Chapter 8

The New Guard

Chapter 8

"What?!?!"

Shadow Hoof began to tremble under his powerful symbolic voice. He was being very careful with how he told his boss about the failed attempt, knowing that if he wasn't careful, it might just cost him his life.

"So your telling me that a trained assassin can't take down a single target that's completely alone?" He maintained his harsh tone to show his dominate appearance over Shadow Hoof.

"Y-yes sir." he answered in a tone that was barely audible.

Blueblood stood up from his leather chair and walked over to Shadow Hoof, causing him to tremble even more then he already was. As soon as blueblood walked over he looked at him with a hint of death in his stare.

"My aunt is sure to have extra guards with her at all times after the assassination attempt." He started to pace around Shadow Hoof to plan his next course of action. After a minute of walking in a circle he stopped in his tracks out of frustration.

"I have no idea what to do do next. How about you Shadow-" A grin crept onto his face.

"Shadow How about we take out the farmer. He's sure to be an easy target since he's not going to have all of his strength." He turned to face the weapon rack behind him that contained every weapon from crossbows to swords.

"Shadow, I think it's about time you got some field action. What do you think?"

"U-um I don't know if this is a good idea. And I don't want to be the one who does it if that's okay." He knew he had just made a mistake by refusing his 'masters' request.

"Very well; I understand. You have a wife and a foal, and you don't want to risk getting caught because you have to provide for them." He said in a sinister tone, never taking his eyes off the weapon rack.

"But it would be a shame if something happened to them while you were at work." His grin faded into a scowl as he directed his attention to Shadow Hoof.

Shadow Hoof knew what he was trying to hint towards. On one hoof, if he agreed to do this he could get caught and be arrested. On the other hoof,if he didn't do this then Blueblood might harm his family which was a far worse punishment. He decided that if being arrested is what it takes to protect his family then he would do it without hesitation.

"I'll do it if I have to"

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( Big Macintosh's point of view )

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The sheer boredom he was forced to endure in the hospital was almost unbearable. His only source of entertainment was a small television that occupied the corner of the room, which rarely ever had any reception.

The door opened with a squeak revealing the doctor who was levitating a clip board in front of him scratching information with a quill. He then walked over to Big Macintosh's bedside and lowered the clip board.

"So, how are we today Mr. Apple?"

"Ah'm doin pretty good ah guess. Ma chest don't hurt as bad."

The doctor began to unravel the large bandages that were rapped around his chest where he had been hit. After examining it, he scratched more information on his lip board before returning his attention to Big Macintosh.

"The good news is that the swelling has gone down in your chest and your breathing appears to be normal again. The bad news is that you may have to wait a week or two before you get your full strength back. You can probably check out of the hospital tonight if there are no more complications. Any questions?"

"Eenope" he responded.

"Well if there are no further questions then I have some other patients that need attending to. Oh! And before I forget, you have some visitors i'll send the in."Macintosh could only guess who would be here to see him. The only pony's he didn't want to see him like this were......

"Heya big brother" and apparently the universe wasn't going to let him have any victories today. Applebloom ran into the room and jumped on his bed to give him a hug. Following in behind her was Applejack and Granny Smith.

"Hey guys how's it goin" he asked slowly tilting to try conceal his wound a little.

This action did not go unnoticed by Applejack as she quickly gave him a stern look. She and Granny Smith took a seat next to his bedside.

"Applebloom will you please go and get me some coffee from the lobby." It was more of demand then it was a question.

"Uh sure sis" she said giving her sister a questioning look for her rather weird request, since she didn't even drink coffee. Once she left Applejack turned her attention to her brother. The look on her face was anything but happy; Big Macintosh knew that that was her 'Im about to yell at you' look.

"So have you learned your lesson, and are you ready to come back to the farm?" She asked in an annoyed tone.

"Pardon?" Her forward accusation and her off personality caught Big Macintosh off guard.

"Well ya'll aren't planning on going through with this guard thing are you?" She asked in disbelief.

At this point Macintosh was annoyed; that his sister tried to make the decision for him as if he was some foal. Applejack wasn't even considering him in her demand, she was only thinking of her own desires.

"AJ this is my decision to make, not yours." He stated bluntly

Applejack's face turned red with anger, from not having her way in the conversation. She turned to get support from Granny Smith only to find her asleep in her chair, mumbling something about apples.

"Macintosh Apple, if you do not do as I tell you then don't even bother coming back home!!"

This left Macintosh speechless. Family meant everything to an apple family member, so for him to have to choose between the princess's safety and his own kin was unthinkable. But if she kept treating him like a foal then how was he ever going to become his own pony.

"Applejack if ya care about me in the slightest, then ya will understand why ah have to stay here."

She couldn't believe her own brother would choose the princess's safety over his own home. This was the straw that broke the camels back.

"Very well 'Mr. Apple', it looks like we will be having an extra guest room in our house". She said looking straight into his eyes. "and it Looks like ah am no longer ya'll's sister".

"Come on Granny lets go". She said as she yanked Granny out of her seat startling her from her sleep. she was still in a daze not aware of what was going on. Before she could question anything she had already been lead out the door.

Once he was alone the realization that he had just been disowned by his own family set in.

A tear slowly streamed down his face

"You will always be mah sister". He said quietly.