A Newly Hooded Road to Walk

Though molded over the past years to be otherwise, Fluttershy has always been just as her name describes: Shy. Social situations of unfamiliar characteristics or exasperate dealings of emotions did not come to her naturally, thus an emotion induced social gathering of some significance was a mental apocalypse. She didn't know what to do, what to say, how to act, or how to feel. Therefore meeting her previously close friend, whom also happens to be the princess of an entire city, drew closer to a task rather than a happy reunion. Taking that into mind, Fluttershy addressed it as such, for when faced with a task revolving around "work," she was a different, and much more collected pony. However, in cases like this, she typically let Silvershade do the talking. This is not to be confused with the idea that she was bad at talking with strangers, it was just that he was much better, so Fluttershy never grasped a significant amount of practice in that field. Simply put, she's better at killing them than talking with them (them meaning targets or their subordinates).

Fluttershy stood unmoving in front of Twilight Sparkle's grand Oak Tree, that was now made of crystals and was much bigger. Physically it was impressive and intimidating, a true fit for a ruler attempting such presentability, but as you walked closer it developed more of the inviting personality in relation to the owner. However, as Fluttershy crept closer, she felt a polarity. Though the atmosphere of the many ponies walking by was rather cheerful, her eagle vision told a different story. Guards, everywhere. Four at the main entrance, six armed with muskets in the canopy, three walking regulatory patrols throughout the perimeter, and not to mention the standard seven-man street patrols passing every five to ten minutes.

For a fairly well rounded city the security is extremely intense, and I doubt that's the reason for it to be so peaceful she thought, her short fur standing on end. If she was to ever operate then it would have to be at night away--from any patrolling guard's view. However, some missions will have to be operated during daylight, depending on the target window... Hmm. I should find out more of these posters before I make any further assumptions, but either way, I should modify a sun dress or two for work in the future.

At that Fluttershy started her approach towards the front guards. She swallowed nervously in an attempt to suppress her distress; However, as she walked closer she could feel the weight musket barrels aiming at her from above, and she could hear the stationed patrols stop behind her. She felt utterly vulnerable unarmed, and it made her sick to her stomach. Of course, if need be she could take at least the four front guards down with her, that is before the muskets and patrols would get her. Stop thinking you idiot! The more you overthink the more you fuck up! Thought Fluttershy, scolding herself for paying too much attention to the irrelevant, for though the guards were intimidating, they had zero reason to attack her.

The four front guards finally took notice to her approach. "Ma'am please state you business before you move any closer," said one of the guards sternly, "otherwise we will have to act aggressively."

His sudden stern address surprised Fluttershy, as she expected herself to speak first. She spoke with a lightly quivering voice, "I-I would like an audience with Twilight please," she responded sternly as well, in an attempt to match the guard's tone.

"On these sacred grounds you will address the Princess by her full title!"

The guard's outburst was startling, but most of all confusing. Sacred Ground? To my knowledge Twilight was never even remotely religious, let alone pressing anything of the sort onto other ponies... This is all very odd. Fluttershy decided to oblige. If there was anything that she learned from Silvershade, it was kissing ass out of a situation. The thought crossing her mind made her chuckle, as she remembered many times where they'd play Achilles' soft side to get out of trouble. "M-My apologies, I wish to have an audience with Princess Twilight Sparkle," oh there has to be something else in her title now a-days! "Keeper of Knowledge?" A wild guess...

The speaking guard glanced back at the others, then back to Fluttershy. "Where are you from little mare?" Asked the guard with a smirk, apparently amused by her pitiful guess.

Fluttershy gave a slight sarcastic smirk and her left eye twitched in frustration towards herself. Keeper of Knowledge? what the hell does that even mean? A royal librarian maybe? Now that I think on it, it'd be a good fit considering she's still the same Twilight that I left haha. "Well I am originally from here, b-but I moved away seven years ago on uh uh family business."

"What's your intent with speaking with her today?"

"I uh, used to be fairly close friends with her before I moved away, s-so I was hoping to catch up with her..." Fluttershy had more to say but trailed off.

"Uh huh." responded the guard suspiciously. "Well considering that's true you'll have to go to the town hall and schedule an appointment with the Princess. She's a very busy pony, and I don't think that she would appreciate timid and spacey mares such as yourself interrupting her."

The Stallion was lying. Fluttershy could tell simply from his change of tone and physical mannerisms. She knew how this would go if she took the standard route and signed up, and that she wouldn't get any answers for another month. She had to find something to persuade them, so she used her eagle vision to try and find anything of significance.

Looking around she saw an iron plaque in the tile beneath the guards, etched in it were five names and pony marks with a message. "This plaque is dedicated to the hard work and dedication of these five ponies, for without their help this symbol of the city would not exist." The five names of course were Fluttershy and the others.

It's worth a shot... Thought Fluttershy. "W-well you see I believe my presence would be quite the contrary. My name is on that plaque."

"HA! Yeah right, you'd reply think I'd believe that!" The other guards chuckled with their spokesman.

Fluttershy felt as if her head was about to explode. "D-don't laugh at me! I can prove it with my mark!"

"Oh? well show us then."

Fluttershy began to blush as she realized what she had gotten herself into, for her mark rested on her upper thigh. "W-well can we go somewhere a little m-more private?" she asked quietly, averting her eyes to the ground in embarrassment.

"No can do miss, we can't leave our post, plus we need the plaque to compare, and it's not moving."

"F-fine..." Fluttershy could almost feel a stroke coming on, and the city around her wasn't helping. Fluttershy slowly lifted one side of her dress and showed the Guards, all the while captivated by the ground in an attempt to suppress the embarrassment.

"Oh yeah would you look at that! The Mare wasn't lying.."

"I-If you're done please stop staring!"

"Alright alright, I guess we could make an exception for you Ms..." The guard paused to look at her name, "Carington?"

Fluttershy was relieved she could finally meet her old friend, but at the moment even happier she let her dress down. "Yes that's right, thank you."

"And sorry for the pestering, it was only protocol."

"Oh it's fine, you were only doing your job," responded Fluttershy with a fake smile. You're lucky I didn't decide to kill you and your pals...

Fluttershy entered Twilight's great oak anticipating many city officials to be busy at work, but instead walked into the main room to an emptiness. The only living presence were two guards posted at the base of each of the rooms circular staircase. The staircases which started at each side of the room lead up to a balcony and another door beyond that. Below the balcony sat an amethyst throne, and the same plaque as outside lay at its feet.

She asked one of the guards for directions. "Excuse me, where would I find the princess?" The guard pointed with his eyes up the stairs, "Through the door?" He nodded. "Thank you."

Fluttershy knocked on the door, hoping for an answer, but nothing came. She knocked again but waited longer. Still no answer.

"Um Twilight? I'm coming in ok?!" Stilll nothing, odd...

She was now entering the trunk of the tree, for a large cylindrical library rose up four stories. A staircase wove around the room, all the way to the roof and another door. That must be her room up there. No wonder she didn't open the door.

"Hello? Twilight? Are you up there?" Fluttershy then flew up to the door to Twilights room. This time she didn't knock or give warning in the hope that she could happly surprise her friend, plus Fluttershy's movement these days were extremely unnoticeable.

She slowly opened the door with a childish smirk, however a loud creak sounded from the door. Dammit!

"Whoever is there please go! I'm very busy at the moment! Oh, and next time learn to knock!" Twilight was leaned over a large desk, her back to the door, swiftly writing notes of some sort.

Why am I not surprised. "Oh my apologies, it's only been a measly seven years since I've seen you." Said Fluttershy sarcastically, and in a wishful tone.

Twilight stopped moving and lifted her head. "You. You sound extremely familiar but I can't quite put my finger on it." Twilight turned around to see her visitor, and after a moment her sleepless eyes widened. "Fl-Fluttershy? Is that you?"

"Mmhm" Fluttershy nodded with a smile.

"O-Oh my God! What in Celestia are you doing here!" Twilight exclaimed happily, rushing over to hug her long lost friend.

Fluttershy could feel her ribs cracking, "W-well I'm m-moving back!" she answered in a weazy voice and a smile. Twilight was now the size of Princess Luna, with the corresponding strength.

"I-I can't even find the words! After the writing stopped I never really considered you to come back." Twilight was genuinely happy, that much Fluttershy could tell, but Twilight's smile turned angry, confusing Fluttershy.

"W-what's wrong?" asked Fluttershy sheepishly.

"You should have sent a message! I would have made this a very special occasion, rather than you returning to a sleep deprived and unprepared princess."

Fluttershy chuckled at Twilight's exasperate behavior. "It seems you care much more about those things than you used to."

"Oh well yes," Twilight rolled her eyes. "It sort of comes with the job per se, the stress of appearance."

They both sat down with tea and caught up on their lives over the past years. Fluttershy unfortunately having to lie about the most part, but was a well rehearsed lie she had used many times, including the day of her departure. Fluttershy learned that the city began to sprout as the assassination buzz died down a bit, and thus, Twilight was extremely busy. So much so that she had become as detached from their friends almost as much as Fluttershy, only really staying in touch with Rarity.

"I must admit that is unfortunate."

"Yes, but they have gone their ways as well. All their businesses exploded after the town grew into a city. Pinkie took over the bakery, Applejack began growing much more than just apples, Rarity became the region's top designer, and Rainbow is the captain of the Ponyville Wonderbolts. Now don't get me wrong, we still to all talk and have tea from time to time, but I guess you would it has all been, reduced"

"That's amazing! It almost makes me feel as if I've fallen behind." Said Fluttershy in a sorrowful but fake tone, trying to integrate herself back into the giving arms of the city's princess. Fluttershy had known Twilight for a very long time and was very close friends, but a lot of trust can be lost over seven years, and such a thing was very important to Fluttershy. This is considering the many posters slandering the Brotherhood as thugs in the shadows, so the best way to gain such trust would be through pity.

"Oh don't get down on yourself Fluttershy. Duty calls, and to your family first, and if you were to have stayed here, I don't doubt at all that you would have been successful in the new Ponyville too."

"Yeah that's true. Thank you Twilight." Fluttershy smiled subtly in response. "Well I feel I should go and leave you to your work. Plus I'd like to say hello to our other friends."

"Oh yes I nearly forgot what I was doing! I'm sorry but I must get back to it!"

Fluttershy chuckled, "Oh yes yes of course." Fluttershy then proceeded out the door, but stopped halfway after she remembered her real purpose for meeting up with Twilight. "I'm sorry, but I forgot to ask you something."

Twilight turned back to Fluttershy curiously, "Of course. What is It?"

"What is this chatter about assassins?"