Chapters The Vengeful Guardians: the mercs of justice
Issue #1 Red Horn the outlaw (revised)
It was a dark calm night on the outskirts of Goth'thorn city, where asylum of Arkmane stood. Even the inmates seemed calmer than usual, with no threats of murder, suicide or other such things were being screamed from there usual sources. This unusual calmness did not seem to soothe the nerves of John Arkmane, the head administrator and owner of Arkmane asylum. As he paced back and forth in his office as he constantly muttered. "Where is he?"
His usually pristine white coat was slightly matted from sweat and his grey mane was in a mess. He stopped in his tracks as the lights in his office flickered off.
*Creak*
The Window in his office was now swinging back and forth as if it was just opened quickly and with no visible intruder insight. He quickly backed away in fear until he bumped into something that was obviously not a piece of furniture. "You called?"
A snide but calm and threatening voice called from behind him causing him to jump and quickly turn around to face the owner of the voice. He saw a stallion that was two feet taller than him. He wore a light grey greatcoat, the edges of the coat tails were given a sharp torn look. The coat was worn over black body armor with red lining on the padding with a red crescent moon adorned in the center of his chest. Red hoof guards on his forelegs and red boots on his hind legs his entire body was covered up to his neck. Leaving only his long managy spiky red and navy tail exposed. His face was concealed by a red helmet that was almost featureless, aside from a blade like extension where his horn is. Clear white lenses tinted with black lining concealed the stallion's eyes. The helmet had sharp streaks traveling down its cheeks giving it a permanent glare. Arkmane had recognized the stallion from his helmet alone "R-R-Red Horn I see you got my um, invite to come see me."
Red Horn passed him as he walked by Arkmane. On his walk to the chair he gave the scared stallion a clear view of the hand guns strapped to his thighs, right below where his cutie mark should be. He quickly sat in Arkmane's chair, he sat back getting into a relaxed posture. "I had heard through the grape vine that you were looking for me, for a very high paying job."
He leaned forward taking a more sinister posture and glaring down at Arkmane. "And it better be high paying job i don't like coming out to this city."
Arkmane laughed nervously "Yeah I guess avoiding Moon Knight and Mare-Do Well is pretty hard" Red horn seemed to be unimpressed by his joke
"Are you implying that I'm afraid of those two?" A slightly more aggressive tone appeared in Red Horn's voice.
"No no no Red Horn I'm not! I'm sorry, I'm sorry."
A knife embedded itself in the wall right next to his head, immediately making the stallion quiet out of fear. A red glow surrounded the hilt and freed it from the wall it floated over to Red horn who had similar glow around his horn the knife slipped into his jacket. "Shut the hell up calm down and tell me the job or I'm leaving"
Arkmane straighten his posture and opened a drawer in his desk and put it on the desk. "Recently An inmate of my asylum as escaped! I need you to..."
"Oh shocker there..."
Slightly confused from the mercenaries interruption he stared at him with pure confusion. "Um excuse me?"
"Oh come on man, megalomaniac super villains have broken out of here thousands of times. Your security here is a joke." Red horn stated sounding slightly annoyed at Arkmane's blunder.
"Well this inmate is not a megalomaniac, he's just to be honest an insane super powered homeless drifter, the file explains it. Also you did not let me finish the inmate escaped mid transfer to here. The guards were distracted..."
Arkmane slid the folder forward and it was quickly picked up by Red Horn's magic. Red Horn brought the folder to his eye's. "Ok lets see" He opened it and quickly skimmed through it. "Ah I've heard of this guy, Two Hooves a colt who attempted to commit suicide and gained powers and lost his mind in the process telekinetic punches or some shit." Red Horn lowered the folder and looked back at Arkmane "Why do you want me to take care of this why don't you just wait for a some idiot in a costume to recapture him or something?"
"Well you see... I may have kinda covered up his escape from the media and said he would be a inmate in here by next week... To improve the public view of my asylum." Arkmane smiled awkwardly he could tell that Red horn had a cold stare behind his helmet. "So will you take the job?"
"That depends what will i get paid to clean up your mess?"
Arkmane placed a check on the table "i can guarantee 30,000 bits for his capture and i will pay for any used or damaged equipment in the use of Two Hooves capture"
The Mercenary seemed pleased by Arkmane's offer "ok colored me interested, so tell me where i can find your escapee"
"Maretroplis"
"I'm raising the price to 45,000 plus the cost for repairs and replacement." Arkmane was taken surprised by the mercenaries second interruption. "What? you want me to add 15,000 bits to the deal just because he's in maretroplis, why?"
"Because you maretroplis is power pimbo territory those six bitch's well more than likely get in my way with their dumb luck."
"But thats outrageous-"
"Fine then im leaving and you can get some other hired gun one that may not be so open to your demands" Arkmane's anger quickly subsided from Red horn's calm statement he sighed heavily "Ok fine I'll agree to your demands but if i had to lay off some guards because of this i blaming you"
"Heh i think I'll be able to live with myself besides isn't it better that five guards get layoff then everypony here losing their job because of this place being shut it down" Arkmane thought over what he said "How do i know you can accomplish the task?"
"I'm assuming since you looked for me specifically you've heard of my reputation" Arkmane tone became quizzical "yes but how do i know it's true some of the stuff I've heard sounds a little unbelievable"
"Fine then say it and I'll tell you if it's true"
"Ok breaking shadow blots jaw"
"That's true i broke his jaw in a fight when he tried to stop one of my theft jops"
a bead of sweat dropped down Arkmane's face "Ok getting into a fight with Radiance and sticking a gun in her mouth winning the fight"
"Oh yes im specifically proud of that im made one bravest super heroines currently alive nearly pass out of fear" he laughed lowly to himself
"By faust he is nuts" Arkmane thought to himself in fear "Ok then I think I'm done asking for truth I want to be able to sleep tonight"
"Well then I guess we have deal I capture Two hooves and bring him back here where you're going to give me my cash for a job well done" he put the folder in his jacket and got up from his seat. "Yes that is the deal if he's dead you get no pay"
"Got it"
"When can I expect a ummmm a mission complete I guess or whatever you call it"
Red horn walked over to the still open window "Give me a week for traveling, planning and tracking him down in the meantime get my money ready or I'll drop off his ass at gpd and sell this story to the press I'm sure any reporter will pay a pretty price for this if I don't get my money"
He smirked under his helmet while Arkmane grew a nervous grin "don't worry you'll well get paid I promise you"
"Good" he jumped out the window with a red glow surrounding his horn before he hit the ground he teleported away with a red flash "Dear lord he was scary" exclaimed Arkmane as he sat back in his chair exhausted
(In a storm drain near Arkmane asylum)
In a red flash Red Horn appeared in storm drain he looked up to see pale slightly glowing amber lenses staring back at him "you got all that through the communicator?"
"Yeah" responded a female slightly tomboyish voice "this job sounds like it could be fun fighting a psychotic meta pony and a chance to fight the power ponies and you know im open to challenges"
"Yeah and that's just one of the many things I love about you" he couldn't see it but he knew she was blushing. The unknown mare walked out of the shadows revealing a petite mare the a foot below an average mare height, wearing a black assassins garb with a red hood, and crescent symbol on her chest and scarf like cape with red gloves with small blades on her forelegs her face was concealed by a full silver face mask with amber lenses the only parts of her exposed were her light red sharp gossamer wings and her red and pink tail. She walked over and nuzzled him. "So what's the attack plan brute force him to unconscious or actual strategy?"
He nuzzled back "i was thinking of using an actual strategy" he pulled out the envelope from his jacket and handed it to her "with this taking him should be quite the experience"
They pulled away "now then let's get to maretroplis I'll form a plan on the way of tracking him down so come on loyal sidekick" he said jokingly
"Im not your sidekick I'm your partner"
"Only in bed Silent Rose in crime your my sidekick" he grew a smile under his helmet as Blood glared at him under her mask "you know you're an ass sometimes right"
"Yet you stay with me anyway so what's that say about you"
"Shut up and lets go already"
"As you wish my lady" he replied back as they walked off
(Maretroplis 3 days later)
<"I really don't like this plan"> Rose stated over the communicator. It had taken them a day to get too maretroplis and two more days to track down Two Hooves to a warehouse they we're currently standing near <"Your just saying that because it involves you staying out with a sniper that may or may not come into play.">
Red Horn said as he looked up from the entrance of the warehouse to the building Rose was atop with her sniper rifle.
<"Of course i'm mad you gave me the job of backup again you know I can handle a fight right">
<"*sigh* I know it just that-"> Red horn suddenly stopped talking
<"Just what?">
<"Hey, how about I make it up to you this is a very high paying job so how about we take a little vacation to anywhere you want two months of just you and me relaxing and sightseeing"> he stated in an unusual sweet tone
<"I'd like that, I'd really like that thanks Crescent">
<"Don't thank me yet we still have job to complete"> he entered the warehouse through an open window he didn't want to teleport and alert His prey of his arrival. He kept to the shadows sticking out of sight. Trash of food wrappers was littered over the nearly empty building "ok food wrappers that's a good sign"
He and Silent Rose had tracked two hooves from reports of nearby convenience store robberies saying the assailant had erratic behavior and displayed some form of Psychokinesis with a little detective work they had narrowed it down to this warehouse and it seemed they were right he activated the communicator in helmet and spoke quietly to avoid detection <"I think this might be the place the place is covered food trash">
Silent Rose responded back as she set up her rifle for a shot thru the windows if need be while keeping low to avoid detection from any other guests that might arrive "good this can begin quickly"
The eye's of Red horn's helmet turned red as his vision switched to heat he searched throughout the building until he picked up a large heat signature on the one of the walkways above "I found you, let the game begin"
He quickly climbed to the rafters using the supports and boxes as leverage. There he saw him Two Hooves he matched his description from file perfectly with his long messy brown mane and tail his coat was same dark blue the file said he stood perfectly on his hind legs with his forelegs constricted by a straight jacket without any sign of imbalance. He could see the shadow of a horn from where he stood "Who goes there?"
Two hooves suddenly said causing Red Horn's to widened out of shock "How did the bastard notice me" he grumbled before stepping out into the shadows "alright fine you caught me"
"Ahhhhh!" Two hooves jumped in fright before he turned around to face the mercenary "you scared me you ass"
"What? But I thought you noticed me and told me to reveal myself" Red horn shouted back the insane unicorn who just shrugged and said "nah I just say that sometimes too see if i'm being stalked and I can't believe it actually worked".
Red Horn's eye started twitching. "How what...why.........you are either the dumbest or craziest pony I have ever met in my life and I've met Mane-iac so thats saying alot." Two hooves took a more proud stance and proclaimed. "I am TWO HOOVES, me and my two hooves dare to be stupid!"
Red horn stared into Two hooves swirling turquoise eye the other one covered by his hair. Quicker then two hooves could blink he drew his gun's a pair of 40mm handguns in his magic pointed at him ready to fire. "I’m going to start hurting you now, and i'm not sure when I'm gonna stop".
Two hooves seemed unfazed by the merc's threats. "Then bring it on big redhead jerk my two hooves can take you on-" he never finished his sentence as Red horn opened fire on him. His horn was surrounded by an aurora as two turquoise hooves formed and in shocking speed blocked each one of his bullets.
"Is that all you got?" Two hooves said in a boastful tone from his feet while not know by his Red horn was smirking under his helmet "This is going to be a lot more fun than I thought it was going to be".
"Oh please you moron I’m just getting started." with that he backflipped and teleported in a red flash
"What where did he g-ack!" two hooves was choked by a scissor hold and taken off by Red horn and his momentum. Before they contacted the platform Red horn grabbed his guns with his hooves pulling the triggers with his magic he fired at the walkways supports releasing the segment under them making fall another 10 feet until two hooves landed jaw first on the pavement
"Had enough yet?" Red horn said confidently as he tighten his hold on Two hooves causing him to cough blood. "Not yet me and my hooves won't give up"
He released a telekinetic uppercut causing Red horn to lose his grip on on Two Hooves neck who proceeded to grab and throw the merc with all his telekinetic strength "Take that you big red ass hat me and m-"
Two hooves was rendered speechless as his fellow unicorn did a mid air roll and landed perfectly on his hooves "I call hax!" Two hooves proclaimed.
Red Horn lifted his head back, a wicked smile and a gleaming eye hidden behind his helmet. Unable to control this feeling he let out his laugh. ”Ahhahahahahahahaha!” The echo the laugh made from the helmet only added to the growing sense of fear and uncomfort Two Hooves felt. His sweat bled from his pours, his legs shivered slightly, one leg taking a small step back.
"What’s with that laugh?!" Two Hooves shouted in confusion. "I don’t like the noise, that laugh’s noise is scary. STOP THE LAUGHING!!!"
Two hooves backed away slightly creeped out by the masked stallion's booming laugh "Stop it." he said
"Who do you think I am im-"
"I know who are" Red Horn interrupted "I've read your file and I have to say your pretty pathetic."
Two hooves was quickly becoming angrier by the second "How dare you I’m gonna smash you to pieces I'm not pathetic."
The merc laughed again "Really a few criminals make fun of your name and you overdosed yourself on a bunch of pills only to gain superpowers, faust's way of compensating i suppose"
Red horn smirked at the blue unicorns quickly deteriorating confidence "I didn't get powers you big red ass my near death showed me that if put all my strength and determination into something I can accomplish anything if use my two hooves!" This time Red horn was able to hold back his laugh. "And what have you accomplished with those two hooves of yours, oh right random acts that either saved or doomed lifes still pathetic if you ask me."
Two hooves was steaming he screamed as he was still bleeding from his mouth causing small red dots to appear on his straight jacket "Who do think you are insulting me and my two hooves you-"
Youtube Video
"You want to know who I am" Red horns voice became menacing as he raised his guns with his magic and lifted his right hoof up "i'm the stallion ponies call when there's a problem those hero's don't have the gall to solve"
With flick of his hoof two short pearly white blades extended from each of his hoof guards "I've been kicking the asses of meta-ponies since I was 12 and I can assure I've gotten really good at it"
Another chuckle escaped his lips as Two Hooves grinded his teeth in frustration "you see I'm the mercenary Red Horn that stallion who's gonna kick your dumbass and drag it back to Arkmane"
"Like hell!" Two hooves shouted before sending a massive telekinetic punch towards Red Horn. The stallion flipped over it as it destroyed the wall behind him
"Pathetic." Red horn said as he dodged the attack. In mid air he ducked his hooves into his jacket and flinged several knifes toward the mad stallion
"I'm not pathetic!" Two hooves shouted before sending several telekinetic hooves to Intercepting all the knifes destroying all of them.
"how's that for path-" two hooves stopped mid sentence when he noticed a red flash behind him.
"you still fell for it"
"Arrrrgggghhhh!" two hooves screamed in pain as he felt two blades cut through his back in a downward slash ripping through the fabric of his straight jacket. Keeping his momentum Red Horn landed on his blood covered hood and spun around and delivered a roundhouse kick to the back of Two Hooves head sending him flying face first into a support beam and causing the now loose straight jacket to fall off him Red Horn just stared at him with pity "Too easy."
Two hooves flipped himself over groaning in pain with a new purple bump under his horn "I......I...won't give up you hear me, me and my....my...my" Two hooves stared at his now free appendages his breathing becoming panicked "I don't understand my hooves are....are....are...what am I looking-"
His mad ramblings were put to a halt as Red Horn shoved a needle filled with green fluid into his neck Two Hooves eye's grew hazy as he nodded off to unconscious "That should shut you up for a couple hours"
Red horn proceeded to pull out several zip ties to tie up his capture while his partner chimed over the communicator <"Great another job completed and I again did nothing">
<"Oh hush."> Red hood responded as he finished tying up Two Hooves.
<"You didn't miss much this guy's a.d.d made him way too easy to take down"> Red Horn replied as he retracted his blades re-holstered his guns
<"Dear Faust all your jobs recently have been too easy I wish we got......Red we got movement outside its the power-">
Red horn shielded his eye's from the purple blast destroying the nearby wall
"Stop right there you criminal you are under arrest by Power ponies!" Exclaimed Masked Matterhorn leader of the power ponies as she stood alongside her team mates from the new entrance they created. Red Horn smirked under his helmet. <"Well Ruby your wish got granted">
To be continued
The Vengeful Guardians: the mercs of justice
issue#2 Silent Rose the changeling of steel
"Well well well." Red horn said chuckling to himself as all six mares stared at him cautiously. "I'm truly flattered for the welcome but I'm afraid I'll be leaving soon."
He looked towards Radiance and saw her harsh glare and smiled at the sight. "Ah Radiance, haven't learned your lesson I see."
Her glare intensified at his words.
"If you think I'll let a barbarian like you scare me away from my duty, you’re truly mad." He just laughed at her for, in his opinion, a cute act.
"Fine then, this time I'll pull the trigg-" he stopped short to dodge a lightning bolt sent for his hooves.
"That's enough out you." Zap said harshly as she held her now smoking medallion. Marvelous walked towards the merc her hopes high for preposition. She had dealt with mercenaries before and had found ways of dealing with them without having to use violence leading to endangering others. This Red horn should be no different.
"Listen here fella you're outnumbered and, from what Radiance told us, you don't have powers but we do so were willing to compromise here. Just tell us who hired ya and why?" Red horn just shrugged as he pulled the still bleeding two hooves closer to him.
"Sorry lady professional etiquette and all, besides you make it sound like you can beat me." Marevelous just glared at him for his attitude that was quickly getting on her nerves.
"How could one stallion be so arrogant, can't ya see you can't win it's six against one." He put his hoof to the side of his helmet as he chuckled lowly.
"Wow you are a country bumpkin like everypony says. You can't even count, it’s two against five."
*BANG*
A loud gunshot was was heard and a nearby window broke and before any of the six mares react a dart sank into the neck of Saddle Rager.
"Saddle!" Zap screamed in rage and surprise as she rushed and caught Saddle as she fell over her breathing becoming slower and eyes hazy. From the building next door Silent smiled as her shot made its mark.
"What did you do!?" Zap screamed aiming her glowing pendant at the mercenary in rage with the rest of the team glaring alongside her.
"I've done my homework on you all, no raging out for her if she can't get mad from being hopped up on sedatives and happy pills." He replied back mockingly as he took a fighting stance on his hind legs.
"Now with your trump card gone, I'll enjoy breaking you all!" Zap growled as he boasted.
"Why don't you say that to my face!"
"Glady!" Red horn disappeared in a red flash and quickly appeared in front Zapp holding his guns right at her eyes.
"Gah!" Zap shrieked as all she could see was the barrel of the guns starring down her eyes. She closed them as the gun flash went off as a purple shield appeared stopping the bullets as both Zap and Red horn dashed away from each other
"Don't worry i got you" Matterhorn assured psychically as they both nodded to each other. Marvelous wasted no time as she rushed Red horn with her lasso glowing and ready to hog tie the merc
Red Horn charged forward as Matterhorn attempted to blast the merc but each try was futile as he teleported and dodged each time a blast was shot. The next time Red Horn teleported she didn’t see him, instead she felt a hoof grip her shoulder and spin her around till she was looking in the mercenary’s eye.
“Boo.” He said as he thrust his hoof into the mares chest causing her to fall to her knees.
Red Horn extended his gauntlet blades and thrust it at the mare only for his blade to suddenly make contact with concrete. Looking over his shoulder he saw Matterhorn by Radiance and Filly Second who was catching her breath. The next instant Fili-Second was gone in a pink blur.
"Oh crap" He said before being knocked down by a pink blur. He continued to be knocked around a few more times making his head spin.
"~take that you mean-" Another large bang went off and a bullet came through the window making Fili-Second dodge the bullet laughing as she jumped into air.
"Missed me!" She cheerfully said before her face paled as Red horn teleported behind her grabbing her hind leg and rammed his blades into her left hind legs thigh making her scream.
"Get off her ya varmint!" Marvelous screamed as she telekinetically tied her lasso around his neck and pulled him away with a mighty tug she ripped him away from Fili-Second and to her hooves stomping on his chest, his chest piece taking most of the force but still knocking the wind out of him.
"Let me go hayseed!" Red Horn choked out as he pulled out and aimed his guns at her and pulled the triggers only for the shots to bounce off her.
"Crap i forgot about the iron skin thing" Another shot came from the windows again making Marvelous stagger off him from the impact and for Red horn to teleport out of her lasso to the now limping Filli second.
"Bolt take care of that sniper, he didn't come alone!" Matterhorn shouted over the mental link as she started firing off several beams at the their apparent shooters location.
"I'll distract them." Before Zapp could go any further the spectrum maned mare gaped as Red horn kicked down a limping Fili-Second and pressed a gun against her head. Red horn's breathing was slightly ragged as he grinded his teeth in anger “You bored me anyway."
"Not so fast!" Radiance conjured several garnished chains around Red horns forelegs pulling his weapons away from Fili-Second.
"Oh you've got to be kidding me." Red Horn groaned as he looked toward Radiance. "Can't a guy just do his job?"
"Not when that job is hurting ponies. Now you're coming with us one way or another." Matterhorn said with ease making the mercenaries eyes roll.
As the Power Ponies approached him Zapp flew back to the group.
"The sniper's gone." Twilight was confused
"What do you mean gone? Where did he go?" Twilight asked before Radiance screamed as Zapp stabbed her in her side making her drop the chains releasing Red horn.
"She actually." The mare said as pink and red flames consumed her and left a petite mare in assassin's garb. "And I'm right here."
"And this is payback for Saddle!" Zapp screamed as she crashed through the window and launched a lightning bolt at the mare making her dodge with her wings silently buzzing as she flew back to stand next to Red horn.
"Who is that?" Radiance asked as she used a construct needle and lace to close her wound.
"Power ponies" Red horn called out as he reloaded his pistols.
"Say hello to my friend with benefits, Silent Rose" She glared at him while taking a fighting stance toward the power ponies.
"Did you really have to phrase it that way?” Silent Rose deadpanned.
"I can't read her mind either" Matterhorn said over her teams link.
Radiance glared at the petite changeling.
"Silent Rose you say, makes sense. A gaudy name with a gaudy costume."
"Pfftt, you're just saying that because I stabbed you." Silent Rose said dismissively using her amber magic to reload her rifle. Zapp stepped forward glaring at assassin alongside her friends.
"No she's saying that because your a gaudy short love sucker!" Zapp shouted making the changeling eyes widened under her mask. Not noticing the subtle glow from Radiance bands.
"What did you call me you speciest pig-" Red horn place a leg in front of his partner making her stop short.
"That's enough I'm already tired of you five." Red horn said sternly his voice echoing off the walls. He raised to his hindlegs as a red glow came to his horn.
"Now I fight-"
"Now!" Radiance shouted her bands glowing brightly causing the a pink square to shine underneath the two mercenaries, before they could react several pink chains shot up and wrapped the two before the square threw up walls and a ceiling forming a perfect cube prison silencing their screams of surprise.
"Phew." Radiance wiped away beads of sweat as she breathed a sigh of relief.
"Thanks for the intel Rares." Zapp said sarcastically making Rarity roll her eyes.
"First off darling count yourself lucky it's soundproof otherwise I'd have to forcefully shut your mouth for shouting my name!" Radiance took a deep breath calming herself from the short rant.
"And secondly it's been nearly two years since I faced that filthy mercenary." Fili-Second hopped over partially healed from her accelerated everything as she always put it.
"So no idea who the love bug was?" Fili-Second asked.
Radiance just shrugged.
"No idea-" they all stopped short as a screeching was heard from the construct box with a glowing red blade piercing through it.
With practiced ease a perfect circle was cut from it showing Red horn and Blood Steel glaring at the power ponies Red horn himself welding a thin katana made of glowing red magic before with a quick turn sliced through the box making it split and crack away to nothing.
"As i was saying power bimbos." He pointed his katana straight at them with his horn aglow
"Now we fight for real!" The small blade shifted into a claymore before their eyes while Silent Rose walked up beside him.
"We have tricks as well." Three slits slid open on her gloves and out came out three silver blades out of her hooves. "And I'm not referring to my claws!"
With a amber flash of her horn she threw a grenade from Red horn's jacket. With adrenaline racing through her Fili-Second jumped to and knocked it away to the wall rocking the foundations as another wall was blown away.
"Fool" Red horn said quietly before opening fire with Roses rifle on the mare, his bullets ripping through her stretched out foreleg
"PINKIE!" the power ponies screamed over the mental link.
"Pay attention!" Silent Rose taking flight her wings silently buzzing and kicking Radiance across the face her light dimming even more.
"Yes, it's no fun fighting weak opponent's." Red horn jumped and swung his sword at Matterhorn who barely dodged in time as the blade cut her goggles free. "So please try a little harder."
He kicked her hard in the stomach knocking her back and the air out her lungs.
"You varmint-" Marvelous was silenced as something strong grabbed her tail. "What?"
"Hi." Silent Rose greeted before flinging Marvelous like rag doll through several of the buildings iron support beams. "You're my opponent now bumpkin"
Silent Rose ran at Marevelous slashing her costume but not even damaging her skin. "Your boyfriend already tried that. Now give us Two hooves and we'll talk out your stay in Arkhoof."
"How about this?" Silent Rose flipped over but Marevelous instinctively kicked back and found her aim was true as Silent Rose was sent into a wall.
"That suits me just fine." Marevelous smirked as Silent Rose got up.
Marevelous threw one of her hoofarangs at Silent Rose but it bounced off Rose with an audible clang.
"Think you're the only one with Metal skin?" Blood Steel teased before running at her.
Zapp raised her pendant as Red Horn dodged a construct from Radiance. "Steer clear guys, I'm gonna make a tornado and try and take him out. If it doesn't pull him in it'll suck the air out of his lungs."
"Don't do it Rainbow, you'll risk collapsing the building on top of us, and Fluttershy can't cover us since she's knocked out." Matterhorn said to Zapp over their telepathic link as she shot a ice beam barely missing Red Horn's head.
"You have a better idea?" Zapp responded.
"Yes!" Matterhorn's glowed white before firing an ice bolt at Red horn. "I'll freeze him that will-
Red horn's sword changed again this time a broad short sword that he used to quickly slice the ice bolt in half.
"-Not even slow him down." Matterhorn focused and her horn glowed brighter firing ice bolt after ice bolt at Red Horn who just sliced them away as he laughed out. "Where's the challenge!"
Matterhorn gritted her teeth as she charged a new beam. "Here's your challenge!"
She shot a beam of concentrated heat at Red Horn, it barely missed going through a support beam and melting it easily, as well as burn the side of Red Horn's costume smolting part of his coat and armor.
"Arrgghh" Red horn grunted in pain but kept charging on smiling under helmet. "Finally living up to the hype!?"
Radiance created a pink shield while jumping between Red horn and Matterhorn struggling against the mercenary’s strength.
"How is a unicorn this strong!" Radiance eyes widened as his sword started to slice through her shield. "Oh no"
"I'll save you Rarity" Zapp raised her pendant and fired lightning. Red horn smile widened as he kicked through Radiance's cracking shield and into her stomach. With a pulse from his horn he grabbed Radiance by her throat throwing her in front of the lightning as a shield.
"Thanks Zapp!" Red horn roared out until a pink blur pushed Radiance away. Red horn panicking quickly raised his sword taking the bolt full on trying block it with his sword even when dropping to his knees.
"Your welcome" Zapp said bitterly before looking over to the limping Fili-Second and a motion sick Radiance.
Zapp looked over to Marevelous who was hoof locked with Silent Rose and looked back to Red Horn seeing an unstable support beam behind him.
“Applejack throw her into Red Horn now!” Marevelous complied and threw Silent Rose into Red Horn to which Zapp kicked them both into the support beam breaking it.
“What now?” Marevelous asked over the link.
”We keep it up until we collapse that part of the ceiling on them.”
“Did Rainbow Dash just have an idea?, Never thought I'd see the day.” Radiance managed to say over their link.
”Oh ha ha.” Zapp responded sarcastically.
"Watch out!" Marvelous screamed as she was thrown over Zapp. "Get off him!"
Zapp was kicked to the the ground by something that felt like a 15 pound hammer. She looked up to see Silent Rose whose hind hoof was morphed into a hammer. "You gaudy little bit-gggrrraaahhh"
Zapp was crushed under Rose’s hammer hoof with enough force to make her cough blood. "Shut it thunder pri-"
In a blur Fili-Second tried to tackle her but was swatted away by the blunt end of Steels sniper rifle before she pointed the elongated barrel point blank at Fili’s head.
"Not so fast with two bad legs are you Fili?" Rose taunted retracting her claws and holding the gun steadily. "Too bad, your face is a bright pink target"
"Get off of her!" Matterhorn yelled before firing an ice beam at Blood Steel, who used Zapp as a shield freezing her instead.
"Nice shot." Silent Rose joked.
Marevelous wrapped her rope around Silent Rose’s leg when she wasn't looking and threw her into a support beam, breaking it and slamming her into another one. "No, that's a nice shot."
Silent Rose struggled to her hooves as Marvelous got closer.
"Now then. Would ya kindly just give up so we can put an end to this stupid fight."
A scream from zapp resounded as two throwing knives slashed across of her side. As Marvelous turned to try and help she was met by a sudden hoof to the face as Red Horn punched her hard enough to crack his gauntlet and making her stagger
"Now!” Rose grabbed Marvelous and swung her into Zapp with enough force to knock them through a wall.
“Mind playing outside?” Red horn asked brandishing a scimitar and she only nodded before jumping out the hole herself. “Have fun!”
Silent Rose landed in front of the steaming duo before growing her claws out.
“So what's your story, mommy didn't hug you enough.” Zapp joked cracking her neck and wielding her pendant like a dagger.
“Never had one” Rose shot back making the claws on her left hoof curved and serrated.
”Twi take some notes, she's a trans-what’s it with metal covered skin.” Marvelous said over the link levitating several lassos ready to snatch the metal changeling. “So what is your story then?”
“Simple, made to kill ponies way stronger than you.” Rose made her hind hooves grow sickles that glistened in the moonlight.
“Really you don't act like it!” Zapp gripped her pendant like a dagger in her hoof.
“No you!” Silent rose retorted making Marevelous raise her brow. “You’re not good at banter, are ya”
Silent Rose scrunched up her nose embarrassed. “Shut up, it was the first thing to pop up”
“I see why Red Horn does all the-” Zapp immediately shut her mouth as several shurikens were flung by the assassins magic. With a wave of her pendant sent heavy winds blowing all her shurikens back at her.
“Let me show you why they call me, the changeling of steel” Rose said mockingly as the shurikens bounced of her harmlessly.
“You mean why Red-” with a buzz of her wings Rose dashed with a roundhouse kick slicing part of the dodging Zapps mane.
Marvelous tried to tackle her only to receive a clawed slap and sparks flying off her face before the metal changeling grabbed her face and headbutting her hard enough to send her to the ground with a bloody nose.
“So you can bleee-aaaaahhhhh!” the changeling screamed in pain as lightning struck her in the back. As she fell to her knees Marvelous stood up and bucked her in the face with both her back hooves. Rose glared back at them as she wiped a bit of her own blood from her nose and mouth.
“Looks like you can too.” Marvelous said with a smirk. To her surprise Rose started to laugh a little.
“Well you know every pony can bleed. You just have to find the best way to do it. Whether it’s by blade.” She said as Zapp was stabbed in her side one of Red Horns blades before he turned and started fighting Matterhorn again. As Marvelous turned to see what happened she was sent flying backward when Rose morphed her hoof into a hammer head and slammed her in the chest. “Or by brawn.” Rose finished with a smile.
Meanwhile Red Horn fought back Matterhorn and Radiance. Red Horn blocked a swipe from purple chains that Radiance created before his hooves were frozen by an ice beam from matterhorn.
“You really need to cool off.” Matterhorn mocked as she froze his other hoof.
“Really, a pun? And furthermore was that the best pun you could come up with?” Red Horn disappeared in a flash of red. Matterhorn quickly turned and fired a heat blast only to realize Red Horn wasn’t there.
“What the…” Matterhorn was silenced by Radiance’s screams as Red Horn shattered the ice on his left hoof with a punch to her chest.
Matterhorn fired another ice blast at Red Horn but he blocked it with his still frozen right hoof, causing the block of ice to grow. In an instant Red horn teleported to the left of Matter horn and punched her in the face with his frozen hoof hard enough to shatter the ice and break her jaw.
“I’d make a joke about ‘breaking the ice’ but I have more important things to do. Like getting paid”
“Good luck with that.” Someone called drawing Red Horn’s attention. Marvelous stood with Two Hooves tied up with her lasso.
“You need this Varmit to cash in. So without him you ain’t going nowhere.” The Power Ponies started to gather around Marvelous as they all watched Red Horn intently.
“Where’s the other one?” Matterhorn asked over their link. However Marevelous didn’t respond.
“Give it up merc. You ain’t gonna win this one. Just sit down and come with us so we can all head home.”
“Don’t listen to her ya’ll!” Everyone turned to see Marvelous leaned up against a wall. Her face slightly bloody from the fight.
“She’s the changeling.” The fake Marvelous smiled as she wiped Two Hooves around and threw him over to Red Horn. Before anyone could catch her she returned to her normal form and flew off as Red Horn retreated with Two Hooves in tow.
“Thanks for being so gullible ladies.” Rose said with a wink as she took off after Red Horn. Zapp quickly jumped into their air after the merc only to fall back to the ground in pain. Looking at her wing she realized when Red Horn stabber he damaged her wing so she couldn’t fly. Desperate and not thinking straight Matterhorn fired a random spell at Red horn.
“Nice try!” he lifted Two hooves and used him as a shield smirking triumphantly under his helmet.
“GGGGGGGGGAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!” Two hooves screamed and wriggled like a snake set aflame before sending telekinetic punches everywhere knocking Red horn and Silent rose to the ground and Matterhorn to shield her team as as the psychotic stallion's attacks made the building foundations rock.
“Cut it out!” Red horn shielded Rose before aiming a throwing knive at Two hooves.
“No!” Matterhorn her rage at her peak released a shock wave from her horn while firing a purple energy beam straight at them, the two mercenaries nodded before Red horn pulled a magic sword and Silent rose grew her hoof into a long single blade. Summoning all their strength they delivered a chop and split the beam in half.
“HA!” before the two could celebrate the splitted beam took out the last two supporting wall making the building collapse on top of them all.
“Me and my hooves are piss-” Two hooves was knocked out again by a large pipe falling on his head. Before she could react Silent Rose was pushed out the nearest hole by Red horn using all his strength in magic. She rolled out into the street and before getting to her hooves in a flurry her eyes widening in fear.
“CRESCENT!”
The building collapsed with an explosion of dust and debris knocking the assassin off her feet
TO BE CONTINUED
The Vengeful Guardians: the mercs of justice
issue #3 The asyulm of revelvations
The police sirens rang loudly in her ears but she didn't care. Silent Rose ran to the rubble and started to madly throw parts of the rubble everywhere in her search.
“Hey!” a purple pulse blew the rubble off Matterhorn's shield which had protected all six members including the still unconscious Saddle ranger. Zapp raised her hoof at the metal changeling and shouted again. “Hey criminal mare, I'm talking to you.”
Rose didn't pay attention and just kept searching. She heard a moan and dashed for it pulling up a large ventilation shaft.
“T~~~wo h~oov~es” Two hooves moaned out his spiral eyes facing two other directions and a large swelling bump on his head.
“Dammit!” She threw him away only to be caught by Matterhorn's grip.
"R-uby." Her ears flicked at the faint moan and morphed her hoof into a hammer smashing her way through until she saw tattered coat sleeve covered forearm. She grabbed it and pulled Red horn free holding him close.
”You're...okay...that's..great.” Red horn said with a painful chuckle that turned into cough that leaked a little blood from the cracks in his helmet before he went limp in her grip.
“listen.” Matterhorn demanded the knocked out two hooves on her back. “I can help him and you but, only if-”
“I'll do whatever you want, just heal him please!” Silent Rose yelled frantically gripping him close. Matterhorn lifted her head and raised her wings with a calming breath.
“I want you two to surrender to us and proper authorities, and answer any questions-”
“He's bleeding out I'll do what you say!” The changeling screamed frantically metal spikes growing randomly from her body. Twilight hesitantly allowed her horn to take green glow before showering the two and green sparks.
Red horn groaned and moaned as his eyes opened to hazy vision of gray.
“Wh..what happened?” He tried to move his legs but thry were chained to the bench he sat on.
“You idiot” He looked up seeing his partner chained up by thrice the chains he had and what looked like a shock collar around her neck. Her mask and hood had been pulled away revealing her beautiful completely amber eyes that glared at him. “Why did you do that?”
“I just didn't... want you to...get hurt.” He said hesitantly. To avoid her gaze he looked at himself his jacket was gone his guns were gone but his armor was gone aside from the under suit he wore under it and he guessed from his darkened cracked vision his damaged helmet was still on. ”Guess the idiots couldn't get it off.”
“I have a metal body, i could have shielded you” Red horn sighed as looked away from her.
“I just forgot okay.” Silent Rose narrowed her eye at him in a glare.
‘That's an excuse and you know it Crescent, your not an idiot.” Red horn looked back at her shushing her.
“You know not to say our real-” Crescent stopped short as the changeling sniffed and held back. “I'm sorry okay, i just worry about you Ruby.”
“And you don't think i worry about you.” Runy clenched her eyes shut letting a few tears slip down her cheeks. “What you did back there was nearly suicidal!”
Crescent cringed and looked away from her again not be able to look at her in the eye.
“I'm...so..sorry” Crescent stuttered out but when he heard her sniff again his head snapped back to her looking her straight in the eye.
“Ruby please don't cry because of me.” He tried to reach for her but only pulled the chain. He tried to reach out for her with his magic but was given a shock by his own electric coller.
“C..cr..crescent!” Ruby shouted seeing him fall back as the shocking stopped.
“Your wrong about me i am an idiot, so let this idiot make it up to you.” Hearing his words Ruby tried her best to dry her eyes with the her mane before trying to reach for him her chains constricting her.
“I'm gonna figure out how to get us out of here, then no jobs for a month just you and me.” Crescent said leaning as close to her as possible.
“But you know Arkmane will cover his ass and not pay us.” Ruby said matter factly with a final sniff.
“So what I'll dig into our savings.” Crescent said smiling under his damaged helmet.
“But Crescent, our plan.” Ruby said with concern but Crescent just laughed a gentle laugh.
“Yeah but if it gets you to smile again, I'd say it's worth the setback.” Ruby gave a small laugh at that.
“Your right, you are an idiot.” They both laughed together smiling until the the truck came to a stop and the doors open. Several armed guards came in with shock sticks and attached metal bindings to them both and dragging them both out.
“Resist and will shock you.” one guard shoved his shock baton into Crescent's chest making him roar in pain.
“Hey stop!” Ruby shouted before getting baton broken across her head.
“Hit her and die!” Crescent roared before he was dragged into a special wheelchair that had hydraulic locks keeping each of his limbs in place.
“Yeah yeah!” Another guard laughed out before shocking him again.
Ruby sat chained to a chair in the middle of the white hospital room. Two guards were next to her and two more were standing by the door. After a few minutes of sitting in silence the door opened and Matterhorn stepped inside with a doctor.
“What are we doing here?” Ruby asked. One of the guard moved to hit her but he was stopped when Matterhorn used her magic to pull the shock baton from his grip.
“She is allowed to speak.” Matterhorn said before tapping the guard on the head giving him a small shock. “Anyway, we thought it best to let a few of the doctors take a look at you and your associate to make sure that both of you are mentally healthy.”
“Your psychoanalyzing us?” Ruby asked blowing her mane out of her eyes.
“Yes we are. If you cooperate then we can have this done quickly.” The changeling just rolled her eyes at the hack doctor.
“Now Then, is Silent Rose your real name or an ailas?” Ruby just kept her flat stare at the doctor not moving an inch.
“Ummm...is this Silent Rose you or do see that name as another persona?” Ruby still remained silent.
“Okay new question were you born that way, or did something happen not to be rude but you don't look like a normal changeling?” Ruby lazily looked out the barred window staring out into space. The doctor grumbled before putting his clipboard down smiling and faking a laugh hoping to lighten her mood.
“Okay um, does the carpet match the drapes?” for his joke he received a shot of changeling spit right in the eye.
“Pervert!” She yelled her voice breaking and cheeks turning pink.
“Ok fuck it send her to the meta pony prison for all i care.”
“Um shouldn't you do a proper psychoanalysis of her?” Matterhorn asked worried receiving a neigh from the doctor.
“Hey she doesn't want to answer the questions, it's not my problem if she gets eaten in prison.”
Matterhorn walked down the hall a bit to Crescent’s room outside she saw the doctor that was supposed to be analyzing him.
“Doctor is something wrong? Shouldn’t you be giving your evaluation to the patient.”
“I would miss but I can’t properly give the evaluation if I can’t see his face, however we can’t seem to remove his helmet and is refusing to tell anyone how.” Arkmane walked out and stood next to the doctor his mane slicked and eyes full of confidence.
“Normally we call someone with Spark labs over but it seem their busy with something miss Matterhorn.” Matterhorn gave an awkward grin.
“Wow that sure is weird.” Ignoring her awkward laughter Arkmane smiled confidently.
“But i called a local company and you won't believe who volunteered to help us!” Just as he excitedly shouted a door was slammed open as a grey unicorn stallion of average height with medium length messy black mane and tail wearing a bright orange scarf that matched his eyes wrapped around his mouth and neck
“Are you...Ocean Stardust?” Matterhorn asked. ”What’s the c.e.o of Stardust industries doing here?”
“Yes, now please I don’t have a lot of time to spare, may I enter the room please?” Matterhorn nodded to the guards at the door and watched as Ocean entered the room through the pane of one way glass.
“Good luck techie.” A guard inside said to Ocean. “We’ve been trying to get that thing off for almost fifteen minutes. Nothing will make it budge.”
Ocean looked over the helmet. Meanwhile Crescent turned his head slightly and spoke.
“Who's this asshole?” Ocean glared at the mercenary before his horn glowed and pulled a laptop from his saddle bags and connected a usb cord to the helmet before magically typing.
“I heard about what happened between you and the Power Ponies, i admit standing against them like you did is quite impressive, And this helmet of yours is quite complex since the last time i saw.” Then with a his the back of the helmet segmented and folded upwards separating from the suit from the and Ocean lifted it off Crescent’s head. “I’ll have to take a look at it after the authorities confiscate it.”
As the helmet left his head a long mangy spiked red and blue mane spilled forth and a red slitted glared down at Ocean with a sneer revealing a lair of small fangs.
”Girls girls!” Twilight screamed frantically over her team's psychic link.
”Darling what's happening?”
”Sugarcube calm down and explain”
”Somepony call Moon knight we've found him, we found New moon!”
Ten years ago
“Eep!” The still freshly dubbed Masked Matterhorn jumped back from the sword of strike of a hooded black assassin with a purple and green hood.
“Get away from her!” A stallion in the guise of a knight wearing purple and gold armor marked on the chest with the equestrian flag his face concealed by a spartan helm shadowing his face only leaving only two glowing orbs of blue visible. He tossed his kite shield with the symbol of equestria his horn aglow making several magic copies bash away the ninjas before returning the shield to his leg.
“Thanks shin-, i mean Captain Equestria” Twilight adjusted her little indigo mask before smiling at her big brother.go mask. An alicorn mare her wings wrapped in a flowing green blue and pink cape and wearing a simple red costume with gold stripes crawling up her legs and body meeting the Sun over a purple shield on her chest the only part of her pure white coat showing being her face with her floating mane the same colors of her mane.
“Don’t worry just take baby steps, Matterhorn” She winked at the little filly making her nod.
“I'll make you proud Solar mare!” beams of intense heat shot from Solar mare's eyes flying over the little Matterhorn melting the sword of a ninja behind her. “what?”
“Solar mare, I'm sorry she isn't-” The good Captain stopped short as his little sister froze the ninja solid.
“I said I'm gonna make her proud and i will, so don't worry about me.” She puffed out her cheeks firing a barrage of magic missiles at several ninjas.
“Still there's a lot of them!” Captain yelled bashing one into a wall.
“Do not worry.” Solar mare said simply. “i called for backup.”
Moon shaped rained from the sky at the hooves of the ninjas exploding into rubber cement trapping them place.
“Do you really require my assistance?” Matterhorn jumped at the sudden Appearance of another alicorn mare slightly shorter than Solar mare. She wore black cap connected to hood that glittered as if it were made from the night sky, over a suit of arof black armor and dark blue spandex with a silver crescent emblem on her chest.
“Maybe, and maybe i just don't get to you see you enough.” Solar mare said coyly making Moon knight glare at her with her void white eye slits the only thing visible from the hood besides her dark blue covered horn and muzzle guard. Her eyes then went to Matterhorn making the little filly flinch.
“New sidekick?” Moon Knight asked.
“As a matter of fact, yes. I have seen what she can do I think she can go far with the right guidance.”
“Hmm.” Moon Knight said as she looked Matterhorn over. “Young but you can certainly see the spark in her eyes, she’s a determined one that’s for sure.”
“You speak as though you’ve seen the same thing in somepony else.” Solar Mare said.
“Perhaps I have. What of it?” Moon Knight asked with a smile that Solar Mare returned.
“Well you’ve seen mine, now it’s only fair you show me yours.” Moon knight voice filled with pride as several Shadow league assassins started to drop from the sky like flies. “But unlike yours sister, he has more than just determination.”
An assassin landed in front of Matterhorn making her jump.
“Don’t scream little filly.” A young cocky voice said before a blur of white landed on the assassin dropping him face first into the asphalt. A young colt said standing up from the fallen assassin he wore a similar costume to his mentor only white armor with gold accents over black spandex the only thing obscuring his black coated face was a white indigo mask with gold eye's . ”New Moon is here.”
His slightly curved horn glowed red before in flash of red appeared in front of a shadow league assassin delivering a roundhouse across to their jaw knocking them out. New moon grabbed the short katana from the knocked out assassin and clashed it with the blade of another.
“Just because I'm new, don't underestimate me.” New moon laughed out before kicking the much larger shadow league stallion in the chest before grabbing the assassin's longsword dual wielding the two blades before giving the large stallion a hollow “x” slash across the chest making the assassin howl in pain. Smirking New moon smashed the handles of the swords against the assassin's head making his eyes roll back falling limp.
New Moon turned to face the other assassins as he continued to smile under his mask.
“Anyone else? Come on I’m just a kid.” New Moon said.
As he stood there the assassins looked around at each other, some of the backing up a bit while other just ran away.
“Cowards.” The head assassin said under his breath which caused New Moon to chuckle.
“I couldn’t agree more.” New Moon chuckled until Moon Knight walked up next to him and placed a hoof on his shoulder.
“Calm down New Moon, there is no need for them all to fall, they may join their fleeing comrades if they wish.”
“True.” New Moon magic flared red flinging the swords into the leader's shoulders making him scream until receiving a strong punch from Moon knight knocking him out.
“Excellent work New Moon.” Moon Knight said as New moon bowed to her.
“Yes mam.” He said smiling confidently as he kneeled down in front of her as a knight would to his queen.
“So he's the newest New moon, which one is he the ninety fifth or sixth?” Captain Equestria asked looking at the colts slightly curved horn cautiously.
“Ninety fourth!” New Moon proclaimed standing tall. He pulled down his hood revealing his tide back red mane with a navy pony tail and his ears with fluffy tufts on his ears smiling revealing the little cute fangs he had.
“*Gasp*, a vesper I'd never thought I'd see one of those.” Twilight said under her breath making New Moon’s ears flicker hardening his expression slightly and snort before smiling again and turning to the purple filly making her jump.
“Hey pretty filly, just because you're only the second to hold that name don't underestimate me!” Captain Equestria placed a protective hoof in front of his sister.
“Hey what's your problem?” New moon laughed again at him. He peeled his mask off revealing a pair of gold and red slitted eyes making Matterhorn stare right into them out of curiosity. He winked at Matterhorn whose eyes widened as she looked away.
“Let me just say this to start Captain, I'm fairly strong.” Moon knight slapped the back of his head as she sighed.
“Put your mask back on now Crescent.” She said with a strict authoritarian voice making him bow again his confidence disappearing for obedience.
“Yes mam, sorry mam!” He placed his mask back on and kneeled to her again
“I thought he was dead.” Twilight whispered under her breath as Crescent formerly known to her as glared at everypony.
“Please everyone let's settle down.” The psychiatrist said sitting in front of the stallion as the guards worked to get off his suit handling him more like a wild animal then a pony as they took it off and chained him to the floor.
“So Red horn tell us is that your real name?” The psychiatrist asked taking a peek at the mark on his flank golden crescent moon overlaid two crossed red swords.
“No it's off, first name fuck.” The psychiatrist laughed at him.
“Oh good you have sense of humor, tell me are you mutant or were those deformities a cosmetic choice?”
“Are you calling me deformed?” Crescent asked with a growl his long mane spilling over his face.
“Well you are aren't you, we know your unicorn with that functional horn and last time i check bat ponies have wings not a horn, so either you're a mutation or a pretender.” The psychiatric pony then laughed again as he finished his sentence. “But then the latter raises the question, why would a unicorn pretend to be one of those mongrels.”
Crescent and Ocean gave the stallion a death glare before the former threw his head back and released a loud screech that made all the ponies in the room except Ocean who rolled his eyes as everypony fell to ground.
“How's he doing that!?” A guard tried to smack Crescent but he dodged and bit down on the un-barded side of his sleeve the fangs biting through easily staining the pearly whites with the guards blood.
“Argg, the bastards got me!” Crescent bite down further causing the guard to drop his baton. As Crescent growled around the guards blood an orange aura of magic clenched around his nose.
“Let him go, Crescent Wilson Blade” Crescent glared up at Ocean when he whispered into the vesper’s ear. He let go of the guards leg and spit out his blood
“How the hell do you know my name” Crescent questioned as the injured guard made his way out the door to get help with his profusely bleeding leg.
“As soon as your cutie mark was revealed i my laptop recorded it.” He lifted up the device revealing picture of his cutie mark next to a picture of a much younger Crescent.
“And thanks to a simple program of mine it looked up for the owner of said mark, i admit your good at covering your tracks, but no one starts out that good.” Ocean held no pride in his voice and took no gloating gesture with his speech. He merely looked down at the chained vesper with a flat stare. “So i wasn't surprised when i found several mug shots and a missing child report from here in Goth'thorn about an orphan born from criminals.”
“Don’t you dare lecture me.” Crescent said with a low growl.
“May i please be alone with him?” Ocean said as he packed up his laptop and cables. His scarf making it difficult for Crescent to get a read on him.
“Mister Stardust I ensure you that's very dangerous.” Arkmane said over the rooms intercom.
“I'll donate your asylum a blank check.” Ocean said with an eye roll.
“You heard him men leave the room.” Arkmane said the guards exiting the room in a speedy fashion.
“That's incredibly stupid and dangerous Arkmane he-” Arkmane shushed Matterhorn with a wave of his hoof.
“Don’t worry, were all outside and we have perfect view through this two way glass.” Arkmane slicked his mane back as he stared at the two unicorns staring each other down.
“Well?” Crescent sneered at him his long mane falling over eyes only revealing the red one. Ocean only reached under his scarf with a hoof.
“Sir we lost audio.” a guard said monitoring the equipment of the room.
“Don’t worry he's a non-meta and fully chained.” Arkmane sat back relaxing.
“Actually Red horn displayed a power to make sword constructs.” Matterhorn looked over at him.
“I read your report Matterhorn, the power is connected to his magic which is restrained and those chains have held the Maneac, so me and my boys are going to sit back and enjoy our easy payday.” Arkmane smiled at Matterhorn's annoyed look.
“Good they can't hear us.” Ocean sighed putting his hoof down.
“What do you want?” Crescent got as comfortable as the chains allowed closing his eyes.
“I want answers.” Ocean answered glaring at him.
“Really, i would've never guessed.” Crescent spat out sarcastically blowing his mane out of his face absentmindedly. Ocean took a calming breath before speaking.
“My father was thestral.” Ocean pulled out a small little device from his scarf with his telekinesis.
“And your jealous that you're not a vesper like me.” Crescent gave a throaty chuckle at him cracking his red eye open at him.
“No it means I'm not as ignorant as that “Doctor” about thestrals.”
“What you think that earns you my respect?” Crescent said aggressively as he pulled at his chains.
“No.” Ocean said flatly. “I just wanted you to know that I get you, at least to an biological extent.”
Crescent raised a brow to Ocean’s for that. “And that tells you what about myself?”
“I know more then anyone in this asylum with the possible exception of your compatriot.”
“What are you talking about?” Crescent asked.
“Did you ever stop to think about your actions and the results they have.” Crescent opened both eyes to stare at him.
“What do you think you know?” He glared at Ocean with his golden eye.
“For starters i know that other eye was red, i can tell it was changed by a spell with the sclera damage.” Ocean adjusted his scarf huffing.
“Most likely to avoid identification after Crescent Blade age eight committed assault on several foals and ran from the law.” Ocean showed an old newspaper clipping that he kept in a scarf showing a picture of a mugshot of Crescent much younger bandages wrapped around his eye and head.
Local colt hospitalizes five others in school fight and has escaped custody please call police if spotted.
“How nostalgic, you're close but wrong my eye is a result of that fight.” Crescent said with pride laughing proudly. “That bastard blasted my eye, so i crushed his windpipe.”
“Not surprised, you seem the power hungry type.”
“Says the man who once had a monopoly.” Crescent shot back.
“This is not about the actions of my company, this is about us!” Ocean snapped making Crescent smile.
“I don’t see how the origin of my eye involves you.” Crescent said before a his eye's widened feeling his eardrums ring with a stinging sound.
“Don’t interrupt me, i know the weaknesses of thestrals even of your living weapon subspecies.” Ocean held a pen like object in his magic glaring at Crescent who wreathed in pain. He flicked it off causing the ringing in Crescent's head to stop. “After your assault, Crescent blade disappeared, with only a few sightings of a pony resembling around Goth’thorn over three years mostly around acts of young gang violence before disappearing entirely.”
“To be honest, I'd rather you kill me with your toy then bore me to-rah!” Crescent reeled back in pain as the ringing started again silencing him before stopping.
“That colt disappeared off the face of the map for eight years until the war against Yakyakastan happened with a massive draft for every able bodied stallion in equestria and companies like my families were asked to help.” Ocean glared at Crescent who breath raggedly. “So imagine for a certain project connected to my family's company, a stallion under the name Blade Wilson was registered, and a black unicorn with a navy mane at that.”
“If you're asking if i fought in that war, the answer is yes nearly every stallion my age did.”
“That’s not what i asked.”
“Well then enlighten me, what are you asking, because that scarf crap is getting annoying.”
“I’m asking you to tell me the truth about who you are, I’m almost certain my assumptions are correct but I can’t be sure unless you prove me right, I want you to tell me that you are who I think you are.”
“Why do you give a damn about who I am or what I do, you’re the top dog of a big fancy company that makes more money than anyone could ever hope to hear about in their entire lives, what do I have to do with you, why do you care so damn much about me?”
Ocean raised the pen again but he didn’t emit the the tone. Instead he breathed a heavy sigh before turning so he was facing completely away from the window before he pulled down his scarf allowing Crescent to see his whole face.
“The serum was made to create a squad of suto-super soldiers with special armor and helmets, but it was considered a disappointment by most the serum barely affected most of them.” Ocean started to shake in place while Cresent stared at him oddly. “All except for one, one who killed all the other soldiers and the scientists all of them had blade wounds, except the lead sci..scientist who...was killed executioner style!”
“So?” Crescent rolled his eyes not taking a stuttering stallions shout seriously.
“You killed an innocent mare like a mons-”
“Ha!” Crescent clenched his eyes close as he laughed. “That mare was not innocent.”
“Bastard.” He clicked the pen making Crescent ears ring. But the vesper continued to smile his eyes becoming dilated and bloodshot. “Admit you killed that mare so you'd be the only one, tell me you power hungering bastard tell me why you killed her!”
“Ven...ven...ven..” Crescent rasped out his fanged smile remaining strong.
“Tell me!” Ocean shouted getting in Crescent's face.
“Vengeance!” Crescent roared before going for Ocean's neck his fangs gleaming.
“Stop!” Matterhorn shouted her amplified voice shattering the two way window a purple glow grabbing Crescent by his jaws stopping him.
Ocean quickly pulled his scarf back over his muzzle as he and Crescent glared at each other. Matterhorn pushed Crescent down to the floor as Ocean stepped toward the door.
“I think it’s time I take my leave.” He said as he returned his pen to his scarf and picked up his laptop across his back before leaving the room without another word.
All was silent as the guards surrounded Crescent and Matterhorn pondered what just unfolded.
“Well that was exciting.” Arkmane said as he stepped into the room himself a little shaken his ego wavering a bit. “Certainly less boring the most of my hospital trips.” Matterhorn turned to look at Crescent who had lost his smirk.
“What happened?” She asked. Crescent was silent.
“Tell me what happened!” She asked again. Crescent looked at her before speaking.
“I want to see ru- Silent Rose.”
“You're in no position to be making demands.”
“Nether are you” Crescent said his smirk returning ever so slightly. “I know you won't torture me, it's not in your nature.”
“it's no use he's simply a crazy beast who needs to be lock-” Arkmane immediately shuted up and backed away in fear as Crescent snapped his fanged maw right at Arkmane nose.
“Oh shut the hell up you coward!” Crescent yelled getting restrained by several guards and the magic of Matterhorn.
“Hey fifty shades of purple I'll tell you this much.” Crescent pointed his hoof at Arkmane who gestured to his guards for something.
“That coward hi- rgghhrmmm!” Crescent yelled as a muzzle was forced on him muffling his speech.
“Such a foul mouth was probably about to call me a homophobic slur.” Arkmane regained his composure as he faced Matterhorn. “Wouldn't you agree?”
“Yes most likely.” Matterhorn said dismissively before moving away toward Crescent who only growled at them both.
“Don’t worry about your friend, she's being transferred to Moon rock.” He jumped at that glaring at her. “Don’t worry i have friend who will make sure she's safe and out of general population.”
He calmed down but his glare remained.
“I'll keep her safe, and all i ask is that you'll answer my questions.” He huffed at her before turning away.
“ithwitllkilhyou” he mumbled through his muzzle.
“Transfer him to general population, no buts Matterhorn” Arkmane ordered his guards dragging Crescent away.
“So sugarcube.” Marvelous said sounding concerned. “What were you freaking out about.”
“New moon is here!” Matterhorn said frantically.
“Yeah we got that dear.” Radiance dryly replied.
“Who's that by the way?” Zapp asked digging her hoof into her ear. Everypony stared at her as she layed back lazy and flicked some wax from her ear.
“You still haven't read the history book i wrote?” Matterhorn narrowed her eyes at Zapp who avoided her gaze.
“Maybe, what of it?” Twilight rolled her eyes and sighed.
“New Moon was Moon Knight’s sidekick, New moon was the first sidekick a legacy stretching back to near equestrian colonial times!.”
“Wait you mean?”
“Yes Rainbow he used to be Luna’s sidekick, he used to be a hero.” Twilight said as she looked down the hall that Crescent had been rolled down.
“So what you're saying is he dropped of the edge of the planet and shows back up as a criminal? Some hero.” Twilight awkwardly scratched the back of her head from Rainbow’s small rant.
“More like he died.” Her team looked at her with wide eye's.
“Ah sure sugarcube, i mean the feller seems tough he could have-”
“I was there, i saw him die.” Twilight sighed shaking her head. “By the hooves of Nightmare moon.”
Arkmane smiled a slimy grin as the guards dragged Crescent through the halls his chains now replaced with a straight jacket toward the door pulling a remote from his suit Arkmane clicked it deactivating the locks on said door.
“Remember Red horn try to behave.”
“I will after i break one these guards hooves up your ass.” For his comment the fanged stallion received a punch to his face.
“Aww you poor animal, don’t worry we'll help with those anger issues.” Arkmane petted Crescent’s head making him snarl. “Along with those illusions of me hiring you.”
“I will rip out your kidney’s with a sword.” Arkmane removed his hoof before the vesper could bite into it.
“I’d like to see you try, after lock up in general population” with a click of the remote the door opened and the guards loosened the straight jacket releasing Crescent’s arm’s before tossing him into the atrium.
“Fresh meat!” Arkmane yelled before the door slammed and the hydraulic locks re-engaged
