The Assassin's Song

by Productive faffer

The life of an assassin: questions, the constant threat of death and the fact that you work until your dying breath. However, one refuses to be intimidated by death, refuses to live by the rule of 'killer 'till killed' and above all, he refuses to be denied his answers. His question is as follows: who, or what, is behind his final contract? And just where will it lead him?

32. Full circle

Chapter thirty two: Full circle

Blood Moon awoke in a foul mood. Although, much to his distaste, he didn't much know why. That said, that was a paradoxical lie.

He knew exactly why he was in a bad mood; he was an immortal who was tired of living whom had recently learned that he had no chance of perishing, had a terrible habit of alienating those he loved and cared for, had made the mistake of falling in love with another mortal mare, could feel the impending stab wounds aimed at him by the Shadow Weavers and was on the threshold of a migraine. He just didn't know why these thoughts had chosen now to surface.

Perhaps it had something to do with everything that had happened these past few weeks. He'd be lying if he said they'd been boring in the slightest, not to mention more than a little pivotal in his life. With a sigh, feeling Twilight relax beside him, a smile on her face as she lay at his side, her hoof draped over his chest, he relaxed, trying to push the thoughts away. He felt her snuggle into him, as though asking him to stop his worrying in her sleep. He smiled down at her, catching her mane's scent in his muzzle.

The lavender had dissipated over the days since they'd first slept together, yet somehow a faint residue remained. He nuzzled her gently, the mare smiling gently in her slumber. Relaxing again, he stared at the ceiling.

Starswirl's beard, but did he feel confined.

Four walls were one of the many banes of Blood Moon's existence, and as much as he loved being wrapped up with the mare he loved, feeling her snoozing gently against him, her hoof draped over his chest, a faint smile on her pretty features, he felt the need to stand, to walk, to move and travel.

To fly.

He stared at the ceiling vacantly, curling his marefriend's mane around his hoof vacantly, and thought about his intentions. When was the last time he'd flown? On his own wings, the stallion had only ever flown once, when he'd first gotten his wings. The sensation was…incredible, to say the least. For a stallion who craved nought but freedom, soaring through the clouds, the sky's air rushing through his mane as he gazed down at the earth below… It was something that couldn't be matched easily.

He often watched with distaste as the Pegasi flew through the air with nary a thought as to how much a privilege they'd been granted by Father Time. To never have to set hoof on the ground and trot with the clouds as Blood Moon trotted with the shadows. To be truly liberated.

The assassin gazed down at Twilight, nuzzling her mane and kissing her head gently. She smiled a little wider in her sleep. He gazed down at her and smiled back, nuzzling her once more, more passionately this time, and rose from the bed. He made certain to not disturb her as he moved, watching her settle again on the bed proper. He smiled at her sleeping form, stroking her mane with a hoof.

She just batted him away this time.

Chuckling as he went, Blood Moon turned to Hunter's perch, finding the phoenix soundly asleep, snoring lightly as his chest rose and fell with his breath. Blood Moon ran a hoof down his wings, causing him to stir and rouse from his sleep to investigate the disturbance. He found Blood Moon stood before him, wearing a smile on his face, and promptly nuzzled him in greeting. The assassin had to admit, all those other female phoenixes didn't know what they were missing out on when they hadn't chosen his nest to make a home of. He had no doubt Hunter had fought beak and claw for a prime spot, more than likely having won it too, but it seems the fates conspired against the poor fighter and left him without a mate.

Hunter seemed to read his master's mind and just looked annoyed and flustered, his golden eyes showing hate and frustration with his past, gazing at the ground as he ruffled his wings out. Blood Moon simply smirked, running his hoof down his feathered friend's side gently.

"Don't worry about it pal, I'm pretty sure Philomena's interested." He actually perked at the mention of her name, looking around the room before he realised what Blood Moon was saying and deflated again slightly. Blood Moon simply laughed quietly as Hunter fluttered to his shoulder. "You'll treat her well, of course" he told more than asked. Hunter looked slightly insulted as he puffed his chest out nobly. The dark stallion smiled again.

He trotted to the window to the balcony and pushed it open, letting the cool mountain air into the room, cooling the assassin and blowing his mane around gently. He trotted towards the railing and stood before it, closing the door behind him.

The assassin and phoenix stood before the railing and gazed out at Equestria. Blood Moon had to admit, despite the amount of times he'd seen it, he'd never get tired of that view.

He looked out at the sun rising from the east, the orb of fire slowly crawling past the horizon after Celestia's magic gave it the kick it needed, before he looked to the west to find the moon setting over Vanhoover, Luna's vigil coming to an end with the end of the darkness of the night. The assassin stood between them, in the grey between light and dark. Call it poetic or melodramatic, or whatever you like, but it was the truth.

Before he could move again, he heard a familiar call and looked to the sky to find Philomena fluttering towards them, flapping her wings to slow her descent and perching on the stone railing beside Blood Moon.

"Speak of thy devil and thy devil shalt appear" Blood Moon mused as he delicately stroked her feathered head. She glared at him. He only smirked, shaking loose a few strands of mane that tempted to move in on his view cone's turf. "And by thine lord, Tartarus hath no fury like thy mare scorned" he said with his smirk on his face. Philomena head-butted him, right at the base of the horn (like he'd taught her) and sent him staggering as he held his horn gently. She then dived at him, nuzzling him aggressively as she cooed and cawed gently against him, her sounds without true definition but speaking volumes. Blood Moon simply wrapped a hoof around her and held her as tight as he could. "And by thy word of honour, let thy mare be forgiving and loving, else thy live forever in shame and hatred of thine self for hurting the mare thy love" he muttered as he held and nuzzled the bird he'd loved as a member of his family from so long ago, the one creature in his life he knew he could never hope to defend leaving. He and Philomena had had a deeper understanding of each other than Blood Moon felt he could achieve with even somepony like Twilight, and a deeper respect and adoration of each other that he couldn't truly match with any other on Equus. Simply because she was the one who'd never leave him.

'That didn't stop you from leaving her.'

At first he thought it a voice in his head, only to realise that the voice had been his own, not a disembodied voice of another stallion he wasn't sure if he recognised or not. He hummed gently to himself in thought before he straightened up, feeling Hunter hop from his shoulder.

Glad for the distraction, he stepped back to watch the two phoenixes.

Phoenixes were protective birds, known for old tradition and intelligence that rivalled that of ponies, more than definitely what a pony would call 'sentient' creatures, it amazed Blood Moon to no end that none had actually gone out of their way to study these majestic creatures. He was glad for the opportunity.

Hunter stepped forwards, not moving any muscle but his legs, his movement graceful and smooth. Philomena was apparently impressed, or he'd at least been acceptable, as she returned his advance. Her movement was naturally graceful, almost an art form in itself, and she made a pleased coo, prompting him to continue. Hunter bowed deeply, once again not allowing himself to move any other muscle to move or twitch, as he spread his wings slightly as he lowered his body. Not, however, his gaze. Blood Moon's pride had apparently brushed off on his phoenix version of a bow. Philomena looked more than pleased as she bowed with him, her wings staying still, holding his gaze, before they both straightened again. They padded towards each other again, matching each other's steps and pace, before they came within what could only be an intimate inch of each other. They leaned their heads forwards until their beaks came into contact, caressing each other gently as they moved back and forth to continue their gently moving embrace.

Blood Moon had to wonder if he'd just witnessed the phoenix version of asking a mare out on a date. Given from the way they stood so close to each other, he got the feeling he had.

Happy for the two birds of fire, he fussed both their heads with a smile on his face before he looked out at the horizon again. His gaze hardened as his horn sparked to life. The shadow cast by the balcony's railing darkened and pulled itself towards him before creeping up his legs and body, gripping his back in two spots and continuing up in a gentle ripple of flame that formed two eagle wings of pure darkness. The shadows settled and seeped into his wings, bolstering his power more than slightly as Alicorn formed the hollow Pegasus bones of his wings, and left two impeccably preened wings upon his back.

He took the chance to examine them himself, curling one to his face and gazing at it as he gently ran a hoof up and down it. Much like masturbation, it wasn't half as good when it was your own hoof. Smirking at himself, he let his wing fold to his body and took another breath.

He hopped upon the rail, a perilous drop below and an endless sky above. He stood on his hind-legs, shifting his centre of gravity as he did, and stood upright with his fore-legs outstretched. With Hunter and Philomena stood either side of him in similar poses, he leaned his weight forwards gently, the phoenixes doing the same, and suddenly he was falling.

One meter, two, ten, twenty five, forty, sixty, one hundred, two hundred, three hundred, five hundred.

Then, in unison, three pairs of wings opened majestically with a great 'thump' of air pressure and feathers as they swooped upwards as one, Blood Moon with his fore-legs by his body as streamline as he could while the phoenixes' naturally aerodynamic bodies flew through the air like arrows from a bow. They flew up a few hundred meters and turned in a graceful arc, flying slowly over the city of Canterlot.

It was peaceful this morning, despite everything that had happened nary a few days ago. The blood had been mopped up, the bodies taken by the guard, or mysteriously disappearing in the cases the Shadow Weavers, and repairs were being made while life, almost impossibly, returned to normal.

'We ponies always have been tenacious creatures.'

His silent musings were brought to an end as both Philomena and Hunter swooped around him, flying together with a natural grace. He found himself smiling again as they twirled and tumbled around each other, more having fun than attempting to impress one another as they played together. He admired their flight and watched them fly closer and further away from each other.

Hunter flew belly-up, precariously close to the belly-down Philomena and gazed up at each other. Even from his distance, Blood Moon could see the intimacy in their gazes. Hunter suddenly looked at Blood Moon, who grinned and inclined his head away from the town, prompting them to take some time for each other. Having a third-wheel was hard enough, never mind when that third-wheel wasn't even a member of your species. He had experience.

With the two phoenixes gliding away, occasionally looping over one another, Blood Moon was left alone in the skies of Canterlot. He had to admit, though he'd only flown once, that one time had stuck with him. The clouds, the cool air, the endless sky.

He looped and rolled through the air, cutting through low hanging, stray clouds leisurely. He couldn't perform tricks of any kind, but he at least remembered the fundamentals after so long: flap wings, don't fall. Easy enough.

As he flew lazily around, he gazed around at his airspace; it didn't surprise him that air patrols were sparse, royal army numbers devoted to reclaiming order in the streets and returning Canterlot to its usual, peaceful self. Repairs were also underway it seemed, the Shadow Weaver Diamond Dog's holes in the process of being filled while the gate house of Canterlot Palace, or the rubble that remained, was being examined by ponies who looked like they knew what they were doing. From this distance anyway.

Returning his thoughts to the skies, rolling a few times as he amused his airborne self, Blood Moon gazed at the clouds around him in a strange sense of surrealism.

Flight. It was one of the few things he could do that didn't bring back memories, for he hadn't any to remember. It was a bittersweet feeling, to know that he'd been neglecting this for so long. But, at the same time, he was more than aware why. His hatred of this form wasn't undeserved in his eyes. Exactly what he hated most, dropped on him without chance for choice or objection.

He sighed, shaking the thoughts away as he returned to his wing beats as he crossed his fore-legs casually, letting his thoughts wander. He did have to admit it to himself; neglecting his ability to fly for so long had definitely been a mistake on his part. One of many, he was beginning to realise.

"HIBLOODMOON" was all the warning he had before something slammed into his side, sending him and his mystery collision partner tumbling through the air in a mad scramble of limbs, wings and curses. Feeling himself falling, the assassin quickly returned to flapping his wings, lest he return from the void once more. Once he was sure that falling to his death wasn't on his list of concerns, Blood Moon found what had hit him. The perpetrator, it seemed, was the pair of kicking cyan legs stuck inside a nearby cloud.

"Heya Rainbow" he said casually as he hovered, his hind-legs hanging below him as he crossed his fore-legs once more. With a slight 'pop' the rainbow-tailed Pegasus pulled herself from the cloud, flapping her wings again, and turned to him, looking sheepish.

"H-hey BM, I didn't expect to see anypony else up here" she greeted. The assassin only raised an eyebrow.

"We at 'BM' again" he drawled. Rainbowdash simply giggled at his distaste for her nickname, scratching the back of her neck.

"Stretchin' the old feathers I guess" she observed, ignoring him, checking out his flapping wings. He grunted and glanced back at them.

"Yeah, I guess I got…nostalgic" he said in an attempt at answering her. She frowned.

"Nost-wha?"

"It means-never mind, what are you doing up here anyway" he asked, shaking his head "I thought everypony was hanging around the palace." Rainbowdash just pouted and slumped back onto the cloud she'd landed in before, her fore-legs crossed.

"Ahh, that place is boring. The guard won't let me fly around, something about 'proper prota-call' and the girls are all too busy looking around. I don't get it, I know it's the palace and all, but, come on. It's all the same white, what's so cool about that?" Blood Moon chuckled and fluttered over to her, landing on the same cloud, folding his wings as he sat beside her.

"You know 'Dash, I was just as bored with the place as you when I noticed how boring it was way back when." She looked over at him.

"Really?"

"No" he answered, his face falling flat "that palace is about as beautiful as it is old and mysterious. So long as you know where to go" he added with a mischievous grin, toothy on his face. Rainbow just raised an unimpressed eyebrow as she looked over Canterlot.

"So, uhh…" Blood Moon smirked as he guessed where she was going with this. "You wanna…I don't know…"

"I'd love to stretch my wings with you" he answered. Rainbow looped in the air, hoof pumping.

"Alright" she cheered, trotting to the other end of the cloud, calling back to him. "Keep up if you can Moony!" She didn't even pause before she leapt gracefully off the edge of the cloud. With eyes narrowed at the challenge, Blood Moon cantered after her and leapt after her.

He quickly caught up with her freefall and matched her descent, grinning at her as the fell, face to face and daredevilishly close. With a challenging smirk, Rainbow spread her wings, flying close over Blood Moon's hind-legs as he continued to fall. He spun and threw his own wings open, darting after the rainbow trail RD was leaving behind.

He flapped his wings hard, working to catch up to her, but it was clear he was hopelessly outmatched; he'd neglecting practicing or even using his own wings for about as long as he'd had them, while Rainbowdash had been using hers almost all her life. Her experience and skill in the air clearly outshone Blood Moon's.

But a proud stallion Blood Moon was, and a proud stallion wasn't one to go down without a fight.

Pushing himself hard, he found himself neck-and-neck with Rainbowdash, the Pegasus looking over at him and grinning again.

"'Bout time you caught up slow poke" she yelled over. The assassin would have grumbled something if he weren't so confused why Rainbow had just swerved away. He then looked up and found himself hurtling towards an apartment block. He swallowed slightly as he watched in slow motion, a mare throwing her window open for the morning, only to find a blob of black flying towards her.

She screamed and threw herself to the side, the assassin pulling his wings in and diving through the window coming up in a roll. Unable to break his momentum without involving a wall, Blood Moon galloped through the poor mare's home, bursting through a door, into the living room, past a confuse colt eating his morning breakfast, vaulting over a couch and out another, thankfully, open window.

"Stay in school" he called back to the kid as he leapt through the window.

His wings snapping open, the assassin settled into a calm glide as he caught his breath and properly set his faculties straight, blinking a few times. He hadn't felt so much like a novice in a very, very long time. He heard the sound of a strained voice laughing from behind him, looking back to find Rainbowdash catching up to him, holding her stomach as she laughed.

"Nice reflexes" she laughed, wiping away a few tears. Blood Moon only smirked at her.

"Yeah, yeah" he called over the rushing winds "I suck at flying, it's been a while" he reminded her. She just brushed him off with a hoof.

"Excuses, excuses" she replied. His smirk went a little wider.

"Get bent 'Dash" he shot back. She laughed. They flew in silence for a while longer before Blood Moon felt eyes on him. "What's up Rainbow" he asked without taking his eyes off their path.

"Could we talk?" That got his attention, the concerning tint to her voice doing the most to grab his attention, glancing over at her. He nodded his head, glancing around before he spotted a suitable landing spot –a solid looking cloud- before flying over, hovering above before dropping himself on it. Rainbowdash followed soon after him, landing more gracefully.

"What's up" he asked, an eyebrow raised. Looking over her troubled look, he added "and if this is a request for me to never fly again, just try and stop me" with a smirk. Rainbow giggled a little, lightening up slightly.

"Yeah, you could really use some lessons." He grinned again, though he faltered when she looked down at their cloud again, her eyes sad. "Hey, about lessons" she said, trailing off. He raised an eyebrow.

"Aye?"

"Well…look, now that you've got wings and everything, I was wondering…were…were you gonna start teaching Scootaloo to fly?" He blinked again.

"What?"

"I-I'm just saying is all! I mean, you are her dad now, so I just thought-" She looked up and found his expression, a smirk and raised eyebrow. "What're laughin' at? I'm pouring my heart out here and all you can do is smirk" she snapped, feeling something tear at her inside. He put a hoof on her shoulder.

"Rainbow, you should know me by now. I value family. I ain't doing anything to put myself between you and Scoots. Beyond which, you saw me just now; I couldn't teach a cloud to fly." She chuckled again, rubbing her right leg with her left. He cocked his head. "Rainbow, lemme ask you something." She looked up.

"Sup?"

"You and Scootaloo…" She frowned as he trailed off.

"What about me and the squirt?" He opened his fore-legs in an 'open book' gesture.

"Tell me." Rainbowdash almost asked him to elaborate again, only she already knew what he meant.

"It's like what I told you back at the library... We fill in for each other's family, or lack thereof… Did I use that right" she asked, looking up. With a smirk, he nodded. "I never liked, you know, showing it before. It just wasn't… I don't know, me I guess. It didn't feel right, like I shouldn't in case I…well…" The assassin cocked his head.

"Well, what?" She sighed, looking away with a pout.

"When…when I…" she grumbled something. "WhenIwasakideveryponyusedtomakefunofmefornothavingparents!" The assassin balked.

"They what" he demanded. Rainbow looked, impossibly, ashamed.

"Well…it was only ever three guys, and they never really let up on it. They'd tease me into tears" she told him. There was, worryingly for the assassin, no sad tint in her voice, just…shame, a lack of pride. "Almost as soon as I started, word got out that I lived in Cloudsdale orphanage. I was an easy target for them" she said quietly. Then her gaze hardened. "Then, one day, it got too much. I broke one of their muzzles and another's wing in three places. I was almost expelled from the Young Filers School, but thanks to my…'position', they went easy on me." She smirked a smirk that the assassin recognised as one that belonged on his face. "After that, they never said anything about my folks again…just my flying" she muttered. She shook her head clear of her thoughts. "Anyway, after that…I guess I learned that only one things gets to jerks; being a bigger jerk, showing you're not gonna be pushed around."

"Standing up for yourself" Blood Moon finished. She nodded.

"Yeah… When I first met Fluttershy, she was picked on for being scared of heights and such a weak flier. When I first met her, I tried being, y'know, soft and stuff with her, but when one of those guys caught me hugging her after they'd teased her again, it reminded me… Well, jerks aren't normally nice to ponies. So, I just focused on being awesome, practicing my flying, making sure they didn't have anything to pick on me for." The assassin's eyebrows arched out in concern.

"Let me guess: it worked. They never said a thing about your skills or softness, but you forgot how to be gentle around other ponies. Trained yourself out of it." She grunted in unamused mirth.

"Yeah, and after that it just…I don't know, got worse I guess?" Blood Moon frowned.

"How so?"

"Well, just avoiding being mushy or anything became getting embarrassed whenever something like that did happen. Then it just became…" she searched for a word.

"Pure reluctance" the assassin supplied. Rainbow nodded.

"Yeah, I guess… But, then I met you and Uncle Sand, and I guess you…showed me that, if ponies like you guys are cool being all huggy and stuff…" The dark stallion simply smirked.

"You saw us being 'all huggy and stuff' in aims of taking care of ponies" he guessed. She nodded again.

"I guess you reminded me why I was being so tough in the first place" she mumbled. She sighed. "Listen, I know this probably sounds reallllllly cliché for somepony like you, what with you been around for so long an' all, I mean, you probably heard this story a hundred times. Tough pony turns out she had a tough foalhood, she toughened up too much, learns to be soft again…"

'Four thousand and twelve, actually…'

"But…" she trailed off. The assassin nudged her shoulder.

"Hey, 'Dash, no matter how many times I hear this story, be it one time or one million, it'll

never stop me from listening to the tail, or caring about the pony telling it. Hay, the simple fact that I have to keep hearing it just reminds me just how cruel children can be." RD just grunted again.

"You can say that again" she mumbled. He put a hoof on her shoulder again.

"Rainbow, I'll never say anything good comes of bullying, but what I do know is that we all develop calluses. We get tough, and in the long run, it's the asses who think they're big who suffer for it." A donkey in a hot air balloon floated past them, frowning at Blood Moon. "Yeah, you heard me" he snapped. The donkey 'hurmped' before it turned away and floated off in its balloon.

Turning back to 'Dash, the mare giggling a little, he just offered her a smile.

"It's you who learned how to take the abuse life constantly throws at us, not them. You're the one who broke their wings and noses, not the other way around." She smiled again, turning her head away from him. "You're the one who learned to stand up for herself and her friends, not those jerks. You learned to be truly awesome" he told her. She smiled wider before she hung her head.

"Yeah…but, I kinda forgot how to-"

"And you learned how to again, with the help of your friends and family, your little sister and uncle." He smiled kindly. "And I'm sure your parents would be proud." She sighed.

"Y'know, I keep asking myself if they would…and I don't know. Would they?" Blood Moon only grunted, cutting her off before she could carry on.

"If they weren't, I'm sure somepony like Sand Stalker would never befriend them." She smiled gently.

"I gotta get back to Ponyville" she mumbled. The assassin raised an eyebrow.

"Why?" She huffed.

"So I can hug my little sis and uncle." Blood Moon only laughed.

"For one to be tough, they must also be soft, else what's to distinguish?" Rainbow just shook her head at him, smiling slightly.

"You're a good listener, you know that?" He just shrugged a single shoulder.

"Comes with the territory" he answered, standing up. "Come on, let's get back to the palace" he said. Rainbow nodded, standing with him.

"Race?"

"I can teleport" he answered. She grumbled.

"Cheat." He smirked.

"Assassin."

"More like ass." He laughed again, putting a hoof to his face.

"Fastest mare in Equestria" he chuckled "and she decides to make fun of the worst flier in the world. Way to be a bitch." She frowned and snapped her gaze over to him.

"Watchu say t' me" she demanded. He was already leaping off the cloud. She snarled and leapt after him, his laughter carrying after him as he fell. His wings snapped open and he darted forward, back towards the palace, letting the wind carry his glide as he swooped under a low bridge and between two buildings, Rainbow bearing down behind him. Blood Moon flapped his wings and shot forwards again, feeling Rainbow catch up behind him.

He dropped altitude until he was flying stupidly close to the ground, darting around and below ponies and obstacles, loose papers flung into the air by his displaced air, ponies yelping as he darted past and around them, Rainbow flying at a safer altitude above as she watched. His flying skills may have sucked, but his reflexes and agility was still practically on par to his trotting this close to the ground. When he came to an empty part of road, she darted down to his level, intent on tackling him to the ground, only for him to dart out of the way at the last second. Ahead of her, he rolled over and called back.

"Hey Rainbow, what's the difference between you and me?" She frowned at his question without answering. "I'm horny" he finished before he teleported, leaving Rainbowdash to slam into the cart of hay he'd been flying towards.

Meanwhile.

A soft knocking at the door woke Twilight up, finding herself alone in Blood Moon's bed. It sparked panic in her for a brief second only to squash it down again soon after it reared its ugly head. She stood from the bed and stretched relaxingly, feeling cracks and pops all over her body. Scratching her mane as she trotted towards the door, her horn flared as she opened it.

"Yes" she asked drowsily. She blinked a few times, finding princess Luna stood behind the door, looking much the same as Twilight, only she was tired rather than groggy.

"Good morning Twilight, I trust the day finds you well?" Shaking her stupor away, Twilight put on an easy smile.

"Yes, good morning to you too princess" Twilight greeted. Luna gave a sleepy smile.

"Twilight, I think we know each other well enough that we needn't bother with formalities any longer. My name is Luna, please, call me by it." Twilight smiled and went to answer, only to be cut off when the windows were burst open. Both mares looked over in shock, one charging her horn, to find Blood Moon having hurtled through, now sliding along the marble and carpet on his side, his head held up by his fore-leg in a 'paint me like one of your Prench mares' pose.

"Ladies" he said smoothly with a suave grin as he slid along the floor and crashing into the wall. Both following him with their gazes, neither Luna nor Twilight could react to his sudden entrance.

"What…the…" Twilight began.

"Buck" Luna offered.

"Indeed" Twilight murmured as they trotted over to the dark stallion. They found the master assassin entangled in his own limbs as he leant against the cracked wall, rubbing his head and cursing and muttering under his breath as he got up. He looked up to find his lover and daughter watching his less than subtle entrance.

"Hey" he greeted, smirking. Twilight shook her head while Luna just held her muzzle in a hoof. Twilight looked at Luna.

"Was he like this before he left?" Luna just sighed.

"You know, believe it or not, he was worse." Blood Moon just smirked.

"Pickaxe." Luna's eyes bulged as a hoof clamped over her mouth, her cheeks filling with a

badly contained laugh, a tear welling in her eye. Twilight just sighed and trotted up to her coltfriend.

"Good morning Blood Moon" she greeted, a hoof going around his neck as she kissed him gently. Blood Moon returned the gesture, a smirk accompanying his marefriend on his lips.

"Morning Twi" he replied once they'd parted. They leant their heads together for an intimate second before Luna yawned, cutting them short. Blood Moon straightened up and looked over at her. "Lu-Lu" he said with a slight nod. She immediately glared at him, nodding her head at Twilight in annoyance. He simply smirked at her, the ruler of night huffing before she approached.

"Good morning Blood Moon" she said in a hardly amused tone, prompting the assassin's smirk to grow. She just rolled her eyes at him before she suddenly found herself in a hug.

"Morning Luna" he said. The princess of the night blinked a few times before she relaxed into his hold. He released her, and they trotted back towards the middle of the room, settling at one of the many seats around the room.

"I take it you went for a fly this morning" Luna observed. He nodded.

"Indeed, I did. Needed…" He'd have said space only Twilight was right next to him and he didn't want her getting the wrong idea. "I don't know, perspective. Anyway, what are you doing up so late?" His wording prompted Twilight to glance at the early morning sun before she remembered who he was talking to. Luna shrugged.

"Just wanted to say good morning" she answered sleepily. Blood Moon gave a lopsided smile.

"You should be more concerned with getting to bed at a proper hour young lady." Luna gave a bemused huff as she rubbed her temples, the last twelve hours catching up to her.

"I'm way too tired to even bother answering that, so I'm just gonna get to bed" she told him. Blood Moon grunted a laugh and stood with her, turning his head to watch Twilight stand with them and trot at his side.

Pushing through the door to Blood Moon's chambers revealed Celestia stepping out of hers at the same moment, her face brightening when she noticed her student and family trotting out of Blood Moon's room.

"Ah, good morning Luna, Twilight" she caught sight of the wings on the dark stallion's back, raising an eyebrow "Blood Moon" she said at slight length.

"Good morning Celestia" Luna greeted with a yawn. Celestia smiled gently, embracing her tired sister for a second before she looked back at Blood Moon. He nodded his head slightly, his eyes never leaving hers, and grinned back at her.

"Morning, Blood Moon" she greeted quietly, her tone distant. She paused for a second before she smirked. "Should I prepare a coronation" Celestia asked with slight amusement in her tone. Blood Moon just grunted.

"Yeah, schedule it for when Tartarus freezes over" he answered, prompting a short smirk from Celestia. "Good morning Tia" he added after a short pause. Luna interrupted whatever else was about to be said with a deep, long yawn.

"I don't know about the rest of you, but I didn't get any sleep last night" she said in a dry voice, Blood Moon grunting slightly while Celestia and Twilight rolled their eyes. "I'm going to bed. Tia, Twily, Mooney-" Blood Moon made a mental note to clout whoever told Luna Pinkie's pet name for him "catch you later" she said before she turned and sauntered casually into her bedroom. Twilight giggled into her hoof at princess Luna's laidback antics. She had to admit, she'd often wondered what the princesses were like behind closed doors, but…she hadn't imagined anything like that. Meanwhile, Blood Moon and Celestia were still shaking their heads at Luna's antics.

"I swear, I don't know where she gets that attitude from" Blood Moon said over Twilight giggles. Twilight only snorted.

"I can probably take a good guess, Mooney" she replied. The assassin smirked, his eyebrow going up.

"You're never gonna let me live that down, are you?" Celestia chuckled.

"You should be worried about me and Luna letting you live that down Mooney" she answered with a small laugh of her own, only getting more defeated head-shaking from the assassin.

"I'm doomed. Doomed to an eternity of ridiculous nicknames" he muttered. Celestia simply shook her head as she stored away thoughts of tormenting her bodyguard for another time.

"Be that as it may, we have a lot to do before the arrival of the dignitaries today, yourself included" she reminded him. Blood Moon looked up at her and raised an eyebrow.

"I need to prepare? Last I checked I'm a feared and deadly assassin, do I really need to dress that up?" Celestia raised her own, unamused, eyebrow.

"No, but you should really clean it from time to time." The assassin frowned, prompting a snort from Celestia. "Oh, don't look at me like that; over the past few days you've waged war, fought the battle of gods, died, been taken to the morgue, come back to life, nearly had the snot beaten out of you by myself and Luna and a whole lot of other stuff I doubt is appropriate to repeat in front of Twilight." The purple unicorn frowned.

"Hey, I've seen stuff princess! Stuff I never thought I would ever have to see, ever." Celestia just chuckled and put a hoof to Twilight's chin, lifting her gaze to her own tenderly.

"Oh Twilight, you waved goodbye to any and all normalcy in your life the moment you met Blood Moon" she said with a soft smile and slight laugh in her voice. Twilight just grumbled and looked away.

"Well, I can't argue with that" she muttered, glancing at Blood Moon. Her coltfriend just shot her a wink.

"Anyway, Blood Moon, no matter your own position on cleanliness and your looks, myself and Luna do have certain reputations and etiquettes to uphold and abide by. I'd appreciate you not turning up to this meeting clad in rags and smelling like a manticore." Blood Moon just sighed, hanging his head as he shook his head.

"Alright, fine. What do you desire, oh malevolent overlord?" Celestia tittered to herself quietly. She could get used to that one.

"Firstly, a bath is in order. Then…" She smiled, an eyebrow Blood Moon didn't like the look of raising with it. "Hmm, I have something in mind" she told him mischievously. Blood Moon tensed one side of his maw.

"If I show up to this meeting wearing a ballet dress, it's on you" he told her. Celestia just shrugged.

"I'm sure you could pull it off" she told him with a wave of her hoof. Twilight crammed a hoof into her mouth to refrain from improper laughter around the princess. The dark stallion just chuckled.

"Ain't that the truth. Very well, I shall…properly prepare myself for our upcoming show of strength and political strife off-fending, princess." Celestia just nodded her head.

"Good, in the meanwhile, myself and Twilight shall head for breakfast" the solar princess decided "a proper chance to talk has been far too long in coming, don't you think?" Twilight couldn't help but agree as she turned towards Blood Moon and kissed him lightly on the cheek, blushing in her teacher's presence, and trotted after Celestia. Blood Moon just smiled lopsidedly.

Turning back into his chambers, the assassin made for the bathroom connected to his room, pushing through the door to find an ancient bathtub awaiting him. It seemed Celestia had forgone updating his washing facilities in his absence, not that it surprised him, leaving him with nothing but a waterfall cascading down the wall to one side of the marble tiled room and a stainless, flawless, featureless iron tub towards the middle. His soaps, any towels, other furniture around the room or any other cleaning implements had all long since been removed or grown legs and left on their own accord. Memories of him, Luna and Celestia lounging together or simply playing in the water at bath time came flooding back him in a wave of nostalgia. He couldn't help but smile at the absence of the stabbing sensation in his chest when the memories washed through his mind.

With a short sigh, his horn sparked to life, the water gaining a mind of its own as it flowed through a stream in mid-air and flowed into the iron tub. The water grew hot during its journey, letting off steam as it flowed through the air on the sparkling grey path the assassin formed with his magic. Splashing into the tub gently, it sloshed gently as it flowed around in the white metal. Once satisfied with the water level, the assassin stepped towards it, only for the door behind him to open, casting light into the otherwise dim bathroom. He turned his head back to find six mares in traditional Prench Maid outfits, pretty and demure in their looks, postures and mannerisms. One carried a towel, another cleaning products and the last a sponge and cleaning cloth. They bowed gently before the assassin as one spoke.

"Sir, we are here at the request of princess Celestia to assist in your bathing." The assassin raised an eyebrow.

"One, don't ever bow to me" he began. They actually faltered as they straightened up again, looking a little awkward. "Two, I'm a big colt now, and I can clean myself. Three, I wasn't made aware that any 'assistants' were to be present." They looked between each other in slight confusion.

"Sir-"

"My name is Blood Moon, call me by it" he cut off. She stopped her retort, apparently uncaring to his lack of appreciation for 'official protocol'. It made him want to smirk.

"Blood Moon" she said at length "we were only instructed to assist you in your bath, because of the lack of…modern facilities at your disposal" she told him. The assassin went to retort before he saw her –their? They were kind of creepy in their autonomy- point. Cleaning by oneself in such conditions wasn't exactly…easy, put simply. With a slight sigh, he answered.

"Very well. But I expect utmost professionalism" he told them. They nodded in agreement, the two unicorns amongst them floating their toiletries over to a better suited spot than their backs, and promptly began to undress.

'Wait, wha-?"

Watching with a raised eyebrow, Blood Moon watched as six relatively attractive mares undressed themselves right in front of him before the unicorns floated their gear over and onto hooks hanging from the wall. Their spokespony simply cocked an eyebrow at his unimpressed look.

"It is only our intention to avoid getting our uniforms wet, si- Blood Moon." She cocked her head. "Don't flatter yourself" she said under her breath, the other mares huffing in agreement. The assassin's well-tuned hearing heard her easily. He only grunted.

The six mares approached him as he turned away and hopped gracefully into the tub, nary a splash leaping from the tub as he landed in the water. Soap was soon added to the warm water, steam rising from his bath and body as it boiled away the trials of his past few days, relaxing his muscles and mind as the steam washed through his body.

Water was poured over him as the maids got to work, wetting his body and adding soaps to the water as others lit incense around the room, making the atmosphere heavy and the air smell of soft rose and spices. Hooves covered in expensive soaps met his body, rubbing over him slowly and methodically. They massaged him more than cleaned him, letting the suds to their work as they did theirs. Despite himself, Blood Moon soon felt himself relax.

A tensed muscle was soothed by one, dirt and dust from his battle washed from his chest by another, his back cleansed by another. Once the maid behind him was done with his spine and back muscles, the assassin leant back in the tub, feeling his muscles release their tension and mould to the touch of the maids around him. They all worked well together, four seeing to each of his legs, one to his torso while the last cleaned his mane, massaged his shoulders and saw to his outstretched wings. He loosed a light sigh as he enjoyed their attention all over his form, letting them grow increasingly more daring. Apparently, in the better light of the tub, they were reconsidering their leader's prior comments about self-flattery.

One actually climbed into the tub with him, running her hooves up and down his abdominal muscles, perilously close to his crotch, while others lounged over his body, pressing their own bodies against his. The one on his back leaned down and wrapped her fore-legs around him intimately, her breath warm on his ear. A smile grew on his face and, without opening his eyes, the assassin loosed another light sigh of bliss.

"Before we do this, is there anypony who wants to leave?" He felt every mare tense at his words. Soap dripped onto his closed eyes as he heard the mares look between each other. He made no comment as two left. Judging by the lack of magical pressure on his horn, he guessed the two unicorns had left. That left him and four earth ponies. He grinned gently. "Ladies, you'll forgive me if I'm rough?"

His right hoof shot to his neck and caught the fibre wire looping over his neck, yanking forwards on it and slamming his skull back into her muzzle. His other hooves sliding beneath him, he threw the assaulting mare over his shoulder and onto her cohort without opening his soapy eyes. A clatter of hooves to his left made him lean back, feeling the hoof and blade fly in front of his face with the wind. His wolf-like teeth flashed as he clamped down on the hoof before him and hauled the mare to the side on nothing but his neck muscles. Listening to her crash into her sister in crime, he turned his senses to the mares below him. One had managed to clamber out of the bath, the other still dazed.

The blind assassin rammed his hoof to the back of her head and forced her head below water. The sudden thrashing and the sounds of muffled screaming in his ear told him all he needed to know as another clopping of hooves lunged for him. He ducked low, catching the tail that whipped his face and hauling it back. There was a dull 'clunk' and gasp as a diaphragm hit the rim of the tub as another set of moving hooves to his left moved. His right hoof moved from the drowning mare's neck before the left replaced it; he caught the strike on his fore-leg, instinct telling him to duck low and block high and rewarding him with a rush of air and a hoof ramming into his fore-leg. He wrapped his own fore-leg around the leg and tugged, twisting his leg and cramming his fore-knee into her jaw and sending her staggering back.

Something told him to duck, so he did, feeling air pass over him as a mare crashed into the mare before him, sending them both sliding along the floor. The mare below him suddenly burst up in an explosion of movement, forcing him back. The sounds of sliding hooves in front of him warned him of a standing mare, the sounds of air being gulped down greedily telling him of her efforts to reclaim her faculties. On slick hooves, he spun on his left hind-leg and rammed the right into her gut. Breath rushed from her lungs as she doubled over, the assassin planting his fore-legs on the back of her neck.

With a grunt of exertion, he held her thrashing form down until another pony lunged for him; he let his drowning victim go, listening to her gasp for air for a second, before he planted his hind-leg on the back of her head and held her down again. He caught the first strike on his fore-leg, dodged the roundhouse swing and countered the jab by parrying the strike and sending his own strike into her jowl. Splashing from the side told him to turn; obeying his instincts, he turned and raised his left fore-leg, catching the strike. He clutched her fore-leg in his right, jabbed the left into her snout and pulled her back by her right leg. Her muzzle met his forehead and with a wet 'crack' and she went staggering back again. He caught her leg again and tugged her back, impaling her through the heart with his horn. She gave a strangled cry as the Alicorn bone stabbed into her heart, the assassin lifting her from the tub and throwing her away with his neck.

With a horrified gasp and an enraged growl, the other mares attacked once more. The assassin spun on the struggling mare's head, feeling her thrash weaker now as the bubbles of air around his legs grew smaller, and raised both fore-legs. A dull 'thud' and slight pain on both legs informed him of the blocked blow, the assassin stepping with the attack and throwing his attacker off balance. He swung his right hoof overhead and brought it down on the back of her skull, slamming her throat into the rim of the tub. Coughing and spluttering and quickly dying, she rolled away as the mare below his hoof followed her path to the Void.

The last mare screamed in rage as she moved her hoof, Blood Moon feeling the blade in her hoof as he disarmed her and held her in a choke hold. She struggled and writhed, pulling at the fore-leg suffocating her as her hind-legs kicked and struggled. Blood Moon spoke into her ear.

"I don't flatter myself. I know exactly what I'm capable of." He twisted her neck and felt the vertebra sever her spinal cord, her dead body twitching in his hooves slightly before she fell still. "And now, so do you" he finished coldly.

Dropping the limp body in the water and stepping out, he searched around with his magic until he came across the face towel and floated it over to himself, wiping away the remaining soap.

Regaining the gift of sight, Blood Moon approached his would-be assassins and checked the bodies; there was nothing on them, as one would expect, but he did find the residue of well applied make-up lingering on all of their faces. He frowned slightly as lifted them all to one side of the tub and lay them down in a row. Bone poked out of one's neck, one had a hole in her chest, one had a pale face and wide, dead eyes while the last had ugly bruising around her neck. He used the small towel to wipe away the remaining make-up on their faces.

Doing so revealed four, identical tattoos. Each one a generic dagger, the symbol of a loom filling the middle of the blade, the stylised weapon snapped in the middle. Shadow Weaver Outcasts. With a slight growl, he put the pieces together.

Word had apparently gotten around about his decision to desert the Shadow Weaver order in favour of Celestia. Few of the ponies under his banner would like this decision, and even fewer would take it sitting down. This was just the first wave of assassins out for blood. With a small grunt, he noticed the smoothness and well-applied nature of the tattoos on their faces.

'They didn't even struggle…'

Proud to wear his mark of betrayal, they would hunt down the one who really betrayed the Shadow Weavers. The assassin narrowed his eyes as he used his magic to float the corpses into the air.

'Let them come…'

He glared at the motionless assassins as his horn sparked to life and black flame engulfed the corpses, leaving not even ash. Four mares, all dead. Once they'd been assassins, maybe Cutthroats, maybe Murderers, perhaps even Deaf-Steps or Shadow Tails. Four ponies who'd once had lives, maybe children and husbands. Now widows and colts and fillies without mothers, maybe even orphans. He grunted.

"If they think any kind of moral alignment on my part will save them, they are sorely mistaken" he said to himself. And the assassin who thought he was hidden in the darkened corner.

Done with killing and disposing of the evidence, he returned to washing himself without missing a beat. Before long had passed, his face, mane, tail, his body once more and his wings were all about as clean as he could get them.

Drying himself with a towel left behind by the 'maids' (he'd already cleaned off the skin-contact poison), he turned to a mirror and made a comb out of his grey magical aura. Running the solid light through his slightly slick mane, the assassin's wind-swept hairstyle replaced with well-kept and straight hairs of an unnatural darkness.

He paused in front of the mirror for a second, taking a second to stare himself down. In the dim light, he could make out his silhouette and few features. The dirt and grime and weariness had been replaced by a stallion who looked and smelt as though he felt comfortable surrounded by nobles and rulers. Who was used to this palace life. The scars and wrinkles on his face said differently. He took a long breath through his muzzle and turned away from his reflection, shaking his head slightly.

He trotted from the bathroom and back into his chambers, weary for traps, and soon found what Celestia had been smirking about earlier. Sat comfortably on a chair beside the door to his bathroom was his old regalia. With a small, breathy chuckle, he floated it up to eye level, posing it as though it was on a mannequin.

He shook his head, a wry, toothy smirk on his lips as he turned it this way and that, looking over his old armour and badge of status.

A long trench coat that wrapped around his muscled physique with a well-tailored fit that only an ancestor of Rarity could create with such skill and precision. Invisible seams, weightless material, reinforced stitching and lovingly hoof stitched from collar to hem. In actuality, it had been a gift from Illumination alongside the matching sword from Nocturnal, the latter of which parting with his gift somewhat begrudgingly.

The coat was a deep, midnight blue. He'd always liked the colour, suitable for both espionage and social gatherings, the trim a fine and clean white that accentuated the black leather covering his torso in two identical pieces that covered his pectorals and back. There were slight gaps on his shoulders between the front and back armour pieces, and over his spine.

The leather, highlighted with stark white and decorated with very faint swirls of dark red, was fastened down with black iron bolts, barely visible to the untrained eye. The coat reached down his fore-legs, the cuffs perfect for his hooves, and ended in the same white trim, though here there were a familiar ouroboros pattern rather than the plain lines about the rest of the outfit.

He grunted lightly when he noticed two additions to the coat. Two holes on the back, where a pair of wings might peek through, just below the curve of the leather covering his back. He raised an eyebrow at Celestia's silent proposal before he shook the thought away.

The lapels and collar of the outfit were about as wide as raincoat's, wide and thick enough to stand by themselves when popped and capable of withstanding some battering from the weather while two silver buckles attached to the underside of the right lapels, at the middle of the chest and lower down the torso, were matched by black leather straps on the left kept his body safe from the elements. Tucked between his neck and the collar, attached around the base of his neck, was a thick hood of the same dark blue, unaccented by white, which fed into the fabric between the collar and lapels and into the shoulders of the coat that held the decorations adorning him.

The assassin floated the familiar garb closer to him as he raised a hoof to inspect the medals and awards closer. He'd almost forgotten the fact that, once upon a time, he'd been a well-known and respected member of Equestria's military. These aged golds, silvers, jewels and irons all attested to that.

They hadn't changed over the years, the same medals Shining Armour more than likely hung with pride around his house or on his own chest at social gatherings hanging from the assassin's old garb.

The first, Celestia's Star; awarded for supreme bravery and valour in honour of the Solar Guard and Celestia's name, a gold and jewelled recreation of Celestia's sun, her eight pointed sun a clear crystal, gold encasing it, a ruby in the centre of the circle of fire.

The second, the Lunar Cross; awarded for great cunning and subterfuge in honour of the Night Guard and Luna's name, a silver, stylised cross that represented the hidden dagger of the army, crushed sapphire surrounded by the silver of the cross, an amethyst at each end of the cross's limbs.

The third, the Royal Distinguished Service award; awarded for outstanding feats of battle or strategy, a golden circle encasing two ruby and sapphire halves, split in a traditional 'yin-yang' symbol, lacking a ruby or sapphire circle in their opposing colours.

The fourth, the Royal Veterans Medal; awarded after serving in either Solar, Night or Royal Guard for being distinguished as loyal, experienced and knowledgeable of his line of work enough that he be considered a veteran amongst his peers. A special kind of honour to be granted, as it was awarded by one's fellow soldiers rather than the princesses. A simple ring of iron, indents made periodically around the loop, a stylised 'V' in the middle of the loop.

The fifth and final number of his more interesting awards was the Illuminating Night Crest; given to him and no more than five other troops after the pivotal clash of Four Legions, a battle lost almost entirely to the mists of time, it was an elaborate merging of both Illumination and Nocturnal's cutie marks. A tightly spiralling insignia of light itself, five sparks of silvery starlight flaring of the light to represent darkness, blue, copper and white of Illumination's light recreated by sapphire, a dark ruby and finally diamond, while Nocturnal's stars were that of a cloudy crystal and silver casings.

Blood Moon gazed down at his medals and remembered the ceremonies he'd gone through to receive them. To many they were a source of great honour and pride, but they just reminded Blood Moon of that terrible and bloody conflict. He sighed and shook his head at the memories plaguing him.

He stepped back and cocked his head at the garb before him. His horn flared stronger and the garb floated over to him, turning in the air before it slipped effortlessly over his body, the assassin lifting his hooves and stepping into the sleeves and shrugging into the coat proper, feeling his wings slip easily through their holes. He trotted to a mirror to one side of his chamber, gazing at himself, turning this way and that.

He had to admit, he never thought he'd have to wear this again. Despite being tailored to his body perfectly, the coat had moulded itself to his stature comfortably. It barely felt like he was wearing anything at all. He cocked his head at his reflection, watching his clean mane –he was still getting used to the sensation- dance across his neck leisurely. He glanced down at his bare chest and unprotected fore-legs, deciding he was missing something. He grinned lightly when he figured out what he needed.

With a flash, he was gone, leaving his room empty for half a minute before he returned in another flash of light in the centre of his chambers, a few items in his grey glow. He trotted back to the mirror and let his magic do the work. His coat pulled itself off of him for a while as a black vest, clean and well repaired, slid over his chest before the coat returned to its place on him. A bracer slid over his left fore-hoof, black buckles tightening around the muscle, the dark stallion flexing his leg muscles and watching the small, silver blade slide from its sheath.

A belt of leather wrapped around his stomach, a few supplies hanging from pouches and sheaths, and buckled beneath him. A thick cloth bandana, black with faint red patterns of artistic flame, folded before his eyes and wrapped itself around his neck. Finally, a length of blood red ribbon floated to his mane and wrapped around it. The overly long piece of fabric draped down his back in two lengths while they wrapped his mane in a ponytail.

He took a step back and gazed over himself. He had to admit, the 'official' look wasn't…that bad. The medals weighed proudly on his chest, the Shadow Weaver insignia on his bracer reminded him of his guild, the bandana around his neck calling back to an old habit while the look in his eye, that lack of…weight, of severity, told him of his life before him. Then he turned to the side, staring at his wings. Another question and decision he wasn't sure how to answer. Keep his wings? Barely a week ago, unthinkable.

He hadn't changed beyond the additional limbs. His proportions were identical and his skeleton was the same, normal bone, beyond that of his horn and wing bones. He turned to face the mirror once more, starring himself down. For almost all his life, he had been Blood Moon, the unicorn. Unnoticeable, beyond his red eyes and scars. By no means a 'mere' or simple unicorn, but a unicorn all the same. It was who he was. What he was, at his basest level.

"Are you, Blood Moon? Or is your Alicorn blood and bone just something else you abandoned?"

'What's difference? I've always know myself as a unicorn. I'm proud of my heritage. Thus was my choice of word.'

"You blocked your Alicorn duties and form away with nothing but your pride? Geez, and here's me beginning to question it."

'All the same… Learning to swallow my pride to do what I must. I've neglected my responsibilities for too long, letting my Representative do my work for me.'

"So what will you do?"

'I shall…

The assassin smirked at the voice in his head, another pony peering through his eyes.

…I shall swallow my pride, to do what must be done.'

"And the old meets the new, and thus comes full circle."

'Seems fitting, no?'

"I won't argue…"

'Call me 'Mooney' and I will break you.'

All's the assassin heard was a distant cackling as the voice left him be.

Shaking his head at his own insanity, he turned from the mirror and trotted for the door, confidence in his step as a void opened by his head and the Messorem floated in its sheath next to the assassin. He attached it to his belt as the doors grew a grey glow and opened of their own accord. Stepping through them, Blood Moon didn't look back as they closed gently behind him.

---

"So what's takin' him? I kinda wanna see him in this getup you've got planned for him princess, before we go" Rainbowdash said as she poked at a bowl of oats she didn't feel like eating with her spoon. Celestia only smiled gently as she imagined the assassin's reaction to her, perhaps somewhat cold-hearted, prank.

"He should be down soon Rainbowdash" she answered. Around the rest of the breakfast table, the rest of the Elements of Harmony, Cadence and Shining Armour had all eventually shown up to eat while Twilight and Celestia spoke of past times. Initially reserved about sitting in Luna's usual spot, Twilight had long since begun chatting heartily to the princess about everything from her most recent adventures with Blood Moon and her friends to almost anything magical related. Everypony else talked animatedly around the table, Rarity with Cadence about offering to tailor her some new dresses ("I'm sure I could-" "It. Would. Be. An. Honour, princess" Rarity insisted for the Nth time.) while Rainbow recalled old times with Fluttershy ("Well, me and Blood Moon got to talking about when we were younger, and I remembered how I…well, wasn't exactly loyal with you when those guys-" she was cut off with buttery yellow hug "It's alright Dashie" Fluttershy told her with a smile.), while AJ and Pinkie spoke with Shining Armour about his confusion with one of their stories ("So, ya'll ah sayin' you'd have come an' helped us fight off them Buffalo?" "Well, yeah, they were threatening Pony land with violence. It's not like we couldn't. But…" "Whut?" "Well, it's probably better that you didn't ask us for help." "Why?" "Well, let's just say things wouldn't have been too…peaceful? I guess." "OHMYGOSHOHMYGOSHOHMYGOSH! You…you mean…I-I… I wouldn't have been able to sing my song!" "Y-yes, Pinkie Pie, that's exactly whut he meant.")

All conversation stopped when the doors to the dining room flung open.

Everypony looked over to find a stallion trotting in with his head held high, his grin that of confidence while the look in his eye was that of laidback mirth.

Twilight blinked rapidly, staring at him with her jaw unhinging slightly.

"B-Blood Moon… Is that you?" He simply trotted easily up to the table and nodded his head gently.

"Twilight" he greeted, that grin still on his face as Twilight hopped off her seat and faced him properly. She raised a hoof and ran it over his medals gently, before she brushed it through his mane.

"Blood Moon" she said again "you look so…so…" The rest of the Elements had gathered behind Twilight.

"Prim and proper" Applejack suggested.

"Positively dapper" Rarity inputted from beside her.

"Handsome" Fluttershy whispered with a blush.

"Sparkly" Pinkie exclaimed as she stood on an annoyed looking Twilight's head, peering at his medals. Blood Moon smirked as he levitated her off his marefriend.

"Not smelling so bad?" Everypony frowned at Rainbowdash. "What? I'm just saying!" The assassin just chuckled as he shook his head.

"Different" Twilight said after a moment of quiet, admiring how her coltfriend could clean up. She had to admit, his 'rugged' look just worked naturally on him, but she wasn't against this; his ponytail caught most of his fringe, bringing it back and leaving his face nicely framed in pitch-black hair, his stance was noticeably more relaxed, his attire much less intimidating and, as a whole, he was…just much, much more appealing to the simple mare of Ponyville, who enjoyed the simple, peaceful life that was without assassins and corrupted guards and nobles.

A single look into his red eyes quickly reminded her, however, but she didn't shy from it; as Blood Moon had showed her now, there was no shying from one's past. Only embracing it.

"However I look, it's been a long time since I wore this stuff. I was hoping I could pull it off again" he admitted, bringing Twilight from her stupor.

"Pull what off, darling? Why, everything you're wearing looks practically made for you. Dare I ask who did make it?"

"That would be my mother" Celestia answered for him. Everypony suddenly looked, very quietly, at Celestia. She simply shrugged a slender shoulder. "For his birthday, back when he still foalsat me and Luna." Rainbow giggled, everypony raising their eyebrows at her.

"Something you find amusing, miss 'Dash?" She only giggled again.

"Sorry princess, it's just, I can't imagine the picture of ol' BM foalsitting you and princess Luna" she admitted, scratching the back of her neck. Celestia smiled and raised an eyebrow.

"Did he ever tell you about the first time he changed Luna's nappy?"

"Celestia, a word" Blood Moon said quickly, already trotting to one side of the room. Celestia simply chuckled as she shot Rainbowdash a wink that promised to tell her later. The cyan Pegasus could only feel a little awkward under the princess's playfulness.

Once she met him at the side of the room, Celestia couldn't help but smile again as she looked over his garb.

"I honestly thought you'd hate me for it, never mind actually wear it" she told him as she stopped before him. He just grunted.

"Our past makes us what we are, and I'm done trying to escape mine" he replied.

"How noble" Celestia answered, her eyebrow raised. He loosed an amused breath through his muzzle at her comment, shaking his head.

"Anyway, that's not what I wanted to talk to you about." Celestia raised both eyebrows in slight surprise.

"Oh? Pray tell." His eyes shot back and forth as he scanned the room.

"I was attacked, just now in fact, as I was bathing." Celestia gasped. "Six mares trotted in, claiming to be there to help be bathe, four tried to kill me." He looked up at her. "I've already disposed of them" he told her not-so-cryptically. Celestia only nodded her head absently as she thought.

"Six… I only assigned two to aid you" she caught his raised eyebrow and shot him a 'so sue me' look "to test your…dedication to my student, of course. But…" She frowned. "How did four other ponies manage to infiltrate their ranks, not to mention, why didn't the real maids question it?" Blood Moon looked down in thought.

"I have no knowledge of Shadow Weaver infiltrating the ranks of Canterlot Palace staff, I always tried to keep ponies out in the field whenever possible. It is, however, more than likely that more than a few maids would have…less than pure backgrounds." Celestia grunted.

"That would explain why most of my chambermaids can make my bed without me realising it. While I'm still in the damned bed" she added. The assassin only smirked.

"Such is the skill of the Shadow Weavers" he said with no small hint of pride. Then he dropped the smirk. "And such is the skill of our foes now" he mumbled, stroking his chin gently. Celestia tensed one side of her maw.

"I take it your assassins didn't take your…defection well?" He nodded his head.

"More than likely. I hoped their loyalty to me would trump any feelings of betrayal but, well, you can tell me about the rewards of that kind of thinking, can't you?" Celestia only smirked.

"Well, bodyguard, do you have any kind of measure of the foes we are to face?" He shrugged.

"With me watching your back, there're of a negligible threat" he answered surely "but, beyond that, it's not you they're after, it's me. Which, in honesty, doesn't really bother me all that much so the point is moot. And they're smart enough to know that by going after or hurting anypony I care for, they're tying their own noose" he added with a glare. He sighed deeply, looking away from Celestia. "Still, my own guild, my band of assassins. It'll be more than hard to see them die by my hoof" he narrowed his eyes. "But that won't stop me from killing them should I have to."

"You always did have that…quality, should I call it? The ability to look at almost any friend and see them as foe whenever you desire." The assassin only smirked.

"What you get from being betrayed repeatedly" he answered with a shrug. Celestia only snorted.

"I'll say" she muttered "in any event, if that is all, shall we return to breakfast" she proposed. Blood Moon answered by looking past her.

"I think you're wanted" he told her. Celestia turned to find a guard cantering towards her.

"Your majesty, I was told to deliver this to you" he explained, holding out a scroll with his maw. Celestia raised an eyebrow but nodded either way, taking the scroll in her magic as she trotted slowly back to the table. Blood Moon sunk into step behind her, watching her expression as she read the scroll, matching her pace easily as she slowed down as she approached the table, her face twisting into annoyance.

"Well, that's annoying" she muttered. Twilight whom, alongside the rest of the Elements, had hopped back onto her seat, looked back at her mentor.

"What's the matter princess" she asked. Celestia looked up from the scroll for a second, giving her student a reassuring smile, before she looked down at it again.

"Oh, nothing. Just that most of the dignitaries have arrived and settled, and the rest will be arriving soon" she said off-hoofedly. Twilight blinked in shock.

"Oh, you mean-"

"About what happened the other day Twilight? Yes" Celestia finished and answered for her before she glanced at her niece "and Cadence, I know you would normally represent the Crystal Empire in such circumstances, but I feel, under the circumstances, you really needn't bother attending this particular session of court. Besides which" she added, glancing at Twilight "I need you to make sure Twilight here doesn't stray too far from a proper meal." Twilight frowned.

"But I-"

"You've hardly eaten over the past few day my faithful student, I'm sure your mother would be more than willing to storm the palace by herself if I didn't keep you healthy and fed, hmm?"

Twilight blinked a few times as her all her arguments, well thought-out, logical arguments that could easily win in court, all evaporated at the mention of her mother. Instead, she just looked sheepish and embarrassed. Celestia just chuckled lightly into her hoof.

"Of course auntie" Cadence said with a smile, giving Twilight a one fore-hooved hug to reassure her she wasn't being picked on.

"Where are they gathered" Blood Moon asked, getting the conversation back on track, as she passed him the scroll to read, for few reasons other than formalities.

"The old war room, or, the Council Hall, as is its new, proper title" she answered simply before looking to her guests. "I'm afraid, once more, princess duties pull me away from my loved ones" she declared.

"Pull both of us away" Blood Moon added as he slipped the scroll into one of his empty pouches. Twilight blinked rapidly.

"Wait, you're going too?" Blood Moon raised an eyebrow.

"Of course. In case you've forgotten, I'm in the process of reclaiming my old position of bodyguard" he reminded. Celestia grunted.

"Yeah, it's just…well, aren't you kind of, I don't know, the reason princess Celestia has had to call a meeting in the first place" Twilight demanded tersely. Blood Moon laughed.

"Perhaps so, but I've never been on to back down from any kind of fight, be it guards, thugs or whining diplomats" he replied. "Either way, Celestia, shall we?" Celestia smiled slightly.

"Indeed. Cadence, Captain Armour, Elements. We bid thee farewell" she said with a slight bow, turning away and trotting gracefully and primly to one of the exits of the dining room. Blood Moon just winked at Twilight before trotting behind her.

Once they'd both pushed through the door to the dining room, they trotted in silence for a while before Celestia spoke up.

"I noticed the bandana" she noted. Blood Moon looked down at the thick cloth hanging from his neck.

"Heh, yeah. I figured that I'm back here, back by your side, back in my old…very old gear, why not pick up another old habit." Celestia let the ghost of a smile grace her face for a second.

"What was it you used to say?" The assassin grinned.

"Mah all new, multi-purpose bandana" he exclaimed in a near offensively-bad Texan accent, Celestia chuckling lightly as she remember the first time she'd asked him why he wore it. "It's an emergency gasmask, it cleans wounds, it's an impromptu bandage and sling, an improvised tourniquet and all round boo-boo mender. Fifteen uses in one and only a piece of convenient cloth away" he said in a 'shouty-salespony' voice with a smirk, Celestia chuckling at him.

"Ahh, good times" she mused. They trotted in silence for a second before Blood Moon spoke up.

"Yes…yes, there were" he said quietly. Celestia smiled gently as they came a stop before the door, looking down at Blood Moon.

"And, now, we have a future together before us." Blood Moon smiled lopsidedly.

"And what a future it shall be" he murmured. They put on official expressions and stances as they stood before the door, Blood Moon raising his hoof to knock before he paused. "It's still the same, right?" Celestia nodded once. He nodded back and struck the door with his hoof in a tune he'd memorised since the first time Celestia had appeared in court. Twice, pause. Twice more, pause. Once and wait.

From inside, they both heard the sound of a guard's voice announcing them to the already gathered dignitaries and nobles. Both golden doors gained a silver and golden glow as Blood Moon straightened Celestia's tiara while she flattened out a slight crease on the Robus-weave of his vest. Adopting hard looks, Celestia's less menacing than Blood Moon's, they trotted forwards as the doors opened grandly.

With her bodyguard just beyond the corner of her vision, Celestia glided gracefully into the common room before the Council Hall, her head held high, her back straight, her pace easy and measured as her eyes remained on the point directly before her. The dark stallion besides her was similarly posed, his eyes narrowed slightly as he stepped with more pride than regal grace as he remained at her side as though her shadow. Fitting, she felt, really.

Once they had entered the Council Hall, the doors swung shut behind them gently. Around the wide room, white stone making up the walls covered in expensive artworks (Blood Moon actually recognized one of them as one of Rising Sunset's works) and sculptures, while to their left floor to ceiling windows let a pleasant glow into the room. More than a few nobles, foreign rulers, diplomats and ambassadors mingled and spoke in polite but clearly somewhat tense conversation. There could never be true peace amongst these beings. At the other end of the room, above the door leading to the main conference hall, was a plaque that read;

Everyone. We all stand together here.

Blood Moon grunted at Celestia's not-so-subtle defence against any kind of racism that may be used against her before he swept his eyes along the crowd.

Around the room were all kinds of creatures and ponies he was well familiar with. To one side, talking quietly with one of the local zebras, was Zebrack, the Zebra Emperor. Clad in what amounted to zebra finery, he wore a thick red cloak of red-dyed manticore fur, white and black patterns woven along its length. Wise and soft dark green eyes constantly swept along the hall, gazing at everyone around them. A royal red sash, adorned with a golden effigy of the zebra flag –a black, spiked circle that mimicked a crown when seen from above against a white background, the tribal mark of the zebra royal tribe- was wrapped across his chest. He had a greying goatee around his maw that accented his sharp chin, while his mane was kept free beyond the single dreadlock keeping the hairs from his eyes.

Standing and chuckling quietly with Fancy Pants was the Minotaur prime minister, Stone Spine. Unlike most of his brethren, he was a much smaller conjoining of bull and whatever the hay else he was. Standing not much taller than maybe Shining Armour, he wore a business jacket, shirt and modest red tie, a pair of spectacles perched neatly on his brow. He was, in comparison, rather pathetic for a Minotaur, but he was also a shrewd diplomat and a good person, his Minotaur heritage opting away from under-hoofed tactics and diplomacy.

Stood alone, in a dark corner, was the dragon king's ambassador. While the king himself was unfitted to such meetings, mainly due to his sheer size, his diplomat, Krazin, was a smaller winged lizard, with piercing purple eyes, watery blue scales and a plain cloak of black on his back, covering his wings. A badge of a dragon, curled up, clasped his cloak together at the shoulder, his badge of office and station, while the sword that hung from his hip showed his ability, and willingness, to fight.

Discussing the cement and stone flows with an aristocrat who'd built himself up through architecture was the Diamond Dog Pack Lord, Rel. Short for Mongrel, perhaps ironically enough. He was taller than most other Dogs of his ilk, but no less uncaring to his cleanliness or looks; very freshly washed fur and a cloak of dirt brown that hung from strong shoulders built up the official representative of the Diamond Dogs foreign territories. A simple dog, but an effective ruler of his people, he was somewhat respected by his fellow dignitaries, if seen as…uncouth, Rarity would likely put it.

Saddle Arabian nobles, a pink mare and a blue stallion, trotted up to Celestia, Blood Moon ignoring them while they returned the favour. Draped in simple jewellery, the tall horses of the sanded lands were…pretty, in every sense of the word. Even the stallion seemed dainty and fragile, despite hailing from the same lands as Sand Stalker.

Nobles Blood Moon recognised as past clientele and rejected targets, with the good grace to not stare too long at him, nor Celestia, of all colours and creeds all mingled around, speaking with rulers and fellow nobles alike.

Blood Moon shook his head as he trotted around beside Celestia, the solar princess taking him through a small tour of Tartarus; this, was exactly why he'd left before. Hot, stuffy rooms full of people doing nothing but blowing hot air out. Not a single real creature, all with some kind of agenda, no matter how nice, likeable or, put simple, honest they were. A den of thieves might hold more truth and honour than this room.

Then, something caught his eye. Sat in another dark corner, keeping to themselves and avoiding any sort of company or conversation. If he didn't know better, Blood Moon would have thought they'd sneaked inside.

"Princess, if you'll excuse me for a second" he said, remembering proper etiquette around what amounted to little more than glorified pickpockets. Celestia nodded once, smiling shortly, before she got back to her conversation with Stone Spine about a minotaur war criminal on the loose masquerading as a 'toughen up', assertiveness coach. He trotted towards the dark corner, thanking whoever was listening for every step away from the en mass cocktail of ass-kissers and bit-pinchers, until he stopped before them.

"Chrysalis" he said evenly. She gasped and bolted straight, as though caught in the act, and blinked as she looked around. She looked down slightly until she found the dark stallion before her, her eyes widening slightly.

She was sat almost awkwardly by herself, her natural ability at remaining undetected serving her well here. She was more than likely trying to stave off any kind of humiliation, her 'attack' on Canterlot last year or so having not gone unnoticed. It had been an amusing game for the assassin, listening to rumour and story as he gleaned what had happened to her after the battle. Accordingly, defeated and humiliated, she'd tried to go on without any kind of outside help, but, before even soon had come about, she'd slumped back to Celestia with her head hung, mumbling requests for aid as she rubbed her left leg up and down with her right. In her good grace and limitless compassion, Celestia had agreed in exchange of an official apology to Equestria. Said apology had gone widely unremarked through the land, and the Changelings were once again forgotten about. Chrysalis had then limped back to her home to lick her wounds, nurse her fallen pride and fight off any other Changelings who wanted to try their hoof at ruling. She'd needed Equestrian assistance for that as well.

The Queen of the Changelings, ponies.

She was very similar to the rest of her race in appearance; black skin, blue chitin armour on her back and stomach, a pair of holed, bug-like wings, a gnarled horn atop her head, a tattered mane and tail, sharp fangs hanging from her maw and, of course, the race's infamous holes upon her legs.

However, to liken Chrysalis to a normal Changeling was like likening Celestia to a normal pony. Or Blood Moon to a normal assassin. It was pure injustice to them. There was a certain…appeal, a warped beauty about her. She had, for a race that were know for a conjoining of pony and bug, pretty, demure and even somewhat delicate features, holding a pair of emerald green eyes that could be as cute as they could be beautiful and downright fearsome, a green fire always burning behind them. Full lips wrapped around her fangs, a metallic green shadow resting on her eyelids working to her favour. Her mane was, arguably, rather well made, flowing dramatically down her shoulders while her tail was transparent up her legs until it reached dangerously close to her secret spot and turned opaque.

Even by pony standards, one might call her attractive. Legs that were hard and soft in all the right places (one of her favourite diplomatic weapons) stretched from a nicely muscled body and a flank that so infuriatingly teased away view of her black and emerald treasure. Upon her head perched a circle of black points, turquoise jewels decorating it.

There was not a mark or blemish upon her face, not a scar nor a wrinkle. She wore her age exceptionally well, and more than likely hid it even better. That said, being able to change your appearance at will probably had a hoof at that. It was hard to believe that the mare before the assassin had once been one of Celestia's playmates as a child.

Blood Moon sighed gently as memories came back to him in a rush.

They had, indeed, been close together when they'd been younger. Always happy to been in each other's company, they had been good friends as youths. The Changelings had even offered their aid during the war with Discord, the old Changeling king, Imago, fighting alongside Illumination and Nocturnal in a more subtle capacity after his kingdom had been abused by the god of chaos one too many times.

Luna had never really known Chrysalis, the young Changeling having only really liked Celestia and their nanny, Faust. But then, the assassin wondered, who hadn't? Still, the solar princess had always had a friend in the shapeshifter princess, no matter who'd she'd been at odds with. Many of the old staff had even rumoured that, in their Alicorn (and royal Changeling blood) teenage years, their relationship had gotten a little more…intimate. Blood Moon had heard, and investigated out of sheer curiosity if he were being honest, these rumours and put simply, his investigations had revealed he didn't much care what either did with their loins, as long as they were safe and happy.

It made it all the more tragic then, for Blood Moon to see how their relationship had turned out.

During the latter years of the Discord wars, both Celestia and Chrysalis having already taken up their parent's mantels of rulers of their respective nations, they'd been driven apart.

Chrysalis, you see, desired to hunt down all of Discord's supporters with great prejudice after watching her nation of hives getting kicked around by Discord's forces for far too long to not take revenge. Celestia, however, thought that showing mercy would be the better course of action, winning over more supporters and ending the war without having to strike a decisive blow and bring the war to a slow stop rather than a sudden halt. Little good that thinking had done.

More than predictably, this had driven a wedge between them that nopony, or one, could have foreseen the extent of. A disagreement became a rift, a rift became a crack and that crack became desertion. During the final months of the war, Chrysalis left the Illuminating Night uprising and returned to her home hive, taking all her forces with her. Hardly a game changer in the war, but it did something to Celestia. Colder, more calculating. Less open to friendship. Blood Moon often put it down to Chrysalis's leaving her that had made her such a socially lacking ruler, when compared to Luna.

'And just when she needed everypony she loves around her, you go and leave her.'

'Shut up…wait…'

Arguing with his own thoughts again, Blood Moon felt another branch of his schizophrenia blooming.

It went to show, he supposed, getting his thoughts back to the point, just how deep their relationship went when compared to recent events. A full frontal attack on Canterlot by the Changelings, and all Celestia had done was cast them out. Even when she'd had the support, and urging, of almost all of Equestria, she had stayed her country's blade in longstanding affection for an old, if bitter, friend. She'd then gone on to reopen trade routes, diplomatic relations and invite her to council meetings. Still, that didn't stop them from going to war every century or two.

Brought from his thoughts by Chrysalis blinking rapidly, more than likely chasing away her own thoughts, he turned his gaze back to her eyes properly, rather than staring through her.

"Blood Moon" her two voices said in shock, her words hanging in the air between them as her jaw loosened slightly "it's been a while." Blood Moon simply shrugged, a lopsided smile on his face.

"It has" he replied. They stared at each other for a quiet second before Chrysalis glared.

"You left me at the altar" she hissed.

Ah yes, one of the many things Celestia would kill him for if she ever found out about.

Having been practically strangers when she'd been a child and never one to turn away from a pretty mare who'd claimed to love him for him –a point he still debated-he hadn't seen a problem with wedlock nor intimacy. That said…

"You were about to attack Canterlot, with me as your trump card. Not only did you not even tell me, but going back to Canterlot, and Celestia, wasn't high on my list of priorities back then" he replied. Chrysalis just pouted.

"Well…given your history, I can appreciate that, but…not even a note?"

"I had to make a quick exit" he reasoned "beyond which, when I heard of your…plans, and I use the word loosely, with Shining Armour, I was less than behind the whole idea." She glared at him, more pouted really, before she huffed and turned her head away.

"You never were an easy one to manipulate" she mumbled. The assassin only laughed soundlessly. They remained silent for a second before Blood Moon scratched the back of his neck.

"So…how is she?" Chrysalis huffed again.

"Fine…keeps asking about her father." He smiled tensely, looking away.

"You…told her?"

"Everything." He flinched, Chrysalis giggling. "Oh, how delicious. Blood Moon on the ropes." He glared.

"Be that as it may…" he trailed off, Chrysalis raising a hoof.

"I already know. You'd never raise somepony without being able to father them full time. That, and the political scandal would be…" She chuckled at the thought, licking those succulent lips of hers "so treasonous" she said breathlessly. The assassin grunted at her thinking.

"You haven't changed a bit, have you" he noted. Her smile was that of a succubus.

"Never have, never will, despite all evidence to the contrary" the Changeling queen told him with a wink. She held his gaze for a second before she looked left and right sheepishly, rubbing her left fore-legs with her right. "So…you free for dinner?" The assassin laughed.

"No, sorry… Seeing somepony" he revealed. She deflated slightly before frowning, cocking an eyebrow.

"Whom, pray tell?" He shot her a grin and raised an eyebrow. She frowned for a second before her jaw came loose. "No…" she said at silently enraged length, snarling at something "that…that…that…"

"I'll give you the choice of slut, whorse or bitch, nothing more." Chrysalis trembled in hatred.

"Purple…sblorse." The assassin lost it, his horn flaring as his bandana glowed grey and crammed into his muzzle.

"Practically Manezart" he spluttered after a second. Chrysalis just chuckled evilly into her hoof.

"Aren't I always, Cloak and Dagger?" The assassin chuckled through his muzzle again.

"And what are you two talking about" came Celestia's voice. Chrysalis shot Blood Moon a mischievous look, the assassin glaring back, and answered with an innocent;

"Oh, old times." He looked back to find Celestia regarding Chrysalis in a strange light; that of welcoming and at the same time, suspicion. How he imagined she regarded him sometimes. Chrysalis just stared right back, standing to her full height. They were of equal height, and equally imposing, if Celestia was more a heavenly light than dark aura.

"Celestia" Chrysalis greeted, a small nod of her head. She put on airs of confidence, but the assassin could see through it.

"Chrysalis" Celestia returned evenly, returning Chrysalis's nod. Around the room, conversations had died down and no one dared talk above a hushed whisper. "It's a pleasure to see you again" Celestia lied blatantly. Chrysalis just smirked, her eyes going half-lidded.

"I'm sure it is, princess. When, oh when, was the last time we got together like this?" One might call the exchange tense, but that would be like calling the Everfree eerie.

"Back when you came grovelling for aid" Celestia replied without pause. Chrysalis flinched as though struck. They stared at each other for a long second before Celestia made a show of looking around. "Has anyone seen Glendrin?" Casting his gaze around, Blood Moon noticed that the Griffon Kind was, indeed, absent. As were the Goldhooves, now that he thought

about it.

"Is his absents really a heavy loss" Chrysalis asked tersely. The assassin grunted. No one truly liked the Griffon king. Celestia just raised an eyebrow, smiling a tense, lopsided smile.

"As much as you may dislike him, he is king and royal representative of the second most powerful nation on Equus. His input, and presence, to this meeting is something he has both earned and of great importance." Blood Moon grunted.

"Taking all bets on his reaction to your news" he mumbled. Chrysalis's ear twitched.

"Oh? Something juicy to tell us all Tia?" While the other conversations had gotten back on track, the trio no longer the centre of attention, Celestia refrained from smacking the Changeling Queen's smirking face, and instead just glared.

"Oh please Chryssy, you of all should know what I'm about to-"

"Shoot yourself in the hoof with? I'll admit, this is one poisoned arrow I didn't see coming. When I heard the rumours I dismissed them as conjecture, but here, seeing the two of you in the flesh without blades at each other's throats…" Her eyes flashed between the two as a smile grew on her lips. "Such a selfishly diabolical decision you've made here" she mused. Both assassin and princess glared.

"Call it what you please, but selfish is a might judgmental, don't you think" Celestia shot back. Chrysalis shrugged a slender shoulder.

"I of all know this is, in the long run at least, in the best interests of Equestria and the Hives, perhaps the rest of Equus if you're feeling generous" she tagged on. "But do you really think" she made a show of looking around them at the rest of the gathered royals, nobles and court members "they will see the same sense? We've known dear Blood Moon here for much longer than your beloved little ponies and the others. They see him as only an assassin Celly." Celestia glared at Chrysalis's pet name, the queen just smirking at her, before she looked out at the rest of the room again; she had already anticipated Chrysalis's thinking, but that didn't make it any easier to consider what may or may not happen. Perhaps Blood Moon's stature would win them over, or maybe they'd be too concerned with having such a rogue element in court. She knew certain members of court and other nobles would be greatly opposed to having somepony so immune to corruption so close to Celestia in a protective manner. Who knows, maybe his position would be challenged with their own 'champions'?

"Be that as it may" came Blood Moon's voice, breaking Celestia's stupor as both mares looked down at him "this is the path Equestria is set upon. They can either argue or see the benefits of having me on your side. It won't change things." Chrysalis chuckled while Celestia's expression just grew grim.

"A little arrogant in your power there, hmm" smirked Chrysalis. He shrugged.

"Celestia has done enough for her country, and the world, to earn herself this without the interference of snobby nobles and fellow rulers with their heads crammed up their asses." Chrysalis snorted while Celestia just smiled slightly. Before Chrysalis could retort against his not-so-subtle jab, the doors to the common room flung open, the guards either side catching them with ease.

In strode four griffons of varying size and colours, all clad in chainmail, leather and steel plate, bladed gauntlets on their claws, a helmet over their heads that reaching a little down their beaks. On their backs was a griffon Blade Staff, a two meter long weapon, half of which was a maple-wood, leather bound grip while their latter half was a fearsome singled edged, curved blade, similar to that of a katana save the weight and proportions. On their off-claw shoulder was a thick, oak-wood crossbow, the limbs folded down on the stock, a quiver of bolts laying between the weapons.

The griffon to march in behind them, however, was the star of the show. As the four elite guards turned and formed a short passage between them, the biggest, most impressively pompous budgie Blood Moon had ever seen marched into the room. The griffon king, Glendrin.

Standing at least as tall as the assassin's full Alicorn stature, as wide a minotaur and as proud as any Shadow Weaver, Glendrin sure knew how to make an impression.

A head and neck of bronze feathers, lofty and tall, lead to a barrel chest of deep gold feathers, silver streaks running through his finely kept feathers. The rest of his avian half was a metallic bronze, wrapped in griffon finery. Claws that were more manicured than sharpened rested at the end of muscled fore-legs, black leather wrappings covering them. A deep brown fur covered his lion half, the fur at the tip of his tail matching the gold of his feathery chest. The feathers atop his head were slicked back, his crown perched atop his skull, the face and beak of the king wise and experienced. No matter what anyone said about Glendrin, he'd earned his title. A pair of golden eyes scanned the room, the king deliberately straightening to full height and gazing down at the other royals and nobles.

The assassin at Celestia's side paid note to the sword hung from his red jacket, sheathed in a decorative scabbard. A double bladed fencing sabre, an elaborate golden grip tastefully encrusted with jewels. Medals, a royal blue sash, gold, frilly shoulder pauldrons and a medallion around his neck decorated the griffon beyond his blade and crown.

Striding into the room, he held Celestia's gaze as he strode over to her and her present company.

"Celestia" he greeted, his voice even and smooth, his tone controlled and authoritative. His claw found Celestia's hoof, bringing it up to kiss it gently. The assassin was glad of his shadows that they might hide the eye roll.

"Glendrin" Celestia replied easily, showing a practiced hoof at dealing with the griffon, as she bowed her head gently. The king turned his gaze to Chrysalis.

"Ahh, queen Chrysalis. I'm glad you could make it today" he commented. She didn't move nor blink.

"I'm sure" she answered, making no real effort to hide her distaste. Glendrin simply grinned as he turned his attention to the third member of their party, gazing down at Blood Moon. He made no attempt to hide his towering posture over the dark stallion.

"Ahh, a new face to her highness's court? Blood Moon, is it not? Yes, I've heard a lot about you sir." The assassin merely raised an eyebrow at his past client. "I'm sure we're going to get along fine, finally, another sir to add to this cocktail of ma'am, eh" he laughed. Celestia grinned without mirth, Chrysalis making no move, while everyone else either grunted off his bad joke or chuckled with him. Blood Moon simply stared evenly.

"As an opposing nation to Equestria with much to gain from 'her highness's' death, I beg to differ." The room went collectively silent at his words, every single creature in the room staring at Blood Moon in shock. Such…audacity, was not standard protocol for meetings between rulers and court, hay, staff members such as bodyguards were to remain respectful and silent in the presence of other rulers and dignitaries at all times as standard. Never to speak unless spoken to, asides that is from security matters. In the eyes of court, a bodyguard was seen as little more than the standard guards unless the term 'Royal Protector' was within their title. Blood Moon, as it happens, did not possess that title. It wasn't lost on either dark stallion nor solar mare that Glendrin was well within his rights to have Blood Moon arrested for making such a disrespectful remark without cause.

The silence was broken suddenly when Glendrin barked a laugh.

"I like this one princess" he laughed, a bellowing laugh that more than aggravated any sensitive ears in the room. He cut off his laughter and leaned down to the assassin's height. "He's got a fire in him" he said at quiet length.

"I can assure you king Glendrin, he has much more than simple fire to him" Celestia said curtly before raising her head to the rest of court. "Now, I see that everyp-one is present" she said, casting her gaze over anyone who had sneaked in during her short conversation with Glendrin. Loaded Goldhooves, to her lack of surprise, was amongst their numbers, standing in a corner as he attempted to look aloft and important. "I am glad to announce that court may begin" she declared.

Another pair of guards opposite the pair to open the doors to the common room let their horns glow as another pair of doors opened to reveal a large, circular room of multiple oak desks circling the centerpiece, the Equestria crest, in four tiers. Blood Moon and Celestia waited until everyone else was seated until they stepped in last, both trotting around the uppermost circle of seats and desks until they came upon the pair of seats furthest from the door.

Celestia sat upon her oak throne, a replica of her cutie mark carved into the back of the chair in which she sat.

Blood Moon stood to her left, unhooking his sheathed blade from his belt and standing it before him. He rested both fore-hooves on the pommel of the weapon, standing on his hind-legs while he balanced on the sheathed sword, his eyes calmly gazing along the gathered ponies, zebras, griffons, dogs, minotaurs and other assorted creatures.

Celestia stood again before she spoke.

"Our first order of business" she declared "an official statement of the events that transpired three days ago" she began. Everyone muttered in hushed agreement as she waited an appropriately suspenseful moment before continuing. "The rumors that have likely spread are just as likely to be true. The elite guild of assassins known as the Shadow Weavers attacked Canterlot under the orders of their resident chapter's leader. The Shadow Weaver's goal was to assassinate myself" she revealed, muttered words washing through court as she confirmed their prior suspicions. "However, the information that has not, as yet, been revealed to the public is as following: the one who ordered and orchestrated this attack had goals of his own in mind. As some of my more weathered colleges may have already guessed, the stallion who stands by my side this day is, indeed, the renown assassin, Blood Moon."

As Celestia had predicted, pandemonium ensued. Calls for immediate execution was cried out, questions as to why he was roaming free were demanded answering, one of the nobles actually fainted and had to be removed before court could continue.

After a full five minutes, calm was once again restored. Glendrin, much to no one's surprise, stood to speak his part.

"Princess Celestia, we may all value your wisdom and judgment in all matters, but surely you cannot expect us to go along with this" he exclaimed, conveniently forgetting his prior reaction to the assassin. 'Here, here' was called out amongst most of court.

"What's more" came the voice of a noble judge who Celestia couldn't remember the name of "if this is indeed, the Blood Moon, should he not pay for his countless crimes?" More agreements were thrown out.

"Indeed" replied Glendrin "we cannot allow such a…such a heinous being to be allowed to trot free, never mind be at your side as a bodyguard. The risk is far too great" he boomed.

"I see no problem with having him as a bodyguard to Celestia" came Chrysalis's voices "I dare say he's shown both loyalty and self-control by not killing you already Glendrin." Shocked gasps and a few laughs washed through the room.

"How DARE you" spluttered the king "last I checked, queen, the Changelings were begging for a seat at this courtroom, and now you dare insult the griffons! What's more, you would insult Celestia, and her safety, by commending keeping such a pony so close?" Chrysalis snorted.

"And you would dare disagree with her hiney-nesses, Celestia's, wishes?" Glendrin bristled and looked fit to pounce on Chrysalis and rip her limb from limb.

"ENOUGH" thundered Celestia, slamming a hoof to the ground as she cut off any retort. "I summoned you here to discuss this, not squabble like foals or chicks."

"But princess Celestia" implored Glendrin "you are employing a known and viscous assassin, thief, spy, mercenary and mass murderer into Equestrian court. What's more, you endanger both your own life by doing so, as well as the rest of Equestria, perhaps even the whole of Equus. Surely you can see the risk." Celestia raised a hoof to calm him.

"I have already taken everything into consideration. That fact of the matter is, I have much greater knowledge of this stallion than any of you realize and I trust him with both my life, and the lives of all who are important to Equestria and the world."

"Pray tell princess" came Zebrack's wise voice "the sense to be seen in this mess." Mutterings of agreement rung out. Celestia sighed.

"Very well. Since there seems to be no other way, I shall explain to you why I…" she paused, glancing down at the assassin at her side briefly, the assassin glancing up, and continued "trust, this stallion."

There was a moment of quiet mumblings before Celestia continued.

"As you all know, before the Griffon Kingdom, the Zebra Lands, the Changeling Hives and even Equestria in reality, were all established and made peaceful, there was chaos. This you all know, with my parents, Illumination and Nocturnal leading the war against him. During this time, myself, and later princess Luna, were born. Without proper ability to look after and protect our young selves, they hired Blood Moon to act as our bodyguard. As time went by, he, myself and my sister all grew closer until we developed a family-like bond, a bond that, in essence, still exists today. He left us, yes, and he came back" she glanced at Blood Moon a little smugly "begging for forgiveness." The assassin grunted.

"You think that story alone will sway us, princess" came Glendrin's voice. Celestia looked right at him.

"No, I do not. Nor would I expect it to. That is because you do not know him like I do. That is also why this is my decision." A hushed gasped rippled through the crowd. Glendrin narrowed his eyes in suspicion.

"Princess…this decision is giving me a…dictating vibe" he noted. Celestia stood tall.

"Be that as it may, I have served Equestria well as her ruler. Every decision I have made has always been in the greatest interest of my country. I beg of my little ponies that they might understand and respect my reasoning, this one piece of selfishness I have granted myself. Because, no, they, like you, will not understand and that is something I do understand." She spoke in an official tone. "Know this royal court of Equus. This is my decision, and I will accept the responsibilities and consequences it brings. I am well in the knowledge that I am letting a potentially dangerous criminal into my life, and country, but as yet I will do so gladly if it means bringing a strong ally into court and Equestria. You have, all, heard of his exploits, have you not?" Small mumbles went through the crowd again, more than a few leaning to one another as they spoke of rumor and legend alike.

"The point still stands" came a new voice. Everyone looked to the speaker, Blood Moon finding something about this stallion, with navy and midnight blue colors and a crescent moon wrapping around a star cutie mark…familiar, somehow. "That this is a pony who has committed several unjustifiable crimes, only one of which on the record of the average pony would immediately condemn them to execution. Princess, this stallion, no matter how trustworthy you may find him, must still answer for what he has done" he declared. Rumbles of agreement rippled through the crowd aggressively, almost all of the gathered races calling out their preferred methods of retribution. Amongst the voices, one shouted out, 'let him speak for himself!' It was probably on Blood Moon and Celestia who picked it up as Fancy Pants.

The crowd quieted of their own accord before long, Celestia looking back at her bodyguard as he looked back, an unamused expression on his face. Tia simply raised an eyebrow at him.

"Well, Blood Moon" Celestia asked, loud enough for everyone to hear "care to take center stage?"

"Aye" came Glendrin's voice "what have you to say for your crimes?" Blood Moon only grunted gently as he turned his gaze to Celestia properly. With a shrug, he left his blade balanced on its tip and took a few steps forward, stepping into the light.

Everyone gazed up at him as he stood in the light that shone down on and around Celestia, his stance proud and tall as he let his eyes scan over everypony and one. With a short breath through his muzzle, he spoke.

"Know this" he rumbled. Celestia was almost impressed; back way back when, he loathed and actively avoided standing before crowds like this, part of that strategy consisting of doing a deliberately bad job of speaking in front of others when he was told to do so. Here, however, he let a natural confidence and authoritative edge into his grizzly tone. "I have, indeed, done much against Equestria's laws and customs. Some, I know to be abominable. Others, outright evil." He paused, casting his gaze over everyone once more as he gauged the general reaction; apprehension, put simply. "However, I am going to tell you all, one thing, and one thing only." Suddenly, his veneer of calm melted away as he stepped forwards again, a glare creasing his face as he, rather literally, stared down the whole of Equus. "None of you, not your guards, not your courtrooms, not your laws…not one of you, can touch me" he told them. Insulted and disgusted mutters ran through the crowd.

"Why, pray tell, is that" came Glendrin's voice. The assassin turned his gaze to him, speaking almost directly to the Griffon king. They stared each other down for a long second before Blood Moon smirked.

"If you could do anything to stop, catch or kill me, you'd have done it already" he answered.

His words left a strange hollow in the air as what he was saying clicked in the minds of everyone listening.

"What do you mean by that" came the quiet tones of the Saddle Arabian nobles. The assassin let his smirk grow.

"What I mean, is what I say" he said at cryptic length. With a grunt, decent wording came to him. "Let me put it to you like this. Tomorrow afternoon, I will be holding a small…group therapy session" he grinned, only Chrysalis and Celestia understanding what he was getting at. "Those invited will be any and all who have a problem, a grudge, an age old vow to carry out, revenge to take, to avenge someone else, to test their mettle or otherwise work out any and all grievances against me" he told them. Almost at once, everyone's faces slackened in slight horror or disbelief. "This will be Equestria's collective opportunity to face me in vengeance or retribution without the risk of death nor debilitating injury. I extend to you the same invitation" he revealed. The words hung in the tense, heavy air like mist.

Jaws hung loose while words were attempted to be spoken in the hushed air of the silent Council Hall. Blood Moon just grinned in satisfaction at their shocked faces.

"That, is what I have to say about my crimes" he finished before he stepped back again and returned to leaning on his blade. Celestia sighed deeply as she gripped her muzzle gently.

"Need there be anything more said on this subject" she asked the room.

"Indeed there is" exclaimed Glendrin "unless I am mistaken, your…bodyguard just challenged all of Equus's ruling body to a fight. I must protest this decision to bring him into court" he insisted. Celestia sighed once, refraining from magically cramming his tail up his ass.

"I propose a vote" came Chrysalis's voice. Celestia blinked rapidly before she frowned at her old playmate, quickly glaring daggers at her smug grin. "All those in favor of this decision, say 'aye'. All those not, say 'neigh'" she presented. Everyone looked between each other for a second, unsure of how to proceed, until Fancy Pant stood.

"I find that a tremendous idea" he commented "and, I dare say, if no one else shall speak, I'll kick this off" he mused before looking up to Celestia from his vantage point. "I say 'aye'!" Before anyone else could speak, the voice of Loaded Goldhooves cut through the air.

"Fancy Pants, am I not mistaken when I say it was that very 'bodyguard' who attacked both you and your home barely a week ago?" Fancy turned his gaze to Loaded and Prosperous, his gaze half-lidded as he grinned.

"I have my reasons for my decision" he answered, a confident air about him. Loaded glared right at Fancy Pants, the rest of court silent as they observed the exchange between two of the most powerful nobles of Equestria.

"I dare say, you should not be throwing your lot in with him" seethed Loaded, a not-so-subtle hint to his tone. Fancy Pants just threw him a suave grin.

"I dare say, old lad, that where I throw my lot is my business and my business alone" he retorted. Seething and enraged, Loaded watched as many more of the other Canterlot nobles followed Fancy Pants's example. Celestia smiled slightly at each and every other noble to go along with Fancy Pants; his opinion in such votes was regularly a pivotal decision, as the rest of the nobles were more than likely to follow his trend. If putting truth to the loath-ability of the Canterlot nobles, it was at least useful to have such a fair and loyal stallion on her side in such matters. By the time the nobles were done casting their votes, it went either way by Celestia's count, slight disagreement by Blood Moon's and more than interesting by Chrysalis's. The rulers then took their turns to speak.

"The minotaurs cannot think of any good reason to let this pony into court, nor to let him stand by Celestia's side" came Stone Spine's stern observation before his expression softened "but neither can they find a reason for him not to. Aye."

"The dragons have no opinion on this matter, but the dark pony has an intimidating eye that the dragon king would respect. Aye" Krazin said from his dark corner.

"The Griffons see only foolishness in this decision. Neigh" came Glendrin's harsh tone as he glared down Fancy Pants.

"The Saddle Arabians find no place for such a brash and rough element in this court" one of the tall horses said primly "in the interest of the princess's safety, neigh."

"The Diamond Dogs don't like this pony, but his stories have kept our pups well behaved for years. Not to mention, The Assassin's Song is my own little one's favorite lullaby. Aye" came Rel's strained voice.

"To say the zebras like this stallion would be a load of hay, I will not lie. But to turn him away would not be smart. Aye." Blood Moon mentally calculated the votes twice over before he leaned towards Celestia and told her that, thus far, it was a dead heat. Humming in thought at his whispered information, Celestia turned her gaze to Chrysalis.

"Well Chrysalis, it comes down the Changelings" she outlined. Her tone was confident, but inwardly she knew this could go either way; it was either her liking Blood Moon or disliking Celestia that would sway her. The Changeling queen's smirk and cocked eyebrow did nothing to give away her answer.

"The Changelings…" she 'umm'ed and 'er'ed overdramatically for a second, getting groans of annoyance from everyone for a second as she made exaggerated thinking faces as she turned her head this way and that, as though mulling it over. After almost a minute, Glendrin slammed a fist to his table.

"GET ON WITH IT" he roared. The room exclaimed their agreement as Chrysalis cackled to herself, holding her barrel as she laughed. Blood Moon smirked while Celestia shook her head.

"Very well Glendrin" giggled Chrysalis as she smirked a smug little smirk "the Changelings say aye" she revealed. Glendrin snarled at her, Chrysalis narrowing her eyes and letting green flame spark behind her emerald orbs as she snarled back.

"It seems this matter his put to a rest then" Celestia said, cutting off any arguments before they could start. "Blood Moon will return to my side as bodyguard, without interference from outside influence" she added tersely "and, at his own…request, you will all, I hope, be staying tonight to take him up on his offer."

"Or at least watch the proceedings" the assassin muttered, prompting a smirk from Celestia. There was a short pause, everyone mumbling their own comments about what had just transpired, for better or worse, until Celestia spoke again.

"Now that that's out of the way, is there any other business to be discussed, now that we have the opportunity" Celestia asked, gazing around at everyone.

For the next hour or so, Celestia would continuously regret asking that. What might pass for an 'average' session of court began with a short dispute between the Changeling Hives and the Griffon Kingdom, Glendrin claiming that Chrysalis was attempting to swindle him out of goods for unfair prices. Celestia shook her head and more than readily had Chrysalis stop trying to cause trade wars. With a shrug, the shapeshifter reluctantly agreed.

After the brief fiasco of settling down Glendrin and Chrysalis, the dragons gave their annual accord of the treaty that had been created between them and their rocky relationship with…well, everyone really. Krazin also reported that the dragon who'd entered Equestrian lands for his 'nap' had been properly punished.

A happier note came on the words of Zebrack as he stood and announced that he had officially began courting a Zebra ambassador he had controversially fallen in love with. Celestia smiled at the particularly beautiful rhyme he'd used to describe his situation with his new-found lover. Wishing them both a happy courtship together, Celestia moved on to other business as it reared its head.

Trade negotiations were brought up here and there, trade routes being pirated were named and advised against being travelled until cleared out, other more private meetings were arranged between nations and Blood Moon took one look at the assassin skulking in the shadows of the room and silently shook his head.

By the time everyone had decided they'd said their piece, no less than four hours had passed and Blood Moon was more than reminded why he'd never liked appearing as Celestia's bodyguard during court before he'd left.

"...I think I am right in saying that nothing more need be said today" Celestia was saying, bringing the assassin back to the Counsel Hall and away from the game of mental chess he'd been playing with his voices. The general murmur of agreement rippled through the crowd as everyone looked around and decided they didn't want to be cooped up any longer. Or maybe that was just Blood Moon. "In which case, I decree this counsel to be at an end" she said with a light smile on her face. Everyone soon moved to the exit, the upper levels leaving first, with Celestia and Blood Moon lingering to the end, while the lower tiers left progressively one after one another.

Once everyone had left, Celestia released a long breath.

"Well…" she said at length. Blood Moon shrugged.

"Could have been worse" he commented, tying his scabbard back onto his belt and resting on all four hooves again. Celestia grunted.

"Could have been worse" she repeated quietly, looking at him with dubiously raised eyebrow. "You, literally, just picked a fight with all of Equus" she reminded him. He only shrugged, rolling a shoulder as though readying for a fight.

"Eh, it'll be a good workout" he brushed off, a smirk growing on both their faces. Celestia just shook her head.

"You're going to let my guards fight you if they've got a grudge? I'd prefer if you'd have at least run this by me before you cast the die" she said with a glare shot at him. He kept his smirk.

"Seemed like a good idea at the-"

"Damnit Blood Moon" Celestia snapped, whipping her gaze to him "you can't pull this kind of bull if you want us to work together! I asked you to take to stage to, I don't know, make some kind of diplomatic position! Apologize, stall, something smart? But no, you challenge them to a dust up!" Celestia ground her teeth as she glared daggers at him. Blood Moon only glared back, turning towards her properly.

"Political movements are your scene. Blood and bruises are mine. You want me to stand in front of three armies, Equestria as a whole, the griffons, the zebras, the Diamond Dogs, the dragons-buck it, Equus as a whole, as you like to put it? What'll that do?" Celestia snorted.

"Bruise your pride" she asked in snarky tone. The assassin snarled; her conversation with Twilight had obviously included the troubles they'd discussed/argued back at his old home.

"Damn right" he snapped "I'll take a shot to the pride for you, Luna, Twilight or anypony close to me, but those guys" he asked, pointing a hoof at the door the nobles and rulers had left from "I don't regret a single thing I've done." He narrowed his eyes, glaring straight into Celestia's eyes. "And I don't regret a thing, over the last ten thousand years, I've ever done against you, or your country, or your armies." Celestia just glared, her eyes practically trying to fling daggers at him, but a disbelieving and insulted edge tainted her glare. "Everything I've done, I'll never apologize. I'll let them take the fight to me, I'll understand their grudges, but apologize? No. I've nothing to be sorry for." Celestia just took short, snorting breaths as she

pushed down her rage.

"You…you…you rat bastard, mother-bucking, sonofabitch, lying, cheating, murdering, arrogant assassin" she hissed. He just snarled his lip.

"Damn right" he growled. "Everything I've done, whether you believe it or not, has all been cutting away the cancer." A confused frown joined Celestia's glare.

"What are you-"

"You remember a stallion called Slick Talker?" She frowned completely, looking away from him in thought.

"One of my griffon ambassadors… He was killed a few months ago." She narrowed her eyes. "You…" The assassin snorted.

"I killed a corrupt, greedy asshole. He went along with a scheme to let war ensue, ignoring his duties to iron out relations and bring back prisoners being kept illegally. All for money" he finished in a growl. Celestia stared him down for a second before she swallowed once and turned her head away.

"I don't believe you" she hissed in contempt. Blood Moons snorted.

"Dose the shit that comes out of your ass ever get jealous of the shit that comes out of your mouth?" There was a white and golden flash as Celestia's hoof swung at Blood Moon; he caught it, yanked her down while leaping up, let her go as he pushed off the back of her throne with a hind-leg and landed behind her, unsheathing his blade gracefully.

"Just try it Tia. You want to take a swing at me, go ahead. But I am not Luna, and I will swing back. Because, for as much as I love that girl, you know she never could bring herself to strike you, you bitch" he growled. Celestia snorted, an arrogant sneer on her lips.

"Ha, call her a whorse and-" She was cut off when Blood Moon lunged; taken by surprise, there was nothing she could do when she was pinned down, a blade to her neck, teasing her arteries. Gasping in shallow breaths, Celestia looked up at Blood Moon; a deep, silent rage had wrenched itself loose from the chains within his soul, and it was all Celestia could do to hold down the swallow lest she open her own throat.

"Don't. Even. Think. About going there, Daywalker" he growled as tears tempted at the corners of his eyes. Daywalker. He only ever called her by her heritage title when he was disgusted. Not angry, disappointed or ashamed but always, always when he was disgusted in her. "If I ever hear of you calling her that again, I will break you. No pity, no remorse, no nothing" the assassin leaned his gaze down to her. "You'll deserve every punishment I can dream up if you even dare go there Celestia" he told her. She just nodded, once, shakily.

"I-I…yes" she said after a second of silence. The dark stallion got up off of her and sheathed his blade as he trotted back. He didn't offer to help her up. Standing and brushing herself of gently, Celestia looked up at her bodyguard hesitantly. Gazing into his eyes, his expression, made shame bubble up within the solar princess. Looking away, she tried to speak again. "I…I…I'm sorry, I shouldn't-"

"Save it" he cut off, raising a hoof "I don't want to hear it" he told her venomously. Celestia only took a long breath as her throat tingled where his blade had teased her throat.

"Very well" she said at length. They were silent for an almost awkward second, Blood Moon not letting his narrowed eyes off of Celestia for a second. Celestia tensed one side of her maw under his scrutiny as her eyes went back to him. "You know, you've still challenged Equus to a fight" she reminded. Blood Moon only took the bait so he could give himself a chance to force down his memories and emotions.

"And? I'm going through with this, and whether you like it or not, this is happening" he told her harshly. Celestia regarded him for a second.

"Alright then Blood Moon" she said quietly "we'll do this your way, for argument's sake, for fun" she said with a short glare. "But if this all falls apart because of your idiocy, I'm going to rip you a new one." Blood Moon held her stare for a second before he smirked.

"You were my first real student Tia, you're one of three real fights in the world that I know of that are either interesting or challenging. The moment you wanna go, I'm more than willing" he said with a threatening smirk. Celestia returned his smirk before she turned away and trotted in the direction that everyone else had gone towards.

"We'll see, Blood Moon" she said as she trotted away. Blood Moon only smirked at her back as he trotted after. Trotting back into common room revealed to both princess and assassin that they were no longer accompanied by the droves of nobles and rulers of Equus. Only Chrysalis remained behind, a goblet of wine in her toxic green magical grip. She stared at it for a long second before she turned her head back and gazed back at Blood Moon and Celestia. She let a small smile stretch across her lips before she turned her attention back to the goblet and sipped from it delicately.

"Tia, Blood Moon" she said curtly. Celestia stood silently for a second before she sighed gently.

"Chrysalis…thank you. Without your input, without your support… Well, I doubt we'd be done talking about Blood Moon yet" she said quietly. Chrysalis chuckled deviously.

"Oh, in my debt are you now?" Blood Moon sensed the ploy and quickly grunted dismissively.

"That meeting would have ended the way it did no matter what. You just saved us some time" he retorted. Chrysalis just chuckled that chuckle again.

"The lies we tell each other are nothing compared to the lies we tell ourselves. Just keep telling yourself that Blood Moon" she mused. Struck by her proverb, the assassin could only go quiet. Celestia looked down at him from her vantage and couldn't help but note the distant look in his eyes.

"Whatever we argue your input to be worth…you have my thanks all the same" Celestia told the queen. Chrysalis hadn't dropped her smile.

"I'd ask for something in return" she said. Celestia simply rolled her eyes.

"What" she asked hotly. Chrysalis's smile turned to a grin as she put down her goblet and trotted up to Celestia; leaning forwards and speaking so low that, if the assassin next to them had been paying attention, even Blood Moon would have difficulty listening in. Celestia frowned at her quiet words before she snapped bolt straight, a blush igniting as she took a step back. "I-I you want to…what?" Chrysalis only giggled into her hoof.

"It's been so long since we've gotten together for tea, and it'll be such an interesting…" she glanced down at Blood Moon, a devilish smirk on her face "topic of conversation" she mused. Celestia only glared.

"You…love sucking bitch" she said under her breath. Chrysalis put on a remarkably cute pink blush and smile, closing her eyes innocently, and booped a blushing princess with her own nose.

"And you'll always love me for it" she sang happily as she almost skipped out of the room "bye-bye Celly" she called over her shoulder, the hall illuminating in a brief flash of green fire as she teleported away. Celestia only shook her head before she looked down at Blood Moon, concern finding her gaze despite herself.

"Hey, you okay" she asked quietly. She got no answer until she nudged his shoulder with a hoof. He blinked himself back to Equestria and looked up at her.

"Hmm, what? Yeah, yeah I'm just…what she said just now" he murmured. Celestia looked in the direction the Changeling queen had left in, the open door ever guarded by her vigilant guards.

"The lies we tell each other are nothing compared to the lies we tell ourselves" she repeated at quiet length. "Wasn't it Aristable who said that?" The assassin nodded dumbly.

"Hiding our inner demons and Alicorns from ourselves" he muttered before shaking the thoughts away. "Whatever" he murmured to himself before looking up to Celestia. "Anything else on the roster today?" Celestia thought about it for a second.

"Given recent events, day court will be postponed a few days more to give me the chance to see to other aspects of the repairs and politics. I still need to scare off any 'helpful' nations and deal with the press. For now, however, I think it's time for lunch" she decided as she trotted out of the door. Blood Moon followed behind at his usual pace, following her path as any good bodyguard would.

They trotted in silence, largely alone throughout their journey back to the dining hall. Celestia couldn't help but glance back at Blood Moon every now and then in worry; his silence had her worried, his thoughts more than likely lingering on Chrysalis's prior comment. She could only wonder what was on his mind. Some kind of guilt for hiding away his Alicorn bone and blood? Lying to himself for so long? She stopped in her tracks and turned to him, watching him match her pace automatically. Even after ten thousand years, he still hadn't dropped his old habits.

"Blood Moon" she said quietly. He looked up at her, his expression asking why they'd stopped. Celestia sighed once before she lowered her head to his level. "If it's any consolation… I understand why you'd, why anypony would, hide away being an Alicorn." The assassin smiled dimly.

"Of everypony in Equestria, you would" he replied quietly before looking up at her, that small smile still on his lips. Celestia returned the favor with her own small smile. Before she knew it, he'd wrapped her in a gentle hug between his head and fore-hoof. "Tia…I…I…" She smiled dimly as she returned the hug.

"I'm all grown up now daddy. I understand" she assured. He nodded gently into her before he released her, stepping back slightly.

"This is very unbecoming for a princess and her bodyguard" he murmured off-hoofedly. Celestia smiled gently as she turned away and trotted to the dining hall.

"How about father and daughter" she posed. The assassin smiled dimly again. Celestia lead them to the dining room in silence, Blood Moon following behind automatically, and pushed through the door to find that everypony had apparently left already. "Seems we are to be dining alone" Celestia mused as she looked around the otherwise empty room. Blood Moon only shrugged as he trotted past her and sat at in an empty seat. Rather than her usual spot at the head of the table, she elected to sit next to him along the length of the table.

Leaning his head on his pressed together hooves, the dark stallion spoke.

"I feel it prudent to look at your and Luna's schedules so I know what I'm getting myself into" he commented as today's lunch was brought out, some fancy yet practical food the assassin was sure he'd never eat under normal circumstances. Celestia, for her part, just shrugged and let her horn glow at his suggestion; a few papers materialized out of the air and gently floated to the assassin's field of view, wherein he took them in his own magical grip and cast his gaze over them.

"I wasn't aware this was to be a working lunch" she said as delicately chewed on some fine, home-grown alfalfa and daisy. He simply shrugged as he blindly ate his food, his eyes locked on the papers before him.

"Makes no difference to me" he responded in a mumble before he frowned "up from five, working 'till eight" he summed up, glancing at Celestia. She shrugged again, her mouth full of daisy.

"That's on a good day" she answered easily. The assassin grunted.

"How am I supposed to guard both you and Luna? I can go for a while without proper sleep, but even I need proper rest once in a while. I'd be exhausted within a week" he said quietly to himself, thinking it over. Celestia overheard.

"You actually plan on doing that" she asked. With a slight frown, Blood Moon looked over.

"What?"

"Guarding me and Luna full time. I thought you'd have realized that that isn't practical." Blood Moon blinked rapidly.

"Wait wait wait, you assumed I'd just be your bodyguard? I'm both you protection, not just you" he reminded her tersely. Celestia looked taken aback.

"I never assumed anything! I just thought that you'd end up killing yourself if you tried working twenty-four seven looking after us" she shot back, a might miffed. Blood Moon just grunted as he turned his gaze back to the papers.

"Still…you've got a point, I'll admit" he said at quiet length. Celestia thought about it for a second.

"Anypony you trust enough to keep an eye on Luna? Any protégés?" The assassin grunted again.

"Don't talk to me about protégés" he grumbled. Celestia raised an eyebrow.

"Students gone rogue? Or are they…against your defection." He shook his head.

"No…I hurt her" he mumbled "I was…I asked too much of her, pushed her away, used her…everything the bad guy does" he rounded off, holding his face in his hooves, sighing. Concern welling in her, Celestia went to put a hoof on his shoulder.

"Are you-" He cut her off by raising a hoof, pointing it at her.

"Celestia…don't ever do anything to hurt Twilight. I've lost a student once, and…it's hard, harder than you might think. To watch somepony you adore grow up and become strong, all thanks to you, watch them grow up to look up to you, because you taught them…there's no better source of pride… Just…from one teacher to another, don't ever, ever, give her a reason to leave you" he told her. Celestia just blinked a few times before she nodded.

"I…I won't" she promised. He nodded his head, still held in his hooves.

"Good" he said at quiet length.

Their shared lunch passed by swiftly thereafter, eating in relative silence beyond the odd comment from Blood Moon as he continued to go over Celestia's weekly schedule. Most of his thoughts were dedicated to figuring out the problem between him and Luna's nightly schedule. He went over many options, none of which spoke to him as acceptable in any real way. He refused to leave Luna unguarded during the night. He knew she could handle herself well, but…it was a simple case of parent's worry. He put a mental sticky note on his mental refrigerator to look into the problem further when he had the chance to devote all his time and resources to the problem properly.

"Where are Philomena and Hunter" Celestia asked suddenly as they strolled along the halls of the palace. The assassin perked up as he smiled at the memory.

"I think they're on a date at the moment" he answered. Celestia did a double-take.

"Say what" she demanded. He grunted a laugh.

"I'm serious! This morning Philomena paid Hunter a visit. I'm pretty sure Hunter asked her out anyway. If not, the poor bastard's so deep in the friend zone he's going on dates with her without actually dating her" he told her. Celestia only smiled in estranged laughter as she tried to make sense of that.

"What would a phoenix do on a date anyway" she wondered aloud. Blood Moon shrugged.

"I dunno. Intercourse?" She batted his head, the assassin chuckling.

"I'm serious, if she has chicks…" she muttered. He only continued to chuckle as they found themselves outside Celestia's room. They trotted in, finding the room empty and breezy, the window open and letting in cool air. Celestia sighed, content with the world for a brief moment before she trotted for the papers that were stacked on her work desk. She shifted through them, growing increasingly more grim as she did so. "Dear, oh dear" she mumbled.

"Something the matter" Blood Moon asked from behind, his head cocked.

"Oh, just looking through the repair expenses…did you really have to destroy the gatehouse" she threw back at him. She smelt the shrug.

"Seemed like a good idea at the time" he replied. Celestia only smirked slightly at his thinking.

"Blood Moon…if you don't mind, I may need some time to consider my moves in the coming days. The press, outside assistance and local expenses and issues notwithstanding, I've got…an awful lot on my mind" she looked back at him "would you mind giving me a little while alone to consider everything" she asked. Blood Moon smiled gently.

"Of course not" he replied. He put a hoof to his chest, over his heart. "If you need me, I'm always nearby…"

"I'll just look to the darkest corner" she finished with her own gentle smile. He bowed his head gently and trotted for the door, opening it to find a pony swinging his hoof to knock on the door. Stepping back to dodge the hoof, Blood Moon looked the pony up and down.

"Name and business" he asked evenly, his tone official, his horn sparkling as he gripped his blade. The other pony raised his eyebrow.

"I'm here to see princess Celestia, my name is Skullduggery." Hearing this, Celestia perked up as she looked back.

"Let him in Blood Moon, he's a friend." Gazing back, the assassin let his eyes slowly go back to Skullduggery before he stepped aside for him.

"Very well" the assassin murmured as he watched Skullduggery trot into the room. His eyes going back to Celestia, she nodded in assurance, to which he simply tensed one side of his maw, and trotted out without another word.

Meanwhile, Celestia had turned from her papers and cantered to Skullduggery, meeting his muzzle in a short nuzzle.

"Skullduggery" she said quietly "it's good to see you again" she told him. A phantom of a smile stretched across his face.

"You too Celestia" he replied, equally quiet, as their nuzzles turned to a small kiss before Celestia straightened up again.

"I didn't expect you so early" she admitted, trotting side-by-side with the detective towards her bed, sitting down on it, Skullduggery following suit. The noir stallion shrugged a shoulder.

"I find myself with few cases after the small issue of the battle. Seems needs of private detectives diminishes somewhat during times of local war" he observed, Celestia laughing lightly. He looked away bashfully. "That and…I…well" he awkwardly made circles in the sheet with his hoof without thinking. Celestia giggled.

"You're so adorable when you get all bashful" she said through her giggles, Skullduggery grunting in laughter.

"Well…does a colt really need a reason to see his marefriend?" Celestia cozied up to him as she nuzzled him again, feeling him return the intimate gesture.

"As far as I'm concerned, no" she replied, kissing him gently. She felt him kiss back again, feeling his confidence grow as their intimacy extended. They mutually pulled back and let their horns touch as they bowed their head against each other, basking in their closeness.

"So…" Skullduggery said after a while "that was him. Blood Moon" Skullduggery said at length. Celestia tittered quietly.

"Indeed, in the flesh" she confirmed. She leaned back, cocking her head as she raised a playful eyebrow. "What did you think" she asked. Skullduggery stroked his chin.

"He was…interesting, to say the least." He glanced at Celestia in a way they both recognized. "He's got a vibe about him, not sure what to make of it" he muttered. Celestia chuckled.

"Always the detective" she said. The stallion just tipped his hat, prompting more laughter from her. They moved to lay next to each other, Celestia laying her head next to his as they enjoyed their shared company.

"How was court" he asked quietly. Celestia smiled as she closed her eyes in relaxed, content bliss. Asking each other how their day had gone; was that what normal couples did?

"It was…eventful. Blood Moon challenged all of Equus to a fight." She felt Skulduggery's grunt.

"What" he asked. She shrugged her shoulders lazily.

"He said he didn't care what he'd done, but if anyone had a problem he'd be more than happy to let them take it out on him. Or, try at least" she explained.

"Aren't you worried?" Celestia rubbed her head against his as she snuggled closer to the detective.

"Honestly, I'm not. I just…wish he'd been a little more diplomatic about this situation. But…it'll at least be a good show of power." Skullduggery nodded, but she could sense his mind at work.

"What's the point to it all? I mean, why challenge them like this?" Celestia huffed.

"To show them what I already know. He can't be touched by the law. No matter how much I hate it, I have to admit it to myself; there isn't a guard that can subdue him, a cage that can hold him…a blow that can kill him." She felt her coltfriend deflate slightly.

"So…" he said at length "he's going to get away with everything he's done…" he murmured. Celestia sighed, turning her body to face his. She draped a hoof over him and pulled him in a little closer. She liked the intimacy with him. It was a new, alien experience for the lonely ruler…but not at all a bad one.

"Trust me Skull, when I say that that stallion's punishment is his own existence" she brushed a hoof down along his cheek. "Maybe nopony will be satisfied with that, but that's the way it is; he is Blood Moon, that being his crime and also his punishment." He hummed in thought.

"Alright…I believe you" he told her. She smiled and nuzzled his nose with her own.

"I'm glad…" He smiled back and returned the gesture. The sweet gesture coming from Skullduggery made Celestia smile all the more as she relaxed her head on the mattress. She watched as Skullduggery rested his head on the mattress with her, losing a light breath as his body relaxed against her. She frowned gently as she caught the faint bags under his eyes.

"Skull…when did you sleep last?" He grunted as though caught.

"I...may have under exaggerated just now" he admitted. "Most of the detectives around Canterlot, official badge or no, have been drafted in to the task of…well routing through the remains of the guard and tracking their families down" he explained before a yawn took him by surprise "I think the last time I slept was when I was resting my injuries" he mumbled. After a long pause, he sighed. "Somepony like him, Blood Moon I mean…he doesn't regret the attack, does he?" Celestia smiled tensely.

"No…he regrets little. Well, little beyond anything he might do to hurt those close to him, in recent days that is." She sighed through her muzzle. "Skull, you need to understand…he's not the stallion I once knew… He's changed. I can feel it when he looks at me, when he talks to me, talks to anypony else. Around Luna, Twilight, he seems calm, good, gentle. But…no, he's not the bodyguard I once knew." She opened her eyes and gazed into his. "Skullduggery, I love that he's back but…I don't trust him. I can't. Don't you trust him either. Keep your eyes open. Don't try to go all sleuth on him, but keep your eyes open around him. I'll need somepony with a sharp eye with me if I'm going to have him around" she brushed a hoof down his chest gently "I'd appreciate it if that somepony was you…" He smiled gently.

"Of course Celestia" he told her. She smiled and kissed his crooked nose gently in thanks before she sat up, stretching her back and flaring her wings.

"I really shouldn't be lying around with so much work to do" she muttered, glancing at the stack of papers on her desk. She looked down at her coltfriend, who had sat up too, and smiled gently. "I'm really getting tired of kicking ponies out of my room" she said casually, before she grinned playfully "but I don't think I could concentrate if you stuck around" she said, brushing a hoof down his face. He choked and blushed heavily, the sight making Celestia laugh into a hoof as the stoic detective pulled his hat over his face to hide his embarrassment. He was obviously still uncomfortable with that kind of intimacy. She understood his trepidation, she had to admit. For all he'd done for her, whether he realized it or not, she was willing to take it slow in that regard. She giggled gently at his reaction either way.

"If you have work to do Celestia, I won't bother you" he assured. She smiled gently.

"You're no bother Skull, I just need to get this all out of the way…princessing, and all that" she said with a shrug. He let a small smile stretch across his muzzle.

"Princessing, indeed" he agreed before he looked to the huge pile. He had experience with paperwork, and he'd never enjoyed the prospect. "I only wish I could help" he commented. He suddenly found himself with hooves draped over his shoulders, Celestia smiling gently.

"You've helped enough just by being here Skull…just by asking me about my day" she kissed the base of his horn. "Now get going, those dastardly criminals aren't going to catch themselves, hmm?" Skullduggery chuckled.

"Ahh, if only… I'll being seeing you Celestia" he said, attempting to move. Celestia held him still for a second, prompting him to raise an eyebrow. She moved forward and kissed his lips gently.

"I'll see you too Skull" she replied as she pulled back. For an intimate second, they lent their heads together, small smiled on their faces. Celestia wasn't sure where the notion to linger with him so came from. Maybe one of those romance novels she'd read? Either way, Skullduggery hopped from the bed, trotted for the door, tipped his hat slightly and left with a small:

"Goodbye Celestia." The princess felt her own smile grow a little.

"Goodbye Skull" she murmured to her empty room. She turned her head to her work desk and sighed, her happy smile dropping as she looked at everything. "I really hate paperwork" she pouted as she sulked over to the desk and got to work.