Night of the Hunt

Willow stared up at the ceiling of the dimly-lit room she was currently occupying. Her limbs were strapped down onto the long examination table she laid on, a restrictor ring around her horn and a leather band held her head back against the table.

She was all but immobilized.

In the room stood a fully-armed Raven, their wings tipped with metal blades and a firearm strapped to their saddle. From what Willow could gather, it was a mare under the mask given their obviously feminine figure. Besides them, Sanguinaire stood at a small counter in the room, looking through vials of red liquid that Willow assumed to be blood. Each vial was labeled; however, from this angle, she was unable to make out the inscriptions.

“Ugh, is tying me down really all that necessary?” Willow groaned, fidgeting against the bonds.

“Unfortunately, yes,” the middle-aged mare let out a sigh, “If anything untowards were to occur, we would need you restrained. In the worst case scenario, we’ll have to put you down. It is for your own safety, as well as ours.”

Willow only groaned in reply as she ceased her movements. She wore a patient’s gown that went down below her hips, so that at least she could cover up herself up. Next to the table she was on, an IV rack, its sole occupant a vial of blood, fed the red substance into her left foreleg through a snaking tube, the rubber stinted by a small brass clasp.

“Alright, I believe I am finished,” Sanguinaire turned to face Willow, her horn alight and her hooves making tapping sounds as she approached, a vial in her magical grasp. “Now, the blood being fed into your bloodstream is one that matches your blood type, and this,” she gestured to the vial in her grasp, her voice carrying a clear note of awe and reverence. “This is a sample of blood that once ran through the veins of the most powerful Hunter to have ever lived. When it enters your bloodstream, it will Awaken your Hunter powers, kill you, or turn you into a beast. If worst comes to worst, I’ll simply have Luminescence here put a bullet through your head.”

Willow only gulped, that last sentence had been far too cheery for her liking.

“Are you ready to begin?” Sanguinaire asked. “Once we start, there will be no turning back. If this is a success, you will cease to be the mare you once were. You will become part of something bigger than yourself. Now again, are you sure you want to go through with this?”

Willow felt a whimper creep up her throat, but she swallowed it and nodded, a look of defiant determination on her face.

“Very well,” She turned towards the Raven, “Luminescence, are you ready?”

“Yes, Mistress,” the Raven said. Willow noted, with a slight twinge of surprise, that the dark-cloaked pony had a higher voice than she had expected.

Sanguinaire merely nodded in response, focusing her attentions on beginning the procedure.Willow blinked as the mare entered her field of vision as she laid on the table.

“A fair word of warning, this will hurt when it gets to your heart.”

Willow tried to pretend she didn’t hear that.

“Alright, I’m going to inject this blood sample into the mix,” she inserted the needle into the rubber tubing of the IV, using her magic to push the plunger. “When I release the clasp, the blood will flow into your veins. Once it reaches your heart, it will be circulated throughout the rest of your body- veins, arteries and blood vessels all. From there… well, I suppose we’ll just have to see, won’t we?”

She gave one last look at Willow, who only stared back, apprehension written all over her face..

“I’m going to need you to focus,” she stated, the clasp glowing lightly with her aura, “I’m going to release the clasp… now.” The blood within the jar and the needle seeped into the rubber tube, through the IV and into Willow’s leg.

She held her breath as she watched the red liquid flow into her body. A few seconds passed and she could feel a burning sensation travelling up her fore leg. It slowly made its way up to her shoulder and before she knew it, the sensation reached her chest.

That’s when everything went blurry.

“AAARRGHHH!” Willow screamed as a burning pain erupted in her chest. It felt as if someone was attempting to dig her heart out of her chest with a heated rusty spoon. “Arrrgghh! Naagghh! Augh!” Willow struggled in her restraints as the pain began to spread to the other parts of her body, the liquid making its way outward from the white-hot center of pain towards her extremities.

“Focus! Focus, I say!” Sanguinaire urged. “You must fight through pain!”

As the blood spread throughout her body, her whimpering moans and screams soon turned into deep guttural growling. Willow clenched her teeth hard enough that the enameled calcium cried, squeaked and groaned under the pressure, her muscles spasming and her back arched.

Eventually, mercifully, a dark haze fell over her vision, and all sound was distorted as she fell into blissfully painless unconsciousness.

“Come! Quickly, this way!”

The sound of hooves striking a cobblestone floor echoed through the night. A crimson moon hung in the sky, drenching the spires and tiled rooftops of the city in blood red light. Howls echoed among the buildings, mixing with the fog and darkness that cloaked the city of Canterlot. Blood stained the streets of the once glorious city, Beast and Hunter both, and their bodies littered the causeways, alleys and roads that cut a spiderweb between the structures. Off in the distance, there was the sound of an ongoing battle; the roar of beasts and the shouting of Hunters, their weapons ringing as they fought tooth and nail to keep the dark creatures at bay.

“What about the others!? We can’t just leave them behind!” A pony covered by a tattered cloak shouted, her feminine voice ringing out amongst the cobbled streets.

“It’s too late now!” An aged lemon-colored unicorn mare, dressed in a light gray caped trench coat, with her red mane tied into a bun. On her head rested a Hunter’s cap, an elegantly designed dual-edged sword strapped to her back, the metal flickering and flashing in the low moonlight. “The battle is merely a distraction. We have to get her out of the city!”

Off in the distance they could hear the battle intensifying, the dying screams of Hunters piercing her ears. In her heart, she did not want to leave behind her former cohorts, but there were other matters to tend to.

“She is right,” A brown earth stallion with blue eyes and copper mane agreed as they stepped into an alleyway. “We have to get away. If they find out we escaped, it’ll mean your head and ours..”

The Huntress frowned at him. “I’m aware of that, Oakleaf,” she said, “Which is why it is imperative that we leave.” She shot a glance towards the second mare. “Juniper, is she safe?”

Within the hooves of the cloaked mare was a small object, wrapped tightly in blankets.

The mare peeled back the very edge of the cloth, peeking beneath it. “Yes, she’s still asleep.”

“Now we know she takes after her mother,” Oakleaf chuckled as he went to check on the small object, “Magnolia, where to now?” He asked, casting his gaze back to the Huntress.

“Down this alleyway is an entrance to the sewers of Canterlot,” she explained, “Stay to the right and the path will lead to an aqueduct, one of the number that pour from the mountainside. There will be a carriage driven by somepony in my employ, who has orders to take you beyond the borders of Equestria. From there, however, you will be on your own.”

“The sewers?” Juniper asked, “Is it even safe down there?”

“Oh, quite definitely,” Magnolia nodded, a hint of wry smile on her muzzle, “Believe me, the beasts cannot stand the smell down there. Ah, that reminds me: you’ll be needing these.” She handed the both of them cloth masks. “They help mask the stench. If I were you, I’d do something to protect her from the fumes.”

“Don’t worry,” the cloaked mare pulled back her hood to reveal a red orange mane and a yellow coat. Her horn lit up as she looked down at the bundle of blankets and sheathed it with her yellow aura. “There, I placed her within a shield spell that’ll keep her from breathing in any fumes.”

“Good,” Magnolia nodded, “Now, quickly, we must get moving-”

“Leaving so soon, Magnolia?”

She froze and saw two Ravens along with another unicorn pony dressed in similar fashion, but his face was barren of the bird mask, which revealed his silver coat and and white mane. His eyes were milky white, a clear sign of blindness.

He let out a cruel chuckle. “You were easier to sniff out than I thought. There’s a certain smell about you. I believe it’s the stench of deceit and heresy. Traitors like you bear a scent like that.”

“I am no traitor, Ravus,” Magnolia said, her weapon encased in a sheath of magic. “I’d think you of all ponies would know that.”

“You have committed crimes against the Order, and willingly defied the Council,” he replied, “In my eyes, you are a traitor. Now, hoof over that abomination you call a foal, and we will spare your lives.”

Magnolia drew her weapon. “You so much as lay a hoof on her and I’ll gut you,” she growled, “You know as well as I do that the Order is lost. The blindness of the Council has led to our downfall. The laws needed to be changed, Ravus. Everyone in the Order knows it.”

“It matters not, Magnolia,” the silver stallion replied, pulling out a katana with a silver handle from a sheath under his feathery cloak. “You defied the orders of the Council, and allowed that mare to breed with an outsider. That is an act of heresy and treason, which is grounds for execution. However, since you are a treasured Heir of Artemis, I believe the Council will be merciful and grant you imprisonment within the Sanctuary. That is, if you come quietly.”

She growled as she used her magic to split the dual-edged sword in half, the shorter blade doubling as a knife. Magnolia held both weapons in hand, taking a defensive stance.

“I will be doing no such thing!” she shouted, “I’d rather die than surrender myself to you!”

“In all honesty, I was hoping you’d say that,” Ravus sneered, flourishing his blade. “Kill them.”

The two Ravens dashed forward, revealing their wingblades as they charged forward.

Within a blink of an eye, Magnolia twisted her body in a full circle, her blades still in her magical grasp as she did so. Upon finishing her spin, she crouched down and hung her head.

The two Ravens froze and stood still for several seconds as Magnolia stood crouched between them. Suddenly, their heads fell from their shoulders and their bodies slumped to the ground in a heap. Juniper gasped and Oakleaf flinched as their lifeless bodies fell at their hooves.

“Hmm,” Ravus’ ears twitched, “From what I gather, they either killed you quicker than I expected, or you used your blades to cut their heads off.”

“Did you not think I could beat two of your pawns?” Magnolia laughed, “That was far too easy.”

“Yes, well, now you must deal with the king!” he rushed forward and their two swords clashed, a metallic clanging sound echoed in the alleyway. “I’ve always wanted the pleasure of killing you myself!”

“Then let’s end this!” Magnolia shouted as she pushed Ravus away from their bladelock. She dashed forward, fusing the two blades back into one as she clashed with the blind Raven once again. “Juniper! Oakleaf! Go, now!”

“No!” the young mare shouted, “We’re not leaving you!”

“They’ll be more coming! Raggh!” she slashed at Ravus but he crouched and followed up with a slash of his own. Magnolia parried and attempted a swift riposte, however Ravus was quick to counter with a parry of his own, delivering a quick slash with his own sword. The blade whizzed by Magnolia’s neck, nearly decapitating her.

“You’re getting slower, Maggy,” Ravus laughed, “Come, let’s see what the Heir of Artemis can do against the Silver Blade.”

“Quiet, you!” she demanded. “Juniper, you have to leave now! Oakleaf, take her!”

“Alright,” he nodded before taking Juniper’s hoof. “Jun, we have to go. For her sake.”

The young mare shifted her eyes between Magnolia, who was currently doing her best to fight off their pursuer, and the small foal in her hooves. Finally, she gulped and nodded her head.

“C’mon let’s go!” Oak urged, pulling her along.

“I’ll be right behind you!” Magnolia assured, peering at them over her shoulder, a small smirk on her face.

“You better be!” Juniper yelled, tears falling from her eyes as she followed Oakleaf down the alleyway.

The two of them soon disappeared into the darkness of the night, hopefully following the escape route that she planned out for them.

Magnolia closed her eyes and exhaled deeply. Keep my granddaughter safe, you two.

“I hope you realize once I kill you, I’ll be sending my Ravens to pursue them,” Ravus chuckled, “Also, I believe that sword of yours would be a good prize for my victory. And I think your head would be a terrific centerpiece for the foyer in the Sanctuary.”

Magnolia split her blade in two again. “Hinoken listens only to me, Ravus,” she growled, flourishing her blades. “Although, I’d like to see you try and take it.”

“Let us end this,” he snarled.

“My pleasure!”

The two Hunters paused for a moment, staring each other down. A strong breeze blew through the air, causing the stray leaves and trash that littered the streets to billow in the wind. Then, in the blink of an eye, they charged forward with killing intent. The sound of two swords clashing echoed through the night as the two of them fought.

Reality swirled and distorted like rippling water until everything slowly faded into darkness.

It was dark at first. Not even the smallest shred of light could be seen in the pitch black darkness of unconsciousness.

What happened? Where am I?

A stirring of a body. A feeling of fatigue.

What, where am I?

There was only silence. Save for the sound of steady breathing. A feeling of soft sheets covering something.

Willow stirred in her sleep, popping open an eye. She squinted upon being greeted with bright light in front of her vision. Lifting a hoof, she rubbed the sleep out of her eyes. Upon noticing her hoof was wrapped in a bandage she gasped and immediately bolted upright.

“What the, where in the fu-”

“Willow,” said a voice next to her, “You’re awake. Finally. I thought you were never going to wake up.”

Noctus sat on the side of the bed from her, heavy bags under his eyes. Probably fromt the lack of sleep. Had he been watching over her?

“Seriously, this is the second time in a row I’ve been knocked unconscious, only to wake up in a different place,” Willow groaned, rubbing her temples, “I might as well have mastered teleportation.”

Noctus huffed out a laugh, but promptly cleared his throat. “So, from what I saw, you were thrashing around quite a bit in your sleep. Were you having a dream?”

“What?” Willow glanced back at him, an eyebrow raised. “I don’t know I… don’t remember much. All I remember is this… pain that spread through my whole body. It felt like my blood was boiling. What happened after I passed out? Is it even normal for something like that to happen?”

“In all honesty, Willow,” Noctus pursed his lips, “That procedure hasn’t been done since before the First Era. It’s a procedure performed on ponies who wish to be turned into Hunters. The way we performed it, however, was slightly different.”

“How?”

“Your blood already possesses Hunter blood, but it was dormant within you,” Noctus explained, “From what Sanguinaire believes, something must have happened to trigger the blood to Awaken. Usually, it takes years and years for a Hunter foal to Awaken their abilities. This procedure sped up the process since we obviously do not have the time to wait.”

Willow twisted her body to face him. “Then, why don’t you use it on other foals? Wouldn’t that like, make more of you?”

Noctus bit his lip. “I cannot say, Willow,” he shook his head, “Sanguinaire made me promise not to tell.”

“Tell me what?”

“I just told you I cannot say.”

“Urgh, nevermind,” Willow grunted, “What happens now?”

He seemed to hesitate at what to say next. “Well, first off, there’s something I need to show you,” he coughed nervously as he fixed his collar, “But, you have to promise me you will not have another… episode.”

“Well what is it?” Willow asked, narrowing her eyes at him.

Noctus held up a mirror and she grabbed it with her magic. She levitate it towards her and peered into it.

Upon seeing what happened to her, she inhaled deeply…

And then immediately proceeded to scream.

“AAAAAGGGGHHHHHHHH!”

“I am Gehrman, a friend to you Hunters, and-” the old man sitting in his chair stopped his spiel as he heard a scream far off in the distance.

“I say, what is that noise?”

The hooded person standing in front of him glanced over their shoulder and shrugged.

The large alicorn goddess sat upon her throne. Her fur as black as night and her ethereal smoky blue mane billowing in an invisible wind. Her throne room was as dark as her coat, and blue torches lit up the dim hall. Nightmare Moon’s eyes were closed as she rested herself.

That was, until she heard a scream coming from the outside.

Her snapped open to reveal two bloodshot orbs dripping with anger.

“WHO DARES DISTURB MY SLUMBER!” she yelled in the Royal Canterlot Voice, the entire throne room shaking as rubble fell from the ceiling.

Meanwhile, the ears of every single Hunter in the Sanctuary perked their ears as an earsplitting scream echoed throughout the castle.

Willow sat there upon the bed, the mirror discarded off to the side. She held herself, rocking back and forth as she fought to keep her breathing under control.

“This is not happening, this is not happening,” she frantically repeated to herself. “First my cutie mark and now this! Oh… why does this kind of shit happen to me?” Willow whimpered as she fell back onto the pillows behind her. “I could have just stayed home. I could have just ignored the thing knocking at my door. Why, oh why did I have to open the stupid door!?”

Noctus sat in his chair, a frown on his face as he watched her have a fit. Suddenly, he clicked his tongue and shook his head before standing up and marching over to the side Willow laid on.

“Willow!” he called for her attention.

“Stupid Hunters, stupid Nightmare Night shit…” she grumbled under her breath.

He had enough of her and growled as she reached out and grabbed Willow with his hooves, turning her over to face him. Willow did not fight back as he held her face in his tight grasp. Upon his face was a stern look that bore no sign of sympathy.

“I’ve had quite enough of your little attitude,” he began, “You think just because your mane has changed color, the world has ended. Well let me tell you something: it hasn’t. You think just because your cutie mark was besmirched, everything is done for. Tell me, do you think other ponies here haven’t lost more than that?”

Willow only stared back.

“Well? Do you?!”

“Yes!” she whimpered. By Celestia, I’ve never seen him this way.

Noctus let go of her face and stepped back. “Willow, if I could be quite frank, you are going to have to simply mare up, and take things in your stride. Because I guarantee, things do not get easier from here. In fact, they get even more difficult. More difficult than you could possibly handle. I did not rescue you from the forest just so you can die again. The Council has high expectations for you. If you cannot meet them, then you are of no use to us. You’d just be another body.”

“Now listen to me,” he lifter her chin up to meet her eyes, “I told the Council you could help us. That you could help the Order get through this night. Prove. Me. Right.”

He let go of her chin. “You cannot even begin to imagine the consequences if you don’t,” he turned towards the fireplace. Noctus went to sit on a chair near the stone fireplace, staring into the crackling blaze.

Sighing, Willow reached over with her magic and held the mirror in front of her muzzle again. This time, taking a moment to go over her new features. She stared back at eyes that were not hers from the beginning. It felt like she was looking at another mare.

This new mare had eyes as red as blood and a fiery red mane. Although, there were some hints of her amber that shone out from the red hue that her mane had now taken. She ran a hoof over her new manestyle, marveling at the shiny red color.

“Noctus,” she called out, “Just, how did this happen?”

“I’m not sure and neither is Sanguinaire,” Noctus answered, “Though, I have to say, your new mane color suits your boisterous personality.” Upon finishing his sentence, he looked back at her, a small smile on his face.

Willow blushed and smiled back sheepishly. “Uh, thanks, Nocty.” Deep down, she didn’t know whether or not to be offended.

Before anything else could be said, the door opened and in walked Sanguinaire along with Minela, flanked by two Ravens.

Noctus immediately rose to his hooves and stood at attention. “Head Councilor Minela.”

“Noctus,” she nodded at him and he relaxed his body. The old mare turned her head towards Willow. “And you. How are you feeling?”

The young mare was taken aback by her sudden showing of empathy. “I’m fine, Mine- I mean Head Councilmare.”

“You may address me as Councilor Minela when we are outside the Council chamber,” she said sternly, “However, I do expect you to show the same amount of respect as you would while we are having a session of Council. Understood?”

“Yes, Councilor,” Willow nodded sharply.

“Good, now,” she glanced over to Sanguinaire, “I believe Sanguinaire will perform some tests on you to see if your powers have indeed awoken. Councilor?”

Sanguinaire stepped forward with a satchel attached to her barrel. “I’m going to perform a series of tests that we give our adolescent foals just before they’re to start their training. Although the case may differ slightly, hopefully the outcome will be the same. Are you ready to begin?”
Willow nodded.

“Very well, follow me.” she rolled out of the bed, feeling strangely invigorated. Maybe it was the amount of sleep she got?

Damn. I feel great! Why do I feel this way?

“Sit,” the mare ordered and Willow sat herself down on the chair next to the table. Sanguinaire took the seat opposite of her, while Noctus and Minela stood on either side. “What I am going to need you to do is pay close attention. This is to test your senses. We ponies have heightened senses to begin with, however, hopefully you will see what I mean.”

She used her magic to pull out a thin sewing needle. “Tell me what you hear.” She began tapping the needle on the bottom of her hoof. “Pay close attention to the needle, focus, and tell me what you hear.”

Willow focused her attention on the needle itself, furrowing her brow. Her ears seemed to twitch with every repetition. As Sanguinaire continued tapping, Willow swore she could hear something.

At first, she thought it was her breathing. However, it sounded metallic.

Is that…

She perked up her ears as the sound beat against her eardrums. It was a tiny sound, you’d almost have to have super advanced hearing to pick it up. It took her several moments to realize what she was hearing.

Can I… am I hearing the pin tapping against her hoof?

“I… can hear it!” Willow laughed, “Whoa, that’s so cool!”

“Focus,” Sanguinaire reprimanded, “You can hear it?” Willow nodded. “Good, Hunters have hearing that is far more advanced than a normal equine, griffon, or any other species that inhabit Equestria. Now for the next test.”

She pulled out three small wooden cups and what looked like a rubber ball.

“This test is almost as simple as the last one,” Sanguinaire explained as she placed the three cups in a row, holding the ball in her magic. “For this, simply follow the ball wherever it goes.”

Lifting up the center cup, she rolled the ball underneath it before setting it back down.

“Remember: follow the ball.”

Sanguinaire used her magic to begin sliding the cups in different directions. At first, Willow had a difficult time keeping up with the ball as the other mare began speeding up. However, Willow’s eyes seemed to move as fast the cups were. Their speed increased to the point where they were almost a blur. Nevertheless, Willow’s eyes were glued to the cup that hid the ball.

To her, the cups almost seemed to be moving in slow motion.

I can see…

Sanguinaire suddenly stopped twisting the cups around and laid them all in a row before her.

“Which one holds the ball?”

“That one,” she pointed to the leftmost cup. Sanguinaire lifted it up and out rolled the ball. Willow gasped and smiled.

“Very good,” Sanguinaire said with a tone that almost sounded like approval. “Hunters have the ability to ‘see’ things faster. It is a good thing to have when combatting beasts that move faster than the eye can see. You’ll soon find that your vision also affects your reflexes.”

“For the final test,” she pulled a seemingly normal cylindrical glass. “I want you, to smash this cup. Using only your hoof.”

She placed the cup onto the table and Willow wrapped her fetlock around it. Upon picking it up, she noticed the glass felt heavier than a normal one should be.

Willow glanced at the three of them, all three Hunters looking on expectantly. Gulping heavily, she furrowed her brow as she used her hoof to squeeze the glass. Much to her surprise, the glass shattered into tiny pieces without much effort.

“It seems you are indeed a Hunter,” Minela nodded at her approvingly. “I suppose the procedure was a success after all.”

“This glass is made of a denser material than any glass made by mundane hooves,” Sanguinaire explained, “It was made so that even a minotaur would have a difficult time crushing it. Hunters are several times stronger than a mundane of any species. Even dragons.”

“Whoa,” Willow said under her breath, “So, like, I have super strength now?”

“I’m not sure if you’ve noticed yet, but you should be feeling different than you were before,” she continued, “The blood running in your veins has changed your body. As you begin your training, you will soon find that your new powers will be useful in combat. I can only hope that you are a fast learner.”

“Is there anything else we need to do?” Noctus asked.

“No, for now at least,” Minela shook her head, “However, I must give this fair bit of advice, outsi- Willow. Do not become comfortable with yourself just yet. The road to becoming a true Hunter is a long and arduous one, and your trials have only just begun. It will be quite some time before we accept you as a full fledged member of the Order. After you’ve… partaken in communion.”

Willow tilted her head in confusion. “What do you mean by that?”

“You will find out soon enough,” Minela said sternly, “Noctus, I will be going to confer with Master Keg on a certain matter. You will be coming along with me.”

“What for, may I ask?”

“It is something that must be spoken of in private,” she looked back at Willow, “And as for you, I have appointed somepony to show you the layout of the Sanctuary. A tour, if you will.”

“Who?” Willow asked.

The door to the room suddenly opened and in walked a sky blue mare with a silver mane and purple eyes. Her mane was tied up in a ponytail and she was dressed in a fashion similar to Noctus. If it were up to Willow, she’d guess that this was a sort of uniform that all Hunters wear.

“Sorry I’m late, Councilors,” she bowed her head at the two of them. “I had another matter to tend to beforehoof. Is this the new blood you spoke of?”

“Yes, she is,” Minela stepped aside to allow the mare to stand at the table. “May I introduce, Azure Skies, a fine Huntress and personal apprentice to Master Powder Keg. She is training to become the next Master of the Order. Azure, this is Willow.”

“Pleased to meet you, love,” Azure held out a hoof and Willow shook it. “I’ll be your guide as I show you around the Sanctuary. Hopefully, you’ll find it most pleasant.”

Willow suddenly felt less tense upon conversing with the charismatic mare.

“Councilor Minela? Shall we go now?” the elder mare nodded and Azure motioned for Willow to follow her. “C’mon, love! Let’s get moving!” Willow arose from her seat and followed the enthusiastic mare out of the room. As the door closed, only the three others stayed behind.

Noctus cleared his throat. “So, just what is this matter about?”

“You’ll see,” Sanguinaire assured, “Master Keg?”

A bright light appeared in the center of the room and the olive green stallion suddenly appeared out of thin air, sitting in his wheelchair with a lit pipe.

He fell into a coughing fit and removed his pipe. When he came down, he placed it back into his mouth. “Uff, I always feel nauseous after using that trick. Traversing planes isn’t as easy as it once was.”

“Master Keg-”

“Please, Sangi, call me Keg or what have you,” he chuckled, “We’re not in session. Please be informal as you wish.”

“Right,” she nodded before looking back at Noctus, “I can imagine you’re curious as to what we are going to discuss.”

“Yes I am,” he replied, “Is there something you need of me?”

“There is,” Powder Keg answered, “However, I do not know how you’ll react to something like this.”

“Indeed,” Minela agreed, “Please sit, Noctus.”

“This place is huge!” Willow marveled at the area they were currently in. “What is this place?”

Azure giggled and walked up beside her. The room they were in was large and circular with a domed ceiling. Along the walls were racks of weapons made of wood, most likely used for training. There were also several thick wooden poles with several limbs protruding out from its base. On the far side of the room was a large wooden cabinet with a padlock. More than likely it held real weapons.

“This, is the central training room,” Azure explained, “Throughout the Sanctuary, there are numerous private training rooms that Hunters can use at will. However, we mostly use this one as a classroom where we have our colts and fillies train together. This, is where you will be during your time here.”

“What do you mean?” Willow asked as she raised a brow at her.

Azure placed a hoof to her lips and giggled. “Why, your training of course!”

“Training?”

“Did they not mention to you that you’ll be starting your training soon?” Azure asked, furrowing her brow, “Strange, I’d have thought Master Keg or even Minela would have told you by now.”

Willow let out a small breath before hanging her head. “This is all so much. I don’t know how much time has even passed, but it feels like my old life was a million years ago.”

“Don’t worry, love,” Azure laughed, “How do you think I felt when all this responsibility fell on me? Ponies here expect me to be the next Master. Ten years ago I thought I was an ordinary filly, but the Hunter’s blood in my veins said otherwise.”

“How did you discover your powers?” Willow asked.

Azure pursed her lips and walked towards the center of the room. “I don’t remember much of my old life, honestly. It’s been so long. Master Keg’s been training me since before I even learned how to speak.”

“Wow,” Willow said under he breath. “And you’ve been a Hunter for how long?”

“Can I be honest with you?” Azure turned back to her, a somber expression on her face. “This year, is my first Hunt. But, I think I’m pretty damn good at killing beasts. I’ve gone out at least twice and I’ve already taken down at least twenty beasts. Most Hunters kill twice as less as that on their first Hunts.”

“That’s crazy!” Willow giggled, “You don’t look much like a killer, ya know.”

“Oh really?” Azure looked back, an eyebrow and a mischievous little smile spread across her lips. Suddenly, her horn lit up and she disappeared in a flash of blue light.

Willow then felt her front hooves come out from under her and felt a pair of hooves wrap around her neck. Her world turned upside down as she soon felt herself lying against the floor with someone’s hooves choking the life out of her. Willow tried to use her newfound strength to pull herself out, but Azure tightened her grip.

Whatever strength that Willow had, it apparently wasn’t enough. She had Willow pinned to the floor in an awkward position where Azure had her body lying on top of Willow’s barrel, her hooves wrapped around her neck.

“So! What do you think now?!” Azure giggled maniacally. “Am I a killer or what?!”

“Gah! C-Can’t… B-Breathe!” Willow gasped as she struggled to break free.

Azure only laughed louder. “Sorry? What was that? Couldn’t quite hear you!”

“You… You’re a… You’re a killer… alright?!” Willow gagged out under her iron grip.

“That’s what I thought you said!” Azure let go of Willow’s neck and allowed her to stand up. “Don’t let a pretty face fool you, Willow. That could be the death of you.”

Willow stretched out her neck and fixed up her bandages. “I don’t think those monsters out there look very pretty, ya know.”

Azure giggled and nudged her with her flank. “Oh, you get what I mean.”

“Now that that’s over, heheh,” Willow laughed nervously, scratching the back of her neck. “Is there anything else you wanna show me in this place? I mean, how big is the Sanctuary anyway? And how come I’ve never seen this place before?”

Azure only laughed and shook her head. “Oh dear me, you have a lot to learn, love,” she smiled amiably, “The Sanctuary itself isn’t anywhere on the map of Equestria at all.”

“Uh, huh?” Willow narrowed her eyes and tilted her head in confusion. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“This place in an entirely different plane of existence,” she said, elegantly spinning her body in a full circle, “It’s something called a pocket dimension. Another dimension that’s um… not so other. A space that’s too small to be it’s very own reality and is attached to ours. To the outside world, this castle is nothing more than a husk. A shell of what once was. The only way you can access the Sanctuary is through magic lamps that we’ve planted all across Equestria and, well, only Hunters know the exact locations of each lamp. Depending on where they are deployed that is.”

Willow’s ears fell as her eyes widened. “Wow that’s uh… interesting, ya know?” she laughed nervously, “I never even knew what a pocket dimension thing was until today.”

“Hardly anypony does, love,” she turned towards Willow, a soft expression on her face, “Now, I think it’s time we leave. I have much else to show you. Go on, I’ll follow you out.”

The two of them began making their way to the door. However, Azure gasped and stopped suddenly.

“Um, hey!” she said abruptly, “What’s with your cutie mark?”

Oh not this again Willow groaned internally before rolling her eyes and sighing.

“Look, I know it looks like a messed up painting, but-”

“Nono, look at it!”

Willow craned her neck over to her flank and saw that something else took the place of Willow’s old cutie mark. Something that she had never seen before. It was a weird symbol. The symbol consisted of a straight line with two other lines that intertwined with it like a DNA strand; the shape was outlined by several dots that spotted the length of it.

“What the fu-”

“Heir…” Azure whispered to herself, “Are you..? By the Great Huntress. Willow. You’re an Heir of Artemis?”

“An Heir of wha?”

“Artemis!” she exclaimed happily, “Lady Artemis, the First Hunter! You’re a descendant! I can’t believe this! It’s been so long since another Heir has appeared!”

Willow darted forward and looked Azure in the eyes, a beseeching look on her face.

“Can you please tell me what the fuck you are talking about?!” she begged, “Please?!”

“Oh, hehe,” Azure grinned sheepishly, “It seems I have some explaining to do.”

“You cannot be serious.”

The sound of a face hitting a desk echoed throughout the small room.

“Do you think me as a pony who takes matters such as this lightly?” Powder Keg raised an eyebrow at the young Hunter, “Noctus, all of our Mentors are much too occupied training our young ones, as well as keeping up with their own Hunter duties.”

Noctus looked at the elderly stallion and shook his head. “Master, with all due respect,” he began, “How can you expect me to give up my own duties for this?”

“You are young, Noctus,” Minela interposed, “But you are nevertheless experienced. Already you have seen three Nights.”

“Not to mention you have brought in an impressive number of kills,” Keg chuckled, “However, I do think Azy will give you a run for your money. Already she has twenty kills! Hah! I daresay she’s a chip off the old block!”

“Keg, if you please,” Sanguinaire said, leaning against a hoof, “Noctus, the reason why we asked this of you is because we feel that you may be the only one she’ll trust. I don’t think any of our Mentors would have the patience to deal with a mare like her. They’d kill her before any other beast got the chance to.”

“What makes you think I have the capacity?” Noctus asked, crossing his hooves.

“We don’t,” Minela nickered, “We know you do. And if you do not, then I fear all hope is lost.”

Noctus groaned and rubbed the bridge of his nose with a hoof. “This is just magical,” he scoffed, “You want me to teach her our ways?”

“If she is to realize her destiny as an Heir,” Keg leaned back and crossed his hooves, “Then, yes we do. Besides, I feel there is also something you can learn from her as well.”

“And that is?” Noctus asked incredulously, “What could she possibly teach me?”

“Hmph,” Powder Keg puffed out smoke from his pipe, “That is something you will find out yourself. Soon enough at least.”

“Indeed,” Minela sighed, “Noctus, henceforth, we are putting Willow under your tutelage. You will be responsible for any failures she might endure, teaching her the ways of the Order, and making her stronger for the future. Also, I need not remind you that time is of the essence, and that you must swiftly teach her everything she must know.”

“Very well, then,” Noctus conceded, “I suppose I’ll be her Mentor.”

“And be aware, that she herself must realize who she is, and what it means to be an Heir,” Minela stated, “It is something she must do on her own-”

The door to the room suddenly burst open. The four of them turned their heads to see a very angry-looking Willow, who stood her body lowered to the ground and her nostrils flaring.

“Willow wait!” Azure suddenly appeared in the doorway. She placed a hoof on her mouth when saw her standing there in front of the others.

“Alright!” she growled, “I wanna know what the hell this shit about me being an Heir really means, ya know! And I wanna know now!”

Noctus, Sanguinaire, Minela, and Powder Keg sat there with their eyes widened. None of them were quite sure how to respond.

“Hmm...” Minela’s eyes narrowed, “I suppose the term, ‘jumped the gun’, would be proper here.”

“She told her didn’t she?” Sanguinaire deadpanned.

“There is only ever one thing that Azy was never good at,” Keg grumbled, “And that was keeping her mouth shut.” He shook his head and pressed a hoof to his forehead.

Minela stood up and glanced at the others before turning to the steaming Willow.

“It seems,” she began, “We now have some explaining to do ourselves.”

End Chapter 4