On the Streets
"Go live your life my daughter...Scootaloo..."
My eyes snapped open. The dream had invaded my mind again for the third night in a row. Why is this happening? I know my parents had died some years ago, but I was too young to remember anything. I know for sure that I am an orphan, because I lived in an orphanage up until about a year ago.
Sadly, the owner of the orphanage had died of old age, and his widowed wife couldn't keep the payments up. The place was shut down, and many of us were sent to other orphanages.Oddly, no pony came to me. I was simply left outside the empty building with the world at my hoof.
That's the whole reason why I live in an alley sleeping under the daily paper every night. To be honest, it never bothered me that much. Fresh food was always being thrown away with barely a bite taken out of it. I'de obviously check for parasites and things like that, but it was better than nothing.
I have friends that care for me, but I'd never asked them to take me in. I couldn't do it. I feel guilty just thinking about them having to deal with me, let alone another filly. I feel as if things are better off this way.
But why am I having these repetitive dreams? It's been like this for nearly half a week now. The same dream, the same ending statement, before my eyes shoot open to the bright sun filled sky.
It feels like the dream is connected to me in some way. I'm not sure how to describe it, but it's as if its a part of me.
Whatever the reason, I would prefer for these dreams to stop. All they do is confuse me, and give me a splitting headache when I think about it.
Whatever...I think some time with the crusaders will ease my tension a bit.
"Hey Scootaloo!"Applebloom waved her hoof to me from across the street. I waved back, and crossed the street.
"Hey Applebloom. How's it goin'?"I asked her.
"Not much. I was thinking we could do some more crusading! You in?"
"Sure. Where's Sweetie Belle?"I asked looking around sugarcube corner.
"Not here. I saw her being dragged into the fabric store again by Rarity."Of course.
"And I dragged myself out without her noticing..."I recognized the voice that came from behind me. I turned and saw Sweetie Belle with a tired worn out face.
"Hey Sweetie Belle. Glad to not see you covered in sewing supplies."I said giving her a friendly hug.
"No kidding. It's always the same; 'Oh Sweetie Belle, could you be a dear and hold this, and measure that'."Sweetie Belle did her impersonation of Rarity. Applebloom and I sat there chuckling to ourselves, trying as hard as we could to contain our laughter. "So what are we doing today?"Sweetie asked.
"Oh I know. We could try skiing."Applebloom suggested. I liked the idea but...
"But where are going to find a snow covered mountain in the middle of summer?"I responded.
"...We could try skiing in the winter."Applebloom said in an ironic tone. We laughed together wiping off tears from our eyes.
"I think we should just hang out today. Why don't we grab a shake at Sugarcube Corner?"Sweetie Belle asked.
"Sounds good to me."I agreed.
"I could go for a 'day off'."Applebloom agreed. We turned to make our way toward Sugarcube Corner. "Aaaand...we're here."Applebloom said immediately. I had completely forgotten we had that entire conversation at sugarcube corner. As I looked around, I saw an unfamiliar shop that was nearby.
We walked past it on the way to the diner in the middle of the square, and I got a better view of what was inside. The shop was littered with weapons. Swords, bows, daggers, all sorts.
"COOL!"I yelled uncontrollably.
"What Scootaloo?"Applebloom said turning around to face me. Without responding, I walked into the stoor. The door hit a bell that rung as I walked in. The shop seemed to be absent of anypony, before I saw an older pony walk into the room.
It was an elder, brown furred, grey maned stallion. "Hello there."His voice was deep and sounded very strong.
"Cool store you have here. Where'd you get all these?"I smiled with curiosity at the shop owner. He laughed quietly and looked at me.
"It's always the little ones that have the most interest. I've collected these myself through experience."He said.
"Experience?"I questioned. "You mean like fighting? Wait, were you a royal knight, or a warrior that fought dragons and slayed evil goblets?"I asked.
"Oh good heavens no. I nothing like that. I simply fought for what was right."He said. I took myself on a tour of the shop, looking at the longswords and scimitars that were hung on the wall. Toward the register, a polished dagger was in a display case that attracted me at first sight.
I examined the blade, and noticed a symbol on it. I looked at it with a confused and curious face. The sight of this symbol sent shivers down my spine, and made my fur stand up.
"Are you alright?"I heard. I knew I heard his question, but I couldn't answer. The blade hypnotized me. "Snap out of it."I heard. I blinked, and shook my head. "What was that about?"The stallion asked.
"I...I don't know. What it that symbol on the blade?"I asked.
"That...that symbol has a long and dark history to it. That symbol represents The Order of Assassins."He said. That name sounded almost too familiar to me. The Order of Assassins.
"Were you one of them?"I asked.
"You're quite curious aren't you."He responded. "Do you have a name?"
"Yeah. Scootaloo."
"Nice to get fully acquainted with you Scootaloo. My name is Holora (Aw-lah-rah). And to answer your question...I was an Assassin...in the past."
"I feel like I've seen that symbol before."
"Perhaps you have. I've come across several ponies who have claimed to have seen this symbol. Most of them in the end, had a family member in the creed, but didn't know. Tell me...has your father been away for a long time? When was the last you saw him?"
"My father..."I found it hard to respond to such a question. "He's...he's dead."
"Oh...I'm, sorry to hear that."
"I was really young...I'm lucky to have gotten out of that burning house."
"Burning?"Holora questioned. "Were they...murdered?"He asked.
"Yes...one night some stallions broke in and...I got out as they lit the house alight."I looked up at Holora, who now had a serious look on his face.
"What family do you reign from?"He asked.
"The Jade family."I responded. Holora gasped quietly. "What?"
"Scootaloo Jade..."He said. "You might not want to hear this but...your father was an Assassin."He said. My mind could have caved in right then and there.
"WHAT!"
"It's true...in fact...I've fought along side him before. He had just joined the brotherhood the first time I had met him. He was a good stallion."
"My dad...you've met my father?"
"Yes. I've met your father. William Cross Jade was his full name."I could have cried right then knowing I had met someone who had some sort of contact with my father. Holora walked over to the front door, and flipped the sign over to 'closed'. "Come with me...and I'll tell you more."