Octavia sighed to herself as she slipped off her black hood. It had been a while since her last mission, what with her foal and all that. She also slipped off her black jacket, and revealed a set of magnificent grey wings. She jetted off towards the Canterlot region, leaving the cloak behind.
As she flew back to Canterlot, Octavia couldn't help but think of her own history. She had had a troubled past, and it was more of a curse than a gift that she was a sister of Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, and consequently a niece of Princess Celestia.
She thought to herself. "I wonder if I'm the only pony in the royal family who willingly kills others.." she trailed off.
Octavia had no surname. This was to blend into the urban cityscape. Octavia's full name was Octavia di Cadenza Auditore. She was a member of the legendary Auditore family, renowned for their ability to gather information while undercover. Octavia was special, however. As a filly she had loved to participate in the dark arts known as l'arte di assassinio. Octavia had achieved high grades in every single subject she came across, and was brought up in the care of the two Princesses Luna and Celestia. Octavia was the first Auditore assassin, and she was also the single most successful agent in Equestrian history. So much, in fact, that she was Princess Celestia's first and only choice when an undercover mission was required.
A flash, and a letter appeared in Octavia's saddlebag. Octavia shook her head once more. "Just another mission, I suppose." she slid the letter out, and flew slower to avoid it flying away.
The letter read:
Dearest niece Octavia,
A matter of utmost urgency has occurred, and I need your assistance to solve it.
A criminal of absolute evil has broken loose. I need you to come to talk to me about it. Details will be vague for you, so I will explain everything when you arrive (hopefully) soon.
-Celestia
Octavia shrugged, and started flying toward Canterlot.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Ten minutes later, Octavia skidded to a halt outside Canterlot Castle. She galloped full speed into the castle, jumping over the guards' spears. She rounded the corner and burst into the throne room. "Here....aunt..." she panted.
Celestia smiled, and walked over to her. "I knew I could trust you to come within 10 seconds flat." Octavia blushed at the Princess' usage of Rainbow Dash's famous quote. The rainbow pegasus had not been seen since the day the sky turned black as night. Most ponies thought that Nightmare Moon had returned, but it was actually just a prank played by some naughty colts. They had been adequately punished for spreading chaos.
Celestia's voice snapped Octavia back into reality. "...the return of somepony I thought I had long vanquished."
Octavia shook her head. "C..come again, aunt?"
Celestia sighed. "I have called you here on a matter of absolute urgency. You are to keep this secret until further notice is posted. A criminal has returned. This is no mere criminal, however. You see..this is the return of somepony I personally vanquished 10,000 years ago. Me and Luna were able to successfully defeat him, turning him into stone, but unfortunately his power has managed to break that barrier.
Octavia facehoofed. "Discord?"
Celestia smiled. "You were always quick to conclusions, dear Octavia." her face reverted to one of seriousness. "But no. Discord still remains frozen in stone."
Octavia struggled to think. She knew of no other pony that had escaped the stone prison Celestia and Luna could cast. She thought harder, probing into her own long memory.
Celestia brought her wonders and thoughts to a dead halt when she whispered the two words Octavia thought she had long forgotten.
"Your brother."
===================
Ten thousand years earlier, in the Everfree royal castle...
The alicorns called a delegation. Celestia and Luna were at the head. Lady Esmeralda Everfree, the Guardian of the Forest, sat next to them. Lord Ice Sickle, the Keeper of the North, was opposite. The royal guard captain Nachstantor was also seated. Octavia, however, stood directly outside. She was a royal guard back then, and she was chosen to watch the bridge which led to the castle.
"We need to solve this problem IMMEDIATELY." Celestia's voice rang out.
"Indeed we must. Everypony must contribute to this, or our end is nigh!" Luna shouted.
Esmeralda sat there, waiting for her turn.
Ice Shard shouted at Luna. "How can we act if we cannot even defeat him? We are merely accelerating our doom!"
Nachstantor stood up and walked about, observing the surroundings.
"Can we just PLEASE ALL SIT DOWN?" Esmeralda finally got around to speaking.
Everypony sat down.
Esmeralda led the conference. "So, we are stuck two ways. We cannot sit here and do nothing while he destroys the land, but if we lead forces to defeat him we merely accentuate our losses. Anypony have a solution?"
Ice Shard fumed. "I say we establish a stronghold. How can one pony defeat a castle full of soldiers and SIX alicorns? Surely he must fall!"
Luna said, quietly. "Ice Shard, this will work, but you have witnessed his power firsthand. He could simply fly into the castle and destroy us all in one bloody swoop!"
Celestia merely slammed her hoof against the table. "Anypony have a solution to this mess?"
"I do." A black alicorn stepped out from the dark, the limp form of Nachstantor in his left hoof, blood dripping from his freshly cut throat. "For you all to die."
Ice Shard flew at him. "Coltana, YOU WILL FALL!"
Octavia, who was outside, stiffened. The pony they were talking about was fresh in her memory. It was none other than the black alicorn Coltana Auditore, better known as Kratosyn. Coltana was one whole hoof taller than any alicorn who had ever lived. With one swing of his sword he had slain King Thiessen, husband of the legendary Queen Faust. He was incredibly strong, his body was plated in magical steel and his hoof armour had black spikes along the side. Most intimidating were his eyes. They glowed an unnatural shade of red, as if they were electronic replacements.
"Oh, I highly doubt that." Coltana rasped, his voice low and metallic. He raised his sword, a huge black blade that seemed to emit darkness, and sliced straight through Ice Shard's sword, shield, helmet and skull. He stomped the ground as Ice Shard fell to the ground, his brains spilling from his topless head.
"Anypony else dare challenge me?" He mocked.
Esmeralda thought for a second before charging. Vines sprouted up from the ground and entangled Coltana's hooves. He frowned, and the black sword glowed red, before he brought it up into Esmeralda's stomach. Instantly Esmeralda's soul was sucked from her body, and collected in a small orb on the tip of Coltana's great blade. He tossed it into the forest, and stepped forward. "Three down. Any more?"
Celestia and Luna held their ground.
"So you are surrendering? Highly unethical!" Coltana laughed, his metallic voice echoing off of the walls.
"Not me." Octavia leaped up from behind, clinging to Coltana's neck, bringing her hidden blades to bear. She managed to stab him repeatedly in the neck. Black blood flowed out.
Coltana roared louder than a hydra would, shattering all the windows. He turned round and punched Octavia off of him.
Octavia reeled back, resting against a pillar. Before she could get up, Coltana hit her with a beam of black magic.
"For you, sister, I need to...hurt you more." he grunted.
Octavia could feel her wing bones breaking slowly, one by one. She screamed out in pain.
Coltana grinned, and sent one last spell.
The beam flew upwards and slammed Octavia in the face, knocking her unconscious.
"Haha!" Coltana reared back, roaring in triumph.
Just as the freezing beam hit him square in the chest.
And at that moment, Coltana became a prancing horse statue.