It was a midsummer afternoon when my train arrived in Canterlot station. Collecting my bags I trotted off the train and I watched as other ponies greeted those waiting for them. Friends, family members, and lovers waited to welcome those arriving. For me there was nopony to greet me. After making my way out of the station, I started my long walk across the city. It was good to finally be home, my job had taken longer then I had anticipated.
I guess I should explain, my name is Silvermane. I'm a hunter for the Silverhoof, an underground organization established long ago to track down and exterminate the creatures that lurk in the darkness. Me? I was born into the Silverhoof, raised to be one of their hunters. Ever since I could use my magic or even hold a dagger I was trained to kill monsters. And you know what? I was good at it. Damn good. Even got my cutie mark for killing vampires, a twin pair of silver daggers.
For the last two weeks I had been in Manehatten hunting down a very blood thirsty vampire. Several bodies had been showing up all over the city covered in more blood then was in them. The city guards had no clues or leads, but to the Silverhoof it screamed vampire, so they sent me in. It took me a few days but I finally had the bastard cornered. He was a crazed beast, had no control left in him. This made him an unpredictable threat, willing to do anything to survive, to feed. It made him more dangerous, but it also made him reckless. He didn't even see the blade I put through his neck. After his death I stayed with the Manehatten branch of the Silverhoof. It was a small branch with few members, none as experienced as me. So I stuck around and showed them a few things.
But now I was finally home, walking up the stairs to my apartment. I pulled my keys out, opened the door and trotted in. As I made my way to the couch, I dropped my bags onto the floor before making my way to the bathroom. Stopping at the mirror to check my reflection, my grey eyes and face looked back at me. Taking off my silver sun necklace, I placed it on the nail next to the shower before climbing in and allowing the hot water to wash over me. As I felt the water relaxing my body, I gathered my thoughts, preparing for my report to the hunt master.
As I Climbed out, I put my silver necklace back on and grabbed a brush. As I Combed out my silvery white mane, I headed back to the living room, sitting on the couch as I opened my bags and started going through them. First, I pulled out my black cloak and laid it next to me. Next thing I pulled out was the several parts of my crossbow. Assembling the crossbow, I pulled a bolt out of the bag and loaded it before I hid it under the couch and put the rest of the bolts with it.
Moving over to the smaller bag I unzipped the bag and began to pull out my silver daggers. I inspected each one as I laid them out in front of me. As I placed the last of my 15 blades out in a row I pulled a small crimson bag out. Opening the small bag I emptied it's contents into my hoof. Lifting the two fangs up to my eye I examined them. These were the fangs of the vampire in Manehatten. Putting them back in the bag I make my way towards the kitchen to get something to eat before I rested up before the night.
I was standing in the forest it was cold and dark, luckily I had my cloak on. Looking around I saw the other hunters with me looking over their gear waiting for the signal. Everypony was eager to begin the attack. Me? I was nervous as a filly on their first day of school. I had just become a hunter in the Silverhoof, having just past my initiation. This was the first big mission I had been on, a raid on a cave full of vampires though to have connections with The Circle. I was breathing deeply, starting to hyperventilate. This was a lot bigger then what I had expected. All the hunters from our city were here plus some from other cities to boost our numbers.
Suddenly, feeling a hoof on my shoulder I looked up to see my mother's golden eyes were looking down at me. A reassuring smile on her face. Nodding my confidence restored, I turned back to the cave entrance. A whistle cut through the air and the attack began.
It wasn't long after we entered the cave system when the call came out. "LYCANS!" We were quickly held back by this unexpected turn of events. Our intel didn't say anything about the vampires having lycans as back up, we hadn't come properly prepared. However, this wouldn't stop us, we would kill every last beast in this cave vampire or lycan.
After a half hour of fighting all the monsters lay dead. Looking around I saw several lycans and vampires, mixed in with them were several dead hunters. The rest of the hunters began to tend to the wounded and making sure the dead were really dead. I began to make my way towards the entrance to get some fresh air.
"She's still breathing get some help!", one of the hunters yelled out. Moving over to the shouting hunter I saw a white mare with a light blue mane laying on the ground. My heart sank as I rushed over.
"MOTHER!", I shouted. She was covered in blood, a long claw mark scratched across he side to her belly. Quickly I pulled my cloak off and covered her wound trying to stop the bleeding. Checking over her to see if she had any other injures but, couldn't see any through the tears forming in my eyes. "Hold on! I'm here!" Her breaths were shallow and fast and she wasn't responding.
"Make way for the Battle master!"
The other hunters who had gathered around parted as the Battle master made his way over. Walking up to the mare and her crying son he looked down at them a sad look on his face.
"I'm sorry boy it must be done."
"NO! SHE'LL BE ALRIGHT!", I screamed at him.
"She's been bitten. It must be done."
"IT'S JUST A SCRATCH! SHE HASN'T BEEN BITTEN!" I cried out as I threw myself over her.
"I'm sorry. Take him"
Several of the other hunters grabbed me and began to drag me away. I tried to fight them as I saw the Battle master draw his ax. Using my magic I broke free before I was grabbed into a hug. Looking up I saw my father holding my tight. His eyes full of sadness. "She's gone son... I'm sorry...."
I turned back to her just as the battle master brought his ax down apon her.
