Code Name: Dark Star

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.