(?????)
(?????)

The sun was ruthless on the two Red Claw assassins who were searching for the Black Talon sanctuary. “Ok True Shot, we should be coming up on the sanctuary.” Titus was walking ahead of True Shot through a meadow, the Unicorn was tired from the constant walking and her mane was sticking to her face which made her constantly sweep it off with her hands, leaving them to slowly accumulate sweat.

“You said that thirty minutes ago! We’ve been walking in this field for an hour, so where’s the sanctuary?” True Shot was looking down, exhausted and overheated while her partner wasn’t tired nor was he showing any signs of being hot. This was one of the times True Shot was jealous that she didn’t have feathers like Titus since she couldn’t let heat from her fur as easily as he can. “I’ll ask again, where is the sanc-“

“It’s right here.” Titus interrupted her to point towards a bed of flowers that had a small stick among it, he pulled the stick and opened a hatch with a ladder leading into the dark. “So you wanna go first or- Woah!” He was nearly knocked over when True Shot pushed him out of the way and sped down the ladder. “That’s one way to beat the heat.” He followed her down into the darkness and splashed into the shallow water that was running by.

“Titus please tell me that splash was you and if it wasn’t I’m going on your back.” True Shot said with a frantic tone but was calmed by Titus’ hand on her shoulder

“I’m right here and don’t worry this place is safe, Quicksilver took me here once before so I remember where the door is.” Titus lead True Shot down multiple pathways and above a drained aquifer and eventually they came to a small garden against a wall with a small crack through the stone providing light. “The door’s right here.” Titus pulled a stone from his pocket and held it to the garden

“What’s that supposed to do?” True Shot asked from Titus’ back after being piggybacked from the beginning of the underground trek.

“It’s a key.” The stone shifted multiple colors and shot a ray of light that revealed a door on the wall. The two walked into a massive cistern with Griffins in black and grey bodysuits walking around, buying and selling wares from merchants and practicing combat in a larger section. Titus looked mildly surprised at the expansions that had happened in a matter of years while True Shot was speechless at the sight.

“Wha-Bu-How is there so much here?” She looked around wide-eyed at the near city level design of the cistern, earning strange looks from the Griffons who didn’t recognize their outfits

“Hey, you guys aren’t wearing Talon colors.” An older male Griffon confronted the two on their outfits but before True Shot could say anything Titus spoke up

“Yeah but we wouldn’t be able to find this place if we weren’t in the same business. Where’s a seeker at, we have some information from the Red Claw.” The elder went quiet but quickly turned and gestures for them to follow him, they went through a hallway that led to a door which True Shot knocked on right as the elder left.

“Come in...” A gravelly voice said to them eliciting a chill in their backs as they walked in to share their report from Mistress Culina.

==============================
(Waterfall Overlook)
(The next day)

So you’ve noticed I have some things of yours and you have something I want, meet me on the top of the Waterfall in one hour unless you want to see mares swim with no arms

Zeko stood across from a Griffin in a black bodysuit with an expression of silent rage while the Griffon smirked, this cocky action was due to having Mist and Celona tied to a tree. “So kid, you know why I’m doing this?” He asked with an arrogant tone

“All I know is that you’ll die today and I’ll make sure you get your just punishment.” Zeko responded quickly to which the Griffon pulled out a pitch black sword

(Play me)

“You took down those fledglings in the Red Claw but you made the mistake of killing my brother.” The Griffon’s words made Zeko think about what he meant and concluded this was for revenge and decided to play along

“You talking about Rhyken? Because technically speaking-“ Zeko summoned his Cragadile and it’s gaze focused on the Griffin. “This is what killed him, so should I get your name before you get to meet each other in the afterlife?”

“You can call me Kanek, but that Cragadile can’t stand up to my sword.” Zeko rolled his eyes at the statement while Kanek smirked. The sword morphed from a bladed weapon to a longbow with a string laced with black lightning and a shadowy quiver appeared on Kanek’s back. He nocked an arrow and drew the string back but before he fired it Zeko could tell something was wrong

“Wait, Cragadile skin is tougher than stone so why would... Oh shit!” Zeko barely dodged the giant shot of black lighting that grew and obliterated his pet. “Ok this is a problem.” He rushed forward with his Rinnegan active and two chakra rods in hand, he clashed with Kanek’s weapon which changed back to a blade and crackled with small black arcs of electricity

“This was my father’s weapon and he gave it to me. You’re not leaving alive.” He pulled back and slashed one of the rods, snapping it in two, he went for a downward strike to kill Zeko but wound up having to fly backwards to dodge the other rod aimed for his right arm, while he flew back Zeko leapt backwards and made the tiger sign.

“Fire Style: Fireball jutsu!” Zeko spat a giant fireball at Kanek who chopped the attack in half to Zeko’s displeasure. “Not making this easy huh?” Zeko deadpanned at the display

Kanek’s smirk made it look like his beak would crack if he kept it up. “This sword contains the power of one thousand storms, your little flames aren’t anywhere near that.” He changed the blade to a bow and fired a smaller shot that left a hole in Zeko’s chest. “So that was the divine eye holder... Pathetic.” Kanek walked over to examine the body and once he touched it it turned to sand and caught his hand.

“Divine eye holder, I like the sound of that.” Kanek turned his head and saw his target leaning against a tree. “So what’s your next move there pal?”

“Ever see a storm clone?” Kanek used his weapon to scorch the sand and raised it to the sky. “Hah!” A bolt of lightning came down and struck the spot next to him and created a clone of himself with a grey sword. “You make a dummy with sand, I’ll make one with lightning.” They used their wings to add speed to themselves and rushed to Zeko and tried to slash him diagonally but only struck the tree, they turned and saw the shinobi with his hands clasped when suddenly another one of him appeared by his side.

“Might as well go along with what you were doing.” Zeko said before the pair ran to their enemies, knocked the clone away and prepared an attack. “Let’s call this...” Zeko kicked Kanek into the air, and the clone kicked him higher, using him as a launchpad and returned to the ground.

“The double Zeko slam!” The clone finished as they both lunged above Kanek and dropped their heels onto his stomach, sending him to the ground. The pair fist pumped in celebration. “You didn’t even need me fo-“ The clone was dispelled by a sword through the stomach revealing the lightning clone.

“How’d I forget about you? Almighty Push!” Zeko barely dodged a swipe and managed to destroy the clone by sending it straight into a tree but before he could plan his course of action he had to dodge another shot from Kanek.

“Don’t forget about me! One wrong move and you die!” Kanek fired a volley of weaker shots but they weren’t to be brushed off, each one scorched where they touched and forced Zeko to shift positions faster than he could form a strategy, he was grazed by some of the bolts but ignored the pain and remembered his goal but this was where Kanek decided to amplify the stakes, “If you’re gonna run how about I make this a challenge?” He pointed the sword at Mist and Celona and created a weak cyclone around them. “That’s gonna get bigger until it tears them to shreds, you need to beat me before that happens.” He grinned maniacally from his own threat but Zeko stood unfazed by his words.

(Now Play me)

“Then I need to be more serious, here goes the sand demon’s gift.” Zeko raised a hand up with one finger extended. “Shukaku’s blessing!” Kanek watched the odd display and was ready to write it off as just a distraction but then he saw a strange orange substance begin to leak from Zeko’s skin and clothes and it encased him, it moved along his form like a second skin and even formed a tail like shape. All Kanek saw next was a blur before he managed to block Zeko’s roundhouse kick but he was helpless from the series of punches that landed across his chest, pushing him backwards and leaving skids in the dirt.

“He’s faster and stronger now... but Morsus won’t fail me.” Kanek thought as he shot a bolt that pierced the aura and cut Zeko’s leg but he didn’t register the wound as it began to close to Kanek’s displeasure.

“Gonna have to hit harder than that.” Zeko went to punch Kanek but his hand was caught by a Kanek’s weapon which was now gauntlets. “You’ve got to be kidding me!” He caught the swing Kanek threw and the two headbutt to end the grapple. They clashed fist to fist and exchanged punches, but neither caused heavy damage and ended up jumping away from each other.

“How aren’t you dead? I’ve been landing solid hits!” Kanek’s face was contorted in rage at his opponent’s survival, Zeko however maintained a calm demeanor

“I noticed that you’re right about that sword-“ He crossed his arms to block the attack from Kanek, the two struggled to beat one another but were at a standstill. “That thing actually has the power of a thousand storms but you don’t know how to use it so it’s a hundred at most.” The clash broke and the two came at each other with a barrage of hits but neither landed any that would change the fight. Kanek tried to shoot another large bolt but wound up lifted above Zeko’s head.

“I’m gonna kill you for this!” He swung at Zeko’s head but his flailing gauntlets met air.

“Liger Bomb!” Zeko slammed Kanek into the ground, winds shot out in every direction making the cyclone holding Mist and Celona stronger

“What was that?!” Celona asked in panic

“He told me about that... unless he’s going easy nopony can survive that!” Mist answered as the wind died down revealing that Kanek was cushioned by black clouds .

“Seriously?!” Zeko dodged a stray lightning bolt from the clouds and created two more clones and started a Rasen-Shuriken. “Let’s see if I can part clouds.” He threw the bladed orb towards Kanek who was now encased in clouds, the attack blew the clouds and Kanek away, leaving a long path in the dirt. “Girls!” Zeko ran over to the cyclone and split it and the rope with a chop

(Music Ends)

“Zeko!” Celona Shot up and hugged the shinobi tightly, leaving Mist leaning against the tree until Zeko outstretched a hand and levitated Mist in the hug. “Who was that and why did he want to hurt you so bad?”

“He’s wearing a Red Claw suit so he’s probably part of a clean up crew.” Mist gave her input as Zeko pondered. Celona looked at Mist and the two managed to reach an agreement and decided on their next action.

“Based on what he told me he was avenging his-“ Zeko stopped once he felt lips press against both sides of his face and a blush formed across his face.

“I think that was overdue for everything you do. You helped both of us and gave us a place to live.” Mist explained their actions but didn’t get through to the shinobi who stood there dumbfounded and speechless.

“Hey!” The trio looked and saw Kanek struggling to get up, one of his arms was bleeding and his leg was busted with a gash running down his face. “Don’t you dare act like this is done.” He leaned against Morsus and coughed up some blood. “I’m going to avenge my brother.”

Zeko levitated a sliver from a tree and brought it to his hands. “Almighty Push.” Before he could tell what happened, Kanek was on the ground with both of his legs disabled. “I can respect wanting to avenge someone you loved so I’ll give you this one chance, leave now or die.” Kanek looked at Zeko with anguish in his eyes, trying to find a way to win but realized at this point it was impossible.

“You might’ve won this time...” He leaned up so his face was visible, “But I’ll come back *pant* and when I do I’ll be even better and you’ll beg for mercy!” He raised Morsus to the sky and was taken into the sky by lightning.

“Well that’s gonna be a knife in my foot but at least you two are safe.” Zeko sighed at the fact that Mist and Celona were safe but he was quickly kissed again by the pair. “Cut it out!” His blush was back and the two snickered as he made a sand cloud for them to leave on.

“Make it harder to embarrass you and we will.” Mist said while she was hauled onto Zeko’s back

“Ugh, I’m not gonna get used to some things am I?” The group floated towards the Everfree, leaving a scorched battleground with a large crater from Kanek’s departure.

===================================
(Ponyville)
(2 Hours later)

Nouka was leading Kotetsu and Zeko through the streets of Ponyville where they were stared at for the energy the clay user displayed. “Come on guys let’s visit them, I wanna see how they’ve been doing since then!” Kotetsu looked as if he wanted to flail his friend while Zeko looked as if he were thinking.

“So what was that Kanek guy’s deal, why’d he want to kill you more than others do?”

“I killed his brother a while back and he wanted to avenge him, his sword’s what I’m stuck on. It literally had the power of a thousand storms and changed from form to form, if he was better with it I could’ve been hurt really bad back there.” At this the two went silent and followed Nouka to a fairly large building where they went in and were met by a large group of mares

“Oh hello again boys, you’re here to see Blue Chord aren’t you?” A mare with a long dress asked to which Nouka nodded and walked down a hallway with Zeko and Kotetsu in tow. They passed a number of doors which all had either mares or children beyond them.

“And to think Nouka uncovered a trafficking ring and found a group home in Ponyville for some of them, blows my mind that there was one here.” Zeko said with his hands rested on his head.

“I can’t believe he managed to go outside and find both of his hands.” Kotetsu mocked his squad mate but before they could start bickering a voice called out to them

“Hey guys!” They looked and saw an azure unicorn mare who was shorter than average and was wearing a white blouse and a grey skirt. “Come on Nouka, the foals want you to do another art display.” Nouka was dragged along by his arm to go with Blue Chord.

Zeko decided to voice his opinion on what just occurred, “I still don’t know if I should tell him that she’s feeding off of his happiness, and before you say anything, not every female does that so quit it.” Kotetsu’s mouth closed and he decided to look out a window before responding

“Well she’s a changeling or whatever so she has to to live and do you think he’d be worse off knowing she needs to eat emotions or letting her starve because she eats emotions?” Zeko didn’t need to answer since it was rhetorical.

But while they were here another individual was licking his wounds and recalling the battle he’d been in earlier that day and how his enemy decided to spare him unlike his brother. Kanek was in a grey cloud, lying in a glass bed that was mostly filled with a purple fluid while a Red Claw Pegasus stallion was writing on a clipboard. “You’re lucky to be alive, the damage was worse internally and if you came just a few minutes later you could’ve been confined to a bed for the rest of your life.” He explained as Kanek drifted in the water with Morsus next to the tank.

“He might’ve won but now I see that he’s not invincible like they made him out to be... and once I master Morsus I will avenge Rhyken. He was supposed to inherit the sword but now our tradition is gone, that... Zeko... is going to pay for what he’s done.” Kanek’s muscles tensed in the water, turning it from purple to blue

“Hey now, you can’t afford to do anything until you’re healed. If you so much as flex too hard you might risk tearing something important.” Kanek’s nurse scolded him but was right, the loss he’d taken out him out of commission for a while but now he had nothing but time to use for planning his revenge...

=======

Author's Notes:

Here’s the fight scene that you all craved, and it’s unique in the sense that the enemy got to leave but who knows when he’ll be back? And the mares that Nouka saved are okay, they’re close enough to their savior.

But here’s your Christmas gift everyone I hope you have a happy holiday

Comment on what you liked or didn’t like and be sure to like the story or dislike it until next time