Diamond's Evil Journey

After their encounter with Salazar, they started walking towards a hallway in front of them. Before they could get close a wall appeared from the ground and blocked their way. Diamond was caught off guard by it “I can't believe we're being blocked off again.” she complained.

Leon noticed a stone picture on the new wall. It depicted a man riding a horse while wielding a spear. The man seemed to be fighting something but Leon couldn't figure out what because the pieces were missing.

Since that information didn't seem important, Leon looked to his right and saw another door “We'll just continue on that way.” he said.

They walked through the door and ended up in a new hallway with a close door to the left. Diamond tried the door only to find it locked. She turned to a window next to her and looked through it. She saw that the room on the other side of door was some sort of dungeon. She turned back to Leon and Ashley “I was about to complain about that door being locked but it just looks like a dungeon so I'm glad it's locked.” she said.

Leon took a look through the window and saw only one cell with one person in it “I wonder what he did to be locked up by these people?” he wondered to himself.

They continued down the hallway and turned a corner to see two horse head statues blowing fire into their path. Diamond gave the statues a strange look “Those are the ugliest ponies I've ever seen.” she said.

Ashley walked up to the side of one of the statues. After observing it she lightly touched it but yanked her hand back quickly “Ah! They're so hot.” she said while holding her hurt hand.

Leon rubbed his chin in thought “We'll have to find a way to shut them off.” he said. He looked to his right and saw a painting of a man standing in a jungle. Leon noticed a key in the middle of the painting. He grabbed it and turned to Diamond “Bad news, we might have to search the dungeon.” he said while holding the key up.

Diamond sighed “Great...” she said sarcastically.

They unlocked the dungeon quickly. Leon turned to Ashley and held his hand up “You'd better stay up here just in case.” he said. Ashley complied and stayed put. Leon and Diamond walked down the flight of stairs.

After searching for a few seconds they noticed that there was a lever in the cell with the prisoner. The prisoner seemed to be wearing a few pieces of knight's armor. With a closer look they noticed that he was tightly shackled to the wall. His eyes also seemed to be sown closed.

Leon gave Diamond a signal to stay back. He checked the cell door to see that it wasn't locked but was stuck. He gave the door a kick to knock it off of it's hinges. Suddenly long metal claws came from the prisoner's gauntlets and he broke out of his bonds with a muffled scream.

He charged Leon and threw a claw out at him. Leon dove out of the way just in time. When the prisoner notice that he didn't hit anything he stopped and listened for any more noise. After a few seconds he retracted his claws and started slowly wondering around. Leon silently got Diamond's attention and signaled for her to be quiet.

Diamond nodded and took her revolver out as quietly as possible. The prisoner started walking away from them and Diamond saw a fleshy mass on his back. That looked like a target to her. She fired a bullet into it and the prisoner writhed in pain while letting out more muffled screams.

Once he calmed down he faced Diamond and ran towards her with his claw ready. She ducked as he swung his claws around wildly. Luckily the prisoner was assuming he was shot by an adult human so he rarely swung low enough to get close to Diamond.

Once he stopped and started listening again, Leon sneaked up behind him with a shotgun. He fired a blast into his back and he fell forward motionlessly.

They stayed quiet for a few seconds just in case he was still alive. Diamond sighed in relief “What a freak.” she said what looking as his dead body.

Leon walked back to the cell and pulled the lever “I hope that took care of the fire.” he said.

They suddenly heard Ashley shout from the hallway “They're here!” she warned.

Leon and Diamond quickly ran back up the stairs. Once they arrived they saw two of the cloaked men. One of them swung a flail at Diamond but she dodged and jumped onto a nearby chair. She then jumped towards the man and gave him a kick to the side of the head. Once he fell to the ground she finished him with her knife.

She looked over to Leon to see that he already had the other one on the floor. He finished him with a stomp to the head. Ashley was shocked by Diamond's actions “Diamond, where did you learn to fight like that?” she asked.

Diamond smirked “I learned from just watching Leon, pretty good huh.” she said with a smug expression.

Leon spoke up before Ashley could “You've learned a lot but you're still sloppy, so don't rely on your unarmed combat too much. You have weapons for a reason.” he said. He then continued forward as Diamond pouted in anger.

When they got to the corner again they saw that the fire was gone but their were three more men waiting for them. One of them lit a stick of dynamite and threw it at them. Leon pulled Ashley away as Diamond jumped away from it as it exploded.

Leon leaned out of cover and shot him threw the head. The other two took out crossbows and fired. Leon got behind cover again as the bolts stuck into the wall. Leon then fired at one to kill him. The other fired another bolt but Leon was able to dodge it and shoot him too.

After scanning the area for any more they continued through the next door. They arrived at a large room with five cloaked men waiting for them. Leon then noticed two men on a higher floor armed with crossbows.

Leon turned to the others “Crossbows! Get to cover!” he warned. They ran towards some halls under the second floor. The archers fired a few bolts at them but luckily they missed. A man wearing a metal mask blocked their path. Leon shot him in the leg to get him to kneel. Leon then got behind him and wrapped his arms around him to suplex him.

They then came to a door. Leon glanced back to see multiple men chasing them “We'll hold up in here.” he said running into the room. It was a small room with two pressure plates in the far corners.

Leon looked between the pressure plates “Ashley! Diamond! Stand on those plates!” he commanded.

The two went to do as he said as the men started coming into the room. Leon killed the one in front then one walked in carrying a large spiked shield. Leon knocked the shield out of the way and jammed his knife into the man's throat.

He then turned to Diamond and Ashley who were standing on the plates “What's this suppose to do?” she asked.

Leon glanced around for anything that changed “I'm not sure, maybe nothing.” he said. He then turned towards the door again “I'm gonna go deal with those archers.” he turned to Diamond “I'm going to leave Ashley in your capable hooves. Can you handle that?” he asked.

Diamond felt slight fear from the idea that she would be responsible for Ashey's life but she gave a brave smile and nod “Of course.” she said.

Leon nodded and opened the door to see a man waiting for him. Before he could attack Leon kneed him in the stomach and punched him to the floor. Leon then ran out of sight.

Once Diamond saw more men trying to enter the room she took a quick calming breath before taking her handgun out. She shot a few as the group closed in on her. A shielded man got close enough to attack. Diamond dodged to the side and fired a bullet into his temple.

Ashley slightly smiled as Diamond fought “You're doing so well! Keep going! I know you can do it!” she cheered.

Diamond punched one in the gut to make him double over in pain before she slit his throat “I don't need a cheerleader.” she said to Ashley.

After a few more seconds of fighting all that was left was a man in a red cloak. He reached out his hands towards her neck but she jumped back and pulled out her revolver. She fired a bullet right between his eyes causing his head to explode.

Before she could relax a fleshy mass emerged and replaced his head. Diamond growled “Not another one.” she said. She then remembered what happened last time she encountered one. She reached into her bag and pulled out a flash grenade “Ashley, cover your eyes!” she warned.

Diamond then threw the grenade and covered her own eyes. Once the flash was over Diamond uncovered her eyes and saw the headless body fall to the floor. Diamond smiled “So it does work.” she noted.

She then turned to Ashley “Leon probably finished the archers at this point, let's join him.” she said. Ashley agreed and they ran out of the room.

They returned to the main part of the room to see Leon killing a man with his knife next to a crank that wasn't there before. Leon turned to them and they saw a quick look of relief on his face before he collected himself “Ashley, crank this. Me and Diamond will keep you covered.” he ordered.

Ashley quickly complied and Diamond got into position to defend. More men ran into the room and tried to attack. Luckily Leon and Diamond were able to hold them off without any trouble. After a few seconds of cranking a staircase leading to the second floor unfolded.

They ran up the stairs only to stop when between them and the next door was a large pool of water. Leon shook his head “We shouldn't risk swimming. There has to be some way to activate a bridge or something.” he said.

Ashley looked around and saw two cranks on a higher ledge “Maybe those will do it.” she suggested.

Leon nodded “Good idea. Come on I'll get you up there and keep you protected.” he said. Leon knelt and Ashley quickly stood on his shoulders. He slowly stood up and Ashley climbed onto the ledge.

Before Leon could step away from the ledge Diamond climbed onto his shoulder and jumped onto the ledge too “I'll take care of the other crank.” she said.

Diamond and Ashley gave each other a nod before running to their cranks. Leon got to a spot with a good view of both of them. He took out his rifle and started protecting the two. Diamond didn't need as much protection as Ashley because she was also armed.

After a short time a bridge that only reached half way across the water rose up. Ashley seemed to be the one that finished as she ran back to the ledge “Uh do you think you could catch me?” she asked Leon.

Leon quickly shot one more man that was behind Ashley and ran back to the ledge. Ashley jumped and Leon caught her in his arms. Then the other bridge rose up as Diamond finished her crank. Leon let Ashley down and ran to the other ledge “Jump Diamond! I'll catch you!” he called up to her.

Diamond did as he said and Leon easily caught her and let her down. They then ran to the bridges and jumped between them and ran through the door. Leon quickly locked the door and after making sure there wasn't any in this room, took a deep breath.

After a quick moment to catch their breath the continued down the long room. At the end of the room was a long hallway with a empty wall at the end. The saw a door halfway through so they decided to continue.

Once they were near the door Ashley stopped as she started coughing. She coughed into her hand and more then a little blood came out. She stared at her own blood with fear in her eyes.

Leon reached out to her “You alright?” he asked.

As soon as Leon touched her shoulder she panicked and shoved him away “I'm fine! Leave me alone!” she shouted a bit louder than she meant to as she started running ahead.

Diamond was caught off guard from her uncharacteristic behavior “What's gotten into you?” she asked to the retreating Ashley. Suddenly a wall of metal spikes came from the ground, separating Ashley from Leon and Diamond.

Ashley got even more frightened and continued running as more spikes rose up right behind her. When she reached the wall she pressed her back against it as she tried to calm herself down. Before she could, metal straps came from the wall and trapped her.

Leon tried to find a way past the spike walls “Ashley!” he called to her. Then the wall Ashley was against rotated making her disappear on the other side. The spikes then lowered.

Diamond growled “That foal! What was she thinking!” she said.

Leon glanced down at her “What's done is done. We'll find her again. Come on.” he said. Before they could continue, Leon got a call on his communicator. He took it out “Hunnigan, what happened? The transmission got cut off.” he said.

A laugh came from the communicator that was obviously not Hunnigan. Leon then saw that the communicator was showing the face of Salazar “Salazar! How'd you-”

“We've jacked the line. We didn't want you telling anyone any unnecessary information.” Salazar answered.

Leon decided to forget about that for the moment “Where's Ashley?” he questioned.

Salazar gave another laugh “It sounds like she fell into one of our wonder traps. We'll make sure we find her so don't you worry about her.” he then seemed to remember something “Oh yes, I let our miserable insects out for some exercise down in the sewer.” he said.

“Thanks that should keep me entertained, because boredom kills me.” Leon said.

“I hope to see you and your little brat...in another life of course.” Salazar said as he cut the transmission off.

Diamond raised an eyebrow “What does he mean by insects?” she asked.

Leon shook his head “I'm not sure but I doubt they're normal insects so keep your guard up.” he said. They then entered the door and climbed down a ladder to find themselves in a dank sewer.

Diamond cringed as her hooves splashed in the water covering the floor “Ugh, why would Salazer design a castle that forces you to walk though the sewer?” she wondered in disgust.

As they were coming to a corner they heard what sounded like something sprinting closer to them. Leon and Diamond took their guns out but the sound stopped with nothing arriving. They glanced around in confusion before putting their guns away. Diamond thought for a moment “What are the chances that we hallucinated that sound?” she asked.

Leon shook his head “Not a chance.” he said before continuing forward. While he took slow steps he scanned around. He noticed the water in front of his shift in an unnatural way. Leon threw his leg out in a kick and felt his leg connect with something.

Suddenly a bug like creature that was about the size of Leon appeared on it's back. Diamond took a step back in surprise when it seemed to disappear again “Is it teleporting?” she asked.

Leon shook his head and carefully scanned the area “No, it's using some sort of camouflage. Focus, the camouflage isn't perfect.” he warned.

After a few seconds Leon noticed some dust fall from the ceiling above him. He flipped backwards just as the insect landed where he was standing. He then took out his shotgun and blasted it in the chest. The insect flew into the wall and laid motionless on the floor.

Diamond took a few steps towards it before turning to Leon “Are these freaky things common in this world?” she asked.

Leon shook his head “I've never seen them. Probably a creation of los illuminados. Keep on guard, I doubt that there's only one down here.” he said. Diamond nodded and they continued through the sewer.

They walked until the path was blocked by a large gap filled with shallow sewer water. Diamond cringed slightly at the disgusting water “Do we really have to walk through that?” she then looked down at herself and saw all of the blood and dirt that coated her body “I guess it's fine, I'm already covered in worse.” she said.

Leon saw the water shift in two different places. He got Diamond's attention and motioned for her to be quiet. He then pointed into the pit and held up two fingers. Diamond nodded in understanding and readied herself.

Leon took a frag grenade and tossed it into the pit. The explosion caught one insect and blew it violently into the wall. The other insect jumped out of the way and climbed the wall to the two.

Leon fired a few shots into it as it climbed. When it's head popped out of the pit Diamond gave it a hard round house kick. The bug fell back into the shallow water and landed on it's back. Before it could recover Diamond jumped from the ledge and plunged her knife into it's chest. It struggled for a few seconds before going limp.

As Diamond got off of the body Leon landed next to her with a splash “Diamond, stop being so reckless. I'm not going to lose you because you want to show off.” he said.

Diamond raised an eyebrow with an amused smirk “Lose me? You sound like a concerned parent.” she said with a giggle.

Leon was caught off guard by that statement, but he quickly collected himself “I'm responsible for you until you get home. I promised that I would keep you safe and I'm going to keep my word.” he said.

Diamond thought of home and the image of her father and Silver Spoon flashed in her mind. She hung her head slightly before she shook the thoughts away. She turned to the next ladder “Let's keep going then, Ashley's not gonna save herself.” she said as she started climbing.

Leon nodded and followed her. They walked through a door to find themselves in a rectangular room with multiple jail cells along the walls. Diamond took a few steps forward while looking into the cells “Other then a few dead bodies, there's nothing in these cells. Why build a dungeon in the sewer anyway?” she questioned.

Leon saw that Diamond was standing under a large hole in the ceiling. Leon saw a significant amount of dust fall down from the hole as if something brushed past it. He turned his gaze to Diamond “Above you!” he warned.

Instead of looking up, Diamond just rolled to the side. Then two bugs landed right where Diamond was standing. They both disappeared but Diamond could tell that they were approaching her. Before they reached her Leon ran up to one and gave it a powerful kick to it's midsection and sent it to the ground.

Leon went to try to finish it off but Diamond kept her focus on the bug in front of her. She saw a brownish liquid come from where she assumed the bug's mouth was. Diamond jumped back and the liquid fell to the floor in front of her.

She saw that the liquid started eating through the stone floor. She made a mental note not to let any of that touch her. The bug swiped at her with it's claws but Diamond ducked and dodged though them. She took out her revolver and fired a few bullets into it's chest.

It stumbled back but stayed on it's feet. The bug seemed angry and pounced at her quickly. Diamond was too slow to dodge and was caught in the bug's grasp. It forced Diamond onto her back and opened it's mouth.

Diamond could tell what it was about to do but luckily she kept a hold of her revolver in her mouth. She fired on bullet through it's head and it fell limply on top of her. She wiggled out from under the freak of nature and saw that Leon was just finishing off the other bug.

Diamond stretched her body out and felt her aching muscles scream out for a rest. She decided to ignore the pain for now “I'm tired of these bugs. Let's hurry out of here.” she said.

She walked over to another pit of sewer water but this one was almost filled. She also noticed gate under the water that seemed to lead out of here “I think we have to get through here, but I don't think we can with all this water.” she said.

Leon saw a window near the pit. Through the window he could see a red valve that was connected to a pipe. The pipe ran down into the pit of water. Leon put two and two together and walked off “Stay here. I'll drain the water.” he said as he walked down a hall and out of sight.

After a short time Diamond saw Leon enter the room past the window. He then started turning the valve. The water in the pit then started draining. Leon looked to Diamond for conformation so she gave him a smile and a nod.

Leon nodded back before retreating back though a door. Then after a few seconds he returned to Diamond's side. Leon then led the way through the new gate. They walked through another door and found themselves out of the sewers and back in the castle.

Before they could feel relieved they saw a bridge to the next door. The bridge had large swinging pendulum blades along it's length. Leon looked down to Diamond “We're gonna have to be fast. Watch the swinging carefully and time your movements. I'll go first.” he said. He walked up to the first pendulum and waited for a few seconds before dashing through safely.

The next was over a pit. Leon did the same as the last and jumped over while passing though the blade. The last two were close together so he knew that he would have to clear them both at the same time. He took a breath and dashed between them easily.

Once he was on the other side he turned to see Diamond at the beginning of the gauntlet “Can you do that?” he asked, though he was sure he already knew her answer.

“Of course, just watch.” she said. She easily past the first blade and the second. She hesitated slightly on the last two. She accidentally started running later than she should of. She shut her eyes tight as she ran. To her surprise she was untouched.

She gave Leon a smug smile “See? I told you I could do it.” she said.

Leon pointed behind her “It was a close shave.” he said.

Diamond looked back to see a clump of her hair sitting under the blades. She gasped and turned to look at her tail which was significantly shorter. She growled slightly “I blame Salazar. He's going to pay for messing with my beautiful tail.” she said.

Leon chuckled slightly before continuing through the nearby door with Diamond following. They climbed up another ladder and through another door. After a few seconds of looking around they noticed that they were on the upper floor of the room where Ashley was captured again.

Diamond sighed in annoyance “Did we just go though that for nothing?” she asked.

They suddenly heard chanting and both looked down to the ground floor. There was a large group of cloaked men who seemed to be worshiping a bloody mass of flesh that was stabbed by a ceremonial sword.

Diamond seemed confused “Why are they doing that?” Diamond asked. The leader of the group heard her and noticed them. Leon and Diamond got ready to defend themselves but stopped when the group ran into the hallway and closed a large door behind them.

Diamond was even more confused now “D-did they just run from us?” she wondered.

Leon thought on that for a moment but decided to let it go for now “We should get back down there and find another route.” he suggested.