A City's Understanding

"Ugh, is it morning already?"

All that she could see was red and yellow. She then realised that it was her hair shrouding her vision and brushed it to one side. Sarah groaned and rubbed her turquoise eyes. The room came into focus as her mind awoke from its deep slumber. She tried to move the sheets that covered her body. She stopped when she felt an a large arm keep her in place. "Oh yeah, Flash is here." She said aloud which made the young man beside her grunt. She gently removed his arm and threw the covers off. Even though it was in the summer, the air that floated in the room was chilly to her. Sarah was confused by this, but she soon realised she was only clad in her lingerie. "Must of been a rough night." She said as she inspected all the clothes on the floor.

Flash chuckled in his half-awake state. "Not too rough, Sunny. It was actually one of the calmer nights for us." He lazily reached a hand out to her, trying to bring her back under the covers. She paid no attention to him and began to search the floor for her belongings.

"Huh, the Royal Army keeps getting bigger hats." Sarah laughed as she held Flash's plumed helmet.

Flash sat up in the bed. "Yeah, to the Princesses, the better looking we are, the more efficient we become. Nonsense really."

She threw the helmet to him. "Well, in my eyes, you look fantastic or do I simply have the most handsome Officer in the Royal Army?"

Flash waved a hand at her. "Pfft, well you Assassins all look like angels from above or do I simply have the most fair of them all?"

Sarah nodded. "Of course you do." With the shared compliments over, she rummaged through the clothes. She sorted out her clothes from his by placing her clothes on the bed and leaving his on the floor. She could tell what was hers simply by the colour. If it was black, then it would be hers.

Flash huffed at her poor treatment of his property and crawled across the bed to her belongings. "I could just throw your stuff about too you know."

Sarah glanced over her shoulder at him. "Yeah, and if you do, I'll hurt ya. You may be an Officer, but you still can't beat me." Flash chuckled in agreement. She was an Assassin. It was almost unfair what she could do to him, an Officer and rank of Colonel in the Army.

Sarah finished gathering her things and began to dress for the day. Most women of her background would delicately put on dresses and makeup and whatnot. She did these things, but in her own way. She indeed wore a dress, but it was all black and did not run past her shins. It was longer in the back and gave her ample space to move her legs. Instead of the usual shawl, she instead wore a black leather jacket. It was a jacket for rustlers in the Valley, but she made it her own style. She enjoyed to flare the jacket's collar and even added small metal spikes to it to give it more personality. The back of the jacket had a bright orange and red sun on it. As she adjusted the sleeves, she tested her hidden blades. The red-dyed steel flashed in the dim light. She covered her hands in thin leather gloves of the usual black colour. She finished her apparel with her tall black heeled boots and the Assassin's usual red sash on her waist. She stretched her neck and then attached her special brass Bi-goggles, an Assassin invention that allowed the user to magnify and see at long distances. Flash was never comfortable with the red lenses that made his girlfriend appear soulless, so he looked down at this point. She tested the vision before reaching back and pulling her black hood over her head. She found her belt and tied around her waist, two revolvers rested in their holsters. Once satisfied, she walked over to the corner of the room and retrieved her Shimmer, her bolt-action scoped marksman rifle. She inspected her weapon carefully before swinging it onto her shoulder.

"It's early, Sunny. You already have a contract?" Flash asked as he stood up from the bed.

Sarah lifted the goggles above her eyes and smiled at him. "As always. Today's target is Lady Tabitha Arknight. She has been smuggling weapons into the Capital. Worse, she gives them to not only the Canterlotian Underworld, but the Templar gangs as well. It's high time she goes down."

Flash nodded in understanding. "Well, at least she's a criminal. Otherwise, I would have to arrest you for murder. Again."

Sarah giggled at him. "That first time didn't count. You couldn't even get me to the Police before I escaped."

Flash rolled his eyes. "Had to rub it in, didn't you? I didn't know Assassins had wrist blades. Well, I must be up and off too I guess. Got places to be."

Sarah raised an eyebrow at him. "Aren't you off-duty today?"

He nodded quickly. "Oh yeah, but I'm going to head over to the Armour's. The Captain wants me to do something for him."

"Well, alright then. But first, a goodbye for the day?" Sarah walked over to Flash. The young Officer smiled as he knew what was coming. They embraced for a loving kiss. After they were done showing their affection, they held each other at arm's length. "See you tonight, Flash."

Flash grinned. "You too, Sunny. I'll be here." With that, Sarah removed herself from his arms and walked out the door. Flash remained there, grinning. He considered himself lucky to have such a woman. There weren't many like her. Most women of the Capital were too dainty for his taste. She was anything but dainty.

"Glad Dr. Turner isn't on my back. He'll be nagging me for being five seconds late."

Sarah pulled herself on the rooftop. She brought the bi-goggles over her eyes and inspected the area. Slums, slums, more filthy slums. "The Omega District is not lookin' too good today. Too much sunlight I guess. Needs more smoke." Her eyes dashed across the gloomy streets below. Like all Omega Districts, the houses were merely piles of wood nailed together into "homes." The places were so overcrowded that these abodes were often stacked precariously on top of each other to compensate. This gave such Districts an ominous feel as the buildings could collapse at any moment. They often did and no one would fix them, thus several "streets" were arched over with sideways homes and shoppes. It was a fun place for a free-running Assassin, but a pit of Tartarus to the residents. Such places, however, attracted the lawless bunches. Sarah was searching for one below.

"C'mon where are ya?" Sarah jumped across a street to the other side. The people below went about their daily lives. Most were older women whose husbands slaved in the countless factories of the Industrial District to the south. That or the Mountain's mines to the east. Either way, the odds of one's husband returning were 50/50. 75/25 on a good day. This caused most husbands to abandon their jobs and go wild with the Canterlotian Underworlds. The chance of survival was the same, but the chance of wealth was far, far greater. And the more Underworld there was, the more prosperous the smugglers like Arknight could be. It was such things that urged the Assassins in the Capital. The Royals and the Templars did nothing about it. Thus the only ones left were the Brotherhood and the Nationalist party, but Sarah did not agree with their radical ways. She was alone in this viewpoint, but she lacked care to argue about it to the other Assassins.

"This is getting tiresome." There was nothing suspicious in the dark alleys. "She isn't here. I got a false lead." Sarah lifted the Bi-goggles off her eyes. The world remained red in her unadjusted eyes. She walked over to a poll and leaned on it. Where could Arknight be? "Certainly not here." She answered herself. Suddenly a thought entered her mind. What if she missed her? What if she is gone by now? Sarah walked over to the edge of the roof and began to descend. She grabbed onto a loose board and it popped out of the wall. She slipped and grabbed onto another just in time. "Bloody hell. This better be worth it." She swung herself onto the wall opposite the street. The wooden boards were stronger and her descent became easier. Once she reached the damp cobblestone, she wiped her hands in satisfaction.

"Now, I need to question someone." She looked about. The street was mainly empty save for two chatting women. Sarah walked over to them. They did not notice her. She tapped one on the shoulder to get their attention. "Excuse me, but have you seen any smugglers go by. Specifically a woman with black hair and olive eyes?"

One of the women scowled at the Assassin. "Are you a Nationalist?" She asked rudely.

Sarah shook her head. "No, I'm not."

The mean woman took a step away from her. "Then get lost. We don't need Loyalists here."

Sarah slapped her own forehead. "I'm not that either! Look, I only asked if you've seen a smuggler woman. That's all."

The woman pointed a finger at the Assassin. "Don't matter none! This smuggler could be a Nationalist helper. You look like a sharpshooter and you want to kill her. I don't want to help the Loyalists none. Now piss off!"

Sarah clenched her fists. A high-pitched growl emitted from her lips. "Ugh! Well aren't you women all hunky-dory? This smuggler actually helps the Loyalists. You would do your bloody Nationalists good if you told me where she went. I know she came by here since you are so determined to keep her secret!"

The two poor women looked at each other before returning their gaze to the Assassin. "Oh, well, if that's the case. She went down Markus Avenue. I think she's headin' for the Shire Square." Sarah whispered a "thank you" and then headed down the street. If the Square was the location, she herself had to be far from the location. However, she was good at picking spots.

"This looks like a good spot."

Sarah lifted herself onto the tall rooftop. The roofs around the Square were much finer than the Omega District. She focused on the Square in the distance. So many people, she thought. Royal Guards, soldiers, ladies in dresses, men in big hats, children, and a certain smuggler. She zoomed in on the target. "Yup, that's her alright." Arknight was talking with two shady men. A couple of gangsters leaned on the wall beside them. Arknight did not seem like she had anything with her, but they were doing business anyway. Sarah lifted the goggles up and swung her rifle into her hands. She carefully placed her Shimmer on its stock with the barrel facing upwards. She reached behind her and pulled out a suppressor. "Best gift from the Templars ever." Sarah screwed the silencer on the end of the barrel. She then unfolded the bi-pod. With great care, she placed the rifle on the roof and became prone. She rested the stock on her shoulder and placed her right hand on the trigger. Her left hand adjusted the scope until it matched the right settings. She took a deep breath and peered through the scope.

"Show time."

She had to find her target again. It did not take long and she placed the cross hairs on Arknight. "Just chat away. See if I care." A slight breeze started to pick up. This did not faze Sarah and she adjusted to the wind. Arknight was becoming angry with her customer. She started to animate her hands in wild motions. Sarah paused and tried to read their lips. Arknight was becoming rather angry. Some of the gangsters were stirring. "Probably wasting my time." Sarah told herself. One final adjustment. She didn't want to ruin her reputation. Squeeze, she thought. "Say goodnight." Sarah pulled the trigger. Chink! Arknight fell almost instantly. Sarah grinned broadly and quickly got up. Now to make herself scarce. She swung the rifle over her shoulder and ran off the from sight. She hopped over a chimney and dashed across a line to other side of the street.

"Hey you! You can't have a weapon of that size!"

Sarah paused to see a group of Royal Guards pointing at her. "Oh bloody hell no!" Sarah quickened her pace. The Guards shouted and began their chase. The Royal Guards were always a nuisance to the Assassins. They wore heavy armour of secret steel alloys, but their armour was powered with steam and acted as a sort of prototype exoskeleton. They could run faster than the common soldier or Police officer. Sarah dashed through the obstacles with ease, but the Royal Guards kept up with her.

"Stop! Or we will open fire!"

Sarah ignored them and continued running. A discharge was heard and a bullet flew by her. "They're serious?" She yelled. Royal Guards almost never fired their carbines unless it was necessary. Sarah dodged another bullet and turned sharply. Whistles from the Police bobbies could be heard from below. She was attracting far too much attention. She cursed loudly and ran up onto a taller structure.

"Get down here, Miss!" A bobby shouted at her.

"At least they're being polite." Sarah moaned. She searched the area. Every direction seemed to have cut off. Some of the Royal Guards were climbing up to her. Loud clangs of metal would be heard when they slipped and fell back down onto the cobblestone streets. Fortunately for Sarah, they ceased their shooting. The Assassin slid the Bi-goggles over her eyes and inspected the area. She was trying to find some path over the authorities below. She turned to see a row of beams and flagpoles extending from a high wall. She could make that. Sarah sprinted towards them. The Royal Guards chased after her with their usual zeal.

"Ya won't make it, girl!"

"Try me!" She yelled back at them. She was closing on the poles. They were higher up than she had thought. She ran along the wall to gain extra height and momentum. With a powerful jump, she flew from the wall onto the pole. The bobbies were far below watching her. Sarah swung herself from one pole to the next. "Pfft, that was easy." She expertly traveled on the poles. Suddenly, a bullet hit the pole she held and ripped it apart. The shattered pole remained in her grasp and she began to fall. In a desperate attempt to stop her fall, she drove the pole in her hands into the wall. It caught a window sill and the force flipped her. Her back hit the wall and she tumbled towards the street. She could not find a grip in the brick wall and she slammed against the cobblestone.

"Gah..."

She tried to get up, but the rifle on her back was her landing pillow and her back ached severely. She started to crawl with her hands gripping the stone in an attempt to flee. Blood started to cover her eyes and hands. She could not hear anything and only a strong ringing remained. She felt the stone vibrate with footsteps. A metal foot flipped her on her back. She half-consciously gazed at the Royal Guard before her. His golden helmet reflected the rare sun at her. The black holes that were his eyes stared at her mockingly. His breathing was amplified by the air pipes that snaked on his shoulders to the filter on his back. A chuckle escaped his lips and echoed in the hollow helmet.

"Nice try girl. You've only accomplishment a more fitting punishment for defiling our Sisters' Laws. Hope you like the Bastille as your new home, Nationalist scum. Take her away. The Order will be happy to hear that we have caught an Assassin."

The Police bobbies bent down and pulled her up. The edges of her vision blurred with darkness. The Royal Guards stared at her with their emotionless expressions. Their carbines held at the ready. Sarah did not have the strength to resist. She felt the bobbies dragging her and she fell to the darkness. She remembered no more.