(Power Pony HQ)

[Mess Hall]

“So....this is the mess hall that the power ponies eat in?” Chrysalis said as she looked around the room they were in. “It’s impressive I have to say.”

“Does this place have a taco machine?” Sonata asked. “Please say they do have one.”

“No, but there are tacos in the fridge.” The grey mare said. “Would you like me to make you one?”

“YES!!!” Sonata said as her eyes widen at what she heard. “Take me to the tacos at once.” The grey mare seemed a bit shocked, but complied.

“While we wait for the alicorn and Lance to return, I’ll continue my story about my interaction with Vigilantes.”

(three years ago)

“And that’s pretty much my story in a nutshell really.” said Chrysalis as she wrapped up what she went through.

“Hmm… Okay. You’re in if you can play by our ‘rules’. They’re simple, and even a common criminal could follow these… Not that I’m calling you a criminal, but some of our members used to be crooks.” Mercury said as she sat down in a lounge chair. She gestured to the couch in front of her.

“I might as well be labeled as one after what I did back in prison.”

“Doesn’t matter. I have a saying, ‘if you can change yourself a little bit, your past can be left behind’... Doesn’t make much sense, does it?”

“Surprisingly it does make sense when you think about it.”

“Good to see some other person gets my philosophies. Anyway, are you ready to hear the rules? Even vigilante’s need some kind of code.” Mercury said.

“Sure.”

“Rule one: Do not kill a fellow vigilante. No matter how much you hate members like Turf, Glider or Sourpuss, they are your family to protect. The longer you’re with us, the stronger the will is to protect you like that, but if you kill one of us the rest might just kill you. Got it?”

“Got it.” Chrysalis nodded as she continued to listen.

“Rule Two: Do not steal from a fellow Vigilante. There are some thieves in the group, so this rule was made to stop those who were stolen from don’t kill the thief and thus they too die. But if you steal it with the intention of a prank or giving it back after the day is finished, you’re fine… Just don’t do it often...”

“So I guess stealing candy or food from them is out of the option huh?”

“Yes.” Mercury nodded seriously. “Rule Three: Do not kill police officers. We don’t need the heat, and they’re not all corrupt. Understood?”

“Understood.”

“And Rule Four: If a Vampire is involved, do not engage unless The Master says otherwise.”

“.....What?”

“Yes, Vampire’s… Nopony believed it either, even I didn’t. But there are Vampire’s in the city. Most are quiet, stealing blood from the Red Cross to survive, but some aren’t as… tame as others. The Master wishes to give them a chance to explain if it was a mistake.” Mercury said.

“Um...question, who is this master you speak of?”

“You’ll meet him once we’ve established you in the team.” Mercury said. “But if you’re serious enough about joining, you’ll meet him. Can you follow these rules?”

“These rules are much better than the power ponies rules. So yeah, I can follow these rules.”

“So how long before you broke one of the four rules?” Aria asked only for Chrysalis to glare at her.

“None, I was pretty much your good little pony...just with the exception of killing criminals. Now let me finish my story.”

“That’s good to hear. Now, there’s one more… Thing you need to know. Since you’re new to your powers, you’ll have to go through some training. One of our trainers are going to be in charge of you. Until you're done with that, you’ll be a ‘Acolyte’... I think… Not sure if that’s the right word… You’ll be at the bottom until your trainer says you’re ready.” Mercury explained.

“Trainer?”

“Yes, like a mentor. Want to meet her?” Mercury asked.

“S-Sure I guess.”

“You don’t need to stutter. She’s very nice. Right now she’s at central park doing a drug bust with two other members.”

“Isn’t that where a lot of police ponies get killed for entering that place?”

“Yeah, but I think you’ll be fine.” Mercury smirked. “If you’re scared, I could have Monochrome take you.”

“I’m not scared, though I wouldn’t mind having somepony to watch my back this when I go there again.”

“Yeah! I got your back! Call me Fallover!” Monochrome said excitedly.

“Haha! She said call me.” Sonata said only for Aria to shoot her in the face. “Ow!”

“Um...okay….is she always like this?” Chrysalis asked as she whispered into Mercury’s ear.

“Most of the time, but she’s really strong and very loyal.” Mercury replied.

“Okay then...Fallover. Then you’ll come with me to central park to meet with my trainer.”

“Yay! Follow me!” Fallover said after she put a white mask on that covered her full face.

“Why do I get the feeling this won’t end well for me.”

“Bet ya five bits you had bad stuff happen to you, while Fallover pretty much had good stuff happen to her.” Aria said.

“In a way yes. This was one of my first personal lessons that I wish would’ve been done to me with less...pain.”

(Central Park)

[Abandon build]

“Okay….so care to explain to me why bad stuff seems to happen to me, but not to you?” Chrysalis asked as she fell to the ground.

“I dunno. Maybe it’s because I’ve already lost my bad luck.” Fallover said. “Either that or the universe hates you.”

“The universe does not hate me-.” Just as she said that, the floor that Chrysalis was laying on gave way as she fell to the floor under them. “.....Don’t say a word.”

“Okay. You alright?” Fallover asked, slightly worried.

“No, I’m perfectly fine. I landed in a room full of gumdrops and ice cream.” Chrysalis said sarcastically.

“Aw sweet! But we can’t have a snack right now, we’re just outside! And the shows about to start!”

“....I’m surrounded by idiots.”

“What was that...?” Fallover asked darkly.

“N-Nothing, It was just an expression that’s all hehehehe….” Chrysalis said awkwardly.

“Okay!” Fallover brightened up, using her magic to pull the Changeling up. “It’s about to start!”

“What’s about to start?”

“Just watch.”

Chrysalis watched in surprise as a giant grey mare wearing odd clothes appeared… Or grew… She grew about as tall as a building. With her was a mare in full armor, wielding a warhammer in her hooves, and another mare with dark pink coat and yellow mane, wearing nothing but a blindfold.

“The blindfolded mare is your mentor, her name is Cherry Berry, but she’s legally changing it to Grape Juice.” Fallover said.

“Wait isn’t she the mare you had a crush on the moment you saw her?” Trixie asked.

“*sigh* Yes Trixie, she was the mare that I had a crush on.”

“Grape Juice huh?” Chrysalis said as she stared at the mare as a blush appeared across her face. “Interesting name.”

“We call her Foresee, since she has the power to see things in the near future.” Fallover stated. And just after, gunshots went off and the giant mare started stomping in rage while the armored mare started hammering the gang members.

“S-So this Grape Juice pony, how strong is she if you don’t mind me asking?”

“She used to be the third strongest member of the team a few years back, but ever since an injury she sustained a while back, she’s just average strength, but she’s faster and smarter than an average pony. She’s also got echolocation, you know, like a bat.” Fallover answered. “Still considered one of our more feared members though. She mostly does training along with Lady Justice.”

“Anything else that I need to know about her?”

“She’s got two kids, Banana Fluff and Daisy Wish, but she’s still single oddly. Meh.”

“Really now?” Chrysalis said as she stared at Grape Juice star struck.

“Yeah…” Fallover said. Suddenly, an RPG was shot at the giant mare, but without even looking, she shrunk and Grape Juice hopped onto it, sending it towards a large amount of gang members, killing them instantly in a ball of fire. “Oh! That was awesome!”

“And hot.” Chrysalis whispered as hearts started to appear in her eyes.

The RPG pony stared in horror before getting knocked out by the armored mare. Said pony leaped twenty feet in the air and almost teleported in front of the onlookers.

“Hello Fallover, what are you doing here?” She asked.

“Oh! I brought Atomic here to meet Foresee!” Fallover replied. “Chrysalis, this is Lady Justice, AKA Injustice.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you Injustice.” Chrysalis said as she extended a hoof towards the mare, who took it gladly.

“So you finally decided to join us. Sleeper was very clear he wanted you here. He may seem like a punk, but he has a good eye when it comes to new recruits.” Injustice said. “I’d take my helmet off, but who knows who’s watching. I hope to know you better.”

“Buck! I got drooled on!” Screamed the grey mare… Or filly… as she trotted over with Grape Juice behind her.

Chrysalis’s face turned scarlet as she looked at Grape Juice for a moment. “I-It’s understandable.”

“What have I told you Alice? Don’t play with corpses.” Grape said before turning to Chrysalis and removing her blindfold, showing the Changeling her green eyes. “Who’s this?”

“Your new sidekick!” Joked Fallover. “Grapey, meet Chrysalis!”

“Nice to meet you Grape Juice.”

“You too. Guess you’ll be stuck with me.” Grape said.

“I have no problem with that.”

“I see you’ve met Injustice. And please call me Foresee when we’re around work.” Grape said. “This is Fiddle, but we call her Alice Liddell since she has a Wonderland obsession.”

“Why is she obsessed with Alice in wonderland? Not that I’m judging her or anything, just wondering.”

“She… Read the book before her parents and sister died in a fire when her powers surfaced. They’re all related to the book, she grows, shrinks, can hover for some odd reason, etc, etc.” Fallover said.

“Shut up you retarded whore!” Alice spat in anger.

“What did you call me!?!?” Fallover’s mask turned black.

“Do they get into fights with each other?” Chrysalis asked as she whispered to Injustice.

“Indeed, but Alice is unstable and Fallover is vulnerable to verbal assault, so it’s like a steaming pot. Alice is our newest member besides you and has only been here two months.” Injustice replied quietly as Grape calmed them down.

“I get the feeling this is going to be a common thing to see around back at the house.”

“Don’t worry, those two aren’t around each other enough. Fallover’s been with us almost as long as I have, so she get’s her own house while Alice has to sleep at the ‘Den’.” Injustice stated. “You’ll be sleeping there until you get the hang of your powers.”

“Finally, somepony that’s willing to help me with this power I have.”

“What happen when you tried to train yourself in trying to master you atom powers?” Gremmy asked.

“I accidentally turn a colt into a mare, flew up a burger joint, thank faust nopony was inside, and turned a mare into a colt.”

When Grape was done calming the two down, she trotted over to Chrysalis. “Come with me and Injustice, we’re taking everyone back to the Den.”

“S-Sure!... I mean sure.”

“Fallover, you should go home. Didn’t Gizmo tell you he’d need you tomorrow?” Grape asked, and the unicorn gasped before galloping away. “Now, let’s go. Have any questions about the ‘family’?”

“Not really, so far Fallover pretty much answered my questions on the way here.”

“Okay.”

They trotted for awhile until they arrived at a hotel with a red laser moving around, almost like it was searching for something.

“This is the Den.” Injustice said, pointing at the building. “This is where most, if not all of the family goes.”

“Interesting building. Why haven’t I noticed this?”

“Because you weren’t looking. The only thing that would set this place apart from any other hotel would be the laser pointer Fritters uses on her sniper to scare any gangs off… Or shoot them.” Grape said. “Apple Fritters is our assassin, and she’s related to one of your former teammates.” She waved at the building, and the red light vanished.

“If only The Power Ponies had this kind of equipment like you guys have, then maybe the place wouldn’t be attacked almost everyday.”

“It’s not all glamorous. Mostly our security and gear are top notch, Gizmo’s doing, but he’s just one pony.” Grape Juice said as she trotted up to the door and knocked. There was a slider on the door that opened, showing a darkly dressed ninja-like mask.

“What’s the password?”

“What password!?” Grape asked.

“The password I just made up.”

“Open the bucking door so I don’t have to shoot your mouth off.”

“Password accepted.” The mare unlocked the door and opened it. “Sorry, I had to do that.”

“How are you related to Mistress Marevelous?” Injustice asked.

“Very loosely, on her granny’s side.” She looked toward Chrysalis. “Hey, I’m Stealth Striker, or Apple Fritters is you wanna get personal.”

“Ha! She said Fritters!”

“Shut up Sonata.”

“N-Nice to meet you Stealth Striker.”

“Striker is a well trained assassin.” Injustice said.

“With kickass guns, and not enough bubblegum!” Apple Fritters said. “I’m also a motherbucking crackshot!”

“... A loud and obnoxious assassin…” Injustice added.

“.....I’m a bit afraid of her at the moment right now.”

“Don’t be, the rules apply to her as well.” Grape said.

“Wait, you were scared of somepony other than Celestia?” Aria asked as she tried not to laugh.

“Shut up! I was young and still learning, don’t judge me!”

“Oh thank faust.”

“‘Sides, not like I’d harm your pretty face.” Apple Fritters teased. “Now get to bed or I’ll blow all your bucking legs off!”

And like that, all mares dashed away.

“I’m not liking her that much right now.” Chrysalis said as she gained her composure.

“She might be cranky.” Injustice sighed. “Things are tough here. She was most likely joking anyway…”

“She’s paid to act like that.” Grape said, rolling her eyes. “Talk to her any other time besides when she’s on guard duty and she’s fun.”

“Noted.”

“Your room is on the fifth floor with the cloud trio. Room 508.” Grape said. “If you need me, I’m on the ninth floor in room 904 and Injustice is in room 906. Apple Fritter’s gonna be on ground level all night.”

“Should I be worried about that?”

“No, she’s just cranky since she’s guarding tonight and taking out a high valued target tomorrow. No sleep would piss even her off. She won’t hurt you though.” Grape said as she pressed the up button next to the elevator. The doors opened, and she, Alice, and Injustice trotted on before Chrysalis did the same. Alice pressed 4, Grape pressed five and Injustice pressed 9.

“Well, at least they’re better than Twilight and her friends.”

(Present time)

“With my living arrangement set, I was pretty much a member of the Vigilantes.” Chrysalis said as she took a sip from her coffee cup. “For the next two weeks, Grape Juice had been training me to master my atomic powers. She was actually impressed at how fast the progress been going at.”

“So did you sleep with Grape Juice at any point in time?” Aria asked.

“Oh for the love of, what is with you and asking ponies questions like that?”

“What? It’s an honest question.”

“I have a better question… What happened to the Vigilante’s? Or better yet, why aren’t you still with them?” The grey Earth Pony asked, taking a bite of her taco.

“You can thank Masked Matterhorn for that.” Chrysalis said as a grim expression appeared on her face. “During my fourth week at the Vigilante-.”

Masked Matterhorn and Zapp trotted into the mess hall. “Chrysalis.” Mask said.

“Well if it isn’t Twilight Sparkle and Rainbow Dash, my old friends.” Chrysalis said sarcastically. “Haven’t seen you two in three years, how’s it been?”

“You got Whisper, Faithless, and Soundhound killed after you freed Cupcake.” Zapp growled.

“Really? Never really liked them seeing how they kept on taking money from me just to buy some food.”

“They didn’t take money from you! They didn’t want you gone either! None of us did!” Zapp glared daggers at Chrysalis. “Ash, get away from her!”

Mask sighed. “Look Chrysalis, we may not get along at all, but we all want what’s best for the city and our teams.”

“Yeah because you’re doing a fine job at it. But it comes to no surprise that you would get somepony else to do the killing for you. Especially what Arima got from spying on Lance.”

“What do you want from me? Lance is trying to do the best he can, but not everypony is going to listen to him.” Mask said as the grey earth pony slowly walked over to Zapp’s side. “You think I enjoied kicking you out? I didn’t, even before you broke open all the prisoners. But I knew you would screw us over. Because of you, Raindrops became a villain trying to follow your example.”

“I don’t know whether I should be happy or surprised… I’m gonna go with both really.”

“That’s why I wanted to stop you. Not everypony knows when to stop, and if you show that it’s okay to kill the bad guys, others are going to follow that example and then find other things to make them in the right. When does the killing stop? If you use death to stop death, you’re only promoting more death.” Matterhorn tried to explain. “Raindrops couldn’t handle it and killed hundreds.”

“You’re point? You think I’m the one who told her to follow in my footsteps? You think I told her that it was okay to go and kill hundreds of ponies in may name? Or did you think I do this just for the enjoyment? Well let me answer your questions to the best of my abilities.” Chrysalis said as a white aura surrounded herself. “Evil never learns their lesson. No matter how many ponies you put away they’ll end up doing the same thing over and over again. Sure maybe a few ponies will learn their lesson and try not to do it again.”

The table that Chrysalis was sitting at was starting to slowly disappear. “But those who don’t will still do it again. No matter what the price they pay, they do it because it’s either fun or because they don’t have a choice in the matter.”

“But those who have no choice can be redeemed…” Ash said looking down. “You can’t tell between the two though, so you kill both…”

“Chrysalis, Raindrops wanted to be your friend. She followed your hoofsteps because she thought you were right. You showed her it was alright to kill those that did wrong, but… She lost sight of who was evil.” Mask said.

“As much as it saddens me to hear what happened to Raindrops, she should’ve know what to expect when following somepony blindly like that. It was pretty much her own fault for losing sight on what was important. But we can’t change or correct the actions in the past. We can only learn from our mistakes, and move on.”

“Then why do you hold onto the past?” Twilight asked.

“Oh I’m still trying to let it go really. But when you’ve been in prison for the past year and six months with the the same criminals that you help locked away. Not to mention that some of the criminals have connections with some of the guards there, so they pretty much can do whatever they want to you in there. Would you like to know what they did to me in there?”

“I think I know…” Twilight sighed. “I’ll go find Lance and we can start the meeting.”

“Yeah….see that you do, because I’m just ever so happy to finally meet him so we can get this meeting on the way.” Chrysalis said sarcastically as she smiled at Masked Matterhorn and Zapp.

“If you want to see Raindrops and kill her like your average enemy, I won't stop you.” Twilight said venomously as she turned around and left with Zapp.

“Oh my little naive pony, you think I’m to kill her? On no,no, no, no, no. I’m going to do something much better than kill her.” Chrysalis said as she activated her communitater. “Arima, Twins, bring Raindrops here to me. I wanna see her and ask her a question or two.”

“On it boss lady.” said Kurona.

“Now we play the waiting game.”

(A few hours later)

Kurona and Arima enters the Power Pony HQ with a pony tied up and blindfolded. “Ah, good. It took you two long enough to get here. What took you so long?” Chrysalis asked.

“Sorry about that boss. We had to tie her up because she kept on kicking Arima in the face, and she kept on biting my hands.”

“I guess that’s understandable.” Chrysalis said as she made the blindfold and tape around Raindrops mouth disappeared. “Hey Raindrop.”

“I’m not amused…” The pegasus said. Chrysalis was almost surprised when she saw black veins showing, and red eyes. “If you wanted to talk just text me, I have the same number as I’ve had for the past four years. Or do you wanna do more…?”

“Sorry about that, but I really needed to stay here so I won’t miss the meeting I’m about have with the Power Ponies. I have to say, I’m surprise that you’re a ghoul. Never thought you would become something like this.”

“What can I say...? No literally, I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Raindrops cracked her neck. “Fell in with the wrong crowd and stuff…”

“I guess you’re pretty much angry at me for letting you become this huh?”

“Angry!? Hah! You saved me from the strict life of a Power Pony! Hey, why’re you even talking to the old team?”

“Let’s just say it involves a new member of the team getting hunted down by other super heroes from different cities. I don’t know if you know this, but have you read the news about what happen to that Button Mash kid’s mother?”

“I’ve been in the Zero Zone for three… Bucking… Years… The guards didn’t even talk to us.” Raindrops growled. “Don’t even get me started on how they’ve changed how they treat their prisoners! I was lucky to be able to walk! Hah!”

“Right, I always did forget how they would treat their prisoners. Well long story short a human named Kaoru pretty much ate the kid’s mom by accident when she tried to starve herself to death. Needless to say it’s pretty much thrown upon when you accidentally kill somepony. Now everypony in their freaking mother is coming after the poor girl.”

Raindrops stared at Chrysalis like she was the dumbest pony she’s ever met. “Why do I care…? And why do you want me?”

“Hey, you asked why I was here in Power Pony HQ. I’m just telling you what you need to know. Anyway the reason why I brought you here is to ask to join the League of Vigilante Justice.”

“I’m more of a genocidal superfreak. Why would I want to join a group so misguided?” Raindrops grinned insanely.

“Because faust knows the superheroes will come after you. Mainly two of the power ponies secret/new members. The Azure Striker and Copen.” Chrysalis said as she showed her a digital model of the two humans. “And if you seen what they can do separately, imagine what they can do if they join forces. I want you to join for a few reasons. But my main reason is because… you’re the first pony that actually followed the path that I walked. And I do not want you to get hunted down...or worse, having to have what happen to me happen to you.”

“What happened to you!?” Raindrops asked, curious. “And what would that be? Your time in the Zero Zone?”

“After killing a civilian by accident, I was sent to Zero Zone for Faust know how long.” Chrysalis bit her lower lip as she began to shiver a bit. “It was hell on earth. The ponies that the Power Ponies put away knew who I was. And seeing how they couldn’t get revenge on Twilight and her friends, they pretty much took it out on me.” a white aura once again appeared around Chrysalis. “They did unspeakable things to me. Beating me, humiliate me, use as their sex toy…..the list goes on.”

“Huh… To late. I was one of the first Power Ponies, and I couldn’t move… At all. They hook you up, all hooves with your body on display with power dampeners… For three years I was a toy…” Raindrops growled.

“Great, looks like we both been screwed….figuratively and literally.” Chrysalis said as she fell onto the floor. “Bucking atom powers, took me 3 years to master this power but I still can’t keep it in check at times.”

“Well… You leave me to rot away for three years, then drag me away when I’m in the middle of my new job to offer me to join your little gang because you think I’m your puppy?”

“No, I’m asking you to join so this group so we can do things that these stupid power ponies can’t do.”

The conversation didn’t last long though as they soon heard a set of footsteps walking through the hallway. “Hey Humdrum, you there? I needed to give you something before I check up with Derpy Hooves in New Yoke-.” When the sound came closer, the Adept known as Lance Walker soon stumbled into the mess hall. Seeing the entire group inside set off a personal alarm in his head. “What the fu-!?”

“Surprise Motherbucker! We’re here for the free taco meeting!” Sonata yelled as she threw a taco at Lance’s face.

“.....That’s not why we’re here Sonata.” Gremmy said only for Sonata to place a hoof on his lips.

“Shh quiet genie. You’re master is talking.”

Soon though, the Adept became tense, closing the door behind him. “Look, I already cleared Kaoru’s name and Twilight is informing the other heroes to not target her anymore. Is there something here that I’m missing or is this some sort of messed up revenge plan. Because Touka already told me what Sonata is capable of with Tacos.”

“No but that is on my list of things to do to with, but that’s not it.” Chrysalis said as she untied Raindrops. “I’m wondering why they’re still coming after her even though you did send the message to the other heroes. Unless you only send the message to the heroes in Maretropolis?”

“I bet he only sent them to that M.I.S.T. team and CMC team.” Raindrops smirked as she rubbed her wrist.

“For your information, this was sent out to ALL teams… My only guess is that Kaoru is being hunted by a third party… You familiar with Lauren Order?” He asked. “She’s set up a Suicide Squad to do tasks that others see as… well, suicide. This includes heists and killing high valued targets. Otherwise then that, I’m not sure what the problem is because there are only four hero teams. Including this one, MIST, CmC and Mane Hero 6.”

“.....Raindrops?” Chrysalis said as she looked at the pegasus.

“Who is Raindrops?” Lance asked. “I’ve never heard of somepony named that before.”

“Me bitch.” Raindrops said. “Bleeding Nightmare, at your service.”

“Wait… you’re that traitor Aurora told me about.” The Adept pointed out. It was only then that his band began to glow a little. “Why is a psychopath here? I already had to deal with Purple Mare. I don’t need somepony else trying to wreck the place.”

“I was gonna have her join my league if she’s willing to join us in hunting down any criminals.” Chrysalis said as she smiled at Lance. “Having somepony like her hunting and killing criminals would be very useful. Plus she pretty much hates you guys as much as I do so it’s a win win in my book.”

“... Okay, back up. Care to explain why you two hate us? I’m kind of lost here.” He asked. “Besides, I can only help if I actually know the reason why.”

“Oh? Twilight didn’t tell you?” Chrysalis said as she looked at Raindrops. “Should I tell him or should you?”

“I wanna, you two keep babbling I haven’t talked much…” Raindrops grumbled. “Second year of Stopwatch’s command, him and Zapp were sent to Wonderland for a few months. Chrysalis killed a civ when she got her powers and was sent to the Zero Zone while Clayton was starting up. Twi couldn’t get Chrysalis out because only Mr. Winter could, and he decided that Stopwatch needed to make the choice, but after a few months of convincing, she was able to free Chrysalis but on the condition that she be removed from the team, and so Twi agreed.”

“I don’t trust Clayton. That decision and everything about it is uncalled for. You should’ve had a chance to redeem yourself.” Lance told them, only to be interrupted before he could speak again.

“Shut up, I’m not done! And I said Mr. Winter, not Clayton.” Raindrops snapped.

“Is it wrong that I find you very attractive right now Raindrops?” Chrysalis asked.

“Yes.” Raindrops grumbled. “Anyway, I found Chrysalis’ actions were justified. Killing villains did more good than harm, so I continued her work in the Power Ponies but Stopwatch thought I was going overboard. I mean, so what if I tortured a filly to get her father to talk!?”

The Adept growled to himself. “You make a point on Chrysalis, but you are different. What you do is worse…”

“I’m not gonna lie, but I would do the same that Raindrops did if the criminal did have a family and had important information about something.” Chrysalis said.

The Adept said nothing to this, but just listened. If he would keep his trap shut right now, it would do more good than harm.

“Not done!” Raindrops yelled. “I saw the problem with the Power Ponies and left to find Chrysalis, but turns out that when you break out criminals, they tend to kill those you care about… Like my mother… Because somepony freed the Zero Zone… Chrysalis…” Raindrops glared at the Changeling. “And you know what? That’s when I really saw the light… Nopony, or being, is innocent… The only cure is total annihilation… I want you all dead…”

“... Really now… And who taught you that?” Lance asked. “Because that would sound like something Roach would say.”

“That is true… wait, you’re not working for him are you?”

“I worked for him for awhile, but I learned that on my own. You’re all a parasite, I’m just the exterminator…” Raindrops said. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to tell my boss why I was kidnapped.”

“So I guess you’re going to kill me then huh?” Chrysalis said as a smile grew on her face. “Am I correct?”

“Eventually. You and Twi’ll be my last victims… But I want to stretch my legs so if I get caught I’ll have had at least a month free.” Raindrops said like it was normal.

“Alright then.” Chrysalis reached into her coat pocket and handed her a communicator and a SD card. “When you’re finished training or being free for a month. Meet at this location near the league's HQ. I’ll be waiting for when you want to kill.”

“Chrysalis, what are you doing?” Trixie asked.

“What? Raindrops was pretty much right, we all are not innocent. Not to mention what I did all those years ago and what happen to her mother was pretty much my fault. It’s the least I can do after what I did to her, and I have no problem dying by her hooves. Just one request if you’re willing to hear me out Raindrops?”

“Shoot.” The yellow mare stated, sounding bored.

“When you kill me, could you bury me under under that peach tree that we would usually hanged out under when we were in the Power Ponies?”

“I-I’ll see if I’m in the mood…” Raindrops said, sounding a bit unsure.

“Thanks, and I know this too late…..but….I’m sorry.”

“You’re right, it is too late…” Raindrops said coldly.

The Adept that was just there just watched the two of them carry on. Neither of them addressed him during the conversation, so he decided to wait until they addressed him while they were talking. However, it was during this time that he noticed movement outside the window at a nearby building. Thinking that it was unimportant, he looked back at them, continuing to wait on the conversation. “Okay, so now that the history lesson is out of the way, both of you are two former heroes with some very screwed up pasts. But what does that have to do with what you want right now?”

“Chrysalis was talking about her past when Masked Matterhorn came in all pissed off. Mask said that Chrysalis was the reason Raindrops went bad.” Ash commented from her corner. The Adept was quite surprised to notice her there, but didn’t say anything about it.

“…… Okay, judging from what I can tell, all of this is pointing towards the Zero Zone.” The Adept said, “More specifically, the one in charge of it. I don’t trust Clayton because I believe he is oblivious to what is happening in his own prison and cuts corners when trying to get things done. There’s already been a breakout involving inmates of the Zero Zone and Roach told me that Clayton is not to be trusted. Is there anything I’m missing?”

Raindrops left after that.

“Well, I might have to give leadership to Trixie in about a month or so.”

That caught the Adept’s attention. “You’re giving up leadership? I’m both surprised and confused at the same time. Why is that?”

“Long story short, let’s just say it involves me, Raindrops, and stuff from the past.”

“Let me guess, rather not talk about it?”

“Boy if I told you what I’ve done in the past, it’ll pretty much fill up an entire novel or two.” Chrysalis said as she cracks her neck. “All I know it that my past is coming back to kill me, and let’s just say I’m more then welcome to accept death with open hooves-.”

It was then though that the Adept saw something flicker outside. A red light that instantly set off alarms in his head. It was a laser sight. And it was pointed at Chrysalis head. “GET DOWN!” Without warning, the Adept dived towards the changeling, tackling her away from the window as multiple gunshots went off, barely missing her as they ricocheted around the complex. One of the shots hit the clip that the Adept would use to keep his jacket together as it split open.

Looking down at the changeling, he tried making sure that she wasn’t hurt. “Are you alright?”

“You know if you wanted to have your way with me, you can at least buy a changeling dinner first~.”

After hearing that, Lance noticed his jacket was unzipped and zipped it up three quarters of the way before looking back at her. “You know, I wouldn’t mind buying you dinner after somepony tried to assassinate you.”

“Oh right, I almost forgot about that. Gremmy, if you would please?”

“Should I kill them or send them flying across the city?”

“Sending them flying would be best really. I’m not in the mood to kill at the moment.” With that though, the Changeling finally noticed the outstretched hand that the Adept was offering him so she could be back on her hooves again. “Thanks… I guess… why are you helping me?”

The Adept sighed for a minute before looking back. “Because I believe you. I believe your story and I believe what was done to you is wrong. You are a nice person Chrysalis and I want to do what I can to help you… Now, you were saying about dinner? You might need to relieve some stress after somepony tried to kill you.”

“That’s why I have Sonata here with me.” Chrysalis said as she points at the taco loving pony, who was being thrown by Gremmy as she was heading towards the sniper.

“LEEEEROYYYYYYYYY JENKINSSSSSSSSS!” yelled Sonata as she threw taco bombs at the sniper

“Also no offence, but you’re not my type. Not because of your personality or because you’re a human, but I’m into mares.”

“I’m fine with that. Trust me, my fiance’s actually like to swing both ways.” He told her. “Still though, maybe we should leave Sonata and Gremmy to deal with the sniper. What kind of food do you like?”

“As long as it’s not sour or bitter, then I’m fine with whatever.”

“Hey, I’m getting dinner for you, so I’m letting you pick.” The Adept offered. “Plus, I’m not needed anywhere else right now so this doesn’t really need to be rushed.”

“If you haven’t notice I have no idea where to eat at the moment. I mostly just order takeout for the league… speaking of takeout. Aria!”

“What?!” She shouted across the hall.

“Order some chinese food for the league! Make sure it’s the usual this time!”

“You know… that gives me an idea… Chinese?” The Adept asked her. “I heard there's a good restaurant downtown.”

“Hm… alright I guess I’ll go to this restaurant downtown.”

“Okay, Follow me.” The Adept told her as he offered her a coat to wear before the two of them began to walk through the streets of Maretropolis.

Later that night

“And that’s pretty much my entire story of how I used to be a power pony, and Zero Zone in a nutshell. Any questions?”

“Damn, that’s Horrible.” The Adept replied. “How were you able to handle all the torment you were forced through?”

“The moment I got out of Zero Zone, I pretty took it out on the Power Ponies. When ever I would see them on one of my missions, I would attack them to the point where they’re sent to the hospital. That or have Sonata go to their HQ and mess up the place by pressing a lot of random buttons. Last time she was there she pretty much caused a computer virus to be unleashed into the Power Pony supercomputer.”

“And that was before I was there…” The Adept said to himself. Throughout the whole night though, the talk with Chrysalis strangely reminded him of another Displaced that needed help and guidance. That being the Blood Countess, Shalltear Bloodfallen. “Still, I feel bad for what happened to you and I couldn’t even imagine myself bearing through all of that hell like you did.”

“Don’t be, you’re not the one that left me to rot in that place without knowing what was going on in there.” Chrysalis said as bit her lower lip.

“Well, mark my words on this,” The Adept said, turning towards her. “I’m going to make Clayton feel sorry that he turned a blind eye on everypony that was tormented, hurt and abused in there. Your story gives me a reason to fight for what’s right. And the first thing to do is to fix up the Zero Zone. What happened to you should not happen to any other pony ever again.”

“... You know, out of all the power ponies that I hate… you I don’t hate out of all of them.” Chrysalis said as she open the door to the league’s HQ. “You have that spark in your eyes that says you’re telling the truth and you’ll actually do something about it.”

“I will. Cross my heart and hope to die.” He told her. “I’m not a pony, but I am open minded. I trust you because I know that you weren’t lying to me.” Before she said anything, Lance had a small bit of lightning in his hands flicker as he spoke again. “My senses allow me to read heartbeats. If one’s heartbeat is beating too fast, then they’re hiding something. However, yours was the same throughout the night… Trust me, Chrysalis. Clayton will have hell to pay for this.”

“I’ll take your word for it, Lance. Now if you’ll excuse me I have to prepare myself for a fight coming up in one month.”

“What kind of fight?” He asked. “Is it for leadership over the League?”

“Oh no I’ll have Trixie take over. It’s more of something from the past that I caused in my blind rage.”

“I see…” Lance told her, not wanting to push it in asking more details. “Do you need anymore help? I know that you’re back at your hideout, but I wanted to make sure you were in capable hooves first… Unless you want me to stay that is…”

“It’s fine really, you don’t have to worry about me Lance. I do have my friends to help me remember?”

“I know, but you sent two of them after your sniper, one to get takeout for the others and technically, I don’t think you called for everypony to return to base.” The Adept pointed out, seeing that the hideout was mostly empty. He figures that Kaoru and Touka were either asleep or doing something else, but didn’t want to leave them out either. “That’s why I wanted to make sure you were alright first. Everypony I know, like you, is a friend and family member to me-.”

KNOCK KNOCK!

Lance turned around, looking at the door to the hideout. “Were you expecting company?”

“Not unless it’s the pony from the chinese takeout place.”

“You want me to go check? Just to make sure?” He offered, seeing that Chrysalis looked partially tired.

“You can if you want, but if it’s those tax collector then you can shock them if you want.” Lance chuckled at the sound of that, walking over to the door and slowly opening it.

“Who is it?” He asked, looking outside partially.

“I’m here to see the leader of the League of Vigilante Justice. We know each other.” A muffled female voice echoed.

“What’s your name?” The Adept then asked, cautiously.

“Monochrome Sunset. She’ll love to see me again.”

“Okay, hang on for just a minute.” Lance told her, walking back to Chrysalis as he slowly closed the door. “Chrysalis, somepony by the name of Monochrome Sunset is here to see you? She says you two know each other.”

“M-Monochrome S-Sunset?” Chrysalis said as she began to shiver with fear. “Oh dear Celestia.”

“What’s wrong?” He asked. “You’re freaking out like I just talked about the Grim Reaper. Who is she?”

“You know how I told you about the group I join before I made the league? Well let’s just say Monochrome is one of them that I… left… behind in Zero Zone when I was still young and blinded by rage to focus on other things.”

“What do you think she’s here for now?” Lance asked, tempted to draw one of his new forerunner weapons that Church gave him before meeting Time again recently.

“If you were left to rot in Zero Zone after you helped a certain pony or changeling escape, what would you do when you’re finally out?”

“ … Revenge.” Lance said briefly, drawing one of his guns. “Get to cover. Something tells me that she won’t take so kindly for you refusing to see her. And with your friends gone, it’s only you and me. Try calling for backup, I’ll hold her at the door.”

“Right.” Chrysalis said as she ran off into her office to call for backup.

“Buck this…” Mumbled a male voice before the door was knocked off its hinges. “Chrysalis! We’re home!” A very pissed off stallion said. He wore a long coat and an odd hat, but what almost got Lance laughing was his Grumpy Cat Cutie Mark.

“ … Okay, I’ve heard of Grumpy Cat, but this is something completely different.” He said, before pulling out a boltshot handgun as it glowed with energy. “You got five seconds to state your business. Starting now…”

“We wanted to see Chrysalis and tell her how we appreciate her leaving us to join this half assed vigilante group.” A mare wearing a white mask with a crudely drawn on smile.

“Bullshit,” Lance spat. “I can tell that you’re lying.” From there, electricity began to surge around the room. “Four seconds…”

The grumpy cat stallion rolled his eyes. “Ask her ape. Are you that stupid that you think she’s perfect?”

“Sourpuss, quiet.” said the masked mare.

“Heh… I would say that you are the ones who slipped up now…” The Adept grinned, remembering the name that was said. “She told me about you and how she left you. You're the vigilante group that she was a part of before she made the league. Now… enough of your games. Your time is almost up.”

“Sour, go.” Monochrome growled.

“What!? And leave the traitorous bitch!? I’ve waited for this moment ever sin-” Before he could finish, Monochrome let out a deep growl.

“Now… I’ll take care of the Gunvolt and bring Atomic Changeling back to base… You’ll get your fun...” With that, Sourpuss ran off. Lance fell unconscious after unknowingly breathing in a blue powder.

“Let’s take care of this quickly.” said Glider AKA Sleeper who wore black goggles.

“Chrysalis! You can’t hide from us!” Monochrome giggled.

“Um...Chrysalis isn’t here right now...she left while you were busy talking to Gunvolt.” Chrysalis said, hoping that her lie would work on Monochrome.

“Cute.” Sleeper said as he neared the Changeling’s location, “She’s not that dumb. Why don’t you come out? Somepony wants to speak to you… Oh, did you get Apple Fritter’s bullet? She said she was going to kill you but got blown away.”

“Yeah you thank Taco Girl for that one. She may not be the smartest of ponies, but she does get the job done.” Chrysalis said as she exits her office. “Been awhile hasn’t it Sleeper?”

“Too long. I’m surprised you didn’t see this coming, it was almost obvious.” Sleeper said as Fallover brought in two other ponies Chrysalis remembered as Parasol AKA Forcefield and Sunshower AKA Solar.

“I take it you’re all here to kill me correct?” Chrysalis asked as she took a seat next to a table. “Understandable after what I did. So you’re doing it now or later? Because I have no problem letting you all kill me.”

“Oh, we’ll see. Our new leader has plans for you.” Sleeper said, looking around carefully as did the others.

“If you’re wondering where the other members of my team are, they’re not here at the moment. But they will be here in a couple of hours or so, maybe even less depending on where they are.”

“Good, that means we can take our time and not ru-” Sleeper was cut off as Fallover started blasting anything that wasn’t bolted down or near the other ponies. “Or we could blow everything up, that works too…”

“Figures as much you would do something like this.” Chrysalis said as she stood up from her seat. “Been awhile since I fought a group of ponies before. Though I was hoping it wouldn’t be you guys.” A white aura appeared around Chrysalis as she vanish from everypony’s sight. Seconds later the changeling appeared as she delivered a powerful kick to Monochrome’s stomach, sending the mare flying into a wall.

Solar sent a beam of light into Chrysalis’ side, burning the Changeling. Forcefield created a dome around Monochrome as she got up and shook the attack off.

“Well that’s new.” Chrysalis said as the burns on her body healed up. “I see you improved on you force field ability Parasol.” She said as she fired a particle beam through the barrier, only to miss Monochrome’s head by a few inches. “But not so much if I can break through it.”

“I have, I just thought you would be a pushover like you used to be.” Parasol smirked as she created see through waves of energy which she used to attack Chrysalis. “I’ve also learned this!”

“Concentration.” Chrysalis pointed a hoof at the oncoming attack. “Disintegration Cannon.” she said as burst of white atomic energy burst through the attack and cutting off Parasol’s right hoof.

“Gah!” Parasol screamed as she backed up, blood pouring out of her wound and tears streaming down her face. That was, until she felt something behind her when she bumped into another being. Turning around, she was shocked to find that the Adept that was previously on the floor right in front of her. Electricity surging at the highest velocity and weapons drawn.

“Did you forget about me!?” He shouted, shocking Parasol with a few bolts of lightning.

“Well you got up quickly then I expected. I was just enjoying myself before you woke up.”

“Save it,” Lance snarled, firing a set of Vasuki bolts that ricocheted off of the walls and hit the attackers coming for Chrysalis. Before they could react, lightning surged through those bolts that hit Sleeper and Solar, causing them to drop to the ground unconscious. “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Be thankful that I only knocked your companions out. All of you have got a lot to answer for.”

“Knife.” Fallover said simply.

The Adept recognized the tactic. He had seen it before. The mare must’ve either carried a concealed knife or can turn her body into a weapon. Hence the name Monochrome, which was a type of metal.

To his surprise, a knife was stabbed into his back from another pony. Chrysalis recognized her instantly as Alice.

“Okay, I have to admit… That was clever…” The Adept grinned, coughing up some blood. “However… you also made another grave mistake.” He knew that when it came to metal objects, they were conductors of electricity. He was going to have lightning surge through the Knife, until he heard a shout from Chrysalis.

“Don’t let her absorb any kind of electricity!”

At that, Lance turned around, cursing to himself as he blinked over to Chrysalis’ position in the room. He let the changeling pull out the knife as his body began to heal on his own. But he wanted to know something. “So, who was the one that had the bright idea to stab me?”

Fallover focused on Parasol while the attacker made herself known… It was a filly covered in blood.

“Still into fairy tales, Alice?” Chrysalis growled.

“Fairy tales… No… I… I don’t find them fun… The Cheshire Cat want’s to know why you hurt Parasol.” The filly asked, her mane drifting to the side.

“Because she attacked me first, that and the fact that you all are pretty much gonna kill me.”

“You abandoned us! We- I thought of you like a sister!” Alice glared as horns grew onto her head, her coat went pale and her eyes went blood red.

“What I did to you all was something that can never be undone. For that, I am sorry... But even if you all are planning to kill me I would have no problem with that.” Chrysalis raised a hoof at Alice as her eye had a dead expression on them. “If you can find it your heart to forgive me for what happened, then I’ll let you all go. But if you can’t and you keep coming after me.” The white aura that was surround Chrysalis started to take the shadowy form of the grim reaper. “Then I will kill you without showing you all any mercy.”

“It isn’t just that you left us, but that even when you had this team you never once tried to get any of us out. Grape at least tried, while you had fun.” Fallover snarled. “And it’s not like we even wanted to come back, our new leader wants you.”

“I wasn’t having fun, honestly I wasn’t. I was trying to form the league to not only defend Maretropolis, but to get you all out of Zero Zone.” Chrysalis lowered her arm as the aura around her disappeared. “Throughout the past three to four years I’ve been training this league to be able to break into Zero Zone and bust you out. But the moment when I have the ability to come back to get you all, you all disappeared from that place.”

“That’s going to make this harder…” Fallover said.

“I could never forget you guys, you all were first group of ponies that accepted me for who I am.” Tears began to flow down Chrysalis’s face.

Fallover was quiet for a bit before she signaled Alice to retrieve Sleeper and Solar while she picked up Parasol and her unattached hoof. “We came here to get you. Our new leader wanted to talk to you about joining our group again.”

“Why would you want somepony like me back?”

“Our new guy doesn’t care about the family, he just wants results. Since the Master, Slendermane and Mercury left, the new mare wanted us to force you to join. That’s all I can say…” Fallover said.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t join.”

“That’s why this is hard…” Fallover said as she trotted out of the doorway. “There’s no room for failure… Kill us if you have to…”

“Why not join me and the League of Vigilante Justice? We’ll be willing to accept you as our friends or a member of the family.” Chrysalis said as she ran over and reach for Fallover’s hoof. “Please, let me make it up to you for what happened to you three years ago.”

“I… I can’t… I have no choice…” Fallover said.

“Then tell me who’s making do this! Please, I don’t want to lose you all again!”

Fallover looked hesitant. “I’ll keep in touch. She’s too strong right now… Best I can say is it has to do with a new organization…”

“Who’s in charge of this new organization?”

“I can’t say too much… Find Ma- Perfect Pace, he knows more than me.” Fallover said before she galloped away.

Alice dragged the knocked out ponies out of the base. Chrysalis said nothing as she watched her former family run away from the league HQ. Lance walked up next to her wondering if she was okay. Only for his question to be answered, as Chrysalis buried her face into his chest and begun to cry.