A shadowy figure hopped across the rooftops of Canterlot, his eyes fixed on his destination. His head darted to and fro, but all was quiet. The only sound was the soft gallop of his hooves on the roof.
Suddenly, a building rose out of the gloom, a huge mansion with terraces and vines hanging from the walls. He was here. But, he couldn’t just knock on the front door. This had to be secret.
Time slowed as he reached the last rooftop. He could hear his own heartbeat, a bass drum amongst the violinists of the wind. The cymbals of his mind began a roll, and the increasing sound thundered in his head. The symphony was blasting all they had until he reached the end of the terrace. He tensed and jumped. The music stopped, save for one lonely string holding out a high note.
His eyes grew small, his breathing slowed. His body flew through the air, as gracefully as a harpist’s string pluck. He closed in on the wall, and his pupils dilated.
Barely a few feet from the stone, he extended his right hoof and out from beneath his wrist came a twelve inch blade, sharp as a timberwolf’s fang. Halfway down the blade, there was a sudden hook, which caught on the vines.
As he hung from the walls, a sly smile could be seen underneath his dark hood. The music had finally stopped.
A window was open above, and that room was his destination. He raised his left hoof and an identical hook-blade extended out, and he slowly made his way up the stone wall.
When he finally reached the window, he pulled himself up to see the pony he was waiting for standing before him. He smiled, then took off his hood. He was no longer an Assassin. He was now Vando Stacatto, a simple pianist in love with the mare before him: Reyna Legato.
“Reyna,” He whispered, before rushing to her. He embraced her and brought his lips to hers, holding the kiss for as long as he could. When Vando broke away, he saw tears his his beloved’s eyes.
He frowned, and brought a hoof up to wipe away the tears. “My love, what bothers you so? Are you not happy to see me?”
“Oh Vando, I am happier than you could imagine!” Reyna cried. “But it is why you’re here that I am sad.”
He brought his hoof down to her mouth, silencing her. “Forget about why I am here. Tonight is for you and me to celebrate.”
“But I will never see you again!”
“Nay, I say; you will see me once more, dear Reyna.” Vando said softly. “Perhaps not in this lifetime or the next, but I swear by Celestia’s golden sun that you and I will meet again.”
Taking his words in, Reyna finally smiled. “Perhaps you are right, Vando. Now, come, lay with me.” She gestured to her bed, and immediately he followed her to her resting place.
And on that night, the two star-crossed lovers set forth a series of chain-events that would decide the fate of Equestria.
Octavia woke up, rubbing her eyes with her hooves. What was that dream about? It just seemed so.....real. A twinkling rang through her head, and Octavia craned her neck to see what it was. When she found the source, she smiled.
It was the music box, which had been in her in her family for years. Which reminded her of that dream....
What exactly was it? Octavia hadn’t the slightest idea. All she knew was the music box played soothing notes that helped her fall asleep. Either way, it wasn’t her main worry. She reached over and closed the box, stopping the music immediately. Today was a big day for her.
Octavia was going to perform for the delegates from the Griffon Kingdom, alongside her giffon counterpart Soft Claw, as an anniversary of the peace and harmony between the two kingdoms brought many years ago. It was a very important performance, and Octavia would be lying if she said she wasn’t nervous. Still, she and Soft had been practicing with each other for weeks, and they had it all down. All that was left was the actual performance.
The black-maned musician was pulled out of her thoughts by an earth-shattering boom from below her room, in the kitchen. This boom repeated several times, signifying that Vinyl Scratch was doing the dishes.....again.
Not that it was a bad thing. It was great to have a friend that did the dishes as you slept. But did she really have to invent a dubstep dishwasher? What was wrong with the last one? Sure, this one might clean “on a microscopic level” as Vinyl had put it, but it disturbed half of Ponyville as it wubbed along.
Her door bursted open to reveal the infamous DJ herself. “Yo, Tavi! You should get up soon, girl! Don’t you have that performance thing to do in Canterlot?”
Octavia rolled her eyes. “Yes, I do, but what have I told you about calling me that name? I hate it.”
“Really? ‘Cuz I absolutely love it!”
“Of course you do! You love anything I hate!”
“Do not!”
Octavia reclined on the frame of her bed, hooves crossed. “Oh really? Name one thing that I like that you like as well.”
“Well....um.....”
“Exactly.” Octavia said, a smug look on her face.
“Wait!” Vinyl replied, a bright smile on her face. “I’ll be right back!” She raced away to the kitchen once more, and reappeared wearing an apron that said “Kiss the DJ” on it. “You know you love Scratch’s famous scrambled eggs!”
Her mouth now watering, Octavia realized that her friend was right......and that she was starving. “Ok, so you win this one. Speaking of those eggs, would you mind making some while I get ready?”
“No problem Tavi!” Vinyl yelled, racing away before Octavia could strangle her for the caller her that name again.
As soon as Vinyl Scratch was downstairs, Octavia got out of bed and made her way to her bathroom, pausing only to yawn a bit. She turned on the shower, and started brushing her teeth while the water warmed up. While she brushed away, her thoughts wandered, often thinking about the performance, which led to music, which led to her life’s career.
Eventually, her music box came to mind once more. It was a strange piece, for when opened it held but a small painting of a group of colonial ponies, who had founded Equestria. The painting was the most unusual thing about the box, because while the polished wood was fading, the paint looked like it had faced the test of time and spat in it’s face. Then there was the music itself.
She spat, and brought a cup up to rinse her mouth.
Something about the soft twinkling always lulled Octavia into her deepest slumbers, which is why she used it nightly. Many times the sounds would have her in its trance in a matter of minutes, bringing her to the wonderful world of her dreams.
Octavia spat again, leaving her mouth clean and refreshed.
That thought immediately pulled back that dream. Who were those two ponies? Why had the mare been so sad? What in the world was an Assassin, and just who were Vando Stacatto and Reyna Legato? Their names alone were strange, being complete opposite musical terms. Legato, long and connected. Stacatto, short and lifted. Octavia thought herself to be more like Legato if their names had anything to do with personality. Perhaps it was something to look into.........
A banging on her bathroom door snapped her out of her thoughts. “Hey, Octavia! You done with that shower yet? The eggs are just about done.”
Flushed, Octavia realized that she’d been staring at her now misty reflection in the mirror for the past ten minutes. She rushed into the shower, yelping at the scalding touch of the water. She reached for the knob and tilted it a bit more to the cold side, turning it from an unbearable liquid inferno into a pleasant burning sensation. “Um, just a minute Vinyl! I’ll be out soon.” With that, she began furiously scrubbing, trying to clean her body quickly so she could go eat a warm breakfast.
Having now finished her shower, Octavia stepped out, feeling refreshed and new. She walked over to her window and opened. The musician breathed in the wonderful fresh air of Ponyville, and took in the sights of the morning bustle.
Applejack was already out at her apple stand, yelling out the prices for each bit of the red deliciousness. The mayor was talking with somepony at town hall entrance, somepony obviously annoyed with something. Twilight was out with Spike, who held a checklist that was as long as the Ponyville Express. Off to her left, Rose was tending to her wonderful collage of flowers.
Octavia smiled. It was going to be a good day. She could just feel it.
A figure watched in a dark alleyway as the two ponies, Octavia and Vinyl Scratch got into a carriage that would take them to Canterlot. The performance was in an hour. She needed to follow them to make sure they would be okay. Sure, Vinyl was with her, but there wasn't much she could do without revealing herself. She had to go with them, as a precautionary measure. She spread her wings, and prepared to take off.
Right before she could get off the ground, however, movement caught her eye. There was another figure that was entering the house. This couldn't be good. Instead of flying upward, she dashed over to the door, making it inside just before it closed.
I can follow Scratch and Tavi later. She thought. I need to take care of this guy first.
The house was eerily quiet, which was what she expected. If her suspicions were correct, then the person that snuck in wasn’t anypony normal.
It was a Templar.
She kept her sense on high alert, and headed up the stairs, for that was where Tavi kept it. She turned the corner, and saw that Octavia’s bedroom door was wide open, and movement could be heard inside. Shuffling and clicking could be heard. She crept towards the doorway, and peeked inside. She smiled to herself under her hood, and began to enter the room, when she hit a creaking floorboard.
The other figure turned around to the doorway to see--nothing.
He frowned. He could’ve sworn he heard the floor creak. Either way, it didn’t matter. He had gotten what he came for.
Stuffing the music box in his saddlebag, he began walking out of the room. He failed to notice, however, the pony hanging from the ceiling above.
She smiled once more under her hood, before letting go of the walls.
Time slowed. The pony underneath her turned his head slowly, and when he saw her, his eyes grew wide in fear. All she did was give him her trademark slight grin, before extending her hoof to reveal a twelve inch blade that was hidden under her sleeve. His cry came out slowly, but was stopped when she tumbled onto him and pinned him to the ground. She brought her blade up and swished downwards. Everything happened so slowly, until her blade met his throat--and stopped.
Time seemed to resume and both were breathing hard. Finally, she spoke up.
“Just where do you think you’re going, eh?”
He swallowed, and relied in a shaky voice. “I-I’m not afraid of you!”
She rolled her eyes. “Really. Could’ve fooled me.” She pressed her blade harder against his throat, silencing him again. “Now, answer my question. Where were you going to go with that music box?”
His eyes suddenly hardened, and he spat in her face, causing her to recoil. “The father of understanding guides many, but foals like you ignore the truth, Assassin.”
“You really had to spit at me?” She said, her voice now steely and cold as ice. “You idiots just don’t know when to do certain things, do you?” She brought her blade back to his neck, this time piercing it ever so slightly, drawing a bead of blood. He winced in pain, and his eyes once more met hers. “I’m going to ask one more time. Where were you going to take this music box?”
He sneered. “Go to Tartarus, wench.” With that, he grabbed her wrists and forced the blade into his neck, causing his eyes to go wide. His hooves shook a bit, but then went slack.
When the pony had finally stopped convulsing, she sighed and pulled her blade out of his neck. It was a pity that they did that sometimes. Still, she had to admire his loyalty to his order.
She turned him over and reached for his saddlebags. She dug through them, and in one found a music box, one she was sworn to protect. She smiled. It was safe for the time being. She went through the other bag, and found a letter. She opened it, and when she read it, her eyes flew wide open.
She had to get to the Canterlot Performing Arts Hall. Now.
Octavia was in the moment, letting the music flow through her body and control her. The CPA Hall was full of ponies and griffons alike, including very special guests. In the top box, she spotted Princess Celestia and the Griffon King Valnor. To her left stood her partner, Soft Claw, who glanced at her. She smiled at him, and continued her bow’s strokes on her cello. The ballad was almost over.
Feeling the notes in the air, Octavia simply let the music take full control. That was the key to her success. She didn’t think that music was just sound. It was almost like a living entity that lived in the air, flowing through the ears of all species alike, not just ponies. Perhaps that is why music was always one of the things that all cultures shared.
Octavia smiled, and stroked her instrument, bringing out soft low notes that caressed the hall with the beautiful sounds of the strings.
The performance was going perfectly.
Vinyl Scratch sat in a seat near the top row, close to the entrance. She loved the sound of her friend’s music. It was angelic, but it didn’t hide the sounds of the pony approaching to her right. She sat down next to her, and for a while there was silence. Then, the pony spoke.
“You know, I never knew you liked this kind of music, being a DJ and all.”
Vinyl simply smiled. “Well, who doesn’t enjoy something soothing every now and then? It can’t always be just loud bass and techno synths. It’s a hidden pleasure for me” She looked over the the pony, whose face and mane was hidden by a black hood. “Speaking of hidden, do you have to go around dressed like that? It’s not like we’re in danger or anything.”
The pony bit her lip, before replying. “That, Scratch, is where you’re very wrong.” She turned towards the DJ, and spoke softly. “Shortly after you two left, one of them broke into your house. He almost made away with the music box, but I managed to kill him before he could get away.”
Vinyl Scratch thought for a while, before speaking again. “Did he tell you anything before he died?”
“No. The usual crap. Called me a wench and spat in my face.”
Vinyl laughed. “Well, that’s all fine and dandy, but if there’s nothing else--”
“There is.” The pony pointed into the crowd, aiming her arm at a griffon and a stallion down below. “See those two guys in tuxes on the far right side of the hall?”
Vinyl looked where she was pointing. “Yeah, I see them. What about them?”
“I found a letter in the other guy’s saddlebags that had a set of orders. He was supposed to meet those two after they assassinate Octavia and Soft Claw after the show.”
Suddenly, Vinyl’s relaxing nature was gone, in it’s place a dead seriousness. “Alright. Wait here while I suit up. The performance isn’t done for at least another ten minutes. Don’t do anything stupid till then.”
After she left, there was a small silence, save for the music filling the hall.
“Yeesh. I’m her boss, and she talks to me like that?”
Eight minutes have passed. The performance was almost complete.
Octavia stroked her cello in earnest, the song now reaching its climax. She and Soft Claw were lost in the moment, and those in the hall were going through the same experience. Many were in tears because of their beautiful song, which told the story of peace and harmony in Equestria.
When the final note was played, it rang throughout the auditorium, silence in it’s wake. Then, cheers erupted from the crowd, coming from griffons and ponies alike. Octavia looked over to her griffon counterpart, who had a wide grin on his face. He apparently thought the performance went as well as she did. Walking over, Octavia extended a hoof in congratulations to Soft, who in turn took it in her claw and shook.
“Stunning performance, I must say!” Soft shouted over the noise. “That part in the third movement almost had me, though!”
Octavia smiled back, knowing her friend was being modest. “Nonsense. You played through the thing perfectly!”
“I’d wouldn’t say that. I’m sure I made a slew of mistakes.”
Octavia turned to the crowd. “Come on, Soft. This cheering crowd, and you say you made a ton of mistakes? You and I are both professional musicians. I can hear wrong notes just as well as you.”
The two took a final bow, before heading offstage to their right, towards the dressing rooms. They chatted away, cheerful about the performance.
Neither of them noticed, however, the two shadowy figures following them.
Octavia walked into her home, exhausted from the day’s ordeals. The performance had gone perfectly, but it sure had been tiring. It’d taken a lot out of her, and all that stress just wasn’t good for her. That, and one thing still bothered her.
Where had Vinyl gone after the performance? She just disappeared during the show, and Octavia never saw her after that. She was a little put off by her friend’s inconsiderate action, but she decided not to hold it against her. Scratch was a busy pony, and often had to leave abruptly to DJ at a party somewhere, or perhaps help some new pony with a music track. Either way, it didn’t matter much to Octavia. She was just said that Vinyl couldn’t stay for the whole performance.
Octavia walked over to the kitchen, where the dubstep dishwasher was now humming softly, signalling that it’s cycle was almost complete.
“Thank Celestia,” Octavia muttered. “I don’t think I could handle all that noise tonight.”
The Royal Cellist then walked to her fridge, and dug out the sandwich she had made last night. It was all she and Vinyl really ate: leftovers. For having such a high end job, they never really got much good food to eat. It didn’t really bother Octavia though. She was content with her life. So, with that thought in mind, she stuck the sandwich in the microwave and set it to heat for two minutes.
As she stood by the machine, Octavia’s mind began to wander back to that dream she had this morning. Why did the name Vando Stacatto seem so familiar? She only really knew that the two ponies in that dream were obviously lovers, and that their relationship must’ve been a secret. Judging from the architectural design of the building that Vando had climbed, it must’ve been the Renaissance-era Canterlot, when magic and the like fluorished. There was one thing that shocked her no matter how hard she thought about it, though.
He was an earth pony. No magic, no wings.
So how in the world did he move across the rooftops like that? So nimble, so fast, and that leap through the air.....any normal earth pony would’ve perished. It almost seemed like Vando had flown, but Octavia knew that he couldn’t have. He was missing the needed appendages.
Then there was the mistress of this mysterious stallion, the mare by the name of Reyna Legato. Her last name meant long and connected in the music world, the opposite of her lover’s, which meant short and lifted. Their names weren’t the only stark differences they had, though. She was something that really puzzled Octavia.
Reyna was a Unicorn.
Now, today in modern-day Equestria, it would be perfectly acceptable for an earth pony to marry a unicorn or a pegasus. It would be fine for a unicorn and a pegasus as well. Back then, however, the earth ponies were considered as inferior ponies, and the pegasi and unicorns were very strict about preserving their blood statuses. It’s obvious that the two had met in such a secret fasion because nopony would ever approve of their relationship. A forbidden love. It reminded her much of Shakesmare’s classical tale of Romeo and Juliet, two lovers from rival unicorn families. Although, in the case of Vando, there wasn’t even a chance for him to enter Reyna’s family. At least with Shakesmare’s characters, there was a chance at family peace.
A sudden beeping snapped Octavia out of her thoughts. The microwave was done heating her food. She took the sandwich, sat down at the table, and immediately began munching on the sandwhich. She didn’t realize just how hungry she was.
As she ate, Octavia’s mind once again began to drift, this time onto the music box. She had always wondered why the box’s musical cantor would have such deep effects on her. Whenever the thing played, her eyes would get extremely heavy, no matter how much coffee she had from StarBucks. It was a strange phenomenon. She had always just put it off as just her love for the music. Well, that, and her extremely soft bed. But, that aside.......
Octavia took another bite and swallowed. She couldn’t help but wonder if it was something else. The box had such a unique quality to it, yet she couldn’t place. In fact, the thing itself was so strange. It had been in her family for generations, and yet not once did Octavia ever hear of having to take it in for repairs. It must’ve existed since even before the Renaissance, given the art style of the painting inside of it. Add it’ near-indestructibility and it’s strange musical ability to put you to sleep......
Perhaps it was magi--
Octavia immediately pushed that thought out of her head. There was no way in Equestria that she owned a magical music box. Most likely the family heirloom was always under extreme care, which would explain the condition.
As for the sleeping effect it had...well, perhaps it was time for her to test it out again. Octavia was pretty tired, and her sandwich was gone, now lost in the recesses of her belly. The combination of her full stomach and tiring day definitely was a combination for a good night’s sleep. Octavia walked up her stairs, and to her room, which was wide open.
Octavia frowned. She was sure she closed the door before she left. She always did. The gray pony cautiously walked inside, prepared to meet anypony that might be on the other side of those walls. She stepped in.....
Nopony was there. The only thing there was an open window, with the cool night breeze flowing throughout the room. That was stranger still. Octavia was also pretty sure that she closed her window after her morning gaze of Ponyville. It didn’t bother her too much, though, as she walked over and pushed it down. She might’ve just forgotten to shut it. Pushing her worries aside, she slipped into her bed, and opened the music box to turn it on, and as the soft song twinkled away, Octavia once more slipped into a deep slumber.
Vando woke up the next morning, refreshed as ever. His love was laying on the bed next to him, her beauty forever stunning him. Reyna was one of the few things that he saw worth fighting for in this world, his loyalty to her only surpassed by that to the Brotherhood. And coincidentally, it was because of that Brotherhood that last night was a reality. He had been sent on a mission here to retrieve something of great value, and while Vando had been told to get his hoofs on it through any means possible, he wanted to try the peaceful route first. The sandy-maned earth pony looked over Reyna’s body, over to the closed music box that had long on her bedside table.
His eyes hardened. That box was the key to everything. It could save the world or destroy it in a matter of seconds. By the decree of his order, he had to retrieve it. But first......
“Reyna, wake up.” Vando said, softly. “There is something we must discuss.”
The rosy haired unicorn slowly stirred and sat up. Vando’s breath was taken from him when he saw her. Even with a messy mane in the morning, she was still more beautiful than any other pony he’d seen.
“Good morning, Vando,” Reyna said, a bright twinkle in her eyes. “It’s fine morning, is it not?”
Vando looked out the window, seeing birds flying gracefully through the air, and the merchants out and about setting up their shops for the day in the town square. He smiled. “Aye, it is my love. But, in the wake of this breathtaking day, I hope you haven’t forgotten why I’m here?”
Reyna’s eyes suddenly lost their twinkle, and became saddened. “I....yes. I remember. The box.”
“I’m sorry, Reyna, but I must take it away from here.” Vando said, now standing and getting dressed in his Assasin’s robes. “If it remains here, you and your family are forever in danger.”
“But Vando,” She replied, now standing on the opposite side of the bed. “Is there no other way? What danger is there? I come from a noble family, and thus we have guards with us everyday.”
Vando’s eyes hardened. “These guards would not fare well against the enemies I fight everyday....that I kill everyday.”
Reyna shuddered, remembering her love’s occupation. “But....Vando. It’s been safe with us for generations. Surely, it will be safe with my family!”
“Reyna, I’m not willing to take that risk!” Vando said, his voice more stern than before. “My foes are if anything resourceful, and they may not find that box today, or tomorrow, or maybe in a hundred years, but if they do, the world would be in peril!”
“I don’t understand what you’re saying, Vando. It is but a simple music box.”
“My love, if only you knew. It is much more than a music box.” Vando said, his eyes now glazed over and gazing outside. “That ‘simple’ music box has the power to decide the fate of all of Equestria.”
Reyna looked at her lover, a sad look in her eyes. “You’re not going to take no for an answer, are you?”
“Nay. I have my orders.”
Sighing sadly, the rose maned unicorn picked up the box with her magic and placed it in Vando’s saddlebags. “Just make me one promise, Vando. One promise and the box is yours.”
Vando sighed in content, knowing that Reyna had given in. “Anything my love. Anything.”
“If I give this to you, you must promise me to always keep it within your family, nopony else’s.” Reyna said, her eyes filled with tears as she departed with the heirloom. “I will trust it to nopony other than you and your kin.”
Vando was shocked by her request. Did she not just hear what the box was? It was safest in the hooves of the Brotherhood, not just one of it’s members! But.....if this will get the box.....
“Aye. I promise.”
Weeks went by. Vando did as he was ordered, and kept his distance from the Legato Manor. It pained him so, but his loyalty to the order was greater than his yearning for his love. Vando was now on literal house-arrest because of the conditions upon which Reyna gave him the box. The Brotherhood wouldn’t allow him to leave his residence, as it threatened his life, and with it, the box.
Vando awoke, feeling the same tension that coursed through his body for the past two months. He hadn’t left the house for two horseflipping months. He was itching to get out into the world once more, to go on another mission, to stretch his legs, feel the rush of the kill--anything other than the monotony that was his house. The whole time he kept his uniform and weapons locked in his office, as to make sure the temptation to sneak out would be resisted. If he did, the Rector of the Brotherhood would most likely have his head on a silver platter by nightfall. Or, so she said. Vando knew that not many in the Order could match his skill. There were few, the Rector being one of them, but she rarely did things on her own anymore. Besides, Vando was one of the Heads in the Order. He lead the Assasins here in Canterlot. The Rector couldn’t possibly have him killed for going out.
Yet, while he thought that, a festering fear kept him from doing so. The Rector could stop him if she wanted to. She was the leader of the Assasin Order. Her story was a legend amongst them.
Still, that gave her no right to place him on house-arrest!
“Your life is now tied to the box,” her letter said. “You must be kept safe, and as such, will be kept under our protection. You may not leave your home, lest you endanger yourself and those around you.”
When he read the letter, Vando scoffed at first. Him, need protection? Him, who single hoofedly took down the legendary Pater of the Canterolot-sect Templars? He thought it was a joke, until he saw the guards arriving on his propert.
And here I am, two months later. Vando thought bitterly. Away from the fight, from aiding my compatriots, and most importantly, away from my Reyna.
He looked out his window, expecting to see the same view of Canterlot: the bustling markets, the pompous nobles, the smiling fillies roaming around, playing. Instead, he saw one stark difference in the distance: a rising column of smoke.
More specifically, a column of smoke coming from Reyna’s house.
Vando leapt to his hooves, and rushed to his cupboard. He threw on his uniform and ran out of the room. He had made it down the stairs where the two Assassin guards stood at the door.
“Vando, we may not permit you to leave.” The guard on the left said, pulling out his sword.
“Get out,” Vando said, his pent up rage now pouring out. “Get out of my way!”
With that, he leapt forth, the symphony in his head beginning to play once more. The heavy echo of the drums beat throughout the hall of his mind as he flew threw the air, pulling out his blades from beneath his sleeve. Before the guard could react, the percussion section let out a crack, and the blade sunk into his chest. The other guard, a unicorn, prepared a lightning spell, the fastest spell a unicorn could muster. Vando quickly swung around and sliced off the unicorn’s horn, causing him to open his mouth to let out a scream. The violinists were now playing frantically, as Vando pulled up, jumped up into the air, and brought both blades down into the guards neck. His eyes flew wide open, and his mouth sputtered out blood before he let out his final breath of life.
Vando stood up, breathing heavily, and ran out the door, towards Reyna’s house. He didn’t stop to think that he had just killed two members of the Brotherhood, or that he would be put on trial for betrayal, or court martialed for disobeying a direct order from the Rector herself. All he could think about was the image of his love, cowering from the licking flames of the scourging fire.
Please, oh Celestia, please let me make it there on time! Vando thought as he raced through the streets of Canterlot. He finally reached the Legato Manor, and saw that flames were consuming the house.
“REYNA!” Vando cried, fearing the worst. “REYNA! Where are you?!”
A voice suddenly cried out from inside. “Here, Vando! Please help me, I can’t move!”
Vando’s heart skipped a beat, and he rushed to the door. Without thinking, he threw it open.
Through the flames that erupted through the door, the last thing he saw was his Reyna, trapped underneath a burning piece of debris, her eyes begging him for help. Then, the flames consumed him, and he lost consciousness.
Octavia bolted up, sure that the flames were swallowing her. Her breathing was heavy, and her eyes darted to and fro, making sure no sparks were flying everywhere.
“It was just a dream,” Octavia whispered to herself. “Just a dream.....”
Suddenly, Octavia noticed something strange. There was no sound in the room. She looked to her right, and her heart took a plunge.
The music box was gone.
Then, she noticed one other thing. There was a choking scent in the air, one that now seemed all too familiar after the dream.
Smoke.
Octavia jumped off of her bed, and threw her bedroom door open. The hall was drowning in a sea of flames, and she had no way to escape. The stairs, the hallway--everything was burning.
The royal cellist began to cry, when she noticed somepony was crouched on the windowsill. It was a stallion, whose face was hidden by a hood, though his eyes shined through the darkness.
“Oh thank Celestia!” Octavia cried. “You must help me get out!”
He slowly got off of the window, and walked calmly towards her. Her heart was racing now. Hope bloomed from within. He was going to help her! She was going to live!
His hoof connected with her cheek, and she flew onto the bed.
Octavia looked up, the world around her a blur. She saw the figure above her, a smug look on his face.
“W-why?” Octavia stuttered, as she looked at him in fear.
“Simple.” He said. He took off the hood, revealing a dark brown mane and piercing gold eyes. “You have something that we want.”
Octavia just stared at him. “W-well, what is it? I haven’t got much money on me, if that’s what it is!”
He whinnied, apparently annoyed at her comment. “No, you stupid mare! The box! Where is the music box?!”
“I-I have no idea what you’re talking about!”
He glanced at the door, which was beginning to smolder. He looked back at the window, then smiled sinisterly.
“Look,” The pony said. “Neither of us have much time. Soon, the flames I started will break through the door, and the room will be engulfed in red.” Octavia’s eyes widened. So he had sparked the fire. “You have two choices, seeing as you’re unable to get out of here yourself. You can withhold the location of the artifact, and perish here in the fire as I fly away.” To mock her, he wiggled his tan wings. “Or, you can tell me where it is and we can both live to see another day. So I ask you again: Where is the box?”
“You mean this one?”
The stallion was kicked away from Octavia, and slammed into the wall next to the window. Octavia looked up at her savior, only to see yet another hooded pony holding her precious music box, this one obviously a mare by her voice. Underneath the hood was a very familiar pair of stark magenta eyes, which flicked to her direction before pulling away, facing the stallion. He got up, and seeing the other pony in the strange robes, he recoiled in--what was it? Fear?
The pony in the strange robes chuckled. “You guys ain’t too bright, are you? I live here!”
Octavia suddenly gasped. Surely this pony couldn’t be her?!
“Well, it doesn’t matter anymore,” The stallion said, his body tensing up to spring forward. “Because you’re going to die here!” He lunged at the mare, bringing his dagger down towards her head. It soared down but she didn’t move, only standing there, still as stone. Then right before the blade would pierce her skull, she dropped the box and shifted to the left, causing the stallion to stumble forward and fall. He attempted to recover, but the mare let loose a burst of magic, causing his dagger to fly out of his hoof. He growled and threw a punch at her, which instead of blocking, the mare let connect with her shoulder, before using that as a chance to grab his arm. She lifted him up and threw him at the wall, knocking the wind out of him. He laid on the ground, gasping in pain. The mare, now standing over him, extended her arm, bringing out a blade from under her sleeve.
“Any last words, Templar?”
The stallion chuckled, and wheezed, “Go to Tartarus, you bitch.” The mare then brought her hoof down, and the blade pierced his neck, causing blood to spurt everywhere. She pulled her arm back, withdrawing her weapon, and walked over to Octavia. Octavia, still shocked at having witnessed another pony get killed, only gawked at her savior.
She gulped as the strangely robed pony walked towards her. “Wh-who are you?”
The mare bit her lips underneath the hood. “Look, Octavia, I’d like to explain, but we need to get out of here. The house--”
Suddenly, the door soared open, and bursts of flames flew into the room, turning it a crimson color. Everything in the room caught on fire, including Octavia’s bed.The pony ran over and grabbed Octavia from the burning bed, and snatched up the music box with her magic. She ran over to the window, Octavia on her back.
“Wait!” Octavia said, fearing what was going to happen. “You’re not really going to--”
The pony leapt out of window, right as the room exploded, sending the two flying through the air, and towards the hard earth. Octavia blacked out from the force of the explosion, and the last thing she saw was a pair of magenta eyes, and a familiar voice crying out her name.