Diamond's Evil Journey

Leon and Diamond stepped into the room to see Salazar and his remaining bodyguard “Salazar!” Leon called with a growl.

Salazar glared at the two “It seems like the two thorns in my side have returned.” he said.

Diamond managed a small smirk “I can switch that thorn with a knife if you want.” she said.

Salazar turned his gaze away from her with an unamused expression “Witty as always Miss Tiara, too bad your wit won't be sharp enough to cut the strings of fate.” he said.

Leon's frown deepened “Enough poetry! Tell us where Ashley is!” he demanded.

“She is right where she needs to be Mr. Kennedy. We are about to begin our special ritual for her in this very tower. I would extend an invitation to you, but I'm afraid you'll be too dead to make it. But don't worry because I've prepared a ritual just for the two of you.” he said. He reached his left hand out to trigger another trap.

Leon thought quickly and threw his knife out. The knife lodged itself into Salazar's hand and stuck it to the wall behind him. Salazar stared at his hand and whimpered in pain.

Diamond couldn't help but laugh at the pathetic display as Salazar attempted to dislodge the knife. Suddenly the bodyguard grabbed the knife and launched it back at Leon. Luckily he was as able to dodge as it stuck into the door behind him.

Salazar and his bodyguard quickly ran into an elevator behind them. Leon and Diamond tried to chase after them but the door closed and they were raised out of sight “Damn!” Leon cursed.

Diamond stomped a hoof in anger “Does he know how to do anything but run?” she asked.

Leon turned his attention to the staircase that ran along to walls “I guess we'll have to take the scenic route.” he said.

They started up the stairs but as they were walking around a protrusion in the wall, they heard something rolling down the stairs ahead. They saw a large barrel rolling down with surprising speed. The barrel smashed into the wall next to them and after a few seconds another was sent down.

“Barrels? Really Salazar?” diamond questioned.

Leon saw a safe area fairly close ahead “We should be able to make it past fast enough. We'll go right after this next one passes us.” he said. They both prepared as they watched the barrel rolling down towards them. As soon as it crashed into the wall they shot up the stairs. They arrived to the safe area and stepped aside before another barrel rolled past.

Leon frowned as he didn't see any more safe spaces along the stairs. Diamond nudged his leg to get his attention “I think we could get up that way.” she said pointing to some wooden platforms in the middle of the room being held up by chains.

At the end of the wooden path was one guard and a ladder “Good eye.” Leon said before continuing onto the wood.

He approached the guard who charged to attack with his scythe. Leon ducked under it then kneed the guard in the stomach before throwing him off the side. They then quickly climbed up the ladder to see a guard at the top of the staircase. He had his hand resting on a lever. The guard pulled the lever and a barrel fell from next to him and started rolling down the stairs.

The didn't seem to notice the two so Diamond quietly walked up behind him. She got up onto two legs and held onto his leg with her fore hooves. She then pulled him to the ground. Once he was on his side, Diamond ran over the his head and slit his throat.

Leon suddenly heard the sound of the door on the bottom floor opening. He looked down to see a large group guards enter the room and start running up the stairs “Diamond! Large amount of guards coming up the stairs!” he warned.

Diamond stared up at the lever “Let's see how they like it.” she said before jumping up and grabbing the lever with her fore legs. Another barrel fell and started rolling down “That should slow them down, but where do we go now?” she asked.

Leon turned around to see a lift in the middle of the room that had two wooden crates on it “That should be able to take us up.” he said. They ran onto the lift and Leon saw a control panel with up and down arrows. He pressed up but nothing happened “It's not working. Maybe it's over the load capacity.” he said.

Diamond turned to the large wooden crates “Maybe these are to blame.” she said.

“Let's dump them.” Leon said before he ran to one and started pushing it. It tipped over and fell off of the lift. He then turned to the other one to see that Diamond had already dealt with it. He then pressed the up button and the lift started slowly rising.

Diamond frowned at the lack of speed “Why does this thing have to be so slow!” she complained.

Suddenly an arrow flew next to Leon's head and he quickly turned to see a guard holding a crossbow. Leon took his rifle out and quickly took his head off before he could shoot again “Be on guard! There's probably more around.” he said.

He then saw more archers on the upper floors and aimed his rifle at them. Before he could shoot, two guards jumped from the upper floors and and landed on the lift. With their extra weight the lift jerked to a stop. They both approached Leon but Diamond rammed into one's back to knock him off of the lift. She then shot the other in the head before pushing the corpse off.

The lift continued it's ascent and Leon killed the two archers. After a few seconds of nothing happening, four more guards landed on the lift to cease it's movement again. A guard swung it's flail at Leon but he dodged and countered with a punch to the face. The punch caused him to stumble back. Diamond tripped him to cause him to fly off the lift.

A guard swung his flail down at Diamond but she dodged and his flail got stuck in the floor. She then bit down on his sleeve and pulled with all her strength to send him over the edge. The two last guards came at Leon from both sides and attacked at the same time. He rolled out of the way and they two killed each other on accident. He then kicked the two overboard to allow the lift to continue.

The lift arrived at it's destination with no more interruptions. They got off at a seemingly unfinished part of the tower. Wooden planks created a path that led out and around the tower. They followed the path while being careful not to fall. They then found another, much smaller lift.

The lift brought them to a much more finished path on the outside of the tower. They followed the path until they saw the merchant standing outside of a door. Diamond smiled at the sight of him “Hey Merchant.” she greeted.

“Little one! Great to see you. I just got something in that might interest ya.” he said.

“Really? What is it?” she asked.

The merchant reached into his coat and pulled out a smaller then normal rifle “A rifle. Very powerful, and great at a distance.” he gestured to the trigger that resembled a normal one, but was larger “It was modified to be used by hooves, so a pony can use if as long as they can stand on two legs. Would you like it.” he said.

He held it down to her and she grabbed it with her hooves. She held it with her hoof on the trigger and put her eye to the scope. After a few seconds she smiled “I like how that feels.” she said.

The merchant smiled as well “It may have a bit more kick then you're used to, but I'm sure you'll be able to handle it.” he said.

“That's fine.” she said as she put her left fore hoof and neck through the rifle's sling to allow it to hang off of her body.

Leon smiled at her. He was surprised to see such a young girl to be so excited to receive a new gun. It was like a child opening a chrismas present. He took out his money and walked up to the merchant to pay for the weapon.

After the transaction the merchant waved to the two “I hope to see you two again soon.” he said.

Leon and Diamond nodded to him before walking through the large door. Past the door was a large room. Salazar and his bodyguard stood in front to a small altar. On the far wall as a humongous parasite that resembled a flower bud and roots.

As Leon and Diamond ran into the room, Salazar turned to them “So you two have made it all the way here? Very impressive.” he said.

“Cut the crap Salazar! Where is Ashley?” Leon asked.

“Unfortunately, you've just missed her. The ritual is already over. My men have taken her to a nearby island.” he said.

Diamond growled at him “Just activate whatever trap you have in store for us so it can fail.” she said.

Salazar glared at her “No traps this time. The time for games have long passed. I didn't want to sully my hands with your blood but you've given me no choice.” he said.

Diamond chuckled “You? We've beaten everything you've thrown at us, what chance to you have?” she taunted.

Salazar scoffed “Everything you've face until now has been mere appetizers, while I'm the main course.” he said.

Leon smirked “Good, 'cause I'm starving.” he said.

Salazar raised his arms out to his sides “I'm going to make you both beg for your pathetic lives.” he said as tentacles emerged from the wall parasite and started to wrap around him and his bodyguard. They were both raised up from the ground and the tentacles brought both of them into the bud.

After a few seconds, Diamond raised an eyebrow “Was that supposed to-” she was cut off when the bud opened again and a giant fleshy head emerged from it with a roar. It only had one huge eye and was connected to the bud by a long neck. Two large tendrils busted through the wall on each side of the wall. At the base of the creature's neck was some kind of hard shell that was split down the middle.

The shell opened to reveal Salazar. His clothes seemed to have disappeared but he was merged with the creature. He had a large fleshy growth growing out of his chest that almost resembled a heart. After a few seconds the shell closed around him again.

Diamond lowered herself into a ready stance “Okay, this might be slightly harder then I expected.” she admitted.

Leon took his handgun in his hand with a determined look in his eye “We got this Diamond. Let's wipe this monster from the map.” he said.

Diamond calmed herself with a deep breath before narrowing her eyes in focus. One of the creature's tendrils raised over Leon before coming down towards him. He rolled out of the way and fired a couple shots at it's head. The bullets seemed to only bounce off of it's hard exoskeleton “Damn it! It's skin is too hard to puncture.” he said

They heard Salazar's laugh echo throughout the room “Are you just now realizing that you are an ant facing down a lion.” he said. Diamond growled as the laughter started getting on her nerves. She took her revolver in her mouth and fired at the head. The bullet flew into the creature's eye and it recoiled in pain “Ah! You damn brat!” he yelled in pain.

Diamond smirked in satisfaction “You were saying?” she taunted.

The creature roared in anger “There will be nothing left of you once I'm done!” he screamed. The creature's head rose up in the air and rammed down towards her. She shot another bullet into it's eye before barely jumping out of it's way. As the head hung down trying to recover, the shell protecting Salazar opened up.

“He's exposed! Get him!” Leon ordered. He took out his handgun and was about to fire at him but a tendril swung itself at him. He quickly back flipped out of the way.

Diamond saw that Leon had his hands full with the tendril so she stood on two legs as she took her rifle in her hooves. She looked through the scope and laid her sights on Salazar. She struggled to get a good aim on the moving target but fired a shot into his right shoulder. She held her breath as she attempted another shot. This one flew into the heart-like growth.

Salazar held the growth in anger and pain. The shell closed over him to block Diamond from getting anymore shots off. She returned to four legs as she saw one of the tendrils reaching out for her. She jumped out of the way but it still wrapped around her body to pick her up off the ground.

It raised her up and started to squeeze the life out of her. She let out a scream as she felt the pressure on her bones increasing. Suddenly a bullet flew through the tendril causing it to drop Diamond. Leon caught her before she hit the ground “Are you injured?” he asked.

Diamond got to the ground and tried to ignore the pain “Not any more than usual.” she said.

Leon nodded “Don't push yourself.” he warned. The creature's head tried to ram them both but they jumped to either side of the head. Leon fired a few shots at the head but due to it's erratic movements, only landed one to it's eye.

While Leon distracted the head and one of the tendrils, diamond took her rifle back into her hooves. She kept her sights on the creature's eye. She fired but barely missed. The shot got the creature's attention as it turned to her. The head split open vertically to reveal a mouth filled with dagger-like teeth. She could tell that it was about to rush forward in an attempt to eat her.

Her first instinct was to run but she forgot that she was on two legs. She knew she couldn't get away fast enough on two legs and it would take too long to get to four legs. As the creature shot forward with it's maw open wide, Diamond held the rifle in front of her horizontally. The creature tried to close it's mouth over the filly but it was stopped by the rifle that was jammed in it. Diamond was surprised to see that she was still alive.

The creature tried harder to bite through the rifle to get to Diamond. She knew that she had to act quickly since she was still in it's mouth. She backed out of the jaws to get on four legs before taking her knife in her teeth. She then jabbed it into the creature's exposed eye. It roared in pain and recoiled. Luckily it dropped the rifle which Diamond took back. The head hung in an attempt to recover and Salazar's shell opened once again.

Diamond and Leon both took aim with their rifles. Diamond landed a shot to his chest and Leon finished it with a bullet between his eyes. Salazar slumped forward limply as the creature let out a loud cry. It fell to the ground and rapidly shriveled up like a dehydrated plant.

Leon jogged over to Diamond “I almost thought you got eaten. What happened there?” he asked.

Diamond smirked at him “What? Did you really think Salazar could kill me?” she turned her head away from him in mock hurt “I'm insulted.” she said.

Leon chuckled “Right. Forgive me for doubting you, your highness.” he said sarcastically.

Diamond giggled before they decided to continue on. They walked through the room and exited to find themselves outside once again “Didn't Salazar mention something about bringing Ashley to an island? How are we going to follow them?” she asked.

Leon rubbed his chin in thought “There must be boats nearby that they use to get there and back. Hopefully there are still some left or else we'll be swimming.” he said. He turned to look down at Diamond to see her standing on two legs. He raised an eyebrow in confusion “Is there a reason that you're standing like that?” he asked.

Diamond nodded “I learned something back there. I can use that rifle but there is a slight problem. I can't really walk or run that well on two legs since ponies don't usually have much reason to. So I thought I should practice.” she said.

Leon nodded in understanding “Alright, but watch your balance since we are still really high up.” he said. They walked forward until they reached end of the path. To the right was a rope hanging off of a wooden structure. Leon glanced down to see that the rope extended all the way down the side of the tower “This will bring us down near the water. If boats are anywhere nearby, they'd be there.” he said.

Diamond stared at the rope slightly moving in the breeze “So you want to hang off the side of a tower from just a rope?” she asked.

“Yup, so get on my back and hold on tight.” he said.

She climbed onto his back and hung onto his neck. Leon then grabbed hold of the rope and started rappelling down. After a few minutes they finally reached the bottom of the rope which left them in front off an elevator. They took it down to end up in a room where the merchant was set up “Little one, how has the new weapon been treating ya?” he asked.

Diamond glanced at the rifle hanging off of her “It's great! Where do you get these guns made for ponies?” she asked.

The merchant shook his head “I can't share that information. That would only hurt my business.” he said.

Diamond frowned “Who else even buys from you? You only seem to follow us around.” she said.

The merchant chuckled “Trust me little one, I do very well.” he said.

Leon interrupted the two's conversation “Merchant, do you know of any boats nearby?” he asked.

The merchant turned and pointed to a door “Right through there is the dock.” he directed.

Leon gave him a nod before turning towards the door “Thanks.” he said before walking to the door. Diamond followed while still slightly stumbling around on two legs.

After a short hallway, they stopped at the dock. Sitting in the water was a lone speedboat with a familiar woman in a red dress in the driver's seat “Fancy meeting you two here. Care for a ride?” she asked.

Diamond scowled at her “Ada! As if we'd take any help from you!” she yelled.

Ada's grin never moved from her face “I guess you'd rather leave Ashley alone on that island.” she said.

Diamond glance up at Leon “we should just take the boat for ourselves. What do you say?” she asked.

Leon eyed Ada suspiciously. Ada only stared back with the same smile she had. Leon nodded “Fine.” he said to her.

Diamond raised an eyebrow at him “What? Did you forget that she threatened us?” she asked.

Leon turned to look at her “We don't have much choice. Without her we'd have no access to the island. Fighting her for it would also just be a waste of time.” he said.

Diamond sighed since she knew he was right “You are way too trusting sometimes.” she said.

Leon started walking towards the speedboat “It hasn't gotten me killed yet.” he said. Diamond followed and they both got settled in the boat. Ada turned forward and sped forward out of the dock.

As Ada drove towards the island in the distance, Diamond glared daggers into the back of her head. Ada glanced back at her “You don't have to be so tense. I have both of my hands busy driving, I couldn't hurt you if I wanted to.” she said before returning her gaze in front of her.

Leon got her attention “She's right. Besides, we should be taking this time to rest. I expect a lot of resistance once we arrive at the island.” he said.

Diamond decided to relax her muscles. She felt the aching from her overworked muscles start to return as well as the pain from her injuries. She winced from all of the pain rushing back. Leon noticed and gave her a worried glance “What's wrong Diamond?” he asked.

“I think that painkiller you gave me wore off. Got any more?” she asked.

Leon nodded “I do, one sec.” he said.

Ada raised an eyebrow at the exchange “When was the last time either of you ate something?” she asked.

As if in response to Ada's question, diamond's stomach growled loudly. Her face reddened slightly “It's been a while.” she said.

Leon nodded “I expected to be able to pick up some food around the village when my mission started. I didn't think everything was going to be at my neck at all times so I didn't bring any rations.” he explained.

Ada reached into a compartment near her and pulled out two sticks of beef jerky “Here, you'll need your strength.” she offered the food to them.

Leon snatched them from her and glared at her “Diamond is a pony, she's obviously a herbivore. You can't just offer her meat.” he scolded.

Ada shrugged “If you want to starve her then that's up to you.” she said.

Diamond stared at the sticks of meat with hunger in her eyes “I don't care what it is at this point, just give it here.” she said.

Leon thought for a few moments before tossing one of the sticks of jerky to her before handing over a painkiller as well.

Diamond took a bite of the jerky and smiled at the taste. She then wolfed it down in a way that would disappoint her father. Once it was gone, she took the painkiller.

Leon felt bad for feeding her meat but he guessed that there wasn't much choice. Diamond turned to Ada with a softer expression then earlier “Thanks. I guess you aren't a total j-” she was cut off when Ada took a sudden turn almost causing Diamond to fall overboard. The boat stopped near the rocky cliffs of the island.

Ada stood up and took out her grappling gun “I have some business to take care of, see you later.” she said. She shot the grapple which caught onto a high cliff. She was then pulled up and out of sight. Her exit caused the boat to lose control and Leon tried to get it under control.

It crashed it's side into one of the lower cliffs and stopped. Diamond glared in the direction that Ada disappeared “You jerk!” she yelled.

Leon took his communicator out when he started getting a call. He looked into it to see Saddler looking back at him “Saddler, what do you want?” he questioned.

Saddler seemed amused “I believe congratulations are in order. Salazar was a weakling but it is still an impressive feat for an American agent and an otherworldly filly.” he said.

“If you think that was impressive then you'll love what we have in store for you.” Leon shot back.

Saddler let out a chuckle “I'm sure it will be quite amusing. While I have you, would you mind if I spoke with Miss Tiara?” he requested.

“I do mind actually.” he said.

He was about to cut off the transmission but Diamond stopped him “I'll talk to him.” she said. Leon didn't understand why she wanted to talk to him but he handed the communicator over anyway. Diamond stood over the communicator and glared at Saddler “What is it?” she asked harshly.

Saddler gave a lazy smile “The more I see of you, the more you intrigue me. For someone so young you're smart, strong, skilled...and ruthless.” he said.

Diamond didn't seem amused “I know you didn't want to talk just so you can flatter me. Get to the point.” she said.

“I'm getting there. I have an deal that I'm prepared to offer you. I have many different types of parasites at my disposal, as you probably know. The one inside of you is the least remarkable. It will turn you into a mindless killing machine that will only do as I order. But I can do away with that parasite and give you one similar to the one I bestowed upon Salazar. You will keep your mind and gain powers beyond your wildest dreams. You will lose nothing, but gain everything. All I ask of you is that you kill your human friend and join our family.” he explained.

Diamond started laughing at the offer. After a few seconds she calmed down enough to speak “Do you really think I'd join you? After everything you did? I knew you were a monster but I didn't know you were stupid. Even if I did want your disgusting power I wouldn't join you because I wouldn't be able to shut your trap permanently. I'm going to make sure you pay for all the pain you caused me, Leon, Ashley, Luis, and everyone else you hurt.” she said.

Saddler didn't seem shaken by her words at all “I see that you need some time to think it over. If you decide to have some sense all you need to do is sink your knife into Mr. Kennedy's back. Do that and I'll accept you with open arms. The choice is yours, live or become a bloodstain on the underside of my boot.” he said before the transmission cut off.

Diamond offered the communicator back to Leon who took it back “Alright, let's find Ashley.” he said as he turned around to face a low cliff. He climbed up onto the cliff and turned around and reached down to offer Diamond help up.

Diamond just stood still for a second while she had a slightly worried expression on her face “Hey Leon? You know that I wouldn't even think about betraying you, right?” she asked.

Leon just smiled and continued to hold his hand out to her “Of course I do. You've proven yourself to be a good and trustworthy pony. I'd trust you with my life. Now hurry and take my hand.” he said.

Diamond smiled in relief and reached up to grab onto his hand. He then pulled her up to the cliff before standing back up. They were about to continue on but stopped as a jovial voice rang out from Diamond's saddle bag. Diamond recognized the energetic voice as Pinkie Pie “Hello? Is anypony home? Ring ring ring ring ring ring ring mirror phone. Ring ring ring ring ring ring ring mirror phoooone.” she sang.

Diamond frowned at the interruption but brought the mirror out in front of her. She saw Pinkie smiling widely at her while Fluttershy was behind her with a expression of fear and worry. Pinkie waved a hoof at her “Hiya Diamond, it's our turn to check in on you.” she said.

Fluttershy put a hoof to her chest and furrowed her brow in concern “Oh dear, are you hurt?” she asked.

“Very, thanks for the reminder.” she said sarcastically.

Fluttershy shrunk down “Oh, sorry. D-did you find anything to help with your p-parasite?” she asked.

Diamond was about to shake her head but her eyes widened in realization “Wait, we might have a lead actually. Saddler just said in his offer that he'd get rid of my parasite, so there has to be a way to do it.” she said.

Leon rubbed his chin and nodded “You're right. And if I had to guess, that kind of equipment would have to be on this island.” he said.

Fluttershy seemed lost as the two talked “I don't really understand, but it sound like good news.” she said.

Diamond smiled “It is. Now all we have to do is save Ashley, find the cure, and finish saddler for good.” she said.

Fluttershy seemed to take a step back at the mention of killing “Um, m-maybe we should g-go.” she said.

Pinkie stepped in front of her “Wait, tell the merchant I said hi.” she said.

Diamond and Leon stared at pinkie in disbelief. Diamond collected herself enough to speak “How do you know the merchant?” she asked.

“me and merchy meet up on sundays to play bridge.” she said simply.

Leon opened his mouth to speak but was too confused to actually say anything. Diamond turned to him “Just ignore Pinkie, she just says random things sometimes. It's probably just a coincidence.” she said. She the turned back to the mirror “We're gonna go.” she said before stuffing the mirror back into her bag. Leon shook off the strange encounter and they continued into the island.