Pony's Creed 2

Rainbow Dash woke up the next morning in the lobby's bed. She didn't remember laying down. She looked at her hooves to make sure she was in her right mind.

“Sorry to barge in on you like this,” Vinyl said, walking in. “But it's getting late and we need to…” She noticed Rainbow's worry. “Hey, are you OK?” Vinyl asked.

“Yeah,” Rainbow Dash said. “Everything's great. Just weird dreams, that's all.”

“All right,” Vinyl said. “I'll let you get ready. See ya in a few.” Vinyl walked toward her spot and sat down. Rainbow Dash got up and walked toward the Animus. Hooves spotted her.

“Ah,” he said. “So good of you to join us.”

“Sorry,” Rainbow apologized. “Long night.”

“What a professional,” Hooves sarcastically stated. “What a professional approach.”

“Leave him alone,” Vinyl said.

“Well, you'll forgive me if I want to get some actual work done,” Hooves argued. “Marvelous, isn't it?”

“Hooves!” Applejack scolded. “Please, that's enough!”

“All right,” Hooves defended. He turned back to his desk. Applejack buried her face in her hooves. Rainbow Dash walked over.

“Uh, hi,” she said. Applejack jolted up.

“Hi,” she managed.

“You OK?” Rainbow Dash wondered.

“Yeah,” Applejack said. “I'm fine. Everything's fine.”

“You sure?” Rainbow inquired. Applejack fessed up.

“We lost two more teams last night,” she confessed. “That's eight more of us, just, gone.”

“I'm sorry,” Rainbow Dash quietly said. Applejack sighed.

“I don't know what to do anymore,” she said. “It just keeps getting worse and worse.”

“Hey,” Rainbow stopped. “Remember what you told me. You gotta have faith. And look. Here we are, safe and sound.” Applejack laughed.

“For how long?” she demanded. “And when they find us? Then what?”

“When that happens,” Rainbow assured. “If, that happens, we'll deal with it. I'll keep you safe.” Applejack smiled.

“Anyway,” she said. “Enough with my little breakdown. “I better get back to work. And so should you.” Rainbow Dash sat down in the Animus and continued her work.

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

The year is 1481 in Canterlot. Octavia and Applebloom just arrived in the city. A tour guide walked up.

“Messera de Applebloom?” she asked.

“Yes,” Applebloom said.

“Buongiorno e ben arrivato!” the guide cried. “I am Carrot Top. Signor Fancypants has asked that I escort you to the workshop. Are you ready?” Applebloom and Octavia followed Carrot Top around Canterlot.

“No other city can match the size of Canterlot's markets,” Carrot said. Be it spices or silk, from near or far, there is… there is...” Carrot stopped as she saw city guards approach a local's fish stand. Applebloom and Octavia looked as well.

“You were told to stay home,” the captain said.

“But the rent is paid,” the local explained. “I have every right to sell here.”

“Diamond Tiara disagrees!” the captain cried. He and the rest of the guards proceeded to destroy the local's stand.

“No!” the local cried. “Stop. Stop!”

“Let us continue the tour...elsewhere,” Carrot Top suggested. She walked out of the market and Octavia and Applebloom followed. As they passed a nearby stand, Applebloom noticed a posable wooden doll on a base, resembling a ponyquin.

“Look,” she said to Octavia. “Isn't it amazing? Would you mind buying it for me? I left my money with my bags.” Octavia gave Applebloom a look. A small group of thieves ran by Octavia, one of them nudging her and stealing some of her money.

“Hey,” Octavia called. “Watch your step, coglione!” She shook her head and walked on with Applebloom. Carrot Top stopped at a large building.

“And here, we have the Palazzo della Seta,” she said. “Home to Diamond Tiara. Normally I'd suggest a closer look, but with the way things are now…”

“Why?” Octavia asked. “What's happened?”

“She is attempting to unify the merchants underneath a single banner,” Carrot Top explained. “There has been resistance, but some of it violent.”

“What kind of resistance?” Octavia wondered.

“They say they're fighting for the ponies,” Carrot said. “For freedom or some such nonsense. Baggianate, if you ask me.” Octavia looked closer to see the local whose stand had been destroyed walked up to the Palazzo guards.

“They destroyed my stand,” he said. “I demand compensation.”

“Here you are then,” a guard said. He drove the flat end of his spear into the local's chest. The local was furious.

“The Doge will know about this,” he threatened. “I'll report you to the council.”

“Good luck with that, my friend,” another guard said. The other two guards grabbed the local.

“What are you doing?” the local asked.

“You're under arrest for disrupting commerce,” one of the guards holding him said.

“What?” the local cried. “You just invented that. There's no such law.”

“There is now,” the guard said. The local was dragged away. Octavia, Applebloom, and Carrot Top walked toward the new workshop.

“And now, I present to you your new workshop, Sera Applebloom,” Carrot said. “We spared no expense in its design. You will see. It is perfect. As if you never left Baltimare. I wish you great success, and hope you enjoy Canterlot as much as she enjoys having you.” Carrot Top bowed and walked off.

“So, here we are,” Applebloom said. “Exciting, isn't it? Care to come in?”

“Maybe later,” Octavia said. “I need to visit the Palazzo della Seta. Try and gain an audience with Diamond Tiara.”

“As you wish,” Applebloom said. “But should you find yourself with free time, or another codex page, don't hesitate to visit. My door is always open.”

“Grazie, my friend,” Octavia thanked. Applebloom hugged Octavia.

“Di nulla,” she said. Octavia walked back to the Palazzo and observed what she could. She didn't want to walk right in.

“How to get inside?” she wondered to herself. “Perhaps scale the wall and...” Octavia noticed a very high ledge.

“That's not good,” she said. “I'll never make that jump. I need to find another way.” A group of thieves ran past Octavia and past the guards, who followed them. The thief who had stolen Octavia's money earlier ran past the open gate and began to climb the Palazzo wall. Archers began to fire at her. To Octavia's surprise, the thief jumped up to the ledge that seemed impossible to reach. An arrow suddenly pierced the thief's knee. She fell from the wall and began to run. She ran into Octavia.

“Hey,” Octavia realized. “I remember you.”

“We need to go,” the thief said.

“You never did apologize for knocking me over,” Octavia said.

“Now!” the thief cried. Guards walked up and drew their swords.

“Va bene,” Octavia agreed. “Where to?”

“The water,” the thief said.

“That doesn't exactly narrow it down,” Octavia said. The thief started to limp off, and Octavia followed. The thief ran for some ways before falling over.

“Cristo,” the thief grunted. “My leg.” Octavia picked her up and carried her.

“I never did get your name,” Octavia said.

“Pumpkin Cake” the thief said.

“Onorato, Pumpkin” Octavia said. “I am Octavia.” Octavia carried Pumpkin to a nearby boat.

“Pound Cake,” Pumpkin cried. Pound Cake turned and drew his sword.

“What is this?” he demanded.

“Pumpkin's been wounded,” Octavia explained. Pound put away his sword.

“Pass her here,” he said. “We go the rest of the way in the boat.” Octavia passed Pumpkin Cake to Pound Cake.

“Careful,” Octavia warned. As Pumpkin Cake was put in the boat, an arrow whizzed by and killed another thief on the boat. “Go!” Octavia cried. “I'll deal with the guards.” As the boat pushed out of the dock, Octavia ran over to the archer and killed him. There were more guards to deal with, and Octavia killed them all. Pound Cake rowed into an archway and docked the boat. He checked the dead thief.

“She's dead, idiota,” Pumpkin stormed. “Say a prayer later. I need to see Lightning Dust.” Pound started to lift Pumpkin up, but Pumpkin cried out in pain.

“Careful!” Octavia cried. “Let me do it. Go and find Lightning Dust.” Pound briefly continued to try and get Pumpkin out of the boat.

“Oh, cristo, Pound,” Pumpkin Cake cursed. “Just do what she says.”

“Qua l'ultimo arrivato da gli ordini!” Pound grumbled as he ran off.  Pumpkin Cake passed out.

“Hey, hey!” Octavia cried. “Wake up!” Octavia picked up Pumpkin and walked off to the Thieves' Guild. He found Pound making some preparations.

“Make yourselves useful!” he cried to some thieves at a table. “Clear a space for her!” The thieves removed the contents of the table.

“Put her down there,” Pound Cake ordered. Octavia laid Pumpkin on the table. Pumpkin came to.

“Where are we?” she asked.

“Home,” Octavia said. “I've sent for help.”

“Thank you,” Pumpkin said. Lightning Dust walked outside.

“Pumpkin,” she said. “What's happened?”

“Just get this out of me,” Pumpkin moaned.

“Soon, soon,” Lightning assured. “Let's have a look first.” Lightning Dust studied the wound. “Clean enter and exit through the thigh,” she concluded. “That's good.”

“Get it out!” Pumpkin wailed.

“Pumpkin,” Lightning Dust reasoned. “We must be careful not to...”

“NOW!!!” Pumpkin yelled.

“Come vuoi,” Lightning said. She turned to Octavia and another thief. “Tenetela,” she ordered. Octavia and the thief held the wounded leg in place. Lightning grabbed the arrow and snapped it in two. Pumpkin groaned in pain. Lightning Dust grabbed the other end of the arrow and yanked it out of Pumpkin's thigh. Pumpkin Cake cried out in agony.

“I'm sorry, piccola,” Lightning Dust said.

“Sorry!?” Pumpkin stormed. “Ficcatelo nel culo your sorry!”

“Go fetch Cherry Spices,” Lightning Dust ordered. “Be quick.” The thief ran off. Octavia grabbed a cloth and pressed it against the wound.

“Porca puttana!” Pumpkin cursed.

“Ben fatto,” Lightning Dust said. “You work well under pressure. She's spirited, this one.”

“Porca puttana!” Pumpkin cursed again.

“Avanti,” Lightning ordered. “Get Pumpkin inside so Cherry Spices can close the wound.” She turned to Pumpkin and put a hoof to her cheek.

“You'll be all right,” Lightning Dust said. “The worst is past.” Pumpkin slapped the hoof away.

“Ti venisse il cancro, brutto bastardo!” she cried in anger. “A te e quella grandissima troia di tua madre!” Two thieves carried Pumpkin Cake inside.

“Thank you,” Lightning Dust said to Octavia. “Pumpkin is most dear to me. If I had lost her...”

“I've always had a soft spot for mares in distress,” Octavia confessed.

“So I've heard,” Lightning agreed. “Don't look so surprised. We know all about you Sera Octavia. Your work in Baltimare and the rest of Fillydelphia. Good work too, if a little...unrefined.”

“Then you know why I'm in Canterlot,” Octavia assumed.

“I can guess,” Lightning Dust said. “When you have a minute, come see me in my office. There's something we should discuss.” Lightning left for her office and walked inside. Octavia followed and knocked on the door.

“Avanti,” Lightning Dust called. “Come in, Octavia.” Octavia opened the door and walked inside. “Prego,” Lightning Dust said. “Can I offer you something? Biscotti? Un caffè?”

“What's caffè?” Octavia asked, confused.

“An interesting concoction brought to me by a Appleloosa merchant,” Lightning Dust explained. She poured a cup of dark liquid. “Here,” she offered. “Have a taste.” Octavia took the cup and took a small sip. She slightly cringed at the taste.

“A little bitter, if you ask me,” Octavia said, giving back the cup. “It just seems lacking somehow. I don't know, have you considered adding sugar maybe, or latte?”

“I suppose it's something of an acquired taste,” Lightning agreed. “Enough about that. Now where were we?” she walked over to a table with a three dimensional map layout of Canterlot. “Our failure at the Palazzo cost us dearly,” Lightning Dust regretted. “It will take time to recover. No doubt Diamond Tiara will use this pause to strengthen her defenses and continue her oppression of the district. I know you may not share our motive, but I know you share our goal.”

“Why not gather your forces and try again?” Octavia suggested.

“To act in haste will only bring more losses,” Lightning Dust said. “No. We must resupply and draw new plans.”

“I can ill afford to sit around and wait,” Octavia said.

“Nor would I want you to,” Lightning Dust agreed. “Work with us instead. Already my mares begin to mend today's wounds. Seek them out. They'll put you to work. The sooner you aid them, the sooner we can strike.”

“Molto bene, Messera,” Octavia said. “I accept.”

“It is the right decision,” Lightning said. Octavia left the building and went to find Pound Cake. She found him atop a roof. She climbed up and met him there.

“Ben trovato, Pound Cake,” Octavia greeted. “What's the trouble?”

“You and Pumpkin Cake managed to escape from Seta,” Pound Cake pointed out. “But the others were not so lucky. Diamond Tiara's captured them and now they await execution.”

“Do you know where they're being held?” Octavia asked.

“I know they're still in the district,” Pound said. “But beyond that, no. You'll have to look for them.”

“I'll have your brothers back here in no time,” Octavia said. She left the area and went to find the other thieves. She heard the voices of a guard, and she followed the sound. She found the thieves inside a cage in a secluded area of Canterlot. Octavia jumped off the roof into a hay pile and snuck up on the guards. She drew out her hidden blades and killed two guards at once. She drew her sword and killed the rest of the guards quickly. Once the guards were nothing but corpses on the ground, Octavia opened the gate of the cage and let the thieves out. She led them back to Pound Cake.

“I'm impressed,” Pound Cake marveled. “I did not expect you to succeed so quickly.”

“I aim to please,” Octavia said.

“I'll let Lightning Dust know about our progress,” Pound Cake said.  “Come find me later. I've got another job for you.”

“What kind of job?” Octavia asked.

“Meet me by the docks and I'll explain,” Pound Cake said.

“Molto bene,” Octavia agreed. Later that night, Octavia went down to the docks and found Pound Cake there.

“Rescuing my brothers was more than just an act of charity, Octavia,” Pound Cake explained. “The stallions you freed will play a vital role in the weeks to come. Just ask for their help, and they'll join you.”

“And once I have my little band of thieves?” Octavia wondered.

“Send them towards a group of guards, and they'll create a distraction,” Pound Cake said.

“Clearing the way for me,” Octavia assumed.

“Exactly,” Pound Cake said.

“Saves me from having to bloody my sword,” Octavia said. “I like it.”

“Exactly,” Pound Cake said again. “Now I'll tell you what to do with them. Lightning Dust's plan calls for a bit of deception. We are to imitate as archers, which means we'll need the armor they wear. A shipment of the stuff has just been loaded into chests and now awaits delivery to Seta. Loot the chests and retrieve the outfits. When that's done, I'll need you to fetch me a boat as well, and bring it back here. We'll use it to move our ponies into the Palazzo undetected.”

“Consider it done,” Octavia said. She left the docks and went to go find the chests. She took a group of thieves with her for extra precaution. She and the thieves traveled by rooftop to find the chests. Octavia spotted a large chest protected by heavily armored guards. Octavia readied her hidden blades and jumped. She landed and drove her blades into two of the guards throats, killing them. The thieves jumped down and started to fight the remaining guards. While they did so, Octavia opened up the chest and took out the archer's armor. She turned and found the guards dealt with. She called the thieves off and left to find a boat. She found one near the dock where Pound Cake was. She got in the boat and rowed towards the dock. She put the boat in place and stepped onto the dock. Pound Cake was waiting for her.

“Molto bene, Octavia,” he said. “This is exactly what we needed. I'll let Lightning Dust know you finished the job.” Pound Cake ran off. Octavia walked back to Lightning Dust's office and knocked. Pound Cake opened the door.

“Please,” he said. “Enter.” Octavia walked into the office and found Lightning Dust and Pumpkin Cake there.

“Your good work has restored us to our former strength, Octavia,” Lightning Dust said. “We are ready to strike.”

“Just tell me what needs to be done,” Octavia said. “And I'll see that it is.”

“You'll approach from above under the cover of night,” Lightning Dust explained. “Diamond Tiara has posted archers all around the Palazzo. Kill them, but do so quietly. As they fall, my ponies shall replace them.”

“What about the guards?” Octavia asked.

“When you finish with the archers, we'll regroup in front of this building here, and discuss next steps,” Lightning Dust said, pointing to a model on the map.”

“Nessun problema,” Octavia said. “I'll take care of the archers and return to you.”

“Then it's settled,” Lightning Dust said. “In bocca al lupo.”

“Crepi il lupo,” Octavia returned. She left the office and went to the Palazzo. She climbed the surrounding buildings and killed off the archers. After she had done so, she left for the building Lightning Dust had spoken of. She found her, Pumpkin Cake and Pound Cake there.

“Well done, Octavia,” Lightning Dust congratulated. “Everything is going according to plan. As we speak, my ponies are replacing the archers you've removed. The way to the Palazzo is clear now.”

“But not the building itself,” Octavia pointed out. “Diamond Tiara's guards still patrol its border.”

“Use my ponies,” Pound Cake said. “They can distract the guards, and save you from having to fight.”

“When it comes time to storm the place, remember what I've taught you,” Pumpkin Cake said.

“Sii cauto, Octavia,” Lightning Dust said. “We will await word of your success.” Octavia nodded, took a group of thieves, and ran to the Palazzo. She perched herself on a rooftop above the guards protecting the main gate.

“OK, go,” she said to the thieves. The thieves with her jumped down in front of the guards. They ran off with the guards in pursuit. Octavia jumped into the Palazzo and began to climb the walls. She reached the point she thought would be impossible to jump to. She jumped up and reached. She grabbed the ledge and pulled herself up. Pumpkin Cake had taught her to do this. Octavia reached the top of the Palazzo and looked down into it. She saw Diamond Tiara speaking to somepony named Cloudchaser.

“Your little house of cards is crumbling, Diamond Tiara,” Cloudchaser said.

“A minor setback,” Diamond Tiara shunned. “It will be dealt with. This povero scemo Lightning Dust and her thieves...”

“Never mind them,” Cloudchaser said. “It's the Assassin you should be worried about.”

“Why?” Diamond Tiara asked. “Is...is she in Canterlot?”

“She's been here for weeks!” Cloudchaser said. “How could you be so blind?”

“Unlike you, I've been busy,” Diamond Tiara retorted. “Somepony had to provide weapons for our sisters in Baltimare.” Cloudchaser shook her head and left. Diamond Tiara began to worry to herself. Octavia looked down at Diamond Tiara, who was exposed in the courtyard. Octavia drew her hidden blade and jumped. She pierced Diamond Tiara's throat and brought her to the ground.

“Do not be afraid,” Octavia said.

“I feel no fear, Assassin,” Diamond Tiara managed. “Only regret. I sought unity. Stability. Order.”

“At too great a cost,” Octavia growled.

“Progress demands sacrifice,” Diamond Tiara said. With that, she died.

“Non trovo alcuna gioia in questo, ma non c'e altro modo,” Octavia prayed. “Requiescat in pace.” As Octavia lay down Diamond Tiara's corpse, guards began to surround her. They suddenly fell dead. An arrow landed at Octavia's hooves, causing her to jump. She looked up to see the thieves and Pumpkin Cake up atop the Palazzo roof, clothed in the archer's armor. Pumpkin Cake was smugly grinning.

“Sorry,” she said. “I couldn't resist.” She jumped down into the courtyard. “Come,” Pumpkin Cake said. “Let's open the gate for Lightning Dust.” Octavia followed Pumpkin Cake to the gate and helped her open it. Lightning Dust walked through the now open gate.

“Seta has fallen and Diamond Tiara is no more!” she cried. “All thanks to you, Octavia.” She turned to the thieves. “Go!” she said. “Tear down Diamond Tiara's banners. Return what she has stolen from the ponies.” Lightning Dust turned back to Octavia. “Tell me, Octavia,” she wondered. “What can I repay you for your service?”

“Money's always nice,” Octavia said.

“Easy enough,” Lightning said. She pulled out a sack of florins and gave them to Octavia. “What else?” she asked.

“Diamond Tiara was meeting with a mare named Cloudchaser,” Octavia said. “She looked to be a government official. Do you know her?”

“Cloudchaser,” Lightning Dust worried. “She sits on the Council of Ten. Why do you ask? What are you up to?”

“I have a meeting to attend,” Octavia simply said. She bowed to Lightning Dust and walked out of the Palazzo.

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

In the outskirts of Canterlot, a cloaked stallion walked up to Cloudchaser, who was sitting on a bench.

“Where is Diamond Tiara?” the stallion asked.

“I told her to be here,” Cloudchaser said.

“You told her yourself?” the stallion inquired. “In person?”

“Yes,” Cloudchaser retorted. “Myself. In person. I'm concerned that you don't trust me.”

“As am I,” the stallion grumbled. He looked around. “Perhaps she'll arrive with the others,” he assumed. “Walk with me.” The two ponies left the area, wondering what had happened to Diamond Tiara.