Chapter 02: Lose One Thing or the other

At this time, we find our heroes still inside Merchant Town around the top of the central building in a large open gallery on the roof. There, everyone setup a fire to get warm while they had a good view around the lights from the town’s lamps to have a view of all their surroundings. After their recent encounter against the Equalizer, they are now prepared if any night raids should happen.

“So….where’s Arsenal?” Jack Zen asked off in seeing that the guy that was with them has yet to appear.

“I believe he is currently on watch duty?” Omega stated off in where Arsenal was at this time at night.

“Why didn’t he run this down with us?” Spike asked off in why the guy they meant who told them to do stuff is not informing them of this task.

“Seriously, what’s that guy’s problem….being all cool & doing things alone…to show us up?” Rainbow Dash asked off in what was Arsenal trying to do, be cool by doing everything seriously; what’s with that kind of attitude.

“Nah, dat be more around yer department, Rainbow Dash.” Applejack rolled her eyes off in stating who ELSE was more wanting someone to be cool, namely Rainbow Dash.

“Hey!” Rainbow Dash snapped off in having to take such an insult, she doesn’t act that way in doing things alone…at least most times, she ask her friends for help.

“Well, he didn’t seem so….um, friendly, even after saving us.” Rarity pondered off in noticing that when they met Arsenal, he wasn’t much on being friendly as he was when he saved them from a close calling.

“Maybe…he’s just lonely & doesn’t know how to treat others more kindly.” Fluttershy stated off in what her idea was about Arsenal being…lonely.

“Somehow, I’m not sure….I feel sorry for him.” Nyx stated off to say this in looking a bit sad about Arsenal.

“Why’s that Nyx?” Twilight asked her daughter in why she feels that way, it must be something important.

“Well…he looks like he’s not wanting to join us, but…he’s wanting to do something right. It feels weird that he doesn’t wanna open up more to us than be all solo.” Nyx stated off in seeing what Arsenal was doing that he simply is not the type to be surrounded by others when doing a job that he wants to do…on his own, including task that are right.

“Maybe it’s because while he’s something of this good act, he’s not at all much like a hero.” Goldie stated off to mention this in feeling somewhat serious over the case.

“Wait….are you saying he’s….an Anti-Hero?” Pinkie Pie yelps off to say this in knowing that Arsenal is most likely to be.

“Holy cupcakes, I don’t even know if we ran into any of those before!” Pinkamena yelps in hearing this to feel like that is something really surprising to hear.

“What’s the difference between a hero & anti-hero?” Ben raised an eyebrow in being curious about the idea between a hero & anti-hero.

“Ben, Ben, Ben…..that’s like asking why you love Twilight. The answer’s simple!” Pinkamena shook her head in seeing how silly Ben was in not having any idea about the matter.

“And?” The Mane Six group asked off in liking to know this as much as the next group to hear the details.

“Anti-Heroes are different because they lack conventional heroic attributes; examples like idealism, courage, & morality. Plus nobility of mind & spirit, a life or attitude marked by action or purpose & the like.” Pinkamena pointed out to explain the facts about what Anti-Heroes are for those that are more use to seeing those act like Heroes to know the difference of what the two categorized two stand for in their areas.

“Well, nobility does not seem his…strong suit of character, that’s for certain!” Rarity exclaimed off in seeing that someone like Arsenal does not look or act like a noble hero would.

“Well Arsenal’s got courage in de face of danger. But Ah’ll bite, wha else is there?” Applejack stated off to rub her chin while thinking about another factor that is on one’s mind to know more things.

“Well, an anti-hero is said to be a flawed hero, & therefore, much more interesting than the more traditional heroes. They can work on the side of good, but with a tragic flaw or a horrible past or for reasons that are selfish & not entirely ‘pure’ in some cases.” Pinkamena shrug off to mention this in what Anti-Heroes are that seem to be more interesting to catch one’s eyes than normal Hero types, but they come with things that happened in their past & what they fight for is not for a pure cause.

“But wait, I think I heard how some also would work for the side of evil, but with hidden noble intentions or other underlying complexities.” Pinkie Pie stated off to randomly state this little factor of what other Anti-Heroes do in joining villains, but don’t do evil or such?

“How you two even know & explain such things so easily can make me say this with a certain straight opinion…..you both are so random!” Rainbow Dash issued off to simply say this about these two pink ponies being so random, it’s hard to figure them out.

“Then, why is Arsenal like that? An Anti-Hero, um, if that is okay to ask when he’s not around?” Fluttershy meekly asked off the bigger question in why Arsenal is as he appears to them.

“Well, I heard of the tale….being royalty means you get to know things more than subjects of one’s country or state.” Goldie stated to say this with a firm expression, but let it drop to a sorrow mood as if not sure if he should say anymore just cause he’s a prince & has been told of such things others don’t know about.

“You sound as if you’re afraid to speak.” Ben raised an eyebrow in having heard Goldie sound like he doesn’t wanna say anything about Arsenal, why?

“No doubt its cause Arsenal seem to not want his past told.” Omega pointed off in having a good guess as to why Golden Heart won’t say.

“But how can we help each other if we don’t know what’s wrong, if we face the enemy again, we might lose our cutie marks if we’re not careful?” Nyx stated off in knowing how dangerous the enemy is that he can take cutie marks away, they need to all have faith & trust one another.

“Heh, like that guy would care about losing that cool cutie mark of his.” Phobos rolled this eyes to remark if Arsenal even cared if he lost a cutie mark.

“Cutie Marks are one thing to get back, but…he lost something greater that may never be return.” Goldie stated off to say this in looking kinda depressed, which made everyone look to him strangely.

“What do you mean?” Twilight asked Golden Heart of what he was talking about.

“Bro, I think it’s time you told them…even tell me since now I’m curious too.” Pinkamena stated in asking her brother to tell them what he knows, cause it sounds something serious.

“Hugh….alright, I just hope he won’t chew us up from telling this to you all.” Goldie sighs to say this in knowing that he may have to tell everyone…about what Arsenal lost that can never be return.

Everyone was paying close attention as Goldie began to tell them something about their new friend, Arsenal. Apparently long ago, there was a young colt by the name Roy Arrow who inherited a considerable fortune when his parents died. That colt trained rigorously before tracking down someone to show him the skills of using a bow. Once impressed, Roy was then taken on as the mentor’s ward & partner. However, early in the colt’s crime fighting career at the age of 15, he went on a solo investigation into a sepsis business shell company trading weapons across Equestria. But the colt was captured & taken by an unseen enemy, where the scientist amputated his front right hoof to have an endless supply of his DNA to use in some cloning technique. The colt known as Roy was replaced by a clone who took over his identity for the next 3 years, while the real Roy was in a cryo-containment pod, later to be found when some team uncovered his pod that was left in a mansion & caught the colt who started to regain consciousness. From his liberation, the child was taken to a hospital where he was told about what happened over three years; the Roy Clone was used for a great setup to eliminate some heroes of a different kind by a ‘Mystic’ known force, but from the casualties, the clone died right after having finished Roy’s old mentor. Furious over what happened, Roy secretly left the hospital room’s window in order to hunt down the one responsible for his confinement. After the escape, he went to an old storage area he knew about, took an old outfit & some equipment to stand off against his foe, a stallion known as Xel Rohtur. After finding the foe that was a businessman who conceal his real crimes behind his outer appearance, Roy performed different strategic feats even with only one hoof usage on weapons in which he was gonna get revenge on the guy, even though the foe stated what Roy wanted was satisfaction; stating about how the colt used his mind to overpower his bodyguard. Just as Roy was going to finish his enemy Xel Rohtur, but the guy had his hired guards arrive in which if Roy killed their boss, they kill him, but the colt was ready to pay the cost. The target came prepared & offer the colt something in which if Roy chooses, he could gain a new limb, one better to make him stronger & all he needed was to cease the act of his action and he can walk away free as a bird. And so, Roy made his choice, he obtain a new arm for his missing right front hoof in satisfaction than seeking revenge on Xel Rohtur while the guy continues his secret business elsewhere. The new arm the colt got was not meant to conceal it being flesh & blood, it was more powerful & versatile years ahead of other weapon models the enemy gave to his hired guards, literally making Roy a living weapon. Once the colt obtain it, he taken a new name for the arsenal he used in battle & becoming a weapon, “Arsenal”, & from there, a cutie mark appeared in which symbolizes his talent & destiny. And over the next course of his years of training & sharpening his skills, Arsenal becomes ‘The Arms Stallion’ in which he fights to make sure nothing of evil will remain or hurt anyone the way he has suffered. Doing everything on his own….even doing stuff not normal or average heroes do….because that is what he is…

“And that’s it…I heard this along with Celestia about what happened…so you see, retrieving a magic mark is simple to do, yes, but…losing apart of yourself & who you were….the Dark Mystics used him to help eliminate some Mystics. Arsenal harbors that it was thanks to him, the Mystics can’t forgive someone that even if he was not there in the flesh, he played a role in it, so he carries a lot of weight on his shoulders.” Goldie finished off the explanation about what past that Arsenal bears that even up to this point, the tragic events & weights of lose are more heavier than anyone could expect.

We see the gang around the fire as Goldie finished his telling a story version of what Arsenal’s life was like. And from everyone’s expression, there was much sorrow, sadness, grief & feelings of regret in having heard how one pony suffered things when so young, that it felt like one’s very life & identity were stolen away from them. Arsenal’s been fighting a lonesome battle all on his own while still somehow suffering things from the heart & memory of what he endured…

“Wow….that’s just…just…” Rainbow Dash slowly spoke off in feeling too lost for words in having heard something like…well, quite like that.

“So unhappiness all over.” Pinkie Pie looked down to which her pink puffy mane deflated, that story had WAY too many unhappy moments.

“My word, he lost a hoof for some horrible experiment & then finished off his mentor? Those fiends!” Rarity gasped off in shock in having heard such horrible feats, there were such monsters they never knew existed until now.

“I can’t believe there existed such evil to do that & to bring so much on a poor pony.” Fluttershy stated off in feeling so sad & sorry for what Arsenal went through, that’s a horrible memory to live through!

“Guess we thought Arsenal was more a lone wolf, without knowing’ how deep he lick his wounds.” Applejack replied off in feeling pretty bad about how they thought the guy as one thing, when in truth, he’s hurting all over.

“The guy makes me think about myself, always alone…never getting close to anyone. If not for you all, I might still be living as the Demon Pony.” Ben stated off in seeing how much Arsenal was like him, keeping a distance because he doesn’t wanna lose something….even if it means not having anyone around to be alone; he was saved from such loneness.

“Ben…when you left, I thought I lost someone I once had a place in my heart.” Twilight patted her love in feeling that what she almost went through in thinking Ben was gone would have destroyed her; however…. “But Arsenal, he lost so much…yet, he’s still fighting…all alone.” She looked down in pity, Arsenal went through a lost but unlike Twilight, he fought hard than just mope about things.

“The guy’s made of tough stuff, not just his metallic hoof arm, but the rest of him.” Jack Zen stated off in seeing how tough Arsenal is made of to have to live each day after having such an experience.

“Indeed, but no matter how hard the outside, the inside must also function without any broken compartments.” Omega stated off in knowing that even those of mechanical working order must be functional without anything busted within, Arsenal maybe fine, but inside himself is not all repaired.

“Strangely said Omega, the guy needs the one thing that might turn his life around….friends.” Goldie nods off in feeling that to maybe fill & fix someone who has suffered so much & does everything by themselves, maybe what he’ll need can fill a void…friends.

At that moment, Pinkamena’s eyes turn in feeling something was nearby at the corner in front of her direction. Hidden there was Arsenal as he lean with cross front hooves in looking like he was continuing to watch things, but he seem to have overheard everything; the gang know about his past & wish to help out. The masked guy just simply moved away to go somewhere else, but Pinkamena felt like this guy heard about them wanting to help & maybe…just maybe…he might still have a decent heart of a hero after all.

“Something wrong Pinkamena?” Nyx asked off in seeing Pinkamena look to a direction by around a corner.

“Hmm….oh nothing. Just…admiring how nice & peaceful the night is.” Pinkamena slowly stated off to say this in changing the subject to the night sky’s stars.

“Well let’s hope nothing bad happens by morning.” Phobos stated off in hoping nothing bad will make things hard for them.

“Something tells me, what you wish for…the opposite might come true.” Spike stated off to roll his eyes in thinking what will come tomorrow maybe the opposite of peaceful…

The night continues to move on from here as many were gonna continue to chat or head off to rest up for tomorrow.

Meanwhile within the cave that Equalizer was staying put in, he was pacing around in coming up with a new strategy to win against those that stop his first attempt. Just then from a Corridor of Darkness that appeared nearby, the armored villain looks to see who steps out from it…a character from the Dark Mystics known as…Amon Blood.

“Amon Blood!” Equalizer exclaimed forth in seeing who was here

“I see that you appear distracted, why is that when you should be focusing on your task?” Amon Blood asked off in killing to know something about the situation the armored stallion is dealing with.

“It could not be helped, I went through a setback, but this time…I’ll end it!” Equalizer issued off to say this in knowing he’ll end things from where it was left off.

“Then I will provide you with a gift….take this stone.” Amon Blood issued off to say this before tossing a strange disc with a written spell inscription along with a strange dark stone object in the center.

“What will this do?” Equalizer asked off in studying the thing that he was given.

“Your targets have Elements, use that to cast a spell to shut them down & then take their marks while distracted. It is why I presented you with that staff, is it not?” Amon Blood explained what the object will do to help Equalizer against those that have powerful elements while making it easier to take the others cutie marks.

“Of course…” Equalizer stated to say this in fully understanding the subject in looking to where a strange staff was seen laying around.

“Do try to obtain victory, we will be watching your progress.” Amon Blood issued off to say this in being firm & straight about what they expect.

Then Amon Blood walks to a Corridor of Darkness as it vanishes along with him while leaving Equalizer by himself.

“I will win this….or die trying!” Equalizer stated off to say this in preparing to get ready…to end the battle & defeat those cursed heroes & take their cutie marks. Everything begins to fade out as this villain will leave his mark without question.

The next morning came in which the sun was rising over Merchant Town, slowly those that seem to have rested were slowly starting to feel the sun rays on them. But this was not going to be a peaceful morning as some were expecting…

“Ha-ha-ha-haaahh….” Then an evil laughter is heard that made many widen up their eyes to look around; even Arsenal that slept while leaning on a wall shot them open in hearing…trouble.

“Uh oh…..waking up to the sounds of evil laughter, can NOT be a good wake-up call!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed to say this in knowing this did not sound at all like a good thing to hear.

“Where’s it coming from?” Twilight asked off i trying to figure out where the sound was coming from.

“Over there!” Rainbow Dash pointed off to the distance outside of the town’s entrance where they saw the Equalizer standing by.

“Greetings my adversaries….today, you will suffer defeat & your cutie marks shall be stripped & you will become equal amount all of us!” Equalizer proclaimed forth this announcement in what will happen to those here that shall suffer defeat & lose what they have.

“Same banter as last time, you & what army!” Phobos rolled his eyes to say this in remarking the guy’s claim as they don’t buy it.

“Um, maybe….that one!” Nyx pointed off to state this with a little worried expression.

Then ahead of everyone’s gaze, they find what looks to be a large cloud of dust picking up before they began to see what it was. A lot of ponies with equal marks on their flanks of all ages young & old, carrying weapons of combat & range types, some even piloting weird mechanical things that had catapults & spear launchers. In short, there was almost nearly a 1000 or 3000 so ponies that were under the Equalizer’s control.

“Ack….” Phobos gasped lightly in seeing what was now before them….a whole lot of zombified looking equalized pony army.

“You had to ask that one?” Spike rolled his eyes in seeing Phobos really walked into that one.

“Well, after a bit of work, we made sure that even a group of unwilling ponies under some obedience won’t get in with their slow response.” Rarity stated off that they are not afraid, if these under the recruit of the Equalizer are like those they subdue, they will be very slow.

“That was then, but take a look here!” Equalizer issued off to say this as he brought forth something; a midnight blue with neon blue light lines with a golden circle ring on top of it. “This is the Magical Item known as Hypercube, a cube that stores & contains large amounts of things in limitless spaces. Objects, weapons, creatures & even cutie marks!” The armor villain exclaimed that from this single object, it’s containing a lot of things, including some very important stuff.

“That thing has all of the stolen cutie marks!” Goldie exclaimed off in shock in seeing what

“Then if we can get our hooves on it, we can return everyone to normal!” Jack Zen stated off in seeing what they can do to fix things if they can get that cube.

“My scans are detecting cutie mark magic with the cube, therefore, it is not a trick.” Omega stated off in using his scans to determine that Equalizer was telling the truth about the object that had the stolen cutie marks.

“I don’t like this…revealing where the cutie marks are doesn’t sound like some rookie mistake. What’s this guy up to?” Ben stated off in staring at the enemy in feeling that this guy was hiding something.

“Now watch, as I use what I’ve acquired from you the other day…to improve my recruits improvements.” Equalizer issued forth to say this as he brings out a familiar ruby gem to be place in the cube that made it glow a bright redness.

Then without warning, many of the equal signs began to admit a glowing red aura as the recruited ponies that look to lack any will other than obedience….began to react strangely. Then their eyes flash red before they showed off fighting skills that made the Mane Six, Goldie’s group & the baby Dragons’ jaws drop; that was….unexpected!

“Yes….excellent, I must thank you for the gift.” Equalizer sounded very pleased in seeing the results were to one’s satisfactory.

“D’oh! He used those things I had to make his slow moving controlled victims now be more aggressive & obedient fighters.” Pinkamena slapped her forehead in seeing what the enemy has gone & used what she had on hand to help them out.

“How much difficult can they be with that ruby red gem effecting them all?” Twilight asked the pink pony for any idea of what they can be facing now than yesterday.

Then below the gang’s spot on the building, the equalized ponies were seen moving quicker to start tearing down the wooden wall setup to start going into town looking like emotionless fighters.

“Let’s just say, their fighting power is gonna make them a lot harder to subdue & detain than yesterday!” Pinkamena pointed this off to her friends in seeing this will be a little more challenging than what they saw yesterday.

“Then the only way to end this…is to cut off the head of the body….by taking out Equalizer, this madness will stop.” Arsenal stated straight forward in seeing what they need to do, get the control away from the controller to stop the equalized ponies.

“Alright everyone, try to handle them as best you can! I’m going to try to cast a spell over the numbers with precise locking….I just hope it’ll work without hurting anyone!” Twilight issued off this to her group in what they need to do, as she’s gonna try something here.

“We know you can do it Twilight, we’ll buy you the time needed!” Rainbow Dash issued off to say this in having faith in their smart friend.

“Right, leave them fellas ta us!” Applejack issue doff to say this in feeling gutsy about this.

“I also have a plan, Omega, take Spike & Phobos with you to take down the Equalizer, you’ll be fine as he can’t take cutie marks from those who don’t have them.” Pinkamena issued off that she wants her bot pal to take the baby dragons to stop the enemy that can’t steal cutie marks from those that have none.

“Understood.” Omega nods off to say with the baby Dragons nodding in the same agreement.

“Everybody ready, then….CHAAAARGE!” Pinkie Pie yelled out to say this in getting herself extra pump here. Soon without warning, the Mane Six & Goldie’s group split off to keep the powered up fighting equalized ponies at bay, they were just barely holding out at this moment.

“If they wanna use big guns, then here’s a big shot! Bombardment Mode - Unicorn Cannon!” Rainbow Dash issued off to say this in getting her bombardment cannons ready as she announced her attack. “KURPOW-Kurpowfruvhmmm…./NRUHUHUHURAAARUGHHH!” Then firing two massive shots of energize unicorn heads headed straight for the giant weapons. “Bamfruvhmmm….Bamfruvhmmm….” And like that, she was able to take down those things with ease.

“Remember darlings, take out the mechanical stuff, but not the ponies themselves….here goes!” Rarity issued off to say this before firing off her gemstones to knock off the weapons the equalized ponies have.

“Oh, please forgive me, but…Sonic Screech!” Fluttershy exclaimed to say this in being worried about this, as she then takes a deep breath to fire a sonic screech attack that made the recruited ponies stop to yelp in pain.

Everyone was keeping the enemies at bay in trying to not hurt them, but this battle was tougher than they expected. At the same time, Equalizer watched things to even yelp when Twilight unleashed her Twilight Star Shower, but meant to knock off the equalized ponies while not hurting them but destroy any mechanical weapons & get him. Soon Omega & the baby Dragons appeared in front of the villain, ready to stop him.

“What have we here, a couple of shrimpy Dragons & an empty tin-can.” Equalizer remarked off in not being the least be afraid of something like this.

“Oh, well get ready for a flank whooping, buster!” Phobos issued off in seeing they are gonna be fighting this guy with no hold bounds…

“I do not have time to waste on nothing but those with cutie marks.” Equalizer stated off in not wanting to waste time with such things.

“Then you won’t be getting our friends then!” Spike issued off to say this in not about to let the creep have his way.

“Well, I can at least put you away.” Equalizer stated off in what he can do against these fools.

“What do you mean?” Omega asked off to say before the enemy made a weird move.

Then without warning, Equalizer held out his Hypercube that was magically opened to start sucking those in front of him. The three yelped before they were sucked in without warning.

“That…is how! Humph….” Equalizer exclaimed off to say this in having dealt with that issue. “Now to prepare the spell.” He stated off in getting himself ready for a certain spell he will be using here.

“Um guys, I think he’s up to something!” Jack Zen stated in looking concern about what’s happening.

“What happened to Omega, Spike & Phobos?” Goldie asked off in seeing their friends aren’t there, why?

“Uh-oh! Something bad is coming!” Both Pinkie Pie & Pinkamena yelped of in sensing something was about to come at them.

“Element Blackout Alchemy…” Equalizer issued off to show a familiar stone disc as it began to glow darkly.

Then without warning, a large pure light with a black star-shaped & symbol of darkness in Chinese appeared in the center as its light shine off. A dark electrical surge of energy emerge from the ground, surging across Ben Mare & Pinkamena’s bodies as they yelped from the effect before…Ben’s gear vanished without a trace & Pinkamena felt weaken that she felt her chain blades drag her down. Everyone that wasn’t affective gasp in shock as they know this spell.

“Hugh…this spell is…” Twilight yelped in realizing what this spell was that was covering the whole town.

“Drat….since when could….” Pinkamena groans off to clutch herself in feeling her strength of her element fad.

“Surprise….this is a prepared spell set within this little stone.” Equalizer showed those that were having a hard time something that made the use of a spell that shuts down element users’ power. “It’s true I could not perform it, but a Dark Mystic set this up & while it was going to be used within the Rainbow Kingdom….I decided to affect those of you here.” He explained how he was going to use this spell in one area to effect more Element Wielders, but this group has force his playing card.

“This is bad….Pinkamena & I are…” Ben struggled to hold off more equalized ponies, but without his gear & element’s power, he’s left completely open.

“Now, your cutie marks are mine!” Equalizer issue forth this claim, as he prepare to begin his grand moment.

Everyone turn to see the enemy wielding a strange metallic staff that he held that seem awfully familiar to many, it looked almost like…

“That staff….it couldn’t be!” Adult Nyx exclaimed off in surprise in seeing that staff, but…it couldn’t be.

“I take it this looks familiar to you!” Equalizer exclaimed to say this in noticing the surprised & stump faces of everyone.

“That staff…No, it can’t be…” Twilight protest as that thing looks just like the Staff of Sameness, the very staff that Starlight Glimmer used to take away the Mane Six’s cutie marks only to find out it was a fake, but why was the Equalizer wielding a metallic version of it?

“This is known as the Staff of Sameness 2.0, unlike the other one that was a fake, this one grants more. It makes things more equal, more obedient, the same as to which I used on these towns folk, just like what you all will be!” Equalizer explained forth this matter of what he’s done to hold a staff that provides him with qualities over many that lose their cutie marks. “Now, you will see how much better life can be without any cutie marks!” He issued off in about to begin everything starting with the heroes without their cutie marks.

“That’s not gonna happen!” Ben shouted off to protest the manner of letting the enemy do such a thing.

“Think again, Earth filth scar-chest!” Equalizer remarked off to taunt Ben.

“What…?” Ben yelped off in having heard that insult remark that got him a bit upset; the last time someone said that to him was…Starlight Glimmer! Was it a coincidence, or…

Twilight quickly tried to fire a Unicorn Burst attack at the Equalizer in hoping to stop his attempts, but then a blue shield somehow appeared by magic that protected the Equalizer from the attack.

“Huh?” Twilight yelped in seeing that, that spell almost looked familiar, why….but that was not the focus of what came next.

Then without warning, Equalizer waved out his metallic staff that unleashed a strange light pink wave burst that spread across the entire town; it affected everyone in the area that didn’t have equal signs. Soon then Mane Six, Golden Heart & Jack Zen, even Adult Nyx yelped off in pain which caused her to transform back into a filly. Then their cutie marks were suddenly snatched right off to swirl around Equalizer who used his Hypercube to store the stolen cutie marks as equal signs began to appear on the ones that had theirs taken.

“In less than mere minutes, you will become my recruited ponies of equality, I look forward to our company.” Equalizer stated off to say this in how soon he will have everyone be among his recruited followers. “I suppose it’s not strong enough to rob Element Wielders their cutie marks…but it’ll only be a matter of time.” He stated in seeing that Ben & Pinkamena still had their cutie marks because of their elements even if shutdown, but….it’s only one setback for now.

“Grrr….mah head…feels funny.” Applejack held her head in feeling something was effecting her.

“Oh, I don’t find this funny ha-ha at all.” Pinkie Pie held her head in feeling this was not something funny.

“Ugh….they’re still coming.” Fluttershy yelps from looking out to see the equalized ponies coming to them.

“No, keep away!” Rarity yelped to try to use her magic…but nothing worked as she was captured.

“Darn it…” Rainbow Dash cursed off as she tried to fight through a mob mobbing her, but no good.

The equalized ponies were overpowering many that were suffering the effects of slowly losing themselves to become….equalized ponies of equality. Ben & Pinkamena tried to push forward, but they were not getting anywhere with their elements shutdown.

“It’s over, I’ve won!” Equalizer stated off in seeing that he’s won, at last…he has taken the cutie marks of these heroes & won…

“You’ve won nothing…” Spoke a serious voice from somewhere close.

Then appearing out of some special stealth tech type ability to appearing behind the Equalizer, Arsenal soon delivered a strong punch blow that knock the armor guy off to drop his stone disk for the spell & his Hypercube.

“My stone!” Equalizer yelped in seeing his stone disc was knocked out of his possession & beneath Arsenal’s hooves.

“Now it makes sense how you could perform such dark magic…the Dark Mystics provided you with a Dark Stone. Well, that ends here.” Arsenal exclaimed to say this in seeing that with a dark stone used to help with the right inspirited words on a disk, it was possible for even someone else to perform things.

“Crushfruvhmmm…” Then with a use of his metallic hoof, the masked stallion smashed the dark stone to pieces, which caused the Element Shutdown Alchemy to fade & for those that had their elements turn off to be reactive again.

“Hey, my strength is coming back!” Pinkamena stated off in seeing that her strength has returned.

“Mine too. Come on, let’s help the others!” Ben stated in seeing that with their element’s strength back, they can fight.

Now Ben & Pinkamena rush off to help in clearing a path to help those that were in trouble, the Mane Six & Goldie’s group.

“But how….my staff should have taken all the cutie marks, the only ones that it couldn’t were Element Bearers, then why….why aren’t you being affected?” Equalizer asked off in demand of why Arsenal was not like the others, suffering from losing their free will to be equalized, how could someone overcome such agonizing feeling.

“I’ve suffered things far worse than a lost cutie mark I can get back, as for your control…I’ll just end it before it takes me.” Arsenal remarked off to state this claim in having had the ability to overcome such trial pain.

“Grrrr…..” Equalizer growls off in fury as he gets his staff ready. “You pay for getting in my way! Hruuaarrghhhh!” Equalizer held up his Staff of Sameness 2.0 to thrust at the pony, who only thrusted…a metallic hoof.

“PowCruvhmm-Trussvhmmm…Babangfruvhmm….” But when made in contact, the metallic hoof surprisingly was much tougher than seen as it completely smashed the Staff of Sameness 2.0 to smithereens.

“Graaaurghh….” Equalizer was tossed backwards after his weapon was busted from that punch impact as he moved upwards… “Im-imposibble….the staff was made of strong metal….how?” He was shock, how could one pony have been capable of busting his staff.

“My cybernetic hoof is made of tougher stuff, you should have pay closure attention.” Arsenal issued off to say this in showing that his metallic hoof was made far stronger than any normal metal material. “Now to put an end to things….The Hellkite!” Then he summoned a strange flamethrower in the form of a skeleton dark Dragon with glowing crimson eyes, as it expelled red mist from its mouth while below it is a barrel container. Suddenly, out was shot crimson flames that burn across the backside of his opponent, cutting off any running plans.

“Wah….wait a second….heroes aren’t supposed to take lives, that has to be against the rules, isn’t it? I’m not a major villain, I’m just trying to make things equal!” Equalizer yelped in seeing that the guy looked ready to finish him off, that can’t be….he shouldn’t do something like that…right?

“When you in league with one of the Three Lords, then you may as well expect yourself to be finished off.” Arsenal stated off in looking ready to put this enemy out of anyone’s misery for the trouble he caused.

“Wait….think about it, while you waste time with me…your allies are slowly losing themselves.” Equalizer pointed off that the guy has to think about the others.

Looking back, Ben & Pinkamena still had to clear out a lot of equalized ponies…but those that lost their cutie marks were about to become the same as they were losing more & more of themselves.

“Will you watch those slowly become equalized ponies….or will you stop a low enemy? Even I think the choice is clear.” Equalizer stated off to explain that the so-called hero can only do one thing; get the bad guy or save the day.

“Your right.” Arsenal stated off to say in using some magic to make his flamethrower vanish to turn his right mechanical arm into a compartment of spinning blue shuriken disk….

“Hugh?” Equalizer yelped in seeing this, this guy…was he serious about just wanting him.

“The choice is clear….in what to be done.” Arsenal stated off in what the choice was & how to simply fix things.

“Wait….wait….you’re not seriously gonna…” Equalizer yelped in seeing this was bad, the guy was gonna attack him with blades.

“Bizzz-Bizzz-Bizizvhmmm…./Trisisvhmmm….” Then in a flash, Arsenal fired his blue shrines in the air, Equalizer yelped in thinking this was it until…they came in contact with the Hypercube. “Breakfrishvmm….Frusushv….” Then as the Hypercube was busted which let off everything from within, including the three captive beings.

“We’re free!” Phobos cheered in seeing they are out.

“We’re back!” Spike exclaimed in joy in seeing this.

“That takes a load off our backs.” Omega stated to say this in seeing that they are now back where it’s solid ground than unknown space.

Then at this time, many shining lights escape the air that impacted many of the equalized ponies that flashed & suddenly…their red equal marks vanished to show different cutie marks.

“Hugh/What/Where am I?” Many of the freed ponies that were equalized were looking around, not sure what happened.

“They’re free….the cutie marks have return…and so have ours!” Twilight exclaimed in joy in seeing this, their cutie marks are back, & in the nick of time too.

Now Arsenal sees Ben & Pinkamena coming towards him & his cornered prey, only for the Equalizer to use his boots that were jet boots to fly off.

“Oh no you don’t!” Ben shouted off in thinking fast & throwing his Gale Boomerang off at the villain.

“Ow…!” Equalizer yelped from when the weapon slash across his flank, tearing the fabric on his suit before turning back at the group. “Take this!” Then from the horn, he fired off a spell towards the others that dodged the shots.

Soon while the enemy was distracted, something roared from nearby that everyone looked to the skies to see…a familiar Fury Dragon swooping down….it was…

“Nightclaw? What are you doing here?” Ben replied off in knowing the Dragon he rode during the Winter Wrap-Ups.

“Oh that’s simple, I brought a Dragon whistle to call him if we needed help; that was when we lost our elements.” Pinkamena smiled off to simply state this about calling in one more helper during the case.

Then as Equalizer was firing magic beams, Nightclaw swooped down to swing the tail at the target, sending him flying to smash into a nearby pillar. The impact knocked off the guy’s helmet, but the Equalizer had his hood cover the head to look away while not being alert about…a rip on his suit around the flank region.

“What the…” Ben yelped from seeing not the face, but rather…the mark on the armored villain’s flank…it couldn’t be.

“This isn’t over!” Equalizer protest off to say this as he used his jet boots to leave the scene while vanishing with a smoke cloud. The guy got away, having not only lost the fight but also lost a means to gain control to equalize everyone.

“You can count on it.” Ben stated off to say this min knowing this was not over, not by a long shot.

“Let’s get back to the others to see how they are doing.” Arsenal issued this off in what they should do here.

“Hey, Arsenal…” Ben called out to the guy in wanting to talk to him.

“Yah?” Arsenal turn around to Ben who called out to him, what does he want all of a sudden.

“I wanna say….thanks…for what you did. You could have stop Equalizer, but you say the others in pain, and…well, thanks for that.” Ben spoke off in stating this in being really thankful towards what the guy did, saving others instead of taking out the villain who got away.

“Yeah, deep down, you still have a heart…it’s just hard to come out at times.” Pinkamena smiled off to say this in knowing how this was looking.

“Ridicule me all you want, if Equestria lost its princess of friendship, that just make any villain’s day. And I for one let to see any side of evil suffer.” Arsenal exclaimed off to say this while he decided to state his own claims; as he was moving away, Ben & Pinkamena had different thoughts in what they heard.

“You know, I think deep down, he was happy to hear us say thanks.” Pinkamena smiled off to say this in seeing how that turn out pretty well.

“Well, let’s go see how Twilight & the free ponies are doing.” Ben stated off to say this that after ending the madness, they can be with their friends again.

Soon Ben & Pinkamena quickly rush on over to Merchant Town where everyone was waiting for them along with Arsenal following along. The scene begins to darken here, as whatever will be a closure to a close calling of what the Equalizer was up to, & who it might be….remains to be seen. But for now, the Mane Six & friends can smile with relief, they have now fix the problem of the cutie mark thefts, & now…things will be back to normal soon…

Author's Note

The Hypercube is an object heard & seen from Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius TV Series.

A reference to the direct-to-video film "Stan Lee Presents: The Condor" is seen from when Ben throw his boomerang at the villain.

There we go folks, one more chapter left to go here. As the heroes feel that after stopping the Equalizer & freeing all the stolen cutie marks, the day feels like it'll come to a nice end. And will Arsenal probably become a more open friendly sorta guy afterwards? And what about the Equalizer, what fate awaits him...or rather who was truly behind the mask? Stay tune to find out in the epilogue...