My head throbbed with every heartbeat. A stinging pain seemed to linger from my shoulders and flanks all the way down the length of my hooves. Once again I was lying down, my back pressed against a cold, smooth surface. I tried to open my eyes, but that was far more difficult than it should have been.

Why was I so tired? I felt myself slipping out of consciousness, but the sound of a familiar voice brought me back. My heart started beating faster. The voice was not that of a friend. I feared the speaker, but why? My thoughts were sluggish, but slowly I remembered the streets of Vostoris. I remembered carrying a mare on my back. Somepony was there too, an older stallion, Tumble. Then I remembered walking alone until I saw a zebra mare, a Remnant!

Images moved quickly in my mind now. I saw myself opening the hidden entrance to a Remnant base, walking cloaked among them. In one of the rooms there was a book, a horrible tome that belonged to a shaman. Charon! It was his voice that I was hearing now!

My eyes snapped open, and I tried desperately to move. A horrible tearing pain shot up through all four of my hooves, and across my stomach and chest. After that brief, blinding moment of pain all the strength left my body. As my hooves slumped lifelessly back down, I could hear the sound of metal scraping against metal.

I must have lost consciousness again, because once more I had to struggle to open my eyes. A keen burning sensation racked my body, this time I tried to move only my head.

Why do I feel so weak? Even breathing was hard. I was afraid that if I didn't consciously keep forcing air into my lungs I would die.

Turning my head, I felt something rubbing around my neck. Someone had put a collar on me? Instantly my heart started hammering in my chest. Was I to be a slave again? No, I won't go back to being a slave! They can try, but I'm not a helpless foal anymore.

Turning as much as my bonds would allow, I looked to my right, exploring the surroundings. The room I was in, despite having lights on the ceiling, was illuminated by candles. Their wavering flames cast long warped shadows on the walls.

A groan escaped my lips, and I nearly fainted when I felt a sharp stab in my stomach, followed by a dull ache. There was a disturbing sound of metal scraping against metal, followed by the sound of something wet hitting a solid surface. The smell of blood and gore hung heavily in the air.

Gritting my teeth, and fighting exhaustion, I tried to lift my head as much as the shackle around my neck would allow.

No. No, no, no! Dear Celestia please help me! I shook my head in disbelief and prayed as I watched the horrific scene in front of me.

Charon, the shaman working for the Remnant, was looking back at me. His hooves were covered in blood, my blood, and he was smiling.

I just looked on in horror at my stomach. It was opened from breastbone to crotch, with hooks pulling my hide back to reveal my guts, glistening with blood and other fluids.

I wanted to faint at that moment right there, but somehow I remained conscious. My breathing was reduced to short gasps, and every sharp intake of air made my intestines jiggle slightly. I wanted to cry out, but was too shocked by what I was seeing.

Charon grinned wildly at me; he enjoyed doing this I knew. He enjoyed taking ponies apart. It brought a demented sparkle to his eyes.

I tried to reach out with my magic. When nothing happened I screamed. I screamed as loudly as I could. The terrible pain that spread through my whole body only helped my wailing.

I screamed myself into a coughing fit. Each cough caused me pain as my body jerked, stretching and tearing the skin held by the hooks.

My horn! My horn! He took that too?! Damn you! Just kill me already! I banged the back of my head against the surface I was bound to.

Charon, as if reading my thoughts smiled even more, his teeth shining in the candle light. Was it just my imagination, or did it look like he had fangs?

I groaned and whimpered as his blade came back down again. This time I did faint, but only for a moment. When I came to, my head had slumped to the side and I could see one of my hooves. It was shackled and stretched out tight. To my further horror the hoof, all of my hooves, were opened similarly to my stomach. Hide pulled apart, and held in place with small hooks. I could clearly see muscle, sinews, cartilage and bone. The burning pain I felt was not from the hooks, although they stung terribly, it was from the insides being exposed to air and slowly drying. My hooves had been flayed! Another stab to my stomach, and darkness descended over my eyes again.

With every passing moment I felt weaker, maybe from the loss of blood. My only comfort was the knowledge that this won't last long. Looking down I saw Charon happily going about his work. Cutting and removing more of me. I felt pain constantly now, but its intensity was fading.

"Not much longer now." I kept telling myself. Soon I will die, and this nightmare would end.

Foolish! I never should have followed the mare into the base. I broke my promise to Shrapnel, Saw, Cog and IronClaw. I won't see them again. Worst of all, I won't see Amber again. Tears blurred my vision at the thought of leaving her utterly with no hope of coming back to her.

I felt the blade dig into me again. This time I only winced, the pain felt distant, almost like a memory. The entire room looked like it was swaying. My eyelids grew heavy and I thought that I would pass out.

The sound of metal scraping on metal caught my attention. Charon had put the knife down; his face turned serious and closed his eyes in deep concentration. Was he preparing himself for a ritual? It didn't matter; the familiar feeling of slipping away, of the gentle numbing cold had taken over me, just like it did back in the desert, back when the pink gas touched me.

After a few moments of silence, Charon opened his eyes and that sickening smile came back.

"Good." The shaman crooned. "You lasted longer than the others. Maybe the ritual will be more successful with you?"

I wanted to protest, to fight, but there was so little I could actually do. One thing was clear though, Charon needed me alive for this ritual. Celestia if you can hear me, you will let me die. Please, just don't let him continue.

My prayer fell on deaf ears.

Charon began chanting softly. The air in the room suddenly grew colder, and the candles started flickering. Some of the words in the chant I could understand. He spoke words of binding, tearing, but most were beyond me. Zaeryl had taught me a how to perform rituals, I can now recognize most of them, even counter some, but this was dark magic. Zaeryl would have taught me more when I had gotten older, wiser, but things didn't work out as planned. Zaeryl died, and I was left alone.

I gasped as Charon's spell took hold. A sudden weariness washed over me, exhaustion the likes of which I never felt before. My body was tired, I knew I was at the edge of death, but now the pains and aches seemed distant. Then a horrible burning consumed my whole being.

Wicked black fire liked my flesh and thrashed and screamed. I could hear my skin tear and the chains around my hooves rattle, as I desperately pulled at my bonds. Even death was denied to me.

My hoof struck something solid, and then it was quickly pushed back down to my side.

"Spirits! He's awake!" A voice to my right said.

"Damn! Give him another dose then, hurry! I won't have him dying of shock now that I finished putting him back together!" Another voice replied. I didn't recognize any of them.

I tried opening my eyes, and was immediately blinded by a bright light. Blurry shapes moved about me, they looked vaguely equestrian. They might be working for Charon!

My body still hurt and ached, but I felt stronger. I tried to rise, but firm hooves used me down and then I felt something being pushed into my mouth. My hooves were pinned beside me, and I also felt a pair holding my head firmly. A bitter tasting liquid filled my mouth and I nearly cocked trying not to swallow.

"Shhhh... It’s okay. You're safe. No one is going to hurt you. You have to drink, it will help." A voice spoke gently into my ear. Somehow I knew, felt the sincerity and I relaxed. Still suspicious, but left with few options I swallowed the bitter liquid.

"Good." The voice crooned, and I felt my mane being stroked. The sensation didn't last long; thinking became more difficult as I started slipping away again. I was scared. I didn’t know what was happening, if I was safe or not. Most of all I didn’t want to sleep, but I had no choice.

"-you hear me?! Get me out of here! I demand that I be put in a different cell!"

"Ughh... Who's shouting?" I grumbled and moved my hooves from under the blanket to cover my ears. Blanket?

Immediately I snapped my eyes open, and looked at my surroundings. The lack of pain was a welcomed surprise, but the sudden jerk in movement made me swoon.

Once the world stopped spinning I could take better account of my surroundings. The first thing I noticed were the bars right across the bed I was lying on.

“I’ve been captured?” As soon as I said it, memories started flooding back. I pushed the blanket off of me and sighed with relief when I couldn’t find any marks on my body. Thank Celestia it was just a nightmare. The experience had already started fading from my mind, but it made me shiver nonetheless.

The other three walls around me were painted stark white and were mostly clean, except for the yellow stains I could see near a corner. To me it didn’t make any sense since there was a toilet right there. Right beside the bed there was a little table, and on it there were a few vegetables placed on a trey. As tempted and hungry as I was, I decided to resist until I found out more.

“Hey! Do you bastards hear me?!” The same voice yelled. Who was that?

“Oh for fucks sake.” I heard someone grumble from nearby.

“What the hell do you want?!” Another speaker bellowed back, and I could hear the sound of hoofsteps growing louder. A zebra in guard armor walked pass the bars of my room. “What?!” He shouted again, sounding very annoyed.

“Eh-hem, as I was saying. I want you to move me to a different cell.” The zebra I first heard shouting spoke again. “I’m an honest thief, but these you got locked up here are dangerous criminals!” Honest thief?

“Uh-huh…” The other zebra went on. I got off the bed and stumbled on unsteady hooves before regaining my balance.

“Yeah, I mean you have murderers here, rapists, raiders, ponies, a Remnant! It’s just not safe for me in here.” A Remnant? He can’t possibly be meaning me. That reminds me, I need to find out what happened to my things.

“So, you’re scared of them?” The zebra guard asked, I had moved up to the bars and could now see him looking at the room right beside mine.

“Damn right I’m scared!” The ‘honest thief’ proclaimed.

“Well then I guess you better shut the hell up, so you won’t piss them off.” The guard barked back and turned, but tripped when he saw me looking at him through the bars. “Spirits! Nearly gave me a heart attack.”

“Sorry.” I apologized, still looking around and trying to make sense of the situation.

It’s obvious that I’m in prison, but why? The zebras were wearing guard armor, which was a big improvement from seeing Remnant assault gear. I was getting sick of seeing those. And my wounds have been healed, so that’s something. Who was it that spoke to me and calmed me down? Was that just another dream?

“Lith! He’s awake! The unicorn!” The guard yelled than turned his attention back to me. “Don’t worry about it, you just startled me. How are you feeling?” He asked looking genuinely concerned.

“Much better. Where am I?” I asked.

“Yeah you were in pretty bad shape when they found you. Some of the guards were even taking bets on whether you’d survive the night.” What? The zebra caught my confused look and rubbed the back of his head with a hoof. “Well you lost a lot of blood. We do have skilled doctors, but still…” He shrugged. “You’re in jail, in Vostoris. Do you remember what happened to you?”

I thought back and remembered the Remnant base and their plans. The plans! Old mansion at the markets! Midnight! I almost blurted everything out, but managed to reign in my tongue. Could I trust this zebra?

“I remember a few things. It’s kind of hard to recall the details.” I’m not giving away anything until I’m sure that these guards are genuine, or at least until I’m sure that they aren’t working for the Remnant.

“That’s not surprising. You crashed through a window. Killed a Remnant in the fall when you landed on him.” The zebra said and I winced at the memory. I wasn’t really aware of the fall, but the sound of breaking bones was still clear in my mind. “They weren’t too happy about that.” He said and looked to his left. I followed his gaze to the room right across my own, and there on the bed a zebra was sitting and watching us intently.

From the moment I saw him I knew he was Remnant. He was sitting in a meditative position, his face expressionless, but he couldn’t hide the cold fury in his eyes. I think I saw this zebra before. He was with the one that tried to buy my cloak a few days back.

“I let them know that he’s awake. The griffin should be here in a few hours.” I heard a female voice, and a zebra mare walked up to her guard friend. She gave me a searching look. “You’re with the Talons right?” She asked. I nodded. “They’ll be here soon.” She leaned over to the side to look behind me. ”You should eat to get your strength back. The doc will peel my hide if you keel over from exhaustion after all the work she put into fixing you.” I nodded again.

“Why am I he-“ I started but the guard mare raised a hoof, cutting me off.

“You’re friends can tell you all about that. Come on.” She gestured with a hoof and the other guard followed her back down the hall and out of sight.

My eyes went back to the Remnant sitting in the opposite room. He eagerly met my gaze, almost daring me to turn away first. I had no intention of having a staring contest with him, so I promptly turned about and climbed back onto my bed.

After munching on a carrot and some lettuce I made myself more comfortable. Naturally I couldn’t sleep with the zebra staring at me, so I figured I should try and meditate. If anything it’ll piss of the Remnant.

It wasn’t working. I could never completely quiet my thoughts and meditate in earnest, but I had managed to relax a bit.

The sound of voices and hooves made me lurch ahead, but I caught myself before I fell. I can’t believe I fell asleep while sitting.

“Hello there. You’ve got a visitor. This is-” The zebra guard that was in here earlier started to say when the griffin standing next to him spoke.

“We’ve met. I’d shake your hoof, but…” The griffin said as he tapped the bars casually with a talon, looking bored. The guard took that as his cue and left us alone.

We have? I studied the griffin closely. He was younger than IronClaw, or at least he looked younger. He had the same gold eyes that I’ve seen on almost all other griffins. The only difference was the color of his feathers. Usually they were white with colored tips, but his were all grey.

As I was studying him, so too was he observing me. “Right.” He nodded to himself. “I guess you were out of it when we met.” Uhh… “At the bar. You, Shrapnel, Cog and Saw were picking a fight with some zebras. Ring any bells?” He asked.

Now that he mentioned it, I do remember Cog saying something about a griffin with guards showing up. But what was his name?

“Tark.” The griffin said seeing the trouble I was having remembering.

“Sorry. Cog had told me about-“ I tried to apologize, but Tark waved away my concerns.

“Don’t worry about it. If I was in your hooves I’d have trouble remembering my own name, and we were never properly introduced in the first place. If I remember right, you were… occupied after that brawl.” He said turning his head to the side and raising an eyebrow.

I knew what he meant and I blushed and felt shamed all over again. Tark didn’t tease me, or judge or anything. He kept his half lidded gaze on me, waiting.

“What happened? Why am I here?” I asked trying to move the conversation along.

“You don’t remember anything?” The griffin asked looking agitated, his wings partly unfurled.

“I remember, just not how I got here. Why am I in jail?” I said trying to calm him.

“Well that’s good because we need answers.” He said. “You’re in jail because of politics.” Politics? I don’t understand.

I waited for Tark to continue, hoping that he would explain. The griffin sighed and rolled his eyes. “Long story short, you were somewhere where you weren’t supposed to be.” No kidding. “There is a possible diplomatic incident brewing. The Remnant are accusing the Talons of sending a spy to their embassy. They think you’re that spy.” He said and waited for me to answer, when I said nothing he continued. ”Look, I know your mission went south. Tell me what you learned and I’ll take it to Razorwing. Then we can focus on getting you out of here.” He thinks Razorwing sent me to spy on the Remnant?

“I… wasn’t on a mission.” I said quietly. Tark looked at me strangely, his eyes going wide. “I overheard a Remnant talking with some zebra. They were planning something, so I decided to follow and find out what.”

“And you ended up at their embassy?” Tark asked and when I nodded he pinched his beak between his eyes with a talon. “Well that was stupid.” I know. “Why didn’t you go back and report this? How the hell could you have thought that going in alone was a good idea?” I ask myself that very same question. Tark sighed. “Did you at least learn anything?”

I cleared my throat and approached the bars so that I could speak more quietly. I didn’t want the Remnant to overhear. “The zebra was making some sort of deal with the Remnant. He mentioned an old mansion by the markets. He told her to be there at midnight.”

“Her?” Tark asked, then noticing the glances I was making over his shoulder turned around. He regarded the Remnant behind the bars for a few moments than turned back to me. Understanding my caution, he unfurled his wings a little to hide me from view, and repeated in a hushed tone. “Her?”

“The Remnant mare. They are after a something. They mentioned a winged one.” I whispered to the griffin.

“You don’t know what it could be?” He asked and I shook my head. I had my suspicions, but nothing solid. “Anything else?”

“They know you’re spying on them.” I said and was rather surprised by how unconcerned he looked.

“We know that they know.” You do? “Honestly they would be stupid not to suspect us.” He said.

“They know that the council sends you to spy on them?” I asked, blinking dumbly. If the Remnant knew, and the Talons knew it too… Then why?! How?!

“Well they would never admit that they suspect the council. They shift blame to the next best target. Just like with you.” Tark said gesturing to me.

“Me?” I’m their target? But I’m no pony!

“They are saying that the Separatists hired you to spy for them, or that you’re actually a Separatist pretending to work for the Talons.” The griffin said with a small smile. Why was he smiling? This is serious!

“But that’s crazy.” I protested and the griffin just nodded. “So what happens now?”

“Since you are a Talon there is going to be a trial, rather than simply giving you over to the Remnant-” Tark went on, but I interrupted him.

“What do you mean, give me to the Remnant?” This can’t be happening. That nightmare I had was starting to seem all too possible now.

The griffin sighed. “Either they give you over to the Remnant or risk a scandal.” Tark ran a talon through the plumage on his head. “The council needs to keep the peace. The embassies are off limits, so if they ignore the Remnant, the Separatists will see them at a disadvantage and might move against them. Same thing is possible for the other side.” Tark paused for a moment to gather his thoughts. “But luckily you’re one of us, and there is a chance you might get out of this with your head.” Yes, that would be nice. I would like my head to remain on my shoulders.

“How? What do I need to do?” I asked

“Stay out of trouble.” Tark warned and pointed at me with a talon. “I’ll tell Razorwing what you told me, and then we’ll see.”

“So I have to stay in here?” I guess it’s not so bad. The only problem being the Remnant just across, staring at me.

“For now. We’ll see if we can get you moved from here.” Tark said and started turning.

I remembered something and stopped him before he left. “You said you knew that the Remnant know that you are spying on them?” I asked.

“They suspect.” Tark corrected.

“But do you know that they are giving out contracts for a dangerous mission, and trying to capture Talons alive?” I asked and the griffin turned back to me, his face looking grim.

“That is new. It would also explain why we’re losing so many of our own. Oh this is fucking perfect!” He slapped himself in the face. “No wonder the boss is pissed.” He sighed looking resigned. “And now I have to bring back even more bad news. Do you know what their planning?”

I shook my head. “All I remember is that bloodwings were mentioned, a whole nest. That’s where they keep sending Talons, and trying to capture them.”

Tark shook his head. ”This isn’t good. Alright I’m off. I’ll see if I can get you out of here.” And with that he turned and left. Curiously I heard him speaking again further down the hall, but I couldn’t make out what he was saying.

The worst part was that there was nothing I could do from in here. Just sit and wait. That damn zebra wasn’t taking his eyes off me. He wanted to kill me; I could see it plainly on his face.

After pacing around the room a few times I hopped back on to the bed, and yawned. A voice in my head was warning me not to fall asleep, not with a Remnant so close. It had a good point. But weariness washed over me and I was dreaming before I even realized it.

I woke to the sound of screaming and gunfire. Never a good sign.

Looking up from the bed I noticed that the Remnant in the room opposite to my own was standing near his bars. Immediately I jumped to my hooves. He just smiled viscously at me.

“Intruders! Call for back-Ughh…” Someone called out, but was silenced before they could finish.

The prison grew eerily quiet. A heavy ‘thud’ was heard next, and somehow I knew it came from a lifeless body hitting the floor.

“What the hell is going on?” Someone quietly muttered from one of the rooms.

“Did someone try to break out?” Another voice asked in the same guarded tones.

The silence stretched on unpleasantly. My ears were erect and swiveling this way and that, trying to pick up any unusual sounds.

I gasped quietly when I saw a shimmer pass before my bars. Oh no…

The shimmer intensified and then dissolved revealing a blue cloak. This new Remnant was turned facing his friend behind the bars. I couldn’t tell if it was a mare or stallion because the hood was still up.

“He’s the one you want. The one who broke into the embassy.” The Remnant behind the bars sneered and looked maliciously at me.

Alright. No guns. What do I do? I started looking around my cell for something that could be used as a weapon. Let’s see, there’s the pillow, blanket and plate… Well shit. There wasn’t even a place for me to hide!

“You got captured.” A mares voice stated coldly, and my head turned to regard the speaker. It was the Remnant wearing the cloak.

“Well… yes. I tried to catch HIM. Then those idiotic guards got in my way and arrested me when I tried to haul the unicorn back to the embassy for questioning.” The Remnant stallion explained.

“You got captured.” The mare repeated in the same cold voice. The stallion flinched away from her.

“I-I…” The stallion stammered, fighting for words. The indignation and look of satisfaction were now replaced by fear.

“You’re incompetent. Crude. You have no right to call yourself a Remnant.” She sneered and the stallion gulped nervously. “But don’t worry, I’ll help you make thing right, and wash away the shame.” She explained and the buck relaxed, but only for a moment. The cloak around the mare shifted as she bent her head.

“No, wait. You can’t do this!” The stallion backpedaled away from the mare. He opened his mouth to say something, but before he could there was a muffled ‘pfft’ and his body slumped to the floor, blood using from a hole between his eyes.

I stared on dumbly at the corpse. She just killed one of her own, because he was incompetent.

“Hmm…” The mare hummed, and I snapped back to attention. She was looking at me now, I couldn’t see her face because of the hood, but the shiny barrel and silencer of her pistol were clearly visible.

For a moment I thought that she was going to shoot me now that she had my attention, but in one swift motion she concealed her weapon.

“Soon.” She murmured, as if reading my thoughts. “How did you manage to break in?” She asked.

Of course, she wants to get answers from me first. ”I walked in.” I said simply, hoping to take some control in the conversation.

“Here is the deal. You answer my questions and I’ll kill you. Cleanly. Refuse and I take you back to the shaman.” My breath caught in my throat and she noticed it. I couldn’t see her face, but I was sure she was smiling, enjoying watching me squirm.

“Charon.” I whispered as images from the nightmare flashed before my eyes.

“Oh! So you’ve met our shaman.” She said almost playfully.

“He’s no shaman!” I sneered. “He’s a monster. I’ve seen his book. Blood magic and binding rituals. Sacrifices and necromancy!”

The mare arched her neck back. “And what do you know of shamans?”

“I was trained by one.” I said and instantly regretted giving her any information. “And Charon is anything but a shaman.” I went on trying to shift the attention, but it was too late.

“Interesting.” The Remnant mare murmured. “Then you didn’t steal his supplies by accident. You knew what you were after.” She stated. “I’m tempted to bring you back alive, but it’s too risky. Farewell shaman.” She mocked. “May the spirits watch over you.” She said as she bent her head back down again and pulled out her pistol.

This was it, the end.

Bang!

The Remnant mares head along with the hood of her cloak exploded. Her pistol slammed against the bars of my room and bounced off, as her body slumped to the floor.

I could see her face now, well what was left of it anyway. I didn’t recognize her. The bullet smashed through the left side of her head and went out the other side, taking her right eye out and a good chunk of her face. White bits of skull seemed like tiny islands in an ever increasing sea of red.

My focus on the gruesome scene was interrupted by ragged breathing and the sound of something being dragged on the floor.

I pressed my face on the bars and tried to peer out and see who was coming.

The guard mare that was here earlier slowly walked into sight. She was dragging one of her hooves. Her neck and forehooves were drenched in blood, and he tongue hung from her mouth as she gasped for air. Blood would occasionally trickle from her mouth.

She stumbled near my room and collapsed, her battlesaddle clanging noisily against the bars. One of her hooves went to a pocket feebly, but she couldn’t open it.

I moved as close as I could to her and used my magic to get the potion out and give it to her. She didn’t resist when my magic gently nudged her hoof away.

But what I pulled out wasn’t a potion at all. It was a metal ring full of keys attached to a short chain that ended with a metal latch.

“You’re… you’re Talon. Tell-Tell them what happ-happened.” The mare whispered breathlessly.

“You need help.” I told the mare as I slammed the key into the barred door of my room, and silently cursed when it turned out to be the wrong one. “Help!”Someone help! There is a wounded guard here!” I shouted. The mare was bleeding badly. I need to put pressure on that wound! Damn these things, which is the right one?! I shook the keyring and tried another one.

The mare shook her head weakly and coughed.

“There must be more guards. The Remnant couldn’t have killed them all.” I reasoned.

The dying mare shook her head again. “Most… called out. Mission at the markets. Big raid.” The mare said between gasps of pain. She strained to rise and look at me. “The Remnant were-were making a deal with the Vipers. The Remnant ki-killed my partner.” She said as her eyes filled with tears. “They need to be stopped. Markets.”

“Old mansion?” I asked and she nodded.

“After. After a move like this… They’re planning something big. Warn the Talons. Warn the-the council.” She said and passed out. I cursed again and shoved another key into the hole.

“Celestia buck me to the Moon! Which one of the damned things is it?!” Come on! She’s dying and I’m messing around with the damn keys!

“Calm down.” Someone said from close by. “Let’s see, you’re in cell 6, so try the sixth key from the chain. Try from both sides.” I recognized the voice, it was the zebra thief I heard arguing earlier with the guard.

I did as he suggested and quickly selected the sixth one. As soon as the door opened I rushed out to the mare. But I was too late.

She had lost too much blood. Her wounds weren’t even bleeding anymore.

“Hey! Mind getting me out?” A different voice asked. It was another mare, but it was coming from a cell further down the hall.

I looked once more back down at the zebra guard who had saved my life and sighed. Is it just me or is it only the good ones that end up getting killed? I’ve only seen this mare once before, but she struck me as honest and fair. Damn it.

I levitated the key out of from my door and headed for the cell from where the other mare was shouting.

I was a bit surprised to see another pony. She was a dark-blue earth pony with a white mane. Her cutie mark was that of a wave crashing on a sandy shore.

“Well?” The mare asked tapping her hoof impatiently.

“Who are you?” I’m not just going to release a criminal because she asked.

“Low Tide. I’m a Talon same as you.” She said briskly.

I studied her carefully. And how exactly am I supposed to know that she was telling the truth?

The mare sighed and rolled her eyes. “Tark came here earlier to talk to you, and since he’s not an interrogator that means he was here to see a fellow Talon. He told me about you, and believe it or not I’ve seen you before.” Really? “You’re the new recruit IronClaw found while on a mission into the dessert. Don’t know much of what happened there, but I know you work with Cog, Saw and Shrapnel.”

“How do you kno-“ I began but she cut me off with a wave of her hoof.

“They’re kind of famous among us. Been with the Talons for a long while now. As far back as before coming here from Equestria.” Everything that she said rang true.

“But why are you in here?” What could have she done?

The mare sighed again. “Excessive use of force.” She said simply, but seeing my puzzled expression she continued. “I was on a routine patrol in the city when we ran into a few zebras fucking with some ponies.” The mare paused and anger flashed in her eyes. “They were warned. We tried to be nice, but the dam striped bastards attacked us! They actually attacked us, so I bucked the crap out of them.” She looked around her cell with disgust. “Damn it. I wasn’t even supposed to be here, but my superior thought it be good for me to stay here a while and cool off. Bitch.”

Okay I believed her about being a Talon, but would it really be smart to let her out?

“If your superior agreed to have you stay here than it must be for a good reason.” I said.

“Bu-It…” She sputtered. “This isn’t about a fucking time out for being naughty! Did you see what just happened?” She said and gestured back to where the two dead mares were. “The Remnant attacked a Vostoris guard house, probably because of you.”

“Me?” Now it was my turn to sputter.

“Why else? They probably figure you found out some secret of theirs and now they want to kill you. Why else would they have sent an assassin?” She… She was right. “They must be getting desperate.” The mare muttered.

I thought back to what I had seen at the embassy. “No, not desperate. But bold.” I saw nothing at there that would suggest desperation.

The mare studied me for a moment. “Shit. Look, Tark probably didn’t want to tell you this so that you wouldn’t worry, but they are planning to stake out some place in the markets and stop whatever it is that the Remnant were up to. I intend to be there to help my friends. Now are you going to let me out or not?”

I sighed and levitated the key up to her door. I could understand wanting to help your friends. So why was I turning my back on mine? Certainly IronClaw could use my help. But this wasn’t what I had set out to do. Maybe I was naive to think that I would be able to just go around and help without having to face so much death.

“Thanks.” Low Tide said as soon as the door was open. She immediately walked past me to the body of the dead Remnant, and picked up the silenced pistol. I looked at her, now suddenly rethinking weather it was smart letting her out.

She whipped her head and tossed the pistol at me. I caught it with my magic before it could hit me in the face.

The blue mare then proceeded to search through the dead Remnants pockets. I flinched when I saw her pull out a healing potion. If only I had been quicker I could have saved the zebra mare.

“Hey! What are you doing?” I asked outraged. Low Tide had moved on from the Remnant to yanking off the battle saddle from the dead guard mare.

“What does it look like? I’m getting a weapon. Might be more of them around.” She grunted as she pulled the battlesaddle over the dead mares head and started strapping it on herself. “Wish I had my things.” She grumbled.

“I might be able to help you if you let me out.” Low Tide and I both started when we heard the voice. It was that thief again.

“How?” Low Tide barked as I walked up to his cell. The zebra I found in there smiled brightly at my approach. He was kind of small, as far as zebras are concerned.

“They probably took them to the armory. It’s locked with a terminal, but I can get you in.” The small zebra said grinning.

“So. Give us the password.” The blue mare said while wiping of the trigger bit that goes into the mouth with a hoof.

“I can’t do that.” The zebra said apologetically.

“Well I CAN shoot you.” The mare said and the zebra instantly reared up and threw his hooves in front of him.

“I can’t give you the password because I don’t know it, but I can hack into it!” He said quickly and sighed with relief once Low Tide had stopped aiming at him.

“Can you do it?” The mare asked me.

“Maybe. Although I’m not that good with terminals.” I admitted. Cog taught me the basics, and that includes the shut down if you make more than three mistakes. I’d rather not risk it if I didn’t have to.

“But I am. I know this place like my stripes.” The thief boasted.

“Been here that many times have you?” Low Tide smirked, and the thief blushed and started shifting his hooves uncomfortably.

“Even the best get caught sometimes, So will you let me out?” He asked with a hopeful look in his eyes.

I looked over at the mare and she shrugged. “Go ahead. He doesn’t look like a fighter, and I can always shoot him if he gets out of line.”

The zebra winced at her words but still kept smiling. I wouldn’t say that I trusted him, but he just didn’t look like the violent type.

“What’s your name?” I asked as I opened his cell.

“Rath. Rath the master thief and-“ The zebra had reared back on his hooves and started gesturing dramatically.

“Yeah, yeah, shut up and get moving.” Low Tide said and then muttered to herself. “What kind of idiot admits that he’s a thief?”

Rath deflated and followed the mare dejectedly. I looked in through the bars of a few other cells as we passed.

A yellow quivering ball of pony was hiding under the bed in one cell and she refused to come out. A zebra was lying passed out in another cell, saliva dribbling from the corner of his mouth as he slept. I finally stopped at one cell where a zebra mare was reading a magazine.

“What do you want?” She asked in an annoyed tone.

“I’m just surprised you haven’t asked to be released.” I said honestly thought that everyone would be clamoring to be let out, not that I would do it. Low Tide was a Talon and we needed Rath to get our things back.

“Wouldn’t be smart to associate with someone the Remnant has put on their hit list.” She said sounding bored. “Besides it’s nice and peaceful in here.” She looked op from her magazine, and out in the direction I came from. “Usually.” She flipped a page lazily. “And I get three meals a day. Speaking of which, mind telling someone that it’ll be dinner time soon? Oh and tell them to send someone to clean up the bodies before they start to stink.”

“Yeah, sure.” Really what was I supposed to say? Some zebras are just strange.

Seeing as how I was unconscious when I was brought here, I had no idea where to go. So I just followed Low Tide’s lead, and we soon ended up in what appeared to be an office. A dead mare was slumped against the door frame, an SMG lying nearby.

I picked up the weapon in addition to the pistol I was levitating beside me. For a moment I thought about using both of them at the same time if we got attacked, but levitating both proved more tedious than I thought. It would probably be impossible to shoot accurately from both, unless I plan to shoot straight ahead.

Low Tide was on her guard as she stalked the office checking the corners and shadows. There were three more bodies in this room. A stallion which I recognized from before, the one who was there when I first woke up. He didn’t have any gunshot wounds, but it was clear from the pained expression on his face and the way his hooves grasped at his throat, that his windpipe was crushed.

Looking at the dead I could almost see the battle play out. A muffled shot hits one of them, they turn to see what’s happening. Another shot to the eye takes out the mare sitting at the terminal. By now the Remnant was close enough for a jab to the throat, and then finally another shot for the stallion with the battlesaddle who didn’t fire because his chocking friend was right in front of the invisible assailant.

“Shit.” Low Tide whispered as she moved from body to body. “I’m sure glad that guard killed the bitch. Wouldn’t want to mess with her.” No you wouldn’t.

The soldiers I saw back at the Remnant embassy were just that, soldiers. But this was the work of an assassin, an elite. Only blind luck had saved me.

Rath was clearly more disturbed by the sight than Low Tide and me. He gave the bodies a wide berth as he maneuvered to the terminal. He gently pushed the mare aside from the table and laid her down on the floor.

I looked around and saw an armored door. Low Tide followed my gaze. “This it?” She asked.

“Yeah, give me a moment.” Rath said as he wiped the blood from the terminal’s buttons with a hoof before going to work. True to his word, Rath had the heavy armored door open in mere minutes.

The small cramped room was full of mostly empty shelves, five worn and banged up lockers, and a few wooden crates. Low Tide pushed by me and opened one of the lockers. On the shelves I saw four battlesaddles, a couple of SMG’s and a few 9 millimeter pistols. I placed the SMG I was levitating beside its friends. It really wasn’t my type of weapon.

With a rusty groan Low Tide pulled open one of the lockers and started shifting through it.

“Did you find your things?” Rath asked as he stepped into the already cramped space.

“These must be yours.” Low Tide said as she pulled out a sniper and zebra rifle out of one of the lockers. I nodded and went over to her.

Yep, my things were in this locker. I began checking the contents of my saddlebags to make sure nothing was taken. A sigh of relief escaped my mouth when I saw that everything was where it should be, even the bombs I took from Charon were still there. I placed the newly acquired silenced pistol inside along with my other possessions.

While I looked through my saddlebags, Low Tide was taking off the guard’s battlesaddle in exchange for her own, Rath was going through another locker presumably getting his own things.

“What the?” Sparkling dust started falling off my cloak as I lifted it.

“Wow! I mean. Do you need that?” Rath asked suddenly looking very interested in my cloak. I noticed that he was now wearing black leather armor with some very light patchwork plating and a single holstered pistol.

I pulled the cloak closer to me. “Yes I need it.” Really what kind of question was that?

Rath shook his head. “No I mean the dust. I’d be happy to take it off your hooves. I’ll even pay you.” He said as he offered a sizable sack of caps.

“Why do you want to buy dust?” Was it magic? It certainly messed with my cloaks invisibility, which reminds me I have to test if it still works.

“Diamond dust is a rare thing.” He said simply, giving the sack of caps a shake.

Why not? ”Sure you can have it, just don’t damage my cloak.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll be really careful.” He assured me as he took the cloak from my magic grasp and gave me the sack of caps. I watched as he took out a small wooden box and then gently started scraping the diamond dust from the fabric into it.

“Just how valuable is this dust?” Low Tide asked seeing the zebra at work.

“Very. The stones themselves even more of course. Other than being precious like other gems, diamonds in particular are sought after. Not sure why, you’d have to ask an expert.” Rath shrugged as he explained. “Something about them being very sensitive to magic, I don’t know.”

Sensitive to magic? That would explain why it basically flew at me. Maybe it was attracted to the cloaks magic? I bet Amber would know.

“Maybe I should go get the cloak that Remnant was wearing?” Low Tide asked.

“I doubt it still works. She had her hood up when she got shot in the head. Unless you know someone who can repair it?” I said as I though back to that moment. I was so close to dying myself then.

“Yeah, that would be a piece of cake.” The mare snorted and shook her head. “Never heard of anyone beside the Remnant using them.”

“Oh no.” I sighed as I picked up the torn up, hole filled, blood encrusted mess that was my armor. Damn it, I actually felt a little nauseous thinking about having to put it on again. No one bothered to fix it, or even clean it up. They just threw it in the locker.

“You are going to need that repaired, or get a new one.” Low Tide said looking at my armor. “Why don’t you take the one off of that Remnant?”

I balked at her suggestion. “Like you took the battlesaddle from the guard?” I knew that you have to scavenge in order to survive. Checking pockets, saddlebags, taking weapons and ammo I could understand. But she was asking me to go and remove armor, clothes from a dead mare. I don’t care if she was Remnant I couldn’t do it.

“How did you manage to survive this long?” She gaped at me. I got lucky. Shaking her head she kicked open another locker. “Well at least take one of these then!” She tossed me a set of guard armor.

I nodded picking up the bundle and placing my old armor into my saddlebags. She was right; I needed some kind of protection. The armor was heavier and slightly less mobile than what I was used to. It did however have more steel plates sewn on. Clearly it was meant to withstand fire, whereas the Remnant armor I had was more suited for stealth.

The grey-green armor that I now wore had no Kevlar weave, just some treated leather which didn’t offer much protection against knives. Another strange thing were the boots that completely covered my hooves. This armor was meant to be used with a battlesaddle. Holding a rifle in your hooves while wearing boots would be almost impossible. Luckily I was a unicorn.

The larger pockets were welcomed. Not only could I place potions in them, but I could also store spare ammo magazines for easy reloading. The armor wasn’t new, but it was in good condition. No holes and nothing hanging loose. I just needed to get used to the weight.

“All done.” Rath said giving me back my cloak.

I eagerly put it on and had to do some adjusting since this armor didn’t have a high neck collar and special latches for the stealth cloak.

“You mind turning that thing off while you’re with me?” Low Tide asked after I successfully tested the cloak. ”I don’t want to shoot you by accident.”

“If that’s all, I’ll be going now.” Rath started, but Low Tide stepped in front of him and aimed her twin battlesaddle rifles at the zebra.

“Oh you’re going alright. Right back to your cell.” She said and eyed the small zebra. “Shame you put all that stuff on. Take it all off. Now.” The blue mare threatened.

“But you-We had a deal!” Rath protested and started looking at me accusingly.

Why was I suddenly put into this position? He didn’t seem like a bad zebra. Why shouldn’t we just let him go?

“Why were you in jail in the first place?” I asked the distressed zebra.

“Why? I got caught moving some… umm… things.” He said rubbing one of his hooves nervously against the other.

“What ‘things’?” I asked, just a hint of an edge entered my voice. I knew what some zebras considered things, and I just hoped Rath wasn’t involved for his sake.

The look I gave him made him back away a few steps. “Just some gems and rare tech. Nothing really dangerous.” He said. “I’m not supplying the Vipers with weapons if that’s what you’re thinking!” Rath added hurriedly.

“Well that’s smart, but we can’t just let a thief go.” Low Tide reasoned. Rath looked ready to start whining.

“He did help us.” I said simply and earned a mortified look from the blue mare. “And like you said, he’s not dangerous. How good a thief could he be if he gets caught often enough to know his way around this place?”

“True.” The mare said thinking it over.

“Hey!” Rath said looking wounded.

I ignored the pouting zebra and continued. ”Besides, we have to tell Razorwing what happened here and then go to the old mansion.”

“Old mansion?” Rath asked looking first at me and then at Low Tide for an explanation.

“Yeeeaaah, you know you’re kind of wanted, right? Maybe you should just lay low.” The mare asked me, hinting that I should probably stay at the Talon base.

Normally that would be sound advice that I would have accepted eagerly, but I just couldn’t ignore the nagging voice in my head that kept asking over and over again; ‘What were the Remnant up to?’

“Umm… what mansion?” Rath asked again.

“Some old mansion at the markets.” I answered and the zebras eyes seemed to grow while one of his ears twitched.

“It’s probably that dilapidated eyesore looking out to the docks.” Low Tide said rubbing her chin. “Kind of obvious if you’re planning on doing something illegal. It’s abandoned, near the markets. Lots of traffic to hide in if something goes wrong.”

I looked at the small zebra who seemed very nervous now, I also didn’t miss his ear twitching. “You know something about this don’t you?” I asked calmly, but the zebra still jumped a little.

“What? No I was just thinking about the mansions in the west side of Vostoris where the wealthier citizens live, and I have-uhh-visited some of them. Not one of mine finer moments.” He explained and forced a smile.

I might have believed him, but he was too nervous. Low Tide didn’t look convinced either. The mare walked up to the zebra and brought one of her rifles very close to his muzzle.

“I’m not buying it.” She said simply.

The zebra swallowed hard and looked at me for help. I wasn’t going to let her shoot him, but he didn’t need to know that. With a resigned sigh Rath nodded and Low Tide drew her weapons back a little.

“The old house you mentioned is actually one of the entrances to the black market.” The zebra explained, and the blue mare looked genuinely surprised. I remember hearing something about the black market before.

“You’re shitting me?” Low Tide asked as a strange smile spread across her muzzle.

“What is the black market? Why didn’t you want to tell us about it?” I asked looking at each of them in turn. The mare looked at me incredulous. “I’ve only been in Vostoris a few days now.” I defended. Really how was I supposed to know all this stuff? Common sense tells me it’s something bad.

“It’s… Think of it like the market, except they sell illegal and dangerous stuff to whomever pays enough.” The mare explained. Yep definitely something bad.

“And I didn’t want to tell you because if the Vipers found out I told you… Well, let’s just say they could make me disappear permanently.” Rath said with a sad smile.

Low Tide shook her head. ”Only worried about your striped hide.” Than her face turned dead serious. “The Vipers. They are the black market dealers? I thought they were just some zebras without a conscience.”

Now Rath was shaking his head. “No. Well maybe at first, but now the Vipers have full control of the underground complex.”

“Shit!” Low Tide cursed. “We need to go, now!”

“What’s wrong?” I asked looking at the jumpy mare. What’s got her so panicked?

“Don’t you get it? They went there expecting to catch some sort of transaction, not to fight a whole damn gang!” She shouted and started pacing the room.

Okay, this was bad.

“I need to get there before Raindrops get’s herself killed.” She muttered and started for the door.

“Wait! We can’t just rush off. We need to tell Razorwing about this.” They’ll need to send more Talons.

“There’s no time! It’s already… What time is it?” She asked and I could only shake my head and shrug. My sense of time was off, maybe from all the times I’ve passed out recently. It’s probably night, probably.

“Midnight, or close to it.” Rath said and that got the mare bolting for the door. I barely caught her in time.

“We need to tell Razorwing. You won’t be able to help your friend alone.” He looked me right in the eyes and I could see her struggling. Her friend must really mean much to her.

“Alright, but let’s hurry damn it!”

I really had to work my hooves to keep pace with the blue mare. We were practically galloping, and I could feel the drawback of the armor I wore. I wasn’t getting tired yet, but it was clear that I wouldn’t be able to run for nearly as long as I did with the lighter Remnant suit. The most surprising part was that Rath was going with us.

He was free, so why follow us?

Low Tide had no trouble navigating the many streets of Vostoris, and I was thankful for that. There was no way I could have found my way around.

“Rath, why are you following us?” I finally asked after we made several sharp turns, and it was clear that he was staying with us.

“I know when trouble’s brewing, and right now the safest place would be at the Talon base. FAR away from the warzone.” The zebra answered.

Alright, well I might as well get some answers from him while he’s here. “What do you know about the Vipers, and the black market?”

“Ummm… not much. The Vipers are just a gang. Fang is their leader. Never saw him personally, but I hear he’s very unpleasant.” Rath said as we turned another corner and entered a wide street. Hey! I actually recognize this place. I think I could find my own way around from here.

“The black market is like a market.” Rath said and I had to roll my eyes at that, but he did explain more. “They sell stuff you would find anywhere else, but cheaper and they also sell illegal things like gems and rare pre-war tech.” He paused for a moment and I turned my head to look at him. He looked embarrassed and unsure of what to say next. I didn’t rush him. ”That’s how I met them. I don’t really like working with them, but they are the only ones who will buy the stuff.”

“Come on!” Low Tide shouted back at us as she put a hoof on the door of the Talon base and pushed.

“Uh-oh.” Rath looked around nervously as at least ten rifles were being pointed at us, three of those guns were rare magical energy rifles.

The griffins and ponies collectively sighed in relief and many of them lowered their weapons once they recognized Low Tide and me, some still kept their guns aimed at Rath. The poor zebra looked helplessly at me for help. Before I could vouch for Rath a griffin approached me.

“Mist? I thought you were in jail. What happened? You didn’t break out did you?”

“No, the jail was attacked by a Remnant assassin.” I said and looked at Low Tide. “We think they sent the assassin to kill me.”

Concerned murmurs erupted all around us. I caught a few words here and there. They were worried, but most of them didn’t know what was happening.

“Look we don’t have time for this right now.” I said and to my sheer amazement they fell silent. “I need to speak with commander Razorwing.”

“She’s not here.” One of the ponies spoke up.

“She went to personally oversee a mission at the markets. Took a lot of Talons with her.” A mare said.

She went there herself? “How many of you are left?” Couldn’t be just the twelve or so who were here now.

“Twenty four.” The griffin who spoke with me first when we came in said, and gestured with his talon at the griffins and ponies behind him. “Eleven of us down here. Skyfall is upstairs with the others. He’s having them cover the windows and roof. Can you tell us what’s going on? We heard that even some Talons were pulled from the city guard to help with this.” The griffin asked, concern etched on his face. They were all worried.

I took a deep breath. “Skyfall is in charge?” The griffin nodded. “I need to speak with him.” No sooner had I said it, the griffin motioned with a hoof and a brown pegasus took to the air, and headed up the stairs.

Beside me I saw Low Tides jaw work furiously. She jerked as if burned when I tried to calm her down by putting a hoof on her shoulder.

“What?!” She said angrily.

“Calm down. We’ll be going soon.” I said again, ignoring the fact that she looked ready to shoot me.

“Who’s going where?” Someone asked in a strange and partially muffled voice. It reminded me of Shrapnel when she had her helmet on.

When I looked at the speaker I wanted nothing else than to pull out my rifle and shoot.

Dear Celestia, what was that thing? It looked like a terrifying cross between a Pegasus and an insect. It had two big yellow bug-like eyes, a stinger like that of a scorpion or Mallar and were those guns strapped at its sides?

“Mist?” The thing asked looking surprised. Wait I know that voice.

“Skyfall?” I asked. Someone actually made armor to look like that?

“What are you doing here? Weren’t you in jail?” The pegasus asked as he landed and lifted up a part of his helmet revealing his eyes.

I quickly gathered my thoughts hearing Low Tide grind her teeth, and explained what had happened and what we have learned. All present Talons listened in rapt silence as I recounted the discovery.

Skyfall had told me what the reaction was when Tark had reported back. Razorwing jumped at the chance to get both the Vipers and the Remnant together in something illegal. It would also help my case, since I helped uncover a plot, but Razorwing had a personal stake in the matter. They were purposely endangering Talons, her Talons. She was pissed.

Rath was very helpful and told us all he knew. He didn’t know the exact details of the enemies numbers or how battle ready they were, but according to him they were well armed and there were a lot of them. Enough for a small community. Skyfall hopped that they weren’t all combatants.

“Alright Whiplash, you’re in charge here.” Skyfall told a black pegasus mare who saluted. “I’ll go to the guard houses and see if I can pull anymore Talons from duty to help out. Crap, we don’t have much time.”

“Low Tide and I will go there at once.” I said much to the blue mare’s pleasure.

“That’s a bad idea Mist. If the Remnant have it in for you, it would be smart to stay here.” The Pegasus reasoned.

“I know, but I want to help.” I said simply.

Skyfall looked at me for a moment and then groaned. “Razor is going to have my flank for this. Alright, you five, with Mist and get going.” He said hastily pointing to two griffins and three ponies. “You might just make it in time and tell Razorwing what you told me. Get her to hold off the attack until I round up more Talons.”

“Sir, I want to go to.” Low Tide took a few steps towards the Pegasus.

“Fine, just be-” Skyfall didn’t manage to finish before he got interrupted by Rath.

“I know a shortcut that can get us there quicker.” The zebra offered and it looked like he regretted speaking up once all eyes turned to him.

“Keep talking.” Skyfall said nodding approvingly.

“Umm… If we enter the sewer I can find one of the hidden entrances to the underground complex. From there we can use the tunnels to get to the hub beneath the old mansion in markets.” Rath explained, sitting down and tapping his forehooves together nervously.

“You’re going to show us all of these tunnels when this is all over.” Skyfall said and then turned to the pegasus Whiplash. “Keep the others in line and stay alert.”

“Yes sir.” The mare saluted. Skyfall nodded to her and headed for the door with two griffins flanking him.

“Sky!” I shouted as I trotted after him.

He had just taken off, but he heard me and with an impressive twist in the air came back to hover before me.

“IronClaw’s unit. Are they… Have they left?” I asked thinking about my friends.

Skyfall shook his head. ”Not yet. Last I heard they went on a mission, but had something to take care of with the council first.”

I nodded my thanks and he raced off into the sky with the other two griffins. Maybe I did make a mistake when decided not to join them. I know I wouldn’t be worrying this much if I was with them.

“Alright let finally get going!” Low Tide shouted stepping past me.

Rath stepped beside me and sighed. “I have no idea why I agreed to this. Maybe I’m going crazy.” He tried to smile, but it ended up being forced.

The sound of weapons being cocked made me turn my head around. The five Talons Skyfall ordered to go with us looked at me expectantly. Why were they looking at me like that?

“Sir, we’re ready when you are.” A female griffin said confidently.

Sir? Me? Oh no.

Rath lead us down a street to one of the older houses in Vostoris, but we didn’t go inside. Rather beside the house was a smaller stone ‘house’ if it could be called that? It had a roof and a heavy wooden door, but that was about it. Four ponies could barely fit into it, that’s how small it was.

Rath went right to work on unlocking it, well picking the lock actually. The thing I found interesting were the tools he was using. The zebra wasn’t using a screwdriver and bobby pin, but two metal hooks, one held in the mouth, and a thin flat steel bar.

The moment the door clicked open Low Tide bucked it inward. Rath just sat there looking dazed at the door that disappeared before his eyes.

“What are those?” I asked pointing to the hook in his mouth and hoof.

“Tools of the trade.” He said as he gently packed them away in a leather pouch.

Beyond the door was a stair case leading straight down. Faint yellow light was coming from somewhere deep within. I levitated out the brooch enchanted with a light spell and pinned it to my chest. Beside me one of the griffins, Rudy, a young male attached a cylinder to the barrel of his shotgun.

Low Tide had already started going down the steps, so I went after her. Rath kept close to me and the rest went down after us in a single line.

When we reached the bottom of the stairs the tunnel widened considerably. Three ponies could comfortably move side by side through this tunnel. The weak yellow light was coming from the ceiling. Every thirty meters or so there was a light that shone from above. It wasn’t perfect, but it was enough to go by.

We soon felt the first big change in the air. It was surprisingly cool down here, but the smell was awful. Rotten eggs and Celestia knows what else.

The stench grew stronger and we began to hear a faint noise, almost like whispers. Rudy kept glancing around nervously.

“Oh come on Rudy. You’re not afraid of… GHOSTS! Are you?” The unicorn mare named Dizzy teased the griffin.

“Sh-Shut up!” The Rudy stammered out.

“Enough both of you!” Mirage the griffin scolded them. From the first moment I saw her, she struck me like a very grounded individual. Which of course is a strange thing to say about a griffin.

The other two member of our group. The earth pony mare Olive Branch and the stallion Barrel were doing their best to look professional, but even they couldn’t completely shake the unease they felt.

“It’s just the water. We’re in the sewers after all.” Rath explained trying to calm them.

“You must feel right at home here, among the rats.” Low Tide remarked.

We came across another small set of stairs and now we could plainly hear that the sound was in fact that of moving water. The light in this tunnel was even worse than in the one we just came out of, so I tapped the white gem fastened to my chest.

“Oh fuck.” Barrel cursed looking at the water.

I had to agree it was murky to say the least, but thankfully there was a small stone outcropping beside the tunnels wall for walking. Since the stone path was only wide enough for two ponies at a time, so I took the lead beside Rath to help light the way.

Dizzy, to my surprise could perform a light spell. She stood in the middle with the little bright ball shining on the tip of her horn. I also found out what the cylinder that Rudy had attached to his rifle was for. Similar to my brooch it cast light ahead of him in a cone.

We moved on in silence for a time. Our ears turning this way and that, alert for any sounds that stood out from the ones we were used to now. I had to admit, it was impressive how Rath could find his way around. The zebra had to stop only twice in order to decide if we should turn left or right when the tunnel split into multiple directions.

“Sir-ahhh Mist. Is it true that you’re a shaman?” Rudy asked suddenly and I flinched at the formality.

“Oh here we go…” I heard Dizzy mutter behind me.

I tried to tell them that I was by no means in charge here, but apparently I wasn’t aware how the hierarchy goes with the Talons. Razorwing is in charge of every Talon in the Vostoris chapter, and that just happens to be every Talon in Zevrass.

IronClaw is second in command and is in charge of special missions. Below IronClaw are Skyfall and Tark. They mostly manage the other squads around the city. Lizzie is in charge of the recon teams and she is below Skyfal and Tark. The pegasus mare Whiplash is on her way to becoming a lieutenant so she’s trusted to organize the less experienced Talons at the base. Outside of that any group can choose a leader, usually it’s the oldest or most experienced Talon.

Now here’s the odd part. Somehow being in IronClaw’s unit puts you in the same rank as Lizzie, so that means that I’m in command right now unless said otherwise. Mirage somewhat embarrassedly admitted that they were still new and considered ‘green’. So that could be another reason why they decided to act like I was the leader.

How could Skyfall put me in charge? Maybe it slipped his mind on how the Talons would react?

“I was trained, but that doesn’t make shaman. And how do you know about that?” Has it become common knowledge now?

“Cog likes to tell stories.” Mirage said simply. Of course he does.

“I was actually wondering if some of the stories I heard about their shamans were true?” The griffin asked and I could hear Dizzy sigh.

“If Mist was trained as a shaman than why would he tell you any of their secrets?” Barrel said at once.

“What stories exactly?” There were many stories about shamans, even amongst other zebras.

“W-Well… I it true that they talk to ghosts? That they’re real?” Rudy asked, his voice carrying an edge of fear.

“Pffffft!” Dizzy let out and snickered.

I took a deep breath. “A lot of things you hear about shamans is nonsense.” I said as I looked back at the griffin and smiled reassuringly. He let out a sigh of relief, I noticed Olive looking at me oddly.

“What brought this on?” I asked the griffin, genuinely interested.

Rudy shifted uncomfortably. “I… Sometimes I think I can hear someone calling me, whispering.”

“That doesn’t mean you’re hearing ghosts. It means you’re crazy.” Dizzy teased again. Rudy just looked down at the ground sadly.

“Alright that’s enough.” This was obviously bothering the griffin.

“Yes sir.” Dizzy said and hung her head in shame. I guess she realized that she was crossing the line and hurting the griffin.

I still twitched a little every time they called me ‘Sir’, it was ridiculous.

“Forget about the ghosts, they don’t matter.” Mirage told the distressed griffin. ”We’ll be fighting soon.”

We crossed a small stone bridge to get to the other side of the tunnel and then we stopped at an alcove where Rath proceeded to tap the bricks with his hoof.

“What the hell are you doing now?!” Low Tide demanded. “We need to keep moving!”

“Calm down.” I told the mare. She spun around to face me.

“Calm do-“ She said and then suddenly stopped, and looked at the other Talons. “Yeah, fine. I just want to get there already.”

I looked back at Mirage, Olive and Rudy, they just looked back at me. Low Tide must have backed down because of them. They have all decided that I’m the leader, so now she must feel pressured to do the same. I was glad that she reigned in her temper, but I’m not sure I like respect she was shoving. It was… undeserved.

“You just want to get to Raindrops, I know.” I said calmly. Low Tide sighed and nodded.

“There we go.” Rath said happily as he pushed one of the bricks in and soon with a groan and shudder, the entire section of the alcoves wall moved away.

“Is this magic?” I asked, looking at the gaping hole.

“No just an old system of pulleys and counterweights.” Rath explained as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

A wall just disappeared, and it wasn’t done by magic? This is just the first of the strange things I’m about to see I just know it.

I took the lead again because of my light casting brooch and kept my rifle ready beside me. We moved down another short flight of stairs and suddenly we were in a huge stone chamber.

“Wow. What are these?” Dizzy asked as she looked around at the statues around us.

“Is this some sort of tomb? A crypt?” Mirage asked and Rudy shivered. He is not going to have an easy time down here.

“No idea.” Rath answered with a shrug. “But we need to be more careful now. Guards patrol these tunnels.” He cautioned.

I turned off my brooch and the others did likewise with their light sources. Lamps attached to ‘spark generators’, as Rudy called them, were strewn about and they provided enough light.

Huge statues around us depicted zebras; at least I think they were zebras. I couldn’t really tell as their bodies were covered in intricate leather armor, and their faces were hooded and veiled. I think they were zebras because the equine forms were standing on their hind legs with their forehooves crossed on their chest.

The statues were shown baring strange weapons on their crossed hooves. They wore bracers with blades jutting out from them. How do they walk with those things on their hooves?

“Check this one out.” Barrel motioned to his right.

Another statue was there, slightly bigger than the others. Instead of being dressed in complicated interwoven straps, this one had an almost ragged and torn suit. Still great care was taken in chiseling out the tears and lose-looking pieces of garment. The only thing that this statue had that looked better than that of the others were the bladed bracers. On this statue they resembled the heads of snakes, and instead of a single blade, two thin ones stuck out. Just like snakes fangs.

“Do you think this is the leader of the Vipers?” Mirage asked no one in particular.

“No.” Olive said as she strained on the tips of her hooves and squinted at the statue. ”It’s too old.”

There was a sudden sound of hooves, and since none of us were moving that could only mean trouble.

I turned to Mirage and she only looked back expectantly. This whole leader thing was a terrible idea.

“Quick behind the statues.” I said and they all went for cover. Behind each of the statues there was a shadowed nook where at least three ponies could hide.

Rath and Mirage ducked with me behind one statue while the others found cover behind two statues opposite from us.

I strained my ears to listen to what was being said. It was impossible to make anything out clearly. It sounded like there were three of them, the sound of hooves on stone had stopped, but I could still hear tem talking.

A light tap on my shoulder drew my attention. “What should we do?” Mirage whispered.

Oh right, they were waiting for me to decide. “Uhhh, wait here. I’ll go see what they’re doing first.” I said quietly and pulled my hood up and tapped the gem around my neck. Mirage just nodded and gripped her rifle.

I had to move more slowly than usual. Barehooved I had more control over the amount of sound I was making, but with these boots on I had to be a more careful.

“Where did I put it?!” A mare’s voice sounded from ahead of me.

“No rush. It’s not like we’re in a hurry to go back.” Someone answered, this time it was a male’s voice.

“Oh come on. Don’t tell me you don’t like seeing those smug Remnant shitheads annoyed?” A second mare asked.

The statue filled hall opened up into an impressively large chamber. There were no more statues here, just pillars that went all the way up to the ceiling. A few of them were broken and the big stone pieces lay like felled trees, perfect for additional cover.

There were three of them, two mares and a stallion. The mare talking with the stallion wore a battlesadle, and he had a rifle slung across his back. I couldn’t see what the other mare had since she was busy digging through a crate looking for something.

“It’s a blood bath waiting to happen.” The stallion said incredulously.

“Heh, you just want to stay here and watch her rump bounce about.” The mare with the battlesaddle teased and the stallion smiled. The third mare, the one with the… um, bouncing rump was oblivious to this as she cursed while still searching for something.

The sound of rocks rolling on stone drew everyone’s attention.

“The fuck was that?” The mare with the battlesaddle sursed.

The sound came from the hall with the statues. Low Tide must have gotten tired of waiting and decided to move.

The mare that had her head into the crate abandoned her search and together with her friends they dashed off towards my friends. I vaulted over the collapsed pillar and followed them.

The sound of a bullet whizzing past my head made me veer to the side and take cover. The Talons have already begun shooting at the zebras.

“Shit! We’ve got intruders! Go warn the boss!” The stallion shouted from behind cover, peaking out only to return fire.

The mare ran back down the hall straight for me. I readied my rifle and fired a three bullet burst into her head. Two bullets caught her in the muzzle and the third hit her in the eye. She toppled to the ground mid gallop.

The stallion, having seen this, turned his attention to the seemingly empty hall. I ducked for cover expecting a spray of bullets, but the ceiling here was high enough for a griffin to take flight, and Mirage had just done so.

Before the poor zebra realized that turning your back on a griffin, even from behind cover, was a bad idea, Mirage had already pounced on him like an eagle might on a rabbit. With no more than three meter away from each other, the agile griffin let lose a devastating barrage from her rifle that tore the stallions head to pieces.

The only one left was the mare with the battlesaddle, but she didn’t last long. After seeing her partner gunned down she too turned to flee. She was gunned down from three different sides, her armor and battle saddle completely ruined and chewed up by the onslaught.

“Sorry. Barrel wasn’t watching his step and well he tripped over some rubble.” Mirage apologized once she reached me.

“It’s alright. Is anyone hurt?” I asked dismissing her concern. The racket we caused was probably heard deeper down the hall, but if they needed to call for help, despite the noise, then maybe we were far enough away to still remain undetected.

“No.” Mirage shook her head. “The moment he tripped we took cover.” She explained.

“We need to keep moving, but let’s try and stay quiet as possible.” We need to reach Razorwing and it will be a lot easier without someone shooting at us.

“How is it possible to have rooms this big beneath a city?” Dizzy wondered as she looked about the large chamber we had just entered. “Don’t they worry about it all crashing down and burying them?”

“Honestly I try not to think about it.” Rath said, noticeably sounding less impressed.

“Do you think this was built as a shelter? Like the stables?” Rudy asked, scratching his head.

Cog would know for sure, but I don’t think so. Where is all the prewar tech? The more I think about this place, the more I’m convinced that Olive was right. These halls and chambers have to be as old as the city itself.

“Everyone quiet and stay sharp.” Mirage warned as we passed under a stone archway. I understood why.

There wasn’t anyone here right now, but from the tables, boxes and matrices it was obvious that this chamber was in use, which meant that at any moment someone could come in here.

“Mist?” Mirage called.

“Yes?” I turned to the griffin, she just looked at me oddly.

“Ehh-umm, maybe we should secure this area first, before we move on?” She offered.

“Oh, right. Alright let’s… secure the area.” I nodded to her and she went at once to organize the others.

Bad idea Sky, a really bad idea. I don’t know anything about leading. What was that featherbrain thinking?!

Mirage had Olive and Rudy cover the way we came in, Low Tide and Barrel were positioned at the other doorway. While Mirage and I were discussed our next move, Dizzy and Rath had gone scavenging. They found some ammo while digging through the boxes and various crates.

She found armor-piercing rounds for rifles and two magazines for snipers. I took all the ammunition for the sniper since I was the only one who carried such a weapon, the rest we divided. There were even some healing potions and bandages which we also divided amongst ourselves. They probably found some caps too, but I’m sure they already split those between themselves.

“Ahead, down the hall there is a corridor that splits into three directions.” Mirage was telling me. ”Rath says that the right one should take us right to the ground floor. The north one leads up to a bridge that overlooks the market.”

“I’ve no clue where the left one goes.” Rath said with a shrug.

“The problem is that to get below the mansion, we need to get past the market. The most crowded place down here.” Mirage continued. “They will attack Rudy and me on sight. Rath could slip bye, and you could pass for a Remnant with that cloak. There is no way of telling how they’ll react to ponies though.”

“Well I’ve never seen a pony down here before.” Rath tapped his chin thoughtfully.

“They don’t trade with ponies?” I find that hard to believe. The mare that I helped, the one poisoned by crimson dust, she had to get it from someone.

“Oh no, they do trade with ponies, but through zebras that work the streets of Vostoris.” Rath explained. “You tell them what you need and they get it for you. The black market itself was is only for zebras, Vipers and Separatists.” The zebra paused for a moment. “And Remnant now apparently.”

“So there’s no way through? Low Tide is going to love this.” Dizzy said and sighed.

“No, there is a way.” Rath said with a smile. “There are a lot of side passages. We can use one of the smaller ones to go around the main halls.”

This was a bad idea. I expected trouble, but we ended up right in the most dangerous place imaginable. Right then a thought came to mind. Did Rath plan this? If he planned to lead us into a trap, he’d done a marvelous job.

“Umm… you alright?” The zebra asked me warily. ”You look like you’re planning to shoot someone.”

I just might. “I’m just thinking that this was a waste of time, and that we should have simply gone straight to the mansion from the surface.”

“What? Navigating all those streets? We saved at least a half an hour by going through the tunnels.” Rath protested. “Do you even know where the mansion is?” He asked and I shook my head. I had no idea where exactly. It was somewhere by the markets, and now when I think about it, when I went to the markets with Cog and Shrapnel it took us nearly two hours to get there.

“Mist?” The griffin asked expectantly.

I sighed. ”We don’t have much choice other than to turn around.” By the looks I got it was clear that no one wanted to go back. “Lead on.” I gestured to Rath with a hoof.

We kept close together as we moved through the hallways. A lot of voices could be heard all around us, but somehow miraculously the passage we took remained empty.

“If we survive this I’m going to kick the crap out of you and then you’re going back to jail.” Low Tide muttered through gritted teeth.

“But-“ Rath tried to protest but Low Tide cut him off.

“That’s right, but. I’m going to kick yours.” She huffed.

“Do you hear that?” Olive asked suddenly, looking around the hallway.

“I don’t hear anything.” Rudy said from behind.

“Me neither.” Barrel added.

“Exactly.” Olive pointed out. I caught on to what she meant.

“Don’t go all mysterious on me.” Dizzy pleaded and sighed.

“No, she’s right.” I said and everyone turned to me. When we got here there were noises all around us, but now everything suddenly got very quiet. I saw Mirage’s eyes widen as she too understood the danger.

“Do you think they know we’re here?” The griffin asked me, gripping her rifle tightly. The others reacted to this too. Barrel bit down on the firing mechanism of his battlesaddle in anticipation. Olive pulled out her SMG and Dizzy readied her hunting rifle.

“Maybe.” Or it could be something else. “Come on, let’s hurry.”

We started trotting down the hall when suddenly, as if our hearing had been restored, screaming, explosions and gunfire erupted from beyond the walls.

“Shit!” Mirage cursed. “They must know we’re here.”

I didn’t answer; instead I gripped my rifle with my magic and kept running. At the sight of a big black and white mass, we collectively skidded to a halt.

“Fucking Talons! How the hell did they know where we w-“ A zebra was shouting to his companions, but trailed of when he saw us.

They just stared dumbly at us for a moment, too stunned to move. We weren’t going to let an opportunity like this slip by. I raised my rifle and opened fire, the talons were more than happy to follow suit.

The zebras that had run into us stood no chance. They fell like weeds before a scythe stroke. Our advantage of surprise didn’t last long. We may have gunned down at least nine zebras, but more were coming and they knew that we were here.

More and more bullets flew at us, and we slowly had to backpedal back down the hall. I heard a very strange noise, and then something dark with fire burning around it came straight for us. Instinctively out of fear of getting hit, I crouched and tried to roll to the right. The thing that was headed for us veered to the wall.

BOOOM!

The explosion sent me tumbling to the other side of the hallway, crashing right into Mirage. Somehow I remained conscious, but the world was spinning. I couldn’t see anything through the dust that obscured everything not within a few meters of me. But I guess I should be grateful for that. Despite the ringing in my skull, I could still hear the sounds of gunfire and the dust was probably hiding us from view.

I shook my head a few times as my senses returned to normal. A groan beside me drew my attention. Mirage was lying on her side next to the wall, clutching her wing with her talons.

“Are you alright? Is it broken?” I asked moving to the griffin and gently prodding her in the wing.

She shook her head. “I don’t think so, just a little sprain. I’m fit for duty.” She proclaimed grabbing her rifle.

“What kind of moron shoots a rocket launcher in a tunnel?!” Dizzy yelled in fear and anger.

“Maybe they want to bury us?” I hear Olive say.

“Wonderful.” Came Dizzies response. I agree with the light-pink unicorn on this. I’ve no intention of getting buried down here.

I turned around to check on the others. By now the shooting had stopped and I could hear the zebras talking over whether we’re dead or not, and should they go over and make sure, or wait for the dust to settle.

To my relief everyone seemed alright. Rudy had just emptied a potion and had tossed the empty bottle away. Olive and Dizzy were helping Barrel back to his hooves. Low Tide looked angry but unhurt; Rath was shaken and he looked everywhere as if expecting another attack.

“Back down the way we came.” I said and motioned with a hoof for them to start moving. Mirage and the others nodded and we started moving back, our weapons ready by our sides.

“They’re still alive!” I heard one of the zebras shout.

“Keep going!” I told the others when they stopped and got ready to fight again.

We needed to retreat now. There were too many of them for us to fight, especially considering the weapons they had.

Once again bullets flew our way. I glanced back only to see zebras with battlesaddles firing at us, while those that had rifles paused to stand on their rearhooves in order to shoot.

I saw three grenades hanging of a belt on one of the zebras, and that reminded me of what I had in my saddlebags. Still running and trying to put as much distance between the zebras and us, I reached out with my magic to my bags and started searching.

Once I had the object in my magical grasp I brought it to my eyes. The clay jar, the bomb I took from Charon, had a marking of a flame on it. I hurled the jar behind me, expecting to make a wall of fire. Anything that would buy us time to escape, or find a better position from which to fight back.

The jar didn’t hit the ground. It collided with an unfortunate zebra and exploded in a frightening burst of green fire. I slowed down my pace as I looked at the scene with disturbed fascination.

The zebra’s piercing shrieks cut through the noise of gunfire startling his friends as they came around the corner. All thoughts of battle and chasing us fled from their minds as they watched the zebra burn.

Aside from the unnatural color, the flames themselves looked partially transparent. It gave us a clear view of what was happening to the burning zebra. His coat was burned away almost instantly, now his hide was turning black and bleeding cracks started to appear.

The zebra reared up on his hindhooves and kicked at the air madly, screaming at the ceiling. This didn’t last long as his voice was replaced by a horrible chocking sound.

I watched as liquid evaporated, and his eyes shriveled to resemble black berries that were left to rot in the sun for far too long.

The zebra… the corpse toppled to the ground, and as it collided with the stone pieces of it’s flesh and scorched barding flew off and continued to burn.

The blackened and charred hide started to crawl like it had carrion insects beneath it. It soon peeled and burned away, leaving blackened bone to glisten like polished obsidian. For some reason the flames still burned.

I noticed Barrel standing to my left and Mirage to my right. That snapped me back to reality and the fact that we need to get away.

“Move!” I said somewhat loudly causing them to blink and nod absentmindedly. I looked back as we continued down the hall to the corridor. The zebras weren’t following us, some wanted to, but they hesitated before the still burning body of their friend.

“The hell was that?” Low Tide asked breathlessly.

“A bomb I took from a shaman. I didn’t want to hit the zebra; I just wanted to make a barrier. Something to slow them down.” That-That was a horrible way to die. What kind of monster would make a weapon like that? I already knew what kind, but I was still shocked by it.

“That must be a balefire bomb, or a smaller version of it.” Barrel said while trying to maintain his gallop.

“Do you have any more?” Mirage asked.

I didn’t have time to stop and check my saddlebags so I picked through my memories. “One or two more, I’m not sure.” I felt queasy when I thought back to how carelessly I had shoved the bombs in my saddlebags when I found them.

Come to think of it, what if they had gone off when I crashed into Mirage? As soon as I get the chance, I’m putting the bombs somewhere safe, or at least I need to find a way to make sure they won’t explode in my saddlebags.

“More of them ahead!” Rudy warned.

“Shit, shit, shit!” Dizzy cursed.

We were almost at the corridor, when we saw more zebras emerge from the left passage. The saw us and immediately opened fire.

“Crap!” Barrel yelled out as a bullet hit his shoulder. Luckily his armor had a plate there and he didn’t seem badly hurt as his pace never dropped. The earth pony bit down on the trigger, and both the shotgun and rifle from his battlesaddle fired in unison.

He didn’t do much damage to the zebras, but it had some of them diving to the ground or to one of the side alcoves for cover.

Low Tide and Rudy decided to open fire too, if only to prevent the zebras exiting cover and continuing their assault.

“To the right!” I shouted as we reached the corridor. If memory serves that way leads to the bridge.

“Quick! Give me another one!” Mirage shouted holding out a talon to me. I knew what she meant, and I hesitated for a moment. In the end I trusted her and dug into my saddlebags with my magic.

I glanced at the clay jar once quickly to make sure it had the same symbol of a flame etched into its surface, and then passed it to Mirage.

The griffin didn’t throw the bomb, but rather sent it rolling behind us. As soon as we heard shouting from the corridor, and bullets being sent our way, Mirage turned around and let loose a volley at the still rolling clay jar.

She missed a few times; managing to shoot a few zebras in the hoof making them stumble and curse as they fell, but the third volley struck true and bomb went off. A wild splash of green fire coated the ground and walls making it impossible for the zebras to pass.

These zebras however understood that while they couldn’t pass until the fires went out, their bullets could. So now the opened fire and started blindly spraying bullets at us.

I felt one graze my flank and another hitting solidly into the protective plate covering my rearhoof. I almost stumbled, but managed to keep running.

Rath yelped once, but remained focused on running. Rudy had moved to his side to offer support.

“Gah-shit!” Dizzy cursed and I heard Mirage grunt in pain. The griffin had taken a hit to her wing.

We ran past a few doors and openings to other halls as we ran straight. Once we saw the grand staircase leading up, none of us slowed down, we simply leapt up on the stairs and kept climbing.

Near the top I saw a zebra looking down on us. Her eyes looked ready to pop out of her skull as she stood there with a slack jaw. Low Tide didn’t waste any time and the blue mare opened fire on the surprised zebra.

Most of the bullets struck her armor, but some found their way to her neck and face. The zebra mare teetered and collapsed on the stairs.

Since the staircase was at least six meters wide and the door only four, we had about a meter of cover at either side of the opening. We took advantage of this and split into two columns at either side.

The noise coming from the open doorway was almost deafening. Shouting, screaming, gunfire and explosions all together made a disorienting cacophony of sound.

Another zebra mare poked her head to look at her fallen companion lying on the edge of the stairs. She spotted us, but it was already too late. Barrel leveled his shotgun right to her ear and fired.

“They’re here!” Someone shouted from the bridge.

Barrel poked Rudy with a hoof and gestured to the door. The griffin nodded and looked across the stairs at me.

I turned to Low Tide and Mirage. “Follow me. When I move, we break out of cover and open fire on whoever is on the bridge.” The mare and griffin nodded. I turned to Rath then. “Stay behind the wall and help Dizzy and Olive if someone comes up the stairs.”

Fear flashed in the thief’s eyes for a moment, but he swallowed hard and nodded with a newfound determination.

I saw Mirage and Low Tide tense as I readied my rifle. A quick prayer to Luna and Celestia and I jumped out of cover.

Amazingly we somehow each found a target of our own, and five zebras fell to the ground at almost the same time, but five more remained.

BANG!!!

A bullet of a high caliber sniper hit the wall behind us, chipping the stone. The zebras that were up here were mostly armed with snipers, which made sense. From this height they could easily pick targets from below. The only drawback is the obvious one. Snipers aren’t that good in close combat.

The two snipers that were left tried to fire at us, but our own assault didn’t give them time to aim, so they mostly shot blind.

Barrel charged at one of the snipers, firing his battle saddle at him and hitting the zebra in the hoof with which he was holding the sniper and disarming him. For good measure, Barrel fired his shotgun too, pealing the flesh from the snipers skull and blasting part of his head away.

The other zebra dropped his sniper and went to draw his pistol. I was faster and fired a burst of three bullets right at his head. All three bullets connected and the zebra simply fell to the floor.

Rudy had jumped a few meters in the air and then in a sort of glide swooped at one of the three remaining zebras. These zebras were equipped with rifles and shotguns not snipers. They were probably here to keep the sharpshooters safe. They weren’t very good at their jobs considering that we killed all the snipers.

Low Tide fired at one of the zebras and the dual blast from her battlesaddle’s rifles pushed the stallion over the edge of the bridge.

Mirage quickly closed the distance between herself and the last zebra and she took the mare out with a rapid barrage to the chest.

“Fuck!” Low Tide cursed and I heard Mirage groan in pain. Two more zebras had appeared from the door at the opposite end of the bridge.

They were shooting from cover now. Exactly the tactic we used!

I pulled my hood up and tapped the gem at my neck. Moving quickly to the edge of the bridge, near the guard rail, I made my way to the doorway. Carefully I moved along the edges where the stone guard rail and parts of the bridge were missing. Probably blown away by a rocket launcher.

As soon as the zebra peeked out from behind cover I opened fire. He was wearing some kind of helmet, but from a distance of only three meters there was no chance that it would protect him.

“Noooo!” I heard a mare shout from behind the wall.

Suddenly a zebra mare with a battlesaddle equipped with high caliber rifles charged out from her hiding spot and wildly opened fire.

Mirage tried to take to the air, her wing partially healed from the potion she took while we were climbing the stairs, but the enraged zebra peppered her with left side and the griffin came crashing down.

The mare was wearing a helmet similar to the one her friend wore, and she was much better armored. It reminded me a lot of the armor that Shrapnel wore, except that it wasn’t any arcano-tech armor. Just plain steel plates as far as I could tell, and I hoped I was right.

I ejected the half spent magazine and inserted the one I had filled with armor-piercing rounds.

Barrel had stepped in front of the prone griffin, absorbing damage with his own heavy plated armor. Rudy and Low Tide meanwhile continuously fired at the zebra, drawing out a few grunts of pain from the furious mare.

I tried to get closer to her and line up a headshot, but Rudy’s and Low Tide’s fire was making it impossible. Finally, since I was behind the zebra, I decided to turn off the invisibility spell on my cloak.

When I came into view, the griffin and mare chose their shots with more care. The zebra mare didn’t notice this, and while blood was running down her hooves and pouring on the ground, she still kept firing.

The zebra kept her head low and in line with her body, making it more difficult for me to make a clean shot. She didn’t see me, and I was confident that she couldn’t hear me over the noise of the battle. I approached from her left, and seeing a small gap in her armor right at the back of her neck where the armor was lighter and her helmet didn’t fully cover, I wedged the barrel of my rifle in that opening.

She noticed that something was wrong, but by the time she started turning I had already pulled the trigger. The zebra’s body went rigid for a moment, and I saw a few bullets go out the front of her face followed by a crimson eruption.

I heard the sound of metal breaking and my rifle jerked wildly in my magical grasp. I let it go and both it and the mare fell to the ground.

When I retrieved my weapon, I noticed that the silencer was cracked and half of it was missing. I removed the damaged silencer and tossed it away as I came around the dead body.

The mare’s face was simply gone. The front of the helmet was blown open and inside there was only a pulpy mess of blood, flesh and bone fragments.

This-this was savage. The scene was disturbing, but I couldn’t dwell on it now, Mirage was hurt. To my relief Dizzy and Olive were already tending to the griffin when I had trotted over. I told Barrel and Rath to cover the entrance we came from, and I had Rudy and Low Tide do the same for the other side of the bridge.

Olive kept pouring potion after potion into the wounded griffin while Dizzy wrapped bandages over her left wing.

“Is she going to be alright?” I asked the pale green mare. So much blood… I winced when I looked at the torn up wing. Will she be able to fly again?

The griffin stirred at my words. “I’m fine. Just need a minute to catch my breath.” She said and smiled weakly.

“It was a close call. We’ve stopped the bleeding and healed what we could.” Olive said while casting a concerned glance at Dizzy who was gently folding the injured wing back to Mirage’s side. “But her wing needs more time to heal. She won’t be able to fly anytime soon.”

Mirage looked sadly at her wing, flexing it a little and wincing in pain. Dizzy gave her a look full of sympathy.

“Don’t worry, I can still hold a gun. I can be of use.” The griffin quickly said when she noticed me looking at her wounded wing.

What? Was she thinking that I was considering her a burden or something? I was worried that she almost got killed! I caught myself before I could answer because I knew my words would be harsher than intended, so instead I just nodded.

“Just take it easy.” I told her and made an attempt of a smile before moving to the rail of the bridge.

When we had climbed up here, we were immediately attacked, but now I could take a good look at the chaos beneath the bridge.

Only now, standing here and looking over the edge, could I truly appreciate how massive this whole underground chamber was. “Dear Celestia and Luna.” I whispered as I continued gazing out. You could fit a six story building in here! And the chamber was easily twice as long! How was this possible?

As stunned as I was, the battle below demanded my attention. The entire ground floor, as Rath had told us, resembled a market similar to the one on the surface. But it was a mess right now. Stands that were used to display goods were now overturned and used as cover from incoming fire along with toppled pillars and statues.

Far ahead of me I saw ponies and griffins shooting from behind cover. Some of them advancing slowly, claiming cover as they did. Right below me, and I guess behind me, were zebras who were returning fire, sometimes retreating, sometimes advancing.

I saw a griffin fly up only to be shot down a moment later. Instantly I pulled out my sniper and took aim. For good measure I pulled my hood up and tapped the invisibility gem on my cloak.

“There… there are so many of them.” Who do I shoot? It was impossible to decide. Literally all I had to do was pull the trigger.

A zebra braking out of cover with his battlesaddle firing helped me with my choice. I took steady aim and pulled the trigger.

Naturally the moment the zebra fell to the ground, his friends started looking around for signs of his shooter. None of them were looking up so I remained undetected. The Talons only held about one third of the chamber, I would have to be careful not to draw too much attention to the bridge. If the Vipers send out zebras to investigate, I’m not sure we would be able to hold the bridge.

I picked my targets carefully this time. Only those who were the biggest threat to the Talons.

A cold shiver ran down my spine. This was so easy. Just aim and shoot. They weren’t even aware of me, they couldn’t defend themselves. Part of me wanted to switch to my rifle and go down there and fight face to face, but I knew that that would be foolish. No matter how underhooved this seemed it needed to be done. And weren’t the Vipers using this very same bridge for the same thing?

A zebra mare with a rifle was standing on her rearhooves and shooting at a unicorn who was pinned down behind some rubble. I aimed at her head, and it was by pure luck that I didn’t fire right at that moment, because she ducked behind her cover to avoid getting hit by the Talons.

After getting the mare back into my scope again, I breathed out and pulled the trigger, and she too fell to the ground like the others. This time zebras did look up. They couldn’t see me, but they knew something was wrong. Some of them started moving further below the bridge while others found some form of overhead cover.

I had picked out another zebra with a high caliber battlesaddle rifles, but I didn’t shoot. Something else caught my eye, a hoof from a nearby corpse suddenly moved. A ghoul?

I looked at the body more closely through the scope. It wasn’t moving now, and it wasn’t shriveled up like a ghoul’s body. What’s more, aside from a number of holes in its chest, the side of the head was missing. So what made it move?

Again I saw a piece of rubble near the body, seemingly move of its own accord. Now it was obvious. A Remnant was down there cloaked.

Holding my rifle as steady as possible I tried to guess where the Remnant was and fired. The bullet hit the solid stone ground. The Remnant jumped away and for a moment I saw him or her, couldn’t be sure yet.

I saw some dust and debris move as the Remnant settled near an overturned stand. Taking aim again, I steadied the sniper and breathed out. This time the bullet clearly hit because I saw the cloak shimmer visibly, but I only wounded the Remnant. A trail of blood appeared and led to nearby rubble.

Before I could fire again, a bullet hit the edge of the bridge where I was standing, missing my hoof by a few inches.

I started searching for the shooter. It was more difficult than I thought. Everyone was constantly moving and bullets were flying everywhere. By chance my scope paused on what seemed to be a pipe sticking out of a collapsed pillar.

The pipe moved and I realized it was levitating. No, not levitating. “Crap!” I ducked and rolled away from the edge. That wasn’t a pipe, it was a barrel of another cloaked Remnant, and they found me! Somehow amidst all the chaos and while I was cloaked they spotted me. Right then I knew we were dealing with elite Remnant.

“Shit! Die you fuckers!” Low Tide cursed and opened fire. Naturally because we didn’t have enough problems, something else had to go wrong…

More zebras were climbing the stairs firing at us. I switched the sniper for my regular rifle and headed over to help.

By the time I got there, Rudy had managed to kill one of the attackers and Low Tide was finishing off another, but there were three left as far as I could tell.

“Oh crap!” Rudy yelled as two egg-like objects rolled towards us.

I knew what those things were and I didn’t like them, so back they go. I used my magic to scoop the grenades up and tossed them back through the door, a zebra cursed and yelled for the others to get to cover. After the explosion we heard the diminishing sound of hooves.

“No fucking way!” Low Tide shouted and ran after the zebras.

“Wait!” Damn it! What was she thinking?

“Mist, stop! You’re not going after her alone.” Barrel shouted running over to me, Rath wasn’t far behind.

Oh dear Luna, they were leaving the other entrance unguarded. Has everypony lost their mind?

“Fine.” I said hurriedly. To be honest I might need help.

“I should go too, I might be able to help navigate.” Rath offered unexpectedly.

“Ughh, fine! Let’s go!” We’re wasting time!

“I’m-“ Rudy began, but I cut him short.

“No!” I said more loudly than I intended and the griffin flinched. “You need to stay here with Dizzy, Olive and Mirage to keep the bridge secure.” I said as calmly as I could. The griffin opened his beak to argue, but then just nodded.

Mirage walked up to me. “I should… never mind. I’ll stay here.” She finished quietly and looked sadly at her talons.

I sighed, she wanted to come too. Staying in one place and defending a spot with friends was one thing, but to go running off into danger was something completely different.

An idea came to mind and I unslung my sniper and levitated it over to the disheartened griffin. “Do you know how to use one of these?” I asked, already knowing the answer.

“I’ve used snipers before.” She said with a nod.

“Good, then help the Talons as much as you can. There are Remnant down there, and they will spot you if you’re not careful.” I cautioned and she nodded again, smiling a little.

That having been taken care of, I turned and galloped through the doorway with Barrel and Rath following close behind.

Not surprisingly we soon ran into Low Tide as she hid behind some metal crates. The three zebras she chased were shooting at her from cover, keeping her pinned down.

I told Rath and Barrel to get the zebras attention, so that I could move over to them while cloaked and flank them.

This was the first time I saw Rath use his pistol and I regretted bringing him along. He was terrible, but at least the unpredictable, wayward shots seemed to confuse the zebras.

I moved carefully around the zebras cover. All three of them were exposed to me now, and I hesitated. Again I had an overwhelming advantage on my enemies, just like at the bridge. They were clear in my sights and weren’t even aware of me.

Two stallions and a mare. The mare was focused, one of the stallions looked resigned and the other was scared. He had trouble reloading his rifle from how bad his hooves were shaking.

In the end it came down to the same cruel choice, them or us. I aimed at the mare and pulled the trigger.

The mare’s head jerked back and hit the crates they were hiding behind and her body crumpled to the ground.

The frightened stallion dropped his rifle and stared dumbly at the dead mare. The other stallion reacted and raised his rifle in my general direction. I sent three bullets to his head.

I started turning my rifle to the last zebra, but Barrel had climbed up on the crates and lowered his shotgun close to the side of the zebra’s head. The frightened zebra didn’t even notice pony in the battlesaddle, he was still looking at his dead teammates.

Barrel fired and the back of the zebras head disappeared in a spray of blood.

I looked at their bodies. At least we were quick. Small comforts.

“Damn striped fucks.” Low Tide grumbled coming over to us.

“You’re welcome.” Barrel said with a snort.

“Wow…” Rath exclaimed coming to stand near us.

“What?” I asked the zebra. More trouble?

I followed the zebras gaze to a nearby wall that looked like it had some carving on it.

“The hell? Is that some kind of door?” Barrel asked as he came to stand near me.

It was a door in fact, as big as the wall and made out of metal. The really interesting part was that it had carvings of snakes all over it. It was difficult to look at. The flowing, interweaving lines made me a little dizzy.

“Does everything in here have to be somehow related to snakes?” Low Tide asked exasperatedly.

“What do you think is behind it?” Barrel asked turning to Rath.

The zebra walked over to the door and placed a hoof on it. “Don’t know.” He shrugged. ”Probably something valuable.” The thief stood on his rearhooves and placed his other hoof on the door.

“What are you doing?” I asked as his hooves moved from one spot to another.

“Looking for a lock.” The zebra answered simply.

Low Tide shook her head. “You damned thief.”

There didn’t appear to be anyway to open it. No locks, nothing to grab onto and pull… Was this really a door, or just some kind of art, sculpture… thing?

“I don’t think you’ll be able to open it.” Barrel said and pointed with a hoof to several places on the door. ”Looks like they already tried with explosives.

He was right. There were nicks on the door, and scorch marks too. Places where the metal was darkened, but somehow it remained unyielding.

Whatever was behind would have to wait, gunfire and shouting coming from a nearby passage suddenly echoed.

“We might as well check it out. Clear it so they won’t get up to the bridge, or get some idea of just how much trouble we were in.” Barrel offered.

I nodded. “All right, but stay behind me. I’ll scout ahead.”

I moved first cloaked, Barrel, Rath and Low Tide followed close behind. They stopped finally at a bend in the hallway and I moved on alone. They were still very near so they could come to help me as soon as they hear anything.

“No deal! The Talons are breathing down our necks, and you want to move them now?!” I heard someone shout angrily.

“We had a deal. They were bought and paid for.” Another voice said coldly.

“It’s chaos out there.” A mare said.

“All the more reason to leave quickly.” The same cold and calm voice answered.

“Yeah, well no one is leaving without the boss’s say so. And Fang is busy right now, so you’ll just have to wait.” The first speaker said matter of factly.

“That is unfortunate.” The cold voice said and a series of muffled gunshots proceeded. Soon shouting erupted and all open gunfire started to echo from the room ahead.

I should just wait it out until they kill each other, and then go and see what the discussion was all abo-

At that moment I saw Barrel and Low Tide rush past me to the room, Rath followed more cautiously behind.

“Wait! I’m here!” I shouted, but it was too late. Only Rath heard me in time to not charge in. It didn’t matter now since we had to go in anyway. I readied my rifle and charged in.

What? Cages? The room was full with cages, lockers, metal crates and four zebras who were intent on shooting up the whole room.

There was a single pillar in the room and Low Tide wisely used it for cower. Barrel peaked out from and overturned heavy wooden table every now and then to exchange bullets with the zebras.

One of the zebras fell. Low tide shot the mare in the chest enough times to completely shatter her chest.

I took aim and shot a mare down. The other two zebras must have gone crazy because they were spraying fire at random. I had to lay flat on the ground to avoid getting shot. What were they doing? It should have been obvious; I suspected it from the moment I overheard them argue. There was a Remnant here, possibly more.

I started scanning the area, confident that Low Tide and Barrel would keep the zebras pinned down.

There! Something shimmered and I opened fire without hesitation. I knew I hit someone when I hear a yelp of pain and a nearby locker shuddered. Not really aiming anymore, I simply continued to shoot at the locker and was rewarded with a sight of blood smears appearing on the locker, and the telltale shimmering of a failing stealth cloak.

Finally the cloak appeared, the sky blue color slowly being replaced by growing patches of red.

A stallion cried out in pain and then became silent. Low Tide had had just sent a bullet through his skull.

I turned my attention to the last zebra, another mare. She wore a battlesaddle with two shotguns. I took aim, but the mare leapt out from her cover and charged right at me!

I was still cloaked and was sure she couldn’t see me, but that won’t stop her from ramming me. With no time to properly aim, I leapt to the side to avoid the collision. My timing was very fortunate because the mare decided to fire her twin shotguns.

“Aaugh!” Low Tide yelled out in pain as the flechettes tore at her.

I was back on my hooves in moments and took aim, but Barrel beat me to the shot as he rammed into the zebras side and fired his own weapons pointblank.

A pained grunt and a gurgle were all that escaped the mare before she crashed to the ground.

I turned off my cloak and ran over to Low Tide to check her injuries. Her armor wasn’t the thickest and now she had sharp dart-like pieces of metal sticking out from reddening patches on her armor.

After levitating out a potion and bringing it to her lips, I tried pulling out the flechettes. The blue mare groaned every time one came loose. I watched the wound slowly stitch itself together. She’s going to need another potion I realized, so I levitated another one out.

“I’m fine, I’m fine.” The mare said after she finished the potion and stood back up.

Rath had come in to stand beside her. There was something odd behind him, almost like-oh no! I noticed a slight shimmer a few meters behind him and then out of thin air a barrel of a gun appeared aimed right at me.

Time seemed to slow down as I stared at it unbelievingly. So I was right, there was more than one Remnant here. Kind of pointless saying that now. The barrel jerked just a tiny bit and I felt the bullet connect hard with my chest, and the next thing I knew I was falling down.

It didn’t hurt. That was the strangest part of it. I felt the impact spread all over my chest and it shook me, but it didn’t hurt like I remembered bullets hurting.

Rath and Low Tide looked at me with shocked expressions and then began turning their heads towards the direction of my shooter. A shadow passed in front of me, and I realized it was Barrel. The stallion had leapt into the air, landed, and charged at the Remnant battlesaddle roaring.

I didn’t realize that I was holding my chest with my hooves, must have done it unconsciously when I fell. When I looked at them there was no blood. I looked at the chest plate and I clearly saw the bullet imbedded in the plate. It didn’t go all the way through!

“No!” Low Tide shouted in despair.

I rolled onto my hooves as fast as I could and saw Barrel hit to the ground, his body limp.

“No…” I tried to convince myself that he was just knocked out, but there was no denying the blood pooling around his head.

The Remnant was breathing heavily and bleeding from a wound in his side. His cloak was torn and it continued to shimmer in partial invisibility.

Low Tide had opened fire, but the zebra still managed to move and get a shot off with his rifle hitting the blue mare in the shoulder. Rath tried to shoot with his pistol, but his aim was way off.

Low Tide’s right hoof gave out from underneath her and the Remnant charged at the mare. I charged at the Remnant. He’s not killing her too!

Before he could level his rifle to her head I fired my own, but he spotted me and leaned away from the shot.

He snapped his rifle my way, but I was already close to him, rifle ready. My weapon caught below his and pushed it up as I raised it. The Remnant saw this and immediately pushed my rifle further up with a hoof. The bullets fired harmlessly at the ceiling.

Damn it! He’s good. Why is he this good?! I wrapped both weapons with my magic and tore them away from his grasp which was weakened when our rifles came together.

Both guns slipped from my magic and clattered to the floor. The Remnant quickly assumed a stance and punched out with his hoof. My reflexes were fast enough and I dodged his blow, sending one of my own at him.

His hoof twisted around mine as he attempted to get a firm hold and probably toss me over. I knew I couldn’t match his strength, so I punched out with my other hoof. The attack made him release his hold as he moved away from it. I saw his bleeding side and I went for it.

The Remnant noticed this and promptly batted my hoof away with his own. Damn it, why was he this good?! If only I was faster and stronger!

After turning away my hoof, he pirouetted and extended his other hoof right at my neck. I leaned away but the tip of his hoof scraped my throat and sent me into a coughing fit.

I took a step back as I tried to stop coughing. A sudden burst of fire that missed, but went close to the Remnant made him pause for a moment. I heard Low Tide grunt with effort and the Remnant bolted out of the room, his cloak shimmering but somehow still managing to function.

As I fought to slow my breathing and stop coughing I remembered that I still had my pistol. I pulled the weapon out and went after the remnant.

All that greeted me was an empty hallway, but I started shooting anyway, hoping that I might get lucky and hit the bastard. But it would seem that my luck was all used up merely to survive the encounter.

Barrel was dead. The thought pressed down on me like a mountain. It was my fault. I should have reacted sooner and stopped them from going in, or we should have gone back to the bridge. Anything would have been a smarter choice! I knew this was a bad idea. Damn you Sky, I’m not a leader! I shouldn’t-I didn’t… I don’t want this…

When I got back to the room Low Tide was standing beside Barrels body. She looked up at me hopefully.

“He got away.” I answered her unasked question and she cursed.

“Spirits be kind!” Rath exclaimed.

What now? I turned to the zebra. He was looking at one of the cages and… there was something inside them. Some kind of animals? There were bundles of fur in there. There was blood too and-Dear sweet Celestia!

Shaking, huddling together were ponies, dirty, blood soaked. Some were dead, shot in the crossfire or they died from who knows what. Disease, starvation, beatings…

I started noticing frightened eyes staring back from the shadowed cages. The fear, the all too familiar fear. Not knowing what’s going to happen next. Are you about to be sold to a new master? Maybe get beaten, used, or were they just going to kill you?

My heart started beating faster and tears blurred my vision. I couldn’t move. I felt like foal again, watching everyone I know getting killed. I was me again, but this time I was on a hill, watching helplessly as a filly was being dragged away from her mother.

“Oh you sons of bitches!” A mare’s voice shouted, the eyes that were looking at me flinched and the caged ponies started shivering again.

“Ighh… not…”

I turned around and saw Low Tide crying and holding Rath pinned to the wall with her forehooves. She was crushing his neck.

The little zebra flailed his hooves and gurgled as he tried to get free. Low Tide just continued to squeeze, her face contorted in rage and pain as tears slid down her face.

“You bastards.” She said in a whisper. ”How can you do this? To foals! How?!” She yelled, demanding an answer. Yes, I would like to know that as well.

The zebra hit the blue mare in the face a few times, but the mare was relentless. It seemed like she didn’t feel pain anymore. They had no right to do this. To ponies or anyone else.

I watched as the flailing zebras attacks grew weaker and weaker. A wheezing sound came from him, his lips were turning blue. Tears started running down the small zebra’s face. His eyes were filled with fear. Finally his hooves grew slack and I saw acceptance in his eyes.

I felt something like stab in my heart and suddenly a dark fog was lifted from my mind. What was I doing?

“Stop it! You’re killing him!” I yelled and rushed over to the blue mare.

I grabbed her hooves with my own and tried to pull her off of Rath. The mare didn’t budge so I rammed into her shoulder, forcing her to release him.

Rath collapsed to the ground coughing and wheezing, but alive.

Low Tide spun on me, her face red and her eyes ablaze. “Look! Look at what they’ve done!” She screamed.

“I know. I was a slave once, I know.” I said stepping between her and Rath.

“Then why the hell didn’t you let me kill the son of bitch?!” She demanded her voice breaking.

“Because Rath isn’t responsible.” I said calmly. “Not for this, or what happened to me.”

“Damn it, just… damn it.” She said quietly. I tried to put a hoof on her shoulder but she knocked it away and moved to Barrel’s body.

“Th-Thank y-you…” Rath managed between breaths. I nodded as I went past him to the cages.

I just couldn’t look at him now. What the hell is wrong with me? I almost let him get strangled. I was just watching and would have gladly let him die. A cold shiver ran through my core, and I felt like I just lost a piece of myself forever. All I wanted right now was to curl up and cry, but there were more important things to take care of right now.

I retrieved my rifle and moved from cage to cage, blowing the locks off. Rath could have picked them, but he was in no shape right now, and I had no right to ask.

“Wh-Who are you?” A dirty mare asked slowly raising her head, but pointedly keeping it low so that she had to look up at me. “You’re a p-pony but you dress like those…” She made a gesture to the dead Remnant.

“I’m a friend.” The answer was a simple one, and I don’t know whether they thought I was telling the truth or if they simply felt how tired I was. Too tired to try and trick them.

“Mommy, daddy’s not moving.” A foal looked up sadly at its mother. I winced at the words. The stallion was lying next to them. Blood was pouring from several bullet wounds in his chest and two in the head.

“I know.” The mother told the foal through tears. “Daddy’s sleeping. He’s going to sleep for a long time now.”

I felt another pang in my heart, and my breath caught in my throat. Come on don’t fall apart now.

But something was different this time. It wasn’t just the pain from seeing ponies like this. I actually felt a tightness pressing on my chest, and every time I inhaled something stabbed at my heart. I felt a dull pain spread all over the front of my chest.

The bullet I took to the chest was buried deep into the armor plate. It didn’t penetrate, but it must have broken one of my ribs, or at least cracked them.

One potion later and I was feeling much better. Some of the ponies scraped together enough courage to leave their cages. They were examining their surroundings warily, still expecting to get beaten or killed for daring to leave.

“What do you plan to do with them?” Rath asked stepping beside me. “You can’t just lead them out. They’ll get killed in the crossfire.”

“So, we give them weapons. There are a few guns left here.” Low Tide said as she wiped her nose with a hoof. Her eyes were still red and puffy from crying and she still looked like she wanted to strangle Rath.

The zebras ears twitched and he looked at me uncertainly.

I shook my head. “No. That’s a bad idea. They might just end up shooting themselves.” Or us. “They are in no condition to fight.”

“Please.” I heard a mare’s soft pleading voice. “Don’t hurt the foals.”

I turned to face the mare as she tentatively took a step forward and looked up at me, eyes on the brink of tears and old dried blood clinging to her bruised muzzle.

The other mares and stallions huddled together, hugging their foals tightly, looking at us pleadingly.

“No. We’re not going to hurt you.” I tried to convince them. “We’re just trying to think of a way to get you out of here safely.” I don’t think they believed me, but they didn’t have much choice. “How are you here? I thought slavery was forbidden in Vostoris. Were you brought here from the outside?”

“It is.” Rath said. “They shouldn’t be here. Only indentured servitude is allowed and that includes zebras. There are hefty fines for mistreatment of servants.”

The mare shook her head sadly. “We… were tricked.”

“What? How?” Tricked? How can you get tricked into being a slave?

The mare swallowed and licked her lips. “The Vipers promised a chance at a better life away from the politics and prejudice of Vostoris.” A shudder ran through the mare. “They said that we would be free, like the Separatists but even better. We would be equal with the zebras.”

A pained sob escaped the mare and she breathed in quickly. I approached and placed a hoof on her shoulder to try and calm her down. Before my hoof even touched her I saw her eyes widen with fear. She yelped, started shaking and snapped her eyes shut.

I was outraged. She thought I was going to hit her. What did those bastards do to these ponies?!

Gently I lowered my hoof on her shoulder and held it there. She continued to shiver for a while before finally daring to open her eyes and see that I truly meant her no harm.

“That’s why the Vipers were suddenly interested in ‘helping’ ponies.” Rath said sounding surprised. “I mean I knew it was some sort of scam, but slavery. Fang must be insane.”

“Hey. You there, it’s all right. We’re not going to hurt you.” Low Tide said suddenly and started tugging on my cloak. “Mist, there’s another one in that cage over there.” She pointed with a hoof.

At first I Couldn’t see anything, but I slowly began to notice an equine shape standing in the shadow.

“It’s alright. They won’t hurt you. They-they’re good ponies.” The newly freed mare said gently.

Slowly a young, orange Pegasus mare stepped out of the cage. She tentatively looked around. I was shocked when I noticed how one of her wings hung limp at her side, swaying a little as she moved.

I went over to her, perhaps a bit too fast because she shrieked and backpedaled into the cage.

“It’s alright. I’m a Talon too. We’re here to free you.” I said hoping to get her to come out again.

“T-Talons?” She stammered.

“Yes. I know Razorwing, I’ve worked with IronClaw.” She still remained unmoving. Alright I’m going to have to prove it to her somehow.

“I’ve heard of Razorwing.” She managed finally, looking hopefully into my eyes.

“What do you mean you’ve heard of Razorwing? She’s our commander.” Low Tide asked sharing a confused look with me.

“Wait, you don’t know who she is? You’re not a Talon?” I asked and the Pegasus shook her head. Well I wasn’t expecting that.

“I thought all pegasi were Talons.” Low Tide asked.

“Apparently not.” Who is she then? I turned around and saw that the ponies were looking more relaxed than before. “Rath.” I called out to the zebra. ”Check the bodies and the lockers for potions. Pass them around to anypony that needs them.” The thief nodded and looked somewhat relieved as he began picking the locks on the lockers.

After some gentle coaxing we were able to get the Pegasus out of her cage. She told us that her name was Autumn Wind, she wasn’t a Talon, but a member of some kind of group here in Vostoris.

Autumn and a few of her friends got ambushed by Remnants while searching for some old-world tech in the jungles to the East of Vostoris. When they retreated they got captured by the Vipers. The Remnant were ready to pay a huge amount for her, and they have paid but the sudden appearance of the Talons ruined their plans. I can’t tell you how happy that made me feel.

Rath had managed to salvage eight potions, and it was a god thing too, we needed all of them in order to heal the abused ponies.

The ammunition was split between Low Tide and me, Rath only took a couple of rounds for his pistol. The hardest part was removing Barrels battlesaddle. He deserved a proper burial and we couldn’t carry him and his equipment too.

I thanked Celestia for having Low Tide here with us. She undid the straps on his battlesaddle and placed him in a more dignified position until we were ready to move. I’m not sure I could have done it.

The Remnant had shot him under his chin and the bullet probably went all the way through, so we didn’t remove his helmet for fear of doing more damage.

Shouting could be heard from outside and I could just make out hoofbeats if I strained my ears. The foals started crying again and their parent tried to calm them down.

“I’ll go see what’s going on.” I told Low Tide and Rath. “Stay here and keep them safe.” I added more sternly. “Try and move the cages and crates into some sort of barrier.” I added as I pulled my hood up and activated the invisibility spell.

My trot was sure and steady, my rifle in my magical grasp levitated beside me. Let them come. I’ll take down as many as I can and then run back to the others. Those ponies will be freed.

“Move, move!” Came from a passage ahead of me, I recognized the voice.

Mirage appeared behind a bend and was quickly followed by Rudy, Olive and Dizzy. I turned off my cloak when I saw them and the griffins eyes widened in surprise.

“Mist!” She said slowing down but not stopping, so I fell in beside her. The others smiled when they saw me, I just nodded in acknowledgment.

“We lost the bridge.” Mirage said at once and before I could ask she quickly added. “But the Talons are making a push. They won’t hold it for long and it’s only a matter of time before they’re pushed at us.”

“We found slaves.” I said and the griffin nearly tripped.

“Slaves? What slaves?” She asked confused not understanding, so I told her of everything that happened, even Barrels death.

“It’s not your fault. He did his duty, and I’m sure he would have done it again given the chance.” Mirage said immediately after hearing about her friend’s death. Despite her confidence I saw that it pained her, and I didn’t deserve her kind words.

She turned to me. “What’s the plan?”

I sighed. ”We need to get the slaves to safety.”

Mirage nodded and looked thoughtfully ahead. ”Maybe we could use one of the side passages to get into the main chamber. If we can get behind the Talon vanguard we should be safe.”

“Why not find a way back to the surface directly?” I asked.

“You’ve found a way?” The griffin queried.

“Well, no.” Damn it.

“Rath might know.” Mirage offered seeing my disappointment.

Alright so the plan was to find a safe way to get all of the freed ponies out of here. The ponies were shy of the new arrivals, but we managed to calm them down. Mirage took the burden of carrying Barrel’s body. She ignored any protests by stating that she couldn’t fly anyway so there was no reason for anyone else to carry him.

The griffin was very interested in Autumn Wind, and she asked the skittish Pegasus questions about her gang. The shy Pegasus answered what she could, but for the most part she stayed silent and warily regarded everyone in the room.

We didn’t have time, nor did we wish to force the poor mare to answer. We had to get moving.

I took the front with Mirage. Olive, Dizzy and Rath were at the side and Rudy and Low Tide covered the rear with the ponies in the middle.

“Left!” Rath shouted and we turned left. It wasn’t important if we weren’t quiet anymore because the sounds of battle grew as we moved. You actually had to shout in order to communicate with those who aren’t standing right beside you.

“Alright, this is it!” Mirage shouted and I heard a few ponies yelp in fear.

We exited the passage onto the battlefield. The bridge was right above us and I marveled at it now seeing it from below.

We nearly crawled as we moved from cover to cover.

“Friendlies! Watch your fire!” A pony shouted to his friends when he saw us.

No one stopped us, or asked us anything; they just tried to help as much as they could. Giving us cover fire or drawing attention away from us. I even saw a few zebras fighting on the Talon’s side.

An enemy zebra, a Viper stood up with a rocket launcher and aimed at group of ponies who were hiding behind some debris, too busy reloading to notice. The zebra didn’t manage to fire though.

A green bolt hit him and melted right through his armor. The rocket launcher fell from the dead zebras shoulders as the green bolt continued on its way.

From the spot where the zebra was hit, green glowing acid expanded and completely engulfed the stallion before shining brightly. Once the glow ceased, all that was left of the stallion was a faintly glowing green puddle.

What kind of weapon does that?! Whatever it was, it came from the Talons, and thank Celestia for that.

Mirage had given me back my sniper and apologized for using up all the ammo. I’m just happy it was put to good use. Besides, a regular rifle is better suited for this kind of battle.

One zebra attempted to vault over a barricade to get to us, but I sent three bullets to his head. His body fell into a heap just as his rearhooves passed the edge.

We finally got to the other side. Rath knew those passages there, and he would have no trouble leading us. This, we decided was safer than to wade through the middle of the market to the other side.

The entrance was right in front of us so we made a dash for it. Once inside, following Rath’s instructions we made our way to a long narrow chamber. Unfortunately there was a battle going on there.

The ponies panicked and some of them tried to run. Rudy leapt into the air and pounced on the pony that tried to run right into enemy fire. After subduing the pony, the griffin dragged him to cover.

“The hell are they?!” A unicorn stallion asked me when he ducked behind cover.

“Slaves. We need to get them safely out of here!” I shouted back.

The unicorn looked to the ponies next to him who were firing at the zebras. There were only three of them.

The unicorn shook his head. ”I don’t see that happening! They got us pinned; we’re just trying to hold them off until reinforcements arrive.”

I peeked out of cover and then ducked right back when a bullet scraped the edge of our barricade.

“What do we do?!” Mirage asked.

I looked behind her at the others. Rudy and Dizzy looked ready to fight. Rath was glancing nervously left and right. Olive was desperately trying to calm down the panicked ponies, and Low Tide was… Why wasn’t Low Tide here!?

“Where is Low Tide!?” I shouted. Mirage looked around and then shrugged helplessly.

“I think she stayed back to fight!” Rath said apologetically.

“Shit.” Dizzy cursed shaking her head.

“The hell was she thinking?” Rudy wondered.

I knew. “She wants to fight with a pony she cares about a lot.”

“What do we do?” Mirage asked again, drawing my attention back to the problem at hoof.

“I don’t know.” I answered. Rudy’s wings seemed to slacken a little. “They are too well protected.” The zebras had clogged up the entrance with steel boxes, rocks, chairs… anything they could get. They didn’t even have to get out of cover; they were shooting through a number of small holes in their barricade. Maybe I could have taken out a few with my sniper, but I had no more ammunition for it.

They were completely covered… except from above. “Quick does anyone have any grenades?!” I asked the unicorn.

He opened his saddlebags and searched through them before shaking his head. “No, sorry we used them all up!”

“Mist, don’t you have one of those balefire ones left?” Rudy asked.

I pulled out said bomb and looked at it. It won’t work. “It’s made of clay.” I stated simply. “Too fragile.” With the crazy way the zebras were spraying bullets everywhere they might hit it before it even reaches them. Even then I doubt I could lob it far enough to hit them from above. “Maybe if I sneaked over to them, get closer, I could try and throw it.”

“You’ll get torn to pieces.” Rudy said, outraged.

“Unless that cloak is bulletproof too, it won’t do you much good. Look at it. It’s narrow, and they are constantly firing at us.” Mirage said and I studied the griffin for a moment. If I had wings I could fly over and just drop it on top of them. Rudy had followed my gaze.

“I’ll do it.” The griffin said suddenly.

“No, you’ll get ripped apart just as easily as I would.” There has to be another way.

“You want to help the ponies, don’t you?” He asked.

Of course I do! After all the crap they’ve been through I’d do anything to save them, but it’s not me who will be taking the risk.

“Mist, I would do it if my wing was working.” Mirage said putting a talon on my shoulder. “This is the best way of getting through.” Rudy nodded enthusiastically.

I looked at him, then at the scared ponies and sighed. “Alright. Just be careful.” I levitated the bomb to him.

“Sure.” He said as he held the jar close to him.

I turned to the unicorn. “Rudy is going to try and drop a bomb on them. We need to get their attention and keep it on us.”

The unicorn looked at the griffin then back to me and nodded. He told the other ponies what they have to do. Well everything was ready now.

Dizzy stepped up to the barricade and readied her weapon. I put in a fresh magazine into my rifle and took a deep breath.

“Now!” I shouted and everyone rose from cover and opened fire. The zebras hesitated a moment before the sudden onslaught and Rudy leapt into the air.

I saw one pony getting shot in the head and falling down from the barricade, but still we continued firing.

Looking up I saw that Rudy was halfway there already. I ducked behind cover and put in a fresh magazine before coming back up.

Rudy was almost there.

I concentrated my fire on a single spot where I thought I saw the barrel of a gun.

Rudy flew closer still.

Throw the damn thing! I thought to myself and that’s when it happened. The zebras noticed him and they lessened the assault on us and instead focused on the griffin.

Rudy pulled out his rifle and started to shoot back when bullets started hitting him. He screamed in pain and I think all of us screamed with him.

Suddenly Rudy burst into green fire. For that one short moment he looked like a bird of legend I remembered reading about in one of Zaeryl’s books.

Trailing green fire, Rudy plummeted right for the enemy barricade. The shooting had completely stopped and the zebras started yelling at each other to get away.

My heart was thundering in my chest. “No! Damn it no!”

I vaulted over the barricade and ran for the enemies. Behind me I heard shouting to come back I couldn’t I need to get to him. Need to save him. Maybe the fire could be put out before he burns to death.

A sudden series of explosions occurred from where the griffin had fallen, accompanied by screams of pain and fear. We didn’t have any grenades, but it looked like they did, and now they had all gone off.

The rush of hot air knocked my hooves from under me and I fell to the ground. Immediately I scrambled back up to my hooves and saw that the barricade was gone, blown away. The explosion sent the still burning bodies away clearing a path for us.

How viscous that fire was. It stubbornly burned on bare rock, but it really liked to sear flesh. A little farther away down the now open passage I saw movement.

I was trotting by now and others ran beside me. They stopped to gasp at the destruction. I noticed a piece of bone being burned black by the green flames. More specifically the bone was tipped with a talon.

The movement turned out to be a bleeding and singed zebra trying to run away.

The burn marks he had must have been from the normal explosions. The green fire would have stuck to him until it burned everything.

The zebra heard me coming and he turned his head, pistol in mouth, to me. Not wasting any time I shot him in the hoof. His face contorted with pain and he shot at me.

The bullet hit me low in the chest. I grunted but continued moving, shooting at another of his hooves.

The pistol fell from the zebra’s mouth as he hit the floor, no longer able to support himself.

Once I got to him I shot his other two hooves and he howled in pain, I didn’t care. I grabbed his tail with my magic and started dragging him back.

The zebra cursed, spat and yelled all the way back. Everyone watched me quietly.

I found a body still wrapped in green fire and I pulled the zebra in front of me before I turned around and bucked him into the corpse.

The moment he hit the burning body, the flames jumped greedily onto him. The zebra thrashed and rolled screaming all the while, but it didn’t help him. The fires would not be put out. It wasn’t long before that zebra too was still.

I had to do it. I… Rudy sacrificed himself… I couldn’t let that zebra live.

An unusual calm came over me as I watched the flames blacken the bones and lick them clean.

Rath searched for anything to look at beside the corpses, Olive cried quietly. Most disturbing was Dizzy’s reaction.

She turned to me. ”Heh, you know Rudy always thought that ghost would be the ones to do him in.” The unicorn smiled broadly. The sight looked so twisted. She was crying and her eyes reflected the pain and loss she felt yet her mouth was pulled into this toothy grin that looked more and more like a snarl. “I’m going to miss you, you featherbrain.” She said at last as grief over took her and she sobbed.

Olive placed a comforting hoof on her shoulder.

“Mist.” Mirage said quietly from my side. ”We need to go.”

I nodded to the griffin, but before I started moving I saw the ponies I had freed watching me. Those that had foals with them hugged them tightly.

We ran into little trouble from that point on. A few zebras here and there, they barely slowed us down. I told Mirage to take charge for a while. Should’ve done that in the first place. She still asked me for permission before she would sent anyone up to scout ahead, or before we were to chose a path when Rath had offered more than one choice.

We finally reached a large chamber filled with Talons. This was the first room they claimed when they came down.

The ponies were all given food and medical attention as soon as we got there. I was bombarded with questions by the other Talon squad leaders. What tactics do the Vipers like to use? Are the Remnant on their side or the Separatists? Were they using any strange weapons and so on…

The Remnant as far as I could tell just wanted to get out of here. The Separatists on the other hoof, I had no idea about. For all I knew, we killed a dozen of them.

I moved to the side to stay out of the way of passing Talons and just sat down. Memories came back to the forefront of my mind. Memories of Barrel leaping over me to tackle the Remnant, and memories of Rudy bursting into flames.

I should have been more careful. The deal had gone bad, and not even a prideful Remnant would go there alone. What’s more, I was the only one who would have stood a chance in close combat. Barrel didn’t have to die.

And Rudy. Rudy sacrificed himself to save those ponies. Again it would have been better if I went there myself, but it seemed easier to him do it, he could fly. I thought it would be faster, efficient. Rudy died because I was lazy!

“Just can’t stay out of trouble, can you?” A familiar voce said tearing me back into reality.

I looked around for the speaker, my mind a jumbled mess. It was the griffin Tark, and beside him walked a very familiar zebra mare.

The griffin shook his head. “You know, when I told you to stay put, that wasn’t a dare. Guess I should be glad I didn’t tell you to NOT go start another civil war.” He turned and looked lazily through the door that led to the black market main chamber. “But I guess that might happen anyway.”

I opened and closed my moth a couple of times, not knowing how to respond to what he had just said. Another civil war…

“Cheer up. It could always be worse.” He said and patted me on the back.

“Mist was it?” The zebra mare asked.

I studied the mare carefully. “Liris?” Could it really be the caravan trader I met when I first came to Vostoris?

“It’s good to see you again.” She said and smiled.

“Figures that you two would know each other.” Tark rolled his eyes.

“Why do you say that?” I’m not a trader.

“You both get into a lot of trouble and yet somehow manage to wiggle out of it.” The griffin answered.

I looked at the mare and she smiled sheepishly.

“She’s a smuggler Mist.” Tark explained. “And sometimes she smuggles ponies.” Wait what? “Sometimes she smuggles those who want to get into Vostoris past inspection, and other times. Well like now, she helps them escape.” The griffin gestured to the ponies I freed.

“So you were planning on freeing them?” I asked amazed.

“W-Well no, not exactly. I’m just one mare with a few friends, but when I can, I offer to transport bought slaves out, then we stage and ambush in which the slave unfortunately escapes.” She explained and smiled proudly.

“You just let them go.” That’s not a good plan. They could easily get captured again or killed.

“Actually we take them to friendlier towns where they won’t be treated like… well like-“

“Animals.” I finished for her and she nodded sadly.

“Thank you.” I told the mare, she looked up at me perplexed. “Thank you for caring and helping those who need it.” Liris blushed and nodded appreciatively.

Rath walked up to me. “Mist, there’s a problem.” He said and my coat started crawling at those words.

“Rath? I never thought I’d see you here when there’s trouble.” Liris suddenly asked the thief.

“Well you know…” Rath rubbed the back of his head bashfully. “Wanted to help.”

Liris smiled at the thief and nodded approvingly causing Rath to blush.

“You were going to tell Mist something.” Tark reminded the little zebra.

“Oh right! Mist we’re two short.” Rath said snapping back to reality.

“Two short?”

“Two ponies are missing. The Pegasus and a colt.” Rath explained.

“But Autumn was right behind us!” I saw her just a few minutes ago.

Tark thought for a moment. “The colt must have wandered off, and the Pegasus probably went to find him. Speaking of which, who is this Autumn? We don’t have that many pegasi and I can’t recall the name.”

“She’s not a Talon. We don’t know all that much about her. just that she’s part of some group or gang here in Vostoris.” I sighed. “I’ll go look for them. They couldn’t have gotten far.”

“I would like to speak with her when you find her, and I imagine Razorwing will too.” Tark said before I headed out.

“I’ll go with you.”Rath added as he trotted after me.

“Mist, where are you going?” Mirage asked when she saw me walk by.

“Going to look for the Pegasus and the colt.” I answered. “Don’t worry, Rath and I will take care of it.” I quickly added, knowing that she would want to come along, but right now she needed to rest, and so did Olive and Dizzy. I needed a distraction.

We retraced our steps back to a corridor with three passages, one being leading back to the market so I doubt they went that way.

“Left or right?” I asked the thief.

“Ummm… left.”

Alright we turned left and continued down the hall.

“Mist.” Rath called quietly.

“What?”

“Are you alright?” He asked looking concerned and I had a good guess what this was a bout.

I sighed. “I’m fine, just tired.”

Rath nodded and lowered his head. “I understand why you did it.” He said quietly.

Do you really? Maybe he does, but I didn’t want to talk about it, don’t want to think about it.

“Mist.” He asked again.

“What is it?” I huffed.

“Which way?” He asked.

The path before us led right into a wall and then split into two directions. Crap.

“You go left and I’ll go right. Don’t go too far. We’ll meet back here.” I told the zebra. Rath nodded and went left looking a little nervous. I watched as he left. Maybe we should stick together, he’s not much of a fighter.

“Wait Rath, stay with me.” I said and he brightened at once. I don’t know why that made him so happy. I’m not exactly safe to be around with.

We heard the sound of gunfire coming from a nearby chamber so we went to investigate.

I told Rath to stay behind while I go in cloaked. He nodded and pulled out his pistol just in case. It wasn’t comforting. I’ve seen him shoot.

“Nothing more we can do now. We should leave this place before anyone sees me here.” A familiar mare’s voice sounded from behind the door. A voice I recognized instantly. There was no forgetting the mare that came with that soft tone.

I walked into the room and there she was, wrapped in a dark cloak with the hood pulled up to cover her face. Six heavily armed guards dressed in rough reinforced leather surrounded her, and two zebras in ragged barding lay dead.

“Shiala?” I asked and then cursed myself for being so stupid. Her guards immediately turned my way and opened fire. I ducked quickly and rolled away from the barrage.

It was impressive how they reacted so swiftly. They weren’t very accurate, but with their weapons they didn’t need to be. Four of them had battlesaddle mounted rifles and they sprayed bullets with abandon.

“Hold!” She said suddenly and the shooting died down. “Show yourself!” She demanded.

My hoof went to my hood but I caught myself before I pulled it off. What was she doing here? She’s a councilor? This doesn’t make any sense. Didn’t she mention something about not wanting to be seen. Would she order her guards to shoot me?

I studied her for a long while, not making a move. She pulled her hood down.

“I heard you call out my name.” She stated simply. “You could have just killed me, but you didn’t. This could only mean that you want something. Show yourself, my guards will not fire I give you my word.” She said standing tall and proud.

Looking at those eyes I knew that she was telling the truth. This time without hesitation I pulled my hood down and I have to admit I enjoyed seeing how surprised she got when she saw me.

“Mist? What are you? Here? Why?” She blinked a few times trying to gather her thoughts; she seemed so adorable when she did that.

“I came to help stop the Remnant and free the ponies the Vipers have taken.” I told the elegant mare, she nodded and furrowed her brow in thought. “But why are you here?” I asked.

“Why?” She repeated, seeming confused for a moment. “I’m here to buy the slaves.” She said simply.

What? Buy… I scratched my ears with a hoof. “I’m sorry I don’t think I heard that right.” All I needed right now is to start hearing voices. Put that on top of the nightmares I have and I won’t be safe even while awake.

“You heard correctly.” She said calmly as she walked over to me.

“I… but…” Why would she? She’s was slaver? It can’t be. My heart sank as she smiled seeing my distress.

She was very close to me now and despite everything I felt a rush of heat. She put a hoof on my cheek and flashed her pearly white teeth.

“No. I buy them and then set them free.” She whispered quietly, my ear twitched when I felt her hot breath and smelled that pleasant hint of mint. She giggled when I breathed a sigh of relief at hearing her words. “I have actually known about this place for some time.” She continued.

“But then why-“ I wanted to ask but she placed a hoof to my lips effectively silencing me.

“Because we don’t have a way to remove the Vipers permanently.” She continued answering my unasked question. She gestured around with her hoof. “Even all this fighting won’t solve anything in the end. Fang, their leader has already slithered away, and who knows how many he took with him. But do not doubt that this attack cost them much. It might be years before they become this big of a threat again.” She removed her hoof and I felt a bit sad for the breaking of contact.

“The other councilors?” I asked after a while.

“What about them?”

“They don’t know that you knew about this place, do they? Why not tell them?” Wouldn’t it make sense to work together?

Shiala laughed in her wonderful melodious voice. “You’ve met them. You know what they are like. Zden would do something like this.” She gestured around herself. “Rush in and start shooting. Always the soldier. Narath might actually use his head, but he is proud and arrogant. Hardly suited for a task like this.” She sighed tiredly. “I had intended to earn Fang’s trust, after that we might have been able to lure him into a trap. He’s… a snake really. Under pressure he would have told us everything we wanted to know. The location of other bases, the number of Vipers, the weapons they have, who they’ve traded with…”

“And I ruined it all.” I said thinking about her plan. Shiala could have gotten enough information on the Remnant and the Separatists too. Maybe enough to convince the rest that action needed to be taken against them! And I screwed it all up!

“Don’t blame yourself.” She said comfortingly. “This is still a great victory, and we now have proof of the Remnant were actively involved in slavery here in Vostoris. It will be a great asset to your defense in the trial.”

“Trial? You mean for sneaking into their embassy?” I completely forgot about that.

The beautiful mare nodded. “Yes, but with the evidence gathered here there is a good chance of that you will walk away free. I will certainly motion for you to be exonerated.” She smiled reassuringly before pulling her hood back up and walking back to her guards. “I must leave now. Can I trust in your discretion about me being here?”

“Absolutely.” I answered at once. Hidden behind her hood I couldn’t see her face, but I was certain she was smiling.

On my way out I bumped into a very flustered Rath.

“Mist! Are you alright? You’ve been gone for awhile. Did you find the colt or the Pegasus?” The thief asked.

“No. Come on, let’s check the other way.” I said and Rath followed without objection.

We walked back to the room where we had almost split ways and we took the left path this time, and ended up in what looked like some sort of storage area.

“I just can’t get over the fact of how big this place is. Room after room, and their size… It’s just overwhelming.” I commented as we looked around. There were plenty of nooks and crannies among the crates for a foal to hide.

“I always thought that that it was built in case ponies attacked us with megaspells.” The thief mused.

“I doubt that they would have time to dig this deep, and make rooms this big. Besides, I think Olive was right when she said that this place was ancient.” It fit perfectly with what I read in books. The grandiose architecture of old. Equating size with importance… that actually still holds today from what I saw on the surface.

“Over there!” Rath shouted and pointed with a hoof towards a stack of large crates.

We walked over to the place he punted out. There was a hole there big enough for a foal to crawl into between the crates. Too small for me or even the little thief, so I laid down on the floor and tapped the brooch at my chest.

As the light pushed back the darkness I heard a whimper and saw a tiny ball of fur shivering at the far end.

“It’s okay. I’m not going to hurt you. You remember me right?” I asked hopefully.

The colts big eyes snapped open and then squinted at the light from my brooch.

“You’re not a bad zebra?” He queried.

“No. My friends and I let you out of the cages remember?”

The colt nodded and started crawling to me. I stepped away and turned off the light giving brooch.

The foal wiggled out of the hole and smiled up at Rath and me.

“Why did you run away?” Rath asked tilting his head.

The foal looked embarrassed for a moment. “I wanted to follow the pretty pony.” He said blushing.

Pretty pony? Rath and I exchanged confused looks.

“Autumn? The Pegasus? The pony with wings?” I asked and the colt nodded enthusiastically. “Where is she?”

“She went over there.” The colt pointed with a hoof at a door on the far side.

“Why didn’t you go with her?” Rath asked.

“I saw something shiny in the boxes over there.” The colt pointed to a nearby opened crate, I moved to see what was in it. “When I turned around she was gone.”

I pushed the lid aside. “She just left you here, alone?” I asked and looked inside the box. That… that’s a lot of grenades. Yeah, and entire crate full of explosives. Seeing as how the bombs I stole from Charon turned out to be useful, I took a few of these as well before closing the lid and turning back to the foal.

“She didn’t know I was following her.” The colt looked at the floor. “I tried looking for her, but she was gone, and then I heard somepony talking. I thought that the bad zebras were coming so I found a hiding place.”

“Don’t worry, we’ll take you back to your mom and dad.” Rath comforted the little colt, but he just looked up at us strangely.

“I don’t have a dad, and my mom isn’t here.” The colt said sadly and looked away.

Well World, any more cheerful thoughts you want to send my way? That does explain why no one didn’t notice that he was missing until we got to the camp.

“W-Well let’s just go back to the other ponies, you’ll be safe there.” Rath managed after a moment, the colt nodded sadly.

Sometimes I really hate the world for being this unnecessarily cruel.

We were making our way slowly back to the main Talon camp. Rath was busy teaching the colt the proper way to picking a lock, and he was also telling him where ponies and zebras usually tend to keep valuable things hidden. The thief was also telling him how to better guess passwords on terminals based on what kind of person the owner was.

I wasn’t too worried, he was just a foal. There is no way he would understand even half of what he was being told… right?

We were about to enter a room when I heard shouting and gunfire from up ahead. I motioned with a hoof for Rath and the colt to stay back, as I moved closer to the door to see what was happening.

Two zebras were running scared from one side to the other. They paused occasionally to fire a few shots but mostly they were focused on running. They passed by the door I was loking out of and they didn’t even notice me.

A roar of machinegun fire cut one of the zebras down, then I heard a ‘thump!’ and the other zebra exploded as a heavy shell hit him.

Heavy hooffalls were coming from the other direction. I recognized the armored suit the moment I saw it.

“Shrapnel?” I asked. It looked like the armor she wore.

“Mist? Mist!” The mare yelled. Yep, it’s Shrapnel alright. The helmet she wore had a grim appearance to it, but it couldn’t hide the obvious joy in Shrapnel’s voice.

I was about to dodge for safety, seeing her barreling towards me like that, but she had enough sense and brought all four of her hooves in front of her only two or three meters away. With a screeching noise and sparks flying from her armored hooves she slided into me and embraced me in a crushing hug.

I was lucky the armor I had on was stronger, it protected me from serous bruising.

“Mist!” She said once more letting me go and catching my breath. “What are you doing here? I thought you were in jail? Did you break out? Because if you did, then Saw owes Cog and me a hundred caps each.” She said it all in a rush. I couldn’t help but smile.

“You bet on me breaking out?” Did they really know me that well? Even I had no idea what I was going to do before I did it.

“Well Cog said that you would find a way to join in the fun, and I know you actually aren’t a grumpy, boring pony, so I knew you would come. Saw said that you weren’t stupid enough to do something like that.” Shrapnel explained. I didn’t know how to take that. “So Cog wanted to make a bet to see who was right.” She hugged me again. “And I’m so glad Saw was wrong!”

“Umm, hello.” Rath said walking up to us with the colt in toe.

“Hi! I’m Shrapnel, who are you?” The mare replied cheerfully.

“I’m Rath and this is…” The zebra pointed to the colt who was just staring up at the armored mare, his eyes wide and mouth hanging open.

“Are you a robopony?” The colt asked stunned.

Shrapnel giggled. ”Nope! This is just a suit I’m wearing.” The mare said and banged her chest with a hoof for emphasis.

“Cool!” The colt smiled broadly.

“I know right! What’s your name?” Shrapnel asked the colt.

“Button.” The colt shot out immediately.

“Nice to meat you Button!”

Shrapnel and Button proceeded to talk about… everything I guess.

Rath walked up beside me. “Looks like she made a new friend.”

“Shrapnel is good at that. And blowing stuff up.” I said and smiled while looking at them talking excitedly.

As much as I hated to interrupt them, we had get moving.

“Shrapnel what are you doing here? Weren’t you supposed to be on a mission?” If I recall correctly.

“Yep, but the boss wanted to help out with clearing this place first.” The armored mare explained.

“So you’re all here?”

Shrapnel nodded. ”Yeah. Saw is helping the wounded and Cog is around somewhere. We won!” She said excitedly. “A lot of them ran away, but there might be more hiding somewhere, so IronClaw told me to help clean up those that were left. Can you believe how big this place is?!”

I nodded. ”And apparently it’s very old.”

“Did you see the bridge?” She asked.

“Actually I was on it. I was using my sniper to try and help the other Talons.”

“Really? Did you see me?” She asked excitedly.

“No sorry. Listen Shrapnel, we’re taking Button here back to the other ponies.” And I need to try and find Autumn.

“Other ponies?” She asked.

“Yes, he and a lot of other ponies were going to be sold as slaves. We freed them.” I explained. Shrapnel looked back at the colt then turned back to me and nodded. I really wish I could see her face. “So where are you going?”

“I’m gonna go with you.” She answered as if it was obvious and honestly I expected it.

“Weren’t you supposed to go look for any Vipers that might still be around?” I didn’t mind if she wanted to come along, I would have preferred it actually. Her infectious joy would be welcomed.

“I am!” She said happily. “IronClaw said to go look for them, so I am going to do that while we take Button back to the other ponies.” Alright, guess I can’t argue with that. I got up and we started making our way back to the camp.

“Tell me what you’ve been up to Mist. I mean besides the braking out of jail. Was it just the two of you? You and Rath?” Shrapnel asked.

“Actually there were eight of us, and somehow I got put in charge.” I snorted.

“What’s wrong with that?” She asked sounding genuinely confused.

“What’s wrong? Shrapnel I’m no leader. It was a terrible idea” I really need to talk with Skyfall.

Shrapnel shook her head. ”Don’t be silly Mist. You’re a great leader, think of the palace. We wouldn’t have caught those assassins if you hadn’t stayed focused.”

All I could think about was the fact that two lives were lost needlessly.

“We lost two Talons. A griffin and a pony.”I said solemnly.

Shrapnel was quiet for a while before she spoke. “I’m sorry. Bu t I’m sure it wasn’t-“

“It was my fault. Skyfall should have found someone more experienced, or I should have gone alone.” Damn that Pegasus. He should have told me, if I had known about the chain of command I would have thought it through more thoroughly. I probably would have said no right then and there.

“But you are a good leader.” Shrapnel insisted. ”You’re taking responsibility for something that was out of your hooves.”

I tried to respond but didn’t know what to say. What she said was true, responsibility is a trait I think a leader should have, but how does getting two of your friends killed make you responsible? If I’m even worthy of calling them friends. True friends don’t get you killed, they save you.

I was pretty much silent for the rest of the journey and I felt awful because I knew it made Shrapnel sad, but button was there and all his questions preoccupied the mare.

Something like an itch came over me and I simply wanted to leave this place. There was too much death here; I missed the open sky and stars.

We’ve reached the large room the Talons were using as their base camp. There were more ponies here than before some zebras too. Some were wounded, others just resting or playing cards.

Guess the battle was over. I shudder to think what the battlefield looked like. It was horrible while they were fighting, but now all that death… I shivered as something cold glided down my spine. Yes, I’ve had enough of this place.

“Button!” A mare yelled suddenly.

“Mommy!” The colt answered just as enthusiastically.

I was shocked when I saw a zebra mare rush and embrace the little colt. They both hugged and cried tears of joy at their reunion.

Watching them made me feel… happy. Some measure of good was achieved this day.

“Dawww… Isn’t that beautiful?” Shrapnel asked as she came to sit beside me. She had taken off her helmet and once again I could see her cheerful face.

I nodded. “It is.”

“See it’s not all bad.” She observed.

“There are good moments.” I agreed. Too bad they’re so few and far in between.

The mare finally broke the hug with Button and the little colt was telling her something and pointing at us.

The mare and the colt came to us then.

“Word’s aren’t enough to express my gratitude. I don’t have much, but if there is anything I could do or give you I- “ The mare began but I cut her short.

“It’s alright. I helped because I wanted to, not because I expected to be rewarded for it.” I said honestly, but I was curious. “If you don’t mind me asking, how did you…” I inclined my head subtly towards Button.

The mare stammered when she looked at Button, but thankfully Shrapnel saw what was going on.

“Hey Button! You wanna see something cool?” She asked the colt in a way that seemed to promise cookies and cake and all sorts of wonderful things. Needles to say the colt bounced in excitement and trotted after the armored mare who winked at me.

With the colt occupied for the time being the zebra mare sighed and collected her thoughts. “I’m not his real mother of course.” She said. “But that doesn’t mean I don’t love him any less.” That part she said with such certainty that it left no doubt in my mind that she was telling the truth.

“I don’t know who his real parents were.” She continued. “Five years ago I worked as a mercenary, and one day while escorting a caravan we came across one that got attacked.” The mare paused for a moment to sigh.” Everyone was killed, or so we thought. While scavenging for anything that might be useful, that’s when I found this little bundle of fur tucked away with some blankets.” The mare looked at her hooves as if holding the colt again for the first time. She just looked helplessly at me and shrugged. “I don’t know why I did it, but I couldn’t just leave him there, so I took him and raised him like my own.”

I took a shuddering breath and nodded.

“Are you alright?” She asked concerned.

I simply nodded and tried to smile while on the verge of tears. Looking at the colt now, happy and jumping all around Shrapnel I realized how similar he and I were. We both lost our parents and were taken in by caring stranger. Strangers who generally don’t think of ponies as nothing more than tools, or vermin.

I took a few deep breaths to collect myself. “Thank you for being so kind.” I managed at last.

She turned to look at her Button. “I should be thanking him. He brought so much joy into my life. He was outside playing when they took him.” The mare shook her head. ”I had only took my eyes of him for a moment and he was gone. It took me three days before I learned that he may have ended up here.”

“How did you find out?” I asked.

“One of the Talons told me. At first she thought that I was using him as a slave, but when she saw that that wasn’t the case we became friends.” The mare said and smiled. “Which was good because otherwise one of us would have ended up killing the other.”

“Mist!” A familiar gruff voice called.

I turned and saw that it was IronClaw. Shrapnel had heard him too and came back immediately to us.

“Thank you again for all that you have done. I won’t forget it. Come on Button lets go home.” The mare called her colt and they left.

The always serious griffin eyed me for a moment then nodded. “First things first.” He said in a serious tone. “Do you still intend to leave Vostoris?”

“Yes.” I meant what I said. This battle just happened, and I decided to stay, but I still intend to go.

The griffin nodded again. “Alright, come with me.” He motioned with a talon for me to follow.

“Wait! You’re not leaving again are you?” Shrapnel asked and I could already see her bottom lip starting to quiver.

“I’m sorry Shrapnel but I am. This.” I gestured with a hoof around me.”Just happened and I wanted to help out, but I still have to go.”

“Alright.” She said quietly and hung her head.

I placed a hoof on her shoulder. “Remember this isn’t forever. We might see each other again, maybe sooner than you think.” I offered with a smile.

She sniffed once then grabbed and hugged me again. “Be careful.”

After Shrapnel and I parted, I followed IronClaw up some winding steps and about twenty minutes later we were standing in an old, dusty and decrepit house.

There were Talons here patrolling the rooms and even some zebra guards. They nodded in acknowledgment when we passed by them.

“You didn’t find the Pegasus?” The griffin asked.

I shook my head. “No. She left the group as we were going back to the base camp. We didn’t notice that she was gone until we were there. Rath and I tried to find her, but she was gone. We only found the colt that wandered after her and later we ran into Shrapnel.”

IronClaw nodded. “We’ll keep searching. The Remnant specifically wanted a Pegasus and I intend to find out why.”

“Are you ready?” The griffin suddenly asked once we were outside in the fresh air. It was bright and sunny outside. A whole night had passed while I was down there.

“Ready for what?” I asked linking in the sunlight until my eyes adjusted.

Instead of an answer I felt powerful Talon latch around my shoulders and suddenly the ground flew away from my hooves.

The last time I was carried like this, we were being pulled out of a deadly clod of necromantic energy and IronClaw wasn’t carrying just me. But now with no danger short of falling, I could enjoy the flight. It was exhilarating! It only made me envy the griffins and pegasi even more.

Watching the ground blur beneath you, the wind in your face, it was incredible. I saw the cities walls rushing to meet us. Beyond them the savannah rolled on then abruptly turned to green as it met the jungle. To my left I saw the endless expanse of glittering blue, the sea.

Once past the gates and a little father IronClaw dipped down and for a moment I thought that we were going to hit the ground, but the griffins mighty wings snapped open and we gently glided down. If I didn’t know any better I would have thought that the overly serious griffin tried to scare me.

“Do you know where you’re going?” He asked.

“Home.” I said simply. “I need to visit a friend. Two of them.”

IronClaw nodded. “You did good.” He said suddenly.

“Did what?”

“Your first command. You did better than I expected. I talked with Mirage before you came back.” He explained.

I shook my head. ”Sky shouldn’t have left me in charge. It was a mistake, Barrel and Rudy are dead because of me.”

“It wasn’t Skyfall’s choice. I suggested it.” IronClaw said calmly.

“Wha- Why?!” Why would he do something like that?!

“Because you have potential to be a good leader, and we need more capable commanders.” He said without missing a beat.

“I screwed up! Two talons are dead because of me!” All I could see was Barrels lifeless body hitting the ground and Rudy bursting in flames.

“You had to make a though decision and you did. Not many could do that. And it was the right decision.”

“It was right that they died?!” What kind of crap was this?!

“Of course not!” The griffin shouted back and his wings flared wide. I had to admit, as angry as I was right now I was a little scared too. IronClaw was a large griffin, a veteran, far more experienced than I was and dangerous too. I’ve seen him kill a Mallar with a knife.

“Losing those soldiers is never easy; it’s not supposed to be. In a battle you do what you can, save those you can, but you also have to know when to make the tough decisions. Maybe I shouldn’t have said ‘right’ choice, but the best choice. The lesser of two evils.” He tucked his wings back to his sides and continued in his somber tone. “You’ve made the best of a bad situation, but don’t forget the lives you’ve saved. Those ponies are free because of you, and who knows how many more Talons are alive today because of you and those who followed you.”

He waited for a response, but I wasn’t going to give him one so he continued.

“You took the bridge. A tactically superior position and held it. you held it long enough for us to make a push and storm ahead. Not to mention all the commotion you caused among the enemies, splitting their attention and forcing them to divide.” He nodded satisfied. “You can’t imagine how much it helped in the overall battle.”

His words were taking a little bit of the sting of guilt that I felt, but I didn’t want to feel better! Nothing I do will change the fact that both Rudy and Barrel are dead.

I shook my head. ”You’re wrong.”

“The palace.” He said suddenly.

“What?”

“The palace.” He repeated. “You took charge then and organized Saw, Shrapnel and Cog. You took account of their strengths and weaknesses and acted accordingly.”

“That was-“ I tried to argue but he just went on.

“Prometheus. Cog was facing his worst nightmares down there. If I was with him I could have gotten him through it, but I wasn’t. You were, and you both came back out alive. Not to mention that worm you killed on your way out. You kept your head and you both survived.” Then the griffin sighed. “And then the Remnant embassy. THAT was stupid.” He said and it got my attention. “It was a foolish risk and you should have never attempted something like that.”

This I could agree with.

“But you got out alive despite the odds.” He said and stared at me. His golden eyes digging into my own. “You are a survivor. From what I heard about your past and from what I saw with my own eyes there is no doubt about it. And like I said, you have the potential to be a good leader. We desperately need individuals with these traits.”

I shook my head again. “You’re wrong.”

The griffin sighed tiredly. “Mist.” He said and looked up at the griffin. “You have to stop running.” Running? What’s that supposed to mean? “When Zaeryl died you ran away, and now you’re running away again. This isn’t something you can get away from.”

The griffin said and turned to leave. “Stay away from Vostoris for at least a few weeks if you can, the longer the better.”

“Why?” Was he mad at me?

“If you go back you’ll be arrested again, and you will have to wait for the trial.” He explained. ”The mess in the black markets has to be cleaned up first, and potential witnesses have to be gathered. There is no way of knowing how long that would take. Days, maybe weeks. That’s why I carried you out, so you could go take care of what you have to.” He said.

“Thank you.” I said and he nodded.

“Stay safe.” He said and leapt into the air. He circled me once before turning to Vostoris and disappearing from sight.

“IronClaw. You, Cog, Shrapnel and Saw are my friends and I trust you. But you are wrong. I’m not a leader. I don’t have what it takes to be one.” I said to the air and turned around.

East. My path lay east now, back to the jungles and my home.

Footnote: Level Up.

New Perk: Silent trot – You are experienced at moving swiftly and quietly. Like a gentle breeze, hardly noticed and never heard. You gain a + 10 to your Sneak skill, hoof speed and armor weight no longer affect sneaking.

(Thank you Kkat for making such an awesome story and world in which other ponies like myself can play and let loose our imagination. Somber deserves thanks as well. For proving that side-stories can be just as amazing and unforgettable as the original. Special thanks to A racist zebra and NeverKnown for helping me edit and sort out the convoluted mess I've made out of Mist's story. Thanks also go to DamnfoolBrony for working his magic and helping me set up the perks. Oh and very special thanks to Lauren Faust!)