Comet Tail woke up disoriented, his head throbbing and his body aching. His first thought was that he was dead. But he knew hopes were never this kind to him. Flashes of the Pale Mare forced him to sit up. As he slowly opened his eyes, he found himself in the middle of a hallway. The walls were unfamiliar, and it took him a few moments to gather his bearings. He jumped up and off the couch, choosing a random direction and just started walking.

After several minutes of walking, he stopped at a crashing sound. His attention was brought to the door at his left. It was covered stained and old molding, so much so that Comet Tail heaved at the sight of it. He wanted to grab the nearest bar of soap and run it over for a solid hour. But the crashing sound caught his attention more. Beyond this disgusting door was the source of the noise. he could hear voices on the other side and one of them felt incredible familiar.

Getting closer to the door, Comet Tail noticed a flower vase. It was such a stark difference to the door as not only was it cleaned and health, but smelled delightful compared to the door. The choice of flower looked so familiar, but he couldn't place why. It took him a second, but he remembered it. It was Noteworthy's favorite kind of flower, green lace.

His eyes widened as the voice became clear to him. "Noteworthy..." His voice was barely a whisper, but he couldn't believe it himself either. The stallion waved his head back and forth, there was no way he was standing outside of Noteoworthy's apartment. His heart hitched at the mess of a door. He remembered that Noteworthy was a terrible house guest and could only keep the flowers alive. It was drove him to be such a clean freak in the first place.

His panic about the dirtiness faded, taking the doorknob in his hand, he knocked rather restlessly against the door.

"Noteworthy?!" His voice was still quiet, but louder. As if he still didn't want to believe the reality playing out in front of him.

There was a pause before he heard the shuffling of footsteps and the door opening. The room behind him was pitch black, and it took him a moment to see. Standing before him was the one stallion he hadn't seen in years. His blue mane was shorter, but he could still spot the familiar scar across his nose. His darker blue eyes were wider, his lips slightly parted, and his jaw dropped total shock.

"Comet Tail?!" Noteworthy was practically gasping as much as he was. Yet the stallion stayed in place, behind the door.

"Noteworthy!" Comet's smile grew wider. "It's really you, I can't believe it!" He reached for the door only to be stopped by Noteworthy bracing it.

"What are you doing here?" The excitement faded and Noteworthy's voice turned stern.

"I'm..." Comet Tail paused and looked at the floor, before looking back up. "I'm here to see you."

"You're here to see me?" Noteworthy asked and crossed his arms. "And... not them."

"Them, who?" The door slowly creaked open to reveal Jack and Stone. The batpony meant nothing to him, despite a voice in his mind compelling him toward Jack. Instead, Comet's eyes were firmly on the dragon pony, Stone. The shape and figure slowly brought out an intense rage in his eyes.

"No way." Comet's voice dropped into a growl, and he stepped closer. "There's no fucking way."

"Comet, wait-" Noteworthy tried to reach for his arm, but was shrugged off as his kicked the door open.

Comet Tail rushed in with his gun ready and aimed it right at Stone's head. "What the fuck is one your kind doing here?!" The stallion was in full malice completely ignoring all of them, stopping his finger on the trigger only because he felt the tip of Stone's blade against his throat.

"Damn, Noteworthy, you coltfriend are one racist mother fu-"

"This is bullshit!" Comet yelled and swung his gun, hitting Jack right in the jaw. The batpony fell to the floor with a groan. Noteworthy gasped raced over to pulled Comet Tail away before a full fight could happen.

"Wait, stop, don't do this!" Noteworthy's grip was firm and was able to push the stallion back.

"Why shouldn't I! It's one of their kind that took my leg!" He raised his gladius. "They killed my entire force on the kirin and dragon borders, they're the reason this war has dragged on so long there." Comet stepped forward, press the edge against Stone's throat. "Worst yet, I can't remember a single face of those freak, just the screams of all my soldiers."

"Hold off, soldier!" A voice echoed in Comet's ear. "We need them both alive, remember." It was the same voice of the kirin mare that was working with Iron Sentry

The unicorn lowered his weapon, and tapped his ear. He hadn't even realize they tagged him, no wonder they let him leave so easilty.

"Comet, what's wrong with you?" Noteworthy's anger was replaced with pure concern.

"I..." Comet looked between Noteworthy and Stone. "I can't say." He retracted his weapons and turned to Jack. "I've been hired to keep you idiots alive..." He grumbled and never faced Stone once. "As much as I want to kill you both, I can't."

"Hired?" Jack questioned and rubbed his jaw. "By who?"

"Not important." Comet held up his hand as lights shined passed the window. He rushed over to the position and trained his gun. As much as protecting these asshole was strange enough, there was a totally unique patrol just arriving. None of their colors matched the King's undead armies or the brand of the Pale Mare. "Whose side are these ones on?" The unicorn came to attention as the batpony leered over.

"A blacked beak covered in golden fangs..." Jack managed to see the different banner from further away. "Why does that branding look familiar?"

"That's the emblem as my former master, Sir Night." Stone caved, reading his rusted sword and stood beside them. "Not good..."

"Would explain why your brother was chasing us early." Jack tapped on a few buttons on his metal arm. "I don't have any signal."

"I think we should move." Noteworthy suggested, pulling out a smoke grenade. "Now that you're here, Stone. This is where we part." He threw it outside over those forces and pushed them toward the door.

"I'm not leaving your side." Comet answered and held the door closed. He stopped as Noteworthy placed his palm over his mouth.

"Listen to me, we don't have a choice." Noteworthy whispered and looked him dead in the eyes. "I will distract the guards. You get these two idiots to this destination!" He shoved a paper into Comet's mouth like he was a dog, before kicking all three out the door.

Noteworthy's last words echoed as his face faded into the smoke and from Comet's vision. The sound of a gunshot broke through his ears. His heart skipped a beat as he tasted the paper in his mouth.

"Comet! Come on!" Stone dragged him away, Jack already in flight. The dragon's wings were damaged, and his flight path was erratic, but he was able to keep a decent speed toward the stairs. Just as they made it passed the turn a swarm of bullets passed through the walls.