Vice, corruption and excess plague the empire. The Four Horsemen ride through the city's dark nighttime streets. Days later, Rome lies in smoldering ruins. Pestilence's horse breaks a leg and must be humanely destroyed.

Constantinople, 1453:

Ottoman legions prepare to overrun the city. The night before the siege, the Horsemen stop at a tavern. "Watch this," says War. He stares at the men at the next table, and soon they begin to quarrel. Then they fight, until one is slain. "Oh yeah, well watch this," Pestilence replies. He walks into the kitchen and returns a few moments later. The next day, the four horsemen are overcome by food poisoning and the invasion is a disaster.

Secret Lair, 1613:

"It's not that we think you're incompetent, we just think you need to practice a little." "I think he's incompetent," mutters War as he, Death and Famine depart. Pestilence minds the house, honing his skills by killing household pests with disease. In the process he unwittingly kills the last rat carrying the Black Plague.

France, 1789:

Trouble is brewing. As the Four gallop down Paris' main street, Pestilence is thrown from his steed. "Oh! My arm!" he shrieks. The others pretend not to notice and ride on.

Secret Lair, Post-Revolution:

"Look, I mean, godammit, you're not some regular Joe! You're a Horseman of the Apocalypse, for Christ's sake!"

"I'm sorry. I just fell... please, call me a doctor."

"Doctor my ass! You wouldn't get a doctor if this was a war!"

(Screams of agony ensue as War fumbles inexpertly with the broken limb.)

Zurich, 1848:

The Horsemen set their sights on their greatest challenge yet: peaceful Switzerland. In an attempt to redeem himself, Pestilence rides ahead of the others. Unfortunately, the "plague" he spreads is a 24-hour virus. Too tired and lethargic to wage war, Catholics and Protestants agree to get along.

Russia, 1918:

Death, Famine, and War prepare to ride through the Russian Empire. Pestilence sends word by email:

Secret Lair, Post-Revolution:

"Look, I don't want to get rid of him, but admit it, he's a liability."

"I guess you're right. It's the only thing to be done. Pestilence! Please come here."

"Yes?"

"I don't know quite how to say this, but, uh, we're going to have to let you go."

"Let me go? But I've been a Horseman of the Apocalypse since the dawn of time! I don't know how to do anything else!"

"I'm sorry, but we're living in a new economy, and we have no choice but to downsize. I'm authorizing job-skills training for you, and I'll put you in contact with a job-placement service."

"No! Goddamn you all! You can't fire me, I quit! Just wait and see how it is without me!"

(Pestilence storms out.)

The Three Horsemen ride on...