//------------------------------//
// The Sisterhood of Equestrian Assassins 
// Story: Ponies' Creed: Ascent 
// by Phantom Song 
//------------------------------//

	Rodrigo awoke the next morning to a sight that nearly caused him to have a heart attack. The hooded mare that had stalked him the day before was now standing quietly at the foot of his bed. The expression she wore was solemn yet calm. She was jet black, her white and red robes gracefully cascading down her form, head to flank, like the graceful cadence of snow upon a mountain peak. Her robes and the shadows they cast upon her face prevented her mane and eyes from being seen. The robes also covered most of her body, hiding her cutie mark. It would have been scarcely possible to tell what she looked like underneath were pony fur not usually uniform across the body.

She stood as still as a garden statue until she broke the stillness by drawing in a deep breath. She opened her mouth and began to speak. "I see you're finally awake," she said with a moderately deep yet smooth voice, "Do not worry, I mean you no harm." Rodrigo gave a startled reply, "That's kind of hard to believe, considering the circumstances! How the hell did you get in here anyway?! I secured that door with an enchantment and two extra deadbolts!!"
"Yes, but you didn't account for the rather flimsy bolts securing your windows."
Rodrigo's eyes darted to the window beside his bed, which he had closed and locked the night before but was now very much open.

Rodrigo let out a resigned sigh, "What are you, hm? One of Tyrannus's assassins come to end my bloodline for good?"
"You are half correct," the assassin replied, "I am an assassin, but my allegiance is to nopony. You are my target, but my mission is not to kill you."
"Then who are you, and why are you here?!"
"I am called Ebony Phantom, and I am here because of your mother."
Rodrigo grasped tightly at his mother's sapphire locket, which now hung about his neck. "How did you know her?" he questioned.
"Allow me to explain," said Ebony, taking a step towards the side of the bed, "Your mother was one of my kind- an assassin. It was a fortunate coincidence she fell in love with your father. His career put her in a perfect position to assassinate the enemies of the Sisterhood who held power. Your parents made a perfect team, and operated in such secret that not even you knew of their true profession. Such is the way of the assassin."
"Sisterhood?" Rodrigo inquired, trying to comprehend what he was being told.
"Yes, the Sisterhood of Equestrian Assassins. We fight in secret for a future in which all ponies live in freedom, peace, and harmony. Our primary MO is to aid the populace by eliminating wicked and tyrannical ponies in positions of power. The symbols I left you are the sigil of our order. Despite our name, we are open to both stallions and mares. I came to ask if you wished to follow in your parents' hoofsteps. We could use another Cadenza."

"NO!" Rodrigo protested vigorously. "I've had my fill of war and death! Is it too much to ask to simply start again and live in peace?!"
"In this world, it may be," replied Ebony, "Nevertheless, I respect your decision. You may find, however, that the life of an assassin chooses you. In that case, I would like to leave you with this." Ebony produced a thick cuff from her robes. She used magic, indicating that she was a unicorn. "It is the signature of our order," she continued, "It is known as a hidden blade. The cuff is worn on the foreleg. Its internal mechanism, activated by the muscles in the hoof, causes a small blade to protrude from it, making it perfect for secrecy and covert assassinations. It is most effective when used to slit a throat." Ebony leapt upon the windowsill. "I do hope that you reconsider my offer. In any case, I must implore that you do not speak of the Sisterhood to anyone, even the Princess. That blade can serve you well. Use it if you find yourself in a tough situation. I wish you the best. Farewell, Monsieur Cadenza."

With that, Ebony leapt out the window and vanished into the crowd of commuters below.