Secrets... everypony has them.
Ponies all over the world have secrets. Some are lighthearted ones, like stealing something from the cookie jar at a young age, or eating the last slice of cake when no one's looking. And then there are the darker ones, such as cheating on your loved one, or even murder, to stealing valuable items or foalnapping.
Everypony has secrets.
Your neighborhood milkmare might have been a thief in her younger years, or your store clerk could have been a murderer back in his day. Your next door neighbor could be a drug smuggler, your parents could have been foal nappers in their old days, or even pedophiles.
Everypony has secrets... and we all know the saying.
The nicer they are... the darker their secret.
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A Golden Legacy
A story of betrayal, war, and darkness.
Written by: Dustchu.
Duo story to A Viral Legacy
MLP:FIM belongs to Hasbro and Lauren Faust.
I own only my OC's and certain elements.
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Chapter 00: Prologue
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Morning crept over the hillsides near Ponyville. Bright rays of sunshine rained down on the small town, seeping in through open windows and in between curtains awakening the residents to another beautiful and hopefully peaceful day. Windows opened fully as the sun rose up high enough to reflect off of the Castle where the Library used to be. This was known as the Castle of Friendship, where Twilight, well... Princess Twilight Sparkle resided for quite some time after losing the library to an attack from Tirek, a creature that stole the magic from Equestria, somehow.
Working Ponies began the day by setting up their shops in the town center, checking their wares and changing their signs from closed to open. Others cleaned up, and set about getting ready for the day. Fillies and colts alike awoke to breakfast, and started getting ready for school.
And in the castle, Twilight as usual was already awake and ready for the day. Twilight was a young mare, nineteen years old and already a princess. She was a lavender colored mare with purple hair with a light pink strip running down it, purple eyes and a cutie mark of a star. She sat in her vast library, skimming through several book on magical theory and history. The mare's violet eyes taking in every word faster then one could blink. Vast amounts of knowledge was at her hooftips, and she was intent on sucking it all up as the majority of her books were all old texts, most first editions and hard to find but luckily she was able to find them and acquire them.
Spike was busy cleaning, sweeping the floors and making sure the books were all in their right place. His clawed feet making a tap tap tap sound as he walked, one of the many noises Twilight blocked out. The others were the occasional feather ruffle of Owlowiscious, the ticking of the clocks and her turning a page. All in all, it was boring her, she loved to read and It was her life to a degree. But sometimes she urned for something more exciting.
I need to research something new. She told herself. Closing the book once she reached the ending paragraph. With a sigh she stood up and stretched, her neck and back popped and she let out a groan of relief. The sun shone in through the windows washing over her with a welcomed warmth. But then a shadow appeared blocking it out, huh? Looking up at the window she noticed a blot blocking the sun out. What is that?
She couldn't fathom what it was, but whatever it was it was getting bigger. Just as she was about to take a step back the blot shot in through the window and crashed into a bookshelf, knocking several tomes to the floor and saying. "My bad!"
Ditzy Do. Twilight facehoofed, she clenched her eyes shut as the mare crashed down. Opening one of her eyes she saw the grey Pegasus get up, shaking off the dust and standing with a sheepish expression on her wall eyed face. I swear that mare is too clumsy for her own good. Ditzy was a grey pegasus, and Ponyville's mailmare. The ditzy pegasus had a silky blonde mane and tail, golden eyes and a cutie mark of bubbles. Celestia only knows what that is for.
"My bad, Princess Twilight." Ditzy apologized, blushing crimson as she watched Twilight... I think. It was hard to tell with her eyes being askew as they are.
The princess sighed. "Its alright, Miss Do, just call me Twilight, okay?" she told the mailmare. "Now, is there a reason you crashed here?"
Ditzy brought a hoof to her chin and tapped it a few times, humming in thought before going. "Oh!" Ditzy reached behind her and nudged open her saddlebag flap and pulled out a letter. "Thifs if fo you!" she said, letting Twilight take the letter from her mouth with her magic. Before Twilight could get a look at it Ditzy froze as her eyes focused on the letter's seal, her normally wall eyed expression morphing into a normal one. "Uh, I have to go now, sorry for crashing Twilight!" she cried before jumping up and flying out of the window, disappearing from sight.
The princess tilted her head, she had only ever seen the mailmare's eyes focused and 'normal' on rare occasions. That was certainly strange, what made her do that? She pondered, looking down at the letter. The envelope was a simple pasty white color, her name was scrawled on the front in intricate script with no return address. On the back however was a seal, one she had never seen before. I wonder who this is from, I don't recognize this symbol. With a flick of her head she sent the letter flying over to the desk where it landed in a small pile of letters she was going to read later.
Looking back at the window, she found her mind pleagued by Ditzy's reaction. Never before had she seen that look she had in her eyes, she wondered what this meant. Did Ditzy know this seal?
Shaking her head Twilight focused on fixing the window, picking up each piece and placing them in the window and holding in place with her magic. Once she did that she seal the piece together and repaired the cracks with a blast of magic. Eventually she was done and the window was fixed, Twilight wiped at her brow with gentle sigh. Alright, done. Now that she was done she turned back towards her desk, her eyes fixating on the letter which caused Ditzy to act strangely... more so then usual.
She looked at it. A simple letter and seal, What's so special about it? Her thoughts turned to the seal. Not many ponies bothered with seals on their letters, especially personalized ones. Most noble families only bothered with such things, or royalty such as Princess Celestia and Luna, and Twilight herself. This particular seal was simply a cross in blackened wax. Picking it up she inspected it. This doesn't look like the seal of any noble house I've read about, I wonder whose it is? She took a letter opener and proceeded to open it.
Inside she found the letter and pulled it out. A single piece of neatly folded parchment, she unfolded it and read it.
Greetings Miss Twilight Sparkle.
Or should I call you Princess? Perhaps the Element of Magic? Regardless of your title, this is not the point.
You do not know of me, but my organization and I know of you. We have reason to believe that an object of great importance lies somewhere within your peaceful town. A certain somepony has this object, and I... nay, my organization requires it. This particular pony I speak of, is dangerous not only to your faithful subjects, but to all of Equestria should should she continue to have it in her possession.
I ask, no... I plead with you, find this pony and tell us. All you have to do is write a letter, and leave it on your desk... we shall see it. And do not tell anyone of this letter, we wish to remain anonymous. Princess Celestia and Luna would not understand the significance of the object's power.
And please... be careful.
May Celestia's Sun guide you.
With regards: A Friend.
Twilight's eyes bugged out when she finished the letter. She reread it again and again, but it remained the same. W-what is this? A dangerous object? What could it be?! Who would have such a thing?! And why would they be here? Does Ditzy know about this? Is that why she was bothered by the letter's seal!? So many questions! She raged internally with herself, what should she do?
The fate of Equestria it seemed was in her hooves once more. Should she contact the princess anyway? Why wouldn't she? Princess Celestia knows all about dangerous artifacts, she rubbed her chin in thought before her eyes widened. Ditzy Do. that was the one thought that stood out amongst the maelstrom of thoughts raging within her mind. Ditzy Do, Ponyville's mailmare and resident Muffin addict. Ditzy, what do you know about this letter? she wondered.
Did the mailmare know of the organization? Was she a part of it before becoming a mailmare? In fact... what did Ditzy do before she was a mailmare? Heck, where did she live before Ponyville, was she even born here? Now she needed to know, she knew so little about Ditzy Do. She's a mother, that's one thing. She also loves Muffins, is clumsy as all heck and works at the Postal office in Ponyville. Twilight shook her head, she needed to find out, if Ponyville was in danger and Ditzy knew something she needed to find out now!
"SPIKE!" she yelled, getting the young drake's attention she said. "I'm going out, I won't be back for a while, okay?"
Spike tilted her head, "Okay, but, where are you going?"
"I have something investigate. If somepony needs me tell them I'm not available." She told him as she grabbed her saddlebag and prepared several things, such as blank scrolls and quills and ink before trotting down the stairs to the exit. "I'll be back, don't worry about me Spike." and with that she left.
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Twilight trotted along the bustling crowd of Ponyville, ignoring the bows and the 'my princess' being thrown at her. In truth she didn't care all that much for the attention, she liked being the shut in bookworm that everyone knew as the Element of Magic, but now being known as both that and a princess was overwhelming She had too many responsibilities, but she'll be damned if she was going to fail this duty.
She could see several pegasi flying high above, most were the cloud workers. They flew through the skies to and fro, preparing the small town for a light rain shower last time she heard from Rainbow Dash. The cyan mare was too busy dealing with some kind of sickness over at the Wonderbolt Academy, even though she says she's alright. The same could be said about the rest of the Elements of Harmony. Rarity was in Canterlot busy selling her new designs to the nobles, Applejack has expanded her farmland and is managing that twenty four seven, Fluttershy has been caught up dealing with several injured Usra Minors that have gotten ill, and Pinkie... is well, Pinkie.
I miss spending time with you girls. Twilight sighed heavily, looking out ahead. She needed to find Ditzy, Now where did she live again? Twilight spotted a mare up ahead sitting under a tree away from the hustle and bustle, a mint green with a lyre in her hooves gently plucking a melody that she had never heard before. "Hey, Lyra!" She called out, trotting over to the unicorn.
Lyra looked up at Twilight. "Oh, hello Twilight." she smiled, gesturing for Twilight to come over. "What brings Ponyville's princess to little ol Lyra, eh?" A toothy grin took over her features as Twilight took a seat next to her. Lyra Heartstrings was a magic mint green unicorn with a brilliant cyan mane and tail with a white streak running through it and golden eyes almost like Ditzy's, and a cutie mark of a Lyre.
"Well," Twilight started. "How are you doing today? Its been awhile since we last talked."
Lyra nodded. "Yes it has, hasn't it?" The unicorn sighed softly, using her magic to play another soft tune that fit with the calm and serene ambiance that surrounded them. "I've been busy with helping Bon Bon and her shop, that and my studies on the you know what." she winked, plucking another string with her magic to emphasize her point. "Other then that, I haven't been doing much. How about you?"
The lavender mare giggled at Lyra's studies. Trying to prove the existence of humans, oh Lyra. "Well, I've been busy as well. What with managing budgets and my friendship studies I've had no time off, until today that is." Shaking her head she added. "Thanks to Ditzy I have some time off."
The lyre player's ears perked up. "Oh? What about Ditzy, she crash into the castle again?" another toothy grin appeared as she plucked a high note, followed by another.
"Yeah, and she dropped off this weird letter, speaking of Ditzy do you know where she is? I want to talk with her about the letter." Twilight asked. The more she thought about the letter the more suspicious she got about the mailmare.
To her luck, Lyra nodded. "Yeah she's at home." She lifted a hoof and pointed towards the south, towards the outskirts of Ponyville. "Just head that way, and look for the house at the very end, number's 14. Its the one with the blue paint job and the picket fence." She explained, recalling Ditzy's homestead.
"Thanks Lyra!" Twilight nodded, getting up and trotting off in that direction. "We'll have to hang out later and catch up some more, maybe get some lunch." she suggested.
"Sounds good, and tell Ditzy I said hi!"
With a smile Twilight trotted off down the street.
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The street Twilight ventured down was long and winding, several nice houses and abodes sat on either side with happy families on the outside enjoying the sunny day. Several colts and fillies waved to her as she passed, she gave them a warm smile and a wave in reply. The sun was shining brightly in the sky, small clouds here and there giving some Pegasia few resting places.
Once Twilight looked out ahead she saw the home of Ditzy Do. It was a simple little two story house. A sea blue coat of paint covered the walls, two windows sat near the front next to a single brown door. A white picket fence dotted the yard with a small open gate in front, and Twilight could see a young Dinky Do sitting outside with her sister, Amethyst Star.
"Hello Dinky, Sparkler!" Twilight called out once she got closer, both fillies looked up and smiled.
"Hiya Princess Twilight!" Dinky waved, a big smile on her face as she trotted over, embracing the lavender mare in a hug which was gracefully returned. Dinky was a small filly with a pale purple coat color, a blonde mane, and yellow eyes. Her sister had a pink coat, a violet mane and tail with a floral lavender streak, amethyst eyes, and a cutie mark of three brilliant-cut diamonds. Both of them were unicorns.
"Hello Princess." Amethyst greeted, bowing her head once before asking. "You hear to see mom?"
Twilight nodded. "Yes, is your mother around? I wish to ask her about a letter she gave me."
Amethyst nodded, "Yeah, she's in the house. You can go on in, she's just cleaning up a bit." Amethyst walked over to the door and opened it, letting Twilight in as the pink mare trotted back out to play with her sister.
Twilight thanked her and trotted inside. Ditzy's house was homey, several pictures of Ditzy and her two daughters were up on the walls brought a smile to Twilight's face. Some of the pictures depicted Ditzy with normal looking eye as opposed to her askew ditzy look. Potted plants lined the hall, some nice rugs and furniture were set up as well. Twilight found Ditzy in the living room with a broom in her hooves, she lightly glided across the floor sweeping up dust bunnies while humming a soft tune to herself.
To Twilight's surprise she hadn't crashed yet. Twilight watched as the normally clumsy mare glided across the room with the grace of a dancer, lifting up colorful vases and furniture and cleaning up any dirt or dust she found. When she was done Twilight knocked on the side of the door frame she stood in twice, getting the mailmare's attention. "Um, hello Ditzy."
The mailmare dropped her broom in shock, her eyes taking on the askew expression she's always had. "Oh, uh, heheeh, hey Twilight!" She said, flying down and tripping, falling to the floor. "Whoops!"
Twilight shook her head with a smile, helping up the pegesus with her magic. "Ditzy, can we talk?"
Ditzy nodded with a smile, "Sure we can!" She said, gesturing for Twilight to sit down as she glided into the kitchen, hitting a door frame and yelping out. "Ow." before continuing, sounds of dishes being moved and the fridge being opened sounded. "Would you like some tea, Twilight?"
"Oh, if that's alright with you."
"Nonsense! I'll whip us up some right away!" she called out, followed by a dish breaking. "My bad!"
The lavender mare shook her head as she took off her saddlebags and set them down next to her. She then opened it and pulled out the letter, she looked it over once more before setting it down next to her and waited for Ditzy to return. One way or another I'm going to get some answers.
Eventually the pegasus returned with a tray balanced on her left wing, she set it down on the table in front of the chairs. The tray from what Twilight saw an arrangement of muffins from blueberry to banana, two tea cups, sugar and cream, and the tea pot which was already heated. "I was making tea by the time you came around, so that's why I have some ready so quickly." Ditzy explained with a smile as she prepared some.
After getting her tea Twilight waited for it to cool, picking up a sugar cube she put it in and stirred it. "Oh, Lyra says Hi, by the way. and Ditzy, how are you doing?" she asked with a gentle smile. Might as well make small talk first, loosen her up.
Ditzy smiled, "Oh, I've been just fine. My boss has given me time off after my little, uh, accident with crashing into your castle. Sorry about that again, by the way." She said, rubbing the back of her head as she stared into her tea cup.
The princess waved a hoof. "Its alright, don't worry about it much. I fixed it already so there's no need to apologize." She then looked outside the window, seeing both the fillies playing she smiled again. "How have those two been doing?"
The mailmare looked outside the window, a warm smile made its way onto her face. "They've been doing very well. Dinky has gotten been getting straight A's in class all week, so I've been planning a little gift for her." She winked. "As for Amethyst, she's preparing for her trip to Canterlot's Academy for Gifted Unicorns" she sighed, a pang of sadness in her tone as her eyes looked downcast.
"I went to that academy myself, its a great place Ditzy." Twilight told her softly. "I'm sure she'll do great."
"I know," Ditzy admitted. "I'm just... it just feels like yesterday she was just a little filly I used to tuck in at night." the pegasus let out a breath, sipping at her tea before setting the cup down. "I know its selfish of me to want to keep her here, but she's growing up... I'm proud of her for being so talented, Dinky as well. I have no doubt they'll both grow up and be very beautiful mares, and talented as well." Ditzy explained, her eyes focusing on her two daughters before going askew again.
Silence took residence for a while as both mares drank their tea, occasionally nibbling on a muffin. Twilight broke the silence soon after. "Listen Ditzy... I came here about the letter you gave me."
A deep sigh escaped the mailmare's lips. "I know."
Twilight held the letter up for Ditzy to see, its seal broken. "What do you know about this? They told me, someone in Ponyville has something that could potentially harm all of Equestria!" Her gaze turned hard as she looked into Ditzy's eyes... kinda. "Do you know who it is?"
For a split second Twilight saw anger flash in the grey mare's eyes. "Twilight... just..."
"I need to know Ditzy, who has this object? Do you know them? Do you know this organization!?" Twilight pressed, stepping forward and glaring. "I need t-"
"Twilight!" Ditzy yelled, her eyes going back to normal and glaring straight into Twilight's. She had shot up from her seat and grabbed the princess, holding her up against the wall. "stop..."
Twilight stared at Ditzy, letting the letter go in shock at the normally vibrant and happy mare lash out in controlled anger. Ditzy held one of her hooves to Twilight's throat, pinning her up against the wall so she couldn't use her wings. The other was firmly placed on her horn, keeping her from using her magic. What in Tartarus is going on! Why is Ditzy acting this way?! she questioned, trying to get out of the hold but as unable to.
"Twilight." Ditzy began with wings flared out, her happy tone all but gone from her voice. "Listen to me... you're dealing with forces you cannot possibly begin to comprehend. Discord, Tirak, the Changelings, they pale in comparison to what you're delving into." She tightened her grip. "If you value you and your friends' lives, I suggest you forget what happened..." She loosened up her grip, her eyes pleading. "Please..."
Looking at Ditzy, Twilight saw something... fear, and pain. Ditzy. Reaching up, Twilight put a hoof on Ditzy's shoulder. "Please," she coughed, "just tell me... what's going on?" she begged, her breathing was becoming labored the more she stayed suspended. "Talk to me, Ditzy, I'm your friend, please!"
The grey mare stared at Twilight, her golden eyes conflicted. After what felt like an eternity, Ditzy let the Alicorn mare go, letting her fall to the floor. Ditzy took a shaky step backward, "You don't understand, Twilight..." her bottom lip quivered, her wings shuffled before going back to her sides. "This, isn't something you can understand."
Twilight stood up, her neck in pain but she took a step towards Ditzy. "Then help me understand..." She stood next to Ditzy and nudged her gently. "I'll do everything I can to help you, but I can't unless I understand what's going on... I'm scared Ditzy... I need to know what this is... and I need your help." Twilight truly was scared, not just for her friends, but for all of Equestria.
Ditzy took a few breathes and nodded. She wiped at her eyes, sniffing and said. "Go downstairs into the basement, key's hanging on the wall. I'll be there in a second... it's... it's better if I show you." she then trotted off and left Twilight to find her way.
Nodding and turning around Twilight left, heading towards where she assumed the basement door was. She passed by several closet doors until she came to a single door located down a few steps, a small silver key with a blue cloth tag attached to it. Twilight grabbed the key in her magic veil, took it off of the key holder and slid it into the keyhole, turning it clockwise the lock gave and she pushed the door open. Once it was open she placed the key back where it was and ventured down into the basement, her hooves making a loud clip-clopping sound that echoed.
Its a bit dark, I should use one of my light spells. She was about to, but was stopped when she heard a match strike behind her. Turning around she saw Ditzy holding a lantern in her mouth, a burnt match lying on the floor. How did I not hear her? She listened carefully, swiveling her ears towards Ditzy but she heard no sounds save for Ditzy and her own breathing. Twilight followed Ditzy silently through the basement, passing by several old boxes and other containers.
Ditzy was silent the whole was, her eyes seeming to glow in the darkness thanks to the lantern she held in her mouth. The mailmare led Twilight over to a wall blocked off by some cardboard boxes, with little care Ditzy swiped them out of the way with a wing tip sending them falling to the side revealing a stone wall. Ditzy placed her hoof on one of the stones, then another, and then another completing a triangle. When she was done, a light appeared in the form of a symbol Twilight had never seen before... another one.
When it lit up Twilight heard a faint humming noise, followed by stone shifting.
What kind of magic is this? The Alicorn wondered, watching as several golden lines of some magic coursed through the wall and shifted the stone out of the way, showing a small tunnel leading into darkness. Ditzy flicked her head forward and moved into it, when Twilight followed she saw several dark blue flames light up, illuminating the room she and the grey pony stood in. Several banners depicting the same symbol on the door hung up on the walls, with a stone carving of it resting on the far side of the room. In the middle sat a large oak wood table, several books and tomes sat about on other tables, scrolls and parchment scattered about and a faint smell of 'old smell but still kinda good smell' wafted around.
Twilight had never seen anything like this in all her life, the books and the scrolls all had seals and symbols she'd never heard of before. Or even seen! Languages and pictures, So much unknown knowledge.
Ditzy extinguished her lantern, setting it aside with a sigh. "You're the first pony in a long time to have seen this place, Twilight." she informed the younger mare who was looking around in astonishment. "Only those like me ever see places like this, you should count yourself lucky."
Looking away from a book that caught her eye, twilight looked over at Ditzy with a curious expression. "What do you mean, those like you?"
Ditzy's eyes flicked over to several cabinats which she ventured to. Twilight followed, more curious then ever. Once Ditzy stopped in front of them, she held out a hoof, placing it on the wooden door. "Twilight... I'm, not who you think I am." she looked at twilight, her eyes staring into Twilight's violet ones. "To everyone else, I'm Derpy Hooves, or Derpy Do." she muttered sadly, Twilight winced, remembering the hateful names everyone calls her behind her back. "I'm the clumsy mailmare with an obsession with muffins, who can't do anything right..." her gaze turned hard. "Everything I do, the crashing, my eyes, my clumsiness... its all an act."
"An.. act?" Twilight asked, she acted like that on purpose? Why?
Ditzy nodded. "Yes, everything... except muffins, those are really good." she smiled faintly before frowning again. "I'm not the clumsy mailmare, and I'm certainly not derpy in any way."
"Then..." Twilight gulped, a sense of foreboding washing over her. "Who are you?"
The older mare opened the door, showing several things Twilight never thought a sweet and nice mare like Ditzy would have in her basement. Swords and daggers, among other weapons sat lined on the doors next to what looked like some sort of cloak garb sat inside, making her eyes go wide when she looked back at Ditzy in shock and awe.
Ditzy turned back to Twilight. "Twilight Sparkle... I am an Assassin."
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Like I said... the nicer they are, the darker their secrets.
