Assassin's Creed IV: Black Wing

I think that’s when Twilight levitated that dusty book into the centre of the table. The leather cover was weathered and beaten like it had been thrown into the sea and fished out again. On the corner was a symbol of some kind. It was a cross with the words “Divinum Solis” inscribed beneath it.

“This right here” Twilight gestured “is the Journal of renown general and philosopher, Chauncey Bullia. He served as Celestia’s second in command for nearly twenty years and was at the forefront of the campaign to unite Equestria’s provinces. He’s somewhat of an idol of mine.”

Rarity raised a hoof out of curiosity. “That’s all good and well, but what exactly does this have to do with our mission to the Mareibbean? Do forgive me, but I'm struggling to see how the private writings of a historical dictator-”

“He wasn't a dictator; he was an idealist! There’s a difference!” Twilight interrupted.

Rarity simply rolled her eyes. “Be that as it may; how exactly does this relate to our current objective?”

“I guess it doesn't have any direct relevance,” Twilight admitted reluctantly “but I found something fascinating that I wanted to share with you. It’s actually to do with this symbol right here. When I first encountered it I had no idea what it was supposed to be, but now I think I'm onto something.”

“You’re not really making any sense, Twi.” Pinkie suddenly appeared next to the unicorn. “You said we were going on a mission for the Princess, but you said nothing about a history lecture.” She shuddered at the thought. "No offence, but I could never stay awake during lectures and the teachers would be all grumpy for some reason. I mean, what's up with that? I'm not the reason you're so boring Mr Teacher! You get a life!"

“Yeah, what Pinkie said.” Rainbow spoke up.

“Fine, have it your way.” Twilight groaned as the journal disappeared in a flash of light. “We’ll talk about this later if none of you are interested. Let’s just start getting ready for the mission. We have two days to prepare I still need to find someone to run the library while I'm gone.”

“Yeah yeah, I’ll get to that later.” Rainbow Dash seemed to be back to her old self again, which I actually found comforting in a way. The quicker things went back to normal the better. “Come on Fluttershy, let’s go.”

I never expected to see another pony on this island, but the next morning that’s exactly what I found. There were five ponies on the beach and all of them were dressed in red with gleaming steel armour. They looked similar to the Royal Guard in Canterlot actually, aside from the funny black hats.

I couldn't see much from where I was hiding. Every time I tried to get a better look another branch would rustle or another twig would snap. I could hide in the bushes rather easily, but moving around was difficult. I was making too much noise and drawing too much attention. I wasn't very good at stealth, especially in this outfit.

The guards were patrolling up and down the cove, except for one who I assumed was the captain pony by the size of his hat. I guess their rank was signified by the flamboyancy of their hat? They had a prisoner, maybe two. I was too far away to make them out clearly. If I could just get a bit closer, then maybe I could assess the situation better. Until then I just needed to lay low and keep out of sight. Something was off about these ponies, I could feel it.

They also had weapons; swords, guns, although these guns were even bigger than the hooded mare's gun. I gulped slightly. I knew this was a bad idea, I knew this was going to get me killed, but I was so stupid. I needed to get to Hoovana to find my friends and these seemed to be the only living ponies on the island. I just wasn't sure-

Bang!

He just shot one of them! He just shot that pony! One of the prisoners collapsed in the sand while the other prisoner cried out in shock. I had to cover my mouth to stop myself doing the same.

That, that… psychopath! If I could get my hooves on him!

No no no, keep calm. No pony else needed to die, and I wasn't going to turn into a killer - more of a killer. I just have to think of a plan. I… I'm not really good with plans now that I think about it. Why couldn't I be a little more like Twilight for once?

There was more yelling from the shore. The prisoner was pleading for her life, a gun pressed to her head. I had to move quickly or it would be too late for her. I needed an idea, I needed- A rock! That’s just what I needed!

Alright Fluttershy, keep it steady. I just had to throw it into the jungle, distract some of the guards, and move in for the kill. Rescue, I meant rescue.

Holding my breath I took aim. One eye pressed shut, I raised my hoof for the throw. Deep breaths. And… throw! The rock let out a solid thud as it collided with a tree. The nearby guards instantly turned their heads towards the sound. They gave each other a nervous look before three of them went to check it out.

It worked! I was a genius! Oh, but I still need to rescue the mare!

I started moving silently through the bushes, taking great care to where each hoof was placed. There were still two guards left, and one was carrying the gun. Okay, take out the pony with the gun first, then the captain.

Right… how was I supposed to take them out? I wasn't going to kill them! I just had to incapacitate them. Maybe I could hit them in the head?

A quick look and my lanky limbs quickly ruined that plan.

Alright, let’s just try cutting off the airways. Think of it like easing them into a forced sleep against their will. One hoof over the mouth to keep them silent, another over the throat. Easy.

I looked back towards the directing of the cave as I silently wished I had taken at least one weapon. If nothing, just to defend myself. I shook off the thought before it had a chance to grow. No weapons. If I was going to do this I was going to do it clean.

I was nearing the first guard. There was a bush close to where he stood watch, the perfect place to pull him out of sight quickly. All I had to do was wait for the captain to look the other way. Simple. Celestia damn it, why wouldn't my hooves stop shaking!?

I was close enough to reach him now, but the weight of the situation came down hard on my chest. My heart was racing but I couldn't catch my breath. My wings locked up, which sent a sharp pain through my left side. I was such a wimp.

‘Okay, get it together Fluttershy.’ I thought to myself. ‘Just think back; what would Rainbow Dash tell me to do? She'd tell me to toughen up and just go for it. Nothing was ever gained by being scared. I guess it worked for her, so why shouldn't it work for me?’

I locked my eyes back onto the guard like a tiger fixed on its prey, now filled with a new sense of determination. I leaped forward and one quick movement wrapped my right hoof tightly around his mouth while the other closed in around his throat. The bewildered stallion momentarily lost his balance which gave me just enough time to pull him back into the bushes.

He struggled and struggled, throwing his free limbs back and forth. I held on with all my strength, even when his hoof connected with my jaw. After a few more seconds his struggling became weaker, his heartbeat became slower, and his eyes rolled up in their sockets. My hold loosened till his unconscious body fell to the ground with a light clang. I did it. I did it! Me! Fluttershy! I-

Wait, was I celebrating!? I shouldn't be celebrating!

Okay Fluttershy, calm and composed. None of the other guards had returned yet and the captain hasn't noticed the disappearance of the last guard. All I have to do is take out him, free the prisoner, and escape before the others return.

Looking left and right I couldn't see any places where I could get closer. Maybe I could sneak up behind him and take him by surprise. I’d be more exposed in the open, but I didn't really have much of a choice.

I took the chance. Step by agonizing step I crept out into the open. I felt vulnerable… I felt so vulnerable. All he had to do was turn around and I was done for. My limbs nearly seized up and I was barely half way there.

I could see the prisoner clearly now. Her coat was a sandy beige, her mane a deep blue with a rose pink streak. I recognized her! Her face was so familiar! It was Bon Bon!

What was she even doing out in the middle of nowhere? I would have thought she’d be busy running her shop back in Ponyville. Yet here she was thousands of miles from home on the same island I washed up on.

Then she saw me. She looked right at me. Her eyes were filled with terror, but at the same time, hope. I could save her life and she knew it. I was going to save Bon Bon’s life!

Wait, I think he was turning. The captain turned around to look at what had caught his prisoner’s attention. His eyes instantly widened when he found his guard missing and replaced by a hooded mare sneaking up behind him.

I panicked.

My hooves kicked off the ground and my entire body went lunging forward, crashing into the captain and sending him down into the sand. I’d caught him off guard, but he was fighting back. I narrowly avoided a swing to the jaw only to have another find its mark on my chest. I felt a solid crack as his hoof connected with my ribcage followed by a swift sickly pain.

I didn't know what to do. I tried to get my hooves around his throat but he kept kicking me off. I wasn't as strong as him, I wasn't even close. If I couldn't think of something he was going to beat me to death. He landed another solid blow to the head which sent me reeling back.

The world became blurred and hazy. I was barely able to keep my balance and stop myself falling to the ground. The captain stood back up and wiped his jaw. I could see the faint hint of a smirk across his face. Did he enjoy the idea of taking a life? Did everypony here?

I began to back away slowly but he made little effort to pursue; he knew I wasn't going anywhere. I knew I wasn't going anywhere. I gasped for air as my lungs seemed to close up from within. I fell to my haunches.

The captain spat at the ground, his mouth tainted with a hint of blood. He was coming closer. He trotted towards where I sat, bruised and defeated. Out of curiosity he pulled back the white hood shielding my face. “What a waste of good cargo.” He pushed my head down into the sand. I had nothing left to give, I couldn't resist. He pressed his hoof down further, driving my face into the ground.

Bang!

The captain fell to the ground… dead. It looked like his head had collapsed in on itself and scattered his brains in the sand. I only got a quick look at him before I felt something sickly in the pit of my stomach. The smell was unholy.

Bon Bon was still just standing there, the gun clutched in her mouth, an all too familiar look of horror etched on her face. Did she murder him?

No, this was different. That stallion was holding her captive and nearly beat me to death. She saved my life. I tried to stand up on my own legs but didn't get far.

“Oh Celestia, I'm sorry. Let me help you.” The gun fell from Bon Bon’s mouth as she galloped to my side. A pair of strong hooves helped me to my own, giving me some support while I regained my strength.

“We can’t stay here,” I weakly responded “The rest of the guards will be back soon... we need a place to hide.” No, I couldn't hold it any longer. Gripping my stomach tightly I lurched away from Bon Bon's grasp and emptied its contents into the sand. I knew I was in bad shape and it was only getting worse.

"Do you feel a bit better now?" She asked in a softer tone.

"Never better." My cheeks flushed red with embarrassment, or possibly nausea. It didn't matter, she probably thought I was a disgusting pig by now.

Bon Bon's face suddenly lit up with an idea. “The ship. We can use my ship; we dropped anchor nearby.”

A ship?! A way off this island!? I only just managed to contain my squeals of joy. “You have a ship? Like a real ship?"

“Indeed, as real as they come." She gave a friendly wink "The Mareibbean supplies us with the best sugar in Equestria and we trade it for sweets. Usually my marefriend is the one making the trip, but she's been under the weather recently. There is just one small problem.”

I began to stress a little, doing my best to keep it hidden. “W-what do you mean?”

Bon Bon looked nervously at the body of her fellow prisoner. “Well, you see that mare?” I nodded. “That was the captain."

I gulped. "Wait, y-you mean that-"

"Also known as the only pony on-board who knew how to steer the ship.”

Okay... okay... panicking slightly. No no no! I wasn't going to be stuck here for the rest of my life, not on this Celestia forsaken patch of sand full of deranged killers. There had to be a way. “Are you sure there’s no pony else who can steer a ship?”

She shrugged reluctantly. “I guess I know a few things from watching her work, but barely enough to get us out of this harbour. Have you seen all the rocks? It's like a minefield out there. I'm not sure about this.”

“Bon Bon, we don’t have any other options.”

“Wait a minute; you called me “Bon Bon”. You said my name. How did you know my name?”

She narrowed her eyes at me, looking up and down my robes and examining what little of my face could be made out from under the hood. In an instant a sudden wave of realization washed over. “It’s you, Fluttershy! How was I so blind!? The Elements of Harmony! I- I'm sorry I didn't recognize you with the fancy getup and the hood and all. If you’re here then that means-”

My ears twitched at the sound of new voices. A quick turn of the head confirmed what we feared; the guards were returning. Bon Bon threw my hoof over her shoulder and took on most of my weight. “I have so much to tell you. There’s something you need to see, but we need to get back to the ship. Are you alright to walk? I’ll be right here with you.”

I gave a small nod. I didn't feel very heroic or brave so I just gave up trying to be. Heck, even Bon Bon was outshining me.

“Alright, let's keep moving."