From that day forward, Dark Star began his journey to become someone that could wage war against crime in Canterlot. He went to school and assimilated every bit of knowledge he could get his hooves on. To say that he was a scholar wasn't doing him justice. He learned all there was to know, and then more. Whether it was in the world of science or the realm of magic, he would know what was what. His teachers would say there wasn't a finer student.

During that time he trained his body to peak proficiency. Whether it was training with a master or bucking apples at an orchard, he was becoming the strongest as any Earth Pony could be. But more so than strength, he began to master how to use his body in every single form of combat known to the creatures of Equestria. The brutal force of the Buffalo, the finesse of the Griffons, the stealth of the Diamond Dogs, he mastered them all.

When he finished his training, he was a completely different pony. No longer the boy that was lost without his parents, but a man with the skills and methods to see his oath fulfilled. His butler, his only family, Copper, was behind him all the way. Copper was skilled not just in the field of being a caretaker, but when Equestria was at war with the Griffons, he was a field medic that fought alongside the world's greatest heroes.

And under the stately manor was something just as valuable. A base for Dark Star to wage his war. A large cave, full of bats. The sheer size of the cave would be perfect for him. Everything was set for him to begin his crusade. But he needed more time- more time to understand the city he was trying to save- the city where many battles would be fought.

Dark Star disguised himself and ventured into Canterlot and went through the entire city. From the main business sector where the great “Star Enterprises” building was, to the slums where establishments like “Earl's Mare House” were. Finally, he got to the worst of it- which had gotten worse since he was last there. Mare's and Stallions selling themselves for money, Ponies shooting themselves up with whatever drugs they could get their hands on, to live in a dreamy state where their problems were a thing of the past. A dreamy state where the peace and order that Celestia brought still existed.

“Hey there Mister,” a tiny voice said. Dark Star turned to see a young unicorn foal with a red mane and silver coat, dressed in an outfit that was not meant for her age group. “Can I cheer you up Mister?” she asked. Dark Star chuckled.

“I doubt it, how old are you kid?” he asked.

“As young as you want me to be!” she chirped. She hasn't been doing this for very long. Suddenly out of nowhere, a large Earth Pony came from behind the girl and hit her.

“Stupid little bitch!” He yelled. “That's not how you do it Cascade!” The little foal was crying.

“But I did it exactly as you said!” she said. He smacked her again. Dark Star didn't like that.

“You gotta choose your targets you little dumb ass!” The Earth Pony grabbed her by the mane. “C'mon you're going to learn the hard way!”

“No.” Dark Star said standing tall. “I think you're done with her.” The Earth Pony turned around and laughed.

“Pfft, you vice or something man? That old disguise ain't foolin me!” The Earth Pony continued to yell at Dark, while up in a building, a white Unicorn was observing the situation.

“Damn, it ain't vice- we're already paid up. It's probably some damn colt with a death wish.” The white Unicorn had a black mane and a cutie mark that resembled a gust of wind. There was a wheezing pony behind her.

“Grace . . . please don't stop now . . . please...”

“Shut up Blunt.” She looked down at the Unicorn getting yelled out. “Hey Blunt, do you know what I hate about Stallions?”

“Why . . . do you hate us . . . Grace . . . please . . . tell me?” Blunt asked.

“I've never met one.” She said with a sad look. Down on the street the Earth Pony was circling Dark Star. The Earth Pony shifted his gaze else where, and then pulled out a knife from his coat and lunged at Dark. Dark Star stepped out of the way and smacked the Earth Pony in the head with his front hoof, knocking him out. Dark Star stepped back, waiting for the Earth Pony to get up and attack. But the attack didn't come from him, instead it came from the little foal, Cascade, who was stabbing Dark Star in the leg with a knife.

“Come on girls! Attack him!” Cascade was about to stab him again until Dark Star threw the kid away from him. All the pony prostitutes began to jump him. He dodged most of them, but one got on his back and started biting his mane. He grabbed her with his two front hooves and tossed her up in the air and bucked her. Little Cascade got up and screamed,

“OW! I think he broke my leg!” This brought Grace over the edge. She jumped from the building and landed next to Dark Star.

“Nopony hurts Cascade!” She threw a few punches towards Dark Star who was able to block them, but he was hurt.

“Damn.” He thought. “I made a mess of things, I need to get out of here.” He continued to fight the white Unicorn until he heard the familiar sound of the Police who came by with their new magically powered cart. They had a spell that sent out the sound of a siren. Two unicorns stepped out of the carriage, each holding a gun with their magic. They told everybody to freeze and took aim at Dark Star. He didn't move- but they still shot. Nobody was shocked. The police took Dark Star into their cart and left the area.

“Damn Sir, he didn't even try to move.” The younger unicorn said.

“He was going to, besides he's a bum- no point in crying about it.” The older unicorn said, he looked back at Dark Star. “Aw Celestia, he's bleeding all over the seat. Did his wallet have anything good in it?” He asked the younger unicorn.

“Nah, just some loose bits and coupons.” The unicorn said while focused on the road.

Dark Star woke up and saw the situation he was in. Bleeding, shot, captured, in cuffs. He got himself up and looked to the two unicorns.

“You two- stop the cart- get out.” The two unicorns looked back in surprise. But the older one said,

“Yeah that'll be the-” He was interrupted when Dark Star broke out of his cuffs and punched the two unicorns, causing the cart to crash. The two unicorns were knocked out, and not going anywhere. Dark Star got out, and rushed away as fast as he could. Somehow, Dark Star managed to make it home and sat in the library of Star Manor. He looked at a bust of his Father.

“Father?” He asked. “How do I do it? How do I make them afraid of me?” He looked at a little bell, he focused his magic on the bell. “If I ring this bell, Copper will come and save my life- he's one of the many gifts you gave me. But I refuse to live another day, if I have to wait another second before I can begin my quest. How do I do it?” Consciousness was slowly leaving him until he was alarmed by the sound of breaking glass. It was a bat that broke in through the window. It flapped around until it landed on the bust of his father. Dark Star's eyes widened. He realized what it meant- it was another gift from his father. “Yes father,” he said. “I shall become a bat.” He rang the bell, ready to begin his mission.