A Melody With A Hero's Name.

Winter always seemed like a beautiful time of year to me. It was where most of my foalhood memories took place. It was the season I was born in. And I was born in the day the winter constellation Orion was discovered. But most of all, it was the day my ancestor was born, Orion Destroyer.

“So, do you accept my request?”

Ah, yes, I couldn’t forgot my acquaintance, now can I, “Sorry Princess, but do you mind repeating that?” I asked, “My mind was elsewhere.”

She nods, “I’m was looking for a few musicians to play for the Equestria Games, Twilight suggested you be one of the musicians.” She explains.

I take a sip of my coffee as I considered the request, this wasn’t an easy decision to make. I know Twilight Sparkle, both publicly and personally, I was actually one of the ponies that she invited herself to her coronation. I was one of her ‘representatives’. An ‘representative’ is a pony that takes care of diplomatic issues the Princess cannot look into because her hands are either tied up or she’s too sick to deal with it at the moment.

And since I know her personally and am currently one of her representatives, I have met all her friends, including that pink one. God she gets on my nerves, I know she naturally means well, but there’s a fine line between playing and blatantly ignoring a pony’s personal space. And that line doesn’t seem to exist in Pinkie Pie’s mind.

And because I didn’t want her to intrude on my performance, I wanted to decline, but this is the Equestria Games, one would have to hate the Equestria Games to not want to preform for such a grand event.

After considering the request, I took a deep breath, “I’ll do it, but under one condition.” I accepted.

She looks at me with a confused expression, “And what condition may that be?” She voiced her curiosity.

“Keep Pinkie Pie away from me, I don’t need a hyperactive pony who has no regard for personal space to infringe on my performance.” I answered.

She gives me an odd look but nods nonetheless, “Well… I’ll see what I can do, but you know how Pinkie is, she just loves to have fun with everypony.” She assures.

I nodded, “Alright, I’ll play, when’s the Equestria Games coming up?” I asked.

She digs in her pocket and takes out a folded paper and unfolded it, “It should be coming up next month, but we’re having some technical issues so it might be coming in about 2-3 months.” She informed, “But we’ll notify you if any changes are made.” She added.

I nodded, “I’ll be there.” I assured.

We both got up and shook hands before I made my way towards my apartment.

(20 minutes later)

I arrived at my apartment and saw Derpy sitting on my porch holding a letter in her hand.

“Derpy, what are you doing here?” I asked.

She got up and handed me the letter, “I got a letter for you from Roseluck.” She announced, “I wanted to just leave it here, but the train back to Ponyville isn’t until next week, so I was guessing if I could crash here with you.” She explained.

I took the letter and nodded, I knew Derpy for awhile, I met her back when I had my first visit to Ponyville during Cranky Doodle Donkey and Matilda’s wedding and while Derpy was just as energetic as Pinkie, she at least has a basic awareness of personal space.

I dug in my pocket and got my keys and opened the door, “You’re welcome to stay here as long as you want, just don’t go in my work room, the guest bedroom is the first door to the left on the second floor.” I instructed.

She nods, “Okay, got it!” She assured before flying her way up the stairs and into her designated guestroom.

I closed the door and locked it before sitting on the couch and opening the letter to read it.

“Dear Octavia.

I just wanted to start off by saying that your 10 puppet delivery will be postponed mostly because I have a few big request on my shoulder. I’m very sorry to notify you of this, but it can’t be helped.

From Roseluck.”

I sighed as I finished reading the letter, I wasn’t mad at the mare, she had a pretty big reputation, it would be reasonable that she has her hands full for the time being.

Speaking of the time, it was time I started practicing on the song I was going to play at the Equestria Games.

And I know she said that the Equestria Games wouldn’t be happening in about a month or more due to technical issues, but any musical composer can tell you that it takes a long time to compose an original track.

So, there I was, in my work room, trying to come up with the perfect song.

(8 hours later)

8 whole hours later and I still couldn’t come up with an original song. And it was so frustrating!

So frustrating in fact, that I kept letting out loud grunts and groans that no doubt my guest could hear.

And apparently she did because she ends up knocking on my door, “Octavia, you seem stressed, I took the liberty of making some dinner, so maybe you should come eat and get your mind off of things.” Derpy announced.

I took a deep sigh, “Alright Derpy, I’ll be right there.” I accepted.

Next thing I knew, I was sitting at my table, eating with Derpy, who just couldn’t stop staring at me. It was really unnerving.

It got to the point where I couldn’t stop staring at her back. I even accidentally voiced my unnerve, “Ummm… Derpy, why are you staring at me?” I asked.

“Well, I heard you having a hard time, just wondering if everything’s alright?” She voiced her concern.

I took a deep breath, “No, it’s not, I’m having trouble trying to find a new song to play at the Equestria Games.” I admitted.

She nods, “While I’m not a musical artist in any way, shape, or form.” but I do bake a lot, and when I get, ‘writer’s block’ I just think about things I love and capiche, I’m baking again.” She explained.

I nodded, “I guess that would work for you, but what should I base my song on?” I asked.

She shrugged, “Well, what are things that you like?” She asked.

I took a deep long thought about this before answering, “Well, I do like this story my mom used to tell me as a kid.” I admitted.

She nods and smiles, “What’s the story about?” She questioned.

I took a deep breath, “It’s about my ancestor, Ningyo, the brave puppeteer who saved the world from a monster that could turn anyone to stone just by a glare.” I told her, “Actually, he’s the inspiration behind my second profession, a puppeteer.” I admitted.

She smiles brightly, “Then just make a song about Ningyo!” She said.

I considered the idea and nodded, “I guess I will!” I agreed.

The night went on as normal, we ate, and went to sleep, ready to sleep the whole night.

But it seems the world had other plans for us as we are suddenly awoken by the loud sound of explosions going off in the distance.

I jolted outside the moment I heard the bomb and ran to the hallway where I met Derpy who looked at me with a face of fear.

No words needed to be spoken between the two of us as we both nodded and ran down the stairs and out the house, but before we left, I grabbed a pony sized puppet wrapped up.

Once we were outside, we both looked towards the source of the explosion and saw any policemen and firefighters driving in the direction.

“It looks like it happened over there, let’s go!” Derpy urged as we bolted towards the source of the explosion.

On the way there, we saw the culprit of the attack, it was Changelings, and a whole army of them.

One Changeling tried to charge at us, I dug into my pocket and draw out a small knife and sliced the Changeling across its neck.

Another Changeling came from behind his fallen comrade and bit down on my arm. My blood spilled everywhere as I struggled to get the beast off me.

Derpy came to my rescue and kicked the Changeling off my arm and locked her arms around his neck before twisting it a full 360 degrees. The Changeling fell limp and we continued down the road.

Another Changeling charged at us, I threw my puppet at its head, stopping it in its tracks, and stabbed my knife through his throat before tearing it out, showering the pavement with blood.

I grabbed my puppet and ducked down as Derpy jumped on my back and delivered a solid hard kick to a Changeling in the face. The moment her foot made contact with the Changeling’s head, it exploded and blood showered me and Derpy.

She got off me and I turned around and unwrapped my puppet, which looked like a wooden pony with a long tattered brown cloth and spiky hair. I pointed my hand towards the back of the puppet and concentrated. A second later, magic emitted from my fingertips and connected to the puppet.

I turned to Depry, “C’mon, let’s go!” I urged. She nodded and we both ran to the smoking building.

Once we got near the burning building, Changelings started to swarm us. I closed and opened my hand and the puppet ejected two razor sharp blades, I swung my hand back and forth and the puppet flew across the battlefield, cleanly cutting through every Changeling that got in its way.

One Changeling teleported in front of me and we engaged in hand to hand combat. I grabbed his hand and beckoned my puppet to me. My puppet came raining down and impaled the Changeling through the neck. I grabbed the Changeling head and tear it off before throwing it towards another Changeling.

The Changeling was stunned for a moment, and Derpy took the moment to burst his head open with a solid punch to the face. She continued to burst Changelings with every kick and punch she landed on them.

One Changeling tried a sneak attack, but my puppet blocked the punch. The puppet became dismembered and the Changeling smirked, only to be torn apart by the many blades that protruded from the dismembered puppet parts.

That Changeling was the last one, for the time being.

“That’s some good skills you got there with the puppet.” Derpy complimented.

I nodded, “You’re not half bad yourself.” I replied, “But you still want to arm yourself, it looks like they got a shit-ton more waiting for us.”

She nods and picks up two swords from a fallen Changeling, “What do you think they’re after?” She asked.

I shrugged, I was clueless, I had no idea why they would attack Manehatten. I mean, sure, this place is very popular, but Changelings feed on love, and Manehatten really isn’t a love filled city. Unless they were after something here.

Then it dawned on me; they’re after Princess Cadence!!

“This is a set-up they’re after Princes Cadence!” I shouted, “C’mon, I know where she’s staying the night!” I urged.

Derpy nodded and we turned around to run to the Princess’s rescue, but was stopped by a large Changeling swarm.

Derpy sighed and got in a fighting stance, “Looks like we’ll have to get through them first.” She sighed.

I nodded and got ready to fight as well, “Right…” I paused. Please hang in there Princess.

“LET’S GO!” I bellowed.