Chaos and Courage

You did the right thing I thought as I sat in the armory. I needed some time to think.

"I know" I said, answering myself "but I still feel guilty for it"

Why? It's not like it matters to them what you do

"I don't know, I can't explain it. I almost feel like I wasn't in control. Like somehow, something was manipulating me to do that"

"Um, Captain? Are you feeling alright?" A voice asked. I looked up to see Firestorm and Guardian, both in hologram form.

"Yeah, I'm fine" I replied sharply

"Then why are you talking to yourself?" Guardian inquired

"Look, I don't know what's going on" I replied a little more angry "And I don't need you two trying to 'help'"

"Sir, I am detecting some odd activity..."
I felt myself become incredibly angry

"STOP! I said I don't need help" I snapped "Now go the hell away"
The holograms disappeared, leaving me, once again, in solitude.

See? Doesn't it feel good when others listen to you?

"Why did I do that?" I asked "they were just worried"

You don't need help. Everything is fine

"Great, now I am having a full conversation with myself" I groaned

Maybe if you'd have listened to me more often, you wouldn't be in this mess

"And now even my mind is giving me shit. What else could go wrong?"
Then the door opened, presenting a pony I really didn't want to see.

"Captain, I'm here to help you" she declared

You just had to ask, didn't you dumbass? You know what, let me handle this
I felt something weird happen, like I was having an out-of-body experience, but I was still looking through my eyes.

"I thought I made it clear I didn't want to see you again" I said in a voice that was not my own

"No, Discord made you say that" she said "he's warped all of our friends, but I know how to fix it"

I KNEW it. I knew something was wrong

I shook my head in frustration
"Just get the fuck out of here, you stupid ass horse"
She recoiled a bit from my speech

"See? I know you would never say something like that to your friend"

"And how would you know?" I snapped again "you've known me for what? A year? You have no fucking clue about me"

"Yes I do" she replied defiantly "And I also know that somewhere in there is the real Archangel: the one I became friends with"

"That's where your wrong" I said as my hand reached to the table behind me "The Archangel you thought you knew is gone"
I tried to force myself back into control, but something knocked me back.

"Stop it!" the alternate me hissed "I'm in control now, and you can't stop me from getting the revenge I want"
I felt my hand grasp something plastic and metal.

What are you doing? Stop, I command you!

"I don't think so" it said as I produced a Berretta and aimed it at Twilight

"W-what are you doing?" she asked fearfully

NO! STOP RIGHT NOW! I screamed from inside
I felt the pistol being cocked; along with a sinister smile forming on my face

"My name..."

"Please, don't do this!"

STOP!

"...is Captain Archangel..."

I SWEAR IF YOU PULL THAT TRIGGER...

"...and I will have..."

I WON'T LET YOU

"...my..."

NOOOOOOOO

"...REVEN-"

My vision went black. All around me, nothing but crushing darkness and empty space.

"What the hell?"
It started to get a little brighter and I could see I was standing in a field. Lush grass and small flowers bloomed all around me, but my eyes were now locked on the figure across from me: It was me.

"Who are you?" I asked the copy. It looked exactly like me except his left arm was soaked in what looked like blood, his eyes were glowing red and he wore a sociopathic smile that disturbed me deeply.

"Really? You have no idea who I am?" he asked in a sickeningly smooth voice
he shook his head in disappointment
"I'm what made you great. I'm the part of you that revels in bloodshed, delights in destruction, and thirsts for power: I am your inner Chaos"

"So YOUR the bastard that was talking to me!" I said

"Congratulations, genius. You want a cookie?"

"Cut the crap. Give me my body back" I ordered

"Why? So you can squander it protecting those disgusting ponies?" He asked chuckling "I don't think so"
I was really starting to get pissed off
"What have they done for you, hmm? They only claimed to be your friend because they don't want you as an enemy"
That's when another version of me appeared behind Chaos. Again it looked exactly like me, but with green eyes.

"He does make a point: It would be completely believable for such a primitive race to stoop to any level to acquire the raw power we possess" the new clone said in a highly educated voice

"Thank you Logos"

"Oh come on! You're really going to side with him?"

"I am the part of your mind that follows logical patterns" he replied "And everytime something claims to be our friend, it betrays us"

"...And I think it's about time we let the world know just what happens when you cross us" A third blue-eyed clone (Who I assumed was Pathos) remarked

"Pathos, you know we can't do that"

"Why not?" asked a fourth clone with yellow eyes "They wronged you: now they get punished. Seems like the best choice to me"

"An excellent point, Ethos" Chaos said as he turned to me "Looks like we have the majority here Captain"
Now panic was setting in. I had to convince Logos, Pathos, and Ethos to change sides, or Twilight would die. Frantically, I began trying to for an argument.

"Captain, I assure you this is the most logical solution" Logos said.

"Are you sure, Logos?" I challenged "Have you really thought out the implications of this?"

"Of course" he replied "I have run every possible solution and deemed Chaos's most advantageous"

"Then run this one: If I agree and give in, wouldn't it be most likely that Chaos would join Discord?"
the clone thought for a moment.
"Highly probable"

"And what's to stop Discord from betraying us?"

"Nothing" he replied

"So regardless, we will have to fight Discord at some point"

"Highly probable"

"Which one do we stand a better chance with: the Chaotic me verses Discord, or do we stand a better chance if we help Twilight purify our friends and fight him together?"
He pause for a few moments as he analyzed this new idea.

"A compelling argument" he finally replied as he walked toward me "Factoring in the resourcefulness and the X-factor of the unpredictability of the ponies, I believe that you have offered a much more beneficial solution"
Logos took his place by my side
"You have my assistance Captain"
I nodded to the logical one and turned back to the remaining clones

"Pathos, you represent emotion, a dangerous trait in a soldier"

"I know" he admitted "but you can't just ignore the fact that we want revenge for being betrayed"

"I fully agree with you" I said "But did Twilight betray us? Or did Discord by planting the idea that we are just a weapon to the ponies?"

"Uhh..."

"He played you" I said bluntly "He knew we were sensitive to the fact that we were created as a weapon, and he used that to manipulate us"
Pathos though about it for a second, then he looked really mad.

"Why that underhanded, slimy, backstabbing, no good BASTARD!" he finally said "I'LL KILL HIM!"

"Then why would you side with Chaos if we already determined that the chances are good he will join Discord?"

"Enough talk! No one messes with me like that" he said as he stormed over to my side "You got my vote, Boss"

"Ethos, how can you honestly side with him when his first action is to murder a defenseless creature?"

"It's her punishment" he replied

"Is it really worth it?" I said "I mean, if you kill her, what do you think I'd do?"

"Given you're fiercely protective nature..." Logos noted

"...And the amount of grief and agony the death of Twilight would cause..." Pathos added

"...Chances are exceptionally good that something along the lines of self-harm would result"

"You represent my character, Ethos, and you know damn well that I would never hurt a friend"

"But she's not your friend, remember?" Chaos interjected "you specifically said you never wanted to see her again"

"No, YOU said that" I countered "You were the one that was making me angrier as the day went on"

"Y-you're right" Ethos replied as he started to change sides "He has been going against everything we stand for"
The clone took his place.

"And I do NOT want to be a part of it"
We all turned to Chaos, who was starting to feel the heat.

"Logos, do I have enough of a consensus to access my computers?" I asked the green-eyed man

"I believe so, why?"

"Because" I said "I need some help"

"Cyber-Warfare suite, online" I commanded. In an instant, four Titan-Class robots appeared

"Orders?" one of them asked in a gravely voice. I pointed at Chaos

"Viral code detected, Eradicate"

"Error, vital runtime" The machine replied "Eradication impossible"

"I believe I understand what the problem is" Logos said "Captain, may I?"

"Sure" I replied a little uneasy

"Cyber-Warfare system, runtime infected, Quarantine and scrub malignant code"

"And punch him in the head for me" Ethos added
The visual representation of my virus software advanced on the angry clone.

"Captain, I think we can handle this" Pathos said

"You are most likely needed elsewhere" Logos added

"Good thinking" I replied "Computer, wake me up"

"Executing command"

I opened my eyes to see exactly what I had left behind: I was holding a gun to my friend, who was cowering in fear. I shook my head, trying to clear the hazes I felt. but then I fully awoke. I dropped the gun and fell to my knees.

"What the fuck was I doing?" I said "I-I can't...I..."
And that's when I broke down. My head dropped and I started crying for the first time in years.

"I'm so sorry" I said through the tears "I almost...I..."
Then I felt furry limbs around my neck. I opened my eyes to see Twilight hugging my neck, trying to comfort me

"Shhh, it's all over" she whispered in my ear "Everyone's OK"
Normally, I would have been totally confused by this, but after the near-death of my friend at my hand, I didn't care about looking tough. I wrapped my arms around the unicorn and held her tight, just glad to have someone there that I cared for. We sat like this for a few minutes, waiting for me to calm down a bit

"But...I almost...I almost...killed you" I stammered out through my sobbing.

"Captain, I was never in any danger" she replied

"What?" I asked curiously. She pulled back so I could see her eyes.

"I know you, Captain" she said "And I know for a fact that you would never, ever hurt your friend on purpose"

"But I..."
She put her hoof over my mouth.

"It doesn't matter, I knew that if there was a way to protect me, you'd find it"
My God, she actually...she trusted me to keep her safe. I wrapped her in another hug.

"Thank you, Twilight...for believing in me"

"It's what friends do" she said "Feeling better?"
I sniffled a little and nodded yes.

"Good" she continued, her voice filled with purpose "Because we have a job to do"
She handed me my Element. I opened my chest plate and carefully reintegrated the part, feeling my purpose returning.
I stood up and wiped my eyes.

"You're absolutely right" I said as I began gathering my weapons. I was back in business
"All units: meet me in the main chamber" I commanded as I holstered my sidearms and collected my rifle.

We both entered the main chamber where the five bots were waiting.

"Alright guys listen up: We need to find the other five Element Bearers, and fast" I said "Each of you will be responsible for finding one of the five remaining ponies"
I turned to Guardian
"G, your target is Pinkie Pie"
He snapped to a salute.

"Yes Sir"

"Storm, once the Albatross is ready, you need to find Rainbow Dash."

"On it"

"Mu, you need to find Fluttershy"
His screen displayed a question mark
"[sigh] Kindness, find kindness" I clarified
Now he displayed a checkmark

"Phi, you go look for Rarity...I mean Generosity"
He babbled something, I guess he said 'Ok'

"Tau, you're coming with us, Twilight and I are going for Applejack first"
He whistled and beeped before hovering over next to Twilight. I then addressed the entire group.

"This is it guys, Discord may have won the first battle, but this war is FAR from over" I said in my best 'rally the troops' voice "Now let's go show that bastard what the power of friendship can do!"
All cheered and bolted for their destination. As my group left, I looked at Twilight who had a very big smile on her face.

"What?"

"It's just good to have you back, Captain"