> Spectrum, Blue Skies, and Reggie
>  by Spectrum Paxion
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> First Impressions
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

I woke up to see Luna nudging me awake. She told me to get up and go check up on the particles in space. I got out of bed and left my mage tower in Luna's castle. She was teaching me the power of darkness. After she instructed me what to do I left. I was on way when Dash stopped me. She went on how she had made a new friend named Blue Skies. We talked about him for few minutes. I said, "We would talk later"

"Ok see you later." 

"Bye sis."

"See you later" she replied.



I then proceeded to check everything was good and report back to Luna. When I returning Dr. Whooves stopped me and asked "Hey Spectrum can you get me two jars of particles one light one dark?" 
" Yeah I'll be back in a few."  After I got a jar of dark and light particles for Dr. Whooves I went back. On the way back Pinkie jumped on me and was bouncing up and down asking question that of cause I couldn't answer because she was to fast. I got up and I asked Pinkie if she is using "sugar" in the cupcakes." She replied, "Of course cupcakes without sugar are boring, and that would just be like wheat corn cakes." I never got an answer, but it was Pinkie I didn't expect one.



When I got back to him he was working on a portable bass cannon for Vinyl Scratch and there I gave him the jars. He asked if I wanted to see the Bass Cannon demo I said yeah but first I have this. I showed him the jars and told him that when I put the two particles together it created Darklight. We then went to test the Bass Cannon. He started up the speaker and shot off short bursts of a low frequency sound wave i.e. wubs. But then he lost control and it continuously fired. Then the line of dub crossed over the canister of Darklight an explosion soon followed. After the dusted cleared we got up and looked at the workshop that was now in pieces. But if you know me anything that almost killed me is to be harnessed into a weapon. So I went and made some more Darklight. I then used alchemy to condense more from some crap the ponies didn't need. I supplied up on canisters and went to Dr. Whooves. He told me that I the Bass Cannon needed work and to see Vinyl Scratch about it. So I went to her and told her what happened. She thought it was awesome and see wanted to she it. I had told I needed a Bass Cannon and she gave me her old one. That had a deeper bass so I knew it cause a stronger and longer Darklight ray.



So I went home to Luna and enter my mage tower to begin work. I began intense work to create the cannon that was nearly the death of me. After about a day and a half of setting the speaker up, rewiring so it will work, and the reloading mechanism. I called Vinyl up for the test and of she was down. I unloaded the cannon and set everything up for the test. When I started it up the speaker was warming up. I got the targets set up and I began "testing." The first test ended with this statement. "Damn that was a kick." I said rubbing my shoulder. All Vinyl said was 
"You should keep that Bass Cannon as a gift." 

I replied "Thanks Vinyl. Now should we do that again...? "The silence was due to the fact that I even asked her knowing the answer. We continued testing all that day until I had to go back to Luna's.



As I entered my mentor was waiting to ask about what I learned. My smartass reply was "That you will go to any length to know what I learned." She said she wasn't amused, but I saw a light smirk. Which when Luna smirks you feel that you need to tell her anything. Show I opened my bag and the parts of my idea were spread on the floor. While I built it I told her about Darklight and the potential of it. She was in great awe at the sight I still think see stuttered at first sight. What Luna told me next was that she was introducing me to a griffon named Reggie and a pegasus named Blue Skies. That we would be looking over Equestria and protecting it. She said that should get my things ready because they will be here soon.



I went to pack everything I needed. I packed my transmuting tablet, my Platinum switchblade with a black cover were you could see three Platinum rivets on the side with the blade etched with a design with the letters SRD on the blade this was a gift from Rarity as a going to Luna's. Then I packed the picture of me and Dash when we were younger and we spend all the time together, but we over the years we had grown apart. Then it hit me that we would have least time then now. This though brought a tear that ran down and hit the ground. Luna entered and put her wing around me. We talked for about ten minutes. She knew I missed my sister and that I would do anything for her.



At which point Reggie and Skies entered. "Oh.. are we interrupting" Said Skies. 

"No.. we’re ok" I replied. 

"Really because this looks like you crying. “Said Reggie 

"Fuck you!" I told him.
"Spectrum!" Luna yelled. 

"So you're Spectrum, aren't you supposed to be a badass?” Said Reggie in a sarcastic tone. I then picked up the switchblade sprung it open and knocked down Reggie and held the blade to his throat. Then a wave of electro-psionic hit us all. After it stopped I felt like a dick that just threatened a guy who I just meet. I got up then help Reggie up. I apologized" Sorry for threatening you."  

"It was ok." he replied. We turn Blue who was there holding his head. 

"Ok now what the hell was that?" We all asked. 

He answer, "Whenever I’m stress I have these "moments" that you just saw." 

"Ok don't fuck with him." I told everyone. 

When I was putting the blade up he asked me "What is with the SRD I guess S stands for Spectrum, but what about RD." 

"Oh. It's the initials of my sister, Rainbow Dash." 

"Really she helped me about two weeks ago." 

"That is Dash she was always the kinder of us." 

"What do you mean she was kinder then you?" 

"I just pulled a knife on Reggie ten seconds after we meet." 

" Good point." 

"Ok. Lets show what I came up with today." I said to Luna.



As we left the mage tower we enter the testing facility. There she stood on the table. "Damn, What the hell is that?" Asked Reggie in shock. 

I told him "That is a Darklight Cannon, but I call this one Dazix." 

"Whys that?" asked Blue 

"It sounds badass." I replied. 

Reggie asked "Well.. How does it work?" 

"You see that canister?" 

"Yeah.." 

"Take that and put it in the slot." 

"Ok now what?" 

"Just hit the button." 

"Ok." 

Then all you here is the echo of a deep bass throughout the room. Then came the shot it cleaned the target of the wall. As that happened all you hear is Luna yell "Holy fuck!" We all turned to her when she realized what she said she blushed and said" Uh..um.. That was a good demonstration." 

I replied, "That was a good choice of words." She smiled at the remark. Blue asked me "What is made of?"

I replied, "It is made out of a bass cannon, a pipe, a few wires, and a little duct tape." 

"Ok I think I might be able to make it better." 

"Good, I didn't want this to be the weapon we fight with it being a health hazard to us." He asked if "Do you have a workshop I can use?" 

"Yeah it's this way." 



He followed me to the "work-shed" outside. It wasn't really a shed was a standard building with tools up all the walls. I then told him 

"If you needed anything else just call." 

He just said "Thanks." 

"Don't mention it. You just use it whenever you need it." 

"Really? Thank you really thanks. I don't what I can do in return." So he ran at me and gave me a hug. 

At which point Reggie came to see what was going on. "Wow, come on guys get a room." 

I replied, "Why don't you get a partner?" I was able to escape his grip. "Ok Reggie I have something you might like."

"What?" he asked.

I said, "Follow me."



We walk around the side till we got to a pair of wooden cellar doors. Reggie asked me "Are you trying something?" 

"No, of course not. I have Blue I don't need you." 

"Goddamn you have a sense of humor." 

"Yeah I sometimes forget about it. Anyway this is our cellar if you want a drink come here." As I opened the doors we walked in and Reggie got a tear in his eye. 

"See it's hard seeing something you love after being so far away from you. When was you last drink?" 

"About one week ago." 

"Got it, follow me. Whatcha like?" 

He replied "Vodka." 

"Perfect have something in common." I picked out a bottle and set it on the table with a satisfying kerpluk, then the to shot glasses with it. The next half hour was us talking having fun, telling jokes, and playing cards. At which point Blue entered to see us partially smashed. "What the hell? He asked

"What you want a drink. Reggie, he wants a drink. Now what will it be?" 

"Ah.. What the hell. You got any water?" 

"Yeah. Reg water on deck."

"On it." Replied Reggie. 

"So what have you guys accomplished?" 

"We made it though three bottles of Vodka. You probably made some changes to the cannon." 

"Yeah follow me best you can."



We did follow just not as well as Blue. I wasn't this Fucked up since the party on Wednesday. After Reg and me walked drunkenly to the shed. We saw what he did in half an hour which was ramping up the speaker, putting a titanium pipe, redid the wires, and put a counter weight and a reducer so it wouldn't kick as much and donkey kick your shoulder. I was impressed, but not surprised by the results. We then proceeded to drink more. Until till Luna came down to see us drunk off our asses. Reg and Blue were still able to at least walk, but Luna threw me on he back and took me to my bed. I remember her mother likeness and that even if I wasn't her son she treated me like her own. When we got there she set me down and gave me a kiss. I was to old to have brought to bed and kissed to night, but it was okay. I would awake in the morning and not see her or Dash for a while. Until we got back and no one knew how long that would take.

> What we learned
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

As a new dawn broke though my window I felt the regrets of alcohol from last night. I got up to be surprised to see Blue in the living room just having a chicken sandwich. He quickly put down the sandwich and looked at me "Sorry I was just so hungry." 

"It's ok you can have what ever you want." 

He then proceeded to again run up and give me a hug. At which point I said "Calm down. You don't have give me a hug everyday."

"Oh? I don't."

"No. We're friends it a given that I help you."

I knew right after I said that he would get these big eyes full of happiness and he would want a hug. But something stopped him. I told him "You can have a hug." 

He took up my offer of a free hug in a second and then Luna entered and asked, "Did we learn something about friendship?" 

I replied, "Are we trying to be little like big sis." She simply blushed like yesterday. "Ok I’m going into town for some stuff anypony want anything." I asked Blue and Luna "Can I please get some quills and dark purple fabric." Asked Luna 

"Sure." I replied. I turned to Blue who had just finished his sandwich. 

"No I’m good." He told me. 

I looked at him and said, "You want another chicken sandwich don't you?"

"Yes" He sighed in reply. 

"Ok I’ll get you one." Then the eyes came back and he ran towards me. I stopped him and I took his hoof and put it up it. "Keep your hoof there." I told him, he did. "Now watch." as we clopped hoofs he was amazed. "Now we do that instead of hugs ok." He looked at me sadly "Fine you can still have hugs just not all the time."



I then went to Reg's room and asked him if he needed anything. He replied "Just some metal and gemstones." I got back to the living room to see Luna had left I got my bag and proceed to town. I went to Smelting Jack to get the metal and have a chat about the Mrs. Then it was off to Quill and Sofas store, they still had one sofa which was weird because I thought bought them all. Talking about Rarity that was I went next. The "problem" with Rarity is that almost every time I see her she gives a gift or makes me clothes or a new bag. Yes I know she is the element of generosity, but still maybe a hug or a kiss, hell anything not fashion related for god sake. When I got there she was working on a dress for Dash for her birthday in a week. "Hey Rarity." I said 

"Hello?" She replied 

"Hi, now all I need is a few gemstones and some dark purple fabric." 

"Oh..No..No..No.. Spectrum you need a new style."

"No.. I'm fine so about the fabric and gems." 

"Please."

"I'm sorry I can't."

"Come on. Please Spectrum." 

"Ah.. Fine, but I don't want this take long." 

"Oh it won't." 

After an hour of her and constant judgment of colors, highlights, shadows, and contrast it was done. I'll be honest this gift was nice it was a jacket that was brown with a dark brown strap across the chest with patches on the sleeves and back. I told her "Thanks for the jacket." 

"Oh it is quite alright." 

"Can I please get a few gems and the fabric that came here for?"

"Of course darling."

She came back with half a bag full and some rolled up fabric. I said "Thank you for the supplies." 

"Thank you being my model" 

At that point I was leaving, then Rarity said, "I forgot something." "What?" I replied She ran up to me like Blue and gave me a hug and kiss on my left cheek "Thank you for all the help." I knew one thing that I looked like an idiot with purple gloss lipstick on my cheek. I blushed and excused myself. I quickly ran to though the door while smearing the lipstick off of me. I quickly got Blue's sandwich and flew back home. When I got back I gave him the sandwich and before he could thank you I was up the stairs and in my tower. Now the first thing I do when stressed or nervous is open and close the switchblade. If that doesn't work I do alchemy, and if that fails I have six shoots of vodka if those don't work well I’m fucked.



As I downed the last two shots a knock on the door the door sent me cold. Blue entered and said "Hey what wrong with you? And what is with the lipstick?" I replied "One.. Rarity. Two.. Rarity." 

"Well go talk to her." 

"Yeah.. No."

"Why not?"

"I don't want to hurt her." 

"You won't."

"Fine."

I walked down the stairs to see Rarity in the room waiting. "Ok. I my have been a little rude when leaving." Were the first words out of my mouth. Rarity stood there. "I'm sorry for all that I did and never properly thanking you."  Rarity replied, "No I was to strong and scared you away I just want to show that I was truly grateful, but I think I was a little to thankful." 

"I appreciate the gesture even if unexpected."

"I hope were are still friends."

"Of course." 

"Hugs?"

"Yes, Rarity all forgiven."

Then Reg came in to the room. "Hey Spectrum and hi Rarity. Spectrum did you get the jewels and metal I needed." 

"Yes, here you go."

"Thanks and nice jacket. Bye Rarity."

"See you Reg." I thought why is he so nice. But I didn't dwell on it. By this point me and Rarity had made amends, Reggie got his gems and scrap, Blue his sandwich and Luna was just walking in. She too noticed the lipstick and giggle. By now I thought that I would never come off. I was right for six hours. 



As Luna drew night over Equestria I thought of two things one we would leave in two weeks and would to get Dash. Then I got the idea that I should get her some sunglass, badass and Wonderbolt style. I rushed down to the work shed to see that Blue was there working on ideas and tinkering. When he saw me he was opening his mouth to apologize. "Hey were friends." He then put up his hoof I hit it and then began working. As the night went on I asked, "Where did you live before here?" 

"A uh.. ten foot cube I really didn't like it."

"Why?"

"The bed was uncomfortable and I didn't like the color of the furniture and walls."

"Hey you can just stay here."

He began to lift his hoof. I pressed it down. "No we're family now." I put my hoof over his shoulder and pulled him in close. "Let's get started on this." 



> Family and Friends
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

As the night went on Blue and me got the design and base down. After about two hours I took out a smoke and lighter. Blue then asked "Hey Spectrum can you go outside?" 

"Yeah of course."

I walked outside and leaned against the wall and took a ten-minute break. It was 3 a.m. when the gift started taking shape. They were a pair of black shades that would tell you, how fast you were going, how cool you are, and keeps scores and gives records to help flying performance. We got tired around 4:15 a.m. so I went to my tower and Blue went to his room, which was basic, it had a bed, bedside table, a lamp, and a closet which was filled with nothing yet. Mine had the same set up, but had pictures on my table next to my wallet and my bottle of vodka and glass on the opposite side my closet had all the clothes I owned and on the far left was the new jacket from yesterday I still think I have a purple hue on my cheek. Then I sat on my bed thinking about Dash and that I could protect her for about five months while looking over Equestria. Luna must have sensed my distress on the matter. "Spectrum what are you doing you." She asked.

"Me and Blue were working on Dash's gift for her birthday and can Blue live here?"

"Yes of course. But there are bigger problems aren't there?"



"Yeah. I fear that I can't protect Dash when I’m not here."



"That is ok you need to accept that you can't protect everyone."



"Goddamn it! I'm not trying to protect every one. I just was Dash to be safe."



"I understand your anger."



"Fuck you! I'm sick of ponies telling me to not worry about her. She's my sister nobody understands how important she to me."



"Calm down Spectrum."



I then flipped my table and the pictures, my wallet, and half a bottle of vodka went all over the room. Luna then grabbed me and wrapped in her wings. I began sobbing on her wings. I looked up and apologized "Sorry for the harsh words, I didn't mean any of it I just.. hate not being able help anyone especially Dash. 

She replied, "I hold nothing against you. You were just trying to be a good older sibling, but you can't do everything for her.



"Thanks for all help even when I don't deserve it.” She unwrapped her wings from around me and I started picking up all my things. I got my table then put it back next to my bed and the bottle on the other-side of the room was now about now about a tenth left. So I took the swig and threw away the bottle. Now my whole room smelt like vodka. I picked up the picture of me and Dash was cracked. My depressed sigh called Luna again who repaired the crack. She told me "If your relationships cracks and breaks it just takes time to fix them." 

I mocked "Luna the fortune cookie. You know that I could have gone to Rarity's for a new frame. 

She smiled and said "Yeah Spectrum that’s why you would go to her."



"I don't now what you’re talking about."



"Sure you don't." Hinting towards my cheek. Luna then left to the moon to make it set so Celestia could raise the sun. I looked at the clock to see that it was 5:25 a.m. I decided to stay up and do learn some more recipes and read up on what to make and what I needed. The next task I had to complete was to create what is called a void ring that is a ring that gives the user the ability teleport. What this does is opens a portal to the void, which is a dark dimension, that matter can't survival without the ring. What happens is that you open a portal walk though and travel though the void. When ready to leave you create another portal to exit. Now the void has a slower time click and every step taken in the void is five in the normal world. So it seems to give them teleport, but it really just made you faster in a different dimension. To make this I need some void crystals and a darkness pearl. 



So when Luna got back I asked her "Can I have a few void crystals and one of you darkness pearls." 



Her reply was " Why Spectrum do you believe that I have such items?"



"You the Princess of the Night and Darkness. What the hell do mean why? ..I believe that my sarcasm is rubbing off me and on to you." 



"Uh.. good reason. Well give me a minute I’ll get them."



I waited for her, but Reg entered with something metallic in his claw. I asked him " What the hell did you do now?"



He replied, "Remember when I asked for the metal and some gems?"



"Yeah, when I panicked about Rarity. Why?"



"This is what I used it for I created smoke bombs for you."



"Wow I surprised about that."



"That I could give you something as a gift."



"No, that you create them."



"Ha.. Good one. Anyway here you go." The bombs hit my hooves with a satisfying clink. Luna then came back and gave me the items and saw the smoke bombs that I held. She asked "New invention?" 

"No, it was a gift." I replied "From a friend." Then came Blue though the doorway. He told me that he finished the gift for Dash. "Thanks for that." I said. "I have a idea, but I need to be alone for a while.  



I went to Rarity's for some diamonds and of coarse she hugged and kissed me again. I made the joke "Rarity if you keep kissing me then I will turn into Twilight." She gave a light smile She said "Oh.. I'm sorry.. I got carried away." 



"Uh.. yeah thanks for the diamonds... Uh.. and here." I gave her a kiss and she reacted the same way when she saw the crystal empire. She just hugged me and just was so happy that she fainted I took her bed and left. I went back to my mage tower to grab some aeternalis fuel to use with the diamonds to make dark matter. I then went to the foundry to craft the blade that Reg would wield though out his life. I took the dark matter and used dark pressure to fuse the dark matter in to a blade dark as the night yet giving off a purple aura. I took the blade and force it to be in a softer state and I got my etching tool and one side it read "The New Lunar Republic" I flipped it over to show the other side read Vivas Noctus "Long Live the Night" all of the letters were in a silver lining. I then made a sheath for it. It was leather with a titanium studs across the ridging. 



I exited the foundry and entered the castle went up to Reggie's room. He was sleeping so I wrote a letter saying "This is what need for battle it is meant not to break and will carry the motto of this castle. Stay true to the creed and hold the power of the Blade of Darkness." I put it on his side table and left to sleep, on the way there I had a few drinks and no regrets about I did.



> Dash's Party
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

As a new day fell over Equestria I awake to Reggie having his new weapon in claws one on handle other on blade. "I see you found the sword." I said as I got out of bed "So.. Ugh." As I popped by back and stretched. "What do you need?"



He responded, "What is this."



That is your sword Nightblade. It is your gift."



"For what?"



"We'll one you gave me smoke bombs, two were friends, and three I wanted an excuse to see Rarity."



"Yes.. Well whatever the reason. Thanks."



"Ah.. forget it's nothing." I then grabbed his claw pulled him to my shoulder and patted his back. We knew that we would have each other’s back. At which point Luna walked by the scene of us embracing each other. She said, " Learn another lesson?" I replied, " I don't know. Do you just walk in at the right time to ask me that question?"  "It certainly seems that way." "Well I have to make the ring and Reg wants to test the sword so we'll be gone most of the day. Wait, Luna have you seen Blue at all today." 



"No, not since yesterday. Why?"



"When Blue is not here he is probably in the work shed, and if he is there then he is inventing something."



Reg and me flew to the workshop we opened the doors to see my prediction to be true he was there and on the floor where the various unused parts and blueprints were spread all around him. In the corner were what looked like the prototypes some worked, others look like they didn't do so well. He looked up to see us admire the work he had done. Blue said "Hey what’s going on guys."  



"We were going to ask you the same thing. What have you been doing in here?"



"I got a basic sentry and I’m building upon to improve it. So, what have you guys got done?"



"Reg made me smoke bombs, I made him a dark matter sword and cause Rarity to faint and then I used alchemy to make this chicken sandwich, here take the alchemical sandwich." 



He got up from the mess that was one the floor came over. I had him the sandwich and told everyone that Dash's party is tomorrow and that we have to set up the castle for this party. Reggie was against it until I said the words Dub, Alcohol, and Mare at which point he jumped on the idea. To be honest if I heard those words I would be on board. Anyway we had about 14 hours to complete the task. Reg went to get the food, I went to get the music, and then Blue just had to get the decorations for the castle. 



Reg flew over to Sugar Cube corner to get the food. Which were just cake, steak, and chicken sandwiches. 

We had no greens cause well.. Fuck the vegetarian ponies.



I went to Vinyl's and Octavia's to ask if they would be the band at the party. Vinyl hummed with the idea until I told her that there would be sandwiches at that point she took off her glasses and nodded. Octavia was a little more stubborn, but if I know one thing it is anypony has a something they want more then anything. "Octavia" I said in a persuasive voice "I believe that a special colt named Jesse will be there." Her eyes expanded with great shock. " I don't know who that is." She replied. "Oh.. ok." I turned and asked Vinyl "Vinyl do you know a colt named Jesse." She told me "Yeah. Octavia likes him. Why?" I replied, "Because I believe that he will be there." She looked at Octavia who just nodded her head quietly "Perfect, here you go." As I tossed them a bad filled with 100 bits. They went to get their setup for later. 



Blue went to Pinkie house to get some streamers and balloons, but Pinkie was a little more talkative to him. She went on about what else he needed and that she could set it up. Blue after five minutes of Pinkie put his hoof over her mouth and told her. "Pinkie shut the hell up and give me streamers and balloons." She closed her mouth and gave him what he needed he then left as if the last ten seconds had not just happened. 



We all met back at the castle. I gave some to help Blue decorate the castle. Then out of nowhere Blue soared down to Reg who was making the punch. "What the hell are you doing?" he asked Reg with rage. "Uh.. the punch.. make.. me.." Were the only words that fell out of his mouth? "Yeah I know what you were doing. You were adding alcohol." 



"Uh.." 



"Were you going to tell me? Or let me die at the party?"



I intervened "Guys calm down."



"He was going to be the reason that I die."



"Come on Blue do you really think Reg..." I cut mid sentence and saw Blue who just looked at me. "Don't worry I have an idea. Just don't kill each other till I get back." I went to my mage tower and got my alchemical set. I began work on creating an enzyme that would break up alcohol molecules before they could enter the systems. After twenty minutes of crossbreeding I made it. I took a sample and tested it and it passed. I got them and put a "perfect sample in a controlled area and put some in a syringe and took it to Blue and Reg who were still arguing. 

“Blue take this.” I instructed.

“Why? What is it?" He asked. 



"They are a new cross species of a molecular breaker that breaks down alcohol before it can enter your filter systems. So you can drink alcohol and not die or not I just recommend that you do tonight for the reason that Reggie turned the punch into a pure alcohol cocktail. The delivery of it is simple every week inject 10 cc and it you can drink alcohol." I replied 



"Ah.. give it me." I handed it over to Blue who seemed happier. After his little injection we continued work on turning the castle into what would become Dash's party. We spent the next eight hours getting it setup after we were done we went to bed for and hour so we not fall asleep during the party. I awake to see that it would start in twenty minutes and that DJ and Octavia were almost done with the music. 



At seven Dash arrived and the first thing she did was greet me with a hug, then Blue was gifted with a hug. She looked at Reg with a face that even melted his heart enough that he also felt the need to give her one. We talked for about half an hour at which point AJ, Pinkie, Twi, and Rarity showed up. I asked AJ "Hey where’s Shy?"



"Said she had something to do 'bout the animals and she wouldn't make it."



"Really? Huh.." I looked at Blue and mouthed the words "Shy isn't here."



He replied with a smile. After about twenty minutes of chatting with Twi about magic and the conversation that me and AJ shared about a new shipment of cider that is to be here soon. The other guests started showing up. Forty minutes of every pony chatting all attention was on Dash who was unwrapping all of her presents and separating the paper from the gift. From Twi she had the newest Daring Doo book. Pinkie bake her cupcakes and I still don't know why she gave her cupcakes my best guess was for later, but never question Pinkie. AJ was some Apple pie, fritters, and cider that would wash it all down. She opened the gift that we gave her with a smile that reached cheek to cheek. Then Rarity's gift was unwrapped to reveal a battle helm with a rainbow lighting bolt on each side. It was accompanied with a cape that had a rainbow streak down the middle. She put it on and looked just like a warrior about to enter battle. I didn't like the thought of her in battle cause I knew that if she was to get hurt that all hell would be unleashed on all that caused her pain. 



After the party was over the after party started and with that the lights dimmed, the strobes went up, and the music started and there is nothing like cello dubstep. All the colts and mares were dancing to the beat. I went to get a drink when I saw Blue leave. I asked him "Where are you going?" 

He replied, "I have to get working on the sentries. I sorry I have to go. 



Tell Dash happy birthday." 



I told him "Don't worry she knows and understands." 



I picked up my drink and returned to the party to see a colt who was asking Dash to dance, but she didn't seem to want anything with him. He wouldn't go away despise her signs that she wanted to be left alone. I started to walk over until he was about to reach for her hoof; at that point I flew to him and picked him of the ground. In an angered voice I asked, "Ok, Choose your words carefully. What the fuck were you just about to do?" 



His scared voice stuttered "Nothing. I was doing nothing."



I let him down and dusted him off, then the reward I got for not throwing this guy out was a cheap shot to the chest. At which point everything went quiet. I looked at Reg who know that I was ok and to keep the party up. As he started the music and made it seem nothing had happened. I told this arrogant asshole who just made the mistake of punching me in the chest.

"Meet me outside. Ok." 



"Fine." He replied.



We met in the backyard. To be honest I didn't think he would show. I could tell he was impatience due to his swinging wildly at me. I just grabbed his hoof twisted it around his back, then swiped his feet the end result was him stomach down on the grass. I kneed him in the side and the back repeatedly until he was incapacitated on the grass. At which point Dash snuck up behind me she ripped me away from him. She just yelled at me "Spectrum! Stop!" I exited my rage induced daze to see her throwing me about. She never liked me this way, she hate that I would become so angry and protection of her that she began wondering why I was this way, I still wonder the same thing every night and day. As me and Dash went to enter party once again the bruised colt opened his mouth "Hey Rainbow you're.. a whore." I turned Dash around so she would not see me kick the colt in his face. I then took her back to her friends who were there waiting to comfort her. I went back to attend with the trash that I crumpled in my backyard, so I took his and flew him over to the Everfree forest and let him rot with the vines and trees. 



I returned to have Reg make sure that I was ok.  I told him "Yeah.. I'm ok. That asshole should be thankful I didn't have my blade." 



He replied, "Damn, He really pissed you off. Last time you used it I was on the opposite side of it and I know what it takes to anger you. So what did he do?"



I sighed and answered "He was about to put a hoof on Dash and while outside he.. called Dash a.. whore." 



"Ok where is he?" 



"The forest. Why?"



"And your blade?"



"Top drawer. But he has learned."



"No, ok some people don't deserve to have a second change and some don't get a first one." He flew up to my room picked the blade up, then he got back he placed it in my hoof. 



We flew back to see him still in the same place that I left him. I picked him up and jabbed him six times till his body was a shredded, tangled mess that was oozing from every hole made by the blade. I then silt his throat to let the rest of his blood run out of his lifeless corpse on to the roots of the trees. All that was left was a body that was covered by blood and had eyes that showed regret even though they looked empty. I went to the river to clean the blade and me; the blood flowed down the river until it faded into the water. I got up to return to the party. When I finally made it back the party was still hopping. As if nothing had ever happened if we were there all of the time. 



I went to the bathroom to make sure that I didn't smell like blood, Dash knew the smell to well from my past when I went on a blood lust to find out who had beat her up when she went to flying school. That was when I had a dark nature and no compassion for others, Luna found me covered in blood in an alley at Canterlot with a knife that I made from a piece of glass and a cloth on the handle. She taught me how to control my rage better, but we both knew that I could never get rid of it. I don't regret anything I did. 

After washing up I went to see Dash having a good time as if when the colt in the forest died so did the memories of him and what he had done. I felt like I was even forgetting him, but the image of his red life flowing onto the roots and logs was a little easy to remember. I continued having fun with every pony getting drinks for them. At around 2 a.m. ponies started to leave we gave them hugs and brohoofs as they left so they knew we were thankful they came here. I went to refresh my drink and while walking away for the drink table I blacked out. I awake in my bed with my hoof over a bump in the sheets. I laid up against my headboard holding my head. I was in a daze and confused at how I got here until I looked to see the bump was the reason I was here a white unicorn with a purple mane. In a hushed voice I said "Fuck.." Rarity awake to see me on the headboard with a blank expression. She said "Hello darling. Did you sleep well?"

My only response was "Rarity please take this in the kindest way, but what are you doing in my bed."

"Oh.. of course. When you passed out I helped you up here and placed you down there. I then was to tired to walk home and you said I could sleep here for the night. I might add the placement of your hoof was proof you wanted me to stay." She replied.

"So we didn't kiss or.. anything."

"Oh.. no.. Maybe one or two."

"Anyway thanks for bringing my drunk self here." As I left the bed to check on everything.

"Thanks for letting me stay." 

"Thanks for staying. Just go anytime you want." 

I left to check on Reg. I walked to his room and as I approached a pegasus opened the door and walked out her feather were rustled and out of place, her hair was messed up. I entered the room to see Reg getting up. he sighed and spoke in exhaustion "Ah.. my head. Did I have a rough night?"

I told him "Turn round." He listened "Yeah you got six hoof marks on your back. Not your record, but pretty damn close."

"Damn two off. Hey, let’s go see what Blues been up to."

As we leave we though the living room was Dash was sleeping on the couch. I told Reg "Give me a minute." I took a blanket and placed it over her and gave her a hug and a kiss on her head that didn't disturb her slumber. 

It seemed liked a daily routine to see Blue in the shop working and improving. Everyday Reg and me would guess what he had done, some days we were close over no even close. We opened the doors to see he wasn't there. We were both shock by the fact that he was nowhere in the there. We though that might be in his room, we thought wrong. After fifth-teen minutes of wandering around looking for a blue pegasus it hit us he was probably testing his new project. When we got there to see him and three what we call "sentry crawlers" destroying the dummies and targets. 

"Blue you clever bastard what have you done now?" Reg asked. 

He replied "New sentries."

I asked "Sentries, as in plural." 

"Yeah. there is a demo, gunner and a flyer. The demo has a missile launcher with five missiles in its pack. The gunner is equipped with two 9mm chain guns on its shoulders with 300 rounds. The flyer has two razor blade hands with a set of wings and two jets on the back." He told us. "So what did you accomplish?" He asked

I responded "Reg got six hoof marks from a pegasus and I made a better friend."

Reg said "He means that Rarity helped him to bed and stayed there for the night."

"Yeah but nothing happened.. but a few kisses. Anyway I have to create this ring I have pushed it off for to long." I left to the shop not to disturb Rarity and resumed work. I got a band and the void gem, and then came the task of fusing them together. I got my fuse powder (This is a powder that fuses magical elements together) and sprinkling it on the two items. Thankfully they went together with out a hitch. I got my platinum chain put the ring on the chain, locked it, and placed it over my neck. The last task was to get the two dimensional lens from my drawer which allow me to see the world dimension while in the void it kinda helps me not randomly run in and out the two dimensions. 



I went up the stairs back to my room to see Rarity just getting up to see me reach into the drawer and pull out two purple-tinted lens. 

"Um.. What are you doing?" She asked with a yawn.

"I'm getting these lens so I can see between the void and here." I put them in like contacts they gave my eyes a purple tint. 

"Oooh. They gave you purple eyes, you look better with them."

"I have to keep them in huh?"

"Please do."

"Ok for you I will."

"Spectrum you're going to take a train to a battleground, right?"

"Yeah, but don't worry I won't keep you waiting." I walked up and gave her a hug "I will back as soon as possible. Ok?"

"Yes." She was reluctant to let go, but it always is with those you care about. 

I went back down to see the guys getting ready. Blue his sentry crawlers, Reg his sword, and me a switchblade, the power of teleportation, and my transmutation table. On each of us was a darklight cannon strapped across our backs. We waited for Luna to tell us what our task was. She entered and gave us the mission "You three are to kill and alicorn by the name of Fracture, he has a red mane and light grey coat. He is to be taken down by any means that don't injury any of you. Ok?" No responses arose from us. "Be warned he controls an army of broken, who are colts and mares that are put under a spell that can't be broken. They try to help one they care about even if is impossible they look endlessly and will do anything for the goal they can't reach."

I stood out and asked "Why us then."

"I choose you due to your ability to be able to protect anyone that will break the spell. Reggie cause he has nothing that he cares about, and Blues mind is too strong to be influenced by Fracture. You should get to the train station soon."

I walked into living room to see Dash sitting on the couch that was once her bed sulking. I asked "What Is wrong Dash?" 

Her response was a tight hug and the words "I don't want to let you go. I just want to make sure you ok." She began sobbing like I did a little while back.

"Dash." I lifted her head up and told her "I promise that I will be ok. Here take this" I took out a little necklace with a picture of us in heart. "Just don't forget about me. Ok? 

"Yeah."

"Stay tough." I wiped away her tears and embraced her one last time. "I'll be back soon enough." 

I knew that I would make back the question was when. I got my bags and left the castle for the train station with Reg, Blue, and his sentries on my side.
> A Long Train Ride to Nowhere 
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

As we left the castle we knew as home we began talking about the train station and our trip. “So.. How long are going to be on this train?” Asked Reggie. 
“About a day and half. We’ll stay the night at one of the stops” I answered. We continued for about a hundred yards until I realized that I had not packed my alchemical tome. “Damn it.” I said clearly pissed off.

“What’s wrong?” Asked Blue.

“I forgot my damn tome. Just give me a minute I’ll be back soon.” And with that I opened a portal to the Void and jumped in. I walked in the darkness until my dimensional lens informed me that I had reached a point where I could cross back over to the Over world. Before I did I began to see purple shapes of ponies acting like holograms. I noticed that Rarity was one of these entities. She was walking in Ponyville towards Sugercube Corner. A small glitch occurred and the hologram of her jumped to the inside of the building. There she was enjoying a milkshake with a stallion who I didn’t know. After this little experience that I couldn’t understand I returned to my task of getting the book. I opened the portal again to enter the mage tower that I called my room. I noticed that Rarity had just gotten up and begun her daily beauty routine to start the day. I turned and walked towards my neat bookshelves. There I picked up the heavy bound book and began to leave until I looked at my dresser to see my lock picking set. I went to take that as well when Rarity asked “Spectrum.. Are we a thing?”

“Well I never thought of us as being a thing.” I replied

“So is that no darling?”

“I guess it is. Do you want us to be.. together?” I asked her.

“Not really.. I have a this great friend that I am planning to met at Sugercube Corner for a date.”

“Well I hope you have a great time.”

“You know there is one thing I don’t understand about Spectrum.”

“I suppose that you are going to tell me what that one thing is.”

“I showed a lot of affection for you, which you returned, but I helped your drunken corpse into this room, placed you in that bed, and stayed to make sure you were ok. Then I awake to feel your forehoof across me keeping me warm and you are willing to let that all go?” 

“Rarity.. I just want the happiness of others. No matter the cause or effect it may have to me.”

“Well then.. I have to go.. I’m on a tight schedule… Spectrum before you leave here that this to Reggie.” She then pointed to a heap of metal that was lying next to her. “Farewell darling.”

“Bye Rarity.” And with that I reentered the void carrying the pieces of metal and returned to my friends who were waiting for my arrival. I gave Reggie the gift from Rarity, which turned out to be a Titanium breastplate and a pair of braces from the same material.  He quickly threw them on to se how the fit and we continued on, mostly chatting about meaningless topics. When we reached the town where we were to board the train we found that it was running a bit late. 

“So what is so special about the book that you had to go back for?” Reg asked.

“Well, it is my alchemical tome that I read to understand new recipes and what each device does and the effects of them.” I answered.

“Like your ring and lens?” Blue asked cheerfully.

“Basically, but Reggie’s sword was also made using it.” I explained. At which point the train pulled up to the station were we and the bots boarded a cargo cart with a few windows and an overhead lamp being the interior. We all sat down in a circle and being asking each other question.

“So Blue Skies. How did you meet Dash?” I asked

“Well I was in a shack injured when she found me and helped me soon after. Now why do live with Luna?” He replied 

“Oh.. uh.. Let me think about that.”

“ Why don’t you just ask about his life story Blue?” A sarcastic Reggie asked Blue.

“Ok. Spectrum tell me everything about you.” Blue then said while slyly smiling at Reg. 

“Well… I was born about five years after my sister.”

“Wait, but isn’t Dash your little sister?” Blue asked confused by my answer.

“Kinda.. Sorta.” 

“What does that mean?”

“She was my adoptive sister.”

“You were adopted.” Reg said with great bafflement.
“Just let me explain.” The silence told me they were ready to listen. “I was born five years after my sister, Platitos Rez, then when I was eight my mother was killed by a mugger, my father was sent to the hospital and later died from an amount of mortal wounds to his chest. Before he died he gave me a key to his dresser that housed this book. After that Rez was sent to our aunt who I know nothing about, while I was sent to an orphanage for about six years. There I met a nice little filly whose name still slips my mind today. I was her protector there ever since I saw her being attacked by two colts that by the end of that day were injured to an extent that they couldn’t hurt her for a while. When I left I was being adopted by a cyan pegasus and her parents. I looked at her as a sister and I showed a great deal of affection and protection towards her. When I was about seventeen Dash was heavily assaulted at Advanced Flight School by a colt who would regret laying a hoof on her.”

“What did you do to him that he would make him regret?” A cocky Reg asked.

“I stabbed him in his cold, cruel heart with a knife that I made from a eight inch long shard of glass that was wrapped in an old rag I found at Dash’s house.”

“Wait, you killed someone!?” Blue asked alarmed. 

“In my defense.. He was a prick.”

“But,. but.. you killed him.”

“Ok this is what happened Dash for about six to seven weeks was being attacked at school by this guy. She sneaked around to make sure that no one knew this was going on. I also think that she became paranoid about someone learning about this. One day I noticed her forehoofs were completely covered in bruises. 

“Well.. I guess.”

I interrupted, “No.. that not the only bit of info I left out. I found him at Canterlot in an alley, attacking a mare unicorn who never told me her name. Blue everyone in life has chances. Some has two, but most have one. The reason he is died is he had this idea that the abuse of mares and fillies was ok and nothing would happened to him.”

“Well why did you have to kill him?”

“No that was never my true goal. It was suppose to be simple. Beat him up, let him spend sometime in the hospital, and he will never do it again. Now with that I realized his brutal nature would only hurt him and those around him. “

“Well why weren’t you arrested for killing him?” Blue asked.

“To be honest I don’t really know, but since it has been five years they can no longer accuse me of the crime and I can’t go to prison for that murder. Now with that I’ll continue from me murdering him. So about two months later I had been out with a few friends in Canterlot. When it was around 2 a.m. I began heading home to Cloudsdale; on my way back I heard a mare scream. I rushed to see her being attacked by a stallion with a butterfly knife. I smashed into him with full force knocking him over and sending the knife flying out of his possession. As I held him down the mare ran away to get the Royal Guards. I then began to shout questions at him. I asked if he remember my parents, or me but of course he didn’t he was a drug addict who’s daily routine was larceny. I ended his life with a quick slash across his throat that caused my hoof to be coated in the warm, red liquid. I turned around to leave, but in my way was Luna… Ah… She saw what I had done and grabbed me with one of her wings and we started to walk away. As we did I turned back to see the body turning to black petals that they were flying into the sky. When I entered her castle she lead me to what is my room now. I then passed out on the bed in the room. I awoke to thank Luna for her kindness and I then began to leave. She stopped me and requested that I stay and become her student and she would be my mentor. I accepted the idea and she said that we would start training tomorrow. I awoke to her nudging me, she then lead me down to the cellar. When we reached there she set up door in the middle. She tossed me a lock pick set and said that I would get a shot of liquor for every time that I unlocked the locked door.”

“Why did you have to learn to pick locks?” Reggie asked somewhat interested in the story. 

“She required I learn all of the skills that she did.” I replied.

“Ok let me rephrase that. Why did Luna learn to pick locks?”

“When Luna was fifth-teen she still lived with Celestia who had a fine collection of various amount of alcohol. At one point Celestia put a sturdy lock on it. To break that she studied hours a day and crafted her own “key” to enter the cabinet.”

“Ok final question. Why did she reward you with alcohol?”

“That was how she was rewarded and she saw fit that had most “authentic” Luna experience. Plus the more you pick, the more you drink, then the harder it is to keep your composure and concentration. After that I really just spent most of my time drinking and learning alchemy with the occasional “Luna Lesson”.

“What is a “Luna Lesson”? Asked Blue. 

“Random things she said to follow and for the most part I listen to her and what she had to say.” I then turned to Reg “So who was that little mare that left you room.”

“I don’t know who your talking about.”

“Miss Six Hoofmarks.”
“Oh.. yeah.. That’s Desert Lily.”

“Marefriend.”

“Yep..”

“Well I’m glad you have someone in your life.”

“Thanks.”

“I have quick question Spectrum.” Blue spoke up.

“Shoot.”

“Well.. I mean.. if  you want to.”

“Just say Blue.”

“Can I see the void?”

“Sure here.” I said while I tossed it to him. He then placed it over his shoulder and disappeared. He was thrown out of the same portal that he entered in, but a shroud of purple lighting was encasing his entire body. Reg and me ran to help him up and I ripped the ring from his neck breaking the chain. 

“What the fuck happened?” Reg exclaimed about what he had just saw.

“Calm down.” I told him. I then went back to making sure Blue was ok. The lighting started to die down and soon after stop. I asked “Blue when you were in the void did anything happen? Explain what you did.”

“I entered, then I started to think about Dash and how see would love it. Then a thought of us being together danced in my mind, Dash was then in front of my I tried to walk up to her. Then as I grew closer an iron gate dropped in front of my keeping me from her. A stallion came from thin air holding a knife.. He then was about to force it into her heart.. I.. I had a mental meltdown similar to the one shown at the castle.”

“I shouldn’t have let you go in. There are two rules about the void that you must follow 1. Never go in without wearing dimensional lens 2. If you are wearing your dimensional lenses make sure there are not cracks, chips, fractures, and etc.”

“What did I see when I was in there?”

“You worst fear. The void is like a beast that feeds off of one’s natural fears no matter the victim’s mental or physical strength. The lenses protect this effect by preventing lies and false ideas from entering the mind.” I looked at my hoof to see my ring was being held tight there. I looked at it to see a small flaw on the gem. “Damn.”

“What?” Reg asked helping Blue calm down. 

“Whatever Blue did really fucking damaged the void.”

“Wait.. Blue nearly took down a dimension.”

“No, but he did weaken it.”

“Ok.. by the way I think he is fine. Except for the purple lighting I still don’t know how that happened.”

“Well lets see the void turns most things that have a color into a type of purple depending on a bunch of factors that I can’t explain. When Blue discharged the lighting it was corrupted by the void and in turn that damaged it. “

“Well the hell are we going to do?”

“Make sure we stay alive.” I sat down with my tome in hand reading about the void ring. “So yeah it says right here: If a great power is released in the void it will damage the ring based of off how much it took. The more damage to a void ring the less time the user can stay in the void. If I did the math right the time that I am now able spend in the void continually is about 1.86 seconds.”

“I’m sorry Spectrum.” Blue told me while he began to embrace me. I wrapped my hoofs around him and told him “Blue I’m the one who should be sorry I sent you into a place you knew nothing about. I can’t tell you of what would have happened if what I thought would had occurred.”

“What do you mean?”

“The void it would have shown you this false life with you deepest fears and regrets in life. It would feed from the reaction that you would give it whether they hurt it or heal it. Then if you were able to kill it you would be trap in an empty cell, forced to roam it’s dark plains till death, but since you can’t die you’d be stuck for an eternity.”

“Wait.. How did you…”

“You would be surprised how the effects of alcohol have on a certain lavender mare unicorn.”

“So you know… Are you proud of that Spectrum? Taking advantage of those you care about.”

“Lets put it this way history repeats itself. My history is basically this vengeance, protection, and deception, while yours is failure to accomplish anything. Now would I love to rewrite my history? Damn right I’d love to not follow my traits of murder, hate, pain, destruction, and shadows, but I can’t break my niche anymore then you can get rid of your immortality….. I’m sorry.. Blue can you forgive me?”

“…”

“I understand.” I said preparing to sit down. Until he came behind me and wrapped his hoofs across me chest giving me a back hug. 

“Yeah.. I forgive.”

“Good. .Now get off on me.”

“Nah..”

“Fine.” And with that I entered the void leaving him to fall on his face and chest and me to coming back to give him a lift back up. After the emotional time that we all had shared we just sat down and played poker until we hit the stop.

> Corrupted... Yeah that sounds right
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now the train pulled up to the platform and let out a hiss of steam. We stepped off and began to head to our resting stop. The owner was a kind stallion who showed us where we would be bunking. I had to join Reg in his due to the amount of guest staying in the town for the fair that was there for a week. Our room had two twin beds a tableside lamp on a table between the beds. On the walls were a few painting of trees and flowers. The room didn’t really suite our taste. As the owner of the hotel left to show Blue his room I asked for a bottle of top shelf Grey Griffon vodka. He nodded and after he took Blue to his room he came back from the bar downstairs with the bottle and two shot glasses. As a token of my appreciation I gave him five bits for his work, which he gave a thank you and left to attend to the other guest. 

“So tomorrow is the day huh?” Reg said just realizing that the battle was so close.

“Yeah.. I can’t believe it.” I replied with the same expression.

“So what do you expect to happen?”

“Bloodshed.”

“Ours?”

“Could be.”

“Is that why you have that?” He asked pointing to the bottle on the table.

“Yeah we can go with that.”

“Well, what is the real reason?”

“I have always wanted a high quality liquor.”

“Don’t you have that in your cellar.”

“No.. I have common middle shelf. This is the finest and most desired bottle to most ponies. It is… Well, lets put it this way. You usually drink this when one thing happens, and that would be death. Either you are going to die due to potency of it or by other means.”

“So you think were going to die?”

“No, but tell Luna that is my excuse to have a bottle.”

“Well open the top and fill the glasses.” I removed the metal cap and poured a slight amount into the glasses, and then we downed them as quickly as they filled.  

“Damn this is strong.” Reggie said shocked by the strength he had just drank.

“What did you think I meant by potent enough to kill?” 

“I was thinking the weak of liver. This would kill half of the guys I know.” 

“”Yep.. This is why a few call it “Dragon Venom.”

“Wait.. Do dragons have venom?”

“I guess.. I mean don’t most reptiles have it? Plus you’re thinking too much. You need another shot.” Those words were said quite a bit that night. At one point I didn’t think Blue could have been sleeping though our loudness and constant drunken cheers. We had a great time drinking and playing cards with the occasional joke that raised each of our spirits even more.  Till I thought about the blue pegasus that was next door. “Do you think Blue is up?” I asked. “I mean there is no way that he is asleep after our drunken sessions.”

“Who you calling drunk?” Reg replied

“Me and the wasted Griffon in front of me.”

“I sir am lightly buzzed.” 

“Anyway I have an idea for a prank we could pull.”

“Lay it on me.”

“Well Blue hates Fluttershy. Right?”

“This is true. Go on.” He answered intrigued. 

“When we entered town I saw a hardware store that had paint in the window sill.”

“Continue.” He said gaining interest.

“I suggest we get some paint and brushes to enhance his mane and coat colors.”

“You have any suggestions?”

“Well I was thinking pink and yellow.” I responded with a sly smile. “Now get me that bag and my lock pick set. He tossed both the items that I requested and we left our room. I closed the door before heading to see if the door was unlocked and it was. We quickly headed down to the bottom of the hotel to see the owner had a thick book opened on the counter with a quill that was moving across the paper. He looked up to see us leave though the door.

“Where are you gents going to this at this late hour?” He asked

“A nice night stroll to get the body relaxed. I have a stiff back and it is best that I limber up for tomorrow.” I explained.

“Well have a nice walk.” He said returning to his great book. Reg and me left the front lobby and continued into the night to the hardware store. When we arrived a simple tease of the tumblers and a quick turn to the right gained us access to the small shop. Inside were tools on racks, a cash register, and an aisle with the paint and brushes. He grabbed the cans and put the brushes on top. While he did that I took a piece of paper and a pen from the counter. I then began to write a letter that read “I would like to tell the one who runs this store that I and my companion have taking two buckets of paint one pink the other yellow along with two brushes. I have left here with this letter the payment for these items.”

“Alright we all set.. What are you doing?” He asked.

“I’ll explain it when you’re sober.” As we left we left I put the lock pick back in the lock and began to do the same process.”

“Now what the hell are you doing?”

“I will tell you when you’re sober.” After a minute at the door we returned to the to the hotel. On our reentering the manager looked up from his book to see that Reg was carrying the two cans and brushes.

“Uh.. Why do you have that?” He asked.

“Here this should be enough to forget this memory.” I said giving him the leather bag filled with bits.

“How.. How much is this?” He stuttered 

“Seventy-six.”

“Thank you.. Thank you. 

“Just remember this didn’t happen.”

“Of course. I will never speak of this.” And with that we climbed the stairs to Blue room and opened the door to see he was passed out. We then drew our brushes that we soaked in paint and began creating our masterpiece. After about twenty minutes we probably could have awoken him with our laugher, but we contained it and left the newly coated one to his slumber. I eventually collapsed on my bed and feel into a deep dream.

I awoke on a cold black ground. “Ugh.. Where the hell am I?”

“Hello Spectrum.” A familiar voice spoke. “How are you doing?”

“Fucking fantastic considering I don’t know what is going on.” I replied.

“Come here I will explain all.” She said signaling with her hoof. I walked up to my mentor to see a table and chairs seem to appear from thin air. The closer I got the more solid they appeared until I reached the wooden objects that were just conjured up. “Please take a seat.” She said and I did as instructed. “Now I am going to tell you everything that should need to know.”

“Go ahead and start.” I replied relaxing in the chair.

“Ok lets began. You are not a normal stallion, you are what is called a corrupted born and that is the cause of your great abilities and powers involving the void.”

“Ok.. How am I this corrupted born?”

“Your mother was a light born and you father a dark born. This created you a dark and light hybrid that is known as the corrupted born. This gives you the traits of being ruthless, fierce, and highly violent from your father, while your mother gave you protection, kindness, and trust. Your mane, tail, and wings show the appearance of what I am telling you to be true.”

“So.. Is that it?” I asked.

“No, I must ask if while in the void you saw anything that didn’t look like it belonged there.”

“There was something that was like a jagged hologram that looked like it was a playing a memory I had..”

“It was quite the opposite. What you saw was the to be, it is called future-state. It is only visible to the corrupted when in the void.”

“Anything else that I should know?” 

“No, that is all I have to say.”

“When then I will ask you why are you telling me this?”

“Closure.”

“I see..  You start looking for a new an apprentice then.. Now why is it that you don’t commonly enter my dreams?”

“Two of the others were… memorable.” 

“Like what?”

“Well the first time there were a group of guards who you brutally murdered and brought back to only have them defeated again. The other was you were surrounded by six mares.”

“Hey.” I interrupted “They were all fully clothed and decent.”

“Yes, but how long was that going to last?”

“It depended.”

“On what?”

“How long it took for you to leave.”

A light smirk grew across her face and she spoke again “Spectrum.. You are too much. Now I must leave you have a mentor to impress tomorrow.”

“And you need to dig a grave for me.”

“I’ll get right on that.” She said while giving me a goodbye gesture. Then she fainted from my sight. I sat back in the chair thinking about all that was spoken, this didn’t last long as someone screaming “Ahhh! You sons of bitches! What the hell!?” I awoke to a yellow painted pegasus yelling at Reggie 

I said, “Hey can you guys quit having your lovers quarrel and let me sleep?”

“Shut up Spectrum.” Blue replied before turning back to Reg to continue his complaining. 

“Ok what is with you?”

“Do you see me?”

“Yes you look fabulous your point.”

“You painted me.”

“That we did. I don’t why you are so mad.”

“You painted me!” She said angrier then before.

“Yes and it is water-based so go take a shower and stop wasting our time.”

While he did I packed up my junk and Blue rejoined us before we left the nice town and headed back onto the train that would take us our destination.  We all entered to see the sentries he left there still balled up. We all sat where we did last time. Blue, still sore about the joke, asked me “Why did you guys paint me?”

Reg replied, “To make you look like Fluttershy, which it did.”

“Ok where did you get the paint?”

“The hardware store in the town.” I spoke up.

“How did you get it?”

“Picked the lock, entered the store, got the paint.” 

“Larceny, I see you are a diverse criminal.”

“I paid for it and what you mean criminal?” I asked.

“Well the three murders under your belt is a great example.” 

“Ok, drop the killing. Yes I have murdered three stallions and yes they deserved it.”

“Did they really?”

“You tell me. All of them either tried or succeed in assaulting a mare. The first beat Dash for nearly two months, the second killed both my mother and father, then later was attacking a mare, and finally one who I didn’t give a chance to even try. Are you noticing a pattern?” Now I respect that you want no violence, but you joined us on this mission meaning from what you know about Fracture you want him dead. With that you don’t have to be one who does it, sees it, hear it, or not even think about it, but it will happen and you all ready know this.”

“I understand what they did, but did they have to die?”

“I don’t know, but why risk the unknown? What if the stallion at the party had grabbed Dash, well I don’t know. What if the one who beat her for two months had continued, well I don’t know. Now what if the murder of my parents had done what he intended to do, well I don’t know. But there is one thing I am damn sure of… I don’t have to find out what could have been and that is a blessing.” And with that we rode the train to the place where the battle would take place.

> Not as planned
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The train car’s silence didn’t last but five minutes, until we restarted talking. I guess that was a good thing considering what I had done and said to Blue and we were still friends. We talked about what we would do when we got home. Reg would spend more time with Lily; Blue would go back to his ferret Trixie, and me…  Well I had no idea of what to do when I got home, but as long as Reg and Blue were going back with me I didn’t care. The train eventually stopped and we picked up our gear, and Blue’s sentries followed after their creator and master. The conductor told us “The princess told me to tell you that the area you need go to is about two miles that way.” Seeing where he pointed we gave a thank you and the train headed back to the station where it had picked us up. We strolled the two miles quickly to get about 100 meters away from where he set up camp. Blue came over from where he had been with his sentries and said, “Ok, so Luna’s information on Fracture is a little dated.”

"How so?” Reg asked. 

“He has about thirty guards and no mind controlled mares or stallions.”

“Ideas Spectrum?”

“Luna said kill Fracture so we will do as planned. I would like to add try not to kill any of the guards, with that said I am also to make sure you are both safe so only attack if they strike first… Good?”

“Yes” They said in unison.

“Well let’s go, and try not to die.”

“That’ll be easy.” Blue said smiling.

“Funny.. Remember if we die you’ll be digging our graves and then you will have to explain to Luna why her prodigy is dead.” His smile lowered and we began preparing. During this time Blue came over to me and handed me the Darklight cannon. “I won’t be needing this.” He said. 

“Ok.. I understand.” I turned to Reg “Hey you think you can handle two?”

“I don’t see why the hell I can’t.” He replied.

“Well happy birthday.” I said while tossing the machine.

“You know you’re a month late.”

“I like to say that I am eleven months ahead.” After the set up we walked the small distance to his camp. There were two guards at the gate of his little fortress. The stood approached and one spoke in a deep voice “Turn around civilians this is authorized area designated for private use.”

“Is that the kind way of telling us to fuck off?” Reg asked.” Cause there were more words use then was needed.”

“Sir we are requesting that leave now.”

“And I am demanding entrance to this little place you are trying to protect.”

“Sir if you don’t remove yourself we will have to use force.”

“Ok first don’t call me sir my name is Reggie, Reg, or Griffon and that is what I will be addressed as. Second you guys couldn’t beat me and my pal here.” He said pulling me to his side.

“Reggie we don’t want to have to use force.”

“Well I do.” He said and shortly after a curled up claw hit the guard that was speaking in his nose knocking him down. He stumbled back up with the help of the other guard. Who was now swinging at me trying to connect with my chest. I gave a quick sweep of my leg causing his leg to be stretched far from his other. This made him unstable and with stomping my hoof on his leg led to him being forced to kneel. I got behind him and grabbed his shoulders, and then with a quick and strong pull of him back his spine collided with my bent joint. He arched his back from the pain and fell on the ground subdued. I turned to see that Reg had taken a hold of the stallion’s hoof and flipped him onto his back. He was now pounding his fist into the guard’s chest until a sharp snapping sound erupted from his chest signaling that the damage had been done. We left the bodies crippled by their post and sneaked around to the back of the walled off area. When then flew over and hide behind some of the junk that they had set off to the side. Fracture was nowhere in sight which meant we would have to find him.

I peeked out to see a group of guards patrolling the entry points. The rest were next to a hut and the barracks. I saw the target leave the hut and walk to the center to address his guards. His voice was loud and powerful when he spoke he said “Fellow followers I am here to tell you that there are ones who want the death of your leader. Now we must stop them at once.” 

“You got a plan?” Blue asked. 

“I’m thinking… Ok we’ll send out the drones to thin the numbers. Reg with cover us as we make our way to Fracture.” 

“Good plan, to bad you’re a little bit late.” A deep voice said as I was encased by a white aura that pulled me to face Fracture. I struggled to get out of this magical grip, but his power was greater then mine. I saw Reg firing the cannon at Fracture to free me, but every shot was blocked by him creating a small shield over himself. He then commanded his guards to detain Reggie and Blue. It only took one guard to be able to hold Blue resistance, Reg however was a just a little bit stronger and along with the three guards holding him back as he inched towards Fracture a unicorn shot a charge of lighting causing him to tense up and fall like a stack of bricks. 

“Good. Now take them to the cages.” He said pointing to two six-foot cubes that were next to each other. “Now why are you here?” He asked me. 

“To have you dead.” I replied.

“Well I don’t think you will live to see that.”

“I don’t have to see it. I just have to make sure that you die.”

“I don’t think Luna would like her student to dead on a mission she sent him on.”

“How the hell do you know about my mentor?” 

“You’d be surprised what I know about you.”

“Ok asshole what do you about me.”

“You have a sister named Platitos Rez, a adoptive sister named Rainbow Dash, you fear not protecting others, you’re an expert at lock picking and alchemically. 

“Ok.. Now what is my favorite color?”

“Purple.”

“Shit.”

“Oh.. I almost forgot.. You’re a corrupted spawn.” 

“Yeah and that matters why?”

“I think I send you to the place that you know the best.” He finished by grabbing my ring and taking my knife from my bag. He opened the blade and stabbed it into my forehoof and dragged it down slicing deep and hitting my bone as he continued. I yelled “Aaagggghhhh!!! Fuck you!!” 

“Consider this a good-bye present” He said opening a portal to the void. Shortly after he spoke he tossed my bleeding corpse into the Void and closed the entrance to it. I landed on a hard surface were I lied in my own blood until I felt slumber overtaking me and shortly after felling the effects it won and I blacked out.

> Reggie
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

As I felt my muscles tense up I fell on the ground kicking up a bit of dust. I was actually shock that a meek unicorn could have taken down a griffon of my size. Since I was a little buffer with a broader set of shoulders and a pair of strong hind legs. When I took down Blue and me were dragged to a couple metal cages, while this was happening I saw Spectrum was being stab in forehoof by his own knife. I turned my head to see the work the Blue had done was being destroyed by a couple of guards. I was thrown in to the cell were my head was slammed against the back along with my armor which clashed with the metal of the cage. Then the door was shut and locked. 

“Agh.. Blue you ok?” I asked the one in the cell next to me.

“Yeah.” He said with a bit on pain in his voice.

“Good.” I replied seeing if Spectrum was ok. I looked as one of his portals appeared below him and Fracture then tossed him in and the circle to the Void disappeared. I would have believed he was ok if I didn’t see the necklace that had the ring on it being held by Fracture. He walked over to us and then taunted “I don’t think your friend will back for quite sometime. I suggest both of you enjoy your stay because it is going to be a long one.”

“Ok.” I turned to a guard “Hey dickhead.”

“You better watch yourself.”

“Why? What the fuck are you going to do?”

“I’ll open this cage and beat the seven bells of shit outta you.”

“If you open this door I can tell you for sure that won’t happen.”



“Damn.. Blue you think Spec is ok?” I asked my captured friend beside me.

“I don’t care he deserves to die.” He replied with a snarl. 

“Why are you so spiteful towards him? He used to be like your brother.”

“Yeah but his violent nature.”

“You mean protective.”

”No he killed three stallions”

“Ok you can blame me for one of those.”

“Why?”

“I told him to do it.”

“So just because..”

“Then handed him the knife and traveled with him to make sure he did it.”

“What about the other two? Did you have a claw in those?”

“Nope.”

“So I was right he is heartless.”

“Nah.. He is overprotective. Plus he has done so much for you.”

“Like what?”

“Gave you a workshop, a home if you need someplace to stay, and a serum that allows you to be not be killed by my excessive spiking of punches at various social gathering for festivals celebrating one’s birth.”

“What the hell was that?”

“Me speaking?”

“Well I didn’t know you had a sophisticated side.”

“There’s a lot you don’t know about me.”

“Like what?”

“I play the cello and Spanish guitar, I have a fine onyx collection, and I have a hippogriff son named Ozzy and a daughter to be born along with my criminal record just to name a few.”

“What is on your criminal record?” 

“Twelve counts of flying while intoxicated, seventeen cases of disturbing the public, twenty-six assault charges, a few murders, and a bogus destruction of property accusation.”

"So you're a killer?"

"Nope I was merc."

"What's the difference?"

"Money?"

“Ok. Now what was wrong with it the bogus case?”

“The owner of a bar complained that I broke one of his windows.”

“So why was it bogus?”

“He threw me out of that goddamn window.. Asshole.”  At which point a void portal opened and I was blind, but all I heard was cry of pain and agony of the guards then sound of metal snapping. When my eyes readjusted I saw the bodies of all the guards ripped, mangled, and covered in blood, a ton of black crystals ranging from six to twelve inches, Fracture wounded by one of the crystals, Blue Skies hugging the SOB that caused this, Spectrum.
> Void
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

I awoke in the Void with mix feelings of anger, pain, and sadness rushing through me. I got up to see the puddle of blood had started start to turn to a dark reddish brown. I looked at my forehoof to see the blood had stopped flowing. As I took in all that happened I stared across the world at the floating grey pieces of rock with the purple glow underneath lighting up the black horizon. Then about a hundred yards away I saw a sort of ruin with a couple of pillars. I flew over to investigate and when I walked in through an arch that was made of same stuff as the floating rocks. As I continued in there was a staircase that lead down to a larger room that as lighted by purple glow from a little shard. At the end of the room was a giant tree that was twisted and somewhat wicked looking, however I felt like it was pulling me towards it. Then before I knew it my hoof was touching the bark. The texture was smooth and it was cold to the touch. I heard a deep, stern voice asking me “What the hell are you doing?”
“Uh.. um.. shit!” I responded. My first idea was to run through them… ok that was my idea, but these guys were brutes and stopped be dead. I fought to free myself from them, but everything went black. Next thing I know is that I’m being dragged by my forehoofs by these two stallions and I couldn’t really hold my head up. Then we stopped and one started to talk and said “You majesty we found him in one of the harvesting ruins.”
Then I heard an old, familiar voice speak “He’s ok let him go.”
“But your majesty can you trust him?” He questioned shocked by her answer.
“Yes now you are excused.” She replied.
“So you are just going to trust a complete stranger.”
“No, I know him.” 
“Well who is he?”
“My goddamned brother.” At that point I was dropped on the ground landing face on the ground. They then quickly left her throne room.
“Spectrum you always seem to in such trouble.” She told me as she walked down to a tree similar to the one I saw before. She then came over with a bottle of alcohol and a rag. “Spectrum how do you get in these situations all the time?”
“Well I have a cocky, sarcastic, and funny attitude that can make some laugh and others want to kick my ass.” I replied as she poured a bit of alcohol on the rag and then sent it down. 
“So how has your life been?”
“Drinking, smoking, making jokes and friends, getting my ass kicked, and kicking ass.” I said reaching for the bottle she set down.
She smiled as my wounds were being tended “You are right, you can turn someone’s day around with a simple action. Ok that should hold until you get a permanent fix.”
“Problem.”
“What?”
“I’m kinda trapped in the void.”
“What about your ring?”
“Stolen.”
“Well.. go talk to this one called Grad he’ll try to get you back to the overworld.”
And that we hugged and gave each other our goodbyes. I then began to leave and give my final words. “You know need to have more fun.”
“And you need to settle down.”
“I’ll get on that.”
As I walked around looking for this Grad asking random stallions who just pointing in a general direction.
I eventually reached a small shack surrounded by bunch of trees that I had seen before. I knocked on the door and after a few minutes there was still no reply. I pushed against the makeshift door that grinded on the floor and it sweep around, then out of the corner of my eye I see a rustling shape. Then I was forced up to the wall with a knife pressed to my throat.
His coat was a deep red along with a pair of dark orange wings gave him a good cloak in the darkly light room. He spoke with a somewhat calm voice for a stallion that had me forced against a wall with the ability to kill me. “Now can you please tell me why the fuck you have entered my home and what gives you the goddamn right?”
I nervously spat out words “I was… I’m here… Rez sent me.”
He let me go and asked me. “How has she been? We don’t talk that much anymore.”
I replied “She’s fine. So you Grad?”
“Flesh and blood.”
“Can you help me get back to the overworld?”
“Sort of.”
“What does that mean?”
“Have you got a payment?”
“No… I was left here for death by a power crazy unicorn who is trying to enslave the whole world with a gang of mercenaries. Oh and he has my friends who might be dead.”

“”Ok I’ll give you a free pass follow me.”
I followed him behind a draped off area in the left side of his shack. As the fine pieces of linen were parted there was a huge room filled with beakers, test tubes, Bunsen burners, and massive amounts of chemicals. 
“Welcome to… Actually I have never named this room.” He said. I saw his rummage through a box until a glass sphere was pulled out and he tossed it over to me. “That is a crystal sphere you hold it and when you see a white glow it is primed. When a small black object appears in the center it is primed and this bad boy will explode into shards and pierce anything it hits.” 
“What good does this?”
“Spawning inside an enemy camp probably not a good idea unless you have firepower.”
“So how do I get back?”
“Use this.” He tossed me a flask of clear liquid. “Go outside and pour that on the ground.”
I did as told and the liquid transformed its color to a light blue along with that the sounds and smells of the overworld flooded my senses. I held the orb until it glowed white and jumped through the portal with my eyes closed. When I opened them the light was harsh and the orb had turned black. It then shot shards as I was told it would do. The sound of birds and the wind was quickly overpowered by screams of pain and bones shattering. An embrace on my side and I then saw the destruction that had taken place.   
> Heading Home
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

As I looked around and found Fracture laying in a puddle of his blood with a 8 inch spike sticking out of his leg. I turned to Reg and asked him “Get me two chairs.” He returned seconds later holding the chairs I told him “Give me one and help Fracture into the other one.” He looked at me confused “Just do it. Ok. I know what I’m doing.” He did and I sat on my chair stomach facing the back. Fracture just looked at me with not a sight of fear, but of shock.

“This is probably still sinking in… I understand. I guess it is hard to see a ghost.” I told him.

“You think that you’ve won! I’m still alive!” He shouted.

“Who said my job was to kill you. I was supposed to take care of you as I saw fit… and well you.. you fucked up. Also with that wound I feel that you got maybe a few hours eight at most.”

“I can heal this… it’s nothing… I’ll be fine.”

“See… that is the problem… you don’t understand how much trouble you are in. That shard in your leg is one that is caused by a sphere that was created in the void. It is made of pure corruption and it is so fine, yet strong… just picture powdered diamonds coursing through your bloodstream slowly tearing apart your organs as you experience pain that will push you to the point of suicide… However my old man taught me that you must always give someone a chance. So here is an antidote that will dissolve the powder.”
I turned to Reg “You and Blue get me string and a roll of duct tape, then start loading up the doctor and three stallions.” He nodded in return. After a few seconds he was back will a spool. “You got those smoke bombs.” He nodded again. “Here I’ll take them off of your claws.” He tossed them and continued to move the guard on his shoulder. 
I opened the small sack and pulled out a smoke bomb. From there I removed that top and poured out the powder and picked up one of the spikes. I began to grind it to a fine powder and fill the bomb back up.
“Grab that Fracture.” I commanded. 

“Fuck you.” He said as he spat in my face.

“You’ve got some spirit.” I replied will jamming the spike deeper into his leg.

“AAAGGGHHH!” He shouted and he slammed his hoofs to the metal canister. I began rapidly tightening his hoof over the safety. I then tied a piece of the string around the pin that armed it. A made a loop and hooked it on a shard twenty feet away. 

“There you go. You pull the string that arms it, and it becomes incredibly difficult for you to become free. If that bomb does go off you will be both covered and inhaling that thing that is currently killing, but in that little metal sphere is enough in there to kill you before you hit the ground.  Now the antidote is marked on this map. Have fun… Oh and the toxic flowing through you renders all non-earth pony abilities impossible to be performed. I would like to explain this to you; however you seem to have better things to do and you probably don’t want me to waste your time.”

“Let’s go Reg we got to be at station for the next train… See you in hell Fracture.”

“Why are you doing this?” He asked.

“Let’s see, you put me in a barren wasteland in my own puddle of blood with minimal chances of surviving… how is this any different? Oh right it’s not.”

As I walked away he kept shouting “I’m a God! You can’t kill me!”

“Even Gods bleed.” I replied while walking and I then noticed my ring which was in the same condition as before except a small hairline crack was now present. I began to twirl it around by its chain and whistle as I made my way to the train.

After I caught up with them at the train it had just stopped. We carried everyone onto one of the boxcars and the conductor began to start our journey home. After about thirty minutes had pasted the unconscious ones began to wake one at a time. The first and second told their story of being brothers who had tried every which way to make money ranging from stocks, to theft, and even honest labor, but how the jobs never lasted from more than a couple of months till they met Fracture. The next one was named Bone and he had quite a militarized history. He had graduate sixth best at West Point; he would later join the military and be requested to join the 1st Recon squad. After a miscommunication between radios, he and his squad would soon after cause a massive murder of mother and children at Sweetsprings. 

The last one to wake was the masked doctor whose identity baffled both me and Reg. 

As I asked “Who are you?”

A sweet feminine voice replied back.
“I’d asked the Griffon next to you. He knows more than anyone else does.” 

I turned to Reg whose beak was wide open. “For the love of… Please tell me that is not who I think it is.” I asked with both an excited and exhausted tone. 

“Ok.. I’ll bite who is she?” Asked Blue.  Reg still being frozen by her voice left me the only one able to explain who she was.

“This mare is… an old friend… from Reggie’s past… from when he was for hire.” I said while trying to use the right words.

Reg finally snapped out of his state and explain in more detail. “That doctor right there” He said with pointing to her. “Was a contract given to me by a drug cartel to receive a mare and return her. After finding out her location in Marexico and that she was a stripper." 

She coughed and said "I was a dancer. Don't let him fool you."

Reg began again. "Either way I found her and tried to take her, but she was... Persistent and didn't give me an easy job. When I got back to be paid it had been close to six months with her. As it turns out she was to be passed onto her father who was forcing her to marry an abusive drunkard with a cocaine addiction. I couldn't let her go she turned into a sister to me. So I took down the cartel's guards and I chased to save her. When I killed her to be husband I gave her half what I was paid and left. Shortly after I met my wife and five years later I met Blue, then Spectrum several months later."

Blue replied "Well that's nice to know and all, but a name would be just as good."

"Her name is." Reg started 

"If you don't mind I'm perfectly able to introduce myself of you will let me... Thank you. Now Blue is it, my name is Midnight Drizzle former dancer current PHD in medical healing. Nice to met you." She said. "And you well I don't know your name." 

"I'm Spectrum." I replied 

"Now what is each of you history like." She asked.

"Go ahead Blue." I told him.

"I'm not just going to give away my past information to a complete stranger. "He replied.

"Well just for now if you drink or smoke keep your distance from Blue and join me or Reg for a good drinking night with poker, jokes, and good tales of our past."  I told her
.
"Thank you for the offer. Now what your past."

"Uh.. Lets see I was born in Cloudsdale."

"Cloudsdale, now is the myth about the Rainbow Factory true."

"Yes, I've been there."

"Then how are you alive?"

"Do you know want about the exiles?" She shook her head.

"A long time ago everyone lived together and there were two types of ponies light ones and dark ones. After sometime dark ones began to be pushed to the ends of the world and later exiled to a place know as the Void where they are still living. Then Luna visited the Void and something attacked her and she was trapped by Nightmare Night... Anyway I'm a dark stallion who failed the test and was sent to the  Rainbow Factory. So I was chained to the wall and they used a machine which was to steal my spectra, the problem is that the dark ones done have spectra we have an unknown black fluid that will contaminate any other liquids. I'm the reason that an entire batch was fucked up by them poking my heart and then my sister opened a portal to drag me into the Void. Since then I've lived at Dash's and now Luna's."

"We'll, where are we going?"

"You can go wherever you want, but I'm going home." At that point there was a huge flash and a thunderous bang that deafened me. Then I felt my back being fiercely thrown against a jagged rock and a sharp pain shocked the area around my left side.  
> Rose
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

As I opened my eyes I noticed that Drizzle was standing over me talking to Reg and Blue, but I was under the effects a daze. Reg then turned to me and stuck out his claw. When I grabbed it I was lifted up at which point I stumbled a bit before regaining my balance, then there was a pain that I felt around my lower chest and when I looked down I found that I had been wrapped up. I began to ask “Why the hell is there sharp pain in my left kidney and back?” 
Reg grabbed me and turned me to a rock that had a massive rod sticking out of it. “That was where you were thrown when the train exploded and then a piece of rail pierced you.” At that point I realized that Reg had a scar down his arm and chest. “Why is there a scar down the center of your chest?”

“Well… When I was thrown from the train my heart was stabbed by a shard of metal. So Blue and Drizzle were able to savage bits of the wreckage to create a cybernetic heart to combine with my organic one.” He replied.

“And the lightning bolt on your arm?”

“Because now I can say I have a lightning bolt scar.”

“Also what happened to Bone?”

“He’s… actually now that I think about… I don’t know. I didn’t see him anywhere.”
“So where are we?”

“No idea, but if we follow the tracks we will right back to where we started.”

“Quick question.”

“Shoot.”

“What was left of the wreckage?”

“My sword, a few medic supplies, and a pack of cigarettes.”

After a few hours of traveling we stopped to take a rest in what I guessed was a dry lake. It was not bad considering that I was sleeping with a busted kidney and getting bit by a few mosquitos. When we woke up we restarted our journey home. As time passed on we approached a dense forest filled with darkness and thorns.

“So should we just cut through?” Reg asked.

Drizzle answered. “I mean we have no idea how huge it is or how long it could take to go around.”

“Let’s head in.” Reg said while he unsheathed his sword and began slashing and thinning the dense.

“Did you ever name your sword?” I asked.

“Yep it’s called Nightshade.” 

"Why that?"

"Favorite flower."

As the day drew on we became exhausted from the exploration of the forest. When nighttime fell over the trees there was chatter from the inhabitants. After awhile it seemed like a lullaby which helped me enter my slumber. When the sun was seen again it restarted our journey. About three hours after setting off again I began to feel an uneasiness and that we were being stalked, then out of nowhere a tomahawk flew splitting the tree trunk it hit. Without notice we all became strung up by vines and then spun around being wrapped in more vines as if we were being captured by a spider. 

"Well... This is weird." Said Midnight.

"Nah.. This is like a normal Wednesday for me." Reg replied.

"What does that mean?"

"Reg is into some kinky stuff." I answered.

"Wait.. With who.. And how do you know that?"

"Cause I know drunk Reggie."

"Hey drunk Reggie is best Reggie." Reg explained.

"But with who?"

"My wife."

"Reggie your married!?" She asked shocked.

"Yep with two kids. I'd show you a picture, but.. Yeah can't really do that.. Huh.."

Then from the branches of one of the trees came a stallion whose coat and mare were an emerald green and eyes shined with a amber color. He also had leather belts circling his entire body acting as holsters for his tomahawks. When I looked at his hoofs I was amazed that this Earth pony had vines tied around his two front hoofs acting as whips. When he approached me he stared at me with an analyzing glaze. 
Then he spoke with a tribal accent. "Why you come here? To take wood from forest?"

I replied. "I'm sorry we're just trying to go home. We mean no harm to the forest or you. We just took a shortcut through here."

"You no part of white unicorn?"

"No we actually just had a fight with him." I stated as I also tried to wiggle my hoof out to shake his. "Names Spectrum." He shook it. "And that's Midnight Drizzle, Blue, and Reg."

"Why am I introduced last?" Asked Reg.

"Mares first." I answered.

"And Blue?"

"Half mare. Still counts."

"Half mare!?" Blue asked annoyed. 

"Hey.. Hey.. Hey... It's true." I replied. "What's your name anyway?"

"Mother call me Thorn." He replied.

"So Thorn could you.. Cut these vines so we can continue journey home?"

"Only if I join friends."

"Why the hell not. The more the merrier."

At that insistence the vines uncoiled themselves and slithered back into the bushes and trees that they had emerged from. With that small delay we once again began anew. While walking Reg showed Midnight the pictures of his hippogriff children and how he meant his wife. How she was a paleontologist that needed help from someone with strength and the closest one was a Griffon at a bar drinking a scotch while smoking a cigarette. Blue nudged me. "You think    
Fracture survived?"

"Yes... But there... Everyone deserves a chance."

"But not him."

"Every. One."

"Why?"

"Cause..."

"You tell me why you think everyone deserves a chance?"

"Because I have I been given chances."

"Like what."

"Well.. I'm here."

"So what."

"I'm not suppose to be here."

"Cause you should have died?"

"No..no."

"Then what?" Blue asked angrily. 

"Corrupt ones aren't allowed to be in the overworld!" I yelled.

"What do you mean?"

I loudly explained to Blue. "Think about it Blue. I live in a castle that is in the middle of nowhere and thirty minutes from anyone. Luna made a corpse disappear so the guards couldn't trace me. My is sister who is a corrupt one lives in the void. When I sent to the factory Celestia  couldn't know a corrupt one lived in the overworld. And the only reason I wasn't sent back with my sister is my godfather adopted me. Now here is a trait of corrupt, red eyes. I wear contacts to cover my red eyes just like Vinyl does with shades. Also who do I spend a lot of time with? Vinyl. Don't you understand it I'm not making this up. And you probably complain about my drinking and smoking, but I drink, smoke, and I use to take anti depression pill, and I occasionally carry on the pain of being alone. Even though I have an armory in that castle with gun ranging from .22 to .50 caliber and the only reason I didn't pull the trigger cause I always look up and hope that I could find a way. Sure enough Luna gives me a tome over alchemy and I created this ring to let me see my sister after ten long years." I then turned to Reg. 

"Can I get a smoke?"

"Sure." He replied.

"Thanks." I took it and sat leaning against a tree taking long drags to calm myself.
After my little smoke stop we returned to walking and eventually made our way back to the castle. When we entered everything was still and quite. "What y'all want to drink?" I asked while heading down to the cellar.

"Wine." Said Midnight.

"Firewater." Replied Thorn.

"So that for you two, a scotch for Reg, vodka for me, and Blue you want water?"

"Nope, rum." He replied while injecting himself with the serum. When I returned with clanking bottles and glasses along with a deck of cards we started to feel connected and finally had bliss. The first story told by Midnight was about a rose that someone had put a spell onto so it would be on fire forever, but never burn. It was a symbol for his love to her, but he would later cheat on her. Midnight then pressed the rose to his arm and burned the petals into his flesh which continued to burn for eternity. About halfway through a game of poker Luna busted into our home panicking and then grabbed me and forced me against the wall. "Did you kill Fracture?" She asked with an anger tone.

"I gave him a chance." I replied.

"I asked you if you fucking killed him. Now answer the goddamn question. She yelled at the top of her lungs.

"No." 

"Well he is on his damn way to kill you and probably the rest of us now." She said taking a swig of vodka.

"Ok... Just follow me."

"Why?"

"Cause from what you're saying we're going to be fighting a battle. So follow me."

"Where?" 

"The armory or as I call it the "Gun Room." I replied along with grabbing the bottle from her hoof and drinking on the way there.

"We have a Gun Room?" She asked confused while hurrying after.

 

> Sasha 
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


As we walked the long corridor filled with the past’s antiques and its history. As Luna began to speak we stopped to listen to this conversation “So we have a gun room?”

I replied “No I have gun room if we had a gun room you would know about said gun room, however you have shown that you in fact I am the one with the gun room. With that it is not just a gun room it also contains melee based weaponry as well.”

“So it’s gun and melee based weaponry room.”

“Technically, but I prefer to say gun room it’s shorter.”

Reggie raised the question “So where is this so called gun room?” 

“A place that will soon be discovered by all of y’all, but right now we’re heading to the cellar cause I would like a scotch.” Then after filling a glass about half way up and tossing a few ice cubes in. “Now follow me to my room that’s where I put it last.” After the opening door the stale air released in the hallway as I entered I mentioned, “Wow the smell of vodka is still here and damn is this place dusty for the short time away.”

“Um… about that” Luna spoke up “You’ve actually been gone for around a year and a half… I’m kinda shocked that you came back or that you’re even alive.”

“Ok… one that is an insult to me, Reg, and Blue secondly I feel that we’ve been gone around a month or two. Either way no sense dwelling on the past when there is power hungry warlord who isn’t a real big fan of me.”

“He wouldn’t be if you murdered him.” Luna muttered.

“Luna… shut the fuck up I’ve tired of your shit…ok I’m goin to take care of this and you saying “You’ve should have done this or do it this way.” that is mostly makes me want to blow your head off instead of his.”

“Well… I never.” She replied clearly annoyed by my statement.

“Never been stood up to… It’s kinda hard to stand up if you must kneel down to face them.” I answered with.

“Spectrum if you live through this I will personally throw you and your shit out of this castle.”

“And if I die.”

“I won’t have to throw you out.” With that she left and slammed the door.

“Well shit just hit fan… and it is fucking everywhere…” Reggie awkwardly stated fully knowing the tension was clearly noticed.

“Ok… So… shit what was I doing… gun room… yeah gotta get the guns.” I stammered my words as I placed my ring on my transmutation table and then placed a book bound in purple leather and opened to page 326 and spoke the phases from the page “I come here asking for help with the tools that those before me and me myself have collected to help us defend us from those against… and if we fail let us be near those who lost their lives for the cause that we ourselves strived to uphold.” My ring then began to glow with a purple sphere in the middle of metal circle. I placed the ring back around my neck while the sphere stayed in the place before. I picked the round object with both hooves and swiftly expanded my hooves from the sphere and it expand into a portal. 

“Ok… come on…” I said feeling that defeat was inevitable.

“Ok… that is some black magic bullshit…. But I fucking love it.” Reggie exclaimed.

As we entered the portal we were transferred to a room filled with weapons from every aspect that could be thought about. 

“So what… you got here?” Reg asked.

“Anything from blades to blunt or .22 to .50 depending on what you like.” I answered.

“Where did you get these?”

“Most were already here. This is the armament chamber of past corrupted born.”

“Ok how about your contribution.”

“I’m a part of the monthly bakery club.”

“I don’t get it.”

I whispered, “The guns are in the cake and there is then the rug salesman, but he’s not really a rug salesman.”

“So how did this get started?”

“In the beginning everyone lived together however as time pasted there was great segregation between corrupt born and the “normal” born. The reason being that the past rulers saw that the corrupt born used a dark magic that was stronger then theirs. They tried to understand how to use it and become stronger it however led to the demise of the high ruler and it was seen as an assassination plot. This waged a war that lasted until each side decided that the corrupt born would create a new parallel dimension and would live there until the end of time.  This was a secret armory that was only accessible by the corrupt born offer contributing their arms and life.”

“What happened after the war?” 

“After time pasted there was a corrupt born princess who saw this separate both unnecessary and caused a lack of unity that was needed for the world to be a better place. She how ever was punished for her defiant nature and when her punishment she was forced to conform to the “normal” way of life. While there are still those who oppose this forced idea they are simply small-scale rebels. There however is a rumor that there is someone who is taking out those who are murdering those who are murdering corrupt born in the overworld and keeping the rebellions striding for success. “

“So what we got to work with.”

“Well…” I turned to everyone who was admiring the weapons. “Midnight here is a pair of 9mm compact submachine guns or Uzis. Their names are Roxxi and Moxxi.” I said while tossing the pair Uzis that were nickel-plated and finely polished to sheen with ornate floral patterns curling around the main body with the two names also etched in of each side. 

“Reggie here is the Russian Daddy.” I said when tossing a PKP Pecheneg.

“What can you tell me about this.” He asked.

“Uh… 7.62mm with a… I think around 600 or 700 RPM with… 250 round per belt in the… I don’t know the technical name, but the thing that hold the rounds that is latched to the bottom.”

“Thorn, follow me to the next room.” I said while walking to the next room. The room was filled full of weapons from daggers to swords to maces and anything in between and more even then. 

“Now… what you like?” I asked.

“Throwing knives and axes.” He replied.

“A preferred material?” 

“Light and strong.”

“Well… Titanium is pretty light and fairly light.” I passed him one of the knives. “Here try this.”
“You have more of these?” He asked.”

“Yes and here is a bandoleer to hold sixteen knives and four throwing axes. There is two tomahawks on that table you can use those.”

I returned to the previous room to see Blue examining the wall of armaments

“Something wrong?” I asked a seemingly saddened Blue.

“Well there doesn’t seem to be anything here that I can use.” He replied.

“I understand lucky I own what I call “Warlord” and it is a mechanized war suit and would be quite comfortable for someone of your size.”

“What does it do?”

“Wreck shit.”

“Any tech specs?”

“Nuclear engine for power, liquid coolant system, carbon fiber bottom half and a high carbon arms with a extremely tough alloy to prevent extensive damage… to the machine not those being attacked by it...  they will most definitely be dead.”

“Where is this machine?”

“See that red button about two to the left there is orange one that will bring it up.”

As the button was pressed there was a rumble from below and the floor opened up. From the dark crater came the beast forged from metal and hell.

“Ok… that is bullshit why is that here?” Reg asked.

“I told you this was to hold some of the resistance’s arms. This was one of there arms.”

“It’s a fucking tank… How did we win?”

“Don’t really care just have to kill Fracture… Ok Fracture must die…”

“How this work?” Blue asked.

“Motion sensors so where you move it moves.”

“Hello I’m still here.” A familiar but forgotten voice spoke. I turned around to see Bone wearing a maroon beret with a 1st Recon emblem on the front. 

“Son of a bitch… Where have you been? And how do you get in here?” I asked

“There is a giant glowing portal and I should ask you same question.” He replied

“Ok go ahead.”

“Where have you been?”

“Fuck if I know… Midnight.”

“Well… uh… Reggie.” She stammered.

“Not dead.” Reggie Finally answered. 

“So still fighting Fracture?”

“Yeah kinda at my front door.”

“So can I get a gun?”

“Why?”

“Cause I’m the best shot here.”

“Proof?”

“Well I was top of my class at West Point. I have on of the longest shot recorded on site at 1.7 Km and I a beret with the emblem that is feared throughout the entire empire.”

“Fine what you want?”

“Scope.”

“Fine.” I said lifting up the weapon. “This is a AW 50 with a 12x scope and a muzzle break so you shoulder doesn’t break so you happy?”

“Only if can test it.”

“Fine you go up top and wait till I get up there and everyone else get down to he front and wait till you hear a round fire off. Midnight also take this scythe when you run out of ammo.”

“What are you going to use?” Midnight asked.

“Still deciding.” I replied, “Now get ready.”

They left leave a relieving sensation to flow through me. I began to breathe slower and slower while entering a piece state of focus. I laid on one of the table and lose my eyes I then began picturing scenes and when I awake I was in a place of tranquility and harmony. When I opened my eyes to the room when a loud crash erupted from the wall.

“The fuck was that” I exclaimed. I began to climb off the table while grumbling “Can’t a fucking second of fucking peace… I was going to pick a gun but fuck it. Eenie meenie miney mo I choose you now lets fucking go. I try to calm down for a second.” I grabbed my stockless, sawed-off, lever action 12-gauge shotgun and the bandoleer that was paired with it.

I reentered my room to see a bottle of scotch unopened from before. “That will calm me down.” I stated while smirking. 

I took the staircase taking the occasional swig on the way up. When I reached the pinnacle of one of the towers.

“Spectrum there you are. Fracture has set up five ballistae and already fired one.” Bone informed me.

“I know the dick disturbed me.”

“Spectrum why are you holding a bottle that is half full?”

“It was full… I don’t know what happened. Anyway how far out are they?”

“Seven hundred meters.”

“Let me see.” I then saw around five hundred soldiers and Fracture in the background while an unknown one.

“Spectrum long time no see.” The cynical voice said from a magical projection 

“Hey… so how you been?”

“Since I nearly died due to you… Fine.”

“So… can you kinda fuck off?”

“No… I would rather see you dying in a pool of your own blood.”

“You already tried that and it didn’t really work out for you.”

“I won’t make the mistake of assuming you’re dead… Wait are you drunk?”

“I call it a light buzz.”

“You are an idiot.”

“Every female knows that I’m better when I’m drunk.”

“Funny.”

“Anyway leave my blood alcohol level out of this. What make you think you’ll win this battle?”

“My five star general.” At which point a black haired one entered the frame.

“Spectrum?” He said.

“It that you Robert?”

“Oh… it is you… sorry about having to… siege your castle.”

“Sorry about kicking your ass in the orphanage.”

“Well… We’re done here.” The picture then blinked from existence.

“Whose Robert?” Bone asked.

“A prick… a prick who I expect to have his brains all over that field.”

“Ok… then what?”

“Those ballistae are about to a tension problem resulting in then become unusable I think it had something to do with the tightly coiled rope.”

I climbed onto one of the stone gargoyles my eyes still focused on Bone.

“Spectrum… When your ready.” 

I took a long gulp from the bottle then spoke “Pop his head.” When I heard the shot I fell back feeling the rush from the combination of war cries booze and adrenaline from falling. As the ground approached I began spiraling down and then opened my wings to slow my descent. When I hit the ground a small amount of dust was kicked up. When it cleared I was next to Reggie on my left and Blue on the right. I rested my shotgun on my shoulders holding it in place and carrying my bottle with a couple sips left.

“I’ll handle this.” I said while walking with a cocky swagger. When I reached them I noticed that they mostly had spearmen and about half of them had shields to accompany their weapons. “Guys… we don’t have to fight. You know what we could a drink in my cellar there is plenty for everyone.”

One of them stepped forward and spoke. “No.”

“Guys come on.” I said trying to negotiate.

“Are you drunk?” He asked.

“I mean this was a full bottle.” I stated

“So you are drunk?” He asked once again.

“Yes… and you’re dead.” I answered.

Which he replied “Hahaha… Wait. What?” That was followed by me swinging the shotgun around my neck, pulling the trigger, and making his head being a brief memory. I then walked back to my friends with the same walk that I left them with.

“So… it didn’t go well?” Reggie asked.

“Not as I would have liked… But I think made progress.” I replied 

“In what aspect?”

“There is one less to worry about.”

“Is his brains everywhere.”

“Well… um… uh… yeah…”

“So we starting this?”

“Where you want to go? High or stay low?”

“I’ll go high up and rain down.”

“Good plan now get.”

I turned to the mechanical one and Thorn “Thorn if you stay near Blue you he can break them up and it will be easier for you take them out and not get swarmed.”
Thorn replied “Ok I stay with metal one.” He then turned to Blue. “Don’t stand on me strong one.”

“Just hop on my back.” He replied.

With Midnight and me left we discussed our plan. “So what we goin to do?” She asked.

“Well are you good at fighting?”

“Kinda, I’m good at dancing.”

“I sorta thought that. Ok pretend that you are dancing with Roxxi and Moxxi and… wait did you name your scythe?”

“No… should I?”

“It doesn’t hurt to.”

“Ummm…. Its name is… Black Spade.”

“Ok good.”

“Wait… what did you call your knife.”

“Why?”

“Just tell me.”

“Its called Prototype.”

“Why?”

“The alloy used in this switchblade is the same one used in all of the melee weapons.”

“So this has the.”

“The same affect your scythe. Yes. It is also a grappling hook. The shaft is able to uncoil into a rope and it about 10 feet long. Finally both the inside and out of the piece of metal.”

“Ok lets get goin.”

With that we charge and the ground rumbled from Blue running. As I looked to see Reggie flying towards the army cocking the “Russian Daddy” Blue jumped over us casting a shadow engulfing us in shade. After landing there was a hiss from the pneumatic pistons located in the legs. I then saw both massive fist rose before they made contact with the ground and then Blue swung both arms knocking others out of the way. Thorn then jumped off the metal beast and began throwing his knives while the enemies where distracted with Blue throwing spear at his metal casing. I heard Reggie Rat-A-Tatting the shields while midnight was doing the same. I was then swarmed by a few one thrust his spear towards me. I leaned to the right then used the butt to knock him down.  I turned back to a swordsman slashing downward I pushed against it and when I did I hear a grunt from behind.  I spun around a spear that pierced the swordsman and led me to the back of the murder. With a pull of the trigger two were down. I was then pushed by a shield leaving me on the ground I the aimed to the shield and ejected the hull a loaded a shell. I then fired at the metal disk to no success. I then cocked the lever again; however I retreated a few feet to hear a loud ping and his body responded by dropping dead. After slipping a few shell to replace the ones fired I flew noticing Midnight has a barrier protecting her. With a flip of the wrist the barrier disappeared and those surrounding her were thrown into the air. They were then slice to shreds by her spinning and creating a sphere of blades. I flew low to the ground letting off buckshot like lead rain dodging the occasional spear throw. I was grabbed and pulled to the ground surrounded by ten when one tried to spear me and I rolled so it struck the ground. I snapped the wood creating myself a staff and fired one off so they would back off. I fired the remaining rounds knocking the number down to five.  While trying to defend myself I would trip them or bash their knees to buy time. As I began to fly away to reload a spear hit the base of my left wing bringing me back to the cold dirt. I quickly pick up the staff and keep sweeping around me not to get jumped. When one rushed I replied with a simple sweep of the leg he was on his stomach and I slammed the piece of wood that led to the crunching of his neck. I stole their complete spear and assessed the situation. With a couple of swift slides I was able to counter attack by slashing their midsection and blood flowing to grass. I realized that only one remained and his stance was stronger then the others and his lack of striking left my counterattacks useless. I wondered where my shotgun had hidden itself until I noticed it was on the back of the one in front of me. I took my spear and placed the end on the and after a second of thought I snapped it into two pieces and broke the long splinters off. I then slammed it on the ground a few times. My ring then sparked and I thought “Shit… I forgot about this…” I opened a black pool below me and dropped into the void and after a second I was standing behind his back when he grabbed my arm and threw my body to the ground. I stepped back and decided that I had to rush him and then put my stupid plan into action, however when he lugged his spear and I answered by sliding on my back and jamming my spear into his throat and he dropped forcing the spear fully through his to the back of his neck. As I returned to the battle most had been killed or ran away and just I thought this was over there was a great flash from the sky then I fell to the ground along with my friends.

When I awoke there was a leg holding me down and I tried to use my ring till I realized it wasn’t around my neck. I heard the dreaded voice “Well… I’ll give an A for effort, but you’ve stilled failed and I will enjoy breaking you.”

“You can’t break me.”

“I already have you and your friends are powerless.” To that I turned my head and saw a fuzzy image and it came into focus I faced Fracture for him to say “Any last words?”

“Just a couple.”

“And those are?”

“Meet Sasha.” 

As he was about to ask whom Sasha was he was blasted off on my and a half second later a loud frequency hit my ears. I was getting up until Luna popped into my view and asked, “Need some help?” 

“About five minutes ago, but better late then never.” I then walked over the now bloody and barely living one putting up my shotty on the way and loading it while continuing my pace till I stood over him.

“What a waste of a life. You could have just walked away started again, but no you were too determined to leave.”

“You won’t kill me.”

I cocked the lever.

“You said that your father gave everyone a chance.”

“The problem is that he didn’t believe in second chances.” And with that final note I blasted the memory of his face from his mind and mine.

Luna and me then woke everyone up and started cleaning up.

Reggie asked. “Where are we going to put them?”

“My sister told me that they have a forest in the Void that will make them vanish.”

After about an hour of gathering the bodies together I opened a huge portal and they fell into Void. 

“So are we done?” Reggie asked.

“Depends.” I replied

“On what?”

“You want equality for the corrupt born, Griffons, and anyone thought as an outcast by the Equestrian Empire?”

“Yes.”

“And all of you?”

They all replied with a unified “Yes.”

“Well, we have a new goal and a new adventure.”