Braveheart: The Untold Stories Episode 4: Legacy of the Creed

Chapters

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4

Part 1

It was one week after I saw the attack on Equestria from the Apple. It was near dawn. I had stayed up all night, watching the window, waiting. Waiting on the assault that was to come. After seeing the event from the Apple, I've been a nervous wreck. As the dawn spread throughout Equestria, I stepped downstairs, ever careful. I opened up my fridge and pulled out an apple. I heard a knock on the door, and I opened it up. A black, insectoid pony stood there, pointed teeth barred in a wicked smile. Caught by surprise, I jumped back, dropping my apple. The pony had holes in its legs, a curved black horn, and translucent wings. It's mane and tail were webbed. I suddenly realized that this was a Changeling, and it was creepy.

“You're one ugly mother-fucker,” I mumbled. The Changeling hissed and tackled me. It tried to bite me and pound me to the ground. I held it back as best as I could, but it was surprisingly strong. I knocked it to the floor with my Terminator hoof and held it there. I quickly raised my left hoof, extended my hidden blade, and brought it down. The Changeling avoided the strike and knocked me off my feet. It bit into my living leg, causing me to wince in pain. I hit it hard in the head with my other hoof, breaking my leg free. The Changeling fell to the ground, unconscious. I ran to my bathroom and got my first aid kit. I wrapped a bandage around my bite wound and put away the kit. I flew back downstairs and picked up the Changeling. I threw it into the armory and restrained it on a chair. This was the first Changeling I had ever seen, and I was curious to find out more about it. The Changeling woke up and started to thrash about. It made metallic hissing as it tried to get at me. It thrashed its head, trying to bite me again. I waited for about 10 minutes before it finally calmed down. Its eyes glowed with an unnatural and unhealthy green. It seemed to be in pain. I only knew one simple fact about Changelings. They fed on love. I carefully put out my hoof, trying to show it I didn't mean any harm. The Changeling didn't try to bite this time. I put my hoof to its head. It felt cold and hard.

“I don't want to hurt you,” I whispered. “It's OK.” I felt something drain from me. It was ever so slight, but I still felt it. The Changeling was feeding on the mutual love I showed towards it. The green glow faded from its eyes, and they returned to a sky blue. I pulled my hoof away, and looked into the Changeling's eyes.

“What are you here for?” I asked. “Who sent you?”

“I came alone, under the Queen's orders,” the Changeling said. “I work as a spy for the hive. I came to kill you.” Something seemed off.

“You're awfully quick to answer my questions,” I said. “What's going on?”

“That blow to the head damaged my way of speaking through the one voice of the hive,” the Changeling said. “The hive speaks through the head as one voice. I can't send these messages anymore, but I can still recieve. I'm free. Now let me go.”

“If I let you go, you'll just try to kill me again,” I denied. The Changeling shook its head.

“I only attacked because I was controlled by the Queen,” it said. “I have no intention of hurting an innocent. It's against Changeling law.” I took this to consideration. I made up my mind. I extended my hidden blade. The Changeling turned away in fear. I stepped behind it and cut the ropes. The bonds fell away, and the Changeling opened one eye. I stepped in front of it and retracted my blade. The Changeling stood up.

“What are you going to do now?” I asked.

“I am in your debt,” the Changeling said. “Let me stay. I can help you. Since I can still receive the hive's telepathic messages, I can help you anticipate attacks.” I was hesitant to let a Changeling help me. It said it itself, it can still receive those messages. Those orders to attack. But it would make a valuable asset to the Assassin order.

“All right,” I said. “I accept your help. Wait here, and change to somepony else, will you? I don't want your cover blown to another pony. I'll be right back.” I flew out of the armory and to Ponyville. I landed at Sweet Apple Acres and pounded on the farm door. Granny Smith opened it.

“Well, hi there,” she enthusiastically said, in a raspy voice. “You must be friends of Applejack and Applebloom.”

“Yes ma'am,” I said. “Are they here?”

“They sure are,” Granny Smith said. “APPLEJACK!!! APPLEBLOOM!!!” I winced at the old mare's volume. She was probably heard all the way from the furthest corner of Ponyville. Applejack and Applebloom came down the stairs. I noticed the bracers were still on their hooves.

“Sheesh, Granny,” Applejack said. “You haven't been this loud since Zap Apple season. Somethin' the matter?”

“Your friend is here,” Granny Smith said, her volume back to normal. She left the door.

“Oh, hey Braveheart,” Applebloom said. “Is the attack comin'?”

“Not yet,” I said. “But I have a feeling it will soon. I need you to come to Canterlot. We have another Assassin to recruit.”

“Not sure Ah can afford it,” Applejack said. “It's almost Applebuck season, and we're down to our last few bits.”

“I can take care of that,” I said. “Meet me at the station, and wear your robes.” I flew up to Rainbow Dash's place and gave her the same news. Sweetie Belle was last. I flew to the Carousel Boutique and knocked on the door. Rarity came into sight.

“Well, hello Braveheart,” she said.

“Hi,” I said back. “Is Sweetie Belle here?”

“No,” Rarity said. “She's at her clubhouse.”

“Thanks,” I said. I left for the CMC clubhouse. I opened the door and saw Sweetie Belle alone, honing her skills.

“Hi, Braveheart,” she said. “Is the attack here?”

“No,” I assured. “But we do have another Assassin to recruit. Meet the group at the Ponyville station.”

“Will do,” Sweetie Belle said. I left the clubhouse and waited at the Ponyville station. Within minutes, the Assassins arrived, clothed in their robes.

“Ready to go,” Rainbow Dash said. I nodded. I picked up Applebloom and Sweetie Belle and lifted up into the air.

“We don't have time to take the train,” I said. “We need to get to my place fast.” Rainbow Dash caught my drift and picked up Applejack. We flew to my house and entered the armory. The Changeling was disguised as somepony else. I nodded, and the Changeling morphed back to its original form. The other Assassins gasped.

“Changeling!” Rainbow Dash cried. “Kill it!” The Assassins lunged at the Changeling. Rainbow Dash raised her extended blade and brought it down. I jumped in the way and blocked the attack with my bracer. I knocked Rainbow Dash back as Applejack and Applebloom attacked. I reacted quickly and banged their heads together. Sweetie Belle jumped into the air, ready to strike. I jumped up and kicked Sweetie Belle in the gut, knocking her to the floor. I breathed heavily as the Assassins lay on the ground. They got up, ready to attack again.

“Don't touch him,” I ordered. “He is the new recruit.”

“Ah don't believe it,” Applebloom denied.

“Neither do I,” Applejack agreed.

“Whose side are you on anyway?” Rainbow Dash demanded.

“Let me at it!” Sweetie Belle cried. I shoved her back.

“What's gotten into you, Braveheart?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“I'm letting him live,” I explained. “He was assigned to kill me, but in defending myself, I freed him of his hive's bonds. He said that he owes me. That he can help anticipate attacks. I'm giving him a second chance. And so will you.”

“What makes you say that?” Rainbow Dash demanded. She wasn't budging on her opinion.

“He said that he would never hurt an innocent,” I said.

“You have a damned bandage on your hoof!” Sweetie Belle cried. “It appears to me that he hurt you!”

“In his attack, he bit me,” I said. “But only because he was under his Queen's control. I damaged his telepathic voice. He can only receive other Changelings' messages. He poses no threat whatsoever.”

“If that thing so much as puts a bruise on anypony, I will show no mercy towards it,” Rainbow Dash threatened. I extended my blade and pointed it to Rainbow Dash's throat.

“Do that, and you will not only be expelled from the order, but executed as well,” I threatened back. “Assassin code.” I retracted the blade and stepped back. “Now, lets get the initiation started.”

“Fine,” Rainbow Dash grumbled. I gave the Changeling his robe and hidden blade. He put them on as I opened the glass case and touched the Apple of Eden. The Assassin projections appeared and we stood into place.

“Niente è vero. Tutto è permesso,” Altair said. “Where other ponies blindly follow the truth, remember...”

“Nothing is true,” the Changeling said.

“Where other ponies are limited by morality or law,” Altair said. “Remember...”

“Everything is permitted,” the Changeling said.

“We work in the dark to serve the light,” Altair continued. “We are Assassins.”

“Nothing is true,” Me, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Applebloom, and Sweetie Belle said. “Everything is permitted.” The projections faded. I walked up to the Changeling and held out my hoof.

“Welcome to the Creed,” I said with a smile. The Changeling smiled back and shook my hoof. I felt the slight drain again. “You need a name,” I suggested.

“Back at the hive, I was called #826,” the Changeling said, sort of embarrassed. I did a bit of thinking.

“Did you have a nickname in the hive?” I asked.

“Yeah,” the Changeling nodded. “It was Sparks, because I loved to play pranks on other Changelings by causing a big spark behind them. It was loud too, so that was the prank.”

“Sparks it is,” I shrugged. “Welcome to the Creed, Sparks.” We shook hooves again. Rainbow Dash growled and flew away. Applejack followed her with a scowl on her face. Applebloom and Sweetie Belle left as well. I felt bad for Sparks.

“Don't mind them,” I said. “They all just have bad experiences with Changelings. The attack on Canterlot years ago.”

“I know,” Sparks said. “I was there. Got blasted away, just like the rest of my kind. Took us years for all of the Changelings to find our Queen and rebuild.” Sparks suddenly went still and stared straight ahead.

“What is it?” I asked. “Something from the hive?”

“Yes,” Sparks said. “The Queen just ordered the attack. The Changeling warriors are spreading out over Equestria.” Rainbow Dash suddenly burst into the room.

“Braveheart!” she cried. “We have a problem outside.” Sparks and I pulled our hoods over our heads and left the armory. I shut it and pulled the rug back over the door. I met Sparks and Rainbow Dash back outside, and I couldn't believe what I saw. The sky was swarming with Changeling warriors, and they were bombing the streets.

“You brought 'em here!” Applejack screamed. I held her back as she tried to attack Sparks.

“Sparks has nothing to do with this,” I said. “He was alone on an assassination mission. I damaged his telepathy. He can't relay messages anymore.”

“Unless he was just tryin' ta gain your trust,” Applebloom said.

“I was under the Queen's control,” Sparks reasoned. “I swear! I didn't even tell other Changelings that I was doing this!”

“Enough!” I yelled. “We don't have time to argue. The assault on Equestria has begun, and it's up to us to end it. Victory to the Assassins!”

“Victory to the Assassins!” Everypony else cried, including Sparks. We extended our hidden blades and got ready to end this conflict once and for all.

Part 2

A Changeling landed right in front of me, and stood up hissing. I jumped and killed it with my hidden blade. More Changelings surrounded us, and we got ready to fight. The Changelings snarled and closed in. Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Sweetie Belle, Applebloom, Sparks, and myself fought back. I put my blade into a warrior's neck, spun around, and pierced another in the brain. I jumped into the air and avoided two more Changelings, who collided with each other. I pulled out my sword and impaled the two fuckers through their hearts. The attackers kept coming.

“Ah'm not sure how much longer we can hold out!” Applebloom cried, as she tore her blade out of a Changeling's skull.

“Speak for yourself!” Rainbow Dash said. “I could do this all day!” She stabbed a Changeling in the back.

“Applebloom's right,” Applejack said. “Ah'm used ta applebuckin', and this sure as hell ain't applebuckin'!” She spun out of the way as a Changeling lunged, and put her blade in its brain.

“Rarity's going to kill me if she finds one drop of blood on me,” Sweetie Belle complained. “And my blade is drenched with it.” She pierced another Changeling through the heart.

“If I get dragged back to the hive, I'll literally be dead,” Sparks said. He slid below a warrior and cut it open.

“If we lose Canterlot, we lose Equestria!” I cried. “Keep fighting!” We continued killing Changeling after Changeling, pushing forward through Canterlot. When we reached the ruins of Canterlot Castle, we were surprised to find that no Changeling was even close to the ruins. We turned to see a horde of Changelings charging, in the air and on the ground. The Changelings in the air landed, and we were surrounded.

“What now?” Sweetie Belle whispered.

“Me, Sparks, and Rainbow Dash will take flight,” I whispered back. “Draw as many of them away from you as we can. We'll fly throughout Equestria, drawing Changelings out of the populated areas. Once we have all of them on our flanks, we'll draw them back into Canterlot, and end this.” Sweetie Belle nodded. I nodded to Rainbow Dash and Sparks, and we bolted upward. Changelings swarmed from the crowd after us, and we led them around Equestria. As we passed over Ponyville, more Changelings joined the chase, as did more when we passed over Dodge Junction. Sparks and I launched magic attacks at the pursuing Changelings as we flew, picking them off one by one. Once the round through Equestria was complete, we joined Applejack, Applebloom, and Sweetie Belle back in Canterlot.

“Nice of ya ta join us,” Applejack scowled. “They just keep comin'!”

“They're gonna keep comin'!” Applebloom cried. “Look!” Applejack briefly looked up to see the Changelings we had brought with us. I charged up a magic spell and blasted away a large chunk of the Changelings. The Changelings suddenly stopped attacking. We waited for the incoming attack, but none came. I looked down the empty row of Changelings that I had just blasted. The other Assassins did as well. The Queen of the Changelings stepped through the row, chuckling to herself.

“I'm surprised by how long you've managed to last,” the Queen admired. “So many of my children killed because of you.”

“Chrysalis,” I growled. “The imposter that nearly ruined that wedding so many years ago wears her ugly head once again.”

“I was so close,” Chrysalis grumbled. “So close to controlling Canterlot. So close to ruling Equestria. And after nearly a decade of rebuilding, the wait was finally over. I felt the death of Celestia and Luna. That day, I knew it was only a matter of time before Equestria fell into chaos. I was surprised it hadn't when I ordered this assault. But now, the only thing that stands between me and my rule of Equestria is a group of brats who call themselves Assassins.” Chrysalis turned and walked away. “Kill them,” she ordered. The Changelings hissed loudly and dove towards us. I quickly focused my magic and teleported us all to the armory.

“What are we going to do?” Sweetie Belle asked. “Every Changeling is in Canterlot, just like during the wedding. They're probably going to fan out over Equestria again.”

“Assassins,” I called. “Grab a weapon, a knife, armor, and another hidden blade. If it's a fight Chrysalis wants, it's a fight she'll get. Sparks, are you sure you're OK with this?”

“Chrysalis tried to make me kill the only pony that ever showed me any kind of love,” Sparks said. “She deserves death.” Sparks and I embraced, and I felt love I showed slip away once again. I opened up the glass case and took the Apple of Eden. I made a fast modification to my mechanical leg and attached a hidden blade to the hoof. Once all the Assassins, including myself, had taken what they needed, I opened up the armory hatch and we exited the house. Changeling warriors patrolled Canterlot. After taking a quick head count, not one of them had left the city. The Assassins must have become the highest priority. I whistled, and the Changeling patrols whipped around. We all drew our weapons. Sparks a sword, Applejack a knife, Rainbow Dash a war hammer, Applebloom a curved blade, Sweetie Belle a battle axe, and I extended my two hidden blades. The weaker Changelings panicked and flew away in fear. The tougher Changelings attacked head on. Applejack stabbed her knife into an oncoming Changeling's head, killing it instantly. Sparks swung fast and cut open an attacker, then yanked out the sword and let the Changeling drop. Applebloom spun and cleanly cut off a Changeling's head. Sweetie Belle swung down and stuck her axe in her attacker's head, wedging the axe in its brain. She pulled out the axe, and the Changeling fell backwards, head split in two. Rainbow Dash swung up and clubbed a Changeling in the jaw, sending it sprawling on the ground. Two Changeling warriors charged at me. I stabbed my blades into their necks, then retracted them. The warriors fell to the ground, and we put away our weapons. Blood dripped from the dead bodies, creating a large puddle. Us Assassins stepped over the corpses and walked on. We spread out to search for Chrysalis alone, as I knew we could cover more ground that way. I searched to the east, Sparks to the north, Applejack to the west, Sweetie Belle to the south, Applebloom near the civilian area, and Rainbow Dash with an overhead view. We searched for what seemed to be hours, before Sparks called us over.

We met back up with Sparks at the ruins of Canterlot Castle.

“What's the status, Sparks?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Chrysalis is inside the ruins,” Sparks informed.

“Makes sense,” I mumbled. “Dark, broken, perfect place for her to rule.”

“She ain't gonna rule,” Applebloom said. “Cuz we're gonna stop her.”

“Indeed,” I agreed. “Let's end this.” We stepped into the broken castle. Changeling guards immediately stopped us at the gate.

“Nopony is allowed inside,” the head guard hissed. “Only administered Changelings are allowed in.” We extended our hidden blades and killed the guards. A Changeling witness ran off to alert Chrysalis. Sparks flew after him. The witness sprinted away, and Sparks flew up. The witness burst into the ruined throne room.

“What is it, #629?” Chrysalis mumbled.

“My Queen,” #629 gasped. “We have intruders in the castle. They are heavily armed and...” #629 was cut off by Sparks landing on him, piercing his throat. #629 sputtered with blood before he died. Sparks stood up as the rest of us gathered around him.

“The Assassins,” Chrysalis said. “We've been expecting you.”

“Your reign of terror ends here,” I growled. “You can surrender and face the authorities...” We extended our hidden blades. “Or face us instead.”

“I'd rather kill you all,” Chrysalis said. Heavily armored Changelings flew into the room, ready to fight. They encircled us and blocked the escape. But we had no intention of escaping. We attacked the guards and killed them all. Chrysalis barred her pointed teeth and leaped off the throne. She was dressed in black armor, and a faceplate slid into place from her helmet.

“Let's see what you Assassins are made of,” she suggested.

“With pleasure,” Rainbow Dash snarled. Chrysalis summoned a black sword from thin air. We retracted our hidden blades and drew our own weapons. Chrysalis attacked Sweetie Belle first. Chrysalis swung her sword down hard, and Sweetie Belle blocked it with her battle axe. She forced the sword up, but Chrysalis hit her with the dull edge, knocking her to the floor. Applebloom charged at Chrysalis with her sword and swung to the left. Chrysalis effortlessly blocked the attack and swung back. Applebloom attempted to block the attack, but the force of the blow knocked her to the ground. As Chrysalis raised her sword to finish Applebloom, Applejack tackled her away. Applejack drove her knife into Chrysalis's leg, and was quickly tossed away. Applejack slammed into a stained glass window, severely cracking it. Rainbow Dash blasted towards Chrysalis, swinging down her war hammer. Chrysalis swung her sword up to deflect the attack, but the power and weight of Rainbow's hammer shattered Chrysalis's blade. Chrysalis threw down her sword and simply spawned in another one. She swung fast and struck Rainbow Dash, sending her flying into the wall. I jumped at Chrysalis and swung down my sword. She blocked the attack, but I got out of the way before she could counter. Her sword just barely missed my muzzle as I dove.

“You must be the Master Assassin,” Chrysalis assumed. “The only pony I've met that's as powerful as you was Celestia. And she didn't have half the skills you do. Then again, I haven't fought Nightmare Moon either. She seemed like she'd be a fun challenge. And Discord. He had guts, but his intentions were wrong. King Sombra. Now there's somepony worth fighting. Ruthless and relentless. Best kind of fighter.”

“If you want to fight them,” I said. “Be my guest. Let's see how long you last.” I grabbed the Apple of Eden and held it out. It lit up and projected Nightmare Moon, Discord, Sombra, and Tirek at his maximum strength, but shorter.

“What?!” Chrysalis cried. “What sorcery is this?!”

“You said you wanted to fight these villains,” I reminded. “Now you have the chance.”

“I don't have time for these games!” Chrysalis stormed. She slashed her sword through the projections and they dissipated. She charged at me and swung fast. I blocked the blow and a loud clang rang out through the castle. Sparks dove down at Chrysalis. Chrysalis knocked me away and grabbed Sparks with her magic. She held her blade up to his neck and removed his hood. I stood up, fuming.

“Don't you hurt him,” I raged.

“So ironic,” Chrysalis said. “You kill thousands of my kind, yet not this one. You let him join your team. Even after he tried to kill you.”

“He attacked against his own will,” I said. “You were controlling him. He deserved a second chance.”

“Did he?” Chrysalis asked. “To me, he's just like every single one of my children. Worthless. Meant to be disposed of. He was meant to be a distraction anyway. While he kept you busy, I would launch the assault on Equestria.”

“You're even more black hearted than I thought,” I growled. “If you let him go, I'll stop defending. I'll call off the Assassins and let you continue the attack.”

“No!” Applebloom cried. “Don't do it, Braveheart. Chrysalis is right. Sparks is just another Changeling.”

“A Changeling worth the life of the royal sisters combined,” I argued. Unknown to anypony, I had used my magic to take hold of a throwing knife on my robe.

“You are so naive,” Chrysalis chuckled. “Very well. I will let #826 go. Or as you call him, Sparks.” Chrysalis let go of Sparks and he dropped to the floor. He ran over to me and noticed the glowing knife. Chrysalis turned to make an order. I saw my chance. I threw the knife at Chrysalis's neck. Chrysalis suddenly whipped around and knocked the knife out of the air. She grabbed me with her magic and brought me close.

“I should have known that promise was hollow,” she hissed. “Look around. Everything you care about is gone. Your friends wounded, Equestria near ruin. You in my grasp. You failed, Braveheart!” Chrysalis impaled me with her sword. My pupils shrunk at the immense pain.

“NO!” Rainbow Dash cried. Chrysalis pulled out her sword and dropped me. She left the throne room. The other Assassins rushed over to me. Rainbow Dash grabbed my mechanical hoof and held it to her head.

“Stay with me, Braveheart,” she whispered, tears in her eyes. Sparks listened for a pulse, but it was fading. My vision went to black as I slipped out of consciousness.

Part 3

*beep*

“We need to see him!”

“He's too injured. He needs to be alone as not to go into shock.”

“He's not gonna go inta shock. He's too tough fer that.”

“Please! Go back into the waiting room until he has recovered. And get this ugly thing out of my sight.”

“You take that back, you bitch! Let me at her!”

“Hey! Whoa, now! Take it easy, Sparks. Save your energy for when we go back out there.”

*beep*

“Fine.”

*beep*

*beep beep*

“Oh no. We're losing him. I need the defibrillator, stat!”

*beep beep*

“Clear!”

*ZAP*

*beep beep*

“Again! Up the voltage.”

*beep beep beep*

“Clear!”

*ZAP*

*beep beep beep beep*

“One more time! Max voltage!”

*beep beep beep beep beep*

“Clear!”

*ZAP*

I abruptly inhaled and jolted awake. I coughed up blood, and Doctor Redheart held a bowl under my muzzle. Once I had finished, I flopped back down on the hospital bed and stared at the ceiling. I closed my eyes. I felt an oxygen mask get placed over my muzzle. I passed out again.

*beep*

“He's lost too much blood. He needs a transfusion. What's his blood type?”

“We just ran some tests. He's type A positive.”

“Go ask one of his friends if they have they same blood type.”

“Yes ma'am.”

*beep*

“We brought one of his friends. But the only problem is, it's the Changeling. It was the only one with an A positive blood type.

“*sigh* I guess if we have no other option...”

“Sir, please sit down next to the bed. We need to inject a needle into your hoof. Where is your dominant nerve?”

“Left side.”

*beep*

“Needles in place, ready for transfusion.”

*beep*

“Sir, how are you feeling?”

“Fine.”

“Are you feeling lightheaded?”

“No.”

*beep*

“That should be enough.”

*beep*

“Sir, please go back into the waiting room now.”

*beep*

“He's stabilizing.”

“Great work, Doctor. I'm surprised at how well you work under pressure.”

“All those years at medical school were not wasted in the least. Let's give him his rest. I'll check back with him later.”

*door closes*

*beep*

…

I woke up slowly in the darkened hospital room. The heart rate meter still kept a steady pace. As my vision adjusted to the night, I looked around. I saw my Assassin robes hanging on a nearby coat rack, and my hidden blade lying on the bedside table. I tried to sit up, but I got a jolt of pain in my gut, so I laid still. The door opened and the lights turned dimly on. I looked to see Doctor Redheart.

“Hello Braveheart,” she said. “How are you feeling?”

“Well enough,” I mumbled. I turned my head to the ceiling. “Where are the others? My friends?”

“They're in the guest room,” Doctor Redheart said. “But I don't see how you can call that thing a friend?”

“Who? The Changeling?” I quietly asked. “He has a name you know. It's Sparks. He's just as good a friend as anypony else.”

“He's a Changeling,” Redheart argued. “That species is what nearly killed you. We're glad your pony friends brought you in when they did. Otherwise, you wouldn't have made it. You had a significant amount of internal bleeding.” I turned my head and gave Redheart a hard glare.

“Sparks didn't leave me behind,” I growled. “He helped. I could feel his shelled hooves on mine as he helped carry me. Stop insulting him.” I turned away.

“I'll leave you to get some rest,” Redheart said. “Try to sleep.” Redheart turned off the lights and left the room, closing the door behind her. I levitated my hidden blade onto my hoof and fastened the mechanism. I opened and closed the blade several times before taking it off. I put it back on the bedside table. I looked down my body. I had a large bandage around my gut, and it was soaked red with blood. I lay down and closed my eyes to get some sleep.

I woke up to the sound of talking, and it wasn't the surgeons'. My gut started to hurt, and I gave a groan. The talking stopped. I opened my eyes and saw the other Assassins around me. Rainbow Dash had tears in her eyes.

“You're alive,” she cried.

“We're glad you're OK,” Applejack said.

“Ah thought you had died,” Applebloom said.

“Here's your hidden blade,” Sweetie Belle offered, giving me my bracer. I put it on.

“Braveheart?” Sparks asked. “You OK?”

“I guess,” I mumbled. “Everything aches.”

“We have literally no time,” Sparks said. “Chrysalis ordered the continuation of the attack days ago. The only way to stop the attack now is to kill her. There is no other option.”

“Then I need to get out of here,” I said. I tried to sit up, but the pain in my gut returned, and my friends laid me back down.

“Ya need ta heal,” Applebloom said. “Doctor Redheart said so herself.”

“I may have a way to speed up your recovery,” Sparks said. “The Changelings' blood is infused with fast tissue growth. It happens when we feed on love. I gave some of my blood to help you recover. Therefore, you should be able to feed on love too. Maybe not as well or as efficiently, but it'll work.”

“I hope so,” I said.

“First, we have to open up that bandage,” Sparks said. He tore off the tape and the gauze. There was a gaping hole in my gut. The edges had turned black and hard, like a Changeling's shell. My friends groaned in disgust.

“Yer gut looks like a Changelin's,” Applebloom said, wincing.

“It's horrific,” Sweetie Belle added.

“Indeed,” Applejack said.

“Maybe it's not so bad,” Rainbow Dash suggested.

“No,” Sparks said. “This has to be done. Sweetie Belle, lock the door and close the hallway window blinds. The iron ones.” Sweetie Belle did as she was instructed. I suddenly felt sick.

“I don't feel so good,” I mumbled. The heart rate meter started speeding up, and I passed out.

“Oh no. Git the Doct'r!”

“I can't open the door! It's jammed. So are these iron window blinds.”

“No, no, NO! Don't leave me, Braveheart. Stay with us! Please!”

“How da these dohickeys work?!”

“I don't know! We don't have these things in the hive!”

*beep beep beep*

*beep beep beep beep*

*beep beep beep beep beep*

*flat-line tone*

…

*beep*

…

*beep*

…

*beep*

…

*beep*

…

*beep*

“His heart's startin' back up!”

“Check the hole!”

*beep*

“It's closed, but...it ain't the same.”

“It still looks Changelin'.”

“That's going to be permanent. The Changeling blood heals Changeling flesh and shell. His gut is going to be forever black and hard.”

“Are there any other side effects?”

“No. But he should recover significantly faster. He'll be back on the field in minutes.”

*beep*

I groaned and woke up. Everypony was watching me with concern.

“Braveheart?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“What?” I mumbled. “How's the hole?”

“Closed,” Sparks said. “Within a few minutes, you should be restored to full health. Here's your blade. Once you can get up, we have to leave. Chrysalis has nearly destroyed Equestria. We have mere hours.”

(listen to this music as you read to the end)

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I sat up and got out of the bed. I pulled the privacy screen in front of me and quickly slipped on my robes and weapons. I stepped into view of the Assassins and grinned. They grinned back and stood at my side, ready to fight. I blew off the jammed door and we dashed out of the underground hospital. When we reached the surface, a horrific sight met my eyes. All of Canterlot was in ruin, and Changeling warriors herded survivors to Chrysalis to face judgment. One Changeling was beating a survivor. I walked up behind the warrior and tapped his shoulder. He turned around and I stabbed my hidden blade into his brain. He fell dead and the survivor ran off. I joined back with the others and we ran to Canterlot Castle. More guards patrolled its border. I issued orders to the Assassins, and they ran off in different directions. I checked with each Assassin to make sure they were in place. Once they were, I stepped into a dark alley and watched as Chrysalis stepped out of the castle to give a speech to her warriors. It was now or never. I slowly walked into the crowd from the back, carefully pushing them out of my way. A Changeling archer spotted me and took aim. A shadow covered him, and he looked up, only to get killed. I kept walking. A guard spotted me and ran over. An arrow wedged itself in his neck and he fell head. Another guard ran toward me and suffered the same fate. I pushed a few more Changelings near the front, and two guards looked my way. I extended my two hidden blades and stabbed them in the chests. The two guards near Chrysalis looked over, and I threw two throwing knives. The knives struck the guards in the hearts, killing them. More guards surrounded me, but I did nothing. Chrysalis looked my way. She stepped off her podium and chuckled.

“Braveheart,” she said. “It is brave of you to stand alone against me. But also quite foolish, Assassin.” A phoenix feather fell in front of my face and I caught it. I looked to the sky and saw Philomena, Celestia's pet phoenix. She gave a screech similar to an eagle's. I looked to the roof of a nearby building and nodded. Arrows suddenly flew through the air, killing every guard around me. The guard directly in front of me managed to stay standing, so I pushed him over. Chrysalis stepped back and ordered two heavily armored Changelings to attack. They charged at me. I drew my sword and killed the first Changeling, then smoothly transitioned into another swing that sliced the second Changeling. The second Changeling ran on for a moment, then stopped and fell to the ground.

“Royal guards!” Chrysalis cried out. I turned my head to see six more heavily armored guards storm out of the castle and stand by Chrysalis. Chrysalis drew her black sword and licked her lips, grinning evilly. I stood, waiting. Applejack, Applebloom, Rainbow Dash, Sweetie Belle, and Sparks walked up next to me. Chrysalis and her guards ran at us, and we charged back. We Assassins jumped in the air, weapons ready to strike.

Part 4

I came down on Chrysalis as the other Assassins dropped on the guards. My sword clashed onto hers with a loud clang. I pushed down with all of my weight, inching the blade ever closer to Chrysalis. Right as my sword touched Chrysalis's helm, she knocked me into the air. I opened up my wings and landed back on the ground. Chrysalis stood up, fuming.

“I can't feed on hatred,” she growled. “That was Sombra's field. How are you alive? You couldn't have possibly survived.”

“Yet here I am,” I said. “It's time to end this.”

“Indeed,” Chrysalis said. She waved her hoof, and more Changeling guards surrounded me. I sighed in annoyance. The guards attacked, and I quickly killed them all. I looked to see Chrysalis flying away.

“Oh, no you don't,” I said. I took flight and chased after Chrysalis. Chrysalis looked back and saw me. She flew faster. I increased my speed as well and kept pace. Chrysalis suddenly stopped. I didn't slow down. I extended my hidden blade, charging toward Chrysalis. I swung my blades, but Chrysalis had vanished. I turned and a shelled hoof struck my face. I spiraled back and regained my balance. Chrysalis drew her sword, and I held up mine. We flew at each other fast. Our swords clanged as we passed each other. We turned around and charged again. Our swords clashed again, creating a powerful shock-wave. We pushed hard, trying to overpower the other. I let my sword go slack, and quickly dodged Chrysalis's attack. I swung down, cutting off a piece of her armor. It slid off and fell down to the ground. I swung again, and Chrysalis blocked it. She pushed me back and dove to the ground. I dove after her. Looking closer, Chrysalis was diving at Sweetie Belle. I sped up and knocked Chrysalis away. We stood back up, glaring at one another.

“Not a chance,” I growled. “Not. A. Chance.” Chrysalis growled and bolted towards me. I jumped out of the way and cut off Chrysalis's flank armor. Immediately following this, I grabbed a throwing knife and flung it at Chrysalis. She grabbed it mid-fly and incinerated it. She tossed the ashes into my face, temporarily blinding me. I quickly regained sight, and was blown back by a magic attack. I crashed against a house, and rubble fell from the roof. I used my magic to catch it and toss it aside. Chrysalis stepped closer and swung down hard. I blocked the attack with my bracer, then jumped and kicked Chrysalis in the face, sending her sprawling back. Furious, Chrysalis grabbed me with her magic and threw me across Canterlot. I landed on a Changeling, my Terminator hoof smashing his head. I stood up and looked down. The Changeling's head was flatter than a pancake, and his brains were splattered everywhere.

“Ugh,” I groaned. I wiped off my Terminator hoof on the corpse. Another Changeling sprinted at me, but an arrow nailed it in the neck, killing it. It fell in front of me as I turned to see Sparks and the other Assassins.

“Nice to see you here,” I said. “How's the fight?”

“Over,” Rainbow Dash said. “Every Changeling warrior across Equestria is dead.”

“All except one,” Sweetie Belle assumed. “Right?” I nodded.

“Chrysalis escaped,” I said. “If we're going to end this, we have to find her, and kill her.”

“Ah agree,” Applejack said. “She's the one who started this mess, and we're the ones who're gonna end it.”

“But where is she?” Applebloom wondered out loud. “We already checked the castle.”

“The only place she could be,” Sparks said. “The Changeling hive.”

“Then that's where we'll go,” I said. We bolted out of Canterlot and toward the Palomino Desert.

~~~

The Changeling hive was creepier than I thought it would be. The caves were black as night, with glowing cocoons. The appearance of it being deserted gave another scary aspect, because we could never know if something or somepony was going to jump out at us.

“Ah'm scared,” Applebloom whispered. “Ah don't like this place. Not one bit.”

“Neither do I,” Sweetie Belle quietly agreed. “It's dark, spooky, and...” She took a sniff of the air and plugged her muzzle. “...it really stinks,” she said. Everypony else covered their muzzle as well.

“It's never smelled this bad,” Sparks said. “We always kept it decently tidy.”

“I never thought Changelings had a sense of hospitality,” I said.

“We do,” Sparks said. “We always have. But ever since Chrysalis became the queen, we've lost that sense. She broke nearly every rule in Changeling law, from indirect feeding to sucking the love from her subjects.”

“How does that even work?” Rainbow Dash asked. “Is it like how the Changelings did it back on the initial attack on Canterlot during the wedding?”

“Exactly like that,” Sparks said. “I even did it along with my kind. But only because we were so hungry. We couldn't think straight. All we could think about was food.”

“Hey, it's all right,” I said. “That was years ago. I wasn't even born yet.” We suddenly heard a pulse deep in the hive.

“Blades out,” I said. We extended our hidden blades and walked on. Sparks directed us through the dark maze, while I used a light spell to keep a clear vision of Sparks. After some time of walking, we reached the throne room. Chrysalis was sitting on the throne, which was made of Changeling shell. She was cursing to herself. We stepped into position, and I stomped the ground hard. The throne room shook from the resulting shock-wave. Chrysalis looked at us with a scowl on her face.

“Why are you here?” she hissed. “All of my kind are dead! I have no other Changeling to use to replicate a new army! Every Changeling is dead! And I shall have my revenge for it!” She sent a powerful magic attack flying at us. I sent my own attack flying. The two blasts struck each other and exploded. Chrysalis came flying through the smoke, sword drawn. We drew our own swords and seperated. Chrysalis came down and her sword hit the hard floor. She blasted another magic attack at Applejack, and Applejack was sent flying into the wall. Applejack fell to the ground, unconscious. Applebloom jumped into the air and tackled Chrysalis. Chrysalis grabbed Applebloom and threw her away. Applebloom landed on her hooves, ready to attack again. Chrysalis shot a magic blast at Applebloom, and Applebloom crashed into the throne, knocking it over and herself unconscious. Rainbow Dash and Sweetie Belle ran at Chrysalis. They swung their weapons down, but Chrysalis blocked the attack. She knocked them away, then grabbed their throats with her magic. As she squeezed the life from them, I hurtled a throwing knife at Chrysalis. It struck her side, causing her to lose focus. She dropped Sweetie Belle and Rainbow Dash, who fell to the ground. Chrysalis pulled out the knife from her side and threw it back at me. I caught it and put it away. Sparks and I flew over and engaged in battle. Chrysalis spawned another sword and blocked our attack. We jumped back and blocked a powerful swing. Our swords clanged throughout the empty hive as we battled. I came down on Chrysalis, but was knocked away. Sparks was grabbed and brought close. I stood up and bolted to Chrysalis. She brought her sword to Sparks's neck and sliced his throat. I stopped dead in my tracks at what I just saw.

“NO!!!” I screamed. Sparks fell to the ground as blood spilled from his neck. Chrysalis stood there, laughing.

“Was #826's life really that important to you?” she asked. “He was just another Changeling, given a second chance. It was only a matter of time before he died in this conflict. He wasn't bred for front line combat.”

“Enough talk!” I cried. I threw a knife into Chrysalis's chest. She dropped her sword and clutched the wound. She fell onto her back, trying to sustain her life. I put my sword away and walked up to Chrysalis. I knelt down and extended my hidden blade.

“No,” Chrysalis gasped. “This can't be happening...I was so close...So close to victory after so many years.”

“You could never win,” I growled furiously. “You were a fool thinking you could win.” I raised my blade up. “Rest in peace, mother-fucker!” I brought my blade down into Chrysalis's throat. The squelch of metal meeting flesh was satisfying. Chrysalis gasped for air for the last time, then died. I pulled out my blade and closed Chrysalis's eyes. I stood up and looked around the room. The other Assassins stood up, and hobbled over to me. I walked over to Sparks's body and knelt down. The other Assassins joined me. I picked up Sparks's body, set the throne upright, and laid him on the throne. I sat him up similar to how Altair's remains were. I put the Apple of Eden on Sparks's hooves, and pulled the hood off to look at him one last time.

“He was the best of all of us,” I said. “He understood the order, and he knew what it meant to be an Assassin. Rest in Peace, Sparks.” I put his hoof with the hidden blade over his heart, and walked away. The other Assassins followed. As we left the throne room, I sealed the doors for good. We walked out of the hive and walked back to Canterlot.

~~~

Back at my house, I was looking through the book Applebloom had translated for me. I had disbanded the Assassins a few days before, and they had gone home. I let them keep the hidden blades just in case, but I kept the robes and other weapons in the armory. I heard a knock on the door.

“Come in,” I quietly called. Applebloom walked into the house.

“Hey,” she said. “You OK?” I didn't answer. I flipped another page of the book. Applebloom sat next to me at the table.

“What do you want?” I asked, not looking up from the book.

“I wanted ta see if you were OK,” Applebloom said. “Ya haven't come outta your house in days. Is it about Sparks?”

“Don't say that name,” I grumbled. “Nothing's wrong.”

“Clearly somethin's wrong,” Applebloom said. “Look. Ah miss Sparks too. Sure, Ah didn't really trust him as much as you did, but Ah still sorta trusted him. He was the best of us. He'd want this fighting ta end. Ya said it yerself, he said he'd never hurt an innocent. Ah bet he hated fightin' anyways. How's about we honor that wish? We'll seal up the armory, and always have the memory of him.” I looked up at Applebloom. I nodded. I stood up and pulled away the rug. Using a heat spell, I welded the armory hatch shut. I pulled the rug back over it and nailed it into the floorboards. Applebloom put a hoof around my shoulder and smiled at me. I smiled back.

“Ya want ta join the Apple Family Reunion?” Applebloom asked. “You could join the festivities and meet all mah relatives, including Babs Seed. Chances are, she's got her cutie mark.”

“Sure,” I agreed. “That sounds good.” I walked turned out the lights of my house, and took one last look at the rug, remembering the Assassins.

“Ya comin'?” Applebloom called.

“Yeah,” I said. I shut the door of my house, and for once, went somewhere to have a good time.