The Rise of The Winged Huntress

Of the mansions in Canterlot, there was one that rarely saw it's owner in the early hours of the night, in fact: It could go entire weeks without seeing it's occupant in the early night. Ponies sometimes wondered what the mare who possessed it did on these nights to make her come home so late, some said she was partying, others said she was seeing a stallion that the public did not know of.

None of these ponies were correct.

The front door to the mansion cracked open at exactly 3:30 AM in the morning, revealing a hooded mare with green eyes in the threshold, who stepped into the entrance of the building with hooves that seemed to be dragging a little on the ground. With a grip of her hoof, the mare threw off the cloak onto a nearby rack traditionally used for coats, before using her back leg to push the door closed. What the cloak revealed was a Bat-Pony Mare no older than 30, who had a dark blue mane and a grey coat, who possessed a large pair of black-blue wings and green eyes that glowed in the darkness as she looked around to ensure none of her things had been disturbed.

Upon confirming all of her belongings were still in place, as she expected, she moved to check on her two maids and butler to make sure they were all asleep. She cracked the doors open as quietly as possible to each room, seeing the shapes in the covers on each bed that faintly resembled ponies, before closing them all just as silently. She made her way into the living room before lifting up her wing and pulling on a strap, loosening the sheath that held an extremely sharp dagger, before pulling it off with her teeth. She used her wings to launch herself up towards a large painting of herself hanging on the wall, using both of her hooves to gently lift the large frame off of it's holder and lowered to the ground, placing it there as gently as possible. She flew back up to where it hung, where behind was a large safe built into the wall, she used her hoof to enter the combination before opening the door.

Inside was enough weaponry to raid or protect Canterlot Castle. Crossbows, Crossbow Bolts, Swords, Daggers, Darts, Blowguns, the list went on. She inspected them all with her eyes before placing the sheathed dagger into the safe, and closing it once again. A quick spin of the dial reset the lock, and she flew back down to collect the frame. She had it made out of the lightest material possible, under the reason that she wanted to hang it up herself without help or magic, when the real reason was so that it did not take much effort to remove it. Being 10 hooves off the floor helped matters in hiding her mini-armory.

After hanging up the painting back onto the wall, she trotted her way into the kitchen, intending to quench her newfound thirst with a glass of fresh water. As she entered the kitchen she spotted the letter she had left on the counter the day prior, addressed to her from a Doctor she had visited the day before yesterday over her recent bouts of morning nausea.

Dear Moonlight Glow,

I am pleased to inform you that your test results have come in, and it is exciting news, you are having a foal!

Encased inside this envelope is a few documents that may answer any questions or concerns you may have.

Congratulations, and good luck, Miss Glow!

Sincerely,

Doctor Sterile Bandage.

She gave a deep sigh at reading the letter, she was pregnant, it was still hard for her to digest. She thought she had been careful with him that night, she thought that the contraceptives she was on would prevent this, but as though to spite her that stallion's seed beat the odds.

Abortion was not an option. She had already taken many lives in her days. Having the blood of her own child on her hooves was not going to happen.

Within a few short months, she would be unable to continue her work, at least until after the foal was born. After that.... She did not know what would happen.

She sighed again as she poured herself some water from a jug into a glass before setting the jug down and taking a sip from the glass.

Why did life have to be so bucking complicated?...

It was nearly 10 in the morning when she awoke, slowly rising out of her bed with a disheveled mane and eyes that were bagged. She got off of her bed and stretched mere moments before one of her maids, a Pegasus mare named Feather Duster, entered the room.

"Miss Glow! It's so good to see you came back in good health last night! As per usual, Silver Tray and his daughter are preparing your breakfast for you, and I have taken your mail into your study." She grinned.

Moonlight smiled. "What would I do without you ponies? Thank you very much, Feather, anything of major importance today in the mail?"

Feather shook her head. "No, ma'am, nothing that I could see."

Moonlight nodded. "Slow day, then, it looks like. How is your son today? Still recovering from that cold?"

Feather smiled. "Actually, I gave him that herbal tea you suggested last night, and his fever went down in a snap! He's much better now!"

Moonlight smiled. "Good. That's so nice to hear. How is your husband?"

"He's doing fine. The Weather Factory is overworking him a bit, though, he is hardly ever home on time... Plus his boss refuses to give him a raise!"

Midnight sighed. "That's Equestrian business for you. Ponies doing hard work with little appreciation."

Feather nodded.

"Still," Midnight continued. "We should focus on the positive! At least your son is better!"

Feather nodded again with a smile. "Do you need anything else, Miss Glow?"

Midnight shook her head. "No, that will be all, thank you."

Feather Duster nodded and turned to the door. She walked out of the room, leaving Midnight to her thoughts, as the Bat Pony went to do something with her mane. Something in her gut told her this was going to be a long day, so she might as well prepare herself to look presentable, even if she hoped it was wrong.