There had been a breif moment when Shadow Rob was examining Scootaloo's forelegs. But it didn't take long for Shadow Rob to stop and then continue leading the way.

Shadow Rob was clearly looking for something. But what? Scootaloo was thinking to herself.

"I really should've done my research. How did I forget to keep track of the four dark admins?" Expert said over Zapper's device.

"Don't beat yourself up Expert." Zapper said. "No one saw the fact that that Manipulator guy was one of those admins." He added.

"I saw the poster when you showed me. But that was most certainly not the guy I saw pop out of the water." Throsten said.

"Indeed. I saw his face clearly. Not the same jaw line or nose shape." Aaron said.

"Speaking of the Manipulator, he's most likely at this location." Shadow Rob said.

"Good. It's time for some good old fasion payback." Zapper said. "Because of that jerk, Tellma had to commit suicide." He added.

Scootaloo shuddered. She remembered that incident from the videos. Led to a massive trial and everything.

"Hold your emotions. Anger will not suit you well." Aaron said.

"Ever had one of your men have to take one for the team?" Zapper asked. Aaron was notably silent as he looked down at the ground below in shame. "Thought so, army man. The UNA may treat people like me and Rob like aliens because we have; as your higher ups put it; metahuman natures. But I doubt any of them know what's like to lose someone you've come to know. Especially back to back." He said.

"Human, Pokemon, or whatever species we may be on our surface, deep down we all have feelings. And we should use them." Shadow Rob said.

The group entered the factory, and battled their way through a few Dark Tribe Members that actually attacked them. Making their way to the factory belt.

"Oh lookie. The UNA decided to muscle in on us. And your Commander Aaron right?" The mysterious man Scootaloo recognized as The Manipulator said.

"Yeah. That's me." Aaron said.

"Hand over your walkie talkie." The Manipulator commanded.

"How about you tell me why?" Aaron asked.

"Maybe you should ask your provided lieutenant that question." The Manipulator said.

"...What?" Aaron asked. He grabbed his walkie talkie "Sir, what is he--"

"...Fucking asshole. You said you'd overlook that." The Lieutenant said suddenly over the speaker.

"Yeah. And I quote 'so long as none of your men come near me'." The Manipulator said. "Yeah, I knew Aaron was yours. You should've ordered him to stay away." He added.

"I strong armed him. Said I'd make sure he'd be responsible for the death of thousands of lives if he didn't let the UNA in on this." Shadow Rob said.

"Then he should've passed it to a different lieutenant. Because the fact of the matter is, that lieutenant of Aaron's? He's dirty." The Manipulator said.

"Wh-what?!" Aaron exclaimed.

"Oh yes. He took a bribe from a mob leader to look the other way once. You say you blackmailed him into accepting so millions of lives wouldn't be lost? Such a shame. He already is responsible for the death of an entire town. All because he accepted a bribe from some mob leader who would go onto kill thousands of lives." The Manipulator said. "The truth hurts to hear, don't it? It's why I'm good at what I do. See, I don't need blackmail or threats, when I have the truth." He added.

"You...you are just no different then Gorzon..." Crusader said. "I've had enough." He suddenly stepped forward.

"Aw...what you gonna do? You were never going to be a demon slayer. Not everyone of your tribe was demon slayers. And you won't be one. Not now, not ever!" The Manipulator said.

Suddenly Crusader slashed him without warning, causing a bit of blood. "Like I could care less what you say now. Your guilty. You manipulate others by uncovering their secrets. Why not instead let the law handle things like that instead of basically keeping it in your back-pocket as an 'in case of emergency break glass' situation." Crusader said. "At that point, your using the truth as blackmail." He added.

"Ah, but it makes me not look as guilty as those who have secrets they wish to hide. Secrets that might cost them their job, their life, or worse." The Manipulator said.

"No. You are as guilty as them. Because not letting the law handle it makes you just as guilty." Crusader said.

The Manipulator laughed. "The law? What a joke. The law could care less. It'd become my word against theirs in an actual court of law. I'm a Dark Admin worshpping a master. Aaron's superior is a person in the United Nations Army. What do you think a jury is gonna do? There is no jury in the world that would convict a noted UNA Lieutenant. His superior officer; the General though; would at least look into the incident. And then it'd be evidence against the lieutenant's word." The Manipulator said. "That's what I want the walkie talkie for: To tell General Highton the truth." He added.

"That doesn't make what your doing right, boy." A more gruff voice said over the communicator.

"G-general Highton..." Aaron said, recognizing the voice.

"And I most certainly will not let some living weapon be unleashed. I'll be looking into the whole situtation myself, but for now, deal with this Dark Core situation. That's an order commander." General HIghton said.

"...Fucking hell..." The Manipulator said.

"Looks like you just got served." Scootaloo said.

"Man that feels good. That'll teach you not to mess with us." Zapper said.

"Fucking. Hell. I'm going to fucking ass fucking destroy you!" The Manipulator said.

"He's pissed." Shadow Rob said.

"Your just as guilty as Gorzon. And so long as I wield this sword, I will slay the guilty, while never again slaying an innocent." Crusader said. "I see now that I should've been after the real demons of the world: Ones like you and Gorzon who use everything at their disposal to cause pain and suffering." Crusader said.

Suddenly, Scootaloo heard something in Crusader's mind. I've been waiting for you to realize that. You had fallen of the path, but now you are on it once more. Now go forth, and slay the guilty with my blessing a strange voice was saying.

Suddenly the sword Crusader was holding glowed with holy light. "Wh-what the...no! It can't be!" The Manipulator said. "The sword...it's deemed you worthy...it's holy power has been restored!" The Manipulator said.

"Heh. I think I know what that means for you." Shadow Rob said.

"I'll be back!" The Manipulator said, triggering the self-destruct sequence as he fled.

"Drat. That man got away. Again." Zapper said.

"He is not the concern right now. We worry about the Dark Core first. Then we hunt him down." Aaron said.

"Indeed, Commander Aaron is right. Worry about that man who had caused you pain later. Focus on the primary mission." General Highton said.

"Was going to do that anyways, General." Shadow Rob said.

"Also, I'm going to be talking with Expert about this Dark Tribe as you continue. I want to know exactly what kind of person this Dark Master is." General Highton said.

"Expert won't know. I know the face, and the name. He calls himself Condescending Consequence. But I'm afraid that's all I know. I know he wishes to unleash the Dark Core. That thing must not be unleashed." Shadow Rob said.

"Indeed." General Highton said.

Author's Note

So if it wasn't obvious, the main reason why I decided to make Scootaloo's thoughts be orange as opposed to italics like every other thought will be, is mostly because I wanted Scootaloo to be special. Not just because she's the title character, but also for one other reason which will be hinted at constantly before the big reveal. Can you figure it out?