The Hunter and The Hunted

"Hawk told me never to tell anypony... but you seem trust worthy enough, are you sure you want to hear this? It's a long story," Bull said, her eyes closed as she lay flat on he back, looking up at the stars.

"I won't tell a soul," Twilight returned.

"Okay.  Back when I was a little filly, my dad had boughten me a single arrow and he told me to make a bow out of a flexible wood and a string.  He was an expert markscolt himself, so I guessed he just wanted his little girl to follow in his footsteps.  I grew up in Germaneigh, so the trees grew short and flexible all year 'round."

"I've never been to Germaneigh before."

"It's a wonderful place, very peaceful and quiet.  Anyways, I was given only one arrow because my dad told me that you must always make the first shot count, there is no second try when you intend to kill something."

Twilight began to tense up a bit after hearing such a dark piece of advice.  Bull noticed, but quickly corrected herself.

"He didn't mean killing other ponies, he meant hunting sport."

"Oh, then please continue," Twilight nervously laughed.

"I didn't like the idea of my dad choosing my future for me, but I went along with it.  I was much more soft spoken back then than I am now.  One day, my pet cat was out in the front yard of our house, and a dog came up from the woods across the road.  He was about twenty yards off.  The dog looked a little... unusual.  He was swaying from side to side, and started barking wildly when he saw my pet.  He began charging at it.  Before I had time to react, he was on my feline, tearing it apart, and all I could do was watch.  When it had finished, I raised my bow, took my one arrow, and aimed.  I released, the arrow shot through the air, and penetrated the dog through the side of the head."

"I'm sorry to hear about your pet..." Twilight trailed off.

"My dad saw what I had done, but even though he was sad about our cat, he was proud of claiming my first kill and living up to his advice.  From there, my destiny was set.  He worked tirelessly to find me a school or a guild or anything for gifted marksponies, which I proved to him more and more over the years."

"Is that where you found out about the Brotherhood?"

"From a friend."

"I see."

The cold desert wind gusted over them.

"The only way I was going to get the proper education I needed as well as a place who could make me one of the greatest shots in all of the world, and that was the Brotherhood," Bull paused.

"The school or academy was called the Brotherhood?"

"Well, the Brotherhood is like the ruling guild over the academy.  It is the prestige honor where only the best of the best go.  My dad wanted me to achieve that greatness, but they only excepted male students.  When the forms came and the interviews happened, I was told to act like a colt, think like a colt, and basically become a colt."

"Become a colt?"

"No, I am not a colt, I'm a mare.  Trust me," Bull laughed, "I had to get into shape, grow muscles, and change my appearance.  Luckily, they bought it.  It took months of preparation, but I got in, and on the first day, I met that pile of lazy bones sleeping next to your dog."

Tomahawk moved in his sleep.  He slightly groaned as he rolled on his bad wing.

Twilight whispered, "When did you tell Hawk that you where a mare?"

"After six years."

"Wow, that must have been a shocker."

"Actually, he said that he had a feeling that I was going to say that," and they both silently laughed.

"As the years went by, I got my education, and I was liable to take the tests that would put me into a position eligible for the Brotherhood.  The test directions were easy, I had to beat one of the Brotherhood members in a shooting competition.  I beat him easily, and they were happy to take me in.  I worked my way up to the ranks and became an honored member."

"That is quite the accomplishment," Twilight added.

"Hawk made his way up to the Brotherhood as well after a few months and we stayed friends."

"But how did they find out that you were a mare?"

"I'm not too sure about that.  One day, I just got tip from hawk that they might be on to me and they are going to start an investigation on my case as soon as possible.  I wrote a letter to my dad saying that I would soon be figured out and how they would come for him.  He moved to Trottingham immediately and I promised I would see him when I got things sorted out.  I haven't seen him since.  Hawk was a close friend of mine, and he knew that I was a mare all along, but refused to tell the High Marksponies about it, which made him an enemy to the Brotherhood.  We both snuck out and we became fugitives."

"But what did you do in the Brotherhood?"

"We were mercenaries.  Paid to protect ponies from other ponies, to fight wars that were not even ours," Bull returned.

"They let you kill ponies?"

"Yes, but not... publicly.  It was all just black ops, things that went on the down low.  If they knew that I was telling you about this, the bounty on my head would go up a million bits," she laughed.

"You're not scared?"

"Of course I am, but I have been running away with Hawk for three months now, and I was sure that our trail had gone cold, but apparently not. I truly am sorry we have got you and a guardian of the Gates of Tartarus into this, but we will keep you safe, and that is all that matters," Bull said.

"I'm worried about you two, don't forget you need to take care of yourselves as well," Twilight's maternal instincts were kicking in.  She was remembering how she would tell Spike to be careful.  That was some time ago, though.

"I'm gonna' hit the hay, but remember, me and Hawk, we are just roamers, looking for a way to escape.  Don't worry about us, we are just dust in the wind." Bull she turned on her side.  She was out like a light within minutes.

Twilight turned over and closed her eyes, but instead of seeing darkness, she could only see a scarlet red splashing on a rocky ground.