Author's Note

Really rusty so be patient I have chimpanzee's with type writers desperately trying to save my work. I am of course always happy for anyone else with spare time to help proof read this please enjoy!

Cravings and an understanding

"NO DAMN IT I DEMAND AT LEAST ONE SLEEP IN" I shouted defiantly, both Celestia and Luna tried and failed to remove the warm covers. Celestia swore under her breath as she gave another sharp tug before sighing. This had become a routine for us the two crazy alicorns would awake at a god awful hour and would expect me to join them. The two despite having different sleeping patterns some how managed to make the effort to get me up. Alicorns to my dismay only required five hours of sleep and whilst they allowed me the healthy eight that humans needed I was never allowed to sleep in.

"With a shark crack the bitter cold of a winter morning struck me hard as I gasped, the bastards had teleported me onto the floor. Throwing a small tantrum I flopped on the floor much like a fish as I tried to slither under the bed for at least a margin of protection from the ice cold. Luna gave a snort grabbing me by the scruff of the neck as she dragged me along the floor. Despite only being just shy of five feet the mare was incredibly strong.

I kicked and struggled, making a complete scene as Celestia rolled her eyes at my theatrics.

"Husband still thou tongue, or I will remove it!" she growled saliva covering my shirt. I huffed but wisely did as instructed. Groaning I allowed myself to be dragged along the floor my arms folded as I pouted. "Every morning, when will you ever grow up" Luna growled, Celestia dispersed into our daughters bedroom as the mare gently spoke with the still half asleep filly.

LATER

"What was it like living with mommy" Aurora questioned nosily chewing on her toast as Celestia lightly scolded her.

"A nightmare" I chuckled the foal giggling as Luna cuffed me.

"YOU KNOW WHAT FUCK YOU, YOU FAT CUNT" I roared storming out the room Celestia in tears as she screamed at me to go buck myself. it had been over three months since the attempted assassination and I was miserable. The sadistic bitches had placed a collar on me that prevented me from killing. Had no idea how it worked but I found out the painful way when I tried to stab the pregnant mare with a pen. Turns out I was to be wed to her in a couple months. I had been told that to keep up image of Celestia being pure they had to make it out that she had mated with her "coltfriend". So in other words I the would be assassin would be wed to a mare I had tried to kill and had then raped me. I was fuming making a mental note to make the emperor's death as painful and bloody as possible.

Grunting I hoisted myself up though a window onto the roof easily navigating the steep tiles as I rested on the top of one of the towers. The scenery was breath taking but did little to quell my foul mood. I idly scratched my neck the collar digging in as I sighed in frustration. Why did the mare manage to wind me up so much I had always had a foul mouth on me as well as a sadistic personalty. Being honest had never liked either but something about the mare made me want to be as cruel as possible. As the sun started to set I groaned streching my legs as the beautiful view at least helped me to forget about my predicament if only momentarily.

"Mind if I join you" Luna asked her hooves poised along the beam of the tower as I gave a small nod. "Tis a beautiful, no?" she spoke up watching me as I rolled my eyes at her attempt at conversation.

"Yeah its real pretty" I replied hoping that she would get the hint and go away. I could barely tolerate her any more than her sister. Yet the mare had really gone out her way to at least be civil to me. I had always been told that Celestia was the kind and patient whilst Luna the brash and quick to angry. Turns out they had it the other way around. "Was there something you wanted or are you just up here for the hell of it" I snapped the mare taking it all in stride.

"I heard the spat between you and my sister and thought you might want somepony to talk to. Heavens above my sister will bite my head off if I even suggest that something is bugging her" the mare chuckled weakly as I cracked a small smile. "Ah so you are capable of expressing emotion other than anger. Tis a most amazing discovery." she cheekily added as I tried not to snort. Despite her reputation the mare was actually really laid back and all for a joke.

"Nothing ever seems to get you down, why is that?" I asked the mare pausing her hoof resting on her lip as she hummed.

"Because I have been down that path before the anger, the hate, the grief. It is better to be positive and optimistic than to constantly waste time worrying over things. You see When the nightmare claimed me I wanted nothing more than to kill my sister nearly did too and for what, because ponies slept during my night and the fact that nobles loved my sister more than me. I threw away one thousand years because of jealousy. You came with the intention of killing my sister, were it not for the foal and the fact that my sisters raped you I would have crushed your skull beneath my hoof. But I do not think that you are evil. From what my sister told me you were filled with sorrow for your actions and seemed reluctant. Though you still had the intent and for what money? Would all the bits in the world have been worth being hunted for the rest of your life never being able to make friends for fear of them seeing you out. Would be a worse fate than death or poverty." she finished hitting to close to home.

"What would you know of death and poverty since you will never experience either!" I replied brushing her off as I growled her lack of response.

"And like that you once again try to push those who wish to help you away. What is it that you fear?" she asked her eyes glimmering in the moon light as I had not even noticed that it was nearly pitch black.

"I...do— I don't fear anything" I spat turning my back to her as I heard her sigh. The soft warmth of her wings made me shiver slightly as she rested her chin on my head her hoofs wrapping around my chest.

"Why do you do this? I have looked into your dreams, you still cry for the ponies and gryphon's you kill not one was innocent, yet you beat yourself up about it, if you are as your title proclaims, a ruthless assassin why do you mourn for the lives you have ended?" the mare whispered as I tried to stifle a sob. "It's okay to cry!" she whispered turning me around as she brought my body to hers, her warm fur fighting off the chill of night as my body shakes.

"I don't have anything to live for." I whispered my thoughts betraying me as I realised that no one would mourn my death or even care. I had no family, friends or even acquaintances.

"You are so young barely a child in our eyes, but if it is of any consolation, Celestia does not completely hate you" Luna softly chuckled using the tips of her wings to wipe away the tears on my check as she gave me a small smile. " If you want to find forgiveness for your past sins then don't live as they did, live an honest life and fight for the weak rather than to line your pockets" Luna finished smiling as she spread her wings propelling herself forward. "Think of what I have said and you will be one step closer to happiness" she shouted her form quickly vanishing in the dark sky.

The nip of the night air brought me back from my brooding as I gently slipped back inside. Only to bump straight into the mare that not forty minutes ago had wanted to castrate me. A small squeak escaped the mare as she fell onto her rump shaking her head as I gently massaged my chest. Her horn may not have been sharp but it still hurt as the mare huffed.

"Eh... sorry" I apologized as the mare slowly got back onto her feet. The alicorn watched me silently, waiting for me to act, her eyes glowing in the moon light as I found myself momentarily lost in the purple orbs. Sighing I shimmied past her being sure not to leave myself vulnerable as the mares wings flickered slightly her eyes never leaving me. Her hair and tail had always made me uneasy.

"Wait!" she objected placing a hood on my hand as I paused. " We have been at each others throats for months. You tried to kill me... I— I raped you. I think for the good of this marriage and for the foal, we should at the very least show some civility to each other. Maybe we could chat? " she offered her eyes sparkling gently as I gave a small incline of my head urging her to continue. "I think we got off on the wrong foot. I was having a very bad dry heat and you had been offered a substantial amount of money for my death. I hope that maybe we could get past this and maybe get to know each other. If we are to be joined in holy matrimony ." she paused licking her lips nervously as I gave a ghost of a smile. Looking at the mare I saw not the cruel evil bastard that had caused this fate but a mare that was equally miserable because like me she had fucked up. She didn't want to be married to me any more than I did to her.

"I know a good coffee shop a couple blocks from the castle?" I proposed the mares face lighting up ever so slightly as she gave a small nod.

"Coffee would be great"
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"That was the first time we had ever had a civil conversation" I chuckled, Celestia chuckling as she gently washed the fillies checks. The filly had managed to smear jam into her fur, her muzzle coated as her mothers furiously groomed the messy filly. Aurora listened intently as I described a couple of instances of the two of us getting used to being married as well as the time Celestia had nearly strangled me during her final months of pregnancy. Of course we had to make it age appropriate so a lot of the dark and down right nasty parts were excluded.

"Now that I think about it the only reason this worked out was because of your meddling, you old hag" I joked, Luna scrunching up her nose as he gave me a irradiated glare.

"I made sure to always give you two a small kick in the right direction. Had I not the two of you would have most likely ended up killing each other. I would hardly call that meddling!" she huffed dabbing her lips as she finished her forth plate of pancakes. Luna was quickly entering her eight month of pregnancy and as many doctors had told us had a healthy baby boy growing inside of her. Celestia had nagged the smaller alicorn to let her take over her duties and eventually managed to whittle the stubborn mare protest down to the point that it was easier just to accept it.

Celestia and I had been married for about four years now Luna and I had gotten hitched about a year back when the two of us had started to show interest in each other. Polygamy in pony society was normal given the 2:1 mare to stallion ratio. Strangely enough many species did not practise this Gryphon's and zebras being the only other two that still accepted it. The two mares had been good to me and had even helped me obtain a job as am eclipse guard an elite group that were assigned to restricted or top secret sections of the castle such as Starswirl the bearded's personal study and the restricted section in the library. One guard was assigned to watch and tail one or both of the princesses at all times. Though technically a duke due to my marital status I had declined the position at the time. I had not wanted to be associated with the snobs and slobs that called themselves nobility. I was happy with my job and slightly above average salary, not that money was an issue.

"I got to run my shift starts in ten. I am with you today Celly" I laughed the mare giving me an affectionate nuzzle and a discreet swat to the rear as I exited the hall.

The armour of the eclipse guards was silver showing neutrality to both sides of the crown. The guards did not have preference nor a superior between the two sisters. If both gave different orders then the guard desired which to act apon. As long as it did not breech the three rules.

1. A guard cannot knowingly or purposely allow or cause harm to an innocent

2. A guard may never draw his blade and or attack/ kill anypony and may only be broken as a last resort if his/her life and or other guards/ princesses lives are in danger.

3. A guard may question or out and out refuse to obey a command from the princess if either of the first two are breeched.

Rule three will be override if either princess ever falls to corruption.

"They were rules that were drilled into you from day one. Training was hard but allowed me to redefine my skills as well as use my strength and agility to my advantage to climb in rank above the others. My strength was easily on equal terms with an earth pony and my agility matched only by a pegasi. But my real disadvantage came my form. Unlike ponies my bones were frailer as well as walking on two legs whilst great for balance made it easier to be knocked down by a charging pony. But to counter that I could climb and my arms gave me an distinct advantage in fighting. I had quickly learnt the importance of not relying on a weapon. One of my first jobs with the emperor had been to take out a gryphon whom had ties to a large sex slave industry.
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Checking over my equipment I gave a small self assuring nod as I crept along roof tops my foot steps silent as I flitted from roof to roof. My goal was to kill one baron silver plumage. a arrogant and down right evil bastard whom had ties in illegal gambling cockatrice fighting, manticore baiting and worse of all had investments in slave trade. Leaping down I landed on my knee just outside his luscious mansion. His hired thugs patrolled the grounds as I slipped a throwing knife from my pouch. What many ponies and Gryphon's didn't know was that being an mercenary was not all about going in guns blazing. It was about patience calculating how and when the enemy was going to move. Planning weeks in some cases months a head as well as always having a cool head. There were elements similar to that of an assassin but I would never be arrogant enough to call myself that.

I picked up on patterns and certain actions. The guard to the far left would always stop for a few minutes to have a cigarette whilst his friend if you could call him that would have a piss in the baron's pool. The waiting game began now as I sat crouched in one of the thick hedges my lithe black form blending perfectly. Gryphon's were predators and had both feline and avian in them both which were revered for good eye sight. But like most predators they needed movement to lock in on.

With a small leap I landed on the soft grass rolling as I crouched making sure I had not alerted anything as I stalked the gryphon.

"Uh its fucking freezing" he growled his voice heavy as his white condensation escaped his beak. Lunging forward my hands wrapped around the birds neck twisting both my hands in opposite directions. The gryphon went limp his body slumping against mine as I dragged his corpse into a bush. Unlike what many thought breaking someone's neck was not twisting side to side you had to twist the chin in one direction and the neck the other to fully break the neck and crush his throat preventing dying screams or gasps. Knifes were only ever used if you were spotted. These fuckers could detect a drop of blood a mile away which is why stealth and efficient clean kills were so important. If a gryphon even managed to graze me I would have every bastard in this place on me faster than a fat pony who has a one day coupon for burger queen. I silently chuckled at the terrible joke as I moved onto my next target.

The sniper . Each side of the state had three ground patrols and one hiding on the roof with a cross bow. These bastards were dangerous as they were in contact with there squad every thirty minutes. This was done with a unique number of flashes using a flash light. I had fourteen minutes to take him out as well as the other two without rousing suspicion. The other sides called in on each other on the hour every hour so I still had time but my time gap was getting tighter. Removing the cross bow on my back I cautiously took aim adjusting for recoil as the night was mostly wind free. With a sharp twang the bolt sprung from its resting place as I silently waited.

Looking though my scope I gave a small smirk as the dead gryphon lay pinned against the wall. This would make him less noticeable and allowed me to mop up the other two now.

With a sharp sigh I gently dropped the now dead gryphon this one having seen me a split second to early for me to break his neck as I had been forced to wrap my arm around his throat as suffocate him. The beast had put up a hell of a fight but my hand had muffled his cries of panic and fear. Not that it would have mattered his associates were all dead. steeping over the corpse I allowed myself a second to catch my breath sweat trickling down my forehead.

The paranoid bastard did not trust his own guards had meant that I was not getting in thought the front door. A grappling hook though a poor one at that had allowed me to scale the wall, part of me wishing that I had wings. I had quickly smashed in a window making sure I was far enough away so that the noise would hopefully not awake my victim.

I was surprised at how well I had done given what I had to work with I may have appeared well armed but in reality most of my equipment was shit. The cross bow only had a scope because I had spent weeks designing one. using a compact crystal which with a small bit of magic could act as a laser sight though required charging. It was useful but I was defiantly buying a better bow when I got the cash.

Reaching the bastards bedroom I gave a small smirk the thought easy money running though my thoughts as I drew my blade. What I had not expected was to be greeted with a chair to the face knocking me backwards as I feel over the banister. I gave a cry of pain as I landed at the bottom my arms and legs sore as I heard an enraged screech. I barely managed to role to the side the gryphon's talons tearing carpet and chunks of wood out of the floor as he growled at me.

"Darting forward I slashed at him with my knife the baron easily dodging. He swiped at me his claws tearing though fabric and flesh as his claws were straining red with my blood. Hissing in pain I barely had time to react as his clawed fist slammed into my face dazing me as I dropped my knife.

"Pitiful, I expected at least a challenge" he growled grabbing me by the hair as he carelessly tossed me against a wall. I am going to take my time killing you freak. Then I will be having a little chat with that piece of shit of an emperor" he spat laughing as I spat out a mouthful of blood. "You have skill but your arrogance will be your undoing!" he stated punctuating this with a swift kick to the stomach.

With a small growl I sprang forward pinning the gryphon as he snapped at my face his beak catching my lip as I winced. My hands wrapped around the bastards throat as I started to throttle him his hind legs tearing into my stomach as I was forced to knee him in the bollocks.

Little by little the gryphon's struggling grew weaker as he jerked violently. Gasping for air I weakly stabbed the corpse making sure he wasn't faking as I pulled myself to my feet. Groaning I grimaced as the sour taste of blood coated my mouth. Grabbing my dropped blade I cursed as I took in the sight of my destroyed crossbow the impact of the wall leaving a hair line fracture.

"Fuck what I night!"