Of Goddesses and Failures

"So now we're getting personal, huh?" That's all Blade had to say, and it was really funny to think of hiring someone to kill a family member. He stood before Celestia, once again in the throne room. The princess had pulled out her list once more after telling him it was a cousin of hers that needed some "help". Apparently, she had a section of her list for only family members. Despite how much he'd already done, Blade couldn't help but feel a little bit disturbed that Celestia had thought this out so well.

"Well, yes. But you know they have power, and I think you'll have a little bit of fun with this one," Celestia smiled. "Very few like him, but for some reason he's a celebrity. I could never understand how-" Blade sighed.

"Once again, hurry this up. Who is it, already?" Celestia frowned at him, but changed her mind. He did have a point.

"You know my cousin, Blueblood, right?" Oh, he wish he didn't have to know that little douchebag. Blueblood was notorious, not for anything he'd done in particular, but rather for being the most stuck-up member of the royal family.

"Yes, and I'll be glad to take him out. Seriously, how is he still alive?" Celestia shrugged.

"Beats me, but because he's royalty, we can't do it the traditional way. You'll have to kill him in secret."

"That's, not hard to do, but not being seen? Nearly impossible!" The princess shook her head.

"No, no. I'm holding a miniature gala for Twilight's recent coronation. Everyone will be there; after all I am running it. I'll have him go to the garden, tell him that I left him a gift there. No matter how old you get, everyone loves gifts. As he wanders around, you kill him, and then get out of there. I'll tell the crowd that the garden is closing for renovation. And, done!" Blade smiled.

"You're first good idea in a long time. Good job." Celestia smirked.

"Glad you think so. Can you actually get this done?" Blade raised an eyebrow.

"Of course. The hell are you talking about?" Celestia shrugged.

"Any normal pony probably would have snapped by now. Everything they have to do, piled on with all the guilt and secret-keeping. So I'm expecting you will soon enough." Blade shook his head, but he knew she was right. He didn't feel tense about revealing his secret; he was smart enough to keep his trap shut when the word "jobs" rolled around. But something about what she said was right. Blade couldn't help but feel a little bit guilty. Sure, that was his only option, but it didn't change the impact of what he was doing. Instead of feeling like a hunter, Blade felt like the hunted, being preyed upon and used to take the innocent lives of-No. You know you have to do this. You don't have a choice. Take back what they took. Repeat the rhyme. Red and grey, silver of the blade. Spill his- The conflicting thoughts in his head battled on and on, long after he had left the castle, a new task at hand. He had dismissed the idea that something like that could break his mind, but it already had. However, Blade still relished the idea of slitting Blueblood's neck. Something was so much fun about giving the scumbags of the world what they deserved. The old anticipation he had was brought back. It wasn't a job he wished to have any longer. But for one night, a final act of revenge, he would be the hunter. This, he thought, was a kill to savor.

This would be an easy job, if every little bug didn't bite me. The Canterlot Gardens are amazing to behold, full of life and wonder each step of the way. Sure, you'll get bitten sometimes, but you'll hardly notice it. Unless, of course, you're hiding in a bush. Then you can expect annoyance on a scale you weren't remotely ready for. That's all Blade could think about at this point. This is why I need a new job, he thought. Forget the innocent lives; there was only so much his back was gonna take of this. Lying in the outermost bush of a circle around a giant tree, the center of the garden, he waited, praying that something would happen. His prayer of relief was answered, as he heard hoofsteps, ones so carefully taken as to not spoil his suit that it could only be one. Blueblood, the royal asshole. Blade saw him nearby, as he looked around carefully for his "present". Ya know, Blade thought, I think for once, I'm going to have fun. Whenever the prince turned his back, Blade darted in around the bushes in the circle, making sure to rustle each one as he did. Blueblood pranced around nervously; he had a terrible fear of wild animals, especially anything that crawled.

"Alright, I think I've had enough of this. Get out of here, whatever you are crawling around in there!" he said frantically. Oh, this was too much fun. Make the asshole look like a little bitch. Nice guys finish last, Blade thought, but douchebags are the first to die in my book. Alright, I think I'm done playing games.

Blade leaped out of the bush he was in. He underestimated his jump, landing a few inches from the prince, who ran in terror. Blade chased after him, but got lost easily. The garden was huge, he'd never find him in this- THUD! Oh, that was easy. He followed the sound, finding the prince trying to get up after he fell on some roots. He turned over, only to find Blade at his neck, dagger out and ready.

"Surprise."