Fluttershy was standing before an old wooden sign. The wood went rotten long ago, and the paint faded, but was still readable. "Welcome to Ponyville" - it reads. Fluttershy went onward, and after a few minutes, she finally reached the town itself.

Big dark buildings out of stone were mixed with much older wooden houses. Some of the wooden buildings had parts that looked really new. It seems that this place had a big fire not a long time ago. The town square was filled with common ponies going for their business. With little regard for personal space, they strayed into groups, very close to each other. As Fluttershy was passing by, she saw several beggars with signs, asking for food. Several of them were with kids. Not far from their place of 'work', several gritty shelters were built, probably not a single nail was used during its construction. Fluttershy also took a look at the market, where most of the ponies dwelled. The place was so crowded and loud it was hard to breathe. She noticed a big fenced off space, where most of the traders kept their product. Every stack was carefully named, so nopony would accidently take something. But it never happened accidently. Fluttershy also noticed several rats, crawling through the piles of food in this improvised storage.

Fluttershy didn't pay attention to all of this - after all, she is not here for medical revision of the market, besides, mayors are usually pretty greedy when it comes to extra pay. She made her way through this market and reached the town hall.

She opened the ornamental door and came inside. This was very different from what she saw outside. The floor was covered with pretty rug, probably made out of foxes. The wallpapers were bright and appealing to the eye, with interesting pattern consisting of circles, swirls and straight lines. All throughout the walls candle holders were hanging, lighting the room with a sooth light. Behind the stand, in the middle of the room, a pretty red mare, with dark mane, was standing and smiling.

"Hello, and welcome to the residence of Ms. Mayor Mare. How can I assist you?" - she asked, without letting down that fake smile. Fluttershy walked over to the stand, pulled out an envelope from under her cape, and threw it on the stand

"I've got an invitation from your Mayor" - she said coldly.

"Oh, yes, Ms. Van Fluttershy, is it? We've been expecting you. Please, go upstairs. The mayor's office is just to the right" - the secretary replied in a soothing voice. Fluttershy silently bypassed the stand, and went upstairs.

The upper floor was even more fancy. The walls were full of paintings and pictures, depicting previous mayors of Ponyville. The last one was especially expensive - it was in color. Mayor Mare sure doesn't mind spending money on fancy things for herself, Fluttershy noted. She approached the most expensive door she found here. It was made from red beech, an extremely rare tree in these parts. The door handle was made from your typical metal, but was covered in silver. The door itself was really decorated and fancy - a master's work, no doubt. Fluttershy opened the door, and entered the room. Her eyes filled with tears immediately, as the room was full of tobacco smoke. She coughed, as disgusting fumes filled her lungs. Fighting the desire to run out of the room fir some fresh air, she ventured inside. The walls were filled with all kinds of trophies - bull horns, wolf hides and even a dummy eagle. Instead of a rug, the floor was covered with a bear hide, colored shiny silver. To the left of the entrance stood a couch, which looked very comfortable. To the right some cupboards, imported from Gryphon Hill, stood. Inside them Mayor kept some rare and expensive drinks. In front of the entrance a desk, made from northern birch, stood , and Mayor Mare was sitting at the table, smoking a tobacco pipe.

"Ms. Van Fluttershy. You finally arrived. Please, have a seat" - she said, looking arrogantly at her. Fluttershy sat down on the couch. Mayor Mare took a quick look at her (it's amazing how she can see through all this smoke).

"Isn't it a bit hot here? You can hang your cape on the rack if you want. The hat too" - she said, smiling

"No. I don't take off things when I'm at work. Especially the hat" - Fluttershy replied.

"All right then" - Mayor replied and put the tobacco pipe on the desk. "We're both serious ponies, so I'll get right to business. We have several reports of supernatural attacks in different parts of the town"

"Several, huh? You never mentioned that in your letter" - Fluttershy said.

"Well, while you were on your way here, several...things...happened"

"Things, eh?" - she sneered, and Mayor looked at her angrily, then continued.

"The most recent is from the maternity hospital. One of the personnel saw a dark figure, leaning over little babies. She managed to scare it away, though, but I fear it will return" - she said, and picked up the tobacco pipe again.

"What else?" - Fluttershy asked.

"The rest of the assignments I will put on the special board. After you're done with this one, go ahead and take the rest from it" - Mayor replied smiling.

"When do I get paid?" - Fluttershy said coldly.

"After you've completed everything, come to my office and you will get your reward"

Fluttershy nod, got up from the couch and was about to leave

"Oh, if you need any help or information, there are Royal Guards stationed in our town. You can talk to their commander. Rainbow Dash, if I remember correctly"

Fluttershy was frozen in place. Oh, she would rather hear the cacophony of a siren concert instead of that name.

"What? Rainbow Dash? Oh, I will visit her, be sure of that" - she said viciously.

"You know Commander Dash? Great, you will get along then! See you!" - Mayor said her farewells. Fluttershy exited the room, and proceeded downstairs. Oh, yes, they will get long. Especially with such a 'wonderful' pony like Rainbow Dash!

Several minutes later Fluttershy was making already her way to the Royal Guard outpost. For so many years she never heard that name, but now, the time has come to settle some old scores.

Few minutes later, she finally reached the outpost. The giant flag with Royal Guard insignia on the top of the building certainly navigating through these filthy streets. Right in front of the building a couple of guards gathered round, like for some kind of a show. Fluttershy slowly approached the crowd and squeezed through these massive armored stallions. They didn't seem to notice her even when she pushed them away gently. Finally, she was able to see what show these soldiers considered to be worthy of note. She saw her old friends, those idiots from the inn, standing in line. Unfortunately, Fluttershy chose the wrong direction to enter, because now she was staring at their backs. But she was able to hear what was happening.

"So, you say some broad came into the inn and beat you up?!" - a very angry, and yet so familiar voice spoke.

"Y..y..yes" - their leader replied. He was stuttering, must be the shock after almost having his brain pierced.

"She was freakish! She had this wide brimmed hat, and some kind of a blade on her wrist! She fought like a demon!" - another shouted.

"She cut my leg, Commander!..AHH!" - screamed the one, who charged at Fluttershy in the inn.

"Damn, we have another freak on the loose. Like all these supernatural shit wasn't enough!" - the voice roared. Smiling, Fluttershy pushed her way into center.

"I believe the world you are looking for is poor victim" - she said mockingly. All the guards quickly turned their heads to her, including those standing there lying in their commander's face.

"It's her! By Ursa Minor's giant jaw, it's her!" - one of them said, backing away in fear. Suddenly, they were moved apart violently by their commander, finally allowing Fluttershy to see her. Oh, she will never forget this multicolored mane. Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet. All these colors were proudly worn by Rainbow Dash. She didn't change at all since the last time they met. She looked right at Fluttershy. Oh, that little scar, on the right side of her face, long and wide, and her blind white right eye. All these little presents Fluttershy gave her when they last met.

"Oh, so I finally get to meet...Wait a minute" - Rainbow Dash said, surprised and came closer to Fluttershy.

"You...So you were the one who attacked my soldiers?" - she said, hiding the notes of hatred in her voice.

"Not really, commander Rainbow Dash. I was attacked by your soldiers, to be more exact" - Fluttershy replied calmly.

"Don't you play games with me, Fluttershy. I know you - and you are as vicious as any demon!" - Rainbow Dash reacted brashly.

"I am flattened. I could never even hope to hear such flattening words from you" - she replied, smiling from under her hat. "I just entered the inn for a bottle of whiskey, when I noticed your men getting absolutely drunk there. I wanted to avoid trouble, but their comments about my...flanks left me no choice"

Rainbow Dash turned her head around, almost boiling from anger. These poor fools looked at her with their eyes full of fear.

"I'll deal with you morons later" - she growled at them, and turned back to Fluttershy. "Why are you here? Usually you never crawl out of the inn, when there is no opportunity for gold"

"Well, Mayor Mare hired me to deal with some supernatural things here. Looks like you and your dimwitted friends over there are doing great work draining the town's alcohol supply, and not actually solving anything" - she said smiling mockingly.

"I try to help these ponies! You go where blood flows and tears fall, so you could profit from it. You seek only money and wealth where ponies bleed and cry! You circle around the battlefields, where we fight the injustice, and after the battle is over you feed on the dead and wounded!" - Rainbow Dash said, staring right into Fluttershy's eyes, looking to see hatred or even a bit of regret.

"Oh, powerful words, o great leader. My services do cost, but you know why? Because I am the best. I do my job better than anypony. I actually justify my prices, but you seem to eat on governmental budget just because you wear the badges. What did your Royal Guard do to justify the taxes humble ponies pay? I can tell you, Dashie" - she said, smiling viciously. "Not. A. Fucking. Thing!"

Rainbow Dash opened both of her eyes, healthy and the blind, as grimace of hatred distorted her face.-"You little piece of..."

"Calm down, Dash. You can't be angry when it's the truth. Besides, it looks like you will have to work with me if you want to keep your position in this town. Mayor wouldn't have called for me if you did your job properly" - Fluttershy interrupted her, and then walked away, as the guards parted before her.

Rainbow Dash turned to her soldiers. They looked at her, their hearts were filled with fear. Rainbow Dash looked completely calm - and it wasn't a good sign.

"50 strikes with the whip. Each" - she said calmly, as the guards dragged the delinquent away to exact their punishment. She then raised her head, watching Fluttershy walk away. She looked, and her scar started to pulsate with pain. Goddamn stupid bitch. Rainbow Dash will never understand what drives this greedy bounty hunter forward. What kind of a heartless bitch you have to be to put the money before the lives of common ponies?

Fluttershy slowly entered the maternity hospital through the main entrance. To her surprise it was quite clean. Good thing that the Mayor at least cares about the children. A young nurse, white unicorn with light-green mane approached her.

"Ms. Van Fluttershy?" - she asked quietly, it seemed she was very shy. Fluttershy looked at her and smiled

"Yes, that I am. You have trouble with some supernatural creatures, I heard. I would like to talk to the pony who saw the beast" - she said kindly, trying to calm the young pony down.

"Yes...she is a bit busy right now, but I will take you to her" - she said, and started quickly going somewhere down the corridor. Fluttershy followed her. They walked past many windows, in which one could see many children, lying in their cradles, sleeping or screaming, demanding food. Finally, they entered the wing of the hospital, which was far more quiet and sorrowful - here live those fillies and foals who were left by their parents. This wing was far more dark and depressing, but still very clean. On the note boards hanging beside the doors, leading to the cabinets, pictures were hanging, those which the caretaker of the group chose as the best. There were butterflies, rabbits, cows and many other beautifully drawn animals. But amongst every set of happy bright pictures there was one drawn in black and white. A small representation of the author, standing on the hill, looking right at you. Above her head few words are floating, words that make Fluttershy turn away from the picture.

"Mommy, Daddy, take me home"

The letters are written very sloppily, and they sometimes the grammar is off. It's understandable, because only young ponies draw pictures like that. Very young ponies, when they still hope that they will have a family, just like everypony else.

Finally, they reached their destination. A door to the hall, very simple one. The laughter could be heard behind the door. The nurse slowly opened the door, and Fluttershy saw all the children, sitting on the many chairs and benches, staring at the stage. There, a pink earth pony was juggling 5 pins at once while balancing on the ball, and, it seemed that way to Fluttershy, doing a stand-up comedy. A very lame stand-up comedy, one might say, but children laugh like crazy.

After 5 minutes of performance, the pony jumped down from the ball, and bowed down to the ground, as the kegs fell right on her head. She stumbled and fell in a funny way. The hall laughed loudly, and then applauded to her. She got up smiling, and bowed down again.

"And now, my sweethearts, I have to leave! But do not worry, I will be back in no time!" - she screamed happily, and the hall applauded to her. After that she ran away from the stage. The nurse nod to Fluttershy, asking her to follow. They both carefully proceeded backstage, as the children happily greeted one of their own, as he got up to the stage, preparing to sing.

Behind the stage, they finally met. Nurse approached the pony-performer and hugged her.

"Thank you, Pinkie. You were amazing as always" - she said quietly.

"I wouldn't dare to be any less! I can't disappoint my little crowd after all!" - Pinkie replied and smiled.

"The hunter arrived, you should talk to her immediately" - the nurse said, and quickly went away to the hall, probably to watch the rest of the concert.

Fluttershy approached Pinkie Pie, and looked at her. Oh, by all that is holy, her eyes! Fluttershy never seen eyes so bright and happy. It felt like she ate the sun, and now she was shining happiness and warmth whenever she went.

"Oh, hello! My name's Pinkie Pie! What's your name?" - she said, and her mouth broke in a wide smile.

"Van Fluttershy" - Fluttershy replied calmly. Suddenly, Pinkie started to jump in place.

"Oh, wow! A real Monster Hunter! I never saw a Monster Hunter before. But I know how they look like, with their wide-brimmed hats and leather capes, and strange gadgets! So cool! Also, I wanted to ask, why do you have this Van in front of your name? Does it mean anything?"- she asked, closing her eyes in joy.

"It's a tradition. Every monster hunter adds it to his name" - Fluttershy replied, being surprised by this pony's hyper active behavior.

"Oh, cool! That sounds like lots of fun!"

"Yeah, whatever..." - Fluttershy grumbled. "What do you do here, anyway? You don't look like a nurse"

"Oh, I entertain them. I come here when they have these concerts and do tricks to make them laugh! Aren't they adorable when they laugh?"

"So, you work as a clown?"

"Well, yeah, but I don't work here. I work at the library, sorting books. I do this for free!" - she said, smiling.

"For free? You do this for free?"

"Of course. I enjoy it and...it seems unfair to take money from kids" - she said, and looked into Fluttershy's eyes. She turned away

"Yeah, right. So anyway, let's get back to business"- Fluttershy replied seriously. "I need you to tell me everything you remember about that beast"

"Oh, it was scary. I was just going through the corridor on the upper floor, when suddenly in the window I noticed this BIG grey monster leaning over the cradle. I rushed inside, and it hungrily turned it head to me. I made the scariest face I could, but it didn't back away. Instead, it attacked me! I dodged its attack and bit it arm. Its fur was so not tasty and rough. It howled loudly, and escaped through the window. Yuck, it tasted like big ball of fur!" - she said, talking very quickly. Fluttershy barely managed to understand what she was saying.

"Hmph, you've got yourself a werewolf" - she replied.

"Wow, a werewolf! It must be dangerous!" - Pinkie replied.

"Let me be the judge of that. Anyway, you won't have to worry anymore. I'll deal with this monster" - Fluttershy said, adjusting her hat.

"Can I...look? I've never seen how monster hunters work before"

"No. You're better off not knowing" - Fluttershy replied coldly.

"Ahh, pleeease. I really do want to see. Pretty please!" - Pinkie said, staring right at Fluttershy with her gigantic round puppy eyes.

"ARGH! All right, you can look! Just stop looking at me like that!" - Fluttershy said, annoyed.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" - Pinkie shouted and proceeded to hug her. Fluttershy gently pushed her away.

"Just don't interrupt me, okay?"

"Okay! I will be as silent as a manticore in the shop...wait..." - she replied, looking puzzled.

"Whatever. Wait for me upstairs, I need to prepare some traps" - Fluttershy said, and went away, looking for a quiet place to make some traps. She had no time to waste, so she decided to make traps right here, in the hospital. Just need to make sure no kids will stumble upon her.

After 10 minutes of search, she finally found a storage room, where janitor kept all his things. Because the janitor himself was at the concert, Fluttershy can safely make traps and prepare.

Fluttershy took off her wristband and put it on the table. She carefully took out the little blade from it, and reached under her cape to take her most precious weapon. The prime of engineering, the perfect tool for a true hunter. A little decorative metallic tube didn't look threatening at all, but when Fluttershy attached it to the wristband and put a little silver bullet inside, it was ready to take lives. Fluttershy looked at this little masterpiece - she was attached to this pretty weapon. She called it Angel.

Now, it was time to make some traps. Fluttershy sighed - she didn't like to make traps. Not that she was bad at it - it hurt her, badly. She carefully untied the node that kept her cape on her, grabbed the cape with her teeth, and slowly, gently started to take it off. She moaned in pain and frustration as it pierced her body, reaching every nerve she had in her body. She withstood the pain, slowly removing the cape and placing it on the table. Fluttershy turned her head to check on her wings, and painful picture was renewed in her memory yet again. Instead of great majestic wings pegasi wear with pride, two tiny weak stumps that she was barely able to lift without causing her tremendous pain. Few puny feathers were sticking out of them, and Fluttershy actually noticed a few more growing. Maybe one day, they will be beautiful again, and carry her into the sky. But now they are a painful reminder of her first kill. It may sound strange, but these wounds were not caused by a monster, but by a pony.

Suddenly Fluttershy heard a noise. Startled, she quickly turned around, hiding her wings. Who the hell is here?! Nopony is supposed to be here!

"COME OUT!" - she growled ferociously. Her soul was overtaken by wrath and hope by the same time - whoever was hiding here, they've better not see her without the cape, or if they did see her, she'll tear them apart with her bare hooves!

"Please...don't be angry, I'm coming out" - a weak childish voice reached her ears. A filly pegasus jumped out of the box and landed right in front of her. She was of dark orange colored, and had purple mane and tail.

"What are you doing here? Why aren't you on the concert?" - Fluttershy asked, calming down a bit, but still sounding cold.

"I don't go to concerts. At all. All the kids bully me all the time" - she said, sounding sad.

"Why?"

"I can't fly. I mean, at all! I tried but I can't! Stupid wings!" - she replied quietly. Fluttershy looked over her head at her wings. They were really small, she never saw wings this small. Fluttershy turned away for a second, remembering something.

"Hmph... Listen...what's your name?" - she asked nicely.

"Scootaloo..." - the filly replied, almost crying.

"Listen, Scootaloo...so what? You can't fly - so what? You don't need wings to be great. And if anypony doesn't agree with you on this, and insults you because of this - you don't listen to them, you don't get sad. You punch them right in their arrogant face. As hard as you can" - Fluttershy said, trying to express the smile that won't scare this poor thing away.

"He-he...okay...thank you, Ms. Van Fluttershy" - she said, finally smiling

"How do you know my name?" - Fluttershy replied, surprised.

"You're the best monster hunter in the world! I heard so many stories of your adventures and heroic deeds!" - she said looking at Fluttershy with her eyes full of hope.

"Heh, that's neat, kiddo. Stay safe...and visit the concert, okay? You can't show what you can do if you hide in the boxes all the time" - she said, and Scootaloo ran away, smiling. This little filly awoken so many scars on Fluttershy's soul. So many painful memories of her own childhood. After all this is done, she should visit this little filly. Besides, one day, she will need a replacement. But right now, she needs to deal with this werewolf.

Fluttershy turned to her cape lying on the table, and turned it round. The internal side of the cape was composed of many pockets. Gun powder, the most precious thing, was lying safely in a waterproof pocket, knives of every size and many metals were strapped to it in a special way, so they would not hurt her. Golden, silver, bronze, and a special blade she used for executions. Now, where were those...ah, there. She opened another pocket and took out a big carcass of a bear trap. It represented a jaw with sharp metallic teeth. It was completely safe for now, for it didn't have any mechanism. Fluttershy carefully put every bolt and gear in place. After the mechanism was complete, she grabbed took a bottle of liquid silver and carefully oiled the teeth of the trap.

Fluttershy knew that she was facing a young werewolf. Mature hunters never retreat from battle, so this one is probably never had a single bite of flesh. That must be the reason he crawled into the maternity hospital - some little chunks of meat, or little babies lying in their cradles - it was all the same to them.

Finally, all preparations were complete. The trap was ready, and so was she. Fluttershy silently put the cape back on, it didn't cause that much pain when she was putting it on. She put the wristband with the Angel on, and adjusted her hat.

"It's hunting time!"

The night fell on the world. The stars were shining brightly, and the moon was full. Fluttershy always thought why does the black stains on the moon form an unicorn head, but could never think of an answer. The black clouds were randomly passing by this moon.

Pinkie was sitting in the center of the room, half-asleep. After Fluttershy put the trap in place, she never got upstairs, and stayed on the street, hidden in a bush. So Pinkie was left alone in the room to wander. She napped for a few minutes several times, wrote a poem, and tried to prove a mathematical theorem in her head, but she was still bored. Finally, she heard something outside, and it wasn't Fluttershy.

A big, grey werewolf was slowly making his way through the hospital yard. Darkness was hiding him, and he slowly crawled on his four paws. The front paws were much more fit to cut and rip, not walk, but the young one enjoyed walking this way. Makes him look more menacing. He put his left paw in front to make a step, when suddenly the trap closed, piercing his hand. The liquid silver added to the pain, as it burned through his flesh, paralyzing his left hand entirely. He unleashed a loud howl, and noticed a pony coming out of the bushes.

"The hunt is over for you, dog. Don't fight back, and I'll ensure that you die quickly!" - Fluttershy said coldly.

"Grghr, you silly hunter! I am not alone..grhrg! You die now!" - the werewolf gargled out words. Fluttershy smiled - of course he is not alone. Where younglings dwell, the pack follows. She noticed several shadows, running across the roofs. They were fast, agile and nimble. In just several jumps, three adult werewolves landed right near her, growling, with froth dripping from their mouth.

"Ghrargh... my brothers will tear you apart, hunter!" - the young one growled. Fluttershy looked at the adult wolves - their claws were at least ten inches long, their teeth sparkled on the moonlight, and their eyes were full of primal rage and hatred. They couldn't talk, as they have long ago gave up into the feral state, but they felt affection towards each other, and they were ready to protect their pack till the last drop of blood.

Fluttershy smiled viciously from under her hat. The young idiot just made her job easier - she won't have to hunt down the whole pack. She lifted her hoof with the Angel, pointing at the biggest one.

"Howl!" - she growled, and the Angel unleashed the bullet, piercing the big one's head, blowing away part of the brain. He fell down, as blood and the rest of his brain were flowing out of his head. His comrades were startled by the sound and dawdled for a second. The second was all Fluttershy needed.

She jumped on the werewolf closest to her, knocking him down. The wolf tried to fight back, but she rammed her hoof right into his throat, causing him to choke. Enraged, the last werewolf jumped right at her. In this moment, his and her eyes met. In this very short, small moment, the werewolf looked right into Fluttershy's eyes, and his heart filled with something the lycanthropy should have taken away. This heavy, metallic, hurting fear. Now, Fluttershy was the predator, and he was the prey.

She punched him right in the face, crushing his jawbones and causing him to lose balance and dig into the ground with his face. He tried to get up, with the blood streaming down his face, but Fluttershy got a hold of his head. She violently twisted it, breaking the werewolf's neck. Even Pinkie heard the disgusting sound. Smiling like a shark smelling blood, Fluttershy reached under her cape and took that special blade - Tongue of Moon. It's handle was decorated with two snakes twisting and entwining together. The steel reflected the moonlight, making the impression it was of ordinary metal. It was not.

Fluttershy slowly approached the young werewolf, as he tried to crawl away in fear, crying and wimping like a little puppy. He completely forgot that he was twice her size, all that mattered now is getting away from this demonic pony!

Fluttershy came closer and closer, holding the blade in her mouth. She was smiling viciously, expecting a great execution. The werewolf unleashed his last howl, as she impaled his head, and twisted the blade. The blood sprinkled from the wound, getting a bit on her face. Fluttershy didn't pay attention to that, drove the blade deeper, then pulled it down, cutting werewolf's flesh and bones right down to his belly. Then she pulled the blade out, admiring her work. The gaping wound exposed several of the werewolves internal organs, and the blood streamed down his chest and onto the ground. A very good kill, indeed.

She cleaned the blade on her cape, and put it back under it. Every worthy enemy stays in her memory forever - as a bloodstain on her cape. Pinkie leaned out of the window, horrified and amazed at the same time by this slaughter.

"By sun's warming gaze!" - she said, staring at all this

"So, did I satisfy your curiosity, Pinkie Pie?" - Fluttershy asked, and Pinkie just nod silently, with her mouth wide open. She sneered cynically.

"Call the Royal Guards to take care of the bodies. They finally have a job they can handle. Don't want kids to see all this" - Fluttershy said.

"Yes..yes! I'll get right on that!" - Pinkie replied and went off. Fluttershy sighed - poor pony will get nightmares about this for sure. She felt a bit tired after this day, and headed off into the local inn, for a good bed and maybe a drink. This day has been full of events, and even the best monster hunters need a nap.

She didn't want to stay in the hospital any longer. By some reason it was hard for her to be next to Pinkie - her happy attitude made her feel uneasy. The 'sorrowful' wing of the hospital didn't help that much as well, waking up old painful memories. Right now all she wanted was a bath, and a bottle of whiskey.