//------------------------------// // Chapter 21: Ungrateful Day // Story: Harmony's Creed // by Gapeagle //------------------------------// Chapter 21: Ungrateful Day By Octavia Melody I stood nervously outside the Bearer quarters. Due to my restless night, I was wide awake in the early morning hours. I kept mentally rehearsing what I was going to say to the Bearer of Magic. Rarity told me to ask Twilight about the Elements. However, after the Bearer of Generosity's reaction to my asking made me apprehensive about emitting such a question again. My will and curiosity was stronger than my fear, and I knocked on the door. "You may enter, Den Master." I heard Twilight's voice from inside. I slowly opened the door. Inside, the Bearer of Magic and Spike were shuffling through many pieces of parchment. I could see the words "Madame Finish" or "Lord Toity" or "Lady Shores." It was apparent that the two were researching the Brotherhood's current contracts. It was also evident that they were not having much success, as the Bearer of Magic's hair was uneven and her eyes lacked rest. "How did you know it was me?" I asked as I entered. "Easy. You are the only Assassin in this Den that knocks four times in one quick session. Most knock only two or three times, or knock five times in a session of three and then two." I blinked at this response. The Bearer's words were too simple for me to comprehend. I had never been one to understand how people could keep track of such minuscule observations. The Bearer was known for her eye for details, so I shrugged this off. As she fumbled with pictures and letters, my question began to rise in my throat. "Bearer....I have a question." "Of course." She said in an unusually friendly tone. "I will answer your question." "How....How were the Elements created?" I asked quickly. The Bearer stood upright with her back to me. Her head slowly turned to the side, so that she could see me with only her left eye. I could see her mouth part slightly and her eye blinking. She seemed both disturbed and confused by my question. "Wh..What did you ask?" She stammered. "How were the Elements created?" I repeated. She turned around completely. "Such a question." She said absentmindedly. She stared at me for some time. She had a slight grin in mock laughter. I could tell she was trying to fetch an answer and probably discussing it with another in her mind. I stood there in my still nervous state. Finally the Bearer stroked her chin. "Why are you asking that?" She sounded suspicious. "Uhhh.....It's been on my mind lately. Bearer, can I ask you to not avoid my question?" I was unintentionally bold. "I wouldn't if We knew what to tell you." She said quickly. "We?" Her eyes widened. "Uhh...Sorry, I misspoke. I don't know what to tell you, Den Master. You should know that Starswirl the Bearded made them. That is something you are required to acknowledge upon entering the Brotherhood." "I realize that Bearer, but I am asking how he created them. Not who." I was becoming impatient. "Den Master, I am working very hard at the moment. I cannot answer your question right now. Maybe you should get some breakfast." She opened the door behind me with her magic. My eye twitched. "Yes you can, Bearer! You were a scholar! Not only that, you have a bloody shard in your chest that should tell you everything! Answer my question!" I instantly knew I had gone too far. I saw Spike wince at my words. Twilight stood silent. I had aroused the Bearer's anger. Her frown and magenta eyes penetrated my stout defenses. She lifted a hand. I felt a magical aura surround me. I was then slammed into the wall and held in place by the magic. A force tightened upon my neck. I gagged and tried to breathe. The Bearer slowly approached me. "You should learn your place, Den Master! After all I've done for you. Training, promotions, protection, saved your life countless times, forgiven your mistakes, and I even took you in off the bloody streets. This....This is how you repay me? With such arrogance. Like an ungrateful child. I am not your mother, Octavia, so I will not forgive all your mistakes. This is one of them. Now, because you so heartily volunteered, you shall deal with our three contracts by yourself! Go and get some food and then be off! And not a word of this leaves these quarters." She let go of me and walked back to her table. I fell onto the ground. With the magic no longer around my neck, my lungs desperately inhaled the valuable air. Spike looked at me and disappointedly shook his head. I slowly got to my feet. The Bearer did not look back at me. I silently exited the quarters. I sat eating alone at a table in the Den's lounge. My mind was filled with the memories of just a few moments ago. My head was filled with questions. Why are they so secretive about it? Why don't they tell us? Is it the Element or the Bearer that makes them so tense about it? Was Sunset Shimmer right about them? Are they devilish? Do the Bearers even have minds of their own? I could not keep these questions out of my head. Each one always led to another. I must find out. Who am I truly working for? My mind then realized that there was one Bearer that would tell me. "Pinkie...." "Hey Tavi! How's ya morning been?" Vinyl asked me as she sat down at my table. "Oh, hello Vinyl. My morning? Well, it could have gone better." "What's been troublin' ya?" "Nothing that you should be concerned about." "Alright. Well......What's today looking like for you?" "I have three nobles to kill." I said flatly. "Three? Well, this may be the time to test that poison Lye made." "Poison? What kind?" "Poison joke. Nasty stuff, especially when concentrated. It's cheap too since it's a native plant in Equestria." "Do you have darts?" "Not yet. However, this stuff is so good; all's ya need to do is dip your blade in it. Just give the target a poke, and the joke will do the rest. Here, take some" She handed me a small vial. The vial contained a rich blue liquid. I turned the vial this way and that, testing the thickness of the poison. From all the movement in the vial, I could tell that it was very thin. I then placed the vial into one of my pouches. I returned by attention to Vinyl, who was inspecting her injured hand. "How is the pistol coming along?" I asked. "Oh that? Good. Had to dismantle a regular pistol for parts. I hope to test it again by tomorrow." "It better not blow off your hand." "Lyra and I have never failed twice." "Well then I hope you didn't jinx yourself." "Pfft." I finished eating. "Vinyl, I hope you complete the pistol soon." With that, I left the lounge. As I walked up the stairs, the Bearer of Generosity passed me. Her face was solemn and stoic. She did not look at me or even acknowledge my existence. I sighed as I reached the top of the stairs. Was this how the Bearers now perceived me? As some lowly Assassin that should be ignored? I opened the Den's door and headed out into the capital. I was soon lost in the morning crowd. Jolly folks scampered about the city, performing their everyday chores. The sun filled the grand city with its light. Merchants and customers bartered over valuables. Street doctors were giving aid to the sick and injured. I simply walked with the crowd, not really caring where they would lead me. I spotted four Royal Guards asking an old woman some questions. This odd behavior intrigued me. I broke away from the crowd and sat on a bench nearby. A man was already on the bench before me. He eyed me suspiciously and then casually shrugged. I did not pay much attention to him. I sat there listening to the Guards' conversation. "Was that what you saw m'lady?" A Guard asked. "Oh yes, purple robe and hair, darker skin too. Caught her petting my cat last night. When she saw me, she took to roofs and ran off. She seemed like she was flying." The old woman told them. "Another one of them criminals no doubt. Thank you for telling us, m'lady. Men, be on the lookout. We must give these criminals Empress Luna's Justice." The Guard then bowed to the old woman and led his men down the street. I stood up and followed them. The woman's description reminded me of Amethyst. I was swallowed by another crowd. However, I could still see the blue crests of the Guards' helmets. I quickened my step to match the Guards' long strides. I gently pushed slower people out of my way. Some of them grunted at me. The Guards halted once more. I walked up towards them. One of them looked back at me. I darted and crouched behind a fruit stand. I eyed the Guard through an opening. I saw him shrug and returned his attention to his comrades. I was about to move on when a gruff voice addressed me. "Ya gonna buy somethin' or what?" I glanced up to see the stand's owner. He was broad and had an uneven beard. His thick eyebrow was raised at me. I stammered before giving a response. "I....I'll take the apple?" I told him with a sheepish smile. "That'd be a bitpiece." I reached into one of my pouches. "Here." "Thank ye. Here ya go." He gave me an apple. I took it and did my best to casually walk away. I was not hungry, so I did not bite into the fruit. I soon remembered why I was hiding. I looked over at the Guards who were chatting with another patrol. I desperately searched for a hiding spot to listen from. My eyes spotted a wagon of hay next to the Guards. Using people and stands to keep out of sight, I walked over to the hay. I checked to see if anyone was watching and then delve into the hay. I could hear the Guards from within the stack. "How did a gal make it to captain in the Royal Guard?" A Guard asked in disbelief. "Hard work and charisma and looks. That girl got it all! Damn!" Another said. "Keep you wishin' Seth. Never gonna get that girl." A Guard chuckled. "Why are we worryin' bout the captain? Didn't ya here a Gyrphonian warship landed ol' Filly?" "Yeah, why them Gryphons making land there? Trade goes through Manehatten and Baltimare." A Guard said in a Manehatten accent. "Baltimare? You live under a rock? The Spectrum got that place." A Guard spat. The Guards gasped. "The Spectrum? I thought it was some uprisin' not a bloody pirate and her crew." "She was seen in Manehatten about two weeks ago. She killed some official and then headed south. Who knows what's happenin' down there." A Guard said nervously. "Glad I'm in Canterlot." "We all are, buddy." They said grunted in agreement. The randomness of their chatter left me with questions. They continued chatting, however, I did not heed them. I heard the sound of munching right next to me. I felt hard teeth next to my leg. I removed some hay from my vision to see what was causing it. My face was then met with a horse's muzzle. The equine was eating my hiding spot. "Go away. Go on." I whispered as I shoved the horse's muzzle with my hand. The horse took no notice of me and continued to feast on the hay. I shoved the horse again. I could tell it was becoming frustrated as it snorted loudly. I then tried to listen to the Guards again. My focus was broken up again when the horse started feeling around me for more hay. "Get lost you stupid beast!" I waved my hand in its face. "What was that?" I heard a Guard say. Good job, Den Master. Armored footsteps headed towards me. I desperately tried to conceal myself again with the hay. As I shuffled through the hay, the horse neighed loudly. I held my breath and waited. The footsteps stopped next to me. Suddenly I felt a strong grip grab my body and forcefully threw me out of the hay. "Got ourselves an eavesdropper!" A Guard announced. I landed hard on the cobblestone and rolled. I stopped myself and got to my feet. The Royal Guards surrounded me with their halberds. I extended out my hook and blade. People crowded around the commotion. "Are ya gonna come peacefully? Eh?" A Guard yelled at me. I stood there silent. I kept up my defensive posture. My eyes darted for a place to run. These men weren't Templar. This wasn't my fight. The Guards started to circle around me, keeping their weapons pointed at me. "Guess not. More time in the Dungeon then." Move! I sidestepped past a swing. The Guards were using only the blunt ends of their weapons. They did not intend to kill me. I just needed to avoid capture. Another swing at me. I grabbed his handle and yanked him forward. He stumbled and fell, his bulky armor ringing on the ground. Some women gasped at this. The Guard tried to get back up, but I kicked him back over. With his part of the circle opened, I dashed by the rest of them. "Get back here scum!" I was quickly losing them. Suddenly, a man came out of the crowd and shoved me over. The force knocked me to the ground. I looked to see that the man was a farmer, simply trying to help the authorities catch a criminal. This rubbed me the wrong way. "I'm not the villain!" I yelled at him. "That's what they all's say." He responded. I then realized how idiotic I must have sounded defending myself after shoving a Royal Guard and running away from them. I looked back to the Guards charging at me. I tried to run, but was once again knocked over by the farmer. "Sir...Let me pass!" I pleaded. "Not until you're shackled!" "Alright!" I sprung up and grabbed the farmer. Before he could react, I wrapped my right arm around him and placed my hidden blade next to his neck with my left. I then turned towards the Guards and placed the farmer between us. I had a hostage. "Back off! Back off or I kill him!" I screamed at the Guards. The Royal Guards halted. They watched me back slowly away with the farmer. They still held their halberds menacingly, but I could tell they took my bluff. One of the Guards spat at me. "Filthy terrorist! All of ya robed murderers! Why don't ya leave this city alone?" I continued to back away. "We are not terrorists! We only want to help!" The Guards followed me. "Yeah, is that so? Then why ya using a hostage to prove ya point?" "I....It's necessary. I cannot..." In my distraction of conversing with the Guards, the farmer pulled my arms away and then kicked me in the side. I recovered quickly. The Guards then charged at me with renewed determination. I turned and climbed the nearest building. When I reached the roof, the Guards and people booed and yelled at me from below. Unlike some other Guards I have met, these did not give chase on the rooftop. I was free for the time being. I walked away as rotten fruit and rocks began to hurl at me from the street. "Well, my day is going well so far." I muttered sarcastically. I remained on the rooftops as it seemed the only safe place for me. It was barely late morning, and my body ached from the Bearer of Magic slamming me into the wall, and being thrown into the ground by a Royal Guard. This made me forget about my true purpose of being out in the city. I had three nobles to kill by midnight. I did not know anything about them, or even where they were. I needed information. I needed it now. I started to jog on the rooftops. The tight stone buildings allowed me to keep jogging without many interruptions. I had to scale the occasional tall building, or cross the street by tiptoeing over a line or by long jumping. As I wandered, my mind was focused on who I could get information from. I thought of nobles or Guards. My mind finally realized the perfect place. The Canterlot Thieves Guild. A place I had rarely visited, but a memorable place to say the least. The thieves always know the dirt on anyone in Canterlot. I was an Assassin, so I was already their ally. I adjusted my course and headed east. The East District was not like the others. The East district was mainly made up of slums and cheap buildings. This was due to the mountain and the sun. The East District hardly ever received direct sunlight because the mountain blocked it in the morning, and the Canterlot towers blocked it in the evening. All this allowed mold and disease to build up in the District, causing many to abandon it for the far prettier Districts. Despite all of this, the place was far better than Appleloosa. The District still shared the Canterlot stone buildings and spires. I crossed a large gap between two buildings and continued to head for the Guild's headquarters. I could tell that I was near, as the sounds of laughter and music rung through the empty streets. I hopped down on the filthy street and walked over to a well-lit building. "Ha! Let's go another round. I still have bitpieces left." "I do too! Let's go!" I passed two gamblers playing cards. They were clearly drunk as the stench of alcohol surrounded them. A group of thieves sat in a corner in front of their headquarters. I approached them. "Well, 'nother Assassin. How's the day been m'lady?" A thief asked my through black teeth. "Less than fantastic. May I please speak with the Guildmaster?" "Naw, the Guildmaster is outta town right now. Could I do anythin' for ya?" The thief grinned at me. "I am on a mission. I need information on Lord Toity, Madame Finish, and Lady Shores. Do you know them?" "Ha, maybe, maybe not. You should know how this works m'lady. No bits, no dirt." The thieves chuckled. "Fine, how much." I reached into my pouch. "1500 bits. 500 for each noble." "1500! That's insane!" "Not my problem." "How will I acquire that many bitpieces?" "I know. An Assassin came by earlier today. Said he needed money. We told him about an annual brawl tournament in front of "The Magical Unicorn" bar. Winner gets 2000 bits. I think they start at noon, so you still have time to sign up." I deadpanned at him. "You want me to brawl..." "Guess I have no dirt to give ya." "Fine!" I turned around from the thieves and began to head towards the bar. I heard them laughing behind me. First, I was disciplined by Twilight, then I was chased by Guards, the Guildmaster is out of town, and now I must win a brawl tournament for information on my targets. With all my bloody luck, the thieves could have no dirt on the nobles at all. "The Magical Unicorn" bar was bustling with activity. Burly men laughed and shared ciders around the entrance. A long line was waiting to sign up for the tournament. I eyed my competition. All of them were large muscular men. I could tell that some were Royal Guards not on duty, and others were builders or mercenaries. I knew I was going to be the only woman in the tournament. Why did I accept this? I should have just forced the information out of the thieves. I was imagining myself returning to the Den with two black eyes and a broken nose. Heh, Rarity won't call me beautiful after that. "Uhh, m'lady? What are you doing in this line?" A thick man behind me asked. "I am here for the brawls." I said casually. "Sorry m'lady, but this is for fightin' men. Not someone so delicate as yourself." He sounded sincere. "I appreciate the concern, but I think I can manage." The man shrugged. The line moved quickly. As I waited, I watched the staff set up an arena. A large square of grass was in front of the bar. This was where the fighting would take place. I was glad for soft dirt and not hard cobblestone. Finally, the last man in front of me signed and it was now my turn. The staff member operating the sign ups looked at me curiously. "Uh...M'lady? I..." "I know. What are the rules?" "No weapons. That's it, except no killing." He tried to make me laugh. "That last bit is always the hardest for me." "Alright?" He was startled by my solemn reply. "Uhh...Sign with your name or mark." I inspected the sheet. Various symbols and marks were lined up on the left side in rows. Hardly any names were on there. I sighed at this and then began to write my name. I used my elegant cursive and made sure that my signature took up two or three rows on the sheet. The staff member frowned at this. My built-up frustration from the day made me throw the quill back on to the table. I then walked over to the arena. Men cheered and yelled as they waited for the tournament to begin. Most of the men were taking off their shirts in preparation. This reminded me that I was carrying pounds of weaponry on me. I began to remove them and placed them in a pile nearby. I could only hope that no one would steal them. I however, kept some of my pouches on. After the last weapon was off me, I turned back to the arena. I instantly saw a robed man among the shirtless men. His dark blue robes and thin body allowed me to recognize him. "Noteworthy!" I shouted to him. The former Assassin jumped at this. He turned his head to me and smiled. He then removed his hood and walked over to me. "Octavia. Good to see you." "Noteworthy, what are you doing here?" I harshly asked. "Some welcome. Well, if you want to know, I am fighting in this tournament." "What? I am too. You jus..." "Wow, Octavia, didn't think a girl like you could think of such a thing. Thought it was too uncouth." He mocked. "That is not how you speak to a superior..." "Oh shut it! I don't need to follow those rules anymore. I'm not an Assassin. Go find someone who cares." "What are you even doing here in Canterlot?" "Me? Amethyst and I are still fightin' the Templar. We aren't Assassins, but that shouldn't matter." "Templar? You.....You are not supposed to interfere with the war. I am authorized to kill you if you do." "Then go ahead. Kill me! I know you won't" "Why not?" "You owe me two times." "You think life debts play in this?" "Yes. With you, yes." "Ugh!" I kicked a chair over. He knew me well. Noteworthy simply smiled at me. His usual unconfident demeanor was non-existent. It seemed like that and his honor were left behind in Appleloosa. I glared at him. He shrugged and then turned to the arena. I grumbled and did the same. I stood in the ring against a monster of a man. He had brown hair and blue eyes. He looked worriedly at me. All of the fights so far had only been burly man versus burly man, except Noteworthy's fight. The former Assassin beat his adversary in under ten seconds. Now it was my turn. "I can't hit her! Look at that face! It's like an angel!" The man told the crowd. "C'mon man, think of the bits!" His friend told him. "But is it worth ruining that?" My opponent asked. I slapped my forehead. "Just fight! Just bloody fight!" The man hesitated. "Fine." The man charged at me. I sidestepped and watched his punch harmlessly pass me. "Is that your best?" I taunted. The man then punched at me again. I then grabbed his arm and twisted it. He wailed and I twisted it again the other way. The man then swung his other fist at me. I ducked and jabbed him in the throat. He coughed and gagged. I then kicked him in the back. He fell flat on the grass. I leaped on top of him and placed him in a choke hold. He tried to grab me with his flailing arms, but I pinned them down with my knees. The bell-operator rang a loud bell and the match ended. I had won and all of the spectators grumbled about it. My next adversary was a Royal Guard. The man was handsome and well-cut. I, however, couldn't find time to admire him as he attacked me with swift punches and kicks. I rolled away from them. He swung at me and I ducked. I countered with my own fist to his jaw. He then grabbed me and threw me to the ground. I retaliated by flipping the Guard over me. His body hit the ground with a sound thud. I got back to my feet and stomped on his chest. The Guard gasped. I then held him down by placing my knee on his neck, choking him. He submitted. I was now in the semifinals. The next foe was a factory worker. He looked like a humble and hard-working man. I almost felt bad that I was trying to take away money that he probably deserved. However, when he struck me firmly with a left hook, all my guilt disappeared. I tasted blood in my mouth. Some spectators cheered while most cursed. I assumed they were fans that I had earned through the tournament. He swung again. This time I ducked under and then boxed his ears. This stunned the worker. I followed up my grabbing his head and slamming it into my knee. The worker was resilient and fought on. He dodged one of my punches grabbed my waist. He then lifted my body onto his large shoulder. Due to his height and strength, I could only flail helplessly. He then paraded around the ring with me struggling on his shoulder. A roar of laughter rang from the spectators, Noteworthy included. "I got myself the best lookin' fish in the sea!" The worker announced. More laughter emitted from this. My cheeks flared with anger. I then clocked him in the back of the head with my free elbow. The worker yelped in pain. I did this again and again. He finally slammed me into the ground. The worker remained humorous and sat on me while I was down. More laughter filled the arena. "Sometimes, ya just gotta wrangle them. Women can be fiercer than a manticore." The worker jeered. "Get your bloody ass off me!" I yelled angrily. "Sorry m'lady, but that may risk more injury for me." The crowd teared up in laughter. Even the bell-operator was holding his sides. I was not going to lose like this. I planted my hands on the ground and began to push myself up. With the years of climbing and parkour, my arms had enough strength to lift myself and the worker off the ground. The laughing came to an abrupt stop. Once I was high enough, I rolled out from under the worker. He simply smiled at me. It was perfect for me as I knocked him out with my next punch. Finally, I had reached the finals. My opponent was, not to my surprise, Noteworthy. The former Assassin against the Den Master. The two smallest participants. Most of the spectators were cheering for me. I figured since they couldn't beat me in the ring, they would try for my hand instead. For that is the way of men's minds. Noteworthy danced around lightly on his feet. "How about this, Octavia? I'm gonna get that money. I don't have to keep myself from injuring you. Life's good." "Well, that is if you are able to take down a Den Master." The bell rung and we were off. We circled around and around. The crowd became annoyed and urged us to attack. Noteworthy complied and threw a swift kick at me. I dodged it and kept circling. I had to fight Noteworthy differently then the others because of his training. Noteworthy grabbed a clump of dirt and hurled it at me. He followed his distraction with a punch to my stomach. I caught his arm and threw him passed me and into the crowd. He was thrown back in the arena by a large man. Noteworthy then slowly approached me. I anticipated a low kick to my side, but instead, Noteworthy jumped and kicked me in the head. I fell over and my pouches flew off. My eyes refocused. Noteworthy charged at me. In panic I looked at my pouch. I saw the apple I had bought at the fruit stand. I grabbed it and threw it at his head. It connected and shattered on his face. His temporary stun was all that I needed. I got up and tackled him. I then began punching him while he was on the ground. He recovered from the apple and grabbed my neck. His face was red with anger. I tried to breath, but the grip was too much. I then tried to pull his hands away. His strength kept them there. My eyesight was blurring. Shouts and worried gasps started to fill up the arena. I heard some men shouting for the match to end, but the bell was not struck. With my final strength, I punched him as hard as I could. My fist knocked him out cold and his hands let go of me. I rolled off of Noteworthy and gasped for air. A burly man lifted me to my feet. "Lady Octavia is the winner!" He shouted. I simply sighed in relief. The sun told us that it was mid-afternoon. I needed to retrieve the money and return to the Guild. My targets needed to die soon.