with NightSoul as Flog and Sterling

Upstairs in the Bit & Bridal's bathroom Jade sat in a half-full tub of water, her hands cuffed behind her back as Sterling sat next to the tub, humming as she scrubbed the mare.

The green mare eyed the drake, biting her lip before speaking up. "Um... S-Sterling, was it?"

The drake tilted her head slightly. "Yes?"

"I just, um..." Jade started, obviously nervous about saying something that she wasn't used to saying. "W-Well, I just wanted to say that I, uh... That I'm sorta grateful for... what you're doing to me..."

Sterling tilted her head. "I'm just cleaning you. It's no big deal."

"Still... You're giving me second chance... I appreciate it... And, um... I'm s... sorry for calling you a... whore..."

"It's alright. I know you were just talking shit... Doesn't really bug me," Sterling said as she massaged shampoo into the mare's hair.

"Really?" Jade asked. "Flog made it-- I-I mean... M-Master made it seem like it was a big deal..."

"It is to him, Jade... He is very protective of anyone he cares about."

"I see... I hope he'll eventually care about me that much..." she muttered.

"Maybe, but you'll need to be a good girl and earn it." The drake cooed, scratching Jade's head.

The green mare smiled as there was a bang on the front door. Jade tilted her head before looking at Sterling. "What was that?"

"I don't know..."

Downstairs, Flog stepped out of his workshop and up to the store's front door, looking through the blinds. He couldn't see anyone. Giving a grumble, he undid the lock and opened the door looking all around. To his shock, Twilight was sprawled out in front of the store, covered in bloody cuts and bruises. Her clothing was ripped and she had a bloody nose. Faint groaning could be heard from her as she weakly eyed Flog with half-lidded eyes. The colt gave a few curses under his breath as he knelt down and checked her over, before picking her up and heading back inside.

The mare coughed weakly and wheezed. "We failed..."

"Shhh, save your strength, Miss Twilight..." Flog said as he went upstairs and gently laid her out on the table.

He then retrieved a first aid kit and some wet rags as he cleaned and dressed her wounds.

Twilight winced and gasped a little. "I couldn't... Kronos, they... They won... The city's theirs..."

Flog listened as Sterling came in, rushing up to the mare's side. "Twilight!"

The mare looked over at her with a weak smile. "Hey, Sterling..." she wheezed. "If you're both here... who's w... watching Jade?"

"I put her back in her restraints before coming down..." the drake explained. "What happened to you?"

"I was... chased from the hotel... Guns going off... I managed to... kill my pursuers, but... I-I wiped out... The car flipped over and hit a dumpster..."

Sterling nodded, listening as she helped hold Twilight up and strip her top off. Flog then cleaned up her back, letting out a grunt.

"You're gonna need some stitches up the left side of your rear..." he said, before he and Sterling slowly turned Twilight over.

She then felt him dab a bit of alcohol along her left butt cheek and a little up her back before he began sewing it up.

The mare winced and sniffled. "About a week ago I was safe in my home... Then, I was called here and for what?" Twi asked. "I didn't do any good and Kronos still won..." she said, sounding like she was giving up.

Sterling gently shushed Twilight as she nuzzled her cheek.

The purple mare closed her eyes and shuddered. "Mmm... What am I gonna do? What CAN I do?"

"You can fight..." Flog said as he finished stitching.

Twi eyed him. "Fight? I couldn't beat Midnight... How am I supposed to go up against the big boss?" she asked.

"You train and learn from everything you've dealt with... Fight for what you want."

The unicorn closed her eyes as she began to think about all those she's met; Dashie, Pinks, AJ, Tech, Flora, Rarity... Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo. She then opened her eyes. "What I want... more than anything... is to make Kronos pay for all they've done to this city... and to my friends..."

"Then focus on that and let it drive you," Flog said as he finished patching her up.

The mare nodded before looking at Sterling. "When I'm healed... I want you train the shit out of me..." The drake nodded, smiling softly. "How long do you think it'll take?" she asked, grunting a little.

"For you to heal, little less than a week," Flog said.

"And a few weeks for me to help you hold your own," Sterling finished.

"I don't have that long..." Twi grunted. "I have to save my friends..."

The two looked at each other before looking back. "The fastest we could do is two weeks..." Flog finally said. "Maybe get you an armored car from a favor one of my customers owe... And some guns from another."

"Good... Do that..." said Twilight. "And, I'll need some binoculars, too..."

"Anything else?" the colt asked.

Twi thought for a moment before nodding. "Walkie-talkies..."

Day 1

Chrysalis sat down in Luna's chair with a sigh of happiness. "Oh, I do love the smell of victory in the morning..."

Nala smiled as she entered the room. "You did it, ma'am... City's ours."

The Changeling queen smiled. "Yes, it is... You did very well, Nala..."

"Thanks, but... I didn't really do anything... Just a small contribution, really..."

"True, but you did your small contribution so much better than the other gangs' larger contributions..." Chrysalis replied with a smile.

"Oh..." said Nala with a small blush. "Thanks."

The queen nodded before tilting her head. "So... who exactly are you mimicking right now?"

The black mare looked at her own body and chuckled. "Oh, it's a mixture so I wouldn't draw attention. Body's from a black mare I saw on Stone Avenue... Breasts and hair from a mare on 6th Street... Eyes from a mare on Grover Drive..."

Chrysalis chuckled. "So, you're like a piece of art, Nala... Impressive..."

"Thank you..."

"Mmm... Now, go and, uh..." Chrysalis said, not sure what else to do. "Make sure the Elementals are behaving..."

The black mare smiled and nodded. "I'll go make myself useful," she said, turning and leaving.

Day 7

Sterling stood across from twilight and waved her hand for the mare to start. The purple mare grinned and ran at her. Once she was close enough she threw a hard punch towards Sterling's cheek. The drake put up an arm, blocking it as she swing her own fist out at Twilight's side. The unicorn let out a grunt when she felt the hit before bringing her fist up into the drake's stomach, making Sterling grunt with the hit as she suddenly kicked out Twilight's leg, sending the mare to her knees.

Twi then rolled to the side and swiped at the dragon's feet, knocking her down. As sterling fell she brought a knee down on Twilight's left arm, and holding down her right, as she pinned the mare for a few moments before slowly standing up and offering her a hand.

Twi sighed and reached up, taking it. "Still not good enough..."

Day 9

Chrysalis was sitting in her chair, legs out and barefoot as Scootaloo was rubbing them, an unhappy look on her face.

"Oh, what's wrong, little Scootaloo?" asked Chrysalis mockingly. "Still upset about the whole capturing you thing?"

"And the rape?" Scoots asked with an angry tone.

"Well, I wasn't a part of that..." the queen replied, slowly wiggling her toes. "You are really good at this..."

"Really?" asked Scoots, not sounding flattered at all. "My first time..."

"Is that right? I suppose I'll have you do this more often, then..."

The teen sighed and kept rubbing the queen's feet. "Oh, boy... I can't wait..." she groaned.

Day 11

Flog led Twilight out behind the shop as he smiled slightly, showing her an armored bank truck.

The mare smiled and walked up to it, running her hand along it. "Nice... Good score, Flog... This should come in quite handy." She then looked at him. "Get those binoculars yet?"

"They're in the back, along with a nice little surprise," he said, leading her around and opening the back.

Sitting next to a set of binoculars was a military grade assault rifle with a grenade launcher attachment as well as several boxes of ammo for it.

"Whoa..." Twi said in surprise, before smiling. "Why haven't you taken them on?" she asked, feeling the gun. "You clearly have access to some heavy weapons..."

"I don't normally have access to something like this. It's a favor I called in to a crinkly cadet a few town's over... Besides, I only have experience with revolvers... Which reminds me... The mare who got this for me also left a few notes on how to properly use and take care of this rifle here," he said pulling out a small stack of papers.

"Fantastic..." Twi said with a smile. "Kronos won't know what hit 'em..."

Day 13

Nala entered Chrysalis' room and stood by her desk. "Nothing..."

Chrysalis eyed her. "You sure?"

The black mare nodded. "Twilight hasn't been seen since she was chased away. We don't know where she went or what she's doing..."

The queen sighed, sounding annoyed. "Keep an eye out... There's a reason I was able to talk Cadence into sending her a letter so easily... She most likely believes Twilight can handle herself under pressure..." She then paused to think before looking directly at Nala. "Keep an eye out for her..."

The mare nodded. "Yes, ma'am," she said, turning around and leaving the room.

Day 14

Sterling stood opposite Twilight as she took a fighting stance. Twilight took a deep breath before running at her, throwing a punch to her stomach.

The drake brought a hand down, knocking Twi's fist to the side as she moved an elbow in, bringing it up at Twilight. The mare blocked it and brought her knee up in another attempt to deliver a blow to the drake's stomach. It hit solidly as Sterling grunted and grabbed her leg, keeping it up. Twilight then tried to pull away before throwing a punch to Sterling's side. The drake grunted but kept Twilight's leg in her grasp before she kicked the other, knocking the unicorn to the ground.

Twi grunted as she hit the floor before she quickly got to her knees and lunged at the drake, knocking her off her feet. Twi then quickly grabbed her arms and tried pinning her down, her legs holding down the drake's. Sterling grunted as she rolled them both over, herself now on top. Twilight then attempted to head-butt the drake in the forehead.

Sterling smiled slightly as she drew back to keep her head away. "Good... But, you're gonna have to learn some dirtier tricks... Like this!" Sterling called as she brought a knee up, pressing it into Twilight's belly.

The mare let out a grunt. "Oh, believe me, when I see whoever's in charge of Kronos I'll be as dirty as I can be..."

"Then, show me," the drake called, pressing more on her chest.

"Restart, then... And I will..."

"In a real fight there are no redoes..."

"In a real fight, I would've used dirty tricks from the start and avoided this..."

"Alright, then," the Drake said, standing up.

Twi took a few steps back before taking a stance, ready to fight. Sterling gave her a wave of her hand, signaling to the mare that she was ready to start. Twilight then ran at her once more, this time deliver a punch towards her throat. The drake side stepped aside and pushed Twilight, making her run into the wall. The mare quickly backed away and spun around, swinging her leg at the drake's side. It hit, making Sterling grunt as she grabbed the leg and pushed Twi back at the wall. She then lunged forward, throwing a punch at Twilight.

The mare dropped to her knees before punching the drake in the stomach. Sterling let out a groan and backed up before Twilight kicked her legs out from under her. The dragon yelled as she fell forward atop Twilight, before trying to pin her to the floor. Twi slipped her right hand away and grabbed Sterling's neck, rolling them over. The drake growled as she pushed her arms between Twilight's and broke the mare's hold on her neck. Twi then slammed her forehead into the drake's, making her yell in pain before she returned the favor. Twilight grunted and pressed her knee into Sterling's stomach while pressing her arm to the drake's neck.

"Give up, yet?" the mare asked, sounding victorious.

Sterling smirked as she spat into Twilight's eyes, making her pull back as the drake tackled her and pinned her down.

"Well... That was a cheap trick..." Twi muttered.

"Twi, you're going to have to expect cheap and dirty trucks as well as learn to do them yourself..."

"Well, I doubt that my enemy will be spraying saliva into my eyeballs."

"Maybe not, but you might have to... Or use a can of spray paint as mace or any other number of things. Just always keep an open mind."

"My mind's open... And people are always pushed to the limit when their lives, or their friends' lives, are at stake... When I face Kronos I will show them no mercy."

Sterling nodded and got up, offering Twilight a hand.

The mare took it and stood up. "It's been 2 weeks... I have to do this now... Before it's too late..."

Sterling nodded, hugging Twilight "I've taught you the best I can for the time... Oh... And Flog has something for you that he's been working on down in his workshop. Go see him before you go."

"I just wanna, uh... work out alone for a little bit before I go... Think things through and whatnot..." Twilight said with a smile.

Sterling nodded. "I'll just go give Jade her bath."

Twi smiled. "Thanks... See ya in a bit..." she said before walking over to a raised horizontal bar on the wall, ready to do some more pull-ups as the dragon left.

Kyra, Sunset Shimmer, and Gilda sat at a table in the dining room, relaxing.

"Can you believe it actually worked?" Shimmer asked. "I mean... we actually did it... We won."

"It was Chrysalis' plan," said Kyra. "Of course it worked."

"Why are you so close to her?" Gilda asked.

The red mare eyed her. "What do you mean?"

"Well, you seem to always have good things to say about her... And, she picked you to relay our orders through..."

"I have a lot of respect for her, okay?" Kyra snapped. "That's it."

Gilda smirked. "Sure."

Shimmer eyed them both. "Come on, girls... We're a team now, right?" she asked. "Just like the good old days."

"Almost like the good old days..." Kyra said with a sigh. "Still a few short..."

Gilda nodded. "Yeah... But, they'll come around... Eventually..."

Kyra gave her a forced weak smile, not really believing that.

Sterling returned to the workout room to see Twilight doing pull-ups, her back muscles visibly stronger as they were also coated in sweat. Twi's arm muscles also seemed strong as she kept doing pull-ups, her chin going over the bar. She didn't look like a professional bodybuilder but she had a lot more muscle than before. The drake said nothing as she leaned against the door frame, watching.

Twi then held herself up for a few seconds before slowly lowering to the floor. She then turned around to face the dragon, her hair matted to her skin with sweat. "It's time..."

Sterling smiled. "Don't forget to go see Flog before you go... And come back okay?"

Twi smiled and walked up to her. "Of course I'll be back... Wouldn't leave you for the world..." Sterling smiled as she pulled Twilight off the ground with a bear hug. The mare smiled and hugged back. "Wish me luck."

"All the luck in the world."

The unicorn tightened her hold before breaking the hug. "I probably should go see what Flog wants..."

"He's down in his workshop. Said he had something important for you that he cooked up."

Twi nodded. "Alright, then," she said, kissing Sterling on the cheek before leaving the room.

Opening the door to Flog's workshop she spotted the colt at his desk, working on a small device that looked it had once been a radio.

"Our favorite pet said you had something for me?" she asked, entering the room.

Flog tuned to face Twilight with a smile. "Ah, yes. Here," he called, tossing her the altered radio. Twi caught it and looked it over. "That's a short-ranged jammer. For about two hours it can jam or block anything from radios to cellphones to the internet and even cameras... All ya have to do is flip the switch on the side," he explained, smiling.

Twilight nodded as she caught it. "2 hours, huh? Shouldn't take that long..."

"Good. 'Cause the thing will burn out and be unusable after that..." Flog said with a small smirk.

Twi smiled back and looked it over. "Well..." she said, returning her gaze to the colt. "I guess I should get started..."

"Good luck, miss Twilight... I hope to see you back here soon," the cold said with a comforting smile.

Twi smiled back before turning and leaving.