I heard the rain before I could see it, as I woke up from last night's contract, hitting the leaves of the library tree where I was temporarily staying until my new house was finished. I groaned a little bit and pushed myself up with my forelegs, and got myself out of bed. I stretched a little bit to get all the kinks out of my body; however I stopped short when I stretched my sore wings, the pain causing me to grimace. Alright, today's the day I figure out why these developments are happening in my body. I told myself, I have a sure feeling that I'll find my answer somewhere in this storm. I headed downstairs.

When I got down there I saw Twilight sitting there with a book I couldn't see the title of. She heard me enter and greeted me warmly, "Good Afternoon Adomia, I'm guessing you had a good sleep?"

"Yeah, got back here pretty late, slept like a rock. But that's normal for me." I replied, rubbing the sleep out of my eyes

I stretched a little bit, but didn't notice I was stretching my wings, and cringed at the pain. Twilight gasped, and trotted right over to me. She started scanning my body, started to ask questions wildly, "Are you OK? What were you hit with? Is there any possible internal bl-"

I put my hoof over her muzzle, and said, "It's alright Twilight, no need for concern, just a little sore from some pretty intense flying last night."

She looked down at my hoof and started to blush, and shied away after a few seconds. I was confused by this, and wanted to ask her why she was acting a little weird, but I decided to keep my mouth shut. Twilight looked away from me and asked shyly, "How did, um the contract go last night?"

A hard look settled on my face, as I remembered all the screaming ponies, Pinky looking right at me, and the other assassin who stopped raising his bow. I filled her in on the events, excluding my conclusion that Fluttershy is somehow involved with these recent… changes to my body.

When I finished she shook her head in disbelief and said, "Some night there Adomia, but are you sure nopony knew who you were?"

I put a hoof to my head and thought about it, "Don't think so, besides Pinky." I replied.
We were silent for a while, and I thought about all of the strange developments in my body, I don't think they should be involved; it's things going on in my body, not theirs. I thought.

I turned and faced Twilight, "Twilight, if you'll uh excuse me… I'm going to go out for a little walk. Need to clear my mind up."

"But it's pouring rain outside, you'll catch a cold!" She exclaimed.

I ignored her, and quickly put on my cloak which still had my crossbow on it, and galloped out into the barrage of rain. Twilight called my name, but it was too late, I was gone.
---
"Adomia!" I cried, Already gone. I sadly sighed, and put on a rain coat,
something is clearly making him upset, darn it Twilight, why didn't you notice this?

I exited out of my home, and started looking around. The constant rain made it nearly impossible to see anything that wasn't a few feet ahead of me, how in the world could I have just let him go like that! I was worried sick for what he might do, but… I knew even if I found him, he wouldn't want to talk. He still hasn't told me too much about himself, his past is still shrouded in mystery, and I wondered what kind of a life he had to have had to become the pony he is today. Maybe I'll ask him tonight, when he clears his mind a bit. I thought. I turned around and went back inside, sad that he just left like that. get a hold of yourself Twilight! You told yourself that he doesn't love you; he only likes you as a friend. Stop thinking about him that way. I thought angrily, but I couldn't stop, I was so worried for him, not just about the storm, but about having to lie to him, I don't know if I can take having to see him so lost and confused for much longer. Please Adomia, find out the truth.
---
I trotted slowly as the rain intensified; I let my hood drop, feeling the cold rain shower my face completely. I didn't know where I was going, but I didn't really care, I was too distraught by… well my entire life, I realized in that cold rain that my life has been nothing but a spiraling staircase of depression misery, and pain. I didn't realize that I trotted right out of Ponyville, and ended up at Fluttershy's cottage, where a grave was dug right beside. I got up to it and lay down, letting my legs fold underneath my body. I looked at the grave:

Here lies the pegasus Fluttershy, Element of Kindness, and the sweetest pegasus to
ever come out of Cloudsdale.

I noticed that the ages from life to death were scratched out, as if somepony disturbed it. I whispered, "Come on Fluttershy, I know you're involved in my survival… Somehow."

I just sat there, not moving a muscle, rain still drumming on my skin, and cloak soaked to the brim. I pondered, and pondered. Why did this all happen, being brought back to life and all? What happened when I died?

"Ah thought you would be here."

I heard a voice behind me. I turned to see Applejack, as soaked to the brim as I was, wheeling back a wheelbarrow full of branches, "Applejack? What are you doing here?" I asked.

"Ah think I should really be the one askin' that." She replied in a serious tone.

"I just came here to… honor the dead, nothing more." I answered looking back onto the tombstone.

"Adomia, ah don't think that's the real reason." I could tell from Applejack's tone that she didn't believe me.

"No, it is" I insisted, Darn it, why are you trying to invade my privacy?

"You're wonderin' about Fluttershy, aren't you?" she questioned.

I turned to face her again, "That obvious huh?" I chuckled.

Applejack got out of her harness and lay down beside me, "You need to learn to open up Adomia, let people inside, you can only face so much by yerself."

The words calmed me down a little bit, "Alright Applejack, the true reason I'm here is because I have a feeling that I might figure out why all these developments are happening in my body. As well as being able to communicate with animals, and access some memories which I previously didn't have, I've also developed some sort of hypnosis when ponies look into my eye that happens at random. It's actually kind of frightening, in a way. I thought visiting Fluttershy's grave would lead me to finding an answer, with not too much luck."

"Ah can't begin what that would feel like, but the traits yer describing were all Fluttershy's traits, and…" She paused as she tried to think of a way to deliver a message, "We've all been lyin' to ya Adomia, Twilight, Rainbow, Pinky, and Rarity, we all know why this is happenin to ya."

My mouth almost hit the ground I was in so much shock, anger as well, "You knew? You knew all this time and you never told me! Do you know how much I've gone through over the past month I've been alive!" I snapped at her.

"Now hold on here Adomia, we decided that this was the best for you. Ah don't think you could've taken it if we told you as soon as you came back alive. We wanted you to find it out yourself, but it looks like that didn't work out so well huh?" She replied sadly.

I felt my anger cool down, and I regretted it, "Now I see why Applejack, but I've been through things that would cause any other pony to turn tail and run, I'm sorry I snapped, just tell me why all of this is happening."

"You see, when you were almost dead all of us saw a huge white beam of light come from the sky, and out popped Fluttershy, glowing and all. She walked up to your dead body and told us 'His final bits of life are slipping away, but his journey can't end here. I could reanimate this body to support my needs, but I believe that isn't how it's supposed to go.' We questioned what she was talkin' about and how she was speaking to us. She told us that when she died her soul was stuck, and she was basically alive, but couldn't speak to anypony. A ghost you might say, so she came to you when you died, and… merged with you." Applejack explained.

A blank stare spread across my face, "merged? What do you mean by that?"

"Fluttershy told us that she could save your life if she merged her soul with yours, ah have no idea how that would work, but she did it anyway. When she disappeared into yer' body, you started to breathe again, and yer' wings and heart wounds healed completely. That's why all of this strange stuff has been happenin' to ya Adomia, that's where all the memories and traits came from. Fluttershy is now part of you." She told me, look unwavering.

I wanted to call her crazy, I wanted to deny it all, but I knew Applejack would never tell a lie, and I had to accept the truth, no matter how crazy it was. I was about to ask her if that was the real truth when I heard a soft, shy voice in my head, "Um… Does this prove it to you?" Shock started to rise into my body as I recognized it, it was Fluttershy's! Millions of questions started to bounce around in my mind.

"I just heard her." I said out loud completely monotone.

"Who?" Applejack responded confused look on her face.

"Fluttershy, she just spoke to me. In my mind, looks like you were right Applejack, thank you, for telling me. But right now I need to be alone." I thought about something and chuckled weakly, "Well I guess with Fluttershy I won't ever be alone."
Once again I ran off, against the calls of Applejack, when I got enough distance between her I let out a huge sigh, and focused back on my thoughts. Fluttershy, you still there? I asked.

I heard a quiet almost inaudible laugh, "I'm always going to be here" Fluttershy replied.

Jeez, it's like the time when Luna was still banished all over again. I thought.

"You were involved with Luna before she broke free?" Fluttershy asked.

Wait a second, you can hear that! I exclaimed silently, so if you can hear my thoughts, that means I'm going to have a pony invading my privacy constantly!

"Well, um… not actually, we may have merged souls, but some parts are still separate. Everything you see, hear, touch, smell, and hear, I will as well. But deep memories and secrets are things I don't have access too. Your mind is locked up pretty good." She explained.

I'm surprised, wow that's an understatement, but I'm surprised because the others told me you were very timid, and shy. Never really spoke to much, you know?

"I guess that part of me is gone, due to not having really much of a body to call my own anymore, and don't worry I'll try to speak only when necessary, this is your body, and your life after all."

On that note she fell silent, off to do whatever a spirit does I guess. I was so focused on speaking to her that I realized I had no idea where I was. A normal unicorn or earth pony might be frightened, but to me this was nothing new. I stretched out my wings, and attempted to fly up, but from all the rain, and soreness I could only reach fifteen feet off the ground. While up in the sky temporarily I saw a cliffside to the north, with a shape sitting there on the edge. I glided my way over and landed in some brush, just a few feet behind. The shape was a unicorn with a half blue, half cyan mane, and white coat. I recognized this pony to be Vinyl Scratch, or DJ Pon-3 as the media calls her. This was the same pony, in which I had to protect last night, and luckily it was successful, but I would think she would be afraid of performances after what happened.

I removed my slung crossbow, trotted near her and asked through the rain, "Hey! Are you OK?"

She turned her head, and I saw she had her goggles on, "Can I… help you?" she asked, edge of hostility to her voice.

"Your DJ Pon-3 right?"

"Was DJ Pon-3, now it's just Vinyl Scratch." She replied, tone full of grief.

I got up next to her and sat on the edge with her, "What do you mean by that? Your giving up being a DJ?" I said, confused.

"Yup, after what happened last night at my concert, I'm afraid to perform now. Maybe I'm just not cut out to be a big platinum hit artist."

I put a hoof on her shoulder and said reassuringly, "I read about what happened, I'm sorry it did, but I don't think they'll hurt you anymore."

"And why is that? Who are you anyway?" She questioned, putting a hoof to her head.

Way to go Adomia, you just gave part of yourself away! I yelled in my head.

"Because… Because… of that… assassin, yes, assassin that was still alive at the scene. The one with the skull mask, and little crossbow, and I believe he was trying to protect you." I said quickly.

"yeah I guess s-… wait a minute how did you know he had a skull mask, and crossbow, the article in the paper never said that!" she responded with curiosity.

Well buck! That didn't go as planned, *sigh* I guess one other pony isn't too bad.

"Ok, wait here a second." I replied completely monotone.

I went back over to the brush and got my crossbow, and made sure my Hidden Blade was still on. I trotted back over to her, "The reason I know is because I am that assassin who was there last night."

She looked like she was hit by a carriage, "You were him! The pony that I saw on the rail at last night's concert!" She exclaimed.

"The very same, Adomia is the name, pleased to reacquire your acquaintance. Look before I answer any of your questions know this, you MUST promise to not give out my secret to anypony else, your sister is OK, but anypony else isn't. Got it?" I told her.

She nodded her head and I continued, "Trust me if you fail in keeping it a secret, I'm afraid I'm going to take the hard way in keeping it a secret." I unsheathed my blade to emphasize the message, "Now that we got that out of the way, I believe I owe you an explanation."

I filled her in on why I was there, and who I was. She took watched and listened tentatively, not missing a single word. When I finished she nodded her head up and down,

"Now it all makes sense to me, thank you Adomia for saving me and my sister. That's probably something you don't hear everyday huh?"

I chuckled a little bit, "yeah... but I hope that cleared any suspicions you had, and…" I got up and turned away from her, "I'd really hate it to see an amazing artist like you stop because of one incident, and don't worry, if there is ever the chance that you could be hurt, I'll be there, blade and all."

I unfurled my wet wings and slung my soaked hood over my head. I galloped away until I got enough speed, then took off, trying to fly to one of the clouds. It took all my strength to reach the water filled sacs in the sky, and I knew I needed to rest from the storm, otherwise, I don't think I would make it back to Twilight's without collapsing from exhaustion.
---
"Gilda, are you sure this is the best time to strike?" I asked my griffon companion.

"Of course it is! It's raining, everypony is going to be inside, staying warm and dry while we prepare to rid the world of two ponies who have had it coming to them" she rubbed her talons menacingly.

Ugh, putting up with this griffon is being a pain in the flank I thought, Trixie hopes this will be all worth it.

I thought about Twilight Sparkle, the unicorn that ruined my life. After showing me up with that Ursa Minor incident, I tried performing in different parts of Equestria. But the news that I was a huge phony spread around quickly, and I was literally booed out of every single place I tried to perform. That is, until I found the Cult of the Crescent Moon, one of its members came to me and asked if I knew a Twilight Sparkle. When I agreed he gave me a scroll giving the location, and told me if I ever wanted revenge, then come to that place. When I arrived I was treated with hospitality, something that I, the Great and Powerful Trixie, have never felt. Once again I was asked if I wanted revenge on that lavender unicorn, when I agreed they… did strange things to me, they branded my flank with an insignia, and injected my body with magical energy, increasing my magical prowess tenfold. However, this did cause some havoc in my actual body, and now I have to focus in trying to keep the magic stable. Otherwise… boom, my body is only able to take so much, but the power is intoxicating. Sometimes I feel like no other unicorn can best me, not even Celestia. My power is rich, and pure, I am how a true unicorn should be, and nothing can stand in my way.

We settled down in a clearing, and Gilda pulled out some hay out of a bag she had. She handed me it and said, "Here, you're going to want this."

This took me totally by surprise, "Um, Gilda, Trixie is… confused, why would you give me th-"

"Just take it! Stupid unicorn." She interrupted.

With that I levitated the hay and took a bite out of it, "Aren't you going to eat something?" I questioned.

"Psh, yeah, I'll be right back." The griffon replied. She went off into the woods for about five minutes and came back with two mice in her bloodied beak. I had never quite adjusted to her… tastes, since equines don't eat meat, and truthfully it disgusted me.

Gilda saw my look and said, "If you can't get over the fact that I eat meat, then you can just run your precious little unicorn self back to the base." She took another bite, "and I don't have the time to deal with squeamish ponies."

She finished the two mice, got up and said, "Alright lets go."

"But we've been walking all day! Trixie believes we at least need time to rest!" I cried.

Gilda turned, and looked like she was about to rake my face in, "Look you little insufferable, third person speaking, unicorn! I don't care for you in the slightest, the only thing that we have in common is that we have a desire for revenge! If you can't keep up with me, then I have no use for you."

I felt my anger starting to rise, but I knew it was best not to fight now, save it for Twilight. "Humph! I say we rest, but if you want to continue then fine."
---
I poked my head out of the cloud and saw that I was near nighttime, probably 6:00PM or so, I heard my stomach grumble, Heh, I haven't eaten anything all day. I'll get something on the way back. I heard the sound of yelling down below, and looked down to see two shapes, one I could make out was a equine, but the other… I had no clue,

"Adomia, if I may interrupt, that's a griffon." Fluttershy said.

I thought you said you would only speak when necessary. I thought.

"Yes but, I know that griffon, she was… wait a second, let me try something here."

I was about to ask what she was talking about, but I instantly felt pain in my mind, I had to close my eyes it was almost unbearable, like my head was about to explode. When I opened them I knew I wasn't myself anymore, it was a clear day, and I was trotting backwards through the main street in Ponyville. In front of me were a duck, and her ducklings. I'm not going to lie, they looked adorable, and as I was walking I felt a body hit my flank. I turned around to see a weird half bird half lion creature staring at me, with piercing yellow eyes.

"Please excuse me" I said in a soft and shy tone.

"I'm walking here!" the creature yelled

"Oh um… I-I-I was just trying to-"

"I'm sorry; I'm sorry" she said in a mocking tone, "Why don't you just watch where you were going doofus!"

"B-b-b-but… I… I…" I squeaked.

The griffon took a deep breath and roared at me, and it was louder than anything I have ever heard.

The memory ended and I was returned to my real body, What the hell was that! I silently hollered in outrage.

"One of my memories I had when I was alive, that shape you saw is a griffon named Gilda, and she's heading in the general direction of Rainbow Dash's home, but why?" Fluttershy replied.

I thought about it for a second, and I had a flashback to the concert last night, when the other assassin was hypnotized by my gaze, "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." that statement rang in my mind.

I gasped in shock as I pieced it together; that griffon is going to kill Rainbow Dash!

I jumped out of the cloud and glided onto the ground, making sure I had everything in order, crossbow… check. Hidden Blade… Check. I was about to start galloping for her life, but I stopped for a second, Wait a second… Why would I want to save Rainbow Dash? She hasn't forgiven me for what I did, and treats me like filth, why do I suddenly feel like I owe her something? the memory of being strapped to the bed, and Rainbow's hoof slamming into my muzzle, and eye. Getting a black eye, and a bloody snout, her threats to call Luna's guards, and all the worrying for her loyalty before the battle against Luna. *tch* "Adomia, this is the right thing you need to do. You're a different pony now, even if you don't like it. Time to grow up, and stop trying to be a loner, and hey this might be the act of redemption I need. Maybe Rainbow will finally forgive me." I said outloud.

I unfurled my already sore wings, and took off in the direction that the griffon was heading.
---
"Looks like the rain should be done right about now." I said to myself.

Right when I said that the rain completely stopped, and I chuckled a little bit, "Dash, you genius you."

I stepped outside onto my cloud porch and was about to take off, but right as I finished stretching for a flying session. I realized that it was completely dark out, "Ugh, should've thought of this sooner, the one day I actually feel like practicing, it rains all day, and stops when its dark out."

I trotted back inside, and let myself fall into my comfy cloud couch, "everyday, it's just one complication after another." I said to nobody.

"Then why don't I just end your misery?" I heard a voice behind me.

"Wha-" was all I could manage before I was knocked back by a powerful punch to the stomach, and before I could hit my cloud wall, I felt my back being raked by powerful talons. Knocking me to the ground, and when my vision returned I saw a familiar bird – like face looking at me with a fire in her eyes.

"Gilda?" I managed, "what's going on?"

"What do you think Dash? You think I'm over here for a friendly get together? No, I'm here because I'm getting the revenge I so rightfully deserve!" She replied.

She took one of her talons and took a stab right at my face. I raised my foreleg to block it, and the sharp talons stabbed right into it, blocking the blow, but causing pain to flare into life on my leg. A scream of agony tore from my throat, and I took my leg down to see it pouring blood. It was frightening, her speed and strength were massively different last time we met.

Gilda laughed, "Like it? One of the many enhancements I received when you betrayed me."

"Did one of those enhancements include a coffin? Because you're going to need one when I'm done with you." I shouted.

"Ooh, such fire Dash, but all talk, now I'm going to make you experience true pain!" She fired back.

I kicked her stomach with my hind legs and knocked the wind out of her, and allowing me to get back on my hooves. She retaliated with a wild slash of her talon, I managed to dodge this, but before I could react, she sliced me in the wing, tearing off several feathers. When I got back down on the ground she lunged at me again, jamming her talons right into my stomach. She threw me to the ground, and I couldn't move.

"See Dash, your speed and strength are nothing compared to me. I really wished I could've dragged this on longer, but I'm satisfied, aren't you?" She said mockingly.

"Why are you doing this Gilda? What did I ever do to you?" I asked pleadingly.

"Why am I doing this? You left me Dash! You left my side to join in those, pathetic ponies you now call friends. Wasn't my friendship enough for you?" She actually sounded sad she was doing this, "On second thought, don't answer, I don't need to hear anything coming out of your mouth ever again. See you later Dash, see you six feet down und-"
She was interrupted by a steel blade coming out of her throat.

"Yeah… I don't think so." I heard the familiar sound of a stallion.
---
The Griffon reared back as I took out my Hidden Blade, I jumped off and watched as the creature fell onto the cloud floor, and start to wheeze. Hm, looks like she isn't dead yet, probably since it is different anatomy. I thought.

I walked over to Rainbow Dash, who was looking horrible. She had a major wound on her stomach and foreleg, as well as some bruises on her face and other areas. "Rainbow, can you move?" I asked her.

She was a little hesitant, but she finally replied, "Yeah… I think so."

"Good, let's see if we can get you up."

I proceeded to get under her and placed her on my back. I carried her over to her couch and placed her on it.

"Rainbow, do you have any first aid supplies?" I asked, voice full of concern.

"No, I don't keep any of that stuff around… always like to tough it out." She replied, still as proud as ever.

I sighed and I ripped some of my cloak off to wrap around her exposed leg, belly, and wing.

"That'll have to do for now, the injuries are pretty bad, but with some proper disinfecting and bandages it should heal right up."

Rainbow was about to say something, but we heard a cough behind us. We both looked to see Gilda still breathing, but just barely, and neon red blood was spewing out of her mouth. I got Rainbow back up and on her hooves, she was able to hobble around just fine. We both got over to Gilda's dying corpse and she started to laugh, uncontrollably.

"What's so funny Gilda?" Rainbow said.

"You… think you have won?" Gilda asked, "You think… we would… only… aim for you...? Ha! Even if I… fail in killing you… My friend won't… in killing… the Element of Magic."

She started to laugh again, and I was completely floored, Twilight! She's the Element of Magic, oh Celestia, this is what that pony last night was talking about! "To eliminate the Element of Loyalty, and the Element of Magic." This is not good, this is not good!

I didn't even notice Gilda die, and Rainbow was shaking me, "Adomia! Snap out of it!"

That got my attention, "Rainbow… you called me by my actual name." I replied dumbly.

"We don't have time for that! What is Gilda talking about?" She replied.

My initial shock had faded, only to be replaced with anger, "I'll explain everything tomorrow I promise, but right now some equine is out killing… Twilight. Do you know of any other pony that would hold a grudge against her?"

Rainbow put her good hoof up to her head as she thought about it, after thinking for a minute she finally said, "Yeah… There was an incident a while ago, where a showpony named Trixie showed off to everypony how great she was, and after a little incident involving a Ursa Minor, Trixie ran off, and we haven't heard from her since."

That was proof enough for me, and I slipped my hood on, "Thanks, now if you'll excuse me. I have a certain lavender mare to save."

I was about to take off as fast as I could, but something Rainbow said stopped me, "You like her… don't you?"

I turned to face the beaten Rainbow Dash and paused for a second, "Yes, I do, and I will do everything in my power to protect you five, and especially her."

I galloped out of the home and took off into the air, however I knew my wings weren't going to hold for much longer. They were already tired from last night, any more intense flying might cause a fracture or sprain at the slightest.

---

I was boiling in rage at the thought of Twilight being attacked, I blocked out all the pain that was in my wings and finally arrived at her home. Maintaining top speed I charged right at the balcony, aiming to break through the glass door.

Crash! I broke through the door, glass bits flying everywhere, and everything seemed to slow down. I saw an azure unicorn, eyes glowing a near blinding cyan, but I didn't care about that. All I cared was for Twilight's safety. I slammed right into the unicorn, and strangely landed perfectly on my hooves. She was attempting to cast a spell but I slammed my elbow right on her scalp. The spell died, and in my rage I grabbed hold of her horn.

"Let me tell you one thing, you and your pathetic group. Do not, hurt, my, friends!" I yelled.

Before she could even react, I felt my hoof starting to bend to the right, harder, and harder, using all of my pent up rage as strength.

Snap! Her horn broke right off! Purple and cyan fluids spilled from the horn, and the stump. Her scream of agony was interrupted by a quick slash with my blade, slicing her throat open and the same fluids spilled out of her throat.
I was panting hard, and I looked behind me to see a bloody, and bruised Twilight Sparkle, panting just as hard. Her body was riddled with burns, and slashes. Scarlet blood was oozing out of multiple wounds, and I felt all of my anger fizzle out to be replaced by concern and fear.

I saw Twilight looking at me and her eyes grew wide, "Adomia, your blood! It's steaming!" She cried.

I looked at my wounds from the glass to see that she was right, a clear vapor was coming out of every single wound, blood was still there, but it was all… indescribable, putting my hoof to one I yelped in pain, it felt hotter than boiling water!

After a few seconds of calming down, the steam stopped, and I sighed with relief. I trotted over to Twilight and asked, "You OK Twilight?"

She looked deep into my bright red eyes, after a few seconds she threw herself around me, and started to cry.

My face blushed a deep red, and I heard between her sobs, "you have no idea how worried I was, for my life, and for you!"

I returned her hug, pouring all of my concern for her in an attempt to comfort her, I tried to say something, but couldn't find the right words. All I could do was hug her tight, and I wanted the moment to last forever. I could feel her fear starting to vanish, and she broke contact with me.

After we both treated our wounds (turns out I took a bunch of deep scrapes from the glass, and my wings were definitely sprained.) I prepared some warm apple cider tea to calm the both of us down. I got to admit Fluttershy, your memories on cooking, are probably the best part about having you merge with me. The memories on how to treat animals helped with tending the wounds, I would've never thought of using boiling hot water to stop bleeding in open cuts.

I heard Fluttershy laugh a little, "Happy to help" she replied.

I trotted out to the main room with the tea and cups in hoof. I could see Twilight was thinking about something, and she didn't notice me until I poured her a cup. She levitated the cup up to her mouth and took a sip.

"Wow Adomia, that tea is really good! Taste just like Fluttershy's" She shoved her hooves into her mouth as if that would take back what she said.

I laughed at this, "It's alright Twilight, I know what happened when I died. You don't need to keep it a secret anymore." I said happily.

She sighed with relief, "Thank Celestia, it was becoming unbearable. But, I'm afraid she has ordered me to ask you some questions, to see if your deep memories are still there after you figured out what happened."

A confused look spread over my face, "you mean she knew that Fluttershy's memories and traits would blend with mine when I came back alive?" I asked, not so much in anger, but curiosity.

Twilight nodded, "Seems so, but like I said these questions are going to go pretty deep, are you ready for that?"

I was about to say no, but Applejack's words rung in my mind, "You need to learn to open up Adomia, let folk inside, you can only face so much by yerself." I pondered on those words for a moment, She's right, I've been bottling up everything for so long, I guess if one pony had to know it would be Twilight.

"Alright then Twilight, what's the first question?" I asked
---
We spent a handful of time on those questions Celestia picked out, all was going well. Until Twilight asked a question I did not want to hear, "This is the final question Adomia, can you give me a synopsis of your life before you were betrayed by Luna, your family, etc."

I turned my head away from her, "yes I can, but I don't want to answer." I replied softly.

"Come on Adomia, this is the final question, and then I'll be off your back." Twilight persuaded.

I sighed, "Ok fine" I took a deep breath and began, "I was a normal pegasus born in Cloudsdale, and life was simple, I had a loving mother and father, no other siblings though. Then one day when I was still pretty young, around six or so… they left me. I woke up one morning to find them gone, no note, nothing. I hopefully thought they would return, but… they didn't. I sat there on the cloud floor, not moving a muscle for a whole day. I didn't eat, I didn't drink, nor did I sleep. I just sat there, waiting and hoping they would come back. After a whole month of waiting in that small home, I realized that they weren't ever coming back…"

"Gosh… Adomia I'm sorry, that'll be all I guess." Twilight said, voice filled with sadness.

"No Twilight, let me finish… I need to get this off my chest." I replied, and continued words just tumbling out, "I remember going outside into the night on the day I realized they weren't coming back. I sat on the edge of Cloudsdale, looking up at the moon, crying my eyes out. Wishing my mother and father back more than anything, "maybe I just don't deserve parents" I remember thinking. Then I stood up, and trotted to the very edge of a cloud, something that should've never been done since I couldn't fly really well back then. I… put one hoof over, and wondered what it would be like to die. Right as I was about to fall to my death I heard a voice in my mind, "Stop!" the voice yelled. I looked around to see where it was coming from, and I hollered out in fear, "W-who's there?" I remember feeling so afraid, and so sad at the same time."

Tears were now flowing out of my eyes, dropping off my face and onto the wooden floor, "The voice said that she was Princess Luna, or the Mare in the Moon. I asked where she was, and she told me, "Up in the moon, little one." I looked up to see the formation of a pony of some sort, engraved on the moon. She then told me that she has a purpose for me, and then and there I felt happy again. Happy that I wasn't going to be alone anymore."

Twilight got a little bit closer to me, making me feel really nervous. I took another deep breath and continued, "Then training began, and Luna got me a home in Canterlot. Over my entire childhood into my teen years I trained with her, she would tell me what to do, and I'd do it. Most of the time it was reading some diaries of assassins, but others, were aimed at giving me increased agility, and to ignore pain. I remember specifically one of these training sessions, I was out in the woods and Luna told me, "An assassin needs to have superior agility, and quick reaction time. I want you to go through this entire forest, at first galloping then flying, as fast as you can and I don't want you to knick a single tree." I thought it was impossible at the time, but in the time I spent with Luna I treated her like a mother, and I loved her like a son would. So I did that training from sun up until sun down, and by the end I was bruised and bleeding all over, and tears were on my face I was in so much pain. I guess Luna saw this and yelled in my mind, "What are you doing?!" I cried, "I'm sorry Luna, it just hurts so much!" then she replied, "You're crying on the job? You're pathetic." That caused me to get back up and throw myself back through the forest, no matter how much pain. I didn't care I just wanted Luna to be happy. Finally, when Luna came back into the physical world, and I saw her for the first time, I was at a loss for words. She tossed me a Hidden Blade and said, "Adomia, looks like we have some work to do." I worked with her for about four years, killing small criminals and sometimes leaders of small companies. It was a simple life, then I got the contract to kill Fluttershy, and the rest is history."

I finally finished, and I felt happy that I got it off my chest, but it was overshadowed by all the grief, and sadness I just relived. "That's why I am so… inconsiderate, and lack kindness, and love. It's because… I never had anything like – MPPPHHH!" I couldn't finish my sentence because Twilight grabbed my head, and forcefully planted her lips onto mine. My eyes were wide open with shock, and hers were gently closed. I felt my body go limp over these strange, intoxicating feelings. All of my worry, grief, and sadness was washed away, and for once in my life I felt… loved.

However I could only enjoy these feelings for a split second, because my assassin instincts kicked in and I felt my body tense up, and I pushed myself away from the warm, loving kiss.

My blush was tiny compared to Twilights when I saw her, her entire face turned to a warm red and she said quickly, "I-I-I'm so sorry Adomia, you just looked so sad, and I felt my emotions take over, it was like I didn't have any control!"

After my initial shock faded, I tried to comprehend what just happened, when I realized I just had my first kiss in my entire life, I felt truly happy, and I knew right then that she loved me, and I loved her.

Twilight regained some of her composure and said, "I-I'm sorry I did that Adomia, it's just that." She turned to face me, "I love you Adomia, more than anything, even books. I just couldn't tell you because I couldn't muster up the courage, but now I just ruined what friendship we had…" She was about to continue with her bashing, but I decided that was enough, and I grabbed hold of her, and planted my lips lovingly onto hers. I felt my wings start to… stiffen, and pop out of their folded position. The force caused us to fall over, and Twilight was right on top of me.

"I feel the same way Twilight, for a while now, but I was too riddled with pent up sadness, and guilt that I was too blind to see that you felt the same way. I'm sorry I had to put you through so much" I looked at Twilights wounds to emphasize the message.

We sat there in the room deep into the night. Sometimes talking, sometimes not at all, just enjoying each others company. After laying there for who knows how long, Twilight got off my belly, and said, "I'm going to sleep, I suggest you do to, even assassins need their rest."

I laughed lightly at this, "Oh, you'd be surprised. But yeah, today has been a long day."

We both went up to bed not as friends, but as lovers, and I finally felt content, and happy with the life I have.

Oh how that would change.

To be continued…

Next Chapter: After the Storm Estimated time remaining: 3 Hours, 45 Minutes