An Unexpected Visit

[By the way, Clarity = Six (not her age), if anyone is wondering]

Three months had passed since the operation to terminate Shadow “Dead Eye” Rider. The winter still rages on, and Luna still refuses to discontinue the day and night cycle. Luna and Celestia were informed of the Spec Ops’s operation a day afterwards, and they didn’t let it go unpunished. The Equestrian Spec Ops was disbanded a week later under the direct order of the two princesses.

But that didn’t mean it was over.

The operatives that were in the Equestrian Spec Ops were enraged by the action, and formed a new organization, executing any pony who knew about their operations without hesitation. They were known as The Equestrian Saints, a group of highly trained killers that only wanted one thing to come out of Equestria. The death of the two Princesses.

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[Three months earlier]

December 24,  Administration office in Equestrian Spec Ops headquarters

Temperature: -39 degrees fahrenheit

Time: 5:13 A.M.

Shadow Rider pushed the administration officer off the chair and onto the floor. The blood on the screens of the cameras ran down the monitors as Shadow Rider sat down. He wiped the blood off the screen with a rag on the desk and tossed it aside.

“These bastards turning against their own operatives. If they want a war, they’ll have a war.” Shadow Rider said, typing on the keyboard. He opened up the file on Operation “Revival” AKA “Dead Stop”. The file appeared on the screen through the smears of blood wiped across it. Shadow began to read the actual intentions of the operation.

“Units in Cloudsdale will release the prisoners and continue the normal season cycles? No... The Spec Ops can’t be the ones making the winter this way...” Shadow Rider said, reading the real operation details. The stallions headset came on, the search team contacting him. Shadow Rider picked up the headset and put it on.

“Administration? Is anyone there? We heard a gun shot, what happened?” The search team asked. Shadow Rider looked over at the stallion he had shot.

“Everything is fine, I thought I heard something.” Shadow said, impersonating Administration’s voice almost perfectly.

“Oh, well then. A little bit of an over reaction?” The search team asked in a slightly teasing manner.

“Come back to Administration headquarters, we have something to celebrate the succession of the operation. It’s a surprise” Shadow Rider said, a slight smirk on his face.

“Oh, a surprise? Well, we will be back as soon as we can.” Search team said, turning off their headsets.

“A surprise indeed...” Shadow said, taking off the headset and putting it on the stallion’s head.

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Time: 5:48 A.M., Administration office in headquarters

The search team came through the doors to the administration office.

“So, what’s this surprise we are-” One of the search team stallions said. They stopped in the doorway at the sight of the administration stallion laying on the floor, a bullet hole in the back of his head. They ran up to him and took off the headset.

“Who the hell did this?” One of the other stallions asked, looking at the lifeless stallion on the floor. Another walked up to the monitor and opened the file that was minimized. It was the operation details, but the screen said it had been edited.

“Go ahead, open it.” The stallion looking at the administration stallion said. The other search team members walked up to the screen and read the details as it opened.

"When you realize that your own ponies want you dead, don't expect things to turn out well. -”Dead Eye” " The text in the operation details said. Multiple beeping sounds came from all around the room as pre-placed explosives were being armed for detonation.

“Dead Eye you son of a-” One of the stallions started to say, but was cut off by the explosion of over three hundred pounds of explosives setting off.

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[Three months later]

March 23, inside the royal Canterlot palace hall

Temperature: -26 degrees fahrenheit

Time: 9:32 P.M.

The royal guards standing at the end of the hall watched as a hooded stallion walked through the doors of the palace hall.

“That’s far enough, stay where you are.” One of the royal guards said as the stallion stopped halfway in the hall. The stained glass windows portrayed their art on the floor of the hall as the sun came through a hole in the clouds. The winter’s relentless behavior still raged on, many more ponies freezing or starving to death in the harsh conditions. Celestia stood in between the two guards, watching as the stallion took off his hood. Shadow Rider looked up at the guards and Celestia.

“You! You are the stallion that attempted to assassinate Princess Luna three months earlier, are you not?” The other royal guard said, fixing his gaze on Shadow Rider.

“A simple hello would’ve been nice, but yes, that would be me.” Shadow Rider said.

“You have no business here, leave at-” The royal guard was cut off by Celestia raising her wing in front of him.

“Now, now, let’s hear what he has to say. What is your purpose here?” Celestia asked, lowering her wing.

“This is the place to recruit to be Luna’s personal guard, is it not?” Shadow Rider asked, taking off the cloak around his body. The cloak reveled a sniper, a Remington 700 bolt action, the sniper Shadow had used to terminate the Ibex Empire’s leader. The royal guards started to walk towards Shadow to arrest him, but Celestia lifted her wings in front of them.

“It’s alright, stallions. There is no need for alarm.” Celestia said. The royal guards stepped back into their positions hesitantly and Celestia lowered her wings. Shadow put the sniper down on the ground and looked up at Celestia and the royal guards.

“So you are here to recruit to be Luna’s personal guard?” Celestia asked.

“Yes, your highness.” Shadow replied.

“And you are also the one who tried to assassinate her, and would have if the mission hadn’t have gone hay-wire?”

“Yes.”

“And you expect a position at the side of the very same alicorn you tried to kill?”

“Yes. I will do my best at ensuring her safety.”

Celestia’s mouth curved into a smile.

“Then let us see if you can prove your worth.” Celestia said.

“But... Princess! This is the stallion that tried to KILL Luna, not protect her! You are putting your sister’s life on the line!” The royal guards said.

“I realize that, but he did stay loyal to the mission he was supposed to complete. If he could have stayed loyal to a mission of such importance, there is no doubt that he can with-hold himself on a mission such as protecting Luna.” Celestia said. The royal guards sighed and walked out in front of the stand they were behind.

“If you agree to the test we are about to perform, you are accepting that you are willing to protect Princess Luna, be at her side when she asks of you, and make sure that she is not in any way fatally wounded. If you fail to maintain her safety and something should happen to her, you will be executed. If you do pass this test, you will become Princess Luna’s personal guard under the judgment of Princess Celestia. Do you accept the terms of this task?” The royal guards said.

“I accept them.” Shadow Rider replied.

“Then let us begin.” Celestia said. Her horn glowed with a purple aura, along with the windows, a magical barrier preventing any damage to be dealt to them. The royal guards adjusted their helmets and glared at Shadow Rider. Shadow waited as the royal guards charged at him.

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March 23, inside royal Canterlot palace hall

Temperature: -30 degrees fahrenheit

Time: 10:19 P.M.

Shadow landed back on the ground after delivering the final blow to the first royal guard. The royal guard fell to the floor, battered and bruised from the unrelenting force of Shadow’s attacks. The other royal guard was getting up, bleeding from the nose and mouth. Shadow dashed over to the royal guard and jumped into the air, turning himself around and extending his back legs into the royal guards head. The royal guard flew backwards from the force of Shadow’s drop kick as Shadow landed back on his hooves. The royal guards both lay on the floor, unconscious and beaten. Shadow turned to face Celestia, almost unscathed by the battle between him and the royal guards, Shadow bleeding from the mouth slightly.

“I underestimated you, "Dead Eye". It appears that you can handle yourself quite well in hoof to hoof combat. Most of the other former Dead Eyes couldn't last in a hoof fight.” Celestia said, letting go of the magical barriers around the windows.

“I aim to do my best at what I do.” Shadow said, bowing to Celestia.

“I will have the royal guards get medical attention after we are through, so do not worry about them. Now, if you will come with me, Shadow Rider.” Celestia said as she walked up to Shadow. Celestia and Shadow walked back into the palace entrance and to the right of the hall doors, a single flight of stairs with an elegant red carpet along it leading to a hallway in the palace.

“Princess Luna will be waiting in her room for you. There is no doubt that she will have you as her personal guard.” Celestia said. Shadow nodded as he started to walk up the steps. He turned the corner to face a hallway, fitted with exotic plants in well decorated pots lining the hallway to a door at the end of it. Two of Luna’s royal guards were standing at the end of the hallway, watching as Shadow walked down the hall. They stuck their wings out in front of Shadow as he walked up to the doors.

“And what do you think you are doing here? You had your chance to assassinate Luna, you will not be given another one. Leave immediately.” One of the guards said.

“If you don’t intend on getting your ass beat like the other two royal guards out there, I suggest you let me through.” Shadow Rider said.

“Let him in.” Luna said from within the room. The royal guards looked at each other and slowly lowered their wings. Shadow walked through the doors and shut them behind him. Luna was standing on the balcony over looking the snowy mountains, a light snowfall coming down on the balcony.

“Dead Eye, is that right?” Luna asked as she looked out at the mountains.

“That would be my title, yes.” Shadow said, starting to walk to Luna.

“That’s far enough.” Luna said as she turned to face him. Shadow stopped where he was, Luna looking at him with a slightly angry expression.

“It was you who tried to assassinate me in order to end the winter, am I correct?” Luna asked, starting to walk slowly towards Shadow Rider.

“That would be me, your highness.” Shadow Rider said.

“And what made you want to be my personal guardian, a “Guardian Angel”, if you will?”

“Redemption and revenge, ma’am. The Equestrian Spec Ops tried to eliminate me, and I will do anything in my power to seek revenge on them. No doubt that the new Spec Ops, The Equestrian Saints, have already tried to assassinate you, have they not?”

“Indeed they have, the bunch of outlaws, they are. In what way are you trying to seek revenge on them, might I ask?”

“I will act as a counter sniper for you, an assassin that will terminate the lives of the Equestrian Saint’s operatives and others that attempt to kill you. It is a benefit to each of us, you get your protection, and I get my revenge.” Luna paused and walked away from Shadow and over to her dresser. There was a picture of her and her sister together on it, Luna picking it up with her magic and looking at it.

“How do I know that I can trust you with my life and you won’t turn on me?” Luna asked as she put the picture back down on the dresser.

“To quote the terms of the task of protecting you, ‘If you fail to maintain her safety and something should happen to her, you will be executed’. Also, as long as I live, I get the chance to wreak havoc among the Equestrian Saints. I’m not much of a good use dead, now am I? I think those are fairly solid reassurances that I won’t take a gun to the back of your head and pull the trigger... not that I couldn’t.” Shadow Rider said. Luna smiled at Shadow Rider’s last remark. She walked over to him and put one of her hooves on his head.

“You’ll do just fine.” She said, taking off her hoof off of him and walking back to her bed.

“When do I start?” Shadow Rider asked, fixing his mane slightly.

“Come to the palace at seven o’clock tomorrow morning. You’ll be staying in Canterlot from now on, I’ll have a house paid for you, a stallion will be waiting downstairs to take you to your home with your things. I have a meeting with Celestia and the six ponies again tomorrow in Ponyville tomorrow, and I have heard rumors of the Equestrian Saints setting up an operation to terminate me. Looks like you might just be getting the outcome of this that you expected a little early. See you tomorrow, Shadow. You are dismissed.” Luna said. Shadow bowed at Luna and walked out of the doors of her room. The royal guards looked at him with hatred in their eyes as Shadow went out of view down the hallway.

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March 23, Shadow “Dead Eye” Rider’s new home

Temperature: -32 degrees fahrenheit

Time: 10:43 P.M.

The stallion and Shadow walked up to a vividly colored house not too far away from the royal palace. The weather outside was violent, the wind changing in different directions quickly and a heavy snowfall coming down on Canterlot. The candles and torches in the house lit up the area in front of the house through the windows, frost forming on the edges of the glass.

“This is it, Dead Eye, your new home. It’s being paid for by Luna herself, so do not worry about the expenses. Congratulations on becoming her guard, a lot of ponies had failed the test before you.” The stallion said. He started to walk away and Shadow opened the door to his new house. The interior of house had a warming feeling, a nice set of furniture in the main room and a lit fireplace on the wall to the left. Multiple paintings hung up on the walls, each of a different landscape of Equestria. The stairs on the other side of the room led to an elegant bedroom upstairs, a single bed with a nightstand and dresser next to it. A kitchen was placed in the door to the right, fitted with a large assortment of kitchen appliances and plenty of food.

Shadow set his sniper next to the door and walked over to the fireplace.

“This sure beats the hell out of Manehattan housing.” Shadow thought to himself as he set his hooded cloak down next to the fire place. Shadow laid down on the rug in front of the fire place and sighed.

“But something is missing about it...” Shadow thought to himself.

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[Four years before Operation “Revival”]

February 24, Manehattan, house of Shadow Rider and Clarity

Temperature: 10 degrees fahrenheit

Time: 7:24 P.M.

Shadow Rider opened the door to the house and walked inside.

“Clarity, I’m home! What’s that delicious smell?” Shadow Rider asked as he set his jacket on the hook on the wall.

“I’m cooking up some of those fancy grasses and legumes you got from the market yesterday, and I have to say, they look amazing, if I say so myself!” Clarity said from the kitchen, a slight sizzling noise coming from the kitchen.

“I can’t wait. So what are the plans for tonight?” Shadow asked as he walked into the kitchen. Clarity was wearing a white apron, her wings holding up the straps.

“Well, it is our anniversary, so I thought maybe we would eat... spend some time together... and go “off to bed”... if you know what I’m saying...” Clarity said, a hint of seductiveness in her voice as she ran a hoof across Shadow’s chin.

“I think I get it alright...” Shadow said, lightly kissing Clarity.

“But, before that... what did you get me!? I know what you do when you when you “get extra practice from Specter!” Clarity said, bouncing up and down slightly.

“You know I don’t like to spoil surprises. It’ll have to wait.” Shadow Rider said.

“Oh come on, please?” Clarity asked, grabbing Shadow’s hoof. Shadow smiled and stared into Clarity’s eyes.

“Sometimes it makes me wonder how some stallion like me ended up with somepony as perfect as you.” Shadow Rider said, pressing his nose against Clarity’s.

“Oh stop it, you know how I get when you do this...” Clarity said, blushing as she stared into Shadow’s eyes.

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[Four years before Operation “Revival”]

February 24, Manehattan, house of Shadow Rider and Clarity

Temperature: 8 degrees fahrenheit

Time: 9:26 P.M.

Shadow Rider and Clarity laid in front of the fire place, holding each other’s hooves as they stared at the ceiling and talked to each other.

“...it was hard work, but eventually my aim just came naturally and I moved on to the next part of training, fire arms.” Shadow Rider said, Clarity’s head on his shoulder.

“What are you working on now?” Clarity asked, rubbing her head against Shadow’s face, her mane sprawled across the floor.

“Mainly working on steadying my hooves when I get nervous. It’s hard to control, if you ask me, but Specter seems to understand.” Shadow Rider said. Clarity sighed happily and put her front right leg over Shadow and turned his head towards her.

“You know... it’s not too late to have some fun...” Clarity said, putting her other hoof on Shadow’s hind leg.

“Oh! Before that... I have something for you.” Shadow said, taking out long black box from behind him.

“Happy anniversary.” Shadow said, opening the box to reveal a silver necklace fitted with a medium-sized finely cut diamond in the middle and two smaller finely cut rubies on each side of the diamond.

“Oh my... Shadow! It’s lovely! Thank you so much!” Clarity said as Shadow put the box in her hooves.

“You’re oh so welcome, Clarity.” Shadow said. Clarity put the box down on the couch behind her and kissed Shadow.

“I’m sorry, but I wasn’t able to get you anything...” Clarity said.

“Don’t worry about it. The love you’ve shown me today is already enough as it is.” Shadow said. Clarity slowly climbed on top of Shadow, her hind legs on each side of his body. Her wings popped up, both of them sticking up in the air.

“Don’t think I’ve showed all of my love yet...” Clarity said, putting her front hooves on Shadow’s front legs.

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March 24, Shadow “Dead Eye” Rider’s new home

Temperature: -39 degrees fahrenheit

Time: 6:24 A.M.

Shadow opened his eyes, the fire in the fire place still burning vividly. His cloak was laying on the floor, dried from laying out all night, a tiny puddle next to it. The sun was coming over the horizon in the distance, the clouds turning a bright pink in the sky. The storm last night had calmed a little, the wind still blowing hard outside and snow coming down onto the royal city. Shadow got up and rubbed his eyes.

“Get out of my head...” Shadow said groggily to himself, tapping against his head lightly with his hoof. Shadow sighed and looked over at the clock on the wall. Six twenty six in the morning.

“I should probably get going soon, don’t want to be executed because I wasn’t there to protect her.” Shadow thought to himself as he put his cloak on. Shadow took his sniper from beside the door and walked out into the winter landscape. The road was covered in snow and ice, Shadow walking carefully as he walked through the streets. Unicorns walked through the streets in between shops, sharply dressed even in conditions like these. Shadow walked up to the palace doors and pushed them open, the royal guards watching him from the corner of their eye’s as he walked through the doors. The palace entrance was empty, Celestia had left earlier to meet the ponies in Ponyville. Luna walked out from the hallway up the stairs and looked down at Shadow.

“Ah, you’re here. Shall we get going then?” Luna asked. Shadow nodded and Luna walked down to him.

“I’m relying on you to keep me safe. No pony knows if the rumors of the operation are true, but if they are, you’ll be there, won’t you?” Luna asked as they walked out of the palace doors.

“I can assure you that if I get the chance to put a bullet in one of their head’s, you won’t be expecting to see them around any longer.” Shadow said, putting on a mask around his nose and mouth.

“Then prove it to me.” Luna said. Shadow and Luna walked up to the carriage in front of the royal palace, the two royal guards that were standing outside of the door now attached to the carriage with harnesses. Shadow and Luna got in the carriage and the royal guards lifted off the ground, heading for Ponyville. A haunting feeling came over Shadow as they flew over the winter landscape. The sun peaked through a hole in the clouds, revealing Ponyville in the distance through the fog and snow.

“Something just doesn’t feel right about this... but what?” Shadow thought to himself. Next Chapter: Second Attempt Estimated time remaining: 2 Hours, 13 Minutes