Prologue to Darkness (EDITED)

Age 6, Playground at Twilights School

Twilight was lent against a tree reading her favorite book, Cinderella. Twilight always dreamt of being a Princess some day, to learn magic. She went to turn the page with her hand but stopped and decided to do it another way, she scrunched her nose as her ears flicked. Sparks illuminated around a small purple horn that was on her head, slowly the page turned. She always felt proud of this that she was the only one so far able to use magic, albeit only little, but most of the other girls around her detested her for that. Most of the time she was bullied for what she was and she agreed with it really. They claimed she was a bookworm, nothing really offensive to Twilight but she didn't like being the center of attention to all the bullies at her grade.

"Well well look who it is, Little Miss Snarkle, I suppose that's one of those crappy Princess books you're always reading," The main bully, the usual two bit crook you would see, of course, that is, she was six, like Twilight, but to her there was no difference. She was tall and Twilight was small, she looked good, Twilight was about average cute for that age, typical bully that picks on the smaller kids, Twilight shrugged and turned back to her book, "Oy I was talking to you Snarkle, put the book down or else!" The bully said in a threatening tone

"What?"

"What do you mean what, I'll steal it and then bury it where you can't find it you brat," the bully kicked some dirt up at Twilight making her cough, "Ha, now give me that," she grabbed the book and tugged but Twilight wouldn't let go but it was a struggle she wouldn't ever win, eventually the bigger girl snatched the book and passed it to one of her friends behind her who ran off with it.

Twilight sat there and began to cry, "Why would you do that? That was given to me by my grandma,"

"Like I care Snarkle, it wasn't me who ignored someone, you brought it on yourself," the bully laughed and then ran off.

Many years passed like this, the same children picked on Twilight and finally when it came to going to secondary school she asked to go to a different area to learn, hoping to get away from the escalator school and the bullies. Again her hopes were dashed against the wall as her bully had also moved to that school. Rainbow Dash was now athletic and kept a close circle of friends, she became tomboyish over the years and seemed to let off on Twilight a lot more, once Twilight even thought she saw regret on her face whilst dunking her head in the girls toilets.

Just the same as before, the ever popular Rainbow Dash and her minions picked up on the bookworm Twilight Sparkle, behind the scenes they plotted against her and devised a plan, little did they know this is what started everything, it was the thing that triggered the start of this tale.

It was after school and most of the student were ready to leave. As the student one by one left the room, Twilight packed up to head to the library where she usually went, hoping to see TomKin, the tender to the shelves there for the night between four and eight. He had blond hair and blue eyes. Tall and slender he was the epitome of every geek girls dream, of course he was no star in the popular department but he was cool to Twilight.

Once she got there she found that he wasn't, but that never stopped her, instead she decided to stroll the aisles in the fantasy section, she never got rid of her affection to Princess books even with all the trouble from the bullies, she passed some of her favorites that she had read so many time, Nope, read it, read it, read that one too, Oooh but no, hmm......... This one, She picked a book and moved to one of the far tables to sit down and read while she wait for her Prince Charming.

Though he never came, instead she should of wished for a knight on a white horse. Two shadows loomed ever closer too her without her knowing, within seconds a globe of prismatic hair blocked out the light as she was held to the table by the throat, that's when she noticed that both Rainbow Dash and her friend, Peach, held her down, "I'll scream!! Get off of me now Rainbow!!"

Peach giggled slightly, "Y'hear that RD, she wants you to get her off, dirty bitch"

"I said get off me not get me off you mentally sick fuck," Twilight spat out.

Rainbow dash punched her across the face, "You don't get to say that about her"

"That's right"

"Only I do," Rainbow stated, Peach looked a little confused but shook it off, "As for getting you off lets play a little game," Rainbow grinned as she reached into her left pocket pulling out a retractable Stanley knife, "Lets play a game shall we?" The clicks of the Stanley knife boomed in Twilight's head, *CLICK*..*CLICK....*CLICK*...........

"You wouldn't dare, no STOP" Twilight cringed as the Stanley was place between her legs on her skirt, Rainbow slowly brought the knife upwards without touching her skin, cutting the skirt open to reveal her panties, "Please, just stop... please," Tears began to stream down either side of her face as she starred at Rainbow.

Rainbow cringed slightly at the look of Twilight but then turned to Peach who looked giddy making her resolve sky rocket, placing the knife of her top she began to repeat the process and slice the clothes in half showing her bra, "How do you like that you sniveling brat," she grinned wider as she was about to reach the top of the shirt, a light pink blush now upon her cyan skin, before it reached the top though Twilight bolted forward shoving both Peach and Rainbow backward, the Stanley knife slid and landed next to Peach who then grabbed it getting up.

"You stuck up little cow, " she began swinging the blade at Twilight, Rainbow was getting up as she saw the blade pierce Twilight's cheek and glide up her face, a curdling scream emanated from her, "Serves you right you bitch," Peach went to swing again and Rainbow tried to stop her. Just before she got to her though Twilight grabbed the blade and Peach's hand turning them on the girl's stomach, piercing it as blood ran out the wound, Peach then in turn screamed as Rainbow fell to the floor in shock.

A teacher burst through the door and saw two girls on the floor and Twilight stood holding her face that was covered in blood. Immediately he rushed over to Peach seeing that her face was pale and there was blood pouring out of her stomach making a pool of crimson around her body on the floor. Rainbow sat shaking her head with wide eyes staring at the panting Twilight. Between her fingers one sharp luminescent eye stared back at Rainbow sending chills to her core as the other eye bled the crimson through her left hand.

Rainbow could barely hear what was happening now as the Paramedic rushed into the room, one shook her as the others took Twilight walking off and Peach on a stretcher to the hospital to both get treated for their injuries immediately.

Several weeks later

Twilight was treated for her injuries, she lost the sight in her left eye and was left with a scar that spread from the bottom of the cheek all the way to the bottom of her horn and it couldn't be covered with a regular sized eye patch making that option useless. Peach had been rushed into the hospital with her but as they began the operation her heart failed due to blood loss and stress and was later announced dead. Rainbow Dash had come to visit and apologize for what had happen, Twilight had just sat there like marble staring out of her window all the time til she left.

Now with the death of Peach and how it looked when the teacher arrived it didn't matter that Rainbow Dash had said anything about the bullying, at court Twilight was officially sentenced with man slaughter of Peach Smithy, she was to work community service under supervision until the age of eighteen and then placed in the delta max facility for women for the remainder of her fifteen year sentence. At the age of seventeen now she would be in prison for at least ten years before she would be given parole, on another note Rainbow Dash was given a slap on the wrists with eighteen months of Community Service for instituting an assault on another fellow student.

The Sparkle Residence

Outside the Manor, the walls had been marked with writing such as 'Murderer' and 'killer', Twilight was given one month to recuperate before she was to start her community service, at home it wasn't any better now. Shining Armor had begun to resent his little sister for what she had done, her mother had hit her countless times now, the only one who didn't shun her was her father. He understood it wasn't her fault and would be there for her.

A couple of months later

It has been a few months now since Twilight had started the community service. It wasn't bad really, she got half an hour break to read her books and when she stopped her work at nine PM she was told she was allowed to go the the facilities Library to read and pick another book for the next day. Most people who were in the building kept to themselves, she even made a friend for once, Cable, a nice boy in her mind but she knew he did something to get put in here, apparently he had stolen a car and crashed it.

"Hey Twi, That shows on again that you like," Cable said pointing to the TV.

Twilight shuffled passed the tight gap of the Libraries isles to look, "Oh, Yaay~ I'll be right there Cable," even though she sounded happy her face never showed emotion any more, like hardened clay she never smiled or showed any sign of emotion, "One sec, nearly got it."

~BREAKING NEWS~ ~A freeway has been locked up from a car crash earlier this evening, there were a few injured and Seven were killed in the accident. A tanker had collapsed on its side and ignited causing most who were in the fire to perish in the accident~

"That doesn't look too good... Ow he looks burnt to a crisp," Cable said while he cringed.

"What? Whats going on? I thought that my show was on," Twilight asked from the other side of the Library as she was walking back.

Numerous cars were piled in front of a truck on the screen from a helicopters view point as Twilight came around and stood in front of one of the chairs next to Cable, "Whats up Twi, ain't yah gonna sit down, hey whats wrong with you?" Cable noticed a fine line of tears dripping off the end of Twilight's chin.

"That's my dad," Cable turned back to the screen, ~some were unlucky and cannot be recognized, we have blocked most of this for viewing purposes but some have come out... ~ "Oh god, this can't be happening," Twilight ran out of the Library past the guards and straight to the front desk with the guards chasing her, she skidded to a stop in front of the window shocking the women behind the meshed glass, "Please I have to ring my house, I just saw an accident on TV and my dad was on it, please," Suddenly she was grabbed by the two guards as Cable came running up, she struggled to get out of their grasp but eventually they used a needle to calm her down as she fell asleep.

Her Fathers Funeral

They operated on him but, to Twilight's dismay, the burns were too much for him to handle and he passed away, she would no longer feel the last bit of love from her father any more, she was finally truly alone in the world, Shining armor and her mother stood near the grave holding each other at the far end under an umbrella in black clothes as Twilight was stood in cuffs in her Orange jumpsuit, she watched on as they cried, she showed no emotion as the rain moved down her contours, tears unknown to the world joined the rain as she was pulled away back to the van to be taken to the facility.

Nothing left too lose, she wished she was dead, without a cause in this world, no brother, no mother, her father was now gone. She had nothing left to live for, that is when it began.

Suddenly the car span over onto its roof, blood trickled from her nose as she blinked her eyes open again, the person in the front of the car was dead, crushed under the weight of the car with his head smashed open, to his right a women screamed and wailed to get her leg out from the pinned car, clearly they were crushed and she was gonna die from blood loss. Next to Twilight was another guard who had smashed his head against the glass and passed out.

Twilight's senses came too again and she heard a trucks door slam as foot steps grew closer to the toppled car, suddenly the guards door ripped open as a man in a black suit bent down and looked in, he sucked in a bit of his fag before breathing out looking around at them, a small patch of blood was just under his horn on his brow, "So I finally fond you you fuck," he grabbed the passed out guard as Twilight looked at him, spotting her he smiled, "Business babe, hope yah don't die under this car, sorry for the shock," he released the guards seat belt and dragged him out of the car.

"It's your lucky day you fuck, usually you're awake when I pull the trigger but I guess I can let this one slip," He reached into his coat and pulled out a gun, in the meantime Twilight noticed that the chain that attaches to the metal cage had nearly snapped so she yanked on the chain, pain coursed through her arm as she realized her wrist was broke, Think Twilight think, oh yeah, she remembered reading about getting out of cuffs, she spat on her broken wrist for lubricant and with a lot of pain slipped her hand through the cuff, using her for arm of the free arm she grabbed it with her right hand and tugged at the chain as it snapped.

Now with both arms free she reached over and unbuckled the seat belt, dropping to the roof of the car with a thud. She then began to crawl out, as she got out she saw that the man with the gun had aimed directly at the guards head who was laying in her direction, he pulled the trigger spraying blood behind him and onto Twilight's face. Twilight stood up with a straight face.

The man in black whistled at her, "Wow, that was fast, how'd ya do it, ah," he saw the swollen wrist, "You broke your own hand to get free, and even with me killing someone right in front of you, you didn't blink an eye. I like you, you have madness, HAH! I really like you girl. What say you, you wanna stay here and get blamed for these deaths or you wanna follow me?"

Twilight looked around at the car and the truck, three more people dead and she could be blamed for it again, blamed for something she didn't do, it was this man but if she followed him she wouldn't get blamed, she would be free but what is the point really, she had nothing left, Twilight then moved closer to the man in black who put the gun up out of defense, Twilight stopped for a second but carried on and pressed her head against the gun, "What's in it for me?"

The man looked confused but then grinned, "The world of course, what else wouldn't there be? You'll have the world at your beck and call once were threw with you, follow me... What's your name sweety?"

"Twilight Sparkle"

"Twilight, nifty, follow me into the fun world of killing and crime where every bullets a bit"

Two years Later

Rumors started months ago of a black clad women and a creature that would use the red letters to assassinate anyone with one hundred percent precision for a price. Soon the rumors became true as the name Dark Star became famous and feared in the underworld. From Canterlot to Neighway, everywhere the name spread the more infamous the women became.

She had learned under her master in Moscony for a few years. Her physique had changed extremely due to magical and chemical enhancements, she was literally built to kill now. He also taught her spells and ways to enchant her body. Around a year and a half later he sent her on her first ever mission, to kill Sir Birkklov the third. She entered the train going east, there was five cars to the train, the first was the engine the second held luggage, the third held Birkkov and the forth and fifth were for normal passengers.

When she reached the time she wanted, she exited to the passing of the fifth and forth car and climbed out onto the roof to elude the guards, when she got to the passing between the forth and third car she lifted the guard and snapped his neck throwing him off the train, this left her ten minutes left. She climbed down to the door and then proceeded to climb underneath car three. Once she reached the middle of the car she put a timed explosion enchantment on it, the bridge over water was in sight, she counted 30... 29... 28... 27.............................3...2...1, and then she dropped off the bridge landing in the water. It took approximately three minutes for the train to cross the bridge.

Twilight swam to the surface and moved to the bank as she began to walk away on the dirt. Behind her on the wooden bridge the train exploded into fire as it broke apart and came crashing into the water, this was her first kill.

Present Day

Twilight kept tabs on some of her past life. Apparently her brother was now the captain of the Royal Guard in the empire of Canterlot. She didn't know what her mothers position much, "I wonder, what would they do if they found out what happened to me?" No one, not even there family, knew what happened to her, the truck the day she went missing had blown up due to the cigarette her master had left lit on the ground, both the women who was then probably dead and the two males were in incinerated near to ashes, so they assumed she had died, in the end it was better for her.
That is how the story began on Dark Star, the number one assassin who had one hundred percent kill rate.

Chapter One, The Red Letter (EDITED)

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Manehatten, Target Rattling Tallahassee, Age 38, Drug syndicate lord

Twilight lay with her stomach against hard concrete as she looked through the scope of her silenced sniper. She received a red letter early in the week about Rattling Tallahassee, he was pushing drugs in someone else territory and needed to be taken care of. Twilight never dealt directly with her clients and went by the code name Dark Star, once the money was transferred to her she would alternate the money into numerous accounts under different names so not to be caught and so that her clients could not back stab her for their money. It took a few days of recon on this guy to find out what was the best way to take him out, eventually she decided that it be best when he was distracted in his office when he bought girls for the night.

Out of her hooded coat slithered a purple and green snake. It was a mythical creature that could change its size and had scales harder than diamonds, she could also use him like a weapon. She found Spike as an egg and cared for him, apparently only those with strong magic and a large amount of malicious intent could hatch these creatures. She named him Spike, strangely enough he can actually talk, only animals such as dragons, wyverns, merman, basilisks and harpies could talk in equestrian and eventually she found out he was part of the basilisk species.

"Y'know Twilight, I was thinking, we have hit four people in the past three weeks and this guy will make it five. Can't we take a vacation?" Spike asked as he curled around her neck.

Twilight pulled away slightly to look at Spike but then moved back, "I don't control when the red letter arrives Spike, you know the association has been receiving more and more requests for me since I let that one guy nearly escape, luckily I put that axe in him before the rumors were like a wildfire, still doesn't help that I am infamous now but I could always take on another code name and start fresh but I don't think it will last long before people catch on. Hold onto that thought he's here," Twilight saw Rattling enter the room with two women, one unicorn and one Pegasus, looking like they sold their bodies for a living.

"I will wait a second, usually their are guards that patrol his door. Yep there we go," A guard moved into the room as Rattling waved him away, "Now we wait for the girls to do their routine check up in the bathroom for him," the pair of girls moved over to the door on the left of the room as Rattling sat down at his desk opening a bottle of whiskey, "and now I have my shot," Twilight took a breath in and slowly pulled the trigger, her coat and arms rippled by the recoil of the gun, a small tunk was heard in the distance as Rattling Tallahassee's brains covered his rooms walls, "All done, send a letter back to the association saying that I have accomplished the assignment and am going back to base."

Spikes scales glowed Green slightly as smoke came out of his mouth, when the smoke cleared a red letter was left, "Thanks Spike," a purple flame lit at the end of Twilight's finger and she touched the red letter, the letter incinerated as the ashes flew off in the wind never splitting apart, "That should do it, now lets go. We need to hurry or we will miss that sale on the market,"

Twilight's life now consisted of eat, sleep, kill and repeat, she did much of nothing else, she never went out to any clubs and when some guy would be foolish enough to follow her to ask her out she took it the wrong way and they would end up either in a body bag or in a garbage can behind HaY!Burgers. When she would get home she would tie rope to her metal bars on the windowsill and begin training for the night which usually consisted of one hundred sit ups, one hundred push ups, bench press and finally using the rope she would hang by her feet and do sit ups, upside down to keep her body trained. For food she would only eat two pieces of bread and a bottle of fresh spring water, other nutrients would gained by pills and injections directly to the blood stream.

Spike had let himself re-size back to his normal size when back at their hideout, he was around the size of a large dog and the length of around two meters, his tail split into three pieces and down his back he had glowing green runes that he could control the luminosity of, "Hey, Twilight, can I have a rat now? I'm hungry..."

"Don't worry Spike, we have another job tonight, you can feed then,"

"Just a little one, please? They look soooo tasty," Spike lowered his head to the case of rats in their cage, his tongue rasped in and out smelling the fear on the rats.

Twilight walked in wiping her face with a towel, "I said no, you can eat the target."

"You said that about the last guy but all I got was crap, he wasn't tasty at all, he was really old too."

"Lucky you then, the guy were after is in his mid twenties. Hes a thug who hangs near neighponies town. Once we have the information we need from him you can eat him. Deal?" She finished wiping off and threw the towel on a sofa. She moved to the fridge, the light from it illuminated the room as she pulled a bottle of water from it.

"Fiiiine~ Deal, but if the guy isn't tasty so help me I'll pig out on rat tonight," Spike moved to Twilight and began climbing, as he did the runes glowed and he shrank to carry able size, sitting on Twilight's shoulders.

Twilight grabbed her hooded black jacket and then moved over to a cupboard, "No fire arms tonight, we can't alert any of the other gang members when we capture him. So I guess we should have some knife fun tonight," She opened the two wooden doors revealing nothing but the back of the cupboard, on closer inspection though you could see two slats in the back of the wood, she pushed it out of the way to reveal a handful of guns, Twin pistols an Twin daggers, one short katana and a larger katana, she moved forward and grabbed the smaller katana and its holster.

"Hurry up, I'm starving here," Spike retreated into the warmth of her hood when they went hunting for there mark, "The sooner we get there, the sooner I eat."

"Wow you are pushy tonight. It won't be long Spike okay?" once she finished putting the katana safely away in her jacket she moved to her balcony where the fire stairway was. She jumped up to the guard rail and looked down, then she lent forward and fell. Just before she hit the ground she shifted her point of gravity and kicked off the wall landing safely without a scratch. She pulled her hood up and walked out of the alleyway into the bustle of the busy street.

Neighponise Town

Twilight walked down the side street heading to where the red letter stated her mark usually would be, he was a hustler and a recruiter for their local strip bar. He would follow any women and then get two of his gang member to trap them, after which he would then force them into the agency and get them addicted to the drugs they supply. Once the women was hooked they spent all assets to get the drug eventually meaning they had to become a stripper or worse under their agency. The red letter entailed details of a rich daughter of a local noble had become their target and became addicted to the new drug NSX377. The drug was lethal as it ate muscle tissue, after a while of using it you would eventually die of heart failure due to it reaching you heart.

"Spike, when I say, do it, okay?"

"You got it boss"

Twilight looked around the corner, a man in a white suit with a cigarette, blond hair, scar across his right knuckle, Twilight confirmed that her mark was this guy. Before she could interrogate him she had to take out his co-workers first before anything happened or else she would more than probably alert their agency. On the left in the alleyway was another man, sunglasses, black suit, red tie, Definitely one of them, and then on the far left near the back door of their club was a similarly dressed man, That makes two, I will take out the right first then the left, barricade the door and trap the mark, Twilight looked up and climbed the ladders that dangled.

She got to the roof easily, on the roof to the left a cable went straight across connecting the building to the alleyway where the first target was. She made ease of shuffling across the wire. Once across she slipped down onto the fire stairway and quietly made her way down. Once at the bottom she aligned herself above the first gangster, using her feet she dangled upside down from the metal of the stairway so she was just above him, with a quick motion she snapped his neck as he lifelessly dropped to the ground, she then dropped.

The second gangster was more easy to get to, around the back of the building was a small walkway where she crept through jumping over the rubbish and bags left out by the clubs. She finally got to the side entrance of the club and peeked around the corner. The guy stood there watching the mark for when to make his move, Make a little noise, draw him back hear, clean kill, Twilight picked up some tin cans and threw them at the adjacent walkway catching the guys attention.

IIn a deep voice he called out, pulling his gun from its holster, "Who's there, show yourself and maybe I wont put my gun between your ass and shoot. Johnny if that's you, you fucker, I swear I will remove your eyes and place your nuts there, so help me!" he slowly made his way down and looked in the direction of the noise, Twilight was hid behind a bin as he turned around to check. Then he moved back to the other walkway to check further. She took this as her chance to strike, placing her thumb between the discs of his spinal column at the top of his neck paralyzed him, she covered his mouth with one hand and with the other drew the katana. Slowly she slid it through his back as it passed through his heart and then lungs, the blades tip dripped with crimson as it poked out of his white shirt, That's Two, now for the mark.

Before leaving the alleyway she placed the broken up wood firmly against the door to stop any more from coming out, then she placed the katana back in its sheath. Twilight waited till he turned in the other direction before pulling her hood down and walking past him, he took the bait and began to follow, she walked for around a minute and then turned down a back street where he caught up, "Hey baby doll, hold on a second I got a proposition for you," his southern accent smelled like cheap vodka and cigarettes. His teeth were rotted and broken, "I said hold it," He placed a hand on Twilight's shoulder, that was the choice he would regret for the rest of his life, what little of it he had left at least.

Twilight stopped and turned around, First I confirm its the mark I want, then I kill him, Twilight felt Spike sliver and coil around her right arm getting ready to attack and feast on his next meal, "What!! leave me alone will you," Twilight put on an innocent unsuspecting voice to fool the stupid sod.

The man in white grinned, "Hey~ baby~ there's no need to worry I wont hurt you, not as long as you come with me, me and my buddies are gonna show you a real good time, ain't that right boys... boys?"

He must be confused since that would be the signal for them to come out, this is all the evidence I need for this guy to be my mark, feeding time, the signal for Spike to strike is when she lifts her arm straight without bending it, the muscles in a basilisks body can sense the electrical signals flowing through others bodies, so any sign of the elbow showing a different frequency meant for him not to strike, luckily this was not one of those times, meaning he was going home full tonight. Twilight lifted her arm as Spike came hurtling out of her sleeve, when he was out he grew in size latching his teeth into the gangsters shoulder and coiling around his body, the man in white tried to shout in pain but Spike quickly squeezed stopping his voice from escaping, "That's enough Spike loosen up so he can talk"

He gasped for air. As the color of his face returned to normal, his shoulder ached and was bleeding slowly, "Who are you, and what the fuck is this?"

Twilight grabbed his tongue with one of the needles she always carries, "No more talking until I tell you," She pulled the red letter out from her pocket as Spike's tail slithered into it and pulled out a picture, "Do you remember this girl?" beads of sweat dripped from his brow as he shook his head from left to right gesturing 'no', "Spike," Spike squeezed again, blood seem to pour from his shoulder and as his face turned slightly purple his tongue bled where the needle was, "Let me rephrase the question, tell me when you saw the girl or you die?"

She released the needle from his tongue as he coughed, "I can't remember right, there's loads of girls, " he had a hurried tone, Fear clear in his voice, "Look she looks like all the rest okay, just one of the poor girls who we capture off the street, it wasn't me I swear its my boss, If I don't do what he says he'll kill me!"

"You best get to remembering fast or my friend here will just love to hug you again, though this time I don't think you will survive"

"Fine, fine, she is at our headquarters at the east docks, just outside of Manehattan, the number 44 that's all I know I swear," tears fell from his eyes as snot began to dribble down his nose, his words became nothing more than gibberish.

Twilight came closer and put her hand on his cheek, this is when she smiled, she only smiled when it was these moments, she became truly happy in these moments, the moment you see hope get demolished in the eyes of someone villainous, "Don't worry I am not going to kill you"

"Really thank you, thank you, I swear I wont do it again," tears flowed down the sides of his face as he kept thanking Twilight until she grabbed his lips between her fingers to shut him up.

"Oh, no I won't kill you but Spike has been getting rather hungry, go ahead Spike, chow time."

Spike released his teeth from the man's shoulders and a gleam came to his eyes, "Gladly," he released him from grasp as the gangster just fell to the ground out of fear, the runes on spikes back glowed as he grew, three meters, four, six, ten, all the way until he was just underneath the roof of the club, Spines had grown on his back and two more eyes had opened, his mouth ripped showing more teeth, "Bye~ Bye~" in one fell swoop he picked up the man by his stomach, lifting him meters into the air and biting down. As the two half's of the body fell, they were quickly snatched from where they were and eaten as well.

"Well that wasn't too hard, I honestly thought it would be tougher," Twilight held her arm out as Spike returned to carry able size, his stomach dissolve flesh and bone very fast meaning he could eat around four times his normal size without trouble when shrinking back down. He slithered into her coat and went to the hood as they walked out of the alleyway heading left to go back to the hideout.

Back at the hideout

It didn't take long to get back. Twilight cleaned her tools and packed them out of sight, "Spike I need to sent a letter back to the association, Mark has been disposed of, the girl is on the east docks, factory number 44, just outside of Manehatten. Expect heavily packed guards due to run in with ASP 9 x 19mm Parabellum rounds. Since he was just a doorman, I assume they have a supply of high grade weapons at their base, Dark Star..."

"You got it Twi, now I think I need some rest," Spike slid off to his basket where he coiled up and laid down to rest, "Night Twi"

"Goodnight Spike, sleep tight, don't eat too many bed bugs tonight," Twilight moved to the window where the only source of light came from, she looked up at the stars and the moon, "I wonder big brother, are you doing good, I'm okay... I wonder if you look up to the lights every now and then and think of me," Twilight turned and looked at Spike who was now gladly in sleeps grasp, "I'm okay because now I have Spike, sure he is a little bit of a biter but I wouldn't have him any other way"

Three Weeks Later, The Red Letter

It has been a couple of weeks since then and Twilight had received no new letters for assignments, she was sat at her hideout most of the time with Spike, every few days she had to go pick up some more rats for Spike and some rations for herself. Once she finished her training she sat down on her sofa to watch the rain outside, the light tapping noise comforted her. A few minutes passed then knocking came at the door.

She got up fast ripping the Colt M1911 from the tape under the table, she waited for the signal, a series of knocks on the door signaled that it was one of her fellow assassins from the association, she held the gun at eye level as she slowly opened the door leaving the locks on. A man in a green shirt was behind the door, "Hey there sexy buns, how's it hangin?"

She quickly slammed the door and began unlatching the door and locks, "Fuck Calvin, what are you doing here, you know we can't meet up unless the association tells us too"

"Slow down hunny buns, don't get your knickers in a twist," Calvin reached behind him, making Twilight place the gun on his head, he slowly moved his arms up and turned around for her, there in his back right pocket was a brown envelope.

"Whats that?"

"An assignment," he stated.

"For what? Why did you bring it and why is it not in a red letter like usual?"

"All I know is that the Association had me and two others carry it to there destination which would you hot cake," He turned his head and winked before gabbing the envelope and passing it to the reluctant Twilight, "Where's Pecker?"

From the back of the room you could here, "FUCK YOU!!"

Calvin giggled slightly, "He still sore about that?"

Twilight looked up at him with a deadpanned expression, "Really Calvin, grow the fuck up. you should be named pecker after whats in you pants,"

"Says the virgin," Calvin sat up on the kitchen counter as Twilight looked over the envelope and opened it, "In there you should find everything, ID, citizenship, place to make a hideout, the usual, although I don't know much about this assignment par say. It should be cush because I know its in Canterlot"

Twilight placed her hand on her head, "You fucking kidding me? I can't work with this, this has to be a trap!"

"What? Show me," Twilight passed the document over, Within this disclosed document is a letter assigned to Dark Star from the current rulers of the Empire of Canterlot, "The fuck?"

Twilight sighed, "Exactly, it has to be a trap but why would the association go ahead with this?"

"Hold on let me read on," Calvin began reading out loud, "Dear Dark Star, it has come to our attention we are being invaded by a militia of unknown force. We understand it would never usually come to this, but we fear our people will not be able to stand against this force without outside assistance. My protegee and myself have deduced that you would be a great asset to help in this struggle, you would also be granted my sign so that no one may seize you under arrest as you are in my country, lastly you will be paid handsomely as a reward, Princess Celestia of Equestria, Emperorous of the Sun."

"That's a trap definitely. You wouldn't just hire one person for an entire militia. You would have to be crazy to believe any one person could fight an army and I might add me being the current most infamous assassin being the biggest issue, what's a sign anyway?"

"Its a mark that is magically placed upon someone, gives them authority in a state and until the agreement is met the mark will not vanish even for the one who placed it," Calvin said.

"What do I do now then, just go to Canterlot and hope they don't throw me strait in jail or worse," Twilight began sifting through the envelope, the association knew all the original details of her identity but kept them disclosed in case she went rogue on them, there was like Calvin said, ID, and Citizenship but no house address or keys to were she would be living.

Calvin turned back to the letter to run threw it and found that there was a second sheet, "Hold on there's another page, 'Due to how important the task at hand is if you accept you will be given write to stay at the castle to assist until further due notice,'" Calvin whistled, "Living in style too, this is gonna be big, you gonna accept or what?"

"I don't ever turn an assignment down no matter what if its from the association," Twilight looked hurt for a second, "Even if it means I might be found out by him"

"Who's him? boyfriend? Ex?"

"None of the above you dick, that's three guess' now fuck off," Twilight got up as did Calvin as they began walking to the door, "Thanks for getting this to me," Calvin passed the door and turned around.

He took on a serious demeanor, "Be careful Twilight, I mean it. If its really a trap don't let them keep you there, just... just be careful okay," worry clear on his face.

"Stop being a soppy bastard. When do I ever get caught but thanks for the sentiment," Twilight closed the door.

On the Train, Headed straight for Canterlot

Twilight and Spike were sat in car four, the journey had taken around three days so far, three different trains, countless stops, one that was familiar was Ponyville. Some old acquaintances came from that town. She remembered a few faces but not that many, it was a quick stop really, three hours had passed since that stop and they were nearly at Canterlot now.

"Hey, Twi," Spike said in a hushed voice so that the pink, white, and butterscotch women at the other side of the car couldn't hear, although the butterscotch's women ears flickered lightly, "Hey, I'm getting kinda hungry, do we have any snacks?"

Twilight pulled her black hood a bit more over her face, "No, you will have to wait till we get to Canterlot, I can't have anyone spot us until we get there. It won't be long now bear with me and you can have the fattest rat we can find I promise," Suddenly a giddy voice came from next to Twilight.

"Do you Pinkie promise?" asked the Pink bubbly woman, Twilight held her dagger carefully that was at her waist just in case this women became a threat.

Suddenly the other two women came over, the white women with a horn spoke in a regal voice, "Stop being ruse Pinkie, move away from her this instant," The white women grabbed a hold of the bubbly woman to move her, Twilight tried to stifle a laugh.

The last woman came over and in a hushed voice said, "I am so sorry my friend is being rude, she... she a bit... well she... she doesn't know what boundaries are, sorry again but it's nice to meet you. I'm Fluttershy"

Twilight looked at the hand that she extended and back up to her eyes again, "Twist Popper"

"What was that?"

Twilight grasped the woman's hand and re-introduced herself, "The name is Twist Popper," This woman seems familiar but I really cant remember, damn, forget it, "Lolly popping my game"

The bubbly mare jumped up and down and then screeched, "Yesyesyesyesyes! I can make those too, I like the twisle berry, cherrychanga and the flungle loop the best, what about you Twilight?"

Did she just-

"Darling she said her name was Twist not Twilight, whatever makes you think her name was Twilight, anywho, the name is Rarity. I own an clothes making store in Ponyville. Charmed to meet you, may I inquire where you are off too, let me guess. It's the wedding is it not?" Rarity had a glint in her eyes, "How smashing it will be to design the dress for the Princess herself"

So now there's going to be a wedding, that wasn't in the- , "Oh that's wonderful, who are the happy couple"

Rarity cocked an eyebrow, "You don't know?"

Twilight scratched the back of her head making Spike jump a little, "I'm not from around here, so I am not too up to date on whats happening around here,"

Rarity moved to sit down next to Twilight, "Oh its alright Twist, I shall bring you up to date as it were. The current Captain, Shinning armor and the Princess Mi Amore Cadenza," Twilight almost let a confused face drift out before she steeled herself.

"Well I am going to a meeting at the palace. My supplies should be arriving soon, this must be what it was for, my boss didn't tell me but I was sent all this way to find out. Guess you just told me what I'm doing here," Twilight tried to smile, she had developed facial expressions again but she could never truly smile.

Rarity returned the gesture, "Its quite alright, we ourselves are on our way there too if you don't mind we can walk there together. As I have said I will be designing the dress, Fluttershy here will be doing a bird symphony for the wedding and after party and Pinkie is in charge of said after party," She explained pointing at the other two.

"Wonderful. As for traveling together, I don't mind. My stay in Canterlot won't be long and I'd enjoy the company"

"Smashing," Both Pinkie and Fluttershy joined them on the seats, the trip from that point was easy apart from every now and then the pink woman, Pinkie, had somehow found out her real name and wouldn't let that fact go, Twilight kept a close eye on her.

As Canterlot came into view, Twilight looked through the window. A large Pink bubble had surrounded the capitol, A shielding spell, that's some strong magic, must be a few mages keeping it held. If the threat is that bad why does there seem to be no martial law placed though? Just extra guards? They passed through the pink globe, it made both Spike and Twilight shiver slightly, It felt some what familiar too to Twilight.

At the Palace entrance

Twilight had finally got rid of the other woman and she followed the directions up to the entrance of the castle. Two guards in full golden armor were stationed on duty, Not bad but there are flaws when using armor. Why don't they implement technology here, what is this, the stone age? Twilight walked up to the guards and pulled a pass from within her pocket.

The guard stepped forward stopping Twilight, "Halt! What business do you have here? If you don't have..."

"Here, I am in a hurry and I don't want all the shit talk," Twilight showed the document with Celestia's seal, he grabbed it and checked it, running it through the system with the other guard, he came back and bowed.

"Sorry for that miss Popping. Do you wish for either of us to show you the way?"

"That won't be necessary," The guards nodded and opened the gates, Twilight walked through and began her walk to the front of the castle, This place has so many Tactical flaws it is ridiculous! Why the fuck would you have such a low wall and from what I am seeing there is literally no cameras in sight, no wonder this militia is a threat, these Princess' must not be that smart, When she arrived at the doors a women with a white coat and black and red hair was stood there.

"Popping I presume? Please, come this way its my pleasure to meet you. My name is Serra Quill, I have been filled on the details of you visit," She began as Twilight walked up to her.

"And how exactly would you know that I am Popping? I could be another person"

"There is only so many visitors today and the others have already arrived, I suppose for now we should head to the east wing of the castle and wait for the Princess. She is currently in court and the Night Princess is asleep, this way if you please," Serra turned on her heals and strode through the doors, like any castle it was grand.

Funny, when I was a kid I dreamed of living in a place like this. Now all I see is ways people could of taken my life, wooden doors, no locks, tall roofs with places to stand and maneuver, just about the worst place possible for a place to live whilst you have some unknown force trying to take your life. Good job Princess' I am already beginning to dislike this idea! , "So, you know about me then, the 'me', me?"

Serra turned her head slightly as she walked, "Yes, I have been informed of your previous work. We will be keeping a watchful eye upon you in your stay, although I am sure you would not do anything without reason," She turned to the right and started down a corridor, "You're quite adept to these situations and a few personnel of ours seems to have gone missing. After the meeting with the Princess we will give you Intel on all our knowledge of the latest happenings around the castle. The ones who have gone missing have been filed and reported but at the moment we have been placating their families in hope of finding them."

"Not likely. If they are taking the staff, I assume they want to replace a few, within the Intel I presume you have a list of the staff also, how long they have worked here, when recruited and everything."

"Yes we will have that too. Now we are here," She opened the door to a closed off room. Two seats were at the far end of the room and a table was in the middle, it had a desk chair behind it, "If you would please wait here, I shall retrieve the Princess and return shortly," She said as she closed the door behind her leaving.

"Okay Spike come on out," the snake slithered out of the coat, "It won't be long now and you can eat, just hold off the feeling for a while and we can get something"

"I hope so Twi, I feel like my stomach is gonna shrink to the size of a pea"

A few minutes later

As told Twilight waited patiently for them to arrive, both her and Spike sat upon the two chairs, "When the Princess comes in no sudden movements or she will feel threatened by you, I can't keep you a secret if we are going to meet our client"

A few minutes had passed when finally the doors opened, Serra walked through and soon followed the Princess. Shades of green, blue, and pink streaked her hair and she wore golden regalia, they both entered fully into the room before closing the door. Celestia walked up to Twilight, "Hello Twilight"

"What?" Twilight adorned a look of confusion.

"I am sorry but before we hared you, I had my Intel run checks upon you, we deduced your identity along with your abilities. I am sorry but I could not hire you without precautions," the Princess stated, "And it is nice to also meet you, I have not see a baby Basilisk in nearly a century."

"This is Spike," she placed her arm near him as he curled around it, then sat on Twilight's shoulder, "He is my partner. I thought it best not to keep him hidden from you to show I wont harm you, although I really thought this was going to be a trap."

Celestia looked a little shocked, "I am afraid not Twilight, I am in need of your help. Myself and my student, Sunset, have been trying to find out what is causing the disappearances of our subjects. In the past two months we have accumulated around two hundred possible missing and some are still being investigated," Celestia moved to the seat next to Twilight as Serra handed a folder to Twilight, "In there you will find all the information we have on the latest threat. If you need any assets from our kingdom to aid in this endeavor just ask. For your task though is rather simple. Due to the latest circumstances, I wish for you to protect the Bride to be."

"You mean Princess Mi am... what's her face. You mean me be a guard? I am very sorry Princess, I may be adept in the art of combat but I don't think it would please a Princess for me to be killing a threat right in front of her eyes," Twilight replied.

"I know this will be hard, and I know that the one thing you don't want is your family knowing you are still alive and that you are... Well let's not dwell on that matter, for the task we will have you Disguise yourself as one of my personal guards do that Cadenza does not notice she is in danger of the enemy or you, once you find out who it is that we are up against or any inclination that you have figured out the enemy I want you to report it directly to me or Serra,."

Celestia nodded, "if something happens to me during the night Serra will take charge, now I am afraid that is all the time I have. I have a meeting with an ambassador from Zebrica coming here soon and I must depart to meet him, I bid you good day, Twist, " She winked at Twilight as she left, leaving Serra and herself in the room.

"Well then I guess we will have to make haste. Princess Cadenza is waiting in her quarters for the Captain. You will be given the proper attire and then be given a map. You have ten minute to memorize the castle lay out and then arrive at the Princess' quarter," Serra nodded as she lifted an arm gesturing for Twilight to follow, which she did.

Around half an hour later Twilight was fully kitted and had thoroughly looked over the map she was given. She moved down the half passing guards, they nodded in respect as she passed them, Well looks like no one suspect me of not being a guard, guess all that's left is to meet the Princess, Spike had curled around her chest plate out of sight so that no one asked about him.

Twilight arrived at two white oak doors with a symbol of a heart on them. She strode up to the door and knocked lightly, after a few seconds came an answer, "Come in, the door is unlocked," she pushed the door open, there sat the Princess at a large mirror, coming through her hair, "Just give me a second and I'll be right over"

Twilight waited for her to finish. When she finished and turned Twilight bowed deeply, "Your highness, Princess Celestia has ordered me to be your body guard for the time being until the end of your wedding. It is just a precaution, there is no need to worry your highness," Twilight said as she was bowed.

Princess Cadenza rose from where she was sat and came over, "Please, rise. Why has Auntie Celly gave me a guard though?" She asked as Twilight rose up, "I know that it's a royal wedding but it shouldn't mean I need to have a personal guard should it?" She asked rhetorically, "I am very sorry to have to make you follow me all day. There is just a few places I need to go, so shall we um... Miss?"

"Twist your Majesty, Popping Twist is my name," Twilight answered politely as she rose up, "May I inquire as to where we are going?" Twilight asked, Well, she seems like an air head, this is gonna be a pain in the ass.

Princess Cadenza nodded, "Good, its nice to meet you, I am Princess Cadenza but between you and me I like the name Cadence better. As to where we are going I just have to check up on the decorations, my dress, my hubby for a couple of minutes and then the food, shouldn't take long, a couple hours at most," Cadence explained.

Not too bad, simple things for a wedding, no suspicious talk, "Well then your Majesty, after you," Twilight said moving to the side.

"Don't be so stiff, just call me Cadence whilst you have to be my guard and I will just call you Poppy. Anyway lest go onto the first subject. The party decorations," Cadence said as she moved to pass Twilight, "Come on then Poppy"

It wasn't long before they arrived at the atrium where they were going to hold the party, the one thing that alerted them that they were here was a loud bang that sent streamers everywhere. When the sound went off Twilight shocked Cadence by pulling her pistol out and jumping in front of the Princess. Turns out the explosion was made by a mare Twilight had met on the train earlier who bounded up to them.

Stopping in front of the two as Twilight was placing the gun back in its cover, "Hey Caddy! and hello to you two too Twilight and Spike," A little thud was heard from Twilight's armor as Spike whacked his head from jumping.

Twilight faked innocence, "I have never met you before and who is this Twilight?"

"That's you silly, anyhow are you here for the party? I am nearly done, I have balloons, cake, muffins, candles, more cake, punch, party games and more cake for Princess Celestia," The pink mare said.

Cadence giggled, "I know my auntie loves her cake but please if there is so much cake Applejack will get angry. She is bringing more food later so make sure there is room for her"

"You got it Princess," she said as she bounded off.

Twilight watched her bounce away in disbelief, Is she a spy?

Cadence began moving to the door, "Well off to the next subject. Rarity said she had a new design she wanted to show me before she finalized the dress, C'mon then"

In the dressing room

Cloth and string floated in a blue hue as a white coated mare hummed to herself, the string wound into the cloth as it attached many pieces together, "Looks just dashing, one of the best I have made yet," she turned to the other eight dress' she made before this one, "Well, I could now start my own wedding line!"

The door to the dressing room opened as Cadence walked in with Twilight just behind her keeping vigilant, Twilight came in and looked back before closing the doors to the Dressing room, "Rarity, are you here? It's Cadence"

Rarity came from behind a desk with red tinted glass' on, "Hello Darling, Just give me a second I just need to put this away," she disappeared slightly and then reappeared again, "Just come this way and I will show you the dress," Rarity said.

Cadence began to walk as Twilight said, "I will just stay here for the moment and wait for your Majesty. If you need me just ask," Twilight said as Rarity gave a questioning eye at her, then the two went behind the desk to where the dress' were.

Twilight stopped and moved to the desk checking all the documents for anything that could show that the dress maker was a spy or working for outside relations. Unfortunately nothing was found, then a click of the doors handle alerted Twilight that some one was walking in. A made poked her head through the door and quickly looked around finding Twilight stood at attention, "Hello, I am here to collect um... this," she quickly grabbed a robe in a shifty manner making Twilight suspicious but she knew she couldn't leave Candence's side so she let her leave quickly. After a few minutes both the Princess and the dress maker came back through to the room. After some goodbyes they were off to where the Princess' husband to be was when Cadence had remembered to check on Fluttershy and her birds which only took a few minutes.

Shining armors quarters

Twilight was a little nervous. She hadn't been nervous in many years but it was a really big threat of her identity being discovered. If it was, she would be taken out by the Association because she could be used by enemies threatening her family from her past life. Twilight followed Cadence up until the door and said that she would wait there. After a couple of minute she opened the door so it was ajar slightly and heard the conversation.

She heard Cadence talk about some things that were happening in her day and about the personal guard, that was when the door opened fully from the Captains magic, "Guard. Come in here. I want to know who you are and the rank you hold. I was not given any knowledge or orders for you to be her guard," Twilight heard him call, that nostalgic voice echoed in her ears as she stood shocked not wanting to be caught, "Guard, I won't ask again, fall in line," he called again, making Twilight move.

As Twilight moved into the room there stood Shining armor in front of Cadence in a protective stance, his blue locks of hair draped over his golden clad shoulders, Twilight moved forward and did as a guard would do in the Canterlot army. Shining moved forward, "RANK! Your name, and who gave you your order! If you answer wrong I will fell you where you stand," Shining said.

Twilight paused for a second, I can't change my accent or cover up about my color scheme with my hair, I really hope he doesn't catch on, "I am an elite guard, my orders came from Princess Celestia. I was told from now until the end of the wedding that I watch the Princess," She said, Shining moved closer with wide eye's, a little piece of her purple hair caught him by surprise, luckily for Twilight the helmet covered her streaks.

Shining stopped, "Y-your name?" He said as if he was worried for the answer, Her voice and purple hair, its got to be a coincidence.

Twilight held her eye's forward and tried to stop her voice from wavering, "Popping Twist at your service SIR!" when she stopped what she said she gave a quick glance at Shining who was looking at her with a little bit of a tear in his eye, not wanting him to connect the dots she bowed slightly and moved back to the door, When she closed the door she listened to see what he would say but it was mostly mumbles.

Cadence came out around ten minutes later as she passed Twilight, gesturing for her to follow with a wave of her hand, which Twilight did, "Y'know, I haven't seen Shiny so shaken up like that in years," Cadence looked back with questioning eye's, "Not since his baby sister's funeral. I guess you reminded him of that. I am very sorry about what happened, it was not your fault," Cadence said pulling her head back forward.

Soon they could smell apples being cooked and other sweet aroma's coming from down the hall. When they arrived, a lot of people came rushing with lots of samples and questions so Twilight stayed by the door and watched on. Cadence moved around the room trying treats here and there and telling them what she thought, mostly 'this tastes great, Can I have a little more?'. Twilight wasn't worried, because with so many people in one room, not many would have the balls to try anything, though maybe some would. A maid caught Twilight's eyes. It was the maid from earlier in the dressing room, she was mumbling something as she held her ear, Communication devise, Twilight thought.

Twilight slowly made her way over but the maid noticed a small noise behind her and bolted for the left wall's door that lead to a dining room and a kitchen. Twilight made chase. The maid was very nimble and was jumping over the counters and whipping around corners. Twilight was passing some utensils in the kitchen as she noticed a knife being flung at her face, she dodged by sliding underneath a steel cooking table, when she rose up she noticed a cutlery knife and grabbed it. The fleeing maid didn't see it coming as the knife embedded itself into her shoulder and pinned her arm to the wall.

Twilight caught up and pulled her knife out as Spike cumbered to the floor and grew back to size, the maid began to look terrified and winced from the pain in her shoulder, she wriggled to get away from the wall but the knife slightly dug in her back froze her. Twilight moved her face closer, "What were you watching the Princess for? Who are you working for? What is your intent to be in this empire?"

The maid hissed at her, making both Twilight and Spike surprised by the noise made, "You won't get anything from this drone. This one is too simple, I will say nothing of what my Queen want's"

Twilight caught what she said, "Queen? What Queen?" The maid began to struggle harder as Twilight pressed down on her but the maid somehow had more strength than normal and slid sideways, tearing the knife through her shoulder. When she dropped back to the floor she turned around and spat something sticky at Twilights face, blinding her good eye for a few seconds.

When Twilight finally got the solidified green gunk off her face she saw a green smear on the wall and knife as drips lead away from the door, Spike was stuck to the floor in the gunk as well, not able to move. Twilight bent down and cut the gunk away, putting the knife the held away and then grabbing the knife that was embedded in the wall, she walked over to a white clothe and picked it up, wiping the green ooze onto it and placing it in her armor. Princess Celestia will need this. For now its best I get back or Cadence will have wondered where her guard disappeared to, she thought as she walked back through to where the Princess was. Luckily she was still pre-occupied with taste testing.

Twilight took her place and stood near the door. Suddenly she felt a presence watching her. With the experience she just had she kept her ears inclined to that direction without alerting whatever it was. Once Cadence was finished it was time to go back to her quarters, it was quite late now and when they arrived back it was safe enough to come off duty to report to Celestia. Twilight began walking and slowly felt the presence disappearing.

In The Throne room

Twilight ordered the guards to open the two large doors. The ponies who were in the room filtered out at her presence leaving just her the Princess and her Senechal, Serra. Twilight moved up to the bottom of the throne and knelt on one knee, "Princess, I bring news of events that happened during the day," Twilight said as she looked up to the neutral face of the Princess.

The Princess looked over to the guards at the door's, "Guards! Keep a look out on the other sides of the door, make sure no one hears this conversation. Now Twilight, what is it you have to say?" Celestia said as she gestured for her to continue.

Twilight reached into her armor and grabbed the cloth with the ooze on, using her magic she floated it up the steps to the Princess, "During today, a maid was seen making shifty movements and spying on the Princess. I caught her in the bakery and made chase. What you see on the cloth is the liquid I cleaned off my knife that held her shoulder to a wall"

"What of the mess in the bakery, any causalities, any one see you? What happened to the maid?” Celestia asked in rapid succession.

Twilight spoke up louder, "The mess was cleaned up in a few minutes. No one saw me and there were no casualties. As for the assumed assassin, she got away after momentarily blinding me with a substance most like that liquid on the cloth except it solidified upon contact with the air but the weirdest thing was is that she had spat the liquid in my face meaning it was generated internally and I know of no sentient being that could do so, do you have any idea as to what it is?" Twilight asked seeing the Princess glaring at the cloth.

Celestia nodded grimly, "I can now confirm who is our enemy, though near a thousand years ago I thought I decimated her empire. Toxiciter was the Queen of race called Changelings, this race has internal magic that is heavily based on survival and disguise. It is a very big threat to have them back, they work by a hive mind. The hive mind links all of them telepathically meaning that they now know your face. Be careful Twilight but I know you will be or you wouldn't be the infamous Dark Star. Keep up the good work," The Princess told her.

Unbeknownst to those in the throne room a, dark blue haired Captain had been stood listening to what was happening. With every minute passing his scowl worsened until he heard two things that ran through his head, The name Twilight and the alias Dark Star, Shining had followed the soldier for the day due to suspicion. Now with this talk she had, he was sure. Shining Armor walked through the brown double doors and moved back to his room to debate what to do next, How is she alive, wh-why is she being called Dark Star by Princess Celestia no less. If its true, does that mean that the princess deals with assassins and also mean that my little sister is the worlds deadliest criminal?, he thought as the doors closed on him.

Celestia rose from her seat and levitated the cloth to Serra before coming down to the bottom of the steps, "For now, get some rest and in the morning keep watch on the Princess again, this has became serious. I will have Shining Armor increase my guard count. Serra, go to Captain Shining Armor's quarter and make this so, make sure he understands the threat and if he asks how I know say its above restricted class information. We can't have him finding Dark Star or we will incur distrust amongst our guards and people," Celestia said as Serra bowed and moved off through the doors Shining just left through.

Celestia leaned over to Twilight, "I want you to go to the local tavern where most guards go. Try to find more about who could be changelings and see if anyone has seen anything suspicious, after which return to your bunk for further orders," Celestia said with a serious look, Twilight saluted and wandered off to get changed.

For crying out loud, now this is a pain in the ass. Naturally adept with disguise magic, just fucking great, Twilight sighed as she pass the double doors leading out of the room, shaking her head she looked back up and carried on to her next order.

On the way to the Tavern

Twilight had gone back to her bunker where she was sleeping and took off her guard armor. After gaining the information where the guards usually go to have a drink, she made her way to the tavern, leaving Spike behind. It took a while to get there but when she did she saw a large red building with purple tinted lights shining upwards, a big sign saying Apple Acres Inn was lit up in big orange letters on the front of the building.

Twilight pulled her black hood down and walked through the entrance. A wooden bar was on the far end with around thirteen people at it. Tables littered the room with lots of people at them and a staircase went above the bar. She walked up through the noise and the guards and civilians having fun and took a seat at the bar. Today was just for recon, no violence. A blond haired women with a stetson hat behind the bar walked over with rosy cheeks and a large grin, "What can I get fur' yah' darlin', first ones on the house, second ones free if yah' can beat me at arm westlin'" The women said, "Names Applejack, mah' grammy ran this joint and now I am the owner," She said as to answer the question that was on Twilight's face.

"Just Vodka, straight up," Twilight said as the woman nodded and cantered off, grabbing the bottle and two shot glass', then coming back over.

"Here yah' go sugar' like I said first ones on the house," Twilight accepted the drink and downed it breathing out fast after she did, "Woah nelly, Ya'll put that away fast ain't yah'"

Twilight shrugged as she looked around, "Say, is it always this busy around here"

"Yes darlin, we try to please all our customers and luckily we are always packed," Applejack said, "Ah' didn't catch yah' name by the way"

"Twist," Twilight said, suddenly the bar tender scrunched her face up.

"No one likes a person who lie's, you twitched slightly and you say the word with too much vigor. If it was any one else they wouldn't notice but I have been in the bar business for years and can catch on those things, wanna try it again," Applejack said as she crossed her arms.

Twilight looked around again so that no one was listening, "Okay, my names Twilight but between us I really can't be found out. If someone asks, my name was Twist, do you agree?"

"Alright but I don't know what all the secrecy is for," Applejack said.

Twilight leaned closer, "Lets just say some one high up in ranks wants to find something out, that being said have you noticed anything weird lately," Twilight asked in a hushed tone.

"Yeah," Applejack said as she cleaned her glass.

"What?"

"That RD hasn't gotten here for our drinking rematch, she usually is here by no-" As she said that some one walked in as cheer's was heard everywhere, "Twilight turned around and her eyes went wide, her heart pumped in her chest as a breathe was caught in her throat, "There's the gal' now, coming for another ass kickin'"

With every step the Prismatic haired women made, Twilight got more worried, Rainbow Dash!! Shit I have to get out of here. Twilight got up from her seat and drank her second drink whilst slamming a few bits down on the counter, she said a quick 'bye to the bar tender and shot off.

Rainbow Dash watched the women with purple hair and a very familiar stripe put her hood up and rush past her as she walked to the bar, there she found Applejack, "Who's that? She seemed skiddish," Applejack shrugged.

"Some new guard called Twilight I think," Applejack jumped as she heard Rainbow clatter away from the bar and rush back to the door.

"FUCK!! I knew I saw that hair before, damn!" It was too late, Twilight had disappeared but now someone had recognized her and knew she was a guard and she didn't even know it, "I am so sorry Twilight, wait, you died?" she asked into the air before she walked back into the bar with a sigh.

Twilight arrived back at the bunker with sweat dripping off her, she made her way through the small room to the fridge and grabbed a bottle of water guzzling it down with fury. Trepidation caught her by the throat at what just happened, old feelings resurfaced as she remembered the prismatic haired girl and what happened. The she moved to the bath room and had a cold shower to clear her thoughts for tomorrow, Fuck that was too close, she wasn't scared of Rainbow Dash anymore. She couldn't from she had seen and been through. Scars and bullet holes riddled her slightly tanned body, as the water trickled down she felt each on. One by one remembering the events to calm her down. Whenever she remembered all her kills and battles she felt at peace. Worry and anxiety dissipated as she sighed in relief. The last thing she had worried about but now something much bigger stirred in the belly of the beast. Both her brother and old school bully had found her out, what would come when she finally gets confronted by them, only tomorrow will tell.

Chapter Two, Confrontation

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"I didn't attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it,"

Mark Twain

Purple locks of hair blocked her sight, she moaned at the light on her eyes, she stretched as she got up. This morning was one of Twilights worst, why did she run yesterday? it wasn't fear of seeing Rainbow, it wasn't the fact that she could be recognized, it was something else entirely but she could not figure it out. She had the same feeling earlier when she was talking to her brother, they both held the same face as she passed them without batting an eye, she was sure that Rainbow had called out to her when she left yesterday. Twilight had come straight back to the bunk where Spike slept, not wanting to be discovered she did her training and fell asleep but unknown to her the prismatic haired women would not give up so easily and the fact that her brother knew she was alive was something she did not know.

With the day ahead she started her training before placing her armor on, Damn, nearly forgot. Twilight walked over to her bed and bent down, a black sports back around a meter in length lay underneath it, she grabbed it and pulled it out. The zip sounded as she opened the bag and began rooting around, gun's and knifes, grenades and arcane tomes, dark magic spell book for advanced learners. Finally she found what she needed, a small bag with little spots of black and a pair of glass' with a head phone attached to them, "Lets get started then, Spike, were going," She said, Spike slithered from his basket and twirled up her leg into the armor and nested around her neck, Twilight turned and walked out of the door.

A cup of coffee and realization

Shining armor sat at his desk drinking his coffee, his bloodshot eyes giving away his sleepless night, he stayed up and thought over and over about the new guards conversation with the Princess. Shining knew his Princess wouldn't align herself with assassin but all the evidence seemed to point just to that, in fact it pointed to more than just that. The Assassin Dark Star was not just a wanted criminal for bringing in, she or he was on the list for kill on sight, something that went against the nature of the guards themselves. Though now he felt slightly worried, this mare that was the new guard had sounded and looked like his late sister Twilight, Shining when he was younger had treated her well but things became distant, not too long after she had an incident at school leading to her being confined at an institute for mental and physical correctional help, she wasn't the same Twilight. Twilight started to look at him and his mother with blank looks, even when their Dad had died she stood there in her jumpsuit looking as if she was watching a boring movie, that was the time he regretted most. When he saw her face he had snarled at her, she noticed him but she looked like it hadn't bothered her.

After that, Twilight was supposed to go back to the correctional institute and be place there for the next five months before going to the young women prison, they called it a prison but most at the place had sentences for minor crimes or crimes that were accidents but instead of getting back to where she stayed they heard a loud explosion in the distance. Two hours later Shining looked on at the burnt smoldering wreckage and the two crispy body's to tell if one was Twilight, they found it wasn't but they said she most likely had been incinerated. Shining didn't believe them for around a year as he searched, the back seat of the car was burnt but not as badly as the front so even if they had gotten there later Twilight would have been dead but not incinerated and then there was the cuffs, the cuff's were missing from the wreckage. Being metal and enchanted should have kept them from melting but they could not find them anywhere in or near the car, being that as it were Shining began searching for his sister but after a year he stopped because Cadence could see he was in pain.

Even now it hurt to think of those he lost but now it was different, he thought about how it could have happened but Twilight was alive, She was Alive!!. Shining was conflicted, he might have his sister back but that.................. something was not right, she was not right. Princess Celestia had definitely said Dark Star but that meant that, Shining shook the thought away before drinking the last of his drink, "Its time I asked Celestia myself about this new guard, I have to know who she really is"

Two pills and a glass of water then a sleep later

Rainbow held her head, it pounded even after taking the paracetamol, she had been thinking all night as she drank. Applejack had stayed with her a drank as well, though she really didn't know what was up with her, how could she say she was the one women who made someone accidentally commit murder. To this day she was guilty at what happened that day, if she could just put her pride away and speak up for Twilight that one time, instead her ego shot her a glare and she pulled the knife out.

It was one of the worst years of her life, she went to counselling and therapy and began to change. Rainbow had become obsessed with helping others in need, that's when she became inducted into the royal guard. She once dreamed of being in the wonderbolts but after that day it left a distaste in her mouth thinking of all the attention she would get at the expense of others. When she visited Twilight in the hospital room it shook her to her core, the girl was sat up in her bed and her face was illuminated by the moon, bloodied bandages covered the left side of her face. She spoke but Twilight never turned, for half an hour she prostrated herself and begged for mercy expecting the girl to snap at her for what happened but she did not move a millimeter, no facial features, no tears, no movement.

That was the last time she saw Twilight, the next time she was staring at a black tombstone which had written on, ''Tortured soul, beautiful flower, too late to bloom in this Twilight hour'', that is where she cried and begged for forgiveness. She left that place changed, she would never do what she did to another again no matter what and she finally became a more noticed guard in the army, she became the leader of the first brigade Pegasus. For nearly two years she came to terms with who she was, she had become loyal to her friends and would stand up to death for them, Rainbow felt she was finally at peace with what happened but now just one night had shaken her to her core once again. The none moving features of the Purple haired women looked so familiar that she shivered, once Applejack had said her name she felt her heart drop a beat, running to see if the woman was still walking down the street but no luck she had disapeared, Leaving only a shameful Pegasus to drink through her thoughts.

It was time for work but she felt that this headache would last for a while, "Twilight? I need to see if that's really her" She said out loud making her room mate stir slightly, "Okay, lets get to work, Cloud Breaker, get up its time for guard duty," Rainbow said as the mare under the sky blue blankets moaned. Fine but don't blame me when Shining chews you out, she thought as she put her armor on carefully around her wings and made her way out.

"Time to find Twilight"

The center of attention

Twilight walked down the hallway leading to Cadence's room, as she passed a corner she opened up the small see through back and in her magic grabbed one of the small black dots, she put the black dot to the wall and released her magic as it stayed there. She then press the button on the left of the glass', a tinted orange screen popped up.

SCANNING

MODULE NO.7 FOUND

ACTIVATED

On the small orange screen an image of herself were in the lense, when she moved she could see the hallway she had just been down as a maid was passing in the back ground, "Good, just three more and I am done, next is Intel with the maids and cooks after which is meeting Cadence for her daily duties," Twilight stated through her mental check list.

"You are such a robot Twi', take it a little more easy, if someone caught you sneaking like this and using technology in this prehistoric place they would suspect you of being a spy," Spike said from inside the armor, "Wait! whats that smell, one of them is near here," Spike became high rate, "In there t your left"

Twilight turned to her left and saw a door leading to gym lockers, the Pegasus brigade quarters were near the Love Princess' quarters, she slipped into the shadows the low light made by the swinging light. Twilight could hear the ruffling of clothes and the clinking of armor, she crept up to the corner of the lockers to take a look at whoever it was, she stopped suddenly when she knocked one of the metal doors slightly making it creak.

"WHO'S THERE," the voice was familiar, though slightly deeper, Twilight hoped she was wrong, "I will give you to the count of three to report to your higher ranking officer," The voice said, Twilight began her walk back through the metal of the lockers and was nearly at the door just before a hand slammed in front of her face.

Twilight immediately jumped back and took a stance for a fight but then saw the womens hair, "FUCK! I am always right. There stood Rainbow in half her armor, around her hips lay golden plates whilst she just had a tank top on.

"Unicorn brigade, what are you doing here? What rank are you from?" Twilight debated talking but wasted too much time, "Take your helmet off, your talking to a ranking officer, take. the. helmet. off." Rainbow said in a demanding tone, on one hand if Twilight took the helmet off it was imminent that she would be found out, on the other if she didn't she would be suspected as a disorderly guard and forced to take the helmet off, if she could force her that is.

Twilight sighed, too late to do a transform spell she could only hope she didn't make the connection, she slowly took the helmet off as locks of purple and pink fell down. First her lips, then her nose, then her scarred left eye and glass'. Rainbow went wide eyed, "T-t-twilight"

Twilight tried to feign ignorance, "Who? sorry but the name is Twist, I am fr-"

"Twilight, I know its you, I have seen that scar, I was the one who instigated you getting it, I should remember it for the rest of my life"

Twilight suddenly grabbed the knife she held in her armor and quickly thrust it forward under Rainbow's chin, her other hand grabbed the back of her neck, Rainbow gulped as her eye's became wide. Twilight lightly pressed the knife closer as her ears picked up a noise, she looked at the lens of her glasses top right corner and saw that three people were sneaking around the entrance of where they were, seeing this Twilight retracted the knife and pulled Rainbow into the lockers covering her mouth.

Rainbow struggled slightly until Twilight glared at her, "Shh, there is someone here, three, be quiet," Rainbow struggled for around a minute but then heard a clink of metal as the door opened to the room, a small buzz was heard after it closed.

Steps came into the room as they passed each bench, slowly one came to where they were, Twilight had brought Rainbow behind a lockers opening and hid behind a coat, they could see the ruffles of a maids outfit walking past, she mumbled something they couldn't understand before sounding a clicking noise. Suddenly the feet came to a stop as they heard, "You said she came in here, that meddling unicorn wench," a mares voice said, another gruff voice replied, "She had, she couldn't have gone far, search the lockers," then the feet turned to where they were, Twilight slowly raised her hand with the knife ready to strike as Spike began to slither out of her armor from her neck, Rainbow saw the snake and shuddered slightly. The shudder made the maid back away.

Fuck! they know we are here, Twilight took her chance and bolted toward the maid grabbing her throat, the maid in turn grabbed her wrist and elbow and twisted her arm making her flip, being as athletic as she was Twilight landed on her feet and looked up at the maid. The maid glared down at her as her mouth grew wider, slowly the skin of the maids cheeks tore as the teeth of the creature became jagged serrated like blades, then she went up in green flames leaving on black skin underneath, What the fuck are these things, never heard of changelings but these are fucking disgusting. As the changeling began to hiss at Twilight a foot came from her left, Rainbow kicked the now Ex-maid in the face slamming her into the other lockers alerting the others. The changeling just pulled back from the metal and shook her head, not a scratch on her carapace.

"What the hell is that?" Rainbow asked as she ran next to Twilight, when she did another black skinned monster came to the end of the row behind them, "What are they, I just kicked that thing and it shrugged it off like I was nothing but a little girl"

"You have no idea," Twilight stated as she lunged at the one before them, she plunged her hand forward as the knife collided with the carapace only to slide half an inch in, the changeling grabbed her wrist and an audible snap was heard, Twilight yanked her hand back, Tougher than I thought, their skin seams to be much like a carbon laying of armor but much thicker than bone, guess I am going to have to use that, "SPIKE!"

Spike dropped to the floor and grew as he slithered under Rainbow and flung at the far off changeling, coiling and biting at the creature. Twilight breathed deep and moved back with Rainbow in tow, when she released her breathe her horn began to glow on top of her head until it started to spark, the lavender glow became dark as swirls of black span around the glow, her purple eyes became crimson and her hands sparked as a dark mist surrounded them. "My turn!" Twilight went on the attack again as the changeling smirked, thinking it had the upper hand it ran at Twilight only to find its eye level became the same as Twilights feet. The changeling looked up as green oozed out of its mouth, it coughed only no air escaped its mouth as it noticed its body was still stood up.

Rainbow watched on as Twilights hands tore through the changelings carapace, its head flopped to the floor and blinked a few times before its body dropped to the floor with it, Twilight turned and Rainbow began to shake as fear took her, the one red orb upon Twilights face pierced her as she stood like stone, Thats not Twilight!!

Grunts and screeches could be heard coming from the far end as Spike and the seconds changeling rolled around, finally the third changeling landed on top of the lockers and looked down at Twilight, a snarl came across its face when it saw its brethren, a voice that reverberated across the walls boomed, "you whore of Celestia, how dare you," it jumped and landed cracking the floor, as it rose its height and muscle mass were nearly double that of Twilight.

Rainbow looked on in shock, no fuckin' way can Twilight win, she thought, attempting to move her body but to no avail she watched on with trepidation. The changeling sounded as if it laughed in its deep voice, it slowly moved forward as it arched its arm over its back, what seemed to be its spine was ripped out as a blade could be seen, "I am going to enjoy this, our sister has died and one of our kin had died from wounds earlier, I will enjoy taking your corpse to our Queen," where the spine sword was the carapace locked back into position and closed the opening.

Twilight didn't move an inch, she stared on as the changeling came closer, his voice loud and his ego more so, she had seen many who thought little of her, then it ran at her. She dodged to the right and made her way over a locker, the changeling tore through it as he followed, she did the same again as a locker was thrown in her direction. The changeling roared as it ran at her swinging its black blade, Twilight dodged by mere centimeters as the blade swung at her head, ducking she dodged to her left and attempted to sweep the changeling, he did not budge and then kicked her across the stomach. Twilight lifted off the floor where she was and flew through the air five meters slamming into concrete that broke as dust flew from the wall. She coughed as her body rippled with pain, looking at the behemoth that was slowly making its way to her.

Spike was still tied up with the other female changeling so she could not get help from him and Rainbow had not moved from shock, it wasn't the worst position she had ever been in but it wasn't her favorite either. Whilst she thought the changeling blind sided her as the blade plunged through her left shoulder, where one of her eyes were not usable, "An eye for an eye, you tore through my sisters shoulder so I will do so to you, stay still and maybe I will make your death quick," his jaw became unlatched as his bottom row of teeth broke off into two segments. The changeling pushed the blade in deeper as her moved in to bite out Twilights throat.

As he lunged forward and bit down he inwardly snickered until all he could taste was dry dust upon his tongue, he pulled back and looked at what he just bit, where Twilight was pinned to the wall now only a black mist was left, blood dripped from his blade. The changeling was confused but then he felt pain, his back ached and he turned his head to look behind him, there stood Twilight with her hand from her good arm plunged into his back, he went eyes wide as fear also took him. He had only known one fear and that is from a killer better than himself, his Queen but this unicorn had tore into his carapace with her bare hand and all he could do now was watch the next second as she pulled her arm down tearing his back open. Green ooze spurted from his back, splatter of the blood landed on Twilight as the rest fell to the floor, she had a devilish grin on her face, "What was that you said, a quick death, you think you could have killed me, you jest," she felt the beating heart of the changeling in her hand as she pulled it out of his back. The changeling watched his heart beat slowly to a stop and then dropped to the floor, dead.

"Last one," Twilight said as she covered her shoulder with one hand, magic enveloped her shoulder to stop the blood loss. She turned the corner to see the green liquid pouring onto the floor, Spike had coiled around the changeling as snaps and cracks were heard, he had grown and began to crush the creature as it could not scream no longer. The one hand that was loose in between his coils reached out for help until one last squeeze made it judder in pain and flail limp as it died.

Spike released his grip and moved away from the dead changeling, its mangled body even more grotesque than before, foot steps were heard as Rainbow walked up to them, her face showing horror as to what she had seen. Twilight moved to Rainbow and grabbed her arm and moved her to the other end of the room with Spike just behind them, "Rainbow," Twilight called to the shocked woman, "Rainbow listen to me!" she said again.

Rainbow shook her head and looked forward seeing Twilight, small cuts and grazes all over her body and a three inch deep wound on her shoulder, sudden realization of reality hit her, "TWILIGHT! your shoulder!"

Twilight slapped her hand away as it came up to her shoulder, "Fuck that I am fine but you have just found me out, you can't tell anybody what you have just seen or that you have seen me, the order comes from the Princess'" Twilight stated, earning a worried confused look from Rainbow.

"You work for the Princess, wait no, your arm, we should go get it treated," Rainbow pleaded.

"Its fine," Twilight got up and moved over to where a tipped over locker was, she weakly lifted it to reveal her glasses, she picked them up in her magic and placed them on her face. Moving her arm upwards she pressed the small button on the left side of the glasses, "The Princess' are now being alerted of an attack, I had installed small camera's and alarm devices, I was hired for this reason," Twilight lied, hoping that Rainbow would accept her as a special guard, one closer to the Princess'.

"Fine but what were they, those............ those things," Rainbow asked as she looked across at the large Changeling, blood oozing from his back as one of his arms still rested on the hilt of his blade, she winced and felt her stomach turn at the sight. Rainbow was in the amy and had seen fights but death was another thing, even if they were monsters.

Twilight sat down on a bench across from her as she clipped open the golden chest plate to see how bad the shoulder really was, "Changelings, creatures that feed on emotion, thy came for me because of my job," she said as she winced from pain, the broken chest plate that embedded itself in her shoulder tore skin as she pulled it off, "I have been assigned to guard Princess Mi Amore Cadenza, I am part of a special unit that specialize in this kind of work"

Rainbow had a questioning face but shrugged it off till later, footsteps and clanging armor could be heard running down the hallway, "After you have been patched, Twilight............. would you mind if we talked?"

"I can't, I am only here for my job then I leave," Twilight stated as her stare grew cold, "Spike, I need you to numb this pain," the snake moved up her leg as Rainbow jumped slightly, suddenly Spike bit down on her shoulder as Twilight let out a muffled scream whilst bitning her hand, after he released she calmed down.

"What the fuck is that thing"

"I am not a thing, I am a basilisk, Spike by the way," the small snake said, surprising Rainbow, she knew many magical creatures that could talk but when she thought of a basilisk she thought of a huge man eating snake.

"A basilisk and what the hell was that, why did you bite her," Rainbow asked.

"Usually when a basilisk bites you, your blood coagulates and you get a blood clot within five minutes. before that happens they excrete venom that travels to the nerves and dissolves them, it causes horrible pain. What Spike just did though was only the first half, stopping the blood from escaping the open wound," Twilight explained as guards rushed into the room, one running up to her.

He bowed slightly, "Miss Twist, we have been informed of the alarms and have been sent from Princess Celestia to assist, how can we help?" the guard asked.

Twilight held out her good arm for Spike to rap around as she stood up, "Take the bodies of the changelings to a secluded place and keep them as fresh as possible, run samples on their bodies. I found that there was a difference in their genders but I need solid proof before we know that. Rainbow Dash here has seen everything and needs to be debriefed on what is happening and I want her to come with me to the Princess. I have sustained light wounds and need to go to my bunker first," the guard raised an eyebrow when he saw the large opening on her shoulder.

"Light wounds?" the guard asked in a tone of wonder, some of the others hearing it in disbelief of her statement, some more confused by the creature wrapped on her arm, "Yes Ma'am, we will have what is asked of us done as soon as possible, what would you have us do afterwards?"

"Go back to normal duty, don't let captain Armor know what has happened unless the Princess tell's you so, are we clear," Twilight asked as she started to move for the door.

"Yes, Ma'am," the guard replied saluting.

"Good. Rainbow, follow me," Rainbow moved over to where Twilight was and followed her out of the room until they stopped outside the door, "I just have to patch my shoulder and then we need to go to the Princess, she will do with you as she wants. Stay close, I am going to transport us magically to my room," Rainbow stepped closer as she began to sweat.

"He won't bite me, right?" Twilight sighed as Spike snapped at her, making Rainbow jump as he giggled, "Fuck dude!"

Twilight pulled her close as light emanated from her horn, with a spark they disappeared from the hallway leaving to Twilight s room.

Twilights room

Rainbow fell to the floor where she saw the bin, she scrambled across and stuck her face in it and threw up her morning breakfast. Twilight moved over to the counter and opened a draw, inside was bandages and needles with other health associated items, "once you're done filling my bin sit over there whilst I do this," Twilight said as Rainbow pulled out of the bin, spitting the rest of what was in her mouth away.

"Sure," She got up and moved to the table and sat down, "what the hell, I hate teleporting, always makes me puke"

"It is because you aren't use to the sensation, after many times it becomes natural," Twilight said as she levitated a small towel, two needles and a bowl out of the draw, next she opened the cabinet and grabbed, thread, tweezers and then switched the kettle on. As it boiled she tore off her top, the bandages that held her breast's were stained crimson and dried brown. "Rainbow, poor the water into this bowl when it clicks," Twilight ordered. She then levitated the needles and thread, splitting two lengthy lines and putting them both into each of the eyes of the needles. The kettle boiled and Rainbow did as she was told, Twilight then dropped the needles in the bowl, "To sanitize them," she said when Rainbow puled an eyebrow up at her.

Rainbow sat back down and looked at Twilight, she didn't know what to say, all these years she regretted what she did but now she was looking at someone else. This wasn't the same Twilight, what had happened in those years, only around four years and she is this cut up, scars and.............. and bullet wounds riddled her body, "Twilight, where were you, whe.................. when they said you died I even visited your grave,......... what happened?" she asked as she saw Twilight levitate the Tweezers up.

Twilight looked in the mirror and saw the small gleam from pieces of armor in the wound, slowly she plucked them out from her wound, "I died Rainbow, that's where I was, that is all you need to know," Twilight stated coldly, her features not moving even from the small jolts of pain she received.

Rainbow's face dropped, "I-I am sorry, I can't tell you how much I am fo-"

"For what Rainbow? it was not you who cut my face open, it was not you who killed that girl that night and it was not you who killed me on my fathers funeral. All I ask now is you don't question anything you have seen, I am a ghost rainbow, I work for the Princess and thats all you need to know for now," she said as she put the tweezers down, picking one of the needles up, slowly she closed the wound and placed a healing spell to fasten the wound shut, the broken bones would take more time but she was not worried.

"Bu-"

"Rainbow!"

Rainbow placed her elbows on her knees and placed her head in her hand's, Twilight turned to her, "I need your help, come here," Twilight said.

Rainbow looked up again and moved to the seat next to Twilight, "with what? anything just ask"

Twilight used her right arm to bring her other up, Rainbow saw the swelling of her left wrist, dislocated, "I need you to pop this back in place, I can usually do it but with you here its faster, grip my forearm and twist my hand back until you can hear a pop," Rainbow nodded, use to assisting cadets and fellow guards with dislocations and brakes. She placed her right arm on Twilights forearm and proceeded with twisting her wrist, Twilights teeth clenched as her wrist snapped into position.

A low grumble came from Twilight before breathing out, "Good, I'll just be a minute," she said getting up, "I need to clean this blood off so we can go to the Princess"

Twilight left the room leaving only Spike and Rainbow in there, Rainbow kept her distance but Spike didn't move from where he was, the sound of the shower came from the far end of the room. A few minutes later Twilight came out with a black tank top on and some jogging bottoms, she moved over to the cabinet from before and pressed a hidden switch underneath it. the shelves slid forward to reveal a weapons counter, she picked up a knife and hissed at the weight it put on her shoulder before slipping it at the back of her pants. The she took a gun and holster and placed them across her stomach, "That was the first attack and now I know I will need more than a knife," Twilight stated more to herself than the others in the room. She moved over to the couch and picked up a black jacket, the same one Rainbow saw that night as she passed her in the tavern.

"So that was you, the other night at the tavern," Rainbow said.

"Yes, I was on recon looking for information on the changelings, you however changed my plans as you know my identity, looks like you found out though," Twilight said with a sigh, "no matter now, C'mon we got to go to the Princess," Twilight said looking over to Spike who slithered into her jacket.

"Were not gonna"

"Yeah, we are so come on," Twilight deadpanned, Rainbow moaned but got up and moved next to Twilight with a look of annoyance.

next thing Rainbow felt was her stomach once again turning as they blinked out of existence to reappear in front of the Princess herself, only this time she wasn't sick. Thinking where she was she just noticed she still hadn't put all her armor on and was just in a tank top herself, she bolted her arms up to cover more of what she was wearing.

Celestia looked down from where she was sat on her throne, bits and pieces of papers on either side of her, "I assume you have news on the changelings Twilight, we have been told of the threat and have put all quarters on lock down, your duty now is to stay by my side. I am sorry but I also will have to inform my captain of what is happening and if he finds you out I also apologies but one thing eludes me, why is Rainbow Dash with you?" she asked with a raised eyebrow, "half naked no less?"

"She was there when the changelings attacked, Rainbow had known me during my school years and had found me out, thus I brought her here for you to handle. If you don't you know what I have to do," Twilight said as a glint of light flashed across her eyes.

Celestia sighed and stood up, slowly walking down the steps, "I assume she does not know of your other alias though, for now I want her to assist you, she knows of the castle layout well and is a good fighter. Rainbow Dash"

"Yes Princess"

"You will take orders from Twilight, whatever she says is law whilst you work under her, she is.......... she is part of a special unit of my guard, ones who don't abide by the law to get things done," Celestia stated with all seriousness, "this is now a national matter, we are threatened with war, we need to find out the objective of our enemy and find out why they want to impersonate Princess Cadence"

Twilight coughed slightly, "I have had a few ideas as to why but I think now that they know we have caught on there tactics will change, I suggest we carry on with the plans of the wedding, play out the day and lay in wait for them to spring their attack," Twilight suggested.

"I can't do that, your wounds prove that to be risky, I can smell the blood coming from your wounds and can see how your collar bone has shifted, that fight did more damage than I thought it would to one of your skills"

"I did not predict them to be so efficient in there attack, the male had hardened skin and had heavy attacks, I was blind sided as I thought of how to take down the enemy. Due to my miscalculation when fighting I took damage, they pushed me to use my magic but in the end I know the best way to kill them," Twilight stated, "we can't let them live, they can survive for prolonged amounts of time with fatal wounds, the only way to kill them is either crushing the brain or destroying their heart, I believe if we let them attack assuming they think we have caught on but don't know what they are doing I could take out their Queen when she shows herself"

"It is a large risk Twilight," Celestia said, "we will inform your brother and then ask his opinion, I cant keep this between us, GUARDS" Celestia shouted, "Get Shining Armor and bring him here, also get the leaders of each brigade"

A few minutes later many people had moved into the throne room and were debriefed on the threat, Shining came after this had happened due to something happening in Canterlot, he walked through the halls up to the throne room as most of the brigade leaders passed him, each in turn nodding in respect. The two guards in front of the oak doors nodded also before opening the doors, revealing the Princess and Two other people, at closer inspection he could see a purple haired women and a winged women, "You called your majesty," He knew that it was Twilight, a glance across and he saw that she was also staring back at him, she quickly averted her gaze, then he turned and saw Rainbow and his face twisted slightly in anger.

"I did, as I am sure you have been told slightly of what has been happening, this will shock you. Twilight will you explain what has happened today in detail to the captain," Celestia asked, Twilight replied by nodding.

Twilight turned to her right to face Shining, he didn't look that surprised to see her but had a sad look on his face, "Hello Shining, how is mother?"

"The fuck Twi! is that all you say!!" Shining shouted.

Twilight moved back slightly but kept a straight face, "Oh well, Captain, currently the castle has been invaded by Changelings, a group of creatures who feed on emotion. Their current objective is unknown but what we do know is they are targeting Cadence. I suggested that we carry on with the wedding and spring their trap, when we d I will take the queen out"

Shining put a hand to his chin in thought, his anger simmering down as she explained, "Its too risky, Cadence could get hurt and then there will be the guests"

"Some of the guest could already be changelings, thy replace personnel of the castle, which means it is more than probable that they have already infiltrated the public and nobles," Twilight said.

Rainbow moved forward, "I saw it myself, it changed its form from a maid to a grotesque monster in like a second flat"

"Is there no other options," Shining asked.

"Yes, two in fact, one would be wait longer and have them replace more people and slowly take over and then two would be let them capture Cadence and follow them to their base of operations," Twilight stated in monotone.

"So there isn't another option, great," he deadpanned.

Celestia rose back to her throne, "So what is your opinion Captain, do you want to follow your sisters orders?"

"From what I have heard it is our only chance, Can I tell Cadence," Shining asked.

"Yes, I want both Twilight and Rainbow to accompany you until tomorrow, tell Cadence of our plans and then plan ahead for tomorrow," Celestia said, "Twilight, I trust you can take care of the threat, just be careful"

Fuck careful, that fucker stabbed me, I am going to rip their Queen a new one for shits and giggles and watch her squirm, Twilight thought menacingly, "Yes your Majesty, until tomorrow then, Shining, Rainbow, shall we"

"I want to talk to you later Twilight, I need to know what happened and why I heard the Princess call you Dark Star," Shining said, Twilight glared at him before walking through the oak doors, Rainbow over heard what he said and could only stare at them as she followed. All three left headed to where Cadence was now, worrying what had happened in the castle.

Chapter Three, Tundra

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"Fear is not real. The only place that fear can exist is in our thoughts of the future. It is a product of our imagination, causing us to fear things that do not at present and may not ever exist. Do not misunderstand me, danger is very real, but fear is a choice. We are all telling ourselves a story and that day mine changed"

By Will Smith playing Cypher Raige in After Earth

The cold chill of the air, the bite into your skin it lies upon, the grey clouded skies above. A new country, a new life, a new goal. Flown thousands of miles with a man she had met days before, she found that this man had a very cynical sense of humor and loved to mess with the people around him, sort of like a child with a pitch fork that had just finished heating. The man had explained where they were going and what would happen if she agreed to join, though he said the basics he didn't tell her about where the exact location they were taking her was, she would soon find out.

Upon landing in Moscony they departed the plane and made there way through the airport, surprising to Twilight was that the bag that held his guns passed through the metal detectors without setting them off, the guard behind the controls had nodded as they passed him. The man turned slightly looking back at Twilight who was looking around at the sights, "Twi' Keep up, once we are outside the association will have a car ready," A man in a black suit walked up next to them, "this country is different to Canterlot, it is near freezing temperatures could kill somebody without proper clothing," He then turned to the man in the black suit, "did you get it?"

The man nodded and pulled his right arm up, a large white carrying bag held something purple, the man pulled out the purple item to reveal a snow jacket. "Here kid, put this on, it helps," he threw the jacket at Twilight who caught it when it got closer, "Its cold out there boss, we have the cars ready and number twenty three is back from her mission to train the next batch"

"Good, we are adding this one to the batch, do we have the facility in place for the training?" he asked as they passed the threshold of the airport where two black cars were parked, four guards stood in front of them, "I expect we have transfered all the subjects and experiments there?"

"Yes sir, all thirty nine other trainees are there and we have X-five through nine at the facility, we will head there now to drop off the last batch of recruits"

"Good," The man said, as they walked forward one of the guards moved to the cars back door and opened it, the man stopped and gestured for Twilight to enter the car.

Twilight hesitated for a second but ended up stepping into the car and moving over for the man to get in, Twilight had too many thoughts running through her head for now to even care that she really didn't know what she was getting herself into, this was her last chance at a free life.

The car moved for around ten minutes before it pulled into an alleyway, at the sudden stop Twilight thought to look where they had got to, looking around all she saw was the snow covered cobble paths at either sides of the car and over piled garbage bins. "Where are we?"

"I am very sorry to do this to you but if you knew of where the facility is you may attempt to run to the politsiya, you know we cant have that," He said, then took out a bag from his jacket, woven thread that likely held flour, "we can either do this the easy way or I can tie your hands, your choice, what do you chose," he gestured with the bag in one hand and a clenched fist as the other.

"I think I would rather have the bag, how long will it be until we are at your facility?" Twilight said in a calm voice but her body showed she was slightly agitated by the bag.

"Not long, I promise," he said as he put the bag over her head, "now just sit tight and we will be there in no time, Kain, get a move on!"

Twilight felt the car move once again, bumps and the sounds of cars, minutes later most of the sounds became drowned out. The car came to an abrupt stop as the doors bolted open, Twilight felt an hand on her arm as she was pulled from the car, the bag was pulled from her face as she needed to cover her eyes from the sudden brightness. When she opened them she was looking at a large warehouse by the docks, as big as four floors of stairs high, large green hanger doors opens slightly as a women in a white cloak walked up.

"T3 it is so nice to see you, how was the western mission? not too... hectic I presume? the man asked.

"Fuck off master, you know it was a ball ache to get that mission completed, they got two of my fingers on that mission," the women said as she pulled her hand up to point half a middle finger at the man.

Twilight looked between the two of them, the master, sounds weird, "how come she called you master?"

The master turned and looked at Twilight, "the reason for that my dear is that out of the thirty two test subjects at the time this lovely lady was the only one to survive training, and as such I was the one to train her, but that's in the past. As for the present I think we shall begin, don't you think miss Twenty three?"

"Gladly," T3 said with a grin, Twilight suddenly felt lightheaded as she began falling, she noticed the master and T3 held clothes to their faces as smoke rose from T3's coat, Twilight fell unconscious. "I will now begin the program sir, number forty has been retrieved but I am afraid thirteen have already died"

"It matters not, put number forty in her cell, use blackout as protocol for now and see how she reacts to starvation and malnutrition for now but before that inject her with the X-96-91 fluid before you do so"

"Sir, that is still experimental, it could cause her t-"

"Doesn't matter, just do as I say! Hurry up you only have a short amount of time before she awakes"

"Yes sir"

Twilight grumbled as she tried to move her body, she felt very weak and sluggish, her hair was matted with sweat and a strong pain emanated from her right arm, shifting as she coughed noticing even as she opened her eyes she was in a pitch black room, she tried to cast a light spell and couldn't. She moved a hand toward her head, feeling pain, then feeling a tight metal band wound around her head. "A magic disable band," she tried to get up, feeling for something other than the dust covered floor, "Where is this, where is the master?" She finally found the wall, sliding her hand up she quickly retracted her left hand grasping it with her right, gasping for air as pain gripped her.

The sound of liquid dripping was the only noise apart from her reckless breathing, panicked and isolated, C'mon calm down Sparkle, you have been in much worse... No I haven't, what am I doing here, she thought, slowly braking down as tears took their positions upon her face, wailing into the boxed room. Twilight was now truly lost to the world, her father was now gone, her family resented her and now she was taken by a stranger who she stupidly but willingly agreed to come with, again and again she belated her stupid reasoning until another pain sprung upon her. Not from her palm of her hand, no but from her arm where she felt the pain earlier, her muscles contracted and released as the pain convulsed. Every time the pain grew worse and spread up her arm, with every retraction she screamed.

Not too far away from where she was kept T3 sat watching through night visual cameras that had been installed, seeing Twilight writhe in pain on the floor, every scream of pain echoed in the boxed room. She sighed as she picked up her board and pen, a list of twenty X's with numbers on them, thirteen had been crossed off with a red marker, "Guess this will make number five of the experiments here failure, soon she will die like I had foreto-" grunting from the monitors stopped her soliloquizing and turned all her attention to the screen.

Back in the room Twilight panted as the pain tore far in her arm and chest, close to her heart, she grunted again. She refused to give into the pain, blood dripped from her hand as she clenched her fists, now roaring into the darkness with a indescribable shout of anger. She began smacking the ground with her hands as her back lay to the ground, smack... smack.... smack..... Crack. Faint amounts of energy emanated from her, it was magical but it wasn't from her usual magic reserves. Grunting she got to her feet, she could not keep the pain in so she began hitting the air and walls, unknown to her with every swing of her fist a shockwave so minute exploded at the ends of her fists.

Before now, Twilight had not once swung her fists, be it in anger or otherwise. Twilight was doing this on instinct, the pain numbed her thoughts as her body moved, T3 watched on as she saw the concrete walls slowly make way for slashed and broken knuckles. Twilight eventually dropped to the floor panting, the fluctuations of the pain subsiding but her hands throbbed as the metal smell of liquid dropped to the floor, Twilight also took place upon the floor.

Unknown hours later

Twilight once again awoke in the dark room again, she did not move, only laid there thinking of how she got to this point. When did everything go so wrong, is the world against me? No Sparkle that's just paranoia, then what is it. Is what anyone does worthwhile, are we all to just play the fate of the gods, gods, there is no god for me, not here. I prayed to you, and you returned the gesture with my fathers death, then you offer me a poisoned choice that caused me more pain. That thought sparked a memory from before she woke up, she sat up and moved her hands up, feeling them slightly constricted she gingerly moved a hand over the other feeling it. Pain, she moved her hand pack, it was wet but it seems someone had bandaged her hands as she was passed out. "Is this some sick joke!" She shouted into the darkness, "Where am I!?" No response.

She screamed into the darkness for someone to react, no response, her fingers felt tingly when she shouted. It was a weird feeling but Twilight thought it was due to her injuries, after that thought a gurgling came from the room as Twilight noticed it was her stomach, she hadn't eaten since before the plane ride. "Hey, I know your there, I'm hungry. Please, anyone, C'mon, PLEASE!?" She knew they were listening but her imagination wandered to other thoughts.

For hours she sat there, slowly getting more hungry until she fell asleep, huddled in the corner of the dark room. T3 looked through the monitor as the Master watched from behind her, he giggled slightly at her face, "I did say it would work, she has the eyes of one who wont give up, she has been through a lot of trials. I expect she will be one of our best if we can keep her alive long enough, Don't you miss T3? maybe even better than yourself my dear?"

"Don't push your luck Master, If I know you, you are planning to break her. Just as you did me, she will be a completely new person after going through this, only... if she survives that is. Thirteen died tonight, four have bitten through their wrists, nine died from malnutrition. Your new recruit and X-4 have been producing good results though, though I say that, its only been a day since X-10 was given X-96-91, number four has fully integrated with the aspects of X-96-89, X-5 to X-9 who were introduced to X-96-90 died in order that they were given the dose of it. X-96-91 is only the slightly revised version, I still think there is going to be more to her changes, even if she doesn't survive I am sure the data and body recovery will give me lots to work upon." T3 said as she read down her list.

The master sighed as he reached in his pocket, pulling a packet of cigarettes and a lighter out, shaking a fag out and moving the box up to his lips as he lit it. "You know T3, have I ever said you would be cuter if you just kept your mouth shut, you really talk too much. Next time don't explain every detail, I just don't care. All I want is them," He said pointing to a few screens.

The first held a man sat with a calm demeanor and crossed arms, the second was a small girl with blonde hair who was staring at the camera even though it was pitch black, The third held two girls. The girls were twins, too close for normal twins though as they held each other in the dark, the last was another girl who was stood staring at the wall until T3 and Master looked at the monitor. When their attention was solely on her screen she turned, facing the camera with a scowl, her black hair turned grey as she raised her hand. The monitor sparked as she was staring, frost could be seen on the screen as it finally became static. "See that, that is the power of a killer T3," The master said ecstatically, "X-4, what was her name again?"

"Sir we never found out, we found her in that storm with a battered body if you remember? you really have an aloof personality"

"Hmm, a storm, really? then how about, well storm?"

"What do you mean sir?"

"C'mon, we both know she is going to survive, she will have a codename soon anyway so why not now. So storm, what do you think of that?" He said as he puffed a cloud of smoke out.

"Too clee-shay, Seems cool but I am sure we can't use that, but naming an operative by where we found her is a little... you know. I mean we can't just go ahead an-"

"Tundra! that is what we will call her, Tundra!" The master said as he flew his arms up, fist pumping like a little kid making T3 sigh at his antics, "Cool ain't it? is it? is it?" he said nudging her arm.

"Yes sir, very..." she sighed, "cool..."

He nodded in pride at his achievement, then turned his attention on the other screens he seemed keen upon, Twilights catching his eyes. She was still asleep but the camera had slight static, slowly the camera had more and more until it was fully static, when it came back on. The room was full of dust as Twilight was screaming.

In the room, Twilight had just awoken at the sound of an explosion, several small cuts and gashes over her body from the rocks that flew away from the walls. "WHATS HAPPENING!!" she began hyperventilating, the dust was too thick as she coughed, needing more air she sucked in, another fit of coughs. Noticing this both T3 and the Master came through her door just in time for her passing out again.

They quickly moved her to another room, thick metal walls, a medical bay bed and old hospital equipment littered the room. On inspection of Twilights body they noticed many gashes, T3 first put a respiratory system in place to clear her airways, looking down she noticed the white tank top she was wearing slowly going crimson across her stomach. "Master hand me those scissors and then get out," He did so as he snickered, giving the scissors and then leaving.

For the next few hours Twilight was treated, surprisingly on first inspection she looked normal but her left leg had become lacerated underneath her jeans, an arm had broken and a small rock had embedded itself close to her right kidney. Once her casts and stitches were in place she was unceremoniously thrown back in a new cell, groggily looking up at T3, reaching a hand out for help only for it to collapse to the ground as she passed out again.

"That girl... I wonder?" T3 pondered a thought as she closed the door, giving one last look at the girl on the ground, "It couldn't be," She said locking the latch. She walked back to her office after removing the old clothes of Twilight into a bin. "Now to see how the first batch of fights have turned out, Lets see how our X numbers have done so far"

Is this de ja vu, again this room, again I am hungry, still hungry actually. Twilight tried to move but screamed as soon as her muscles moved, M-m... my leg, shifting her head she tried to see what was there, Damnit Sparkle, no lights!. She resolved to find out what it was that was on her leg, though for some reason her stomach muscles were too numb to lift her and using her arms was also very painful. The wall! with great intense pain Twilight flipped onto her stomach, with slow pace she dragged herself forward until she finally hit the wall. Whats this... metal? feeling around she felt a cold surface albeit being very bumpy like the concrete it was much smoother, she reached up and found a round handle. Gripping the handle she gasped as pain shot through her arm, trying to ignore it she finally sat up, as she sat there panting her mind was blank. No thoughts made way for the few things that were on her mind, what was on my leg? Food! why is my stomach numb? Only these thoughts occupied her brain. leaning forward she grasped her leg, being quite a bit larger she realized there was a cast upon it, Sighing she sat back against the cold surface falling asleep.

Two days later after monitoring her behavior, screaming in pain, shouting for food, becoming delirious. They finally dragged her out, too weak to resist her feet dragged upon the ground as two hooded men held her as they followed T3. The arrived in a room with two chairs, one desk, a window and a light. T3 told them to place her in the chair, they did and left, T3 took her place across the table. "Hello Twilight, its good to see you, do you know how many days you have been here?"

Twilight didn't move, her eyes slightly glazed over as her breathing was very slow. after a few minute T3 asked once more, finally getting an reaction from Twilight, Twilight looked in her direction and from her dried up split lips came a whisper of a voice, "a week... I don't k... know"

"Four days, fours days Twilight, you have exceeded the amount a human should be able to stay alive without water or food. If you don't eat soon you will die, I assume you won't survive the night without it-" Twilight collapsed off her chair, "Dear me, I wonder how you will survive today against 29, he has already killed two for a meal, he will snap you like a twig," T3 said moving around the table to pick Twilight pack up.

Twilight was sat back down as a trickle of blood fell from her nose, not even noticing she was bleeding, she was numb to pain. Noticing this,T3 grinned, the formula is finally bonding with her cells, looking again she noticed the obvious scratch that would heal had but some of the more severe cuts had healed. "Twilight... Twilight?" she slapped Twilight who just shifted her eyes, "Listen, do you want food?" a gleam came to Twilights eyes. "Yes! then you will have to fight for it, number 29 has stolen your meal, he will be eating it soon, what will you do? he has been doing this for a while now Twilight," Twilight slowly shook as her eyebrows moved with the last bit of strength. For some reason, the stare shook T3's core, this little girl who was too weak to move had somehow scared a veteran killer, "I like that look, we will move you now"

In the room behind the window that was a one way mirror, the master watched on with a huge grin, there it is, that look. I knew she had it in her, its all about the instincts Twilight, forget about yourself and delve into them. Twilight was moved once more in the same way, dragged from where she sat and down the halls, endless grey that was indistinguishable at every angle. Finally arriving in the room, one light with a dirt filled floor, as she was sat down her head tilted back noticing another window with a few fuzzy figures stood behind it. She didn't care who it was, she wanted food, she wanted it now.

A few minutes later the doors opened again, in walked in T3 and the two guards with another man in a tank shirt and cuffs, once in the man broke the cuffs and grabbed one of the guards. "Fuck you! this is for hitting me you little shit," with a quick snap the guard dropped to the ground.

T3 nodded to the other guard, "Well that's lovely, you just killed my lackey... again."

"You know you love it you kinky whore, I see you shiver when the neck snaps," the man said licking his lips, "C'mere," he said trying to grab her, getting a heel in the shoulder instead.

"I am not the meal ticket Twenty nine, that over there is the meal ticket," She said pointing at Twilight who was slumped over in the chair.

"Really, Its my lucky day, a fresh girl to kill and she looks pretty fucked up," T3 looked disgusted as the giant of a man moved passed her, the size difference was horrendous. Twilight measured up to around four foot eleven and 29 was six foot four, the difference in a normal fight would make it a hard fight.

Why did the master not give her any supplement for the fight like the rest, she will just die in this fight, does he not want her anymore. T3 wondered what was going on until she saw that gleam once again through the locks of Twilights bangs as the giant moved closer too her.

"Time ta' av' me sum' fun aa' lassy, this will be fun," he said as T3 left the room and closed the bolted door. 29 bent down and grabbed Twilight by the hair lifting her head, "not too shabby, you ain't the worst I have seen in here, I think I might have some fun first hehe," his laugh was sinister. 29 was known to beat his female opponents into submission and have his way before killing them, he was one of the recruits that were on the list for the skull division if he survived.

T3 made it up to the room where the few watchers were looking down at the two before them, the master was sat in a leather chair as his cigarette slowly burned away.

29 raised his fist as Twilight came off the chair, "this is just too easy, ain't yah' gunna fight back lassy," he raised his other hand and thrust it forward into Twilights stomach, Twilight gasped slightly which sent a shiver in 29 as he did it again. A few punches later Twilight dangled from his hand with her bangs over her face, 29 turned to the window, "Is this really what you give me, she already dead, she ain't moving, I ain't gonna fuck dead meat you arseholes," he once again punched her and dropped her to the ground. "This," he kicked her, "Ain't," once again, "Fuckable!" he then tried to kick once more but was met with teeth. Twilight had bitten into his calf as he kicked, 29 roared in pain, "Ah! you little bitch," he pulled his leg back as two white teeth were still embedded into his muscle, "you are so dead now lassy," he started an assault on Twilight. Kick after kick, punching and kneeing her after picking her up, blood spurt from her mouth, ribs broke and other bones became bent and twisted.

T3 stood up and pressed a hand against the glass looking down before looking back at the master, "Aren't we going to stop him, she has to be dead by now?" she said, the master though watched on and then pointed at Twilight.

T3 turned to look again at the bloody mess on the ground, 29 lifting her into the air before slamming her back down, roaring in anger as he did so. "Look at her face T3, isn't it just beautiful," the master said, in fact it was a bloody mess, cuts and blood gushed from her scalp, broken teeth, it was actually disgusting but her eyes. Her eyes were still not registering the pain, it was like she didn't care, all she saw was a task she had to achieve, a goal. "Its instinct, when you corner an animal with something larger than it, the animal achieves its goal on instinct alone. I did everything up until now for this, I starved her, injected her with the X gene, and finally set her against the most violent recruit from the normal sector for this. I want her to realize the one true fact, the fact that fear, fear only holds you back"

Twilight watched through her eyes as 29 destroyed her body, she could feel every crunch of a bone, every tear of a muscle but for some reason she was calm. If she could giggle she would do, back when she was a child she would freeze in fear when confronted with violence, now she was dying by the hands of an over sized prick as she couldn't move. Finally after so long, at the last edge of her tiny life in this little blip of existence clarity came over Twilight as she was lifted into the air once more, 29 roared again as he through her across the room two meters into the wall, Twilight dropped to the ground face down.

29 turned and looked up, "you owe me a meal, I am hungry, get me another fight so I can have someone else meal too," he said in a smartass tone, but his face went from prick to a less amount of prick as he became confused. The master had been looking behind him, what is that fucker looking at? he turned around as surprise hit him, Twilight was standing, just barely.

One of her legs was badly injured if not broken, an arm was snapped across her forearm, the white of her uniform was now mostly crimson as she lifted her head. But with all this it was not that she was standing that surprised 29, it was the smile that adorned Twilights face and the eyes that were glaring at him, he took a step back in fear.

The master leaned forward, "haha, see, 29 is feeling fear. Fear is just a chemical produced by the brain that we portray as something we should avoid, in this case 29 has hit the wall that is gradually climbing that is named Twilight Sparkle," not even caring about the ash that fell down he watched with trepidation.

Twilight took a step forward only to fall to her knee's but stood once more after a struggle, she slowly moved on 29. 29 was slowly backing away from her as sweat fell from his brow, C'mon, I ain't a chicken, its one tiny little girl, what can she do? Kill her kal, stop standing like a dope and do something, anything... He thought as Twilight grew closer.

Suddenly the room began to simmer, heat filled the room as Twilight stopped, steam rose from her limbs slowly as she looked forward. The room rumbled with power as the ground around Twilight lost its gravity, slowly drifting upwards, the metal bar on her head became cracked as it split into pieces falling to the ground. Twilights cuts and bruises glowed slightly as bones shifted back into position, blood cleared away back into were they poured from as the tips of her fingers tingled once more. Slowly 29 watched as a monster was born.

Ten minute later

The master was still sat in his seat, he looked to be bemused with his thoughts as T3 rattled on her nonsense, "how... magnificent, that was perfect, feed her well tonight," He said standing as the crunch of glass beneath his feet sounded his leave.

"But sir, what do I do with the... leftovers? I can't study them as they are now and the room is gone, SIR!?" T3 asked, no answer so she turned back around, What the hell happened, I mean I saw that but... A sick feeling made its way up into her mouth, slightly gagging at the thought of what Twilight did. "Oscar! get in here, I want all of the recorded data on the fight, everything up to the point of the explosion," She hollered as a spectacles man ran up in a lab coat with a friar tuck hair style.

He nodded before running off, "Yes Ma'am"

"That was no normal being, that was a monster, I have to study her blood sample of the X-96-91 gene we implemented into her, this reaction has never been seen," She said as she moved out of the room.

Half an hour later T3 stood over her monitor as she watched the tapes of Twilights fight up until the point the Cameras had been obliterated. Twilight stood in the center of the room as her limbs relined, X-96-89 the latest known advancement in the X-gene development implemented a higher rate of cell reproduction meaning a body could heal at a faster rate than usual. It also hardens the skin, bone and muscle tissues so that the subjects can stand far greater amounts of pain, but what happened was something that has never been seen before.

After Twilight had regenerated to a point she could move more better she proceeded with her trudge to 29 who in the end lunged at subject X-10, this only made things worse for subject 29 as he was gripped now in the magical grasp of X-10, lifting the man in her dark red hue. She wrote the color change down of Twilights magic as a side note, as he was lifted up tendrils of magic bore holes into 29's arms and dug under his skin, he flailed in the air helpless. This is when T3 put the video in slow motion, the flash of light was so fast she couldn't see it. Once again she replayed it, too fast, again, too fast... Finally she caught a glimpse of what happened, on the tips of Twilights fingers began turning black as it spread up her arms, moving the hands through 29's body with super human speeds, then light. After the light the camera's had been destroyed but it was probably easy to deduct the rest, the body of 29 had been split into around fifteen parts as they flew around the room, the small explosions that were created by Twilight had sent them flying and smoldered the walls whilst shattering the glass to the room.

After which she looked at her hands, pure obsidian, her hands shifted as her skin moved. Then she looked up, her eye was blank, devoid of emotion, purely running on instinct. That was when the master had to intervene, he jumped down before Twilight moved upon them as well. When it all ended Twilight was moved to a thicker cell and given food, and that is where we find T3 studying the tapes.

Two weeks later

The master laughed as he watched the tapes, blood would fly away from her body as the knife would pierce her flesh, she wouldn't dodge since she did not care. The hammer would smash into her ribs as they broke, after which it found its way into its owners head, a grin was plastered across her faced the whole time. "Oh Twily, I do so love watching you work," he smiled tapping on a board, fifteen names, fourteen were crossed out and the last was marked in red, Tundra. "I want to see how you react when put against an animal who is much like yourself, I have taught you to let go of fear, fear is not real but you are misunderstanding. Danger is real, a normal human cannot threaten you but against powers that rival your own you need to learn to fight effectively and not injure yourself.

A white room, one sink and mirror, one door that was locked. Twilight sat on her beds edge as she looked over to the door, when it opened she didn't flinch or move but just moved her eye to who walked in, T3 strode in as a plate was in a magical blue hue. "Hello Twilight, I have brought you food, how are you feeling?" She said with speculative eyes, Twilight huffed before getting up and moving to the food, bandages fluttered as she did so. When she sat back down with the sandwich she let T3 come close to check her body, "you cuts are doing fine but you overdid the last fight by letting 17 slash your stomach, this is somehow being a difficult heal, you may have heightened healing abilities but you aren't invincible"

Twilight grunted as T3 dug a swab in her bloody wound, thirteen large staples held the wound closed just a few center meters above her belly button. "Why give them a knife then? why put them in there with me? you are making me do this to survive," Twilights eye still showed no emotion as her voice came calm and cold, "How long until you release me from this place?"

T3 swabbed one last bud before sighing, "you know we can't release you now, for one you have our experimental information sitting in your body, two you are now a full fledged killer, even if you don't like that fact you can't deny it. We will be keeping you indefinitely, okay well you have the graduation fight today to move onto the next program of training, it seems you will be fighting... you can't be serious..." she coughed to clear her throat, "It seems another X-subject will be your opponent, X-4 code name Tundra will be your opponent, no weapons"

"Fine, lets get it over with," Twilight said lying down, waiting until she was called to fight again, T3 stood and left the room. Twilight lay there as she thought to herself, I wonder if Shining and Mom are worried about me, not likely, they resented me... most likely they celebrated my disappearance, Twilight thought over her previous life, all the times it would have been different if she made better choices.

But no matter what choice you make, fate always holds the deck, fate will always hold you in its sadistic grasp.

T3 had come back to the room and collected Twilight, they moved through the grey halls to a place Twilight had never seen before, once they passed the doors Twilight noticed the dome like ceiling and the rocky structures around them, then her eyes focused on a black silhouette, a small girl looking to be a few years younger than Twilight stood in the center of the room staring at them. T3 made her way next to Twilight, "This is your opponent, I warn you now, you can't just take her blows."

A speaker sounded off as the Master talked through them, "T3, be quiet, come up here and begin the fight"

T3 scowled at him, "Just be careful," Twilight grunted as she walked forward into a position not too far away from Tundra.

Tundra was looking at Twilight with sad eyes, Twilight was confused as to why someone would be like this, all the others either looked angry or scared of her but this young girl looked saddened at Twilight. "Why are you looking at me like that"

"ya chuvstvuyu zhalost' k vam," Tundra said in Rusquine, confusing Twilight who turned to face the window.

"What is she saying?"

The master stood up and moved to the glass, "She says she feels sorry for you, she pities your weakness, so she should as you are to open to attack Twilight. You have lost fear but in doing so have gained arrogance and a naivety to the dangers that surrounds you"

"She feels sorry for me?" Twilight said turning back to Tundra, "I should be the one who is sorry, I don't like doing this but even a little girl like you makes no difference any more," Twilight sprung into action and ran at Tundra, seconds later she was across the room wondering how she got there. Blood trickled across her eye as she moved her hand to her head, a large gash had opened that was slowly closing, after moving her arm down she felt broken bones, the bones weren't healing, she got to her feet again as she looked on at the face of the little girl.

"What just happened to me?"

Chapter Four, Pothumously

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The smell of dirt, the gritty feeling of earth beneath bare feet, the pain of broken bones deep inside her body. Twilight stood, confused and wondering as to how she just had been thrown through the air as this little girl did not move, her face staring on in sadness.

Tundra watched on as Twilight huffed air out, her chest being held by her left arm, "Пожалуйста, просто сдаться, я не хочу причинять тебе боль. Я не хочу, чтобы убивать снова," Tundra said as she began crying, as she did the air in the room picked up, the dirt catching the wind began swirling.

Twilight lifted an arm as a wave of dust buffeted across her body, "What is she saying! I can't understand a thing she says,"

The master was looking down and once again the mikes picked up, "She is saying that she pities you, how easy it would be to crush you, how she will enjoy doing it that it brings her to tears," The master said with a grin, Of course I wont say what she really said, 'Please just give up, I don't want to hurt you. I don't want to kill again', I cant exactly watch the fight if I am the one who ends it.

Twilight grew angry, A little girl is undermining you Sparkle, just like everyone else, just like Rainbow did. Just like your family did, just like all the kids at school, no one can be trusted. Twilight lifted once more and ran at Tundra only to slide back as Tundra screamed, the wind blaring in front of her. Twilights face contoured into a scowl as she released her magic, tearing a path through the wind she came closer and closer to Tundra. Twilight roared as a tendril of dark red bore its way through the barricade of wind and gripped Tundras leg, flinging her through the air and smashing her against a pillar of rocks that crumbled under the power of Tundras body hitting it. Twilight moved forward and crouched down gripping Tundras hair, punching her face, Tundra in turn tried to defend herself by putting up her fists.

Tundra gasped for air in between the punches, finally Twilight released her grip on her hair, standing in blood covered fists. "Is this not enough, she is only a little girl and I have shown her that she has no chance of winning," Twilight asked as she looked upward. "I mean just look at her, she is comple-" Thwak! Twilight flew into the dirt as she coughed and sharply breathed air in, turning around to see Tundra getting closer. Tundras dark black hair now becoming white, she raised her arms as Twilight was quickly hurled against another rock, then the ground. Flesh tore and bones broke.

Tundra seemed to be moving slowly but every time Twilight blinked she would flit in front of her and again she would be thrown around like a rag doll, even though her fear had been gone, there came a feeling in its place... danger.

Twilight all but knew this feeling, different from fear, knowledge of something that should be avoided. Much like animal instinct, when a mouse is in front of a snake they know not to tempt fate, rather avoid the conflict if at all possible. Unfortunately Twilight knows of her demise, she knew when she was outclassed, she was always rather smart. Alas, danger had found its ways into her mind, true fear could not compare, Twilight gasped as her blood flowed out onto the dirt. Mixing into the brown dust to make blobs of dark brown, she gritted her teeth to finally look up, where once stood a crying little girl, now there was something... it was something and nothing else, uncomprehending to the human mind. Throughout all the sciences and magic Twilight had learnt this was something different, this little girl had truly fused with the chemical they also injected into her, a new evolution of human.

Although the idea of studying such a specimen would have been really appealing to the old Twilight, currently she was more worried about having her organs punctured from her ribs, currently nine of the ten felt broken and the last was making progress to join the others. A sharp breathe escaped her as she stood, the large wound upon her abdomen released more blood as it gaped open slightly. The master grinned as he watched on, the monster pitted against a monster he created, one had the intelligence and will enough to kill, the other was a mindless machine there to do his bidding.

Tundra started walking closer once again, every step she took parted the dust in the clearing further, raising her fist once more she gripped Twilight in magic. Twilight didn't even struggle as she was lifted, the tendril of magic slithered around her left leg as it gripped tighter, once all the way to the knee it tightened its grip until the magic tendril was straight. Twilight gritted her teeth as the leg dropped to the ground, the flesh just below her knee seeped the red liquid as she attrempted not to scream, her eye never left the face of the monster.

As Tundra raised her other arm the speakers sounded off, "THATS ENOUGH TUNDRA!" the master had commanded, he stood smiling through the now broken window. Immediately Tundra released her magic and fell to the floor unconscious, Twilight held onto her own as she felt the nub of her left, it ground across the dirt as pain ripped through her nerves. Suddenly men and women in white suits rushed out and grabbed her, not gently at all and strapped her to a board with wheels, she saw Tundra be in much the same position as she was rolled away through the halls of the facility.

As they were both rolled away T3 came forward next to the master, "are we going to keep her, the formula needs to be adjusted and just maybe we can use Tundras DNA to recreate the chemical balance and Inject your new pet with it? she did still seem to be trying her hardest at not letting the pain get to her as she was wheeled away. On that fact what would you have me do, currently the leg is most likely able to heal but below her knee wont be able to heal, there is just too much tissue and muscles to heal, I could fit her with our bone replacements"

The master looked down at the torn leg upon the floor, covered in dirt, "Bone replacements? never knew we had any of that here, when did we develop that?"

"It hasn't been that long, using the electrical synapses we connect the nerves to a core inside the pseudo limb that will move all the small joints. It is made with the finest and strongest materials, the only problem we have currently are test subjects, as we haven't exactly tested them yet. Do I have permission sir?"

"Do it, we cant exactly have our little specimen limping around can we? Now I suggest you hurry as I am sure that knee with be a killer to repair... get it?" The master quipped as he began laughing, T3 walked away shaking her head, she really hated his puns.

Twilight was drifting in and out of consciousness as the pain rippled through her body, the men and women in white were stitching all of the "small" wounds she had before she noticed T3 enter whatever room they were in.

T3 looked down at Twilight, a woman held her leg that was now letting small spasms out, sweat and blood covered Twilight. "Can you hear me Twilight?"

It was muffled but Twilight could hear her so she nodded, it was painful to do anything at the moment and her ability to heal had somehow left her for the pain. T3 took up a board and pen and scribbled something before shouting out somethings, Twilight looked around in a daze before her eyes went wide with shock. A man held a large saw as two women came around with metal pipes, Twilight could tell what the saw was but her blurred vision wasn't good enough for what the others held. T3 came back around and shoved something squishy in her mouth, it hadn't broken when Twilight felt the blade, seconds later she looked up to see the man covered in red, his crisp white apron ruined.

Pieces of dirt covered flesh and bone were placed in trays and carried away out of the room by order of T3, Twilight couldn't hold on any longer though as she past out, the pain was too much for her.

Unknown hours... well she didn't know how long

Twilight woke, most of her pain subsided, she was in her room once again just staring at the roof. She brought a hand in front of her eye, some of the skin had torn and many new scars riddled her arm, she giggled slightly just before it made pain shoot up through her leg. It felt weird, she could feel the leg but not actually feel it, she pulled herself up by the sides of the bed to move her covers. When she eventually did she did not gasp, she was not surprised, she just stared at what was there.

There was a fine scar line just below the knee, the leg held no scars where there used to be many, her nails were clean and clipped too. That small mole that was just below her ankle was gone as well, she came to the conclusion that this was either someone else leg or something else entirely different. She attempted to move her leg but found it to be extremely heavy, she pushed past the pain and pulled it to the side of the bed as it fell and broke one of the tiles, Twilight lifted an eyebrow as she looked down at it.

That was until someone made her jump, "Like it?" Twilight turned to see who said it, there stood a man in an Hawaiian top and cheesy shorts, "One of my new techs that," He said as he walked in, to which Twilight raised her eyebrow. The man backed back up at her gesture, "Oh, where are my manners, when in the presence of such a beauty, names Calvin. Worked here for a few years as both an operative and a Scientist in the machine department so don't let the top fool yah', I am not dumb. That little beaut is one of my own though, using a rare metal that has the highest braking point known to man, be it magic or otherwise it will take a lot to brake that bad boy, plus it comes with its own assortment of nail colours, you get Pink, yellow, purpl-"

Twilight sighed as she lent back down on her pillow, her leg still firmly against the ground, Calvin looked up as he stopped and laughed, "What, too ht of a chick to look a nerd in the face?"

Twilight blushed slightly but sighed again, "No, your just getting on my nerves, Calvin"

"Well at least you are using my name, thats somewhat good as usually its, Oy' get over here and takes samples of some of this bullshit! T3 really is a hard ass, I mean she has me studying your DNA day and night," Calvin said as Twilight sat back up.

"She has you study my DNA?" Twilight said.

"Yeah," he said as he grabbed the one chair in the room, sitting down cowboy style, "Its to do with the chemical, we are going to up the anti and use Tundra's DNA to boost yours, some bullshit really but they wanna try it, cant say it wont hurt but it will make you a lot more bad ass"

"You have a really bad mouth, some real shit comes out of it"

"Give the girl a medal, she realized something, are you not even bothered by the fact I said were messing with your DNA? At all?" Calvin said as he put his chin on his crossed arms that gripped the chair.

Twilight sighed and then turned her head, her bangs fell over her patch as he eye held fast on Calvin, "Its not like I have a choice so why care, there are so many things wrong with life so why care at all? Do you have a good enough reason for me to care? if so do share with me your sarcastic knowledge of the shit called words that you spill," Twilight said with a half lidded eye, Calvin noticed the anger in her and sat up properly.

"Well, I don't really know to be honest, I was in the same position you yourself are in now years ago. I just did as I was told and eventually found myself where I am now, so as to say why you should care about what happens to you, I will just say. I really don't give a shit, I have seen many subjects die, many escape just to be killed and many die just after getting their first real missions. So as to why care, that's for you to decide, I would suggest killing yourself if your unhappy with your situation. Any how I am out of here, I will be back soon to take another sample of blood and adjust the electric track in the leg," Calvin said as he silently left the room.

Twilight sat there at the edge of her bed, Its not like I haven't thought to do that, I have contemplated how easy it would be, even now I know exactly how to have a painless death. Strange isn't it, she thought with a giggle, lifting a hand and clenching. I lived my life as a normal teen age girl, then I get a crime of manslaughter from two assailants who slashed me, unfairly put into a detainment facility. After which my Father dies, then at his funeral I am refused affection by my own mother, then I thought of how easy it would be to end it all. Even when the car tipped I still thought it easier to just sit and die but... but I couldn't take it so I picked life only to have it ripped from my hands, she said as she looked at her open hands, Torn asunder by being trapped in here, torn apart literally, how can one be so hated by fate. So why? why should I give fate what it wants, FUCK FATE! I will get out of this shit hall, I'll kill the master and then that bitch T3, No one is gonna stop me.

A Year Later

Steamy breathe, dead silence as she awaited her train, slow heart beats. This was fresh air, this was living, this was her life. Twilights first mission went out with a bang, literally, unlike what she said she never killed the master but she did survive the facility. She had finally become ruthless, calculative and well quipped with items for what her job entails. Codename Dark Star spread like wildfire, the jobs flowed like the targets blood that fell, this was how our story began.

Twilight arrived back at headquarters, T3 awaited her for her check up, her doses of X96-91 had been altered, it was now produced from subject Tundra. The doses were lethal to the other X numbers but Twilight had adapted to the chemical with spectacular results, her magic and bodily functions all were raised to super human levels, well that of a much stronger breed of altered human could be. They dubbed the chemical X-96-99 after being revised well. Twilight walked into the white room as T3 held her board, next to her was a stand with a needle and a new bottle of X-chemical.

"The mission was successful, Congratulations but we aren't here for pleasantries, take off your top and proceed to the bed." T3 said as Twilight began removing her clothing. Once she had done so she laid down flat on the bed, T3 came over and placed a needle with the first liquid into her arm, as it entered her arm turned darker as veins pumped. T3 took the second needle and got the bottles substances out, she turned to Twilight, "This is the final dose, I have adjusted the chemical, any further after this will cause harm to your body if we keep hampering with your DNA. This strain of Chemical is much stronger and has a lasting effect, there is a slim chance your body will reject the chemical and begin to destroy your cells where I inject the substance. Do you want to proceed?" T3 asked with a straight face.

Twilight turned to her, without batting an eyelash nodded, T3 placed the tip of the needle on her skin. As it punctured the skin Twilight watched her muscles contract, slowly it released into her blood stream. Dark veins webbed up her arm and chest spreading throughout her body as she writhed in pain, slowly the chemical merged with her DNA as it subsided into tolerable levels of pain, she gasped for air in exhaustion. "Well that had a bit more kick than the last batch, so what does this dose do exactly?"

T3 marked down some details on her ever so familiar board as she looked above it, "over the next few weeks your body will slowly begin to harden, not in a bad way but such as the carbon density of your bones will thicken and your skin and muscle tissue will tighten to save from lesser wounds when you don't have any armor... lastly would be the newly advanced healing attributes, any poison that would be deadly would be more along the lines of a minor flew and such along that line"

"Not bad, well I guess I better get over to building C17 for new recruit inductions, I'll catch you later you heathen bitch," Twilight said as she walked away flippin the bird at T3, who just smirked as she disappeared behind a white hospital curtain.

Code Name: Dark Star

by FLUTTERxxDASH

Prologue to Darkness (EDITED)

Chapter One, The Red Letter (EDITED)

Chapter Two, Confrontation

Chapter Three, Tundra

Chapter Four, Pothumously