The Incantation

        Storm and his team sat on a bench, all silent as they awaited their arrival in Manehattan. From there, they'd take a boat to a different continent, perhaps Maretonia or another nearby country. Only there, far from the insanity that was surely to come from this stallion taking over Equestria, would he feel safe enough to settle down, perhaps stop the madness his life was becoming.

        That was something his team knew nothing of. A decision pending of him giving up the bounty hunter life. They wouldn't take it well, and it was best to not tell them until he took action. It was actually something he'd been thinking over ever since he moved from Manehattan. However, it hadn't occurred to him just how dangerous his life had become until this last mission. Now, he was seriously considering ending his career. Maybe it'd be good for him. No, it would be good for him.

        The train rocked a little as it went down a mountainside. Storm shifted a few inches further from his team, seeking some space as he remained deep in thought. The dimly lit cabin showed the still uneasy expressions on the two hitmens' faces. They had no idea of the implications that had just transpired...

        He hadn't considered an event such as the one that recently occurred to actually happen. He'd just aided a crazy pony in succeeding to fuse with King Sombra and try to take over Equestria. This wasn't at all part of his plan, and had he known what Flare had planned all along, he wouldn't have done the mission for any price.

        It was too late now, however. He had probably already begun his rule, what with the princesses out of the way. And since he had no idea about what the crown was, did, came from, or anything else, for that matter, he didn't even think it was possible to reverse what he inexplicably promoted. Or maybe...

       Emerald had been making it clear that the crown was indeed evil. This much was true. Maybe he knew something about the crown that Storm didn't. It was a possibility he was not going to rule out. Despite his lack of care, Storm didn't want the deaths of millions on his hooves for the rest of his life. This had to be stopped. There was only one thing he could do to try.

       "We're going back," he said calmly aloud, startling his companions.

       "W-what?" Orion stammered. "Going back where?"

        Storm glanced out the window. "Back to Canterlot. I have something you need to know. And we need to fix."

        The two helpers glanced uneasily at each other. "Boss, you're scaring us," Steel said, watching Storm carefully.

        "Than what you're about to hear will terrify you." Storm gave them a look. It was a look that they'd never witnessed from him before, in all their years of working with him.

       It was a look of fear.

         Once I'd reached the Crystal Empire, I headed back to the train station to wait, for a random train, if it came. Of course, with Equestria spiralling into turmoil, trains might not even be functional anymore. Which would mean more flying for me. Just what I needed...

        The streets were dark, quiet, and cold. The love I once felt emanating from this great empire was gone. I guessed the heart was gone, since it kept Sombra at bay. He couldn't exist with the heart still working its magic. But what about the Elements?

        Surely there was a way for them to intervene. Sombra wasn't invincible, so far as I knew. By now, the Elements should've taken action against him. The only reason why would be...

       ... If they were unable to get to the Elements of Harmony. Which would also imply them being in danger. Which would imply Fluttershy being in danger. Now I'm pissed.

        I sat on the bench in front of the tracks, staring at the sky. If that monster hurt that mare...

        What? I'd go beat him up or something? Have at it. I'd be better off arranging my own funeral.

       I sighed deeply and hung my head. Powerless, defeated, and hurt, I waited for a train that may never come.

        After hopping trains, done by waiting until another train passed, and leaping from onto the other, Storm explained to his team why they were changing plans yet again. They did not like what they heard.

        "This would've been nice to know a long damn time ago, Storm." Orion sat across from the other two, on a nearly empty train headed back to Canterlot. The news of the maniacal stallion taking over town by town hadn't reached Manehattan yet, apparently. It soon would, though.

       Storm nodded. "Yes, it would have. However, as I just told you, I didn't know until I followed him up into the mountains. Now kindly shut up. I'm telling you now."

        Steel chuckled. "I'm still waiting for the plan. How do you expect us to confront King Sombra? With featherbrains' arrows and my dagger? I, for one, find this to be a complete waste of time and effort. We should have just continued on our way to Manehattan. This is-"

       Storm silenced him with a deft blow to the jaw, sending the stallion sprawling onto the floor in shock. Orion watched, amused.

       "This isn't your decision. This is my decision. And I'm still paying you, you have no choice in the matter. You will not leave. The constant bitching betwixt the two of you will cease for this mission, or I will kill you myself. Have I made myself clear?" Storm glared down at the pony.

        Steel rubbed his jaw tenderly. "Yeah, got it boss..."

        "Good. Get back in your seat." Storm resumed outlining his plan. "Emerald knows something, I've decided. He will surely be able to help us find a weakness for this mutation, perhaps revolving around the crown. We will eploy his help strictly for this mission, and for the sole purpose of being our glove. We use him for our needs as far as knowledge and materials goes. Now, he's still at the Castle, and will likely be confrontational once we get there and find him. Do your best to pacify. We must get on his good side if we want his help."

        "Understood and all, boss, but why him, exactly? Wouldn't the princesses be a better choice in this circumstance?" Orion questioned him, fiddling with his bow.

        "The princesses cannot help us now. We need non-royalty. That is why we are conducting this mission." Storm closed his eyes for a moment. "It very well may be our last..."

        Orion sighed. "I'm not afraid of death. Never have been."

        Now wasn't any worse a time than later to tell them, he figured. "No, you misunderstand. That is a possibility, but I'm referencing my decision to end this career. I'm done, after this." Surprisingly, neither of his teammates appeared to be shocked by his revelation. This was interesting to him. "Not concerned or surprised?"

       "Not, boss. I think we've all been on that page recently," Steel said quietly. "This life does get old."

       "As for me, I planned on quitting in the next few missions and running with whatever wealth I accumulated. I'm getting too old for this." Orion snapped the string on the bow, snarling angrily and getting s new one out of his bag.

       Storm actually cracked a smile. "Old, eh? Don't think you know what old is, Orion. I was doing this before either of you were born. This isn't a game for kids. But I enlisted you two because you had the skills and desire I needed in my team. Here we are now, many missions later, on our final. It's been a pleasure." He stuck out his hoof, this time, his team was astonished.

        "Well, then. Better not pass up this benign Storm now that it's finally revealed itself." Orion wrapped a claw around his his hoof and gave it a quick but firm shake. Steel did the same, but remained silent, instead, he gave his boss a brief smile.

        "Now, that aside, let's prepare for what we're about to face. I urge you to get some sleep if you can. This is going to be one hell of a ride."

        It didn't seem nearly as long as it took for the trio to make it to Canterlot. However, with it being dark, due to the absence of the princesses, all sense of time was thrown off. At this point, it didn't matter anyway.

        Storm led his team to the Castle, having no opposition upon entering. The Royal Guards had abandoned it after the princesses were removed, rendering the already empty castle a dead-silent shell.

        "Where is this dungeon?" Steel inquired of his boss as they trotted quickly through the huge hallways up to the throne.

        Storm glanced around at the other hallways as they went. "Beneath us. Likely a hallway with direct entrance to the thrones. The princess would want access to it whenever she wanted or needed." He stopped and pointed at a small, dark doorway. "Such as that."

       Orion started towards it. "Alright, let's hurry. I want to get this over with as soon as possible."

        Storm moved ahead of Orion and opened the already cracked door. "I'm still the boss here. I lead." He slipped through the doorway and made his way down a long pair of stone steps, descending into an abyss of darkness, a dimly lit cavernous room at the bottom. It was a small dungeon, only housing three cells. Another small doorway led to another dungeon, this time, occupied in two of the three cells. One cell, the empty one, was melted open.

        "Boss, something isn't right about that one. Aren't these cells guarded by a spell?" Orion asked, pointing at the puddle of molten iron near the vacated cell.

        "Hmm... I wonder who escaped..." Storm asked himself aloud, squinting as he scanned the inside of the cell.

       "Simple... The possessed one freed the guy. Said something about stealing a crown to get here," the old pony spoke up, still reading.

        All three of the former crooks stared at the aged stallion through the darkness.

        "Really, now? Interesting..." Storm mumbled, looking back at the empty cell. "Did he say where he was going after he was freed?" Storm observed a mouse as it ran from one side of the room to the other.

      The older pony shrugged. "Something about the north."

      Storm spun around and went up the nearby stairs, Orion and Steel following closely.

      "We need to get back on the train," Storm said, sounding slightly irritated.

       Steel sighed. "Again? Where to, this time?" They made it to the top of the stairs and fled the castle moments later, headed for the train station.

      As they stood on the platform, Storm looked out over the horizon to the north. "It's about to get cold, boys. Might want to put on a jacket."

        It had been a few hours that I sat or later there on the bench, waiting for a train. None came.

        So, I'd stayed on the bench anyway. It wasn't like I had anything to do, anywhere to go. I could live on this bench if I wanted to. And since I was too depressed to care about the cold, I just laid back, closing my eyes and enjoying the near silence, save for the occasional wind. The peace was so... Comforting... It made me forget the reality I was in. It was actually nice for a change to hear not a thing...

        I'd fallen asleep apparently, because I was awoken later, dead from a dream, by the sound of a distant train approaching.

        I sat up and shivered hard, my teeth chattering. It was still dark, which at first concerned me, until I remembered why. But that didn't matter now. A train was coming. I could get on it and put some distance between myself and this dead-silent land.

        I stood there and shivered as the train pulled into the station, coming to a stop and whistling. As the doors opened, I made my way towards one to board... And stopped dead in my tracks.

        The three attackers from before hopped off, one by one, and stood before me.

        At first, I was in shock. I didn't know what to say or do, but that was quickly replaced with anger. They were the ones responsible for my suffering, my loss.

        "Why are you here? What do you want from me?" I growled, assuming a defensive stance.

      The leader stepped forward. "Relax, Emerald. We're not here to cause harm. We're here to stop it."

       My jaw dropped. Did I just hear that right? Didn't matter. They were enemies. I shook my head. "Don't care. What you did... It ruined me. You can't come here and expect me to believe anything you have to say. So you should just go on your way."

        "That isn't going to happen, Emerald. Sorry. We're here on a matter that cannot be solved without your help. Just listen to what I have to say. We're all in danger. Clearly this Flare guy is out of his mind to have done this thing, possessing himself. We need to stop him before he kills us all."

        "And you actually think I believe you want to help stop him? You must think I'm a total moron. I'm not buying it."

       The leader sighed heavily. "Don't make this difficult. It's been a journey just finding you. Why would i have not just killed you by now if I was here for some ill intention?"

        I glared at him. "To turn me in to Flare? Duh."

        "Flare set you free, correct? Why would he need you apprehended?" He raised an eyebrow.

        He makes a fair point... "Why me? What do you think I can do? I'm not exactly a hero..."

        The guy looked between the two of his friends, then back at me. "You know some things that we don't. You have access to information that we don't. We need your help to stop this madness before too many lives are lost. The question now, is will you join, or will you decline and let fate take its course?"

        I looked up into the sky. This... This was a lot to take in. A dangerous task, as well. Me? Stopping a powerful, crazy, possessed unicorn with an ancient crown that nobody knows a lot about? I didn't know if I could. I'm just... Me...

        But then...

        Fluttershy. I had to see her again. To hold her... It's killing me to be away... She could end up a casualty of this. What choice did I have? I couldn't let anything happen to that sweet, caring mare... And the others... They didn't deserve to die either. They were my only true friends in life. I couldn't just abandon them...

        I glanced at the three ponies, who silently watched me deep in thought. I had to make a choice right now. Stay or go?

        There really was only one right answer...

        "I'm... I'm in."

        The leader gave a faint smile and stuck out his hoof. This surprised me again, but I hesitantly took it, and shook hooves with an enemy... To become friends.

        We were in this together.