Grasping to What is Left

Well there was only one safe haven left for me in Equestria, and that was home. I had been part of an order of elite ponies. That's all gone now. Wiped out by the stronger force that seeks to turn everything we hold dear to ash.

On the horizon I saw it,the roof of town hall. It’s been fifteen years since I’d been home. I was ten when my Mom sent me off to join the order. Now with the order all but destroyed in Manehattan, I've returned to protect my home, Ponyville.

I passed Sweet Apple Acres, an iconic farm. It was there when I was little, I’m not surprised it still stands. I drew my hood up as I closed in upon the main streets. I walked past a few ponies that seemed to immediately begin to whisper about me. Almost every pony stopped and looked as I passed. All still whispering. My clothing was a bit out of the ordinary, the hood and dark robes are a bit.. noticeable.

Never the less I made my way straight to town hall. As i walked in the desk pony looked up,”I’m sorry do you have an appointment?” She asked, seeming bored out of her skull.

“No ma’am but I’d rather just step in and be on my way.” I said reaching for the door.

“Can’t.” She said abruptly using magic to grab one of my wrists.

I broke her hold and opened the door,”Too bad.” I laughed a bit before I heard Mayor Mare,”Ahem!”

“Mayor Mare, you haven’t aged a day,” I said turning and giving her a smile lowering my hood.

“O-oh my, when did you get back to town Night?” She stood shocked by what she was seeing,”I haven’t seen you since you left you worried everypony.”

“Can I get a house, preferably on the outskirts?” I asked not wanting to take up too much of her time.

“Of course.. Do they know you’re home?” I knew who she meant instantly.

“No and I’ll be the one who tells them.” I placed a bag that the mayor opened and went slack jawed,”The house?”

“Pick any one you want.”

With that I headed out to my new house I spied on the way into town. It was two stories and actually quite large. Probably built for a family, and now it was owned by one pony.

I walked in to find it just to my liking, just enough furniture left over for just me. I went into the master bed room and dropped my backpack that contained my bracers and and other clothes. As well as another two bags of bits like the one I gave the Mayor. Not everything was terrible about being the only one left in the Manehattan order.

After I set a few thing in the house in order I donned my bracers and tested the hidden blades, the signature weapon of the Assassin Order. I stepped back into the street only to be nearly knocked over by a pink mare.

“What in Celestia's name did you do that for?” I looked at the crazy mare and couldn't help but notice that her shirt and bra were fighting their hardest to contain what she had. Same with her Jean shorts.

“Well I don’t know you which means you’re new, because I know everypony in Ponyville and I don’t know you.” She shot the words at me at a hundred miles an hour.

“I’m, uh, not new. I lived her fifteen years ago.” I said starting to try to distance myself a bit from the mare. She pressed up against me grabbing my right arm as I tried to walk,”Then I’ll throw you a welcome back party.”

“I’d rather you not.” I said trying to pull.

“Nonsense, I’ll go get it ready!” She bolted off in a blur of pink. I thanked the Goddesses she was gone for now and I hurried through the back routes to my old home. When I reached it I froze. It was like seeing a picture from the past. Nothing had changed, besides new drapes, it was exactly the same as it was fifteen years ago.

I walked to the door and lowered my hood as I braced for what was to come. I raised my hand to the knocker and stopped thinking of what they’d say. I shook my head and knocked three times. I could hear somepony move inside and come towards the door. as the door opened I heard my dad’s voice for the first time since I left,”Who is it?” He stopped as we bot saw each other his yellow and black hair had faded to yellow and gray. Other than that he hadn’t changed a bit. Which meant I had outgrown him by a few inches. I was six-three and he was five-eleven. We stared at each other for a moment before both our eyes teared up and I stepped forward and hugged him tight as he did me.

“I’m home Dad,” he looked up at me holding my shoulders.

“You got tall like your mamma Nini.” He said. I grinned hearing him call me by my old nickname.

“Where is she?” I looked behind him to see my Mom, a bat pony walk in with a mixing bowl that she immediately dropped and ran towards me.

“Hey mo- uff,” I couldn't finish my sentence thanks to my mom tackle hugging me. She stood up and picked me up off the dirt hugging me again. “My baby boy, my baby boy,” She repeated that a few times before I broke the hug.

“I love you too mom.” We all shared a family hug then moved inside.

“Why’d you come home Nini?” My mom asked with all three of us sitting on our couch.

“Mom, you may want to brace yourself a bit. it’s an ugly story.”