry. This is all my fault. I pushed White too far and now he's gone and turned me in."

"If it's anypony's fault, it's ours." Elite shook his head. "It seems your brother had a greater sense of duty and justice than we thought. We should have accounted for how willing White would have been to play along with such a lie."

"I still can't believe he betrayed me like that." Black sighed. "I always thought he'd have my back, no matter what. I did a few rotten things when we were kids, but he never told on me. Guess now, things are different..."

"I'm sorry things turned out like this, Black." Elite told him. "Truly, I am."

"So... what do I do now?" Black asked, resigning himself.

"Well, thanks to your brother, we now have to move up our plans. Starting with this trial." Elite declared. "How good are your acting skills?"

"Um, what does acting got to do with all this?" Black glared.

"A lot actually." Elite nodded. "The Forefathers will no doubt be watching closely. We have to ensure that you take this dive the right way, so that they believe that you can care less about Equestria more than they do. It will protect your brother and all of your friends."

"Yeah, we gotta make this look good." Armory nodded.

"Um, question, how do any of you know how to act?" Black asked.

"Well, let's say that we have a friend who is quite an actor." Micro Manager smirked. "In fact, you already met him."

"I did?" Black gasped. "Who was he?"

"There's no time for that. We already wasted enough of the recess." Shadow frowned. "Titan can only buy us about another three minues, so listen closely. You need to folow these words exactly..."

When the recess ended, everypony returned to the courtroom. Turret, acting as a prosecutor, stepped forward.

"Your highness, members of the jury." He declared. "I am here today because Black Knight Paladin commited an agrievious atrocity. He knowingly deceived both myself and our regiment into attacking Reinadh, a peaceful little town, under the claim that it was populated by terrorists and filled with weapon stockpiles. He lied both to a superior officer and to his fellow soldiers, causing the loss of countless innocent lives. Such callous disregard for proper military procedure, if not life, cannot go unpunished."

The crowd muttered angrily.

"I call my first witness." Turret announced. "White Knight Paladin."

White took the stand.

"Mr Paladin, as the defendant's brother, I daresay you know him better than anypony." Turret declared.

"I used to think that." White said solemnly. "But now, I'm not so sure."

"Did Black indeed inform you and the rest of the troops that there were weapons depots in that little village?" Turret asked.

"Yes, he did." White nodded. "But hours later, I realized that something wasn't right. Those we fought were using standard crossbows and everyday objects they could find lying around town. It wasn't till after we confronted Black that he confess to everything. That what he said was a lie, and that those ponies and Changelings we killed... were innocent. Every last one of them."

Ponies murmured about the mention of Changelings.

"Look, I know all of you can care less about the Changelings." White sighed. "But like it or not, they were innocent... and because of Black... they're all dead."

"Yet you waited six months to come forward." Turret frowned. "Why did you wait all this time?"

"Because Black made us all swear to secrecy." White declared. "We had lost a comrade during this attack, and I fear that if I came forward, I would not only destroy his reputation, but all of ours. After all, Reinadh's blood was on all our hooves... but I realized only a few days before that I could not live with the guilt any longer. That is when I came to you."

Black gave a deep frown.

"You made the right decision, White." Turret declared. "But did Black ever tell you of the real reason he had you all attack the village?"

"Only the Changelings were an 'infection' that needed to be 'dealt with'." White felt his hooves clench. "I know most Changelings are hostile towards ponies, but the ones in Reinadh were content to live their lives amongst their neighbors. They even died alongside them, in defense of their home. What more proof do you need that their deaths were unjust?"

"Thank you, Mr Paladin." Celestia nodded. "Now, would the defendant kindly take the stand?"

Black stepped up, sharing a glare with White as they passed each other, as White faced away, unable to look at him.

"So, Black, is what White saying true?" Turret asked. "Did you have the Changelings attacked simply because they existed?"

Unwilling to compromise the Taskforce, Black went into his prepared speech.

"That town was a powderkeg, waiting to go off." He growled. "Those Changelings would have spelt doom for us all, if I didn't do what I did."

"And what is that supposed to mean?" Turret asked.

"What do you think it means?" Black frowned.

"I think we are all entitled to the truth, Mr. Paladin." Celestia declared. "Myself, especially."

"You can't handle the truth!" Black yelled, catching everypony off guyard. "We live in a world that has walls, and those walls have to be guarded by stallions with crossbows. Who's gonna do it? You? I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You, sitting on your cozy throne, have the luxury of not knowing what I know, that Rookie's death, while tragic, saved lives. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives! You don't want the truth, because deep down in places you don't talk about in your royal court, you want me on that wall. You need me on that wall. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a mare who rises and sleeps in a manner above the common ponies who live under the very freedom that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it! I would rather you just said 'thank you', and went back to your gilded throne. Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon, and stand a post. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you are entitled to!"

The room went silent. Everypony had shocked looks on their faces... with the exception of the blue pegasus, who gave a raised brow.

"That was a lovely little speech, Mr Paladin." Turret declared. "But I'm afraid all the principled rants in the world can't overrule the loss of innocent lives. The attack you instigated wiped out a whole village."

"Yeah, but half of them were Changelings." Black shrugged. "And the other half weren't fit to call themselves ponies..."

The crowd muttered angrily.

"Order, please!" Celestia stamped her hoof. "Black, I am most disturbed by your callousness."

"I'm sorry, but I'm just telling it as it is." Black frowned. "It's not my fault if nopony can't take it." He cast a glare at White.

"Well, I'm sorry too, Black." White stood up. "But I am only doing this for your own good. I refuse to sit by and see my only brother become this thing..."

"You have nothing to be sorry for, White." Turret frowned. "It can't be helped that some ponies have lost sight of what it means to be a soldier. Some ponies are just scumbags."

"O-objection!" Armory yelled.

"Overruled." Celestia said flatly.

The rest of the trial was an open-and-shut case. The fact that Black had no leads to back his side of the story (at least, those he could share) meant he had no way of defending himself (which of course, was the whole point).

"We, the jury, find the defendant... guilty of all charges." The forestallion declared.

"Black Knight Paladin, you have been found guilty of dereliction of duty, attacking innocents without cause, and perverting teh course of justice." Celestia declared. "You are hereby stripped of your status as an RDL soldier, and are sentenced to serve thirty years in Alfalfatraz maximum security prison."

'No surprise there...' Black thought, as he was led out of the courtroom.

His fellow soldiers looked away in shame... except White... who was clearly distraught.

"Thirty years? I... I didn't want him to..." White murmured.

"There, now." The suited stallion whispered. "You did what had to be done. Blood may be thicker than water, but right and wrong are thicker than blood."

"Um... thanks?" White said awkwardly.

Black then passed Elite, who only gave him a small nod of approval.

The court began to empty out. As Celestia departed, White followed after her. Avalanche and the others also left, as did the jury. Before long, Elite was the only one left.

Elite let out a sigh as he stood before the empty judge seat.

"Faust, please give Black the strength to power through this." Elite prayed. "The boy really needs it."

Elite's communicator started beeping. He held it up and switched it on.

"Yes?" He asked.

"We're just about ready to start with the second phase of the plan, sir." Armory's voice declared.

"Good." Elite answered. "I'll be right here."

As Elite put away his communicator, he glanced at the chair Black had sat in.

'Hope you're ready for what comes next, Black.' He thought. 'I know I've already asked much of you...'

Suddenly, the sound of hoof clapping echo through the courtroom. Elite nearly leapt in shock at the sound, as he turned to face the pony... who was none other than the same blueish-gray Pegasus from before. And furthermore, Elite recognized him.

"...You..." Elite's face contorted into a fierce glare.

"Hello, Director." The stallion smirked, "It has been a while."

"What is it that you want, Mr. Dysley?" Elite glared.

"Oh, nothing at all, Elite." Mr. Dysley smirked. "I was only in the neighborhood when I was heard of the case of the soldier gone rogue, Black Knight. Truly a tragic tale."

"Well..." Elite wasn't sure where he was going with this, "It truly was. Black could had a good future..."

"True... true..." Mr. Dysley nodded, "At least we got a very satisfying performance out of this."

"...Performance?" Elite glared, "What do you mean?"

"Your boy Black." Mr. Dysley smirked. "Really impressive acting."

"I don't what you're talking about." Elite growled. "Black is a traitor to the RDL. He's-"

"Not fooling anypony." Mr. Dysley sneered. "Do you really expect me, let alone the entirety of the Forefathers, to buy that Black Knight, a introvert soldier with no priors, simply destroyed a village of 'innocent' ponies and bugs just like that? That lawyer wasn't Heinrich in some dumb disguise? Some of us, like Obadiah, may be fools, but we are not idiots."

"Why are you here, Dysley?" Elite snarled. "To breathe all that hot air you are full of?"

"Hmph, insult me all you want, Elite." Mr. Dysley scoffed. "It doesn't change the fact that Obadiah told us all we needed to know about Black, and how he is affliated with your Taskforce. It must have eaten you alive to have such a pitiful lackey take all the blame for taking out those two's little 'ant farm', hoping that we would think that Black doesn't care about that brother of his..."

"You leave White Knight out of this, Dysley, or I swear to Faust..." Elite growled.

"You'll what?" Mr. Dysley challenged. "You and your Taskforce haven't been able to touch me for years. I could flick your nose and be on my merry way and you can't stop me. And thanks to you, nothing stands between us and poor little White."

"You rat bast-" Elite cursed.

"Language." Mr. Dysley cut him off. "Now if you would excuse me, I have to get home. The Forefathers will be curious to know how you had tried so hard to fool them." He turned and gave a wave, "Ciao, Director."

Elite glared as the stallion walked away.

"Oh, and one more thing, nice touch with the 'Few Good Ponies' quote." Mr. Dysley sneered. "Love myself a good movie."

With that, Mr. Dysley gave a chuckle as he left the room, leaving a fuming Elite.

'This calls for more drastic action.' Elite thought.

Elite rushed over to the other side of the castle, where Black was being brought into the prison carriage. Turret supervising.

"Hold on a second!" He declared. "I have something I need to say to the former soldier."

"...Of course, Director." Turret nodded. "Just make it quick. This scum's new cell shouldn't be kept waiting."

Elite approached Black.

"Elite?" Black frowned. "What are you-"

"I am so disappointed in you, Black." Elite declared loudly. "For one of my own soldiers to fall so far, so fast..." He grabbed Black by the shoulders (secretly placing a patch the same color as Black's coat onto his side). "You have disgraced us all! Take him away! Get him out of my sight!"

"With pleasure." Turret nodded. "Get him in the carriage, boys!"

'Nice acting, Elite.' Black though, as he forced inside. 'And I see you gave me a little farewell gift...'

Elite and Turret watched as the carriage departed.

"Such a pity." Turret sighed. "Such a promising soldier... well, I'm heading back into the castle. Care to join me, sir?"

"Not just yet, General." Elite sighed. "I need to take a moment."

"Of course." Turret nodded, heading back into the castle.

Meanwhile, Black peeled off the patch, discovering a skeleton key for his hoofcuffs.

"Ah, Elite." He smiled. "You always know just what to get me..."

After unlocking the cuffs, Black the key to open the carriage door, and jumped out.

"Hey!" One of the Guard stallions yelled. "The prisoner has escaped! Stop him!"

"Finally." Black smiled, as the Guards charged. "A little stress relief."

Black kicked one Guard down, then knocked out the other with a right cross.

"Heh, lightweights." He smirked.

"Very well done." Elite smiled as he and Armory approached.

"So, guess that's it, huh?" Black asked. "I go into hiding, a fugitive, never to be seen again?"

"Not quite." Elite frowned, "We have another problem. As it turns out, one of the Forefathers' elite was at the trial today. Mr. Dysley."

"Oh crap, that was him?!" Armory groaned, "I knew he looked familiar."

"Wait, you know a Forefather agent, and he is still roaming free?!" Black glared.

"Look, it's complicated, Black." Elite sighed. "The point is, he and the Forefathers aren't buying it. We will have to step up our game if we are to convince them."

"Like how?" Black asked.

"There is one surefire way." Elite declared, "Attempt an assassination of Princess Celetia."

"...Are you out of your bucking mind?!" Black gaped. "That's insane!"

"Exactly." Armory nodded. "Something like that will convince everypony you're a traitor to Equestria, even the Forefathers."

"Okay, but... where do I even begin?" Black asked.

"Well, it'll all go something like this..." Elite started.

A short while later, Black stuck into the back of the castle. As he did so, he glanced at an oddly light blue crystal on his chest.

The plan was simple: fight his way through hordes of guards, make an attempt on Celestia's life, fail on purpose after a long hard fight, and then, following a signal in morse code from Black's communicator, Armory would warp him out of there, thus forever sealing his name in infamy and keep White safe from the Forefathers once and for all.

'Alright, one failed assassination attempt, coming up.' He thought. 'Ugh, prison isn't looking too bad right now...'

As Black rounded a corner, he ran into some Guards.

"The fugitive is here!" The Captain roared. "Inside the castle!"

"I'm here for the Princess." Black snarled. "Nopony sends me to jail! I'm taking her down! Get out of my way, and you won't be hurt!"

"Not a chance!" One Guard yelled.

Black charged the Guards, punching one and flipping the other.

"Sound the alarm!" Another yelled. "We have an assassination attempt on our hooves!"

"Go ahead." Black smirked. "Let her know I'm coming."

Black fought his way through several Guards, nearing the throne room. As he made another turn, he encountered Turret.

"Far enough, traitor." Turret spat.

"Oh, come on, General, I don't have time for this!" Black snarled.

"I suggest you make time!" Turret tackled Black.

"About face, General!" Black used the force of Turret's dive to swing around, and into a wall.

"You know the penalty for assaulting a superior officer, don't you?" Turret snarled.

"Newsflash: I was courtmarshalled." Black sneered. "You're not my superior any more. Like you ever were..."

"Watch your mouth, punk." Turret spat. "You have no idea who I am."

"Sure I do: Another obstacle in my way." Black snarled. "Prepare to be knocked down."

"Not today!" Turret threw a punch.

Black dodged, then retaliated with a kick, which Turret caught, using it to flip him over.

"You're no soldier after all." Turret spat. "Just a thug..."

"Wanna bet?" Black sweeped at Turret's legs, tripping him. He then made an elbow on his stomach.

"Ugh!" Turret groaned. "Why, you-!"

Turrent rammed into Black as they stood up. The two grappled, Black breaking it with a headbutt. More blows were thrown. Turret's experiance gave him an edge against Black, but Black was more ruthless

"I really don't have time for this!" Black charged at Turret.

In the blink of an eye, Turret evaded the charge and grabbed Black from behind, wrapping his hooves around his neck. Black struggled against his opponant's grip, as Turret tried to choke him into unconsciousness.

"Time's up." Turret smirked.

"Not... yet!" Black grabbed a vase and smashed it on Turret's head, knocking him out. "Nighty-night, General..."

Black continued his dash. Soon, the throne room was in sight.

"Alright. The throne room. Remember. Get in, get your ass kicked, and get out. Simple." Black coached himself, "Nothing's gonna stand in my-"

Suddenly, coming out from behind a pillar was none other than White Knight.

"White?!" Black stopped in his tracks. "No... what are you doing here?!"

White seemed despondent, as he glanced at Black, nothing but sorrow in his eyes.

"I was... I was with Celestia. I was talking to her." White murmured. "I was trying to get her to reduce your sentence. You murdered a village... but I didn't want you to go away for thirty years..."

"White..." Black whispered, before he snarled, "Then you should had thought of that before turning me in!"

"I was trying to save you..." White quivered, "You were becoming a monster... I had to do something... but... it seems I was too late..."

"White... please..." Black urged, "I have to-"

Suddenly, White pulled out a crossbow, aiming it right at him.

"Whoa, whoa, White, what are you doing?" Black gasped.

"My duty, Black." White's sorrowful expression soon turning to anger. "They said that you are here to assassinate Celestia... and the only way you are ever going to do that is over my dead body."

"No, no, White, you can't be serious." Black glared. "Just step aside."

"What's the matter? You were willing to murder an entire village, killing your own brother shouldn't be too hard!" White challenged.

"I did what I had to do." Black growled. "That village was a powder keg waiting to go off. It needed to be eliminated."

"Again with the rationalisations." White sneered. "No matter how you slice it, slaughter is slaughter. And as you brother, I refuse to stand aside and let you take another life. You want the Princess? You're going to have to go through me first!"

Black was faced with his greatest struggle yet. Despite his betrayal, the fought of fighting his brother was almost too terrible to consider. But he knew he had no choice, that fighting White now would assure his safety in the future...

"...Well then." Black glares viciously at White, "I guess I have no choice."

"You've always had a choice, Black." White said sadly. "And your choices lead you here. But it's not too late to make the right call."

"But I already have." Black retorted. "What I'm about to do is the right call. In fact, it's the only call for me."

"Black, listen to yourself!" White yelled. "This is madness!"

"Then call me mad!" Black tackled White, knocking the crossbow out of his hooves. Without his weapon, White resorted to hoof-to-hoof combat.

"I hate that it had to come to this, Black." White said angrily. "It pains me to stand against somepony so close to me!"

"Shut up!" Black roared. "You made the decision to stand against me! And now you've gotta pay for it!"

Black struck White hard in the side of his head, bringing him down. He then kicked him in the stomach for good measure.

"Stay down." Black growled. "I won't warn you again. There are bigger plans at play, and Celestia stands in the way of that. She must die."

"No..." He stood up.

"What did you just say?" I sneered.

"I won't let you do this." He groaned. "Whatever you may think, it isn't right."

"Celestia is holding the whole of Equestria back." Black snarled, going into the lines he had rehearsed with Elite. "This country will achieve true greatness only when she's gone."

"No, it will fall into chaos." White countered.

"Chaos... or liberation?" Black smirked.

"It doesn't matter." White retorted. "I won't let this happen."

"You always were weak." Black spat. "I didn't think you were blind too."

"You're the one who's blinded." White shot back. "By your own petty hatred!"

White lunged at me, but was knocked back by a kick to the neck.

"I warned you, and you ignored me." Black tutted. "What were you trying to prove, anyway? You never could take me, runt. I was the one who taught you everything. You'll never beat me."

"I will today!" White rose up again.

Undaunted, Black kicked him in the face, sending him skidding across the floor.

"Face it." Black snarled. "You've lost. I don't want to have to hurt you anymore than I have to do right now."

"...You already have." White sighed.

"Then I guess what happens next won't be such a weight on my conscience." Black shrugged.

Black punched White repeatedly, each blow hurting him almost as much as his brother. Despite everything, Black still loved him, but he had a job to do, and he couldn't hold back. He kicked White hard, knocking him against a wall.

"That's it." Black growled. "Time to end this..." In his head, he added 'Before I hurt you any further...'

"You don't have to this..." White groaned, struggling to get up.

"Actually, I do." Black replied. 'I really do. For you, bro...'

Suddenly, White spotted his crossbow nearby, a moment before Black did.

'No...' Black thought.

Black lunged at White, trying to stop him from grabbing the weapon. But White was nearer, and faster. He picked up the crossbow, and fired. The bolt struck Black right in the eye.

"ARRRGGGGHHHH!" Black roared in agony and shock. 'You motherbucker! You pigeon-backed birdbrain! You shot me in the bucking eye! Dammit, dammit dammit! Buck, buck, buck! This hurts so buckin' much!" Black was blinded by pain, never intending to lose an eye for the charade. "You...!"

White rushed forward, tackling him. Disorientated, Black unknowingly stumbled back towards one of the stained glass windows.

"Wait, stop!" White yelped.

Black smashed through the glass, falling down the cliff on which Canterlot was situated.

"NOOOOO!!" White screamed.

"AHHHHH!" Black screamed back.

As Black fell, he imputted the code into his communicator, and desperately waited for Armory to come and activate the crystal so he could get him out of this before he get killed.

'Come on, Armory!' He thought. 'Any time now!'

Unfortunately, there was a slight problem. Elite and Armory stood on the outskirts of the Canterlot, ready to receive and depart as quickly as possible.

"What's the delay?" Elite asked, as Armory attempted to activate the crystal. "Shouldn't Black be here by now?!"

"I don't know!" Armory yelled in horror. "I accounted for everything: Conflicting radio waves, the thickness of the castle walls, magic interference, altitude- OH BUCK!"

"What?!" Elite gasped.

"I didn't account for range!" Armory realized, "Black must be out of range. And if he's out of range..."

"Oh no..." Elite gulped.

As Black fell, the thought ocurred that something had gone wrong.

"WHAT THE BUUUUUCK!!" He screamed, as he collided against the jutting outcrops and tree branches.

Finally, there was a thud, and darkness enveloped him.

Days later, word got out about Black's supposed demise, as the team gathered around Armory to read the article.

"Oh, Black..." Armory sniffed, as he read the newspaper. "It's my fault. My stupid invention... Now he's dead..."

"No. No, he's not." Elite said firmly, "I know Black. He wouldn't go down, just like that!"

"Elite, there's no way Black could had survived that!" Micro Manager frowned. "For Faust's sake, he got shot in the eye. The chances of survival are practically non-existant."

"I've seen bigger odds defied before!" Elite glared. "If Black is still alive, we will find him. Mark my words."

"We'd better." Shadow frowned. "I'd hate to think what would happen if the Forefathers somehow stumbled upon him."

"Not if we get there first." Elite told him. "And we will..."

Meanwhile, in Canterlot, at a cafe, Mr. Dysley was reading the same newspaper.

"'Attempted assassination leads to a final end for Black Knight Paladin'." Mr. Dysley read, as he set it down. "Hmm, pity."

Suddenly, there was shuddering in Mr. Dysley's suit jacket, as he pulled a magic mirror. With a tap of a orb at the base of the mirror, he held it up to his ear.

"Mr. Dysley speaking." Mr. Dysley declared. "...Oh, hello, Senator. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

The pony in the mirror spoke for a bit.

"Oh, that is a shame. Well, you will be pleased to hear that Black Knight won't be bothering you again..." Mr. Dysley smiled. "...I'm not kidding. Read the papers? They bought my bluff."

The pony spoke some more.

"It was rather simple, really. All I had to do was feign interest in Black's little brother. It forced their hooves, pushed them to do something drastic. They got sloppy, and now Black is dead." Mr. Dysley smirked.

The pony spoke again, apparantly pleased with how things turned out.

"Thank you, sir." Mr. Dysley said proudly. "Always glad to serve."

The voice signed off. Dysley put the mirror back in his jacket, smirking all the while.

"I smell a promotion..." He grinned triumphantly.

Meanwhile, over at the remains of Reinadh, Harlhooves and Gridlock were surveying the damage... well, Harlhooves was. Gridlock however...

"RARRRGH!" Gridlock roared as he bucked down a wall of a nearby house.

"Grenade, get a hold of yourself." Harlhooves sighed. "Wrecking stuff isn't going to change anything."

"Oh, shut up!" Gridlock snarled. "It's unbelievable! Un-bucking-believable! We were so close to achieving world domination with Project: Infestation! Everything was perfect... until that Black Knight came in and ruined everything!" He let out another roar as he punched another wall.

"I know you are disappointed, Gridlock." Harlhooves sighed. "But look on the bright side. According to Mr. Dysley, Black is dead. He won't meddle with us again..."

"Oh, don't be naive, Harlhooves." Gridlock growled. "Ponies like Black and the Taskforce are cockroaches. No matter how much you stomp on them, or drop a damn nuke, they always survive, and they always get in your way."

"Such colorful terminology..." Harlhooves rolled his eyes.

"Look,I don't care if Black is dead. I need to see his body for myself if I am to have any peace of mind!" Gridlock snapped.

"Let it go, Gridlock!" Harlhooves sighed in frustration. "Black is no longer relevant. We can't afford to waste time looking for a pony who might or might not be dead."

"Maybe you can't..."

"Huh?" Harlhooves and Gridlock gasped as they turn towards the direction of the voice.

There, they saw a Earth Pony stallion leaning against the wall of a nearby house. The stallion had a dirty beige coat, a brown mane (with a bald spot), dark green eyes behind small glasses, and a Cutie Mark of a hunting knife. He was currently sharpening a thin and long blade attached to his hoof.

"You... what the buck are you doing here?!" Gridlock snarled.

"Indeed, who gave you the authorization to come here?" Harlhooves glared.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't think I need permission to go wherever I please." The stallion scoffed. "I was just minding my business when I overhear your problem with this 'Black' feller."

"If we had a problem, I don't see how it's any of your business." Gridlock glared.

"No offense, but we don't like to associate ourselves with ponies of your division." Harlhooves frowned.

"Peh, typical Ouroboros." The stallion shrugged, "Thinking you're all tough and stuff. To think I was going to help you."

"Help us? What could you possibly do for us?" Gridlock challenged.

The stallion held up his sharp blade. "Oh you know... 'waste time'."

The Present...

"Yikes." Caboose gulped. "That can't have been fun."

"It wasn't." Black scowled.

"I suppose even the best-laid plans can go wrong." Fletcher admitted.

The carriage finally came to a stop.

"Ah. here we are at last." Elite smiled. "If you'll follow me, gentlestallions..."

They all departed from the carriage, finding themselves facing a mountainside.

"This is your base?" Caboose frowned. "Seems kinda... rocky to me."

"Appearances can be deceiving." Elite smirked.

Elite walked to the stone wall... and passed right through.

"The mountain ate him!" Caboose yelped.

"Actually, it's an illusion." Black grinned. "The base is on the other side."

"Ingenious." Fletcher admitted.

The rest of them followed in Elite's hoofsteps. On the other side was a large, technologically advanced base, far more impressive than the base in Saddle Arabia. There was a wall full of computers, an impressive set of weapons on the far wall, and an archway leading to an outside training area, filled with the same kind of obstacle courses Fletcher and Caboose had run through during the trials to become General of the RDL.

"Amazing..." Fletcher gaped.

"Cool..." Caboose whispered.

"Thank you, we try." Elite smiled. "Now, I'd like you both to meet somepony."

Armory, now a graying, middle-aged stallion with a slightly wider gut, and a limp in his back legs, came to greet them.

"So, these are our new recruits?" He looked upon Fletcher and Caboose.

"Yep." Black nodded. "Watch out for this Fletcher guy. He's a bit of a stiff."

Fletcher narrowed his eyes.

"Nice to meet you both." Armory smiled. "I'm Heinrich Armory."

"The 'Heinrich Armory', huh?" Caboose chuckled. "Black told us a little about you."

"Really?" Armory smiled. "All good, I hope?"

"More or less." Fletcher shrugged. "But like Black itself, it was open to personal interpretation."

"Speaking of which, it's time I told you a little more about the Forefathers." Elite declared. "You'll need to know just who it is you'll be fighting before we send you out there."

"That makes for a nice change..." Black snorted.

"Starting with their symbol." Elite continued. "Armory, if you would..."

"Of course." Armory held up a medallion with the Forefathers' insignia, the two 'F's back to back. "Over the years, we've kinda been building up quite a collection..."

"That symbol..." Caboose frowned. "Hey, my brothers found that same thing on the hoof of-"

"Striker Killsquad." Elite said in unison with Caboose.

"Wha- you knew Striker Killsquad?!" Caboose gaped.

"Of course. Ex-commissioner of the Bitalian police force." Elite declared. "We got intel a while back that Killsquad had been recruited by the Forefathers following his near-fatal experience in Bitaly... something about a gas leak in a warehouse?"

"Wait, he was working for those guys?!" Caboose spluttered.

"I'm afraid so." Elite nodded. "We made it a point to keep an eye on him after that..."

"But... why didn't you guys ever do anything about him?" Caboose demanded angrily. "He threatened my family, temporarily killed my brother..."

"Temporarily?" Armory frowned.

"It's a long story." Fletcher told him.

"... Not to mention, blew up Fletcher! And you guys didn't do a thing to stop any of it!" Caboose yelled. "I thought you were supposed to stop that kind of thing, but you were nowhere around! Why?!"

"Calm yourself, Caboose." Elite declared. "You must understand, when it comes to wars such as these, you have to pick your battles. Killsquad's primary focus was revenge on your family. Members of organised crime sects from all over the world were in Killsquad's service. Most of which we had a run in with in the past. If even one of them managed to escape and tell others about us, our whole operation would have been compromised."

"...Yeah, that's got just enough big words to sound it'd make sense," Caboose admitted. "I'm still mad though..."

"I'm not exactly behind that way of thinking myself." Fletcher nodded. "But the logic seems sound."

"And at least now, you're on the side of those who are gonna bring the Forefathers down." Black grinned. "But it won't be an easy fight. Trust me. Even after getting them off my back, I still had a lot of trouble with those bozos..."

"Yes, the Forefathers are a formidable opponent." Elite noted. "Which is why it's imperative that we have more stallions like you to asssist us in the fight against them."

"More, you say?" Fletcher asked.

"Oh, yes." Elite nodded. "You two are just the beginning..."

Author's Notes:

"Already Over" belongs to The Red.

Iris

Fletcher and Caboose continued their tour through the headquarters, guided by Black, Titan, and Elite.

"So... what did you mean when you said we're 'only the beginning'?" Fletcher asked.

"Yeah, are we like part of some prophecy that calls for a Bitalian mobster and a Norhayan Royal Guard? Because that is unusually specific." Caboose cringed.

"Oh, no." Elite declared. "You see, recently, I have been scouring all of the world, looking for ponies to take up the cause of taking on the Forefathers. Putting together a team made of Equestria's finest."

"Wow, really?" Caboose smiled. "How many are there now?"

"...Four." Elite deadpanned.

"Four?" Fletcher frowned, "How long have you been doing this?"

"I only started gathering a team after the Crystal Sun incident." Elite frowned, "I only had three years to look for ponies."

"Yet you could only come up with four?" Fletcher questioned.

"This team is going to be facing off against the Forefathers in the future. I have really high standards." Elite grimaced.

"Wait, what about Armory and the others? Aren't they on this team?" Caboose asked.

"Well, yes and no. Yes, they are affiliated with Taskforce Omega, but no, they are not a part of this particular group that you, Fletcher, and Black are going to be in." Elite explained. "Think of it as being the group that leads the charge into battle."

"Ohh..." Caboose and Fletcher said in unison.

"Hold on, you said four, right?" Fletcher asked. "And me, Caboose, and Black are right here. Who's the fourth?"

"You will be meeting him soon enough." Elite declared. "In the mean time, you two should take in the surroundings. What do you think of the place?"

"Well, it is quite an impressive installation." Fletcher mused, "You don't see a base as complex as this back in Norhay."

"No kidding." Caboose smirked. "I can't wait to see the kitchen!"

"You won't be disappointed. This base has been designed meticulously for the comfort yet efficiency of Taskforce Omega. The layout has been designed so all rooms are easily accessible via the main hall. Our outside training area has been enchanted to have its own adjustable climate, so as to test our members' limits in every way. Our firing range boasts moving, alternating targets, and every kind of ammunition you can imagine. We even have an underground prison system to contain any captives, each cell built to withstand magic, dragon fire, and much more. We call it 'the Pipeline'."

"Sounds like whoever built this place thought of everything."

"But that doesn't mean we don't know how to relax." Black grinned, leading them to a lounge room with a pool table. "A nice little room to kick back in. Even has a sweet set of recliners."

"Wow... that is awesome." Caboose smiled. "When do we get to try out the firing range?"

"There'll be plenty of time for that later." Elite chuckled.

"Since we're still sorta on the subject, do you guys have anything else you'd like to ask about my past?" Black inquired.

"There are still a few things." Fletcher admitted. "But I'm not sure which to ask first."

"Take your time." Black shrugged. "I'm not going anywhere."

"Quick question: What about Shade?" Caboose asked. "Did you even know you had a son?"

"...Um, yeah." Black said flatly. "In fact, I was one of the first to find out. I had been keeping tabs on Belle, dropping by Prairieville every once in a while to make sure she was okay. That was when I saw her with a foal... and well, I just knew."

"And you did nothing about it?" Fletcher frowned.

"I couldn't." Black shrugged. "It was way too dangerous."

"Dangerous?" Caboose frowned. "Why?"

"My thoughts exactly." Fletcher nodded. "What drove you to leave poor Belle?"

"Now that's a story..." Black mused.

Many years ago...

Elite tried to be true to his word. For months since Black's failed 'failed' assassination attempt, Elite worked endlessly, trying desperately to find Black. Within the first few days of their search, they were able to pinpoint where Black would had landed at the bottom of the cliffs, but they were unable to find any traces of Black anywhere.

Some assumed that Black's remains had been picked off by predators and the like, but Elite reasoned that somepony must have found him and took him somewhere, making it all the more important to find him.

However, as the months went by, nearly everypony in Taskforce Omega was beginning to assume the worst had come to pass for their comrade. Elite however, wouldn't believe it, spending countless days without rest trying to find him, his resolve refusing to give.

On one such night, Elite was up late, glancing at a map littered with X's all over, as he was on his communicator with one of his agents.

"Ah-huh. Ah-huh." Elite nodded... only to sigh. "Oh... okay, report back to base and standby for further instructions."

With that, he closed his communicator, and with frustration, he drew another X on the map.

"I know you're out there somewhere, Black." Elite declared, as he scanned the map for more possible locations, "I just know it."

Shadow Slinker, Armory and Micro Manager entered the room.

"Late night, sir?" Shadow asked.

"Ah, hello." Elite turned to look at them.

"How's the search going?" Armory asked.

"Not as well as I'd like." Elite admitted. "But I won't rest until Black is back with us."

"That may not be such a good idea..." Shadow frowned.

"Pardon?" Elite asked.

"Um, sir, when was the last time you went to sleep?" Micro Manager inquired.

"That depends." Elite frowned. "When was Tuesday?"

"Four days ago." Micro Manager declared.

"Ah." Elite nodded. "It's been four days since I last went to sleep, then."

"Director, you're running yourself ragged." Shadow frowned, "You gotta get some sleep."

"I can't do that, Shadow." Elite shook his head. "Not when Black is still out there."

"But this cannot be healthy for you, Elite." Micro Manager insisted. "We can't have our leader out of commission, now can we?"

"Look, I will be fine." Elite sighed, "I've faced worse bouts of fatigue. Besides, we can't leave one of our own out there. We have to find Black, and bring him home."

"Sir, I don't know how to break this to you, but I think you are only setting yourself up for disappointment." Shadow grimaced, "We had been looking for him for four months. We've searched high and low for him. Surely, I speak for all of us when I say that this is starting to look like a lost cause... I think we should just call off the search."

"Nonsense." Elite scoffed. "I've never given up on a teammate before, and I won't start now."

"We don't know if he's still alive." Micro Manager glared. "Like I said back then, the probability of him surviving that fall, especially after getting shot in the eye, is practically zero. Zilch. Nada."

"He is alive, Micro." Elite said stubbornly. "I can feel it. Black's still ticking, trust me."

"Look, I want Black to be alive as much as you, Elite." Armory pointed out. "But surely if he were alive, he'd have given some sign by now."

"Of course he hasn't." Elite nodded. "Black obviously doesn't want the Forefathers to catch wind that he is still alive. While the plan itself didn't go exactly as planned, Black was able to disappear both in the eyes of Equestria and the Forefathers. He must be waiting for us to find him right now."

The others glanced at Elite, frowns on all their faces.

"Elite, you are in denial!" Micro sighed. "Black was a good soldier, and a great ally to us all, but there is no way he is alive! And you're just killing yourself trying to think otherwise! It's tragic, but we just might have to face facts!"

"I assure you, that is not the case." Elite growled. "I know the odds, and I am not naive to how much a pony can take... but there is this feeling in my bones that Black is still out there, and we have to find him before the Forefathers finds him. I just need you guys to trust me. Can you do that?"

The others hesitated for a moment, unsure. Armory was the first to step forward.

"You've never led us astray before." Armory admitted. "And I doubt you're going to start you."

"I suppose history is on your side there." Micro Manager sighed.

"We all trust you with our lives." Shadow admitted. "I suppose we can trust you with this..."

"Good." Elite smiled. "Now, if you'll excuse me..."

As Elite returned to examine the map, the others glanced at each other with uncertainty.

"Do you guys really think we are going to find Black alive?" Armory asked.

"I don't know." Shadow shook his head, "If by some miracle he is still alive, I can't imagine the kind of agony he is in."

"I know." Micro Manager nodded. "That fall would have broken many a bone. Without proper medical treatment, they might have set properly."

"Oh, Black." Armory sighed. "I don't even want to think about the pain you could be in right now..."

At that very moment, over in Praireville, in the house of a beautiful schoolteacher named School Belle...

"Ahhhh!" Black groaned, loud enough to be heard in the street. Some passersby were concerned... until they heard him scream out "Yeah!"

Black wasn't in crippling agony; Rather, he was eating breakfast with Belle, his groans being of enjoyment over the delicious meal Belle had prepared. He had recovered from his wounds quite nicely, and had filled out slightly from his new, more leisurely life, though his face still had a weathered look to it, compounded by the patch he wore over his lost eye.

"Wow, I know my wheatcakes are good, but you make it look like they're the bee's knees." Belle chuckled.

"What can I say, they're really tasty." Black smiled.

"Thanks, Black." Belle blushed. "There's really nothing to it, though. You just... mix it all together, bake it, add some syrup..."

"But you do it so well." Black grinned.

"You're going to spoil me with all this flattery." Belle grinned.

"Hey, it's your fault for being so perfect." Black joked.

"I'll try to tone that back then." Belle giggled. "Oh, by the way, there's a square dance tonight at the town hall. Would you like to go?"

"Well, I dunno..." Black shrugged, "Not really much of a dancer..."

"That's okay." Belle told him. "Neither am I. I'd just like to be there with you."

"If you put it that way, sure, why not?" Black smirked.

"Thank you, Black." Belle kissed him on the cheek. "You're such a sweetheart."

"Guilty as charged." Black smirked.

That evening, more or less the entire town gathered for the square dance. Black wore his wide-brimmed hat, and a jacket that covered his Cutie Mark. He had been in the town long enough that he felt any greater disguise was unnecessary.

"Whoa, is everypony in town here?" Black asked.

"What can I say?" Belle grinned. "We love our square dances."

"How about I get us some refreshments?" Black offered. "Before the punch is drained."

"Of course." Belle nodded.

"Be right back." Black smiled.

One stallion in particular made his way through the crowd. He was a pale orange Earth Pony with a short yellow mane, brown eyes, and a Cutie Mark of a pistol. He was Six Shooter, Sheriff of Prairieville. As he surveyed the townfolk, he spotted Belle.

'Ah, there you are.' He smiled. 'All alone, are we? Well, don't fret. You're about to have the company of the best stallion in town...'

Six Shooter approached Belle. He had had his eye on the lovely school teacher for quite some time, and now seemed like the perfect moment to make his move.

"Good evening, Miss Belle." He smiled.

"Oh, hello, Sheriff." Belle declared.

"Please, call me Six." Shooter urged. "A wonderful night, isn't it?"

"It surely is." Belle nodded. "Call me sappy, but I love seeing our community all getting together to have fun like this."

"As do I, as do I." Shooter agreed. "But you know what I hate? Seeing a lovely lady such as yourself all alone on such a festive occasion."

"Oh, but I'm not alone." Belle chuckled.

"...You're not?" Shooter frowned.

"No." Belle shook her head.

Black then joined them, expertly balancing two punch glasses on one hoof.

"Hey, beautiful." He held out his hoof. "Fresh punch?"

"Why, thank you." Belle took the top glass.

"And... who is this?" Shooter asked.

"This is Black." Belle smiled, "Surely you heard about him in town. He's the houseguest who has been living with me in the past months.

"So, this is Black?" Shooter mused. "Funny name for a stallion of your crimson coloration..."

"Blame my parents for that one." Black shrugged.

"So this 'stranger' have been living with you for months?" Shooter frowned. "How come we've never seen him around in town? From what I heard, he only ventured out as far as the schoolhouse."

"Black is not a social pony." Belle admitted. "But he is a sweetheart. He's been helping around the house since he managed to get back on his hooves."

"Ah yes, rumor has it that you found him at the bottom of a cliff. What exactly happened there, Black?" Shooter frowned in suspicion.

"I was mountain climbing." Black lied. "But like an amateur, I didn't secure my line. Big mistake. One that almost cost me my life..."

"And it would have, if I hadn't been there." Belle noted. "I found her lying on the ground, broken, and I had to help him."

"Classic Belle." Shooter smiled. "Always helping those in need."

"Lucky for me, huh?" Black asked.

"Yes." Shooter nodded drily. "Very lucky."

"I took him to the doctor, then brought him to my home to heal." Belle declared. "While that happened, we got to know each other. Black turned out to be a very charming stallion."

"I'm sure he is." Shooter said through gritted teeth.

"I can't imagine a more wonderful pony to share my home with." Belle admitted.

"Well, you've been sharing more than a home with me lately, haven't you?" Black grinned at Belle.

"And what exactly do you mean by that?" Shooter asked, not liking the look on Black's face.

"Well, Black and I... have been having some... romantic entanglements as of late." Belle blushed.

"Oh, really?" Shooter felt his eye twitch. "How nice for the two of you."

"Got that right." Black smirked, "I don't mean to brag, but Belle surely lives up to her name."

"Oh, Black." Belle chided playfully, thumping him softly in the chest.

"Though it does seem a little unseemly, all things considered." Shooter frowned.

"How so?" Belle asked.

"Oh, you know." Shooter shrugged. "Some out-of-towner moving into your house, making the moves on you... no offense."

"...None taken?" Black frowned.

"I probably shouldn't intrude on your night any further." Shooter declared pleasantly (not to mention suddenly). "If you'll excuse me..."

Shooter walked away from the pair.

"I don't think he likes me very much." Black surmised.

"He's actually quite nice, once you get to know him." Belle declared.

"Sure he is..." Black murmured.

Once Shooter was out of sight, his pleasant demeanour turned into an angry snarl.

'Who does that guy think he is?' He thought bitterly. 'Riding into town, getting cozy with my lady... not if I can help it...'

A couple of hours later, Black and Belle walked home together.

"Now wasn't that a fun night?" Belle smiled. "I told you you'd enjoy it."

"With you by my side, I'd enjoy anything." Black smirked. "Even being thrown to hungry Manticores."

"Oh, Black..." Belle gushed.

As they walked, a stallion suddenly bumped into him. His body was covered in many rags, his face mostly hidden by his hat, a pair of shades, and a lot of filth, obviously a homeless pony. The cane he held in his hoof made it clear that he was blind.

"Ugh, hey, buddy, do you mind?" Black glared.

"Now, Black, mind your manners." Belle stepped forward, "This poor fellow can't help his condition. The poor dear's blind."

"Erm, sorry, Belle." Black cringed, turning to face the blind pony, "And I'm sorry for bumping... into you?"

His voice trailed off as he gazed at the homeless pony, who seemed to be looking back at him. He couldn't explain it... but he felt like he had seen this pony before... but where?

"Nah, it's my fault." The hobo declared. "I shouldn't be lazing around here... not when I need my alms."

"'Alms'?" Black frowned.

"Yes, alms." The hobo nodded, holding out a cup. "Alms for the poor. Don't suppose you have any?"

"I'm sorry." Belle apologised. "I don't any loose change on me right now."

"That's okay, lovely lady." The hobo tottered down the street. "Alms. Alms for the poor?"

As the two continued on their way home, Black suddenly spoke up.

"Alms? Where the hell does he think he is, Sherwood?" Black grimaced.

"Not in this heat." Belle joked. "But seriously, that poor fellow. Living on the streets..."

"Yeah." Black nodded. "On nights like this, it's easy to forget not everypony is as lucky as us."

"Not even close." Belle sighed. "If I could, I'd take in all the lost lambs of this world."

"I hope not." Black smirked. "There'd be no room for me. And that'd be a real tragedy."

"Oh, you..." Belle chuckled.

"You know I'm right." Black kissed her.

"I do." Belle beamed. "Having you in my life has made me so happy. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Hey, don't worry." Black assured her. "I'm not going anywhere..."

"I know." Belle nuzzled against as they continued their path to her home.

Back at Taskforce HQ, Elite was still continuing his search for Black... or at least, would be, had he not dozed off, his head face down on the table. It wasn't till his communicator began buzzing that he jolted awake.

"Harvey Dent, can we trust him?!" Elite jolted up... before frowning in confusion. "Huh?" He glanced at his small crystal sphere communicator on the table next to him and grimaced. "Oh. It's just you."

Begrudgingly, he picked it up and activated it, holding it up to his mouth.

"Director Everest here. What is it?"

"Hey, Elite, I got some good news. Are ya sittin' down?" A voice with a thick cockney accent spoke.

"Oh, you." Elite rubbed the bridge of his snout. "Don't worry about the sitting. I'm so tired that I can barely stand. What is it?"

"I found Black."

Instantly, Elite's tiredness faded away, as his eyes widened.

"What?! Really?!" Elite gasped, standing up.

"Yup. Turns out, he's been shackin' it up in Prairieville." The voice explained.

"Prairieville, huh?" Elite glanced at the map, mainly at a blank spot amongst the X's. "What it's like there?"

"It's not exactly a prime holiday location, that's for true." The stallion's accent suddenly explained. "Bloody sand everywhere... getting in my knickers... But not a bad place, when you get right down to it. Got some nice blokes and birds here, even."

"Well, great work." Elite smiled. "I knew he would be alive, I just knew it. Give me a week to catch up on some shut-eye and get things together, and I will be there in a flash!"

"Hold your britches, Elite." The voice frowned. "I'm afraid I got some bad news as well."

"Bad news?" Elite asked, not liking the sound of that, "Is Black alright?"

"It's not about Black... well, not yet at least." The voice explained, "While lookin' 'round town, I found something real worrisome..."

"Oh crap..." Elite grunted, "Well, tell me what you know..."

"Well, it's a lot like this..."

One week later, Black and Belle were finishing up their lunch

"Well, it's time for my doctor's appointment." Belle declared as she got up.

"Another one?" Black frowned. "Are you sure everything's okay?"

"I'm fine, Black." Belle assured him. "I've just been feeling a little... odd lately. I just want to make sure nothing's wrong."

"I hope nothing's wrong." Black fretted. "I'd hate for anything to happen to you. I couldn't live with myself..."

"You are sweet." Belle kissed his cheek. "But you don't need to worry. I'm sure it's probably nothing."

"Yeah, but-" Black started.

"But nothing." Belle said firmly. "Why don't you chop some wood for the fireplace while I'm gone? Take your mind off things."

"Yeah, okay." Black kissed her gently. "Good luck."

"Thanks." Belle beamed, before leaving.

After finishing his breakfast and washing his dish, Black went out to chop some wood, smiling happily as he did. Ever since Belle had taken him in, Black had felt content in a way he never had before. Her love had awakened a side of him he never knew he had. For all his time in Prairieville, he had never once felt the need to fight that had been a part of him for so long. He felt at peace with the world, and with himself. And he was well aware that this wouldn't have happened if his 'assassination attempt' hadn't turned out so badly.

"Who'd have thought falling off a cliff could lead to all this?" Black chuckled aloud, as he split another log.

After finishing his work in the backyard, Black went inside to take care of some other chores. He dusted the shelves, took care of the laundry, and even did a little ironing, all the while whistling a jaunty tune, totally content.

'Look at me.' He smirked. 'I'm a regular house-husband. Now, just gotta take care of the sweeping, and I'll be done...'

Grabbing a broom, Black started sweeping up all the dust on the wooden floors.

Unbeknownst to Black, a cloaked pony was making his way over to the house, having recently pulled into town on 'business'.

'Okay, the house should right over this way...' The cloaked pony thought, making a beeline for Belle's home.

The pony walked right up to the door.

'So this is where Black's been held up?' He mused. 'Very quaint. Nice place for a vacation. But I'm afraid the holiday is over...'

He knocked on the door. Moments later, Black opened it.

"Hey, can I help-"

Black immediately froze as he looked upon the cloaked pony. Despite his face being covered up, Black could easily recognize him.

"You." Black gaped.

"Hello, Black Knight. It has been a while." The cloaked pony declared.

"Wha... what are you doing here?" Black asked.

"It's simple really." The hooded pony declared. "I have come to bring you home."

Black gazed in surprise for a moment... before simply frowning.

"Director... why are you disguised like a creepy cult member?" Black deadpanned.

"Oh, my apologies." The cloaked pony apologized, as he pulled off the hood, revealing himself to be, as Black guessed, Elite Everest, "I had to keep a low profile, you know?"

"Elite... I never really thought that I would see you again." Black admitted. "Nice to see you hadn't changed a bit."

"Well, I'm glad that I found you, all in one piece..." Elite smiled... before frowning at his eye-patch. "Well, mostly in one piece."

"Yeah, you can thank brother dearest for that." Black grimaced. "You wouldn't believe how many things I've bumped into because of this..."

"I'm really sorry to hear that." Elite apologized. "It was never our intention for you to lose an eye in all that mess."

"I know." Black sighed, "So... would you like to come in? You must be exhausted."

"I would like that, thanks." Elite nodded.

Black allowed Elite inside, as they made their way to the living room. Elite took in the homey atmosphere, noting the wooden table and the weathered, yet comfortable couch, an old rug (a gift from Belle's mother), a clock hanging from the wall, and a bookcase leaning against the left wall. On the fireplace's mantle were portraits of School Belle and her family members... but one stood out the most: a small circular portrait with a picture of Black and Belle, in close company, smiling lovingly.

"How did you find me, Elite?" Black asked. "I thought you would had thought me dead."

"Are you kidding?" Elite turned to face Black. "I've been leading the search to find you for the past four months. I had my men looking everywhere for you. It wasn't easy. Nearly everypony believed you to be dead."

"Oh..." Black frowned. "I'm sorry about that. I should had let you know I was okay. I guess with my recovery and all, I hadn't the chance."

"Recovery, eh?" Elite gazed shrewdly at Belle's picture. "Something tells me that something else has been keeping your minds off things."

"Guilty." Black smirked, as he glanced lovingly at the picture. "Her name is School Belle. She was the one who found me when... well, you know."

"And you've been living with her for all these months?" Elite asked, "You didn't tell her anything, did you?"

"Of course not." Black grunted. "I only told her my name, and that's it. It seems Prairieville isn't privy to current events."

"Well, that is a relief." Elite nodded. "Where is she now?"

"Doctor appointment." Black explained. "I'm sure if you hang around for a bit, you can meet her-"

"I'm afraid I can't do that, Black." Elite declared. "In fact, we don't have much time, so we gotta leave while the getting's good."

"Wait, what?" Black frowned. "Leave?!"

"Yes. I am here to take you back with me to Taskforce Omega." Elite declared.

"...Hold, hold on." Black held up a hoof. "Are you... are you seriously asking me to drop everything to come back with you?"

"Um, yes." Elite deadpanned. "Look, in the past few months, the Forefathers have been silent. We hadn't heard anything about them in forever. I can only assume they went dark so that they can continue about their businesses without our noticing. I consider ourselves lucky that we managed to find you before they did."

"I figured they assumed I'm dead." Black grunted.

"I doubt it. If I wasn't willing to accept that you were dead, it's only fair that the Forefathers think the same as well, since they hadn't found your body and all." Elite shook his head, as he made to leave. "Now, we must depart."

"...No."

Elite stopped in his tracks.

"Excuse me?" Elite frowned, turning back to face Black.

"I'm sorry, Elite, but I'm not going back." Black declared. "I'm staying right here."

"What?!" Elite gaped. "Black, you can't be serious."

"I am." Black scowled. "I've made a new life for myself here. I was given a chance to start over, a chance that would never come again in a lifetime. And I don't want to give that up!"

"That's all well and good, but you can't just quit!" Elite frowned. "You swore an oath to serve as a agent of Taskforce Omega! You can't back out because you want to!"

"Can't I?" Black frowned. "You already had me betray the RDL, which, mind you, I'd also made an 'oath' to serve. So, I don't think that excuse is valid."

"Black, please, we need you. You're one of our best operatives. You've been making a difference for us, and Equestria." Elite stammered, "You can't just throw all of that away, just for a mare who saved your life."

"I'm in love, Elite." Black announced. "It's the real thing. I can't leave her!"

"But she has no idea who you really are!" Elite glared. "How do you think she's going to react when she learns about Reinadh?"

"If our love means anything to her, I believe she would understand." Black grunted. "Besides, it feels good to have somepony who doesn't look at me with hate..."

"Black..." Elite murmured. "Please, we need you. You're one of us."

"Maybe once, but not any more." Black said stubbornly. "Sorry, Elite. There's nothing you can do to change my mind. I already had left a part of my life behind all those months ago, and I won't let this life go."

"...And is that really what you want?" Elite frowned.

"Yes, Elite." Black glared, "I'm sorry to have wasted your time, but this is where I belong."

"...Very well." Elite sighed. "But before I go, I have something for you."

Elite dug into his cloak, and pulled out a small bag and gave it to Black. Black frowned as he opened it, revealing some of his effects from before he was arrested, including his tape player, Rookie's mix tape still inside.

"With you arrested back then, I knew you probably hadn't the chance to get your possessions back, so I had a friend gathered them for you." Elite smiled. "Your tape player in particular is as you left it."

"Thank you, sir." Black gave a small smile, before frowning again, "You're not trying to change my mind, right?"

"Oh no." Elite shook his head, "But, on the outside chance that you do..." Elite placed a crystal sphere communicator in the bag, "Give us a call, okay?"

"Very well." Black sighed. "I wish you and the others good luck with the Forefathers."

"Thank you... we'll need it." Elite frowned. "Goodbye, Black."

With that, Elite walked out the door. Black closed it and returned back to the living room, sitting on the couch, a bit shaken by the conversation.

'I'm sorry, Elite.' Black sighed, feeling guilty. 'But it's for the best. I'm happy here. And besides, I'm damaged goods. I'm no good for the Taskforce any more. Better I stay here...'

As Elite was leaving the house, he was unaware of a shadowy figure watching from behind a tree, having been observing the two. The being glared at Elite, as he then pulled up a magic mirror, activating it. The face of the bespectacled stallion with the sharp thin blade, who had spoke with Gridlock and Harlhooves, appeared.

"Pike Redfield here, what do you want?" The stallion declared.

"I got big news, Pike. I was able to confirm it. It is Black Knight Paladin." The shadowy being declared, "He's alive."

"I knew it." Pike smirked, "And they thought I was wasting my time looking for him."

"And here I thought I was wasting my time in this dead end hick town." The shadowy being sneered. "...So, what is the plan of attack, Pike?"

"For now, nothing." Pike ordered, "Just let me get my guys together and we'll take it from there."

"Yeah, I don't think so." The shadowy being growled. "This dirtbag is mine."

"What?!" Pike snapped. "Don't be a fool! There's a reason we gave you the order 'do not engage' when we posted you there! Black Knight is not a pony to be trifled with!"

"Come on, he's a ex-soldier who is missing an eye, how bad could he be?" The shadowy being smirked arrogantly.

"Only a jackass would say that!" Pike growled. "As a higher ranked operative, I'm ordering you again to not enga-"

The mirror was suddenly shut off, as the shadowy being glanced at the house.

"I'm coming for you, Black..." The stallion sneered darkly.

A short while later, Black was still on the couch, when Belle returned.

"I'm back!" She smiled.

"Hey." Black smiled weakly. "How was the appointment? Did you find out what was wrong?"

"Not just yet." Belle declared. "I have to go back in tomorrow afternoon for another check-up. Like that day wasn't going to be busy enough..."

"Okay..." Black mused.

"Is something wrong, Black?" Belle asked. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

"I'm fine, Belle." Black assured her. "Just a little tired, that's all."

"Okay..." Belle nodded, not entirely convinced. Suddenly, she noticed the bag next to Black, "What's that?"

"Oh!" Black glanced at the bag, cursing himself for not hiding it. "It's... it's a bag of my stuff. A friend of mine was by earlier..."

"A friend?" Belle's eyebrows rose. "I wasn't aware you had those."

"Heh, heh, very funny." Black shook his head. "He was only by for a bit to drop it off."

"What's in it?" Belle asked.

"Just this." Black held up the tapeplayer. "It's got a mixtape a friend got me."

"Really?" Belle mused. "Could you... play it for me?"

"Sure." Black nodded, switching on the tape.

And I'd give up forever to touch you
'Cause I know that you feel me somehow
You're the closest to heaven that I'll ever be
And I don't want to go home right now

"What a beautiful song." Belle smiled. "Makes me feel like dancing. Care to join me?"

"I already told you, I don't dance." Black declared.

"And I already told you, that doesn't matter." Belle pulled him off the couch. "I just want to have some fun."

"Okay, okay..." Black sighed, unable to refuse her.

And all I can taste is this moment
And all I can breathe is your life
Cuz sooner or later it's over
I just don't want to miss you tonight...

They slowly danced together.

"What's the matter, Black?" Belle asked. "I know there's something on your mind."

"Just... thinking about the past." Black sighed. "What I've left behind."

And I don't want the world to see me
'Cause I don't think that they'd understand
When everything's made to be broken
I just want you to know who I am

Do you... miss it?" Belle asked.

"Sometimes." Black admitted. "It wasn't always an easy life, but it had its moments. There were a lot of ponies I cared about. Ponies I've lost since then."

"Oh." Belle frowned. "I didn't know. You never said..."

And you can't fight the tears that ain't coming
Or the moment of truth in your lies
When everything feels like the movies
Yeah, you'd bleed just to know you're alive

"It doesn't matter now, though." Black smiled. "Because I have you. You're everything I never knew I wanted. Everything I need is right here, and that includes you. I love you Belle, and I always will."

"I'll always love you too, Black." Belle sniffed, tears coming to her eyes.

The two kissed deeply, the affirmation of their love feeling wonderful.

And I don't want the world to see me
'Cause I don't think that they'd understand
When everything's made to be broken
I just want you to know who I am

Black and Belle held each other closely as they danced some more. Black's guilt had faded, replaced by certainty that he made the right choice...

That night, Black was in his bed, having just drifted off to sleep, only to be woken up by a tapping sound on his window.

"What the...?" He groaned, getting out of bed.

Black walked up to the window, and saw Shooter throwing pebbles. Once Shooter realized Black saw him, he urged him to come down. Reluctantly, Black complied.

"This had better be good." Black growled, as he exited the house.

"Sorry for waking you, Black." Shooter apologised. "But I need your help."

"My help?" Black frowned.

"Yes." Shooter nodded. "I've noticed some suspicious characters by the lake just outside of town. My deputy's off sick, and I need a strong-looking stallion like you to help corral those varmints. Think you can lend a hoof?"

Black was tempted to say "no", but a part of him thought that the Sheriff could help ease the tension between them.

"Okay, sure." He nodded. "Just so long as it doesn't take all night."

"Thank you kindly, Black." Shooter smiled. "And I assure you, this won't take long."

Shooter led Black out of town, leading him to the lake, which had a single tree on the side they approached. To Black's confusion, there was nopony there.

"So... where are these varmints?" He asked, looking around.

"Right in front of me."

Black heard a clicking sound, and turned to see Shooter pointing a loaded crossbow at him.

"What the... Shooter, what's this?" Black frowned. "What's going on?"

"I do apologize for lying, but I had to get you out of the house. It wouldn't do us good if Belle saw any of this... wouldn't you say, ex-RDL Black Knight Paladin?" Shooter sneered.

"Wha- You know who I am?" Black gaped.

"Of course." Shooter nodded. "Did you really think we would forget about you?"

"'We'..." Black's blood froze. "Oh buck no... you're one of the Forefathers' agents!"

"Yep." Shooter nodded. "One of a select few posted in Prairieville."

"So you knew it was me all along." Black growled.

"Not at first." Shooter shrugged. "I'll admit, the eyepatch threw me off. But when Elite showed up to talk to you, it all fell into place."

"Thanks a lot, Elite..." Black snarled.

"Oh come now, it isn't all Elite's fault." Shooter frowned. "Few of the higher ups simply refused to believe that you have perished that day, so they had some nobody lead this manhunt for you. That's how me and the others came to be here. At first, I thought it was a huge waste of time... but then I saw a very attractive school teacher..."

"Belle..." Black whispered.

"That's right." Shooter sniggered. "Now that I know you are alive, I will take great joy in killing you. With your head, not only will the Forefathers give me a big fat promotion, but I'll be free to take Belle for myself... after all, she's going to need somepony's shoulder to cry on when she learns how you abandoned her..."

"Oh?" Black asked, his temper rising. "And what if Belle doesn't find you her type?"

"She will..." Shooter scoffed. "Sadly, I've never been very good with rejection. If she doesn't play ball... I will just have to take her out here and kill her too!"

"The buck you will!" Black roared. He made to lunge at Shooter, but the sheriff pushed his crossbow forward.

"You don't have a say in the matter." Shooter sneered. "And to think they're saying that you are a very dangerous pony..."

Unbeknownst to either of them, the blind homeless stallion emerged from behind the tree, approaching the scene...

"So what, the Forefathers have keeping an eye out for me this whole time?" Black asked.

"You've caused the Forefathers a lot of trouble, Black." Shooter declared. "Project: Infestation was quite the popular project, and to have some soldier buck it up... well, it didn't sit well with everypony. Ponies like Mr. Gridlock didn't want to risk you still being around to muck up their future plans. Now I'm going to make sure you die for real..."

"Better ponies than you have tried." Black said boldly.

"I doubt that very much." Shooter boasted.

"If you're gonna do it, then do it." Black growled. "I don't want to listen to you brag anymore."

"Suit yourself. Good-bye, Black." Shooter smirked as he was about to fire the crossbow.

Black snarled in defeat as he accepted his fate...

*WHACK!*

Black's eyes widen, as Shooter went rigid.

"Buck." Shooter weakly gasped as he fell over into unconsciousness.

Standing right behind him was the ragged stallion, his cane now snapped in two from smashing into Shooter's head.

"What the...?" Black looked upon his savior. "You? Not that I am not grateful, but what the buck are you doing here?"

The ragged stallion didn't answer, as he dropped the broken cane and then took off his glasses and hat, and wiped off the dirt from his face... revealing to be none other than... General Turret.

"...What the hell?!" Black gaped. "General Turret?! What is going on here?!"

"What's going on here is that I just saved your bloody arse!" Turret spat in a familiar cockney accent, "I think that's bloody obvious."

"What the- Turret, what's with the accent?! When did you became British?!" Black yelled, stupefied.

"Black!"

Black was further surprised as he saw Elite rushing over.

"Elite, what the-" Black gasped.

"Thank Faust you're safe!" Elite sighed in relief. "I heard that you went off with Shooter, and I feared the worst."

"Okay, I am really confused right now!" Black growled. "What's happening? What's General Turret doing here?! Why does he sound like he's from Londraft?! And what you are doing back here?!"

"Well, I believe a few explanations are in order." Elite declared. "To begin, General Turret isn't whom you believe him to be."

"He's not?" Black asked.

"No." Elite shook his head. He turned to Turret. "Allow me to introduce you to my second-in-command and co-founder of Taskforce Omega, Cutter Ballista."

"...Say what?!" Black gaped. "But he... you... he's been posing as the guy who had me arrested and prosecuted me... and you didn't bother to tell me any of this... why?"

"Sorry about that, mate, but I was in deep cover." Ballista declared. "Had to play along, didn't I?"

"So you knew all about what was really going on?" Black asked. "With Sand Dollar, Obadiah, Reinadh..."

"All of it, mate." Ballista smirked, "Or did you really think that any other General would had bought that Reinadh had weapons, or that one of his soldiers went off every day to do some 'things'?"

"But you were the General..." Black murmured, "One of the higher ups. The guy in charge. How could anypony not know..."

"Good actor, aren't I?" Ballista smirked. "Always been a fan of the theater. Learned to play a lot of roles over the years."

"...So you're the pony who knew a lot about acting." Black mused. "That explains quite a bit... but why the name Turret?"

"Oh, that was just a name of an asshole I knew over in Isreinal." Ballista scoffed, "Complete wanker he was. So I decided to take his name."

"Is this how you found me, Elite?" Black frowned at Elite. "You had Turr- I mean, Ballista looking for me?"

"Yes, and no." Elite declared. "While I have had my resources searching for you, Ballista came to Prairieville with a different quarry in mind."

"We heard a rumor there were some Forefather lackies hangin' around these parts." Ballista nodded. "I came over to check it out. It's pretty much just coincidence we bumped into each other."

"But those others..." Black frowned. "If they know who I am-"

"Worry not, Black." Elite smiled. "They're already been dealt with."

"You're welcome." Ballista smirked.

"But it's only a matter of time before the Forefathers realizes what has happened and send a kill squad to deal with you and anypony who stands in their way." Elite frowned, as he turned to Black. "That was why I was trying to get you to come back with me."

"So... you're saying that... once again... I have to leave my life behind?" Black murmured.

"I'm sorry, Black." Elite sighed, "But as long as you remain here, this whole town, and everypony who lives in it, will be in constant danger."

"But Belle..." Black whispered.

"Look, mate, I know you loved playing house and all, but it's for their own good." Ballista grunted. "For the good of your girl and this sandtrap of a town, you have to come back with us."

"...I know." Black sighed.

"I know it must hurt to leave another loved one behind." Elite sympathised. "But you know as well as I that Belle will be safer if you're not here. I'm sorry, but that's the way it has to be."

"Well, it was nice while it lasted." Black shook his head. "Can I at least... let Belle know I'll be leaving?"

"I wouldn't recommend it." Ballista frowned.

"Please." Black pleaded. "I owe her that much. I wouldn't even be alive right now if it weren't for her."

"Of course, Black." Elite nodded. "In fact, we'll give you until noon tomorrow to put your affairs in order. I'd say a good night's sleep is necessary before we depart."

"Thanks, Elite." Black smiled sadly, as he headed back to town.

"Are you sure about this, boss?" Ballista asked.

"Absolutely." Elite nodded. "After everything he's sacrificed for us, I can't expect Black to just abandon the love of his life without a word. It would be far too heartless."

"If you say so." Ballista sighed. He turned to Shooter's unconscious form. "What should we do with him?"

"I don't care." Elite scoffed. "Just make sure they don't tie it to Black leaving, okay?"

"Oh, don't you worry, mate." Ballista grinned evilly, rubbing his hooves, "I got his demise all planned out already."

Black returned to Belle's house, slipping back in quietly. as he climbed back into bed, his thoughts drifted to Belle, and what leaving her behind could mean.

'It's happening again.' He thought sadly. 'I'm leaving behind a pony I love in order to protect them... just my luck. Maybe, at least Belle won't come to hate me like White... I hope.'

Black soon drifted into an uneasy sleep.

The next morning, Black and Belle had what would be their last breakfast together.

"Delicious as always." Black declared, finishing up.

"And you're as sweet as always." Belle grinned. "Well, I should get going. I've got my grocery shopping, then the doctor's appointment... such a busy day."

"Wait." Black said suddenly.

"What's wrong?" Belle asked.

"You know I love you, right?" Black asked.

"Of course I do." Belle nodded.

"I mean, I really love you." Black insisted. "You're the most wonderful mare I've ever had the privilege of knowing. My life has been made better just by knowing you."

"Again with the sweet talk." Belle blushed... before frowning. "What's brought all this on?"

"Oh... nothing." Black shrugged. "I just wanted you to know how I feel about you."

"I already do, Black." Belle smiled.

"But just in case..." Black pulled Belle into a passionate kiss.

"Well, thanks for reminding me." Belle grinned. "But I really should be going. Don't want to lose on the fresh squash." She headed for the front door. "See you later!"

"No." Black said solemnly. "You won't..."

After Belle left, Black gathered up his meagre possessions, including his mixtape, ready to leave. Then he pulled out a piece of paper, and started writing.

'You're such a coward, Black.' He berated himself. 'Afraid to tell Belle to her face that you're leaving. ...But who am I kidding? That way, I'd see the heartbreak on her face, and I could never go through with this...'

Once he finished the note, Black placed it where Belle could see it. He walked up to the front door, then cast one last look upon the place that had become his new home.

'Goodbye...' He thought sadly, before departing.

As Black walked out of town, he heard a couple of ponies gossiping.

"Did you hear about the sheriff?" One asked. "They found him dead this morning."

"Yeah, I heard." Another nodded. "They found him hanging from a cloth noose in his bedroom. The coroner said something about 'autoerotic asphyxiation'."

"Ugh, who knew the sheriff was into such twisted things?" The first pony cringed.

'Nice cover-up, Elite.' Black noted.

Black returned to the lake, where Elite and Ballista were waiting by the tree.

"There you are." Ballista noted. "Said your goodbyes, have you?"

"More or less." Black shrugged sadly.

"Ready to get back to work?" Elite asked.

"As I'll ever be." Black declared. "I'll admit, there was a part of me that missed all the action."

"And you'll be seeing plenty of it, just wait and see." Elite smiled. "Now, we have a carriage parked just over here..."

"The sooner the better." Ballista declared, as he then pulled off his buzzcut mane, revealing his balding head, "It will be nice to not have to pretend to be some hard-flank." He then reached back to his Cutie Mark... and pulled it off.

"What the buck?" Black gaped.

"What? You never seen a fake Cutie Mark before?" Ballista scoffed, as he then showed off his true Cutie Mark, a ballista after his namesake with a mask loaded onto it. "This beaut right here is the real deal."

"I know I shouldn't be surprised any more, but I just can't help it." Black sighed.

"You gotta learn to expect the unexpected in this business, mate." Ballista smirked.

"Yeah, easier said than done." Black snorted.

"But you can expect the others to be pleased to have you back." Elite grinned. "Especially Armory."

"I guess it'll be good to see 'em again." Black smiled. "Even Micro Manager..."

"Then let's head out." Elite declared.

"About bloody time." Ballista wiped his brow. "I'm sweatin' like a ruddy pig out here..."

As they walked further along, Black took one last look at Prairieville, his heart heavy over leaving Belle behind.

'I'll miss you, my love.' He thought. 'I'll think of you every day...'

The present...

"So you had no choice but to leave." Fletcher told Black. "I can't imagine being forced to leave Dove."

"Or me leaving Daring." Caboose sighed. "I would have killed myself before doing that."

"Yeah, it was hard." Black sighed. "But like what came before, I had to sacrifice what I wanted to protect others."

"You truly are a noble soul, Black." Fletcher smiled.

"Yeah. Yay for me." Black grumbled.

"Perhaps that's enough reminiscing for now." Elite declared. "Perhaps Fletcher and Caboose would like to meet more of their new comrades..."

Elite glanced around, spotting a midnight blue Unicorn stallion with a pale red mane, green eyes and a mask (with a moustache) Cutie Mark aand a pale purple Earth Pony stallion with a blue mane, brown eyes and a Cutie Mark of a brain playing chess nearby.

"Would you two mind joining us?" He called.

"Just a moment, sir." The Earth Pony called. "I'm on the verge of trouncing my opponent."

The Unicorn moved into checkmate.

"You were saying?" He smiled.

"Oh mother-" The Earth Pony snarled as he then slapped the chess board aside, scattering the pieces.

"You're such a sore loser." The Unicorn smirked.

"Oh, bite me." The Earth Pony growled.

The two joined the others.

"Fletcher, Caboose meet Master Mind and Incognito." Elite declared, pointing first at the Earth Pony, then the Unicorn. "Our chief strategist and expert infiltrator."

"Director, please, I prefer 'master strategist'." Master Mind smirked.

"So these are our new recruits?" Incognito mused. "Two Royal Guards? When we have a whole army full of RDL members? That's kinda a step down, don't you think?"

"Well, nice to meet you too." Fletcher frowned.

"Yeah, yeah..." Incognito rolled his eyes.

"Um, no offense, but aren't these two a bit redundant?" Caboose cringed. "I mean, don't we already have a smart guy and a breaking into stuff guy? You know, Micro Manager and Shadow Slinker?"

Black's face darkened at the mention of Shadow Slinker. Elite was quick to take note of it.

"Um, you see, Caboose. Micro Manager retired a while back." Elite revealed, "And as for Shadow... well, let's say he's no longer with us."

"Oh..." Fletcher and Caboose frowned.

"But before they went, they gave us the names of ponies they would want to take their place." Elite declared, as he gestured to Master Mind, "Master Mind was studying under Micro Manager before his retirement in applied physics, and Incognito was Shadow's protege in stealth and retrieval."

"Hopefully that isn't going to be a problem, is it?" Incognito grunted.

"We may not be Micro Manager and Shadow Slinker, but I like to think we're just as good, right?" Master Mind gave a small smile.

"I supposed not." Fletcher shrugged, "We look forward to working with you both."

"That's the spirit." Elite smiled. "And make no mistake, there is a lot of work to be done..."

Author's Notes:

"Iris" belongs to The Goo Goo Dolls.

Takin' Care Of Business

Fletcher and Caboose sat in the lounge alongside their new comrades. Black still held a melancholy air over recalling his leaving Belle.

"Oh wow, just look at this place!" Caboose looked around. "Pool table, dart board, mini-bar, and look how far these recliners can tilt back!"

Caboose tilted his chair back as far as it could.

"Check me out!" He chuckled. "Where's a good limbo contest when you need one?"

"Caboose, I hardly think this is the time to play around." Fletcher frowned. "Especially considering that our new comrade just relived one of the most painful moments of his life."

"Oh... sorry." Caboose told Black. "I didn't mean."

"It's okay." Black sighed. "It's not like it changes any of it... The past is in the past. Even if it still hurts..."

"It is painful." Elite noted. "But I believe our new comrades would benefit from hearing what came next."

"Yeah, sure." Black nodded.

"You don't have to if you're not feeling up to it." Fletcher declared.

"Nah, I'm good." Black nodded. "Besides, you deserve to know the whole story."

"What a trooper." Caboose smiled.

"So there I went." Black sighed. "Leaving the love of my life to sign back up with Elite's bunch."

"It wasn't my favorite moment either." Elite admitted. "Unfortunately, the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few."

"Wait a moment." Fletcher frowned. "If you went back to Elite, then how did you end up causing all that trouble with the Changelings?"

"And getting locked up by my family for all those years?" Caboose added. "What, your teammates couldn't come and save you?"

"We're getting a little ahead of ourselves." Elite stated. "Trust me, a lot happened in the interim."

"Like what?" Caboose asked.

"Brace yourselves." Black declared. "Things only got crazier after I came back..."

Many years ago...

Elite, Ballista and Black returned to the Taskforce Omega's headquarters by evening. Armory, Micro Manager and Shadow Slinker rushed over to greet their returning comrade (Elite having called ahead, informing them of his arrival.

"Black, it's you!" Armory smiled.

"Yep, it's me alright." Black forced a smile.

"It's great to see you again, Black." Shadow Slinker declared.

"Thanks." Black nodded.

"Same here." Micro Manager added. "I had calculated that you really were dead. Don't think I've ever been so glad to be wrong before..."

"Happens to the best of us, egghead." Black shrugged.

"We're all so glad to finally have you back, Black." Armory smiled. "This place just hasn't felt the same without you. I'm sure you're glad to be back."

"Oh, yeah." Black sighed. "Home sweet home..."

Titan approached Black.

"Hey, big fella." Black declared. "Miss me?"

Titan smiled, and licked Black's face.

"I'll take that as a 'yes'." Black, his face soaked with saliva, patted Titan on the head. "I missed ya too, ya big ol' mutt."

"Rrf!" Titan barked happily.

"Okay, don't crowd him." Elite stepped forward. "We've all had had a long day, and I think Black would appreciate it if he could get some rest. Come on, Black, I'll show you to your new quarters. Ballista can fill the others in, right?"

"Right-o, chief." Ballista nodded.

"Follow me, Black." Elite urged.

"Yeah, sure..." Black shrugged.

Elite led Black down a corrider, towards the base's living quarters.

"I know this is going to be hard to readjust to." Elite told him. "But give it time. You'll be back in the saddle soon enough."

"Yeah, I kinda doubt that." Black snorted.

"I know leaving Belle was hard, but it's for the greater good." Elite reminded him. "Equestria needs you. And in protecting our country, you protect everypony in it, including Belle."

"I know..." Black sighed.

"And make no mistake, they need protecting." Elite said grimly. "Between their 'Horsey-bug-love' project getting demolished and the business in Prairieville, who knows what they'll try next..."

"Well, then it's a good thing I'm back to kick their flanks." Black smirked.

"It certainly is." Elite nodded, stopping outside a door. "Now, these will be your quarters. It's a little sparse, but it'll have to do."

Black entered the room, finding it to contain a metal frame bed, a small table, and a small bathroom to the side.

"Sparse, right..." Black snorted.

"Good night." Elite declared, making to leave. "And Black? It's good to have you back."

"Thanks, boss." Black smiled.

"Rest well, my friend." Elite declared, before departing.

"Hopes springs eternal." Black dropped the smile, and the saddle bags with his belongs in them.

Black fished out his tape player, donned his headphones, and laid out on the bed, losing himself to the music.

You get up every morning
From your alarm clock's warning
Take the 8:15 into the city

There's a whistle up above
People pushing
People shoving
And the girls
Who try to look pretty

And if your trains on time
You can get to work by nine
And start your slaving job
To get your pay

If you ever get annoyed
Look at me, I'm self-employed
I love to work at nothing all day

And I'll be
Takin' care of business
Every day

Takin' care of business
Every day
I've been takin' care of business
It's all mine!

Takin' care of business and
Workin' overtime
Work out!

"Huh, these songs have been hitting the mood punch for punch." Black frowned. "Not to mention Rookie had a very unspecific taste in music..."

Black lay back on the bed, as memories of Rookie filled his head. He hadn't thought that much about his comrade during his time with Belle, having had other matters to occupy his mind. But now it all came flooding back.

"Ah, Rookie." Black sighed. "Sorry I haven't given your memory the time it deserved. I've been through a lot lately. I've had more stuff to feel guilty about since then. I just hope I don't have any more. My head's already weighed enough with grief as it is..."

Black laid down on the bed, thoughts of Rookie, Belle and even White entering his mind. Three ponies he had felt dearly for, and could no longer see again.

"Some homecoming..." He muttered. "Still, this is my life now.. again. Gotta accept it."

After the song ended, Black got into bed, and drifted off into an uneasy sleep soon after.

Meanwhile, in the Forefathers' headquarters...

Pike was lounging on a couch, wearing a hard leather jacket, his glasses on his forehead, resting silently... when suddenly, a newspaper was slammed onto the table. Pike's eyes snapped open as he looked up to see a seething Gridlock, flanked by Harlhooves, Loveless, and the recently ordained Mr. Dysley, all but Loveless with unhappy frowns.

"Oh, jeez, you guys. What do you want?" Pike groaned, as he put on his glasses.

"Read the paper." Gridlock ordered.

"'Five Prairieville citizens were found dead this morning'." He read. "'These five unrelated ponies were all discovered dead in their homes or on the street. There appears to be no apparent connection between them, or even a solid motive for the deaths. The investigation has been going slowly, as Sheriff Six Shooter was also found dead in his bedroom, with a cloth noose around his neck. The local doctor diagnosed it as a case of autoerotic asphyxiation' gone awry. Pike chuckled snidely. "Heh, they think the idiot was trying to thrill himself. Now everypony will remember him as the moron he really was..."

"You think this is funny?!" Harlhooves growled. "Half a dozen of our middle-ranked operatives, all dead?!"

"Yeah, when we gave you control over a contingent of our operatives, we were hoping that none of them would lose their lives." Mr. Dysley grimaced. "That is very unprofessional, even for you, Pike."

"Hey, don't look at me." Pike growled. "I told Six to stand down, but he wouldn't listen. That idiot went against Black alone, and he died over it. How is his stupidity my fault?"

"The stallion does have a point." Loveless admitted, "Six did have a history with not following orders."

"Exactly. And even then, it wouldn't have changed a thing." Pike grunted. "I got word that there were more of Everest's flunkies sniffin' around the place. Those guys didn't stand a chance."

"Yes." Harlhooves nodded. "Funny how Everest had the foresight to send one of his own out there. Perhaps Black's 'death' wasn't an elaborate ruse, and he was looking for him the same as us?"

"Yeah... way to force their hooves, Dysley..." Gridlock glared at Mr. Dysley.

"At least I put him out of commission for all those months." Mr. Dysley growled. "Unlike you, I made good use of that time to work on my own projects."

"What good will all that time do when Black is still around to ruin it all?" Gridlock snarled. "That's why I had this chump hunt the guy... but clearly, it was a mistake. What did I expect from a Black Sheep?"

"Again, it was not my fault." Pike snarled. "If Six had just waited for us, Black wouldn't be on to us!"

"It doesn't matter now." Gridlock grunted. "If Black's still hiding out in Prairieville, then I say we burn the whole place to the ground. Hell, I will light the matches and see it burn myself!"

"Hold it right there, bub." Pike held up a hoof. "Black Knight is my quarry. You and Harley here gave him to me and the guys to take care of! We should be the ones to do it!"

"You had your chance!" Gridlock snorted. "Now it's time for us Ouroboros to show you how real stallions take care of business!"

"Like hell you are!" Pike stood up, his face glaring a bit upwards to meet Gridlock's gaze. "I am not going to take this from a hot-tempered brute who is butt-hurt because he was too incompetent to protect his project!"

"You son of a-" Gridlock suddenly hoisted Pike upwards by his jacket. "You take that back, you piece of crap!"

"Make me, bug-boy!" Pike spat.

"Whoa, take it easy, Gridlock!" Loveless urged.

"Yeah, he's not worth it!" Harlhooves insisted. "Put him down!"

"Perhaps we shouldn't be fighting amongst ourselves." Dysley frowned. "I really didn't expect this kind of behavior from the inner circle."

"True, we're not always a well-oiled machine." Loveless shrugged. "Especially with problems like this over our heads..."

"Go ahead, dung for brains." Pike dared Gridlock. "Give it your best shot."

"Oh, I plan on it!" Gridlock pulled back his hoof, ready to slug Pike.

"Now, now, Gridlock. What did I say about playing nicely with your brethren?"

The occupants of the room all turned, as a very tall stallion in a pale cloak approached. He was Father, the supreme leader of the Forefathers.

Instantly, Gridlock dropped Pike as the four Ouroboros instantly bowed (Loveless merely bowed his head), while Pike straightened his jacket.

"At ease, my sons." Father held up a hoof, as they rose up. "Now, what is this about burning down a village to find Black, Gridlock?"

"Forgive me, sir." Gridlock murmured, as he glared at Pike. "It's just that Pike has failed to hunt down Black, and even cost us six stallions. I've volunteered myself to hunt Black down myself and finish this."

"I see..." Father nodded. "...I appreciate the sentiment, but I believe you shouldn't be so hasty, Gridlock."

"H-how do you mean, sir?" Gridlock asked nervously.

"I mean, jumping the gun and destroying a whole town just to get to one stallion, no matter how dangerous, seems a tad excessive." Father declared. "We should take a moment to consider our options before making such a rash decision."

"What?! But Father, we must strike while the iron is hot." Gridlock cringed.

"Must we?" Father inquired. "No, I don't believe we must. I say we allow Pike to continue heading this manhunt. In spite of the Black Sheep's less than stellar reputation, Pike had shown great stride in keeping the group in line. In fact, I have the utmost confidence in his abilities. In time, I trust he will find Black and smite him in the name of the Forefathers."

"Thank you, sir." Pike bowed. "Good to know somepony around here appreciates my skills..."

"But sir-" Gridlock started.

"Now, Gridlock, you know full well that you and the other Ouroboros have much better things to do than torch a village." Father said firmly. "Frankly, we shouldn't be bothered with wasting our time on such an endeavor."

"But Black is most likely still in Prairieville." Gridlock protested.

"I doubt that very much." Father countered. "Black is not only a powerful adversary to have taken down one of our own while he was wearing one of Loveless's best creations, but a cunning one too. He probably left Prairieville the instant he realized we had discovered him. Burning the town to the ground would amount to nothing more than unnecessary bloodshed, which I'm certain none of us wants. Wouldn't you agree?"

"...Yes, Father." Gridlock sighed, defeated.

"I'm glad you saw sense in this matter." Father nodded, before turning to Pike. "Mr. Redfield, I trust you will not be as foolishly reckless as Six Shooter? I daresay we've had even more casualties than usual lately. While our crusade will no doubt incur losses, I'd prefer not to lose too many at one time."

"Don't worry yourself, Father." Pike smirked. "I've never lost a target yet, and I don't intend to start now."

"Excellent." Father smiled under his hood. "Then off you go."

"I won't let you down." Pike pledged. "Black is as good as dead."

As Pike left, Father turned to the others.

"Now that's the kind of dedication I like to see." He remarked.

"Oh, yeah." Gridlock muttered under his breath. "He's just great..."

"He had better succeed this time." Harlhooves frowned. "Black Knight is too dangerous an adversary to be allowed to roam free."

"If Father believes in him, then so do I." Loveless declared.

"Me too." Dysley nodded. "If Father saw fit to allow my ascension, then he clearly knows what he's doing."

"Friendly advice, newbie." Gridlock growled. "Nopony likes a suck-up."

"But this pony does appreciate devotion." Father added. "And I fully expect you all to remain as devoted to our cause as Pike is to his hunt."

"Yes, Father." The Ouroboros bowed.

"Excellent." Father smiled. "Soon, we will have one less pest to deal with..."

The next day, Black awoke in his quarters.

'I miss my old bed, back in Prairieville.' He thought, as he got out of bed. 'Come to think of it, there's a lot about Prairieville I'm missing right now...' He added, melancholy thoughts of the morning kisses Belle would give him running through his head. 'Belle, I hope you're okay. I never wanted to break your heart, but if it keeps you safe, I have no other choice...'

After washing his face in the adjacent bathroom, Black headed for the meeting room. Ballista had returned to his role as General in the RDL, meaning it was just Black and his old friends, together again.

"Good morning, Black." Elite greeted him. "Sleep well?"

"Not really." Black shrugged.

"I'm sorry if the bed was a little lumpy." Elite declared. "We could have it replaced, if you'd like..."

"It wasn't the bed that was keeping me from sleeping." Black said bluntly.

"...I see." Elite sighed, understanding what Black was getting at. "Nopony expects you to get over all this so quickly. But once you get back into the swing of things, immerse yourself in your missions, I have no doubt that the pain will at least dull a little."

"Like I have a choice either way." Black sighed. "Speaking of, you got anything for me?"

"Indeed we do." Shadow spoke up. "After their big scheme over in Reinadh went kaput, the Forefathers have been quiet. But we've picked up some interesting chatter from our sources recently, suggesting that they're consolidating their resources and coming up with new plans."

"Yeah, after what happened in Prairieville, I guess I should've known they wouldn't give up so easily." Black declared.

"We've gotten word that there's a warehouse, just outside of Whinnyapolis, where some of their flunkies are gathering." Micro declared. "We need you to get in there and try to squeeze some information out of them."

"With pleasure." Black smirked. "After the last couple of days, I need somepony to hit."

"But I don't think I need to remind you of the need for secrecy." Shadow declared. "Most of the world believes Black Knight Paladin to be dead, after all. And it's in our best interests to keep it that way."

"So how are we going to do that?" Black asked.

"Simple." Elite pulled out a dull gray cloak.

"...Seriously?" Black cringed. "A cloak? What, are you all out of ponchos?"

"I like cloaks." Elite frowned.

"Yeah, well, I don't." Black retorted.

"It's the best we can do for now." Elite shrugged. "But at least it'll cover you up."

"And it'll give me just one more frustration to take out on those Forefather flunkies." Black growled, reluctantly donning the cloak.

"That's the spirit, I guess..." Armory shrugged. "Now, I've got a couple of tools for the occasion." He held up some items. "Graphite lockpick, a special foam for disabling the security systems' circuit boards, and of course... good old Homer." He held up the ropedart gun.

"Ah, that takes me back." Black smiled. "Prairieville was a nice place, but it was sorely lacking in the latest tech."

"How did you ever survive?" Armory joked.

"I had... help." Black's smile faded.

"Oh... I'm sorry, Black." Armory frowned. "I didn't think..."

"It's okay, pal." Black sighed. "Let's just... get to work."

"Of course." Micro said awkwardly. "The warehouse's security system isn't anything you haven't seen before. You should be able to handle it without any trouble."

"But there may be more than a few of the Forefathers' agents inside, so be careful." Shadow added.

"Don't worry about me." Black said grimly. "This is what I do..."

That afternoon, Black arrived in Whinnyapolis, making a beeline for the warehouse. The cloak was ungainly, inhibiting his movements, and he felt like he could barely breathe through the cloth around his muzzle.

'Lousy thing.' He thought. 'Well, at least nopony will know I'm wearing it...'

Black made it to the rear of the warehouse. He opened up the panel of the security system by the door, disabling it with the foam. Then he used the lockpick to open the door. As he snuck into the warehouse, he saw shadows in a room near the south side.

"Time for a little stress relief..." Black whispered.

Black kicked open the door. Half a dozen agents turned to look upon him.

"Alright, hoof-draggers." Black snarled. "I'm looking for applicants for sharing intel, and getting beaten up. Please form two orderly queues. And I'd prefer if one were longer than the other, if you catch my drift."

"Get the intruder!" One stallion yelled.

The agents charged.

"Don't rush." Black declared, punching one out in one blow. "There's plenty for everypony."

It was barely a fight, by Black's standards; He took out most of them in one hit. The last one proved tougher, dancing around Black with ease.

"Can't hit what you can't see!" The stallion sneered.

"Right back at ya!" Black sprayed some of the foam in the stallion's eyes.

"Ahh!" The stallion yelled. "It burns!"

"This should help with the pain." Black punched him out. He looked upon the unconscious agents with glee. "I feel better already."

Black returned to base with some small pieces of information.

"Not much there." Micro Manager frowned.

"It's all I could find." Black shrugged.

"I'll have a good look at it." Micro Manager declared. "There may yet be a clue of some kind..."

"Good work out there, Black." Elite smiled. "Good to see your sabbatical didn't leave you rusty."

"I'll admit, it did feel kinda good to get back into the game." Black smiled. "Even took my mind off things a little..."

"Well, lucky for you, there'll no doubt be more to come." Elite declared. "But for now, take a rest. You've earned it."

"Don't have to tell me twice." Black pulled off his cloak. "At least I can take this dumb thing off..."

"Some ponies just don't understand fashion..." Elite sighed.

Early the next morning, over at the warehouse, Pike was inspecting Black's work. The agents had informed the Ouroboros of what had happened, and in turn, the Ouroboros had sent Pike to check it out.

"Not wasting time, eh?" He mused, surveying the damage caused by the battle. "Getting right back into the game..."

Pike stepped outside, smirking.

"Not that it'll do ya any good." Pike smirked. "After boosting the paperwork from here, there's only one place you could go next..."

"Talking to yourself? What are ya, crazy?"

"Who's there?!" Pike turned.

Standing before Pike was a lean stallion with a gray coat, white, straggly mane, and yellow tinged glasses... it was none other than Scalphunter Insidious.

"Fancy running into you here." Scalphunter smirked.

"Oh, great." Pike groaned. "This guy."

"So what's happening, Pikey-likey?" Scalphunter asked.

"Since you asked, I'm in the middle of an assignment." Pike said flatly. "I'm tracking down a high-profile target for the Forefather."

"Ooh, listen to you." Scalphunter snickered. "Always so professional. Bet when you find the guy, you'll just go right for the kill."

"Uh, yeah." Pike snorted. "That's kinda the point of being a hitstallion."

"Boring!" Scalphunter spat. "You gotta have a little fun before you take the mark down. Play with your food a little, know what I mean?"

"Yeah, like I'm gonna take advice from a certified whackjob." Pike sneered. "You do things your way, and I'll do them mine."

"My way being the fun way, and yours being the boring way." Scalphunter retorted.

"Whatever." Pike scoffed, walking away.

"I'd say 'have fun', but that'd be wishful thinking." Scalphunter taunted him.

"Oh, I'll have fun, alright." Pike smirked. "Sane fun..."

A couple of days later, Black was preparing for his next mission. Micro had learned that the Forefathers had a more important base in Trottingham, located in a disused factory, which was suggested to hold much information about the Forefathers' plans. Black was currently going over the factory layout with Micro.

"Now, the rear door operates on a left hinge system." Micro declared. "So you should utilise your lockpick at thirty degree angle..."

As always, Black struggled to stay awake.

'I'd forgotten how boring these sessions were...' He thought.

Elite then entered the room.

"Sorry to cut this short, but Armory has a little something he'd like to show Black." He declared.

"Oh, really?" Black said, trying to hide his relief. "Sorry, Micro, Gotta take care of this..."

"Oh, that's okay." Micro smiled. "We can finish this afterwards."

"Yeah, sure..." Black rolled his eyes.

Black followed Elite down the corridors, to Armory's workshop.

"Hey, Black." Armory smiled, as he entered.

"What kind of gizmo you got for me this time, Armory?" Black asked.

"Little bit more than a gizmo, Black." Armory declared. "See, fighting Stable in his suit got me to thinking. I thinking we should have an awesome suit of our own. Only not so big and clunky...."

Armory pulled a suit, and the east wall opened up, revealing a black suit with armor plating, complete with matching helmet.

"I call this the 'Dreadnought' armor." Armory declared. "Prototype version, of course."

"Looks good." Black noted.

"It doesn't just look good." Armory smiled. "It's packing mithril plating, making it virtually indestructible. It boasts several compartments to store weapons and gear. And it can also withstand temperatures of up to 1000 degrees."

To emphasise the point, a stream of fire emerged from beneath the suit. When it cleared, the suit was perfectly fine.

"Completely crossbow bolt-proof." Armory continued, as automatic crossbows fired ineffectually at it. "And smudge resistant, too. That's a new feature."

"Okay, I'm impressed." Black noted.

"As for the helmet, it comes with a retractable visor to mask your identity and alter your voice." Armory declared. "And it also makes you look really cool."

"You've outdone yourself this time, Armory." Elite smiled. "A real masterpiece."

"Yeah, not bad." Black admitted.

"Well, there are still a few bugs to work out." Armory frowned. "For starters, it takes a while to get it all bolted on. You gotta do it bit by bit. Definitely something I'll have to work on for the next model."

"It'll do for now, though." Black shrugged. "Anything beats that musty cloak."

"Then by all means, suit up." Elite declared.

Armory was right about the time it took to don the outfit. It took almost five minutes to complete the effort.

"Finally." Black donned the helmet. "Now, how do ya lower the visor?"

"There's a little button on the right side." Armory declared, pressing the button.

The visor unfolded over Black's muzzle.

"Nice." Black grinned, his voice distorted. "Now, time to take it for a test drive..."

"Good luck, Black." Elite smiled.

"And try to bring it back in one piece." Armory added. "I still need to make improvements!"

"No promises." Black smirked.

After reluctantly finishing his briefing with Micro, Black arrived in Trottingham by evening. The suit was a little tight in places, but allowed him a decent range of movement.

'It's better than that buckin' cloak, at least...' Black thought.

As Black walked through the streets, he noticed some passersby glancing at his suit, clearly bemused by it.

'Guess the natives aren't very fashion-forward.' Black thought. 'But I'm here to work, not be a runway model.'

The factory was located in the town's older district. Following Micro's instructions, he slipped in through the back door. As he entered the factory, he saw that it was empty; Black could only see old, rusty contraptions gathering dust, a single light illuminating the area.

'Okay, that's weird.' Black frowned. 'Figured there had to be some flunkies guarding the place. So where are they?'

"Ah, the guest of honor, at last."

"Who's there?" Black looked around.

As Black turned his gaze to the right, he saw the owner of the voice. Pike was just sitting there, on a sitting stool, sharpening his same 'spike-like' blade, as he then glanced up at Black.

"Well, isn't this a pleasant surprise?" Pike sneered. "Black Knight Paladin, as I live and breathe."

"You must be mistaken..." Black growled. "I'm not this Paladin guy. He's dead."

"Oh, please." Pike snorted. "You think that fancy tin can can fool me? I could tell it was you just by the way you operate. No amount of armor can hide that. And also, that helmet makes you look like Nagneto."

"Watch it, pal." Black glared, as he then raised his visor, unmasking his voice and face. "A close personal friend of mine made this, and I won't let you insult his work."

"Geez, touchy." Pike sneered. "Kudos on the 'faking your death' thing, by the way. You had all of us fooled for a while... too bad you didn't actually die, though."

"Gee, thanks." Black scowled. "Now, what do you want? I doubt you came here just to congratulate me."

"On the contrary." Pike smirked. "The Forefathers want you dead, and I'm the stallion who's gonna make that happen."

"Easy to say, not so easy to back up." Black sneered. "Give it your best shot."

"Oh, I will." Pike chuckled darkly.

"And before I forget to ask, just who are you?" Black asked. "I typically like to know who I've clobbered."

"The name's Pike Redfield." Pike declared, rising up and sheathing his blade. "Remember it. Because it'll be the last name you'll ever hear."

"We'll see about that." Black sneered. "Don't forget, I'm the one in armor."

"I love a challenge." Pike held up a tricked-out crossbow.

"What is that?" Black frowned.

"Cerberus assault bowgun." Pike declared, pointing the crossbow at him. "State of the art bang-bang."

Despite the armor, Black instinctively leapt aside as Pike fired. The bolt, charged by magic, exploded as it struck a conveyor belt.

"Think your fancy suit can stand up to that?" Pike taunted.

"It won't have to." Black pulled out his own crossbow.

Black fired a bolt, but Pike dodged, and retaliated. Black jumped, but the blast was close, and propelled him into the air.

"See if you can outrun this!" Pike snarled, firing again.

Black ducked, avoiding another hit. He fired back, but Pike dodged again. Pike's returned fire was even closer, the force of the explosion knocking away Black's crossbow.

"Gotcha now..." Pike sneered.

'Enough of this' Black thought, pulling out the ropedart gun.

"Sayonara, Nagneto!" Pike aimed the crossbow for one last hit.

Black rolled to the side, fired the ropedart gun. The dart tore through the midsection of Pike's weapon. Black then tugged, pulling it out of Pike's hooves and across the factory. The loaded bolt exploded as it hit the ground, destroying the weapon.

"Aww..." Pike groaned as he glared at Black.

"Up for a little hoof-to-hoof?" Black smirked.

"Bring it on!" Pike snarled, as he donned brass knuckles, "I'm always down for some ass-kicking!"

The two stallions charged each other, and started exchanging blows. Pike's brass knuckles increased his hitting power to the point where Black could actually feel the blows through the armor. It didn't help that Pike was aiming for the gaps between the armor segments, hitting him where he was most vulnerable.

"That tin can can't protect you forever!" Pike spat, hitting Black in the stomach.

"It'll do the job long enough for me to take you down!" Black roared, punching Pike in the face and cracking one of his glasses' lenses.

"Ack..." PIke growled. "Wanna bet?!" He leapt at Black, kicking him across the factory and behind a conveyor belt. He rushed to attack again, but found that Black wasn't there.

"What the-?" He frowned, before his opponent jumped him from behind, having rolled under the conveyor belt.

"Guess who?" Black grabbed Pike by the neck.

"What is this craaaaaap?!" Pike yelled, as Black threw him through a window.

"This is pain!" Black leapt at Pike.

Pike caught Black with his back hooves.

"Pain is my friend." He sneered. "Shall I introduce you?"

Pike threw Black back with his rear hooves, then leapt at him, punching off his helmet.

"I can see why you wore that." He spat. "You're one ugly sonuva-"

Black responded with a headbutt.

"That's it..." Pike snarled. "Playtime's over."

"I was just getting warmed up too." Black added, tackling Pike.

The two stallions pummelled each other fiercely for minutes on end, punching, kicking, headbutting and even biting. Before long, both stallions were bruised, bloodied and near exhaustion.

"Gotta admit, I'm impressed." Pike panted. "You're tougher than I thought... and I thought you'd be plenty tough."

"I aim to please." Black smirked. "Besides, you put up a pretty decent fight yourself."

"It's not often you get to fight a worthy opponent, is it?" Pike asked. "It's the same with me. We're two of a kind, you and I. Taking you on has been a real joy."

"Thanks." Black said flatly. "But flattery won't get me to go easy on you. I'm gonna put an end to this fight. Right here, right now."

"Yeah, I'm gonna haveta take a rain check on that." Pike declared.

"Thinking of running away?" Black sneered. "What are you, too chicken to take this to the bitter end?"

"Not even close." Pike scowled. "I just had so much fun tonight, I'm not ready to have it end so soon."

"You say that like you have a choice." Black spat. "I won't let you get away, pal."

"Oh, don't worry." Pike held up a white sphere. "You'll be seeing me again soon enough."

Pike threw the sphere onto the ground. It exploded into a cloud of dust.

"What the-?!" Black coughed.

As the dust cleared, Black saw that Pike had escaped.

"Oh, just great." He groaned. "This is the last thing I need..."

The present...

"So he got away?" Caboose asked. "Typical bad guy move..."

"Spineless cowards." Fletcher spat.

"Oh, yeah." Black nodded. "But like the guy said, I saw him again real soon. And as it turned out, he was actually the least of my worries..."

"How do you mean?" Fletcher frowned. "By my reckoning, it would still be some time before your, ah... fall."

"You'd think that, wouldn't you?" Black raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, that part was still a ways away. Didn't mean things couldn't get plenty bad in between."

"Indeed." Elite nodded. "Things got pretty wild after that."

"So make yourselves comfortable." Black declared.

"Oh, I'm already comfortable!" Caboose tilted his recliner again.

"Get ready." Black told them. "This is where things get complicated..."

Author's Notes:

"Takin' Care Of Business" belongs to Bachman Turner Overdrive.

Going Under

"So you got yourself an arch-nemesis, huh?" Caboose mused. "Yeah, my family knows a little about that. Rival families, grudge-holding maniacs, that kind of thing."

"Believe me, we're all well aware of that." Elite declared. "You Napoleons are well-known for your grudge matches."

"Hey, when you're the best, every guy and his dog wants a piece of you." Caboose smirked. "You know what I'm getting at. Right, Mr super-soldier."

"I certainly do." Elite nodded. "I've honestly lost count of the number of self-impressed thugs who sought to take me on..."

"But I'll bet none of them were as dangerous as Pike." Black declared sourly. "That kind of competition, I could have done without."

"I imagine you didn't much care for this new complication?" Fletcher asked.

"Yeah, that wasn't something I'd been planning on." Black frowned. "Of course, Elite wasn't too happy about it either..."

Many years ago...

After Pike's escape, Black scoured the factory for the Forefathers' records (finding them in what would have been the forestallion's office) and returned to base, his suit a little scuffed and scorched.

"Welcome back, Black." Elite smiled. "How did it go? No problems, I hope?"

"'Course not." Ballista smirked. "Black's the toughest blighter I've ever met. Nothin' could give him any trouble."

"Actually... I think we may have a big problem on our hooves." Black declared, while setting down the files on the meeting room's table.

"What kind of problem?" Shadow Slinker frowned.

"There wasn't anything wrong with the suit, was there?" Armory asked worriedly. "I can tell you must have been in quite a fight for it to be in that state."

"How many did you face?" Micro Manager asked. "A dozen? Two dozen?"

"One." Black said flatly.

"Rruh?" Titan mumbled, tilting his head sideways.

"One?" Elite gaped. "One pony did this?"

"You're not serious, are ya, mate?" Ballista asked.

"Yep." Black nodded. "It all went down something like this..."

Over the next few minutes, Black went through his encounter with Pike.

"Pike Redfield." Elite frowned. "This is going to be a problem."

"So you've heard of the guy, then?" Black frowned.

"We all have." Micro scowled. "He mysteriously came out of nowhere a couple of years ago, and immediately climbed up the ranks of bounty hunters. They consider Pike to be one of the most notoriously vicious bounty hunter. Very few have ever escaped his sights."

"Well, I ain't one of 'em." Black smirked. "In fact, he ran from me."

"Bullcrap." Ballista grunted. "We lost quite a few stallions to this guy. In all our run-ins with him, that guy never ran. That's why he's notorious!"

"Well, he did." Black frowned, a bit miffed. "He didn't even use that sharp pokey thing he had with him."

"The Redfield Pike." Elite noted, "That's his signature weapon. For him to not use it must mean something."

"Like what?" Black asked.

"The arsehole wants a rematch someday." Ballista frowned. "It's what the more 'unhinged' bounty hunters do. They enjoy a game of 'cat and mouse', if you catch my drift."

"That isn't good." Armory shook his head. "If Pike was able to head you off so easily this time, he might just do it again."

Titan whined plaintively.

"Relax." Black snorted. "He caught me offguard, that's all. And even then, we wound up fightin' to a draw. Next time, I'll be ready to take him down."

"Confident as always, I see." Elite mused.

"Hey, with skill like mine, you can afford it." Black smirked.

"Either way, let's hope you two don't cross paths again for a while." Shadow frowned.

"I think that would be in all our best interests." Micro added.

"Rrr." Titan nodded.

"You took the words right of my mouth." Ballista told Titan. "Don't wanna get on Pike's bad side..."

"Oh, please." Black snorted. "I'll bet Pike's runnin' home to his bosses right now..."

Meanwhile, the battered and bruised Pike returned to the Forefathers' headquarters, and reported his "failure" to the Ouroboros. The same hooded in the corner was playing the organ, paying no heed to the conversation.

"...And that's how it went." Pike sighed, applying a frozen steak to a bruise on his cheek.

"So, you failed to terminate Black." Gridlock snorted. "Can't say I'm surprised..."

"You and me both, Gridlock." Harlhooves admitted.

"I'm afraid to say that I am a little disappointed." Father shook his he head. "I had thought that you would be able to handle Black Knight. After all, your track record to this point had been promising..."

"I know you're disappointed, sir." Pike apologized. "I am, too. It's not often I fail to kill a son of a cart horse. But Black is tougher than any stallion I've ever faced before."

"So the great hunter Redfield has finally met a quarry he can't slay?" Mr Dysley smirked.

"Yet." Pike growled. "Make no mistake, I will kill Black. It'll just take a little more time."

"And what makes you think you deserve that time?" Gridlock snarled. "You were beaten!"

"But not by much." Pike declared. "Even with a fancy new suit of armor, Black took more than a few lumps. But his endurance and ingenuity was more than I'd planned for. Next time, I won't make the same mistake."

"More talk of 'next time'." Harlhooves frowned. "But no reason for us to allow you one."

"The reason being that I'm the only one who's come that close to beating him." Pike sneered. "None of yer dime store flunkies have ever managed to get that far. Not Six and his goons, nor Wheat and the rest of Reinadh. Call me a failure all you like, but you know I'm your best shot at taking Black down."

"Watch yourself, Pike." Loveless frowned. "For you may find yourself presuming too much."

"And yet... he makes a valid point." Father admitted. "Every other operative who's faced Black has been utterly incapable of stopping him. And since Pike has never failed us before, I believe we can overlook such a narrow loss. Am I right?"

"...I suppose..." Harlhooves admitted grudgingly.

"We really have nothing to lose." Loveless added.

"In fact, if Pike dies facing Black, I might actually see it as a plus." Gridlock smirked.

"Aw, you're all heart, Gridlock." Pike sneered.

"Then it's decided." Father nodded. "Pike, you shall have your second chance, and the time you need to implement it. But make sure you don't take too long. Even my patience isn't infinite... nor is the amount of soldiers we have."

"Thank you, sir." Pike smiled. "I won't let you down again. Mark my words, the next time Black and I meet, he's a dead stallion..."

Over the coming months, Black began to adjust to his new life as an exile, hiding within Taskforce Omega's headquarters, as well as he could. But that didn't necessarily mean he was taking it well at all. His time separated from White had been made bearable due to the company of Belle. But now that Black had been forced to cut ties with her as well, there was nopony he could rely on for true support. His comrades were dear friends, but for Black, they didn't even come close to matching the emotional support of family, or the love of his life. His time out on missions helped alleviate his woes, but Black gained less and less enjoyment from pounding random Forefathers minions and breaking into heavily fortified areas. It was like he was just going through the motions, day in, day out, with nothing more on the horizon.

'When I was a colt, I never quite saw my life turning out like this.' He thought one evening, as he sat in his quarters. 'If I didn't get to go out on missions, this place'd almost be like prison. I'm out there, saving the lives of all who live in Equestria. Something to be proud of, all right. And all it cost me was my own...'

Almost sinking beneath the weight of his despondency, Black reached for his tape player.

'Maybe some good tunes'll help me out of this funk...' He thought.

Now I will tell you
What I've done for you
Fifty thousand tears I've cried

Screaming, deceiving
And bleeding for you
And you still won't hear me
(Going under)

Don't want your hand this time
I'll save myself
Maybe I'll wake up for once
(Wake up for once)

Not tormented daily
Defeated by you
Just when I thought
I'd reach the bottom
I die again

I'm going under
(Going under)
Drowning in you
(Drowning in you)

I'm falling forever
(Falling forever)
I've got to break through

I'm going under...

'I hate irony...' Black thought.

Ballista was quick to take notice of Black's melancholy, and decided to bring it up with Elite, whom he regularly checked in with every so often since Black's return (something he had only done before when Black wasn't around).

"Hey, Elite, can I talk to you for a moment?" Ballista asked when he came into his quarter.

"Sure." Elite nodded, turning to face him in his chair at this desk. "What's up?"

"I couldn't help but notice something was eating Black." Ballista explained. "It seems every time I see him, he always has this gloom about him. I'm starting to think he might be comin' down with depression."

"That is to be expected, Ballista." Elite sighed. "We did 'force' him to leave a mare he loved. Something like that would take a while to get over."

"Yeah, but not this long." Ballista frowned. "His new life clearly isn't sittin' well with him."

"He's still adjusting." Elite declared. "Give him time, he'll get used to it."

"Well, I'm not holdin' my breath." Ballista shook his head. "We might want to keep tabs on him. This stallion has enough problems already, and the last thing he needs is some 'stressor' to set him off."

"Could you not say that?" Elite grunted. "He's a soldier, not a ticking time bomb. You clearly underestimate his resolve. The stallion is one of determination and duty. I assure you, this depression will lift, given time."

"I hope for your sake that you're right, mate." Ballista declared, crossing his hooves. "I hope..."

Shaking off Ballista's warning, Elite stepped into the briefing room, ready to inform Black of his next mission.

"So, what do you have for me today, chief?" Black asked, doing an excellent job of not showing his woes.

"Well, you'd better bundle up tight, Black." Elite declared. "Your next mission will take you to the Frozen North."

"That wasteland?" Black frowned. "What the buck could possibly be up there?"

"We've received word that some of the Forefathers' are combing the area." Micro declared.

"For what?" Black asked.

"From what we've been able to gather, it seems they believe there's some kind of dark magic source up there." Shadow revealed. "And they've been sent to investigate it, and possibly even harness it for the Forefathers' own ends."

"Seriously?" Black snorted, "Dark magic? What a load of hog-wash. I read the books. There hasn't anything up there for centuries."

"We are incredulous as well, Black." Elite declared. "But on the oft-chance that there really is such a power up there, we cannot allow it to fall into the wrong hooves. We need you to get up there and stop it."

"That's so long as my hooves don't freeze off getting there." Black snarked.

"I've got you covered." Armory smiled, holding up a white-colored snowsuit. "Special thermal regulators to keep you toasty warm, visor and muzzle mask to hide your identity, and the white coloring will let you blend right in with the scenery, just in case there sentries keeping watch." He held up some new tools. "And I also have a reinforced pickaxe, and some snow boots with some extra grip. The ultimate winter survival kit."

"Thanks, pal." Black smiled. "But I still think I'll be out of my element. No snow in Dodge Junction. Except for that one year the weather control ponies messed up..."

"We have the utmost faith in you, Black." Elite smiled.

Ballista, who was watching the briefing from outside, curled his lips in a deep frown, before walking away.

After a few hours of surveying the area where the Forefathers' minion had been tracked down to, Black took his leave.

"Away I go." Black smiled. "Frozen North, here I come... and probably frozen hooves, too."

Black, donning the snowsuit as a disguise, took the train up to the Frozen North, disembarking by a large mountain range.

"Whoo, what a mess." Black took note of the snowy surroundings. "Where's a decent ski lodge when you need one?"

For the hour or so, Black trudged his way through the snow, seeking a particular set of caverns. With more than a little help from Armory's tools, he finally located them, and made his way inside. As he walked, he heard voices arguing.

"How can this be happening?"

"We've been working for weeks, and we've still found no sign of it!"

"The Forefathers will be furious!"

'Sounds like their little project really is a load of bunk.' Black thought. 'I could just leave 'em to it, but like Elite said, why take chances?...'

Black entered the cave, finding half a dozen Unicorn Forefathers agents surrounded by various mystic apparel, such as pendants, dowsing rods, and runestones.

"What exactly are they hoping we find up here?" One Unicorn growled.

"I heard that it has something to do with this fabled 'Crystal Empire' they had been going on about." Another surmised.

"You mean that old myth?" One other Unicorn sneered, "Come on, that's absurd."

"Is it?" The second one challenged, "There has been talk among the higher ups that the spirit of the one called 'Sombra' still looms around these parts. A powerful umbrum that was once vanquished by the Alicorn Princesses, only to roam the cursed lands."

'Umbrum? Sombrero? Spirits?' Black scoffed. 'What a load of hogwash. I gotta put a end to this.'

"If that's truth, then why has nopony ever actually seen him before?" A third Unicorn asked. "An umbrum would stick out like a sore thumb around here."

"Ours is not to question, but obey." The second stallion stated.

"So we should act without thinking?" A fourth asked. "That would make us no better than the common thugs the masters hire in droves."

"Watch your tone!" The second stallion growled.

"Make me!" The fourth shot back.

Tiring of their argument, Black stepped forward.

"Sorry, fellas." Black said boldly. "I'm here to shut down your little science project!"

"An intruder!" One yelled.

"Kill him!" Another roared. "Let nothing stop our great work!"

"Yeah, good luck with that." Black sneered.

"Eat magic!" One agent fired blasts from his horn.

Black dodged the blasts with ease.

"Eat my hoof!" He smirked, punching the Unicorn out with one blow. "Next?"

The rest of the agents attacked, but they had clearly been assigned to their mission due to magical knowledge, rather than brute strength, and were greatly outmatched. Before long, Black had them on the ropes.

"Had enough yet?" He sneered.

"Never!" One bold Unicorn yelled.

"Why are you even fighting me?" Black asked. "You know your project is a dud. Why not throw in the towel? Tell your bosses it was a bust. Of course, if you still want to fight, I'd be happy to oblige."

"He's right." One Unicorn said grudgingly. "We've been looking for this supposed dark magic source for weeks, and found nothing. This project has failed. We'd be better off cutting our losses and leaving."

"There you go." Black grinned. "Looks like there's a smart guy in this bunch after all."

"B-but our research..." One Unicorn stuttered, glancing at a stack of papers on a fold-out table.

"You're welcome to try and get it." Black smirked. "But I don't really like your chances."

"It's useless anyway." A third Unicorn spat, carrying one of their unconscious comrades. "Let's just go."

As one, the Unicorns teleported away.

"That's it." Black smirked. "Run back to your masters." He picked up their notes and placed in a pouch in his snowsuit. "I know Elite and the others wouldn't mind taking a look at this."

As Black made his way out of the mountains, he crossed a wide open space in the snow. As he did, he felt a sudden chill, despite his suit's thermal regulator at maximum.

'Ugh, something about this place just feels... wrong, for some reason.' He thought, an unexplained sense of foreboding creeping upon him. 'Sooner I'm out of here, the better...'

Black turned to leave, unaware that an eerie black fog was gazing at him from afar...

"Crystals..."

Black perked up, turning to see if he heard something, only to find nothing more than snow, snow, and more snow. With a shudder, he made his way back to the train station.

"Let me guess: mountain climber?" The ticket pony asked, as Black paid for the trip back.

"Something like that." Black shrugged.

"What else could it be?" The ticket pony snorted. "Not much else up there."

"You'd be surprised..." Black smirked.

After paying for his ticket, Black boarded the train. As it pulled away from the Frozen North, Black made his way to his cabin. Switching off the thermal regulator, Black readjusted to room temperature, finding himself dozing off after his busy day.

"Hate the cold..." He muttered in his sleep. "Dumb snow..."

He suddenly awoke when the train jostled into a station.

"Now arriving at Dodge Junction." The conductor announced.

'What the- Dodge Junction?!' Black gaped, looking out the window to indeed see the dusty plains of his hometown. 'Buck, I must have missed my stop. I can't be here. Not after disgracing myself. And what if the Forefathers have one of their lousy agents stationed out here? I won't let my home town get pulled into the crossfire. Maybe I should just jump out of the window and hoof it back to base...'

As Black reached for the window, a thought struck him... he gazed out of that same window, his thoughts going back to one pony.

'White...' Black frowned. 'Faust, how long has it been since I've seen him? Could he possibly...' He shook his head. 'No, can't be. White should be back in Saddle Arabia, doing his country a service. Even then... what can I do? The moment he sees me...'

Black let out a sigh, as he was about to continue with his plan... until...

'You know what? White may not be here, but Big Red is. I should at least see how he's doing. Make sure that good ol' Red is doin' okay. What's the harm in that?' Black supposed. 'And it would be nice to see an familiar face again...'

Black disembarked, and made his way around the outskirts of town, heading for Big Red's homestead, intent on seeing his old friend. Seeing how out of place a snowsuit-clad pony would be, Black decided to slip out of his outfit, hoping nopony would see him. Along the way he was travelling, he took in the familiar sights.

'Good ol' Dodge Junction.' He smiled. 'Looks just like it was when I left...'

As he walked around his old home, fond memories of his youth flooded his mind, mostly involving the fun times he'd had with his brother and their friends: Hanging out in the cherry orchard owned by Cherry Jubilee's family, horsing around at the old swimming hole, and even the time they rode an old mining cart right into the Sheriff's office.

'Ah, good times...' Black thought happily.

As he neared the homestead, Black's heart skipped a beat as he saw him.

None other than White Knight was walking by, travelling in the direction of the old swimming hole, an Earth Pony mare with a black mane and a light blue coat walking by his side. Black quickly hide behind a fence as they passed by.

'What the buck?!' Black panicked. 'What is White doing here?! And not in Saddle Arabia?! He can't have just ditched the RDL. That's the not the White I know...'

Intent on learning more, Black began to tail White and his companion from behind the fence, listening to their conversation as he did.

"You're gonna love the swimming hole, Silver." White told the mare.

'Silver?' Black thought. 'Never heard of her. She must be new in town.'

"Well, it is warmer down here than over in Vanhoover." Silver declared. "A quick dip would be just great."

"Yeah, some of the best times of my youth were spent there." White recalled. "Just me and..." White trailed off, his face nearly becoming a frown, before he regained his smile. "My friends."

'Ouch.' Black winced. 'No mention of your big bro? Shoulda seen that comin'...'

"Well then, I guess you should be well-versed in water safety." Silver purred. "That's good. If anything goes wrong, you could give me some... mouth-to-mouth."

"Or even if anything doesn't go wrong." White chuckled.

'...Wait, are they?' Black peeked out over the fence, witnessing White and Silver nuzzling each other. Black instantly felt a bit of pride. 'Holy crap, they are. Well, will wonders never cease? White's actually got himself a mare. Way to go, bro...'

Black watched as they disappeared down the path, White's wing draping over Silver.

'Well...' Black gave a small smile. 'Nice to know that whatever happened between us didn't stop you from moving on with your life, White.' He turned to make his way back to the train station, knowing that he couldn't risk going to Big Red's anymore. He cast another glance at where White had went 'You deserve to be happy, and you deserve a gal like that to make you happy. It's truly what you deserve...' Black shook his head. 'Sorry, Red. I'll try to catch up the next time I 'miss' my stop.'

Black boarded the train, and returned to the headquarters not long after.

"Mission accomplished." He announced to the others. "I busted up that mess of a job of theirs, and even snagged some of their research." He handed the papers to Micro. "It's probably garbage, but it wouldn't hurt to look."

"No, it would not." Micro nodded.

"And I've even got all four hooves intact." Black grinned. "I'd call that a bonus."

"Glad to see my suit held up." Armory smiled.

"Sure did." Black nodded, choosing to omit the odd chill he felt.

"You're a little late, aren't you?" Ballista frowned. "You were supposed to be back by yesterday. What happened?"

"The job took a little longer than I thought." Black shrugged. "That, and the train I was on was delayed by a cactus on the tracks."

"...Is that so?" Ballista said, his face impassively.

"Yep." Black nodded. "But I accomplished the mission, so what's the diff?"

"My thoughts exactly." Elite smiled. "Well done, Black. Keep up the good work."

"Oh, I will." Black nodded.

Over the next few days, the knowledge that White was happy and content eased Black's woes, but didn't erase them completely, for there was another pony whose fate weighed on his mind. But he couldn't simply go back. Dodge Junction was only a fluke. It's not like he would get another chance... right?

Before long, Elite had another mission for Black.

"We've received word of Forefather agents hiding out in the badlands." Elite told him. "They are residing in a cave out to the east, waiting for deployment. Your mission is to flush them out into the open, where Ballista and his troops will be waiting to pick them off one by one."

"You got it." Black nodded.

"Yeah, those idjits won't know what hit them." Ballista chuckled.

After being fitted with the Dreadnought armor (Armory's new and improved version, with the dressing time cut in half due to some new interlocking parts) and some flashpowder crossbow bolts and smoke bombs (to help with the flushing out), Black made his way into the badlands.

'Ah, more nostalgia.' Black thought, as he made his way to the cave.

Reaching his destination, Black crept in through a side entrance, one just big enough for a single stallion (Shadow had gained this information from a very reliable source). As he quietly moved further into the cavern, he reached a ridge, and saw below him a daunting sight: Dozens of Forefather agents.

'Whoa, that's a lot of flunkies.' Black thought, lowering his visor. 'Don't know what the Forefathers are planning to use these guys for, but it's not gonna happen on my watch.'

"I am so bored." One operative muttered to another. "When are we going to see some action?"

"Shouldn't be too long now." Another grinned. "The buzz is that Gridlock and Harlhooves are working on something big. They're definitely going to need us soon enough."

"The sooner the better." The first operative groaned. "I'm goin' stir-crazy in this musty old cave. I need some action."

'Your wish is my command.' Black smirked as he pulled out a smoke bomb and threw it to the cave floor below. It exploded into vapor on impact, engulfing the cave.

"What's this?" A third agent coughed.

"We must be under attack!" A fourth spluttered.

'Another smart guy, huh?' Black smirked, loading his crossbow.

Black fired the flashbolts, which exploded into multicolored light in the air, making it seem like Unicorn magic blasts were flying wild.

"Evacuate!" The lead agent coughed. "Evacuate now!"

"Don't forget your parting gift." Black muttered, throwing another smoke bomb.

Blinding by smoke and flashes, the agents stumbled out of the cave one by one, finding Ballista and his own band of operatives waiting.

"Now!" Ballista yelled, as they leapt out of hiding. "Attack!"

Disorientated by Black's assault, most of the agents were easy prey, brought down by simple magic blasts, or old-fashioned punches. While some had held on to their bearings more than others, they were still no match for Ballista's well-trained forces. Before long, they had all been drawn out, defeated, and captured.

Black stepped out moments later, having made a sweep for any stragglers.

"All clean in there." He announced, opening the visor.

"Bleedin' good work, Black." Ballista declared. "Good to see you've still got it."

"Didn't know I'd lost it." Black joked.

"Just haveta drop these blighters off at Canterlot, then we'll be headin' back." Ballista smiled.

"See ya then." Black smiled.

"Yeah, see ya." Black nodded, departing.

As he began to make his way back to headquarters, Black spotted Prairieville in the distance.

'Belle...' He thought. 'So near, yet so far...'

Being so close to his love, Black was overcome by a powerful yearning.

'It's not gonna hurt to just see her from afar.' He told himself. 'Just like with White. It'll give me some much-needed closure...'

Black quietly made his way to Prairieville, lowering his mask's visor and sticking to the shadows. He intended to sneak over to Belle's home, or failing that, the school house, just to catch a glimpse of the mare he loved. It had been months, but the memory of her was still so fresh in his mind.

'Just one little look.' He told himself. 'If I can just see her for a moment, and know that she's doing okay, I can head back happy.'

As it turned out, Black didn't have to look that far. As he snuck his way through the marketplace, he spotted Belle.

'Just as lovely as I remembered.' He smiled fondly. 'Even more so...'

As Belle turned, Black saw that she was carrying a red-coated foal in a pouch. He immediately froze with surprise.

'Is that... no, she couldn't have moved on already... hell, I didn't leave her that long ago, did I?' Black shook his head. 'No. She must be foal-sitting or something... she has to be...'

Another mare, with a peach-colored coat, curly ginger mane, lavender eyes and a Cutie Mark of a half-peeled orange, approached Belle.

"How are you, Belle?" The mare smiled.

"Just fine, thanks, Clementine." Belle smiled.

"The little one giving you any trouble?" Clementine asked.

"Sometimes." Belle stroked the foal's head. "But most of the time, little Shade here is the sweetest little thing..."

'The foal is hers...' Black gaped. 'But he can't be more than a month old... wait... it was only about a year or so since I left... a pregnancy lasts eleven months... and back then, the only stallion she could had been with was...'

The realization hit Black like a ton of bricks.

'Holy... Lauren... Flank-Bucking... Faust.' Black felt his legs turned to jelly as he leaned against a wall, as he glanced at Belle and the foal. 'That's...that's my child...'

"What happened to the father again?" Clementine asked.

"Oh, he... had to leave town." Belle sighed.

"Lousy cad." Clementine spat. "Leaving you in the lurch with a foal..."

"It wasn't like that." Belle said weakly. "He had no choice. It said so in the letter he left me."

"He couldn't even tell you in person?" Clementine scowled. "What kind of scoundrel was he?"

"He was no scoundrel." Belle's face hardened. "He was the most kind and noble stallion I've ever met. If he said he had a good reason for leaving, I believe him."

Black felt a twinge of guilt.

"...I'm sorry, Belle." Clementine apologised, clearly unnerved by Belle's show of anger.

"Apology accepted." Belle nodded. "Want to hold him?"

"Of course." Clementine smiled. She lifted Shade out of the pouch. "Who's a good little colt? You are!" She nuzzled against Shade. The colt giggled, flapping tiny little wings as he did.

The sight of those little wings was a surprise to Black, but not a total shock. While Black was born lacking the wings the rest of his family had, it was highly likely that the trait would pop up in future generations. And there was the proof right there...

'So... I sired a son... who is a Pegasus.' Black gasped to himself... before adopting a familiar sad smile. 'Huh... if only dad was alive to see this...' He then frowned, as he gazed at his love. 'Belle... I can't believe after what I did... you would still have faith in me... for Faust's sake, I left you when you with foal.' He bowed his head in sorrow. 'I have a son. A son I can never even hold in my hooves, let alone help Belle raise...' He clenched his jaw. 'Which is just as well. If that foal were a part of my life, he'd be in danger. He'd be better off never knowing his father. It's for the best...'

Black trudged back to headquarters, being greeted by Ballista.

"There you are, Black." Ballista smiled. "I already informed Elite of our little joint venture, and he's all kinds of pleased."

"Good to know." Black grinned.

"Funny though, how you got back after me, when you had a head start." Ballista noted.

"Yeah, there was another delay." Black shrugged. "It happens."

"Let me guess, mate." Ballista gave a snide smirk. "Another 'cactus on the rails'? Or maybe you were distracted by a familiar face?"

"...What?" Black said flatly. "I-I don't know what you're getting at."

"Don't you?" Ballista sneered. "Because I think you do. You've been sneaking off to take a gander at your little bro and that Belle mare!"

"How... how did you-?" Black gaped.

"I have some of my guys tailin' you." Ballista glared, "And I'm not pleased one bit by what I heard from him."

"Oh, really?" Black snarled.

"Faust damn it, Black." Ballista growled back, "You do realize you left your life behind for a reason, don't you?

"I do know that!" Black grunted.

"Oh, then why would you go and pull a stunt like that?!" Ballista demanded. "As of now, the Forefathers are probably watching your every move. If you even so much as sneeze, they will be on you like flies on dung."

"For Faust's sake, I only peeked at White and Belle, that's it! I didn't talk to anypony!" Black groaned.

"You're missing the point, Black." Ballista frowned. "You forget, you left them so that the Forefathers would not think to harm them. You think it matters if you talked to them or not? Just by looking at them, you are painting real huge targets on their heads, and the Forefathers hardly ever miss!"

Black gave a small growl...

"Look, Black..." Ballista sighed, as he placed a hoof on his shoulder. "I know you miss yer loved ones, really, I do..." Ballista gave a firm glare, "But this is war. We need all our ponies focused. These distractions will only lead you to a early grave... so, for the love of Faust, get your head in the game and your ass into gear, Black."

"How about you mind your own business?!" Black snarled. "I gave up a lot for this job! So if I want the tiniest glimpse of what I left behind, I think I am entitled to that."

"Oh, so you're going to play that card, eh?" Ballista growled. "This isn't all about you, Black. Elite put a lot of work into this taskforce. I put a lot of work into this taskforce. And neither of us will stand for and have some idiot ruin everything because he's heartbroken."

"If I want to see my brother and Belle, I will do so, and I won't be stopped." Black glared.

"Don't be so sure." Ballista scoffed. "I'll take this to Elite if I have to. And trust me, he will come down harder on you than I ever could."

"And then what?" Black asked. "Who's to say Elite won't be on my side?"

"Guess we won't know until it happens." Ballista frowned. "But as it is, I'm willing to let this slide, just so long as you never do it again. Understand?"

"...Yeah, I understand." Black nodded, saying what Ballista wanted to hear. "No more side trips."

"Good." Ballista nodded. "The past is in the past, and that's where it belongs. Time to grow up, and move on..."

Ballista walked away, satisfied that the talk had apparently gone his way.

"Not in this life." Black muttered under his breath.

The present...

"Well, that was harsh." Caboose frowned. "That Ballista was kind of a meanie."

"Yeah, but he wasn't wrong." Black sighed. "I was just too stubborn and hard-headed to realise that at the time."

"I can't blame you for being a little emotional." Fletcher noted. "Finding out you had a son... I can't imagine how much of a shock that would have been for you."

"That it was." Black nodded. "And I didn't let Ballista's threat keep me from seeing White and Belle lots of times after that."

"Something I didn't become aware of until much later." Elite added, frowning. "Though I can't say I approved, I understood the need to see your loved ones."

"Maybe if I'd know that then, I wouldn't have gone sneaking around." Black shrugged.

"Unlike Ballista, I always had faith in you, my friend." Elite smiled.

"Thanks, chief." Black grinned. "Those trips were real bright spots in my life. Especially when things started getting dark..."

"Dark?" Caboose frowned. "Was there a solar eclipse coming?"

"Not quite." Black sighed. "But the worst was still yet to come..."

Author's Notes:

* "Going Under" belongs to Evanescence.
* In case you're confused, this chapter takes place just before the Crystal Empire's return.

Born To Rise

Caboose leaned forward in his recliner.

"So you went behind Ballista's back, and kept on seeing your loved ones?" He asked Black. "Sneaky, sneaky."

"I'm not exactly a fan of insubordination, but I can understand the need to see your brother and Belle." Fletcher declared. "If I were somehow separated from Dove, I'd probably do the same thing..."

"Of course, not every mission brought within easy travel distance of either Prairieville or Dodge Junction." Black admitted. "But whenever a mission brought me close enough, I took a little detour."

"It was a tremendously risky thing to do, though." Elite added. "I might have been willing to overlook it had I known, but Ballista was another story."

"Even with me pretending to go along with his orders, the 'General' could tell I'd lost respect for him." Black growled. "And he was more than willing to return the favor..."

Many years ago...

Months after his talk with Ballista, Black had just returned from his latest mission, which involved grabbing important documents from a businesspony believed to be in league with the Forefathers. As he went to the main room for debriefing, he crossed paths with Ballista.

"Ah, there you are." Ballista said coldly. "Right on time. Glad to see our little talk did some good."

"Don't flatter yourself." Black growled. "I only went along with your 'suggestion' to get you to shut up."

"Watch your mouth, pal." Ballista snarled. "You may not be in the RDL any more and I might not be 'General Turret', but you still have to show me some respect."

"Don't hold your breath." Black snorted.

"I like to think I can take a stallion at his word." Ballista revealed. "But I'm still having you tailed... just in case."

"Your faith in me is overwhelming." Black sneered. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some documents to bring in."

"By all means." Ballista stepped aside.

Black walked away, a venomous scowl on his face.

'Bad enough the guy's trying to keep me from White and Belle.' He thought. 'Does he have to get on my back all the time, too? And to think, I actually used to like him...'

Meanwhile, in an undisclosed location, in the deepest depths of Infinity, shrouded in darkness, Pike stood under a lone hanging light, standing before what seemed to be nothingness.

However, there was heavy breathing all around, as a bunch of menacing looking stallions surrounded him, covered in the blanket of darkness. Some of them were holding magic mirrors and communication crystals, with ponies who couldn't make it but were intent on listening in on the other side.

They all awaited Pike's words with bated breath.

"Alright, my fellow Black Sheep." Pike announced. "You are probably wondering why I have gathered you all here tonight. Well, it's simple really. We have ourselves a problem... not only for us, but for all of the Forefathers: a rather meddlesome stallion by the name of Black Knight Paladin. This stallion came out of nowhere and dismantled many operations in Saddle Arabia, including Project: Infestation, and after months of being..."

Pike held up his hooves and did air quotes.

"...'Dead', Black is now back here in Equestria, and he is cleaning house." Pike frowned. "Normally, I would have taken care of him myself, but Black has proven to be far more formidable and cunning than I imagine." He gave a small smirk. "A worthy opponent if I ever saw one..." But the smile faded. "...But that doesn't change the fact that he's getting to be a thorn in the side of my... associates. I have spoken with them, and they agreed to allow me to issue a bounty: whosoever among you manages to actually nail this son of a draft horse will be rewarded greatly, and will see a hefty promotion far up the ranks of the Forefathers. With that in mind, any of you think you're up for it?"

The shadowed stallions cheered in the positive.

"Fantastic." Pike smirked, clapping his hooves. "So off you go, and remember: First come, first served. Also..." He did a salute. "It rubs the lotion on its skin..."

"...Or else it gets the hose again!" The stallions saluted back, as they slunk back deeper into the shadows.

Suddenly, another emerged from the shadows: Scalphunter.

"Well, what have we here?" Scalphunter sneered. "Tryin' to get us little lambs to do what you can't?"

"Not that it's any of your business, but I am on something of a deadline." Pike growled. "The Forefathers won't tolerate another failure. Black must be taken down, and fast."

"You disappoint me, Pike." Scalphunter sighed. "Being a bounty hunter's supposed to be about the gig, not the bosses. Whatever they're paying you should be a distant second to the sheer enjoyment of finishing off your target."

"The day I take advice from a nutjob like you is the day I get myself measured for a straitjacket." Pike sneered.

"Oh, you wound me." Scalphunter sniggered. "Fine, I know when I'm not wanted. Good luck waiting for those losers to deliver."

Scalphunter walked away, laughing his manic laugh.

"Lunatic..." Pike muttered.

A couple of weeks later, Black was attending to an assignment at the Manehattan docks, bringing down some smugglers who were working for the Forefathers. Seeing White and Belle again had given him back his zeal, and he was happily pounding his foes.

"Are you getting as big a kick out of this as I am?" He smirked, kicking one thug into the water.

"You stinkin'-!" Another thug charged at Black.

"Nice try." Black grabbed and flipped him. "But no dice."

Once all the thugs were down and out, Black piled them up by their smuggled wares, then set off a flare Armory had provided, which would alert the police, who would find the thugs surrounded by their contraband.

'Sorry, Forefathers.' Black thought, as he walked away. 'There's been an unexpected delay with your delivery...'

As Black made his way out of the city, he realised he was relatively close to Priarieville, and decided to check in on Belle and Shade.

'Just one thing first...' He mused. He glanced upwards ever so slightly, spotting a Pegasus flying above, clearly following him. 'Shaking Ballista's flunky.'

During his time in Prairieville, Black had at one point asked Belle for a map of the surrounding area, in case he needed to make a quick escape. Recalling the map's features, Black headed for a nearby cavern, which led into a series of tunnels, one of which came out close to Prairieville.

'Even if that clown comes down to follow me, he won't know where to go.' Black smirked, recalling the tunnel directions shown on the map. 'So long, sucker.'

Once he made his way through the tunnel, Black saw the town nearby.

'Finally, a little privacy...' He smiled.

Black quietly made his way through the streets of Prairieville. As he neared Belle's home, he saw Belle sitting outside it, Shade playing with a rattle nearby, and her friend Clementine with her.

"Ooh, he's getting so big." Clementine smiled. "He's going to be a tall one, mark me words."

"It doesn't matter to me if he'll turn out tall or short." Belle declared. "I'll love him either way."

Just then, Shade started flapping his little wings.

"Look out." Clementine grinned. "I think Shade's getting ready for take-off!"

"Oh, my..." Belle gasped.

Shade slowly started to raise himself off the ground.

"That's it..." Belle smiled. "Up you go..."

Shade rose up higher, then lost control, dropping downwards. Fortunately, Belle caught him.

"Got you!" She grinned. "You went up so high, Shade. Who's mommy's clever little boy? You are!"

Belle blew a raspberry on Shade's tummy.

"Eeee!" Shade giggled with delight.

'You're such a great mother, Belle.' Black smiled. 'I probably wouldn't have been too good of a father. Especially considering the example I'd have to follow...' He shuddered, memories of his own father running through his head.

"Well, isn't he the little prodigy." Clementine smirked. "Was his father a good flyer?"

"Actually, he wasn't a Pegasus at all." Belle revealed.

"What?" Clementine frowned. "But how-?"

"He told me he came from a family of Pegasi, but because of some distant ancestry, he turned out an Earth Pony." Belle declared. "Guess those Pegasus genes popped back up when Shade was conceived..."

"Hmm, I suppose that makes sense." Clementine shrugged. "Here's hoping he doesn't fly away the first chance he gets..."

"Shade would never do that." Belle cooed. "Wouldn't you, my darling boy?"

"Mah!" Shade gurgled.

"You see?" Belle grinned. "My little guy's going nowhere!"

'Well, that's one guy you can count on...' Black frowned, his guilt returning. 'Think I've seen enough for now...'

Once Black returned to the headquarters, he found himself faced by an annoyed Ballista.

"My scout just told me that you gave him the slip earlier." Ballista seethed. "Now why would ya do that, I wonder?"

"Gee, maybe because I don't like being followed everywhere?" Black growled. "Or because I don't enjoy having one of your lackies watching my every move?"

"Maybe you snuck off to see your brother... or that mare." Ballista scowled.

"Hey, I gave you my word I wouldn't, didn't I?" Black asked. "You said yourself, that oughta be good enough."

"Usually, yes." Ballista nodded. "But there are some... extreme cases."

"It'll get more extreme if you don't get off my back." Black snarled.

"There's that bleedin' big mouth again." Ballista growled. "You should watch that. It'll get ya in trouble one of these days..."

"Whatever." Black spat.

After reporting to Elite, Black made his way to his quarters, lying down on his bed.

"Lousy Ballista." He scowled. "Getting all up in my business..." He grabbed the tape player. "Maybe some tunes'll relax me..."

Black put on the headphones, and closed his eyes, letting the music take him.

We were born to rise
We were born to rise

So what'd you know about sacrifice
When the lights go out
The price you pay
When you're digging down

Skin of your teeth
And pain in your back
What'd you know about hope
What'd you know about that

Write it off as criminal
A place to cast a stone
On and on we carry on
When one is not enough

We were the ones who were born to rise
We are the ones with the fire inside

I go to war with the brothers I trust
And there ain't no stopping us
There ain't no stopping us

We are the ones
Who will bring the rain
We are the ones
Who will break the chain

I go to war with the brothers I trust
And there ain't no stopping us
There ain't no stopping us

'Yeah, you won't be stopping me, Ballista.' Black thought. 'Just try it. See what happens...'

A couple of weeks later, Black was summoned to the briefing room for a new mission.

"Your target is a stallion by the name of Talbolt." Elite declared. "An artefacts dealer based in Trottingham. He has had dealings with organised crime, and the Forefathers."

"Sounds like a real Prince." Black snorted. "So, what's the gag?"

"You and Shadow are going to pose as black market artefact salesponies." Elite instructed. "You are to meet with Talbolt and broker a deal to sell him a counterfeit copy of a much sought-after book: The Way of the Crystal Sun. Once the deal has been made, you will start a fight with Talbolt's underlings, and 'lose'. After that, Ballista will lead you right to Talbolt's own hidden library of books, where the real copy resides."

"Real?" Black frowned. "Why's he looking for it when he already has it?"

"Because he doesn't know he already has it." Elite grinned. "It's complicated, but essentially, he inherited the library from its former owner, an old boss of his, and has no idea the book is there... meaning he won't even know it's missing."

"And how do we arrange this meeting?" Black asked.

"That's already been taken care of." Elite smiled. "Ballista has recently working undercover as one of Talbolt's bodyguards. He's already convinced his boss to go."

"And he'll be there too, right?" Black asked.

"Of course." Elite nodded. "You'll have to pretend like you don't know him."

"If only..." Black muttered under his breath.

"Pardon?" Elite asked.

"It's... only... too easy." Black grinned. "Let's get to it!"

"Now that's what I like to hear." Elite smiled. "Shadow is already waiting in Trottingham with the fake book. The meeting will be going down this evening, at the Saddlesore Inn, owned by Talbolt himself. You should be able to get there with time to spare."

"Sounds good." Black nodded. "After all, ya gotta account for any... unforeseen delays."

"Yes, I suppose so." Elite nodded. "Good luck."

"Thanks, boss." Black smiled.

Black donned a business suit, sunglasses, and false beard, and made his way to Trottingham. As he made his way there, he decided to take a quick detour towards Dodge Junction, intending to take a peek at White and Silver, having been quite glad at how his brother's relationship had been growing.

'Still can't believe you've got yourself a marefriend, bro.' Black mused. 'You never were a ladies' stallion...'

As he neared Big Red's homestead, he noticed something unusual; a large gathering of the residents of Dodge Junction, sat in chairs before a silk-lined archway.

'Hello, what's this?' Black frowned. 'If I didn't know better, I'd think somepony were getting married...'

Black pulled out his binoculars to get a better look. As he peered at the arch, he saw White standing the middle, wearing a tuxedo, Big Red at his side.

'White?' He thought. 'Wait, is he...?'

As a violin version of the wedding march played, Silver, resplendent in a fabulous white gown, marched down the aisle.

'They are.' Black gaped. 'Wow. I knew White liked her, but I didn't think he liked her this much...'

As Silver reached White, Black put a the listening device Armory had made for him, intent on hearing the vows. Sheriff Lone Starr, who had agreed to officiate the ceremony, began to speak.

"Fillies and gentlecolts, we are gathered here today to join these two ponies in holy matrimony." He declared. "Now, I believe you've written your own vows."

"Silver, you are easily the most amazing mare I've ever met." White admitted. "I honestly don't know what I'd do without you. You complete me. Becoming my wife is the greatest gift you could ever give me."

"Who knew you could be so corny, bro?" Black half-joked.

"White, when we first meet, I was in a rut, no money, no hope, nothing." Silver smiled. "You changed all that. You gave me a new home, a new purpose, and a new love. I can't ever thank you enough for that. I'll be proud to call you my husband."

"Yeah, that sounds like White, alright." Black sighed. "Always helping ponies..."

"The rings, please." Lone asked.

Big Red handed White the hoof ring. White slipped it on Silver, while she slipped hers on him.

"By the power vested in me by this fine town, I now pronounce you stallion and wife." Lone smiled. "You may kiss the bride."

White and Silver embraced in a deep, loving kiss.

"Congratulations, White." Black smiled. "And congrats to my new sister-in-law. I hope you'll both be very happy together. And I swear, I'll keep all of Equestria safe for you. Consider that my wedding gift." He walked away. "Sorry I can't stay for the reception. I have a job to do."

Black arrived in Trottingham behind schedule, despite his best efforts. As he reached the outside of the bar, Shadow glared at him disapprovingly.

"What kept you?" Shadow frowned. "The meeting's about to start!"

"Sorry, pal." Black apologised. "Took a wrong turn getting here. My bad."

"Well, let's not waste time talking about it." Shadow held up the fake book. "Let's get to work."

"Yeah, let's." Black nodded, as he glanced at the book, "So... you think Talbolt's going to believe that book's the real deal?"

"Definitely." Shadow nodded. "Micro painstakingly researched the book's general appearance, and how age would have affected it over time, while Armory put his all into replicating the look and penstallionship. It took them almost a week, and it should look convincing enough for us to pull off this deal."

"Guess there's only one way to find out." Black frowned. "Here goes nothing..."

Black and Shadow entered the bar. After a few words with the bartender, they were led upstairs, to a second room.

Ballista, playing his role as Talbolt's bodyguard, was there to greet them.

"Hooves up." He ordered.

Black and Shadow obeyed, as Ballista frisked first Shadow, then Black.

"Enjoying yourself, pal?" Black smirked.

"Late again, I see? Not very professional." Ballista growled. He turned to his boss. "They're both clean."

"My apologies." Talbolt, a teal-colored Earth Pony with a black mane and a five o'clock shadow, business suit, and brown eyes, and a Cutie Mark showing a magician's hat with colored ribbons and playing cards emerging from it approached. "You can't be too careful."

"I'm guessing you're Talbolt?" Black asked.

"Mr. Sullivan, and Mr. Drake." Talbolt declared, unknowingly using the fake names Black and Shadow had been given."

"That's right." Black nodded.

"Do you have it?" Talbolt asked.

"Let's see the money first." Shadow demanded.

"Cutter." Talbolt declared.

Ballista, in his role as "Cutter" stepped forward, carrying a briefcase, which he placed on the pool table. Talbolt opened the case, revealing it to be full of Bits. He turned it to face Black and Shadow.

"It's all there." He declared. "Now let's see it."

Black brought out the fake book.

"I'll need to authenticate it." Talbolt mused.

"Of course." Black handed him the book.

Talbolt examined the book. At the same time, Black examined the Bits.

"Paper stock seems sufficiently ancient." He admitted. "The wear-and-tear is in keeping with a book of such advanced age, too... Well, it appears to be genuine."

"Of course it's genuine." Shadow said indignantly.

"If I may ask, how did you two come into this?" Talbolt asked.

"Does it matter?" Shadow asked.

"...I suppose not. My client will be very pleased." Talbolt chuckled.

"Hold on a minute." Black frowned. "Sully, these are fake."

Black threw Shadow one of the coins, and Shadow examined it.

"I assure you, Mr. Drake-" Talbolt started.

"Whoa, whoa, you are right." Shadow nodded. "This is as phony as a seven-Bit piece." He turned to Talbolt. "What the buck are you trying to pull here?"

"Perhaps I should be asking you." Talbolt sneered.

"This is Hydra dung." Black closed the suitcase and grabbed the book. "Deal's off, pal."

"And you?" Shadow glared at Talbolt. "You can tell your 'client' you blew it. C'mon Nate, let's get the buck out of here."

"You're not really in a position to negotiate." Talbolt growled. "Now give me the book, take the case, and walk out of here like gentlestallions... while you still can."

Black made to leave, but Ballista blocked him.

"Do as the stallion says, son." Ballista urged.

"You're a thief." Black spat at Talbolt.

"Well, now." Talbolt smirked. "That's ironic."

Black and Shadow shared a look... then they each grabbed a pool cue and struck Talbolt's flunkies with them.

"Get them!" Talbolt yelled.

Talbolt's other minions charged Black and Shadow. Despite his leanings toward stealth, Shadow was a capable fighting, pounding the thugs as well as Black.

"Here, have a drink!" Shadow smashed a bottle on one thug's head.

One of the thugs grabbed Black from behind. As another charged, Black pulled himself up and kicked him down. He then rammed the back of his head into the other thugs face, freeing himself. He finished up with another punch, knocking him out. One thug charged Shadow, but he flipped him onto a table, smashing it.

"Nice one." Black grinned.

"Come on, let's get outta here." Shadow urged.

"Not so fast." Ballista stood in front of them.

"Yes, kill them!" Talbolt yelled.

Shadow leapt on Ballista's back.

"I got him!" He yelled. "Go on, hit him."

Black grabbed a stool.

"Bad idea, pal." Ballista sneered. He threw Shadow off, dodged Black's swing, then batted the stool away.

"Fine." Black sneered. "Hoof-to-hoof. Let's go."

"Oh, yeah..." Ballista sneered.

Black and Ballista engaged in a brutal exchange of blows. For Black, it was a chance to finally take out his frustrations on his former commanding officer. Each blow a form of a payback for his meddling and insults. Ballista, of course, felt the same way. The pair exchanged thunderous blow, leaving heavy bruises and welts.

"Hah!" Black punched him hard. "Had enough?"

"Have you?" Ballista sneered.

Ballista suddenly grabbed Black's head and slammed it onto the wall shelves. He then slid Black across it, smashing several bottles and glasses, then throwing Black through the window.

"Dammit!" Black yelped, as he dropped to the lower bar, smashing a table.

The patrons of the other bars circled him menacingly.

"We don't like troublemakers around here." One growled. "Get him!"

"You spilled my drink!" Another growled, charging Black.

"Here." Black grabbed and kneed him. "This one's on me!"

As Black continued fighting, Shadow rushed down and helped him.

"This a private party, or can I join in?" Shadow asked.

"Be my guest." Black declared.

Together, they pummelled the bar patrons.

"This got out of hoof in a hurry." Black noted, knocking one down.

"Let's go." Shadow urged, tripping another up. "We can get out the back."

As they headed into the kitchen, they ran into more thugs.

"Stop 'em!" One yelled.

Black and Shadows fought their way through the thugs, though less effectively; The conflict was tiring them out.

"Is this the best you've got?" One of the larger thugs asked, as he slammed Black against the counter.

"How's that for ya?" Black struck him with a nearby frying pan.

Shadow smashed another thug on the head with a metal tray.

"Ready to go, Black?" He asked, breathing heavily.

"I was ready ten minutes ago." Black panted.

As they raced into the alley outside, they were confronted by Ballista and more thugs.

"Oops." Ballista smirked.

"Ah... dammit." Shadow groaned.

Ballista punched Black, then slammed him into a wall. Meanwhile, Shadow tried to fight one of the thugs, but his blow was blocked, and he was punched in the stomach.

"Come here, come here." Ballista grabbed Black, proceeding to headbutt him. "Typical bloody grifter... all talk."

As Shadow fell to the ground, Ballista punched Black down too. Both Black and Shadow were sprawled on bags of garbage, helpless.

"I'll finish this." Ballista told the others, drawing a crossbow.

"Oh, buck..." Black gulped.

Ballista fired at Black, blood-red stains growing in his suit, as the stallion fell limp.

"Drake!" Shadow gaped, as he turned to Ballista, "Now, let's be rational-"

Ballista shot Shadow... but instead of simply dying...

"Ahhhhhhhhh!" Shadow screamed incessantly, one of his hoof going to the bolt wound, squeezing it as blood spurt out.

"What the..." Ballista grimaced as he then shot him again.

"Gahhhhhhhh!" Shadow yelped again in a prolonged manner, rolling back and forth.

'Okay, what the hell?' Ballista deeply frowned as he then shot him again.

"Uggggghhhhhh!" Shadow continued screaming in pain, rolling over, smearing blood everywhere.

'Lauren Faust, Shadow!' Ballista shook his head in disbelief, as he then fired once more.

"Oooooohhhhhh!" Shadow yelled as he rolled back over. "Oh! Ohhh!" He was trying to get back up, but the 'pain' was too much.

"Oh, enough of this bull-crap!" Ballista snarled, as he shot him one more time.

"Ahhhhhhh!" Shadow simply writhed onto his back, his head next to Black, as the screaming stop... "Ah." The Pegasus's tongue darted out.

"Finally." Ballista grunted, as he turned to the other thugs. "Tell the boss they're dealt with. I'll dispose of the corpses."

The rest of the thugs went inside.

"And... they're gone." Ballista declared, turning to Black and Shadow's bodies. "Alright, lads?"

Both Black and Shadow opened their eyes. Their "death" had been an elaborate illusion, involving rubber crossbow bolts and fake blood packs.

"Oh, Faust..." Shadow groaned. "Did you have to hit us that hard?"

"Somepony's got no sense of drama... and lousy acting skills." Ballista smirked, helping Shadow up. "Seriously. You were taking so long to die, that I was about ready to use real bolts."

"Oh, hardy-har." Shadow scoffed, "We'd better get moving. All that racket's going to bring the cops."

"You could have pulled a few of those punches, you know." Black glared at Ballista.

"Please, I barely touched ya!" Ballista sneered.

"You headbutted me!" Black spat.

"Alright, so I got swept up in the moment." Ballista shrugged. "But we had to make it realistic! ...And it's not like you were playing around either."

"Can I help it if your face is so hittable?" Black sneered.

"I'm surprised to managed to get past the others after I threw you." Ballista smirked.

"Please." Black snorted. "I've taken on worse."

"Those thugs were a cut above the usual, though." Shadow mused.

"That's because they were some of my troops." Ballista smirked. "They were working undercover too. Nice skills, eh?"

"I should have recognised that sloppy fighting style..." Black snorted.

"Let's put a pin in that for now." Shadow declared. "While Talbolt's busy bringing that book to his 'client', we can go and snatch the real one."

"And I know just where to go." Ballista smirked. "Follow me..."

Ballista led them to a dead end on the outskirts of the city.

"I hate to break it to ya, but there's nothing here." Black snarked.

"Or is is there?" Ballista sneered back. He depressed one of the bricks in the wall in front of them, then walked several feet over and did the same to another. After that, the whole wall opened, revealing a secret tunnel. "Ta-daaa!"

"Big whoop." Black snorted.

"Let's go." Shadow declared.

They entered the tunnel, while led to a long, stretching cavern.

"These caves have been under Trottingham for years." Ballista declared. "They built the town right on top of them."

"My, what a rich history this town has." Shadow mused.

"Yeah, fascinating..." Black rolled his eyes.

They continued the tunnels for a time, before coming across some sort of chapel in a wide, open cave.

"It's just through here." Ballista declared, as they approached.

They quickly moved to the side as two flunkies walked toward the door.

"Take 'em out quick!" Ballista hissed.

The two flunkies walked past the doorway... and were jumped and knocked out by Black and Shadow.

"There are a few more inside." Ballista declared. "So watch your step."

"Yeah, yeah..." Black snorted.

As they entered the building, they passed through an empty room with broken benches, and through another door, to a far more opulent complex with various books and artefacts lining the walls.

"They've got quite the operation going on here." Shadow mused.

"Yeah." Black nodded. "Now, keep an eye out for that book."

"It should be way in the back." Ballista mused. "The old bat Talbolt inherited this from liked to keep the best stuff as deep in as possible."

The trio moved deeper and deeper into the library, taking out any guards they could find. They reached a dark, dusty room, with several chests inside.

"Guess this is as deep as we can go." Shadow mused. "Time to get checking."

"So much for my nice new suit." Black sighed. "So much dust... I don't envy who has to clean this..."

For several moments, they served through the chests, finding several ancient tomes.

"I think I've found it." Ballista smiled, pulling an old book out of the rear chest. He blew some dust off the cover revealing the words The Way of the Crystal Sun. "Yep, this is the tricky little blighter we've been lookin' for!"

"Well done, Ballista!" Shadow smiled.

"Yeah, nice job..." Black scowled.

"Aw, it was nuffink." Ballista smirked. "Now, let's get out of here, fast."

The trio made their way out as quickly as they could. Once they returned to headquarters, they presented the book to a very happy Micro Manager.

"Marvelous!" Micro smiled. "This shall make for some excellent reading!"

"Good job, guys." Elite smiled.

"Um... Elite?" Shadow asked. "A quick word?"

Shadow whispered into Elite's ear. Elite then rounded on Black and Ballista.

"Is what Shadow saying true?" Elite frowned. "Did you really fight each other that hard?"

"Well..." Black cringed, knowing their injuries were plain to see.

"Maybe?" Ballista frowned.

"You were only supposed to be pretending to fight!" Elite groaned. "You took the act way too far!"

"Sorry, boss." Black sighed. "Won't happen again, I promise."

"Yeah, me too." Ballista nodded, though he took a moment to glare at Black.

"You still did a good job." Elite smirked. "What I wouldn't give to see the look on Talbolt's face when he realises he has a fake."

Meanwhile Talbolt confidently showed off the false book to Pike and the his fellow Black Sheep.

"Here it is." He smirked. "The Way of the Crystal Sun."

"Very impressive." Pike nodded. "If it's real."

"Of course it's real." Talbolt nodded. "I'll even read some of it." He opened the book and started reading. "'You really smell like dog buns'?"

The other Black Sheep sniggered.

"...Care to repeat that?" Pike frowned.

"What...?" Talbolt murmured, "'Loose lips sink ships'? 'El Barto'?'" He stood up. "'Talbot smells'?! What the BUCK?! This is a forgery!"

"Really?" Pike sneered. "You are good."

"I don't understand... I authenticated it and everything!" Talbolt stammered, "I don't make mistakes like this!"

"Well, obviously, you just did." Pike shook his head.

"Motherbucker! Those fools tricked me!" Talbolt roared.

"And who are 'those fools' exactly?" Pike asked.

"Well, one of them was a big, red-coated Earth Pony with an eyepatch." Talbolt mused. "And the other was a green Pegasus."

"And that didn't seem familiar to you?" Pike frowned.

"Why would they-oh." Talbolt realised. "Oh, buck. That was Black, wasn't it?"

"Yes." Pike nodded. "They played you like a fool."

"But they're dead!" Talbolt declared. "My best guy saw to it."

"Funny, I heard from one of the others that a stallion matching Black's description left Trottingham a little while after the deal went down." Pike growled. "You had Black, and you let him slip away. Worse, you let him con you. Anything to say for yourself?"

"...Buck." Talbolt cringed.

The present...

Caboose was laughing uproariously.

"Oh, that was too good!" He chuckled.

"Yeah, we really got 'im good." Black smirked.

"An impressive scam, I must admit." Fletcher declared.

"Why, thank you." Elite smiled. "That was a good day for us, alright."

"But that book caused a lot of trouble afterward." Black frowned.

"How do you mean?" Caboose asked.

"Where do you think I found out about the Crystal Sun?" Black asked. "But that's another story. A lot more happened inbetween. Just wait until you hear what went down in Las Pegasus..."

Author's Notes:

"Born to Rise" belongs to Redlight King.

Sexy Back

"Las Pegasus?" Fletcher asked. "What in Equestria happened there?"

"You didn't gamble away all the Taskforce's funds, did you?" Caboose asked. "I kinda did that once... only with Slot's savings."

"Not exactly." Black smirked. "It did get wild out there, though."

"Another wild event." Fletcher mused. "So soon after the last one?"

"Actually, no." Elite corrected him. "It was actually quite some time after."

"Yep." Black nodded. "And to be honest, I was glad to see some action again..."

Many years ago...

Several months had passed since the phony deal with Talbolt. Things had been very quiet since then, with barely a hint of Forefather activity, or any other trouble occurring. Of course, for Black, no missions meant no chance to sneak away to see White or Belle. That, combined with the cabin fever setting in from him not being allowed to go any further than a few feet from the base, was stretching Black's patience to the limit.

'I don't know how much more of this I can take.' He thought one morning, as he was doing sit-ups for the umpteenth time. 'I'm a stallion of action. I'm gonna get bored to death at this rate...'

At that moment, Armory entered Black's quarters.

"Black, Elite wants to talk with everypony." He declared. "It sounds urgent."

"I hope so." Black snorted.

Black and Armory joined the others in the meeting room.

"What's up, boss?" Black asked hopefully. "Some new Forefather activity?"

"Not exactly." Elite declared. "Shadow Slinker found something interesting in today's newspaper..."

Shadow placed the newspaper in the center of the table, so they could all read it.

"'Missing Pony Report'." Micro Manager read. "Yesterday, well-known socialite Rosedust reported the disappearance of her sister, Bluebell. According to Rosedust's statement, she last saw Bluebell in Las Pegasus, in the company of a male stallion with a red mane'. Authorities could not identify the stallion in question, nor do they know if he had a hoof in the disappearance."

"Missing pony, huh?" Black mused. "Not my usual mission, but I'll take it. I can go there right now."

"Not so fast." Ballista stopped him.

"What's your problem?" Black growled.

"It's you who has the problem, mate." Ballista sneered. "Always going off on your bloody own... I think we need to break you out of this 'lone wolf' habit, once and for all. We'll all go with you."

"'We'?" Shadow asked.

"Yeah." Ballista nodded. "You, me, Black, Armory, Titan and Micro."

"Rrroo?" Titan cocked his head.

"All of us to find one missing mare?" Micro frowned. "Seems a little like overkill to me."

"I prefer to think of it as a fun little guy's trip to Las Pegasus." Ballista smirked. "Whattaya say, boys? All five of us hit the town!"

"Yeah, I'm not really one for group trips." Black snorted.

"It sounds like fun to me." Armory declared, "I hadn't spent a night out of HQ in months."

"Me, too." Shadow agreed. "The bright lights, entertainment, buffets..."

"Ruff!" Titan licked his chops at the mention of food.

"I've never been on a guy's night out before." Micro admitted. "It should be most informative."

"You guys are nuts." Black frowned, turning to Elite. "Right, boss? Tell 'em it's a crazy idea."

"I don't see the harm in it." Elite shrugged. "Besides, the more of you there are, the higher your chances of success."

"You can't argue with that kind of logic." Micro admitted.

"Seriously?" Black growled.

"Come on, Black." Armory urged. "It'll be great. We'll do the mission, take in the sights, have a good time..."

"But if you want, you could just stay here, and do nothing." Ballista jeered.

"Okay, fine." Black groaned, hating the idea of any more inactivity. "I'll go..."

"Fantastic." Elite grinned. "All of you, working together on the same mission. We don't see that often enough, if you ask me..."

"This is gonna be so great!" Armory cheered.

"Roooo!" Titan howled joyously.

"Yeah, great..." Black groaned.

The group headed down to the garage.

"We're gonna ride to Las Pegasus in style, boys." Ballista smirked, as he led them over to a large metallic carriage. To Black's bemusement, there seemed to be no place for pulling ponies to latch onto it.

"Um, Ballista, no offense, but don't we need pullers?" Black growled. "A carriage without pullers is basically a tiny house on wheels."

"Not this baby, it isn't." Ballista smirked, as he turned to Armory. "Armory..."

"This is my latest work." Armory smirked. "A mechanized, steam-powered carriage that drives itself... "

The present...

"Wait, seriously?" Caboose frowned. "Steam-powered? I thought the only steam-powered contraption around was that big metal spider..."

"Speaking of which... you wouldn't happen to know where that oversized monstrosity went, would you?" Elite asked.

"Oh, well, uh..." Caboose stuttered. "Who can really tell? It was a pretty hectic day. Can't expect me to remember everything that happened..."

"Perhaps we should get back to the story." Fletcher declared. "I know Black doesn't like being interrupted."

"Go that right." Black nodded. "Now, where was I..."

Many years ago...

"...With a fully armored exterior, and a comfortable exterior." Armory smiled. "It'll easily seat all six of us. And it even comes with cupholders."

"Nice." Shadow whistled.

"Yes, a most impressive piece of hardware." Micro nodded.

"Well, since things have been so quiet lately, I figured I'd put my time to good use." Armory shrugged.

"It sounds like a crazy idea to me." Black snorted. "Steam-power... But if you say it'll work, I guess it's good enough for me."

"Thanks, Black." Armory smiled.

"Okay, all aboard." Ballista grinned.

They all got into the carriage.

"And away we go!" Ballista pulled a lever.

The steam engine sputtered to life, and the carriage started moving.

"Steam power." Armory grinned. "It's the way of the future."

After a long trip, they arrived at Las Pegasus just as night fell, bringing the whole city to life. The team gazed upon the tall buildings, and neon lights.

"Wow." Armory gaped.

"It is quite a sight, isn't it?" Shadow smiled.

"Rah!" Titan leaned out of the window, his tongue flapping in the breeze.

"Hurts my eyes..." Micro cringed.

"Baby." Black sneered. "I've only got one eye, and I'm doing just fine.."

Ballista drove into a corner, and pulled on the brake, stopping the carriage.

"Okay, we will stop here." He declared, as he then opened up a compartment. "Now, since we are covert, I took the liberties of packing us some suits." He pulled out a few suits, wrapped in plastic, and hanging on hangers. "With these, we can not only blend in, but blend in with style."

"Um, aren't you afraid that they might recognize me?" Black glared. "I may have an eye-patch now, but I think ponies can recognize a dead traitor when they see one."

"Leave that to me." Ballista smiled. He pulled out a wig and false beard, forcing them on Black. "There. Now your own mother couldn't recognise ya."

"I hope not." Black scowled. "I look ridiculous."

"It can't be helped that your face is so... recognisable." Micro pointed out.

"We can still have fun, though." Armory smiled.

"Yeah, sure..." Black groaned, as the others donned their outfits.

The others wore similar suits, except for Titan, who wore just a bow tie.

"Lookin' good..." Armory crooned.

"Yes, we are quite dapper, aren't we?" Micro smirked.

"Even Titan looks good." Shadow noted.

"Rruh!" Titan nodded.

"Hey Black, you got that tape player on ya?" Ballista asked.

"Yeah, why?" Black asked.

"Just trust me." Ballista grinned, "Play the next song."

"Okay..." Black murmured, as he then switched on the tape player, sans headphones.

Soon, a flirty tune started blaring out, as Ballista stepped forth.

"Just follow my lead, boys." Ballista smirked, as he donned a pair of sunglasses.

The other ponies (and Diamond Dog) glanced at each other and shrugged as they began marching forth.

I'm bring sexy back
Them other boys don't know
How to act

I think its special
What's behind your back
So turn around
And I'll pick up the slack

I'll take 'em to the bridge
Dirty babe
You see these shackles
Baby I'll your slave

I'll let you whip me
If I misbehave
It's just that no-one
makes me feel this way
Take 'em to the chorus...

As they walked through the streets, Ballista smiled and winked at passing mares. The others (except for Black) did the same. While they mostly earned admiring glances in return, Titan only got looks of revulsion (the wind blowing his breath there way didn't exactly help).

"Oh, yeah." Ballista grinned, pumped up by the music. "Nice."

"So... not that I don't enjoy walking down the streets like a poser, but where exactly are we going?" Black frowned.

"Well, from what intel we were able to gathered, it appears the red-maned pony mentioned in the report is the co-owner of a local casino/hotel. Goes by the name of DeRose Fiora." Micro declared. "He runs it alongside a pony named Sam Revolver."

"Sam Revolver?" Armory frowned.

"Basically, a nutcase with a love for explosions and deadly weapons." Micro deadpanned.

"Like Michael Bray?" Shadow suggested.

"Only worse." Micro joked.

"I hate him already." Black smirked. "Always loathed those lousy Bray movies..."

"Okay, let's get back on track." Ballista cut them off. "So, where is this casino? If we are to find this DeRose, our best bet will be there."

"It's called Rose Dynamite, and it's so big, we can't possibly miss it." Micro declared. "It's on the east side."

"Sounds like a plan." Black declared, "Let's do this."

The team wandered through the crowded streets, making their way past over-excited tourists and natives, before finally reaching their destination.

Just as Micro said, the casino was indeed impossible to miss; it was one of the taller buildings in the city, adorned with a flashing neon image of a stout Earth Pony stallion with a dull brown coat, gray eyes, and a crimson mane, tail, and incredibly large handlebar moustache, along with a Cutie Mark of a stick of dynamite going from standing on all fours to standing on his back hooves and giving a silent 'yee-haw'.

"Wow, a nutcase AND a narcissist." Shadow scoffed, as he then cockily elbowed Armory, "Think he's compensating for something?"

"Heh-heh-heh-heh-heh." Titan sniggered wheezily.

"Okay guys, try and play it cool." Black urged. "Don't want anypony thinking we're up to something..."

"Hey, this isn't our first rodeo, mate." Ballista scowled. "In case you've forgotten, I'm the best actor here."

"Believe me, I'd like to forget everything about you..." Black said under his breath.

"Let's split into pairs." Shadow suggested. "I'll go with Micro. Armory, you're with Titan."

"But that leaves..." Black realised.

"You and me, boyo." Ballista smirked.

"Great..." Black groaned.

The group split up, and scoured the casino.

As Shadow and Micro walked through the rows of gambling machines, they saw several female employees wandering over with dazed, lovestruck grins on their faces.

"Can I get you anything, sirs?" One mare smiled. "And I do mean 'anything'." She smiled seductively.

"...We're good, thanks." Shadow said awkwardly.

"Let me know if you change your mind." The mare winked as she departed.

"Strange..." Micro frowned. "She was... inordinantly friendly."

Over by the blackjack tablet, Titan was sniffing for clues. His nose led him to the hooves of a dealer mare.

"Hello, there." She smiled.

"Sorry about that." Armory apologised.

"Oh, don't be." The mare smiled. "Your friend's a real cutie!"

The mare scratched Titan behind the ears. He panted happily, his foot twitching with pleasure.

"I'd love to get to him a little more." The mare purred.

"...Sorry, but we're a little busy right now." Armory dragged the reluctant Titan away.

"You know where to find me!" The mare giggled.

Black and Ballista searched by the floorshow.

"Nothing yet." Ballista mused.

"Thanks for that." Black snorted. "You're very helpful."

"Look, me old mucker, that kind of talk isn't mush helpful either." Ballista declared. "I know you're still tweaked at what happened between us, but can we at least keep it professional?"

"Yeah, yeah..." Black scowled.

At the moment, the floor show began. A group of mares in scanty outfits began dancing in an overly provocative manner. Some left the stage to flirt with the male audience members.

"Whoa, that is not family-friendly entertainment." Black gaped.

"Who cares?" Ballista smirked. "It's my kind of entertainment!"

"Lap dance, sirs?" One dancer asked as she approached.

"Well, since you asked-" Ballista smirked.

"No, thanks!" Black dragged Ballista away. "We're good."

"Your loss." The dancer smiled.

"What do ya think yer doin', mate?" Ballista growled.

"Like you said, I'm keeping it professional." Black smirked. "We got a job to do, remember?"

"Bleedin' killjoy..." Ballista growled.

As they continued exploring the casino, the pairs began to notice that most of the staff they came across were mares, each one having a dazed, lovestruck look about them, as if hearts were forming over their heads.

The team met up again by the dining tables.

"Any trouble?" Black asked.

"Not exactly." Micro admitted. "But there is something strange happening."

"You don't say." Shadow mused. "Because I've noticed the female workers acting... unusually."

"Me too." Armory nodded.

"So have we." Ballista frowned.

"Yeah, something's off here..." Black mused. "Can't quite put my hooves on it, though."

"More cider?" The waitress asked a group of gamblers, while staring off into space.

"Yeah, thanks." One stallion nodded.

The mare poured them more cider.

"Let me know if you need any more." The mare smiled. "I'm here to serve..."

As the mare walked away, the gamblers shared confused looks.

"She was acting a little odd, don't you think?" One asked.

"Yeah." Another nodded. "...Still, she was pretty hot, right?"

"Yeah!" The gamblers all agreed.

"Okay, that's pretty weird..." Armory frowned.

"'Weird' is putting it mildly." Black frowned. "There's definitely something up with all the ladies in here."

"I'll say." Shadow cringed. "Those looks on their faces..."

"And their lack of aversion towards sex." Armory grimaced. "They offered to give Titan 'executive relief' about six times."

"Ruh..." Titan scowled, annoyed that the others hadn't allowed him to take the mares up on that offer.

"There's definitely something wrong in those mare's heads." Black frowned.

"And they say stallions only ever notice a mare's body."

"Huh?" The stallions (and dog) turned towards the direction of the voice.

They were soon approached by another mare, one noticeably lacking the dazed lovestruck gaze on her face. She was a very attractive Unicorn with a dark gray coat, a blonde mane and ice blue eyes, wearing a pristine blue necklace. Her Cutie Mark was that of a playing card: the Queen of Hearts. "Noticed something's off, have we?"

"What's it to you, missy?" Ballista frowned.

"Well, you see, I kinda make it my business to know things." The mare shrugged with a slight Russiaddlan accent. "I must say, you look rather handsome in that suit, Cutter Ballista."

Immediately, the stallions and Titan took defensive stances.

"What the... you know my name?" Ballista glared. "How could you know that?!"

"Not just your name, sweetheart." The mare smirked. "I know all your names." She turned to each of the stallions and Titan, "Heinrich Armory, Shadow Slinker, Micro Manager, Titanium Cerberus..." Then she faced Black. "And who could forget you, Black Knight Paladin, the deceased traitor of the state."

"How could she know all this?" Micro frowned.

"Maybe she's on of the Forefathers' flunkies." Black scowled.

"But if she were, she wouldn't just walk and talk to us." Shadow mused.

"That, and she's too pretty to be evil." Armory added.

"Now, now, lady, you must be mistaken." Ballista tried to hide his discomfort. "We're just a bunch of guys, lookin' to have a good time-"

"Yeah, right." The mare snorted. "Nice try, but I know all about your little Taskforce Omega. Led by Elite Price Everest, Director of the RDL."

"The Taskforce is supposed to be a bleedin' secret organisation." Ballista growled.

"Not to me." The mare smirked.

"You know, we could easily make you disappear." Micro frowned. "Especially if we think you're a threat to the secrecy of the Taskforce."

"There'll be no need for that." Natascha smiled. "I'm not going to reveal your secret. Scout's honor."

"I believe her." Armory grinned.

"Big surprise..." Ballista snorted.

"Besides, if I wanted to tell, I already would have." The mare added. "So what do you say you ease up on the suspicion, so we can have a nice little conversation?"

"Before we get ahead of ourselves, how about you tell us your name since you know ours?" Black demanded. "Fair is fair, after all..."

"Of course." The mare nodded. "Natascha Lady-Luck, at your service."

"Nice to meet you, Natascha." Armory smiled. "Very nice..."

"The feeling is mutual." Natascha nodded. "...As I was saying, I know why all of you are here, and I am here to help. Follow me to my room, so we can talk in private."

"Wait, how do we know if we can trust this broad?" Black frowned. "She might be an agent of... you know who."

"Please." Natascha snorted. "If I'm any kind of agent, it's a free agent. You've got nothing to worry about, patch."

"Watch it..." Black scowled, sensitive about his eye.

"Come on, Black." Shadow urged. "If she does have a lead for us, we have to check it out."

"Besides, we outnumber her." Micro pointed out. "If she were to try something, she'd be out of luck."

"I think she's gorgeous... I mean, trustworthy!" Armory blushed.

"Thanks." Natascha grinned. "A lot of stallions think I'm very... trustworthy, you know."

"Sorry Black, looks like you're outvoted." Ballista smirked. "Let's get going."

"Ruh!" Titan nodded.

"Right this way, boys." Natascha led them away.

"Fine." Black reluctantly followed. "But don't blame me if she tries to blow us away!"

Up above the casino, in a large office, a Unicorn stallion with a white coat, spikey red mane and short black goatee, gray eyes, and a Cutie Mark of a bouqet of roses, was talking with the spitting image of the neon pony outside.

"It looks like our little venture is working quite well." The Unicorn grinned.

"Ya got that right, DeRose." Sam nodded. "Ya don't hear any of them gals demanding 'better wages' and 'workin' conditions', do ya?"

"And this is only the beginning, my dear Sam." DeRose smirked. "Once we have enough of our little miracle, I'll be able to able to entrance every mare in Equestria."

"Ah never thought some fancy cologne could pull off somethin' like that." Sam admitted. "But blow me down, it works. That stuff lets ya make mares do whatever ya want."

"And soon, I'll be using it for more than just cheap labor and booty calls." DeRose declared. "I plan to use it to entrance and exploit the higher-up mares all over Equestria... Heck, this stuff might even work on Celestia and Luna themselves!"

"Dayum!" Sam smiled. "If ya can get them to do what you want, ya oughta be the first stallion alive to get a bareback ride from a princess!"

"That would be quite an accomplishment." DeRose smirked. "Something to brag about, all right..."

"Hoo, dawgy." Sam chuckled. "Ain't no bigger notch on yer bedpost than an Alicorn..."

"And if I could use her infatuation with me to pass a few laws in my favor, all the better." DeRose grinned wickedly.

Suddenly, a mirror on the wall started beeping and flashing. DeRosa pressed a button, and Pike's face appeared.

"Ah, Boss!" Sam noted, "Nice to see ya!"

"To what do we owe the pleasure?" DeRose asked.

"DeRose, Sam..." Pike nodded, "I'm glad to see that you are both doing well. But I'm afraid I got some bad news."

"What seems to be the hullabaloo, Redfield?" DeRose questioned.

"I just got word from the scouts that Black and his little playmates are in Las Pegasus." Pike frowned. "In fact, their intel shows them 'striding' over to your casino. As you know, there's that bounty, so if you see them... you know what to do..."

"Of course, sir." DeRose nodded.

"I'll blow them varmints up real good!" Sam whooped.

"Just don't underestimate them." Pike instructed, "Black alone is a major threat, but those others will make it even harder. Use whatever measure you think are necessary to take them out."

"You can count on us, sir." DeRose nodded.

"We'll see..." Pike frowned, as his face vanished from the mirror.

"Okay, where do ya think them no-good polecats are at?" Sam asked.

"They may already be in the casino." DeRose mused. "That being the case."

The pair walked over to a wall where several monitors showed feed from the magical security cameras.

"Now, where are..." DeRose saw them on an upper-left screen, following Natascha into her room. "You..."

"Bingo!" Sam smirked.

"Gather some of our best stallions." DeRose ordered. "I'll make sure the recipe for the cologne is safe. Don't want Black and his friends stumbling onto our little goldmine..."

Meanwhile, Black and the others made themselves comfortable in Natascha's room.

"Nice place." Shadow noted. "Set you back much."

"Nothing I couldn't spare." Natascha shrugged.

"Lucky you..." Micro mused.

"So... first off... how the hell do you know so much about us and the Taskforce?" Black demanded.

"Ooh, straight to the point, are we?" Natascha gave a sultry chuckle, "Well, Black, I am what you would call a whistleblower."

"You mean a snitch?" Shadow deadpanned.

"Whistleblower." Natascha corrected firmly. "I prefer the term 'whistleblower'. And no, I am not like those pesky impotent rats who just say anything to save his or her ass. I'm the kind who digs real deep and find intel about anything and everything."

"And who exactly receive all this 'intel'?" Ballista frowned.

"Anypony really." Natascha shrugged. "I don't just give these top secrets away for free. I give them to whoever willing to part with their money. What they do with the information I give them afterwards is no concern of mine."

"That still doesn't explain how you know about us." Black growled.

"Well, I can't really tell you. It's trade secret." Natascha gave a wink. "But don't you worry, boys, the intel I have on all of you and Taskforce Omega is very expensive. Worth an estimated total of... 51.2 million Bits."

"Whoa! That's a national budget right there!" Armory gaped.

"What can I say? Your organization is very valuable." Natascha mused. "But I feel like I'm dragging on. We should probably get a move on with our conversation."

"Right." Black murmured, "So... 'Natascha', what exactly is going on around here?"

"Surely by now, you've all noticed the way every mare working here is acting, correct?" Natascha asked.

"Kinda hard not to." Shadow shrugged.

"It's like they drank a crap ton of love poison." Armory frowned, "The only thing missing is all that creepy lovey-dovey talk."

"Well, you aren't far off, Armory." Natascha declared, "You see, the reason the mares are acting the way they are is because of the stallion who co-owns this place... the one I presume you are here for... DeRose Fiora."

"So he is responsible for Blue Belle's disappearance." Micro frowned. "But what did he do to these mares exactly?"

"He brainwashed them." Natascha revealed, "DeRose, while a womanizer on the outside, is a mad scientist on the inside. He concocted a special cologne that allowed to entice any and all mares."

"...Seriously?" Black snorted. "Does he also have aftershave that can turn 'em into puppets?"

"I am being serious, Black" Natascha growled. "I even have proof." She held up a playing card and set it on the table, being a Queen of Diamonds.

"...A playing card?" Ballista frowned, just as skeptical.

"It was DeRose's partner, Sam Revolver's idea." Natascha explained, "Both he and DeRose are working together. Sam, as you've heard, is not right in the head, and was very paranoid. And the cologne itself is so complex. For both these reasons, they had it written on the back of this card. As so."

She flipped the card and to the guys' surprise, the back peeled right off, revealing small but legible enough to read.

"Wow... that is very clever." Armory smirked.

Micro picked up the card to examine it.

"What do you think, Micro?" Ballista asked.

"It looks legitimate to me." Micro Manager noted. "Several of these ingredients are commonly used in mind-control serums. And there are quite a few pheromone extracts. Miss Lady-Luck may be on to something."

"But even if it's true, what's the point?" Black asked, taking the card himself. "Why is this nut brainwashing mares? So they can all work here?"

"This is only the beginning. DeRose is planning to use that gunk to brainwash every influential mare he can find." Natascha revealed. "Senators, mayors, police... all so he can do whatever he wants, and not suffer the consequences. Of course, having an endless supply of mares to get with is a fringe benefit."

"And Sam?" Ballista questioned.

"That crazy coot is just along for the ride." Natascha scoffed, "He wants whatever DeRose can get with the cologne."

"What a bunch of slimeballs." Armory snarled. "Treating mares like slaves..."

"Not any more." Natascha smiled triumphantly. "With that recipe out of his hooves, he won't be able to make anymore. And it's only a matter of time before the mares he's entranced snap out of it."

"There's one thing I don't get." Ballista frowned. "Why are you giving us the card, or even telling us all this?"

"Let me guess." Black sneered. "You want to be paid big Bits for this info."

"Actually... no." Natascha shook her head. "I'm giving it all to you for free."

"Rooo?" Titan frowned.

"Not that anypony's complaining, but why?" Ballista asked, "I mean, what's in it for you?"

"Look, I may seem like I'm only in it for the money, but I do have a sense of morality." Natascha said firmly. "And all I want from this is a peace of mind, knowing that innocent mares and fillies don't get their mind messed up by this stuff. No money is worth as much as that."

"Heh, that's some integrity you've got there." Black smiled.

"Beautiful inside and out..." Armory sighed.

"Such altruism is refreshing." Micro admitted.

"Your kindness is appreciated." Shadow nodded.

"Speaking of, maybe you'd be kind enough to give us some intel on the Forefathers?" Ballista asked. "Since you seem to be so well-informed..."

"Sorry, boys." Natascha teased. "Only one freebie at a time..."

Meanwhile, Sam and two goons were approaching the room, ready to ambush their targets.

"Let's blow these meddling varmints away..." Sam smirked.

"Hold on!" DeRose rushed over to them.

"Huh, why?" Sam asked.

"The recipe for the cologne." DeRose gasped. "It's missing!"

"Say what?" Sam gaped. "How in tarnation-!"

"The mare." DeRose snarled. "The mare Black's bunch are talking to. I saw footage of her stealing it from the back room like, twenty minutes ago!"

"This ain't good." Sam frowned.

"Ya think?" DeRose spat. "Without that cologne, I'm ruined. We must get the card back!"

"And get it back, we will!' Sam then turned to the goons, "Alright, change of plans! Listen up, ya darn imbeciles, we gotta get them varmints and recover the card!"

"And then we blast them?" The first goon asked.

"Then we blast them." Sam smirked.

Inside, Natascha was still talking with the Taskforce.

"Well, Miss Lady-Luck, your assistance in this matter has been invaluable." Ballista declared. "But I think we can take it from here."

"You guys should be careful with DeRose and Sam." Natascha warned them. "Those guys are bad news."

"Please." Black snorted. "We've taken on worse than a misogynistic stallion and a nutjob casino owner."

"Yeah." Armory nodded as he made his way to the door. "We're Taskforce Omega. We don't know the meaning of the word 'fear'."

As Armory opened the door, a cannon was aimed right at him with Sam and his goons laughing maniacally. In a instant, Armory froze.

"Fear. Noun. A state of terror." Armory meeped.

"Get down!" Black dashed as he slammed the door shut and dragged Armory down. Everypony ducked as the cannon blasted through the door, Ballista pulling Natascha down with her.

As the smoke cleared, DeRose, Sam (rolling in with the cannon), and their goons came in.

"Sam... was the cannon really necessary?" DeRose asked.

"Yer darn tootin' it was!" Sam yelled. "Now let's ventilate these varmints!"

"...I am not paying for repairs this time." DeRose groaned to himself.

"Um, guys?" Micro turned to his comrades.

"Good thing we also know the meaning of the word RUN!" Black yelled.

Instantly, the stallions (with the exception of Ballista) and Diamond Dog darted to their feet and ran out the back door.

"Sorry, love, but I gotta run." Ballista smirked as he ran to join his comrade.

"Don't lose that card, whatever you do!" Natascha yelled after them.

"After them!" DeRose yelled as he and Sam ran in hot pursuit.

As Natascha rose to her hooves, the two goons made to grab her, but without looking, she elbowed them in the guts, punched them in the faces, and kicked one of them in the side for good measures. As they fell unconscious, she made her own exit.

'Good luck, boys...' She thought. 'May we meet again...'

"We need to bail, folks!" Ballista yelled.

"So much for checking out the buffet..." Black mused.

"I wasn't that hungry, anyway." Armory admitted.

"I'm on a no-lead diet, myself." Shadow added.

"Ruh-ruh!" Titan panted.

"My thoughts exactly." Micro nodded. "Less talk, more running!"

But before they could get any farther, DeRose and Sam (having taken a detour) rounded the corridors so they intercepted them, joined by even more goons.

"Give me that card, or I'll slice you to ribbons!" DeRose pulled out a rapier.

"I'll blast ya all ta smithereenies!" Sam screeched, firing explosive crossbow bolts from the two weapons he was carrying.

"Yikes!" Armory dodged one. "Not so much fun when they're coming from somepony else..."

"We can't let them reclaim the card." Ballista declared. "We've got to fight our way out!"

"Ruff!" Titan raised his fists.

"Been itching for some real action all night." Black smirked.

"Well, you got it, pardner!" Sam sneered.

As Sam made to fire again, Black rushed over and tackled him, knocking the crossbows out of his hooves. With that, the brawl officially began.

"Rrruh!" Titan grabbed two of the goons, then slammed them together, knocking them both out.

"In truth, I'm more of a thinker than a fighter." Micro told his foe.

"Too bad for you, pal." The goon sniggered.

"No, too bad for you!" Micro grabbed one of the vases that adorned small shelves among the walls, and threw it upward. The vase collided with a lightshade, which dropped from its fixture and crashed onto the goon's head, knocking him out.

Shadow was nimbly dodged all his opponent's strikes.

"Stand still!" The goon roared.

"No, I don't think I will, thanks." Shadow smirked. "But why don't you take a lie down?"

Shadow leapt and spun a kick into his foe's face, knocking him out.

A particularly large goon confronted Armory.

"Oh, I'm hoping for a chance to test this.." Armory pulled out a small disc. "Catch."

The goon did as instructed.

"What was that?" He sneered.

Suddenly, the disc squirted out knockout gas, bring the goon done.

"Gas grenade." Armory smirked. "It works just as I'd hoped."

"You think you can take my greatest weapon from me?" DeRose swung his rapier at Ballista.

"You should be thankin' us, mate." Ballista snorted, dodging his swing. "That cologne doesn't half pong!"

"Take that back!" DeRose roared, thrusting his rapier forward.

"Nope." Ballista dodged the thrust, the blade embedding itself in the wall. "Now you take this!"

Ballista slammed down his elbow, breaking the blade.

"Why, you..." DeRose snarled.

DeRose charged at Ballista, who grabbed him and slammed him against the wall.

"This one's for all the ladies you hypnotised." Ballista declared, punching DeRose out.

"Oh... not the face..." DeRose slurred as he slid down to the floor.

Meanwhile, Sam and Black continued their fight. Sam spotted the card in Black's hoof.

"Hand that over, ya son of a polecat!" He yelled.

"Try and take it!" Black sneered.

This time, Sam tackled Black. The force of the charge brought them against a wooden railing overlooking the casino.

"Gimmee... that... card!" Sam growled, as they struggled over it.

"Never!" Black yelled.

As they struggled, the railing collapsed. As Black and Sam fell, the card slipped out of Black's hoof.

"Oof!" Black grunted as they hit the ground.

"The card!" Sam yelled, spotting it fluttering over the casino.

The two stallion chased after it, but the card fell into a card sorter at the blackjack table, which was being run by a pinto Pegasus stallion with a red mane and yellow eyes was running the blackjack table.

"Place your bets, I say, place your bets." He declared, as Black and Sam took seats, Black setting down a twenty-piece. "Money plays, loser stays. Everypony's a winner! Well, not everypony..."

"Here's my money." Sam held up a sack of Bits. "Now play."

"Cards, sir?" The Pegasus asked.

"Hit me." Black declared.

"Aren't you gonna look at your cards, sir?" The Pegasus asked. "Boy's about as sharp as a bowling ball..."

Black checked the card. It wasn't the right one.

"Hit me." He repeated.

"No, hit me first!" Sam urged.

"Wait your turn, sir." The Pegasus urged.

"Hit me." Black ordered, only to get the wrong card, "Hit me. Hit me. Hit me. Hit me."

Each time, Black only got aces.

"No, no, no!" Sam raged. "Hit me, fragnabbit!"

The dealer struck him with a plank of wood, knocking out.

"He's the boss." He shrugged.

"...Hit me?" Black declared, a bit uncertain.

The dealer passed him another card, which was the one with the recipe on it.

"I fold!" Black rushed off with the card.

"That's the wrong game, sir!" The Pegasus called. "Boy's not too bright..."

Sam regained consciousness just in time to see Black fleeing.

"Aw, no ya don't!" He roared.

Black met up with the others as he ran towards the exit.

"I got the card!" He yelled.

"Good." Shadow smiled. "Now let's get out of here!"

"You don't have to tell me twice!" Armory nodded.

"Maximum ambulation, fellows!" Micro declared.

"Rrr!" Titan nodded, going on all fours.

"To the carriage!" Ballista added.

As they left the casino, Sam was yelling after them.

"Come back, you absconders!" Sam roared as he ran past a rug with his face on it. Quickly, he stopped, bent down and kissed it. "I love this rug..." Then, quickly, he bolted out the casino. "Come back here, ya varmints!"

The Taskforce quickly made their way to the carriage and climbed into it with haste.

"Time to go, go, go!" Ballista started it up.

The Taskforce's carriage roared off into the streets.

"It seems we've managed to escape intact." Micro smiled with relief.

"Yeah, this baby can outrun any pony-pulled carriages or taxis." Armory panted. "I think we're in the clear."

"Good." Shadow wheezed. "I couldn't run anymore."

Titan panted loudly.

"At least now, we're home free." Black smiled.

Suddenly, they heard a similar steampowered roar.

"Or maybe not..." Black glanced out the window.

"Outta my way!" Sam yelled, as his own carriage, just as mechanized as their own, ploughed through a souvenir stand. He was joined by two more goons. "Dagnabbit!"

"Um, what are the chances that Sam and DeRose are a part of the Forefathers and that carriage is Mr. Irons' work?" Black cringed.

Sam's carriage slammed into the Taskforce's.

"Very high." Micro admitted, "Ninety-nine point nine percent."

"Come on, floor it, Ballista!" Shadow urged.

"Consider it floored!" Ballista smirked.

The carriage sped off down the street, Sam's in hot pursuit.

As Sam's carriage moved alongside the Taskforce, one of the goons held up a stick of dynamite, and lit it, laughing evilly.

"Dynamite?" Micro frowned. "Who has dynamite?"

"Welcome to my world." Black snorted.

"Hang on!" Ballista yelled, turning the carriage sharply into traffic. He then reversed through the other carriages, whose pullers were shock to see a carriage without one.

Meanwhile, Sam's bunch had a little problem with the lit dynamite.

"Throw it out the window!" Sam yelled.

"But innocent ponies could be hurt." A goon frowned.

"Throw it out the window!" Sam repeated.

"It'll send the wrong message to the foals." Another goon pointed out.

"Just throw it out-" As Sam pushed the dynamite away, it exploded, filling the carriage with black smoke.

"Oooooh!" Sam growled.

After finally negotiating through all the traffic, the Taskforce all let out a sigh of relief as they thought they lost them... only to find Sam's carriage facing them.

"Didn't he used to be behind us?" Armory gulped.

"Oh, buck me." Ballista groaned.

The chase began anew, Sam's carriage right behind the Taskforce's, which was nearing a dead end.

"We're having Diamond Dog tonight!" Sam sneered in insanity.

"Um, just a suggestion, but all those in favor of not hitting that brick wall, say 'aye'." Black deadpanned.

"Aye!" The others agreed unanimously in horror.

"Hang on!" Ballista pressed a button.

The carriage sprouted a pair of wings, and propellors in the rears carried them upwards. Meanwhile, Sam's carriage was heading straight for the wall.

"Uh-oh..." Sam gulped.

The carriage smashed through the wall, back into the casino. The dancers fled as the carriage crashed into the floorboards. Sam was flung out, bouncing off a neon sign and into a dark space.

"Why, those rassa-frassin'..." Sam snarled.

Sam lit a match. As he took in his surroundings, he realised he was surrounded by dozens of sticks of dynamite, several of which he had accidentally lit.

"Ooh..." Sam felt his hat wilt.

KABOOM!

The blast sent Sam flying out of the casino and screaming into the sky.

"Hey look, a shooting star!" Black pointed. "Make a wish!"

"I think mine already came true." Ballista snorted.

"Now that we've got the recipe, no more mares can be brainwashed by DeRose." Shadow smiled, holding up the card. "Let's head back to base."

"And we'll do it in style." Ballista grinned.

As the morning sun rose, the carriage flew over the landscape, Quanticolt drawing near.

"We really should travel like this more often." Black remarked.

"Well, I'm afraid we can't." Armory declared.

"Why not?" Black asked.

"Because the carriage's flight mode really guzzles the fuel." Armory answered. "There's barely enough to get us back to base."

"Well, if you put like that, we really should land." Shadow fretted. "Don't want to risk running out of fuel and dropping out of the sky like a stone."

"Will you relax, ya big nancy?" Ballista sneered. "There's more than enough fuel to fly us home."

The carriage's propellors suddenly sputtered and died.

"...Or not." Ballista gulped.

The carriage dropped downwards, its terrified passengers screaming.

"Do something!" Micro yelped.

"Like what, get out and push?!" Black snarked.

"I can't believe this!" Shadow yelped. "This can't be how it ends!"

"I love you guys!" Armory held as many of his teammates closely as he could

"Arooo!" Titan howled... only to cough. He quickly pulled out a spray bottle and sprayed his mouth. After putting it away, Titan regained poise and continued screaming with more gusto, his eyes bulging out.

"Hope you guys like pancakes... because we're about to become them!" Ballista yelled.

Moments before the carriage hit the ground, it suddenly stopped, hanging ten foot off the ground, perfectly suspended.

"...Uh, not that I'm complaining, but why aren't we dead?" Black asked.

"And how did we manage to stop in mid-air?" Micro asked.

"Simple." Ballista declared. "I put on the brake."

"Seriously?" Shadow gaped.

"Yep." Ballista nodded. "Don't thank me for saving our lives all at once."

"...Um. sorry, Ballista, but brakes don't work like that." Armory pointed out."

"Ruh-roh." Titan cringed.

The carriage suddenly finished its drop, crashing to the ground.

"You just had to say it." Black groaned. "So much for our fun guys' trip..."

Some time later, the team crawled to HQ.

"Hey, guys." Elite smiled. "How was the trip?"

"Very... eventful." Micro admitted.

"So I've heard." Elite held up a newspaper.

"What's that?" Black asked.

"The latest issue of the Las Pegasus Tribune." Elite smiled. "According to this, Blue Belle has been found. When questioned, she implicated casino co-owners DeRose and Sam with her disappearance. Both stallions apparantly skipped town before they could be questiond. I'm guessing you had something to do with that?"

"You could say that." Shadow chuckled.

"We also recovered the recipe for a cologne that ensnares mares' minds." Armory declared.

"Might be best if this was safely locked up." Black held up the card.

"My thoughts exactly." Elite smiled. "Good work, fellows."

"Rrf!" Titan barked triumphantly.

"So Black, did you enjoy our trip?" Armory asked.

"Eh, it was better than I thought it'd be." Black shrugged. "And I guess having you guys with me was kinda fun..."

"Same here." Shadow smirked.

"I hate to say, but you handled yourself pretty well out here." Ballista admitted.

"Yeah, well, you kinda did too." Black nodded. "But don't get used to the compliments."

"You too." Ballista smirked. "Like they say, what happens in Las Pegasus, stays in Las Pegasus."

"Which is just how I like it." Black snorted.

Far from the base, in a luxury villa located in an isolated place, Natascha was soaking herself in an ivory bathtub.

"Ah, this is just what I needed..." She sighed, stretching one of her curvy legs out of the water.

Moments later, a butler Earth Pony stallion, possessed of a gray mane and pale green eyes, knocked on the bathroom door.

"Madam, the Napoleons are the phone... again." He called.

"I'll be right there." Natascha called.

Natascha climbed out of the tub, wrapping her mane body in silk towels.

"Typical Napoleons..." She sighed. "Always calling at the wrong time... what would you boys do without me?"

As the bathtub drained, Natascha sauntered out of the bathroom, duty once again calling.

Meanwhile, over at Infinity...

Deep below the monastery, Pike, aaccompanied by a guard, was wandering through the dungeons, looking for 'somepony'. Despite the shadiness of many Forefather agents, Father had saw it fit to have a dungeon to contain the more... as he put it, 'unruly' of his sons.

As the two passed by several cells,making their way to a partiuclar one in the back.

"Ah, here we go." Pike smirked,

"A-are you sure about this, Mr Redfield?" The guard trembled, obviously frightened. "You know what this guy's like. If we let him out, who knows what he'll do!"

"Sure, he's crazy. Not to mention homicidal and buckin' bloodthristy" Pike admitted. "But he's also one of the best we've got. You read the news. They managed to outwit DeRose and Sam. And I'm beginning to think that most of my men will not be able to stop Black, so we need this guy if we're going to finally nail this son of a draft horse."

Pike walked over to the cell door.

"Ah, Pike." A voice from within declared. "What brings you down to my level of hell?"

"Hey, it has been a while..." Pike admitted, "But I had come here before you with a problem. A problem in the form of a meddling troublemaker by the name of Black Knight Paladin."

"Nice name." The voice snickered.

"Black has become a serious thorn in our collective side." Pike continued. "Even I haven't been able to take him out. And he's been evading the Black Sheep and the Forefathers for months now."

"You just can't get good help these days..." The voice jeered.

"Which is why I came here." Pike smiled. "If you'd be willing to put that sucker down, once and for all, I'd be willing to let you out of that cell. Whattaya say?"

"...Before I agree... you must do what I had asked you to before coming here..." The voice declared, "...Did you bring it?"

"Of course." Pike nodded.

"Pass it here." The voice urged.

"Here." Pike pulled a cigar and a lighter out of his jacket. "Catch."

Pike threw the objects through the window in the door. The pony inside caught them both with one hoof. He lit the cigar and smoked it for a few moments...

"Hmm, that is a good brand there..." The voice puffed...

Then suddenly, he then held the lit cigar to his head, his silhouette framed by the small light... then held it against his seemingly bald head, which was set aflame.

"Holy buck..." The guard quivered in horror.

"I know I'm going to regret this someday..." Pike silently admitted to himself.

"Ah-hah-hah-hah-hah-hah!" The pony laughed maniacally, seeming not to care that his head was burning.

Then the pony stared at Pike, his ghoulish clown face revealed by the fire on his head.

"...I'm in."

The present...

"Oh, yeah." Black scowled. "Trouble was starting to rear its ugly head again."

"Well, you wanted more excitement." Fletcher pointed.

"And it sounds like things were really started to pick up again." Caboose added.

"That is an understatement." Elite frowned.

"If I'd known what was coming my way, I think I would have preferred boredom..." Black grimaced.

Author's Notes:

"Sexy Back" is the property of Justin Timberlake.

Release The Panic

After Black finished telling them about what happened in Las Pegasus, Fletcher and Caboose decided to continue their tour of the compound, having sufficiently rested themselves in the break room.

"Next stop, Armory's workshop." Black smiled.

Fletcher and Caboose were led into a large room filled with tools, weapons, armor, and various gadgets.

"Whoa." Caboose gasped. "That's a lot of stuff. I feel like I'm in the Bat Cave, after making love with Iron Stallion's workshop..."

Elite glanced at Caboose oddly.

"Not that I'd know anything about either of those..." Caboose said awkwardly. "I mean, what am I, some sad comic book geek?"

"Your friend really is quite... creative, isn't he?" Fletcher mused.

"Oh, thanks." Armory emerged from a side door. "You know what they say: You've gotta do what you love. And I love building gizmos, weapons and armor."

"Lucky for us." Black grinned. "I've lost count of the number of times your doodads have saved my hide."

"I was just happy to know my talents were appreciated." Armory smiled. "Even if it meant I had to spend more time tinkering than out in the field."

"I was always glad to have you at my side, pal." Black declared. "Especially when we took on that Sweet Tooth clown."

"Yeah." Armory said flatly. "Him."

"Who is this 'Sweet Tooth' you speak of?" Fletcher asked.

"Yeah, I've never heard of him." Caboose noted.

"You should count yourself lucky, then." Black grimaced. "That guy was a straight-up monster."

"No doubt." Armory admitted. "After running into him, my life was never the same again..."

Many years ago...

In the passing months, Black was pleased to be getting regular assignments again. Not only did he appreciate the renewed chances of action, but he was able to catch glimpses of his loved ones again. He was still determined to see White and Belle whenever he could, no matter what Ballista said.

As he made his way back from a fact-finding mission in Canterlot, Black took a detour to Dodge Junction. His current mission didn't come with a time limit, so he had no fear that he would be caught out.

Lowering the visor of his battlesuit and sticking to the shadows, Black starting looking around for White and Silver. He found them near the general store, talking with Cherry Jubilee. To his delight, he saw Silver carrying a foal; A Pegasus colt with a white coat and a tufted black mane.

'Is that what I think it is?' He asked himself, as he carefully moved in closer.

"Ooh, he's such a little cutie." Cherry tickled the foal's cheek. "You remember your aunt Cherry, don't you?"

"Eee!" The foal giggled happily.

"Of course he does." White chuckled. Why, you're practically family."

"Isn't that right, Shine?" Silver nuzzled her son.

'White's a dad.' Black smiled. 'Which makes me an uncle... How about that?'

"He's going to be a handsome one, mark my words." Cherry grinned.

"Just like his father." Silver smirked.

"Here's hoping." White joked.

'Shine Paladin.' Black thought. 'It's a good name. With a dad like White, that kid's bound to do some great things when he grows up...'

Satisfied for the moment, Black returned to the headquarters. After dropping off the information he'd gathered over at Micro's office, eh headed back toward his quarters for some well-deserved rest, but along the way, he bumped into Armory.

"Hey, Black." Armory smiled.

"Hey." Black nodded.

"Back from your trip, I take it." Armory nodded. "How was it?"

"Eh, same old, same old." Black shrugged. "Kicked some flank, gathered some info... the usual."

"You didn't happen to see anything interesting on the way back, did you?" Armory asked.

"That depends on what you mean by 'interesting'." Black said, unnerved by the look on Armory's face.

"Oh, you know." Armory smirked. "Like bumping into old acquaintances. or even watching them from afar."

"...I don't know what you're talking about." Black frowned. "And besides, I'm pooped. I'm gonna take a nice, long nap."

As Black tried to leave, Armory stood in front of him.

"Let's just cut to the chase, Black." He said, his face impassive. "I know you were at Dodge Junction."

"Wh-what?" Black laughed nervously. "What would give you that crazy idea?"

"Oh, not much." Armory shrugged. "Except for the fact that I planted a tracking device in your suit during the last upgrade."

"You what?" Black frowned. "You never said anything about a tracking device."

"I figured I'd keep that one to myself." Armory admitted. "Anyway, I know for a fact you went to Dodge Junction after leaving Canterlot. Going to check on White, were we?"

"...Okay, yeah." Black admitted. "I was."

"And am I to assume you've also been checking on Belle whenever you had the chance?" Armory grinned.

"Yes." Black sighed. "So, go ahead. Read me the riot act. Tell me I'm breaking the rules, and that if I don't stop, you'll report me to Elite. I already heard it from Ballista, just stick to the bullet points, okay?"

"Oh, I'm not going to tell anypony." Armory declared.

"I knew i- Wait, what?" Black gaped. "You're not going to rat me out?"

"Of course not." Armory smiled. "You're my friend, Black. I don't care what the rules say, I won't betray you. Besides, after everything you sacrificed for us, I'd say you have every right to see your family every once in a while. Your secret's safe with me."

"I... I don't know what to say." Black declared, amazed by Armory's loyalty. "Thanks, Armory. I owe you one."

"Forget about it." Armory grinned. "That's what friends are for."

"Sure are." Black nodded. "And to be honest, friendship was always one commodity that was in short supply for me. But the friends I did have, I treasured. And that goes for you too, pal."

"Aw, thanks, Black." Armory grinned. "Who knew you were such a softie."

"Well, don't spread it around." Black frowned. "I do have a rep to maintain, you know."

"Just consider it another secret for me to keep." Armory grinned. "I won't tell a soul."

"And I appreciate that." Black nodded. "But enough mush. Like I said, I gotta rest up, so I can be on top form for the next mission."

"You'll need to be, that's for sure." Armory nodded. "Who knows what the Forefathers are planning right at this moment..."

Back at Infinity, Sam and DeRose were in big trouble. With the dismantling of their operations in Las Pegasus, as well as the destruction of the carriage, Loveless had volunteered to give them the tongue lashing of the lifetime. They were in shambles after their flight from Las Pegasus, Sam moustache short and singed from his encounter with he dynamite, and DeRose's mane in complete disarray and sporting a gnarly bruise on his face.

"Unbelievable. Un-bucking-believable." Loveless growled as the three stood in his office in one of Infinity's many labs and workshops.

"Now, Mr. Irons, in our defense-" DeRose tried to explain.

"What defense? You bucked up big time! And you wrecked my carriage!" Loveless roared, gesturing to the carriage in question, which laid in ruin outside, "Just look at it! It's completely totaled. Do you have any idea how long it took to design and build that?!"

"It ain't mah fault!" Sam protested. "Them meddlers were sneaky. An' how wuz Ah ta know their carriage could fly?"

"Now there's a point." DeRose added. "Why couldn't your carriage fly? That thing had to have been designed by that Armory fellow, and I was under the impression that you were far smarter than him..."

Loveless glared at him viciously... before tapping a button. A boxing glove instantly darted out and slugged DeRose in the chest before reeling back in.

"OH!" DeRose groaned as he keeled over.

"That... is aside the point." Loveless growled. "It doesn't change the fact you wrecked a highly valuable piece of advanced tech equipment! And on top of that, Black and his comrades got away with your recipe! Which mind you, was a completely dumb idea in the first place! Mind-washing cologne... what a joke..."

"Oh yeah, because you hadn't come up with it first." DeRose sneered weakly.

Loveless reached for the boxing glove button again, only for DeRose to cower.

"The Forefathers do not approve of failure, and incompetence such as yours will not be tolerated. You will both face the conseq-"

Suddenly, there was screaming outside.

"What in Sam hill..." Loveless frowned.

Loveless wheeled his way outside the office, followed by Sam and DeRose, as a bunch of scientists and agents ran past them, looks of terror in their eyes in their eyes.

"He's loose!" One agent screamed, half-crazed with fear.

"We're all gonna die!" A scientist screeched.

"I'm sorry I was such a bad pony!" Another pony wept. "please, don't let me end up in Tartarus..."

The trio glanced in confusion as they turned towards the direction in which they were fleeing from.. only to gape in shock.

None other than Pike was making his way through the laboratory, but he was not alone. Tailing right behind him was a big and somewhat chubby orange-brown Earth Pony stallion, wearing a nightmarish clown mask, with only one red eye, as the other was covered up (presumably lost a long time ago). He was wearing polka dot trousers with leather straps that connected at the middle of his chest, and gloves on his front hooves... and most notably, his bald head was on fire.

Loveless froze as he looked upon the masked pony.

Sam and DeRose however...

"No, please..." DeRose coweredin fear.

"Dagnabbit..." Sam quivered in fear. "It's that goldurn lunatic! It's all over! We're finished! Goin' to that great round-up in the sky!" He cackled madly.

"Heh-heh... still got it..." The clown-masked stallion laughed evilly.

"Pike... what is he doing out of his cage?" Loveless asked, the fear in his voice prevalent.

"Funny, I was about to ask you the same, Mister Half-Stallion." The stallion sneered mockingly.

"Easy, Needles." Pike held up a hoof, as he faced Loveless, "As for your question, Loveless... I let him out."

"You what?!" Loveless, Sam, and DeRose gaped.

"Pike, what have you done?" Loveless demanded.

"Only what needed to be done." Pike declared.

"You needed to release this psychopath?" Loveless growled, "Did you forget why we locked him up in the first place?!"

"To my understanding, it was because I was 'out of control'." The clown grunted. "You only murder like, a thousand ponies, and everypony throws a fit over it."

"Look, he is our best chance we have at taking down Black." Pike pointed out. "I would ask 'you know who'... but he's out in Bostable doing what he does best... 'reaping'."

"Lucky for me." The clown grinned darkly.

"You can't be serious..." Loveless shook his head. "Who even gave you the authorization to release him?"

"He's a Black Sheep. I'm his leader. That's authorization enough." Pike said bluntly.

"You mean to tell me that there is really no one else?" Loveless asked.

"No one that can take Black down, no." Pike growled. "Idiots like these two are going to cut it." He glared at Sam and DeRose.

"Hey!" Sam and DeRose yelped.

"Tell me I'm wrong, you two!" Pike challenged, "Tell me!"

The two scowled in silence, unable to come up with a retort.

"So, this is what it has come to? You're willing to risk letting this... 'creature' off his leash, all just to take down Black?" Loveless asked.

"Yes, so?" Pike asked, "Is that a problem?"

"Well, it just doesn't seem like you, Pike." Loveless said shrewdly, "Given your past, I'd have thought you'd want to avoid such an extreme."

"And what is that supposed to mean?" Pike glared.

"What do you think it means?" Loveless challenged. "The Pike I've come to know wouldn't go this far just to kill a single bounty. There's something about Black, is there? Something that reminds you of somepony who was once close to you?"

Pike's face went taut, visibly flustered by Loveless' remark.

"Well... am I wrong?" Loveless asked.

"Look, we did not come here to be questioned!" Pike snapped. "We are here because I was told that Needles' stuff was kept here. Now, would you kindly tell me where the buck it is, so we can get on our merry way?!"

"...Very well." Loveless nodded firmly. "It's in storage. Big crate, towards the entrance, marked 'Sweet Tooth'. You can't miss it."

"Thank you." Pike snarled, "Come on, clowny."

With a glance at the trio, Pike and the clown pony left to go to storage. As soon as they were out of hearing distance...

"What the hell was that about?" DeRose asked.

"That is none of your business." Loveless sighed, as he then turned to face them. "Now... as I was saying..."

"Oh, buck." The two groaned...

As Pike and the clown stallion made their way to storage, Pike turned to the pony, hoping to take his mind off what Loveless said.

"Okay, Needles, once we get your tools, we need to come up with a plan of attack." Pike announced. "This guy managed to outwit Talbolt and those two dumbasses, so you're going to have to-"

"There's no need." The stallion hissed. "I already got a plan..."

"Wha- already?" Pike gaped, "You haven't been out for more than two hours!"

"Let's just say I heard quite a bit about this Black character." The stallion chuckled evilly. "And trust me, when I am through with him, there won't be a piece of him left..."

A few days later, Black was lying in his quarters, listening to his mixtape.

I don't mean to, to alarm you
Can't you see now, it overtakes you
You're declining, disintegrating
You're gonna lose it all
This time you're wasting

Breathe in, breathe out
Breathe in, breathe out
Breathe in, breathe out
Blackout
Let your panic out

Let it out, let it out
Release the panic
Oh, release the panic
Get it out, get it out, get it out
Release the panic
Oh, release the panic

'Cause you're trapped in the countdown
And your days are numbered
Don't you know that you're done for
Right now, lights out
Let your panic out

You can feel it, but you're ignoring
It creeps upon you, without a warning
You think you're thriving
But you're decaying
You're gonna lose it all
There's no escaping

Let it out, let it out
Release the panic
Oh, release the panic
Get it out, get it out, get it out
Release the panic
Oh, release the panic

'Good old Armory.' He smiled, still pleasantly surprised that Armory had pledged to keep his sidetrips a secret from everypony. 'What would I do without you...'

Black's musing was interrupted by a knock on his door.

'Typical.' He thought as he removed his headphones. 'I start to get my groove on, and something happens to interrupt. Never fails...'

Black opened the door to find Shadow behind it.

"What's up?" He asked.

"Elite needs us all in the meeting room." Shadow declared. "He says it's urgent."

"I'm sure it is." Black sighed. "But just once, I'd like urgent to not happen during my downtime..."

Black and Shadow rushed into the meeting room, where the others were already gathered.

"Fellows, we have a major problem." Elite announced. "Ballista?"

"Mere hours ago, the RDL received a threat from a deranged stallion known as Sweet Tooth." Ballista declared.

"'Sweet Tooth'?" Black snorted. "Doesn't sound like a problem to me."

"You have no idea." Micro declared. "That fellow is a murderous psychopath of the highest level."

"Seriously?" Black asked.

"Without a doubt." Elite nodded. "He's one of the most prolific serial killers in history. He started out as an ice cream pony, before he suddenly snapped, put on a clown mask, and killed his own family. He's been known to slaughter countless innocent victims, even carting their corpses around in a custom built ice cream carriage."

"That monster is infamous for all manner of killing sprees." Ballista added. "So much so that he's even earned himself nicknames for them. One of his favorites is "Needles," which he got after killing half a dozen ponies riddling their bodies with acupuncture needles."

"Okay, point taken." Black grimaced. "He's one sick puppy. So what's the big threat?"

"He sent us a letter, written in cut-out newspaper and magazine letters-" Ballista started.

"Never understood why anypony did that." Black snorted. "It's such a hassle. Why not just use a typewriter?"

"He wrote that he will coming to the Whinnyapolis central hospital at three o'clock today." Ballista continued, ignoring Black's interruption. "And once there, he will murder every patient, every staff member, everypony there."

"He really is nuts." Black snorted. "Announcing that he's about to commit a crime? He's pretty much begging for a beatdown." He smirked widely. "And if that's what he wants, that's what he's going to get. I'll take down this whackjob."

"Alone?" Shadow frowned.

"Are you sure that's wise?" Micro asked.

"Why wouldn't it be?" Black replied. "I think I can handle some lone nutbar."

"I'm afraid Sweet Tooth is no ordinary psychotic murderer." Elite said solemnly.

"Got that right, chief." Ballista turned to Black. "According to rumor, that nutter got himself cursed by a dark magic-wielding wizard. That curse makes him nigh-impossible to kill."

"Please." Black snorted. "I don't believe in that voodoo mumbo-jumbo. We'll see how his 'curse' holds up against a crossbow bolt to the brain."

"I suppose it's our best option." Elite sighed. "If I sent in several soldiers, Sweet Tooth could simply start killing indiscriminately. But he won't be expecting one stallion."

"...Make that two." Armory stood up.

"Say what?" Black frowned.

"Seriously, mate?" Ballista frowned.

"Two against are better odds." Armory pointed out. "And from the sound of things, Black's going to need all the help he can get."

"Some sound logic, I'll admit." Micro nodded.

"A little back-up sure wouldn't hurt." Shadow agreed.

"Ruff!" Titan barked.

"No, no way." Black shook his head. "You're not coming with me."

"Why not?" Armory frowned. "Don't you think I can handle it? I helped you take down Stable, remember?"

"That was different." Black retorted. "He was just some corporate big-wig in a fancy suit. This Sweet Tooth guy sounds like a total psycho. I can't let you throw yourself in against that guy."

"And who decided that it's up to you?" Armory scowled. "I'm a part of this team too, ya know!"

"Armory has a point." Elite admitted. "Having him as back-up could provide you with the edge you need."

"But-" Black started.

"Look Black, you're going to need some help out there, whether you like it or not." Armory said firmly. "So I'm coming along, no matter what you say."

"Okay, fine." Black sighed. "But whatever happens is on your head."

"Duly noted." Armory nodded. "Just give me a few minutes to gear up, and we can get going."

"Good luck, both of you." Elite declared. "You're going to need it...."

After equipping themselves, Black and Armory took the automated carriage (which had been repaired after the crash) to Whinnyapolis, arriving a couple of hours before the deadline.

"First, we have to evacuate the hospital." Armory declared.

"And how do we do that?" Black asked.

"Leave that to me." Armory grinned.

Armory marched into the hospital, bearing a false badge for the Disease Containment Department.

"I am Agent Sceptic of the Disease Containment Department." He announced. "I'm afraid there is a very high possibility that this hospital has been contaminated with contagions from a rare disease known as Erebuseria. You must evacuate immediately, so my team can decontaminate the building."

"My word." The head doctor gasped. "Is it that serious?"

"Deadly serious." Armory nodded. "Everypony in this hospital is at major risk. You must leave at once, before the contagion spreads."

"I've never even heard of this Erebuseria." One of the nurses frowned. "It's not in any of the medical books."

"It's a recent discovery." Armory declared. "And extremely dangerous. Every moment we waste could be a potential disaster."

"You heard the stallion." The head doctor declared. "Let's clear everypony out, now!"

"Yes, sir!" The staff agreed.

Within the hour, the entire hospital had been cleared out. Armory had made it a point to tell everypony to keep a good distance from the hospital, having all the blocks around the hospital quartered off, to 'lessen' the chances of infection.

"I gotta say, Armory." Black declared as the two walked back into the hospital. "That was pretty clever. Now it'll be just us and the whackjob."

"Yeah." Armory nodded. "I almost feel sorry for him..."

As three o'clock rolled around, everything was silent around the hospital... but that was about to change as Sweet Tooth marched towards the hospital, having bypassed the quarantine through the sewers.

His head still blazing, Sweet Tooth kicked the doors to the hospital in, as he strolled in. He looked around, a bit disheartened to see no pony around.

"Helloooo?" He called. "Anypony home?!"

"Nope, just us."

Black and Armory stepped out of the shadows, glaring at the psychopath. The clown only glanced at them silently.

"What's the matter? Expecting more victims?" Armory asked. "Well, tough luck, because we cleared this place out before you could get here."

"What did you expect, when you let ponies know what you were gonna do before you did it?" Black sneered. "Thanks to you, we had time to clear out all the ponies."

"So much for the guy who killed a thousand ponies!" Armory taunted.

Sweet Tooth stared at them both... as suddenly, he began laughing.

"Hey, what's so funny?!" Black snarled.

"Yeah, we just foiled your plan!" Armory glared.

"You fools..." Sweet Tooth chuckled. "I'm not a moron... you really think I would let you know that I was going to kill ponies? Oh no... I sent you that note because I wanted you to clear out the hospital."

"...Wait, you did?" Armory gaped, "But... but... you're a serial killer..."

"That I am." Sweet Tooth shrugged, "And trust me... if I had it my way, I would have loved to burn this place down... but I have my orders... I am here only to kill you, Black."

"Wait... you want me?" Black asked.

"Of course." Sweet Tooth nodded. "I was let out just to kill ya, after all."

"Let out?" Armory asked. "By who?"

"The Forefathers." Sweet Tooth revealed. "They let me out just so I could kill you. And if I am to remain free this time, I must rip you apart..."

"The Forefathers... I should've known they were involved..." Black frowned.

"But enough talk." Sweet Tooth pulled out a serrated machete. "I am here to gut ponies and lick ice cream... and I'm all out of ice cream."

"Bring it." Black nodded. "Let's see if your nose goes 'honk-honk'!"

The two stallions charged at each other.

"It's play time!" Sweet Tooth swung his machete.

"Aren't you a little old for that?" Black dodged the swing, then punched Sweet Tooth in his mask's hideous smile.

"You're never too old for some good, old-fashioned, bloody fun!" Sweet Tooth sneered.

Sweet Tooth swung his machete again. Black wasn't able to dodge that time, and the blade struck his armor, carving a gash right in it.

'What the-?' Armory gaped. 'That armor should have easily been able to shrug a blade like that...'

"Not bad, for a clown with his head on fire." Black admitted. "Now take this!"

Black fired his armor's built-in crossbow. But despite their close proximity, Sweet Tooth managed to dodge all the bolts.

"My turn." Sweet Tooth growled.

Sweet Tooth kicked Black hard, knocking him against the counter. He then raised his hoof, looking to slam it down on Black's face. Black dodged, and Sweet Tooth's hoof struck the counter, shattering it to dust.

'Whoa...' Armory gaped.

Black took advantage of the miss by headbutting Sweet Tooth, sending him stumbling back.

"Too bad for you, my head gear's a lot tougher than yours." Black smirked. "Though that fire trick is impressive..."

"I'll be happy to show you how it works... with your own mane." Sweet Tooth snarled.

"Not today, thanks." Black smirked.

Black tackled Sweet Tooth again, sending them both into an elevator. As they struggled, a flailing hoof struck one of the buttons, and they moved upwards.

"Oh, buck..." Armory cringed. He kept his eye on the numbers, so he could follow.

The elevator opened on the third floor. Black was sent flying out of it, followed closely by Sweet Tooth.

"Come on, tough guy!" Sweet Tooth roared. "The Forefathers say you're trouble. I wanna see it!"

"Ask, and ye shall receive." Black declared.

Black charged at Sweet Tooth, and they clashed once more. Black dodged the machete swing, and struck Sweet Tooth hard in the face. Sweet Tooth retaliated with a powerful mule kick, which Black felt right through his armor. Black stumbled back, then kicked Sweet Tooth in his exposed chest.

"Ugh..." Sweet Tooth grunted. "Not bad. I'm starting to see why you've been causing the Forefathers' such trouble.

"Oh, I'm just getting started!" Black roared.

The fight continued. But while Black had the edge in skill, Sweet Tooth's savagery and mindless attacks made him hard to read. And while Black started to wear out, Sweet Tooth seemed as energised as ever, his madness granting him levels of adrenaline like nothing Black had ever seen before.

As Armory reached the third floor via the stairwell, he arrived in time to see Black starting to falter.

"Yah!" Black swung a hoof, but the slowness of his swing allowed Sweet Tooth to avoid it.

"Mind if I cut in?" Sweet Tooth sneered, slashing through Black's chest armor with his machete.

Black reeled backwards. He barely dodged Sweet Tooth's next blow, which shattered a pane of reinforced glass. But the blow after that knocked off his helmet.

'Black...' Armory fretted.

Sweet Tooth was relentless in his assault, pummelling Black with his hooves, and even slamming a table on his head. Black couldn't defend himself from the fiend's deranged onslaught.

With one solid kick, Sweet Tooth knocked Black to the ground.

"Ah!" Black groaned, collapsing in agony.

"This is pathetic!" Sweet Tooth taunted. "After all I've heard about you, I was expecting a tougher fight! The Forefathers made you out to be this super-stallion... hell, the Black Sheeps were afraid of you..."

"Wait... the Black Sheeps?" Black grunted in pain.

"That's who we are... a whole bunch of freaks and savages, looked down upon by the Forefathers because we are willing to bloody our own hooves... not like those pansies..." Sweet Tooth explained.

"Wait... were Talbolt and those two..." Black realized.

"Sadly, yes..." Sweet Tooth grunted. "And you know who the leader is? You should know him..."

Black glanced at him in confusion... only for a light bulb to go off in his head.

"Pike..." Black whispered. "He's your leader?"

"That's right." Sweet Tooth declared, as he then pulled off one of his gloves, revealing a black tattoo of a ram's head. "We are Black Sheep, the outcasts of the outcasts, and we believe in only one line... 'It rubs the lotion on its skin, or else it gets the hose again'"

"...Wait, did you just quote Hannibal Lectrot?" Black gaped, trying to get up.

"Bingo." Sweet Tooth chuckled darkly, as he then kicked him back down.

"Ack... why are you telling me all this?" Black hissed. "I don't think they'll be happy with you sharing trade secrets..."

"I'm telling you because you're going to be dead soon..." Sweet Tooth sneered, kicking him hard. "You really aren't as tough as everypony made you out to be, and I'm going to bring 'em back your head to prove it..."

'This can't be happening.' Black thought, as he struggled to move. 'I can't be taken out by some psycho in a clown mask...'

"This last joke's always a show-stopper." Sweet Tooth smirked, as he raised his machete.

"Hey!"

Sweet Tooth turned to see Armory standing before him, defiant.

"Well, what's this?" He smirked. "Has the sidekick finally decided to do something?"

"You'd better believe it." Armory nodded.

"I'll be with ya in just a sec." Sweet Tooth turned back to Black.

"What, you've never head of multi-tasking?" Armory snorted. "Or are you just too stupid to focus on more than one victim at a time?"

"What did you say?" Sweet Tooth growled.

"You heard me, clown boy." Armory sneered. "Nice dress sense, by the way. What, did you rob a discount circus or something?"

"You think you're funny, huh?" Sweet Tooth spat.

"You're the one with the face for comedy." Armory jeered. "Why else would you hear a hideous mask like that, if you weren't trying to hide an even more hideous face?"

"Armory, don't..." Black tried to get up, but failed.

"That's it." Sweet Tooth snarled. "Just for that, you get to die first."

"Then come and get me!" Armory snarled.

"No!" Black yelled, as Sweet Tooth advanced on Armory.

"I'll cut that smart mouth of yours right off!" Sweet Tooth raised his machete.

"Mind if I smoke first?" Armory threw one of his knockout gas bombs.

The gas enveloped Sweet Tooth, but when it dissipated, he was still standing.

"Nice try." Sweet Tooth sneered. "But I've got a breather in the mask for this sort of thing. Hope that's not all you've got."

"Not even close." Armory declared. "Try these!"

Armory threw some miniature throwing stars, but Sweet Tooth deflected them with his machete.

"Ready for a little trip?" Sweet Tooth threw Armory right through a wall.

"Argh!" Armory groaned.

"Get up!" Sweet Tooth kicked him. "I'm not done yet!"

"Wanna bet?" Armory zapped his foe with a taser.

"Heh, it tickles." Sweet Tooth snickered.

"Oh, come on..." Armory cringed.

Sweet Tooth punched Armory hard, then tackled him through another wall.

"You're pretty tough for a gear head." He admitted. "Let's see just how tough..."

No matter what Armory tried, he was unable to repel Sweet Tooth. The mad clown shrugged off everything he tried to throw at him, and hurled him through more walls, and even windows, in return.

Before long, Armory found himself backed up against a window on the edge of the hospital. Wounded and exhausted, he could barely stand.

"Time to end this." Sweet Tooth advanced on him, lifting up his machete.

"With a machete?" Armory asked. "Seriously?"

"What's that supposed to mean?" Sweet Tooth sneered.

"Oh, nothing." Armory snorted. "I just thought a badflank killer like you would want to finish me with your bare hooves. Not only is it more personal, but you can draw things out way longer. That machete will end things with just a couple of swings. Not much fun there, right?"

"Right." Sweet Tooth tossed aside his machete, as he then picked Armory up by the throat. "I wanna see you bleed, I wanna watch you... die..."

"Oh, we'll see about that!" Armory held up one of his hoof, which had the 'Homer' latched on, and fired it into his neck.

"Urgh!" Sweet Tooth groaned, dropping Armory. "You little-"

With surprising speed for his wounded frame, Armory grabbed the wire connecting the dart to the Homer, and wrapped it around Sweet Tooth's neck, jumping onto his back.

"Who's stupid now?" Armory taunted his foe as he tried to choke the life out of him.

"That... would be... you!" Sweet Tooth wheezed.

Sweet Tooth reached up and grabbed Armory. He then turned towards the window.

"Wait, what are you-" Armory struggled to free himself.

"Die, scum!" Sweet Tooth threw Armory into the window.

"Waiiit!" Armory yelped, as his body smashed through the glass.

Sweet Tooth had only a moment to smile in triumph beneath his mask, before realising that the dart was still in his neck, and the other end was falling with Armory.

"Guhhhh!" He gagged, finding the wire around his neck tightening like never before.

"Like I said... stupid!" Armory yelled, as he dangled a few stories above the ground.

"Gotta... cut this!" Sweet Tooth grabbed a nearby scalpel, and try to sever the wire.

"That won't work!" Armory taunted. "That's special 'armor thread', made of my own design!"

"You..." Sweet Tooth wheezed, as the wire started to cut into his neck, blood seeping through.

"Sweet Tooth!" Black, recovered at last, rushed in to confront the mad stallion.

"Black!" Armory called.

"What the-?" Black frowned. "Armory? Where are you?"

As Sweet Tooth fell to his knees, hooves desperately struggling with the wire, Black got in close enough to peer out the window, and saw Armory below.

"How did-?" He gaped.

"I'll explain later!" Armory called. "Just get me back up!"

"Oh, I will." Black declared, as Sweet Tooth weakly flailed at him with one hoof. "I just have to make sure clown-boy here doesn't get in the way..."

Black grabbed Sweet Tooth's machete, intending to finish him off.

"End of the line, you monster." He growled, raising the machete. "Let's see that curse get ya out of this..."

Just before Black could lower the weapon, the wire completed its journey through Sweet Tooth's neck. The killer's head separated from his body in one clean movement. As the head dropped out of the shattered window, so too did the wire, and its owner.

"AHHHHHH!" Armory yelled, as he dropped toward the ground.

Black watched in horror as the scene seemed to play out in slow motion, Armory's terrified face matching his own.

Armory crashed down onto a medical carriage, the metal buckling on impact. His limbs flopped down, lifeless, as a blood of blood flowed from under his body.

"NOOOOOOO!!" Black screamed. "Armory! Armory!!"

Black rushed down to ground as quickly as he could. He climbed on the carriage's twisted body, and held his friend's broken body in his hooves.

"Armory..." He whispered. "No, please... Not like this. Not like Rookie..."

Armory stirred slightly, a soft moan emanating from his mouth.

"You... you're still alive..." Black gasped. "Yes! Hang in there, buddy! You're going to make it!"

Black carried Armory's body as quickly (yet carefully) to their carriage, then took off at top speed for the headquarters.

"Guys!" He yelled, carrying Armory's prone form. "We've got a stallion down!"

"Bloody hell... what happened?" Ballista asked.

"No time!" Black yelled. "Get him to the doc!"

Armory was rushed to the medical unit, which was operated by their resident medic, a pale green Unicorn with an electric blue mane, orange eyes and a Cutie Mark of a pair of a stethoscope, named Triage.

"Triage, we have an emergency!" Elite declared, as they rushed in.

"So I see." Triage noted. "Quickly, get him on the operating table."

Black quickly complied.

"What happened to him?" Triage asked, taking note of Armory's wounds."

"Long story short, he got beat up by a psychopath, then fell two stories onto a carriage." Black declared. "...Can you help him?"

"I'll do my best." Triage donned a surgical mask. "Now, a little privacy, please."

The others all stepped outside, where Black filled them in on what had happened.

"Oh, my." Micro shook his head. "How awful."

"I know. I was there." Black scowled.

"At least you took down Sweet Tooth." Shadow pointed out.

"Thanks to Armory." Black sighed. "He saved me. If he doesn't make it... I don't know what I'll do. Seriously, I can't take another death on my conscience."

"Don't worry, Black." Elite smiled. "I know Armory will pull through."

"Sure he will." Ballista smirked. "Little blighter's tougher than he looks."

Their words did little to comfort Black, who waited desperately for any news regarding Armory. After what seemed like an eternity, the medical unit's doors opened.

"Well, I've done everything I can." Triage removed his operating mask.

"And?" Black urged. "Is Armory gonna make it?"

"His injuries were severe, but we've managed to stabilize him." Triage announced. "He will heal, but it's going to take a while."

"Oh, good..." Shadow smiled.

"Except..." Triage frowned.

"There's more?" Micro gaped.

"Armory's bones and muscles will eventually knit themselves back together, but there will longstanding, possibly even permanent damage." Triage confessed. "He won't be an invalid, but he'll never be as... active as he was before."

"No..." Black shook his head. "No, no, no, no..."

"Come on, Black." Elite comforted him. "It could be worse. At least Armory is alive, and on the road to recovery."

"Yeah, mate." Ballista nodded. "I think we can all agree it's better he be on a hospital bed than a mortuary slab."

"You can't argue with that logic." Micro sighed.

"I'm just glad he's still ticking." Shadow declared. "We all should be."

Titan whined plaintively.

"Yeah, I guess..." Black sighed. "Let's just hope the life he lives after this is worth it."

After the surgery, Armory was moved to the recovery room. The next morning, Elite and the rest of the Taskforce entered the room. Armory was covered in casts and bandages, but he was fully awake and aware.

"Hey, guys..." He croaked.

"Hello, Armory." Elite smiled. "Triage told us you were finally awake. We thought we'd come and visit. Show you some friendly faces."

"Better than just seeing the same four walls all the time." Armory smiled.

"I'm so sorry this happened to you, Armory." Black told Armory, eyes fraught with guilt. "If I had only been tougher..."

"Don't blame yourself, Black." Armory smiled. "It was my choice. And I know I made the right one."

"You saved my life." Black smiled weakly.

"What are friends for?" Armory grinned, "Besides, at least I can say that I killed a psychopath."

"Oh, speaking of which..." Ballista pulled out a box, "I found the guy's bloody head while doing clean-up and I decided that for saving Black's arse and killing this son of a draft horse... I brought you a little trophy..."

"...You didn't get me his head, did you?" Armory grimaced.

"Of course not!" Ballista frowned, as he then opened the box. "I brought you his mask."

"Oh... thanks." Armory cringed at the blood-splattered souvenir. "A freaky clown mask. Just what I always wanted..."

"At least you didn't see the guy's real face." Black joked. "Trust me, that's the real nightmare fuel..."

"So, what did you do with Sweet Tooth's body?" Armory asked, putting the mask aside. "A lot of ponies might want to know what happen to the guy."

"Don't you worry, Black, I got that covered." Ballista smirked. "After the good job me and the boys did, the hospital is just as we left it, and the local news station is about to get a lead..."

Meanwhile, back in Infinity, in a dark room, a TV was showing the broadcast of said news station.

"The body of notorious serial killer Sweet Tooth was discovered in an alley in south Whinnyapolis, having been decapitated by an unknown weapon." A female Pegasus reported. "The psychotic murderer had not been seen for years, which only increases the mystery of his death. Though there are no leads, local law enforcement believe it may have been a vigilante killing, or mob execution. Though this reporterI doubts there are many who will mourn the passing of such a monster..."

Pike was the only one watching theTV, with a glass of whiskey in his hoof...

"Son of a-" Pike snarled, his hoof clenching his hoof so hard that the glass shattered. "AUGGGH!

The present...

"Faust, that must have been terrible for you." Fletcher sighed.

"It wasn't exactly a banner day for me, that's for sure." Armory nodded. "I was never the same again. Never fit for field work after that, so I just stuck around and did what I was best at. Still, I did miss being able to contribute to the Taskforce's work personally..."

"I feel for ya, pal." Caboose declared. "I can't imagine what it'd be like, not being able to keep being in on the action..."

"It was still worth it, though." Armory admitted. "I saved the life of my comrade, and rid Equestria of a twisted psychopath. I'd say that's worth being crippled for life... but only just."

"I never forgot what you did for me, pal." Black smiled. "Having a friend like you really helped me through when things got rough."

"I only wish I could have helped you more." Armory sighed. "Considering what was coming, me being out of commission really didn't help..."

Author's Notes:

"Release the Panic" is the property of Red.

Re-Education

"So how long was Armory out of action?" Caboose asked, "I mean, he couldn't have been that banged up. I fell out of a clock tower for crying out loud, and I'm A-OK."

"Well, that's the difference between you and I. From what I've heard, you had a fellow Royal Guard to break your fall." Armory snorted. "I had only a very hard medical carriage to break mine."

"...Hmm, I guess that would make a big difference." Caboose cringed.

"Either way, it took weeks for me to fully heal." Armory declared. "I was laid up in bed for most of it. While I was grateful to be alive, I did not enjoy all the mind-numbing boredom that followed."

"You should count yourself lucky." Black sighed. "I had a different kind of problem..."

Many years ago...

About a week about their encounter with Sweet Tooth, Black was visiting Armory. Armory was still covered in plaster and bandages, but he was slowly healing.

"Hey, pal." Black smiled weakly, as he entered the room. "How ya doin'?"

"As well as you'd expect." Armory smiled. "At least I'm not dead though, right?"

"Right." Black nodded awkwardly. "And I would have been dead myself if you hadn't stepped in."

"That's what friends- and teammates- do for each other." Armory grinned. "And I'd do it again."

"Thanks, pal." Black smiled. "But I'd prefer you didn't. I think I've lost enough friends for one lifetime."

"Oh, don't worry." Armory smirked. "I think for the future, I'll leave the heroics to you. It's a lot less painful that way."

"Speaking of pain... it doesn't still hurt, does it?" Black frowned.

"Nah, not really." Armory shrugged. "Honestly, the worst part is the boredom. I'm lying in here, doing nothing, with the most exciting part of my day being the mealtimes. I can't tell you how much I want to get back into my workshop, and start tinkering with my new gadgets."

"Guess that's gonna have to wait, huh?" Black said sadly.

"Yeah." Armory nodded. "Now I know how you must have felt while you were recovering from your fall down the mountain."

"Yeah, but I at least had Belle's comfy guest room bed to sleep in." Black noted. "All you have is this linen joke."

"If it makes you feel better, I can barely feel it at all through all these bandages and casts." Armory declared.

"Funnily enough, it doesn't." Black sighed. "Because comfortable or not, you're still stuck here."

"Tell me about it." Armory frowned. "For an active pony like me, inactivity is just the worst. You know what I'm talking about, right? After all, I could tell that you were bored out of your skull during that lull we had a while back."

"Yeah, I was." Black nodded. "But I was just stuck in the base. You're stuck here in this room."

"Hey, don't worry about it." Armory smiled. "It won't last forever. I'll be back on my hooves soon enough. Even if I won't exactly be at a hundred percent, at least I'll out of this lousy bed."

"Sure you will." Black smiled awkwardly. "And I'll be there to welcome you back to the land of the mobile."

"Okay, time for lunch." Triage brought forth a plate of food. "Black, I'm afraid you'll have to leave for now. I have to do a few checkups."

"You're the doc." Black shrugged.

"See ya later, Black!" Armory waved.

"Yeah, later..." Black kept up the smile.

Once Black led the medical unit, the smile dropped, as he was once more overcome with feelings of guilt.

'It's because of me that you're in there, Armory.' He thought. 'Because I let you come with me on that mission. Because I was too weak to stop that psycho. Too slow to get you back up before his neck gave out. It's all my fault...'

Later that evening, over at Infinity, Pike was not in a good mood, as he stewed in one of the lounge rooms within the monastery, sitting at a bar with a shot of whiskey. Last week, he had watched the newscast of ponies discovering Sweet Tooth's headless body. He was besides himself with frustration and anger. Sweet Tooth, despite his psychosis, was one of his best chances at defeating Black once and for all.

'But alas, Black is still breathing, and Sweet Tooth is dead.' Pike thought bitterly. 'Another ding to the Black Sheep division's list of failures. And surely, one of the 'high and mighty' Ouroboros will be by to rub it in my-'

"Pike..."

'Right on cue.' Pike groaned.

Pike glanced to the right to see Loveless standing there in his wheelchair, giving the kind of frown a scolding parent would give to his child.

"What do you want, Loveless?" Pike growled.

"It has been brought to our attention that your plan regarding Sweet Tooth has failed." Loveless frowned deeply. "Once more, you and your Black Sheep have failed to eliminate your quarry."

"That dumbass got lucky." Pike growled. "Sweet Tooth was cursed with the power of hell. There was no way Black could had defeated him, not unless he had help."

"Luck or not, Pike, I am starting to see a pattern." Loveless scowled. "First, Talbolt getting tricked by them in Trottingham, then the Las Pegasus fiasco, and now Sweet Tooth's dead. To be honest, the clown's death is the only good thing that has come out of all this."

"Hey, have some respect." Pike glared. "Sweet Tooth was a crazy killer clown, but he was still one of my guys. And I don't appreciate you hounding my ass whenever 'we' do something wrong. I don't know why you even care about Black, Loveless. I didn't think you had it out for him too."

"I don't." Loveless admitted. "But I figured it'd best if I was the one to keep tabs on you and the Black Sheep, rather than say, Gridlock. I feel he would have been less forgiving."

"At this point, I can hardly tell the difference." Pike sneered.

"Look, I know this isn't pleasant for you, Pike, really, I do." Loveless sighed, "But unfortunately, the others back at the Coils don't share my patience, and it's only a matter of time before all these snafus reaches Father."

"Well, you can tell your buddies up there that we will get him." Pike snarled. "Black is going to get his, mark my words."

"I would, if I felt you were capable of backing them up." Loveless frowned.

"And what is that supposed to mean?" Pike glared.

"I do not wish to question your talents, Pike. I had know you for a while to do that." Loveless declared. "However, I cannot say the same for the Black Sheep division. That whole group of yours are nothing but loose cannons, certifible loonies, and just plain awful operatives."

"Oh, and you Ouroboros and all the other agents are any better?" Pike challenged.

"There is a reason we called all those ponies Black Sheep." Loveless frowned. "They're just thugs whom Father deemed a hindrance to the grand scheme of things. Be it their violent tendencies, their incompetence, or just plain insanity, their only application would be if we needed extra meatbags. Surely you must had known that the moment you decided to take charge of the division."

"Hey, for the record, the division has been doing better since I took over." Pike growled, "Not that any of you would care..."

"Well, I do care." Loveless declared. "In fact, if you recall, Father and I and surely others had offered you a spot in Ouroboros a couple of time before. Yet every time, you declined. Why would you continue to lead these goons when you deserve so much more?"

"Maybe because I don't give a crap about what Father wants." Pike scowled. "That what makes us Black Sheep different. We don't go around brown-nosing, just to please 'Father'. We do things on our own terms. We have our freedom. If you don't like that, then that's your problem."

"Normally, I wouldn't argue with a logic like that, but the fact that you associate yourself with Scalphunter and his... 'pal'... well, I am only concerned, because I know you are better than this. Better than the likes of them." Loveless urged.

"Yeah... heard that before." Pike grumbled, as stood up from the bar.

"Look, why don't you just give up on Black?" Loveless asked. "I believe it would be best for you to quit while before any more of your division gets lead to slaughter. I'm sure Gridlock or somepony would be willing to take over-"

"No thanks. I'd rather be dead than have some sonofvadraft-horse like mister bug boy take my kill." Pike grunted.

"So only you can kill Black?" Loveless asked.

"Exactly." Pike nodded.

"You musn't let your pride rule you." Loveless declared. "The simple truth, there are some fights you just can't win."

"Oh, but I can win this one." Pike growled. "Black was lucky the last time we fought. Next time will be different. And I intend for there to be a next time. I'll track that scum down to the ends of Equestria and back, if I have to..."

"Clearly, this is becoming an obsession with you." Loveless noted. "It would be beneficial to your mental health to call it quits."

"What was that?!" Pike growled.

"...What?" Loveless frowned.

"Are you saying I'm losing it?!" Pike snarled. "That trying to ice Black is messing with my head? Well, are you?!"

"I didn't say that." Loveless shook his head. "I just suggested that your desire to terminate Black is becoming detrimental to your mental state."

"...Fair warning, Loveless." Pike seethed coldly. "Unless you want me to send my hoof on an expedition to find your missing ass, you'd better not say another word." He then stormed off. "Now if you don't mind, I'm gonna go catch up on my sleep. I'll wanna be well-rested when I finally have that scum at my mercy... Plus, it does wonders for my complexion."

As Pike walked into his quarters, he made his way to a dresser, which had a small, bird-shaped brooch on it. He picked up the piece of jewellery and gazed at it.

"I love you, Red..." A familar voice rang out in his head.

Pike shook himself as he set the brooch down.

'That's enough of that... you must have drank a little too much.' He told himself. 'Gotta get some shut eye. You need to be at your best when you finally take down Black. Killing scum like him is what you live for... it's the only thing you live for...'

Pike took off his glasses as he then climbed into bed and soon doze off. As he slumbered, old memories flooded into his mind....

Years ago...

It was a warm sunny day in the town of Point Place, Wiscoltsin. Birds were singing, bees were buzzing, the sounds of a guitar strumming and drum beating were playing, as if it was a part of a sitcom's theme song.

A younger Pike was making his way to a picturesque suburban home, one that he shared with his wife Kitty, his son Spear and his daughter Barbs. It was just another day in his pleasant life as he returned home from working at a carriage parts plant. All he wanted to do was to come home and be with his loving family.

"Kitty! Kids! I'm home!" He called, as he entered the house.

Nopony answered him, however. In fact, the house seems disturbingly quiet.

"Kitty?" Pike frowned, looking around. "Kids?"

Pike searched all the rooms downstairs, including the kitchen and living room.

"Kitty?" PIke called out, "Spear? Barbs?"

He then decided to check downstairs in the basement. His son and his friends usually hang down there, especially in a circle, partaking of a very popular substance that was all the rage.

"Spear. If this is one of you and your dumbass friends' pranks, I'm gonna be shipping my hoof up to your ass!" Pike threatened, as he came down the stairs.

However, as soon as Pike came to the basement, he saw no one, and smell no traces of certain 'substances'.

'What the hell is going on 'round here?' He thought, returning from the basement, as he decided to check upstairs.

"Kitty? Kitty?" Pike called, deafening silence being the only response.

Soon, he found himself at his and Kitty's bedroom, with the door slightly ajar. Hesitantly, Pike opened the door.

What lied beyond it was a most horrid sight.

"No... no..." Pike gasped, his legs growing weak, as he then let out a sorrowful roar. "NOOOOOO!!"

Back to now...

Pike suddenly sat up in bed. He was breathing heavily, and covered in a cold sweat.

"Not this again..." He panted heavily. "Not now..."

Over the next couple of weeks, Black was lost in a melancholy fog. He went about his missions in a detached, emotionless way. He was so depressed, he didn't even try to sneak off to see Belle or White. The thought had occured to him as he returned from one mission brought him close to Prairieville, but he ultimately decided against it.

'I shouldn't.' He thought. 'What if I somehow bring trouble with me? Like another one of the Forefathers' flunkies follows me there? I can't risk another pony I care about getting hurt...'

With a heavy heart, Black turned away from Prairieville, and return to headquarters, bringing Elite some recovered files.

"Excellent work, Black." Elite smiled. "You never disappoint."

"I don't know about that..." Black frowned. "I've been feeling petty disappointed in myself for a while now."

"This is about Armory, isn't it?" Elite sighed.

"Yeah." Black nodded. "He almost got killed because of me."

"Well, I hate to be blunt, but Armory did insist on joining you." Elite pointed out. "He came along of his own volition. And from what I understand, he choose to take on Sweet Tooth to save you."

"Yeah, because I was too weak to get the job done myself." Black scowled.

"Even you can't do everything, Black." Elite sighed. "If Armory hadn't been there, Sweet Tooth would have invariably killed you."

"Better me dead than Armory crippled." Black snorted. "If only I'd gotten to him before he fell..."

"He won't be crippled." Elite assured him. "A little stiff, maybe..."

"But he'll still never be the same again." Black shook his head. "Because of me."

"You can't think that way, Black." Elite frowned. "You need to stay positive. It's the best way to keep going in this line of work. You start looking on the dark side, you'll begin losing your optimism. And hope follows suit..."

"If that's all sir, I'd like to return to my quarters." Black said firmly.

"...Of course." Elite nodded. "Just think about what we've just discussed, Black. Please."

"I'll try." Black sighed, as he sttod up.

Black made his way back to his quarters. Elite's words, though wise, were drowned out by Black's own self-recriminations. Black stumbled into his quarters and sat down on his bed. He pulled out his tapeplayer, and donned the headphones.

To the sound of a heartbeat pounding away
To the rhythm of the awful rusted machines
We toss and turn but don't sleep
Each breath we take makes us thieves
Like causes without rebels
Just talk but promise nothing else

We crawl on our knees for you
Under a sky no longer blue
We sweat all day long for you
But we sow seeds to see us through
'Cause sometimes dreams just don't come true
We wait to reap what we are due

To the rhythm of a time bomb ticking away
And the blare of the sirens combing the streets
Chased down like dogs we run from
Your grasp until the sun comes up

We crawl on our knees for you
Under a sky no longer blue
We sweat all day long for you
But we sow seeds to see us through
'Cause sometimes dreams just don't come true
Look now at what they've done to you

'Look at what I've you to you, Armory...' Black thought morosely. 'Some friend I am. I ended up hurting you. Just like Rookie, and White, and all the others...'

The next day, Black made his way to the mess hall, and ate some wheatgrass stew. He wasn't feeling particularly hungry, but he was looking for something, anything, to take his mind off his woes.

Titan, who was eating out of a bowl nearby, took note of Black's morose appearance, and padded over to join him.

"Rrr?" Titan murmured.

"Hey, big guy." Black sighed. "Nice to have some company."

"Rrf!" Titan barked.

"Maybe I should hang with you from now on." Black declared. "A big, tough Diamond Dog like you is gonna be pretty hard to hurt, let alone kill."

Titan whined plaintively.

"You miss Armory too, huh?" Black patted his head. "And now you're hanging with the guy who landed him in the medical unit in the first place..."

"Rrrf?" Titan frowned. He nudged his head against Black's hoof, trying to let him know that he didn't blame him for Armory's condition.

Black finished the last of his stew.

"Good talk." He said flatly. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I gotta hit the obstacle course. Make sure I'm tough enough not to wimp out ever again..."

Titan whined once more as Black walked out of the mess hall. Not particularly for the first time, he wished he could speak pony...

Black made his way to the obstacle course. Shadow was already there, climbing the rock wall nearby.

"Hey, Black." Shadow waved with a free hoof.

"Don't mind me." Black waved back. "Just trying to put a little extra muscle on this bod of mine. Between you and me, I think I've been slacking lately."

"That's not how I see it." Shadow shrugged. "But it's your body, I suppose."

"Yes, it is." Black nodded. And it needs to be in tip-top shape. So I don't see any more failures out in the field."

"If you say so." Shadow frowned.

Black put himself through every piece of training equipment in the area: Treadmill, rope, hurdles, rings, balance beams, and even weights loaded to the maximum. It wasn't long before he was starting to get exhausted. But he refused to stop, putting himself through a torturous regiment, all while an unnerved Shadow.

"Okay..." Black wheezed, after working his way through the climbing frame. "Maybe I should try that rock wall next..."

"Or maybe you should take a break." Shadow frowned. "You're exhausted, Black."

"Hey, no pain, no gain." Black declared.

"But the pain shouldn't outweigh the gain." Shadow pointed out. "You're pushing yourself too far, Black. You keep this up, you're gonna pull something."

"But I have to keep pushing myself." Black insisted. "That fight with Sweet Tooth was a wake-up call. What if the Forefathers have somepony even stronger waiting in the wings? I can't afford to be beaten again. Who knows who might get hurt if I can't cut it?"

"I understand where you're coming from." Shadow nodded. "But you'll be unable to protect anypony if you work your body to its breaking point. Do you think Armory would want that?"

"Armory would want me to be the best that I can be." Black scowled. "Besides, I'm almost done for today. Just gotta climb that wall."

"Even though you already look like you climbed a mountain?" Shadow snorted.

"There's always a higher peak." Black smirked.

Black climbed his way up the wall. Despite his exhaustion, he made it all the way to the top.

"There, see?" He smirked at Shadow. "Piece of caaaake!"

Black's hoof had slipped, and he fell off the wall.

"I got ya!" Shadow caught him.

"Thanks." Black frowned. "Still not good enough, huh?"

"Okay, I think that's enough exercise for today." Shadow frowned.

"Hey, you're not the boss of me." Black glared.

"But Elite is." Shadow declared. "And I'll take this to him if I have to."

"Fine." Black groaned, too weary to fight. "Have it your way. Maybe it's time I took a rest, anyway..."

"The understatement of the decade." Shadow snorted.

"Just a... little... rest..." Black flopped down on the ground, totally exhausted. He was still snoring away as Shadow departed.

"Black, you need to get a handle on things." Shadow frowned. "Before you do something really stupid..."

When Black woke up around an hour later, he realised how stiff and painful his joints were.

"Okay, maybe Shadow had a point." He cringed, as he stood up, shakier than a plate of jello during an earthquake. "That's enough exercise for today..."

Black hobbled into the break room, intent on resting his exhausted self. This break room was not as opulant as the one in the present, but it still had some comfortable chairs, and a small pool table. As he entered, he saw Micro in there also, clearly taking a break from his studies by playing some pool.

"Afternoon, Black." Micro nodded.

"Hey, Mic." Black smiled weakly as he flopped into a chair. "Worked through those papers I brought already, huh?"

"No, just taking a break." Micro shrugged. "I love my work, but I understand the need for recreational activities."

"Like pool?" Black smiled.

"I have a distinct fondness for this particular sport." Micro admitted as he took aim at the cue ball. "In order to succeed, one must calculate angles, plot trajectories... Ultimately, it's one big equation." He then shot the cue ball, causing all the balls to scatter... and all fall into the sockets.

"You eggheads always gotta find the scientific side of things..." Black rolled his eyes.

"You could put it that way, yes." Micro nodded. "But, moving on to another topic, how are you feeling? I know these last couple of weeks have been rather... hard on you."

"You could say that." Black frowned. "Or you could say I royally screwed up, and my friend paid the price."

"If I may, can I offer some counter-analysis?" Micro asked.

"Yeah, go right ahead." Black nodded.

"I believe Armory made the logical choice." Micro declared. "He threw himself into battle against Sweet Tooth to save you. Given Armory's less than optimal physical stature and Sweet Tooth's more than optimal physical stature and that whole 'curse' hoo-ah, Armory's chances of survival was less than ten percent. But he fought him anyways, because he knew it would guarantee that you, one of the Taskforce's best agents, would survive, thus maintaining our chances of bringing down the Forefathers. With all that said, you can't fault him for placing your life above his own."

"Except I still could have saved him, if I were fast enough." Black frowned. "Or if I'd noticed the wire cutting through that nutjob's neck."

"Even I cannot predict every variable." Micro pointed out. "You had no way of knowing what was about to happen. Some things just can't be predicted ahead of time. We should just be thankful that luck was on our side, allowing Armory to live."

"If you're trying to cheer me up, you're doing a heck of a job." Black snorted. "I feel better already."

"Really?" Micro smiled.

"No." Black said flatly. "No matter what fancy science talk you spout out, I know I could've done something to save Armory, if I had only moved fast enough."

"I fail to understand your scientific basis for thinking that." Micro retorted.

"Yeah, well... not everything can be fixed with equations." Black sighed.

Having gotten back some strength in his legs, Black made his way out of the room.

"Oh, dear." Micro frowned. "This is quite a quandry."

It wasn't long before Titan, Shadow and Micro came to Elite's office, airing their worries to him.

"Black is really taking this hard." Shadow declared. "He's pushing himself more than he should."

"And he's intent on wallowing in guilt and self-blame." Micro added. "Logically, it's only a matter of time before his performance is affected, and we have another patient for Triage."

"Rrrooo..." Titan whined morosely.

"I was worried something like this would happen..." Elite murmured. "Unfortunately, I've already tried to console Black myself but clearly, it hadn't stuck."

"We did too." Shadow declared. "Nothing we said to him had any effect."

"And I used such a reasoned argument, too." Micro sighed.

"You know, as much as that son of a draft horse ticks me off, it kinda bites for me to see him in the dumps like that." Ballista admitted, "In spite of 'certain' factors, he is a great operative, and if he can't get over this, we might have a problem further down the line. We have to do something."

"Right." Elite nodded. "And I think that pony should be you."

"Beg pardon?" Ballista frowned.

"Makes sense." Micro nodded. "You are the only one who hasn't tried yet."

"Yeah, but in case you haven't noticed, me and Black aren't really seeing eye to eye right now." Ballista snorted. "Black actually likes all of you guys, and none of you could get him to listen. What would make me any different?"

"It wouldn't hurt to try, though." Shadow pointed out.

"It might..." Ballista retorted. "Black really knew how to throw punches back in Trottingham."

"Come on, Ballista." Elite urged. "Despite your personal differences, you're still teammates. A little support could go a long way."

"...Okay, I'll try." Ballista shrugged. "But don't expect any miracles."

"Thanks, Ballista." Elite smiled. "You're a real stand-up guy."

"Yeah, I'm a bleedin' saint..." Ballista rolled his eyes.

Balliista found Black in the break room, sitting in his preferred spot.

"Oh, it's you." Black scowled. "What do you want now?"

"Nice to see ya too, mate." Ballista snorted. "So, is this what yer plannin' on doin' nowadays? Just loungin' around, feelin' sorry fer yerself?"

"Well, sorry if me almost getting another friend killed isn't sitting right with me." Black glared. "It's not like I already got a friend killed... oh, wait..."

"Come on, Armory is going to be okay. A little worse for wear, but it isn't something you should still be beating yourself up over." Ballista declared.

"Well, that's your opinion." Black grimaced.

"Hmph, so much for the big, bad Black Knight Paladin." Ballista scoffed. "When we first met, I thought you to be a top-notch soldier. But when things get rough, you fold like laundry."

"Please." Black snorted. "I've been through all kinds of rough stuff. But some things are rougher than others..."

"Hey, I know what happened to Armory hit you pretty hard..." Ballista started.

"You don't know anything." Black scowled.

"The hell I don't." Ballista retorted, "I'll have you know, me posing as General Turret wasn't my first time being a General. Before I even met Elite, I was actually a General in Her Majesty's Armed Forces over in Londraft. For years, I've been a leader. Always had troops under my command. I did everything I could to guide them, look out for them, protect them. But I didn't always succeed. Sometimes, my boys got hurt, or worse. And sure, I felt guilty, like I could have done something, that I could have saved them. It's a lousy feeling, isn't it?"

"...Yeah." Black nodded. "Yeah, it is."

"I felt the same way you did the first time it happened to me." Ballista recalled. "This rambunctious little snot named Howitzer was the best soldier in my first platoon. He was smart, tough, and a great shot. Loyal, too. He really wanted to make his comrades proud. Everypony thought he'd go far. But on one of our early missions, he strayed from the group to try and take out some enemy snipers. I went after him, pulled him back, and gave him this speech about sticking with the group. But I was so intent on reading him the riot act, that I didn't notice I was in a sniper's sights. Howitzer pushed me aside just in time, and got himself shot in one of his rear legs."

"Oh, jeez..." Black cringed.

"That crossbow bolt servered some nerves." Ballista recalled. "That leg never worked right again, and Howitzer's military career was over." He sighed deeply. "I was so torn up about it. I was sure it was my fault, that I'd cost the kid any chance to be the soldier he was meant to be. I was depressed for a good long while."

"What happened then?" Black asked.

"Well, all the boys got together, and told me that they needed me." Ballista smiled. "They were broken up about Howitzer too, but they said that he would have wanted me to keep on going, and not let one slip-up stop me from doing my duty. And I realized they were right. You can't always protect every member of your squad, and you shouldn't beat yourself up for failing. In the end, each soldier makes his own choice. Howitzer chose to sacrifice his mobility for me, just as Armory chose to risk his life for you. Instead of feeling bad, you should feel proud that you inspire such loyalty in your comrades."

Black was silent for a moment, as Ballista's words and their meaning sank in. As much as he disliked Ballista at the moment, he couldn't the truths he spoke, truths born from similar experiences...

"...You're right." He nodded finally. "You know, I've been kicking myself for what happened to Armory... but he did choose to fight Sweet Tooth. Even though I couldn't save him... he did save me... and I am grateful for that."

"That's the ticket." Ballista smiled.

"Thanks, Ballista." Black declared. "I know we've had our differences lately..."

"Yeah, but at the end of the day, we have our similarities too." Ballista grinned. "And we're still teammates, all the way to the gates of Tartarus."

"That's true." Black nodded. "And so is Armory. When he gets out of that medical bay, I'm going to let him know how grateful I am to him."

"I bet he'll like that." Ballista grinned.

"And thanks again for the help... you old sourpuss." Black smirked.

"Anytime... ya hot-headed bugger." Ballista smiled.

Ballista departed, leaving Black to focus on his renewed confidence.

'No more beating myself up.' He thought. 'Things are gonna be just fine...'

Ballista returned to Elite's office soon after, informing his commanding office of his success.

"Excellent work, Ballista." Elite smiled. "I had a feeling you could pull it off."

"That makes one of us, chief." Ballista snorted. "Didn't think he'd listen to a word I said..."

"But you tried anyway." Elite pointed out. "And succeeded."

"It's almost like you knew I could get through to 'im." Ballista mused.

"Not exactly." Elite shrugged. "But I had a feeling that, for all your mutual animosity, Black still holds a measure of respect for you. And you were both far more cordial to each other, not too long ago, when he was a soldier, and you were his General. Something told me there was still a part of Black that still felt that spirit of camraderie."

"And you were right." Ballista nodded. "You sly bugger..."

"Guilty as charged." Elite chuckled. "I'm just glad Black's out of his funk, and Armory is on the road to recovery. It won't be long before the Taskforce and all its members will be back at the top of their game."

"Too right, mate." Ballista nodded. "A team like ours is like a clock. It works at its most efficient when all the parts are in tip-top shape."

"And it pleases me to say all this team's pieces will be so." Elite grinned. "Especially Black. Our top operative needs to be at his best, both physically and mentally. And you've helped balance that equation out again."

"Yeah..." Ballista smirked... only to let out a sigh. "But who knows how long that will last?"

"What do you mean, Ballista?" Elite frowned.

"You saw how Black was these past few days." Ballista declared. "And that was over Armory getting severly injured. If Armory had actually died... well, you saw his records."

"Oh crap, this again?" Elite grimaced. "Ballista, Black is going to be fine. Thanks to you, he will be back to himself in no time."

"I realize that, Elite." Ballista nodded slowly. "But it doesn't change the fact that we nearly bit the bullet on this one."

"I don't understand why you are still hung up about this." Elite crossed his hooves. "You were the one who pointed me to Black. You knew the risks we were making."

"I know." Ballista frowned. "All I'm saying is that we have to gird ourselves for when the inevitable happens. Because who knows how Black will take it when it does happen..."

"Look, Ballista, Black is going to be just fine. He's a trooper." Elite said firmly, "Everything is going to be okay..."

The present...

"Wow, I'm a little surprised to hear Ballista was the one who finally snapped you out of that funk." Fletcher admitted.

"So was I." Black smiled. "It was then that I started getting back some respect for the guy. Which was just as well, because I needed all the emotional support I could get while Armory was in recovery."

"Well, lucky for me, the recovery went smoothly." Armory declared, "I was up and out of bed a couple of weeks later, and I was finally back on my hooves. However..." Armory glanced at his left flank. "I got this lousy limp that's pretty much kept me out of the action ever since."

"That sucks." Caboose grimaced.

"Yeah, I was bummed at first." Armory admitted, "But then I just remind myself how bad it could have been. I was lucky to get out of that mess with just a limp."

"Indeed." Elite nodded, as he stepped forth. "But unfortunately, I was a bit too hasty to have said that everything was going to be okay..."

Author's Notes:

"Re-Education" belongs to Rise Against.

Turn Down For What

"You know, I'm kinda getting tired of all these cliffhangery statements at the end of each chapter." Caboose frowned. "I know they're supposed to increase the tension, but still..."

"So, I trust the rest of Armory's recovery period was more-or-less uneventful?" Fletcher asked, deflecting Caboose's odd remark.

"As uneventful as it could be." Black shrugged. "We still had our missions, Forefather problems to deal, and all that... but yeah, all things considered, it was pretty quiet."

"More like boring." Armory snorted. "Being stuck in that bed was not the highlight of my life. I just wanted things to finally get back to normal. But it wasn't quite the 'normal' I'd been expecting..."

Many years ago...

The day had finally come. Armory was getting out of the medical unit. The last of the bandages had come off, and he hesitantly set foot on the floor.

"How does it feel, pal?" Black smiled. "Getting out of that bed at last?"

"Pretty good." Armory smiled. As he took a step, he felt a stiffness in his left rear leg. "...Mostly. Guess Triage was right about there being permanent damage."

"Nah, you're probably just a little stiff from lying around all that time." Black shrugged. "Come on, let's go to your workshop. I know you've been dying to get to work on some new gadget of yours..."

"Like you wouldn't believe." Armory chuckled.

As they headed down the corriders of the headquarters, Armory walked with a definite limp.

"Damn leg." Armory cringed. "Must've taken the brunt of it when I fell on that ambulance..."

"It'll pass." Black assured him.

"Yeah, maybe..." Armory frowned, aware that his friend was lying to make him feel better.

Together, they reached Armory's workshop.

"Oh, I've missed this place." Armory beamed. "All my tools and gadgets, just as I've left them."

"Like any of us would mess with your stuff." Black smirked. "I wouldn't even know what to do with half of it."

"There's my wrench." Armory marched over to the other side of the room, where the wrench was lying on the floor. "Must've dropped it before I took part in all that craziness."

Armory knelt down to pick up the wrench, but his leg gave out under the weight, and he collapsed.

"Gah!" Armory groaned.

"Whoa!" Black rushed over to help him up. "I got ya, pal."

"Thanks." Armory sighed, as he glanced at his now throbbing leg. "Guess this bum leg is gonna take some getting used to."

"Nah, it'll pass." Black smiled.

"Black, I appreciate the assurance, but I know full well that this limp is gonna be with me for pretty much the rest of my life." Armory frowned. "Triage told me a couple of weeks back."

"Oh." Black said flatly. "Sorry, Armory. I was just trying to pick up your spirits."

"It's okay, Black." Armory smiled. "I still say this beats the alternative."

"Yeah, I can't disagree with that." Black shrugged. "Besides, in this line of work, you're bound to get some debilitating wounds. Just look at me." He pointed out his eypatch. "You wouldn't believe how hard it was to adjust to just having one eye. My depth perception was destroyed, so I have to rely on instinct instead of what I see."

"Yeah, but you're awesome." Armory declared. "You can probably do anything if you put your mind to it."

"Probably." Black sniggered.

"And hey, at least now, we get to be disability bros." Armory smirked, holding up his hoof. "Right?"

"Right." Black grinned, bumping his hoof against Armory's. "Disability bros."

After that, things returned to normal around the Taskforce headquarters. Black continued on his missions, while Armory went back to tinkering with his gadgets. It seems like things were on their way to turning back to normal...

Until a few weeks later, when Armory was called into Elite's office.

"You wanted to talk to me, sir?" He asked.

"That's right." Elite nodded. "I wanted to know how well you were holding. How's that leg of yours doing?"

"Same as it's been since I got out of that bed." Armory frowned. "It's got me limping around all the time. Really cuts into my speed. Used to be able to get around my workshop twice as fast..."

"I see." Elite frowned. "Triage said there would be permanent after-effects from your injuries."

"But I'm still part of this team though, right?" Armory asked.

"Of course." Elite nodded. "But there is one small matter I wish to discuss with you."

"What's that, sir?" Armory asked.

"Well, it concerns your prospects for future field missions." Elite said awkwardly.

"Say no more, sir." Armory grinned. "I'm raring to go. Triage had given me a clean bill of health and I am psyched to get back out there with my comrades. Heck, me and Black-"

"That's not what I had in mind." Elite frowned. "Quite the opposite, in fact."

"W-what are you getting at, sir?" Armory asked timidly, not liking the serious look on Elite's face.

"I'm sorry, Armory." Elite declared solemnly. "But given your current... physical state, I have no choice but to bench you from field missions from now on."

"But sir..." Armory murmured. "It's just a limp... I can still handle myself. I mean, I have 'Homer', my gadgets, and-"

"I don't doubt that, not at all." Elite assured him. "But you said so yourself, your speed has suffered greatly because of your limp. In our line of work, that's barely a step beyond being a sitting duck. You would be unable to outrun mostly anypony or thing we go up against, and have great difficulty traversing rough terrain."

"Well... I can still bring up the rear!" Armory tried to reason. "I know how to use a crossbow, and I can have their back! With a bit of help from the guys-"

"Armory, please..." Elite urged. "I know this is hard... but your injuries... no matter how you look at it, it's a big liability in the field. I'm truly sorry, but I can't in good conscience send you out in the field with the others..."

"Oh... I see..." Armory bowed his head.

"I really wish I didn't have to do this, Armory." Elite sighed. "But as director, I have to make tough choices, and make them based on logic, reason, and strategy. I can't cut you any slack just because we're friends."

"No, I get it." Armory forced a weak smile. "It's for my own good."

"Besides, your best contributions to the cause have always come from your technological sklls." Elite smiled. "The amount of times your gadgets and weapons have ensured victory for us... Your injury hasn't affected that skill in the least, now has it?"

"Well, no..." Armory rubbed his head. "I have been working on a few things in the lab. Maybe now, with all this free time, I'll finally be able to finish some of them."

"There you have it, then!" Elite smirked. "You can still do great work for us without going into the field."

"Thank you, sir." Armory smiled. "In fact, I'll get right back to work."

"That's the spirit." Elite nodded. "I won't stop you then. You are dismissed."

With that, Armory left Elite's office, giving him that same smile... however, as soon as the door to the office shut, his smile faded and he let out a harrowing sigh.

Begrudingly, he made his way into the mess hall, where Black was finishing some oat stew. He got himself a sandwich, and sat beside Black.

"What's up, Arm?" Black asked.

"Just got back from Elite's office." Armory admitted. "He asked how I was holding up."

"Well, that's Elite for you." Black smirked. "So, did he tell you when you will be going back out into the field?"

"I won't." Armory sighed. "Elite told me that I can't go on field missions anymore."

"...Wait, what?" Black grimaced. "Why?!"

"Why you think? It's my bum leg." Armory grunted, glancing at his bad leg. "Elite said that it makes me a liability."

"Well, that's bullcrap!" Black glared. "Elite can't just bench you because you limp!" He made to stand up. "Let me talk to him, maybe I can-"

"No, Black, it's not worth it." Armory shook his head. "I know Elite. Once he's made up his mind, he doesn't change it. Besides, he brought up some good points... the last thing I want is to slow all of you down because I can't keep up."

"Armory..." Black frowned, as he sat back down. "...If it's any consolation, I really enjoyed having you as a partner. And I don't say that about a lot of ponies. The field won't be the same without you."

"That's the worst part." Armory groaned. "Field missions were things I looked forward to. It's one thing to have you guys test out my stuff, but when I do it, I get that sense of satisfaction that my inventions actually work. But now... all I'll be able to test anything on is those dummies... it's just not the same."

"It ain't all bad, y'know." Black told him. "At least you'll be able to spend more time on your gadgets. You can churn out the awesome stuff even faster."

"Well, there's that..." Armory murmured. "But that's not the point. When I first joined, everyday was an adventure. I got to see places, meet new people, do death-defying stuff... I just don't want to spend all my time in a musty old workshop, and become some sort of neckbeard. I just don't want to become useless."

"Hey, you are not useless, Armory." Black assured him. "You made the perfect grappling hook, created a carriage that can move without horses and can fly, dismantle a giant mech suit, and you killed a psychopathic clown who was supposed to be 'nigh impossible' to kill! The day you become useless is the day I say 'Hail Hydra'. You are one of the most brilliant stallions I've ever met, and if anypony says otherwise, they'll have to answer to me... and to the backside of my hoof."

"...Thanks, Black." Armory grinned, genuinely touched by his statement. "You sure know how to cheer a guy up."

"It's one of my many talents." Black boasted, "What say we drop by the rec room after lunch, okay?"

"Sure." Armory nodded. "Bet I can whip ya at pool."

"Not likely." Black snorted. "And don't think that bum leg'll make me go easy on ya."

"You'd better not." Armory smirked. "You're gonna need all the help you can get."

The two of them headed to the rec room, where Shadow and Ballista were already playing pool. Titan was curled on the rug, snoring up a storm.

"Guess pool's a popular game around here." Black noted.

"Hey, guys." Shadow smiled. "How are things?"

"Well, Armory 's a little bummed at being taken off field duty." Black declared.

"I had a feeling that would happen." Shadow mused. "I heard Elite mention it once or twice."

"Yeah, I am really sorry about that, mate." Ballista frowned, "But it's the way things gotta be. The battlefield's no place for a crippled soldier."

"Well, I'm over it right now..." Armory shrugged, "In fact, Black and me were actually hoping to play some pool."

"No problem." Shadow shrugged. "We're almost done anyway."

"I'm almost done trouncing ya, ya mean." Ballista smirked.

"Like they say, it ain't over 'til it's over." Shadow scowled.

"Oh, yeah?" Ballista smirked. He struck the cue ball, potting the remainder of the balls on the table at the same time. "Well, now it's over."

"Yeah, yeah." Shadow sighed. "You win... again."

"Regular stallion of a thousand talents, aren't you?" Black asked Ballista. "Not too shabby."

"You ain't seen nothing yet, mate." Ballista grinned. "You should see me play darts sometime."

"Yeah, maybe." Black shrugged. "But for now, me and Armory have the pool."

"What say you play the winner?" Armory offered.

"I say 'bring it'." Ballista smirked.

And Black and Armory played. Despite Black's best efforts, Armory managed to score a win.

"You may rule on the battlefield, but pool isn't your speed." Armory teased.

"Well, considering I've only got one eye, I'd say I played pretty well." Black snorted.

"Now ya face a real opponent, mate." Ballista stepped forward.

"No, just you." Armory smirked.

"Cheeky." Ballista snorted. "We'll see how long that lasts..."

It was a struggle of epic proportions, as the two winners took to the pool table and shoot at balls. Ballista put up a good fight, but Armory was just better enough to edge out a win.

"Oh, yeah!" Armory whooped. "Look at me: King of the cues!"

"Well, damn. Good game, mate." Ballista shook his hoof.

"You weren't so bad yourself." Armory smiled.

"Hey Shadow, you wanna play, loser to loser?" Black asked.

"Sure, why not?" Shadow nodded.

"You can take him, Black." Armory grinned.

"Come on, Shadow!" Ballista cheered.

Unbeknownst to them, Elite, having deicded to take a walk around the base, happened upon the group playing pool. He felt a smile as he saw how his ragtag team was having such a good time together. It was moments like these that made him forget the problems they may face in the future, if only for a little while.

However, it soon became 'back to business' for the Taskforce, as everypony continued about their work. Black, Ballista, Shadow, and Titan went on their own assigned missions, checking on leads that could lead them to another of the Forefathers' plots. Armory, as Elite ordered, remain at the base, making use of his newly found 'time' to work even more on all of his inventions, taking breaks in between to eat and rest.

All the while, Micro himself was very busy. Following Sweet Tooth's demise, Black came forth with the information he had learned from the clown's mouth about the 'Black Sheep', a group within the Forefathers that Pike was leading. Seeing it as a way to potenitally pinpoint members, Micro searched through several criminal databases, searching for ciminal psychotic and dangerous enough to warrant membership, as well as possible black ram tattoos similar to Sweet Tooth's that they could possess.

"This is most disconcerting." He told Black one afternoon, taking a break from his search. "For the Forefathers to take in lunatic murderers and ne'er do wells like Sweet Tooth to be their personal 'hit squad'... I didn't they were capable of sinking so low."

"I'm not surprised." Black snorted. "Remember Reinadh? Those guys'll do anything to get what they want."

"How fortunate that Sweet Tooth was arrogant enough to share that information with you." Micro smiled.

"Yeah, scum like that always get chatty whenever they think they're gonna win." Black smirked. "And they always think they're gonna win. One of their biggest weaknesses, actually."

"One which works greatly to our advantage." Micro smirked. "I've been compiling a list of probable Black Sheep members. Once we figure out if they are what we think they are, we can get a fix on all their locations. You could take them down one by one, robbing the Forefathers of a valuable asset."

"As long as they're not all as psychotic as Sweet Tooth, I'm game." Black smirked.

"It doesn't take a genius to figure out you'd enjoy a good fight." Micro grinned. "And lucky for you, it looks like you'll get plenty in the future..."

"Oh, yeah..." Black grinned. "Can't wait..."

Fortunately, Black had other things to occupy his mind. He had more missions concerning the Forefathers to contend with over the following months. On one trip, he was sent back to Las Pegasus, where his mission was to deal with some of Sam and DeRose's former thugs, who were attempting to pick up the pieces of their criminal enterprise. Since those thugs possessed some information on Sam and DeRose, Elite felt it necessary to have Black capture at least one, so they could interrogate him.

Black found them hiding in a warehouse in the back end of the city.

'Why is it always warehouses?' Black wondered. 'These guys have no imagination...'

Black threw one of Armory's extra-strength smoke bombs through the window, blinding the thugs.

'Thanks, pal.' He thought, as he activated his visor's infrared lenses. 'I really missed these gadgets of yours.'

"What's going on?!" One of the thugs stumbled around blindly.

"Is it the cops?!" Another asked. "Because this doesn't feel like tear gas!"

Black burst into the warehouse.

"You'll be in tears when I'm through with you!" He yelled.

"Who the buck is that?!" A thug asked.

"Get him!" The lead thug yelled.

"I don't know where he is!" Another thug frowned.

"But I know where you are!" Black charged into the thugs, taking them down one by one.

"I know you're here somewhere!" The last thug fired a crossbow around. "I'll get you!"

"Wrong!" Black dodged the wild fire and punched the thug in the face, knocking him out.

After leaving most of the thugs for the police to find, Black brought the leader back with him for interrogation, sedating him and tying and gagging him to boot. As he made his way back to headquarters, Black realised he was close to Prairieville.

Despite what has happened to Armory and his fears of the Forefathers finding out about Belle and Shade, the urge to see them again had returned with great veracity. And in spite of all his doubts and fears, he couldn't stay away any longer.

'Time to check in on the fam, methinks.' He thought, before remembering his passenger. 'But what about this guy? I know...'

Black hid the thug behind some shady rocks, aware that the sedative would keep him unconscious.

"Don't go anywhere." He grinned, flicking the unconscious pony's forehead for good measure.

Black slipped into town, and headed for Belle's house. To his delight, both Belle and Shade were right outside. Shade had grown considerably since the last time Black had seen him. He was looking quite lean, his mane had grown a little messy.

"Look, mama, look!" Shade squeaked, as he flapped his little wings as hard as he could.

As Belle and Black watched, Shade lifted himself up until he was level with the bedroom window, before drifting back down.

"Oh, that's my big boy!" Belle smiled, catching him.

'Kid's quite a flyer.' Black grinned. 'With those wings, he could be a Wonderbolt. Imagine that...'

"Tired now." Shade yawned.

"Not too tired for dinner, I hope?" Belle smiled. "I'm making your favorite: squash pie!"

"Yum!" Shade cheered. "Me like pie!"

"I know you do." Belle chuckled. "And because you were such a brave boy today, you get an extra slice!"

"Yay!" Shade smiled. "Love you, mama!" He hugged Belle.

"I love you too, sweetheart." Belle beamed, returning the hug.

'Ah, Belle.' Black smiled, as his family back inside. 'You've got this motherhood thing refined to an art form. And Shade, what a little trooper you are...'

Black departed Prairieville, picked up the thug, and returned to the headquarters.

"Great work, Black." Elite smiled. "I'll have Ballista 'chat' with this fellow, see what he knows."

"I love myself a good conversation." Ballista smirked, cracking his neck.

"Give 'im a couple of words for me, okay?" Black grinned.

"With pleasure." Ballista chuckled.

A few days later, Ballista reported back to the others.

"He was a tough nut to crack." Ballista admitted. "But he eventually started talking. He had access to some of DeRose's files, meaning he knew about some of the Forefathers' operations. According to him, they've been running regular smuggling up at the Manehatten docks."

"Guess I know where I'm going next." Black smirked.

In due time, the lead was researched, and Black was sent to the docks to handle the situation. The workers were hardly high quality, with Black defeating them with ease.

"Okay." He picked up the leader's clipboard as there were unconscious thugs hanging everywhere. "Let's see where this stuff was heading..." He glanced at the target address. "Whinneyapolis? Not any more..."

Black set off a flare, alerting the police, and quickly made himself scarse. He then reported the destination to his comrades.

"Whinnyapolis?" Micro frowned. "Was that all it said?"

"Yeah." Black nodded. "The stuff they were shipping wasn't much to talk about, but I can only assume they must have had guys over there waiting to pick it up at some kinda drop-in."

"Clever." Elite admitted. "But at least we stopped the shipment before it could reach its destination."

"Great work, Black." Armory smiled.

"Sterlin' work, boyo." Ballista admitted.

"Hey, easy with the praise." Black joked. "Don't wanna get a big head, y'know?"

"Oh, don't worry about that, mate." Ballista sniggered.

As more months passed by, Black continued on with his missions, taking time out whenever he could to drop in on Belle and Shade, and on White and his family.

On one visit to Dodge Junction, he saw that young Shine was also learning to fly.

"That's it, that's it..." White smiled, as Shine hovered inches above the ground, his tiny wings flapping like a hummingbird's. "Way to go, son!"

"Aren't you the clever one?" Silver added, as she and White both embraced their son.

"Heh-heh!" Shine giggled. "I'm the best!"

"That's right, sweetie." Silver nodded.

'Looks like Shade won't be the only gifted flyer in the family.' Black thought, as he observed the scene from behind a fence. 'Shine's going to grow up to be a fine young stallion. And with a stand up stallion like White, why not?'

He gave a wistful sigh.

'If only I could be there... I doubt White would've told him about me... and honestly, I don't blame him. Who would want a traitor for a uncle?' Black mused. 'He'd probably grow up, never knowing his uncle... in fact, he might never know his cousin.' He then thought of Shade. 'Huh, I wonder how they would take it if they met Belle and Shade...' He then looked over at Shine. 'I guess if they were ever to meet, they would get on like brothers. Just like...

Black couldn't bring himself to finish that thought as he left for the base, glancing at the family one last time... he felt like he was starting to see Ballista's point about not seeing the family.

More and more months passed, as Black found himself dealing with more and more smuggling operations, some of them involving advanced scientic equipment and supplies. Each time the security detail was growing more and more difficult, with tougher stallions with more armor and better weapons. But Black took them on with stride, Armory's armor and gadgets giving him a edge.

It wasn't till after bringing down a particularly big operation that Black recovered a transport manifest for the smuggled goods that came with a full address; an old college building in Whinneyapolis, which was currently a scientific research lab on the outskirts of the town.

"Whinneyapolis again..." Elite mused. "What do the Forefathers have going on up there?"

"Don't know." Black shrugged. "But I grabbed another goon. Maybe he knows something."

"I'll research the address." Micro offered. "Maybe that will provide more answers."

"Me and Titan will take on the goon. I read that this guy is a bit afraid of dogs." Ballista smirked evilly.

"Hehehehehe..." Titan laughed maniacally.

"I am starting to think that Ballista and Titan enjoys tormenting those guys too much." Black joked.

"Well, those two are good at what they do." Elite shrugged. "You should see what they do to guys when they are on an airship."

A couple more days later, Micro announced his findings to the Taskforce once more.

"I looked into the building and its history." He declared. "Though it is a legitimate research lab, it was recently bought by a Mr. Dysley."

"Dysley..." Elite whispered, "I was wondering when we'd run into him again."

"Again? I'm guessing you guys have crossed paths with him before?" Black asked.

"You could say that." Elite nodded. "Mr. Dysley, to many, paints himself as a respectable business-stalion. He runs a pharmaceutical company that supplies many medical locations all around Equestria... but he harbors a dark secret... he is in fact, a member of the Forefather's inner circle."

"You mean like one of the leaders?" Black gasped.

"Not entirely sure." Elite frowned. "But I wouldn't put it past him that he has somehow managed to climb up the ladders to such a position."

"But if he's a Forefather, then why is he still roaming about? Why hadn't we taken him down?" Black frowned.

"You think if we hadn't tried that, that he would still be going about his business, mate?" Ballista scoffed. "Obadiah and Sand Dollar, in spite of their positions, weren't all the popular in Saddle Arabia, let alone Equestria, and they were low-hanging fruits within the Forefathers. Mr. Dysley, however, is a whole new level entirely. He has money and smarts, and is in very high standing with everypony within Equestria. To try and 'slander' him would most likely result in us losing our jobs and dismantling this whole organization. Dysley knows he can't be touched by the legal system."

"It's sad but true." Armory sighed. "Regarding Dysley, we have to take him down ourselves."

"That won't be a problem. I can't stand ponies like that." Black glared, as he turned to Micro. "So, what has Dysley been doing exactly with this research lab?

"Well, to start off, he had all the current projects removed from within the lab, and brought in his own researchers." Elite announced. "And then had it made off-limits to the general public. He spent quite a pretty penny hiring a multitude of security officers to make sure ponies stay away."

"What's his deal? Seems a bit overkill for merely a research lab." Black grimaced.

"You would think that, but not for the kind of research Dysley does." Elite declared. "In our encounters with him, we learned that he's the head of one of the few groups within the Forefathers that researches dark magic."

"Dark magic?" Black cringed, remembering the scientists he'd ran into out in the frozen wastelands up north. "I didn't think he'dd be the type to get into that stuff."

"Neither did we." Shadow frowned. "But it doesn't change the fact that Dysley is a very influential member within the organization. A good sum of the funding the Forefathers have been receiving comes from him, and he has numerous valuable connections. To take him down could mean crippling many of the Forefathers' operations."

"At this point, I'm more concerned with his research than his status." Elite frowned. "From what we've been able to gather, he's been receiving all kinds of magical crystals and charms from various locations across Equestria. Whatever he needs all those supplies for, it can't be anything good."

"You don't know the half of it." Ballista joined them, followed by Titan.

"What do you mean, Ballista?" Shadow asked.

"We just got done interrogating our guest." Ballista revealed. "It took a while, but after Titan threaten to bite off his tool, he sang like a canary. According to him, Dysley has been working on a project of his own for a good while, and it's a real doozy."

"A 'doozy'?" Micro frowned.

"Ruh-huh." Titan nodded.

"Oh, yeah." Ballista nodded. "They call it Project: Bad Dreams. He says that Dysley has been going around Equestria, collecting a very unique and destructive force... and that force is... and you won't believe this: Nightmare Moon."

"What?!" Armory gaped.

"But how?" Shadow asked. "Nightmare Moon is gone. The Elements of Harmony purified her, turned her back into Princess Luna. Everypony knows that!"

"But what everypony doesn't know is that Nightmare Moon and Luna were never the same pony. As word would have it, Nightmare Moon was but a shadowy miasma that scoured the world, and upon finding darkness with Luna's soul, many saying was left as a parting gift by a certain umbrum of the Crystal Empire, latched onto her and together, became the feared Nightmare Moon we know. There were rumors saying that Nightmare Moon still lives on to this day, but only in wisps of miasma, imbued within her armor, the pieces scattered upon her destruction." Ballista explained. "Those very fragments hold the essence of Nightmare Moon. Dysley has those fragments, and I can only imagine the blighter's determined to harness that power for the Forefathers."

"This is far more grim than I imagined." Elite frowned. "We must launch an attack on Dysley's research lab immediately. If he somehow managed to unlock that dark magic, who knows what kind of damage he can do. Everypony, get ready."

"Well, I guess I will leave you guys to it." Armory sighed, as he made to leave.

"Hold on, Armory." Elite declared, "A situation as dire as this requires all hooves on deck, and that includes yours."

"Really?" Armory smiled. "Aw, thanks!"

"Don't get too excited." Elite told him. "You'll be providing cover fire only."

"Oh." Armory's face fell.

"It's better than nothing, though." Black nudged Armory. "Right?"

"Yeah, I guess..." Armory muttered... before his face lit up. "And it would be the perfect opportunity to test out one of my latest inventions!"

"Oh, and what is that?" Ballista asked.

"You'll see."Armory smirked, "It's going to be awesome!"

"Then it's settled." Elite declared. "Everypony, prepare yourselves for battle. You must depart ASAP!"

"You got it, boss." Black nodded. "Time to kick some flank..."

"Ruff!" Titan punched his fists together.

The Taskforce armed up, suited up, and readied their motor carriage. Armory was the last one there, his limp impeding his movement as he lugged a big metal briefcase into the carriage.

"Whoa, packing a bit much for just a mission, are you?" Ballista frowned.

"Kinda have to. The baby within this case is so big that you would need two stallions to carry it. So I had to make it into parts." Armory explained.

"And what exactly is this 'baby'?" Micro asked.

"Like I said, you'll see." Armory grinned. "Oh, sorry. I am just so giddy."

"Glad to have you with us again, pal." Black smiled. "Even if we're not technically going to fight side-by-side."

"I'll take what I can get." Armory shrugged, "Besides, someone has to cover your flanks."

"True that." Black nodded.

The Taskforce all got into the carriage.

"Okay, next stop: Whinneyapolis!" Shadow declared.

The carriage roared out of the headquarters' hidden passageway, arriving at the city by nightfall. They parked near to the research institute.

"By all likelihood, Dysley's little experiment will be going on in the main lab, where all the most advanced equipment resides." Micro declared. "That's on the west side of the building."

"Heads up, mates." Ballista pointed out several guards. "Looks like our welcoming commitee is ready to receive us."

"I've got a few things I'd like them to receive." Black smirked, readying his suit's crossbow. "We take them down first, then head inside."

"Go get 'em, guys." Armory smiled, lifting up his cannon. "I've got your backs."

"Let's put a stop to Dysley's twisted experiments." Micro smiled.

"With pleasure." Shadow nodded.

"Charge!" Ballista yelled.

"Aroooo!" Titan howled.

The Taskforce charged towards the guards.

"Intruders!" One guard yelled. "You know our orders: Kill them!"

The guards obeyed, meeting their aggressors head-on.

"Now there's a fine welcome." Ballista snorted, knocking one down with a headbutt. "No bloody manners, that's your problem."

Shadow dipped, ducked, dived and dodged the guards' crossbow fire, and returned some of his own, striking them with non-lethal blows (in hopes of later interrogation).

"Dysley really needs to hire better help." He quipped.

Micro, faced with several guards, utilised his skill with angles and vectors, firing his crossbow so the bolts glanced off various other surfaces, striking the guards from the back and sides.

"Shooting straight is so uncreative." He declared. "One needs to expand one's horizons, after all."

Titan, showing incredible speed for his size, grabbed two of the guards by the neck, knoked their heads together, then slammed them into the ground.

"Rrruff!" Titan smirked, before turning around and kicking some dirt over their prone bodies.

Black, of course, had no problem taking down the guards, whether through crossbow bolts or his hooves.

"You will not pass-urk!" One guard gulped as Black karate chopped him in the neck.

"Wrong." Black smirked.

Unbeknownst to them, a group of new guards, notably wearing tougher armor with riot shields and advanced crossbows, drawn by the commotion, sought to get the drop on them.

"Okay, stallions, you know the drill." The leader of the group announced. "Mr. Dysley hired us solely to combat the Taskforce Omega should they come."

"Um, sir, are you sure we should take them on? I heard these guys killed Sweet Tooth. You know, that psychopath that murdered a thousand ponies? What makes you think we will do any better?" One soldier spoke.

"Oh, please..." The leader sneered. "With all this riot gear Dysley had supplied us with, you would need something like... I dunno, a anti-carriage rifle to break our defense!"

"...What's an anti-carriage rifle?" The same soldier asked.

"Exactly!" The leader laughed. "Now let's fry these motherbuckers!"

Unbeknownst to those guards, they were spotted by Armory, who was atop the carriage, was looking through the sights... which was attached to a rather huge weapon. It was like a cannon, except the barrel being rather skinny, no bigger than a tin can, and made into several attached parts, being held aloft by a tripod. Along the side of the barrel read "Der Urknall". At the end was the handle and trigger... being held by Armory, who was ready to fire.

With a smirk, Armory declared:

"Hündinnen loves cannons."

Armory pulled the trigger, as a small, baseball-sized cannonball fired out like a Wonderbolt, sailing right into the group of guards, sending everypony that weren't incinerated upon explosion flying and screaming.

"Oh buck... they have an anti-carriage rifle." The leader gaped, barely dodging the blast, as he then screamed. "OH BUCK, THEY HAVE AN ANTI-CARRIAGE RIFLE!"

"Oh, yeah." Armory stroked his cannon. "I'd call that a successful test run."

The others were just as surprised as they saw the armored guards flying, most of them in pieces.

"Holy crap... was that Armory?" Black gaped.

"That crazy son of a draft horse." Micro smirked. "He must have created some sort of a high-powered sniper crossbow... with the crossbow being a cannon!"

"Will wonders of technology never cease?" Shadow chuckled.

Before long (especially with Armory unleashing heavy cover fire), the rest of the outside guards were taken down with ease.

"Good work, team." Ballista noted. "Now we go inside, where the real fight is no doubt waiting."

"Maybe we shouldn't go in through the front door." Black mused.

"Black has a point." Micro admitted. "There'll be more guards heading there. We could be here all night, fighting them, giving Dysley a chance to escape."

"We need a shortcut." Shadow mused. "Something like..."

Suddenly, a large hole was blasted in the west side of the building. The others turned in surprise to see Armory waving from the carriage, his cannon smoking.

"Like that." Shadow smirked.

"Come on, we need to shut this experiment down and fast." Ballista declared.

"I'm going after the one in charge." Black declared. "I'll see ya once I've pounded him into rich guy paste."

"Good luck!" Shadow called, as they rushed inside, and splitted up.

"Hey, Ballista, have you seen Titan?" Micro asked as they ran down a hallway, "He seems to have disappeared on us!"

"Well, from what I understand, Titan wanted to take an alternate route." Ballista shrugged.

"Are you sure we should have him go on his own? What if he comes across a whole bunch of guards?" Shadow frowned.

"Trust me, mate, knowing TItan, I don't think he'll have any problems..." Ballista smirked.

Meanwhile, on the roof of the abandoned college, Titan stood there in silence. He was panting a bit from all the guards he had taken down. Soon, he felt his ears twitching, hearing the sounds of guards under him. With a smirk and the closing of his eyes, he cricked his neck...

Fire up that loud
Another round of shots...

With a leap, Titan body-slammed through the roof.

Turn down for what

Naturally, everypony was caught by surprise when the Diamond Dog came crashing down the ceiling.

"WHAT THE BUCK?!" A guard screamed.

Turn down for what

"Rrrruh!" Titan charged toward the guards.

"Kill it!" One guard yelled.

The guards fired their crossbows, but Titan skillfully evaded the bolt, even scrabbling across the walls and ceiling. He landed next to one of the guards, knocking the crossbow out of his hooves, then sending him flying with a punch.

"RAAARRRGH!" One guard swung an armored hoof at Titan.

Titan caught the hoof in his jaws, then flung the stallion across the room.

"Ugh!" The stallion groaned as he hit the wall.

"Pile on!" Another guard yelled.

The guard all leapt onto Titan at once, but he threw them all off.

Turn down for what

Meanwhile, the others were fending the guards on the ground floor.

"Keep 'em comin', fellas!" Ballista headbutted one.

"I've been needing a good work-out." Shadow smiled, kicking one hard against a wall. "And decent sparring partners are hard to find."

"I certainly hope Dysley isn't paying too much for you fellows." Micro brought another down with a pinpoint shot. "Because you certainly aren't worth it."

Turn down for what

At the same time, Black was pounding his way through any guard that challenged.

"No time for you small fry." He tossed one aside. "I'm lookin' for the big fish..."

Turn down for what

Back with Titan, a desperate guard swung a pipe against Titan's chest, only for the pipe to shatter to pieces.

Fire up that loud
Another round of shots

"Grr..." Titan growled at him.

"...Mommy?" The guard was frozen with terror.

Swiftly, Titan grabbed him, flipped him upside-down and leapt into the air to deal a heavy piledriver.

"OH F-"

Turn down for what

Once more, guards were horrified as a Diamond Dog with a probably now-dead guard rose up from the dust.

"Please wake me up from this nightmare..." One guard trembled.

Meanwhile, within the main lab, Dysley was sitting at a work desk, examining the armor fragments that once belonged to Nightmare Moon, when suddenly, he felt the building shook, caused by Titan's floor crashing.

"What was that?" He yelped, looking around in shock.

"Sir, we appear to be under attack!" One of his underlings revealed. "The outside guards have already been defeated, and the walls have been breached!"

Dysley looked at footage from one of the building's security cameras, as indeed, Ballista and co. were mowing through the guards, and then glanced over at another footage as Titan was pummeling guards and throwing them around like rag dolls.

"Everest's lapdogs..." He growled. "So soon? No, not now..."

"What should we do, sir?" A short Pegasus stallion asked. "They're clobbering us!"

"We must act quickly!" Dysley told his underlings. "Take the fragments and flee! We must not allow our prize to fall into enemy hooves. The project must continue, even if the rest of us must forfeit our very lives! Go, go!"

"Yes, sir!" Two underlings nodded. They placed the armor fragments into a specially made case, and fled into a secret underground passage.

Dysley give a small sigh of relief as he then glanced back at a tape, seeing Black running down the hallway leading to where he was.

"...As for me, I am going to keep our 'guests' entertained..." Dysley glared, as he grabbed from a nearby desk a staff, capped with an amethyst jewel.

Moments later, Black entered the lab, kicking in the doors.

"Okay, Dysley..." He muttered, as he looked around. "Where are you?

Suddenly, a dark stream of energy blasted towards him.

"WHOA!" Black ducked, rolling out of the way. "What the-"

"Looking for me, Black Knight?"

Black glanced over at the shadows, as Mr. Dysley came out, with the staff raised, the jewel smoking from recent use.

"...Wait... you..." Black gaped. "You're that stallion... the one I saw at the trial that day! You're Mr. Dysley!"

"Hmm, perceptive, aren't you?" Mr. Dysley scoffed. "I must give you some credit... you have proven to be more of a problem than any one of us could imagine. It's no wonder those imcompetent Black Sheeps can't kill you."

"What can I say?" Black smirked as he rose to his hooves. "I am one tough S.O.B.. And I am here to put a stop to your little science project you got going here. So why don't you make this easy on us and give us the armor fragments."

"...How about no?" Dysley scowled as he fired another stream of black energy.

"Whoa!" Black ducked the blast. "Nice trick!"

"I have found a few interesting nicknacks in my time." Dysley smirked. "Which I shall to end your meddling existence!"

"Give it your best shot, rich boy." Black smirked, "Your money and your good looks won't save you this time."

"I don't need it to!" Dysley sneered, as he fired more blasts of dark magic.

Within the school, the others were fighting against the rest of the underlings.

"You think Black's okay?" Shadow asked. "I mean, he's no Titan."

"Of course." Ballista nodded "Dysley's just some feeb in a suit. Black can take him no problem.

Meanwhile, Black and Dysely continued their clash in earnest. Black fired his crossbow, but Dysley swatted the bolts away with the staff.

"My turn." Dysley smirked. He fired a blast that Black that knocked him into the wall.

"Yeowch..." Black gritted his teeth.

"Your armor is usless against the sepulchre sceptre's power." Dysley sneered.

"It'll take more than one zap to finish me." Black growled. "You won't be using that miasma stuff to hurt anypony."

"You fancy yourself a hero?" Dysley smirked. "Very odd words, coming from a convicted criminal. I knew from the moment you came into the courtroom that there was something not quite kosher there. I could tell right away you were really Elite's lapdog. And all it took was a veiled threat to your little brother to have you go on that exaggerated assassination attempt and get taken out of commission if not for a while."

"And you're feeling real proud of yourself, aren't you?" Black glared as the two circled each other.

"Why not? Ponies like you are so easy to manipulate. Why else would you throw away your reputation and your livelihood just to stop one of our projects? You do realize that there are many more projects like Infestation, some far worse than itself." Dysley mused. "With each brick you pull out, another will take it place, and the Forefathers' house remains forever strong. Don't you see, Black, you threw everything away for nothing! Plus, that eyepatch isn't doing you any favor."

"Shut it." Black snarled.

"Why do you insist on resisting us, Black? What's in it for you? As of now, you're a hero... a hero that everypony despises. Your name forever lives on in infamy as the stallion who murdered a village full of innocent ponies and changelings. You think that by defeating us, everypony will praise you as some big hero? Don't kid yourself!" Dysley cackled. "No matter what you do, you will always be hated by everypony who will never know the truth... especially your own brother..."

"I said shut up!" Black spat. "You're the real monster here! At least I'm not trying to use the remains of some dead broad!"

"But I'm just trying to make Equestria a better place." Dysley noted. "While you defend the current, flawed regime. What a waste, to throw your life away for that. I know Elite must have read you quite a spiel about doing good, but that just makes you a bigger fool for believing him."

"Better to be a fool than being in some cult filled with crazy ponies!" Black retorted.

"At least with my 'cult', I am still able to come home to my wife every night and go to work every day." Dysley smirked. "What about you? All you have to come back to is a small room they keep for you in that hidey hole of yours, unable to ever again roam free without persecution. That's the difference between your 'Taskforce Omega' and my 'Forefathers'... The Forefathers asked little of me, and have given me so much... while the Taskforce asked everything of you... and what do you have to show for it?"

Black felt his hooves twitching with rage.

"In the end, I have everything I could ever wanted, while you have nothing." Dysley said firmly. "And I pity you for it. Now, all you are is a criminal, a traitor, and a fool, a hero despised by everypony..." He shook his head sadly, "What a sad and lonely life you have, Black... sad and lonely ind-"

"SHUT UP!" Black roared, as he charged at him full-speed. "ARRRGH!"

Dysley was surprised, unable to raise his scepter in time as Black rammed him. Quickly, he unleashed a flurry of blows upon him, Dysley barely able to block half of his blows.

"Ugh!" Dysley growled, as Black's latest punch knocked him back, barely able to stand. "That's it. I've been going easy on you... but no more! Now, feel the sceptre's full power!"

The sceptre charged up.

"Not today!" Black snarled, fired his crossbow.

The bolt lodged into Dysley's hoof, the one holding the sceptre.

"Ah, dammit!" Dysley screamed. He pulled the hoof back just before the staff discharged, the pointing up at the roof, which collapsed under the onslaught. "Aw, fuuuu-!" Dysley yelled, as he and half the room was buried under the rubble.

As the dust cleared, Black soon felt his rage faded away as he glanced over the damage of the room.

"Crap... so much for recovering those fragments..." Black sighed. "But at least they're destroyed. And if they're destroyed, so is Nightmare Moon... I hope."

Black returned to the others, who were mopping up the remaining guards in the entrance hall of the college.

"Where's Dysley?" Ballista asked.

"He wound up burying himself and his project with some whacked-out staff." Black shrugged.

"Not exactly how the mission was supposed to go, but it's better than nothing." Micro admitted. "We better get out of here while the getting's good. With all the mess we made, the authorities will be here soon."

"Wait, where's Titan?" Black asked, "I didn't see him come in with us."

Suddenly, they heard muffled screaming above them, as the ceiling began to crack.

Turn down for what!

The ceiling caved in as Titan landed, making a small crater, followed by a bunch of badly injured guards.

"RUFF!" Titan barked with gusto.

"Yeesh, didn't bother to take the stairs?" Micro cringed as he glanced up at the three holes Titan had made.

"Ruff-ruff-ruffruff." Titan shrugged.

"Okay, maybe I shouldn't have had you listen to that song on my player." Black grimaced. "Seriously, Rookie had some very odd taste in music..."

"At least Titan did a good job of cleaning house." Ballista smirked, rubbing his head. "Isn't that right, boy?"

"Ruh-huh!" Titan panted happily.

The Taskforce returned to the headquarters, filling in Elite on the night's events.

"Well done, team." Elite congratulated his troops. "Once again, you have saved Equestria from a terrible evil."

"How'd it feel getting back onto the field... kind of?" Black asked Armory.

"Well, it wasn't quite what I was hoping for." Armory admitted. "But it felt good to fight alongside you guys again... even if it was from a distance."

"Dude, I think it suits you. Man, you should had seen their faces as you blew them away!" Shadow chuckled. "That sniper cannon thing of yours is awesome."

"Thank you." Armory smirked, "The only problem is that thing takes a while to put together... and those little cannonballs I used as ammo? I have to make each one by myself. Takes about a month or two to make one of them."

"Really? Why?" Micro asked.

"Can't tell you. It's a secret I will take to my grave." Armory shook his head. "Still, it's nice to know I was able to come through for you guys."

"You always did, Armory." Elite smiled.

"It's true." Black smiled. "Whether on the field, or in the workshop, you've always given us help and support when we needed it."

"Limp or no limp, you'll always be a vital part of this team, mate." Ballista grinned.

"You're one of us, Armory." Shadow smiled. "No matter what."

"A team is like a well-oiled machine." Micro added. "Without one of its pieces, even if the piece is a little scuffed, it cannot possibly function."

"Ruff!" Titan licked Armory on the cheek.

"Okay, I think you've made your point." Armory chuckled, wiping the saliva off. "Thanks, guys. Guess I had nothing to worry about after."

"Not a thing, teammate." Black patted him on the back. "Not a thing."

"And thanks to all of you, Equestria now has one less thing to worry about." Elite smiled. "Dysley and his twisted project are no more..."

Elsewhere, within the walls of Infinity, Mr. Dysley was lying on a bed, the room having only one source of light that was beaming over his bed, revealing his greatly wounded body, having barely survived being crushed under all the rubble.

He was not alone in the room, as a cloaked pony stood at his side, mostly hidden by the shadow, seemingly showing deep concerns for his bed-ridden fellow.

"So... what's the prognosis, doctor?" Dysley asked, his voice very weak.

"Not very good, I'm afraid." The cloaked pony sighed. "Me and my peers could only do so much, but with the severity of your injuries, I fear that your body will never fully recover. At best, you will be limping for the rest of your life... at worst... well, you might never walk again."

"I figured as much." Dysley murmured, twitching from the pain. "...You always did tell me that my big mouth would get me in trouble. Serves me right."

"I just can't believe it happened to you." The cloaked 'doctor' frowned. "...I should have been there. I heard that they had a Diamond Dog breaking through roofs, and that Germane pony of theirs had a 'sniper cannon' of sorts... maybe if I was there-"

"Then you would be sharing a bed with me." Mr. Dysley groaned. "Trust me, I know you. You always had a low threshold for pain."

"Still, thanks to them, you will be crippled for life." The cloaked stallion shook his head.

"If only that was the worst part." Dysley scoffed.

"How do you mean?" The cloaked stallion asked.

"You know how things work here, doctor." Dysley frowned. "Ponies who get hurt like me fall behind on their quotas. And when you fall behind on your quotas... well, let's say they don't have much use for useless ponies. I will probably be dead by the end of the month."

"No, I won't let that happen!" The cloaked stallion growled. "I can help you. Assist you in fulfilling your duties until you get better!"

"Then you will be in their crosshairs as well." Dysley shook his head. "Besides, you said so yourself, I will be crippled for the rest of my life. You would be covering for me for the rest of my life..."

"Then we must get you out of here!" The shadowed stallion said, concern in his voice. "Get you on an airship and fly you somewhere where they won't find you."

"Sorry old friend, but that's impossible." Dysley shook his head. "There is no escaping the Forefathers. Once they want you dead, you're dead. There's no way around it. They'll dispose of me, and with time, find some other smuck to take my place. It's how things work here..."

"And you're... okay with this?" The shadowed stallion murmured.

"I knew what I was getting myself into." Dysley said solemnly. "And I knew the moment something like this happened, I would be knocking on Death's door no matter what." He glanced wistfully at the cloaked stallion, "It will be up to you to finish Project: Bad Dreams."

"But sir..." The cloaked stallion protested, "I... I don't know if I..."

"I know... it will be tough with me gone... but I have faith in you, old friend." Dysley weakly smiled.

"...Thank you, sir." The cloaked stallion sighed, "...It was an honor working with you."

"Likewise." Mr. Dysley nodded, as he turned to look at his bedside table, which bore a picture of a newborn colt, a pegasus like him. "My one regret is that I shall not live to see my son grow up... but... in time, I know he will finish what we started..."

The present...

"Wow, that was some serious stuff." Caboose noted. "But so well narrated."

"I daresay that taking down Mr. Dysley was one of your proudest moments." Fletcher added.

"Yeah." Black nodded. "Those were some of the most exciting years of my life. I felt like the good times were never going to end... but of course, things turned sour soon enough..."

"See, this is what I mean!" Caboose frowned. "Another dramatic cliffhanger at the end of the cliffhanger. I know it's supposed to keep the readers hooked for the next chapter, but can't you give it a rest? If they're this far into the story, then of course they're sticking with it for the long haul."

"Don't mind, Caboose." Fletcher sighed. "You get used to it.

"Then he'd better used to the cliffhangers." Black smirked. "Because there's a lot more coming..."

"Oh, come on!" Caboose groaned.

Author's Notes:

"Turn Down For What" belongs to Li'l John.

Always

"I must admit, I've found the recounting of your personal history... quite enjoyable so far." Fletcher told Black.

"Oh, yeah." Caboose munched on some popcorn. "If it were a fanfic, it'd get like, a hundred favorites... hint, hint."

"Yeah, well, I'm afraid the good times were over and done with." Black frowned. "From here on out, things start getting dark. Brace yourselves gents, because you're going to learn first-hoof how far a stallion can fall..."

"...Well, I fell from a clock tower, so we can fall very far." Caboose mused, "Oh, and my brothers told me how Twitch jumped from the top of the Crystal Empire castle, and survived, even though he got shot and was practically set on fire-"

"Caboose, I think he meant that metaphorically." Fletcher frowned.

"You mean how the writers can make us survive anything because screw the rules, they're metaphors?" Caboose remarked.

"...As I was saying..." Black frowned. "Things were about to take a turn for the worst... and it all started with me losing one of the few things I'd ever loved..."

Many years ago...

Well over three years had passed since the clash with Dysley.

Just as they predicted, they hadn't heard anything about Project: Bad Dreams since that day, leading them to assume that Dysley's demise had shelved the project permanently. Dysley's death did not go unnoticed by news outlets, as stories upon stories of what happened to him circulated Equestria for a month or two. According to them, Dysley had died in a freak airship accident.

Theories and questions of conspiracies arose, but the Taskforce paid them no mind. All they knew was Dysley was dead and nopony would pick up where he left off... they hoped.

Nonetheless, despite their success, the Forefathers still continued unabated by their losses with their operations and schemes, and Taskforce Omega continued to dismantled each and one of them.

One day, on his way back from a mission involving taking down yet another one of the Forefathers' smuggling operations, Black made a quick detour towards Dodge Junction.

'I wonder how big Shine's gotten since the last time I've seen him?' Black wondered. 'I'll bet White and Silver have their hooves full with the kid...'

Black slipped into Dodge Junction, making his way toward White and Silver's home. As he did, he saw them walking down the street. Not only was Shine with, but Silver was carrying a small blue filly.

'Well, well...' Black smiled. 'White, you old dog, you've done it again.'

"Can I hold her, momma?" Shine asked Silver. "I'll be super-duper careful, I promise!"

"Okay, Shine." Silver chuckled. She gently passed the foal to her son.

"Hi, Mist." Shine smiled, whispering gently. "It's me, Shine. Your big brother, remember?"

'Mist...' Black thought. 'What a lovely name.'

Mist reached out and grabbed Shine's cheek with her hoof.

"Heh-heh, that tickles!" Shine giggled.

"She must really love her big brother." White smiled.

"I love her too." Shine beamed.

"We know you do." SIlver declared.

"And I'm gonna be the best big brother ever." Shine looked into Mist's smiling face. "I promise."

'So Shine's a big brother now.' Black thought. 'It's too bad Shade won't ever know that joy. Unless Belle finds somepony else... and I hope she does. I don't want her pining after me her whole life. That wonderful mare deserves to be happy... And she will be, I know it. Both her and Shade. As long as I know my loved ones are happy and safe, that's more than enough for me.'

A short while after, Black returned to the HQ, smiling widely.

"You're certainly chipper today." Micro noted. "I trust you had a particularly successful mission?"

"That's one way of putting it." Black grinned, handing Micro some notes. "I even brought back some souvenirs."

"Marvelous." Micro smiled. "As always, Black, you never fail to please."

"What can I say?" Black smirked. "It's a gift."

"A gift we all greatly appreciate." Elite joined them.

"Yeah, you've really been on fire lately!" Armory grinned.

"Hey, I can't help it if I'm so good at my job." Black bragged.

"And so modest too." Shadow joked.

"Yep, that's me." Black grinned. "There's nothing that can shake me now!"

"Mind yourself, Black." Elite tutted. "Confidence is a good thing to have, but overconfidence can be an issue. Take it from me, there's always something that comes along to surprise."

"Whatever it is, I can handle it." Black smirked.

"Let's hope you're right, mate." Ballista frowned. "Now, what's next on the agenda, boss?"

"Oh, there are a few things lined up." Elite declared. "There are some leads we need to look into, activities that need investigating... We're going to be very busy..."

"Which is just the way I like it." Black smiled. "Let's just see what tomorrow brings us..."

A few weeks later, Black and Ballista were sent to take down one of the Forefathers' holding facilities in Manehattan. Between the two of them, it was mere exercise taking down the guards and leaving them for the police.

"Woo, another successful day!" Black smirked, as he and Ballista walked back to the rendevouz point, where an airship would pick them up (their usual carriage being in for repairs), deciding to travel through the plains near Dodge Junction as a shortcut.

"You said it, mate." Ballista smiled, slinging a well-used crossbow on his shoulder. "Nothing like thumping slimeballs for your country."

"You're preaching to the choir, big guy." Black grinned. "Though I did get more of them than you."

"In your dreams, mate." Ballista chuckled.

"Keep telling yourself that." Black smirked.

The two shared a good-natured laugh.

"So... Black, it must be nice to be near home again." Ballista declared.

"Oh, it is..." Black shrugged, trying to not reveal his trip weeks earlier, "You know, me, my brother, and our friends used to go on a lot of adventures around here when we were kids."

"Is that a fact? I don't really see how you guys could find adventures in a dry, arid wasteland." Ballista deadpanned.

"Of course a out-of-towner like you would say that." Black scoffed jokingly. "But for Dodge Junctioners like me, it was a treasure trove filled to the brim with stuff to find. You know, we actually found a dead body one time."

"You're kiddin'?" Ballista gaped.

"Nope. I tell ya, as a kid, it was pretty cool." Black smirked. "...Although Big Red ended up throwing up, Cherry and Marshall ended up having nightmares, and White..." He trailed off for a moment, only to regan his train of thought. "Well, either way, we didn't get our cutie marks for finding dead bodies."

"I surely hope not." Ballista grimaced. "That would have been pretty bucked up. ...How did you get your Cutie Mark, anyway?"

"That's quite a story." Black nodded. "Back when I was about nine or ten, this rich guy named Moneybags and his son, Fresh Mint, rolled into town. Mint didn't waste any time pushing the other kids around."

"Sounds like a real prince." Ballista snorted.

"Yeah, the prince of bullies." Black scowled. "Nopony liked what he was doing, but because his dad was throwing around money left and right, boosting the economy, and even making a successful run for mayor, they refused to do anything about it. They were too afraid to get on his father's bad side. I wanted to give that punk a whupping, but my parents told me not to."

"That is just wrong." Ballista frowned.

"Tell me about." Black seethed. "But one day, Mint was pushing around White. He shoved into the fence so hard, poor White got a cut on his head. Well, that was the last straw for me. While, Red and Cherry got White some medical attention. I went right up to that punk, and challenged him to fight after dark. I slipped out of the house after dark, and faced that brat out by the swimming hole."

"Then what happened?" Ballista asked.

"Well, the kid put up a better fight than I thought." Black admitted. "But I still pounded him into the dirt. He started whining about going to his dad, but I threatened him with even worse if he ever told anypony. So the little wuss ran back home. And at that moment, my Cutie Mark appeared." He pointed out the Mark. "At first, I figured the red moon stood for the blood I spilled, and the eclipse for the fight happening at night. But over time, I realised it was because I was willing to go into dark places to do good. And I've stuck with that ever since."

"I'll bet your family was proud." Ballista smiled.

"White and mom were." Black nodded. "But my ol' dad was never proud of me."

"Oh, yeah?" Ballista frowned. "Why's that?"

"I guess we never really saw eye to eye." Black declared. "He never treated me the same way he treated White. I never held it against White, though. But I did resent the old guy for always treating me like an unwanted stepchild."

"That's rough, mate." Ballista sighed.

"Honestly, I was glad when he died." Black scowled. "Meant I didn't have to deal with his disapproval anymore. It's just a shame mom had to go with him.."

Suddenly, rain began pouring down upon them in a vicious downpour.

"Crikey." Ballista yelped, shaking his wet head. "So much for a dry, arid wasteland! Where the buck did all this rain come from?!"

"You got me." Black shrugged, ignorant of being drenched, "This happens all the time. One moment it's hot and dry, the next..." He gestured to the rain.

"Ugh... of all the days for Armory's carriage to be in the shop." Ballista grumbled. "Now we have to continue walkin' in the rain."

"Come on, this isn't so bad." Black gave a light smirk, "It's only rain... the only thing you would really need to watch out for is the-"

A roaring sound covered Black's words.

"What the bloody hell?" Ballista frowned.

As they turned, they saw a massive torrent of water pouring down a steep incline.

"Flash flood!" Black yelled. "Run!"

"Don't have to tell me twice!" Ballista nodded.

The two ran for their lives, attempting to avoid the deadly flood.

"Over here!" Black led Ballista to a ridge.

Once they reached the ridge, they were above the water, which poured past them.

"Hoo, safe at last." Ballista sighed with relief, as he then looked nervously at the rushing waters. "We are safe, right?"

"Yes. Fortunately, these flash floods don't last too long." Black panted, "Hopefully there is no one down-"

"HELP!"

Black's ears perked, as he heard a familiar voice.

"White?" Black gasped, as he glanced out into the flood.

To his horror, in spite of how heavy the rain was pouring, Black was able to spot a familiar white Pegasus stallion with a light blue Earth Pony mare, the stallion holding onto a rock.

"Oh, crap..." Ballista gaped, seeing what Black saw, "Is that-"

"It's White and Silver! They're both in trouble!" Black screamed, as he made to jump into the water, "We gotta help them!"

"We can't!" Ballista stopped him. "The water's too strong! You'd be putting your life in danger!"

"But we can't just leave them out there!" Black snarled.

"I know, but we need to come up with a pl-" Ballista tried to reason.

"ANYPONY, PLEASE!" Silver's voice pleaded.

"HELP US! I CAN'T HOLD-" White screamed out.

Suddenly, a big wave of water surged forth and slammed into the two, knocking them off the rock.

"WHITE!" Black roared.

"Black, don't-" Ballista started.

Black shoved Ballista aside as he leapt into deadly waves.

"Oh, Faust dammit!" Ballista snarled, slamming his hooves into the ground.

Moments after diving, Black broke through the water's surface, swimming harder than he ever had in his entire life.

"WHITE!" Black yelled, or at least tried, as his snout kept dipping under the water, causing him to cough up water, "WHITE!"

He couldn't see him or SIlver, making him realize that the waves must had caused them to go under. Holding his breath, he dove underwater, hoping to find his brother and his wife, while trying to not get his body caught up in the currents.

'Come on, White, where are you?!' Black panicked, his eye darting left and right to find them.

Feeling his lungs aching for air, Black quickly resurfaced, taking in mouthful of air as the rough currents tossed him back and forth.

"Black!" Ballista called from further down the ridge. "Get back here!"

"Not until I find them!" Black shook his head.

"Use your bleedin' head!" Ballista growled. "You keep this up, you'll either drown or freeze!"

"I don't care!" Black yelled. He took another deep breath, and dropped back beneath the waves.

"He never listens..." Ballista groaned.

Black continued his search through the raging waters. He gazed desperately through the murky liquid, until his saw two figures, lying against a raised lump of rock. His blood, already chilled by the ice-cold waters, practically froze in his veins as he looked upon White and Silver's bodies, unmoving, unstirring.

'No... no...' Black thought. 'Please, no...'

Shaking off his fear, Black grabbed them both and swam to the surface, gasping for air as he breached.

"Gotta...gotta get to land..." Black panted, as he looked around, elated to find a small hill sticking out of the water. "Oh thank Faust..."

With some of his remaining strength, he was able to fight the currents and pulled himself and his passengers ashore. Black set White and Silver's body down, as he coughed profusely for a few seconds.

However, he didn't have time to rest as he quickly turned to his brother and sister-in-law, both still not moving.

"Oh no..." Black whispered, as he quickly went over to Silver. He put a hoof to her neck, trying to find a pulse... but there was none. Silver Wind was gone. "Oh Faust... White, I'm sorry." His blood went frigid. "White."

Instantly, Black turned to White, as he put a hoof to his neck... only to find no pulse as well.

"No..." Black shook his head. Hoping to find a pulse elsewhere, he checked his hoof. Still no pulse. "No..." Still ignorant, he checked the other hooves, still not finding a pulse, "No, no, no..."

Black then placed his head on White's chest, hoping to feel a heartbeat... but all he heard was the rain and the raging waters...

"White? White?!" Black called out, his mind still not accepting facts, as he tried shaking him, ignoring how cold (despite him being drenched in water beforehand) he was. "Come on, wake up! Wake up!" He then lit up. "CPR, maybe that will help!"

Black placed his hoof atop his chest and begun quick and rapid chest compressions, counting silently to himself, and when that didn't work, he tried giving him two rescue breaths, and then repeated the process.

Black continued this cycle for what seem like forever... but by the tenth time, it was starting to become clear that his brother was never going to wake up... but Black was trapped in denial.

"Come on, White..." Black panted, his hooves growing tired and sore from the many compressions, but still continuing to do them. "Stay with me... breathe... Breathe!"

Unbeknownst to him, he began pressing harder, his body shuddering and his good eye welling up.

"Come on, White... don't do this! you can't die!" Black growled. "Not like this! Not when you have two beautiful kids that needs you! They need you!" He sniffed, "...I need you..."

White's lack of response only made Black's anguish worst.

"GRR, WAKE UP, FAUST DAMN IT!" Black screamed, slamming his hooves in his chest. "BREATHE! BREATHE! WAKE UP! WAKE UPPPPPP!"

Black slammed his two sore hooves into the ground, as he finally broke down, hugging White's lifeless body close to him, sobbing unashamedly.

"Oh, White!" Black cried between desperate wails. "I'm so-ho-horry! Please don't gooo! I love you, brotherrrr! Don't leave meeee!"

"Black!" Ballista yelled, as his rope dart pulled him through the now calming waters. "Black, are you-"

He stopped as soon as he saw his comrade, bawling over his brother's corpse, with his wife's body not far from him. His heart nearly broke upon such a sight.

"Oh, Black..." Ballista whispered.

"White... please... don't leave me... don't leave me all alone..." Black sobbed.

Ballista let out a heavy sigh as he then pulled out his communicator and activated it.

"Hey, it's me, Ballista." Ballista murmured. "We're going to need some air support..." The voice on the other end spoke a bit. "I'll explain later, but we're kinda caught in the middle of a flood right now. We need air evac asap..." The voice talked a bit more. "Good, see you in a few minutes."

After he closed the communicator, he turned to Black, who was still crying, and with great resignation, Ballista approached Black.

"Black..." Ballista called out to him, but Black didn't respond. "Black. We have to get out of here."

"No!" Black shook his head viciously. "I won't leave my brother!"

"Black, your brother's gone." Ballista frowned, trying to keep a firm glance in face of a heartbreaking sight. "There's nothing more you can do for him."

"No... there has to be something!" Black whimpered. "I can't just leave them here-"

"And we won't. We'll make sure somepony finds their bodies. But we have to go." Ballista declared.

"But... but..." Black protested, his voice failing him.

"I know... but it wil do nopony any good if you stick around here..." Ballista said solemnly, as he placed a hoof on his shoulder. "Please..."

Black glanced at his brother's body one last time, as he gently set him down... and then, to his surprise, Black buried his face into his chest, as he continued to weep...

"I'm sorry, Black..." Ballista sighed. "I really am..."

It was only a matter of minutes when a couple of RDL Pegasus agents came in with a flying carriage to pick up Black and Ballista, leaving the couples' bodies where they left them. Black, before he joined Ballista, adjusted their bodies so that their hooves were touching, as a final sign of respect.

About a half hour later, Ballista and Black arrived back at HQ (wearing heating blankets provided by the agents), where Elite and the others were waiting to greet them.

"Black, Ballista, we came as soon as we heard." Elite frowned. "They said that you two were caught in a flash flood or something."

"What the hell happened over there?" Armory asked. "Are you both okay?"

"I'm fine..." Ballista declared... before frowning sadly at Black, whose face remained in twisted anguish. "Wish I can say the same for Black..."

"What? What happened to Black?" Elite questioned, not liking the look on Black's face.

"...I couldn't save them... I couldn't save them..." Black murmured, his eye still teary.

"It was awful..." Ballista sighed. "We were walking through the plains when it suddenly began raining and then there was this flood. We were safe for the most part, but then... we found White Knight and his wife, hanging for dear life on a rock."

"What?!" Everypony gasped.

"White was there?!" Elite gaped.

"Yes... but then they got swept up in the current, and then Black dived in after them... but... by the time Black got them and brought them to shore... they were both gone." Ballista murmured.

"Oh, Black..." Armory whispered.

"You tried so hard..." Shadow mused.

"Against all odds." Micro added. "Alas, sometimes the odds can't be beaten."

"Rooo..." Titan whined.

"if you want to talk about it, we're right-" Elite started.

"Thanks for the offer." Black cut him off. "But right now, I think I want to be alone."

"If that's what you want, we won't stop you." Elite sighed.

"But you know where we are if you need us, right?" Armory asked.

"Yeah, sure." Black nodded. "Later, guys..."

The others looked on forlornly as Black walked away.

"Poor blighter..." Ballista sighed.

"Let's hope he makes it through this okay." Shadow added.

"Statistically, the odds are good." Micro admitted.

"If one stallion can beat the odds, it's Black." Elite declared.

"Yeah." Armory nodded. "Just give him some time. He'll make it through this."

Black returned to his quarters, and climbed up onto his bed, curling up into a ball, as he began whimpering once more...

"I never even got to say goodbye..." Black sniffed, "White is gone... and I couldn't do a thing to save him."

For the rest of the night, Black wept for his deceased brother.

Over the next couple of days, Black remained in his quarters. There were no missions for him, so he only came out to eat, silent and his face stuck in perpetual sadness.

"Black, are you okay?" Armory asked, as Black ate his lunch alone.

"No, I'm not." Black turned away. "And I don't think I ever will be again..."

"Black, I-" Armory started.

"Please, just leave me alone." Black muttered. "I just want to be alone..."

Dejected, Armory walked over to the others.

"This isn't good." He sighed.

"Black's loss has left him numb to all other things." Micro remarked.

"We can't let him suffer like that." Shadow declared.

"Rrrooo..." Titan whined.

"But he won't even talk to us." Armory pointed out.

"Then perhaps we can Elite to do so." Micro suggested.

"Worth a shot." Shadow nodded.

The next day, Black was approached by Elite on his way back from breakfast.

"Black, can we talk?" He asked.

"No." Black said bluntly.

"Black, please, you can't keep shutting us out like this." Elite blocked his way.

"Oh, and why not?" Black snarled. "My brother is dead."

"Yes... I can't imagine how you feel right now, Black." Elite sighed, "You performed some of your most noble and selfless acts to ensure White's safety... and now he's gone, taken by a force of nature."

"Yeah, that's some cruel irony, huh?" Black scowled. "I only became the enemy of the state so I could protect him from the Forefathers, but as it turns out, I should had protected him that heartless witch known as Mother Nature."

"I know." Elite sighed. "But there's nothing that can be done about it now. We just have to live with it."

"Not all of us..." Black said coldly.

"You're right." Elite nodded. "But I'll bet you're not the only one missing White."

"Got that right. They actually came out with their orbituary today." Black held up the Dodge Junction Post, one of several newspapers privately delivered to the headquarters. "The funeral's being held in a couple of days."

"So soon?" Ballista joined the conversation. "Guess they were missed more than I thought."

"Of course they were. White was a great stallion..." Black murmured.

"It's truly a tragedy, I know." Elite nodded. "They will surely be missed."

"Sir... might it be possible if I go to this funeral?" Black asked. "I want to pay my final respects to them, a chance to say goodbye..."

"I'm afraid that's out of the question." Elite frowned. "You do recall that you're supposed to be dead?"

"Then I'll put on a stupid cloak or the Dreadnought armor-" Black growled.

"Black, you lived in that town for years. Even with a disguise, there'll be too many ponies there that could identify you." Ballista frowned. "If you get spotted... well, let's say the Forefathers will be the least of our problems."

"But he's my brother!" Black growled. "You can't just-"

"Black." Elite said firmly. "...I'm truly sorry for your loss, Black. But we can't afford to break protocol, not even in this time of grieveance... You are to stay here, and that's an order. Is that clear?"

"...Yes, sir." Black nodded, his eyes glaring viciously at him.

With that, Black stormed past them. As soon as he was out of earshot...

"...That must had been hard for you, Elite." Ballista mused.

"I know." Elite sighed. "But it had to be done. Black's true purpose is yet to be realised."

"I just hope we can forgive ourselves when the time comes..." Ballista added.

As Black stomped off, he was still fuming.

'Of all the times they had to refuse me...' Black snarled, 'Well, too damn bad. It's not like orders ever stopped me before... and they won't now.'

On the day of the funeral, after several days of isolation (especially after his run-in with Elite), Black slipped out of the headquarters. Donning his old cloak, he made his way to Dodge Junction.

'They'll probably think I'm still moping in my quarters.' Black grumbled. 'They should have just locked me away if they didn't want me to go...'

It wasn't before long that Black arrived in Dodge Junction, as light rain poured down on the town. As he made his way to the venue in which the funeral was taking place, he was unaware of another pony who just arrived in town.

"Now entering Dodge Junction station." The conductor announced, as ponies disembark the train, ready to go about their business.

Among them was none other than Pike Redfield.

In the years following Dysley's demise, the Black Sheep has been under heavy scrunity, many of the other agents blaming members of the group for being the ones that led the Taskforce to him. It didn't help that the Black Sheep has failed miserably time and time again to take out Black, whether it was because they were outsmarted, outgunned, or just overpowered.

That didn't sit well with the rest of the Ouroboros, and they made no qualms in letting Pike know how displeased they were.

For that reason, Pike has been focusing his efforts to try and find Black again, hoping to get him by himself and take him down. Fortunately, his efforts bore fruit, as he looked up Black's files from when Obadiah looked him up and learned that he hailed from Dodge Junction.

Furthermore, he was able to recieve the recent edition of the Dodge Junction Post and learned that his brother had recently died. Going on a hunch, Pike had decided to go there by himself, on the hope that he would find Black, and end this once and for all.

'Okay, Black. Let's get this bull-crap done and over with.' Pike grunted to himself as he walked into town.

The funeral was being held on Big Red's homestead. Almost everypony in town was in attendance, set on showing their final respects to their friends and neighbors. Watching from afar where nopony would see him, Black's heart lurched as he looked upon Shine, who had the most anguished look on his face. Mist was too young to understand what was happening, but the melancholy look on her face seemed to suggest that deep down, she had some inkling of what was going on, that a part of her knew she would never see her parents again.

As the attendees took their seats, Black saw the two coffins, moments away from being placed in their graves. His heart lurched worse than ever.

"We are gathered here to bid farewell to two remarkable ponies." The town preacher declared. "Let us hear some words from one who knew them best. Mr Barrel-Roll?"

Big Red stepped forward.

"...Red..." Black whispered.

"Ah... Ah really don't know what tah say." Big Red declared, holding his hat to his chest. "When the coroner came and told me that the pony ah knew since Ah was an overweight colt with no prospect in life, and his wife were gone... Ah didn't want ta believe him. Faust, Ah didn't want tah believe it one bit. But there were no changin' the facts... two a' the many important ponies in mah life are now gone."

"And mine..." Black murmured.

"Ya see, White wuz the bestest friend I ever had." Big Red said quietly, "He wuz the nicest, most compassionate, most easy-goin' stallion Ah've ever known. He wuz always ready to help those in need. And nuthin' wuz more important ta him than his friends an' family. In fact, there's barely a pony in this who White hadn't helped at some point or other. He wuz jest that kinda guy."

'Yeah, he was...' Black thought sadly.

"A'course, we didn't know Silver nearly as long." Big Red admitted. "But she wuz a sweet, spunky li'l lady, make no mistake. From the moment Ah first saw her an' White together, Ah knew it wuz meant ta be. An' now, they're even together in death. Almost touchin', ain't it? Almost..."

'Silver, the sister-in-law I never got to know, and never will...' Black frowned.

"...So... what can Ah say that hasn't already bin said about these two great ponies?" Big Red sighed, as he turned to Silver's grave. "Silver Wind was one of the kindest ponies Ah knew, easily one of the most beautiful mares to walk the earth, and a devoted mother ta her two kids, and even more devoted wife ta her husband." He then turned to White, his eyes welling up. "And White... White was truly one in a million. He wasn't just a hard worker, a loyal husband, a loving father, and a noble soldier who fought for his country..."

Black felt his heart ache, seeing his best friend, struggling to hold it in.

"He was the bravest, smartest, kindest stallion Ah've ever known… guess, what Ah am trying to get across is... he was more than mah best friend... he was like a brother ta me... and Ah'm going to spend the rest of mah life missing him and Silver."

Big Red then gave a solemn nod to White's grave...

"Ah love you, brother... and Ah'm sure gonna miss you." Big Red whispered.

Those very words hit Black real deep. A part of him shared the anguish, knowing how much Big Red loved both him and White. In a way, Big Red was like another brother to them...

On the other hoof, Black felt a sense of envy... he felt that he should have been the one to say those words to him. His own brother.

But he couldn't. Because of them. The Taskforce, the Forefathers, Elite, Ballista, Pike... the list went on. He gave up his old life with his brother and his friends so he could protect them... but it was all for nothing.

His brother was dead. And he was alive... if only he could make a deal with Faust...

Big Red returned to his seat by Cherry, who placed a comforting hoof on his shoulder.

"We shall know commend these poniies' bodies to the earth from which we all sprang." The preacher declared.

Two worker stallions started piling dirt over the graves. Shine cried into Cherry's chest, as Big Red let out his own sobs.

'I can't take this anymore...' Black thought, and he turned and fled the scene, his heart heavy with pain and loss.

He made his way to the old swimming hole, where he, White, and their friends had spent many a carefree summer day playing and hanging out together.

Black stood over the edge of the lake, throwing off his cloak, memories of the times he and White had spent together rushing through his head. Days playing out the fields, hanging out with all their friends, eating cherries from the orchards, going on adventures... even the time they rode a mine cart right into the Sheriff's office. Those were happy times, but at the moment, each one felt like a knife to the heart.

'No, please...' Black begged himself, trying to block out the memories. 'Stop it... I don't want to remember...'

Desperate to drown out the memories, Black put on his headphones, and played Rookie's mixtape at full volume, praying that this next song would be some heavy metal or rock. Hell, at this point, Justin Beanber would suffice. If it meant to take him out of his anguish...

Unfortunately, his ears were greeted with the sounds of an acoustic guitar strumming and the humming of a male pony.

In these moments of loss and torment
When the vast skies don't seem to call you
When the weight of this world bears down
And the stars have fallen like tears
I am with you always

From the darkness of night until the morning
I am with you always from life until death takes me

As the song played, more memories of he and his brother flashed by his mind... of him and White hiking through the plains, going camping, even some play-sparring... whenever he was with his brother, he always was so happy...

Monuments built in remembrance of me
But monuments fade, erode, and decay
The memories are all that remain
As far as the east is from the west, remember
I am with you always

From the darkness of night until the morning
I am with you always from life until death takes me

More times of merriment he had with his brother rolled into mind, particularly the times he and White hung at the watering hole or around town with their friends. When they lost their parents, they only had each other to turn to for comfort. While he did not take their death the best, he felt that if he wasn't there, White wouldn't be able to cope. All this time, he thought White needed him...

But he was wrong. It was he who needed him.

White was his rock. His moral compass. All of Black's most noble deeds had risen from his need to protect White. White had helped him to be a better pony, encouraged him to be better. Even after their seperation, Black followed that example. But now, all that was gone.

When hope seems lost down and lowly,
I am here with you always

In Black's mind, flashes of their time serving together in Saddle Arabia flickered into being: Their first mission, standing in the medical unit together, living and working side by side, and of course, the heartwarming moment they searched as they made their way to Reinadh, before everything changed...

Black's eye began welling up as the last loving words he heard from his brother echoed through his mind.

"I'll always love you too, Black... I swear."

I am with you always
From the darkness of night

"RARRRRGH!" Black pulled off the headphones, throwing the tape player onto some grass, as he began sobbing uncontrollably. "Stop it, stop it, stop! I don't want to feel any more! I just want this Faust damn pain to go away! Please, stop tormenting me!"

I am with you always

From the darkness of night
I am with you always

In his rage, Black did the only thing he thought was logical and leapt into the lake, submerged himself in the cold water.

"AARRRRRGGGHHHH!" Black screamed, his voice muffled by all the water rushing in. "RAAAAAAAAAAH!"

From the darkness of night
Until the morning
I am with you always

Until life and death takes me
I am with you always

Unbeknownst to Black, Pike was tailing him, having spotted a oddly cloaked figure watching the funeral from a distance. Seeking his chance, Pike had followed him to the lake. Knowing how futile it was to go face to face with him, Pike circled around the lake, taking his place right across where Black was, with a crossbow mounted towards him.

"I hope you enjoy your swim in the middle of the rain, Black." Pike glared. "Now, I can finally finish this, and get those damn Ouroboros off my back, and we can move on with our lives."

After running out of air to scream out, Black resurfaced, having calmed down enough to regain his composure, but it still didn't make the sorrow he felt any less painful.

Black pulled himself out of the lake and sat on the wet grassy knoll, begrudingly pulling the cloak over his body to gain warmth.

'Faust damn it... why did I think that seeing the funeral would make me feel better?' He thought sourly. 'Hell, why did I think coming back here will change anything? White is gone... and he is never coming back...' He sniffed. 'I gotta get out of here. The sooner I do, the sooner I can just forget everything...'

He was unaware that Pike's crossbow was now aiming right at him.

"Sayonara, Black Knight." Pike growled as he was about to pull the trigger.

Suddenly, Black heard sniffling... sniffling that wasn't his own.

Black glanced over to his right, and was surprised to see Shine sitting not far from him, weeping quietly...

"Shine..." Black murmured. 'That poor kid... to have to go through the rest of his life without his father and mother. Just like me and White did... maybe I should...' Black hesitated for a moment. 'No... I shouldn't. I would be risking everything...' He then grunted, 'Then again... I already am doing that... besides... he needs somepony...'

"What the buck are you looking at?" Pike murmured, as he saw Black looking to his right, as he then glanced at where he was looking, only to see Shine.

'Crap, a witness... who is this kid, and why Black's so interested in him?' Pike scowled... only for his scowl to soften. 'Although... he looks like a cute kid... just like Spear was when he was his age... I gotta get a closer look...'

With that thought, Pike left his spot, hoping to get closer to the two.

Back on Black's side of the lake, Black decided to approach him.

"Hey..." Black said quietly, making sure his cloak hid most of his face and body.

Shine stopped his weeping momentarily, as he noticed the cloaked stallion addressing him.

"Oh..." Shine sniffed, "I'm sorry... I didn't know somepony was here."

"No, no, it's fine." Black shrugged, "I just couldn't help but notice a sad colt crying over here... is everything alright?"

"...No, no, it's not." Shine whimpered, "...My mom and dad died a few days ago..."

"Oh..." Black nodded knowingly, as he took a spot next to him. "I'm sorry for your loss... would you like to talk about it?"

"No offense, mister, but I don't feel up for talking." Shine grunted. "I just want to be left alone."

"I know that feeling, kid." Black sighed, "You see... I just lost somepony I know recently too."

"Oh..." Shine frowned in guilt. "...I'm sorry to hear that... who was it? if you don't mind me asking, that is."

"No, it's fine." Black gave a sad smile. "...He was my little brother... and I loved him very much."

"Well, I loved my mom and dad... for all the good it did..." Shine grumbled.

"I know it must hurt." Black sympathisized "To lose somepony you cared so deeply about. A kid like you shouldn't have to go through that."

"Yeah... it's not fair!" Shine growled, wiping his tears. "Why did they have to die?!"

"Trust me, it will do you no good to ask that question." Black sighed. "I asked that same question myself... and I still have no answers."

"I just... I just..." Shine sniffed, as he then pulled out a familiar silver locket. "They haven't been gone for more than a few days... and I already miss them..."

Black immediately recognized the locket, as he then placed a hoof on Shine's shoulder.

"That's natural, kid." Black declared. "To miss somepony you love. And you will always miss them. But you have to stay strong. Not only for your family... but for everypony you care about. That is what your folks would had wanted, right?"

"I guess..." Shine sniffled. "But it's now just me and my baby sister. I don't know how we'll make it without them..."

"You will." Black gave a assuring smile. "If what I heard about your parents is anything to go by, they were truly good ponies. All you have to is just remember all the good times you had together, and how they had loved you. With that, and that locket, it shouldn't be too hard, right?"

"Yeah..." Shine nodded, giving a small smile. "I guess so..."

"The pain will still be there, but it will go away in time." Black sighed. "Just hold on to the memories of the good times and all the love you shared with them. Keep them in your heart, and they will be with you... always..."

"You really think so?" Shine asked.

"I know so." Black nodded. "Keep your chin up, kiddo. If not for yourself, then for the rest of your family."

"I'll try." Shine smiled weakly. "Thanks, mister..."

"My pleasure." Black smiled back, as he stood up, "Now, I would best be off. You be careful on your way home, Shine..."

"I will- hold on..." Shine frowned. "I never told you my-"

The moment he turned to face the cloaked Black, he was already gone.

"Uh... who was that stallion?" Shine mused.

As Black made his way away from the lake, Black let out a harrowing sigh.

"If only I could follow my own advice..." Black mused.

Unbeknownst to him, Pike was hiding nearby a tree, having been listening intently to Black's heartfelt speech, overwhelmed by it to go through with his murderous intent.

'Damn it, Black.' He thought, taking off his glasses to wipe his eyes. 'Why the buck did you have to go and make a speech like that? ...I can't kill you... not after that... not yet at least. I'll let you live for now...' He sniffled a bit as he placed his glasses back on. 'Why do you gotta be such a pansy?'

Pike quickly departed Dodge Junction, his heart no longer into killing for the moment.

'Of course, now I'm going to have to come up with some excuse to tell everyone about why I didn't kill Black again.' Pike thought. 'Eh, I'll just spin them some garbage. They won't know the difference.'

It was only a few hours later that Pike arrived back at Infinity, making his way to a lounge room to drink away the somber day. However, on his way there, he ran by Loveless.

"Pike, you're back." Loveless declared.

"Nice observation." Pike scoffed.

"I heard that you departed for Dodge Junction, having found a lead regarding Black." Loveless frowned. "Did you encounter him?"

"Short story... no." Pike lied. "The lead turned out to be a dud. Trust me, I searched that hick town up and down, and I couldn't find a trace of him."

"Really?" Loveless frowned. "I had read that brother of his had died and was having a funeral there. You'd think he'd be the type to come and pay his respects..."

"Well, for a guy that slaughtered Reinadh, I highly doubt it." Pike grimaced.

"So you say..." Loveless frowned.

"Yeah, I do say." Pike scowled, not liking the look Loveless was giving him. "What, you don't believe me?"

"Well, you are a consummate liar." Loveless noted.

"You're saying I'm not telling the truth?" Pike growled.

"Of course not." Loveless nodded. "I'm sure you performed to the best of your abilities."

"Well, I did." Pike nodded. "As a loyal agent of the Forefathers, I can do no less."

"Well spoken." Loveless smiled. "You truly are a stallion of integrity. The Forefathers are lucky to have such a noble servant to assist in their goals, regardless of his own."

"Yeah, yeah, I'm a true good samaritan." Pike rolled his eyes. "But don't worry, the next time I see him, Black will finally get what's coming to him."

"Well... I await that result with baited breath." Loveless declared firmly. "I just hope the others will be just as patient."

With that, Loveless rolled away, as Pike, a bit put off by Loveless's words, continued his way to the lounge room.

'I mean it, Black...' Pike thought. 'I spared you today, but tomorrow, you won't be so lucky. You're a more noble stallion than I thought, but that won't save you. I still have a job to do, after all...'

Meanwhile, Black returned to the Taskforce's headquarters. Despite having talked to his nephew for the very first time, he felt lower than low.

'I just really hope that kid will be okay. Me and White had to go through the same thing with our parents, and look how we turned out...' Black grimaced. 'I really hope somepony takes good care of him and that poor little filly...'

Ballista suddenly stepped into Black's way.

"Black, we need to talk." He said firmly.

"Not now, Ballista." Black frowned. "I'm not in the mood."

"Yeah, funerals don't make a guy especially chatty, do they?" Ballista declared.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Black scowled.

"Look Black, I know you went to White and Silver's funeral." Ballista told him.

Black remained silent, as he glared at him.

"Well... do you have anything to say?" Ballista asked.

"...So what if I did?" Black growled. "I held my brother's dead, wet corpse in my hooves, the brother I had to turn my back on just so I could protect him. I wasn't about to let Elite or you or anypony in this damn organization stop me."

"I get that but-" Ballista tried to say, only for Black to cut him off.

"But nothing!" Black snarled. "All I wanted was to say goodbye one last time to my brother, and if Elite couldn't understand that, then buck him! So say what you want about how unprofessional I am or how I nearly jeopardized everything, and tell Elite everything, because I don't give a crap!"

"Black, I'm not going to say any of that." Ballista declared.

"Huh?" Black frowned.

"Look, I knew for a fact that you'd go to the funeral no matter what we did." Ballista nodded, "And while I am a stickler for protocol, I believe you had the right to break protocol this one time."

"Really, and why is that?" Black challenged.

"Because White was your brother, and you loved him more than anything." Ballista gave a small smile. "The bond you two had back when I was your General... well, it was something to behold."

"Yeah, a bond we 'had'." Black growled. "Do you truly want to know what makes White's death hurt so much?"

"I think I might have an idea." Ballista frowned.

"Sure you do." Black scoffed. "...I once had a dream where after stopped the Forefathers, we'd find a way to clear my name... that I would be able to come back to Dodge Junction and tell White everything. To apologize for everything I said to him, everything I did, and spend the rest of my life trying to make it up to him... but with White gone, that dream is dead. White died, thinking me as a monster and I will never get the chance to tell him otherwise..." He felt his body shake in anguish. "That alone is what hurts most..."

"...Let's take a walk." Ballista offered. "I've got something in my office you'll want to hear."

"Doubt it..." Black scoffed. "Then again, it's not anything you have could make me feel any worse than I already do."

Black reluctantly followed Ballista to his office.

"Now, where did I put it...?" Ballista rifled through his desk. "Ah, here we go."

Ballista held up a cassette tape.

"No, don't tell me." Black snorted. "You made your own mixtape?"

"Nope." Ballista put in the tape, and pushed "play", "This little number was recorded only days after our little fiasco with the assassination attempt."

"Yeah... I don't think I ever apologized for kicking for your flanks back then." Black sighed.

"Hmph, I let you win. But that's aside the point." Ballista shrugged, "Now, let's listen..."

As the tape begun playing, Ballista's voice spoke out.

"I understand, Elite. I already got guys out there looking for Black. I'll be out there looking too in a few days. Just gotta hand in a fake transfer, recommend that one guy Sherman, and then don a new disguise... speaking of which, which would you prefer? A blind old stallion begging for alms or... Tootsie from the movie Tootsie?"

"...Are you serious?" Black growled.

"What? I never disguised myself as a mare before." Ballista shrugged. "Unfortunately, I couldn't find a red curly wig on short notice, so I had to go with the former... but again, not the point."

Suddenly, the sound of knocking echoed.

"General Turret, may I speak with you?" White's voice was heard.

"...White?" Black frowned.

"Oh shoot, I gotta call you back." Ballista's voice whispered, as there was a click and then in the voice of General Turret's, "Sure, come on in and take a seat."

Hoof shuffling were made, as the two ponies presumably took a seat.

"So, what can I do for my best soldier today?" Ballista's voice asked.

"Well, sir, the thing is..." White sighed heavily. "...I am here to resign. I don't want to be part of the RDL anymore."

Black's eyes widened at the declaration.

"What?!" Ballista's voice gaped, "But why? You're a soldier with a exemplary track record and one of the best on the force! Why in Equestria would you want to leave?"

"I...I just can't take it anymore." White explained, his voice seeming to quiver. "I joined the RDL so I could save ponies and protect Equestria... but ever since Saddle Arabia... I don't think I have it in me to continue serving. The last thing I want is to hold all of you back..."

"White, I know better than most how harrowing the life of a soldier is." Ballista's voice declared. "The horrors I've seen on the battlefield... but trust me, they will pass. It's nothing to-"

"It's not about that. Not at all..." White's voice interrupted. "It's about... Black."

'I'm the reason he left the RDL?' Black bowed his head in shame. 'Way to go, bozo...'

"What does Black have to do with you leaving?" Ballista asked in the tape, "He's gone."

"That's the thing..." White voice began cracking. "Ever since the assassination attempt, every day I wake up, I keep going over what happened with Black in my mind repeatedly. And all the days since we joined the RDL. I keep asking myself... where did I go wrong? When did Black become this stallion? Why didn't I see the signs? Why didn't I say something? Maybe if I had... he and Rookie would still be alive..."

"White..." Black murmured.

"Cadet Blue was a terrible loss." Ballista's voice admitted. "But there was nothing that could be done about Black. The guy was a complete psycho."

Black glared at Ballista and was about to say something... but White beat him to it.

"Don't you say a word against him! You didn't know him!" White roared, causing both present Ballista and Black to jump, as White seemed to had slammed his hoof on the table, "He was my brother!"

There was heavy panting... only to be followed by a small whimper.

"...I'm... I'm sorry... I shouldn't have snapped at you, sir." White's voice apologized.

"No... no, I should had been more sensitive." Ballista's voice replied.

"...It's just... everypony around me has been telling me that I did the world a service in killing my brother. That I should be given a medal... but honestly, I feel like I betrayed my own brother... and now... everytime I put on this armor, I just remember how I made him fall out that window. His blood is on my hoof." White then let out a small sob. "I... I just want to go home..."

"White... I didn't think you would be this choked up over this..." Ballista's voice admitted. "I mean... don't you hate him? Black made you murder those poor ponies in cold blood."

"Hate?" White's voice repeated, sniffling a bit. "No... the love I have for my brother is too strong to be replaced by hate."

"Is that right?" Ballista asked skeptically within the tape.

"Yes..." White's voice declared. "No matter what happened between us, no matter what terrible things Black did, I still love him... and I always will. Nothing will ever change that. But I feel that I don't leave now... then maybe it will... I just to hold on to the good memories I had left of him, and I won't be able to find them here... so... please... let me go home..."

"I see...." Ballista's voice sighed. "And there's no way I can change your mind?"

"None at all." White's voice said fiercely.

"Very well then." Ballista's voice said curtly. "If that is your choice, then so be it. Consider yourself honorably discharged, soldier."

"Thank you, General." White's voice declared. "For everything."

"Thank you for the dedicated service." Ballista's voice replied. "I always said I needed more soldiers like you."

"There are more like me out there." White's voice said humbly. "So much more."

"You were a loyal, patriotic and compassionate soldier." Ballista's voice declared. "And forgiving, too. Not many would be so determined not to hate Black after everything that happened."

"Well, he's my brother... and no amount of bloodshed will change that..." White's voice declared.

"You'll always love him?" Ballista's voice asked.

"Always." White's voice declared. "...From life until death takes me..."

The tape came to an end.

"You heard all that, right?" Ballista smiled. "Your brother never thought you were a monster. He was hurt... disappointed... confused... but he never hated you. And I don't think that has ever changed."

Black stood there in silence, unsure of what to feel.

"Feel a little better now?" Ballista asked.

"Yeah, sure." Black said quietly. "...Thanks, Ballista."

"Any time, mate." Ballista smiled.

"I'll just... be going now, okay?" Black asked.

"Yeah, sure." Ballista nodded. "Go ahead."

Black walked out into the corridor, in more anguish than ever.

'He didn't hate me, even after all the pain I caused him.' He thought. 'But he still left the RDL because of me... and it doesn't change the fact that he still believed that I did all those awful things for some statement... wherever you are now White, I hope you can forgive me...'

The present...

"So you were there when it happened." Fletcher frowned. "I can see why you'd be so traumatised by that event..."

"But at least your pals were there for you." Caboose smiled.

"I wish I could say that was enough." Black sighed. "But it wasn't. ...do you mind if we call it a day on the story-telling? I can tell you what comes next tomorrow. I don't think I'm quite ready to relive that stuff all in one day."

"Of course." Fletcher nodded. "Take all the time you need."

"Works for me." Caboose shrugged. "I'm getting a little tired myself... but won't ponies wonder where we are?"

"Don't you worry, you two." Elite declared. "I had already have ponies covering for you in Canterlot. And your wives have been notified that you are simply being consulted for some Royal Guard matters."

"Well, you guys thought of everything." Fletcher smirked.

"Oh, we're good that way." Elite smiled.

"Even I can see that." Caboose grinned.

"Just make yourselves at home." Elite smiled.

"I don't know I'll be able to sleep with such a tale on my mind, but I'll try." Fletcher declared. "Good night, Black. Pleasant dreams."

"Yeah, have a good one." Caboose nodded.

"Thanks, guys." Black smiled, as he departed for his quarters.

"I never imagined Black's story could be so harrowing." Fletcher admitted.

"Yeah." Caboose nodded. "I almost don't want to hear the rest of it."

"But we must." Fletcher declared. "In order to understand our new teammate."

"Okay, sure." Caboose sighed. "But I don't have to like it. But I have to know... where the buck did he get a new eye?"

Author's Notes:

"Always" belongs to Killswitch Engage.

Diamond Dogs

The next morning, after sleeping in the guest quarters, Caboose and Fletcher made their way to the mess hall and were eating breakfast.

"Mmm, this is some good eats." Caboose declared, working his way through a stack of pancakes.

"I must admit, it is quite delicious." Fletcher agreed, digging into his oatmeal and honey. "It seems they've spared no expense when it comes to resident chefs."

"If you ask me, they went all out on all of this stuff." Caboose grinned. "Rec room, fancy beds, training area... boy, they thought of everything!"

"It would appear so." Fletcher agreed. "Quite an exceptional installation."

"You wouldn't believe the rent, though." A familiar voice joked.

Caboose and Fletcher glanced at Black as he took a seat across them.

"Black, how are you feeling?" Fletcher asked. "I know it must had been hard going over your brother's death like that."

"It's nothing, Fletcher." Black shrugged somberly. "Like you said, it's best that I tell you everything before you make your decision. Speaking of which, are you two ready to hear more?"

"Not if you don't want to tell us." Fletcher frowned, "Despite what I said, I do not wish for you to bring up any old scars just for our sake."

"Yeah, we know it's gotta be hard for you to talk about all this." Caboose added. "Almost as hard as having to watch yet another rehash of a sappy 80s cartoon..."

"Quite the contrary, it feels actually good to let all this out. I hadn't really anypony else but the Taskforce to tell all this to." Black admitted, "Trust me, I'll be fine."

"Then by all means, continue." Fletcher nodded.

"You got it." Black nodded.

Many years ago...

It was a rather rough time following his brother's demise.

In spite of White revealing that he had still loved him, it had done little to ease the pain of the loss. Even though he felt a bit of happiness that his brother didn't die hating him, he felt great shame knowing that he did die believing he had done those things out of hatred or spite, and forced White to test that love.

With that said, it had an detrimental effect on his duties. That thrill he got when he was fighting ne'er do wells and the many agents of the Forefathers no longer came. In fact, he felt nothing. It was as if his brother's death had sapped all the fun out of it. Nonetheless, he continued to give every fight his all, in hopes that his guilt and sorrow would be drowned out by the sound of breaking bones. And for a short, fleeting moment, they were. But it never lasted.

Furthermore, he no longer enjoyed the feeling of companionship on his missions, and insisted on conducting missions solo.

This of course made the others concerned, especially one morning, when Black came into debriefing.

"Okay Black, we've gotten word of an underground club in Manehattan where the Forefathers' flunkies like to hang out." Elite revealed. "You and Armory are to infiltrate the bar and bring some of the patrons back so we can get some information out of them."

"Sounds good." Black nodded. "Except for one thing: I'm going alone."

"...What?" Armory frowned.

"Nothing personal, pal." Black declared. "I'm just done with two-pony mission. And let's face it, I've always done my best work solo."

"Really?" Elite sighed. "Black, you can't keep going it alone."

"Watch me." Black glared.

"Sometimes, you need a partner in the field." Shadow declared.

"Exactly." Micro nodded. "Statistically speaking, two provides much better odds than one."

"Except I'd have to worry about my partner." Black countered. "Diverting focus from completing the mission."

"Crikey, you're more stubborn than usual today." Ballista sighed.

"Hey, you can't make me take a partner." Black growled. "And if you try, I'll just walk out that door, and you'll never see me again."

"...Fine." Elite groaned. "No partner. But we're not done talking about this."

"Had a feeling you'd say that." Black snorted.

"Rrrf." Titan ruffed quietly, his brow furrowed.

Black travelled to Manehattan soon after. The underground club was in a disused bomb shelter. Black sneaked over to the shelter, finding several stallion gathered in an old set of barracks.

'Time for the old blind-and-bash.' He smirked, readying a smoke bomb.

Black flung the bomb into the barracks, where it exploded.

"What the buck?!" One of the stallions inside coughed.

Black charged in, using his infra-red visor to target and take down each one of the ponies within. He didn't say a word the whole time, just focusing on inflicting as much pain as possible.

'This is what happens when you work for the bad guys.' He thought coldly, as he punched one hard enough to break his nose. 'No mercy...'

Before long, all the patrons were out. Black grabbed one at random, tied him up and carried him back to Headquarters.

"Here's your special delivery." He tossed the stallion to Elite. "Have fun."

"Seems like you had all the fun." Ballista noted the stallion's bruises. "More than usual, actually."

"So I had a little aggression to work off." Black scowled. "So sue me."

"...Well, now that you're back, maybe you'd like to see one of the new gadgets I'm working on..." Armory suggested.

"I'll pass, thanks." Black said flatly.

"Black, I must speak with you-" Micro started.

"Later." Black scowled.

"How about a game of pool, and a nice chat?" Shadow offered.

"Not in the mood." Black walked right past him.

"Okay, not the outcome I was hoping for." Armory frowned.

"I'd forgotten how rude he could be..." Micro sighed.

"I'd talk to him myself, but I have work to do." Ballista carried away the thug.

"Now what, sir?" Shadow asked Elite.

"Now what indeed..." Elite mused.

Black marched off down the corridors, making a beeline for his room. He was moments from opening the door... when his face bumped into something.

"Ugh, what the-?" Black rubbed his face glanced at the opening in front of his door, not seeing what he just bumped into. The doorway was sitll clear. He tried walking forward again... only for something to push him back. "Okay, what the hell?!"

The area in front of Black shimmered, and Titan appeared, having somehow been able to camouflage himself and blend in to the surroundings.

"Wha... Titan?!" Black gaped. "How did you do- How did you get-" He groaned, rubbing his snout, "Look. I've already had a long day, and I really don't need this. I just want to rest."

Black tried to move past Titan, but the Diamond Dog forced him back.

"Hey, let me through, Titan!" Black growled.

"Rrrf." Titan folded his arms. "Ruff, ruff-ruff!"

"I have no idea what you're saying." Black glared, "Now let me-"

"He's saying that he's worried about you."

Black let out a frustrated groan as he look behind to see Elite had joined them.

"And to be honest, so are we." Elite frowned.

"And how the buck would you know that?" Black challenged. "Titan doesn't even talk!"

"Not in our language." Elite admitted, "But after spending quite a long time listening to his grunts and growls, understanding him becomes an acquired skill. Even you will come to understand him."

"Seriously?" Black frowned.

"Seriously." Elite nodded. "Once you figure out what he's saying, Titan can be quite eloquent."

"Yeah, I'll bet he's a real conversationalist." Black snarked. "But I don't have time to chat right now."

"Rrr-ruff!" Titan barked.

"Translation?" Black asked Elite.

"He said you shouldn't shut us out." Elite answered. "We know losing White was very hard on you..."

"Whatever." Black scoffed. "If I wanna talk about my problems, I'll get myself a therapist."

"Grrruff!" Titan growled.

"Titan says you need to pull yourself together, and stop pushing your comrades away." Elite declared.

"Really? You got all that from 'Grrruff'?" Black scoffed. "No offense, but I don't feel like taking advice from a dog."

"Ruff-rawr! Rawr? Rawr!" Titan snarled.

"Easy, Titan..." Elite soothed.

"What? What did he say?" Black frowned.

"...Titan says you're not the only pony in the world who lost someone close to him." Elite translated. "You think losing one brother was bad? Try losing two of them."

"What? What's that supposed to mean?" Black murmured.

"You see, Black, Titan was once from a small pack not far from White Tail Woods." Elite revealed. "He was from a small family, much like yours. His mom and dad passed away when he was very young. All he had was his two older brothers, who he loved very much."

"...He did?" Black whispered, as he glanced at Titan, whose face was fraught with sadness, "...What happened?"

"Well, it all started a long time ago." Elite declared. "In fact, it was only a few years after I met Ballista that Titan came into our lives..."

Flashback...

Elite and Ballista were on their way back to Quanticolt from a successful mission, traveling through some woods. Both were slimmer and more lithe, with Elite possessing all four hooves. His Cutie Mark of a hawk clutching a snake in its talon was bare for everypony to see.

"Well, I think that swimmingly." The younger Elite declared.

"Thanks to me." Ballista smirked, his smirk fading under Elite's glare. "But you helped too."

"Stop. You'll make my head swell." Elite said flatly. "But I will admit, you handled yourself quite well out there."

"So did you." Ballista admitted. "Come from a military background?"

"You could say that." Elite shrugged. "Comes in handy at times."

"Tell me about it." Ballista grinned. "Especially when you need to pound some ne'er-do-well into the dirt."

"I guess we've both had a lot of practice in that area." Elite noted.

"Oh, yeah." Ballista nodded.

At that moment, they heard a rustling in some nearby bushes.

"Oi, oi." Ballista frowned. "I think we've got us a stalker."

"Let's not jump to conclusions." Elite declared. "It could just be a harmless forest creature."

"I rather we not take chances." Ballista noted, as he drew his crossbow, "The last thing we need is some bloody terrorist getting the drop on us."

"On that, we agreed." Elite nodded, as he drew his own crossbow.

They neared the bushes, ready for anything...

"Okay, bub, you got to the count of three to come out with your hooves up before we open fire." Ballista threatened. "...One... two... thr-"

Suddenly, none other than a puppy Titan emerged, whimpering in fear. Despite his age, he was roughly the size of a full-grown St. Bernard.

"What the-" Ballista frowned.

"...Well, lookie here." Elite smiled, lowering his crossbow, as he approached the dog. "Hey there, little guy."

"Be careful, Elite." Ballista warned. "I heard about these guys over in Londraft. Diamond Dogs they're called. They are filthy savages that will kill to get what they want. It's probably after our valuables."

"Ballista, he's just a young pup." Elite chided. "I doubt it could harm a fly."

"Unless it lands on a diamond." Ballista rolled his eyes.

Titan shrank back, wary of these strangers.

"Hey, it's okay." Elite smiled. "We won't hurt you." He pulled a wheat biscuit out of his pocket. "Hungry, little guy?"

Titan sniffed as Elite held out the biscuit. He slowly edged forward, then took a nibble of it.

"It's good, huh?" Elite smiled.

Titan then took a big bite out of the biscuit, confirming Elite's statement.

"That's it." Elite dropped the rest at his feet. "It's all yours."

It took only a few seconds for Titan to finish the biscuit, as Titan tenderly approached Elite... and suddenly, he gave him a couple of happpy licks.

"Okay, okay, that tickles!" Elite chuckled.

"Urgh, that's vile!" Ballista gagged. "There's no telling where this mutt has been!"

"Come on, Ballista, lighten up!" Elite laughed, as he petted Titan's head. "He's just saying 'thank you'!"

"Yeah. Now that you're done playing with the doggie, can we go?" Ballista grimaced. "There might be more Diamond Dogs waiting to ambush us."

"Ever the paranoid one, Ballista." Elite scoffed... as he then noticed a collar around Titan's neck. "Hey, take a look at this."

"A collar?" Ballista frowned. "Why would there be a collar on a Diamond Dog?"

"I don't know. It's not like Diamond Dogs are kept as pets." Elite shrugged, as he then noticed a metal plating on the front of the collar with ingravings, and read it. "Titanium..." He glanced at the Diamond Dog. "Is that your name, boy?"

Titan gave a small whimper.

"Hmm, Titanium is kind of a mouthful." Elite mused, as he smiled. "How about we call you 'Titan' for short? You seem big enough for to be one."

"Ruff!" Titan yipped, the name seemingly okay with him.

"Why are you naming it?" Ballista grimaced. "Chances are, 'Titanium' has an owner and he ran away. We should see if there's an address on the collar so we can take him back."

"Don't be ridiculous." Elite rolled his eyes. "There's not going to be-" He saw some writing on the back of collar, which included an address. "Oh, there is."

"Toldja." Ballista smirked as he glanced at the address. "Hmm, looks like this place isn't far from here. How about we get this stray back home before we head home ourselves?"

"Okay, if you want to." Elite shrugged, as he then turned to Titan, "Come on, boy, let's go."

Titan gave a small whine, but complied as they head off to take him home.

The trio followed the directions to an old warehouse, not too far from where they found Titan.

"Nice place." Ballista remarked. "Pretty spacious for a Diamond Dog to roam around."

Titan whined plaintively, hiding behind Elite.

"Call me crazy, but I don't think Titan wants to go back." Elite noted.

"You're crazy." Ballista joked. "Besides, this is the mutt's home. Who are we to argue? Now let's get going."

Ballista walked up and knocked on the door.

"Hello, is anypony's home? We got your dog!" Ballista declared.

There was no answer.

"Looks like nopony's home." Elite noted.

"Let me try this again." Ballista frowned, as he knocked again harder. "HELLO! WE GOT YOUR DOG-"

Suddenly, the door broke off its hinges and fell to the floor.

"Whoops." He cringed. "Eh, I'm sure they won't mind, what with us returning their pup and all..."

They entered the building, Titan sticking close behind Elite. The warehouse was completely devoid of life... in fact, it looked everything that wasn't bolted down was missing.

"Where is everypony?" Elite frowned.

"Hello?!" Ballista called. "We found your Diamond Dog!"

There was nopony to answer them.

"...Ballista, something isn't right here." Elite declared. "Maybe we should go."

"Not until we make sure." Ballista said stubbornly, as he then pulled out his crossbow, "Just keep your bow ready."

"Okay..." Elite raised his crossbow, as he glanced back at a cowering Titan, "Stick close, Titan."

The three moved deeper into the building, trying to find anypony, keeping up their guard in case of an ambush. However, it seems like the rest of the building was abandoned... until Titan began sniffing the air.

"What is it, Titan?" Elite asked.

Titan stopped sniffing, as his eyes widened.

"Rrrf!" He barked, as he took off like a rocket.

"Titan!" Elite called.

"The mutt must have caught whiff of somepony. Let's follow him!" Ballista noted.

Elite and Ballista followed Titan into a large room filled with medical equipment, and three cages in the corner. Titan was near the cages, sniffing through two of them... only to whimper, visibly distraught by their emptiness.

"What the buck is all this?" Ballista frowned.

"I don't know, but something tells me that the ponies that were here were not the vet." Elite grimaced.

Titan drooped to the floor, tears beading in his eyes as he let out more whimpers.

"Hey, hey, don't cry." Elite patted his head. "Whatever's wrong, I'm sure we can find a way to make it better."

"Rrrroooo..." Titan squeaked.

"If you only spoke pony, I might know how to help you..." Elite sighed.

"Hey, Elite, look at us." Ballista declared, as he approached the two with a couple scraps of paper. "I found them on the floor. According to these, this place was once a research lab."

"A research lab?" Elite murmured, "What were they researching?"

"It doesn't say, but here's the kicker." Ballista declared. "Apparently, they captured three Diamond Dogs. And one of them was none other than Titanium right here." Ballista gestured to the whimpering dog.

"...Oh no, they were experimenting on him and those other two, weren't they?" Elite frowned knowingly.

"Yeah, those sick buckers." Ballista growled. "Look at what they were doing: Steroid injections, shock therapy, alterations of body chemistry... It looks they were trying to genetically alter them or something... and I think they succeeded."

Elite took a scrap and read it.

"Subject: Titanium began to show promising results of genetic mutation. Subject displays a forty percent increase in strength, thirty percent increase in speed and mobility, it's skin appears to have hardened, as well as the ability to cling to walls... and most surprisingly, the ability of camouflague himself?"

"What the buck does that mean?" Ballista asked. He leaned against a stack of cages, causing it to collapse. "Crikey!"

"Rrr!" Startled by the loud noise, Titan suddenly changed color, blending into the surroundings.

"Whoa." Elite gasped. "Incredible..."

"Where'd he go?" Ballista asked.

"He's right there." Elite kneeled down. "Come on, Titan. It's okay. You can relax."

Titan slowly undid his camouflage, returning to normal.

"That is some trick." Ballista admitted.

"What do you suppose happened here? To this lab and to the other two dogs?" Elite asked.

"Your guess is as good as mine." Ballista shrugged. "But if I were a gambling stallion, something tells me that this wasn't exactly legal, and given how we found Titan not far from here, I can only assume that he broke out and when he did, the researchers panicked and cleaned house. And they did a pretty bang-up job of it."

Elite glanced at the sullen dog, as he then approached them.

"...Were those two dogs your friends, Titan?" Elite asked.

"Rrf." Titan shook his head. He pointed to one cage with his biggest finger, then another with his middle, then himself with his little finger.

"They were your family?" Elite asked. "Like your parents?"

"Rrr." Titan shook his head.

"Your... brothers?" Elite tried again.

"Ruff." Titan nodded sadly.

"Oh, you poor thing." Elite frowned. "Losing your family, and after all the pain you endured together..."

"Rooo..." Titan howled.

"...Let's get out of here." Ballista shook his head, "There's nothing we can do here."

The three of them left the lab together, Titan still whimpering.

"So what do we do with the little blighter now?" Ballista asked.

"...We should bring him home with us." Elite declared firmly.

"Seriously, Elite?" Ballista grimaced.

"Why not?" Elite smiled. "According to those papers, they made Titan stronger in many ways. He could be a boon to the RDL."

Titan's ears perked as he listened on the two's conversation.

"No way." Ballista sneered. "We're a military unit, not petsitters."

"Come on, B." Elite pleaded. "We can't just leave him out here on his own. He doesn't have anywhere else to go..."

"I don't care." Ballista scowled. "He's not coming with us."

"Roo?" Titan looked at Ballista.

"Don't give me the puppy dog eyes." Ballista sneered. "It won't work..."

"Ruff!" Titan hugged Ballista's chest.

Despite his best efforts, Ballista felt his heart melting, as Titan nuzzled lovingly against him.

"Oh, what the buck." He smiled. "I guess it wouldn't hurt."

"That's the spirit." Elite smiled. "Now let's head back... all of us."

"Rrrf!" Titan yipped.

Flashback ends...

"And that's how Titan came to be with us." Elite smiled, "He had stuck by us all these years, especially since we started the Taskforce, and he has never let us down since."

"Huh, I never thought things went down that way." Black admitted. "And you never found any trace of his brothers?"

"Not a one." Elite nodded sadly. "For all we know, they could be long dead."

"Rooo..." Titan whined plaintively.

"I'm sorry, big guy." Black comforted him. "Didn't mean to trudge up old memories."

"Rrrf." Titan hugged him.

"Titan says it's okay." Elite smiled. "Just remember, Black: You're not alone, no matter what. You have all of us and we will always have your back. Keep that in mind."

"I'll try." Black nodded.

And try he did. For the next couple of weeks, Black did try his best to remain positive. He even tried letting others join him on missions, and it was beginning to work... but there was still a gnawing emptiness in his heart that he just couldn't supress.

On his way back from a solo mission to Appleloosa, Black acknowledged how near Dodge Junction was.

'Not far at all.' He noted. 'Maybe I should drop by...'

Titan's backstory had struck a chord with Black. White wasn't the only family member he had left. There were others, namely Shine and Mist.

'I may not be able to see White any more, but I can still drop in on his kids.' He thought. 'It's a little late, sure, but I've got to see them... now.'

As he took a detour towards Dodge Junction, Black turned on his tapeplayer, seeking to relieve the boredom until he arrived.

As they pulled you out
Of your oxygen tent
You asked for the latest party
With your silicon hump
And your ten inch stump

Dressed like a priest you was
Todd Browning streak he was
Crawling down the alley
On your hands and knee

I'm sure you're not protected
For it's plain to see
Diamond Dogs are poachers
And they hide behind trees

Hunt you to the ground they will
Mannequins with kill appeal

Will they come?
I keep a friend serene
Will they come?
Oh baby, come unto me
Will they come?

Well, she's come, been and gone
Come out of the garden baby
You'll catch a death in the fog

Young girl, they call them
The Diamond Dogs
Young girl, they call them
The Diamond Dogs

'Yeesh, who wrote these lyrics?' Black shook his head. 'I'm no expert, but I'm pretty sure Diamond Dogs don't hunt ponies... It's a good song though. And surprising fitting right now. Rookie chose it well.'

Black reached Dodge Junction at around midnight. The streets were quiet and empty, allowing Black to make his way through main street, on a direct line to Big Red's homestead. He had been keeping tabs on things, and learned that Big Red had become Shine and Mist's guardian, which of course made it easier for him to go and see them.

'Gotta give you credit, Red.' He thought to himself. 'Never really saw you as the paternal type. Then again, I know you'd hate for those kids to wind up in some foster home. And that's a good thing. Means their old uncle can drop by for a visit...'

Black expertly slipped inside the house.

'Now, where are those kids?' He thought.

As quietly as a cat, Black made his way upstairs. The first door he tried led to Big Red's room.

'Whoops.' He thought. 'No offense, big guy, but you're not who I'm here to see...'

Black slowly closed the door, then tried the next room. He saw Shine lying in bed, fast asleep.

'There's the chip off the old block. Nice to know he's still doing fine.' Black smiled as he tiptoed over to Shine's bed. He tucked Shine in a little tighter, then stroked his mane. 'Stay strong, kiddo. Make your dad proud...'

Black left Shine's room.

'Just one more stop to make...' He thought.

He entered Mist's room, finding her sleeping peacefully in her crib.

'Wow, what an adorable little filly.' He thought. 'She looks a lot like her mom, but there's definitely some of her dad in her... for all the good that does her. Poor thing'll never know her parents. At least Shade will know his mother, but Mist...'

Black reached into the crib, gently lifting Mist out. The filly fidgeted, not liking being deprived of her warm blanket.

"Shh, shh, shh." Black held her close. "It's okay. Uncle Black's got you..."

"Mrrr..." Mist mubled, nuzzling against Black's chest.

"That's it." Black smiled. "You just relax. I've got you. You'll be just fine, little lady. As long as you have your brother, Big Red and me, nothing bad'll ever happen to you. I promise..."

Black was broken out of his whispering by a squeaking floorboard. Judging by the sound of thudding hooves, Black surmised that Big Red was awake.

'Sounds like he's heading this way.' He thought. 'Not good.'

Black eased into the corner of the room, waiting for the door to open. As Big Red entered, Black tripped him up.

"Holy bu-" Big Red started to curse, before Black covered his mouth with a hoof.

"Shh... you'll wake her..."

Big Red looked up, and gawped in shock at Black. Black slowly took his other hoof off Big Red's mouth.

"...Black?" Big Red gaped. "What the...? How..."

"What?" Black smirked. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

"Black... Ah can't believe it... it's actually you... yer alive." Big Red stuttered as he stood up.

"Ah, yes." Black nodded. "I'm afraid details pertaining to my fate were greatly exaggerated..."

"Black, Ah have so many questions-" Big Red declared.

"Can we talk elsewhere?" Black suggested. "We wouldn't want to wake the little tyke."

Black tenderly placed Mist in her crib, tucking her in. He and Big Red then went downstairs. Black glanced at an old photo on the mantle, showing White and his family.

Big Red brought in two glasses of cherry wine form the kitchen, offering one to him.

"Cherry wine?" Big Red asked.

"Thank you." Black took the glass, and sipped the wine. "Ah, it's been a while since I drank your family's homemade wine... I missed it."

"Ah'm sure ya did..." Big Red chuckled lightly. "So... what happened ta you? All this time, Ah thought you were dead... all of us did..."

"Well, surely my 'brother' told you all that had happened... I couldn't really just come back home, now could I?" Black declared.

"So it's true... what happened back in Saddle Arabia..." Big Red sighed.

"It was a necessary measure that needed to be carried out." Black repeated his cover story.

"Measure?" Big Red repeated. "Black... you done killed innocent ponies. A whole village of 'em."

"They were harboring Changelings, Red." Black retorted. "If we allowed those Changelings into our society, they would create cracks within our system, and devastate us from within, like a virus."

"But what about Rookie?" Big Red asked, causing Black to stiffen. "White cared deeply for that boy. He gave that necklace a' his to his own son, to carry on his spirit... and you, of all ponies, are the reason it came ta be."

"Speaking of sons, I saw that White did quite nicely for himself." Black glanced at the photo of White and the family. He knew he had to feign ignorance of White's life since they parted. "A drop-dead gorgeous mare for a wife, two cute kids, a house on the plains..." He glanced deeply at Shine. "A real chip of the old block, that Shine."

"Yeah, Shine is really a good colt." Big Red agreed. "Takes after his old stallion in so many ways..." He suddenly frowned. "If only White and Silver were still here..."

"Well, surely if they were still here, White would have me sent off to prison... that traitorous bucker..." Black muttered. It hurt to do it, but Black had to pretend to despise White for his actions.

"Black!" Big Red gasped. "He wuz doin' the right thing! You of all ponies oughta know that!"

"Oh come on, you're actually taking his side in this?" Black sneered, although he completely agreed with him. "He sold me out so he would feel better about himself! Weren't you the one who told us before we left for war to look out for each other?! I did my part! White was the one who turned his back on me!"

"Don't pin this all on White." Big Red countered. "Maybe if Ah had done more ta help ya when Ah first noticed what ya were turnin' inta, none a' this woulda happened."

"What are you talkin' about…?" Black glanced at him warily.

"Black, ever since that day with the Griffon, Ah started to see something different in you." Big Red whispered. "The happy, friendly colt Ah used to know slowly disappeared, and wuz replaced by a cold, cruel bully. Fer the first time, Ah was becoming afraid of mah own best friend…"

Black went silent for a moment. In truth, he hadn't thought about that day in years. The Griffon in question was just a thug that he admittingly went overboard in punishing, but only because he had hurt Big Red. He never knew why, but Griffons and him never got along and Griffons like him (his name was Lunar or something) only worsen his opinions of them.

"...I'm sorry I made you feel that way." Black whispered. "...It was never my intention to frighten you."

"It's not too late, Black." Big Red pressed forward. "Ya can go back to Canterlot and turn yerself in. Ah'm sure Celestia will take it easy on you if ya do."

"I'm afraid I cannot do that." Black muttered. "I have big plans, and none of them involves me being behind bars for the rest of my life."

"Come on, Black." Big Red urged. "What would White think?"

"Don't care." Black snorted. He wanted to bite his tongue for that remark.

"Then what about Shine and Mist?" Big Red glared. "Like it or not, Black, you're the only living Paladin they have left."

"I'm sorry, Red... I have to do this." Black said solemnly.

"Then don't do it! If not for White, and not for the kids, then don't do it fer me." Big Red pressed on, trying his best to not get teary-eyed, "Black... Ah don't want to lose any more of mah best friends..."

Black let his facade slip for a moment, swimming in nostalgia.

"Same ol' Red." He smiled. "Never change."

Big Red grinned.

'Sorry about this...' Black thought, as he struck him with a sucker pounch.

"Gah..." Big Red moaned, twisting from the blow. "Nerds." He fell to the ground, unconscious.

"I hated to do that, Red." Black sighed. "But I've hung around here long enough. Time to put things to bed. Starting with you..."

Black picked up Big Red and carried him to his bedroom.

"Geez, you're really living up to your name, huh?" Black groaned.

Black placed Big Red on his bed.

"Okay, one last thing before I go." He declared.

Black grabbed a piece of paper, and wrote a message on it:

"Goodbye, Red… Look After Everypony for Me."

He placed the note on the bedside dresser.

'See ya around, big guy...' He thought.

As Black left the homestead, reflecting on what had happened.

'So much for just seeing the kids.' He thought. 'Now Big Red knows I'm alive... But maybe he won't tell anypony. Even after everything, he still treated me like a friend. And I sucker-punched him. Real nice, Black...'

Suddenly, he was tackled and pinned to the ground by an unknown assailant.

"You're under arrest, pal!" A familiar voice rang out as one of Black's hooves was pressed against his back.

'Wait, is that...?' Black thought, before smiling. "Still got it, huh, Marshall?"

"What?" Marshall gasped, loosening his grip in surprise, allowing Black to get up. "Black?"

"Miss me, Marshmallow?" Black smirked.

"You're alive?!" Marshall gasped.

"Yep." Black nodded. "Can't keep a good stallion down."

"What... how... White told us how he threw you out a buckin' window and off a cliff!" Marshall stammered.

"Trust me, even I have trouble explainin' that." Black chuckled.

"Yet here you are." Marshall frowned, before he glared at him. "You have some nerve comin' back here, after what you did!"

"Oh, not you too, Marshall." Black rolled his eyes, "At least Big Red was nice about it all, when I talked to him."

"Big Red?" Marshall gasped. "What did you do to him?!"

"I did nothing. I was just in the neighborhood and I decided to drop him a visit." Black declared. "And see my niece and nephew... that's some good kids White sired..."

"I swear, if you've hurt any of them, I'll..." Marshall growled.

"Hurt them? Now why would I hurt two adorable kids and my best... once best friend? My beef was only with White... and nature took care of him for me." Black gave a small scoff.

"Forgive me for the assumption." Marshall sneered sarcastically. "It's only after hearing how you murdered an entire village of innocent ponies. I'm not sure if I even know you anymore...."

"Hey, don't be like that." Black gave a smirk. "I'm still me... except for the eye-patch and some scars here and there."

"Is all of this just a big fat joke to you?!" Marshall pressed forward. "You betrayed everything your father believed in! Not to mention the RDL, Equestria, Celestia, your own brother... and you betrayed me!"

"You?" Black frowned. "How did I do that?"

"I always looked up to you, Black!" Marshall barked, his eyes growing misty. "You were the pony I wanted to be! Brave, strong, witty, charming... I became sheriff because I wanted to protect ponies, just like you and White... and then, you go 'round killing ponies over a bunch of Changelings?! That's... that's unforgivable, Black."

Black fell silent for a moment.

'Well, look who's toughened up...'

"Hmph, funny. I didn't expect this." He scoffed.

"Expect what?" Marshall growled.

"You turnin' into this cold, bitter cop." Black mused. "When I last left you, you were so cheerful and full of light. And now... all of that anger and resentment. Big Red hasn't changed one bit when I saw him."

"Oh, shut up!" Marshall snapped. "I'm goin' to run you in for treason and attempted regicide! May Faust have mercy on your soul when you are cast into Tartarus!"

"Wow, you're not even going to give me a chance to turn myself in? Didn't our friendship mean anything?" Black mock pouted.

"You should have thought of that before, traitor!" Marshall barked.

"Hey, don't be mad at me, just because you're mad at Big Red!" Black snapped.

"...Excuse me?" Marshall whispered harshly.

"Oh, don't bother denying it." Black sneered. "I know full well you've always had it bad for Cherry."

"You... do?" Marshall froze.

"It was obvious, what with you always mooning over her like a lovesick puppy." Black shrugged. "And it was equally obvious how much you resented Red for always being around her, even though it was your own fault for never making a move."

"My fault?" Marshall glared.

"Yeah." Black nodded. "If you weren't such a coward, maybe things would've turned out different."

"You're calling me a coward?" Marshall growled.

"And why not?" Black smirked. "Maybe if you had the guts to actually tell Cherry how you feel, things might've turned out differently."

"You..." Marshall gasped.

"But instead, you threw yourself into being a sheriff, just like your dear ol' daddy." Black sighed dramatically. "Still tryin' to earn the old guy's approval after all this time, huh?"

"Don't you dare-" Marshall snarled.

"Which brings me back to my original point." Black smirked. "You've got in for Red for getting Cherry instead of you. That kind of pent up anger isn't healthy, you know. If you don't let it out sometime soon, there'll be trouble."

"Like I'm going to take advice from a fugitive criminal." Marshall spat.

"And here we go again." Black rolled his eyes. "Red was at least nice about condemning me. Then again, Red was always better than you at everything, wasn't he?"

"Shut up." Marshall seethed.

"A better friend, a better worker, a better stallion..." Black rolled off.

"Quiet!" Marshall yelled.

"You, on the other hoof, are distinctly second-rate." Black sneered. "You were always the weak link of the Cherry Cavalry, and we all knew it. Even Cherry."

Marshall was silent, his body quivering with rage.

"Well, it's been great catching up." Black said pleasantly. "But I really must be moseying along now."

"You're not going anywhere." Marshall raised his hooves. "I'm taking you in. By force, if necessary."

"Go ahead and try." Black snorted. "I could do with a laugh."

"Gladly." Marshall nodded. "We'll see who's the weak link here!"

Marshall lunged forward, grabbing Black. They briefly struggled, before Black managed to land a kick in Marshall's side. Marshall staggered back, winded. Black took the opportunity to launch another kick, catching Marshall in the face. While Marshall was reeling from that, Black bodychecked him, knocking him to the ground.

"...This is truly pitiful." Black shook his head, as he glanced down at his defeated friend. "I hope you take what I said to heart, Marshmallow. Because you will certainly lose more friends if you don't."

"Oh, buck you..." Marshall hissed.

"On the bright side, at least I helped you let out some of that anger of yours." Black smirked.

Black made his escape, zigzagging through the cherry trees, and vanishing into the night.

'I forget how much fun it was to rile that guy up.' He thought. 'Looks like I got an unexpected bonus from this trip...'

The present...

"Well, that was quite a reunion." Fletcher noted.

"Yeah, it was." Black sighed. "I hadn't meant for things to escalate that far, but it felt strangely good to let out some of my frustrations on Marshall."

"It did?" Caboose frowned.

"Yeah." Black nodded. "Beating up faceless goons just wasn't doing it for me by then. But pounding somepony with a name, even somepony I knew- and had some unresolved issues with - made me feel a lot better."

"I can't say I really approve of that mindset." Fletcher remarked.

"Me neither." Black admitted. "But I was in a dark place at that time, and little did I know, I could only fall farther into darkness."

"How far?" Caboose asked.

"Oh, you'll find out." Black noted. "But I think I'll let you finish your breakfast first. Trust me, what comes next is not for the faint of stomach."

"That's very considerate of you." Fletcher smiled.

"So... Big Red and Marshall knew you were alive... yet they didn't tell anypony?" Caboose frowned. "That sounds like a pretty big plot hole."

"Well, it's not like they could prove that I was alive." Black shrugged, "But I assume they had their own reasons for not telling... and I am grateful for that. The last thing I needed was the Forefathers targeting them... even though it was kinda my fault in the first place."

"I suppose deep down, they still considered you a friend." Fletcher suggested.

"Yeah, there is that..." Black smiled. "Even Marshall, after I verbally and physically pounded him."

"Or maybe he just didn't want to admit how badly you beat him." Caboose smirked.

"Either way, they kept your secret." Fletcher declared. "That's something to be grateful for, isn't it?"

"Yeah, it is." Black nodded.

"Hey, what about Titan?" Caboose asked. "Who knew there was so much to him?"

"Oh, there's more to Titan than that." Elite smiled, as he and Titan joined them. "Much more. You wouldn't know it, but Titan has had a very active presence in your lifes of late."

"Excuse me?" Fletcher frowned.

"Whatchu talkin' 'bout, Elite?" Caboose asked.

"Well, you remember when I said Titan was my bodyguard? And surely, Black told you about Titan's camo ability." Elite revealed, "You see, when I began looking for more ponies to recruit into the Taskforce, I was made aware of a certain duo of Royal Guards who had been making strides in the line of duty..."

"You mean us, right?" Caboose questioned.

"Exactly." Elite smirked, "However, I was already busy with RDL matters. In fact, it was because of General Sherman's... 'accident', that I finally was able to meet you two face to face. In the mean time, I had you both under... 'observation'."

"Hee-hee-hee." Titan sniggered.

"No offense sir, but I think we'd notice Titan around." Fletcher declared.

"Yeah, I mean, even with this 'camo', Diamond Dogs aren't really known for being good at hide and seek." Caboose frowned.

"Oh, really?" Elite smirked. "Well, you think wrong. You may have not known it... but Titan was always... there..."

Caboose frowned at the two... only to come to a brain-stopping, window-smashing, clock-ringing realization as the words 'there' repeated in his head.

A while back...

Dramatic music!

As Caboose was wrestling with Loveless in the cockpit of the out of control Iron Arachnid, Titan, his body blended into the wall, watched... while reaching into the fridge and popping open a bottle of beer.

More dramatic music!

As Fletcher and Caboose led the fight against the Fifty Thieves, Titan watched, blended in to hide by a rock, wearing a miniature rock on top.

Even more dramatic music!

Caboose was mourning over his brother's broken body following Killsquad's death... not realizing that Titan was there, hiding in a corner, sniffling at a sorry scene...

"Do you mind?"

TItan glanced at a gray pony with a black mane, holding a guitar, who was hiding in the same corner next to him.

"I'm trying to sing a song here and your sniffling is throwing me off!"

EVEN more dramatic music!

Fletcher was in a hospital bed, injured by the explosion set by one of the goons Killsquad hired. Watching Caboose talking to Dove as Fletcher was conked out was Titan... dressed up as a nurse, with a wig and red lipstick and everything.

Music at it's most dramatic!

As Caboose was hiding in the corner of the barracks after his bout with one of the Gentlecolts, mortified as he watched his captain make love to his fiancé... what he didn't see, what Titan, hiding under the bed Fletcher and Dove were on, listening... 'intently'.

Music... you get the idea!

Caboose's body was nearly broken, having landed on another Royal Guard after falling from the clock tower... completely unaware that Titan was throwing breadcrumbs on him, as if begging for crows to pick at his flesh... and with a mocking expression, Titan was carried away by the same crows....

The present...

"...Caboose, I don't think Titan was there when you fell off the clocktower." Fletcher grimaced.

"Oh, right." Caboose murmured, but gaped. "But wow! He is good!"

"Very impressive." Fletcher admitted, stunned. "We must be very unobservant to not see him sooner."

"I know, but that what makes him such a valued part of this team." Elite smiled.

"Ruff!" Titan barked proudly.

"He said 'and don't you ever forget it'." Black smirked.

Author's Notes:

"Diamond Dogs" belongs to David Bowie.

Anthem Of The Lonely

After finishing their breakfast, Caboose and Fletcher departed the mess hall with Black. Fletcher took a moment to marvel at the sheer size of the headquarters.

"I've never seen an installation this size before." He declared.

"I have." Caboose admitted. "My family have these offshore holding installations, and they are huge. I can't tell you what's in them, though. Family secret."

"Naturally." Fletcher rolled his eyes.

As they rounded a corner, they reached a wall with pictures of ponies mounted on it. The picture each had gold plaques with names on them.

"What's this?" Caboose asked. "A wall of fame?"

"Not exactly." Black sighed. "This is the Wall of Remembrance. It's where we honor our fallen comrades."

"Oh, I see..." Fletcher frowned.

"Quite a few of them, aren't there?" Caboose sighed.

"Yeah." Black nodded. "As you can tell by now, the Taskforce is by far one of the most dangerous line of work, maybe more so than the RDL. The foes we face are almost always the ones to never take prisoners. It would do you both good to try and not get yourselves on here too quick."

Fletcher took note of one of the photos, reading the name.

"Shadow Slinker." He said aloud.

"Shadow?" Caboose asked, before lighting up. "Oh yeah... when I asked about him and Micro, your face went all gloomy... is this why? Shadow is..."

"Dead? Yes." Black sighed. "Died right in front of me..."

"Oh my word." Fletcher said, aghast. "That must have been awful for you."

"You have no idea." Black frowned.

"What happened?" Caboose asked. "I mean, not that you have to tell us. I know it'd be rough, and it might not even be in line with where your story is right now. Don't want to jump ahead..."

"Well, as luck would have it, that actually is the next part of the story... and it's a doozy." Black grimaced.

Many years ago...

Deep within Infinity, Pike was talking with Scalphunter in a darkened lounge room.

"...And there's still been no sign of Black?" He asked.

"Not a one." Scalphunter admitted.

"Great." Pike scowled. "Just terrific. Ouroboros have been on my back for months over this. They say if they don't get results soon, they will be forced to disciplinary actions. We need to keep trying. Find Black, no matter what it takes."

"Yeah, like you haven't said that a thousand times already." Scalphunter snorted.

"I'll say it a million times if I have to!" Pike yelled. "Don't forget, it's not just my hide on the line here. If anything happens to me, the Black Sheep will probably shoot itself dead in the face within the week!"

"My, pretty presumptuous, aren't we?" Scalphunter glared. "You do know this group had existed under my command before you came along, right?"

"Yeah, a group that had cost the Forefathers a lot of agents, money, and a bit of everything else." Pike growled. "If I recall, they were close to disbanding the divison before I came along. It was under my leadership that this branch survived as long as it did."

"Only because you were a big suck-up to the bosses." Scalphunter snorted.

"If being loyal means being a suck-up, then so be it." Pike declared. "Unlike you, I'm not just in this to blindly murder anypony I like. I'm here to do a job. To serve the Forefathers in their mission to make Equestria a better place."

"Well, lah-dee-dah." Scalphunter scowled. "Look who thinks he's so much more noble and pure than the rest of us..."

"Look, just do what you are told. Because Faust knows how well any of you will do when the Black Sheep has to fend for themselves." Pike growled.

Pike marched away, still incensed.

"Hmph, we'll see about that..." Scalphunter sneered.

A short while later, Scalphunter stood before the other Black Sheep members, who were gathered around a table, DeRose, Sam, and Tabolt among them.

"My fellow Black Sheep." Scalphunter announced. "I hate to say it, but it seems Pike is failing to fulfill his duty as our leader. Black Knight Paladin is still out there, and we are still no closer to bringing him down. And surely, as you all notice, Pike has been acting... erratically."

"Well, can you blame him?" DeRose frowned. "He's not the only one who's under fire here. The Ouroboros have been treating us even worse than usual. At least before, they were a little civil to the more rational members such as myself. But ever since Black came into the picture, they treat us all like dirt on their hooves! Like we're nothing more than ill-behaved attack dogs. They'll probably throw us in kennels before long..."

"Well, Pike hasn't been helping matters." Talbolt crossed his hooves. "These past years, it's like he's been changing. You noticed how he never goes on bounty hunts anymore? Heck, all he's been doing is trying to hunt down Black!"

"Yeah, that so-called boss of yours has slowly but surely been going plum loco." Sam snarled. "And that's saying somethin', comin' from me!"

"It's clear that we must take matters into our own hooves and try to kill Black ourselves." Scalphunter declared, "It's about time we bring out the big guns!"

"Um, question. Who exactly is our 'big guns' now?" Talbolt asked. "Sweet Tooth died trying to ice that scum. And if he couldn't do it-"

"Worry not, my friend." Scalphunter smirked. "Sweet Tooth, Faust bless his wretched damn soul, was a great agent... but you forget that we have us an even bigger gun at our disposal..."

A large, shadowy wisp suddenly flowed into the room, slithering like a snake over the stone floor.

"What in tarnation?!" Sam gaped.

"By Faust..." DeRose gulped.

The whisp stopped right in front of Scalphunter. It vanished, revealing a Unicorn in a dark jacket and a black mask. He wielded a sickle in one hoof, with a crossbow hanging off his waist.

"...Holy crap... is that who I think it is?" Talbolt gasped.

"Gentlecolts... you all remember Reaper, do you?" Scalphunter smirked.

"Reaper?! As in the Bosteer Reaper?!" DeRose gaped. "When the hell did you get back into town?"

"Oh, just recently." Reaper shrugged, his voice distorted. "I was in Whinneyapolis, partaking of some glorious bloodshed, when Scalphunter gave me a call and told me to come in."

"Eesh, to this day, that freaky spell of yours still gives me the heebie jeebies!" Sam grimaced.

"Thank you." Reaper smirked, as he held up a hoof, as it began to turn into a shadowy mist. "That means the spell is doing its job..." He turned to Scalphunter, "Now, what is it that you called me for, Scalphunter? You made it sound very important."

"It is." Scalphunter smirked. "I assume you had heard about this stallion that has been giving us and the Forefathers the business?"

"Ah, yes, this... Black Knight Paladin." Reaper nodded. "The Taskforce's newest and deadliest attack dog. The one that had brought about the demise of both Sweet Tooth and Mr. Dysley."

"Yeah. That's why we brought you in." Scalphunter smirked. "While Sweet Tooth had a thousand kills under his belt, you are by far the most feared serial killer in all of Equestria. With your expertise, we think you might be the ticket to finally put an end to that son of a draft horse and redeem the Black Sheep division."

"Well, you wouldn't be wrong." Reaper gave a small chuckle. "And with a challenging prey such as Black, I believe this will be the most fun I had in years..."

"Preaching to the choir, Reaper." Scalphunter sneered in delight. "And if you happen to see one of his fellow lackies, feel free to kill them too."

"As if you have to ask." Reaper smirked.

"Hold on. Why exactly should he be the one to take out Black?" Talbolt growled, stepping forth. "Reaper has been doing nothing for the Black Sheep division for years, while we had been working our asses off trying to keep the Black Sheep division alive!"

"It's simple. Reaper is one of the best killers I had the pleasure of knowing." Scalphunter declared. "If anypony can get the job done, it's him. That's a lot more than can be said for any of you dumbasses."

"Hey, Black got the drop on me last time." Talbolt snarled. "I deserve another shot at him!"

"And we don't?" DeRose growled.

"Yeah, get offa yer high hippogriff!" Sam sneered.

The other Black Sheep voiced their own amusement, sniggering and scoffing at Talbolt.

"Why should you get to do it?" One arrogantly asked.

"You forget that I possess a multitude of skills." Talbolt retored, pulling out a pencil. He stood up, and walked around the table. "As a self-trained illusionist, I know quite a few magic tricks." He placed the pencil sharp end up on the table, right in front of the neighsayer. "Wanna see me make this pencil disappear?"

"Sure, why not?" The stallion sneered.

"Okay..." Talbolt suddenly grabbed the stallion's head, and slammed it into the table, driving the pencil right into his head, killing him.

"Holy horseapples on a manure sandwich!" Sam gaped, as the others (with the exception of Reaper) being taken aback by the brutality.

"Ta-daa!" Talbolt smirked. "It's 'magic'... any objections?"

"Nope." Sam cringed.

"None here." DeRose added nervously.

The other Black Sheep all mumbled in the negative.

"Good." Talbolt grinned. "I believe that is proof enough that I deserve a 'true' chance to bring Black down."

"Except it's not your choice to make." Scalphunter pointed out. "I've already got a stallion for the job."

"But he may need back-up." Talbolt retorted. "We never thought to gave Sweet Tooth one, and look what happened to him. The last thing I think anypony wants is for us to lose yet another one of our big guns."

"Oh yeah, like having you around is really gonna tip the balance." Scalphunter sneered.

"Hold on, Scalphunter... I believe Talbolt makes an excellent point." Reaper suddenly declared.

"What?!" Talbolt and Scalphunter said together.

"Seriously, Reapy?" Scalphunter frowned. "You actually want this joker around?"

"He might actually come in handy." Reaper admitted, "At the very least, I could always use a meat shield."

"Hmph, mock me if you will, but don't you forget that out of all of us, I am one of the more competent members of this group." Talbolt scowled.

"And don't you forget that I am in charge of this mission and that I will kill you without even blinking." Reaper snarled, closing in on Talbolt. "So watch your tongue. Got it?"

"...Got it." Talbolt nodded, looking a bit disturbed by Reaper's glance.

"So... do you have a plan of attack?" Scalphunter asked Reaper.

"In fact, I do... and trust me, Black won't know what hit him..." Reaper declared.

A couple of days, later, Elite called in the Taskforce.

"My friends, we have a situation." He declared. "The RDL received a letter this morning from a retired detective by the name of Gumshoe Flathoof. For years, he had been working a single case: Bringing in the Reaper."

"Who?" Black asked.

"The Reaper is one of the most merciless killers in the world." Micro declared. "He preys on the fear of those he hunts. Armed with a sickle and a crossbow, and an unusual ability to shroud himself in black smoke and glide through the air, which prompts ponies to believe that he is not a regular pony, or even anything close to that."

"Okay, I'm starting to see the problem here." Black snarked.

"But a while back, he just put a stop to his investigations." Elite continued.

"Why would he just stop?" Shadow asked.

"It doesn't say." Elite shrugged. "But he wants to meet with some of us over in the town of Bridleburg. He apparantly has some information that may help us take Reaper in ourselves. Black, you and I are going together on this one."

"Remember when I said I didn't need partners any more?" Black asked.

"Oh, I remember." Elite nodded. "I just prefer to ignore that right now. We leave in ten."

"Better drop it, mate." Ballista advised. "This is one fight you're not gonna win."

"Reh-reh-reh-reh-reh." Titan chuckled.

"Whatever." Black huffed. "Let's just get this over with."

Before long, Black (wearing a cloak disguise) and Elite arrived in Bridleburg.

"Okay, Gumshoe's home is right over here." Elite declared, leading Black to a small one-bedroom dwelling.

"Okay, let's do this." Black knocked on the door.

The door was answered by an old pony with a pale orange coat, a balding green mane, brown eyes, and a Cutie Mark of a black shoe.

"Elite Everest." The stallion took note. "Glad you could come so quickly."

"Well, you said you had information about the Reaper, Mr Flathoof." Elite declared. "So let's hear it."

"Of course." Gumshoe nodded. "Come in, come in."

The two of them followed Gumshoe into a dishevelled living room.

"Who's your friend, by the way?" Gumshoe asked Elite.

"That's classified." Elite answered. "All you need to know is that he is here to help."

"Typical government conspiracies..." Gumshoe sighed.

"Just tell us what you know about the Reaper." Black demanded, "The sooner you do, the sooner we can put an end to this."

"I afraid it won't be that simple." Gumshoe growled. "You see, I came to learn quite a lot about this stallion known as the Reaper. He was responsible for the biggest murder spree this town has ever seen. I spent close to ten years trying to find him, but he always slipped away. And each time he did, he always left behind a note, taunting me... mocking me... condemning me for failing to stop him, that I let him kill all those ponies..."

"Sounds like a real Prince." Black snorted.

"I kept on trying, though." Gumshoe admitted. "Day after day, month after month, year after year. But I just couldn't do it."

"Is that why you stopped looking?" Elite asked. "You just gave up?"

"...Partially." Gumshoe lowered his head.

"What does that mean?" Black asked.

"Well, after another murder spree, the Reaper didn't leave behind a gloating note." Gumshoe declared. "It was something else. It told me that he had grown bored of our 'game'. That he wanted to take a break. The note said 'If you stop hunting me, I'll stop hunting them here.'..."

"...You didn't..." Elite frowned.

"You don't understand." Gumshoe sighed. "Me and the police were no closer to catching him than we were in all the years before. We had no leads, no evidence, nothing that could help us stop him. And he had already murdered about a hundred ponies..."

"So you just gave up." Black growled.

"I did what I had to to end the bloodshed." Gumshoe said defensively.

"By making a deal with a psychotic murderer?!" Black spat. "He stays out of your town, and becomes everpony else's problem? Real nice, pal!"

"What choice did I have?" Gumshoe faltered.

"You could have chosen to do the right thing, and not play that whacko's game!" Black snarled. "You're nothing but a coward!"

"That's enough." Elite told Black. "Now, Gumshoe. I'm sure you didn't invite us here just to confess your dirty secret."

"No." Gumshoe nodded. "I wanted to warn you. I heard about your trouble with the 'Forefathers' from an old source of mine."

"Did you, now?" Black frowned under his mask.

"...Yes... and I fear that the Reaper... might have thrown himself in with those awful ponies." Gumshoe grimaced, "To my understanding, he is a part of the group known as the 'Black Sheep', a whole bunch of low-ranked but very dangerous individuals who do as they please, and bear the mark of a black ram's head."

"So the Forefathers really do hire murdering scum." Black snorted. "Good to know."

"Indeed." Elite nodded. "If we can somehow find these 'Black Sheep' and take them down, the Forefathers will begin to suffer a decline in valuable assets." He turned to Gumshoe. "Thank you for the information."

"It's the least I could do... really." Gumshoe sighed.

"Don't even think it begins to make up for what you did." Black snarled.

"I don't." Gumshoe said defiantly. "In fact, if you ever run into Reaper, give him one from me."

"I can guarantee it." Elite nodded. "Time to go."

As they left, Black cast one last glare Gumshoe's way. Gumshoe looked away, distraught.

One they returned to headquarters, Elite and Black shared the information with the others.

"So the Forefathers really do recruit murdering psychopaths to be their attack dogs." Micro grimaced. "Nasty business."

"So what now?" Armory asked.

"Now we know Reaper is one of the Black Sheep, we must track him down and take him in." Elite declared. "If we can get him to talk, we could learn all about them."

"Sounds good to me." Black smirked. "One thing's for sure, we won't mess up like Gumshoe did..."

"That's the plan, at least." Elite nodded. "All ears to the ground, folks. If any of us hear of anything that even slightly sounds like Reaper's work, we're going to move in."

With that, the Taskforce prepared fro an inevitable confrontation with Reaper. Black spent a lot of his time in the gym, beating up a practice dummy.

"Somepony looks a little ticked off today." Shadow noted. "What's up?"

"It's that Gumshoe guy." Black scowled. "He was a cop. He was supposed to protect ponies by bringing in crooks. But he let Reaper go. If you ask me, he's just as bad as that psycho."

"Sometimes, ponies do things that they regret." Shadow declared. "...Still, you have to understand why he did it. He only wanted to stop the killings."

"So he made a deal with the devil!" Black snarled. "He just gave up and let him go somewhere else to terrorize some other town!"

"He was only thinking about his hometown and the ponies in it." Shadow frowned. "From what I heard, he was in a bad place. He had no hopes of finding him, and there was no telling how many more ponies were going to die if he didn't make the deal... it's an impossible choice."

"Except it wasn't." Black glared. "He may have actually found a lead if he had only stuck with it? The point of being a detective, let alone any stallion of justice, is to not give up, even in the face of death! To even let that son of a draft horse win like that... it makes me... GRRAH!" Black then bucked the dummy, slamming it into the wall.

"Unfortunately, not everpony possess that kind of fortitude." Shadow sighed. "And we don't always make the right decisions."

"And sometimes, the wrong decision leads to ponies getting hurt." Black growled. "Lousy coward..."

Shadow could tell Black's outrage couldn't be quelled so easily. But he needed to be at the top of his game for the inevitable confrontation with the Reaper.

"...Hey, did I ever tell you how I got into this group?" He asked, trying to get Black's mind off things.

"I don't think so." Black shrugged. "I only know about Titan, really."

"Well, how about I tell you?" Shadow declared.

"Why not? I could use a break." Black grimaced as the two take a seat, "So, how did somepony like you find a place in the ranks of the Taskfroce?"

"...Well, it all started quite a long time ago. As you know, I wasn't exactly the most law-abiding kind of pony. I came from a dirt-poor family in Buckarest, Romaneia. Growing up, I always wanted more in life, but I knew I could never get it unless I work for it... however, I didn't have the patience or the time... so I turned to the life of a thief."

"Were you any good?" Black asked.

"Heh, only the best there was!" Shadow bragged. "I was always a fast learner and within a few years, I was hitting all sorts of high-profile places, and rolling in the dough. I was quite a rich stallion." He then let out a sigh. "...Unfortunately, there was this one heist at a museum. The score was a couple millions bits, but it was a two-pony job. So, I reached out to my fellow thieves and criminals, and found a guy. It seemed like everything was going okay when we did the heist... till at the last moment, the guy double-crossed me, left me in the museum, tripped an alarm, and before I knew it, I was caught and thrown into a Panamarean jail... and that was about when Elite came into my life..."

Flashback...

A younger Shadow was standing in a small prison cell. He has been in there for a couple of months. Due to being far away from home and even farther from his fortunes, he had no means of getting out of there, and the jail itself was that of very high security. So all he could do was bide his time till he would be released... which wasn't for a very long time. He used his hooves to make pony-shaped shadow puppets on the walls.

"You overlooked one little detail, didn't you, partner?" He acted out the words his partner had thrown at him during the betrayal. "Face it genius, you've been played." He then spoke in his own voice. "Oh, really?" He mimed the sound of a crossbow firing, then had one puppet "die".

A figure stood in front of the cell, blocking the light.

"Hey, do you mind, bucker?" Shadow scowled. "You're ruining the show here!"

"I am very sorry for that, Mr. Shadow. But I wish to speak with you."

Shadow frowned in confusion as he turned to face the front of his cell, to see none other than a younger Elite (though possessing his false hoof) standing there.

"...Um, who are you?" Shadow asked, "You're not one of the guards."

"No, I am not." Elite declared. "My name is Elite Everest... and I have a proposition for you."

"Um, no offense, but you're not my type, pal." Shadow snarked.

"A business proposition." Elite rolled his eyes. "You see, skills like the ones you possess are truly impressive. Espionage, infiltration, stealth, quick escapes..."

"Not impressive enough to keep me out of the slammer, though..." Shadow pouted.

"Which brings me to my point." Elite declared. "Why waste your talents on petty theft? Your ability to slip in and out of places is unparalleled. Why not just use it for good, instead of only for yourself?"

"What are you getting at, fella?" Shadow asked.

"It's simple, really." Elite smiled. "If you agree to come and work for me, I'll pull some strings, so you can be released into my custody."

"Work for you?" Shadow frowned. "And what exactly is it that you do?"

"I'm putting together a Taskforce, one that can go places other cannot." Elite revealed. "If you join up, you could put your skills to the ultimate test, in service of the common good... and not have to run the risk of jail time doing it."

"No kidding..." Shadow mused. "So you get me outta here, and after that, you'll actually pay me to break into places?"

"Essentially, yes." Elite nodded. "Of course, if you'd rather stay here..."

"Forget that." Shadow snorted. "I'm in."

"You won't regret this, I promise." Elite smiled, shaking Shadow's hoof through the bars.

Flashback ends...

"...And that's how it all went down." Shadow declared. "I soon found out that I enjoyed using my skills for good. I've never back."

"And what about that partner of yours?" Black asked. "The one who double-crossed you?"

"I ran into him a few years later while on a mission." Shadow admitted. "I gave him a beat down and left him for the cops. Sweet, sweet karma..."

"I'll bet it was, jailbird." Black smirked.

"Hardey-har-har." Shadow rolled his eyes.

Over the next few days, all sorts of leads were examined. Anything involving even a mention of Reaper was checked out. As a result, they learned of many horrific homicides committed by the stallion over the years. Before long, they received word of a recent murder spree in the town of Saddleton that had all the hallmarks of Reaper's modus operandi.

"Looks like we may have found our target at last."Shadow smiled.

"Hey, get a load of this." Micro noted, as he held up a piece of paper, "I've been looking over the list of victims... and there's a sole survivor. A stallion by the name of Rapere Foyet. He was attacked by the Reaper many years ago."

"A survivor?" Ballista gaped, "But... how? From what I read, the Reaper has never left even one of his victims live."

"Maybe the guy's getting sloppy in his old age." Armory suggested. "According to the profile, he should be about in his early fifties. It happens."

"Either way, it's worth checking out." Black declared, "He might be the lead we need to finding this S.O.B."

"It says here the bloke lives at 147 Trotter's Drive." Ballista declared. "Me and Black'll check on him."

"I don't need help to question a civillian." Black snorted.

"But what if Reaper's still around?" Ballista asked. "What if he tries to jump ya?"

"Ballista makes a good point." Elite noted. "Where a maniac like Reaper is concerned, it's best to travel with back-up at all times."

"Ugh, fine." Black scowled. "But if he's not there, I reserve the right to say 'I told you so'."

The disguised Black and Ballista hurried over to Saddleton, and knocked on his door. They were answered by a sickly-looking middle-aged stallion with a graying orange mane, gray coat, and ice blue eyes, covered by small glasses. He wore a dark blue sweater, and his Cutie Mark was concealed by a large bandage.

"Hello?" The stallion asked meekly.

"Rapere Foyet?" Ballista asked.

"Th-that's me." Rapere nodded. "What do you two... burly gents want?"

"We're from the RDL. We wish to speak to you about what happened to you a few years ago..." Black declared.

"Between you and the one they called... 'The Reaper'." Ballista added.

"...H-him?" Rapere quivered, his face fraught with fear. "You are here to talk about... h-him?"

"Yes. Is it alright if we come in?" Ballista asked.

"...Sure." Rapere nodded meekly.

Black and Ballista made their way into the house, taking a seat within the living room, as Rapere sat across from them on a couch.

"Um, can I get you anything?" Rapere asked.

"No, we only wish to take little of your time." Ballista declared. "We've recently reopened the case of the Reaper. It is our intention to finish what others have started and bring him to justice."

"Really?" Rapere gasped, "After all these years?"

"You betcha." Black nodded firmly. "It is our hope that you might be able to offer some insight into this madpony. Maybe give us a lead as to how to find the guy."

"...Well, I am sorry to disappoint you, but I don't think I can help." Rapere frowned. "The last thing I want to do is think about that demon... Faust knows I already have nightmares about him. His faceless mask... his shadowy body... that awful sickle..."

Black and Ballista silently acknowledged the description matching what they'd heard of Reaper.

"I know it might be difficult, but we would like to at least hear about how you had come to survive an encounter with this stallion." Ballista declare., "If it is alright with you..."

"...Well, if it will help you... sure." Rapere murmured. "It all started one terrible night. We were taking a stroll through the local park..."

"'We'?" Black frowned.

"Yes, me and my marefriend." Rapere nodded, "Her name was Buttercup. We were dating for a few years. In fact... I was planning on proposing to her by the pond. Had a ring and everything... but then... we were accosted by this shadowy mist and before I knew it..." His eyes began to water. "The Reaper was upon us. We'd heard about him in the news... but we didn't think he would come after us. We tried to run... but he shot me in the leg, so I couldn't run, and he tackled Buttercup to the ground." He let out a heave. "And... and... he killed her right in front of me. I had to watch as he stabbed her sixty-seven times..."

"Sixty-seven times?!" Black gaped, shocked by the brutality.

"Yes... do you have any idea how long it takes to stab somepony sixty-seven times?" Rapere sniffled, "All I could hear was her screaming in pain as the Reaper continue to stab her over and over... and when he finished up with her... he went after me. I tried to get away, but it hurt so much to move... and before I knew it, he was atop me, stabbing me repeatedly, just like he did Buttercup. The pain was so unbearable, that I blacked out. I thought I was dead... then I woke up in a hospital bed. They said that somepony came by and found me struggling for life, and got help. When the police came to talk to me, they assumed that the Reaper must have thought he had killed me when he left me... though I wish he had... The love of my life is gone, thanks to him..."

"We're very sorry for your loss." Ballista sympathised.

"Rest assured, Reaper will pay for this." Black declared. "We'll find that scum and bring him to justice if it's the last thing we do. That's a promise."

"Thank you." Repere smiled. "It's comforting to know that the world still has decent stallions in it. And I hope you do get him. I'd hate to think that he might one day come back to finish the job..."

"We'll do our best to make sure that doesn't happen." Ballista grinned. "We're getting real close to nailing that scum. We're practically right behind him."

"It won't be long before we've got him pinned down." Black added. "And when that day comes, he'll pay for all his crimes. But I'll be sure to hit once for your marefriend."

"Bless you, good sir." Repere nodded.

"Well, we must be going." Ballista declared. "Thank you for your time."

"My pleasure." Rapere smiled.

"Well, looks like Reaper wasn't lying in wait." Black smirked. "Meaning it's 'I told you so' time."

"Yeah, yeah." Ballista scowled. "Stick a cork in it, mate."

"At least we're finally closing in." Black said firmly. "We'll finally get this clown..."

A day or so later, an unusual package was brought in by Elite: a mirror.

"This just got delivered to my office at the RDl." He declared.

"Who sent it?" Armory frowned.

"No idea." Elite shrugged.

"You don't look like the kind of guy who needs a mirror." Black scoffed. "Poor gifting."

"Weird." Shadow mused.

Suddenly, the mirror started vibrating.

"What the bloody hell?" Ballista frowned.

"Rrf!" Titan growled.

"It might be a bomb!" Armory yelped.

"Drop it, sir!" Micro urged.

Suddenly, a masked face appeared in the mirror... that of the Reaper...

"Hello there, everypony." He hissed.

"You." Black growled.

"I'm glad you received my gift, Elite." Reaper announced. "I thought I'd only be speaking to you, but it seems you brought it to show the whole gang."

"What is it that you want, Reaper?" Elite asked.

"I'd like to negotiatiate a little deal with you." Reaper declared.

"Oh, really?" Black scowled. "What kind of deal?"

"A simple one." Reaper stated. "Similar to the one I made Gumshoe... but on a much bigger scale: all I ask that you cease all attempts to bring down the Forefathers, and move on with your petty little lives. You have all become such a nuisance to us and we are getting pretty sick of your crap."

"Oh, and why would we do that?" Elite challenged.

"...'If you stop hunting me, I'll stop hunting them'" Reaper declared. "That was the deal I offered Gumshoe, and now I am offering it to you all. If you leave us... all of us, alone, then you won't hear from me again... if not... well, the death toll will rise tenfold."

"And you think I'd take that deal?" Elite growled.

"It's a good deal." Reaper sneered. "Besides, I have no interest in playing with any of you. None of you are any fun."

"Really, do you think us all cowards?" Black snarled. "We're nothing like Gumshoe. We're not going to back down because some psycho thinks he's better than us."

"I'm giving you only one chance to end this." Reaper growled. "If you don't take it, then the deal is off the table for good."

"We don't make deals with psychopaths." Elite growled. "We're the ponies who hunt ponies like you."

"...There are no ponies likes me." Reaper sneered.

"That's what you guys always say. But in the end, you all end up the same way." Black sneered back, "Dead... or a prison mule."

"Yeah, sling yer hook." Ballista spat, "We're coming for ya."

"...That's unfortunate." Reaper sighed. "Because otherwise, I would have called this off..."

"Called what off?" Armory asked.

Reaper angled the mirror, showing that he was near a fancy restaurant called The Trifecta.

"No..." Elite gasped.

"Yes." Reaper nodded, using his sickle to damage the fusebox, cutting the power of the restaurant. "What happens next is on your heads."

"Don't you dare..." Black snarled.

"Too late." Reaper cackled wickedly, switching off the mirror.

The Taskforce stood still with shock, as the enormity of the situation sank in.

"...What have we done?" Micro gaped.

"We need to get over there, and fast." Black declared.

"I know that restaurant." Ballista announced. "It's over in Saddleton."

"We need to get moving." Elite said hurriedly. "If there's even a chance we can get there in time to catch him, we have to take it!"

"No arguement here." Micro nodded.

"Let's go!" Shadow agreed.

"Ruff!" Titan added.

Using their newly-upgrading motor carriage, the group reached Saddleton within the hour. Alas, they were still too late; The restaurant was strewn with dead bodies, all of them maimed and butchered.

"By Faust..." Shadow gaped.

"I think I'm going to be sick..." Micro grimaced.

"That monster..." Black snarled.

"Rooo..." Titan whined.

"Suddenly, the upgrades I made to the carriage don't seem so impressive..." Armory sighed.

"And we let this happen." Ballista sighed.

"No, we didn't." Elite retorted. "We refused to play Reaper's sick little game. Even if we had agreed, he would returned to killing sooner or later."

As Black surveyed the travesties, he saw something that chilled him to the bone.

"Guys, look at this." He declared.

The others joined Black, seeing the number "147" written in blood on the floor.

"Good lord..." Micro cringed.

"'147'?" Ballista frowned. "You don't think...?"

"I do." Black nodded. "That monster's going back to Rapere's place to finish him off!"

"Not today." Shadow declared. "Come on, Black. Let's stop him!"

"Wait, it could be a trap!" Elite told them.

"He's right." Ballista nodded. "Besides, it may already be too late."

"That's not gonna stop us!" Black rushed off.

"Wait for me!" Shadow added.

"Guys, wait!" Armory called.

"Let them go." Elite instructed. "Like Ballista said, there's a good chance they're already too late."

"Poor Rapere." Armory sighed. "He already lost his marefriend to that monster..."

"...Yeah..." Micro frowned... but for another reason entirely.

"What is it, Micro?" Elite asked.

"You see. I had been looking into what happened to Rapere and his marefriend... and I found a few disconcerting things. First off, I questioned some of Buttercup's friends and family... and according to them, she had only recently met Rapere in a class they were both taking. Only mere weeks before the attack."

"What?" Ballista frowned. "But Rapere told us about how he was going to propose to her that night. He said they knew each other for a few years."

"Well, either it was exaggeration, or love at first sight... or there is something else." Micro grimaced.

"Now that you mention it, I read that Rapere had moved around a lot." Armory declared. "And each time he moved, the Reaper seem to go on a killing spree right in that very city he was living in."

"That seems... awfully coincidental." Elite mused.

"Yeah, it does." Micro frowned. "And more to the point, I haven't been able to find anything on him from before he moved to Saddleton. It's like he didn't even exist before then."

"But it still doesn't explain why Reaper didn't finish him off before now." Ballista added. "Or why he wasn't more thorough that night."

"Or maybe it does." Micro's eyes widened.

"What are you getting at, Micro?" Elite asked.

Without speaking, Micro quickly took a few napkins from a nearby table, and a quill and ink bottle from the reception desk and began writing on them.

"What is it, Micro?!" Ballista demanded.

"Rapere's name." Micro trembled, as he showed them the napkins, each with a letter on it, spelling out the name 'Rapere', "What happens, when you take the 'e' on the end and put it between 'R' and 'a'?"

The others watched intently as he then took the napkin with the 'e' and moved it in between 'R' and 'a'. Everypony gasped, as the name spelt out...

"Reaper." Elite whispered.

"What?" Armory gasped. "You don't think..."

"I do." Micro nodded.

"But if that's true, it means... oh no." Elite frowned. "Black and Shadow. We have to warn them!"

"On it." Ballista tried to activate his communicator, but got only static. "No good. We're being blocked somehow."

"We have to go." Armory urged. "We have to help them."

"Agreed." Elite nodded. "Move out!"

They rushed out of the restaurant, determined to save their comrades.

Meanwhile, Black and Shadow arrived at 'Rapere's' house. The door was open.

"Oh, please, no..." Black cringed.

They rushed inside.

"Mr. Foyet?" Shadow called. "Are you there?"

"...In here..." A voice said weakly.

Black and Shadow followed the voice into the living room, finding Rapere slumped against his couch, covered in blood.

"Holy..." Shadow gaped.

"No... no!" Black yelled. "We're not losing another to that monster! Grab the bandages. We're patching him up!"

"You got it, pal." Shadow nodded.

Pulling out their emergency medical kits, Black and Shadow attempted to tend to Rapere's wound.

"Seems like the worst is in his chest." Black declared. "Gonna have to take off the sweater..."

Quickly, Black pulled off the sweater... but as soon as he did... his blood froze. On Rapere's chest was a giant ram's head tattoo. Surrounding it was all sorts of stab scars. It was also clear that the blood on him didn't originate from him.

"What the-?" Black gaped.

"No-" Shadow started.

Before they could react further, they flinched, as none other than Talbolt had jabbed them both with syringes.

"Nighty-night, Mr. 'Drake' and 'Sullivan'." Talbolt sneered.

"Ugh..." Black groaned, as the sedative in the darts knocked him and Shadow out. A great darkness overwhelmed him...

The murky fog lifted, and Black and Shadow found themselves tied up in an unknown location...

"Uh... what happened?" Black moaned.

"I think... we were drugged... and that Rapere is-"

"Oh good, you're awake."

The two lit up with horror, as they saw Rapere, dressed up as none other than the Reaper, with his black jacket, sickle, and crossbow, and his mask up. His Cutie Mark was now uncovered, revealing a bloody black owl. Talbolt was standing right aside him.

"Rapere Foyet..." Black glared, "...Or should I say, Reaper."

"You were close." Reaper smirked. "Foyet really is my last name... though Rapere took some creativity on my part."

"So it was all a set up." Black glared. He was already trying to work through his bonds. He just needed time, and he knew how to get it. "All of it?"

"Yep." Reaper nodded smugly. "Buttercup was just a poor mare who didn't know what she was getting into when she started dating me. As for me... well, let's just say I have gotten good at inflicting pain upon myself. Had you fooled, didn't I?"

"Can't believe I actually worried about you..." Black snarled.

"What do you want with us?" Shadow asked.

"What do you think?" Talbolt spat. "We want Black, and all his associates, dead."

"On the orders of the Forefathers, huh?" Black sneered. "Yeah, we know all about you Black Sheep."

"I thought the Forefathers had at least some integrity." Shadow scoffed. "But hiring criminal madponies? That's a new low."

"We aren't all madponies, you know." Talbolt scowled. "Some of us are actually sane."

"Keep telling yourself that." Black snorted.

"Oh, I've been waiting for this day." Talbolt sneered. "The day you die, Black. And even if I can't do the deed myself, at least I'll get to watch."

"What am I, chopped sprouts?" Shadow joked.

"Oh, don't worry. You get to die first." Reaper sneered at Shadow. "Lucky, lucky, lucky..."

"Do your worst, monster." Shadow spat.

"Not that I needed your permission, but that's exactly what I plan on doing." Shadow raised his sickle.

"No, leave him alone!" Black struggled. "I'm the one you want. I'm the mission here!"

"My mission is to not only eliminate you, but those associated with you." Reaper declared, lowering his mask. "I prefer to start with your friend here, so you can get a nice dose of fear and anguish before the mane event."

"That's a good plan." Talbolt admitted.

Reaper lowered his sickle over Shadow's leg, then cut deeply into the skin. Shadow grit his teeth to stop himself from screaming.

"What..." Reaper frowned under his mask. "Okay, try this..."

Repear jabbed his sickle into Shadow's shoulder.

"Hrrr..." Shadow grunted.

"'Hrrr'?" Reaper growled. "I don't want 'hrrr'! I want you to scream! To beg for mercy!"

Reaper sliced into Shadow's side. Shadow winced mightily, but held in his agony.

"Oh, come on!" Reaper yelled. "Why won't you scream? I'm maiming you over here!"

"Maybe you're just not as good at this as you used to be." Shadow taunted him. "Or maybe you were always a lousy killer. Seriously, I've had way worse than this in my time."

"What?!" Reaper spat. "I'm one of the greatest murderers in Equestrian history. You should be terrified of the very sight of me!"

"Sorry, I'm just not feeling it." Shadow jeered.

"...You're a tough one, aren't you?" Reaper scowled. "I don't like tough ones. There's no fear in them. And without fear, what's the point?"

"Then you should just leave him." Black demanded, "I'm the one you want!"

"I could... but I can't have ponies knowing that I let a pony live to tell that he wasn't afraid of me. I have a reputation to uphold, you know." Reaper declared as he took a spot behind Shadow.

"No... no!" Black struggled harder, watching as Reaper brought the sickle to Shadow's neck.

"Watch carefully, Black." Reaper sneered. "This is what happens to ponies who mess with me..."

"And those who mess with the Forefathers." Talbolt added. "You should have known you and your friends couldn't escape their wrath forever."

"Black..." Shadow whispered, acknowledging the anguish in Black's eyes. "Don't blame yourself for this. There was nothing you could have done. You shouldn't have to carry any more guilt..."

With a simple swish, Shadow's throat was slit.

"Nooooo!" Black roared.

"Huh... hurgh..." Shadow gurgled, as he soon collapsed to the floor, blood leaking from his cut throat. He was dead within seconds.

"Shadow!" Black yelled. "Shadow!"

"Sorry, Black." Talbolt sneered. "I don't think your friend's up for a chat right now."

"Shadow..." Black whispered.

"If it's any consolation, you'll be joining him soon." Reaper scoffed. "Not too soon, though. I still need to have my fun. That one was such a disappointment."

As Reaper advanced on Black, the distraught stallion developed a burst of strength, tearing through his bonds.

"RAAAARRRGGGHHH!!" Black snarled, lunging at Reaper. "You'll pay for that, you sicko!"

Black knocked away Reaper's sickle, pinning him down, and starting beating away at him.

"Ugh!" Reaper grunted, as one punch sent his mask flying. "Get off!"

But Black wouldn't budge. He was like a stallion possessed.

"Talbolt-agh!" Reaper suffered another hoof to the face. "Do something!"

"With pleasure." Talbolt moved in, knife at the ready.

"Get lost!" Black gave a mule kick that sent Talbolt flying.

"GAH!" Talbolt flew into the wall, causing him to slump to the floor.

"Ha!" Reaper took advantage of Black's momentary lack of attention to throw him off.

"Ugh!" Black grunted, as he crashed into a nearby table. He then spotted a crossbow with explosive bolts lying there. "Big mistake..."

"No!" Reaper yelped. "Not that!"

"This is for Shadow." Black growled, pulling the trigger.

An explosive bolt fired at Reaper, who managed to leap out of the way just in time, using his spell to take on his smoke form.

"You're gonna pay!" Black roared, firing another bolt.

Reaper managed to dodge several more bolts, leaving them to explode on the floor, walls, and even the ceiling.

"Stand still!" Black spat, a red cloud of rage falling over him. "Stand still and take your buckin' medicine!"

"By Faust..." Reaper gasped, geniunely shocked by Black's rage. "And they say I'm a savage..."

"And they're right!" Black roared. "Time to put you down like the rabid animal you are!"

"Better than you have tried!" Reaper said defiantly.

"But I'm actually going to succeed!" Black fired off several more bolts.

"We'll see." Reaper spat.

Reaper avoided the blasts, displaying impressiveness agility for his age. However, one explosion erupted too closely to him, knocking him to the ground.

"Ugh!" He grunted.

"Had enough yet?" Black snarled.

"Never." Reaper hissed.

"I was hoping you'd say that." Black smirked, raising the crossbow.

Before Black could fire again, there was a loud crumbling noise. The blasts had taken their toll on the building; It was starting to fall apart. Huge chunks of the ceiling came down

"We have to get out of here!" Talbolt (having recovered from unconsciousness) told Reaper, narrowly avoiding one chunk. "Before the whole place comes down on us!"

"Nuh-uh. You're gonna pay!" Black roared. "Both of you!"

"I'm not leaving until I finish this!" Reaper roared.

"We'll all be finished if we stay any longer!" Talbolt yelled. "What's more important, a fight, or your life?"

A falling chunk of ceiling knocked away Reaper's sickle (almost taking his hoof with it).

"Damn it..." Reaper growled. "Fine, let's go."

"You're going anywhere!" Black lunged forward.

Before Black could reach them, a huge chunk of ceiling dropped down, seemingly crushing his adversaries.

"Oh, come on!" Black roared. "I was so close..."

His anger abating, Black realised how much trouble he was in. The whole place was coming down, and the door was on the other side of the room.

'Guess I'll be seeing Shadow soon after all...' He thought.

Suddenly, a nearby wall was blasted open. Black saw Armory and the others on the other side.

"Guys!" He smiled.

"Hurry up, mate!" Ballista urged.

Black leapt through the hole, just before the rest of the ceiling came down.

"Are you okay, Black?" Armory asked.

"We came to warn you-" Micro started.

"That Rapere is really Reaper?" Black finished. "Yeah, I know."

"Wait, where's Shadow?" Elite asked.

"Shadow... he's... he's... gone." Black bowed his head.

"What?" Micro gasped.

"What do you mean gone?" Ballista asked.

Black quickly filled them in.

"I don't believe it." Elite said, grief-stricken. "He's really dead."

"And what's worse, his body was probably pulped by the place coming down." Black added. "Not my best move..."

"You were trying to avenge him." Elite smiled sadly. "Believe me, Shadow wouldn't have minded."

"And it sounds like you did avenge him." Armory added.

"Oh, yeah." Ballista nodded. "You buried those blighters."

"Besides, we have our resources." Micro smiled. "We'll have Shadow's body recovered, so we can give him a proper burial."

"Yeah, great..." Black sighed.

"I know how you feel, Black." Elite nodded. "One of our own is gone. He paid the ultimate price of this mission. All we can do now is honor his sacrifice..."

"Of course..." Black said weakly.

A heart made of stone
Callous and bone
Fracture and let it out
To let it go

And to think
I called it my own
And I would have never thought
The pain could grow

The Taskforce returned to their headquarters, a melancholy air hanging over them.

"Arooo!" Titan howled.

"I know, big guy." Armory patted him comfortingly. "I'll miss him too."

"We all will." Elite added.

Black, lost in grief, could do nothing but gaze sadly into the distance.

So I'll break it
Knowing what you said
The pain is what you make it
Sadly, you are so mistaken

I will take you with a grain
And step into the changes
Throw away the empty heart

It was Micro who had the heavy task of moving Shadow's name from the "Active Agents" file to the "Deceased" file.

"Rest in peace, old friend..." He sighed.

Right now
Never want to leave this place
And right now
See it in a different way
So right now

Even if you take me on
I'll stand the lonely
Stand the lonely

With Shadow gone, his quarters had to be cleared out, and his possessions put into storage. As he watched Shadow's belongings being removed from his quarters, Black felt a heavy weight on his heart.

'Why does this keep happening to me?' He thought. 'Why do I keep losing ponies I care about?'

It's harder to know
Just where to go
If only the stars aligned
The sunsets glowed

I don't need
A calm in the storm
Or something to scream about
With empty lungs

In his office, Elite looked glumly upon one of his private photos. It depicted him with Shadow, not long after he joined up, entertaining the Taskforce with his shadow puppets in the lounge room.

"Wherever you are now, I hope you're still practicing those puppetry skills." Elite gave a sad smile.

So I'll break it
Knowing what you said
The pain is what you make it
Sadly, you are so mistaken

I will take you with a grain
And step into the changes
Throw away the empty heart

Titan curled up in his room, clutching a bandana that had belonged to Shadow (and which he had spirited away during the clearing out of his quarters).

"Rooo..." He whined, heartbroken.

Right now
Never want to leave this place
And right now
See it in a different way
So right now

Even if you take me on
I'll stand the lonely
Stand the lonely

Ballista stood before the wall of remembrance, which had just had Shadow's photo added to it.

"Here's to you, mate." He raised a bottle of cider. "It was a real honor."

The funeral was a small affair. Shadow had no real family to speak of any more, so it was just the Taskforce in attendance.

"Shadow had less-than-humble beginnings, but he was a truly good soul." Elite declared. "He provided a service that can never be replaced. We thank you for everything, Shadow. Rest in piece."

Black was silent through the entire service. He did nothing but stare at the grave the whole time.

'I lost another one.' He thought. 'And I couldn't do a bucking thing about it. Just like White. ...Why am I so useless? You couldn't save them, Black. Instead, you failed them...'

The present...

Fletcher and Caboose were shocked and disturbed by Black's tale.

"That was awful." Fletcher frowned.

"Poor Shadow..." Caboose lowered his head in sorrow.

"Yes." Black sighed. "I lost another friend that day. And once again, I was powerless to prevent it."

"And so soon after losing White..." Fletcher noted.

As the trio stood in silence, Incognito walked by.

"Oh, hello." He took note of the situation. "I see you're taking a moment to honor the fallen."

"Not just any fallen." Caboose declared. "Shadow Slinker..."

"...Oh, of course." Incognito sighed. "Shadow was my mentor, so his death hurt me just as much as anypony."

"He was your mentor?" Caboose frowned. "How come we never heard of that in Black's story?"

"Because I didn't find out until later." Black answered.

"So how did he come to take you on as a student?" Fletcher asked.

"Well, it was quite by chance that we met." Incognito smiled. "I was just this kid, trying to break into a gold depository. But Shadow had also broke in, as the depository was owned by the Forefathers. He found me on his way out, just as I was trying to sneak in. He was impressed by my cat-like moves, and decided to take me under his wing."

"'Course he did." Black smirked. "You probably reminded him of himself."

"He brought me in to the Taskforce, talked Elite into letting me train under him." Incognito recalled. "Thanks to him, I was able to actually make something of myself. He truly was a great stallion."

"Yeah." Black smiled. "He sure was."

"When I was told that I would be taking his place, I knew that Shadow would have been proud... but I also know that I probably had no chance of filling in the hole that he left when he died." Incognito declared. "All I can do is honor his memory by serving the function he once held as well as I can."

"I'm sure he would have appreciated that." Black smiled.

"There truly is nothing worse than losing a comrade." Fletcher sighed.

"No kidding." Caboose nodded. "And our family lost a crap ton of them over the years."

"In that respect, we're all the same." Black nodded. "We all have lost friends in our personal wars. And in my war, there was plenty more to come. Even with all my still-living comrades, it was going to get rough. Sometimes, I feel like it's a miracle I made it through all of it... but that's what having good teammates will do for you."

"Indeed." Fletcher nodded.

"Oh, yeah." Caboose agreed. "That's one to grow on."

Author's Notes:

"Anthem of the Lonely" belongs to Nine Lashes.

Asking For It

Incognito joined Fletcher, Caboose and Black as they left the Wall of Remembrance.

"So you were Shadow's replacement, huh?" Caboose asked Incognito. "That's lucky..."

"I suppose in an organisation like you, it would do well to have new blood ready to step if the worst should happen." Fletcher admitted.

"Yeah, I guess." Black nodded. "But at the time, I didn't really see it that way."

"You can say that again." Incognito snorted.

"Well, you didn't make the great first impression, you know." Caboose glared at him.

"Well, as arrogant as Incognito was, that had nothing to do with it." Black shook his head. "Things were not looking well for me. I had just lost another pony close to me, and was powerless to save him. The guilt from losing Shadow, in addition to losing White... well, it began to affect my life..."

Many years ago...

Black was standing in a graveyard, in the dead of night. But he had no idea how he had gotten there, or why.

"What is this place?" He asked as he looked around. "Hello?! Anypony out there?!"

Black was answered with only silence.

"Is this is some kind of joke, I'm gonna be really mad!" Black added.

Black glanced around once more. There was nothing and nopony to be seen in any direction. As he kept looking, he noticed something on one of the gravestone.

"Wait a second..." He frowned.

As Black came closer to the gravestones, he saw a familiar name on one of them: "Rookie Blue".

"What the-?" Black frowned. He was well aware of the fact that Rookie had been buried in a different cemetary altogether. He looked upon two nearby gravestones, finding the names "Shadow Slinker" and "White Knight Paladin" etched upon them. His shock quickly gave way to anger. "Okay, that's it! Whoever's doing this, you've crossed the line. And when I find you, you're gonna pay!"

Suddenly, the ground at Black's hooves began to shift.

"Oh, what now?" He groaned.

Suddenly, a decaying hoof burst out of the ground by the Rookie headstone.

"Holy-!" Black yelped, leaping backwards.

The hoof was followed by a rotting body: That of Rookie Blue himself. The fatal wound that killed him was plain to see on his decayed side

"R-Rookie?" Black trembled "But you're dead!"

"Because of you." Rookie snarled, in a raspy, soulless voice. "If you hadn't put together that attack, I'd still be alive!"

"Rookie, I-" Black started.

Before he could get a word out in edgewise, another animated corpse emerged from a grave, that of White. His body was very pale and drenched, obviously alluding to his drowning.

"Brother..." White growled in a distorted voice, as water began spilling from his mouth, "Why couldn't you save me? Wasn't disgracing our family name enough for you?"

"No." Black shook his head. "I never meant to hurt you. I tried to save you."

"But you failed." White told him. "You let your own brother die."

"But White..." Black said feebly.

Another corpse emerged. It was Shadow, his slit neck on display for all to see.

"You weren't the only one." He told White, his voice barely audible (possibly because of his slit throat). "Black let me die too. We were supposed to be teammates, but he let me down."

"He let us all down." Rookie added.

"It seems just knowing Black is a death sentence." White hissed. "Maybe we should return the favor."

"No, please..." Black pleaded, stepping back.

"You let us all down, Black." Shadow growled, as his slit neck began to bleed. "You killed us all."

"I... I didn't..." Black spluttered.

"We're all dead, because of you." Rookie muttered in a emotionless voice.

"And now you'll know what that's like." White spat, coughing up more water. "To have your life ripped away from you by somepony you thought cared about you."

"No, don't-" Black tried to back away, but he bumped into something solid. He turned to see a massive headstone before him, one with his name written on it, in ten foot high letters. "This... this can't be hapening..."

"Oh, but it is, Black." Shadow smirked.

"And when you're dead, we'll be square again." Rookie cackled.

"Come on, brother." White hissed. "Time to join us... time to balance the scales, at long last."

"No, please!" Black trembled, as the zombie trio advanced on him. "Nooooo!"

Black suddenly sat upright. He was in his bed, in his quarters, ice-cold sweat dripping off him.

"Just a dream..." He panted. "Just a dream... freakiest one yet..."

A week had passed since Shadow's funeral. Black had tried to move on, as he knew he was expected to, but losing another pony close to him had hit him harder than he'd imagine. He had been having nightmares which featured Rookie, White and Shadow haunting him, berating him for allowing them to die.

'I know I couldn't save any of you.' He thought. 'You don't have to keep reminding me...'

There was a knock at Black's door.

"Come in." Black said flatly.

Armory entered the room.

"Sorry to wake you pal, but Elite needs us in the meeting room." Armory announced.

"No problem." Black sighed. "Didn't get much sleep anyway..."

"Say what?" Armory frowned.

"I said 'tell 'em I'm on my way'." Black claimed.

"Okay." Armory nodded. "See you there."

As Armory left, Black got out of his bed.

"Just another day at the office." He told himself.

After taking a moment to wash up, Black headed for the meeting room. Everypony was already there, silently acknowledging him as he took his seat.

"Okay, everypony." Elite declared. "I know losing Shadow hit us all pretty hard..."

"And then some." Black muttered.

"It is an awful feeling to lose a comrade you had been working with for so long." Elite sighed. "But as much as we may dislike it, life goes on. As does the mission. On that note, we are in a need of a new infiltrator. Luckily, Shadow had taken on a protege in recent years, and after much discussion with Ballista, I wish to introduce you all to Shadow's student and replacement... Incognito."

A younger Incognito, barely out of his teens, entered the room. He was slightly skinnier than in the present, with a longer mane.

"What the..." Black frowned.

"Hello." Incognito said awkwardly. "It's good to meet you all. Shadow told me a lot his teammates. It's good to see you at last, even under the... distressing circumstances."

"Ain't that the truth." Armory sighed.

"I know Shadow would have wanted you here." Micro admitted. "And if he taught you to be even half as good as he was, I'm sure you will prove to be a valuable asset."

"Welcome aboard, mate." Ballista smiled.

"Rrrf!" Titan licked Incognito.

"Ugh, thanks..." Incognito cringed.

"What the buck is this?!" Black snarled, as everypony glanced at him. "Shadow's barely been in the ground a week, and you've already replaced him?"

"Well, I wouldn't put it quite like that..." Elite frowned.

"Then what would you put it like?" Black growled.

"Black, you must look at this logically." Micro stepped in. "Shadow was our top inflitrator and stealth agent. Such a role has to be filled as soon as possible if our success rate is to not take a nosedive. Incognito is the one who must fill that role."

"So you're all going to just let this guy take Shadow's place?" Black asked.

"You know how it is in the army, Black." Ballista declared. "When one soldier falls, another takes his place."

"Or look at it like this." Armory added. "If you lose a tool, even your favorite one, than you need to get a replacement."

"Shadow wasn't a tool." Black snorted. "And he was more than just a soldier. He was our friend. Or have you forgotten that already?"

"We have forgotten nothing, Black." Elite said sternly. "Make no mistake, we all miss Shadow, and things will never be the same without him. But we still have a mission to do, and that mission can only be accomplished with a stealth expert on this Taskforce. Which means Incognito is here to stay, like it or not."

"I choose 'not'." Black huffed.

"You're even more passionate than I expected." Incognito announced. "Shadow told me quite a bit about you."

"Yeah, well, he told me nothing about you." Black glared at him. "You can take his job... but you can't and will never take his place."

"I am aware of that, sir." Incognito murmured, a bit intimidated by Black's glare. "But I hope that as we work together, we might be able to become close as comrades, maybe even friends."

"Don't hold your breath, kid." Black scowled.

"Black, that's enough." Elite frowned. "Incognito is your new teammate, and I expect to treat him as such."

"Yeah, sure." Black snorted. "Whatever you say, boss..."

"Good." Elite nodded. "Now, Ballista, would you care to escort Incognito to his workspace?"

"Gladly." Ballista stood up. "Right this way, mate."

'His workspace?' Black thought petulantly. 'It was Shadow's, and now he's just moving in like it doesn't even matter!'

"You okay, Black?" Armory asked, having noticed the look on Black's angry face.

"No, I'm not." Black huffed. "And I don't know how you can be, either."

"What do you mean?" Armory frowned.

"If you can't see it, I won't tell you." Black growled.

"What?!" Armory sputtered, "But then how am I supposed to know what's wrong?"

"Figure it out yourself." Black growled, as he stormed off.

"Black!" Armory called after him, but the stallion ignored him. "Oh... Black."

Back within Infinity, within Loveless's offices within the labs, the owner of said office and Pike was seated, as Loveless's face was twisted with displeasure.

"So... let me get this straight... once again, your Black Sheep failed to kill Black." Loveless frowned. "I wish I could say that I was surprised... but I'm not."

"How do you think I feel?" Pike growled. "It sounded like we were close."

"Well, it's the fact that it was Reaper and Talbolt that failed to kill Black." Loveless shook his head. "Reaper, the one who never let his targets get away. Not even the best of your division could put a end to Black."

"In my defense, I had no idea that Reaper was back in Infinity till last night." Pike snarled. "In fact, I had no idea that they'd launched an operation to kill him. Scalphunter went behind my back!"

"So not only have you failed continuously to kill Black, but you're also losing control of your own underlings?" Loveless frowned. "That is very troubling news, Pike."

"This was an isolated incident." Pike said sourly. "I will take steps to make sure it won't happen again."

"I'd imagine you would." Loveless nodded.

"But even though they went behind my back, reaper and Talbolt did succeed in killing one of Black's associates." Pike pointed out. "That's gotta count for something, right?"

"...Do you really think that?" Loveless grimaced. "You and I both know that killing this 'Shadow' was completely unneccessary. The Pike I know didn't believe in unneccessary bloodshed."

Pike remained silent, as he glanced at the desk.

"Pike... I am only saying this not as your superior, but as a concerned friend... this hunt for Black has been messing with you." Loveless frowned. "You're becoming obsessed with taking him down. It's starting to affect your composure, causing you to become unhinged. And the big problem is, I'm not the only one noticing this. I'm sure Scalphunter has taken notice as well."

"What are you getting at?" Pike glared.

"I fear that this 'isolated' incident, as you call it, is not so isolated." Loveless continued. Scalphunter has always been a shifty slimeball. And he has a way with appealing to his fellow psychopaths and ne'er do wells. I believe if you continue on with this obsession... well, then it might not be the Ouroboros you have to worry about."

"You don't know what you're talking about." Pike rolled his eyes.

"Really? Well, this is how I see it." Loveless rebutted. "On one hoof, you have the Ouroboros, who are beginning to grow tired of the Sheeps' constant failures and tired of you, and unless you do something to change their minds, there is nothing I can do to keep them from disposing of you. The other hoof is the Black Sheep are losing their respect for you, and if push comes to shove, they will turn on you." He sighed in frustration. "Your life hangs in the balance of these two extremes. The only way out I can see is if you just back down and give up on Black."

Pike glared at Loveless as he then said.

"No."

"But Pike-" Loveless protested.

"But nothing, Loveless." Pike snarled. "I was given this mission. And I have never lost a target. Yes, maybe we had some bumps along the way. Yes, maybe this hunt has been taking it's tolls on me. Yes, maybe the Black Sheeps are falling apart. But I am still alive and kicking, and mark my words, Black will get his. And once he does, everything will be back to normal."

"...I wish I can believe that, Pike." Loveless sighed. "I really do. But I fear this will only end badly for you."

"It's going to end, alright." Pike retorted. "I can promise you that."

"That's what worries me." Loveless frowned.

"Oh, really?" Pike growled. "And why's that?"

"I'm just afraid that you may not be able to do the deed when the time comes." Loveless mused. "I don't know why, but I get the feeling that, despite you obsession with him, you may not be willing to kill Black."

"Are you nuts?!" Pike spluttered. "Of course I'm willing. And I'll do it, just wait and see!"

"I suppose that's all I can do right now..." Loveless wheeled his way out of the room.

'The nerve of that guy.' Pike scowled. 'Doubting me. Thinking I'm losing it. Where does he get off?!'

His anger soon subsided as he sighed deeply.

'Though... I think he might be right. The truth is... I don't know if I even want to kill you anymore.' Pike confessed to himself. 'It's an funny thing. Black reminds me so much of myself. So much that everytime I see him... I see Kitty... Spear... Barbs... Black lost ponies he'd loved just as I have...'

Pike shook his head.

'But that's in the past. My life is with the Black Sheeps now, and as long as Black lives and these memories haunt me, that life is in jeopardy. Black must die, so I can forget this whole mess ever happened, and the Ouroboros will get off my ass.' Pike thought firmly.

Over the next few days, Black watched with great distaste as Incognito integrated himself into the team. Even seeing him sharing lunch with the others was enough to turn his stomach.

'It's like they don't even care that Shadow's gone any more.' Black thought bitterly. 'And why would they? None of them had to watch Shadow die right of him..'

The others laughed at a joke Incognito had just made.

'That's a riot there, mate!" Ballista chuckled.

"A true comedic wit." Micro agreed.

'Unbelievable.' Black scowled.

"Hey, Black!" Armory waved. "Why don't you come over and join us?"

"Incognito really knows his way around a joke." Micro added.

"I'm good as is." Black said flatly. "Besides, I'm not really in a joking mood right now."

"I'm sorry to hear that." Incognito declared. "Some other time, perhaps?"

"Yeah, sure..." Black nodded, as he made his way out of the mess hall. 'Like never.'

"Rrf..." Titan shook his head.

"I get the distinct impression that Black doesn't care for me." Incognito sighed.

"Give him some time, he'll get used to you." Armory assured him.

"Took 'im a while to get used to me..." Ballista smirked.

Black stalked down the halls, still fuming over Incognito. He was so lost in his thoughts that he bumped into Elite.

"Oh, sorry, boss." He apologised.

"No problem." Elite said politely. "...Back from the mess hall a little early, aren't we?"

"I was put off my lunch." Black growled. "By the sickening sight of Incognito cosying up to the others..."

"Still having trouble accepting Incognito?" Elite sighed.

"More like I'm having trouble with being the only one to remember Shadow." Black pouted.

"None of us have forgotten Shadow, Black." Elite declared. "And Incognito has only taken his position. He's one of us now. And you need to put aside this petty resentment. I don't want it disrupting your ability to work with him."

"I can work with him just fine." Black growled. "But I'm not going to be his friend. No way..."

Black turned away from a dissaproving Elite, and returned his quarters. He sat down on his bed, and played his tape recorder.

Can I have a moment of your time?
Just a single second
So you'll see that indeed
We'll be leaving you behind
Far across that line

Turn it up so you can hear the bells
Crashing through the clouds
Acid rain down the drain
That we know all too well
It's a living hell

Careful what you say
And who you say
And who you say it to
Careful what you say
And who you say it to

Maybe you talked too much
And you were asking for it
Asking for it
Asking

You can blame bad luck
But you were asking for it
Asking for it
Asking

When all is said and done
You need to tie your tongue
Cause when you spit on everyone

You are, you are, you know
You're asking for it
Asking for it
Asking

Caught up in the gutter once again
Crashing through the mud
Throwing lies
Cutting ties
'Til the sidewalk ends
And the truth begins

Power through the point of no return
Famously deranged all the same
Hope you change
If the worm is gonna turn
It's not my concern

Careful what you say
And who you say
And who you say it to
Careful what you say
And who you say it to

Maybe you talked too much
And you were asking for it
Asking for it
Asking

You can blame bad luck
But you were asking for it
Asking for it
Asking

When all is said and done
You need to tie your tongue
Cause when you spit on everyone

You are, you are, you know
You're asking for it
Asking for it
Asking

You are
You are
You are
You are
You are asking for it

'Incognito's the one asking for it.' Black thought bitterly. 'Coming here, taking Shadow's spot... Who does he think he is?'

For the next couple of days, Black continued giving Incognito the cold shoulder, and ignored any attempts by the others to try to make him get along with the new member. Then, one morning, Elite gathered the others into the meeting room again.

"I've just received an anonymous tip that one of the Forefathers agent is going to infiltrate and pilfer the contents of a dark magic research lab in Baltimare tonight." He announced.

"Sounds like that whackjob who wanted to bring back Nightmare Moon had a friend." Black snorted.

"Perhaps." Elite nodded. "Either way, the agent must be stopped."

"And who's gonna be doing the stoppin', chief?" Ballista asked.

"Black, I need and Micro to take this one." Elite declared.

"Me and Micro?" Black asked.

"Yes." Elite nodded. "Micro is well versed in chemistry. He may be able to deduce which of the lab's resources the Forefathers may want."

"'May be able'?" Micro snorted. "You insult me, sir. Rest assured, I won't let you down."

"Me neither, boss." Black smiled.

"I know you won't." Elite grinned.

"Good luck, you two." Incognito added.

"Thank you, Incognito." Micro beamed.

"Come on, let's go." Black frowned, turning away from the others.

"Of course." Micro sighed.

After taking a few minutes to prepare, Black (fully armored) and Micro boarded the motor carriage, and set off for Baltimare.

"I hope you're ready to do more than just identify chemicals." Black told Micro. "Things have been getting pretty dicey lately."

"Oh, I believe I can handle myself." Micro smiled.

"Just keep on your hooftips." Black urged. "Who knows what trouble we'll run into."

"Honestly, I rather relish a challenge." Micro admitted. "That's the whole reason I joined this Taskforce in the first place."

"No kidding?" Black asked.

"Indeed." Micro nodded. "Growing up in Manehattan, I was something of a child prodigy. I had a gift with numbers and calculations that just couldn't be beat. Everything I tried, I succeeded at with ease."

"Lucky you." Black whistled.

"At first, yes." Micro nodded. "But over time, I grew dissatisfied with how easily I accomplished everything. I found myself longing for a challenge. Then, one fateful day..."

Flashback...

A young Micro was sitting in a park, playing a game of chess against himself. Due to his massive intelligence, he wiped the floor with any ponies who would play the game with him. This unfortunately led to no one wanting to play a game with somepony they know could beat him.

'How utterly tedious.' He thought, moving his black knight to take a white bishop. 'Even playing against myself gains me no excitement...'

"Nice move."

Micro looked up to see a younger Elite (though older than when he met Shadow) standing before him.

"Who are you?" He asked.

"Just another chess enthusiast." Elite smiled. "Feel like a game?"

"With all due respect, I doubt you can pose much of a challenge." Micro huffed, "Faust knows anyone had."

"Only one way to find out, right?" Elite grinned.

"I suppose." Micro shrugged. "You take black, I'll take white. And don't be disappointed if this ends real quickly."

"Oh, I think I like my chances." Elite nodded.

Micro thought the game would be an easy win. But to his surprise, Elite put up a better fight than he thought he would.

"What's the matter?" Elite smirked, as he took one of Micro's knights. "Am I more of a challenge than you expected?"

"Maybe a little." Micro said grudgingly. "But this game will still be mine..."

After several minutes of arduous back and forth playing, Micro finally succeeding in achieving checkmate.

"Congratulations." Elite smiled. "You really are quite the little genius."

"I will admit, you put up a much better fight than anypony I've ever faced before." Micro declared.

"Coming from you, Micro, that's high praise indeed." Elite nodded.

"Yes, it- wait, you know my name?" Micro frowned.

"I know quite a lot about you, Micro Manager." Elite smiled. "Top of your class in everything, valor dictorian, graduated with honors... need I go on?"

"Perhaps you should." Micro smirked. "It is quite gratifying to hear all my accomplishments listed out loud..."

"I'm afraid that's not exactly why I'm here." Elite declared. "You see, a pony with intelligence such as yours is quite difficult to notice, especially by my organization. That is why I came here: to offer you a spot in this Taskforce I am putting together. One where I believe that you will be sufficiently challenged."

"Oh, really?" Micro smiled, intrigued.

"Very much so." Elite nodded. "And not only will you be able to test your limits, you'll be doing it for the good of all Equestria."

"Equestria?" Micro frowned. "What kind of organization is this?"

"I'd be happy to tell you all about it." Elite declared. "...Over a rematch?"

"You're on." Micro nodded.

Flashback ends...

"After I just barely defeated Elite again, I had managed to learn everything about the Taskforce." Micro finished his recollection. "I had longed to do something that truly mattered, that could really make a difference, and I had finally found it. I agreed to Elite's terms on the spot, and I've been happily employed here ever since."

"Lucky you." Black smiled. "Finally got to put that big brain to good use."

"So true." Micro nodded. "Of course, I was just a boy back then... just like Incognito."

"Oh, boy..." Black grumbled. "Not this again."

"Yes, this again." Micro sighed. "Look Black, I know losing Shadow affected you the most-"

"Seeing a guy die in front of you will do that." Black snorted.

"But that doesn't give you the right to snub Incognito." Micro continued. "You can't resent him simply for continuing Shadow's work."

"But I can resent him for taking Shadow's place." Black spat. "And all of you for letting him."

"Incognito has not taken Shadow's place." Micro growled. "Nopony can. But he is still our comrade, and friend. He's new, and needs our aceptance. Besides, Shadow's death hurt him too. Do you really think he wanted his mentor to die? To have the heavy burden of following in his hoofsteps so soon?"

"...I guess not." Black admitted.

"Exactly." Micro nodded. "And with such a burden upon him, surely he requires support, rather than animosity? Disliking him will not bring Shadow back. But making an effort to get to know him, work with him, accept him as part of our team... well, that is a fine way to honor Shadow's memory."

Black was silent, unable to admit that Micro's words had resonated with him.

"Well?" Micro asked. "Will you at least give Incognito a chance? For Shadow?"

"Okay, okay." Black groaned. "I'll try. But right now, let's focus on the mission, okay?"

"Of course." Micro nodded. "We're almost there, anyway..."

They arrived at the lab soon after. It was the dead of night, so the building was empty.

"Time to take a little peek inside." Black declared.

After forcing the lock of the back door, they entered the main complex. It was filled with glass paneled chambers, each filled with chemicals and equipment.

"Okay, time to get to work." Micro declared.

"Looks like we beat the agent here." Black smiled. "Makes it easier to grab the chemical and keep it from him."

"If only there were true..." A voice from the shadows hissed.

"Who's there?!" Micro yelled.

"Show yourself!" Black added.

"Hmph, gladly."

Black and Micro gasped, as none other than Pike emerged from the shadows.

"Hello, Black." Pike greeted. "Long time, no see."

"You." Black growled. "So you're the one trying to rob this place?"

"Yeah, no." Pike smirked. "To tell the truth, I was the 'anonymous tipster' who called Elite. Figured it was the best way to draw you out."

"Clever, I must admit." Micro frowned.

"Want a rematch that badly, huh?" Black sneered.

"Naturally." Pike nodded. "After our last fight, I had been ordered to give my underlings chances to take you out. But as you can see, they all failed... miserably. Since they had all failed, it has now come back to me to take you down... and I have no intentions of failing this time."

"Underlings? What underlings?" Black asked.

"The Black Sheeps, of course." Pike declared. "You've probably heard of them by now."

"Oh, I have." Black growled. "'It rubs the lotion on its skin, or else it gets the hose again'. Those buckers had been nothing but trouble since we first met them. One of them crippled my friend for life... and another had murdered my other friend... and they were all taking orders from you."

"...And for that, I am sorry." Pike said solemnly, "Our only mission was to kill you and only you. But another of my associate, who will not be named, went and sent Reaper and Talbolt after you. Had I known..." Pike let out a growl, "Trust me, I am angry about it as you are."

"And why should we believe you?" Micro growled.

"Especially considering you work for the Forefathers... and oh, yeah, tried to kill me!" Black snarled.

"What, you think just because I'm the 'bad guy', I don't have any sense of honor, or decency?" Pike asked, affronted.

"You're a murdering piece of scum." Micro declared. "'Decency' doesn't factor into the equation."

"I only kill for a reason." Pike snarled. "Not one death I've ever been responsible for was a spur of the moment thing. They all served a purpose... just as yours will, Black."

"Okay, that's enough self-justifying garbage." Black spat. "You wanna kill me? Go ahead and try."

"I shall." Pike held up a crossbow. Black recognised the explosive bolts attached to it.

"Look out!" Black pushed Micro aside, an instant before Pike fired.

"Hey!" Micro yelled, as he tumbled into one of the glass chambers.

Black dodged the bolt himself. A piece of debris from the explosion hit the chamber's keypad, and the door automatically sealed.

"Black!" Micro yelped, banging on the glass. "Get me out of here!"

"Wait, why?" Black frowned, "You're safer in here than out here with this psycho!"

"I am not a psycho." Pike snarled, "Quick to anger and not having any of your crap, but not a psycho."

"You don't understand!" Micro panicked, "This chamber is airtight, so as to stop the spread of airborne viral agents. I estimate I have only minutes before the oxygen runs out!"

"...Oh, crap..." Black growled. "Don't worry, I'll get you out of there in a bit!"

"You should worry more about yourself, Black!" Pike aimed his crossbow.

"Wrong!" Black fired his own crossbow, knocking Pike's weapon out of his hooves.

"Nice." Pike groaned. "But it won't be that easy."

"I don't care." Black growled angrily. "I'm gonna make you pay for everything you and your flunkies have done."

"Well then, catch me if you can!" Pike taunted Black as he ran down the corridor.

"Oh, I will..." Black growled.

"Black, what are you doing?" Micro asked. "What about me?!"

"Just stay put." Black seethed. "This won't take long..."

"No!" Micro yelled, banging on the glass, as Black rushed after Pike. "Don't leave me here!"

Black, blinded by anger over Shadow, chased after Pike.

"Get back here, scum!" Black yelled. "Time to finish what we started!"

"I agree." Pike grinned as he rounded a corner. "Time to put this to bed."

Black followed Pike around the corner, only to find he had vanished.

"What the...?" He frowned.

"Surprise!" Pike suddenly dropped down from the ceiling.

"Why, you...!" Black spat.

"This is where it ends, Black." Pike said solemnly. "You were a worthy opponent, but I can't let myself waste any more time hunting you. You have been nothing but trouble for me and the Forefathers and if I let you live, you will continue to be nothing but trouble... and I cannot allow that. Time to finish this"

Pike clenched his hoof as his 'Redfield Pike' blade unsheathed.

"On that we agree." Black snarled. "I am sick and tired of you and your bosses coming after me. You keep tryin' to kill me, make my life as rough as possible... Well, it's already pretty rough! I lost a good friend, my brother practically disowned me, I was forced to leave the love of my life! Then my brother died, despite me trying to save him! And then, one of your flunkies killed Shadow, just to get to me... And it worked!" He snarled angrily. "I'm done with this. I'm done with you and your bucking vendetta. I'm done letting life trot all over me. I'm done being a victim, a target, a nemesis. And I'm done with you constantly trying to kill me!" His eye took on a very intimidating look, "I'm going to rip you apart..."

"...Something is different about you." Pike frowned, his face taut with concern. "You don't look different... but something about you... doesn't sit right."

"Like your opinion really means anything to me." Black spat. "When I'm done, you'll be the who isn't sitting right!"

Black punched Pike, harder than he'd ever punched any pony before.

"Ugh..." Pike straightened his glasses, glaring intensely. "That really hurt!"

"That isn't the only thing that's going to hurt!" Black bashed his hooves together.

"Well, then..." Pike nodded firmly, "It looks like I have to end this quickly... before you do something you regret!"

"Oh, the only regret I will be feeling is not leading you or your Sheeps to slaughter sooner!" Black roared, "Now die!"

The two charged at each other, hooves (and pike raised) as they traded blows.

Pike and Black fought their hardest... but the vicious battle seem to turn in Black's favor, as Black's bloodlust and rage had heightened his physical capabilities. As for Pike, he had no such luck. It was as if his heart wasn't in the fight, as if it didn't want him to continue.

'What is wrong with me?' He thought. 'Come on, Pike. Fight back! It's him or you. The choice should be obvious... right?'

Pike swung his weapon at Black, only for Black to catch it, wrench it out of his hooves, and toss it aside. Pike punched Black in return, knocking him back.

"Go ahead." Black snarled, rubbing his jaw. "Give it your best shot. It'll just make it all the sweeter when you realise you never stood a chance against me."

Unnerved, Pike threw another punch. Black dodged it, and headbutted Pike, his helmet causing severe pain to me.

"Ahh!" Pike cringed. "You...!"

PIke kicked Black against the wall. He wrapped his hooves around his foe's neck, trying to choke him, but Black kicked him off with his hind legs. Black then charged at Pike, throwing blow after blow at him.

"Is this really the best you can do?" Black taunted him.

"Not even close!" Pike retaliated with a barrage of his own, knocking Black bad.

"Not bad." Black wiped a trickle of blood from his mouth. "At least you got serious before I mopped the floor with you!"

"We'll see about that!" Pike charged.

Before Pike could reach him, Black unleashed a pummeling shower of blows himself. With each blow, he grinned more and more widely, to the point that he looked completely unhinged.

"Game over!" Black delivered a haymaker to the side of Pike's face.

With that blow, Pike slumped against a wall, bruised and broken.

"Oooh..." Pike grimaced, coughing a bit of blood.

"Now..." Black panted, as he glared hatefully at Pike. "You'll pay for what you and your wretched sheep did to Shadow."

"...You know, maybe you're right." Pike admitted, as he crawled up the wall, using it to support his badly bruised body, "Maybe I do deserve this... I've been a pretty rotten guy. Even before I joined up with the Forefathers. I've caused so much pain and misery. Maybe I really do have this coming..."

"Oh, shut up!" Black snarled, "I'm going to end this!"

"I'm sure you will... but not today." Pike shook his head. "I'm sorry, Black, but today just isn't going the way I expected... so..." He pulled out a flash bang.

"Don't you dare-"

Pike pulled the pin and everything went white.

"UGH!" Black cried, covering his eyes, his ears ringing. "You son of a draft horse, I'm going to kill you!"

It only took a few moments for his eyes to readjust from the flash bang. As soon as it did, Black saw that Pike was no longer where he left him. This severely ticked him off.

"You coward!" Black spat, looking around furiously. "You buckin' coward! RAARGH!" He slammed his hoof into a wall.

With his opponent gone, Black's anger started to abate. As it did, Black felt exhausted.

"Ugh... what came over me?" Black murmured, "It's like the moment me and Micro saw-"

Suddenly, Black recalled Micro's predicament.

'Oh no.' He thought, suddenly struck by his terrible mistake, and the fact that several minutes had passed. 'What have I done?!'

Black rushed back to the chamber, finding Micro sprawled on the floor, unconscious.

"No, no, no..." He whispered. "Not again..."

Quickly, using his hind legs, he bucked open the door that sealed him in, and pulled Micro out. He then performed some chest compressions, in hopes of kickstarting his lungs.

"...Micro?" He asked tentatively, fearing the worst.

Suddenly, Micro's hoof darted up and struck Black's face, knocking him down.

"Ugh..." Black grunted, before smiling, "Oh, Micro, you're alive!"

"Yes, no thanks to you!" Micro snarled, standing up.

"Micro..." Black murmured.

"You left me, you bucker! You left me in there to go after Pike!" Micro growled.

"So I could avenge Shadow!" Black declared.

"Oh, so that justifies nearly costing me my own life?" Micro asked.

"I... I thought I had more time..." Black spluttered. "I lost myself for a moment..."

"That doesn't excuse the fact that you almost left me to die!" Micro roared.

"But you didn't!" Black pointed out, "And I came back for you, didn't I?!"

"You're missing the point!" Micro snarled, "Have you any idea what could have happened if you didn't come for me when you did? Aside from dying, do you know the kind of damage a lack of oxygen does to a brain? I could have ended up like a guy who says 'I didn't solve this problem today' and maybe hallucinated some Trottingham broad who had actually gone undercover in an evil organization."

"'Broad'?" Black frowned, "'Evil organization'?"

"Oh no..." Micro gaped. "My brain really has been damaged!" He then shoved Black, "Thanks a lot, Black! Do you realize my genius was the only thing I had going for me?! Now, I have lost that, all because of you!"

"You don't know that!" Black snarled. "You weren't in there for that long without oxygen. So why don't you make sure before you start another rant!"

"Oh, trust me, I will..." Micro nodded.

The return to headquarters was a very uncomfortable one, as Micro refused to speak to him the whole trip. As soon as they finally got back, Micro made a beeline to Triage to have himself examined while Black explained everything.

"You just left him in there?!" Ballista growled. "Are you out of your bloody mind?"

"I know, it was stupid." Black sighed, wracked with guilt. "I just wanted to nail that bucker so badly, I forgot about everything else."

"I'm very disappointed in you, Black." Elite frowned. "I thought you would know better than to abandon a teammate."

"I'm sorry, okay?!" Black roared. "It was a mistake! One I won't make again!"

"Rrf..." Titan whined.

"I never saw my time with the Taskforce being like this..." Incognito mused.

"I can only hope you won't make a mistake like this again, Black." Elite admonished him. "For you own good..."

Black looked away, ashamed at his outburst.

"Let's just be glad Micro's okay." Armory tried to diffuse the tension.

"We don't know that for sure yet." Ballista pointed out. "Let's hope Triage gives 'im a clean bill of health."

Over n the medical unit, Triage had just finished performing a CATscan of Micro's brain, and was comparing it to a previous one.

"Well, how bad is it?" Micro frowned.

"I have some good news." Triage smiled, "According to the CATscan, there seems to have been no real damage caused by your brief lack of oxygen. You were pretty lucky, my friend."

"Considering I nearly asphyxiated to death, I highly doubt 'lucky' is the word to use." Micro scoffed.

"The point is, your brain is as functional as ever." Triage smirked, "You're still the head genius."

"No thanks to Black." Micro growled, "I nearly lost everything because of him..."

"But he did come back for you, though." Triage pointed out.

"Not soon enough." Micro snorted. "He was supposed to have my back, but he let his grudge against Pike control his actions. I hate to think what would happen if I was in a situation like that again..."

"Well, what do you plan to do about it?" Triage asked.

"I have... some options to consider." Micro declared, as he left the medical unit.

A couple of days later, Micro had gathered the whole group together in the lounge room to make an announcement.

"Okay, we're all here." Ballista noted. "What's goin' on, mate?"

"Yeah, it's not every day you're the one calling a meeting." Armory pointed.

"Not according to Shadow's notes." Incognito added.

"Is there some kind of problem, Micro?" Elite asked.

"Well, guys... it's like this..." Micro sighed, "I want to let you know that I will be resigning from Taskforce Omega, as of today."

"What?!" Ballista gasped.

"Say what?!" Incognito yelled.

"Rrf?!" Titan gaped.

"Why?" Armory asked.

"Because I simply cannot work in the same space as Black any more." Micro declared.

"Me?!" Black spluttered.

"Yes, you. You chose to pursue your vendetta rather than extricate me from my predicament." Micro glared at Black. "I could have expired, all because you let your need for vengeance cloud your judgment."

"Micro, please be reasonable." Elite urged. "Black messed up, we get that. But it's nothing to quit over."

"Yeah." Black frowned. "I'm sorry about what happened back there. I was stupid and I screwed up, but I promise, it won't happen again!"

"Oh, and how can you be so sure of that, huh?" Micro growled. "I'm sorry, but I can't be a part of a team with somepony like the one you're becoming."

Black stepped back, chastened.

"Come on, mate, be reasonable!" Ballista protested. "You can't quit because this guy was a buckin' moron!"

"Reason is what I'm all about, Ballista." Micro declared. "But Black threw all reason out of the window on our last mission... I am aware that the Taskforce needs him, and I can't deny that... but I cannot stand for such improper conduct."

"Micro, please. It was a one-off." Black defended himself. "A lapse in common sense. It won't happen again."

"Yeah, exactly." Armory nodded. "We all make mistakes, and learn from them. It really won't happen again!"

"But how can we be sure?" Micro asked. "I'm sorry, everypony, but I just can't take that chance. I must leave."

"And there's nothing we can do to change your mind?" Elite asked, "Micro... you had been with this team for a long time..."

"I know." Micro shook his head, "And trust me, I didn't make this decision lightly. But the thing is... when I was lying there in that airtight chamber, running out of oxygen... all I could think about was what it is I have done with my life. Yes, I helped a lot of ponies and served my country... but that is all I did. There was so much more I wanted to do with my gifted intelligence. Write a book, teach a few classes, find a cure for a cancer of some sorts, just share my knowledge with the world... and Black nearly took that from me."

"Micro..." Black whispered.

"That is why I have to go. I fear that if I stay any longer, I risk losing my gift again. I'm sorry, but I have made up my mind." Micro declared firmly, as he let out a sigh, "I'll gather my things, and leave posthaste."

"I understand." Elite sighed.

Before long, Micro had gathered together his personal belongings, and was ready to leave. The rest of the Taskforce were there to see him off.

"We're gonna miss ya, mate." Ballista declared.

"It just won't be the same without you." Armory agreed.

"Rooo..." Titan hugged Micro.

"We've only just met, and already, we're saying goodbye." Incognito sighed. "Seems like such a shame..."

"I know." Micro nodded. "But from what I've seen, you will serve this Taskforce well."

"Farewell, old friend." Elite smiled, as he shook his hoof. "I wish you the best of luck with everything."

"Likewise, sir." Micro nodded, "I will always be grateful for the challenges you provided me."

"...It's going to be hard to replace someone as brilliant as you." Elite murmured.

"Well, actually, you won't have to." Micro smiled, much to the confusion of everypony. "You recall that one student I had in that applied physics class I taught on my days off?"

"Mastermind?" Elite mused.

"Exactly." Micro nodded. "I've already asked him to take my place, and he agreed."

"And you're sure he can do the job?" Ballista asked.

"He was easily my best student." Micro nodded. "Believe me, he is more than worthy of the position."

"If you are recommending him, than I'm sure he is." Elite smiled. "Make no mistake, we are more than ready to accept him into the fold."

"Thank you, sir." Micro nodded.

"Micro..." Black came forth. "I'm... I'm really sorry. I didn't want you to-"

"I know you didn't." Micro sighed. "And I want to forgive you... but I can't... not yet at least."

Black hung his head in shame.

"But if you want to earn my forgiveness, you should remember what I said about Incognito, and apply it." Micro urged. "Try and accept him. And Mastermind, too. Do it for me, Black."

"I'll try." Black nodded. "I really will."

"Well, I suppose that's something." Micro admitted. "And... good luck. With everything."

"Thanks." Black sighed, knowing it was more than he deserved.

"Well, I guess this is goodbye." Micro nodded. "I bid you all farewell."

"Keep in touch, mate." Ballista urged.

"I will." Micro smiled. "Rest assured, this is not the last time you'll hear from me."

"We all hope so." Armory smiled.

"You are welcome here always." Elite smirked.

"Until then..." Micro nodded.

The Taskforce looked on as Micro departed. Though there were many heavy hearts that day, Black's was the heaviest; He had lost another teammate. Though Micro had not perished, his friendship with Black had, leaving a fresh serving of guilt added to the pile in Black's heart.

'You really messed it up this time, Black..' He thought to himself.

The present...

"And just like that, I lost another teammate." Black sighed.

"That's rough, pal." Caboose mused. "But on the bright side, at least he wasn't dead."

"He may as well have been, though." Black frowned. "It took years for him to forgive me for what happened that day."

"But he did forgive you in the end, right?" Fletcher asked.

"Yeah, eventually." Black smiled. "In fact, sometimes, he would come by and we play a few games of chess."

"Aw, that's nice." Caboose grinned. "The last thing I'd want is leave things unsettled."

"What's all this?" Mastermind walked by. "Some sort of debate club?"

"Just talking about old times." Black declared. "We just got up to the part where Micro left, just before you came in."

"Yes, I recall that day quite well." Mastermind nodded. "Micro was the best teacher I ever had. Thanks to him, I was able to attain my dream job, working as a data analyst for a big corporation. But though the job had its moments, I ultimately grew bored with it, feeling like I could more. And then, I got the call from Micro, asking me to take his place. I didn't have to think twice about it. And before I knew it, I was in a more challenging and exciting job than I'd ever thought possible."

"I'm guessing Black wasn't too pleased to have you there either?" Caboose asked.

"Well, it was because of me that Micro left." Black shrugged. "While I didn't like the prospect of another pony coming in to take one of my friend's place, I didn't have a place to complain. Besides, I had a lot of other things on my mind back then. Pike was still out there and I became more determined than ever to find him and put a stop to this mess, once and for all."

Author's Notes:

"Asking For It" belongs to Shinedown.

Disintegration

"Boy, first Shadow, then Micro? That must have been a bunch of bad days right there." Caboose frowned, as the group continued walking.

"That's putting it mildly." Black sighed. "I was feeling worse than ever. It was one thing to lose a teamate to the enemy, but to lose one because I was so reckless... well, that was another thing entirely. And letting Pike get away was like rubbing salt on the wound. All I could think about was bringing those Black Sheep down so I could end the whole madness and focus on the Forefathers. It became an obsession... and it began to control to me."

"Those were dark times, alright." Armory agreed as he joined them.

"You're telling me." Mastermind nodded. "I knew it would a tough job, but I hadn't excepted such turmoil both on and off missions."

"Most of that was because of me." Black admitted. "I wasn't at all happy with having another new guy around. And I wasn't happy with the others for letting him in. So I started shutting them all out."

"I can't imagine that would have helped matters." Fletcher frowned.

"No kidding." Black nodded. "And it only got worse from there..."

Many years ago...

Everything was a blur for Pike, as he laid in the infirmary of Infinity. The brutal beating that Black had dealt him had left in really bad shape, The Forefathers' doctors determinedly sought to heal his wounds.

While they were busy, Pike's mind began drifting off, blocking out all noises, as a memory began coming back to him...

Flashback...

It has been an awful past couple of weeks for poor old Pike.

He was currently sitting in the corner of a dingy bar, as he had been for most of that time, hopelessly lost in grief over the death of his family. When the cops came and examined the crime scenes, they told him that his family was murdered, each in their own room. Even worse, the murderer was not shy about it, as he had done awful things, things so awful that Pike couldn't bring himself to remember it.

After the cops left, all Pike could think about was why somepony would do this to his family, or to him of all ponies. His family was innocent. He was innocent. What did they or he ever do to deserve this?

That question continued to haunt him, and soon enough, he found himself constantly drinking, hoping that it would make the grief go away... but to no avail.

'Lousy stuff.' Pike grimaced, as he downed his fifth bottle. 'Ponies always talking about 'drinking to forget'. Those dumbasses. I've been drinking all night, and I still remember everything...' He glanced at his empty bottle. 'Maybe the sixth time's the charm.'

As Pike made his way back to the bar to get his next bottle, he bumped into somepony.

"Hey, watch it, ya-" He snarled.

"Pike?"

"Aw, buck." Pike grunted.

Pike realised it was his old neighbor Bulb; a light blue Earth Pony stallion with a frizzy black mane, brown eyes, and a Cutie Mark of an onion bulb. Pikee never really cared for the guy, as he was always easy-going and a bit of a slacker, and his wife, while hot, was infuriatingly dim-witted. The only reason he ever come to know them really was because his son was in love with their daughter... was...

"It is you!" Bulb gaped. "...My Faust, you look like crap."

"And you're fat!" Pike snarled. Normally, he would have tolerated Bulb's company, but now, he was in no mood.

"Whoa, Pike, take it easy." Bulb frowned, as he sniffed a bit. "Jeez, laying it heavy on the Sud Light, aren't ya, pal?"

"That's none of your -hic- business." Pike slurred. "Now leave me alone."

"Come on Pike, I'm your friend." Bulb urged. "...I've been worried about you."

"Oh, what are you, a pansy?" Pike sneered.

"I'm serious, Pike." Bulb glared. "I'm worried about you... and not just me, everypony is. We know ever since what happened, you've been going downhill fast. First, I heard you quit your job, then you sold the house..."

"Well, I can't really live in a house where my family was brutally murdered, now can I?" Pike glared.

"...I know losing your family was agonizing, Red." Bulb sighed, using his old nickname. "You of all ponies didn't deserve that."

"As if you would know." Pike growled. "You still have your family, alive and safe. I have nothing left."

"Hey, you're not the only one who was affected by this tragedy." Bulb pointed out. "My daughter Belladonna loved Spear. And so did Kelp and Juniper, and that one funny Hindian pony..."

"Good for them." Pike scowled. "Too bad missing them won't do them a damn thing to help. They're dead... all of them."

"Drinking your life away isn't going to change that." Bulb shook his head. "You've got to pull yourself together. What would your family say if they saw you like this?"

"What a dumbass question." Pike scoffed. "I'm only like this because I lost them, remember?"

"Pike, I just want to help you." Bulb urged.

"You wanna help?" Pike snarled. "Find me a way to get rid of all this pain! Can you do that, Bulb?"

Bulb shook his head, distraught.

"Exactly." Pike said maliciously. "And since you can't do that, you might as well leave me alone."

"Red-" Bulb started.

"And if you ever call me 'Red' again, I will have my hoof book a flight to your ass!" Pike growled. "Now let me drink and mope in peace, will ya?"

Pike walked away, leaving his friend unable to think of a way to help him.

"Oh, Pike..." Bulb sighed.

End flashback...

"Ooh..." Pike grimaced, as he stirred on his hospital bed. He weakly opened his eyes as he took in his surroundings. "Do I have to go to school today, mom?"

"No, today you get to sleep in."

Pike slowly turned to find that Loveless was standing there, his chair parked by the bedside.

"I'm glad to see that you have finally awakened." Loveless smiled. "I was worried for a while there."

"Loveless..." Pike murmured as he gave a weak laugh. "I'm touched that you care. Especially after how bad I screwed up."

"Look, there's no need to worry about that now." Loveless urged.

"No, there is." Pike sighed, "...I'm sorry, Loveless, I tried. I really tried to take Black down, but it wasn't enough..."

"I know." Loveless nodded solemnly. "I'm just glad that you managed to escape with your life."

"Barely." Pike scowled. "That Black's really lost it this time..."

"You can't lose what you never had." Loveless sneered.

"Speaking of 'never had', where's-" Pike started.

At that moment, the doors opened, and the two turned, Pike's face souring, as Scalphunter, flanked by Reaper, his mask off, came in.

"Ah, the conquering hero returns." Scalphunter gave a snide grin.

"I have to say, Pike, when they said you were in here, I had feared that you would look a lot worse than you do right now." Reaper nodded. "But it's seems my fears were misplaced."

"What the hell do you two want?" Pike frowned.

"What, can't two of your loyal comrades pay you a visit?" Scalphunter smiled.

"Oh, now you care about me?" Pike snarled. "You didn't seem to care when you went behind my back!"

"Faust, are you still on about that?" Scalphunter glared. "I said I was sorry, didn't I?"

"You think 'sorry' is going to cut it after what you did?" Pike scowled. "You sent Reaper and Talbolt on a mission without notifying me, and when you had Black at your mercy, you killed... his friend. Only his friend."

"In hindsight, it was a poor decision." Reaper confessed. "After I murdered Shadow, Black Knight lost it. He fought like a pony possessed, with savagery like I have never seen before..."

"Well, maybe if you'd just stuck to my orders and focused only on Black, he'd be dead by now." Pike pointed out. "But instead, you indulged your sadistic need to slaughter and terrorise ponies."

"Hey, you can't blame a guy for wanting to have a little fun on the job." Scalphunter defended his comrade.

"You don't get it, do you?" Pike sat up, wincing from his injuries. "When I fought Black, he was as savage as Reaper described him. He was faster, stronger, and beyond all reason pissed. He wouldn't have been this way if you guys had acted professionally, instead of being impetuous children."

"Hey, watch it." Reaper spat. "Just because you're in recovery, and our boss, doesn't mean I will stand for being insulted."

"Alright, I think that's enough." Loveless urged. "Come on, now. Give Pike some time to rest."

"Whatever." Scalphunter sneered. "I hear the bedpans in this place are real nice anyway."

"You better hope you're a slow healer, Pike..." Reaper muttered.

The two left the room, as Pike laid down, slamming his hooves into the bed.

"Ingrates. All of them." Pike snarled. "All these years I spent turning their organization around, and this is how they repay me?"

"Forget about them for now." Loveless declared. "Just focus on getting better. I'll keep an eye on those two for you."

"Thanks." Pike gave a small smile, before lighting up. "Oh, before I forget... could you check my jacket's top left pocket? It's over there, on the table."

Loveless did as such, picking up the jacket, and from the top left pocket, pulled out what remained of Pike's 'Redfield Pike' and the strap that it was attached to.

"Black kinda broke it off during our fight. Could you possibly..." Pike asked.

"Of course. It's the least I could do." Loveless smiled. "Now, you should get some rest."

"Okay, thanks." Pike sighed as Loveless left the room. As soon as he was gone, he looked up at the ceiling, lost in his thoughts.

'How the hell am I going to break it to him? That I really can't kill Black?' He thought. 'What will everypony else think? The higher-ups won't be happy, that's for sure. They'll blow their stacks... Speaking of, what's going on with Black? I've never seen him fight with such anger, such relentless viciousness... Almost makes Scalphunter look stable. I don't know what's going on with him, but I'm gonna find out.'

With that, Pike drifted off to sleep.

Back at the Taskforce Headquarters, Black was not taking having another new member on the team very well. Despite Micro's wishes, he could barely bring himself to acknowledge Mastermind or Incognito. In fact, he was starting to distance himself from his teammates, refusing to sit with them in the mess hall, or spar with them in the gym, or even play with them in the rec room. And any who tried to talk him into joining were doomed to failure... and worse.

"Hey Black, how about joining us?" Ballista asked, as he and the others played pool in the rec room.

"Sorry, not up to it right now." Black shook his head.

"Come on, it'll be fun!" Incognito urged.

"I said I'M NOT UP TO IT RIGHT NOW!!" Black roared, before marching out of the room.

"Rooo..." Titan whined.

"You said it, mate." Ballista frowned. "Something's not right with that bloke lately..."

"I know I'm new here, but I've noticed that Black does seem 'off'." Mastermind added. "I asked him to pass me the salt at lunch yesterday, and he practically threw it at me."

"Ever since Micro left, Black's been getting worse." Incognito frowned.

"He's just in a slump." Armory declared. "He'll snap out of it. Just give him time."

"I hope you're right, mate." Ballista sighed. "I really do..."

Unfortunately, Armory's prediction was incorrect; Black did not get better, only worse. He would snap at the others over the smallest thing, and whenever he brought back a subject for interrogation, they had already been beaten to a pulp. It wasn't long before Elite took notice.

As Black viciously pounded a punching bag in the gym, Elite entered.

"Easy there, Black." Elite joked. "Those things don't come cheap."

"Ha. Ha." Black said flatly, punctuating each word with a punch.

"Black, we need to talk." Elite declared.

"Not now." Black said bluntly.

"Need I remind you that I'm your superior officer?" Elite frowned. "I'll order you to talk if I have to."

Black punched the bag hard enough to rip through the exterior, causing the innards to spill out.

"Fine." He growled, turning to face Elite. "Just make it quick."

"I'll get right to the point, then." Elite declared. "Ever since Micro left, you've been sullen, distanced, and temperamental. You're refusing to interact with the others, and biting their heads off when they try to get you to."

"Maybe I just don't feel like company right now." Black huffed. "I should never have been friends with the others in the first place. Just makes the pain worse when they die... and they will."

"You don't know that for sure, Black." Elite frowned. "And you shouldn't push the others away for fear of losing them."

"I'm only afraid of losing some of them." Black snorted. "The new guys can go hang for all I care."

"Black..." Elite glared.

"What does it matter, anyway?" Black asked. "You brought me in to do a job, not make friends. And I've been doing that job, and doing it well."

"Well, in a way, yes... but I noticed you've been a bit rough with your targets as of late. You do realize that it's Ballista and Titan's thing to rough up the targets, right?"

"So?" Black scowled. "They're criminal scum. Didn't think I had to fluff up some pillows before taking them out."

"I'm just saying that it's a slippery slope." Elite told Black. "You'd be surprised how quickly you can descend. I just need to be sure that you can stand firm."

"Of course I can 'stand firm'." Black sneered. "If all the garbage I've been through so far hasn't broken me, nothing will."

"We can only hope..." Elite muttered.

"What was that?" Black frowned.

"I hope you can at least try to reintegrate with the others." Elite stated. "Especially Incognito and Mastermind."

"Is that another order?" Black snarled.

"I'd rather it not be." Elite said solemnly.

"Whatever." Black scoffed. "But right now, I'm going to get some rest. Big workout, y'know..."

Black made his way to the door, glancing at Elite as he went.

"By the way, I couldn't help but notice the punching bag went bust. Probably should get it replaced." He jeered.

"It's not over yet, Black." Elite mused. "I still have one card left to play..."

Black made his way to his quarters.

"Stupid Elite." He scowled, grabbing his tape player. "Why can't he just butt out?"

Black lay on his bed, his tape player on full blast.

Oh I miss the kiss of treachery
The shameless kiss of vanity
The soft and the black and the velvety
Up tight against the side of me

And mouth and eyes and heart all bleed
And run in thickening streams of greed
As bit by bit it starts the need
To just let go my party piece

Oh I miss the kiss of treachery
The aching kiss before I feed
The stench of love for a younger meat
And the sound it makes
When it cuts in deep

The holding up on bended knees
The addiction of duplicities
As bit by bit it starts the need
To just let go my party piece

But I never said I would stay to the end
So I leave you with babies
And hoping for frequency
Screaming like this in the hope of the secrecy
Screaming me over and over and over

I leave you with photographs
Pictures of trickery
Stains on the carpet
And stains on the scenery

Songs about happiness murmured in dreams
When the both of us knew
What the ending would be

So it's all come back round to breaking apart again
Breaking apart like I'm made up of glass again
Making it up behind my back again
Holding my breath for the fear of sleep again

Holding it up behind my head again
Cut in deep to the heart of the bone again
Round and round and it's coming apart again
Over and over and over

Now that I know I'm breaking to pieces
I'll pull out my heart
And I'll feed it to anyone

Crying for sympathy
Crocodiles cry
For the lover of the crowd
And the three cheers from everyone

Dropping through sky through the glass of the roof
Through the roof of your mouth
Through the mouth of your eye
Through the eye of the needle

And it's easier for me
To get closer to heaven than to heaven to ever
Feel whole again

"Black?" Armory's voice called, followed by knocking on the door to Black's quarters.

'Typical.' Black thought. 'Can never get a moment's peace around here anymore...'

Switching off the player, Black reluctantly went to answer the door.

"What is it?" He asked petulantly.

"Hey, Black." Armory smiled. "How's it going?"

"Is that it?" Black growled. "You just came here to ask me 'how's it going'?"

"No." Armory said weakly. "I was just... wondering if you'd like to have a game of pool with me."

"No thanks." Black said flatly.

"...Black, we're all worried about you." Armory confessed.

"Oh, of course." Black snarled. "Elite sent you, right?"

"Well, yeah..." Armory admitted. "But we are worried about you. Especially me."

"Well, don't be." Black glared. "I'm just fine."

"I hear that bit all the time, and most of the time, it's a lie." Armory frowned. "Black, I'm your friend. I care about you. We all do. I know the past few months have been rough, but you can't and shouldn't shoulder the burden alone... you gotta let me in."

"No." Black said angrily. "You should stay away from me."

"Black-" Armory started.

"You don't get it, do you?" Black snarled. "Everypony that I've come to know has gone away. Rookie is dead. White is dead. Shadow is dead. And Micro left. And you already almost died because of me." He let out a woeful sigh. "It's... it's best that you just keep away."

"Sorry, I can't do that." Armory said firmly. "You're my friend, Black. And I refuse to let you be alone. I don't care if it's dangerous, I'll always have your back."

"...There's just no shaking you, is there?" Black sighed.

"Nope." Armory nodded. "Now, how about that pool game? I won't take no for an answer."

"Well, I guesss one couldn't hurt." Black nodded. "But let's just keep it between you and me, okay? Nopony else."

"Guess that'll have to do." Armory nodded, as he led Black out of the room.

Black did spend a little more time with Armory over the coming days, but he kept his distance from the others. Elite wasn't exactly pleased, but he knew a little progress was better than nothing.

The following week, Elite called Black and Armory in.

"I have a mission for you two." He announced. "Mastermind uncovered intel that a group of Forefathers have made their base in a bunker just outside Baltimare. I need you to bring down their operations, and bring back the pony in charge for interrogation." He held up a picture of a grizzled stallion for reference. "As always, Armory will provide cover fire, while Black handles the face-to-face battle."

"Will do, chief." Armory nodded.

"Consider it done." Black smirked.

Black and Armory boarded the carriage, and moved out to Baltimare.

"Finally, a little more action." Black declared. "It's been too long since I last cracked some skulls."

"Yeah..." Armory said awkwardly. "Good to get out of the base, huh?"

"If only it wasn't such a long drive." Black huffed.

"Well, I know one way to pass the time." Armory smiled.

"You do?" Black said hopefully.

"You already know how Shadow and Micro joined up, right?" Armory asked.

"Yeah." Black nodded.

"Well, maybe it's time you knew my secret origin." Armory grinned. "Wanna hear it?"

"As long as you make it quick." Black frowned.

"Fair enough." Armory shrugged. "I was born in Germaney, in a middle-class family. I was always a technical whizz; I loved inventing, just for the thrill of it. I invented all sorts of things: Landmine detectors, magnetic grenades, stain resistant gloves... even a self-sharpening pencil. It was a pretty good life."

"Then what happened?" Black sighed, "I'm guessing some big tragedy?"

"Nein. I got involved with some bad ponies." Armory shook his head. "They worked for some military organization led by a pony named Ahoof Trotler. They seemed nice when they recruited me. They gave me my own workshop, all the materials I needed, and even a few live test subjects... it wasn't until I learned that they had a great distaste towards those of the Jockish faith that I felt these guys weren't all that good."

"So you left them, right?" Black asked.

"I wish." Armory sighed. "Despite all the bad things they were doing, the pay was good and my inventions were getting out there. I thought, 'hey, an invention used for evil is still an invention used'."

"That's one way of looking at it." Black frowned.

"Yeah... it wasn't until the day that the military organization was defeated, and Ahoof went and offed himself that I knew I had to get out of there." Armory continued. "I heard that the whole 'I was just following orders' bit wasn't cutting it, so I took a hot air balloon right out of Germaney and landed in the jungles of Braezil, hiding myself from the world... until the time when yet another military organization would seek me out..."

Flashback...

The younger Armory was residing in a ramshackle home in a town by the edge of the Amarezon rainforest. All he wore was his ratty labcoat from his job back in Germaney, and despite keeping up on hygiene, his mane and beard were out of control. He had only been living on the lam for a couple of years, surviving on nothing but papayas and Braezillian nuts.

While he did miss the luxuries of life back in Germaney, he knew he couldn't go back... but at least he had his hooves and a brain full of inventions to make. And with all the alone time he had, he busied himself by making them. Given how far he was from civilization, there wasn't really much in terms of materials to make stuff, but he made do, and managed to prouce some gadgets... which admittingly had little to no use.

One was a device that could pluck the hair off a coconut (one at a time), another was an extendable claw that could push away leaves on the trees, and for some reason, he'd made a psuedo-volleyball with a face on it... he called it Wilson.

At the moment, he was in his house, putting the finishing touches on a device to stroke his pet capybara.

"There, there, Trotler Jr., who's a good capybara?" Armory rubbed its head as the device worked it's magic.

The capybara let out a mix of a purr and a squeak as it laid there.

"Welp, that's another invention done." Armory smiled, as he pulled out a old notebook. "I think I'll tackle those coconut earphones next, and then proceed to give Wilson a working bod-"

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door of the house.

"What the... I'm not expecting visitors today." Armory frowned. "Not ever, actually...."

Tentatively, Armory opened the door. Standing before him, in a traveler's vest, and with a prothestic leg, was none other than Elite.

"Um... can I help you, good sir?" Armory asked. "Are you lost? It is easy to get lost out here int he jungle."

"Oh, quite the contrary, Heinrich Armory." Elite smiled. "I'm where I want to be."

"...You know my name?" Armory gaped.

"That's right." Elite nodded. "In fact, I've been looking for you for a while now."

"Oh no..." Armory trembled. "I knew this day would come... You're here to bring me back to Germaney on war crime charges, are you?!"

"Well-" Elite started.

"You'll never take me alive!" Armory pulled a pill out of his belt and put it in his mouth, cracking it open with his teeth. "See you in hell!" He closed his eyes to embrace death... only to realize that nothing was embracing him. "What the..."

"Trying the old cyanide pill trick, huh?" Elite smirked. "I anticipated that. That's why I sneaked in here last night and replaced it with a salt pill."

"What?! But how did you-"

"I slipped in through the back way." Elite declared. "Suffice to say, that capybara makes a lousy guard dog."

"Oh." Armory cringed, as Trotler Jr. squeaked innocently. "Well... you're still not getting me without a fight!"

He pulled out a home-made wrench that was made out of sturdy wood.

"En garde, Equestri-" He growled.

*SHINK!*

The wrench was sliced in half, as Elite's metal hoof-turned-machete cut through it with ease.

"Eep." Armory gulped, as he dropped what was left of his wrench.

"Now, take it easy, Heinrich..." Elite smiled, as he gestured him to take a seat. Armory did not dare disobey. "I can call you that, right? I am not here to arrest you."

"You're not?" Armory frowned.

"No." Elite nodded. "I'm here to make you an offer."

"What kind of offer?" Armory asked.

"Well, I've heard quite a bit about you, Heinrich." Elite smirked. "How you've built countless technological wonders... and a few technological novelties. Such things require a deeply creative mind, and great skill."

"Well, I don't mean to boast, but I do know my way around a toolbench." Armory shrugged.

"That is why I'm here. I've been putting together a little taskforce, comprised of some of the best ponies there are... and guess what, you fit the bill." Elite smiled.

"So, you want to recruit me for this 'taskforce', is that it?" Armory frowned. "No offense, but I kinda already did that, and now I'm forced to hide out here."

"That's the beauty part. I can guarantee you that we are not some sort of evil organization. We're the good guys." Elite declared. "Besides, we could use a gadget pony of your caliber. A bonafide genius of machinery and all inventions..."

"Well, you look like a swell guy, and I do find your machete hoof rather amazing..." Armory admitted, but he crossed his hooves. "But what exactly is in it for me? What could you offer me that my... last employers couldn't?"

"Loads of things." Elite smirked. "To begin with, all those 'war crimes' will be expunged and wiped from the books. You will be permitted to begin a new life anew with the Royal Defense Legion, a.k.a. the RDL. Instead of making these strange thingamajigs out of trees and anything you can find out here... you can make strange thingamajigs out of the best resources money can buy. And you'll have an even bigger workshop than what you had back in Germaney."

"Hmm. that does sound very tempting. The lack of decent materials has really limited my creativity." Armory mused... before turning to Elite. "Are you certain you're the good guys? Really sure?"

"I'm absolutely sure." Elite smiled. "Your inventions will only be used for good, I promise."

"Well, in that case... I'm in." Armory declared. "You got yourself an inventor, pal."

"Excellent." Elite shook his hoof. "Would you care to follow me to the airfield, or do you need to get some things in order?"

"You go on ahead." Armory urged. "I've got a few things to take care of."

"Fair enough." Elite nodded. "But don't take too long. My airship won't wait forever"

"Duly noted." Armory nodded.

After Elite left, Armory went to his bedroom, packed his things, and opened up a trunk, revealing it to be full of explosives.

Whistling merrily, Armory planted them all around the first two floors. During his setup, he then released his pet capybara.

"Go on, Trotler Jr., be free." Armory smiled as the capybara ran off into the wilderness.

Finally, he made his way down to the basement that he had dug out with his own bare hooves... which was filled to the brim with pony-sized glass tubes containing ponies that looked like him... or at least were supposed to. There seem to be a variety of differences between the clones.

"Sorry, boys." He sighed wistfully, planting more explosives. "Can't have more than one Armory in this world right now."

After Armory left his house, he walked several steps away, then triggered a remote detonator. The entire building went up in flames.

"New life, here I come..." He smiled.

End flashback...

"Clones?" Black frowned. "You made clones of yourself?"

"Don't ask." Armory said flatly. "I was hiding in those jungles for months and was bored out of my mind. I almost lost my sanity, in fact. The less said about my relationship with Wilson the better. Then there was the relentless chirping of the jungle birds, further eroding at my mental state. I almost started thinking they were performing big, coreographed samba numbers- Oh, we're here!"

They had indeed arrived just outside Baltimare. The bunker was in sight.

"Here we go." Black smiled. "Stay behind me."

"I know, I know." Armory nodded. "Cover fire, I got it."

Black started off by throwing a smoke bomb through the bunker's window. He then blasted open the door.

"Come and get it, scum!" He roared, charging in.

"We're under attack!" The grizzled stallion from the photo yelled. "Kill them!"

The agents numbered almost two dozen, but between Black's vicious use of force, and Armory's cover fire (utilizing his newest work, a gatling crossbow), they didn't last long.

"G-g-g-g-get someeeee!" Armory bellowed, his body trembling from the heavy rapid fire of his big gatling crossbow.

"Okay, tough guy." Black approached the target. "Just you and me now."

"Bring it." The stallion spat.

The two charged at each other. Armory, confident Black could handle things, lowered his weapon, ready to enjoy the show. The target was a tough one. Unbeknownst to Black, he was a former soldier, so he could put up a good fight.

"Hah!" The stallion kicked Black hard. "How ya like that?"

"I don't." Black said flatly, retaliating with a punch.

"Ugh!" The stallion stumbled back. "Oh, are we done warming up? Good."

The stallion threw another punch at Black.

"Ug!" Black grunted. "Now you're gonna get it..."

Their fight continued. The stallion was brutal, striking hard and fast. Black was able to keep up, but the stallion resorted to cheap shots whenever he could, which served to enrage Black further.

"Eat this!" The stallion slammed both hooves into the sides of Black's head.

"Gah!" Black grunted.

"Come on, wimp!" The stallion sneered. "Shake it off!"

"You are asking for it!" Black spat.

"So give it to me!" The stallion snarled.

"You got it!" Black headbutted the stallion, knocking him on his back. He then pinned his opponent down, and started punching him repeatedly.

"How ya like that?!" He snarled. "Or this? Or this? OR THIS?!"

"Black?" Armory murmured, as Black continued the onslaught.

"RAAARRRGH!!" Black roared, hitting harder and harder.

"Black, stop!" Armory rushed over. "We're supposed to bring him back alive! For Faust's sake, you're going to kill him!"

Black froze mid-punch, his anger dissipating.

"I... I..." He stuttered, looking at the bloodied mess of his opponent's face. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to beat him this bad. I just... I don't know what I was thinking..."

"It's okay." Armory patted him on the back. "He's still alive. So let's bring him back."

"Yeah, sure..." Black nodded, unnerved by his own actions.

They returned to headquarters with their captive in tow. Both stallions remained silent the whole trip back. Once they arrived, Black delivered the stallion to the interrogation room, while Armory went to put away his gear. As he did so, he passed Elite's office, and heard muffled voices.

"I think the time has come, Elite." Ballista's voice declared.

"No, Ballista, it's still too soon." Elite's voice rebutted.

"Come on, mate, we knew this day was coming." Ballista groaned. "Black has finally reached the tipping point. You saw what happened to that poor stallion."

"What..." Armory murmured, deeply concerned. "What's going on?"

Armory placed his ear against the door.

"Ballista, this wasn't supposed to happen. Not this soon." Elite murmured.

"Well, what can you do, Elite?" Ballista asked. "The poor blighter's had it rough these past months. Losing his brother, Shadow dying right in front of him, Micro leaving. All these stressors must have gone and expedited the process."

"But Black is still in control of his actions." Elite urged.

"Barely. If Armory hadn't been there, Black would've killed our target." Ballista rebutted. "It's time to face facts. We have to begin the next phase of Project: Argo, and soon."

"...Ballista, this still doesn't sit right with me... I don't know if I can do this to Black. Not after everything he has done for us." Elite shook his head.

"Hey, we both agreed on this together. There's no going back." Ballista said firmly, as he let out a sigh. "Look, I know how much Black means to you, but with the way things are going right now, Black's days here will soon come to an end."

"I know... I just hope we will be able to forgive ourselves for putting Black through this." Elite sighed.

Armory stepped back from the door, shaken by what he had just heard.

'Project: Argo?' He thought. 'I've never heard of it. ... Maybe we have it on file somewhere...'

Armory headed down to the archives, eager to learn what "Project: Argo" was.

Meanwhile, at a fancy diner in Manehattan, Natascha de Lady-Luck was sitting at a table, in a fancy silver gown, her blue necklace glinting in the light. She checked her watch, as she was expecting somepony. Suddenly, a hooded stallion took the seat opposite her.

"Hey, is this seat taken?" He asked.

"Actually, yes." Natascha frowned. "I am waiting for a client."

"Ah, so you got my message." The stallion took off his hood to reveal Pike's heavily bruised face.

"You're the one who contacted me?" Natascha gasped.

"That's me." Pike nodded. "And taking by your shocked expression, you know who I am."

"...Of course, Pike Redfield, from Point Place, Wincoltson, family pony until your whole family was murdered..." Natascha trailed off slightly as Pike glared at her. "...Now bounty hunter and leader of the Black Sheep division of the Forefathers."

"Wow, you really are good at finding out stuff." Pike smiled.

"What is it that you want, Pike?" Natascha frowned.

"Information." Pike answered. "I was told that you are the best whistleblower in the underworld of Equestria, that you can find out anything for a good price."

"Well, that much is true." Natascha admitted.

"Good, because I need some information regarding a stallion... the one you call Black Knight?" Pike requested.

Natascha glared at him.

"Well, I'm sorry, but information regarding Taskforce Omega goes for a surcharge of 51.2-" She started.

"Million bits, I know." Pike interrupted. "But I don't want information on the Taskforce. I want information on Black and Black alone. How much does that go for?"

Natascha hesitated, not trusting her would-be client.

"Forty thousand Bits, which I doubt you hav-" She began.

Pike set down a large bag full of Bits.

"Forty thousand, plus a tip for your service..." He declared. "Now, sing, canary."

Natascha glanced at the bag of money, the greed within her telling her to take it... only to push it away.

"I'm sorry... but I refuse to give information to ponies like you." She said firmly.

"What do you mean?" Pike frowned.

"As if I need to spell it out." Natascha glared at Pike again. "I don't help terrorists or warmongers. Especially those of Forefathers fame. Including the Black Sheep."

"Really? And here I thought you would do anything for money." Pike snorted. "I hear that you're quite the little floozy."

"I would do 'most' things." Natascha retorted. "But money is not worth helping you, or those awful ponies destroy lives."

"...Well, I would be lying if I said I didn't see this coming..." Pike sighed. "But I did... and I have no choice but to add something to the deal."

"Like what?" Natascha sneered. "What could you have that would make me change my mind?"

"Do the names 'Sam Revolver' and 'DeRose Fiora' ring any bells?" Pike asked, causing Natascha's eyes to widen. "They should. You did help destroy their operations and took their little love potion recipe... and let me tell ya, time did not heal any wounds for those two. I'm sure they would be most happy to hunt the mare that ruined everything for them."

"...You wouldn't..." Natscha stammered.

"Try me." Pike pulled out his mirror. "I have their mirrors on speed-dial, and they will be on you like flies on a donut... unless you want to just take the money now and give me the information I desire."

Natascha remained silent, in defiance of Pike's threat.

"Once the call goes through, the deal is off. And I would hate to see them mess up your pretty little face." Pike slowly moved his hoof toward the jewel that activated the mirror...

"Wait..." Natascha sighed, reluctantly taking the money. "You win... what is it that you want to know about Black?

"Nothing much really... only information about what it is that Elite and Ballista have planned for him." Pike announced.

"What? That's all?" Natascha frowned. "You're not here for anything else?"

"Of course not." Pike nodded. "I just wish to know why out of all the ponies Elite and Ballista had at their disposal in the RDL... they pick Black. I know they're hiding something from him."

"Of course they are." Natascha snorted. "The guys in charge always have something to hide. But no secret is safe from the likes of me..."

"So I hear." Pike smirked. "So... you gonna dish it out, or leave me in suspense?"

"You know me, I like to keep up the dramatic tension." Natascha grinned. "Just like you, with your mirror trick."

"Honestly, I was bluffing." Pike shrugged. "Like I'd have those two jokers on my speed-dial. I just thought you needed a little incentive."

"Of course you did." Natascha sighed. "Anyway, I've heard of a little something, hidden deep in the RDL files. It's something that Black's has been the main subject of for quite some time. They call it 'Project Argo'."

"Catchy." Pike nodded. "Tell me more..."

A few hours later, after a very long talk with Natascha, Pike returned to Infinity, taking a stroll through the monastery. His face was furrowed in deep contemplation, the things he'd learned being not what he had expected.

"Pike?" Loveless frowned as he rolled by, "What are you doing out of bed? You should be resting."

"I'm fine, Loveless." Pike insisted. "The doctors gave me a clean bill, told me to take it easy. So I chatted up an informant."

"Oh, about Black, right?" Loveless asked.

"Sorta." Pike shrugged, not wanting to go into details. "But it wasn't anything useful."

"Well, I just hope you aren't planning on going after him so soon. That would be very foolhardy." Loveless sighed, before putting up a smile as he reached into his pouch. "But on the bright side, I fixed your 'pike'." He pulled out said blade with the wriststrap attached to it, fully restored.

"Thanks, Loveless. Though I don't know when I'll be able to use it again." Pike murmured.

"Well, at least it could double as a bottle opener." Loveless suggested.

"I guess so." Pike shrugged.

Loveless took note of his friend's somber expression.

"Pike, I'm sure you will get him next time." Loveless declared, giving a sympathetic pat on the back. "Once you are back to full health and on top of your game, Black will have to watch his back."

Pike looked at Loveless. He just wasn't sure how to respond. After everything he had been through with Black and what he had learned from Natascha, he couldn't bring himself to say that he couldn't do it.

He couldn't kill Black. Not just because Black had kicked his flank. But because he didn't want to. Every part of him just refused to comply.

But there was no way he could tell Loveless that, or anypony else for that matter... not if he valued his life.

"Yeah... sure." Pike nodded, trying to sound sincere. "Next time we meet, he'll have to watch not just his back, but his front, and his... everything."

"Now that sounds like the Pike I know and admire." Loveless grinned. "It's a pity I won't be there when you finally do finish Black. After spending so much time chasing him, I imagine it'll be quite the joy, watching the light fade from his eyes at long last."

"It sure will."Pike mumbled. "That day can't come fast enough."

"Well, I should leave you to your pursuit." Loveless smiled. "Once you've fully healed, of course."

"Of course." Pike nodded weakly. "Speaking of, maybe I should get a little rest."

"You do that." Loveless declared, wheeling away.

Pike breathed a sigh of relief.

'Don't know how much longer I could have kept that up...' Pike sighed.

Loveless rolled his way through the corridors of Infinity. As he rounded a corner, he found his way blocked by Gridlock and Harlhooves.

"Loveless. We need to talk." Harlhooves declared.

"Right now." Gridlock scowled.

"Gentlestallions." Loveless said flatly. "How may I help you?"

"That is a good question, Loveless." Harlhooves nodded. "And here's the answer: You can help us by getting your act together."

"What are you talking about?" Loveless frowned.

"We're talking about Pike." Gridlock snarled. "We're sick and tired of all the excuses you've been making for him! Day in and day out, you keep coming into the Coils, saying that Pike hasn't killed Black, because of one thing or another. 'Black's too slippery', 'he sent the wrong Black Sheep', 'he got faulty intel'... At this point, they all sound the Faust damn same."

"I haven't been making excuses." Loveless countered. "Only reasoned arguments."

"Well, we've had enough of 'reason'." Harlhooves frowned. "For the past few years, Pike and his Black Sheep have continually failed to eliminate Black Knight Paladin. Such failure can no longer be tolerated."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Loveless frowned.

"It means it's time we terminated Pike." Gridlock scowled. "And that ain't a euphemism."

"But... you can't!" Loveless spluttered.

"And yet, we must." Harlhooves retorted. "He's failed us too many times. And we've terminated operatives for far fewer failures."

"But Pike is getting close." Loveless declared. "He almost had Black the last time, and he is already so close. Even now, he is chasing down a viable lead. Just give him a little more time, and he will succeed."

"I suppose a little more time wouldn't change things." Harlhooves sighed. "But make sure Pike knows he is on his last chance."

"I shall." Loveless nodded. "Thank you for your patience."

Loveless wheeled away down the corridor.

"I don't care what Loveless says." Gridlock growled. "I'm not waiting for that idiot Pike to mess up again."

"But Gridlock-" Harlhooves started.

"But nothing." Gridlock snarled. "The time has finally come to take matters into my own hooves. I'm going to put those worthless Black Sheeps to good use for once..."

Back at Taskforce Omega's headquarters, Armory stormed through the corridors, carrying a file under one hoof, totally outraged. His research project had not turned out the way he'd expected at all, and he was angry.

He marched straight into Elite's office, slamming the file onto the desk.

"Care to explain this to me?" He growled.

"Excuse me?" Elite frowned.

"I said, care to explain this?" Armory repeated.

Elite glanced at the file below. His eyebrow raised in surprise.

"That's right." Armory scowled. "Time to spill the beans."

"You're out of line here, Armory." Elite frowned. "Bordering on insubordination, in fact."

"I don't care." Armory growled. "I don't care if you fire me, I don't care if you deport me back to Germaney, you are going to tell me all about Project: Argo, and just why Black is involved in it. Because I have a feeling Black has no idea he's in it at all."

"Well, that's all well and good, but we aren't telling you crap!" Ballista glared. "Now why don't you run along and forget all about what you just read?"

"I won't!" Armory snarled, as he glared at Elite. "You promised me, all those years ago, that you and the taskforce were the good guys. Well, if that's true, then explain to me what's going on, right now."

Elite glared back at Armory for a long moment. Then...

"Very well." He sighed. "But don't blame me if you don't like what you hear. When we're done here, you won't know what to think."

The present...

"Whoa, drama bomb." Caboose mused.

"You have no idea." Armory sighed. "What I learned that day changed everything."

"And he means 'everything'." Black nodded. "This is where things really start to go south."

"I had a feeling the other horseshoe was about to drop." Fletcher mused. "I imagine the dark times are about to be unveiled?"

"You have no idea." Black declared.

Author's Notes:

"Disintegration" Belongs to The Cure.

In The Street

"Hope you guys are ready for this." Black declared. "Because there's no turning back now..."

"I'm guessing it's 'major bombshell' time, right?" Caboose asked Armory.

"I must confess, I'm curious to learn just what this 'Project: Argo' was all about." Fletcher mused.

"So was I." Armory frowned. "But what I learned changed everything."

Many years ago...

Inside Elite's office, Elite and Ballista were explaining to Armory just what Project: Argo was.

"Project: Argo was created with a singular task." Elite revealed. "To train a soldier to be completely detached from his emotions. Essentially, a sociopath."

"Say what?" Armory frowned. "Why would you knowingly create a soldier like that?"

"Because a soldier without emotions is a soldier with no weaknesses." Ballista declared. "A soldier who is a hundred percent focused on the task at hoof. A well-oiled killing machine that would do what needs to be done when it comes down to the line. That was the whole point of the project."

"You seem to know a lot about this project, Ballista." Armory mused.

"Of course I would." Ballista nodded, "Me and Elite have been working on this project for years. Elite gave the go ahead, and I made sure everything in the project went according to plan."

"And why would Elite go for this project to begin with?" Armory frowned at Elite.

"Because it seemed like a good idea." Elite admitted. "An operative who could go where no other would... Seemed like just the trump card we'd need somewhere down the road."

"All we needed was the right candidate." Ballista nodded. "A loner, somepony with nothing to lose, has an unhealthy taste for violence, doesn't get along well with others... or to put simply, a guy one step away from becoming a murdering psycho."

"And you thought Black was that kind of pony?" Armory grimaced. "Black?!"

"Well, when we examined his psych evals from when he joined the RDL, we found some perturbing things, but not full-blown socipathy." Elite admitted. "I didn't think he would be right for the project, but Ballista was very insistent that he was the perfect candidate. After much deliberation, I decided to meet Black face to face..."

"Wait... so that night at the bar in Saddle Arabia..." Armory gaped.

"Was not a coincidence, I'm afraid." Elite sighed. "Ballista had told me how Black was constantly sneaking out to participate in those cage matches. And we were stationed there anyways, so it was the best opportunity to recruit him."

"Unbelievable..." Armory shook his head in disbelief. "So all that talk you gave him about giving him a challenge... all that guff was just for show?!"

"Well, Elite had to say something that would get him to join." Ballista defended. "Isn't that right, Elite?"

"...Yes." Elite sighed. "But I actually did mean every word I told him."

"And what makes you think that Black is the perfect candidate for this project?" Armory glared at Ballista. "I know Black, and while he has been having a rough time lately, he is no sociopath!"

"Yet." Ballista rebutted. "We didn't pick Black because he was a sociopath. We could have easily just taken a stallion from some prison if that were the case. No, we picked Black because he was a sociopath in the making. With a psych profile like his, he was bound to snap sooner or later, and if we recruited him before then, all the better."

"And you agreed with him?" Armory snarled at Elite.

"Ballista made a very compelling argument." Elite nodded sadly. "But Black has been a much greater boon than we had anticipated when he joined. Even if he is to be a part of Project: Argo, it cannot be denied that he has done the Taskforce a great service."

"You see? Everypony wins!" Ballista smiled. "Pretty cleve-"

"...You Faust damn dummkopf!" Armory roared.

"Excuse me?" Ballista frowned.

"Armory, please..." Elite tried to sooth him.

"I can't believe either of you!" Armory scowled. "How could you... how could you do this to Black?!"

"Armory, it wasn't a decision we made lightly." Elite explained.

"But you made it nonetheless!" Armory glared. "You're using him! Taking advantage of him!"

"Hey, it's not like we're proud of it, Armory." Ballista glared. "But we're doing this for the cause. Because we need to stop the Forefathers and their twisted schemes. And if we have to bring in a mentally unbalanced soldier to do it, then that's just the way it has to be."

"Yeah?" Armory scoffed. "Well, I doubt Black will see it the same way. Maybe I should go ask him?"

"I'm afraid I can't allow you to do that, Armory." Elite said sternly.

"And why not?" Armory challenged. "Black has a right to know!"

"Use yer head, mate." Ballista growled. "Black's already on the edge. Whattaya think it'll do to his mental health when you tell him he was only recruited because there was a good chance he'd go nuts?"

"Well, I..." Armory floundered.

"I know this is hard for you, Armory." Elite sighed. "But this must remain between us. Not just for the good of the mission, but for Black's own good, too. I think we can all agree that he is in no state for this news right now."

"Yeah..." Armory admitted.

"And as his friend, I know the last thing you want is to cause him any more pain than he's already suffered." Elite added.

"I think that goes without saying." Armory frowned. "...Okay, fine. I won't tell Black."

"You're doing the right thing, mate." Ballista smiled.

"But that doesn't mean I'll forgive either of you for this." Armory spat, as he turned and made his way out the office. "I expected more from the both of you... especially you, Elite. After everything Black's done, everything he's given up for you..."

Armory slammed the door. Elite let out a harrowing sigh as he put a hoof to his face.

"Come on, don't let what Armory said get to you." Ballista frowned. "He'll get over it."

"No, no, he won't." Elite shook his head. "And honestly, I don't blame him... Ballista, are we really doing the right thing, going through with Project: Argo?"

"Don't you start, Elite." Ballista grunted. "I know what we're doing to Black isn't exactly the most equine thing, but it'll help in the long run. Besides, the tougher a soldier is, the least likely they'll fall in battle. And none of us want to lose any more than we already have. Project: Argo will go a long way towards making that hope a reality."

"Yeah, you keep saying that." Elite frowned. "But it doesn't make me feel any better about this. Black is a good stallion."

"I know he is, but you saw his file." Ballista reminded him. "If this line of work didn't make him snap, something else would have, and we would have a serial killer instead of a soldier. Project: Argo will be for the best of the Taskforce and Equestria, just you wait and see."

"I only wish I had your faith." Elite declared, before thinking 'As it is, I'm beginning to worry this might all blow up in our faces...'

Meanwhile, over at Infinity, Pike was making his way back to his room, still unsure of his next move. He knew that he couldn't put off the hunt any longer, as the Forefathers would have him terminated. And then, there was Black. He couldn't kill him, especially after what he had just learned regarding Project: Argo.

'Damn, this is some clusterbuck I'm stuck in.'Pike groaned to himself. 'Come on, Red, you can find a way out of this. You just gotta find it before somepony-'

Suddenly, Gridlock stepped in front of him, catching him off guard.

'...Aw, buck.' Pike cursed.

"Pike." Gridlock huffed, "We need to talk."

"Well, I'm kinda not in the mood right now." Pike frowned, as he tried to go around him. "So if you'll excuse me..."

"I don't care if you're not in the mood." Gridlock stopped him. "We're talking. Now."

"Okay..." Pike sighed. "So what is it you want to talk about?"

"Oh, nothing in particular..." Gridlock sneered. "Only the lousy job you've been doing regarding the Black Knight situation we've been having for the past couple of years! You and your Black Sheep have been dropping the ball for far too long!"

"Here we go!" Pike scoffed. "Loveless probably already told you that I'm trying my best, what more do you want from me?!"

"I want you to stop being so incompetent!" Gridlock snarled. "Loveless might be willing to turn a blind eye, but the rest of us aren't."

"And who is us, really?" Pike asked. "Last I checked, it was you, Harlhooves, that drunk jackass Rico, the good doctor, that one Black Thorn feller, and... sorry, who's that prince from that country I can't pronounce?"

"Nalik of Schwartzamungaknackerhobblestan." Gridlock declared. Pike stared at him. "Yeah, I wish I didn't know that either... but the point is, they're all growing tired of Black still living. How are we to continue on with our projects if we're constantly worrying about this son of a draft horse coming in to ruin EVERYTHING?!"

"Hey, it's not my fault Black's such a tough customer!" Pike declared. "Maybe he's just that good. Ever think of that?!"

"Or maybe you're just a terrible leader." Gridlock retorted. "And maybe the Faust-damn Sheep would be good for something if you weren't leading!"

"Says you." Pike growled. "Loveless seems to think I'm doing okay."

"Sorry, but Loveless is half a stallion who's somehow still living without an ass!" Gridlock snorted. "His opinions don't go for much nowadays!"

"Yet he's ranked higher than you." Pike scoffed.

"Regardless..." Gridlock growled, gritting his teeth. "Me and the other Ouroboros have had enough of your crap. And it's about time I do something about it."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Pike glared.

"Simple." Gridlock cleared his throat. "Pike Redfield, on the authority of yours truly, Aspir Harlhooves, Black Thorn, Nalik Aqqbar-Royale, and Ricochet Hailstorm (after a couple of beers), you are hereby ordered to cede leadership of the Black Sheep to me. Perhaps with me in charge, something can finally get done!"

"You can't do that! Only Father has the authority-" Pike snarled.

"Father couldn't be bothered to deal with low ranked wretches like you and the Black Sheep." Gridlock sneered. "That's what the Ouroboros are for."

"But I worked hard for that position!" Pike protested. "The Black Sheep are what they are today because of me!"

"And what a crappy job you did!" Gridlock taunted. "Oh, and don't even think about running to Loveless about this. Me and the others are sick of you, sick of Black, and sick of that damn Taskforce!" He then frowned. "Rico is just sick because of all the beers we gave him." He then regained his scowl. "Either way, there's nothing Loveless, or Father for that matter, can do to change our minds. Try and get in our way, and... what is it that you always say, you'll get a hoof up your ass? Well, what we do will be a lot worse than that and a temporary demotion."

"...Well, it doesn't seem like you've left me much choice, does it?" Pike seethed.

"None at all." Gridlock grinned triumphantly.

"Then it seems my only option is to stand down." Pike admitted.

"It sure is." Gridlock smirked.

"Then go ahead." Pike frowned. "Take charge of the Black Sheep. Let's see if you can do any better. But don't come crying to me when you fail spectacularly."

"Oh, trust me, I won't fail." Gridlock boasted. "I've been one of Father's strongest fighters for years. The chances of me failing to kill Black is about as high as me getting blown into a spinning rotor."

"...Why-" Pike frowned.

"Don't ask." Gridlock glared. "I'll be gathering the best your pathetic Sheep have to offer in the main room within the hour. Be there."

"I wouldn't miss it..." Pike said sarcastically.

"Good. Now, if you excuse me, I'm going to get in a check work-out before getting to work."

As Gridlock walked away, Pike let out a growl as he stomped his hooves, cursing the change in the situation.

'Great, just great.' He thought angrily. 'Like I didn't have it bad enough at the moment. Now that muscleheaded idiot's taken over my job. How could this get any worse?!'

In an hour's time, Pike arrived at their meeting place. He saw Reaper, Scalphunter, Talbolt, DeRose, and Sam Revolver gathered around Gridlock. To his surprise, there were also two other stallions: a young tan Earth Pony with a light orange mane and light blue eyes, and an older Unicorn stallion with an electric yellow coat, orange eyes, short, spiky white mane, and a Cutie Mark of a thunder cloud with a bolt of lightning coming out of it... plus a very perturbing grin on his face.

"Ah, there you are." Gridlock noted. "Good to see tardiness isn't one of your flaws."

"Hey, former boss." Scalphunter sneered.

"Too bad about the demotion." Reaper added.

"Still, it's not the end of the world." Talbolt declared.

"It's just the end of you lording your position over us." DeRose smirked.

"Now yer no better than the rest of us, ain't that right?" Sam snickered.

"Yeah, yeah..." Pike grumbled, as he then glanced at the two newcomers, who glanced back at him. "And what exactly are these two doing here? I figured this was a Black Sheep-only operation."

"Well, as it turns out, while I was doing my morning exercises, these two came up to me and volunteered to help us put an end to that son of a draft horse." Gridlock smirked, as he placed his hooves on the Unicorn and Earth Pony's shoulders. "You remember Solomon Thunder and Sterling Cross, right?"

"Greetings." Solomon nodded.

"Hey, how ya doing?" Sterling smiled.

"Yeah... I've heard of you two." Pike admitted, as he faced Solomon. "Solomon, the infamous lightning bender from the plains."

"That is one of the more impressive talents under my belt, yes." Solomon smirked.

"And Sterling... you're Loveless' boy." Pike noted. "I hear he's taken you under his wing."

"That's me..." Sterling nodded, albeit a bit nervously. "Loveless also talked a bit about you. All good, I assure you."

"And why exactly are these two volunteering to go on this pony hunt?" Pike frowned.

"Why for vengeance, of course." Solomon answered. "From what I understand, Black's been causing a lot of trouble for the Forefathers. Such a crime against us can't go unpunished, now can it?" He then shrugged. "That, and if we were to take down Black, it would certainly help me and my friend here climb up the ranks at break-neck speed." He turned to Sterling. "Right, Sterling?"

"Well, yeah, I guess." Sterling rubbed his head.

"Look, it doesn't matter why they're here." Gridlock chuckled. "All I know is that these two are the best among our up-and-comers. And who knows, they might come in handy."

"Yeah, not a good idea, if you ask me." Pike frowned.

"Oh, yeah?" Gridlock sneered. "And why's that?"

"They're too green, that's why." Pike retorted. "Rookies like them won't last long against an opponent like Black."

"Who are you calling a rookie, old man?" Solomon scoffed. "I will have you know that I know my way around a battlefield, and I've taken down more ponies than I can even count! And can Black fire lightning from his hooves? I don't think so!"

"Well, I'll have you know that Sweet Tooth, one of our old members, had slain a thousand... and guess where he is." Pike glared.

"...Who the hell is Sweet Tooth?" Solomon growled.

"Exactly." Pike crossed his hooves. "He's dead. Because of Black. So power ain't gonna get you far."

"Whatever. I can take anything Black Knight throws at me!" Solomon boasted. He bumped his hooves together, causing a spark of electricity.

"So can I!" Sterling added hastily, his eyes filled with uncertainty. "That Black had better watch out. Just wait until I get my hooves on him!"

"Sterling, dial it down a bit..." Solomon warned silently.

"Like you two are going to be the ones who take Black down." Reaper scoffed. "If anypony's doing that, It's me. We have a score to settle, after all."

"Get in line, pal." DeRose growled.

"Yeah, that varmint's caused us all sorts a' trouble!" Sam added. "And I aims to get even!"

"Not if I don't do the deed first." Talbolt growled. "'Talbolt smells'... still can't believe I fell for that."

"Hehe... yeah." Sam chuckled.

Talbolt glared, as he pulled out his pencil, still bloodied from the last 'magic trick'. Sam immediately clammed up.

"Well, I'd like a crack at him." Scalphunter sneered. "I wanna turn his skull into my new cereal bowl..."

"Frankly, I don't care who does the deed!" Gridlock spat. "I just want Black dead! That damn horse has ruined fifteen years of work and I have suffered in silence while you fools bumbled around, trying to kill this guy! Black's reckoning is at hoof! If any one of you can manage to end his life, then you'll be amply rewarded. Heck, I might dub you an Ouroboros myself..." He then scowled. "But if you all fail... well, let's just say I'm not as forgiving as your former boss. Speaking of which..." He turned to Pike. "I expect you to actually pull your weight here. I don't care if you're still bruised from that last fight of yours. If you foul things up again, you'll be sorry. Clear?"

"Crystal." Pike frowned.

"Good." Gridlock smirked. "Now, gather around. I've got a plan that can't fail...."

'What now, Pike?' Pike thought to himself. 'You can't bring yourself to kill Black, but it's not like you can stop any of these guys from doing the deed. And if you try, you'll be fired... with prejudice. It's a lose-lose situation...'

A few days later, back at the Taskforce headquarters, Black was once again eating lunch alone. That is, until Armory joined him.

"Hey, Black." Armrory smiled. "How's the radishes today?"

"Fine." Black said gruffly.

"...You know, I was thinking." Armory said awkwardly. "Maybe you could join me over at the main table? You could get to know Incognito and Mastermind more."

Armory waved at the two new operatives.

"I don't want to get to know those two pony-come-latelys!" Black said, loud enough for the others to hear.

"What is your problem?" Mastermind growled.

"My problem is you!" Black snarled. "Why can't you two greenhoofs just get the message and stay away?"

"Black, please-" Armory started.

"Please what?" Black snarled. "We may be co-workers, but we don't have to be friends."

"I don't care much for that way of thinking, Black." Armory declared, knowing full well it jibed with the requirements for Project: Argo.

"Well, no offense Armory, but that's just how it is." Black said darkly. "You, Titan, Elite and Ballista are the only friends I need around here."

"But Incognito and Mastermind are really nice guys." Armory protested. "If you just spent some time together-"

"I know you just want to help, Armory." Black admitted. "But stop. I can barely stomach those guys being here, let alone working with them. I'm not interested in being their friend, and nopony can convince me otherwise, not even you. Understand?"

"But Black-" Armory frowned.

"I said... understand?" Black glared at Armory venomously.

"...Y-yeah, I understand." Armory cringed, unnerved.

"Good." Black smiled. "Now if you don't mind, I have a lunch to finish."

"Of course." Armory sighed, walking away.

'Oh, Black...' He thought. 'Ballista can't have been right about you. I shouldn't believe it. And yet, that look in your eyes... I don't know what to think.'

Not long after lunch, Black was called in to Elite's office.

"Really hoping there's some action coming my way." He told Elite.

"That remains to be seen." Elite declared. "We've just received word that some Forefather agents may be hiding out in a fort out in the badlands by Dodge Junction. We need you to scope it out, and possibly bring in any agents... not too badly injured this time."

"Relax, I got this." Black snorted. "Seriously, one slip-up, and I never hear the last of it."

"I hope it's only one slip-up..." Elite muttered, as Black departed.

After taking a few moments to get geared up, Black made his way to the fort, which was a large, square-shaped, four story building. From the outside, it seemed to be deserted.

"If this turns out to be a wild Cockatrice hunt, I'm gonna be very annoyed..." He muttered to himself, as he entered the fort through the back, intending to surprise any supposed Forefather agents.

Inside, the fort was dark and quiet, the wind blowing softly. Black had entered into a storage room, various wooden crates stored in the wide area.

"Typical." He frowned. "I came all this way for nothing. Son of a draft horse!" He then let out a sigh. "Might as well get the buck out of here..."

As Black turned to leave, the doors suddenly slammed shut.

"What the-?" Black gaped.

"I'm afraid you're not going anywhere... Black Knight Paladin..."

Black turned around, and was faced with a pony clad in a heavy brown leather jacket and a black cap. While he had never met the stallion before... he recognized him.

"...What the..." Black frowned. "Aren't you Grenade Gridlock, the Equestrian Secretary of Defense?"

"That's me." Gridlock nodded. "And you're Black Knight, the huge pain in my ass that ruined our project!"

"What are you talking about?" Black grimaced, "How do you know my name?!"

"Let me jog your memory." Gridlock sneered. "Saddle Arabia. Reinadh. Horsey-bug love. Project: Infestation. You killing everypony." He then snarled. "Does any of that ring a bell?!"

"Wait... you're the one behind Project: Infestation?!" Black growled. "The one trying to unleash that Last Bacterium crap?!"

"Yeah, and me and my comrade would've gotten away with it if you hadn't ruined everything!" Gridlock snarled. "For over fifteen years, I let you get away with ruining our work... but now, speaking on behalf of the Forefathers, we are all sick of your crap!"

"Well, the feeling's mutual!" Black glared. "I gave up quite a bit bringing an end to that noise, and now that I can put a face to one of the assholes who made it, I am going to bring you down1"

"Is that so? I wouldn't bet on it, you damn punk!" Gridlock growled. "I'm not the only one who wants a piece of you."

"What are you talking about?!" Black snarled.

"He's talking about me."

Black turned to the left, to see none other than Scalphunter, leaning against the wall.

"And who the hell are you?!" Black snarled.

"The name's Scalphunter." Scalphunter sneered. "Second in command of the Black Sheep. I've heard a lot about you, Blackie. Gotta say, I pictured you bigger."

"Great, another Black Sheep..." Black rolled his eyes. "As if I haven't already clobbered enough whackos from your group already!"

"Oh, I think you'll find that I am..." Scalphunter pulled out a knife. "A 'cut' above the rest. I've been dying to get a taste of you." He licked his lips creepily.

"Look, I already kicked your boss to the curb. I doubt you and this asshole here-" He glared at Gridlock. "Will pose any challenge."

"I wouldn't count on that, Mr. Paladin."

Black let out a growl, as he recognized the voice of Talbolt, who walked up aside Gridlock.

"Great, you're here too?" Black snarled. "I thought I killed you back at the warehouse."

"You tried and you failed." Talbolt shrugged. "And now, I'm here to see to it that you meet your maker."

"Wait... if you're alive... then Reaper is..." Black surmised.

"Right here."

Black glared as Reaper's telltale black fog slithered to Gridlock's other side, materializing into Reaper himself, his mask on.

"You..." Black scowled. "I am going to make you pay for what you did to Shadow!"

"I doubt it." Reaper scoffed. "I already let you live once, and that is not a mistake I intend to make again"

"Well, I'm going to make sure you die this time!" Black rebutted. "Die like some second-rate bandit!"

"Hey, I resent that remark!"

"Oh, for Faust's sake..." Black groaned as Sam and DeRose walked up next to Talbolt. "You brought these yahoos too?!"

"Indeed. We have some unfinished business with you, Black." DeRose sneered, as he brushed his mane aside. "Because of you, we can't show our faces in Las Pegasus ever again. I loved Las Pegasus!"

"And I loved my money!" Sam growled. "And ya ruined it all! We hate you more than that damn mare right now!"

"And I hate all of you!" Black groaned. "Is that all of you? I just want to make sure nopony's being left out."

"My, how courteous of you." A rough voice sneered.

Black glanced left and upwards, as he saw a yellow white-maned Unicorn standing on a upper walkway, flanked by an tan Earth Pony with a light orange mane. The unicorn seemed to smile condescendingly, while the Earth Pony was stuck in a frown.

"And who exactly are you two?" Black frowned.

"Oh, where are my manners?" Solomon said coyly, as he then hopped over the rail of the walkway... and slamming his front hooves into the ground, causing electricity to spark up, much to Black's surprise. "The name's Solomon Thunder. The name of the stallion who's going to kill you."

Sterling awkwardly climbed down, jumping off the walkway and stumbling as he landed.

"And I'm Sterling Cross." He announced. "Scared yet?"

"Not really." Black sneered, unimpressed. "So, you've all come to try and waste me, huh?"

"That's right." Reaper nodded. "Not only have you been ruining the Forefathers' plans, you've been tarnishing the reputation of the Black Sheep."

"Neither can be tolerated any more." Talbolt added.

"That's why we lured you here." Scalphunter cackled. "The time has come for you to die!"

"Bring it." Black said defiantly.

"Gotta admire the varmint who goes to his own death with courage." Sam smirked.

"We'll see how long that courage lasts." Reaper sneered.

"He's no match for us all!" Talbolt declared.

"Seems a little unfair." Sterling frowned. "I mean, it's eight to one."

"That is what makes it so much fun, Sterling." Solomon chuckled. "At last, the infamous Black Knight will be put in his place."

"The only ones that'll be put in their place will be all of you!" Black snarled. "Either in a cell, or in the ground! I can take all of you! I already kicked some of your flanks, remember?"

"You've taken down enough of the Forefathers' agents." Gridlock spat. "That ends today, and so do you! Charge!"

The whole group rushed at Black, Gridlock leading them.

"Yee-haww!" Sam fired his crossbows haphazardly.

"Your aim still needs work." Black sneered, nimbly dodging each shot as he casually used his arm-mounted crossbow to knock one of Sam's away.

"Ow! Bucker!" Sam hissed, shaking his hoof while continuing to fire.

"Step aside, ya crazy loon. Watch how a real stallion takes care of business!" Gridlock snarled.

"Go ahead and try! I can take-"

A sound of a train whistle echoed.

"Wait, is that a train I hear-" Black was about to ask... before he was uppercut by Gridlock's right hoof. "UGH!" He nearly fell to the ground before he caught himself.

"Don't BUCK with Gridlock!" Gridlock snarled.

"Erk, lucky shot." Black rubbed his chin. "But now it's my turn!"

With a simple heave of his legs, he bucked Gridlock square in the chest.

"Oof!" Gridlock skidded along the ground. "Watch out, he has a good kick."

"My turn!" Reaper roared, as he revealed his sickle, swinging it at his foe, "Die, Black!"

"Not today!" Black dodged several swings, then caught the last, and shattered the blade with his free hoof.

"Gah, dammit!" Reaper snarled as he chuckled the handle aside.

"Yahhh!" Talbolt charged Black... only for Black to duck his assault and flip him on his back. "Ugh!"

"Eat this!" DeRose swung a rapier.

"No thanks, not hungry!" Black jumped over and jump kicked DeRose in the chest.

"Oh, you're funny." Scalphunter charged with knife in hoof. "In fact, you're a real cut-up!"

Scalphunter tried to cut Black... only for Black to slap the knife out of his hoof.

"...Why does this always seem to happen to me?" Scalphunter scowled.

"I don't know. You tell me!" Scalphunter barely had a chance to look up before he was headbutted by Black. The red stallion scoffed as he glanced at the Black Sheep and Gridlock, the former getting up again. "Come on, is this really the best you got?! I'm barely working up a sweat!"

"BANZAI!" Sam screeched, jumping on Black from above... only to get back-hoofed in the face, causing him to drop flat.

"Come on, fellas, give me a challenge!" Black taunted. "I demand a chall-"

Suddenly, Black's body was struck by lightning, the metal of his suit conducting all the electricity.

"Arrrh!" Black groaned, falling to his knees.

"What? You demanded a challenge." Solomon sneered, as his hooves crackled with electricity. "Unlike the Black Sheep, I have the firepower to back up anything I say!"

"You son of a draft horse..." Black snarled, trying to get up.

"HEY!"

Black turned back... only to get slugged hard in the face by Sterling.

"GAH!" Black groaned, his visor cracking.

"Didn't see that coming, did you?" Sterling taunted, shaking his now sore punching hoof.

"Don't you get it, Black?" Gridlock boasted, as he then slugged Black with a punch, sending him to the ground, back onto his knees. "You were dead the moment you came in here."

"Not yet, I'm- Arrrh!" He yelped, as Solomon zapped him again. He fell to the ground in pain, as his enemies surrounded him.

"Let's finish this." Gridlock smirked. "The one who lands the killing blow gets a promotion."

"That'd be me." Scalphunter smirked.

"Not a chance." Talbolt scowled. "I've waited too long for this..."

"We all have." DeRose declared.

"But only one gets to kill him." Reaper snarled. "And that's going to be me."

"Oh, please." Solomon scoffed. "I did most of the work, so I should get to finish him!"

"In your dreams, newbie!" Scalphunter spat.

"I don't care who kills him, as long as you do it now!" Gridlock growled, annoyed.

"Enough of this hoo-hah!" Sam snarled, as he stepped on Black and aimed his crossbow at him. "I'mma killing this vermin, and that's fin-"

A loud boom echoed in the air as out of nowhere, Sam was hit by a red blur, sending him flying into a wall and exploding upon impact.

"What the buck?!" Everypony gaped, including Black.

As the smoke cleared, a burned and ashen Sam was embedded in the wall, letting out a weak whimper.

"Gah..." Gridlock gaped... only to frown. "Okay, how is it that Sam can tank explosions, yet none of us can?"

"To be honest, that's lost on me as well, sir." DeRose admitted.

"Who fired that?!" Reaper glared.

"My apologies, gentlepony."

Gridlock and co. glared upwards above the doorway, as none other than Armory was standing there, his sniper cannon from the assault on Dysley's lab, Der Urknall, smoking. All of them quickly recognized the scientist.

"But I am afraid I can't have you kill Black right now." Armory declared. "He is my comrade, after all."

"Armory!" Black gasped. "But how-"

"After our last 'anonymous tip', I decided it would do to be cautious." Armory declared. "I bugged your suit, just in case. Pretty clever, huh?"

"Oh, you think you alone can save your comrade?" Gridlock sneered. "Last I checked, there's eight of us-" The injured Sam whimpered. "-Seven of us, and only one WEAK you."

"And here I thought that the famous Heinrich Armory was smart." DeRose shook his head. "Gonna be hard to run with that limp of yours!"

"Better think again, pal."

The villains' eyes widened as they turned to the doors, as suddenly, they burst open, revealing Titan, Ballista, Mastermind, and Incognito, all standing there.

"Oh, buck..." Sterling silently cursed, not expecting more ponies.

"Well, well, look who decided to join the party." Gridlock grinned wickedly. "Cutter Ballista and the whole motley crew."

"Huh, so all those rumors I heard about the secretary of defense being in league with the Forefathers wasn't bullcrap after all." Ballista scowled. "Then again, with an ego as big as yours, it's kinda obvious when you think about it."

"You're one to talk." Gridlock spat.

"Why don't you goody-goods just get lost?" Scalphunter sneered. "If you want your pal so badly, I'll be sure to mail you a piece or two."

"That's not going to happen, you whackjob." Armory growled.

"And I suppose you're going to try and stop us?" Reaper cackled. "Are you not aware of what I did with your friend?"

"Oh, we're aware, alright." Incognito snarled. "Make no mistake, you're going to pay for that."

"Your delusions really are laughable." DeRose sneered.

"You're the deluded ones." Mastermind scoffed. "We've beaten your kind before, and we will again."

"Rrf!" Titan barked.

"Black beat most of us before." Talbolt retorted. "The rest of you? Not so much."

"In fact, fighting seems like a decent bout of exercise." Solomon added. "Right, Sterling?"

"Yeah, right." Sterling nodded.

"Hey guys..." Sam groaned, still stuck in the wall. "Can I add somethin' to the conversation? Just 'cuz I'm down don't mean I can't talk..."

Sam's words reminded Gridlock of why they were there.

"We have no interest in you and the others, Ballista." He declared. "We're here for-"

Gridlock paused, as Black was no longer where they left him.

"Motherbucker!" Gridlock snarled as Black, recovering from the shock Solomon gave him, ran back over to his team

"Thanks for the save." Black declared. "It looks like we got ourselves a battle royale. And here I thought I was going to have all the fun!"

"Sorry to disappoint." Ballista grinned. "Now, let's take these bloody idjits down a notch!"

"Um, Gridlock, I think we might be at a disadvantage here." DeRose murmured.

"Nonsense!" Gridlock yelled. "It's still eight-"

Sam let out a muffled yell.

"Seven of us!" Gridlock snarled. "Against six of them! Now let's go kick some Taskforce ass!"

"Aw, yeah!" Scalphunter whooped.

"Six kills are better than one." Reaper added.

"Yehawww!" Sam whooped.

"But didn't taking Black down take most of us?" Sterling asked nervously.

"Everypony knows Black's the best these losers have." Talbolt sneered. "Taking them out should be easy."

"And personally, I'll be making it as slow and painful as possible." Solomon smirked, his horn sparking.

The two factions charged, engaging in a vicious throwdown of great proportions. As they clashed, match-ups between the sides emerged.

"You're mine, Black!" Gridlock roared. "I'll finish you myself!"

"Better stallions than you have tried." Black dodged Gridlock's punch, and threw one of his own.

"But I'm going to succeed!" Gridlock catch the punch, and threw Black overhead.

"We'll see about that..." Black declared, and he landed on his hooves.

Titan approached Reaper, growling savagely. Reaper only scoffed at the bigger beast.

"Huh, in all my years of killing, I never killed a Diamond Dog." Reaper gave a sadistic smile under his mask. "This could be fun."

"Rrrf!" Titan lunged at Reaper, who pulled out a hunting knife.

"Time to spill some dumb mutt blood!" Reaper roared as he slammed the knife into Titan's neck.

...Only for the knife's blade to break off, leaving not even a scratch on Titan's skin... but it ticked Titan off greatly.

"Rrrr...." Titan beared his teeth.

"...Well, that was highly improbable." Reaper deadpanned.

"RAWR!" Titan grabbed Reaper, and with a simple flick of his wrist, sent him flying into some crates, splintering the wood.

"Ouch." Reaper cringed.

"Are you buckin' kidding me?!" Gridlock gaped, as he snarled at Scalphunter. "And he's the best pony in your damn division?!"

"Okay, in Reaper's defense... he's good at killing ponies. Not dogs." Scalphunter frowned.

"Don't worry, Gridlock, just give me... a moment." Reaper groaned, as he struggled to get up.

Meanwhile, DeRose quickly made his way over to where Sam was stuck in the wall.

"Why is it that I have to save your butt every time we get into a fight?" DeRose sighed.

Sam gave a muffled growl, which seem to translate to "Just get me down, ya varmint".

"As you wish. But first: Cure!" DeRose declared.

Sam's body glowed green, as his burns and bruises healed up a bit and he was no longer blackened. Then, with a tug of his horn, Sam was pulled out of the wall.

"Honestly, where would you be without me?" DeRose frowned.

Sam spat out debris, still a bit woozy from the blast.

"Now, let's get back to the f-" DeRose started.

"Hey, you!"

Instinctively, DeRose turned around, bringing Sam with him, as Mastermind, pulling out a retractable baton, swung at him. DeRose quickly threw Sam in front of him to block the attack.

"Ow!" Sam groaned.

"Sorry!" DeRose cringed.

"Oh, you will be!" Mastermind glared, as he swung his baton again, with DeRose using Sam as a shield again.

"OW!" Sam snarled.

"Sorry!" DeRose repeated.

Mastermind let out a grunt as he unleash a flurry of blows, with DeRose using Sam to absorb each blow, Sam yelling in pain and DeRose apologizing each time.

"Hey, do you mind ditching Sam for a moment? Because I don't think he can take any more abuse." Mastermind frowned.

"I suppose you're right." DeRose sighed as he gently set the once again bruised Sam on the ground. "You okay, Sam?"

"Buck... you..." Sam croaked.

"Now... where were we?" DeRose asked... before adopting a sinister grin, as he pulled out his rapier once more. "Oh, I remember."

"Bring it, DeRose." Mastermind said boldly. "I may be the newest member in this team, but I am also the top of my classes! And unfortunately for you, fencing was one of them!"

"Well, then, en garde!" DeRose swung his rapier at Mastermind.

"Gladly." Mastermind blocked it with his baton, batting his rapier aside.

"Ugh, you know, this swordfight would had been better if you had a more noble weapon." DeRose groaned.

"Naw, swords are overrated. Besides, you could have Excalibur, and you would not be more noble than me." Mastermind sneered.

"Pffft, as if I need nobility to run you through!" DeRose growled.

Their baton and blade clashed. Though they were equally matched in terms of skills, Mastermind used years of studying fencing (as a hobby) and that one week learning about pressure points, using them to ascertain where to hit DeRose where it hurt most.

"Ha!" He jabbed DeRose in the leg with the baton.

"Ah!" DeRose yelled. "Why, you-"

"Yah!" Mastermind slapped his side.

"Ugh!" DeRose screeched. "That's it, no more mister nice-"

Mastermind knocked his rapier away.

"You were saying?" He smirked.

"Okay, how is a baton mightier than the sword?" DeRose snarled. "That doesn't make any sense!"

"With science and understanding of physics, it ALL makes sense!" Mastermind rebutted.

Elsewhere, Incognito took on Talbolt, using his nimble body to dance around his attacks.

"Stop prancing around and fight me!" Talbolt spat.

"I am." Incognito smirked, as he kicked Talbolt hard.

"I mean real fighting, you-" Talbolt growled.

Incognito flipped over Talbolt's back, then swept his hooves, knocking him down.

"Real enough for you?" He smirked.

"I have to give you credit." Talbolt admitted. "Your predecessor wasn't nearly this tough."

"You're talking about Shadow, aren't you?" Incognito snarled.

"Yes, I am." Talbolt smirked. "I was there when he died, you know. He died on his knees, like the weakling he really was. How pathet-"

"SHUT UP!!" Incognito punched him hard, knocking his foe senseless. "Nopony disrespects Shadow. Nopony..."

Reaper rose to his hooves, finally recovering from the blow Titan dealt upon him, cricking his neck.

"Ugh..." Reaper groaned.

"Reaper, stop standing around and take out that guy with the cannon!" Gridlock bellowed, as he parried another blow from Black.

Reaper glanced over at Armory, who was watching the battle from the walkway, the scientist realizing that the serial killer was looking right at him.

"Uh-oh." Armory gulped.

"Time to die, Armory." Reaper chuckled evilly, as he menacingly approached him on the ground floor.

"Oh yeah?" Armory glared, as he aimed the Der Urknall. "Taste cannon, fodder!"

Armory fired, the blast coming right for Reaper, only for him to assume his shadowy form and leap to the right, before reassuming his normal form and continuing walking forward, past the explosion.

"Oh no... no, no, no..." Armory gasped, as he quickly worked to reload the Der Urknall.

Once he did, he aimed the cannon again, and fired... only for Reaper to dodge it again via turning into shadowy mist.

"Dammit!" Armory cursed. "That was my last shot!"

"Enough of this!" Reaper growled, as he took on his shadow form and leapt upwards onto the walkway, mere feet from Armory. Upon returning to normal, he glared viciously at Armory as he stormed towards him, with knife in hoof.

"Stay back!" Armory demanded, slowly backing away, knowing full well he couldn't outrun him.

"Your comrades can't save you this time." Reaper taunted him, intentionally walking slowly towards Armory, waving the knife from side to side.

"I don't need to be saved." Armory steeled himself. "I can save myself!"

"Then by all means, do so." Reaper smirked. "But you'd better make it fast. It's almost dying time!"

"How's this for fast?!" Armory pulled out a new gadget. It fired a stream of sticky pink goo at Reaper, which covered the hoof with the knife, smothering the blade.

"What the-?!" Reaper gaped.

"I call this my gum gun." Armory smiled. "Nice, huh?"

"You little..." Reaper spat. "I can still kill you with my bare hooves!"

"Wrong." Armory pulled out a new version of the Homer. It fired not a dart, but a clamp, which latched onto Reaper's other hoof. "Going my way?"

Armory pulled, swinging Reaper around and slamming him into a wall. He then retracted the clamp, and used his gum gun to coat the same hoof in goo.

"Curses, beaten again!" Reaper groaned. "What is happening to me? I've always been unstoppable before..."

"Times change, Reaper." Armory smirked.

Meanwhile, Black continued to trade blows with Gridlock.

"Your friends aren't going to change the outcome of this fight." Gridlock snarled. "But at least now I get you to myself!"

"Didn't think you were brave enough to take me on alone." Black sneered.

"I've taken on better!" Gridlock roared, charging at Black.

"Oh, please..." Black snarled, punching Gridlock in the chest, knocking him back.

"I am going to kill you, Black. Make you pay for ruining Project: Infestation!" Gridlock snarled.

"Well excuse me for averting a zombie-like apocalypse, because that's what it was going to be!" Black snarled, throwing a few more punches. "Honestly, why do you want to destroy the world so bad?!"

"I don't have to explain anything to you!" Gridlock slugged Black. "All that matters is putting us Forefathers on top. And if I have to crack a few million eggshells to make that omelette, so be it!"

"You buckin' madpony." Black scowled, as he grappled with him.

Titan saw Black struggling with Gridlock and was about to step in to help him, until...

"Away, beast!" Solomon zapped Titan with lightning from his horn.

"Rooo!" Titan yelped... before snarling, glaring viciously at Solomon. "Rrrr!"

"Um, okay, that usually leaves a foe writhing in pain..." Solomon gulped, only to scream. "Why aren't you writhing?!"

Solomon zapped Titan again, only for him to flinch. The Diamond Dog only growled louder as he stomped towards him.

"B-back away!" Solomon yelled, as he fired lightning from his hooves in addition to his horn, but Titan shrugged off every shock. "I said back a-"

Titan grabbed Solomon, and flung him hard into the wall, right next to the indent where Sam was.

"Gah..." Solomon groaned. "That's it... you're on my list."

"Rrrf!" He smirked.

"Doesn't feel good now, does it?" Reaper groaned, still face down from Armory's assault.

"You're gonna cut up real good, big fella!" Scalphunter told Ballista, as he drew another knife.

"Don't be so sure, mate." Ballista snorted, pulling out a hunting knife. "Mine's bigger than yours."

"Ooh, that only makes it easier to cut it off you!" Scalphunter swung his knife.

"...Wait, we are talking about knives, right?" Ballista frowned, as he blocked the blow.

"Yes..." Scalphunter licked his lips. "Oh yes, we are."

"...You're gross." Ballista grunted.

"And you're bald!" Scalphunter rebutted, as they drew back their knives.

The two swung their knives viciously, clashing blades and parrying blows until Ballista caught Scalphunter across the hoof.

"Agh!" Scalphunter dropped the knife.

"Who's cutting up real good now?" Ballista smirked, before punching Scalphunter hard.

"Ooh..." Scalphunter groaned, as he collapsed.

"Damn freak." Ballista growled. "Now who's next-"

"YAAAAH!" Sterling let out a battle cry, pulling out a knife he had and stabbing him in the shoulder from behind.

"Ow!" Ballista cried, as he glared at Sterling. "You little-"

Ballista flung him overhead, sending him to the ground.

"That. Really. Hurts." Ballista growled, as he pulled out the knife from his shoulder and dropped it on the ground.

"That isn't the only thing that's gonna hurt!" Sterling got back up on his hooves. "I am taking you down!"

Sterling lunged at Ballista.

"Not today, kid." Ballista slugged him, knocking him back onto the ground.

"I'm not a kid!" Sterling growled, as he quickly rose up to his hooves again. "Take some of this!"

Unfortunately, Ballista simply clotheslined him, reintroducing him to the ground.

"Grrr..." Sterling groaned.

"Look, I don't have time for this." Ballista growled, looking down at him. "So why don't you run along to your dad and mum before you get hurt?"

"SHUT UP!" Sterling snarled, quickly getting back up, much to Ballista's surprise. "I don't need ANYPONY!"

Sterling let out a roar as he lunged at Ballista once more. Ballista however simply grabbed him by the throat and slammed him into the nearby wall.

"Big mistake, kid. Now I'm gonna-" Ballista began, raising his hoof... however, he paused.

The younger stallion had his eyes closed, letting out what sounded like a small whimper. In fact, Ballista could feel his body quiver in his grasp.

His foe was obviously scared.

"...Lauren Faust..." Ballista let out a sigh, as he lowered his hoof, and let him go. "You're really are a kid, aren't you?"

"W-what?" Sterling hesitantly opened his eyes, and felt his neck, still a little shaken. "What are you doing?"

"I'm not going to kill a kid." Ballista declared firmly. "Even if that kid is you."

"Why?!" Sterling demanded, despite his quivering body. "Are you too scared?!"

"You're the one who's scared, kid." Ballista snorted. "In fact, you look like you don't want to be here any more than we do."

"That's bullcrap!" Sterling growled. "I am not afraid of you!"

"Maybe not me." Ballista frowned, "But you are afraid... it saddens me that you let yourself be dragged into this mess by these ponies."

"What do you know?!" Sterling challenged.

"I know that you're no killer." Ballista mused. "And that scares you. You're a little colt who got in way over his head."

"You're wrong!" Sterling snarled. "I'm not a 'little colt'! And I'm not in over my head! I chose this life, pal. No 'dragging' involved. I know exactly what I'm expected to do, and I will do it! You know why? Because I am a stallion! A strong, capable stallion! I am not weak, and I will not be pushed around ever again!"

Sterling let out a scream, charging at Ballista... only for Ballista to reply with a punch to the chest.

"Urk!" Sterling crumbled to the ground, coughing. "You son of a-"

"Look, Sterling." Ballista frowned, sympathy in his eyes, "I'm not your pops or anything, but I can tell you that your way of thinking is going to dig you a early grave. So do everypony a favor and quit while you're ahead..."

Ballista turnedand walked away, intent on helping his comrades..

"I don't quit..." Sterling struggled to get up. "You lousy..." He collapsed on the floor. "Ugh... This can't be happening..."

Sterling lay sprawled on the floor, stewing in his undignified defeat.

Back with Black and Gridlock, Black managed to overpower Gridlock and throw him to the ground.

"Ah! Dammit!" Gridlock roared, as he was about to get back up... only for Black to stomp on his back and pin him down.

"Before I kill you, I want to ask you something." Black declared.

"Oh yeah, what's that?" Gridlock growled.

"Where's Pike?" Black glared. "I know he's here. How else would you know I was coming?"

"Hmph, up on the roof." Gridlock grunted. "I don't know why you want him, he's just a-GAH!" Black slammed his head into the ground, leaving him dazed.

"It's time to finish this." Black growled, as he rushed up the nearby stairs.

"Black?! Where are you going?!" Ballista yelled, as he made to follow, only to get jumped by Sam.

"Giddy up, horsie!" Sam pulled on Ballista's neck.

"Gah, get 'em off!" Balilsta cried as he tried to shake him off, unable to follow his comrade.

After running a couple flights of stairs, Black finally made his way to the top. With a slam of his shoulder, Black burst through the doors leading outside to the rooftop.

Just as Gridlock said, Pike was indeed there, sitting on a old wooden stool. Right next to him was an old radio, playing a song that Black felt like he heard somewhere before...

Hanging out, down the street
The same old thing, we did last week
Not a thing to do, but talk to you
We're all alright, We're all alright
Hello, Wiscoltsin!

Pike shut off the radio before the song could continue any further, as Pike turned to face him.

"Oh, hey, Black..." He said flatly.

"Pike." Black said curtly.

"I take it you said 'hi' to the others downstairs?" Pike asked.

"Yes." Black frowned, "So the secretary of defense is-"

"One of my superiors, sadly, yes." Pike sighed. "He was sick of me not killing you."

"Funny, I was sick of you trying to kill me." Black scowled.

"...So, let me guess, we're really going to do the old 'try and kill each other' song and dance again?" Pike frowned.

"Yes. Hadn't my friends came when they did, I would had been dead down there." Black snarled. "And honestly, I'm not very happy. So, are we going to do this or not?!"

"...Sure, why not?" Pike sighed. "We can beat each other senseless for the umpteenth time... or we could just not. It's not like there's any real point to it, after all."

"Say what?" Black grunted.

"I said there's no point to this." Pike echoed. "Fighting beget more fighting, creating an endless cycle of pain and violence."

"...Okay, what the buck is up with you?" Black frowned. "Not that I care, but it sounds like you don't even want to fight. What kind of game are you trying to play?!"

"No game." Pike shrugged. "The truth is, I'm just tired. Tired of the ol' grind. The constant fighting and killing. I just can't take it anymore..."

"Then you should have thought of that before you became a bounty hunter!" Black glared.

"Heh, maybe you're right..." Pike sighed. "I wasn't always this merciless killer, you know."

"Is that a fact?" Black sneered.

"Oh, yeah." Pike nodded. He pulled out the small bird-shaped brooch, which he had in his pocket. "Once upon a time, I had it all. A wife, two kids, a home in the suburbs, a job, neighbors and friends I could tolerate... a perfectly normal life..." He glanced at Black wistfully. "In fact, you remind me of my own son."

"...In what kind of way?" Black glared.

"Not really sure to be honest." Pike chuckled. "I mean, Spear, Faust bless his soul, was a wimp and sometimes a dumbass... but I still loved him... I loved all of them." He felt a tear come to his eye as he glanced at the brooch. "Especially Kitty..."

"I'm probably gonna kick myself in the flank for this later, but what happened?" Black frowned. "How did Pike Redfield go from normal to being a psycho."

"...They were all murdered." Pike grimaced. "And what's more, they were tortured and mutiliated. In a single afternoon, I lost everypony I cared about. I was all alone..." He sniffed. "I tried everything to make the pain go away. Alcohol. Drugs. Even that stuff my son and his friends used to smoke all the time... but nothing worked."

"And how did you figure killing ponies was the answer?" Black glared.

"Well, one night, I was trying to drown my sorrows in cheap beer, when I heard about this escaped crook from a couple of guys at the bar." Pike declared. "They said there was a bounty on him: Two hundred bits, dead or alive. I figured all that cash would help buy more beer, so I went for it. I checked at the police station, and along with copping a mug shot, I heard the crook was hiding out near my old neighborhood. Since I knew the neighborhood pretty well, I figured out which house was good to hide in, and I came to get the guy. I meant to take him in alive, but he came at me with a knife, and while I was fighting him off, I accidentally stabbed him in the heart." Pike sighed. "I'd never killed a pony before then. I thought I'd be horrified. But instead, I felt... good. More alive than I had in days. After I brought the guy in and got the bounty, I started to think about how what a thrill killing him was. I wanted more thrills like that, so I decided to become a full-fledged bounty hunter. I was freelance at first, but after I bagged a dozen or so scumbags, the Forefathers took notice, and recruited me on the spot. I figured 'why not? More targets for me to kill'. And I've been doing their dirty work ever since."

"And you're telling me this why?" Black frowned.

"Because I want you to know how I became this sorry thing you call a pony." Pike shook his head. "In my time of loss and torment, I became this thing who developed a thirst for bloodshed and murder... a thirst that to this day I was never able to quench. I always knew it was wrong, and I wanted to stop. Every time I killed, a piece of me died inside... but I didn't care... I didn't care one bit. I just wanted to feel something... something besides pain and grief."

"There is a point to this, right?" Black said coldly. "Because as sad as your life story is, I'm really not interested."

"My point is that you still have ponies you care about." Pike said forlornly. "Who care about you... but you're going down a very bad path, and if you don't get off it now, you'll probably lose all of them and end up like me... and believe it or not, the last thing I want is for you to end up like me."

"Oh, I'm touched... or I would be, if you hadn't devoted so much time to trying to kill me." Black spat.

"Well, I'm done with that." Pike declared as he put the brooch away. To Black's surprise, he reached into his right jacket sleeve, pulling out the strap that held his 'Redfield Pike', and threw it on the ground. "I'm surrendering to you right here and now, no fight needed." He held out his hooves. "Take me away, Black."

"Seriously?" Black frowned. "You're giving up, just like that?"

"Anti-climactic, I know." Pike admitted. "But I like I said, I'm tired of all this garbage. It's over. You win."

Black was stunned. A part of him couldn't believe it was going to be that easy... however, a larger, more paranoid... more bloodthirsty part of his mind convinced that it was too easy.

"...Um, Black, this is the part where you cuff me." Pike frowned, shaking his hooves.

"...Do you really think you're getting off that easily?" Black glared. "That after everything you did, you can just turn yourself in?"

"Um... yeah, I figured that's how it worked with the RDL." Pike murmured, not liking the look in Black's eye.

"The RDL maybe... but not with me." Black sneered. "Because of you, I lost a friend... and for that, I'm going to make sure you can't hurt anypony else ever again."

"Black, please... I give up, we don't have to fight!" Pike stepped back in fear.

"I know... but I WANT TO!" Black roared.

"Wait, I-" Pike started.

"Shut up!" Black tackled him.

"Ah!" Pike stumbled backwards, as he glared at Black. "I don't want to fight you anymore, Black. But I'm not gonna stand here and just let you kill me!"

"Good... it makes the kill all the more fun!" Black sneered. "Show me the thing that you've become and hit me with your BEST SHOT!"

"Damn you, Black!" Pike snarled as he quickly snagged his 'PIke' and strapped it on. He clenched his hoof, causing the blade to pop up. "You made me do this!"

The two let out their battle cry as they engage in one last brutal clash.

Despite not wanting to hurt Black, Pike put up a decent fight, knowing that if he didn't, Black would surely kill him. But Black had become ever more vicious, and showed no mercy, punching and kicking and headbutting with no restraint.

'Such savagery... such power...' Pike murmured internally, avoiding Black's right hook. 'Is this what Everest and Ballista wanted? I couldn't imagine Elite wanting anypony to become something like-'

His thought process was derailed when Black grabbed him by the throat.

"GAH!" Pike gagged, as Black hoisted him upwards, and to his horror, moved him over the edge of the roof, "UGH! Black, no!"

"This is the end of the line, Pike." Black sneered. "This is where you die..."

"Black, please, don't..." Pike pleaded. "You wouldn't do this to me, would you?"

"Why wouldn't I?" Black snarled. "You and your Black Sheep have caused me a lot of pain. Cost me a good friend. I should just drop you now and end this!"

"But would that friend of yours want this?" Pike asked. "Would he want to see you like this?"

Black felt his grip tightening... then thoughts of Shadow entered his head. The very thought of his friend disapproving of his actions was enough to break through the fog of rage...

"No... he wouldn't." Black sighed, as he pulled Pike from over the edge and set him down.

"Oh, thank Faust." Pike sighed. "I'm glad to hear that. Really-"

Hoofcuffs were slapped on his hooves.

"Let's go." Black said firmly.

"...Of course." Pike sighed.

Downstairs, Gridlock's forces were being overwhelmed.

"Come on, we got them on the ropes!" Gridlock snarled, having recovered from his daze.

"Um, are you referring to us? Because it looks like they got us on the ropes!" Sterling frowned.

"The kid is right. We gotta fall back!" DeRose declared.

"Are you kiddin' me? I still got some fight left!" Solomon growled, although his body was banged up, courtesy of Titan.

"This isn't a wood-measuring contest, man!" Scalphunter snarled. "These guys are playing for keeps! We have to make a run for it!"

"Never!" Gridlock yelled. "I won't run!"

"Would you prefer we get arrested or killed?" Reaper asked.

"I can care less what happened to you guys!" Gridlock snarled. "I want Black and this Taskforce dead! Every single one of them!"

"This damn blockhead's gonna get our gooses' cooked!" Sam protested.

"I got this." Talbolt sighed, as he pulled out a syringe and slammed it into Gridlock's neck.

Gridlock paused for a moment... as he then glared viciously at Talbolt.

"Did you just try to drug me?!" Gridlock roared.

"...No." Talbolt said nervously.

*DING!*

Gridlock fell to the ground, as Reaper had bashed the back of his head with a random pipe.

"That guy sure can take a tranquilizer." Reaper quipped.

"Guys, we all know the drill!" Scalphunter declared.

Each of the villains pulled out a smoke bomb and threw it down, causing the whole room to be covered in smoke. It blinded the Taskforce long enough for them to escape.

"Oh, dammit!" Ballista snarled, as the smoke cleared up, and not a Forefather member was in sight. "They got away!"

"Not all of them." Black declared, dragging a cuffed Pike downstairs.

"Great work, Black!" Armory smiled.

"Yeah, nice one mate." Ballista nodded.

"Just doing my job." Black grinned. "Too bad the rest of the snakes slipped away..."

"But at least we showed 'em who's boss." Armory smirked. "I say we let them run back to their bosses with their tails between their legs. Maybe next time, they'll think twice about going after one of our own."

"We can only hope." Incognito nodded.

"Statistically, it seems unlikely." Mastermind admitted.

"Either way, it's another win for us." Black declared. "What I wouldn't give to see those clowns' faces right now..."

Meanwhile, in a cave not too far away, the Black Sheep (and Solomon and Sterling) were licking their wounds, upset with their loss... but nopony was more upset than Gridlock himself, who had just woken up with a throbbing headache.

"I can believe you bludgeoned me with a pipe!" Gridlock glared at Reaper.

"We had to do something. You were going to get all of us killed!" Reaper glared.

"And given our track record with Black and the Taskforce, our chances of success was next to nothing to being with." DeRose sighed.

"I just don't understand this!" Gridlock growled, rubbing the bruise on his head. "We should have beaten them! We had the stallionpower! We had the equipment!"

"And we still lost. Buck our worthless lives." Talbolt growled.

"What about Pike?" Sterling asked. "We left him back there!"

"Hate to break it to ya, kid, but he's probably dead by now." Scalphunter sneered.

"Ya really think so, Scalp?" Sam fretted.

"Considering Black almost killed him before, it's pretty much a certainty..." DeRose mused.

"Oh, who gives a damn about him? He was dead weight anyway!" Gridlock snarled. "We're better off without that loser."

"I sure won't miss him." Reaper agreed. "He was no longer the stallion we saw as a leader."

"And to think, he thought we would be the ones to go down." Solomon told Sterling, as he scoffed. "Still, so much for that promotion."

"Yeah." Sterling nodded weaklingly. "But at least we got out of there with our lives... except... Pike. And are free to fight another day."

"Well, maybe you two." Gridlock shrugged, as he then glared at the Black Sheep. "But as for you stupid Sheep, I think the time has finally come for all of you to disband."

"What?!" Talbolt gaped.

"You can't do that!" DeRose yelled.

"Ya no-good, double-crossin'..." Sam spat.

"Who do you think you are?" Reaper growled.

"No! I've had it up to here with all of you!" Gridlock growled. "The Black Sheep have been nothing but dead weight for years! But no... no, no, no, Father continues to keep all of you on for some reason I cannot figure out! But that ends now. This is the last straw! You hear me? The last-"

"Oh shut your damn piehole, Gridlock!" Scalphunter yelled.

Everypony gasped at Scalphunter's interruption.

"What did you say to me?!" Gridlock snarled.

"You heard me." Scalphunter glared. "I am sick of your crap, Gridlock. You think you can come in, take over our division to carry out your pitiful revenge fantasy, and then blame us for your failure? Well, then, you got another thing coming!"

"Don't you mess with me, Scalphunter." Gridlock growled. "We are far away from home, and there is nothing to keep me from killing you right here and now."

"Oh, is that so?" Scalphunter sneered. "Well, you know what they say... what goes around, comes around..."

"...What?" Gridlock frowned, "What are you going on about?"

"I'll just cut to the chase." Scalphunter smirked. "When we get back to Infinity, you're going to make me the Black Sheep's leader again. And then you're going to slither back into the Coils and leave us the BUCK alone."

"And why the hell would I do that?" Gridlock glared.

"Simple. We all know how you value being feared and respected among your peers." Scalphunter shrugged. "...I wonder what would happen if word were to get out that the illlustrous Grenade Gridlock failed to kill Black Knight Paladin?"

"You all failed too!" Gridlock roared.

"Yes, but the other agents have come to expect that of us." Scalphunter smirked. "But to hear that about Gridlock of all ponies? As if Project: Infestation hadn't done enough to ruin your reputation."

Gridlock's glare hardened.

"So, this is how it's going to be: you stop bothering the Black Sheeps about Black. You and everypony else in the Ouroboros. And we'll take the rap for this mission and what happened to Pike. No harm, no foul." Scalphunter declared. He then shared glances with his fellow Black Sheep, who had caught onto his plan, and they all gave snide grins towards Gridlock. "If not, we'll go around telling everypony how Black made you his mare, and how you failed to do what a bunch of Black Sheep couldn't. Then we'll see how the others, especially Father, will see you. Right, guys?"

"Indubitably." Talbolt smirked.

"Precisely." DeRose sniggered.

"You will never be feared again." Reaper laughed darkly.

"Like a little mare." Sam chuckled.

Gridlock nearly felt a vein popped, seething at the Black Sheep... but he knew that he was beaten.

"...Fine." Gridlock spat. "You can have the damn Sheep! Just stay the buck out of my way from now on!"

"Pleasure doing business with you." Scalphunter sneered, as he held up a hoof that had the word 'Scalp' tattooed on it... then twisted it to show off his black ram tattoo. "You know what they say: 'It rubs the lotion on its skin...'"

"'Or else it gets the hose again!'" The other Black Sheeps chanted.

Gridlock stewed in silence, as Solomon scoffed.

"Wow, you let them walk all over you." Solomon growled.

"Shut it, Solomon." Gridlock growled, "When you are in a position of power like I am, you gotta learn to just bear it and grin it."

"Trust me, when I do get to be an Ouroboros like you, I won't make the mistake you just made..." Solomon grumbled.

"That will be the day." Gridlock scoffed.

"Loveless really liked Pike though..." Sterling frowned. "He won't be happy to hear that he's gone..."

"Forget Loveless, Cross." Gridlock spat. "He coddled Pike for too long. And Faust hopes you don't end up like him. Wherever Pike is now, he's no longer an issue... for anypony."

Back at the bunker, the Taskforce pulled a hoofcuffed Pike into the carriage.

"Thank you, Black." Pike said suddenly.

"What?" Black frowned. "Why would you be thanking me?"

"Because you reminded me of what it meant to be a pony." Pike smiled. "All our encounters, all of our talks... it awakened a part of me I thought I'd lost forever. No matter what happens, I want you to know that you've turned my life around, and I can never thank you enough for that."

Black stared at Pike for a moment, the words seeming to sink in.

"Whatever." He scoffed. "I was only ever doing my job. And now that you're finally in chains, I can close this sad chapter of my life, and hope I never see your ugly face ever again..."

"Fair enough I guess..." Pike gave a sad smile. "Just... remember what I said earlier, okay?"

"...Whatever." Black scoffed, as he then glanced at Ballista, who was driving the carriage. "Let's go."

A couple of days later, Pike was being interrogated by Ballista and Titan. Elite was watching through one-way glass.

"I think you know full well what we want from you." Ballista declared. "We want you to start spilling the beans on your Forefather pals. And if you don't, well... let's just say Titan doesn't take disappointment well."

"Rrrr..." Titan growled, bashing his fists together.

"You can knock off the tough guy routine." Pike snorted. "Even if I were willing to talk, there's nothing I can give you that will do your Taskforce even a lick of good."

"I think I'll be the judge of that." Ballista slammed his hooves on the table. "And make no mistake, you will talk sooner or later. It's our job to make you talk. So we can protect Equestria from what the Forefathers are planning."

"How noble." Pike smirked. "But we both know you, Mr. Ballista, aren't as pure and heroic as you like others to think."

"You're one to talk." Ballista retorted.

"Rrf!" Titan agreed.

"True, I'm not exactly squeaky-clean." Pike shrugged. "I've done bad, terrible, lousy things. But I owned up to them. I embraced them. I never tried to hide them behind a veneer of righteousness. Too bad you can't say the same..."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Ballista growled.

"Oh, let's just that you have some... shall we say, less than noble plans of your own." Pike grinned. "Like, say... Project: Argo."

"What?!" Ballista froze.

"Rooo?" Titan frowned.

"How do you know about that?!" Ballista snarled.

"I have my sources." Pike said smugly. "I know all about this little project of yours. And I gotta say, I'm not impressed."

"Oh, yeah?" Ballista said through gritted teeth. "And why's that?"

"Because your little plan is never going to work." Pike retorted. "It's total garbage from start to finish. It'll fall apart in no time."

"That's your opinion." Ballista said anxiously.

"But it's an opinion that's correct." Pike smirked... before frowning. "You shouldn't do this. Especially not to a stallion like Black. It'll turn him against you, make him into something far worse than anything the Forefathers could ever hope to be."

"You don't know what you're talking about!" Ballista yelled.

"I know sociopaths." Pike retorted. "And I know what you planning to do with Black will save nopony. Instead, it'll doom us all!"

"You are full of it!" Ballista screamed, slamming his hooves in the table.

"And what's worse is that you're dragging Elite into this!" Pike glared. "There's no way a stallion like Elite would come up with a plan as cruel as this. No... this atrocity is all on YOU!"

"SHUT UP!" Ballista roared, wrapping his hooves around Pike's neck, tackling him to the ground. "Just shut up!"

"What the-?" Elite stood up in shock. "No!"

Elite rushed into the room, where Ballista was pummeling Pike with his hooves. Titan tried to pry Ballista off him, but Ballista pushed him back.

"Say your prayers, scum!" Ballista pointed his crossbow at Pike.

"Ballista, stop!" Elite yelled. "What do you think you're doing?!"

Ballista lowered his crossbow, Elite's words snapping him back to reality. Ballista let out a huff as he stepped off.

"Thanks, Everest." Pike said weakly. "I owe you one..."

"...Sorry, boss." He panted heavily. "I... I don't know what came over me."

"Rrrf!" Titan barked, thoroughly confused.

"Well, I do." Elite frowned. "It seems your little pet project means more to you than I thought."

"And you're not more concerned that this clown knows about it?" Ballista pointed at Pike's bruised self.

"If it helps, I just found out myself." Pike declared. "And I only got the info due to extreme duress. Only she and me knows about your dirty little secret."

"She..." Ballista's eyes twitched. "Oh, that little wench..."

"Elite..." Pike glanced at Elite. "It's not too late. Stop this project before it's too late-"

"Watch your mouth, unless you want more!" Ballista growled.

"That's enough for today, I think." Elite declared. "Titan, take Pike to Triage, then back to his cell. Tomorrow, I'll handle the interrogation myself."

"Ruff..." Titan frowned, confused about what 'Project: Argo' was and what it had to do with his friends. Gently, he picked up Pike and carried him out.

"Have anypony told you that you have surprisingly soft paws?" Pike joked as they left the room.

Elite glared at Ballista.

"Ballista..." Elite began.

"Aw, come on, Elite!" Ballista pouted. "I only lost me temper a little."

"And I can't afford it being a lot." Elite scowled. "We already have one operative on the verge of a psychotic break. Faust knows we don't need two." He sighed heavily. "I'm beginning to think Project: Argo is becoming more trouble than it's worth..."

Ballista looked away petulantly.

The present...

"I see cracks were starting to form in the plan." Fletcher mused.

"So what happened to Pike?" Caboose asked. "Lemme guess, you put him in prison for life or something, right?"

"Not exactly." Black declared. "Follow me, gentlestallions..."

Black led Fletcher and Caboose down into the depths of the headquarter, to a long tunnel with several small cells.

"So this is the 'Pipeline' you mentioned earlier?" Fletcher asked.

"Yes it is." Black declared. "It's where we keep the most high-profile offenders. The ones who are too dangerous or well-connected to be allowed into regular prisons. We don't have too many inmates, but the ones we do have are pretty important."

They stopped at one cell. Black pushed a button on the side, causing the panel to lift up. Behind the panel was a glass pane, with a Earth Pony stallion within.

"Meet one of our oldest inmates." Black declared. "Meet Pike Redfield."

Pike was clearly showing his age, boasting wrinkles and a completely bald head. His cell contained various hoof-carved wooden sculptures, and he was currently whittling away at another one with the 'Redfield Pike'. His brooch was sitting on the shelf next to his bed.

"Huh." Caboose mused. "Not what I was expecting."

"He's not quite the stallion he used to be." Black admitted.

Pike noticed he had visitors.

"Oh, hey, Black." Pike smirked, "You already got some more wood for me?"

"Say hello to Pike, fellas." Black declared.

"Uh... hi." Caboose said awkwardly.

"...Hello?" Fletcher frowned.

"Oh, so you got yourself some new pals, Black?" Pike noted, "Maybe we can all get to know each other some time?"

"Yeah, maybe." Black shrugged.

"Might I ask why Pike is still here after all this time?" Fletcher asked. "While he may have been dangerous back in the day, he... doesn't look much." He glanced at Pike, "No offense."

"Not taken." Pike shrugged.

"Is he really a danger to anypony anymore?" Caboose frowned.

"He's not." Black agreed. "But he's useful to us, and has been for a long time."

"Useful?" Fletcher mused. "How?"

"That's quite a story in itself." Black declared. "But it's nothing compared to what came after he was locked up. Trust me, you'll be way more surprised at that."

Author's Notes:

"In The Street" belongs to Cheap Trick.

Chalk Outline

"So you've actually kept Pike around all this time?" Fletcher frowned. "Why?"

"Because he's proven to be useful." Black answered. "And not just because he finally opened up about the Forefathers..."

"Still, keeping the poor guy locked up for all these years..." Caboose frowned, "That seems a tad cruel."

"Except he's not." Black declared, pushing the button to open the cell. "For a while now, he's been free to come and go whenever he pleases."

"Uh... excuse me?" Fletcher gaped.

"Oh, yeah." Pike nodded, as he stepped out of the cell. "Truth is, I actually got used to that little thing, so I convinced the guys to make it into my own personal little workshop."

"But why are you still here, when you can just leave?" Caboose frowned. "I mean, I'm no woodcutter or anything, but I can think of a better workroom than a prison."

"Ooh, that's kind of a long story." Pike declared.

"And telling it right now would mean getting ahead of ourselves." Black added. "It's best we stay on track. No flash-forwards, cuz that would get confusing real fast."

"I agree." Fletcher nodded. "I hate when stories use that plot device. So infuriating..."

"Well, plot device aside, it wasn't long after we brought in Pike that things continued to spiral downwards..." Black declared.

Many years ago...

In spite of becoming the prisoner of the Royal Defense Legion and Taskforce Omega, Pike continued to resist any attempts at interrogation. Not even the beating he received from Ballista has done anything to damage his willpower.

"Hey, B." He smirked through his still-bruised face as Ballista entered the room, joined by Elite. "You missed me, huh?"

"In your dreams, ya-" Ballista growled.

"Ballista." Elite said flatly.

Ballista fell quiet, but still held his vicious glare at Pike.

"I see." Pike smirked. "Big boss is here to make sure you don't blow your top again. Smart."

"We're not giving up, Pike." Elite declared. "Sooner or later, you will tell us about the Forefathers. Why not make it sooner? If you cooperate, we'll be sure to show leniency."

"A tempting offer." Pike whistled. "But like I said before, there is nothing I can say that will be of any use to you, so that's a 'no'."

"Lousy piece of scum." Ballista spat.

"Takes one to know one." Pike frowned.

"You're making this much hard than it has to be." Elite declared.

"Harder than when B went plum loco on me?" Pike sneered. "For a second there, I actually thought he'd beat me to death. I guess now I know why he's the one who came up with Project: Argo."

"If you know what's good for you, you won't mention that name again." Ballista growled. "Now talk!"

"Sorry, but the answer is still 'no'." Pike shook his head. "Hey, here's an idea: Why don't you just let Black give it a shot? He's the one you're grooming into a ready-made psycho soldier."

"Black's presence will not be necessary." Elite declared.

"Yeah, sure." Pike grinned. "Don't want me spilling the beans about what you've really got in store for him, huh? Good thinking. If he found out... well... he might just go and destroy the lot of you."

"Black would never do that." Elite frowned.

"Not so long ago, I'd think that too." Pike admitted. "But Black's changed since then. He's losing himself a little more with every passing day. Someday, pretty soon, he'll lose whatever shred of honor and nobility he has left. And then... well, you could say Project: Argo will finally be a success. But at what cost? A good stallion's soul?"

"Like you can talk about having a soul." Ballista spat.

"Hey, I'm not denying I've done some bad things." Pike declared. "But I never made some poor unwitting stallion into my personal attack dog. Kinda seems redundant too, considering you already have one of those..."

"Come on, Elite." Ballista sighed. "He's made it clear he's not talking today."

"Today, no." Elite nodded. "But after a few more days, who knows? Perhaps then, he'd be willing to share what he knows."

"I wouldn't hold your breath if I were you." Pike shook his head.

"We'll see..." Elite declared, as he and Ballista left.

"Stubborn little bugger, isn't he?" Ballista scowled. "He'll break sooner or later, though. Make no mistake about that."

Elite remained silent, reflecting on what Pike said.

'That fiend can't be right... can he?' He thought. 'Is Black doomed to lose himself, and become nothing but a psychotic thug? And if he ever finds out, I wouldn't blame him for turning on us. I can only hope that day never comes...'

Meanwhile, over at Infinity, Scalphunter was taking great pleasure in once again being the head of the Black Sheep.

"The dark times are over, fellas." He smirked. "No longer will we have Pike breathing down our necks, trying to teach us how to 'properly' slaughter ponies. I'll let you guys maim and murder in any way you want! Hell, we might get some mutilation and maimin' goin' on down in here!"

"Finally!" Sam smirked. "That Pike wuz really startin' to tweak my mustache!"

"Indeed." DeRose nodded. "His constant demands and general pushiness really got under my skin."

"He was getting soft, too." Reaper snorted. "I could tell. A pony as weak as him had no business leading us."

"Then it's a good thing he's gone now." Talbolt added.

"And with me back in charge, we'll be taking down Black for good soon enough, and mounting his head on our wall!" Scalphunter smirked. "Right, boys?"

The others' mood suddenly shifted.

"Yeah... I don't think so." DeRose declared.

"Nope..." Sam muttered.

"I hate to say it, but they're right..." Talbolt nodded. "The odds aren't in our favor."

"What?" Scalphunter frowned. "Come on, guys, we can do it! We don't need Pike to bring this asshole down!"

"Um, no offense, Scalphunter, but for all his failings, Pike had brains." DeRose pointed out. "How can you out-think Black when Pike couldn't?"

"I won't." Scalphunter smirked. "Because I'm not even gonna try."

"Pardon?" Talbolt frowned.

"You don't out-think a stallion like Black." Scalphunter declared. "You out-muscle him. We almost had Black before, remember?"

"Darn tootin'." Sam nodded.

"Though we did have a little extra help, if you'll recall." Talbolt noted.

"Well, I'm not asking Gridlock and his goons for back-up." Scalphunter snorted. "Besides, what I have in mind is just as good, and won't require us to make contact with those buckers."

"Which is?" Sam asked.

"Some good, old-fashioned weaponry." Scalphunter smirked. "I'll go right to Father, 'ask' him politely to have the armories and labs arm us with the best weapons we got, and then we can bring Black down once and for all!"

"Do you think he'll go for it?" Reaper asked, "The very reason we're the 'Black Sheep' is because Father did not care for us."

"Well, I hear he likes us a little bit." DeRose frowned.

"Yet we are near the lowest level on the totem pole that is the Forefathers." Talbolt rolled his eyes. "I think you'd be wasting your time, Scalp."

"Don't you worry, guys, Father will have to give us what we need." Scalphunter said confidently. "Trust me, he wants Black gone just as much as all of us do..." He then sneered. "I just gotta work my magic..."

A short while later, Scalphunter approached Father, who was seated alone in the Coils of the Ouroboros, a table before him. Normally, the areas was off-limits for those whom Father hadn't requested an audience with, but Scalphunter managed to slip past the guards with little trouble.

"...Scalphunter Insidious... I was not expecting you." Father mused, undeterred by Scalphunter's appearance.

"Sorry for barging in without an invite, sir." He announced with a small curtsy. "But I figure the Ouroboros wouldn't let me speak to you if I had asked them."

"I see. And I assume you have a matter that must be brought to my attention?" Father asked.

"Yes, sir." Scalphunter nodded. "I've come here to speak to you about a problem that has plagued you and the Forefathers for far too long. A weed that needs to be plucked. A pest that needs to squashed. A piece of filth by the name of-"

"Black Knight Paladin." Father finished.

"That's right, sir." Scalphunter said quickly. "I know me and the boys haven't had much luck in years, but now that I'm back in charge and Pike is gone, we are ready to put everything we have into ending him. We just need some extra firepower to finish the job. Once we have that, I swear we won't mess up and drag this thing out as long as Pike did."

"I see..." Father mused.

"So what do you say? You'll grant us the weapons we need to finish him?" Scalphunter smiled hopefully.

Father was silent for a moment... before shaking his head.

"On the contrary..." He sighed. "I want to announce this to the Ouroboros and the rest of the Forefathers, but since you are here... I am calling off the hunt for Black Knight Paladin."

"...What?" Scalphunter gaped. "But why?!"

"Because I believe Black Knight is no longer an issue... at least, an issue that requires further attention." Father declared.

"Are you serious?" Scalphunter snorted. "With all due respect, sir, Black has been nothing but a pain in our asses for years! In fact, he is the biggest 'issue' I think the Forefathers have ever had!"

"That I will not deny." Father admitted, resting his front legs' elbows on the table and putting his hooves together. "Black has proven himself a worthy adversary... a bit too worthy. And I fear that we have wasted enough resources trying to bring down this one stallion. I believe it would be far more profitable to just let him go about his business."

"'Profitable'?!" Scalphunter spluttered. "But he's taken down and killed so many of our operatives. He's even killed some of our best Black Sheep! We can't just-"

"We can and we should." Father said forcefully. "I am well aware of the ponies who have suffered at his hooves. Sand Dollar, Obadiah Stable, Sweet Tooth... he has even brought about the end of Mr. Dysley... and now, Pike Redfield is gone. And from what I have observed, it is abundantly clear that none of our operatives are a match for him. Not even Gridlock himself could avenge his failed project. And obviously, ganging up on him has born no fruit. With the Taskforce at his side, Black is untouchable..."

"So we're gonna just give up trying to kill him?" Scalphunter asked, dismayed. "Just let him carry on with meddling with the Forefathers?"

"For the time being, yes." Father said firmly. "I refuse to throw away any more of our ponies and resources chasing that meddler... and I will not tolerate anypony who refuses to obey my orders. Will that be a issue with you, Scalphunter?"

"...No, sir." Scalphunter sighed. As crazy as he was, he knew there was no arguing with Father, not if he ever wanted to breath fresh air again.

"...I know you are disappointed." Father declared. "But this is for everypony's own good. I cannot bear seeing any more of my sons throw their lives away just to bring down one stallion... but make no mistakes, in time, Black will face the consequences of his actions and get his just desserts."

"Well, you're the boss, I guess." Scalphunter murmured.

"Good." Father nodded. "Now, be sure to spread the word to the rest of the Black Sheep. They must all be made aware that Black Knight Paladin is not to be engaged no matter the cost."

"I'll get the word out, sir." Scalphunter nodded.

"Thank you." Father smiled under his hood. "And in return, I might just arrange for some new weapons for you after all."

"Thank you, sir." Scalphunter bowed. "That's very gracious, sir."

"In spite of your... less than stellar record, Scalphunter, especially concerning the Black Sheep, you have been a loyal servant to the Forefathers." Father declared. "And I always reward loyalty."

"I live to serve." Scalphunter bowed. "Now, if you'll excuse me, sir..."

Scalphunter made to leave.

"Oh, and Scalphunter?" Father called out.

"Yes, Father?" Scalphunter glanced back.

"...Do try to handle your responsibilities as leader of the Black Sheep better this time." Father sighed. "I do not wish to see a repeat of what happened before Pike came along."

"That was years ago." Scalphunter retorted. "I was young and foolish back then."

"Let us hope you are not just foolish now..." Father mused.

"Good one, sir." Scalphunter said awkwardly. "But seriously, I won't make any mistakes like that again."

"See that you don't." Father declared.

With one last bow, Scalphunter left the room, and quickly returned to the others, and broke the news. The rest of the Black Sheep reacted in the same way.

"You can't be serious." Talbolt scowled.

"After all the trouble that varmint gave us, Father wants us to just let 'im go?" Sam snarled.

"I'm afraid so." Scalphunter sighed.

"But that's insane!" Reaper snarled.

"Well, it's Father's will, guys." Scalphunter declared. "To argue with him would be to argue with Faust herself. We'd have to be crazier than we already are to mess with him."

"That is a good point." DeRose admitted. "When Father speaks, we listen."

"Too bad." Reaper scowled. "I was really hoping to end Black one of these days..."

"Yeah, me too." Scalphunter agreed. "Well, I've gotta get the word out to our foreign operatives: Black Knight Paladin is off limits. Hardest sentence I'll ever have to say..."

Back at the Taskforce headquarters, Elite and Ballista were in Elite's office, reeling from yet another fruitless interrogation. Black walked by, catching their conversation from behind the door.

'Those two have been having a lot of private talks lately.' Black mused. 'Wonder what's going on?'

"Ballista, I think we have a problem." Elite said suddenly.

"You're buckin' right we do." Ballista snorted. "That blighter's still not telling us a thing."

'Pike, Pike, Pike...' Black thought. 'They should just let me try. Last time, Pike couldn't stop talking to me about his secrets.'

"I'm not talking about Pike." Elite frowned. "I'm talking about Project: Argo."

'Project: what?' Black frowned.

"What about it?" Ballista asked.

"I don't believe we should have Black be part of the project anymore." Elite sighed.

'Me?' Black thought. 'Why am I a part of something I've never heard of before?'

"This again?" Ballista sighed, "Pike is just talking out his own ass!"

'Pike? How does he fit into this?' Black frowned.

"Is he really?" Elite challenged. "Ballista, Black has already given up so much for us... would it really be right to keep him in the program?"

"Of course it is! Black did do a lot for us, that is true... but doesn't change what he is!" Ballista protested.

'What I am?' Black thought in confusion.

"What exactly is he, Ballista?" Elite glared. "Because before he met us, he was a soldier who was ready to give everything to the cause. He had his brother, his friends, and his home. He could have lived a normal life... but now, he has none of that... and we are grooming him to be something he shouldn't be!"

"But I keep tellin' ya, he was a perfect subject!" Ballista insisted. "A stallion with all the hallmarks of borderline sociopathy, but still managing to cling onto duty and determination! He was the best candidate for the job! All this time, he's been living up to my expectations. A sociopath after my own heart!"

Black stepped back a bit, stupefied.

'Me... a sociopath?' Black gaped.

"So you keep saying." Elite frowned. "But he is only this way because I dragged him into our world."

"And I keep telling you that he was going to become this no matter what. That's how sociopathy works, Elite." Ballista sighed. "Sure, they start out okay, and they seem perfectly normal... but then, as quoted by that one freaky clown... all it takes is one bad day. And then we have a madpony on our hooves. Trust me, this is what's best for Black."

"Well, considering you're not a qualified psychologist, I think I might refute that just a little..." Elite frowned.

"Tell me I'm wrong." Ballista dared him. "Tell me Black isn't one of the toughest, coldest stallions around. Tell me that in all our years of leading this Taskforce, that Black hasn't single handily dismantled many of the Forefathers' operations, much more than we did without him. Tell me that this would have been so if he wasn't a sociopath, a killing machine?" Ballista then leaned back. "Well, tell me."

"I... well, I suppose you do have a point there." Elite admitted weakly.

Black had heard enough. He walked away from the door, in total shock.

'...Is that why Elite recruited me? Because they believe I'm a killer in the making?' Black thought, horrified. 'No... that can't just be it, can it? I was a good soldier. I kicked major flank. I protected Equestria, and had fun doing it. I took on all those Black Sheep. I took 'em out before they could hurt innocents. It felt so good, doing my duty. Breaking those scumbags' bones. Feeling their blood splattering on me... Wait, I actually did enjoy beating them to a pulp. I enjoyed their pain, their screams of anguish. It was... fun to me.' The stark realization hit him like a ton of bricks. 'No. No, no, no. It can't be true...'

As Black walked sullenly down the corridor, he crossed paths with Armory.

"Hey, Black." Armory smiled.

"Yeah, hey..." Black sighed.

"...What's wrong, Black?" Armory asked.

"Nothing." Black sighed as he continued walking. "I just need some time to think..."

'Think?' Armory thought. 'That doesn't sound like Black at all...'

Black entered his quarters, dropping down on the bed. He pulled out his tape player, and played another song from Rookie's mixtape.

I've been cursed
I've been crossed
I've been beaten by the ones that get me off
I've been cut
I've been opened up
I've been shattered by the ones I thought I loved

You left me here like a chalk outline
On the sidewalk waiting for the rain
To wash away
(Wash away)
You keep coming back to the scene of the crime
But the dead can't speak and there's nothing left to say anyway
All you left behind
Is a chalk outline

I've been cold
In the crypt
But not as the cold as the words across your lips
You'll be sorry baby
Some day
When you reach across the bed where my body used to lay

You left me here like a chalk outline
On the sidewalk waiting for the rain
To wash away
(Wash away)
You keep coming back to the scene of the crime
But the dead can't speak and there's nothing left to say anyway
All you left behind
Is a chalk outline
All you left behind
Is a chalk outline

(All you left behind...)

You left me here like a chalk outline
On the sidewalk waiting for the rain
To wash away
(Wash away)
You keep coming back to the scene of the crime
But the dead can't speak and there's nothing left to say anyway
All you left behind
Is a chalk outline

'Is this truly what they wanted from me from the beginning?' Black thought sadly. 'All this time, I thought Elite brought me in because I was one of the best soldiers around, that I had skills and strength that could help protect Equestria! But no... he only wanted me because I'm... I'm...' Black brought his hooves to his head. '...And what Ballista said... he's right... so was Pike... I have changed... all this time, these fits of rage... this was what they were talking about...'

Black lowered his hooves and clenched one of them...

'Is that what it means to be one of them? Like Sweet Tooth? Like Reaper? Like Pike? To be so disconnected from all thoughts except bloodlust and rage? To want nothing but to kill? Elite and Ballista wanted me to become this? So they could... use me? Like an attack dog? A rabid animal, to be let off his leash whenever they pleased? No... no...' His teeth clenched as rage began to consume him. 'NO!'

Black jumped off the bed, enraged.

'They used me all along!' He thought, pacing frantically. 'Made me their attack dog, while making me think they wanted me for my skills, and dedication. It was all a lie! A lie I gave up everything for. White, Belle... everything!'

Black, embittered by the deception, slammed his hooves into the wall. He started whimpering in his anguish, though his eyes remained cold and angry.

'I thought they were my friends.' He seethed. 'Especially Elite. I respected him, but clearly, he didn't respect me enough to tell me the truth...'

In his melancholy, Black begun to reflect on all the missions he had been on since he joined the Taskforce. Every victory, every defeated villain, every saved life... as he reflected on them, he had begun to realize...

Each and every time he had gone out there, the day was always won thanks to his ferocity and his brutality. He recalled how good it felt to use those things, to make his foes suffer, to see the fear in their eyes as he unleashed his full, unstoppable strength against them, and slowly beat them into submission, their bones breaking, their bodies bruising. It was barbaric, inequine even. Most ponies wouldn't agree with these tactics... but he didn't care... in the end, it just felt... good.

Black's whimpers faded away... as suddenly, he started laughing.

"HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA!!" He cackled madly, bordering close to insanity... before shifting his face to a dark grin.

'...Maybe this isn't so bad after all...' Black mused, glancing at his hooves, as he envisioned blood on them both, fresh from beating ponies to death. 'It's not like I haven't been doing a good job so far. Tearing down Forefather agents one by one, bringing down the Black Sheep, murdering them all in the name of Equestria...' Black let out another small chuckle. 'Well, I guess I am a sociopath after all. Perhaps it's best not to fight it. Instead of playing the hero... I will play the monster... sounds reasonable enough.'

Black then began to leave the room, the disturbing grin not leaving his face.

'Well, Elite? You want me to be a monster? Then a monster I shall be.' He thought darkly.

A few days later, Black was called in to Elite's office.

"What's up, boss?" He asked. "Got a job that only a stallion like me can do?"

Elite frowned for a brief moment, Black's tone of voice concerning him.

"As a matter of fact, I do." He nodded. "We've recently received intel that the Russiaddllen mob has gained a new don: One Crowe Darkside, who has taken the position from his recently deceased father."

"You want me to take down a don?" Black asked. "Ooh, that's a new one."

"Not exactly." Elite declared, becoming more concerned. "Your target is Crowe's uncle, Lazarević Darkside. We've heard from a reliable source that he is one of the Black Sheep. Since Pike isn't feeling particularly chatty yet, I'm hoping you could bring us Lazarević, and we can see if he won't be more talkative."

"Sounds good to me." Black smirked.

"Excellent." Elite smiled. "A boat has already been arranged to take you to Russiaddle. And Master Mind will provide you with a list of operations headed by Lazarević. He's bound to be at any one of those."

"Consider it done." Black smiled.

"Just be careful, Black." Elite urged. "You've never gone this far afield before."

"Hey, stuff like this is what you hired me for, right?" Black grinned.

"..Yes, it is." Elite sighed. "Good luck any way."

"Like I'll need it..." Black smirked.

Black left the room, the same unnerving grin on his face.

"What is going on with you, Black?" Elite frowned. "Maybe Pike's right, and you are losing yourself... I hope not."

Black reached Russiaddle a few days later. After docking in Moscolt, he made his way into the city, his armor concealed under snow clothing.

"Huhhhh..." He shivered despite his coverings. "Buckin' freezin' up here."

Black made his way to the industrial part of the city, sticking to the shadows, not drawing attention to himself. He took a look at the list Master Mind had given him.

'Okay, so this scum's got himself a couple of sweatshops, some drug dens, and even... pony trafficking?' Black grimaced in disgust. 'Slimeball. Interrogation's too good for him...'

According to Master Mind's note, the pony trafficking ring was Lazarević's largest operation, so Black surmised it would be the best place to start looking. The ring's main operations was located inside a warehouse on the eastern side of the city. Black made his way over there, climbing on top of the building and slipping in through a roof hatch.

Once inside, he was surprised by what he saw. Not because it was inequine, but because there was actually so little going on. There was only a small group of ponies, all locked in cages. The rest of the building seemed deserted.

'Well, well.' Black thought, as he quietly climbed down the rafters. 'Guess pony trafficking isn't so popular these days...'

As Black made his way onto the balcony, he spotted his quarry: Lazarević Darkside. He had a black coat, bald head, dark purple eyes, and a combat knife Cutie Mark. Most of his body was covered by a jacket with various ammunition attached. He was surrounded by a half-dozen flunkies.

'Target acquired.' Black smirked, as he slowly closed in on him.

As he got closer, Black caught their conversation.

"Sir, are you sure we should be doing this?" One of the henchponies asked.

"Oh, I'm sure, alright." Lazarević growled. "There are still clients out there in need of cheap labor... among other things."

"But Crowe ordered this operation downsized." The henchpony pointed out.

"I'm aware of that, thanks." Lazarević spat. "That little punk. Who does he think he is?"

"Um... the don?" The henchpony answered.

"Only thanks to me." Lazarević snarled. "I'm the one who helped the kid take out his father! I suffered as his right hoof pony for years. Figured things'd be better if I just offed him and let Crowe take charge." He grit his teeth. "But I was wrong. That little ingrate didn't give me any sort of thanks. I should have been his number two, but instead, he just pushed me aside. Worse, he started dismantling all my big operations. Sure, he claims that they're not 'cost-effective' any more, but I know he's just trying to take everything from me."

'Trouble in paradise, huh?' Black smirked.

"I-I'm sure Crowe isn't being intentionally malicious, sir." The henchpony quivered, unnerved by Lazarević's anger. "You are family, after all."

"Not for much longer." Lazarević smirked. "If Crowe won't give me my dues, I'll just take them." He mentally added 'And his life into the bargain.' He then blared out "Now get back to work!"

'That's my cue.' Black thought.

Black fired some sedative bolts at Lazarević's minions, knocking them out.

"What the-?!" Lazarević yelped. "What's going on?"

"I am." Black stepped out of the shadows. He fired regular bolts at the cages, breaking the padlocks. "Time to go."

The former prisoners fled in a hurry as Lazarević glared wickedly at Black.

"It's such a shame that your nephew has been downsizing your operations." Black mocked. "A guard or two might have come in handy to round up all those prisoners of yours."

"Hmph, the famous Black Knight Paladin." Lazarević frowned. "We meet at last."

"Let me guess, the Black Sheep told you all about me." Black snorted.

"Oh, yes." Lazarević nodded. "They know all about you. They're even a little afraid of you."

"Afraid?" Black frowned, though in his twisted mind, he was elated.

"Yeah, they've even been spreading the word among the Forefathers, telling everypony to stay the Tartarus away from you, or else be punished by Father." Lazarević declared, before shrugging. "But since you came to me, I suppose I haven't broken any edicts."

"Not that I care either way." Black smirked. "I've been sent to bring you in, Darkside. Please do me a favor and resist."

"With pleasure!" Lazarević pulled out an automatic crossbow, firing in a wide spread at Black.

"Not bad." Black sidestepped and rolled through the barrage. "But not good enough."

"Oh, I've got plenty more." Lazarević pulled out a knife. "Allow me to cut to the chase!"

Lazarević swung the knife at Black. His first swing actually nicked Black, to his annoyance.

"Okay, that's enough playing around." Black snarled, pulling out a knife of his own. "Time to get serious!"

Black's blade clashed with Lazarević's, before Black flipped it out of his hoof. He then jabbed his into Lazarević's shoulder.

"Agh!" Lazarević grunted. "You rotten..."

Lazarević headbutted Black, sending him reeling.

"That's it." Black spat. "Now you really feel the pain!"

Black headbutted Lazarević, then punched him right in the knife wound.

"Arrrrgh!" Lazarević yelped in agony.

"Ya like that, huh?" Black grabbed Lazarević by the head, and slammed it into the side of one of the empty cages.

"Stop... Do you know... who I am?" Lazarević grunted as Black continued the beating.

"Yep." Black nodded. "Just one more scumbag for me to pound. That's the whole reason I'm in this business, if you wanna know the truth."

Lazarević kicked Black back with his lower hooves.

"Still got some fight in ya, huh?" Black smirked. "I like that."

Black tackled Lazarević to the ground, and began pounding into him.

"No more..." Lazarević grunted, as the beating took it's toll.

"Hey, I'm just doing my job." Black chuckled madly. "Not my fault if I'm so good at it!"

Black pounded away at Lazarević, lost in a red fog of euphoria. After what seemed like no time at all, the fog faded, and he realized in shock that he had beaten Lazarević to death.

"...Oh buck." Black gasped, as he glanced at his bloodied hooves. "I was supposed to take this bucker in alive..." He then gave a shrug. "Ah, well. Nothing I can do about it now except get the buck outta here..."

Black left the warehouse as quickly as he could. His thoughts revolved less around the accidental murder, and more around what he would tell the others.

'Don't want them knowing I know about their little project.' He thought. 'Gonna have to come up with something a little less messy...'

A short while later, on the west side of Moscolt, a gruff stallion entered into a room, where a young Crowe Darkside was standing.

"Sir, I have some bad news." He announced.

"I swear to Faust, if the Steeranko branch messed up another delivery..." Crowe scowled.

"It's not that, sir." The stallion shook his head. "It's your uncle."

"Uncle Laz?" Crowe frowned. "What about him?"

"...He's dead, sir." The stallion admitted.

"What?" Crowe gaped. "Dead? Really?"

"I'm afraid so." The stallion sighed. "We found his body inside one of our warehouses. From the looks of things, he was beaten to death."

Crowe was silent for a moment. Then...

"...Oh well. You win some, you lose some." Crowe shrugged.

"...Okay, sorta thought you would be more pissed." The stallion mused.

"Oh please." Crowe snorted. "Me and Uncle Laz hadn't even so much as spoken before we conspired to murder my father. Not even a Faust damn Потепление пода в card. As much as I hated my father, Laz was just as bad as he was, and after we murdered that draft horse, he outlived his usefulness real quick."

"Wow... I... I'm sorry, sir. I had no idea." The stallion frowned.

"Forget about it." Crowe sighed. "Either way, I know for a fact that Lazarević has been working behind my back on operations I've personally ended, and maybe intended to off me and take control of my mafia empire for himself. I was actually going to put a hit out on him... but since some anonymous thug already did that, that's blood money I don't have to shell out. Whoever did him in... I owe him or her a 'thank you'."

"But, er... what about the operations he was in charge of?" The stallion asked.

"That won't be a problem." Crowe shrugged. "I was downsizing most of 'em anyway. I'll just get one of my lieutenants to take care of what's left. At least I know I can trust them not to betray me."

"Good thinking, sir." The stallion nodded. "Also, you got a message from Grimoire Napoleon. He needs a little help with some under-the-counter imports. Says he'll happily cut you in for fifty percent."

"Good ol' Grim, always playing it fair." Crowe smiled. "Tell him I'll be right there. And tell him I'll be bringing some borscht for Caboose. I know he loves that stuff."

"As you wish, sir." The stallion nodded.

"The Napoleons... now there's a family I can trust." Crowe grinned.

A couple of days later, Black returned to headquarters, where Armory, Elite, and Ballista were waiting for him.

"Welcome back, Black." Armory smiled.

"Good to see you back in one piece." Elite declared.

"Thanks, boss." Black grinned.

"Hold on... where's Darkside?" Ballista asked.

"Dead." Black said flatly, "And rotting back in Moscolt."

"...What? How?!" Armory gaped.

"Well, I confronted him right in the heart of his operation." Black announced. "We went at it for a while. But when he realized he couldn't win, he tried to run. Then the clumsy idiot tripped down some of those old-timey metal stairs. Wound up breaking nearly every bone in his body. He was a total bloody mess by the time he hit bottom."

The three stared at him...

"That's... a shame." Elite declared. "Lazarević could have provided us with much valuable information."

"Guess we're just gonna have to keep trying with Pike." Ballista shrugged.

"Yeah, you do that." Black nodded with a oddly cocky grin. "As for me, I'm gonna grab some shut eye. Catch ya later."

After Black walked away, Armory turned to Elite and Ballista.

"...Neither of you bought that, right?" He asked.

"Nope." Ballista growled. "Fell down some stairs... That's the oldest lie in the book..."

"Dammit..." Elite groaned. "I should have had one of the others go with him."

"No... we should have told him about Project: Argo." Armory glared.

"No, we shouldn't." Ballista growled. "He's better off not knowing for now."

"No, he's better off not being involved in your pet project at all!" Armory yelled. "Why can't you see that, you-"

"Watch your tone, mate." Ballista snarled. "And remember your place."

"I know my place." Armory declared. "And my place is by Black's side. I'm his friend, and I don't want this for him. If you ask me, you should put an end to this whole twisted project, for Black's sake."

"And then what?" Ballista snorted. "He'd have nothing, that's what. With everything Black's lost, he'd be better off having a real purpose. Having nothing but the fight to focus on. No emotions, no pain, nothing."

"So you just want him to be a puppet instead of a pony?" Armory scowled. "Just a mindless weapon? He doesn't deserve that kind of shabby treatment!"

"Armory, maybe you should calm-" Elite started.

"And you!" Armory yelled at him. "How could you possibly think any of this is okay? Using Black as nothing but some mindless thug, encouraging him to fall into madness... How?!"

"I know it looks bad, Armory." Elite started. "But-"

"No. I don't want to hear your twisted rationales." Armory turned away. "So I'll just leave."

Armory began storming out of the room.

"If you were a real leader, maybe you'd see Black as more than just a project." He told Elite. "But it seems you're not. Maybe someday, you'll wise up, and actually do the right thing..."

As soon as Armory was out of the room, Ballista let out a snarl.

"The nerve of that gearhead." Ballista growled. "Telling us to shut down the project after all the hard work we put into it."

"'We'?" Elite grunted, "Don't you mean 'you'?"

"What is that supposed to mean?" Ballista frowned at Elite.

"I think you know full well." Elite glared, before sighing. "By the day, Project: Argo is becoming more and more problematic. And after what Black did today, I... I don't know if I can allow this to continue."

"Come on, Elite, don't you start." Ballista glowered. "You're letting what Armory and Pike say get to you. Don't forget what we are doing this for."

"For the sake of Equestria. I haven't forgotten... but neither have I forgotten whose life we are destroying so we can protect her... I don't want Black to become like those Black Sheep, just for the sake of security." Elite pledged.

"And he won't." Ballista insisted. "Because he will be on the side of good. And when Project: Argo is ready to go, the Forefathers will soon meet their end, and we can finally put an end to 'Father' once and for all. We would be saving millions upon millions of lives... all that for the mental health of one stallion doesn't sound like a bad trade, right?"

"I believe after everything we've been through together, you would know the answer to that." Elite said grimly. "I want nothing more than to stop the Forefathers... but I feel like things are just going to get worse, and in the end, we will have accomplished nothing but destroy a stallion for no good reason."

"You don't know what you're talking about." Ballista sneered. "There's nothing to worry about. Trust me."

"I want to believe that, Ballista..." Elite declared. "...But now, I don't know what to believe..."

"Believe in the mission." Ballista urged. "And believe that Black can and will do his part."

"Even if his part to be a mindless berserker?" Elite asked.

"He doesn't seem too mindless right now." Ballista declared. "Besides, so what if some of the Forefathers' lackies are killed by him? Scum like that has it coming anyway."

"I don't know if I'd subscribe to that philosophy." Elite frowned.

"Hey, they made the decision." Ballista sneered. "They chose to be scum. And Black chose to fight them. And fight them he will. Even if it takes a thousand missions."

'That's actually what I'm worried about.' Elite thought. 'With each mission, Black seems to be losing a little more of himself. How many more missions before he goes over the edge, and beyond the point of return?'

The present...

"So, hold up... you were the one who killed Lazarević?" Caboose gaped. "I heard from Crowe once that his uncle had been killed, but I always thought it was by some cop or rival crook."

"A lot of ponies did." Black admitted. "The guy had a lot of enemies, so they just pinned his death on one of them."

"Lucky for you, eh?" Fletcher mused.

"Yeah, lucky." Black snorted.

"Another Black Sheep, taken down by the unstoppable Black Knight Paladin." Pike declared. "I'll bet that put a twist in my former employers' horseshoes."

"Still, I ultimately regretted what I had done that day." Black admitted. "Lazarević was the first pony I killed just for the fun of it, a death that should have been avoided. But I didn't care... for all I knew, I was doing what I thought Elite and Ballista expected of me, and... I just went along with it. I figured they wouldn't care if they had learned the truth."

"I can't say I agree with that line of thinking." Fletcher frowned.

"Yeah, it's kinda messed up." Caboose agreed. "Not quite 'dating somepony from Jersaddle' messed up, but right up there with it."

"...It was a very dark time for me." Black sighed, "I was starting to become really messed up in the head... and it would only get worse from there."

"I'm assuming this is about the part where Red Eclipse comes in?" Fletcher asked.

"Oh, yeah." Black nodded. "The moment my life really went down the tubes. And to put it bluntly... a whole lot of bad stuff went down.."

Author's Notes:

"Chalk Outline" belongs to Three Days Grace.

Heathens

"I hate to be pushy, but how long exactly do we have to wait before we get to the big change-up?" Caboose asked. "You know, the part where you go full-on bad guy? Not that I'm getting impatient, but it seems to be taking quite a while. I mean, this is the twenty-first chapter for crying out loud!"

"Caboose..." Fletcher frowned.

"Oh, don't worry." Black sighed. "We're finally at the tipping point... the point that would lead me to become a feared stallion who was a threat to all of Equestria."

"I'm almost afraid to hear this." Fletcher mused. "I can't imagine what darkness is going to follow..."

"But hear it you must." Black declared. "Besides, I think I've kept this in for way too long. It'll feel good to finally let it all out."

"I wouldn't mind hearing it more in-depth myself." Pike chipped in. "I've only ever gotten the gist of it."

"You wanna listen too, be my guest." Black shrugged. "But prepare yourselves for some real depressng storytelling..."

Many years ago...

For the next couple of years, Black continued on his missions. There were several other occasions following the mission to Moscolt where Black lost his temper and killed his targets.

He still lied about it, and received increasingly skeptic looks from the others. But he was becoming less and less concerned about it, to the point where he barely even cared whether they knew the truth anymore. After all, he was only doing what they'd recruited him to do.

But almost as if in response to his new way of thinking, Black's missions starting getting fewer and farther between, and in his now unbalanced state of mind, he was thinking Elite may have had something to do with it.

'He's deliberately keeping me out of the action.' Black thought, as he lounged in his quarters, paranoia stewing inside his brain. 'Lousy ingrate. I'm just doing exactly what he wanted, being what he wanted, and this is how he repays me? By giving me nothing? I oughta have some words with him. Stinkin' rotten...'

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.

"What?!" Black snarled, outraged that his thinking had been interrupted.

The door opened to reveal Armory.

"It's... me, Black." Armory said nervously, unnerved by Black's outburst.

"Oh." Black frowned, feeling a touch guilty. "What's up?"

"Nothing much." Armory shrugged, holding up a newspaper. "Just thought you might want to see today's Canterlot Gazette."

"Why would I want to-" Black stopped as he saw the picture on the front page. It displayed Shine, standing side by side with Celestia. "Wait. Shine?"

Black had still managed to drop in on Shine and Mist every so often, in spite of his declining mentality, so he of course recognized his nephew, even if he was full-grown. He glanced at the headline.

Wedding of the Century!

"What the...?" Black gaped, reading the article out loud. "'Today, all of Canterlot rejoices, as our Princess of the Sun has finally gained a Prince. After a long romance, Shine Paladin of Dodge Junction has wed Celestia'. Wait, Shine... he married... I..."

"I know it's something of a surprise." Armory declared. "I couldn't believe it myself at first. But there it is, in black and white."

"Wow." Black murmured. "Just... wow. My nephew married a Princess. I knew we Paladins were ladies' stallions, but geez..."

"Technically, this would make Celestia your niece." Armory pointed out.

"Yeah, it would." Black nodded. "But I don't think she'd enjoy seeing me at a family reunion."

"No, she wouldn't." Armory chuckled.

"And now Shine is royalty." Black smiled, a genuine smile on his face for the first time in a long while. "How about that? I always knew the kid was destined for greatness, but still..."

"White would surely be proud, wouldn't he?" Armory asked.

"Yeah." Black sighed. "He would..."

"Sorry." Armory said quickly. "I didn't think-"

"It's okay." Black assured him. "I'm just sorry White couldn't be here to see his boy become a Prince. Guess I'll just have to be proud enough for both of us."

"I know you will." Armory smiled.

"Thanks for showing me this." Black smiled. "I really appreciate it, pal."

"Hey, I had to." Armory grinned. "I know you've been a little... preoccupied lately. I figured you needed a pick-me-up."

"That I did, that I did." Black nodded. "I've been going nuts, cooped up in here."

"That's what I'm afraid of..." Armory said under his breath.

"Huh?" Black frowned. "You say something?"

"Oh, nothing." Armory smiled. "I'm just glad I could cheer you up."

"Me too." Black smiled.

"Wanna come to the mess hall with me?" Armory asked. "They're serving matzahloaf."

"Sure, why not?" Black grinned. "I could eat."

Black and Armory made their way to the dining area. Master Mind and Incognito were there, but Black did an excellent job of pretending they didn't exist. Armory, having no wish to ruin Black's good mood, chose not to call him out on it. They got their food, sat at a table of Black's choosing (as far from the others as possible), and started eating.

"One good thing about staying at this dump: great food." Black said between mouthfuls.

"No kidding." Armory smiled. "Back in Braezil, I had to survive on coconuts and guava. It was okay for a while, but it got old real fast."

"Poor you." Black snorted.

They finished their food soon after.

"Well, after a filling meal like that, I think I'll head down to the gym and pound the ol' punching bag for a while." Black declared. "See how long it takes me to ruin this one. Might even break my current record."

"Yeah, good luck with that." Armory smiled weakly.

"Luck isn't part of the equation." Black grinned, as he departed the mess hall.

Armory watched his friend leave, and couldn't help but feel a terrible sense of foreboding.

"Hang in there, Black." He whispered. "Hang in there..."

Black did indeed managed to bust the punching bag even quicker than the last one. Ballista was in the gym at the same time, taking note of Black's accomplishment.

"Nice one, mate." He applauded him.

"Thanks." Black smirked. "But it's no big deal. I just picture one of our enemies, and it becomes so much easier."

"That's the kind of attitude I like." Ballista grinned. "You're a real credit to this outfit, Black."

"Hey, I'm just doing what comes naturally." Black declared, thinking 'Which is exactly why you recruited me in the first place...'

"Of course you are." Ballista clapped Black on the back. "Keep up the good work."

"You can count on that." Black chuckled.

Black's mood remained lightened for the next few days. To his delight, he was soon summoned to Elite's office, no doubt for a mission.

"Hey, boss." He smirked as he entered. "I was beginning to think you'd forgotten about me."

"Of course not, Black." Elite smiled.

"So, what can I do you for?" Black asked.

"First off, I must inform you that Princess Celestia and Prince Shine recently signed a peace treaty with Queen Chrysalis and her Changelings." Elite announced.

"Seriously?" Black gaped. "My nephew and Celestia made a deal with those pests?"

"That's what they say." Elite nodded.

"Didn't think the bug Queen would go for something like that." Black mused.

"Well, she did." Elite nodded. "I heard it was a close call, but things turned out alright... unfortunately, we have a new problem."

"Oh, do tell me more." Black smiled darkly.

Elite grimaced, perturbed by Black's enthusiasm.

"You see, upon the signing of the treaty, most of Chrysalis' subjects have gone along with her new outlook... unfortunately, those who didn't have reacted quite violently." Elite declared.

"How violently is 'quite violently'?" Black asked.

"Here." Elite held up a file. "See for yourself."

Elite opened the file, revealing photos of demolished buildings and smoking craters. Black gazed in horror.

"There have been a recent spat of underground bombings, which have caused entire buildings to collapse from below." Elite announced. "And they are striking directly at Equestria's capital."

"Wait, these attacks have been happening in Canterlot?" Black gaped, his thoughts turning to Shine for a moment.

"Indeed." Elite said grimly. "For the past couple of weeks, there have been numerous cases of sinkholes coming into being, bringing down entire buildings and whatever ponies happen to be inside. Going by the frequency of these sinkholes, we deduced that it was not natural. This was made concrete when we found these notes."

Elite passed Black a note on some weathered paper. Words were scrawled upon it. Black could only just make them out.

"'Attention, ponies. The destruction you have just experienced was brought about by us, the representatives of the true Changeling race'." He read aloud. "'The so-called peace treaty you manipulated our kind into accepting is nothing but spineless pony rhetoric. You ponies may have hoodwinked our Queen into accepting you somehow, but we refuse to allow this. That is why we have attacked your precious capital. This is a warning. All ponies are to stay away from our kind, or suffer the consequences'."

"As you can see, they're not exactly trying to hide themselves, or their motives." Elite declared.

"How are they doing it, though?" Black growled.

"We sent Master Mind to examine the crime scenes, and discovered that the sinkholes were caused by extreme vibrations in the caves below." Elite explained. "We believe that they have been planting charges within the caves, right under certain buildings, and when they are set off, the ensuing cave-ins cause the sinkholes. We assume it's their M.O.."

"Of course, those vermin have been hiding in caves their whole lives." Black frowned. "But why would they do this? Isn't this treaty supposed to make things better for them?"

"I believe not all Changelings are so willing to accept peaceful co-operation." Elite sighed. "After years of preying on and fighting ponies, they may not be ready to bury the hatchet."

"So... not that this isn't bad or anything... but how do the Forefathers figure into this?" Black asked.

"They don't." Elite frowned. "At least, not that we are aware of yet."

"Then why are we even having this conversation?" Black grimaced. "I thought I was here to fight the Forefathers, not solve all the world's problems."

"Well, that's where you're wrong." Elite glared. "In case you've forgotten, the Taskforce is affiliated with the RDL, and we are bound by our code to keep the peace, especially between the races of Equestria. These bombings threaten the peace that we have only just obtained with the Changelings. If we don't stop them now, Changelings may never find their place with ponies ever again. Believe it or not, the Forefathers aren't the only problem Equestria has."

"...Okay, you made your point." Black sighed, as he then adopted a smirk, and bumped his hooves together. "So... my mission is to dish out justice upon these lousy burrowing bomber bugs?"

"Actually, no." Elite shook his head.

"What?!" Black spluttered. "You're gonna leave me out of that action?!"

"Yes." Elite nodded. "But only because you are needed elsewhere."

"Huh?" Black frowned. "Where else would I be needed?"

"It's complicated." Elite revealed. "You see, while we know that the bombers are Changelings, the problem is that we have no way of finding them. There are hundreds of Changelings in that territory, let alone in Equestria. And they don't have anything resembling a background check."

"So?" Black asked. "Why not just go in there and ask around?"

"Out of the question." Elite frowned. "The peace treaty is still new. The bombings have already put the other Changelings on edge. If the military were to come in, asking questions, the Queen herself would assume that Celestia and the ponies don't trust them, and the treaty would dissolve."

"Then how else do we find these bombers?" Black growled. "Because finding them sounds like finding a needle in a stack of needles."

"Don't you worry, we have devised a plan." Elite declared. "You see, on the edge of the territory, there is this gang of Changeling-hating ponies. They have been taking advantage of the bombings in an attempt to stir up new hate for the Changelings. They pose a major threat to all Changelings, regardless of personal viewpoints. Your mission will be to to infiltrate the group, and gather information on all their activities."

"Infiltrate, huh?" Black mused. "That's new..."

"I know." Elite nodded. "But those thugs respect strength, and you have more strength than anypony I know. If anypony can infiltrate their ranks, it's you. Simply offer them your services in their twisted crusade, by pretending to hate Changelings as much as they do."

"I think I can fake 'hate' pretty well." Black smirked.

"And since it's been so long since your 'death', I highly doubt they'll recognise you." Elite added.

"Guess it has been a while." Black nodded. "But still, how will joining up with these guys help any?"

"It's simple really. The bombers are causing these attacks to protest the treaty." Elite explained. "A form of retaliation for many years of abuse. We believe that if you join the gang, you can 'subtly' urge them to harass the Changelings more frequently. Not enough to spark a war, but just enough to force the bombers' hooves into doing something drastic. That should cause them to come out of hiding, and when they do, Ballista will lead the others in taking them out."

"Smart thinking." Black nodded. "But where do I find these guys?"

"We have reliable intel that they're hiding out close to the swamplands." Elite noted. "They usually prowl around in the forest, looking for Changelings to torment."

"Then that's where I'll start looking." Black nodded.

"I must warn you to be careful out there, Black." Elite declared.

"Why?" Black scowled. "Don't think I can do it?"

"Not at all." Elite shook his head. "But undercover work is tricky business. If you say or do the wrong thing, the targets will realise you aren't one of them, and react with hostility."

"Relax, boss." Black smiled. "I'm a pretty good actor." He mentally added 'Fooled you, didn't I?'

"I suppose so." Elite nodded. "And once you've successfully flushed out the bombers, they will get what's coming to them."

"And what about the gang?" Black asked.

"Once your mission is complete, you can discretely inform the local authorities of their whereabouts." Elite declared. "In that respect, we'll be killing two birds with one stone."

"And who says stallions can't multi-task?" Black joked. "Of course, that'll be after all the hard work is done..."

"Speaking of which." Elite held up a mirror. "We'll need you to check in with us every few days. Just in case."

"Yeah, sure." Black nodded. "It's not like you can't trust me to get the job done."

"I do trust you, Black." Elite said earnestly. "You are one of the strongest, most noble stallions I've ever met. But it never hurts to take precautions."

"I guess so..." Black shrugged, shaken by the sincere look in Elite's eyes. "I'll do my best, you can count on that..."

"I'm sure you'll do great, Black." Elite smiled. "...Just like always."

"Thanks, boss." Black grinned.

As Black left the room, Elite hung his head.

'I hope I'm making the right choice here.' He thought. 'Throwing you into a group of violent, psychotic thugs... I can only hope it doesn't affect your already shaky mental state... Then again, a mission with no real target means no killing. And how lucky can a bunch of thugs be? There's very little evidence to suggest they do more than simply brutalize their victims. And it's not like they'll have Changelings to harass every five minutes, so Black won't be able to join in that much... right?'

Elite's doubts were answered with silence.

It didn't long for Black to get prepared for his mission. Since he was going undercover, he needed no gadgets, just a change of clothes (a dark sweater and a tattered leather jacket) and his tapeplayer, which he thought he could use during the lonely nights.

"Good luck out there, Black." Armory told him as he prepared to depart.

"You too, pal." Black smiled. "When you do find those bomber bugs, give 'em one from me."

"I sure will." Armory chuckled.

"Go for it, mate." Ballista grinned. "Once you've done yer job, give those thugs what for."

"That's the plan." Black nodded.

"Rrrf!" Titan licked Black.

"Yeah, I'll miss you too, ya big mutt." Black wiped his face.

"Be safe, Black." Elite nodded. "We all have faith in you."

Armory frowned, but said nothing.

"I won't let you down." Black nodded. "And off I go..."

Black exited the headquarters on hoof, taking a train to his desitination.

As he made his way to the swamplands, it was with a sense of discomfort. Without his armor, he actually felt a trifle naked.

'Who'd have thought I'd actually get used to that bucket?' He thought to himself.

As Black neared the forest, he heard a commotion up ahead.

"Get him!"

"He went this way!"

As Black tried to discern where the noise was coming from, a Changeling suddenly burst forth from the bushes, running for his life. Black saw a flash in his mind's eye of the attack on Reinadh, all the Changelings there which he had killed. While he still felt guilty over their deaths, a part of him had grown to resent them, irrationally believing that since everything that had gone in his life had occurred after that day, it had to have been the Changelings' fault; That their blind, deluded agreement to be in that town as unwitting suicide bombers had directly resulted of Rookie's death, and Black's estrangement from White. That resentment suddenly boiled over, and Black tackled the Changeling.

"No, please!" The Changeling begged. "Don't hurt me!"

"You should have thought of that before, bug." Black said coldly.

"I'm begging you, let me go." The Changeling quivered. "There are others chasing me. They've been after me for hours. I-I think they want to kill me."

"Really?" Black sneered, the fog of rage enveloping him again. "Well, guess what? So do I."

Black punched the Changeling in the face. He made to repeat the move, but the Changeling bit his hoof.

"Ahhh!" Black cried out.

The Changeling took the opportunity to pull himself away from Black. But as he did, the bushes parted again, and a group of brutish stallions emerged. At the forefront was a lanky light blue Earth Pony stallion with a blonde mane, and a stopwatch Cutie Mark. Alongside him was a white stallion with a black mane, and a black stallion with a white mane. Their Cutie Marks were both spears, but they faced in opposite directions.

"Th-there you are." The leader smirked. "D-didn't think you could run for us forever, huh?"

"No..." The Changeling gulped, his avenues of escape being blocked by the circling thugs. The black stallion grabbed him, and held him down.

"Yes." The white stallion nodded. "You're gonna get it now..."

"Get it bad..." The black stallion added.

'These must be the thugs Elite was talking about.' Black thought. 'Time to get into character.'

"Hey, I saw that bug first!" Black yelled, stepping forward.

"Wr-wrong." The head stallion countered. "We've been chasing that vermin for miles."

"And we're not about to let it get away." The white stallion added.

"Please." Black snorted. "If I hadn't given it some lumps, it would have gotten away anyhow."

"Is that so?" The black stallion asked.

"Yeah." Black nodded. "So when you think it, you kinda owe me."

"...Hmm, in that case, maybe we should let you join in on squashing this bug." The head stallion suggested.

"No, please..." The Changeling begged.

"With pleasure." Black held up his wounded hoof. "The little pest bit me. For that, I'm gonna punch its teeth out."

"N-not my teeth!" The Changeling held his hooves to his mouth.

"Well, well." The blue stallion smirked. "That is s-surely an excellent move. It'd be a crime not to see it in action... O-okay, go for it."

"Oh, yeah..." Black smirked, the dark fog clouding his mind once more.

"This is gonna be good..." The black stallion sneered, shifting the Changeling so Black could get a clear shot.

"Don't, I'm begging you..." The Changeling quivered.

"Maybe if you begged me instead of bit me, I'd consider it." Black snarled. "Instead, I'm gonna make sure you never bite anypony else with those filthy fangs ever again."

Black punched the Changeling hard in the mouth, shattering a fang.

"Urrrh!" The Changeling groaned, his hooves pinned by the black stallion.

"One down." Black sneered. "Now for the other..."

Black punched the other fang, cracking it.

"Tougher than the other one, huh?" He smirked. "Maybe this'll help..."

Black grabbed the fang with both hooves, and pulled.

"Ahhh!" The Changeling cringed, as the crack widened.

With one last tug, Black ripped everything under the crack out of the Changeling's mouth.

"There we go." Black sneered, holding up the fang. "Knew it'd come out eventually."

"Uh-huh-huh-huh..." The Changeling groaned in agony.

"P-poor baby." The blue stallion sniggered. "I think it needs to be put out of its misery."

"Aw, yeah." The white stallion nodded. "Kill it!"

Black was about to agree when the dark fog around his head began to dissipate. He remembered his mission...

"Better idea." He smiled. "Let it go."

"Huh?" The blue stallion frowned.

"Why would we let this vermin go?" The black stallion asked.

"So it can go back to the rest of its pestilent kind, and let them know who to fear." Black declared.

"Hmm..." The blue stallion mused. "Th-that's not such a bad idea. We can put a little bit of fear into those scumbugs. Let 'em know they don't belong here, that ponies don't want peace with their filthy kind."

"Exactly." Black nodded. "Once they know who you are, they'll be a whole lot more scared."

"I do like seein' them quiver..." The white stallion grinned.

"S-so, it's decided." The blue stallion nodded. "Dice, let the bug up."

"You got it, boss." The black stallion complied.

The Changeling struggled to his hooves, too terrified and traumatised to move.

"Alright bug, l-listen up." Twist hissed. "You go tell as m-many of your wretched kind as possible that they're not welcome in Equestria, no matter what some bleeding-heart royals say. T-tell 'em if they so much as stick their heads out of your filthy hive, the likes of us will come down on 'em like a ton of bricks. N-now... go."

The Changeling remained rooted to the spot.

"He said 'go'!" Black snarled. "Rarrrgh!"

The Changeling fled in utter terror.

"Not bad, not bad at all." The blue stallion admitted.

"Yeah, you really crushed that bug!" The white stallion added.

"It was my pleasure." Black smirked. "I hate those overgrown roaches."

"S-so do we all." The blue stallion nodded.

"Who are you guys, anyway?" Black feigned ignorance. "Some kinda Changeling hunting club?"

"Y-you could say that." The blue stallion smirked. "We hunt down those vermin to keep E-Equestria pure. I'm Twitch Cardinal. And these are Slice and Dice." He indicated first the white then black stallions. "And you are?"

"Red Eclipse." Black declared. He had chosen his alias after some thought, taking inspiration from his Cutie Mark. "Hey, think you got room for one more in your little gang?"

"It's not so little, buddy-boy." Slice smirked. "We got plenty more."

"B-but we're always on the lookout for new recruits." Twitch smiled. "If you want in, we'll gladly have you."

"We could really use a guy like you." Slice nodded. "You way you knocked out that Changeling's teeth... inspiring."

"Yeah, the others are gonna love you." Dice nodded.

"And I'm sure I'll love them." Black smirked. "If they hate Changelings as much as you guys, it's pretty much a given."

"C-come this way." Twitch offered.

Black was led to a small shack on the edge of the swamplands.

"Nice place." Black mused.

"I-it's not much, but it's home." Twitch admitted. "Now, meet everypony else..."

Twitch opened the front door, and they were greeted by another dozen stallions.

"Twitch!" One of the stallions smiled. "Back so soon?"

"Th-there were slim pickings today." Twitch declared.

"Who's the new guy?" Another stallion asked.

"This is Red Eclipse." Slice smiled. "Our latest recruit."

"Is he any good?" A third stallion asked.

"Good?" Dice grinned. "He ripped the fangs right off one of those bugs!"

"Whoa, really?" The first stallion asked.

"Take a look." Black held up the fang.

"That is... awesome!" The second stallion cheered.

The others all cheered.

"Q-quite a first impression, my friend." Twitch smiled.

"Thanks." Black grinned. "I think I'm gonna like it here..."

"Let's welcome our new brother with some drinks!" Slice declared.

"Yeah!" The crowd cheered.

"I could use a cold one." Black smirked, as he was handed a bottle.

"Th-this is cause for celebration." Twitch declared. "One more for our crusade. A-another nail in the Changelings' coffin."

"Yeah, sure." Black nodded.

After a couple of hours of drinking, most of the stallions took to sleeping on sleeping bags, hammocks, etc. But Black slipped outside. He held up the mirror. Elite appeared in the glass.

"How's it going, Black?" Elite asked.

"Better than I thought." Black smiled. "I've already made contact with those thugs, and won their confidence. I even made some headway with getting them to draw out the bombers."

"Excellent." Elite smiled. "Keep up the good work."

"Oh, I will." Black smirked.

Putting away the mirror, Black returned to the inside of the shack. He climbed into the sleeping bag he had been provided, put on his headphones, and turned on his tapeplayer.

All my friends are heathens
Take it slow
Wait for them to ask
Who you know

'Again, so oddly appropriate.' Black noted. 'I'm starting to think Rookie could see the future...'

Please don't make any sudden moves
You don't know the half of the abuse

The morning after, Black and Twitch's group were chasing down some Changelings. The Changelings definitely had some speed; Even the Pegasi in Twitch's group were having trouble keeping up.

"Slippery little runts, aren't they?" One stallion asked.

"Split up!" Black declared. "Give 'em nowhere to run!"

"Good thinking!" Twitch nodded.

The group separated and pinned down the Changelings, beating them severely.

"How did we ever get anything done without you, Black?" Slice smirked.

"Lucky for you we crossed paths." Black grinned.

"L-luck? More like destiny." Twitch remarked. "I like to think we were meant to meet."

"You have no idea..." Black muttered.

All my friends are heathens
Take it slow
Wait for them to ask
Who you know

Please don't make any sudden moves
You don't know the half of the abuse

A few days later, Black led the group to a small gathering of Changelings, who were hiding inside a mine shaft. It was a veritable massacre. Crossbow bolts flew everywhere, and Changeling blood splattered on the ground. Black knew he wouldn't be able to talk the group out of full-scale slaughter unless he wanted to lose all the notoriety he had gained, but a part of him actually enjoyed it. He employed crippling shots so the others could finish the target, but he still relished the Changelings' pain.

"Nice shots, Red." Dice grinned. "You really know how to hurt those things, don't you?"

"Seems only fair." Black found himself saying. "Those bugs have caused a fair amount of pain. About time I returned the favor."

"N-now that's the kind of zeal I like!" Twitch declared, as he brutally stomped on a Changeling's head. "H-hey, how'd you like to be our chief scout? You s-seem to have a knack for rooting off this vermin."

"It's not that impressive." Black shrugged. "I can practically smell 'em."

In truth, Black had used his training from the Taskforce and the Royal Defense Forces to discern probable hiding places. But Twitch didn't need to know that.

Welcome to the room of people
Who have rooms of people
That they loved one day
Docked away

Just because we check the guns at the door
Doesn't mean our brains will change
From hand grenades

One evening, Black contacted Elite.

"It's been a while since your last communication." Elite noted. "Any problems?"

"No." Black shrugged. "I've just been... busy."

"Busy how?" Elite frowned.

"Busy maintaining my cover." Black scowled. "It's not easy keeping up an act like this, especially for a bunch of bloodthirsty racists."

"I meant nothing by it." Elite declared. "Honestly, I'm just glad you're still okay. We all are."

"...Thanks, boss." Black sighed. "And tell the others not to worry. With all the trouble we've been causing for the Changelings, it won't be long until those bombers stick their necks out again."

"Of course." Elite nodded. "And make no mistake, we're standing by."

"Would I expect anything else?" Black shrugged.

"R-Red? Red!" Twitch's voice called out.

"Gotta go." Black told Elite. "I'll call you when I can."

Black put away the mirror mere seconds before Twitch found him.

"Ah, th-there you are." He mused. "What are you doing out here?"

"Just enjoying some Changeling-free air." Black declared. "It's nice, isn't it?"

"Y-yeah, I guess." Twitch shrugged.

"You guess?" Black frowned. "I thought you were out to wipe out those bugs?"

"W-well, I am, but..." Twitch muttered.

"What are you, having second thoughts?" Black asked.

"N-no." Twitch shook his head. "It's just..."

"Just what?" Black glared at him. "Come on. If we're going to be working together, I have to trust you."

"B-but I-" Twitch quivered.

"If you don't tell me right now, I'm outta here." Black said firmly. "Now spill."

Twitch looked around warily.

"The t-truth is, I don't actually hate Changelings." Twitch sighed.

"You don't?" Black gaped.

"I do think they're g-gross, but it doesn't really go beyond that." Twitch admitted. "I've just been faking for the boys."

"...Wait, if you don't hate Changelings, then why are you hanging out with these guys?" Black frowned.

"It's a very long story." Twitch frowned, his memories going back to a certain mob family he'd betrayed. "Let's just say I made some ponies very mad and they want me dead."

"Heh, know that feeling..." Black scoffed.

"Well, for a while I have been hiding. It wasn't till I met the gang that I learned that there was safety in numbers." Twitch shrugged. "So here I stay..." He then frowned. "You're not going to tell anypony, are you-"

"Naw, your secret is safe with me." Black shook his head. "Just... surprised, is all."

"I imagine y-you are." Twitch sighed. "What must you think of m-me?"

"Hey, we all gotta lie sometime." Black declared. "Especially to fit in someplace. Trust me, I've done plenty of that, and there is no shame in it."

"I s-suppose you're right." Twitch smiled. "Thanks, R-Red. You really are something."

"So I've heard." Black smirked.

"J-just don't stay out too late." Twitch declared. "The boys wouldn't want you tired for tomorrow's hunt."

"I'll be along in just a second." Black declared.

"O-okay." Twitch nodded. "Oh, and Red? Thanks."

"Anytime." Black smiled, as Twitch went back inside. "Good to know I'm not the only pony here with secrets..."

You'll never know the psychopath sitting next to you
You'll never know the murderer sitting next to you
You'll think, how'd I get here sitting next to you
But after all I've said, please don't forget

During his new duties as scout, Black found an abandoned inn not far from the swamplands. Acknowledging that it would be far roomier than the shack, he informed Twitch of its location.

"N-nice find, Red." Twitch smiled, as he and the others appraised the location. "K-kind of dusty, but nice."

"Yeah, this is much roomier than that dingy shack." Dice noted.

"Well, I figured Changelings shouldn't be the only thing I should be scouting." Black declared. "Some new digs would be high on the list."

"There's even a bar!" Slice whooped. "Got a couple of decent aged wines in there!"

"Way to go, Red!" Another stallion cheered.

"You're the tops!" A second added.

"You rule!" A third grinned.

"Th-they're right, you know." Twitch smiled. "Thanks to you, we're doing better than ever. We owe you so much."

"Thanks..." Black frowned, unnerved by the sincere looks of gratitude on their faces.

All my friends are heathens
Take it slow
Wait for them to ask
Who you know

Please don't make any sudden moves
You don't know the half of the abuse

That evening, the group celebrated by drinking both the wine at the bar and the alcohol they'd brought along. There was much revelry, but Black was sitting in a corner, conflicted.

'These guys are really starting to like me.' He thought. 'And I... I like them. But I shouldn't. They're a bunch of racist thugs. But still... they're basically normal stallions. They're not military commanders, spies, or assassins. They're not using me, judging me, or telling me how to live my life. They accept me for me. It's been a while since I had company like this. ...Come on, Black, remember the mission. When the bombers have been dealt with, you need to rat these guys out to the cops. Even if they do like having you around...'

"Hey, Red!" Slice called. "Come and join us!"

"I'm good." Black retorted. "Don't wanna get too plastered. Still got work to do tomorrow..."

"Aw, come on!" Dice snorted. "Live a little, dude!"

"Red! Red! Red!" The others chanted.

"...Okay, maybe one more drink wouldn't hurt." Black shrugged.

Several drinks later, Black was completely drunk.

"Yeah, that's the stuff!" Black slurred. "Don't get this where I'm from."

"Too bad for you." Slice declared, accidentally bumping another stallion.

"Hey, watch it!" The stallion shoved him.

Slice was knocked into Dice, who spilled his drink on a further stallion.

"Why you..." The stallion tackled Dice.

In mere seconds, a full-fledged bar brawl began.

"Oh, yeah!" Black punched a stallion out. "Can't remember the last time I was in a good old-fashioned slobberknocker!"

They fought for the next five minutes, before inexplicably forgiving each other and going back to drinking.

"I love you guys... so freakin' much." Black slurred, only suffering a bruised cheek.

"I love you too." Slice smirked goofily, nursing a bleeding head wound.

"I love you like a brother... " Dice added. "Not him, though." He pointed to Slice. "He's lame compared to you."

"Thanks a lot." Slice pouted.

The other stallions drunkenly gabbled words of agreement.

"Thanks, guys." Black smiled. "You're all my brothers too." He raised his glass. "To brotherhood!"

"Brotherhood!" The others cheered.

They chugged more drinks, then passed out, one by one.

We don't deal with outsiders very well
They say newcomers have a certain smell
You have trust issues, not to mention
They say they can smell your intentions

You'll never know the freak show sitting next to you
You'll have some weird people sitting next to you
You'll think, how'd I get here sitting next to you
But after all I've said, please don't forget
(Watch it, watch it)

A few days later, Twitch approached Black.

"What's up, boss?" Black asked.

"O-our kill quota is up." Twitch smiled. "All thanks to y-you, Red."

"Hey, just doing my job." Black shrugged.

"A-and you do it so well." Twitch nodded. "S-so well, in fact, that I'm making you my second in command."

"You are?" Black gaped.

"Y-yep." Twitch nodded. "I-in fact, I can think of nopony better."

"Oh... thanks." Black mused, surprised.

"And as my second in command, y-you get the second best room in this joint." Twitch pointed out one of the luxury suites. "W-with my compliments."

"Thanks." Black declared.

Black actually found himself appreciating Twitch's generosity, as he settled into his new room.

'Twitch is a real nice guy, for a thug and a coward...' He thought. 'Maybe a little too nice...'

All my friends are heathens
Take it slow
Wait for them to ask
Who you know

Please don't make any sudden moves
You don't know the half of the abuse

Why'd you come, you knew you should have stayed
I tried to warn you just to stay away
And now they're outside, ready to bust
It looks like you might be one of us

The days passed. Black came to enjoy his work with the thugs, to the point where he was neglecting his commitments to the Taskforce. He was checking in with Elite less and less. The mirror was one way, so as to prevent a call at the wrong time blowing Black's cover. And Black was finding it less and less necessary to use it. In fact, with all the post-hunt fun he was having with the gang, sometimes it simply slipped his mind. And other times, he choose to ignore it...

After another successful hunt, Black sat in his room in the inn.

'I never thought this job could be so much fun.' Black thought. 'These guys really seem to get me. No more strategies, no more boring lectures... just getting the job done.'

Black lifted up the mirror.

'I guess Elite will want me to come back like a good little soldier when this is over...' Black stopped for a moment, considering what he had just thought. 'But maybe I don't want to. Maybe I like where I am now. Maybe I'm so good at playing the monster that I should make a full-time go of it.'

Black's grin turned wicked.

'In fact, why should I go along with this stupid Project: Argo? Why be a rabid attack dog when I could be a free wolf? No more orders, no more hiding, no more being held back... I'll be free to make my own choices... to be my own master. As far as everypony aside from the Taskforce knows, Black Knight Paladin is already dead, forever remembered as the traitor who murdered an entire village. Betrayed his own brother... betrayed by the ones he once called comrades...'

His grin faltered a bit, his mind going back to his friends.

'But then again, what about Armory?' Black thought. 'And Elite. Titan. Even that lousy Ballista. They're my friends. They need me. The Taskforce couldn't get by without me. I'm their best operative...'

Black's brief moment of doubt gave way to more unbalanced thinking.

'But that changes today.' Black declared. 'No more will I be used. I am going to be free to make my own choices. Start a whole new life... away from them, away from Shine and Mist, away from... Belle and Shade...' Black shook his head solemnly. 'Away from them all. Black Knight is no more... in his stead, I will be Red Eclipse!'

He then glanced downwards, giving a sneer.

'As the first order of business... I think the gang should be lead by somepony a bit more competent. After all, Black may take orders... but Red doesn't.' Black sneered.

Black walked downstairs, where Twitch and the other thugs were waiting.

"Ah, there you are, R-Red." Twitch declared. "It's about t-time. We have a lot of work to do."

"Yeah, we do." Black nodded. "But that's not your call anymore."

"...I-It's not?" Twitch frowned. "Says who?"

"Says me." Black scowled. "Your time as boss is done. I'm taking over. Got a problem with that?"

"...Say what now?" Twitch raised a brow. "What are you talking about?"

"This gang has been doing so much better since I came along." Black declared. "You said it yourself. I know what it means to possess true strategy, true cunning, and true leadership."

"He's got a point." Slice admitted. "I've never seen a pony as tough as him."

"Or as skilled." Dice added.

The others mumbled in agreement.

"Red, y-you can't be serious." Twitch frowned. "I mean, you're tough and all, but I doubt you have the smarts it takes to lead a-"

"Oh, not only do I have the smarts, but I am in every way a better leader than you." Black sneered, as he inched closer. "I'm bigger than you. I'm stronger than you. And I am not a coward who fakes hating stuff."

"Well... s-still..." Twitch stuttered, not liking how the stallion was looking at him, before scowling in defiance. "But that changes nothing! I have been running this group for months, and you can't just take that from me!"

"Can't I?" Black sneered. "You're probably only in charge because you're just smart enough to do an adequate job of leading these guys."

"H-how dare you..." Twitch seethed.

"And call me old-fashioned, but I think a real leader shouldn't have a stutter." Black sniggered.

"D-don't insult my st-stutter!" Twitch yelled. "It's a medical condition!"

"Yeah, and whoever heard of a Changeling hunter with a medical condition?" Black shrugged.

"Why, y-you..." Twitch spat.

"And it's not just that." Black added. "You're too soft to get the job done. We should be going after entire hives of Changelings, not a few hiding in caves!"

"H-hives?" Twitch gulped, shocked by the idea. "B-but that's-"

"Too much for your wimpy little mind to comprehend?" Black spat. "I thought so."

"Y-you..." Twitch snarled, his rage coming back.

"I'm taking over. And that's that." Black declared as he turned away.

"Oh no, you don't, motherbucker!" Twitch roared, as he pulled out his trusty butterfly knife. "Y-you won't take this from ME!"

He screamed as he held his knife high and charged Black... only for Black to quickly turn around and slap the knife out of Twitch's hoof effortlessly, grabbed him by the neck, and slammed him against the wall.

Every thug in the room went silent, horrified by what they were seeing. Twitch quivered in fear as he looked at Black, whimpering silently.

"I said, that's that." Black scowled, as he tightened his grip. "Is that going to be a problem, pal?"

"N-no." Twitch trembled. "No p-problem at all... boss."

"Anypony else?" Black snarled at the others.

"Nope." Slice gulped.

"No argument here." Dice quivered.

"Good." Black grinned, as he let Twitch go, dropping him to the ground. "Now, I say we're done going easy on those bugs. From now on, we won't stop until they're all exterminated... How does that sound, boys?"

"Sounds great!" Slice whooped.

"Let's do it!" Dice agreed.

The others followed suit.

"KIll 'em all!"

"Wipe 'em out!"

"You da stallion, Red!"

Twitch walked away from the scene.

"T-take my place, will you?" He snarled. "A-after all I've done for you? Go ahead. I-I'd leave, but it's not like I have anywhere else to go. I'll have to stay, but don't expect me to have your back anymore. One day, you'll meet your match, and I won't be sticking around then..."

Meanwhile, back at the Taskforce headquarters, the others was mulling over the recent lack of communication.

"I don't get it." Ballista frowned. "Black should have checked in by now."

"You don't think something happened to him, do you?" Armory fretted. "Maybe his cover was blown somehow, and they killed him."

"I highly doubt a bunch of thugs could cause Black any trouble, even if he was found out." Elite frowned. "I fear we may have a far greater problem at hoof..."

The present...

"So there you have it." Black said remorsefully. "The day I left my comrades behind, and gave in to my hate... and also, a need to talk to myself."

"Oh, geez." Caboose sighed. "And not only that, you started hanging around with Twitch, of all ponies!"

"Oh, right, I think I recall Twitch having a history with you and your brothers." Black cringed. "...What did he do to your family that was so bad?"

"He killed my eldest brother before I was born." Caboose deadpanned.

"...Oh." Black frowned. "Sorry."

"Forget about it. I only found out just before the Crystal Sun thing happened." Caboose shrugged. "Besides, now he's down in Tartarus, doing butt stuff with his bunkmate."

Down in Tartarus...

Both Tirek and Twitch were in their cells, and had somehow heard Caboose's remark.

"Th-that is not true!" Twitch yelled.

"As if I'd even come near this spineless fool..." Tirek sneered.

"H-hey!" Twitch spat.

Back on the surface...

"It's a real tragedy." Fletcher declared. "Everything you went through. All the loss and pain that twisted you into becoming Red Eclipse. It was a terrible thing. I see that now."

"So true." Pike sighed. "I didn't hear about it until later, but boy, was it a terrible thing to hear."

"No kidding." Black sighed. "But at the time, I thought it was the best thing I could've done. I felt like I was free. That I could do anything. I no longer had to answer to anypony. I was free to play by my own rules. But those rules would soon come to bite me in the ass..."

Author's Notes:

Heathens belongs to Twenty One Pilots.

Feel Invincible

"So we're finally here." Fletcher sighed. "The era of 'Red Eclipse'. The stallion that would go on to try and take over Equestria."

"'Fraid so." Black nodded. "I know there's no excuse for the things I did... but I was in a really dark place. I knew the things I did were wrong... but I was okay with that, even if I didn't want to be. I did a lot of things that I wasn't proud of..."

"I know how that feels." Pike sighed. "I lost my way for a long time. And to think, it happened to you, only ten times worse."

"No kidding." Black frowned. "I really jumped into the deep end on that one. I thought I was on top of the world, that nothing could stop me. But I didn't know how wrong I was."

Many years ago...

Black, in his new identity of 'Red Eclipse', continued his campaign of hatred against the Changelings. At that point, he didn't even care about his supposed mission, only that he was enjoying himself.

"Great job today, boys!" He told his gang after a particularly successful hunt. "We showed those lousy bugs who's boss!"

"It's all thanks to you, boss!" Slice declared.

"Yeah." Dice nodded. "You're the one leadin' us to glory!"

"Yeah, you're way better than our last boss!" Another stallion added. "...No offense, Twitch."

"S-sure." Twitch scowled. "No problem."

"Hey, you should be grateful I kept you on as my second-in-command." Black glared at Twitch. "After that stunt you pulled with the knife, I could've just tossed your flank outta here. But I didn't. You owe me for that one, right?" He glared more deeply. "Right?"

"R-right... boss." Twitch sighed.

"That's the spirit." Black smiled. "Now, what say we eat, drink and be merry, knowing that we're so much closer to driving those bugs out of Equestria?"

"Yeah!" The gang cheered.

"Terrific." Black smirked. "You boys really deserve it..."

The next day, the gang tracked down some Changelings who were hiding in nearby caverns.

"That's it, boys!" Black roared, as he slammed one into the cave wall. "Let 'em have it!"

"You will not win, vile one." One Changeling groaned.

"Oh, really?" Black smirked. "How do you figure that?"

"The prophecy." The Changeling smirked.

"The what now?" Black frowned.

"Oh, r-right." Twitch remembered. "I-it's a thing that Changelings have been talking about for a while. They believe that in their darkest hour, Star Swirl The Bearded's great-grandson or something will fall out of the sky and save them from our wrath or some crap."

"Well that's a steaming pile of mule dung." Black snorted. "What pony would ever want to help a Changeling?" He punched the Changeling hard. "Maybe that'll knock some sense into you."

Another Changeling suddenly tackled Black.

"Not all of us believe in that ridiculous prophecy!" He snarled. "Some of us prefer to put destiny in our own hooves!"

"Goody-goody for you." Black sneered, grappling with his foe. "...Too bad your precious Queen doesn't think that way. Signing a peace treaty with our kind..."

"She does not speak for all of us!" The Changeling raged. "I represent the true way of the Changeling!"

'Wait, that sounds famliar...' Black thought.

"I, and those like me, reject that ridiculous treaty!" The Changeling roared. "We have been taking measures to voice our disapproval and show the ponies that we will NEVER forgive their transgressions against us!"

"What are you talking about?" Black glared.

"Well, in case you hadn't heard, those 'bombings' in Canterlot? Yeah, that was us!" The Changeling boasted.

"Wait... so you're one of the cowardly creepy-crawlies responsible for those attacks?" Black glared.

"You're damn right I am!" The Changeling snarled. "But Canterlot is only the beginning. Thanks to you and your insolent subordinates, we have decided that in five days time, we will not only get rid of our foolish bretheren and our idiotic Queen, but be rid of all of you!"

"Attacking your own kind, huh?" Black sneered in mock amusement, though a part of him was actually disgusted. "You bugs are worse than I thought."

"Mock us if you will, but from the ashes of our now weak colony will rise a new Changeling society, one that will have nothing to do with you ponies." The Changeling declared. "We will spit on your treaty, and show all of Equestria who the greater race is!"

"Wanna bet?" Black broke the grapple and put the Changeling in a headlock. "I'd say your buddies are about to be one Changeling short..."

"Get... off..." The Changeling strained.

"For the record, I'm not a big fan of the treaty either." Black admitted, tightening his grip. "In fact, I might even let you go because of our shared disgust of it... if I didn't want you blabbing to your pals about this."

"No..." The Changeling grunted, running out of air.

"But I won't let you go... not until every last bit of breath is gone from your lungs." Black said darkly.

"Uhhhh...." The Changeling gasped his last breath.

"And now I'll let you go." Black smirked, dropping the dead body.

"G-good work, boss." Twitch declared. "Th-the rest are either dead or fleeing."

"What say we call it a day?" Black declared. "I could use a siesta."

"O-of course, sir." Twitch nodded. He turned to the others. "M-move out, boys!"

As they left the cave, Black reflected on what the Changeling had said.

'So they're going to do what they did to Canterlot to their own hive?' He thought, as a feeling in the back of his head caused him to consider the implications. 'That's kinda twisted, when you think about it...' Black shook his head with a scoff. 'Come on, get real. The bug was probably just trying to mess with me. Trying to scare me and my boys off. Like hell they would kill thousands of their own... that's just stupid...'

Later that evening, Black lay on his king-sized bed in his room, which was formerly Twitch's.

"Ah, this is the life." He sighed happily. "No more orders, no more answering to anypony... I'm free to do whatever I want, whenever I want. And right now, I wanna listen to some tunes."

Black donned his headphones and switched on the tapeplayer.

Target on my back, lone survivor lasts, they got me in their sights
No surrender, no trigger fingers go, living the dangerous life
Hey, hey, hey
Everyday when I wake, I'm trying to get up, they're knocking me down
(Chewing me up, spitting me out)
Hey, hey, hey
When I need to be saved, you're making me strong, you're making me stand
(Never will fall, never will end)
Shot like a rocket up into the sky, nothing could stop me tonight

You make me feel invincible
Earthquake, powerful
Just like a tidal wave, you make me brave
You're my titanium
Fight song, raising up
Like a roar of victory in a stadium
Who can touch me cause I'm...
(I'm made of fire)
Who can stop me tonight
(I'm hard wired)
You make me feel invincible!

"That's me, alright." He chuckled. "I'm invincible... and there's not a Faust damn thing anypony can-"

Just then, there was a scratching sound. Black turned in the sound's direction, perturbed.

"What the...?" Black stood up, concerned, as the room's window seemed to open by itself.

Suddenly, there was a flicker in the air, as none other than Titan himself was now standing in his room, having turned off his camouflage.

"Titan?!" Black gaped, as he let out a sigh of relief, glaring. "Lauren Faust, don't you scare me like that!"

"Rrrooo." Titan shrugged.

"It's good to see you though, ya big mutt." Black grinned.

"Rrrf!" Titan hugged him.

"What the hell are you doing here anyways?" Black broke out of the hug.

"He's here, because I sent him here."

"Huh?" Black frowned, having heard Elite's voice. "Who said that?"

"I did."

Black glanced at Titan, who then held up a mirror, with Elite's face on it. And judging by the scowl on his face, he wasn't too happy.

"Oh... Elite." Black said flatly.

"Black, you'd better have a good excuse as to why you haven't been checking in." Elite glared.

"Sorry, boss." Black shrugged. "Must've slipped my mind."

"Faust damn it, Black, we were all worried about you!" Elite growled, "I thought you'd been compromised, that you were dead-"

"Relax, sir, I'm fine." Black scoffed. "In fact, you wasted your time. Everything has been going surprisingly well lately."

"Is that right?" Elite challenged. "Well, I'll have you know that I sent Titan out earlier to check on you, and what he told me was most discomforting."

"Is that right?" Black glared at Titan, who in turn cringed under his glare.

"Yes. He told me that you seem to have taken over leadership of the gang, and that you have been taking your 'harassment' of the Changelings to the extreme." Elite declared, crossing his hooves. "Even murdered a few of them."

"Hey, I had to keep in character, didn't I?" Black defended. "If I held back even an inch, I would have lost my boys' respect."

"...Your boys'... respect?" Elite asked, stupefied.

"Yeah. These guys really grew on me." Black smiled. "For the first time in forever, I have friends not affiliated with some secret organization!"

"...And who are a bunch of bigoted murderers." Elite glared. "Not really the kind of ponies I would be friends with."

"Yeah, but I'm not you." Black countered. "Besides, they're not so bad."

"I highly doubt that." Elite frowned. "If I were you, I'd avoid forming attachments to ponies like them at all costs."

"Well, that's the difference between you and me." Black sneered. "You see, these ponies... I feel a kind of kinship with them... they like me for me, not for what they think I should be."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Elite frowned.

"It doesn't matter." Black shook his head. "The point is that I feel more alive than I have been these past years."

"Alive, huh?" Elite scowled. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say it looks like you're actually enjoying slaughtering those innocent Changelings."

"Well, looks can be deceiving." Black shrugged.

"...Okay, Black, I think we might need to pull you out." Elite frowned. "You are clearly getting carried away with this fantasy of yours."

"Fantasy?" Black scoffed. "This is no fantasy, Elite. I am enjoying my new way of life. Not having to hide who I am, free to do what I want, and not having to take orders from anypony but myself! I am Red Eclipse, the head of the Changeling busting gang!"

"But this isn't you!" Elite glared. "You're not Red Eclipse! You are Black Knight Paladin!"

"Well, maybe I'm tired of being Black Knight Paladin." Black scowled. "What does he have? He gave everything to protect Equestria, but what does he have to show for it, huh?"

"Honor, and righteousness." Elite countered. "You did what was right for your country, in spite of the consequences to yourself. You were a true patriot."

"And where did being a patriot get me?" Black snorted. "I ended up losing my brother, the mare I love, and to top things off, I was stuck inside your headquarters most of the time, because I was painted as a traitor to all Equestria! Well, I've had enough! I want my freedom back!" He started shaking in both anger and anguish. "Is that too much to ask for? Well, is it?"

"Black, please." Elite tried to calm. "I understand all the pain you've been through. And I've always been proud of you for shouldering it. Please, don't falter now. I know you can rise above this-"

"You don't know nothin'." Black growled. "But let me enlighten you: I am sick and tired of being a part of your little Taskforce, of putting my hide on the line time and again, and having no life of my own in return. And you think I'll willingly go back to that life, giving up my first taste of freedom in years? Fat chance."

"But what about the mission, Black?" Elite asked. "The innocent lives in danger from those bombers?!"

"Please." Black snorted. "Those bombers are probably in hiding right now. I had the displeasure of meeting one of those buckers face to face."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, you met one of the bombers?!" Elite gasped.

"That's right." Black nodded. "The punk barely put up a fight. He went off on a rant about how he was going to be rid of us and the hive in five days."

"...And when did this altercation happen?" Elite asked, not liking where the conversation was going.

"Just today, actually." Black shrugged.

"...Are you bucking kidding me?!" Elite snarled. "Why didn't you tell us immediately?! The whole reason you were here was to lure out the bombers!"

"Because it's a load of garbage." Black sneered. "That Changeling was probably just trying to scare me. Like they'd even attack their own hive."

"You don't know what they're capable of. None of us do." Elite declared. "We must act immediately."

"You mean you must act immediately." Black snorted. "I'm done with your little Taskforce. I'm not going back."

"But why? I don't understand." Elite frowned. "All of us have stood by your side through thick and thin. Ever since Saddle Arabia. Me, Armory, Titan, Ballista... why would you throw that away for these scumbags?"

"Maybe because I can trust them to be straight with me." Black sneered. "To be completely honest in what they need me for."

"Please, Black, don't do this..." Elite whispered. "The team needs you... I need you...."

"No... you need Black... but Black has been dead for a long time..." Black sighed, as he turned away. "All that remains now... is Red Eclipse. And Red Eclipse will be here forever..."

"I won't let you do this to yourself, Black." Elite glared. "I'm not just going to stand by and let you walk away. You are coming back with us effective immediately... Titan will drag you back if he has to."

"Rrf!" Titan barked.

"You can try, big fella." Black glared. "But we both know I'll put up a fight. And then there's all my boys, right outside this room... Think you can take us all?"

"Roo?" Titan frowned. While he was sure he could take on the entirety of the gang (his experiences with many of Forefathers' lackies could attest to his skill), he wasn't sure of his chances if Black was among their numbers.

"I don't want to hurt you, Titan. But I will if I have to." Black declared solemnly. "Just leave, now."

"Black, don't do this..." Elite pleaded.

"I've made my choice." Black said flatly. "Now get out of here, Titan. Before I call for back-up."

Elite was about to make a rebuttal... but only sighed.

"Very well." Elite sighed. "Time to go, Titan."

Titan whimpered sadly as he exited through the window.

"And don't come back." Black said coldly.

Back at the Taskforce headquarters, Elite lowered the mirror sadly, burying his face in his hooves.

"It's finally happened." He sighed. "The day I feared most has come at last..."

Despite his sadness, Elite wasted no time in gathering the others in the meeting room.

"Everypony, I have just received some perturbing news." Elite revealed. "To begin with, I have been informed by Black that the bombers have intentions of attacking their own hive within a few days' time."

"What? Attacking their own hive and fellow Changelings?" Incognito gaped. "Oh, crap, this is more serious than we thought."

"Do we have any details?" Ballista asked. "Any idea of how they're going to do it or where?"

"Well, if these bombers are planning on attacking the hive, it stands to reason they will go by the same M.O.: planting charges in underground caverns." Mastermind surmised. "The only question would be where in those caverns. And a big question, at that..."

"Still, at least we know what the bombers are planning now." Armory smiled. "Good old Black. He always gets the job done." He glanced at Elite. "Where is Black, anyways?"

Elite remained silent, a deep frown on his face.

"...Elite?" Ballista asked, concern rising within him. "What's wrong? What happened to Black?"

"Black..." Elite sighed, as he glanced at his comrades, sadness in his eyes. "Black has decided to stay where he is."

"What?!" Everypony gasped, Ballista and Armory louder than others.

"What do you mean, stay where he is?!" Armory gaped.

"You can't be serious!" Ballista yelled. "Black can't honestly want to stay with those motherf-"

"I am." Elite nodded. "Or rather, he does. It appears Black enjoys his new life too much to give it up."

"I knew Black wasn't the nicest guy, but still..." Incognito muttered.

"Yeah, how about that?" Armory glared at Ballista. "Who could have possibly seen that coming?"

"Don't you start-" Ballista spat.

"Enough." Elite said firmly. "As much as it pains me to say this, Black must wait. We have a far more pressing matter to attend to. We must stop those Changelings from destroying their hive, or the peace treaty will be for nothing." He turned to Mastermind. "Mastermind, I need everything you can find on those caverns, and where the best place to set charges would be."

"Sir." Mastermind nodded.

"Incognito, find us the best way to get there unnoticed." Elite continued.

"Of course." Incognito nodded.

After their comrades left, Armory glared at Elite and Ballista.

"I hope you're both happy." He spat. "You did this to Black. What's happened to him is all your fault."

"Don't you dare pin this on us-" Ballista snarled.

"I know you're disappointed, Armory." Elite sighed. "I am, too. Disappointed in myself for ever allowing things to go this far... But for now, we must focus on the task at hoof."

"I guess you're right." Armory sighed. "But we're not done talking about this."

Ballista scowled as Armory walked away.

"Mouthy little punk." He spat. "Where does he get off, judging us? Right?"

Elite simply walked away in shame.

'Oh, Black.' He thought. 'I've failed you. I know better than most that the path you've chosen can only lead into ever darker places, and I did practically nothing to stop you from going down it. How long will it be, before every shred of goodness is eradicated from your soul?'

A couple of days later, Black was sitting in his room, enjoying a cigar after a long day of hunting down Changelings. The lights weren't on, the only source of illumination being the cigar.

'Now this is more like it.' He thought to himself. 'Me, doing what I want to, nopony to give me orders, to tell me I'm doing the wrong thing. I'm free to protect Equestria my own way... by squashing every filthy bug I see.' He moved the cigar from one side of his mouth to the other. 'Let Elite and the others go on their wild goose chase. They probably won't find anything, anyway. But if they do, I just hope Armory and Titan come out of there okay. Couldn't give a fig about the rest, though...'

At that moment, the door to Black's room opened, and Twitch, Slice and Dice entered.

"C-come on you two, hurry up!" Twitch urged.

"Yeah, yeah." Slice growled. "We're hurrying."

"Why is it so dark in here, anyway?" Dice frowned. "Did the lightbulb blow, or something?"

Black's face shifted into a sneer. He had never much minded the dark, and actually found it relaxing. That is, when others weren't barging in on his solitude.

"Ahem." He said firmly.

Twitch, Slice and Dice froze as they realized Black was aware of their presence.

"Twitch… Slice… Dice… I take it that you three have a reason for disturbing my 'me' time?" Black asked with an annoyed tone.

Slice and Dice were quivering, obviously in fear of him, as they pushed Twitch forward. The blue pony gulped as he began.

"H-hello, er, Eclipse, sir… h-how ya d-doing this fine af-af-af-af-af-"

"Motherbucker, not this again..." Black whispered to himself, now familiar with Twitch's tendency to get caught in a 'loop' when stressed. He slammed a hoof onto the floorboards, causing them to shake. "I do not have time to humor you in your frivolous and pathetic stuttering, Twitch. Do you have anything worthwhile to report, or will I have to give you a repeat of what happened when you last bothered me?"

"Oh no, not that!" Slice whimpered.

"My back's still trying to fix itself from the last time!" Dice wept, referring to an earlier incident that week regarding a jockstrap.

Twitch let out a shuddering sigh as he continued. "N-no need for t-that, sir. Y-you see, w-w-we m-m-might have a situation…"

"Might have?" Black scoffed. At this point in his life, he doubted there was anything that could surprise him.

"Y-yes…you see, we r-ran into some runty Changeling out n-n-near the forest." Twitch explained. "W-we were about to give him the business, but this Unicorn 'wizard' guy s-stopped us."

'Wizard?' Black frowned. 'Why does that sound familiar?'

"He had some powerful tricks, boss." Slice chipped.

"Yeah, his cards and exploding dice thingies-" Dice was about to say.

"Wait, you mean to tell me that some nopony scared you off with playing cards and a gimmick pair of dices?" Black asked incredulously.

"Yep. Sent us runnin'!" Dice nodded.

"Utterly pathetic." Black snorted. "There should never be any pony under my command that could be scared off by a bunch of cheap magic tricks! I should be rid of you all right on the spot!"

"B-but there's more to it than that, boss." Twitch insisted. "You r-remember that prophecy the old bug went on about that our s-s-spy overheard a c-couple months back?"

"You mean that confounded drabble about some mad Unicorn wizard with the blood of an even more mad wizard's blood falling out of the sky and rising up to face me and my army?" Black snorted.

"That b-be the one, sir." Twitch nodded.

"It's complete and utter bull-crud." Black scoffed. "Even if there is a unicorn dumb enough to face me, who would risk their hide for a bunch of measly shape-shifting vermin?"

Twitch shuffled his hooves a little. "Actually, s-sir… you know that Unicorn we m-mentioned?"

"Yes?" Black frowned. 'Why do I feel like I'm not going to like where this is going...'

"I d-don't know the whole story, but those Ch-ch-changelings are in a-an uproar about the g-guy and…" He trailed off, trying not to gaze at the pony in front of him.

"…And?" Black asked, getting impatient.

"I really d-don't know h-how to p-put this…" Twitch muttered.

"Get on with it!" Dice barked desperately.

"Yes, get on with it!" Slice ushered on.

"Yeah, get on with it!" A clamor of unknown voices demanded.

Everypony stood there in silence.

"O-oh geez, w-what was t-that all about-"

"Get on with it!" Black bellowed, the floorboards shaking again with another stomp. 'I swear to Faust, if he drags this out any longer, I'll-'

"Alright, alright!" Twitch stammered. "The thing is… the Changelings s-seem to b-believe that this Unicorn is the w-wizard… the one t-that will r-rise up and s-stop you…" Immediately, he winced, preparing for pain.

Black paused, his mind slowly processing what Twitch just said. The pony that was supposedly destined to beat him... was here, in the territory. The one pony that could threaten his newly found freedom. Black didn't like that at all. Whether it was his bloodlust or curiosity, he knew one thing... he wasn't going to let this stand.

He dropped his cigar, crushing and grinding it with his hoof, as he approached his second-in-command, his size overshadowing the quivering pony, who looked fearfully up at him and his devilish grin.

"...Is that a fact?" Black questioned. "Well then… perhaps I should meet this 'great wizard' in pony, and see if he lives up to the hype..."

And meet the "wizard" he did. The very next day, Black had Twitch lead him and the gang to the hive, determined to see who the so-called "wizard" was and see if he was truly worth the hype the prophecy had given him...

What he found seemed to be little more than a glorified stage magician.

'This is the guy they've been hoping for?' He thought, as he appraised the stage magician (whom they called "Sleight"). 'Gimmee a break... Well, he might still be good for a laugh.'

It took some doing for Black to goad Sleight into fighting. Taunting his goals and beliefs didn't do much. In fact, it seemed that Sleight was moments away from fleeing in fear... had Black not slapped Queen Chrysalis. That seem to have struck a nerve with him.

"Hey!" Sleight leapt forward in response. "Leave her alone!"

"Like bugs, do you?" Black smirked as he waved his hooves tauntingly. "Come on then, hero. Give me your best shot."

"Take this!" Sleight flung his cards at Black, who jumped aside effortlessly.

'Playing cards?' Black sneered. 'Seriously?'

Sleight threw more cards, but Black simply destroyed them, ripping them apart with his hooves and teeth.

"Card tricks won't save your hide!" He taunted.

"Oh, then maybe a couple of dice will!" Sleight roared, as he threw a pair right at him… only for Black to catch them with his hoof.

"I think not…" Black chuckled darkly. He squeezed the dice, making a small boom in his clutched hoof.

Sleight reached for another pair of trick dice. In an instant, Black was upon him, grabbing his hoof before he could throw them.

"No more tricks." Black snarled. "Let's see how well you fight like a stallion!"

Black proceeded to pummel Sleight. What little blows Sleight returned were next to useless. It wasn't long before Black had him against the ropes.

"Come on, surely this isn't all you have to offer, is it?" Black taunted Sleight. 'It better not be...'

Sleight responded by firing several blasts from his horn. Black barely even felt them as they impacted on his hide.

"How disappointing." Black shook his head. 'I barely felt those.'

Sleight pulled up another deck of cards, but Black quickly ran towards him and clutched his horn, giving him a massive headbutt. Sleight went down once more, and Black rained down punches on him.

"Unbelievable… this is your savior?!" Black roared out to all the Changelings around him. "Surely you jest! This pony is no savior! He's a weakling!" He kicked Sleight. "A cheap trickster!" He kicked him again. "Nothing but a pathetic sideshow act!" He kicked him even harder.

'This is for making me waste my time...' Black thought viciously.

Once he'd had his fill of beating Sleight, Black picked him up and threw him through the wall of a nearby hut. He could have finished him off then and there, but chose not to. Instead, he showed off the cannons his gang had been stockpiling, with the promise of returning in three days time to level the hive. He then departed, so that the Changelings could stew in fear and helplessness a little longer.

'So much for their great savior...' Black thought, as he and his minions returned to the inn. 'How pathetic. I'm actually doing them a favor by wiping them out.'

Once Black returned to the inn, he urged his gang to work double time on the cannons. Some had been bought, some had been stolen, but they were all intended to be used on the Changeling hive.

"That's it, boys!" He smiled. "Let's get those things loaded! It won't be long before that lousy hive is nothing but a charred memory!"

"Yeah!" The crowd cheered, as they primed and loaded the cannons one by one.

"This is it, Twitch." Black smirked. "My crowning achievement."

"Y-yes, boss." Twitch nodded, before adding under his breath "Though it should be mine..."

"What was that?" Black glared.

"N-nothing!" Twitch gulped.

"Exactly." Black nodded, before turning back to the crowd. "Listen up, fellas! From this day forth, we're not just hunters, not just a gang, not just stallions. We are soldiers, fighting to keep Equestria pure. And soon, we will make that dream a reality, by crushing those lousy bugs once and for all!"

The gang cheered once more.

For the next couple of days, they got to work, preparing for their big attack. On the morning of the third day, Black was overlooking the hive, having taken notice of the Changelings not leaving the territory despite his warnings. He had already sent Twitch back to oversee the final preparations, giving him time to think about what was up ahead.

'At long last.' He thought triumphantly. 'We're gonna wipe out those bugs. We'll rid Equestria of this infestation once and for all'

But at that moment, a part of Black from deep down inside spoke up.

'But I don't have the right to do this, do I?' He frowned, suddenly mired in doubt. 'Wipe out an entire species. That was never on my bucket list...'

But, just as quickly, the fog of rage and madness clouded Black's mind.

'Ah, buck it.' He scowled. 'They've got this coming anyway. Besides, I've already come this far. There's no going back now. Only forward. and speaking of forward...'

His face set in determination, Black left the room, ready to make his big push.

'Say goodbye, bugs...' He thought.

Moments later, Black was leading his fully-armed followers to the hive, ready to attack.

"This is it, troops!" He roared. "We're gonna crush those filthy bugs under our hooves! Take no prisoners!"

The assembled ponies cheered, and they all marched towards the hive.

'If only Elite and the others could see me now.' Black sneered. 'They'd know what a "sociopath" like me can really do. I'll bet Elite and Ballista would be proud of their pet project...'

At the same time, the Taskforce members were making their way through the caverns beneath the area, intent on confronting the bombers.

"Are we on track, Inc?" Armory asked.

"I think so." Incognito nodded. "We make a left at the next turn, which should take us directly under the hive."

"Which of course would make a perfect place to set off explosive charges." Mastermind declared. "Enough charges in the right places could collapse the entire hive."

"I'm just surprised that there's no security down here." Incognito mused. "I hear the hive have been using some of these caverns for storage."

"Well, according to Titan, the hive has been working tirelessly these past three days to combat you-know-who." Mastermind declared.

"What do you know? It turns out Black's little tantrum actually made things a little easier for us." Ballista smirked.

"Oh yes... but it also made things easier for the bombers." Armory scowled. "So, yeah, that justifies nothing you did!"

"Knock it off." Ballista scowled. "I can't take any more of your whining..."

"Hey, is everything okay between you guys?" Incognito frowned.

"Yes. I noticed that in the past couple of years, there has been a bit of a spat going on between you two." Mastermind mused. "And I'm starting to think that it might be concerning Black."

"It's nothing you gotta be concerning your big brain about." Ballista glared.

"Are you sure about that?" Armory asked. "Trust is vital to working as a team. And keeping secrets can really damage that trust."

"Secrets?" Incognito frowned. "What's he talking about?"

"Nothing, that's what." Ballista snarled. "He doesn't know anything."

"I know more than you think." Armory retorted. "For example, I know my comrades are more than just pieces on a game board, to manipulate as I see fit!"

"Why, you self-righteous little-" Ballista started.

"Rrr..." Titan growled, as they rounded a corner.

"What is it, Ti?" Incognito frowned.

"Ruh!" Titan pointed down a tunnel.

"He must have the bombers' scent." Mastermind declared.

"Then let's go!" Ballista nodded. "Titan, lead the way!"

"Rrrf!" Titan charged down the tunnel, the Taskforce right behind him.

As they moved further into the tunnels, they heard voices.

"What's taking so long?" One voice asked irritably.

"We're going as fast as we can." Another voice replied.

"We'd be going faster if Mandible hadn't let that pony thug kill him..." A third voice snarled.

"That fool deserved to die, if he let himself get taken so easily." A fourth spat.

"Whatever." The first voice growled. "Let's just finish setting the charges and be done with it."

"That's our cue." Ballista smiled.

The Taskforce charged forward, confronting a quartet of soldier Changelings, with several explosives lining the walls.

"Hold it right there, ya overgrown roaches!" Ballista yelled.

"Ponies?!" The biggest Changeling gaped. "Here?"

"Why-?" A more rounded Changeling asked.

"Are we here?" Mastermind smirked. "We're here because we know what you're up to."

"We won't let you demolish this hive like you did those buildings in Canterlot." Incognito added.

"Oh, great, just what we needed." The biggest Changeling scowled. "More meddlesome ponies sticking their noses in our business."

"Your business?" Incognito frowned. "You made it our business when you attacked Canterlot."

"But we aren't around Canterlot." A stocky Changeling growled. "So why are you here?"

"Maybe because we don't like the idea of any innocent lives, no matter the race, getting blown to bits." Mastermind declared.

"Where did you guys even find these kinds of explosives?" Armory asked. "The bombs you used have been banned from the markets."

"Eh, we got 'em from a couple of guys in cloaks." A smaller Changeling shrugged. "They were having a clearance sale, actually."

"Guys in cloaks..." Ballista frowned, as he then asked. "Did they have these pendants with-"

"The birds and the two Fs?" The smaller Changeling finished. "Yeah. Why?"

"Aw, crap..." Ballista snarled, as he then glared at the soldiers. "Okay, why don't we take a step back from the explosives and try to talk this out? There's no need for things to get rough."

"Not a chance!" The biggest Changeling spat. "No matter what the Queen may say, we do not bow to pony ways! To our dying breath, we deny that damn treaty!"

"But why?!" Armory scowled. "This treaty has to easily be the best thing that's happened to you guys in forever! Why are you so insistent on carrying on this war?"

"Because we are greater, and more powerful than your weakling kind!" The rounded Changeling sneered. "We don't need to be at peace with you ponies!"

"We prey on ponies, remember?" The smaller Changeling spat. "But for some reason, Chrysalis has decided to destroy our entire way of life!"

"From what I've heard, your old way of life was destroying you." Mastermind remarked. "Attacking ponies, only to be repelled and wounded... if you'd kept it up, it would only have been a matter of time before your entire species perished."

"Maybe to the weak minds of ponies, it would seem that way!" The stocky Changeling sneered. "But we Changelings hold to a more dignified mindset!"

"Wait, wasn't there a Changeling who moved to the Crystal Empire, and made friends with the ponies there?" Incognito asked.

"We do not speak of that traitor!" The biggest Changeling growled. "Bad enough he thought that way, but now the Queen herself does too! We will not stand for such a base betrayal of our beliefs, even from our ruler!"

"Even if it means a better life for you all?" Armory pointed out.

"We have differing definitions of the term 'better'." The small Changeling declared.

"And for us, 'better' would not be sullying ourselves by making peace with ponies." The rounded Changeling declared. "We will not throw away our proud heritage that easily."

"Well, we're sorry that you don't like change." Ballista scowled. "Kinda ironic given you're Changelings, really."

"Oh, to Tartarus with you!" The bigger Changeling roared.

"We cannot allow you to carry out this attack." Armory stepped forth. "We won't let you spurn the peace that the other Changelings had yearned for!"

"We don't want peace... only war!" The bigger Changeling bellowed, "Get them!"

"Well, you heard 'im." Ballista growled. "Take 'em down!"

The Taskforce charged the Changelings.

"I'll rip you apart!" The smaller one charged Armory.

"I think not!" Armory dodged his blows, then fired a dart the Changeling, electrocuting him. "You like my bug zapper?"

"Ahh!" The Changeling yelled. "You little..."

Titan tackled the broadest Changeling, clamping his jaws around his hoof.

"Get off me, you mangy mutt!" The Changeling kicked Titan in the head.

At the same time, Incognito and Mastermind double-teamed another Changeling.

"Two against one?" The Changeling sneered. "It still won't be enough..."

"We'll see about that, insect." Mastermind scowled.

"And you ponies wonder why true Changelings hate you..." The Changeling growled.

"If by 'true Changelings', you mean sickos who attack their own kind..." Incognito declared.

"Don't you dare judge me!" The Changeling charged.

Incognito and Mastermind leapt to the side, they charged at the Changeling together, knocking him to the ground.

Meanwhile, Ballista was locked in battle with the lead Changeling, exchanging vicious blows.

"You're pretty tough for a soft-skin." The Changeling admitted, rubbing his jaw. "But it won't help you against a superior foe."

"Big talk, comin' from an over-grown horsefly." Ballista sneered.

"Why, you-!" The Changeling punched Ballista hard, knocking him against the cavern wall. "And you call us insects..."

Titan grabbed his opponent's sides, and threw him up into the ceiling above.

"Ugh!" The Changeling grunted.

As the Changeling dropped downwards, Titan punched him, knocking him across the cavern and into unconsciousness.

Incognito and Mastermind were having trouble with their foe. They were still unused to direct battle, and their opponent was stronger then they were.

"Come on!" The Changeling punched Mastermind, knocking him back into Incognito. "Give me a real fight!"

"Any ideas, big brain?" Incognito asked, pushing Mastermind off him.

"As a matter of fact, yes." Mastermind nodded. "Time for a maneuver number twelve."

"Ooh, nice one." Incognito nodded.

The two circled their enemy.

"What is this?" The Changeling snorted. "Running away?"

"Hardly." Mastermind smirked.

Incognito and Mastermind began leaping and, in Incognito's case, flipping all around the Changeling.

"Stop that!" The Changeling yelled.

"What's the matter, big guy?" Incognito grinned. "Can't keep up?"

"Stop dancing around and fight me!" The Changeling yelled. He lunged for his targets, but they evaded him. "Rarrh!"

Before long, the Changeling grew disorientated. Incognito and Mastermind seized their chance to move in close and punch him in the face at the same time, knocking him out.

"Was that real enough for you?" Mastermind smirked.

Meanwhile, Armory used some expanding, quick-hardening foam to pin his opponent to the floor.

"Hey, no fair!" The Changeling yelled.

"'No fair'?" Armory snorted. "The way I hear it, you Changelings love this trick."

"Yeah... when we do it!" The Changeling roared.

"Too bad." Armory jabbed another electrocuting dart into him, knocking him out. "Because it looks like I do it better."

Ballista punched the final Changeling, standing him stumbling back. The Changeling looked around, realizing that his comrades were all down.

"Looks like it's game over, pal." Ballista declared.

"Not just yet." The Changeling held up a remote. "Enough charges are set that I can bring down the entire hive."

"Not if we stop you first." Incognito smirked.

"But can you get to me before I throw the switch?" The Changeling taunted.

"Statistically, that seems unlikely." Mastermind admitted, but he then frowned at the Changeling. "But you realize that if you do this, you'll not only kill us and possibly everypony above us, but your friends and yourselves!"

"I do realize that." The Changeling nodded. "But even if my own life is forfeit, I will see to it that the only Changelings that remain after all this are the true Changelings, who will keep our true legacy alive! By my will, this all ends now!"

As the Changeling reached for the switch, a crossbow dart shattered the remote.

"Wha- No!" The Changeling yelled, picking up the shattered pieces.

"Yes." Ballista lowered his crossbow. "Surprised? You shouldn't be. I figured hoof-to-hoof would be fair, so I ditched the crossbow."

"YAAARRRGGHH!!" The Changeling charged at Ballista, enraged at the foiling of his plan.

"Nighty night!" Ballista struck him with the butt of his crossbow, knocking him out.

"So that's that, then." Armory sighed.

"Ruff!" Titan barked.

"Not just yet." Incognito declared. "First, we have to remove the bombs."

"Then take these miscreants back up to the surface." Mastermind added.

"Then maybe we can do something about Black?" Armory said hopefully.

"We can try." Ballista shrugged. "But for now, we finish the mission. And hope Black isn't causing too much trouble topside..."

Up above, Black's forces had run into many traps and pitfalls, set by the Changelings, no doubt. They had lost quite a few stallions to those traps. But Black refused to give up, continuing to lead the charge into the hive. Before long, they stormed the village, though the Changelings stood ready. Chrysalis stood at the front of the gathered fighters.

"Still here, queenie?" Black smirked. "Fine. On your head be it."

"Changelings, defend our home!" Chrysalis yelled.

'You can try...' Black sneered.

The Changelings put up a decent fight, but Black's forces had sheer numbers on their side. That, and something more...

"Ready the cannons!" Black ordered.

Twitch led the rear flank in unloading their cannons.

"F-fire!" Twitch ordered.

The cannons erupted their ordinance at the Changelings, scattering them with each hit.

"It won't be that easy!" Chrysalis, flying above them, fired another beam, destroying a cannon. One that was particularly close to Black.

"Gah... son of a draft horse!" Black snarled, as he then stormed over to another cannon, shoving the stallion aside. "Step aside, morons!"

Quickly, he swung it in Chrysalis' direction.

'Hasta la vista, Queenie...' He thought, as he fired.

Chrysalis dodged the shot, but not quickly enough. The ensuing explosion sent her crashing to the ground.

"Now that's how it's done!" Black told his soldiers. "Think you can follow my lead?"

"Yes, sir!" The soldiers chorused, inspired by their leader wounding the Queen.

It didn't take long after that for the battle to reach its end. The Changelings were beaten, and Chrysalis was dragged to face Black.

"You stupid little piece of filth." Black spat in her face. "That was quite a fool-hardy move that you pulled back there... trying to render my stallions useless?"

"I tend to disagree." Chrysalis smirked. "It worked, didn't it?"

Black stifled a growl.

"Yes... but only on a small portion of them." He declared. "As you can see, I still have enough stallionpower here to raze this land of all inferior species."

"I think not, Eclipse." Chrysalis shot back.

"Oh, and how do you intend to stop me?" Black snorted. "Your Changelings are powerless against my army. No good amount of shapeshifting or magic weaving can change that!"

"I intend to do nothing... Sleight on the other hoof..." Chrysalis said cryptically.

"Sleight?" Black sniggered. "As in that 'wizard' I beat up three days ago? He's still around?"

"Yes, and he is going to see to it that you never lay harm upon my children again!" Chrysalis announced.

"Is that so?" Black sneered. "Tell me, your majesty, why do you continue to resist? Why do you continue to have faith in such a fool like the 'wizard'?"

"Because I believe in him, and so does every Changeling here." Chrysalis told him. "And they won't stop... Sleight is the wizard, and he will defeat you!"

"You filthy slimy c-" Black raised his hoof.

"Boss! Look up in the sky!" Twitch ran up to Black's side.

Chrysalis and Black looked up, and saw a balloon, with Sleight inside, apparently running away. Chrysalis was shocked.

"W-what?" Chrysalis gasped. "I don't understand..."

Black was silent for a moment, a part of him stupefied by the despicable act of cowardice... but then started laughing.

"Oh my gosh... this is so rich." He smiled deviously at Chrysalis. "Well, well, Queenie, it looks like your 'wizard' was all bark but no bite after all. Such a shame too, I was so looking forward to ending his pathetic existence myself... oh well..." He turned to Twitch. "Shoot him down."

Twitch gestured to the cannon ponies, and they then fired their cannons at the balloon, destroying it.

"NO!" Chrysalis yelled.

The Changelings were horrified as the balloon went down in flames. Chrysalis was in tears.

"Hmph, not so mystifying or extraordinary after all." Black scoffed.

"Y-you s-said it, boss..." Twitch agreed.

Chrysalis drooped, defeated, as Black picked up her chin.

"Don't be so sad, Chrysalis... you and the rest of your accursed kind will be joining him shortly." He hissed, before turning to the Changelings. "Let this be the final word, you filthy urchins! Your prophecy is dead! Like the wizard who tried to fulfill it! All dead! The eradication of the inferior lepidopterra metamorphica will begin with the death of your leader, Queen Chrysalis!"

The Changelings began buzzing in anger and fear. Black turned to Chrysalis, cracking his hooves.

"Farewell, Queenie..." He raised his hoof, ready to bring it down upon her. "Any last words?"

Chrysalis glared up at him with tearful eyes.

"You will never break us..."

'We'll see about that...' Black internally scoffed.

He was about to bring his hoof down, when suddenly, there was a big explosion in the middle of the hive, as fog began to rise up from the ground.

"What the buck?!" Black stared.

Then the form of Sleight appeared, his body floating as if he was some sort of spirit. His mane had an ethereal appearance, and illusions of various playing cards were floating aside him.

'What in the name of Tartarus is this?!' Black gaped.

"Fear me not, good Changelings, fear me not." Sleight said in a loud, Alicorn-like voice. "For it is I, THE MYSTIFYING AND EXTRAORDINARY SLEIGHT OF HOOVES!" He brought his hooves up as a fanfare and explosions ensued.

"Where did that m-music come from?" Twitch shuddered.

For a moment, Black was frozen in place, incredulous. Then he snapped out of it.

"Are you serious? Are you bucking serious?!" Black half-laughed, half-snarled. "Are we going to do this?! Are you really that bucking stupid?! I have no time for YOUR GAMES, WIZARD!"

"This is no game, Eclipse…" Sleight said firmly.

"How are you even alive?! I killed you!" Black roared. 'There's no possible way he could have...'

"Ah, t-technically, the c-cannons did." Twitch corrected.

"Hah! You? Kill me?" Sleight retorted. "All you did was to allow me to shed my mortal skin, so I could take my true ethereal form as the most powerful Unicorn of all! In this form, I have powers that rival that of Alicorns!"

Black was shaken by the boast for a moment, doubts creeping back into his mind... but again, his anger blocked it out.

"Why you…" Black snarled in a viciously low tone. "HOW DARE YOU DEFY ME?!"

"No, how dare you defy me!" Sleight rebutted. "You come storming into my sanctuary, terrorize my ponies, and you had the gall to lay a hoof upon my Queen?! Mark my words, mortal, if you do not surrender, you will face my wrath!"

"You wanna bet, ya bucking piece of crud?! Fire the cannons!" Black yelled.

A cannon was fired, sending it's flaming load towards him, creating a big explosion. When the smoke clears, nothing but fog remained. The Changelings were left frightened again, as was Chrysalis.

"How you like me now?!" Black taunted, though in his mind. 'Thank Faust... for a minute there, I thought I had something to be worried about-'

Then, the ethereal form of Sleight returned, much to every Changelings' joy and Black's shock.

"No… this can't be…" Black hissed. 'Oh BUCK ME!'

"HA! You think mere weapons have any effect on me?! You cannot defeat me!" Sleight bellowed, "I'm immortal!" He brought one hoof up, and cards began to fly out, fluttering around him. "I'm invincible!" He brought his other hoof up, causing more cards to fly out. "I'm the Mystifying and Extraordinary Sleight of Hooves!" He spread his hooves wide, causing the cards to suspend in mid-air.

'No... there's no way in hell that this pony can be that powerful. Elite and the others would had heard about him. The Forefathers would had heard of him. This has to be a trick... it just has to...' Black panicked in his head.

"And I must ask, Red Eclipse, why do you hate the Changelings so? What drives you to such rancor?" Sleight asked.

Black glared at Sleight, trying to not show fear or panic.

"It's simple, really." Black spat. "Only the strong deserve to survive. These Changelings are weak and cowardly. You wouldn't understand. What I do preserves the purity of Equestria!"

"Oh, I understand all too well." Sleight sneered. "Your weak mind deludes you into thinking what you are doing is just, when the truth is, you are the one who is impure. Such arrogance. I almost pity you."

Sleight's self-righteous spiel cut Black to the core. Deep down, there was still a part of Black that felt like what he was doing was wrong, and Sleight's words had sparked it... to Black's anger.

"I hate you…" Black growled furiously. "SOLDIERS! FIRE EVERYTHING!" He roared, spit flying from his maw.

The cannons were set off. Their volley flew towards Sleight. Several cards flew up and became portals. The cannonballs went through, and came out of portals that were pointed at the cannons. The ponies manning the cannons leapt aside just in time, as the cannons were totally obliterated.

"What th-" Black gasped. "NO!"

"Not so bold without your tools of destruction, are ya?! Now release my Queen, NOW! " Sleight ordered.

"Never!" Black yelled. "You want her? Come an' get 'er!"

"As you wish." Sleight grinned.

A card flew toward Chrysalis. When it touched her, there was a flash, and she was within it.

"What the-SLICE, DICE, GRAB THAT CARD!" Black bellowed.

Before the two cronies could even jump for it, the card was soon pulled into a whirlwind of it's ilk.

"Feel free to try and take my Queen back, Eclipse… you have a one in... five hundred and thirty-five thousand chance of finding her…" Sleight boasted, crossing his hooves, smirking condescendingly.

"This is impossible..." Black gaped. 'It really is. It must be some kind of trick. And I'm not going to fall for it!'

"H-he really is the w-w-wizard!" Twitch gasped.

"No, he's not!" Black roared. "All of you, get him!"

Obeying, the gang charged at Sleight.

"Want a little more?" Sleight asked. "Then get ready for the show-stopper!"

With a flick of his hooves, the cards that were flying around him were raining down upon them.

"You think cards will stop my army?!" Black screamed.

"No… but this will…" Sleight smirked, as his horn glowed.

As soon as a card hit the first pony charging towards the fog, the pony immediately was sucked into it, much to the others' horror.

'What the...?' Black gaped. 'How'd he do that? He couldn't do that before!'

"No way!" Gasped one of the stallions.

"That ain't right!" Yelped another.

"Did you see that?" Slice gasped.

"I don't wanna be turned into a card!" Dice gulped.

The gang turned tail and ran, but not before most of them became trapped in cards.

"You cowards!" Black roared. "Get your flanks back here and kill them!" 'Seriously, what the BUCK happened in those three days?!' He thought.

He then noticed Twitch sneaking away.

"And where in the buck do you think you're going?!" He glared venomously at his second-in-command.

"Uh... y-ya see.... I kinda w-want to l-live... so..." He suddenly sped off. "You're on your own, motherf-f-f-f-f-f-f-f- " He tripped, then got back up, resuming his run. "You're on your own!"

Black was about to scream after him... but his logic returned for a brief moment.

'...Okay, I guess I had that coming...' Black shrugged... before giving in to anger. "You son of a- Fine! I'll take all these filthy bugs on myself!"

Black charged into the Changeling crowd, hoping that he could be able to take them on as he did other foes he fought back then. Unfortunately, galvanized by Sleight's stunning turnaround, they faced him head-on, easily overpowering him.

'This can't be happening...' Black struggled against the swarm's grip. 'These bugs can't do this to me! It can't end like this! Not like this!'

"Well done, Changelings!" Sleight smiled. "Now, release him."

A number of Changelings disagreed with Sleight, eager to see the pony who terrorized them pay for his crimes. One of them, a large, grizzled looking soldier, demanded that Black be executed.

"He has been beaten today." Sleight declared. "Him and his army. Let us not stoop down to his level."

"But…" That same Changeling muttered.

"Silence!" Sleight cut him off. "Hear me now, Red Eclipse. By the power vested in me, I banish you from these lands. Leave here and never return!"

"Oh, I'll return!" Black spat, beyond all reason stupefied and pissed at what had occured. "I'm not done with you vermin yet. Or you, 'great wizard'. You'll be sorry! All of you!"

Black rushed away from the hive.

'This is far from over.' He thought. 'I just have to round up those cowards, whip some sense into them, then try again.'

Black made his way into the marshlands, still searching for his minions.

"Where are you wimps?!" He roared. "Get your flanks out here so I can break them!"

"Still here, I see?" A familiar voice asked. "I'd have thought you'd have the sense to get as far away from here as possible."

Black turned to see Wizel standing before him.

"Well, if it isn't the old bug." He snarled. "What do you want?!"

"I'm afraid you and I are not finished yet…" Wizel said ominously.

"You stupid pest… you won your stupid battle, what more do you want?" Black growled.

"Peace of mind, Eclipse… and the only way I will ever have it is to make certain that you never threaten our livelihoods ever again…" Wizel stated firmly.

"Ah, I see where this is going…" Black chuckled darkly. "Very well, I'm been looking for somepony to take my anger out on. Let's go, gramps!"

"Gladly." Wizel nodded.

Black charged at Wizel. The old Changeling sidestepped his attack a second before he hit, kicking him in the back as he passed by.

"You-" Black growled.

Wizel leapt over Black, and kicked him in the head, knocking him to the ground.

'You gotta be kidding me...' Black seethed. 'Now this old fossil is beating me?! Not for long...'

Quickly recovering, Black tried to charge again, only to be blasted with a beam of magic, and sent crashing into a tree. Wizel then charged at Black, unleashing a flurry of lightning-fast attacks, bringing him down in moments.

'No. No...' Black struggled to get up, as Wizel glanced out onto the marshlands. 'What the hell is going on with me? First the wizard, the Changelings, and now this guy? How did I grow so weak?'

"You wretched old fart." Black spat. "...Where the buck did all that come from?"

"It comes from 700 years of survival, Eclipse." Wizel replied. "You pick up a lot of things over that time when trying to find your next meal... not that somepony like you would understand. Of course, I did have help from an unlikely source..."

'Like I care...' Black struggled to his hooves.

"What is it you said you wanted? Purity of Equestria?" Wizel asked. "That is quite a bold ideal you have there... I admired the length and the means you went about to try and achieve it."

'Thanks ever so much for the words of praise.' Black growled inwardly. 'They mean so much to me...'

"However, your ideal is flawed." Wizel continued. "Purity is but a pipe dream, whose definition and concept had been deluded by racism and intolerance. This world was meant to be cherished by every creature alike, be they pony, Changeling, dragon, and even manticores... but unfortunately, every so often, somepony comes forth, implanted with hate and cruelty towards others, and like a disease, it infects those of a like mind... tell me, how is it that you came about these thoughts?"

"That lies under 'none of your business'..." Black snarled.

"I figured as much... funny that an Earth Pony would be the one who wants to conquer other species." Wizel sighed. "Normally, it is Unicorns that want all the other species to bow before them. Or maybe it's just me reading too much of that Equestria Noir series Sazh introduced me to."

"Your point being-grr..." Black fell to his knees. 'Come on, legs, move! I can't lose again!'

"Well, I am no mentalist, but I have a feeling that your hate for the 'lower species' as you call them stems from your own upbringing." Wizel proclaimed. "But oddly enough, I can't see your father or mother being the one who put such thoughts into your head... maybe it wasn't how you were raised, but what... could it be that your hate comes from your own inadequacy?"

'What is he...?' Black snarled, his anger growing, as once more, the small shred of decency within him was poked.

"Since you are an Earth Pony... I could only assume that your parents were all but... Pegasi, perhaps?" Wizel smirked.

That statement made Black even angrier. He always hated the fact that he was the only Earth Pony in his family. But his father had hated it even more. Though he had no proof, he was convinced that Black was the product of infidelity, and treated him as such. In return, Black had grown to despise his father as much as his father despised him, but at the same time, he couldn't stand the fact that he had been born different from the rest of his family, that he could never fit in with them. Black's lack of wings had sown a level of self-hatred within him. Before, he had a handle on it, but after his slip in sanity, just considering it was too much for him.

"SHUT UP!" He smashed a hoof into the ground. "Do not dare try to think you know me... you don't..."

"You're right. I don't... but now I know a little more about you... still, no matter your reasons for taking this path, I cannot let you continue down it for the sake of our kind." Wizel declared, turning his back on Black.

And how do you intend on doing that?" Black got back up, and approached Wizel. "You think you, of all Changelings, is going to stop me?"

"Oh no." Wizel answered, not even looking behind him. "I have already expended enough of my magic today. No thanks to you, of course."

"That makes things easier for me!" Black raised his hooves upon Wizel. 'I'm going to shut his bucking face up!'

"That... is debatable..." Wizel smiled knowingly.

Suddenly, Black was blindsided by a magical blast. Before he could recover, six blurs jumped him, and pinned him down.

"Gah... what the-" He struggled.

"Zip it, punk." Said none other than Salt Napoleon.

"Or else." Slot added.

"We have a lot of disdain for you." Lars growled.

"And we're gonna let out." Sonny sneered.

"And why not?" Vinny hissed. "We've been waitin' a long time for this."

"...Wha-" Black was about to ask

The brothers began beating the ever living crap out of him.

'Not again.' Black thought, as his body erupted in pain. 'This can't be bucking happening to me again. Not twice in the same day...'

Not far from him, Grimiore Napoleon had appeared, approaching Wizel.

"Ah, right on time, Grimiore." Wizel finally turned. "I was afraid I would have to pull a reverse ulnar radial strike on this poor soul."

"Well, you know us." Grimoire smiled. "We are quite punctual when it comes to time management... especially if it concerns... well, the code."

"Indeed!" Murray agreed. "And after forty years, we have finally captured this sneaky son of a-" He looked down at Black. "...Wait a minute..."

The others stopped beating down on him, as Black let out a groan.

"What's up, bro?" Vinny asked.

"Does this guy look like the one we've been after for so long?" Murray pointed.

The brothers glanced at the badly beaten Black, coming to a realization.

"He's right. This bloke isn't the guy!" Salt declared.

"I dunno. It might be... if our pony had been lifting weights non-stop, and somehow changed his voice, his coat color, his Cutie Mark-" Lars listed.

"We get it, Lars, it's not him." Sonny sighed.

"Then who the buck is this guy?!" Slot asked.

"Me?!" Black growled in spite of himself. "Who the buck are all of you?"

"The 'unlikely source' I spoke of." Wizel clarified. "These are the Napoleon brothers, the leaders of the Bitalian Mafia. I just so happen to be one of their oldest members."

"What?!" Black gasped. "How..." His mind was racing. 'First question: What? Second: THE BUCK?!'

"I saved their great-grandpa's life while touring Bitaly." Wizel recounted. "In return, he made me an honorary member. Been that way up to today."

"Indeed... but seriously, Wizel... who is this pony?" Grimoire asked. "Because he is certainly not Twitch!"

"Twitch?" Black repeated, dumbfounded.

"Yeah, light blue pony, blonde mane, kinda lanky, have a very bad stutter." Vinny nodded. "Don't know why I'm telling you-"

"Are you serious?!" Black snorted. "What beef do you have with my ex-lieutenant?!"

"That is not of your business, butthole!" Salt snapped, slugging him again, and leaving Black dazed.

As the Napoleons began to argue with Wizel, Black was left there, concussed, and unable to really catch what they were talking about, though he felt it had to do with why they were called here. However, he was more focused on stewing over his defeat... and really confused as to what the Napoleons wanted with Twitch.

'When did this all get so complicated?' He asked. 'Are these the guys Twitch ticked off?'

"Whattaya want us to do with him?" Slot asked Wizel, snapping Black of his thoughts.

"I don't care what you do with him. Imprison him. Kill him. Torture him." Wizel snorted. "As long as he is as far away from our homeland as possible, I could care less."

"Fair enough." Grimoire nodded. "Time to take a little trip, Red."

"Thank you." Wizel declared. "Rest assured, if I see Twitch again, I will let you know."

"Thanks, old timer." Murray smiled.

The brothers dragged Black away.

"No! You can't do this to me!" He roared. "I'll kill you! I'll kill all of you!"

"With any luck, your evil will never blight this land again." Wizel declared.

"This is not over! You hear me?!" Black screamed. "I will be back! I cannot be contained-"

The butt of a crossbow slammed into Black's head, knocking him out.

Black was left unconscious for a long while, only coming to for a moment... but that didn't last. All he recall was that he was stuck in a bag, he could hear mares, and something about a raccoon, before being bludgeoned by what felt like a crowbar.

A little while later, Black came to again, finding himself in a dark prison-like cell. His body was chained to all four walls, limiting his movement.

"Oh, my buckin' head..." He groaned, as he took in his bleak surroundings. "Where am I?"

"A hidden cell under our estate..." The voice of Grimoire snarled. "...Where you belong."

Black felt his rage swell as he glared at the owner of the voice, who was standing outside the cell with his brothers.

"You!" Black snarled. Understandably livid, he made to lunge at him, only to be stopped by the chains that binded him. "What is this?!"

"Titanium chains, built to hold the strongest of prisoners." Murray smirked, as he watched Black tugging them in vain. "You won't be breaking them anytime soon."

"Why did you bring me here?!" Black snarled angrily, though he was also a bit panicked by his situation.

"Well, Wizel didn't want you threatening his kind again, and we don't want a genocidal megalomaniac running around, so this was the best solution." Salt said matter-of-factly.

"Oh yeah?" Black sneered. "Why not just kill me now and be done with it? Are you too soft for that?"

"On the contrary." Lars glared at him. "That would be the easy way out. You don't deserve it."

"What you do deserve is to be locked up down here for the rest of your days." Vinny added.

"Or until some other dirtbag worse than you comes along… then we'll just kill you to clear up the living space." Slot sneered.

'No... no!' Black thought, his eyes darting around the cramped cell that would be his abode for the foreseeable future. 'They can't just lock me in here! Not for the rest of my life!'

"We do hope you enjoy the accommodations." Grimoire smirked. "You may not be Twitch… but a guy with a background such as yours should be just as suitable."

"Mark my words, old stallion!" Black growled, absolutely outraged. "When I get out of here, you and your brothers will be the first of many to go!" Black threatened, thrashing around in his chains.

"That'll be the day, Eclipse..." Grimoire snorted. "Now if you''ll excuse us, we have mares to attend to."

The brothers made to leave, as Black grew more agitated.

"You can't keep me down here forever!" Red roared, "I will break out of here, even if it takes me years!"

"Whatever helps you sleep at night, culo-face." Vinny scoffed without glancing back.

"RAAAAARRRRRGGGGHHHH!!" Black screamed out in fury, panic, and anguish.

In the days that followed, Black tried everything in his power to escape, but the cell to the Napoleons' credit was built to hold anypony. His body was unable to move around much, barely able to touch the walls of his cell, and judging by the lack of light, he was underground. He was absolutely trapped.

"How can this be happening?" He groaned, struggling against the bars. If he could only get in a good buck of his legs, he could blast the doors open with his hooves, but with his chains, that was impossible. "I've been in worst spots than this, and gotten out..."

"Sure you have." One of the Napoleons' buffalo agents approached, carrying a tray of food. "Lunchtime, scum."

"Some real five star service in this joint, I'll give you that." Black snorted.

"Funny guy." The buffalo slid the tray into Black's cell. "Bon appetit, psycho."

As the buffalo turned to leave, Black saw a newspaper sticking of out of his pocket. Quick as a flash, he reached through the bars and grabbed it.

'Let's see what's going on in the outside world...' He started reading while eating his food.

Bombings Cease

The recent rash of bombings in Equestria has come to an end. Thanks to the efforts of ponies unknown, the Changelings responsible for these attacks have been apprehended and returned to Queen Chrysalis' hive to face punishment. Wizel, Queen Chrysalis' advisor, was gracious enough to give us a few words:

"Rest assured, the subversives who dared reject this peace treaty will be prosecuted to the fully extent of our laws." He told us. "We only hope this whole experience has not soured anypony on the idea that Changelings and ponies can live together in harmony."

'Guess that bug was telling the truth after all.' Black thought sadly. 'Way to go, guys. I knew you could do it. And at least you all got some glory.'

Black dropped the newspaper to the floor, bowing his head in misery.

'I wanted glory, but all I got was this.' He mused. His face then hardened in determination. 'But I will turn this around, just you wait and see. I will get out of here, and make them all pay. Sleight, the Changelings, the Napoleons... Nopony has heard the last of Red Eclipse just yet.'

The present...

"I always wondered why my brothers never let me down there whenever I came to visit." Caboose declared. "Now I know, but back then, it drove me nuts."

"All those years, locked away." Fletcher frowned. "I can't imagine that did your mental state any good."

"You're telling me." Black snorted. "All that time, stewing in my own anger. And as you all know, things only got worse from there."

"You don't have to tell me that." Caboose shuddered. "I was there, remember?"

"How could I forget?" Black frowned.

"When I heard the news, I was really worried about you." Pike admitted. "But at least now, I'm getting it straight from the horse's mouth."

"You all are." Black nodded. "The absolute darkest chapter of my life was about to unfold..."

Author's Notes:

"Feel Invincible" belongs to Skillet.

I Am Machine

"Ten years in my family's basement." Caboose shook his head. "That must've really sucked."

"I'll bet compared to my cell, that place was a real dump." Pike mused.

"You have no idea." Black nodded. "I felt like a caged animal. It was cold, dark, drafty, and I was fed only the bare minimum of slop necessary to survive. Some days, I felt like I was doomed to stay there forever, to rot in that cell until there was nothing but a pile of bones left to prove I was ever there..." He shook his head. "No offense, Caboose, but it didn't take me long to despise your brothers for what they did to me."

"None taken." Caboose shrugged. "My brothers get that a lot."

"I'll admit, it sounds a tad unseemly." Fletcher declared. "Private citizens have no right to hold others prisoner, no matter what they've done..."

"...Excuse me, have you met the Napoleons?" Caboose deadpanned.

"Excluding you, no." Fletcher admitted.

"Then you should know that my brothers are always locking up dangerous stallions." Caboose declared. "For the good of all."

"I see where you're coming from, but morally, I don't agree with it." Fletcher declared. "They have not been sanctioned to detain anypony."

"Doesn't stop 'em, though..." Caboose smirked.

"Excuse me, can we get back to the main story?" Pike asked. "Not that this doesn't make for fascinating listening, but I'd like for us to stay on-topic."

"Sorry." Caboose said sheepishly.

"Continue." Fletcher added.

"As bad as it was for me, I couldn't help sparing a thought for my Taskforce buddies early on." Black admitted. "First I betrayed them, then I vanished completely..."

"I can't tell you how worried I was when I realized Black was missing." Armory frowned. "I really assumed the worst. But I could never imagine what was to follow."

Many years ago...

Days after their victory over the Changeling bombers, the Taskforce had attempted to find Black so they could try to convince him to return with them or, as Ballista put it, drag him back kicking and screaming if he refused.

They had heard about the attack on the hive, and, under the guise of assessing the damages done to the hive (under Celestia's orders, they claimed), Ballista and co. went around the territory, making innocuous inquiries as to what had become of 'Red Eclipse', hoping to get an inkling as to where he could have gone.

Unfortunately, their search came up empty. On the third day, they regrouped just outside of the forest.

"So we couldn't find anything on him?" Ballista asked the group at large.

"Not a thing." Master Mind sighed.

"It's as if he just... vanished." Incognito added.

"Rrf..." Titan shook his head sadly.

"Where could he be, though?" Armory asked. "Where?"

There was a rustling sound in the nearby bushes.

"Who's there?!" Ballista yelled. "Show yourself!"

"Of course." Wizel emerged from the bushes.

"A Changeling?" Incognito asked.

"Not just any Changeling." Master Mind noted. "If I recall correctly, this is Wizel Yggdrasil, the Queen's advisor."

"You are correct, sir." Wizel nodded.

"So what are you doing out here, sneaking up on us?" Armory asked.

"I've heard tell of a group who have been asking around the area, interested in the fate of Red Eclipse." Wizel announced. "From what I overheard seconds ago, you are that group."

"And what of it?" Ballista growled.

"Not much." Wizel shrugged. "I just find it surprising that anypony would ever wish to associate with that scoundrel."

"We have our reasons." Armory declared. "I don't suppose you know what became of him? From what we've heard, he was last seen attacking your hive."

"That he was." Wizel nodded.

"And?" Ballista frowned. "Spill it, old timer!"

"Red Eclipse is no longer in a position to threaten us." Wizel announced.

"What, you mean like... he's dead?" Armory quivered.

"Alas, no." Wizel frowned. "But I can safely say he is far from this hive, and any other Changelings he could threaten."

"Oh, really?" Ballista glanced at Wizel suspiciously. "You can 'safely say' that he is 'far' from this hive?"

"Ballista..." Armory glared at him.

"That's right." Wizel declared. "Is there a problem with that?"

"Oh no..." Ballista shook his head, keeping his suspicious look. "I'm just curious about how you can safely say that somepony is a good distance from here..."

"Just intuition, I guess." Wizel said firmly.

"Is that so?" Ballista frowned. "Maybe you know more than you're tellin', old timer."

"And what if I was?" Wizel said flatly.

"Well, maybe I'd employ... stronger measures in order to get to the bottom of things." Ballista growled.

"That almost sounds like a threat." Wizel said coldly. "You would do well to watch your step. I have powerful friends, you know..."

"So do we." Ballista snarled.

"Come on, Ballista." Armory stepped forward. "This isn't helping. We got a little intel, and we should be grateful for it."

"...Very well." Ballista huffed. He turned to Wizel. "Thank you for your time."

"My pleasure." Wizel nodded.

"And, er... good luck with your new King." Incognito added.

"I doubt we'll be needing luck." Wizel smiled.

As the Taskforce left the hive, Armory continued fretting.

"What did he mean 'far from this hive'?" He asked. "What happened to Black?"

"Take it easy, mate." Ballista told him. "We'll get to the bottom of this..." He then frowned. "Unfortunately, I don't think we're going to get much out of that old codger."

"You think he might have had something to do with Black's disappearance?" Incognito asked.

"I don't know." Ballista admitted, "You can never tell with Changelings. They're a very unpredictable lot."

"I just hope Black's okay, wherever he is..." Armory sighed.

"We all do, pal." Incognito nodded.

"As abrasive as he's been to myself and Incognito, he is still one of us." Master Mind admitted. "Even if he has lost his way."

"What's lost can be found." Ballista declared. "We just have to know where to look..."

"Roo..." Titan whimpered, as the group dejectedly head back to the base.

What none of them knew at the time was just how far away Black was. He was still stuck in his cell under the Napoleons' mansion.

'How could it have come to this?' He scowled. 'Not so long ago, I was on top of the world. I was my own boss. I answered to nopony, and could do whatever I wanted. But now look at me: Locked up in some basement, like a rat in a cage.'

He looked downwards, glancing at his bound hooves.

'Maybe sticking with the Taskforce wasn't so bad after all...' Black frowned. 'Hell, maybe if I had only stuck with them, maybe I wouldn't be in this mess...'

Black's face then hardened, his hooves clenching.

'No. The Taskforce would've just been another cage... Besides, this isn't a military operation. It's a bunch of pasta-munchin' crooks. They'll make a mistake sooner or later, and then I'm outta here...'

The room went silent, as Black let out a frustrated sigh.

'Anytime now...'

Back at Taskforce headquarters, Elite was informed of what Wizel had said.

"So he said Black is definitely alive?" He asked.

"That's right, boss." Ballista declared. "I had a feeling he knew more about it, but he wouldn't tell us any more."

"If Black's out there somewhere, we'll find him." Elite declared. "I'll send word out to all our foreign operatives. They're bound to find some trace of Black.

"Good thinkin'." Ballista smiled.

"Can I do anything?" Armory asked hopefully.

"You can run the scheduled maintenance on the Pipeline." Elite declared. "We need to make sure those cells are in top condition."

"Oh. Okay..." Armory's face fell.

"I know you want to help find Black, but right now, you're needed here." Elite said kindly. "We can't afford to lose another of our best operatives. Do you understand?"

"Yeah, I understand." Armory sighed.

"Excellent." Elite smiled. "I know I can always count on you."

"Sure, whatever you say..." Armory walked out of the room.

In spite of being despondent over his friend's absence, Armory knew he had to focus if he was going to do his job right. That job being to run checks over each and every one of the cells within the Pipeline, making sure each of them was doing their job and holding their occupants tight.

"Locking mechanism seems fully functional on cells G through J." He mused. "Just have to take care of the rest..."

"Well, well. Heinrich Armory, as I live and breathe." Pike smirked. "It's nice to finally have a visitor. Hadn't had one all month."

"Be quiet, Mr. Redfield." Armory scowled, not bothering to face him as he ran his checks on the cell. "I'm in no mood for your crap."

"Wow, who went and crapped on your strudel?" Pike frowned. "In all the time I've known you, you never seemed the pissy type."

"Well, I haven't been having the best couple of days lately." Armory snarled. "And you are not helping matters."

"...Does this have something to do with Black, by any chance?" Pike asked.

"...What makes you say that?" Armory looked up, glaring at him.

"Call it a wild guess." Pike declared. "Something's gone wrong, hasn't it? Did something happen to Black?"

"I don't see how it;s any of your business." Armory scoffed. "I don't even know why you care-"

"It's Project: Argo, isn't it?" Pike suddenly declared, now scowling. "That stupid project's finally gone and sent him over the edge, huh?"

Armory went rigid as he gaped at Pike.

"Hold up... you know about Project: Argo?" Armory gasped.

"That's right." Pike nodded. "That little project to turn Black from misunderstood but loyal soldier into a heartless sociopath killing machine."

"How long have you known about it?" Armory asked. "In fact, who told you about it?"

"It doesn't matter how I know or how long I've known it, but that is what happened, isn't it?" Pike growled. "Well, is it?"

Armory frowned, understandably hesitant to just talk with the guy who had tried to kill Black several times in the past... but then again, he was in a cell. It wasn't as if he could do anything to actually harm him or anypony else.

"...Yes, that is what has happened." Armory shook his head in frustration. "Elite said that Black didn't want to come back. According to him, Black decided to leave the Taskforce and ride along with this bunch of Changeling-hating thugs. Even changed his name to 'Red Eclipse'. He's hurt quite a few ponies... and now, he's gone. None of us know where he is right now."

"Is that right?" Pike frowned. "I'm sorry to hear that."

"Really?" Armory asked. "I mean, I didn't think you cared about him. He did put you in that cell, as I recall."

"Well, it's complicated." Pike sighed. "But believe it or not, I've actually come to respect Black. I first thought of him as just another lackey for the RDL... but he revealed himself to be a stallion unlike any other."

"That's Black for you." Armory gave a sad smirk. "He was the finest stallion I've ever known..." His smirk disappeared. "And now... he's gone..." He felt a twinge of anger. "All because of Argo..."

"I understand how you must feel." Pike grunted. "When I heard from a 'reliable' source about Project: Argo... well, I was pissed. I may be a killer for hire, and maybe a terrorist to some, but I would never stoop as low as turning a good stallion like Black into... whatever they want him to be."

"You... really mean that?" Armory asked, surprised by the sincere concern on Pike's face.

"Yeah... yeah, I do." Pike nodded. "You know, whenever I saw Black... I saw myself, a good stallion who was rough around the edges. He reminded me of myself before..." He frowned, lowering his head. "Before I lost everything... before I fell into that crummy life of mine." He glanced back at Armory. "I had hoped that Black wouldn't give into that same darkness I succumbed to a long time ago. I didn't want him to turn out to be some poor old twisted stallion like me... but it seems like I was wrong in the end."

"So was I." Armory sighed. "Black, he's... he's my best friend. I should have done something to help him."

"Don't beat yourself up." Pike comforted him. "Trust me, I tried to tell him myself that he shouldn't go down this path, tried to remind him of his equinity. Unfortunately, he was already too far gone. We might not even be having this conversation if I was able to reason with him. But I don't think anypony could have helped him, not even you... no offense."

"And now Black is... gone." Armory declared.

"So... you guys have no idea where he went?" Pike asked.

"No..." Armory murmured. "From what we understand, Black is still alive... but we believe that somepony might have taken him..." Armory felt a twinge of fear. "You don't think it was the Forefathers, do you?"

"Doubtful." Pike snorted. "If they couldn't snag Black with my help, there's no way they'd be able to take him in themselves."

"I guess you have a point." Armory nodded. "But still, we have no way of knowing where he is, let alone how to help him."

"Don't give up." Pike urged. "Black's still out there. Tough as he is, I'd wager nopony can hold him for long. And with friends like you looking for him, I doubt it'll be long before he's back here again."

"I guess you're right." Armory admitted. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but... thanks, Pike. I appreciate you talking to me like that."

"No problem." Pike shrugged. "It's just nice to have a normal conversation for once. If it's not the Forefathers and their talk about taking over Equestria, it's your guys and their interrogations."

"Well, you can't blame us, can you?" Armory pointed out.

"Guess not." Pike shrugged. "But maybe if they were all as friendly as you, I might be willing to open up more."

"I'll keep that in mind." Armory nodded, his work complete. "See ya."

"Drop by any time." Pike smiled.

As Armory left the Pipeline, he ran into Ballista.

"Oh... Ballista." Armory deadpanned.

"Armory." Ballista grunted. "What were you doing just now?"

"Nothing." Armory frowned. "I was just checking the cells. Seeing if they needed any repairs."

"Oh, so you getting friendly with Mr. Redfield was 'checking the cells' was it?" Ballista scowled. "Because that's what it looked like to me."

"And what if it was?" Armory asked. "Pike actually seems like a decent guy."

"'Decent'?" Ballista spat. "He's an agent of the Forefathers, in case you'd forgotten."

"Really?" Armory growled. "Well, that agent of the Forefathers happens to agree with me on how Project: Argo is an asinine idea. And if even our enemy thinks that way, then that has to mean something is wrong with it."

"Oh, please, as if I care about his opinions!" Ballista snarled. "That son of a draft horse had no business knowing about the project! It was a miracle that Black took him in before he could tell anypony else!"

"Well, maybe Pike didn't ask about the project just to tell his superiors about it." Armory challenged. "Maybe he asked because he was concerned about Black... just as I was!"

"Well, there is nothing to be concerned about!" Ballista yelled.

"Are you BUCKIN' dense?!" Armory scowled. "In case you've forgotten, Black is missing! We have no idea where he is! We have no idea who has him!"'

"Well, it isn't my fault!" Ballista scowled. "If Black had stuck to the plan, maybe-"

"Oh no..." Armory cut him off, livid. "He might have gone rogue on us, but only because you drove him to this point. Both you and Elite, with this Faust-damn project! Black might be dead because of you!"

"I don't have to explain myself to you!" Ballista growled. "Project: Argo is for the good of everypony!"

"Everypony expect Black, that is." Armory sneered.

"Why, you-" Ballista scowled.

"Don't pretend that everything Black's done lately isn't a direct cause of your little project." Armory snarled. "We both know it is."

"You don't know anything!" Ballista roared.

"I know you ruined a good stallion." Armory declared. "And I'll never let you forget it."

"Don't you talk to me like that!" Ballista roared. "I'm still your superior officer. I demand respect!"

"What little respect I had for you is gone." Armory turned and stormed off.

Over in Elite's office, Elite was busy making calls about finding Black.

"Chase down any lead, no matter how small." Elite told his contact. "We must find him."

Suddenly, Elite's office door was kicked open, and Armory stormed in.

"Elite, we need to talk!" Armory demanded.

"...I'm going to have to call you back." Elite declared, as he hung up his communicator, and glared at Armory. "Armory, what is the meaning of this?!"

"You wanna know something, sir?" Armory glared. "I have been biting my tongue ever since I heard about Project: Argo. I suffered in silence as I saw Black turn into this thing you and Ballista wanted him to be! And now, he is missing!"

"I am aware of that, Armory!" Elite growled. "But that does not give you the right to just barge in-"

"To hell with my rights!" Armory snarled. "What about Black's? He trusted you, Elite! He looked up to you and did everything you asked of him! And how do you repay him? By turning him into a monster! Well, now look what your and Ballista's project has done!"

"Please, calm down." Elite urged.

"Calm?" Armory growled. "Don't you tell me to be calm! You're just as bad as Ballista!"

"Don't presume to know me." Elite frowned, hurt by the accusation.

"Why not?" Armory growled. "You're both the same. Amoral, heartless slime, willing to destroy a good stallion's life, all in the name of protecting Equestria."

"Armory, don't-" Elite growled.

"And look what your deeds have sowed." Armory growled. "You turned Black against us."

"I didn't-" Armory started.

"You turned him into a monster." Armory continued.

"No, I-" Elite shook his head.

"And now, he may be rotting in some pit somewhere!" Armory spat. "All because you wanted the perfect soldier!"

"You don't think I know that?!" Elite roared, slamming his metal hoof into his desk.

Armory flinched, having never seen the usually composed director so irate.

"You think I wanted this to happen to Black?" Elite snarled. "No! If anything, this is the LAST thing I wanted to happen! Ballista assured me over and over that Black was going to be fine! That his project would not result in Black's destruction... and now..."

Elite placed his normal hoof to the bridge of his snout, deeply agitated.

"His project..." Armory murmured. "You said his... not ours."

Elite let out a sigh as Armory suddenly came to a chilling realization.

"...Heilige Scheiße." Armory gasped in Germane. "Project: Argo... this was never yours and Ballista's idea, was it? It was just... Ballista..."

"...That is correct." Elite nodded solemnly.

"...Oh Faust." Armory frowned, fraught with guilt. "Elite... I'm... I'm sorry. I had no idea... I've been so horrible to you these past years..."

"No, it's fine, Armory." Elite shook his head. "In a way, I did deserve your ire..."

"I don't understand, sir." Armory grimaced, "Why didn't you say anything? Why pretend that you and Ballista came up with the idea together?"

"Because I knew ponies like you would not have taken kindly to the project." Elite nodded. "I figured that if we each took partial credit, we could both shoulder the blame."

"Which brings me to my next question." Armory frowned. "...If you had no part in the project... then why have you been allowing this project to go on? Especially with what it was doing to Black?"

"Well, at first, it seemed like a good idea at the time." Elite admitted. "It was supposed to be simple. Find a potentially dangerous pony that nopony one would miss, expose him to the harsh reality of our work, and let him become the soldier we needed. No harm, no foul... all we needed was the right candidate..."

"And that was when Black came in, was it?" Armory asked knowingly.

"Indeed." Elite nodded. "Ballista came to me one day with a file detailing the 'perfect candidate', a young soldier who was a loner, and had a history of 'violence'. Ballista believed him to be the one, and I thought so as well."

"Then what happened?" Armory questioned.

"I realized Black wasn't anything like I'd heard he was." Elite smiled. "Instead of a cold, solitary brute, he was a kind and noble soul. I even felt something of a kinship with him."

"I knew you liked Black, but I never considered..." Armory mused.

"It was about right there and then I realized..." Elite gave a deep frown. "I was going to let Ballista and Project: Argo turn this great stallion into a cold-blooded murderer. And everything that I'd come to like about him would just fade away."

"Then why didn't you do anything?" Armory glared. "If you felt this way, why did you let it get this far?"

"What was I supposed to say to Ballista?" Elite sighed. "He had been working towards this project for a long time, hoping it would allow us to finally have an edge against the Forefathers. I couldn't just tell him to scrap it all because I felt it was wrong, especially after the support I gave him beforehoof. So I kept my objections silent, hoping that Ballista's project wouldn't bring harm upon Black."

"Well, clearly that didn't work out." Armory scowled, shaking his head. "All this time, I was hating both you and Ballista... when it should have just been Ballista. I just can't believe Ballista could be this heartless!"

"Now, wait just a moment, Armory." Elite frowned. "I know what you must think of Ballista and Project: Argo. Yes, it is cruel, and it is morally wrong, but Ballista has his reasons for doing this."

"What reasons could he possibly have?" Armory challenged. "What could possibly justify this?"

"I... I cannot say." Elite sighed. "But if you'd only understand where Ballista was coming from, then maybe you could see why he decided to do this. As I always say, it is the story that defines the pony, not the moments."

"I'm not so sure of that myself." Armory frowned.

"On that, we'll have to agree to disagree." Elite declared. "But for now, how about we go for a drink, take our minds off matters?"

"I suppose so." Armory sighed. "It's not like it won't help Black right now..."

"That's the spirit." Elite smiled, as he led Armory out of the room.

Black's disappearance did not only go unnoticed by the Taskforce, as a couple of months later, the Forefathers had begun to take notice of the fact that there hadn't been any sightings of Black, or more 'sudden' dismantlings of their operations, or even more 'sudden' deaths of their operatives.

Gridlock, Loveless, Harlhooves and Ricochet sat in the circle in the Coils, all of them a bit bored. Loveless was rolling slightly back and forth, Gridlock was cleaning a crossbow, Harlhooves was reading a newspaper, and Ricochet was checking a list of reports from the agents.

"Boring. Boring. Boring." RIcochet listed off dully. "Boring. And..."

The other Ouroboros perked up...

"Boring." Ricochet sighed. "Is it just me or did being a secret organization suddenly stop being fun?"

"It has been pretty dull around here lately." Gridlock agreed.

"Indeed." Harlhooves agreed. "So little has happened these last few months, I barely see the point in donning my robes anymore."

"I think I might know the reason why." Loveless declared. "Has anypony noticed that you-know-who hasn't shown his face at all during these past few months?"

"Loveless has a point." Harlhooves mused. "I mean, when was the last time any of us even heard of Black stepping into action? The farthest back I could think of was after that snafu with Mr. Darkside."

"That is very disconcerting." Loveless frowned. "What do you supposed could have happened?"

"Maybe he's gone on a world-wide cruise." Ricochet smirked.

"With our luck, very unlikely." Gridlock growled. "After all the trouble we went through trying to kill him, I don't think he even knows how to die."

"Then what could have happened? I doubt Elite's little group would put their best stallion out to pasture." Harlhooves murmured.

"Honestly, I think that punk is just waiting for us to let our guard down, so he can swoop in and destroy the project you've been working for fifteen years!" Gridlock snarled.

"Come on, dude, let it go!" Ricochet moaned. "You're starting to be a real bummer with that whole 'he destroyed my project' bit."

"...He does have a point, you know." Harlhooves grimaced at Gridlock.

Before Gridlock could get in a vicious retort, Loveless stepped in (or rather, wheeled in).

"In any case, I believe a little digging is in order." Loveless declared. "We should have some of our better informants look into things, see if they can get any inklings as to what's going on."

"Sounds like a plan." Gridlock nodded. "Black may not be on our list anymore, but we should at least know what he's up to. We don't want to risk any of our boys bein' blindsided..."

"On that, we agree." Loveless nodded.

"Let's just hope that nothing nefarious is afoot." Harlhooves mused.

Back over in Bitaly, Black was not taking his imprisonment well. His mane had grown long and scraggly, with a scruffy beard following. His eyepatch was showing signs of wear and tear. The meager food he had been provided was less than filling, so he had lost quite some weight.

While he had never been a prisoner of war back in Saddle Arabia, he had a feeling this was a good representation of what it was like... and he hated it.

'The service in this place stinks.' He thought to himself. 'And the accommodations are lousy, too. No ocean view, no continental breakfast, and no entertainment... Faust, I wish I still had my tape player...'

Black let out a groan. The tape player in question was left back at the abandoned boarding house. Without it, all he had to keep him company was his thoughts... and his thoughts weren't very pleasant.

'So much for Black Knight Paladin.' He thought. 'Locked up in some dingy cell. And to think... certain ponies wanted to make me into a killing machine. They wanted me to be cold and emotionless. Totally ruthless and unstoppable. They tricked me into this, made me into their personal attack dog, a psycho who thought only of himself... and I couldn't even do that right. And now look where all that got me...'

As the months passed, Black continued to degrade mentally. He would imagine sounds that weren't there, believe there were things hiding in the shadows.

Here's to being equine
All the pain and suffering
There's beauty in the bleeding
At least you feel something

One evening, he heard a voice calling his name.

"Black... Black..."

"Who's there?" Black yelled.

From out of the shadows emerged a colt, one who looked just like Black when he was young.

"Who the buck are you?" Black frowned.

"I'm you... or rather, who you used to be." The colt declared.

"My 'inner child', huh?" Black growled. "I don't buy it."

"Maybe this will help." The colt sneered. "You spent the night of White's fifth birthday crying, after dad told you he wished you had wings like White."

"How could you know that?" Black asked, shocked.

"I told you, I'm you... or who you used to be." The colt Black declared. "Remember when you were a colt? You used to dream of being a great soldier? A hero? Well, look at you now. That dream sure went south fast."

"That's the real world, kid." Black said stubbornly.

"What if dad could see you now?" The colt Black glared. "He was right about you all along."

"No, he wasn't." Black grit his teeth.

"He always thought you were a good-for-nothing mistake." The colt Black smirked. "And you've just proven him right."

"Shut up!" Black yelled. "Just shut up!"

Black screwed up his eyes in anger. When he opened them, the colt version of himself was gone.

"What was that?" He asked himself.

I wish I knew what it was like
To care enough to carry on
I wish I knew what it was like
To find a place where I belong, but

I am machine
I never sleep
I keep my eyes wide open
I am machine
A part of me
Wishes I could just feel something
I am machine
I never sleep
Until I fix what's broken
I am machine
A part of me
Wishes I could just feel something

A few days later, Black suffered from another apparition: One of his teenage self.

"Hey, buddy." The teen Black growled. "I can't help but notice how pathetic you've become."

"Back off." Black snarled. "I know you're not real. You're just in my head."

"Doesn't mean I'm not right." The teen Black smirked. "Look at you, Black. When you were my age, you were the toughest colt in town. And you only beat up guys who deserved it. And then you went from that to pickin' on Changelings. You wound up no better than all those bullies you clobbered."

"That's your opinion... me." Black spat.

"And now you've wound up here, locked up like some second-rate loser." The teen Black declared. "You make me ashamed to be me."

"I don't care what you think." Black snarled. "I don't care what anypony thinks of me!"

"You used to." Teen Black shook his head, as he faded away. "You used to..."

"Not any more..." Black turned away.

Here's to being equine
Taking it for granted
The highs and lows of living
To getting second chances

One afternoon, just as the sun was setting, Black was faced with a vision of himself as an RDL soldier, even wearing his old uniform.

"Hello, Black." The vision declared. "Remember me? I'm you when you were at your best."

"That's debatable." Black countered.

"I'm the you who knew right from wrong." The soldier said proudly. "Who only killed in defense. Before you became a murderer."

"I... I didn't kill anypony who didn't already have it comin'!" Black stuttered.

"Like you cared about whether or not they deserved it." The soldier Black glared. "It wasn't long before you started killing for the sheer fun of it! You killed in cold blood, without mercy, or restraint! You made a mockery of everything a soldier stands for!"

"What I did, I did for Equestria." Black insisted, his resolve faltering.

"But was it worth it?" Soldier Black asked. "Was it worth Rookie's life?"

"Don't... don't you talk about him." Black began to falter.

"Was it worth abandoning the mare you loved?" Soldier Black demanded. "Worth losing White?"

"No, of course it wasn't..." Black shook his head, barely keeping it together. "But I kept it up anyway. I continued the mission-"

"Until you decided to abandon it all." Soldier Black snarled. "You threw away your mission, your comrades, even your own morals. And where did it get you? Here, rotting like the scum you really are."

"What do you want from me?!" Black's resolve finally broke, and he exploded with anguish. "What?"

"If you really have to ask that question, then I may never have it." Soldier Black shook his head. "All I am is simply the memory of who you once were. Before you descended into madness and brutality. Until you see the truth for yourself, I'll never be a part of you again..."

Soldier Black faded away.

"Yeah, well, good riddance!" Black snarled. "I don't need you any more! I don't need anypony!"

I wish I knew what it was like
To care about what's right or wrong
I wish someone could help me find
Find a place where I belong, but

I am machine
I never sleep
I keep my eyes wide open
I am machine
A part of me
Wishes I could just feel something
I am machine
I never sleep
Until I fix what's broken
I am machine
A part of me
Wishes I could just feel something

One particularly cold night, Black tossed and turned in bed, struggling to throw off nightmarish thoughts of his past battles. Suddenly, he sat upright, shocked awake.

"Figures." He muttered to himself. "This stupid head of mine won't even let me sleep any more."

Just then, Black heard a clanking noise.

"Huh?" He turned.

Before Black's eyes, another version of him appeared, leaking oil from his good eye, mouth, nose and ears.

"What the...?" Black gaped.

The apparition approached Black, its skin peeling off to show mechanical parts underneath.

"No!" Black yelped. "Stay back!"

As the mechanical Black came closer, it started coming apart, pieces of its body falling off. It collapsed into a heap just before it reached the real Black. The pieces then vanished.

Black was still leaning against his cell's wall, breathing heavily.

"What... what does this all mean?!" He asked aloud, his mind eroding more and more. "What are you telling to tell me? Just leave me alooooone!!"

It wasn't supposed to be this way
We were meant to feel the pain
I don't like what I am becoming
Wish I could just feel something

I am machine
I never sleep
Until I fix what's broken
I am machine
A part of me
Wishes I could just feel something

One day, Grimoire was called down to Black's cell, having received a rather perturbing message from the guards.

When he finally reached the cell, he could easily see why they were perturbed.

Black's already-unbalanced mind was suitably addled by his solitary confinement, but upon his mental breakdown, Black was acting very unsettling. His body was barely moving, his sole eye wide open and staring into space. Grimoire wasn't even sure if Black knew he was standing in front of him. The creepiest part was Black's head seem to be twitching, like he was some sort of machine, barely functioning.

"My Faust..." Grimoire frowned. He turned to the guards, who had joined his side. "How long has he been like this?"

"For a few months now." The buffalo guard murmured. "It all started one day when he began screaming. He was begging, and pleading, as if somepony was in the cell with him. It went on for a few hours, and just when we were about to go in and shut him up... we found him like this."

"I think he finally snapped, boss." The Earth Pony guard declared.

"I see." Grimoire frowned. "Well, is he at least eating and drinking?"

"Yeah... but that's another thing..." The buffalo declared, as he then slid a tray of food he had through the door.

Black sat there for a moment... before he slowly lowered his head, and began digging into his food, chomping like he was, as they described, a machine.

"Oh my..." Grimoire murmured, "That is disconcerting."

"Boss..." The Earth Pony guard spoke up, as he glanced at Grimoire. "Don't you think we oughta let him go?"

"What?!" The buffalo glared. "Why would we do that?"

"Come on, look at him!" The Earth Pony protested. "He's practically lost it! I don't think he's a threat to anypony anymore!"

"The guy is a genocidal maniac!" The buffalo snarled. "You heard what Wizel said! He was going to wipe the old timer's race off the face of Equestria! If we let him out, he might think about going after us buffaloes!"

"I know you are trying to be equine." Grimoire sighed. "But I did promise Wizel that we would make sure that this stallion would never harm another Changeling ever again. Even if he is like this, there's no telling what he might do if he snaps again."

"But..." The pony let out a sigh. "I guess you're right, sir."

"Well, I thank you both for telling me about this." Grimoire nodded, as he made to leave. "Let me know if there is any further development. I have to go now. I have an appointment with somepony in Equestria."

"Come on, boss, we know you're getting it on with that zebra chick." The buffalo sniggered. "We all know you always had a thing for them."

"Try and tell me stripes aren't hot." Grimoire joked as he departed.

'That's it.' Black thought. 'Leave the broken machine to rust in peace...'

A couple of weeks later, a Forefather agent, an Earth Pony by the name of Weaselly, who was sent out among others to dig up information as to what happened to Black, had finally picked up a trail. After a day or so following it to the source, he reported it directly to Loveless.

"...And that's how it is, sir." The pale brown stallion with yellow eyes, red mane, and a weasel Cutie Mark finished explaining.

"I see." Loveless nodded. "Good work, Weaselly. There'll be a nice little bonus in this for you."

"Sweet." Weaselly grinned. "I'm going to Baltimare this week!"

"You do that, agent." Loveless smirked.

After dismissing the agent, Loveless made his way back to the Coils, where Gridlock, Harlhooves, and Ricochet waited for him, having heard of Weaselly's find.

"So, what did that weasel find?" Gridlock asked.

"Is Black dead or alive?" Harlhooves followed up.

"Is the sum of the square roots of any two sides of an isosceles triangle equal to the square root of the remaining side?" Ricochet blurted out.

Gridlock and Harlhooves slowly turned to Ricochet, glaring at him in disbelief.

"...What? I just got done drinking and watching that Oz film the other agents put on." Ricochet frowned. "I always wonder if that was true."

"It isn't." Harlhooves deadpanned.

"Huh... that scarecrow dude got jiffed." Ricochet huffed.

"Back to the point, men." Gridlock snarled, as he turned to Loveless. "Well, what's happened to Black Knight?"

"Well, Weaselly told me quite a few things." Loveless declared. "First off... Black is still breathing."

"Damn it!" Gridlock cursed.

"However, it seems like Black might not be a problem either way." Loveless continued. "You see, it seems Black Knight has been detained."

"Detained?" Harlhooves frowned. "By whom? Black is supposed to be dead. Equestria would be having a field day if they found out he was still alive."

"Well, that's the thing." Loveless explained. "Black wasn't captured by any government of sorts. He was taken in by a criminal syndicate." He then pulled out a folder, which he had a fellow agent bring him before making his way to the Coils, and opened it, revealing a picture of eight familiar mafia ponies. "These are the Napoleons. The dominant mafia empire within Bitaly."

"...Hold up..." Gridlock frowned. "You mean to tell me that after all the trouble Black caused us, that the mob... the motherbucking mob... managed to capture Black?!"

"Dude, no way!" Ricochet smirked. "That's awesome!"

"I fail to see what's awesome about this." Harlhooves frowned. "I mean, we had Gridlock, the Black Sheep, and two of our finest new recruits take him on, and they couldn't win!"

"Rub it in, why don't ya?" Gridlock glared. "What exactly do we know about these 'Napoleons'?"

"Well, according to the intel." Loveless looked at the notes. "The Napoleons have been operating in Bitaly for nearly as long as the three pony tribes have been joined. As of now, the family is controlled by eight brothers, one of them having recently left for Equestria... to become a Royal Guard."

"Look, I don't care about who's running the joint!" Gridlock snapped. "I wanna know what these guys are capable of!"

"It says here that the Napoleons are rather well known in the criminal underworld." Loveless continued reading. "Thousands of murders, weapon trafficking, drug trafficking, contraband, and robberies have been carried out in their name... and there have been rarely any arrests. The closest anypony came to toppling the empire was when a pony named Striker Killsquad ran some sting operations, before his 'demise'."

"Killsquad?" Ricochet repeated. "Hey, isn't that the name of the guy we have-"

"Yes it is." Gridlock grimaced. "So not only has Black been captured by the mafia... he's been captured by one of the world's strongest mafia groups."

Sterling and Solomon then entered the room. They had recently been promoted to Ouroboros, and had been away on a mission of their own.

"Hey guys, what's up?" Sterling asked.

"Did we miss anything?" Solomon asked.

"Hey, Sterling, Lightning, you ain't gonna believe it!" Ricochet chuckled, as the two took their seats. "You know that Black dude who kicked both your asses? The mob got him!"

"Wait, what?" Solomon frowned.

"The mob?" Sterling snorted. "You mean like from The Goatfather? Are you for real?"

"I'm afraid Ricochet is correct, Sterling." Loveless nodded as he showed them the folder. "One of our informants has ascertained that Black has been taken captive by the Napoleons, a crime family in Bitaly, and has been hidden away somewhere by them for months."

"So, you're telling me that a bunch of two-bit gangsters managed to do what many of our operatives couldn't?" Solomon growled. "...Well, I don't know whether to be impressed or livid."

"I know, right?" Gridlock nodded. "How could they had done this? We've been hunting Black for years now, and I doubt they even knew he existed until recently!"

"Maybe they justgot lucky." Sterling suggested, as he read the information about them with interest. "These guys sure aren't foolin' around."

"But they've managed to keep him all this time." Gridlock snarled. "I had no idea those pasta-munchers were capable of that."

"Hey, maybe we should try to convince them to join us!" Ricochet smiled. "If these guys are so good, with them, we would be unstoppable."

"Not likely." Sterling frowned. "According to this, they prefer not to harm innocents. They adhere to some strange code of honor. They are criminals... with morals."

"Oh." The five Ouroboros awed, both in realization and dismay.

"Well, that is... disconcerting." Harlhooves frowned.

"'Disconcerting'?" Gridlock scoffed. "It's worse than that! What if these mobsters get it in their heads that they want to get in the way of our plans?"

"Gridlock has a point." Solomon mused. "If the Napoleons could take down Black, then that makes them potentially a greater threat than him! I suggest that we do something about them before they get the chance."

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves, Solomon." Sterling frowned. "The Napoleons don't even know who we are. If we attacked them... well, then that would just give us another enemy."

"Mr. Cross isn't wrong, you know." Harlhooves admitted. "Things are just getting back to normal, and I think I speak for all of us when I say that we don't want another threat to our organization right now."

"I suppose not." Solomon grumbled, glaring at Sterling.

"Still, I think it will be best that we keep an eye on these Napoleons." Gridlock frowned. "Make sure that they stay out of our way."

"Good thinking." Harlhooves agreed. "As for Black... well, he's hardly a threat to us wherever the Napoleons have him locked up."

"Indeed." Loveless nodded. "The Napoleons have actually done us a favor."

"Who would've thunk it?" Sterling mused.

"It still won't stop me from crushin' 'em if they get outta line, though..." Gridlock snarled.

"Oh yes, total obliteration." Solomon chuckled darkly.

"But for now, we are free to operate, safe in the knowledge that Black will no longer be an issue for us." Harlhooves grinned.

"Yep." Gridlock smirked. "We're back in business, boys..."

"Aw yeah!" Ricochet cheered, "That means I get to finally do this!" He pulled on a tug rope next to his chair.

A fanfare played as balloons and confetti fell down from above. A banner spelling "BLACK IS DEAD" unfolded over the table.

"I set that thing up when Gridlock and the Black Sheep took on Black." Ricochet said proudly. "Didn't had a chance to use it, since... well, you know."

"How thoughtful of you." Gridlock deadpanned.

"Thanks." Ricochet chuckled, before frowning. "Hey, I could've sworn I had a clown up there-"

Suddenly, a skeleton of a pony fell onto the table, sporting a rainbow wig and a red button nose. Everypony stared at it.

"Oh, there he is." Ricochet cringed. "Oh... oh, that's right, clowns like food, don't they?"

"...Just clean all this crap up, Ricochet." Gridlock groaned.

A few days later, Weaselly was enjoying his bonus at a bar in Baltimare. He was happily chugging back the drinks, glad he could be of use to his superiors.

"Yer gonna go far, Weasel, ol' boy, yer gonna go far!" Weaselly chuckled merrily to himself, as he chugged back another drink.

Suddenly, none other than Ballista took the seat next to him.

"Good evening, Mr. Weaselly." Ballista declared.

"Good evening your-" Weaselly paused. "Wait, how do you know my name? Do I know you?"

"No, but I know you. Kinda hard not to know one of the Forefathers' top informants." Ballista smiled.

Weaselly froze, shocked that Ballista knew of them. He reached for a crossbow in his saddlebag, but Ballista grabbed his hoof tightly.

"I have a few questions for you, mate." Ballista glared threateningly. "Answer them, and I'll let you go. Don't, and you'll be a hoof short. Got it?"

"Got it." Weaselly gulped.

"Good." Ballista smirked, as he departed. "Enjoy your drinks."

Weaselly let out a sigh of relief after Ballista left.

"Freakin' psycho..." He groaned.

Across the bar, a sultry-looking mare sat in shadow.

"This could be trouble." She mused. "Unless I do something about it..."

A few hours later, Ballista returned to the Taskforce with the information he'd attained, sharing it with the others.

"The Napoleons?" Elite frowned. "Why would a mafia family want to keep Black under lock and key?"

"Who cares?" Armory declared. "This is our chance to get Black back!"

"You took the words right outta my mouth." Ballista nodded. "We can put together an assault team, and-"

"Yeah... I would really recommend not doing that." A sultry voice rang out.

"Who's there?" Elite asked.

From around a corner emerged Natascha De Lady-Luck. She looked just the same as she did when the Taskforce encountered her in Las Pegasus. It was as if she hadn't aged a day since.

"You..." Ballista frowned.

"Hello, boys." Natascha smiled. "Long time, no see."

"Natascha?" Armory gaped. "You're here?" He started blushing. "You're, er, looking as lovely as ever."

"Oh, aren't you sweet?" Natascha purred. "You haven't aged so badly yourself."

"...Thanks." Armory gushed. "I have been trying to keep in shape..."

"Natascha De Lady-Luck." Elite noted. "My operatives informed me of the help you provided them in Las Pegasus. What brings you here?"

"And how did you get in?" Incognito asked.

"I have my ways. And to answer your question, I'm here to give you some more free advice." Natascha stated. "I'm well aware of what you're planning to do, and I'm warning you to drop it."

"Excuse me?" Elite frowned.

"You can't take on the Napoleons." Natascha declared. "Trust me, they have resources and weapons even the Forefathers can't imagine."

"So you're saying we should just leave one of our most valuable operatives in the hooves of a bunch of crooks?" Ballista snarled.

"Not so valuable any more, from what I've heard." Natascha frowned. "From what I've heard, you and your 'Project: Argo' really did a number on the poor guy."

"You know about Project: Argo?" Armory gaped.

"Me... and a few others." Natascha shrugged.

"Right... you just couldn't keep your damn mouth shut, could you?" Ballista glared at her viciously. "Thanks a lot for that."

"Oh, don't be that way, Ballista." Natascha tutted. "Business is business. And I did try to say no to him, but you know guys: 'no' means 'yes', and 'get lost' means 'take me, I'm yours'."

"Um, you do realize we're all guys here, right, Ms. Lady-Luck?" Master Mind frowned.

"That's beside the point." Natascha shrugged. "The point is, if you go to war with the Napoleons over Black, it will only end badly, mark my words."

"I hardly think a bunch of mafiosos will be a problem." Ballista sneered. "We're the army, dammit!"

"Wanna bet?" Natascha asked. "The Napoleons are not your run of the mill criminals. They've been at this game for several decades, and fried bigger fishes than that of the RDL. They're lead by the most brilliant criminal minds the world have ever known."

"It seems like you're quite familiar with these Napoleons." Elite frowned.

"Of course I am. They're one of my most favorite customers." Natascha smiled. "They pay me a small fortune, I let loose some information, and we sometimes have dinner together. They're a good bunch."

"I highly doubt that." Master Mind scoffed.

"To each their own." Natascha sighed. "Either way, these guys are extremely well-connected. If you launch an assault on them, then you would have yourselves a very powerful adversary. These guys don't back down from anything, and they will do everything in their power to take you out. And think of the media. How do you think it's going to look if a Equestrian-sanctioned military force breaking down the doors of a private residence?"

"...She's right." Elite sighed. "We could cause an international incident."

"Then we don't attack them!" Armory insisted. "Surely we can reason with them? Ask them to give Black over to us?"

"I'm afraid that won't work either." Natascha shook her head. "How do you intend to convince them that 'Red Eclipse' isn't 'Red Eclipse' without revealing the fact that he is Black Knight, who mind you, is supposed to be dead? In fact, how do you explain it without telling them about Taskforce Omega? If they knew, then it could lead to the same problem."

"...So... there is really nothing we can do, is there?" Elite frowned, disheartened.

"Y'what?" Ballista snorted. "Elite, you can't be serious. You're taking this floozie's advice?"

"Floozie?" Natascha glared.

"What choice do we have, Ballista?" Elite sighed. "It's too risky. Not only because the Napoleons will no doubt be ready for a home invasion, but if they are powerful as Natascha claims, then we will have to contend with both the Forefathers and them. We can't risk the security of this entire team for a single operative."

"But... we... we have to!" Armory protested. "Black needs us!"

"Oh Armory, you are such a sweetheart." Natascha said soothingly, rubbing his shoulder. "I know how much Black means to you, but you can't throw everything away for him. Deep down, there's still a part of him that doesn't want that."

"Yeah, I know..." Armory sighed.

"You poor dear." Natascha stroked his cheek. "I hate to bring such bad news upon all of you, but it's for your own good."

"We... appreciate the advice, Miss Lady-Luck." Elite said solemnly.

"I'm sure you do." Natascha nodded. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have places to go, and ponies to see..."

Natascha departed the headquarters.

"So that's it, then?" Ballista growled. "We're just calling it quits?"

"We have no choice." Elite sighed. "Like Natascha said, it's too much of a risk. As much as we may detest it, we have no other option than to... leave Black where he is."

"It's the logical choice." Master Mind agreed.

"The strategic choice." Incognito added.

"But not the choice a friend would make." Armory said sullenly. "We've really lost Black now..."

"Aroo..." Titan howled.

With great regret, the Taskforce left all plans of rescuing Black on the shelf. Until something happened, their hooves were tied.

As the years passed by, Black was beginning to grow much, much worse. Despite the mental breakdown and the ensuing machine-like disposition, there had been incidents where Black would suddenly snap, lunging and screaming madly at any pony who came near. After one particular incident where he almost bit off the ear of one of the pony guards, the Napoleons responded by tightening the chains to a point where Black was hanging, unable to move. This of course led to Black having to be fed by hoof...

However, unbeknownst to them, after that incident, something had reawakened within Black's subconscious... and it had a plan...

As Black sat in his cell one day, chains as tight as ever, he heard some of his jailors approaching.

'Finally.' He thought. 'Time to blow this pop stand...'

Black slumped back, making it appear as if he was asleep. He heard voices approaching him, and the sound of Griffon hind leg claws tapping on the stone.

"Lunch time, psycho." The Griffon declared.

Black kept pretending to be asleep.

"Didn't you hear me?" The Griffon frowned. "Wake up!"

The Griffon tapped Black's cheek lightly.

'Gotcha.' Black suddenly lifted his head up and snapped at the Griffon.

"Aah!" The griffon yelled, his wings opening in fright.

In his shock, the griffon tossed the food tray into the air. As he dived to catch it, Black caught one of the Griffon's feathers in his mouth. Catching the tray, the Griffon turned back to Black, who quickly pulled the feather under his tongue.

"I suppose you think that was funny, huh?" The Griffon growled. "I hope you choke on this food."

"Haha, what? Are you bloody hybrids part chicken or something?" Black snarked.

"Eagle, and you're lucky that I am even bothering to feed you. If it were up to me, you would be skin and bone right now!" The Griffon sneered.

"Ooh, like I asked to be fed by a product of drunk mating between a lion and an eagle. You Griffons are freaks." Black growled.

"Just shut up and eat your food." The Griffon force-fed Black his meal, Black making sure to keep the feather under his tongue the whole time.

"No chokin', huh?" The Griffon sulked. "Pity. Ah well, maybe next time..."

"Speakin' of next time, tell the chef to go easy on the salt." Black chuckled darkly.

The Griffon carried the empty tray out of the cell, muttering curses. As he slammed the cell's door shut, the buffalo guard approached him.

"So, how's the little 'machine' doing?" The buffalo scoffed.

"'Little machine' nothing, that asshole nearly bit my beak off." The Griffon growled. "And he insulted me!"

"Really?" The Earth Pony guard frowned. "That's strange. From what I understand, the guy hasn't said so much as a word for the past couple of years, only yells and screams."

"Oh, he talks." The Griffon growled. "He just insulted my parentage. Lousy, rotten-"

"Just ignore him." The buffalo snorted. "It's not like he can do anything else..."

Upon the cell's door shutting, Black released the feather from under his tongue, and stuck it out, quill first.

'Time to pick me a winner...' He smirked.

With some careful manipulation, he managed to bend the feather so the quill entered the lock of his chains. Turning his head back and forth, he succeeded in picking the lock. The chains clattered the ground, freeing him.

"Finally..." He stretched out his limbs. "Now to get out of here." He then cracked his hooves. "Muscles, don't fail me now."

Black made his way to the basement's door, and began pounding against it repeatedly. Finally, it tore loose from its hinges, slamming two guards (a buffalo and a pony) on the other side against the opposite wall. As they collapsed to the floor, Black stepped out of the cell.

"I'm done with the room now." He told their prone forms smugly. "Thank you for your hospitality."

He made to leave… before coming back to kick the buffalo's unconscious body.

"By the way, you buffaloes reek!" Black grimaced.

Black dashed down the corridor, and up the stairs.

'Time to check out of this second-rate chateau once and for all.' He thought.

Quietly, he snuck through the mansion, looking for the closest exit. As he turned into one room, he narrowly avoided being spotted by a Changeling servant by ducking behind a chair. Once the coast was clear, he continued his sneaking.

As Black entered the living room, he lit up at the sight of the door leading to his freedom… but then he heard a loud sound.

"Be careful, you ricchione!" Murray snarled.

"Aw, crud!" Black cursed.

Quickly, he ducked behind a couch, as he saw the Napoleons bringing in a crate.

"Steady, steady…" Lars grunted.

"Saying 'steady' does not makes this crate any lighter." Slot groaned.

"Don't even think about dropping this box!" Salt glared. "Because of this thing, our archaeologist friend's wife has to do all the 'work' for him the next couple of weeks."

"Just set it down here." Grimoire gestured to the middle of the room.

The brothers set the crate down.

"Slot, if you please…" Sonny gestured.

Slot smiled as he pulled out a crowbar, and cracked open the crate.

"Oh-ho-ho, looks like we hit the jackpot this time!" Vinny smirked, as he and the other brothers peeked inside. The crate contained a bunch of old relics.

"Check this out." Lars held up an old vase. "This must be from the Whinnyin' dynasty!"

"And here's an authentic Roaman cooking pot!" Sonny smiled.

"And a genuine Coltic warrior's shield!" Salt declared.

"What's this?" Grimoire held up a curved red object that ended in a point.

"Beats me." Murray shrugged.

"Looks like a Unicorn's horn." Lars inspected it.

"Well I don't think the Bitalian history museum will want some dead guy's horn." Murray snorted, as he took the horn and dropped it back in the crate.

'Whatever that old garbage is, at least it'll keep them distracted while I get outta here.' Black thought.

Knowing that they were too engrossed in their trinkets to notice him, Black started tiptoeing towards the open front door.

"What kinda junk is this?" Slot held up a rusty old cog. "Later!"

Slot tossed the cog over his shoulder. The cog struck Black square in the face.

"Ow!" He yelped, unable to stop himself. 'Oh buck.'

The Napoleons turned, and saw him.

'Oh, double buck.' Black thought.

"You!" Grimoire snarled. "How did you escape?!"

"That's for me to know, and you to find out." Black smirked, edging towards the door. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have places to go, and vermin to stamp out. Buh-bye now!"

"You're not going anywhere, Eclipse!" Murray snarled.

"Oh?" Black smirked. "Just watch me."

He turned to the door, only for a chair, wrapped in a magic aura, fly by and barricade it.

"We made a promise to Mr. Yggdrasil that we would keep you locked up." Lars growled. "And we Napoleons never break our promise."

"Is that so?" Black turned to face them, his smile turning into a scowl. "That old bug and his 'prophecy' really messed things up for me. I'll have to give him and his mud-wallowing race a crash course in agony once I get out of here."

"Sorry, but the only thing that's going to get a crash course in agony is you, ya Tartarus-bound scumsucker!" Slot roared.

"Well, then…"Black did a "come hither" gesture with one of his front hooves. "Bring it."

"Consider it brought!" Salt led the charge.

The fight went by in a vicious blur. Though Black was not in the best shape, he put up a decent struggle. But he was forced to make some underhoofed moves, like kicking one of them in the groin. His need for survival (and to get some payback for his imprisonment) superceded all thoughts of fair play. Despite how hard he hit each and every one of them, they continued to get back up, and it was getting to a point where Black was growing very tired.

"This is really starting to get old." He declared, the rigors of having been locked up for so long getting to him. "How many times do I have to beat you down before you stay down?"

"Hey, big guy!"

Black turned, only to be blindsided by Slot hitting him hard with a body check.

Black was flung headfirst into the crate. The crate shattered, sending the items inside flying everywhere. Everything became a daze for the concussed Black. He could barely make out what the others were saying...

"Oy, this guy just doesn't give up, does he?" Murray growled.

"Well, there's still seven of us and only one of him, so let's kick his flank!" Slot snarled.

'No... no, no, no...' Black panicked, as he struggled to get up. 'I can't lose now. I can't go back down there. I won't... I won't!'

"Wait." Grimoire stopped Slot, as he noticed something different about him. "There's something on his head!"

The red curved object had somehow attached itself to Black's forehead, making him look like he had a horn.

"Owww, my buckin' head..." He groaned. As he rubbed his forehead, he felt the horn. 'Wait, what's this?'

"Then let's get it off him." Salt declared. "As painfully as possible."

Black slowly rose to his hooves, his mind racing rapidly as he found himself trapped in a corner.

'And I thought it couldn't get any worse.' He thought wildly. 'They won't lock me up this time. They'll probably just kill me. But hey, at least I won't have to live in that rotten cell anymore.'

As Black struggled to rally his jangled thoughts, another voice emerged in his mind.

'...Crystals...'

'What the f-' Black frowned.

Black was unable to finish that thought, as suddenly, his eyes snapped open, the sclera around his golden irises a sickly green, as purple wisps poured out. The red horn began to glow with a dim green light. A great surge of power coursed through his body, the feelings of exhaustion and pain fading away as if they never existed. For the first time in ten years, he felt invincible... like the perfect machine.

The stallion glared at the seven stupefied brothers...

"As I was saying..." He smirked, as the horn glowed brighter. "Buh-bye now..."

Grimoire's next words perfectly summarized how screwed he and his brothers were.

"Oh, sweet motherbuckin'-" Grimoire gasped.

*KABOOM!*

The entire mansion went up in flames around Black, the building torn apart by a massive explosion. As the inferno crackled around him, Black's grin grew more wicked and wider, as he began to laugh and laugh, descending into a sense of anarchy. It was a madness he had never known until that moment.

"Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha, HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA!" He threw his head back in twisted delight, his laugh fading away into the deep blackness of the night...

However, somewhere deep within the recesses of his broken mind...

Black found himself walking into what seemed to be the throne room of Canterlot Castle, only it was darker, more foreboding.

"What is this?" He frowned, stupefied by what he was seeing.

"This... is destiny." A dark voice, cold as ice, whispered.

"Who said that?" Black looked around. "Show yourself! Who are you?"

"Who am I indeed?" The voice sneered. "Well, to answer your question, I am what some ponies call a fool... a monster... a tyrant... a king... a god... but you may address me by my true name..."

Black glanced forward, his eyes widen and his jaw dropping by who he was seeing.

Sitting atop the throne, where Celestia would normally sit, was a familiar grey unicorn with red eyes, clad in silver armor, a red cape with white trim, an ominous-looking crown, and the same horn that Black had upon his head.

The unicorn gazed at Black Knight with eyes much like the devil himself...

"...Sombra..."

The present...

Everypony was silent, as Caboose and Fletcher stood agape at what Black had just told them.

"Lauren Faust, dude!" Caboose gasped.

"So that was how you came to have Sombra's horn?" Fletcher whispered. "Unbelievable..."

"Tell me about it. The first time I used his powers, it was like nothing I'd never felt before..." Black admitted. "Though I guess it goes without saying that I went a little overboard."

"Yeah, no kidding." Caboose pouted. "You wound up blowing up the house I grew up in."

"Yeah, again, sorry about that." Black shrugged. "But in spite of that, I think we all know what comes next..."

"But of course." Fletcher nodded. "The worst is yet to come."

"I'm even more unsure I want to hear this." Pike frowned. "It doesn't sound like it'll be fun..."

"That doesn't even come close to describing what was in store for me." Black frowned. "What were easily my darkest days were upon me, and everything would change forever...."

Author's Notes:

"I am Machine" belongs to Three Days Grace.

Feed The Machine

"Oh boy, this is gonna be rough." Caboose declared. "The 'Crystal Sun' thing again. Like living through it wasn't bad enough..."

"I've heard stories of the incident." Fletcher mused. "But I imagine it was a lot worse than it sounds."

"Yeah... how exactly do you justify all that bullcrap you put us through?" Caboose frowned. "I mean, I get that you're a good guy now and all... but crap went down, mister!"'

"I know... but would you believe me when I say that it wasn't all me doing it?" Black frowned.

"Whaddya mean?" Pike asked.

"Well, it was hard to explain..." Black shuddered. "When Sombra's horn was embedded in my head, it was as if something had entered my mind. That something... had a voice. It was as if Sombra himself was in my head, speaking to me...."

"Ew, sounds nasty." Caboose cringed. "Hate to have somepony in my mind."

"What about O'Malley?" Fletcher frowned.

"Who?" Pike glanced at Caboose.

"It's a long story..." Caboose cringed. "...Which has already been told. We should be focused on Black's right now."

"Right you are, Caboose." Black frowned. "Both that and about having somepony in your head... it didn't help that my head wasn't exactly right at the time..."

Many years ago...

Black was standing in the wreckage of the Napoleon's mansion, perfectly still, ignorant of the fire all around him. In his mind, he was speaking with his new "roommate".

"You..." Black frowned. "You're King Sombra."

"That I am." Sombra smirked. "How gratifying that you recognise me."

"This doesn't make any sense." Black growled. "You're dead. I heard in the papers how you were blasted to bits by a wave of pure love, or something sappy like that."

"Yes, that was rather unpleasant." Sombra growled. "If I were a normal pony, I would be dead... but I am not a normal pony. My dark essence survived within my horn. I have been waiting all this time for somepony to free me. I cannot tell you how grateful I am that the time has finally come."

"My pleasure." Black deadpanned. "But to be honest, it was dumb luck that you're here now. That blonde mobster with the attitude problem rammed me right into the box, and into you."

"I don't believe in dumb luck." Sombra said firmly. "I believe in destiny... and I believe it brought you to me."

"...Yeah, not really into that destiny bull-crap." Black scoffed.

"Oh, come now..." Sombra began... before frowning. "Do forgive me, but what is your name?"

"...Black... Black Knight Paladin." Black frowned.

"Well, Black... since we are going to be spending a lot of time together, I would like to repay you for letting me free." Sombra declared. "With my powers, I can give you the ability to do and gain anything and everything that your heart desires..."

"A tempting offer..." Black mused, before glaring. "But from what I've heard, you're a pretty rotten guy. Some might say, evil."

"Evil, you say?" Sombra mused. "If I were evil, would I have helped you overcome your captors?"

"Maybe..." Black shrugged.

"Well, see for yourself, Black." Sombra smiled.

On cue, one of the throne room's windows opened, showing the ruins of the mansion. The Napoleons brothers were spread, unconscious and bruised, among the wreckage.

"...Whoa... did I do that?" Black frowned. "I kinda blanked out for a minute."

"No... we did that." Sombra smirked. "I allowed you to tap into my power. Quite impressive, given that it was your first try."

"Didn't even know I was trying..." Black frowned.

"I imagine it feels good, finally having some retribution at last." Sombra prompted.

"Yeah, it does." Black smiled viciously. "They kept me locked up in this place for years... and thanks to me, it's nothing but rubble."

"And now, you can finish them off." Sombra smiled wickedly. "Consider it one of my many gifts to you..."

Black looked upon the Napoleons, remembering the years of cold, dark, imprisonment they had served upon him. A twisted smile emerged on his face, as he considered all the magnificent vengeance he could serve upon them...

But in the back of his head, Black felt a twinge of doubt... which was odd. Despite everything that had happened to him, and how much he relished his 'dark side', some part of him deep within still knew right from wrong. And that part was screaming at him not to do it.

"...No." Black said quietly.

"...No?" Sombra frowned. "Black, it is to my understanding that these fools imprisoned you for a very long time, and I could sense their intentions. They intended to drag you back into your cell... even kill you... and you want to spare them?"

"I know what they did..." Black sighed. "But..." He wasn't sure how to say it to the evil king, so he went with the path most traveled. "They're just not worth it. They're mafia scum. Besides... I blew up their home."

A burning wall crashed down, to emphasize his point.

"...Hmm, excellent point, Black." Sombra chuckled. "Now, let us leave this sad pile of rubble. There are far better places to be in."

"No argument here." Black agreed.

The two left the grounds of the mansion. Unbeknownst to either of them, Natascha was watching from behind a nearby gazebo. Ever since she narrowly convinced the Taskforce to not attack the Napoleons, a part of her felt that the least she could do for them was to keep tabs on the Napoleons and on Black's welfare. Maybe look for an opportunity to help them get Black out of there... the last thing she expected was the Napoleons' manor to blow up.

While everypony else was panicking over the explosion, Natascha was able to spot a familiar red stallion leaving the scene... but she noticed something ghastly on his head and something equally ghastly coming from his eyes...

"Black... what has happened to you?" She whispered.

Unbeknownst to Natascha, there was another observer nearby. One of the Forefathers' informants, a keen-eyed Pegasus stallion by the name of Farsight, had also witnessed the mansion's destruction from across the street, and Black's new look.

"Wait'll the Ouroboros hear about this..." He muttered, flying away.

As night fell, Black continued his trek through Bitaly, stopping every couple of miles to forage for food and to get some sleep. Inside his head, he and Sombra were deep in conversation.

"So, where exactly should we go now... your majesty?" Black asked. "And more importantly... what do we do?"

"It's simple, my new friend." Sombra smiled. "We return to Equestria, and make it our own."

"What?" Black frowned, "Why would I do that?"

"Why not?" Sombra asked. "While you were busy gorging yourself on those bitter roots you found, I decided to take a look through your memories..."

"...Wait, you can do that?" Black grimaced. "Why would you go through my head like that?"

"Well, it's certainly better than just standing around doing nothing." Sombra scoffed. "Besides, I was curious about who Black Knight Paladin really was... and my, you were such a naughty boy."

Black gave a silent scowl.

"Destroying a village full of vermin, just so you could save the world... only to have your name disgraced and hated for all of eternity because of that selfless act. Your so-called comrades luring you in with smiles and false promises so that they could make you into a weapon. And now... here you are, a renegade who owes allegiance to nopony." Sombra declared. "And all that other heroic stuff that bears no consequences."

"And what's your point, exactly?" Black glared.

"My point is, if you help me retake what is rightfully mine, you and I could rule Equestria together. We will force everypony, including this wretched 'Taskforce' to bow down to you, call you their master... no, a king... no, a GOD!" Sombra declared proudly. "Just imagine all that power, just within your reach... can you see it?"

The words Sombra spoke seemed very enticing to Black. He had enjoyed calling the shots for the Changeling hunters, and back when he was heading his squad back in Saddle Arabia, he felt a thrill from having ponies to command. To rule all of Equestria was... oddly enough, looking pretty good...

Suddenly, that same twinge of morality returned, urging him to rid himself of that thought.

"No offense, but I don't really want to be a god. I don't want to rule anything..." Black growled, at the same time surprised by his own words. "All I ever wanted to do, before I got myself into this whole mess, was to protect Equestria. Defend it from those would threaten it."

"And who's to say that you can't still do that?" Sombra suggested. "If you are the one in charge, you can ensure Equestria is safe, and remains safe."

"Sounds more like tyranny." Black scoffed. "Kinda beats the purpose, don't you think?"

"Tyranny is better than you think." Sombra retorted. "Why, if I were still ruling the Crystal Empire, I would never tolerate having a group such as those wretched Forefathers existing."

"...Wait, you know about the Forefathers?" Black frowned.

"Of course I do. The name constantly came up while I was going down your memory lane." Sombra shrugged. "And to be honest, the name does sound familiar. I believe they've been around as far back as when I was still ruling the Empire."

"Hmph, figured." Black rolled his eyes. "They've been around too long, if you ask me."

"Well, if I was still king, I would have made sure to eradicate those fools the moment they reared their heads from their vile hiding holes." Sombra growled.

"Oh, is that a fact?" Black sneered.

"Indeed..." Sombra nodded. "From what I learned, these Forefathers have been nothing but trouble to you for the longest time. A rash that you could never quite rid yourself of. With my help, we can expunge the Forefathers once and for all, and ensure Equestria is protected."

"And you'd do all that out of the goodness of your heart?" Black said skeptically.

"As I said, I owe you a debt for freeing me." Sombra declared. "And though I may have done things some would label as 'evil', what the Forefathers have done is enough to turn even my stomach. They clearly need to be stopped."

"...So let's say you're telling the truth." Black mused. "How exactly do you intend on stopping the Forefathers? There may be two of us in here, but technically, there's only one pony out there. And the Forefathers have an army."

"Oh yes..." Sombra nodded. "I do recall back in my day the stories of the Forefathers and their enigmatic leader, the one they call 'Father'... is he immortal or just a line of many great leaders? That is the question."

"Tell me about it." Black scoffed. "You know, ever since I joined the Taskforce, I haven't been able to learn a single thing about him. For all I know, this 'Father' is just some lanky nerd with a lot of time and money on his hooves who somehow commands the respect of those nutcases..."

"I wouldn't be so sure of that, Black." Sombra frowned. "I have heard things... I hear that Father has power on par with the Princesses themselves... that he will stop at nothing to reshape all of Equestria in his image, and has annihilated all who ever dared to challenge him, be they single ponies, or entire armies."

"If that's the case... then we'd probably have no chance of beating him." Black grimaced.

"Which is why we must obtain more power if we ever hope to defeat him and the Forefathers." Sombra surmised.

"What kind of power are you thinking?" Black asked.

"That... I am not really sure." Sombra sighed. "I was stuck in my horn in the middle of a frozen wasteland for Faust knows how long. Any artifact I can remember is probably destroyed, drained of its power, or unable to be obtained at this point. We are on the run here, are we not?"

"Yeah, we are." Black nodded. "Just the two of us, on the path of uncertainty, the road ahead black as night..."

"If only the sun were to rise, and light our way..." Sombra mused.

"...Sun..." Black murmured... before lighting up, recalling one of his earliest missions from long ago. "Hold on. A while back, me and the Taskforce went on this mission to snag a book. It mentioned this thing called the 'Crystal Sun'..."

"...Hold on... the Crystal Sun?" Sombra gaped, his eyes widening in shock. "You mean, The Crystal Sun?!"

"You've heard of it?" Black frowned.

"Heard of it? Black, the Crystal Sun was an artifact from time long past! An object that holds powers beyond anypony's recognition! Crafted by the most powerful beings in the world... the Great Alicorns..." Sombra whispered.

"...The Great Alicorns?" Black frowned. "You mean like Celestia and Luna?"

"Those two wenches? HA!" Sombra scoffed. "The Great Alicorns are a level beyond that of those measly Alicorns. Those two sisters combined couldn't amount to even a fraction of only one's power. Oh no, the Great Alicorns are Alicorns from way back when... we are dealing with what could be their parents."

"Really? How come this is the first I'm hearing of it?" Black asked.

"Well, the Great Alicorns to this day are now only legends, forgotten by time. Only a select few know of their once-great existence." Sombra mused. "It is said that they wove the fabric of existence itself, that Equestria as we know it only came to exist by their whims."

"So... you think this Crystal Sun might be the key to obtaining the power to destroy Father?" Black asked.

"I know it is!" Sombra laughed wickedly. "If we can obtain the Sun and unlock its powers, we ourselves could become far stronger than all of the Alicorns in the world combined! We only need that book..." He turned to Black. "Where is it now?"

"Well, if memory serves..." Black mused. "It's probably still locked up with all the other dangerous stuff back at HQ, in the archives."

"Then we must appropriate it immediately." Sombra declared.

"Are you nuts?" Black growled. "We can't go there, and I'm guessing you know why! The second anypony sees me, they'll haul my butt in for treason!"

"Not if you have a little help." Sombra smirked. "As long as my horn is upon your forehead, you can access some of my dark magic. With my magic, and your knowledge of the structure, we can slip into the headquarters undetected, find the book, obtain the information we need, and then we will be on our way to making Equestria a better place. What do you say, Black?"

The virtuous feeling within Black returned, pleading him not to agree with Sombra's insidious plan... but it was drowned out by other desires. Desires for power, for control... something that he had lost long ago...

"Okay." Black nodded. "Let's do it."

"I knew you would come around." Sombra smirked. "Now let us go... towards our destiny!"

In a matter of days, after hitching a ride on a boat for Equestria, and trekking through forests and mountains, Black found himself just outside the Taskforce's headquarters' secret mountainside entrance.

"Never thought I'd find myself back here again..." He mused. "So, how do we get in without anypony noticing?"

"Call upon my dark magic." Sombra declared. "Envision the place you need to be. Focus and concentrate, and you shall be taken there."

"I'd better." Black screwed up his face with concentration.

"Concentrate." Sombra urged. "Concentrate..."

"Nopony likes a backseat driver, you know." Black growled.

"Less talk, more thought." Sombra snorted.

Black pictured the archives as hard as he could. Just when he thought nothing would happen, dark green wisps emerged from his horn. The horn lit up, and a burst of shadows enveloped him.

"Is... is this supposed to happen?" He asked.

"Yes." Sombra smirked.

The shadows cleared, and Black found himself in the archives.

"Hey, it worked!" Black smiled.

"As I told you." Sombra nodded. "Now, the book. Quickly."

"Comin' right up." Black nodded.

Black made his way through the archives. He spotted the book under a glass case.

"Ah, The Way of the Crystal Sun. Just as we left it." Black smirked. "All too easy..."

Black lifted up the case and removed the book. However, he was not aware that there was a silent alarm attached to the case, and by opening the case, he had tripped it.

Unbeknownst to Black, Armory, Master Mind, and Incognito were in HQ at the time, sitting in the meeting room. Elite was off on official RDL business back in Saddle Arabia, while Ballista and Titan were on a mission.

"Still no Forefather activities lately?" Incognito asked.

"Not that we know of." Master Mind frowned. "I do not like it when they're this quiet. It means they're up to something..."

"Or maybe they're about to give up?" Armory suggested.

"Somehow. I doubt that." Incognito snorted.

"Yeah, me too." Armory shrugged. "It was just a joke..."

"I've heard better." Master Mind said flatly.

Suddenly, a beeping noise was heard.

"That's one of the archive alarms!" Armory held up the device from which the beeping was coming from. "Somepony has infiltrated the base!"

"Impossible." Master Mind declared.

"It wouldn't be the first time." Incognito pointed out. "Remember Natascha?"

"Boy, do I..." Armory sighed.

"But how could they have gotten into the archives without anypony noticing?" Master Mind frowned.

"Well, we'll just have to find out." Armory declared.

The three of them rushed to the archives.

"Stay sharp." Incognito whispered, as he pulled out a crossbow. "Our would-be thief could be anywhere."

"Wait'll I get my hooves on him..." Master Mind growled, as he flicked out his baton.

"Let's just hope we can take him." Armory frowned, having only "Homer" with him.

Swiftly, they rounded a corner, ready to aim... only to find Black, his back to them.

"Wait... is that..." Master Mind gaped.

"Black!" Armory gasped, overjoyed. "You're back!"

"Uh-oh." Black froze. He had been so engrossed in the book that he had lost track of things.

"Wonderful..." Sombra growled.

"Black, I can't believe it's you!" Armory laughed with joy, as he made his way over to his old friend. "How in Equestria did you get out-"

Black turned around, revealing the horn on his head, causing Armory to stop dead in his tracks.

"Black?" Armory frowned. "...What is that on your head?"

"Good question." Incognito agreed.

"But the more pressing question is: What are you doing here?" Master Mind asked. "In the archives, holding a copy of The Way of the Crystal Sun, and tripping the silent alarm?"

"Um..." Black murmured.

"If I didn't know any better... I'd think you were planning on stealing the book." Incognito glared.

"What?! Incognito!" Armory glared. "Why would Black want the book? He and Shadow went to great lengths to steal it from the Forefathers! ...Hey, maybe he just needs it to help stop one of the Forefathers' new plans. Maybe he-"

"Well, it isn't just me anymore, Armory..." Black declared, his horn glowing.

"...Black?" Armory frowned.

"Yes..." Black nodded. "But not just me... with this horn, I now have the essence of King Sombra within me. His powers are now mine to control..."

"Sombra?!" Incognito gaped. "As in the Sombra from the Crystal Empire? That Sombra?"

"Surprised?" Black asked. "So am I. But he's a pretty good traveling companion."

"Black... what are you thinking?" Armory asked, dread building within him. "You know what Sombra is, right? He's a monster! He enslaved the Crystal Empire! Made it disappear for a thousand years! Nearly killed everypony there!"

"...Maybe..." Black scowled, disdain on his face. "But at least he didn't leave me to rot in the basement of a bunch of pasta munchers for TEN YEARS!"

"...Oh..." Armory frowned. "Black... we can explain... we wanted to break you out... but we had no choice..."

"Armory's right." Master Mind nodded. "We heard what the Napoleons were capable of. We couldn't rescue you, not without risking the entirety of the Taskforce operation."

"So... you mean to tell me that you didn't help me... because you were scared of the mob?!" Black snarled, understandably livid.

"Not 'scared', per se." Master Mind said indignantly.

"We couldn't risk exposing ourselves-" Armory started.

"Save it, guys. I don't think there's any point explaining..." Incognito told the two, as he glared at Black. "...Okay, Black, what are you and your new 'BFF' planning to do with that book?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Black sneered. "With this book, we're going to seek out the Crystal Sun. And we're going to use its power to accomplish the mission... permanently."

"Excuse me?" Master Mind frowned.

"Me and Sombra will bring peace to Equestria... by taking complete control over it." Black declared. "We'll use the Crystal Sun's power to crush the Forefathers, and ensure everlasting peace."

"By crushing all freedom along with the Forefathers?" Master Mind asked. "We won't allow this, Black, Sombra... whoever's in there!"

"Try and stop us." Black sneered.

"As you wish!" Incognito roared, as he and Master Mind charged.

"I was hoping you'd do that." Black smirked.

Incognito fired his crossbow, but Black dodged the bolt. Then, like lightning, he dashed over and kicked the weapon out of Incognito's hooves. He then kneed him for good measure.

"Ugh!" Incognito stumbled back.

"Enough!" Master Mind swung his baton.

Black caught the weapon.

"Shoulda stayed in the library, brainiac." Black flung the baton away, then kicked Master Mind in the chest.

"Ooof!" Master Mind grunted, staggering backwards.

"Do yourselves a favor and give up." Black sneered.

"Never." Incognito declared.

"As if we would surrender to a traitor like you!" Master Mind spat.

"Suit yourselves." Black snarled.

Sombra's horn glowed with dark magic, and released a burst of energy that knocked Master Mind and Incognito back, and into the walls.

"Ohhhh..." The two groaned, slumping to the ground.

"I never liked those two." Black said coldly. "Never..."

As Black made to leave, Armory stood in his way.

"Black, please don't do this." Armory pleaded.

"Step aside, Armory." Black growled. "I can't let anypony interfere. Not even you."

"And I can't let you leave." Armory stood firm, aiming his 'Homer' at Black. "I won't."

"...Hmph, you can't stop me." Black growled. Before Armory could even fire the ropedart, Black grabbed him by the throat with one hoof, and lifted him into the air.

"Gah!" Armory panicked, his hooves dangling as he glanced fearfully at Black. "Black... please... don't..."

Within Black's mind, Sombra and Black watched Armory struggling in their grasp.

"Come on, Black... finish him." Sombra urged. "Crush him like the insect he is, and let's go!"

Black felt his hoof tighten, much to Armory's horror... but as he stood there, watching Armory fighting to break free, Black felt a sick twist in his stomach. This was his friend. The pony who had saved his life over and over again. And here he was, moments away from killing him...

Black knew this wasn't right. Not one bit.

"Well, what are you waiting for?!" Sombra demanded.

"I..." Black struggled. In spite of everything, Armory was still that friend. And after all he had done for Black, hurting him was the last thing he could ever do to him...

Suddenly, Black lowered Armory to the ground, and released him, much to Armory's surprise (and Sombra's outrage). Armory quickly breathed in several lungfuls of air.

"What are you doing?!" Sombra growled at Black back in his mind.

"We have what we came for." Black said flatly. "That's enough. Time to go."

Black walked past the panting Armory, as the shadows began raveling around him.

"B-Black, wait!" Armory tried calling after him.

However, Black then vanished in a puff of darkness.

"...Black..." Armory slumped to his knees, tears beading up in his eyes. "Oh, Black..."

It was only a few hours later that Elite, Ballista, and Titan returned, having been called in by Armory. It took a couple of minutes to explain all that had happened.

"...And before I could stop him, Black vanished into a wisp of smoke." Armory finished, as they all sat in the meeting room. Master Mind and Incognito had ice packs applied to their bruises. "None of us could do anything to stop him..."

"I can't believe what I'm hearing." Elite shook his head. "Why would Black do this?"

"Well, he said that he was going to accomplish the mission." Master Mind sighed. "And crush the Forefathers. And after the beating he gave us, I'm actually quite confident that he can pull it off."

"But how did Black even got that horn?" Ballista scowled. "I thought Sombra was completely obliterated when that whole Crystal Empire mess went down!"

"I think I might be able to answer that..."

Natascha entered the meeting room.

"Seriously?" Master Mind frowned. "We really need to improve our security measures!"

"Oh, great. What do you want?" Ballista glared.

"I'm sorry to intrude on you all again." Natascha apologized. "But I believe you might be interested in some information I have regarding Black."

"Well, sorry to break it to you, lady, but we already know that Black has somehow gotten free from the Napoleons." Incognito scoffed. "The bruises would attest to that."

"I guessed as much." Natscha mused. "And I'm guessing you noticed Black's new fashion accessory."

"Yes, we did." Master Mind nodded. "Rather hard not to."

"Well, I bet what you don't know is that I've been keeping an close eye on the Napoleons since our last talk." Natascha revealed. "I was hoping to find a way to help Black out, when suddenly, the whole place blew up!"

"Wait, Black... blew up the Napoleons' home?" Armory gaped.

"Oh yes." Natascha nodded. "I wasn't sure what happened 'till the smoke cleared. Then I saw Black walking away from the wreckage, with Sombra's horn on his head."

"So it is Sombra's horn?" Incognito asked.

"Yes." Natascha nodded. "And I fear that how Black got it might have to do with this dig the Napoleons had one of their associates go on a while back... one that took place in the frozen wastelands up north."

"But that doesn't explain why Black would do this." Armory frowned. "I know him. He might've done a couple of bad things lately, but this? This isn't him!"

"I realize that, Armory." Natascha sighed. "But I fear that whatever dark magic is in Sombra's horn is messing with his head. The Black you knew might not even be in there anymore..."

"No..." Armory gaped.

"Rrooo..." Titan whimpered.

"This is far worse than I ever could have imagined." Elite declared.

"...You do realize that none of this would have happened if we hadn't taken your advice." Ballista glared at Natascha. "If we had rescued Black right then and there, that thing wouldn't be stuck on his head."

"Well, excuse me, but it's not like I knew this was going to happen." Natascha glared back.

"How can we be sure, though?" Ballista growled. "You're always so blasted knowledgeable. Maybe you knew all along Sombra's horn was in there."

"I'm not psychic, just well-informed." Natascha snorted. "You should try it sometime."

"Don't tell me what to do, you double-talking hussy!" Ballista yelled.

"Hey, leave her alone!" Armory snarled.

"Of course you'd stand up for here." Ballista sneered. "You've got that pathetic little school-boy crush on her-"

"That has nothing to do with it!" Armory blushed. "She can't have known all this would have happened, so lay off her!"

"Make me, you-" Ballista started.

"Look, it doesn't matter now." Elite declared. "Right now, we need to find Black and stop him from doing something he is surely going to regret."

"...You're right." Ballista sighed, shaking his head. "If this Crystal Sun is part of the equation, who knows how bad things are gonna get if Black actually gets his hooves on it."

"We can only hope it's out of his reach." Master Mind mused.

"But if it's not, and he does find out where to get it, then where would he go?" Armory asked.

"A very good question..." Elite frowned.

A short distance away, Black was marching down a valley, the book in his magical grasp.

"You should have finished them." Sombra growled. "Now they know about me, and about our plan to use the Crystal Sun."

"Come off it, Sombra." Black scoffed. "It's not like they can stop us."

"I don't know about that. I underestimated all those foolish ponies back at the Empire, and guess how well that worked out." Sombra glared.

"Things will be different this time." Black declared, as he then brought the book in front of him and opened it to a page. "Now, according to this book, a long time ago, the Crystal Sun was divided into four pieces, and placed within the the care of the royal family of Equestria... and one in the care of the Queen of the Changelings..."

"Ugh, you mean they actually gave a piece to those Changeling vermin?" Sombra grimaced in disgust.

"Funny, I heard a rumor that you were into those things." Black smirked. "Maybe even the Queen..."

"Either way, we must neutralize them." Sombra growled. "Nothing and nopony must interfere with our search. But how to do so, without alerting them to our presence? We can't simply go after them one at a time."

"Hmm, yes, that is a good point." Black admitted. "We might need to think on that..."

As the two continued on their way, trying to formulate a plan, they soon happened upon a small town, where a newspaper caught Black's attention.

"Hello..." He glanced at it. "Says here there's some big royal summit happening in the Crystal Empire soon."

"This is perfect!" Sombra smirked. "With all the royals there, we can capture them all at once. And then, the takeover of Equestria can begin!"

"Just the two of us?" Black asked.

"Not exactly..." Sombra cackled. "Since it's going to take us a while to get to the Empire, I can use that time to teach you a few things about being a King of dark magic..."

And so the training began. Over the following days, Sombra taught Black all he was capable of, and all the spells he had come to learn. The most important lesson, as Sombra explained, was learning how to summon up an army of Shadow Ponies, using darkness to create pseudo-lifeforms.

By the time Black was able to master all that Sombra had taught him, they had just arrived in the Crystal Empire, and Black made a beeline towards the Crystal Castle. By thattime, Black's body had been restored to it's former glory before his capture (due to extensive physical training on top of the magical), and he was ready.

"This is it." Black declared as he approached the ballroom, draped in a cloak. "No turning back now."

"Indeed." Sombra smiled. "Just do as instructed, and it will all go swimmingly."

"I think I can handle it." Black frowned.

"I should hope so." Sombra declared. "I would hate to have to take matters into my own hooves."

I'd like to see you try..." Black sneered. "Besides, I've been waiting a long time for this."

Black took a moment to savor what was to come.

"...Well, are you ready?" Sombra asked.

"...Buck yeah." Black nodded firmly as he slammed the doors open.

What followed in the next couple of hours all came by in a blur. Black stormed into the summit, deciding to don his old nickname once more, even though he knew Celestia would recognize him on sight, summoned a huge horde of Shadow Ponies to his beck and call, and by the end of the day, Crystal Empire was brought under their control. Those who were there at the summit were immediately taken into the dungeons, which included all but a few.

Those who escaped included Shine and his daughter Miracle. Black was completely unaware that Shine had a child, and it had slipped his mind that Shine would be there, but he knew, for Equestria's sake, that he couldn't pull any punches, especially for family. Luckily, they had managed to slip away, to his hidden relief.

Unfortunately, he learned that none other than Sleight of all ponies had escaped with them, having somehow become the "King of the Changelings", which really ticked Black off. And along with Sleight, there was talk of some royal guard who had somehow slipped past the Shadow Ponies. But that pony was of no importance. After all, it wasn't like they were going to meet face to face one day...

Now Black and Sombra had the Crystal Castle secured, and with almost all of the Alicorns contained, everything was going according to plan.

"I just don't believe it, everything went perfectly!" Black chuckled inside his mindscape. "We have complete subjugation!"

"I told you this was the way to go, didn't I?" Sombra asked. "Not only do you see your goals of saving Equestria accomplished, you get to enact some retribution on those who wronged you. The princess who sullied your good name, and the Queen that helped humiliate you and left you to be taken by those mafia scum."

"Oh, yeah." Black nodded, the prospect of revenge sounding very good to him. "Sweet vengeance..."

"Now remember, while there is vengeance to be had, let us not forget the task at hoof." Sombra reminded him. "We must discover where the pieces of the Crystal Sun are hidden, and as far as I can tell, only the Princesses and that bug know. I believe a little interrogation is in order."

"With pleasure." Black smirked.

The Princesses were brought before them. They were resistant at first, but once their loved ones were threatened, they quickly divulged the location of the pieces.

"That was easier than I thought." Black mused.

"Indeed." Sombra nodded. "These softhearted fools are so easily manipulated. They act so damn proud, but once you bring their loved ones into it, they break like a bunch of twigs."

"...Yeah..." Black agreed... though for some reason, he was very hesitant to do so.

"Now, since we got all that we need... drain their magic, just as I taught you." Sombra ordered.

"Drain them?" Black frowned. Thought he had accepted learning the spell without question, he believed it would only be for smaller tasks, not this. "Isn't that a little extreme?"

"We must ensure they do not escape." Sombra declared. "Draining them of their magic will not only render them powerless, but it will give us even more power. We have to ensure that no pony can stand against us! No pony! Or would you rather they continue resisting us?"

"Yeah, but..." Black muttered. Though he had no love for his victims, he found the idea of draining them distasteful.

"If you won't, than I will!" Sombra snarled.

Before Black could say anything, his body suddenly acted on it own, and in an instant, tendrils came forth from the hornand latched onto Chrysalis, draining her of her magic, to a point where her body was reduced to a haggard husk.

The now weakened Chrysalis glanced at her ragged hooves, stupefied by what had become of her.

"No…NO!" Chrysalis howled, as she broke down, sobbing heavily.

"SOMBRA!" Black gasped, horrified by what Sombra made them do. "What the BUCK?!"

"I had to do it. You were taking too long." Sombra scoffed.

"You could have killed her!" Black roared.

"So? What do you care?" Sombra snapped back.

"I... I don't!" Black shrugged weakly.

"I thought so. Now for the others." Sombra sneered.

Before Black could protest, Sombra proceeded to drain the Alicorns of their magic. Soon, it came to just Celestia, who oddly didn't offer any resistance, as Sombra used the tendrils to drain her magic... only for nothing to happen.

"What the-?" Sombra, or rather Black's voice, gasped. He frowned. "What did you do? Where'd all your magic go?"

"My magic now lies with my husband." Celestia declared. "You'll never find him, or our daughter."

"...That little-" Sombra was about to scream in outrage... only for Black to shove him aside within the mindscape, allowing him to take back control.

"We'll just see about that, sunbutt." Black growled. "To the dungeon with all of them!"

"Dungeon?" Sombra growled, as the royals were led away. "No, you should kill them all!"

"Why?" Black asked. "They're no threat anymore. Even Celestia is powerless right now!"

"But her magic is still out there, within her husband. He could prove to be an issue!" Sombra mused. "We must recover the magic at all costs!"

"Seriously?" Black growled. "You expect me to do anything for you, after that? I didn't want to take their magic, but you made me do it anyway! What the Tartarus, dude?!"

"...Forgive me." Sombra said contritely. "But I had to make a show of force. Being so close to our goal, we cannot afford any shows of weakness. I couldn't risk it. It will not happen again, I swear."

"It better not." Black snarled. "You may have been King in a past life, but as long as you're in my body, you answer to me, got it?!"

"Okay, I got it." Sombra grunted. "...Now... about those Crystal Sun pieces..."

"I'm on it." Black conjured up more Shadow Ponies. "You guys, fetch me those Crystal Sun pieces." He ordered one group, as they quickly vanished, and he turned to another group. "As for you, find Celestia's husband and her daughter... I need as much Alicorn magic as I can get… and whatever you do, bring them back alive!"

The Shadow Ponies nodded, and slid out of the room.

"As for me, I have business of my own to attend to..." Black declared to himself.

"What business is this?" Sombra asked, within the mindscape.

"Just a little reunion with an old pal." Black declared.

"You really think now is the time for that?" Sombra asked.

"Yes, I do." Black nodded. "And don't even think about taking the wheel ever again."

"Perish the thought." Sombra sneered.

Black's "business" involved locating and forcibly recruiting Twitch, who was easily cowed back into servitude, and convinced to help track down the escapees. He also charged Twitch with hunting down the Napoleons. He had heard they were in the Crystal Empire, and, no longer having the mercy he did towards them before, ordered Twitch to eliminate them. Sombra was simultaneously pleased and dismayed by the decision, mostly due to Black's choice of underling.

"I can't believe you're wasting our time on that fool." Sombra growled as they returned to the Crystal Empire.

"That 'fool' could still come in handy." Black smirked. "If all else fails, he'll make excellent cannon fodder."

"I can definitely approve of that." Sombra smirked.

Twitch's first attempt on the Napoleons ended with them getting away. Black was displeased, to say the least.

"I'm very disappointed, Twitch." He growled. "I thought payback would be a good motivator. Apparently not."

"I-it wasn't a total f-failure." Twitch trembled. "We m-managed to snag their medical records. We can still t-track them down."

"Good." Black smirked. "Because I have business of my own to attend to."

"W-what kind of b-business, boss?" Twitch asked.

"I will send the Shadow Ponies to Canterlot." Black declared. "They will lay siege to the castle, and take the Crystal Sun shard."

"Th-that'll be all too easy, boss." Twitch grinned. "I have it on g-good authority that the only royal left at the castle is Mist Paladin."

Black froze up, instantly remembering the name.

"Mist?" He said quietly. "As in Prince Shine's younger sister?"

"Y-yep." Twitch nodded. "Maybe those Sh-shadow Ponies of yours could rip her limb from limb. That'd be quite a sight, huh? Especially given how she's p-preggo and all."

Thoughts of Mist crying out in pain and anguish suddenly filled Black's mind. It was not an endearing image.

"No." Black shook his head. "There will be no tearing limb from limb."

"Huh?" Twitch frowned. "B-but boss-"

"But nothing." Black growled. "I'm sending the Shadow Ponies to do a specific job, not indulge in wanton murder. Besides, having another Princess out there might work to our advantage."

"H-how?" Twitch asked.

"None of your business." Black snarled.

"Uh... n-no offense boss, but that doesn't sound like you." Twitch admitted. "P-ponies say you're a stone-cold monster, who doesn't care about collateral damage. What's with the big swerve?"

"It's none of your business." Black repeated.

"It just seems pretty weird to me." Twitch declared, a defiant sneer on his face. "Why would you care about some pregnant mare you've never even met before? Maybe the big, bad Red Eclipse has a soft spot..."

"My reasons are my own." Black declared. "And you will not question them, or else I'll rip out your tongue. Understand?"

"Y-yes, boss." Twitch nodded.

"Good." Black snorted. "Now leave me. I've had enough of your whiny voice for one day."

"A-anything you say." Twitch nodded, leaving the room.

Black walked over to a balcony, gazing into the horizon.

"Little Mist, all grown up…" He said whimsically. "Hope you're ready to see your dear old uncle again..."

Inside Black's mind, Sombra glanced at Black.

"What was that about?" Sombra asked. "Why do you care about that Mist girl?"

"I don't have to explain myself to you! Let's just send those Shadow Ponies over to Canterlot and get that damn piece, okay?!" Black growled, his voice carrying quite an edge to it.

"Hmm, very well." Sombra grumbled.

As his Shadow Pony minions spread out across Equestria, Black watched the chaos unfold with grim satisfaction, while Sombra was more gleeful about it. As each legion reached their destination, they contacted him telepathically, so he could speak his ultimatums directly to whoever was left to defend the Crystal Sun pieces.

Turn around they might be watching
And you never disappoint them
Hide your innocence before they see right through
You mustn't disappoint them

You need the danger just to feel your heart beat
You need to die just to find your identity
You need the knife just to know that you can bleed
You need the pain now just to feel anything

We fall in line, we live the lie
Give up, give up and feed the machine
It grows inside, nowhere to hide
Give up, give up and feed the machine
Give up, give up and feed the machine

The Shadow Ponies ran roughshod over Equestria, attacking such places as Ponyville and the Changeling territories. Through his connection to his minions, Black witnessed all the destruction. The terror, the anguish, the loss of life... The more he watched, the more he felt like a heavy weight was dropping into the pit of his stomach.

"Something about this... just doesn't feel right." Black sighed. "All this chaos, just to obtain the Crystal Sun?"

"Gird yourself, my friend." Sombra told him. "In the end, what we are doing will save Equestria. As they say, you can't make an omelette without breaking a few eggs."

"Or a few hundred..." Black frowned. "I just keep getting this feeling that we're not really doing the right thing."

"Trust me, that feeling will go away once you are in complete control." Sombra scoffed. "Now pay attention, the Shadow Ponies should be landing in Canterlot any moment now!"

Sombra was correct, as the Shadow Ponies stormed the walls of Canterlot, overtaking everypony by surprise. It wasn't before long that they breached the castle. The moment they did, they opened up a communications portal for Black.

"Hello?" Black glanced around, tapping his horn. "Is this thing on?" He glanced down at the trio of Mist, Blue Blazes, and Iron Hooves, smiling. "Ah, good. I'm still trying to figure out this thing."

"Hmph, liar." Sombra scoffed from the mindscape.

"Who are you?" Mist asked. "And why are your forces attacking us?"

Black looked at Mist, eyes narrowing.

"Wow, she's really grown up. She looks so much like her mother right now..." Black realized within his mind, marveling at her. "And she really is pregnant? Incredible... kids grow so fast these days."

"Black, stay focused." Sombra growled.

"Yeah, yeah..." Black nodded as he focused on Mist once more.

"Why, I've simply sent them on a little errand." He answered Mist's question. "I'm Red Eclipse, and my employees are here for the shard of the Crystal Sun located in your vault."

"Crystal what?" Blue frowned.

"I'm afraid I do not know what it is you speak of." Mist glared. "But if you think we are just going to give it to some guy talking through a projection, then you are sorely mistaken!"

"Wow, you've got spunk, kid." Black smirked. "I like that..."

At that moment, Sombra, having sensed Black's hesitation once more, quietly took control again.

"But my Shadow Ponies might not share that sentiment. In fact, they might lash out on this here city and it's ponies... heck, I bet they would love to play tug-o-war with that captain of yours." Sombra spoke in Black's voice.

"Just try it." Iron Hooves snarled.

"And I'm sure your family here at the Empire will want you to do as I say... not just for your sake, but theirs... and what of your foal?" Sombra asked.

Mist stifled a growl as she felt her distended belly.

"What do you mean?! What have you done to Mist's family?!" Blue roared.

"Oh, I've done nothing… yet." Sombra chuckled darkly. "But the choice is yours, Princess. Either give me what I want, or everypony else will suffer for it... what do you do?"

Mist shared unsure glances with both Iron and Blue, and then looked at her stomach and thought of her unborn foal, before she let out a sigh.

"...Fine." Mist gave in.

"Mist! I don't know what this 'Crystal Sun' is, but you can't just give it to him!" Blue protested.

"I have no choice." Mist declared. "As Princess, I must put my subjects first."

"Well said, kid." Sombra smiled.

"Just so long as your Shadow Ponies leave the ponies of Canterlot alone once I give it to you." Mist snarled.

"Of course." Sombra nodded. "You have my word."

"Iron." Mist gestured.

Iron gave a grunt as he quickly went to the vault and retrieved the shard, which looked like a quarter of a sphere, sky blue in color, shining in the light. With hesitance, Iron gave the shard to the head Shadow Pony.

"Pleasure doing business with you." Sombra smiled.

"Now, all of you leave." Mist ordered.

"Actually... I think I'll have my Shadow Ponies stay here for a while..." Sombra chuckled darkly.

"What?!" Mist gasped. "But you promised-"

"That the Shadow Ponies would leave your ponies alone. I didn't say that they would leave Canterlot." Sombra elaborated. "As of now, Canterlot is now occupied and a part of the new world order for the foreseeable future."

"You son of a-GAH!" Blue was about to attack, before being knocked down by a blast of dark magic from a Shadow Pony.

"Blue!" Mist gasped.

"I wouldn't do that." Sombra smirked. "I promised that they would leave you alone... but if you happen to get in their way, I can't guarantee your safety. Good day."

As the viewing portal closed, Sombra relinquished control. And Black was far from happy.

"What the HELL?! You did it again!" Black snarled. "You made me into your little puppet!"

"My apologies." Sombra declared. "I feared your relation to Princess Mist would... color your judgment."

"Well, I guess we'll never know, huh?" Black snarled. "You know, you could have just trusted me to handle it myself."

"With the plan so close to fruition, I'm afraid I'm not willing to take chances." Sombra said flatly.

"Don't forget, it's only because of me that you've gotten this far." Black growled. "If not for me, you'd still be stuck in this horn."

"I am well aware of that fact." Sombra said testily. "But I've never exactly worked with a 'partner' before. Forgive me if I'm not an expert at it."

"Just knock it off with the control, okay?" Black growled. "If it happens again, I won't hesitate to saw this horn clean off my head."

"I can assure you that it will not come to that." Sombra said quietly.

"It better not." Black growled.

They pull you faster, the cadence calling
And you never fall behind
So choose a face, you're only crawling now
You mustn't fall behind

You need another death just to have a life to save
You need a master just so you can beg
You need a light just because you're so afraid
Now bow and learn to be a good slave

We fall in line, we live the lie
Give up, give up and feed the machine
Nowhere to hide, it grows inside
Give up, give up and feed the machine
Give up, give up and feed the machine

Meanwhile, the Forefathers were keeping an eye on the situation, having been listening to the broadcasts of various news stations. The situation had even caught the attention of Father himself, as he sat at the head of the table while they listened to the latest broadcast.

"Red Eclipse's forces seem unstoppable." A newsreader declared. "No weapon or pony can harm them. And with most of the royal ponies already captured by that monster, it seems as though all hope has been lost-"

"This is... a very disturbing turn of events." Loveless frowned, switching off the broadcast.

"Yeah... so much for the mob, am I right?" Ricochet joked.

"This is no time for joking, Ricochet." Gridlock glared. "We have to do something! We can't let Black take over Equestria! We're the one who are supposed to be doing that!"

"It doesn't seem like we have a choice." Harlhooves mused. "He seems to be on the cusp of ultimate power."

"And what about Sterling?" Loveless fretted. "I've been trying to contact him for days, but something is jamming the signal!"

"Forget him." Gridlock growled. "We have to do something about Black!"

"Yes, but what?" Solomon asked. "This Shadow Pony army of his seems invincible."

"So?" Ricochet smirked. "Just makes things more fun provin' them wrong, am I right?"

"Not how I'd put it, but you got the right idea!" Gridlock nodded. "I say we march down there and kick his ass once and for all! Who's with me?!"

"No." Father said suddenly.

"Huh?" The other Ouroboros glanced at Father.

"No? But Father, Black is-" Gridlock protested.

"I am aware of that, Gridlock." Father mused. "But... I think the best course of action at this point in time is to simply wait and observe."

"'Wait and observe'?! Are you saying we should just let Black take over Equestria and ruin our plans?!" Gridlock snarled.

"No... I am saying that we should just hold back." Father clarified. "It would do us no good to get involved right now. Only when things start to become dire should we step in."

"Are you sure that's wise, sir?" Harlhooves asked.

"Until we know exactly what we're dealing with, a direct attack would be folly." Father said firmly. "We must bide our time. Bide our time..."

"Yes, sir." Solomon nodded.

"As you command, Father." Gridlock scowled.

"Aw, I hate bidin' my time." Ricochet pouted. "It's no fun!"

"But what of Sterling?" Loveless whispered. "He is still out there."

"Do not fret, Loveless. Sterling is more than capable of handling himself." Father mused.

"I know that... it's just... it doesn't stop me from worrying..." Loveless frowned.

The Taskforce listened to the same broadcast. Natascha had taken her leave soon after sharing the info about Black, having decided to reach out to her contacts in hopes that one of them could know how to stop him. The lack of communication suggested she had been unsuccessful.

"And with most of the royal ponies already captured by that monster, it seems as though all hope has been lost." The broadcaster declared. "We can only hope our salvation arrives soon, before there is nothing left to save."

"Great." Incognito scowled. "From bad to worse."

"What can we do to stop this?" Armory asked.

"For once, I haven't a clue." Master Mind sighed. "It truly seems hopeless."

"Some genius you are." Ballista scoffed. "All brain, and no spine..."

"And I suppose you have a better idea?" Master Mind growled.

"Any idea's better than just sittin' here." Ballista retorted.

Elite silently stood up, as he made to leave the room.

"Elite, what are you doing?" Ballista asked.

"I have had enough." Elite declared firmly. "I am done sitting back while Black takes over Equestria. I am going to the Crystal Empire, and putting an end to this mess!"

"What, are you crazy?" Incognito gaped. "That place is swarming with those Shadow Ponies!"

"I don't care!" Elite growled. "Black is there! I have to stop him from making the biggest mistake of his life!"

"Don't be a fool, sir!" Master Mind protested. "In only a few days, Black has managed to capture not only the Crystal Empire, but also Canterlot, the Changeling territory, Ponyville, and Faust knows what other towns! Not to mention he captured the Alicorns, the most powerful ponies of them all! Black could easily kill you right on the spot if he wanted to! The chances of you stopping him are non-existent!"

"I'll just have to take that chance then!" Elite declared. "If it means stopping Black, then I'll do it."

"Elite, hold on a moment..." Ballista stepped forth.

"Don't try to stop me, Ballista." Elite sighed. "I need to do this."

"I understand that, Elite." Ballista nodded. "Which is why I'm coming with you."

"You too, Ballista?!" Incognito gaped.

"Wny not?" Ballista asked. "We're sworn to protect Equestria, right?"

"But Black's forces..." Master Mind sighed. "We're no match for them."

"So we're going to just hide and let Equestria be overrun?" Ballista scowled. "That's not what I signed on for!"

"I hate to say it, but Ballista's right." Armory declared. "We can't just sit here, and let this all happen. We've got to at least try to help!"

"But how?" Incognito frowned. "Those Shadow Ponies are invincible."

"Every opponent has a weakness." Elite declared. "And I believe their weakness is Black himself. If we can somehow convince him to stand down, this can all be over."

"That's a pretty big 'if'." Master Mind declared.

"It's better to try and fail, then to never try in the first place." Elite declared. "You are free to stay here if you wish, but I must do this."

"So do I." Ballista nodded.

"...I'm with you guys." Armory smiled. "To the end."

"...Yeah, me too." Incognito gave in.

"...I suppose it would be best to at least try..." Master Mind gave in.

"Rrrrf!" Titan barked.

"Excellent." Elite smiled. "Gather what you need. We depart in five minutes."

As the Taskforce member went to prepare, Ballista pulled Armory aside.

"Armory, a word please?" Ballista asked.

"Can it wait? We need to get to the Empire!" Armory frowned.

"No, this is important." Ballista glanced back, making sure no pony was in earshot. "Armory, have you made any more ammo for Der Urknall?"

"Of course I have." Armory answered, a bit confused. "Why are you asking?"

"...Look, I'm going to be straight with you, Armory." Ballista sighed. "The chances of me and Elite convincing Black to stop all this madness is slim to nothing. And if we can't convince Black to stop this... then we're gonna have to stop him ourselves..."

"Wait, what are you..." Armory suddenly caught onto what Ballista was suggesting, and scowled. "No. I am not doing that!"

"Armory, please..." Ballista urged.

"NO!" Armory snarled. "I can't believe you would even ask this of me! Me of all ponies!"

"Look, Black may have all that power, but he's still just a pony." Ballista glared. "And if things goes the way I think they're gonna go, we need to stop him no matter what."

"But if he's still a pony, surely we can reach him?" Armory pointed out. "Somehow?"

"No." Ballista shook his head. "He's too far gone. You should know. You saw him."

"But Black-" Armory pouted.

"I know he's your friend." Ballista sighed. "He's mine too. But we can't let him take Equestria. We have to put an end to him... by any means necessary."

"I... I couldn't..." Armory insisted.

"You're honestly saying you'd put Black's life above all the lives in Equestria?" Ballista urged. "You still have a duty to perform, Armory. You owe it to all ponies, not just one."

"I... I know." Armory sighed.

"Good." Ballista smiled. "Now, here's what I ant you to do if things go south..."

Back at the Crystal Empire, things had taken quite an unexpected turn. The Shadow Ponies were able to track Shine and his daughter all the way to Dodge Junction. The group had sought solace with Big Red and Cherry Jubilee, two of Black's oldest friends. In an ensuing struggle, Shine and Miracle had managed to slip away. In their stead, however, the Shadow Ponies had managed to capture Sleight, and to Black's surprise, Big Red.

After Black batted Sleight around a bit and sent him to the dungeon, it was only him and Big Red. Big Red had a lot of choice words to share with Black over his current actions, and Black had some words of his own, several involving White (and not in a good way). One thing lead to another, and the two got into a small hoof-fight.

Naturally, Black was able to overpower the big burly farm stallion, but after he did... Black got to thinking, as he sat on the throne of the Crystal Castle.

'What is wrong with me?' Black thought. 'All these years, I've been so sure of what I want. Why am I doubting myself? And all those things I said to Red about White... I didn't mean them, did I? No, that was Sombra. Wasn't it?'

"You wanna know something, Black?"

Black sighed, as within his mind, he was also sitting on the throne of Canterlot Castle. Sombra stood nearby, glaring at him.

"In the past few days that we've been conquering Equestria, we haven't killed a single pony." Sombra frowned.

"...Yeah, so?" Black frowned back.

"I want to know what it is you're thinking right now!" Sombra glared. "It seems like every chance we have to murder somepony, you don't take it! You let them live, saying they're not worth the effort!"

"Because they weren't!" Black frowned, "What would be the point of their deaths, huh?"

"When has that ever stopped you before?" Sombra scoffed. "I have seen the sins you have committed, before you even found my remnant. I can see the hundreds of faces you have slaughtered, all in the name of this cause of 'protecting' Equestria... what did any of those ponies ever do to deserve your wrath?"

"They were part of the Forefathers." Black answered. "The ponies who were willing to decimate countries and murder thousands. I had to put an end to them."

"Oh, and what about those Changelings?" Sombra asked.

"They were infected with that disease!" Black snarled. "It was the only way we could have saved everypony!"

"...I was referring to those you killed ten years ago, when you were with that lovely gang." Sombra sneered. "Surely, those Changelings didn't have some sort of disease, did they?"

"Well, no..." Black murmured, suddenly remembering the Changelings he tormented all those years ago. "Well, that was different!"

"Really?" Sombra challenged. "Come now, Black, you aren't fooling anypony... you killed those Changelings because you wanted to. Because it made you feel good."

"That's not how it went." Black insisted, remembering what he learned of Project: Argo. "I was protecting Equestria, even if it cost the lives of innocents."

"Oh, please." Sombra smirked. "Murdering is a part of your nature. It's what you were meant to be."

"No, it's not!" Black yelled.

"Is it?" Sombra asked. "If it were, perhaps you would have refused to enact such atrocities. But you didn't, did you? You didn't refuse to slaughter those Changelings. And you didn't refuse to kill the targets you were given, did you?"

"No..." Black admitted.

"No. Because to you, these ponies are all the same. Disposable, expendable, no weight on your conscience if you removed them from the equation." Sombra sneered. "Just a little bump on your path to glory."

"You shut up..." Black grit his teeth.

"I know this, Black. Because I was there." Sombra smiled. "That is why fate has brought us together. You and I are cut from the same cloth."

"I am nothing like you!" Black stood up suddenly.

"Oh really?" Sombra smirked. "You are moments away from conquering Equestria, just like I was. You have the power of darkness at your beck and call. You are motivated by your own inner demons, just as I was. So far, the only difference I can see is that you refuse to embrace it. You and I want the same thing: subjugation of ponykind."

"That's not what I want!" Black insisted. "I want to assume control of Equestria so I can protect it. So I can become strong enough to destroy the Forefathers, once and for all. I only use your magic so I can obtain the Crystal Sun and attain the power of the Great Alicorns! And now that I am moments away from receiving it, I no longer need you."

"...If that is so, then why haven't you cast me aside yet?" Sombra asked.

"Because... because... I can use this power for good." Black rationalized. "Why let your powers go to waste, you know?"

"Oh, please." Sombra sneered. "I know the truth. You've gotten hooked on my black magic. The power, the glory. You just can't live without it."

"Shut up..." Black growled.

"Face it, you're becoming just like me." Sombra taunted.

"SHUT UP!!" Black roared. "Shut up, shut up, shut up!"

"You can't hide it, Black!" Sombra smiled. "You are what everypony believed you to be, a perfect killing MACHINE!"

Black was moments away from screaming, but before he let it out...

"Black."

In the real world, Black glanced up, hearing the voice.

"Who's there?! Show yourself!" He yelled.

"Black, calm yourself..."

Black turned towards the shadows... where Elite and Ballista emerged from.

"...Elite, Ballista?" Black gaped. "How did you..."

"Get here?" Elite asked. "We let ourselves in."

"Well, you could have called ahead." Black said flatly. "In case you haven't noticed, I'm kinda busy at the moment."

"We noticed." Ballista growled.

"We heard you dropped by the Headquarters." Elite noted.

"You should have stuck around. It's been so long since we last saw each other." Ballista added.

"Yeah, well... I was a little too busy to stay." Black declared.

"Black... what is this?" Elite asked. "Using dark magic, unleashing Shadow Ponies, seizing towns, thinking of using the Crystal Sun? Have you taken leave of your senses?"

"Of course not, director." Black said serenely. "In fact, for the first time in a long time, I'm thinking clearly."

"Is that so? Then why are you doing this?" Elite growled.

"For the mission, of course." Black replied. "For so long, we've been fighting the Forefathers, trying to keep them from taking over Equestria... yet nopony has thought that maybe it might be easier... if we took over Equestria, and protected it from them."

"No one has thought of it because it's insane!" Elite yelled. "Black, you have to listen to me. You are not well. You've been locked in a cell for ten years. You have been experiencing an increasing mental decline. You have a BUCKING horn from a dead stallion sticking out of your head!"

"What's wrong, director?" Black sneered. "Isn't this what you want? If I use the Crystal Sun, we will finally be strong enough to defeat the Forefathers. I could decimate the entire organization, and I could kill Father himself. No pony will be able to stop us..."

"Black, I know you think that's peachy and all, but this is not the way." Elite insisted. "The Crystal Sun's power is too much for a ordinary stallion to handle. You would only make Equestria much worse than it already is."

"I seriously doubt that." Black scoffed.

"Listen to 'im, mate." Ballista urged. "You're near the bleedin' point of no return here."

"And who's fault is that?!" Black roared. "Yours, with your stupid Project: Argo!"

"...Holy crap, you know about Argo?!" Ballista gaped. "For how long?!"

"For quite a while, actually." Black frowned. "I was pretty upset at first, but after taking some time to think about it... it all made sense... why else would you pick such a messed up stallion like me for your team..."

"...So that's why you were acting that way..." Elite whispered. "Black, we can explain..."

"Oh no, I think you made it quite clear..." Black glared. "You wanted me to be the perfect soldier... and what does every true soldier want? To put an end to the fighting, once and for all. Well, I'm about to accomplish that goal. Aren't you proud of me?"

"Proud of this?" Elite spat. "Never."

"Of course not." Black sneered. "You only ever thought of me as your personal little war machine, didn't you?"

"That is not true!" Elite insisted. "I always saw you as a pony first, and a soldier second. And that's still true, even now."

"Listen to Elite, mate." Ballista urged. "I believe somewhere deep down, you know this is wrong! Don't throw your equinity away for this!"

"It's a little late to try appealing to my better nature, Ballista." Black spat. "Whether you wanted to or not, you both still wronged me. After everything I've done for you, you used me for your own gain. Because of you and your manipulations... I was torn away from my brother. I was branded a traitor. I was forced to leave the love of my life... and... and..." Black felt his eye grow misty. "...I'll never know my son..."

"Son..." Elite gasped. "You've been watching over Belle, haven't you? So you know about Shade."

"...And clearly, so do you." Black snorted.

"Wait... have you... have you been visiting Belle and your brother all these years?" Elite frowned, as he turned to Ballista. "Ballista, did you know about this?"

"Well, I knew about the visits." Ballista frowned. "I tried to stop him a lot of times before, but he wouldn't listen. I just hoped he would've learned to stop... but the part about Shade..." He glared at Black. "That was something he wasn't supposed to know about."

"Seriously?" Black snarled. "Not know about my own son? No, of course not. It wouldn't do for your pet killing machine to have something close to a heart, would it?!"

"Black, please." Elite begged. "That's not what I saw you as. Never. It's not too late to end this."

"It'll end, alright... on my terms." Black spat. "And my terms only. And no pony is going to stop me. Not even you!"

"...Is that your final word?" Ballista frowned.

"Yes." Black glared. "All my life, I've had to live with this burden. The burden of being seen as nothing more than something dark and evil. All I ever wanted was to show that I was capable of the greater good... but every time I tried, I only delved deeper into that dark abyss... but no more. I will protect Equestria, and be it as a sociopath, a killing machine, or a tyrant, I will do it."

"...Black..." Elite whispered.

Ballista, realizing the time had come, turned his head towards the nearby window, then sharply tilted it towards Black.

A short distance away, perched on a building not far from the castle, Armory was there, the sniper cannon primed and ready to fire right at Black. Armory quickly took note of Ballista's signal.

"No..." Armory sighed, as he pointed the cannon towards Black. "...I'm sorry, Black... forgive me..."

Armory moved his hoof towards the trigger, ready to put an end to the evil machinations of his once friend.

However, as he held his hoof on the trigger, Armory felt his hoof shaking.

"Come on, Armory." He told himself. "You have to pull the trigger. It's the only way to save Equestria. You have to... kill Black..."

Armory had Black in his sights. But the face of his old friend was too much for him.

"Do it..." He whispered, his hooves shaking. "Black isn't Black anymore. He's a monster. He needs to be put down..."

Despite Armory's words, he couldn't stop himself from remembering all the times he'd shared with Black. His comrade, his friend... Tears welled up in his eyes. He just couldn't bring himself to kill Black in cold blood, no matter what he'd done.

"...I can't do this..." Armory sniffed, tears falling down his eyes, as he lowered his trigger hoof. "I'm sorry, Ballista, I just can't..."

Back in the throne room, Ballista could sense that something was off. That Armory would not be making that shot...

"What are you waiting for?" Ballista whispered impatiently, his pupils shrinking in horror. "Take the shot..."

"Ballista?" Elite turned to Ballista in confusion.

"Take the shot..." Ballista whispered a little louder.

"What are you saying?" Black murmured.

Suddenly, something inside Ballista's head snapped, and his face turned red.

"TAKE THE BUCKING SHOT, ARMORY!" Ballista roared.

"What?!" Black growled.

"Ballista?!" Elite yelped, suddenly catching on to what he meant. "What did you do?!"

Black turned to the window, and saw the gleam of the gun barrel.

"Oh, you son of a-RAH!" Black roared, firing a beam of dark magic through the window.

The beam came right at Armory.

"Oh, scheisse!" Armory cried, as he quickly ducked for cover. The blast struck the sniper cannon head on, destroying it.

"Armory, no..." Elite gaped.

Black then glared viciously at the two.

"So, try to take me out, huh?" Black snarled. "I knew you were talking garbage. You were just distracting me, so I could be put down, like the rabid animal you think I am!"

"Black, no." Elite shook his head. "It's not like that. I had no-"

"Save it." Black spat, his flaring with green. "And die."

Black blasted them both with Sombra's horn, sending them flying back a couple of feet.

"Dammit, if you want something done right, you gotta do it yourself!" Ballista snarled, as he pulled out a crossbow. "I'm sorry Black, but I can't let you do this!"

"You're not letting me do anything!" Black snarled, as he quickly charged Ballista, breaking his crossbow in two. He followed up by grabbing Ballista's throat, then chucked the cockney stallion against the wall.

"Ugh!" Ballista grunted.

"Black, please!" Elite declared. "Stop this!"

"Stop what?" Black snarled. "You did this to me. All of it! And I am going to make you pay!"

"I don't want to fight you, Black." Elite declared. "But I will if I must!"

"Ooh, scary." Black snorted. "Just fight already!"

The two clashed, former commander and subordinate. Elite was more experienced, and packed a metal hoof, but Black had Sombra's power backing him up.

Elite swung his metal hoof at Black's chin, knocking him back.

"Grr..." Black snarled. "Just one more thing you'll be paying for..."

"Believe me, I know I have much to answer for." Elite said sternly. "But this isn't the way."

"I think it is!" Black lunged for him.

Elite managed to evade some of Black's attacks, and strike back with his own, but Black was barely fazed.

"...Okay, that's enough of the warm-ups." Black smirked, his eyes growing wispy. "Time to get serious!"

Black, utilizing blinding speed, pummeled Elite with a flurry of punishing blows.

"How ya like me now?" He taunted.

Elite quickly collapsed under the onslaught.

"I've been hoping for a chance like this for a while now, Director." Black growled, as he bore down upon him. "A chance to finally make you pay for what you did to me!"

"Lay off him!" Ballista rushed over to help.

"You stay out of this!" Black blasted him with the horn, sending him flying across the room.

Elite took advantage of Black's momentary loss of focus as he threw forth his metal hoof...

Only for Black to catch it with his bare hoof.

"...Nice hoof." Black sneered, as he crushed the appendage like it was made of paper.

"Gah!" Elite yanked back the metal hoof, stepping back, but due to his messed-up metal hoof, he lost his balance.

Black capitalized on his new advantage, throwing all his strength into each punch he threw at the stumbling stallion. Elite cried out in pain, trying his best to shield himself from each blow, but it wasn't long before Black had him back against the wall.

Elite fell to his knees, his body sporting many bruises, and his cloak torn from the fight. He glanced up at Black, who looked down upon him with great disdain.

"Black..." Elite panted. "I..."

Suddenly, Black grabbed him by the hem of his cloak, bringing them face to face.

"I've been waiting for this for so long... I will make you pay for using me... for making me give up everything for you... for making me think that you actually cared about me... this is where it ends, Director." He snarled.

"Black..." Elite wheezed. "...You're not a monster. Not a conqueror... and not a sociopath... What you are is the most noble stallion I've ever known. All you've done, even now, has been for Equestria. Never before did I have the pleasure of knowing a stallion so dedicated to protecting the things he loved... and I'm so sorry that I took all that for granted. That I brought such pain upon you. Maybe you should just kill me. I more than deserve it." A single tear rolled down his cheek. "I failed you, my friend... Completely and utterly failed you."

Black froze in place. Seeing Elite like that struck a chord with him.

"...You did more than fail me." Black glared. "You used me. Made me part of your little Project: Argo."

"It was never his project."

"Huh?" Black glanced behind him, seeing Ballista rise to his hooves. "What did you say?"

"I said... it was never his project." Ballista groaned, shaking off the pain in his body. "It was me... all me..."

"What?!" Black gaped.

"Black... I was the one who came up with the whole idea." Ballista frowned. "I wanted a pony who showed signs of sociopathy, a stallion who was incapable of feeling empathy, who lacked a conscience... who would be able to commit the most atrocious acts. A soldier who was willing to do what others wouldn't..." He let out a sigh. "And I thought that you would be that soldier..."

"So what if it was your idea?" Black spat. "Elite still went along with it."

"Not all the way." Ballista shook his head. "Ever since Elite met you, he told me of his doubts about having you in the project. How you weren't the sociopath that I thought you would be. But how could you not be?" He glared at Black. "I never meant for it to go this far, for you to become so utterly messed up... You were supposed to be the one. The perfect candidate... but Elite... Elite saw something in you that I just couldn't."

"And how could I not?" Elite declared. "When I first met you, I knew you were more than a soldier. You were a stallion. A stallion who believed in what was right. One who stood for justice and honor. And I know, deep down inside, you still are... and I was always proud of you for that."

Black, for a lack of words, was stunned. Everything he had come to think of himself had been proven wrong. Furthermore... he had finally realized what Pike meant. Here he was, moments away from killing the stallion he respected, on the verge on taking over Equestria, teaming up with Sombra of all pony...

He finally realized what it was that was keeping him from killing thus far... it was the part of him that was still noble, the echo of the stallion he once was. Deep down, he always knew what he was doing was wrong. But up until that moment, he just didn't care.

But now, he had finally realized the truth...

"Um... what are you doing?"

It was Sombra, who had watched teh whole altercation with glee... until that moment.

"You have him right where you want him!" Sombra snarled. "Finish him! You must!"

"No... I mustn't." Black declared.

Black gently lowered Elite to the floor, and moved away from him.

"Get out of here." Black declared solemnly. "Both of you. Before I change my mind."

"Black..." Elite whispered, as Ballista rushed over to help him up. "...Thank you..."

"Just..." Black sighed, closing his sole eye. "...Leave."

"No! Stop them!" Sombra yelled. "Stop them!"

Black refused to listen as he turned away from his former comrades as they departed.

Elite and Ballista left the Castle, and regrouped with their fellows just outside the Empire.

"Hey, what happened in there?" Incognito asked. "You guys look like hell!"

"...Well, things did not go as well as we hoped." Elite admitted, as he glanced around. "Where's Armory, is he okay?"

"Don't worry, I'm right here!" Armory stepped forth. "I'm okay."

"You!" Ballista snarled, pointing his hoof at him. "What happened back there?! You were supposed to shoot him! You left us high and dry!"

"...I'm sorry." Armory sighed. "I just couldn't do it."

"Well, I hope you're happy." Ballista spat. "Because of you, we're all doomed!"

"No, Ballista." Elite glared. "It's because of you."

"What?!" Ballista growled.

"Your Project: Argo caused all this." Elite said coldly. "It spiraled into disaster, as I always knew it would."

"You don't know what you're talking about." Ballista spat. "The truth is-"

"The truth is, I always hated Project: Argo!" Elite roared. "It was a sick, twisted joke of a Project from the very beginning. One that I should never have entertained!"

"A joke?" Ballista snarled. "A joke?! Project: Argo could have changed everything!"

"No it wouldn't..." Elite glared. "All it was in the end was your way of trying to make up for what happened all those years ago! And now, we're in this mess because of all the damage your project caused!"

"It wasn't supposed to be this way, Elite!" Ballista yelled. "But I was trying to make things right!"

"You were not!" Elite growled. "This whole Project was about proving your own superiority! It was about showing the world what a military genius you are! Well, it didn't quite work out that way, did it?"

"How dare you." Ballista growled. "I was doing this for all of us! For the security of Equestria!"

"Believe what you will." Elite snarled. "I believe that every that has happened, every terrible thing, was your fault!"

"Say what?" Ballista spat.

"Think about it: Black's descent into madness, his deserting us..." Elite pointed out. "And let's not forget what happened to another pony you thought had what it took to be a 'perfect soldier'. It didn't work out so well for him, did it? And all because of you."

"That's it!" Ballista suddenly tackled Elite, and the two started fighting each other.

"Arrogant thug!" Elite roared, as he punched Ballista.

"Bleedin' heart wimp!" Ballista returned the blow.

"That's enough!" Master Mind and the others rushed over.

"Break it up!" Incognito added, restraining Elite.

"Rrf!" Titan added, pulling Ballista away.

"This isn't helping anypony!" Armory told Elite.

"...You're right." Elite sighed heavily. "We can't help anypony like this. We'll have to shelve our dispute for now."

"But only for now." Ballista spat. "We're not done here, 'boss'."

"No, we are not." Elite growled. "But we must focus on the matter at hoof. We must find a way to save Equestria from Black, and Black from Sombra. And himself..."

Back at the empire, Sombra was livid at Black for allowing Elite and Ballista to leave.

"What were you thinking?!" He roared within Black's mind. "Not killing them was one thing, but allowing them to escape? You are far softer than I ever feared."

"Call me whatever you want." Black spat. "I don't care. I'm done with you. I'm putting an end to this madness, right here and now..."

"No..." Sombra glared. "It is I who is done with you. I've tried to be a team player, but it's become clear that you don't have the backbone to do what is necessary to attain true power... so I am taking over."

"No, you're not." Black snarled. "This is my head, remember? And sure, you may be able to take the reins every once in a while, but it doesn't last. When you get right down to it, I'm still in control."

"Is that so?" Sombra smirked. "I think you need to be taught just how wrong you are..."

Suddenly, the floor of the mindscape cracked, and tendrils of darkness burst out of it, ensnaring Black.

"What is this?!" Black struggled.

"This is the end of your tiresome existence." Sombra sneered. "I'm taking full control of this body of yours... permanently."

"You can't!" Black pulled against the tendrils. "I won't let you! This is my body!"

"Not any more." Sombra cackled. "As of right now, Black Knight Paladin is no more. King Sombra has returned, and I shall reign supreme over all of Equestria!"

"No!" Black screamed.

"Yes." Sombra nodded. "And you will be free to watch, as I use your body to crush all those who oppose me, and transform all of Equestria into my kingdom of shadows! You were right, Black. I couldn't have done this without you. You have my deepest gratitude."

"No. No. Noooooo!" Black roared, helpless to free himself.

"I hope you enjoy the show." Sombra sneered.

"...What have I done?" Black bowed his head in anguish. "Equestria is doomed, all because of me..."

The present...

"Okay, I'm surprised." Caboose declared. "And I was there."

"So you weren't the one in control during the worst of it?" Fletcher asked.

"No... not that it made it any easier." Black sighed. "Because Sombra was right. It was still my body doing it."

"Oh, Black." Pike sighed. "i can't imagine what kind of nightmare that must have been."

"Pray that you never learn." Black scowled. "Having my body imprisoned was one thing, but my mind... That was hooves down, the worst experience of my live. And things only went downhill from there..."

Author's Notes:

"Feed The Machine" belongs to Red.

Monster

"So there I was." Black sighed, as the group sat in the Pipeline. "Trapped inside my own mind, while Sombra used my body to conquer Equestria. After all those years I spent as a prisoner in the Napoleons' basement, I thought I'd reached rock bottom. Well, I was sadly mistaken."

"Evidently so." Fletcher pointed out. "You had Sombra in control of your mind. I can scarcely believe it."

"Yeah, it sounds like the plot of some cheesy horror movie." Caboose agreed.

"I had a hard time buying it at first." Pike added. "But sometimes fact is stranger than fiction."

"And the fact is, I was in a living nightmare." Black frowned. "One I'll never forget..."

Years ago...

Black was still trapped within the shadow tendrils inside his mindscape. All the windows of the illusionary castle were open, granting him a full view of the atrocities Sombra was using his body to inflict on others. In particular, he had to witness the brutal beating of Shining Armor, along with Sombra making threats toward his family, all so he would open the vault in the castle containing on of the Crystal Sun pieces.

"I can't believe this is happening." Black muttered. "I must have been out of my mind to ever let that psycho help me..."

"Hmph, if anypony's to blame, it's yourself." Sombra huffed, having overheard Black's muttering. "We could have been doing this together, but no... no, no, no... the infamous Black Knight had to go and be a... what is the modern term? Ah yes, a pansy!"

"So not wanting to conquer and enslave Equestria makes me a pansy?" Black growled.

"No, not having the spine to finish your enemies makes you a pansy." Sombra sneered. "You had the opportunity to finish those two... Elite and Ballista, I believe... but you squandered it."

"There wasn't any need to kill them." Black growled. "And there's no need for any more of this nightmare you've been inflicting on Equestria."

"You think this is a nightmare?" Sombra smirked. "Just you wait. There'll be more to come. Much more..."

Sombra was right, unfortunately, as Sombra had Celestia brought to them, just so he could taunt her. Hearing Celestia denounce Black as a monster, he could handle. After all, he did have it coming... but a line was crossed when Sombra began insulting White, using his own voice. It was the perversion of his own words that made him livid.

"How dare you bring my brother into this?!" Black spat. "Is it not enough that you have my body, but you have to make everypony believe that I hated my own brother?!"

"But you do hate him, don't you?" Sombra smirked. "I've been inside you mind, Black. I know that deep down, you've always resented White."

"That's not true!" Black yelled, struggling against the tendrils. "I didn't hate White. I could never hate White! He... he was my brother..."

"You can lie to yourself all day." Sombra sneered. "But we both know the truth. I've just giving it a voice at last."

"No, you're wrong." Black shook his head. "It's not the truth. It can't be..."

"Isn't it?" Sombra grinned wickedly. "Tell me, how could you not resent that goody-two-hooves? White was always your parents' favorite. Silver Dove adored him, like he was an angel who could do no wrong... and Ivory... well, he could say for sure that White was his kid, am I right?"

"Leave them out of this." Black glared, his father's name causing his anger to flare up.

"Ooh, did I strike a nerve?" Sombra crooned. "That's good. I like it when you're mad. Yes, White seemed to get everything he wanted. He was the model soldier, discharged with honors. He found a love, made her his wife. And he got to have two children he was free to raise, as short a time as that was. He had everything you wanted, but could never have... because of what you are and what you did... doesn't that make your body quiver with hate?"

"...Yes, I wanted everything my brother had." Black admitted, lowering his head. "Maybe a part of me is envious of what he had..." Then he glared at Sombra. "But that means nothing... it doesn't mean I hate him."

"You're fooling yourself, Black." Sombra taunted him. "Admit it, you actually felt relieved when he died. Because you no longer had to live in his shadow!"

"Shut up!" Black yelled. "Shut up, shut up, shut up!"

"Not that it matters either way." Sombra snorted. "Because this body is mine. I really have no use for all its memories. But they can help keep you warm while you rot away up here."

"You're a monster, Sombra." Black growled. "A stone cold monster."

"It takes one to know one, doesn't it?" Sombra sneered. "Now if you'll excuse me, my fellow monster, I have more business to attend to. The time of my great triumph is almost upon me. Of course, I never could have gotten this far without you..."

Black hung his head in shame.

At that moment, Sombra suddenly felt a familiar sensation.

"Ah." He smiled. "My minions have located Prince Shine and his daughter."

"No..." Black whispered.

"They're at the Castle of the Two Sisters." Sombra realized. "How clever..."

"If you hurt them, I'll-" Black snarled.

"Do nothing but watch." Sombra said coldly.

A communication portal appeared before Black's possessed body, showing Shine and Miracle, Twitch and co. having arrived there just moments ago.

"Hello again." Sombra grinned. "Let's keep things simple, shall we? I want the brat, and I want the magic Celestia gave you, Shine."

"What?" Shine frowned. "Celestia didn't give me any... Oh, who cares? Whatever you want, you're not getting it!"

"Oh, I'm getting it, alright." Sombra sneered. "Whether you like it or not."

"Attack!" Twitch yelled.

The thugs and Shadow Ponies attacked Shine en masse.

"No!" Black yelled, horrified, as he watched Shine try valiantly to defend himself and his daughter, but quickly being overwhelmed by the opposing masses. "Leave him alone! He's innocent!"

Sombra didn't reply, too engrossed in the battle.

"Something's wrong." Sombra growled in Black's voice, turning to Twitch. "Why isn't he using Celestia's magic?"

"Maybe he doesn't know how?" Twitch shrugged.

"Maybe..." Sombra shrugged. "Give him a bit more of a beating, just to be sure..."

"Don't you dare!" Black roared.

"Stop!" Miracle stepped forward. "Leave my dad alone! I... I'll give myself up! Just don't hurt him!"

"Miracle... no..." Shine groaned.

"Sorry dad, I have to." Miracle said firmly. "I don't want any more ponies to get hurt. Especially you."

"My, what a refreshingly helpful attitude." Sombra smiled. "Such a thoughtful little filly. Just for that, I think I'll have my boys lay off your dad. Even bring him along for the ride. Wouldn't want you getting lonely."

"You heard the boss." Twitch declared. "Do it!"

Black watched helplessly as Shine and Miracle were grabbed by the Shadow Ponies.

"Don't be so glum, chum." Sombra taunted him. "At least they're still alive, thanks to the smart little filly's co-operation. She certainly didn't get those brains from the Paladin side of the family. Soon, the last piece of Alicorn magic will be mine, and the power of the Crystal Sun along with it."

"And will that make you happy?" Black snarled.

"Oh, very much so." Sombra smirked. "And when all Equestria is mine, when all ponies bow to their King.... then I'll be even happier. In fact, I may actually reveal the truth to my subjects; That I am King Sombra, and you are just my puppet. But don't worry, I'll be sure to give credit where credit is due. I'll let them all know who they have to thank for my victory." He sneered wickedly. "You. Does that make you happy?"

"You know it doesn't." Black scowled.

"Yes, I do." Sombra chuckled. "And what is about to happen will make you even more unhappy..."

Shine and Miracle were brought back to the Crystal Empire, where Black was forced to watch as Sombra continued to mock and insult Shine using his voice, even going as far as feigning pity and bringing up Black's tragic past as some sort of petty excuse for his action.

Shine himself had some choice words to say, and while he had no idea he was speaking to an evil King who possessed his uncle, Black knew he meant every word was meant for him, and it stung him deeply.

"Why are you doing this, Black?" Shine asked. "Is this all just to get back at my father?! Or is it to compensate for the fact you weren't born the way you wanted?"

Black cringed in anguish. The fact that he was born without wings had always been a major point of contention with him...

"My dear nephew, I am hurt that you assume that I would do these things out of a grudge or pettiness." Sombra said quietly. "I am merely doing what I was born to do..."

"Which is?" Miracle asked.

Sombra chuckled.

"To cleanse Equestria of all filth. When I'm done, everything will be pure…"

"'Pure'?" Shine grimaced.

"Yes." Sombra nodded. "No more bugs infesting our wastelands, no more buffaloes stampeding over everything in their path, no more dragons hoarding all the world's riches and terrorizing the city folk. Nothing that can hold their advantages over us. Just us ponies. It'll be a perfect Equestria, at long last."

"You filthy liar..." Black spat at Sombra.

"But it's not that far from what you wanted, is it?" Sombra sneered. "No, not at all..."

Black bowed his head in shame.

"You don't have to do this." Shine urged. "You could come back to the family. Make amends for what you've done. It's not too late."

"Family..." Sombra sneered. "I've had quite enough of that, thank you."

"What?" Shine gasped.

"My so-called family turned against me!" Sombra roared, speaking the dark thoughts buried within Black's mind. "My brother betrayed me, and my parents practically disowned me!"

"That's not true!" Shine barked. "Surely they would never…"

"You wouldn't understand." Sombra scoffed. "All I was to them was an unfortunate 'kink' in their precious bloodline. They acted like they loved me, but I could see it in their eyes... if you weren't born with feathers, then you weren't a Paladin..."

"No... that... that can't be..." Shine muttered.

"You can deny it all you want, but it is the truth." Sombra grunted. "But that's okay with me... because I don't need family anymore. With the Crystal Sun's power, I'll have all that I will ever need!"

It was at that point that Sombra tried to take the Alicorn magic within Shine... only to learn that he had transferred it to Caboose. But that didn't sway him, for he simply decided to use Miracle's magic instead... even though it would kill her.

"No! No! Please!" Shine pleaded, as Sombra turned away. "Uncle!"

Black perked up at the word "uncle".

"I've never been called that before..." He mused.

"Black... please... don't do this to me... don't do this to your nephew..." Shine sniffled. "Miracle's my little sunbeam... do what you want with the Sun, or me and Celestia, but please... don't do this to your own family... please…"

"Don't do it..." Black pleaded with Sombra. "I'm begging you..."

"Oh, Shine..." Sombra shook his head, as he tilted Shine's chin upwards. "It is because you're my nephew that you won't have to see her die. You don't deserve the same pain as your father or wife does... But do know that I am doing this only for the betterment of Equestria... don't worry though... she won't suffer."

Shine was left dumbfounded, as Sombra then turned to the shadow ponies and gave a nod.

"Take him away."

The Shadow Ponies made to drag the Pegasus away, as Shine finally came to his senses.

"No…" Shine muttered, as he then screamed. "NOOOOO! Please! Don't hurt her! Miracle! Miracle! MIRACLE!"

"You monster!" Black roared, struggling against the tendrils. "You monster!"

"Lest you forget, I'm not the only monster here." Sombra sneered. "You've actually been responsible for a greater loss of life than I ever have. Wouldn't you agree, Mr Changeling hunter?"

Black froze in horror.

"And let's not forget all the sanctioned and unsanctioned murders you performed in service of your Taskforce." Sombra added. "In fact, I'd say out of the two of us, you're the greater monster here. Think on that before you seek to demonize me."

'Sombra's right...' Black thought. 'I really am a monster. Somewhere down the road, I let go of my equinity, and gave an even worse monster the chance to destroy Equestria. I deserve every bit of hate everypony has for me. I deserve to have my face used as an icon for evil. I deserve to be trapped in here...'

Soon after, Sombra approached Miracle, intent on fulfilling his twisted plan.

"You'd sacrifice a foal to take over Equestria?" Black growled.

"I would sacrifice anything and everything to get what I want." Sombra smirked. "The fact that the child in question is Celestia's daughter is just a bonus."

"Come on, Sombra, don't do this..." Black pleaded. "Miracle's just a child. She doesn't deserve this!"

"Well, I didn't deserve to have my body blown to smithereens because of a baby dragon, that foolish Prince and his damn throwing hooves, and that damn Princess of Love!" Sombra snarled, livid at the somewhat amusing circumstances of his demise... only for him to regain composure. "But life isn't fair, is it?"

"Doesn't give you the right to do something like this, though." Black snarled.

"Doesn't it?" Sombra smirked. "For so long, I've languished in darkness. Now it's time to return the favor."

"And you're gonna kill my grand-niece to do it." Black scowled.

"That's the plan." Sombra smirked.

Sombra knelt down by Miracle.

"It's almost time, kiddo." He smirked.

"Y-you won't win." Miracle, though scared, tried to be brave. "My dad'll stop you."

"Points for courage, little Princess." Sombra sneered. "But you're in no condition to be mouthing off to anypony."

Back in Black's mind...

"Petulant little vermin." Sombra growled.

"She's got Paladin blood, alright." Black gave a sad smile. "She won't give up, no matter what."

"Like that even matters." Sombra scowled. "She'll be dead before long..."

Suddenly, Twitch stumbled into the room, snapping Sombra to attention.

"Uh, boss, y-you might w-want to see t-this." He pointed toward the balcony.

"This had better be good." Sombra growled.

Sombra and Twitch came outside, to the balcony to find an army of Changelings, Griffons, buffalo and ponies marching towards the palace; Sazh, Char, Wizel, Princess Twilight's friends, Blue Blazes, Mist, Constell, Luxury, and the entire mafia army were leading the charge.

Both Black and Sombra gaped at the size of the army.

"Impossible..." Sombra gaped.

"Well, well." Black gave a snide grin at Sombra. "Didn't see that coming, did you?"

"W-what should we do, boss?" Twitch asked.

Sombra stared slack-jawed…

"What's the matter, your highness?" Black smirked. "Cat got your tongue?"

Black's taunt snapped Sombra out of his shock, and ticked him off to boot.

"I don't have time for this." He groaned, turning to Twitch. "You deal with them!"

"M-me?! What do you want me to do?!" Twitch protested.

"I don't know… send them away! I have bigger fish to fry right now!" Sombra snarled, marching away.

"Insolent commoners..." He snarled. "They think they can stop me? Hah!"

"Well, they're sure gonna try." Black frowned. "Whether it's me or you, it seems like they're not going to let Equestria be taken over just like that."

"Hmph, it doesn't matter how many of them there are." Sombra growled. "They're still too late. Soon, the ceremony will be complete, the Crystal Sun will grant me unlimited power, and I will smite them all off the face of Equestria!"

"You wouldn't..." Black seethed.

"Just wait and see..." Sombra smirked. "The magic is about to unfold."

Meanwhile, out on the outskirts of the Crystal Empire, the Taskforce were debating what to do next.

"I just don't see any strategy that could help." Master Mind confessed.

"There has to be something." Incognito urged.

"We already had an ace in the hole... until somepony ruined that by not pulling the trigger." Ballista glared at Armory.

"I did what I had to do." Armory glared.

"And may have destroyed all Equestria as a result!" Ballista roared.

"Enough." Elite growled. "This isn't helping. We need a plan to pull Black out of this madness."

"No, what we need is a miracle." Armory sighed.

Titan suddenly stood up, his ears twitching.

"Rrrrf!" He barked.

"What is it, Titan?" Elite asked.

"Rrrf-ruf!" Titan pointed over the mountain, where the army of defenders were marching on the Crystal Empire.

"Wow." Incognito gasped.

"Look at them all." Armory gaped.

"So many..." Master Mind acknowledged.

"Looks like we got us a miracle after all." Ballista smiled.

"We can only hope it's enough..." Elite mused.

Before long, Sombra had the four shards of the Crystal Sun floating above him. Celestia, chained in a corner of the room, struggled desperately. Sombra felt it was "appropriate" that the mare who ruined "Black's" life would be there to see him take her daughter's life. Miracle was similarly contained, helpless to free herself.

"Now, it is time for the pieces to come together." Sombra chuckled.

The four shards were pulled together, forming a giant crystal orb. It began to glow a golden glow, and levitate on its own.

"Perfect." Sombra smiled, as he slightly pushed the orb over Miracle. "Now we can begin. At long last, Equestria will be mine..."

Black remained silent.

"What? No biting remark?" Sombra mused. "No more 'you won't get away with this?'"

"What's the point?" Black frowned, the black tendrils around him growing tighter. "You've won. You have everything you need. And it's clear I can't stop you..."

"Very good." Sombra smirked. "You've finally acknowledged the futility of your struggle. Much better to just give in, and watch, as I bring about the downfall of Equestria."

"You're right..." Black sighed, as the black tendrils pulled him down further. "This really is the end..."

"And don't you forget-" Sombra was about to snark when suddenly, the lights in the room went off.

"Oh, what now?!" Sombra groaned.

Suddenly, a spotlight appeared in the corner of the room, showing the silhouette of a caped pony... who removed the cape, revealing himself to be Caboose.

"Behold!" Caboose said dramatically. "'Tis I, Caboose the mighty! ...And my sidekick, Sleight Gambit."

"Sidekick, me?" Sleight groaned.

"Well, well." Sombra snorted. "What's this?"

"I was about to ask the same thing..." Black gaped.

"We're here to stop you, Black." Caboose declared.

"Once and for all." Sleight added.

"Whatever you say." Sombra froze Miracle in place under the Crystal Sun. "Let's go."

Caboose and Sleight charged. Caboose fired magic blasts, while Sleight used his card magic.

"Same old tricks." Sombra sneered, using Black's memories of Sleight to his advantage, dodged their attacks.

"Then how about a new one?" Sleight asked. "Now, Caboose!"

Sleight flung two cards at either side of Black. Caboose fired a beam at one, which opened into a portal. The second card turned into a portal also, causing the beam to strike Black from behind.

"Gaahhh!" Sombra yelped, knocked aside.

Pressing their advantage, Caboose and Sleight kept up their assault, throwing everything they had at Black.

"That was... pretty harsh." Black admitted, feeling the pain inflicted on his body.

"How are you…" Sombra muttered, before noticing the sparking of Caboose's horn. "You! You're the one with…"

"Celestia's magic? Maybe I am, maybe I'm not!" Caboose shrugged.

"No way." Black gaped. "This guy? Wow, I did not see that coming."

"Oh shut up." Sombra snarled.

"Maybe I think you're gonna lose this one." Caboose continued, taunting Sombra.

"Well said, Caboose!" Sleight smiled, as he levitated more cards. "Let's bring down this monster!"

Despite their boasts, neither Caboose nor Sleight lasted too long against Sombra. Black watched in horror as Sombra blasted Sleight away. Despite all his resentment towards Sleight, Black was horrified to see him hurt like that. He then had to watch as Caboose was pummeled. He had to admit, Caboose put up a good fight, especially given how Sombra hit him square in the chest about a hundred times... twice... Black had no idea how he did that.

However, despite Caboose's efforts, Sombra withstood his blows, and now had him right where he want him.

"Time to end this..." Sombra muttered darkly, as he then grasped Caboose in dark magic. "Give me the magic, once and for all!"

The stallion attempted to drain the Alicorn magic from Caboose... only to find it wasn't there.

"Wha... this can't be..." He frowned.

"Heh-heh, gotcha!" Caboose smirked, though wincing a bit in pain.

"Where is the magic?!" Sombra demanded, grabbing Caboose by the neck. "Where is-"

Sombra was then blasted aside by a powerful golden blur, freeing Caboose instantly.

"Arrrh!" He groaned, skidding across the floor. "Who did tha..."

Glancing at the one who attacked him, Sombra was shocked to see that it was Shine, his wings glowing bright gold, and wearing golden armor.

"Shine!" Celestia smiled.

"Dad!" Miracle cheered.

"Shine?" Black was shaken from his misery, surprised to see Shine standing before him and Sombra.

"Looking for something, uncle?" Shine glared, his wings glowing brightly. "Caboose transferred the magic to me. And now I'm going to use it to stop you! It's time to put an end to this!"

"Wow..." Black gasped, gazing upon his empowered nephew. "White, if you could only see your boy now..."

"Foolish boy." Sombra sneered. "He's brought the Alicorn magic right to me! I'm going to enjoy ripping it out of him..."

Black grit his teeth in anger. He couldn't just stand there and allow Sombra to attack his nephew. Not with his own hooves.

'No more.' He thought. 'No more wallowing in my own pity. Shine's ready to risk it all to fight this monster. He's as brave and noble as his father. They do the Paladin name proud. Now it's time for me to do the same.'

Black stood up, the tendrils being pulled taunt by his movements.

"...I don't think so." He snarled.

"What are you babbling about now?" Sombra spat.

"If that kid can stand up to you, then so can I!" Black declared.

With a sudden burst of strength, Black tore free of the dark tendrils.

"Inconceivable!" Sombra roared.

"This is my head, Sombra." Black glared at his hated foe. "And I'm kicking you out!"

"Do your worst!" Sombra growled.

"No... I'll do my best." Black smiled.

The two charged at each other, and locked in battle, at the same time as Shine did with Black's body in the real world.

"You think you can fight on two fronts?" Black taunted Sombra.

"We shall see!" Sombra snarled.

The secret side of me
I never let you see
I keep it caged,
But I can't control it
So stay away from me
The beast is ugly
I feel the rage
And I just can't hold it
It's scratching on the walls
In the closet, in the halls
It comes awake
And I can't control it
Hiding under the bed
In my body, in my head
Why won't somebody come and save me from this?
Make it end!

I feel it deep within,
It's just beneath the skin
I must confess that I
Feel like a monster
I hate what I've become
The nightmare's just begun
I must confess that I
Feel like a monster
I, I feel like a monster
I, I feel like a monster

As Black and Sombra struggled, Black's mindscape suddenly warped and rippled, changing from the faux Canterlot Castle to the streets of Dodge Junction. However, the scenery seemed to distort around them, as if it were melting.

"What the heck is this?" Black frowned.

"Looks like a trip through memory lane." Sombra sneered.

"You think being back home is gonna phase me?" Black scowled.

"It's not home you should be worrying about." Sombra smirked. "But the memories connected to it."

"What's that supposed to-?" Black started, only to freeze in shock as Sombra's body began to change.

Sombra's coat changed to a familiar shade of white, his billowing black mane changing to a well-combed silver one, his red eyes becoming a vibrant blue, and his horn sinking into his forehead and out of existence. Two white wings sprouted from his side, feathers flying out. Sombra had become a perfect replica of White.

"...No... no way..." Black gaped.

"Black, Black, Black." "White Knight" shook his head. "All these years, and you haven't changed a bit. You're still the same mindless, lonely punk you were back when we were kids."

"White, I-" Black stuttered.

"I really should have seen it coming." White mused, as he glared at him. "I should have seen you turning into a total psychopath! The kind of monster who spat in the face of everything I believe in!"

"No." Black mumbled. "It wasn't like-"

White punched Black hard, sending him flying a few feet before crashing into the ground.

"You're a monster." White spat. "I am disgusted to call you my brother."

"Ugh... White..." Black groaned, as he got back up. "This... this can't be..."

My secret side I keep
Hid under lock and key
I keep it caged,
But I can't control it
Cause if I let him out
He'll tear me up
And break me down
Why won't somebody come and save me from this?
Make it end!

I feel it deep within,
It's just beneath the skin
I must confess that I
Feel like a monster
I hate what I've become
The nightmare's just begun
I must confess that I
Feel like a monster
I feel it deep within,
It's just beneath the skin
I must confess that I
Feel like a monster
I, I feel like a monster
I, I feel like a monster

"White" continued attacking Black. But Black couldn't bring himself to fight back.

"I can't fight you!" Black declared. "I won't!"

"Then you're going to die." White smirked. "Just as you let me die."

"I tried to save you..." Black gurgled through a mouthful of blood. "I tried."

"And you failed." Black sneered. "Just like you failed another pony..."

Suddenly, the scenery around them began shifting as it did before. Soon, the mindscape resembled that of a billowing desert plain, the same melting distortion phenomenon occurring. The land they stood upon looked shockingly similar to the area around which Black and White were deployed... when they were in Saddle Arabia...

"Oh no..." Black gaped.

"Oh yes..." White Knight sneered. To Black's horror, White's skin turned darker, his wings molting and breaking off his body. His face changed shape, as did his body. Soon, standing in his brother's place, was none other than Rookie Blue, just as he was before he died that fateful day, donning the same hateful gaze as White.

"No, please..." Black struggled to stand up.

"Brings back memories, doesn't it?" Rookie growled. "I thought you were my friend, Black. My trusted comrade. And I really thought you felt the same way."

"Rookie..." Black whispered.

"But you didn't, did you?" Rookie kicked Black hard. "You used me, deceived me, set me up to die, all just to further your own agenda!"

"I never meant for you to die." Black grunted. "Never!"

"Right." Rookie said coldly. "You just didn't care if I did." He punched Black in the face. "And to think, I actually looked up to you. My mistake!"

"Please, don't..." Black held up his hooves, trying to defend himself.

"Don't what?" Rookie sneered, throwing more blows. "Face it, Black: You've got this coming!"

It's hiding in the dark
It's teeth are razor sharp
There's no escape for me
It wants my soul,
It wants my heart
No one can hear me scream,
Maybe it's just a dream
Or maybe it's inside of me
Stop this monster!

I feel it deep within,
It's just beneath the skin
I must confess that I
Feel like a monster
I hate what I've become
The nightmare's just begun
I must confess that I
Feel like a monster

Rookie continued lashing out at Black, who valiantly tried to avoid his blows.

"What's the matter, coward?" Rookie spat. "Can't be bothered to do the job yourself this time?"

Black let out a heavy pant, his body aching viciously. He was unable to land a single blow, as unwilling to lay a hoof upon his former comrade as he was to do so to his brother. But that did little to stop what he thought was still Sombra.

The pain was too much. If it wasn't the near bone-breaking blows that both White and Rookie had dealt upon him, it was the crushing guilt weighing on his soul. The nightmare going on outside his mind was even worse. His nephew and grandniece's lives were on the line, and there seemed to be nothing he could do about it. Black's guilt and sorrow were so great, he was at risk of drowning under it. The physical and mental trauma threatened to destroy him.

'Can't take much more of this...' He thought, as he was struck once more.

Suddenly, the mindscape shifted again, replacing the desert landscape with that of another town... none other than Prairieville.

"No..." Black's eyes widened in terror, whimpering. "No... please, not her... anypony but her..."

Rookie's body changed once more. Though not as horrid as the transformation from White was, Black could see Rookie's body taking on a more feminine shape, the coat changing to a pale amber and the mane growing out to a curly orange. It wasn't before long none other than School Belle stood before him, the glasses that belonged to Rookie falling off her face, and being crushed under her hoof.

"No, please... don't do this to me..." Black was on the verge of tears, the thought of having to face the mare he loved more daunting than even facing his own brother. "Not with her..."

"What's the matter, Black?" Belle said coldly. "Too ashamed to face me? The mare who fell in love with a lie? The mare who never knew you for the soulless fiend you really were? The mare you tricked into loving you? The mare you impregnated, and left to raise your child alone? If I was in your hooves, I would be."

"Belle, please... you have to understand..." Black said weakly, overcome with despair. "I had to lie... if you knew the truth... you'd... you'd..."

"Hate you?" Belle growled. "Despise you? Oh, so true!"

Belle slapped Black hard, knocking him back to the ground.

"Even after I saved your life, gave you my heart, you still couldn't trust me with the truth!" She slammed her hoof onto Black's back, then leaned in close and whispered viciously. "I should have just left you to die..."

"Maybe you should." Black whispered, not willing to stand up. "Maybe then, I wouldn't have abandoned you... I wouldn't have continued on this twisted path... I wouldn't have helped bring about the end of Equestria..." Black dropped to his knees. "I made the biggest mistake of my life, and I've been paying for it ever since. There's no redemption for me. I should just... stop trying."

I feel it deep within,
It's just beneath the skin
I must confess that I
Feel like a monster
I'm gonna lose control
Here's something radical
I must confess that I
Feel like a monster

I, I feel like a monster
I, I feel like a monster
I, I feel like a monster
I, I feel like a monster

The mindscape shifted once more, this time returning to that of Canterlot Castle. The windows were still open, showing Sombra and Shine stuck in combat... and Sombra was winning.

Belle's body began contorting again, her feminine body shifting back into the masculine form that was Sombra, who glanced upon the defeated stallion with glee.

"I hope you're enjoying all the little reunions I've been providing you." He smirked. "Everypony you've ever let down, everypony you've ever betrayed and lied to... It's quite a list. I wanted to get Elite and the others in on this, but I felt that was a touch of overkill."

"You buckin' piece of filth." Black hissed, his body aching from exhaustion.

"But wait, there's more." Sombra smirked. "I was able to fit in one more pony, and it's a doozy. This one pony was one that you have disappointed more than any other... mostly by virtue of simply existing."

Sombra's body once again shifted, wings bursting out of his back, his horn retracting into his skull. His coat grew paler, his body thicker. Once the transformation was complete, Black stood in shock. For standing before him was none other than Ivory Templar Paladin, his father.

"Oh no..." Black quivered in fear and loathing. "No, no... no..."

"That's right." Ivory nodded. "Daddy's home."

"You..." Black muttered in anguish. "How could you use... him against me? And I thought you were low before..."

"You are such a disgrace to the Paladin family name." Ivory glared at Black. "The family bloodline, even! The one Earth Pony in an unbroken string of Pegasi! You were born an embarrassment!"

"Stop it..." Black hissed, pressing his hooves to his ears, weakly trying to drown out his voice. "Stop it..."

"Who are you to give orders to your father?!" Ivory struck Black, kicking him hard and across the floor.

"Ugh!" Black groaned.

"You ungrateful little brat." Ivory sneered, kicking Black again and again. "Even if I did think you were some illegitimate offspring, I still raised you like my own son. And how did you repay me? By making a mockery of the family name!"

"You weren't a real father to me." Black spat, "Not even close..."

"Then again, maybe there was nothing I could have done." Ivory shrugged. "With a father like me, perhaps you had no choice but to go down that dark path."

"Yeah, you-" Black stopped in mid-agreement. "Wait..."

Something was off. Black knew that his father had always been a proud stallion. He hardly ever admitted he was in the wrong. But here he was, admitting that he had been a terrible parent to Black. Why would Black's memory have made such a major error? How could Sombra have made that mistake?

...In fact, how was it that Sombra knew how to get under Black's skin like he was doing? And how was it that Sombra could effortlessly assume the form of his loved ones, right down to the smallest detail? Sombra may have been a powerful dark magic wielder, but there was no way in Tartarus he could strike Black this personally, especially considering they'd met a few days ago.

"This isn't right." Black mused. "None of this is!"

"Shut up and take your medicine!" Ivory punched him.

"What's going on here?" Black held his ground in spite of his injuries. "Why are you doing all this, Sombra? And how? You can't be using the memory of my father. Not as I knew him. And how are you even able to trudge these memories?" He suddenly dropped to his knees. "I deserve to know. Tell me!"

Ivory paused for a moment... then started laughing.

"What's so funny?" Black glared.

"Oh-ho-ho-ho-ho!" Ivory cackled. "So, you've finally figured it out. About damn time, I' say."

"What are you talking about?" Black frowned. "Answer me, Sombra!"

"...Firstly, Black, you should know that I am not King Sombra." Ivory sneered, "I never was..."

"...You never w-?" Black froze. "Then who-?"

Suddenly, Ivory's light blue eyes turned a vibrant gold, just like his.

"I'm you." Ivory smirked. "Or rather, the darkest part of you."

"What?" Black gaped. "I don't understand..."

"Let me spell it out for you, Black." Ivory chuckled, as he stepped back. "I am the embodiment of your darkness. The incarnation of your hate. The avatar of your bloodlust and rage. I am the part of you that relishes in destruction, chaos, anarchy, and the agony of others! Ever since your youth, I've been a part of you, manipulating you from within..."

"No. "Black shook his head. "It can't be..."

"But it is." Ivory declared. "All those urges to hurt... to kill... to destroy... that was all because of me! All it took was a little nudge here and a suppression of common sense there, and the beast was unleashed! All the ponies you murdered, those you hurt, and whose lives you have ruined, have all been a product of my own machinations! All you've ever been was a puppet, and I, your puppeteer!"

"...But this doesn't make any sense... how could you have been controlling me?" Black frowned. "All my life, I've been my own pony!"

"Ha! That's what I wanted you to think!" Ivory smirked. "But in reality, I've been nothing more than the darkness in your heart. Each time you felt hate, fear, or despair, I grew, blotting out any of that wretched light you held in your puny black heart. When you became one with Sombra's horn, I finally became strong enough to not only envelop your very being, but to assume control of your body permanently..."

"But... why are you-" Black started.

"Ivory?" Ivory sneered. "I felt it was fitting to assume the form that incited the most hate and fear within you. The father who never loved you. I can assume other forms too, using your memories. However, I only know about them as much as you do, and they're subject to alterations based on your personal views of them. Thus is the limitation of a broken pony's mind."

"But then... what of Sombra?" Black glared. "How did you know so much about him?! How do I know this isn't his doing?!"

"Oh, please." Ivory scoffed. "That's a laugh. I met Sombra myself when you two became one. And I'll tell ya, he was a complete wreck. Nothing but skin and bone and a broken horn. He was barely alive, his power faded with time... but his darkness... his hate... it was all mine for the taking. He and I became one, and I was not only able to become as strong as I am right now, but I also gained his memories, and his desire for total conquest. And now that I'm finally strong enough to become you, I shall see that desire satiated."

"...No, you won't." Black said firmly, as he struggled to his hooves, "I don't care if you're Sombra or my darkness. I'm not going to just stand by and let you take my body! I am bringing you-"

Before Black could finish that sentence, Ivory struck him hard in the chest, then followed up with lightning fast blows, striking him everywhere he could reach, and slamming him into the ground.

"Augh..." Black groaned, stupefied by what had just happened.

"You can't beat me, Black." Ivory smirked. "Not when you've been feeding me all these years. The power of your hate and despair you has made me stronger and stronger. Even now, you're feeding me, as you wallow in self-pity and the hopelessness of your situation. And look what you and I ended up doing together because of it!"

The mindscape shifted, showing the ruins of Reinadh, followed by the countless Changeling homes Black had led his thugs in destroying, and many amalgamations of buildings where Black (following the death of Lazarevic Darkside) had slain hundreds of Forefather agents. Black blurs littered the ground around them, obviously representative of those Black had slain.

"No..." Black murmured.

"You may as well just accept it." Ivory smirked. "Ever since your father spurned you, you were mine, and now, the day has come for you and I to truly become one. For you to truly embrace yourself for the monster you were meant to be... do not fight it, Black..."

Black bowed his head in anger, shame, and anguish.

'He's right.' He thought. 'My whole life, I've done nothing but cause pain. I had a monster inside me, one I helped grow. I've ruined so many lives. I don't deserve mine...'

The dark tendrils started coiling around Black again.

"That's it." Ivory smirked. "Give in..."

"No." Another voice declared.

"Don't listen to him!" A female voice added.

"You can't give up, Black." A third voice agreed.

"What?" Ivory growled.

"Oh no..." Black groaned, recognizing those voices.

Suddenly, in bursts of light, White, Belle and Rookie appeared, between Black and Ivory.

"What the-?!" Ivory gasped.

"Hello, brother." White smiled.

"White... Belle... Rookie..." Black frowned. "Please, I know I've done you all wrong, but-"

"That's not why we're here." White declared. "We came to help you."

"...You did?" Black gaped. Realizing something, as he glanced at them and Ivory. "Wait... you three aren't..."

"We're the true memories of those you care for most." Belle declared. "The feelings you hold most dear. The part of you which refuses to die."

"We're here to tell you that you're not a monster." Rookie beamed.

"Shows what you know." Ivory snarled.

"He's right." Black sighed. "I am a monster."

"No, you're not." Belle placed her hoof against Black's cheek. "A monster would not be capable of love."

"A monster would not mourn the loss of his brother." White added.

"Or a comrade." Rookie added.

"Are you actually listening to these fools?" Ivory scoffed. "I've already shown you what they truly thought of you. They hate you... they despise you..."

"...Do you three actually hate me?" Black whispered.

"No... that is the darkness talking." Rookie frowned, glaring at Ivory. "That's what it do when you let it consume you. It tries to isolate you, make you think that there's no pony out there for you, make it tso you only know pain and suffering, just so it can sink its claws into you. But none of that is true!"

"But all the things I've done-" Black started.

"You lost your way." White admitted. "It happens. But the good stallion you once were still exists. We are proof of that. Proof that light still exists in your soul."

"The evil within you is not stronger than the good." Belle smiled. "If it were, would I have fallen in love with you?"

"No, you wouldn't..." Black smiled, the memory of their first kiss entering his mind.

"And I sure wouldn't have become friends with a heartless sociopath." Rookie added. "I gave you that mixtape because I knew you were somepony that ponies could rely on. A pillar of strength and honor that stands tall, no matter who tries to bring it down."

"You are my brother, Black." White grinned. "I always loved you, and I always believed in you. And I believe you can win today."

"So do I." Belle agreed.

"And me." Rookie nodded. "Push that darkness back down where it belongs. Do it for us."

"Do it for Equestria." White added.

"But most of all, do it for yourself." Belle smiled.

"...Yes." Black nodded, his resolve returning. "I will."

Calling upon newfound reserves of strength, Black broke free of the tendrils once more.

"Impossible!" Ivory roared.

"Go get 'im, bro." White smiled.

"I will." Black nodded. "Thank you. All of you."

The three memories smiled as they faded into white.

"Now then." Black turned to Ivory. "Where were we?"

"I was about to finish this!" Ivory lunged at Black.

Black dodged Ivory's attack, then struck with one of his own, sending Ivory flying.

"Argh!" Ivory yelled. "How-?"

"Looks like I just got one hell of a second wind." Black smiled. "And it's gonna blow you away!"

"I don't think so!" Ivory roared, "I am your darkness, and I will consume you, even if I have to swallow you piece by piece!"

As the battle between them continued, Black's blows began weakening his dark side's hold, to a point that Black was able to snatch control over his body briefly, but just enough to purposely hold back his blows so that Shine could be able to telegraph and dodge his strikes and counter them with his own.

It seemed like Shine was starting to win the fight against his uncle. Unfortunately, Ivory was able to take back control of Black's body long enough to activate the Crystal Sun. It was moments away from absorbing Miracle's lifeforce, but Shine was able to break Miracle free. However, this merely served as a distraction, as Ivory was able to finally able to absorb Celestia's Alicorn magic into Sombra's horn.

"Victory is mine." Ivory snarled, as he and Black grappled. "With all the Alicorns' magic at my disposal and the Crystal Sun still raring to go, I will be strong enough to consume you and blot out any remaining light in this forsaken body."

"That won't happen..." Black growled.

"And what do you think is going to stop it?" Ivory sneered. "I have won! I defeated all the Alicorns and our nephew! It would have to take an act of Faust herself to stop me n-"

Suddenly,the doors to the throne room burst open, as Twitch (whom Black's darkness had empowered into a giant brute moments before) came charging in. Caboose wasaround his neck, trying his best to steer the rampaging abomination. To Ivory's horror, Twitch tripped... and fell onto the Crystal Sun, shattering it into a million pieces.

"...Gah..." Ivory gaped. "The artifact... of the Great Alicorns... destroyed... by two idiots... our unlimited power... gone. All that work... for nothing..."

"Ooops." Black smirked. "Hope you had insurance."

Something snapped within Black's darkness, as Ivory glared murderously at Black, and let out a vicious scream.

In the real world, Ivory, in a fit of rage, threw Caboose and Twitch out of the castle, not caring where they landed, then faced off against White once more. Within his mind, Ivory renewed his efforts to defeat Black.

"Why are you still fighting me?!" Black asked, as he slugged Ivory in the face. "You've lost. The Crystal Sun is gone. That means you no longer have the means to defeat Father."

"I may have lost the Sun, but I've collected a lot of Alicorn magic! Once I finish up here, I'm going to find all the other Alicorns and take their magic! That oughta to make up for it!" Ivory snarled.

"You can try, but you'll have to get past me first." Black said firmly.

"You make it sound like a challenge!" Ivory charged Black.

Black sidestepped the attack and struck Ivory in the side.

"Because it is." He sneered.

In the real world, Ivory was doing much better against Shine, beating him to the ground.

"At least I'll be able to kill your nephew before you take back control." Ivory spat. "Then you'll have to deal with the whole world believing you killed Prince Shine Paladin in cold blood."

"Guess again!" Black pounded Ivory desperately, trying to finish him before it was too late.

As they struggled, Miracle suddenly stood before Black's body and her beaten father.

"Oh, good." Ivory smiled. "The brat wants to go first. The more, the merrier."

"Get out of there, kid..." Black whispered.

Just as Ivory was about to attack in the real world, Miracle blasted Black's one good eye with her magic.

"Rarrgh!" Ivory roared, clutching the struck eye. As he pulled the hoof away, Black's golden eye was now pale and milky. He waved the hoof in front of him. "I can't see… I can't see!"

In the mindscape, all the windows had gone dark.

"Not what I was hoping for..." Black cringed, feeling the pain of his destroyed eye. "But good job, kiddo."

"That won't help the filthy brat!" Ivory spat, who was feeling the same pain as him. "I can still smell her!"

Even blinded, Ivory forced Black's body to go after Miracle.

"Don't you touch her!" Black roared.

Out in the real world, Shine intervened, ramming into Black's body.

"Oh, you want some more, huh?" Ivory smirked, steadying himself. "You're just like your father: too stubborn to know when to quit."

"You didn't know my father at all." Shine glared. "Not one bit."

"Seriously?" Ivory growled. "We were brothers! I knew him better than anypony!"

"If you really knew him, then you'd know it was more than stubbornness." Shine declared. "He did what was right, even if it meant going against family, even if it looked like he couldn't win. And I'm the same. That's why I'm still here, still ready to fight. Because I'm my father's son."

"You sure are." Ivory nodded. "You spout the same pointless gibberish he did!"

"Except it's not gibberish." Black declared. "It's the truth. I forgot what it meant for a long time. But now I remember, and I'm never gonna forget again."

"Oh, you will..." Ivory snarled. "I will make certain of that."

The two battled once more, as Ivory and Shine also fought. Ivory threw out more half-baked lies, making Black seem even more insane. But with every lie, Black just hit him harder. As Black struck Ivory, he weakened him further, allowing him to slow Ivory's attacks. In one moment, this allowed Shine to deflect one of his punches, followed by striking him hard enough to break Black's rib.

"Ugh..." Black grunted, feeling his chest. "Worth it..."

"I won't be defeated!" Ivory roared, spitting out a bit of blood, rubbing his own chest. "Not by you, and not by this brat!"

In both the mindscape and the real world, Ivory grappled with his opponents. But in the real world, Shine slipped free, and headbutted Black's body, causing Sombra's horn to crack.

"Of course..." Shine mused, looking at the horn.

"No!" Ivory growled, feeling the horn crack. "If I lose the horn... it really will be all over!"

"Yer damn right!" Black slammed his hoof against Ivory's jaw, then glanced out into the darkness outside the windows. "Go for it, Shine!"

Shine proceeded to hit Black several times in the face. In the mindscape, Black did the same to Ivory.

"Stop!" Ivory roared. "Don't let him-"

"I'm done listening to you." Black snarled.

Putting every last ounce of strength into his hoof, Shine struck Sombra's horn. The horn broke off Black's head, hitting the ground.

"AAAAAHHHH!" Ivory screamed, as all the magic he stole flooded out through the spot where the horn had once been, and into the horn itself. He fell to the ground, powerless.

In the mindscape, Ivory screeched in agony as dark energy flowed out of him. The area began to shift, showing images of places Black associated with happy times, such as the Taskforce headquarters, and the creek in Dodge Junction. The images were blurred, only half-there, but grew more distinct as the darkness continued to fade away.

Once all of the darkness had faded away, all that remained was Ivory himself... who collapsed. Black gave a smirk of victory, as he limped his way over to a wall, only to slouch against it, truly exhausted.

Not too far away, Elite and Armory, inspired by the army's attack, were watching the situation.

"The horn's gone!" Armory smiled. "Black's free of its influence!"

"That he is." Elite smiled. "We may be able to reach him after all..."

Meanwhile, the freed royals were surveying the damage caused to the castle.

"Sorry about your house." Shine apologized.

"Don't worry about it." Shining sighed. "I think insurance should cover this place..." A column fell over and shattered. "I hope..."

Sleight joined them.

"So... what are we going to do about Black Knight?" He asked. "I mean, I'm not one for the death penalty, but he did try to take over and destroy Equestria."

"And he threatened thousands of lives, including those of our loved ones." Shining added. "No doubt the entire country will be out for his head."

"...I don't know..." Shine frowned. "For all the terrible things he's done, there's a part of me that actually feels sorry for him..."

Back in the mindscape, Black felt his ears twitching, as he heard heavy panting. Black opened his eye (only being blinded to the real world, luckily), and saw Ivory... though he looked different.

Ivory's body began to decay and morph, his coat becoming redder, his face younger. One wing disintegrated, as a Cutie Mark similar to Black's replaced his own. An eye even dissolved, matching Black's own. Breathing heavily, the Ivory-Black amalgam crawled over to the wall next to Black.

"...So you're still alive." Black glared.

"That's right, Black..." Ivory-Black sneered, letting out a weak wheeze. "You think... that ridding ourselves of Sombra... changes anything? I have been always been a part of you. And I always will. You can't kill me..."

"That doesn't matter." Black frowned, "Now you can't hurt anypony ever again."

"You Faust damn fool." Ivory-Black chuckled. "You think you can just toss me aside and lock me away? You need me, Black. I have always been there for you. When everypony turned on you after Reinadh, when you lost your brother... when your so-called friends revealed their true colors... had it not been for me... you would have put a Faust-damn bolt through your head a long time ago."

Black contemplated on his dark side's words, weighing his options.

"I'm what made you who you are today." Ivory-Black smirked. "You think what little light you have had anything to do with it? Well, you're wrong! And even though I was beaten today, I will return, stronger than ever!"

'He's right.' Black thought. 'I have to make sure he can never use me to hurt anypony ever again...'

Black remained silent... then lifted himself up, stumbling a bit due to his injuries, and walked away from the twisted form of his darkness.

"Hey... what are you doing?" Ivory-Black glared.

"...You want to know something?" Black said solemnly. "Maybe you're right. Maybe you are partially responsible for how I turned out. And maybe no matter what I'll do, I'll end up being like you..." He shook his head. "...But I'm okay with that..." He then glanced back at his darkness, with a cold glance. "Because I'm taking you with me..."

"...What?" Ivory-Black gaped.

A loud growl echoed through the Crystal Castle's halls, as Black, finally in control of his own body, threw the guards who made to detain him aside. He stumbled onto his hooves, struggling to maintain balance. He was blind, broken, and barely functioning... but he knew what he had to do. Fighting through the pain, he forced himself forward, walking into what he knew to be a bunch of angry ponies, ready to murder him.

Watching from afar, Elite and Armory stood, gaping at what Black was doing.

"Elite... what is Black doing?" Armory murmured.

"...No." Elite knew exactly what Black intended to do. "Don't do it, Black... please..."

"Rule #1, boy... never turn your back on your opponent unless he is dead... you just don't learn, do you?" Black coughed a little as he advanced on his nephew.

"What are you doing?" Ivory-Black groaned within the mindscape, struggling to crawl over to Black. "What are you doing?!"

"Going out with a bang." Black declared.

"It's over, Black!" Big Red stepped forward in the real world. "Ya gotta stop this! Ya don't have anythin' left! No army, no powers... fer Faust's sake, yer blind!"

"Bah! I have no need for sight or powers of darkness, nor the hooves of a thousand stallions!" Black boasted. "I will see my dream through to the end, even if I have to work for it with my four own hooves! And I won't let anypony stand in my way!"

"Guards, seize him!" Celestia, Shining and Sleight said as one.

Guards and Changelings alike charged at Black. In spite of his condition, Black put up an impressive fight, swatting and throwing every attacker aside, continuing his march towards the ponies. Unicorn guards and Changelings fired their beams at him, leaving scorch marks on his body.

"Gah!" Black yelped. "Go… with... the... pain..."

Despite Black's determination, the magic blasts were getting to him, and he grew weak in the knees.

"Black, you fool!" Ivory-Black roared. "If you keep this up, you'll destroy the both of us!"

"That's... the idea..." Black grunted.

"...What?" Ivory-Black gaped. "...I don't understand..."

"After all the awful things I've done... I don't deserve to live." Black shook his head. "Because of you... because of this darkness... I've hurt so many ponies. And like you said... you will always be a part of me. That is why... I will end the suffering... by ending it all."

"...No... no, you can't be serious!" Ivory-Black roared.

"I am." Black glared in determination. "The whole world will be better off without either of us in it..."

Black thought of all the ponies he'd be leaving behind: Belle, Shade, the Taskforce...

'They'll be better off without me.' He told himself. 'And far happier with me out of their lives...'

"STOP THIS! Cease fire!"

"Huh?" Black frowned, hearing his nephew's voice. "Shine?"

Back in the real world, Shine was trying to call off the attacks on Black.

"Cease-Shine, he's-" Shining protested.

"I don't care!" Shine cut him off. "No pony, not even him, deserves to be put through all this pain!"

"No." Black growled in frustration. "You're ruining everything, kid..."

"Bleeding heart fool..." Ivory-Black smirked. "Just like our dear brother..."

"Are you serious?!" Sleight snarled at Shine. "He deserves everything he gets!"

"Who are you to say that?" Shine glared.

"Who are you to defend him?" Chrysalis growled. "Have you forgotten what that monster did to us?"

"Seriously, Shine, what's the deal?" Gothic asked.

"He's family... and family don't kill family!" Shine proclaimed.

Black's heart ached, knowing he had to do it... end this before it was too late...

"Just like his father..." Black gave a wistful smile, as a tear fall from his face. "Too soft for his own good..."

"That's... where you're wrong..."

Shine's eyes lit up, as he turned to see Black charging for him, letting out a guttural roar.

All at once, certain observers cried:

"Shine!" Celestia yelled.

"Daddy!" Miracle cried.

"Black, NO!" Elite bellowed.

"BLACK!" Armory screamed.

"NOOOO!" Ivory-Black screeched.

A whistle of a bolt was heard, cutting off all voices, as Black felt an agonizing pain in his chest, feeling blood and a bolt embedded in it.

"Uh-uh…" He gasped, as he crumbled to the ground.

"Black!" Shine ran over and slowed his descent, as he laid him on his side. "Black…"

"Don't tell me... it was that Caboose kid... wasn't it?" Black gurgled.

"Black... I'm sorr-" Shine started.

"That kid... for being a pain in the neck, he sure has sparks... just like you... just like... Whitey..." Black laughed deliriously.

"Hang on." Shine turned to the others. "Somepony, get a medic!"

"Don't bother." Black wheezed. "No pony's gonna waste their breath on a traitor to the country. They never did..."

"...Oh, Black... why... why did it had to be this way?" Shine started tearing up. "Aside from Mist, you were the only family we had left. Had I just known..."

"Wait, what are you talking about, Shine?" Mist asked in confusion.

"Black was our uncle, Mist." Shine whispered.

"What?!" Mist gasped.

"It's true." Celestia nodded.

Black felt his life fading away, unable to catch any of the explanation they were giving Mist.

"Oh, my..." Mist gasped. "That's awful!"

"But it didn't have to be that way..." Shine sighed. "You could have done something good, atoned for your dark deeds, made peace with your family..."

"Don't beat yourself up, kid… that bridge was burned far before you were even conceived." Black declared sadly. "There was no turning back for me... I knew it from the moment Rookie died... besides... I wouldn't been able to look at you without seeing Whitey in you..." He coughed. "I never stopped loving your father, you know, he was all I had when mom and dad died... guess with the whole betrayal, I just couldn't get over how he did that to me... maybe it was for justice... or to save my soul." He grunted in pain. "All I wanted was a better future for Equestria... was I wrong in wanting that?"

"...No... no, you weren't." Shine admitted. "But this wasn't the way... it just wasn't."

"Huh..." Black put a hoof on Shine's. "At least... at least there's you." Shine glanced at him, confused. "Break the cycle... make Paladin a name worth remembering. Faust knows I failed... but maybe there's hope for you." His breathing began slowing down.

"Black?" Shine gasped.

"I'm glad that if anypony were to best me one last time, it would be you... your old pop would be proud..." Black smiled, feeling his body grow cold.

"Black, please..." Shine begged, tears dropping from his eyes.

"Don't cry... Shine... tears make us Paladins look bad." Black turned limply, sensing an old friend to be in that general direction. "Take care of him, Red... like you did Whitey... won't you?"

"Black..." Big Red muttered.

Black let out a small chuckle, as he whispered the last song he had heard, before his whole life came crashing down right on top of him...

"I never... said I'd lie and wait forever... If I died, we'd be together... I can't always just forget her... but she could try..."

Black let out one last sigh, as he grew limp. In his mindscape, the area began to crumble into darkness. Black fell to his knees, hearing nothing but the fading beat of his heart...

"...You are a fool, Black..." Ivory-Black snarled. "You hear me?! You are a fool!"

"Maybe I am..." Black said softly, watching their whole world fade into blackness. "...At least now, the world will be a better place... with me gone..."

Suddenly, Ivory-Black felt what remained of his body sinking into the dark void.

"No, no, no, no, noooo!" He screamed. His body shifted and twisted, becoming a replica of Black's own as he struggled to save himself. "This can't be happening! Nooooo!"

With nothing to grab on to, the dark Black dropped into the darkness, and screamed no more.

"...Good-bye, world..." Black whispered.

With that, his mindscape was completely enveloped in blackness, as his body began to fall, sinking into the eternal blackness.

Watching from their location, Elite and Armory stood there, stupefied by Black's "last stand"...

"Oh, no..." Armory gasped, horrified. "Black, no..."

"It's over." Elite sighed. "It's really over..."

"This can't be happening..." Armory shook his head, his eyes welling up with tears. "It can't..." He then let out a sorrowful cry. "Blaaaaaack!"

Armory broke down sobbing over Elite's shoulder.

"I know." Elite comforted Armory, his own eyes growing wet with tears. "I'll miss him too..." He glanced wistfully into the distance, where Black's body lied. 'I'm so sorry, Black...'

In the Coils, the Ouroboros and Father himself were seated. Loveless was talking to somepony in his mirror, having recieved an urgent message regarding Black and the Crystal Sun.

Soon, Loveless hung up, his eyes misty, a smile on his face that made him look as if a great weight had just been lifted from his mind.

"That was Sterling, just now." Loveless smiled. "He was finally able to get through. He's okay. The Shadow Ponies are gone. The Crystal Sun is destroyed... and Black and Sombra... are no more..."

The entire Coils was silent at first... when suddenly....

"HOOOOO!" Gridlock hooted in victory.

"Gridlock, have some respect for the dead." Harlhooves glared.

"To hell with respect! That wretched Black is gone for good!" Gridlock bellowed.

"Oh, yeah!" Ricochet whooped. "R.I.P. Black!"

"No more of that irritating fool!" Harlhooves added.

"I'm just glad our operatives are finally safe from him." Loveless smiled. "Especially Sterling..."

"This must be a great burden lifted from your mind, Father." Harlhooves turned to Father. "With Black gone and the Crystal Sun no more, there is no one that can stand against you now for sure!"

"...Oh, Harlhooves." Father shook his head with a small chuckle. "I was never worried to begin with."

The Ouroboros paused, glancing at Father in confusion.

"You weren't?" Ricochet grimaced.

"Father, Black had the Crystal Sun, Sombra's powers, and the magic of the Alicorns." Gridlock frowned. "How could you not been worried?"

"Trust me, Gridlock. I have lived for many, many years." Father declared. "And I have known of the Crystal Sun's existence just as long. While it was an artifact of great limitless power, crafted by the Great Alicorns, its power pales in comparison to my own."

"Do you really mean that, sir?" Harlhooves gaped.

"Certainly." Father smiled. "Even if Black were to actually harness its power, all it would have done was allow him to give me a bit more of a fight. But the fight would have ended the same way: with him annihiliated."

"And you couldn't have told us this before?" Solomon asked with a frown.

"All of you need to learn to have a little faith in your leader." Father shook his head. "I wouldn't have told all of you to bide your time if I didn't completely believe that Black would not have been a problem. Knowing the mental state Black was in, his fate was sealed the moment he and that horn became one. And nothing would have changed that."

"Huh... well, guess that's why you're the boss." Ricochet shrugged.

"That I am." Father smirked. "Regardless, with Black no more, this can only mean great things for the future of the Forefathers."

"About damn time, I say." Gridlock sneered. "It's smooth sailing from here!"

"Now we can finally move on to more important matters." Harlhooves smiled. "Without worrying about some psycho messing things up!"

"Yeaaaahhh!" Ricochet whooped. "Let's party it up!"

"At least, some psycho who's not on our side..." Loveless groaned, as he glanced at the mirror, his mind thinking of another. "Rest easy, Pike... Black is gone now."

Mere days passed, as most of Equestria worked to recuperate from what many would start calling "The Crystal Sun incident". Fortunately, the only places to have suffered major damage was the Crystal Empire and Canterlot.

This became obvious as none other than School Belle made her way into town.

"Goodness me, I wonder what happened here." Belle frowned.

School Belle had come to Canterlot to visit an old friend of hers. She figured she could use some of the valuable time where she wasn't too ill to travel to catch up with Okra Oats, a friend who had moved away a long while back. Things had been awfully lonely at home, as her son, Shade, had been keeping himself busy with two jobs.

She wasn't sure what those two jobs in particular were. Shade never actually mentioned anything about them, nor had she never met any of his co-workers. She figured there might be something more to things than what Shade was letting on... but then again, she also considered that she could just be wrong.

After all, she raised him right. And if he was anything like his father, he'd...

Belle let out a small sigh. To this day, she still missed him. Despite Black's request in his letter, Belle never once looked at another stallion the same way she looked at Black. She wasn't sure if it was out of not wanting to get her heart broken again, or just holding onto hope that Black would one day come back to her.

But after all these years, she doubted she would ever see his face-

Something caught her eyes, as she passed by a news stand. On display was the latest edition of the Canterlot Gazette, and plastered right on the front page was what looked to be a sketch of Black.

"What the...?" She frowned. "...Black?"

Without a word, Belle bought the newpaper, and started reading.

"It is with great joy that we announce that the dark days are behind us." Belle read. "The terrorist known as 'Red Eclipse', who launched a campaign of terror and destruction on Equestria over the past few days has finally been defeated and slain, with the aid of the Equestrian royalty, and one Royal Guard who has been revealed to be affiliated with the mafia (more will be revealed on page 3). Red Eclipse attempted to conquer Equestria using the power of King Sombra's horn and an ancient, powerful artifact known as the 'Crystal Sun'. We were unable to get infromation as to how the monster attained these items, but we will bring you more information as the story breaks-"

Belle dropped the newspaper, as the word 'slain' was processed in her mind. Despite it being only a sketch, the school teacher could recognize Black's face anywhere... and it only added to her grief. Belle struggled to keep the tears in, aware that it was now a certainty that the stallion she loved would never return to her.

"Oh...Black..."

The present...

"So there you have it." Black declared. "The day I 'died'."

"Wow." Fletcher gasped. "Incredible."

"You poor thing!" Caboose wept. "You were so young..." He paused. "Well, maybe not as young as me, but you were so young!"

"You know he's still here, right?" Pike rolled his eyes. "Ergo, he survived."

"So... mind telling us how you managed to pull that off?" Fletcher asked.

"I sure will..." Black nodded. "Right after dinner."

"Oh, come on!" Caboose scowled, wiping his tears. "Seriously? You're gonna leave us hangin' now?"

"What can I say?" Black shrugged. "Story-telling really builds up an appetite. Besides, it's taco night."

"Ooh, tacos!" Caboose smiled, forgetting what he was angry about. "I can live with waiting a little longer."

"You and your stomach, Caboose..." Fletcher rolled his eyes. "But I suppose a little food would help after such an emotionally powerful story."

"And then some." Black nodded. "You comin', Pike?"

"You know it." Pike followed them. "The Pipeline was starting to get a little boring."

So the group headed off to the mess hall. Fletcher and Caboose had a feeling that once their hunger for food had been sated, their hunger for the truth would soon follow.

Author's Notes:

"Monster" belongs to Skillet.

Darkest Part

The group made their way to the mess hall, where they got their food (which was, as per the name of the night, tacos).

"Okay, let's make this quick." Caboose urged as he set his plate. "I'm dyin' to know what happens next."

Caboose began shoveling food into his mouth.

"If you eat too much, you'll be just plain dying." Fletcher grimaced.

"Who's dying?"

Caboose and Fletcher glanced up, as none other than Ballista joined them. He had changed much since Black first joined the team. He was more weathered, had a few more scars, but otherwise, he had aged well. He was wearing a collared sweater and a black leather jacket. The only thing that had remained consistent was his balding mane.

"Hey, Ballista." Black smiled.

"Black." Ballista nodded. "I see you're still showing the newbies around. I figured you'd be done by now."

"Sorry about that." Black rubbed his head. "They were a bit hesitant to come with us, especially after finding out I was alive, so I had to tell them my life story."

"Well, I guess that was unavoidable, mate." Ballista joked. "I'm surprised these two are still listening. How long have you been telling this story, nearly two days?"

"What can I say? I'm quite the storyteller." Black boasted.

"So you're Cutter Ballista." Fletcher mused. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you. Black has told us a lot about you."

"Charmed, mate." Ballista smirked. "You must be Fletcher." He turned to Caboose, who was still chewing his food. "And that must make you Caboose."

"Thfff's mmmf." Caboose suddenly gulped, and smiled, sauce dripping out of his mouth. "That's me, sir! And you're the guy who turned Black into a psycho, lied to your own troops, and went ahead with an attack to wipe out a bunch of peaceful Changelings!" Everypony else remained silent, as Ballista stared at Caboose, who was wearing a particularly dumb smile. "Don't worry though, we won't hold it against you."

"...So..." Ballista gave Black an awkward smirk. "Nice to know you spared no details in explaining what happened."

"Sorry, but I couldn't pull any punches." Black cringed.

"Nah, it's fine, mate." Ballista shrugged. "I'll admit, I made some mistakes I wasn't particularly proud of."

"Haven't we all?" Pike suddenly declared, taking a bite of his taco.

"Well, some of us, at least." Ballista shrugged. "But at least we've gotten the chance to make up for those mistakes."

"You're preachin' to the choir, pal." Pike nodded.

"So, Black. where are you up to now?" Ballista asked.

"Oh, just the part where I 'died'." Black declared.

"Then you're getting to one of the good parts." Ballista smiled.

"I'll say." Pike agreed. "I really get a chance to shine in this part."

"Hey, I'm the one telling this story." Black pouted.

"Yeah, but you were out for most of what happened next." Ballista pointed out. "So let me pitch in."

"Okay, fine..." Black sighed. "Go ahead."

"Thanks." Ballista smiled, as everypony turned to him. "So, here's what happened next..."

Years ago...

As the Crystal Empire recovered from the devastation, Elite ruminated on what to do next, having just witnessed Black's final stand alongside Armory.

"Black..." Armory whispered as he and Elite watched from afar, observing Black's body being put on a carriage pulled by Big Red at the castle's gate. "I just can't believe he's gone. After everything we've been through..." He sadly turned to Elite. "Why did he do that?"

"Who can say?" Elite sighed. "Perhaps Black felt this was the only way he could repent for what he did... or whatever that horn made him do. I guess we may never know."

"Yeah..." Armory murmured, sniffing a bit. "So... what now? Are we really just going to leave him like this? I know his family would afford him a decent burial, but..." He trailed off, letting out a sigh.

Elite watched as Big Red began to pull the carriage away, his destination being the train station where a train to Dodge Junction was probably waiting for him. His face hardened as he knew what he had to do.

"...Armory?" Elite asked suddenly. "Do you still have those teleport crystals from all those years ago?"

"You mean the ones from the faked assassination attempt?" Armory frowned, as he pulled out the light blue crystal that Black had donned during the said event. "Um, yeah... why?"

"Did you ever figure out that flaw with the 'range'?" Elite asked.

"Well, duh, it was the very first thing I worked on since Black disappeared the first time." Armory snorted. "But I don't see why-"

Armory lit up, having caught on to what Elite was implying.

"OH!" He gasped. "So you want me to... 'warp his body'... back to us?"

"That is exactly what I want." Elite said firmly. "I left Black hanging once, and I am never doing it again." He let out a sigh. "I know this Big Red fellow is like family to Black, but we can't let him be buried in the belief he was a traitor. He was one of us, and we're going to honor him in our own way."

"But how are you going to do it?" Armory asked.

"You just leave that to me." Elite smiled, taking the light blue crystal. "Tell the others to get back to the HQ, and have the other crystal set up. If anypony asks, I've got an errand to run..."

"...Alright, sir." Armory nodded, giving a small smile,."Good luck."

Utilizing all his stealth from many years of experience, Elite followed Big Red back to Dodge Junction, keeping his distance all the way to the train station and then taking to the air to follow the train all the way to its destination.

Ultimately, Elite arrived at the cherry orchard, where he watched as Black's body was placed in a homemade coffin. The Director hid behind a nearby tree, biding his time until Big Red, after notably looking at Black's body with a silent, sad look on his face, made to dig the grave.

Elite rushed over, and opened up the coffin. Swiftly, he pulled out the light blue crystal and planted it against the back of Black's neck, so to not attract any attention. As soon as he did, Elite couldn't help but pause for a moment and glance at Black's lifeless form.

'You're coming home, old friend.' He thought, gingerly rubbing his mane.

Hearing hoofsteps, Elite quickly rushed back under cover, and watched as Black's body was buried, with Big Red, Shine and his family watching. Once they all departed, Elite contacted Armory over his mini crystal sphere communicator.

"It's time." He declared. "Get ready..."

Back at the base, Armory was in his lab, having cleared a table for his deceased friend, the other teleport crystal (being of a light orange color) glowing brightly at the head of it.

"Here goes nothing..." Armory mused, as he tapped the crystal.

Meanwhile, Mist stood alongside her fiance Blue Blazes, talking to Black's headstone.

"I'm not sure what to say." She admitted. "You were a monster, but from what I've heard, you had the best interests of Equestria in mind. If only you hadn't been so extreme in your views, things might have turned out differently. Maybe I could have known my uncle, and you your niece. But at least now, you're at peace." She sniffed, tears coming to her eyes. "Goodbye... uncle."

"Nice speech, Mist." Blue declared.

"Thanks." Mist wiped her eyes.

As Mist and Blue walked away from Black's grave, Mist caught a glimpse of a brief flash of light out of the corner of her eye.

"What the-?" She turned to look back, but everything around the place was the same.

"What's up, Mist?" Blue asked.

"It's... nothing." Mist admitted. "Darn watery eyes got me seeing things..."

The flash Mist saw was actually the result of the crystal activating, and pulling Black's body away from what was intended to be his final resting place.

In the blink of an eye, Black's body appeared within Armory's workshop.

"Eureka!" Armory smiled, as he then brought up his own communicator crystal sphere. "You did it, sir! Black's body is with us!"

"Excellent." Elite declared. "Have Triage prepare him for a proper burial. I'll be there soon."

"Roger that." Armory nodded.

Obeying orders, Armory brought in Triage.

"I'm glad to see everything went as planned." Triage mused.

"You and me both." Armory agreed. "Poor Black... just look at the mess he's become. It makes me feel terrible, knowing my old friend wound up in such a state." He sighed deeply. "You've gotta help him. He needs to be buried with dignity, not looking like he was trampled by a buffalo stampede."

"I assure you, I'll do the best I can." Triage declared.

"Thanks, T." Armory smiled. "Good luck."

Once Armory left the room, Triage went to work, as he examined Black's body, intending to clean him up, and make him more presentable for the funeral.

"It's truly a shame." Triage sighed, as he examined Black for any broken bones that needed to be put back into place. "I know you and I didn't really know each other. But I do know that you didn't deserve to have your life cut short like this. I only hope that you will find peace with yourself in the afterl-"

Suddenly, his instruments picked something up as he checked Black's chest.

“Huh?” Triage’s ears perked up, as he glanced at his instruments. “I could have sworn…” He shrugged. “I must be hearing things…”

The instruments picked up something again.

“There it is again.” Triage frowned. “But how? Either these things are busted or…”

Triage froze, as he glanced at Black’s body suspiciously.

“No…” Triage muttered, “It can’t be…”

Acting on his suspicions, Triage pulled out his stethoscope and placed it on Black’s chest. For an agonizing few seconds, he heard nothing. He was about ready to call it quits and chalk things up to faulty equipment… until he heard the faint thump of a weak heartbeat.

"Incredible..." He whispered, as another slow beat gradually followed. "Absolutely incredible..."

Minutes later, Triage rushed into the main area, just as Elite returned, with the others already there to greet him.

"Good to have you back, boss." Ballista declared.

"Rrf." Titan smiled.

"It just isn't the same here without you." Incognito admitted.

"Of course not." Armory smiled. "He's our boss."

"Well, obviously." Master Mind rolled his eyes. "But it is good to see you return, sir."

"Thanks, guys." Elite smiled.

"Everypony!" He gasped, winded by his efforts.

“Triage?” Elite frowned. “What’s wrong?”

"Is there a problem with Black's body?" Armory frowned.

"Quite the opposite, actually." Triage declared. "Black... he's alive!"

"You've got to be ribbing us." Ballista frowned.

"If he is, it isn't very funny." Armory growled.

"See for yourselves!" Triage urged, leading them back to the medical unit.

Black was on a hospital bed, his body plugged into a life support monitor, which was making small beeps at regular intervals.

"He is alive." Elite gasped.

"But how?" Incognito frowned. "The crossbow bolt pierced his heart!"

“About that.” Triage stepped forth. “After I got Black set up, I ran some tests and I found that the bolt missed his heart by the smallest of margins.”

“Then why did it look like he died?” Armory frowned.

“Well, the bolt was so close to the heart that it must have stopped from shock for a few moments.” Triage declared. “But after a bit, the heart started beating again.”

"But still, the massive blood loss, and all his injuries, should have finished the job." Master Mind mused. "How could he have possibly survived this long without medical treatment?"

“I have a theory.” Triage mused. “You said that Black was until recently infused with the magic of the Alicorns and Sombra. It may be possible that when Black lost that magic, there was a bit of residue left over, and that somehow preserved his body in a weakened state.”

"He's gonna be okay... right?" Armory asked.

"I don't know." Triage sighed. "He's now in a deep coma. There's no telling when he'll come out of it... if at all."

"Rrr..." Titan pouted.

"Let's just be grateful for the miracle." Elite declared firmly. "Black is alive. For now, that should be good enough for us."

"Yeah, I suppose..." Armory sighed.

"One day, Black will come back to us." Elite declared. "I know it. We just have to be patient, and wait for that day to come."

"I suppose we should be grateful for this minor miracle." Master Mind stated.

"Yeah, you don't get one of those every day." Incognito admitted.

"If only we could get another..." Armory said sadly, looking upon Black's prone form.

"Trust me, Armory." Triage declared. "If there's any change in Black's condition, you'll be the first to know."

"Thanks, T." Armory smiled.

"In the meantime, we've got work to do." Ballista left the medical unit. "I know I do..."

Meanwhile, in the recesses of Black’s mind…

Deep within a black void that once comprised Black's consciousness, there was nothing but total darkness. It was completely empty, save for one stallion.

Black laid there, at what seemed to be the bottom of the void (though with everything so dark, it was hard to tell where everything ended), utterly dormant, his "death" rendering him unconscious… until that very moment.

“...Oh…” Black stirred, as his pale eye opened, only to see nothing but darkness. “Huh?”

Black sat up, as he looked around. All he saw was the dark void, as far as his eye could see.

“What the…” Black glanced back and forth. “...Where am I?”

"Good question." Another voice declared, one that sounded familiar to him.

"Huh?! Who's there?!" Black yelled.

"You are." The voice answered.

"Say what?" Black frowned. “I don’t understand.”

“You will in a second…”

Suddenly, a small glimpse of light appeared before Black, causing the stallion to rise to his hooves in a startle, as a colt who looked exactly as Black did when he was young.

“You…” Black whispered, recognizing his former self.

“Hello… me.” The colt smiled.

The darkness around them soon began to melt away, revealing green grass and a bright orange sky as the sun was setting. Black glanced around, and noticed a simple two-story house…

“...Home…” Black murmured.

“It's been a while, hasn’t it, Black?” The young colt asked.

“Yeah…” Black sighed, as he turned to the colt. “So… are we going to do this again?”

“Do what again?” The colt questioned.

“Well, I’m dead, aren’t I?” Black frowned. “This is where you and those other guys torment me for all of eternity for the awful things I’ve done. My ‘eternal punishment’, right?”

“You’re not dead, Black.” The colt deadpanned.

“...I’m not?” Black gasped. “But how?! I got shot in the heart!”

“Almost got shot in the heart.” The colt corrected. “It was close, but the bolt missed your heart. However, the near miss caused your heart to stop for a couple of seconds. As of right now, you’re in a very deep sleep.”

“But… why?” Black grimaced. “Why did I survive? ...I should be dead.”

“Well, you’re not.” The colt repeated firmly. “Not yet, at least.” He then turned down the path that lead off to the "homestead". “It won’t be easy, but if you keep on walking… you will find your way back to the land of the living.”

Black glanced at the path, only to turn away with a shamed scowl on his face.

“Why would I want to go back?” Black scowled. “I shouldn’t be alive! I nearly destroyed Equestria, harmed and killed so many innocent ponies…” He dropped to his knees, as his eye grew misty. “I don’t deserve to live after what I did…”

“Come on, don’t be so hard on yourself…” The colt soothed, patting him on the shoulder.

“I’m a failure…” Black gritted his teeth. “Dad was right about me all along… I'm a disgrace to the Paladin family. I'm not even a Paladin…”

"You're not a disgrace, Black." The colt declared. "Your father raised you, having you believe that you weren’t worthy to be called a Paladin, but that never stopped you. You never let the way you were born hold you back. You never let your father’s words define you. You found the strength to keep on going, and do the right thing. You were a true Paladin, even without wings."

"Yeah, maybe." Black sighed. "But that was a long time ago. Things change..."

"Do they, though?" The colt asked. "In many ways, Black, you remained a foal in your heart. Afraid to reach out, keeping ponies at hoof's length, only wanting to play the game of life your way. All because you felt that you were better off on your own. Because you felt that they would be better off without you.”

“Because they were.” Black shook his head. “Big Red, Cherry, Marshall… White… Belle… if I hadn’t existed, maybe they'd be happier…”

“That’s the thing… they wanted you in their lives.” The colt explained. “They saw you for the good pony you were. And in a way, you saw it too. And that made you stronger for it. And that's what made you important to them. They made you want to be the stallion they looked up to, the one they loved and admired. A stallion of honor and strength.”

“But I’m not that stallion anymore.” Black growled.

“But you still can be.” The colt explained. “You just need to find the strength within. That could be your salvation… if you could only find it again.”

Black bowed his head, unsure.

"Don't give up, Black." The colt urged. "Listen to your inner foal on this one..."

As the colt and the homestead vanished back into the darkness, Black was left to reflect on what he had been told.

"Yeah, find it." He muttered, as he stood up and began walking. "If I only knew where to look..."

You dragged the depths of my soul until you found it
A darkened room locked away, I let you in
You looked inside then you turned away
My makeshift savior, He left me right here in my chains

But still I whisper
(I'm calling out)
Still I call you

In the waking world, Elite and Armory kept vigil over Black, as the others went about their work.

"Do you think he'll ever wake up?" Armory asked.

"I hope he will." Elite sighed. “Black is a trooper. He can pull through this.”

"He has to." Armory declared. "He cheated death. He can cheat this, too."

"If any pony can beat the odds, it's him." Elite smiled.

Ballista then entered the room.

“Hey, guys.” Ballista greeted, taking a moment to glance at Black’s prone form. “So… nothing's changed?”

“That’s an understatement.” Elite shook his head. “He hasn’t gotten any worse, but he isn’t getting any better.”

“That’s a shame, mate.” Ballista gave a sympathetic nod. “Still, I’m glad I found you here. I wanted to talk to you about something.”

“Can it wait?” Elite frowned.

“‘Fraid not.” Ballista nodded. “I've been looking through the files of new potential candidates-”

“Whoa, wait, new candidates?” Elite cutt him off. “New candidates for what?”

“For Project: Argo, of course!” Ballista announced.

"What?!" Elite gasped.

"You can’t be serious!" Armory yelled. “You’re still going to carry on with Project: Argo?!”

“Now, hear me out.” Ballista frowned. “What happened with Black was tragic. Really, it was. But now we can take steps to avoid those mistakes with the new recruit.”

“So, just because Black didn’t turn out the way you wanted, you want to replace him with some other guy?!” Armory snarled in outrage. “Black isn’t even dead, and you want to chalk him up as some failed experiment?!”

“That’s why I am not asking you.” Ballista glared at Armory, as he turned to Elite. “Come on, Elite, I know we can get it right this ti-”

“Are you out of your bucking mind?!” Elite roared.

“Uh, Elite-” Ballista gasped, stepping back in shock of his outburst.

“We've already ruined Black’s life!” Elite spat. “And now you want to have us ruin another stallion’s? No chance in Tartarus!”

"Seriously Ballista, have you learned nothing from all this?!" Armory frowned.

"Of course I have!" Ballista pointed at Black. "Black showed me what we did wrong. That’s why I wanna continue! We can do it better. We can do it right. Whattaya say, boss?!"

“No!” Elite snarled. “I refuse to even entertain the idea. I will not risk another soldier's sanity like we did Black, just because you can't admit to yourself that Project: Argo was a disaster!"

"But Project: Argo can work!" Ballista yelled. "It just needs a few tweaks!"

"Project: Argo has done enough." Elite spat. "I want no further part in it! In fact, I want it shelved, permanently!”

“But Elite-” Ballista protested.

“That is my final word on the subject." Elite said coldly.

Ballista glared at Elite.

"When did you become such a coward?" He snarled.

"When did you become such a stubborn fool?" Elite retorted.

"Better than being a two-faced quitter, like you!" Ballista snarled. “You know I've been working on this for a long time, and all of a sudden, because of this guy...” He gestured to Black. “You're trying to take the ‘moral high-ground’ with me! Do you realize the hypocrisy of what you’re saying?!”

“I'm not going to deny that I allowed this to go on.” Elite shook his head. “No matter who started this project, what happened to Black is on both our heads. However, I am not going to let somepony suffer the same as Black did.”

“You can’t do this!” Ballista snarled. “Project: Argo was going to make a diff-”

“All Project: Argo is going to do is keep on opening the same wound.” Elite growled. “Ballista, you have to realize by now that nothing about this project is ever going to bring him back.”

Ballista stood in place, his hooves starting to shake.

"It's true." Elite declared, his anger turning to sadness. "You would be better off putting his memory to rest."

"You... you don't know what you're talking about!" Ballista yelled. "You buckin' coward!"

"You call me a coward, but you couldn't be more wrong." Elite said coldly. "You're the coward, so afraid to let go of the past that you'll embrace mistakes you've already made. I don't think our superiors would like that all..."

“Oh, and they’re going to like that we're keeping the guy responsible for the near destruction of Equestria on life support any better?” Ballista sneered. “You'd be putting both our necks on the line.”

“If it means you letting go of Argo, so be it.” Elite grunted. “I’m sorry, Ballista, but I'm only doing this because you are my closest friend.”

“Yeah, right…” Ballista snarled. “Go ahead, tell mum and dad. I’ll do this alone if I have to!”

Ballista stormed out of the room.

"What was that all about?" Armory asked. "Whose memory needs to be put to rest? Is there more to this Project: Argo that I don’t know about?!"

"I'm afraid I am not at liberty to divulge that information." Elite growled in frustration. "If you want the truth, you'll have to wring it out of Ballista. Good luck with that..."

'Oh, I will.' Armory declared, as he glared at the door Ballista stormed out of. 'I have to know where this project that almost ruined Black came from. And I will find out. With a little help...'

I never wanted you to see
The darkest part of me
I knew you'd run away
I waited, but you never came

So afraid to be alone
I tried to let you go
Still I find you
Lost inside the darkest part of me
It's my descent, a familiar pain

Of watching all I believed fade away
Of traitors and fools
Of beggars and thieves
Which mask will you choose
What is underneath

The next day, Ballista was on his way to the records room. He was still livid at Elite for shooting down his attempt to revive Project: Argo.

"Bloody, stinkin' coward." He muttered to himself. "Who does he think he is? I've got a half a mind to smack that mule-faced dungheap right across the-"

“Ballista.”

“Oh, bollocks…” Ballista growled as he turned to see Armory standing there, glaring at him. “What do you want?”

“I want the truth.” Armory frowned. “There's still something about this project you neglected to mention, and I want to know what it is.”

“Well, sorry to disappoint you, mate.” Ballista snarled. “But I ain’t telling you crap.” He proceeded to storm past Armory. “Now leave me alone-”

He then bumped into Titan.

“Titan? What are you doing?” Ballista glared.

“Ruff!” Titan frowned.

“Oh, great. You want to know too?” Ballista scowled.

“Not just him.”

Ballista felt a vein bulge in his forehead as Master Mind and Incognito appeared from behind Titan.

“Really? What’s this, a gang up?” Ballista snarled.

“Ballista, ever since the whole Crystal Sun mess started, you, Armory, Elite, and Natascha have been dropping the name ‘Project: Argo’.” Incognito frowned. “Ever since then, me and Master Mind have been wondering what it was and why it had you all riled up.”

“And why we were the last to know.” Master Mind glared. “According to Titan, even that Pike stallion knew what it was, and he was one of the enemies!”

“Ruff-ruff!” Titan growled, voicing how annoyed he was.

“Hey, it wasn’t my fault you were all kept in the dark.” Ballista scoffed. “That scumbag and Mr. Gearhead here weren’t even supposed to know about it in the first place. The project was supposed to be for me and Elite to know alone!”

“Well, we do know now.” Master Mind declared. “I think, as your comrades, we deserve to know the truth.”

"Especially after all the trouble this project caused." Incognito added.

"Rrrrr...." Titan growled.

“No more lies.” Armory said firmly. “All we want is the truth.”

Ballista glanced all around, as his comrades stared intently at him. He knew that there was no getting out of the situation…

“Oh, bugger it all.” Ballista shook his head with a defeated sigh. “You guys want the truth? Well, here it is...”

I never wanted you to see
The darkest part of me
I knew you'd run away
I waited, but you never came

So afraid to be alone
I tried to let you go
Still I find you
Lost inside the darkest part of me

Back in Black's unconscious realm, Black continued his walk through the darkness of his mind.

"Walking in the dark again." Black muttered. "Isn't that just the story of my life..."

Black's musings were silenced by a bright light suddenly erupting through the darkness.

Black instinctively covered his good eye to shield it from the light. The blinding light lasted for only a moment, and he lowered his hoof.

“Huh? This is…” Black gasped, as he suddenly found himself standing on the grassy knoll right by the watering hole. “How…”

He glanced over to his left, and was surprised to see himself, this time as a teenager. The younger stallion was busy throwing rocks, skipping them along the lake.

It wasn’t long before the teenager took notice of him.

"Oh, hey, big fella." The teen Black smiled. “I was wondering when you'd get here.”

"Another kid me." Black snorted. "Great. At least I looked somewhat handsome as a teenager.”

“Please, you're too kind.” Teen Black joked.

“So… I’m guessing you’re here to tell me I gotta go back as well?” Black frowned.

"You're a sharp one, huh?" Teen Black smirked. "But yeah, why not?"

"Because of all the terrible things I've done." Black sighed. "The things I did when I succumbed to the darkness within me. It's better I don't come back. That way, the darkness won't come back either.”

"Why are you so afraid of it all of a sudden?" Teen Black asked. "You used to use that darkness all the time. Do you remember all the ponies you faced off against in your lifetime? Like Fresh Mint, that Griffon, and all of the Forefathers. They were all awful ponies (and a Griffon) who believed they could do what they wanted just because, no matter who they hurt. While others chose to suffer in silence or just do nothing and be ignorant, you decided that you wouldn’t stand for it. You faced each adversary head on, using the darkness within to fight them, so you could protect the ones you loved, and stand up for what was right in your own way. And every time, you never let that darkness consume you.”

"Until I did." Black sighed. "Somewhere along the line, I lost control of the darkness, and it took control of me. And I nearly destroyed the ones I loved. I'm not afraid of the darkness, if that’s what you're thinking… I'm afraid that I go back, then the darkness will take a hold of me once again. That I'll end up killing everypony I love…” He shook his head. “The darkness within me is just too much to control anymore.”

"But you can take back control, Black." Teen Black urged. "You can still embrace the light again."

"I think it's a little late for that." Black frowned.

"We'll see." Teen Black declared. “But I think you should continue on either way. Maybe then you'll come to realize that you still have a purpose…”

With that, he and the watering hole faded away into the darkness, leaving Black alone once again.

“Well, it's not like I have anything better to do.” Black sighed as he began walking once again.

In the waking world, Ballista had just finished his story.

“And that’s why I started Argo.” He finished. “Are you all happy now?”

"...Wow." Armory gaped. "Just... wow."

"I think I understand why this was so important to you." Master Mind admitted.

"Me too." Incognito nodded. "I’m really sorry, pal. We had no idea...."

"Rrooo..." Titan whimpered.

"Thanks, mate." Ballista declared. “I guess after all this time, I felt there was no point in dragging up old demons.”

“Ballista… I’m sorry.” Armory sighed. “I’m sorry you had to go through all that…” Then Armory frowned. “But still, that didn’t give you the right to keep this from all of us. Or drag Black into this.”

“See, I knew you were going to say that.” Ballista growled.

“Ballista, Armory’s right.” Master Mind glared. “No matter what the reason for Argo is, Black didn't have to suffer for it.”

“Well, what do you want me to do? Say I’m sorry?” Ballista demanded.

“We just want you to do the right thing.” Incognito frowned. “It isn’t us that you should be saying sorry to… it’s Black.”

“Yes… tell Black what you told us.” Armory declared. “Black ended up this way because he thought you, Elite, and everypony here saw him nothing more than a murderer. You need to tell him the whole truth.”

“Hmph, even if I wanted to, I couldn’t.” Ballista scoffed. “Black is in that coma, and I don’t see him waking up any time soon.”

"That'll change soon enough." Armory declared firmly. "If there's one thing I know about Black, it's that he's a fighter. He'll get out of that coma in no time."

"We can only hope." Incognito mused.

“Well, I’m not holding my breath.” Ballista glared, as he pushed past Titan and Master Mind. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I got work to do.”

Ballista stormed off.

"Well, who'd have thought Ballista had those kinds of demons inside him?" Incognito mused.

"Not I, that's for sure." Master Mind admitted.

"Rooo." Titan sighed.

"I'll admit, knowing all that makes it a little harder to hate Ballista for what he did." Armory confessed. "But only a little..."

Am I the black stain of your perfect life
Am I the darkness that you need to hide
It covers you
It spills over you

A short while later, Armory was walking by Elite's office, thinking about all Ballista had said earlier, when suddenly, he heard raised voices.

"I'm telling you, I won't do it!" Elite's voice yelled.

"What the-?" Armory frowned, approaching the door. "I really shouldn't do this again. But I've got to..."

Armory peeked through the gap between the door and the frame. He saw Elite speaking to an enchanted mirror, but couldn't see who he was speaking to.

"Elite, I don't know how many times I have to say this." A voice declared. "You will give Black's body to us. Alive or dead, active or coma, we must deal with him."

"And I don't know how many times I have to say this." Elite snarled. "Black is going nowhere. I won't let you have him, especially in the state he's in right now. Perhaps when he awakes, I'll consider it. But for now, he's staying here!"

"This is bordering on insubordination, Director Everest." The voice growled.

"Bordering, but not quite there." Elite smirked. "You know as well as I do that you can't afford to kick up too big a stink about this. If the public were to find out that Black Knight Paladin has been working for me, and by extension, you, all this time, they would not be pleased."

"Maybe I'd be willing to risk it." The voice snorted. “You and Ballista are to blame for this Crystal Sun debacle more than anypony. Black was your responsibility, and just as I predicted when we allowed you to take Black in, you somehow botched it up.”

“I do realize that.” Elite retorted. “But if it will keep Black safe, I am willing to go down with you. But know that I won't be pleasant about it. For now, Black is staying here. End of discussion… sir."

"Elite, don't you-" The voice started, before Elite deactivated the mirror, then let out a frustrated sigh.

Armory moved away from the door.

"'Sir'?" He wondered. "Didn't know Elite had a boss..."

Meanwhile, Pike was still in the pipeline. Ballista came down to bring him his lunch.

"Well, well." Pike glared. "General hypocrite, reporting for duty."

"Shut it, jackass." Ballista growled. "I'm in no mood for your mouth."

"That's your problem right there." Pike sneered. "You refuse to listen to others. Maybe if you did, you'd realize what a mess you were making with Black."

"There you go again, tryin' to take the moral high ground." Ballista spat.

"I'll admit, with most ponies, I'd sound like a total hypocrite." Pike shrugged. "But not you."

"Keep telling yourself that." Ballista sneered.

"And you keep telling yourself you aren't responsible for completely destroying Black's morality." Pike retorted. "You lied to a pony who trusted you completely, so why not lie to yourself too? It's not like you can sink much lower..."

Ballista paused. Normally, he would make a retort… but he could not help but felt there was some truth to Pike’s words. He actually felt a bit of guilt building up in the pit of his stomach.

"I heard that Black's here, in recovery." Pike declared.

"What? How?!" Ballista growled.

"Armory told me." Pike shrugged.

"Of course he did." Ballista spat.

"Now don't go hauling him over the coals." Pike sneered. "Not after what you've done. I can't imagine how you ever thought messing with Black's head was a good idea."

"I... I don't have to explain myself to you." He growled.

"I don't want you to." Pike scoffed. "But you should explain yourself to Black. He trusted you, and you used him. And not only that, you dragged Elite into it. If you ask me, you owe him an explanation."

"Well I wasn't asking you, was I?" Ballista snarled. "You have no right to tell me to do the right thing, you lowlife!"

"Don't I?" Pike retorted. "I may be a scumbag killer for hire, but there's still a part of me that hates what I've become. And I've never done anything as bad as what you did with Black. You should be ashamed!"

"You don't know what you're talking about." Ballista turned away.

"Don't I?" Pike asked. "You're telling me you don't feel the slightest bit guilty over eroding a good stallion's nobility?"

"Shut up." Ballista snarled.

"That you don't hate yourself for taking Black's purity and smashing it to pieces over the course of twenty years?" Pike continued.

"Quiet..." Ballista growled, barely able to keep himself together.

"Any stallion with a scrap of good in him would be repulsed at doing something like that." Pike declared. "By rights, you should be wallowing in recrimination and self-hatred-"

“I KNOW!” Ballista screamed, slamming his hoof into the opposite wall.

Pike paused, as he saw Ballista’s body shuddering, trembling. Ballista pulled back his bruised hoof as he turned back to face Pike, his face twisted in anguish.

“You think I don'tget it?” Ballista sighed. “Project: Argo wasn’t supposed to hurt anypony! It was supposed to do good! I only wanted the perfect soldier!” Ballista sniffed, holding in what he feared would be a lot of tears. “Instead… I turned a good stallion into a would-be dictator. Into a Faust-damn psychopath!”

“Yes, I think we established that part.” Pike frowned.

“I’m a pathetic excuse for a commanding officer.” Ballista bowed his head. “I used and abused somepony who trusted me. I basically dumped a truckload of manure on my comrades… and now, I’m getting lectured about morality by a ex-bounty hunter… buck my life.”

"No offense, but I think you did that yourself." Pike pointed out.

"That I did." Ballista sighed. "In championing Project: Argo, I tore down my own sense of morality as well as Black's. I brought untold misery upon countless ponies. And pushed a comrade towards madness."

"And you're sorry?" Pike urged.

"Of course I'm sorry!" Ballista roared.

"Well, don't tell me that." Pike declared. "Tell Black. If he ever wakes up."

“Yeah… if he ever wakes up…” Ballista sighed.

I never wanted you to see
The darkest part of me
I knew you'd run away
I waited, but you never came

So afraid to be alone
I tried to let you go
Still I find you
Lost inside the darkest part of me

Back in Black's mind, Black was still walking, contemplating all that was said to him so far.

"Easy for those guys to tell me to find the light and strength within." He muttered. "I probably don't even have that stuff in me any more. All I have is empty darkness..."

Suddenly, as had happened twice already, a blinding light shined. Black simply closed his eye as the surroundings soon changed to that of the barracks from back in Saddle Arabia.

When Black opened his eye, he saw himself, clad in the Royal Defense Legion uniform.

"I guess I shouldn't be surprised..." Black sighed.

"It's been a while, hasn't it?" Soldier Black asked.

"A lifetime." Black sighed. "You're what I used to be: Strong, noble, determined to help others... before it all came apart."

"It was an awful decline, I'll give you that." Soldier Black admitted. "But that doesn't mean you can't dig your way out of the hole you made for yourself."

"But if I did, I'll be bringing the darkness with me." Black declared. "It was that darkness, not Sombra, that almost destroyed Equestria. In a way, I'm responsible for what happened."

"That's true." Soldier Black nodded. "But the darkness isn't as powerful as it once was."

"How can you be so sure?" Black asked.

"Follow me." Soldier Black urged.

Black followed his counterpart inside the barracks. To Black’s shock, he saw what looked like the dark side that had tried to take over him before… but he was different.

Black’s dark side was laid out on one of the barracks’ beds. The bottom half of his body was missing, leaving only a shadowy haze in its place, and the top half was battered and bruised. His face was stuck in a perpetual scowl, but by the look of his sole golden eye, he seemed to be trapped in a comatose state, just like Black in real life.

"That's..." Black gaped.

“Your dark side.” Soldier Black admitted. “We found the miserable thing barely clinging onto life.”

“But why is he here?” Black frowned. “After all the trouble that I caused because of him?”

“Because, Black…” Soldier Black took a breath. “Like you said, the darkness will always be a part of you. The same is true for any pony. For every light, there is darkness. Some ponies have it worse than others. But that’s what makes one stronger. The darkness may have taken hold of you once, but you can still control it.”

"Yeah, right." Black scoffed.

"I mean it." Soldier Black declared. "The darkness only preyed on you because it sensed the hopelessness within you. When your brother died, you began losing sight of what you were fighting for. Without a purpose, you lost your way. But by sheer force of will and determination, you managed to hold on. All because of the light inside of you. All you have to do is keep that light close. As long as you hold on to it, you'll never succumb to the darkness within you again.”

"The light..." Black mused. "How do I know it's even still in me?"

"If it were, would I be here?" Soldier Black smiled. "Would any of us? Never doubt the inner light, Black. The light within you is what made the Taskforce your friends. What made Belle fall in love with you. It is the part of you that kept going, even when the world itself had turned against you. Because you believed in justice and protecting those you love. It is the one thing that can burn away even the greatest darkness. Embrace it..."

The doppelganger and the barracks disappeared, and Black began to consider what he had been told.

"Is it really true?" He asked himself. "Is the light still in me? The other mes seem to think so. And Elite... he never stopped believing." Black raised his head, gaining strength. "Armory, too. White loved me 'til his dying day. And Belle... even if she never knew the real me, she still loved me, for who I am."

Black had been a slave to his inner demons for so long, he had forgotten just how many ponies there were who cared about him. Ponies who believed in him. Ponies who thought he was a good and noble stallion. Who saw the light within him, even when he was doubting himself. All he had to do was believe the light was there, and embrace it.

"I will." Black declared, a warm feeling stirring in his heart. "I'll embrace it. And I'll never let go of it again..."

As Black closed his eyes, a pure, brilliant white light emanated from his body, as the darkness began to fade away…

“I’m coming home…” Black whispered.

With that, everything turned white.

Back in the real world, Elite, after recuperating from his argument with his superior, had returned to the medical bay, still dismayed to see Black’s condition had not changed.

"I know I said that you'd come out of this coma, but that day is seeming further and further away." Elite sighed. "I try to put on an optimistic face for the others, but I'm starting to worry that you'll never wake up. And I need you to, so I can atone for the mistakes I've made with you..."

Elite then grasped his hoof with his own non-metal one.

“Please, Black…” Elite silently prayed. “Come back to us. We need you. If you can just come home, I swear, I will find a way to make things right with you… just come home… please...”

Suddenly… Elite felt Black’s hoof clutching his.

“What?” Elite’s eyes widened.

"Ughhhh..." Black groaned, as he finally returned to the waking world. The first thing he noticed was everything was pitch black. Then he remembered that he had been completely blinded when Miracle blasted him in the eye. That would explain why he felt cloth over his eyes…

“Black?!” Elite gasped, his smile growing. “Are you…”

"Elite?" Black asked, hearing Elite’s voice. "Is... is that you?"

"Yes, old friend." Elite nodded, putting his hoof on Black's shoulder. "It's me. You’re home..."

“Elite…” Black whispered, as he felt his body shuddered. Overcome with emotion, Black sat up, and hugged Elite. “Oh, Elite!”

“Whoa…” Elite gaped, surprised by the sudden movement.

“Elite, I’m… I’m sorry…” Black sniffed, tears pouring from his formerly good eye. “I bucked things up so bad. I betrayed you, I betrayed this team, and I nearly bucked up all of Equestria… I’m so sorry…”

"...It's okay, Black." Elite comforted him. "It's okay. I always knew you'd come back to us one day..."

"That makes one of us." Black said weakly. "I'm sorry I ran out on you. No matter what I was going through, I was still a soldier. I had no right to desert my team."

"In your defense, you had every right to." Elite sighed. "If I'd been honest with you from the beginning, and not tried to mould you into a weapon like Ballista wanted, none of this would have happened."

"Let's not go that far." Black sighed. "We've both made mistakes. What say we call it even?"

"Glady, old friend." Elite smiled.

A short time later, the others came in.

"Black... I can't tell you how good it is to have you back." Armory beamed.

"Same here." Black smiled. "I've missed you, pal."

"Rrf!" Titan rushed over, hugging and licking Black.

"I'd know that breath anywhere." Black chuckled, patting Titan on the head. "I missed you too, ya big lug."

"For what it's worth, I'm glad you're okay." Incognito smiled.

"Indeed." Master Mind agreed. "Even if you weren't our friend, you were still our teammate. And we care about all our teammates."

“I owe you two the biggest apology…” Black sighed. “I’ve done nothing but treat you both like dirt. I resented you, Incognito, for taking Shadow’s place after he died, and I took my own failings with Micro out on you, Master Mind. Neither of you deserved that, and I’m sorry…”

Master Mind and Incognito glanced at each other.

"Apology accepted." Master Mind smiled.

"Armory was right about you all along." Incognito declared. "You can be a reasonable stallion."

"Sometimes..." Black joked.

"Okay folks, visiting hours are over." Triage entered. "I've got to change Black's bandages."

"Yippee..." Black cringed.

"We'll drop by again soon, Black." Armory smiled. "Promise."

"You'd better." Black chuckled. "Even if I can't see you, it's good to hear your voices."

After the others left, and Triage had provided him with new bandages, Black drifted off to sleep. The next morning, he was approached by Elite.

"Good morning, Black." Elite declared.

"Hey, boss." Black nodded, noting the odd tone in Elite's voice. "What's up?"

"Well, as I'm sure you know, everything you've done in recent times has come with a heavy price." Elite sighed.

"Yeah, I know." Black frowned. "I made my own bed there..."

"But I think I've put together a suitable compromise." Elite declared.

“'Suitable compromise'? What do you mean?” Black asked.

“Look, after everything Ballista and I put you through, I feel like it would be wrong of us to ask you to do anything more for the Taskforce.” Elite frowned. “I've talked it over with the others, and I am giving you an out.”

“'An out'?” Black repeated. “You mean, leave the Taskforce?”

“Yes.” Elite nodded. “Just name the place you want to go, and we will take you there. You can live the rest of your life in peace. You will never have to hear from us ever again…”

“Really? Just like that?” Black frowned.

“We felt it was the least we could do.” Elite shook his head solemnly, before placing his hoof on Black. “However, if you are willing, after you've fully recovered, you can simply return to working with us.”

“Are you serious?” Black frowned. "Can I really just go back to working with you guys after everything that's happened?"

"Of course you can." Elite nodded. "In case you haven't noticed, none of us harbor any grudges. Despite everything that happened, we always considered you a part of our team, and now that we have you back, we would be delighted to have you aboard again."

"It's not them I'm worried about." Black sighed. "It's me. I betrayed you all. How could I go back to working alongside you all after that?"

"I see..." Elite frowned.

"On the other hoof, I don't think isolation might be such a good idea either." Black mused. "Hiding out on my own, never interacting with other ponies ever again..."

"I understand that this is a difficult choice." Elite noted. "I'll give you some time to think about it."

“Thank you, Elite…” Black murmured.

"I'm sure you'll make the right choice." Elite declared, “But do know that no matter what happens… none of us will think less of you for it…” With that, Elite left the room.

Ballista, standing a short distance away, watched Elite depart.

'Okay, it's now or never.' He thought. 'Time to tell Black the truth, and the whole truth...'

Back in the medical unit, Black was considering his options.

'Leave, or stay.' He thought. 'Some choice...'

Ballista came in, knocking on the frame of the door.

"Hey, mate." Ballista said quietly

"Ballista, is that you?" Black turned to face the door.

"Yeah, it's me." Ballista nodded.

"I was wondering when I'd be hearing from you." Black mused. "You weren't there with the others."

"I know... sorry about that." Ballista sighed. "I had a lot on my mind."

"I see..." Black said quietly.

The two remained silent for a moment.

"So... how are you holding up?" Ballista asked finally.

"Well, Triage told me that I was really lucky the bolt missed my heart." Black answered. "The fact that I survived past the shock and the coma is nothing sort of a miracle. He says that after a couple months of rest, I'll be back to normal..." He pointed to his eyes. "Well, almost normal."

"Yeah... I heard Elite offered you a way out." Ballista declared.

"...That he has." Black nodded.

"Are you going to take it?" Ballista asked.

"I don't know... I mean, after everything that happened, and all the mess I caused, it would be all too easy to just walk away and live my life in peace." Black bowed his head. "I know Elite gave me this offer just to make it up to me..."

"But..." Ballista urged.

...But do I really want to do that?" Black asked. "Just walk away and fade into obscurity? To walk away from the Taskforce for the last time? Can I really just do that?"

"Well, with the way things are, most ponies would." Ballista shrugged. "The thing is, you've done a lot for the Taskforce, Black. All those years of service. Elite hasn't forgotten that. I haven't forgotten that. And we made sure the higher ups hadn't forgotten that. We just thought after all that mess, it would be fair to just let you go and live your life the way you wanted it."

"But in a way, I can't." Black sighed. "I wouldn't be able to go back to Belle or Shade. I wouldn't be able to show my face in Equestria again. It would be like living in exile."

"I guess it would... but it was the best we could do." Ballista admitted.

"I know... but if I were to stay... what good would I be?" Black sighed. "For crying out loud, I'm blind."

"I'm sure Armory and the others could come up with a way to deal with that." Ballista assured him.

"I guess... but what would be the point?" Black asked. "Do I even have the right to stand beside the others after what I've done?"

"Well, Elite sure thinks so." Ballista declared. "So do the others, and so do I. But at the end of the day, that's up to you to decide. And whatever the choice, we'll accept it... even if we don't like it." He sighed deeply. "And besides, you're not the only one who's done wrong. I've been wronging you since the beginning. My 'Project: Argo' made you do all those things."

“...It isn’t all on you, Ballista.” Black shook his head. “I think we both know I already had this… ‘dark side’ of me. All you really did was bring it out of me… constantly.”

"Yeah, you may be right about that." Ballista frowned. "That dark side was exactly why I chose you."

"And we all know what came from that choice." Black said, his anger rising. "You made me worse than I could ever be on my own..."

“I know…” Ballista sighed. “And that's why I'm going to tell you the truth, about why I started this project in the first place…”

“Well, I guess that would be a start.” Black sighed. “So, what’s the story?”

Ballista let out a sigh.

"You see… a long time ago, I had a friend... a friend named Argo." Ballista declared.

Black's brow perked at the name.

"He was my best mate back in the days of being in Her Majesty's Service." Ballista smiled. "We were two of a kind. We hung out both on and off the battlefield, drank together, joked together, everything. We had each other’s backs, through thick and thin. So when Elite and I started the Taskforce, Argo was one of the first to join." He gave a small chuckle. "He was a lot like you, actually."

"In what way?" Black asked.

"He was a noble, honorable stallion." Ballista smiled. "Tough, and fearless. Had quite a sharp tongue on him too. Nothing seemed to shake him. He was unstoppable. I really thought he'd live forever. But I was wrong..."

"...What happened?" Black asked.

"It all started with this mission in Libyoke." Ballista declared. "Some Forefather agents had taken some locals hostage and were forcing them to work in the mines for mithril and sunstone, but it wasn't long before the mines dried up and the agents intended to clean up any loose ends. Me and Argo were to lead the charge in rescuing the hostages and taking down the hostiles. It was supposed to be simple: me and Argo would have found a vantage point, and we would snipe the one who had the bomb trigger and have the others flank the agents, and everything would had been hunky-dory..."

"But?" Black urged.

"But... when me and Argo got to our position, and we'd identified the one who had the trigger... Argo choked." Ballista revealed. "As it turned out, the one who had the trigger was somepony he knew... his brother."

"Brother? You're kidding..." Black gaped.

"I wish I was." Ballista sighed. "A while before, Argo had a falling out with his brother, and they hadn't seen each other for months. When Argo saw him there, with the Forefathers, I could see his heart shatter into a million pieces."

"...What happened next?" Black cringed.

"...I couldn't fathom what Argo was going through when he saw his brother there, but it didn't change the fact that we still had a mission to do." Ballista continued. "His brother had the lives of innocents in his hooves, and if we hadn't dneo something, they would have been forfeit. So, I tried to tell Argo, as he had the better shot, that he needed to take the shot, if not for them, but for his brother's sake...

"...But he didn't... did he?" Black asked.

"No...I didn't like the situation anymore than he did, but there was lives at stake, and Argo...Argo just wouldn't take the shot." Ballista frowned. "I tried to get him to fire, but Argo refused. He told me he couldn't shoot his brother, and I tried reminding him of his duty, but he wouldn't budge... it got to a point where I had to act, so I pulled up my crossbow and I was about to take my shot... then Argo shoved me out of the way at the last moment. In that moment, I not only missed my shot, but I alerted our enemies to our presence... and all hell broke loose." He let out a sigh. "Bolts and magic beams went flying, and agents and soldiers and hostages began to fall left and right. I wasn't sure what happened, as me and Argo had ducked for cover... but a blast struck one of the explosives, and..."

"Oh Faust..." Black gulped, predicting what came next.

"In the end, twenty five were dead." Ballista sighed. "Eight out of ten hostages, five soldiers, and a dozen Forefather agents... including Argo's brother."

"Faust, that's horrible." Black frowned. "Argo must have been devastated."

"If only that were the end of it." Ballista sighed. "After all was said and done... I was pissed. No, I was more than pissed, I was outraged. All those lives were lost because Argo wouldn't take that shot. I really let him have it for that. I told him he was a disgrace of a soldier, a weak coward, that I was disgusted that we were ever friends, that I utterly hated him for costing so many innocent ponies their lives. I was just so angry, I couldn't stop myself. It just kept on pouring out... by the time I was done... Argo couldn't say a word. The look on his face was that of a poor broken stallion who had just died on the inside. All I did afterwards was send him on his way."

“...Look, I'm not going to say what Argo did wasn’t wrong… but surely you should have understood.” Black frowned. “I mean, let's face it, you were asking the guy to kill his brother… if I was in his hooves and I had to shoot White… I’m sorry, but I wouldn’t do it.”

"...I know." Ballista nodded. "After I told Elite everything and retired for the night, I couldn't sleep. The guilt over what I said to Argo just kept on building and building, until I couldn't take it anymore. So I got out of bed, and made my way over to Argo's room... I was ready to take it all back, to beg for his forgiveness, and maybe have a late night drink with him... but when I opened that door... I found Argo... hanging in the middle of the room."

"Oh, no..." Black sighed. "I can't imagine what that must have been like..."

"It was the worst moment of my life." Ballista grimaced. "I tried to resuscitate him for what seemed like hours. When that didn't work, I broke down and wept. My best friend was dead, and he'd died thinking I hated him."

"I know a little about what that's like." Black sighed.

"I fell into a deep, dark place after Argo's funeral." Ballista sighed. "I still worked with the Taskforce, doing what we did best… but every day since, I couldn’t stop thinking about what happened. I tried to think about what I did wrong. What I could've done different… Before long, I realize that all of that happened… because Argo let his emotions control him.”

“His emotions?” Black frowned.

“Yes…” Ballista shook his head. “Argo didn’t take that shot because he loved his brother, in spite of their fallout. While I respected that… it was just selfish.” He stifled a snarl, clenching his hooves. “Thirteen ponies lost their lives because of it. It was right there and then that I decided that I was going to bring the Taskforce the best soldier I could find, one that was without emotions… one that had the capability to become a cold and efficient killing machine… that was when I decided to create Project: Argo, and named it in honor of my lost friend. I sought out a lot of possible candidates, and one day, I found somepony I thought was perfect... you."

"So that's how it all began." Black mused.

"True be told, I saw a lot of Argo in you." Ballista admitted. "I thought I could make you as good as him, maybe even stronger. But I was wrong. And I'm sorry. I should never have tried to turn you into something you're not. I was a fool. And my mistake almost ruined Equestria. Almost ruined you." He sniffed a bit, wiping a tear from his eye. "I know I don't deserve forgiveness, but I have to ask anyway... can you ever forgive me, Black?"

Black paused for a moment, considering everything.

"...Yes." He nodded.

"You do?" Ballista asked hopefully.

"Well, I know that you were only trying to do right by your friend’s memory. Despite everything, you had my back, just like the others." Black said solemnly. “But still, there's a part of me that's still pretty pissed at you for what you did… it’s going to be a while before things will really be squared between us…”

Ballista lowered his head.

“But apologizing is a pretty good start.” Black smiled.

"Thanks, Black." Ballista smiled back. "It's more than I deserve... I swear you won't regret this. I'll do everything I can to repay you.”

“Just stay your cockney asshole self.” Black smirked. “That’s all I ask.”

“Will do, mate.” Ballista chuckled. “Well, now that I got all that wishy-washy stuff off my chest, I think I’ll just leave ya to recuperate.” He made to leave, then he glanced back. “Get well soon, pal…”

"Thanks, big guy." Black grinned.

A few days later, Elite and the others were called into the meeting room. Black, his eyes still bandaged, stood before them.

"Thanks for coming, guys." Black declared, having heard them enter.

“Mind telling us what this is about, Black?” Incognito asked.

“Yeah, Triage said you had something very important to tell us.” Master Mind declared.

“I do… it’s about the proposition Elite gave me before… about leaving the Taskforce.” Black explained.

“Oh, really?” Armory frowned in concern.

"I take it you've come to a decision?" Elite surmised.

“Yes I have. Ballista kinda helped me with the last part.” Black smirked.

“I did?” Ballista shared the same frown as Armory.

“Yep.” Black nodded. “And I decided… I’m staying.”

"Oh, thank Faust." Armory smiled.

"Rrf!" Titan barked joyfully.

"You are certain of this?" Master Mind asked. "We don't want you to think you're obligated to stay-"

"It's not that." Black shook his head. "Between the Crystal Sun business, and all that Project: Argo nonsense, I lost sight of things... no pun intended." He smiled weakly. "But after getting some time to think, I've realized that, in the end, all I've ever wanted was to protect Equestria. I joined the Taskforce for that very reason. I realize I made some pretty big mistakes, and I will have to live with that for the rest of my life… but I also realized that if I just backed out now, then all the sacrifices I made would mean nothing. I joined the fight against the Forefathers to protect Equestria, and come Tartarus or high water, I'm going to finish it... with my comrades."

"You don't know how glad I am to hear you say that, Black." Armory smiled, tears in his eyes.

"We're all happy to have you back." Incognito declared. "You're one of us. Always have been."

“Indubitably.” Master Mind nodded.

"Welcome back, Black." Elite placed his hoof on his shoulder.

"It's good to be back." Black grinned.

“Arooo!” Titan howled happily, hugging Black.

As the group celebrated Black’s staying, Ballista gave a smile.

"That's the spirit, mate… now things can go back to normal." Ballista beamed. 'But before that... there's one more loose end to tie up...'

A short while later, Elite was happily doing some paperwork, overjoyed at Black's decision. Ballista then entered, bearing a bottle of bourbon and a pair of shot glasses.

“Hey, Elite.” Ballista walked in. “How goes it?”

“Oh, just fine, Ballista, just fine.” Elite smirked, blissfully overlooking their earlier spat. “Whatcha got there?”

“A peace offering.” Ballista declared, as he set down the bottle and glasses. “Just a way of me saying… I’m sorry… for everything.”

“Ballista…” Elite shook his head with a smirk. “We may have our differences, but I could never stay angry with you… though the bourbon is a very nice gesture. Don’t you think it’s too early, though?”

“Hey, it’s five o’clock somewhere.” Ballista smirked as he opened the bottle and poured the contents into the two glasses. “Cheers, mate.”

“Cheers.” Elite chuckled as the two stallions down their glasses.

“So, it must be great, knowing Black is sticking with us.” Ballista declared, as he poured another glass.

“Yeah. Black is a strong stallion. I told you that many times.” Elite mused, only to frown. “...Though now, I'm going to have to figure out how to convince the higher-ups to give Black a second chance. I kind of left things off on a bad note.”

“I know. That’s why I took the liberty of doing it for you.” Ballista smirked. “I managed to convince those bloody gits to give Black a second chance.”

"Did you now?" Elite raised a brow in intrigue. "I must admit, I'm surprised you were able to sway them."

“Come on, mate, how could they say 'no' to a face like this?” Ballista boasted. “Sure, they didn’t make it easy, but I made sure to bring up Black's many years of service, to remind them of what a valiant stallion he is, and just might have earned a little leeway..."

"Really?" Elite mused. "That's all it it took?"

“That… and I might have had to throw in a little blackmail here and call in a favor there, but yeah, pretty much.” Ballista shrugged.

"Now that makes sense." Elite chuckled.

"Bottom line, they're letting Black stay with us." Ballista grinned. “Under probationary measures of course. But that'll work itself out in a few months. And it's not like Black's going anywhere anytime soon.”

"Excellent work, Ballista. That’s why we work so great together." Elite laughed, as he poured some more bourbon into his glass. “You know, I’m glad you came in when you did. I wanted you to speak with you about Project: Argo…”

“Look, say no more.” Ballista groaned. “I’m done with it. I’m moving on from that trainwreck.”

"I know it didn't work out the way you expected, Ballista." Elite noted. "But I've been thinking recently."

"What about?" Ballista asked.

“For all the trouble the project caused us, it was because of it that we discovered Black.” Elite pointed out. “And look at all the good Black has done. In spite of the Crystal Sun incident and the breakdown before that, Black managed to overcome it all, and hold onto his sense of honor and nobility. Like it or not, we had a part in that.”

"Yeah, maybe..." Ballista mused. "What's your point?"

“My point is… why should we stop there?” Elite declared. “I propose that we put together a team…”

“...Don’t we already have one?” Ballista deadpanned.

“I mean a team of ponies like Black.” Elite explained. “Ponies with that special something… ponies that are willing to go a step beyond to serve Equestria."

"You're serious?" Ballista gasped.

"Never more so, my friend." Elite nodded. "We shall create a new project, one that you and I shall head together."

"I don't know..." Ballista frowned. "You know how badly Argo went."

"Indeed, I do." Elite admitted. "But this time, we're going to do things right. No lies, no subterfuge... we will be completely honest with our recruits, and let them choose the path for themselves. We will do it right this time. Are you in?"

Ballista thought about it for a moment.

"Ah, what the buck?" He shrugged. "I'm in. ...But just in case, I think I should let you call the shots this time."

"I believe I can accommodate you in that respect." Elite smiled, as he put his hoof on Ballista's shoulder. He raised his glass. “To a brighter future!”

“...To a brighter future.” Ballista smirked, raising his own glass.

They clinked their glasses together, as the beginning of a new chapter was unfolding...

The present...

"So, that's how Elite came to recruit us?" Fletcher asked.

"Not quite." Ballista declared. "We had a few prospective recruits before you two..."

"Besides, my story isn't over yet." Black pointed out. "Or have you forgotten the whole eye thing?"

"Oh, yeah." Caboose mused. "I actually did..."

"Well, let's just say there are still some surprises left to be told." Black smiled. "And a story to finish, at long last..."

Author's Notes:

"Darkest Part" belongs to Red.

Unbreakable

As they were finishing up their food, the group were joined by Elite.

"So this is where everypony is." Elite mused. "Shouldn't be surprised. It is taco night..."

"You said a mouthful." Caboose smiled, swallowing a taco whole.

"I take it Black is still regaling you with his life story?" Elite asked.

"Very much so." Fletcher nodded.

"We're at the part where Black joins back up with us." Ballista announced.

“Oh, really?” Elite smiled. “Well then, it looks like it’s high time we have you gentlestallions meet the other member of the team we're putting together.”

“Oh, jeez…” Black suddenly frowned. “I was so not looking forward to having to bring him into this.”

“Come on, Black. They are going to have to meet him eventually.” Pike smirked.

"Who's 'him'?" Fletcher asked.

"Follow us, mate." Ballista joined Elite. "You'll soon find out."

"Might as well get this over with..." Black groaned.

"Ooh, a mystery guest." Caboose finished his last taco. "Fun."

As the group made their way to the training arena, Caboose sidled up to Black.

“So… who is this guy?” Caboose asked. “You don’t seem too happy to talk about him.”

“Because I’m not.” Black shook his head. “He and I don’t really get along that well.”

"And who is 'he', exactly?" Fletcher asked.

"He's... good." Black admitted. "One of the best fighters I know."

"But...?" Caboose urged.

"But don't expect him to be too friendly." Black shrugged. "He's a little... intense."

"Intense ho-" Fletcher started.

“AAAAAHHHHH!”

A loud thud was made.

“What was that?!” Caboose gaped.

“...That would be your other teammate.” Black frowned.

The group finally arrived at the training arena, a wide open room with punching bags, training dummies, various exercise equipment and gym mats. In the middle of the arena was a Griffon, donned in a dark grayish-blue muscle shirt, wielding a spear whose head was shaped like a dragon’s head with it’s jaw wide open. His lion body was a dark gray, his feathery head a grayish white. His sharp talons, his big wings, and his beak were all black. The Griffon, while slightly leaner and shorter than Black, was pretty bulky, and the few scars on his body, barely visible through his feathers and fur (including ones hidden under his shirt), as well as the scratches on his beak, could attest that he knew his way around a fight.

This was further attested as he swung one of the four RDL operatives he was sparring with out of the arena, the bruised stallion landing right next to the group as they were coming in.

“Yikes!” Caboose leapt.

“Ooh…” The RDL operative groaned, struggling to get up.

“Putting you through the meat-grinder again, eh?” Ballista asked knowingly.

“Uh-huh…” The officer whimpered.

“Who is that?” Fletcher asked, pointing to the griffon.

“That… would be Fury Xaldin.” Elite revealed.

“Come on, ya flappin' pansies!” Fury taunted, his bright red eyes glinting with savagery as he glanced at the four remaining RDL soldiers, who were all sorts of badly beaten. “I’ve barely worked up a sweat!”

"I really should be going." One operative said. "I have a mission to attend to."

"I have paperwork to sign." The second added.

"It's my turn for sentry duty." The third claimed.

"I have a doctor's appointment." The fourth quivered

“Well, none of that sounds like it’s really my problem.” Fury sneered, as he pointed his spear forward. “Come on, one more go.”

The stallions reluctantly took their positions. Fury moved like lightning, punching the first down, grabbing the second and slamming him on the floor, tripping the third with his spear, then kicking the fourth square in the face. It was over in less than twenty seconds.

"Whoa." Caboose gaped.

"This fellow is good." Fletcher mused.

"Eh, he's okay." Black shrugged.

"I know some mercenaries who wouldn't agree..." Pike mused.

The Griffon smirked at his handiwork. He then turned to notice the others.

“Well, well…” Fury chuckled, as he slammed his spear into the ground. “Didn’t know I had an audience. I would have put up a better show.”

"Excellent work as always, Fury." Elite smiled.

"Yeah, top marks, mate." Ballista grinned.

"Please, you're too kind." Fury smirked.

"...Showoff." Black snorted.

“Take five, you guys.” Fury told the RDL operatives, who could only groan as he approached the group. “So, why's everypony here? I doubt you came for the view.”

“Fury, I’d like you to meet our two newest prospects: Fletcher Ulysses and Caboose Napoleon." Elite announced.

"Hey." Caboose smiled.

"Good to meet you." Fletcher added, holding out a hoof.

“Ah, so you’re the two guys that Elite was going on about the past couple of months.” Fury grinned darkly, ignoring the hoof. “The name’s Fury Xaldin. Always a pleasure to meet fresh meat.”

"Okay..." Caboose frowned. "Not the best greeting I've ever heard."

"So... am I to assume that this Fury fellow has something to do with the next part of your story?" Fletcher asked Black.

“Story?” Fury repeated… only to scoff in boredom. “Oh, for Faust’s flappin' sake, you’re telling that sob story again, Black?”

“I wouldn’t call my life a 'sob story', Fury.” Black glared. “It was a story that needed to be told.”

“Oh please, I’m playing the world’s smallest violin.” Fury glared back, while rubbing a thumb and foretalon together. “It didn’t make me shed a tear the first time, so I doubt they will either.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure, Fury.” Fletcher frowned. “Black’s story has been quite compelling.”

“Yeah, and I just about bawled when White died.” Caboose added.

“Really? You didn’t look like it.” Black raised a brow at Caboose.

“I was crying on the inside.” Caboose corrected.

“So, where are you at, Black?” Fury asked.

“If you must know, I'm at the part right after I decided to stay.” Black growled, crossing his hooves.

“Oh, that’s where I come in!” Fury smirked. “I remember those days quite fondly…”

“Wish I shared your sentimentality...” Black groaned.

Years ago...

Once Black agreed to stay, things seemed to have turned back to normal… well, almost.

Firstly, he had many months of recovery to endure, his body still injured from the Crystal Sun incident, and his sight destroyed.

Fortunately, Armory had been hard at work creating a mechanical eye to replace the one that White had shot out. He had actually been working on it for quite some time, but had only reached success recently. After putting in some finishing touches during the following months, the device was complete, and ready for Triage to "install" it.

"So, how is this going to work?" Black asked, as he was being prepped for surgery.

"Put simply, I'm going to remove your dead eye, and wire this mechanical eye into your optic nerves." Triage told him. “With luck, you'll be able to see again.”

"What about my other eye?" Black asked. "The one my darling grandniece blasted?"

"We have something else in mind for that." Elite declared. "Once the prosthetic eye is implanted, we'll take care of it."

"Fair enough." Black shrugged.

"Best of luck, Black." Armory smiled.

"With one of your gadgets, I won't need luck." Black grinned.

"Okay, we're ready to operate." Triage declared. "Are you ready, Black?"

"As I'll ever be." Black nodded.

"Excellent." Triage started wheeling Black's bed to the operating theater.

"See you soon, guys." He told Elite and Armory. "Literally, I hope."

Once they reached the theater, Black was administered anaesthetic, and drifted into unconsciousness.

Hours later, Black felt himself coming to.

"Ugh..." He groaned, disorientated. "Did it work?"

"Hold on." Triage urged, unwrapping the bandages around Black's eyes. "Just have to carefully uncover the eyes... The operation was a success, by the way."

As soon as the bandages were off, Black winced from the light… only to realize he could see light. Tenderly, he opened his eyes… and saw everything. The medical unit, his comrades’ smiling faces, everything he couldn't see before, and more.

"Welcome back, Black." Elite smiled.

"I hope the new eye is to your satisfaction?" Armory asked.

Outwardly, Black's new eye resembled a standard glass eye, the eye being the same shade of gold as the original, but it had several innovations within it, allowing him perfect vision.

"You bet." Black nodded. As he blinked, he realized his vision was complete. After spending so much time with only one eye, he had failed to notice, but he clearly had 20/20 vision again. He then frowned, noticing his other eye. "Wait... you fixed my other eye too? How? I thought Miracle's magic had totally fried it."

"As I said, we had something in mind for it." Elite smiled. "I called in a friend of mine to use his skill with... particular magics to undo the damage caused to your eye."

“What kind of ‘particular’ magics?” Black asked. “It had to have been one doozy of a spell to undo all that.”

"Well, it was..." Triage said awkwardly.

"The thing is..." Elite

"What?" Black growled. "Tell me."

"It was... dark magic." Elite confessed. "We used a dark magic spell to restore your eye."

“Whoa, whoa, whoa… you’ve used Sombra’s magic…” Black frowned, pointing to his once blind eye. “On me?”

“Not necessarily Sombra’s magic.” Elite explained. “Simply ‘dark’ magic. According to our friend, Miracle’s magic was a powerful form of light magic… so it stood to reason that only dark magic could undo light magic.”

“...Huh, now that I think about it, that does make sense.” Black nodded. “But who is this 'friend' exactly? And how does he know so much about dark magic?”

"Oh, you'll be meeting him soon enough." Elite smiled.

"But for the next couple of days, you should rest up, and get to grips with your new eye." Triage declared. "We need to be certain everything's working okay, with no unforeseen complications."

At that moment, Armory entered the room.

"Hey, Black." He smiled.

"Hey, pal." Black smiled. "Good to see ya again."

"We'll make ourselves scarce." Elite smiled, as he and Triage departed.

"So your eyesight is back." Armory smiled.

"Yep." Black nodded. "It's starting to feel like old times again, huh?"

"Sure is." Armory smiled.

Days later, Black was led into Elite's office, where a familiar pale yellow Unicorn stallion was waiting.

"Barbossa, always a pleasure." Elite smiled.

"Same here, old friend." Barbossa grinned.

"Black, allow me to introduce you to my old friend and senator, Barbossa Wheatley.” Elite declared, “Barbossa, this is Black Knight Paladin.”

"So this is the Black Knight Paladin I've heard so much about?" Barbossa smiled. "A pleasure to see you at last."

“Elite told you about me?” Black asked.

"Oh, Elite has been keeping me very well informed." Barbossa smiled.

"It was Barbossa who provided us with the dark magic to heal your other eye." Elite declared.

"Was it?" Black mused as he frowned. "I guess I owe you thanks for that… but, and please don’t take this the wrong way, why exactly you are dealing with dark magic? Especially considering what I nearly did with it months ago?”

“I can see why you're hesitant.” Barbossa admitted. “Elite told me all about the horrid experience you had with Sombra. But you need not worry… I have been dealing with dark magic almost my entire life.”

“...You have?” Black’s eyes widened.

“Indeed.” Elite stepped forth. “You see, Barbossa here is an advocate for a group of special ponies. A group that has the ability to use dark magic… Nightcrawlers.”

“...Nightcrawler… where have I heard that word before?” Black pondered. “I heard Armory and the others talking about it the other day.”

“It’s a term that has been growing in popularity since the Crystal Sun incident.” Barbossa explained. “You see, my grandfather, Tenebros, discovered a gene within himself and others that when subjected to dark magic, ‘awakens’ certain dark magic within them. Kind of like a superpower, if you will. Right now, there are many ponies, yours truly included, who have this gene, albeit unactivated.”

“...Yeah, yeah, it’s coming back to me.” Black nodded. “I hear that a lot of stuff regarding these Nightcrawlers has been goin’ on. I haven’t had much chance to get out, but I did hear a rumor that some Thestral tried to destroy the Crystal Heart not long after what I did. Is that true?”

“Oh, yes. Bad stuff went down during those months. In fact, the reason I hadn’t come to meet you and Elite sooner was I had been dealing with some trouble of my own.” Barbossa admitted.

“That’s right.” Black realized. “Armory read to me how those two ambassadors and a bunch of other senate members were conspiring with murderers to pass some registration act. You and those Nightcrawlers were involved in that, weren’t you?”

“That was I. Those were dark times… but I like to think that they are behind us now.” Barbossa smiled. “It was rough going after the Crystal Sun incident for us Nightcrawlers, but thanks to a few special individuals, we will surely find our place within society yet.”

“I see…” Black frowned, before remembering something with a grimace. “Oh, crap… Now I remember where I first heard it. There were those rumors about me. They said that I only managed to use Sombra’s horn because I was a Nightcrawler. Because of that, ponies have been taking their hatred for me out on them…” He rubbed his head. “I kinda had a part in all those ‘dark times’, didn’t I?”

“Maybe you did, maybe you didn’t.” Barbossa shrugged. “Ponies will think what they want to think. But I do not blame you one bit. You were as much a victim as the rest of us were. Heck, you were lucky to have survived such an ordeal. Elite told me all about what a noble stallion you were, and I figured you could use all the help you could get.”

“Well, thank you.” Black smiled. “I’m still not the biggest fan of this dark magic stuff, but it makes me feel a bit better, knowing that guys like you can make good use of this stuff.”

“It was my pleasure, Black.” Barbossa said humbly. “Any friend of Elite Everest is a friend of mine, and I always help my friends.”

“Speaking of which, you and Elite, what’s the story with that?” Black asked.

“Well, Barbossa has been a staunch supporter of Taskforce Omega.” Elite revealed. “He has helped me and Ballista out a lot in the past. He had our back, and we had his.”

“Is that right?” Black smiled.

“Oh yes. I could not count the number of times Elite and the Taskforce saved my hide.” Barbossa chuckled.

“In fact, there is another reason Barbossa is here.” Elite explained. “Me and Ballista have been working on a new project. It's still in the early stages, but we believe it could benefit from your input."

"What kind of input?" Black frowned. “This isn’t anything like Argo, is it?”

“No, far from it.” Elite declared. “We're still working out the details, but essentially, we are recruiting new members.” He then gestured to Barbossa. “And Barbossa here has gladly presented us with one.”

“A new member, huh?” Black mused. “Where is he?”

“He’s in the training arena.” Barbossa revealed. “I was hoping you'd consent to a little sparring match. You know, to test his mettle."

"You don't say..." Black mused. "Well, I have been hankering for a chance to use my old combat skills again... okay, let's do it."

"Excellent." Elite smiled. "Please, follow us to the training arena."

Black joined the two as they made their way to their destination. Waiting for them was none other than Fury. He was wearing the same dark gray-blue shirt as in the present, plus a fading leather jacket. He was sharpening his talon on the tip of his spear, when he noticed Barbossa, Elite, and Black.

"Ah, there you guys are." Fury noted. "I was starting to think you'd forgotten about me."

"Perish the thought." Barbossa smiled.

“Black, this is Fury Xaldin, our new recruit.” Elite announced.

"A Griffon, huh?" Black glanced at Fury. "Haven't really run into many of you in my time..."

"So this is the great Black Knight Paladin, huh?" Fury appraised him. "I thought you'd be... taller…”

“Fury here is a close friend of mine.” Barbossa explained. “He and I met a long time ago, and ever since, he has been under my employment. Until recently, he has actually been going undercover as a member of the mercenary group who were working for those ambassadors. Until the mercenaries all died.”

“...Really?” Black’s eyes widened, as he looked at Fury. “Did you…”

“I wish…” Fury scoffed. “Trust me, if I wanted to do it, those assholes would have been dead long ago. They were only kept alive as long as they were because it wouldn't have helped anypony.”

“I’m sensing a bit of an attitude there.” Black frowned. “That might need some adjustment.”

"I'd like to see you try and give me one." Fury smirked.

"Oh, I will." Black chuckled. "I've been asked to test your mettle, and test it, I will."

"Ooh, scary." Fury sneered.

"Okay now, let's keep it friendly, fellows." Barbossa rolled his eyes. "I would like to see a clean fight. Hoof to talon combat, no overly vicious blows.”

"Yes, this is just a small skirmish." Elite added. "No need to destroy each other."

"I may not be able to help it." Fury smirked.

"We'll see who needs help, cat-butt." Black sneered.

“First thing first.” Barbossa stepped in, holding out a hoof. “If you would, please.”

“Of course, sir.” Fury nodded, as he placed his spear in Barbossa’s hoof. “I won’t need it anyway.”

The two made their way to the center of the battle arena, Fury throwing off his leather jacket at the edge..

“May the best stallion win.” Black glared in determination.

“Oh, I intend to.” Fury glared back.

The two circled each other, each preparing to make the first move. Fury lunged first.

"Rookie mistake!" Black sidestepped his attack.

"Pretty quick, I'll give you that." Fury admitted. "Now let's see how tough you are..."

Fury charged at Black, swinging his talons. Black sidestepped the first swing, but Fury leapt forward, ramming into him.

"Not bad." Black grunted. "My turn..."

Black punched Fury, knocking him backwards. Fury bounced back, grabbing Black. The two grappled for a moment, Black pushing Fury back.

"Time to go to the corner..." He smirked.

"Wanna bet?" Fury grinned darkly, as wisps suddenly appear from his eyes.

“What the-” Black gaped.

He didn’t have time to finish his sentence, as Fury spread his wings, and a sudden powerful gust of wind blew, throwing Black back.

“Ugh...what the hell was that?!” Black snarled as he quickly darted to his hooves. He noted Fury’s eyes were wisping, just like Sombra, but they remained the same color. More notably, Fury’s wings were spread, and his body was rustling, as if he was standing atop a fan. “How the hell are you doing all that?”

“Didn’t they tell you, Black?” Fury smirked. “I’m a Nightcrawler.”

“What?!” Black gasped, as he turned to Barbossa. “I thought only ponies can be Nightcrawlers!”

“That was my grandfather’s original theory, yes.” Barbossa nodded. “But as I discovered a long time ago, other species are capable of carrying the gene, but it's so rare that it’s practically nonexistent. Fury here is one of the very few non-pony Nightcrawlers known to date.”

“And that’s why we're recruiting him?” Black frowned. “Because he won the dark magic lottery?”

“Heh, funny.” Fury scoffed. “But no… this is why.”

Fury brought his front claws into the air, crossing them. He let out a vicious roar, then suddenly, six black cyclones emerged from out of nowhere, flanking him, causing the entire arena to be caught in a major windstorm.

"Sweet Celestia!" Elite gaped. "This is... unbelievable!"

"You get used to it." Barbossa shrugged, as the spear he was holding disappeared.

"What the buck?" Black looked at the cyclones, stupefied.

Then, as soon as they'd appeared, the cyclones quickly dissipated, as in their places were six spears, all identical to Fury’s one, floating in the air. Fury lowered his front claws. He gave a nod, and the spears moved in an instant, all of them pointing right at Black.

“...Ta-da.” Fury sneered.

“Holy crap…” Black whispered. As much as he didn't like the Griffon, he couldn’t deny the sense of raw power he was getting from him. It was as if he was facing somepony that was as powerful as Sombra… perhaps even stronger.

“Judging by your expression, I'd say you've never seen something like this in your ‘illustrious’ career.” Fury smirked. “The dark magic I was gifted with is as follows: I can manipulate the winds. And from those winds, these spears are at my beck and call. I could take down an entire army with these things... and even without them.” He gave a bloodthirsty grin. “The director wanted the best… well, he got it… and he’s raring to go.”

Black was not proud of it… but he felt a twinge of uncertainty… which was soon replaced with derision.

“So basically, you’re a big windbag with needles sticking out of it.” Black snorted. “What I'm getting is that you can’t face me Griffon to stallion. That you need to hide behind fancy dark magic to beat me.”

“Say that again!” Fury snarled. “Say that to my face! I dare you! I double dare you, you motherfu-”

“Fury.” Barbossa chimed in. “Remember, hoof to talon combat.”

Fury’s angry expression softened. After glancing at Barbossa, he waved a talon, causing all his spears to disappear into thin air.

“...Lucky for you, I don't need my magic to beat you.” Fury glared at Black. “If I did use my magic, you would be royally bucked in the ass.”

“Well, why don’t you prove it, then?” Black taunted.

"Gladly!" Fury pounced at Black.

The two exchanged punishing blows. While Black was as tough as ever, Fury's speed and ferocity was unlike anything he'd ever faced before.

'Come on, Black...' Black told himself. 'You can take this oversized cat-bird...'

The fight continued. Fury lashed out with vicious blows, pounding him with his fists, then jabbing his nerve points in rapid succession.

"Gah!" Black stumbled. "Where did those come from?"

"Let's just say I've been around." Fury smirked, delivering a headbutt to Black.

In return, Black punched Fury hard in the face, then put him in a headlock.

"Nice move." Fury admitted. "But I've got some fancy tricks of my own. Observe..."

Fury grabbed hold of Black's sides, then, in an astounding display of agility and Griffon might, flipped them both to the ground.

“Gah!” Black groaned, as he tried to get up.

But Fury followed up with a rough pin to the ground, bending both Black's front legs back.

“Urrgh!” Black screeched.

“Come on, Black, say it!” Fury sneered, “Say uncle!”

“B-buck you!” Black snarled, trying to fight the pain, but Fury was a lot stronger than he looked.

“Wrong answer, bub.” Fury smirked.

"Alright, I think that will do for now." Barbossa declared, stepping into the arena with Elite. "Fury, release him."

Fury obliged, letting his opponent get back up, a victorious smile on his face.

"Unbelievable." Black groaned, rubbing his hooves. "I never lose… not this easily."

"Then you probably haven't fought any real fighters before." Fury sneered. "Either that, or you've gotten rusty."

"Why you..." Black hissed, ready to slug him.

"Black, that's enough." Elite declared. "Fury won fair and square. Now shake on it."

Black reluctantly held out his hoof, stifling his cussing.

"No hard feelings, pal." Fury clasped the hoof in his talon. "The better Griffon won, that's all."

"Yeah, sure..." Black grit his teeth in anger.

"Well, I'm afraid I must be going." Barbossa declared. "I promised to meet Mr. Alchemy and his wife for lunch later. I take it Fury will be in good hooves with you?”

“You can count on us, Barbossa.” Elite smiled, as he glanced at Black. “Right, Black?”

“...Yeah, sure.” Black had to fake a smile.

“I'd best be off.” Barbossa nodded, as he smiled at Fury. “I will be back to see how you're faring with the Taskforce. Do take care, Fury.”

“Will do, Barbossa.” Black was a bit surprised to see Fury’s arrogant sneer change to a smile of actual sincerity. “And if you need anything. Absolutely anything… I’ll be there, any day, any time of the week.”

"I'm sure you will." Barbossa smiled.

"Until next time, senator." Elite nodded.

Barbossa gave a nod as he walked off. Fury glanced after him, until he could see him no more.

Elite then turned to Fury.

"Well, if you need any help settling in-" He started.

"I think I'll be okay." Fury said flatly, the sincerity gone. "I think I'll grab some food. Winning makes me hungry..."

Throwing Black that same cocky smirk, Fury left the room.

"And he's going to be working with us?" Black snarled. "Yeah, this is gonna be fun..."

"You know as well as I that his skills and his… ‘ability’ make him a worthy recruit for our cause." Elite declared. “I doubt Barbossa would have suggested him if that wasn’t the case.”

"The skills and that dark magic stuff I won’t deny.." Black admitted begrudgingly. "It’s that Faust damn arrogance I can’t stand. Seriously, how can he think he’s so tough!"

"The memory of you saying that with a straight face will provide me with much enjoyment..." Elite chuckled.

"Hardey-har-har." Black scowled.

Over the next couple of days, Fury settled into his new abode. He was even less sociable than Black had ever been, keeping to himself, and staying at limb's length from the others.

'And ponies called me anti-social...' Black thought, as he watched Fury eating lunch as far from the others as possible.

Black was soon joined at his table by the others.

"Hey, mate." Ballista smiled. "Mind if we join you?"

"Go ahead." Black smiled. "So... whattaya think of the new guy?"

"He's an... interesting specimen." Master Mind remarked. "A Griffon Nightcrawler. Quite rare, you know."

"And those powers of his could definitely give us the element of surprise." Incognito noted.

"And he seems pretty tough." Ballista mused. "We could always use a little more muscle..."

"I dunno." Armory frowned. "I get a weird vibe off the guy. He seems kinda... aloof."

"Try 'full of himself'." Black snorted.

"Remind you of anypony, Black?" Master Mind grinned.

"Don't forget, you had a knack for being, excuse me for saying, arrogant and distant yourself once." Incognito smirked.

"This again?" Black frowned.

"Give the feathery guy time." Ballista urged. "I'm sure he'll fit in soon enough."

"I guess he will." Armory shrugged. "Sooner or later."

"Let's just hope working with him won't be too much trouble in the meantime..." Black mused.

A few days later, Black was called in for a mission by Elite. To his annoyance, Fury was there too. And judging by Fury’s glare, the feeling was mutual.

"Okay, Black." Elite smiled. "I have a mission for you and our newest recruit."

"...You're kiddin', right?" Black frowned. "Do I look like a foalsitter?"

"Like you could even keep up." Fury snorted.

"Watch your beak, rookie." Black snarled.

“Watch who you call 'rookie'.” Fury glared. “You may be older, but I've been at this game for a long while. Maybe even longer than you.”

“I find that hard to believe.” Black scoffed.

“Oh, you want to test that theory?” Fury smirked. “Because I think we both know who's the better fighter here.”

Black was about to retort, only for Elite to cut him off.

"Okay, that's enough, you two." Elite frowned. "I have very good reasons for pairing you two up." He glanced at Black. "First, you haven't been in the field for a while, and you need somepony to watch your back in case you're out of step."

"Like that'd ever happen." Black snorted.

Elite turned to Fury.

"And secondly, for all your skill and past experience, you’re still a novice in this line of work." He continued. "You need to learn how to work as part of a unit. As a former soldier, Black is more than qualified to assist you in that regard."

"Lucky me..." Black muttered.

"What if I refuse to work with him?" Fury asked defiantly.

"Doubtful." Elite declared. "You wouldn't want to disappoint the Senator, would you?"

"...No." Fury sighed, drooping.

"Very well." Elite smiled. "Now, on to the mission itself: It's a simple retrieval mission. You must make your way to Vanhoover, to one of the Forefathers' safe houses." He passed over a map with the house's address. "You must force your way in and liberate sensitive documents that they recently stole."

"Sounds like a piece of cake." Fury smirked.

"Just so long as you stay in line, rookie." Black declared.

“Again, don’t call me 'rookie'.” Fury growled at Black.

“Black does have a point, Fury.” Elite nodded. “There are quite a few agents in there. Working together may be essential to success. Good luck, you two."

"I don't believe in luck." Fury scoffed,

"Let's hope you don't need it..." Black muttered.

The two went to prep for their journey. In the wake of the Crystal Sun incident, Elite told Black that he was now required to wear the Dreadnought Armor every time he left the headquarters, no matter what. It was an order from Elite and Ballista’s superiors, they told him, part of the probationary measures they had instilled upon him. Black had no problem with it, understanding that this was the only way he could continue to help ponies.

Furthermore, Armory was required to redesign the suit, so that no pony could tie the old version back to Black. The eager scientist saw this as a chance to add some new perks to the suit, and make it more useful to Black, since he was going to be wearing it more often.

Black stood in his new suit, helmet off, getting used to how it felt again.

"Just like old times..." He sighed.

He joined Fury by the carriage. Fury was wearing a brown leather jacket and a black shirt.

"About time." Fury scowled. "I've been waiting forever."

"Well, now I'm here." Black noted, putting on his helmet. "So now we can go."

"Aye-aye, captain buckethead..." Fury muttered.

The pony and Griffon made their way to Vanhoover in the motor carriage, Black being the one piloting it, with his helmet off.

En route to the destination, Black glanced at Fury, who was lounging in the opposite corner of the carriage, seemingly sleeping, his spear resting next to him. As he did, he decided that if he was going to be working with the Griffon, he would have to swallow his pride and try to make nice with Fury.

“So… Fury.” Black started. Fury’s brows perked. “I feel that we might have gotten off on the wrong hoof. So… how is it that you came under Barbossa’s-”

“I’m gonna stop you right there, bub.” Fury growled, as he glared at him.

“Huh?” Black frowned. “What? It was an honest question-”

“Well, forgive me, but I don’t feel like answering them.” Fury sat up, his red eyes staring viciously at him. “I did not join this little circus sideshow so I could be buddies with its carnies. And don’t take this the wrong way...but I especially don’t want to be friends with somepony like you.”

“Fury, I’m trying to be civil here.” Black grunted.

“And so I am.” Fury growled. “I've heard all about the psychotic breakdown you had a couple of months back. And how that breakdown nearly doomed all of Equestria!”

Black stifled a groan. Already his past crimes were coming back to bite him in the flank.

“Look, I know I've made some mistakes-” Black tried to reason, but Fury cut him off swiftly.

“Oh no, a mistake would be putting salt instead of sugar in your coffee.” Fury chuckled sarcastically, before his beak formed a dark snarl. “What I'd call your little tantrum is massive destruction and terrorism across Equestria, hundreds of ponies brutalized and nearly killed by those Shadow Ponies, you making a pact with a flappin' Umbrum, and, this one my personal favorite, just about condemning us Nightcrawlers to a life of prejudice and persecution! All that because of your ‘mistakes’.”

“That's not fair.” Black scowled. “I'm trying my best to make up for what I did. Besides, it’s not like there are lynch mobs screaming for your head right now, are there?”

“This isn’t about me.” Fury glared. “This is about Barbossa.”

“Barbossa?” Black’s scowl fell.

“Yes.” Fury nodded firmly. “Barbossa's spent his whole life fighting for rights and equality for us Nightcrawlers. Before him, there was nopony else who gave a flap about us. He protected us, provided us with shelter and safety. He treated us better than most. He poured his heart and soul into making a better place for us… and all of that was nearly wiped away, because of what you did. You may have miraculously made it through the Crystal Sun incident alive, and without killing anypony, but don’t you dare think that your actions don't have consequences.”

Black remain silent, stupefied, and a bit miffed, at Fury’s rant. He could not deny that there was truth in his words… but he would be damned if he was going to be told off like that.

“Now you listen, Fury.” Black scowled. “I’m trying to give you a chance here to not be an asshole.”

"I didn't ask you to give me a chance." Fury snarled. "And I don't want it. I may have to work with you, but I don't need to know you and your sad little life. I'm only on this team because Barbossa believes it'd be a proper application of my skills, and he never steered me wrong before."

"Well, suit yourself." Black snarled. "But later. Today, we need to work together. Meaning you stick by me, and stay in line."

"Yeah, sure." Fury scowled. "We'll see how that works..."

They arrived at Vanhoover soon after (not soon enough in Black’s opinion), and approached the safehouse.

"Okay, here's the plan." Black declared, flipping on his helmet and visor. "We sneak in around the back, so we can get the drop on these guys..."

"Or we could just do this." Fury marched over to the front.

"What are you doing?!" Black hissed.

"Takin' care of business." Fury smirked.

Fury kicked down the door, revealing a pack of Forefathers agents inside.

“Olly, olly, oxen free!” Fury roared.

“The hell?!” One of the agents gaped. “Who are you?!

“No one important.” Fury grinned, as he walked inside. “Just a Griffon looking for some missing documents. Mind givin' 'em to me?"

"We'll give you this, feathers!" One of the agents snarled, as they charged at him.

'What was that idiot thinking?!' Black thought as he rushed over. 'I've gotta do something before he gets-'

Before he could finish his thought, an agent was smashed into the wall beside him.

“Say wha?” Black gaped.

Black watched in shock as Fury took on the lion's share of the group. He used a blast of wind to propel himself into two agents, holding out his talons to clothesline them. As another one charged, Fury ducked his blow, then swept his feet with his spear tripping him. As more ran at him from all sides, he jammed the spear into the ground, then swung around it, striking them with spinning kicks.

"Too easy." He smirked, as he landed back on the ground.

Black snapped of his stupor, realizing that Fury was single-handedly taking down everypony.

'Oh no you don't.' Black seethed. 'You're not getting all the fun.'

Black leapt into the fray, taking down some of the few remaining agents whose focus was mainly on Fury. But it was clear that Fury had already dealt with most of them, and was making quick work of those who were left.

"Had enough yet?" Fury taunted the last agent standing.

"You stinkin'-" The agent charged, only for Fury to take him out with a brutal elbow strike.

"Yeah, you have." Fury grinned.

Black looked on in shock as Fury picked up the stolen documents. He then noticed Black, who he could tell, despite wearing his helmet, was glaring holes into him.

"What. Was. That?!" Black roared.

"That was me getting the job done." Fury smirked.

"You didn't even have a strategy!" Black growled.

"Sure I did: crush 'em. With great prejudice." Fury countered, holding up the documents. "And lookey here, it worked."

"That's not how the Taskforce does things." Black seethed. "Just wait until the others find out about this."

“Oh, a would-be conqueror and a tattle-tale.” Fury sneered as he made his way to the carriage. “You're not doing yourself any favors here.”

Black let out a loud growl that was muffled by his visor.

On the way back, Black, while still livid, amused himself with thoughts of how Elite and Ballista would chew Fury out for his recklessness. Even if it was a little petty, seeing the Griffon in trouble would make him feel a lot better… unfortunately, he couldn't have been more wrong...

"Excellent work, Fury!" Elite smiled.

"What?!" Black spluttered.

The group was gathered in the meeting room, where Fury slapped the documents down in front of everypony, and the two gave their debriefing regarding what occurred. They were all surprisingly elated by Fury’s success.

"Yeah, nice goin', mate." Ballista added.

"That has to be the fastest-accomplished mission ever." Master Mind mused. “Not even Black was this fast.”

"Speed isn't everything..." Black growled.

"I knew you'd provide an element of surprise, but wow." Incognito grinned. "Those agents never knew what hit them."

"Hard not to, with that entrance." Black grumbled.

"Hit 'em fast, and hard." Ballista chuckled. "Just like a real soldier."

"Except he's not." Black muttered.

“Look, I was just doing my job.” Fury smirked. “It’s what I do.”

"I'll bet Black helped though, right?" Armory asked, noting Black’s scowl.

"Sure, sure." Fury shrugged. "I needed somepony to clean up the scraps."

"Very funny." Black growled.

“Come on, mate, it ain’t a competition.” Ballista smirked. “Fury just got the initiative this time ‘round.”

"Yeah, right." Black spat, walking away. "Because initiative is everything."

"It's okay, Black." Armory joined him. "There's always next time."

"Oh, sure." Black growled. "Unless that grandstanding gloryhog takes all the action then, too..."

Later that evening, Black was in his quarters, still seething over what had just happened.

'How can this be happening?' He thought angrily. 'This was supposed to be my triumphant return. How can some dark magic-toting asshole be stealing my thunder? I'm the top agent around here, not some birdy-come-lately! Me!' He paused for a moment, then took a deep breath. 'Come on, Black. Just relax. You’re letting Fury get to you. He may be good, but you've been with the team for years. You're probably just rusty, that's all. Nopony can blame you for that. You'll get your chance to shine soon enough...'

Unfortunately, Black would not be able to back up his own assurance, as what followed was a streak of missions that involved both him and Fury. Elite meant it when he wanted Black and Fury to team up more so they would both become battle-ready.

However, every mission Black and Fury took on was completed easily and without a hitch, all because of Fury’s charging into the action head on.

One mission was a illegal smuggling operation at the Manehattan docks that needed busting.

Black made his way stealthily to the location, with Fury approaching from the sky.

As they neared the target, Black contacted Fury via mirror.

"Remember the plan." He whispered, as they came up on the group moving a big crate of illegally imported potions. "We move in from both sides, and-"

“Oh, don’t you worry, Black.” Fury chuckled darkly, “I already have a plan… Highwind Technique Go.”

Black frowned in confusion.

“Highwind What-”

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a slew of spears rained down onto the crate, smashing it and its contents to smithereens.

“What the hell?!” Black and the other smugglers gaped, as they glanced up.

“Time to dive in!” Fury swooped down on his prey, as more spears materialized to his side.

"Look out!" One smuggler yelped, before Fury swiftly slammed into him, knocking him hard into a crate.

“Lauren Faust, not again…” Black groaned as he quickly leapt into the fray.

Once again, Fury took out most of the smugglers. He swiftly jumped off walls and crates like a lion, pinning down his prey, then punching (or headbutting) them out. His wings were closed, but he moved like he was flying, never stopping for an instant. It wasn't long before most of the smugglers were out cold.

A Unicorn smuggler was about to attack with a raised crowbar, only for Fury to glare at him.

“...Buck this crap!” The smuggler yelled, as he dropped his weapon and ran in the other direction… only to get clotheslined by Black.

“Hey, I was wondering when you would come in.” Fury smirked.

“I can’t believe you charged right in again!” Black snarled. “What happened to the plan?!”

“Well, I didn’t like your plan of attack, so I made my own plan: attack.” Fury smirked.

“...Just help me tie these buckers up.” Black groaned.

Fury gave a victorious "hmph" as they made to tie up all the smugglers. Much to Black’s anger, Fury got most of them tied up as well.

"You know, if you're going to charge into a firefight like this every time, you could at least leave me a few more." Black growled, as he finished tying up his last one.

"Hey, it’s first come, first served." Fury sneered. "Be a little faster next time."

Black scowled as Fury took flight again.

"Smug, stinkin' pigeon-tabby." He spat.

Things just got worse from there. Fury always insisted on taking the lead, forcing Black to catch up.

On one mission, they were tasked with stopping a convoy carrying stolen gold ingots. Black had suggested setting up a fake roadblock, and ambushing the drivers when they stopped. But Fury had a different idea.

"I got your roadblock right here!" He stepped out onto the road.

"Are you nuts?!" Black yelped, as the convoy approached.

"Maybe..." Fury smirked, staring down the carriage at the head of a convoy, whose driver had no intention of stopping. He conjured up his spear, and flung it with all his might at the carriage. The spear embedded itself in the carriages wheel, causing it to veer and crash, with the carriage behind crashing into it. "Just like dominoes."

"Unbelievable." Black growled, as he moved in to take down some of the crooks before Fury finished them all. "Foolhardy nut..."

On another mission, they were sent to take down a small organized crime ring with connections to the Forefathers. For once, Black had gotten the headstart, and was grappling with one of the more powerful thugs.

"Give it up, punk!" Black snarled.

"Never!" The crook spat.

Just as Black was starting to gain ground, Fury's spear suddenly flew over, the handle catching the crook in the back of the head and knocking him out.

"Hey!" Black yelled. "He was mine!"

"Sorry." Fury shrugged, catching the spear. "Must have misfired. Besides, you were taking too long. We don't have all day, y'know."

"Somepony doesn't..." Black growled.

Some of the crooks tried to make a run for it.

"Oh no, you don't!" Fury threw all his spears like boomerangs.

The spears all hit their marks, either in the head, back or feet, knocking them down.

"Looks like another seven for me." He smirked. "How many did you get, by the way?"

"None of your business." Black growled.

"Sure it's not." Fury chuckled.

On another mission, they went after a drug dealer who had been selling powdered Poison Joke, their mission being to interrogate him over suspected links to the Forefathers. Fury, of course, had gone after the target first, pouncing on him at his usual selling grounds, and chasing him down several alleyways, before finally cornering him in a dead end.

"Feel like talking yet?" Fury smirked.

"Go to Tartarus." The dealer snarled.

“Wrong answer, bub.” Fury scowled, as he held up his talon. “Blackjack Technique Go.”

Black darted in, having finally caught up.

“Fury, no!” Black gasped.

A flurry of spears fired rapidly in a straight line. The drug lord let out a screech of horror, his eyes clenched shut…

“Fury!” Black snarled.

“What?” Fury frowned. “I didn’t touch him!”

Fury was right. The drug lord opened his eyes after realizing he wasn't feeling any pain, and glanced down to find himself pinned to the wall in an awkward pose, the spears having stabbed uncomfortably close to his body.

“Whew…” The pony let out a sigh of relief. “For a moment there, I thought you- ugh!”

Fury slugged him in the abdomen with his left talon, rendering him unconscious. He waved his right talon, and the spears disappeared, the drug lord falling onto Fury’s shoulder.

“Shall we?” Fury smirked as he passed Black.

It took every ounce of Black's strength not to scream in outrage.

Sadly for Black, the trend continued, with Fury excelling in mission after mission, leaving Black in the dust. With the frustration of being overshadowed by the Griffon and the overwhelming sense of inadequacy looming over him, Black needed to vent.

Fortunately for him, Armory was more than willing to lend an ear one day at lunch.

"He's trying to take my spot, I know it." He grumbled.

"Come on, Black, that's crazy." Armory told him. "Nopony can take your place. Not even a Griffon."

“Really?” Black frowned. “Because it feels like he is. Ever since he got here, he and I have been on every mission together, and every time he ends up taking charge and taking down all the hostiles by himself. I'm barely lucky enough to get a punch in edgewise!”

“Black, it’s not about who takes down more enemies.” Armory declared. “All that matters is you two ended up busting the Forefathers’ operations. In that regard, you two have been cleaning house!”

“No. Fury has.” Black petulantly scowled. “You know, when I rejoined the Taskforce, I thought I could go back to doing what I do best: taking down the Forefathers and protecting Equestria. But now, this Griffon comes along, and he’s doing what I do best even better! I mean, with him around, I might as well be chopped lentils!”

"Don't talk like that, Black." Armory tried to reassure him. "You're still rusty from the surgery. Not to mention being in recovery for months. It's only natural that you'd be a little out of practice."

“It’s not just that, Armory…” Black sighed. “It’s just… what if it comes to a point where Elite decides he doesn’t need me anymore, and replaces me with Fury?”

“Don’t say that, Black.” Armory urged with a firm glare. “Elite would never do that to you. Not after everything we’ve been through. Even if in some bucked up universe he did, he would have to go through me and the others.”

“...Thanks, pal.” Black gave a sad smile. “Fury might be better than me in the field right now, but at least he can’t take you guys from me.”

“Trust me, Black.” Armory scoffed. “Fury might be a master in spears and creepy dark magic, but he’s kind of a jerk. Look.”

Across the mess hall, Fury was making his way out to the exit (presumably to train) when Titan came in. Upon seeing Fury, Titan gave a happy smirk as he made to greet him with a customary hug.

However, Fury stepped back, raising hackles at the Diamond Dog.

“Back off, mutt.” Fury glared. “I don’t want your Faust-damn fleas.”

Fury stormed past him, leaving Titan with his feelings hurt.

"Rooo..." Titan whined, ears drooping.

"You see?" Armory pointed out. "He doesn't have your winning personality!"

"No kidding." Black noted. “And here I thought he just hated me.”

“Oh no.” Armory glared at where Fury had departed. “I bet that what Fury has in terms of fighting skills, he sorely, and I do mean sorely, lacks in social skills.”

Armory was proven right, as Fury continued to prove that he was far less impressive off the battlefield.

"Pardon me, Fury." Master Mind approached him one day in the hallways. "May I ask that you assist me with calculating some new battlefield strategies?"

“...Um, what for?” Fury frowned.

“Well, with your dark magic capabilities, I feel like we could maybe implement them in some of the team maneuvers.” Master Mind shrugged.

“No thanks.” Fury snorted. “All that thinking's for nerds like you. I prefer just to fight."

"Well, that's all well and good, but strength of mind can be just as important as strength of body." Master Mind retorted.

"Not to me." Fury scoffed.

Fury walked away, leaving Master Mind outraged.

"Well, I never." Master Mind scowled. "And here I thought Black was anti-social..."

A few days later, Incognito entered the training room, finding Fury already there, making mincemeat out of the training dummy with his spear.

"Hey, Fury." He smiled. "You wanna spar?"

Fury paused mid-strike, his spear raised high, as the dummy fell to pieces. He glanced at Incognito.

“What do you say?” Fury asked.

“You… wanna spar?” Incognito repeated, a bit confused by Fury’s glance.

Fury was silent for a moment… before he burst out laughing.

“...Did I say something funny?” Incognito grimaced.

"Oh my Faust, are you serious?" Fury snorted, as he continued chuckling. "No offense, but I'm pretty sure I'd break you in half without even trying. You're just way too weedy for me. So thanks for the offer, but no thanks."

“Hey!” Incognito glared, “Just because I don’t have big muscles doesn’t mean I’m a joke! I’ll have you know, I have been trained to be the best infiltrator in the business by the former best!”

“Hate to break it to you, bub, but ‘infiltrator’ is a nice way of saying you’re so pathetically weak that they want you to avoid conflict.” Fury scoffed.

“...You know, a simple ‘no’ would have sufficed…” Incognito growled as he left. “No need to be an asshole about it.”

Not even Armory was safe. One day, Armory called Fury into his workshop to show him some of the gear he had invented.

“And that is how the ‘Homer’ works.” Armory explained, showcasing his oldest invention. “What do you think?”

Fury was lounging in his chair, having been listening to Armory drone on about the invention, and judging by his frown, he wasn’t impressed.

“Question, Armory…” Fury started. “What the hell would I need a pseudo-grappling hook when I have wings?”

“Um…” Armory murmured. “It isn’t just for grappling. You can use it to bring foes to you, or you to your foes. Trust me, the Homer can be very useful in any situation for anypony.”

“Just not me.” Fury grunted. “No offense, but I have no need for your little tinker toys. The only thing I need is a spear and my wits. Everything else is just dead weight.”

"'Tinker toys'?!" Armory gaped, as Fury left the workshop. "Of all the nerve..."

The day after, Ballista was talking with Fury about his past exploits.

"So we jumped them from behind, and filled 'em full of lead." Ballista declared. "And that's how we won the battle of Palomino Gorge."

"Not bad." Fury nodded. "You were pretty good back in the day. Before... you know."

"Before what?" Ballista frowned.

"Before you got old, of course." Fury smirked.

"Old?!" Ballista scowled.

"No offense, gramps." Fury shrugged. "Sure, you've still got some moves, but you're not a young stallion anymore. Best leave the fighting to the young guys, like it should be. You've had your time. Still, you're one heck of a fighter. You should take pride in that while you celebrate your twilight years..."

As Fury walked away, Ballista frowned.

"Don't know if I should be honored, or insulted..." He mused.

Fury continued to be rude and distant to the others over the coming days. Nopony could quite get through his abrasive outer shell (and many didn't want to). Black, on the other hoof, simply kept his distance.

One morning, Black was laying in his quarters. Despite Armory’s pep talk from earlier, the thought of Fury outshining him still looming over his head like a rain cloud, and did little for his mood.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.

"Come in!" He called.

Armory entered.

"Hey, Black." He smiled.

"What's up?" Black asked.

"I was down in the Pipeline, and Pike... well, he said he wants to talk with you." Armory declared.

"He does, does he?" Black mused. “What about?”

"He didn’t say really." Armory shrugged. "All he said that he wishes to talk to you, but you are free to ignore him if you like-"

"No, I'll go." Black stood. "At the very least, it could make for an interesting conversation."

Black made his way down to the Pipeline, where Pike was sitting in his cell. His age was starting to show, as his mane was all but gone. However, despite all that, Pike seemed quite elated to see him.

"Ah, Black." He smiled. "Long time, no see. No pun intended..."

"None taken." Black mused. "Nice to see you’re doing well. You’re pretty chipper for a prisoner, you know that?”

“Well, it ain’t that bad once you get used to it.” Pike shrugged. “Besides, I've been in much worse prison cells in my days.”

“What do you want, Pike?” Black suddenly asked. “Not that I mind chatting to the guy who tried to kill me for years, but Armory told me you wanted to talk.”

"For a while now, actually." Pike declared. "Since your miraculous resurrection and return to duty, I've been hoping for a chance to catch up with you."

"Yeah, well, I'm not exactly in a talkative mood right now." Black frowned.

“Oh?” Pike frowned. “Why’s that?”

“It’s nothing really.” Black shook his head. “You wouldn’t be interested.”

“Now, don’t you go saying that.” Pike glared. “Remember, blocking ponies out is what got you into that mess with the Crystal Sun. Take it from me, pal, you want to talk about your problems with somepony.”

“I don’t know…” Black said with uncertainty. “Should I tell a prisoner about my personal problems?”

“Well, it’s not like I’m going anywhere.” Pike joked, “So if you have any secrets, they are stuck in this cell with me.”

“Hmm, that is a valid point.” Black mused.

“Damn right it is.” Pike smirked, as he sat back. “Come on, tell ol’ Pike what’s on your mind. Are things going well on the up-side?”

“...Not so well, actually.” Black grunted.

"How so?" Pike asked.

“Well, Elite and Balilsta decided to start this new project, and it involves recruiting new members.” Black announced distastefully. “And this new guy is some reckless hotshot Griffon. He’s a Faust damn jackass who hates my guts because of the Crystal Sun incident, and hates everypony else because he’s one of those loner types. You should see how he treats everypony else on the team.”

“Wow, sounds like a real prince, this guy.” Pike deadpanned.

“Yeah…” Black growled, before sighing. “But that isn’t the half of it. Despite being a jerk, he’s good. I mean, really good. He can easily do what I can do, but faster and better. You should've seen him when we went on this mission to Manehatten…”

And for the next hour or so, Black went on to explain everything that had being going on since Fury’s arrival. Despite the misgivings he still had about Pike, it felt pretty good for Black to finally vent his frustrations.

“It’s just baffling! No matter what situation we’re in, Fury’s answer is to just throw spears.” Black continued, his voice having escalated to a livid rant. “And if that doesn’t work, throw even more spears! And not once, since he joined, has it not worked for him!” Black let out a deep breath, calming down a bit. “It‘s like everything I did means nothing next to him...”

“Uh-huh…” Pike murmured, having been hanging on his every word. “So, you think the new guy is edging you out. Trying to take your place.”

“Well, it sure feels like it.” Black growled. “I chose to stay because this was where I belong. Where I can matter. Where I can make a difference. But with that featherhead snatching all the glory, what good am I to the team? What do I have to offer that Fury isn’t offering in troves? I just feel… pointless, in the grand scheme of things."

Pike paused for a moment, mulling over the situation.

“...You know what? You shouldn’t stand for that, Black.” Pike announced, adopting a glare. “After everything you've been through, I know you deserve better. Some jackass like this Fury feller can’t just come in and take your place.”

“That's what I was thinking!” Black nodded. “But what can I do? Fury has practically became a one Griffon army!”

“Well then, you just need a chance to show the Taskforce that you’re still an important part of this team.” Pike declared. “And I think I can help you…”

“Really?” Black frowned. “Help me how?”

“...I think I'd like to make a deal with you.” Pike smirked. “I can give you the name and an address of a noteworthy Forefather associate. What you do with it will be up to you.”

“Wait, Elite and Ballista said that you had nothing to say that would help us.” Black frowned suspiciously.

“That was only half true.” Pike admitted. “I really don’t know much about the higher ups of the organization, let alone what they're planning. But I do know a few guys that the Taskforce might be interested in. It’s not much, but I figure you could use the information.”

“But what exactly is in it for you?” Black asked. “What do you want in exchange?”

“Nothing much.” Pike shrugged. “All I want… is to talk.”

“To talk?” Black repeated.

“Yes.” Pike nodded. “Like we did just now. You come in, I tell you what you want to know, and we chat, stallion to stallion. That's all I want.”

“...Really?” Black frowned. “No offense, but that’s an odd deal.”

"What can I say?" Pike shrugged. "It's lonely down here. The only pony willing to talk to me is Armory. And he's not here too often. And honestly, I was hoping talking with each other might help us both with recovering from being the ponies we once were."

"Really?" Black mused.

"Yeah." Pike nodded. "We're in the same boat now. So many past regrets. It'll be good for both of us to talk things out, give each other a shoulder to cry on, and provide emotional support. So, what do you say?"

“...Hmm. Well, so far, I see no downside to this, so I guess it couldn’t hurt.” Black shrugged, before adding firmly. “But if you don’t mind, I'd like the info first, so I know you’re not lying.”

“I guess that's fair.” Pike sighed. “Better listen up, because the guy I'm about to tell you about is one heck of a doozy.”

A short while later, Black presented the information Pike gave him to Elite and Ballista in Elite’s office.

“Wait, you got Pike Redfield to talk?!” Ballista gaped. “For real?”

“Yeah, and all he wanted was for me to visit him more often.” Black shrugged. “But that’s aside the point. Pike told me about one of his old contacts, a pony named Steeple Chase. He's a mercenary cruiser bruiser, responsible for managing most of the mercenaries the Forefathers hire. If we can take him down, the Forefathers could stand to lose quite a bit in terms of hired help"

"And you're certain your source is trustworthy?" Elite asked.

"Very." Black nodded. "Pike even told me where to find him. His hideout is over on the east side of Applewood. We can take him completely by surprise.”

"Very well then." Elite nodded. "Assemble the team."

"You got it." Black nodded. "And you know, Pike really did help us out here. Maybe we can loosen his sentence a little. Let him out of that cell, at least. It's pretty lonely down there."

"I suppose we could place him under house arrest." Elite mused. "Armory has been working on a hoof collar that zaps the wearer whenever he tries to exit a certain radius."

"That could work." Black nodded.

"I'll take it under consideration." Elite nodded. "But for now, let's focus on the mission at hoof."

"You got it, boss." Black smiled.

Before long, the entire team (sans Elite and Ballista) had been gathered, prepping for the mission.

"Okay, watch yourselves out there." Black told the others as he donned his suit. "From what Pike's told me, this guy is no pushover..."

"Please." Fury snorted. "It's probably just a bunch of hype. Just send me in first, and it'll all be over."

"I can believe that." Incognito snorted.

"Statistically, the odds are in his favor." Master Mind admitted.

"Let's not forget that this is one of the bigger cheeses." Black said irritably. "We don't want to underestimate this guy..."

"Or maybe he shouldn't underestimate me." Fury smirked.

"Let's... get going, shall we?" Armory said awkwardly.

"Yeah, let's." Black declared, putting on his helmet.

Fury threw Black a cocky smirk as they boarded the carriage.

Soon after they arrived on the outskirts of the east side of Applewood, near an abandoned factory, which Pike had told Black was Steeple's main hideout.

"Okay, let's surround the place from all sides, toss in a few gas grenades, and-" Black started.

"Forget that!" Fury sneered, charging right towards the factory. "Let's just go in there and pound this guy!"

"That's not a plan!" Black yelled.

“Should we go in after him?” Master Mind frowned.

“We might as well. Much as I hate the guy, we can’t let him get himself killed.” Incognito grunted.

“Ruff-ruff.” Titan nodded in agreement.

"Sorry, Black." Armory sighed. "Looks like we've lost the element of surprise."

"No kidding." Black growled. 'I swear to Faust, that feathered freak better not get us all killed!'

The team, following Fury, stormed into the building.

"Now the fun begins!" Fury yelled triumphantly.

The group was surprised to find only one stallion. He was a chocolate brown, brawny Earth Pony stallion with a black scarf, dark brown jacket, light brown mane, pale green eyes, and a Cutie Mark of a church spire waiting for them.

“Ah, if it isn’t the Taskforce Omega.” The stallion smirked. “I was expecting you.”

"Steeple Chase." Fury smirked. "Wow, thank you for saving us the trouble of finding you in this dump. We're here to take you in on the charge of working for the Forefathers. Please, do me a favor and resist. It makes things more fun."

“Well… if you insist.” Steeple smirked. He stomped his hoof, and several heavily armed thug ponies emerged from the shadows.

"Uh-oh." Armory gulped.

"Looks like the other horseshoe just dropped." Black frowned.

"I had a feeling you guys would be coming for me sooner or later." Steeple admitted. "I've been hearing words that Elite Everest hired two new ponies to take the place of the now deceased Black Knight. One was an armored stallion. Nothing remarkable about him.”

Black let out a small grunt of insult.

“But the other one…” Steeple whistled. “Don’t think I don’t remember you, Fury. The other mercenaries still talk about how you were the only one to survive the massacre that befell Nero and his squadron.”

"Um… who's Nero?" Incognito frowned.

“And now I see why.” Steeple continued, ignoring Incognito’s question, glaring at Fury. “You’re one of those Nightcrawlers, and a deadly one at that.”

“Well, I assure you, Steeple, the rumors are true.” Fury grinned.

“That I can see. That is why I wasn't going to take the chance of what happened to the others happen to me. So I took a few precautions." Steeple smirked.

"Big deal." Fury scoffed. "Bring in as many hired guns as you want. It won't make a difference." He turned to the others. "Let's take this punk."

"I assure you, any attempt to 'take this punk' will result in your swift demise." Steeple smirked.

"And I thought you were overconfident." Black sneered at Fury, before approaching Steeple. "I hate to admit it, but feathers is right. Thugs or no thugs, there's only one way this is gonna end."

"We'll see about that." Steeple raised his hoof. "Attack!"

The thugs charged forward, readying their weapons.

"Come get some!" Fury responded in kind.

A vicious firefight soon ensued. While Fury had no projectile weapons, he made use of his spear, deflecting the crossbow bolts fired at him, and knocking away the weapons, so he could take his foes on up close and personal.

"How d'ya like this?!" He headbutted one thug brutally.

As another tried to jump him from behind, he wrapped his tail around the thug's neck. While his victim gasped for air, Fury punched him out.

Titan was doing almost as well as Fury, punching thugs left, right and center.

"Rrrruufff!" He barked, hitting one hard enough to shatter his helmet.

Unfortunately, the others weren't doing nearly as well. The mercenaries were well-trained, making it a struggle for the Taskforce.

"Whoa!" Incognito barely managed to flip over a barrage of crossbow bolts. "May as well have painted a bullseye on my flank..."

Master Mind did his best to weave in and out of enemy fire, firing back his own hail of bolts.

"Brute force can never prevail over intellect!" He said boldly.

Due to his bad leg, Armory took on a defensive position, firing upon his foes with a crossbow of his own from the shadows, and moving as fast as he could from one point to another.

"You won't tag me that easily." He muttered.

Meanwhile, Steeple faced off with Black.

"Are you the one in charge of this bunch of wimps?" Steeple asked Black. “What a shame.”

"Go to Tartarus." Black scowled.

"I'll take that as a 'yes'." Steeple smirked. "Taking you down will make things so much simpler."

"You can try." Black snarled.

"Not try. Succeed." Steeple countered.

The two exchanged a brutal flurry of blows. For all his size, Steeple was quite agile. He leapt in and struck Black where the armor was more vulnerable. Black returned some precision blows of his own, but Steeple kept on the move.

"Hard to be fast when you're wearing a tin can!" Steeple taunted him.

"Wanna bet?" Black fired the crossbow on his armor. The bolt embedded itself in the wall behind Steeple, and exploded a second later, sending him flying. "How's that for fast?"

"Cheap tricks." Steeple spat, as he struggled to get back up.

"Don't worry." Black smirked under his helmet. "I won't need any to finish this.”

At that moment, Master Mind was struck in the foreleg by a crossbow bolt.

"Ahhh!" He yelped, dropping to the ground.

"Not so smart now, are ya?" The mercenary who fired the bolt advanced on his prey.

Black heard Master Mind’s cry and saw him trying to crawl away from the mercenary closing in on him. As he did, Black could only think of what happened to Master Mind's predecessor.

'I have to help him.' He thought. 'I can't let him die. Just like I almost did with Micro...'

“Hey! Eyes on me, tin-pony!” Steeple roared.

“Oh, piss off!” Black snarled as he turned away and slammed his hind legs into Steeple, knocking him back.

Swiftly, he rushed over to Master Mind, and he punched out the thug with a single blow.

"That's my cue to leave..." Steeple muttered, as he got back on his hooves and made to flee.

"Are you okay?" Black asked Master Mind.

"I'm fine." Master Mind nodded. "But our quarry is getting away!"

Black turned to see Steeple running up the stairs to the roof. He quickly turned to Fury, only to see that he was occupied with the many thugs that were surrounding him.

"Is that the best you've got?" He snarled. Despite his boast, his breathing was becoming labored, the endless horde of foes starting to slow him down. Fatigue was starting to set in... though he wouldn't dare show it.

"Go, Black!" Armory joined Master Mind. "We'll finish up here!"

“Okay.” Black nodded. “You take care!”

Black gave chase, following Steeple onto the factory roof. There was a small airship, barely big enough to hold one pony, as Steeple climbed into it.

“Hey, get back here!” Black roared.

"Sorry, tin-pony! So close, yet so far!" Steeple taunted as the airship began to take off.

"Close enough." Black smirked.

Black fired the "Homer" at the airship. The dart sunk into the side, allowing Black’s weight to drag it back down.

"Your flight's just been cancelled!" Black declared.

“Oh, come on!” Steeple snarled as he tried pulling the ship up. But it was no use.

“Hey, why don’t you come down here and face me like a stallion!” Black taunted.

“Oh, for Faust’s sake!” Steeple growled.

Steeple jumped out of the airship.

"You just make a big mistake." He snarled. "Now, you die."

"Bring it." Black taunted, retracting the rope-dart. “I’m putting an end to this!”

The two let out battle cries as they charged at each other, and duked it out once more.

Where are the people that accused me?
The ones who beat me down and bruised me
They hide just out of sight, can't face me in the light
They'll return but I'll be stronger

Steeple, angrier than ever, lashed out with far greater fury than before.

"Lousy helmet-head." He spat. "What's the matter, afraid to ruin your pretty little face?"

"You don't have that problem, do ya?" Black punched him hard. "Or at least, you won't when I'm through with you."

"Promises, promises." Steeple sneered.

God I want to dream again, take me where I've never been
I wanna go there, this time I'm not scared
Now I am unbreakable, it's unmistakable
No one can touch me, nothing can stop me

Steeple caught Black with a glancing blow on his side.

"You feel that?" He smirked. "You know what that is I'm hitting you with? Skin! And I'm not afraid to lose some!"

“Well, that’s good to know.” Black smirked, as he flicked one of his gauntlet-wearing hooves, revealing a sharp blade. It was a recent addition by Armory, having been inspired by Pike’s own blade.

With a swift swing, he nicked Steeple in the side.

“Augh! You'll pay for that!” Steeple snarled.

Sometimes it's hard to just keep going
But faith is moving without knowing
Can I trust what I can't see to reach my destiny?
I want to take control but I know better

As the fight went on, Steeple couldn’t help but notice how his opponent carried himself in battle. He felt as if he had seen this kind of fighting style before...

"You're pretty tough." He noted. "And you've got some skills, too."

"I'm flattered." Black sneered. "Thanks for the compliment." He fired a crossbow bolt.

"It won't save you, though." Steeple spat, dodging the bolt. "Not against me!"

Steeple rammed into Black, knocking him back.

God I want to dream again, take me where I've never been
I wanna go there, this time I'm not scared
Now I am unbreakable, it's unmistakable
No one can touch me, nothing can stop me

Black stumbled back, as Steeple approached him menacingly.

“You are such a fool, you know that, tin-pony?” Steeple taunted. “A greenhorn like you, facing a top of the class mercenary like me? You should've done the smart thing and had Fury go after me… good thing he's too busy with my boys.”

“Me? A greenhorn?” Black let out a chuckle. “Don’t make me laugh. It doesn’t matter how tough you are. At the end of the day, you’re just another Forefather lackey. I've taken down enough of them in my time.”

"Wait... you have?" Steeple frowned. He knew of very few who could have taken down so many. “How could that be? We would've known if some guy in a armored suit had been taking ponies out in the organization!”

“Oh, I think you heard of me.” Black smirked under his helmet. “I had the pleasure of making acquaintances with several of your colleagues over the years. Some industrialists in Saddle Arabia, a giant scary clown, a rich boy who bit off more than he can chew, and a bunch of ponies who watched way too much ‘Silence of the Lambs’... and those are the more noteworthy ones.”

Steeple's blood ran cold as he realized his opponent had described many of the ponies who had met their demise or had suffered a great defeat… but what shocked him most was that they all had one thing in common… but it couldn’t be...

"How could you know-?" He started.

"Because I've been fighting scum like you for a long time." Black punched Steeple back. “Gave up quite a lot doing it too!”

Forget the fear it's just a crutch
That tries to hold you back
And turn your dreams to dust
All you need to do is just trust

Steeple dodged Black's next few attacks, but he couldn't shake a feeling of dread over his current situation.

“Who are you?!” Steeple demanded. “How could you have been there?! For each and every one of those battles?! There was never any mention of you!”

“Oh, there has.” Black smiled darkly. “In fact, I'm all that your superiors used to talk about.”

“Then enlighten me!” Steeple snarled. “Who is the stallion behind the mask?!”

“Hmph, very well.” Black nodded. “I think you deserve to know the identity of the stallion who will bring you down.”

Black tapped a button on the side of his helmet, his visor lowered and his helmet flipped open, revealing his face to the now stupefied Steeple…

“No… no… it can’t be…” Steeple gaped. “You’re… you’re Black Knight!”

“That I am.” Black nodded.

“But how?! You’re dead!” Steeple snarled. “It was all over the news! The higher ups told me you perished!”

“Nope." Black smiled. “Reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated. I have to let the world believe I am dead, so I can continue to fight the Forefathers!”

"Wh-why are you telling me this?" Steeple asked.

“Because I know you won’t tell.” Black smirked.

“What?! But you're one of the Forefathers’ greatest threats!” Steeple growled. “Why wouldn’t I tell anypony?!”

“Because I know you will never make it back to the Forefathers… alive.” Black advanced on the shocked Steeple.

God I want to dream again, take me where I've never been
I wanna go there, this time I'm not scared
Now I am unbreakable, it's unmistakable
No one can touch me, nothing can stop me

Black inflicted several punishing blows on Steeple, whose confidence had faded after realizing just who he was up against. It wasn't long before Steeple was on the ground, a bruised mess.

"Please... no more..." He groaned, shielding himself from any further blows.

Black stood over Steeple, raising his hoof with the blade attached. The familiar urge to kill the awful pony where he lied was calling out to him. It would be so damn easy…

However… as he did, flashes of everything he had experienced in his coma came back to him. The talk with his former selves, the memories of his loved ones, and the darkness that nearly ruined everything because he had lost control.

With those memories etched deep in his mind pulling him back, the urge to kill faded away. He retracted the blade, and slammed his hoof into Steeple’s face, knocking him out.

“Sorry, Steeple. I meant it when I say you wouldn’t make it back alive… because you aren’t going back.” Black said firmly.

Downstairs, Fury had worn himself out after taking out most of the thugs.

"Come on." He breathlessly taunted the last few thugs. "Give me your best shot."

The thugs charged at Fury, who recoiled slightly. Just before they reached him, the rest of the Taskforce intercepted their attack. Armory zapped one with a mini-taser, Incognito kicked another, Titan punched a third, and even Master Mind took one out with a well-placed crossbow shot.

"I didn't need your help!" Fury growled, annoyance.

"Sure you didn't." Armory smirked. "Not when your second wind was about to blow over."

“Oh, ha-ha.” Fury scoffed. He then glanced around. “Now where’s that Steeple flapper? I still got enough left for that asshole!”

"Too late." Black called, as he descended down the stairs with a bound Steeple. "He's mine."

"Way to go, Black!" Armory smiled.

"Nice one!" Incognito added.

"I knew you could prevail." Master Mind smiled, one hoof on his bandaged wound.

"Rrrf!" Titan barked.

Fury gave out a petulant scowl as he glared at Black.

"Thanks, guys." Black grinned. "Now, let's head back. I don't know about you, but I've had enough of Applewood for one night..."

Back at the base, the team continued to applaud Black's success.

"Splendid work as always, Black." Elite smiled.

"He's back!" Ballista clapped Black on the back.

"Just like old times!" Armory grinned.

"Yeah, that really took me back." Incognito nodded.

"We truly are lucky to have you back with us." Master Mind admitted.

"Thanks, guys." Black said proudly.

Black then glanced at Fury, who was stewing in the corner of the meeting room.

“Well, Fury?” Black asked. “What do you think? Not bad for a rusty stallion, right?”

“So you took down the big kahuna, big whoop.” Fury snorted as he approached Black. “I still took out all of his thugs! You only got him because I was busy clobbering them!”

“Seriously?” Black growled, “Even now, you can’t give me just a little respect?”

"Nope." Fury smirked.

"Well, luckily, I can't afford to give you respect either." Black growled. "We were lucky to get out of that mess. Not to mention your blindly rushing in got Master Mind hurt. If I hadn’t stepped in, he'd probably be dead right now."

“For Faust’s sake, Black, he’s fine.” Fury grunted. “A little crossbow wound isn’t going to kill anypony.”

“You’re missing the point, Fury.” Black snarled, “You're a part of this team. And when you're part of a team, you have to look out for your teammates. And I'll be damned if you put anypony in this team in that situation again.”

"It's not my fault they couldn't keep up." Fury defended himself. "Besides, it's their job to go into battle and risk their lives, remember?"

"Risk them, not throw them away following a reckless loon like you." Black scowled.

"In case you haven't noticed, my way gets results." Fury snarled. "Think on that while you're on your high horse, you self-righteous-"

“Okay, that’s enough.” Elite stepped in, frowning at Fury. “Fury, while we do appreciate your initiative and your exceptional performance thus far, Black does have a point. You would do well to try and cooperate with your teammates, rather than charge headfirst into every battle.”

Fury was about to retort, but seeing the firm glance in Elite’s eyes, as well as in the others staring at him with disapproval, his beak turned into a scowl.

“Hmph, whatever.” Fury grumbled as he stormed off.

"Well, I should get back to the workshop." Armory shrugged.

"And I have to log the official mission report." Master Mind added.

"And I'm just going to bed." Incognito sighed.

"We could all use some rest." Elite noted.

"Yeah, night." Ballista nodded.

They all departed, leaving Black to stew over Fury.

"Lousy pigeon-cat." He scowled. "No respect... totally reckless..."

"Now, now." A voice declared. "Don't be so quick to judge."

Black glanced to see Barbossa approaching him.

“Barbossa? When did you get here?” Black questioned.

“Oh, just now, really. I just dropped by to see how Fury was fitting in.” Barbossa declared. “I assume things between you and Fury have not been going smoothly?”

“That’s an understatement.” Black snorted. “That Griffon has to be the most smug, stuck up piece of crap I’ve ever had the displeasure of meeting.”

“Well, that certainly does sound like Fury.” Barbossa mused.

“Really? Including the part where he recklessly charges into every situation, disregarding everypony else around him?” Black scowled.

“Yep. Always eager to get into a fight.” Barbossa nodded.

“...Him being an asshole to his comrades?” Black frowned.

“Fury is kind of a loner, yes.” Barbossa admitted.

“...Him refusing to admit that I did better than him at something?” Black deadpanned.

“Oh, definitely.” Barbossa chuckled. “Griffons are naturally prideful creatures. Fury even more so.”

“...How the hell are you friends with him?!” Black gaped. “I just told you what a jerk he's been the past couple weeks, and you're taking it like it’s perfectly normal!”

“That’s because it is.” Barbossa declared. “Fury is a powerful Nightcrawler. I did not say anything about him being the most polite Griffon.”

“But how can that be?” Black scowled. “Fury shows nothing but the utmost respect for you. It’s like he’s a completely different Griffon when you’re around.”

"Yes, well, we weren't always so." Barbossa admitted. "But over time, we came to understand one another. In fact, for the longest time, I was Fury's only friend."

"Shocker." Black snorted. "With such a winning personality, too."

"Fury had all but isolated himself from others, strongly believing that he was strong all on his own." Barbossa continued. "Even now, save for yours truly, he has little use for others."

"That explains a lot." Black sneered.

“It is my hope that this team will not only challenge Fury to better himself as a Nightcrawler, but as a Griffon, opening himself to others.” Barbossa declared. “That is exactly what I said to Elite when I told him about Fury.”

“Well, I don’t see that happening anytime soon.” Black scowled. “The guy absolutely loathes me and everypony else on the team. Can’t even get a freaking compliment from him.”

“Please do not take that personally.” Barbossa smiled. “I’m sure that when you brought down Steeple yourself, Fury was impressed. He just has a unique way of showing it.”

"Yeah?" Black grumbled. "Not exactly how I see it."

“I know you must not think much of Fury now.” Barbossa admitted. “But I can tell you without a doubt that Fury is a very kind-hearted being. And that with time, you and he just might come to respect each other as comrades, and maybe even friends.”

Black took a moment to contemplate Barbossa’s words.

“...Okay, sure.” Black sighed. “I'll keep trying with him. But don’t expect any miracles.”

“One won’t be needed.” Barbossa smiled. “I’m going to check on him right now. Would you like to come with?”

“No thanks.” Black shook his head. “I have to stop by the Pipeline. There’s somepony I'd like to have a talk with...

The present...

"And there you have it." Black declared. "That's how Fury came into our lives, and into our little family. Unfortunately, he was here to stay..."

"Unfortunately for you, or unfortunately for me?" Fury smirked.

"That's up for debate." Black frowned.

"So... shall I hazard a guess that the story isn't over quite yet?" Fletcher asked.

"You guess right." Black nodded. "There's one last tale to tell. The most important one of all."

"More important than getting your eyesight back?" Caboose gaped. "Can't wait to hear this."

"Trust me, it's one heck of a show-stopper." Black grinned.

"The grand finale, at last." Fletcher smiled. "Can't wait..."

“...Okay, you two are getting WAY too much into this,” Fury scoffed.

"Well, I suppose somepony here has to be." Caboose snorted.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Fury growled.

"Oh, nothing." Caboose smirked.

"Okay, that's enough." Black. "I'm not letting anything interrupt my story. Not when I'm almost done."

"Then by all means, continue." Fletcher smiled. "I know this going to be quite an ending."

"You don't know the half of it." Black grinned.

Author's Notes:

"Unbreakable" belongs to Fireflight.

Start Again

"So, this is it." Fletcher mused. "The big finish."

"Yeah, not too big." Black shrugged. "There's not much left to tell, but what's left is still important."

"Boy, it feels like you've been telling us this story for months." Caboose remarked. "Or at least twenty-seven chapters..."

"Makes me glad I wasn't there for the beginning." Fury sneered. "Sounds like a real snooze-fest..."

"You do know that's my life you're talking about?" Black frowned.

"Yeah, so?" Fury sneered.

"I happen to think it's been quite compelling so far." Fletcher defended Black.

"Yeah, it's the kind of story that should be made into a movie!" Caboose agreed.

"Well, don't expect me to buy a ticket." Fury snorted.

"Anyway, as I saying..." Black frowned. "After the fight with Steeple, things seemed to be going my way again.."

Not so long ago...

Following Steeple's capture, Elite followed through on Black's suggestion regarding Pike. On Elite's orders, Armory fitted a specially-built shock collar to Pike's leg.

"Okay, that should do it." He declared. "If you step outside the headquarters' radius, it'll go off, and you'll be zapped with two hundred volts."

"Yeowch." Pike cringed. "That won't tickle."

"Sorry about this, but the higher-ups think it's best to err on the side of caution..." Armory apologized.

"It's okay." Pike shrugged. "I'm still a dangerous criminal, after all. And besides, considering the Forefathers wouldn't be too pleased to see me after I ratted on them, I have no real reason to go outside. Like, ever."

"Good point." Armory mused.

"Hey, I'm just glad to finally get out of that cell." Pike smiled.

"I'm sure Black would agree." Armory chuckled.

"Well, we'll soon find out." Pike mused.

Not long after, Armory led Pike up to the meeting room, where the rest of the Taskforce were gathered.

"As you all know, Mr Redfield recently provided us with key intel that allowed us to locate and apprehend Steeple Chase." Elite declared. "He freely divulged information on one of the Forefathers' top agents. That, coupled with his being a model prisoner over the years, has encouraged me to... lessen his sentence. Not only will he be allowed to freely walk around the HQ, he will also provide us with more crucial information regarding the Forefathers."

"Welcome to the team, Pike." Black smiled.

"I haveta admit, you have been helping us out a lot lately." Ballista confessed. "So I'd say you've earned a little wiggle room."

"...Are we sure this is a good idea?" Incognito asked.

"I agree with Incognito." Master Mind frowned. "Pike was supposedly head of the Black Sheep, the Forefathers' rabid attack dogs... no offense." He said to Pike.

"None taken." Pike snorted. "But I'm not 'rabid'. I did the job because I wanted a purpose, not because I like to kill."

"And we should believe that... why?" Incognito frowned.

"Come on, guys." Black sighed. "Pike really isn't that bad. I should know. When I was starting to slip, he tried to pull me back. Just because he worked for the Forefathers doesn't mean he's totally evil."

"Black's right." Armory nodded. "Pike's been here for years, and not once has he tried to pull anything. He had every opportunity to try something when I was putting on that collar, and did nothing."

"Besides, he did give us that intel." Ballista added. "And he has plenty more to share."

"Rrf..." Titan grunted, not too fond of the idea himself.

"If you ask me, this scum should just be taken outside and thrown in a deep hole." Fury sneered.

"Thank you, Fury." Elite said flatly. "Your opinion has been noted."

"Just keep him away from me." Fury scowled. "Unless you want him to get a few new head holes."

"Wow." Pike shook his head. "And here I thought Black was exaggerating about your attitude just a little bit. Sorry, Black."

"No problem." Black shrugged. "This guy has to be seen to be believed."

"That much we can agree on." Fury scoffed. “And I'm not interesting in gettin' cozy with the Forefathers' former top killing machine.”

"Despite your personal feelings, you can be assured that we do have measures to restrain Mr Redfield if... certain matters occur." Elite admitted. "His collar has been enchanted to shock him if he attempts anything violent."

"Now you tell me." Pike sighed.

"Just a necessary precaution, mate." Ballista assured him. "To calm down the worrywarts, ya understand?"

"Yeah, sure." Pike shrugged. "But at least some of you guys trust me. That's better than nothing."

"Give it time." Black smiled. "We'll see..."

Over the coming weeks, Pike made the most of his newfound freedom, exercising in the gym and enjoying some food in the mess hall. Despite his need to get out of the cell, he found he had actually gotten used to it, and made it his quarters (after refurbishing it, of course).

Titan, Incognito and Master Mind elected to keep their distance at first, but over time, they saw that Pike wasn't making any real move to attack, and loosened up a little, though they still couldn't forget that Pike was once one of the Forefathers' agents.

Fury remained the same, however. He kept as far from Pike as possible (even more so than the others), and whenever circumstances did cause them to directly cross paths, he was less than pleasant about it.

One afternoon, Pike found himself almost bumping right into Fury as he left the mess hall.

"Watch it, jailbird." Fury scowled.

"Sor-ry." Pike snorted.

"Yeah, you should be." Fury spat. "Sorry for all the sick things you've done."

"You're talking like I enjoyed any of it." Pike countered. "I didn't. It was just a job to me, nothing more."

"That's what they all say." Fury sneered. "Of course you enjoyed it, sicko. You may have that moron Black believing your little 'reformation', but as far as I'm concerned, you're still nothing but a Forefathers flunky. So do yourself a favor and keep away from me."

"Right now, I can think of no greater pleasure..." Pike growled, as Fury walked away.

Weeks turned to months, which then turned to years. In this period of time, Pike continued to offer intel on the Forefathers. His in-depth information led the Taskforce to many secret hideouts, and some of his fellow Black Sheep. Along the way, he decided to take up woodwork.

"Seriously?" Black mused, as he saw Pike working on a slab of oak. "What are you, a colt scout?"

"Hey, I may be outta that cell, but I still gotta stay indoors." Pike shrugged. "Gotta do something to pass the time. And I figure after all these years of destroying, I should learn how to create."

"Suit yourself." Black shrugged.

"Hey, if you ever need a new piece of furniture, feel free to ask." Pike smiled.

"I'll keep that in mind..." Black rolled his eyes.

For a while, it seemed like things were starting to finally go back to normal for Black and the team… until one fateful day…

Early one morning, the Taskforce were once again brought into the meeting room. Pike had joined in too, having been permitted to come along.

"Wonder what's up?" Armory mused.

"It better be something good." Fury said grumpily. "I've been bored out of my mind lately."

"Join the club." Black rolled his eyes. "Still, it'll be good to have Elite back. What's he been doing these past few days again?"

"He's been in Canterlot." Ballista nodded. "He went up here to find a replacement for poor General Sherman. He was supposed to have returned by now, with two of the top candidates for Sherman's replacement."

"Perhaps finding candidates was harder than he thought." Master Mind frowned.

"Or he could have gotten caught in traffic." Incognito suggested.

At that moment, Elite entered the room. Everypony gasped as they saw him. He was a bit roughed up, with scratches and bruises all over, his director's cloak notably missing.

“Elite?!” Black gasped.

“Lauren Faust, mate, what happened to you?!” Ballista gaped.

“You looked like you've been mauled by a bunch of Timberwolves.” Fury frowned.

“Well, something came up over at Canterlot.” Elite let out a sigh.

“Like what?” Ballista frowned. “You told me you were bringing those two blokes in to decide which one would be General!”

“Well, see for yourself.” Elite switched on a screen. “Watch.”

To the Taskforce's surprise, a gigantic metal spider appeared onscreen. It was stomping and blasting its way through Canterlot.

"Holy buck." Ballista gaped.

"Rrrrf..." Titan growled.

“Is that… a giant metal spider?” Fury’s eyes widened, and he turned to Elite. “Is this for real?”

“Yes. I think the state I’m in would attest to that.” Elite deadpanned.

“Well, I’ll be damned.” Pike mused, getting closer to the screen. “This looks like Loveless’s work.”

“Loveless?” Armory frowned, before lighting up. “You mean Mr. Irons?”

“That’s what you've been calling him?” Pike asked. “Yeah, that’s his name. He’s the guy who made most of the Forefathers’ best gadgets and weaponry… and I gotta say, this spider is a doozy.” He then frowned. “Though I didn’t think the old stallion would be up for this kind of mindless destruction. That’s not his style.”

“Well, as awful as this is, I can’t help but admire the craftsponyship.” Armory admitted. “Nothing I've made comes close to something like that.”

"The Forefathers did this?!" Incognito gaped. "They attacked Canterlot, in broad daylight?"

"Gotta give 'em credit." Fury shrugged with a growl. "An attack like that takes guts."

"How could we not have known about this?" Master Mind frowned.

"Yeah, somepony needs to have a word with our informants." Black added, turning to Pike. “No offense.”

"Okay, everypony just relax." Elite urged. "And listen."

"Mere hours after the defeat of the monstrous metal spider, Canterlot is struggling to recover." A news reporter declared. "Details are sketchy on just what stopped the machine, but there are rumors that the Western Shade, AKA Shade Paladin, a cousin of the Prince, had a hoof in stopping it."

Black’s blood froze upon mention of his son’s name.

"Shade..." Black muttered.

"Most of the perpetrators behind the attack have either been slain, captured, or fled." The reporter continued. "No word yet on the actual motive behind the attack, but the investigation is ongoing."

The report came to an end, leaving the Taskforce with much to consider.

"I had no idea the Forefathers were prepared to launch such an attack." Master Mind frowned.

“Seriously, Elite, what the hell?” Fury glared. “Why didn’t you call us in to take care of this?”

“It’s not like I had time to make a call, Fury.” Elite deadpanned. “Time was of the essence and I needed to stop them.”

“All on your own?” Armory asked.

“Fortunately no.” Elite smirked. “I had a little help from the Captain and his Lieutenant.”

“...Wait, you mean that Fletcher and Caboose you had Titan tailing all these months?” Master Mind questioned.

-"The very same." Elite nodded. "I had my doubts at first when I met them, but they truly went far and beyond their call of duty today."

"Today, maybe." Fury retorted. "But what about tomorrow? Heck, for all you know, they just got lucky."

"Luck had nothing to do with it." Elite declared. "They used all their skill and ingenuity to make a difference. They're just the kind of recruits we need."

"Yeah, whatever you say." Fury growled.

"Give them time." Elite smiled. "I'm sure they'll grow on you. And let's face, our organization needs all the new members it can get."

"...Hey. Not that I care or anything, but where's Black?" Fury asked suddenly.

The Taskforce glanced at Black's seat, finding it empty.

“...Hold on, the news… they mentioned Shade!” Armory realized.

"Oh no..." Ballista cringed. "He must have gone to check on Shade." He turned to Elite. “Is he okay?!”

“Hard to say.” Elite shook his head. “You all remember Solomon, right?”

“Kinda hard to forget the guy who can fire lightning.” Pike snorted.

“Well, let’s just say that Solomon did not take his loss very well.” Elite frowned. “Shade tackled him into a pool of water to save Prince Shine and he got electrocuted. Last I heard, he was unconscious and barely stable.”

“Oh, crap…” Armory sighed. “...Well, I guess we can’t blame Black for going to see him. He just wants to make sure his son is okay…”

"Well, that ain't happening." Fury scoffed, standing up. "I'll get after him and drag him back here before he does something stupid. By force, if I have to..."

"Don't bother." Ballista said firmly.

"Say what?" Fury frowned.

"It'd be a waste of time." Ballista retorted. "We couldn't stop Black even if we wanted to."

"Wanna bet?" Fury scoffed.

"When Black really wants something, he won't let anything or anypony stop him." Armory remarked.

"So true." Pike chuckled. "So you might as well not bother, feathers."

"Seriously?" Fury sneered.

"That's enough, Fury." Elite told him. "I doubt Black will do anything stupid. We should have faith that he will return without incident."

"Good luck with that." Fury scoffed.

Meanwhile, Black was making his way into Canterlot. He had been in such a rush that he had neglected to don his armor, instead hiding himself under a cloak.

'I have to make sure Shade's okay.' He thought. 'If anything's happened to him...'

Once he arrived in Canterlot, Black took advantage of the recovery efforts to slip between the damaged areas unnoticed. He soon reached the castle, and slipped in using all the stealth techniques he had learned from both Shadow and Incognito. While he was no ninja, he was able to make it to the infirmary, having remembered his way around from the last time he was here. He wasn’t completely sure if Shade would be there, but he had a hunch.

That hunch turned out to be correct as Black checked the infirmary. As he did, he looked on with horror at Shade's burnt, wounded body. He read a nearby medical report, learning that he had suffered electrocution from Solomon when he tried to attack Shine.

"Oh, son..." Black whispered. "I should have been there for you. I should have always been there for you..."

Suddenly, Shade shifted in his sleep. Instinctively, Black slipped into the shadows. He was both shocked and elated to see that Shade was still alive. But that soon gave way to panic.

'I can't let him see me!' He thought. He turned towards the door, then stopped himself. 'Wait, what am I thinking? This is the chance to speak to my son for the first time in his life. I can't pass that up...'

Black remained in place as Shade awoke.

"Ow..." Shade mumbled. "Last time I go one-on-one with a pony-sized bug zapper..."

"That was pretty reckless, wasn't it?" Black grinned. "Wonder where you get that from?"

"What the- who's there?!" Shade glanced around, wincing from rising up too quickly.

"Easy there." Black declared. "Don't hurt yourself. And don't worry, I'm not here to do it for you."

"Who are you?" Shade frowned, easing himself into a more comfortable position. "Show yourself."

"You got it." Black answered.

Black stepped into the light... and Shade became dumbfounded.

"Hello, son." Black gave a small smile.

"D-dad?" Shade gaped. "But you're... which means... ...Am I dead?"

"No, but you gave it your best shot." Black shrugged.

"Then, what? Is this a dream?" Shade asked. "None of this is real?"

"I wouldn't worry about that." Black declared, more than happy to let his son believe that (for his own good). "I'm here, that's all that matters."

"That you are..." Shade frowned, as he then glared. "Took you long enough. I guess twenty-seven years late is better than never."

"Okay, I deserve that." Black Knight admitted with a cringe. "I know you're less than happy to see me."

"'Less than happy' doesn't even cover it." Shade snarled. "You left mom and me behind! You abandoned a mare who loved you, and your own unborn son, just so you could wage war on the royals!"

Black remained silent, taking each angry word calmly. But inwardly, they were like daggers to his heart.

"Obviously, your little crusade meant more to you than we did!" Shade continued his rant. "You just ran off to cause more trouble, calling yourself 'Red Eclipse', and never looking back! You broke mom's heart, and left me... left me without a dad..." His anger began to give way to sorrow. "Without a father to raise me, to guide me, to love me..."

"Shade... I really wish there was something that I could say." Black shook his head. "But I don't think word can make things right."

"Do you really want to know the worst of it all?" Shade sniffed. "You died before I could ask you why you did all those things. I have to go through the rest of my life with these questions of what could've been. Both me and mom..."

Black was wracked with guilt.

'I have to make this right.' He thought. 'Somehow...'

"...But what if I could tell you why?" He asked.

"It wouldn't do any good." Shade scoffed sadly. "You're not even real. You're just something that my probably nearly-toasted brain cooked up. Everything you say would just be what I think you'd say."

"Come on Shade, at least give me a chance." Black urged. "Anything you want to ask me, I'll try to answer as best I can. Could you give me that, at least?"

Shade glanced at Black, who was hoping with all his heart that the son he had left behind would take him up on the offer.

"Okay, I'll bite..." Shade sighed, as he then glanced at him firmly. "My first question is this... why did you leave me and mom all those years ago? Why did you leave us and never came back?"

"I had no choice, kiddo." Black shook his head.

"I've heard that one before." Shade snorted. "Mom's been feeding me that line since I was old enough to ask. And every time I hear it, I believe that line less and less."

"But it's the truth." Black insisted. "Believe me, if I had it my way, I would've never left in the first place. I would have gladly stayed with your mother, made her my wife, and we'd have raised you together."

"Yeah, right. Forgive me if I have trouble believing that." Shade growled. "...Did you even love mom?"

"You're damn right I did." Black declared, a bit peeved by that remark. He stood for nopony questioning his feelings for Belle, not even his own son. "I never loved another mare the way I loved your mother. Not before, or since. I know I've done a lot of things that I'm not proud of, but leaving her behind was the worst and the hardest thing I've ever done… and I would have given anything to take it back."

Overcome with emotion, Black felt a tear emerging. He turned away, not wanting Shade to see.

"...You really mean that?" Shade asked, shaken by Black's show of emotion.

"Of course I do." Black nodded. "Not a day went by without me thinking about her."

"Oh..." Shade murmured, his anger visibly diminishing. "You... you really did love her, didn't you?"

"Even now, I think of her every day." Black admitted. "After I left her all those years ago, I kept wanting to come back to Prairieville, if only to see how well off she was since I left."

"Did you really?" Shade frowned.

"Yes..." Black nodded. "But then... one day, I came by Praireville, after being away a couple of years. I saw her walking down the local marketplace. Then I saw a little Pegasus colt keeping close to her. Aside from the wings and the eyes, the little guy looked like a miniature version of me. It was there and then that I realize that I hadn't just left behind the mare I love... but I left behind a son. And it hurt.." He closed his eyes and shuddered softly, the pain of leaving them behind as fresh as ever. "It hurt a lot."

"Dad..." Shade sighed.

"All I could do was watch from afar whenever I could and see you grow up." Black confessed. "While it pained me to not be a part of your life... it did me proud, knowing what a strong and kind stallion you had become..."

"Yet you weren't proud enough to come and see me face-to-face." Shade frowned.

Shade's statement struck a chord with Black, who knew just how right his son was.

"I couldn't." Black sighed. "If I could have, I would, but I couldn't. I wasn't even supposed to know that you existed, let alone come back to Prairieville. It was a dangerous road I walked. And I had to walk it alone. Even if it meant leaving your mother... and turning my back on my brother... I had to cut myself off from everypony I knew and loved, so that you'd all be safe."

"Safe from who? The Forefathers?" Shade asked.

"...Who told you that name?" Black's eyes widened in shock.

"Solomon." Shade muttered. "It's a long story, but he said that you and him and these 'Forefathers' went back a long way, and that you kept getting in their way. Am I to assume that's what you meant by 'dangerous path'?"

"You're a sharp kid, alright." Black chuckled. "Must've gotten that from your mother..."

"But is it true?" Shade asked. "Are they part of the reason you did all those things?"

"That I cannot truly say." Black frowned. "Let's say just say there were certain circumstances... but regardless, I never lost sight of what truly mattered to me..."

"...Well, I guess that's something." Shade shrugged.

"...I truly am sorry that I had to leave." Black frowned. "If I had known... if only I'd stayed a little longer..."

"If it's any consolation, I'm sorry too." Shade admitted. "Maybe if things had been different, I wouldn't have turned out to be a low-life thief. Then again, maybe not..."

'I know those thoughts all too well...' Black mused.

"Don't blame others for your choices, Shade." He declared. "I have full confidence that your mother raised you right. That she raised you to be a good and decent stallion."

"She did." Shade nodded. "She was the kindest, most caring mother I ever could have asked for."

"That's my girl." Shade smiled. "I knew she'd do fine without me..."

"The truth is, I only became a member of the Fifty Thieves so I could pay for her medical bills." Shade admitted. "She was sick, and I had to see to it that she got well..."

"And you did everything you could to help her get well again." Black smiled. "Even if it meant breaking the law..."

"I wonder where I got that from?" Shade joked.

"You're a fine stallion, Shade." Black smiled. "Just as I always hoped you'd be. I'm sorry I never got the chance to tell you before now..."

"Well, you're telling me now." Shade pointed out. "Even if it is in some weird dream..."

"Yeah." Black chuckled... before sighing. "I don't expect you to forgive me, son. I only wanted to let you know the truth. You can judge for yourself whether or not it makes a lick of difference. But I'll always be proud of you, no matter what you think of me..."

"I forgive you, dad." Shade sniffed, his eyes welling up. "And... I love you."

"...I love you too, son." Black smiled warmly, his eyes misty, as he wrapped his hoof around Shade, bringing him to his chest. "I've always wanted to hold you in my hooves, to make sure you're safe and happy. You may not be a foal any more, but at least I finally got the chance."

"Yeah..." Shade returned the hug. "For years, I dreamed about what this would feel like."

"Is it everything you thought it would be?" Black asked.

"Even better." Shade smiled.

'Same here.' Black thought, as he moved his hoof to the back of his neck, lightly pinching a nerve as he placed a patch with a powerful anaesthetic on the back of Shade's neck. It was one of Armory's latest innovations; the drug would be absorbed into the victim's skin without their knowledge, and knock them out in moments. 'It's too bad I can't let you think this was all real...' He released his son, taking the patch with him.

"I've heard about your fighting prowess, Shade." Black announced, ruffling his son's mane. "You're a real scrapper, just like your old pop."

"Well, mom wasn't going to teach me anything like that." Shade shrugged. "I pretty much taught myself. Never knew until now how I could be so good at it."

"Like father, like son." Black smiled. "But I like to think you're putting your skills to better use than I did."

"Not exactly." Shade admitted. "But that might just change..."

"That's my boy." Black chuckled.

The two shared a lingering smile.

"I'm sorry, Shade." Black declared suddenly. "But I have to go now."

"Go?" Shade whimpered. "But... why?"

"It's complicated, son..." Black sighed. "But there's still much for me to do..."

"No, please..." Shade weakly cried. "I still have so many questions... and I feel like if this dream ends... I'll never see you again..."

"I know..." Black whispered. He kissed Shade on the forehead, and rose up. "One day... one day, we'll see each other again. I promise..." He then rubbed his son's mane. "Just rest up, okay?"

"D-dad..." Shade silently sobbed, as his vision blurred.

"I'll always be with you, son." Black declared, as Shade drifted into unconsciousness. "Always..."

Once Shade's eyes had closed, Black put his cloak put on and departed the castle. A part of him was sorry the meeting had to end so soon, but the other part was glad he finally had the chance to talk with his son.

'I finally got to see what kind of stallion my boy became.' Black smiled. 'He's better than I ever could have imagined...'

As Black rounded a corner, he found himself face-to-face with Elite.

“Elite.” Black gasped.

“Black.” Elite nodded, “I figured I would find you here.”

“...I’m sorry, Elite.” Black sighed. “I know I wasn’t supposed to… but he’s my son… and I had to make sure-”

“There’s no need to explain, Black.” Elite smiled, placing his metal hoof on Black's shoulder. “I understand completely. To be honest, after everything the boy has been through these past couple of days, I think he needed this as much as you did.”

"Thanks, Elite." Black smiled. "I know after everything I've done, it can't be easy to trust me, and me just rushing off like that didn't exactly inspire confidence..."

"On the contrary." Elite countered. "I knew the reason for you rushing off. Besides, I have always trusted you. Nothing will ever changed that. Even when you left, I always trusted you'd somehow find your way back."

"Thanks, Elite." Black said, humbled. "I'm still not sure I deserve that kind of trust, but having a boss like you makes me all the more determined to live up to it."

"In truth, I can't imagine my life without you, old friend." Elite admitted.

"Me neither." Black nodded. "Especially considering you helped me make it worth something."

"It always was." Elite assured him.

“Well, I guess I should be heading back before somepony catches you and me together.” Black joked.

“Actually, Black… I think you should stick around for awhile.” Elite stopped him.

"...Why?" Black frowned.

"Well, for starters, it wouldn't hurt for you to keep an eye on your boy for a while longer." Elite smiled. "Not to mention your input on our possible recruits would be invaluable..."

"Well, I guess for you, I'd be willing to pitch in." Black agreed. "And I wouldn't mind being able to watch over Shade a little longer."

"Excellent." Elite smiled. "I knew I could count on you."

"Always." Black nodded.

The present...

"So… weeks later, after Elite made my son an RDL general and we'd both run down some leads in Canterlot, Elite decided the time was right to bring in the new recruits." Black recapped. "And he asked me to introduce myself to them. I wasn't thrilled at first, but he convinced me it was the best way to earn your confidence. And that's pretty much the whole story up until now."

"Wait, it can't be over yet." Caboose frowned. "Who were those new recruits you were talking about?"

"...Caboose, they were us." Fletcher rolled his eyes.

"Oh, yeah." Caboose smiled. "That makes sense..." He frowned. “I think?”

“So, now you both know my whole life story.” Black declared. “...Do with this what you will. If you still don’t want to associate yourself with me, I won’t hold it against you.”

Fletcher and Caboose glanced at each other, then at Black.

"Well, I must say, this story has certainly helped to change my perception of you over the last few days." Fletcher admitted. "But I'm still having a bit of trouble processing it all."

"I get it completely." Caboose smirked.

"Either way, we're going to need some time to think over the offer." Fletcher mused.

“I understand.” Black nodded.

“Take all the time you need.” Elite declared. “We will have our ponies take you back to Canterlot.”

“Thank you, sir.” Fletcher saluted.

“Just curious, what exactly do we tell our wives about… this?” Caboose questioned, before glancing at Black. “Aside from the war-monger that's supposed to be dead.”

“Just tell them that you are being considered for the positions of consultants for the RDL.” Ballista declared. “As far as they know, you would be both called upon to help RDL with official ‘RDL business’ from time to time. Trust me, the less they know about what we do and who we face, the better.”

“Hmm, I dunno, I’m not really good at keeping secrets.” Caboose frowned.

“Let me put it this way.” Fury stepped forth. “You tell anypony, you'll become my personal pin cushion.”

“...You can’t do that.” Caboose frowned. “If you did, I would die.”

Fury remained silent, as he glanced at Fletcher.

“Is he for real?” Fury glared.

“Yes, he is.” Fletcher nodded. “But you don’t need to worry. Caboose and I won't tell anypony. I swear.”

"You'd better not..." Fury growled.

Shortly after, Caboose and Fletcher prepared to depart back to their families in Canterlot.

"Well, it's been great getting to know all of you." Fletcher announced to the gathered Taskforce.

"A blast." Caboose nodded, before glancing at Fury. "Mostly..."

Fury narrowed his eyes slightly, but otherwise showed no indication of acknowledging Caboose.

"It's been good to get you both too." Incognito smiled.

"You're both really great guys." Armory added.

"And I have no doubt you'll make excellent operatives." Master Mind nodded.

"If they decide to join." Black noted. "It's up to them."

"We look forward to hearing your decision." Elite smiled.

"Just don't leave it too long." Ballista joked. "I hate waitin'..."

"We'll try to be quick." Caboose shrugged. "But I never was the best decision-maker. You should see me at restaurants when I have to choose between soup or salad..."

"A decision this big does require some ruminating." Fletcher admitted. "But after some time at home, I'm sure the right decision will occur to us. Until then."

Fletcher and Caboose departed, Caboose waving as they did.

"You think they'll go for it?" Incognito asked.

"I hope so." Armory smiled.

"Statistically, it seems quite probable." Master Mind declared.

"Forget 'probable'." Black snorted. "I say it's a certainty."

"As do I." Elite agreed. "I have no doubt they reply in the positive."

"I don't care either way." Fury scoffed.

"Really?" Ballista smirked. "I never would've guessed..."

Fletcher and Caboose returned home to their respective families, by which time it was evening.

"I'm back!" Caboose grinned, as he entered his home.

"Hi, dad!" Hurricane beamed.

"Daddy!" Michael hugged him.

"You've been gone a while, haven't you?" Daring kissed her husband. "Whatever they've got in mind for you must be really important if it means you're spending so much time away from us."

"Nothing's more important to me than all of you." Caboose smiled, kissing Daring. "No job is gonna change that."

"I know." Daring smiled, as they all hugged.

Meanwhile, Fletcher returned to his own home.

"Hey, handsome." Dove embraced him. "How was your day?"

"Not too bad." Fletcher declared. "Caboose and I are being heavily considered as consultants to the RDL."

"Not bad." Dove smiled. "Are you going to accept?"

"I still need some time to think about it." Fletcher shrugged.

"Well, you take all the time you need." Dove told him. "But not too much time. Gotta save some focus for me and our foal."

"Like I'd ever forget." Fletcher stroked Dove's stomach lovingly.

After having dinner with their families, Fletcher and Caboose climbed into bed alongside their spouses, thoughts of their upcoming decision still on their minds until they fell asleep.

Early the next morning, Fletcher slipped out of bed and went for a walk around Canterlot, mulling over the decision. As he did, he came across a monument to Celestia, and saw Caboose nearby, gazing at it.

“Caboose?”

Caboose glanced to his right as Fletcher joined his side.

“Hey, Fletch.” Caboose smiled. “Had trouble sleeping?”

“Yeah. Couldn’t sleep a wink.” Fletcher frowned. “So… what are you doing here? When I came by your place earlier, Daring told me you went out to look at Equestrian monuments… what’s up with that?”

“It’s something I saw in a movie once.” Caboose admitted. “When this one actor was asked to join a bunch of patriotic secret agents to take on some evil government run by this funny evil dictator, he went to all the monuments while that one song ‘Freedom Isn’t Free’ played in the background before he decided to join the team. I thought if I did that, it might help me make up my mind.”

“And?” Fletcher urged.

“It did not help one bit.” Caboose grimaced. “All I get when I look at this monument is an urge to smash it with a hammer…” He then tilted his head. “I think it might have something to do with the fact that I’m Bitalian instead of Equestrian.”

“I don’t think so.” Fletcher mused, raising his hooves on the rail. “I think it’s just different for some ponies. Some things brings out different feelings in different ponies.”

“Yeah, like that new Ghostbuckers movie.” Caboose pouted. “Seriously, ponies get so ticked off over the stupidest things.”

“I guess they do.” Fletcher chuckled… then frowned. “So… what do you think, Caboose? About joining the Director and Black in their fight against these Forefathers?”

“...That no matter what Elite said, I'm still getting an Avengers vibe from this whole Taskforce thing.” Caboose frowned.

“I’m serious, Caboose.” Fletcher groaned. “I understand now that Black was never the awful pony we believed him to be. His story makes me want to join the Taskforce and protect Equestria… but at the same time… it scares me a little..

“It does?” Caboose frowned.

“Yes…” Fletcher admitted. “I mean, look at all the damage that a small group of Forefathers affiliates caused to Canterlot.”

“To be fair, they did have a giant metal spider.” Caboose added.

“That only makes things more daunting.” Fletcher shook his head. “...One of them had my wife… my pregnant wife at bowpoint. Had the Director and I not been there…” The young stallion couldn’t bring himself to finish the thought.

“But you were there.” Caboose frowned. “And you both kicked his flank.”

“Yeah… but does that mean I should join the Taskforce?” Fletcher questioned. “If I do, I could be putting my wife and my unborn foal in the crosshairs again.” He glanced at Caboose, fear in his eyes. “Should I take that risk? Should we take the risk?”

“...Well…” Caboose took a moment to ponder it. “It’s not like we’re not qualified. I mean, we both kick ass with our killer moves and our killer looks!”

“Not exactly how I would put it, but go on.” Fletcher shrugged.

“And we both know that these Forefathers guys are pretty bad news. I mean, they had a giant metal spider! If that isn’t evil, then I don’t know what is.” Caboose reasoned.

“Also true, but if we were to join the Taskforce, we would be making ourselves the enemies of some of the most dangerous ponies the world has probably ever seen. And what of our families?” Fletcher asked.

“...To be honest, Fletcher, I think that bridge has been burnt.” Caboose cringed. “I mean, those guys on the spider will probably remember us after seeing us with Elite. And if that jerk Killsquad was with the Forefathers, then I think they might go after my brothers anyways… then again, me and my brothers did piss off a lot of ponies over the years.”

“But that only proves my point.” Fletcher frowned. “What if we're not good enough? What if we can’t protect the ponies we love?”

“...Then we just protect them harder.” Caboose declared.

“Protect them… harder?” Fletcher repeated.

“Yeah.” Caboose nodded. “Look, maybe we will be putting everypony we love in danger if we take this job. But hey, that’s why we’re Royal Guards, ain’t it? Protecting is what we do. And not to toot anypony’s horn, but we've done a pretty good job so far, right?”

"Yes, we have." Fletcher admitted.

"And we'll do an even better job as part of Elite's group." Caboose noted. "We'll be able to go places no Royal Guard, royal, or even Napoleon can go."

"We can do everything in our power to defend Equestria, and our loved ones." Fletcher smiled.

"We can help stop those Forefather creeps from ruining more lives!" Caboose cheered.

"And save many more lives into the bargain!" Fletcher grinned.

"So what do you think, pal?" Caboose smiled.

"What do you think?" Fletcher asked.

The two looked at each other, then said at the same time:

"I'm in."

"Nice." Caboose chuckled.

"Like I'd let you do this alone." Fletcher smirked. "In fact, let's make a pact, right now; No matter what happens, no matter what trials we face in the future, we'll always have each others' backs."

"With pleasure." Caboose nodded.

The two shook hooves.

"Now, we have to let others know of our decision." Fletcher declared.

"And I know just who to start with..." Caboose smiled.

Not long after, Fletcher returned to his home.

"Where have you been?" Dove asked, both worried and angry. "I saw the bed was empty, and I thought-"

"I'm sorry, darling." Fletcher sighed. "But I needed to think. And after all that thinking, I decided to take the job."

"Good to know." Dove smiled. "Our little one could use the extra money."

"I promise, I will give that foal the very best." Fletcher hugged Dove tightly.

"I never doubted that." Dove kissed him.

Meanwhile, Caboose entered his own home. Hurricane had already left for Junior Guardspony training, while Michael was sleeping off his breakfast in a highchair.

"I hope you have a good excuse for just lamming out to 'look at monuments' like that?" Daring scowled.

"I just needed to get my head together." Caboose shrugged.

"No offense, but you'd need more than a morning to pull that off." Daring joked.

"Funny." Caboose snorted. "But you should know, I'm gonna take that job. I'm gonna do more to help protect Equestria."

"That's my handsome hero." Daring snuggled him.

"Aww..." Caboose chuckled.

The next day, Caboose and Fletcher returned to the HQ.

"We've made our decision." Fletcher announced to the gathered team. "And we've decided to accept Elite's generous offer."

"Yep." Caboose nodded. "We're in this for the long haul."

"Knew it." Black grinned.

"Welcome aboard!" Armory cheered.

"I'm not surprised." Master Mind smirked. "It was the logical choice."

"Good to have you with us." Incognito nodded.

"Always good to add more to the fold." Ballista smiled.

"I never had a doubt you would accept." Elite declared. "I've seen enough of both of you to know you have both the nobility and the altruism to serve with us."

"Rest assured, we will make you proud of us." Fletcher nodded.

"You already have." Black assured him.

"Thanks, everypony." Caboose beamed. "All this support and welcoming attitudes is really getting to me..." He wiped a tear from his eye. "I love you guys!"

"Oh, barf." Fury growled as he made to leave the room. "I'm out of here."

“Well, now that you two are here, we can get to work on integrating you both into the team.” Elite smiled. “I just have to run some paperwork, and get you settled in, and you two will be ready to take on your first mission in no time.”

“That would be wonderful.” Fletcher nodded. “I promise you, sir, we won’t let you down.”

“We know you won’t.” Ballista nodded as he joined Elite, “I’ll go and help Elite out with those paperwork.”

"I’m lookin' forward to workin' with you guys." Armory smirked.

"We all are." Incognito agreed. "But right now, we have work of our own to get to."

"Indeed." Master Mind agreed. "Though we will be interacting further soon..."

The three stallions departed. Soon, it was just Fletcher, Caboose, and Black.

“I’m really glad that you two are joining.” Black smiled. “After everything I heard about you guys, I know that having you around will make things more… interesting.”

“Well, we have you to thank for it.” Fletcher declared. “You truly are a great stallion. And I’m sorry for doubting you in the beginning.”

“You have nothing to be sorry for.” Black shook his head. “After all, the Crystal Sun incident was mostly my fault anyway. You had every right to hate me for what I did.”

“But look at all the good you've done.” Fletcher smiled. “You've been fighting these Forefathers for so many years. You gave up your life... twice, just so you could protect Equestria. I don’t think I've ever met a stallion who was strong enough to give so much.”

“Please, you’re too kind.” Black said humbly.

“I mean it, Black.” Fletcher nodded. “...I know if White was still alive, he would be proud of you.”

“...Thanks.” Black sighed. “But at this point, I'll never know what he'd really think…”

Caboose glanced at Black… when a brilliant idea came to his head.

“...Say Black, remember in chapter fourteen when you said you had a dream where you told White everything and apologized for all of it?” Caboose asked.

“...Chapter fourteen?” Black frowned.

“Just humor him.” Fletcher urged. “It’s something Caboose does sometimes. I think he means when White died and how you said you wanted a chance to tell him the whole truth.”

“Oh… yeah.” Black frowned. “Yeah, that was my dream… but that’s all it was. It’s not like I can talk to White again…”

“Or can you?” Caboose smiled.

“What are you getting at?” Black asked.

“I’m getting that you actually can talk to White.” Caboose declared. “...Well, technically, you can talk to his spirit, but I think that’s the same thing.”

"...Okay, you've said some crazy things, but that takes the cake." Black shook his head. “And no offense, this is one crazy thing that I am not finding funny. I don’t believe in that backwoods stuff.”

“I’m being serious, Black.” Caboose smirked. “You can go to the Garden of Souls!”

"The what now?" Black frowned.

“It’s this place on a floating island that isn’t really floating anymore, because it crashed into the surface.” Caboose explained. “Point is, I went there when it was floating, on a trip to help Discord find his soulmate. And she showed us this place where you can talk to dead folks!”

"Seriously?!" Black gaped.

"It's all true." Fletcher nodded. “I've met the former inhabitants of the island. And I utilized the Garden to speak with my departed grandma.”

“...So, this ‘Garden’ can allow ponies to talk to the dead?” Black asked, stupefied.

“Uh-huh. The place helped me talk to my dad and older brother's spirits." Caboose smiled. "It could do the same for you… if you want to go, that is."

Black mulled the idea over. It all seemed impossible, but he had heard about some kind of island dropping out of the sky a while back and how it tied to this Nalik character the Taskforce had been observing for a while before his sudden demise. If there was even a chance Caboose was speaking the truth, he had to take it. He couldn't pass up the opportunity to speak his brother one last time.

"...Okay, I'll give it a shot." Black nodded. "All I need are directions."

"Comin' right up." Caboose smiled.

A few days later, Black made his way to the island that was once the sanctuary to the Serpent Deities. He had asked Elite to come along for emotional support.

“Huh, so this is the fallen sanctuary…” Elite whistled, as he and Black walked through the forest on the island. “It’s hard to believe this has been hovering in our skies for eons.”

“Yeah. And in a few moments, I'll be seeing White again…” Black nodded, as he frowned. “It kinda makes me nervous. I've been dreaming of this moment for years, but I never thought I'd get the chance… I just hope he wants to see me…”

"I'm sure he will." Elite smiled. "Believe me, White loved you. He'll be glad to see you again."

"That's what I keep telling myself." Black mused. “...I’m glad that you decided to come with me.”

“Of course, Black.” Elite nodded. “I promised myself when you woke up from that coma that I would never let you down again. I have your back, Black.”

“...Thank you.” Black gave a small smile.

The two made their way through the downed island, taking care to avoid the guards that were posted throughout the exterior. Following Caboose’s (very confusing) directions, they finally arrived at the ivy curtain that covered the entrance to the Garden.

“So… this is the Garden of Souls…” Black whispered, as the two made their way into the misty garden.

“Yes, indeed.” Elite nodded. “Though, it seems less of a garden, and more of a fogbank.”

“Tell me about it.” Black declared. He then noticed the big hole in the center. “This must be where the souls come from…”

"It appears so." Elite nodded. "...Are you ready, Black?"

"I want to say 'yes', but I'm really not sure." Black sighed. "A part of me is worried about what White will say to me."

"It'll be better for both of you to get it all out in the open." Elite encouraged him.

"I guess it can't make things much worse..." Black shrugged.

"That's the spirit." Elite nodded.

"Okay, here we go..." Black muttered, as he stood near the hole in the middle of the foggy garden.

"Remember, focus on White, and you'll see him." Elite urged.

"Obviously." Black nodded.

Black closed his eyes, concentrating hard on the thought of White. His brother, his best friend, the pony he cared for most…

“Come on, please work… please work…” Black clenced his eyes shut.

Slowly, a figure emerged from the mists. A figure who appeared to be white in color, and possessed wings...

"White?" Black smiled hopefully.

However, the figure turned out not to be White, but Ivory Paladin, their father.

"Dad?" Black gaped.

“Black…” Ivory said firmly, the frown on his face apparent.

“...Um... wow.” Black murmured, not sure what to say to his father. “...I didn’t expect to see you.”

“Nor I you.” Ivory frowned. “After all this time, I thought you were dead… yet here you are…” Ivory reached forward, as his hoof phased into Black’s body. Black shivered a bit as Ivory pulled it back out. “...Alive. I admit, I am a bit surprised.”

“You and me both.” Black admitted. “It was a pretty close call, though.”

“...Hmph, not close enough.” Ivory scoffed.

Black stifled a growl. Somehow, he'd known his father would say something like that.

“Look, Dad, it's not that I'm not happy to see you.” Black declared sarcastically. “But I was expecting to see somepony else.”

“Oh, I know.” Ivory nodded, his voice ice cold. “I could sense you calling out for your brother. You wish to speak to him, don’t you?”

“That’s right.” Black nodded. “And don’t take this the wrong way, but you can go back to the spirit world now.”

“I don’t think so.” Ivory retorted with a fierce glare.

Black felt a chill, recognizing the glare his father had from his childhood. But he had to stand his ground.

“Dad… I know what you're going to say.” Black glared back. “And honestly, I don’t want to hear it, especially from you. Now go away.”

“You have some nerve, boy.” Ivory seethed. “Coming here to this sacred place, demanding to talk to your brother. Haven’t you caused him enough pain?”

“That’s why I’m here!” Black protested. “I want to talk to him! Make things right!”

“Well, that isn’t going to happen.” Ivory glared. “I won’t let those wounds you gave White reopen by allowing you to talk to him.”

“Oh? And what are you going to do?” Black pointed out. “It’s not like you can stop me.”

"Just leave, Black." Ivory growled. "There's nothing here for you."

"I'll be the judge of that." Black snorted. “I want to talk to my brother… and I'm not leaving until I do.”

“...Unbelievable… you haven’t changed one bit…” Ivory looked at Black with disdain. “You’re still the same mule-headed, disobedient child you always were."

“And you're still the cold, distant, impossible-to-please father you ever were." Black shot back.

“Yes, the father that raised you, took care of you, and tried to set you on the straight and narrow path… only for you to throw it all back in my face.” Ivory scoffed.

"Is that what you call it?" Black asked, incensed. "You call insulting me, yelling at me, and pushing me around being examples of a good parent? Because if so, then you deserved that 'World's Best Dad' mug White got you!"

"Don't act like you were a perfect little well-behaved angel." Ivory scoffed. "We both know you were a troublemaker from the start. Even as a foal, you'd throw your toys and food around, break things... Whenever I said 'no', you'd seem to take it as a challenge."

"That's not the way I remember it." Black retorted.

"But it's the way I remember it." Ivory growled. "As far as I knew, you enjoyed ignoring my rules and causing all kinds of trouble. And it only got worse as you got older. You just kept on causing trouble. And yes, maybe I was a little harsh... but not without good reason."

“You know, ever since I was a kid, I always wondered why you never loved me.” Black frowned. “I spent years trying to think of why you never looked at me the way you looked at White. Why nothing I ever did was good enough for you…” He then glared viciously at Ivory. “Then it hit me… you never truly believed I was your son… did you?”

Ivory did not bother to answer, his glare hardening.

“Yeah, it all made sense.” Black growled. “You think mom cheated on you. You had no proof, but you were too proud to admit that you sired a Earth Pony. So proud that you treated me like some dirty little mistake… and why? Because I wasn’t born with wings?!”

“Maybe I did… maybe I didn’t.” Ivory grunted. “But I needed no proof. The Paladins have been nothing but a pure and proud bloodline of Pegasi, going back to the days before that of the Royal Sisters! But then you came along… you being an Earth Pony had tainted it all.”

“...I was just a foal.” Black seethed. “A young, innocent foal, yet you hated me! You didn’t even try to love me!”

“That’s a lie!” Ivory snarled, trying to stare Black down. “I did nothing but try ever since you were born! But here’s the thing… you can’t truly love a child that isn’t yours! That's always been the problem! You were never my son! Just a illegitimate child produced by some nopony that your mother adulterated with!”

“Yet you never blamed mom.” Black glared. “Only me.”

“She was my wife. The mare I promised I would stand by 'till the end of days.” Ivory glared. “But you wouldn’t know that, would you? How is that mare from Praireville and that boy of yours doing? You know… the ones you abandoned?”

“You leave Belle and Shade out of this!” Black roared.

"Like you have?" Ivory smirked. "You left them out of your life a long time ago..."

"Why, you..." Black snarled.

"Though I must admit, I was surprised to see that the boy was a Pegasus." Ivory mused. "That must be from his mother's side of the family. It couldn't possibly have come from you. You, the one wingless smear on an endless line of proud Paladin Pegasi..."

“...Well, that’s where you're wrong.” Black glared. “...You see, a while back, I decided to go digging into our family tree. The one you claim that I have no part in. And you wouldn’t believe what I found… does the name 'Trowel' ring any bell?”

“...Should it?” Ivory frowned.

“You see, as the records say, your great-great-great-great-great-great-uncle, Ashen Cavalry Paladin, had a thing for sleeping around with mares when he wasn’t out leading ponies into battle." Black revealed. "Apparently, the Pegasus noble he married couldn’t bare him foals or something. As luck would have it, he got one of those mares pregnant… a mare named Blossom Trowel… an Earth Pony mare.”

“No…” Ivory whispered. “You’re lying! How dare you drag one the name of our ancestors through the dirt with your slander! There is no way that he would commit adultery… not with…”

“An Earth Pony?” Black finished, a knowing sneer on his face. “I assure you dad, it’s all true. I have the records to prove it. Your so-called pure bloodline isn’t so pure after all.”

"...That proves nothing!" Ivory snarled. "Even if there was Earth Pony blood in our bloodline, it should have died out by my generation! And that doesn't prove that you're my son!"

"Oh, really?" Black challenged. "Then what about what mom once told me?"

"What did she tell you?" Ivory sneered.

"She told me about a magical night you two shared, just before I was born." Black declared. "She told me how you took her out for a picnic one beautiful, cloudless night. She talked about how beautiful the stars were, the loving words you whispered in her ear, how you'd brought all her favorite foods."

"That was..." Ivory gaped. The memory of that wonderful night was among his most cherished thoughts. "That was a good night..."

"The night before you went on your little trip." Black nodded. "Mom told me you did all that to make up for being away. That you treated her like a Queen. That you were never more loving or caring... And she also told me that the day after you left, she found out she was pregnant with me."

Ivory just stared solemnly.

"So there's your proof." Black said firmly. "Mom never cheated on you. I am born out of one of the greatest expressions of love you ever gave her. There's no doubt about that."

Ivory was about to retort… but he couldn't argue with that. The proof was damning beyond all reason.

“Don’t you get it, dad?” Black shook his head. “I have always been your son… and deep down, you knew it… but you couldn’t get over the fact that I was an Earth Pony. You hated me not because I wasn’t your son… but because you hated Earth Ponies… because you’re a Faust damn rac-”

“Silence!” Ivory snapped, livid beyond all reason. “I’m... I’m not... I’m a Paladin… not one of those bigoted swines…”

“That would also explain a lot… like the contempt you held for Big Red, Cherry, and Marshall.” Black pressed. “If they didn’t have wings, they were beneath you, am I right, dad? Am I?!”

Ivory was aghast, trying to recover from Black’s accusation, but too angry to speak, his eyes twitching and his fur all ruffled…

However, he took a deep breath… and then, he regained the sneer he held earlier.

“...So what?” Ivory scoffed. “So what if you're a Paladin by blood? That only makes what you’ve done even worse.”

Black frowned deeply.

“You’ve brought shame on our family a hundred times over." Ivory spat. "I've been observing you from the spirit world, and I saw you commit atrocity after atrocity. I swear, if it wasn’t for White and his son, our name would have been hated and reviled… all because of you!”

"Seriously?" Black scowled. "I know I've made mistakes, but the good outweighs the bad!"

"Not in my eyes." Ivory retorted. "You killed wantonly, freely, and at times, without reason. No amount of 'good' you've done will ever wash that blood from your hooves. That blood will forever mark you as a disgrace to the Paladin family name. And I will forever be ashamed of you for bringing that disgrace upon us."

Black grit his teeth, angered and saddened that his father still had nothing but loathing for him.

"You're wrong." Elite suddenly stepped forward.

"Excuse me?" Ivory snarled.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Paladin. But I've been keeping silent long enough.” Elite glared. “If you’ve been watching Black as you say you have, then you'd know that he has worked hard to uphold your family's honor for years. True, there were some slip-ups along the way, but the fact remains: he's done more good than evil in this world."

"Says the stallion who sanctioned him to practically commit murder." Ivory spat. "Need I remind you of that little village? All the innocents slaughtered because of him?"

“It was for the greater good.” Elite protested. “What would you have done in Black’s hooves?”

“It doesn’t matter what would have, could have, and should have been done!” Ivory glared. “What matters is the fact that Black murdered that entire village!”

"You don't have to remind me."

Ivory, Black, and Elite lit up in surprise as another figured emerged from the fog… Rookie Blue. He looked as well as he did before his untimely death in Reinadh.

"Rookie?!" Black gaped. "But how? I-I didn't..."

"I came here of my own accord." Rookie smiled.

“...Rookie… I…” Caught up in his desire to see White again, Black had completely forgotten about Rookie. Seeing his dear, departed friend right there in front of him caused him to choke. “I…” He sighed deeply. “I don’t… I don’t know what to say. I can’t imagine what you must think of me… after what I did to you… if you’re here to blame me… I'll understand…”

"I'm not." Rookie smiled. "I'm here to tell you that I understand why you did what you did. And my death wasn't your fault."

“Huh?” Black frowned.

“What nonsense!” Ivory spat. “I saw what happened. It was because of Black you were on that mission! That mission got you killed!”

“But my death was out of Black’s control.” Rookie retorted. "He never meant for me to die. And even if he did lie to us, even if he led us to kill innocents, the mission was still for the good of Equestria. In my time here, I've come to realize who those ponies in the village were and what they were going to do with the Changelings. What Black did was a necessary evil, required to save countless lives! Surely, you must know the truth, too!”

“I do… yet he could have easily have you capture them.” Ivory huffed. “It doesn’t matter if those vermin were sick, or those ponies were evil. Black led you to kill them all. And because of that, you’re here!”

“I do realize that.” Rookie nodded. “But I’m okay with it. I have been for a while.” He turned to Black. “That’s why I’m here. When I sensed you were here, I came because I wanted to tell you this, Black… don’t blame yourself.”

“Don’t… but Rookie…” Black murmured.

“Trust me Black, I knew what I was getting into when I signed up for the RDL.” Rookie admitted. “And while I died earlier than expected, I was lucky to do so alongside good friends and comrades like you and the others."

"Rookie..." Black whispered, humbled.

“What's more, I was able to leave you and White with a piece of me. White got my locket… and you got the mixtape.” Rookie smirked. “I’m glad that you held onto it for so long.”

"Hey, you have great taste in music." Black smiled. "It really got me through some tough times…”

“Are you serious right now?!” Ivory spat at Rookie. “Black basically killed you, yet you treat him like he’s your friend? How in Faust’s name can you not hate him?!”

“Because I don’t.” Rookie said firmly. “What good would hating Black do? I had no reason to hate him back then… and I have no reason now.”

“That is pathetic.” Ivory growled. “You’re just like White… a bleeding-heart-”

"It’s not pathetic."

Again, another figure emerged from the fog… that of Shadow Slinker, as he was before his death.

"Shadow." Black smiled.

“Shadow!” Elite gasped, elated to see his comrade again.

"Oh, great… another of my son's foolish friends." Ivory scoffed.

“Black… Boss… it’s great to see you both again.” Shadow Slinker grinned.

"You too, pal." Black nodded.

“No words can describe how happy I am to see you again.” Elite smirked.

“What is it that you want?” Ivory glared.

“Well, it’s simple really.” Shadow Slinker declared. “I’m here to tell you that Black here is one of the most loyal and noble teammates I’ve ever had. I was proud to fight by his side, and call him ‘friend’. I knew from the moment Elite took him in all those years ago that he was something special. That he was a stallion meant for great things…” He then glared at Ivory. “Why can’t you say the same?”

“Oh, like I'm going to be lectured by a thief.” Ivory said stubbornly. “Look, you may be his friends and all, but I've seen Black for the stallion he truly is. I have raised this boy, and there is nopony who knows a stallion better than family.”

"Unless that family never bothers to get to know him." Black spat.

"I know you all too well, Black." Ivory sneered. "You are nothing but a gnarled branch on our family tree. A sad parody of what a Paladin is truly meant to be."

"Yeowch." Shadow Slinker cringed. "And you're supposed to be his father?"

"To my regret." Ivory snarled.

"You're wrong about Black." Elite declared. "He is one of the most noble stallions I have ever met."

"No kidding." Rookie agreed. "I'm proud to call him my friend."

"You all just stay out of this." Ivory growled. "Just because you can't see what Black really is doesn't mean I share that same affliction-"

"That's enough." Another voice rang out.

Black’s ears perked up. He could recognize that voice anywhere. The voice of the stallion he had grown up with. The voice he knew and loved…

Once again, another figure emerged from the mist… this time, it was none other than White Knight.

“White…” Black whispered, his heart beating faster and faster.

“Brother…” White smiled, as he approached him. “It really is you… all this time searching the spirit world, yet here you are… alive and well.”

"Yeah, I'm still ticking." Black nodded. "It was close for a while, though…” It was taking all he had not to burst into tears. “...I came here to see you… because I needed to tell you something… something I've been holding in all this time, but never got the chance to tell you…”

“And I you.” White fought the same urge to cry as well. “...I missed you.” He then turned to Ivory, stuck in a scowl. “Dad… would you kindly give us some time alone?”

“Are you nuts?” Ivory snarled. “After everything Black has done? After he betrayed you and this family, you still want to speak-”

"Enough, father." White glared. "Black is still my brother, no matter what. He's my family, no matter what. And no matter what you may think of him, I want to speak to him… and you’re not stopping me. Now go.”

Ivory scowled as he made to retort… but faltered under White’s glare.

“You know what, fine.” Ivory snarled in defeat. “If you want to waste your time on this lost cause, go ahead. See if I care…” He then glared at Black. “But make no mistake, this isn’t over…”

With a huff, Ivory faded back into the mist.

“Well, now I see where Black got his stubbornness from.” Elite deadpanned.

“Yeah, sorry about that.” White sighed. “I only recently learned about this side of him…”

"Lucky you." Black snorted. "I've known about it for a good long while."

"Same old Black." White rolled his eyes. "Always with the quips."

"Guess some things never change." Black nodded.

"I think we'll leave you two alone." Elite declared. "Shadow, maybe we could catch up?"

"Gladly." Shadow Slinker grinned.

As Elite and Shadow Slinker walked away, Rookie gave Black and White a smile.

"The old team, together again." He declared while fading into mist. "Not before time, I say..."

With that, Black and White were alone.

And I remember everything, everything I loved
I gave it away like it wasn't enough
All the words I said and all you forgive
How could I hurt you again?
What if I let you win?
What if I make it right? 
What if I give it up?
What if I want to try?
What if you take a chance?
What if I learn to love?
What if, what if we start again?

"So... here we are at last." Black declared.

"Yeah." White smiled.

"Funny, I've been dreaming of a moment like this for so long." Black mused. "I thought of a million things to say to you. But now... I don't know what to say."

"Well, I do." White admitted. "All these years, I've wanted to ask you why you did what you did. Why you almost destroyed Equestria. Why you had us murder those ponies and Changelings in Reinadh. Why did you do all those awful things. All I want is the truth..."

“...Of course… the truth.” Black nodded. “I won't lie, it’s a long story. And I don’t know if you'll like what you hear… but all I ask is that you listen 'till the end… can you do that?”

“Yes.” White agreed. “Tell me everything, from the very beginning.”

Black took a deep breath.

“You see… it all began one night, when I snuck out of the barracks to go to this bar…”

On this time, I can make it right
With one more try
Can we start again?
In my eyes, you can see it now
Can we start again?
Can we start again?

Black explained everything to White as well as he could. From how he came to meet Elite and the Taskforce up to the Crystal Sun, Project: Titanfall, and everything in between.

Black wasn’t sure how long he had spoken for, but by the end of the story, White was speechless, as the two sat at the edge of the hole in the garden.

“And that’s pretty much it.” Black nodded, wiping his tears, having gotten a bit emotional over certain parts (especially White’s death).

“Wow… Black… I had no idea.” White whispered.

“I know.” Black shook his head, sniffing a bit. “I have trouble believing it myself sometimes.”

"I... I don't know what to say." White declared. "I can’t believe you did all of this… went through all this pain and heartbreak… just so you could protect me.”

“And I would have done it again.” Black nodded. “You have no idea how much I wanted to tell you the truth… but I knew if I did… I would've put you in danger. And I would never have forgiven myself if something happened to you because of me.”

“But still… I wish you had told me.” White frowned. “I wouldn’t have wanted you to bear this burden all by yourself. I would've been able to take care of myself.”

“No.” Black said firmly. “I didn’t want you to live your life in fear of the Forefathers. Trust me, I wouldn’t have had it any other way. If it meant you got to live a life with the mare you love and your two beautiful children… then so be it.”

“...You are one special pony, Black.” White whispered. “All this time I thought the worst of you for all your dark deeds, but you only did those things so Equestria would be safe. The strength you've shown through all of that hardship is nothing short of amazing…”

"Eh, it wasn't that amazing." Black said humbly.

"Well, I'm not sure if I could've coped if it all happened to me." White admitted. "At the very least, the fact that you held it together for so long is pretty impressive."

"Not impressive enough..." Black sighed. "Towards the end, I just lost it. I became the very monster that everypony- including you -thought I was. And my own darkness nearly destroyed everything and everypony I cared about."

"Black..." White frowned.

The emptiness inside me I wonder if you see
It's my mistake and it's hurting me
I know where we've been
How'd we get so far?
What if, what if we start again?

“I understand if you hate me.” Black declared, his voice quivering. “I understand if you never want to see me again. I just had to see you one last time, and tell you the truth. I'll leave this place and never return if that's what you want… I just want you to know that…” He sniffed a bit. “I love you… always, from life until death, and beyond…”

White was silent, an impassive look on his face.

"...Well?" Black said, unnerved by White's silence. "Please... say something. Anything!"

“...Thank you.” White said quietly.

“'Thank you'?” Black gasped, as White’s impassive look gave way to a smile. “'Thank you' for what?”

"For everything." White declared. "For pressing on, even when the whole world was against you. For selflessly protecting Equestria all these years. For everything you've done since Reinadh.”

“But… but I hurt so many ponies…” Black whispered. “I totally lost it towards the end.”

"But you found your way back." White declared. "You pushed back the darkness. That takes a special kind of strength. The kind of strength you've been showing all your life. I always knew you were still that great and noble stallion. The stallion I was proud to call my brother."

“White…” Black felt a smile creep onto his face, tears filling his eyes. “...You have no idea how much that means to me. Dammit, I'd hug you if I could.”

“Maybe you can't now.” White beamed, with tears in his own eyes. “But one day… we’ll be together again. Then we can hug it out for real.”

On this time, I can make it right
With one more try
Can we start again?
In my eyes, you can see it now
Can we start again?
Can we start again?

"I never thought in my wildest dreams that things would turn out like this." Black admitted. "I never thought you would actually forgive me."

"You give me too little credit, Black." White declared. "After all you've sacrificed, all you've struggled for, all in the name of protecting Equestria, how could I not forgive you?"

"Good ol' White." Black smiled weakly. "You always were the heart of the gang back home."

"I just wanted to do the right thing, same as you." White shrugged.

"But you did it so much better." Black told him.

"The jury's still out on that one." White said humbly. "And, er... sorry about shooting out your eye. If it helps, I was going for your shoulder."

"It's okay." Black smiled. "I forgive you for that. And it was all fixed up in the end. Besides, I did kinda rock the eyepatch look, didn't I?"

"Yeah, you did." White chuckled. "All you needed was a fancy hat and a parrot, and you could've been a pirate!"

Both brothers laughed heartily at White's joke.

I'm lost inside the pain I feel without you
I can't stop holding on
I need you with me
I'm caught inside the pain
Can we ever start again?
I'm lost without you

"So, what are you going to do now?" White asked. "Stay with the Taskforce?"

“That was the plan, yeah.” Black nodded, “They've done so much for me… and I feel, deep down, that protecting Equestria is my destiny. What I was meant to do. I guess after all this time, Elite and the others helped me realize that.”

“Well, you have my support.” White smiled. “Mine and the others.”

“Thanks.” Black wiped his tears, a smile stuck on his face. “You know, for the first time since I woke up from that coma, I truly feel like I can start again. Start anew. Put my past behind behind me and look to the future… and I have you to thank for it.”

“Any time.” White smirked. Suddenly, he felt a familiar sensation. “Well, I have to be heading back soon…” He then stood up, with Black following suit. “Don’t be a stranger. If you ever want to come back and reminisce about old times, I’m always be here for you.”

"I know." Black nodded. "...But I should ask you this… if Shine or Red… or anypony else we know comes by…”

“I understand, brother.” White said solemnly. “I promise you, I won’t tell Shine or anypony else until you're ready to tell them.”

“Thank you.” Black sighed. “...Also, look after mom and dad. I know dad's not the best pony… but he's still our dad, no matter what.”

“Of course.” White gave a understanding nod. “I look forward to our next meeting… I love you, bro.”

"Love you too... bro." Black nodded.

Black held his hoof up. White placed his own incorporeal hoof against it. Their brotherly bond transcended life and death itself.

"See you soon." White started to fade away. "And keep making me proud, brother."

"Count on it." Black beamed.

With that, White vanished.

"I'll never stop making you proud, White." Black smiled as he turned to leave. "Never..."

One more try!
Can we start again?
In my eyes, can you forgive me now?
Can we start again?
Can we start again?
One more try!
Can we start again?
Can we start again?
Can you forgive me now?
Can we start again?

After collecting Elite, Black and his commanding officer returned to the Headquarters.

"I trust things went as you hoped?" Elite asked.

"Better." Black nodded. "I'll have to thank Caboose for this. Best idea he's ever had..."

"I knew he and Fletcher would be a boon to our organization." Elite nodded.

"And then some." Black chuckled. "Speaking of the organization, what's up next?"

"Oh, I have a few plans." Elite grinned. "Most of them are far-reaching, but a few are more immediate. For example, there is somepony I plan to visit in the next few days."

"An old pal?" Black asked.

"You could say that..." Elite smirked.

A few days later, Grenade Gridlock was eating at a diner in Vanhoover. He was in town to attend a political rally. After all that had occurred with Titanfall, he was given orders from Father himself to lay low for a few days until the heat from the incident had died down. Gridlock was okay with this, though. It gave him some off-time, and what better way to spend it than by enjoying a good zucchini steak?

Gridlock was digging into said steak, enjoying his meal… when suddenly, he noticed somepony taking the seat opposite him. Gridlock glanced up, and frowned, easily recognizing the pony.

"Hello, Gridlock." Elite declared.

"Everest." Gridlock snorted. "I'm a little surprised you've come here by yourself." He glanced around. “Where’s that dumb mutt and the rest of your motley crew?”

"I didn't come to cause a ruckus." Elite shrugged. "I came to... chat."

"Yeah?" Gridlock mused. "What about?"

"Current events." Elite declared. "Your friends have been rather bold of late, haven't they? Attacking Canterlot with a giant, mechanical spider? Almost like something out of a bad movie."

"That was Solomon's idea, not mine." Gridlock scoffed. "Spark-brained idiot. He got what he deserved.”

"Your sense of camaraderie is commendable." Elite said sarcastically. "With an attitude like that, it's a wonder you reached such a lofty position in Equestrian hierarchy..."

“Hey, who needs friends when you got political power and horsepower on your side?” Gridlock smirked.

“Funny you should say that, when you obviously needed somepony to help you with your little project…” Elite mused. “Whatever happened to that project again?”

“You’re not going to get to me, Elite.” Gridlock sneered. “I've long since gotten over what your little ‘traitor’ did to me. And moved onto bigger things.”

"And more vile things, I'm willing to bet." Elite frowned.

"That depends on your point of view." Gridlock retorted.

"Well, your point of view will clearly lead to naught but more pain." Elite growled. "Pain suffered by innocents who don't deserve it."

"If you don't like it, why don't you just out me to the public?" Gridlock snorted.

"Because if I did, you would no doubt return the favor regarding Black." Elite frowned.

"Yep." Gridlock took another bite of steak. "I'd take you down with me. Mutually assured destruction. Not really your cup of tea, is it? Which is why you'll never win.”

"Don't be so sure, Gridlock." Elite declared. "After that debacle in Canterlot, we will be keeping a very close eye on you. Your day of reckoning is coming."

"Is that so?" Gridlock sneered.

"Indeed it is." Elite grinned. "One slip-up is all it will take. Then my team will come down on you with all the force we can muster."

"'Force'... please." Gridlock scoffed. "Black is dead, and I'm not afraid of the Griffon. Or any of your other misfits."

"That may be, but I'm putting together a new team. "Elite retorted. "One that will more than suffice. I promise you, the next time we meet, you will either be in hoofcuffs, or dead."

"You talk a good game." Gridlock sneered. "But it's just talk."

"For the moment, yes." Elite declared. "But talk can become action very easily. And I am not interested in playing games. This is serious, and I and my team will show you just how serious it is. We will not rest until you and all of the Forefathers pay the price for your wicked deeds. That is a promise, not a threat."

Gridlock snarled angrily.

"Enjoy your meal." Elite stood up and departed.

Gridlock jabbed his fork into the steak, a bit sullen over the experience. Then, there was a vibration in his jacket pocket. He pulled out a mirror.

"Yeah?" He said flatly.

Harlhooves' face appeared in the mirror.

"Everything is in readiness." Harlhooves declared. "I have already picked out both our suits for the Changelings’ peace treaty anniversary tonight. I hear they'll be serving your favorite, melon sirlo-"

“I don’t care about that.” Gridlock grunted. “Is the Last Bacterium primed and ready?”

“Um…” Harlhooves stumbled. “...Yeah. I have it in a canister right here.” He frowned. “Are you okay, Gridlock? You look tense.”

“Yeah, I’m fine.” Gridlock grumbled. “I’m just ready to get Project: Infestation up and running again. I've been waitin' too long for this.”

“I know that, Gridlock, but are you sure we shouldn’t wait?” Harlhooves asked. “Especially considering how recent Project: Titanfall was. And what of the cure-”

“Save it.” Gridlock growled. “I’m done waiting. Black destroyed everything back then, but this time, things will be different. This time, no pony will stop us…”

Back at the Headquarters, Ballista was in his office, looking through some papers, when Fury entered, a file tucked under his wing.

“Hey, Fury, what’s up?” Ballista glanced up.

“Nothing much.” Fury shrugged. “I just finished up getting all the info I could find on this one guy Elite wanted me to look into.” He placed the file on Ballista’s desk. “Don’t really see the point though. Don’t we already have enough yahoos on this team?”

“Considering you’re one of those 'yahoos', I like to think not.” Ballista joked.

“Funny.” Fury sneered. “But I'm not so sure about this one. Elite is really branching out here.”

“What makes you say that?” Ballista frowned.

“See for yourself.” Fury opened the file, revealing a face that Ballista recognized.

“...Sterling Cross.” Ballista whispered.

“You know him?” Fury asked.

“You could say that.” Ballista nodded solemnly, as he glanced at the photo. “After all these years… it looks like we'll be seeing each other again.”

The following afternoon, Caboose and Fletcher were sat in the mess hall with Black.

"You guys settling in okay?" Black asked.

"Quite well, actually." Fletcher nodded.

Even though Fletcher and Caboose weren't staying at the Headquarters full-time, they had still done a lot of fitting in. While they hadn’t embarked on any missions yet, the two were given ample time to get into the routine of things.

"It's kinda dull, though." Caboose pouted. "I thought we were asked to join so we could be part of this big, fancy operation Elite's cooking up."

"Oh, you were." Black nodded. "And not just fancy. This new project, if done right, could be a real game-changer. Equestria will be better and safer than ever if we pull this off..."

"Sounds like some high stakes." Fletcher mused.

"Those are the best kind of stakes, if you ask me." Black chuckled. "The longest odds pay the biggest."

"Mr brother Slot would agree with you there." Caboose smiled. "By the way, what are we calling this thing? You never mentioned what Elite and Ballista called it."

Black just gave a smile, as he proudly declared:

"Project: Freedom."

The End.

Author's Notes:

"Start Again" belongs to Red.