It was a bright and sunny day in Tolmais. Everypony was happily walking around greeting each other, chatting with friends, or trying to bargain a deal with one of the many shops. Everypony except one white coat and light grey mane stallion with what looked like a blade with a red hot tip as a cutie mark. Ponytory was racing down the street. “Oh Chancer is going to kill me if I’m late again” said Ponytory to himself thinking (not like he couldn’t have waked me up when he left). Right as he said that he spotted a short cut, several boxes stacked up like stares to a hanging sign that lead straight up to the roofs of the shops and buildings that he could free climb. He has seen his mentor/caretaker use this way to get to his shop and had taught him how to do it to. With one last burst of speed he shot straight up the boxes and on to the sign, behind him he heard somepony say “It must be a drunken wager”.
Within seconds he was on the roof and could see the black hoofs, Chancers blacksmith shop, just a few roofs away. As he was about to take off he heard “No civilians are allowed on the rooftops” as a silver mane, black coat Pegasus guard in dark blue armor with a lighter blue jewel in the center (one that Ponytory placed himself if memory recalls) said as he landed on the roof next to him. Ponytory smiled “Come on Night Silver I have to get to work and I’m late can’t you let me do this one time” adding “You never seem to mind it when Chancer dose it”. Returning the smile “Yes and you weren’t in the war against Discord and helped Luna convince Celestia to give her the territory Discord conquered ether” holding his head high as he said this.
Ponytory know just what to do “Well if you let me go I could tell you what my sister said about you the other night” with a cunning smirk on his face. At that Luna’s head guard ears perked up “Sh-she said something about me” blushing slightly. Ponytory know just how much his friend loved his sister and was willing to always use it to his advantage. “Oh yes, she always just loves telling me how much she love to see you in that armor” said Ponytory. “She-she dose” said his winged friend blushing even harder. “Oh yes, and how lovely your mane is when it wipes in the wind when you fly” said Ponytory almost laughing.
“Ok I guess I could let you go this one time slide for your sister’s sake but don’t let me or the other guards catch you again” said Night silver almost squeaking. With that the stallion zoomed away leaving a pony shaped cloud where he was standing yelling back “ThanksNightSilverI’llputinagoodwordforyoutomysister”. The guard could only do is just stand there thinking (why in Luna’s grace didn’t he just do that in the first place) and flew away just shaking his head.
As Ponytory closed on the Black Hoof he slowed his pace to a sneak. Hoping that Chancer was too busy to notice he was late. As he open the back door he saw a sword handle being thrown towards him. “On guard” came a yell as another sword being thruster at him. He just had enough time to grave the blade thrown to him and parlay. “Oh come on Chancer I’m only a few minutes late” wined Ponytory as he block another slash. “Don’t give me that and your 3 hours late, if you weren’t out chasing tail all night maybe you could be here on time” hollered the crimson coat and black mane stallion with blackened hoofs with a hammer and ax cross as a cutie mark, as he slapped Ponytory in the face with the side of his sword “Ow”. Adding “I mean, come on your sister even gets here before you and she stays up and studies all night so she can get in that fancy antsy school in the Legion” slapping him on the other side of the face “Stop doing that”.
As the two fought the light blue coat and pearl white mane Unicorn with a crystal as a cutie mark, that had stayed quiet till now finally spoke up “Could you two please stop fighting” said the soft spoken Cristal, neither of them hearing her. “Please stop you two, ponies are starting to stare” a little louder, but the fight continued on. Finally losing her temper she yelled “STOP FIGHTING” this time the fight came to an abrupt halt as the two stallions were knock of balance by the mighty yell and fell to the ground. As the duo stared at the now blushing filly, neither of them could help but laugh. This made the light blues filly blush even more.
As Chancer pick himself up and offered a hoof to Ponytory he laughed “ Well, now that that out of the way and I need a new pair of britches why don’t I close shop early and we go get lunch” adding “Ponytory treat that is” eyeing his late pupil. “Fine I guess I can do that much for being late” sighed Ponytory, whispering under his breath “Could have woke me up” not wanting to make his sister anymore angrier. Chancer whispered back “What am I your mother” this time not wonting Cristal to hear him mention her long dead mother. Just then Cristal trotted up to them “What are you guys whispering about”. Both heads popping up yelling “NOTHING” in unison. Cristal just giggled and rolled her eyes “Suuure”.
As the trio neared to food market they saw a large group surrounding a crier. Intrigued they all got closer to listen just to catch the crier repeating himself “I repeat: there has been several attacks on the border town of our great nation. It is thought to have been done by none other the Celestia’s top Legionary group the Templars. No word has come from Celestia herself on the mater but civilians are to be prepared. Luna herself has said that if another attack happens then she will have no chose but to declare war against her beloved sister. All members of the old army should report to the Princess for briefing if such a thing does happen. In other new there will be a new…..” with that neither Ponytory nor Cristal cared to listen to the crier. Their only focus was on the mentor, the pony who took them in without a word when their parents died, and one of the head generals who, with his friends and their father have help defeat Discord and set up this great nation. Chancer now what they were about to ask even before they did and didn’t allow them to “Well, who’s hungry I’m thinking I’m feeling generous and will pay so let’s have ourselves a feast shall we”. Once again without letting them speak Chancer trotted off to their favorite restraint. The siblings gave each other a glance and trotted off to catch up to their mentor. Hope filled both hearts that they wouldn’t be losing the one pony the both considered to be their father.
Later that day.
Ponytory lied in his bed dreaming. In his dream he was racing across roof tops chasing someone or something. He was wearing strange close and some sort of devise that he could almost feel above both hoofs. Suddenly the creature he was chasing stop and turned towards him. Horror fell over him as he saw the creature he was chasing. It was him but twisted and deformed. The very atmosphere around it felt evil. As the evil him stepped closer it spoke “what’s the matter, don’t like what your about to become” at that the creature lunged forwarded and swallowed him whole.
Shooting awake from the dream Ponytory could barely hear the explosions and screams echoing through the city. (What was that) he thought as his sister bursts through the door. “Brother what happening, are we under attack?” cried the filly as she buried her head into her brothers’ chest. “I don’t know” said her brother dazed adding “Where’s Chancer?” “I don’t know he’s not in his room I think I saw him heading to the Black Hoof wearing a strange white hooded cloak” said Cristal as she finally coming down. Standing up and looking out his window Ponytory was shocked at what he saw. Building on fire, guards and civilian pony’s alike slain in the street, there were golden armor pony’s killing anyone they saw a few blocks down.
Turning from his window Ponytory went to his chest that was at the foot of his bed. Opening it he saw just what he was looking for, his father’s sword and dagger. Taking the sword for himself and strapping it to his side he gave the dagger to his sister. Wide eyed she asked “What is this?!”. “Its father’s dagger there are pony’s that are killing others out there and I don’t want you going out there unarmed” replied Ponytory as he helped strap the daggers sheath to her. Almost crying again she asked “B-but why don’t we just stay here?”. “They will kill us for sure if we do that. The only thing we can do is get to the Black Hoof and find Chancer if he’s still alive.” said Ponytory regretting that last part. With that he headed to the door.
As they got outside they hear a thud behind them. Drawing his sword Ponytory twirled around and clashed swords will a silver manned Pegasus. “Night Silver” gemmed Cristal with joy and she hugged her friend. “Well at least somepony knows how to greet a friend” said Night silver with a blush. Returning his sword to it sheath Ponytory asked “What’s going on and why are you doing here?” Clearing his throat Night silver said “Well as for what’s happening, from what I can tell we’re being attacked by the Legion” looking down both sides of the street to make sure no one ells was there. “As for me being here I came to see if Chancer is here and to get both of you out safely” exclaimed the armored Pegasus. Looking up at him Cristal explained what had happened there. Clearing his thought Night Silver said “Well then I guess I will escort both of you there”. “But don’t you have to protect the rest of the city?” asked Ponytory. “Most of the remaining civilians have already been evacuated and the rest are being protected by guards in the chapel.” said Night Silver. “Ok then let’s get moving” said Ponytory as he took the lead.
As the trio approached the Black Hoof the heard fighting and yelling. “He’s here, the one Trixie want” said the golden armor unicorn with a commander’s armor and helmet that covered her face. Three other surrounded the injured Chancer one a strangely familiar looking Pegasus and the other Earth ponies. One of the earth ponies’ yelled to the other “remember now Smasher, don’t overdo it with that hammer of yo…” before he could finish a blade was slashed through the back of his neck. “NIGHT SILVER” yelled the golden armored Pegasus as the black Pegasus drew his commanders sword from the back of the dead pony’s neck. “Well never thought…” before he could finish, Smasher slammed down his hammer nearly hitting Night Silver “smmmaaaaaaasssshhhhhhhhhh” hollered the monster sized pony. As Night Silver pulled up the enemy Pegasus shot at him “your mine” forcing him even higher into the air. With that time Chancer attacked the monster pony stabbing him with two hidden blade that come out from under his hoofs. Being thrown back by Smasher Chancer yelled “Ponytory don’t just stand there go after the commander” as Cristal shot over to help him.
Hesitantly Ponytory turned to the Unicorn how had already drown her curved blade. Ponytory drew his blade just in time to parlay the Unicorns blade. Seeing an opening he shot in for a strike just under her helmet. At the last second he veered his blade off and jabbed it into her armored shoulder scraping off a line of gold. Was this what the monster in his dream meant on “This is what you will become?” Suddenly he felt a sting on the side of his face. Dodging the curved blade he fell to the ground. He looked up and saw the commander standing over him “Any last word scum”. Smiling Ponytory replied “Go buck yourself”. In rage the Unicorn thrusted her sword at him only to be stabbed in the neck by his.
Struggling to get the mare’s dead body of him he heard two thuds near him. The closes was a now one winged golden armored Pegasus as the slightly bleeding guard landed, tears filled his eyes. “I never thought the day would come that I would have to kill one of my own kin” he exclaimed. Finally Ponytory remembered why she looked so familiar; she was Night Silvers cousin from Cloudsdale. Sitting up after Night Silver had helped him get the Unicorns body off him he located where the second thud came from. Standing over the monstrous pony trying to catch both their breath was Chancer and Cristal. “I’m (inhale) getting (exhale) too old for this” exclaimed the strangely dressed Chancer. Looking over to Ponytory “What are you panting at; when I was your age I could take on an army of these buckers by myself” adding “Kids these day, so out of shape” with a short laugh. Looking at what she just helped do Cristal finally broke down and cried.
After showing the trio the hidden passage in the back of the Black Hoof Chancer finally sat down and looked at them. “Well what you waiting for, I know you have questions, so ask away.” adding “We still have some time before it’s safe to leave.” Night Silver was the first to speak “What is that you are wearing, I’ve never seen armor and weapons like that before?” a question that was on everyone’s mind. Laughing Chancer explained “This is called a hidden blade” showing the blade as it popped out from behind his sleeve. “It has a few other devices in it but the blade is it primary weapon. As for what I’m wearing it is slandered creed guide master armor” As he said this he tossed Ponytory and a set of hidden blades and a suite of armor that looked like it was recently remade and fitted for him. “These were your fathers, he along with myself and a few others helped created what is called the Creed of Assassins.” Setting another set by his sister. Braking into the conversation “I’ve heard stories about such a group but I thought they were just a myth” said Night Silver as he adjusted the now sleeping Cristal so she wasn’t sleeping one him. “Hmm tell me what these stories told you of the Creed” asked Chancer razing an eyebrow. “Well…” said Night Silver clearing his throat “ They say the Creed was created by Luna the same time Celestia created the Templars and they were her elite forces against Discord and that four of them were the once that kill Discord, not the Princesses and the Templars” adding “or so I heard.” Chuckling Chancer said “well most of that is true we did serve the final blow but it was with the help of the Princesses that I was able to do it.”
“WAIT” yelled Ponytory “you were the one who kill Discord!!!” “Keep your voice down” said Chancer shooting a glare at him. “And yes me, your father and four others killed Discord with the elements of harmony” replied Chancer to Ponytory’s earlier question. “Sorry” said Ponytory dropping his head a little. Breaking the silence Night Silver asked “Why aren’t you guys still around then and what happened with the Templars if they didn’t help kill Discord?” Sighing heavily Chancer answered “As for your first question we’re still here always have been, working from the shadows to keep the world safe, like we did for the war granted there are fewer of us that are still active members” pausing for a secant to let that soak in “as for the Templars, they always hated us, they called us cowered for hardly ever fighting face-to-face, even started fighting us towards the end of the war and after” sighing once again and shaking his head “they never even saw the final fight with Discord, they were too busy fighting use and each other, trying to make themselves look good.” “Is that why they said they killed Discord” came a small voice. The three stallions turned their head to stare at the now awake Cristal.
Shooting Ponytory a look Chancer explained “Not exactly we and the Princesses say they were the ones that killed Discord, said that the six that deliver the final blow were some unknown Templers who sacrificed themselves to save us” adding “we hoped it would settle the bad blood between us”. “I’m guessing it didn’t.” said Ponytory. “No it didn’t, in fact it made it worse” said Chancer. Suddenly his head popped up with a sense of emergency on his face “If the Templars knew where I was than they know there every assassin and their families are including you!!!” Shock rolled over on both siblings face.Standing up “I’m must worn the other Assassins and unfortionally you’re going to have to help me” staring at the siblings. “What about me?” said Night Silver. “You’re not an Assassin but I’ll leave it to you to inform Luna that the Creed will be back in action and will gather at Castle De Discord awaiting her orders” turning to the sibling “As for you I hear by announce you both novices’ assassins.” Staring at each other in shock the sibling moved to say something but were interrupted. “I know neither of you want this but you don’t have a choose and I’m sorry to say this but I’m going to have to split you up” once again without letting them say a thing “Ponytory being that you have more combat training then your sister I will have to send you into the Legion so search for John Boy and Dylgon the only other surviving assassins that helped kill Discord, as for you Cristal I want you to head to Actin and Basil and inform the assassin there, you can find both their guides through the Courtesans guilds.” Saying this Chancer turned to leave. “WAIT” said Ponytory “How and I suppose to find them.” Turning back around Chancer simply said “Well first find the glowing green eyes of ponyvilla” with that he diapered down the black tunnel. The siblings looked at each other; finally breaking the silence Ponytory said “Well looks like we’re assassins”
End of chapter 1