Pony's Creed 2

Octavia stepped into Applebloom's workshop. Applebloom looked up from her desk.

“Octavia!” she cried. “Dio mio! You're alive! Is it true? They say you killed the Doge.”

“I was trying to save her, Applebloom,” Octavia said. “But the truth matters little. I failed, and now I'm the most wanted mare in Canterlot.”

“Well perhaps you are in luck,” Applebloom said. “It's Nightmare Night in Canterlot. This is the time where everypony goes without a face.”

“That's why I'm here,” Octavia said. “Do you have a mask I can wear?”

“Of course!” Applebloom said. “Of course. Somewhere in here.” She looked through a drawer of hers, looking for a mask.

“Grazie, amico mio,” Octavia thanked. “And I have something for you.” She held up another codex page she had taken from Cloudchaser.

“Oh!” Applebloom gasped. “More of the codex.” She looked at the page. “Aha,” she said. “This one's quite complex. It's a new design, my friend. A mechanism for your hoof, but not a blade. In fact, it seems to be a kind of arma da fuoco, but as small as a hummingbird.”

“Is that possible?” Octavia asked.

“I have no idea,” Applebloom replied. “Let's build it and find out.” Applebloom got straight to work while her assistant set up dummies outside. When both tasks had been done, Octavia tested out the hidden gun on the dummies. The firearm worked perfectly. She returned to the workshop.

“You've done me good, sister,” Octavia happily said.

“Ma certo,” Applebloom replied. “But I'm sure your return was not just to play with new toys. Is it about this terrible new Doge they installed, Starlight Glimmer?” Octavia nodded. “Then you'll want to speak to your friend, Lightning Dust,” Applebloom advised. “I've seen her quite a bit lately at a...um...a mutual friend's. I'd look for her there, in the Dorsoduro district, in the south. Ask for Sister Apple Fritter.”

“Sister?” Octavia wondered.

“Well,” Applebloom stammered. “Yes...in a way...sister. And Octavia, you can't be carrying any weapons out there today.”

“Grazie, Applebloom,” Octaavia thanked. “Now, about that mask...” Applebloom walked back to her desk and gave Octavia the mask. Octavia walked out and to the building Applebloom spoke of. She walked into the building, a courtesan home, similar to the one in Baltimare. She saw Lightning Dust sitting on a couch, drinking with two mares.

“Lightning Dust,” Octavia said. “We need to talk.” Lightning Dust looked confused. She didn't recognize Octavia in her mask. Octavia removed the mask.

“Octavia!” Lightning Dust cried. “Octavia Melody! Fritter, meet the...most talented mare in all of Canterlot.”

“Madona,” Octavia bowed.

“Come!” Lightning Dust cried. “Join us, Octavia! Have a drink. Meet the mares.” A blood curdling shriek tore through the air. Everypony looked as a stallion ran through the house and out the door.

“Murderer!” a courtesan wailed. She held a body in her hooves. “Butcher! He sliced Bon Bon and stole her money!”

“So, Messera Octavia,” Apple Fritter said. “Let's see just how talented you are. After him!” Octavia nodded and bolted out of the building. She rounded a corner to see the killer holding a curved knife to another courtesan's neck.

“Don't come any closer or I'll carve up another one,” the killer threatened. “Don't make me kill again!” Octavia put a hoof up and backed away. But the hoof she raised was the hoof with the hidden pistol on it, unseen to the killer. Octavia took aim and fired. The shot rang out through the streets, and the killer fell dead, the bullet pierced through his heart. Octavia reloaded and put the safety on her pistol as the now freed mare ran back to the courtesan house. Octavia walked back as well. When she returned, the courtesans were mourning over Bon Bon's death. Apple Fritter turned to see Octavia.

“You have our gratitude, Octavia,” she said.

“Why is it wherever you go, trouble follows?” Lightning Dust accused.

“Lightning Dust,” Octavia said. “I trust you know why I'm here.”

“I imagine to rid Canterlot of Starlight Glimmer,” Lightning Dust assumed. “But really, Octavia. We did this once already. And this new Templar Doge is a bigger culo than the last. Never mind that she never leaves the Palazzo.”

“Yes,” Fritter agreed. “Except for tonight. Starlight wouldn't dare miss Nightmare Night.”

“How do you know this?” Octavia asked.

“In fact, she's throwing the biggest party of them all,” Fritter added. “But getting in won't be so simple. You'll need a golden mask for entry. And before you think about forging one, keep in mind each mask is numbered. Fortunately for you, I have an idea. Let's see if we can't win you a mask.” Octavia and Apple Fritter walked out of the courtesan house and into the streets of Nightmare Night. An announcer was about to say something.

“Puledre e gentilepuledri,” he cried out. “Come one, come all! The games of Nightmare Night are about to begin. Do you have the coraggio to compete for as grand a prize as this?” The mare that was with Starlight Glimmer back during the plot to kill off Flitter, whose name was Fluer dis Lee, held up the golden mask.

“This year, like every year,” the announcer said. “the golden mask will provide entry for one, e uno solo, to our most beloved Doge's personal ball. Who would not desire such an exceptional reward? Come! Compete! Whoever proves themselves champion in each of four games today shall be the Doge's personal guest tonight.

“You'd best get to it, Octavia,” Fritter said. Octavia walked off to compete. She won the first three games with ease. She stepped up to the last game.

“Benvenuti, lottatori,” the game host said. “The game is simple. There's only one rule. No weapons. Fight until you are the last pony left standing. Will it be you, o tu? Who will win the golden mask?” Octavia stepped into the fighting ring and faced her first opponent. An unarmored guard. Octavia quickly took down the fighter. Flash Sentry, who was looking on with Fluer dis Lee, chuckled.

“Looks like this one thinks herself some kind of campione,” he said. “Go on Fluer dis Lee. Show her how sadly mistaken she is. Fluer smirked and stepped into the ring, ready to fight. Octavia and Fluer fought for some time before Octavia won. Fluer dis Lee stepped out of the ring defeated.

“Is there nopony else to challenge our mare in the ring?” the host called. “Do we have a winner?” Flash Sentry walked up to the host and whispered something in his ear. He also gave him a bag of florins.

“We have combatants,” the host cried. Armed guards stepped into the ring, glaring.

“So that's how it's going to be, eh?” Octavia thought. Two of the guards jumped into the ring, and Octavia immediately put a hidden blade in their throat. She drew back the blades and jumped onto another guard, knocking him to the ground and piercing his neck. She stood up and battled with the last guard. She drew her sword and got ready. The guard attacked, and Octavia dodged. She spun around and thrust her sword into the guards chest. She pulled it out as the guard fell dead. Octavia walked back to the announcer.

“Puledre e gentilepuledri,” he cried. “The games of Nightmare Night have come to a glorious conclusion. Come see our winner claim her golden mask. Our winner has proven herself fleetest of hoof, strongest of champions, the wisest strategist, and clearly a favorite of the mares. With four games won lealmente, the winner of the golden mask is...” Flash Sentry gave a cough. “The winner of the golden mask is Fluer dis Lee!” Octavia could not have heard that correctly. Fluer stepped onto the stage to claim her prize. Octavia scowled from beneath her mask. Flash Sentry gave Fluer the golden mask.

“Congratulations,” he said. “We'll see you this evening.” Octavia stormed off the stage, unwatched. She walked up to the door of the courtesan house and pounded on the door. She stomped inside and began pacing.

“I'm sorry, Octavia,” Apple Fritter said. “We could not have known Flash would cheat as he did.”

“You should have,” Lightning Dust said.

“Sister!” a courtesan cried. “You told us to let you know if we saw that rottinculo who stole the golden mask. She's on her way to the Doge's party.”

“I will go,” Octavia said. “I can catch her before she arrives and take back the mask.”

“How?” Lightning Dust asked. “By killing the poor stronzo?”

“Yes,” Octavia said. “You know what is at stake.”

“No,” Lightning Dust said. “If you kill her, they'll cancel the party, and Starlight will retreat back into her Palazzo. We'll have wasted our time again. Steal the mask instead. Quietly.”

“My mares can help,” Fritter said. “They're already on the way to the party, all along the road. They can help you distract her while you acquire the mask.”

“Va bene,” Octavia agreed. “I can do that.” Octavia left the building and took a nearby group of courtesans with her. She found Fluer dis Lee walking to the party. She motioned for the courtesans to distract Fluer. The courtesans walked with Fluer dis Lee, keeping her busy with conversation. Octavia stealthily walked up behind Fluer dis Lee and swiped the mask. She ran off before Fluer noticed. Octavia found a secluded corner and replaced her mask for the golden mask. She walked up to the party archway. The guard let her in.

“Buona sera, signora,” he said. Octavia walked in and found Fritter.

“You made it,” Apple Fritter whispered. “Starlight is on a boat, just off shore. She's set to make a speech in a few minutes. Use my mares until then. Move with them to stay out of sight.” Octavia nodded. She moved from group to group, getting closer to the boat. She reached a courtesan group that was as close as anypony could get. The Doge advisor walked up to the crowd from the boat.

“Puledre e gentilepuledri,” he called. “I present to you, the beloved Doge of Canterlot.” Starlight Glimmer walked up to the edge of the boat.

“Benvenuti,” Starlight called. “Welcome, my friends, to the grandest social event of the season. At peace or at war, in times of prosperity or paucity, Canterlot will always have Nightmare Night!”

“Merda,” Octavia cursed. “She's not getting off the boat. I will have to swim out there.”

“I wouldn't try it,” Fritter disapproved. “You'd be spotted right away.”

“Then I'll fight my way out there...” Octavia started.

“Wait!” Fritter whispered.

“Tonight,” Starlight continued. “We celebrate what makes us great. How bright our lives shine over the world.”

“That's it!” Fritter quietly cried. “Your pistola! The one you stopped the murderer with. It's as loud as those explosions. Time it right, and you'll walk out of here unnoticed.”

“I like the way you think, Sister,” Octavia said.

“I'll be waiting for you back at the brothel,” Fritter said. As she left the party, Octavia took aim with her pistol and listened to the fireworks. She watched one rocket into the air. She pulled her trigger right as the firework exploded. The shot and the explosion blended perfectly, and Starlight Glimmer fell off the boat and onto the ground. Octavia walked over to her.

“No...” Starlight gasped. “It's too soon. I'm not ready.”

“We rarely are,” Octavia said. “Puledre e gentilepuledri. Requiescat in pace.” Octavia laid down Starlight's body and walked out of the party.