Behind Bows and Arrows

Adomia POV

I sat patiently as Octavia rested in one of the few hospital beds, observing every little detail. Her semi-peaceful look, her slowly rising and falling chest, her mane that had a bit of griffin blood in it, her ear would twitch occasionally which I could only smile at.

"You know she'll call you a stalker when she wakes up, you know that right?" A voice from behind me disturbed the silence in the room.

I let out the faintest chuckle in reply, "I'm aware of that Luna, but you sent me to protect her and train her, and I will."

Luna placed her hoof on my shoulder, which was cold from the metal shoe, "Please go easy on her Adomia, she'll be completely new to this, plus she doesn't fully trust you yet. I'm putting a lot of faith in you, but if you mess up, you can always come to me for guidance."

Turning to face her, I could see the worry in her expression as my eyes met hers. "Trust me Luna, she'll be ready in a few weeks," I gave her a reassuring smile, "But I'll come to you if I need to, okay?"

The soft touch of her cheek on mine gave me a bit of a jolt, but she broke the nuzzle as quickly as it came. "I need to go, have business to take care of over in a small town, Daww'troit I believe it was... Goodbye my assassin."

I gave her a little wave before she went out of sight, then my attention turned back to the sleeping mare in front of me. She started to shuffle a bit in the bed, and I knew she was starting to come to.

Octavia POV

My eyes slowly opened, and I could already sense I was in a unfamiliar place. The air smelled of blood and rubbing alcohol, the floors were marble white tiles. A curtain was to my side and fully open, and at the end of the room was Adomia Fetter, sitting in a chair, much like my friend Lyra does, only his hind legs were crossed. Overall he appeared more threatening, with his eyes shining in the dimly lit room.

"Glad to see you're awake Octavia." He said to me.

There was a hint of concern in his voice, and I didn't try and bolt out of the room. "Where am I?" I asked in return.

The pegasus got up and trotted to the side of my bed, "You're in the medical wing in Canterlot castle. It's not the best, but you're wounds weren't that bad, how are you feeling?"

As soon as he said that my wounds decided to point themselves out, my neck was bandaged along with part of my chest. They both stung, but I could feel the sizzling of alcohol on them, indicating that it was just put on.

"I'm okay, I- wait... Canterlot Castle?! As in, where Princess Celestia and Princess Luna live!?"

Adomia nodded his head, "The only really secure place I could put you for now, don't worry about Vinyl, I got wind that she was okay, a little shaken, but she'll be back home soon."

I let out a sigh of relief, and noticed Adomia, light smile on his face. "What are you staring at?" I asked him.

His eyes widened slightly and he coughed, "Nothing, now, I'm ready to answer any questions you have."

About time... I thought. "Okay first question, I recall you saying you were Luna's... what was the word? Assassin? I thought those things were only in dark novels."

He unfurled the hood on his head, and I noticed he had a bandage on one of his eyes, "Well I'm the only one, I only answer to Princess Luna. I was assigned to protect you from the griffins, and yes, killing in secret is my job."

"Why would she have something so dark?... No offense." I questioned in reply.

It looked like his face grew a bit darker and he turned away from me. "It's a long story, I'd rather not go into it..."

I have no idea how to feel about this pony I thought, At first I was creeped out, but... Now that I think about it, he was just protecting me. It was in a weird way yes, but he did after all save mine, and Vinyl's life.

I got out of the bed, and my wounds reminded me of their presence. As I got to the door, Adomia quickly rushed up and closed it, "I'm sorry, you can't leave now."

Fear started to come over me again and I tried to keep myself calm. "Why not?"

"Look, you need to listen to me okay? Do you know why the griffins attacked you?"

His voice was filled with genuine concern, and I wondered that exact same question. I don't know why they attacked me and Vinyl, nor did I know why griffins would be in Equestria. "No, I'm still so confused about this entire thing..."

Adomia fished something out of his cloak, and tossed it to me. I caught it and saw a small leather book, and I looked back at him in confusion.

"Read it, it will help prove a point." He told me.

I cracked it open and already I could feel its age. The pages were stained yellow, and the leather was cracked. The writing on it almost was indecipherable, but it was a diary of somepony. I didn't understand what it was talking about though, it mentioned something about the griffins, but the rest I couldn't wrap my head around.

Letting out a sigh, I closed the book. "What was I looking at?"

"It's the diary of one of your ancestors." Adomia explained, "One of the first assassins, Earth Pony, went by the name Kenji Philharmonica. Last name ring any bells?"

All other shock that I had felt recently was nothing compared to what I felt when I heard those words. Philharmonica was my deceased father's last name... As well as mine.

He seemed to have picked up on my shock and tried to elaborate, "Your father and your mother both came from a long line of assassins, dating back around eight hundred years. When they made you, they unwillingly combined the blood of their heritage into one pony, you."

"But what does it mean!? I'm not an assassin! I'm a cello player!" I shouted at him.

He rested a hoof on my shoulder which I instantly shrugged off, he had no right to touch me. "Than why is a great cello player like you never noticed by the public? Why is she so good at time keeping without the aid of a clock? Why would griffins want to kill a normal cello player? You can't run from it Octavia Philharmonica, it is in the blood coming out of your assassin heart."

I didn't even notice myself back into a corner and curl up in fear. "Stop it! Please... Just let me go home..."

Adomia let out another sigh, "I can't let you do that, under order of Princess Luna, I am to protect and train you in the art of stealth and the use of a blade. We'll start tomorrow morning, until then, try and get some sleep."

With that he left, leaving me on the floor just trying to keep the information at bay. As the night moved on I began to look for exits, not even caring about what he said. I needed to get home, I needed to see Vinyl.

I looked at the window that gave way to the open night and tried to lift it. It wouldn't budge... Adomia probably locked it to keep me from getting out, how creepy...

My hope reignited however when I saw that Adomia had placed my cello case in the room. I had no idea why he would go back and get such a thing, but that wasn't on my mind. Inside my case were extra strings for my bow, and the dual paned window had handles on the outside which were stuck by a small metal rod jammed in each of them. If I took one of the strings and wrapped it around the rod, I could push it out of the way and open the window!

It took a bit of time but eventually I was outside on the roof of Canterlot castle, now to make my escape...

"Just where do you think you're going?"

I froze in mid-step, and turned to see Adomia looking at me with a hint of anger. "I was just-"

"Leaving?" He interrupted, "Go back home to see your Vinyl Scratch, and try to regain some semblence of normality? Shrug it off like it was nothing?"

Before I could say something he stomped his hoof onto the roof, the noise echoed across the paneling, and it suddenly turned a few degrees colder. "You can't do that! Your old life is gone, live with it Octavia! While I'm genuinely impressed that you found your way out, I'm still angry because you can't accept it."

I found my anger boiling again and I turned to face him, "Do you think I want this?! Did you ever think I wanted to be told that I'm some sort of, blood born assassin?! Did you think I ever wanted somepony guarding me!? No! I didn't want any of this!"

He looked down at me, and my enraged heart soon turned cold again, "Neither did I... Did you think I wanted to do this? Having to capture a mare I do not know, and train her to become my partner? No, I did not." He sat back down on the roof, "But the cards as it is, you can stay here and get training to help a greater cause, or you can go home and die a selfish pony. Your choice Octavia, I just hope you make the right one."

With that he took off into the sky and left me alone, mane whipping in my face from the wind, cold, and more confused than ever.

Adomia POV

That Octavia... The more my mind traced back to her, the more worried I became. I worried that she would actually leave, and leave me alone... Perhaps I was a bit hard on her, but that was how it stood. I needed her to help me win this invisible war.

"Did you think I ever wanted somepony guarding me!? No! I didn't want any of this!"

Those words reminded me when I was younger, under Luna's teachings. I asked her why I had to do this, she responded with. "I saved your life Adomia and gave you a home, this is your payment."

To become her personal warrior of the night, I didn't blame her, she needed somepony like me. Especially after the whole Nightmare Moon incident, and ponies doubted her return. She needed at least one pony under her that would be loyal no matter the cost, no matter what she did.

But maybe there was more to that than I realize, perhaps I mean more to her than I think...

I shrugged it off and finally landed back at my small apartment complex in Canterlot, I crashed on the couch as soon as I entered. Not even caring about the wounds crying out in agony under the soft cushion.

Octavia POV

Sleep didn't come easy for me, thoughts kept bouncing in my mind like a rubber ball and kept me from the sweet, sweet relief of sleep. By the time the sun finally rolled around, I had managed to get about an hour or two of sleep. I was surprised I wasn't awoken with a blade to my throat, or another strange way. Instead I was awoken with a gentle nudge to the side and a calm voice saying. "Hey Octavia, it's time to begin your training."

With a groan and the cracking of my back I got up and out of bed. Adomia stood on the other side, and for the first time I could see him in his full uniform. It wasn't much, a brown cloak, hood drawn over his head. It was ripped in several areas and sutured with different types of cloth, obvious that he did it himself, He had what looked like a visor? One large hunk of metal that seemed to cover his eyes with a red lens. I have to admit, he did look a bit intimidating...

"Like what you're seeing?" He said smugly.

My face flushed a bright red and I hid it with my foreleg. "Pervert..."

He gave a weak chuckle in reply, and trotted over to the open window. "First lesson is up here, come on." I watched as he got himself back onto the roof with ease.

Truthfully, I liked it a lot better when it was night. Because I realized, it was almost scary how high it was. The cold wind lapping at my coat, rustling my mane. I didn't dare look down, for I was afraid I would slip.

"Perfect day isn't it? Not too hot, or too cold."

He stood on the very edge of the roof, part of me feared he would slip, the other thought he was nuts. "I guess... Why are we up here?"

He turned his head back to look into my eyes, "You're afraid up here, aren't you?"

I could only nod in reply.

"It's okay, I was to my first time. But this is your first lesson, I'm going to teach you how to let go of fear, to accept death for what it is. If you can master this, the rest will be an easy ride, that I promise you."

There was no sarcasm in his tone, he was genuinely serious. How could he not fear death? What... has this pony gone through that makes him that confident...?

I didn't even notice him drag me closer to the edge, until my heart started to beat faster and adrenaline to start pumping through every vein in my body. "See that small pool of water below us?"

Only by squinting my eyes could I see it, he wasn't thinking...

"You're going to jump off this roof, into that pool. Do this, and the real training can begin."

"Are you crazy!?" I exclaimed, pushing away from him, and almost slipping in the process. "The fall is about sixty four feet!"

He clapped his hooves, "exactly right Octavia. No normal pony could say that unless they were trained in estimation, see how naturally it came to you?"

I didn't care about that, not at all! "You're still crazy!"

"Oh come now, it's easy. I'll do it first, then you." With that he dove right off, his hood flew back and his wings stayed tucked in on his sides. No interference, just complete confidence...

He landed with a small splash, and climbed out, completely unscathed.

"Now you try!" He yelled back at me.

The fall looked way bigger when I saw it again... The pool was so small, there was no way I could do this! I would die! "I can't do it!"

I heard something that sounded like a groan, and then the flapping of wings. "Why not?" He asked as he flew back onto the roof. His cloak stuck to his body from the water.

"Well, you're a pegasus, I'm an earth pony! You have the relaxing thought of your wings catching the air if you mess up. I don't have anything like that."

He must've picked up something else in my tone, because I felt his hoof on my shoulder. "Hey, my wings had nothing to do with it, you need to learn to let go, accept death. Then it holds nothing over you, every day you wake up, you have a chance to die. Does that stop ponies? No, you accept death every time your eyes open from sleep. Now come on Octavia, I know you can do this."

The words sunk in like a rock, and I realized he was right. But when I looked over the edge, my fear took over, and I only cared about living, and not taking that dice roll with death. "I'm sorry, I just can't do this."

His grip grew tighter. "Octavia, you need to do this. I cannot teach you anything else until-"

"Why not!" I interrupted, "I don't know about you, but I'm a normal pony! I'm not a freak like you!"

Another sigh escaped from his mouth, and he let go of me. "Perhaps you're right..."

I turned to see him sitting down, one of his legs dangling off. "Do you know how old I was when I made this jump?" I was going to give him an answer but he shook his hoof, "I was about seven when I finally made this jump, it took me a full two days to build up the confidence. To fall without using my wings for help, I'm trying to get you to do it in about five minutes. Look, I have something I need to do in Ponyville, while I'm gone... Sit up here, get used to the height, let yourself get comfortable, I'll be back in about two hours or so."

Get comfortable? How could I? I'm up sixty four feet in the air, on a slanted roof, being told that I have to jump off!

"Having trouble jumping Octavia?" The sudden voice caused me to jump, and I snapped my head to see Princess Luna giving me a warm smile.

"P-Princess Luna!" I bowed at her hooves as she drew closer.

"Rise Octavia, no need to bow to me. I'm not my sister," She replied with a laugh, "From your look, I'm guessing you're wondering about my apprentice."

Was I an open book or something? How could these ponies read me so easily!? "Well... Yeah, was he really seven when he made this jump?"

She sat down with me and nodded, "Yup, brave pony that one. I was expecting him to wait a few weeks to build some confidence."

"How come he was so young?"

Her face grew sad, and I realized I must've hit a touchy subject. "Like you told him, Adomia isn't a normal pony, no doubt. He's... Been through a lot, things that would cause any other to crack. It's not my place to tell you, that is his job."

I took a big sigh and looked back out at the morning sky. It was strange, I never thought I would speak to the princess of the night. Especially in the daytime. "Something else bothering you?" She asked.

"Oh, no, nothing at all Princess."

She returned my sigh, "You shouldn't lie to me Octavia, Adomia had a horrible habit of keeping his thoughts and emotions inside. Even now he does that, he's open with me. But not with any other pony... Then again... I'm the only pony he talks to."

Now that caught my attention, perhaps we have more in common? "He never had any other friends? What about school?"

"He never went to a school, everything he learned by himself from books, and me. He never talked with any other pony, and eventually he became a Lone Wolf. Always doing everything by himself, and not letting any other pony interfere. That's why he was suspicious about having you as his partner." She informed me.

The faintest of chuckles escaped from my lips, and I could feel Luna's confusion from where I was sitting. "I'm sorry, he just reminds me of myself. I was that loner type as well, not having any other pony interfere with my affairs." Another thought crossed my mind and I asked, "Another question though, how come he was with you at such a young age? Are you his... You know..."

"Mother?" She interrupted, "No, although... I have heard him make that mistake of calling me that... Look, I'm aware how you lost your parents. Don't bring up his past to him, he'll grow really defensive, really quick. Give him some time, and perhaps he will open up to you." With that she got up and trotted back to the window, "You don't realize it now... But you will find that many of these lessons will come more naturally than you think."

Adomia POV

I never realized how relieved I was when I arrived back onto the roof to a sleeping Octavia, the sun just on the edge of the mountains. The wounds Vinyl inflicted on me with that frying pan probably hurt more than the damage the griffins caused. It took me a full ten minutes before she would stop hitting me, and actually listened. I explained the situation, and I was surprised that she grew serious and started to listen. While Vinyl didn't seem happy that she lost her, "Wub Buddy" She understood the severity and took it in maturely.

The bag I had slung over my shoulder started to shake slightly, and I finally put it on a flat part of the roof.

I looked back at Octavia, watching as her chest slowly rose and fall, and I found myself staring more intently at her, measuring every detail of her body. How her head rested on her crossed forelegs, her hind legs crossing as well, the way her tail would flick back and forth, the small things. Soon enough I could feel my muzzle growing hot, and I looked down to see it blood red. Wh-what's going on? Why am I... Blushing? Do I...? No, it's probably the air, it is quite hot up here...

It quickly faded and I nudged Octavia awake. "I see you got very comfortable, do you think you could try the jump now?"

She batted the sleep out of her eyes and looked at mine, "I just can't do this... No matter how much time I spend up here, I just can't build the confidence."

The tone in her voice, such desperation, and lack of hope ignited something in me. It made me flash back to my youth, when Luna was giving me this task.

"But Luna it's so high!" I remember exclaiming...

"Adomia, you can do this, you managed to get here on your own from Cloudsdale. I have no doubt that you have more courage and strength than you realize. Even more than my sister and I, you just need to find it... Find that fire inside Adomia, use it, and be the champion that I need."

I placed my hoof under her chin and made sure our eyes were locked. "Octavia, I know this is a complete change for you. I know that you would never have to do this, and I personally didn't want such a hard working pony to undergo this. But, it is how it is. I need you to tap into the assassin that is in your blood, and make this task seem like foals play. I can't do this alone Octavia, I need a partner, so please... Find that strength, and be the partner I need so desperately."

Octavia POV

I could see the fire in his eyes as he said this, and that fire passed to me. My body tingled with a indescribable feeling, and I felt my fear disappear, everything that I had worried about up to this had faded away. He helped me up and we walked to the edge, I looked over. I didn't see a scary fall, I saw a invisible gate, a gate into something that was bigger than I was. A gate into a whole other world, one of darkness and secrecy. One that wasn't seen by just anypony, only the select few who were worthy. With one approving nod, I jumped and let myself fall, and pass through that gate.

The feeling was amazing, I felt free, adrenaline pumped in my veins. My heart was on overdrive, my mane and tail whipped in the rushing air, but most of all I felt... Alive.

Water rushed up to greet me, and shook me back to reality. I sputtered water out of my lungs and hung onto an edge and let myself refill on precious air.

Adomia landed in front of me, and offered a hoof, which I accepted with a new found respect for the pony.

"Thank you Octavia," He said, trust and sincerity in his tone.

"I think I should be the one thanking you..."

"Perhaps, but Luna has arranged a room for you to stay in. I've already placed your personal belongings in there, including your cello. Dry yourself up and get some rest, you're going to need it."

The pegasus took off into the sky, and I watched him fly off, until I couldn't see him anymore. Where was he going off to now?

With some help from a guard I managed to find the room Luna had given me. I was shocked to see that it was better than my room back home! The floors were a sleek white marble, large, ornate windows hung on the walls. The bed was three times my size, with comforters that were a night sky blue, and had a large crescent moon on it. The drapes hung across it in a decorative style, but what seemed odd was the large bag in the middle with a small note on it.

The scent of wet ink stained the page, indicating it was written recently.

Dear Octavia,

I'm glad you were finally able to do it, and this means a whole new start for you.

Like I said, I'm sorry for having to drag you in this, but I'm left with no other choice.

Take this small gift, perhaps it will teach you a lesson in responsibility.

-Adomia

I put the letter down and looked at the bag on my bed, I could hear a faint shuffling sound, like something was alive in there.

The smell of animal hit my nostrils as my hooves untied the bag, and a small crate was revealed. I gasped as I heard a small,  mew, and with hesitation I opened the crate, and pulled out a small kitten.

To say it was adorable was an understatement, when I looked into it's big, yellow eyes, it stared right back. His fur was a sleek black, and it blinked at me as if to say, "Are you my new mother?"

The cuteness of the kitten overwhelmed me, and a squeal found its way out of me. It rubbed against me lovingly, and I pet it with a stray hoof. "I think I'll call you... Bellator."

Bellator mewed in delight, whether by the name, or just me petting him. A few other things were inside the bag, two bowls, some fish, and a box for the kitten to make his... gifts.

Time flew by, and eventually my eyes drooped, and one yawn after another pointed out my exhaustion.

I climbed onto the bed, Bellator following me, and placed myself in the covers, the warmth from Bellator and the soft sheets took their tole, and I fell asleep.

Late into the night

My eyes opened wide when I found my legs were pinned, and a shadowy figure loomed over me. A appendage I know all too well covered my mouth, preventing me from screaming. I could see the window open from the corner of my eye, and Bellator was fast asleep.

"Now you listen here Octavia... Try all you want, but you, and that pathetic pegasus you call a mentor will not stop us... Not even me, I'm not here to end your life yet... But I want you to know... I will be watching you. Every breath you take, every single heartbeat will be seen by me... Your stepping into the wrong door Octavia, and I will make you beg for death... Soon enough."

The claw scratched against my neck, and I felt completely helpless, at total mercy of whoever this griffin was. But as soon as the feeling came, it left, and he let go. I watched as he flew out the window, and the only thing in my mind was his eyes... Blood Red...

To be continued...

(AN: Sorry it took so long for this, and I'm sure I made a bit more mistakes than the other chapters. But I had a power outage for the longest time, and it took a while to get back into the swing of things. I hope the size of the chapter makes up for it...)