Friendship by Fire

“I don’t understand,” said Starlight, “Why’s everypony so shocked to hear about this? I mean, sure. I didn’t know about this either. But this seems a little too…hysterical.”

“I agree,” Tempest spoke also, as attention shifted towards her, “Um, w-what’s the big deal?”

“A Crystal Pony is unlike any creature,” Cadence responded, “It’s their love for one another that keeps the Empire safe and secure. That same love is spread through the Crystal Heart, reaching out everyone across the entire world.”

“And it’s the source of their solidified nature,” added Twilight, “It’s their bond with the Crystal Heart that has developed their inner magic to become like crystals.”

“But where does the whole, brittle thing fit into all this,” asked Starlight, to which Twilight answered.

“Like any crystal’s integrity, even the densest and strongest, applying the right amount of force and pressure weakens a Crystal Pony’s hide. Even their skeletal structure. Such as being struck by an electric pulse of magic, an explosion, a staff full of Alicorn magic, and falling thirty-two trots per second, per second! Imagine how much damage he wouldn’t have sustained, if we had known this!”

“Man,” breathed Rainbow Dash, “Guess he is kind of, sort of made of glass.”

“That may be the case,” said Cadence, “But even still, a Crystal Pony’s strength and tenacity can rival even the greatest of Earth Ponies.”

“Indeed,” said Luna, “Which was why Celestia and I sought to dethrone Sombra as quickly as possible. Had he twisted their prowess with the Crystal Heart to their fullest…”

“But more important, right now,” Applejack interjected, “is why a Crystal Pony done told us he’s from Manehatten?”

“I say that’s a fair point,” joined Rarity, “Even if he moved to Manehatten after the Crystal Empire’s return, that still leaves very little time for him to study Equestrian law after a thousand years, briefly establish himself there, and then move back to start over.”

“And even if that did happen,” said Pinkie, “which most likely probably didn’t, like Rarity said, wouldn’t we have heard of a pony like that in Manehatten? You know, somepony that’s very good at lawyering stuff, and also goes out at night fighting baddies with his blind-pony walking stick, in one of the greatest cities in all of Equestria!”

“Despite its outward appearance of glamor, structure and culture,” said Celestia, “its criminal underworld emerges to cause some harm and destruction every decade or so. Such events that occurred had sent many foals to orphanages and foster homes, much similar Daredevil’s situation that Cadence had shared. But even then, that doesn’t align with the Empire's reappearance.”

“So that sure don’t explain why he’s been lying to us about not bein’ a Crystal Pony none.”

“That, Applejack,” answered Luna, “is because he’s unaware of that, himself.”

“But how is that possible,” Rarity asked.

“Yeah,” said Rainbow, “How can somepony not know what kind of a pony he is?”

“With his permission, granted to me when I visited his current dream, I will answer as many questions as possible from my interactions with him. He has taken this opportunity to share all that he can with you, as promised.”

The Tempest We Know

~ Part III ~

“Was it worth it,” asked the old man.

“What?”

“Loving them.”

“You taught me to cut all my ties to humanity. All that we’ve had were few, fleeting moments. Too far in between the chaos, and arguing, and violence. Just scarce, precious moments. Nothing more.”

“Hey,” laughed his roommate, “we’re going to be the best in New York of the lawyer profession! EL GRrrrrANDEeeee…what’s lawyers in Spanish?”

“Lawyers? Uh, abogados.”

“EL GRrrANDE AVOCADOS!”

He let out his own outburst. “HA-ha-ha! That’s not Spanish, it’s a fruit!”

“Fruit! That’s a vegetable, at best! Ha-heh. Ooooh boy, I’m so wasted. Look, my point is we’re going to have big offices, fancy suits, and the best stuff the world can buy!”

“Aw, come on. Is that all you really care about? The money, power, fame and fortune?”

“NO! No. Truth, justice, champion of the oppressed! All that good stuff! Maybe a couple bucks?”

“Ha-ha-ha.”

“Look, let me get to my point here. You listen, okay. I know you’re really good at it. You and me, we’re going to be best, dang avocados the world’s ever seen!”

“Best, dang avocados.”

“Okay, it’s ready!” Upon Foggy’s announcement, he moved up to touch the brass plaque, feeling the imprinted letters coming off the brick wall.

“To Nelson & Murdock,” cheered Karen, as she raised her glass.

“Nelson & Murdock,” the two friends responded with their own.

“Avocados at Law,” he added, much to Foggy’s mirth.

“Yeah, yeah, okay,” cheerfully moaned Karen, “Look, I may not get your inside joke, but I think you guys’ll appreciate what I got you.”

“Chips and guacamole?” His friend’s surprise could be easily detected, as much as the scent of food from a mile away.

“Also got the avocado pits polished from a friend of mine. One each.”

“Ho-ho,” cheered Foggy even further, “Karen, you’re the best!”

“To Karen,” he said, raising his glass once more, “Best friend an avocado could ask for!”

“It’s about time someone decided to loosen up,” announced another woman, who wore dangling jewelry, “Hope you enjoy yourself, hot stuff.”

“Thanks for having us, Heather.”

“The pleasure’s all mine, believe me,” she said playfully. “Have fun!”

“I guess congrats are in order,” he turned back to his old partner, “Mister District Attorney.”

“Hey, never would’ve made it this far without you and Karen. I’m actually glad you got to make it to the victory reception. Even though you’re really late. Like, next day.”

“Better late than never.”

“You got that right, buddy! I’m glad I still get to call you that too.”

“Feelings mutual.” It was then he sensed a young figure rolling his way from down the hall.

"Hey, Murdock?"

"Hey, Aaron. How do you feel?"

"Angry."

"At whom?"

"Everyone."

"That money's really going to help your parents. But for you, from now on things will get harder. You're only on mile one of this marathon, right? Everyone's going to tell you how you're supposed to feel. To stay positive, not feel sorry for yourself, or not to get angry. But that all just goes right past the ear canal."

"I just want my life back," choked the young man in the wheelchair.

"They can't give you that. Hopefully you'll walk again. But maybe you won't. But your ability to get through this is a hundred times more powerful than slapping a smile and pretending everything's fine. No one can give you your life back, Aaron. You have to take it back. Find the best way to fight through this, and overcome it. Okay?"

But then the cold, dark air seeped into his mouth and nostrils, as he stood over the building’s ledge beside the first woman in his life. “I know there’s good in you. Not because I felt it, but from what you’ve done.”

“The Kingpin will have my head for this,” that Greek accent huffed, the frozen breath brushing against his face. “There’s no way out of it, Matthew.”

“There’s always a way, Elektra. The right way.”

“You mean your way? No killing, no one dies?”

“Showing compassion for everyone is something greater than even I can imagine, much less call my own. And there are times I don’t want to hold my punches. You should know that better than anyone. You’ve been the one that gets me. And we can overcome the evil this way. Together. You showed that when you held back from killing Foggy. Deciding not to follow Fisk’s orders.”

“You keep insisting it’s never too late to turn from this. To give up these ways taught to me since a small child.”

“Because it isn’t. I was taught the same way, remember? By the same man. We can stop this, now.”

"And what about Stick? You still want to go after him after the way he abandoned you? When you weren't the weapon he wanted?"

"He gave me a purpose, and a reason to keep going. It doesn't matter what he did to me, because I am going to save him. We are."

The bitter frost continued to bite his face, as he took a solitary bench in the prison mess hall. All he could focus on was determining who sought to kill his best friend this time.

“This seat taken,” asked a gruff, militant voice, “Because I get the feeling nobody here wants to take a chance with a blind guy, even if the rumors aren’t true. Am I right, altar boy?”

“Thanks, Frank. For having my back.”

“Got nothing but respect for somebody sticking to his own way of doing things. No matter how tough it’s been to keep it up. But I bet you’ve gotten pretty tired, haven’t you Red.”

“Yeah, I have.” Finding his rival and ally leaning towards him from the opposite side, he listened.

“I remember the night I got back from deployment. Took my wife to bed, and said goodnight to my boy. Then my little girl comes up asking me to read her favorite book, ‘One Batch, Two Batch.’ She was getting too big for it, but she didn’t care. She wanted it. Begged me to read it to her. I said no. ‘Daddy’s tired, see. I’ll read it tomorrow night, I promise.’ Only there wasn’t a tomorrow night.”

The blistering winter still assaulted his senses. But he could also take comfort from the tearful embrace they shared. It never mattered how far they had fallen or drifted apart, or what they had done to cause all this to cascade down onto them. From the start, he knew he would not last another second without her presence. Down on their knees, after all they had been through, he and Karen had found forgiveness and rebirth. Total bliss that lifted all their weighing sorrows and guilt. There were no words for this profound moment. Except, perhaps, heavenly.

Then, as her casket was being lowered along with the snowfall, he felt Foggy’s hand gently touch his shoulder.

“I…I just wish there’s something...something I can say or do. Especially after everything.”

“Just being here’s more than enough, Foggy. Thanks.”

“So...you’re going to be okay?”

“Karen was a great friend to us both. We’ll always love her, and she’ll be with us in spirit. The baby was named after her, even. Her adopted parents will let Uncle Matt come to visit her, now and then. And if you want, we can use what Karen left us from her rehab radio program to bring back Nelson & Murdock.”

“Are you kidding? After a term as the D.A. that’d be great. And your Mom?”

“We’re starting to patch things up. Still pretty rough, but...we’ll get there eventually. Good to know she’s still around, I guess. But I also regained something meaningful in all of this chaos and violence.”

“And what’s that?”

“Faith, hope, and love.” Then he turned towards the cackling codger, who still held onto the stolen infant. “If you did all of this just to drive me insane and lose myself, then you’re out of luck Beck. Fisk already beat you to that punch, and in more ways than one. You? You’re not even second-rate. Just a sickly demented man looking for that perfect send-off. Even all your material’s borrowed from different sources. Not a single, original idea. As for me and my house, I’ve found someone much more powerful. A better reason to hang on. And I consider myself blessed to not see, and believe.”

Tap-tap-tap. After that came a creak from the opening door.

“Um, hello? Excuse me, is this Nelson & Murdock?”

“Yes. I’m Matt Murdock. And beside me is Franklin Nelson. How can we help, Miss…?”

“Donovan. Milla Donovan. And all I want to say to Mister Murdock is…thank you. Thanks for saving me this morning from that speeding truck.”

After a paused moment to reflect and meditate before his crucified Savior, he then answered. “Yes, Stick. Yes, it was worth it.”

“Mattie,” he chuckled back, “you’re the toughest son of a she-dog I know.” After heaving a sigh of serenity, the old man announced, “Let’s go home.”

While everypony was waiting for Luna to start, they were getting a bit tense themselves. First there was Twilight, who was fidgeting and looking at his long, red staff, then some strange chain full of beads. Exactly fifty-nine she counted. Apparently Daredevil brought with him a small sack of personal belongings, that bead-chain being one of them. What was also strange about it was the two minted icons that extended from the circle of beads, with five in between. But there was also a single medallion on a chain also, along with a pair of golden bands with one having a diamond on top. The latter two made Cadence given them a sad look. And the last item in the sack made Applejack curious, because she wondered why a Crystal Pony would carry around a polished pit of an avocado. When Pinkie Pie decided to pick that up and toss it around to keep her mind from getting all “goopy-droopy,” AJ noticed how uneasy, and even quieter Fluttershy has been, and took a seat close by her.

Starlight sat next to her former teacher with worry, while Tempest – or Fizzlepop, whatever – just sat in a corner, feeling out of place. Until Spike hopped out of his seat near Twilight to sit against the wall with her. Celestia seemed to be helping Luna, when she asked for a spell to help share visions of ponies’ dreams during the daytime. Everything just seemed too quiet for everypony’s good, and it was driving her insane.

“Hey, Pinks. I’m open.” Seeing the ecstatic mare look at her hovering friend, she smiled as she tossed the pit Rainbow’s way. Before she could explode with all that anxiety in the throne room, Rainbow Dash hoped playing catch with Pinkie Pie might keep her mind off it. No good biting everypony’s head off, when they’re already down on the dumps. Also, Pinkie’s mane got back some more of its fluff when they started.

“We’re ready.” At the lunar Regent's voice, all eyes shifted, one hundred percent, towards her. As soon as Celestia helped her sister in projecting nighttime visions, all were stunned by how everything was experienced through four of their five senses.

“Whoa,” exclaimed AJ, “This sure is different.”

“Goodness,” Rarity gasped, covering her snout, “Is that salty moisture from sweat?”

“We’re,” uttered Rainbow Dash, hearing the pounding noises of punching bags, “We’re in a training gym.”

“Wow-ee,” said Pinkie Pie, bouncing to make shockwaves brush over everything in their path, “This sure is some nifty way to see things in your head!”

“Unbelievable,” breathed Twilight, with gleeful observance, “Electric currents and heat signatures! He can distinguish air movements also?”

“And heartbeats,” said Starlight, but more in statement than from watching. Sure enough, they all could pick up the many pulses that vibrated to give the shape and position of the creatures around them. They were throwing punches at bags or each other, jumping rope, stretching or lifting weights. Their forms were perfectly displayed in every detail, inside and out. And even the environments outside the four walls could be made totally clear.

“Hey, Twilight,” asked Spike, “Don’t those things look like what you were, when we were dealing with Sunset and those Sirens?”

“He’s not even from this world,” Twilight gasped in realization, “He wasn’t even a pony to-”

“It’s not how you hit the floor, Matt,” said a low, male voice startling them, “It’s how you get back up.”

“Allow me to introduce you to Jonathan Murdock,” Luna stated, “Otherwise known as Battlin’ Jack.”

“Alright, make another sweep in the southeast district. Make sure there’s none on the loose.”

“Yes, sir.” As he watched the last unit make haste, the orange Pegasus took a deep breath to further collect his thoughts. He wanted to be absolutely sure the streets of Canterlot have been cleared of any threats.

“Captain Sentry.”

“Lieutenant Alot,” he answered the raised salute with his own, “Glad to see you’re in one piece also.”

“Yeah, guess nopony envies that Storm King’s fate.”

“Tell me about it. How’s your commander?”

“Still recovering, sir. But he’ll get back up on his hooves, in no time.”

“Studded Sheen is the toughest Earth Pony in the Guard,” Flash reminisced, “Won’t go down without any kind of fight. So, what have you got for me?”

“So far, nothing,” answered Lance, “My squad’s been on the lookout for anything suspicious, but still no sign of them. Nowhere near the outskirts of Canterlot.”

“What about the pipelines? Any signs from the depository areas?”

“None, sir. Not even a print. Nothing.”

“That could only mean one thing, Lieutenant.”

“I thought so, too.”

Taking off to the next secured location, the two Pegasi landed directly over an opened studhole near the palace, and took a peak down into it. Unlike the many Storm Creatures that were captured or pursued, there was one particular group still unaccounted for. And now, with that scent of water and grime underneath, all the Equestrian and Crystal Guards could do was sit and wait for them to emerge.

Opening those heavy lids would spoil that calm and comforting peace of mind. And shifting those stiff and injured limbs could make things even more unpleasant. But the urge to awake and take in the surroundings was almost instinctual, as he placed a hoof to his wrapped ribcage, and shifted his bandaged leg in a sling. If only the extent of his wounds were cosmetic, or too much interior damage.

“Whoa-whoa, there,” said a female voice, as he grunted to sit up, “The nurse will help with that. So just take it easy, okay?”

Exerting a heavy breath, Daredevil faced directly towards the ceiling, as he picked up twin heartbeats beside him. One of which was youthfully rapid in anxiety, and emanated from the seat against the wall.

“Is he going to be okay, Mom?”

“I think so, Dinky. But let’s just wait and find out what the doctor says.”

“Can I come closer?”

“Alright, just not too close.”

He felt the nimble clipity-clips on the tile floor come close, as a faint brush or air touched his furry ear and cheek.

“Hi,” said the small filly.

“Hi, there,” he chuckled, tilting his head towards the voice, “That sounds like a brave, big girl coming over.”

“That’s what Mom told me,” Dinky smiled her response, “when we had to hide in those dark, crystal caves under the castle. It was very hard to see anything, but I knew you weren’t scared when you can’t see anything.”

“Well, it’s not all that bad, when I’ve got my other senses to help. So, is this the palace?”

“The medical bay inside the castle, yeah,” Ditzy answered. “Weird. I thought you’d ask where you are.”

“Have a good idea of the schematics,” he said, “I think the Princesses and their friends are in the throne room now.”

“Wow,” exclaimed Dinky. “That’s pretty cool you can do that.” Click-creak.

“Good morning, Mister Daredevil,” came soft male voice, “I’m Nurse Upbeat, and I’ll be here to check up on you today.”

“Thanks, Nurse.” The stallion Earth Pony approached his lying form, as Miss Do and her daughter stepped back for him.

“I hope you slept well. Always needed for a full recovery.”

“Very well, thanks.” His right foreleg was raised, as Upbeat checked his ticking watch.

“Princess Luna always keeps our patients’ dreams as peaceful as can be. Sure, that’s her job for everypony, but she focuses on those in need of care more especially. A very fortunate blessing, I think. Any symptoms, or pain?”

“No. Just stiff.” After feeling the cold plate of the stethoscope leave his chest, the Nurse’s hooves reached behind him, and gently lifted his back against a standing pillow on the headrest.

“Well that’s a very good sign. Princess Cadence told us about how to prep a Crystal Pony for total healing by the Crystal Heart. Especially if they need to travel back to the Empire.”

“I’m sorry?” “A Crystal Pony?”

“Yes, Miss Do,” Upbeat answered the Pegasus, “Our friend here suffered from severe blunt force trauma and great amounts of pressure on his crystal hide and bones. But when fully healed, all you’ll see are the white, cracked fault lines on the surface. Where the damaged coat is totally intact again.”

Wondering about those implications, as well as the fact that no one ever mentioned older scars when coming here, Daredevil heard the nurse bid his well-wishes to them and leave the room.

“Mommy, I got to go.”

“Um, sorry Nurse,” stuttered Ditzy, “But, um, you mind taking Dinky here for a sec? I need to talk to Counselor Daredevil here about something…personal.”

“Well, I have a few more minutes before making my rounds again. Sure.”

“Thank you.” At the click of the shutting door, he sensed a release of tension, along with a heavy sigh from the mare. “After we heard about what happened, Dinky and I couldn’t stop worrying, and couldn’t help but wonder how scared she would’ve been without somepony to be there for her. Even if I would’ve come back from being a statue. And then how much you went through, even after saving me from that. How much I couldn’t thank you enough, and then there was something…else…t-that I wanted to say.”

“Does it concern that incident in the cellar?” The sudden stiffness in her tendons was enough.

“Um, yeah.”

“And as your acting counselor, you’re wondering what else can be done about…him?”

“I-I…I, uh…I know you’ve already been through so, so much for me and Dinky and everypony, and I never should’ve come here just to ask something else from you-”

“I’ll do what I can,” he evenly said with a smirk, “given my current position, of course.”

“Oh, I-wha-really?” A sharp burst of air shot from her wings, so joyously spread out.

“I was a guidance counselor for a short while, after my firm was discredited. Need something to keep from getting restless. So yes, I’d like to help, Miss Do. And no charge.”

“Th-Thank you! Really, I can’t say that enough!” As she took off, she nearly bumped over the I.V. that was beside him, had he not anticipated such.

“Just give me the basics, for now.”

“O-Oh, right. Sorry.” She then went to the floor with a thump, as he used his free hoof to reset the stand. “Um, well it’s like this. It pretty much started when I lived in Canterlot, and started seeing somepony. We kept it secret like he asked, and I thought it was kind of sweet that he was having a special, secret rendezvous-thing with me away from the spotlight, flashing cameras and noisy press, because of his elite status. But then I got worried that I wouldn’t even get to see his folks or anypony else he knew, except for when we were in different places at the same party, even at the Gala. Then when we got engaged, I told him to talk to his parents about it. But after that, he kept the wedding going, making me think things were going to be fine. Only during and after the wedding, I never saw or heard anything from them, so I went and paid them a visit, and they never even knew my name. So I told him, ‘Either you tell them, or I leave.” He never said or did anything different, so I got the annulment papers, and moved to Ponyville, and lived with my step-sister and her daughter, Sparkler, and then had Dinky. Got a job as a mailmare, and never set hoof in Canterlot since. I thought I could take Dinky to the Friendship Festival, hoping I was ready to finally move on, but then saw him again during the whole attack.”

Unbeknownst to her, on the other side of the door, there stood a stallion listening.

“He sounds like a real piece of work.”

“Yes, Stick. Yes, it was worth it.” Just hearing that made her want to squeeze that pit she held even more tightlier than ever before.

“Mattie, you’re the toughest son of a she-dog I know.” The closest thing to a proud compliment from his mentor, despite its censored vulgarity, made her even more teary-eyed. “Let’s go home.”

At that, the entire chamber returned to normal. Her left ear flicked back, triggered not by her Pinkie Sense, but the rushed steps of her Pegasus friend, followed stiffly by those of Fizzlepop Berrytwist.

“Sheesh,” hoarsely reiterated a choked Rainbow Dash, “That guy’s got some real baggage, or what?”

“Even though we heard most of those things from him,” shakily said Twilight, as Cadence wrapped a wing around her, “that didn’t prepare me in the slightest, Luna. Just watching it all unfold, while he explained it to you was even more taxing.”

PFFFFfft! The exuberant blow from Rarity’s soaked handkerchief was already common occurrence.

“That puts it…sniffle…rather mildly, dear.”

“I’ll say,” said Pinkie, “Having to go through all that stuff about losing his dad to a bunch of meanies, never meeting his mom – or, not really knowing he met his mom at the orphanage – and fighting other meanies, and getting beaten pretty badly and nasty by them, and then having those same meanies make everyone else start hating him, while also trying to keep his whole secret identity thing a secret-” gasping for breath, she rattled on, “having a few really big fights with his besties from that, and then having one besty make some pretty bad mistakes, and the other kept getting hurt or made look bad just because they knew him, and then having to deal with one-two-THREE special somepo-somebodies not living anymore, the first one coming back to ‘egk’ his teacher-” gasp, “and a fourth one, who he wanted to marry, get locked up for being made all-crazy and loopy, all done by the same meanies, tried getting revenge after not trying to for so long to go against his teacher’s way of doing things, but when he finally did get some, he wasn’t even himself anymore, that really makes the whole accident that made him blind and get very, super-sensitive senses the tip of the iceberg. Huh, so that’s what he meant by that. Also explains why Fluttershy went out on her own without telling anypony. Be right back!” Pew!

“I’m just glad Starlight took Spike out, before things got worse,” the lavender Alicorn muttered, recalling how her Dragon assistant held back tears and shook from Electra’s sacrifice and murder.

Pinkie remembered how she and the others struggled to keep an objective hold of themselves then, and after with Heather Glen and her dad. It was a struggle for Twilight to focus, using any opportunity given to take notes of Daredevil's background information on his world, as well as his religion. And Applejack spent most of the time keeping her hat over her face, with her watered eyes covered. That was the worst she had ever seen AJ cry on the inside, ever. She noticed also how they all shared a refreshing gasp of hope at Carin Page’s return from her troubled, and scary life choices, along with Daredevil’s own. How he found hope and faith to continue loving as best he could after losing her to both Bullseye and that insane, mean and terrible Mysterio guy just made Rarity and Rainbow Dash shed happy tears, instead of sadder ones.

And that Kingpin Fisk made the Storm King, Chrysalis, Sombra, Discord, Nightmare Moon, and even Tirek look like pansies. But that was only one baddy out of a whole lot. And Stick was a strange mix of Starswirl’s high-horse attitude, and her own Dad’s stiff, wooden way of acting, and Gilda’s aggressively mean side. That last one was kind of like Electra too, only with a thirsty-Chrysalisy touch to her. Frank Castle was definitely frank about how he wanted to run his broken-down castle of a brain, but very dependable.

Stopping to see a sobbing mare at the nearest balcony, the pink Earth Pony gently made her way over to the railing, making sure she did not scare her.

“Hey, Fluttershy,” she softly stated, placing a hoof onto her shaking back, “I know you've been having a waaaay worse time in there than anypony. Even Rainbow Dash and Rarity have been making a big river. So you don’t have to say anything, if you don’t want to. Okay? Just make sure to let out as much as you still want to.”

“We-we have to…ha-have to help him.” The quivering voice that directly followed caught her by surprise.

“Well, duh. Of course, we do. He’s our friend, and we need to make sure he gets better and everything.”

“No. I-I mean we’ve got to help him get back home.”

“I know we do. And we will, as soon as we find whatever pony took the Amulet.”

“No. I mean he needs to go back. He really needs to get back there. To his friends, his city, his family. That’s the world he grew up in. The only life he knows. But he does so much good to stop all that bad from getting worse for others, he’s got to get back there. We have to help him.”

As she took in those tearful words, Pinkie Pie wrapped her hooves around Fluttershy, and looked at the twinkling stars that have been covering the sky like a blanket. To think all that stuff seen was the day after stopping the Storm King. We’re probably into tomorrow, now. Oops, silly me. Forgot to put down the avocado pit before leaving. And forgot quotation marks.

“The Storm King always views the new recruits, no matter the rank, as those who have great potential to serve him. Just earning their horns, to show what they’re capable of.”

“You’ve done nothing but show you’re capable of betraying your brethren, for your own, personal happy ending. It’s time you opened your eyes, and witness the atrocities that you’ve committed. What others lost, because of you.”

She strolled aimlessly down the halls, out into the streets, and towards the docked vessel. Ignoring the stares and worried glances that came her way, she simply stared ahead of her, hearing those words repeat themselves over, and over again. Nopony ever said something like that to her in her life. And he was not an actual pony, to begin with. At first, she thought it was just a bunch of words spoken simply to throw her off. But then the visions from his constant nightmares, triggered by his sudden arrival to someplace unfamiliar and far from home, gave more than enough weight to them.

She had no right to receive any form of aid from him. Yet there he was, putting himself in front of that liar king, risking his own hide and limb for not only his friends, but her also. Otherwise, he would have let the Storm King strike her down first before helping. “Because of you.”

Stepping onto the ramp, the purple Unicorn took another disturbed breath from the night air. She could not understand it. He was right to point out what she had done. How far she was willing to go. Even he had more than one instance of parting ways with his friends in terrible ways, but was still able to fight for others and make amends soon after. Choosing to find a better way to get his life back, instead of forcing others to give whatever he demanded.

And the only instance he successfully sought blood was when he was possessed. And his true vengeance was for the loss of others, and what he lost as well. Friends and family. All she had done was seek revenge on unknowing ponies who never even met her, and their friends and families. Scared, hurt, and treated like wild animals. Losing a sense of dignity, safety, love and care. “Because of you.”

But he still gave up his life for her. A better chance in helping his newfound friends and survive himself, if he took that time before she was executed. Instead, he ensured that she had a chance to make it out also. At his own, personal expense. Staring into the neon-blue orbs for eye lenses, Fizzlepop looked at the lying helmet in confusion and marvel at Daredevil’s noble sacrifice. “Because of you.”

Rar: There’s just so much to take from all of this sorrow,

AJ: That it just ain’t right to even try to speak.

Flu: Just wishing for some way to try to make things right,

RD: And then feel like you're just useless and weak.

Twi: How can we all make sense of this,

Or even find a way out of it,

Pin: The only way to get through this

Is not to pout, or throw a fit,

But just take it as it is.

All: As it is. As it is.

Rar: It’s a cyclone to abyss.

All: As it is. As it is.

We just take it as it is.

Rar: When going through all life, its happiness and pain,

AJ: You meet someone with one o’ less, the other more.

Flu: It scares you oh, so much not knowing what it’s like

RD: To be falling from the edge, it rocks your core.

Twi: There must someway to battle this,

Because nothing now seems right,

Pin: Sometimes to deal with this,

Do nothing’s the best way to fight,

And just take it as it is.

All: As it is. As it is.

AJ: No twister’s worse than this.

All: As it is. As it is.

We just take it as it is.

All: As it is. As it is.

RD: A hurricane we can’t miss.

All: As it is. As it is.

We just take it as it is.

Flu: Can’t take much more of this.

We take it as it is.

Twilight made her way to Starlight and Spike, who had been with her parents, to gather everypony back for further discussion. Looking after the ponies in the sick bay, Nightlight and Velvet were more than happy to help look after the little ones while their parents were either getting better from injuries, or seeking to repair damaged homes.

“O-ho-ho my, goodness,” gasped Twilight Velvet in mirth, “Aren’t you just so creative!”

“Thanks, Missus Velvet,” gleamed Dinky, her horn sending a golden hue onto the blocks, “My friends in the Cutie Mark Crusaders said I can try doing more things I have the most fun doing.”

Outside the nursery doors stood two ponies sharing unpleasant faces and words.

“You’re lucky I don’t have that order in print yet,” said the grey Pegasus, “But you’re still not seeing her.”

“Typical of ponies your stature to never consider offering a chance to explain,” the white Unicorn puffed in retort.

“Two moons after the wedding. Another after visiting your parents. And before that, ten more for our engagement, and twenty before that courting you! Don’t think for a second I did this out of nowhere! I finally lost my patience with you!” Boom.

“A-And you’re one to talk?! Leaving without so much as telling me so, let alone were expecting?!”

“I only found out after getting everything filled out. Even if I knew before, I still wouldn’t take any alimony from a fake, and a liar!” Boom.

“I was working up to it! Maybe if you had waited a short while longer for us both finding out, I would’ve had the courage to then tell them!” Boom.

“Really, when? When she was ten? Twenty?” Boom. “Already married, and I’m sitting on a shelf getting dust with the rest of your prized knick-knacks?!” Boom.

“Those compasses are family heirlooms of my family’s efforts the past millennium! And you know it!” Boom.

“Right, of course! How silly of me to think you’d ever raise me to old, dusty stuff from your family!” Boom. “To think I was even a part of that! And besides,” she cut off his attempted response with outstretched wings, “if you’ve been treating me that way in all that time,” Boom. ”what reason could you possibly give me to believe you’d change for her, just like that?!” Fa-LICK! “You’re not even…” Boom. “…worthy to…” Boom. “…hear her…name?”

The whiplash from her tail was the last thing heard from that exchange, however, for both then felt the floors and walls had been quaking. And then-

BAM!

Poff-bling! On instinct, he reached for the nearest object, his I.V. stand, at the sudden shift of air and energy.

“Ma- I mean, Daredevil,” exclaimed Starlight, “We just found out some Storm Creatures used the old cave systems under the Palace to attack! You know where they are, and where they’re headed?”

Tilting his head, shifting his ears, and touching the wall to further absorb vibrations, he picked up on the intruders again.

“They’re taking the south corridor,” he stated evenly, “and are moving nor- wha- Starlight?” Plop. Into his ear was one of those energized crystals.

“Use that to communicate with us. Don’t go anywhere, and let us handle this. Got it?”

“Starlight, wai-” Pling! Touching the piece in his ear he continued, “Starlight, they’ve got four hostages. They’re taking the northeast stairwell now. Towards the Princesses’ armory.”

“They’re on their way to get that staff back,” came Twilight’s voice, as the group galloped to that same destination. “And where the Storm King’s pieces are kept! We can’t let them use it to bring him back!”

“Wait,” said Dash, “They can do that?”

“As long as they have every, single piece,” next Luna’s voice, “Restoring his nature, fully intact, is feasible.”

“Recon we ain’t got no time to lose, then.”

Rarity asked, “But what abou-”

“Rarity, your left!” Sensing her weave back, and allow Starlight to blast their first attacker, he continued, “Dash, Pinkie’s got two more from behind.”

The shift and gusts against that hallway were enough indication of her response.

“Twilight, Applejack, keep Spike and Fluttershy close to the center with Cadence. Now two more your right, Glimmer.” As soon as the small Dragon and Pegasus complied, the Alicorns and Earth Pony stayed around them, as Twilight aided the Unicorn.

“Once Luna and Celestia take down the doors for cover fire, make a brake for it inside.”

“Captain Sentry will help secure the area when he arrives,” said Cadence. “But there’s still the hostages to worry about.”

“Ahem.” As he continued to listen and feel the ponies’ movements, he picked up on Tempest’s smug entrance. “I gathered you could use some extra padding.”

Feeling the clunk of a sack onto the floor, he smirked as to what she meant, and where her armor was. “You’re sure it’s expandable?”

“Best-graded material bits can buy.”

“What was that, Murdock,” asked Dash on the other end, after bucking an enemy down.

“Be ready, ponies,” firmly spoke Celestia, breaching the doors with her sister.

POW!

“MOM!” Both Twilight and Dinky screamed, for once she and Blueblood were freed from their captors, the Alicorn spotted Velvet and Ditzy held high by their necks. The small filly wanted to come at that monster with all her anger, but was pulled back by a golden aura, and towards a white hoof.

“Go! Finish the job!” As the remaining Storm Creatures went out the shattered window as ordered, the ponies made to follow. “Another step, and they snap like twigs!”

“He’s not lying,” said Daredevil from the earpiece. “Stay still, but buy some time.”

“What’re you-” Twilight began.

“SHUT IT!” The squeezing grips in front his face made it difficult for anypony to take him. “You miserable meat-sacks have been trouble long enough! Now I know what you’re thinking. Can’t go for the face with magic or a flying charge. Any steps to the side, they lose more air. A direct attack on the gut or legs, I still finish them. Not enough time for anything else.”

“He’s right. You’re too far out of range. Just keep his attention.”

“You’re trapped, sir,” Celestia stated, “No matter the outcome here, you’ll be overrun. More ponies surround this very chamber, at this moment.”

“Maybe,” he shrugged behind the whimpering, gasping mares, “But so long as the Storm King returns, I know I’ve done my part.”

“But to what en-” started Twilight again.

“I SAID SHUT IT! That’s all you’re allowed to say, until the Storm King comes to hear your last-” WHISH-whoo-whoo-yank-smack!

From the window, a swinging red blur and cable pulled onto his right horn for him to receive a staggering blow to the eye. Dropping his leverage, Dizty and Velvet coughed and struggled to rise, and were teleported to safety.

“Matt,” gasped everypony else, followed by Twilight, “What’re you doing?”

Seeing him stand on both hind legs, and wearing Fizzlepop's Storm Armor and helmet, he answered, “Tempest sent a shock up my leg to numb it a little. Go stop the others.”

“But,” stammered Fluttershy with worry, “But what abou-”

“He’s mine.” The brief snarl with raised batons held everypony in suspense, until Twilight took initiative and ran towards the same window. At that, her friends followed, and Cadence took Ditzy, Dinky, Velvet and Blueblood back with the Royal Sisters, lifting the battered doors to close from behind.

“Ha,” blasted Dis in mockery and arrogance, “Thought you just dive right in, like before!? Well, you just wasted your friends’ precious time!”

“Stop right there!” Upon the Alicorn’s outcry, the giant beasts were smacked from a zipping Rainbow Dash, then lassoed at the legs by Applejack.

“No Storm King for you, bozos!”

“Ha! Got that right, AJ!”

“When they realize what’s going on,” Dis sneered further, “they’ll be too late.”

“B-But,” grunted the one with the emptied sack in fear, “But that’s what we were told!”

“What's he talking about,” asked Spike.

Twilight inquired, “What were you told?”

“The Storm King is dead," hissed Dis, "Long live the Storm King.”

“Serg- I-I mean, King Dis told us to get rid of the pieces down the waterfalls here, so he could rule! He also sent us to draw your attention away from him!”

“Oh, no,” she gasped in realization, “The STAFF!”

“Caught off guard, your precious Princesses will be taken of their power for good, and I will rule with a massive torrent the world’s never seen! Won't have to grovel to that coward who put a pony over me, anymore! Now every one of you ponies will be begging for mercy from me! Every stallion, mare and foal will be wanting their deaths to come before the end!”

“AAAAAAHHHH!”

Racing back into the Royal Sisters’ armory, they spotted the staff laying idly on the floor. Further ahead was a sight nopony was expecting.

“Wha-What did you do,” Twilight gasped in horror, promptly shielding Spike's eyes. Fluttershy and Rarity did the same for themselves. Celestia, Luna and Cadence reopened the doors with equal shock.

“He....He let him out,” growled a panting Daredevil, sitting on his haunches beside the battered, reddened face of Dis. Those fiery blue eyes of that horned, black helmet turned to them next. “Don’t worry, he’s alive. Made sure of that.”

“It appears not merely the nightmares were a result of his sudden displacement,” Luna began, as they returned to the throne room, “But also succumbing to his furious outbursts.”

“With Mister Murdock returning to extensive care,” added Celestia, “It’s prudent we keep him under close surveillance for the time being.”

“Even after he’s healed from the Crystal Heart,” Cadence said, “Shining and I need to be sure his passionate rage is kept in check by the Heart also.”

“I remember when he found out Discord was taken,” said Starlight, “He was pretty shaken, but he never lashed out at anypony, or anything, like he did last night.”

“Or when Midnight Rider attacked Fluttershy,” said Pinkie, her Pegasus friend absent in all of this, and in Rarity’s care.

“The love shared by the Crystal Ponies enables them to share in wisdom and virtue also,” replied the pink Alicorn, “But that love can be twisted and used to drive them towards an end they’re most passionate about. Whether it’s in fear or rage, especially in protecting others.”

“Given his tragic youth and accumulated hardships,” the night-blue Regent spoke, “It appears his passion for fighting cruel oppressors was vigorously awakened. That same drive uses whatever means to express it. If left unchecked…Well, seeing the results of last night, you can imagine what Sombra could have done on a global scale.”

As these words were exchanged, Fizzlepop sat against a far wall to listen once again.

“Golly. To think he knew Dis had that scepter, after all. Kept us out o' there from watchin' him do that." Then Applejack wondered, "And bein’ a Crystal Pony made him get all riled-up like that?”

“More likely,” answered the ivory Alicorn, “he transformed into a being in this world that best expresses his outlook, emotions, beliefs and practices, as well as the innermost depths of his soul. One that’s been torn from the life and friends he knew and loved. Even before arriving here.”

“To show what we mean,” Cadence stated, “There's a memory of what he said to me and Twilight, while we were captured.”

Eyes briefly downcast, they remembered how their Alicorn friend also took Spike out from what they were about to watch. Igniting her sky-blue aura, Cadence projected her memories onto a floating pool before them.

“My grandma, she used to say about me and my Dad, ‘Better watch those two. They’ve got the devil in them.’ When he was in the ring, he could really take a punch. Then he'd power through to give out an even worse beating. So much fire and energy in what he did, not just to provide, but also show just how great of a fighter he was. And with that, he’d just let the devil out.

For a time, I'd shut everything out. Sensing exactly how much everyone suffered around me drove me insane, so I blocked it out. But when I met Electra at the school of law, we got along so well because we kept looking for the unexpected. Having fun by causing trouble in small, but still irresponsible ways.

But then she took me to this house, where he was hiding out. The guy who…took him away from me. She tied him to a chair, and let me at him. When he recognized me, he laughed, despite the punches laid on him. He said he…that he’d mop the streets with me, like he did to my Dad.

Then I just lost it. Lashed out at him, never letting up. Even though he was already under. Electra relished in it. I smelled her adrenaline rush. When he was an inch left of his life…then she insisted I finish the job. I said no. Then she left. Turns out it was a test for me made by Stick.

But she had opened the doors. I was letting the devil out. Foggy said it wasn’t because I had enough, but I couldn’t stop myself. I didn’t want to stop. In some ways, I still don’t.”

Upon hearing those confessed words, the purple Unicorn recalled what else he said in that brig. “You might as well finish me off, here and now. Because I. Won’t. Stop.”