Diamond's Evil Journey

Leon, Diamond, and Ashley walked into the castle and saw a small building. When the walked in they saw the merchant. Ashley put her hands on her hips “Are you following us?” she asked.

The merchant nodded “Follow those who give you the best business. That's the first rule of business.” he glanced to Diamond “Your father should know all about that.” he said.

Diamond narrowed her eyes at him “It's creepy how much you know, and I'm guessing you won't explain how you know that.” she said.

He chuckled “You learn quick.” he said.

Leon got his attention “Do you have any rifles for sale?” he asked.

The merchant opened his coat “I've got just the thing.” he somehow pulled out an entire rifle “Semi-automatic rifle, great for long distance shooting. I also have a scope for it if you want.” he said.

Leon nodded “I'll take it, along with the scope and some ammo.” he said. He made the purchase and took the rifle.

Diamond got the merchant's attention “Hey do you have anything else I could use. Something with more power?” she asked.

The merchant nodded “Of course little one.” he reached into his coat and pulled out a revolver made for a pony “This is a revolver, one of my personal favorite weapons. It takes a bit longer to reload but has much more of a kick than that handgun you've got.” he said.

Diamond looked over the weapon before smiling “I'll take it and a good amount of ammo.” she said.

The merchant complied and Leon payed for it. Leon and Diamond put everything away and started walking away “Thanks.” Leon said before leaving. The merchant smiled under his mask.

They then climbed a few stairs and walked through a door to end up at a tight path. They turned a corner to see some hooded figures on a higher ledge. Leon saw that they seemed to be patrolling “I think it's safe to assume that they're also a part of Los Illuminados.” he said.

Diamond nodded “Anyone pacing so creepily has to be.” she said.

Leon nodded and took out his new rifle. He aimed at one of the men and fired a bullet into his head. The others seemed to be alerted. He saw another man run out of sight “They're probably coming this way. Get ready.” he said.

Diamond smiled “I get to try out my new gun.” she said as she took the revolver in her mouth. The hooded man came down a flight of stairs and towards them. Diamond fired a bullet into his head and sent him to the floor. Diamond put the revolver away “I like how that feels.” she said.

They then continued up the stairs. They saw a man wearing a red cloak and a cow skull on his head on a high ledge. The man saw them and pointed to another man behind a catapult. Then the catapult launched a flaming ball towards them. Leon backed them all up and the ball smashed on the floor along with another that was launched from another catapult. Leon started running “Hurry while they're reloading.” he said. Diamond and Ashley followed him under cover ahead. They waited until the catapults fired again.

Leon turned to Ashley “Stay here in cover, we'll take care of those catapult. Yell out if you need anything.” he said. Ashley nodded then Leon and Diamond dashed up the nearby stairs. Once up there they could see all three catapults. Leon noticed that two of them were right next to a red barrel. He pointed up at one “Shoot that barrel, quickly.” he said as he aimed for the other one.

They both fired causing them to blow up and kill the catapult operators. A flaming ball was launched towards them from the last one. Leon and Diamond ran out of the way before it could hit them and it smashed harmlessly to the ground. They ran into a nearby small shack only to run into a cloaked man wearing a metal mask.

Leon shot him in the head but the bullet just bounced off of the mask. Diamond saw this and decided to shoot him in the leg. The man knelt and Diamond stabbed him through the heart “That has to be a really strong mask.” she said.

Leon nodded then took his rifle back out. Once another flaming ball was launched and missed. Leon popped his head out of cover and aimed at the operator. While the man was reloading it Leon took his head off with a bullet. Leon took one more glance around “Looks like that was the last of them.” he said. He then walked up to a giant door with Diamond “Ashley! It's safe now!” he shouted down to her.

Once she caught up to them Leon tried the door but it wasn't budging “Hmm, barred from the other side.” he said.

Diamond sighed “Any idea how we get past it?” she asked.

Leon glanced over to another area that they hadn't gone to yet “Let's see if we find anything over there first.” he said. They walked over to the circular area with a large hole in the middle. Leon leaned in to look into the hole and saw a cannon. Then he glanced to the side and saw a crank “I think I know how we're getting through that door.” he said.

He walked over to the crank and started to crank it. After a few seconds the cannon was brought up from the hole. Diamond's eyes widened “Is that a cannon? Are you really planning on destroying that huge door?” she asked.

Leon nodded “I don't see any other way.” he said. He then search the cannon for a way to activate it. He found it quickly and fired. The cannon ball flew and exploded on impact with the door. The door was blasted open.

Ashley seemed surprised “I didn't expect it to be that powerful.” she said.

Diamond shrugged “At least it worked. Good job Leon.” she said. They then walked through the place where the door used to be. They entered another door and found themselves in a small room with some stairs leading up.

Before they could continue Leon got a call on his communicator “Leon, what's your current location?” Hunnigan asked.

“We decided to lay low in a castle, but it looks like it was a bad move.” he said.

“Why is that?” she asked.

“Well it appears that this castle is also connected with the Los Illuminados. They must not get many visitors because they're giving me one hell of a welcome.” he said.

“Sounds bad.” Hunnigan looked like she thought of something “I have an idea Leon. I need you-” she was cut off and her image was replaced with static.

Leon shook the communicator slightly “What? Hunnigan, repeat.” he said. When nothing more came from it Leon sighed “Great, just my luck.” he said.

Ashley looked worried “What happened?” She asked.

Leon put his communicator away “I lost contact with Hunnigan. Probably because the castle walls interfering with the signal. I guess we should just try to find another way out of this castle.” he said. They then started looking around the room. Leon noticed a platinum sword in an indentation in the wall. He ignored it and they continued upstairs.

Once they got up there they saw three cloaked men turn toward them. Leon quickly took out his handgun and shot at the nearest one. Diamond turned to two who were approaching her. She shot the first one in the head but the one in the back swung a flail at her. She jumped back to avoid it and ran back towards him. She gave him a hard buck to the shin to bring him down to her level. She then took her knife in her mouth and stabbed him in the throat.

They then heard yelling from down stairs. They looked down to see three more black cloaked figures with another man wearing a red cloak. Leon quickly threw a frag grenade down there. The three hooded figures died to the grenade but the red cloaked man was far enough to be unaffected.

While he walked up the stairs Diamond shot him in the head. When the bullet hit his head it exploded but his body continued to walk. A fleshy mass erupted from his neck but it was different then the ones they saw before. It was larger and had a large mouth at the top of it.

Leon fired a few bullets into it as it closed in on him. It tried to bite down on his head but Leon held it back with his hands. Leon then kicked it down stairs. It tumbled down but was obviously still alive. Diamond reached into her bag for a grenade but accidentally grabbed a blue one. She threw it and it exploded into a bright white light.

The three of them were caught of guard so the light stung their eyes. Leon grunted from the pain in his eyes “Diamond, you have to warn us if you're gonna use a flash grenade.” he said.

Diamond groaned as she tried to get her vision back “I didn't know what it did! I thought it would just explode like the others!” she shot back.

They then got their sight back shortly after. Leon looked down the stairs to see that the fleshy mass was gone and the body laid motionless. Leon looked confused “Did the flash actually kill it?” he wondered.

Ashley seemed just as puzzled “Maybe they can't survive bright lights? For some reason.” she offered.

Diamond raised an eyebrow “I don't really understand but it seemed to have worked.” she said.

Leon nodded “Let's keep that in mind next time we encounter something like that.” he said. They then started searching the room for a door.

After a few seconds Diamond turned to Leon “There's no door, what the hay.” she said.

Leon walked up to a golden sword in another indentation in the wall. After thinking for a second he turned to Ashley “go downstairs and grab that platinum sword from the wall.” he ordered. Ashley nodded and walked downstairs.

Leon the grabbed the golden sword. Diamond got his attention “What are you doing? That sword looks a bit dull to be used as a weapon.” she pointed out.

“It's not gonna be used as a weapon.” Ashley came upstairs while struggling to hold the heavy sword “Put it in this indentation.” he said as he walked past her and down the stairs.

Ashley put the sword in it's place and waited. After a few seconds the wall with the platinum sword slid out of the way to reveal a door. Leon walked up and joined them.

Diamond narrowed her eyes at him “How did you know that would work?” she asked.

Leon rubbed his chin “For some reason these people seem to like puzzles and that seemed like a simple solution.” he said.

Diamond sighed “I hope we don't run into more puzzles like that.” she said as they walked through the door. They found themselves outside again. They arrived in a small area with two doors. Before they could enter one they heard footsteps behind them.

They turned around to see Luis jogging up to them “Hola friends.” he greeted.

Diamond noticed that his arm was no longer bleeding. She guessed that he patched it “Did you find that thing you forgot?” she asked.

Luis smirked and nodded “I did, I also bring a gift.” he said. He started patting the tops of his pockets trying to feel for something. After a few seconds he frowned as he realized something “Oh shit! I must have dropped it while running away from them.” he said.

Ashley felt slightly sorry for him “Dropped what?” she asked.

Luis sighed and put on a more serious expression “A drug that will stop your convulsions.” he turned to Leon “Look, I know that you are carriers. You've been coughing up blood, right?” he asked.

Leon hesitated slightly before answering “Yes, Diamond too.” he said.

Luis then turned to Ashley “And you?” he asked.

Ashley avoided his gaze “Y-yes.” she said.

Luis clenched his fists and growled “Damn it! That means that the eggs have already hatched. We don't have much time.” he said.

Diamond had never see Luis like this “Don't have much time? Does that mean...” she stopped since she already knew the answer.

Luis turned back the way he came “I have to go back and get it.” he said and started walking.

“Wait!” Diamond called “If it's that important then why don't we go together?” she asked.

Luis turned his head back towards her and managed a smirk “If I didn't know any better I'd think you were worried about me.” he said.

Diamond blushed and growled “I am not! If you want to go alone then fine, go! I couldn't care less!” she turned around and towards a door ahead of them “Leon! Ashley! Come on!” she shouted.

Leon tried to stop her “Wait, we s-”

“I said, come on!” she shouted again. Leon and Ashley glanced at each other and nodded before following.

Once they were gone Luis chuckled and started walking again. He stopped once again when he heard something falling behind him. When he turned around he saw a small mirror on the ground. He glanced up to see if anyone threw it but saw no one.

“Diamond? Diamond are you there?” a female voice seemed to call from the mirror.

That peaked Luis' interest so he walked over to pick it up. When he looked into it her saw a lavender unicorn instead of himself “You don't see that every day.” he said to himself.

Twilight had a questioning look on her face. Before she could speak Filthy ran to her side and looked into the mirror with a smile. When he saw that the creature on the other side was not diamond he frowned “What are you supposed to be?” he asked.

Luis put a hand to his chest in mock hurt “I've heard some rude questions in my time but that one takes the cake. Perhaps you should introduce yourselves first.” he said.

Twilight shook off the surprise “Of course. My name is Twilight Sparkle.” she then gestured to Filthy “And this is Filthy Rich.” she said.

Luis gave a smile and a slight bow “Luis Sera, ladies man extraordinaire.” he said.

Twilight raised an eyebrow at his strange introduction but decided to get back to business “Luis Sera, we are actually from a different world and a pony from here accidentally got sent to yours. Maybe you could help us find her. Her name is Diamond Tiara, she's a young filly and has a pink coat and-” she was cut off by Luis raising a hand.

“No need for the description. I know of her. In fact, you just missed her. She just left.” he said.

Twilight and Filthy smiled “That's great, can you get this mirror to her?” she asked.

Luis shook his head “I can't, sorry. I have important matters to attend to.” he said and started walking while still holding the mirror.

Twilight was shocked by his blunt answer while Filthy growled “What do you mean? That is my daughter and I demand that you deliver this mirror to her.” he commanded.

Luis laughed “Diamond's your daughter? That's quite the fiery filly you've got.” he said.

Filthy didn't seem amused “That's not the point. If you give her this mirror we can bring her home.” he said.

Luis frowned slightly “You don't want her to come back. At least not now.” he said.

Filthy was caught off guard by his response “Explain what you mean! Right now! Why wouldn't I want my diamond back?” he asked.

Luis sighed “Do you want the long version or the short version?” he asked.

“Short.” Twilight answered.

“If Diamond comes home now, it's only a matter of time until she starts killing you all.” he said simply.

Twilight and Filthy gave each other horrified looks. Filthy recover first and glared at Luis “I need to see my Diamond! Bring us to her! What's more important? Those matters you have to attend to, or the well being of a young filly?” he asked.

Luis shook his head and continued on his path “She fine at the moment. I need to grab something I dropped earlier. It's important to not only Diamond but many others too. I will return to Diamond once I have it.” he said.

Twilight pondered his words for a second and nodded “Alright, but please hurry.” she said.

Luis flashed her a smile “Don't worry, Luis Sera never leaves a woman unsatisfied.” he said.

Twilight cringed at his words but collected herself quickly “While you do that, can you elaborate on why Diamond shouldn't come home immediately?” she asked.

Luis nodded “Multitasking, another thing I'm an expert at.” he said.

Moments later Diamond returned to that area with a key in her mouth. Ashley followed behind her feeling worried “Diamond, I know that Luis annoyed you but you shouldn't be so reckless. You could've gotten hurt.” she said.

Diamond rolled her eyes “I had Leon to watch my back, it was fine.” she said.

Leon put a hand to Ashley's shoulder “Try not to worry, I won't let either of you get hurt.” he said.

Diamond walked up to the other larger door and unlocked it. They all then walked in to see a large main hall ahead. When they walked forward they heard cackling coming from a high balcony. They looked up to see a short, wrinkly man wearing castellan attire to his left and right were two figures who's faces were obscured by their cloaks.

The short man stopped cackling to speak “I was starting to wonder when you might notice us.” he said.

Leon narrowed his eyes at him “And who are you?” he asked.

The man bowed slightly “Me llamo Roman Salazar, the eighth castellan of this magnificent architecture. I have been honored with the prodigious power from the great lord Saddler. I've been expecting you, my friends.” he said.

Diamond gave a look of disgust “Friends? I'd rather be friends with the rotting corpse of the village chief then you.” she said.

Salazar put a hand to his chest “My my, such harsh words for someone so young.” he turned his gaze to Leon “Either way, I suggest you release the president's daughter into our care.” he said.

Ashley held onto Leon's arm and cowered behind him. Leon glanced at Ashley then back up to Salazar “Not on your life pal.” he said.

Salazar smirked “I must ask you to reconsider. If you also hand over the pony, I might allow you to keep your pathetic life.” he offered.

Before Leon could answer, Diamond stepped up and growled at him “Keep your offers to yourself shorty.” she said.

Salazar frowned at her “Such disrespect! Fine, have it your way. We'll do this the hard way.” he said before walking out of sight with his bodyguards following behind him.

Ashley held onto Leon's arm a little tighter “I don't want to turn into one of them, Leon.” she said.

Leon gave her a nod “You won't.” he then turned his gaze to Diamond “None of us will.” he assured.