"My name is Secret. There's not much to say about me. I work with Princess Twilight as her adviser. We have lived in the walls of Canterlot for about a year. But, something has been bothering me over that time. There is no way we are safe y
"My name is Secret. There's not much to say about me. I work with Princess Twilight as her adviser and a member of the royal family. We have lived in the walls of Canterlot for about a year. But, something has been bothering me over that time. There is no way we are safe yet..."
Twilight walked through the hallway of the Canterlot Castle. Secret followed behind her silently. "Don't forget to keep an eye on that horse from Saddle Arabia." Secret told her.
"Is it because you can't?" Twilight asked him teasingly.
Secret shook his head. "Haha, funny." He muttered. "Just keep up your head."
Twilight walked into the meeting hall of the castle. She took her seat near Princess Celestia, with Secret by her side. Princess Celestia nodded at her student and looked back at the meeting committee. "May the meeting begin!"
After the meeting, Twilight was told to stay behind with her adviser and speak to Princess Celestia. "I need to talk to you about your adviser, Twilight Sparkle." Princess Celestia told her student.
"What about Secret, Princess?" Twilight asked. "Is there something wrong with him? He's been pretty helpful the past year."
"That's what I want to talk to you about." Princess Celestia told her.
"What do you mean then, Princess?" Twilight asked.
"I would like for him to have a higher part in this committee." She said. "I would like to make royalty."
Intro
"Royalty?!" Twilight asked. Secret listened to their conversation, tilting his head.
Celestia nodded, and Secret trotted over towards the two princesses. "Excuse me." He interrupted. "Did you just say that you want me to be a part of the royal division?" He asked.
Celestia and Twilight both looked at each other, then they looked back at Secret. "I do believe you would be a great addition to the family." Celestia told the stallion. "That is, if you would like to."
Secret was just as shocked as Twilight. There was no way that Secret could ever imagine becoming a part of the royal family. But her she is, the princess of Equestria, asking him to join her and her family in royal duties.
Twilight slowly faded from her shocking state, and smiled widely as she approached the stallion. "Congratulations!" Twilight announced, hugging the stallion his neck. Secret was still in shock, and barely spoke or move.
The very next day, Secret was summoned to Luna's room to prepare for his introduction into the family. Luna's bedroom was scattered with games of all sorts. She had everything from Playstallion to Neightendo. Secret was distracted by the major overdose of gaming that Luna had been living in.
"It is not much." Luna told the stallion. "We are still awaiting for the newest games." She added. Secret, of course, was dumbfounded at the statement.
Secret was quickly given a robe and was told to put it on. "I would like to do this in private, if you would allow me." Secret told Luna.
Luna nodded. "That is okay with us." She said.
"I would also like something custom-made for me. If you could get Twilight, I will tell her." He also said.
Luna nodded, and went off to fetch the princess. Twilight returned an hour later, levitating an item in front of her. She quickly gave it to Secret through the door of the bathroom.
When Secret got out, he was a changed stallion. He wore a decorated robe, with shiny jewels lining the border of it. On his face, he wore a mask that covered everything but his muzzle. "How do I look?" Secret asked.
"Here." A guard said, putting a helmet over Secret's head. "There, you look better, sir." He said, saluting the stallion. Secret nodded. "It feels nice, at least."
Secret strutted out, trying his best to act like he was part a royalty. Twilight watched, and Applejack snuck up behind her. "Ya'll still into that stallion there?" Applejack asked, once again bothering the princess. Twilight glared at her friend. She had some real guts to pick on Twilight about every stallion she ever talks to.
Secret lied in his new bed, enjoying the comfort. He was glad he didn't have to share a bed with anypony anymore.
Shining Armor was on patrol in the halls where the royals would sleep. He knocked on his little sister's door and awaited a response.
Twilight opened the door. "Oh, hey big brother!" She said, hugging him.
Shining smiled. "Hey lil sis." He said, laughing.
"What are you doing here?" She asked.
"I am here because Celestia order me to patrol your hallway." Shining told his sister.
Twilight smiled. "You should go back to work then." She said. "No need to bother me while I'm reading."
Shining nodded. "Just wanted to say hi." He said, backing away from the door and watching as Twilight closed the door to return to her reading.
Shining turned and continued down the hallway. He stopped at Secret's door, and thought about the new member of the family. He didn't ponder long, for something interrupted him. He turned his head as he heard trotting from down the hall. He turned around, and saw somepony that was familiar.
"Oh, it's just you. What are you doing out here so late, si-" Shining was cut off as the character put a knife to his neck, and Shining's body dropped to the floor, lifeless.
An Hour Later
Twilight stepped out of her bedroom and looked around. "Shining?" She called. "Brother?" She walked completely out of the room, and froze as she saw the most disturbing thing in her life.
Shining Armor was unmoving, and unresposive. Twilight approached him. "Shining?" She asked. She suddenly stepped in something that was liquid-like. She looked down, and she gasped.
Fluttershy knocked on the door of a house. She held a basket of flowers in her mouth. The door was cracked slightly and a stallion poked his muzzle out. "Flutters?" He asked.
"Mm-hmm." Fluttershy answered through the basket. The stallion closed the door, and removed a lock. He quickly opened it back up. He was wearing a Mardi Gras mask. "Come on in!" He said, holding his hoof out to invite her in. Fluttershy slowly trotted inside. The stallion closed the door behind her. "Thanks for helping me." He said to the pegasus.
Fluttershy put the basket down on a table. "It's okay." She said. "I love decorating." She smiled.
The stallion walked over to the basket. "That's a lot of flowers." He said, smiling. Suddenly, one of the flowers grew a little face. It looked up at the stallion, and blood drooled from it's mouth.
Intro
Present Day
Secret shot up in bed, gasping. It was late at night, and he had the weirdest dream. He sighed. It didn't happen. He thought, hearing one of the guards talking outside.
He held his head as he laid back against the head of his bed. It was weird to have a dream where he could see, and wake up to see nothing. He reached over to his nightstand and felt around for his mask. As soon as he had a grasp of it, he put it on over his eyes. He went to get his helmet and robe, but he heard something hit his door. He froze, and rushed back to his bed to hide. The door slowly opened, and a figure stood in the doorway. The figure took a few steps inside the room, and closed the door behind him.
It seemed that the character assumed Secret was still in bed, as it went over to it. Secret rolled underneath quietly, and listened as the character pulled a knife out of the sleeve of it's suit. It lifted it up with magic, and stopped next to the bed. It raised the knife, and quickly plunged it deep into the pillow, figuring it was Secret.
Once the character realized that he was wrong, it gasped. "What the?-" It said with a male voice. Taking advantage of it's confusion, Secret swept it's front hooves, making it fall forward onto the bed and hit his chin on the metal piece.
"Oomph!" The stallion managed. It dropped the knife, and Secret took the dominant position. He grabbed the knife and rolled out from under the bed and moved on the stallion. Unfortunately, the attacker got up and pushed himself at Secret, knocking the knife out of his hand in turn. Secret stumbled backwards and hit the nightstand, knocking a clock over. The attacker charged at Secret, but Secret took use of the clock and hit him upside the head with it. The character flew to the side and over the bed. Secret grabbed the knife and jumped over the bed to finish him. The character tried to get up, but ended up getting cut across the face by the knife.
Angered, the character kicked Secret in the face, throwing off his mask and knocking him out.
1 Year Ago
Fluttershy sat next to the stallion on a swinging chair in the stallion's backyard. Fluttershy silently watched as the stallion tapped a beat with his hooves. She hummed along, and everything was ever so peaceful.
"It's about time for me to go." Fluttershy whispered.
The stallion looked up at the pegasus. "Already?" He asked. "You only been here twenty minutes."
Fluttershy nodded. "I know, but I have to go now." She whispered. "If that's okay with you..."
The stallion sighed. "Fine, but take this." He gave her a green mask with feathers lining the top corners around the eyes. Fluttershy took it and smiled.
"It's beautiful." She said.
"Made it myself." Secret told her. "Now go on, you need to be somewhere, right?" He smiled as Fluttershy nodded and took off.
Present Day
Secret woke up, head pounding and face hurting. An hour had passed since he was knocked out. He pulled himself to his hooves and stumbled over to his closet. He grabbed his helmet and robe and threw them on quickly before heading over to the door. He opened the door, still dizzy from the beating. Suddenly, he froze as he heard crying.
Shining Armor lied on the floor, a puddle of blood pouring from his neck. Twilight stood over his body, tears soaking her face. Secret was out of it for a minute, but he quickly regained snapped out of his shock. "Guards!" He shouted, running down the hall. "Guards!"
Soon, the whole hallway was filled with guards and other ponies. The princesses took their places near Twilight, as the guards lifted Shining's corpse and placed it on a stretcher. They carried him out of the hallway. Twilight threw herself into Celestia's hooves, and Celestia held the sad young princess in comfort. Secret held his hoof to his forehead, head still pounding from earlier. He knew that the same guy that tried to kill him, managed to kill Shining Armor. He was determined to find and kill the murderer.
Secret trotted over to Rainbow Dash and Applejack. "I need you two to come with me." He whispered. The two looked at each other, determining that it was safe. They turned and followed Secret away from the crowd.
When at a safe distance, Secret turned to the two. "I need you two to help me find this guy." He said.
"What?" Rainbow asked. "Why would we do that? That's the guards' job!"
"I need to get this guy for myself." He said. "I think I know where he would strike next."
Applejack sighed. "Ya'll betteh know what ya talkin' bout." She said, rolling her eyes.
"We are supposed to have a private meeting tomorrow morning. Twilight might not be there due to the tragedy, so I will go in her place." He said. "I will be the bait. He obviously would want to go after me." He looked at Applejack. "I want you to hide up on the balcony with a rifle." He told her. "And Rainbow Dash will pretend to be my adviser."
"That sounds good and all." Rainbow said. "But how will we know the guy's trying to kill you?"
"He wears a suit." Secret told her. "And he may be a known pony. He was able to get to me without getting attention."
Applejack nodded. "Ah think we could do this."
Secret was able to convince the royalty to allow him to take Twilight's place, and Rainbow as his adviser. Applejack snuck past the guard and took her place on a small balcony that was usually used for special guests. She hid under the railing and set up her rifle.
Secret entered the room with Rainbow. They went over to their seats, and sat down. Celestia and Luna next to him, Secret felt safe for the time being. Rainbow took note of everypony else in the room. A lot of them dressed fancily, so there was no telling who attacked him. When she began to relay the information to Secret, he was afraid he would have to fall back on plan B.
At the end of the conference, Secret left out a side door, leaving Rainbow behind. Rainbow went over to chat with Spitfire, who represented Cloudsdale. Applejack kept her eye over the chatting ponies, seeing if anyone made a move to follow Secret. She spotted Prince Blueblood, accompanied by Fancy Pants, go towards the same door. "Two coming at you." She told Secret through a radio.
Secret stopped. "Roger." He whispered back, hiding the radio. He threw a book across the hall, and used his blindness to his advantage. He pretended that he was searching for the book, muttering under his breath. He heard the two approach him and stop.
"Did you lose something?" Fancy Pants asked, shaking his head. A small scar was on the side of his cheek. "Dumb blind pony." He muttered. Prince Blueblood shot a side glare at him.
Secret raised his head. "Haha, real funny." He said. "I dropped my book, do you see it?" He asked.
"I can see a lot more than you." Fancy said in the most stuck up way he could. He looked at Blueblood. "Let's leave this poor ruffian, trying to be one of your kin."
Prince Blueblood shook his head. "We can't just leave him here." He protested.
"What is this?" Fancy asked. "You have feelings for this wann-?" Fancy was suddenly cut off. Secret raised his head as he heard chocking.
"No." Blueblood whispered a little too loud, not noticing that Secret was listening. "I have feelings for protecting Canterlot from him." Fancy dropped to the ground, blood pouring from his neck. Blueblood turned around.
"I'm truly sorry for his behavior, brother." He said. "Someponies just don't know how to accept an outsider as royalty."
"I figured as much." Secret said, going along with it. Blueblood lifted his knife and cleaned it off with a handkerchief, slowly advancing towards the stallion.
He raised the knife, and as soon as the hoofsteps stopped, Secret knew it was time.
Secret rolled to the side as Blueblood fumbled the knife after missing. Secret turned and stood still, waiting for him to make a sound. Blueblood growled and charged again, allowing Secret to duck down and charge into his legs, knocking him over. The knife slid across the floor, and Secret sat atop Blueblood. Secret raised his hoof and punched Blueblood repeatedly, rage fueling his assault. Blueblood's face flew from side to side, a couple teeth falling out and blood flying out of his mouth everywhere.
Rainbow and Applejack rushed into the hallway, noticing the commotion. They attempted to pry Secret off of Blueblood as the hallway was soon found by Princess Celestia.
"What in the name of Equestria are you doing?!" She asked Secret. "Guards!" She called.
"Princess, no! He-" Rainbow had no time to explain as guards crowded the room and tackled Secret to the ground. Secret struggled against them, growling.
Celestia went over and tried to help Prince Blueblood up. "Are you okay?" She asked her nephew.
Prince Blueblood slowly regained conscious, but he was not fully awake yet. He mistook Celestia for Secret, and lifted the knife off the floor with his magic weakly. It hovered up and aimed straight for the Princess. He quickly shot it towards her.
Secret, hearing the knife being levitated, was fueled once more so that he could throw off the guard. They lost their grip of him, and he rushed over and grabbed the knife in mid-air, stopping it from hitting Celestia. Celestia watched in shock, as Secret rolled to the ground, holding onto the knife.
Blueblood growled, still not thinking straight, and grabbed Celestia's neck to strangle her. She gasped, shocked. Secret got up and threw the knife at Blueblood. A loud sound of penetration erupted as the knife made it's way into Blueblood's chest. Blueblood fell limp and let go off Celestia.
Celestia began to cough, and the guard all stared in horror at what just happened. Secret brushed himself off. "I'm truly sorry, Princess. But your nephew tried to kill me, and he did kill Twilight's brother, along with that other pony." He told her. He fixed his helmet and strutted out of the hallway silently.
Secret walked into his bedroom. It was late at night, and he had been talking with the royalty and the guard all day about the events that occurred over the past 24 hours. He went over to his nightstand and placed his hoof on top of it, remembering his past.
1 Year Ago
The stallion stood in the middle of a crowd of people, all wearing colorful masks. They were all in his house, partying. Flowers decorated the walls, and they all brought the stallion memories. He sighed and walked out into the backyard to enjoy some fresh air. He sat down on the swing and started to tap a beat with his hooves.
He was startled by the sudden appearance of a quiet friend of his.
"You made it!" He said to Fluttershy. Fluttershy was wearing the same green mask that had feathers over it.
"Of course." Fluttershy said in her usual quiet tone. "I just wanted to stop by and you know...say hi..."
The stallion smiled. "Of course." He said. "Come, sit with me." He patted the seat next to him, and she sat on the swing with him.
He looked over at the pegasus. "Would you like to hear a story?" He asked. Fluttershy nodded. He took off his mask and looked at her with a smile. "Let me get these out." He reached to his eye and pulled out a contact, revealing that one of his eyes were actually green instead of brown. The hetero-chromatic stallion was Secret. "Now, where do I begin? Ah, there was once this kind young filly..."
Present Day
Secret placed one of his hooves on a mask that was sitting on his nightstand. It was green, with feathers lining the top corners. It sat next to another mask that was red and black. The mask he wore that day. He will never forget.
I will avenge you. He told the late pegasus sub-consciously. Or die trying.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. "Sir, you have been requested by the princess." A guard called.
Secret stood near the throne. The throne hall was scattered with guards and friends, including Twilight, Rainbow, and AJ. Celestia stood at her throne.
"Today, we take a moment of silence for Shining Armor, who was coldly murdered by my nephew." The crowd bowed their heads in respect for the lost stallion. Twilight joined in, fighting back emotion and tears.
After the moment of silence, Celestia called them back into a bright mood. "I am proud to announce, that my new son, Secret, will be the new Captain of the Royal Guard." She announced. Secret was taken by surprise, and raised his head as she trotted over to the stallion. "Are you ready to receive your promotion?" She asked the stallion.
Secret quickly nodded, overwhelmed by the sudden news.
Two guards ran to Celestia's side, carrying a fancy pillow that presented a blue sash, which formerly belonged to Shining Armor. Celestia picked up the sash with her magic, and hovered it over Secret, letting it drop onto his body. Secret lifted a hoof and put it through the hoop of the sash, fitting it into place.
An uproar of cheers broke out in the crowd. Twilight watched, both happy and sad about the memories that have floated through her mind.
Intro
After the throne hall was cleared out, Secret was to receive his first order of duty. "I would like for you to go around and help some of the important members of Canterlot deal with the loss of close ones." Celestia told him.
Secret saluted. "Will do, Princess." He said before taking off.
Secret's first stop was Fleur De Lis. According to the orders he received, she had lost he husband, Fancy Pants. Secret knew some of the details of what happened that day, so we could help her disclose and overall comfort her. Fleur De Lis did not show much emotion towards the subject, but Secret knew for sure that she was crying on the inside.
"So, who killed my husband?" She asked.
Secret looked at her. "It was Prince Blueblood, if I'm not mistaken." He told her.
"Do you know...why?" She asked.
Secret was suddenly taken by surprise. Why did Prince Blueblood kill Fancy and Shining? He thought. "I'm not sure." He told the mare. "But I intend on finding out." He sat down next to her. "Is there anything else you would like to talk about?"
Fleur De Lis shook her head. "I'm good." She said. "Thanks for coming here." She said, forcing a smile onto her face. Secret nodded and trotted out.
Secret's next stop was Twilight. He knew for sure this wasn't going to go well. He knocked on her door.
"Who is it?" Twilight called from inside.
"It's me." Secret answered. Twilight fell silent for a few moments, and then she opened the door.
"Come in." She invited him in. Secret stepped inside. Twilight closed the door behind him, and stared long and hard at the stallion. The sash was her focus. The longer she stared at it, the more she thought of Shining Armor. Tears formed as her eyes began to get misty.
"I'm truly sorry." Secret said, sitting down and staring at a wall.
Twilight trotted over and placed a hoof on his back. "Shh..." She whispered, turning him around. Secret stood perfectly still as Twilight brushed off his sash.
"You look good in it." Twilight managed. Secret smiled. "Shining would be proud to see how handsome his successor looks." She added, trying to stay on the bright side. She stepped back and sat down in front of Secret.
"Is there something you would like to talk about?" Secret asked.
Twilight shook her head. "No." She whispered. Secret sat still for a few minutes, and he started to hear sniffling. He held out a hoof, and Twilight quickly threw herself around Secret. She burst into tears and Secret slowly wrapped his hooves around her. He patted her back as Twilight let out sobs of pain and grief. "It's going to be all okay." Secret whispered to Twilight. Twilight sniffled and continued to sob for a few more minutes. Secret closed his eyes and thought back.
1 Year Ago
"Look at that." A pony called. Secret turned his head and watched as three guards trotted through Ponyville. The leader of the trio was a young white stallion, Shining Armor. He trotted past Secret, and Secret watched in awe. The guards stopped when they reached a treehouse. The local library, he remembered. Twilight Sparkle lived there. Now interested, he watched as Shining banged on the door.
"Open up!" He called. The door flew open, and Twilight stood in the doorway. He expected things to go a little different, but Twilight suddenly erupted with glee and hug-tackled the white stallion. They both laughed, and Secret went dumbfound. Soon enough, he began to laugh at the two playful siblings. They were so cute together.
Present Day
The memories came back to haunt Secret as he continued his efforts to comfort the mare. Twilight soon passed out from exhausting tears, and Secret carried her to the bed. He placed her on the bed, and tucked her in for a rest. After he felt that she was satisfied, he snuck out of her bedroom and went on to see what else he could do.
Secret trotted up to the grave. The last thing he must do today is command the burial of the dead. He led three groups of guards, each carrying a coffin. A guard trotted on his right to guide him. The lead coffin held Shining Armor. He was placed in the first grave, and Secret halted in front of it.
Secret spoke the lines that he has memorized. "Shining Armor. Former captain of the royal guard. Murdered in cold-blood, while in service of the royal family. We pay our respects to this fallen soldier." Soldiers saluted the grave, and then passed by the grave to pay their respects to their fallen comrade.
The next body was buried in a civilian's grave. It was Fancy Pants.
"Fancy Pants. A civilian of Canterlot, but a big deal in the name of fashion. Murdered in cold-blood in the halls of the castle. Although he wasn't the best pony to be with, he was indeed innocent, nonetheless." Respects were paid, and they moved on to the next coffin.
Instead of burying it, they placed it on a small stand. It was Prince Blueblood.
"Prince Blueblood." Secret said, trying to control his anger. "Former prince of the royal family, and traitor as well. He murdered a hero and a civilian, and attempted murder on two members of the royal family. His body will be set ablaze as a warning to those who betray the royal family." He held out a hoof, and his guide placed a match in his hoof. The guards covered the coffin in lighter fluid, and Secret trotted up to it. He held out his hoof until he touched the coffin, and then took out the match and lit it. He set the coffin on fire, then backed up quickly till he felt a safe distance from the coffin.
The citizens of Canterlot watched as the flaming coffin erupted into flames. Applejack turned her head to look at Rainbow, but she was shocked to find Rainbow had disappeared. Where did she go? Applejack wondered, looking around.
Secret looked up at the sky. Something is going on here. He thought. Give me guidance, my pegasus angel. He bowed his head and sighed. It was too good to be true. We are not safe.
Applebloom and Scootaloo were getting older. They all would share a room with Applejack and Rainbow Dash. It seemed pretty crammed, but they got used to it. Rainbow was sleeping next to Scootaloo, who was still awake. Scootaloo's childish mind was wondering through her imagination.
"Scootaloo." Applebloom whispered. Scootaloo looked over the edge of the bed, and saw Applebloom right next to it.
"What do you want, Applebloom?" Scootaloo asked, crawling out of the bed.
"Wanna go watch the sniper team?" Applebloom asked.
Scootaloo shrugged. "I guess." She whispered.
Applebloom smiled and led Scootaloo out of the room. They made their way through the various halls, hiding from the guards. Soon enough, the two made their way to the field where the sniper team were supposed to do their training. There were five soldiers with rifles, each one accompanied by a spotter with a bag filled with tools of all sorts.
The two fillies hid in a bush and watched as the snipers lied down on the ground. Each one flipped out their bipods and set their rifles on sandbags. Their spotters took position beside them. They took out their binoculars and looked through the lenses. Their targets were on the other side of the field.
Scootaloo and Applebloom watched as the snipers took turns firing rounds at the individual targets, while their spotters talked them over on all the elements they need to consider so that they could hit their target.
"It looks like fun." Scootaloo whispered. "Those guns are real cool!"
Applebloom nodded. "Maybe that could be our cutie mark!" She whispered, reviving their antics from a year ago.
Intro
Everypony left the range but two. The sniper and spotter duo stayed behind and continued to practice, perfecting their talent. Scootaloo and Applebloom watched them, even though they were about to fall asleep.
When they felt like they were about to pass out, Applebloom saw something. "You see that?" She whispered to Scootaloo. Scootaloo raised her head and looked where Applebloom was pointing. There was a small gleam that flickered from a tower. A few seconds after they saw that gleam, the sound of a bullet soaring through the air sounded, followed by the penetration of the spotter's cranium, causing him to drop dead. Applebloom and Scootaloo gasped and held each other's muzzles closed so they wouldn't scream.
The sniper jumped, and turned his rifle to aim at where the bullet came from. He searched for the shooter, but tables turned as a bullet shattered the sniper scope and went straight into the stallions's eye. The stallion fell backwards, dead. Scootaloo and Applebloom stared in horror.
The next day, news was spread that one of the snipers and his spotter were shot last night. Scootaloo and Applebloom barely spoke of it. They pretended like they took no notice of what was going on, scared of what they saw.
"I'm scared." Applebloom whispered. They already lost Sweetie Belle, and they've seen ponies die. The difference, is that they saw a pony kill another pony. Right in front of them. They have been mentally scarred.
Scootaloo halted in front of a sign. "Look." She told Applebloom.
Applebloom read the sign. "Looking for two basically trained marksmen to join the sniper team." She looked at Scootaloo. "Are you thinking?-" She began to ask.
Scootaloo nodded. "Dash taught me how to use a rifle once." She said.
Applebloom sighed. "Well, Applejack did teach me how to use a rifle too, but I wasn't really good at the shooting part. So she taught me how to read all sorts of tools that helped ponies snipe."
"Let's go see if we could join!" Scootaloo said happily.
The duo were able to convince Rainbow and Applejack to help them sign up. "Don't y'all get in trouble now, ya here?" Applejack asked. "Y'all lucky that ya just turned the right age to join."
Scootaloo and Applebloom were set into training. Scootaloo was given a pretty small rifle, so that she could hold it easily. Applebloom looked through the bag of tools. "They all seem pretty fancy-like, but I could probably tell what each one means." She told Scootaloo.
The captain for the sniper team trotted up to the two. "You two fillies ready?" He asked. The two nodded. "You may begin, now." He started a stopwatch, and the two set to work. Applebloom relayed information to Scootaloo, and Scootaloo took in what she said. When she felt that she knew all she needed, Scootaloo took a shot.
"Missed." She whispered. Applebloom quickly told her the changes in conditions, and Scootaloo quickly took another shot. It hit close to the bullseye. They continued this for a minute, hitting close to the bullseye multiple times.
"Stop." The team captain told the two. He trotted towards the target as Scootaloo and Applebloom got up. The rest of the team stepped out of the shadows, looking at the two.
"Look who's filling in for Bullseye." One said. "Two little fillies. That's cute."
A mare nudged the rude stallion. "Watch what you say, Skull. I'll knock that sarcastic look off your face."
A second stallion adjusted the glasses on his face. "They're just school-age, though." He said. "There's not much of a chance for them."
The team captain came back with the target. He held it up. "They passed." He announced.
Skull's jaw dropped. "Those two fillies actually passed?" He asked.
The mare laughed. "Told you." She said, trotting up to the two.
Scootaloo and Applebloom were celebrating their success. "Welcome to the team." The mare introduced the two.
"Thanks, ma'am." Applebloom said, smiling widely.
"Ma'am? That's too formal." The mare said. "My name's Coco." She pointed at the others. "That smart mouth over there is Skull. The nerdy one is Jax."
The stallion with the glasses raised his hoof and waved. "You two are impossible!" He called.
"And this is our team leader..." She began, pointing her hoof at the captain, who cut her off and introduced himself. "Hawk, at your service."
"Ah'm Applebloom." The country filly introduced.
"I'm Scootaloo." Scootaloo added, smiling widely.
"It's nice to see two youngings still into helping out the guard." Coco said. "Although, we're gonna miss Bullseye. He was one of our best shooters."
The next day, the team met up at a tower to have some target practice. They found a herd of zombies shambling around the outside walls, and the undead would make great test dummies.
Scootaloo and Applebloom set up on the far right, next to Coco. "You two little youngings ready to shoot some walking corpses?" Coco asked them.
The two nodded. Scootaloo looked through her scope, and looked for a target. She took a shot at a zombie, dropping it. Various shots rang out from the team as they took turns dropping the zombies. After a few minutes of ringing sniper shots and clanking shells, the team decided it was time to stop. Coco stayed behind so that she could practice. The rest of the team departed and went their own ways.
When they were almost back to the room, Applebloom stopped. "Oh no! I forgot mah bag!" She turned and galloped back to the tower where she left her stuff. Scootaloo took off after her. "Wait for me!" She called. Scootaloo struggled to keep up, but she lost her friend. Scootaloo found herself wandering the wall pathway. She stopped at one of the towers and froze as she saw something she probably wasn't supposed to see.
Applebloom walked into the tower, and saw Coco. Coco looked at the filly. "What you doing back here?" Coco asked.
"Ah forgot mah bag." Applebloom told her, picking it up. "That's all."
Skull sat in the tower with Scootaloo, aiming his rifle at the other tower which contained Coco and Applebloom. He aimed directly at Coco's head. "You're dead now, miss goodie." He muttered. Scootaloo snapped back into reality, and threw herself at Skull. Skull fumbled the rifle, causing it to fire a shot before he dropped it out of the tower.
The bullet flew towards the opposite tower, hitting Coco in the hind leg. She screamed in pain, falling backwards and dropping her rifle on the floor. Applebloom's eyes widened, and she looked at where the bullet came from.
Skull turned around and kicked Scootaloo, sending her flying into the wall. He growled and took out a knife. "You stupid little foal! Outta teach a lesson!"
Applebloom ran over and grabbed the rifle. She didn't know what she was going to do, but she had to save her friend. She set it up, just like Applejack taught her. She looked through her bag, and checked things quickly. She went back to the scope and aimed at Skull.
He raised the knife to hit Scootaloo. "You're dead, kid!" He growled. Before he could lower the knife onto her, Applebloom fired a shot that grazed his hoof. He dropped the knife in pain and held the injured hoof. He turned to look at Applebloom, eyes wide. Applebloom quickly cocked the rifle and pulled the trigger, sending a last bullet into Skull's head. Skull fell to the floor, limp.
Scootaloo got up and coughed. Guards rushed over to both towers, and Applebloom watched as both Coco and Scootaloo were escorted out by them, along with the now dead corpse of Skull.
Applebloom walked into the room where Scootaloo and Coco were in.
"Well if isn't the big hero." Coco said, smiling. "What you got there?"
Applebloom held up a bouquet of flowers. "Ah brought these for both of ya." She said. Coco took hers, and she gave another to Scootaloo.
"I can't believe you actually taught yourself how to shoot the gun under so much pressure." Scootaloo said, smiling. "Thanks for saving me back there, Applebloom.
Applebloom ducked her head. "Ah...Ah'm not really proud of mahself. Ah killed somepony." She whispered.
Coco looked at the filly. "Don't fret over it, Applebloom." She said. "He was a bad person. You did what you had to. You saved us."
Secret walked into the room. "I heard what happened." He said. "I need some explanation on why Skull tried to kill his own team." He said. The ponies looked at each other.
Secret realized it. Nopony knew why. This is just what happened with Prince Blueblood.
Something big is going on here. Secret thought. And I'm afraid it won't end well for anypony.
Zecora stepped into the room. Masks and potions were scattered around the room, despite it being overall hospital-like. A single zombie lied on a table, struggling weakly against the chains that held it down. A mask covered it's face so that it couldn't bite anypony.
Zecora walked over to where she kept notes of everything she had learned about the zombies. She looked over them, and wondered. She turned to the zombie and grabbed a syringe. She sunk the needle into it's leg, and drew out some fluids. She poured it into a flask and sat it down on a table so that she could write down notes. She sat there for an hour, writing and examining the fluids, but she came up with nothing. She gave up, and picked up the flask.
Zecora put the flask next to a bunch of other flasks. She sighed and turned to leave, but stopped. She turned back around and looked at the flasks. The fluid that she extracted earlier looked almost identical to the fluid Twilight gave her. She concluded that she needed a fresh sample of the fluid.
Zecora wrapped a cloth around her leg. She sterilized her foreleg, and then gave herself a numbing shot. The zebra waddled over to the zombie and slowly removed it's mask. She reached out her hoof and hovered it above it's face, closing her eyes and bracing.
Chomp! The zombie bit into her arm. Zecora quickly pulled away, causing the zombie to rip some of her fur and flesh off. Clenching her teeth in pain, Zecora quickly took the syringe and took a blood sample out of herself. She poured the fluids into another flask, and compared it to the original. They looked exactly the same, but the fluid that she took out of her body was quickly darkening.
Zecora smiled. She found the cause of the virus. Proud, she went to write down her final report so that she could get to work on an anti-virus. She went towards the table where she would keep her notes, but she forgot one thing.
The zombie's mask was still off, and it was able to grab Zecora by the neck as she walked by. It dragged her down and bit hard into her neck. Zecora gasped in pain, and grabbed the syringe. She used it to stab the zombie multiple times in the face, killing it. Zecora dropped to the ground and breathed heavily as she dragged herself to a table and grabbed a little project she was working on. She took a syringe, filled it up with a blue liquid that was contained in a flask, and shot it into her neck, causing her to collapse.
Intro
Twilight and Secret walked into the hospital room that housed Zecora. Zecora laid on the bed, paralyzed. All she could do was move her eyes. "What happened?" Secret asked the doctor.
"She was bitten by a zombie while running tests on it." The doctor said. "She injected herself with a sample that she has been working on which is supposed to pause the virus spreading, but the downside is that she cannot move. It paralyzes her." The doctor explained.
"We have to get her some help!" Twilight exclaimed.
The doctor shrugged. "She was apparently close to finding the cure and the cause of the virus, but she never got the chance to say."
Twilight sighed, and Secret stepped up. "Could we see her work space?" He asked the doctor.
The doctor nodded. "Right this way."
The doctor led them out of the room and down the hallway. They stopped at a pair of doors. The doctor got a key and unlocked one, letting the two in. Twilight and Secret stepped inside, and looked around at the familiar items that Zecora took from her hut so that she could feel at home.
Twilight looked at the various flasks, while Secret stood near the dead zombie and moved over to the notes that sat next to it. He sighed, wishing that he could still read. It brought back memories of the last time he saw Zecora before the outbreak.
1 Year Ago
Secret trotted through the Everfree Forest. He was alone, carrying a satchel on his back. He looked around, searching for Zecora's hut. "Just follow the path, and go right at the crossroads." He said, remembering what Fluttershy told him. He took the right path and followed it. He ignored the fur-raising sounds that echoed throughout the forest, and kept his eyes locked on the path.
He stopped and smiled. Right in front of him was a tree, decorated with various masks and antiques. He trotted up to the door and knocked on it with his hoof. "Zecora?" He called. "I'm a friend of Fluttershy. I need something from you." He called.
The zebra opened the door. "Welcome in, stranger yet friend. Sorry I wasn't quick, I had some potions to blend." She invited the pony in, and he stepped inside.
Zecora looked at his eyes. "I know, I know. They're fascinating." Secret said, rolling his eyes. "I was wondering if you could make me something." He told her.
"Well go on and say what is on your mind. I'm sure there is something that I could find." Zecora tempted the stallion.
Secret looked at her. "I want a potion that could help me...see things." He said.
Zecora tilt her head. "Wha-"
"Let me explain." Secret stopped the rhyming zebra. "I want to have the ability to process things quickly, and to use every sense to the highest extent." He looked at Zecora. "I'm in some big trouble. This is vital."
Present Day
Twilight trotted over to Secret. "Let me see that." She said. She looked at the notes. "This one was written today. It says that she found a liquid that looked similar to the flask that I gave her." She told him. Secret tilted his head in a funny way, and Twilight looked at the flasks. Two of them had the same dark green color, and they both sat next to the flask that Twilight received in the mail a year ago. She trotted over to the flasks and looked at them. "I need to take these to Zecora." She said, picking up the three flasks and carrying them out.
Back in Zecora's room, the doctors were examining her neck and foreleg. Both of them have been bitten, and flesh was messing from her foreleg. Twilight stepped inside. "I need to talk to her." She said, trotting up to Zecora. The doctors cleared the room, and Twilight placed the flasks on a table next to Zecora's bed. Twilight watched as Zecora's eyes rested on Twilight.
"I need you to answer some questions." Twilight said. "Look up for yes, look down for no. Okay?" Zecora's eyes shot up, and then she looked back at Twilight.
"Alright, now. Is your name Zecora?" Twilight asked. Zecora looked up, and back at Twilight.
"Was the liquid in the flask I gave you light green?" Zecora looked up.
"Did the zombie bite your hind leg?" Zecora looked down. Once Twilight was satisfied with the test answers, she lifted the flasks into the air.
"Did you get this sample from the zombie?" She asked, holding up one of them. Zecora looked at it, and then looked up.
Twilight raised the other flask. "And this one too?" Zecora looked down.
"Where did you get it?" Zecora looked down, and Twilight realized that she could not ask that question. "Did you get it from somepony else?" Zecora looked down.
"Did you get it from...yourself?" Zecora looked up.
"So wait...do you mind if we take another sample?" She asked. Zecora looked down.
Twilight called the doctors in, and ordered them to take a sample out of Zecora's foreleg. They put it into a fourth flask, and Twilight watched. At first, the fluids looked exactly like the liquid from the original flask. She stared in shock, putting puzzle pieces together.
Twilight's eyes widened. If the zombie virus was in that flask...then I started the apocalypse... Everything blacked out after that.
Twilight woke up hours later in a hospital bed. Secret prodded her side. "Morning, sleeping beauty." He teased. Twilight looked at him and glared.
"What happened?" She asked.
"You passed out." Secret told her. "It's okay though. Nopony else knows that you started this. We're working on an anti-virus." He told her. "Also, you have a visitor. She said she's an 'old friend' of yours." Secret stepped out of the way to reveal a familiar pony standing in the doorway.
"Hello, Twilight Sparkle." The visitor greeted. Twilight's jaw dropped.
Twilight stared at the blue unicorn standing in the doorway. Trixie wore her usual cape, smiling at her former rival. "Hello, Twilight." Trixie greeted her.
"What are you doing here?" Twilight asked.
"I came to see how my favorite magic professional is doing, of course." Trixie said. "Trixie isn't heartless, after all."
Twilight glared at the unicorn, and Secret listened to the two, tilting his head. "Maybe I should step out." He said, backing out of the room.
Trixie trotted up to Twilight's bed. "Trixie just got here. When Trixie heard that you were in Canterlot too, she rushed to find you." She said, bowing her head. "It's a shame that Twilight was injured."
"I was not injured." Twilight said, throwing the sheet off of her. "I passed out." She got out of the bed and stretched her wings.
Trixie rolled her eyes. "Of course." She said in her usual sarcastic tone. Twilight trotted out of the room, and Trixie followed.
Rainbow threw a bouncy ball at the wall, having it bounce back at her. She eventually got bored with it, and pulled out a Daring Do book. She began to read it aloud to herself. "And then, Daring Do swiftly dove into the pit, and chased the amulet. She grabbed it right before it dropped-"
She was cut off by a familiar voice. "Into the lava pit that was used for sacrifices." Rainbow looked away from her book, and saw Daring Do standing at her doorway. "Hey, Dash." Rainbow dropped the book and had a short fangasm.
Intro
"What do you want?" Twilight asked Trixie when she got to the door of her bedroom.
"Trixie would like to talk to your royal highness, of course." Trixie said. "After all, you are quite special."
Twilight rolled her eyes. "Well, I'm going to go to my room now, thank you." Twilight opened the door.
"May Trixie join you?" She asked. "Trixie promises not to do anything bothersome."
Twilight rolled her eyes. "Sure, whatever." Twilight let Trixie in and closed the door behind her. Trixie looked around the room.
"You live like a princess." Trixie concluded. "Trixie is impressed."
Before Twilight could respond to that, there was a knock at the door. "I'll get that." She said, trotting over to the door. She opened it to find Secret standing outside. He was accompanied by his usual guide.
"Greetings, princess." Secret introduced.
"You can call me Twilight." She said, brushing his sash. "You need to keep this clean, too."
Secret shook his head humorously. "We're about to go and burn Skull's corpse." Secret said. "It is required that you be there."
Twilight sighed. "Of course. Let me get ready."
"Why are you here?" Rainbow asked Daring.
"I just got here." Daring told Rainbow. "I heard that my biggest fan was in the castle, so I thought it might be cool to stop by and say hello." Rainbow smiled. "You like my latest book?" Daring asked Rainbow, looking at it.
"It's awesome!" Rainbow exclaimed. "When are you releasing your next one?!" Daring Do laughed at her question.
An hour later, the ponies gathered to watch the incineration of Skull's corpse. The coffin was carried over to a stand, next to the burnt coffin of Prince Blueblood. Secret stood in front of the grave.
"Skull. Former member of the sniper team branch of the royal guard. He was a traitor, who killed two of his own and attempted to kill two other members. His body shall be set ablaze to set a warning for all those who think about betraying the royalty." Secret held out his hoof and took the match while the other guards poured lighter fluid on the coffin. Secret lit the match and threw it onto the coffin, setting it on fire.
Twilight watched the coffin, and looked at Trixie, who stood nearby. She noticed that some ponies glanced at her, glaring and scowling. At first, it seemed Trixie took no mind. After a while of watching the unicorn, she realized Trixie was showing signs of depression. A tear rolled down Trixie's cheek. Twilight's eyes widened as she stared.
Back at Twilight's room, the princess approached Trixie. "What's wrong?" She asked the unicorn.
"Why, there's nothing wrong with Trixie." She said, looking at her funny.
"Trixie, I'm not stupid." Twilight said. "I can see the signs."
"Signs of what?" Trixie asked, tilting her head.
"Trixie." Twilight glared.
Trixie hung her head. "Fine." She muttered, pulling out a bundle of letters and throwing them to Twilight's hooves. Twilight picked them up and read them in her head. They were all death threats.
Twilight looked back up at Trixie. "When did you get these?" She asked.
"Since Trixie walked through that gate." Trixie answered. "They have tried a few times, too."
Twilight stomped her hoof. "This is outrageous!" She turned her hoof. "I'm going to get Celestia to handle this."
Trixie looked up. "What?"
Twilight turned back around. "Nopony's going to do stuff like that to anypony, as long as I have a say in it." Trixie smiled through some tears as she watched Twilight trot out of the room. Trixie quickly followed behind, not feeling safe alone.
Trixie and Twilight walked down the hallway. "Trixie cannot believe that Twilight got her a job as a performer!" Trixie exclaimed. "Trixie thanks you, princess."
Twilight nodded. "It was the least I could do." She said. "I will be backstage if you need me." Trixie nodded and stood in front of the curtains.
Twilight backed up and let Trixie jump out onto the stage. "Behold, the Great and Powerful Trixie!" Boos erupted throughout the crowd, and Trixie glanced at Twilight. Twilight nodded and urged her to go on. Following the princess's advice, Trixie continued with her show, ignoring the boos. Somepony once tried to throw a tomato at her, but a guard grabbed them and dragged them out.
Twilight watched as the crowd slowly dissolved from the death threats, and they started to enjoy the show.
After the show, the majority of the crowd was cheering. Trixie trotted off stage, feeling proud.
"See?" Twilight asked. "This is what happens when you change your ways for a bit." Trixie nodded. "I'm going to get something real quick. Be right back." Twilight trotted out of the room, leaving Trixie to gather her things.
While Trixie was gathering her materials, she heard a knock on the backstage door. "Is it one of Trixie's fans?" Trixie asked.
"It's Twilight!" She heard from the other side of the door.
"Back already?" Trixie asked, going over to the door. Trixie opened the door to see a tall stallion right in front of her. "Wait a min-" The stallion grabbed Trixie by the neck and threw her across the room. Trixie hit the wall hard, and tried to stand up. The stallion drew a large knife out of his coat.
"The Great and Powerful Trixie." He said humorously, mimicking Trixie's voice. "You gullible little idiot." He raised the knife, ready to finish her.
Trixie looked around for an out. She saw a spare cape lying on the floor, and an idea popped into her mind. She grabbed it with her magic and threw it over the stallion's face. Caught by surprise, the stallion missed Trixie with his knife. Trixie rammed him to the side, making a dash for the door. Before she could make it out, Trixie's leg was grabbed by the stallion. Trixie fell over, knocking over a barrel in the process. The stallion pulled on her leg, and Trixie fought back. Trixie took notice of the barrel, and noticed that there was fireworks in it. She used her magic to start a fire on the fireworks, and kicked the stallion in the face multiple times. She soon made him let go, and she took cover as the fireworks shot at the stallion.
Twilight walked in a bit later. "I'm back." She called. Twilight froze and looked around as she saw the hurt Trixie and the now paralyzed stallion.
"Trixie had one of those fans." Trixie muttered, pulling herself against a wall.
Twilight trotted up to the stallion, and took a look at him. She noticed something shiny on the inside of his coat. She grabbed it and looked at it. It was a ring. There was a symbol etched on it. She could not make out what it was, but she thought it looked oddly familiar.
Twilight trotted up to Secret and his guide in his room and handed him the ring. "This looks familiar." She said. "What is it?"
Secret's guide took a look at the ring. "This does look familiar." He said, going over to a table. "This looks just like the rings we pulled off the prince and the sniper." He said, holding up the other two rings.
Secret tilted his head. "So there is a connection?" He asked.
The guard shrugged. "My job is to be your eyes. That's all, captain." Twilight took the rings and looked at Secret.
"I believe that we have something bigger on our hands." Secret said to her. "I knew it was too good to be true."
Twilight trotted down the castle hallway with Secret. "Thanks for trotting with me to my room." Twilight thanked the stallion.
"I was walking you to your room?" Secret asked. "I thought you were walking me to my room." Twilight laughed. Secret turned. "I guess I'm heading to my room alone, then."
"I was just messing with you, Secret." She said. "Come in. I want to talk to you about something." Secret hesitated, then trotted into Twilight's bedroom. Twilight closed the door behind him, and went over to her nightstand. "So, I found this." She held up an old book.
"What is it?" Secret asked. "Blind, remember?"
Twilight sighed. "I remember. It's an old book of mine." She looked down at it. "Shining gave it to me. I believe that it would be better in your care." She handed him the book.
Secret touched it with his hoof. "You sure about this?" He asked. "Isn't it a memorial of your brother? Shouldn't you keep it for the sake?"
Twilight shook her head. "No." She insisted. "I already have enough to remind me of my brother." She forced the book into his hooves. "Just take it."
Secret sighed and put it on his back. "I guess I should go." He said under his breath.
Twilight sighed and trotted up to Secret. "Thank you." She whispered, hugging him. Secret soon realized how Twilight actually felt about him.
He did not have enough time to think, as there was a sudden loud banging on the door. Secret and Twilight looked up. "What is it?" Twilight called.
"There's been an accident down at the gate!" The guard told them. "Come, quickly!"
Secret and Twilight galloped out the door, and followed the guard.
Intro
Secret and Twilight came upon the gate. There were three ponies outside, trying to get inside. Their was a herd of zombies all around them, closing in. The guard turned to Secret. "We cannot raise the gate!" The guard said. "If we do, the zombies will get in!"
Ponies crowded the area, shouting. "Open the gate!" "Don't let them die!" "Save them! It's your job!"
Guards gathered at the gate, ready to charge in. "On your command, will run out there and fend off the zombies."
Secret stood still and ducked his head. He was afraid that being in the position he was in, he would have to make a decision like this someday. If he made the wrong decision, it will haunt him for years to come. Secret thought hard about the possibilities. The zombies were getting closer, it didn't take eyes to know that. How close can they get before they are unable to save the ponies, though?
Secret raised his head to the sky for an answer. After what seemed like an eternity, but was only a few seconds, it finally hit him.
"Nopony move." Secret ordered.
"But sir-" A guard began.
"I said nopony move!" Secret shouted. "We cannot afford more loss."
Everypony screamed and shouted at Secret as the three ponies shrieked as they were grabbed and eaten alive by the zombies. Secret lowered his head. My job was to protect those inside the walls. I can't afford to lose all my men to three stragglers. He told himself.
Twilight and a couple of guards led Secret away from the gate and to his room, protecting him from the hateful crowds of Canterlot.
Secret reached his room and turned to Twilight. "I would wish to be alone." He told the princess.
"Are you sure?" She asked. "The whole of Canterlot wasn't too pleased with your actions."
Secret blindly moved forward, his head literally right next to hers. "If I need you, I'll call for you. But for now, I would like to think over things, alone." He looked down. "Probably need to clean the sash, too."
Twilight smiled a little at his humorous answer. "Sleep well!' She called as she trotted off.
"Goodnight, Princess Twilight." He called back, trotting into his bedroom.
Secret was surprised to step on a large bundle of letters under his doorway the next morning. "Twilight!" He called. "I have mail, and I'm pretty sure who sent them."
Secret did not get an answer from Twilight, however. "It's only Trixie." The unicorn called back. "Princess Twilight Sparkle had a meeting." Trixie trotted over to Secret. "You must be Twilight's little friend?"
Secret sighed. "My name is Secret, if she has yet to tell you."
Trixie laughed a little. "Of course. The stallion with the mask. So...secretive. Trixie is amused by that."
Secret handed her the letters. "Please read this to me."
"Ah, hate mail." Trixie looked through the bundle. "Trixie is not the only infamous hero around here."
Trixie read the death threats and hateful letters aloud to the stallion. Secret listened as she made it into a novel. He left like he was about to fall asleep, until Trixie said something different.
"Hey! It's that symbol! Trixie remembers this symbol!" She said, holding up the letter.
"What does it look like?" The blind stallion asked.
"A circle, with three triangles inside it, Trixie believes." Trixie said. "Wasn't this on the ring Twilight pulled off that stallion that attacked Trixie?"
Secret thought back. "I believe it does, but I'm not the best pony to ask." Before Trixie could say anything else, Secret looked at her. "Wasn't that stallion put into the hospital?"
Twilight led Secret into the room. The doors were shut and guarded from the angered citizens. Trixie was already in the room.
"He's talking. Trixie had a few things to say about his deeds." She said, standing behind Twilight.
Secret stepped up to the bed. "Hello there. I'm Secret, captain of the royal guard. I would love to ask you a few questions."
The stallion looked at him weakly. "You're not getting anything from me, scum."
Secret ignored the insult. "What is your name?"
"You won't get anything." He spat.
"What is your name?" Secret asked again.
"I said, I'm not saying." The stallion repeated, mimicking Secret's voice.
Secret hit the stallion in the face and stomped his hoof on his neck. "Let me tell you something, then." He growled. "I have been through the depths of torture and back, and lost my eyes during that journey. I've killed plenty of men, dead or alive, without having a second thought. I may be blind, but I will be reading your will and burning your grave, right next to your little buddies. Do I make myself clear, big boy?" Secret removed his hoof, letting the stallion gasp for air.
"Now, I repeat. What's your name?' Secret asked a last time.
The stallion managed a few words under his breath. "M-my name is F-Fake Mask. I-I mimic voices. I w-was hired by-" He was cut off by a loud bang. The window shattered as a bullet broke through and landed square on Fake Mask's chest. Fake fell back on the bed, dead.
Secret jumped backwards, drawing a sword, ready to defend the princess and Trixie. The room fell silent.
"We were so close." Secret muttered angrily under his breath. He sheathed his blade and stood straight. "There is something bad going on for sure." Secret told them. "You two get back to your room. We need to find out who's doing this." Twilight nodded, and led Trixie back to the room.
Later that day, The funeral for Fake Mask was held. Despite everything, he was still ordered to be put with the traitors. His coffin was placed on the stand, and Secret took his usual position in front of it.
"Fake Mask. Not much was known about him, but he was a master at mimicry and a traitor. He attempted to help us, but was killed by an anonymous pony in the process. We shall burn his body, so that if any others decide to betray, they shall join in."
Secret took the match and lit the grave on fire, and left the graveyard.
After the break up, three ponies remained. The trotted up to the three coffins that were burned.
"It's halfway complete." The first one said, his voice rasp.
"What exactly are we aiming for?" A younger stallion asked. "What was the plan in having these three killed?"
"They were expendable." The first one responded. "This only means that we are halfway to our goal."
"What about that other pony?" The second stallion asked. "What are we going to do about her?"
The first stallion scowled, and looked at the pony at his right. "Zeinwolfe." He ordered. "You shall go convince that pony."
"And if she refuses?" Zeinwolfe asked, stepping forward.
"Give her a reason to accept." The first one told him. "I'm sure you will know what to do." Zeinwolfe nodded, and took off. The first one turned to the second stallion. "Be ready. Once this is complete, and the mare does her job, it will be your turn." The second stallion nodded.
Rainbow relaxed in her bed. Applebloom and Scootaloo were off with the sniper team, Applejack went off for some errands, and Daring Do went off to write a book in privacy. It was just Rainbow and her pillow.
Rainbow fell asleep, but was woken up later by a knock on her door. She yawned and got up. She trotted over to the door and opened it. Outside, there was a single dark brown pony with a light brown mane.
"Guten Tag, Rainbov." He introduced. "I am Zeinwolfe."
"I'm Rainbow Dash. Your point?" Rainbow asked, not amused.
"I am here to give you message." He said. "You need to join us, for ve have plans for you."
Rainbow rolled her eyes. "Could you explain?"
"Ve are here to purify Canterlot." Zeinwolfe told her. "Free from ze filth of corruption. Please, join us. It vill grant you much luck in ze future."
Rainbow sighed. "I have no idea what you're talking about. Now, run along before I call the guard."
Zeinwolfe backed away from the door. "You have been varned." He told her. "We are halfvay complete. It's a chance to live a long life."
Rainbow slammed the door in Zeinwolfe's face. Zeinwolfe turned around and pulled out a radio. "Ze mare denied. Shall I go to plan B?"
Intro
Twilight knocked on Secret's door. 'Come on out, Secret." She called. "I need to talk to you."
Secret opened the door. "What is it, Twilight?"
"I'm getting worried about those death threats. They seem serious." She began.
Secret placed his hoof over her muzzle. "Shush. Don't worry over silly things like that." He told her. Twilight tried to protest, but Secret continued. "I'm safe. Our only worry is this." He held up the letter with the circle and three triangles.
"Where did that come from?" Twilight asked, taking the letter.
"With the other death threats. Care to read?" Secret asked.
Twilight opened it and looked at the letter. "Dear Captain, tomorrow night, at your watch, an assassin will be targeting Princess Twilight Sparkle." Twilight froze and looked at Secret.
Secret looked up. "An anonymous tip?" He asked.
Twilight did not answer. "Don't worry." Secret said. "We'll protect you."
"Guards, attention!" Secret ordered. The guards in front of Secret snapped to attention. Secret was led to the center front of the squad by his guide.
"In case you didn't hear me, your orders are to defend the princess with your lives." He told the guards.
"Yes, sir!" The guards responded. The squad saluted Secret, who returned the Salute, then trotted out.
Twilight was in the security bunker, where the royalty would hide if Canterlot was attacked. Applejack stayed with her so that Twilight would not be alone.
Secret trotted down the hallway with his guide. The hall was quiet, and Secret had to pretend that nothing was going on.
"It's a little quiet." Secret said. His guide did not answer. "Soldier, I am speaking to you." Still no answer.
Secret stopped moving. "Soldier?" He called. He drew his sword and looked around blindly.
Out of the silence, he heard the sound of a hoofstep right behind him. Gotcha. Secret thought.
Secret turned around and swung his sword at his attacker. The assassin jumped backwards and drew a knife. "Wanna play rough?" Secret asked sarcastically. The attacker growled, and charged at Secret. Secret raised his sword and blocked the attack, parrying the knife out of the assassin's hooves. The assassin gasped, and Secret knocked them backwards and pinned them to the ground.
"Please don't kill me! They made me do it!" A familiar said.
Secret stared in shock. "Rainbow Dash?" He asked. He quickly grabbed the mare and pulled the hood, showing the pegasus's face.
Rainbow looked back at Secret, tears her in eyes. "They were going to kill her..."
"Who?" Secret asked.
"I'm so sorry..." Rainbow pulled out a syringe and stabbed it into Secret's neck, injecting the fluids into his body. Secret let go of the mare, and held his neck, dropping the sword. He stumbled backwards, and fell onto the floor. Rainbow got up and turned her head as a cloaked pony trotted up.
"You did it." The hoarse-voiced stallion said. "I'm glad you were able to pull through. I guess we don't need her anymore?"
Rainbow's eyes widened. "What do you mean?" She asked.
Zeinwolfe trotted around the corner, gun pointed to Daring Do's head. Daring Do had her eyes covered, and a cloth over her mouth.
"Get rid of the trash, Zeinwolfe." The leader ordered. Zeinwolfe cocked the suppressed hoofgun and fired a single bullet into Daring Do's head. The pony fell to the ground, dead.
Rainbow screamed at them. "You said you wouldn't kill her!" She shouted through tears.
"We say a lot of things. Nopony notices them, though." The leader responded. "Now come with us, Rainbow. You're already in too deep."
Rainbow, without protest, followed the two ponies as they left the bodies in the hallway.
A sudden pain filled the stallion's side. "Wake up!" He heard, and so he obeyed.
Secret shot up, gasping and holding his hoof over his heart. "What happened?" He asked. "Am I dead?"
Twilight shook her head. "You're still alive, thankfully." She told him. "What happened?" She asked.
"It was...Rainbow." He said. "Rainbow tried to kill me. And...I...What did she give me?" He sniffed the air, and it smelled strongly of medicines. He was in the hospital.
"She gave you an anesthetic." She told her. "It seemed like you were dead."
Secret rubbed his neck. "So does that mean?..." He turned his head at Twilight. "Where is Rainbow?"
Twilight sighed. "She's with Applejack. She told us everything." Twilight turned her head. "What are we going to do?"
"Rainbow is one of them, right?" He asked.
"Yes." Twilight answered. "Why?"
"I think we have a way to figure out what we're up against." Secret said. "I need to talk to Rainbow."
Secret trotted into the room. Applejack and Rainbow sat on the bed. Rainbow was scared, and did not look up as Secret entered.
"Could I have some privacy?" He asked Applejack. The country mare nodded and trotted out. Secret approached Rainbow. "You didn't kill me." He said.
"I wasn't going to kill you." She answered. "But that guard...I may have offed him."
"So, they think I'm dead?" He asked.
"Yes. Everyone but Twilight, AJ, and me." She said. "And...you have to go into hiding."
"Excuse me?" He asked. "Do you care to explain?"
She sighed. "This morning, a pony came to my door. He offered me to join them, I refused. So, they later came back up with Daring Do. They threatened to kill her. They said that I must kill you while you were supposed to be on guard alone. The guide was not accounted for, and he saw me. I'm sorry that I killed him. They were watching me."
"Who are they? Why are you ignoring the question?" Secret stomped his hoof.
"They're the Circle." She answered. "The Circle is trying to purify Canterlot."
My name is Rainbow Dash, and this is what happened to me.
Rainbow trotted into the room, Zeinwolfe at her side. She looked around. The room was entirely circular, with three triangles on the walls. Two triangles were green, while another glowed red. In the center of the room, there was a circular table with nine seats. Rainbow took her seat next to Zeinwolfe and the leader. She noticed three empty seats.
"Now begins the meeting of the Circle." The leader announced.
The ponies around the table removed their hoods. They watched as Rainbow removed her own.
"I see the pretty mare still hasn't given up." A young, white stallion said, chuckling.
"Shut your muzzle before I cut it." Rainbow threatened.
"Have respect." The leader ordered the stallion, his hood still on. "The mare has eliminated her target, and in turn, gave you space to step in."
The stallion ducked his head. "I apologize, sir." Rainbow looked at the stallion in disgust.
They made me do it. Now, I'm going to get back at them.
Intro
Secret was forced into hiding. Only a few knew of this. Twilight was the only one was able to communicate with him through various letters. It got through watchful eyes, for Twilight signed the receiver of the letters as Colgate, the mare who agreed to hide Secret.
Twilight watched as guards were picked out to replace Secret.
"Sabre, Spirit Blade, and Matterhorn!" Luna called. Celestia, who was one of many that were convinced that Secret passed on, could not attend the events. She had to go over things by herself.
The three remaining competitors were to compete in various challenges in order to win the place as captain of the royal guard.
Rainbow was unheard of for a while. Twilight figured that The Circle had cut out communications with the outside world. Even though things were quiet and slow, Twilight knew that Rainbow could take care of herself.
Rainbow took note of the faces she saw at the meeting as she laid back on her new bed. She was forced to stay with Zeinwolfe until she proved that she was loyal to The Circle.
"Vould you like somezing to drink?" Zeinwolfe asked.
"I'm good." Rainbow muttered. Every time she heard that forsaken voice, she wanted to shoot him. She couldn't, though, or else she would lose all the trust she had to build up with The Circle.
"You seem upset." Zeionwolfe said, trotting up to Rainbow. "Tell Zeinvolfe vat is vrong, Rainbow."
Rainbow sighed. "I miss my friends." She answered.
"Vat about us, are ve not friends?" Zeinwolfe asked.
"Of course we are." Rainbow answered, standing up. "But I still have my other friends."
Zeinwolfe messed her mane. "Do not vorry, Rainbov. All in due time, you vill return to zem."
Rainbow looked at him gloomily. "That makes me feel better." She muttered sarcastically.
Zeinwolfe turned to look at a picture hanging on the wall. "Do you see zat?" He asked,pointing at it. "Zat is my family. My vife and two daughters. I, too, vas forced to do zis. I vill never see zem again, he told me. I vill not see zem, unless I successfully purify Canterlot."
Rainbow watched as a single tear streamed down Zeinwolfe's face. At that moment, the feelings hit her. Despite how much that pony has done to her, he still was another pony, and he was not a monster like the rest of The Circle. She frowned, and despite all anger, she felt sorry for the pony. I can't blame him for being forced to do things he doesn't like.
Rainbow patted Zeinwolfe on the back. "Don't worry, things will blow over. I'm here for you, we both feel the pain."
Twilight trotted into Celestia's bedroom. Celestia stood at the window, looking outside at the archery competition between the three contenders for captain of the royal guard. Twilight closed the door.
"You wanted to see me, Princess Celestia?" Twilight asked.
Celestia snapped into reality and looked at Twilight. "Oh, yes. Come here, Twilight."
Twilight obeyed, trotting to Celestia's side. "You knew Secret better than anypony, correct?" Celestia asked. Twilight nodded. "Would you know of anypony that would want to harm my child?"
Twilight fell silent. She could not say anything about Rainbow, Secret, or The Circle. Nopony knew except her and Applejack. "There was a lot of death threats lately. Any of them could do it." She answered.
"I was afraid so." Celestia sighed. "Could you host my son's funeral, Twilight? I could not ask for a better fit, for I believe that none of those guards are worthy to bury a hero."
Twilight nodded slowly. Even though she knew this was all fake, she too felt Celestia's pain, to have lost a son within a short period of time. "And another thing." Celestia looked back out the window. "Know that none of these replacements will be as great as Secret or Shining Armor, but make sure the best one will be the one who fulfills the task."
Twilight nodded. "I understand. Is that all?" Celestia nodded, dismissing Twilight out of the room.
"She's loyal, you say?" The leader asked, getting into Zeinwolfe's face.
"Ja!" Zeinwolfe nodded. "Rainbov is of most loyalty to Ze Circle!" He exclaimed. "I am sure of it. See for yourself, if you do not believe me."
The leader shook his head. "I will take your word for it." He turned his head to look at a black pony standing at the entrance. "Let her in." He ordered.
The black pony nodded and opened the door. Rainbow slowly stepped in. "You're dismissed, Zeinwolfe." The leader said. Zeinwolfe exited the building, shooting a warm, almost flirty smile at Rainbow on his way out.
"Rainbow Dash." The leader said with a smile. "As my most trusted assistant has told me, you have proven to be loyal to The Circle. In turn, I agree." He removed his hood. He looked old and frail, with a beard and white mane. "I am The Completionist. Welcome to The Circle."
Twilight stood in front of Secret's coffin. Everything was fake, but she knew that she had to convince the audience that it was real. She concentrated on the same feelings she had for Shining's death, and pulled words from the bottom of her heart.
"Secret. Loyal hero of Canterlot and son of Princess Celestia. He was murdered while serving the royal family and protecting me, Princess Twilight Sparkle, from an assassin threat. He will be burried next to Shining Armor, the hero whom he replaced."
The coffin was placed in the grave as the three contenders stood next to it, saluting.
Twilight felt something odd in the back of her head. She turned and looked up to see Secret standing in the window of the castle. She smiled and looked back at the grave.
"They're taking forever." Rainbow complained, stamping her hoof impatiently.
"Be patient, Rainbov." Zeinwolfe told her. He looked over at her with a playful smile. Rainbow looked back and shook her head. It was a beautiful day, there has not been an attack or incident in a while. The guard challenges were almost over, and the winner will be announced in three days.
Zeinwolfe was able to convince The Circle to release Rainbow and let her move back with her friends, as long as Rainbow does not blow her cover. She became good friends with Zeinwolfe, and promised that they will get out alive.
"Is zat zem?" Zeinwolfe asked, pointing at a group of approaching ponies. Sure enough, it was. Twilight, Applejack, and Scootaloo approached Rainbow happily.
"Twilight! AJ!" Rainbow flew over to them. "Hey kid!" She patted the little pegasus's head, Scootaloo smiling. After saying her greetings, she looked around. "Where's Spitfire and Applebloom?" She asked.
"Applebloom is gettin' our food." Applejack told Rainbow.
"And Spitfire is preparing for the ceremony." Twilight added.
"Ceremony?" Rainbow asked. "What ceremony?"
"It's been a year since the outbreak. Celestia thought it would be a good idea to have a party and celebrate instead of grieving!"
"A party?" Zeinwolfe asked, approaching them. "I vould like to attend."
Twilight and AJ looked at Rainbow, and Rainbow smiled awkwardly back at them. "Meet Zeinwolfe."
Intro
"I ran into Rainbov when we were out on the trip." Zeinwolfe finished. "Rainbov told Zeinvolfe she had very nice and interest friends for Zein to meet. It seems zat she vas right." He nodded towards Twilight. "Princess."
Twilight looked at him. "Please, call me Twilight." She said humbly. "A friend of Rainbow is a friend of our's." The others around her nodded in agreement.
Zeinwolfe chuckled. "Vatever suits you, 'Twilight'." He said her name, exaggerating his own accent humorously. The others erupted into laughter, and Zeinwolfe smiled with glee.
After the meal, Twilight took Rainbow to the stadium where the festival would be held. It was big, and could fit every pony in Canterlot. Many performers lined the field, performing stunts of all sorts.
Rainbow's eyes settled on the Wonderbolts, who were chatting among themselves. Spitfire turned her head and saw Rainbow. "Dash!" She called, trotting over to the pegasus. "It's been a while."
"Yeah. How ya been?" Rainbow asked.
"I've been alright. Just hanging out and doing tricks." Spitfire answered. "The usual."
"Good to hear. Can't wait for the festival!" Rainbow exclaimed.
"Yeah!" Spitfire said. "The festival will be awesome. I put my bits-worth on that bet."
Soarin' trotted over to the two. "Hey! Rainbow! You're back!" He exclaimed, shaking her hoof. Zeinwolfe approached the group with a large smile.
"This is Zeinwolfe, my friend I met when I was gone." Rainbow said.
"Nice to meet you, Rainbov's friends." He greeted, shaking their hooves.
"I'm Spitfire and this is Soarin'." The mare introduced. "I like your accent."
"Vhy thank you. Zeinvolfe doesn't get that a lot." Zeinwolfe said, chuckling. They laughed a little, and then they went back to setting up for the festival.
The next day, at noon, the festival was about to begin. Ponies flooded the stadium, waiting for the grand opening. The clock hit 12, and fireworks erupted into the air. Cheering flooded the crowd as the sound of exploding fireworks filled the air. Rainbow was backstage with the Wonderbolts. Zeinwolfe was with her friends, on the stadium bleachers.
"We're getting ready to go on, Dash." Spitfire said. "You ready for a show?"
"Heck yeah!" Rainbow cried in joy. "Go get 'em!" With that, the Wonderbolts took off to perform. Rainbow watched from backstage as the Wonderbolts did tricks for the cheering crowd. Rainbow felt a moment of peace and calm.
That was until she was interrupted by a friend.
"Rainbow, it's been a while." Rainbow jumped as she turned her head to Secret. He wore a decorative mask to blend into the crowd.
"Secret!" She exclaimed. "Do you have to sneak up on me like that?" She asked, a bit annoyed.
"I'd rather not be caught." He said. "What's going on out there?"
"Wonderbolts are flying. Man, I wish you could see this." She said.
"Yeah, me too." He mumbled. Rainbow opened her mouth to say something, but was cut off as a ringing sound went off. Rainbow put her hoof to her ear and pressed a button. She had a small earpiece in her ear, given to her by The Circle. It was supposed to be used during emergencies, so she got worried.
"Rainbow here." She said. Secret perked his ears and listened.
"Rainbow. Where's Zeinwolfe? I lost contact with him." The Completionist said from the other end.
"He's in the stands, watching the show. Why?" She asked.
"No time. The show has started?" The Completionist asked.
"Yes sir." Rainbow answered.
"I need you to look up at the booth to your left." He said. Rainbow peeked out and looked up into the stands. Near the top, she saw a booth. "Inside, there's an assassin by the name of Stryker. His target is one of the Wonderbolts. The yellow one."
"Spitfire?" Rainbow asked, gulping.
"Yes, that one. When they're near the booth, signal Stryker. He will take her out." He told her. "Don't fail me."
"I won't, sir." She said, turning off the earpiece.
"What's going on?" Secret asked.
Rainbow took a deep breath. "Spitfire is being targeted by The Circle. The assassin is in the West booth."
Secret perked his ears. "We need to stop him." He said. He turned and trotted out, calling Twilight as he left.
Secret and Twilight headed to the booth. As soon as they arrived at the door, Secret stopped Twilight. "Stand back. You have to stay safe." Twilight nodded slowly, and Secret bursted through the door.
A single pony was wearing a campaign hat and uniform, decorated and fierce. He held a sniper rifle in his hooves as he aimed it out of the booth and at the Wonderbolts. He turned his head at the blind intruder. "Who are you, maggot?!" He cried, reaching for a hoofgun. Secret charged at him and knocked him to the side, sending the hoofgun skidding across the floor. Secret whacked him a few good times until the pony was no longer responding. Secret went back over the rifle. "Twilight, get in here!" He called.
"You want me to fake an injury? Over." Spitfire asked as she flew around the stadium.
"Yes." Rainbow answered into a large mic. "Make it look like the assassin tried to complete his task. Over."
"Man, I was wanting to do this routine for a while. But, since it's for the princess... Over..." Spitfire mumbled into her own earpiece.
"When you hear the gunshot, just let loose. Land on that mattress down there, being used for another stunt. Over." Rainbow ordered.
"I copy all, out." Spitfire said, sighing. A minute passed, and Spitfire led her team closer to the booth. When they were close enough, Rainbow raised her hoof and waved at the booth.
Twilight saw it, and shot a bullet into nowhere. Hearing the gunshot, Spitfire fell limp and fell down towards the ground. Gasps erupted from the crowd, and the other Wonderbolts quickly flew down and caught her. Spitfire groaned in fake pain, and the crowd quickly started to evacuate the stadium.
Rainbow sighed in relief, and Twilight took a deep breath. "Nopony got hurt..." She told Secret. Secret smiled, but then they froze as a gunshot rang out. Twilight screamed as a bullet flew past her head, sending a ringing sound into her eardrums. The rifle went off, sending a stray bullet flying through the air.
And Soarin' was hit right in the chest.
Soarin' began to fall to the ground, but other pegasi rushed out to catch him. Spitfire looked from where she was being held, and not having a word to say.
Secret turned and pulled out his shotgun, shooting at Stryker. "Gah!" Stryker screamed as his face was torn apart by the shotgun blast. Twilight covered her eyes and hit the ground in fear. Secret took a deep breath. Twilight peeked up her hiding place, seeing the limp Soarin' being carried by Rainbow and Cloudchaser.
Secret then heard the words of failure. "Soarin'...he's dead..."
Twilight led a group of soldiers to the graveyard. They collectively carried a coffin, which contained Soarin's corpse. She stopped in front of the hole where it was to be buried. "Soarin'. Member of the Wonderbolts. He was murdered in cold blood for reasons unknown. He shall be buried, and honored as a soldier." The guards lowered the coffin into the hole, and another line of guards performed the three-volley salute.
They moved on to another coffin, laying it on a platform. "Stryker. Former royal guard, discharged for anger problems. Used to act as a Drill Sergeant. Now a traitor of Canterlot and the Royal Family. His body shall be set on fire as a warning to the rest of those who dare think about crossing against us." The same process with the lighter fluid being poured atop the grave, and Twilight setting it ablaze with a match.
Spitfire and Rainbow Dash stayed behind at Soarin's grave. "I can't believe it." Spitfire managed under her breath.
Rainbow turned her head to her. "I'm sorry, Spitfire."
"Don't apologize, Dash." Spitfire ordered. "It's not your fault." Rainbow sighed and said no more.
Rainbow Dash was approached by a white stallion, wearing the armor of the royal guard. "Rainbow, I must apologize for my attitude the other day."
"Who are you?" Rainbow asked.
The stallion removed his helmet. "Why, it's me. Matterhorn."
"Matterhorn?" Rainbow Dash asked. "Wait a minute, I threatened to cut your muzzle. You're in The Circle."
He nodded. "I must say thank you for giving me the opportunity to get closer to the royalty." He said. "You've done good." Matterhorn shook her hoof quickly, and hurried off. Rainbow Dash suddenly realized what he meant.
The princesses are in trouble.
Intro
"The winner of the competition and the royal guard is...Matterhorn!" Princess Celestia announced. The crowd went into an uproar of cheering. Matterhorn stepped onto the platform with her, and sat still as she put the sheath around his body. Matterhorn smiled widely as he accepted the award.
Rainbow rushed to Twilight's room. "Twilight!" She called, banging on the door. "It's important!"
Twilight opened the door, rubbing her eyes. "What is it, Rainbow?" She asked.
"The new captain..." She said, panting. "He's from the...The Circle!" She managed under her breath. Twilight's eyes widened. "He's going after one of the...princesses." Rainbow continued.
"We must warn Celestia! And Luna!" Twilight quickly hopped up, but Rainbow stopped her.
"You're a princess, too." Rainbow told her. "You may be a target as well. You must be protected." Twilight sighed in annoyance. "I'm going to go find Applejack and...you know who." Rainbow told her. Twilight nodded, and Rainbow took off to find their friends.
Applejack and Rainbow approached Colgate's house. Rainbow checked around to see if anybody was watching while Applejack knocked. Colgate opened the door with a big smile. "Good day, Applejack." She greeted. "Please come in." Applejack trotted inside, Rainbow following close behind.
"He's upstairs." Colgate told them.
"Thank ya Colgate." Applejack said with a small smile before heading up the staircase. Rainbow smiled at Colgate awkwardly before quickly dashing up the stairs to catch up with Applejack.
Secret lied in a small hammock, relaxing as he waited patiently for news from his friends. Which he was just about to receive. Applejack stepped into the room, knocking on the already opened door to get his attention. Secret lifted his head. "Who's there?"
Rainbow took a deep breath, and explained what was going on. "The new captain of the royal guard, he's a member of the circle. He's going to have a lot of power. Plus, he's targeting one of the princesses. I think it's Princess Celestia. That sounds like a reasonable target, right?"
"Captain of the royal guard?" Secret asked, climbing out of the hammock. "I understand the, err, assassination of the previous captains of the royal guards, being me, and Shining Armor before me, respectively." He fixed his mane. "But, how did they plan to win the competition? It was three evenly matched soldiers. Best of the best. I trained them."
Rainbow and Applejack looked at eachother, then back at Secret. "What about a weakness?" Applejack asked.
"A weakness?" Secret asked, tilting his head.
"Everypony has some kind of weakness." Applejack continued. "What about this new captain? What's his?"
Secret thought for a moment. " Matterhorn. It would be tough to find a weakness for him. Master of all trades. Combat. Strategy. Nothing is impossible. But, that is also his greatest weakness." Secret smirked. "His silly ego."
"Here we go again." Rainbow mumbled.
"Boasting about how great he is compared to everybody else. He never tried to get over my head, but he sure did stomp down the other guards." Secret was slightly humored by this. "We will find out what to do with him later, though." He sighed. "You two must go and keep an eye on things." Applejack and Rainbow Dash nodded and quickly made their way out of the house before anypony noticed.
Spitfire rolled onto her side and stared at the door. It was quiet. Which was unusual, Soarin' was always a loud animal.
She sighed and climbed out of the bed. Her eyes moved around and locked onto a picture frame. She picked it up and observed it. The picture was of her, wearing her Wonderbolts suit. She was flanked on either side by Soarin' and Fleetfoot, her two best fliers.
Tears streamed down her face as she recalled memories. She felt like she would have a terrible emotional breakdown.
Her mind snapped into reality as she heard somepony knocking on her door. She put the picture back on the nightstand and made her way to the door. She opened the door and peeked out. "Hello?"
Twilight rushed into the banquet hall. Ponies crowded the room, staring at the motionless body of a well-known pony. It was Sabre, one of the top guards, who came close to receiving the title of captain of the royal guard.
"What happened?" She asked a nearby guard.
"He just dropped." The guard answered. "He was on patrol, started stumbling like he had too much cider, and eventually hit the ground."
Twilight looked at Sabre. Dear Celestia. She thought, looking up slowly.
"What do you make of this?" Twilight asked as she closed the hospital door.
Rainbow looked up at her. "I have a feeling I know who did this." She didn't have to say much more. The others already had the same idea.
"I'm very sorry for your loss." Matterhorn said, patting Spitfire on the back. Spitfire shot him a side glance.
I don't need your sorry." Spitfire protested, moving away from him. Matterhorn tilted his head. Spitfire quickly started to pack her gear. "Now, if you excuse me, I have work to do." She told him in a harsh tone before rushing out of her room.
Matterhorn attempted to follow her, but was stopped by two guards. "Halt!' One ordered.
"What are you two doing?" Matterhorn asked. "I'm your captain!"
"The princess ordered you in for questioning." The other guard told him. "You have been suspected for the attempted murder of Sabre."
Matterhorn's eyes widened as they focused on Princess Twilight and Applejack behind the guards.
Intro
Colgate finished putting away the dishes, smiling at a job well done. Afterwards, she went up the staircase and knocked on the guest bedroom.
Secret opened the door. "Hello?" He asked, staring blindly forward.
"Hey Secret!" She greeted, putting a hoof on his shoulder. "C'mon. I'm getting ready to cook something to eat." She lead him down the staircase to the kitchen table.
"I'm just not sure, Twilight." Princess Celestia told her student as they walked down the hall.
"What do you mean, Celestia?" The young alicorn asked, looking at her former teacher in concern.
"Blueblood's betrayal, Skull's betrayal, Zecora's injury, Daring Do's death, Secret's death, Soarin's death, all the traitors..." Celestia looked at the stained glass windows that filled the hall. "Things happening so fast. I'm getting worried."
Twilight froze up. She knew that she can't say anything to anypony about Secret, Rainbow, or The Circle. Only the select few could know. It felt strange to put more trust in Trixie Lulamoon than the rule of Equestria and former teacher of Twilight herself.
"If only Secret was still here." Celestia sighed.
Twilight nodded. "He died with honor. In serving the royalty and protecting them from harm."
Celestia smiled through her tears. "Yes. He shall be honored forever."
Applejack stood outside the courtroom. Rainbow Dash, Spitfire, and Trixie Lulamoon approached her. "What now?" Applejack asked.
"I want to stay here and watch this scum suffer." Spitfire said. "You do what you want." Spitfire went into the courtroom with slight anger.
"That was blunt." Trixie said, watching Spitfire leave. "The Great and Powerful Trixie would rather not get on her bad side."
Rainbow rolled her eyes. "His power is restricted while he's in questioning. That will keep The Circle from advancing on the princesses." She looked at Trixie. "I trust you to keep an eye on Spitfire and the court case." She glared. "Don't let me down."
"Trixie would never let you down." Trixie made her way inside, and Rainbow waited until the door closed to speak.
"We should warn Secret of this." She whispered to Applejack. The country mare nodded, and they both went off to Colgate's house.
Secret was in the kitchen, still eating his meal. He didn't hear the knock on the door, but Colgate did. Colgate was right next to the door, organizing a shelf. She opened the door and peeked out. There was a pair of guards standing outside. "Routine inspection." The guard told her.
Colgate nodded. "Of course."
One guard took out a list. "How many people live in this household?"
"One." Colgate answered, trying to keep herself from slipping up.
"Occupation?" The guard asked.
"I'm a dentist." She answered truthfully.
At this point, Secret finished his meal and trotted out of the kitchen.
"Now, what is yo-" The guard paused as he saw the hooded pony leaving her kitchen. "One pony, you say?"
Colgate turned around and saw Secret. She panicked. Secret perked his ears, immediately recognizing the voice of the guard. He quickly ran upstairs, and the two guards burst through the door to chase after him. The lead guard bounded up the stairs as fast as his hooves could carry him, the second guard following close behind. As soon as they reached the top, they turned and started opening door after door, until narrowing it down to the guest bedroom. The lead guard forced the door open, and looked around the room thoroughly. They both saw absolutely nothing. Confused and annoyed, the guards left the room. As soon as the door closed, Secret climbed in from the window, taking a deep breath.
Colgate was waiting downstairs by the door. "Where is your friend?" The guard asked her in a harsh tone.
"What friend?" Colgate asked, pretending like she had no idea what he was talking about.
The two guards looked at each other, and then left the building. "I'm reporting this. You're going to be watched carefully." One guard told her as they left. She waved, closed the door, and took a deep sigh.
This can't be good.
A few minutes after the event, Rainbow and Applejack knocked on Colgate's door. Colgate opened the door, but just a crack. Once she saw the duo, she opened the door and pulled them in, slamming it shut behind them.
"Colgate...what's going on?" Rainbow asked.
Colgate looked around before answered. "The guards saw Secret. We need to relocate him. Quick."
Both the pegasus and the earth pony rushed upstairs and into Secret's room. Secret was sitting in the middle of the room, shotgun in hoof. "I was expecting you too." He said, nodding to them. "You found out what happened, didn't you?"
Rainbow nodded. "I believe there was poison administered." She said. "Don't ask me where I learned that word."
Secret shook his head. "We got him, for now."
A judge entered the room, causing the courtroom to rise. As the judge took seat at his booth, the courtroom sat down. As they were sitting down, Trixie kept her eyes locked on Spitfire and Matterhorn. She also kept an eye on the jury, suspecting some of them to be ring members. She had no plans of anything getting by her. She will not fail her task. She is 'The Great and Powerful Trixie!'
Twilight looked out the window. There were many ponies running around, all dressed up and decorating their houses. Some wore ghost costumes, pirate costumes, the list goes on. It was Nightmare Night. The time of year where everybody dresses up as scary and sometimes wacky things and run around collecting candy and telling ghost stories. Twilight enjoyed this time of year, it was so much fun to watch the foals having so much fun on spooky holidays.
At the same time, Luna was enjoying the sight, too. Luna absolutely adored Nightmare Night. It was her holiday, after all. Luna squealed in joy as she quickly prepared herself for the event.
Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Spitfire met up in the courtyard. All of them wore something different for Nightmare Night. Rainbow Dash was a ninja, Applejack was a cowgirl, and Spitfire was a pilot. They chatted for a couple of minutes, before Twilight joined them. Twilight was wearing a fancy gown, looking beautiful and marvelous.
"Twilight, you look neat." Spitfire told her. "You look like a real princess."
Twilight giggled. "Come on girls. Let's go get Secret."
At Secret's house, the girls waited outside for their friend to emerge. Soon enough, Colgate opened the door, revealing to be some kind of super dentist. She stepped out, revealing Secret and his costume. Secret wore a Mardi Gras mask, and a decorated cloak with all sorts of interesting designs and symbols. The girls smiled and giggled.
"Do I look good in this?" Secret asked, teasingly.
Intro
Twilight and her friends trotted out to where the main festivities were being held. There, they saw Zeinwolfe, who dressed as a yodeler. Rainbow couldn't help but laugh at his costume choice. Zeinwolfe, of course, had no clue why she thought it was so funny.
"Where's Trixie, by the way?" Rainbow asked Twilight.
"She's performing a show for Nightmare Night." Twilight answered. "It's amazing, how she has quickly grown into a lovable actress." Twilight smiled. "I knew she had potential."
Rainbow looked at Zeinwolfe, who was watching the foals with joy. Applejack had already branched out and was bobbing for apples, while Spitfire was chatting with a couple of the rich members of Canterlot. Secret kept his head low and stayed near Twilight in case anything went wrong.
The first event was coming up. The opening ceremony, where Princess Luna is to give the opening speech. Twilight and her friends sat at the front to watch. The curtains opened, and Princess Luna stepped up on the stage. The curtains closed behind her, and Princess Luna looked around before making her formal speech. "Dear subjects of Equestria. Today is a great day. Today is a day to enjoy the night, to have fun, and to forget that of which brought us together. Tonight, we shall celebrate. Tonight is Nightmare Night!" Fireworks went off, and the crowd cheered in an uproar of joy.
Twilight and her friends stomped their hooves in celebration. "This is going to be so much fun!" Twilight squealed, overwhelmed by happiness.
Directly after the opening, performers began on various tricks to entertain the viewers.
A single hooded figure trotted up to a mare who wore a magician's outfit. "Night. You know what you have to do?" He asked. Night nodded, and trotted off towards the stage.
"Hey, Trixie is about to go on stage." Twilight said, getting her friends' attention. Secret ducked his head while the others looked up at the stage in anticipation.
As if on cue, Trixie made her grand entrance. The curtains opened, and smoke erupted as Trixie revealed herself. "It is I, the Great and Powerful Trixie!" She said in a booming voice. The crowd went into an uproar of cheering. Trixie looked down and spotted her friends, before quickly resuming her show.
During the performance, Night made her way onto the stage without noise, and begin her job as she sabotaged the equipment that Trixie planned to use for her show. She was out of there before Trixie's assistant retrieved the next item she needed.
Trixie continued her performance, capturing the crowd's full attention as she did the various tricks, and the periodical burst of the fireworks after completing a successful trick.
At this point, Trixie pulled out the box and saw trick. This trick was always dangerous, and some ponies got injured or even died from their inability to react quickly. Trixie, on the other hoof, has performed this trick many times before. This was foal's play.
The crowd watched with no other intentions other than seeing if the unicorn could survive the life-threatening act. The unicorn climbed into the box and encased herself inside of it. "Watch, as The Great And Powerful Trixie cuts herself in half!"
The crowd went into a mix of hoof-stomping and awe.
Trixie's assistant lifted the saw, and began to cut the box. The crowd went silent as a drum roll began.
This is where Night's plan came in. She had indeed sabotaged the box, putting something inside to take out her target.
It was too late for Trixie, though. That's when she felt it. The scaly, slick body rubbing against her hind hoof. She screamed, causing the crowd to panic and her assistant to drop the saw on the floor. He quickly opened the box, revealing Trixie's pain. There was a snake latched onto her hind right leg. She was trying to remove it from her leg, but to no avail. After a few seconds of Trixie and her assistant struggling with the creature, the snake was finally removed.
Twilight and the others watched in horror. "What in tarnations?" Applejack asked, looking around.
Rainbow quickly noticed that Zeinwolfe had disappeared. "It was probably an assassin." She whispered into Secret's ear. While Secret relayed this, Rainbow turned her head and noticed a familiar face. "That's her!" She told the others.
Twilight, Applejack, and Spitfire hopped to their hooves, quickly chasing after the escaping assassin. Night was fast, but the pegasus was faster. Night climbed a stack of boxes, making her way to the rooftops and ultimately escape from her pursuers. Unfortunately for her half-thought plan, Spitfire was able to land in front of Night, blocking her in.
Night had nowhere to go. She only had one option. She pulled out a hoofgun, aiming it at Spitfire. "Any sudden movement, and I shoot." She said in her soft, almost sweet voice.
Spitfire stood perfectly still, staring down the barrel of a gun. Twilight and Applejack were still on the ground, looking up at the two.
Spitfire and Night basically had a staring contest for what seemed like forever, but something broke Spitfire's concentration. "What the...?" She began, looking behind Night.
Night slowly turned around, and she saw it. She was face to face with a snake. The snake was enveloped in the blue glow of unicorn magic. The snake quickly lashed out and bit her on the neck. Night screamed, firing random shots into the air. She stumbled off the roof, landing on the ground with a painful thud.
Twilight and Applejack turned around, only to see a limping Trixie. "Nopony puts a snake on Trixie's show." She mumbled.
Spitfire hopped off the roof and hovered down to where Night's body rested. She saw the snake crawling along the ground, and she swiftly pulled her hoofgun and shot it dead.
She checked the pulse while the others caught up to her. "She's dead." She told them. A collective sigh sounded, as Secret and Rainbow approached the group.
"Is everypony okay?" Rainbow asked.
Before anypony could answer, lights flashing in their faces, and guards surrounded them.
"Freeze! You are under arrest!" The guard shouted. The ponies stared in horror.
"Princess Celestia." A guard called, knocking on her door.
The princess opened her door and peeked out. "Yes?" She answered.
"There was a group of ponies that were arrested last night." He told her."They were found with a dead body."
"Yes, what about them?" She asked, stepping outs of the room.
"They turned out to be Princess Twilight Sparkle and her friends."
"What?" Princess Celestia asked, shocked.
"That's not the worst." The guard gulped. "With them, was...well...the old captain."
Celestia's eyes widened. "You don't mean..."
The guard nodded. "Secret."
Celestia looked up at the ceiling. She felt like she was about to faint.
Intro
"We cannot possibly explain this." Rainbow complained. They were in a large room, which was locked and guarded. They were being held for questioning, after the events from the past few months, which cast suspicion on them.
"We will think of something." Twilight responded, pacing back and forth. Twilight had a lot to think about. Secret was finally spotted by the royal guards before they could relocate him, Colgate was put into a cell due to suspicion that she had ties with Secret's hiding, and Trixie was in the hospital after suffering from the venomous snake's bite. Things could not possible get worse.
The door suddenly opened, and everypony stopped and turned their heads to the door. Princess Celestia, along with her sister, Princess Luna, trotted inside. Everypony was silent for a couple of minutes, until Rainbow interrupted.
"Princess Celestia, we can expla-" Rainbow was cut short by the princess.
"That will not be necessary." She said in a cold voice. The room fell silent once more.
"Princess Twilight Sparkle, you and you only may leave. The rest of you will stay here." Princess Celestia and Princess Luna stepped to the side, revealing the open doorway to the young alicorn. Twilight gulped, and quickly made her way out without saying anything else. Princess Luna left the room, leaving Celestia with the rest.
"Secret, I would wish to speak with you." She said in a cold, yet worried tone.
Twilight was led down the hallway with Princess Luna. "Art thou ready to present thyself to our subjects?"
"Excuse me?" Twilight asked, looking at Luna. "Present myself?"
"Thou hasn't forgotten the day,has thou?" Luna asked.
It suddenly struck Twilight. "I'm supposed to give that speech!" She exclaimed. "I almost forgot that."
"Thou has a great duty bestowed on thyself." Luna told Twilight. "Do not fail."
Twilight nodded. "I'll get right to it!" She said, taking off.
"Where in the name of Equestria have you been?" Celestia asked, stomping her hoof on the ground. Celestia was in her bedroom with Secret, whom she had trust issues with after his fake death.
Secret ducked his head. "It...it's complicated." Secret said under his breath.
Celestia took a seat next to him. "I have thousands of years." She told him.
Secret sighed. "Very well, then." He muttered. "I can't exactly say much, there are things that I cannot just tell you." He brushed his mane back in stress. "But, I will tell you what I can."
The door opened, and the mare froze. A guard stepped inside.
"Rainbow Dash!" He called. The blue mare stepped forward. "Your presence has been requested."
Rainbow was led by the guard out the door, her friends watching as the door slowly closed behind her. "Where are we going?" Rainbow asked.
"The captain asked for you." He told her.
Rainbow paled. Matterhorn wanted her. But for what? She thought in the back of her head. The thought bothered her as they walked down the hall, and eventually made their way outside the castle.
"They are skilled assassins." Secret said. "Trained to kill in various ways. Everything from guns to snakes. There is nothing these killers cannot do. They were at nine, but they slowly decreased to four. They have tried to kill us. Skull, Fake Mask, Prince Blueblood..."
"The mare that was found dead with you guys last night?" Celestia asked. "Her name was Night, I believe."
Secret nodded. "Night, and Stryker from the last celebration." He said. "They have the intent to purify Canterlot."
"What is that supposed to mean?" Celestia asked.
Secret shrugged. "We cannot figure out what that means exactly, but I have a bad feeling we will find out soon, if we don't do anything about it." Celestia gulped.
Rainbow had sat down at the table. She was brought to The Circle's hideout. Matterhorn, The Completionist, and Zeinwolfe were with her.
"Rainbow Dash." The Completionist said. "Do you know why we brought you here?"
"There's a lot of reasons I could think of." Rainbow answered in defense.
"You were found with Night's dead body." The Completionist asked. "And now you are being held by the guard."
"I can explain that." She said. "I recognized Night, and rushed to see if she was still alive. Of course, she died. Just like your other useless assassins!" She added with a harsh tone.
"The nerve!" Matterhorn growled, standing up.
The Completionist flashed his hoof in front of him, and he quickly sat back down. "I was just making sure." He said. "You play it off well. I also noticed that Spitfire is still alive, but that can't be blamed on you. Stryker was always a lousy shot." He looked at Zeinwolfe. "You're dismissed." He looked back at Matterhorn as Zeinwolfe trotted out. "Come with me." He said, leading the white stallion out.
Rainbow was left alone in the room. She looked around, noticing a small table off to the side. There were a lot of documents on that table. A thought immediately crossed her mind. Jackpot.
When the two assassins came back inside, Rainbow had already went through the documents. She was trying not to show fear, for she had read some things that bugged her.
"I need your assistance with something, Rainbow." Matterhorn said. "You do well on sneaking up on guards and taking them out. I would like for you to repeat what you did." Matterhorn trotted up to her. "I will be targeting Princess Twilight Sparkle. But I will need a window. At some point during the day, the guards will be posted outside my room. I want you to approach them, and take them out without drawing attention. Knock on my door, and trot away quickly. After that, just wait and watch as I hit my target." He smiled. "Easy as that."
Rainbow nodded slowly. "Won't be too hard for me."
"I don't know when, I don't know where." Rainbow told her friends. "But he made it pretty clear that Twilight is the target."
"We have to warn her!" Spitfire said.
"But we're stuck in here." Applejack said. "We cannot leave.
The door suddenly opened. Princess Celestia and Secret were standing in the doorway. "We're free to go." Secret said. Princess Celestia smiled, and the ponies cheered in a short bust of joy before taking Secret and going off to find Twilight.
Twilight was in her room. She looked at the gown that she was to wear while she was giving the speech. It was the same she wore when she was alicornated. She smiled at the good memories. She was suddenly interrupted by the banging on her door. "Come in!" She called as she brushed her mane.
Rainbow, Applejack, Spitfire, and Secret entered the room. "We have to talk." Rainbow said. Twilight looked at them in confusion.
After a long explanation, Twilight nodded. "I understand. We have to find out when he's going to attack...and quickly." She looked at the gown. "I'm supposed to give a speech in half an hour. Some ponies need to keep watch for the assassin."
Applejack and Spitfire nodded. "We got it." Spitfire said as they trotted out.
"Rainbow, do what you must." Twilight told her. "Secret, stay with me." Secret nodded as Rainbow rushed out of the room.
Rainbow peeked around the corner. They were there. Two guards, right outside Matterhorn's room. She stepped out from around the corner and trotted up to them. "Good day, ma'am." One of the guards said as she trotted towards them.
"Good day to you too, sir." She said, quickly taking out a syringe and stabbing one in the neck with it. She injected him with the poison, causing him to quickly fall to the ground. She hopped out of the way as the second guard swung at her, and she quickly jumped on him. She used a tactic that Zeinwolfe taught her, pulling out a rag with chloroform on it, and putting it over his muzzle while holding him down. The guard struggled, but ultimately succumbed to Rainbow's attack.
After she dragged the guards to a closet and hid them inside, she knocked on Matterhorn's door and left the hallway quickly. Her job was done. All that was left was to find Matterhorn.
Rainbow trotted into the room casually, taking a seat next to Spitfire and Applejack. Twilight peeked from behind the curtain. "They're here." She said. She looked at Secret. Twilight was wearing the gown, and it made her look like a real princess.
"I bet you look marvelous." Secret told her.
Twilight smiled. "Thanks." She giggled.
Rainbow sat casually, looking around the room to see if Matterhorn was present. Suddenly, there was a short buzz in her ear before she heard a voice. "Hey, if it isn't the pretty assassin." She heard through the earpiece. "Come to watch the show?"
Rainbow rolled her eyes. "Maybe I did." She said under her breath. "Don't disappoint your audience."
"I'll be sure to make it quite a show." Matterhorn laughed from the other end, before cutting off his earpiece.
Rainbow looked up at where Twilight was peeking out from behind the curtains, and Twilight immediately figured out the issue. "The assassin is here!" She said in a loud whisper, looking at Secret. "What am I going to do?"
Secret shrugged. "I'm not sure. If we knew where he was, we could hunt him down and finish him before he had the chance." He sighed. "But we can't do that."
Twilight looked back outside, worried. "I could draw him out if I go out there. But, I might die." She took a deep breath.
"That would not be necessary." Twilight turned around to see Trixie. She was trotting weakly, putting more force on her left hooves. "Trixie heard what the doctor said. Trixie does not have much longer to live."
Twilight's eyes widened. "Trixie!"
"Give Trixie a cloak." The unicorn ordered. "Trixie has to put on one last show."
The pony stepped out. She wore a beautiful, decorated cloak. It concealed her face from the crowd. The crowd cheered as she trotted onto the stage. Rainbow looked around for the assassin.
Where is that pest? She thought as she scanned the balconies that were scattering the room.
The pony looked around the room, making sure her face was not to be revealed. Then, she slowly grabbed the top of her hood, and pulled it down swiftly.
BANG!
The shot rang throughout the room. Trixie, who's face was now revealed to the public, fell to the floor. Blood flowing from a bullet wound in her head.
Rainbow was then able to locate Matterhorn on the west balcony, who was staring in shock at his failure to kill the princess. "Now." She whispered to Spitfire.
Spitfire took to the air, aiming right for Matterhorn. Matterhorn was not prepared for the attack, and stumbled back as the mare hit him in the face. His rifle fell off the balcony, and it was just him and Spitfire. Fortunately for Matterhorn, he packed more. He pulled out his sword and held it in defense. Spitfire pulled out her handgun and fired a shot, which Matterhorn quickly blocked with his sword. Spitfire fired another shot, which missed Matterhorn completely. Frustrated, Spitfire charged him. Matterhorn swung his sword, but missed, allowing Spitfire to get a free hit to the face. Matterhorn doubled back, regaining his composure as Spitfire landed another hit on him.
"This stupid mare won't stand still for five seconds!" He complained. He charged Spitfire, but the pegasus shot into the air and landed hard on the stallion's back. The stallion threw the sword into the air, allowing Spitfire to take the sword and change the tide. Matterhorn stood, only to find himself getting a painful cut across the face from his own weapon. Spitfire moved to make another hit, but Matterhorn was able to get the blow, kicking Spitfire and sending her flying backwards onto the floor. The sword slid from out of her hand, and as soon as she was able to get up, Matterhorn was long gone.
Spitfire got up and made her way to the balcony, seeing that the room was evacuated. She trotted off weakly to catch up with her friends.
"He's still out there." Spitfire told Twilight and Secret as they trotted down the hallway. "We have to find Rainbow Dash and warn her." The trio made their way towards Rainbow's room at the end of the hallway.
Twilight knocked on the door. "Rainbow Dash? Are you in there?" Twilight asked. After there was no answer, Twilight knocked again.
"What are y'all waiting for?" Applejack asked. The country mare pushed Twilight out of the way and forced the door open.
To their shock, Rainbow Dash was not in there. All that was left was a single card, which sat on the nightstand next to Rainbow's bed. On the card was a circle, with three triangles inside of it.
Rainbow looked up, only to have a bag thrown over her face. She struggled against her attackers, falling to the floor.
Everything from guns...
Matterhorn cocked his handgun and pointed it at Rainbow. "Stop moving, or I will shoot now."
...to snakes.
Rainbow stopped moving and fell silent as Zeinwolfe picked her up. Matterhorn dropped a card on the nightstand.
There is nothing these killers cannot do.
A guard looked at the pair as they trotted out of the room. "I'm your captain, and this here mare tried to attack me. I'm taking her into custody."
They were at nine...
Matterhorn grumbled under his breath as he lead Zeinwolfe down the hallway.
...but they slowly decreased to four.
"I knew this mare was trouble." Matterhorn grumbled under his breath.
They have tried to kill us.
"I bet she never killed a pony in her life." He growled. "Sad excuse of a pony."
They have the intent to purify Canterlot.
At this point, Matterhorn and Zeinwolfe were just entering the hideout. "Intruding on our purification process! The nerve of this pony!"
We cannot figure out what that means, exactly...
Rainbow was thrown down at the table, the bag removed from her head so that she could see The Completionist, who was across the table from them.
but I have a bad feeling we will find out soon.
"Rainbow Dash." The Completionist said in his raspy voice. "You've got a lot of explaining to do."
Intro
Spitfire punched the door in anger. She was gone. The Circle kidnapped Rainbow Dash, and now they had no way of finding her.
"We have to tell Celestia!" Twilight told them. "It's the only way."
"I will murder every single one of them." Spitfire growled.
Secret sighed. "Don't say that, Spitfire." He said aloud as he looked in her general direction. "We will kill them."
The other ponies silently agreed.
Rainbow narrowed her eyes. "What is this?"
"Don't give us that lie!" Matterhorn snapped. The Completionist raised his hoof and Matterhorn relaxed.
"We know what you did." The Completionist told her. :You killed other assassins."
"Killed? I only killed who I was supposed to kill." Rainbow spat. "That's my job."
"I don't recall telling you to kill Night, or Stryker, or Matterhorn!" He said. "But, I do recall ordering you to kill Secret." Rainbow froze. "What happened?"
There was no escape. Rainbow was cornered, metaphorically and literally. All she could do is hope her friends can find her in time.
"Kidnapped?" Celestia asked. "We must do something about it!"
"Princess, I'm afraid to tell you, but Matterhorn is one of them." Twilight said. "Be careful."
Celestia nodded. "You too." With that, she ordered her guards to search for them.
Rainbow was silent.
"Any last words?" The Completionist asked. "You've got plenty of time. Got until after Canterlot is finally purified."
"Purified." Rainbow spat. "Using an innocent term to replace your idea of murder!"
Matterhorn struck Rainbow with a heavy punch, sending her head flying sideways, a tooth flying out of her mouth, followed by a splatter of blood.
"Very impressive, Matterhorn." The Completionist said, amused. "Now, it's time for your fimal task." Matterhorn nodded, and trotted out of the room.
"Final task?" Rainbow asked. "What are you going to do now, set off a bomb?"
The Completionist pulled out a hoofgun. "Don't worry about it." He pointed it directly at Rainbow. "You have a funeral to attend to."
Princess Cadance was just arriving for a visit. Her chariot landed at the front gate of Canterlot. As the gate slowly opened, she checked her surroundings. Three chariots surrounded her, guards manning each one.
As the gate opened, she was greeted by the captain of the royal guard.
"Hello." Cadance said in her sweet voice.
Matterhorn smiled. "There's been a security breach. I need you to come with me."
"Zeinwolfe, would you kindly?" The Completionist asked. "I don't like getting my hooves dirty." Zeinwolfe raised his hoofgun.
"Zeinwolfe, why listen to this old freak?" Rainbow asked. "To see your family again?"
"Vhat are you going on about?" Zeinwolfe asked, pressing the hoofgun against her head.
"I read the files that The Completionist kept on you." She said. "I learned a lot of things. Including the fact that your family is dead."
"Vhat?" Zeinwolfe asked.
"You heard me." Rainbow narrowed her eyes at The Completionist. "He killed your family, and pretended that he will let you see them when you're done. He lied to you. They're gone, Zeinwolfe."
The Completionist growled. "You stupid little blabbermouth!"
BAM! A single gunshot rang out.
"Princess Celestia!" A guard shouted as he pushed through the doors. "Matterhorn has been found." He told her, breathing heavily. "But...he got to Princess Cadance before us."
Princess Celestia froze, and stared at the guard with shocked eyes. Secret patted her on the back, while Applejack trotted out.
"Where are you going?" A guard asked Applejack as she stormed out of the room.
"Ah'm going to find that madman and beat him myself." She growled under her breath. "Tell Twilight the news. And keep searching for Rainbow." She told the guard before trotting off.
Rainbow slowly opened her eyes. She looked at the motionless body of The Completionist. She turned her head, and saw Zeinwolfe. His hoofgun was pointing towards the corpse.
Rainbow put a hoof on the gun, and slowly took it away from him.
"It's okay." She whispered. "It's okay..."
The guards approached Matterhorn. The destruction behind him was unbelievable. A bunch of blown up chariots, dead guards, and the severed head of Princess Cadance, sitting right in front of him.
Applejack trotted up to him. "Ya better die quickly." She spat as Matterhorn kept his smirk.
Rainbow led Zeinwolfe outside, where guards caught them. Rainbow quickly explained what happened, and the guards eased. A couple of guards assisted Rainbow and the shocked Zeinwolfe to the castle, while the others raided the building.
Intro
"He was just sitting there?" Twilight asked. Applejack nodded, and Twilight scratched her mane. "Something's not right."
A guard poked into the room. "Excuse me, Princess, but your friend, Rainbow Dash, has been found. She's down the hall."
Twilight released a sigh of relief. "We should go see her."
The two trotted down the hallway to Rainbow's room. Two guards were posted outside. Rainbow was next to the bed, where Zeinwolfe rested. Rainbow was talking to Spitfire and Secret.
"What happened to your mouth?" Spitfire asked.
Rainbow smiled, showing off the missing tooth. "Long story."
"What happened to Zeinwolfe?" Twilight asked, examining the stallion.
Rainbow sighed. "He saved my life." She told her. "He's going through some...deep stuff. Just give him some time."
Twilight turned her head. "There's only one left." She said, looking at the other ponies.
"And he's right where we want him." Spitfire added.
"No." Secret said. "He's right where he wants to be."
Matterhorn was flanked by royal guards, all with their weapons ready. He watched as Princess Celestia entered the throne room, accompanied by Secret.
"Matterhorn." Princess Celestia scowled. Twilight, Applejack, Spitfire, and Rainbow entered the room.
Matterhorn's eyes rested on Rainbow. "You're supposed to be dead."
"You're supposed to be a good assassin." She spat back.
"At least I don't betray my family!" He growled as a guard held him back.
"You were never my family." Rainbow told him. "I was never on your side.'
Matterhorn lunged and struggled, only to get whacked in the side of the head by a guard. Matterhorn spat out a tooth, and Rainbow grinned at the irony.
"That's enough!" Celestia's voice boomed, her voice echoing throughout the room. Everypony turned the heads to look at her.
Celestia rested her raging eyes on Matterhorn. "You have committed more crimes than anypony in Canterlot!" She told him, the anger showing well in her tone. "You murdered three important figures, assisted in the deaths of five others, attempted to kill a princess, assisted in the attempt of countless more murders, slaughtered our guards, and plotted to destroy Canterlot!"
"Pretty impressive feat, if you ask me." Matterhorn gloated. One of the guards hit him with a baton to set him straight.
"Not even death is suitable for your terrorism and betrayal." Celestia spat. "It will take eternities for me to come up with a punishment for your kind. Unfortunately, you don't have that long." Celestia stared him down.
"Do I get a say?" Matterhorn asked.
"Not even a squee." Celestia replied harshly.
"Can I call a friend?" Matterhorn asked, a smirk crawling across his face.
Before anypony could answer, a radio that was held by one of the guards switched on. "All clear in the building." A guard's voice reported through the radio.
The guards were clearing out of the building. All that was left was to remove the body. He bent over to pick up the corpse, but The Completionist suddenly lunged forward, inserting a knife straight into his neck.
"Whoa!" The guards quickly armed themselves and aimed at The Completionist. "Not clear! I repeat, not clear!" A guard shouted into the radio.
The Completionist held up the dead guard's radio, along with another device.
"Put down the device!" A guard shouted. More guards yelled at him, demanding him to put the device down.
One guard perked his ears to hear a beeping sound. He looked in the direction it was coming from. There was a single table, where a ton of documents laid. He rummaged through the papers, and threw them off the table. The beeping sound still bothering him, he looked under the table. His eyes widened. The device was a detonator.
"Booooomb!" He shouted, turning to run. The Completionist pressed the button.
Celestia's eyes widened. Everypony was shocked. Matterhorn just stood there, an evil smirk on his face.
"You little!..." Spitfire lunged, Twilight and Rainbow holding her back. "I'm going to kill you!"
Matterhorn laughed, only to get struck by the baton again. He fell over, dropping a small device on the floor. A guard picked it up. "It's a detonator! It's been armed!"
Celestia narrowed her eyes. "Where are the bombs?" She asked.
"Right where I wanted to be." He said.
Secret quickly realized what he was talking about. He pulled out his radio. "Front gate?"
"Yes, sir?" A guard answered.
"Get out of there!" Secret shouted. "Now!"
It was too late, as a loud explosion erupted in the distance. From the window view, Spitfire, Rainbow, and Twilight watched as the wall fell.
Celestia grabbed Secret's sword and approached before Matterhorn quickly. She sent the blade into his chest before anypony could react.
She was satisfied, but it wasn't for long.
"Tick tock..." Matterhorn managed. "Boom."
A beeping sound was heard through the silence. "Run!" A guard shouted.
