Chapters Chapter 1: A Meeting
Octavia felt the rhythmic thump in her seat every few seconds as the train rushed along the rails. She sat with her back to the window watching the door into her private compartment. It shouldn't be long now, her contact were supposed to approach her ten minutes after departure from Manehattan. She consulted her inner clock, twelve seconds to go. Three..two..one.. A rapid set of knocks sounded from the door. Octavia smiled and suppressed a small shiver, there was something about punctuality that just gave her goosebumps.
"Enter", she called out.
The door slid to the side with a gentle thump, and the most handsome stallion she had ever seen walked in. His white coat and blond locks seemed to shine in the hazy afternoon light , Prince Blueblood monologued in his head as he walked in, admiring himself in the compartments window.
Octavia waited while Blueblood continued to admire himself. After a few moments she cleared her throat, Blueblood adjusted the rose in his front pocket as he smiled at his reflection. Octavia closed her eyes and slowly counted to 30 in her head. "My lord could you please stop doing that?" Blueblood was however too occupied by the magnificent stallion before him to hear anything. Letting her long spy-training and ever ounce of her sharply honed instincts guide her, she slowly reached out a hoof and pulled the string that closed the drapes over the window.
Blueblood gave out a pained groan as he turned to Octavia and harrumphed, "I dear say, that was unnecessarily cruel of you, have you no heart?"
Octavia rolled her eyes. "However much I would like to exchange pleasantries with your lordship, our time here is limited. So I would be ever so grateful if we could move on to business."
Now it was Bluebloods turn to roll his eyes... earth-ponies . "Very well if we must," he said as he seated himself across from her in the now dim compartment. He produced a pink envelope from inside his tuxedo and levitated it across too her. "Inside you will find a picture of the target and a short list of requirements on how it should be done."
Octavias felt her eyebrows rise at mention of a "target". Assassination? She hadn't done that in years. With just a tad of nervous hesitation she opened the envelope and slid the photo halfway out. Octavia felt her face stretch as her eyebrows and jaw raced off in different directions. She stared at it for a moment, then back at Blueblood. "Are you insane?" she hissed under her breath.
Bluebood shifted nervously in his seat, and liked his lips. "I agree that this venture might be a tad audacious in some of its aspects."
Octavia just gaped at him. A tad? A TAD?! This job would impact pony society not unlike how the moon would impact them if it came crashing down. Octavia mentally shook herself. Calm down, think. "What did you mean with some of its aspects ?" she asked.
Blueblood had produced a silken hoofkerchief and was dabbing at his neck with it. "Well... I did include some minor requirements on how the target should be eliminated...remember?"
Octavia blinked, after seeing the photo she had completely forgotten about the list of requirements that were also in the envelope. She pulled it out and looked at it. She blinked and looked again, maybe this time they would make sense, they didn't. She tilted her head back, closing her eyes and waited a few seconds and then looked back down at the paper. This time surely, the words would have rearranged themselves into something that would make sense. But no, the words remained obstinately in their original positions. She looked at Blueblood, who now was rubbing his neck fervently with the hoofkerchief and pointedly not looking at her.Minor is not the word I would have used," Octavia said.
Blueblood taped his chin thoughtfully. "Perhaps you are right, requirements like that should be considered adult." He chuckled nervously at his own horrendous attempt at a joke. Octavia felt one of her eyelids twitch. Not hearing the grey earth-pony laughing with him, Blueblood stopped and shifted awkwardly. Ponies are supposed to laugh with you when you told a joke...didn't she know that? He really wished she hadn't closed the drapes, he could really use a friendly handsome face right about now.
"Anyway," Octavia said. "Lets get back on track."
"But we are already on a train!" Blueblood shot out, in a desperate attempt to salvage his pride.
Octavia ignored him. "How did you get your peers in the council to agree to all this?"
Blueblood looked even more flustered now, if that was even possible. "Ehhh hehe... they don't know," he said a bit sheepishly. "This is somewhat off a private venture of mine." At that moment the train entered a tunnel plunging the compartment in complete darkness.
A lesser pony might have taken that as a bad omen, Octavia however were just glad the chance to compose herself. Just how many more rugs could there possibly be for Blueblood to pull out from underneath her? When light returned to the compartment she was calmly examining her hoof. "Without the councils support, do you even have the ability to compensate me for all this?" she asked.
With the hoofkerchief back in its pocket, Blueblood gave her his most charming smile. "Do not concern yourself with such mundane things, I assure you that I am more than capable of rewarding you for your services." Blueblood paused for a moment then leaned forward. "Does that mean that you will do it?"
At the question she felt her blood rushing through her veins. Octavia looked back at the photo, a photo of Twilight Sparkle the newly crowned alicorn princess, wielder of the elements of harmony and personal ward to Celestia herself. With her heart pounding, she glanced at the list of requirements again, then looked over at Blueblood with a smile.
"I will."
Chapter 2: Motivation
Prince Blueblood stepped off the train and on to the crowded platform. Mostly earth-ponies Blueblood noted with disdain. Octavia he could tolerate, since both her parents were unicorns of both prestigious heritage and excellent reputation...as long as he didn't have to touch her. As he was thinking this, one of the more dirty ones brushed up against him as it tried to pass. Blueblood shivered, he would have to have the jacket burnt later. "Shack, hurry up with the bags will you, the smell here is awful" he called out to his butler who was forcing his way through the crowds with two huge briefcases.
"Terribly sorry Your Majesty, its these commoners, no regard for proper decorum." said Shack as he trotted up.
Blueblood nodded primly. "Indeed, I doubt they would know it even if bit them."
Shack laughed good-naturedly at his masters witticism, he was not raised in a barn after all. Then he noticed the dust on Bluebloods jacket. "YOUR MAJESTY!" he gasped. "Did some of these ruffians abuse you!?"
Blueblood raised a hoof to his forehead, and struck a tragic pose. "I am afraid so. Fortunately, I managed to fend them off" Blueblood looked down at his jacket. "Though I fear that my tuxedo paid the ultimate price in my defense."
The butler gasped again and covered his mouth with his front hooves. "Lets hurry home to the manor so you can have a bath and a change of cloths!"
Blueblood shook his head. "No, I must endure, I still have a couple of errands to run before the day is through."
Shack felt tears brimming up in his eyes. "Your Majesty, truly you are an inspiration to us all!" Shack dried his tears with a hoofkerchief. "Am I right in assuming these errands have to do with operation daybreak?" he whipered.
"Yes you are"said Blueblood as they trotted out of the station and up along the road towards the more respectable streets of Canterlot.
The butler grimaced. "I still don't like this Your Majesty. You are putting yourself in so much danger...what could possibly be worth such a risk?"
Bluebloods horn glowed as he cast an anti-eavesdropping spell, a spell that every noble-pony made a point to learn. "I suppose it's time I told you." Blueblood paused for a moment to gather his thoughts. "I am assuming you know that the Blueblood-bloodline is more closely related with the princesses than any other bloodline." Blueblood smiled. "In fact, my direct ancestor was Celestias own brother!"
Shack nodded, the Blueblood heritage it was one of his masters favorite topics, especially when hosting guests or taking a bath.
Seeing his nod, Blueblood continued. "It was always understood that if Celestia should ever step down, a Blueblood would be there to assume the throne.” he said with a note of pride. “However, a few years ago, Twilight Sparkle managed to somehow wriggle herself into Celestias good graces." Blueblood shivered, the Twilight-bloodline had always been crafty and clever lot. "If that had been the end of it we could have lived with it, but when she used dark magic to turn herself into an alicorn...things changed."
Shacks eyes were open wide. "So that's how she did it!" he whispered.
Blueblood nodded. "But it gets worse, I believe that Twilight Sparkle has put some kind dark spell on Celestia and Luna, binding them to her will."
"NO!" Shack gasped.
"Yes" Blueblood replied solemnly. "The very first clue I had that something was amiss with the princess were back at the Gala last year, do you remember?"
Shack nodded quietly. "I remember, Your Majesty were torn up for weeks afterwards, me and the rest of the staff were all very worried."
Blueblood slumped a bit as he thought back. "There was this beautiful mare named Vanity” A fitting name now that he thought about it. Blueblood tightened his jaw. “Anyway she took advantage of my innocence and seduced me, gaining my trust.” Blueblood grimaced, before continuing “Then she proceeded to publicly humiliate me in front of all of Canterlot!"
Shack felt a flood of righteous indignation flow through him, That nasty wicked harlot! How dare she?!
Blueblood continued brokenly. “It was there on the floor, in my humiliation that I noticed Princess Celestia across the room, laughing at me under her breath.” Blueblood squeezed his eyes shut, trying to banish the memory of that horrible night.
Shacks felt tears in his eyes, no wonder he had spent weeks in his rooms, any other pony would probably have died after such an experience.
Blueblood picked up speed now that the most painful part was over with. “Anyway, it was in my rooms a few days later when it struck me, Celestia would never laugh at me, we are family.” Bluebloods face darkened with anger. “Which means that she was forced too... Once I assumed that, everything fell into place.” Blueblood looked up at the castle overhead. “Why is it only Twilight who is ever given the opportunity for glory? Why wont Celestia do anything herself anymore?” Blueblood narrowed his eyes at the castle. "I did have some doubts of course, however they were all laid to rest, when I saw the ridiculous outfits Twilight had forced the princesses to wear during her coronation, as some kind of sick joke." Blueblood face was a snarl as he turned to Shack. “Twilight Sparkle is systematically increasing her standing in the eyes of the people while slowly having Celestias crumble away.
Shack gulped nervously. “Your Majesty, this is horrible, if this continues she will be in a perfect position to take complete control... ” Shack blinked as he realized something. “Why didn't you inform the peer council of this?”
Blueblood reared back and slammed his forehooves on the ground. “Because, if Twilight Sparkle have some kind of mind control spell...whom can I trust?” Blueblood snorted angrily. "In any case, it is better to keep the circle as small as possible to avoid the secret leaking out!” Blueblood took a deep breath to calm himself. He was better than this, letting his emotions get the better of him, like some earth-pony! Blueblood shivered, there were something about malicious evils attacking his family, that he just couldn't stand. “Lets go Shacks, the evening is still young and there is much to do.”
Shacks trotted by his masters side in the fading light. If anyone can save Equestria, you can.
Author's Note
Originally I interned this to be just some goofy fun story, but now I find myself getting more and more serious about it. So I might end up adding a "Dark" tag later on.
The next chapter will be Octavias point of view.
Chapter 3: Decisions
Octavia was thinking fast, Blueblood had left the compartment just moments ago to prepare for the arrival in Canterlot. This is not good. This is very very bad! The situation had spiraled out of control way to quickly. Frankly, she had panicked. Filled with conflicting emotions and thoughts, she had finally focused on the fact that in accepting she would buy herself some time to think. She had completely bucked it up though. What kind of assassin accepts a job before even talking about the payment?! When she realized her mistake, it was all she could do not to bang her head against the wall, repeatedly. Luckily, Blueblood hadn’t noticed.
Still, they had finally agreed on a price...6 million bits. Blueblood sucked a haggling.
6 million bits...6 MILLION! She squealed a bit. Calm down Octavia, attempting to assassinate Twilight Sparkle, would be synonymous with sailing the sea of chaos in a boat named insanity. Not even you could be that retarded…...still 6 million.
Octavia got up and started to pace back and forth in the small compartment. What are my options here? Tell Celestia? Yeah right, Hello Princess I work as a professional assassin that have been killing your subjects for years, and now Blueblood wants me to kill Twilight Sparkle. Oh whats that, you want proof? Sorry don’t have any. Octavia shivered. Nope, not doing that!
Just don’t do anything?...And have Blueblood just hire somepony else to kill Twilight and myself?..Nope can’t do that either.
Make Blueblood change his mind somehow? Probably be easier to convince him to marry an earth-pony and take up farming.
Kill Blueblood? Tempting, but he has probably made arrangements should he die in the near future. If that was the case, my life would come crashing down with his.
Kill Sparkle? It would be extremely hard to pull off and Blueblood might backstab me afterwards...but he might not….6 million. Octavia shook herself. I won’t do it, she is a friend of Vinyls isn't she? Vinyl would be devastated… In the back of her head a small voice replied. “You could always use the money to buy her something nice, so she will feel better.”
“AAHRG!” she snarled in frustration.
The train started to slow down as it neared the Canterlot station. Octavia looked out through the window at the sprawling city that seemed to shine in the late afternoon light. It all came down to if Blueblood had taken precautions or not. So lets investigate and find out.
Octavia stepped off the train and onto the crowded platform. The air smelled of sweat and burning coal. Making her way to the wall of the station, she rose onto her hind legs and surveyed the crowd. Over at the end of the platform just outside the throng of ponies she saw Bluebloods butler, a grey unicorn with a thick dark mane. He was making a fuss over his master. Octavia smirked. Lets see where you are going now “My Lord”.
She followed them outside and up along the cobbled path, while carefully keeping her distance. A great fact about ponies being herd animals, is that they have absolutely no sense for when they are being observed by somepony.
She made her way closer trying to overhear their conversation. She caught the butler saying:By bucking Celstias horn, a bucking anti-eavesdropping spell?!
“Touche” she said under her breath. Maybe there was more than just feathers in that skull of his.
Octavia fell back on her original plan, to see where they were going. That became increasingly more difficult as the crowds thinned out the higher up on the mountain they went. After a few hours, the streets were deserted and she had to fall back far enough that she no longer could see them. Lucky for her, Blueblood was not one to holding back on his perfume. Following her nose she ended up outside a white manor with thick white walls decorated with lots of spikes.
The mailbox gleamed in the moonlight, the words “Lord Silver Sheath” engraved on the side. Octavia smiled. Mission accomplished.
She turned around and came face to face with a very drunk Vinyl Scratch, swaying slightly. The white unicorn DJ looked at her over the rim of her sunglasses. “H-h-heeeellol Ocy you arrr looking reeeeally nice tonight.” she slurred as her eyes roamed over Octavia.
Octavia swallowed her heart back down her throat where it had tried to escape. “Where the hay did you come from?!”
Vinyl gestured vaguely in the direction of everything. “I was at t-t-this aweeesome gig way over ...someeeehehe-where.” Vinyl refocused on Octavia and grinned wickedly as she placed her hooves around Octavias neck, and pulled her close and whispered in her ear “H-h-hey Ocy, what’s grey and… reeeeally sexy?”
Octavia pulled back, blushing furiously. “I don’t know! Concrete!?” she blurted out.
Vinyl looked blank for a second, then she fell to the ground laughing, her body curling up as she fought for air.
Octavia waited patiently for the worst to pass, then frowned down at her, cheeks still burning. “For ponies sake Vinyl, how much have you had?”
Vinyl rolled over on her back and looked up at Octavia from upside-down. She lifted her hooves and held them an inch apart. “Just a little.” she said with her most sincere smile that she reserved for Octavia and royal guards. For some reason, it didn’t work.
Octavia opened her mouth to give Vinyl the standard lecture on inebriation, when she heard the main door to manor open. Golden light spilled out from the doorway as Blueblood made his farewells. Octavias eyes darted from the doorway to Vinyl and back again. Horseapples! She hurled herself across Vinyl. With her own back to Vinyls upturned stomach, she hooked a leg around Vinyls neck and rolled around and stood up with Vinyl across her back.
Vinyl was gasping, trying to get air back into her lungs.
Sorry Vinyl Octavia thought as she raced down the street. However, its your own fault for having the worst possible timing ever.
After a few minutes, she had left the manor far behind her, Vinyl had fallen asleep and the night had grown cold.
Octavia sighed, however much she would like to have followed Blueblood all the way home to his manor. Fate had not been on her side tonight. It was time to return home and prepare for the day to come.
I will get out of this mess, one way or another.
Chapter 4: Decadence
Blueblood stepped inside the foyer of Silver Sheaths mansion, Shack following close behind. Blueblood smiled at the familiar room, its thick brown rugs and mahogany wall-paneling, lending it a warm and homely feeling. I truly love this room. Blueblood thought to himself as he took it all in.
The yellow coated unicorn maid who had let them in, turned and bowed, her red mane brushing the floor. "The Master will be with you shortly, My Lord."
Blueblood glanced at her face and froze. This thing before him looked just like Rose Twig it even sounded like her, but it was not her. The real Rose Twig had been greeting him in this very foyer almost everyday for 3 months now, he knew her like he knew his own reflection. This is not her! It's some stranger wearing her skin! Terror weld up inside him. Is this the work of Twilight Sparkle? Is Rose Twig under her foul enthrallment?
The thing that looked like Rose Twig tilted its head to the side. "Is something the matter, My Lord?"
Blueblood shook himself. Calm down! Act as if everything is normal.
He forced out a smile. "Pay it no mind, it was but a stray thought."
The thrall that used to be Rose Twig turned to Shack. "Lets withdraw to the kitchen and give the Masters some privacy."
Shack looked to Blueblood, waiting for his dismissal.
Blueblood didn't want him to go anywhere, especially not with the thrall. But if he refused, the thrall might get suspicious.
Blueblood nodded curtly, as he tried not to think about the fact that he soon would be alone in the room. Just stay calm. I can handle it. I have done it before. Silver Sheath will be here momentarily. Everything will be fine.
Blueblood heard the click from the door as the two servants left the room. And almost immediately he could hear whispers from the corners of the room. A dark malicious murmur, not quite clear enough to distinguish words.
Desperate to distract himself from the whispers, he pulled up his pocket journal and opened it.
Day #16When I left my rooms this morning, and the voices just stopped I was elated. However my joy was short lived as they returned, while I was visiting the lavatory. Just what are they and what do they want!?
My staff looks at me strangely.
Blueblood grunted. It had taken him weeks to figure it out. He shuffled forward a few pages.
Day #20Something has happened to my gardener, Spring Rock. I don't know how to explain it, its like its not him anymore. Worse, it seems like I am the only one who have noticed. It scares worries me. I had him moved to my summer mansion under pretense that the gardens there was in need of extra attention.
Blueblood shivered as he remembered Spring Rock, the first on his staff to be enthralled by Twilights dark magic. The murmurs had lowered to a muted buzz, Blueblood read on.
Day #21I have thought long and hard about Spring Rock, and just now, it struck me. What if it was a changeling, pretending to be him! It makes so much sense. I can't believe I didn't see it sooner.
Blueblood frowned. It had seemed so obvious at the time. He was just about to turn the page, when the doors at the end of the foyer burst open admitting Lord Silver Sheath. Blueblood hastily shut the book and levitated it back into his pocket. Sheath was big unicorn with a coat and mane that matched Bluebloods own.
"Prince my boy! What a lovely surprise! Care to join me for a cup of tea and some delicious gossip?" Silver Sheath said as he waggled his eyebrows suggestively.
Blueblood couldn't help but to smile. Silver Sheath was still himself, and the voices were gone, banished by his presence. "Nothing would please me more, Uncle." Blueblood said as he fell into step with Sheath, who had turned and were briskly trotting towards the main living room.
The living room, like the foyer was warm and inviting. Walls built from dark grey stone were covered intermittently with wood-paneling in simple patterns. Everything was bathing in flickering orange light, cast from the huge fireplace off to one side. Silver trotted up to a wine-cabinet and pulled out a bottle.
Blueblood raised an eyebrow. "I thought you said a cup of tea..." he said dryly.
Silver Sheath gave him a mischievous grin. "My boy, I thought you knew me well enough by now, to know exactly what I mean when I say tea ." Silver proceeded to pour two glasses and levitating one over to Blueblood, who took it.
"That's the spirit!" The big unicorn drained his glass and poured another. "Now, I just heard the most scandalous rumor about Lord Fancy Pants and Lady Rarity..."
The second name tugged at Blueblood, but he couldn't quite place it. Dismissing it from his mind he refocused on his uncle in law, who was in the process of explaining the dangers of garden parties. "I hate to interrupt your obscene elaborations, Uncle. But I came here tonight in hopes that you might do me a favor." said Blueblood as he sat down.
Silver Sheath looked a little surprised that he had been interrupted, but he recovered quickly. "For you my boy, you have but to ask!"
Blueblood took a deep breath. "How would one go about gaining a private meeting with Princess Luna?"
Silver Sheaths eyebrows shot up in surprise, but then they lowered again as he adopted a lecherous grin. "Oh my, aren't we ambitious."
Blueblood blushed a bit at Silver Sheaths perverse misunderstanding. Still, he decided to go along with it. "Too the moon." he said, holding up his glass.
Silver Sheath laughed hard and clinked his glass against Bluebloods. "Too the moon, indeed!"
They both drained their glasses. "I will make some arrangements." Silver Sheath said. Blueblood nodded. "Thank you uncle."
Blueblood stood. "Now however, I must be going, I have a package to pick up at the griffin embassy."
Silver Sheath huffed. "Very well, but before you go shall we have final sparring match?"
Blueblood shook his head. "We have been drinking, besides I always win these days"
Silver Sheath slumped a bit. "It is quite embarrassing since, I am the one with swords on my rump"
Blueblood smiled and then nodded. "You forget that I had the very best teacher."
Sliver Sheath perked right up. "You did, didn't you!" He laughed uproariously.
"Very well then, let me show you to the door."
Author's Note
This chapter ended up a lot darker than the previous ones. Consequently, it was harder to make it funny. Hope you still enjoyed it.
PS: The next chapter might take a little longer to get out.
Chapter 5: Betrayal
Octavia sat at her and Vinyls small kitchen table, and stared hard at the piece of paper lying upon it. The bright morning light did, however, nothing to improve the ridiculous requirements for Princess Twilight Sparkles assassination.
The deed must be done at a specific time within the next few days. My butler will contact you with the exact time.
It should be messy, leave no doubt that this was a ruthless murder.
Indicate however possible that a griffin was the perpetrator.
Don't get caught, alive.
Octavia snorted. Don't get caught alive, indeed. Who the hay does he think I am? Still that was the easy condition. Number 3 was interesting. Why would you want the griffins to be implicated in this mess? Octavia stroked her chin with a forehoof. She needed to think on that one, but still it would not be that hard to arrange. No, it was number 1 that was the real kicker. In fact, it was well up and beyond ridiculous.
She would not have the ability to choose the location or time. She needed to do a meeting again, which was risky at best, suicidal at worst. Sending your butler would the same thing as going yourself you idiot! And finally, she would have no time to study Sparkles habits or schedule. I will have to wing it...
Octavia smacked her head against the kitchen table a few times. Buck you Blueblood, buck you right to the moon! Finally she stood up, "Well I better get to work." First thing on the agenda: Look into this Silver Sheath character, and hopefully that will yield me some sweet leads on Bluebloods plan.
Octavia headed for the for the front door, only pausing briefly at the hallway mirror to adjust her bow tie. She smirked at herself. Looking good Octavia, looking real good. She turned to the door, she was ready to attack the day.
Blueblood stepped outside the griffin embassy with the long rectangular package floating besides him. He smiled to himself as he saw the first rays of the new dawn great him.
Shack, who had been waiting just outside, trotted up to his master. "Your Majesty, I take it you got what you came for?"
Blueblood transferred his smile to his butler. "Hoho indeed I did, here let me show you." Bluebloods smile turned into a mischievous grin as he put extra emphasis on the word: show. The package began to unwrap in the air before Shack. Revealing... nothing. The package was empty.
Shack frowned, "Your Majesty?"
Blueblood smiled wider "It's a invisible sword, that only the wielder can see! The griffins call it Alduin"
"What does it mean?" Shack asked.
"In the griffin tongue it means, 'Easily misplaced'." Blueblood said chuckle. Who would have thought that griffins could have a sense of humor.
Shack joined in, and soon they were both trotting down the street, laughing.
Their merriment didn't last long however as they ran into a courier pony just around the first bend in the road. The blue pegasus bowed, "Telegram for his lordship Prince Blueblood."
"That is I" Blueblood said pompously, as he grabbed the letter and unfolded it.
My dear boy, I managed to arrange a meeting at midnight today, in her tower. She will be expecting to talk to you about 'nightmares' you have been having. Not the most romantic topic I must say, but I am sure you will be able to sway of topic. Good luck my boy.
Blueblood felt his eyebrows rise, his uncle in law was fast, too fast in fact. This would push the schedule out the window. But he could handle it. Question is, can Octavia handle it? He decided she could, earth-ponies natural greed and berserker-rage would push her to succeed . Blueblood nodded again as he thought. Hmmm... I need to visit some of higher aristocrats. But there was no time to return home to groom and change. Blueblood looked down at his jacket that had been smeared with dirt at the train station the day before. "Say, Shack did you pack an extra Tuxedo Jacket in one of my bags?"
Shack beamed, "I did my lord, one can never be too careful."
Then I will change this jacket for that one. Blueblood declared.
"In public Your Majesty?!" Shack gasped.
"It is an emergency" Blueblood snapped. He then proceeded to levitate off his jacket giving it to Shack as the butler handed him the fresh one from the luggage.
Blueblood felt a lot better now, that he had a clean jacket. "Good. Now, Shack we need to part ways. Go home and drop off the luggage and then go inform Octavia that the time is tonight at midnight."
Shack looked really worried now, "Your Majesty, this is all happening so fast..."
"Don't worry Shack, tomorrow when the sun rises, everything will be over and I will be a hero." With those words Blueblood trotted off with his invisible sword still by his side.
Shack sat and looked down the street for a while. He had a very bad feeling about all of this. Then he shook himself and started to pack Bluebloods old jacket. As he folded it, a small brown book fell out. Shack frowned down at it. That's his Majesty journal... Shack was an excellent servant, he would never riffle through his masters personal journal. But he was really worried and hadn't Blueblood already shared with him the secret of the conspiracy? What matter, if he knew a few more details?
None, he decided as he scooped it up and opened it on the first page. He frowned and then turned to the next page....2 hours later he snapped the book closed between his hooves.
His master and life long friend... was completely insane.
Chapter 6: Happenings
Octavias head was pounding. One whole day wasted trying to find information on Silver Sheath. And all she had learned from her investigations was one thing. Sheaths was a huge pervert whose lechery was only rivaled by his chivalry. Octavia blushed, and tried to banish the thought of just how she had found that out. To call it embarrassing, would have been an understatement worthy of being added to the historical records of understatements.
Wishing for nothing as much as an semi-dense wall to bang her head on, Octavia turned a corner, bringing her and Vinyls apartment into view. She stopped, staring. Bluebloods butler was standing right outside the door, looking impatient.
Octavia squeezed her eyes shut. Octavia get a grip, you are seeing things that can't possibly be there. Tentatively she cracked one eye open and squinted across the street. He was still there... oh buck me.
Octavia rushed across the street and grabbed Shack by the neck. In 2 seconds flat she had him inside her apartment. "What the tartarus are you doing here?! And why were you waiting just outside? You were practically rubbing yourself against the door! Did anyone other than everyone see you? Oh wait, that is a stupid question, since the answer is obviously — wait for it — NO!"
Shack, being temporarily stunned by the tirade, didn't say anything. However, when Octavia took a deep breath to prepare for the next one, Shack jumped in with; "There is no time for that. You must save Princess Luna!"
"What?" Octavia asked.
"Its poor Master Blueblood he is not feeling well, and well... he thinks Luna might be responsible for for giving Twilight the mind-control spell. He believes he can tell if someone is being mind-controlled by Sparkle. And he is gonna kill Luna if he decides she is not under her enthrallment," Shacks blurted out.
"What?" Octavia asked again, with a bit more emphasis on the 'what' this time.
"My poor Master has been hearing voices and he thinks that they are manifestations of Sparkles mind-control spell trying to take control over him. You must do something!
Octavia smiled to herself, maybe it was time for a vacation, she had heard that the griffin kingdoms were really nice this time of the year. She and Vinyl could go fishing and maybe even camp out, now wouldn't that be fun and relaxing.
Her plans were scattered as Shack shook her. "You have to hurry, he is on his way to meet her right now." he cried.
Octavia tried to piece all of it together in her head. Blueblood was apparently playing the violin without a bow. It didn't really surprise her, this whole thing had been the machination of a madpony from the start anyway.
Do you have any proof? she asked Shack.
Shack looked uncomfortable, but he produced a small brown book. "Master Bluebloods journal, but—" Octavia snatched it.
As she started to leaf through it, she asked; "How is he going to kill Luna? Break his hoof mirror and attack her with one of the shards? She would strike him down with lightning before he could blink."
Shack looked absolutely horrified at the mental picture of his master being struck by lightning. But he shook himself, "He has an invisible sword named Alduin."
Octavia giggled at that. Alduin? That was hilarious. But if he indeed had an invisible sword, he could do it, easily.
Octavia suddenly felt a big smile spread across her face. This whole mess had just untangled neatly and re-wrapped itself in a nice bow. She just had to kill Blueblood and then the sword and journal would serve as proof of his planned regicide. She would most likely be extremely well rewarded by Celestia and Luna both. Octavia giggled a bit.
"Shack, am I right in assuming that, should Blueblood die, you are the one who were supposed to send out his letters of revenge?" Octavia asked.
Shack nodded, but then stopped and blinked. "You can't be serious! My master is sick, he need medical attention! you can't just kill him." he said, sounding horrified.
Octavia felt her eye twitch as the universe grabbed the nice little bow and proceeded to tangling it again, adding some barbed wire just for fun.
Octavia stomped the ground with her forehooves and shouted, "What the hay are you expecting me to do then? Hug him and return him to his senses with the power of friendship?!”
Shack looked shocked. "Would that work?" he asked, with a tremor of hope in his voice.
Octavias eye twitched again. She turned and walked over the the wall and banged her head against it, repeatedly.
Blueblood felt the adrenaline start to build as he approached the castle gates. The sun had set a couple of hours ago and the cool night breeze blew his mane out to the side. Alduin was a comforting weight on his back.
Blueblood felt a bit sorry that he had to tell Shack an altered version of the truth. He had said that he believed Luna to be a puppet as well as Celestia. However, the reality was, that he had no idea. He was going to find out tonight though. And should she turn out to be free of enthrallment, then surely she was working with Twilight Sparkle. She might even be the one who provided Sparkle with the dark magic in the first place.
Blueblood sucked in a breath and let it out. Then she will die, and Celestia will be freed from her enthrallment!
However, should she be a puppet, he would simply wait for Twilight Sparkles death. Should the enthrallment still not break... then someone of Sparkles relatives must be the one holding the spell. He would make his way to the Twilight manor, and kill her family.
Whatever happened, this night would be bloody.
In the darkness, the voices murmured their agreement.
Author's Note
Chapter 6 was supposed to be the final chapter. However, I have a hectic week coming up, so you can expect the thrilling conclusion to the story next weekend.
Chapter 7: The Best Night Ever
Chapter 7: The Best Night Ever
Octavia and Shack galloped through the moonlit streets of Canterlot, as a thick fog was beginning to form. “Why come to me, anyway?” Octavia asked between breaths, “Why not the royal guards?”
Shack glanced at her, his face full of fear. “And have the brutes attack his Lordship? What if he got hurt... or worse!?”
Octavia rolled her eyes. What had she ever done to deserve this mess, The universe just wasn't fair. Still... she had a plan of sorts, hanging in the center of her tail was a small pipe loaded with a single sleeping dart. She would lure Blueblood to a secluded spot and then put him under. She and Shack would then somehow smuggle him out from the castle and to a hospital… or something. Damn it! This was the worst possible plan ever.
Suddenly there were no more houses, as they came out on the broad walkway that separated the city from the castle walls. They could barely see the gatehouse through the fog. There were two torches mounted on the inside of the arc, illuminating the single guard.
Hearing their approach the guard turned towards them and called out “Who goes there?”
Coming out through the fog, Octavia replied “I don’t have the foggiest , but don't let that dampen your mood.” Her amazing puns had the desired effect as the guard guffawed loudly. He seemed to recover, but when he looked up, she could see that he was only barely holding back a grin.
“Lucky for you, I don’t have to let off any steam tonight” the guard said. Then he couldn't hold himself back anymore, and started laughing uproariously. Octavia joined in, while Shack looked back and forth between them, his expression was the definition of bewilderment.
Octavia gestured towards the gate, “may I?”
Drying a tear from his eye with a hoof, the guard smile at Octavia, “Go right ahead miss”.
Grinning, Octavia trotted through the gate. But when Shack tried to follow, the guard blocked his path, his expression cold. “Who are you? What is your business in Canterlot castle? Do you have an appointment? If so, where are your credentials?” Shack, overwhelmed by the unending tide of questions, backed off, stammering.
Realizing that the butler wouldn't be let through anytime soon, Octavia hurried ahead, time was of the essence after all.
Blueblood paced down the corridor that led to Lunas tower, smiling with the knowledge that, soon the voices would be gone. He could almost imagine them murmuring their goodbyes.
Passing through the double doors at the end, he came out into a large circular room, with balconies on the second and third floors looking down on a center dais. Princess Luna stood, looking out through a massive window, at the moonlit buildings far below.
Luna turned to him as she heard him enter, “Greetings Prince Blueblood,” she said, with an air of formality.
Blueblood paused in his approach to sketch a bow, “Greetings your Majesty. I cannot express my gratitude for you to meet me like this.”
“Rise Blueblood son of Blueblood, I am always happy to aid my subjects in their time of need,” Luna said with a smile.
Blueblood rose to his feet as he slowly levitated out Alduin, silent and unseen, as it floated through the air. It come to rest, pointing at her throat. Then he looked at her, steeling himself for what he might find.
She was under the enthrallment.
Blueblood relaxed, relieved that he would not have to kill her. Now he just had to make his excuses and leave for the Twilight manor. “Your Majesty, my deepest apologies... but I just realized that I have not visited the lavatory in quite some time...”
Lunas smile widened into a grin, “Oh I am sorry as well Prince Blueblood, but you’re not going anywhere.”
Lunas horn burst into light as a blade of darkness formed and swept down with blinding speed towards Bluebloods neck. The only reason he wasn't sliced in two right there, was because Alduin was already hovering in the blades path.
The two blades connected with a massive clang. Luna looked surprised for a moment, then growled and brought the blade around in a vicious arc. Blueblood breathed a silent thanks to Celestia that he had been blessed with such a talent for swordplay. Because it was that talent coupled with Alduins invisibility that kept him from being overwhelmed.
After a minute of attacks, parries and counterattacks, Blueblood managed to spin Alduin around and drive the heavy pommel into the side of Lunas head. Blueblood breathed a sigh of relief as she crumbled to the floor.
His relief was short lived however as he heard somepony gasp behind him.
Octavia rushed into the room, “OH NO no no nonononononono, this is not happening!”
Blueblood turned towards her, standing over Lunas body, an expression of shock on his face. Octavia could see no blood around Luna, but she had to make sure.
“What are you doing here?” Blueblood said, baffled. “Wait…if you are here... does that mean that Twilight Sparkle is in the castle?!” Blueblood had not been expecting that.
A slow clapping filled the room, the sound emanating from one of the balconies above. Octavia and Blueblood both looked up and saw Twilight Sparkle herself leaning on the railing as she applauded slowly.
Twilight gave them both a smile. “I thought it was strange, when Luna received that letter requesting a meeting with Blueblood. Especially when you, Blueblood should have committed suicide a long time ago. You must tell me, how did you manage to break the mindcontrol spell?”
Octavias jaw was hanging open, “Are you saying,” – she pointed a hoof at Blueblood – “that he is not completely fruitbatshit insane?”
Blueblood looked at Octavia, aghast. “Language, miss Octavia! There is no need to descend into barbarism.”
Ignoring him, Octavia stepped forward, “But it makes no bucking sense! If you have a mindcontrol spell why not just use it on everyone?”
Twilight rolled her eyes and grunted, “earth-ponies” under her breath. Talking slowly as if to a simpleton she said “Because, in order for the spell to maintain a grip, the subject needs one of these– ” she lifted a hoof and tapped her horn.
Blueblood stepped forward his chest held high, “It didn't work on me! I resisted it! The spirit of the Blueblood-bloodline should never be underestimated.”
Octavia gaped at him. Was this really happening?
Twilight launched herself of the balcony and flew down, landing in the dais. “I have had a lot of practice with the spell since then, so lets put your spirit to the test.”
And with those words, the voices in Bluebloods head went from silent into fullblown shrieks, their strange language seeming to eat a piece his soul with every word. Within the maelstrom he realized that Twilight Sparkle had been his friend all along, while Octavia had been the true enemy.
Alduin darted out and drove into Octavias side. Screaming, Octavia hurled herself away from the sword she could not see, and rolled to her feet. “BLUEBLOOD! WHAT THE HAY... ” she shouted. The only response she got was his cold gaze. Oh buck me…
Blood was pouring down her side, making it hard to think. She cast a glance towards Twilight, whom had sat down and was clearly enjoying herself.
She started wobbling away from Blueblood and towards the lavender alicorn, “Please, I don’t want to die.” Octavia whimpered.
Twilight raised an eyebrow, “That is something most beings have in common, too bad we can’t always have what we w...” She was interrupted by a small dart driving into her throat. One hoof came up and touched it gently, her expression one of shock. Then she slumped over.
Octavia spat out the small blowpipe, with a satisfied smile on her lips. But it faded quickly as Blueblood let out a roar behind her and charged. Grabbing her bowtie as she spun around, she hurled it towards Blueblood. It exploded with a brilliant white light temporarily blinding the white unicorn.
Octavia struggled up on the dais, her blood was everywhere. The world had begun to go dark around the edges, even an earth-pony had only so much strength. She crawled over to the limp form of Twilight Sparkle and grabbed her head. And with all of her remaining strength, jerked violently, snapping her neck.
Exhausted, Octavia rolled over on her back, staring up into the dark ceiling. “So... does this make me a hero now?” she whispered.
“Yes it does,” Blueblood said softly as he came into view, looking down on her. There were tears in his eyes as he began applying healing magic to her side. “And you have my eternal gratitude as well,” he said, his voice cracking on the last word.
The voices must have been truly awful, for him to act like this , Octavia thought. Then she gave a grin, “You owe me 6 million bits!”
Now it was Bluebloods turn to grin, as he rolled his eyes fondly, earth-ponies.
Author's Note
And it is done. Hope you enjoyed this, my modest attempt at comedy.
Now I kinda want to write something dark and adventurous. Question is... Fallout or Vikings?
