> A Sparkle of love
>  by Silentpegasus
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Chapter 1: Everfree Confrontation
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


A Sparkle of Love.

Chapter 1: Everfree confrontation


Deep within the Everfree Forest, Echo Specter, a black unicorn stallion with an electric green mane and similar green eyes toils away at his potions and arcane arts. He has never gone into Ponyville and never left the dark forest since he had arrived in it. Echo preferred to be on his own, It had been that way for years after ‘the accident.’ Echo studied different ways to combine magic and potions and the Everfree Forest is rich with ingredients. One day he ventured out and came across a strange object, a pony-sized stone lawn ornament. As he drew closer he realized that it was a unicorn mare trapped in stone.

Hmm. Looks like a cockatrice got her, oh well. 

Echo decided to continue on his way, as he gathered some maple root and poison joke extract he made his way back to his home. As he began to mix the ingredients his mind kept going back to the mare trapped in stone. No matter how hard he worked he couldn’t stop thinking about the pony.

Go back and help that pony!

What? Why?

Because it’s the right thing to do!

When has that ever mattered?

Shut up! You know you should.

Why? What has she ever done for me, I’m better off on my own. You know me.

Yeah so?!

Then you should understand where I’m coming from.

Ugh! You are such an ass-hole! I give up! Fine let another pony perish in this damn forest!

Fine you win, I’ll do it if it’ll get you to SHUT THE BUCK UP!

Good. Now hurry!

Echo decided to venture out into the forest once again looking for the stone encased pony as he made his way there he saw a cockatrice running away in fear. As he got to the clearing he saw five ponies standing in a circle he recognized the lavender one as the one who was trapped in stone. Seeing that she was fine Echo decided to go back to his cave. As he trotted back into his home his brain started to talk again.

See, she’s fine!

She was kinda cute.

Shut Up!

Suit yourself. But you have to admit it was kinda nice to try and help some-pony.

Ugh! If  it’ll get you to shut up, the next time some-pony gets caught by a cockatrice I’ll help them out, deal?

Deal.

I still doubt that any-pony would be stupid enough to fall for that twice.

Nine months later, Echo was looking for some more tap root when he stumbled upon a familiar stone figure in the forest.

“You’ve got to be BUCKING KIDDING ME!!” Echo said as he face hoofed, he began to walk away until he remembered his deal. With a reluctant sigh his horn glowed and lifted the stone encased pony and brought her back to his home. He set her to the side and trotted over to his book shelf to look for a de-stoning spell. Once he did, he trotted back over to the mare his horn began to glow and slowly the stone started to disappear from the mares lavender body. Echo trotted back over to his potion mixing, he spent the next few hours recording his notes and experiments, until he heard a strange noise. Echo trotted over to where the mare was lying down and saw that she was awake.

“Ugh...my head. What happened.” the mare said as she noticed the masked pony. “Who are you?”

“Seriously? You don’t remember? You got turned to stone by a cockatrice. I happened to find and cure you.” he said as he trotted back to his book shelf and picked up a book.

“Oh, well thank you. My name is Twilight Sparkle and I-” she was cut off by the masked ponies voice.

“Where do you live?” he said with a commanding voice.

“In Ponyville I’m the-” she suddenly felt her body began to tingle and felt herself being pulled through a vortex. Twilight found herself on the outskirts of Ponyville with a confused look on her face. After Echo had sent the mare home he returned to his work. He began to mix the ingredients in the bowl. Echo spent hours making the concoction, until he finally laid down to sleep.

Back in Ponyville Twilight made her way to the library, her thoughts were consumed by the strange stallion that saved her. She was surprised when she saw all of her friends in there. As Pinkie saw her she leaped and tackled Twilight in a hug.

“Twilight where have you been? We’ve been worried sick.!”

“Get off me Pinkie and I’ve only been gone a few hours. Right?” Twilight said as she looked around at her friends.

“A few hours? Try four days!” Rarity said as she trotted in front of her friend.

“What! Four days!” Twilight said as a look of worry spread across her face. “Oh No I’m so behind on my studies.” she said as she rushed towards her book case but was stopped by Applejack grabbing her tail in her mouth.

“Whoa there sugar cube, yer studies can wait! Right now you need some proper food in ya.” the orange mare said as Twilight’s stomach let out a low growl.

“Heh-heh, I guess your right.”

“Come let’s go to Sugar Cube Corner. We’ll treat you.” Rarity said as she trotted out the door along with the other ponies following close behind her. After the friends trotted to Sugar Cube Corner they sat down to eat their food, soon the mares wanted to know what happened to their friend. Twilight told them about the cockatrice and the strange unicorn that had saved her.

“You got turned to stone by cockatrice again? HA!” Rainbow said as she rolled on the ground laughing.

“It’s not funny Rainbow! The Everfree is a very dangerous place.” Applejack said as she frowned at her friend. “So what about this unicorn that helped ya, who is he?”

“I don’t know after I woke up, I told him my name he asked if I lived in Ponyville and then he transported me on the outskirts of town.” she said as she took a sip from her drink. 

“Well, we gotta go find him!” Pinkie said with a smile.


“Um Why?” Rainbow asked as she eyed the pink mare.

“Duh, so we can trow him a party for rescuing Twilight!”

“Good idea.” Applejack said with a grin. “But how do we find him? The Everfree is huge.”

“I think I know how.” Twilight said with a grin. “Transportation spells take a while to wear off if we go back to the spot where he transported me then I should be able to track it.”

“Sounds like a plan, lets get going.” Applejack said as she got out of her seat. The others followed Twilight to the spot where she was transported too. Twilight’s horn began to glow and a beam shot out in front of the ponies leading into the dark forest. The six ponies took a look at each other and ventured into the forest. The trail seemed to go on forever, until they saw a massive cave in front of them. Twilight and Rainbow Dash entered while the others stayed outside to keep watch. As they began to trot inside, they heard noised coming from the bushes as Twilight went to investigate they were bombarded by a flying green object. Echo got to his hooves and charged back into the bushes. As Twilight regained her balance her friends came to her side.

“That was him!” she said as she raced over in the direction that the stallion came from. The five ponies soon chased after her only to be stopped by a magical aura, they look over and Twilight pointing with her hoof at the stallion facing a manticore.

Echo was getting tired of this overgrown cat. All he wanted was a poison sample from the manticore’s tail, he knew it was going to be chore but not this big of one. He calmed down and his horn began to glow, three trees nearby he changed into restraints then wrapped themselves around the manticore restraining it. Echo then took out a syringe and proceeded to extract poison from the manticores tail. Suddenly the restraints came loose and sent Echo flying back against a tree. As he got to his hooves he noticed a familiar lavender unicorn pop out from the bushes, he then noticed five other ponies do the same. The manticore fled knowing that it was completely outnumbered. The six ponies then raced to Echo’s side.

“Are you okay?” Twilight asked. Echo didn’t respond and proceeded to put the syringe in his coat pocket and walk back towards his cave until he was stopped by a cyan hoof.

“Hey! My friend just asked you a question.”

“So?”

“What the hey is your problem? In case you didn’t notice she just saved you and your not even gonna thank her?” the cyan mare said with across look.

“Why should I? I saved her and she saved me, we’er even. I owe her nothing.” he said as he side stepped the mare. He then felt a rope around his legs and was being tied by the orange mare.

“No wait just one minute-” Applejack froze as she saw the rope she had just used had come alive and untied itself, the stallion then trotted away. Rainbow then charged at the stallion, tackling him to the ground. As Echo lifted the pegasus off of him he noticed a sharp pain in his leg. He looked down and noticed that the syringe holding the manticore poison had pierced his skin and began to flow into his blood stream. Echo then felt woozy and soon passed out. 
> Chapter 2: Ponyville
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 2.

Ponyville. 


Echo woke up in an unfamiliar room, it was small the walls were a dark grey and he heard the sound of a heart monitor in the back round. His nostrils were filled with the smell of sterile air and medicine. As he rose from his bed he noticed a familiar lavender unicorn sitting in the corner of the room reading a book, she looked up when she saw movement.

“Oh good , you’re awake. I though you died.” she said as she trotted over to his bed side.

“Clearly I’m not dead. Where am I?” he said with a harsh tone. 

“Well, your in Ponyville Hospital,being treated for manticore poisoning.” Twilight said with a blank look on her face. Echo then remembered the events that occurred before hand.

“Oh, right the manticore.”

“Yeah, what were you trying to do anyway?”

“I was gathering ingredients for a potion I’m working on, it just so happened that manticore poison was one of the ingredients I needed.”

“What type of potion was it?”

“None of your business.” Echo said with a frown. Just then, five other ponies entered the room Echo remembered the cyan pegasus that had tackled him. “YOU!” he said as he pointed a hoof at Rainbow Dash.

“Yeah what?”

“Don’t ‘what’ me! You’re the pony that got me in here!”

“Oh, right sorry about that.” she said as she rolled her eyes.

“Good, now if you all would excuse me I’ve got to get back to work.” Echo said as he got out of bed. He was soon stopped by an orange hoof.

“Now wait just a darn minute! We risked our lives to save you and yer not even gonna thank us?”

“Thank you.” he said with a harsh sarcastic tone. “Now get out of my way and leave me alone!” Echo then felt a magical grip around him. “What the-” he realized that it was the purple unicorn that was levitating him.

“Now listen mister! I’m not saying that we have to be friends, but you owe us. You think the hospital is cheap? No! We each put a few bits in to get your poison treatment. So I suggest that you start acting a little nicer around us.” the cyan mare said with daggers in her eyes.

What? Why would they save some stranger who had acted like jerk towards them.

Because they’re nice ponies.

Shut up! No such thing.

Now you know that’s not true! Maybe these ponies are different.

Doubtful.

Hey! You owe them your life so just shut up and take it like a stallion!

Okay, fine I’ll help them until I’ve paid them back.

Echo was then released from the grip and was set back on the hospital floor.

“Okay, fine I’ll work off the debt. But after that happens I’m free to go. Deal?”

“Girls what do you think?” Twilight said as she looked at the other mares. They all pondered for a second but eventually nodded in agreement. “Okay we have an agreement, why don’t we start with introductions. My name is Twilight Sparkle, I’m the librarian here in Ponyville.”

“I’m Applejack.” said the orange mare with a sigh.

“Rainbow Dash.” she said as she gritted her teeth.

“Rarity.”         

“Hi, I’m Pinkie Pie!” 

“I’m Fluttershy.” said the timid yellow pegasus.

“I’m Echo Specter.” he said as he rolled his eyes. “You can call me Echo if you want.”

“Okay, see now that wasn’t so hard was it.” Twilight said as she gave him a calm look.

“So what do I have to do?” Echo said as he looked at the mares.

“Just to help us out with whatever we need help with, until you’ve paid off your debt.”

“Okay fine, let me just get my lab equipment.” he said as he trotted towards the door. Rainbow then trotted next to Twilight.

“Twi, follow him make sure he doesn’t try to run away.”

“Good idea.” she said as she trotted after the stallion.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Echo was halfway to the Everfree Forest when he felt eyes on him. He spun around and shot a beam at a nearby barrel that crumbled away, revealing a lavender unicorn.

“You? Why are you following me?”

“To make sure you come back.” she said as she trotted next to Echo.

“Look, I may be a jerk but I’m a stallion of my word.” he said as he rolled his eyes.

“I just want to make sure. So I’m coming along.”

“Suit yourself.” he said as he began to trot away. The two unicorns soon came to the edge of the Everfree.

“Thank you.” Twilight said.

“For what?”

“For saving me from the cockatrice.” she said as she had a slight blush on her face. 

“Oh that, forget about it.” a pause then seemed to hang in the conversation for an eternity, until Echo finally broke the silence. “Thanks for the hospital.” he said with a low grumble. 

“You’re welcome.” she said as she gave him a warm smile. The two spent the remainder of the trip in silence. Echo came to the edge of the forest and stopped.

“Why are we stopping?” Twilight asked. Echo’s horn began to glow and the two ponies were transported inside his cave. “How did we get here?”

“Teleportation spell, I use it so I don’t have to walk through the forest as much.” Echo trotted over to his book shelf and retrieved an old book. His horn started to glow and all of his equipment was shrunk down to  the size of a toy. He then picked up a suit case and started moving the items into it. Twilight stood there amazed at what she just witnessed. 

“How did you do that?”

“Magic.” he said flatly.

“Well I can see that, but I’ve never seen any spell like that before.”

“Not surprising, since I made it up myself.” he said as he finished packing.

“You’ve made your own spells! That must take a lot of studying.”

“Yeah, we can go now I’ve got all I need.” He then trotted next to Twilight and the two found themselves on the outskirts of the dark forest yet again. As the two trotted back into town Echo felt another pair of eyes watching them, he spun around, his magical beam was headed towards a cloud, as it hit he saw a familiar rainbow maned pony jump out just before the blast made the cloud evaporate.

“What they hay was that for?” she bellowed.

“Why were YOU following me?”

“Just making sure you din’t try anything stupid.” 

“Look, as I’ve explained to Twilight here I may be a jerk but I’m a stallion of my word. Plus if I had wanted to hurt Twilight then she wouldn’t be standing right next to me now would she?” he said as he pointed to the lavender mare. Rainbow’s was about to protest but realized that he was right.

“Okay, fine good point. But that doesn’t mean I trust you and if you even think about pulling anything I will kick you so hard you’ll reach Trottingham in ten seconds flat!” she said as she flew in front of the dark stallion.

“Noted. Although I’m fairly certain I can take what ever you can dish out.” he said with a grin.

“Is that a challenge? Then bring it on!” she said as she got in a defensive stance

“My pleasure!” Echo said as his horn began to glow. The two were suddenly stopped by a purple wall that formed in between them.

“Knock it off! Both of you!” Twilight then turned to Echo “You’re supposed to be helping us not trying to attack us!”Echo shrugged his shoulders. “And Rainbow, don’t antagonize him, I’m fairly certain he could do some damage if he tried. Can we call a truce?”

“I’ll stay my hoof until my debt is paid, but if she attacks me I won’t hesitate to defend myself.” Echo said as he pointed to Rainbow Dash.

“Fine, but if he tries and zaps me again then all bets are off!”

“Deal.” he said as he spat into his hoof, rainbow did the same. Twilight then removed the wall that the ponies shook on the agreement, giving each other a menacing stare. Twilight breathed a sigh of relief and the two unicorns continued on their way back into Ponyville. They soon came to a massive hollowed out tree in the middle of town

“You can stay at the library if you want, I have guest room up stairs. I’ll have Spike clean it up.”

“Who’s Spike?”

“He’s my assistant at the library.” Twilight said as she opened the door revealing a massive book collection. “Spike? Spike where are you?”

“I’m coming, I’m coming.” said a voice at the top of the stairs as it drew closer a baby purple dragon came into view.

“Your assistant is a dragon?”

“I guess I should’ve mentioned that.” she said with blush.

“Just wasn’t expecting a dragon to be your assistant.” he said as he eyed the dragon.

“Spike can you get the guest room ready?”

“Sure Twilight, no problem.” Spike said as he went back up stairs. Echo then started to look around the library, he observed the massive books on the shelf. He set his suitcase on one of the chairs, he started to wander around the library until he heard the front door open to reveal the white unicorn with the purple mane from the hospital.

“Twilight I was wondering if-....Oh its you.” she said in a snooty voice.

“Twilights’ upstairs, she should be back down soon. Rarity right?” Echo said as he eyed the mare.

“Yes.” 

“Listen sorry about my outburst earlier.” he said as he scratched his mane.

“Apology accepted.” Rarity said as she gave him a smile.

“Hey Echo the room is re- oh hey Rarity, what brings you here?” Twilight said as she descended the stair case. 

“Hello Twilight, I was just coming by to see if you wanted to have lunch tomorrow at Sugar Cube Corner. But if your busy with Echo here I-”

“We would love to go with you.” Twilight interjected.

“We?” Echo said as he eyed the lavender mare.

“Yes, you and I are going to have lunch with Rarity tomorrow.” Twilight said as she glared at the dark stallion.

“Well alright I’ll make plans for three then.” Rarity said as she gave Twilight a nervous look.

“Echo, you can put your things in the guest room. Up stairs first door on the right.” she said as Echo collected his suit case and trotted up stairs. Once he was out of range Rarity then turned back to Twilight with a frown on her face. “What?”

“Don’t ‘what’ me! Why would you invite him after he’s been so rude?”

“Okay, so he’s a little irritable but I can see theres good in him and I think I can help him.”

“We don’t even know anything about him! For all we know he can be insane.”

“Rarity, that idea is completely ludicrous, if he wanted to hurt me he would’ve done it by now.” 

“Very well, just don’t get your hopes up Twilight, I know how you get.” Rarity said as she trotted out the door. After she left Twilight decided to go and check how Echo was unpacking.

“Echo how are-” she was cut off by Echo’s voice.

“You should listen to your friend, she holds reasonable concern.” Echo said as he finished un-packing. 

“You heard all that?” Twilight said with a sad look on her face.

“Yeah, don’t sweat it I’ve been called worse.” Echo said as he made all of his equipment normal size again, they included a burner, a few sets of beakers and test tubes, a few scalpels and other medical equipment, he also had a wide variety of books and notes. Echo then noticed that twilight was about to say something. “Look Twilight you don’t have to trust or help me. I’m only here to repay a debt I owe.”

“I know but-”

“But nothing, I don’t expect your friends to welcome me with open hooves and thats fine by me.” he said as he looked bak at the mare who had a sad look on her face. “ But if you’re free to try.” Twilight had a small smile spread across her face.

“Thank you, Spike will have dinner ready soon.” she said as she trotted out of the room. Echo returned to his things.

Wow, you’ve made some progress.

Shut up! I’m only repaying a debt I owe.

Sure you are and staying with the cute purple mare doesn’t excite you?

SHUT THE BUCK UP!

Okay, fine I’ll leave it alone for now, but try and make some friends. It’s good to get out once in awhile.


Echo then decided to go down and join Twilight for dinner. He couldn’t help but let his snout enjoy the smell that filled the library. Spike was cooking while Twilight set out the plates and eating utensils. Echo sat down at the table, Twilight and Spike soon joined him. The dinner was mostly spent in silence Echo was catching a few glances from Twilight even one from her dragon assistant. After the meal, Echo decided to help with the dishes, as he used his magic to scrub at the dish he heard a crash, he saw Twilight on the ground next to a broken ceramic plate and she was bleeding from her hoof. Echo trotted over to her with a towel in hoof.

“Keep the pressure on until I get back.” Echo then hurried upstairs and retrieved his medical equipment. “This is going to hurt, but I need you to hold still while I remove the shards.” His horn started to glow and his tools levitated over the wound he managed to remove the shards easily. He held her hoof in his and began to close the wound with a needle and thread, as he finished sealing the wound he looked up at Twilight who was blushing profusely. Echo then let go of her hoof and started to clean his instruments. As Twilight got to her hooves a small wave of pain as she took a step.

“I’d advise you to stay off that hoof for a while, I think I have something to help with the pain.” he said without turning his head towards her. He finished cleaning his tools and went back to his room and retrieved a vial of yellow liquid. As he came back he was suddenly stuck on the head which caused him to fall. Echo instinctively teleported on to the floor making sure that the vial wasn’t broken. He opened his eyes to se and angry dragon holing a rather large book.

“What did you do to Twilight?”

“Ugh.. Nothing she cut herself and I stitched the wound. I was just getting her a pain killer!” he yelled at the small dragon.

“It’s alright Spike. He’s telling the truth.” Twilight said as she entered the room with a bandaged hoof. Spike then eyed the dark stallion.

“Alright, sorry about that.” Spike said as he looked down in shame.

“It’s fine.” he said flatly. Echo then walked over to Twilight with the vial gripped in his magic, as she drank it she made a foul face at the taste. “Well what do you expect, fruit punch flavor?”

“Thank...........” Twilight collapsed in his hooves.

“What happened?” Spike said as he came rushed to her side.

“Relax it’s just a side effect of the potion, she’ll be fine after she gets some rest.” Echo then put her on his back and trotted upstairs to her room, he laid her down on the bed. Echo then returned to his room and decided to relax in his bed.

Well aren’t you a little charmer.

Shut it!

Oh come on admit it. You liked it.

Shut up.

Holding her hoof in yours. You noticed how she reacted when you touched her, she likes you. 

SHUT UP!

Echo woke up in a cold sweat he was breathing was heavy. He decided to go to the bathroom, Echo splashed the cold water on his face, his breathing starting to regulate. He went back to his room and decided to try and fall asleep, but not before he got rid of his ‘mask.’

Twilight awoke in her bed confused, but soon realized where she was. Twilight got out of bed and went out into the hallway, she noticed that Echo still had his room light on. She cracked the door just a bit. Echo started to glow, Twilight couldn’t see much but she recognized an illusion spell when she saw one, she hurried back to her room. She hoped that he didn’t see her, Twilight crawled back into bed and fell asleep.
> Chapter 3: Sugar Cube Corner
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 3

Sugar Cube Corner


Echo woke up and trotted downstairs and began to make himself some breakfast. He cracked the eggs and began to cook them in a pan. Echo then heard hoof steps coming from the door way. He turned he saw a tired Twilight rubbing her eyes.

“Morning.” she said as she smiled back at Echo.

“Morning, sleep well?” he said as he continued to cook.

“Yeah, thanks for healing me last night.”

“Forget about it. Oh and Twilight.”

“Yes what?” she said as she turned her head.”

“I hope that you’ll forget what you saw last night.” he said in a flat tone. Twilight’s eyes shrank to the size of pin points.

“I was just-” 

“There are somethings about me that you and others would fine ‘distasteful’ and trust me it would be bad if others started to suspect certain things about me.”

“Are you-”

“Relax I’m not a changeling, if thats what you’re wondering. I’m just a unicorn that prefers to keep a few things about himself a secret.” he said as he looked back at the lavender mare.

“I suppose I can accept that, Celestia knows that I have a few things I want to keep secret.” she said as she looked out the window. “I won’t pester you with questions about it.” Twilight said as she sat down at the table. Echo still kept his back to her as he finished cooking his eyes light around his horn began to dim. The two shared breakfast together and went their separate ways until it was time to meet with Rarity at Sugar Cube Corner. Echo went back to his room and continued with his experiments, soon it was time to leave. Echo and Twilight made their way to Sugar Cube Corner, the walk was spent in silence until they were both greeted by Rarity. 

“Hello Rarity, sorry we’re late.” Twilight said as she sat down at the table.

“Think nothing of it darling I just got here myself.” Rarity’s attention then focused on Twilight’s bandaged hoof. “Twilight what happened to your hoof?”

“Oh this. I just slipped while putting some dishes away.”

“We should get you to the hospital, that cut could be infected.”

“Unnecessary.” Echo said as he sipped his drink.

“What? How can you be so cruel!” she then slapped Echo across the face with her hoof.

“Rarity! The reason why he said that is because he already healed me last night.” she said as she removed the bandages revealing a partially healed cut. “He stitched it shut and gave me a painkiller and disinfectant.” she said as she glared at her friend. Rarity then looked over at Echo who was now holding the glass of ice water to his cheek.

“Oh I’m so sorry darling, I didn’t know I-” she was cut off by Echo raising a black hoof.

“It’s fine Rarity, I probably would have had the same reaction if I was in your position.” he said with a flat tone. Rarity sat down at the table and glared at Twilight and Echo.

“So you healed her?”

“To the best of my ability and with the tools I had.” Echo’s eyes shrank suddenly, his horn began to glow and shot beam near the opposite booth. As he did a pink mare jumped from her hiding place and in front of the three unicorns. 

“Pinkie! What were you doing back there?” Twilight said with an annoyed look on her face. 

“I was just following you to see if he really was a meanie pants, but now hearing how he helped Twilight I’m glad that he’s not.” Pinkie said as she raced out the door.

“Who was that?” Echo asked the two mares at the table.

“That’s Pinkie Pie, she’s works here.” Twilight said.

“Well darlings, it’s been fun but I must be off.” Rarity said as she got to her hooves. 

“Bye Rarity.” Twilight said as she waved goodbye to the white unicorn.

“So what now?” Echo asked.

“We have to go to Sweet Apple Acres.” Twilight said as she got up from the seat. The two then made their way to the farm Twilight attempted to strike up a conversation.

“So Echo, how long have you been using magic?”

“Since I was around five.”

“Who taught you?” 

“Me.”

“Really? That’s impressive did your parents teach you anything?” Echo then shot her an annoyed look.

“Twilight, stop trying to get to information out of me. It’s not going to work.”

“I’m just trying to get to know you better. I think I have right to that considering I’m letting you stay in my house.” she said as she glared at the dark stallion.

“Fair enough, but nothing too personal got it!”

“Fine, so what is your skill level?”

“Skill level?” he said with a confused look on his face.

“What type of magic can you do?”

“Basic levitation, illusion, some defensive spells and a few others.”

“What about potions?”

“I mostly make cures for poisons and other types of remedies.”

“Really, do you know Zecora?”

“Who?”

“She’s a zebra that lives in the forest.”

“No, didn’t know any other pony lived in there.”

“Really? You never came into town once in a while?”

“No.”

“Why?”

“I’m not what you’d call socially gifted.” he said as he rolled his eyes.

“I used to be like that. I only cared about books and studies until Princess Celestia made me come to Ponyville. and over see the Summer Sun Celebration.”

“How did you get volunteered for that?”

“Well I’m her protegee so-” Twilight was cut off by a raised black hoof.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa. You’re Princess Celestia’s protegee?”

“Yes. I didn’t mention that?”

“No, looks like your life is made on that alone.”

“Well yes, it has it’s up’s and down’s but I can’t really complain. How about you?”

“I live in a forest what do you think?” he said coldly.

“I’m sorry. What about your home town?”

“Grew up in Detrot, rough neighborhood, learned to lookout for myself.”

“Your parents?” Echo then shot her a cold stare. “Sorry, sore topic?”

“Yeah.”

“Well what about old friends? Anyone from Detrot you keep in touch with?”

“Nope.”

“Oh, not even-”

“Just drop it, it was a long time ago.”  That shut Twilight up until they got to the farm. 
> Chapter 4: The Street Doctor
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 4

The Street Doctor
	

The two unicorns trotted towards the farm house, they were greeted by a familiar orange mare.

“Howdy Twilight what can...And just what is HE here for?” she said as her eyes narrowed on the dark stallion.

“He’s going to help you with the orchard today.” Twilight said with a smile on her face.

“WHAT!?” Echo and Applejack said as they both glared at the lavender mare.

“Well Echo you still owe a debt to Applejack so I suggest you get started on it.” she said as she glared at the two ponies. “Applejack he’s trying to pay you back for helping him, just in his own way.”

“Well alright, But I’ve got my eye on you!” Applejack said as she glared at Echo.

“The feeling is mutual.” Echo said with sarcastic tone. 

“Great! I’ll be back this afternoon.” Twilight said as she began to trot back into town. Echo and Applejack then entered an intense stare down. Echo let out a sigh.

“Look, I don’t like you and you don’t like me, so let’s just call a truce and just get to work, okay?” he said maintaining the glare.

“Fine! But the second you get out of line, I won’t hesitate to take you down a notch.”

“Noted, so what are we doing exactly?”

“We gotta buck some apples in the south field.” she said as she turned and started along the path. Echo followed her, the two spent the majority of the day working in silence. Until Echo saw two young fillies running towards them, a white unicorn and an orange pegasus.

“APPLEJACK! YOU GOTTA HELP US!”

“What’s the problem? Where’s Applebloom?”

“That’s the problem, we were playing by the edge of the orchard when a pack of timber wolves attacked us.” the white unicorn said with tears in her eyes.

“We managed to get away, but Applebloom is cornered in a nearby tree, she can't hold on forever.” the orange filly said.

“APPLEBLOOM! WHERE IN THE ORCHARD?”

“In the south end we’ll show you!” the two fillies took off with Applejack and Echo in hot pursuit. 

“Why are you coming?” she said as she glared at the dark unicorn.

“You’ll need some help, I’ve dealt with timber wolves before.” he said as the group continued towards the edge of the orchard when they got there they saw a small orange filly hanging on to a broken limb surrounded by easily twenty timber wolves.

“Applebloom! Hold on we’re coming, you girls go get Big Macintosh. Hurry!” AJ said to the fillies that ran back to the house. The wolves then noticed the two ponies, five of them began to circle the pair. Echo was focused on the wolves while AJ was looking at her sister who was barely hanging on to the branch. Echo engaged the wolves leaving Applejack to focus on Applebloom.

“Listen, focus on getting to the filly I’ll try and distract them!” he said as he let out a blast from his horn hitting one of the wolves.

“Right!” Applejack said as the two began to make their way to the filly. The branch was breaking  Applebloom looked down to see the wolves with hunger in their eyes. Applebloom began to feel the branch to give, it soon cracked in half sending the filly down towards the wolves.

“APPLEBLOOM!” the orange mare shouted, Echo then charged into the pack, his horn glowing he managed to get to the center where the filly was lying unconscious, some wolves had started to converge on her. Echo lifted the filly with his magic and threw her to the orange mare. AJ caught her sister and charged off towards the house. Echo then went to face his attackers head on his horn and eyes beginning to glow, suddenly the wolves stopped moving paralyzed by his magic. Echo then raised his head them flying into the air and into the trees, he could hear the bones crack and break even from the distance. Once he made sure they were gone he hurried back to the house.

Applejack came into the house with the filly on her back, she laid her down on her bed and began to examine her cuts.

“How is she?” Echo said as he galloped into the house.

“Not good.” she said as Echo trotted to her side he began to examine the filly.

“I think I can help her.” he said as he summoned his tool bag by magic, the orange mare the stepped in front of him with an angry look in her eye.

“NO WAY! I’M NOT LETTING YOU ANY WHERE NEAR MY LITTLE SISTER!”

“Listen cow girl, that little filly needs medical attention! She won’t make it to the hospital, so unless you want your sisters’ blood on your hooves, I suggest that you GET OUT OF MY WAY!” he said as he glared at the now shocked mare. AJ let him pass. “Smart move, I’m going to need help holding her down.” AJ did as he was asked and restrained her sister, Big Macintosh soon entered the room along with the fillies. 

“What happened?” he asked as he burst into the room.

“Timber wolves, they attacked the girls.” Echo said as he withdrew a syringe and injected the filly with the substance.

“What’s that?”

“A sedative, now I can get to work, you all have to leave the room now.”

“No way, no how!” AJ said as she released her grip on her sister.

“Look, I know you want to be there for her, but I need time to work in privacy. Plus this is not going to be pretty.” the group of ponies started to leave when AJ stopped next to him.

“Please, please save her.” she said with tears running down her face, Echo gave her a nod and began to get to work. The apple family was waiting in the living room, the rest of Applejack’s friends soon arrived after Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo had spread the word. The group waited for hours, Rainbow was comforting her friend in the corner. Echo then came down the stairs to see the group a little bit of blood was splattered on his chest. The group then crowded around the jet black unicorn.

“She’s going to be fine, the bleeding has stopped, I closed and disinfected the wounds. She’s still under the drug I gave her, she’ll be awake in a few hours.” Echo said as he wiped his forehead with his hoof. AJ then brought him into a hug.

“Th-thank y-you!” she said as she began to sob, Echo then broke the hug with a blank look on his face.

“Forget  about it. I may be an ass hole but I wasn’t about to sit by and let a little filly die.” he collected the rest of his tools and began to trot out the door until he was stopped by a red hoof.

“Yer all welcome to stay for dinner, it’s the least ah can do for helping mah little sister.” the red stallion said with a smile. Echo looked over to Twilight who shook her head in approval.

“I’m not sure if Applejack would-” 

“Of course you can stay for supper. It’d be my pleasure.” the orange mare said with a warm smile. Sweetie Belle left with Scootaloo soon after. The ponies sat around the table, the mares mostly gossiped while the black and red stallion ate their dinner in silence. 

*Ahem* the red stallion said as he nudged his sisters’ shoulder and motioned his head towards Echo.

“Alright ah know, Echo ah’m sorry for the way ah treated ya before, I guess you’re not so bad after all.” the mare said with a grin.

“You don’t need to apologize, I acted like a jerk and deserved it.” Echo said as he gave a blank stare back to the group of ponies who now had a look of confusion spread across their faces. A silence fell over the room fro several minutes until Twilight broke the silence.

“So...Echo where did you learn how to heal like that?”

“Mostly from experience and some books I ‘borrowed’ from time to time. I was the unofficial street doctor, drug and potion maker for the city’s underground.” the mares then looked at him with a quizzical look.

“Now darling when you mean drugs do you mean-”

“I’m not talking about any hardcore stuff, just medicine to help ponies get back up on their hooves and if they did become addicted then I’d check them into a real hospital.”

“What kind of ponies needed you for that?” the cyan mare asked.

“Mostly gang members after a territory war or some poor pony that just got mugged. I’d patch them up then send them on their way.”

“Wouldn’t the gangs fight while you were healing their enemies?”

“They may be scum but they have their own code. No fighting near schools, hospitals or any other thing like that. If any of them tried to start something in my O.R. I would give them a beating that they’d never forget.” 

“Why didn’t the gangs give you trouble?” AJ asked.

“It’s never wise to anger some-pony who has extensive knowledge of the body and knows how it works.”

“I don’t get it.” Twilight said with a confused look on her face.  

“If any one of them tried anything I’de take em down before they knew what hit them, I could hit a pressure point and make them fall unconscious, knock them out with a sedative or any number of things. Heh, one time a stallion tried to steal some drugs from my supply, I hit a couple of pressure points. Not only did he fall to the ground but I accidentally made him void his bowels!” Echo started to laugh at the memory, Rainbow joined in soon every pony was hysterical.

“So it was a good life?” Rarity asked.

“It had it’s ups and downs. But the pay was good.”

“So, you mostly helped criminals.” Big mac said as his eyes narrowed.

“Yes, mostly. But once in a while I’d go down to the shelter and see if any-pony needed medical assistance, I even helped some med students pass their exams.” he said as he took a sip from his glass. 

“Wow, so you’re like a doctor.” AJ said as her eyes widened in surprise.

“Well sorta, doctors have to take an oath to ‘do no harm.’” he said as he made quotation marks with his hooves. 

“You didn’t?”

“No. If I had ,then I’d be dead by now.” the mares expressions had shifted from interested to shocked. Echo glanced at the clock. “Well, I think it’s time that I get out of your mane’s, I’ll see you back at the library Twilight. Thanks for dinner.” he said as he looked to Applejack and Big Mac. The two nodded back to the stallion, as soon as he left the house the group huddled up.

“Okay any-pony else really creeped out?” Rainbow said.

“Me.” Pinkie said as she held the concerned look.

“As am I.” Rarity said.

“Um...sort of.” 

“Y’all are being paranoid. So he has a sketchy past, big deal.” 

“Oh please AJ, you’re only saying that cause he saved Applebloom.” Dash said as she rolled her eyes.

“That.....is......true.” AJ said with a defeated tone in her voice. “Ah hate to admit it, but he does seem a bit intimidating.”

“Eeyup.”

“Come on girls, you’re all acting ridiculous. He saved Applebloom, he saved me! What ever he’s done in his past I’m sure he’s paid for it. Echo spent years living in the Everfree forest in total isolation, how would you guys react in that situation?” Twilight said as she looked at her friends.

“Sheesh calm down Twi, didn’t mean to dis your colt-friends like that.” Rainbow said to the lavender mare, who’s face had now turned scarlet.

“Wh-what! He is not my colt-friend! He’s just a pony who I’m helping out.” she said nervously. Applejack then started to stare at Twilight.

“Sugar cube yer lying. They don’t call me ‘Honest AJ’ for nothing.” she said as Twilights’ face grew redder in embarrassment.

“Well looks like Twi here wants to play nurse with our little street doctor.” Rainbow said as she burst into laughter. 

“Rainbow that’s enough! Obviously Twilight has a small crush on our....interesting friend. It’s nothing to be ashamed of dear.” Rarity said as she put a hoof on her friends shoulder. Twilight put her head on the table and let out a loud groan.

“Will ya’ll just be quiet ah’m trying to get some sleep.” said a small voice coming from the stairwell. The ponies turned around to see a bandaged Applebloom glaring at them with a confused look on her face.          

“Applebloom!” AJ then ran over and hugged her sister. “You’re okay!”

“Of corse ah’m okay, what happened? I remember playing with Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo then something about wolves.” Applejack then told her what Echo had done for the family. “Ya mean that stallion cured me!”

“Eeyup.”

“Wow, that’s so cool.” the filly said in excitement.

“Alright y’all it’s time to get this filly to bed.” AJ said as she led Applebloom upstairs, the six mares left the farm and made their way back to their homes. Twilight’s mind was filled with questions, 

“Do I have crush on him?” Twilight pushed the thought out of her mind as she came into the library, she trotted up to her room and laid down to rest, her restless mind was soon put at ease as she drifted off to blissful sleep.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Echo trotted back to the library, he was deep in thought at what had just transpired on the farm.

Excellent progress today.

Whatever.

No, not whatever you saved a ponies life, you’ve still got it!

Ugh, the stitching could have been a little neater, I’m rusty.

Oh don’t be so hard on yourself and you left a good impression on a certain mare.

Twilight? Please she’s too smart to go for some-pony like me, plus I’m only staying until I’ve paid them back.

Bullshit, you like her! 

I’ll admit it’s nice to have a conversation with some-pony intelligent.

Okay, now THAT hurts.

You know what I mean...... That filly Applebloom, she looked just like.......

I know. She looked just like ‘her.’  Do you remember that night?

How could I forget?

Sorry, well lets take this one day at a time. Maybe start with Twilight tomorrow?

I’ll think about it.

Good.

Echo was so lost in thought that he almost bumped into the library’s door. He went inside fell asleep onto his bed, but he would find no restful sleep this night.
> Chapter 5: The Bet
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 5

The Bet


Echo Specter found himself in a dark alley filled with trash and the homeless. He knew this place, knew it all to well. He trotted back to his home, it smelt of pain, of fear and of blood. Echo made his way to the basement where he did his operations there was a mare waiting with a small bundle in her hooves, she looked at him with hope in her eyes. Echo’s gaze then fell upon a bundle that was in the mares hooves he saw that it was moving.

“Please! Please help her!” cried the mare, Echo took the bundle into his O.R. he examined the small pegasus filly, she had the feather flu.

“I’m sorry, but I lack the medical equipment to treat her. You need a real hospital.” he said as he looked back to the mare who was in tears.

“I can’t! They turned us away because we didn’t have the insurance. I came here for help. Please, she’s all I have left.” Echo looked at the small filly on the table.

“I’ll see what I can do.” he then trotted back to the small filly on the table. He began treating her with almost every thing he had, it wasn’t enough. After spending an hour in the O.R. he walked out hanging his head in shame. “I’m sorry but the virus has spread too much, she’s in pain and will die.” the mare collapsed on the ground in tears. Echo embraced her trying to ease the pain.

“Ca-can you d-do so-something?” the mare cried.

“I can make it so that your child doesn’t suffer any more.” he said with tears streaming down his cheeks. Instantly the mare knew what he meant she backed away from him and slapped him across the face. Echo stared back at her with tear soaked eyes.The mare knew that he was right and collapsed to the floor again, Echo put a hoof on her shoulder, the mare looked up at him. 

“W-will it h-hurt her?”

“No, it will be painless. She won’t feel a thing.” 

“Then d-do it, my child has s-suffered enough.” 

“Are, you sure?”

“Y-yes.”

“Would you like a few moments together?” the mare nodded, he led her over to the table the small filly was laying on. She put a hoof on her daughters head.

“I’m so sorry Lilly, I’m sorry that it had to end like this. My only hope is that you can forgive me for being such a poor mother, I just want to let you know that I love you and I always will.” the mare broke down in tears as she finished her statement. Echo was behind her fighting the urge to cry. “Okay, do it quickly.” Echo trotted over to the small filly that was still breathing lightly. He went over to a black box and retrieved a syringe containing a red liquid. He then trotted over to the filly holding the syringe with his magic.

“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.” he said as he penetrated the filly’s flesh with the needle. He saw the filly squirm a bit and opened her eyes for a moment, and looked at her mother who was still crying.

“Mommy what’s wrong? I feel funny.” the filly said as the mare rose and embraced the filly in a hug, the last one they’d ever share.

“I-t’s nothing sweetie, you’re just going to sleep for a bit, I just want to let you know that I love you and I won’t ever stop loving you.”

“I.... love you too..... mommy.” the little filly said as her chest stopped moving. The mare couldn’t take it and started to sob over the body of her daughter. Echo trotted over to the mare and got her to her hooves and led her out the door.

“Wait can I just have a minute alone with her?”

“Of coarse take all the time you need.” he left the mare in the room with her daughter. Five minutes went by he decided to check on the mare. As he opened the door he saw the mare holding a scalpel to her throat.

“No! Don’t-” his cry fell on deaf ears as the mare slit her throat and collapsed on to the small filly. Echo hurried over to the mare, there was nothing he could do, the mare just laid there dead next to her daughter. Echo broke down and cried over the bodies of the two ponies. He looked down and closed the mare’s eyes.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Echo woke up in a cold sweat, with Twilight looking down at him with a concerned look on her face.

“Are you okay? I heard you screaming and I tried to wake you, but you must have been having one heck of a dream.” she said as Echo sat up wiping the sweat off is brow. “What was it about?”

“I don’t wan to talk about it.” he said as he caught his breath. Twilight put a hoof on his shoulder. Echo got out of the bed and went to the bathroom and splashed cold water onto his face. He calmed his mind and trotted down stairs to see Twilight gathering her things.

“I though we’d eat at Sugar Cube Corner today. Is that alright?”

“Yeah...sure. Just give me a minute.” Echo trotted back up stairs and rejuvenated his ‘mask.’ Echo went outside the library to see Twilight waiting for him with a weak smile on her face. “Alright let’s get going.” The two unicorns made their way to Sugar Cube Corner without saying a word to each other, more than twice Echo saw Twilight glance at him with a blush on her face. Echo dismissed the thought as they entered the bakery. The two found a booth ad ordered their food. “Are your friends joining us?” 

“No it’s just us.” she said as she avoided his gaze.

“Alright I’ll bite, what’s wrong?”

“What are you talking about?”

“You haven’t said a word since we left the library and why do you keep staring at me all the time?” he said as he cocked an eyebrow.

“I just have a lot on my mind that’s all.”

“Does that include me?”

“Well yes and no. I’ll admit I’m curious about you but I’m also afraid to know more about you. Considering what you told us last night and then you wake up screaming from a nightmare.”

“I would be too if I was in your situation. I know I haven’t had a charmed life but it’s who I am.”

“But I just don’t see how-” 

“Twi, I don’t expect you to understand, I was raised in the streets and you were raised in luxury. We’re from very different worlds, while you were busy studying or playing house I was out finding food or trying to find a pony I could steal from.”

“So how did you discover medicine?”

“Well I got hurt a lot, so did my partner, neither of us would go to the hospital and I was the only unicorn out of us so I was the natural choice to learn it.”

“Your team?”

“Yeah, me and a pegasus, Star Chaser. She was my assistant and helped me with the patients. She would also distract colts while I robbed them blind.” 

“That’s so-”

“Don’t judge me, we did what we had to do to survive. It wasn’t honest work but it paid well and kept us fed.”

“So you two were close?”

“ We were the only family we had.”

“Where is she now?”

“Okay, can I ask a question here?” he said in annoyance.

“Sure what?”

“Why are you so interested in me? Asking me about my past and stuff, what’s your gain in all of this?”

“I wan’t to help you.” Twilight said with concern in her voice.

“But why? I have nothing to offer you. Plus how can you stand to be around me? I’m surprised that you haven’t treated me as bad as Applejack did yesterday morning.”  he said as he eyed the lavender mare.  

“Because I think that-”

“Because you think that you can help me? Save me? Well you can’t no one can. I’ve been in the dark for so long it now hurts to see the light.” he looked at the mare who now had a sad look on her face. “Look, Twi, I appreciate what you’re trying to do, giving me shelter, food, trying to get me new friends but it has and will never be who I am.”

“And just who are you then? A drifter? A loner? A doctor? Who are you? What are you?” Twilight said tears starting to form in her eyes.

“I don’t know anymore.” Echo said as he looked back at the mare. “I haven’t known since I left Detrot, every night I’m bombarded by memories of the ponies I’ve failed, patients, my friends even my parents.”

“Look, I’m just trying to help you because I can see that theres still a chance for you to enjoy your life and no matter what you do I won’t give up. That’s who I AM. I don’t abandon my friends.” she said as she crossed her front hooves.

“Heh-heh, you sounded like Star for a second there. Fine you’re free to try but I’m warning you don’t get your hopes up, as soon as I’m done paying back my debts I’m going back to the forest.”

“What if you decide to stay?”

“Alright how about this, if you somehow manage to convince me to stay then I will owe you a favor.”

“A favor?”

“Not any favor. THE FAVOR, basically you can ask me to do anything and I will do it without question.” he said as he held out a hoof.

“Deal, I hope you’re ready to lose.”she said as she shook the black hoof.

“One thing Ms. Sparkle, I never make abet I can’t win.” he said with a grin.

“Well there’s a first time for every thing.” Twilight said as she returned the grin.

“This is going to be fun I can already tell.” he said with his voice dripping in sarcasm. The two ponies left the bakery and trotted into the busy town. “So where are we off to now?”

“I need to stop at Roseluck’s shop for some tulips.” the trotted up to a small shop a cream colored mare with a red mane was watering some plants. 

“Hey Twilight what’s up?” the mare then noticed the dark stallion standing with her. A smile spread across her face. “Well hello there, and how can I help you?” Roseluck said as she gave Echo a lustful look.

“Um..Rose I need some tulips.” Twilight said as she tried to get the mare’s attention.

“Yeah sure they’re over there against the wall.” she said a she pointed to the back. When she turned back around she saw the dark stallion looking at a purple flower she trotted over next to him. “Can I help you with anything?”

“I see you crossbred a blue hazel root with a red pedal violet.” The red maned mare’s jaw dropped at the statement.

“You’re a herbalist?”

“Sort of, I make remedies out of certain flowers and plants.”

“Well that’s impressive. It’s rare to find a pony with those interests. What brings a stallion like you to this small town?” she said as she leaned against him. Echo noticing the mares motion took a quick side step away from her.

“Well I’m from out of town and I’m staying with Twilight.”

“Wait, are you two together?”

“No, I’m just crashing with her while I’m in town.”

“Oh, I see. So you like plants?”

“Yeah for the most part.”

“Hey Echo I got the flowers we can go now I just need to find- oh Rose you’re over here.”

“Oh yeah Twilight,  I’ll be with you in a minute.” she shouted over to the lavender mare. “I’m sorry where are my manners, My name is Roseluck, you can call me Rose.” she said as she outstretched a hoof. 

“Echo Specter. You can call me Echo.” he said as he put on a weak smile.

“Well Echo, it was nice meeting you.” she said as the stallion started to walk away. The mare trotted after him. “Hey Echo hang on a second.” he then turned back to the red maned mare.

“Yes?”

“You know about crossbreeding plant’s right?”

“Yes.”

“Well I need some help with some plant’s I’m trying to cross breed, could you come by here later on like say seven o’clock and lend me a hoof?” Echo looked at the mare who put on a weak smile.

“Um..sure I don’t mind.” he said weakly.

“Great. See ya.” the mare said a she trotted away. Echo stood motionless dumbfounded      
at what just happened. Twilight then trotted next to the dark stallion.

What the buck just happened?

“Okay Echo we can leave.” Twilight then noticed the stallions’ face. “Hey Echo, Equestria to Echo.”

“Huh? Sorry just lost in thought.” the two unicorns then trotted down the street’s of Ponyville.

“So what did you and Rose talk about?”

“Well we talked about flowers and plants. Then she asked me to help her out with some plants later tonight.” Twilights’ eyes grew to the size of dinner plates.

“WHAT? WHAT DID YOU SAY?”

“I said yes.”

“WHAT WHY?”

“Geez, what is with you and yelling all of a sudden? And why are you acting like this? you’re the one who told me to try and be nice. So that’s what I’m doing.” Twilight then felt her face turn red.

“It’s just that I’m surprised that you agreed to it.”

“So am I. But she seems interesting, I mean we both know a great deal about plants and herbs.”

“And does she know that you were a street doctor for thugs and gang members?”

“No, and why are you being so hostile all of a sudden? I thought that this is what you wanted, me branching out to other individuals.” he said as he gave glare to the mare.

“I know it’s just that, I didn’t know you’d do it this quickly.”

“Believe it or not Twi, I can be nice when I want to. And I wasn’t about to let a fellow herbalist try and crossbreed a species without any help.”

“Why would she need help with that?”

“Ugh! Crossbreeding is a very difficult process it requires both delicacy and precision. Two things I am very good at.” 

“Well alright, If you want to do that.”

“Thank you for the support. So where to next?”

“Back to Applejacks’ farm.” the two ponies then made their way to the apple orchard on the far side of town. On the the way there Twilight couldn’t wrap her mind around what Echo just told her. 
> Chapter 6: Questions
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 6.

Questions.


The pair soon came to a familiar farm, they trotted towards the farm house and saw three fillies playing close to the barn. As they made their way over they were greeted by Applejack.

“Hey you two, what brings you here?”

“Just wanted to check on Applebloom.” Twilight said.

“Well that’s mighty kind of ya, she’s doing great all things considering.” she said as she looked at Echo.

“Did you change the bandages?” Echo asked as he raised an eyebrow.

“Yeah just this morning.”

“Mind if I take a look?”

“Sure, Applebloom come here a minute.” the small yellow filly trotted over to the group of ponies.

“What is it sis?”

“This here is the stallion that patched you up yesterday.” she said as she pointed to Echo. “He’s here to make sure your cuts are healed.” Applebloom then looked at the dark stallion with wonder.

“You healed me?”

“Yes.”

“Wow thanks Dr....what’s your name?”

“Well, My name is Echo and I’m not a doctor. I’m just a pony with extensive medical knowledge. And with your permission I’d like to examine your injuries and make sure they’re not infected.”

“Sure, ah don’t mind. Can my sister come with me?”

“Of coarse. Let’s just go inside for the examination.” The ponies trotted inside the farm house and were joined by the other two fillies. They made their way into the kitchen Applebloom removed the bandages. “Alright this will only take a moment, hold still.” His horn began to glow and a horizontal like appeared on the fillies body, it went up and down twice and then disappeared. “Alright, everything looks fine, just be sure to change the bandages every few hours and let some air get in the wounds. If they do reopen again then just give me a buzz and I’ll come back and seal em again.”

“Thank you Echo.” Applejack said with a smile on her face.

“No problem. So what are we doing here Twilight?” 

“I just wanted to see how Applebloom was doing. We need to lend Rarity a hoof with something, she wouldn’t say.”

“Alright then let’s go.” the two waved goodbye to the farm ponies and their friends along the way to the white ponies shop Twilight tried to strike up another conversation.

“You grew up in Detrot right?”

“Yeah”

“Have you ever gone back?”

“Yes, I make a trip back once a year.”

“Why? From what you’ve told me it sounds like hell.”

“It was, but it was MY HELL and no matter what I do I can’t escape that fact. I guess I’m just sentimental.” Twilight changed the subject to something a little more uplifting.

“So...how do you like Ponyville so far?”

“I’ve seen worse.”

“Ha-ha, how do you like the ponies here?”

“They seem mellow, save for one.” he said as he glared at Twilight.

“Well I saw that coming knowing my friends.”

“I wasn’t talking about one of them.” he said with a smirk.

“Oh you’re a comedian now?” she said with sarcasm in her voice.

“No, but I treated one before, he actually became a big hit.”

“Oh really who was it?”

“Does the name Mane Cook ring a bell?”

“WHAT? You met Mane Cook?!”

“Well, back before he was famous, but yeah he had gotten ruffed up by some punks, ended up with a dislocated jaw, broken snout and a black eye. He was one of the more ‘pleasant’ patients I had.”

“Wow who else did you treat that was a celebrity?”

“Not that many, I preferred to keep a low profile.”

“Why?”

“Well one, I’m not a certified doctor, two, if ponies did know about me then my job could become problematic and three I just hate publicity.”

“Wait why aren’t you a certified doctor?”

“Didn’t want to be one.”

“What! Why? You obviously have the skills and the knowledge.”

“If I did become a full fledge doctor back in Detrot, than more than half of may patients would have died.”

“Why?”

“There’s miles and miles of red tape and beuqacratic bullshit that would need to deal with before I could help ponies and by that time they would already be dead. Plus most of the methods I use are unconventional to say the least.” he said looking back to Twilight.

“What do you mean by ‘unconventional’?” she said as she made quotation marks with her hooves.

“Well, in one situation I had to remove part of a ponies liver to get a knife shard out of his side. I was able to put the liver back together afterwards but he couldn’t drink as much as he used to.”

“I don’t get it.”

“There are procedures that doctors won’t perform on their patients, even if that procedure could save them because it could affect their career and status in the medical field. I don’t have that problem, I don’t care about status, I don’t care about payment, all I care about is helping the poor pony in any way I can. So If I have to break a few bones to get to an infection I will, If I have to break a few regulations to save a ponies life I’ll do it.”

“Wow didn’t know you were such a saint.”

“I’m not a saint, I’m just a stallion who’s not afraid to get his hooves dirty once in a while to help some-pony.”

“So more like a dark knight?” 

“If you want to be dramatic about it then yeah kinda like that.” he said as he rolled his eyes. 

“So you would do these procedures on the ponies, what if you were found out by the guards or police?”

“Well, the police wouldn’t arrest their go to doctor and if any-pony did talk or try and turn me in than some of my regular patients would get angry and ‘convince’ them that it was a bad idea.”

“So you would threaten them?” Twilight said with a shocked look on her face.

“No. The gangs members that came to me for treatment would. I never asked them to, they just did, I tried to stop them on multiple occasions but it was pointless. Plus if I had wanted to threaten some-pony I’d do it myself, I wouldn’t resort to using gang’s for my personal interests.”

“Well let’s say hypothetically, a patient tried to turn you in or sue you, what would YOU do?”

“I’d probably ask them why they would try and sue the pony that had just helped them and try and persuade them nicely to reconsider. If they refused then I would most likely undo my work.”

“What?”

“Again, I have never done this to any-pony. If they came to me with a broken leg, I’d heal it and if they try to turn me over I’d find them and re-break it. They’d get the message after that.”

“You would do that?”

“If I had to. When you live on the streets you need to do anything to survive. Like I said I’m no saint, just a pony who helps those in need.” 

“But that’s kind of hypocritical. I mean a doctor who’s not afraid to hurt others.”

“I’m no doctor. And I’m not scared to do what’s necessary to help ponies, even if some get hurt in the process.”

“That is so....”

“Don’t lecture me Twi. I’ve had to do a lot of things I’m not proud of and I’ve seen a lot of things I can never un-see.”

“I was going to say that's very brave.” Twilight said as she let out a sigh.

“Oh, sorry and thank you.” Echo and Twilight dind't say another word until they got to the boutique. Echo could smell the perfume that saturated the small shop.They were soon greeted by a white unicorn.

“Hello Twilight, hello Echo.”

“Hey Rarity.”

“Sup?” Echo said as he looked at the white unicorn.

“What do you need us for today?”

“It’s nothing big, I just need you two to accompany me to the spa.” she said with a smile.

“I’m sorry Rarity could you repeat that? I must be going deaf because I think you just asked me to go to the spa with you.” he said as he put his hoof to his ear.

“No you heard correct darling. Fluttershy had to cancel our weekly spa date to take a care of some animals and it’s no fun if one goes by themself."

“Of corse Rarity we’d love to go.” Twilight said with smile.

“Count me out." Echo said with afrown on his face.

“You’re still in my debt Echo, or did you forget?” she said with a small giggle. Echo swallowed his rage and looked over at Twilight who was giving him a cold look.

“Fine, lead the way.” he said with a grumble.

“Oh don’t be so angry, you might actually enjoy it.” she said as the three left the boutique.

“Doubt it.”

“Oh calm down you need to look good for your date with Rose tonight anyway.” Echo and Twilight both glared at the white unicorn.

“When did you hear that? We just had that conversation like ten minutes ago!” Echo said.

“Sweetie, this is a small town and I have a weakness for gossip.” she said with a giggle. Echo let out a sigh.

“Ugh, it’s not a date. I’m just helping her with some plants she’s crossbreeding.”

“Oh is that what they call it these days?” Rarity said letting out a laugh. Echo then gave the white unicorn a stare that would frighten a manticore.

“Rarity, say anything like that again and I swear by Celestia’s beard that I will shave your mane off while your sleeping and give it to a wig shop! And Don’t think I won’t! Do I make myself clear?” Rarity’s eyes shrank to the size of pin heads in fear.

“Cr-crystal.” she said giving a weak smile.

“Good, now let’s get this over with.” he said flatly. The rest of the walk was spent in silence, the trio found themselves in front of the spa. Two earth ponies suddenly appeared before the group. They were earth ponies, One was pink with a blue mane and the other’s color scheme was reversed.

“Welcome to our salon I’m Aloe.”

“And I’m Lotus. How can we help you today?”

“Hello girls, three usuals if you don’t mind.” Rarity said as she trotted in side the spa.

“But of corse Ms. Rarity.”

“Good to see you again Twilight. It’s been ages.” Aloe said as she led the three into the back, the two ponies gaze then fell upon the dark stallion. “This is a friend of your’s Ms. Rarity?”

“Yes he is an acquaintance of mine. This is Echo. Echo this is Aloe and Lotus they own the spa.” 

“Nice to meet you.” he said as he gave the sisters a nod.

“Likewise, any friend of Ms. Rarity.”

“Is a friend of ours.” Aloe finished. The three then went in to the steam room, the two mares started to gossip while Echo went into his own room and gave the two their privacy, he soon drifted off and began to sleep. As soon as the door closed Rarity started running her mouth.


“Twilight are you okay?”

“Yeah why wouldn’t I be?”

“Darling you know what I’m talking about Echo and Rose’s date tonight.”

“It’s not a date Rarity, they’re fellow herbalists and he’s helping her out with some plants. He said so.”

“Twi, do you honestly believe that?”

“Echo said he had no intention of dating Rose.”

“It’s not Echo I’m talking about darling.” Rarity said as she glared at the lavender mare.

“Rose? why should I worry about her?”

“You obviously don’t know Roseluck very well. Let’s just say that our favorite florist likes to move faster than most.” It took Twilight a full three minutes to understand what Rarity meant.

“You mean she.......That she’s........That she would?”

“Yes.”

“On the first date?”

“Almost always on the first date. Ever-pony in town knows that she likes to..how can I put this? ‘pollinate her tulips’ regularly.”

“Wow, I didn’t know that.”

“Yes, so Echo had better be careful.”

“Well now I’m scared for Rose.” Twilight said.

“Why?” Twilight then began to tell Rarity what Echo had told her before they went to see her, how he’s not afraid to hurt some-pony to get a job done. “My word. I had no idea that he would do that to a pony.”

“His methods may be....extreme but his motives are good.”

“Still trying to defend your doctor hmm?”

“Rarity! Hush, he’ll hear you!”

“Still haven’t told him have we then. Twilight you need to tell him before another mare comes along and takes a fancy in him.”

“Rarity he’s the definition of anti social, he’s angry, damaged and has an inferiority complex.”

“Some mares find that very attractive in a stallion, wouldn’t you agree?” Rarity said as she gave her friend a seductive look.

“Rarity!”

“Oh come now Twilight you know what I mean. Plus look at the positives he has to offer.”

“Well he’s smart, strong, caring, and he's good with magic.” she said as she began to blush.

“See you do like him, plus he isn’t that bad to look at.” Rarity said licking her lips.

“RARITY!”

“Sorry dear, but I can dream once in awhile now can’t I? I wonder what Echo dreams about.”

“Probably nightmares.” Twilight said flatly.

“What makes you say that?”

“I heard him screaming this morning and tried to wake him up. When he did he looked scared out of his mind, must have been one heck of a nightmare.”

“Well one more thing to add to the ‘Echo Enigma’. And what about this Star Chaser he mentioned.”

“Don’t know. He just mentioned her name, when I asked about her he nearly bit my head off.”

“Well let’s find this mare! Maybe she can fill in the blanks for us.”

“That could work, he did tell me that he makes a trip back to Detrot once a year. Maybe it’s to go visit her.”

“Splendid, now all we have to do is accompany him next time he goes.”

“Do you honestly think that he’s going to let us come along?” Twilight said as she raised an eyebrow.

“Very true. So we’ll have to go ‘incognito’ I have just the outfit’s for it.” Rarity said as she clapped her hooves together in excitement.

“I don’t know Rarity what if he catches us?”

“Then we’ll improvise, plus we’ll bring the rest of the girls with us for protection. Strength in numbers and all.”

“Alright then let’s do it. But we should at least tell him about Rose.” Twilight said as she looked at her snow white friend.

“Agreed.” Rarity said as they exited the sauna. The twins were waiting with robes in their mouths Echo soon exited his sauna and followed the mares to the mud bath. He decided to pass on the cucumber and kelp wrap and just sat in the bathtub filled with mud. Rarity and Twilight tried to strike up a conversation.

“So Echo what are you and Rose planning on doing on your da-” she stopped when Echo morphed a pair of magical scissors out of nowhere.

“I mean, social engagement.” the scissors disappeared.

“Not sure, she just want’s me to help her with some plants.”

“Um, Echo there’s something you should know about Rose.” Twilight said.

“What?”

“She tends to be really, really willing to... um..”

“What Twilight is trying to say is that Rose has a tendency to get ‘intimate’ on the first date.”

“Oh is that all?”

“Is that all? How can you be so casual about this?” Twilight said.

“Well Twilight he’s a stallion so of corse he’s-”

“Wrong on that note Rarity. I’m casual about it because If I can take on an enraged drug lord I’m fairly certain I can handle an earth pony mare in heat. Plus if she tries any thing I’ve got a back up plan.”

“What is it?” Echo then teleported a vial of purple liquid.

“This is will suppress her ‘urges’ for a few hours, by that time I’ll be long gone.” he then made the vial disappear.

“Wow, Is there a potion you don’t have?” Twilight said in amazement. 

“Nope.” 

“Well isn’t that a little....extreme?” Rarity asked.

“Again, it’s only if she tries anything.”

“Hey Echo can I ask you something?” Twilight said.

“Sure what?”

“Well most stallions would jump at the chance to well... 'spend some time' with a mare like Rose. Why don’t you?”

“Well, I’m not like most stallions and I look for more than just looks when it comes to mares. Personality is key.”

“Well that’s very honorable.” Rarity said as she gave Twilight a wink.

“Thank you, plus I’ve had to defend mares from time to time.”

“Really, why?” Twilight said.

“Why do you think?” he said as he eyed the lavender mare. She continued to hold the confused look on her face.

“Still innocent I see.” he said with a chuckle.

“Sorry.” she said as she hung her head down.

“Don’t be. It’s refreshing to meet some pony that hasn’t been tainted by life.” he said with a smile, which caused Twilight to blush. “But back to the point. Sometimes a stallion would want something from a mare, and she wouldn’t give it to him. Then he would start beating her, if I was able, I’d stop them and give the mare some counseling or Star would rather than me.”

“So that’s what Star did for you?” Rarity asked.

“Yeah, I would handle the medical aspects and she would handle the emotional aspects.” he said as he let out a sigh. “Incase you haven’t noticed  I’m not the most emotionally gifted pony around.” 

“True, so where is Star now?” Twilight asked.

“Last time I checked, still in Detrot.”

“Do you two keep in touch?”

“Not really, I visit her from time to time to check on her.” 

“Is that where you go every year?”

“Yeah, check on her and see the old neighborhood.” he said flatly.

“Well can we come the next time you decide to go?” Rarity asked. Echo then glared at the white unicorn.

“No.”

“Why not I’m anxious to see how-”

“I said No! Trust me it’s not a place for ponies like you.” he said with a harsh tone.

“And why not?”

“Let’s see. Two young unicorn mares that know nothing about the Detrot under ground crime ring and for the most part can’t defend themselves.”

“Well I know several defensive and stunning spells plus I’m Princess Celestia’s-” Twilight was cut off by an angered Echo.

“See that’s what I’m talking about! You think the ponies there care about status? They don’t. They would kidnap and kill you, and if they didn’t decide to kill you, then believe me you’ll wish they had!” Echo soon calmed down and lowered his voice. “Take this from some-pony who’s grown up there. It’s not meant for outsiders like you, it’s the filth of Equestria.” he then got out of the bath and walked out the door. Twilight and Rarity sat in the mud bath in silence for what seemed like hours.

“Well I think it’s abut time we got out of this muck.” Rarity said Twilight nodded her head in agreement. The two left the spa Rarity broke the silence. “So how should we go about doing this?”

“Doing what?”

“Following Echo to Detrot when he goes to visit Star, I’ll have to organize the tickets, the outfits the-” she was cut off by a lavender hoof.

“Are you crazy! You heard what he said Detrot is a war zone. We wouldn’t last five minutes on our own. Plus we don’t even know when he goes.”

“Twilight relax we’ll bring the rest of our friends with us I’m certain we can handle anything Detrot can dish out and I’ll handle the ‘when he goes aspect.’”

“I don’t know Rarity this seems a bit risky.”

“Fine lets take a vote on it amongst our friends, and then we’ll worry about the preparations. Deal?” 

“Deal. I’ll find Rainbow and AJ, you go find Pinkie and Fluttershy. We’ll meet at Sugar Cube Corner tonight at 8:30PM.”

“Alright I’ll see you then.” Rarity said as she turned to the direction of Fluttershy’s cottage. Twilight then trotted over to Sweet Apple Acres to find Applejack, after she talked to the earth pony she found Rainbow Dash sleeping in a tree and told her about the meeting she agreed to come. She then made her way back to the library and found Echo reading in one of the chairs on the main floor. “Hey listen I-”

“No, I’m sorry to snap at you two like that. It’s just that I’m trying to spare you the horrors I have had witness.” he said as he closed his book.

“Look we’re curious about you and we just want to help.” she said in a pleading tone.

“Twi, it’s like I said you can’t help me. I’m sorry but it’s a fact.” he said as he trotted back to his room. Twilight was about to protest but knew it was futile. She had to get ready for the meeting at Sugar Cube Corner.

> Chapter 7: The Shattered Mask
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 7

The Shattered Mask


Echo left at 7:00 PM to meet up with Roseluck at her shop. As he got there he was greeted by the cream colored mare.

“Hey you made it. I was getting worried that you ditched me.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it.” he said with a grin. “So should we get started then?”

“Actually I was hoping that we could grab a bite to eat first. Can’t work on an empty stomach I always say.” she said with a smile.

“Alright where?”

“I was thinking Sugar Cube Corner.”

“That’s fine, lets go.” the two trotted to the small bakery along the way the two talked about work and plant’s. Rose broke the cycle of conversational dribble.

“Look you’ve probably heard by now that I’m considered a loose mare.”

“I’ve heard rumors.”

“Well I just want to make one thing clear, that was a long time ago and I have no intention of doing anything like that again.” she said as she looked at the ground. “Now that you know you probably don’t want to be seen with me.”

“Not true. So you made some mistakes Celestia knows I’ve done plenty of things I’m not proud of.”

“Really like what?”

“I don’t really want to talk about it.” he said as he adverted her gaze.

“That’s fine, I understand one’s need for privacy.” she said with a smile.

“Thanks.” the two continued the walk in silence.

Twilight walked into Sugar Cube Corner to see that her friends had already gathered in a booth. She trotted over to her five friends and sat down next to Rainbow Dash.

“So why did you two want to meet us here again?” Rainbow asked impatiently. 

“Okay, today Rarity and I found out that Echo has a friend in Detrot that he goes back to visit once a year.”

“And I thought that we should tag along and see if we can figure somethings out from this mare.” Rarity said.

“But he strongly advised against it.” Twilight added.

“However, this is a good opportunity to find out more about him. We’ve managed to get some info out of him but nothing concrete.” Rarity interjected.

“So we decided to put it to a vote, whether we should do it or not.”

“Um Twi, we might want to take a rain check on this.” Rainbow said as she pointed towards the door. The six ponies all turned their heads to See Echo and Rose walking into the bakery.

“What’s Rose doing with Echo?” Applejack asked in surprise.

“He said that they were going to work on cross breeding plants.” Twilight said in surprise. Rose then noticed the six ponies staring at them.

“Oh great, the others have noticed us.” Rose said as she covered her face with her hoof. Echo then looked over at Twilight and the others with a harsh glare. The six ponies then adverted their gaze.

“Don’t worry about them, they’re more concerned with me than you.” he said with a small grin. Soon a blue unicorn stallion wearing a pair of glasses trotted up to the two with a smug look on his face.

“Well hello Rose, fancy meeting you here.”

“What do you want Gambler?.” she said with spite in her voice.

“So cruel. I was just wondering who’s the poor sap you managed to sucker in this time.”

“Ugh! Just leave us alone and bugger off!” she said as her cheeks turned red. The stallion then slapped the mare across the face. Before he had time to land another hit Echo had caught his hoof in mid air.

“Instead of this place turning into a blood bath how about we settle this like mature adults?”

“And why would I do that?”

“You are a gambler yes?” he asked as he let go of the stallions hoof.

“That’s right best in Equestria, I’ve never lost.”

“So then lets play a game.” Echo said with a smirk on his face.

“What’s the game?” Echo sat down at the table in the middle of the room and was joined by Gambler sitting across from him. Echo then summoned two glasses of water and a small vial containing some powder.

“Here take a sniff.” the blue stallion did as he was asked and smelled the powder.

“Doesn’t smell like anything.”

“Exactly, this is a powerful knock out drug. It’s odorless, tasteless and dissolves instantly in liquid.” Echo made a wall appear in front of the two ponies for only thirty seconds. When the wall disappeared Gambler noticed that the vial was empty. “The game is simple, chose the right cup and you won’t fall unconscious chose wrong and you will. I know the answer and I will be able to tell if you made the right choice or not. I’ll tell you after we both drink.”

“Hm clever. I know you underestimate me so you obviously put the drug in the cup in front of you.”

“Perhaps.” Echo said with a blank look on his face.

“But unless you counted on that so you put the drug in my glass.”

“Your tricks won’t work I’m not telling you.”

“You don’t have to tell me I know where the drug is!”

“Make your choice then.”

“Fine I choose...hey what’s that over there?” he said as he pointed a hoof behind Echo. Echo then looked away, just as Gambler switched the glasses in between them.

“I don’t see anything.”

“Sorry it was just a bird. But let’s drink.” he said as he picked up the glass. The two toasted one another and drank the liquid with haste. Gambler then began to laugh. Echo put the cup down on the table.

“You chose wrong.” as he said that the blue unicorn fell over unconscious. Rose and the other ponies rushed to Echo’s side cheering.

“Brilliant. How did you know he would switch the cups?” Rose said.

“I didn’t.”

“I don’t get it.” Rainbow said as she scratched her mane.

“I drugged both cups.”

“Then why ain’t ya on the ground like him.” AJ said.

“I invented that drug, I spent years developing an immunity to it.” he said as he got to his hooves. Twilight’s jaw dropped in the sheer genius of the plan. 

“So you cheated?” Applejack said in disapproval.

“Sometimes you gotta bend the rules, to make things turn out the way you want them to.” he said with a grin. “Who was that guy?”

“My ex. he’s been pestering me for months.” Rose said letting out a huff. She then turned her attention to the blue unicorn. “Is he going to be alright?”

“Yeah he’ll wake up in a few minutes.” Echo said with a smirk. “So what are you six doing here anyway?” he said as he turned back to Twilight and her friends.

“We were just out for a girls night out.” Twilight said weakly.

“Twilight you’re really bad at lying, why are you really here?”

“We were just talking.”

“About?”

“You.” she said with a guilty look on her face.

“Knew it. What was it this time?”

“About you going-” Twilight was cut off by a blue magic beam hitting Echo in the back sending him flying out the door and into the streets of Ponyville. Echo got to his hooves and looked back at the angry blue unicorn he was using Rose for a shield.

“Let me go!”

“Not yet, you little slut. I’m going to enjoy beating you and your colt friend.”

“I suggest you let Roseluck go. Before I get angry.” he said as he began to frown.

“Oh I’m scared now. You want her you're gonna hve to make me let her go” he said mockingly as he tightened his grip on the mare’s neck.

“Fine”. Echo let out a small beam from his horn that collided with the stallions horn which then started to crack. He released his hold on Roseluck, who managed to dive for cover before Gambler let off a magical discharge that collided with Echo’s face sending him flying back into the street. Gambler then fell to the ground. The seven ponies then raced to Echo’s side.

“Echo are you okay?” Twilight said as she helped him to his hooves.

“Yeah, I’m fine I just-” He stopped as he felt his ‘mask’ crumbling away. 

Oh no

Twilight and the others stood horrified as Echo’s flawless black coat started to be replaced by scars and burn marks. His chest had many blisters and lacerations, his legs had many stitch marks and puncture wounds. What the ponies noticed the most was his right eye, instead of the electric green color it was blood red. Every-pony except Twilight took a step back from the dark stallion.

“Echo...I...What-” before she could say another word Echo took off towards the library with tears running down his face. Rainbow was in pursuit.

“Echo Wait!” she said as she was gaining on him. Echo’s horn began to glow and shot a beam at the cyan mare. The beam had hit her in the wings and she dropped to the ground ahead of Echo. “What did you do!?”Rainbow bellowed as he made his way into the library and barricaded the door to his room. He tried to teleport out of the town but he was still weak from the fight earlier. Instead he tried to remain as quite as possible hoping the ponies wouldn’t find him there, the door was starting to give, he quickly packed his equipment and slipped out the window into the cold streets of Ponyville as he galloped away from the library he looked back to see Twilight raising a hoof  to him with tears running down her face. Twilight called out to the stallion but he was already to far away, he disappeared into the dark cold night.

Echo was running faster than he had ever ran in his life he made it into the Everfree Forest. Eventually he made his way to his old cave and began to unpack his supplies back in their proper place

Why did you run?

What do you mean why? You saw their reactions to ‘this!’ 

They would have understood.

Yeah right, no-pony has, no-pony will.

Twilight understood.

No she didn’t she reacted just like all the rest did!

True. but she tried something the others hadn’t.

And what’s that?

She tried. She tried to understand, she tried to help you and you pushed her away.

Shut up!

NO! This is your fault no one els’s!

SHUT UP!

You could have been happy, you could have had friends, but no you just had to go and screw everything up didn’t you, just like you did with-

I SAID SHUT UP! Echo then slammed his head into a rock knocking him unconscious. He laid there for who knows how long, as the darkness started to creep around him he heard voices at the entrance of the cave and all faded to black. 
> Chapter 8: The Devil's Doctor
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 8

The Devil's Doctor


Echo woke up on a large bed, as he tried to move he realized that his hooves were bound. He opened one eye half way to see six mares looking at him as well as a pony in a white lab coat, he was relatively young and not much older than he was. He closed his eye before any of them noticed.

“How is he doctor?” Twilight asked with a worried look on her face.

“He should be fine, he has a minor concussion, but I’m more interested in these scars. What happened to him?” Twilight then proceeded to tell the doctor everything Echo had told them, his childhood on the streets, the clinic he ran and about the procedures he would do. By the end of the story the doctor had an amazed look on his face. He trotted over to Echo with a syringe, he looked back at the mares with a quizzical look. “You said he lived in Detrot?”

“Yes.” The doctor’s expression turned into a face of sheer horror and wonderment.

“BY CELESTIA’S FLANK! I KNOW WHO HE IS!”

“What? Who?”

“He’s the-” he was cut off by Echo who managed to break his restraints and inject the syringe into the doctor causing him to fall on the bed unconscious. Twilight and the others looked in shock at the dark stallion who glared back at them with surprise and rage. Before he could react he was trapped in a purple magic cage.

“What the? Let me go!”

“Not this time! We’re tired of all the mystery and the secrets. WE WANT ANSWERS!” the cyan mare bellowed.

“The only way your getting anything out of me is through and painful torture and I don’t think you have the guts!” Echo said with rage in his eyes. Rainbow was about to tackle him when Twilight held up a hoof and stopped her friend. She then cast an icy glare at Echo who stared at her in resentment.

“Fine, then I’ll get answers the hard way.” she said coldly.

“Go ahead.” he said meeting her gaze. Twilight’s horn began to glow. A small beam made contact with his horn and Echo began to slip into unconsciousness as did Twilight. 

Twilight found herself in a dark alley, it’s stench could rival a sewage plant. Her gaze fell upon a dark building hidden by the others. As she made her way through the double doors  she saw a light blue pegasus with a sapphire colored mane. She was wearing an eyepatch over her right eye, her left was a deep vibrant red.

“You must be Twilight Sparkle.” she said in a cheery voice.

“Yeah, who are you? and how did you know me?”

“Right where are my manners? I’m Star Chaser. I’m the councilor and nurse here at the clinic.”

“Echo said that you were in Detrot. I used a mind reading spell to get some answers.”

“And I think he want’s to give them to you. You wouldn’t be here otherwise.” she said with a grin.

“Come again?”

“Lot’s of ponies have tried to enter his mind almost all of them have had a one way ticket to insanity. But you seem to be a special case, I can see why he likes you.” she said with a giggle.

“What?”

“You’re all he ever talks about! I’ve tried to convince him to listen to me but he’s as stubborn as a mule.” she then turned to one of the patients. “No offense Mr. Wheel.” The mule then nodded.

“It’s alright.” he said with a grin. Star then turned back to Twilight who was looking at her eye patch.”

“Um, if you don’t mind me asking, what happened to your eye?”

“Oh this thing? Well one time Echo and I were cornered by some gang members. We managed to fight them off but not without injury. Echo lost his right eye and was bleeding out. I took him inside and replaced it with mine. You’ve seen it haven’t you?”

“Yeah last night, I knew he was using an illusion spell and it broke when he was hit by a discharge.”

“Oh my, that’s not good.”

“Why?”

“That wasn’t a normal illusion spell Twilight. That spell was more like a lock to block out his memories and emotions. That’s why he’s so blunt all the time.”

“I don’t get it?”

“Ugh, the lock prevented him from going crazy and now that it’s gone he’ll go on a rampage.”

“How bad are we talking here?”

“The last time he got like this he took down an entire gang.” she said flatly.

“And when you mean take down?”

“He beat them until their bodies or minds were completely broken.”

“What triggered it?”

“I’ll show you.” the two trotted into the operating room Twilight saw Echo over an operating table, he was scared. Suddenly a weak voice spoke up, it was the patient.

“It’s okay. Let me go, you have to.” it was a mare’s voice

“No! Don’t talk like that I can still save you! I can-” he was cut off by the patient. 

“You’ve done so much for me already, you have to let go. Please I can’t keep living like this.”

“No I can’t! Please don’t ask me to do that.”

“You have to, please for me.” Echo was in tears, he summoned a syringe containing red liquid. He took one last look at the patient as he injected the fluid into the mare’s body.

“Will you stay with me?”

“To the end. I’m so sorry.” he said as he took hold of the mares hoof.

“Come closer.” Echo leaned his head in closer to the dying mare. She pressed her lips against his, she broke it Echo began to speak.

“I love you.” he said with tears running down his face.

“I...love...you... too.” the mare said with the last of her strength and fell back on her bed. Echo held the mare and began to wail in agony.

“Who was that?” Twilight asked with tears running down her face. The scene collapsed to a funeral being held on a hill, it was raining and all of the guests wore black, most of them were street rats and the homeless. After the others had left Echo sat in front of the tombstone for hours,  after he finally left the two mares stepped forward the stone read:  




Here lies Star Chaser

A true healer and a true friend.


Twilight’s eyes started to flow a river of tears she couldn’t begin to imagine the pain Echo had felt that day.

“He blames himself for my death and all the others he’s lost on the operating table.” she said as she looked at Twilight.

“Others?”

“When he woke up screaming the other night, it wasn’t from a dream it was memory. He had to euthanize a little filly who contracted the feather flu, her mother then slit her own throat right in front of him.” 

“I can’t believe he’s been able to bare it this long.”

“He locked away the pain along with everything else. He used to be so caring and kind, now he’s wallowing in sadness and regret. Until he met you.”

“Me?”

“Yes, somehow you managed to reach him and I can tell you like him.” Star gave Twilight a wink.

“I can’t help him.”

“No! You can help him. He’s not beyond help, no-pony is he just needs some-pony to show him the way. And I believe that some-pony is you.” Star then put a hoof on Twilight’s shoulder. The scene around them began to shake and shatter. “Looks like your time’s up, remember what you’ve seen. Help Echo, if not for him, then do it for a friend, do it for me.” Twilight then felt herself being drawn back into her own body. “Remember Twilight Sparkle, every-pony deserves a second chance.” She opened her eyes to see the five mares staring at her with a concerned look on their faces. Her gaze then fell upon Echo who was glaring at her with fear and tears streaming down his face. Twilight then trotted over and wrapped him in a hug.

“Echo, I’m so sorry for what you had to do, I can never begin to understand the pain you’ve felt. I’m so sorry.” Twilight said through the tears. The five mares looked at her in confusion and trotted out of the room Applejack had taken the doctor on her back and trotted down stairs. After two hours had passed Twilight exited the room, and rejoined her friends down in the main library hall.

“What happened up there Twilight?” Rarity asked in concern. Twilight then began to explain what she had witnessed inside of Echo’s mind. The clinic, Star’s death, the filly, everything. By the end every one of them were in tears.

“Ah had no idea that he had been through so much.” AJ said through the tears.

“Quite, it was a sad day for Detrot.” the doctor said.

“You knew him?” Rainbow asked.

“Yes, I remember Echo and Star. I was a medical student and they helped me pass my exams. ‘The Devils Doctor’ that’s what they called him back then. Star and him were inseparable, together they could fix any injury, physical or emotional. After she died Echo became a different pony, he would still treat those who needed it but lacked a certain ‘spark’ in his eyes. His friends and patients tried their best to comfort him but nothing seemed to work. Until he found the leader of the ‘Red Talon.’ The gang that had beaten Star.”

“What happened?”

“He went on a rampage, slicing and cutting his way through the building. Only a few died that night, including the leader’s ‘Red Talon’ subordinates. After the attack we finally understood something.

“What?” Rarity asked with fear in her voice.

“Why, why this stallion that had fought with drug lords and the police why he would run away and hide. He was being kind.”

“How do you know all this” AJ asked.

“I was there on that black day.”

“What happened to the Talon’s?” Rainbow asked.

“No one knows what happened to them.”

“What do you think happened?” the group of ponies turned around to see Echo looking down at them with an intense stare. He then turned to the doctor. “Nice to see you again Knives.” 

“Like wise Echo.” he said with a grin. 

“I suppose you all have the right to know what happened to them.” his horn began to glow and a small blue crystal and a tripod. “This is a memory crystal, it holds my memories of that day. I understand if you don’t want to see it.” he said as he looked back to the mares.

“We want to know.” Twilight said.

“Alright don’t say I didn’t warn you.” he said as he started to funnel his magic into the crystal. It started to glow and projected images inside the library. They appeared to be inside some sort of building, Twilight knew the building it was the clinic that Echo ran back in Detrot. Suddenly a young griffin with a bandaged right wing made his way inside the clinic. Echo brought him into the O.R. and began to look over the griffin’s wing. 

“I heard about what happened....to Star I’m sorry for your loss.”

“It’s alright. Now what seem’s to be the problem.” he said in a flat tone.

“Never mind about me, I’m here to tell you something.”

“What?”

“I know who did it. I know who beat Star.” he said in a hushed tone. Echo then grabbed the griffin and slammed him down on the table holding a scalpel in a magical grip to his neck.

“If this is some kind of joke then Celestia help you!”

“It’s no joke! It was the ‘Red Talon’s’ they did it! and I can prove it!” he said as Echo got off of him. 

“First off who are you?” Echo asked in an enraged tone.

“My name is Ace Beak. The one who beat star was Black Beak my brother, I stole this from him.” he withdrew a golden locket that held a picture of Echo and Star together. Echo grabbed the necklace and examined it.

“I gave this to her for her birthday five years ago. There’s no way she’d leave this lying around. So let’s assume I believe you. Why are you doing this? You’re giving me an excuse to kill your brother and since you’re a member of the same gang then that applies to you as well.” he said coldly.

“If you wan’t to kill me fine. But if you want revenge then I can give it to you. Star was a friend of mine. So if you want to kill me then go ahead, but you wont set one hoof inside out base without my help.” he said as he glared back at the unicorn.

“So why are you turning over your brother?”

“He deserves to die. You think that Star was his first victim? No, he’s been doing it for years. When he dies I’ll take his place as head of the gang.”

“So this is your gain!”

“It works out for both of us, you get your revenge and I take his place.” he said as he looked at the stallion with an intense look. Echo looked at the locket for a moment and looked back to the griffin. 

“I want names and the location. I know that one griffon couldn’t do that to Star.”

“Correct, it was my brother and his three lieutenants. They all had a part in it.”

“Alright, I believe you, but the second you hold anything back and so help me I will slit your throat so fast you won’t even have time to call for help.” Echo said as he glared at the griffin with daggers in his eyes.

“Noted, but were going to need a lot of help to over run the compound there’s approximately twenty guards per lieutenant.

“How many lieutenant’s?”

“Including me, four.”

“You’re a lieutenant?” Echo said in shock.

“Yes, my men are loyal to me and they share my idea’s. They’ve even managed to turn  some of the other members to our cause.”

“Well why would they care?”

“We may be scum, but we have our rules. And killing a nurse is just wrong!”

“Are your members willing to work with other gangs?”

“If I order them to, then yes.”

“Good meet me back here tonight at 8:00 PM. I’m gonna get some help.”

“We’re gonna need an army to take down my brother.”

“That’s what I intend to get. Remember 8:00 PM sharp!” he said as the griffin left the room. Echo soon left and trotted to the local homeless shelter he met with some old patients and discussed his plan. After they agreed he traveled to the Blue Wing Territory. They were mostly pegasi and were very useful for assassinations and stealth, after them he went to the Yellow Dragons, unicorns who had a knack for pyromania. 

By 8:00 PM Echo had the leaders of every major gang in Detrot in the waiting room, he was just waiting on Ace. After the griffin had arrived the meeting had started Echo looked around the room and saw Skyline, leader of the Blue Wings a blue pegasus stallion. Fire Starter a light red unicorn mare, captain of Yellow Dragons and Time Turner a tan earth pony, commander of the Black Manticores. Echo took his seat at the table and began to talk.

“Okay, listen up I know that none of you have gotten along with one another, so all I’m asking is for a little co-operation and then you can go about your business. Alright?”

“You have my attention.” Sky line said with a calm voice.

“Same here.” Fire Starter said.

“Mine as well.” Turner muttered.

“I’m sure you all know about Star’s death. New information has come to light, Star was attacked by Black Beak leader of the Red talons. My plan is to storm the compound find him and his three lieutenants and end them.” the three leaders looked at one another in shock. “I can’t do this on my own. So I am asking you will you help me as I have helped you.” The three gang leaders huddled up and began to whisper to one another for five minutes. 

“One question. Where do I need to be?” Sky line said with a grin.

“Like wise.” Turner added.

“My forces are yours to command.” Fire starter said with a smile.

“Thank you all of you.”

“Forget it. You and Star were more than just our doctor’s you’re our friends and we look out for each other.” Turner said with a smile.

“Black Beak has gone too far this time, killing a doctor is against the rules we founded. He needs to pay.” Fire starter said with rage in his voice.

“Only one thing try and limit casualties, I don’t want a blood bath. Just beat them don’t kill them, and No one touches Black Beak or the lieutenants. They’re mine!”

“Done. So what’s the plan?” Ace asked.

Echo started to go over his plan with the leaders, by the end of the night they had their plan, the tools and the army. Echo was ready for war.
> Chapter 9: House call
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 9

House call


Echo was too anxious to sleep, he visited Stars grave. He wanted to see her again, if it was just for a second. He spent hours there reminiscing all the memories and moments the two shared. He suddenly felt a tap on his shoulder he looked up to see Skyline looking down at him.

“It’s time, are you ready?”

“Yeah, let’s go.” Echo got to his hooves. He walked back the clinic double checking his strategy, making sure he had everything in place. He stopped by the clinic one last time, he looked over his equipment and potions. He looked over at the abandoned desk and put the locket around his neck and proceeded to meet with the gang leaders. With their forces gathered Echo began to long walk towards the Talon base. He met with Ace who gave him the lay out of the complex. The Talon’s ‘base’ was just an old warehouse that used to manufacture construction parts, Ace had cleared the main entrance and was taking him in to see the Black Beak. Echo wore a black cloak to cover his face. As the two entered the compound Ace nodded to some ponies and griffins that soon left their posts. They entered his office and sat down. Black Beak was significantly larger than Echo and Ace Beak. 

“So this is the Devil Doctor. It’s good to finally meet you, I am Black Beak Captain of the Red Talons.” he said with a grin.

“The feeling is mutual. Since I know your busy I’ll get straight to the point I need four thorns in my side gone. It’s extremely important so I came to the best and you will be paid handsomely.”

“You flatter me and I would be glad to assist such a pony of your stature. Simply tell me the names and I’ll get right on it.”

“Thank you. Their names are Feather Claw, Blue Talon and Black Wing.” he said as the large griffin froze in astonishment.

“My subordinates. Why would you want them dead? And you said three names who’s the fourth?”

“As to why I want them dead is because they killed a mare. My assistant, my friend, Star Chaser! and the fourth name is your own.” Black Beak began to laugh hysterically at the statement. “What’s so funny?”

“The thought that you a little pony dare threaten me. Black Beak captain of the Red Talons, leader of the largest gang in Detrot.”

“Well I don’t know about that.” Echo said as he snickered.

“What’s the joke? I could use a laugh.” Black Beak said with a small grin.

“How your arrogance blinds you, from what’s happening around you.” Suddenly the room began to shake violently the smell of fire and smoke soon filled the room. Black Beak looked out the window to see a massive force invading the complex. 

“Guards! we have intruders!” his expression then shifted to one that of pure fear as his two guards were just thrown through the windows and into the room battered and beaten.

“Looks like your out of cards to play.”

“Ace I order you to-” he was cut off by his brother’s icy glare. “What no. Why? You’re my brother how could you betray me like this?”

“Your greed and power have blinded you and you’ve broken the sacred rules that you yourself agreed upon when you took over the Red Talons.” Three more cloaked ponies entered the rooms each carrying a bound griffin on their back.

“My Lieutenants!” he yelled.

“You grabbed power.” Turner said as he entered the room.

“Twisted the rules for your own gain.” Skyline added.

“Made a mockery of us, you’re no longer fit to lead the ‘Red Talons’.” Fire Starter said with rage in her voice. 

“I think you’ve met my accomplices before.” Echo said with a flat tone.

“Fire Starter, Skyline and even you Turner! Why? You were my comrades I trusted you.”

“And you murdered our friend in cold blood.” Turner retorted.

“What you mean that stupid little mare? What about her?”

“She was my assistant and my friend.” Echo said as he got up from his seat. “What I want to know is why? What did she do to deserve death! She was harmless she didn’t have anything to do with this.” he bellowed.

“Is it really that big a mystery to you? It’s because she was your assistant that she was targeted.” he said with a laugh.

“What?”

“You were my biggest threat ,you would heal my enemies and gave them hope. I despise hope, it gives ponies ideas that they might be successful and try and do something stupid.”

“Why..You!” Echo bellowed to enraged to form a proper sentence. 

“Oh please don’t act so childish. It’s your own fault for getting Star involved in your ‘business’, if you hadn’t then she would be safe and sound some where. Instead she’s taking a dirt nap.”

“......” Echo was too shocked to respond.

“I see your beginning to understand, heres a tip. If you have some-pony you want to protect then keep them at a distance.” he said with a smug grin. Fire and Skyline were about to tackle  Black Beak, Echo held them back.

“No, he’s mine. You can do what you wish to the lieutenants, consider it a gift for helping me.” the three gang leaders suddenly had a grin spread across their faces they grabbed the unconscious griffins and left the room along with Ace. Leaving the two alone in his office. 

“So what do we do now? Oh I know, how about a night out on the town, grab some drinks, meet some mares who knows?” he said with a laugh.

“I have a better idea.” Echo grabbed the griffon and threw him through the window. The large creature landed with a hard crash as he got to his feet Echo jumped down on the griffins back sending him into the ground once again. The ware house was going up in flames and there wasn’t much time. A large beam then fell on the griffon, trapping him inside the inferno. “Well look at this, trapped in your own castle. Irony you are a clever mistress. But I think It’s time I take my leave so I guess this is goodbye Black Beak.” Echo then materialized a knife he was going in for the kill, he saw what he wanted, his friend’s murderer pleading for his life, hoping that some how something would save him. Not this time. As he trotted closer he saw the fear in the griffin’s eyes, he suddenly stopped his advancement and looked down at Star’s locket. He began to remember her who she was and what she stood for.

I still don’t think we should have let him walk away like that.

C’mon Echo every-pony deserves a second chance, I gave you one remember?

Yeah, yeah I know.

Those words started to ring in his mind. He looked down at the frightened griffin who now had his eyes closed awaiting his eventual demise. Echo then began to walk forward, towards the wounded griffin. Black Beak then felt the massive beam being lifted off his beaten body.

“What? What’s going on?” he said as Echo brought a hoof down on his face knocking him out. Echo then lifted the griffin on his back and began to gallop out of the burning building. As they cleared the door the fire had reached the chemical storage part of the facility, the flames hit the canisters the entire building was engulfed in an explosion. The force was deafening, it sent the two crashing into the nearest building. Echo’s face was covered in cut’s and blood he could feel his body burning from the explosion he looked down in horror to see that a steed rod had penetrated his front right hoof hoof. He staggered towards the damaged griffin, his wings were burnt to a crisp and his back was covered in blisters. Echo lifted the griffon with his magic and made it out of the building. The three ponies raced to his side, they wore a look of surprise at the sight of the griffin on his back.

“Why is he still alive?” Ace said in shock.

“He has nothing left, his gang has crumbled, his operation’s are all but mute. It would be more painful if he lived in that state rather than killing him.” he said as Sky line put Echo’s hoof around his neck.

“Is that the only reason?” Fire starter asked as she lifted his other hoof over her shoulder. Echo adverted his gaze from the two.

“I couldn’t do it.” he said in defeat.

“Didn’t have the gut’s huh?” Turner said in annoyance.

“Turner! That’s enough!” Skyline shouted at the tan stallion.

“No, he’s right. I couldn’t kill him.”

“Why? Blindly, stupidly disregarding the graveyards he’s filled and the ponies he’s crippled. What about Star! Does she mean nothing to you?” Turner bellowed.

“Star wouldn’t want this! She wouldn’t want me to become like him, a murderer. She always saw the good in others.” Echo said with tears streaming down his face. Echo then began to cough up blood.

“We need to get you to a hospital.” Skyline said.

“No! Just get me to the clinic, I can handle things from there.”

“Alright, what do we do about him?” Golden asked as he pointed to hi brother.

“Give him to the cops, let them deal with him.”

“Are you nut’s he’s gonna walk!” Golden protested.

“No he won’t. He has no connections, no power and no one to turn too. Without that he’s going to be locked away for a long, long time. Turner, go with him, go to a detective Stabler. Tell him I sent you, he’s a good officer and will make sure he get’s was coming to him.” The griffin and the earth pony took off towards the police station while the other three ponies made their way back to the clinic. As they trotted inside the clinic Echo summoned his medical equipment. “I’m gonna need a hoof here.”

“Not a problem. what do you need?” Fire Starter asked.

“Some bandages and some disinfectant, they should be in that cabinet over there.” he said as he pointed with his hoof.

“Sure hang on a second.” she said as she trotted over to the cabinet and retrieved the items.

“Good, Sky i need you to get this rod out of my leg.”

“What?”

“After that’s done, Fire I need you to cauterize the would with your magic, okay.”

“Um...sure.” she said with a nervous voice.

“Alright then on three........one........two......three!” Echo cried out in agony as he removed the bar, the next wave of pain came from the burning sensation from the injury  seconds later. Sky held him down as Fire starter finished. “Alright....good. Now that the hard part’s out of the way.” he said as he summoned a vial of blue liquid. Echo drank down the potion with haste, he suddenly felt relaxed. “Okay now that that’s done, Fire I’m gonna need you to cauterize the rest of my wounds.”

“What if I tried sewing them?” 

“Please I’ve see you try to stitch a shirt. I think I’ll take the safe route and just have you set me on fire.” he said with a grin. “Sorry blame the potion.” The next few hours were spent patching up the doctor who would feel the pain after the drug took it’s corse. After she had finished cauterizing the wound Sky began to wrap his friend in bandages, by the end he looked like a mummy. After he was done Echo got to his hooves and began to walk out of the clinic to find Turner and Ace standing there.

“You okay?” Turner asked.

“I’ll live. What happened with Black Beak?”

“The detective said he’ll get twenty to life at least. Trial is set for tuesday, figured you’d want to be there.” Ace said with a weak smile.

“Yeah, I would are his gang members okay?”

“No casualties, except for his lieutenants.” Turner said with a grin.

“Good. It’s time I disappear for a while.”

“What?” the group said in shock.

“I just need some time alone, y’know a vacation from all of this.”

“Sure bro, take all the time you need.” Sky said with a grin. “But hey if you’r ever in town again don’t hesitate to hit me up.”

“Same here.” Fire Starter said as she smiled. “And don’t worry we’ll take care of the clinic while you’re gone.”

“Thanks Fire. I appreciate it.”

“I think I may have something that can help you in the looks department.” Turner said as he withdrew a spell book. “On the page I marked there’s an illusion spell that should do the trick.” he said with a grin.

“Thanks Turner. Well I best be off, good luck to you all and I hope I see you again one day.”
They said their goodbyes and went their separate ways. Echo trotted down the old road at a slower pace due to his injuries, he stopped by the cemetery and said his final goodbye to Star.
“I’ll be back Star I promise.” as he trotted away from the grave Black Beak’s words rang in his mind.

If you have some-pony you want to protect then keep them at a distance. 

Echo knew he was right, deep down he knew he couldn’t get close to any-pony ever again. 

The images started to collapse and recede back inside the crystal, revealing the library and the other ponies standing in the room with him. Twilight and the  others looked at Echo with tears in their eyes. 

“Now you know everything. My scars, Star, the gangs. Now do you understand?” he said flatly. The other ponies came over and hugged him, their eyes still filled with tears at what they just witnessed. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It had been three months since Echo had shown the ponies the memory. Hearths Warming Eve was fast approaching. Echo spent that time helping out the ponies around Ponyville, he helped Rose with plant care, Colgate with some pain killers, he even helped Pinkie bake some cupcakes. He spent most of his days with Twilight in the library, she acted as his councilor and helped him sift through his memories. He and Rainbow Dash had started to get along after he gave her a supply of his newly invented ‘poison joke bombs.’ He helped fluttershy out with the animals when they got sick and Rarity showed him how to do a double helix stitch. It began to feel like home to him. One day, he got up early and began packing his things as he made his way downstairs he was stopped by the lavender mare with tears running down her face.

“So. You’re leaving then? After all we’ve accomplished?”

“Yeah, I have to.” he said as he adverted her gaze.

“No You don’t! You have friends here, you’ve made new life for yourself.”

“Look Twi it’s just that-.”

“Do you know what Star said to me inside your mind? She said ‘help him Twilight Sparkle if not for him than do it for a friend do it for me.’ And I don’t break promises to a friend, she want’s you to be happy! And now after you’ve achieved that you’re going to throw it all away?”

“Whoa, slow down there Twi, I’m coming back.” he said with a chuckle. Twilight looked at him in astonishment.

“Come again?”

“I’m going to go visit Star and the others. In fact I was wondering if you wanted to come with me.” he said with a small blush. “I think you’ve earned the right to meet them. I understand if you don’t want to go after what you’ve se-” he was cut off by a the lavender mare bouncing around him in excitement.

“Of corse we want to go with you!”

“We?” not ten seconds after the words left his lips the other five mares came out of the shadows of the library. “How did all you guys know I was planning on leaving?”

“You tend to talk in your sleep.” Twilight said with a small blush. Echo face hoofed.

“Right, forgot about that. Wait, you listen to me while I sleep?” he asked in a cheeky tone. Twilight’s face then turned crimson.

“Well....It’s....just that I.....”

“C’mon ya’ll let’s give these two some privacy.” Applejack said as she led the ponies into another room. An awkward enveloped the two unicorns until Twilight started to speak.  

“When I entered your mind, your memory of Star told me that you cared about me and she could tell that I felt the same way about you. And now I’m rambling like an idiot and I’m just wondering if-” Twilight was cut off by the dark stallion locking his lips with hers. Twilight was shocked to say the least but happily returned the kiss. Echo broke the kiss and looked back at the mare with a grin.

“That answer your question?” Twilight nodded with a smile.

“Well we don’t want to keep the others waiting.”

“I don’t think we have to worry about that.” he said s he sneaked over to the door he opened the door causing the five ponies to fall forward onto the floor, all of them wearing a sheepish grin on their faces.

“We were just.....um.....” Rainbow started to explain but was cut off by Echo raising a hoof.

“Dash, just stop talking.” he said flatly.

“Oh you guys are such a cute couple.” Rarity cooed. 

“Okay so we’ll leave tomorrow morning for Detrot. Rarity we’re gonna need some cloaks make them black if possible.”

“Of corse darling, one should always look fabulous when in a city.”

“Thank you, Rainbow you remember those black rocks I gave you?”

“You mean those smoke bombs? Yeah why?”

“Can’t hurt to be prepared in case we get into trouble. We’ll need a quick escape. You all need to be on your hooves.”

“Sure thing.”

“Should ah bring mah lasso?” AJ asked.

“Sure, why not. But remember were trying to be discreet. So keep your gear light and subtle. Rarity, Pinkie I’m talking to you.” he said as he gave the mares a glare.

“Of corse darling, how many bags can we bring?”

“One saddle bag.”

“Only one!?”

“That’s the rules, take it or leave it.”

“Very well. I’ll just have to consolidate.” she said as she and the other mares left the library. Echo closed the door after they left and turned back to the lavender mare.

“You expecting trouble?”

“Maybe, not sure if every-pony there will be glad to see me. But let’s worry about that tomorrow.” he said with a smile. “Now where were we?” he said with a sly grin.

“Hmm. I think just about here.” she said as she kissed him.

“Glad you didn’t lose your place.”

“You know how I get when I’m interested in a certain book.” she said with a sly grin.
> Chapter 10: Old Friends and New Enemies
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 10

Old Friends and New Enemies


Echo and Twilight waited for their friends to arrive in the library. One by one they began to arrive, unsurprisingly Rarity took the longest, she handed out the cloaks she had made the day before as Echo requested they were all black. 

“Alright every-pony ready?” 

“Yes, we’d better get going or we’ll miss the train.” Rarity said.

“We’re not taking the train.”

“What?”the mares said in shock.

“The train’s too slow.”

“Then how in the hay are we getting there?” Applejack said as she raised an eyebrow.

“Simple, teleportation.” he withdrew a massive rolled piece of parchment, it was about as big as a table cloth. In the center was an odd symbol. “Every-pony step on the symbol and hang on.” As the mares stepped onto the symbol Echo started to funnel his magic through the item and the symbol began to glow and the ponies felt the air around them starting to tingle with magic. The group suddenly found themselves in a dark alley. The mares took a moment to collect themselves.

“Don’t do that AGAIN!” Twilight said catching her breath.

“Sorry, I forgot you guys aren’t used to that.” he said with a smile. He suddenly started to collapse until Rainbow Dash caught him.

“You okay?”

“Yeah, it’s just that transporting six ponies at once take a lot of power I can’t do that trick to often. But I’m fine.” he said with a weak smile. “Hows everyone else?” 

“We’re good.” Twilight said as she looked at her friends. “But where are we?”

“My old clinic.” he said as he pointed to the dark building behind the mares. He looked at the old building. He trotted to the buildings door and touched it with his hoof. A tear rolled down his cheek.

“Well it doesn’t look so bad.” Pinkie said trying to lighten the mood.

“Not so bad? Look at it. It’s not even a shadow of it’s former self.” he yelled. “I’m sorry Pinkie it’s just being back here is bringing back some memories.”

“It’s okay.” she said with a smile.

“Alright then let me just get something from here and then we can go.”

“What do you need to get?” Twilight asked in suspicion.

“Just something I left here. That’s all. I’ll be right back, don’t move a muscle and holler if any-pony gives you any trouble.” he said as he trotted inside the abandoned building. The mares waited outside for ten minutes until Echo came back out. “Okay, let’s go, how about some food?”

“Yeah I’m starving.” Rainbow said as her stomach growled.

“Good I know a place just around the corner. Every-pony keep your hoods up and follow me.” Echo led them out of the alley and onto the busy street that was bustling with ponies. “Here we are.” he said as he stopped in front of a red bricked building. 

“A pub?” Fluttershy said in her timid voice.

“Yes but not just any pub, this place sells things you can’t find anywhere else. Plus I know the owner.” he trotted inside with the six mares in pursuit. He trotted over to a booth along with the six mares sitting by his side, the light red bar-mare trotted over with pen and paper.

“So how can I help you today?”

“I’ll have a water.” Rarity said.

“Okay, same?” as she motioned to the other mares. They nodded in agreement.

“Okay so six waters and what do you want sir?”

“I’ll take a flaming cocktail, with ice.” he said as the waitress’s jaw hit the floor.

“What did you say?”

“It’s been to long Fire.” Echo said as he removed his hood and smiled at the mare.

“BY CELESTIA’S ROYAL FLANK! ECHO!” she then proceeded to hug the stallion with tears of joy running down her face. “What are you doing here?”

“Thought I’d check up on the old neighborhood and see how you guys were doing.”

“I’m great. I still can’t believe that you’re here.” she said as she broke the hug.

“Yeah, I know how is every-pony?”

“They’re great. In fact HEY SKY GET YOUR LAZY FLANK OUT HERE! NOW!!” she bellowed, soon an annoyed looking pegasus stallion came trotting out.

“Jeez, Fire what is it this time? It had better not be something st-” he was cut off by his eyes falling upon the dark stallion grinning at him. “No. Bucking. WAY!!!” he said as he rushed over to the stallion hugged him. “Dude I can’t believe your here!”

“I know it’s great to see you two again!”

*Ahem* Twilight coughed in annoyance.

“Oh right, Skyline, Fire Starter this is my mare friend Twilight and her friends.”

“Hello.” Twilight said to the two ponies. Echo then noticed Fire Starters enlarged belly.

“Fire are you?”

“Yes, going on nine months now, it’s a pegasus colt! We are so excited!”

“We?” his gaze then fell upon the pegasus who was blushing. “OH NO WAY!! You two a couple?”

“Yep.” he said as he put his wing around the mare. “The wedding’s set for just after the little guy is born.

“That’s great! Congratulations!” Echo said with a laugh. He then offered them a seat. “So hows Turner and Ace doing?” the two ponies expressions then turned cross at the statement.

“Don’t mention that traitors name!” Fire said with spite in her voice.

“What happened?”  Echo said as he cocked an eyebrow.

“Seven months after you left, Ace turned his back on us and started moving into our territory.”

“We were no match for his gang, even with our combined numbers he slaughtered our members. Ace is worse than is brother.” Sky said with a cross look on his face.

“What about Turner?”

“Turner skipped town as soon as things got bad, haven’t heard from him since.” Fire said with a sad look. “Echo, Ace has taken everything from the people their, food, their future and their hope. He rules the under ground with an iron claw.”

“We’ve done our best to try and take back the streets but his gang is just too big plus with Fire and the baby I-” Sky was cut off by a black hoof.

“I understand.” He said as he got to his hooves.

“Where are you going?” Twilight asked as she looked up at him.

“To go have a chat with Ace.” 

“What! Are you insane?” Twilight said

“Listen to your mare friend Echo. That’s a really bad idea.” 

“I don’t care he needs to answer for his crimes.” as he made his way out a certain griffin made his way into the pub.

“Hello Fire I’ve just come around to collect your-” he was cut off by the sight of the black stallion glaring at him. “E-echo I had no idea you came back, how are things?” he outstretched a claw Echo slapped it away and pushed him up against the wall.

“You think I don’t know what you’ve done?”

“So I helped myself to some power. What of it?”

“You said you were different from your bother!”

“I am. I’m better than he ever was, I’ve taken the Red Talon’s to hight’s they’ve never even imagined.”

“At what Cost?!”

“Who cares about the cost?” Echo then slammed the griffin down on a table.

“I do! I should have listened to my gut and killed you on the spot!” 

“You forget your place!” he said as he pushed the stallion of him and slammed him into the bar. “You’re nothing but a coward.” the griffin was suddenly lifted off the stallion by a purple aura and thrown out the door. Echo trotted out into the snow. “You, mother bucker! You’ll pay for that!” a crowd started to gather around the two.

“You want him you have to go through me!” Twilight said as she teleported in front of Echo.

“Same for me!” Rainbow said as she trotted next to her friend.

“Us too.” Sky and Fire joined the group.

“Same here.” the rest of Twilight’s friends joined the group.

“Well, looks like you’ve gone from a doctor to a pimp.” he said with a smirk.

“Shut up!” a homeless pony shouted. “You’re not going to lay a single feather on the doctor!” The crowd soon began to form behind Echo.

“What? Do you ponies know who I am?” Echo then moved forward.

“Face it Ace, without your gang you’re nothing!”

“Oh is that what you think? Then I here by challenge you, Echo Specter to a duel tomorrow at noon.”

“I accept your challenge. What’s the location?”

“The old factory, you know the one.”

“Agreed.” he then trotted forward and shook the griffins claw sealing the agreement as they gave each other a death stare. The griffon took off in a rage towards the inner city. Echo stood there motionless, Twilight trotted up next to him and put a hoof oh his shoulder.

“Echo are you okay?”

“No, I just signed my own death warrant. I need to lie down for a bit.” he said as he started to stagger, Sky came up next to him and helped him inside. As they made their way inside the crowd dispersed. “Fire can I have drink?”

“Sure, how about a shot of Applejack?” she asked.

“That sound good.”

“What?” Pinkie said in confusion.

“Applejack Daniels.” Sky clarified.

“Wait, AJ is that...” Dash started to say.

“Don’t even say it.” she said in a flat tone.  

“I though I recognized your name.” Echo said with a grin.

“Shut up!” Applejack said as her cheeks turned red.

“Wow, I always wondered why you were always able to drink me under the table.” Rainbow said with a chuckle.

“Can we please get back on topic?” Twilight interjected. “My coltfriend just agreed to fight a griffin gang lord!” she said with a concerned look on her face.

“Good point.” Sky said.

“So how do these fight’s work?” Rainbow asked.

“Simple, two gangs enter one leaves. It’s a no holds bard fight.” Fire said.

“The fight ends, when either one of them gives up or dies.” Echo said in a flat voice.

“So just give up!”

“I can’t do that Twi.”

“Why? I thought you wanted to get away from all of this. To start a new life, to be happy.” Twilight was in tears.

“It’s not about my happiness anymore Twi. These ponies need me.”

“Why? Why do you have to help them.” Rainbow said.

“BECAUSE NO ONE ELSE WILL!” he bellowed. “Coming back here made me realize that I have responsibility to these ponies. I have to help them, I’m the only one who can.”

“Well we can help them too.” Pinkie said.

“Yeah, that’s a laugh.” Sky said.

“Why? Were willing to help!” Rarity said.

“You guys don’t know anything about us. We don’t trust outsiders, the only way you could know what we’ve been through is if you’ve been through it yourself.” Fire said with an annoyed tone.

“But Echo showed-”

“You only saw the tip of the ice berg of what I’ve done and seen. I’m sorry but it’s a fact.”

“So after all we’ve been through your just going to throw it all away?” Twilight said while fighting through the tears. Echo tried to protest but he couldn’t find the words. “Well fine if you want to go kill yourself than go ahead see what I care!” 

“Twilight wait!” his cry fell on deaf ears as the lavender mare ran out of the pub with tears running down her face. “AJ, Rainbow with me! We have to find her before something else does.” he said as the three ran out the door and into the cold streets of Detrot.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Twilight din’t care where she was going just as long as it was away from Echo, she ran into a dark alley. She stopped to catch her breath, she wasn’t used to this much running, the mare sat down to rest, only then did she notice the homeless ponies glaring at her. Twilight looked away until an elderly mare came up to her. She looked unhealthy. Noticing the tears in the young mare’s eyes the elder pony intervened.

“Child why are you crying?” she asked in a sympathetic voice.

“It’s nothing, just my colt-friend he’s so stubborn.”

“Come, let’s get you somewhere safe, then you can tell me all about it.” she said with a smile Twilight was hesitant at first but then agreed to follow the old mare. They went deeper into the alley until it became a labyrinth of shops and tunnels, it was a city inside a city.

“So tell me child what brings a unicorn like you to our city?”

“Well we were visiting some old friends when we were attacked by a griffin named Ace he-”

“Wait a minute dear. What’s your colt-friends name?”

“Echo Specter.” the old mare’s eyes grew wide at the statement.

“You’re the Devil Doctors mare friend!”

“Why does every-pony keep calling him that. I can understand the doctor part but what about this devil bit?”

“I think you should see something my dear.” the two mares came to an abandoned court yard, in the center stood a makeshift statue of the black stallion. “That stallion has helped this city more than he realizes. He was more than just a doctor to us he was an icon, a hero some would even say a beacon of hope in this city. It was a sad day when he left us years ago.”

“I had no idea that he had such influence.”

“Oh yes, almost every-pony or griffin in this city owes that stallion a debt, including me. He never took our money for the procedures he did. He only asked us one thing: to never give up hope.”

“What about the nick name?”

“Well at first he was just called ‘the doctor’ but then another lad in a weird blue box came around and said that it was his name. The devil bit came from his youth, he was still is very powerful especially for a unicorn his age. When he was eight he could already take on three unicorn stallions. He was always so angry and full of hate, until he met Star Chaser.”

“He told me about her.” Twilight said with a sad look on her face.

“They were the perfect pair, thick as thieves they were,well them and the other three.”

“What other three?”

“There were five ponies in Echo’s gang. Echo, Star, Skyline, Fire Starter and Time Turner. Those  ponies were a force to be reckoned with. Together they defended this city from the ruthlessness of the gang world. During the great war, Echo held this spot all on his own.”

“Great war?”

“You really are an outsider. Ten years ago the gangs of Detrot went into an all out war with one another. Since Echo’s gang was still small they didn’t participate. On that night the gang split Fire and Skyline would defend the southern district, Turner and Star would defend the east and Echo held his own for five hours until the others fell back to his position. When they did they saw easily fifteen maybe twenty stallions laying at his hooves. I was there I saw that young colt take them down one by one. By the end Echo was so covered in blood that no-pony recognized him. In the fires of that night I could have sworn that he looked like the devil himself.”

“Was he called anything  besides that?”

“Well there were a few others like, The Black Death, The Green Flame of Hope, The Hero of Detrot and a few others that escape my memory.”

“What happened after the war?” Twilight said.

“The major gangs were decimated and started to form smaller gangs. After that night Echo put all of his time into learning medicine. He din’t want to hurt any-pony else, even though he was considered the strongest unicorn in the city and every-pony knew it. Even the police didn’t pick a fight with him.”

“What made him give it up?”

“Well, he wanted for the violence to stop. He disbanded his gang, only Star stayed by his side, the others left and started their own gangs. That was the reformation of the gangs, Echo was present during this reformation he and his former comrades made the new rules that every gang leader must follow and they were! Until Star was killed. I assume you know the rest.”

“Yes he told me what happened.”

‘So now do you see dear, why he has to fight. This place is all he has left of Star and the others. With Fire and Sky starting a family soon I fear for their foal and now that Turner has disappeared   Echo is the only thing standing between the Red Talons and the city.”

“But he’s doing it for revenge.” Twilight said with anger in her voice.

“NO! Celestia no! He’s not doing it for revenge, he’s not doing it for himself!”

“Then who’s he doing it for?”

“Open your eyes! He’s doing it for Star, for me for every one and anyone that has suffered at the Talon’s cruelty. He’s fighting for our future, he’s the only one who can.” the old mare then began to cough.

“I’m so sorry I didn’t realize that he meant so much to the city.” Twilight said to the old mare.

‘Of corse he does, there’s not a pony here that doesn’t know his name. I’ve heard foals idolize him as some sort of super hero. Some even say that he could rival Princess Luna in magic.”

“Well I know that’s an exaggeration.”

“That’s not the point! The point is he gives ponies hope. Hope for a better future, hope for a better tomorrow and hope for the future generations.” as the mare finished her story a familiar black stallion trotted up to them.

“Twilight oh thank Celestia I found you I was worried sick!” he said as he trotted up next to his mare friend.

“Do my eyes deceive me? Has the Hero of Detrot  returned?” the old mare said as her eyes widened at the dark stallion.

“Do I know you?” he said in confusion.

“You fixed my hip years ago.” she said with a smile.

“Ah Ys now I remember Granny Bucket right?”

“Yes, dear. I’m flattered you remember me. I was just telling your mare friend about you, I hope that’s alright.” Echo’s gaze then fell upon Twilight who adverted her gaze and began to cry.

“Twilight, I’m sorry. You’re right I can’t keep doing this to you, tomorrow I’ll get the tickets back to-” he was cut off by a lavender hoof striking his face.

“No you were right. You have to help these ponies. I was just being selfish, I was just so scared that I might loose you.” Twilight said with tears in her eyes, Echo put his hoof to her chin and and lifted her head up so their eyes met.

“Twilight. I’m not going anywhere. I promise.” he said as he kissed her.

“Okay, and I’m willing to help you.”

“Twilight I don’t think that’s-”

“I’m helping you! End of discussion!” Twilight said as she put a hoof to his chest. Echo let out a small laugh.

“Twi. Sometimes you are so stubborn and that’s why you’re with me.” he said with a grin. “We need to prepare. I know Ace is bound to pull some dirty moves.”

“How can I help?” the elderly mare asked.

“Get the word out. I want every-pony to know that The Hero of Detrot is back!”

“Of corse. Where can they find you?”

“At Fire Starters pub. You know the place?”

“Yes, and I’ll get the word out as soon as possible.” the mare said as she trotted off into a dark alley way.  

“C’mon Twi we better let the others know that we’re okay.” he said as he and Twilight trotted back down the alley way.

“So, you’re a celebrity here.”

“I guess so.”

“From what that mare told me, you’re like a hero to them. Why didn’t you tell me about the war?”

“That was avery dark time in my life and to be fully honest I blocked that memory out.” he said as he hung his head in shame. “I was...different back then.”

“So I heard. I just-” she was cut off by an orange and cyan mare running towards them.

“There you two are!” Rainbow bellowed.

“What’s the matter?”

“There’s some colt causing trouble back at the pub he claims to know you.” Applejack said with a cold stare.

“What’s his name?"

“It was weird, Time Turner ah think it was.” AJ said as she scratched her mane. Echo’s eyes lit up like a burning fire.

“Perfect! Time for some answers.” Echo said as he galloped off towards the pub with the mares in hot pursuit.
> Chapter 11: Revelations
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 11

Revelations


Echo barged into the pub and his gaze fell upon an earth pony sitting at at table alone. Fire, Sky and the other mares were giving him a stare that could kill a dragon. Turner got up from his seat and trotted over to the dark stallion.

“Listen Echo I know-” he was cut off by Echo slamming him down on the table.

“Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t turn you inside out!” he bellowed.

“Please I can explain every thing that’s all I’m asking. If you don’t like my reason then by all means go ahead and kill me.” he said as Echo helped him to his hooves.

“You’ve got three minutes.” he said coldly.

“I guess I should be grateful.”

“I guess you should get started, your three minutes have already started.” he said as the three mares that were following him made their way inside.

“Okay, two months after you left Ace started to shift his forces in unusual patterns. I had one of my best infiltrate his gang to get information. What he found was big!. Bigger than you! Bigger than me, not as big as Fire over there but big!”

“Hey watch it!” Fire retorted. Turner then withdrew a red folder and threw it on the table.

“There is something in there you need to see!” Echo trotted over to the file and began to read. His eyes shrank to the size of pin tips, he then slammed his front hoof down on the table breaking it in half.

“Is this true?”

“Unfortunately yes.” Turner said with a sad look in his eyes.

“What is it?” Sky asked as he trotted over to his friend.

“This is a kill order for Star.” the others started to read the file.


Target: Star Chaser.
Occupation: Nurse.
Gang: N/A.

Approved by: Black Beak, Captain of the Red Talon’s
Submitted by: Ace Beak.

Squad: Three.
Members: Ace Beak, Feather Claw, Blue Talon and Black Wing.

“He set us up. All those years ago, he planned this!” Turner said with regret in his voice. “I left back then to find you, to tell you the truth.”

Echo was beside himself at the realization that all those years ago he helped his friends murderer seize power. He looked back at Sky and Twilight.

“That’s it! He is going to die!” the group of ponies then heard a crash, the looked over the bar and saw that Fire was on the ground. She was screaming.

“What’s wrong with her?” Sky asked, Echo’s horn then made a horizontal line appear on her body, he scanned her twice, his  expression turned from wonder to concern, he then looked over at Sky.

“I hope your ready to be a father.” he said with a blank expression.

“You mean she’s-”

“In labor.” he then turned to the six mares. “Twi, Fluttershy I need your help.”

“What!”

“Fluttershy you’ve helped animals give birth right?”

“Y-yes, a few bunny rabbits, some cats and some dogs.” she said nervously.

“You’ll do. Twi I’m going to need some magical assistance.” she nodded. He then turned to the other mares. “Okay heres what I need hot water, clothes and some scotch for Sky here. Okay?” the mares nodded and hurried off. “Okay let’s move her in the back.” Twilight then levitated the mare on the table in the back. Fluttershy and Sky followed. They were in the back room for over thirty minutes, until Sky came out holding a healthy baby red pegasus colt in his hooves.

“Every-pony this is my son, Pyro Wind .” Sky said as a tear rolled down his cheek. The mares crowded around the small bundle with tears in their eyes.

“He’s so cute!” Pinkie squeaked. Echo and Fluttershy exited the kitchen and made their way over to the bar and withdrew a bottle of vodka.

“What’s that for?” AJ Asked.

“It’s for Twilight, I guess she couldn’t handle the miracle of birth. This should wake her up.” he said as he trotted back into the kitchen.

“Hah hah! Twilight couldn’t handle seeing a bird!” Rainbow exclaimed. The other ponies looked at her with a quizzical look. “What does the stork look like?”

“Um darlin’ you and ah need to have a talk.” AJ then proceeded to explain the miracle of childbirth to her cyan friend. By the end Rainbow was in the same state as Twilight, on the ground unconscious. The other ponies began laughing hysterically at her expense. Echo soon came out with a very drunk Twilight.

“Heyyy every-ponyyy wa-waz going on?” the lavender mare managed to say before collapsing onto the ground.

“Dear Princess Celestia, your students’ a light weight.” Echo said as he laid the mare down on a bench. He then looked over to Rainbow Dash. “Oh great now what happened?”

“AJ just got done explaining how babies are made to Rainbow.” Rarity answered.

“Oh for the love of Luna.” he said as he levitated the bottle to her lips and started to pour the liquid down her throat. Rainbow suddenly got to her hooves in surprise.

“I’m up!”

“Good to see that you’re not as much of a light weight as Twi here.”

“How much did you giver her?” Rarity asked as she looked at the lavender mare.

“Half a shot glass.” he said with a grin.

“Yeah, Twilight’s not much of a drinker.” Rainbow said with a grin.

“I can see that.”

“How’s Fire doing?” Sky said with a concerned look on his face.

“She’ll be bedridden for a few days but other than that she’s fine. I suggest we move her to her bed.” 

“Good idea.” Turner said in a calm voice.

“Can one of you take Pyro for a second?”

“I’ll take the little tike.” AJ said with a smile.

“Thank you Applejack.” he said with a grin. Echo came back out with Fire beside him.

“You really shouldn’t be walking around.”

“Can it! Where’s my colt?” she said as she looked over to Sky, he looked over to Applejack who gave her the small bundle. Fire couldn’t help but smile at the small colt.

“He’s beautiful.” she said with tears in her eyes.

“Yes he is.” Sky said as he trotted next to her. By this time Twilight was awake and going through a hangover.


“Ugh, my head.” 

“Relax Twi, you just had too much to drink.” Echo said as he helped her to her hooves. His head shot up and began to sniff the air. “Do you guys smell that?”

“Smell what?”

“It smells like....White Phosphorus! Every-pony get out NOW!” just as he said that flames shot up around the building. “Is there a back door?”

“Yes follow me!” Sky said as he led the group of ponies through the kitchen. A s the group made it outside the red bricked building exploded. Sky and Fire looked in horror as their home burned. The smell of alchol, ash, and sadness filled the night air. Fire was crying as she held her colt, Sky put a wing around her. “It’ll be alright, we’ll find a new home.”

“You can stay at the clinic for as long as you want.” Echo said as he put a hoof on his friends shoulder.

“Thank you Echo.”

“We’d better move fast there’ll be scouts looking for us.” Turner said as he looked around.

“Right let’s move.” Echo led the way back to the clinic, it was snowing. The limited visibility made it difficult for Twilight and her friends to keep up with the ponies ahead of them. Eventually they reached the clinic as Echo opened the door the stale air hit their nostrils like a train. As they trotted inside Echo made sure no-pony was following them. The group of ponies sat down in the lobby with scared looks on their faces. Echo trotted to the back of the clinic and started boiling a pot of tea. He returned with the pot and nine cups.

“Thank you.” Twilight said as she took the cup between her hooves.

“How’s the baby?” he asked as he trotted over to Sky.

“He’s fine, sleeping right now.”

“I’ll break out the cots. Fire and the foal can take my bed.”

“Thank you Echo.” Fire said holding her colt.

“Don’t worry about it.” he said as he trotted towards the door.

“Where are you going?” Twilight asked as she looked at him.

“Just need some air. I’ll be back in a minute.” as he went through the door Twilight saw Sky motioning to her to follow Echo. She trotted out the door to see her coltfriend looking out into the dark alley way. Twilight trotted up next to him and put a hoof on his shoulder.

“You okay?”

“No, no I’m not. We were almost burned alive tonight and it’s my fault.”

“No it’s not it was Ace. He-”

“And he did it to get to me. When I fight him no mercy, no second chances.”

“You’ll seriously kill him?!”

“Yes. He took advantage of my generosity once. I won’t be so lenient this time.” he said coldly.

“But what about-”

“But nothing he crossed the line. It’s time for him to pay.” he looked back at Twilight who kept her head lowered, he wrapped a hoof around her and looked out to the darkness of the alley. “I grew up out there. In the dark and the cold, I’ve had to fight for everything I ever had and even then it wasn’t enough. Twilight you are the only thing in my life worth fighting for, worth dying for.” Twilight looked up at him with tears in her eyes. 

“I-I love you” she felt the warm tears flowing from his eyes as she kissed him. 

“I’m sorry.” he said as he broke the kiss.

“For what?”

“For what I have to do next.” Twilight looked down and saw a syringe sticking out of her.

“What...I...” she started to fall to the ground Echo caught her and made his way back inside. The others except for Turner were all knocked out. 

“Are you sure about this?” Turner asked him.

“It’s best for every-pony, now help me get them in the O.R.” he said as he levitated Rainbow and Rarity with his magic. He brought his friends and laid them down next to each other, including Fire, Sky and their foal. As Turner put the last one in position he heard the door lock behind him. He turned around to see Echo on the other side of the window that separated the rooms, with tears running down his face.

“Echo don’t you dare!” his warning was silenced when the floor began to glow, Turner and the others vanished from the building.

Turner found himself inside a large building with shelves stacked with books and the other ponies beginning to stir from their sleep. Sky was the first to wake up.

“Turner where in Equestria are we? Where’s Echo?”

“He’s back in Detrot I haven’t the slightest idea where we are.” Sky then shot up.

“WHAT!”

“Apparently he transported us into some type of library.” he said as his eyes scanned the room. He noticed that the lavender mare started to wake up. Twilight’s eyes snapped open.

“ECHO!” she bellowed waking the other ponies up. “What why are we in my library? Where’s Echo? Why are we here?” she said as she and her friends looked around in confusion. Turner put a hoof on the mare’s shoulder.

“He sent us here to keep us safe.” he said as he mare began to cry. “He wanted you all to see this.” he said as he pulled out an odd looking crystal. Twilight grabbed it and set up the tripod he left behind. She funneled her magic into it and an image of Echo appeared.

“If you all are receiving this message than my spell worked and you’re all safe and sound back in Ponyville, where you belong. Sky, Fire the ponies here are very welcoming and kind Pyro Wind will have a happy child hood far better than ours. Turner you will find work here I hear that there’s an opening position for a watch maker.” Sky and Fire began to cry. “To every-pony else I wish the best for you and hope you find what you’re all looking for.” Soon the mares started bawling on the floor. “One last thing,  I suppose that this is my last chance to say this, Twilight Sparkle I-” the image faded and the crystal started to dim. Twilight couldn’t hold back any longer and started  to wail in agony at the message. 

Back in Detrot Echo stood still as he had cast his spell and saw his friends transported out of the hellish city. He heard a knock at the front door he looked out to see the elderly mare he and Twilight had seen earlier. She was shivering from the cold, Echo led her inside and poured her a cup of tea that wasn’t drugged.

“I heard what happened to the pub. Are you and your friends alright?”

“I’m fine and they’re safe. they're gone now.”

“They just left you?”

“No, I made them go. It wasn’t safe for them here.”

“I understand. The word has been sent almost every pony and griffin know you’re back and are awaiting your command.”

“My command? For what?”

“To move on Ace and his gang.”

“I planned on fighting alone.”

“My boy, you’re going to get help whether you like it or not!”

“But-”

“But nothing! The citizens are tired of being afraid. Afraid of Ace, afraid of gangs and most of all afraid to anything about it! This is their chance to stand up for themselves, are you going to take that chance away from them?” Echo sat deep in thought for a moment.

“No, but we’er going to need hundreds of ponies to take on Ace’s gang.”

“Hundreds? You’ll need thousands and that’s what I brought.” she motioned over to the door. Echo trotted over to the doors, as he opened them he saw thousands of ponies and griffin’s alike with torches and weapons in hoof and claw. “ We are ready and able. We await your command.” the mare said with a smile. Echo looked at the massive  army that laid before him. Pegasi, unicorns, earth ponies even griffins. They all wore the same look in their eye the look of hope.

“Listen up! Once you start down this path there is no going back. So if you wish to leave now is the time. No one will blame you.” Echo stood there and waited for his answer, not a single soul wavered. Echo couldn’t help but smile. “Alright then,we’ve got work to do. Tomorrow we take back the streets!” he raised a hoof in the air and the crowd cheered.
> Chapter 12: Assault
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 12

Assault


The group of ponies were sitting in the library still distraught over the events of the previous night, Twilight refused to come out of her room, her friends were there for her but nothing seemed to work. Meanwhile Sky, Fire and Turner were trying to figure out a way to get to Detrot before the fight started.

“What about the train?” Fire suggested.

“No good. It’s a twelve hour trip, we’d never make it.” Turner said with a sigh.

“What about my wings I could fly there and-”

“Unless you can go over three hundred miles an hour I doubt it. We need to think of something else.” Fire said in disappointment. “What about the spell he used maybe I can-” 

“No, your still weak from the birth.”

“We need to figure out how the spell works, and find a unicorn that’s capable of casting it.” Turner said as he scratched his chin with his hoof. His eyes suddenly increased to the size of dinner plates. “Wait, his notes surely he’s written something down about it.”

“Aright ponies let’s move out!” Sky said in a commanding tone. 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~	
Echo was walking down the streets of Detrot with an army of the homeless and destitute behind him, his army, his reason for fighting. He was their last and only hope. As the ruins of the factory came into view so did his foe. The griffin that had turned his world upside down, the griffon that killed his friend and the griffon that would taste his own blood by the end of today. Echo halted his advance and motioned for his army to do the same. Ace then moved in front of his army and started to speak.

“I though this was a battle between soldiers, not a bunch of fillies.”

“You’re correct. These ponies are tired of your abuse of power, It’s fine time that we take back what’s rightfully ours!” the crowd behind him cheered. “I am giving you this one chance to walk away, so long as you swear on your life never to return to this city.”.

“And why should I be scared of a worn out doctor and a group of ragtags, passing themselves off as soldiers?”

“Because we know the truth!”

“So you found out that I was the one who killed your mare friend. What of it? She was just a pawn in my plan, just as you were.” he said with a smirk.

“Theres no reasoning with you, you’ve abandoned sanity for madness! You have made this city sick!”

“What you ponies need is a reminder who runs Detrot!” he said as he got in an offensive stance.

“What they need is to be rid of you and your cruelty! No more words, this day we fight!” The horde behind the dark stallion started to cheer and howl. Soon they quieted down, the silence became so thick any-pony could cut it with a knife. Echo turned back to his army and gave one final look into their eyes. He then saw the apparition of Star standing beside him, along with Sky, Fire and Turner. the apparitions smiled and nodded to their dark friend. “To the end.” Echo said as he charged with his horn lit. The army followed close behind. Ace charged as well with malice in his eyes. As the two armies clashed the city will be forever changed. 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~	
Back in Ponyville the ponies occupying the library started tearing it apart looking for something, anything that could help their friend. 

“It has to be here somewhere!” Fire shouted.

“We’re looking!” Rainbow said as she flipped through a book.

“Hey I found something!” Pinkie said at the top of her lungs, the ponies then crowded around the  pink mare. “It’s one of his notes on that weirdo spell.”

I have successfully perfected the temporal space seal spell. Two points are needed an enter and exit seal. I have set one up in front of the clinic should I need to get back in a hurry, I will keep a few seal’s on me just incase of an emergency. The seals are easy enough to make just some parchment and some magic. Luckily I have both. The exit seals are permanent unless the structure is compromised. Damaged seals won’t work, once I tried it with an apple only half of it was sent through. The one at the clinic is still useable and I placed a protection spell around it so it will never be damaged. I hope to return there some day.

To use this spell one simply must draw the correct symbol and pour their magic into it, while thinking of a pure reason to use it. I don’t want just any-pony getting their hooves on this spell, just imagine how this could benefit criminals.

The ponies in the room started to gather all the paper and ink they could carry and brought them in the center of the library.

“Twilight do you remember the symbol?” Sky said.

“I think so, it looked like a weird star constellation.”

“Did it look like this?” Turner said as he drew an odd shaped star.

“Yeah that’s It! Wait that looks like..”

“You’re cutie mark.” he finished as he glanced at Twilight’s mark.

“Okay every-pony let’s get to work.” Fire said as she began to draw. Once the seal was complete Turner spoke up.

“So who’s going? Other than me of corse.”

“Me.” Sky said.

Fire was about to say something but was cut off by a blue hoof.

“Don’t even think about it!”

“I’m not going to leave him there to die.”

“You have to stay here and-”

“No!”

“Damn it Fire I can’t loose you!” he said as he started to cry.

“If we go together then you won’t.”

“Fire think about our colt. He needs you.”

“What about you? Who’s going to tech him how to fly or play hoof-ball or going to toast him at his wedding?” she said as she began to cry.

“I love you Fire and I want nothing more than to spend my life with you and Pyro. I’ve never been god at these sort of things. Looks like I’m gonna have to take a play from Echo’s book.”

“What?” she said as she dropped to the floor.

“I drugged your drink three minutes ago. You’re awake, you just can’t move.”

“JERK!” she bellowed.

“Applejack could you please take my fiance upstairs?”

“Sure thing.” she said as she lifted the mare onto her back.

“Now that that’s taken care of who else is going?”

“Me!” Twilight said with a stern look.

“No, Echo would never-” he was cut off by Twilight wrapping the two stallions in a magical aura.

“You need me to perform the spell, I’m going that’s final!” the two stallions looked at each other and decided that there was no stopping her.

“Fine,then lets’s go.” Sky said impatiently.

“Okay hang on!” Twilight said as her magic began to flow through the seal. The others watched in amazement as the three ponies vanished in a flash of light. Twilight’s last thought before the plunge was hoping that they would make it in time.        

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The battle had begun, ponies clashed, blood was spilt and cries of agony and pain could be heard for miles. Echo was in the center and taking on as many as he could handle. Suddenly a friendly griffin mad his way to him.

“Echo, the left side is about to fail, we can’t last forever.”

“Understood, initiate operation ‘Cripple.’” he said as he continued to beat the pony that he held on the ground by his front hoof. The griffin flew up to one of the buildings where a squad of pegasi and griffins carrying massive rocks.

“Alright it’s show time! On my left.” the griffin said as he and the others took flight and began to drop the rocks on top of the enemies. Echo could hear the crunching of bones through the fight. He continued to make his way through the battle field, he made sure that the left side would hold, as he went to the right flank he noticed a familiar face in the fight. Turner. He made his way to the earth pony.

“What are you doing here!?” he yelled.

“We’re here to help you.” Turner said as he uppercutted a unicorn.

“We?” as soon as he said that he noticed another wave of enemies coming right for them. Before they came within ten feet of them they were stopped by a barrage of purple magic, sending the attackers back into the nearest building Echo looked over head and Saw Twilight standing on Sky’s back with her horn glowing. The two landed next to Turner and Echo. Twilight got off of Sky and trotted over to her colt-friend and smacked him across the face.“Okay I deserved that.” he said as he rubbed the sore spot.

“Damn right you do!” she said with tears in her eyes.

“Guy’s I’m an ass-hole I admit that, and I will gladly accept any and all smart ass remarks after this is over. But right now theres and army of gang members that are good and ready to completely buck our shit up!” 

“So cheesy apology later?” Sky interjected. A grey earth pony suddenly trotted up next to Echo.  

“Echo! Ace just ran inside the factory, and our right flank is loosing ground.” Echo pondered for a minute and looked back at Twilight and his friends.

“C’mon man, we’re here we want to help.” Echo looked at Twilight and his friends he took a deep breath and gave them their orders.

“Sky cover the right flank, Turner got to the left. Twilight stay behind and provide cover fire for them.”

“No! I’m not leaving you again!” she said with tears pouring down her face. Echo grabbed her and pressed his lips against hers.

“Twilight, I need you safe. Just provide cover for the others. I’ll see you again, on this side or the other.” he said as he ran off into the crowd. Echo continued to slash his way through the mob of enemies, he was fighting more than he ever had in his life. He noticed a familiar griffin in the horde, Black Beak. He made his way to the large griffin, their eyes locked.

“Well, fortune favors me today, it’s the pony who got me locked up!” Black beak said as he swung his talon at the dark stallion. The two entered a seemingly endless battle. Echo materialized a scalpel and began to take him down slowly but surely. Black Beak was losing energy fast. Echo saw an opening and slammed his hoof on the griffins skull knocking him out cold. Echo took a moment to glance at the griffin laying in the street and continued to move his way through the crowd. He fought his way through until he saw a familiar burned down building. Four griffins were standing guard by the entrance. Echo made his way to them and began to fight the massive beasts. He fell to his stomach in pain as one of them uppercutted his jaw. Echo looked up to see the four griffin’s starting to descend on him. Suddenly one of them was taken out by a blue blur, the second was hit by a purple magic blast the the other two were taken out by rocks. Echo looked behind him to see Twilight, Turner and the majority of the mob standing behind him.

“What? I though I told you guys to cover our left and right sides?” he said Twilight helped him to his hooves.

“We did, after that we thought you could use the help.” Turner said with a grin. “Plus Twilight here wouldn’t stop pestering us until we came to your aid. You got yourself one hell of a mare-friend Echo.”

“Tell me about it.” he said with a chuckle as he looked back to Twilight.

“So what do we do now?”

“Ace is held up here, I’m going to end this.” he said as he walked towards the entrance.

“Not without me your not.” Turner said as he trotted to his side. 

“Same for me.” Sky said with a smirk.

“Me too.” Twilight said as she joined her colt-friend. The four ponies trotted into the old ware house and made their way to a burnt down office, there was a badly wounded griffin sitting in a chair with a bottle of vodka on the desk. 

“Wait outside, I’ll handle this.” The ponies did as they asked and left the dark stallion inside. Echo continued up the stairs to where Ace was waiting for him. 

This is where it all ends.
> Chapter 13: The Final Conflict
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 13

The Final Conflict


Echo made his way to the office, the smell of burnt wood and brick filled the air, he sat across from the griffin and eyed the feathered beast. “Hello Ace.”

“Hello Echo, you don’t look so good.” the griffin said as he eyed the black stallion.

“Neither do you.” he said as he looked at the large griffin. “This is where it all started isn’t it?” Echo said as he looked around the burnt building.

“Yeah, it is.” he took a drink from the bottle. Ace then gave it to the dark stallion, Echo took it in his hooves and took a satisfying drink. He could feel the liquid moving down his throat. He looked back at the griffin with a scowl. “So what happens now?” Ace asked as he laid back in his chair.

“Now, let’s end this game.” Echo said as he got to his hooves.

“Agreed.” the griffin rose to his feet and began his attack. Echo countered with his hooves and fired a magical blast from his horn sending the griffin back against the wall. Ace then launched himself off the wall and grabbed the stallion by the throat and flew through the the ceiling and outside. Echo started to beat the griffin with his hoof as they crashed through the roof. Ace dropped the stallion, he hit the roof with  hard crash, as he got to his hooves Ace was making another charge. Echo blasted a magical aura at the roof launching him into the air, he landed on the griffins back, pulled on his wings and slammed the griffin down on the roof with a satisfying crack.

“AGH! You mother bucker!”

“What’s the matter Ace? Getting tired?” Echo said with a smirk.

“Shut up!” The griffin swung his back leg out and tripped the stallion. Echo lost his balance and began to fall off of the roof, his horn started to glow, a small whip like beam materialized out of it’s end. Echo swung with what strength he had left onto the adjacent building. The beam caught hold and began to swing the stallion upwards behind the griffin. The stallion slammed Ace in the back causing him to fall on his stomach. Echo landed on his back and started to pull on the damaged wings until he heard a satisfying snap. Ace let out a cry of agony as he felt his tendons tear. He got to his talons and threw the stallion onto the roof and began to beat him to a pulp. Echo could feel his ribs begin to crack. He felt darkness starting to creep over him.

No....not yet........I promised.....Twilight....I’d.....come back to her. he saw a bright, warm welcoming light calling to him. Star...Is that you? the light began to take the form of a familiar pegasus mare with an eye patch.

Yeah...It’s good to see you again Echo. You’ve really come a long way.

Star, I’m sorry I couldn’t..

Forget about that it wasn’t your fault. Ace played us all for suckers.

Yeah.

So I hear you’ve found your special some-pony. I’m happy for you.

Twilight, She’s the best thing in my life and now I got her involved in this stupid war.

Echo shut up!  If you want to be with Twilight so bad then fight for her! Fight for me! Fight for everyone!

Right! I won’t give up! Not this Time! I can’t change the past but I can save our future.

Echo snapped back to reality and grabbed one of the griffins talons in his hoof, he grabbed the second one and began to get on his back hooves and found balance again. Echo kicked the griffin in the stomach sending him crashing down onto the roof, Echo followed up with a barrage of kicks and punches sending the large beast sliding back against the roof top. The two suddenly realized it had started to rain, lightning struck a nearby building. The fighters locked eyes and charged at one another along the roof top. They exchanged blows, the blood mixed with the rain and had started to funnel down through the old roof shingles and gutters. Echo took a few steps back away from the exhausted griffin, Echo was panting heavily the rain had turned into a full fledged storm, high winds were making the rain feel like shards of cold glass. Echo glanced over at the panting griffin, Echo knew he couldn’t last much longer, he struggled to keep his balance on the slippery surface. Echo looked up towards the sky for a moment, his eyes shrank at a sudden revelation. 

The griffin seeing an opening started to charge at the distracted unicorn, his eyes filled with murderous intent. Echo shot a single burst of magic into the air, as the griffin was about to make contact with the stallion’s head a bolt of lightning had struck the unicorn. Echo was in excruciating pain, he could feel the lightning ripping at his muscles and organs, he focused and channeled the energy through his body into his horn and let out a massive shock into the griffin. Echo could smell the beast’s flesh starting to roast and feathers beginning to burn. With one final burst of magic Echo sent the griffin flying off the roof and into the street bellow. 

Ace made a crater when he landed, ponies and griffins of both gangs crowded around the lifeless body, they looked up to see Echo looking down from the edge of the roof. Echo could see Twilight and the others looking at him, he smiled and raised his right hoof in the air signifying his victory, then he felt nothing, no pain, no pleasure, he just let go. Echo fell from the roof, he landed on the ground a few feet away from Ace. Twilight and the others quickly rushed to his side, she saw something in his hoof, a silver heart shaped locket, she opened it to find a picture of herself. Echo looked up at the mare, even through the rain he could see her tears flowing. She brought her head close and heard him whispered ‘I love you.’ Echo then laid back and felt a familiar warmth fall upon him. In the distance a church bell could be heard, heralding the day’s end.
> Chapter 14: Goodbye
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Chapter 14

Goodbye


Echo felt the familiar warmth all around him, he felt happy and at peace. He saw his old friend waiting for him.

Hey.

You did it. Just like you always do.

So what happens now?

Now..the others can live in peace.

So I’m....

Dead? Yeah.

Looks like we both lost.

I wouldn’t say that, you helped the ponies of Detrot free themselves from Ace’s tyranny.

But at what cost? Many died today, myself included.

So was it worth it?

Yeah, if I could I’d trade places with those poor souls I would.

Good answer. Star suddenly punched him in the chest. He felt an intense pain corse through his body.

Ouch! Why’d you do that? That hurt. he said as he grasped his chest in pain.

Don’t be such a baby! she hit him a second time, this time the pain was stronger.

Seriously! why are you hitting me and why does it hurt? Star put a hoof on his shoulder and smiled at him.

It’s not your time yet, Now get going! You’ve got a pretty mare waiting for you and one more thing.Star then gave him a quick peck on the cheek. Live a happy life, for me.

I think I can do that.

Thank you and I’ll always be with you.

Till the end?

Till the end. Star punched him a third time, Echo felt the pain pass through his body. His eyes snapped open and his head shot up, his muscles tensed and ached he looked around to see a teary eyed Twilight looking at him with a smile on her face. She hugged him tight, soon Sky and Turner entered the hospital room with smiles on there faces.

“Welcome back.” the earth pony said with a grin. “You reckless son of a bitch.”

“What happened?”

“In a nut shell, you died.” the pegasus said with a smirk.

“And now I’m back.”

“Yup.”

“What about Ace?”

“He’s dead. Electrocution.” Turner said with a flat tone. Echo took a deep breath and looked at Twilight with a smile.

“So where am I?”

“Detrot General. After you fell, I teleported you and I in front of the hospital, you’ve been here for three days” Twilight responded.

“Three days!”

“Yeah, it was touch and go there for a while.”

“What about the gangs?”

“They agreed on a temporary cease-fire until you made a full recovery.”

“Why?”

“Because you killed Ace, you now control every gang in Detrot.” Turner clarified. Echo’s and Twilight’s jaw dropped at the news. Echo got to his hooves and looked out the window.

“I’m the gang lord of Detrot?”

“Yeah, welcome to the top of the food chain.” Sky said as he put a hoof on his friends back. Echo looked back at Twilight who had a sad look on her face. 

“Well, time for me to make my address then.” Echo said as he began to trot towards the door. Twilight blocked his path with tears in her eyes.

“What? So that’s it, you’re just going to go ahead and lead your army of goons and forget about me?”

“Of corse not, I have a plan so this works out for everyone.” he said as he gave her a peck on the cheek. As he was discharged Echo caught a few glances from passing ponies. The four ponies trotted to the old clinic they were more then surprised when a mob of ponies and griffin’s were waiting for them. 

When they came into view the mob started to cheer as the group made their way through.  The three stood on the steps of Echo’s old clinic and looked out to the crowd of gangsters waiting with anticipation for his decree. Echo raised his hoof and the crowd quieted down. Echo took one last look at Twilight and smiled. “I would just like to  honor all those who gave their lives so that we can be free from the Red Talon’s cruelty.” the crowd fell silent at these words. “If I could take their places I would. As most of you know, since Ace fell by my hoof the rules dictate that I am now Gang Lord of Detrot.” the crowd started cheering again, Echo raised a hoof to silence them. “I did not want to kill Ace, he didn’t deserve it no matter how low of your opinions of him might have been, no-pony or griffin deserves to die.” the crowd started to look at one another in confusion. “I killed him because my concise was telling me that he was not fit to lead and now my concise is telling me that I’m not fit to lead either.” 

Every one’s jaws hit the floor and looked at the stallion in shock, even Twilight was taken back by this statement. “Some of you believed that if I had killed Ace’s brother Black Beak many years ago, that is fight may not have come to pass. A wise pony once said, ‘True courage is knowing when to spare a life, rather than take it.’ That has been my principle for many years, but do not be discouraged because I am leaving you in the care of one of my most trusted advisors, Time Turner.” Echo looked back at his friend with a smile, Turner was frozen in place until Sky gave him a quick nudge and the tan earth pony stepped forward. “I am but a humble doctor, Time Turner knows how to lead a gang and I trust him completely, he’s a strong leader and will take over operations effective immediately. I only came here today to bid you all a farewell, good luck fillies and gentle-colts, this doctor is checking out.” a still silence fell over the crowd until a little colt started to clap their hooves together, soon the crowd erupted in applause and cheers. Echo looked over to Twilight and Sky who had tears in their eyes and were clapping along with the crowd. He trotted over to his friends and gave his mare friend a kiss. “C’mon let’s go home.” the crowd parted a single path and watched the four ponies trotted out of the alley way and onto the street.

“Hang on I have to sop somewhere really quick.” Echo said as he deviated from the road. The other three ponies followed him to a cemetery, there on a lone hill a lone gravestone with a tulip tree planted behind it, it was Star’s grave. Echo bent down and put something around the stone where his friend was buried, Twilight saw that it was an old locket holding a picture of the two together.

“Echo you don’t have to-”

“Yes I do, it’s time I stopped living in the past and start looking to our future.” he said as he looked at Twilight with a grin.

“Our future?” she asked teary eyed.
“Yeah. Let’s go home.” he gave her a quick kiss, the four ponies made their way back on to the street, soon ponies started to follow them, Echo looked at Turner with a raised eyebrow.

“What? Consider it your farewell party.” he said with a chuckle. Echo shook his head and just accepted the situation, as they got to the train station Echo looked back to see a mass of ponies and griffins waving goodbye. Echo looked at the tan earth pony and stretched out his hoof.

“I guess this is goodbye.” Turner slapped the hoof away and hugged the dark stallion.

“No it’s just the beginning, good luck. I’ll miss you guys.”

“Same here and don’t worry we’ll come and visit.” Echo said as he and the other two ponies got on the train. He gave a final wave to the crowd and got on the train, he sat down next to Twilight and put his hoof around her. Twilight then noticed an old mare in a cloak, It was the same one she met in the alley way was motioning her to come over. Twilight excused herself and trotted over to the old mare, she looked up at the lavender unicorn with a smile.

“What are you doing here?” 

“I came to see Echo off.”

“Why?”

“Call it nostalgia or what ever you want dear, I’m just glad that he met you.”

“What?”

“The way he looks at you, I’ve haven’t seen that look on his face since Star passed. Keep him close Twilight Sparkle.”

“How do you know my name?”

“Call it mother’s intuition.” the mare gave a wink to the mare. Twilight’s eyes lit up at the realization.

“Hey Twilight you coming back?” Echo said.

“Yeah in a minute.” Twilight looked back to the elderly mare who was making the ‘shhh’ motion with her hoof.

“You must never tell him.”

“Why?”

“I know he’s better off without me. I was never there for him growing up and now he has you to look out for him.” she removed her hood to reveal her faded yellow fur, flowing black mane and bright green eyes. “I don’ want him to be ashamed.”

“Why would he be ashamed of you?”

“I was a prostitute, working the street corner. I can’t even remember the boy’s father, could you imagine how that would make him feel his mother was a whore.” she said with a sad look on her face, Twilight put a hoof on the mares shoulder.

“I think he deserves to know that he has a mother who loves him, he doesn’t need any details.” the mare pondered the unicorns words for a moment and gave a heavy sigh

“I suppose your right, can you help me get to my hooves?” Twilight helped the mare up and trotted back over to her colt-friend and Sky.

“There you are Twi I was beginning to worry......who’s this?” Echo said as he looked at the mare.

“Echo this is.......She’s.......Um.”

“What your mare friend is trying to say is that.” the mare took a deep sigh and locked eyes with the dark stallion. “I’m your mother.” the air in the small train car became still and thick. Echo rubbed his head with his hooves and finally broke the silence.

“So my suspicions were correct.” the two mares looked at each other in surprise.

“Y-you knew?”

“I suspected, that day when I fixed your leg I found it odd that we had the same blood type and eye color. I ran a blood test on both of us and it read a 60% compatibility. I thought it was a mistake. But seeing you now I know that the result’s were correct.” he started to cry. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I was ashamed.”

“Of me?”

“No Celestia no, I couldn’t be prouder of you. I was ashamed to what I did to you. When you were three I couldn’t support you and myself. One day I dropped you off at the orphanage just for the day, I was going to get more money. When I came back......you were gone.” the mare said as she held her son in her hooves. “I spent weeks looking for you, I assumed that you were dead, until I saw you that night. The night you fought those gang members during the great war.” she looked at the dark stallion. “I was going to tell you then but then I saw you had a made a family of your own, your friends I mean. I knew that if I came forth that you would look at me in disgust and anger as you probably do now. I was a coward, I’ve always been a coward, I hurt myself on purpose just so I had an excuse to see you.” she backed away from the hug and looked down at the dark stallion. “I don’t expect you to forgive me, I just want to let you know that I love you. I wouldn’t even know where to begin to say how sorry I am.” she started to trot away when she felt her hoof being pulled by the teary eyed Echo. He wrapped her in a hug.

“Well we’ve got a long train ride ahead of us, why don’t we start at the beginning? What’s your name?” the mare looked back at him with a smile across her face, Twilight and Sky were bawling at the scene.

“My name is Sunny Day.” she began.


When they reached Ponyville Echo and Twilight’s friends were waiting for them at the library. Fire started by smacking both stallions across the face with her hoof.

“ASS-HOLES! WHAT WERE YOU TWO THINKING? I HAVE HAVE HALF A MIND TO-” she was cut off by Sky pressing his lips against hers. Fire was lost for a few seconds then broke the kiss. “OH DON’T THINKS THAT’S GONNA WORK ON ME MISTER, I AM GOING TO MAKE YOU PAY TONIGHT!” she ended that last thought with a seductive look in her eye.

“Can’t wait.” Sky said with a smirk. The other ponies crowded around Twilight, Echo Sunny. They introduced themselves to Sunny and welcomed Echo back to Ponyville, Pinkie Pie style. Later that night Echo opened his bedroom door to find Twilight laying there with a seductive look on her face.

“Don’t think I forgot about your punishment for ditching me.” Twilight said as she used her magic to lock the door behind him. Echo glanced back at her with a sly grin. 

“Well I can’t escape my punishment now can I?”

“Nope, now get over here.” Echo made his way over and kissed the mare passionately, he reached over and blew out the candle sitting on the nightstand.   
> Epilogue
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Epilogue


It has been six years since that night, since then Echo and Twilight married and had a filly, light blue unicorn with Echo’s eyes and Twilight’s hair. Echo managed to find work at Ponyville hospital and worked his way up to Chief of Medicine and was allowed to use any and all medical techniques at his disposal, thanks to special permission from Princess Celestia. Sky and Fire opened up a bar and inn next to Sugar cube corner and is one of the most popular pubs in Equestria.Turner visited often, he managed to turn the gang into a full sized corporation that supplies Echo with his medical supplies. His mother moved to Ponyville found work in Roseluck’s flower shop, she enjoyed the young mares company. Echo woke up and trotted down stairs to find his daughter was already waiting for him.

“Morning daddy.” she said with a grin on her face.

“Happy fifth birthday Starlight.” he said as he picked her up and hugged her.

“Can you make me a snack please?” she said in a pleading voice and giving him the puppy dog eyes.

“If you do that then you’ll spoil your dinner.” Twilight said as she descended the stair case.

“ugh.” she whined.

“Now don’t use that look on me missy.” Twilight said as she turned away from the two

“We have to stop letting Applebloom babysit her.” Echo said as he put the filly down. “C’mon we’er going to go visit uncle Sky.”

“Will Pyro be there?” she asked with a massive grin on her face. Echo threw a smile at Twilight.

“Only one way to find out.” 

“Well then let’s go!” she yelled.

“Okay, hang on.” Twilight said as she joined her family. The three made their way to the inn through the quite streets’ of Ponyville. They opened the doors to the pub and the party started. Echo trotted over to his old friends by the bar, Turner was there wearing a newly pressed suit.

“Turner what is with the bow tie?”

“Bow ties are cool, plus I just came from work.” he then shook Echo’s hoof. “By the way, the ponies of Detrot are erecting a statue in your honor next week, and you’re going going to be there to cut the ribbon.”
“What?”

“You can’t stop the public from doing what they want.”

“Can you get me out of it?”

“Nope sorry, plus the guys really miss you back in Detrot.” Echo let out a sigh.

“Fine I’ll go.”

“Alright you two enough chatting it’s time for Stalight to open her gifts.” Twilight said with a grin. The ponies turned their heads to watch the small filly open her gifts, they were mostly toys and clothes which she adored. Echo glanced over to Sky who was pushing his colt forward to the filly. Pyro was a bright red pegasus colt with a blue mane, his red was failing to hide his blush, he was about a year older than Starlight who also had a bright blush on her face. He handed her a small wrapped box, she opened it to reveal a necklace with a small sapphire carved in the shape of a heart in the center.

“I...I saw it the last time I visited Canterlot.....do you like it?” the small filly wrapped her hooves around the colt and planted a small kiss on his lips. Pyro then proceeded to faint, while Starlight giggled with glee. Echo and the others started to laugh.

“Ha like father like son I guess.” Sky said with a chuckle. Fire then slugged him in the arm.

“Yeah considering on our first date I made the first move, I guess all the stallions in the family do that.” she said with a grin. Starlight was over talking and giggling with her friends over what just happened. Twilight trotted next to Echo and took his hoof in hers. Echo looked around the room at all the ponies in his life, his friends, his beautiful wife and daughter. Never did he believe that he would end up this happy. As he looked up at the ceiling he knew that Star was watching him and that she was happy. He had something he never knew the feeling of, a family.



Fin.