//------------------------------// // Chapter 3 // Story: Now and Again // by FirenzaShabirri //------------------------------// As Dom Trotted along looking for some amusement, he came across the town square which was bustling with ponies like it usually is. The smell of spiced apples, cake, and bread wafers through the air around them. The he noticed something, a chariot approached the center of the square near the Celestia statue. Ponies in fiercely looking clad armor stood proud and intimidatingly. This was a rare occasion to see royalty come down to the city, two ponies opened the door and a cloaked pony with a bright red cross insignia got out of his chariot. The colt was then followed by a chorus of gasps and awes. "Dear commonpony, as many of you may know people of pure royal blood like myself do not grace your measly existence often with our presence. Right now we are looking for someone new to join our ranks." The crowed began murmuring but silenced quickly as their gaze returned to the speaking pony. "For you see, new places in our ever growing army are key to help getting peace among Equestria. That is what we all want right? Peace among everypony" He said looking over the crowd smiling as they murmured Dom noticed something among the crowds, through the top of a building he noticed a hooded figure moving closer towards the Speaker as if waiting for the right moment. Dom couldn't look away as the mysterious figure danced across the rooftops like the moon dances perfectly with the sea. The figure stopped after a few buildings and was perched closely near the Speaker as he continued to talk about things such as tax increases to help fund the newer expanse of the army. Suddenly there was a shadow above the figure as he breathed in deeply, before anyone could react the figure landed on the speaker. The sight was accompanied by a sickening sound. The figure rose as people looked at the figure with fear and terror written over their faces, the guards advanced but didn't move from their positions as being held by magic. The figure spoke up in a female and articulate voice. "For too long have the commonpony been looked down upon by the royalty of Equestria. This act was not the first, nor will it be the last until everyone has the same rights. The bloodshed will end when everypony has the freewill to choose the path they want for their country and life." The pony put her hoof over the speakers eyes and closed his murmuring something so softly everyone paid close attention. "For your corruption may the afterlife be as painful as this life was, rest in peace." The figure stood up now her cloak covered in blood, she ran down the long and narrow alleyway throwing something behind her which was followed by a loud bang and smoke from down the alleyway. The guards moved now as they seemed free from their invisible bonds. Gritting their teeth they shouted at everyone to leave the area now. So Dom left quickly running through the backstreets he was grabbed and pulled from behind by two of the guards from earlier. "Tell us where she went scum!" The taller guard with the more pronounced voice boomed. "What are you talking about?" "You know exactly what were talking about you peasant, where did the assassin go?! you were there when it happened and ponies saw you notice her before Redhoof was killed now where did she go?" Croaked the smaller one "I swear to you i have no ide-" His sentence was cut short from someone from behind the guards. "Looking for little old me, my the royal guards are awfully slow and stupid these days." The mare smiled as she stood taunting the guards who dropped Dom and raced at her. Their haste was rewarded when she jumped over them and snapped the shorter ones neck in one fluid movement. The Taller guard didn't have a chance as he turned to face her he was met with a knife in the throat. The mare smiled "It seems after all the money that goes into training this military they are still weak, oh well..." She trailed off "You okay back there, I didn't want such potential to get hurt." She continued facing Dom her white hooded robe caked in the speaker's blood. "Your the pony who was watching me yesterday!" He said in shock as he got up "Why are you killing all these people?!" He said in surprise and fear "The answer is simple, but we need to move somewhere more secret to talk about it. Follow me" She grabbed his hoof and lead him through the backstreets. They kept running for what felt like hours until they reached a cemetery. They stopped after a while and Dom caught his breathe. "Just be quiet and listen for now, we've had our eye on you for quite some time Dom. Waiting for your talents to surface, you've never been truly alone Dom. Now that your true talents have surfaced you have a simple choice: Join me and join the Brotherhood, or be pinned in the crimes of a royal member and sworn member of a group known only as the knights Templar. They have been helping the king in a giant conspiracy and we could use all the help we get." "Why should i help a bunch of murderers and psychopaths!?" Dom said angrily "Because Dom, our group of 'murderers and psychopaths is all that's stopping royalty from killing you and everyone you care about... Even Salia." "Fine i will think about it." Dom said leaving quickly and heading to the bakery people were inside as he walked in they shouted in a chorus. "Happy birthday Dom!" Salia was smiling in the corner and he went over by her, trying to push out the events of today. Trying to forget, but you cant forget what fate decides to do and where it will take you. Dom continued to laugh and have fun, but the entire time he could not get the mare's face out of his mind. Would he have to confront her so soon? Would he be forced to kill someone close to him? Only time will tell for our hero.