//-------------------------------------------------------// Equipoise: A New Day -by AppuhCobbler- //-------------------------------------------------------// //-------------------------------------------------------// Why i keep doing this //-------------------------------------------------------// Why i keep doing this They'd ask me: "Why do you keep doing this, Pryde?" I'd reply: "Because people still ask me." But that wasn't all true. I kept my emotions hidden when I finish the job but what drives me isn't the money, but the justice I seek in that wretched nation. //-------------------------------------------------------// Ponyville //-------------------------------------------------------// Ponyville When she and her friends would walk pass the town hall, . The Mayor and her assistants were kept under their watchful protection. Before, any pony would be able to enter the structure at any time, often to marvel at the interior design and sometimes decorating by Sweetie Bell's own sister. Of course, when there wasn't a town meeting in session. The last time they counted out of curiosity, the girls counted about twelve or more Royal Guards. About three to four on each level. Maybe another four inside. They couldn't differentiate those guarding on post and those inside due to their armor which magically altered their coats to look either pale white or gray. The three also have yet to see the Guards ever take out their long wood and metal rifles. They remained slung on their saddlebags, probably under the Mayor's pleas to not create a sense of fear and scare the townsfolk trying to live their daily lives as usual. Elsewhere on the perimeter of the town and roads or important institutions like hospitals and schools, they'd be patrolled and watched over by the local police or military police. They weren't all armed well, with only a couple being issued firearms in case there was a dangerous fight but they served   Some of the such as Filthy Rich would be //-------------------------------------------------------// Who are you? //-------------------------------------------------------// Who are you? It's been a almost two decades. You start to forget the things you should remember. And you can't stop remembering the things you should forget. I was a Weathermare, an assassin from Equestria for Equestria. We use to have each other... not anymore. //-------------------------------------------------------// Fillydelphia //-------------------------------------------------------// Fillydelphia Fillydelphia The large steel doors slid open sideways and a warm air bearing an arima of smoke and sweat washed over the group. Rarity was the first to take in a deep breath and hold it. The odor of labor and machinery was too empowering. "Yes." Twilight confirmed. "Princess Celestia sent me to inspect. The last inspector . "Yes, I remember him. Muscular stallion. He didn't look like the typical inspector. Poor fella musta been ambushed after touring the factory." "I believe  You... Came with an armed escort, huh?" He rhetorically asked, having long noticed the Royal Guard right beside her. "These are trouble times, Mister Pit." He led them up onto the rails overlooking the entire room. "You're worth . A live dragon?" There was a pause, allowing the girls and Spike to catch their breath while he thought. "I don't know if I'd make more selling him to some Dragon trainer or... As a nice wall trophy for those interested in mounting a dragon's skull to ponies to see," No, i'll kill your unicorn friend. //-------------------------------------------------------// Knowledge //-------------------------------------------------------// Knowledge "She's been in there with her top advisors and commanders for quite some time." "You weren't a part of it?" "My sister told me she would have had she not instruct me to guide you, today. As for what she is discussing," Luna glanced over to the sealed door. "I probably would not be of much help. Luna herself had yet approach her sister about this. In fact, Luna had plenty of time to catch up on , spending insurmountable hours in her chambers confined to her readings on history and events that have changed this world over the years when she should have been learning more to adjust to the new world she now finds herself in. Nevertheless, . But her sister "I don't read much about military history nor have I ever come upon a book about this." "My sister must have good reasons for not sharing this." Luna said, glancing over to the sealed door Celestia was in. Twilight could not help but notice the hint of concern Luna was expressing. Luna then glanced back to Twilight. "I see you came prepared." Twilight gave an uneasy and troubled look. "I'm not sure if these scrolls and notes alone are enough." "You see, you are prepared," Twilight looked up in confusion. "You said books and notes aren't enough. That cannot be any more true and I sensed your terpidation since you had arrived. To understand the Dark Arts, you cannot go into it with enthusiasm or a clear mind. In fact, fear to a certain extent is one of the best states when delving into it." Twilight gave an apprehensive-looking nod in reaponse. "Of course, some enthusiasm is also needed." Twilight responded by cracking a small smile. It felt genuine enough  and Luna proceeded to turn around. "Now come," Luna ordered, proceeding to walk down the hallway. "We have much to do." //-------------------------------------------------------// In and Out //-------------------------------------------------------// In and Out "Weathermares," Pryde announced proudly, "meet Hadrian, upcoming Warmaster to the Griffon Grand Army. Hadrian, meet your captors. Sureshot, alert the other team that we've made visual contact. It's on, team." The griffon, hurt and using one claw to hold onto his fresh wound couldn't move forward but with his one claw on the ground, he pushed himself off the ground just high enough to lash out at Dusk Shine; the razor sharp claws failing to hit. He'd been lucky he leaned back milliseconds just seconds ago. It came close to slashing his unprotected neck. The railings! he thought, the griffon will probably be too out of it to fly if I buck him off the railings. But he had no time to turn around to buck him off the railings so he used his head, literally. He charged, eyes closed and felt like running into a steel wall. Despite his head injury, he made sure to eventually stop and not to run over the railings to his death so he halted within a second or two of impacting the griffon, opened his eyes, and found himself one step from the edge of the building. Pryde was finding it impossible to take on this griffon. She too has been taking a beating, she was bleeding from that blow he landed on the side of her head earlier.  being pushed around and intimidated by this armored behemoth. She was ready to take another futile swipe at the griffon before a large object fell on top of her enemy. It only took a while to see that it was the griffon Dusk Shine was battling above her. The griffon plummeted towards his comrade and crushed him with his own weight. "Not bad, rookie!" Dusk Shine smiled back but it soon faded from the both of them when they turned to more important events going