As the squad exited the post office, Twilight looked over at Nick, who was checking a large, holographic map of New York.

"From what Rhodes gave us, the signal's origin is on Broadway. Twilight, you've fought Cleaners, but not the Rikers. Those bastards are brutal and ruthless. Though they don't have flamethrowers, they all have a worse weapon. Their complete lack of humanity. They shoot to kill. Adjust yourself accordingly, Agent."

"Got it." Twilight replied.

"Let's get moving!' Logan said. As the squad headed out, the sun blazed bright, like a lion's mane.

===================================================================

As the squad arrived at Broadway, Twilight looked around to see the remains of theaters, restaurants, and various other buildings.

"This street used to be the cultural center of Manhattan." Nick said. "Now, it's the home of Rikers and death."

"I wish I could've seen the city before the Green Poison hit." Twilight said. "It sounded lovely."

"It was." Harper said. "My dad grew up here. Said the best part of the day was waking up to the city. It made him so happy."

"Is your father okay?"

Harper sighed.

"When the outbreak hit, he signed up with the JTF, since he was ex-Secret Service and ex-Marine. He was also the one who got me into the Division. While his squad was out on patrol, he was shot by a sniper, right in the gut. He survived, but right now, he's in a Norfolk, Virginia hospital, recovering from his wounds. We talk every now and then, but he always tells me he's really proud of my Division status. Means the world to me." Harper said.

"I see."

"You got a family?" Dimitri asked.

"Yeah. My brother, Shining Armor, married my old foalsitter, Cadance, who's Celestia's niece. Long story about what happened at her wedding, but they're happily married and they have a daughter, Flurry Heart, but they call her Skyla."

"Sounds nice." Nick said. "Hold up. Get to cover!'

Heeding Nick's instructions, they saw a group of yellow-clad humans with various weaponry battling a squad of Rikers further down the street.

"Fuck. We're not getting past them easily." Nick said.

"Can't we take them out?" Twilight asked.

"There's too many of them." Logan replied. "We'd get wiped out."

"That means our only way is to sneak past them." Dimitri said. "There, that apartment complex!"

Dimitri pointed to a large alley between two buildings. Nick nodded, made a "quiet" gesture, and began to move. As the squad followed, they entered the alley. Nick pulled a chain-link gate shut and slammed the lock into a jammed position. As they proceeded down the alley, Twilight then saw a large green crate over by several smaller boxes. Opening it, she found a W1200 Shotgun in good condition.

"Take it with you, Agent." Nick said. "A shotgun main use is' good for close quarters combat. With your current kit, you could use a better CQC weapon than your sidearm."

Twilight nodded, stowed her MP5 in her backpack, and picked up the shotgun. Loading it with seven shells given to her by Dimitri, she pumped it and nodded.

"Let's get moving." Nick said. Then, his eyes drifted over to a basement entrance marked with a yellow circle and a star. Pulling it open, the squad filed in. Nick shut the door and turned on a flashlight.

"Looks like the signal's coming from here." Harper said, walking over to a laptop. Twilight walked over, then her eyes locked on a familiar object. Picking up the Crystal Guard helmet, she sighed. The once-cyan material was now rusted and gray. Setting it down, she walked over to where Harper was. Then, Harper gasped.

"Incoming video call."

"Put it through." Twilight said. As the window opened on the PC, they were greeted by none other than Flash Sentry. Twilight dropped her jaw slightly. He had changed. His blue hair was now matted and flecked with dirt, and there were several cuts across his face. He smiled evilly at Twilight's form.

"Well, well. We meet again, Princess." He said.

"Where are you, Flash?" Twilight said angrily.

"Doesn't matter." Flash said.

"Why'd you kidnap my friends?" Twilight asked.

"Simple. I was told to." Flash replied. "By one Aaron Keener."

"Keener?" Twilight said. "What's he got to do with this?"

"He contacted me." Flash said. "Said that If I worked with him, he'd make sure when all was said and done, I'd rule the Crystal Empire. And your pathetic excuses for a brother and sister-in-law wouldn't be able to do anything about it."

"Bastard!" Twilight roared.

"Exactly." Flash replied. "Plus, I have a little incentive for you."

"What kind of incentive?" Twilight asked.

"This." Flash moved his camera, revealing an oxygen canister painted green, rigged with wires leading to what Twilight assumed was an explosive.

"Keener supplied me with enough raw Green Poison, modified with Equestrian know-how, to make that beauty. Enough to wipe out the Empire." Flash said.

"You...murderer!" Twilight roared again.

"Yeah, I've been called worse behind my back since I became head of the Pride. I made sure the people who did that were killed. Publicly. Now, I have an army, I have the Green Poison, I have the means. The Empire's mine, Twilight. But...I'm feeling like a decent person, so...If you come back to Equestria with me, and do a few things for me, I'll make sure that bomb's disposed of properly."

"What kind of things?" Twilight asked.

"Become my wife, make me an alicorn, and set me up as sole ruler of Equestria." Flash said. Twilight furrowed her brow angrily, growling.

"And what if I say no?" Twilight asked.

"Then that bomb will be in the Empire in the next twelve hours. And at least three thousand ponies are going with it." Flash said. "Either you come with me, or that bomb goes off. Simple choice, right?"

"No." Twilight said. "You're insane. When I find you, I'm putting a bullet in your brain-dead skull."

"Your choice." Flash said. "Get that bomb ready to move!"

"Yessir!" A voice said, and Twilight saw several humans in HAZMAT suits moving the tank.

"We'll find you, Flash. We'll kill you." Twilight said angrily.

"Then come and get me." Flash taunted.

Then, the video ended. Twilight roared in anger.

"Easy, Agent." Nick said.

"How can you say that! He's going to bomb the Crystal Empire! We can't stop it!"

"On the contrary, we can." Nick said. "ISAC or Rhodes can trace that call and give us his location. Rhodes, you able to do that?"

"Yep." Came Rhodes's reply over the radio. "And...got him. He's in Queens. I've got his signal coming from this location. It's spotty, so I can't give you exact, but I can give you the general area. By the way, you're all needed back at the Post Office. Benitez and Lau have authorized an Incursion operation. Code-name is Lion's Den. That bomb is now our top priority. Get back here now!"

"Got it." Nick said. "Team, pull out!"

Twilight grabbed the Crystal Guard helmet and followed the team into the street. Nick fired a flare into the sky, and a Blackhawk helicopter soon arrived.

"Sierra-Kilo, this is Razor 3-1. Need a ride?"

"Confirmed. Post office."

"Solid copy. Rope up."

The helicopter dropped five rappel lines, and Twilight and the team hooked up. As they ascended into the chopper, it took off, leaving the area. As Twilight looked over at the setting sun, she growled.

"Flash Sentry...You're finished."

Author's Note

Update!

And yeah, the Incursion will span one-to-two chapters. Get psyched.

And yeah, I wanted to make Flash irredeemable.

Like the chapter?