Rainbow Dash, was a slightly above average pegasus. An excellent flier, and barer of the Element of Loyalty. She was simply doing her normal rounds. It had been a normal day, the definition of her normal routine. Woke up, did some light exercise, ate breakfast, then rushed to get her work of the day done so she could practice her flight maneuvers and get some lazy time in. Nothing abnormal at all. It was dusk and the setting sun painted the sky a calm orange. She really had no opinion of the sky, she saw it so often that the change didn't cross her mind. She was nearly done with her day. She had to fly over the highest level of clouds so she could check and make sure that no clouds were out of place, and no storm clouds had formed.

She was racing herself, pushing to see how fast she could go. She loved the feeling, the speed, the cold wind in her mane, the rush of it all. To her dismay she had to slow down to examine a rather large dark patch of clouds. She flew in at a high speed then slowed down upon entry. She soared through the clouds. They were thick, she could only see a few feet past the cloud. The clouds were definitely holding more water then it should. She was quickly noticing how her coat and mane were starting to get wet. Then, only for a moment, she thought she saw something move in the distance. A blur of a blur. Knowing few birds would go this high, and no other pegasus was on duty, She went after it, only to see and feel the blur zoom past her. She banked hard in an attempt to turn, only to see the shadow fly upward quickly.

She reacted quickly, Going up herself, she would see what was had been speeding around her. She flew upward, the moisture growing on her wings. She finally breached the cloud curtain. Only to see something that made her heart stop. It was only for a brief moment, but it had been enough to burn into her mind. Before she could think, before she could react, or do anything. She found waking from some kind of daze, she also noticed herself falling, fast. She struggled to balance herself mid flight, pulling up only a few yards from the ground. She landed not sure what had just happened, The memory of what she saw was fresh in her mind. She pondered if what had just happened had actually happened or if she somehow fell asleep mid flight. Either way, both of the theories seemed impossible.

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It had been four weeks since Nightmare Night. Between Twilight's magic, and some good rest, Striker had finally recovered, he was back on all four legs. After the events of Nightmare night everything had calmed down quite a bit. The excitement around town had finally died down. He had spent the majority of his time between helping the Elements of Harmony, the Cutie Mark Crusaders, Zecora, and coming up with excuses on why he couldn't take time to explain to Twilight more about the Seekers. He was making friends, the number of ponies who were happy to be around him were growing.

To his surprise, he wasn't sure on how he felt about that. He had been in town over a month, and for the first time in his life he had “real friends” and he had mixed feeling about that. He was raised a Seeker, so the idea of being “friends” with ponies had always seemed idiotic to him. He felt like he was setting himself up to get hurt. Yet at the same time there was something incredibly pleasant about getting brunch with six friends and doing something that wasn't monster related. Talking about the weather and what his plans were for the upcoming day seemed trivial, but being there, surrounded by friends... he liked it, even though he kept telling himself he shouldn't.

He liked Twilight Sparkle, she was nice, smart, and kept his secret. Albeit she did act a bit awkward, if he didn't know better, he would have thought that she was as new to making “friends” as he was. He liked Applejack, he appreciated a mare with such a optimistic and can-do attitude. However, He had recently told her about the events of Nightmare night, with Applebloom there at the time, she was more relieved then anything else. She did not like that Striker had waited to tell her, he knew it, even if she never directly told him so. He also liked Fluttershy, she was significantly more awkward around other ponies then he and Twilight were cimbined, but she was innocent, kind-hearted, and a good pony. He knew his secret was safe in her hooves.

He really enjoyed his growing friendship with the Crusaders. He found that he had been spending most of his time with the fillies. His actions on that fatefully night had landed him an honorary Crusader. Babs had left two weeks after Nightmare Night, but she enjoyed him as much as the other Crusaders. They played games like, War of the Space Pirates, Kingdoms and Ponies, Destiny Trucker, and Barkham Horror. He even helped them on several of their “crusades”. However the majority of his help came in the form of helping the Crusaders escape when their mischievous and careless attempts to get their cutie marks got them in trouble. For example, when the fillies tried to get their cutie marks in “Cat Burglary”and were almost immediate caught, he had told the Cake family that he would be taking the girls to their relative sisters immediately. What he did however, was take the three to the Ponyville movie theater to watch “Invader from Space 17 : the Revenge-a-nateing”

He hadn't really been spending a lot of time with his other three friends. In all honesty, he could only spend so much time with Pinkie Pie before he got annoyed by her. Rarity was very kind but they did not exactly share much in common. Rainbow Dash had been nice enough, but didn't exactly spend time with him. He had helped the girls with things they needed. Applejack and her farm, he helped Rarity, and Twilight's assistant Spike, who for some reason didn't seem to like him all that much, collect gems. He helped Fluttershy by helping take care of her animal companions. He would help Twilight sort books, then rush out when she brought up his being a Seeker. He even helped Pinkie Pie set up parties. However he had yet to do anything like that with Rainbow. Her being a pegasus, and his being a earth pony, he couldn't exactly help her with her normal routine.

As for Zecora, he had similar mixed feelings. As well as some other feelings. He had spent several nights with Zecora going over the number of cases she had handled in ponyville before his arrival. He spent most of his time concerned, the was something wrong, the town was being targeted, they were both sure of it. She had fought several creatures in her time here. No more then a normal Seeker, but she lived in one place, the town of Ponyville was attacked often. Their research and knowledge combined was not enough to give a definite answer to why Ponyville was some kind of monster magnet, or to where these monster seemed to come from. They assumed that its proximity to the Everfree had to play some kind of factor in the odd surge of happenings and cases centered around the town.

However, being a stallion, he couldn't help but be attracted to Zecora. She was very fit, more then any mares in town. Seekers had to be. She knew more about him then any other mare. She was a Seeker, she knew the pain he suffered, she could relate to him more then any other could. They had much in common, and he enjoyed the sound of her voice, and slightly alternative traits to Seeking. She was like a whole new batch of Seeking knowledge, he liked picking her brain. The more “romantic” thoughts he had of her were quickly smashed. He couldn't forget her readiness to kill him, or let his guard down around her. He knew that the Sunfall had a reputation. He knew that she would be tempted to end his life. She was a knife over his head, a very attractive, exotic, and attractive knife. Ever since finding out about his bloodline, she had stopped rhyming around him. He wasn't sure what to think about that.

Zecora herself was having similar mental battles. The stories he had shared with her reminded her of her own battles. She had been told to treat the Sunfall Clan with no better treatment one would give a daemon. Sunfall were supposed to be vile, and evil. But she could see the sorrow in his eyes. The same sorrow she had, that every Seeker had. She would see him playing with fillies, helping pony-folk around town, she saw his bravery, his strength, his want to keep the innocent safe. She saw the struggle he had. It went against everything she had been told about the Sunfall. How could such a stallion be evil? Being a mare, she couldn't help but notice his muscular build, his blazing sapphire eyes, his hard, yet smooth voice. But her more “romantic” thoughts of him were stomped by his bloodline. She couldn't escape the thought that this could all be some trick or sham. She would not forget that Sunfall are supposed to be evil, or let her guard down around him. He could be waiting for the perfect moment to stab her in the back. He was a knife lurking just behind her. A very handsome, and brave knife.

Then there was Luna. She visited Striker occasionally, in his usually reoccurring dreamscape. He briefed her on everything he had learned from Zecora, but she wasn't really surprised by it. He didn't like that. He was loyal to Luna. She was his ruler, his queen, by his blood he would fight for her. Yet he was starting to get more and more bothered by how much he knew she was keeping from him. If Celestia found out about him.... about everything he and Luna had been doing things could get bad for him. A lot depended on Luna telling Celestia at the perfect moment. He knew one mistake on her part, and he would be nothing but ash in mere moments. But what if that was Luna's plan. What if she planed to clear her name by offering him up on silver platter? He was loyal to Luna, but he couldn't shake the feeling he was being played.

Luna on the other hoof was having a hard time dealing with so much. She did not like keeping secrets from her sister, but she had to, she knew that her sister would not react well to being told about what she had been doing. She needed to keep Ponyville safe, while making sure Celestia did not know it was even in danger. She thought the best way to do this was to send Striker to Ponyville, but even that had risks. She knew about Twilight Sparkle, one letter to Celestia about the strange happenings in Ponyville, of the Seekers there, and things could get bad fast. She had to keep her sister in the dark. While also trying to figure out the cause for Ponyville's reputation for danger.

Things were not well in Ponyville, or Equestria. The entire country was at risk of a civil war, and at risk of being overrun by terrible creatures. And the only Ponies who knew about any of it were a Stallion Seeker having an existential crisis who was growing feeling for a Zebra who fought urges to kill him. And a Princess of the Moon, who did not have the greatest reputation in the kingdom. And neither of them really knew what was happening.

Needless to say, Striker was quite curious to receive a letter from Twilight addressing absolutely none of the drama he had going on in his head.

Dear Noble Striker

I know that you must be busy, and I hate to ask something like this from you. But after being informed about your brave feats during Nightmare Night, a gift from Applejack, I knew that you would be the greatest pony for the job. You see our friend Rainbow Dash has been through... an ordeal. An ordeal that you may … Seek out. It seems to be in area of your expertise. I would be very happy if you would take a bit of time to investigate the situation. I know you must be busy, and if it is inconvenient for you please feel free to say no.

Your friend

Twilight Sparkle

Striker was happy to take his mind off of the more intense questions. He was happy that Twilight called him friend. He was happy to get away from the Zebra mare who had wanted him dead. He hoped that nothing was wrong, that nopony was in danger. He also hoped that if something was wrong, he would get the chance to kill something, he wanted to escape. Escape into the darkness that he had spent so much time in. The darkness that just wanted him dead, none of the mixed feelings, politics. The darkness where he could get a large bottle of whiskey to himself with much less resistance.

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Twilight's library was a mess. The place looked like it had been ransacked, books lay splayed all over the room. Papers lay scattered randomly over various desks and table. Rainbow Dash was pacing around the room, literally brooding up a storm. She was creating a small wind vortex, a number of loose papers twirled about in her wake. Twilight sat with a half eye-lided look on her face, her magic cleaning up Rainbow's mess as fast as it was made.

“Twilight, no offense but your “professional” is nearly an hour late! I'm sick of waiting!” Rainbow stated, her voice full of tension and anticipation.

“He'll be here... he probably just umm finishing up with his one of his several other clients.” Twilight replied in her calmest voice.

“I don't know Twilight... maybe this wasn't such a good idea...”

“It will be fine Rainbow, he can help... I'm sure of it.” Twilight had to do her best to hide the concern in her voice. She now had a general understanding on what a Seeker did and was based on the two cases She had learned about via Applejack. The opportunity to see him work was both horrifying and exciting.

Three knocks came to the door. They were quickly opened by Twilight's magic. Revealing Striker, no longer bandaged, in his trench coat and black desperado hat. Rainbow perked an eye at seeing him.

“Striker? He's your professional!” Rainbow asked giving Twilight a hard look.

“Sorry I'm late, I was trying to help the Crusaders get their cutie marks in...”-he gave a deep sigh and facehoofed-” random science, we tried relative doomsday theory, underwater astronomy, and dry hydro-physics. Things didn't go well. And yes I am quite professional.”

“One what kind of “Professional” says “I'm professional” after saying he spent the last hour doing fake science with a bunch of fillies who are trying to get cutie marks?”

“I'm not answering that.”

“Striker has tons of training in psychology! Just tell him what you told me and I'm sure we can settle this right Striker?” Twilight cut in

“Possibly, I'm really good at specific parts of the pony mind.” He replied sounding like a pseudo intellectual.

Rainbow gave another look at Twilight, who gestured for her to speak with a hoof. As Striker took a seat on the floor.

“Twilight! What's he doing here!” Twilight's pet baby dragon scoffed, as he entered the room in an apron carrying a tray of freshly baked cookies.

“Spike! I thought you left!” Twilight exclaimed

“I was going to... right after I made Rainbow some cookies to help her calm down.” Spike replied his eyes never stopping their glare directed at Striker.

“Here!”- her magic manifested a plain yellow dress -” Take this to Rarity and tell her to fix it!” Her magic then took the tray and set it on a coffee table, while it reopened the door and pushed him outside, while also floating him the dress.”

“Don't think I forgot about you!” Spike shouted as the door closed on him.

Rainbow was confused, she wanted to know why Twilight wanted her to see Striker so badly, and why she didn't want Spike here for it. And why Spike acted so negatively toward him.

“What's the deal with you two Striker?” Rainbow asked as she took a set on a couch Twilight's magic was moving in. Twilight was setting the room up for guests now that Rainbow stopped blowing the room about.

“I have no idea, I only met the kid once when we helped Rarity collect some gems. He didn't like me then either.” He replied as he took a new position in an armchair opposite of Rainbow.

Twilight gave a deep sigh. “He thinks you are after Rarity... and he has a giant crush on her so.... yeah.” now she was the one facehoofing.

“Really he thinks Striker wants Rarity? With all that time he's been spending at Zecora's.” the cyan pegasus spoke with a laugh, happy for the change in mood. “Which reminds me, whats the deal with that Striker?”

“Were not here to talk about me Dash, is was told you had an ordeal, is it ok if you tell me what this was?”

“Well I guess that is why you're here huh?” She told him, she didn't like the idea of dwelling on what she had been seeing. Twilight took a seat by Rainbow, she wanted to see how Striker would react.

“Indeed. If you do need my help, it would be best if we acted quickly.” He spoke with a powerful level of calmness, it almost compelled the mare's tension to soften.

With one last glance to Twilight, Rainbow clenched her teeth.”Alright... Alright, I'll start.” She took a cookie and quickly ate it.

“Well... I was just on the job... flying asking sure the cloud were all aligned right and had acceptable levels of moisture.” Her wings picked her up, she kept herself from moving, but her body began to imitate her words as she spoke. “I was flying fast, zoomin' through the air, seeing if I can beat my old record for finishing my cloud check. I'm just soaring minding my own business when I see this big patch of dark clouds, bank right curving in gently at my high speed. I see this blur s zoom past me, so I look into it, following it out the cloud curtain. Then I saw this... this thing! It was a pegasus... but not like one I had ever seen in my entire life. “ She looked around at the room nervously, then gulped hard. “It was this dark grey mare with a white mane and tail. Same size as me or Twilight, no cutie mark, and these giant wings! I mean giant white wings! They were at least five time bigger then her body it was freaky! What's weirder is that as soon as I saw that... thing, the next thing I remember is falling, I had to catch myself to land safely! Then there were those eyes.... they just looked... wrong, I cant forget those eyes! I see them every time I close my eyes!”

Striker closed his eyes, then stood up.”Its a good thing you came to me Twilight...” Twilight looked at her forehooves. “Dash you're going to have to play a bit of catch-up, for starters, I'm something known as a Seeker...”

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Rainbow sat in a daze as she tried to process all the information she had just been given. She didn't want to believe it, but then Striker began telling her her own symptoms.

“Let me guess, you cant shake this feeling that you are being watched, you've had a string of bad luck, and you've probably felt like things are just... off?” He told her. Her only response was an silent nod.

“What does this mean Striker?” Twilight asked her worry heavy in her voice.

“We've got a problem... she's pissed of a Witch. Not just any witch... she pissed off an Angel Witch. This could get bad.”

“Witch? Angel Witch? There are more then just one kind of Witches?” Twilight intrigued

“Sort of, and when I saw witch I don't mean a green mare with a wart on a broom stick. Witches are mares, of any kind, pegasus, earth pony, unicorn, it doesn't matter. Any mare who plunges themselves in to dark magic, magic no pony with any interest in ponykind would dare even think about. They delve into the darkest spells imaginable, these aren't combat spells, they are full on horror in spell form. The farther into the darkness a Witch dives, the more they lose everything that makes them a pony, they go insane, their lust for more powerful spells driving them mad. An Angel Witch is a Witch that gave herself artificial wing, and has completely lost her sanity. The dark magic drains the users of their health. Tainting their wings mane and tail black. The farther into the darkness they dive, the lighter their manes and coats become.”

“Her mane was snow white...” Rainbow spoke softly.

“Exactly, in the past, ponies saw the white mane, tail and wings, and prayed to them as angels. When Seekers need a way to specify, the term Angel Witch seemed appropriate. This is bad, but shes is just a mare, she has to be put down like a rabid dog, but she's not an actual angel or anything like that. The scary part is that she's insane... insane ponies are very hard predict. Predicting attacks is key in stopping witches.” Striker spoke calmly, he tried to have his voice keep panic away.

Rainbow Dash gave a laugh. “This is a joke right, like just some big joke, hahaha jokes on ol' Dashie! Very funny!”

Striker gave her a look that silenced her. Twilight was shocked. But she had to know something.
“What are these dark spells? Not like exactly, but how much danger are we in I mean?”

Striker contemplated this a moment. Then decided on the best possible answer.

“Back when I was colt, I was working a case like this with my father. Some steel workers had disturbed an Angel Witch with the smoke from the foundries. The bitch placed death by irony spell on the mill. There was this Stallion who worked there. Out of the mill, he was the one skeptic who didn't believe my fathers words. So of course he was the first to go. He had two quirks about him around the mill. He worked with the liquid steel, so he often bragged about how well he could handle the stuff. And that he drank tons of coffee. He had terrible coffee breath. So that bitch thought it was real funny when he takes a drink of his coffee and nothing happens, then when he takes a second drink, the buck guzzles molten steel. I was in the room with him when it went down. It was brutal. A fucking terrible way to go, we was alive for fucking hours like that, and it wasn't like he would live, he had no fucking throat! But that cunt wanted to drag it out as long as possible. I put a bullet in his brain to stop the closest thing he could do that resembled a scream. So the cunt wanted me dead too. My Dad ganked that bitch before she got me, shived her three times then kicked her into a vat of liquid steel.” There was not a single thread of remorse or sadness in his voice. There was a level of eeriness to how coolly he spoke. Only showing emotion near the end. The two mares froze contemplating what they just learned. Rainbow was the one who thawed first. He didn't like telling them story, but that was enough to get them focused, to keep them from acting stupid, keep them on their metaphorical toes.

“And that kind of Witch wants me dead? Why me what did I do!?”

“It went to do... something, and came back to see its temporary home pushed into a cloud curtain, being the only pegasus around at the time, she blamed you.”

“But I didn't do anything!”

“Did I mention she's insane?”

Rainbow only replied with a glum look of worry

“Yeah.... but I think I have a plan.... so don't worry. She's hard to predict, but she's crazy so she isn't exactly smart. So instead of waiting for her to make the first move, why don't we we make the first move for her?”

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Rainbow Dash was nervous, very nervous. She was sweating, breathing heavy, and felt like her heart wanted to beat through her chest. She was flying above the cloud curtain just as she had done before. Zooming just as fast, but her worry fought with her flying. She found it hard to focus, hard to enjoy the winds. She had a sinking feeling of being watched. She could feel that the Witch was near, that it was watching, she was scared. But believed in Twilight, she felt that if Twilight had faith in Striker, then she could put her life in his hooves and come out alright. That didn't help enough to quell the fear however.

Just like before she saw the dark patch of clouds,and with a gulp, she began to spin. She made a small gusty whirlwind, that quickly formed a tornado. The wind funnel shot out, curving perfectly at the patch of dark clouds. The collision poofed the clouds into nothingness. The tornado was done, it would whirl itself out soon. As soon as the Patch was clear, Rainbow bolted away going straight to Twilight's home.

The door was open when she arrived, she dashed in fast then stopped. Closing the door with a slam, she began to close all the windows and curtains. Then she sat in the center of the room. She waited. Paranoia strong in her mind, she flinched at nearly every sound she heard. The whistling of wind out side. The rustling of the leaves of the tree she waited inside. The distant sound oh hoofsteps, and ponies talking. The silence magnified every sound that was made. She sat for nearly an hour. Her fear keeping her glued to the floor. She simply sat there... waiting.

Then came a flash of light. From the light came both Twilight and Striker. She was going to get up, going to speak but as soon as he was manifested Striker boomed.

“Don't move! Don't even talk!” His body wasn't even facing her. He quickly turned searching for her.
“Don't do anything, just wait, let us handle this. Twilight! Search every nook and crack, were looking for a small bag, might be leather, silk, wool, any material just a small probably brown sac. Go!” His voice turning from calm and kind, to commanding and hard.

“On it!” Twilight returned, Giving him a dedicated nod, then focusing her magic, which began to rip apart the room. Opening and searching every book, looking through each couch pillow. Under every desk, ever corner, Twilight's searched for the bag that didn't belong.

Striker knelt down to Rainbow. “Never knew how helpful having a nerdy egghead unicorn could be.” He told her, trying to lighten the mood, he made sure to gesture for her not to speak yet.

“Hey I can hear you still!” Twilight replied, eyes closed, mind focused on her magic. He grinned, looking at Rainbow Dash again, and wordlessly speaking I know she can. That brought a smile to the panicked mare's silent lips.

“Hey Dash, don't worry, this should all work out fine. We'll find everything, then we can move to the offensive.” He words much softer now. He knew Dash was scared, he had been in her position several times before. He knew how she felt. The wait couldn't have been pleasant.

“Aha! I found one!” Twilight beamed, shooting over a tiny brown bag to Striker, who quickly undid the tie, revealing the contents. What looked like a tiny burnt stick and... teeth. Striker flinched.

“Good job, keep looking, you'll find three.”- then turning back to Rainbow Dash -” Hex bags, they cast the hex to target locations from a distance. This one held a Rupture hex. While this bag exists, any cut or break in your hide would burst with blood, even a paper cut would hemorrhage you dry.” he explained. Taking the bag in his hoof, before burning it with the lighter he kept in his hat. Oddly the lighter's flame was yellow, but the flame that came from the bag burned purple, and seemed to be pushed by non-existent wind. In seconds the bag had become ash.

The room was silent until Twilight found a second then third bag. Passing them to Striker who opened and analyzed them. “This one is a crash spell, next time you would have took to the sky you wouldn't have landed and lived to talk about it. This third one was a catalyst, would have made the other two much worse. The crash would have been much more bloody, and the hemorrhaging.... also bloodier technically.” Then Twilight stopped her spell, she didn't even break a sweat yet. Striker picked Rainbow up by her hooves.

“Is that all? Just three?” the unicorn asked.

“Yeah. Two would be too weak, and any more then three overload the hex, stopping all effects.” He told her as he simultaneously lit both bags on fire, both bags burning purple and being pushed by that slight imaginary breeze.

Rainbow finally got up looking to them both. “OK so I'm safe now right? Now onto the counter-attack right?”

Striker grinned, he had been waiting for this as long as Rainbow had. “Hell yeah, these flames here are pointing at the hex caster, I go that direction until I find her.”

“Then what sneak attack? Call the Calvary?” Rainbow replied happy to see the end insight before things got bad.

“Huh? No. I talk to her.”

“What! I thought you said she was crazy!?” both the mares echoed

“She is, so I see what's here deal, if she gets hostile”- Striker slid out a six chamber revolver from a quick draw holster he had hidden under his trench coat. -“I'll shoot her in the face. Witches are pretty into magic, and tend to forget the convenience of modern firearms.” he spoke from experience, and both the mares knew it from the way he spoke.

“So were just going to walk up to her! Hey insane mare who has a arsenal of dark spells of doom! We'd sure like you to stop, please don't kill us with BALEFIRE.” Twilight shouted.

“Relax. She's strong yeah, but those spells got casting times, unless there are multiple Witches, we come out of this victorious with ease. Trust me, she probably has traps set up for sneak attacks, or even recon. But she has to walk in and out on her own, so we just follow the easiest path. The path least like for her to booby trap is the path she has to take. Insane not smart remember?” His confidence didn't shake at all, his words were clear.

To the mares this seemed stupid. Suicidal even, they wanted to act, but not jump straight into the cross-hairs of the the very thing that wanted them dead. This just seemed foalish.

“I'm not doing that, its suicide!” Rainbow shouted.

“That seems very foalish as far as plans go Striker, I'm not going either.” Twilight added on, a touch on sadness in her voice.

“Neither of you were going in the first place, Dash is a target. Marked for death. If I don't come back in a few hours, I'm probably dead, so Twilight, I need you with her to teleport her out of town. I'm dealing with this solo.” Striker spoke with a hunt of confusion, he assumed they wouldn't want to be there for the offensive.

“Striker, if you do that you're gunna die!” Twilight exclaimed, worry thick in her voice.

“What do you mean you're going solo! That's stupider then your plan!” Rainbow argued.

The argument went on for a bit of time. Both sides thought the other side was acting foalishly. Twilight tried offering compromises, Striker and Dash refused to compromise. Eventually the argument turned to name petty name calling.

“Listen, I've done this before. You just cast a spell that will kill anything that has so much as a paper cut, and anything that tries to fly. Would you honestly think that your target is going even know where you are? Would you always assume that there might be a Seeker? Even then would you expect that Seeker to come knocking on your front door? No. Maybe maybe if you thought rationally, maybe if you were smart and planed for anything, but this bitch is insane, she's a psychopath. By definition rational and clear thinking are not things that she does! So let me do my job and save an innocent's mares life dammit!” he spat back at the two.

The two mares were quiet. Neither spoke, but Twilight glared at him then walked away, opening then slamming a door behind her with her magic as she left to another room. Rainbow just gave Striker a upset look, before following her friend, she didn't slam the door. Twilight was mad, she thought he was just making a stupid choice, that he was being childish and had some kind of death wish. Rainbow wanted to be mad, but knew she was the reason for this. She thought Striker was a dead stallion, and it would be on her hooves, and her friend was upset about to, she also blamed herself for that. Striker didn't like the fact the girls didn't trust him. He knew exactly what he was doing, and the mares were just making things complicated. Not only that, but these were his friends. At least they were. He wasn't sure of that now, but even if this ended their friendship, he had to save Rainbow Dash's life. They weren't Seekers and they didn't get it. Yet upsetting them like this hurt, the idea of losing their friendship hurt. This was exactly the reason why he avoided friendship, it just complicates everything. He knew he had been letting himself get to attached.

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Striker silently left Twilight's home and made his way where the fire had directed. He was walking along the road. He was angry. He was mad at himself for being stupid enough to think he could have friends, and mad at the mares for complicating things. He knew his plan. He would take of this then let them know things were taken care of. Then head back to Zecora to.... no. He would return to the motel where he stayed. No need to tell the other Seeker that he handled a case by himself. He didn't feel like arguing any more, or talking even. He was in a foul mood. Then he took a deep breath, and focused his mind. He was on his way to kill a powerful and insane mare, he had to be smart, stay focused the case comes first.

He kept on walking. He used the sun to make sure he kept himself in the right direction. Eventually he came upon an old cottage just outside the small towns limits. The old building sat on a mostly empty field. The field was full of dead yellow grass, several small patches of greenish tint were scatted all over. On a small hill just behind the building, and in what would be the building yard sat black dead trees. The building itself looked unattended, as if nature had tried to claim it.

Striker checked his ammo. And loaded his shotgun just in case. Then walked straight to the front door, knocking three times. Clonk. Clonk. Clonk. No response. He turned, placing his back legs against the door, then gave a hard kick. With a crash the door flew into the building. Striker's eyes widened. He didn't see one Angel Witch. He saw six. They stood gazing into a ominous blue bonfire. Three had gray wings, two had white and one had black.

Oh fuck. Striker immediately drew his revolver aimed and fired off three rounds. Then rolled out of the door way.

BOOM. BOOM. BOOM.

Each shot hit it's target. One of the grays took all three. The first hit her right foreleg just below where leg met torso. Blasting the leg brutally off, pushing her upper-body up, and made her blood splatter the white just beside her. The second shot hit the same grey directly in the chest as her body was getting pushed up. The bullet left a small entry wound in her chest, but left a giant gaping cavity in her back. Her blood splattered on wall behind her. The others were barely realizing what was happening now. The third shot hit the gray a final time. Just above her eye. The shot painted the wall with chunks of brain. The lifeless body fell to the ground, reduced to large chunks by the revolver.

“ITS A FUCKING SEEKER!” he assumed the black yelled.

“I WANNA SEE HIM BLEED HIS LUNGS OUT!” a white roared as she and the other white made their way outside the building.

Striker ran to get behind one of tree in the yard. The two remaining grays laughed as they took to the sky. He didn't know what the black was planing. Then he did the smart thing and assumed a spell. Then he heard the sound of magic, turning to the source he saw the bloody white engulf herself in a black magic screen. She was a unicorn that became an Angel Witch. The magic field dissipated, and the white made an orgasmic moan as the blood on her body moved to her hooves and became a macabre pair of crimson spiked hoofs over her own. Her mad cackle filling the air as she flapped her giant wings. She and the other white flew at him in unison. He was being surrounded. Being grounded he knew fleeing would mean death.

He galloped out of cover looking up at the flying mares that begun to circle over him like vultures waiting for their prey to fall. Then the spiked hoofed white dived at him. That was bad, she didn't abuse their advantage in numbers.

BOOM. BOOM.

The first shot took off a wing, causing the white to unbalance falling on her much heavier side. The second shot got her right in the back behind the stomach as she spiraled down, once again leaving a small entry wound, and giant exit wound. He intestine and viscera sprayed out as she crashed to the ground. She cluttered, desperately trying to pull her body back together. All her blood painting her coat red. Blood spat from her mouth.

“I WONT... see him!... rape this... wo..rld....” she sputtered before finally dying.

Thats two down. Striker thought to himself as he ran to the only other tree. Two more grays, one white, one black, I can do this. He thought to himself quickly. Then he felt something grab him. He felt his body being picked up, looking around he saw that the tree he his behind had suddenly grew a face... and arms legs and teeth. Very sharp teeth. It's gaping mouth opened wide. It began to move him toward it's mouth. Out of the corners of his eye, he could see three flying close to him, laughing.

“No!” The black commanded. The tree creature stopped, half his body in it's mouth, its teeth eagerly waiting to rip him apart.

“He's... He's fucking S4! Make him suffer! Fuck the Sunfall!” She laughed. Suddenly Striker was being lifted by the three fliers. Into the air.

“You can't stop him! He shall awaken even if you stop us!” The gray roared spitting in his face. They flew him high, right into the cloud curtain. Unfortunately for them they weren't holding him very tightly, with the wetness of the clouds, he slid his sawed-off out.

“Hey? Head's or tails?” He asked. Grin on his face.

“Huh?”

“Heads!”

“Shut up gator bait!”

“Nope, Tails!” Striker boasted, turning slightly he let his leg loose enough to point the sawed-off right at the white's abdomen.

KRAKOW

The gun thundered, ripping the mare in two, she spat blood. Her body fell as the shock took over, her upper half letting go, falling into the cloud curtain. Striker pushed himself free enough aim right at one of the gray's head firing another shot.

KRAKOW.

The gray's head was reduced to jelly, a chunky red mist. She two fell in to the cloud curtain. Sliding out his revolver, he made one last shot.

BOOM.

The final gray's back exploded. The huge cavity in her poured blood and other viscera. She let go of him, as she desperately tried catch her insides, before fading. Then Striker laughed as loud as he could, falling to earth, with three corpses. He closed his eyes, letting the wind sweep up into his mane and coat, his back faced the ground, his body ready he accepted his fate. Dropping both his weapons he fell.

“TOOK SIX OF YOU CUNTS TO STOP ME, EAT SHIT AND DIE!” He roared as his final words, then he felt a sharp thud, and his whole body lurched. Opening his eyes everything spun. Then he hit the ground, hard but alive. Looking about He saw a familiar cyan pegasus.

“Rainbow!?”

“I wasn't going to let you die! Even if you're plan was stupid.” She replied.

“Hey one versus six and I got five, my plan worker pretty well.” he bragged. Picking himself up he looked to building where the black glared at him.

“Except where you fell to your death.” Rainbow told him sternly.

The blacks voice stopped their words.

“YOU! You killed my sisters! You are nothing! You are a wandering soul in the sea of damned! There is a storm coming! What are you seeking?!?! Death or Glory! Redemption?!” She wailed.

Rainbow flinched back. Striker glared back. “No idea, but I know I'll take whatever you bring, I'll ride your storm, I'LL RIDE THE LIGHTNING, MY FACE IS IN THE WIND, MY SOUL WONDERS, YET NEVER FAULTERS. YOU ALREADY LOST YOUR SOUL, MAY YOU FIND PEACE IN DEATH! AND SHUT YOUR DAMN MOUTH!” He shouted, booming out as the black laughed, then she began to burn. In that eldrich blue flame, her body erupted. He glared even at the flames.

“S FOUR BURN IN THE ABYSS” she howled before cackling madly. He laughter echoed in the silence. There was no sound but the cracking of flame and her laugh. The other five corpses began burn as well. The Spectral fire some how reaching out and burning the dead reducing them to ash. After a few moments the building blazed. Soon the small coven of Angel Witches were nothing but dust in the wind.

Rainbow looked at Striker, she was looking for any kind of explanation. Striker was just breathing heavily.

“Thank you for the save, by the way.” he told her between breaths.

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A few hours had passed. Striker and Rainbow returned to Twilight, who was pretty worried, after finding his weapons, they would need to be fixed. After some apologies, things were a bit better. Twilight and Rainbow, didn't know about Striker's fighting capabilities. They also didn't know much about Angel Witches. Who's main form of deadly spells all are based on hexes. Striker didn't think to tell them these things, and wasn't exactly used to sharing that kind of information. Neither side had all the information necessary to avoid a argument. Rainbow explained Striker's combat skills, and that he single hoofedly brought down five. He explained that they underestimated him. That six versus one, he should have died. Luck for him he got the surprise advantage. He got two before any fight started. He got a white by surprise as well.

“The job is done, I'll be on my way then.” Striker told them. He was done. He told himself he had been a fool to think that he should have friends.

“Whoa, whoa, whoa now. We saved each other's lives today. Don't think we're not celebrating! We can do something you like, umm like head to Berry Punch's bar!” Rainbow explained, gliding over in front of the exit.

“I'd rather not if you don't mind.” He replied

“I'd rather not have worried about you walking to your death. I could use a drink, so could you.” Twilight scolded him.

“I'm sorry about that, I am, but I think I'm just going to my motel room.”

“You're still in a motel, you've been here for like a month, why not rent a place, or find some place to stay.” Rainbow voiced

“I don't want to talk about it right now, can I just go please.” He replied

“Striker, you always do stuff for us. You help everypony in town, you help us with our work, and even go to Pinkie's parties that we all know you hate going to. Let us repay you by going to the bar together! It'll be fun!” Twilight sweetly replied.

“Alright fine, fuck it, I need a drink.” he relented. He wanted to get drunk, very drunk.

“Alright! I'll go see what the gang is doing! See if they can go to!” Rainbow beamed, dashing away to find her friends.

Striker looked at Twilight, who gave him a grin. He reached into his coat, pulled out the old Seeker's journal he kept. Then threw it on Twilight's desk.

“You wanted to learn more about Seekers. That is a Seeker's journal. My family keeps a record of every case we've ever done. You can read it if you like. Although I must warn you, it isn't much better then that stallion drinking molten steel.”

“After today, I don't know if I want to anymore...”

“You don't have to read it,”- he trotted over picking it up again. “but you can, to be honest this is more of a monster manual, but that's really what Seekers are. Monster hunters, who become monsters themselves.”

He gestured for her to take the journal. She just shook her head. He gave small laugh. He had decided. He was done fighting with himself. He was ready for friends if it would mean he can drunk.

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Author's Notes:

This one is more about Striker.
More monsters next chapter