The forest seemed to hold its breath as a manticore weaved through the trees. It had its glowing eyes fixed on a moving shape a short distance away--a pony in ragged clothing, making her way through the forest on a worn path. The beast licked its lips. It hadn’t eaten for a few weeks now, and that meant that this mare was lunch. It readied its wings to give it the boost it needed to crash through and surprise the unsuspecting equine.
A small rustle above made it pause. The manticore looked up. A squirrel perhaps? Then it noticed two glowing beads shining back from the darkness. An owl, more likely. It turned its head back towards what was to be its feast.
Muscles tensed, and wings flexed. Air rushed by, and the manticore pounced through the trees, surprising the pony. She gasped, dropping the small cake she was carrying. How fitting. Main course and dessert.
The eyes in the tree were joined by a shining white smile. The beast had made its first and last mistake. The eyes closed, and the mouth breathed in air slowly. Time slowed down around. He could sense the world around him--the wind in the trees, the sound of a cricket’s song, the bones of the mare creaking. He could hear the heartbeat of the manticore itself, racing in excitement as it came closer to its prey. Right before it’s paws could touch the mare, the eyes opened once more.
The scream of a terrified pony filled the air, mixing with the delighted roars of a monster.
But it wasn’t the manticore.
A blur came out of the trees, and it howling as it fell upon the beast below. A silver blade flashed, and blood flew through the air, painting the two innocents crimson.
The blur got up, pulling its blade out of the manticore’s neck. It stood up to reveal a stallion, whose fur was covered in filth, mud, and twigs. His cloak was torn, the once angelic white now tainted with a mix of fresh and dried blood. The black leather was worn and had torn patches all over. Golden eyes shone out of a stormy grey coat that was accompanied by a black cloud that was his mane. His eyes radiated mixed emotions, intriguing the mare as he got up.
Seeing his kill, Vando Staccato smiled slightly. Flawlessly executed, as usual. He began to walk away, leaving the pony he just saved.
The mare behind him cleared her throat. “Excuse me sir, but I just want to--”
“What, thank me?” Vando spat back, sudden anger in his voice. “Don’t. I was just making sure my blade was sharp.”
She huffed. “‘I don’t believe that one bit. You saved me and that’s that.”
Vando stopped, surprised. Most ponies he’d “saved” would’ve taken offense to that and left. This mare seemed different.
Turning around, he got his first good look at her. She was an earth pony, one who obviously worked in the lower class; her clothing was ragged and covered in dirt. Yet, despite her messy clothing, her attitude shone quite differently. Her attire suggested a despondent mind, whereas her stature and frowning face gave off an obvious feeling of pride. She had stark green eyes that seemed to pierce through his anger, searching for a shred of happiness. Her beige coat was covered in flecks of mud and bark, telling Vando that she did outside labor. The mane atop her head was a mix of caramel and toffee. Her genuine smile seemed to stir something inside Vando, something he hadn’t felt in so long...
Shaking his head, Vando stopped analyzing the mare. “What did you just say to me?”
“‘Ah said you saved me.” She rolled her eyes. Her voice had a slight country accent to it, something Vando wasn’t used to, having lived in Canterlot. “Sweet Celestia, does that gangly mane ‘o yours mess with your hearin’?”
Again, he was shocked. Nopony had ever talked to him in his long years in the Forest, much less with sarcasm. It was new to Vando, and he wasn’t quite sure how to respond.
“I--uh, well--” Vando shook his head again. “It matters not. What are you trying to say now?”
Suddenly, her face turned from a sarcastic look to a sweet smile. “‘I just want to say thanks, that’s all.”
Once more, confusion. Thanks? That was it? So simple, and yet…Vando had saved countless ponies from the horrors of the Everfree, and not one of them had stopped to give him their thanks. He felt strange inside, different from the usual dead bloodlust that had filled him since Reyna died. What was this? Was it...happiness?
Grumbling, Vando muttered his appreciation then turned around, heading back to his hut.
“Wait, what are ya doin?”
He stopped and sighed. “Going home.” Turning, he saw her confused look. “What, is that a crime?”
“No, course not.” The mare said giggling. “I was just wonderin’ why you didn’t even ask my name. That was a nice joke though.”
Vando was genuinely surprised now. Nopony he’d ever saved had gone to these lengths to know their savior. One glare from him, and they’d usually run. It was just odd. Everypony in the nearby settlement knew him as the Hermit of the Everfree. Foals were warned to stay away from his wayward abode. Yet, despite that, here was this mare he’d just met, making sure he’d get her name.
Sighing, Vando turned and looked her right in the eye. “Very well...what is your name?”
“The name’s Apple Strudely.” Strudely replied, smiling. “What’s yours?” She stuck out her hoof, inviting him to come closer.
At first, Vando’s instinct was to run. He’d been an outcast for so long, and most everypony knew him as the strange stallion who lived in the Everfree Forest. His head told him to sprint in the opposite direction, to continue hiding away from society, from the fight, from the Assassins, and more importantly, from himself.
But his heart told him something else. It told him to make a decision that would change the course of not just his future, but that of all of Equestria. His heart told him to embrace the world again, to rejoin society, and to finally face the pony he’d become. It told him to move on from his life, from his past, and from Reyna.
Shaking, Vando inhaled deeply, and made his decision.
He took a step forward.
Octavia’s mind came back, having finished her latest memory session. She’d been persuing through more of Vando’s memories for training, but this one seemed important. It seemed to be the moment where Vando broke his exile. Opening her eyes, she saw the forest that she’d been meditating in, and sighed. She’d spent enough time here. The gray Assassin stood up.
A snapped branch behind her brought Octavia out of her thoughts. She twirled around, hidden blades unsheathed to see...Luna.
“Princess?” Octavia said, sheathing her blades. “What are you doing here?”
Luna smiled, giving a mysterious aura. “Well, it is my duty to watch over the dreams of my subjects. That includes those under my command.”
“This is a dream?” Octavia looked around, and noticed that the scenery around her rippled slightly.
“Aye, it is, Octavia. The dreamscape is made of magic that flows through the minds of every pony in this world.” Luna said. “I alone can manipulate it. I have come to check up on you and the others.”
Upon hearing that, Octavia sat down on the grass, and sighed.
Luna frowned. “What is wrong, dear Octavia?”
“I failed, your Highness...” Octavia said, sounding defeated. “I couldn’t save Twilight Sparkle. I’ve failed you, Rainbow Dash, and Equestria.” Octavia curled up into a ball, tears beginning to fall. She stopped when she felt a presence join her on the ground, and opened an eye to see the Princess sitting next to her.
Luna stared up at the dream sky, and sighed. “You should know something. You of all the ponies involved should not grieve.”
“Why is that, Princess?”
Luna smiled sadly. “You did not know Twilight Sparkle as well as others. Rainbow Dash...she and Twilight were close friends. You were but acquaintances with her.”
Octavia shook her head furiously. “It’s not that. The things that could happen because of this...the things that will happen because of this...they weigh my heart down.”
“Twilight Sparkle once thought like that.” Luna said, an amused expression upon her face. “She thought that some disaster was to occur, and did all she could to stop it. She fortified all of Ponyville’s defences, went all the way to Tartarus to return Cerberus to her post, and even broke into a section of the Canterlot Archives that she was allowed access to 24/7, all to find a spell to prevent the disaster from coming to pass.”
Octavia sniffed “What happened?”
“Nothing. There was no disaster. All those signs she saw, she caused herself when trying to prevent a non-existent disaster. She caused herself more pain by trying to stop something that might have happened rather than thinking rationally and keeping calm.” Luna chuckled lightly, then looked somber. “She learned a valuable lesson that day...to simply think of the present and the task at hoof.
“That is something I want you to do now. Whatever may happen in the future, in the present you can do nothing to stop it. You still have a duty to me, the brotherhood, your friends, and to all of Equestria--to safeguard the peace. As an Assassin, you have do what must be done.”
“I...I know. You're right.” The gray mare looked into the eyes of her mentor, and saw that they were full of not only wisdom, but incredible pain and guilt. “Rector, if I may ask...who was Twilight Sparkle to you?”
The princess of the night raised an eyebrow. “And of what importance is this?”
“Your highness, you may be our ruler and leader, but you are not emotionless.” Octavia said, looking into the eyes of her master. Those eyes...so bright and yet so dark, so young but so old. “What was she to you?”
For a moment, all she did was stare back at Octavia. Her eyes showed images, images of war and peace, happiness and sorrow, defeat and triumph. Octavia saw the age in her eyes, though her body might not have shown it. Then, Luna sighed.
“‘Tis none of your business, dear Octavia.” She said, turning around. “You have more important matters to tend to.”
Octavia reluctantly pushed the subject aside. “Like what, Rector? Twilight is gone. I’ve failed.”
“Yet didn’t They predict that would happen?”
Octavia didn’t know how to respond. The Voice had said that Twilight would die...but what had it said afterwards?
Luna shook her head, and her horn glowed. An image of of the moment where Octavia was possessed by Them appeared, and the Voice echoed throughout the dreamscape.
“ONCE IT HAS COME TO PASS, TAKE THIS ONE AND SEEK OUT THE TIME TRAVELLER. HE WILL PROVIDE THE ANSWERS.”
Octavia stood there, watching herself continually repeat the cryptic message. Time traveller? Time travel magic was still in it’s experimental stage, so this was impossible! What could this mean?
Luna’s horn stopped glowing, and the image faded away. “I sense that you have much confusion clouding your mind.”
“A-aye. I do, Rector.” The gray mare said, her mind racing. “Time travel was only done once before, by Twilight herself.”
The Rector chuckled again. “Officially, that was the only time. But there is another who has done it.” Her attitude became serious. “Seek out the one you call Derpy Hooves. She will take you to the stallion whom you seek.”
“I don’t understand! Please, tell me more!” Octavia pleaded. She looked into her leader’s eyes, desperate for an answer.
Luna simply stared back, before closing her eyes and shaking her head. “Nay, I may not. Only he can give you answers.” Her horn began to glow again, and the dreamscape started to disappear as she flew backwards into a void. “Now, it is time to wake up! Find the time traveller, and you will know what to do! Avenge Twilight Sparkle!”
Before she faded away, Octavia heard a faint voice. “Avenge my only friend!”
Octavia awoke, a chill surrounding her body. She opened her eyes to see the ceiling of an overhanging thatched roof of the inn they were staying in. The gray mare shivered; looking to her right, she saw that somepony had left the window open of. The chill of the morning air seeped in freely, and it sunk into Octavia’s body. She suddenly scrunched up her face.
“A-ah-ah, ACHOO!”
“Bless you.”
Octavia bolted up, a knife in her hoof, ready to fight to the death. She looked towards the source of her intruder to see Jackle sitting in a chair to her left reading a book. Immediately she put down her weapon, closing her eyes and sighing.
“Jackle, don’t do that. I don’t like being startled.” Octavia said, massaging her head. She opened an eye and looked out the window. She started; it was snowing now. “How long was I asleep?”
Jackle checked the clock. “About twelve hours, give or take. It’s one in the afternoon now.”
“Twelve hours?!” Octavia yelped. “I had set the alarm for nine! What happened?”
“You had a tiring night, so naturally Rainbow Dash took it upon herself to allow you rest.” The griffon grunted, putting his head in his claws. “She however, didn’t allow herself any.”
“What do you mean?”
Jackle stared at the window. “She got up just a few hours after we went to bed and left. That’s why the window’s open.”
Octavia slapped her forehead. “That mare...always so brash. Where did she go? After the killer?”
“Nay, I think not.” Jackle said, shaking his head. “She said something about watching something.”
The mare sat in her bed, thinking. Where could Rainbow Dash have gone? Suddenly, the morning cold and the snowy winds were broken by a soft tune--a funeral dirge.
“Of course...” Octavia muttered, getting out of bed. “Jackle, stay here. I’ll be back.”
The griffon nodded, and waved his claws at her. Knowing that their temporary base would be safe, she leapt out of the window.
Snow fluttered down from above as Octavia made her way through the streets of Ponyville. The atmosphere was somber, and the whole town seemed tense, as if it was holding its breath. Octavia ignored her urge to cry and walked along the empty stores.
After what had seemed like an eternity of walking, Octavia finally made it to town square. The funeral for the beloved Twilight Sparkle was going on at the base of Town Hall, with each of her friends got up to depart their final words to their fallen friend. Rarity was off to the side comforting a sobbing Fluttershy, while PInkie Pie gave a saddened speech about the first time she met Twilight in Ponyville. Applejack was off to the side, her stetson covering her eyes. The snow had stopped, but the chill remained in the air. Up at the front of the crowd behind Twilight’s friends, stood Princess Celestia, who was staring forlornly at her student’s casket. Everypony that was close to the unicorn was here.
There was just one problem. One pony was absent from the crowd: Rainbow Dash.
The black-maned Assassin pushed through the crowd and looked around, trying to locate the missing mare. She looked all around the cloud, but couldn’t see any trace of her.
Use your senses, young one.
Octavia paused. What was that voice?
Close your eyes, and feel the world around you.
Octavia looked around, but found nopony around looking at her. Everypony was focused on the funeral ahead, and was either staring up front or at the ground. Still, that voice...it sounded familiar. It echoed in her mind, almost giving her a headache. But what had it said again?
“Close your eyes…” She whispered. Her eyelids shut slowly. “...and feel the world around you.” Octavia breathed in and out deeply, but for a moment, nothing seemed to have happened. Then, she noticed something.
There was a sound that was particular to her in the air. Something she’d heard hundreds of times before, but never really took notice until now. It was the sound of the wind, but it seemed almost slowed and muffled. Through that, she could feel everything around her. She could smell the scent of the lilacs left on Twilight’s coffin, she could hear the creak of the bones of the pony next to her. Behind her, there was a dank smell...somepony hadn’t bathed in a while. Far off, about twenty paces to her right, she heard the sobs of Twilight’s parents.
All of this, all of these sensations, came to her in under a second, and with that, she was able to paint a picture of what it looked like in her head. There was a group of roughly seventy ponies here, and each seemed to give off an aura. She could feel this aura, and thought back to something Princess Luna had taught her not long ago.
All ponies have magic inside them. It reflects who they are, and if you focus on things you are looking for, you can find those things in a crowd of a thousand.
Of course. Luna had tried to train her in this ability, but had failed at the time. Now...it seemed different. Knowing that, Octavia focused on two things...a citrus scent, and a courageous yet broken spirit. Again for a few moments, there was nothing. Then an aura flared behind her, and she turned her attention back. Up on a roof was a figure surrounded by a golden glow--the aura. Opening her eyes, Octavia faced the direction of the figure, and saw a lone cyan robed pegasus atop a building. Finally, she’d found Rainbow Dash.
Octavia exited the crowd and ran to the building. She began her ascent, using every ledge as a step to get up the wall. When she’d made it to the top, Rainbow Dash still hadn’t moved. Knowing that no words could console her friend, Octavia simply moved over next to her and sat down. For a while, nopony spoke. Then--
“I’m worthless.”
Octavia frowned. “What makes you say that?”
“I joined the Assassin’s for two reasons.” Rainbow Dash said, her face covered by her hood. “To avenge my parents, and to protect my friends.” She spat bitterly. “Some protector I was.”
“Rainbow, you can’t feel like that.” Octavia said softly. “There was nothing you could’ve done.”
Turning towards Octavia, Rainbow Dash glared at her with bloodshot eyes. “You think I don’t know that? That’s precisely why I’m worthless! I couldn't do anything to save her.” Her hoof slammed down, punching a dent in the roof. “I can’t live with myself right now.”
“Then how about you just die?”
Both Assassin’s whirled around to see a heavily built Pegasus smirking at the two of them. He was wearing armor akin to that of the royal guard, with metal also covering his wings. But one thing stood out on the chestplate: a blood red cross. He was a Templar. Octavia unsheathed her hidden blades, as did her partner.
“Who are you?” Rainbow snarled. “I am in the mood to slice up some Templar flank, so you better answer my question.”
To the surprise of the two, the stallion laughed. “Oh please, you can’t be serious. Idle threats don’t scare me.” He walked closer to the two Assassins, and with each step they got even more tense. Seeing this, he chuckled. “Relax, I’m here to talk. Why don’t we sit down and listen to that wonderful music?” He pointed down to the funeral, where Fluttershy’s song birds were singing a song dedicated to the fallen unicorn.
“You bastard!” Rainbow hissed, rushing forward to gouge his eyes out. “How could you say something like--”
Octavia held her friend back. “Rainbow Dash, calm down! He’s obviously got something to tell us.” Noticing his built body and twin swords at his side, she added, “And I’ve got a feeling he can handle the two of us.”
The pegasus smirked. “Smart choice, young Octavia. Smarter than the one your mother made.”
Her blood chilled. “It was you? You killed her?”
“Maybe, maybe not.” He shrugged. “Let’s sit down, thought. I flew here all the way from Canterlot, so I’d like a rest.” He plopped down, and extended a hoof to the two. “The name’s Gladius. Gladius Strongwings.” Octavia and Rainbow Dash sat down cautiously, but ignored the offer of a hoofshake. Shrugging, Gladius sighed. “Whatever. I guess they don’t teach manners in the Assassins. Anyways, I have a message from the Maestro.”
“What is it?” Rainbow spat, trying her best to remain calm.
“The Maestro sends his deepest condolences.” The brown pegasus said, sighing. “You forced our hoof, Ms. Dash. Had you not, Twilight Sparkle would still be alive right now.”
Octavia stood up, furious. “What do you mean we forced your hoof?! We did nothing!”
“Oh, don’t play innocent with me!” Gladius said, snapping. “All the head honchos know you’ve sent spies to our headquarters. We just need to figure out who it is.”
Rainbow and Octavia glanced at each other. Vinyl was close to being discovered; they had to warn her somehow. Seeing the two of them converse silently, Gladius grinned sadistically. “I’m right, then? Then my work here is done.” He closed his eyes. “Confirmed. We have a spy at base. Suggest interrogating new recruits.”
Rainbow rushed forward, hidden blade ready to kill. As the blade was about to pierce his chest, his wing suddenly came between it and his body. The metal deflected the blade, and then slammed into the mare, knocking her aside onto her back. Octavia moved to help her friend, but Gladius then pulled out his two swords, putting one on Rainbow Dash’s neck and one pointed at Octavia’s chest.
“Move, I dare you.” Gladius said, snarling. “Move, and I’ll cut her throat before you can say Idahoof. You Assassin’s are fast, I’ll give you that, but I am faster.”
Octavia gritted her teeth, unsure of what to do. Should she try and move to save her friend? Or should she lower her blades?
The pegasus laughed. “Quite the bind you’re in here. How about this: I’ll make it easier for the both of you and simply kill you!” He started to swing his blades but was stopped when a gray blur knocked him aside, surprising him. Then a brown pony wearing a suit jacket appeared between him and the two Assassins, face dead serious. He held a strange device in his mouth, which buzzed with a high pitched noise. The swords shook then shattered sending shards of metal into their owner’s hooves. Gladius screamed, and fell. The pony put the device into a pocket inside his suit jacket. The blur landed by his side, turning out to be a gray pegasus mare with a blond mane.
“I’m sorry, but you won’t be doing anymore killing today.” The brown earth pony said, tone grave and sad. “You helped kill one of my friends. If you have any hope of living, then please...just stop.” The words seemed to wash over Gladius, who immediately stood down, albeit glaring at him all the same.
The pegasus growled. “Just who the hell are you?!”
The spiky maned stallion simply sighed. “Who am I? Who am I indeed. I get that question a lot. I have many names...the Oncoming Storm, the Navvie, the mad pony with a box.
“You Templars know me as the Doctor.”
Gladius’s eyes widened, and then narrowed. “I see. Well then…” His wings flared, and he gave Octavia and Rainbow a murderous look. “You got lucky this time, Assassin’s. The Doctor won’t always be there to save you. I give you warning now: stay out of our way, or you’ll be meeting Twilight Sparkle than you think.” With that, he took off, flying into the cold morning air. The one who called himself “Doctor” sighed, and turned to face Octavia and Rainbow Dash.
“You two...I assume you’re friends of Twilight?” He said, sadness twinkling in his eyes.
Rainbow only gave him a stony look. “Yeah. What’s it to you?”
The Doctor stared off into the snowy landscape. “The world, the universe...maybe even more.” He glanced at Rainbow Dash before letting out another sigh. “For you...I am so, so sorry. Twilight was a great friend of mine as well.” Derpy put a hoof on the Doctor’s shoulder, trying to comfort him.
“Anyways, Gladius is gone now. I suppose…” The Doctor held back a sob. “...I suppose I’ll just leave then.”
Octavia looked at him, surprised. “You’re not going to stay for the funeral? I thought Twilight was a good friend of yours.”
Derpy smiled sadly and spoke up. “He doesn’t like goodbyes. He just keeps moving on.”
“Derpy, that’s enough. We need to get moving.” He turned around, and started walking away.
Suddenly, a memory came to Octavia. “Wait, Doctor!” The brown pony halted. “I...we need your help.”
The Doctor turned and gave Octavia a bitter look. “I’ve fought one war. I will not be joining yours.”
Rainbow Dash flew over, knocking the Doctor over causing Derpy to yelp. In a flash, her hidden blade was at his throat. “Friend of Twilight’s or not, if you don’t help us then you’re helping them?”
He only gazed up at Rainbow calmly. “I’m sorry. I can’t fight with you.”
Octavia forced the cyan mare off of him. “Look, we don’t want you to fight with us. We need information.” She helped the Doctor to his hooves, and he brushed his suit jacket. “Please tell me you can at least give us that.”
The Doctor stared back at her. “Swear to me that no harm will come to Derpy. Swear it.”
“I swear.”
“Very well. Follow me.” The Doctor whirled around. “Alright, Derpy. Let’s go.” The gray pegasus picked him up and flew him back down to the ground, while the the two Assassin’s made their own way, Octavia scaling the building while Rainbow Dash flew.
Upon reaching the bottom, the Doctor suddenly turned around, smiling. “Now then! If you want to know who you’re facing, you’ll have to come with me. To the TARDIS we go!”
Rainbow Dash raised an eyebrow coldly as the earth pony dashed off. “You’d think that Twilight never died.”
Derpy hovered a moment, smiling at Rainbow. “It’s like I said...he doesn’t like goodbyes. So, he just keeps moving.” The pegasus flew after the Doctor, into an alley off to the left. Rainbow Dash only shook her head, while Octavia had a bemused look upon her face. Shaking off their confusion, the pair rushed after the Doctor and Derpy, turning in the alley to see that they had...disappeared? Octavia walked forward, searching the entire alley. All there was was a strange blue box at the end, but it was nowhere near big enough to fit two ponies. She dismissed it and opened a trash can lid...until a head popped out from the blue box.
“Oi! What are doing poking around the trash cans for, eh?” The Doctor said, frowning. “Get in here!”
Rainbow Dash and Octavia could only stare at the pony, mouths gaping. Rolling his eyes, the Doctor walked out and pulled the two shell-shocked mares into the TARDIS. Once inside, their shock only increased. The box was not a box at all. The interior was nowhere near the blue that it was on the outside. Instead, it had a golden orange glow to it, with towering spires rising in a curve to meet in the center of a dome. in the center was a strange control panel, covered in switches and buttons. In the middle of the control panel was a cylinder filled with pipes. But, the most striking thing was that...
“I-it’s...it’s…” Octavia stammered, eyes wide as she looked around.
“Bigger on the inside, yeah I know.” The Doctor said, rushing around the control panel. “I’ve heard that a lot. But look, we don’t have all day.” Shaking herself and her partner out of their shock, the two Assassin’s trotted over to the panel, where the Doctor had pulled over a screen. He messed about with buttons, all while directing Derpy to go get him his special something out of the storeroom. After flipping a switch, the screen flared to life and the Templar symbol popped up on it.
The Doctor turned towards the two. “Now, what is it that you need?”
Rainbow took control. “We need to know what Gladius meant earlier by ‘head honchos.’ Those are probably the Templar leaders that we’ve been looking for for the past 20 years. Knowing their names would help.”
“Alright, that’s easy enough.” The Doctor replied, pressing another few buttons. “Just a moment...press that to activate the cerebral complex...flip that to access the memory banks…” The screen was suddenly covered in strange circular symbols, before clearing up to reveal pictures of five ponies; Gladius was among them.
“So these guys are the leaders of the Templars?” Octavia said, putting a hoof to her chin.
The Doctor turned the screen towards himself. “Yup. These, dear Assassin’s, are the targets you seek.”
Analyzing the list, Octavia felt drawn to an elderly unicorn at the top. “Who is that?”
“That is Timeless Wonder, an old unicorn stallion who’s been with the Templars for several decades now. He was also the one behind the death of several paters in Manehattan. Probably also financed last night’s attack.” The Doctor frowned. “Not much of a fighter, however. Tends to get others to do his dirty work. He officially makes a living off of teaching history the Trottingham University, but there’s definitely something off about him.”
Turning towards Octavia, the Doctor gave a warning. “I’d watch out for him. He appears to have some strange connection with your family.”
“What kind of connection?”
The Doctor pursed his lips. “Can’t tell you. I’d be meddling too much. What I can say is that he may be connected to your mother and the true motive for her death.”
Sudden anger bloomed up inside Octavia. She turned to Rainbow Dash to see her studying the list of ponies on the screen.
“Madam Mater,” Octavia said, calling Rainbow Dash by her proper title. “Permission to hunt down this Templar leader.”
Rainbow Dash glanced over at her companion. “Yeah, you go ahead. Meanwhile…” She turned towards the Doctor. “I have other things I need to do. Doctor, can you print this list out for me?”
“Certainly.” The brown earth pony moved to the other side of the control panel and started pushing more buttons.
“Then please do it.” Rainbow Dash then turned towards Octavia. “I want you to look for this Timeless Wonder guy and take him out. I’ll take the list of these leaders back to headquarters. Report there when you’ve completed your task.
“You’re also to do this one on your own. I’ve seen you in action, Octavia.” Rainbow Dash said. “You can handle yourself now.”
Octavia nodded. “Alright. What will you do after you’ve delivered the list? Take out that Gladius guy? He seemed to have a major part in the death of Twilight Sparkle.”
The mater’s eyes went stony. “I would, but I have more important priorities. After delivering these, I need to make sure Vinyl’s okay.”
"What about Jackle?"
"I'll take him with me. He's still at base, right?" Octavia nodded. "Then I'll go there before heading back to Canterlot."
“And here is the list!” The Doctor exclaimed, thrusting a piece of paper at Rainbow Dash. “Take that to Princess Luna, and tell her I sent my regards.”
Rainbow raised an eyebrow. “What sort of regards?”
“Oh nothing. Just tell her the old meddler says hello.”
Derpy finally returned from the storeroom, carrying two small envelopes. “Doctor, I found what you’re looking for!”
“Ah yes, there they are!” He said, snatching them from his companion. “Thank you, Derpy.” The brown pony turned towards the Assassins. “Here, take these. They’re plans for something that could help you.” The Doctor’s eyes filled with fire. “I would not normally give these away, but Luna handed them to me a long time ago. I feel it is time it returned to the Assassins.” Looking pointedly at the two cloaked ponies, he gave them a warning. “Use them to protect, not to avenge. There’s a fine line, and many do not know where it is drawn. That is what created the Templars in the first place. Make sure you know when you’ve gone too far.”
Rainbow Dash took the envelopes, handing one to Octavia. “These hold plans? What kind?”
“Blueprints for an extension for the hidden blade. You can get yours made once you get to your headquarters.” The Doctor glanced at Octavia. “You, on the other hoof, will probably have to get it made elsewhere. There aren’t many blacksmiths around anymore, but I know somepony that can help you, both with these plans and finding Timeless Wonder. Seek out Photo Finish in Las Pegasus. She’ll help you.
“Now, that’s all the help I can give.”: The Doctor said, walking over to the TARDIS door and opening it. “Anymore, and I’ll be endangering not only Derpy but the world.”
Rainbow studied the list of ponies one last time before stuffing it into her robes and walking out. “Thanks, Doctor. What you did here was pretty cool. I’ll make sure Derpy is safe.”
Octavia followed her leader. “Likewise, Doctor. Thank you for your help.”
“It was my pleasure.” The Doctor closed the door, and a few seconds later, the box disappeared with a groaning noise.
Rainbow and Octavia stood there for a moment, staring at the place the blue box had once stood. Snapping herself out of her shock, Octavia turned towards Rainbow Dash.
“Well...I guess this is farewell then, Rainbow Dash.” Octavia said, extending a hoof at her.
Rainbow stared at Octavia’s hoof, before bumping it with hers. “Nah, it’s not. We’ll see each other again.” She pulled Octavia in for a hug, and whispered into her ear. “Find that bastard Timeless Wonder and make him pay for what happened last night.”
Octavia drew away. “I will. You make sure Vinyl’s alright.”
“You can count on me.” Rainbow Dash said, spreading her wings. She breathed in the cool air, feeling the chill fill her lungs. “Looks like it’ll be a while before I can see Twilight again. Time to fly.” With that, she took off, flying farther and farther into the sky until she was a speck in the sky.
Octavia stared in the direction that the pegasus flew off into, before turning around and walking out of the alley. Once out, she threw up her hood and began walking down the empty street. Feeling the snow crunch beneath her hooves and the frozen wind blow against her fur, Octavia was filled with the same feeling that her ancestor Vando had when he was stalking the manticore. She smiled a smile barely visible from underneath her hood.
It was time to hunt.