Ponyville was experiencing an extremely normal, autumn day, and Twilight Sparkle was having no exception. She was in her library home, studying to her heart's content, but something was nagging at her, and was disturbing her concentration. She groaned and tossed her book over to a pile she had on the floor, she knew she wasn't getting anywhere. Her purple scaly assistant who had just finished cleaning the library after her mess was irritated by this action and said, "Twilight, how the heck am I supposed to keep this place clean, which is caused by YOU by the way, when you keep piling up books on the floor?"

She sighed and said, "Sorry Spike, it's just I get a little frustrated when my mind is so clogged I can't even read books!" there was a little bit of edge to her tone.

"Still on THAT?" Spike replied with a groan, "Look Twilight, if you really love him so much, why don't you admit it?"

She gasped at the words her assistant just said, "Admit it, to him? No way Spike, there's just too much of a risk."

"Risk of what? I'm sure he'll understand." Spike replied.

"There's a RISK that I might ruin what friendship I have with him." Twilight paused for a breath and continued, "What about you? You still haven't admitted to Rarity that you love her."

Spike blushed a light pink and exclaimed, "Hey! That's totally different!" he sighed and said, "Twilight I'm sure things will work out, but I don't have too much time to worry about your love life, I have to go to Canterlot for royal business, and I wanted this place to be clean by the time I left. Which is right about now, see you in five days!"

She said goodbye as Spike had exited the small room. Leaving her alone with her thoughts, Ugh! That Spike just doesn't understand, She let loose another sad sigh, Even then, I remember him saying when he was dying, that if the situation was different we could've become good friends, but that's all, just friends. Why am I so drawn to him? Maybe it's because we both were apprentices of one of the Royal Pony Sisters, maybe it's because he's kind of a bookworm like me, and he did say he got most of his training by books. Ever since I met him, I could feel something between us. I always DID have a thing for pegasi, and I would love for him to wrap me in an embrace with those black wings, and slowly- she immediately dropped the pleasant thought and nervously laughed to nobody.

She was about to go out to get some fresh air when she heard a knock at her door, then she heard Spike's voice, "Hey Twilight! There's a certain pony that is here to see you!"

Oh Celestia, please don't be Adomia. She thought.
---
I watched as Spike exited the home, I asked him, "Going somewhere?"

"Royal business, I'll be gone for a five days. Good thing to I need to just take a nice break away from Twilight, and her…" His voice trailed off, and just started walking toward the nearest carriage stop.

Hmm… wonder what Twilight did to make Spike say that. I thought. I looked back at the door to see the familiar lavender mare standing there, looking like her everyday self.

She greeted me with a warm smile, "Hey Adomia! Is there something I can help you with?"

"Actually yes" I replied, I felt my nervousness start to rise again, and pawed at the ground with my hoof. Suck it up Adomia, just say it! I chided myself

I let out a breath and continued, "I decided to get a house on the ground, and the workers said that it would take about four days to build, and this is the closest place to it. So… I was wondering… if you don't mind, um." My voice trailed off as I had forgot what I wanted to say. for the love of Apple Turnover spit it out!

"What, what is it?" Twilight asked, brow raised.

"I was wondering… if I could stay here for the next four days." I managed.
---
Wait, did he say he wanted to stay… here… as in staying here to live for the next four days!? Twilight thought, little did she know her mouth was completely agape. She didn't notice the hoof waving in front of her face, only until she heard, "I'm going to guess that's a no." Did she snap out of her trance.

"Wait!" She exclaimed warm blush on her face, "S-sorry, I was just… not… paying attention. Anyway, I can't see why not, Spike's away on royal business for a week, so I'm home alone for the time being."

A smile spread across the stallions face, "OK, thank you very much. Do you mind me coming in and just putting my stuff down? I kinda filled these saddlebags to the brim, and they're quite heavy." He asked

"Sure! Just uh… head inside and make yourself at home." Twilight replied.
---
I walked into the small tree library, and placed my basic brown saddlebags down on the ground. Opening up revealed my crossbow, my bag of remaining bits, my cloak nicely folded, my mask, and the two new hind hidden blades. I found a nice dark spot behind the one of the bookshelves and placed the weapons back there, along with my left hidden blade, and my mask. I unraveled my cloak to reveal lots of rends and tares to the back, and the hood. I groaned, Stupid cloak, always having to rip on me.

Twilight noticed this and said urgently, "Something wrong?"

"Nothing major" I replied, "it's just that my cloak is a little on the ripped side; and I need somepony to sew it up by tonight because I have another contract… You think Rarity is doing anything?"

"No, don't think so, probably working on some new design." She paused, looked to the ground and said shyly, "Do you mind me coming with you?"

"Nope not at all!" I replied, happy that somepony was going to come with me.

We set out, cloak in toll, towards Rarity's Boutique. We were silent for a while, but Twilight decided to speak up a little, "So… looks like Snips did a pretty good job with the new mane, but why do you have some of it covering your left eye?"

I looked at my new cut mane, instead of being as long as it was before; it was now at more reasonable lengths. Traveling down until it was hitting halfway down my neck, still straight, and I left a little piece of my dark red mane covering my left eye, not so much as to I can't see out of it, but just a little bit noticeable.

I told Twilight, "I left that little piece there as to honor Fluttershy, after you told me that my mane when I woke up was bearing a resemblance to hers."

"Yeah…" She looked at the ground with a sad look on her face.

Stupid Adomia, don't bring up Fluttershy at all! Even though many ponies have gotten over the fact that she's dead, they still haven't gotten to the point where I can bring her name up. I chided.

It's been about three weeks since I was recruited by Celestia, and things have been turning out quite well. I've made a fair amount of money, and have gotten a little more recognition. Me and Twilight have become better friends, and I've been noticing that I keep thinking about her during the times where I'm just lazing on a cloud or something, and I've finally admitted to myself that I do love her. Now only if I could admit it to her face, even though I'm a killer who was taught not to show fear, I still have fear when confronting the one pony I love. It's funny in a way. I also learned that Farrar, the same pony who made our gear before Luna's death, is the same smith who has been tasked by Celestia to make me any weapons or armor I might need. I travel down to her smith if I need something, or just somepony to talk to besides the others. Everypony is doing well, except for Rainbow Dash. Twilight tells me she barely practices her moves anymore, and her mood has changed from boasting and cocky, to sad and depressed. I felt really bad when I heard this, since it was my fault. The thing that makes me angry though is that I can't even talk to her. Anytime I see her she just flies away, she still does her job as weather manager, but immediately goes back to her cloud home after she's done. It makes me feel horrible to see that happen.

Something strange is going on with me these recent days, I've found some memories which I'm not entirely sure are mine, like the time I made myself my first Apple Turnover, I felt like I knew it, but I also didn't. But little did I know that the memories weren't the weirdest part. I figured out that I can sort of communicate with animals! It's crazy, whenever I hear an animal, I can sort of make out what they're saying. It's not perfect, but it's noticeable enough to creep me out. I told Twilight about this, and the memories. She just shrugged and said, "Sorry Adomia, I have no idea what's happening, but whatever it is it doesn't seem to be harmful."

Yeah, I guess she's right. Maybe in time, things might become clearer. I recounted the memory.

We arrived to the Carousel Boutique around noon, and me and Twilight entered. I've seen inside the shop, but have never really gone in, rows of outfits on mannequins lined the walls, there were some little stages, and overall it felt a little flashy, but that's just me.

A little white coated filly with light green eyes, light purple and pink mane, and horn on her head came up to Twilight and said cheerily, "Hey Twilight! What'cha doing here?"

"Not much Sweetie Bell, I'm here because Adomia needs some help with a little sewing job, and I'm just keeping him company." She replied.

A confused look spread on the small unicorn's face, "Adomia? Who's that?"

I stepped out a little bit, she saw me and turned to greet me, "I'm just a citizen of Ponyville, and I don't think we've met before."

"I'm Sweetie Bell, Rarity's sister, and member of the Cutie Mark Crusaders." She replied proudly.

Cutie Mark what? I thought, and asked, "The Cutie Mark what?"

"The Cutie Mark Crusaders!" She exclaimed, "It's a club that I, Applebloom, and Scootaloo have made. All of us don't have our Cutie Marks, and we formed this club to find out what our special talent would be."

She then proceeded to get a little too close for comfort as she stared at my X-crossed dagger Cutie Mark, she looked at it with a confused look on her face, and she turned back to me and said, "What does your Cutie Mark mean? I've never seen anything like it."

I blushed a little in embarrassment and replied nervously, "T-that's something I don't really want to talk about, a little too personal for me."

Even Twilight was intrigued by this and pursued, "Yeah Adomia, why don't you tell us how you got your Cutie Mark? I've told Sweetie Bell how I got mine."

I laughed a little and said, "You wouldn't want to hear it, look can we drop the subject it's something I would REALLY not like to talk about."

Sweetie Bell sighed and cried, "Awww, you're no fun!"

I was about to make some retort when I heard Rarity's hooves travel down the stairs. She saw us and greeted us warmly, "Twilight, Adomia! How nice to see you, good too, the day was starting to get a little boring."

I was about to say something but she interrupted and said, "Twilight, darling how could you? Bringing him here? To be bored to death watching you try on different clothes."

Twilight gasped, and exclaimed, a little bit angrily, "I'm not here for a favor! It's Adomia that wants the favor!"

I laughed a little at this, Kind of funny how Rarity would jump to a conclusion like that.

I cleared my throat and said, "Yes, she's right, Rarity I need a little sewing job done." I was about to continue, but she waved her hoof and said, "Not another word, Come on up to the sewing room."

We left Sweetie Bell downstairs, Good, I thought, can't have everypony in Equestria know that I'm a contracted killer. Now can I?

Up outside the room Rarity said, "Sorry Adomia, I just can't have anypony knowing about your work. Anyway, what's the job you need?"

"Not much of a problem Rarity," I replied, "But over the last few contracts, my cloak has been quite ripped up, and I need it mended. So I was wondering if you could just do it for me, since my skills aren't as good as yours."

I gave the cloak to her and she examined it, she nodded her head and said, "Sure, rips like this will take quite some time, I'm guessing it will take about one hour to finish. So just give it here and I'll get started right away."

"Thanks Rarity, it's much appreciated." I replied warmly.

Rarity and Twilight entered her room, I was entering but Twilight gave Rarity a look and she said, "Sorry Adomia, but I have to ask that you leave, it's nothing personal, just a mare's thing."

I blinked a couple times in confusion, shrugged, and said, "Alright then, I'll be back in an hour. I'm probably going to go train or something."
---
He turned and exited the door and I sighed in relief, "Thanks Rarity" I said, "I kind of have to talk about something a little too personal for him to hear."

I sat down on her bed, Rarity dragged his cloak over to her sewing machine and began to set it up, she put on her little glasses and said, "Well I couldn't let him in on that if it's that important to you Twilight, so what do you want to talk about."

I laughed a little nervously and she turned around, her sapphire eyes looking into my violet ones. She gasped in excitement, "Twilight! I didn't know you had it in you, you finally found a pony you like!" She squealed in delight

how in the world did she get that from looking into my eyes? I thought.

"I must simply know EVERYTHING!" Rarity continued, "Well, who is it Twilight? Do I know him? Oh I am so curious!"

I looked away from her and pawed my hoof at the soft bed, "um… it's… A-Adomia." I said almost silently.

Rarity's mouth gaped opened and exclaimed, "You… like… Him!"

I instantly turned my head away in shame. I knew she wouldn't approve I thought sadly.

Rarity saw this and quickly said, "I-I-I didn't mean it like that darling, honest! It's just that I would've never guessed that you would fall for somepony like… him."

"It's because he's an assassin, isn't it?" I questioned sadly

"Well Twilight, to be honest with you, yes. That's probably why, I'm just afraid you'll get hurt. Think about it darling, he said it himself; he was trained to be a cold-blooded, and fearless killer, and was taught to ignore love, and happiness. Also with such a violent streak, I think he could go off any minute, and kill wildly. Doesn't that bother you in the slightest?" She replied, turning back around, and focusing on the cloak.

I felt anger starting to boil in me. "You treat him as if he is mentally deranged! I know he would never do any of those things." I cried, I took a breath and continued, "He isn't like that Rarity, I've seen him vulnerable, I've seen him act with compassion and kindness. I… love him, and what he's been through these past couple months makes me feel sympathy for him, it makes me want to curl up beside him and tell him 'everything will be alright.'"

She appeared to be taken aback by these words, "I never would've known you would feel this way toward anything Twilight." She laughed at something and added, "Well maybe except your books. But nevertheless if he makes you happy, than who am I to intervene? It just shows how shallow of a friend I am."

She went back to sewing the cloak, and those last words lingered in my mind, "if he makes you happy, than who am I to intervene?"
---
Shank! the familiar sound of solid steel blade slicing into the dummy's head was all to satisfying, and I felt my thoughts clear a bit.

I was in a wide stone crater, close to Farrar's forge, about twenty minute flight from Rarity's boutique. I come here often, and Farrar is kind enough to provide me with basic dummies to use new techniques on. It was about twenty to one and I knew I had to head back to pick up my cloak. Using my powerful, black wings I took off in the direction of Ponyville, and left the stabbed dummy there to come back to later.

Looks like I'll have to head straight for Canterlot after this, pick up the next contract.

Flying over Ponyville I heard my stomach rumble, I laughed a little at this and thought, on second thought scratch that, can't go traveling on an empty stomach.

Looking around I saw the familiar Sugarcube Corner, Hmm… That'll do besides I need a little break from apples. You can only eat those things for so long. Landing outside the doorway I headed in.

The familiar scent of baked goods clung to the air, and looking around I saw Pinky giving out a white box for some bits to the teacher Cheerilee, also the mail mare Ditzy 'Derpy Hooves' Doo was stuffing her face full of muffin, as usual. Jeez… she eats those things like noponies business. I see her here a little too often; I am seriously thinking that some bits of muffin are in her bloodstream.

I trotted up to Pinky who saw me and started to bounce uncontrollably. Typical Pinky, "Wow Pinky you're extra bouncy today," I said jokingly, "What's up?"

She got up right into my face and exclaimed excitedly, "I'll tell you what's up, Vinyl Scratch's concert is what's up!" she backed off a little and continued, "and I'm going to it as VIP, since I helped her reach all across Equestria with the track she made."

"You mean that techno mix of that sea chanty? The same song that you played for us on the night of the victory party?" I questioned in reply.

"The very same! She's going to perform it tonight in Manehattan to a HUGE stadium of ponies! Along with some of her other song's but this one is the highlight of the night. Her sister is going to be there for it as well, with her cello and all. I'm SOOOOO excited!" She said with invigorated enthusiasm.

"Well Pinky, I hope the best night to you. But as much as I would love to talk about the concert tonight, I'm here because I need some food before I travel to Canterlot for… you know." I told her.

"Duh! How could I have forgotten, I'm still at work for another hour. Sorry about that, so what are you hungry for?" She questioned me, still excited about tonight.

Looking in the glass pane I saw two pink cupcakes labeled, Pinky's signature Cupcakes, they're to die for!

I shook my head in disbelief at the sign, I don't think that would attract a lot of ponies, especially myself since I work with death on a daily basis, I learned to treat it seriously.

Scrolling down a bit I saw some classic chocolate flavored cupcakes and asked for two of those, she handed them to me on a little platter and I gave her the appropriate amount of bits. I savored those two cupcakes, baked to perfection with the right amount of delicious, rich, creamy, chocolate icing. Oh man were those good.

Heading out the door I took off for Rarity's Boutique and arrived around 1:30PM. Entering the store I saw Rarity standing there with my cloak all nice and wrapped up,

I wondered where Twilight was and said, "Thanks Rarity, looks good as new, do you happen to know where Twilight went?"

She laughed a little and said, "Oh she had to go home and do some studying, and it was no trouble at all darling. Needed to keep my skills sharp, but don't get it torn up like that again. I'm not sure I'll be able to save it next time."

She gave me the cloak and I headed out the door, I looked back at it and couldn't help feel like Rarity knew something I didn't concerning a certain lavender mare. I shrugged it off and headed toward Canterlot.

It took a full hour of flying before I got to the castle, I stood there panting for a second and then headed in. Making my way through the familiar ranks of halls and Honor Guards, I found myself inside the everyday throne room of Princess Celestia.
She dismissed her guards and said to me, "Adomia, you're not going to like hearing this but, tonight's contract is a little tricky."

Uh oh, this doesn't sound too good. I thought grimly and said, "What do you mean by that, princess?"

"As you know, last contract I had you scope out our target. When you killed him you reported that he had a dagger through crescent moon brand on his flank, correct?"

Tracing back to the memory I recalled the scene of the earth pony slumped over dead, my doing of course, and I saw that his Cutie Mark was covered by a black outlining of what seemed like a dagger shooting through a crescent moon.

"Yes princess, does that brand mean something I don't know about?" I replied, hint of suspicion in my tone.

"Not right now, but it could symbolize something coming, we can't really figure out what it means yet. But in time I believe we will find it out." She trotted over to the window and continued, "The contract tonight is a kill as usual, but the only problem is the killers are going to come to you."

Confused by this I asked her, "Could you be a bit clearer?"

She sighed, "Adomia, I'm asking that you guard two targets, and kill the ponies before they can kill them."

My pupils instantly contrasted when I heard these words, I instantly shouted back, "oh, no, no, no, no, no, NO! You're asking me to take on a guard mission! Remember what happened last time! I guarded you at the Young Fliers Competition when I was still under Luna's wing. I didn't find the killer until it was too late. I don't want that happening again!"

She walked over to me and put a hoof on my shoulder and said reassuringly, "Calm down, I trust in your abilities. You're older and equipped better, but this could give us a lead to these branded ponies. This could be very vital Adomia, and I don't want to pass up this chance."

I knew it was better not to argue and said, "Fine, who are the ponies I'm… *gulp* guarding?"

Celestia spawned some photos out of thin air and said, "You're in charge of protecting Vinyl Scratch, or DJ Pon-3, and her sister Octavia while their concert is performing tonight."

I was shocked when I heard these words, That means Pinky is going to be there as well, assuming the ponies planning to kill the two are in league with the branded flanked pony I killed about a week ago, if I were trying to cause I statement I would definitely kill a innocent like that. Especially somepony famous, I mean, look what happened when I killed Fluttershy. That caused SO much news, since she was completely innocent. Who knows what'll happen if these two die. Now I know why Celestia wants me to go on this contract. As well as being able to find out more about these branded ponies, we also need to keep this from public eyes as long as we can. We're still recovering from Luna's betrayal, anymore things like that would cause some hysteria. I concluded.

I looked back up to Celestia and said, "Contract accepted, I can see why you want me to do this now Celestia, let's just hope history won't repeat itself tonight. I already know the location from a friend, just give me clearance and I'll be on my way."
---
Dusk settled over the land as I got back to Twilight's Library home, she saw me when I entered the door and greeted me cheerily, "Hey Adomia, where you going?"

"Can't talk got to suit up." I replied in a serious tone.

I put on my repaired cloak and hidden blades, I made sure I had the guard insignia with me provided by Celestia, I slipped my mask around my body, and slung my crossbow over into my little holster.

"Adomia!" I heard Twilight yell.

I turned around to see her trotting up to me, some nervousness washed through my body and continued to build as she got closer. When she finally got up to me, there was a deep look of concern in her eyes, and said a little bit awkwardly, "Please… don't get hurt."

I felt some laughter starting to rise, but I held it back and replied, "Kind of funny you asking me that, how about I promise I won't come back dead, getting injured I'm not so sure."

She was satisfied a little by this and nodded her head, I turned and exited the home and went around the corner so nopony could see me. When I was sure I wasn't being watched I spread my wings and took off toward Manehattan to have a little date with death.
---
Ponies were already filing in through the many doors of the Manehattan Stadium. I went around to the back of the rectangle building to two guards standing vigilantly close to the door.

I pulled back my hood and trotted up to them, they shoved their foreleg to block my path. "Halt! No pony is to enter this way." One shouted

that's a good guard, looks like I'm not the only smart one here. I thought.

I showed my Honor Guard insignia to the stallion standing there, "Oh, my mistake, please enter sir." He said with a friendlier tone.

They opened the door for me as I entered the building, I found myself standing in a long hallway with many rooms to the sides. I felt a little fearful being out in the open like that, and looked around to find some sort of hiding place. My eyes caught an air duct and I squirmed inside.

Moving around I passed some of the rooms, I heard some voices coming from one of them and stopped to eavesdrop. Inside was a white coated unicorn with a loose half blue and half cyan mane hanging down, the same bright red eyes as mine, and some goggles with purple lenses around her neck. She was talking to a pony right next to her which I concluded was her sister. Her sister was a grey coated earth pony with a more sophisticated look, propped up black mane, little pink bowtie and collar. However due to the nature of this concert it made her look out of place.

Listening in I heard Vinyl enthusiastically, "About four minutes till show time sis! Oh man, this is going to be amazing!"

"Vinyl, have you forgotten the letter? What if the threat is actually true?" Octavia questioned fear in her tone.

"Psh, don't you worry! We got guards set up all over the place, there's no way anypony could sneak in." Her sister replied.

"Besides this could be our one chance to really show our stuff! I know we usually choose to go our separate ways when it comes to music, but if this concert goes well, then I could soar as a famous DJ, and you could become a famous… whatever you call yourself."

Blackmail? I thought, Seems as if my accusation is partly correct. The killers do want to make a statement.

Octavia was a little angry at the statement, "Yeah, I can't wait for this to be over." She huffed.

The door opened and I heard a voice say, "Ms. Octavia, and Ms. Scratch, shows starting."

Vinyl put on her goggles and exited with a smile on her face, Octavia groaned a little bit and made sure her tie was on straight. She adjusted it a little and followed her sister.

Removing the air duct I swept down and looked around for the note, I found a piece of paper on the nearby table and picked it up, it read

Octavia, and Vinyl Scratch, Cancel your pitiful concert tonight, if you do so, we will not harm you. Fail to agree you will die, in front of all of your fans. We will make sure your famous song is the last one you play.

Well that isn't really getting us anywhere, but nevertheless it does tell us that the blackmailers plan to kill them during her famous song. I thought as I stuck the note into my cloak pocket.

Putting the cover back onto the air duct I made my way out of the room and into the audience. Scanning the crowd I found Pinky in a reserved spot all for herself, with Octavia there as well, both chatting and waiting for the show to start. Vinyl slowly trotted out to thunderous roars and stomps from the audience. She put one hoof onto a mixer and the show was underway.

I kept looking around for anypony suspicious, but it was nearly impossible, with all the different lights, fog and other convoluted things that made my job harder. I tried putting on my mask, but the enhanced sound made my ears start to bleed, and the enchant didn't work unless I had it on. I stood there watching and listening, and found myself letting the sound of music flow within me. Dark rhythms, heart pounding bass, all of it classified me perfectly.

Around thirty minutes in, Vinyl ended one of her songs, and Octavia proceeded to trot onto the stage, where an electric cello was waiting. Celestia, please be right about this. I prayed.

Tracing my memories back to the time where I guarded Celestia at the Young Fliers competition, I remember the assassin was set up on the top of the stadium, maybe these assassins would be there too.

Exiting the main room I flew up as high as I could. Reaching a door, I put on my mask and opened it. I saw a shape on the metal beams supporting the roof roughly ten yards away along with two others in different corners forming a triangle.

Looks like I was right! Thank Celestia! I snuck up to the closest shape and found that it was indeed a pony wielding a thick metal crossbow. He was completely focused on the two ponies performing, it was about one third through the song, and time was running out! I prepared my crossbow in my right hoof and unsheathed my left blade, in one quick motion I stabbed my blade through his head, he died quietly and I managed to catch his crossbow before it fell to the ponies below. The pony on the left corner looked up to see me killing his friend, and turned his bow onto me. But was stopped short by a black magical bolt stabbing right through his head, and another bolt fired at the crossbow to pierce it to the beam. While this was happening I didn't notice the third pony sneak right up behind me. I felt something jab my back and a voice whispering into the back of my hood, "Don't move a muscle until I say so, otherwise you'll find a nice poisoned bolt going right through your body."

Adrenaline was really pumping through my veins, and I felt a little bit of fear starting to gather in my body. My crossbow had to be reloaded, and I couldn't rear back and kill him with the hidden blades on my back legs, the platform was too narrow, and if I fell I would definitely draw attention. All my options were failures, I started to look for others until the pony behind me said, "Now, I want you to move two steps forward, and turn around, I want to see your face before I kill you."

Listening to the commands I saw Vinyl spawning magical whips to help her play, locked in concentration along with her sister who was moving her leg with complete accuracy. The song was about halfway over, and I knew he would kill me when it ended. I turned around to see a chestnut colored stallion with a crossbow pointing straight at me, he had medium sized black hair with a white stripe, and a shortly cropped tail. He was looking straight into my masked over eyes.

He yelled with disgust, "Remove that stupid mask! Now!"

I followed his orders and put the mask onto my neck, he could see clearly into my eyes now, and I could see him raising the bow to kill me.

I was all out of options, until he stopped, just stopped raising his bow, and kept looking deep into my eyes. I returned the stare, and never wavering, I saw fear starting to gather as he just realized he made a dangerous mistake. He tried to move, but found himself unable to, and I was perplexed as to why. Only after a few seconds did I realize that he was locked in some trance! I didn't dare move my gaze as I slowly moved up closer to him. It was as if my stare had worked his way into his body, and now it was mine to control against his will.

I said to him in fake calm, "My, oh my, how the tables have turned, now I want you to do something for me. Tell me why you are planning to kill the two ponies performing on the stage."

He tried to resist, but found it futile, "I-I was told to… we-we want to strike fear into the hearts of all ponies here tonight. We are a force that should be feared all across Equestria, and our message starts here." He struggled to say.

"Do you have any other plans for murders of innocents." I asked.

"Yes, from what I know… there are talks to eliminate the Element of Loyalty, and the Element of Magic. Seems as if two new members want revenge, and we are happy to oblige." He responded.

"Who is 'we'?" I kept questioning.

"We, are the true rulers of Equestria. The real ponies that should lead, and bring forth peace through our means." He struggled again.

still can't get a name, but this info is very useful. I concluded.

"Alright, I'm done with you. Take your crossbow and put it to your head." I commanded.

To my hidden surprise the pony listened and positioned the bow right at his head.

"Now pull the trigger." I said with edge to my tone.

Obediently he pulled the trigger and the metal bolt pierced right into his skull, his eyes rolled up and he tipped over. I tried to catch him, but it was too late his body hit the top row with a loud slam, it may have been my misfortune, but the song ended right as his body hit the ground, and everypony could hear it. I slung my crossbow over my shoulder and put my mask back on. Looking down I saw everypony looking up right at me! I even saw Pinky Pie looking right into my eyes with complete confusion.

All at once the ponies started to scream, and run out all of the exits. Vinyl, Octavia, and Pinky were all under escort by guards. I immediately ran for the door, only to have it open by a guard screaming, "Halt!"

Seeing as how I had nothing to lose, I jumped off the beam and unfurled my wings. I soared straight through the narrow hall and burst out the door I came in, much to the surprise of the two guards that had let me in. I flew as fast as I could out of Manehattan, and managed to get away after twenty minutes of non-stop flying.

I landed on the ground to help ease the pain that was in my wings. As I slowly trotted in the general direction of Ponyville I couldn't help but think why that pony stopped raising his bow. It only started after I pulled down my mask and stared at him.
This had never happen before, and yet… once again I find that it has!

I slammed my hoof into the ground in anger, what the hell is wrong with me! What are all these memories, and traits that seem to be invading my body! I don't even feel like my own self… It's all just too much for me to handle.

I felt some tears of fear gathering in my eyes, and choked them back, I sighed and thought as Twilight's home came into view, Maybe the girls could help me… A memory projected itself in my mind, the memory of when I died. I remember my final sight… Fluttershy, the pony I had killed in cold blood. Was standing there in a heavenly glow, then my eyes closed. Something in my gut tells me that whatever is happening to me, it has to involve her somehow.

I opened the door to the library, and saw that all the lights were off. Only the bright moon was shining through the windows, and lit my path. I went into Twilight's bedroom and slipped out of my gear, then tip hoofed up the small stairs where an extra bed was waiting. I slipped inside, and quickly let the fatigue in my body carry me off in slumber.
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"Rainbow Dash, you will regret choosing the side of those… ignorant ponies." I said to myself, I looked behind me at my new branded rump, dagger through a crescent moon. Rage started to build when thought of her, how she had the nerve to choose those weak, and pathetic equines over my strong, cool, half-eagle, and half-lion self.

"Gilda!" I heard a voice from down the stone hall.

I turned to see a new friend of mine trotting to speak to me, a unicorn to be exact. One with an azure coat, and silverish-cyanish mane covered by a ridiculous hat and cape, we never met before we came to the Cult of the Crescent Moon, but we learned that we had more in common than we realized, she called herself The Great and Powerful Trixie, but I just call her Trixie. All of those epithets, to me, are unnecessary and kind of make me annoyed.

She came up to me and said, "We got the green light Gilda, tomorrow we stand on top, and those two six feet under."

I rubbed my talons menacingly, "Perfect, any restrictions?"

A wicked sneer spread across the unicorns face, "Nope, it's all up to us, we can decide when, and how. Just as long as we kill them by tomorrow."

She trotted away, and I thought deviously, better set up a timer Rainbow, because when it rings. I'll be standing on your bloody corpse.

To be continued…

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