Zelori awoke in the dead of night. Her head pounding in protest. She groaned slightly before groggily sitting up, realizing she was in a bed. She looked around the dim room and spotted Candlejack sitting and sleeping against the wall. The young pegasus stallion snoozed quietly. She took a moment to blink away the tiredness and rubbing her head. She then twitched her ears, hearing a loud popping sound and the sounds of something speeding by. She slid out of bed, doing her best to keep herself from sitting back down as the blood rushed to her head.

‘Never in my life have I drank so much…’ She shivered a bit, feeling the chill in the room wake her slightly. She smiled. ‘In all honesty it was… really nice.’ She assured herself. Troffelton definitely was a very odd pony. She had to thank him for the drinks. But onto other matters. She dragged her hooves over to a boarded window and peeked out of it. She had to squint her eyes to see. Troffelton, as she remembers, told her that on nights, the temperature begins to drop dramatically, turning the desert into a desert ice age. The sand doesn’t freeze over, but whatever is causing the strange weather at night affected the sand in some way.

She noticed it glowing a dim light blue hue. She strained her eyes, seeing what looked like fleeting figures in the distance kicking up the sand. She then noticed a caped figure galloping down the road. She arched a brow, seeing the sleek white android gracefully galloping up and into the hotel. ‘What is she doing at this hour?’ Zelori thought to herself. She looked over to Candlejack before deciding to shake him. “Jack? Jack!” she whispered.

Candlejack stirred before opening his eyes tiredly at her.

“Zelori?” he asked, rubbing his eyes. “What time is it?” Zelori shook her head.

“I don’t rightly know. But I have a feeling we might be in for something.” Candlejack arched a brow at her. If Candlejack knew his sister, which he seems to regret most of the times, is that she tended to go on instincts. She calls it “huntress instincts” due to her ancestral background of being descendent to Zebrica hunters. And as ridiculous as it sounds, the times they were on expeditions and she had those instincts, it had saved them both many times. And when Candlejack was about to ask what was wrong, there was a knock on the door.

“Candlejack? Are you in there?” a voice called. The two exchanged glances, realizing that it was the android’s voice.

“What does she want?” Candlejack asked. Zelori narrowed her eyes at the door as the android knocked again.

“Jack, she may have saved us, but that doesn’t rule out the fact that she is one of those mechanical terrors in the bunkers.” She said. “We are still uncertain about our course of action. We still don’t know the individual that will point us to the facility. And even then, we are poorly prepared. We need more info before continuing.” Candlejack rubbed his chin, sighing as the knock sounded again. He stood up and trotted over to the door. He went to reach for it when the door was suddenly blown off its hinges, scooping up Candlejack and slamming him against the wall. He saw little selves again.

Zelori was surprised by the sudden intrusion before reaching back in instinct. She then stopped and swore something in Zebra before looking to Aurora, who had a hoof extended out. The android blinked once before looking at her hoof.

“I was intending to push it open. But I guess that works too.” She said. Candlejack shook away the daze and kicked the door off of him before hopping to his hooves, growling.

“The hell do you want?” he asked. Aurora remained stoic as she spoke.

“I am in dire need of assistance.” She said. The siblings exchanged glances again.

“I’m… sorry?” Candlejack asked. Aurora sat down, registering a sad look.

“I… I must apologize if this is so sudden. But I have ran many simulations in my mind, but have come to a conclusion that I may be irreparable if I am to take it on alone.” Candlejack rubbed the back of his head.

“Simulations?” he asked. Aurora nodded.

“Correct. You see, there is a criminal that has been terrorizing this part of Detrot for years. Murdering. Stealing. Vandalizing.” Candlejack perked at this.

“Oh?” he said. Zelori studied the android and her brother. While they are no stranger to criminals, it appears that even above ground has its’ own fair share of problems. But usually, ponies wouldn’t bat a second eye towards that problem and basically leave you to your devices. It was strange to have to be confronted about a criminal problem, let alone by the very thing they had made a living of killing through expeditions. And as for her brother, she was curious as to why it had caught his interest.

But then again, if she knew her brother (and she does), it would be that he had one thing that always made it a pain to keep him self-aware. His curiosity of the unknown always brought him close to danger and probably even death if she wasn’t there acting as his shadow. However, Candlejack was thinking something entirely different.

‘So, this place has its own criminals. I wonder if any of them know where the facility is.’ Candlejack, being the curious pony, had once came across a criminal ring during his time in the prison sewer. He had accidentally stumbled into a middle of a fight club that had criminals of all kinds combating against each other to the bloodied death for a chance to eat a good portion of scrap and food that were used as bets. He had partook in some of the fights, feeling the adrenalin rushing through him as he was being dealt blows, but able to dish it out a lot harder, thanks to the personal training he had with Zelori.

It’s how he was able to survive without getting shanked and eating well enough. Of course, that made some ponies wanting a chance at him. But in the end, despite the bloodied lips, swollen eye and cheeks, he would come out victorious. And yet, he has made some valuable allies with them too. And returning back to present day, he couldn’t help but think that maybe if he proved himself in a fight, they might come to respect him and ally with him.

‘Putting the N in New Equestria, as they say.’ But he then quickly noticed Aurora bowing her head.

“Will you aid me?” Zelori looked to her brother, Candlejack returning the look before sighing.

“What is it that you need?” he asked. A look of hope registered on the android’s face. However, she remained stoic as she spoke.

“I want you to help me kill Deadeye.” She said. Again, they exchanged glances. Killing a pony? That was something that seemed way easier than their ties to the underground went. However, seeing ponies die before them in every expedition, even having to kill a couple of them that had wanted to go AWOL, was something they had never hoped of ever doing again. They were only asked to go in, explore and retrieve anything that is deemed valuable and return it back to the ETG.

“Pass.” Candlejack said flatly. Aurora cocked her head in confusion. “Sorry, but you’re going to have to find somepony else to help you with blood on your hooves. We’ve already had plenty in our lives.” He said. Aurora looked at him, the hope fading from her expression.

‘W-what? But… doesn’t that mean they have killed ponies before?’ Of course, Aurora herself has never really killed ponies herself. The only thing she had really killed were the rogue machines in the Subdivision and pesky sand sprites. But to kill a living being such as a pony? She remembered somewhere in the very back of her data bank, she had read a manual that only had three laws for her to follow. The first law came up and displayed on her screen:

A robot may not injure a pony or, through inaction, allow a pony to come to harm.

She narrowed her eyes. Her brain working through a loop hole. ‘Deadeye isn’t exactly a pony. And while, I am asking for them to go through something that is dangerous, the way the pony attacked was something that was deemed worthy of it being capable of itself. But… why are they rejecting me?’

Candlejack sighed. “Look, we appreciate you nursing us back to health. But we have something else to worry about than a criminal problem.” Aurora looked at him, her jaw hanging open. She couldn’t believe this. Her only chance of getting revenge and the very pony was rejecting her offer. “I’m sorry, but I’m in no mood for killing anypony tonight.” Aurora clenched her jaw, her claw stubs suddenly springing out and clawing the ground, ripping the wood. Zelori shifted slightly in uneasiness.

“But… you must… you are the only one I can turn too.” She said. Candlejack arched a brow.

“The only one? The way the vendors were stock piled, it seemed like they could have fended them off perfectly.” She shook her head.

“Deadeye isn’t just anypony. He is a criminal who has a price on his head.” She looked to see if that had caught his attention. It only raised more eyebrows. Time for the second option. “He ransacks vendors and steals to his liking. He is no better than the vendors we deal with it.” Candlejack wiggled a hoof at her.

“Sounds like the town’s problem. Not ours.” He replied. Aurora registered anger. Candlejack frowned. “Why are you so adamen-.?” He couldn’t finish when Aurora suddenly blurted out in anger.

“Because the bastard killed him!!” This caught them both by surprise. An android had registered an emotion that they didn’t think they were capable of. They looked at her, brows furrowing now. Aurora grit her teeth, bowing her head. “I want revenge… I want to see his head on a pike!” Candlejack frowned sourly now.

“I’m not killing anypony. And that’s final.” He said. He stretched his wings and motioned to Zelori. “We might as well and see if the late nighters have any more info of the general area. Better start now while we are ahead.” Zelori nodded to Candlejack. The pegasus walked past the android, only to be stopped when she locked her hoof on his. She squeezed it, not too hard, but more out of desperation. Candlejack noticed it as well. He then widened his eyes in surprise, seeing the sleek mare dispense tears. Her expression grim and angry. She had no control over her tears at the moment. In fact, Aurora wasn’t sure what was causing her to act like this.

But this went against it. She wanted somepony dead. But she had no chance of standing against him. Zelori was ready to move, preparing to strike if the android ended Candlejack here and now. But it didn’t come.

“Please…” she rasped in a painful metallic voice. “You have to help me… he killed my father… the only pony who didn’t treat me like… like a harlot.” Candlejack arched a brow in confusion. This was so bizarre on so many levels. And he was still certain he didn’t want to kill anypony right now. Zelori eyed the two, studying the mixed emotions. She then sighed.

‘He’s just so damn clueless, if not, curious.’ She thought. But she felt he had already come to a conclusion. She then balked, remembering that her creator was Troffelton. ‘Wait… this Deadeye killed him?’ She looked to the android mare, her expression grim.

“Very well.” Zelori said suddenly. Both Candlejack and Aurora looked at her in confusion.

“Zelori? You can’t be serious about aiding a machine to kill a pony.” He retorted. Aurora shook her head.

“While logic states he is one. He is not entirely flesh.” She said. “He is a rogue robot who had developed a criminal personality. And since robots are more mechanically inclined to free personality then my kind, he made it his sole decision without anypony telling him otherwise.” She said. Candlejack rubbed his chin.

“Wait… a robot? So… not a pony?” Aurora nodded slowly. “Okay, but that still doesn’t justify why you think we are capable of helping you.” Aurora gripped his hoof again, making him curious at her resolve.

“Because you have learned the Shaolin Zebra Art. You are more capable when it comes to a fight. And his gang ranges from twenty to twenty-four.” Candlejack balked. That’s way too many ponies for just three of them. And if she is making it sound like it is entirely different to what they are familiar with, this could spell trouble. “I am sorry if this is a sudden request… but I am in dire need of your help. Will you help me?” Candlejack sighed.

“Alright fine, but I won’t guarantee anything is going to go our way.” He said. “The moment things look bad, we pull out. No ifs, ands or buts.” Zelori felt a little relieved at this. Aurora found herself smiling slightly. “So… where exactly can we find them?” he asked. Aurora brought up her database and scanned through the records.

“His last known location is in an abandoned Luridium facility north of here.” She said. Candlejack perked up.

‘Facility?’ He rubbed his chin, smirking slightly. ‘Wow, and to think I was going to pass this up.’ Zelori caught his look and smiled now. Candlejack shifted uneasily, the grip Aurora had on his hoof eased, but tightened in reassurance. Aurora blinked once before letting go.

“I apologize if I was so forward. But I had no other choice.” Candlejack smiled at her.

“Well, now that you bring up something, I can’t really pass it up now. Plus, we will probably learn a bit more when we do find this ‘Deadeye’.” He smirked. “Where do we gear up?” Aurora adjusted her cape hood before motioning for them to follow.

“This way.” She said.

When they had arrived at the workshop, all three of them looked grimly at the bloodied corpse. Realizing that it was indeed the body of Troffelton, both started to have mixed emotions. And when Aurora took the bed sheet she had used to cover the drunk pony during his day of debauchery, she dispensed more tears that were out of her control. She then remained stoic as she walked over to the workshop lockers and opened them. She drew out the suites they had worn and studied them.

“We were able to repair the AC unit for the suites. However, I doubt these will provide much protection against bullets. But they will protect you from the pockets and the outer aura of the Condition Antenna.” She said. Candlejack and Zelori nodded before taking the suites and putting them on. And when Candlejack put on his suite and adjusted it, he spotted the Solarium rifle next to the blood spot. He balked in surprise. He remembered using it in retaliation against Aurora. And he remembered he had used the full round. He bit his lip, the guilt and anger rising through him. He had stated he didn’t want any blood on his hooves. But it seems that even the reaper followed them up here. And this time, forced him to do something unintentionally.

‘Dammit all…” he hissed to himself quietly. Zelroi walked over and picked up the rifle, studying it.

“It seems he had tried protecting himself without any ammunition. Was he just intending to scare this ‘Deadeye’ off?” she asked. Aurora shook her head.

“Deadeye isn’t one to scare off. He doesn’t hesitate to kill and my father knew this.” she said. Candlejack felt the guilt rise in him when he caught sight of Aurora glancing at him.

‘Dammit all!’ he grit his teeth. Aurora walked over behind the workshop counter and withdrew amber glowing cartridges. Zelroi reloaded the rifle and pulled the lever, the gun humming to life. Zelori wasn’t aware of the understanding between the android and Candlejack. In fact, Candlejack was certain that Aurora had also asked for him due to being responsible for his death. She was out for revenge and she was going to get it, one way or another. But Aurora made no motion about the situation and instead pulled out a pistol for Candlejack. He took it with no exchange of words before pulling back the top, making it hum.

“How far away is the facility?” Aurora brought up her map and scanned it. The square cursor enlarged an area.

“Ten kilometers from here.” Zelori rubbed her chin.

“And if we go on hoof, he probably might have already left.” Aurora rubbed her chin before looking back behind her and seeing a door that led out to the back. The two followed her as she stepped out into a place they couldn’t help but inflict home sickness for them. The piles of junk and scrap littered the backyard. Aurora went over to a shack looking structure before pressing a button and the metal door screamed loudly as it opened. Candlejack and Zelori gaped in awe.

A four wheeled rustic looking motor chariot that had two seats. Aurora took the driver’s side and pressed a button, making it roar to life. The two exchanged glances before trotting over and hopping on, Zelori taking the passenger seat and Candlejack hopped on, hanging onto the side of where Aurora was. The android didn’t wait and floored it. Candlejack and Zelori held on tightly as the chariot bounced and turned, ramming into a metal fence before screeching as the android quickly turned it again. She shifted levers and floored it again, the glowing blue sand being kicked up and they raced down the street.

She found a street that led out of Detrot and down a cracked road. The cold wind blowing past them as the bounced on the cracks of the street. Candlejack couldn’t help but find himself admiring the view. The crumbly buildings that leaned and were partially sunk into the sand and dirt made him wonder what their original purpose was for. When they rounded a building, they could see a tall metallic antenna emitting a light amber hue around it.

“That must be the antenna.” Zelori said as she scanned the horizon, seeing distant ruins, but nothing else otherwise. Aurora took them off road and they barreled down a hill, causing the two to hold on for dear life.

“Aurora, I know you are in a rush, but if you go in guns blazing, we are probably going to get killed before we even take one step in.” Candlejack said as he kept himself from falling off. Aurora ignored him, however. Her personality chip registering only anger. Candlejack grit his teeth and put a hoof on her shoulder. This caused her to stiffen and her breeding program to activate.

‘Dammit, not now!’ She suddenly came to a screeching halt and Candlejack had forgotten to hold on. He barreled forward and rolled down the hill. He hit the side of a crumbled building and hissed as the impact reached him through his helmet. He rubbed his head before standing up. Blinking once and looking to his left, he arched a brow, seeing a pony dressed in a similar but more high-tech version of his suite. The helmet decaled to look like a skull.

Even said pony was startled by the sudden pony rolling into his sight. Zelori hopped out and took aim when the skull helmeted pony unslung a carbine and was ready to aim at the intruder. However, Candlejack was quick to react and delivered a hoof punt to the side of the pony’s helmet. This caused the pony to stumble. Candlejack then quickly drew out his pistol and fired straight into the pony’s helmet. However, while the beam did strike the helm and scorched it, the pony was still standing and retaliated with his own gunfire.

Candlejack remained close and strafed the pony before locking a hoof around the gun and pulling the pony forward. He then quickly stood up on his hind hooves and spun on one, extending the other. He planted the hoof into the back of the pony’s helmet and he kept it there when the pony was forced face first into the side of the building. Candlejack accidentally exerted too much force. The wall cracked as well as the visor of the pony. Aurora studied the way Candlejack moved.

She began recording the way he fought. She was right about his skill. But to see it work out? He wasn’t even displaying that victorious smile he had. Which was confusing for the android. She then glanced at Zelori, who had the rifle aimed but didn’t pull the trigger. Instead, she shifted the rifle over to her right, scanning the area. Her scope fell onto what looked like camp fire in one of the buildings. She could see ponies gathered around it, their attire almost similar to the one Candlejack had knocked out.

Aurora scanned the area again, her map suddenly displaying red dots.

“It appears we have attracted attention.” She said.

“Gee, I wonder how?!” Candlejack suddenly snapped. He let go of the pony and the dazed pony slumped on the ground. He looked around, seeing movement in the buildings. The attention they had attracted by their unintentional interaction took cover in the buildings. Their weapons primed and ready.

“Well, well! It seems we have company!” a voice shouted. All three looked around their surroundings. The voice echoed from somewhere they couldn’t pin point. “So, are you being good little ponies and giving us everything you have? Or perhaps provide us some entertainment?” Aurora scanned the buildings. She could only highlight the tops of their helmets. She then frowned.

“Negative! We are here to kill Deadeye!” she said suddenly. Zelori and Candlejack face hoofed. Laughter erupted. It rose, making it hard to pinpoint exactly where they were. Candlejack narrowed his eyes, seeing movement in one of the buildings. He then looked to the dazed pony on the ground and smirked at an idea. And as Zelori and Aurora continued to figure out where to pinpoint the voices, they continued to talk down on them.

“You!? Want to kill Deadeye!?” the voice laughed. “Hey everyone, they think they can kill Deadeye!!” More laughter. The voice then took a serious tone, but remained threatening. “If you think you can, then by all means! But you are going to have to get through us first!” The two arched a brow. “You see, we got a good thing going here! And Deadeye made us a promise that he is fully intending to keep! Hell, in fact he is already going to make us rich with these fancy new equipment from that factory!”

“What do you mean?” Aurora asked. Zelori was uncertain about the android’s constant asking of questions. She had thought the android would have a plan if she had asked for them. But clearly, the android had no idea what to do.

‘So much for getting out of here alive.’ Zelori thought through grit teeth. She then blinked once and looked over to where Candlejack was… or once was. Even Aurora noticed it. And she had bought enough time. The voices continued to laugh and not too far away in a building that over looked them, four ponies in similar skull attire casually sat around the area. They didn’t feel the need to do anything. They were sure that the three stupid ponies had entered into the center of them without any awareness of where they were going. And the one that was calling out to them laughed, hunching over and wiping a tear from his unhelmeted head.

The pony sported a strange looking mohawk mane, his scarred eye hurting at the waterworks. He then blinked once, seeing a shadow suddenly zip by him. “Huh?” was all he could say when something heavy landed on him and a shadow zipped in. None of the ponies were ready. They were certain they had the upper hoof. But standing in the middle of them was a pegasus. He smirked under his visor, standing on two hind hooves, which took them even more by surprise. The pony with the mohawk looked to see his dazed companion before looking over, seeing the wings.

“A [spoilers]bucking[/spoilers] pegasus!?” he shouted in confusion. Candlejack took aim and fired, turning on his hooves. The carbine pelted the ponies in the room. And when they fell into bloodied heaps, Candlejack turned to face the Mohawk pony. He took aim and fired. However, the pony quickly brought up his dazed companion, using him as a shield. It had worked, causing the pegasus to arch a brow. The pony tossed the now dead pony at him. Candlejack shoved the body aside and was suddenly tackled.

Candlejack quickly brought up the carbine to block a glowing green knife. Candlejack smirked again and head-butted the pony. The pony stumbled back and Candlejack kicked himself up off the ground. He then flipped the carbine in his hooves and took a batting position.

“Batter up!” he shouted before bringing the carbine around and hitting the pony in the face. The pony stumbled and found himself teetering on the edge of the cracked building. It was a long drop. But Candlejack trotted over and smiled. He plucked the knife from the pony and then tapped him lightly. The pony fell, a yell from him and a loud splat on the cement ground suddenly caused mass confusion amongst the bandits.

And when some looked to see what had happened, their heads suddenly exploded into giblets. Down below, Zelori took aim and had followed her brother’s figure into the building. She then took aim around the next building and saw the movement. She pressed the trigger again and a loud humming thump sounded and sped through the air. The bullet struck true as another pony fell into a bloodied heap. Candlejack quickly galloped out of the cracked hole in the wall and took off, aiming straight for another building. And as he did, voices erupted into surprise.

“Shit! They have a pegasus!” one shouted before having his head blown off by the passing Candlejack with the pistol.

“What!? How!?” another stated. Candlejack furrowed his brows. Of course, he would be surprised as they were if a flying pony suddenly came out of nowhere and attacked them. But why were they making it sound like they haven’t seen one in their entire lives? A pony had taken aim and followed the pegasus with a rifle. As he was about to pull the trigger, he couldn’t help but feel something was off. He could hear it, the steady hum of movements. He looked down at the building and saw a sleek white android in a tattered body cape quickly bounding up the side of the building with claw stubs.

“An android!?” he stated in surprise, causing the ponies behind to be on alert. But Candlejack made a pass and fired on them, having realized Aurora was advancing on them. He looked to see Zelori by the chariot, following him and taking out any of the ponies he had missed in his fly by. Confusion and shock was all the bandits could register. They had thought they had the upper hoof. They thought they could take it all without much effort. But seeing their numbers dwindling by the minute, some of them began to lose moral.

Who were these ponies? And why were they taking them out without much effort? The one who had thought this saw in the moon’s light a pony with wings ascend and hovered there. The pony could have sworn that the pony was none other than an angel of death, sent in by the reaper to finally gather them for the many sins they have committed. However, this was not the case to Candlejack. He took aim with the pistol and fired, the pony’s head leaning back before crumpling on his side.

The pony with the rifle from afar grit his teeth, seeing that his companions behind him had fallen to the pegasus, looked back and took aim at the hovering pony. But a white chassis blocked his view. He looked and backed away in fear. The android yanked the gun away, the neon blue iris being the only thing illuminating the dark silhouette. Then, he saw it. The blue eyes turning red.

Run Program: 4U124.EXE. Code: E-14B-1

The unknown command overriding Aurora’s three laws, allowing her to turn the rifle on the pony with one hoof claw and pulled the trigger. The pony crumpled to the ground. The red eyes scanned the area before turning to look back at the hovering pegasus. Candlejack looked over to see the eyes of Aurora. He narrowed them at her. He couldn’t help but think back to the androids he had killed.

Each one bearing similar eyes. And when Zelori looked to see Aurora’s eyes glowing from inside the broken corner of the building, she took aim, seeing the rifle in her claw hoof. Candlejack was ready to move. Zelori’s hoof brushing the trigger. However, Aurora took aim and looked past the pegasus. She then pulled the trigger and Candlejack heard the bullet beam zip by and strike a pony that had took aim on him from the top of the building. Zelori lowered the rifle, seeing Candlejack turn to look at the passing bullet.

The pony rolled her head and fell forward, rag dolling before colliding with the cement ground. Aurora scanned the map. The red dots were no longer around. Only hers and the two other blue dots. Aurora slung the rifle on her back and bounded down the building before landing on the cement ground, cracking it underneath her hooves.

Candlejack landed next to Zelori and they watched the android trot over to them. There was a brief pause. And then, a strange feeling hit Candlejack. He had her all wrong. And while, there was still much to learn of the outside, he was glad to know that for once, an android wasn’t out to kill them. And Zelori knew this as well. Aurora returned a smile and looked down the road, the two following suite and seeing a bright glowing green building with tall exhaust pipes protruding from the back.

“Why is it glowing green?” Candlejack asked, eyeing the surrounding.

“That is the Luridium. When it reacts to the cold, it gives off a glow.” She was searching her database, looking up information about Luridium. As she did and explained to them the properties of Luridium and how it can be used to make energy in all four forms, they kept a keen eye out for any more of the bandits. They had managed to take surprise at least eight of them. That only leaves the rest that might be holed up in the facility. When the facility was in view, Aurora’s map flashed red. She stopped and motioned for them to take cover.

Splitting up to hide inside the rubble and buildings, they remained silent, watching as a group of bandits rounded the corner.

“…can’t wait to tell the boss this!” one of the bandits stated with a wide grin under his visor. “To think that Zillex Corp. is looking to strike a deal with us. All the bolts and fame we could ask for.” One of the bandits hissed and smacked him over the helmet, causing him to wince and rub the spot.

“You idiot! Zillex is clearly trying to bring out Deadeye!” the mare barked. “Think about it! Why would Zillex send a damn android and her goons to tell us about striking a deal? Do you not realize that none of them are ponies?”

“Damn machines. Think they can do whatever the hell they want! I swear, it’s thanks to them that we can hardly get any loot out of places!” Candlejack peeked out from behind the rubble. He rubbed his chin in thought.

‘Did they mention Zillex?’ he furrowed his brows more. ‘Seems that Zelori’s instincts were right again.’ Without realizing it, he had crept out of cover and followed them from the shadows. Zelori balked in surprise at this.

‘What is the fool doing now!?’ she thought with panic. Aurora watched silently, trying to understand the motive of the pegasus. She then decided that he probably was onto something and crept along in the shadows. Zelori let out a quiet sigh before following them from her own shadows.

The bandits followed a road, discussing the matter and unaware of the three that were stalking them. Candlejack overheard them talking about how Zillex was leading them into a trap, saying that the bolts they were offering were fake. They knew that they were a wanted gang, and they felt that Zillex was just out to recruit more ponies to their cause. But to them, being in Deadeye’s gang meant having the freedom they so rightfully deserved. And this angered Aurora as she listened to them. Freedom to steal and murder as they please? She couldn’t help but have her memory bring back the images of Troffelton. No, they won’t have their freedom any longer. She will make sure of that.

They rounded another corner and the facility stood high on top a rocky hill with a winding dirt path. Candlejack, Aurora and Zelori emerged from their shadows and took cover behind boulders. They looked, Aurora scanning the area. She found herself highlighting some ponies on her map.

“It appears they have four snipers on the roof of the facility. The rest seem to be patrolling the perimeter.” Aurora said. Candlejack rubbed his chin. The snipers were indeed a problem. He looked around the surrounding. He then beamed, seeing a building they had passed that seemed a perfect view point for taking them out. He tapped on Zelori’s shoulder and pointed over to the building.

“Think you can cover us from up there?” he whispered. Zelori looked to the building and furrowed her brows.

“Jack, are you certain about this?” she asked. Candlejack nodded. Zelori studied her brother, who was focused on looking over to the facility. She then looked to Aurora, the android still scanning the area. She put a hoof on her shoulder, causing her to snap out of her scanning and look to her. “Aurora… I know that there is still much to trust about you… but please… make sure my brother doesn’t do anything reckless.” She squeezed the android’s shoulder slightly, the texture feeling a mix of flesh and wired muscles. But the gesture was more of a reassurance. Aurora registered the command and nodded.

“Affirmative. I will protect Candlejack from his stupidity.” She said. Candlejack had a vein twitch.

“I can hear you both, you know.” He hissed with a frown. And with that, Zelori trotted away from them, heading to the building that Candlejack had specified. Candlejack then looked to Aurora and nodded to her before they both dashed out of cover and made their way up the hill, Candlejack flying up it while Aurora bounded up the hill with her claw hooves. Reaching the top, they both quickly ducked behind a horizontal pipe that was protruding from the ground. The snipers were scanning the area. And one of the skull decaled ponies was sitting on the other side of the pipe they had ducked behind.

Candlejack rubbed his chin, seeing the pony strike a match and putting it up to a cigarette. He took a pull before blowing it out and sighing. Aurora, her eyes still red, gleamed for a brief moment before she latched the pony from behind with her claw. “What the-?” the pony didn’t get to say anything else when Aurora grabbed the pony by the neck and taking a stub, sliced the throat. Candlejack watched stoically as the pony bled out. Aurora looked to him.

“Perhaps, this plan will work.” She said as she removed the pony’s helm. Candlejack arched a brow. Aurora stripped the pony of his suit barding and gave it to him. “I will act as your prisoner. That way, I can get in close to Deadeye.” Candlejack looked at her questioningly.

‘Prisoner?’ He looked to the barding before frowning slightly. ‘It might work… but why am I to act a guard?’ He thought about what he should act as while he threw the suite on, shivering at the sudden cold that had washed over him. Fully dressed to look like one of the bandits, Aurora stood up. She then turned and walked in view, catching the attention of the snipers. However, Candlejack came up the flank and placed the pistol to her head.

“It’s alright guys!” he suddenly called out. The bandits patrolling looked down at them. “I caught this little treasure down by the entrance. Says she is willing to tell Deadeye where he can find the treasure of a life time.” One of the ponies walked over and eyed them.

“What’s this about treasure?” she asked.

“I know of a certain location that houses bolts and components that will help expand anypony’s empire.” She glanced at Candlejack. “And it appears I have no choice but to tell Deadeye’s gang.” The pony rubbed her helmeted head.

“Hmm… You don’t seem to be that Zillex goon.” She then nodded. “Let them in! Tell Deadeye he is expecting company!” They couldn’t see it, but they could bet that the mare was grinning wickedly underneath. The gates to the facility opened and Candlejack led Aurora through, being escorted by the pony. He glanced around nervously, seeing the bandits eye them as they passed. One of the bandits whistled.

“Nice piece of a mare you dragged in.” he whooped. Laughter erupted. But Aurora remained stoic. Candlejack felt the sweat form on his brow. They were led into the facility and down a catwalk. Reaching a set of spiral stairs leading to the factory ground, they followed the pony around a giant crane base and a crusher. Reaching an opening, Candlejack gaped a bit, seeing a glowing green pod with green bubbling liquid. But there wasn’t just one. There were three in total. Each one taking up a corner. The pony stopped them.

Candlejack, in his wondering gaze, caught sight of movement up above them and behind the pods. But he could see them, the bandits gathered around the area, watching them enter. The pony walked over to the railway. Taking position next to the side of the stairs, there was suddenly cheering that had erupted. The two ponies watched a figure descend the steps. A desperado hat covering the pony’s face. A red bandanna and a tattered duster covered the pony’s hide.

Aurora scanned the pony, seeing an image bringing up a wanted picture of the very pony she had set out to kill. Candlejack, however, felt his curiosity peak even more. It peaked a little too much, however. He felt himself grinning in excitement. And when the pony lifted his head and revealed one glowing eye, he shivered.

‘A robot.’ He thought, remembering what Aurora had said. ‘Is he similar to DD?’ He then frowned and thought otherwise. This was a criminal. One that he was asked to kill. And seeing the hate displaying through the android’s stoic expression, he couldn’t help but feel a bit… conflicted.

“Well now. My boys say you have a location that has ‘treasure of a lifetime’.” He looked at the android. “And you being an android, I bet you were ‘told’ to seek me out.” Aurora narrowed her eyes.

“Negative. I was careless in my exploration that I ended up being outnumbered and outgunned.” She said. “And one of your boys decided to bring me to you as I promised a location of treasure that will help expand your empire.” She looked to Candlejack, disguised as one of the bandits behind her. “And being an android, he took advantage of my programming and forced me to give the location.” She twitched a little, her breeding program activate. But she quickly deactivated it in annoyance before turning back to face the robot pony. The robot pony rubbed his chin with a claw stub before looking over to Candlejack.

The pegasus felt his heart beat faster. The nervousness mixed with excitement made him shiver a bit. He was dead curious to see if this pony was indeed the same type as DD or a different model entirely. But catching Aurora’s look made him ignore the thought and focused on the matter at hoof. Despite his curiousness, he was still in danger of his cover being blown. So instead, he decided to play the part. And he did by bringing up a hoof and smacking Aurora on her flank cheek, cupping it and all. The android stiffened in surprise, her breeding program activate again.

“You bet, boss. This little beauty spilled all her secrets and many more to me. So I figured, why not share it to the boss himself?” he said, putting on his best mug grin. He then glanced at Aurora, seeing her expression suddenly change from stoic to a more… suggestive look. And she was looking directly at him. Deadeye looked at the two before tipping his hat.

“Then I reckon you might as well spill it, gal. Or do you want my boy here to force more out of you?” Aurora bit her lip slightly, trying her best to ignore the breeding program running mixed with her combat program.

“I-I know exactly where it is.” She gasped a little when Candlejack found her skin like texture to be odd. He then realized what he was doing and quickly withdrew his hoof from her flank cheek and look over to Deadeye. Aurora was doing her best to shut off the unnecessary program, but it kept bringing prompts up that she struggled to deny. Deadeye waited patiently for the android to speak. When the program decided to calm down, she made a quiet sigh of relief before continuing. “I-it is in the Subdivision of Detrot.” She said. Deadeye hummed metallically in thought.

“You certain?” he chuckled. “Me an’ my boys scoured that place to and fro.” Aurora looked at him stoically.

“The Subdivision is ripe with unexplored ruins. Most don’t bother or attempt, but only have the rogue machines dis-sway them. I happened to sneak past a J4K41 unit that happened to be stationed in the area.” Deadeye perked at the mention of J4K41. Candlejack was curious as to what Aurora was pertaining too. Thankfully, Deadeye seemed to sate his curiosity slightly.

“A Jackal? In the Subdivision?” This even erupted surprise from the bandits. “Why, if a Jackal unit is in the Subdivision, then clearly the area it is guarding must be ripe with riches.” He shook his head and nodded to Candlejack. “I was planning on killing you if this was a waste of time. But I can see that your…” he eyed the android. “’Methods’, have swayed her to come clean.” Aurora had a touch of red on her cheek, the program dangerously close to activating. But she denied it and continued to maintain her focus. Candlejack had no idea what they were implying, but he couldn’t help but smile.

“No problem, boss. Err… quick question.” He said. Aurora shot him a glare, but he ignored it. “You wouldn’t happen to remind me err… what exactly you are planning to do?” The room was silent. But Candlejack quickly spoke up. “I mean… once we raid the Subdivision and take out the Jackal?” Deadeye hummed again before shrugging.

“Well, do what we always do. Bask in the glory and reap the rewards. And if we manage to get the Jackal’s head, we would be a gang to be reckoned with.” He said. This erupted cheers in the crowd. Candlejack was even more dead curious now. But then, he saw Aurora slightly shook her head at him. She had noticed something on her map. Out of the two blue dots surrounded by a mass of red, she couldn’t help but notice seeing another blue dot nearby. It seemed Zelori had followed them in.

And sitting on top of the catwalk, blending into the shadows and taking aim with her rifle, she moved the scope over the head of Aurora. She frowned slightly, seeing Aurora glance her a look that told her otherwise. She then aimed the reticle over Deadeye’s head. Candlejack was clueless as to what was going on. Deadeye waved them away.

“Now then. We strike at mornin’. Feel free to do whatever you want with her. She’d probably fetch a pretty bolt on the black market for parts.” Deadeye turned and walked up the stairs. Aurora felt her anger rise again. She had to strike now. Candlejack noticed Aurora staring at Deadeye. And then, in a blink of an eye, Candlejack withdrew his pistol and aimed at the nearest bandit. Time slowed. The bandit looked at him in stock surprise.

A loud thump of the pistol and the beam pierced the visor. Deadeye stopped and looked over his shoulder, seeing the mare’s head roll before crumpling to the ground. Zelori, from the shadows, took aim and in quick succession, fired the rifle and felled three bandits that were lined up one by one. Confusion and surprise was all that they could muster. And Deadeye watched with sudden interest as his boys began crumpling to the ground in a bloody heap. And not only that, he noticed the sleek white android lunging at him.

“Figured as much.” Deadeye said before time sped up and he quickly strafed as the android brought the hoof claw down into the metal. Deadeye back trotted away before stopping and looking at the android. Aurora, her eyes an intimidating red, remained on the bandit leader. “But then again, it isn’t so much as a guess with you androids.” He tapped his metal head with a claw stub. “Free mind and all.” Aurora pulled out her claw hoof out of the metal and clenched it. Deadeye chuckled and motioned for her to bring it. “Let’s dance.” Candlejack strafed around a bandit that had rushed him with a glowing amber knife.

He withdrew his own knife and bounced it off of the bandit’s. A loud cracking sound emitted from the impact. Zelori took aim after falling another bandit. Her ears twitched slightly as her sense picked up a small hoof step. She quickly moved to the side as a glowing amber knife… no… this was bigger than the knife, swung down where she stood. And when the spike wearing mare hit the railing of the catwalk, it suddenly creaked and tipped, sending both of them rolling downward.

Zelori rolled to her feet while the mare landed on her back. She quickly rolled over to her side, however, before Zelori could aim. The rifle was sliced at the barrel. And Zelori would have been nicked too, if she didn’t lean back in time. The mare stood up and rushed her. Zelori danced around the swings before landing a forehoof into her helmet, causing her to stumble. Zelori then stood up on her two hind hooves and crouched low, her fore hooves positioned out in front of her. The mare regained her posture before rushing her again.

This time, Zelori was ready. The mare swung and the zebra mare spun on her hooves, moving around her before jabbing her sides. The mare yelped at a strange feeling of being stung multiple times coursed through her. But Zelori didn’t stop there. She followed it up by swiping under the mare’s hooves, causing her to fall face flat into the steel floor. The blade leaving her grip. Zelori shot a hoof out, catching the glowing blade and spinning it around her forehoof before jabbing it into the mare’s back.

The mare gurgled before going limp. Zelori looked over to see Candlejack still colliding with the bandit’s knife, not managing to get a single hit in. She then glanced between the blade and her brother before she pulled it out and rushed over.

“Jack!” she called out. Candlejack looked over, wrestling with the bandit’s own knife. He then smirked as he saw the blade soaring through the air. He then let himself fall back, planting his hind hooves into the bandit’s chest and causing the bandit to stumble back… straight into the sailing blade. It pierced the helmet and the bandit fell forward. Candlejack then rolled out of the way and reached to pull it out, seeing two bandits rush at him. Taking the glowing blade, he swung, lifting himself with the force and causing him to stand on his hind hooves. He then brought it back around, slicing downwards.

The bandits were confused as the pegasus was suddenly behind them. Their heads then rolled off from their shoulders. Zelori rushed over and shoved Candlejack aside, spotting a lone sniper that had entered at the wrong time. He quickly took aim at the pegasus before pulling the trigger. Candlejack stumbled and Zelori groaned in pain as the bullet beam grazed her back. Zelori grit her teeth, ignoring the burning pain in her back before picking up one of the dead bandit’s pistol and returned fire. The bandit ducked before returning it back. Zelori tried to move, but the pain made it difficult. Again, she was grazed, but this time on her hoof. The pistol flew out of her grip.

Zelori stumbled onto her sides and brought her hoof into her chest, writhing in pain. Candlejack balked before quickly grabbing the pistol in mid-fall and with a quick spin on his hoof, returned fired and pelted the bandit in the head. The bandit crumpled to the ground and Candlejack immediately rushed to his sister, helping her up. Zelori groaned again as she tried to walk on her hoof, but found it immensely painful. Candlejack patted his suite’s saddle bag and pulled out the gel. Popping the cap off, he smeared the gel on her hoof and watched with surprised interest as the gel quickly began replacing the missing hair on her forehoove’s wrist.

Zelori shivered as she felt the cool tingly feeling coursed through her. What was once pain was now numbing. Candlejack’s ears twitched when he heard metal being scratched and screaming. He looked up to see Aurora and Deadeye on top of a catwalk. Claw hooves dangerously lashing at each other. Deadeye ducked back when Aurora swiped a claw at him. He then quickly dashed in and with a clenched claw, slugged Aurora in the chassis.

Aurora felt her pain sensors signal to her where she had struck and forcing a reaction to it. She stumbled back, coughing. Deadeye chuckled.

“You’re pretty good for acting like a pony.” Deadeye said. Aurora grit her teeth, her eyes gleaming red as she galloped forward with surprising speed. Deadeye danced around her hoof swings as he continued. “Do you understand what you are really feeling right now? What is going on through your mind? Are you certain these feelings are yours? Or are they just a program?” Aurora unclenched a claw hoof and brought it down, piercing the catwalk. Deadeye swiped a claw, striking her across the cheek and drawing white blood.

Aurora pulled out the claw and rushed him. Deadeye caught her strike before shoving her down to his side and slugging her again. Aurora stumbled back, her sensors registering loss of air. “You see, that’s what makes us different. We robots have a free mind unlike you androids.” He shrugged as Aurora recovered from the strike. She dashed up to him again and this time shifted her strike. Deadeye leaned back as the claw ripped his bandanna scarf. Aurora tossed it aside before suddenly pivoting on her hooves and extending a hind leg. The strike landed onto the robot’s cheek. With a tumble, Deadeye found himself being shoved onto the railing. He wrestled with Aurora, preventing a claw hoof from reaching him. She felt her anger rise even more. The metal creaking underneath them.

“Do you know what you are feeling right now? That is what we call ‘anger’. You clearly believe that whatever I have done to threaten you, you are upset and want to seek out justice.” He chuckled as he began slowly pushing Aurora back. The android growled slightly as she did her best to fight back. “Anger is what ponies deem a feeling most unpleasant some may argue. But anger has driven most ponies to the point of where they feel the need to spill blood.” Aurora could tell the robot was smiling when he said this.

“However, it is quite unusual for a ‘puppet’ to go against the three laws. Or maybe you have just gone rogue from the network?” Aurora found herself suddenly with a burst of energy. She pushed back.

“I don’t give a damn about the laws!” Aurora growled. “You killed somepony who I… I…” she faltered a bit. Unfortunately, this allowed Deadeye to retaliate and quickly shove her off, bucking her with his hooves in the process. Aurora stumbled back and Deadeye quickly drew out his revolver like pistol and aimed at Aurora. Time slowed as she looked to see the trigger pressed. She moved her head back, causing her entire body to flip back as the bullet grazed her chin. Time sped as she suddenly found herself hanging on the catwalk.

She looked down to see the fall being a treacherous dive into a vat of Luridium. The boiling bubbling green liquid being used to power this plant made her furrow her brows worriedly. Deadeye chuckled as he peered over the railing.

“Hmm… So you’re that doll that that mechanic built?” he rubbed his chin with a claw stub. Then, he looked to the vat of Luridium and he chuckled again. “Let me ask you something. Do you know what the Luridium Plague is?” Aurora looked up at him, wondering where he was going with this. “It was an event long ago where both android and robots who were exposed to Luridium to suddenly go bat shit insane. And yet, the Luridium was used in tangent to you androids. Defying the three laws in place, they killed without holding back.” Aurora grit her teeth. She then noticed a figure zip up behind him. But she remained stoic and focused on him.

“Luridium was used for energy and other means. Solarium and Lunarium was used as a chargeable substance, but balancing out which caused a lot of material consumption. So I would consider myself lucky to not have built in Luridium.” He shrugged. “No hard feelings for your corruption. Robots were more of the second class than androids anyway.” He then stepped on her claw stubs that had her hanging from the catwalk. He twisted his hooves, causing her pain sensors to register. “You won’t die from the Luridium. But you would lose all sensibility as a puppet. Then perhaps, I’ll find a way to use you as my secret weapon.” He nodded at this idea. “A fine addition to the team, wouldn’t you say?”

“I’d say you’re full of shit.” A voice said. He turned to see a hovering pegasus with a beam sword in his hoof. Deadeye made a balking motion.

“A pegasus?!” Candlejack looked at Aurora and then to the robot. Without so much as a thought, Candlejack propelled himself with his wings and came close to decapitating the robot. Deadeye ducked and looked to see Candlejack turn and toss the beam sword up. Deadeye looked on in confusion before realizing that he was no longer stepping on the android’s claw stubs. In fact, said android sprang up from the catwalk, flipping once and catching the sword before landing behind Deadeye and roared in anger as she slashed downward.

There was a brief pause. Deadeye looked at her, giving a metallic rasp. Aurora looked at him coldly. Deadeye then looked to see his left metal fore hoof was cut along up to the side of his face. He then stumbled back, leaning over the railing and then plummeting into the vat of Luridium. Aurora breathed heavily, the sensors registering a mixed emotion.

She had won. But was it really a victory? The very pony she had called a father had died to this pony. And she had went out of her way to return the favor. And yet… it felt… hollow. Candlejack watched with a studying look at the android, seeing her drop the beam sword and fall back on her haunches. Candlejack’s interest piqued again. It was almost like the moment when he found that screaming android. It was amazing to see the sudden change of expression from something that was bent on killing. But this change wasn’t a sudden surprise. This one was more sad. Followed by the sound of a metallic squeak as the android bowed her head, dispensing water that trailed down her cheek.

Author's Notes:

As much as this site update has been.... mixed. It will by all means not deter me form finishing up my stories. Unfortunately, I am going to have to result through alternate methods. Since I can’t seem to find the import from GDoc to be a thing anymore, I literally retyped the chapter of the edits I made onto a word doc and copied past them in here.

I probably have missed something while reading through the changes about this, but for now (until deemed otherwise) I will be resorting to a base method. I am sorry for any inconveniences and I hope that these changes don’t deter you from making your stories. {Insert twilightsheepish emote here}

_{sigh, RIP paragraph indents.}