Ombra della Lama

by Vedavyasa

L'inizio di una Nuova Vita

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My name is Ombra della Lama. I am the one who works in the darkness to serve the light. I am an Assassin, and this is my story.

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I believe it would be best to start by explaining how I came to be what I am. When I was young, barely more than a foal, there was an incident with an older colt who thought I would be an easy target. He came after me, intending to beat me and steal what few possessions I had with me. Being young, I was afraid. He was larger than me, much stronger and a better fighter. I was faster, however, and smarter. I used this to my advantage, and I ran away. He chased me, but he was unable to catch me at first. He refused to give up, and eventually I found myself taking a wrong turn. I had turned down a dead end, with no way to escape. He followed me, and his laugh when he realised he had caught me is something that has haunted my dreams ever since.

That day was the first time I felt true fear. Not the unease of a horror novel, not the adrenaline shock of a long fall, but a true bone deep terror for my life. Such an emotion does interesting things to a pony. It puts pressure on you, both mentally and physically. Your mind begins to race through every option, possible and impossible. Your body tightens, your breath quickens, and your heart begins to beat a steady allegrissimo tempo. If you are weak, it will break you. If you are strong, it will focus you. If you are strong, just when your fear hits its very peak, it disappears. Your mind has now chosen a path, your muscles relax to allow you faster movement, your need for air lessens, and your heart falls back in to its regular rhythm.

I was strong. I chose to fight. I refused to allow this pezzo di merda to control me. Taking the initiative, I rushed him. I surprised him, he had watched me run and thought me a coward. He was unable to react in time, and I bucked him in the throat. I felt his windpipe collapse under my hooves; I heard the crunch as I cut off his only method of bringing oxygen in to his body. I turned, and I saw the same fear I had felt moments before staring back at me through his eyes. I felt sick, but at the same time I felt an immense satisfaction. I left him there to die, and began the long walk home.

Before I walked through those doors however, the dead colt’s friends found me. They had found his body, and they had guessed what I had done. They surrounded me, and they beat me to within an inch of my life. I had no way of fighting back, I was outnumbered five to one, and they were all better fighters. The last thing I remember is looking up to see a hoof coming towards my face.

I woke up hours later in a hospital. My parents were not there, but I had expected this; they were not known to be the most loving family a foal could have. What I had not expected to see was Princess Celestia, staring at me with eyes that spoke of both punishment and pity. Seeing that I had awoken, she spoke to me. I fail to remember exactly what it is she said, but I can paraphrase it here:

“Young colt, I fear you do not understand what it is you have done. You have murdered a fellow citizen of Equestria, and even though I know that it was in self defence it is still a terrible crime. The colts that beat you have been arrested, and they will be punished for their act of vigilantism, but I cannot punish you. You have done evil, but I see no evil in your heart. If your parents allow it, you will come with me to the palace, and you shall live there. You will be removed from Cloudsdale so that no others may come to you for revenge.”

I told her then of my parents. I told her how they neglected me, how they forced me to survive on my own even though I was still in their house. I told her of my father’s drinking and gambling, and of my mother’s constant insults. I explained how they would not care where I was, and I invited her to go to my home and see those facts for herself. Her eyes turned dark, as close to anger as I have ever seen my Princess. She told me to wait in the hospital, and that she would return before the hour ended.

She left, and true to her word she returned less than thirty minutes later. She informed me that she had spoken to my parents, and that they had given their consent for me to travel to Canterlot. I could see in her posture that she was saddened. She had confirmed that everything I told her was true. She called a chariot for the two of us, and throughout the journey I do not believe she ever once let her wing leave my side.

She asked me many questions during that flight, everything from my name (which was Cani Bambino at the time) to my schooling. With every answer she held me tighter, though at the time I did not understand why. At length, we arrived at the palace. As the chariot descended through the clouds, my heart fell with it. I felt my time with the Princess had been all too short. For the first time in my short life, I had felt cared for. With the hope only a foals heart can hold, I begged her not to leave me alone again. I begged her to, at the very least, allow me to serve her. She smiled at me, and patiently explained to me that I was too young to think of such things yet. She made a promise, however, that when I came of age she would gladly accept my services if I still wished to give them.

Instead of calling a servant to guide me to my room, she personally led me there. She opened the door, and with that simple action she cemented in my mind that my life was about to change. In my old home, a small closet served as my only living space. In front of me now was a single room that was larger and more radiant than anything that I dared hope to see. I turned to her and asked where the others were, and as she looked at me with confusion I explained that surely such a room could not be for a single pony. She smiled at me again, and told me that this was room was indeed for me alone. Beyond that, she showed me that there were two more interconnected rooms as well. One, she explained, was for a servant that would be my own for as long as I wished to stay in the palace. The other was a washroom, complete with the most luxurious bath I had ever seen.

She called for the servant that was assigned to me, and introduced me to him. He was a unicorn, an odd sight for a pegasus as young as I. His name was Cleansing Step. He had a very gentle demeanour, and I felt that I would grow to like him. I was informed that I would begin attending a private school, both to learn the arts and sciences and to receive physical training from other pegasi. The Princess then told me that she had duties to attend to, and so I said my goodbyes, thanking her profusely for what she had done for me. It was humbling to have a figure that so many revere as a god go out of her own way for you, a small little colt who has never known a loving home. She smiled at me for a third time, assured me that it was her duty as ruler of Equestria, and left.

Cleansing Step then began to teach me the ways of the palace. He explained to me, an awestruck colt, where I was and was not allowed to go. He told me what exactly it meant to have a servant, and what his own duties were. For my part, I was told only to enjoy my stay until I was placed in school. From that point, I would be expected to study diligently and perform to the best of my ability.

I thanked him for his exposition, and asked him if he could perhaps bring me some food for I had not yet eaten that day. With a small salute, he left for the kitchens to bring me what I had asked for. As soon as he closed the door, I climbed on to the gigantic bed that was now my own, and I cried. I hung my head and wept in sorrow for the life I had taken. I raised my face to ceiling and allowed tears of joy to run down my face for the new life I now had. Finally, I lay down and thanked the colt I had killed. I gave thanks to his memory, for even though he had not known it at the time he had traded his life in exchange for giving me a life to live.

That day taught me a lesson that I have never forgotten:

Respect the dead for their sacrifices, no matter what their actions. In death, all souls have a chance to redeem themselves.

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Translations:
Ombra della Lama= Shadow Blade
pezzo di merda= piece of shit.
allegrissimo= very fast (musicians should recognise this one)
Cani Bambino= "Dogs Child"

Comments

[Pr1nce55 Lun4]

This is a good story so far. I don't see how he'll become an assassin, only because he is in Canterlot and under Princess Celestia's watch but, I haven't read the second chapter and it is early in the story. Keep up the good work.