As they all made their way back to Watcher’s apartment, Midnight couldn’t help but notice that his cousin was acting strange. It was mainly whenever he brought up the case involving the rune stones, that Watcher would subtly change the subject.

“Watcher I think we should-”

“Hey, I’ve been meaning to ask about this place down in Ponyville, it’s called… Sweet Apple Acres? Is the cider they make down there really as good as they claim it to be?” Watcher asked, turning his gaze towards Big Mac.

“Uh, eeyup,” Macintosh nodded, “but, unless it’s fer special occasions, we only make cider t’ sell in th’ fall so we can make enough bits tuh keep th’ farm afloat through th’ winter.”

“I see, the only reason why I even brought this up, cause of the cider I had a while back in Trottingham, and they claimed it was from Sweet Apple Acres, and… well… It tasted like I was drinking shit.” Watcher explained in deadpan, “I complained about it and they said to take it up with the owners who made it or I just have horrible taste.”

“Now wait just an apple-pickin’ minute!” Macintosh took umbrage, “We ain’t got any fam’ly livin’ in Trottingham, so whoever toldja tha’ was Apple Fam’ly cider was lyin’ through their teeth!”

“Whoa, calm down, big guy,” Thunderlane said, gently fanning Mac’s steaming ears and face with his wing.

“Uh, Watch? When was this?” asked Midnight, having a suspicion.

“This was about a year ago when I was hired as a bodyguard for this rich guy’s little punk. When the job got stressful I heard from one of the security guys told me about this bar called ‘Willy’s Sweet Bar’ and they had some of the best cider in town… So I took their word and decided to give it a shot… But like I said, it was the worst cider I’ve had… Told me they got it from some folks that claimed it was from Sweet Apple Acres.” Watcher explained, already getting the idea he had been lied to. “So… any of this ringing a bell or?”

“Hmm, memo to myself,” Midnight said while conjuring a notepad and pen, “‘Have Hoods stationed in Trottingham look into possible cider scam against Sweet Apple Acres’.”

He then Vanished the notepad and pen before saying, “I asked, because I thought you might have bought the swill cider from a certain pair of unicorn salesponies I dealt with not too long ago. But anyways, Watcher, I wanted to ask about the runestone.”

“Hold on! Salesponies? They wouldn’t happen to have been… the Flim-Flam brothers would they?” Watcher asked immediately, his eyes narrowing.

“Watcher…” Midnight was starting to get annoyed. His cousin was clearly dodging the question.

“Wait, you know those guys?” Thunderlane jumped in.

“Know them? Those scamming two bit punks tried to trick some old friends of mine out of their bits before I found out and gave one of them a black eye. If there’s one thing I hate the most are a couple of amateur scam artists.” Watcher explained, slightly irked by remembering the twins who nearly cheated his old acquaintances out of their money.

“Alright, good for you, Watch, but we should talk about the runestone and whoever might be behind it,” Star interjected, looking insistent.

“By the way Star, didn’t you mention a similar incident on one of your dates… who was it again? He made you pay for the entire dinner, and seats for the theater and practically left you alone for some dame-”

“I thought I told you to NEVER bring up that lowlife and bitch again!” Star shouted, her face turning bright red after slugging the dark grey unicorn in the shoulder, recalling that embarrassing night where she practically swooned over that con-artist and was left for some hussy stripper.

“Sorry, sorry, it was just a funny story that I remembered after mentioning those flim-flam guys and I guess I sorta forgot. Besides, you didn’t exactly say keep it a secret… just told me not to mention it to the other guys on patrol.” Watcher apologized, unable to hide his smug smirk.

“Other guys?” Thunderlane asked.

“Ah, right, you wouldn’t know about the other Hoods in this area.” Watcher explained, still rubbing his arm. “You want to explain Star? Since you know more than I do… at least what you can say?”

“Uh- Well, Thunder,” Star hesitated a moment before looking to Midnight who gave her a ‘go ahead’ gesture, and she cleared her throat, “Manehatten is one of the biggest cities in Equestria, and has one of the highest crime rates. Hoods are stationed in different cities and towns based on a number of factors, including crime rates as well as their severity.

“Watcher and I aren’t the only two Hoods here in Manehatten, but we’re the two here in the district of Broadway. There are other Hoods in the other districts., and we help each other if we request it.”

“Okay, I can see how that works,” Thunderlane responded while giving it a thought.

“Now, if we could just get back to the runestone-” Midnight tried to say, only for Watcher to cut him off.

“Anyways, if you do happen to meet the other hoods at some point, don’t mention the story I brought up with Star. She really couldn’t face them for a week.”

“WATCHER FLAMEBRIGHT!!!!” Midnight snapped, blazing blue magical flames flowing out the corners of his eyes.

“Yes, Midnight Blaze? Is there something you need cuz?” Watcher asked innocently, as he looked unfazed.

Midnight glared at his cousin with the intensity of a flamethrower, before taking a deep breath and using Cadance’s calming technique. The flames in his eyes subsided, but didn’t extinguish. Instead, they were now small yet focused, like the blue flame of a cutting torch, as he gave Watcher the look of an authority figure.

“I am going to ask nicely, just this once…” Midnight stated before demanding, “Stop dicking around, quit changing the subject, and spill your guts on what’s got you so flustered about this runestone… before I make you….”

“Changing the subject huh? Well, if I recall from the rules involving certain case files, I am not allowed to divulge sensitive material to those who aren’t members of the hood. I am just following the rules, that you insist I follow. Don’t think for a moment I’ve forgotten The about the case, Midnight, so if you want to know more… just wait patiently cuz.” Watcher explained, glaring back at the alicorn.

Midnight's shadow suddenly expanded behind him, umbral tentacles rising and writhing like snakes, as Midnight bore his fangs, and glared bloody angst at the dark gray unicorn.

“You really want to do this now? Cuz this won’t end well Midnight,” Watcher said, his horn glowing as purple flames formed around him.

“Alright, that’s enough, both of you!!” Star got between them, and said, “First off, kiss already…”

“HEY!!!” both cousins snapped at her, their displays of petty intimidation snuffing out by their having been taken off guard in an indignant manner.

“Second, Watcher, Midnight is right,” Star gave her junior hood a scolding look, “You’re dodging the subject at hoof and something about the case is clearly bothering you.

“Macintosh and Thunderlane both know about the Hoods, so they’re privy to whatever information Midnight deems fit, so quit using their not being Hoods as an excuse and start talking already, dammit!”

Watcher couldn’t help but glare at the pegasus before turning his gaze away from her. He didn’t like that look she gave him whenever he was uncooperative. He couldn’t explain why but he knew he couldn’t keep this up forever. “Tch! Fine… You want to know why? I don’t want… Anyone involved in this case.”

“Why?! You were the one who insist- Wait, you know who’s involved don’t you?” Star asked, receiving a nod from Watcher as he let out a sigh.

“Of course he does, and so does Montagu.” Midnight pointed out, “He was gonna say something, but Watcher got him to clam up.”

“I’ll tell you guys everything, AFTER we get inside! I’m not comfortable sharing this out in the open, you never know who's watching.” Watcher explained, looking up at the buildings.

The group moved in awkward silence for no more than a few minutes, but it felt like hours before they made it up the stairs of the apartment complex and reached his room. Unlocking the door, they all quickly made their way inside, before Watcher closed the door and locked it immediately. His horn glowed brightly as he muttered. “Silencio!” and a barrier formed around his apartment.

Midnight got the idea and his horn lit as he cast several protective wards of his own, reinforcing the protections Watcher’s apartment already had, as well as some improvements in the overall setup.

“The apartment is soundproof now and it should still look like no one is home. We should be good to talk now.” Watcher explained. “Before we start… there’s one thing I need.”

“What?” Midnight asked, already tired of his stalling.

“A drink, I’m not saying anything about this without some liquid courage.” Watcher explained.

“Hmm, fair enough,” Midnight shrugged as he summoned a vintage bottle of legitimate Sweet Apple Acres cider, “Gotta love temporal stasis, keeps anything as good and fresh as the moment it was ready for indulgence.”

He conjured some glasses and offered everypony present a cup, saying, “This is the kind Mac and his family make, but not for underage customers.”

Watcher accepted the glass of golden brown liquid and could smell the unmistakable smell of apples, as well as the telltale scent of alcohol. He gave everypony a look before saying, “Bottom’s up…”

He did just that, and the others joined him. After downing his glass, Watcher gasped a little, feeling the mild burn of an adult drink simmer around his mouth and down his throat, before a pleasant bubbling in his stomach made itself known… and then he let out a gnarly belch that reverberated out his mouth and around his apartment walls.

The others made similar expulsions out of their own mouths, but none were quite on Watcher’s level.

“Ho! Oh, that’s good… Alright, what do you want to know?” the dark gray unicorn asked.

“Montegu, he was explaining to us about the rune stones, but you got him to clam up, why?” Midnight asked before fiercely adding, “And no more stalling!”

“I know, but the reason I got the old coot to shut up is because I don’t want him getting involved in this. The guy’s already served Equestria, and he doesn’t need to do any more else. Especially since he has a family, and the last thing I want is for them to find his corpse hanging outside his shop by his entrails.” Watcher explained, taking a sip from his glass as everyone’s eyes widened by his words. Except Midnight. He’d seen similar gruesome incidents in his time, but still.

“W-What?” Star muttered, feeling a sudden weight dropping into the pit of her stomach.

“Tell me… are you familiar with the… House of Assassins?” Watcher asked, looking directly at Midnight.

“...I encountered someone I believed to be affiliated with them several years ago, when I was following a lead that led me to Afriska,” Midnight recalled that experience. “There were rumors of a group of assassins that originated from Zebrabwe, lots of ghost stories, some sounded like cautionary tales.

“But the individual I encountered led me to believe the House of Assassins is real, the kind of killers who give even crimelords nightmares. Before I could capture him to take him in for interrogation, he took his own life by drinking poison. All I got from him was, there are things far more frightening than death…”

“Well I guess I shouldn’t be surprised you aren’t that familiar with them… They always did a damn good job of covering their tracks. Even making their own clients take their own lives due to the horrific things they’ve done to keep their mouths shut… Even me telling you this already paints a hit on me now.”

“The House of Assassins… they are real, and they’ve been around for a long time, a very long time. You could even call me an honorary member since I’ve worked closely with them in the past.” Watcher explained, already getting a feeling that he’s already said too much.

“Ya mean ta tell us you worked with em?” Big Mac already glaring at him.

“Yes… It’s a long story that I don’t plan to explain, because right now we don’t have a lot of time. Right now, all of you need to get your shit and leave Manehatten immediately. The rune stones that have been appearing in this city, and the common criminals that somehow got their hooves on them. They were made by the House of Assassins, a tribe far out in Zebrabwe. They always took those that were abandoned when they were young and raised to be trained killers… They had been around a long time… long time… they can make anything seem like an accident, make anyone that makes their list disappear. Erase family trees from history as if they didn’t even exist… Even those who do know they exist are kept silent.” Watcher paused for a moment as memories of Silver Smith flashed through his mind again.

Taking a deep breath, he continued. “They did leave for awhile… thanks to you, Midnight, when you pretty much reduced crime here in Equestria to practically nothing after that Coup of Avarice incident. Now that they are back they are gonna finish what they had started… Me.”

“You?!” Star was alarmed. “What do they want with you, Watch?! I- You mentioned you were a member of sorts, but why would they want to get rid of you?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” All eyes turned to Midnight, who was looking at his cousin apprehensively, “He double crossed them.”

“It’s more complicated than that… but all I can really say is that the reason they are coming for me now. Is because I decided to go clean, to start over and leave that life I had behind. They probably think I’ve gone soft which is why they are coming now.”

“But they’re not the type of organization from which you can turn in your resignation,” presumed Midnight, before sighing, “I would have pursued them further, but they were stationed outside Equestria and I had other matters to deal with at the time. I should never have just written them off…”

“Midnight, you couldn’t have known… We haven’t spoken for years before I ended up calling for you to help with the Tower. You weren’t even 100% sure they were real, so don’t go blaming yourself. They weren’t going after me before, because of my reputation and my history with them. They probably thought that I wouldn’t leave that life of killing behind. Now that I have, they probably think I’m weak or not as cruel as I used to be. They’ve been sending me messages about coming… I’ve done a lot of shit that I deeply regret and honestly… I think it’s time that I truly paid for them.”

“You can’t just… give up.” Thunderlane said, sounding intimidated but not enough to just roll over and take it, “I mean, I get you made mistakes, and honestly it’s sickening, but you have a family to take care of, right? What about that filly you planned to adopt? Midnight mentioned a filly you are taking care-”

“Mini Eclair, is being taken in by my mother, and there’s a reason why I kept minimum contact with her for so long. I may have had my issues with my mother, but I still love her, but the work I did before was always risky, it’s why I kept a distance from her,” Watcher responded, sounding depressed yet unapologetic before stating under no uncertainty, “The House of Assassins are not your run-of-the-mill killers for hire. They are anything but common criminals. They are assassins who live for the kill… They have kill counts greater than any assassin in history.

“I may have been accepted as an honorary member, but that can only last so long. Not after what happened between me and-”

“Between you and who? Star asked.

“Well- That’s besides the point, the point I’m trying to make is that I am out of time. The rune stones were a message that they are here in Manehatten, and I may not know why they are distributing them to common crooks and scum, but I know they were meant for me to find. It was suspicious that a pegasus who couldn’t rob a grocery store before was suddenly able to rob banks with high level security and make off with thousands of bits… Whatever their plan is, I need to stop them. You guys need to go home.”

“Heh, dream on, dude,” Thunderlane scoffed. “No way we’re just gonna stand by and let you face these psychos alone.”
“Eeyup,” Macintosh nodded, “Fam’ly sticks t’gether, an’ yer fam’ly with th’ Apples whether ya like it or not.”

“You did hear everything I said right?” Watcher gave them the stink eye, however good intentioned it was, “Wiped family trees from history? Hanged ponies by their entrails in their shops? Made folks disappear, and subjected them to torture unimaginable. Made deaths look like accidents! You guys do know that I’m not exaggerating right?”

“Watcher, shut up.” Watcher flinched at the soft reproach that came from Star, as she gave him a hard look. A look of deepest concern as well as admonishing, as she walked up to him and looked up to him since he was taller than her.

Then, to Watcher’s surprise, Star threw her forelegs around his neck, hugging him tightly, warmly, protectively, and he heard her whisper straight into his ear.

“You’ve been on your own for far too long, bore this burden all by yourself… But you’re not alone anymore.”

Star let him go and stepped back, and Watcher was stunned to see a tear trailing down Star’s cheek as she gave him a caring smile, “You have your family, your friends, and you have your team! The Brotherhood of the Evening Hoods may use questionable methods to achieve their goals, but no matter what our mission is to protect and serve the people.

“That includes you, even if you weren’t a Hood. So stop trying to face this by yourself. You’re stuck with us, so deal with it, you big oaf.”

“Heh… I must be crazy if I’m even considering for a second to involve all of you in this.” Watcher said, feeling his cheeks redden as a smiled formed on his face, before realizing there is something important he needed to tell them. “Look, when I said it was a lot more complicated than just double crossing them, I need to tell you guys-”

*CRASH*

“GRAAAAAAAHHH!” A loud shriek was all that could be heard crashing through the glass windows of Watcher’s apartment before he was suddenly tackled by a statue-like figure, shaped basically like an ape, that plowed him through the wall.

“WATCHER!-” Midnight was suddenly cut off by another one of these statue-like creatures but this one was much taller and slimmer then the other one. He gazed up at it, how it resembled a large bipedal lizard with jaws like a crocodile.

Two more golems came out of nowhere, facing Macintosh, Thunderlane ,and Star, and Midnight was confused in addition to being alarmed, How did they get in here?! How could they have entered without setting off all the wards I placed upon this apartment!??!

He took notice of the golems’ purplish white and dark gray-brown, and saw they appeared to be made of quartz crystal as well as some other kind of stone. He quickly cast a dowsing spell, and was impressed by the spellwork imbued into these malevolent models.

“Alrighty you evil edifice!” Midnight said dramatically to the golem in front of him before pulling on a construction worker hardhat and spoke gruffly, “You’re a public eyesore, and it’s my official duty t’ wipe youse off th’ landscape!”

He summoned his sword and called out, “Knights! Present arms!”

Macintosh and Thunderlane got the idea and summoned their own swords before each of them held their blades and channeled their power.

“Find the Light… Nightfall!”
“Pierce the Heavens… Skystrike!”
“Stand tall… Stone Edge!”

Each stallion became engulfed in bursts of magic that swirled around them before zooming in and hitting seemingly random points of their bodies, and turning into pieces of armor at the points of impact, and before long each of the three were fully clad in their knightly armor and helms while their swords had transformed into their unique weapons.

Nightfall was a pair of armored gauntlets with claws.

Skystrike was a bow without a string.

Stone Edge was a heavier sword paired with a round shield.

If Watcher had been able to take the time to admire the Knights of Harmony in their full glory, he would have been in sheer awe. Instead, he was holding off the golem that had pounced him into the wall with a Mana Shield to block its attacks as the ape-shaped construct was ramming at Watcher with its crystalline fists.

“GRRRR… Damn Narbus! Didn’t think he’d get involved as well!” Watcher shouted, his horn beginning to flicker as a large blast of purple flames ignited, sending the large golem flying off him and crashing into the one Midnight was fighting. “This… wasn’t what I was expecting…”

Star immediately pulled out an unassuming penfrom her satchel, clicking it. Instead of the pen nub coming out the tip, the entire pen extended and even thickened to a degree, transforming into a metal bo-staff. “Who the buck is Narbus!?”

“He’s a diamond dog that was brought in as a pup… he was raised by the House of Assassins… He’s a rune stone carver and golem maker, one of the best there is…” Watcher explained, as several orbs of purple flames formed above him. “But sending in these things? It’s messy and conspicuous. It’s not like them… it’s like they threw subtlety out the window.”

Macintosh slammed the edge of Stone Edge’s shield against the golem he faced, taking satisfaction when he saw a crack form at the point of impact even though the golem kept attacking.

Thunderlane didn’t waste time, and pulled a non-existent string on Skystrike, causing an arrow made of electric yellow energy to materialize, and he fired, the arrow making its mark, striking the point on the golem Macintosh had damaged. Though there was no physical damage, the golem stopped and shook as though it were in the midst of a spasm. It jerked and moved haphazardly, like a short-circuiting robot. Mac seized the moment and stabbed the sword of Stone Edge straight into the point of impact, and was not at all surprised when the blade skewered the crystal golem as easily as stabbing through styrofoam. Then with a roaring heave, Mac swung, pulling his sword and cleaved the golem completely in twain, as its two halves fell apart, its pieces crumbling and its energy snuffing out.

“GRAAAAAAH!!!” The tall thin golem roared in anger as it leaped towards Watcher. Swiftly, Watcher fired off a barrage of fire balls at the lizard-like statue, hitting it directly as a plume of smoke filled the air.

Watcher waited patiently for the smoke to clear, but was instead met by the creature’s hand grasping his face, and suddenly the golem began to glow. In a burst of light, the golem exploded, blinding Midnight, Star and everyone in the room. Once the smoke cleared, the remaining golems were gone and Watcher was nowhere to be seen.

“Watcher…?!” Star uttered in confused disbelief.

A burst of prismatic energy and Watcher kerplumped into a gritty alleyway, and was immediately pinned to the ground by the remaining golems. He struggled and grunted, snapping, “Get your mitts off me, you oversized lawn ornaments!”

“GRRRRR… Long time, no see… Black Death… We’ve been waiting expecting you FOoOrrrrR a while!” Standing above him was a white diamond-dog with gray stripes, wearing a brown cloak.

“N-Narbus! Didn’t think they’d send you… I was expecting-”

“Who? NyRRRRRRa?!” Narbus asked, glaring at the unicorn, before stepping to the side.

Watcher’s eyes widened as he was greeted with a familiar face he hadn’t seen in awhile. Zebra who’s beauty was unmatched by even the most beautiful pony in Equestria, from her braided mane tied back to her beautiful ruby red eyes. “Nyra…”

“We never forgive, Watcher…” she said with a soft voice so ominous it made Watcher all the more afraid as she added, “and we never… forget.”

Next Chapter: 431. Hunted from the Past - Part 5 Estimated time remaining: 49 Minutes