Pony's Creed 2

Octavia arrived in Ponyville, clothed in her black Assassin robes, taken from the Assassins' sanctuary. She stood at the base of a wall on the south side of the city. She climbed up the wall using what ledges she could find and made her way inside. Celestia's guards patrolled the top of the wall. One of them walked in front of Octavia as she hung, so she killed him and let him drop. As Octavia climbed onto the wall, two guards spotted her. Acting quickly, Octavia killed them both. She pulled a nearby lever to open the tower gate. As she walked through, she killed off two more guards and opened the next gate. A group of guards were behind the gate. Octavia fought and killed them all. She climbed up onto a tower, and more guards ran from the barracks. She jumped off the tower and began to run. As she ran on, a large gap in the wall met her sight. Octavia jumped over it with skill. Guards on the other side prepared for her.

“Close the gates!” one cried. “Stop the intruder!” As the large gate slammed shut, Octavia climbed up the tower and kept on going. Two archers met Octavia at the top of the tower, and were quickly killed. Octavia jumped off the tower into a pile of hay. Four more guards were near it. Octavia climbed out and quickly killed them all. She climbed the next tower and killed the archers at the top. Below was another guard. Octavia jumped and killed him from the air. She climbed another tower and killed the archers. In a barracks tower below were a large group of guards. Octavia jumped and killed two of them. The rest of the guards drew their weapons and tried to stop the Assassin, but to no avail. Octavia killed the last guard and opened up the door to the city. She was finally inside. She didn't want to arouse suspicion, so she blended with cloaked ponies to stay hidden. She quietly killed the guard at the next door and opened it up. She had opened up the roof access to a church, and Celestia was inside. Octavia made her way through the scaffolding until she was right above Celestia. This was the moment she had become an Assassin for. She extended her hidden blade, breathed, and jumped. Her blade went straight into Celestia's chest. Celestia was brought to the floor.

“I...I thought I was beyond this,” Octavia growled. “But I'm not. I've waited too long. Lost too much.” Octavia extended her hidden blade. “Requiescat in pace, you bastard!” Celestia's eyes snapped open.

“I don't think so!” she cried. She knocked Octavia back with her staff. Octavia stood up and charged at Celestia.

“NO!” Celestia screamed. She knocked Octavia back again and drove the staff into the floor. The power of the Piece of Eden lashed throughout the room, killing every priest inside. Octavia stood up, unfazed. “How is it that you resist?!” Celestia demanded. She noticed the glowing Apple of Eden on Octavia's belt.

“Ah,” Celestia said. “So kind of you to bring me the Apple. Now give it here!”

“Vai a farti fottere,” Octavia growled. Celestia gave a laugh.

“Always the fighter,” she said. “Just like your father. Well, rejoice, my child, for you will see him again soon. You will give it to me!”

“As you wish,” Octavia said. She held up the Apple, and four living holograms of Assassins emerged from it. They all resembled Octavia.

“Fascinating,” Celestia marveled. “An impressive power, this. But if you think it's going to save you, you have another thing coming!” Octavia and her Assassins fought Celestia.

“You cannot stop me!” Celestia taunted. She killed two of the Assassins. They faded away as their power returned to the Apple. Octavia fought brutally, as did her living images. Celestia fought them well and hard, but she was losing. When she was distracted with the living images, Octavia attacked, bringing Celestia to her knees. Octavia stepped up, ready to take the staff from Celestia.

“No,” Celestia denied. “You will not take this from me.” Octavia pointed her sword at Celestia.

“It's finished, Celestia!” she cried. “Lay down your arms, and I will make sure your end comes swiftly.”

“Really, Octavia?” Celestia questioned. “And would you give up so easily if it were the other way around?” Celestia drove the staff into the ground, throwing Octavia back. “Why don't we find out?” Celestia wondered. She dissapeared. Laying down, Octavia took out the Apple, ready to fight. A hoof suddenly stomped on hers, knocking the Apple from her hand.

“At last,” Celestia grinned. She picked up the Apple and slid it onto the top of the staff. She walked in front of Octavia, who was still on the ground.

“Now,” Celestia grumbled. “To deal with you.” She used the power of the two Pieces of Eden to lift Octavia off the ground. Celestia walked up to Octavia and drove a knife into her gut. Octavia groaned in pain. Celestia pulled out the knife and walked away, leaving Octavia hovering there. When Celestia had left the room, Octavia dropped unconscious.

After a few minutes, Octavia came to her senses. She stood up, clenching the knife wound. She limped over to the wall, where two buttons were placed on either side of a coffin-like pedestal. Octavia pressed these buttons and a door slid open beneath her. She limped inside and found a long hall, lit with unnatural lights.

“What is this place?” Octavia wondered. She walked into a large room, with a gaping, circular pit. Not to far below was Celestia, banging on a large door. One of many in the cylindrical hole.

“Open, damn you!” she cursed. “Open!”

“It's over, Celestia,” Octavia said. She proceeded to throw her weapons to the floor, including her hidden blade. “No more tricks. No more ancient artifacts. No more weapons. Let us see what you are made of, old mare.”

“All right then,” Celestia hissed. “If that's how you want to play it.” She prepared to fight. Octavia and Celestia stood, mono e mono, waiting for the other to make a move.

“What do you want with them, Celesita,” Octavia demanded.

“Don't you know what lies within?” Celestia asked. “Or do you mean to tell me the great and powerful Assassins didn't figure it out?”

“Figure what out?” Octavia demanded.

“Gods,” Celestia said, simply. “It's gods that dwell within.” Celestia attacked Octavia, and the fight began. Octavia fought her adversary with strength and wits, countering and delivering blow for blow.

“You expect me to believe that gods dwell beneath Ponyville?” Octavia asked.

“A more logical location than a kingdom in a cloud, don't you think?” Celestia questioned. “Surrounded by singing angels and cherubim make for a lovely image. But the truth is far more interesting.” She and Octavia continued to fight.

“Say I do believe it,” Octavia said. “What do you expect to do when you open that door?”

“I don't care,” Celestia said. “It's not approval I'm after. Just power.”

“And you think they'll give it up?” Octavia asked.

“Whatever lies beyond that door won't be able to resist the staff and Apple,” Celestia said. “They were made for felling gods.”

“Gods are meant to be all knowing,” Octavia said. “All powerful. You think a couple of ancient relics can harm them.”

“You know nothing,” Celestia hissed. “You take your image of the creators from an ancient book. A book, mind you, written by ponies!”

“You are the Pope!” Octavia cried. “And yet you dismiss the central text of your faith?” Celestia laughed.

“Are you so naive?” she asked. “I became Pope because it gave me access. Gave me power! You think I believe a god damned word written in that book? It's all lies and superstition. Just like every other ridiculous tract written over the past ten thousand years!” Enraged, Octavia grabbed Celestia by the throat and began to choke her. Celestia tried to fight, but she lost breath too quickly. Octavia threw her to the ground.

“You can't,” Celestia wheezed. “YOU CAN'T!! IT'S MY DESTINY!! MINE!!! I AM THE PROPHET!!!”

“You never were,” Octavia said.

“Get it over with, then,” Celestia said.

“No,” Octavia rejected. “Killing you won't bring my family back. I'm done. Nulla è reale. Tutto è lecito. Requiescat in Pace.” Octavia turned her back on Celestia and walked away. She walked up to the glowing staff and Apple, placed in the center of the room. Celestia looked on. The power of the two Pieces of Eden shone on the door, sliding it downward. Octavia walked inside, surrounded by futuristic technology, flowing with magic. A golden figure suddenly appeared before her. A female, humanoid figure, that Octavia did not recognize.

“Greetings, prophet,” the female figure said. “It is good you have come. Let us see it. To give thanks.” Octavia held out the Apple to the figure, and the figure made the Apple glow, to prove it was the actual thing.

“We must speak,” she said.

“Who are you?” Octavia asked.

“Many names,” the figure said. “When I died, it was Minerva. Before that, Merva and Mera. And on and on. The others to. Juno, who was before called Uni. Jupiter, who was before called, Tinia.”

“You are...gods,” Octavia realized. Minerva gave a small laugh.

“No,” she said. “Not gods. We simply came before. Even when we walked the world, your kind struggled to understand our existence. We were more advanced in time. Your minds were not yet ready. Still not. Maybe never. No matter. You may not comprehend us, but you will comprehend our warning. You must.”

“None of what you are saying makes sense,” Octavia said.

“Our words are not meant for you,” Minerva said. She turned to Octavia's side, where she seemed to see somepony.

“What are you talking about?” Octavia asked. “There is nopony else here.”

“Enough,” Minerva said firmly. “I do not wish to speak with you, but through you. You are the prophet. You've played your part. You anchor her, but please be silent. That we may commune.” Minerva turned away from Octavia and back to her unknown figure.

“Listen,” she said. “When we were still flesh and our home still whole, your kind betrayed us. We who made you. We, who gave you life! We were strong. But you were many. And both of us craved war. So busy were we with earthly concerns, we failed to notice the heavens. And by the time we did... The world burned until naught remained but ash. It should have ended then and there. But we built you in our own image. We built you to survive. And so we did. Few were our numbers. Your kind and mine. It took sacrifice. Strength. Compassion. But we rebuilt. And as life returned to the world... We endeavored to ensure this tragedy would not be repeated. But now we are dying... And time will work against us. Truth turned into myth and legend. What we built, misunderstood. Let my words preserve the message and make a record of our loss. But let my words also bring hope. You must find the other temples. Built by those who knew to turn away from war. They worked to protect us – to save us from the fire. If you can find them...if their work can be saved, so too might this world. Be quick! For time grows short. And guard against the cross. For there are many who will stand in your way.” Minerva finished her message.

“It is done,” she said still speaking to the phantom. “The message is delivered. We are gone now from this world. All of us. We can do no more. The rest is up to you, Rainbow Dash.”

“What?” Octavia asked. “Who is Rainbow Dash? I don't understand. Please wait. I have so many questions.” Minerva disappeared an a glowing white light, leaving Octavia in the vault. Rainbow Dash was in shock.

“What the fuck?” she gasped.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Rainbow Dash woke up, hearing her friends' voices around her, in panic.

“We've only got about ten minutes until they get here,” Hooves said.

“I need all my equipment ready to go,” Vinyl said.

“We need to be ready to go before they get here,” Applejack said. “Rainbow!” Rainbow Dash rubbed her eyes.

“Yeah?” she asked.

“All right,” Applejack said. “Hooves. I need you and Vinyl to get everything in here loaded into the truck. Rainbow. You and I will deal with the Templars.”

“What, they're here!?” Rainbow gasped.

“It was only a matter of time until they discovered us,” Hooves said, while packing up supplies. “To be honest, I'm surprised it took them as long as it did.”

“Let's go!” Applejack called. She tossed a hidden blade to Rainbow Dash. Rainbow Dash put it on and followed Applejack out of the room and down to the storage basement.

“So what's the plan?” Rainbow Dash asked. “We ditch this place, and then what?”

“There's another safe house,” Applejack said. “It's...” The lights suddenly shut off as the building shook. “We've got company,” Applejack said. “The truck's just up ahead.” As the two reached the bottom of the stairs, two Nightmare officials ran up, along with Sunset Shimmer.

“Miss Dash,” Sunset Shimmer said. “This is an unexpectedly pleasant turn of events. And here I thought I'd have to waste more ponies on you. Kind of you to save me the trouble.”

“What do you want, Sunset?” Rainbow Dash demanded.

“For you to come home,” Sunset Shimmer replied. “We missed you terribly. There's still so much work for us to do together.”

“It's not happening, Sunset,” Applejack retorted.

“You continue to disappoint in every conceivable way, Miss Applejack,” Sunset Shimmer grumbled. “I saved your life once. Do you remember? And this is how you repay me?”

“You saved me so you could keep experimenting on ponies,” Applejack denied. “Destroying their lives. And for what?”

“Oh, this tired argument again,” Sunset Shimmer complained. “As I recall, you were there, at my side, every step of the way. Their blood is on your hooves just as much as mine.”

“You need to stop her,” Applejack said to Rainbow Dash.

“I'm on it,” Rainbow Dash said. She attacked the two officials, and many more appeared. Applejack helped Rainbow Dash fight. Rainbow was a better fighter, armed with the skills of Octavia. Rainbow Dash used her hidden blade to end each guard's life. When they had all been dealt with, Rainbow Dash and Applejack ran toward the Nightmare supply truck. Sunset Shimmer was in the back.

“Uh oh, doc,” Rainbow Dash said. “Looks like it's just you and me now.”

“Enjoy your victory, Miss Dash,” Sunset Shimmer said. “Temporary as it is.” Sunset Shimmer held onto the truck as it drove off.

“Rainbow!” Vinyl cried. “We have to go!” Rainbow Dash ran over to the large van Vinyl and Hooves had gotten into.

“There you are,” Hooves cried. “Come on! Help Applejack into the van! Hurry, Rainbow, we need to go!” Rainbow Dash got into the van and helped Applejack inside.

“You'll have your turn, Rainbow,” Applejack said. “Sunset's gonna get what she deserves. I promise.” Hooves started up the van and drove off.

“So what now?” Rainbow Dash asked. “Where are we heading?”

“There's a cabin up north,” Applejack explained. “We should be safe there. At least for a little while. I have to analyze those tapes from your session, figure out what's happening.”

“And then what?” Rainbow Dash questioned. She sat in the Animus and let Vinyl get her started.

“There you go,” Vinyl said. “I've got you all hooked up. We've got a long drive ahead of us. Figured you might want to play around with the Animus on the way.”

“All right,” Rainbow agreed. “But I've got some questions first. I mean, what the hell was that in the vault?”

“What you saw proves everything I was afraid of,” Applejack said. “The Templars aren't our biggest threat. Not by a long shot.”

“So, what?” Rainbow Dash wondered. “The sun is? What's it gonna do? Cook our world?”

“I doubt it,” Applejack shrugged. “I don't know. There's been some speculation that our world's magnetic field is weakening. A strong flare could flip the poles and cause a geomagnetic reversal. It's all theoretical, but if it happens, the planet could become geologically unstable. Very unstable.”

“It's meant to be the stuff of Suno-Science,” Hooves said. “But it must be catastrophic, like what happened to the people of the First Civilization. What, Minerva, was it? She seemed to think we were due for a second round.”

“So either way, we're fucked,” Rainbow Dash grumbled.

“I don't know yet,” Applejack said. “We'll keep reviewing the tapes, and you can keep digging through your memories. Maybe there's more to discover.”

“All right,” Rainbow Dash agreed. “Guess I better get started.”