Pony's Creed 2

Octavia walked into the Palazzo Seta, where Lightning Dust was waiting for her.

“There you are,” Lightning Dust cried. “Come, Octavia. I'd like to introduce you to an...associate. This is Ms. Harshwhinny, soon to be Doge of Canterlot, thanks to you.” Octavia bowed.

“È un fare la vostra conoscenza, illustrissimo,” Octavia said. “I am sorry for the loss of your sister.”

“She had it coming,” Ms. Harshwhinny said. “She was bought and paid for by Celestia. A mistake I have no intention of making.”

“Come, Octavia,” Lightning Dust said. “We have much to discuss.” Octavia, Lightning Dust, and Ms. Harshwhinny sat down at a table.

“We have located Flash Sentry for you,” Lightning Dust informed. “He's fled into L'Arsenale.”

“Fled? You mean occupied,” Ms. Harshwhinny corrected. “And joined by 200 mercenari no less.”

“You're Doge now,” Octavia reminded. “Can't you just command them to stand down?”

“The committee of 41 has yet to confirm my ascension,” Ms. Harshwhinny said. “And this little stunt of Flash's has only made things worse. He has an entire army at his command!”

“Then help me to raise my own,” Octavia said.

“I figured you'd say as much,” Lightning Dust said. “Night Glider is the mare you seek. She and her ponies have little love for Flash. She resides in the military district, southwest of L'Arsenale.”

“Va bene,” Octavia said. “I will go and see her.” Octavia left the Palazzo and walked to the military district. She heard a weak cry for help. She climbed up onto a balcony to see a Pegasus mare severely wounded.

“You must be one of Night Glider's mares,” Octavia assumed. “What happened here? Where is she?”

“Flash's thugs...attacked,” the mare managed. “Took her deeper into the district...north of here.” The mare took her final breath as her body went limp. Octavia closed the mare's eyes.

“Requiescat in pace,” Octavia prayed. She left the area and found where Night Glider was being held. Octavia could hear Night Glider screaming curses at her captors. Octavia climbed to the top of a building above the guards. She opened up her hidden blades and jumped, landing on the two guards. The blades pierced their throats, killing them.

“About god damn time!” Night Glider cried. “I don't know if I should kiss you or slap you! Maybe both, just to be safe.” Octavia opened up the cage to let Night Glider out.

“That's quite all right,” she said.

“Who are you?” Night Glider asked.

“I am Octavia Melody de Baltimare,” Octavia said. “I'm here to rescue you.” Night Glider laughed.

“We'll see who ends up rescuing who,” she said.

“What do you mean?” Octavia wondered.

“Down there!” a guard cried. “Stop them!” Octavia and Night Glider fought off the guards. Night Glider fought like a vicious animal. Relentless and unpredictable. It proved useful, as the guards were killed quickly.

“We should keep going,” Octavia suggested.

“Agreed,” Night Glider said. “There are still more heads to be smashed.”

“Perhaps we should try to avoid conflict,” Octavia advised.

“Why?” Night Glider questioned. “Are you afraid?”

“No,” Octavia answered. “Just practical. I bet they outnumber us 100 to 1.”

“As you wish, bella mia,” Night Glider said. The two fighters fought out of the military camp, ever wary of guards.

“Watch for the tall one,” Night Glider warned. “Fluer dis Lee, she's called. Most of Flash's ponies are useless, but that one's trouble.” When the two had made it out of the area, Night Glider took a breath of fresh air.

“Ah,” she sighed. “Sweet sweet freedom. How I have missed you.”

“Flash sent his ponies to ransack your place,” Octavia informed. “Prepare yourself for a fight.”

“No need,” Night Glider said. “Night Glider is always prepared for a fight!” Octavia and Night Glider reached the main gate of the military headquarters, where two guards approached.

“If you value your life, you'll stand down,” one of the guards threatened.

“Never!” Night Glider denied. “What good is a mare's life if it is not lived freely, eh?” She drew her stolen sword. “I'll not go back into a cage.”

“Then you're going to the ground,” the guard growled. “Kill them.” Octavia and Night Glider fought the guards and killed them. Octavia opened up the gate. Night Glider looked at the aftermath.

“What a mess they've made,” she breathed. She suddenly remembered something. “Cheerilee,” she gasped. Night Glider ran off, and Octavia followed. Night Glider ran into her house and started turning over rubble, calling Cheerilee's name.

“Is everything all right?” Octavia asked.

“What do you think?” Night Glider stormed. “Look at this place! And poor Cheerilee. If something's happened to her...” Night Glider looked behind her desk.

“Aha!” she cried. She stooped over and picked up a decorative sword. “Oh, my darling,” Night Glider sighed. “Thank god you're all right. Octavia, meet Cheerilee. Cheerilee, Octavia.” Night Glider pointed the tip of the sword at Octavia's head. Octavia carefully moved it away.

“Charmed,” she nervously said.

“So,” Night Glider said. “I know your name, but not why you're here.”

“I have business with Flash Sentry,” Octavia said. “I was told you could help.”

“Ah,” Night Glider said. “It would be my honor.”

“But it's going to require more than just the two...uh, three of us to weaken his forces.” Night Glider sheathed Cheerilee. “How do you suggest we proceed?” Octavia asked.

“I'll go and ready my ponies for battle,” Night Glider said. “While I do this, I'd like you to rescue those who were captured during Flash's assault. I cannot, in good conscience, leave them behind.”

“Intesi,” Octavia agreed. “I will attend to it at once.”

“Good luck out there, Octavia,” Night Glider wished. Octavia traveled by rooftop to find the captives. She found a group of guards protecting a cage of fighters.

“What to do with this lot?” one of them asked.

“Flood the cage, I say,” another suggested. “Drown them all. Be done with it.”

“Flash wants them alive,” the third said. “Thinks he can turn them to our cause.”

“I wouldn't count on it,” the first guard said. “They are as loyal as they are stupid.” Octavia leaped off the roof and killed two guards, leaving the third panicked. Octavia swiftly killed the last guard and freed the fighters.

“Many thanks for the aid, friend,” one of the mercenaries said. “We'd like to fight with you, if you'll have us.” Octavia nodded and returned to Night Glider's home.

“Salute, Octavia,” Night Glider called. “Welcome back. And well done. My host is restored to its former glory. Now Flash will see just how grave of a mistake he's made.”

“How should we proceed?” Octavia wondered. “A direct assault against the Arsenale?”

“No,” Night Glider disagreed. “We'd be massacred at the gates. I have something else in mind. Take my ponies and plant them throughout the district. The trouble they cause will force Flash to dispatch most of his guards.”

“And with the Arsenale drained of guards,” Octavia assumed. “I can move in for the kill.”

“Esatto!” Night Glider cried. “You'd be virtually unopposed.”

“Let's hope he takes the bait,” Octavia said.

“Oh, don't worry,” Night Glider assured. “He will.” Octavia took a large group of mercenaries and planted them all around the district. When they had been set, Octavia climbed a tower and shot off a flare. It exploded in the sky, signaling for the mercenaries to attack. Guards flocked to the areas where mercenaries were, and Octavia dove off the building to fight with them. She landed in a pile of hay and fought with Night Glider, who was doing battle with Fluer dis Lee. Fluer ran off.

“Must return to L'Arsenale...” she gasped. Octavia and Night Glider killed the rest of the guards.

“After her!” Night Glider cried, chasing Fluer. Octavia followed, and found Fluer and Night Glider battleing again.

“A fine specimen, isn't she?” Fluer taunted. “You should be honored to die by her hand.” Octavia fought Fluer while Night Glider fought other guards. Flash suddenly called from a rooftop.

“Enough of this!” he cried. “We're out of time. Return to me! We must depart.” Fluer ran off.

“Octavia!” Night Glider called. “Go now. That mare will lead you straight to her master. My ponies and I will remain here and keep the guards from giving chase.” Octavia ran after Flash and Fluer.

“Hurry!” Flash cried. “They're going to leave without us!” They continued running to the docks. Octavia bolted towards them, and chased them through the streets. She started to gain ground. When Octavia had gotten close enough, she jumped and stabbed the two runners through the neck.

“What has happened here?” Octavia demanded. “Why the boats? I thought you sought the Doge's seat.”

“It was just a distraction,” Flash gasped. “We were meant to sail.”

“Sail where?” Octavia asked.

“I'll never tell,” Flash grumbled, as he died.

“Vanhoover was their destination,” Fluer managed. “They want...they...want...” Fluer dis Lee died before she could finish.

“Non temete l'oscurità, accettate il suo abbraccio,” Octavia prayed. “Requiescant in pace.” Octavia walked off to find Night Glider. She had defeated all the guards.

“Well done, Octavia,” Night Glider cried. “Flash is defeated, and the military district is returned to us! Perhaps Canterlot might finally enjoy a bit of pace e tranquilità! “We should celebrate this victory!”

“I am glad for you and your ponies, Night Glider,” Octavia congratulated. “But I cannot join. I fear my work has just taken a rather strange turn.”

“What do you mean?” Night Glider asked.

“Flash wasn't looking to replace Starlight as Doge,” Octavia said. “He was about to leave Canterlot, in fact. This whole thing was just a distraction.

“Why?” Night Glider wondered.

“That is what I need to find out,” Octavia replied. She left the area, a new mystery to uncover.