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

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.