The Perfect Assassin

Chapter 3
Revelations

I walked closely to the wall. The sun was setting and my temper wasn't all too good. This mission was suicide and I was just gonna breeze through it and probably end up dead like the Sect wants. They've given up hope and have moved on to the assassins they know will die, but still get the job done so they can keep the money. That's all its about now. Money. Everywhere I go you can't do anything if you don't have money.

I walked through New Delhi the other day and gave a beggar a few thousand rupees. He might be dead now, but for all I care he had a good time beforehand. I reached into my pocket and pulled out a few coins. Good distractions if I need it, but really what kind of castle has poor workers. Fuck that, they are all poor!

Stepping up to an overhang I jumped up grabbed it and slid in nice and easy. Well the wall was done. Now the hard part of getting into the castle. The grounds themselves were pretty simple. A large courtyard with a fancy fountain and some pathways leading here and there. Bland yet functional.

Guards littered the area, and every so often there was the occasional dog roaming by sniffing. Kind of makes you wonder what someone would be doing if they needed this much security. It doesn’t matter much to me. They’ll all be good as dead when I’m finished with the place. Maybe I’ll leave a little parting gift for those still alive. I’m not sure yet.

Silenced weapons have their appeal to the younger generations and sure they are great for close up kills, but I prefer the more traditional route. I slowly, but surely walked up to a guard leaning against a wall and tapped him on the shoulder. Cocky as it may be, I find it rather funny to see their faces of pure confusion. After slicing his throat and disposing of the body I moved on to continue the process until I was inside the castle.

I walked through the halls sticking to the shadows. There wasn’t much light in the buildings for some odd reason, but it made my job easier. A patrol was fast approaching towards me and I backed up into a corner with a statue and hid. I heard at least four different voices and that would make for a bad day if it came to blows. As they rounded the corner I had to admire their choice of weaponry. The Famas was light and mobile. The three round burst made it deadly accurate and a pain in my ass.

I’m in a castle with twenty knives I can throw around willy-nilly and a combat knife for hand to hand. Two M9 pistols with suppressors hid in my pockets and a grenade adorned my breast padding. C4 charges had my bag supplied and a few spare mags were hidden in my sleeves. It wasn’t the weight of the equipment that bothered me per se. It was the fact that it could get really noisy running through the hall as I was.

Turns out trying to sneak away from a four man patrol is harder than normal when two other guys step out from another room into the corridor. Now I’m running for my life down these halls wondering when the next turn will catch me up. I leaned down and rolled before standing back up throwing three blades their way. Two struck true into one of them grounding his ass immediately. The last nicked the soldier next to him.

Hopping over a nearby ledge I continued on into a lower floor than the one before. I never remembered climbing stairs so it threw me off when I saw the fountain again. I quickly made for somewhere deeper in the caste, but it was too late. The alarm sounded and there were people yelling about this and that trying to get their grimy little hands on me.

I rounded the next corner to find the end blocked off by a bunch of burly men aiming right for me. As I turned to head the other way, three more boxed me in. I’m in some deep shit. It was a simple mistake. Anyone could have made it, but me of all people had to be the one to make it.

I quickly threw a blade nailing the middle man’s throat and barreled my way through the other two. A few men with AKs shot at me. One hit my shoulder. The other managed to hit my stomach. I was bleeding and it would definitely slow me down, but nothing will stop me from getting out of here.

As I continued down the winding hall, I grew somewhat panicked. I had never been shot before and it hurts. It hurts so bad. I had been tortured for months before, but the burning sensation I felt couldn’t compare. My vision was slowly blurring as I left a trail of blood for them to find me with.

I ran on and on. It felt like years, but I knew it was only a matter of minutes. I came to a hall with a balcony and stopped. I heard steps behind me and guns clicking as they were primed. I turned to them all and smiled. I held up a small device and a few flipped. Trying to run. The bag went off behind them knocking all of them forward and killing one or two. It wasn’t much, but it was an escape plan.

I ran towards the balcony and felt time slow as three more bullets impacted me. I whirled around throwing five more knives before jumping back pulling out my sidearms. Time just seemed to go on and on and on. In the blur I heard a blast as I saw the edge on the balcony I had vaulted. My guns emptied and two more bullets hit my chest.

I closed my eyes a wave seemed to come out of nowhere. I opened my eyes just slightly to see a large mushroom cloud forming. I grinned and let nature take its course. I knew I was sent here to die and now it was time to face that fact. The blast knocked me out and into what seemed like a void. There was a small flame.

I could feel the flame. Burning and raging to be set free to light everything ablaze. It sat still like a small lit candle would flickering every so often.

*THUMP THUMP*

I could hear voices. Faith, but they were there, calling to me. "... out of... can't move... come on!"

*THUMP THUMP*

Everything was a blur as I opened my eyes just a crack. Someone in a mask was leaning over me saying something, but all I could hear was a constant ringing in my ears.

*THUMP THUMP*

I blinked. Now I was moving along with lights every so often. I tried my best to focus, but I just couldn't.

*THUMP THUMP*

I blinked. Large lights pointed at my face and body to an almost blinding level.

More faces bent over me. I couldn't feel it, but I knew I got a pat on the shoulder before they vanished. "Quickly I need those holes covered up!"

"Yes Doctor!" I balled my hand in a fist and let it loose. I could feel it perfectly fine.

"Give him some more Morphine, stat!" I felt a rush through my arm as painkillers ran through my veins. Someone wanted me alive, but I wasn't going to let that happen. My eyes shot open and I was greeted by someone in a white mask with large... Ears? He leaned over me in the gleam of the light and smiled through his mask. "Welcome back."

I reached up and grabbed his throat faster than a lightning strike and through him across the room and into something metal. Loud bangs and crashes resounded through the room as he hit something. A few people hollered and ran this way and that. A strap was put on my arm while I wasn't paying attention. I swung my other across my chest and mashed the nurses face sending her sprawling back into a far wall. I ripped the strap off constricting my arm and stood up.

The blood rush to my head was almost unbearable as my vision blacked out for a few seconds and my limbs felt like air. Then I realized I was on the ground again. I'm sure my brow was furrowed at the moment, but I was more focused on the searing pain across my chest. I heard the operating rooms doors open and I felt something tingle across my head before I was out again.

*THUMP THUMP*

I opened my eyes and looked up at the dimly lit room and lifted my arm up and rubbed my eyes. I saw the I.V. they had stuck in my arm. I was stuck now. They saved my life. No prison room, but I didn't need one since I was a wreck.

"Good morning," A strong female voice graced my ears. I tried my best to sit up a bit, but something stopped me. "Oh please don't do that. You're very weak."

"I know..." My voice sounded was as close to a chalkboard with nails running its length as you could get it without actually annoying a classroom of kids.

"I'm sorry about your little escapade in the Operating Room... I must ask though, how do you feel right now?" Her voice was kind, and it confused me how she was apologizing for what I did.

"I... I'm fine..." I didn't feel like talking and I guess she picked up on that.

"Would you like something to soothe the pain?"

"No, could I get some water though?"

"Why of course," I felt that tingling along my spine and I closed my eyes as it lifted me up until I sat straight. "How's that?"

"Its fine thank you," I opened my eye just slightly as a cup was pressed to my lips and I tilted my head and let the cool liquid run across my cracked lips and down my aching throat. "Thank you."

"Celestia, Princess Celestia," A princess? My eyes shot open and I stared at the beast before me. It was a large unicorn sitting next to my bed. It smiled at me. "I'm guessing you've never met an alicorn, have you?" I shook my head.

"No," I began to swoon as my head began to pound. My vision blacked out and soon colors swirled.

"So you're telling me that mystical creatures actually live out in this jungle?" I asked my traveling companion.

"Yes, unicorns and peagasi are very common within these dense forests," My partner was a short man, close to his twenties. To call him brown would be an insult, but I must say he can definitely give people who try to tan a dark color someone to envy over. Rich black hair covered the top of his bronze skin. He was a native to the lands of what is now called India, but was use an older name in the order.

"Do you think we'll come across one?" He shrugged and moved on keeping a fast pace for me to keep up. As we moved over the next fallen tree we came to a small clearing where he sat down in the middle and began to meditate. I walked up and sat next to him and took up his form as I too began to meditate.

A few hours had passed before the bushes rustled sparking my attention. My partner heard it too, but he remained calm as something approached from behind. I felt a strong nudge and felt the hot breath of something behind me. I turned to see a full grown horse with a large horn strutting out from its skull.

"Ah there you are Mumbali, I missed you." He stood up and hugged the beast which stood almost as tall as him. I got to my feet and reached up and ran my hand across his shoulder. Strong and swift is what they told me. I could probably believe them now that I actually met one, but it still surprised me that they even existed.

"Thanks for sharing this experience with me."

"You are very welcome." He smiled and chuckled before he pointed at the tree line. "Come we have much ground to cover."

The alicorn smiled at me as I came back into focus. She looked pastel colored and more ethereal than something I could even conceive. Her mane flowed with a few different colors and it seemed to move on its own, as if there was wind always in her mane. I took a sip of water and tried to clear my throat before continuing.

"I've met unicorns and pegasi before, but never an alicorn. I haven't met a mystical creature that even looks remotely like you." She smiled and something close to a blush appeared on her cheeks.

"Well, it has been long since I've seen a human myself. Let me be the first to welcome you to Equestria," I gave a half-hearted smile.

"Equestria?" I wasn't the best at geography, but I knew that this place didn't exist at all.

"Yes, Equestria."

"Where is it on the globe?"

"It isn't, you see, this land is within another realm separate from yours. Once a long time ago we did have a portal where we could cross realm to realm, but that was destroyed long ago. It has been at least two or three thousand years since that has existed. And if my math is correct that should be only about sixty or seventy for you," She frowned and stared at me her violet eyes seeming to see into my very soul.

"I see, well, I don't remember much other than throwing your doctor and nurse... I'm sorry for that." She nodded and stood up.

"Well, it was nice to see you awake and recovering. I'm having you watched carefully so please don't hurt anymore of my little ponies," I nodded and she turned and trotted off leaving me with my thoughts. I sighed and leaned back into the pillows that she had propped me up with.

Alone, it felt great to be alone. It was confusing to say the least. I wake up in a strange world under the knife of some strange species that our world hasn't made contact with in almost a century and here I am the median between our worlds stuck in theirs. My brain hurts so bad. I can't remember anything from my past, but bits and pieces. I can move so fast and I'm incredibly strong for my size.

I just don't get it. I know names of things I've never seen before and yet I have seen them. It's all so confusing. There was a soft knock on the door as another pony walked in. It was much smaller than the alicorn and looked fairly normal other than the large cartoonish eyes and the pastel coloring. It was white, or I should say she because when she spoke it was definitely a feminine voice.

"Hello, how's your pain?" She had a red mane and tail that had an orange streak running through them. Seemed simple enough.

"Uhm, I feel okay, but my throat is killing me," She let out what sounded like an 'EEEP!' and rushed over.

"Let me see!" She looked rather concerned.

"Oh it's not actually killing me... It's an expression that we use when something hurts really bad," She sighed and nodded heading to the other side of the bed and hitting a small button with expertise and I felt the numbing effects of the morphine and sighed in relief.

"The aching should go away after a while... Uhm, is there anything you would like? Food or a drink?" She smiled at me.

"Yes could I get some more water. I don't know what kind of food you all have to offer," I tried my best to be nice, but it just didn't feel natural and I didn't know why.

"Oh of course! Well, we have salad, daisies, hay-"

"Excuse me, what!?" She shook a little. "I'm sorry for yelling. What was it you said?"

"Salad, daisies and hay..." I palmed my face. Ponies are herbivores I'm not going to get things I like.

"Uhm, thanks, could I get a salad with some carrots on the side?" She nodded and trotted off. As she passed by I noticed what looked like a tattoo on her flank. Come to mention it didn't the alicorn have one too? Yeah she had a sun on hers and this pony had a red cross. I wonder what they're for.

She returned later with a tray and set it on my lap. I thanked her and she smiled again before leaving after checking her instruments. I stared down at the food. She gave me a cup of water, a bowl of lettuce with a few tomatoes, onions and some hardened bread which I think are called croutons. A small container held the carrots with a smaller container holding what I'm guessing to be ranch dressing.

If this is my diet while I'm here. Well, let's not go into that. Let's just say I'm not big on being a vegetarian. I enjoy a good steak every so often. I tugged a chain around my neck and sighed. A medallion sat at the end of the chain with a few gems in it. I didn't really care and set it back against my chest. Another knock sounded and the large alicorn returned. She walked up and sat next to me.

"I probably shouldn't interrupt you, but they told me you wanted food so I came by," She said cheerily.

"Uhm, yeah... So I'm guessing you're in charge around here?" She nodded.

"Well, sort of. You see this land is ruled by my sister Luna and I. We are princesses and together we help keep order in the land."

"Okay, well I might offend you here, but I might be in trouble."

"How is this?"

"Well, you see as a human we're omnivor-"

"Ah yes, I forgot about that. You need meat. Or at least you need a form of protein. We have peanuts and beans if you're okay with that," She said trying to make the most of the situation.

"Yes, I'd be fine with that, but if it's alright with you I'd still like a bit of meat every so often," I gave a very bad poker face. She just laughed, which I guarantee was about my expression, but it still befuddled me. "Uhm, princess?"

"I'm sorry. You have a good sense of humor. Don't worry-"

"James, sorry."

"James, you'll get some every now and then if you wish. We do have a variety of animals and as nature takes it course-"

"They pass?"

"Yes, so when things like that happen I'll have the animal saved for you."

"You don't have to that princess."

"Well James, seeing as how you're stuck here in our universe you're technically under my rule. I do take very good care of my subjects!" She smiled at me and made me feel rather okay.

"Oh, well in that case."

"Don't worry you'll be perfectly cared for while you're staying within my domain," I sighed. "I'll have to ask you to cook and eat it in private of course."

"I can do that."

"Perfect, any questions about your stay?"

"A few yes."

"I hope I can clarify things for you," She seemed happy all the time. It kind of bugged me, but I guess she's a princess.

"Well could you stop being so nice and princess-like? I know it's who you are, but it gets on my nerves a little," She seemed taken aback by this, but relaxed a bit. "Next I want to ask about the marks on your flank. The nurse had one too, but it was different."

"Those are cutie marks, they appear when a pony has found their special talent. Each is a rarity of their own for no two are the same. It depicts their talent in a wide variety, even if they have the same talent as another."

"I'm still confused, but okay... Do you know what this necklace is for? I don't remember why I wear it."

"I wonder the same thing. It was on your when you came in, but nopony could take it off magically or otherwise. It has magical abilities I can tell you that, but nothing more. There are a few items on you we set aside until you recovered," She spoke softly.

"Lastly do you know why I'm injured?" She frowned and nodded.

"Yes and no."

"What do you mean?"

"Well when you came here we found you in the royal courtyard bleeding out in the fountain. As for your actual wounds we weren't sure, but you had bits of metal in some and others that were straight holes through your body," I was shot? This doesn't sound right. "You were quite a mess if I do say so. I almost thought you were going to die," I rolled my eyes. She saw this and huffed.

"At least we didn't give up."

"Thank you for saving me..."

"You're welcome... I'll pass it on to the medical team," She stood and began to walk away.

"I'm sorry," Stopping and turning she stared at me for a little.

"You're forgiven. Being brutally honest is better than lying about things. I'll be more natural around you as long as you don't act like a complete jackass to me. I don't appreciate it," I chuckled and smiled at her.

"I'll do my best," She nodded and left.

Alone again, but this time I knew I didn't feel like it. I couldn't wipe the smile away as I ate.

After a few weeks in the hospital Celestia finally let me out and we traversed her castle until we reached her private chambers. She calls me her Honored Guest, but I think she hates me. I kind of gotten used to her in a way, but when she throws up her mask around other ponies it annoys me. The guards all nod as I pass, but I think it's more for their princess. I won't get any real respect here. According to Celestia no pony alive today has ever seen a human so it's a new thing, but the guards are trained for not natural things.

The other ponies haven't been and they point and murmur as I pass. They've all heard the news and knew I was here, but other than the nurses and the princess I haven't had much company. But once we reach the large double doors to her room silence. She pushes them open with a sigh and walks right on in. I followed her and reached to close the door, but to my surprise she shut it rather quickly with her magic.

Her room was large with I would guess an alicorn sized bed which was much larger than the ones we had back home. She had a large rug with her cutie mark and two long dressers that most likely held nothing seeing how she didn't wear any clothing. A large vanity sat over in a corner of the room. It seemed rather empty for a princess, but I guess ponies are different.

"Have a seat where ever you like. My sister should arrive any minute now," Just as she got done saying this the door creaked open.

"Sister?" A large blue alicorn walked in and looked around. "You wanted to speak with me?" Her coat was a dark blue and her mane was more ethereal than Celestia's as it flowed crystal clear on the outside and what looked to be a perfectly preserved night sky within them. It looked beautiful, but I wasn't much for compliments. "Oh the human is here!" She smiled and walked over to me. She stood just short of me with her horn sticking up over me, but if I tilted my head down I might risk losing an eye. I stiffened my neck and gave another pseudo-grin before turning back to Celestia.

"So Tia what have you decided for our friend here?"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Who said I was your friend?" I said looking at Luna sternly. She frowned.

"Well, I would have thought you would be a friend to royalty seeing how you are an honored guest," I laughed and smiled slapping her shoulder lightly. She winced probably never having such a gesture done to her.

"I'm just joking with you," Celestia had a smirk on her face when I looked over. She must have found it amusing that Luna went slack jawed from confusion. "Anyways Tia, what are the plans?" I chuckled a bit as Celestia scowled at me.

"Well James, you're to stay with my sister here as I take care of Equestria. It's rather hard watching you and taking care of a nation at the same time," Luna growled at her sister.

"But what if I can't watch him either? Do you expect me to foalsit him?"

"No my dear sister I don't. He, like us, does things during the day. You won't have to do much other than provide space for him in your room. Simple enough am I right?" Luna nodded and sighed. "I'm sure you're okay with this right James?" I shrugged.

"It doesn't really matter to me," Celestia pulled out a few glasses and poured something out of a decanter.

"Well it will be temporary. Scotch?" I nodded automatically. I love Scotch. I reached out for the glass she levitated over and took a sip. Wait. I'm not even old enough to drink am I? I'm nineteen? I think. I am. I know I drank before so I have to be older.

"Temporary sister?" She nodded.

"Yes, Twilight may or may not take him out to Ponyville. It's your decision James," I held my glass and thought rather nervously.

"When does this Twilight come and get me?"

"She'll be here in a few weeks for a check up on her friendship notes," I nodded and looked to Luna who was sipping on her scotch and wallowing in her thoughts.

"Uhm, could I decide later?"

"Of course, you have until she comes. Now if you two would excuse me I have a few politicians I need to say 'Screw you' nicely too," And with that she walked right out the door without another word. I turned back to Luna who looked up at me sadly.

"Are you okay Luna?" She nodded and looked down at her drink. "Hey I'm sure everything will be fine. We may even have a little fun," She perked up a little at that, but levitated her glass over to the counter where the decanter sat. I placed mine next to it and watched her closely.

"I'm sure we shall have a little fun as well. I didn't approve of this before she laid the responsibility on my hooves..."

"I'm not much trouble I assure you!" She smiled and stood up.

"Alright, but you need a bath and a change of bandages," I looked down at my torn clothing and nodded.

"And some new clothes," She jumped at the opportunity.

"We have a royal tailor who will take care of your clothing if you need it."

"That would be nice," She grinned and motioned for me to follow her out the door. We walked through the castle again, but this time to the far side where her room sat and we walked in. It was completely different from Celestia's in almost every way, save a few. Luna had a large four posted bed with a low hanging canopy and a comforter with her cutie mark on it. A closet and what appeared to be a bathroom attached which really didn't surprise me. There was a balcony and stairs in the back. A random assortment of furniture accompanied the bed, but other than that it was plain.

"Nice room," I said trying to cheer her up a bit.

"Thank you. I really need to get some rest so I may raise the moon later. Feel free to do as you wish just don't be destructive or do anything immoral," Sounds reasonable. I nodded.

"If I may ask where do I sleep?" She looked at me curiously.

"You are not a creature of the day?"

"Well yes, but I-"

"Then you shall sleep on my bed for the night. I will not be using it since I guard our beautiful nation with my stunning nights," Seemed legit.

"Okay, well what about my clothing?"

"All in due time. Please help yourself to my bathing room I'll have a nurse come and clean your wounds."

"I can handle myself. Just have some extra bandages and wraps read for when I get out," She nodded and clapped her hooves together. Two ponies rushed in and stood at attention in front of her.

"Please take James' clothes and wash them carefully. Have them repaired when you are finished and bring them right back when your task is accomplished," The bowed and waited for me to undress. I felt a little uncomfortable. Taking off bit by bit a gave them my clothes and stripped naked down to my underwear which they waited patiently.

"Uhm... I don't want to take these off," Luna raised a brow.

"Why is this James? Do you not wish for them to be cleaned?"

"Well yes I do, but... I do mind my privacy." Luna chuckled at me.

"Don't worry there is nothing wrong with nudity here," I sighed and dropped trou for them which made the two servants gasp and blush. Luna just nodded and crawled on her bed. The ponies collected my boxers and rushed off.

"Why weren't you bothered by my... equipment, yet they were?" She rolled over and looked at me.

"I've seen humans naked before and know that you have no sheathe. As for them, they think you're slightly aroused and it made them blush. I will straighten it with those two mares that you don't have the same anatomy as we equines do," I nodded and silently thanked her as I walked off to the bathroom and closed the door.

There was a large tub set in the floor that made me drop my jaw at. It would be the size of a modern day pool if I had to put it in comparison, but really it was more like a private pool. I judged it about five feet by about seven and a half feet. It had a drain and what I assumed was a little hot tub attached. I filled the hot tub and made sure it wouldn't burn me before stepping in and relaxing on a small slope with a cloth pillow at the end. My bandages soaked and I peeled them off slowly as the adhesive slowly dissolved.

As I pulled away the padding the water rushed to my skin burning it and making me wince. I felt light headed again as my vision slowly blurred and faded to black. I felt pain. Extreme pain.

"You're gonna have to move faster than that if you want to live James," I held my knees as I panted. My body ached and protested each and every one of my movements. I hadn't even landed one blow on him yet I had bruising all over and I probably wouldn't make it out of bed if it wasn't for them dragging me out. "A fast assassin is a skilled assassin."

I took a deep breath as I stood up straight readying my wooden sword. My instructor smirked and stood with his hands behind his back. I took a step forward and he launched out at me. I blocked each blow as it came. *CRACK CRACK CRACK CRACK CRACK* I started to pant again trying to keep focused as he stopped and I began my assault. *CRACK CRACK CRACK CRACK CRACK CRACK* I started an over head swing and he raised ready to block, but as I got close I lowered the blow and swung across hitting him on the side and sending him a few steps back.

"Good work, but it's still not enough," He launched at me again and hit me directly each time covering me in welts until I finally blocked a blow and he stopped. "No dishes tonight. You can rest after dinner is finished."

"Thank you," He smiled and walked off. I collapsed to the ground with a groan.

I hissed at the pain and pulled the rest off. I had no clue what random memory from my past had come up, but it hurt. I could feel the pain and the blows as they struck home. It didn't hurt that much now, but the searing pain across my body did. I huffed and I could feel beads of sweat run down my face.

A variety of soaps and shampoos lined the bath and hot tub. I picked one up and gave it a sniff. It smelled close to lavender and I unscrewed the cap and poured a bit into my hands before running it through my short hair. It felt good to get all cleaned up.

I stepped out of the tub and let it drain before standing around like an idiot. Where are the towels? I looked all over and just couldn't find them. There was a knock and Luna entered and levitated a towel to me before setting another aside.

"I heard you finish so I decided to take one for myself," I gladly took the towel and started to dry off with her watching. "Could you help me out of my attire?" I cocked an eyebrow and looked her dead in the eye. She pointed to her large necklace and I nodded. I looped my towel around me and secured it by rolling the end over the edge and against my body. We met somewhere in the middle and I reached out and pulled it off her carefully and set it on a small table. "Thank you, you can rest now if you'd like."

I rubbed my scarring chest and nodded before walking off taking one last glance back at her bent over the tub her rump up in the air. I felt my cheeks flush a bit as I left and closed the door seeing a small pile of my things on a dresser along with another pile of random items.

I picked up my clothes and started to dress myself quickly, before examining the other things. I picked up to large items that I quickly labeled as guns. One felt magical in nature and the other just some cold metal and plastic. I set those aside and picked up some gloves and slipped them on. Each finger had a ring on it and I could feel each had magical power. I knew what they were used for, but I had never been able to use them to their full potential in the modern age.

It felt natural to have them on. I picked up the next item and frowned. It was body armor that had holes in it. Great job of protecting me it did. I tossed that back on the dresser and picked up another smaller bit of leather. My wallet had a few pictures of me and a group of people that I couldn't name. The top one had me and a woman with a few guys in army gear out in a desert somewhere. I smiled at that one and tucked it back in the pocket.

A large sword sat in the pile of padding. I picked it up a unsheathed it just a bit, before slamming it back in its scabbard. No, I don't need a weapon... I strapped it to my back anyways before throwing my cape and hood around me. This felt more natural than running around all natural.

Not much else was there other than some ruined things I couldn't use and left there. I sighed and looked over to the bed Luna had offered. I shook my head and walked over to the stairs. Curiosity has the best of some of us and I wanted to know what was above me. Taking a few steps I worked my way up into a private study.

A large chair sat behind a desk that had a few stacks of papers on it and a candle. A bookshelf stood behind them both and I crept up to it and looked at the titles. They seemed to be a collection of novels for entertainment, but none of them sparked my interests. I looked at the desk and pulled back the chair. It looked comfy, but I didn't take a seat instead my attention was on the contents of the desk. I slid a drawer back and saw a few quills and some ink. Not much, but it was something worth noting.

Closing the drawer I moved topside examining a few papers and the candle. A picture was hidden in between the two that I picked up and looked at. It was the pair of sisters smiling and laughing. I couldn't help, but smile at it. The pair looked rather cute. I startled as someone, or in this case, somepony cleared their throat. I looked up to see Luna leaning against the wall with a brow raised.

"I was just curious," She walked over and moved next to me looking at the picture I held.

"That was taken many, many years ago. We were but fillies exploring the new world," She smiled at the picture having some fond memories of her own. I could see a tear run down her face as she took the picture and set it down. "Please try and stay out of my study if you will."

"Alright," I walked back down the stairs only to be greeted by a nurse who smiled at me.

"Ready for new bandages James?" I nodded.

"Oh yes please," She motioned for me to sit on the bed and I did as requested taking off my shirt. A bit of blood from a few wounds oozed out, but nothing to serious. She placed a few pads over my stitches and began to run a long wrap around me until I was wound tight. She asked if I could breath and move okay before leaving. I laid down in the bed and stared up at the canopy. Not much to do now other than relax.